YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY §sf *r« c- HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. HOLMES AMMIDOWN, MERCHANT. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. N EW YORK: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1874. CONTENTS TO VOL. II. STUEBRIDGE. Town Grant, first petition, report, etc., Saltonstall Farm, ....... Eliot Farm and Alum Ponds, .... Winthrop Farm, Winthrop's Letters about Lead Mines, Lead Mines, ..... . . Second petition for a grant, and report, Third petition, and act of General Court, Division of Lands, and Proprietors' Names, Second Division of Lands, and account of James Denison Moses Marcy, ... . . Origin of name of town, ...... Act of Incorporation, and account of Moses Marcy, . First Town Meeting, . . . . First Schools, ... ..... Action of town on riot at Boston, and Hutchinson and Letters, ....... General Timothy Newell, and Revolutionary period, . Names of Soldiers of tlie War of Revolution, . Territory of the town — The old cemetery, Attempts for sitting off parts of the town for new towns, Manufacturing Companies — Westville and Fiske Dale, Population and List of College Graduates, Schools, . .... and Oliver 9-11 11 1.5-17 17, 18 19, 202120293031 32 U 37 38-45 45 50 51-53 54-59 60-63 63 BIOGRAPHICAL. Hon. Amasa Walker, .... Benjamin D. Hyde, Physicians, .... Lawyers and men of distinction, Worcester South Agricultural Society, 65 08 69 70, 71 71 ECCLESIASTICAL. Congregational Society, Baptist Society, Unitarian Society, (i 96 109 IV CONTENTS. CHAKLTON. Petition for a town, and grant, . . .113 Warrant for first town meeting and holding same — Xames of officers, ... . .117,118 Support ofthe Gospel and schools, 119 Building first meeting-house, . . . 120 Addition to town by annexation of Gore, . . . . 122 Building school-houses, . .... 122 Burying-ground, ... . . . 123 First settled minister,- ... ... 123 War of Revolution, . . . . 125 Stamp Act, . . . . 127 Lord Chatham's address, 128 Dr. Franklin before Parliament, 132 Repeal of Stamp Act, . 133 Act for punishing mutiny, etc., 1 54 Thomas Pownal's speech, 1 35 Edmund Burke's remarks on tax. . 140 Tea Act, and action of Colonies, • 140 Dr. Franklin — Case of intercepting the letter ¦> of Hutchinson and Oliver, . ... 144-149 Tea ships, arrival, and action of Colonies, . 151-153 Boston Port Bill, . . 153,154 Bill for impartial administration of justice, 154 Action ofthe town in war of Revolution, 157-163 Territory ofthe town and population, 164, 105 Manufacturing companies, . 165 ECCLESIASTICAL. Congregational Society, . 167 Baptist Church and Society, . 173 Universalis and Unitarians, . 186 Unitarian Society, . , 194 BIOGRAPHICAL. Rev. Edward Turner, . , .... 197 Rev. John Bisbe, . 206 Rev. John Boydcn. . 210 Rev. Massena B. Ballou, 213 Rev. Thomas Whitteniore. 216 The Town family, . . gig The Davis family, . 219 The Dresser family, 220 Remarks on noted men, . 222 Gen. Salem Town, . 223 Caleb Ammiclown, . . . 225 CONTENTS. SOUTHBKIDGE. Poll Parish — Origin, progress and termination, . 229-248 Deed of Meeting-house Common, . . . 248 Deed of burying-ground, . . . 250 FenciDg burying-ground, ... . 251 Movement for a town by the parish, . . 252 Additional act for parish, ... . 254 Petiiion for town ami names mi =ame, . . 258 First report of com t's committee, . . 260 Rejection of terms of report, .... 261 Second court's committee and report, . . . 262 Acceptance by the town, . . 264 Close of Poll Parish afiiirs, . . . 264,265 Territory of the town. . ... 266 Act of Incorporation of town, . . . 268 First town meeting, and officers, . . 270 Celebration ofthe Fortieth Anniversary of Independence, 275 Oration by Zenas L. Leonard, . . 293 Celebration of Independence, July 4, 1821, Rev. John Bisbe, orator — Ode, toasts, etc., . . . 301 Addition to Southbiidge, 309 ROADS AXD HIGHWAYS. Firstobject of roads, turnpikes — Cause leading to county roads , 310 Appointment and law establishing Board of County Commis sioners, .... ... 311 rJew roads that soon followed, .... 311-315 Town-hou=e, etc., . . . . 310-319 Bill regulating deposits of public money of the United States, and its disti ibution among the States, 316, 317 Schools and high school, . . 320-323 Charlotte Plimpton's school, . . . 322 Article on general education, . . 323 Formation of government of Massachusetts. . . 328 Spinning on the Rock — Primitive spinning— The Spin Rock, now in use in Europe, . . 335 Formation of character by rigid laws, . 336 Mr. Burke's remarks upon New England whale fishery, 337 District Schools — Act abolishing same, . 338 Establishing Board of Education, and results of svme. . 338,339 School Fund of Massachusetts, 342 Normal Schools, ... . 343 VI CONTENTS. CEMETERY. Old Cemetery, ... . .345 First addition- Second add tion— Receiving Tomb— Ornamen tal Trees ... . • 345, 316 The Ornamental Rural Cemetery. . • 346 Mount Auburn Cemetery, ..... • 347 Laurel Hill Cemetery, ... • 349 Greenwood Cemetery, . . . ... 351 Historical account of Egyptian, H.-brew, Grecian, Roman, m:>des of buiial, . • • 352 Tlie Mausoleum, . . . . 354 Church and ckurc'i-yar 1 burhls, . 355 Pere la Chaise Cemetery, Paris, 357 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. Marcy's Mills, . . .... 357 Colonel Moses Marcy and the origin of improvements on Qui e- baug river, . . . . 353-359 Captain Jedediah Marcy's doings, and Clothing Works, by John Gray, ... . 360 First Store, by Zebina Abbot — First appearance of Deacon George Sivm er . . . 360 Tbe Charlton Manufacturing Company, . . 301 Sale of Marcy's Mills to Deacon Elisha Cole, 362 Origin of Central Cotton Mill, . . 362 Dresser Cotton Mill — C. A. Paige — Originate! by John Green and Williaii Sumner, . . . 363 Incorporated as Dresser Manufacturing Company, . 304 Globe Village and its Manufacturing Companies, • 364 The Plimpton Family, founders of this village — Their origin at Medfield, and progress here, . 365-307 Landscape Painting, by Alexander; now in possession of E. I). Plimpton, Esq., 307 Globe Manufacturing Company, . 368 The Wolcott Woolen .Manufacturing Company, . ;j?0 James Wolcott, Jr., at height of his reputation — The Big Dam, and break-do n — Fall of the Washington Bridge, 372 Account of James Wolcott, Jr., . • 3V:; The Hamilton Woolen Company — Willard Sayies and Samuel A. Hitchcock, chief managers, . 374 Samuel L. Fiske, agent, and death of Willard Say les, Esq., 376 Joshua and Gayton Ballard appear, . 377 Columbian Cotton Mill — Origin of same, . . , :;7<) Names of proprietors and shares, . . . yyn CONTENTS. New Brick Mill, by E. D. Ammidown — Names of proprietors, and sale to Henry T. Grant, and his improvements, Central Cotton Mill — Ebenezer D. Ammidown, originator, Organizations, and finally change of owneis, Saunders Dale — Origin of the place and village, Larkin Ammidown's operations, and Silas H. Kimball, James Saunders' operations, The Cotton Plant — Its history and product in the United States, ...... Southbridge Bank, Currency and Banks — Account of, Southbridge Savings Bank, Aqueduct Companies, Hotel, first, on site of Edwards' house, Southbridge Newspapers, first established, and account of E. B. Botham, and others — Papers here published, District Coort established, Railroads and Canals, Erie Canal, ...... Principal Canals in the United States, Other canals now existing in other countries, . . Origin of railroad from Boston to Hudson River, 1830, the commencement of present railroad system, Railroad from Southbridge to Boston, Railroad progress in the United States, .... Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads — Finishing same The ceremony, Length and cost of railroads to 1872, Railroad Subsidies, Canal Grants, .... The American Optical Company, and origin ofthe business in Southbridge, . ..... War op Rebellion — Volunteers from Southbridge, Soldiers furnished by the colonies for Revolutionary War, Rebellion war statistics, . . Nationality of the army, List of forts in the Southern States, . 414, 381 381382383384380 386 401403412 415 414 418 421432428433 433-436 437 441445 449 453 455 456 458458 461 474 476 477 478 ECCLESIASTICAL. The Congregational Society, Meeting House, Account of their several ministers, The First Baptist Society, Meeting House, .... First Baptist Church, 479 482 485-489 490 493 496 Vlll CONTENTS. Central Baptist Church, . 503 Account of the several ministers of the First Baptist and Cen tral Baptist Church and Societies, . . . 510-518 Anabaptists and Baptists, . . . . 519 Methodist Episcopal Society, . .... 525 Origin and progress of Methodism, . . . . 526 The First Universalist Society, . . 533 Evangelical Free Church, Globe village, ..... 535 Roman Catholic Society, . . . 537 Romish Church in America, . . ... 540 BIOGRAPHICA-L. Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, . . . 545 Hon. Ebenezer Davis Ammidown, . . 553 Hon. Linus Child, . . 557 Moses Plimpton, . . . . 560 Dr. Samuel Hartwell, . . 561 Timothy Paige, Jr,, , . 563 James Wolcott, . . 563 Col. Otis Ammidown, . . . 568 Frederick Whiting Bottom, ..... 568 Dr. Jacob Corey, . . 569 Early settlements in this vicinity, . . 571 ERRATA. VOLUME II. Page 11, Note, 6th line, for Pooltpooltsnog, read Poohpoohsuog. 13, " 13th line, for ' read " 03, 22d line, fir had, read has. 104, 0th line, for so much of the road, read hind. 195, 19th line, for 1827, read 1828. 256, 21st line, for taken front, read taken hy. 366, 24th line, for who iras, read who icere. 408, 23d line, for the Robert Morris, read Son. Robert Morris. 481, 10th line, for 1815, read 1810. 501, 7th line, for Baltimore, read Boyhton. 571. 22.1 line, from 1643, rend from date of grant. 574, 28th line, for Holmes Ammuhnrn?s own land, read my ownland. 578, 1st line, for extending to the Botham place, read and is now the Botham ylac.e. HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. STUEBEIDGE Section I. CHAPTER I. f"PHE grant for this town was made by the General Court to several inhabitants of the town of Medfield. The date or contents of the first petition has not been ascertained, but it is believed to have been presented to the court early in the year 1725. This belief is founded upon the following re port, which gives the result of a survey made in pursuance of the order of court, the June 2, 1725, viz. : " REPORT. "In pursuance of a vote of the General Assembly at Boston, June 2, 1725, 1 have made a survey of same province land, and report as follows: "The survey was made the 11th, 12th, and 13th of May, 1726, by William Ward, surveyor; Ebenezer Learned and Joseph Plimpton, chainmen. "The plan annexed contains within the black lines 20,032 acres, in cluding ponds, rivers, and swamps ; which is for the most part moun tainous and very rocky land."* * This tract of country was known as a piece of province ltnd lying between Oxford Brookfield, and Brimfield; these three towns having been previously granted, and at this time had some English settlfments in each. Dudley had not then been made a town, but Woodstock had been settled about forty years, and had made considerable prcgref s in He affairs. The author of the report was a resident of Woodstock. lA 6 STUBBKIDGE. " The farms contained therein are as follows : «' 2,000 acres of equivalent lands laid out to Governor Saltonstall; this survey was made 9th month, 24th, 1714. "800 acres of Mr. Eliot's 1,000 acre grant at Pookookuppog, or Alum Ponds; surveyed August 26, 1715. " 3,000 acres of Mr. Winthrop's land at Tantousque, or the Black-Lead Mine ; surveyed in 1715. " 500 acres laid out to Colonel Pynchon on Coy Hill. "Total— 6,300 acres, all laid down and described in the plan, which, subducted from 20,032 acres, leaves of the province land 13,732 acres. "These farms* contain the best of all the tract; they are laid out ac cording to the plat of the respective surveys, and are described in the dark lines; but Mr. Winthrop's survey interferes with Governor Salton- stall's 2,000 acres of equivalent lands. " There are some good spots among the province land, but they are small and few; and unless the farms can be purchased or settled I can not see that there can be accommodation for inhabitants sufficient to carry on and maintain the public worship of God, or manage the affairs of a town. All which is humbly submitted by your humble, most duti ful, and obedient servant, " Woodstock, June 7, 1726. JOHN CHANDLER." In connection with the early history of Sturbridge, it is believed that some account of these farms, showing their origin, will be interesting, especially to residents of this place. A brief sketch of the history of the four tracts of land before referred to, is as follows : THE SALTONSTALL EARM. The province of Massachusetts, for services in its behalf, rendered by Sir Kichard Saltonstall, Knight, one of the patentees named in the old charter, granted him 2,000 acres of land on the border of Connecticut river, then supposed to be within the limits of said province, but according to the location of the new division line, established by an agreement entered into by tlie said province and the colony of Connecti cut in tho year 1713 (as will be seen in_ another part of this * The term ''farms " here implies grants of province lands to individuals, wild and uncul tivated; a name distinguishing such lands from grants made for towns. .L,m><»uMC a.»x(ostomti enocasl STUEBEIDGE. 7 work), this 2,000 acres, as also did many other grants by Mas sachusetts along this border, fall south of said new line ; and in accordance with the terms of the said agreement, Massachu setts paid to Connecticut an equal number of acres of land, by grants within her territory, not only for these individual grants, but for tlie quantity of lands in the three towns of Suffield, Enfield, and Woodstock, which were found to lie south of the line of 1713; and being equal in quantity to the lands granted by Massachusetts to Connecticut, under said agreement, these new grants took the name, and were for many years known as " Equivalent Lands." This tract of 2,000 acres, at the time of the establishing of the line in 1 713, was the property of the Rev. Gurdon Salton- stall, of New London, a grandson of Sir Richard, aforesaid, and which, by the following act of the General Assembly of Connecticut, he surrendered, and agreed to accept as an equivalent, the same number of acres out of the equivalents granted to Connecticut by Massachusetts. "ACT OP THE ASSEMBLY OP CONNECTICUT. "The governor* having shown to this Assembly that the govern ment of Massachusetts province has allowed 2,000 acres equivalent to this colony, for a grant of land formerly made by them to his ancestor, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Knight, which happened to fall within the bounds of Windsor, in this colony ; and having declared in this As sembly that he is content that the said town of Windsor shall enjoy the said grant, provided he may take up the equivalent for it, instead there of, where it may best suit him in the lands given for equivalents by the said government of Massachusetts : It is thereupon granted by this As sembly, that Governor Gurdon Saltonstall may take up to his own use the said quantity of acres, among the equivalents allowed to this colony, where it shall best suit him, provided that the tract be taken up in one entire piece. "Passed, May, A. D. 1714." * The Eev. Gurdon Saltonstall was, at this time, Governor of Connecticut; the son of Colonel Nathan Saltonstall, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, the grandson of Richard Saltonstall, of Watcrtown, Massachusetts, and great grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Knight, and one of the patentees in the first charter of Massachusetts; he was born in Haverhill, March 27, 1666, and graduated at Harvard in 1684. Died, September 24, 1724, aged fifty-eight. 8 STURBRIDGE. As appears in the foregoing report of Colonel Chandler of his survey of the province lands between the towns of Ox ford, Brookfield, and Brimfield, made in 1726, this 2,000 acres had been selected and located about in the center of this tract, in 1714, or twelve years before this survey on the petition from the people of Medfield. When the founders of Sturbridge first began to form settlements in this territory, Governor Saltonstall had deceased, and this 2,000 acres had become the property of his heirs, as will be shown in another place in the history of this town. This tract of province land extended south to the province line ; and including the four previous individual grants, as stated by the report of Colonel Chandler, contained 20,032 acres. To understand the wildness and condition of this land, when Governor Saltonstall selected and had this 2,000 acres surveyed, the fact must be considered that there was not an English settlement on the west of it, till you came to Spring- field ; and, on the north, perhaps about five or six families in the town of Brookfield ; and beyond, not a European inhabi tant between that and Canada. On the east, Oxford had only the year before received its first English settlers ; and beyond that, scarcely an English settlement, until you came to Marl borough, or Mendon ; but, on the south, Woodstock had be come quite a thriving settlement. ' But the recent war between the English and French colo nies in America, known in history as Queen Anne's war, had just been closed, which gave evidence of a durable peace, and that the English settlements might advance into this interior between the sea-board and the settlements along the borders of Connecticut river, without molestation from the marauding parties of struggling Indians and French, which, for more than twenty years, had prowled along the frontier settlements ofthe Englisk, ready to fall upon any unprotected plantation, STUEBRIDGE. 9 destroy its small improvements, and either kill or take into captivity to their homes in Canada, the inhabitants. After 1713 there was comparatively a feeling of safety, when this interior of Massachusetts began to be eagerly sought after, both by the hardy pioneer settler and the spec ulator ; and towns were rapidly formed in all parts, from the old towns near Boston to those on Connecticut river. Although several towns had been incorporated before the year 1713, yet this may be taken as the first date of real progress in the settlements, in what is now the territory of the county of Worcester, and the eastern parts of the counties of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin, then known as the eastern part of Hampshire county, and the western parts of Middlesex and Suffolk counties ; Worcester county not being formed till 1731. THE ELIOT FARM. This was a tract formerly given to the Rev. John Eliot, " Apostle to the Indians" by two chiefs of the Quabaug Indians, who resided in the vicinity of the large ponds in the territory now Brookfield. Some years before any English settlers had attempted to locate in this interior country there were a class of Indians located here by the name of "Quabaugs," a tribe of the ancient Elpmucks. To these Indians the Rev. Mr. Eliot occasionally traveled through this wilderness country, from his residence in Rox- bnry, about seventy miles, for the benevolent and Christian purpose of teaching them the Gospel, and for that end gathered together these natives and held religious meetings with them, conducted in similar manner as were those with the English ; with prayers, singing, and preaching. It is stated in his tory that the Indians were much interested in these services, and, when Mr. Eliot was on a visit to them in 1655, Wattalloo- 10 STTTRBTtrDGE. wekin and Nakin, two of the native chiefs, gave him this tract of 1,000 acres. Twenty-four years after the decease of the Rev. Apostle Eliot, one of his grandchildren petitioned the General Court for a confirmation of this Indian gift of land, which petition being presented to the court, received action as follows : "In Council, June 22, 1714. " In answer to the petition of John Eliot, praying confirmation of a tract of 1,000 acres of land at a place called ' Alum Ponds,' lying in the wilderness west of Brookfield, given by the Indian proprietors to his grandfather, the Rev. John Eliot, late of Roxbury, clerk, deceased; ordered, that the tract of 1, 000 acres of land, given by the Indian pro prietors to the late Rev. John Eliot, as by their grant thereof presented with said petition is described, be confirmed to such of the heirs of the said donee as are legally entitled to the same, provided it do not inter fere with any prior grants and they may improve John Chandler, Esq., to survey and lay it out, and return a plat thereof to this court for fur ther confirmation. " Consented to. • JOSEPH DUDLEY, Governor." "REPORT OF SURVEY. "Suffolk, ss., August 29, 1715. John Chandler, Junior, surveyor, and James Corbin and Samuel Rice, chainmen, appeared personally before me, the subscriber, one of his majesty's justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, and made oath respectively, that the tract of land distinguished by this plat is truly protracted, and contains 1,000 acres of land and no more, and that they used due exactness and care in the measure thereof. "JOHN CHANDLER," Then follows the account of the survey as made by the above surveyor and chainmen, as follows : "SURVEY. "The survey of the 1,000 acres of land given to the Rev. John Eliot, late of Roxbury, deceased, clerk, by Wattalloowekin and Nakin, the 27th of September, 1655, and confirmed and allowed by the General Assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, to such of the descendants of the said donee as are legally entitled to the same; on the 17th and 22d of June, 1714, as of record appears, which said 1 000 eJfiii/a.foszs $*£ /JU«i~J- ** tfcr "-*& "k™^ '&^~ C/i^'J/ly =J AK PFOTO-UTHOGRAPH/C CO ft > IOSBORN£S PftOCcSS.; STITKBRIDGE. 11 acres of land lies southward of and contiguous to the township of Brook field, alias Quabaug. ' ' It begins at a popple-tree marked, and a heap of stones about it, about two perch from a pond called "Pookookapog Pond;"* and thence runs by the needle of the surveying instrument, W. 27° 00', N. 402 perch, to a stake and heap of stones on the eastward side of a hill ; and then S. 5#, 00' W., 400 perch to a large heap of stones on the westward side of a ridge of rocks; from thence E. 27°, 00', S. 460 perch; and from thence N. 3° 00', W. 428 perch, to the corner first mentioned ; as is described by the plat above. " Surveyed, August 26, 1715, and protracted by a scale of 48 perch to an inch. "Per JNO. CHANDLER, JUNIOR, Surveyor." Then follows the act of confirmation in the house of rep resentatives, December 5, 1715. "Ordered that the plat on the other side be accepted, and the land therein described be confirmed to the descendants of the late Rev. John Eliot, deceased, pursuant to the . vote of the court, passed for that end, at their session in June, Anno Domini, 1714. ' ' Sent up far concurrence, "In Council, "JOHN BURRILL, Speaker. "December 5, 1715, ' ' Read and concurred, "SAM'L WOODWARD, Secretary." THE WINTHROP FARM. This tract was a grant made by the General Court originally to John Winthrop, Junior, son of Governor John Winthrop, * It has been a matter of inquiry to know the origin of the name Alum or Pookookapog, for these ponds. It was by many supposed that at an early period the mineral Bubstance known as Alum had been found here; but, if so, it did not explain the name Pookookapog. It has been ascer tained that both of these names are of the native dialect. Alum signifies " dog," and Poo kookapog is a corruption of the word that signifies " cats," Poohpoolisnog. " Cat'' is Poopoh. The word signifying dog was different among the natives within New England, and quite another word — yet, in some respects similar, as follows : The Nipmuck word, was Alum, 1 The Narragansett, was Ayim, I The Quinnipiac, was Arum, The Cape Indians, was Anum, J Thus, when it reads, Pookookapog, that is Poopoohsnog or Alum Ponds, it signifies "The Cat's or Dog's Pond. " 12 STTJEBKIDGE. of Massachusetts, and father of Major-General Waitstill Win throp ; it bears date in 1644. This is one of six grants made by the province of Massachusetts, for the encouragement, at this early period of the iron manufacture in New England. This act of tlie General Court is referred to by John Win throp in his journal, viz. : "John Winthrop, the younger, coming from England two years since, brought with him £1,000 stock, and diverse workmen, to begin the iron work, and had moved the court for some encouragement to be given the undertakers, and for the court to join in carrying on the work, etc., etc. The business was well approved by the court as a thing much conducing to the good of the country, but we had no stock in the treasury to give furtherance to it ; only some two or three private persons joined in it, and the court granted the adventurers nearly all their demands, as a monopoly of it for twenty years, and liberty to make use of any six places not already granted, and to have three miles square in every place, to them and their heirs, and freedom from public charges, training," etc. For tliis object, 3,000 acres of land was accordingly granted to John Winthrop, Junior, and his partners, February 19, 1643 (old style), of the common land of Brain tree, for the commencement of the iron business. This John Winthrop, Junior, who was afterwards Governor of Connecticut, may be regarded as the father and founder of the iron business in America. Mr. Savage, in his notes to Winthrop, remarks : " Our colony records at the court, March 7, 1643-'44, contain at great length the orders on this subject." Again : " On the 13th of ninth month, following, very encourao-ing resolu tions were passed by the court, of which notice was taken of the £1,000 being already disbursed, and ended with the following: "Mr. John Winthrop, Junior, is granted ye hill at Tantousque, about sixty miles westward, in which the black-lead is, and liberty to pur chase some land of the Indians."* * See Records "1 Oeneral Court, lGifl and 1044, \Tr JohnWinthro/t is granted the hilt al Tarrtousgue about 6 O miles westward in Avuli the ft lack Lead is, with liberty to purchase some land there &f the Indians . !$•¦ 9'- month, 164-3 -4. Wi/rthrop , by savage ¦ \ol.H.P:2l3. "In, i!ru*t>mJ~ STURBEIDGE. 13 This bears date, " November 13, 1644." This appears to be the first movement for the working of these lead mines, which were made known by John Oldham, by his discovery of black- lead with the interior Indians in this region, on his journey across the country to Connecticut river valley, in September, 1633.* John Winthrop was a gentleman of education and scientific attainments, and no person of his day evinced a more enter prising spirit. He, no doubt, placed much value upon this grant of land that embraced this blackdead region. Black-lead, plumbago, or graphite (by which three names this mineral is known), was then regarded in England as of great value. The principal source for this material at that time was the Borrowdale mine, in a branch of the Cumberland mountains, in England, called the."Seatoller Fell," near the lakes, in the vicinity of Keyswick, the top of which mountain is 2,000 feet above the sea-level. This mineral was deemed of such value that special acts of Parliament were passed for its protection. The entrance to this mine was secured by strong buildings. The mineral when raised was assorted and prepared in the presence of a guard of soldiers, with loaded muskets, to pre vent its being stolen by the mountaineers. At first, this mineral was found so pure, that it was capable of being worked into the finest pencils in the condition it came from the mine. It had, in time, to be prepared by sepa rating the impurities, before good work could be made from it. This process is now effected by reducing the mineral to powder, then exhausting the air from it, and, by great pressure, to form it into solid blocks, from which slices are cut of the thickness desired for the size of the pencil to be made. This process enables all parts of the mineral to be worked, * See Winthrop by Savage, vol. II, p. 213-261, and vol. i, 3, or 132. 14 STTTEBEIDGE. and increases the quantity for use to such extent, that it has cheapened very much articles of this manufacture. At what time the explorations commenced for discovering the definite locality of this lead mine after the report of Mr. John Oldham on his exhibit of specimens of this lead at Bos ton, in 1633, does not appear ; but, no doubt, the younger Winthrop, with his enterprise and knowledge of the great value of the lead mine in England, did not delay long in as certaining its location and quality. It is known that John Winthrop, Junior, visited England in 1634, and returned to New England in 1635, with a com mission from the patentees of the Earl of Warwick charter, for commencing a colony at the mouth of Cennecticut river, by building a fort and erecting houses preparatory to the set tlement of a colony. This commission was executed in 1635, and the following year that locality received the n<*ne of Saybrook in honor of Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brooke.* * John Winthrop, eldest son of Governor John Winthrop, of Massachusetts, by bis first wife, was born at Groton, in Suffolk, February 12, 1605. He received a liberal education at Cambridge university, and at Dublin, and came to New England with his father's family, November 4, 1631 ; was appointed a magistrate the same year, and returned to England in 1634, as above. Hia commission with the patentees was dated, " July 18, 1634," as " Gover nor of Connecticut River for One Year." After this, he returned, and lived at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1638-'39; sailed again for England, August 3, 1641, and returned to New England in 1643; removed to Pequot (New London) in 1646, and became the principal founder of that ancient town, which had its name changed from Pequot to New London, in March, 1658, by the action of the General Assembly of that colony, as foUows: "This court, considering that there hath yet no place in any of the colonies been named in memory of the city of London, there being a new plantation within this jurisdiction of Connecticut, settled upon the fair river Mohegan, in the Pequot country, being an excellent harbor and a fit and convenient place for future trade, it be also the only place which the English in these parts have possessed by conquest, and that upon a very just war, upon that great and warlike people, the Pequots, that, therefore, they might thereby leave to pos terity the memory of that renowned city of London, from whence we had our transporta tion, have thought fit, in honor to that famous city, to call the said plantation New London." He was elected a magistrate in Connecticut, in 1661, and continued in that office until 1857, when he was elected governor, and appointed their agent for visiting England to solicit a charter for the same. He sailed for England in 1661, and returned in 1663, with a charter bearing date, •• April 20, 1662," arriving in America the 16th of May. This charter embraced the colony of New Haven, thus including aU the present territory of what is now the State of Connecticut, which, at the first planting, was divided into three separate colonies; Con necticut, Saybrook, and New Haven. Mr Winthrop was now continued governor of the colony till 1676 ; seventeen years. STURBRIDGE. 15 Having returned to England in 1641, he again came to New England in 1643, with a preparation for founding iron works, and for mining ; no doubt, as early as 1643, he ex plored and discovered this black-lead mine. His obtaining a large grant of the hilly and broken country around the same is evidence of his expectation that black-lead and other min erals had deposits of value in that vicinity, especially iron, as it was contemplated at one time that iron works would be es tablished there. But Mr. Winthrop soon after commenced his plantation at New London, about 1646, and after that made Connecticut his residence. He soon became much interested in the political affairs of that colony, while his time was also much occupied in advanc ing the iron manufacture ; yet there is ample evidence that he kept in mind this mineral region now in Sturbridge, which, at this time, was known as " Tantousque," as the following letters will prove : FIRST LETTER. "Springfield, 8th month, 1644. ' ' To My Loving Friend, Stephen Bay, * " Tantonspoe in Nipnet : 1 ' I received a letter from you by an Indian, who saith his name is Ta-mug-gut. I spake to this Indian in your behalf. I told him that the governor sent you to search for something in the ground, not for black-lead, as they supposed, but for some other mineral. I told him that the hill of black-lead by Quassuck was not so good as that which lay southward of it, near the corn-field, where one Namaswhat lives. I suppose it is five or six miles south of that place by Quassuck. "(Signed) "WILLIAM PYNCHON. " Indorsed by John Winthrop, Junior." By the reference to the black-lead mines in the foregoing letter, it is evident these mines had been discovered at an ear- He was admitted a member of the Royal society in London, in 1662, and was elected a Commissioner of Connecticut for the Confederation of the United Colonics of New England, and died at Boston, when there to attend a meeting of that board, April 6, 1676. * This Steven Day was the first printer in America, and one of the iouudors of Lancaster, the first town formed in the territory ' STUKBRIDGE. 27 Thomas Gleason Drew Lots Nos. 6 West and 68 East Moses Gleason 10 " and 9 " James Gleason 17 East and 52 West Joshua Morse ¦ ' 9 West and 39 East Joseph Plimpton " 11 East and 30 "¦ Nathaniel Smith " 12 " and 12 West Solomon Clark " 21 West and 67 East Timothy Hamant ' ' 2 East and 71 West William Plimpton " 1 " and 24 " Ephraim Partridge 19 West and 40 East Abraham Harding " 20 East and 23 " Josiah Ellis ' ' 11 West and 54 " Peter Balch ' ' 14 " and 22 West Ezra Clark " 17 East and 64 " Samuel Ellis ' ' 49 " and 61 " David Ellis " 1 West and 54 East Francis Moquet 29 " and 41 " Henry Adams ' ' 18 " and 70 " Ichabod Harding " 43 " and 53 " John Plimpton ' ¦ 20 West and 55 " Josiah Cheney " 50 " and 13 " John Dwight ' ' 21 East and 8 West Jonathan Boyden " 8 " and 21 " Joseph Clark " 36 West and 60 East Nathaniel Morse ' ' 9 East and 28 West James Denison " 58 " and 69 " ' ' Lots not divided at this meeting, but left for new proprietors, rlO " and 26 " 16 West and 73 East , 3 " and 66 " ' 62 " and 23 " ' ' Lots not divided at this meeting, but 15 " and 32 " 13 " and 19 " left for future disposal, 16 East and 33 West _ 46 West and 28 East ' ' The following persons were admitted as proprietors after this first drawing: Nehemiah Allen, Moses Allen, Seth Wight, David Morse, Moses Marcy, David Shumway, and John Harding." The committee having discharged their duty in allotting the land, a meeting of the proprietors was held, July 9, 1730, when each proprietor drew lots for his share or home stead, which then entitled him to enter upon such land as fell to him, to consider it as his property, and to commence at once 28 STUKBEIDGE. the necessary improvements to make it a legal homestead in accordance with the requirements of the grant. It is understood that some of the names which appear as grantees, never removed to this territory ; but the lots which fell to them by the drawing were either improved by them or their children or assigns; thus each complied with the terms of the contract. The axe, no doubt, was first applied to the leveling of the for: est here in the autumn of the year 1730; but it is believed and understood that the pioneer settlers did not generally appear until the spring of 1731, at which time the felling of the forest trees by the hardy wood-chopper was heard in every quarter of this district. Henry Fiske, one of the original proprietors, and his brother Daniel, pitched their tents near the top of the hill which has ever since borne their name. They had been at work some time without knowing which way they must look for their nearest neighbor, or whether, indeed, they had a neighbor nearer than one of the adjacent towns. At length, on a clear afternoon, they heard the sound of an axe far off in a southerly direction, and went in pursuit of it. " The individual whose solitary axe they heard had also been attracted by the sound of theirs, and was advancing towards tbem on the same errand. They came in sight of one another, on opposite sides of Quinebaug river. Bv fellino- two trees into the stream, one from each bank, a bridge was constructed on which they were enabled to meet and exchange salutations. The unknown man of the axe was found to be James Denison, one of the proprietors, who, in the absence of a better home, had taken lodgings in a cave, which is still to be seen, not far from Westville. In this lonely den he continued his abode, it is said, till a neighboring wolf, who probably had a prior right to tlie premises, signified STURBKIDGE. 29 her desire to take possession, when Mr. Denison peaceably withdrew, and built him a house of his own."* It has been said that " Joseph Smith was the first proprie tor who remaiued through the winter in Sturbridge. His dog was his only companion. Alexander Selkirk was not more secluded from human society on the island of Juan Fernandez than Smitli was in this place during four months, having neither seen nor heard from a human being in that time." The cellar that protected his provisions from frost during that solitary period may still be seen on the farm of Jabez Harding, Esq., not far from an aged pear-tree, which Mr. Smith is said to have planted soon after he came. On the 20th of November, 1733, the company made a second division of land, at which time it was voted that Moses Marcy t have a fifty-acre lot granted him, if he will build a grist-mill on the Quinebaug river at the dam where the said Marcy hath built a saw-mill, to be completed before the last of September, 1736. * Mr. Denison was a native of Scotland. His parents both dying while he was young, he went to live with his aunt. When he was about sixteen years of age, he was enticed from home, and embarked on board a vessel bound for New England. On his arrival in this country, having no other means of paying his passage, he bound himself to the service of the captain. His master disposed of him to a farmer at Medfield, whom the youthful adventurer served for the space of four years and eight months. When he became of age, his only earthly estate, besides the clothes on his back, consisted of twenty- five cents, which he obtained for the skins of two muskrats he had trapped. Being a young man of industrious habits he waB admitted into partnership with this company. Mr. Denison married his wife in Medfield, and removed her to this town in May, 1732. She was probably the first woman that ever shared the toils or enjoyed the bliss of domestic life in Sturbridge. On the 1st of August following she became the mother of Experience Denison, the first child born in the town, who became tbe wife of Captain Ralph Wheelock, and from whom a large and respectable family have descended." t Moses Marcy was a native of Woodstock, son of John Marcy, one of the proprietors and first settlers there. His rights as a proprietor in the first allotment was not less than 10° acre8' but probably more ; to which add this gift 50 Then add his first purchase of land of Captain Peter PapiUon, August 6, 1732, of lots No. 2 and i, adjoining in the south-west corner of Oxford, covering the mill site - 201) and his second purchase of lot 6, adjoining his first purchase, bought of John Wolcott, surviving administrator of Captain PapiUon, by deed, March 25, 173(1, TM 450 " 30 STURBKIDGE. It is presumed that, before the erection of Mr. Marcy's grist-mill, the settlers here, who had occasion to use a grist mill, were obliged to go to some of the adjoining towns : Ox ford, on the east ; Brimfield, on the west ; Brookfield, on the north ; and Woodstock, on the south border. " Perhaps, how ever, they had no occasion to go ; for it is reported by some of the oldest of their descendants now living, that their prin cipal diet at first was boiled beans. These they usually pre pared on the evening of one day in sufficient quantity for breakfast and dinner of the next; so that cookery, which with us has become such a difficult task, they dispatched with great ease in little time* On the whole, it appears that the honored fathers of this town were men of hardihood, resolu tion, and self-denial ; and that they found sufficient scope for the exercise of their ability during the first few years of their residence here." Their chief labor during the first seven years was to erect their homesteads, their meeting-house, and the settling among them a learned orthodox minister. Having fulfilled the aforesaid conditions in the grant, they were incorporated into a town, in May, 1738, by the name of " Sturbridge." This name is derived from Stourbridge, a town in Worces ter county, in England ; and, as Stourbridge in Worcester shire, in England, had a town by the name of Dudley for its neighbor in that county, it was quite natural that the coinci- . dence should lead the settlers or the court to adopt the name Beside this large tract ot land thus early acquired, he was entitled to his share of all future divisions of lands as a proprietor in this grant. This 450 acres covered all the center village of what is now Southbridge, the water-power of the Central, the Paige or Dresser, and the Columbian Mills. * " The office of cook, however, even in those days of simple fare, was not entirely free from perplexity. Their household conveniences were byno means of the best; Henry and Daniel Fiske on one occasion lost their supper, and with it the principal part of their culi nary apparatus, by the unlucky fall of a stone from the top of the chimney, which dashed to pieces their iron pot while the beans were boiling." (Note by Mr. Clark.) The writer here follows Mr. Clark in his centennial address. vs?£ s>,?s> ^J /iUiil of *4 W*^^1 SIJ}U, '-fatten, since Jfrnmbr /«*t , * icui efaum. ty z. sc*U.af So cAtu^i to on. twd. . JKe./u-i^/"-p' r/*PoHcL 2,Zo redi /one, ¦, -Jo rock Y^eU* . °&>y £™l tyo rotU /n*y «Z2 JforocU *•'<&.. $J^2^y'oo»*in. cte™f*~*"-n*«'-A?'itf S>"*S°"* ** " '"¦ St*r6ri&. ,* ,J*~* /onj_ SoOZas Ji. JLtMtbuy ***r » *»?* "ieU ' Jfwg ^^ ~) firjbtr- -ftmw*. &**ry*r. ^ ^jy-ec^ | aU^^ J-U #y efi7's/t Stitr&rHty*- ¦ STURBRIDGE. 31 of Sturbridge for this grant of a town in the county of Wor cester, in New England. It is, however, understood that some of the ancestors of these settlers were natives of Stourbridge in Worcestershire, in England. The following is the act of the Legislature for incorporat ing this town :* "ACT OP INCORPORATION. "An Act for Erecting a New Town in the County of Worces ter, at a Plantation Called ' New Medfield, ' by toe Name of Sturbridge. " Whereas, The proprietors of a certain tract of land within the county of Worcester, called ' New Medfield, ' have fulfilled the conditions of their grant, and therefore pray that they may be incorporated into a township ; for want thereof they labor under great difficulties ; " Be it therefore enacted hy his Excellency, the Governor, Council, and Beprexcntatiax, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the tract of land lying between the towns of Brookfield, Brimfield, Woodstock, Oxford, Dudley, and the Province line, and the 10,000 acres, so called, be and is hereby created into a township by the name of Sturbridge, and that the inhabitants thereof be and hereby are vested with all such powers, privileges, and immunities as the inhabi tants of the other towns within this province are, or by law ought to be, vested with. "May, 1738." By an order of the General Court accompanying this act of incorporation, Moses Marcy, who is styled one ofthe prin cipal inhabitants,! was authorized and empowered to issue his * See Acts of General Court, Stale Department, vols, from 1602 to 1694. t Colonel Moses Marcy was born in Woodstock, Connecticut (then a town under the jurisdiction of .Massachusetts), April 18, 1702, and was married to Prudence Morris, daughter of Edward Morris, of that town, and one of the original proprietors thereof, August 19, 1723; she was born, August 9, 1702. Their parents, John Marcy and Edward Morris, were neighbors, but the latter was a man of note, even in the town of Roxbury, his native place, his father having been a member of the governor's council; but the for mer Mr. Marcy was of m .re humble position in society; thus Moses, his son, was not deemed the equal in a social position with that of Mlss Prudence, and objections wero interposed against the- attentions of this suitor for the hand of the daughter of the more aspiring Morris; it is reported that they even confined Miss Prudence to her chamber, 32 STURBRIDGE. warrant for the assembling the freeholders, and other inhabit ants qualified to vote in town affairs, for the purpose of choosing officers. The first meeting for the choice of officers for the organization of this town, was held the 18th of September, 1738, at which Moses Marcy was chosen moderator ; Daniel Fiske, town clerk ; Daniel Fiske, Moses Marcy, and Henry Fiske, selectmen ; Joseph Smith, constable, and the other usual officers of that period. Fence-viewers, surveyors of high-ways, hog-reeves, deer-reeves, and a clerk of the market. " It is rather difficult," remarks Mr. Clark, " for the inhabitants of this period to comprehend the duties of the last named office, as there appears nothing yet in the market, unless it were wood and wild land." These officers were to hold their appointments till the annual March meet ing. The business affairs of the town now commenced ac cording to the rights and powers of corporate bodies of this character. On the 13th of February, 1739, the selectmen of Sturbridge issued their first warrant for a town meeting. As it gives an and forbade her lover's visits to the house. Notwithstanding these precautions, he found means of bringing the young lady to a secret parley one night from her chamber window. During this stolen interview it was agreed between them that he should secretly repair to a place some miles distant called "Pamlico," and that Bhe should obtain her parents' leave to visit a relative of hers at that place. The careful parents could make no objec tion to their daughter's proposal, and as it would seem to place her beyond the reach of all annoyance from the unwelcome suitor, they sent her away. Here the parties renewed their acquaintance, and their mutual attachment strengthened till it resulted in matrimony. They removed to the borders of the Quinebaug, within the limits of the grant to the Medfield petitioners, in the summer of 1732, with a family of five children, which was afterwards increased to eleven. He was soon admitted to a proprietorship, equal with the petitioners, and he not only became "one of the principal inhabitants," as he was styled, but, in the opinion of his fellow-townsmen, the principal one. Ho was the first citizen who received the appointment of justice of the peaco, and was the first representative the town sent to the General Court. He held the office of mode rator in seventy-two meetings, having been caUed to the chair at every annual meeting, and at most of the intervening ones, for. twenty-four successive years. He was on the board of selectmen thirty-one years, town clerk eighteen, and town treasurer eight; not unfrequently filling all these offices at once. During the old French war he repeatedly fitted out soldiers for the army on his own responsibility, and from his own private re sources, for which he was afterwards remunerated by the town. He died, Octobor9, 1772, aged seventy-two, leaving an honorable name, a largo estate, and a numerous posterity. The Hon. William L. Marcy, late Governor of New York was a great grandson of his. STURBRIDGE. 33 insight into the extent of their municipal affairs at that early day, this warrant is here inserted in full, viz. : 1 ' Worcester, ss. : " To Joseph Smith, Constable of Sturbridt/e : "In his majesty's name you are required forthwith to warn all the free holders and other inhabitants of the said town, to convene at the meet ing-house in Sturbridge, aforesaid, on Monday, the 5th day of March next, at nine of the clock, in the forenoon, then and there to elect and depute selectmen, constable, and other town officers (as the law directs), to serve this town the ensuing year ; to furnish Mr. Rice's desk with a cushion ; and to agree upon the granting such sum or sums of money as shall be judged needful for the benefit of, and defraying all necessary charges arising within, tho said town ; and to agree and conclude upon any other matter or thing which shall be thought needful to promote the benefit and welfare thereof." So far from attending to " any other matter or thing" at this meeting, it does not appear from the record that all the matters were acted upon as specified. There is no account of any money granted, or cushion furnished for Mr. Rice. In their next meeting, a month later, they granted the minister's salary, hired a man to procure the wood, and voted that twenty-five pounds, about $110, be put into the treasury for the town's use. If this seems now a small sum for defray ing incidental town charges, it should be remembered that as yet there were no schools to pay for, nor any paupers to support, while the highways to take care of required little, except by requisitions for the labor of men, tools, and teams; and that the price of labor (which is an index to the prices of other things) was six shillings, old tenor, or about fourteen cents per day. The subject of education was brought into town meeting for the first time, October 6, 1740. In the warrant for that meeting, there was an article, " to see if the town will come into any measures to provide a school." It passed in the negative, and there appears no further action on this impor tant subject for a year and six months. At length, in 34 STURBRIDGE. March, 1742, the question was put wliether the town will grant twenty pounds for schooling of the children in this town, and that the selectmen should dispose of the same for that purpose ; and it passed in the affirmative. The selectmen divided this sum, giving ten pounds and ten shillings for the support of two schools in the south-east part of the town, and nine pounds and ten shillings for the support of two schools in the north west part. Tims it appears that the first step for support of schools was the establishment of four schools, at an average of five pounds per school.* The names of the teachers who had the honor of laying the foundation of school instruction here were Margaret Manning and Mary Hoar, subsequently the wives of Jeremiah Streeter and John Stacy. The next year thirty pounds was voted for the same object, and divided in the same manner; and the year following forty pounds, and it was ordered that one half be expended for winter schools, and the other half for summer; and it appears that in 1745 a school committee of four persons was chosen to hire the dames, and have the charge of the schools. In 1753 the town voted to build three school-houses, one in the south-east section, within the present limits of Southbridge, one in the north-western, and the other in the center. * The following comments appear in a note on the subject of schools in this town by Rev. Mr. Clarke, in his centennial address: " Probably there is not a circumstance in the early history of this town which the present and future generation will review with less satisfac tion. It had been a law of the Province for almost an hundred years," that every township within this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty house holders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all such children as shall resort to him, to write and read. The ancient law was substantially re-enacted with a penalty of ten pounds, about fifty years before this town was incorporated, which penalty in 1702, was increased to twenty pounds. As the citizens of Sturbridge do not appear to have incurred this penalty, while thus neglecting to provide a public school, we hope that there was sufficient reason, which we can not now discover, for this neglect. But to us with only the facts we have, it certainly appears unaccountable that while the swine, the cattle and even tho wild deer of the forests came into remembrance at ever}- annual meeting and secured public favor, the children were thus forgotten." Rev. Mr Clark did not take' into his calculation, probably, the fact that during the first seven years but few families resided permanently on this grant, and many of these pioneer settlers were young men sons cf the petitioners : and again many, not much unlike Mr. James Denison, returned to their native STURBRIDGE. 35 The next year, 1754, a committee was appointed to locate a school-house in the north-eastern part of the town. The same year there was an article in the warrant, to sec if the town will grant a sum of money for schooling children, or employ Ichabod Sparrow Paine in that business. It was voted to engage this Mr. Paine as school-master ; and thus it is quite probable that he was the first man employed for that purpose in Sturbridge. It was quite common in that period for towns to engage one school-master, whose duty it was to attend at the several school-houses, giving a pro rata share of his time to each school. The usual course of study at this time was, first, " The New England Primer" and "Dilworth's Spelling-Book;" then the Psalter, which was the principal reading-book ; but in order to give the youthful powers of elocution their finishing touch, they were exercised on the first book of Chronicles, the tenth chapter of Nehemiah, or wherever else the teacher could find a page of pure Hebrew names. In arithmetic, the " Golden Eule of Three " was the limit which boys were expected to reach. The girls at that time were not expected to learn figures ; and for either grammar or geography, the former was deemed in that day of no use to common people, and the latter had not been heard of at that distance in the country. The annual appropriations of money for schools at this time was seventy to eighty pounds, old tenor, or about thirty to thirty-five dollars. But there was generally an annual ad vance in the sum raised. In the year 1761 there appears to have been a more places for wives, some perhaps about as early as he, but, no doubt, others at a later period; and thus, in 1740, when the vote was against raising money for schools, it is reasonable to suppose that there were but few children, if any, of suitable age to attend school. This cir cumstance is ample justification, and relieves these founders from any imputation of want of care for their children, 36 STURBRIDGE. earnest attention to schools, when a committee of ten, selected from different parts of the town, was instructed to consult and report the best method for their govei'nment. The result was a division of the town into districts, with boundaries de fined. And it was decided that, in the appropriation of money, each district should have the right to draw for its school the sum which it had paid into the town treasury on the school tax. And thus Inning the privilege of spending according to their discretion the money they had paid, bring ing the matter of education for their children under their own supervision, making each separate district a body politic for the election of their committee for engaging their teachers ; also for repairs of their school-house, and providing fuel for warming the same. To save paying money, the wood was supplied by those who had their children educated ; and fur ther to extend the time of schooling their children, each family boarded the teacher according to the number of scholars attending. The division at this time was into five districts, viz.: The middle or center ; the southern, now Southbridge ; the south west ; the north-west ; and the north-east. The same year twenty-five pounds lawful money, or $110, was raised, when they adopted this division of the. money: one third for summer schools, and two thirds for winter. This apportionment has since prevailed in this town. Other districts have since been added, and the appropria tions increased till there are now thirteen districts, and the annual sum raised for schools is about $3,000. During the first thirty years of the progress of this town there is but one instance recorded of any aid rendered to the poor, and that was for an old Frenchman, in the year 1765 while in sickness, to pay Dr. Erasmus Babbit for his services nineteen shillings and eleven pence, lawful money ; and several years elapsed before any further aid was required. This is STURBRIDGE. 37 but a sample of the industry and thrift of the pioneer people who founded the towns in New England. This brings the history of this town to the commencement of those measures which the English Parliament instituted for the oppression of tlie people of her colonies in America. This town has a record of patriotism by no measure short of that of her neighbors. In the warrant for a town meeting, held, October 17, 1765, there was an article, " to see if the town will give their repre sentative some instructions respecting the Stamp act coming in force, imposing a tax upon these colonies." After some debate in the meeting upon the Stamp act, the town pro ceeded to give instructions to their representative, viz. : " That the town look upon the duty of the Stamp act to be insupportable, and do instruct and desire their representative to use the utmost of his endeavors, consist 'rut with loyalty, that said Stamp act may be repealed." Colonel Moses Marcy wa.s then the representative, and also chairman of the board of selectmen. At the town meeting, September 12, 1766, the question be fore the meeting arose upon the propriety of paying the gov ernor, Mr. Hutchinson, and the lieutenant, Mr. Oliver, for damages sustained during the riot, by their houses being sacked and despoiled of goods and furniture. The vote was as follows : " That our representative use his endeavors in the General Court, that the loss which the lieutenant-governor sustained last year by the mob, respecting the Stamp act, be made up to him, with as much credit, and as little charye to the province, as may lie ;" meaning, when explained, to do nothing about it" * The breaking into the houses of Governor Hutchinson and Lieutenant-Governor Oliver was the effect of the exasperation of the citizens of Boston, caused by the letters of these officials written to a former member of Parliament, designed to induce the Engliah govern ment to adopt more Btringent measures for checking and restraining the leading men of Massachusetts in their opposition to the unconstitutional acts of Parliament for taxing the American colonies. Ha 38 STURBRIDGE. A special meeting was called by the selectmen, June 27, 1774, to consider of some measure proper to be adopted for the safety and defense of the province in her distressed condi tion, by reason of several late acts of the British Parliament. The selectmen at this time were Daniel Fiske, Nathaniel Walker, James Johnson, John Tarbell, and Samuel Ellis. After solemn prayer to God for direction, they chose one of their number to act as speaker, and having discussed the pub lic grievances for several hours, the vote of the town was, not to purchase any goods which should be imported from Eng land. This was in conformity to the late Non-Importation act, fixing public sentiment uniformly through all the towns in the province. On the 25th of August following, another meeting was called for considering provincial affairs, viz. : ' ' That, considering the present alarming condition of our public affairs, by reason of several late acts of the British Parliament, altering the course of justice, and annihilating our once free constitution and government , a committee be chosen in each town in the county to meet at Worcester, or some other suitable place, to consult and advise what is necessary and prudent to be done by the inhabitants of this county." After some discussion a committee was appointed, consisting of Moses Weld, Timothy Newell,* William McKinstry, John These letters were addressed to Mr. Thomas Whately, former member of Parliament, who having deceased, they by some means fell into the hands of Dr. Franklin, then residing in London, as the agent of both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania ; and finding that the object of said letters was prejudicial to the interests of the colony of Massachusetts, for whom he was there to aid and defend, ho felt it his duty to return the same to his constitu ents. Their contents becoming known in Boston, it caused these officials, Hutchinson and Oliver, to be regarded as traitors to the rights and interests of the people; thus, through excitement, these gentlemen's houses were mobbed, broken into, and the furniture and personal property contained in them destroyed. The English government had demanded payment of the colony for this damage to these officials, and that question was to come be fore the Legislature for their action; thus the instructions to their representative. * The Hon. Timothy Newel) was born at Needham in 1742. He removed to Sturbridge without property or patrons, and, being a mechanic, he engaged in tie manufacture of spinning-wheels, rakes, and ehairs, about the year 1703. By industry and economy, he was soon enabled to open a small store, and continued enlarging his business until he was an extensive country trader, and accumulated a large estate for that period in such business. His early education was quite limited ; but being an attentive reader, he became a person ot STURBRIDGE. 39 Salmon, and Benjamin Freeman. The convention was held soon after, and a report of its proceedings was prepared for each town to act upon, in the county. This being read at a town meeting, called for that purpose in Sturbridge, was unan imously approved by vote. The foregoing preamble and action was the result of correspondence received from the vigilance committee at Boston, the duty of which was not only to keep the citizens of the interior towns advised of the actions of the British Parliament, but to guide their opinions, so as to form a unanimity of sentiment in opposition to any and all encroachments upon the hitherto rights and liberties exercised and enjoyed by the people of the colonies, whether by charter or assumed rights, or by a broader sense, which in cluded those rights as English subjects, claimed by all1 as Englishmen, under the provisions of the great charter of England, the constitution.* It is probably not affirming too quite varied intelligence, and familiar with many of the sciences, to which he added a gen- eral knowledge of history and politics. His general knowledge of subjects gave him much influence in society, which soon brought him into public business- He entered the Revolutionary army at the commence ment of the war as brigade major, and when he left the service he held the rank of colonel. He was one of the foremost in resisting the mutinous spirit of Shay's rebellion in the year 1786, which arose on account of the heavy taxes following the late war; the State debt being £1,300,000, besides £250,000 due the officers and soldiers of the State line of the army, and their proportion of the Federal debt was not less than £1,000,000, while the State debt, before the war, was but about £100,000. This heavy burden was the cause of their rebellion ; they did not, in their trouble, stop to calculate the great blessing this debt had purchased for them and their descendants in the future of time. This unwise and misjudged affair was closed the beginning of the follow ing year. About this time Mr. Newell was advanced to a major-general of the militia. As a civilian he became a man of distinction; and was elected several times to a seat in the governor's council. General NeweU was a leading man in this town many years, and contributed liberally for the support of all good objects. He was influential in phveing a steeple upon the Congrega tional meeting-house, and contributed a clock at his own expense. He died, February 5, 1819, aged seventy-six. * The rights of Englishmen were guaranteed to the colonists of Massachusetts by the terms of their charter, given in the old and repeated in the new, by King William, as follows : "And further our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors grant, establish, and ordain that all and every the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, which shall go to and inhabit within our said province and territory, and every of their children which shall happen to be born there, or on the seas in going thither, or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects, within any of the dominion of us, our heirs and successors, to all intents, constructions, 40 STURBRIDGE. strongly to say that no party or class of men within the limits of the English colonies in America had a clearer understand ing of the rights and position of the colonists during this pre liminary period, which ushered in the Revolutionary war, than was exhibited by the leading men at Boston ; nor were there any who maintained those rights with greater firmness. It was not only the interior people of Massachusetts that were ably advised and prepared for the impending storm by the leading men at Boston, but their views and sentiments penetrated every part of the thirteen old colonics. And this view of the case was well understood by the statesmen of England, — so much so, that when terms of reconciliation were proffered by the English government, pardon for past offenses was offered to all, except to those leaders at Boston. Ten years of struggle had been past by the colonies in con tending for their rights against the illegal and oppressive acts of Parliament, and the people had been driven, step by step, from their love and reverence for the English government to a feeling of despair for any thing good or friendly from that source, which had justice for its basis. The people had been forced to a point when it appeared clear to them that nothing short of resistance by physical force would be any remedy for the designs of the British government. And this feeling appeared to control the senti ments and actions of all everywhere ; even the remote inhabit ants of the interior towns were alike fully prepared for the fearful combat that was to ensue. They were thinking, therefore, with painful interest upon this last resort, and the people of Sturbridge were, in no respect, behind others of their fellow-countrymen in ^ivino- ex pression to these sentiments. In a town meeting, called for the purpose of preparing for and purposes whatsoever as if they and every of them were born within this our realm of England," STURBRIDGE. 41 the exigency of the time, on the 28th of September, 1774, it was voted to provide four half-barrels of powder, 500 pounds of lead, and 500 Hints. Timothy Newell* and Erasmus Babbit volunteered to furnish one half-barrel of powder at their own expense. A committee of seven was then raised to make provision for the men of the town in case they should be called into service, and a vote was passed by a great majority, to pay the men, if called, for the service rendered. At this same town meeting they chose Captain Timothy Parker a delegate to the Provincial Congress to be convened at Concord. In the month of November another town meeting was called, when the selectmen were authorized to provide a further sup ply of ammunition. On this occasion the Rev. Joshua Paine, then pastor of the Congregational church, proposed to pay for one barrel of powder if the town would be at the trouble of providing it ; whereupon, Lieutenant Henry Fiske, one of the principal members of the Baptist church, offered to give one hundred-weight of lead to go with it. This shows the unani mity of sentiment that had merged all other causes, feelings, or preferences, into this one great object — the preservation of their liberties as a free people under a government of their own instituting, and not the arbitrary will of Parliament. As a further expression of the feeling of resistance, at this time, this me'eting was adjourned to the first Monday in De cember, at ten o'clock, a. m., with the request that all the men in town, from sixteen years old and upwards, then assemble at the meeting-house with arms and ammunition in order for reviewing. Sturbridge common, around the center meeting-house, at ten * The memorial stone at the grave of General Timothy Newell bears the following honorable testimony: *' Distinguished for his wisdom in council, and his valor in defend ing the liberties of his country." His wife was Miriam, the daughter of Colonel Moses Marcy; they had nine children. 42 STURBRIDGE. o'clock, a. m., on the first Monday of December, 1774, pre sented that extraordinary scene in a cpiiet interior town — a military array, under martial order, and in review, preparing for actual war. No such exciting cause had ever before stirred the minds of this people, and it could well be imagined that the whole inhabitants of the town, from its remotest limits, were attracted thither to witness this novel and alarming spec tacle ; nothing like it had ever been presented to the people before. The old men of the town were formed into a com pany of "alarm men," and the active middle-aged, and young men were marshaled into companies, styled " Minute Men," ready to answer the call at the head-quarters of the Continen tal army at a moment's notice. Captain Parker had formed, and was at the head of one company ; Captain Newell had formed another, called " The Grenadiers," while Captain Craft had marshaled a company of cavalry. These arrangements having been completed, they were marched into the meeting-house in military order. "After solemn prayer to God, and singing, the Rev. Joshua Paine preached a sermon from Psalms. After the exercises were over, the adjournment of the town meeting was read, and the remaining part of tlie articles which had not been acted upon. It was then proposed by the town to call over a list of the men, beginning with the "Alarm Men" first, the number of which was 103, some of the men sixty, and some over seventy years of age ; most of them deficient as to arms or ammuni tion, and some of both. The clerks of the companies made returns to the town that the men were generally present on this occasion, and generally equipped, or would be soon ; and if there were any not likely to be, their names would be returned to the town. Captain Ebenezer Craft returned, for the cavalry company, that all were well equipped and prepared. There were a few men in town who did not make appear- STURBRIDGE. 43 ance on this occasion ; and the selectmen, with two other citizens, were appointed a committee to go to them and take an exact account of their preparation as to arms and ammuni tion, and make report at the next meeting. When that report was made, the town passed the following : "It is the sense of this meeting that every man in town able to fur nish himself with arms and ammunition, do forthwith fix himself com plete ; and be it further recommended in the strongest terms to all in town unprepared to defend ouiy'ust rights and privileges, and all that is dear to us in this time of great danger and distress, to exert themselves to the utmost to be prepared immediately." A committee of one from each school district was also employed to obtain the signature of every individual to a written pledge, for the strict observance of the laws and resolves of Congress, and particularly that part called the association. The subjoined extracts will show the spirit and the enlarged view which the people took here upon the affairs of the public. On the 29th of May, 1775, the following instructions were given to the delegate whom they were about sending to the Provincial Congress, then to be holden at Watertown : " 1st. Respecting civil government (in case the petition or address to his majesty should be rejected), we think it highly necessary to assume government by and with the advice of our sister colonies, as soon as may be. ' ' 2d. Respecting the demands of the Grand Congress, we advise that the whole of their expenses be paid ; and as to their wages, we think that thirteen shillings and six pence per day is too much, and we advise our delegates to plead in behalf of the province, that things may be carried on with as little expense as possible in this day of trouble and distress. ' ' The citizens of Sturbridge had already borrowed money to redeem the pledge which they had given to support the com mon cause. They had made great sacrifices, and were pre pared to make still greater. A vote which was passed at a previous town meeting to raise £100, for repair of roads, was 44 STURBRIDGE. promptly reconsidered, because, in their judgment, political oppression was worse than bad roads. They had been con templating the erection of a new meeting-house, but this, though greatly needed, they cheerfully deferred till they had first secured their liberty and right to a constitutional govern ment. Under such circumstances they could very justly ask for economy in the management of public affairs, and, if rigid on this point, it was not the result of parsimony, but of patriotism. It was in behalf of the province, and not of themselves, that they pleaded. The following communication from their minister, Rev. Mr. Paine, is another evidence of the spirit and effort of the people in this great cause, showing that the feeling was not confined to politicians or a few leading men, but a general determina tion of the masses to sustain their rights. To the Inhabitants if tin Totrn of Sturbridr/t : Gentlemen — "While you are preparing arms and ammunition to de fend our just rights and privileges, occasioned by the alarming tidings from Parliament, I feel it my duty to engage in the common cause for liberty, believing he is unjust to God who can tamely submit to tyranny. I proposed at a former meeting to pay for a barrel of powder, providing you would be at the trouble of procuring it; but as I understand you have been unable so to do (neither does it appear to me to be worth your while at this time), I still find it my duty to bear my part in the calamities that are common to us all. Not to rest in word, I propose to make a present to the town of £100, old tenor, to be deducted out of my next assessment, i.e., to assess but £53, and, to oblige, I propose, if the town will give me security for w hat then shall be" due in June' that I will wait one year for it, and longer, unless mortality or some thing extraordinary shall present." The sum of £100, old tenor, was equal to thirteen pounds, six shillings, and eight pence, lawful money, or forty four dollars and thirty-four cents, which was about one fifth of Mr. Paine's annual salary. He waited, instead of one year, four, at uddch time this old STURBRIDGE. 45 tenor currency had greatly depreciated; but in making a set tlement with their minister, they made an estimate of the articles of consumption that fifty-three pounds would purchase in the year 1775, and paid him a sufficient sum to supply the same articles, which was £1,060, or about twenty for one received. The foregoing, while it exhibits a spirit of patriotism on the part of the minister, exhibits no less a spirit to act justly on the part of his people. The committee who adjusted this matter was Aaron Allen, Ebenezer Craft, and Timothy Newell. Tliis town shared largely in furnishing men for the armies of the Revolution. The Rev. Joseph S. Clark states, in his centennial address upon the history of this town, July 4, 1S38, "that he had obtained the names of 239 men from this town that served in that war. Among this number was one colonel, one major, eight captains, eight lieutenants, and two ensigns ; besides the Rev. Joshua Paine officiated two months as chap lain." It is much to be regretted that Mr. Clark did not pub lish these names as an addition to his interesting sketch of its history. SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. The following list of names embraces such persons, so far as has been ascertained, as served in the war of the Revolution, and resided in Sturbridge, and partly in Charlton and Dudley, in that part of these towns that was taken to form the town of Southbridge in 1816. Many of these persons served also in the last great French war, commencing in 1754 : Abraham Allen, Benjamin Humphrey, John Plimpton, Caleb Allen, Abijah Hyde, Moses Plimpton, Eliphalet Allen, Joshua Hyde, Oliver Plimpton, Amos Boyden, Benjamin Hyde, Timothy Parker, John Boyden, John Hyde, Ebenezer Davis, Thomas Boyden, Othniel Hyde, Ichabod Robbins, Nathan Brown, Samuel Hyde, Eli Robbins, 46 STURBRIDGE. Asa Bullard, Joel Barret, Asa Coburn, Major, Henry Clark, Capt., Rufus Clark, David Carey, John Carey, Joseph Cheney, Elijah Carpenter, Phineas Coburn, Edward Coburn, Zachariah Coburn, Ebenezer Crafts, Col., Asahel Clark, Lemuel Clark, Jephthah Clark, Jacob Cleveland, John Congdon, Capt., Stephen Draper, Benjamin Dix, John Dunton, Silas Dunton, James Dyer, Thomas Dyer, Robert Edwards, Cyrus Fay, Simeon Fiske. Nathan Fiske, Joshua Fiske, Benjamin Felton, Lieut Walter Freeman, Abel Gun, John Gess, Eleazer Howard, Benjamin Hobbs, John Holbrook, Joshua Harding, Hinsdale Hamant, James Johnson, Comfort Johnson, Joshua Jerold, Thomas Jones, Marvel Jackson, William Leach, Abel Mason, Capt., Joshua Mason, Simeon Mason, Ithemar Merrifleld, Calvin Marsh, Silas Marsh, Duty Marsh, Aaron Marsh, Elijah Marcy, Joseph Mills, Adam Martin, Capt., Aaron Martin, Moses Martin, Asa Morse, Daniel Morse, Enos Morse, Jeremy Morse, Timothy Newell, Gen., Samuel Newell, Capt., , Stephen Newell, Lieut, John Philips, Deacon, Ebenezer Philips, Dr. , Daniel Plimpton, Elijah Plimpton, Oliver Robbins, Nathan Rice, Col., Moses Smith, Nahum Smith, Nathan Smith, Timothy Smith, Jesse Sabin, John Salmon, Joseph Shaw, Abijah Shuniway, Samuel Shuinway, Elijah Shumway, Mark Stacy, Amos Scott, William Simpson, Joseph Town, Parmenas Thayer, Ind'n, Primus, a Negro, Isaac TJpham, Jonathan Upham, Nathaniel Walker, Josiah Walker, Benjamin Walker, Obed Walker, Phineas Walker, Dennison Wheelock, Ralph Wheelock, George Watkins, Charles West, , Thomas Wakefield, Welch, Isaac Warner, Capt., Thomas Young, John Taylor, Lieut. Elias Plimpton, There is great and abundant evidence upon the records of this town, of the earnestness and persistency of purpose of its people for the preservation and maintenance of their rights ; and also in the framing and establishing a new form of government, it appears on the record of their doings that they were no less watchful. They voted unanimously in favor of the Declaration of Independence, and recorded it entire STURBRIDGE. 47 upon their town book ; and when asked for their opinion and consent that the State Legislature should have the right to draft a constitution and ratify the same, without their having the privilege of examining and approving of it, they rejected the proposition with but one vote in its favor, and appointed a committee consisting of Deacon Daniel Fiske, Deacon Moses Weld, Colonel Daniel Plimpton, Mr. John Holbrook, and Lieutenant Henry Fiske, to draft their reasons for this vote. The principal reason was the following : ' 'As the end of government is the happiness and safety of the people, so the sole right and power or forming and establishing a plan thereof is in the people ; consequently, we think it unadvisable and irrational to consent that any set of men should form and ratify a constitution of government for us, before we know what it is. " This report was approved by the town, and sent to their representative for his instruction. This action was in accord ance with a large majority of towns in the province. A special convention, composed of representatives elected by the people, for the specific purpose of drafting a consti tution, was assembled ; and, as desired by the people, it was sent to the several towns, when drafted, for either their rejec tion or ratification, admitting the right of final decision as belonging to the people, in the primary law for their govern ment. The bill or declaration of rights, the form of government, and the address accompanying the same, were furnished all the towns for their examination in open town meeting, called especially for that purpose ; at which every article in the bill of rights, and the articles in the form of government were fully discussed, each voter regarding the bush) ess as a special act of his own, appearing to realize the full weight of respon sibility resting upon him, to see and act in a manner that should secure for himself and posterity such a government as would be, in all respects, the best for his and their wol- 48" STURBRIDGE. fare and happiness. With such feelings of responsibility, the people of the several towns voted either yea, or nay, upon all the articles, as aforesaid, which votes now stand on the records of the several towns, showing the sepai'ate and distinct action upon each of the same. The people of New England, originating from a class who fled to this wilderness country for the sake of the right of private judgment in all that concerned their best in terests in matters of both political and religious rights, naturally drew from their ancestors that inspiration which actuated them. But their plan of government most proba bly arose from necessity quite as much as from any other cause, by the introduction of small corporate bodies called towns, for municipal purposes, which operated as a source of primary education in political affairs, fitting each voter with correct modes of thought and action when any particular crisis arose. It likewise inspired in each a spirit of independence and sovereignty, leading him to esteem himself equal with the best in respect to his rights as a citizen. Such was the charac ter and condition of most of the people in the English colonies, but more particularly in New England, when they were forced by the English government to consult upon meas ures for preserving their charter rights against the unlawful acts of Parliament. It was confidently believed by European statesmen, when the. conflict arose between England and her American colo nies, that, should they be successful in separating themselves from her control, they would fall into the hands of some as pirant, who would rule them as dictator more arbitrarily than the mother country. This idea arose, doubtless, from past experience, as the for mer attempts to establish governments subject to the will of the people had proved a failure ; but America, so far as re- STURBRIDGE. 49 garded the English colonies, was not, in most respects, a par allel case, as no former people had been retired in a similar manner. Li the first place, there was freedom from the effeminacy of luxurious living ; all had been accustomed to frugality and industry from necessity ; having no leaders of govern ment always at hand to guide and control their actions, and protect them from the evil designs of the native race, or from the encroachments of opposing European colonies, spreading along their borders, they were forced to take measures for their own protection, and to study their rights, and the best modes of preserving them. Thus for self-preservation, sparsely settled in the different colonies, they were trained to self- reliance, in the most stern and severe manner. Their system of government, formed by small municipal bodies, and unlike that of any other people, established to meet the necessities of their scattered and isolated condition, forced each individual to study and learn to become accus tomed to the science of government. Again, while they were untrammeled by any former system of government or any rulers, except such as they by choice placed over themselves, to be removed at their pleasure, they learned to appreciate and respect what they esteemed their own government, and thus learned to respect the rights of others, and to be obedient to instituted law, which protected alike the rights of all. Furthermore, in matters of faith, they were free, in a gen eral sense, from the traditions and leading-strings of Episco pacy and the Papal hierarchy, and learned to respect others only as they, under like circumstances, were respected. All claimed the right of private judgment— the right to rea son, examine, and decide for themselves. Then came in, for their aid and support, the system of com raoii school education; children were, by authority of their 50 STURBRIDGE. own instituting, trained in schools, and learned to read, to think, and to act for themselves. Thus there arose a. natural feeling of independence, equality, and self-reliance, which pe culiarly fitted each individual to guard his own rights ; and although there were plenty of dictators, there were none to be dictated. The town of Sturbridge, before it lost any of its territory, contained about forty-five square miles of land, and perhaps, with the addition of a large part of Middlesex Gore, in 1796, about 30,000 acres. In passing from the Revolutionary period, there are not many incidents, beyond the ordinary affairs common to all towns, that are of sufficient interest to record, unless it be its ecclesiastical affairs, which will appear more particularly as a separate history. What is now known as the old cemetery was a tract of land set apart for that purpose, at the time the town received its first settlers. Its present inclosing wall was erected by an order of the town, the 12th of May, 1794, and as then directed by the report of the committee to whom it had been referred, it was decided that it be fenced by a free contribution of the labor of the individuals from different parts of the town, and under the charge of the captains of the several military com panies, each to engage his particular command at specific days set apart for that purpose, as follows : That each captain give notice to his company to appear with teams and tools on a day appointed (the 16th, 17th, and 18th days of June fol lowing were appointed for the time to perform the work required); Captain Hooker to employ his command on Mon day, the 16th; Captain Corey and company, on Tuesday, the 17th ; and Captain Marcy and his company, on Wednesday, the 18th. Thus, it is reasonable to presume, the present inclos ing wall was placed where it now stands on the days set apart, as above given. STURBRIDGE. 51 The first attempt to divide this territory, or to set off a part to form another town, was when they undertook to build a new meeting-house, in 1783. This attempt was caused by a dissatisfaction or disagreement as to the location of the new house. By some it was proposed to divide the town into three districts or precincts, the term then used ; this movement met with but little favor, as it would involve the expense of three meeting-houses, and much greater charge for the sup port of religious worship. Again, in the year 1784, Deacon Moses Weld and others in the north-eastern part of the town moved to be set off, and to unite with a part each of the towns of Brookfield, Spencer, and Charlton, to form a new town at Podunk. This, at first, was partially assented to, but was finally refused by a vote of the town. This vote set at rest the project for a town at Podunk, no further movement in that respect having since. been made. Another and more persistent attempt was set on foot in the year 1796, when Joshua Harding, Junior, and others, inhabitants in the south-east part, petitioned to the General ^ Court to be erected into a separate town, to embrace with this south-east part the south-west part of Charlton, and the west part of Dudley. As a preliminary step, a survey of the proposed territory for the new town was made by the late Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton and a plan made, which accompanied the petition, and was laid before the committee of the court. It does not appear that any definite action was had, beyond the limits of this town, which voted against this design. These petitioners, how ever, did not cease their attempts, although opposed and delayed in their contemplated project by the united opposition of the three towns that were to be partially dismembered, if the petition should prove successful. These petitioners, to strengthen their claims for a town, and 52 STURBRIDGE. for accommodating themselves with better facilities for relig ious worship, took the preliminary steps for erecting a meet ing-house, which they effected and dedicated to the worship of God in the year 1800. By persistent efforts these petitioners so tar succeeded, that, in the year 1801, the General Court incorporated a certain number of individuals in the aforesaid limits of the three towns into a poll parish; the number of corporators was ninety, which will appear in that part of this work relating to Southbridge. The object of this act of incorporation extended only to particular persons and their estates, without including their successors, within described limits. This, by another act of the General Court, on the petition of these parishioners, was altered so as to embrace the territory, setting forth the pre scribed limits, in the year 1808. But, in the mean time, while this section was enjoying the privilege of religious worship in their immediate vicinity, they still aspired to political rights, under the authority of a town organization, and they, with their co-operators from the other two towns, did not cease their efforts until they obtained from the Legislature an act of incorporation for a town, after twenty years' labor, in February, 1816. During the period of about fifteen years, in which the poll parish existed, it became generally known and distinguished as Honest Town ; but how, or for what cause, this parish received this name, does not appear. In referring to this name, the Rev. Joseph S. Clark, in his centennial address of July 4, 1838, has quoted the following, in a note at foot of page 24, taken from an address by Moses Plimpton, Esq., delivered before the Southbridge Lyceum, in 1836 : "It may have been attached to us by some one in the older towns, from which we had separated, in a moment of resentment, at our obsti nacy in not being satisfied with going seven miles to meeting; it may have STURBRIDGE. 53 come from some wag, or bar-room joker, over his cup of flip ; or possi bly from some one of our really honest inhabitants, who firmly believed that there was more true, genuine honesty here than in any other place in the country. Be this as it may, it is certain that this place, now Southbridge, for twenty years or more before we became a town, was known far and near by the name of Sanest Town ; and whether the term was applied ironically, or in " sober earnest ;" whether the charac ter of our inhabitants for fair dealing between man and man rose above or fell below the common standard — the truth would probably require us to admit that, from local situation — to use the charitable expression of the amiable author — or for some other cause, there was a general want of stability, a kind of freedom from wholesome restraint, which was by no means favorable to the cause of good morals, virtue, and religion." The whole number of ratable polls in Sturbridge at the time of this separation was 476, and the whole valuation of property, $325,233 ; of which, 151 polls, and $83,783 of its valuation was set off to the new town ; that is, a little less than one third of the polls, and a little more than one fourth of the property fell within the limits of Southbridge. The quantity of land taken with these polls and estates, so far as it affected Sturbridge, may be judged by a comparison of the whole number of acres of the town before this new town was incorporated, and the quantity taken therefrom by that act of incorporation. The original quantity being 28,929 acres, and the quantity set off, 7,940£ acres, with a large por tion of the best water-power of the Quinebaug river, which was formerly within its limits, and this, with that part of the water-power on said river, taken from Charlton and Dudley at the same time, has been the leading cause of the growth and prosperity of Southbridge. Sturbridge, with the foregoing diminution of its territory, has steadily, progressed in wealth and population, and at no time more rapidly than during the past few years. Its principal source of prosperity has been its soil, until its manufactures commenced ; and, quoting again from Rev. Mr. Clark's address, " That same rough, mountainous, and rocky 4a 54 STURBRIDGE. soil, which the General Court, a hundred years ago, judged unworthy of sale, and hardly fit to give away, as being ' not capable of making a township? The result has shown that the first settlers of this town, in placing their chief reliance on ' the blessing of God, in concurrence with diligence and industry,"1 rested on a firm basis." Its manufactures derive their water-power from the Quine- baug river: Only a portion of this is as yet occupied, but has thus far been a great source of its growth. Up to the year 1811, when the first act of incorporation was obtained, its water-power had been occupied but little, if an}', except for saw and grist mills. Its other manufactures are as follows : 1st, THE STURBRIDGE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, WESTYILLE. At what time the water-power was first made use of on the Quinebaug, at this place, is not certain ; but it is known that Jedediah Ellis and Fletcher Foster built a dam across the river, where the principal dam is now located, in this village, and erected a saw-mill, as early as the year 1799, on the soutli side of the same, as now indicated by those works. And not long after a grist-mill was erected at the north end of said dam. This association was incorporated the 5th of December, 1811, with the following names who subscribed. for the shares which stand against their names respectively. The shares were $250 each. ' ' Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Stephen Newell, Lieut. John Plimpton, Moses Fiske, Jephthah Plimpton, Ziba Plimpton, Moses Newell, Eleazer Rider, Comfort Freeman, Nathaniel Rider, Franklin Rider. So, 750. 2 Shares, $500 O . I 500 o .. 500 4 1,000 1 250 1 " 250 1 250 o 500 o . , 500 3 750 3 750 STURBRIDGE. 55 This company having been organized, and the above stock subscribed, their first outlay' for establishing the cotton-mill, was a purchase made of Moses Fiske of the water-power and grist-mill before referred to, at the north end of the dam erected by Ellis and Foster, in 1799, with a tract of land for the canal, and a site for the contemplated mill. The sum paid for this water-power, grist-mill, and canal, with ground for the mill site, was $645. The five stockholders first on the foregoing list, contracted with the company to dig the canal, wheel-pit, and race-way, stone the same, and erect a building thirty feet by forty-five, and three stories in height ; to put in a water-wheel and suit able geering connected with the shafting for running the machinery, and to have all complete for operating by the 1st of June, 1812. The two last named stockholders contracted to build 128 spindles of cotton machinery, with all the necessary prepara tion suitable for carding and spinning yarn from cotton, for the sum of $14.00 per spindle, and to have the same all per fect, complete, and ready for operating, by the 15th of June, 1812 ; and they to receive an extra sum of $600 for the card ing machine. The above contracts were completed, a double carding machine in, and all put in motion and tested, so as to com mence the spinning of cotton in August, of said year. The mill was run the first two weeks by Nathaniel Rider, on his own stock, to test the perfection of his machinery. The mill began to run for the company, under the superin tendence of Nathaniel Rider, the 7th of September, 1812. His brother, Franklin Rider, operated the carding-machine till the 6th of November, 1812, at three cents per pound. The shares were all paid in to the company, and that account closed the 26th of October, the same year, and the aggregate sum received was about equal to the expenditure to that time. 56 STURBRDDGE. The outlay had been done with great economy, and with the present idea of the cost of labor and material, it can scarcely be realized that so much could be accomplished at so little expense. Moses Fiske succeeded Franklin Rider in conducting the carding business at three cents per pound for the raw cotton. worked. The boarding-house north of the mill was erected early in the year 1813. The business at this time gave good encouragement of a profitable investment. A stock dividend of fifty-one dollars and eighty-three cents per share was paid, January 1, 1H14; and a quarterly dividend of ten dollars and twenty-five cents per share was paid, April 1, following. The books of the company show no other dividends ; but it is presumed the business was profitable during the remainder ofthe year 1814, and until the close ofthe war, when British manufactures were introduced below the cost of any similar production in these States. The great reduction in the price of cotton yarn, by lar^e importations from England, soon proved ruinous to this and all similar enterprises. The attempt to compete with the skilled labor of England, that was now thrown upon the American market, designed to crush out these early attempts in that business, resulted, as might reasonably be expected, in a lobs of the capital invested. The act of incorporation is as follows : "AN ACT To Incorporate Stephen- Xk«,,l am. Others by the Name of The Stbrbridue M.\Ni-F.u'Triij.\o Company. . ;*WT';«; '* " """¦'»' '•!/ 'lie *,,„„, ,„„, //„„„ ,,f H,VnsentaGet, ,n ,„.,„,„ Court a,,,-,nb,,d. and by the authority af the same. That Stephen Jewell John PI,,,,,,,,,,, Eleazer Ryder. Zenas L. Leonard, Moses Fske Jephthah Plm.ptoo, Comfort Freeman, Nathaniel Rider, Ziba Plimpton, Iranklm Rider, an,, M„s,, >Ywcll, togetherwith such others STURBRIDGE. 57 as may hereafter associate with them, and their successors and assigns be and they are hereby made a corporation by the nam,' of 'The Star- bridge Manufacturing Company, ' for the purpose of manufacturing wool and cotton, in the town of Sturbridge, in the county of Worcester- and for that purpose shall have all the powers and privileges, and shall also be subject to all the duties and requirements prescribed and contained in an act passed the 3d day of March, A.D., 1809, entitled, -An Act De fining the General Powers and Duties of Manufacturing Corporations. " Sec. Be it further enarted, That the said corporation, in their corpo rate capacity, may lawfully hold and possess such real estate not exceed ing $50,000, and personal estate not exceeding $100,000, as may be necessary and convenient for carrying on the manufacturing wool and cotton in their various branches in the town of Sturbridge. "October 20, 1812."* COTTON MILLS AT FISKEDALE. These mills, and the village of Fiskedale, now the most populous part of this town, are the result of the ability, intel ligence, and enterprise of the late Honorable Josiah J. Fiske, a native citizen of the town, although for many years he re sided at Wrentham, and engaged in the practice of law, and, as a politician, for a time had considerable influence in State affairs as one of the governor's council. The first use of the water-power at this place was for a grist mill, built by Captain Jacob Allen at an early period in the history of the town, and it is said to be the first mill of the kind built within the limits of its present territory. This locality, from the time of the first settling of the town, has continued in the Allen family to the commencement of this cotton manufacturing business, having been originally settled by Moses Allen, who was not an original petitioner, but was admitted to the company of planters about the time the plantation was began. A son of Captain Allen who built the grist-mill, Dr. Abra ham Allen, made further improvements here by enlarging the * See vol. iv, Massachusetts Laws, from 1806 to 1813, p. 458. 58 STURBRIDGE. dam with a view to the introduction of an enlarged business, when it 'attracted the attention of Mr. Fiske, who, about the year 1827, made a purchase of these improvements and the water-power, with considerable adjoining land. Mr. Fiske erected the brick mill, and filled it with machinery in the years 1827-28, and began the cotton manufacture in May, 1829. The dimensions of this first cotton-mill are eighty-four feet by forty, and five stories high. The stone mill was erected in- 1834 and 1835 ; filled with machinery, and commenced to manufacture cotton in 1836. This mill is one hundred and eighty feet by forty, and five stories high. These mills had ten thousand spindles and two hundred looms, and made print cloths sixty-four by sixty-four ; weight seven yards to the pound. They occupied only about half of the water-power connected with this privilege. The water-power is here used twice. The upper privilege, occupied by the stone mill, has a head and fall of twenty-three and a half feet; and the lower, occupied by the brick mill, sixteen and a half feet, making a total of forty feet, and the whole quite secure against any sudden rise of water in the river. The supply of water from this river, the Quinebaug, has been much improved and equalized by the erection of large dams, forming reserves at its head-waters, which hold the sur plus accumulations of the winter and spring, and release it in the dry seasons. These mills were greatly enlarged or rebuilt on a more en larged scale in the years 1869 and 1870 ; the stone mill was partially taken down and prepared for purposes of storage ; and near to it, for occupying the power of that mill site, a new brick mill was erected, of the dimensions of one hundred and eighty-two feet by seventy, four stories high, with an L ex tension, fifty-six feet by seventy-two, three stories high. STURBRIDGE. 59 At the center of the large part of this mill are two towers, one on each side, in one of which is hung a bell of the weight of fifteen hundred pounds, having a clear mellow tone, which is distinctly heard, when rung, over a large extent of the town. The foundation of all parts of this large mill rests upon solid rock, and the wheel-pit and canal were excavated out of the same. The machinery is operated by a Leffel wheel, having two hundred and eighty horse-power. Every part of the mill has the modern improvements, and has a light and airy aspect. This mill contains sixteen thousand spindles, and three hundred and fifty looms. The daily consumption of cotton is two thousand five hundred pounds, and it has a product of fifteen thousand yards of cloth. At the lower mill site there has been a large addition to the old brick mill, on its south side, eighty-five feet by seventy, five stories high; besides, the roof was raised on the old mill, and two stories added to correspond with the new part and a central tower is also added, that is seen a long distance in approaching this vicinity. Besides, at the north end, an L was added, fifty-six feet by seventy, used as the picker depart ment, and cloth-room, having the boiler-room in the basement. This mill has an iron propelling-wheel of two hundred horse-power. The contents of this mill are twelve thousand spindles and two hundred and fifty looms. Both mills in full operation consume three thousand two hundred pounds of cotton, and the six hundred looms turn out twenty-five thousand yards of standard print cloths, sixty- four by sixty-four, daily ; weight, seven yards to the pound. The tenement houses have been enlarged and much im proved ; and, while it adds to the growth of this village, the prosperity of the town is advanced. There is yet much valuable water-power on the Quinebaug within the limits of this town, not occupied, which is destined in the future to add largely to its present number of inhabitants. 60 STURBRIDGE. There is a manufactory of augers and bits, which is con ducted skillfully and to a considerable extent. The water-power at Westville, before referred to, is divided between this town and Southbridge, the Quinebaug at that place being the division line between these towns; and here an extensive enlargement of the manufacturing business is being made on the south side of the river, which will give the new mills and principal outlay to Southbridge, but will add inci dentally to the population in that part of Sturbridge. POPULATION. 1765 whole number 896 1790 1740 1800 1846 1810 1927 1820 1 (>:;:-! j Southbridge, incorporated 1830 1688 j 1816, taking about 750 souls. 1840 2005 Increase at Fiskedale. 1850 2119 1860 2291 1865 1992 1870 2101 It will be noticed that from 1860 to 1865 there was a large decrease in the inhabitants of this town, which was occasioned mostly by a severe call for the young men for the war of the Bebellion, taking largely from the farming population. LIST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES. ^ Caleb Kice, son of Rev. Caleb Rice, the first minister in Sturbridge, graduated at Harvard university, 1764. Nathan Rice, son of same, graduated at Harvard, in 1773 ; he was a colonel in the United States army, which was sta tioned at Oxford during the winter of 1798-'99 ; afterward re moved to Burlington, Vermont, where he died about 1830 Joshua Paine, son of the Rev. Joshua Paine, graduated at STURBRIDGE. 61 Harvard, in 1784 ; he was ordained pastor of the first church in Charlestown, June 10, 1787; the first minister settled there after it was burned by the British, in 1775. He died, February 27, 1788, in the following year. Thomas Babbit, physician, graduated at Harvard, in 1784 . he studied his profession with the elder Dr. Warren, of Bos ton; began his practice at Gloucester ; returned to Sturbridge in 1790, and removed to Brookfield in 1803, where he died in 1813, having acquired distinction as a surgeon. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical society, and was a surgeon in the expedition to Tripoli, with General William Eaton. Ephraim Allen, physician, graduated at Harvard, in 1789 ; he studied wiih Dr. Erasmus Babbit, of this town, and settled at Salem, New York, where he continued until his death. Erasmus Babbit, lawyer, graduated at Harvard, in the year 1790 ; he was a captain in the army while at Oxford. Samuel C. Crafts graduated at Harvard, in 1790 ; he set tled in the State of Vermont, and was elected its governor, which office he held several years. Grosvenor Tarbell graduated at Yale college, in 1793, physician; he studied his profession with Dr. Thomas Babbit, and settled at Lincoln. Alpheus Cheney graduated at Dartmouth college, in 1795. John Paine, a lawyer, graduated at Harvard, in 1799 ; son of Rev. Joshua Paine ; studied his profession in the office of Jabez Upham, of West Brookfield, and practiced law in this town till his death. Timothy Newell graduated at Harvard, in 1802 ; the only son of General Timothy Newell ; died at Salem, New York, soon after he left college. Samuel Bacon graduated at Harvard, in 1808 ; son of Ephraim Bacon, in that part now Southbridge ; read law with W. C. White, Esq., of Rutland, and Hon. Levi Lincoln, of g2 STURBRIDGE. Worcester. While in this latter place assisted in editing the National ^ Kg is. He then edited The Hive, a political paper, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania: In 1812, he became an officer of marines in the United States service ; afterward practiced law in Philadelphia ; then became an Episcopal clergyman, and lastly, an agent of the American government, on the coast of Africa, to protect persons liberated from slave ships; he died there the 2d of May, 1820. Benjamin Rice, graduated at Brown university, 1808 ; studied theology at Andover, and settled in the ministry at Buxton, Maine. Josiah J. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1808 ; he read law with Nathaniel Searle, of Providence, and fin ished his studies with Timothy Bigelow, Esq., of Boston ; entered the practice of law at Wrentham. Was senator in the State Legislature, and member of the governor's council. He was the founder of the manufacturing business at Fiske- dale, in this town, where he died, August 15, 1838. Jacob Corey, graduated at Brown university, in 1808 ; practiced medicine during his life in this town. William Learned Marcy, graduated at Brown university, in 1808 ; he read law in the city of Troy, New York; removed to Albany, and soon rose to distinction, as a lawyer and po litical writer ; he was a native of that part of the territory that became a part of Southbridge; and will be more particu larly referred to in that connection. Daniel F. Harding, graduated at Brown university, in 1809 ; he was of that part of the town taken to form Southbridge. David W. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1825 ; studied law with his brother, Josiah J. Fiske, at Wrentham ; and settled in his profession at Detroit, Michigan. Calvin T. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1826; a brother of the last described; settled as a physician in Sturbridge. STURBRIDGE. 63 Henry F. Leonard graduated at Brown university, in 1826 ; son of Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, and died at Sturbridge, soon after he left college. David T. Lane graduated at Amherst college, in 1829 ; son of Rev. Otis Lane ; studied theology at Audover, and received a commission from the American Board, with the design to labor as a foreign missionary ; but died at his father's soon after leaving Andover, at Sterling, Connecticut. William H. Taylor graduated at Brown university, in 1837 ; a teacher. Abijah S. Lyon graduated at Brown university, in 1837 ; became pastor of the Baptist church at North Oxford. Benjamin F. Brooks graduated at Amherst college, in 1837 ; he read law at Cambridge, settled in his profession in Boston, and is distinguished as an able attorney and coun selor. Chester W. Carpenter, Amherst college. John B. Allen, Union college. Darius Gore, Amherst college. Alfred Belknap, Amherst college. Merrick Lyon, Brown university. SCHOOLS. This town had thirteen districts for schools, with fifteen schools. The moneyraised for this purpose has been as follows: In 1866, raised $1,800 ; in 1867, $1,800 ; in 1868, $2,000 ; in 1869, $2,200; in 1870, $2,200; and in 1871, $3,500. The school district system has been abolished, according to the act ofthe Legislature providing for the same. BIOGRAPHICAL. ?-*-* CHAPTER III. HON. AMASA WALKER. TTTON. Amasa Walker, now a resident of North Brookfield, is a descendant of Nathaniel Walker, one of the early planters, of the town of Sturbridge, residing in that section, for merly called " The Gore," a tract of 10,000 acres, as shown by the map of the first survey of this territory, which subsequently became this town. This Mr. Nathaniel Walker located at the head of what is now known as "Walker's Pond," in 1748; he came with his wife, who was Submit Brewer, and several children. He was the son of John Walker, of Weston, who was the son of Samuel Walker, of Woburn, who was the son of Augustine, of Charlestown; admitted freeman in 1641; was master mariner, and died at Bilboa, in Spain. His will is in the office of the Secretary of State, at Boston. Nathaniel Walker had a large family of children, among whom was a son, named Phineas, born in 1738 ; who married Susannah Hyde, of Sturbridge. He settled at Woodstock, and died there at the age of ninety-two, and his wife at the age of ninety-four. They had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters ; one of his sons, Walter, was born at Woodstock, Connecticut, May 27, 1773; he married Priscilla Carpenter, of that town, April 3, 1798, and made his residence in Brookfield, Massachusetts. They had three children : one, Amasa, the suhject of this notice, was born at 66 STURBRIDGE. Woodstock, May 4, 1799. He married Emeline Carleton, of Boston, July 6, 1826. She died, July 24, 1828, leaving a daughter, who survived her but a few weeks. Mr. Walker married again, June 23, 1834, Hannah Ambrose, of Concord, New Hampshire. They had three children. First, Emeline, born at Boston, April 11, 1835 ; married to Alfred Batcheller, of Boston, June 18, 1857. Second, Robert, born at North Brookfield, July 12, 1837; married Isabella Tucker, of Holden. He was a lieutenant in the volunteer service in the late war of Rebellion, and badly wounded at the battle of New Market, Virginia, in 1864. Third, Francis Amasa, born at Boston, July 2, 1840; married Exem Stoughton, daughter of T. M. Stoughton, of Gill (Turner's Falls), Massachusetts, who was born, October 11, 1840. Their children are : Stoughton, born at Turner's Falls, June 3, 1866 ; Lucy, born at North ampton, September 1, 1867 ; Ambrose, born at Washington, District of Columbia, December 28, 1870. Francis Amasa was tho Adjutant-General of the Second Army Corps during the late war, and in 1870 was Commissioner of Indian Affairs, but recently has accepted a professorship at Yale college, New Haven. Amasa Walker was a graduate of the common school of North Brookfield, but studied the Latin language a few months under the charge of his pastor, Rev. Dr. Snell. He served as an apprentice in a country store, and commenced business for himself in West Brookfield in 1820. Was agent for the Methuen Factory Company in 1823 and 1824, and went to Boston in 1825, where he conducted a successful trade, mostly in the boot and shoe business, till 1840, when he retired from mercantile affairs. Mr. Walker then devoted his time and attention to literary pursuits, political affairs, and scientific objects. Pie was appointed professor of political economy in Ober- lin college, Ohio, in 1842, and gave lectures there seven STURBRIDGE. 67 years, though not a resident at that institution. In 1861 was appointed lecturer on public economy at Amherst college, and gave lectures there till 1869. He was a member of the Massachusetts house of representatives, in 1849 ; of the senate, in 1850, and secretary of state for the years 1851 and 1852 ; member of the constitutional convention in 1853, and of the house again in 1858 ; was one of the electoral college of 1860, and the secretary of that body ; was elected to Con gress, to fill a vacancy in the session of the thirty-seventh Con gress, 1862 and 1863. He received the degree of doctor of laws from Amherst college in 1867. AVhile Mr. Walker's attention has been largely engaged in his professorships and political affairs, he has made a special study of " The Science of Wealth." He published an octavo volume upon this subject in 1866, which has passed to its sixth edition, and is regarded as a work of standard value; it has probably given more celebrity to his name than any other or perhaps all the prior acts of his life. His mental activity has been constant and untiring, having for its object the gen eral advancement of the industrial, social, and moral improve ment of his fellow-man ; and, in aid of this end, he has been a liberal contributor of his ideas for the newspaper press and periodical publications of the country. CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL WALKER. James settled in Belchertowrf, had nine children. Mary married Alpheus Richardson, of Sturbridge ; they had six children. Lucy married Comfort Freeman, of Sturbridge ; they had eight children. Nathaniel, Junior, settled in Sturbridge, and had six chil dren. Phineas settled in Woodstock, Connecticut, and had nine children. 68 STURBRTDGE. Asa settled in Charlton, in the south-west part, in that tract which became a part of Southbridge, and was the father of the persons of that name in this latter named town, and had six or eight children. Josiah settled in Sturbridge, and had five children, among whom was Perez Walker, a distinguished citizen of this place. Beulah married a Mr. White, of Middlefield, Massachu setts ; they had ten or more children. Joel settled in Vershire, Vermont, and had six children. Lydia was an invalid ; she never married. Submit was blind, and never married. BENJAMIN D. HYDE, STURBRIDGE AND SOUTHBRIDGE. Mr. Hyde was the son of Joshua Hyde, of Sturbridge, a farmer in favorable circumstances ; was born in that town, February 8, 1803. He was connected with the business of the farm mostly, until 1828, except for five winters he taught school : one season in Sturbridge, two in the center of the town of Dudley, and two winters in the center of the town of Charlton. The 1st of January, 1828, he entered the law school at Northampton a short time before the death of the late Judge Howe, who was then at the head of that institu tion. He continued there, with the exception of a part of a year, until the spring of 1831, being part of that time in the office of Bates & Dewey. In March, 1831, he was admitted to the bar of the Common Pleas court at Northampton. He then returned to Sturbridge, and in May of the last named year opened an office for the practice of his profession in Southbridge, and continued the same there until April, 1840, when he returned to Sturbridge, and continued the practice of law with success, accumulating for himself and family a handsome estate.. While residing at Southbridge he repre- STURBRIDGE. 69 sented the town twice in the Legislature, and in Sturliridge filled the same office once, and in each of the three sessions was placed on important committees, discharging the duties with abihty and credit to himself. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of Massachusetts in 1853. £Mr. Hyde was a man of sound practical sense, had little regard for personal show, but gave his time and attention to whatever came before him with great directness of purpose. His habits of industry were such that he had but little leisure for amuse ments, but was always social and companionable in his general intercourse with society .J He died, November 2, 1869, aged sixty-six. Henry D. Hyde, a lawyer of distinction, practicing his pro fession in Boston, is his son.PHYSICIANS. Mesheck Remington, Jacob Corey, Junior, Erasmus Babbit, Daniel Mason, Jacob Corey, 31. M. S., Hosea Wheeler, M. D.. Thomas Babbit, 31. D. and M. 31. S., Calvin P. Fiske, 31. D., Matathias Rice, Orson Parker, Abisha Howard, 31. 31. S., Cyrus Hutchins, Ephraim 31. Lyon, William S. Saunders, 31. D. Among this list of physicians Dr. Jacob Corey, senior, for many years of his practice in this and adjoining townships, became the most known. His patients were co-extensive with all the region of coun try within a circle of eight to ten miles from his residence. Being a man of great endurance, he was constantly on his horse, traveling over the hills and valleys both by night and by day ; and, although not learned, he possessed that experi mental kuowledge that gave the people great confidence in his abihty. He was born in 1756, and died, May 17, 1839, aged eighty -three. At an earlier period Dr. Thomas Babbit was regarded as 5a fO STURBRIDGE. a physician of skill, possessing a respectable standing with the profession generally in that vicinity. LAWYERS. Erasmus Babbit, Junior, George Davis, John Paine, Benjamin D. Hyde. This town has had its full share of men of distinction. General Timothy Newell has before been referred to ; also Colonel Nathan Rice, son of the first minister. He served in the war of the Revolution, and at the time of the aggressions of France, during the administration of President John Adams, when war became imminent between that country and the United States, which induced the President to commence preparation for such an event, by raising troops and stationing them at different points for prac tice in military tactics. An encampment of a body of these men was stationed at Oxford and placed under Colonel Rice's command in the year 1799, before referred to in the collections for that town. He was regarded as a man of ability as an officer, and pos sessed considerable merit as a literary man. Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, a native of Pomfret, Connecticut, born, September 3, 1740, a graduate of Yale college, resided here many years, and exercised much influence in the cause of education, being one of the principal founders of Leicester academy. He was a merchant in this town and accumulated a. respectable estate. At the commencement of the Revolution, he raised a com pany of cavalry and joined the army at Cambridge before Boston, in 1775. After the evacuation of that town by the British troops, he returned to Sturbridge, and soon after was elected colonel of a regiment of cavalry and commanded a company ifnder General Lincoln in the Shay's rebellion. He removed to Vermont in 1790, to take charge of a township of STURBRIDGE. 71 land which he and General Newell had previously purchased, which tract took the name of " Craftsbury" in his honor. His son, Samuel Chandler Crafts, born at Woodstock, Connecti cut, October 6, 176S, graduated at Harvard college in 1790; moved to Vermont, and became chief judge of the county of Orleans, and continued as judge, also holding many other important offices in that State, till 1828, when he was elected governor and re-elected in 1829 and 1830. Represented Vermont in Congress 'eight years, and, for a time, filled the office of senator, having been appointed by Governor Paine to fill a vacancy. He died at Craftsbury, November 19, 1853. His father died in that town, May 24, 1810, aged seventy. Colonel Crafts built at Sturbridge, what is now and has for many years past been known as the hotel back of the trees, on the soutli side of the village common. Among the prominent names of this town are Fiske, Allen, Plimpton, Walker, Newell, Wight, Harding, Morse, Clark, Smith, Corey, Marsh, Ellis, Johnson, Mason, Freeman, Boy den, Hyde, Phillips, Hobbs, Upham, Watkins, Felton, Cong- don, Dunton, Howard, Rice, Holbrook, Denison, Wheelock, Shumway, Taylor, and Marcy. Many of these names are applicable to the town of South - bridge, residing .in that part of this town which was set off with parts of Dudley and Charlton to form that town, in the year 1816. THE WORCESTER SOUTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, INCORPORATED, May 2, 1855. The first meeting of this society, under the act of incorpo ration, was held at Sturbridge, June 16, 1855. The organization was as follows : for Moderator, Luther Hamant; for Secretary, Aaron Lyon. 72 STURBRIDGE. The following permanent officers were now elected : For President, Oliver E. Felton, Brookfield; for Secre tary, Aaron Lyon, Southbridge; for Treasurer, Simeon F. Marsh, Sturbridge. It is proper to add that an association for the encourage ment of agriculture was formed here several years before this act of incorporation was obtained. It was the enterprise and intelligence of this body that at tracted attention in the adjoining towns, and induced a desire to participate in its advantages. Thus it was deemed advisa ble, in the year 1854, to petition for an act of incorporation, which was obtained, and the organization was made as above. In the following year, at their annual meeting, the officers elected for the organization were continued in office, and elected for the years 1857-'58-'59, except Aaron Lyon, who resigned the latter year. Samuel H. Hobbs, of Stur bridge, was chosen to fill his place. In 1859 this society united with the town, and built a public- hall, with two spacious rooms, one above the other ; and this society made use of the upper hall. At the annual meeting, in 1860, Calvin P. Fiske, M. D., was elected president, and Messrs. Hobbs and Marsh continued in their respective offices. The same officers were continued for 1861. In 1862, at the annual meeting, Newton S. Hubbard was elected president; Colonel David Wight, secretary; and Melvin Haynes, treasurer. In 1863 the president and secretary were continued, and Simeon F. Marsh elected for their treasurer ; for 1864 the same officers were continued. At this time the permanent fund was $1,401. The officers for 1865 were Newton S. Hubbard, for presi dent ; Samuel H. Hobbs, secretary; and David Wight, treasurer. STURBRIDGE. 73 In 1866 Rufus B. Dodge, of Charlton, was elected presi dent, and the secretary and treasurer of the past year were continued ; they served also for the year 1867. In 1868 Sylvester Dresser, of Southbridge, was elected president; Henry Haynes, of Sturbridge, was made secre tary ; and David Wight, treasurer. For 1869 same officers were continued. In 1870 Daniel Dwight, of Dudley, was president ; Amasa C. Morse, of Stur bridge, secretary and treasurer. The same officers were continued for the year 1871. The premiums and gratuities paid by the company yearly have been as follows : 'or 1855, Paid 1201.25 For 1863, Paid $393.57 " 1856, 214.71 " 1864, 373.86 " 1857, ' 290.26 " 1865, 575.45 " 1858, ' 331.50 " 1866, 560.20 " 1859, 314.71 " 1867, " 625.10 " 1860, ' 387.50 " 1868, 808.73 " 1861, 440.25 " 1869, 738.52 " 1862, 388.19 The balance of funds over all liabilities in October, 1871, was $7,430.99. This sum entitles this society to draw annu ally from the State $600, which is the largest sum any one agricultural society can draw in any one year. The agricultural fair grounds, consisting of about twenty - five acres, were reported upon at a special meeting of tlie society, held, January 14, 1868, with a recommend to pur chase of the persons then owning them, about nineteen acres of Nelson Bennett, and five or six acres of Thomas McCarty, located in the town of Sturbridge. The same committee who made the report recommending the purchase (Newton S. Hubbard, of Brimfield; N. S. Glea son, of Warren; and Daniel Dwight, of Dudley), were consti tuted a committee to contract and secure the same for the society. 74 STURBRIDGE. The limits of the Worcester South Agricultural society, by the act. of incorporation in 1854, embraced the towns of Stur bridge, Southbridge, Charlton, Dudley, Webster, Oxford, Spencer, North Brookfield, Brookfield, West Brookfield, and Warren, in Worcester county, and Brimfield and Holland, in Hampden county. This act has been so amended by law that any citizen of the entire county may be a member on equal terms with the original members, applying to all societies receiving bounty from the State. Any male residing within the limits of the society, by pay ing into the treasury the sum of three dollars, is entitled to all the privileges of membership. Ladies are entitled to all such privileges by paying one dollar. By the State law, made to promote and encourage the pur suit of agriculture, societies receiving the bounty of $600 each per annum, are required to furnish reports of their doings to the secretary of the State bureau of agriculture, who com bines all the important information and discoveries in this branch of industry, and issues annually the result in valuable publications which are distributed, and may be secured by the several members; and, if preserved, these will in time form valuable agricultural libraries. The fair grounds were bought by the afore-named commit tee in 1*69. These grounds are about half a mile west of Sturbridge Center village ; the society have since fenced the same, and erected an exhibition hall two stories hio-h. which has a basement ofthe dimensions of the whole structure, ninety feet long by forty-two feet wide. The arrangement of the agricultural hall is such that ample accommodation is had for offices for the president, secretary, treasurer, and committees of the society, with commodious kitchen and dining-room, in addition to the hall for lectures and exhibition. The grounds have been suitably improved for the display STURBRIDGE. 75 of animals presented for competition or exhibition, with a good half-mile track for testing the speed and cpialities of horses ; the whole having been adapted to the wants of the society, and well calculated to fulfill the designs intended — the advancement of agriculture and the mechanic arts. The total cost of the land, hall, track, and general improve ments connected with the same, has been $12,362. The object of the society is to make this institution such as will commend itself to all parties interested in the progress of all branches of industry, which associations of this character are designed to advance. Thus far the progress has been such, that those who have had its management in charge take pleasure in saying that the results have more than met their expectations, and that its future usefulness is well as sured by the increasing interest manifested annually by those attending its exhibitions. ECCLESIASTICAL. CHAPTER IV. THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. TN conformity with the conditions of the grant for this town the proprietors took early measures for establishing re ligious worship. On the 30th of November, 1731, a vote was passed ; " that we will build a meeting-house as soon as we conveniently can." They had previously decided upon the place to locate this house, which place was on an elevation of land a little south of the present Congregational society's meeting-house, and supposed to be south of the road and near the place where the Baptist meeting-house lately stood, which was removed to Fiskedale, in the year 1838. The spot thus agreed upon for the location of their first meeting-house was a part of a tract of land, then known as the Saltonstall farm, which is more particularly described in another part of this historical sketch. To secure to themselves this desired location, the proprie tors deputed two of their number to procure a deed of a suit able piece of the Saltonstall farm, who, for that purpose, visited New London, and obtained of the heirs of the late Governor Saltonstall the deed, of which the following is a copy : "DEED. . " To All Persons to Whom these Presents shall Come: Richard Christo pher, and his wife, Elizabeth Christopher; Jeremiah Miller, and Mary Miller, his wife ; ' Samuel Davis, and Sarah Davis, his wife, all of New 78 STURBRIDGE. London, in the county of New London, and in his majesty's colony of Connecticut, in New England, gents, etc., and William Brattle, and Catherine Brattle, his wife, of Cambridge, in ye county of Middlesex and ye province of ye Massachusetts Bay, in New England— sends greet- ino-: Know ye that ye said Richard Christopher, and Elizabeth ; Jere miah Miller, and 3Iary; Samuel Davis, and Sarah; William Brattle, and Catharine,— for and in consideration of the settingup of a meeting-house for ye public worship of God in ye township, or a tract of land lately granted by ye General Assembly of ye 3Iassachusetts Bay for a township lying between Brookfield, Woodstock, Brimfield, and Oxford, do give and grant, alien and eufeofe, convey and confirm, unto Jonas Houghton, of Lancaster, in ye county of 3Iiddlesex, in ye province of ye Massachu setts Bay, and Ebenezer Learned, of Oxford, in ye county of Suffolk, in said province ; and to the rest of ye proprietors in ye aforesaid tract or township,— six acres of land to set a meeting-house upon, out of a farm or tract of land containing 2, 000 acres lately granted to the Hon. Gurdon Saltonstall, deceased, by the General Assembly of ye said province, lying in Pine land near or upon where ye road which runs from Brook field to Woodstock meets with ye road now used from Brimfield to Oxford. Also a high-way four rods wide through said 2,000 acres, as it is now marked, from Brimfield to Oxford, or as near thereto as it can conveniently be. Also a high-way of four rods wide from ye north side of said 2,000 acres to said road first mentioned, as said Brookfield road is now used, or near thereto. "Also, a high-way to run from said high-way first mentioned to ye southerly side of said 2,000 acres of four rods, where it can conveniently cross Quinebaug river, where the land will conveniently allow thereof, with ye privileges and appurtenances thereof. "To have and to hold ye said granted premises with appurtenances thereof unto the said Jonas Houghton and Ebenezer Learned, with the rest of ye proprietors in ye aforesaid tract or township for ye use and uses aforesaid, and to no other use whatsoever, and that ye said Jonas Houghton and Ebenezer Learned, and ye rest of ye proprietors in ye aforesaid tract or township, their heirs and assigns forever, shall and may, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, have, hold, use, and possess, improve the said granted premises, with ye appurtenances to and for the use and uses aforesaid, and to no other use forever, against the said Richard Christopher and his wife, Elizabeth; Jeremiah Miller, and 3Iary ; Samuel Davis, and Sarah ; William Brattle, and Catherine ; their heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereof, the said Richard Christopher, and Elizabeth; Jeremiah 3Iiller, and Mary; Samuel Davis, and Sarah; William Brattle, and Catherine ; have hereunto set their hands and seals this second day of December, A. D., 1730. STURBRIDGE. 79 "Signed, sealed, and delivered in ye presence ot John Smalk, Lewis DeWoolf, Richard Christopher, and a [Seal. ] Elizabeth Christopher, and a [Seal.] Jeremiah Miller, and a [Seal.] Mary Miller, and a [Seal.] Elizabeth Christopher, !' Samuel Davis, and a [Seal Susannah Coolidge, Sarah Davis, and a [Seal.] Mr. Richard Christopher, and | William Brattle, and a [Seal.] Mrs. Elizabeth Christopher. | Catherine Brattle, and a [Seal.] ' • 3Ir. Jeremiah Miller and 3Irs. Mary Miller, 3Ir. Samuel Davis and Mrs. Sarah Davis, personally appeared in New London this second day of December, A. D., 1730, and acknowledged the instrument in ye two fore going pages to be their voluntary act and deed. ' ' Before me, "SAMUEL LYNDE, Assistant. " 3Iiddlesbx, Julyl, 1731. "William Brattle and Catherine Brattle personally appeared before me. the subscriber, and acknowledged the instrument in ye two fore going pages to be their voluntary act and deed. "Coram, JONATHAN REMINGTON, Justice Peace. "The foregoing is a true copy of ye original deed, received, May 9, 1732. " Examined by '"'JOHN CHANDLER, Jr, Heg'r. " Worcester, ss. : '•The foregoing is a true copy of record, recorded in the Registry of Deeds, book 111, page ~>S. "Attest, ALEX H. WILDER, Reg'r."* At the proprietors' meeting, held, November 30, 1731, there was a vote showing that Mr. Jonas Houghton was allowed £8 4s. 2d., for services in procuring the foregoing deed and the expense for recording the same. It was then voted that the meeting-house shall be fifty feet in length, by forty in width, and twenty-two feet between the sills and plates. Also, that the finish of the said house be according to the * It is shown by the date of the foregoing deed that it was made about four months before the county of Worcester was incorporated, that this tract of land was then a part of the county of Suffolk, in Massachusetts. Also, that Mr. Houghton, one of the proprietors, was from Lancaster, and that Mr. Learned was from Oxford, which also shows that several of the proprietors came from other places besides Medfield. 80 STURBRIDGE. articles drawn to finish the meeting-house at Hassanamisco, (now Grafton). Voted, to have the house built, covered and inclosed in'.the space of one year from this time, and finished in the space of two years, according to the above vote. And that three men be a committee to manage the affairs of building the said house ; and by vote John Dwight, Jonas Houghton, and Joseph Plimpton, were chosen to be the com mittee for carrying on the said work of building the meeting house. At the same time, the proprietors made a grant of £525 towards the expense of the house, which was the total of their receipts thus far for sales of land. Twenty pounds was added afterwards for finishing the meeting-house. It was dedicated to the worship of God on the 19th of Sep tember, 1733, more than four years before the town was incor porated. The Rev. Mr. Baxter of Medfield, preached the dedication sermon, from Isaiah lxiii, 5 : ' ' I looked and there was none to help ; and I wondered there was none to uphold; therefore mine own arm brought salvation to me; and my fury it upheld me." It must not be inferred by the foregoing that public wor ship was not held here until their meeting-house was finished. It is said that even during the first year of settlements, James Denison, from the south-east section ; Joseph Smith, from the north-west part, Henry and Daniel Fiske, from Fiske Hill, with several others from different parts of the town, — soon formed an acquaintance and met at their cabins by turns, and held religious worship every Sabbath. After their meeting-house was finished they took measures to procure a pastor. There is an article in the warrant for a proprietors' meeting, held on June 24, 1734, for that object. In their action they voted fifteen shillings for each proprie- STURBRIDGE. 81 tor's lot, the minister excepted, to support preaching. The Rev. Mr. Cowell was their first preacher. In November fol lowing, forty shillings each lot was assessed to support preach ing the ensuing year, which amounted to ninety-five pounds, ten shillings. The next year they raised for this object, £103 lis. 6d. The first Monday in March, 1736, was, by vote of the pro prietors, set apart for prayer and fasting, to seek direction for the choice of a minister to settle among them. The pastors of four neighboring churches were invited to assist on that occasion. The result was the unanimous choice of the Rev. Caleb Rice to become their pastor. The calling and settling of a minister, in form and custom, has materially changed since the period of these early fathers. In many respects it would, no doubt, have been better for society had the early mode continued. Mr. Rice was ordained to the work of the ministry on Wed nesday, the 29th of September, 1736, at which time a church was organized, consisting of fourteen male members, viz. : Rev. Caleb Rice, Ebenezer Stearns, Jonathan Perry, Henry Fiske, Joseph Allen, Jonathan Posket, Ezekiel Upham, George Watkins, Moses Allen, Joseph Baker, Solomon Rood, Daniel Thurston. Joseph Cheney, Daniel Fiske, The office of deacon was conferred on Daniel Fiske and Ebenezer Stearns ; Moses Allen was appointed to set the Psalms in the congregation upon Sabbath days. "There is reason to think that church music was conducted by the early fathers and mothers with more spirit and less understanding than at the present time. The chorister who was always appointed to that office by the vote of the church, having set the Psalm, any of the con gregation capable of singing were accustomed to join in that service, ¦sitting promiscuously in the assembly. They first adopted the practice of sitting by themselves in 1768. A petition was brought into town meet- 82 STURBRIDGE. ing that year, signed by sundry of the inhabitants, requesting that they may have the liberty of taking their seats in the front gallery of the meeting-house, or wherever the town may think proper, in order to carry on the singing with greater regularity, decency, and good order. The town granted this liberty till the next 3Iay meeting, then about two months' time, and then voted to extend the privilege during the town's pleasure. Soon after they voted three pounds, lawful money, to aid in providing a singing-school, to be under the direction of the selectmen. The new method of singing by rule, and especially the introduction of new tunes, created no small stir in the congregation, and the church appointed a committee of three to arrange the unhappy differences be tween the singers and the people, and propose some method of accom modation. The report was read from the desk on the Sabbath, and, having been preserved, is as follows : It sets forth three grievances on the part of the singers. They complain — first, that they were not prop erly encouraged, so many being opposed to singing by rule, and some people leaving the meeting-house ; second, their persons and characters being injuriously treated ; third, their not having liberty to sing once a day without reading line by line. With a view to obviate these diffi culties, and restore peace between the singers and the congregation, the committee gave the following advice : In respect to the first complaint they advised the disaffected among the people to read the preface to 3Ir. Walter's Singing-Book, and consider whether or not it is even pos sible that a congregation should join together in singing, and carry it on in order, no one knowing any rule, and so none obej'ing any. Res pecting the second, they recommend a solemn regard to that golden rule of doing to others as they would have others do to them. Touching the third complaint, after conceding to both parties the right of private judgment, the committee add, for the consolation of the singers, noth ing is more common than opposition and discouragement in a good work. The report concludes with some sensible remarks to the choir, a geneial exhortation to seek after the things which make peace, whereby one may edify another, and a proposal that Psalms be sung once on the Sabbath day at concluding of Divine seiwu-e, by reading one verse or half stave once, for the space of four months next." "The old way of conducting church music probably went out of use at the expiration of these four months. The numerous votes from time to time after this for raising money for instruction in singing, give evi dence of an improved taste that had been cultivated under the new sys tem; and that this part of divine service became better understood and more highly appreciated." The pecuniary support which Mr. Rice received from his people was liberal for the time, or indeed for any other time, STURBRIDGE. 83 considering the value of articles of living, which shows that the founders of this town understood true wisdom, and like circumstances have not been overlooked or met grudgingly by their descendants. In addition to the several allotments of land laid out and reserved for their minister, according to the conditions of the grant, amounting to one fiftieth part of the township to be his and his heirs and assigns, they voted as follows : £200, in bills of credit for settlement and encouragement, to be paid him, viz. : £100, by the 1st day of May, 1737 ; and £100 by the first day of May, 1738. Also £110 in bills of credit annually for his salary, at the value of twenty-five shillings an ounce in silver money. And at the expiration of three years after the said Mr. Rice's ordination, to add ten pounds to his salary, so as to make it £120, according to the aforesaid value of money, annually. In Mr. Rice's answer to this call, referring to the proposed settlement and salary, he says : " I esteem it to be handsome and generous, and accordingly do now accept it as such; yet not being so thoroughly acquainted with the charge and expenses of living, if, in process of time, my circumstances should require and call for more, I should depend and rely upon it, that as I give myself wholly to the work of the ministry, so I should receive a decent and handsome support." To which the people readily assented. In conclusion, he added a suggestion regarding his supply of fire-wood, which was thought reasonable ; and they voted him forty cords per year, and twelve dollars for its delivery. Finding this in sufficient, the supply was first increased five cords, and, finally, fifty cords was granted, and delivered at Mr. Rice's door, of suitable length for use.* * If silver is taken at a dollar an ounce, it will be found that the support granted to the first minister of Sturbridge was a settlement of $160-a salary of ninety-six dollars, and fifty cords of wood annually, besides a farm of about 500 acres of land. The money appears small compared with present values. 84; STURBRIDGE. It is known by tradition that the founders of Sturbridge were a religious and church-going people. It is reported that this people for many years— man, woman, and child— when in health, regardless of the weather or distance from the place of worship, were constant in attendance. For example, those of the south-eastern part, many lived six and seven miles from the meeting-house, which was no obstacle in the way of attendance, although they might have to travel that distance on foot, fording the Quinebaug, cross ing perhaps upon a fallen tree, or in winter on the ice. When the snows were deep the inhabitants of a section would assemble at an appointed place, when the men would go forward, tracking the way, and the women and children follow. Such was their custom before the Revolutionary period. Although the town was thinly settled, yet, as each Sabbath came, their minister found the meeting-house always filled with ready and interested listeners after the truths delivered. The meeting-house at first had no pews, but was provided with temporary seats, each worshipper being at liberty to sit or stand wherever it might be found convenient. In October, 1741, the following article was inserted in the warrant for a meeting to be held the 14th of that month : " To see whether the town will let out the room in the meeting-house under the galleries, and come into some measures to do and accomplish the same." The design of this article was to lay out a part of the meeting-house floor for pews. This was agreed upon, and it was voted that the pews be assigned to the several families in town, each to build his own pew, as was the custom of that time. The assigning of pews or lots was in that day generally But, it must be considered that every article for the support of a family was in propor tion. Corn, twelve and a half cents per bushel; labor, fourteen cents per day. This is a sample of values of that day, which rendered tho salary abundant. STURBRIDGE. 85 termed dignifying, and a committee was selected, not unfre- quently from neighboring towns. But in this case the com mittee who was intrusted with this delicate and responsible duty, were Daniel Fiske, Moses Marcy, and Isaac Newell. The instructions from the town were, " To have due regard to age ; to the first beginning in town ; to their bearing charges in town, and to their usefulness; and to dispose of the room for pews to such persons as they shall see fit." This was a duty imposed for deciding upon the relative merit of the principal heads of families in the town, which, being in accordance with a prevaihng custom of the colonial period, was not deemed offensive or improper ; but to suggest such an idea in these times of republican equality, nothing could be regarded as more out of place. This committee made their report to the March meeting following, as here given : " We, the said committee, met on the 9th day of February, 1742, and did agree, that according to the instructions given us by the town, the following persons ought to have the several pew spots, eighteen in num ber, and the liberty of pitching in the following order, viz. . " 1st choice to Moses Marcy 2d ' Henry Fiske 11th " Moses Allen 3d ' Isaac Newell 12th " Joseph Allen 4th ' James Denison 13th " Joseph Smith 5th ' Rowland Taylor 14th " Hinsdale Clark 6th ' Daniel Fiske 15th " Ezekiel Upham 7th Joseph Baker 16th John Harding 8th ' Joseph Cheney 17th Caleb Harding- 9th ' David Shumway 18th " Edward Foster. 10th choice to David Morse This report was accepted, and ordered to be recorded in the town's book. This transaction exhibits the estimate of the standing, relatively, of eighteen of those supposed to be first in point of character- and usefulness in the town. These eighteen lots for pews would be very differently 6a 86 STURBRIDGE. valued in point of location, compared with the center or body pews at this time, they being the wall seats ; chairs in the central part of the house would now be regarded more favor ably than pews under the galleries. The Rev. Mr. Rice closed both his life and ministry on the Sabbath day, September 2, 1759, in his forty-seventh year. He was a native of Hingham, and a graduate of Harvard university. He was the pastor of this church twenty-three years. The Rev. Peter Whitney, author of the " History of the County of Worcester," gives the following sketch of his char acter. "He was a pastor after God's heart; sound in faith; a good preacher; endowed with excellent ministerial gifts, and very exemplary in life, aa well as social and benevolent in his deportment." " He lived in great harmony with his people in the fore part of his ministry ; but about the year 1747, a number of the brethren and inhabitants, conceiving they had received new light, different from what was common among their neighbors, separated from him, which rendered his work more arduous and his life uncomfortable. From Separatists they became Anabap tists;* but it pleased the Great Head of the Church to remove Mr. Rice from his labors by death, whose praise was then through all the churches, and his memory is still dear to many."f He was married, January 8, 1737, soon after his settlement, to Priscilla Payson, of Woodstock, then a town of Massachu setts. There was a marked spirit of honorable dealing by the pioneer people of Sturbridge with their first minister. Bis salary was advanced five times to make the same accord with the advance of articles required for family support. The j ul- * This was the origin of the Baptist church in Sturbridge. The term •¦ New Lights " did not originate in Sturbridge; it was the result of a change from a more formal state of the New England church to a more ardent and active spiritual state— a change from the church and state policy, to the new ground that none could properly be received into the church, except upon their profession of faith and spiritual change of heart. Jonathan Edw ards was of this new school. It arose at the time of Whitfield's adyent. t This was written thirty-four years alter his death, STURBRIDGE., 87 ing price of agricultural products was their guide in establish ing the amount of salary due in accordance with the spirit of the contract entered into for his settlement. The number uniting with the church during his ministry, including the fourteen with which it was organized, was 114. Fifteen of these, near the close of his ministry, separated therefrom, and established what has since been known as the " Baptist Church of Sturbridge." At first, those who withdrew received the name of " Sepa ratists ;" and here, as in many other of the old societies of that day, then styled the Standing Order, they were stigmatized by the epithet, as before given, " New Lights." In this separation many unhappy results followed, as has been related in the historical sketch of the Baptist society then formed. The oppressive measures that followed those who chose to withdraw was a consequence of legislative fa voritism in behalf of one religious denomination to the detri ment of all other religious bodies. This Baptist society, for a time, was not a corporate body ; and thus, by the provisions of the law designed to protect dis senting societies by inserting the word " incorporated," this society could not avail itself of the intent of the provision for protection against taxation for the support of the old society, or standing order, and, according to the spirit of the day, it was regarded with the voters of the town as a matter of dol- lars and cents (the old society being the town's religious so ciety, and not a parish, as now regarded), and not of con science. Thus the assessors distrained the property of all delinquent tax-payers for the part imposed for the support of the town's religious society, as well as that for schools, roads, or other contingent expenses. Nothing could remedy such an evil but the entire separa tion, by legislation, of religious affairs from political; and such legislation required time to cultivate a proper and ra- STURBRIDGE. e tional religious sentiment with the public at large. This, in due time, was accomplished, and all religious societies are now placed in a state of equality of rights. The former system of favoritism for one religious society, t, > the detriment and oppression of others, was but a relic of the barbarism of a past age. With the prevailing sentiment of the present time, it is difficult to realize that the acts of persecution and oppression, known to have been quite gen- ral, could possibly have been perpetrated in a New England community, but, unfortunately, it is but a part of the history of the past which truth must admit. There was an article inserted in the warrant for the town meeting, Ma}' 22, i749, touching the matter relating to those who had withdrawn from the first society, as follows : " To see whether the town will pass a vote to exempt those people id this town that have separated themselves from the' public worship of God on the Lord's day, at our meeting house, from paying for the sup port of 3Ir. Rice." The legislative act of 1692, then in force, required of every qualified voter that he must pay his tax for the support of an able, learned, orthodox minister, of good conversation; a part of which act is as follows : ' ' The person thus selected and approved, accepting thereof, settling with them, shall be the minister, towards whose settlement and mainte nance all the inhabitants and ratable estates lying- within such town or part of a town or place limited by law for upholding the public worship of God, shall be obliged to pay in proportion." There was an unquestionable, legal right for such taxation ; and to omit to tax any estates under this act, increased the burden of taxes upon those not exempt. It does not appear that the question was acted upon at this meeting; but, on the 18th of March, 1752, the town held a special meeting, to see whether the town will come into some STURBRIDGE. 89 * method of agreement with the Separatists that were distrained upon for their minister's rates. Moses Marcy was called to the chair. He requested the Separatists to be seated on one side of the meeting-house, and the rest of the citizens present, on the other. He then desired that there might be a friendly conference, to see if by some means or other we could not make up the difference between us, without going into the law ; and, after a long talk and discussion of the question, the Separatists were asked whether if the creatures and all the goods that were taken from them by distress for their minister's rates in the year 1751, were returned, it would satisfy them, so that we might five together like Christian friends and neighbors? They answered, it would satisfy them for that year with reasonable satisfaction, and no further. Then they were desired to bring in, in writing, what would content them, which they did. The amount of this writing was, that they desired restitu tion to be made them from 1749, and one individual from 1748. It was then earnestly requested of the Separatists, that, as we then did, and now believe we had a good right to do as we did, yet for peace's sake, we might meet one another and agree. No agreement, however, was effected, and the meeting was brought to a close, after Nathaniel Walker, James Denison, Joseph Baker, John Tarbell, and Moses Marcy, had been appointed a committee to treat further with them. The action of this committee, or the full result of the question in dispute, does not appear upon their records. It was two years after the death of Mr. Rice before this society settled another minister. During this time preaching was supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Storrs, Whitney, and Mills. On the 17th of July, 1760, the church held a season for fasting and prayer, in which the congregation joined, 90 STURBRIDGE. " To seek to God in Jesus Christ for light and direction in the settle- ' ment of a Gospel minister, and to the Head of the Church to fit and qualify one with the gifts and graces for to be a minister of Jesus Christ for us." These are the words of the church record. About six months after this, another day was set apart of fasting and prayer, in order to give the Rev. Joshua Paine a call. The call given to Rev. Joshua Paine, as the result of this meeting, was accepted, and Mr. Paine was ordained, June 17, 1761. The contract here, like others with the standing order of ministers of that day, was for life ; thus it might properly be regarded as of great importance to the town, and more par ticularly to this society, that a man of piety, abihty, and good social qualities shoidd be secured. The gatherings of the people on occasions of ordination at this period were very large, for the reason that they but sel dom occurred, and people had been taught and accustomed to regard the ministerial profession with far greater reverence than at the present day. To accommodate the multitude ex pected on the occasion of Mr. Paine's ordination, a platform was erected' in the open field, at the foot of the hill, east of the present meeting-house, where all could see and witness that interesting ceremony. The town voted £13 6s. 8d. for the expense of the enter tainment of strangers and the council on this occasion. Owing to the crowded condition of their meeting-house at this time, there was a petition by several females for better ac commodation ; which petition is quoted from Rev. Mr. Clark's centennial address, viz. This is taken from the records of the March meeting, 1762 : ' • A petition from Hannah Allen, Elizabeth Hooker, Rhoda Clark, Dinah Allen, Abigail Allen, Deborah Falconer, Hannah Chub, and Elizabeth Chickering, showing that the hind seat in the women's side- gallery is so low that they can not see the minister; and the other seats STURBRIDGE. 91 are full and crowded, so that it is very uncomfortable sitting; praying- favor of the town, that the town would grant them liberty to build a pew where the hind seat is," etc. The petition being read and discussed, their request was granted. It appears that it was the custom, if any parties desired a pew for their accommodation, to appeal to the town, as it was an act of the same by which such privilege was ob tained, and then to be built at the petitioner's expense. By this mode, in time, the house became filled with pews. There must have been a curious appearance of the area of floor in the meeting-house, with pews and benches interspersed, until the floor became filled with pews ; and, again, as each party V erected his own pew, or engaged it built, it is not probable that much regard was had to symmetry or elegance of work manship ; thus the entire collection of pews would, if seen by the eye accustomed at the present day to witness nicely- adjusted workmanship, be a museum of curiosities. The insufficiency of accommodation in the old meeting house induced the town to take measures for a new one. There was a vote in favor of building a new meeting-house in 1773, but the advent of the Revolutionary war postponed this design during that period. The question was again brought forward soon after the close of that war, and a decision to build was soon agreed upon. The result was the erection of a new meeting-house in the year 1784 ; but it was not entirely completed and dedicated until the autumn of 1787. Rev. Joshua Paine died, December 28, 1799, in the sixty- fifth year of his age, and in the thirty-ninth year of his pas torate. He was a native of Pomfret, Connecticut, and a graduate of Yale college. Rev. Mr. Paine's funeral took place the first day ofthe year and century of 1800. His memory was highly cherished among his people ; he 92 STURBRTDGE. was regarded as an able minister, and as exerting a salutary and lasting influence. His pastorate commenced about the close of the last French war in America, continuing through the exciting period of the English aggressions that produced the war of the Revolution, the separation of these colonies from England, and the estab lishing of the government of the United States ; also through that primary crisis that originated a republican form of gov ernment under an established constitution ; and its test under the first president, General George Washington ; closing his days, almost contemporaneously with the death of that great man. Mr. Paine's settlement was £200, or about $666, with a salary of £66 13s. 4d., or $222 ; and this salary was gener ously continued one year after his decease, to his widow. During a part of the year following his decease, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, the Baptist minister, occupied the meeting-house of this society, and once more the people of Sturbridge wor shipped unitedly together ; although soon after forming sep arate congregations, there has not since existed any unkind feel ing between these two religious denominations, but they have frequently united their efforts in many benevolent objects. The successor to Mr. Paine was the Rev. Otis Lane, a native of Rowley, and a graduate of Harvard university; his ordination took place, December 10, 1800. There were eighteen pastors united in the council, and twenty-six dele gates. The sermon was preached by Rev. Abiel Holmes, D.D., of Cambridge, which was published, and is now in exist ence. Mr. Lane was settled upon the new, platform, with the right to ask for a dismission, but to give one year's notice and his reasons therefor ; which had a counterpart, granting the same privilege to his society and church. It is said that this was the first digression in this State from the plan of settling ministers during their natural life. STURBRIDGE. 93 In the following year, after Mr. Lane's settlement, on the 30th of August, 1801, a colony of twenty members were dis missed from this society to form a church in the Poll parish, a portion of which was taken from the east part of this town, and incorporated with parts of Charlton and Dudley, on the 28th of February, the same year, and styled the "Second Re ligious Society in Charlton." Although there were many dismissions from this church during Rev. Mr. Lane's pastorate, yet the church and society, before its close, gained in members to the church and numbers and strength in the society. The year 1810 was one of pecu liar favor in a spiritual sense ; there were added forty members, which is represented the greatest revival of religion that this church has ever experienced ; and it gave an impulse to the cause of religion here which has continued till the present time.* Mr. Lane continued the pastor of this church about eighteen years, during which it was increased by the addition of ninety- eight members. The number of members in the church when he was settled was 112. His dismission was on the 24th of Feb ruary, 1819. He was afterwards installed over the church in Yoluntown and Sterling, Connecticut, where he con tinued to preach until the infirmities of advanced age made it necessary for him to retire from his profession. He died at Southbridge, at the house of his son, Samuel M. Lane, Esq. The Rev. Alvan Bond, a native of Sutton, and a graduate of Brown university, who had recently completed his theolog ical studies at Andover, came to this town as a temporary supply in June, 1819, and was ordained as the pastor, November 30, the same year ; he was favored at the commencement of his services here by a revival of interest in spiritual affairs that had begun in the last year of Mr. Lane's pastorate, which * Eemarks by Rev. Mr. Clark in 1838. 94 STURBRIDGE. added twenty-five members to the church. A similar awaken ing took place in 1825, which added forty to the church the year following. During the twelve years' pastorate of Rev. Mr. Bond, Sabbath schools and Bible classes were established here, and 123 members were added to the church ; also, a temperance society was formed. Rev. Mr. Bond was dis missed, October 3, 1831, to accept the professorship of sacred literature in the Theological seminary at Bangor, Maine. After holding that office about three years he returned again to the ministry, and was installed over the second Congre gational church in Norwich, Connecticut, May 7, 1835, where, it is believed, he now resides. The successor to Rev. Mr. Bond was Rev. Joseph S. Clark, a native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Am herst college ; he preached his first sermon, October 2, 1831, the next Sabbath after he had completed his theological studies at Andover, and the day before his predecessor was dismissed. He was ordained on the 21st of December following. With the ministry of Rev. Mr. Clark this society commenced the voluntary method of supporting religious worship by sub scription. The success of this plan of supporting preaching has removed all thoughts of returning to the ancient method of taxation. In the year 1S35 the interior of the meeting-house was re modeled on a plan that gave more seats, and better, than the old arrangement. During Mr. Clark's pastorate 203 members were added by profession, and fifty-six by letter. The whole number of members was 335. In the same period this church and society contributed for objects of Christian charity $4,000, besides aiding several young men in preparing for the minis try. Rev. Mr. Clark was dismissed December, 20, 1838. After leaving here, Mr. Clark, for several years, was con nected with the management of the American Board of Com missioners for Foreign Missions, but has since deceased. STURBRIDGE. 95 During the seven years of his pastorate, Rev. Mr. Clark proved himself a devoted minister in his profession, and a worthy citizen. On the 4th of July, 1838, he delivered a centennial address before the people of Sturbridge and vicinity, ten days after the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation as a town. From said address much of the foregoing has been taken. It is an able and authentic sketch of history, covering over one hundred years of the doings of her citizens, and will always remain of much interest to the future residents, and all lovers of the early history of this section of New England. The next pastor of this church and society was Rev. David R. Austin, who was installed, May 1, 1839. The number of members in the church in January, 1843, was 349. Rev. Mr. Austin was dismissed, October 1, 1851 ; he is now believed to be in South Norwalk, Connecticut. Rev. Hubbard Beebe succeeded Mr. Austin. He was in stalled, June 2, 1852, and served as the pastor till October 24, 1854, when he received dismission, and, it is understood, is now laboring in his profession at New Haven, Connecticut. After the dismission of Mr. Beebe, this society was destitute of a pastor about one and a half years; during this period Rev. Daniel H. Temple supplied about six months, and others for shorter periods. The next pastor was Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, who was installed, March 26, 1856, continued his labors a little over six years, and received his dismission, September 2, 1862. He was a graduate of Amherst college, and passed a course in theology at Andover. The church membership varied during Mr. Clapp's ministry, from 224 to 196, at the time of his dismission. This society now engaged the services of Rev. Marshall B. Angier, who commenced preaching, January 7, 1863, and was installed, July 1, following. He served about four years, and was dismissed, June 5, 1867; the membership during his pas- 96 STURBRIDGE. torate increased from 196, at the beginning of his ministry, to 222 members at its close. Rev. Martin L. Richardson, the successor, began his labors, October 20, 1867; he is a graduate of Amherst college, and studied theology at the Theological seminary at Bangor, Maine. The number of church mem bers in February, 1871, was 228 ; Mr. Richardson was at that time still laboring here, with much satisfaction both to himself and his people. The deacons of this church have been as follows : Daniel Fiske, elected in 1736 Ebenezer Stearns, " 1736 Isaac Newell, " 1741 Joseph Baker, " 1747 Edward Foster, " 1749 Moses Weld, " 1764 Joshua Harding, " Job Hammet, " Rowland Clark, elected in Eleazer Hebbard, ' ' Joel Plimpton, " 1807 Daniel Plimpton, " 1808 Zenas Dunton, " 1826 George Davis, " 1826 Ephraim M. Lyon, " 1832 James Capen, " 1832 Perley Allen, elected in 1846, resigned in 1863. David K. Porter, " 1850, " 1853. Melville Snell, " 1853, " 1866. Henry Haynes, " 1853, still in office. Charles Fuller, " 1863, " Henry Hitchcock, " 1863, " Isaac Johnson. " 1869, " This society erected a parsonage house in 1868, at a cost of about $3,000, and the society is now in a prosperous condition. BAPTIST SOCIETY, STURBRIDGE. The origin of this church, like that of many others which came into existence at this particular period in the history of the Baptists in America, was a difference of sentiment in re ligious matters among the members of the Congregational church in this town. This difference arose about the year 1740, during the pas torate of Rev. Caleb Rice, the first minister of that church, and resulted in a division of its members, in 1747, when a separate church was formed. STURBRIDGE. 97 It does not appear that this separate church was at first organized upon the distinctive religious sentiments of the Baptists, but, for a time, adhered to infant baptism. Rev. Joseph S. Clark has given, in his centennial address (containing an historical sketch of this town for the first 100 years of its existence), no doubt, the true cause of this separation, " a religious awakening that prevailed in many other places at that time, the subjects of which were generally designated as ' New Lights.' "* This period, as has been referred to in another place, marked a crisis in religious affairs in Massachusetts, and, in fact, in this country, to a considerable extent. In New England the ardent vital Puritan sentiment of its founders had departed from its original zeal, and had degen erated into formality and coldness. To be baptized, admitted to a membership in the church, and unite at the communion table, was sufficient evidence of a Christian and disciple of Christ. Redemption from sin was to be obtained by meri torious conduct and an adherence to church forms. To prepare a more agreeable way for some fastidious per sons, a special covenant was not unfrequently adopted, called the " Half-Way Covenant," that the becoming a member of the church might be made easy. This lax state of religion became alarming to many minds that were more strongly impressed with the importance of an experience of the power of Divine grace for admission to membership in the church by those desiring to join with that body. Thus many insisted upon experimental religion as the basis of baptism and membership. Among the New England ministers, no one supported this ground more earnestly than Rev. Jonathan Edwards, during Eev. Joseph S. Clark's Historical Sketch, p. 31. 98 STURBRIDGE. his ministry with the church at Northampton, as the successor of the venerable Solomon Stoddard. But it was left to such men as George Whitfield, and men hke the celebrated Gilbert Tennent, to press this point before the multitude, and bring forth a new era in religious sen timent. Those who favored this religious zeal and labored to extend its influence were frequently opposed by ministers and mem bers of the churches who adhered to the old, quiet, conser vative mode of conducting religious affairs, and were stig matized by the name of "New Lights." But as the zeal of the former increased, it resulted, generally, in such a division in the churches that a separation and new organizations gen erally followed. Those who left the old churches and formed new ones in accordance with this spiritual awakening, received sometimes the name of "Separatists." Such was the name given at first to those who withdrew from the first church in Sturbridge. They professed to take the Scriptures only for their guide, and in searching the Scrip tures, in many instances the conclusion arrived at, favored the religious sentiments of the Baptists. Up to the commencement of this great revival of religion, there was but a small number of Baptist churches in New England.* Mr. Benedict says : "So slow was the progress of the Baptists in Massachusetts, that after the church of Swansea was formed, in 1G63, for 100 years, up to 1763, they numbered within its limits but eighteen churches." From the time of the commencement of the great religious - The first Baptist church in Massachusetts was formed in' Swansea, in 1663; the second in Boston, in 1665; another, at Swansea, in 1693; (there was a Baptist church at Kittery, Maine, that sprung from the first Baptist church in Boston in 1682); another at Eehoboth, in 1732; one at Sutton in 1735; one in Leicester, in 1736; and one at South Brimfield, now Wales in 1736; one at West Springfield in 1740; and a second at Boston in 1743; and then comes the Baptist church formed in Sturbridge, in November, 1747, STURBRIDGE. 99 revival in 1740, there was a gradual progress, with increasing force, in favor of this religious denomination, although labor ing under great disadvantages, through the force of statute enactments, unjustly discriminating in favor of the standing order, so-called, compelling Dissenters to support a faith con trary to their belief. But, notwithstanding this disadvantage, the number of chinches of this order had increased from eighteen (its num ber in 1763) to sixty-four churches in the year 1784, and eighty-four in 1794. As has been stated, the Baptist church in Sturbridge was formed in 1747, and Mr. John Blunt was ordained as its pas tor, but it did not conform fully with the Baptist faith until 1749 ; at which time Rev. Ebenezer Moulton, pastor of the Baptist church in South Brimfield, baptized thirteen of their number, among whom was Daniel Fiske, one of their deacons. John Newell was their other deacon, and Henry Fiske and David Morse were their ruling elders. Soon after, Mr. Blunt (their pastor), and upwards of sixty were baptized. Much bitterness now prevailed in the church of the standing- order against the members of this new organization. Several attempts were made by action of the people in their town meetings to reconcile these Separatists with the original church ; and as the records of the town show, these parties had been quite rigorously dealt with in several respects, besides forcibly taking their property for the support of the Congregational worship, in which they could not conscien tiously participate. To give a history of the state of religious feeling with the members of the old church towards these Dissenters, the following is quoted from a note in Benedict's " History of the Baptists :" "Mr. Moulton, for preaching here, was seized by the constable, dragged out of the town, and thrust into prison, as a stroller and vaga bond. Also Deacon Fiske, John Corey, Jeremiah Barstow, Josiah Perry, 100 STURBRIDGE. and John Draper, were imprisoned in Worcester gaol. In 1750 and 1751 the assessors took from Abraham Bloyce a spinning-wheel ; from Deacon Fiske, five pewter plates and a cow; from John Pike, a cow; from Jonathan Perry, a saddle and steer ; from Mr. Blunt, the pastor, a tram mel, andirons, shovel, tongs, etc., and a heifer; from John Streeter, a kettle, pot-hooks, etc. ; from Benjamin Robbins, a warming-pan, quart pot, broad-axe, saw, and other tools ; from Henry Fiske, ruling elder, five pewter plates, and a cow ; from John Perry, a cow ; from David Morse, ruling elder, a cow in 1750, for a tax of eleven shillings and four pence, and in 1751 a yoke of oxen, valued at not less than thirty-six dol lars, for a tax less than five dollars ; from Phineas Collier, a kettle, two pewter plates, a tankard, and a young cow ; from John Newell, deacon, all his pewter plates, a cow, and a flock of geese; from John Draper goods were distrained, but the kind is not mentioned." In the absence of any records kept by this church prior to 1780, it is difficult at this time to show who were all the mem bers who separated from the old church, and formed this new organization, but from the foregoing list of those who suffered in the persecution here related, many of their names have been preserved. This church was, in its origin, one of those which claimed vital and practical godliness to be an indispensable qualifica tion for membership in a church of Christ. This principle, it has been said, was the whole ground of separation in this case as well as in many others. For several years after this church took the ground of " Believers' Baptism" its members held to what is called " Open Communion." This ground, it is supposed, was not formally and publicly relinquished till the year 1780, though probably the practice never prevailed to any great extent among them. Its form of government and discipline was for a time after that of the Presbyterian order. But Mr. Henry Fiske and David Morse were the only ruling elders ever elected to that office in this body. On the 17th of December, 1783, this church held a meet ing preparatory for building their first meeting-house, at which time a committee was chosen to furnish a plan, and to select a STURBRIDGE. 101 place for its location. This committee reported a plan that was accepted on the 25th following, as to form and size. It was decided to erect this building on a lot of ground on the height of Fiske Hill, which had previously been given to the society by Henry Fiske, one of the ruling elders, and for which purpose this location was used for nearly half a century. This meeting-house was raised in 1784, and finished in 1786 ; number of church members at this time was eighty. This church and society maintained but a partial supply for the pulpit, until they received for their pastor, Rev. Zenas Lockwood Leonard, in 1795. In 1784 Rev. Jordan Dodge, after supplying the pulpit for a time, was ordained their pastor on the 27th of October, of that year. During the first three years of his ministry the church pros pered. He is reported as having been a fervent and earnest speaker, with an unusual command of the feelings of his hearers. But after about four years' service, he was dismissed for irregularities in his moral character in the year 1788, and silenced from preaching soon after. The number of members in 1788 was eighty-four. In 1786 twelve were added to the membership of the church, among whom was the name of John Phillips, who was born in Sturbridge, June 29, 1760, and married a daughter of Jonathan Perry, May 20, 1785. She died at the age of eighty-two. He was chosen deacon, to take the place of his father, in 1799. His 100th birthday was celebrated at the Baptist church, Fiskedale, June 29, 1860, at which time he presided. He died in 1864, aged 104. During the next six years the pulpit was supplied but oc casionally; the names of Baldwin, Rathburn, and Root appear among the preachers. In 1795 Rev. Zenas Leonard, a native of Bridgewater, was 7a 102 STURBRDDGE. invited to supply preaching for this church and society, and on the 30th of January, 1796, he received a unanimous call to become their pastor, and having accepted, he was ordained on the 15th of September following, the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, preaching the ordination sermon. Rev. Mr. Leonard continued his services as pastor of this church until the 13th of October, 1832, at which time he was dismissed at his own request, having sustained his pastoral relations here thirty-six years. He died on the 24th of June, 1841, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, having been born, January 16, 1773. Mr. Leonard was the second of thirteen children of Captain David and Mary (Hall) Leonard. He was baptized, July 1, 1790, and immediately after connected himself with the first Baptist church in Middleborough, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Isaac Backus. Shortly after this, he com menced a course of study, preparatory to entering college. In May, 1792, he was admitted to the sophomore class of Brown university. He graduated with honor in September, 1794. He then commenced a course of theological study under the direction of Rev. William Williams, of Wrentham, Massachu setts, but, at the urgent request of friends, he began soon after to preach, being regularly licensed by the church in Bridge- water. After preaching about a year, he came to Sturbridge. Rev. Mr. Leonard was highly favored in his pastoral labors. During his ministry 229 members united with the church; ot this number 205 were added by baptism. The largest num ber of church members at any one time was 180, and the smallest eighty-one. The records show a large number dismissed from this church to others. During the years 1816 and 1817 nearly seventy members were dismissed to form churches in Southbridge, Holland, and Brookfield ; this reduced their number in 1817 STURBRIDGE. 103 to ninety-one members, but the number has since advanced to 187 in 1843. The infirmities of Mr. Leonard during the last year of his pastorate were such that his pulpit was supplied a portion of that time by the Rev. Abiel Fisher, of Belhngham, who served imtil a successor was engaged. Their first meeting-house, erected on Fiske Hill, had become much decayed by time, and its location, since the eastern part of the town had been set off to aid in forming the town of Southbridge in 1816, had become far from the center of the location of the members of the society, and near the eastern border of the town, as its present territory was located. This state of things induced the society to erect a new meeting-house in the center village, on the elevation of ground on the south side of the road, south of the Congregational meeting-house. This house was finished and dedicated on January 8, 1833, and the Rev. Addison Parker was installed in the pastoral office at the same time. Rev. Mr. Parker was a graduate of Middlebury college, and afterwards tutor in Waterville. He had been settled over the Baptist church at Southbridge more than five years, when he was invited to accept this pastorate. Mr. Parker continued in the ministry with this society till December 12, 1835, when he was dismissed at his request, having accepted a call from the Baptist church at Methuen. A further account of Rev. Addison Parker will be found in connection with the first Baptist church at Southbridge. This church now remained destitute of a pastor till the fol lowing August, when the Rev. Isaac Merriam, of Maine, filled that office. His pastoral service was of short duration. Mr. Merriam was dismissed the last part of January, 1837. In the interim between the two last pastorates preaching was supplied part ofthe time by Rev. William Dennis, whose labors were blessed 104 STURBRIDGE. with an increased zeal in the cause of religion, adding new members to the church. The Rev. Orrin O. Stearns, by invitation, began as a supply in this pulpit in April, 1837, and received ordination, Septem ber 25, following. He continued his office as pastor here till October 14, 1839, when he was dismissed at his request. In the settlement of Mr. Stearns, this church, for the first time, advanced the minister's salary to $500. They were now but partially supplied with preaching till May, 1840. The Rev. Mr. Stearns, was a graduate of Brown univer sity, and was regarded as a young minister of respectable ability. The church now invited Rev. Joel Kenney, of Wenham, to preach for them as a candidate for settlement. After a short supply he was invited to become their pastor, and was installed, June 14, 1840. This church and society passed a vote, June 25, 1838, to remove their meeting-house from its location in the center village before referred to, and locate it on ground given to them for this purpose, by the Hon. Josiah J.Fiske, at Fiske- dale village. This was done soon after, at an expense of about $1,000. It was struck by lightning in 1842', and re paired at a cost of $300 ; the salary of the minister now being $500. In the day of Rev. Mr. Leonard $200 was the salary, and it was not unfrequently difficult to provide that amount, not for want of ability of the parishioners, but more particularly on account of the leniency of Mr. Leonard, who was an industrious and thriving man, devoting much of his time to his farm and other religious concerns, as well as to the duties of pastor. In continuation of the history of the first Baptist church of Sturliridge, the writer has been favored with the following, from Mr. Rufus E. Bond, church clerk. Rev. Joel Kenney was dismissed at his request, in May, STURBRIDGE. 105 1843. Since 1843 the following ministers have supplied this church and society for the time here given. J. Woodbury, Thomas Driver, George E. Dorrence, Addison Parker, George W. Preston, Andrew Read, J. M. Chick, Mr. Stevens (supply), William Reed, J. T. Farrar, Charles A. Cook, C. W. Potter, Commenced Service. Closed Service. July, 1844 Dismissed, September, 1847 December, 1847 April, 1850 May, 1852 December, 1855 October, 1858 June, 1862 August, 1864 April, 1866 November, 1867 December, 1869 - January, 1871 February, 1849 March, 1852 September, 1855 May, 1858 April, 1862 August, 1864 April, 1865 March, 1867 October, 1869 October, 1870 The records of this church and society have not been pre served to much extent, nor do they particularize with that exactness which they should have done to give them that inter est which they might have commanded had they been prop erly kept. At the meeting of the Warren association at Rev. Caleb Blood's meeting-house, in Newtown, 1786, there were present from Sturbridge, Rev. Jordan Dodge and Jacob Shepherd. The Warren association held their meeting in 1788, on Fiske Hill, at the meeting-house of Rev. Jordan Dodge; then named in the report as present, Rev. Jordan Dodge, Henry Fiske, Deacon Philhps, and Deacon Fiske. REMARKS. About the year 1768 there arose a serious difference of sentiment in this church regarding government and discipline. This caused a separation of its members. Those who with drew regarded the form of laying on of hands to be necessary to authorize a member to come to the communion table ; while the remaining members of the church, though they had no material objection to this practice, were decidedly opposed to making it one of the terms of admission to the Lord's table. 106 STURBRIDGE. A new church was formed of those members who held to this form of admission ; their residences were mostly in the east part of the town, and in the west part of Charlton ; they held their meetings in the neighborhood where the Mackin- strys were located. Their pastor was Rev. William Ewing, a native of Scotland. This church continued, according to the best evidence ob tained, eight or ten years, and finally separated through some disagreement among themselves, a part embracing the doc trine of Methodism ; and, this element continuing, may prob ably be taken as the origin of the Methodism which has resulted in the very respectable society of Methodists now established at Southbridge. Among the members of the Bap tist society in Sturbridge, which seceded and formed this new organization, under Rev. Mr. Ewing, were John Corey and Jonathan Phillips, who finally returned to the Baptist society about 1775. Rev. Mr. Backus refers to Mr. Ewing as a sound preacher, but is mistaken, no doubt, as to his having been a minister of the first Baptist church in Sturbridge. The Mackinstrys were of Scotch descent ; but at this time these first settlers and pioneers of this family were natives of Ireland ; their ancestors having emigrated to the north of Ireland, from whence these parties came, about 1740, and settled first at Medfield ; they followed their neighbors, who had settled at Sturbridge, and located where this family now reside, in the year 1748, now in the north-west part of South- bridge. There is no particular knowledge of this Rev. Mr. Ewing, but it is probable that his visit to Sturbridge was somewhat on account of the Mackinstrys, and this opinion is strengthened from the fact that the meetings of this new society were held in their neighborhood, and most likely at their houses much of the time. The first minister of this Baptist church, Rev. John Blunt, STURBRIDGE. 107 it is reported, was overpersuaded, and renounced what was styled " rebaptism," beinginduced to believe that rebaptism by immersion was a sin, and that it was his duty to renounce it. There is no evidence that has been seen that he became pastor of any other church. He joined in the French war as a private soldier, and, after that war, joined in the Revolution, and was killed by an Indian, near Lake George, September 8. 1775. Like the Baptist ministers, in this early period of their his tory in Massachusetts, Mr. Blunt was a plain and unlettered man, but is said to have been a person of considerable ability, and a conscientious man. There were two others who, at this period, belonged to this society, that were licensed as preachers — a Mr. Barstow and a Mi-. Bloyce — both of whom, it is believed, supplied preaching with this people for a time. They were firm in the mainte nance of the faith of this denomination, and sustained by repute consistent Christian character. It may justly be said, without disparagement to others, that the Rev. Zenas L. Leonard was the most eminent for his ability and extended influence as a man and a Christian minister, of all the pastors that have been connected with this church and society. He was not only able, as a minister of the Gospel, but was eminently practical in the various avocations of life, and had an extended influence in society. His character is very correctly set forth in the letter of Rev. Alvin Bond, D. D., published in connection with the commem orative notice of Mr. Leonard in the " Annals of the American Pulpit," in the third volume of the collections, by William B. Sprague, D. D. Referring to ministers ofthe Baptist denomi nation, Mr. Bond expressed himself as follows : "In regard to his talents, and especially executive force of charac. ter, he ranked much above the ordinary type. By his literary attaia- 108 STURBRIDGE. ments and general intellectual culture he acquired a position and influ ence that commanded deference among ministers of his own order, as well as the respect of his Congregational brethren, with whom he main tained kind and fraternal relations. "It is not claimed that he excelled in those attractive qualities which secure the highest degree of popularity, but he undoubtedly possessed those sound, discriminating, earnest, and energetic elements of mind which are favorable to the highest usefulness, and which secured to him a solid and lasting reputation. "Asa writer, he had a good command of language, and expressed him self with ease, force, and perspicuity. His elocution was good, and his style of reading the Scriptures excellent. The deep, mellow tones of his voice, modulated to the gravity of manner with which he was accus tomed to enunciate the Holy Word, gave uncommon significance and impressiveness to the portions which he read. In his habitual deport ment and conversation he manifested supreme deference to the author ity, truth, and spirit of the Gospel; stability and persistency of purpose ; uncompromising advocacy of the cause of freedom, righteousness, and public virtue ; and unwearied activity in performing the various duties of his profession. In his public services he was earnest, though not vehement; grave and instructive, and not unfrequently highly pathetic and impressive. "Though Rev. Mr. Leonard's public career was not signalized by any extraordinary intellectual demonstration, it was not because he was not capable of making efforts that would have greatly distinguished him, but because he instinctively shrunk from notoriety. ' ' He labored practically for the best good of the community around him ; he engaged with a wise zeal in favor of the Sabbath school, in the cause of temperance, and for many years was identified with those who favored African colonization." Mr. Leonard was married at Sturbridge in 1799, on the 1st of September, to Sally, daughter of Deacon Henry Fiske, by whom he had seven children — three sons and four daughters. DEACONS. The dates when the deacons were elected to office, or the time of service, has not been ascertained. Persons named in the following list have served as deacons of this Baptist church. STURBRIDGE. 109 Daniel Fiske, Moses Fiske, John Newell, Prince Bracket, Jonathan Phillips, Rufus F. Brooks, Henry Fiske, Edward Richardson, John Phillips, P. L. Goodell, Jonathan Lyon, Josiah Gifford, D. W. Harris. The two last names, Gifford and Harris, hold office at this time, 1871. The number of church members in March, 1871, was ninety- eight. UNITARIAN SOCIETY, STURBRIDGE. This society was organized in 1864, since which time to the present, 1873, the Rev. J. A. Buckingham, Rev. Mr. Edes, and Rev. Mr. Irish have sustained the pastoral charge here with much credit to themselves and to the prosperity of the same. The advancement and unanimity of the organization has been such, that during the past year their first meeting -house has been erected, ofthe dimensions of 40 by 60 feet, with a tower 12 feet square and 106 feet in height. It has a basement of 10 feet yet unfinished, but this will ere long, probably, be appropriated for a Sabbath school-room. The audience-room is 18 feet high, with arched ceiling; it is arranged for seating about 350 persons, having slips of a circular form, with three aisles, one in the center and one on each side. The singers' seat fronts the minister's desk in the south gallery, and is reached from the entrance vestibule. The pulpit stands on a platform elevated only about two feet above the floor of the house, made, together with the entrance way to same, of black walnut, exhibiting symmetry and good taste, as does the gen eral appearance of the interior of the house. The ceilings have been handsomely frescoed, the floor neatly carpeted, the slips cushioned, and windows shaded by blinds ; while the interior is supplied with an abundance of lamps for 8a HO STURBRIDGE. lighting the same, all giving the appearance of a wise design, not only pleasing to the eye, but giving evidence of care and good workmanship in its construction. On each side of the pulpit are placed tablets with Scripture quotations. On the right : " Search me, O God, and know my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlast ing." On the left : "lam not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth." Furthermore, in aid of church music and singing, one of Mason and Hamlin's cabinet organs, No. 48, has been sup plied, at a cost of $275. In building this house, the following mechanics have exe cuted the work : The mason work, by George Whitford, of Southbridge. " joiner work, by Adrian Hebard, of Sturbridge. ' ' painting, by James McKinstry, of Southbridge. " frescoing, by Strauss, of Boston. " slips were made by Payson & Cutter, of Holliston. This house was completed and dedicated on the 11th of December, 1872 ; services commencing at eleven o'clock, a. m., by the voluntary from the choir, followed by the intro ductory prayer, by Rev. Charles H. Tindall, of Grafton; reading of Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Irish, former pastor ; and then the following hymn was sung : " O bow thine ear, Eternal One, On thee our heart adoring calls ; To thee, the followers of thy Son, Have raised, and now devote these walls. Here let thy holy days be kept, And be this place to worship given, Like that bright spot where Jacob slept, The house of God, the gate of Heaven. STURBRDIGE. Ill Here be thy praise devoutly sung, Here let thy truth beam forth to save ; As when of old thy Spirit hung On wings of light o'er Jordan's wave. And when the lips, that with thy name Are vocal now, to dust shall turn, On others may devotion's flame Be kindled here, and brightly burn." The sermon was delivered by the pastor, Rev. J. A. Buck ingham. His text was taken from the 15th chapter of John, 5th verse : " I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same shall bring forth much fruit ; for without me ye can do nothing." The leading idea of the preacher, in treating this subject, was to vindicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as the only true system of religion, in opposition to all theological dogmas inconsistent with its true interpretation, and in opposition to the speculations of philosophy, and every other form of error. As a deduction, the necessity of building and dedicating churches in order to bring the power of the Gospel home to the hearts of the people was forcibly illustrated, and for this purpose the present edifice has been erected, and for the fulfill ment of this purpose we now dedicate it. The relation the church in its membership bears to the religion of Christ is that of the branches to the vine, and without the vitalizing energies of Divine aid all human effort will be in vain, " for without me ye can do nothing." The prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. Mr. Rich, of Brookfield, and after that the closing HYMN. "The perfect world, by Adam trod, Was the first temple built by God ; His fiat laid the corner-stone, And heaved its pillars one by one. 112 STURBRIDGE. He hung its starry roof on high, - The broad illimitable sky ; He spread its pavement green and bright, And curtained it with morning light. The mountains in their places stood — The sea, the sky, and ' all was good ;' And, when its first pure praises rang, The morning stars together sang. Lord, 'tis not ours to make the sea, And earth, and sky, a house for thee; But in thy sight our offering stands, A humbler temple, ' made with hands.' " Before pronouncing the benediction the pastor invited the congregation to repair to the town-hall, and partake of a collation, and spend a season in social intercourse. At that place tables had been laid with ample provision, where all participated in the generous hospitalities of the occasion. The whole passed off greatly to the satisfaction of all who joined in these interesting services. "?&¦/£¦? ¦? n/c) -cr-*-*- CHARLTON Section II. CHAPTER I. HPHE first move for this town was a desire to separate from Oxford. " THE PETITION. ' ' Of William Altos and Others in the West Pakt of Oxford .for a New Town or District. " To Sis Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Governor and Commander-in- Chief the Sonorable Council, and the Souse of Representatives in General Court Assembled, at Boston, the 27th day of March, 1754: " The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Oxford, in the county of Worcester, most humbly sheweth that your petitioners, being in the west part of Oxford aforesaid, labor under great difficulties by reason of the distance we live from the place of public worship ; it being more than ten miles from the meeting-house to the west bounds of the town, and about two miles from the east bound. Some of us attend public worship at Dudley, and some at Sturbridge on Lord's days, and have no privilege from Oxford on this account, and are yet always taxed to all the charges of the town, and have been for more than sixteen years past; but to encourage us in getting a town or district, of the west part of the town, they voted at a town meeting on the 17th day of May, 1750, to set off the west part of Oxford, within two miles of the village line, in case a number of those residing in the Gore would join with us.* * This Gore was 4 triangular tract of land of 10,000 acres, adjoining on the north, begin ning at Brookfield, the broad part of the Gore, and extending east by Spencer, Leicester, and Ward; touching at its easterly point, Oxford's north-east corner. This ultima tely was annexed to Sturbridge, Charlton, and Oxford, but mostly to Charlton. 9a 114 CHARLTON. "We then'thought, and do now think, that if the village* took two miles from the west part, we should be greatly wronged. "We then applied to the Honorable Court for relief, but met with opposition from the Board ; we were disheartened, and as T»e had got timber for a meeting-house, and were much encouraged by the gentlemen owning land here, who offered to give the glass and nails, but being taxed so high for building the meeting-house, and finishing it in the best manner, equal to, if not better than any in this country ; and many of us not knowing anything of the town meeting, when the grant was made, and our paying to the support of schools in the town, and having but little benefit therefrom, amongst us, and having such large herds of cattle brought among us, t breaking into our improved lands and destroy ing our corn and grass, and living so far from the town pound as ten miles, and almost impossible to drive cattle there ; all these things con sidered, we fear we shall be undone, without the help of the court, for we petitioned the town to vote us off last March meeting, but nothing was acted upon it. " Your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Excellency, and the Honorable Court, would be pleased to take our distressed circumstances under your wise consideration, and erect us into a town or district, or otherwise relieve your petitioners, as in your wisdom you shall think best, and in duty bound shall ever pray. William Alton, Nathaniel French, Edward Mackintire, Nathan Mackintire, Ebenezer Mackintire, Ebenezer Lamb, John Henry, Joseph Clemence, John Olds, John Dresser, Thomas Mackintire, Jr. Elisha Putney, Thomas Mackintire, Jesse Mackintire, Job Mackintire, Daniel Mackintire, Edward Chamberlain, Nathaniel Blood, Samuel Scott, Jonathan Clemence, Edward Willard, James Butler, Amos Newton, Benjamin Hobbs, Richard Dresser, Adam Johnson, Samuel Streeter, Joseph Twiss, James Lamb, George Pike, John Davidson, Thomas Hawkins, Philip Clemence, Richard Blood, Samuel Rogers, Ebenezer Fosket, Paul Rich. * The village referred to was 11,250 acres, the tract set off from the original grant for Oxford, by the proprietors for the use of the thirty families that should move on to thiB grant to fulfill the conditions of the Act of Court for making the grant. This was first given to the French settlers, and after they had abandoned the town, it was in 1713 given to the thirty families of English settlers. The west part here referred to, by these petitioners, was the remaining lands, reserved for the grantees, 30,000 acres. t These cattle were sent here by the owners of the 30,000 acres (or such part as they had not sold to these petitioners), who were non-residents. All the territory of Charlton at first belonged to speculators. CHARLTON. 115 This petition received action by the General Court, April 9, 1754, ordering the petitioners to serve an order of notice upon the clerk of the town of Oxford, requiring them, if they saw fit, to show cause why this petition should not be granted, at the May session, on the second Tuesday of that month. The petition was then referred to a committee, and then- report was as follows : "The court's committee, having considered all the circumstances, re commend a district to be made: beginning at the south line of Oxford, one mile west of the village line, so called ; thence northerly, parallel with the line of said village, to Leicester, south bound ; thence west with Leicester and Spencer, south bounds, until it comes within one mile and a quarter of Sturbridge, east bound; thence running one mile and a quarter westerly to Oxford, north-west corner ; thence southerly by Ox ford, westerly bound, to Dudley, north-west corner ; thence with Oxford, south bound, to the point of beginning. " (Signed, ) " JOHN GREENLE AP. "In council the report was read and accepted. " In the House of Representatives, read and concurred. "Friday, January 10, 1755, an engrossed bill, entitled, 'An Act for Setting Off the Inhabitants, as Also Their Estates, of the West Part of Oxford, into a Separate District by the Name of , passed to be enacted. "T. HUBBARD, Speaker. "Having been read three several times in the council, passed to be Enacted. " J. WILLARD, Secretary. "Copy examined, and signed by the Governor. ' ' WILLIAM SHIRLE Y. "* This town, or the west part of the grant for Oxford, was at first considered in quality of soil and desirability for agricultu ral purposes much inferior to that part now Oxford, and hardly worth occupying. A further disadvantage was, that all tins part of the grant, 30,000 acres, being that part retained by the grantees, remained mostly in the hands of speculators, who * See vol. xx, General Assembly Records, from March, 1753, to September, 1755, State Library. 116 CHARLTON. were non-residents, and there being no law for taxing such unimproved lands, it placed a heavy burden on the few farm ers, in the early period of its history, for building roads and other town expenses. To remedy this burdensome evil, the representative of the town, the late Caleb Ammidown, brought the subject before the Legislature, and procured an act for taxing non-residents and unimproved lands, much to the dissatisfaction of this class of land owners, but greatly to the relief of the hardy pioneer settlers. This was not only a relief to the settlers in Charlton, but it had a favorable effect in all towns where speculators had made a monopoly of the lands, by procuring the original grant. This class of land owners, finding that they could no longer hold their lands free of taxation, and reap the benefits of the advance of real estate by the improvements made by the hardy industry of the resident owners, readily offered their lands for sale at such prices as the settlers were disposed to pay, and, in many instances, large tracts of these lands were forced at public sale. Charlton is located on the summit of land between the sea board on the east, and Connecticut river on the west ; and, although the water-sheds have their principal slope east and west, the valleys have a southern descent, which carry the waters into the Quinebaug on its western slope, and the French river on the east, conducting them into Long Island sound by the Thames at New London. These lands, deemed almost valueless at first, proved to be unsurpassed in strength of soil and beauty by any territory in the other towns in the south part of Worcester county. It appears by their records that the first survey of its boundaries was made by the joint service of the selectmen of the new town, and Oxford. The certificate is signed, " May 24, 1755," as follows : CHARLTON. 117 "We, whose names are hereto annexed, being selectmen of the town of Oxford for ye current year, together with ye selectmen of Charlton, and with the assistance of William Young, surveyor, and Captain Elijah Moore and Mr. John Nichols, chainmen, mutually chosen and sworn for that purpose, set off said district "by and agreeable to the grant made by the act of court, Anno Domini, Regain, Regis Georgi Secundi, January 10, 1755." By the further order of the General Court, it was enacted, that Moses Marcy, Esq., be empowered to issue his warrant, directed to some principal inhabitant in said district, requir ing him to notify and warn the inhabitants of said district, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to meet at such time and place as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such officers as shall be necessary to manage the affairs of said district : WARRANT FOR FIRST MEETING. "Worcester, ss., 1755: " To John Dresser, a Principal Inhabitant of Charlton- in the County of Wor cester, "Greeting: "In his majesty's name you are required forthwith to warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants of the district of Charlton, qualified according to law to vote in town affairs, to meet at the dwelling-house of Ebenezer Mackintire's, in Charlton aforesaid, on Wednesday, the 12th day of March next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon ; then and there to elect such town officers as the law requires, to serve the town the present year, and to see whether the district will let their swine run at large the year ensuing. Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to myself, before the day of said meeting. " Given under my hand and seal this 10th day of February, A. D., 1755, by order of the General Court. MOSES MARCY." " Return. ' ' Worcester, ss. : "By virtue of this warrant I have warned the freeholders and other inhabitants of Charlton to meet at the time and place, according to the tenor of the preceding warrant. JOHN DRESSER." 118 CHARLTON. ; March 12, 1755. First chose, Second " Third FourthFifth, Sixth, Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh FIRST TOWN MEETING. Met at the house of Ebenezer Richard Dresser, Richard Dresser, ) Lieut. Obadiah Mackintire, I Jonathan Bullard, John Dresser, Ebenezer Mackintire, William Alton, Josiah Blood, Samuel Streeter, Nathaniel Blood, Nathan Mackintire, Nathaniel French, Ebenezer Mackintire, Jun. Samuel Streeter, Jun. Ebenezer Lamb, Edward Chamberlain, Sergt. Ebenezer Mackintire, Benjamin Hobbs, Sergt. Ebenezer Mackintire, Mackintire. Clerk. Selectmen. Treasurer. Constable. Ty thing-Man. Surveyors of Sighicays. Sog-Reeves.Fence- Viewers. Brander of Horses, Deer-Reece. Cleric of tits Market. The necessity of taking care of swine, it seems, was of some importance in that day — at least in the opinion of Mr. Moses Marcy, who called the first meeting ; as that was the only im portant concern after the organization of the new town. These officers were duly sworn to the faithful discharge of their sev eral duties on the day of their election, as attested by Bichard Dresser, clerk. On assembling at their second meeting at the dwelling- house of Ebenezer Mackintire, (which appears to have been the general place of rendezvous) on the 27th of March, 1755, eight pounds, lawful money, was raised for schooling their children, and six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, for necessary charges. At their third meeting, April 28, following, the building of a meeting-house was consid ered, and it was decided that the center of the district should be the place for its location. This closed the action on that sub- CHARLTON. 119 ject for the present. They also, at this meeting, provided for a pound for restraining cattle ; it was decided to locate it a / little south of Ebenezer Mackintire's barn ; and it was further ordered that the letter C be the brand-mark for all the horses. The voters were not again assembled until December 8, near the close of this first year, when it was decided that there should be schools kept in two places. The question for sup plying preaching was considered, which was referred to Edward Chamberlain and Nathaniel French. At another meeting, January 1, 1756, seven pounds were raised for the support of the Gospel. This appears to be the first money raised as a town charge for religious purposes in Charlton. And it would seem by the following, that powder, bullets, and flints were at this time of about equal importance with these early founders of Charlton, with that of the support of the Gospel, as, on the 21st of June, 1756, it was ordered that seven pounds be expended for that object, and furthermore, at this same meeting, it was decided that horses should be branded on the left shoulder with the letter C, as before pro vided, meaning that horses so branded were the property of the good people of Charlton. At a meeting held on the 7th of February, 1757, it was decided not to raise any money for either schools or the sup port of the Gospel ; but, on 28th of July following, a better spirit seemed to prevail, when it was agreed to raise ten pounds for Gospel purposes, and thirteen pounds, six shillings, and eight pence for schools, and at this meeting they provided for their first school committee by the appointment of Ebene zer White, Ebenezer Hammond, John Sterems, Eleazer Mackin tire, and Lieutenant Nathaniel Blood. They also agreed to build a house for public worship, and to locate it in the center of the district, or as near thereto as may be convenient. But nothing further seems to have been done beyond this declaratory act. 120 CHARLTON. Again, January 16, 1758, the subject of the meeting-house was brought forward, and decided, " That it should be located at the place of a stake, a little north of Ebenezer Mackintire's house." This house seems to have been the designating monument for describing the location of each — the meeting-house, town- pound, and the burying-place ; by which it is quite clear that Mr. Mackintire was the owner of the plot of ground which now embraces Charlton common and the center village. And furthermore, that this dwelling-house was probably located near the site of the residence of the late Dr. John Phillips, a little south of the meeting house, as now located, on the east side of said common ; and it is reasonable to presume that the old house of worship, and the only one which was built at the expense of the town, was located on the spot, or very near the same, on which the present Universalists' house now stands. It was decided at a subsequent meeting, held in 1759, " To give Jonathan Upham £26, 13s., 4d., for setting up the frame of this building; and to provide, at the expense of the town, victuals and drink for the raising of the same." And, at the same time, "They appointed Ebenezer Mackintire, Jonathan Hammond, Jona than Wheelock, John Dresser, Samuel Chamberlain, and Daniel Weld, to take care and see that the provisions be suitably prepared for ye entertainment." It was further agreed at this meeting, ¦• That the house on the outside should be covered with shingles, as soon as possible after the frame is raised." The dimensions of this building, it was decided, " Should be fifty feet in length, by forty feet in width; that Nathan iel Blood, Isaiah Blood, Jonathan Upham, and Ebenezer Hammond, should be the committee for superintending its construction, and to fix a price for all labor and material furnished for the same." CHARLTON. 121 Notwithstanding there had been several decisions upon the place of location for this house, the ground had not been se cured for its site ; and with that view a committee was ap pointed, January 30, 1759, to confer with Ebenezer Mackin tire, for an acre of land for that purpose ; the gentlemen of this committee were Ebenezer Fosket, Jonathan Wheelock, and John Dresser. This committee made their report at a meeting on the 5 th of February following, stating, " That Mr. Mackintire gives an acre of ground for the meeting-house, where the stake now stands, and where the timber now is." Thus, it appears, the town was now quite in earnest for build ing a place of worship. This house was probably erected during the years 1759 and 1760, as a report of the expense incurred for its construction, made February 19, 1761, gives the cost as £282, 10s., 8|-d. It will be noticed that mention was made in the petition for the town before given, of a gore of land on its north border, and some explanation of same given in a note. This gore, it is presumed, had been talked of as a part of the territory for the new town, as first contemplated, but was not included in its limits when incorporated. But the inhabitants did not relin quish the idea of this valuable acquisition of territory, and, in pursuance of that object, petitioned his excellency William Shirley, Esq., captain-general and governor-in-chief, and the honorable his majesty's council, and house of representa tives in General Court assembled, at Boston, January, 1756, that the inhabitants of the gore and land in the same, lying westerly of the north-east corner of Charlton, be set to that district. On the 1st of June, 1757, the council, in their action upon the foregoing petition, order, "That Benjamin Lynde and George Learned, with such as the honor- 122 CHARLTON. able House of Representatives shall appoint, be a committee to examine and report on said petition. THOMAS CLARK, Secretary:' The House appointed, June 2, following, "William Sparhawk, Colonel Ruggles, and Captain Upham, to be joined to the committee of the council. THOMAS HUBBARD, Speaker." On the 3d of June following said joint committee made a report in favor of the petitioners : "In council, June 3, 1757. The committee's report was read and ac cepted, and ordered that said gore of land, and inhabitants thereon, within the bounds petitioned for, be annexed to the district of Charlton. THOMAS CLARK, Deputy -Secretary:' "June 3, 1757, in the House of Representatives, read and concurred. THOMAS HUBBARD, Speaker:' 1 ' Passed to be enacted. Examined and signed by the Governor. WILLIAM SHIRLEY." The committee for the survey of this gore were, Moses Marcy, \ Selectmen Richard Dresser, -i Selectmen Joseph Baker, • of Isaiah Blood, {¦ of Aaron Allen, J Sturbridge. Ebenezer Mackintire, J Charlton. At the March meeting in 1760 it was voted to build school- houses in the several districts, and it appears, that in 1761 there were six school districts established. These districts were described at a later date, and numbered as follows : No. 1. — West district, Rum Hill, school-house located by Jonathan Clemence's orchard. No. 2. — Middle district, school-house by south-west corner of the burying-ground. No. 3. — East district, school-house by John Coburn's house. No. 4. — North-east district, school-house about forty rods south-west of Jonas Hammond's house. CHARLTON. 123 No. 5.— North district, school-house in front of John Thompson's pasture, north-west of his dwelling-house. No. 6.— North-west district, school-house east side of the brook on meeting-house road. Reference has before been made to the location of the center burying-ground; it appears that on the 12th of March, 1764, a vote of the town was passed to accept one acre of land a little south-east of Ebenezer Mackintire's barn, for a burying- yard, for the district to bury therein their dead. On the 26th of May, 1761, by a vote of the town, an invita tion was given to Rev. Caleb Courtis to be their minister, with an offer to him of £133, 6s., 8d., as a settlement, and £60 yearly salary; the same to begin, March 15, 1762. Whether Rev. Mr. Courtis had supplied preaching before May 26, 1861, does not appear on the town records, but it is presumed he did. The church was formed in April, 1761, and Mr. Courtis was ordained the 15th of October following. It appears that some dissatisfaction arose between this minis ter and his people soon after his settlement, which occasioned from him the following letter : "Brethren and Christian Friends of the Church and Congregation in Charlton: "These are to inform you, that, whereas I expected to have been dismissed by the late council, and was disappointed by the result ; and notwithstanding they have adjourned, and added to the council, — yet there appears to me, upon all the light I have, no great prospect of my being either useful to you, or comfortable to me upon the whole, in the work of the ministry among you. "It appears to me not for the glory of God, for the well-being of this place, and of myself for time and eternity, but that we should part, yet hoping finally to meet you all in eternal glory ; and so wishing grace, mercy, and truth may be multiplied to you, exhorting you to seek for peace, and to promote the religion of Jesus in this place ; and so I com mit you to God and the power of his grace. CALEB COURTIS." This question was taken up in town meeting on the 7th of September, 1763, when it was voted to come into some 124 CHARLTON. method to reconcile the difficulty that is amongst us concern ing Mr. Caleb Courtis, and to call in the neighboring ministers to consider the subject, viz., Rev Messrs. Hall, Parkman, Martin, White, Eaton, Jones, and Rev. Mr. Paine ; and, in case Mr. Courtis and the church come into it, the 28th day of September be appointed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer; and the above-named ministers are desired to stay the next day to hear the grievances and to give their advice. It appears this minister was continued, but not fully in har mony with his people, as there is a vote on record, September 3, 1764, to dismiss Rev. Caleb Courtis, according to his proposal, and to pay the balance of his salary, £32, 14s., 7d. But, never theless, he continued to be their minister for many years after this date. The following receipt is recorded : "Charlton, August 29, 1776. "Received of the selectmen of Charlton, £110, 19s., 4d., lawful money, in full for my settlement and salary, and hereby discharge the town from all further demands for my annual salary hereafter, or damages of what name or nature soever, as witness my hand. "Attest: "CALEB COURTIS. "Nehemiah Stone, "Salem Town." It appears that, although Mr. Courtis had settled with the town for his salary, and discharged them from his contract of settlement, he was not dismissed properly from this church till about two months later, as the following record on their books shows : " By a mutual agreement between the town and Rev. Caleb Courtis, an ecclesiastical council was called to consider the dismission. The council having heard the parties, concluded to recommend his dismis sion, which was done the 29th of October, 1776. "(Signed) "CHARLES GLEASON, Moderator. ' ' Attest : "Ezra Reeve, Scribe." CHARLTON. 125 The further history of this and other religious societies in this town will be found under the head of " Ecclesiastical Affairs." This brings this sketch to the time when the English colo nies in America were greatly excited by the acts of the Par liament of England touching their" constitutional and charter rights, which produced THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. As all the towns included in this sketch of history were, like all other parts of those colonies, affected and greatly moved by the acts of Parliament before mentioned, it is thought best here to give a sketch of the origin and progress of those causes which produced this war, and consequent separation from the mother country. The attempt of Parliament, on different occasions and for different purposes, to introduce the right to tax these colonies was always resisted, and when force was resorted to war was the result. Some attempts at taxation had been made upon these colo nies by England when they were more feeble, which were dis approved, and not forcibly resented, by reason of their weak ness. But the acts of taxation which, by persistence, brought on this war, was originated in 1754. By the terms of the treaty of peace at Aix-la-Chapelle, be tween England and France, October 18, 1748, closing what was called the " Four Years' French and Spanish War," neither England or France were to do anything to menace each other's colonial rights in America ; but as soon as this treaty was rat ified, France, upon various pretexts, began to erect and fortify posts along her frontiers, at all strategic points, at the most extreme limits she had ever claimed for her colonial territory. She began at the south extremity of Lake Champlain, and 126 CHARLTON. erected Fort Carillon, now Ticonderoga ; thence at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, Niagara ; then at Erie, on Lake Erie ; and at the junction of the Monongahela and Alleghany, where she erected Fort Duquesne ; and thence along the Mississippi to New Orleans, encircling all the English possessions in America. This activity by France, in creating works of defense and preparations of a warlike character, was closely watched by the leading men of all the English colonies, .and not without much alarm for their future peace and welfare. To take counsel upon this movement, a convention of delegates from these colonies was held at Albany, in 1754, when Dr. Frank lin proposed and brought forward a plan of union for then common defense, now and for the future. The plan, as adopted by this convention was to establish a council of forty-eight members, as follows : Seven from Virgi nia, seven from Massachusetts, six from Pennsylvania, five from Connecticut, four from each New York, Maryland, and North and South Carolmas, three from New Jersey, and two each from New Hampshire and Rhode Island; this number to re main fixed. This council was to have for its head a president general, appointed by the crown, to possess a negative on all their acts, and with the advice of the same, the appointment of all military officers, and the entire management of Indian affairs. Civil officers were also to be appointed by the council, with consent of the president. This body was to take measures for the protection of these English colonies against the French, and also the Indians ; to be at the general expense of the colonies thus united ; and were to apportion quotas of men and money, to control the colonial armies, to enact ordinances of general interest, and to provide for the general welfare. Thus, it will be seen, that as these forty-eight councilors were CHARLTON. 127 to be elected by the different colonies, and they to make laws and raise men and money, only subject to the veto of the pres ident-general, it gave the principal power to the colonies, and was considered by the English government as too democratic and claiming too much power, and with that view hmitations were proposed as follows. Instead of the forty-eight coun cilors elected from and by the people, the governors of the different colonies, attended by one or two of their respec tive coimcils, should assemble and concert measures for the general defense, erect forts where they should judge proper, raise what troops should be thought necessary, with power to draw on the treasury of England for what sums might be want ing ; but the treasury to be reimbursed, by a tax on the colonies, to be laid by an act of Parliament. This not only took much of the power from the colonies, but was introducing the right of taxation upon them by Parliament. It revived the idea of 1733 (the Lnport act) for taxation upon the colonies, and was resolutely resisted, and reasons given respecting the impropriety of raising money from them by any act of the British government. The commencement of the last great French war, about this period, postponed this question for several years, but after its close, and the final conquest of Canada, the subject was again renewed in 1763 by Parliament passing the Stamp act, by which it was unlawful to draw any bills, bonds, deeds, or instruments of that character, except on stamped paper ; and if otherwise drawn, they were null and void. This revival of the intention of Parliament to tax the Ameri can colonies produced an intense excitement, and a universal determination to resist this unlawful encroachment upon their rights. The opposition of the colonies rested upon a general principle set forth in the English constitution, which, as Englishmen, they claimed to be embraced under it for their 128 CHARLTON. protection. Taxation only follows representation, and without representation taxation by Parliament was unlawful. Although there was found to be a majority of Parliament which favored taxing the American colonies, yet there were some of the ablest minds in England who opposed the act as an unlawful encroachment upon then' rights, and among this latter class was Mr. Pitt (then Lord Chatham), who addressed the Parliament as follows : He said, ' ' I came to town but to-day ; I was a stranger to the tenor of his majesty's speech, and the proposed address, till I heard them read in this house. Unconnected and unconsulted, I have not the means of in formation ; I am fearful of offending, through mistake, and therefore beg to be indulged with a second reading of the proposed address." The address being read, Mr. Pitt went on : "He commended the king's speech, approved the address in answer, as it decided nothing, every gentleman being left at perfect liberty to take such a part concerning America as he might see fit." He proceeded, after some remarks touching his previous course and the present ministry, to speak of the American question then before Parliament : " It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I have attended in Parliament. When the resolution was taken in the house to tax America I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to have been carried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the consequences, I would have solicited some kind hand to have laid me down on this floor, to have borne my testimony against it. It is now an act that has passed. I would speak with decency of every act of this house, but I must beg the indulgence of the house to speak of it with freedom. "I hope a day may soon be appointed to consider the state of the nation with respect to America. I hope gentlemen will come to this debate with all the temper and impartiality his majesty recommends, and the importance of the subject requires — a subject of greater impor tance than ever engaged the attention of this house! that subject only excepted, when, near a century ago, it was the question, wliether you yourselves were to be bond or free. In the mean time, as I can not depend upon health for any future day, such is the nature of my infirmi- CHARLTON. 129 tics, I will beg to say a few words at present, leaving the justice, the equity, the policy, the expediency of the act to another time. " I will only speak to one point, a point which seems not to be gen erally understood. Some gentlemen seem to have considered it as a point of honor. If gentlemen consider it in that light, they leave all measures of right and wrong to follow a delusion that may lead to destruction. It is my opinion that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax on the colonies. At the same time, I assert the authority of the kingdom over the colonies, to be sovereign and supreme, in every other circumstance of government and legislation whatsoever. " They are the subjects of this kingdom, equally entitled with your selves to all the natural rights of mankind and the peculiar privileges of Englishmen. Equally bound by its laws, and equally participating of the constitution of this free country. " The Americans are the sons, not the bastards, of England. Taxation is no part of the governing or legislative power. " The taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of the commons alone. In legislation the three estates of the realm are alike concerned, but the concurrence of the peers and the crown to a tax is only necessary to close with the form of a law. The gift and grant is of the commons alone. "In ancient days the crown, the barons, and the clergy gave and granted to the crown. They gave and granted what was their own. At present, since the discovery of America, and other circumstances permitting, the commons are become the proprietors of the land. The crown has divested itself of its great estates. The church (God bless itj has but a pittance. ' ' The property of the lords, compared with that of the commons, is as a drop of water in the ocean; and this house represents those com mons, the proprietors of the lands ; and those proprietors virtually repre sent the rest of the inhabitants. When, therefore, in this house we give and grant, we give and grant what is our own. But, in an American tax, what do we do? We, your majesty's commons of Great Britain, give and grant to your majesty, what? Our own property? No. We give and grant to your majesty the property of your majesty's commons in America. It is an absurdity in terms. "The distinction between legislation and taxation is essentially neces sary to liberty. The crown, the peers, are equally legislative powers with the commons. If taxation be a part of simple legislation, the crown, the peers have rights in taxation as well as yourselves ; rights which they will claim, which they will exercise, whenever the principle can be supported by power. "There is an idea in some that the colonies are virtually represented in this house. I would fain know by whom an American is represented 10a ] 30 CHARLTON. here i Is he represented by any knight of the shire, in any county in this kino-dom ? Would to God that respectable representations were auo-mented to a greater number! Or, will you tell him that he is repre sented by any representative of a borough , a borough which perhaps no man ever saw. This is what is called the rotten part of the Constitu tion. It can not continue, the century. If it does not drop, it must be amputated. " The idea of a virtual representation of America in this house is the most contemptible idea that ever entered into the head of a man. It does not deserve a serious refutation. ' ' The commons of America, represented in their several assemblies, have ever been in possession of the exercise of this, their constitutional right of giving and granting their own money. They would have been slaves, if they had not enjoyed it. At the same time, this kingdom, as the supreme governing and legislative power, has always bound the colonies by her laws, by her regulations, and restrictions in trade, in navigation, in manufactures — in everything, except that of taking their money out of their pockets without their consent. Here I would draw the line." Mr. Pitt here paused, to hear the remarks of other mem bers, and then resumed his remarks : " Gentlemen, Sir, (to the speaker), I have been charged with giving birth to sedition in America. They have spoken their sentiments with freedom against this unhappy act, and their freedom has become their crime. Sorry I am to hear the liberty of speech in this house imputed as a crime ; but the imputation shall not discourage me. It is a liberty I mean to exercise. It is a liberty by which the gentleman who calumni ates it might have profited. He ought to have desisted from his project. The gentlemen tell us, 'America is obstinate;' 'America is almost in open rebellion.' "I rejoice that America has resisted! Three millions of people, so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would have been fit instruments to make slaves of the rest. " Since the accession of King William, many ministers, some of great, others of more moderate abilities, have taken the lead of government. Xone of these thought, or even dreamed, of robbing the colonies of their constitutional rights. That was reserved to mark the era of the late administration; not that there were wanting some, when I had the honor of serving his majesty, to propose to me to bum my fingers with an American Stamp act. With the enemy at their backs, with our bayonets at their breasts, in the day of their distress, perhaps the CHARLTON. 131 Americans would have submitted to the imposition;* but it would have been taking an ungenerous and unjust advantage. The gentleman boasts of his bounties to America ! Are not those bounties intended finally for the benefit of this kingdom? If they are not, he has misap plied the national treasures. I am no courtier of America ; I stand up for this kingdom. I maintain that the Parliament has a right to bind, to restrain America. Our legislative power over the colonies is sovereign and supreme. "When it ceases to be sovereign and supreme, I would advise every gentleman to sell his lands if he can, and embark for that country. When two countries are connected together, like England and her colonies, without being incorporated, the one must necessarily govern ; the greater must rule the less, as not to contradict the fundamental principles that are common to both. ' ' The gentleman asks, ' When were the colonies emancipated?' But I desire to know when they were made slaves ? But I dwell not upon words. " When I had the honor of serving his majesty I availed myself of the information which I derived from my office; I speak, therefore, from knowledge. My materials were good. I will be bold to say, that the profits of Great Britain from the trade of the colonies, through all its branches, is two millions a year (§10,000,000). This is the fund that carried you triumphantly through the last war. " The estates that were rented at two thousand pounds a year, three score years ago, are at three thousand pounds at present. This is the price that America pays you for protection. And shall a miserable financier come with a boast, that he can fetch a pepper-corn into the treasurv to the loss of millions to the nation ! I dare not say how much higher these profits may be augmented. Omitting the immense increase of people by natural population, and the migration from every part of Europe. "A great deal has been said without doors of the power, of the strength of America. It is a topic that ought to be cautiously med dled with. Jn a good cause, on a sound bottom, the force of this coun try can crush America to atoms. But on this ground, on the Stamp act, when so many here will think it a crying injustice, I am one who will lift up my hands against it. " In such a cause your success would be hazardous. America, if she fell, would fall like a strong man. She would embrace the pillars of the * Mr. Pitt here alludes to the last great Trench war in America. It had been proposed aboutthe time of the Albany convention in 1754, to make some arrangement for raising mouey in America by a tax bill emanating from the British Parliament. Mr. Pitt was prime minis ter in 1755, and removed from office by the king; but the people were greatly agitated in his favor when in 1757 the king was forced to caU him to the office again, to manage the war then raging with France. 132 CHARLTON. state, and pull clown the constitution along with her. Is this your boasted peace? Not to sheath the sword in its scabbard, but to sheath it in the bowels of your countrymen? Will you quarrel with yourselves, now the whole house- of Bourbon is united against you? While Prance disturbs your fisheries in Newfoundland, embarrasses your slave trade in Africa, and withholds from your subjects in Canada their property stipulated by treaty ; while the ransom for Manillas is denied by Spain, and its gallant conqueror basely traduced into a mean plunderer, a gen tleman (Sir W. Draper), whose noble and generous spirit would do honor to the proudest grandee of the country. The Americans have not acted in all respects with prudence and temper. "They have been wronged. They have been driven to madness by injustice. Will you punish them for the madness you have occasioned? Rather let jmidence and temper come from this side. " I will undertake for America, that she will follow the example. There are two lines in a ballad of Prior's of a man's behavior to his wife, so applicable to you and your colonies, that I can not help repeat ing them : ' Be to her faults a little blind; Be to her virtues very kind.' " Upon the whole, I will beg leave to tell the house what is really my opinion. It is this; that the Stamp act be repealed absolutely. totally, and immediately. That the reason for the repeal be assigned, because it was founded on an erroneous principle. At the same time, let the sovereign authority of this country over the colonies be asserted in as strong terms as can be devised, and be made to extend to every point of legislation whatsoever." The bill laying a stamp duty in America was passed in March, 1765. During the discussion of the question of the repeal of this act, which had proved so exciting to the English colonists in America, Dr. Benjamin Franklin and a number of other per sons were ordered to attend the committee of the whole house of commons, to whom it had been referred, to answer any questions touching its effect in the colonies, and upon the sub ject of taxing the colonies by an act of Parliament in future. Dr. Franklin appeared before the house of commons, Feb ruary 3, 1766, and gave answers to a long series of questions relating to the people of the colonies, the action of the differ- CHARLTON. 133 ent colonial assemblies, and the general feehng in America touching the right of Parliament to tax the colonies. These answers are remarkable for their explicitness and the extensive scope of information they disclose relative to the general affairs of the colonies, their connection with Great Britain, other European countries, and the West Indies. The excitement upon the Stamp act in America induced Parlia ment to a repeal as follows : "An Act to Repeal an Act Made in the Last Session, Entitled 'An Act for Granting and Applying Certain Stamp Duties and Other Duties in the British Colonies and Plantations in America.' " On the 17th of March, 1766, objection being made, when, after some discussion, the question was put whether the said bill shall pass, it was resolved in the affirmative ; but with an ill grace, so far as a friendly spirit existed towards the colo nies. At the same time the Repeal act was passed a bill was brought in for securing the dependence of America on Great Britain, in which it was asserted that the Parliament of Great Britain have a right to bind the colonies in all cases whatso ever. Notwithstanding this declaratory clause following, and at tached to the act repealing the Stamp act, this action of Par liament gave great satisfaction in America, and produced a general feeling in the colonies that their rights would be prop erly respected by the government of Great Britain. On the assembling of the different Legislatures in the sev eral colonies, resolutions were passed, addressed to his ma jesty, the Ejng of Great Britain, expressing, in the most hum ble and respectful manner, their thanks and gratitude for the great act of kindness done them by Parliament in the act of repeal of the Stamp act. Their confidence was strengthened in this respect by the sentiments expressed in the speech before the house of com mons by Mr. Pitt, and also by the very clear and able manner 134 CHARLTON. in which Dr. Franklin had explained the actions and doings of the colonies, and their affairs and condition generally, when called before the same as before given. This confidence, however, was not to remain long undis turbed ; another act, which had for its object the carrying out the principle of taxing the colonies by an act of Parliament, was passed by that body in 1766, as follows : ' ' An Act for Punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the Better Pay ment of the Army, and for Providing Quarters." The principle of taxation by Parliament was, by this act, intended to be sustained, but in a disguised form. The gov ernors were, under this act, called upon by authority of Par liament to require the colonial legislatures to raise money for providing for quartering large bodies of troops, which, for some reason, had been located among them. The colonies, being not deceived by this design, passed no acts for raising money for this object, but by evasion, in most instances, provided for the troops ; and in several instances gave their reasons for not legislating to carry out the act of Parliament in this behalf, alleging that it was an encroachment upon their rights, to be required to tax themselves by an order of Parliament ; and that this, like the Stamp act, was sustaining the principle of right to tax the colonies, when they had no voice in the transaction, being not represented in Parliament. The doings of the colonies concerning this act of Parlia ment was received in England in the spirit of a rebellion against the authority of that government. The action of the assembly of the colony of New York was at this time under consideration in the house of commons; this assembly having declined to legislate and raise money for providing for the English troops then quartered in that colony, in accordance with the act of Parliament, of which they had CHARLTON. 135 been required by their governor, in pursuance of his orders from the English government. This question in the house of commons having been referred to a committee, who made their report on Friday, the 15th of May, 1767, of which, among other things, it was said : " That the House of Representatives of his majesty's province of New York have, in direct disobedience of the authority of the legislature of Great Britain, refused to make provision for supplying with necessaries his majesty's troops, in such manner as is required by an act of Parliament made in the fifth year of his majesty's reign, entitled ' An Act to Amend and Render More Effectual, in His Majesty's Dominions in America, an Act Passed in This Present Session of Parliament, Entitled, 'An Act for Punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the Better Payment of the Army, and Providing for their Quarters.' " "It appeared to the committee that an act of assembly hath been passed in the said province for furnishing the barracks in the cities of New York and Albany with fire-wood and candles, and other necessa ries therein mentioned for his majesty's forces, inconsistent with the provisions, and in opposition to the directions of the said act." This committee further report : ' ' That it is the opinion of the committee that until provision shall have been made by the said assembly for furnishing the king's troops with all the necessaries required by the said act of Parliament, the gov ernor, council, and assembly be respectively restrained and prohibited from passing or assenting to any act of assembly for any other purpose whatever." And in accordance with this report a bill was brought in and passed. Upon the consideration of the aforesaid report, Thomas Pownal, formerly a governor of three of these colonies in America, and now a member of Parliament, who had been a close observer of the character and doings of the legislatures of the several colonies; and possessing a full knowledge of then- ideas of their rights as Englishmen under their charters, and as subjects of the realm, spoke on the subject of this report as follows : 136 CHARLTON. ' 'Are you determined from hence to direct and regulate the quarter ing the king's troops in North America? Do it in a way that brings it home to the executive power to carry your directions and regulations into execution ; explain and amend your act ; make it practicable ; make it effective, and then you may 'fairly decide whether they deny your sovereignty or not. You will find they do not. If you think your way of making an adequate and certain provision for the charge of this ser vice is by the Parliament imposing a tax upon the people for that purpose, and that you have power, and it is advisable to exert that power to effectuate such supply by such tax, you need not hesitate to avow it openly and directly ; for the people of the colonies, from one end of the continent to the other, do invariably consider the clause in the act of Parliament, directing how that charge shall be supplied as an internal tax imposed upon them. "It is from this idea that every act of obedience as well as of dis obedience to your act of Parliament must be construed and explained. Those whom you are willing to understand as having obeyed your act, have contrived to do it in a mode which neither recognizes the act of Parliament nor submits to the taxation as such. " And although you represent the assembly of the province of New York, alone, as having revolted against this power, believe me, there is not a colony, a province, or a plantation, that will submit to a tax thus im posed more than New York will. All have shown their readiness to execute this service of quartering as an act of their own — all have, in their zeal to provide for it, by a grant of their own, provided a supply to answer the expense ; but not one single assembly has, or ever will, act under the powers and provisions of this act, as acknowledging, and, in consequence thereof, apportioning, assessing, and levying the supply as a tax imposed by Parliament. They have either acted without taking notice at all of this act of Parliament, or have contrived, some way or other, to evade in some particulars, sufficient to make the execution and the tax an act of their own. Try the conduct of every province and colony by this rule, and you will find nothing particular in the case of New York. Don't fancy that you can divide the people upon this paint, and that y„u need only divide to govern ; you will by this conduct only unite them the more inseparably; you will make the cause of New York a common cause, and will call up every other province and colony to stand forth in their justification ; while New York, learning from the complexion of your measure how to avoid or evade the purport of your enforcing bill, will suspend, the force of it, instead of suspending the assembly of that province, against whom it is brought forward. "The clause in the Quartering act, directing that the supply for reim bursing the expense of quartering the troops shall be raised by the CHARLTON. 137 respective assemblies of the provinces or colonies, which is by all the people of America considered as (is indeed) a tax imposed by Parlia ment, hashrought, in fact, into discussion that question of the right of taxa tion, which the cautious and (what I think) imprudent wisdom of many have endeavored to keep wrapped up and suspended in theory. Those things which schemes of policy wished to hold in question, acts and deeds will bring into decision. "You have, on one hand, by your declaratory law, asserted your rights and power of taxation over the colonies ; and so far as this act goes, you have exerted that power. On the other hand, it is a fact which the house ought to know, and be apprised of in all its extent, th it the people ot America, universally, unitedly, and, unalter/dily, are resolved not to submit to any internal tax imposed upion them hy any legislature in which they have not a share hy representatives of their own election. "This claim must not be understood, as though it were only the pretenses of party leaders and demagogues ; as though it were only the visions of speculative enthusiasts ; as though it were the mere ebullition of a faction which must subside ; as though it were only temporary or partial; — it is the cool, deliberate, principal maxim of every man of business in the country." In addition to the direct internal taxation contemplated by the Quartering bill, there was another mode of taxation adopted by Parliament — the levying duties or imposts upon articles of commerce, which proved a greatly injurious restriction upon then maritime trade. This was referred to in a petition by the merchants of New York in 1767, as follows: "It is the singular disadvantage of the Northern British colonies, that, while they stand in need of vast quantities of the manufactures of Great Britain, the country produces very little that affords a direct re mittance thither in payment; therefore, from necessity, they have been driven to seek a market for their produce, and, by a course of traffic, to acquire either money or such merchandise as would answer the purpose of a remittance, and enable them to sustain a credit with the mother country. This native produce has be,en chiefly sent to our own and foreign West India Islands, and bartered for sugar, rum, molasses, cot ton, and indigo ; the sugar, cotton, and indigo served as remittances to Great Britain ; while the rum and molasses constituted essential branches of their commerce, and enabled them to barter with our own colonies for fish and rice, and by that means to pursue a valuable trade with Spain, Portugal, and Italy, where they chiefly obtained money or bills of exchange in return, and likewise qualified them for adventures to 13S CHARLTON. Africa, where they htvd the advantage of putting off great quantities of British manufactures, and receiving in exchange, gold, ivory, nnd slaves, which last being disposed of in tho West India Islands, conl manded money or bills ; rum was indispensable in t heir Indian trade, and, with British- manufactures, procured furs and skins, which both served for considerable returns to Great Britain, and increased its revenue. "The trade to the bay of Honduras was also of great importance, it being managed with small cargoes of provisions, rum, and British manu factures, which, while they were at liberty to scud foreign logwood to different ports in Europe, furnished them with another remittance. "From this view, it is evident, that sugar, rum, molasses, and logwood, with cotton and indigo, are the essentials of their return cargoes, and tlie chief sources from which, in a course of trade, they have maintained their credit with Great Britain. " That considering the prodigious consumption of tho produce of the West Indies in G real Britain, Ireland, and the colonics on the continent of America, the rapid increase of those colonics, the vast accession of sub jects by the late conquest (the Canudas), the utter incapacity of our own islands to supply so great a demand, will, the petitioners presume, be out of all question; on the other hand, the lumber produced from clear ing this immense territory, and the provisions extracted from a fertile soil, must raise a supply for exportation much greater than all our islands can consume; it seems consistent with a sound policy, therefore, to indulge those colonics both in tlie free and unrestrained exportation of all the lumber and produce they can spare, and an ample importation of sugar, rum, and molasses, to supply the various branches of their trade; since without the one, the clearing of lands will be discouraged, and provisions, for want of vent, become of little profit to the farmer; without the other, the petitioners must be plunged into a total incapacity of making good their payment of British debts, thoir credit must sink, and their imports from Great Britain gradually diminish, till they are contracted to the narrow compass of remittances in articles of thoir own produce; when the colonists must, from inevitable necessity, betake themselves to manufactures of their own, which will be attended with consoquonces very detrimental to those of Great Britain." The plain reasoning here set forth for leaving the trade of the colonies free, with the West Indies, and all parts ul' Europe, except to restrict them in the purchase of tho actual manufac tures of Great Britain, ought to have convinced any reasona ble mind. But the ignorant and arrogant persons, who at CHARLTON. 139 this time controlled the government of Great Britain, were bent upon an exhibition of their authority to crush out the enterprise, prosperity, and advancing power of their colonies in America. The activity, power, and abihty they had exhibited in the enterprise against Louisburg at Cape Breton — the recent expeditions which resulted in the capture of the Canadas and the expulsion of the French from the continent — were viewed with an eve of iealousv ; — and the haughty and arrogant aids- tocracy which now ruled in England had determined upon a policy to cripple the rapidly-advancing commerce of the col onies by prohibitions of their trade with other European powers, by burdensome imposts on their remaining articles of trade, and by heavy internal taxes to reduce them to a state of poverty and dependence on the mother country. The plan for raising money in the American colonies by imposts was not a new idea in 1763, when the Impost act of that year was enacted. An act was passed by Parliament, in 1733, for the welfare and prosperity of the sugar colonies in the West Indies, and for remedying discouragements of plan ters : duties were given and granted to George LI (such was the expression i. upon all nun, spirits, molasses, syrups, and sugar of foreign growth, produce, and manufactures imported into the colonies. This regulation of trade was acqiuesced in as a benefit of the general empire. This act was made only for five years, but it was renewed several times during the reign of George LI, and once renewed in the reign of George III; but, in 1763, the act related above, and at this time made the subject of general complaint in all the commercial colonies, extended to many other articles upon new and changed principles. It was stated in the preamble of this act. "That it was expedient that new provisions and regulation? should be established for intproeing th*- rerenut ,,f this l-iugdvm: that it was just 14/1 CHARLTON. and necessary that a revenue should be raised in America, for defend ing, protecting, and securing the same, and that the commons of Great Britain, desirous of making some provision towards raising the said rev enue in America, have resolved to give and grant to his majesty the sev eral rates and duties," etc. The purpose here was changed ; it was not now for a mu tual benefit of all the empire, but the American colonies were now avowedly to be burdened with a great variety of imposts for raising a revenue for the mother country, involving the principle of taxation without representation, which the colo nies were unitedly opposed to, upon the principle of its un constitutionality ; and in this opinion they were supported by Lord Chatham, Burke, and others, among the ablest statesmen in England. Beferring to taxes and imposts raised in America in this manner, Mr. Burke remarked in his speech in Parliament, in 1774: " This preambulatory tax had lost us at once the benefit of the west and of the east ; had thrown open the doors to contraband ; and would be the means of giving the profits of the colony trade to every nation but ourselves. It is, indeed, a tax of sophistry, a tax of pedantry, a tax of- disputation, a tax of war and rebellion, a tax of anything but benefit to the imposers." Besides the Impost act of 1763 and the Stamp act of March, 1765, the Tea act, so called, was passed in the year following the repeal of the Stamp act, in 1767, imposing duties on tea, glass, paper, etc., which again produced universal excitement in all the colonies. This Tea act was alleged to be a com pensation to the East India Company for certain encroach ments on that corporation by the government. The American colonies, it appears, were at all times, at this period, in the administration of the affairs of the English government, a fertile source for relieving an unjust govern ment from the embarrassment of its improper acts at home. The resentment of the American colonies was so great CHARLTON. 141 under this act, that in the year 1770 three fourths of the duty on tea in this bill, with all tlie duties on other articles included in the same, were repealed, leaving but the small tax of three pence on the pound on tea. This remaining duty, scarcely sufficient to pay for its col lection, did not remove tlie great source of dissatisfaction by the colonists against tbe home government : for the reason. it had now beeome a settled detei'mination that they would not submit to any act of wrong and injustice, however small the encroachment might be, upon their clearly established rights. This revived and fully brought out what was known as the " Non-Importation Agreement" in the colonies, much the injury of the trade with England. To add to the injustice done the colonists by the collection of the imposts before referred to, the application of the reve nue thus collected as they believed wrongfully of them, was another, and equally great injustice and wrong ; a serious encroachment upon the just administration of government and law. Instead of the governors and judges being dependent upon the governed for their salaries, as had heretofore been cus tomary in all the colonies, to have such salaries voted by the legislative authorities, they were now paid by the crown from the revenue of these unlawful imposts, making the governors and judges independent of the colonists, and subject to the crown, being removable also at its pleasure. This was regarded as an interference dangerous to the rights of government and justice ; and the encouragement of arbitrary power. The coasts and commercial ports of the colonies were placed in a state of espionage by numerous armed cruisers that greatly interfered with legitimate commerce, as it was not unfrequently that vessels were stopped, after embarking on a voyage, and subjected to great delay ; although entitled 142 CHARLTON. to damage, there were no courts in tlie colonies to try this class of damages, and to apply across the ocean was sp ex pensive an affair, that the loss was far greater than the gain; thus great wrongs went unredressed, and much ill-feeling was a natural result. One of these armed cruisers, stationed at Providence, Ehode Island, which had much annoyed the trade of that port, called the (Jaspee, was boarded at midnight by about two hundred men in disguise, who, after wounding the com- mander, and forcing him and 1 1 is men to go on shore, burned the schooner. Though, a reward of £500, together with a pardon of the accomplice, who should reveal and make known the offenders, was offered, no discovery was made. In October, 1767, the new Revenue laws went into effect, when tlie Non-Importation agreements became quite general among merchants ; and throughout the country it soon became popular to enter into agreements for the disuse of articles of British manufacture. There was no place in the colon ios where the excitement was more intense upon the several oppressive acts of Parlia ment for taxing and restricting their trade, than at Boston, in, Massachusetts Bay, as then styled. This town was then the most populous one, and possessed, much the most extensive commerce ; it was thus more seriously affected than any other town by the imposts and restrictive acts of Parliament. On the 9th of May, 1768, the sloop Liberty, belonging to John Hancock, was seized by the collector and comptroller of the customs at Boston, which occasioned a violent tumult ; when. the collector and his son were assaulted by a mob, and their houses much injured. On the news of this excitement and doings of the mob at Boston reaching England, there were ordered to this port several ships of war from Halifax, with two regiments of troop* on board. CHARLTON. 143 These arrived, and were stationed in the harbor, and the troops camped on Boston common. These were soon re-en forced by two additional regiments direct from Ireland. The Boston massacre on the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, was the result of this attempt to overawe the people of Boston and New England. It was a severe trial of the devotion of the patriot leaders in the cause of constitutional and charter rights ; but they were, happily for that cause, found equal to their trials. The names of Otis, Quincy, Hancock, Warren, and Adams, will, in all time, so long as civil liberty and constitutional rights are ap preciated, remain fragrant in the minds of New Englanders. The history of that massacre is too well known to need any further explanation in this brief sketch of the causes which led to the Revolution and independence of the colonies, and separa tion from the mother country. All the circumstances of this melancholy state of affairs were embodied into a circular by a committee selected at a town meeting in September following, and forwarded to all the towns in the province. And it may here be affirmed, that the spirit of liberty, and determination to resist all aggression upon their rights, was no less strong in the interior towns than in those on the sea-board. Under this state of things,- the Legislature of Massachusetts addressed circulars to the speakers of the houses of representa tives in all the other English colonies, setting forth all the infractions of their rights as colonists and lawful subjects of the kingdom of Great Britain, and requested their aid in this behalf; such had been their action in 1767, when their letters met a cordial reception, and were promptly responded to with expressions of sympathy, and the assurance of their determina tion to unite with all their power in the support of the grounds taken by Massachusetts Bay. There could now be no doubt of a joint effort of all the colonies against the oppressions de- 144 CHAKLTON. sio-ned by the English Parliament. For this act of the Legisla ture of Massachusetts, they fell under the great displeasure of the English government, and were severely censured and accused of exciting treason andrebellion. At this time Dr. Benjamin Franklin and William Bollan were the agents of Massachusetts at the English court ; Israel Mauduit being the agent of Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant-Governor Andrew Oliver, of the same colony. Now were brought out a series of letters from the governor and lieutenant-governor, designed to be private ; their contents were highly prejudicial to the actions and character of several of the leading men in Boston and vicinity, engaged in po litical affairs at this crisis in Massachusetts. The General Court of Massachusetts petitioned the king's most excellent majesty, setting forth the malconduct of the governor and lieutenant-governor : ' ' That they have taken steps to interrupt and alienate the affections of your majesty and rightful sovereign from this loyal province, and to destroy the harmony and goocl-will between Great Britain and this colony, and have striven to excite the resentment of the British admin istration against this government, and to prevent our humble and repeated petitions from reaching the ear of your majesty; and finally, that the said Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant-Governor Andrew Oliver have been among the chief instruments in introducing a fleet and an army into this province, to establish and perpetuate their plans, and have created discords between the several parts of your maj esty's extensive dominions, and are justly chargeable with all the cor ruption of morals and bloodshed which have been the natural effects of posting an army in a populous town." "Wherefore, we most humbly pray that your majesty would be pleased to remove from their posts in this government said Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., and Andrew Oliver, Esq., and place such good and faithful men in their stead as your majesty, in your great wisdom, shall think fit. "In the name and by order of the House of Representatives." THOMAS CTJSHLNG, Speaker:' These letters were the private correspondence between Gov ernors Hutchinson and Oliver with Mr. Thomas Whately, a CHARLTON. 145 gentleman in London, and member of Parliament, who had been secretary to the treasury, but who was then out of that office, the substance of which letters related to the several pub lic, measures then being transacted in both the colonies and the government of Great Britain. The effect of which was to disclose in advance, not only the acts of the Legislature of Massachusetts, but the acts and opin ions of prominent individuals in the colony, operating as advisory steps for influencing measures favored by the o-over- nors, but opposed by common sentiment. Indeed, attempting to defeat the objects of the colony in measures of relief from the unconstitutional and burdensome acts of Parliament. These letters had, by some means unknown, falleu into the hands of Dr. Franklin (Mr. Thomas Whately then being de ceased, and his estate in the hands of his brother, Mr. Wilham Whately). . The doctor, believing that letters of this character, although written with cautions of secrecy, and designed to be kept private, yet addressed by one set of public men to another, known to be influential, and interested in the public affairs of which these letters treated, possessed the character of public correspondence, and ought to be made known to the leading men in Massachusetts and the Legislature, whom they most interested, and therefore sent them to Boston for the benefit of Massachusetts, of which province he was then an agent. It appears that, for a time, there was great anxiety to know who procured and forwarded these letters to America ; a Mr. John Temple, then an officer of the customs, was accused of it in the English papers. He vindicated himself, upon which a pubhc altercation ensued between him and William Whately, brother and executor of Thomas Whately, to whom the let ters had been addressed. Dr. Franklin, having been desired to keep tbe matter a secret by the party from whom he re- 1U 146 CHARLTON. ceived them, and also his agency in forwarding these letters to Massachusetts, suffered for a time this altercation to go on, supposing it would soon subside without any ill effects ; but to his regret it resulted in a duel between these parties, when Mr. Whately was wounded. He then continued to delay a disclosure of the facts, thinking this duel would end the mat ter between them ; but finding the duel was to be repeated as soon as Mr. Whately had sufficiently recovered, determined at once to make it known publicly that it was he who for warded this correspondence to Boston. His communication was directed to and published in the Public Advertiser, in Lon don, signed, u B. Franklin, Agent of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay ;" dated " Craven Street, December 25, 1773." The foregoing petition of the Massachusetts Legislature, and its presentation, preceded this acknowledgment, and all were brought before his majesty's council at the council chamber, January 11, 1774. Present: lord president, the secretary of state, and many other lords ; also, Dr. Frank lin and Mr. Bollan, agents of the house of representatives of Massachusetts; and Israel Mauduit and Mr. Wedderburn, agents for the governors. After the case had been opened in the council, Dr. Franklin, finding that Mr. Mauduit had engaged council to aid him, in the person of Mr. Wedder burn, claimed and received like privilege, and for that pur pose the case was adjourned to Saturday, January 29, 1774. On the occasion of this hearing before the lords in council, after establishing the facts as to the validity and the objects of these letters, set forth by Dr. Franklin's counsel, in his be half, and that of the representatives of Massachusetts, show ing their tendency to injure the cause of the province of Massachusetts, and to create a prejudice wrongfully with his majesty, sufficient in their opinion to justify the removal of these governors from their offices by his majesty, as prayed CHARLTON. 147 for in the petition now before the council, all of which being done in a respectful manner, the case was opened on the other side, in behalf of the governors, by Mr. Wedderburn, very elaborately and acrimoniously. Instead of justifying the governors, or vindicating then- conduct in the administration, which was the matter com plained of, he bent the whole force of his inflammatory invec tives against Dr. Franklin ; he even accused him of being an aspirant for the office of governor of that province. He said the letters could not have come to him by fair means; nothing coidd acquit him of a charge of obtaining them by fraud and corruption, and for the most malignant purposes : • ' My lords, you will mark and brand this man, for the honor of this country, of Europe, and of mankind. "He has forfeited all the respect of societies and of men. ' ' Into what companies will he hereafter go with an unembarrassed face, or the honest intrepidity of virtue ? Men will watch him with a jealous eye ; they will hide their papers from him, and lock up their escritoires. He will henceforth deem it a libel to be called a man of letters — homo triunt literarum." " But he not only took away the letters from one brother, but kept himself concealed till he nearly occasioned the murder of the other, expressive of the coolest and most deliberate malice, without horror." Here he read the letter of Dr. Franklin, printed in the Public Advertiser: " To the Printer of the Public Advertiser: ' ' Sin — Finding that two gentlemen have been unfortunately engaged in a duel about a transaction and its circumstances of which both of them are totally ignorant and innocent, I think it incumbent upon me to declare (for the prevention of further mischief, as far as such a declaration may contribute to prevent it), that I alone am the person who obtained and transmitted to Boston the letters in question. Mr. Whately could not communicate them, because they were never in his possession ; and for the same reason, they could not betaken from him by Mr. Temple. "They were not of the nature of private letters between friends. They were written by public officers to persons in public stations, on public affairs, and intended to procure public measures ; they were there fore handed to other public persons who might be influenced by them to produce these measures. 148 CHARLTON. "Their tendency was to incense the mother country against her colonies, and, by the steps recommended, to widen the breach, which they effected. The chief caution expressed as to privacy, was to keep their contents from the colony agents, who the writers apprehended might return them to America. That apprehension was, it seems, well founded; for the first agent who laid his hands on them thought it his duty to transmit them to his constituents. "B. FRANKLIN, "Agent for the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay. "Craven Street, December 25, 1773." Mr. Wedderburn then resumed his argument : ' ' Amidst these tragical events ; of one person nearly killed ; of another answerable for the issue; of a worthy governor hurt in his dearest interests ; the fate of America in suspense ; here is a man, who, with the utmost insensibility of remorse, stands up and avows himself- the author of all; I can compare it only to Zanga, in Dr. Young's 'Revenge:' ' Know, then, 'twas I ; I forged the letter— I disposed the picture; I hated— I despised— and I destroy.' "I ask, my lords, whether the revengeful temper attributed by poetic fiction only to the bloody African is not surpassed by the coolness and apathy of the wily American." Such was the character of this bitter invective, as printed, occupying many pages. Dr. Franklin, then deputy postmaster-general in the colonies, tbe founder and chief organizer ofthe postal system in America, was dismissed from his office, and the petitioners granted leave to withdraw. The spirit which actuated a large majority of the British Parliament at this time left but little or no hope of justice being extended to the American colonies. Mr. Wedderburn, for this harsh and unjustifiable attack upon the character of Dr. Franklin, with other severe criticisms upon the colonists, soon after was honored with the title of Lord Loughborough. Dr. Franklin had now been continued the agent of Pennsyl- CHARLTON. 140 vania and Massachusetts at the English court nearly ten years, and for his vigilance and energetic efforts in attending to his duties in that respect, had incurred the displeasure of the ministerial party, who had determined upon carrying out their plans of parliamentary legislation for taxing and humblincr the colonies. Yet while the dominant party were frequently casting their severe strictures upon the character and boldness of this inde fatigable agent, there were not wanting those who had a proper respect and appreciation for his just merits as a man of science, learning, and statesmanship. On another time, when his character had been severely aspersed by Lord Sandwich on an occasion when Lord Chatham had brought in a bill for reconciling the difficulties with the colonies, by his (Lord Sandwich's) remarks on the same, by moving its immediate rejection, saying, "That it ought to be immediately rejected, with the contempt it deserved ; that he could never believe it to be the production of any British peer ; that it appeared to him rather the work of some American;" and turning his face towards Dr. Franklin, who was leaning on the bar, said, " he fancied he had in his eye the person who drew it up, one of the bitterest and most mischievous enemies this country had ever known." And while others followed in a similar strain, some favor ing this bill, Lord Chatham, in reply to Lord Sandwich, took notice of his illiberal insinuations, and acknowledged that the plan was not that person's, as had been suggested, and declared, " That it was entirely his own, a declaration he thought himself the more obliged to make, as many of their lordships appeared to have so mean an opinion of it ; for if it was so weak or so bad a thing, it was proper in him to take care that no other person should unjustly share in the censure it deserved. That it had been heretofore reckoned his vice not to be apt to take advice ; but he made no scruple to declare, that if he were the first minister of this country, and had the care of settling this momentous business, he should not be ashamed of publicly calling 150 CHAKLTON. to his assistance a person so perfectly acquainted with the whole of American affairs as the gentleman alluded to (Dr. Franklin), and so injuriously reflected upon ; one, he was pleased to say, whom all Europe held in high estimation, for his knowledge and wisdom, and ranked with our Boyles and Newtons ; who was an honor, not to the English nation only, but to human nature." While this excitement touching the affairs of the colonies was increasing and becoming intense in England, a similar and perhaps greater feeling of enmity against the mother country was daily becoming more general and severe in America. At this point in the excitement the East India Company, through embarrassments in its affairs, much of which had been created through the improper interference of the government, which now, as a measure of relief, had released it from most of the duties heretofore levied upon the export of its teas to the American colonies, and to relieve itself of an unusual quantity of its teas then in the store-houses in England, about seventeen millions of pounds, equal to two years' supply, formed the plan of shipping its teas to America, instead of disposing of them as heretofore to merchants for that purpose. Tin's plan was favored by the government, with only three pence duty to the pound ; but it was strongly opposed by the merchants as a direct interference with their legitimate business, and created much ill-feeling in both England and America. Thus, it is seen, there was a strong opposition to it, both in a business point of view and politically; while, in the first instance, it dis turbed the due course of trade, in the latter it was indirectly establishing a principle of taxation, not only odious to the colo nists, but one that they had, in all the colonies, repeatedly advised the English government could not be submitted to without an infringement of their constitutional rights as British subjects. Furthermore, there was an appeal by Massachusetts to their charter rights, under the charter of William and Mary, granted CHARLTON. 151 October 7, in the third year of their reign, 1691, under a clause in that charter which reads as follows : "And further, our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby for us, our heirs and successors, grant, establish, and ordain that all and every of the subjects of us, our heirs and successors, which shall go to and in habit within our said province and territory of Massachusetts Bay, and every of their children which shall happen to be born there, or on the seas in going there, or returning from thence, shall have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects within any of the dominions of us, our heirs and successors, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever, as if they and every of them were born within this our realm of England." On the strength of this clause in the second charter of Mas sachusetts, their Legislature claimed, that as the people of Eng land have a right to choose representatives, and are governed only by acts of Parliament, the charter says we shall enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects within any of the king's dominions ; therefore, we, too, have as good a right as the people of England to choose our representatives, and to be governed only by the laws made by our own assem bly, hot repugnant to the constitutional rights of British subjects. Notwithstanding the strong opposition to this mode of dis posing of teas in the colonies, and against the three pence duties as a tax, the East India Company sent forward a num ber of ships freighted with tea to be sold by their agents in the American market. As the time approached for the arrival of the tea ships (and they were at the same time dispatched to several of the colonies, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, etc.), the people assembled in large bodies at dif ferent places, and began to adopt such measures as seemed most effectual to prevent the landing of their cargoes. At Philadelphia, where the British government hoped to meet with the best success in this measure, and which place had 152 CHARLTON. been long celebrated for the excellence of its police and gov ernment, and the temperate manners of its inhabitants, printed papers were dispersed, warning the pilots on the Delaware river not to conduct any of these tea ships into their harbor, which were only sent for the purpose of enslaving and poisoning all the Americans ; at the same time giving them plainly to understand that it was expected they would apply their knowl edge in such a manner as would effectually secure the coun try from so imminent a danger. At New York the papers set forth that those tea ships were loaded with the fetters which had been forged for them in Great Britain ; and vengeance was denounced against all persons who should dare in any manner to aid in the intro duction of those chains. All the colonies were fully united in this principle of opposition to the dehvery and sale of this tea. At New York it was landed under the cannon of ships of war. But the government there was obhged to consent to its being locked up from use. But the town of Boston, which had been the most active in opposing the acts of the British government, now universally opposed by all the colonies, was the first to act in this question of collecting duties on tea by its sale in the several British American colonies. There were three ships which arrived in Boston harbor freighted with teas. The captains of these vessels seeing the impossibility of peaceably discharging their cargoes, con sented to return with the same to England, if permitted to do so by the governor and custom officers. The consignees, being in the employ and friends of the English government, would not give their consent to such reshipment. It was therefore seen by the citizens of the town, that the ships lying so near the wharves, the teas by degrees could be landed, and then, through parties not in the interest of the colonies, would CHARLTON. 153 be disposed of, and thereby the purpose of the government would be effected in raising the revenue contemplated. To prevent this, which the colonists deemed a fearful con sequence, a number of armed men, under the disguise of Mohawk Indians, boarded the ships, and in a few hours dis charged the whole three cargoes of tea into the waters of the harbor, without doing any injury to the ships, their captains, or their crews. The officers of government, and the armed vessels of war then in the harbor, probably knew but little of the proceed ings until the deed was accomplished, as no resistance was made. In South Carolina they endeavored to follow the lead given at Boston, when considerable of the cargo of tea shipped to that market was likewise discharged, into the water of the bay. All the tea shipped to Philadelphia was, by consent of the authorities there, returned to England, without the cargoes being opened. The ship embarked on its return voyage, December 27, 1773. This action of the colonies was not known in England until the 7th of March following, which was the occasion of a special message from the throne to both houses of Parliament ; and, as might have been expected, this action in America re acted upon parties in England ; the same as all new laws there affecting the colonies, as they believed injuriously, added to the excitement and prejudice against the mother coun try here. Thus matters had now arrived at such a crisis, that neither one side nor the other were in a proper mood to act consider ately on the subject now in dispute. The first action of Parliament now relating to the tea re bellion, was the preparing what was styled the " Boston Port Bill : " 154 CHARLTON. " That the town of Boston should be obliged to pay for the tea which had been destroyed in their port ; also, security to be given in future, that trade may be safely carried on, property protected, laws obeyed, and duties regularly paid. Otherwise the punishment of a single ille gal act is no reformation." The idea was to take from Boston the right of a port of entry for trade and commerce. On the 14th of March, 1774, the following bill was brought in by Parliament : ' ' For the Immediate Removal of the Officers of Customs from the Town of Boston, in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in North America; and to Discontinue the Landing and Discharging, Lading and Shipping Goods, Wares, and Merchandise at the said Town of Boston, or within the Harbor Thereof." This was received in Parliament with general applause. The sentiment of Parliament was thus clearly indicated. At this stage of action Mr. William Bollan, the agent of the council of Massachusetts, presented a petition, desiring to be heard for the said council and in behalf of himself and other inhabitants in the town of Boston. The Parliament refused to receive the petition. The Boston Port Bill received the royal assent, March 31. Another bill was proposed : ' ' The Better Regulating Government in the Province of Massachu setts Bay." This was to change the charter of William and Mary, that particular clause before referred to, and that relating to the choice of the council, judges, magistrates of all kinds, and sheriffs ; and instead of their being elected or appointed by consent of council of their own choice, they were to hold office only by appointment of the crown. Another bill was brought in, "For the Impartial Administration of Justice in the Cases of Persons Questioned for Any Acts Done by Them in the Execution of the Laws, or CHARLTON. 155 for the Suppression of Riots or Tumults in the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England." This bill gave the governor the right, if he thought best, in certain acts committed against the exercise or aid of magis tracy, to send the parties for trial to another colony, or to England. In the provisions for the trial of parties found guilty of riots and tuniults in the preceding statute enactment, the charges for the expenses of such trial were to be paid out of the customs. This act was to continue four years. This bill caused a warm debate in the British Parliament, and produced great excitement, as it deprived the colonists of the right of trial by a jury of then own peers; and furthermore it presented an opportunity of great danger, as it gave the liberty to the governor, through a mere pretense of wrong in any political excitement, to arrest opponents and send them beyond sea, to be tried in England, simply by his arbitrary authority. The resentment of Parliament fell with peculiar .bitterness against the people of Boston. The debate having closed on this bill in Parliament, an old member made the following remarkable and prophetic obser vation : "I will now take my leave of the whole plan. You will commence your ruin from this day. ' ' I am sorry to say it, that not only the house has fallen into the error, but the people approve of the measure. The people, I am sorry to say it, are misled. "But a short time will prove the evil tendency of this bill. If ever there was a nation running headlong to its ruin, it is this." This bill passed the house the 6th of May, 1774. The lords, who were in the minority, entered on this, as on the former bill, a very strong protest. The English government had great confidence in the bene-, 156 CHARLTON. ficial effect of the penal and restrictive laws passed at this time; it was believed that these bills, by many termed Bills of Terror, which were accompanied by a large naval and military force, would bring the colonies to a perfect submission. This session of Parliament closed in the most triumphant man ner for the success of the measures introduced by the ministry; they had not only a large majority of Parliament, but the peo ple generally were in favor of humbling the stubborn and democratic colonists. They, on both sides, in and out of Par liament, seemed entirely to overlook .the former and justly conceded rights of the colonies, and, disregarding former usage, had the presumption to believe that a military force would readily produce submission to English laws, however uncon stitutional and unjust. It was expected that the shutting up of the port of Boston would be a gratification to neighboring and rival towns, and produce jealousy and divisions among the people of the Bay colony; and by making an example of Boston and the pro vince of Massachusetts Bay, it would have the effect to dissolve the friendly union which of late seemed so generally to prevail among the colonies. The event in all these cases proved very different from the sanguine anticipations which the ministry had entertained. The people of Massachusetts, instead of being shaken by the coercive measures which had been adopted for their subjection, joined the more firmly together to brave the storm. They were determined at all events or hazards to preserve their rights or perish in a common ruin. In the same man ner, the other colonies, instead of abandoning the province of Massachusetts Bay, adhered the closer to their devoted sister as the danger increased ; and their affection and sympathy seemed to rise in proportion to her misfortunes and sufferings. Thus it is seen how and in what manner the great drama of the Revolution was opened. CHARLTON. 157 When it is known that the organization of the political affairs of the colonies extended generally to all the people in each colony, it is not surprising that these encroachments of the mother country were everywhere received and felt as an individual matter, which not only injured the collective au thority, but it was felt as coming home to every town, pre cinct, and person. And thus it may be seen why each of the small corpora tions called towns in Massachusetts, and the separate locali- ities in the several colonies, united so fervently and ardently in sustaining the legislative authority of the colony to which they belonged. The war of the Revolution was emphatically a war of all the people of the British American colonies, for their indi vidual as well as their collective rights. The people knew their rights ; they realized them to the fullest extent, and were determined to maintain them. The town of Charlton, like all the other towns in the in terior of New England, entered fully into the spirit which produced the Revolution. In 1773, August 5, there is found an article in the warrant for a town meeting to be held in Charlton, on the 19th in stant, following : "To see if the district will take into consideration the letter from the committee of correspondence at Boston, and choose a committee to draw up the resolves of the district relating to the unconstitutional burdens that are laid on the province. ' ' To see if the district will choose a committee of correspondence to represent the district." On the 19th instant, as aforesaid, the town meeting was held, when Deacon Jonas Hammond, Captain Richard Blood, and Captain Nathaniel Blood were chosen to draft the resolves as before stated. These resolves were reported as follows : " Gentlemen — We have taken into serious consideration the pamphlet 158 CHAELTON. sent us from Boston, wherein the rights and privileges of the province are clearly stated, and the infringements made thereon justly pointed out • we return our sincere thanks to the town of Boston for the vigi lance and firmness in support of the country which has been very con spicuous in that metropolis ; and will heartily join with them in all such measures as may appear most conducive to the restoration of our inval uable privileges from the hand of oppression." Seven men were then chosen as a committee of correspond ence in behalf of the district : Deacon Jonas Hammond, Captain Richard Dresser, Captain Nathaniel Blood, Lieutenant Ebenezer Hammond, Mr. Stephen Fay, Lieutenant John Dresser, and Mr. Ebenezer Fosket. In October, 1774, this town selected Captain Jonathan Tucker to attend a Provincial Congress on the second Tuesday of the same month, to be holden at Concord ; also at same meeting the constable was directed to pay what money he should collect, and any then on hand, to Henry Gardiner, of Stow, agreeable to the advice of the Provincial Congress, and the town voted to indemnify him for so doing. On the 9th of January, 1775, Captain Jonathan Tucker was elected a delegate to attend a Provincial Congress, to be holden at Cambridge the 1st day of February following ; and at same meeting they appointed a committee of five to see that the directions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses were strictly adhered to in that district. This committee consisted of Captain Samuel Courtis, Captain Richard Dresser, Lieu tenant William Tucker, Ezra Mackintire, and Ebenezer Fosket. At a meeting, held on February 20, 1775, the town voted to make allowance to the men in that district for practicing mili tary discipline. Again, May 22, Rev. Caleb Courtis was elected to attend a Provincial Congress, to be held at Watertown, on the 31st of same month, 1775. And, as appears by the records, the sum of £1, 8s., 6d. was CHARLTON. 159 voted to be paid Daniel Streeter for carrying blankets to the army. On May 2, 1776, the town chose Major Jacob Davis repre sentative to attend the Great and General Court the ensuing year. On the 17th of June, 1776, this town voted to support the Continental Congress in declaring the united colonies inde pendent of" Great Britain, to the extent of their lives and fortunes, if they shall think it expedient for safety. At the same meeting chose Caleb Ammidown to be added to the committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety. At the town meeting, March 3, 1777, Caleb Ammidown, having been chosen moderator, a committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety was again appointed, consisting of the moderator, Deacon Nathaniel Jones, Ebenezer Fosket, Ezra Mackintire, and Deacon Jonathan Dennis. On the 10th of March following, Caleb Ammidown being moderator, a committee of nine was appointed to consider the present situation of the town, in regard to what has been done in respect to the war, and to advise the town to some measure in order to revise our quota of men required by this State (this being already the designation that the province had taken). The names of this committee were as follows : Lieu tenant Ebenezer Hammond, Daniel Williams, Josiah Blood, William Polly, William Clemence, Caleb Ammidown, Samuel Parker, and Stephen Fay. This committee made their report on the 13th instant, recommending that, in addition to the bounty offered by Congress for good able-bodied men, to serve in this unjust and unnatural war, the sum of twenty pounds be given as an encouragement to all non-commissioned officers and privates, who shall enlist in the Continental army for three years, or during the war, as an inducement to fill the quota of men required by the General Court of this State, believing that it will answer the best ends ; this sum was proposed to be paid 160 CHARLTON. one half in twelve months, and the other in twenty-four. On calling for the views of the persons then assembled, on this report, the votes were ninety-four in favor and thirty-one against it, which showed a decided action for the support of the war then raging. On the 21st of May, 1777, the following men were elected to represent this town in the General Court for the year ensuing: Major Jacob Davis, Caleb Ammidown, and Jacob Blood. On the 9th of June following, Lieutenant John Edwards was appointed to report any persons in the town who manifest a disposition inimical to these United States, and make report of same. Also, it was voted that Ebenezer Mackintire's (Junior) name be entered on the list, and that Jesse Mackintire be entered on the same, as enemies to the United States. In 1777, November 25, Caleb Ammidown being again the moderator, the selectmen were appointed a committee to pro vide for the families of soldiers who had gone into the Conti nental army. The town having bought a quantity of French arms, voted not to dispose of them until further orders. At a meeting, January 20, 1778, the sum of £889, 7s., 5d. was voted to be paid into the treasury of the State, agreeable to an act of the General Court. This amply exhibits an honest carrying out of their former pledge, of sustaining the cause with their lives and fortunes — that is, with both their men and their money. At a meeting of the town, April 2, 1778, Caleb Ammidown, moderator, a committee of three was appointed — Peter Sher man, Reuben Davis, and Benjamin Alton — to procure shirts and stockings for the town's quota of soldiers then in the Con tinental army, and to appraise the value of the articles fur nished according to quahty; also voted £200 for soldiers' clothing. It is much to be regretted that the town did not preserve on its records a list of the names of those soldiers who joined CHARLTON. 161 the army and risked their lives for the defense of their coun try and the liberties of its people. There has not been seen by the writer any such list upon the records of any of the towns, where his search has been made. The Legislature of 1778 made a request upon all the towns to obtain their opinion, whether it was advisable for that assembly to proceed to form a constitution for the State, and to adopt it without further reference to the people. This proposition was quite generally opposed, upon the ¦ ground that, for so important an act as forming the funda mental law of the people, the parties should be selected direct from the people, for that expressed object; thus this town wisely opposed any present action by the Legislature upon that subject. In 1779 the towns in the commonwealth were called upon to appoint delegates to assemble in convention for the pur pose of framing a bill of rights and constitution. This con vention assembled at Cambridge, September 1, 1779, and con tinued to March 2, 1780/ These articles of rights and constitution were submitted to the several towns for their ratification. The town of Charl ton held their meeting for this purpose on the 15th of May, 1780, and there is found on their records at this date their votes recorded, taken seriatim upon each article. This is an exhibition which shows that the people who had devoted their lives and property for the defense of their rights and liberties, were not insensible to a proper regard for their future inter ests upon these important questions, which not only concerned them but the welfare of their posterity. It is not surprising that there was a deep interest taken upon all questions which involved their rights. These impor tant matters had now been subjects of discussion by the ablest and most patriotic persons in all the colonies, through a period of a quarter of a century. They were openly discussed in the 12a 1(52 CHARLTON. convention which assembled at Albany, in 1754 ; but there it related more particularly to the encroachments of the French. The reply and action of the British Parliament upon the doino-s of that convention had much force with all considerate minds in the colonies at that time. That action showed clearly that the British government looked with jealousy upon the exhibition of strength which had been shown by the colonists ; and they also showed, by their doings at that time, that the conventions of the people bv delegates assembled for discussing questions relating to their protection and welfare were dangerous to British rule, so far as subjecting the colonies to any change incon sistent with the rights and privileges they now possessed, and had heretofore enjoyed, under their charters. Furthermore, as the subsequent action of Parliament clearly showed, they had fears of such conventions, that they would finally tend to their indissoluble union, and subversion of English rule alto gether. Thus upon this ground, after the close of the last French war, which resulted ih the conquest of the French dominions in North America, there was commenced those acts tending to cripple the growth and prosperity of the colonies; com mencing, in 1763, in the Impost act, and the encroachments which followed ; until the colonies were become so exasper ated, that war followed ; producing the acts that have herein been briefly stated. Following the acts of the town upon the bill of rights and constitution, on the 29th of June, 1780, it was voted that £3,000 be raised for necessary charges, and that Mr. Gros- venor be engaged to supply preaching, at this time. On the 23d of August, 1780, the selectmen of Charlton, Colonel Jacob Davis, Caleb Ammidown, Samuel Learned, and Jonathan Mower, issued the first warrant in that town for the choice of State officers. CHAELTON. 163 The town meeting was appointed for September 4th follow ing, when the number of votes were given, as set against the respective candidates. This meeting was organized by the choice of Colonel Jacob Davis, moderator. John Hancock for Governor, 57 votes. John Warren, 1 Lieutenant i 41 " James Bowdoin, \ Governor, / 1 " William Dinsmore, ) Israel Nichols, Seth Read, Daniel Clapp, Edward Davis, Samuel Courtis, j • For Councilors, 23 votes each. On the 9th of October is recorded a vote to raise £350 in money, to procure our proportion of beef for the Continental army; and again, on the 25th of December, 1780, £700 was raised for beef for the same purpose. And January 9, 1781, $40, hard money, was voted to each soldier who should enlist to serve during the war, to be paid before marching. This sum was a bounty in addition to bounty and monthly pay to be given by Congress. The town of Charlton, as before stated, had a population at the date of the Declaration of Independence of 1,310 souls. By this population we can judge somewhat of the burden pro duced by the war of the Revolution upon a small farming town. Having now given a brief history of the Revolutionary period, and the general effect upon this town, the remaining political action of the people here is of so great a similarity to that of all country towns, that in their ordinary character it is not deemed of sufficient importance to be recapitulated, thus only such incidents as relate to her territory, incorporated bodies, ecclesiastical affairs, &c, will receive attention. 164 CHARLTON. PART OF CHARLTON ANNEXED TO STURBRIDGE, June 27, 1792. That Benjamin Freeman, Daniel Marcy, and Elijah Sebree, with all their lands lying on the south side of the road leading from Sturbridge meeting-house to Sarah Cheney's, in Dudley, including so much of the road aforesaid as now lies in Charl ton, with the dwelling-houses and other buildings thereon, be and they hereby are set off from the town of Charlton, and annexed to the town of Sturbridge. Provided, nevertheless., that the several persons above named, and their estates, shall be still holden to pay all legal taxes assessed upon them before passing of this act, and also their proportionable part in building and repairing the bridge over Quinebaug River, by Marcy's Mills, in like manner as though the act had not been made. The piece of land here described was the south-west corner of Charlton, formerly the south-west corner of Oxford, includ ing all that part thereof situated south of the road aforesaid, now Main street in Southbridge. Sarah Cheney, here referred to, was the widow of Colonel Thomas Cheney, and her resi dence was on the south side of the old road leading from Southbridge center village to Dudley, and opposite on the soutli of the Saunders Dale Print Works. This town, in dimensions, was about seven miles square when incorporated, including the county gore annexed on its north line, or about 31,000 acres. When the town of South- bridge was formed, it embraced about 12,500 acres, of which about 3,000 acres were taken from the south-west corner, leaving about 28,000 acres— its present territory. With that part taken for a part of the territory of Southbridge was in cluded the most important water-power of this town, taking all that power on the Quinebaug river that was within the limits of its territory. All this tract of laud taken for South- This MaJL is made- /row. a. correct Surrey of titt Jon-n *f CAaritott. faj JiurO»L Freer/uziz. - ***w Me dirtOfan. # tfte SulscrUcrs, ui Oclcc/mcn. of ' CAar/fen.. CHARLTON. 165 bridge was a part of the original grant for Oxford, and now covers about half of the center village of that town. The population of this town at different periods has been as follows : By the Colonial census of By the census of the Revolution, By the census of State by Congress, By the census of United States, 1765, 739 souls. 1776, 1,310 " 1790, 1,965 " 1800, 2,120 " 1810, 2,180 " 1820,* 2,134 " 1830, 2,173 " 1840, 2,117 " 1850, 2,015 " 1860, 2,047 " 1870, 1,878 " THE SUTTON AND CHARLTON COTTON, WOOLEN, AND LINEN ASSOCIATION. This association was incorporated, February 28, 1811, with the following names as corporators : Estes Howe, Aaron Tufts, and John Spurr, for manufacturing cotton, wool, and flax in the county of Worcester ; to be governed by an act, entitled, " An Act Defining the General Powers and Duties of Manufacturing Corporations," passed, March 3, 1809. With the right to hold real estate, $40,000 ; and personal estate, $120,000. It has not been ascertained that this association ever com menced operations, or where its special location was to be. * From 1810 to 1820 this town prospered in its population, nearly equal to that included upon the 3,000 acres, which, in 1816, was set off as a part of Southbridge; but since that period it has remained nearly stationary, till 1860; the past ten years it exhibits a loss. ECCLESIASTICAL. CHAPTER II. CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY H^HE founders of the colony of Massachusetts deemed it essential to the welfare of all that religious services should be maintained regularly on the Sabbath in every town and parish, and that the day be observed strictly for that purpose, and rest from all labor by both man and beast; taking the teachings of the Bible for their guide. With this view in^ consideration, the government regarded the settlement and maintenance of a learned minister in every town as indispensable, and made it a condition in grants for towns, that learned, orthodox, godly ministers should be thus settled and supported. It was quite natural that, having fled from their native country to escape the oppression of the English church, com pelling them to respect the crown as the temporal head of that body, and to be obedient to forms and ceremonies par taking much of Papacy, in violation of what they considered the pure teachings of Scripture, they should require the set tlement and maintenance of such ministers as supported, in their ministration, the doctrines and polity in which they believed, and for the privilege of which worship for them selves and their posterity they had sacrificed both country and home, and encountered all the attendant perils of a wilderness in a foreign land. 168 CHARLTON. Furthermore, these Puritan founders of Massachusetts, con forming to the original ideas of the founders of the Protestant faith, regarded education as essential to the maintenance of pure religion ; thus all children and youth were required to be taught the fundamental elements of the English language, and enabled to read and judge for themselves. Therefore in Charlton there was found, as in other towns in New England, the meeting-house and the school-house, the minister and the school -master. For a period of nearly thirty years after this town was in corporated, an orthodox minister of the standing order (as they were then styled) was supported at the expense of the town by a tax upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants, in the same manner as their schools and other expenses. This mode of supporting the Gospel by taxation in favor of this one denomination caused much ill-feeling with all dis senting parties. To remedy this, the town relinquished their right of taxa tion for the benefit of the standing order, in the year 1784, in advance of towns generally in this vicinity. It has before been stated that the first Congregational church in Charlton was formed, October 15, 1761, and that the Rev. Caleb Courtis was their first minister, and continued their pastor until dismissed by ecclesiastical council, October 29, 1776. As before stated, Mr. Courtis represented the town in 1775, in the Provincial Congress, which assembled at Watertown ; further than this, nothing has been learned of him. This church and society now remained destitute of a settled minister until January 8, 1783, when the Rev. Archibald Campbell was installed their pastor, and held that office until April 9, 1793. This Mr. Campbell was ordained pastor of the church and congregation in Easton, in. the county of Bris tol, on the 17th of August, 1763, where he continued nineteen .CHAELTON. 169 years, being dismissed from the church, August 11, 1782. He was dismissed by council, at his request, as above. This church was again destitute of a pastor nearly four years, when, on the 8th of November, 1797, Rev. Erastus Learned was or dained. His ministry was short, and not attended with much success. According to his subsequent confession, he was not a con verted man while pastor in Charlton. His health declining, he requested a dismission, which was granted, and his pastoral relation with this people terminated September 16, 1802. He afterwards settled in Killingly, Connecticut, where he hoped he became a subject of grace, and continued there a successful preacher of the Gospel many years. Their next settled minister was Edwards Whipple, of New Braintree, ordained, January 25, 1804, with a salary of The sermon at his ordination was delivered by Rev. Na thaniel Emmons, D. D., of Franklin, which was printed, and republished in the volume of sermons of his prepared by Dr. Ide. Edwards Whipple was born at New Braintree, in 1778, and graduated at Williams college, in 1801 ; he resigned his charge over the church in 1821, and removed to Shrewsbury, where he was unanimously elected by that church as their pastor, June 25, of the same year, and on the 26th of July following received the unanimous concurrence of the society. On the 21st of September, 1821, he was regularly installed with a salary of $550 per year, to be paid him annually. It is related of him at Shrewsbury : "His manners were agreeable, and his talents of the first order; but while his parishioners were congratulating one another on the happy settlement of a colleague pastor, he was suddenly snatched from them on the 17th of September, 1822— having been sick but a few days with fever— at the age of forty-four, in the vigor of manhood ; and not a week before the picture of health, with a fair prospect of living many years to 170 CHARLTON. enjoy it. This sudden and so unexpected death threw a gloom over the parish, the recollection of which will not soon be forgotten. " The pastor of the present Calvinistic Congregational church of Charlton (which society succeeded the former Congrega tional society, over which the Rev. Edwards Whipple was pastor), communicated a portion of the foregoing, relating to Mr. Whipple, by letter of November 10, 1868, with the fol lowing remarks : ' ' Though it is nearly fifty years since Rev. Mr. Whipple left here, his memory is warmly cherished by many of the old inhabitants ; he was a man of more than ordinary abilities, pleasing in his address and man ners, and successful in his ministry. It was during his ministry that the Sabbath school was instituted in Charlton." It was six years after Mr. Whipple left before another minister was settled. In the mean time important changes took place in the church and society. The Unitarian senti ment had largely prevailed, and became a majority in num bers and interest among the proprietors of the meeting-house. Thus, in the year 1825, by a vote of proprietors, the Unitari ans declared themselves the First Congregational church and society at Charlton ; they buying out the interest of the minority — that interest then being small — in the proprietorship of the house. The history of the Unitarian society will be related in its separate character in another place. The old church and society now took the name of the Calvinistic Congregational church and society. This society, now being destitute of a house for religious worship, retired for a time to a hall, until they could build for themselves a meeting-house. Their new house was erected on the opposite side of the common, a little further to the south, and finished in 1827; on the 5th of June, same year, this house was dedicated, and on the same day the Rev. John Wilder was installed their pastor. The first general revival this church ever en- CHARLTON. 171 joyed was during the ministry of Mr. Wilder, at which time the church was nearly doubled in members. Mr. Wilder was dismissed from this church, July 2, 1833, and soon after settled in Concord, Middlesex county, but left there for Marshall, in Michigan. He eventually returned to Charlton ; was again the pastor of this society, and died here, after a pastorate of about a year. July 21, 1833, Rev. William H. Whittemore was installed their pastor. His relations with this people were not happy. He was dismissed in the autumn of 1835. He afterwards settled in Southborough, in this county ; and from there removed to New Haven, Connecticut, where, it is believed, he now resides. Mr. Whittemore was succeeded by Rev. Isaac R. Barbour, who was installed, November 23, 1836. His pastorate con tinued till August 8, 1839, when he received his dismission. His influence was much decreased by engagements in secular business, and his ministry made correspondingly less useful and effective. It was understood that up to a recent period he was living in Brooklyn, New Tork. Rev. George W. Underwood, a graduate of Amherst college, succeeded Mr. Barbour, and received ordination as pastor of this church, February 12, 1841. He is reported as sound in his faith, and possessing a strong mind, but of a temperament too nervous to endure continuous mental and physical labor in the ministry. His health failed him, and he was dismissed, March 31, 1843. He left the ministry, and for a time engaged in business in the West, but has since died. It is believed he was a native of Greenwich, Massachusetts. This church and society, after the dismission of Mr. Under wood, engaged the Rev. John Wilder, who supplied the pul pit in 1844 ; in 1845 there was a supply of preaching by Rev. Alanson Alvord; and in 1846 and 1847 Rev. Nelson Clark supplied the pulpit. There was no settled minister over this 172 CHARLTON. church after Mr. Underwood until 1855, but the pulpit was regularly supplied by Rev. John Haven, commencing in 1850, he declining a settlement until 1855, when, on the 12th of July of that year, he was duly installed their pastor, and has continued his ministry to the present time, with much satisfac tion and usefulness to his people. Mr. Haven is a native of Holliston, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Amherst college in 1834 ; he studied theology at East Windsor, Connecticut. He was settled four years at York, Maine, and ten years in Stoneham, Massachusetts, and from thence came to Charlton. ACT OF INCORPORATION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. March 3, 1798. Be it enacted, That Israel Waters, Salem Town, John Spurr, Jonas Ward, Jonathan Dennis, Ebenezer H. Phillips, Samuel Dunbar, Amasa Davis, John White, Jonathan Pratt, Elijah Ward, Thomas Fosket, Asa Dresser, Tamison Tucker, Thomas Farnum, William P. Rider, Josiah Town, Jr., Alpheus Pratt, Tliomas Edwards, Levi Gates, Ebenezer Stone, Sibley Barton, Amos Gould, Jonathan Winslow, Benjamin Douty, Free Commins, John Coburn, David Rich, John Alldis Haven, Artemus Ward, Daniel Williams, 2d, Reuben Comins, Jr., Paul Rich, Ezra Mixer, Timothy Morse, Daniel Williams, James Cousins, Ebenezer White, Jabez Willes, Moses Hammond, Nathan Mclntire, Jr., Lemuel Marcy, Daniel Needham, Alpheus Williams, Simeon Ward, Clement Coburn, Simeon Waters, Walter Merritt, Peter Stephens, John Edwards, Stephen Clemence, Samuel Lamb, Sen., David Bacon, Barnabas Cousins. Sampson Stone, Joel Parker, Edmond Eddy, William Needham, Joseph Blood, and Caleb Fitts, be and they hereby are incorporated into a religi ous society by the name of The Proprietors of the New Congregational Center Meeting-House in Charlton ; and that they and their successors, and such other persons as shall be legally admitted by them, shall be and continue a body politic and corporate forever. That Salem Town, Esq., be and he hereby is authorized to call the first meeting of the proprietors by issuing his warrant therefor. An act for incorporating the Congregational church, October 26, 1784, in the town of Charlton, and another act for incorporating same in addition thereto, passed in 1786, be and are hereby repealed. CHARLTON. 173 BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY. Many of the settlers in the west part of Oxford, which was set off and incorporated as the town ot Charlton in 1754, pro fessed the Baptist faith in matters of religion. The records of the 'town show that certificates from the Baptists were filed with the assessors in 1759, in accordance with the requirements of the Exemption law which was enacted by the Legislature in 1757. At this early period they had only occasional preaching, and many frequently visited Spencer and Leicester, and joined with those of the same faith there for worship on the Sabbath. But, as their church records show, a church was formed here, July 13, 1762, as follows : ' ' A number of brethren and sisters in Leicester, Spencer, and Charlton, having met together for some time for public worship; after conversation with each other, found that they were of one mind upon principles and practice, and that they were agreed with the united churches of the Baptist order ; holding to justification by faith alone, and baptism by immersion, and laying on of hands ; of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgments. Looking upon it to be their duty, as well as their happiness, to be conformed to Jesus Christ, in all his laws and ordinances, they agreed to come into church order, and did appoint ye 13th day of July, 1762, for this work to be done in; and did send to Stafford and Sturbridge churches to assist in coming into church order. " The day being come, a sermon was preached by Elder Noah Alden, of Stafford, from John, 17th chapter and 21st verse; and, after the sermon, they proceeded, according to former agreement, by each one giving a verbal relation of the work of God upon his heart. ' ' The covenant was then read, which, as recorded, is as follows : ' Now, in the behalf of the f orementioned articles of faith, and in presence of the Great God— Father, Son, and Holy Ghost— and by the assistance of the same, we do reverently, solemnly, and severally give up ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, to be for him and no other. And we do renounce all other Lords, as to their having any propriety in us or sovereignty over us, and our own lusts and abominations ; and do' promise, by the assistance of Divine Grace, to maintain war with the same. ' " We do likewise give up ourselves to one another by the will of God, 174 CHARLTON. and do promise by the assistance of his grace to watch over one another in love, and to maintain that mutual love and friendship between one another that is requisite to true religion, and to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We clo here submit ourselves to the gov ernment of Jesus Christ as Head of the Church, submitting to his laws, to be ruled and governed thereby, taking his word for our rule, and his spirit for our guide. "We do promise to have a due regard to all his laws, statutes, and ordinances, endeavoring to keep them holy, especially the Lord's day, with all the ordinances thereof, watching against all foolish talking and vanity, which are not convenient ; endeavoring to worship him in spirit and truth. ' ' We do promise to have a special watch and care over ourselves, not only respecting the church of God, but to behave decently towards them that are without, according to the rules of God's word. " We do promise to take care to teach all our families, and all that are committed to our trust, in the knowledge of the truth and the fear of the Lord, endeavoring to walk circumspectly before them, so that we may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. ' ' And we clo here promise, by the assistance of grace, to endeavor to encourage our brethren and sisters, in all their trials in the work of God, to rejoice with them in their joys, and to sympathize with them in their trials. "We do submit ourselves to the discipline of Christ in this church, which we clo take to be a part of his mystical body, looking upon our selves to be under great obligations thereto, not only by divine truth, but by our own declarations and covenant ; therefore being thus tied by divine truth and the pure mercy and love of God to obedience, wewould look to Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith, that he would grant us all the graces of the divine spirit, that thereby we may be enabled to the right discharge of all tlie Christian duties which are incumbent upon us. And likewise that he would open the myste ries of his word to us in a greater manner than heretofore, and so being found in him, we may be enabled to bid him welcohie at his coming, and from our hearts to cry, ' Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.' Amen." The following, at this time, made a verbal declaration of their faith and experience, and covenanted together under the foregoing : Nathaniel Green, Junior, Dorothy Shaw, John Hill, Junior, Mary Hill, Dorothy Shaw, second ; the three last named were baptized by immersion, and came under hands ; the two first named were baptized before. CHARLTON. 175 The following articles of faith are recorded in their church book of records : "First. We believe that there is one only living and true God, who is a spirit of himself from all eternity and to all eternity ; — unchangeably the same, infinitely holy, just, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, showing mercy for thousands of them that do love him, who will by no means clear the guilty ; — a true and faithful God, filling all places, and not included in any place, essentially happy in the possession of his own glorious perfections. " Second. That the one God is revealed in the Old and New Testa ments to be God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which are but one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. " Third. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa ments are the words of God, wherein he hath given us a perfect rule of faith and practice. " Fourth. We believe that God hath foreseen and permitted all things whatsoever doth come to pass — a God, just, equal, and unchangeable in himself. ' ' Fifth . We believe that God did in the beginning create the heavens and the earth, and all things that are in them, and doth still uphold them by the word of his power. "Sixth. We believe that God created our first parents upright, yet they did not long abide in this honor ; but did willfully transgress the law of their creation, in eating the forbidden fruit ; and by their sinful rebellion they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God; and all we, in them, became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts, both soul and body. They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the stead of all mankind, the guilt of our first parents' sin was imputed and their corrupt nature con veyed to all their posterity, so that we are all by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and all other miseries — spiritual, temporal, and eternal ; and. by this original guilt and corrup tion, we are utterly indisposed, disenabled, and become opposed to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. ' ' Seventh. We believe that, man being thus dead, his recovery is only in and from God. *¦!¦ Eighth. We believe that God the Father hath from all eternity chosen a number in Christ to eternal salvation. "Ninth. We believe that Christ did, in the fullness of time, take on him human nature, lived a perfect life on earth, and died an accursed death on the cross ; was buried, he arose and ascended, and ever lives to make intercession for us. " Tenth. We believe that the Holy Spirit of God proceeding from the 176 CHARLTON. Father and the Son only can and doth make a particular application of the salvation, purchased by Christ, to every elect soul. ' ' Eleventh. We believe we are of that number w7hich were chosen from eternity in Christ Jesus, and that he hath come and obeyed, and suffsred arose, and ascended ; and doth ever plead before his Father for us, which he hath given us to believe, by sending the Holy Spirit to convince us of our miserable and lost condition, and then discovering and offering to us the glorious Saviour in his suitableness and sufficiency, and enable us to embrace him with our whole souls, whereby he is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, and redemption. " Ttrelfth. We believe that the life of religion consists in the knowl edge of God, and conformity to him, in the inward man, which neces sarily produces an external conformity to his laws and ordinances. " Thirteenth. We believe that doubting in a believer is sinful, being contrary to the command of God, hurtful to the soul, and an hindrance to the performance of duties. " Fourteenth. We believe that the believers, by virtue of their union to Christ, have fellowship one with another, whereby they are made partakers of each others' gifts and graces. "Fifteenth. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of Christ, to be continued until his second coming ; and that the former is requisite to the latter: that is to say, those are to be ad mitted into the communion of the church, and participate in all ordi nances of it, who, upon profession of their faith, have been baptized by immersion, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. ' ' Sixteenth : We believe that the sole government and lordly authority over the church is in Jesus Christ, and that it is he, and he only, that can qualify and send the laborers into his vineyard ; and that he doth call his church out of the world into the kingdom of grace, and by his spirit and grace doth gather them into particular churches, and doth give them power and authority under him, to govern their own mem bers." This church, for the first five years after it was organized, adopted the ceremony of laying on of hands after baptism, as a requisite for uniting in communion, but dropped that per formance, February 26, 1767. The following twelve members were admitted, besides the five before named, under the form of laying on of hands : CHAItLTON. 177 Sept. 13, 1762, William Drury, Mary Converse, and Phebc Garfield. Sept. 24, 1762, Mary Hill. Nov. 7, " Asa Jones, from Kil- lingly church, Connecticut. Dec. 17, 1763, Mehitable Dix. June 13, 1763, Benjamin Dix. June 25, 1763, Daniel Streeter, from Sturbridge. April 26,1764, Samuel Call. July 1, " Joseph Shaw. Aug. 30, ' ' Eunice Dix. Sept. 2, " Mary Streeter. May : The laying on of hands was now omitted. > Feb. 26, 1767, Daniel Bacon and Mary his wife, and Amplias Jones, were the first baptized under the new form. June 25, " Ebenezer Davis and Deborah his wife, both baptized and joined with the church. July 3, " Ebenezer Lamson and Ruth his wife; he became a minis ter, and settled at Ashford, Connecticut, in 1778. Dec. 27, 1774, Louis Willard. Apr. 30, 1775, Lydia Green. Oct. 10, " Leah Harwood. " " Ziba Wheeler. " " Damarage Wheeler. Nov. 2, 1776, Ebenezer Lamb. Sept. 21, 1777, Susannah Thurston. " " John Smith. " Esther Eddy. June 28, 1778, Lydia Haven. Dec. 12, " Jacob Shaw. " " Mary Green. June 28, 1780, Isaac Very. " " Mary Lamb. July 20, " Olive Wheelock. Aug. 13, " Samuel Robertson. " " Stephen Fay. " " Abigail Lamb. " Job Pettes. " " Catherine Marcy. " " Sarah Marble. Aug. 21, " Jonathan Courtis. " " Isaac Harwood. " " Bezaliel Right. " " Eli Wheelock. " ' Elizabeth Hutson. " " Mary Lamb. Sept. 17, " Peter Wheelock. Sept. 13, 1767, Dolly Bemiss. July 30, 1768, Enos Jones. Apr. 30, 1769, Daniel Philips. Judith Green. Lucy Green. Abigail Stoddard. Phineas Green. Abigail Hartwell. Sarah Hill. Elizabeth Parsons. Ebenezer White. Jacob Hill. Jacob Warren. Elizabeth Warren. James Smith. Benjamin Green. James Dodge. Tabitha Green. Comfort Streeter. Mary Smith. Amos Putnam. Sarah Barrit. Anna Sprague. Daniel Richardson. Betsey Hill. Ephraim Eddy. " Caleb Blood. " Obed Warren, 13a July 24, u Aug. 27, t( Oct. 29, " July 22, 1770, Aug. 26, Dec. 30, •¦ Feb. 20, 1771. Mar. 31, ii May 26, ii Oct. 25, 1772, Feb. 25, 1773, Feb. 28, a July 25, " Aug. 26, " Mar. 4, 1774, Nov. 25, U Dec. 18, " Dec. 27, 178 CHARLTON, Sept. 17, 1780 Oct. 8, Oct. 15, u Nov. 5, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 7, " Dec. 31, " ii ii Jan. 7, 1781 n U Jan. 28, " Feb. 25, " ii ii Mar. 9, " Mar. 20, Mar. 28, April 1, April 22, Seth Jones. " Rachael Jones. " Eunice Blood. " Erastus Mclntire. " Abigail Mclntire. " Elizabeth Williams. " Eunice Harwood. " Thankful Mclntire. " Lydia Converse. 1780, Lydia Adams. " David Wheelock. " Robert Call. " Gardner Mclntire. " Sarah Palmer. " Robert Mclntire. " Thomas Wiseman. Joseph Jameson. Jacob Ames. Elijah Blood. Sarah Drury. Rebekah Curtis. Elizabeth Lamb. Abigail Thompson. Azuba Dagget. David Wheelock. William Sleeman. Mary Robertson. Joanna Lazure. Hannah Streeter. Lemuel Green. Abraham Lackey. Mary Lackey. ElizabethWheelock.Mary Jones. Sarah Thompson. BenjaminWheelock.Patience Lamb. Hannah Jones. Anna Fay. Eleanor Jones. Rachael Wheelock. Rufus Bacon. Daniel Bacon, Jr. Asa Green. April 22, 1781, Adams Wheelock. " " Sarah Green. " Hannah Hillyard. " " Eunice Mclntire. " " Abigail Wheelock. April 29, " David Brown. " " David Lamb. " William Lamb. " " Sarah Brown. " " Rebekah Mclntire. " " Sarah Marble. " " Lucy Lamb. " " Bersheba Lamb. May 6, " Aaron Wheelock. " " David Fay. " " John Bacon. " " Lucy Lamb. May 21, " Rebekah Lamb. " Elizabeth Lamb. " " Martha Lamb. June 17, " Edward Wheelock. " " Martha Wheelock. July 1, " Reuben Lamb. " " John Green. " " Kesiah Robins. July 8, " Thomas Hall. " " Anna Hall. Sept. 2. " Isaac Harwood. " " Mary Hopkins. Oct. 14, 1781, Mcht'ble Alexander. " " Experience Gleason. Oct. 28, " Benjamin Edwards. " " Eli Jones. " " Patty Bigelow. Nov. 4, " Richard Dresser. " " Sarah Lamb. Dec. 2, " KeziahEddy. Jan. 1, 1782, Susannah Gleason. March 31, April 1, April 14, May 12, Elisha Harrington. Sylvester Bemis. Rufus Green. Anna Hamilton. David Mclntire. Jonathan Lamb. 0HAELT0N. 179 Aug. 23, 1782, Hephzibah Haven. " Sarah Pratt. Nov. 3, " Jacob Bachelder. " " Lois Bachelder. Feb. 28, 1783, Henry Richardson. March 2, " John Lyscomb. '• " Mary Lyscomb. Oct. 22, " Ebenezer Lamson. June 20, 1784, Anna Hammond. July 4, '• Sarah Hill. " " Sarah Harwood. Oct. 31, 1788, Asa Corbin. Sept. 22,1793, Nancy Rathburn. " Elizabeth Wheelock. Nov. 6, 1794, Phineas Leonard. Feb. 26, 1797, Hannah Burnap. " David Dunbar. Mar. 11, 1797, Hannah Dunbar. Sept. 17, 1799, John Warren. " " Lydia Warren. " Lydia Wheelock. Nov. 18, " Joanna Vinton. May 25, 1800, Job Bank. May 10, 1801, Betsey Hill. Jan. 7, 1802, Mr. Gorton. ' Aprill7,1803, Elder C. Thompson. Dec. 9, 1804, Rhoda Coburn. Oct. 13, 1805, Rebekah Coburn. " " Betsey Goodall. Aug. 10, " Elder James Boomer, by letter from Freetown. June 10, 1809, Susan Boomer, wife of James Boomer. June 10, 1809, Sept. 24, " May 12, 1810, May 12, 1810, June 15, " U it Aug. 12, " ii ii Mar. 31,1811, May 23, " Sept. 6, " Oct. 13, " Oct. 18, " Oct. 8, 1812, Aug. 25, 1813, u ii Nov. 26,1813, ii ii April 10, 1814, Oct. 12, 1817, Oct. 26, " May 9, 1819, Nov. 13, 1821, May 11, 1822, Aug. 10, " April 13, 1823, Oct. 21, 1827, April 29,1832, May 13, " Aug. 15, 1833, Dilia Bacon. Lydia Warren. Wife of Eli Jones. Wife of Uriah Con verse. Lydia Morey. Rebekah McColly. Lucy Wheelock. Hannah Allen. Job Boomer. Rufus Fitts. Lucretia Nichols. Martin Boomer. Mrs. Parker. Salome Saunders. Lydia Burnap. Enoch Gale. Susan Gale, his wife. Nancy Borden. Ruhamah Boomer. Eliza Warren. Sarah Holman. Franklin Gale. Otis Peck. Paulina B. Marsh. Lucy Boomer. Clarissa Sprague. Cynthia Bennet. Rufus Twiss. Mrs. Wm. Boomer. Mrs. Gorton. Abba Millinda. The whole number of persons admitted to membership in this church, from 1762 to 1833, as the records show, is 217; of these, thirty-two were admitted in 1780, and sixty-five in 1781 ; which years, particularly the year 1781, were seasons of great prosperity ; while it appears that, from the first organization of the church in 1762, to the time of the death of their first pastor in 1791, it was an active and growing body. 180 CHAELTON. But during the pastorate of the succeeding ministers the church and society continued to decline, and finally ceased to exist as a regular organized body about the time of the death of their last pastor, Rev. James Boomer. The greatest number of members at any one time, so far as has been reported, was 112 in 1791, at the death of their first pastor. In 1808 there were reported ninety-three members. Ebenezer Lamson, who' was baptized and united with this church, July 3, 1767, and Caleb Blood, baptized, December 27, 1774, became ministers of the Gospel of this denomination, of considerable note. Mr. Lamson was first ordained over the Baptist church in Ashford, Connecticut, in 1778 ; Caleb Blood, after preaching in the vicinity of Charlton, and particularly in the north part of Dudley, settled at Marlow, New Hampshire, and received ordination there in 1777 ; he then, after about two years, supplied the Baptist church one year at Weston, Massachusetts, and then organized a church at Newton, be came its pastor in 1781, and labored there seven years. Sub sequently, he settled at Shaftesbury, Vermont. This church had 125 members at this time, but was increased to 350 dur ing his labors. He was appointed one of the trustees of the university of Yermont, that was established in 1791. After laboring in Vermont about twenty years, he accepted a call from the third Baptist society in Boston, and labored with them from 1807 to 1810. He then accepted a call from the first church and society in Portland, Maine, and continued his labors there until his decease, March 6, 1814, at the age of sixty, having been born at Charlton, 18th of August, 1754. He, by his settlement over the Charles Street church in Boston, in 1807, became its first pastor. " As a pastor, he was both affectionate and faithful, and was revered and loved by all who consorted with him. In doctrinehe was decidedly and strongly Calvinistic."* * See S prague'e Pulpit of the Baptist Denomination. CHARLTON. 181 The following is a copy of the letters of recommendation given by the church of Charlton to both Mr. Lamson and Mr. Blood ; to the first, dated ''February 28, 1775;" to the latter, "December 15,1775:" " The Church of Christ in- Charlton, in the Baptist Constitution, to our Sister Churches in the Same Order : "Wishing you much grace, mercy, and peace, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord: these are to siguify to you that our brother, Caleb Blood, is in good standing with us, and is a regular walker, both in the world and in the church of God; and he has mani fested to us that he has a call to preach the Gospel, upon which we have taken opportunity to examine him and improve him in that work of preaching, and it does appear to us that he has a gift for the labor ; and we recommend him unto you as such, desiring that you will improve him among you in preaching and then give the same if you are satisfied with him in the work. So we subscribe ourselves your brethren in the Lord. " NATHANIEL GREEN, Pastor:" The same letter in form was given to Ebenezer Lamson. PASTORS. At a meeting of the church, December 18, 1762, Elder Alden, being present, was chosen moderator, when, after con versation together upon the subject of calling a minister, they were unanimous in inviting Brother Nathaniel Green, and, as the records read, " for he had preached to them from the first of their meeting together." July 13, 1763, at a meeting of the church, Mr. Green was desired to give his answer to the call, when he asked them whether they meant to take his family and outward circum stances, and they answered in the affirmative, according to his necessities and then abihty. He then accepted their call. Whereupon, the church appointed the 12th day of October, 1763, for the service of ordination, at which time the churches of Stafford, Killingly, South Hadley, and Sturbridge were represented. 182 CHAKLTON. Again, Elder Noah Alden, of Stafford, was appointed moder ator, when the church and their intended pastor were examined and satisfaction given ; then followed the sermon by Elder Alden, from Isaiah, 62d chapter and 6th verse, which, being concluded, he gave the charge. The right hand of fellowship was given by Elder Whitman Jacobs. Elder Green, when ordained, resided in Leicester; also many members of this church were inhabitants of that town, and of Spencer ; but he removed himself and family to Charlton, in the year 1773. There is a vote of the church recorded, August 28, 1773 : " The church agreed for the future to style themselves the ' Church at Charlton,' because their elder has removed here." Elder Nathaniel Green was born in Stoneham, in 1721 ; his father was Captain Nathaniel Green, who moved from Stone- ham to Leicester in 1723. He was among the early settlers of Leicester. Captain Green was born in Maiden, in 1689. His children were : Elizabeth, born 1714, married Benjamin Sanderson, of Leicester, 1737; Winifred, born 1716, married Benjamin Baldwin, of Leicester, 1747 ; Nathaniel, the elder, and the subject of this work, born 1721, married Tabitha Prentice ; Mehitable, born 1724, married Samuel Call, of Leicester, 1746 ; Phineas, born 1728, and Benjamin, born 1731. This Captain Green was captain of the first infantry company in Leicester, in 1743. He was marshal in the forces preparatory for meeting the French invasion expected at Boston, caused by the attack and capture of the fortress of Louisburg in 1745, principally by Massachusetts troops. The children of Elder Nathaniel Green were : Lemuel, born 1749, lived in Spencer ; Susannah, born 1751 ; Tabitha, born 1753 ; Nathaniel, born 1755 ; Lydia, born 1758 ; John, born 1760, was a minister in Coleraine, and died in 1800. Rufus, born 1762, went to Calais, Vermont, died 1844; Mary, born CHARLTON. 183 1764; Chloe, born 1766, married Adams Wieelock; Ebenezer, born' 1769, removed to Belchertown, and died in 1848. Elder Green died at Charlton, March 20, 1791 ; his wife, Tabitha, died there, June 22, 1804. The successor in the pastorate of this church was David Rathburn, dismissed from the church of Ashford to this church, August 11, 17,92. He was dismissed, March 3, 1795. The church and society now had preaching by supply for several years. The successor of Elder Rathburn was Elder Charles Thomp son, of -Swansea, who was dismissed from the church there to the Charlton church, December 2, 1802. Elder Thompson was highly esteemed as a pastor; but his services were of short duration here : he died in Charlton, May 1, 1803. The next and last pastor of this church was Elder James Boomer, of Fall River ; his father was Martin Boomer, born in 1735, and died, June 15, 1804. Elder James Boomer was born in Freetown, now Fall River, May 26, 1759 ; converted in March, 1780 ; baptized in April following, by Elder Abner Lewis, and soon after joined the second Baptist church at Tiverton. In 1792 he married Susannah Borden, of Freetown. She died at Charlton, January 28, 1857. He was ordained with his brother-in-law, Job Borden, May 21, 1795, in the second Baptist church in Tiverton (now Fall River Baptist church), in compliance with their request ; he labored here several years as pastor. In the autumn of 1803 he received an invitation to take the pastoral care of the church in Charlton, which he accepted, and removed to that place in the spring of 1804. His education was such as he obtained from the town schools of that period; the Baptists at this time did not regard it as important that their ministers should receive collegiate education, nor deliver written ser- 1 84 CHARLTON. mons, but to speak as the spirit moved them. He was a good citizen, but for his pastoral services received but little com pensation, and was necessarily obhged to support his family by his labors on his farm. This, no doubt, was a serious drawback upon the prosperity of the church over which he ministered, and, no doubt, was one of the principal causes of its decline and ultimate withdrawal from Charlton. He was instrumental in forming the Baptist church at Ward, now Auburn. Many members of this last-named church, with other remaining members of the Charlton Bap tist church, joined in organizing a Baptist church at North Oxford, in March, 1837, referred to in the historical sketch of that town. In 1834 Elder Boomer became unable to preach, and his ministerial labors were closed. In January, 1837, he ceased to go from home, and suffered considerably from disease. He died, February 24, 1837. Among his last words were, "I have been reviewing my past life; find much in it for penitence and humility; but I believe 1 1 have been born of the Holy Spirit, and shall go to Heaven when I die." Names and date of birth of James and Susanna Boomer's children : Job B. Boomer, born, September 8, 1793; died, August 16, 1864. James Boomer, " July 30, 1795. Ruhamah Boomer, " November 23, 1797. William B. Boomer, " December 11, 1799. Martin Boomer, " April 10, 1802. Charles T. Boomer, " November 15, 1804; died, April 1, 1811. Susannah Boomer, " September 16, 1806. Rev. Job B. Boomer, the above, was a successful minister. He was baptized at the age of sixteen, and soon after devoted himself to the ministry. In 1816 he began preaching with the Baptist church at South Sutton, and was ordained in 1819. Here he spent the next twenty-four years of his life. After this he preached in several places, the last at the North CHARLTON. 185 Spencer church. Most of the foregoing has been derived from papers furnished by the daughter of James Boomer, now Mrs. Ruhamah Hammond, of this town. The following action of the brethren relating to the rights of women in a church, which took place in this Baptist church at Charlton, seems to- be worthy of preserving in these days of woman's rights associations, as showing the views of these early fathers of Charlton in such matters : " Charlton, December ye 22d, 1769. " The church met according to appointment, and, in the first place, did conclude, from what we have in the First of Corinthians, the 14th chapter, 34th and 35th verses; and the First of Timothy, ye '2d chapter, 11th verse to the end; it does appear to them that, though a woman be a member of the church, and has a right to all the privileges of the same, yet she has no right to vote nor to act in anything of such u nature ; yet she may bring her difficulties in to the church, and the church is bound to hear them, and yet she is as good an evidence as any, but no right of judging in the church." ACT OF INCORPORATION. This society was incorporated by the name of The "First Baptist Society in Charlton," March 9, 1804. The names in the act of incorporation were the following : "Benjamin Rich, Robert Fitts, Roger Bartlett, Asa Bacon, John Warren, Uriah Converse, Eli Jones, Lemuel Green, Daniel E. 'Adams, Ebenezer White, Jacob Manning, Abijah Lamb, Benjamin Wheelock, Philip Clemence, Aaron Hammond, Daniel Streeter, Daniel Bacon, Samuel Robinson, Luke Converse, Adams Wheelock, Dr. Job Brackee, John Gro- ton, Amos Wheelock, James Melende, David Bates, Daniel Bacon, Junior, Amos Putnam, Robert Mclntire, Robert Mclntire, Junior, Sarah Mclntire, and Asa Clemence, with their families and estates, together with such others as may hereafter associate with them and their successors, with all the powers and privileges, rights and immunities, to which other parishes are entitled by the constitution and laws of this commonwealth; and that the Hon. Salem Town, Esq., be and is hereby authorized to call the first meeting of said society." 186 CHARLTON. UNIVERSALISTS AND UNITARIANS. There have been, from an early period, some persons, in habitants of Charlton, who embraced the faith of this re ligious denomination. Also, those who held to the faith of restoration. It is difficult at this time to fix upon any precise date when the people of these particular denominations first held relig ious meetings in this town in support of their doctrine. But it is believed that several parties holding to this faith had oc casional meetings here about the year 1780. The records of the Baptist church of this town show that Ebenezer Davis and his wife, Deborah, were baptized and united with that church, June 25, 1767 ; and that afterwards, in the year 1779, at a church meeting, held on October 28, it is recorded that, " Whereas, Ebenezer Davis (in our opinion) holds to the doctrine of universal salvation, we withdraw the hand of fellowship from him." Also, at a church meeting held by this church, the 4th of March, 1796, it was voted that, ' ' Whereas, Our sister Anna Hall, and brother David Brown and wife, having refused to walk with this church, and joined the Universalists, this church, concluding they had labored with them according to Divine rule, voted to withdraw the hand of fellowship from them." The hand of fellowship was also withdrawn for the same reason from Gardiner Mclntire, at a meeting of this church, May 2, 1783. The doctrine of universal salvation was embraced by many in the adjoining towns about this time, particularly at Oxford, in 1777; and finally, in 17S5, an organized body of that denom ination was there established. The historical sketch of' that church is referred to in support of these statements. The establishing a society and church of this religious faith CHARLTON. 187 at Oxford served to draw together those of this denomina tion from the adjoining towns, and their numbers not being equal to the support of churches in separate parishes, there were but occasional meetings held in the other towns, but all gave their support to the society at Oxford. The following are some of the names of the ministers of this faith who preached occasionally to the friends of this de- . nomination at Charlton, in the fore part of this century, and . at an earlier period : Rev. Caleb Rich, of Warwick ; Rev. Adam Streeter, of Douglas ; Rev. Elhanan Winchester, of Philadelphia ; Rev. Elkany Ingals, of Grafton ; Rev. Thomas Barnes; Rev. Michael Coffin, of New York; and Rev. John Murray. The foregoing were the preachers who supplied before the year 1800. More recently, the Rev. Richard Carrique, Rev. Jacob Wood, and Rev. Edward Turner. Rev. Hosea Ballou, and Hosea Ballou 2d, both appeared in this vicinity early in this century. Rev. Hosea Ballou was first settled as a preacher at Dana, in this county, about 1796, and was there in 1800, and itinerated among the towns of Warren, formerly Western, Brookfield, Charlton, and Oxford ; and possessing the spirit of proselytism, he produced much effect in confirming the people of this vicinity in the doctrine and faith he preached. In 1818, a young man, the Rev. John Bisbe, preached his first sermon at Dana, and soon became generally known among people of this faith in this region. He was a preacher of rare abihty; after supplying at Western and South Brookfield, where in each of these places meeting-houses were erected for him, he was ordained at the parish of Podunk, in Brookfield, November 14, 1821 ; the house being dedicated to the wor ship of God at the same time. The public solemnities commenced at ten o'clock, a. m., by the reading of appropriate selections of Scripture, by the Rev. Edward Turner, then residing in Charlton. Introductory 188 CHARLTON. prayer by Rev. Charles Hudson, then of Westminster, in this county ; and the dedicatory prayer by Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston. The sermon was preached by Rev. Edward Turner, and the concluding prayer by Rev. J. Frieze. The Rev. John Bisbe, was ordained, in the afternoon, to the pastoral care of the Universalist societies of Brookfield and Western. The introductory prayer by Rev. Hosea Bal lou, 2d, of Roxbury ; the sermon by Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston ; ordination prayer and reading of Scripture by Edward , Turner, the right hand of fellowship by the Rev. Hosea Bal lou, and also the concluding prayer. Although the weather was unfavorable, there were collected from the adjoining towns a large assembly to witness the very interesting services. Here again the people of Charlton gave their attendance in considerable numbers. The precise time when a Universalist pastor was first settled in Charlton has not been ascertained, as there are no records that can be found at this time of their early proceedings in this respect?. It is, however, known from letters from Rev. Massena B. Ballou, that he became pastor of the Universalist society in Charlton, April 1, 1827, and remained there until the spring of 1831. This society then held their worship at the north part of the town, then known as the north side. Mr. Ballou remarks : ' ' My engagement with the society wras rather unusual, for I consented to become its pastor for one year without any knowledge of the town or people, having never seen either. I did not preach as candidate, as I had already engaged to preach to them for the year." He further says : ' ' I never passed four years of my ministerial life more pleasantly than with the good people of Charlton ; and when I thought it my duty to leave the society to remove, where I have been for forty years next 0HABLT0N. 189 spring, I am sure I never experienced a more trying separation from any people." This communication from Mr. Ballou is dated, " Stoughton, September 3, 1870." Mr. Ballou, while preaching for the Universalist society in Charlton, during the four years till 1831, also supplied preach ing part of the time for the parish at Podunk, in Brook field. Rev. Gilman Noyes was his successor, the length of time not known ; the Rev. John Boyden and Rev. Ansin Bugbee also supphed for a time, continuing this service up to the year 1838, when a new and permanent organization of the society was established by the adoption of a constitution, February 29, of said year, when the following names were subscribed to the same : William T. Rider, Dan. Lamb, Aaron Marble, John Davis, Levi Hammond, Daniel F. Russell, Aaron Willard, Samuel Hammond, William Blanchard, Freeland Converse, Freeman Cummings, Chester Comings, Lewis Comings, John Tucker, Simeon Rich, Gilbert Rich, Edward C. Cleveland Franklin M. Farnum, Simeon Lamb, Wm. B. Marble, Andrew King, Fiske Bacon, Berthier Bacon, Alpheus Davis, Aaron Lamb, Daniel S. Hall, Amasa Stone, Issacher Comins, Liberty Stone, Smith Taf t, Daniel L. Gibbs, William F. Barton, Salem Pratt, Elijah Hammond, Isaac Tower, Junior, Jacob Rich, Elbridge Ellis, Lewis Blood, Prentiss Morse, Wm. S. Taft, Jonas L. Rice, Lewis B. Blanchard, Samuel Stetson, Gibbs Dodge, Maynard Dodge, Holland Marble, Ansin Bugbee, Alvin N. Lamb, Lewis C. Capin, Leonard Knight, Aaron Lamb, Jonathan Flagg, William Litchfield, Dexter Blood, William Pierce, John D. King, Arad Sly, Jesse S. Merritt, Warren Collier, Edmond Capin, Estes A. King, William Stevens, Horace Lamson, Washington White, Mason Marble, Linus B. Lamson, Salem A. Wheelock, William H. Tucker, Judson Mclntire, 190 CHARLTON. Duty Southwick, Asa Bacon, Amasa Darling, Samuel Hall, Adams Wheelock, A. D. Gordon, Nehemiah D. Stone, Alvan Bacon, Joseph Pratt, Junior, John P. Marble, Wait Wheelock, Julius E. Tucker, William Henshaw, Alpheus White, Lyman Sibley, Sherman Sibley, Lorenzo Wheelock, Henry Clark, Francis Lamb, Samuel Dunbar, Peter Wallis, Joseph Woodbury, Caleb Fitts, Junior, Barnabas Rich, William Marble, Thomas Nichols, Rufus Nichols, Samuel S. Allen, Joseph W. Brown, Ansel Miller, Calvin Lamb, William Stevens, John M. Aklrich, Dexter Corbin, Peter H. Wallis, Aaron H. Marble, Hosea Conant, Schuyler Morris, Salem Laflin, J. Hubbard Moore, Orrin Munroe, Mowry A. Aldrich, Darling Mclntire, M. C. White, Emory W. King, George Brown, S. D. Corbin, Edward J. Comins, Warren Collier, Hosea White, Lucius HolmeSj Luther W. Amidon, Alfred Capin, Jackson Phelps, Geo. E. Russell, Clarence Fowler, Edward Smiley, E. S. Southwick, Albert C. Willard, Levi Hammond, Charles Converse, Wm. D. Horn. The first meeting of the foregoing subscribers was called by a notice, dated, " March 20, 1838," which was signed by Julius E. Tucker, Berthier Bacon, Levi Hammond, Aaron Willard, Simeon Lamb, and William Blanchard, appointing a meeting to be held April 4 following, at one o'clock, p. m. This meeting was held at the time appointed in William Stevens' Hall, in Charlton center village. Dr. Dan. Lamb, was moderator; Julius E. Tucker, clerk; and and Amos Marble, treasurer and collector. Fiske Bacon, Simeon Lamb, and Franklin M. Farnum, were chosen to contract for a teacher, to draft and circulate a subscrip tion paper for funds, and to procure a place to hold meetings. This meeting was adjourned to April 28 following, at which time it was voted that the name of the society be called " The First Union Society of Charlton." May 1, 1838, it was voted to hold their religious meetingf in the center of the town for the present. CHARLTON. 191 The society having no meeting-house, they voted, October 13, 1838, to offer the proprietors of the old house in the center of the town $650, "provided they can raise the money." The proprietors agreed to accept the offer. October 27, 1838, at an adjourned meeting, it was voted to accept the report of a committee on the estimate of cost for a suitable meeting-house, which was $4,400, and it was voted to raise this sum by chsposing of shares for the estimated cost at $20 each. The vote for disposing of shares as aforesaid was repealed, December 17, 1S3S, when it was determined to circulate a sul iscription paper for raising funds for the purpose of erecting this building for the society, and for fulfilling the contract with the town for the payment of $650 for the old meeting house. March 5, 1839, the society voted to hire Rev. Ansin Bug bee as then teacher for the ensuing year, and to raise $500 by subscription. At an adjourned meeting, held the 27th of April, 1839, it was voted to hold their meetings at the north meeting-house for the present. May 2, 1839, it was agreed to build a new house forty-five feet by sixty, and to set the south-west corner where the south-west corner of the old meeting-house now stands ; and that the building committee proceed to erect the same by the day. On the 24th of December, 1839, the society voted to insure their new building, which shows that it had been erected that year. At this meeting the building committee made report that the entire expense of taking down the old house and erecting the new was $4,115.21, the same being signed by said com mittee: Simeon Lamb, John Davis, Lewis Comins, Aaron Lamb. 192 CHARLTON. On the 3d of March, 1840, the society voted to raise the sum of $700, for preaching and arrears, by subscription, and that the Rev. Ansin Bugbee be hired the ensuing year. ¦ On the 25th of April the society voted to furnish a library for the Sunday school, and that cases to hold the same be placed on each side of the pulpit. Rev. Ansin Bugbee was engaged to preach in 1841, for $600, and it appears that $700 was voted for the year 1842. At a meeting of the society, held on October 8, 1842, Mr. Julius E. Tucker offered the following preamble and resolu tion, which were accepted : Preamble. " As the connection which has existed for four years and a half be tween Rev. Ansin Bugbee and the Union Society in Charlton is now sup posed to be dissolved, it appears to me to be proper that our friends generally should know with what kind of spirit the tie has been severed." Then the following resolution was offered : "Resolved, That inasmuch as we highly appreciate the pastoral ser vices of Brother Bugbee during the period we have sat under his minis try, it is with regret we find ourselves called upon to dissolve a connec tion that has, on our own part so happily, -and we trust so profitably, existed ; but as he has availed himself of a privilege which he had in the contract, of leaving, by giving the society three months' notice ; and in view of the advantage that may accrue to our beloved brother and pastor, and to the people of his future charge, we cheerfully submit to it, and may the blessing of God rest upon him and his family in all coming time. " Notwithstanding the passing ofthe above preamble and reso lution, Rev. Ansin Bugbee was engaged for the year beginning April 1, 1843, to preach for the society, for the sum of $500. It further appears that Mr. Bugbee was continued as the pastor of this society up to the year 1850, and that during that year he preached six months. On the 4th day of March, 1851,' it was voted that the first union society in Charlton take the name of "The First Universalist Society in Charlton." CHARLTON. 193 The Rev. M. C. Haws succeeded Mr. Bugbee in the minis try, and preached three fom-ths of the time for the years 1851 and 1852. For the year 1853 the society chose Rev. Lyman Maynard as their teacher. Rev. Mr. Rugg supplied part of theyear 1853. May 27, 1854, it was voted that the Rev. J. H. Willis be their teacher the ensuing year. Mr. Willis supplied preach ing for the society for the years 1854 and 1855 at $500 per year. There was no pastor for the year 1856. Rev. Mr. Hicks and Rev. Mr. Proctor, of Billerica, supplied part of the time. For the year 1857 Rev. Z. Baker supplied occasionally. At the society meeting, held on March 2, 1858, it was voted unanimously to engage Rev. Lucius Holmes for the ensuing year; salary, $600. It appears that Rev. Lucius Holmes continued as pastor five years, closing his services in the spring of 1863. The Rev. Clarence Fowler supplied preaching part of the year 1863. The records of the society for the years 1864, 1865, and 1866, are deficient in giving the names of any parties (if preaching was had in these years), that supplied preaching for them, leaving it to be inferred that but little interest was taken by the members generally in that respect during this period. Mr. Nehemiah B. Stone, a member of this society, who de ceased in the year 1866, bequeathed by his will the sum of five thousand dollars as a fund for its benefit, the income of which was to be used in the support of preaching for the first Universalist society of Charlton. The society, at a meeting held on November 26, 1866, chose as trustees for this fund Levi Hammond, Franklin M. Farnum, and Emory S. Southwick ; Edward Smiley attesting the same as clerk pro tern. 13a 194 CHARLTON. The records show that the Rev. Edward Smiley was unani mously elected as the teacher for the society, for the year 1867, and it is believed still continues his labors to the mutual satisfaction of himself and people. Franklin M. Farnum having deceased in 1869, a society meeting was held on September 7 of said year, to choose a trus tee for the Stone fund in place of Mr. Farnum, deceased, at which time David F. Gibbs was elected to said office. UNITARIAN SOCIETY, CHARLTON. Meetings commenced to be held by this denomination of religion in Charlton about the years 1823 or 1824. A Rev. Mr. Robinson preached this doctrine here in 1824-25; in 1826 several candidates supplied preaching for those professing a behef in this faith ; among whom were the same Rev. Mr. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Brimblecome, a Mr. Wiswell, and part of the years 1826-'27, Rev. Samuel Presbury, from Taunton. But after Rev. Mr. Presbury, in the year 1827, Rev. Ed ward Turner was installed as the pastor of a church and society organized here at this time. Some of the members of the ecclesiastical council who were present on this occasion were the venerable Dr. Bancroft, and Rev. Dr. Hill, of Worcester ; Dr. Allen, of Northborough ; Dr. Nathaniel Thayer, of Lancaster ; Rev. Dr. Thompson, of Barre ; and others, whose names have not been ascertained. Preliminary to the services of installation a church was organized, composed of the pastor elect and several laymen, as many as eight or ten, all of whom were middle-aged or elderly men. Some of whom were Major John Spurr, his brother Colonel Samuel D. Spurr, Dr. Dan. Lamb, Mr. John Davis, Salem Laflin, and David Lathe. As they never had been baptized, they came forward and stood before the pul pit, and received that ordinance at the hands of Dr. Bancroft, CHARLTON. 195 the pastor elect being one of the number. One of the coun cil, Rev. Dr. Allen, remarks at a recent period : "It was indeed an imposing spectacle, and was witnessed by a large assembly with deep emotion. Dr. Bancroft administered the rite with great dignity and much solemnity: the whole service was beautiful and appropriate, and it left an impression on my mind that time has not effaced or obscured." These remarks, giving the foregoing impressions and recol lections, were embraced in a letter to Rev. Edward Smiley, October 9, 1870, after the lapse of a period of forty years, when pastor, people, and council had all, but in few instances, passed away. There have been found no records of this society, and what has been obtained is the result of inquiry from various sources, it being from the recollection of the children of Rev. Mr. Turner, and that of elderly persons who were familiar with the facts and circumstances as they occurred. Mr. Turner's installation at Charlton, before referred to, was on the 18th of June, 1827 ; and his services closed in May, 1831, quite abruptly. It is reported that his support depended somehow upon a fund that had been secured by sub scription, and these subscribers, several of them, became dissat isfied ; and through this dissatisfaction a vote of dismissal was passed, continuing his salary to November following, giving him liberty to continue his preaching to the society or riot, as he might choose, after May 1 to November 1, 1831. This abrupt dismissal was to him unexpected, and caused him much grief. He remarks in a letter to a friend : "The proceedings of a majority of the society wound my feelings. 1 may have deserved this, but certainly not at their hands." The dismission of Mr. Turner was the dissolution and close of the Unitarian society in Charlton. This effect was pro duced bv different causes; some influential members had 196 CHARLTON. removed from' the town, and some others deceased, while many who joined in establishing this society were in their religious faith Universalists, and, after a few years, joined with those who, during the existence of this society, had maintained preaching of that order at the north side, and thus united, organized the Universalist society now existing; the history of which is related in another place. The general appearance and character of Rev. Edward Turner is briefly given in a part of the biographical sketch by Dr. E. G. Brooks, published in the Universalist Quarterly, in the April and July numbers of 1871, as follows : " As I recall him, this comes to me as the thought certain, first of all, to occur to any one meeting him. He had a face of apostolic sweetness and benignity, and his whole air and presence were in harmony with it. He was fully six feet in stature, spare, light-complexioned, with hair thin and gray ever after I knew him, and giving indications of a lack of physical stamina. In the pulpit he presented a fine figure, erect and dignified, compromised possibly by a little loll. But in walking he had a kind of roll, with a slight stoop, and just a suggestion of weakness at. the knees, which, while detracting a little from the dignity of his bear ing, took from him what would otherwise have been the firmness and elasticity of his tread. Were I, indeed, required to give the best possible idea of his general appearance, physically, I should say that, while it had in it nothing in the slightest degree awkward or ungainly, it re minded one of a tall lad who has grown too rapidly, and whose gait and movements reveal the absence of the needed muscular development. This was the consequence of a severe illness about 1809 or 1811. " Previous to this he is said to have been erect, robust, firm of step, weighing between 200 and 300 pounds. But recovering, he left his chamber another man, and ever after had the appearance described. " This change in him physically seems to have been the outward ex pression of a corresponding change in him in other particulars. Before this sickness, like his friend Ballou, he had been exclusively an extem poraneous preacher, and is said to have been one of the rousing sort, live, vehement, electric. But from this period his whole manner changed, and his ordinary preaching became moderate and more subdued. ' ' Mr. Turner can be properly estimated only as he is thought of as a large-minded and able man. He had immense latent power, and some times, where occasion required, rose into impassioned and commanding eloquence. In his mental totality, Mr. Turner was fully the equal of Mr. Ballou." BIOGRAPHICAL, CHAPTER III. EDWARD TURNER. f I iHERE was no preacher of the Gospel whose name and character was more generally known and respected in all of the towns in Worcester South Congressional District, during the period from 1800 to 1830, than that of Edward Turner. Quoting again from Dr. Brooks in his sketch of Mr. Turner, published in The Universalist Quarterly, for April, 1871, he remarks as follows: " The name of Edward Turner is one of the most conspicuous in our early history. The late Dr. Ballou once spoke of him as ' for a long period one of the most distinguished ornaments of our ministry. ' "He was not only the associate and friend, but considered in his wholeness, the acknowledged peer of Hosea Ballou. Very unlike, but drawn together by those subtle and inexplicable attractions which so often bind persons of the most opposite qualities into the closest intimacy, these two men were for years (in a high sense) the par nobile fratrvm — the David and Jonathan of our forming church ; one in council, one in much of their labor, and one in the hearts of the people. But (as all Universalists will think), in an unfortunate day for Mr. Turner, he saw it to be his duty, as he believed, to separate himself from the church which he had so efficiently helped.to found and build ; and leaving us — to pass into an obscurity in his new relations which his ability and pre vious eminence should have made impossible — he has gradually faded out of our denominational memory." Again he remarks : ' ' His separation from us was the result of differences which have gone 1 98 CHARLTON. into our history, written and traditional, on the representations of those not in sympathy with him. On this account, so far as any impression of him does remain, it is, doubtless, for the most part unfavorable — an im pression that he was quite another than the gentle, noble, unselfish, unambitious man he really was. " Mr. Turner, it is probably not too much to say, was the foremost man in our early church, in respect to scholarly and literary attainments." Dr. Brooks designates Messrs. Jones, Ballou, Kneeland, and Turner, as (in 1811) the most active and influential ofthe Universalist ministry ; and speaking of his association, in successive years, with Messrs. Ballou, Jones, Dean, and Wood, on a committee to prepare a history of Universalism, Dr. Whittemore says : "That Mr. Turner was better qualified undoubtedly than either of his associates for the work proposed. "He had decided literary tastes. He was a large reader — a love of books being one of his passions even to the end. He was a thinker, too, holding his opinions as the results of his own mental processes, with a constant and consistent reference to all the fundamental principles of the Gospel, which made him, doubtless, not only the best read, but the most systematic and comprehensive theologian among our primitive neophytes." Edward Turner was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, July 28, 1776. His father was Seth Turner, a quiet, honest, benev olent man, a farmer, very fond of books. Edward was sent to a school conducted by the celebrated Hannah Adams and her sister, where he was taught his letters ; and in later years he frequently spoke of the Adams family as kindly neighbors, the use of whose books was freely granted to his father and himself. In 1786 his father removed to Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Here the taste of the father for books, no doubt, helped to form that of his son. In his seventeenth year he entered the academy at Leicester. How long he was a student there has not been ascertained. Also, when or how he became a Universalist. CHARLTON. 199 He was educated under " orthodox " influence, but the tow,ns in this section of Worcester county were those where Universalism was first preached, as the historical account of the society at Oxford will show. He favored the doctrine of Universalism as early as his sixteenth or seventeenth year. He was married in his nineteenth year, 1794, to Miss Amy Pike, of Sturbridge. He did not begin to preach until 1798, when, at twenty-two years of age, he preached his first sermon at Bennington, Vermont. In the records of the Universalist convention for A. D., 1800, it is stated that he received a letter of license to preach as a minister of that denomination. The record also says that, on the first day of the session, September 17, " Brother E. Turner preached an excellent discourse from Psalms, lxxii, 16." It is recorded further that, on the afternoon of the same day, the convention voted that the well-beloved Hosea Ballou, Zephaniah Lathe, and Caleb Rich, ministers of the Gospel of peace, do attend to the ordi nation of the approved brother, Edward Turner, at such time and place as the society, council, and candidate may appoint, He was also associated with Hosea Ballou and Ebenezer Paine to examine the credentials of applicants for ordination, and to ordain, if so requested, during the recess of the convention . And still further, at the same session, he was made one of a com mittee, Messrs. Ballou and Paine being his associates, instructed to repair to New Marlborough, Massachusetts, and faithfully to examine the complaints of the society in that place against a brother in the ministry, and if he is found faulty, to deal with him in the spirit and power of discipline, to exhort, reprove, or rebuke, and if need be, to deny him the fellowship of this convention. As Mr. Brooks remarks : "All this indicates that not only was lie already an excellent preacher, well established in the confidence of his brethren, but that, though so young, his character and maturity of judgment were deemed sufficient 200 CHARLTON. to warrant them in intrusting him with the gravest duties. Let it be summarily added, that from this time till 1824 his name appears in the records nearly every year, and that he was seldom without some im portant appointment, telling of his high appreciation by this denomi nation." Mr. Turner continued to make Sturbridge his place of resi dence until 1808. His first wife died May 8, 1807, leaving him with four children, whose names were Mary (Mrs. Weld), born May 20, 1795 ; Experience, born August 3, 1798, mar ried Mr. C. Rice, died March 17, 1835 ; Cassandana, born July 21, 1800; and died at Salem, September 6, 1813; Edward, born October 7, 1805, died at Burrillville, Rhode Island, November, 1835. In 1808 he married his second wife, Miss Lucy Davis, of Charlton, and by her had four children, whose names were Amy, born at Charlton, January 20, 1809, married Benjamin Brown, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts ; Martha Davis, born January 17, 1811, married Captain Charles Brewer, of Jamaica Plain; Lucy Ann, born October 17, 1816, at Charlton, died at that place in October, 1829 ; Charles Henry, born at Charlestown, October, 1818, and died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, March 22, 1833. In the early part of his ministerial labors the Universalists had but few settled ministers, but there were many unorgan ized persons of this faith ia Massachusetts, in many towns, who frequently assembled together for hearing preaching of this order, and for the supply of these assemblies Mr. Turner itinerated about eleven years. Some of the places where he preached during this period were Sturbridge (his place of resi dence), Charlton, Oxford, Brookfield, Dudley; the Poll Parish (then known as Honest Town, but incorporated as the town of Southbridge in 1816), Bennington, Vermont; Milford, Salem, Gloucester, and Boston ; in this latter place he was occasion ally invited by the founder of this denomination, the Rev. John Murray, to supply his pulpit during his declining years. CHABLT0N. 201 As Mr. Turner was regarded by Mr. Murray as a rising man, and one of the first in talents of this order at this time, he contemplated having him as his successor for the pastor of the first Universalist church and society in Boston. The call of the Salem church, and perhaps some other cir cumstances, intervened to defeat the design of Mr. Murray, and Mr. Turner became the pastor of the Salem church in 1809, where he was installed June 22 of that year. Here Mr. Turner remained until on June in 1814, when he accepted a call to Charlestown, Massachusetts. During his residence here a controversy arose as to future punishments ; this ques tion was waged with great spirit, and not without considerable ill-feeling between the two sections of this denomination. Up to this time the doctrine of future punishment was universally held by this order. The parties selected to discuss this ques tion were Mr. Turner and Hosea Ballou, the first sustaining the usual behef of all parties in the denomination, and the latter the new idea of immediate bliss after death. It is reported that Mr. Ballou had said, that he could not say that he was fully satisfied that the Bible taught no punishment in the future world, until he obtained this satisfaction during the progress of this discussion. The letters containing this discussion were published in the paper called The Gospel Visitant. The result led Mr. Ballou at once to commit himself against future punishment. In this decision he found some of the younger ministers very earnest supporters, particularly Rev. Thomas Whitte more, which finally carried the larger part of this denomina tion into the full embrace of this new departure. Mr. Turner's faith in the doctrine which he and the minis ters generally had maintained, who preached universal salva tion, was not shaken, and thus he continued preaching that punishment must necessarily, as was taught by the Scripturesj follow the unrepentant, but that in due time all would be 202 CHARLTON. restored to a state of happiness. He, and those who sustained the former doctrine of the denomination, regarded this new departure as contrary to Scripture, and attended with mischiev ous consequences to society ; that the good name of Univers alism was being compromised, and that just occasion was being given to suspect its moral influence ; that these new teachings were, in effect, bad. On the side of Mr. Turner there were many of the older ministers, Rev. Paul Dean, Charles Hudson, Barzillai Streeter, Jacob Wood, and Levi Briggs. Several of his parishioners in this society sympathized with Mr. Ballou, and embraced the new doctrine, and these con verts to the new faith soon began to move for his dismission from the Charlestown society, and for several years created a disagreeable division among his people, which resulted in his preaching his closing sermon, October 6, 1823. He continued at Charlestown to preach to fully half of the members of that society, who withdrew and held their meetings in the town-hall, until March, 1824, when he accepted an invitation to settle over a Universalist society at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He continued there till 1828, when, after much deliberation, he accepted an invitation to become pastor of the Unitarian society in Charlton. This act, on the part of the Universalists, was by many regarded as a wrong step, as in fact he had not withdrawn his connection from their association before accepting this invita tion ; and, furthermore, there was then a society of Universal ists in that town. Accordingly, the southern association soon after passed a vote of censure or disapprobation for his connecting himself with the Unitarians ; this act Mr. Turner regarded as meddle some and contrary to right and proper usage. In a letter to Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, Mr. Turner writes as follows : CHARLTON. 203 "Asking to be dismissed is an act merely formal. I intended, and still intend, to take up my connection with your order at the meeting of the convention. This I should have had to do even if I had applied to the southern association. I have purposely avoided increasing the num ber and consequent trouble of such formal transactions." The following is the resolution passed by the association : Voted unanimously: "That notwithstanding we individually disap prove the conduct of Rev. Edward Turner in placing himself at the head of a society in Charlton, which is in opposition to a Universalist society in that place, and in connection with a body which disclaims all fellow ship with the order of Universalist Christians, this association submits the consideration of the subject to the general convention." Rev. Mr. Cobb, in reply to Mr. Turner, who complained of this action, wrote as follows : "The case, as it stood before us, may be thus stated: A Universalist minister, in full connection with the Universalist order of Christians, had consented to take the lead of a party in Charlton against the inter est of a society in the same place which was in our fellowship, and the interest of which he was of course under solemn obligation to aid. We did not consider you as having separated yourself from our connection. We do not contend that you ever put yourself under obligation to aid the interests of the Universalist order as long as you live ; but we con tend that, when one comes into the fellowship of our convention, he conies under a particular obligation to aid our common cause ; and that this obligation continues as long as he continues in our connection. And if you judge you have a right to exert your influence, either for or against our order, as you choose, before you take up your connection with us, we judge that we have a right to express to the world our approbation or disapprobation of the course you take. I know that the association recognizes the principle you contend for — that one has a right to with draw from our connection without being censured for it ; and the con sideration of your case was put off from the first to the second day, with the hope that, before the close of the session, we should receive from you some communication, which would relieve us from the disagreeable necessity of maintaining the credit and discipline of our order by a vote of disapprobation." The minutes of the session of the Universalist association, held at Cavendish, Vermont, in 1828, give the following mem orandum — records of the convention : 204 CHARLTON. ' ' Received a request from Rev. Edward Turner, that his connection with this body be dissolved; whereupon, voted that said request be granted." The invitation by the people of Charlton to Mr. Turner to become the pastor of the Unitarian society about being formed was in November, 1827. Immediately (November 13) he wrote to the wardens of his . parish, asking their advice as to his leaving. On the 27th he wrote to the Rev. L. Willis : "Tou may have heard that I have been invited to settle over a Uni tarian society in Charlton, Massachusetts. This is actually the case, and I wish your opinion on the subject. The society is probably, to a man, on the restoration ground. It is in part formed of persons who were my hearers and supporters in the early part of my ministry. I should be the same man I have ever been, and preach the same doctrine." His decision was not probably reached till January or February. This acceptance was, no doubt, the mistake of his life ; it led to his withdrawal from all his old associations, resting his chances for future success and a living upon a connection at least doubtful ; and as he says, with those who profess restor ation, which he acknowledges was then his belief, as it had been heretofore. With his present belief he could not be received into the association with Unitarians, although installed as such over the church and society in Charlton. He, no doubt, was led to this partly from old associations, being the scene of his early life and first association in the ministry. He, also, no doubt, hoped that the connection with the people of Charlton would be a permanent settlement, where he would receive a reasonable support, and be with drawn from the disagreeable differences which had been a great perplexity to his naturally peaceful and quiet disposition. In all this he was to be disappointed, as a large portion of his hearers at Charlton sympathized with Universalism, in its CHARLTON. 205 recently declared faith, which soon produced a division in his society, and caused his dismission in May, 1831. He spent the winter of 1831-'32 at the South; and in July, 1832, he became minister of a small Unitarian- society at Fishkill Landing, New York. Here he continued until the spring of 1840, when his family went to Charlestown, Massa chusetts, to reside for a year, with his son-in-law, Mr. Brown, then of that place. In March, 1841, he and Mrs. Turner removed to Jamaica Plain, to a home left by their son-in-law, Captain Brewer, in their care during his absence with his wife to the Sandwich Islands, and in his family they happily passed the remainder of their days. After leaving Fishkill, Mr. Turner preached nearly every Sabbath up to within two or three years of his death, spend ing considerable time by way of supply, at Burlington, Ver mont ; North Easton, Westminster, Boylston, Barnstable, and South Natick, Massachusetts; and he occasionally preached up to the last of his days. He was present as one of the bearers at the funeral of his old friend and co-worker, Mr. Ballou, June 9, 1852. In Octo ber of that year he preached for the last time in the Unitarian church, at West Roxbury. "No decline in his health had been observed, except the advance of age ; and amidst his children and his books, with his faithful compan ion at his side, surrounded with everything to minister to his happiness, his days were passing in a serene, beautiful and (for him) vigorous old age, when suddenly, on Friday, January 14, 1853, while reading, he was attacked with chills, and the usual symptoms of a severe cold. Calling him to dinner, the servant found him too ill to go to the table. He im mediately took his bed, and was comfortably sick for about a week. He died early Monday morning, January 24, at the age of seventy -six years and six months."* * This biographical sketch has been derived from information furnished by his children, particularly Mrs. Weld; and the biographical sketch written by Rev. E. Cj. Brooks, D. D., published in the April and July numbers of The Universalist, for the year 1871; also, from along personal acquaintance by this writer, having often heard him preach in the south part of Worcester county, while he resided in that vicinity. 206 CHARLTON. JOHN BISBE. Rev. John Bisbe was born in Plympton, Massachusetts, May 12, 1794. He was the oldest son and child of John Bisbe and Lydia Soule. He was educated at Brown univer sity, Providence, Rhode Island. His father intended him for a Calvinistic minister, but while in college he heard Rev. Richard Carrique preach Universalism, which called his atten tion to the merits of that doctrine. He was reared, in his father's family, in the strictest sense of the Calvinistic faith, his father being a deacon of a church of that order. He had a severe conflict in his mind before accepting the faith of Uni versalism ; his father being much displeased with him on that account, especially as he had intended him for the ministry of the faith he professed. It caused him great grief to differ with his father, but a sense of duty, in support of what he believed the teachings of the Scriptures, impelled him to adopt the faith of Univer salism. He now appears to have for a time abandoned the idea of being a minister of the Gospel, and commenced the study of law at Taunton, in the office of the Hon. Marcus Morton, where he continued fifteen months. But this profession was not adapted to his taste and inclination. His religious feeling and nice discrimination between right and wrong would not permit him to join in the ordinary contests of the legal pro fession. His gentle temperament and conscientious scruples deterred him from entering upon a life of contest suitable to the re quirements of a lawyer engaged in trials of litigation. The Bible was much preferred to law books ; his delight and chief happiness was the study of the Scriptures, particularly the new dispensation ; this led him back to his first decision: that of a preacher of the Gospel. CHARLTON. 207 He now abandoned the law, and gave his attention to the ology. His studies in this direction were mostly without a teacher ; he was an apt scholar, and soon became learned in the Scriptures. With a natural and easy flow of language, and possessing an acute and logical mind, it was easy for him to discuss questions in theology, or to illustrate portions of Scripture in a manner to command the attention of intelligent minds. He joined the Universalist denomination at their general convention held at Claremont, New Hampshire, in the year 1818, and received ordination and license to preach according to that order. His first sermon was preached at Dana, Massachusetts, and the next at Hardwick. He was at once regarded as a preacher of a high order in point of eloquence and logical reasoning. He then preached for the Universalists at Western (now Warren), and at Brookfield, in the parish of Podunk. At both places he gained many hearers, and soon created such an interest with the people in his behalf and the cause of Uni versalism, that a meeting-house was erected for him at each of these places. These houses were dedicated to the worship of God, and he ordained as pastor over the two societies, on the 14th of November, 1821. During this period he established a high school at Podunk, for the instruction of young ladies and gentlemen, in the usual branches of academical studies, which soon became of high repute. Here, on the 9th of June, 1823, he was married to one of his pupils, Miss Mercy Ruggles, daughter of Constant Rug- gles, Esq., of Hardwick, and continued to reside at South Brookfield until he accepted an invitation to become pastor of a Universalist society at Hartford, in the autumn of 1824, where he preached three years. 208 CHARLTON. Here he had a call to become pastor of a Universalist society in Philadelphia, another of that order in New York, and a third from a Universalist society in Portland, Maine. He accepted the latter, removed to Portland, in July, 1827, and became greatly beloved and admired by his parishioners. Here he caught a violent cold, and in attempting to address a temperance assemblage about the 1st of March, 1829, his exertion aggravated his disease, producing pneumonia, which terminated his life on the 8th instant, following, at the age of thirty-four years and ten months. His advance as a preacher, and the brilliancy of his powers of elocution, caused his death to be greatly lamented through out this denomination ; all felt that a great hope had been disappointed in his early decease. He was one of the first to encourage the establishing of Sabbath schools in this denomination, and was among the first who engaged in the cause of temperance. He was active wherever he labored in promoting the cause of religion, and those things which tended to advance the moral and social character of the people. He established Bible classes, and held frequent meetings for conference and prayer, taking the lead, and making zealous efforts to interest his people in all practical ways which would tend to their general welfare. He preached extemporaneously, simply having a few words to remind him of the points and order in which the subject was to be discussed ; and from his choice of words, and the connected manner in which his subject was treated, it could scarcely be imagined that he was not preaching from full notes. He was remarkable for the purity and beauty of his diction, and so familiar was he with the meaning of words, and so choice in their use, that a critic once said of him, " that he never used a word when there was a better one in the English language to express his meaning." CHARLTON. 209 His conscientiousness was remarkable and carried to the minutest details of life ; he would not allow the slightest departure from strict truth, either expressed or implied. He was so nice and scrupulous that, when a suit of clothes came from his tailor, he could not be induced to wear them until they had been paid for. The disease which terminated his life continued but eight days, and near its close he requested that his society should be informed that he was firm in the faith which he had preached to them, and that he saw with clearer vision than ever before the spiritual world and its glories. He was a prayerful and devout Christian ; it was his daily custom to read the Scriptures to his family, and lead them in prayer each morning before entering upon his daily duties. He was a constant reader of the Scriptures, and the last chapter which he read with his family was the 17th chapter of Job, beginning, "My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me." It was a singular circumstance, as he was then in usual health, but was taken severely ill that night and never again rose from his bed. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas King, father of T. Starr King, and the church was crowded with people of the different religious denominations, who mani fested much feeling and regret for the loss of a man who had, by his purity of character and kindly deportment, made him self beloved and respected by all who had his acquaintance. Although comparatively a young man, he possessed the wis dom and discretion of a person full of years ; his parishioners felt the shock of his sudden departure from them, as they loved him as a friend and faithful guide, and knew it would be diffi cult, if possible, to fill his place again. Three children were the fruit of his marriage with Miss Ruggles : Lanrelia Ruggles, born May 31, 1824, died Octo ber 8, 1825 ; Lydia Laurelia, born August 10, 1826, is now 14a 210 CHARLTON. living in Orange, New Jersey, the wife of David H. Ropes, Esq. ; they have four children, three sons and one daughter, the only descendants of John Bisbe that now survive. Charlotte Ruggles, the third daughter of John Bisbe, and Mercy, his wife, was born, June 6, 1828, and died, November 29, 1832. His widow was married, April 8, 1833, to Captain Daniel Jackson of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and had by her second marriage eight children — three daughters and five sons. Cap tain Jackson died, February 1, 1852. Mrs. Jackson had, pre vious to her husband's decease, in the year 1842, commenced the practice of medicine at Plymouth, and continued to practice at that place until 1860, when she removed to Boston, after attending a course of studies at the New England Female college, where she received the degree of M. D. She at this time has quite an extensive practice at Boston, among the best class of people, and has secured for herself a liberal competency. The personal appearance of Mr. Bisbe was peculiar and very noticeable ; once seen could not easily be forgotten. He was thin, in stature rather tall, and light complexion. His hair something of a nondescript in color ; it had a yellow tinge, nearly a cream color, with eyebrows nearly white. His thorough knowledge of history and political affairs caused frequent requisitions upon his time for the delivery of addresses and orations, which he executed with signal ability. His oratory was pleasing and attractive, always drawing a full house. REV. JOHN BOYDEN. John Boyden was a native of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, born in 1808 or 1809. His father was a very respectable farmer, and united with the society of Universalists in the parish of Podunk, South Brookfield, and a constant at tendant upon the preaching of Rev. John Bisbe while he CHARLTON. 211 was the pastor of that society. It was in the select school established at this place by Rev. Mr. Bisbe that young Boyden received most of his education in the higher branches of learn ing, and probably drew his inspiration in favor of the pro fession of a preacher of the Gospel. He commenced the occupation of school-teacher about the age of sixteen, and for a time taught an annual school in New York, in a town on the Hudson river. While on a visit to his father's family, he met Rev. Massena B. Ballou, then the pastor of the Universalist society in the north part of Charlton, but who occasionally supphed preach ing for the society in the parish of Podunk, where he formed the acquaintance of the elder Boyden, and frequently visited his family. It was on one of these visits that Mr. Ballou met young Boyden, and became much interested in him, discov ering that his young acquaintance possessed more than ordinary abihty, evincing knowledge beyond that usually of persons of his age. It was at this first interview that Mr. Ballou suggested the idea of his preparing himself for the ministry ; in this the young man acquiesced, and requested his aid, and soon after became a member of his family, where he commenced reading under the guidance of Mr. Ballon, preparatory for the ministry. Having spent several months in this family, it was deemed advisable to continue his studies where he could possess better and more enlarged advantages, and with this object in view he placed himself under the care of Hosea Ballou, in Boston, where he completed his ministerial education. He had not been long there before Mr. Ballou sent him to preach to some destitute societies. His first sermon was preached at Gloucester, and for a year he preached occasionally in the vicinity of Boston ; then re ceived an invitation to reside in the family of Rev. Menzies 212 CHARLTON. Rayner, then of East Hartford, Connecticut, where he re mained about a year, preaching in various towns in that State. He was, in 1831, married to Miss Sarah Jacobs, sister of the wife of Rev. Massena B. Ballou, and soon was invited and became pastor of the Universalist church in Berlin, Connec ticut, and was esteemed a very successful and good preacher. - He was next settled several years in Dudley, Massachusetts ; while here he occasionally preached at Southbridge, Charlton, Brookfield, and Oxford, and became generally beloved and respected by the people of this faith in the vicinity. Having closed his pastorate at Dudley, commencing in 1835 and end ing in 1840, he was invited to take charge of the Universalist society in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where he continued until his death, which occurred, September 28, 1869, at the age of sixty-one, having been pastor of this society in Woon socket twenty-nine years, where he was greatly beloved, and his death sincerely lamented. The south part of Worcester county has been the scene where many of the most able and celebrated ministers of the Universalist faith have frequently preached their doctrine, and aided in rearing the several churches of this denomination. John Murray, one of the pioneers in this faith, occasionally appeared here. He participated in the proceedings of the first Universalist convention, which met at Oxford in 1785, and adopted the name of " Independent Christian Univers alists," as their denominational title. Mr. Murray was a native of England, born in Alton, Hampshire county, Decem ber 10, 1741, and died at Boston, Massachusetts, September 3, 1815. He came to America in 1770, at the age of twenty- nine years. Under the preaching of Wesley and Whitfield he became a convert to Methodism, and occasionally preached in connection with Rev. John Wesley ; but soon after his ar rival in America he adopted the faith of Universalism, and was excommunicated therefor from the Methodist connection. He CHARLTON. 213 appeared in this country first in New York and New Jersey, then at Newport, Rhode Island, at Boston, Portsmouth, and many other places in New England, and finally settled at Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1774. His preaching every where was vigorous and effective. In 1775 he received the appointment of chaplain for three regiments from Rhode Island, then encamped before Boston, but owing to ill-health his connection with the army was closed, and he returned to Gloucester and served the Universalists there again. In 1783 he became plaintiff in an action brought to recover property belonging to people of this denomination, which had been ap propriated to the expenses of the original orthodox society of Gloucester, on the ground that Universalists were not a soci ety legally authorized and vested with civil and corporate powers. The decision of the court in his favor established an important principle in the constitution of religious societies. In 1793 he was settled over a society in Boston. From his activity in disseminating the principles of the Universalists, he is regarded as the father of Universalism in America. Jto" MASSENA B. BALLOU. The Rev. Massena B. Ballou, who was settled for a time over the Universalist society in Charlton, was the second son of Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston, who was for about forty years pastor of the Universalist society in School street in that city. The late Hosea Ballou here referred to was born in the town of Richmond, New Hampshire, April 30, 1771, and his wife, whose maiden name was Ruth Washburn, was born at Williamsburg, Massachusetts, the 17th of September, 1778. They were married, September 15, 1796, and had three sons and six daughters. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Dana, Massachusetts, November 28, 1800, but before his remem- 214 CHARLTON. brance his father, who had his first settlement at Dana, re moved to Barnard, Vermont, in the year 1803, where this son resided seven years, and attended the district school there, kept part of the time by his father. He then removed with his father to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he was settled as pastor over the society of Universalists, and re mained there about seven years, till 1815, and here this sub ject again attended the town school, and then followed his father to Salem, Massachusetts, where he preached about two years, until invited to become pastor of the second Universal ist society in Boston, in 1817, in December. This society had then just finished their meeting-house, the present venerable structure on School street, where on the 25th of said month he received installation. Rev. Paul Dean preached the ser mon from Acts xx, 24th, and also gave the fellowship of the churches. Rev. Edward Turner, then of Charlestown, made the installing prayer and gave the charge ; and the Rev. Joshua Flagg, who succeeded Mr. Ballou at Salem, offered the concluding prayer. Mr. Ballou continued to be con nected with this society till his decease, June 7, 1852. The funeral was on the 9th following, and the reverend gentle men whose names follow were pall-bearers : Rev. Daniel Sharp, D. D. " S. Barrett, " " S. Cobb, " L. R. Paige, Rev. Edward Turner, S. Streeter, Thomas Whittemore, " Josiah Gilman. The foregoing brief reference to the father of the present subject of this sketch is here given from the fact that Rev. Hosea Ballou frequently appeared in the south part of the county of Worcester as a preacher, and his influence exerted great effect upon the people in directing their attention to this faith, and next to Rev. Edward Turner no one did more to build up this doctrine in this vicinity than he. OHARLTON. 215 After his father removed and settled in Boston, Massena was sent to the academy at Dudley, then under the manage ment of the Universalists, soon after it was established by Mr. Amasa Nichols, whose name it then bore ; and then he was engaged in a wholesale store as clerk, and boarded dur ing that time in his father's family, where were several young gentlemen students for the ministry. Here, becoming ac quainted with these young men and with their ideas, he con ceived the plan of becoming a preacher of the Gospel. His preparatory studies were at once commenced with his father. Having pursued these studies till the year 1821, then, on application to the convention assembled at Warner, New Hampshire, he received a letter of fellowship, signed by his father, as moderator, and by his cousin, the Rev. Hosea Ballow, 2d, as clerk of the session of that convention. He first preached in his father's pulpit in Boston, and in other churches of the order in that vicinity, and soon after was married to Mary Sheffield Jacobs, of Scituate, who was born in 1806. Soon after his marriage Mr. Ballou moved to Lancaster, Massachusetts, where he took charge of two societies — one in Shirley village, and the other at Marlborough — and while at Lancaster preached occasionally in Lowell. While located at Lancaster he received the invitation to settle at Charlton, where he removed in April, 1827, and remained as pastor till the spring of 1831, about four years ; then removed to Stough ton, where he has resided since. His pastorate continued at Stoughton over the first church and parish till 1853, when he resigned on account of ill-health, having served that society twenty-two years. The result of his marriage was four children, three hving in the year 1870, two sons and a daughter. Mrs. Bajlou at this time is hving, and both, although deep in years, retain a good degree of health, with favorable prospects. 216 CHARLTON. REV. THOMAS WHITTEMORE. Rev. Thomas Whittemore was another leader in the Uni versalist denomination ; he for many years appeared in this vicinity on most important occasions, and was in no respect inferior in his ability as a successful propagandist and preacher among the other foremost leaders. He was born in that part of Boston known as Copp's Hill, January 1, 1800. When a youth he was twice apprenticed — first to a leather dresser, and next to a shoemaker ; in the last business he remained several years, until the age of twenty- one. His father was a. member of the orthodox church, where the celebrated Rev. Jedediah Morse was pastor ; but this son having occasionally attended service at the Universalist church, where Rev. Edward Turner was pastor, had his faith much shaken in regard to the Calvinistic doctrine. During the last year of his apprenticeship he became ac quainted with the Rev. Hosea Ballou, and became greatly attached to him ; and being engaged as a musician to play upon a bass viol in his church, soon became confirmed in the doctrine of that order. He, while here, formed the decision to prepare himself for a preacher of the Gospel, and having studied a few months with Mr. Ballou, received an invita tion to settle as pastor over a society at Milford, Massa chusetts. Here he formed an acquaintance with Lovice, daughter of John Corbit, Esq., and was married to her in September fol lowing, 1821. After spending a year in Milford, Mr. Whittemore removed to Cambridgeport, took charge of the Universalist society there, and at once became joint editor of The Universalist Magazine Hvith the Rev. Hosea Ballou. During this period he became very active in the cause of this faith, and lectured in various places in that vicinity, mostly at Maiden, Medford, CHARLTON. 217 West Cambridge, Newton, and Quincy, and sometimes in Boston, preaching both on the Sabbath and on other days in the week ; not unfrequently extending his visits into the interior of the country. In 1828 he commenced publishing The Trumpet, in connec tion with Rev. Russell Streeter, pastor of the society at Water- town ; the first issue was July 5, 1828. The circulation be came large, about 6,000, and it was one of the most efficient publications of the denomination. Mr. Streeter continued in this connection only four months, when Mr .Whittemore became sole proprietor. In 1 830 he published his " History of Modern Universalism." In March, 1831, Mr. Whittemore resigned his pastorship of the society in Cambridge. In May following he was elected member of the Massachusetts Legislature from Cambridge, and was continued in that office for several years, ably representing that town, as well as doing good service to the State, in the prominent part he took in effecting a change in the third article of the bill of rights or constitution of Massachusetts. This article provided for the compulsory sup port of religion ; it made religion a matter of state, and provided for its support by law. He believed and advocated the idea that the support of religion might safely be intrusted to the piety and good sense of the people. He was, in 1831, made chairman of a committee on this subject, and continued in that office through three sessions. The first year, 1831, the amendment passed the house by a two- thirds vote, but was lost in the senate. The next year it passed through both branches of the Legislature. The constitution required that it should pass both branches a second year, which was done in 1833. It was then submit ted to the people, and was adopted by a large majority ; and thus, through the vigorous efforts of Rev. Thomas Whitte more, religion in Massachusetts became free. In 1832 and 1834 he published his " Notes on the Par- 218 CHARLTON. ables." About this time he enlisted ardently in the cause of temperance. Few men in Massachusetts took a deeper interest in this cause, or labored more effectually ; and he desisted from his labors only when disease admonished him that there was a limit even to the endurance of a robust constitution. Besides editing and publishing The Trumpet, as sole proprie tor for nearly thirty years, and writing numerous works, he was president of the Cambridge bank, and the Vermont and Massachusetts railroad. His- capacity for business and as a writer seemed unlimited, while as a preacher he rarely missed a Sabbath that he did not preach somewhere. He died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 21, 1861, aged sixty-one. THE TOWN FAMILY. This name was conspicuous in the early settlement of Oxford, among the first planters who founded that town in 1713. John Town was the first clerk when the settlement was organized, one of the first board of selectmen, and the an cestor of those of the name in this town and Charlton, which was the west part of same, till 1754. Jacob, one of the descendants, married Mary, the eldest daughter of Rev. John Campbell, who was born February 11, 1723, and the mother of the late Major-General Salem Town, who was born November 2, 1746, and died July 23, 1825, and father of the late General Salem Town, by his wife, Ruth Moore, of Oxford. The late General Town was born March 26, 1780, and married Sally Spurr, daughter of the late General John Spurr, born June 15, 1786, and died August 19, 1852 ; her husband died February 17, 1872, aged 92, and was the father of the late William M. Town, a graduate of Amherst college in 1825 ; studied law at Worcester witli the Hon. John Davis and the Hon. Charles Allen ; admitted to the bar in 1828. He began CHARLTON. 219 his profession in Worcester, removed to Springfield about 1835, and died on April 20, 1841. THE DAVIS FAMILY. Ebenezer Davis, born September 18, 1737, died August 12, 1816. He was remarkable for the accumulation of wealth for his time. He left an estate of $200,000, which it is said was the largest that had been probated in the county of Worcester up to that date. vAlthough following the pursuit of a farmer, he possessed great wisdom in making the best disposition of all his prop erty, so as to add to his accumulations and keep all his gains where they would yield a constant income. In his loans he never exacted extortionate interest : six per cent., the lawful interest, was satisfactory to hinb He was the son of Edward Davis, who married Abigail Learned, of Oxford, daughter of Ebenezer Learned, and sister of General Learned, before referred to in the sketch of Oxford. This Edward was son of Samuel, born at Roxbury, June 23, 1681, who was son of John, of Roxbury, a blacksmith, born on October 1, 1643, who was the son of William, of Roxbury, the first of this branch in this country.* Ebenezer, the principal subject of this sketch, born on September 13, 1737, married his cousin, Deborah, daughter of Deacon Samuel Davis, of Oxford. Their children were as follows : Asa, married Polly Sabin, died without children ; Abigail, married Abijah Davis, of Oxford, and left no chil dren; Ruth, married Joseph Washburn, and had seven children, of whom Emory Washburn, late governor, judge, and now law professor at Cambridge, was one ; Deborah, married the * See Savage's Genealogical Dictionary, whi-li gives an account of a large number of this name. 220 CHARLTON. late Major Calvin Ammidown, father of the late Hon. Eben ezer D. Ammidown, late deceased, of Southbridge; Lydia, married John Wheelock, whose daughter Sally, married the late Major John Spurr ; Cynthia married a McLean, who was executed in Canada, as declared, for high treason; Sally married Stephen Burroughs, a son of Rev. Stephen Burroughs, of Hanover, New Hampshire ; he was remarkable for his indiscretions and eccentricities of character; Pame- lia married Samuel Kies, a lawyer by profession ; and Betsey married Dr. Ebenezer Borden, who was born, August 15, 1779, a physician in Charlton many years, and son of Asa Borden, a physician of Scituate, Rhode Island, but removed to Spencer, Massachusetts, and married Deborah Howland, of same place, in 1771. This Mr. Davis married for his second wife the widow of the late Caleb Ammidown, of Charlton, January 19, 1802; she died, March 20, 1820. Her maiden name was Hannah Sabin, daughter of Joseph Sabin, of Dudley, born, February 2, 1741, and married to Mr. Ammidown, of that town, her first husband, April 14, 1758, by Rev. Charles Gleason; and lived with her first husband till April 13, 1799, time of his decease, at the age of sixty-three. THE DRESSER FAMILY. This name appears among those that composed the officers when this town was first organized, and down to a recent period has been conspicuous in its history. The residence of the late Major Moses Dresser, known as Dresser Hill, is a place of great beauty, having an extensive landscape view rarely excelled for its picturesque display ; by the enterprise of Major Dresser, this hill became noted as a resort for military reviews and general gatherings for several towns in its vicinity. The late Harvey Dresser was his son, who resided here, and . AHTatrla* ^ ^^^^^^7 X CHARLTON. 221 far excelled his father for general enterprise by the great extent and variety of his business operations. He was born in the year 1789, and died, February 8, 1835, aged forty-six. He began his business life as a painter, and rapidly extended his operations to the manufacture of furniture, carts, wagons, sleighs, and chaises ; besides harness for same, and various descriptions of iron work, including the ironing of carriages, the making of scythes, hoes, etc., monopolizing all these branches for twenty or thirty miles distance. To this he added two country variety stores. From this hill, the center of his operations, he advanced into the center village of South- bridge about 1828, and there erected what has since been known as " The Dresser Brick Block," and the dwelling-house now the residence of Captain Luther and Luther S. Ammidown, near the bank. To all this business he added by purchase of the late Samuel H. Babcock, of Boston, what had been known as the " William Sumner Cotton Mill" (which had, since the death of Mr. Sumner in 1822, passed through the hands of Colonel William Foster), by deed, dated, " June 28, 1831," consideration $12,500, and which has since been known as the " Dresser Cotton Factory." By the marriage of his only daughter, Mercy, to Colonel C. A. Paige, May 9, 1843, this last estate passed to his possession, but has since been burned, leaving only the valuable water- power, dam, and lands connected therewith, still the property of Mr. Paige. The rapidity of business extension by Mr. Dresser, and all attended with success, is the best evidence of his activity, skill, and great enterprise. This great business gave profitable employment to a large number of mechanics, which opened a consumption and demand for many farm products, and those from other indus trial pursuits. Many will look back to Mr. Dresser as a benefactor, but while his success gained wealth which enriched 222 CHARLTON. others besides himself, it was an overtax upon his physical ability which brought him to a premature death, and caused him, not only to be lamented as a friend, but as a loss to the whole community. REMARKS. Besides the foregoing there were many persons in this town of considerable distinction, which, with those before given, gave it in former times special notoriety, as one of the most impor tant of the towns in Worcester county. Its wealth and influ ence were in no respect inferior, and scarcely equaled, even by the shire town. Among some of them may be given names as follows : Caleb Ammidown, born in 1736. Died April IB, 1799. General John Spurr, " " 1755. " March 2, 181G. Otis Farnum, " " 1782. " October 21, 1821. Isaiah Rider, born April, 1777. " October 22, 1824. William T. Rider, " " 1772. " February 4, 1842. Dr. Dan. Lamb, born April, 15, 1779. " November 28,1853. Major John Spurr, born in 1783. " August 8, 1863. Xehemiah Stone, •• 1866. Franklin M. Farnum, born March 30, 1809. " April 17, 1869. There are others of an early period equally distinguished: Dr. John Philips, an able physician, and a man of general intelligence. Captain Israel Waters, a farmer and man of wealth and liberality ; he left by his will a legacy to Leicester academy of over $8,000. He died in 1823; the executors of his will were Colonel Asa Bacon, of Charlton ; Austin Flint and N. P. Denny, of Leicester ; which was entered for probate in December of same year. Colonel Bacon died in 1854, a man of integrity, and much respected in his vicinity. CHARLTON. 223 GENERAL SALEM TOWN. The general is again referred to for his early acquaintance with the late Hon. Wm. L. Marcy. This is a newspaper quotation, and no doubt true ; given by a correspondent of The Liberal Christian: "I spent a day of my vacation at Charlton, Massachusetts. Bill Marcy (so called when a youth"), was a native of this neighborhood, and grew up to be a wild, heady youth. He was thought by his parents and by all the neighbors to be the worst boy they knew. One winter he succeeded, in conjunction with kindred spirits, in ousting the teacher from the dis trict school. Salem Town, then a young man, was summoned as the fittest person to take charge of these unruly youth, and complete the term. "Everybody thought the new teacher certainly would have trouble with Bill Marcy. But the trouble did not come. The first day had not passed before Mr. Town had discovered in his pupil an element of real good, and told him so. This, to the boy, was a most unusual acknowl edgment, and it touched his heart. Some one had seen good in him. "He was then capable of better things, and was determined to make the endeavor. It was the turning-point in his life. " Such was his conduct and such was his progress in study, that his teacher advised him to go on and prepare himself for college. It was a great surprise to his parents, but at the urgent solicitation of Mr. Town, they gave their consent, and he was placed under the instruction of a clergyman in the vicinity of his home. " At length he entered college, and passed through the course with great success ; justifying at every step the confidence and hope of his friend. In subsequent life he rose from one degree of eminence and usefulness to another, until at last the whole world was familiar with the name and fame of William L. Marcy. " Long years after he had left his school-day haunts, and when he had come to deserved eminence, he visited Boston, and was the guest of the then Governor of the old Bay State; Among the distinguished men who were then invited to meet him was General Salem Town. When the governor saw Marcy and Town greet each other as old friends, he very naturally expressed a pleasurable surprise that they knew each other so well. " ' Why! ' said Marcy, 'that is the man who made me. When I was a boy, everybody was against me. None — no, not even my own father or mother — saw any good in me. He was the first who believed in me, 224 CHARLTON. told me what I might become, and helped me on in life at that critical juncture. Whatever of merit or distinction I have since attained to, I owe to him more than to any other living person.' " And here it may be remarked, that, General Salem Town was not extraordinary in either intellect or cultivated ability ; he was a man of fair culture and general understanding, hut somewhat remarkable in his kindness of heart and genial tem perament ; for these qualities he was conspicuous. Through a long life he has acted the part of a useful man, always gaining friends but never losing them. His efforts have exhibited a desire to do good, always interested in pro moting common school education, good morals, and religion. In the early period of his life he was for a time engaged by the State authorities as a surveyor, in laying out the public lands in the State of Maine, then known as the Province of Maine, a part ofthe State of Massachusetts. In this capacity he had served in his more immediate vicinity, under the late Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, who was noted in all that region in that respect ; when at the sale of the personal effects of Mr. Ammidown, by his executors, after his decease, Mr. Town purchased at public auction on- that occasion, the surveying instruments the deceased had for many years been accustomed to use, and which were continued for that purpose by him so long as he followed that occupation. At a recent period when, having no further use for such in struments, this writer being on a visit to him, at his residence at Charlton, conversation turned incidentally to the character and doings of the late Caleb Ammidown, the grandfather of his visitor, then accompanied by his cousin, the late Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, and among other things was related by the general, his acquaintance and great respect for the late Mr. Ammidown ; and observed, that he now possessed the identical compass he purchased, and had long used as aforesaid, when by request this instrument was bought by the writer, CHARLTON. 225 and since by him deposited in the museum or cabinet of the public hbrary of his native town ; the same having been used among the last acts of the late Caleb Ammidown, in making the first survey of the territory, which originally formed the Poll Parish, incorporated in 1S01, and which became the town of Southbridge in 1816. There may this compass, the work manship of the late Peregrine White, of Woodstock, long remain as a memento of the past, appropriately finding rest, reminding those of the present generation, and those to follow, of the valuable duties it has aided to perform, and also serve as a memorial of the character and important services rendered during the wisely and usefully spent lives of the much re spected owners, through whose hands it has passed, and at last found rest in that useful and excellent institution. CALEB AMMIDOWN. In further illustration of the character of Mr. Ammidown and his ancestry, the following is given : The Ammidowns are descendants of French Huguenots ; the ancestor of all of this name in America was Roger Aimedoune, who came to New England with the first colonists to found Massachusetts. He arrived at Salem (before that place took this name), then called Naumkeag. As Mr. Felt remarks in his history of this town, " Salem was indebted for its first settlement to the failure of a plant ing, fishing, and trading enterprise at Cape Ann, which fruitless attempt was made by a number of gentlemen belonging to Dorchester in England, among whom the Rev. John White took the principal lead (about the year 1624). "His heart was strongly set on establishing a colony in Massachu setts. His chief desire and exertion was, that it might become a place of refuge from the corruptions and oppressions which prevailed at home under the countenance of James I. He had learned that some persons of the Plymouth Plantations were obliged with their families to leave and reside at Nantasket. The occasion of such a separation was their siding with the Rev. John Lyford, who was ordered to quit the 15a 226 CHARLTON. former place for his disagreement with most of the inhabitants on sev eral subjects. Of those thus seceded, Mr. White and his associates chose Roger Conant to take charge of the planting and fishing ; John Oldham (before referred to) to superintend the trade with the Indians ; and Mr. Lyford to officiate as minister. After a year's trial their prospect of gain was closed. This was then abandoned, when Roger Conant, John Woodbury, John Balch, Peter Palfrey, and some others removed to Naumkeag in 1626." This may be properly called the beginning of the colony of Massachusetts. " But surrounded with Indians, this small number began to look for more safe quarters, and only remained through the efforts of Rev. John White, who wrote that he would by no means have the settlement there relinquished, and promised to exert his influence for speedy re-enforce ments. In 1627, in reference to this settlement, Governor Thomas Dudley wrote to the Countess of Lincoln, that some friends being together in Lincolnshire, fell into discussion about New England and the planting the Gospel there ; and after some deliberation we imparted our reasons by letters and messengers to some in London and the west country; where it was likewise deliberately thought upon, and at length with often negotiation it ripened, so as to have proposals made for a patent.'' While this action was in progress in England, looking for a refuge for the oppressed for reasons of their religious faith, which could not yield to the doctrine and polity of the English church, and looking for escape to the Western world, a simi lar but more violent action was transpiring in France through the oppressions of that government. Under the able minister, Cardinal Richelieu, the whole force of that kingdom was then, in 1627, directed to dispossess the Huguenots of their politi cal, military, and naval rights under the Edict of Nantes. He had succeeded, by his military efforts, in dispossessing the Huguenots in the precincts of Angumois and Saintonge, and driven them into the city of Rochelle, which then contained a population of about 30,000 inhabitants; — when he laid siege to that place, and after its continuance about fifteen months, and the city in a state of starvation, with its population reduced to about 5,000 souls by death in its defense, disease, and by CHARLTON. 227 escape in foreign vessels to other countries; then by promises of protection, the city surrendered. It was during this siege that many of these Huguenots es caped to England, among whom was the great ancestor ofthe family of Aimedoune. Arriving in England and sharing in his religious faith simi lar views to that of the Puritans, then projecting the plan for a new colony in New England, he united and embarked among the first colonists for that object. Thus the name of Roger Aimedoune is found in this country first at Salem. It was at first spelled Aimedoune, but has since been changed by different parties to Amidon, Amadon, and Ammidown, but however spelled, may be traced to the same root, Roger Aimedoune„of Salem ; thence he removed to Weymouth, then to Boston, where he and his wife, Sarah, record the birth of their daughter, Lydia, the first recorded birth in that city in alphabetical order under the letter A. Thence to Rehoboth, then in Plymouth colony, where this ancestor died in 1673. From thence the descendants became, among others, the early planters at Mendon, and from there to Oxford ; among the members of the first church established there, as will be seen, were the names of Philip Ammidown and wife, who were the grand parents of Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton. At the close of the Revolution, in 1783, it became necessary for the confederated States of America to devise plans for a revenue to pay the debt incurred by the war, and to meet the current expense of government (there being then no system by duties or imposts upon foreign merchandise imported into the country), a resort to direct taxation, or a system of internal revenue, in some respects like the present one following the late rebellion, was adopted. The records of the senate in Massachusetts show that on the 10th of February, 1783, it was ordered that Ephraim Starkweather and John Bacon, Esqs., be a committee to col- 228 CHARLTON. lect, sort, and count the votes for a collector of excise for the county of Worcester, who reported that the whole number of votes was eighteen, and that Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, was unanimously elected. He was continued in that office until after the revenue system was established by imposts under the constitution, about ten years. Through his services as surveyor and conveyancer, a large portion of the more ancient deeds of land, in the towns of this vicinity — Charlton, Dudley, Oxford, and Sturbridge — are found in his handwriting, in clear and concise drafts, and fine speci men of penmanship. The Hon. Emory Washburn, late Governor of Massachu setts, in his historical sketch of Leicester academy, in the latter part of his very excellent liistory of that town, refers to Caleb Ammidown in the connection of benefactor to that institution, as follows : " Caleb Ammidown was of a class of men which were once scattered through the country, whose independence of thought and opinion gave character and consistency to public sentiment of the community at large. Though these- men had little other training than the development which circumstances produced, the lack of education was more than supplied by the strong common sense which had been disciplined in the school of necessity. Though the more immediate sphere of Mr. Ammidown was circumscribed within the limits of » single town, yet his influence was felt, and his name and character were known through a much wider circuit. " As a land surveyor he was engaged by the government in surveying the confiscated estates of the refugees in the Revolution. For many years he was a member of the Legislature, and, as such, was a strong sup porter of the government during the ' Shay Rebellion, ' as it was called. Among the other responsible offices he was called to fill was that of excise master for the county of Worcester, after the close of the Revo lution." , wfe ^34, ' : ' 3y-A.H."RitEii£ ^?/ ^/7^^/a^^^^z-? < SOUTHBRIDGE Section m. CHAPTER I. rPHIS town had its origin in a poll parish, incorporated by the name ofthe second religious society in the town of Charlton, February 28, 1801. For some cause not ascertained, this parish received the name of Honest Town, and continued to be known in all this region of country by that name fifteen or twenty years. The precise time it received this title is equally unknown at this time, but it is a matter of history that the name Honest Town continued until this territory was incorporated as a town by the name of Southbridge. POLL PARISH. ITS ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION. The first meeting preparatory for establishing a poll parish or town by including within its limits a portion of each of the three towns, Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton, was held at the tavern-house of the late Colonel Benjamin Freeman (a central point within the limits aforesaid) early in the year 1795. At this preliminary meeting the question was discussed, when it was ascertained that the general sentiment of those present favored an immediate movement for securing this 16a 230 SOUTHBRIDGE. object. It was represented and believed that the interest of all within the limits designated would be greatly promoted in their religious, political, and social relations, by being united in a separate body politic. As then situated they were members of different towns, and subjected to great inconvenience, by being compelled to travel, many of them, six miles or more to enjoy hke privileges, which, if formed into a separate parish or town, they could have within their immediate vicinity. To effect so desirable an object, with all interested, a com mittee of seven of their number was selected to consider that subject, also the building of a parish meeting-house, the selec tion of a location for the same, and to make their report at a future meeting. The following-named persons were chosen to act in this behalf: Oliver Plimpton, Daniel Morse, Joshua Harding, Luther Ammidown, Asa Walker, Eleazer Putney, and James Dyer. "REPORT OF COMMITTEE. "The committee to whom was referred the subject of forming a number of the inhabitants of the south-east part of Sturbridge, south west part of Charlton, and west part of Dudley into a town, have at tended to that service, and beg leave to report as follows, viz. : ' ' The first article of instruction to your committee was to report the most convenient spot for a meeting-house. "In the public opinion three particular spots have been referred to, at a very moderate distance from each other. Your committee having paid particular attention to each of them, are unanimous in their opinion that the central, which is a rising ground on Captain Marcy's land, north of Colonel Benjamin Freeman's barn,* concentrates convenience, elegance, and beauty. " The second article of instruction to your committee was to report the principle upon which said house was to be built. As it is natural that, in a class of citizens so numerous as is comprised in the limits of the proposed town, there will be different sentiments with regard to i * This barn was located, covering the ground on which is now the hank buildiDg, and the front yard of the house of Captain Luther Ammidown, at the east of said bank building. SOUTHBRIDGE. 231 modes of religious worship; this part, therefore, of your committee's instructions forms the most arduous and difficult task. But as a liberal and conciliatory plan appears to be the general wish, your committee pro pose the following : "That subscriptions be opened to raise a sum sufficient to erect a frame and belfry for a meeting-house, and complete the outside, and that the pews be sold at public vendue to complete the inside. " That every denomination be equally privileged in said house, accord ing to their interest therein ; this clause, however, not to be construed so as to operate against the major part governing, but to confirm the free use of the house to the minority when the majority are not improving the same. " Your committee foresee with concern that the liberality of the plan will be objected to by many respectable characters, as having a tendency to deprive the town of a stated settled orthodox ministry , to which objection your committee beg leave to make the following observa tions : "First. — The difference in sentiment between the Congregationalists and Baptists is principally confined to the administration of the ordi nance of baptism — a very immaterial difference indeed. Were both par ties seriously to reflect that religion consists in purity of heart, and give no more weight and consideration to modes and forms of worship than they really deserve ; and if a minister should be settled disposed to ad minister that ordinance in the manner most agreeable to the subject of it, — we might look forward with pleasing anticipation to the near ap proach of the wished-for period when both parties might be happily united in one society. "Second. — That every denomination being equally privileged in said house, according to their interest, will have a material tendency to unite and connect them together in one society. " Third. — That there are comprised in the proposed town as large a number, and in respectability, both as to character and interest, as new towns are generally comprised of ; it would be ungenerous to say they were not as well disposed towards supporting the Gospel. " The third article of instruction to your committee was to ascertain the bounds of said town. Your committee propose the following : Be ginning at the south-east corner on the State line, to include James Has kell, Benjamin Stone, Thomas Cheney, Lieutenant Eleazer Putney, Eliakim Chamberlain, Jesse Merritt, Paul Rich, Asa Dresser, Alexander Brown, John Chub, Joseph and William McKinstry, Jonathan Perry, to the river; thence up said river, to include John Plimpton, Capt. Elias Plimpton, Fletcher Foster, Captain Samuel Ellis, Jedediah Ellis, Simeon Mason, and Chester May, to the State line. " But as an actual survey will be necessary before an act of incorpora- 232 SOUTHBRLDGE. tion can be applied for, your committee are of opinion to refer minute circumstances respecting boundaries to that period. ' ' Fourth. Article of instruction to your committee was to report a plan for a meeting-house, which plan will accompany this report. "The fifth article and last of the instructions to your committee was to see what number of persons will come forward to assist to build said meeting-house. " Although your committee as yet are not well enough informed to detail the particular disposition of every person, yet from what infor mation your committee have already obtained the disposition of the people appears to be general in favor of the plan. " Your committee propose to bring forward subscription papers at the present meeting, which will give that point its fairest decision. All moneys, either by sales of pews or subscription, to be considered as binding whenever an act of incorporation takes place, otherwise to be void and of no effect. "Your committee, in closing this report, are disposed to present to your view the geographical situation of the proposed town. The Great Parent of Nature seems to have been profuse in His favors to this place. The Quinebaug river, which falls so nearly central through, with its ex cellent seats for mills and other water-works, are circumstances highly favorable to the introduction of useful mechanics, and rendering it a place of activity and business. The goodness of the soil, with the excel lent forests abounding with all kinds of timber for building, are estimates of great value to the general plan. ' ' Abstractly considered, from the value it will add to the real estate, if we take into view the benefits that would naturally result from a religious society, where there are so large a number of youths, in forming their minds for the accomplishment of usefulness and virtue, where they are at present, by reason of local situation, notoriously neglected, are, in the opinion of your committee, considerations of much weight, that ought to bear down all obstacles that present themselves in the way of the accomplishment of an object so noble, so great, and so good. "From every view of the subject, your committee recommend with steadiness, energy, and vigor, to take the most effectual measures to carry into effect an object of so much consequence, as soon as time and other circumstances will admit. ' ' All of which is humbly submitted by your committee, "OLIVER PLIMPTON, "DANIEL MORSE, "JOSHUA HARDING, "ASA WALKER, .•„,,,.' "LUTHER AMMIDOWN, "ELEAZER PUTNEY, "JAMES DYER." "Stuhbridge. January 29, 1796." SOUTHBRIDGE. 233 In pursuance of the foregoing report and recommendation, a survey of the territory for the proposed parish was made by Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, in the autumn of the above year, and a plan made to accompany a petition for pres entation to the General Court. The handwriting and phraseology of the above report is that of Joshua Harding, one of said committee. MEETING-HOUSE. A convenient place for public religious worship was one of the objects to be attained, by securing a grant for a parish ; and to effect that object it became necessary to erect a meet ing-house as a common center of attraction, to promote the end desired. Thus it was deemed important to proceed with the building of the same, as soon as means could be provided. It appears that the work for the meeting-house was per formed by Major William Love, and commenced in 1797,* and finished early in the year 1800. By the book of records of the first proceedings, after the house was finished, there appears the proprietors' names, the number of pews each person owned, and number and price of each, as follows : MEETING OF PROPRIETORS. At a meeting of the proprietors of the new meeting-house, near Colonel Benjamin Freeman's, October 16, 1800 : Voted: " That a book be purchased for the purpose of making a record of the pews in said house, together with the names of owners, numbers and price of each. (Signed) " GERSHOM PLIMPTON, Junior, '¦'¦Proprietors' Clerk, pro tern." The following list of pew-owners will show the names of * Report says the frame of the meeting-house was raised, July 4, 1797. 234 SOUTHBRIDGE. the persons who contributed to the expense of erecting the first meeting-house within the limits of the present town of Southbridge, and what was known formerly as the parish church : RECORD OF PEWS IN THE PARISH MEETING-HOUSE. Ministerial Pew, No. 17. Oliver Plimpton, Esq., Two pews, j " 18. / " 52. Price , $70 29 c " 2. a 68 Col. Benjamin Freeman, Three pews, ] " 56. a 28 ( " 60. a 27 Capt. Jedediah Marcy, John Ammidown, , Eliakim Chamberlain, > Ralph Vinton, ; Two Two pews, pews, 1 " 1. ( " 45. j " 3. I " 58. t I It a 65 25 51 27 Luther Ammidown, One pew, " 20. i 1 60 Calvin Ammidown, " 4. a 51 Jeremiah Morse, " " 5. it 50 Capt. Ralph Wheelock, i i " 19. 1 1 51 Joseph Shaw, " " 15. I i 45 Comfort Searl, 1 i " 16. i , 42 Lieut. Eleazer Putney and Son, " " 8. a 41 John Vinton, U " 6. ii 48 Jonathan Perry, Charlton, il " 25. a 41 Cyrus Ammidown, > David Dix, j i i " 7. a 39 Daniel Marcy, Junior, a " 26. ^ 39 Israel Marsh, i William Fessenden, ( " 13. 37 Joshua Harding, " " 22. " 37 Henry Pratt, " " 21. ( I 37 Lieut. Daniel Morse, " " 31. I i 37 Elijah Marcy, " " 29. " 38 Jonathan Mason, i Lemuel Mason, j " 34. 37 James Dyer, " " 32. i ( 37 Ralph Harding, a " 14. " 37 Asa Morse, " " 33. ti 37 Zebina Abbot, " " 37. a 37 Abisha Sabin, " " 39. i i 37 SOUTHBRIDGE. 235 Ensign Denison Wheelock, - One pew, No. 24 Price, $37 Thomas Cheney, " "30 " sfi Asa Walker, " Moses Clark, " "40 Capt. Elias Plimpton, " "28 Lieut. Gershoni Plimpton, " "23 Ebenezer Clark, " "27 David Smith, ) u Edward Morris, f " 9 " 37 38 " 36 36 36 36 36 Jephthah Clark, " "11 Captain Abel Mason, " " lo 3635 f 12 " 36 Fletcher Foster, Three pews, ) 47 " 29 ( 57 " 27 John Marsh, - One pew, "36 " 33 Lieut. Robert Edwards, " " 35 " 33 Jeremiah Shumway, " "34 " 29 John Plimpton, " "48 " 28 Samuel Robbins, " "46 " 27 Eleazer Wheelock, " "44 " 30 Ruggles Morse, " "42 " 30 Lieut. Robert Edwards, ) (( . u Jonathan Clemence, ) Jedediah Ellis, Two pews, j GloadDugar, One pew, " Ephraim Wheelock, " " Nathan Brown; " " Jason Morse, Junior, " " Joseph Shaw, , <( „ go « 39 Ebenezer Clark, j The Rev. Joseph Clark states in his centennial historical sketch of the town of Sturbridge, dehvered to the citizens of that town, July 4, 1838, ten days after the one hundredth an niversary of its incorporation as a town, that this meeting house was commenced in 1797, and dedicated in 1800. Also he -states that there were 74 different ministers who supplied the pulpit during the 16 years the parish remained united in one society. The several religious denominations that united here were the Congregationahsts, Baptists, Methodists, and Universalists. 43 U 29 59 Ci 26 49 " 29 31 i I 28 33 a 28 55 a 29 236 SOUTHBRIDGE. It is much regretted that there has not been discovered any record of the dedication services of this meeting-house, the day when, or the names of any of the clergymen who assisted in that service.* Neither is there any record discovered to show who were the ministers that constituted the large number who supphed the pulpit during the existence of the parish. Some names are recollected by the writer, who were among this number, to wit : Rev. Edwards "Whipple, of Charlton ; Bev. Zenas L. Leonard, Bev. Otis Lane, and Bev. Edward Turner, of Sturbridge ; Bev. Abial Williams, of Dudley ; and Rev. Ephraim Lyman, of "Woodstock. TERRITORY OF THE PARISH— A SKETCH OF ITS EARLY HISTORY. The territory for the contemplated parish, suggested by the foregoing report, was, in its separate parts at different periods in its history, within the limits of five different towns, besides a part being included for several years in a tract of land known formerly as "Middlesex Gore," viz.: A part of Oxford, from the time the grant was made for that town in May, 1683, to the year 1754, when the west part of that town was set off and incorporated as the town of Charl ton; and then a part of Charlton up to the period of the parish, and until taken with other territory in February, 1816, for the town of Southbridge. * Rev. Erastus Learned, it is said, officiated at the dedication. See Mr. Clark's Histor ical Sketch, page 10 ; also Bev. Oakman Sprague Steam's Historical Discourse on Leaving the Old Parish Meeting-House. This Rev. Erastus Learned was pastor of a church in Canterbury, Connecticut. He de livered an ordination Bermon, December 5, 1805, at the settlement of Rev. Cornelius Adams over a church and people in Scotland society, Windham, Connecticut. This ser mon was published, and is preserved among a collection of sermons in a volume now in the library of the New York Historical Society, which sermon bears evidence of much ability; no doubt he was selected for the occasion of this dedication, for his known celeb rity in that respect. This appears to be all that is known relating to the services on the interesting occasion of dedicating this house. MrmTO-UTHOSlurniccoiir.tosBtli 1,465 Asa Morse, Junior, 23 " 140 Israel Marsh, 19 " 218 Samuel Newell, 10 " 85 Gershom Plimpton, 173 " 2,704 Oliver Plimpton, 244 " 3,115 Elijah Plimpton, 260 " 2,555 Elias Plimpton, 166 " 2,765 John Plimpton, 169 " 2,460 James Plimpton, 375 " 5,317 Joel Plimpton, 100 •' 840 Henry Pratt, 160 " 1,920 James Pike, 30 " 205 Jonathan Perry, 100 " 1,550 Widow Elisha Robbins, 110 " 1,269 Ezekiel Robbins, 50 " 581 Timothy Robbins, 2 " 41 Samuel Robbins, 70 •¦ 840 Jeremiah Shumway, 150 " 1,912 David Streeter, 160 " 1,260 Joseph Shaw, 180 '• 2,970 Seth Shaw, 94 " 1,238 Comfort Searle, 107 " 1,440 Abisha Sabine, 133 " 1,596 Ralph Wheelock, 250 •' 3,124 Denison Wheelock, 130 " 1,565 Eleazer Wheelock, 56 " 867 Ephraim Wheelock, 3 •¦ CHARLTON. 49 Caleb Ammidown, 313 acres, $4,105 Luther Ammidown, 117 " 1,275 Calvin Ammidown, 190 '¦ 2,660 Moses Alton, 82 " 1,148 William Blood, 34 " 272 Alexander Brown, 170 " 1,530 Nathaniel Borden, 79 " 790 Jonathan demons, 50 " 655 Charles Dugar, 139 " 1,936 Benjamin Douty, 154 " 2,002 241 242 SOUTHBRIDGE. CHARLTON— (Continued). Benjamin Douty, Junior, 79 acres, $869 Robert Edwards, 79 '¦ 474 John Heath, 8 " 244 Ruggles Morse, 154 " 1,232 Amos Oakes, 40 " 320 Simeon Putnam, 89 " 968 Andrew Searle, 92 " 1,012 John Vinton, 449 '• 4,722 Jabez Vinton, 90 " 1,080 Asa Walker, 91 ¦¦ 819 ¦'TOTAL VALUATION. " The total quantity of land in each of the towns of Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton in 1798, was, by this account and valuation, as follows: Dudley, number of acres, 16.567; valued at £200,139 Sturbridge, " 28,342, " 349,658 Charlton, " 26,807, " 347,525 Total acres, 71,716 Total, $897,322 "The quantity taken from each of said towns, as per this valuation, in 1798, for the parish of 1801, by survey of 1796, is about as follows: There were a number of families in Charlton whose names do not appear in the foregoing list, as here represented, to wit : Eliakim Chamberlain, Richard Dresser, Jesse Merritt, Ensign Harrington, with several other tracts, about 2,000 acres: Dudley, number of acres, 2,229 Sturbridge, " 9,445 Charlton, " 2,429 " lands not represented, 2,000 Total acres, 16,103 • ' This varies from actual survey, as many of the farms falling on the line of survey would be taken only in part. ASSESSORS. Salem Town, Charlton, Principal Assessor. Elijah Shumway, i } Joshua Harding, \ Sturbridge, j Ebenezer Davis, ) [ Assistant Assessors. John Spurr, [ Charlton, John Chamberlain, Dudley. J " Ciiakltox, April 17, 1798. Signed at this date."* See Massachusetts State Department, vol. xvt, P. D. District, No. 18, the 7th Division. SOUTHBRIDGE. 243 '-PETITION FOR A PARISH OR PRECINCT. " To the Sonorable the Senate and Souse of Representatives of the Common wealth of MctssacTiusetts, in General Court Assembled : "The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the south-east part of Sturbridge, the south-west part of Charlton, and west part of Dudley, " Most Respectfully Sheweth: " Your petitioners have long labored under peculiar disadvantages for obtaining the privilege of a preached Gospel, both for ourselves and families, by reason of our local situation. A number of us that belong- to Sturbridge are more than seven miles from the center meeting house in said town, and those of us who belong to Charlton and Dudley can be much better accommodated provided we were set off from the town we now belong to, to join with those petitioners from Sturbridge; for which purpose we have by mutual agreement built us a house for public worship, and have by voluntary contribution raised a sum of money that is sumcient to supply preaching amongst us for the present year; but we still labor under many inconveniences for want of being incorporated into a parish or precinct for the purpose of a religious society. "We therefore pray your honors to set us off with our lands from the towns we now belong to, agreeable to a plan herewith exhibited, and incorporate us into a parish or precinct, as aforesaid, as you in your wisdom shall think just and reasonable, as your petitioners for the reasons aforesaid in duty bound shall ever pray : " Sturbridge, May 19, 1800. " Luther Ammidown, Robert Edwards, Abel Mason, John Ammidown, Oliver Hooker, Daniel Morse, Jr., Asa Walker, Jason Morse, Jr., Joseph Sabin, Israel Marsh, John Marsh, Elias Plimpton, Gershom Plimpton, Jr. Ephraim Wheelock, Jonathan Perry, Abisha Sabin, John Mason, Gershom Plimpton, Calvin Ammidown, Joshua Harding, Jepthah Clark, Eleazer Putney, Jr., Calvin Perry, David Dix, Lemuel Mason, Eleazer Putney, Jonathan Mason, Samuel Newell, Duty Marsh, Nathan Brown, William Love, Oliver Thayer, John Plimpton, Moses Marcy, Joseph Shaw, Ralph Wheelock, Oliver Plimpton, Jeremiah Shumway, Solomon Clark, Moses Clark, Henry Pratt, James Dyer, Jedediah Ellis, Moses Mason, Zebina Abbot, Denison Wheelock, John Holbrook, Asa Morse, Ralph Harding, Thomas Cheney, Joseph Barrett, 244 SOUTHBRIDGE. Ephraim Bacon, Enoch Bacon, Jonathan Perry, 2d, Charles Dugar, Jr.. Rufus Brown, John Heath, Nathaniel Searle. Alpha Morse, James Wheelock, Abisha Hooker, Calvin Wheelock, Samuel Robbins, Edward Morris, Cyrus Ammidown, Ruggles Morse, David Clemence, Gload Dugar, Ebenezer Clark, Joseph Barrett, Jr. , Jeremiah Morse, John Marcy, Fletcher Foster, Moses Foster, Perley Stone, Theodore Marcy, Ralph Vinton, William Blood, Alexander Brown, Charles Dugar, John Wait, Daniel Morse, Freeman Pratt, Oliver Hooker, Moses Wheelock, Jesse Morse, Jacob Mason." ' ' ORDER. :l Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ' ' On the petition of Ralph Wheelock and others, inhabitants of the south-east part of Sturbridge, the south-west part of Charlton, and the west part of Dudley, praying to be set off from the towns to which they respectively belong, and to be incorporated into a parish or precinct for the purpose of a religious society. " Ordered that the petitioners notify the inhabitants of the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley, of their aforesaid prayer, by serving the clerk of each of said towns with an attested copy of their said peti tion and this order thereon, thirty days, at least, before the second Tues day of the session of the General Court, which shall be holden next after the first of January, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and one, that they may then appear and show cause, if any they have, why the petitioners should not be incorporated into a poll parish or religious society by name ; in order that they and their families may more easily obtain the advantages of public worship. " Sent down for concurrence, "SAMUEL PHILLIPS, President. " In the House of Representatives, June 9, 1800. Read and concurred. "EDWARD H. ROBBINS, Speaker. "A true copy. 1 ' Attest : "EDWARD P. HAYMAN, Clerk of Senate." SOUTHBRIDGE. 245 " NOTICE. " Sturbridge, October 22, 1800. " Worcester, ss. : ' ' Agreeable to the within directions I have notified each of the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley, by serving the clerk of each of said towns, with an attested copy of this petition and the order thereon. ' ' Attest : "OLIVER PLIMPTON, " Agent for the Proprietor." "COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, '' IN THE TEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND ONE. "AN ACT "To Incorporate a Number of the Inhabitants of the south-east part of Sturbridge, the south-west part of Charlton, and the "west part of dudley, all in the county of worcester, into a Parish, by the name of the ' Second Religious Society in the Town of Charlton. ' "Section I. Be it, enacted by the Senate and Souse of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That Ralph Wheelock, Abel Mason, Joshua Harding, Benjamin Freeman, Jedediah Marcy, Oliver Plimpton, John Ammidown, Luther Ammidown, Gershom Plimpton, Joseph Shaw, Robert Edwards, Calvin Ammidown, Jephthah Clark, Jeremiah Shumway, Oliver Hooker, Eleazer Putney, Junior, Sol omon Clark, Daniel Morse, Junior, Calvin Perry, Moses Clark, Asa Walker, David Dix, Henry Pratt, Jason Morse, Junior, Lemuel Mason, James Dyer, Joseph Sabin, Eleazer Putney, Jedediah Ellis, Israel Marsh, Jonathan Mason, John Marsh, Moses Mason, Samuel Newell, Zebina Ab bot, Elias Plimpton, Nathan Brown, John Holbrook, Duty Marsh, Den ison Wheelock, Gershom Plimpton, Junior, Ephraim Wheelock, Wil liam Love, Asa Morse, Jonathan Perry, Oliver Thayer, Ralph Harding, Abisha Sabin, John Plimpton, Thomas Cheney, Jesse Morse, Perley Stone, John Mason, Moses Marcy, Edward Morris, Theodore Marcy, Joseph Barrett, Ephraim Bacon, Enoch Bacon, Silas Ammidown, Ralph Vinton, Jonathan Perry, 2d, Ruggles Morse, William Blood, Charles Dugar, Junior, Gload Dugar, David Clemens, Alexander Brown, Rufus Brown, John Heath, Ebenezer Clark, John Wait, Nathaniel Searle, Joseph Bar rett, Junior, Daniel Morse, Alpheus Morse, Jeremiah Morse, Freeman Pratt, James Wheelock, John Marcy, Abel Mason, Junior, Samuel Weath- 17a 246 southbrldge. erly, Abisha Hooker, Fletcher Foster, Moses Foster, Moses Wheelock, Calvin Wheelock, Samuel Robbins, and Jacob Mason, with their present estates, be, and hereby are incorporated, with all the powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations which other parishes in this com monwealth are entitled or subjected to by law, provided nevertheless, that they pay all taxes assessed upon them before the passing of this act. "Sec II. And be it further enacted, That Oliver Plimpton, Esquire, be, and he hereby is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal in habitant of said parish, requiring him to notify and warn the members thereof aforesaid, to meet at the meeting-house in said parish, at such time as shall be appointed in said warrant for the purpose of choosing such officers as may be necessary, agreeably to the laws of this common wealth, to manage the affairs of the said parish ; and that the members thereof qualified by law to vote be, and hereby are, empowered to choose such officers accordingly. "In the House of Representatives, February 26, 1801. This bill hav ing had two several readings passed to be enacted. "SAMUEL PHILLIPS, President. "February 28, 1801. '; By the Governor approved. "CALEB STRONG." ORGANIZATION OF THE POLL PARISH. First Warrant Issued. " Worcester, ss. : [l.s.] "To Luther Ammidown, of Charlton, in the County of Worcester, Merchant, ' ' Greeting : "In the name of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are re quired forthwith to notify and warn the inhabitants belonging to the new poll parish, qualified to vote in parish affairs, to meet at the meet ing-house, near Col. Benjamin Freeman's, on Tuesday, March 31, 1801, at one o'clock afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz. : " 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting. "2. To choose parish officers according to law, or act thereon a9 they think proper. " 3. To grant sufficient sums of money to supply preaching, and for contingent charges for the year to come, as may be thought necessary, or hereon as they think proper. SOUTHBRIDGE. 247 "4. To see what method the parish will take to promote singing amongst us, or act thereon as may be thought best. "5. To choose some person to take care of the meeting-house, or act thereon as they think proper. "6. To transact any other business that may properly come before them at that time, or act thereon as they think proper. " Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon to the subscriber at or before the time of the said meeting, or you will answer your default in that case as the law has made and provided. " Given under my hand and seal this eighteenth clay of March, A. D.. 1801. "OLIVER PLIMPTON, "Justice of tlie Peace." "Return. "Charlton, March 21, 1801. ' ' In obedience to the within warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of said poll parish, as herein' directed, to meet at the time and place, and for the' purposes therein mentioned, by posting a copy of the warrant on the said meeting-house. "LUTHER AMMIDOWN." FIRST PARISH MEETING. "At a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the poll parish, including part of the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley, at their meeting house, on Tuesday, March 31, A. D., 1801. " The meeting being called to order by Oliver Plimpton, Esq., for the purpose of the business, as specified in the warrant for the meeting, the following business was then transacted. Article 1. Chose Luthur Ammidown, Esq., Moderator. Article 2. " Joshua Harding, Clerk. ' ' Oliver Plimpton, Luther Ammidown, John Ammidown, ( Assessors. Joshua Harding, Daniel Morse, Chose Abel Mason, Treasurer. " David Dix, Collector. Also voted to allow the collector five pence on the pound for services. "Article 3. Voted to raise money for supply of preaching and contin gent expenses, for the ensuing year, by a tax on the inhabitants of the parish. Voted to choose a committee of three to report the sums neces- 248 SOUTHBRIDGE. sary to be raised for the supply of preaching, and for contingent expenses, and the appropriation of the meeting-house, among the different religious denominations, for the ensuing year. "Chose for said committee: Oliver Plimpton, Esq., Captain Abel Mason, Calvin Ammidown, Esq. "This committee reported as follows: Two hundred and fifty dollars for preaching, fifty dollars for contingent expenses ; also, that the Uni versalists have the use of the meeting-house one fourth part of the year, and that the other denominations improve said house the other three fourths of the year. This report was accepted, and the recommendation of the committee approved by vote. ' Article 4. Voted to choose a committee of three to promote singing. Chose Jonathan Perry, Lieutenant Robert Edwards, and John Ammi down. " Article 5. Chose William Love to take care of the meeting-house the ensuing year. ' ' Article 6. Chose five persons to supply preaching the ensuing year, to wit : Captain Ralph Wheelock, David Dix, Captain Abel Mason, John Ammidown, and Asa Walker. "It was voted that a committee of three be raised to procure subscrip tions of money from those persons within the limits of the parish who did not sign the petition for the act of incorporation. Chose Oliver Plimpton, Esq. , John Ammidown, and Lieutenant Robert Edwards. "It was voted to choose a committee of three to audit the accounts of the treasurer, and to report the state thereof, to the next annual meeting. Chose Captain Jedediah Marcy, Asa Walker, and Lieutenant Robert Edwards. "It was voted that the parish meetings, in future, be warned by post ing a copy of the warrant on the meeting-house. ' ' Then by vote the meeting was dissolved. " Attest: JOSHUA HARDING, Parish Clerk." The foregoing is a sample of tho annual meetings held by the parish, which closed its legal proceedings, as a political body, April 24, 1816. "DEED " for meeting-house common. "Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Jedediah Marcy, of Sturbridge, of the county of Worcester, and commonwealth of Massa chusetts, gentleman : "In consideration of one dollar, paid by Daniel Morse, of Sturbridge, Meeting ttovje Spot k Common around the same I acre ^31 rods, Surveyed m 1801. Deeded to Daniel Morse L others by Cap! Jedediah, Marcy Jlpril 13 -* 18 01. southbrtdge. 249 and other proprietors of a public meeting-house, built by said proprie tors, standing in the bounds of Charlton, in the county aforesaid, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell, and convey unto the said Daniel Morse and other proprietors, a certain piece of land, situate and lying and being in Charlton aforesaid, and contains by measure, ' one acre and one hundred and thirty rods, ' and is bounded as follows: Beginning at the south-eastward corner of the same ; thence north, 39 degrees west, 22 rods ; thence 40 degrees north, 1 rod; thence 39 degrees west, 8 rods; thence east, 40 degrees north, If rods; thence north, 40 degrees west, 7 rods; thence west, 3 degrees south, 5 rods ; thence south, 8 degrees west, 1 rod ; thence west, 24 de grees north, 13 rods; thence south, 34 degrees east, 14 rods; thence eastwardly, 38£ rods, to the first-mentioned corner. "Nevertheless, it is to be understood, that the aforesaid Jedediah Marcy hath given the above-described piece of land to the aforesaid Daniel Morse and others, for the purpose of a meeting-house spot and common around the same, and whenever the said Daniel and others shall cease to improve the above-described piece of land for that purpose, then the said piece of land is to revert back to the said Jedediah Marcy, his heirs and assigns. " To have and to hold the aforesaid premises to the said Daniel Morse and other proprietors, their heirs and assigns, to his and their use and behalf forever. And I do covenant with the said Daniel Morse and others, their heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-granted premises, that they are free of all encumbrances, that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Daniel and others, and that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Daniel and others, their heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. "In witness whereof, I, the said Jedediah Marcy, have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and one. (Signed) "JEDEDIAH MARCY. [seal.] " Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of " Joshua Hardlng, " Denison Wheelock. " Worcester, ss: "April 13, 1801. "Then the above-named Jedediah Marcy acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me, " OLIVER PLIMPTON, Justice ofthe Peace. " Received May 4, 1803. " Examined by " DANIEL CLAPP, Register. "Recorded, Book 150, p. 399." 250 SOUTHBRIDGE. DEED OF BURYING-GROUND. " Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Benjamin Freeman of Sturbridge, in the county of Worcester, and commonwealth of Massa chusetts, Esquire, in consideration of one dollar paid by Daniel Morse, of Sturbridge, aforesaid, gentleman, and a number of other proprietors, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell, and convey unto the said Daniel Morse and other proprietors, their heirs and assigns, a certain piece of land, situate, lying, and being in Stur bridge aforesaid, containing one acre, by measure, and is bounded as fol lows : Beginning at the north-east corner of the same, at a heap of stones by the highway; thence south. 30° west, twenty-four rods, to a stake and stones ; thence west, 30° north, six rods and f , to a stake and stones ; thence north, 30° east, twenty-four rods, to a stake and heap of stones ; thence east, 30° south, six rods and f , to the first-mentioned corner. "Provided nevertheless, it is the true intent and meaning, that the said Freeman conveys the above-described acre of land to the said Daniel Morse and others for the purpose of a burying-yard; the said Daniel and others being at the expense of fencing the same ; the said Benjamin reserving to himself the privilege of the grass that may here after grow on said acre of land, provided he shall not turn in any crea ture that may damage or displace any graves therein. " To have and to hold the afore-granted premises to the said Daniel Morse and others, their heirs and assigns, to his and their use and be hoof forever. " And I do covenant with the said Daniel Morse and others, their heirs and assigns, that I am lawfully seized in fee of the afore-granted premises ; that they are free from all incumbrances ; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Daniel Morse and others ; and that I will warrant and defend the same premises to the said Daniel Morse and others, their heirs and assigns, forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. "In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Freeman, have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and one. (Signed) BENJAMIN FREEMAN. [Seal.] " Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of 'Joshua Harding, ¦'Dunison Wheelock. " Worcester, ss. : " April 13, 1801. "Then the above-named Benjamin Freeman acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed before me. - OLIVER PLIMPTON, Justice of Peace. "Received, May 4, 1803. " Entered and examined, per DANIEL ('LAPP, Register.. "Recorded, Book 150, p. 401." SOUTHBRIDGE. 251 FENCING THE BURYING-GROUND. ¦'At a parish meeting, held January 24, 1804, it was voted to choose a committee of three to ascertain the persons who desired to be proprietors in the burying-ground which was given to the parish by Colonel Benja min Freeman, and to take measures to fence the same. Chose for this committee, Oliver Plimpton, Esq., Captain Samuel Newell, and Lieu tenant Jason Morse." The following is a copy of the subscription paper prepared and signed for the above object, to wit : SUBSCRIPTION PAPER. "Those persons wishing to be proprietors in the burying-ground near the new meeting-house, which wras generously given to the parish by Colonel Benjamin Freeman, for that purpose, are desired to subscribe and set their names to this paper, that some method may be adopted to fence and secure the same. " Sturbrddge, February 27, 1804. Benjamin Freeman, Jedediah Marcy, Oliver Plimpton, Gershom Plimpton, James McKinstry, Moses Foster, Jephthah Clark, Joshua Harding, Samuel Newell, Abel Mason, . Abel Mason, Jr. , Oliver Mason, Oliver Mason, Jr. , Asa Walker, Caleb Dresser, Ralph Wheelock, Calvin Wheelock, Ephraim Wheelock, Jr., Jonathan Perry, John Plimpton, James Wheelock, Elias Plimpton, Samuel Fiske, Denison Wheelock, John Marsh, Zebina Abbot, Ralph Harding, Amasa Dow, Moses Mason, Nathan Brown, Smith Foster, - Calvin Perry, William Love, Edward Morris, Reuben Harrington, Ebenezer Clark, William Morris, David Dix, Jason Morse, Jr., Fletcher Foster, Elijah Marcy, Samuel Robbins, John Holbrook, Keziah Brown. " There had been several burials in this cemetery before it was inclosed by the wall, which was erected for that purpose in the spring of 1804. The first burial was two infant children, twins, of the family of Gershom Plimpton, August 9, 1801; the next was Jeremiah Shumway, October 24, 1801 ; and then Lieutenant Eobert Edwards, November 24, 1801. 252 SOUTHBRIDGE. This part of the present cemetery remains of the same dimen sions as it was when originally granted and fenced, except on the front, where a piece was taken off for an improvement of the road in straightening the south side of Main street from its north-east corner westward to Elm street. CHAPTER II. MOVEMENT FOR A TOWN. ^PHE -first movement for a change from the original terms of the parish charter was a meeting held on January 24, 1804 ; this arose through an important defect in the act of incorporation. By the terms of this act, it extended only to certain individuals and their estates, having no regard to terri torial limits ; thus as one by one of these original corporators deceased the number of corporators and taxable property of the parish correspondingly decreased. And by this effect it was foreseen that, at no distant day, the existence of the parish would cease. To remedy this defect in the act incorporating the parish, a petition was framed, which received the signatures generally of those within what is now the territory of the town, which was presented to the General Court, in accordance with a vote of a meeting of the inhabitants then expressed, held on Decem ber 17, 1807, requesting amendments to said act, defining and establishing limits to said parish, and giving the right to tax all the real and personal estate within such hmits for all legal objects, as occasion might require for the support of the same. The committee who drafted this petition was composed of the following names : Oliver Plimpton, Joshua Harding, and Daniel Morse. To this committee were added another com mittee, with regard to the lines of the parish to be established, which included the following gentlemen : Mr. Joshua Hard ing, Jason Morse, and Jonathan Perry. All the preliminaries having at this meeting been estab lished, it was voted, that Oliver Plimpton, Esq., be a delegate 254 SOUTHBRIDGE. to the General Court, to present then- petition and act in their behalf in the support of the same. The parish records do not show the result of this movement, but it appears by the printed acts of the Legislature, preserv ing the established laws enacted by that body, that the labor (if their delegate was successful in effecting the end then desired, as the following copy of the act of amendment to the original act will show. POLL PARISH. "Additional Act of Incorporation, March 8, 1808. "AN ACT, • ' In Addition to an Act entitled 'An Act to Incorporate a Number of the Inhabitants of the South-east Part of Sturbridge, the South-west Part of Charlton, and the West Part of Dudley, all in the County of Worcester, into a Parish, by the Name of the Second Religious Society of Charlton.' " Passed the 28th day of February, 1801. "Beit enacted by the Senate and, Souse of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That any person who since the 28th day of February, 1801, or may hereafter own or occupy any of the estates formerly owned or occupied by any of the persons named in the act of incorporation before named, such person, with his or her family and estate, shall be considered in all parochial affairs and concernments, and to all legal intents and purposes, the true and lawful successors of the persons and estates of those who, by death or any other cause, have ceased to occupy such estates, in as full and ample a manner as if the present possessor had been one of the original number incorporated by the said act ; and the present or future occupant of such estate shall ex ercise and enjoy all the parochial privileges, and be alike subject to all the duties and requisitions of the original possessor; Provided,, That this act shall extend only to such of the successors and occupants as afore said, as already have or hereafter may join with and become members of said society." This act of amendment was the best thing, under the cir cumstances, that could then be obtained, and was a substantial improvement upon the original grant ; although it was not a fulfillment of the desires of the inhabitants, as the records of SOUTHBRIDGE. 255 the parish show, which intent was the procuring of an act giving them full town privileges and territorial bounds. The next movement was on November 11, 1811, by a petition to the parish assessors for a meeting to institute proceedings in favor of a town, as follows: " To Major Oliver Hooker, Ensign Wheelock, and lieutenant Edward Morris, parish assessors : Your petitioners pray that said parish may be called together as soon as convenient, to see if they will petition the next General Court to be set off as a town ; also, to choose a committee in aid of the same ; signed as follows : Samuel Newall, Oliver Plimpton, Ger shom Plimpton, Daniel Briggs, George Sumner, Lemuel Clark, John McKinstry, Calvin Clemence, William Morris, Morris Marcy, and Moses Wheelock." The assessors called a parish meeting, November 25, fol lowing, when Ohver Plimpton presided. A vote was then taken in favor of a town. This meeting was then adjourned to the first Tuesday of January, 1812 ; at which time Gershom Plimpton presided, when it was voted to refer the further consideration of procuring an act for a town to the next parish meeting, and that the committee now raised for aiding the proposed object shall draft a petition and use their endeavors to circulate the same, and get all the signatures they can in favor of the object before the next meeting. This committee was as follows : Joshua Harding, Luther Ammi down, and Reuben Harrington. At the annual parish meeting, held March 31, 1812, Gershom Plimpton, Esq., was chosen moderator. After the transaction of the regular business affairs of the parish, it was voted to add three to the committee, on being set off. as a town, and have the petition copied anew and the plan improved, in order to be sent to the General Court. Chose for the addition to said committee, Ohver Hooker, George Sumner, and Asa Walker. Then voted to adjourn the meeting to the third Tuesday in May next, at two o'clock, p. m. 256 SOUTHBRLDGE. PARISH MEETING, MAY 19, 1812. At this meeting, Gershom Plimpton, Esq., was chosen agent for the parish, to present to the next General Court the petition of the inhabitants, and to have the old plan of said parish (for being set off as a town), furnishing him with a copy of the votes of the parish relating to the same, certified to by the parish assessors, and attested by the clerk. Voted : ' ' That the name for the town be left blank in the petition for the same." The acts of this agent do not appear upon the parish records. The parish committees chosen at the two former meetings, held on November 25, 1811, and March 31, 1812, had engaged Major Samuel Freeman to prepare a plan of the territory, embraced in the lines as surveyed by Caleb Ammidown, Esq., in 1796, and presented the same for the consideration of the parish meeting, held on May 17, 1813. Major Freeman made the following remarks written upon his plan : " The outside lines, as also the lines between the towns, on this deline ation, were laid down from minutes taken from the late Caleb Ammi down, Esq. The river and principal roads .were protracted from minutes taken by me. (Signed) " SAMUEL FREEMAN. " Sturbridge, May 12, 1812." At the meetingheld as last above named, James Wolcott, Jr., was chosen as the agent of the parish, to attend the Gen eral Court at its next session, to obtain a grant for a town ; and Oliver Plimpton, Esq., and Major Oliver Hooker were chosen as an advisory and coDsulting committee, to aid said agent in the object contemplated ; and it was ordered further, that the old petition be revised for the purposes aforesaid. southbridge. 257 This movement proving unsuccessful, a parish meeting was held, January 11, 1814, in pursuance of the object for obtain ing an act for a town, at which time the meeting was organized by the choice of Oliver Mason, Jr., as moderator. It was now decided to postpone the choice of an agent to attend the General Court, to choose a committee of five to draft a new petition, and to obtain as many signatures to the same as possible, before the 26th instant, to which time this meeting was adjourned. Chose for said committee : Oliver Hooker, George Sumner, Oliver^ Mason, Junior, Calvin Am midown, and Reuben Harrington. ".Adjourned Parish Meeting, January 25, 1814. " It was voted that Gershom Plimpton, Esquire, be the agent to pre sent trie petition to the next session of the General Court, and that he be furnished -with the plan, and be authorized to transact any business necessary to carry into effect the prayer of said petition. " Annual Parish Meeting, March 29, 1814. " Oliver Plimpton was now chosen the agent for the parish to attend the next session of the court, and directed to use his endeavors to obtaiii an order of notice, and the appointment of a viewing committee. " Parish Meeting, May 17, 1814. Voted : " That the expenses of a court's committee be paid by the peti tioners, according to their estates. The following were chosen a com mittee to wait on the viewing committee of the court, and to pay their expenses : John Ammidown, Calvin Ammidown, Jason Morse, Gershom Plimpton, and Fordyce Foster. "Then it was voted, that Calvin Ammidown be joined with Oliver Plimpton, as an assistant agent of the parish ; also, chose the following committee, to obtain a more correct survey of the parish: Oliver Mason, Junior, Abel Mason, Junior, Jacob Edwards, Otis Ammidown, and George Sumner. " Then voted, the following committee of seven, to draft a new peti tion, and obtain signatures to the same : Oliver Hooker, Ralph Harding, Daniel Morse, Junior, Calvin Ammidown, William Blood, Joseph Vin ton, Junior, and John Ammidown." 258 SOUTHBRIDGE. COPY OF PETITION. " To the Sonorable the Senat* and the House of Representatives of the Common wealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled : " The petition of the undersigned inhabitants of the Parish set off from the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley, in the county of Worcester, "Most Respectfully Showeth: "That whereas the act incorporating a number of the inhabitants of said towns into a parish, passed, February 28, 1801, by reason of the death and removal of many of the original proprietors, proves very ineffectual towards transacting business necessary to support society; and whereas none but corporators are under the regulations of said act, and as many others have moved within the limits of said parish, whose local situation is such, that an act of incorporation would be much for their accommodation ; therefore, your petitioners earnestly pray that your honorable body would pass an act to incorporate them with their estates into a town by the name of , agreeable to a plan herewith- annexed, and your petitioners, as in duty, bound, will ever pray. "Abel Mason, Asa Walker, Ephraim Martin, Ephraim Martin, Jr. Ralph Wheelock, Caleb Young, Simeon Mason, Henry Hooker, Charles Dugar, Edward Morris, Comfort Searle, Oliver Plimpton, Larkin Ammidown, Lewis Ammidown, John Ammidown, Luther Ammidown, Calvin Ammidown, Caleb Ammidown, Otis Ammidown, Joseph Marcy, Oliver Mason, Jr., Fletcher Foster, Daniel Morse. Isaac Oaks, John Plimpton, Jr., Jacob Oaks, John Webster, Edward Morris, Jr. , Chester Hooker, Moses Fiske, Ezra Perry, John Wight, Erastus Bowles, Jesse Fuller, Oliver Mason, John McKinstry, William McKinstry, Isaac Clark, Joshua Farnum, Asahel Prouty, Daniel Baylis, Oliver Hooker, Jacob Edwards, Abel Mason, Jr., Ephraim Wheelock, John Plimpton, William Blood, Asa Mixter, Samuel Ellis, Lemuel Hooker, Jeremiah Shumway, Dexter Clark, Nathaniel Searle, Reuben Harrington, Morris Marcy, Lyman Morris, Perez B. Wolcott. William Sumner, William Gould, Benjamin F. Shumway, James Wolcott, Jr., John Marsh, Joseph Stedman, Samuel Newell, Daniel S. Clark, Duty Marsh, Nathan Brown, Denison Wheelock, Jonathan Clemence, SOUTHBRIDGE. 259 Cyrus Ammidown, Mnason Morse, Alpha Morse, William Morris, Joshua Harding, Moses Morris, Alfred Morris, Rufus Brown, Jonathan Green, Willard Bicknal, Jonathan Tiffany, Enoch Lewis, Samuel Paul, Joseph Durfee, Benjamin Marcy, Walter Hooker, Elijah Marcy, Simon Plimpton, Thomas Sawyer, Corbin Lyon, Salem Edmonds, William West, Smith Ellis, Comfort Freeman, James Young, Thomas Cheney, Daniel Alliard, Leonard Cheney, Joseph Vinton, Jr., Samuel Rider, Rufus Putney, Eleazer Putney, Moses Putney, Joel Cheney, Jacob Endicot, Samuel Fiske, 2d, Gershom Plimpton, Jason Morse, Ralph Harding, George Sumner, Fordyce Foster, Thomas Young, Duty Marsh, Jr., Asa Morse, Perley Marsh, Nathan Streeter, Silas Ellis, Elias Foster, Smith Foster, Alpheus Foster, Hinsdale Foster, Enoch Bacon, William Haskell, Freeman Pratt, Richard Arnold, Chester Pratt, David Atherton, Abijah Oaks, David Curtis, Chester Stone, Zelotes Bowers, Jephthah Clark, John Martin, Charles West, William Smith, Jr., Charles Cheney, David Putney, Daniel Sabin, Joseph Arnold, Jacob Warren, Ruggles Morse, Edmond Sabin, William Stephens, Peter Dugar, Stephen Tourtelot, Charles Brown, Samuel Brown, Moses Mason, Nathan B. Clark, Elisha Morris, Aaron Clemence, Noah Blackmore, Joseph Clark, John Newell, Ichabod Robbins, Eleazer Wheelock, Luther Wheelock, Davis Wheelock, Moses Wheelock, Willard Morse, Benjamin Walker, Nathan Abbot, Lemuel Clark, Salem Marsh, Daniel Morse, Jr., Samuel Fiske, Elisha Pratt, Abisha Sabin, Barzilla Baylies, Martin Spencer, John Heath, Oliver Mason, David Smith, John Marsh, Jr., Hiram Cheney, Charles Brown, Jr. Lyman Vinton, Edward Baylies." The agents of the parish presented this petition to the General Court at the June session, 1814, when the following action was had on the same : 260 SOUTHBRIDGE. "In the House of Representatives, June 8, 1814, read and referred to the committee on towns. ' ' Sent up for concurrence. "TIMOTHY BIGELOW, "Speaker. " In Senate, June 8, 1814, read and concurred. "JOHN PHILLIPS, "President." The order of notice having been given to adjoining towns by Major Oliver Hooker, deputy-sheriff, the court sent out Silas Holman, Jonas Sibley, and Abner Brown, to view the territory and report. REPORT. The following report was made by the foregoing committee: "COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. "We, the undersigned, named in the order of court, after having given seasonable notice, satisfactory to all parties and corporations interested in the subject-matter of the petition of Abel Mason and others, of the time and place appointed for the committee for the purpose of attend ing to the business of the appointment, met the parties at the house of Morris Marcy, in Sturbridge, on Monday, the 14th day of November, 1814 ; and, after viewing the premises to the satisfaction of the parties and committee, and fully hearing the parties, and carefully considering the subject, the committee ask leave to report the following as their opinion, to wit : That the prayer of the petitioners lie so far granted that the inhabitants, with their estates included within the lines represented by the plan annexed, be incorporated into a town, with a provision in the act of incorporation, giving liberty to those inhabitants residing in the part proposed to be taken from the town of Charlton, of making their own election, whether during their time they shall continue to re side in that part of said proposed new town, together with their estates, which they now possess, so long as they shall hold and possess the same, shall remain and belong to the said town of Charlton or to the new town, ' by certifying the same to the town clerk of said Charlton in writing, within one year from the passing of the act for incorporating the new town. ( Signed) " SILAS HOLMAN, \ "JONAS SIBLEY, [ Court's Committee." "ABNER BROWN, ' SOUTHBRIDGE. 261 A meeting of the parish was called to hear this report, when considerable discussion arose in relation to its merits ; and by taking a vote to ascertain the views of the meeting, upon accepting or rejecting the terms of the same, there was found an almost unanimous vote against it. " Parish Meeting, December 6, 1814. "Jason Morse was now chosen an assistant to attend the General Court, with Oliver Plimpton, Esq., and Major Calvin Ammidown. " The following committee was raised, to draft an act of incorporation for the proposed town : Joshua Harding, Gershom Plimpton, and Fordyce Foster. "Also a committee of five was chosen to select a name for the new town, to wit : Abel Mason, Joshua Harding', Gershom Plimpton, Fordyce Foster, and Jacob Edwards. "This committee reported two names — Southbridge and Quinebaug, The name of " Southbridge" was adopted by the meeting, and then ad journed to January 3, 1815. "Parish Meeting, January 3, 1815. •' Met according to adjournment ; voted to accept the report of the com mittee chosen at the last May meeting, and the survey they presented of the parish, and to pay its expense. "A committee of three was appointed to meet a committee from Dudley, to run the line between that town and the proposed new town, to wit : Major Calvin Ammidown, Captain Otis Ammidown, and Lieu tenant Jason Morse. " It was now voted to reconsider the vote naming the proposed town Southbridge, and to give it the name of "Vienna." ' ' The following were appointed a committee to invite the remonstrants against the new town, who reside within the proposed limits, to with draw their objections: Luther Ammidown, Esq., Major Calvin Ammi down, and Captain John Endicott. This meeting was then adjourned to 20th instant. "Adjourned Meeting, January 20, 1815. " Chose for clerk James Wolcott, Junior. It was now voted to recon sider the vote calling the name of the town Vienna, and to substitute therefor Southbridge. "Then it was voted that in case it should be found there was any other town in the State by the name of Southbridge, then the name of Newbury or Newbern be its substitute. " This meeting was now dissolved." 18a 262 southbridge. "Parish Meeting, March 28, 1815. " A committee was appointed to survey the parish agreeable to direc tion of the court, and to employ such surveyor as they thought fit, to wit: Oliver Mason, Junior, Abel Mason, Junior, Jacob Edwards, Otis Ammidown, and George Sumner. " At this meeting three agents were appointed to attend the General Court, to manage the business for obtaining a town grant, to wit : Major Calvin Ammidown, Frederick W. Bottom, and James Wolcott, Junior." These agents obtained from the General Court an order, appointing, on the 13th of June, a new viewing committee, to examine the territory on the 4th of October, ensuing, to wit: Dr. Ezra Starkweather, Daniel Kingsbury, Esq., and Noah Webster. "Parish Meeting, August 19, 1815. "At this meeting the parish agents, Calvin Ammidown, F. W. Bot tom, and James Wolcott, Junior, were appointed a committee to wait on the viewing committee on the 4th of October next. This meeting was then dissolved. ' ' Attest - " LUTHER AMMIDOWN, Junior, " Clerk." The viewing committee having attended to the duties as signed them by the court, made the following report : "REPORT. " To the Honorable Semite and House of Rejiresentatives of the Common- trealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled : ' ' Agreeable to an order of the honorable Legislature of the common wealth aforesaid, dated 'June 13, 1815,' the committee thereon appointed to consider the petition of Abel Mason and others, praying that the parish which was set off from the towns of Sturbridge, Dudley, and Charlton, on the 28th day of February, 1801, may be incorporated into a town ; and also the report of a viewing committee thereon, and other documents accompanying the same, with instructions to view the afore said towns, and parish ; having duly notified all persons concerned, they accordingly met the parties at the dwelling-house of Phineas Bemis, in Dudley, on the 4th day of October current. ' ' The committee proceeded to view the aforesaid towns of Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton, and the parish aforesaid, as far as they were southbridge. 263 requested, and to their own satisfaction; and after having carefully examined the subject in all its parts, and heard the petitioners, and others interested, and maturely considered the same in all its relations and connections, so far as they have been able to comprehend them, they are unanimously of the opinion that under all the circumstances of the case, the incorporation of those of the said parish, and all others within the limits described in the survey and plan, which is hereto annexed, would greatly conduce to the peace, happiness, and prosperity of all concerned. "The committee therefore report that, in their opinion, the prayer of the petitioners ought to be so far granted, as that those of the petition ers and other inhabitants residing within the limits and boundaries described in the aforesaid plan annexed, with their families and estates, should be incorporated into a town, by such name as the Legislature may deem proper, with all the powers, privileges, and immunities usually enjoyed by similar corporations within this Commonwealth. " All of which is respectfully submitted by " EZRA STARKWEATHER, j " NOAH WEBSTER, I Committee. " DANIEL KINGSBURY, ) " Sturbridge, October 10, 1815." " Parish Meeting, October 25, 1815. "At this meeting, Calvin Ammidown was appointed to go and see Dr. Starkweather and Noah Webster, a part of the viewing committee, and present them a plan showing the lines the parish is willing to accept for the town, and see if they think it reasonable ; and if he, the agent, deems it best, he is authorized to request said viewing committee to come and review the lines. ' ' A committee was chosen at this meeting to resurvey the parish ac cording to the limits the parish is willing to accept for the town, and send a plan of the same by their agent, to the court's committee, to ascertain if they think it reasonable. This committee was: Calvin Ammidown, Jason Morse, Freeman Pratt, and Oliver Mason, Junior. " The foregoing committee, chosen to resurvey the limits of the pro posed town, were authorized to select their surveyor and chainmen, and have them sworn. "Voted to dissolve this meeting. " Attest : " LUTHER AMMIDOWN, Junior, " Clerk." " Parish Meeting, December 26, 1815. "At this meeting, chose for moderator, Luther Ammidown, Esq. It was then voted to choose a committee of nine, to give our agents in structions such as they think proper, before attending the General 264 southbridge. Court. Chose for this committee, Joshua Harding, Oliver Hooker, Luther Ammidown, Jason Morse, Abel Mason, Freeman Pratt, Gershom Plimpton, Oliver Mason,- Junior, and Samuel Newell. ' ' It was now voted that but two of the three agents heretofore chosen to attend the General Court shall go, and they to agree which two shall attend. " This meeting was then dissolved. "Attest : " LUTHER AMMIDOWN, Junior, " Clerk." "Parish Meeting, January 30, 1816. "Chose for moderator, Luther Ammidown, Esq.; then voted to adjourn the meeting, to 9 o'clock a. m., to-morrow." " Adjourned Parish Meeting. January 31, 1816. 1 'oted . "To accept the territory, given to us by the last court's com mittee for a town by the name of ' Southbridge. ' "It was then voted that Otis Ammidown should not pay any tax for five years on his real estate in the town of Southbridge, unless sooner annexed to said town ; and that the petitioners who joined in aid of the act of incorporation for Southbridge, and were not included, that when they shall petition to be annexed to the said town, the expense shall be paid by the same. " Also, it was voted that James Wolcott, Junior, be the agent of the town to attend the General Court, to superintend the business for carry ing the act of incorporation of the town into effect, which our agents left with General Holman. " Voted to dissolve this meeting. "Attest: "LUTHER AMMIDOWN, Junior, " Clerk." " Parish Meeting, April 24, 1816. " Chose for moderator, Captain Gershom Plimpton. "It was then voted that the clerk of the parish receive all the books and papers concerning the parish proprietors, and that the clerk trans fer and record the doings of the former pew-holders, in a book belong ing to said proprietors. ' ' It was then voted to choose a committee of ways and means concern ing the meeting-house, to consist of four, as follows, to wit: Calvin Ammidown, Jason Morse, Gershom Plimpton, and Joshua Vinton." The object of this committee of ways and means was, no doubt, to dispose of the meeting-house; as there had been a desire of the Congregationahsts to either buy the interests of the other religious denominations, who were then proprietors southbridge. 265 in said house, or to sell their own interest ; and it appears there had been an offer by the Congregationalists to either buy or to sell, at fifteen hundred dollars, and it is probable that this committee arranged this mode of closing the joint interest by which the house was then held, as the other denominations did buy the interest of the Congregationahsts at the price here stated. This transaction does not appear upon the parish records, but it is well known that such were the facts. This was the last meeting held by the parish that appears upon its records. As has been stated in the foregoing, there were several different surveys made during the progress of tlie effort for obtaining the grant for the town. Upon the last survey, made by Major Samuel Freeman, he inserts the following remarks : '¦ N. B. — On all former plans of this territory drawn by me, that part of Charlton formerly set off to Sturbridge has been included in the measure of Charlton, agreeable to the original plan by Caleb Ammidown, Esq., made in 1796 ; on all plans of this date, it is included with Stur bridge ; and drawn 160 rods to an inch. Dated at Sturbridge, November, 1815." The part set off from Charlton to Sturbridge, here referred to by Major Freeman, was set oft', June 27, 1792, before there was a movement for the poll parish. It included all that part of Charlton that lay south of the main street, now in South- bridge village, on the road leading to Dudley, to wit : Begin ning at a point on the line between Sturbridge and Charlton at about where the Columbian building in Southbridge village now stands, corner of Elm street, and thence running southerly on said line to the great monument, or Dudley north-west corner, as the line and corner were then located ; thence easterly along the line between Dudley and Charlton, until it reached said Dudley road ; this three-cornered or triangular piece was set off to Sturbridge, as before stated, in 1792, on 266 southbridge. the petition of Colonel Thomas Cheney, Widow Seabury, and Benjamin Freeman. The following is the oath administered to the surveyor and chainmen who surveyed the lines for the town of Southbridge; performed at several different times by the authority of the committees of the parish, to wit : "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester, ss. . "May 19, 1815. " Then personally appeared Samuel Freeman, surveyor ; and Oliver Mason, Junior, Abel Mason, Junior, Jacob Edwards, Otis Ammidown, and George Sumner, the chainmen ; and made oath, that in taking an actual survey of the parish called Honest Town, set off from the towns of Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton, by an Act of this Commonwealth, passed, February 28, 1801, that they would faithfully and impartially, according to their best skill and judgment, make a true survey of the territory, proposed by the petitioners to be incorporated into a separate town, according to their petition, and a former survey, exhibited to the committee of the General Court at a former session, and agreeable to an order of the General Court, passed, February 2, 1815. " Before me, "FREDERICK W. BOTTOM, ' ' Justice of the Peace. " EXPLANATIONS ON THE LAST PLAN. "Original lines of parish by Caleb Ammidown, marked thus, 1 ' Lines reported by the court's committee, marked thus, oooooooooooooooo " Lines drawn by the petitioners, marked thus, — — — — " Lilies where the petitioners and committee agree, — o — o — o— o— " Statement. " The whole number of acres, by plan of Caleb Ammidown, Esq., within the outside lines arc, 15,0444 Taken from Sturbridge, 8,262£ " Charlton, - 4,367| Dudley, 2,414 15,044i "The lines by the committee include, From Sturbridge, 7,940i " Charlton, 3,080£ " Dudley, l,381i 12,402^ SOUTHBRIDGE. 267 "The petitioners' lines include, From Sturbridge, 8,169i " Charlton, 3,335* " Dudley, 2,074£ 13,479 " The reports of the court committees, maps, petition, and estimates, are taken from documents in the files of the department of state at Boston." This town, when incorporated, included 12,402^ acres, but was enlarged by an addition taken from Dudley of about 1,000 acres, making a total of 13,500 acres. CHAPTEK III. AN ACT To Incorporate the Town of Southbridge. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and hy the authority of the same. That all the parts of the towns of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Dudley, as contained and described within the following boundaries, be, and the same are hereby established as a separate town, by the name of Southbridge, viz. : Beginning at the south-east corner, being a heap of stones on Connecti cut line; thence running north, !) degrees west, eighty-nine rods (89), to the great monument, so-called ; thence, continuing the same course, four hundred and twenty rods (420), to a white-oak tree, marked, at the north east corner of Sturbridge, projecting into Dudley; thence north, 17 de grees east, five hundred and twenty rods (520), to a stake and stones on the east line of Luther Ammidown's farm ; thence north, 31* degrees east, one hundred and two rods (102), to a black-oak tree, marked; thence north, 5* degrees east, eighteen and one-half rods (18$), to said Ammidown's north-east corner; thence west, 11 degrees south, fifty-one rods (51), to Eliakim Chamberlain's land, the south-west corner; thence north, 1 degree west, one hundred and three rods (103), to a north west corner of said Chamberlain's land: thence east, 94 degrees north, forty rods (40) ; thence east, 18 degrees north, twenty-seven and one- half rods (374), to a south-east corner of said Ammidown's land; thence north, 3* degrees east, fifty-eight rods (58), to another north-east corner of Luther Ammidown's land; thence west, 11 degrees south, thirty- two and one-half rods (33*), to another south-west corner of said Chamber lain's land ; thence north, 23i degrees east, thirty-four and one-half rods (34$), to a stake and stones; thence north, 30 degrees east, fifteen rods (15), to a stake and stones; thence west, 12 degrees north, thirty rods (30), to a poplar-staddle on Calvin Ammidown's east line; thence north, 1* degrees west, on said Calvin Ammidown's east line, and crossing a small pond, two hundred and twenty-seven rods (227), to a stake on his north line, in a cedar swamp ; thence west, 14A degrees south, forty-five and one-half rods (45$), to Royal Ellis' south-east corner; thence west, 114 degrees south, forty-one rods (41), to said Ellis' south-west corner; thence west, 31J degrees north, five hundred and eighty-eight rods FolirinirjrlM6. Protracted by ... C^W/r/rr ¦ w//m:/' ' .si) •//<,¦/ ;/ / NOV* 1815. I'rr/iarai ' tvprrssh ikr rjn- Ihstiri of Si>atKl«,!i.-.; i (fa ¦' ¦_ t (i"Wiia ' f. v.., _ LtnaDrBcxkytti.' PrtUieaKs ,'hut #S» iht&titiijrur.t end iemKdUo ««ron ttuw~ STATEMENT JheH/ji.-ats.thTfi'dtTefiPjsiaiitd'brttkfitir.atU'Sue* e. , ^SOUTHBRIDGE 4fAS$-^ 1330. Southbridge *ras taken from the to>rnr of Dudley .Thtrbridqt and Charlton and incorporated in /SJS. Dudley mxr incorporated in /JJ/. Jturortd•,',' „.,/,., The Qitinsbaug runrm Sotdh6rid.gr 6'itnitrr Tht faUJrom thetcp of ' ttbUoinh-oresJtJudjvn'sPonil toOutyt if Jf ami /ton Cosfbnd is -r/lfeet- to Iftefiwi of samo f9£fe*t,. lh*nt*to lArto/i of Columbian Cos fiend #Wf*t; l» t/itjeetofsam* /Of ret thence to Dudley lint SOlfJeet. telktl- /&5£je*fr Dijtetnce fremSarton- 5Jmil*r,jrom.fitorcPSter fS '/niter. ATM - ZQ&t 050 - ZS55. /S60-55p. s /ifo-5&9& &/ EXPLANATION. DtreiluufHe^rei -¦ a SehottlJbnt** ¦ ¦ a MilUJi Wahr-ehipr + faetorie* .¦ * Slorrt . ¦ ¦ ¦ Scale of/OOrods' fe <"i inch. This map is made from a rorrect ,urrey o/'the To,m ofSoHlMr^ijB,rU.FreBman *, u,u,er Me «„,,«. **** * „„»*,.„**< MayKSMfor, hat purpose, in pursuance ofa resotre of Me ^W» of^slu^l,passe,,tarr/U- . ' ' ^ •* .Mow Plimpton Southbridge M. mi. t:^L, Corn mil Ur. V-UTNOGMPHIC CO.N* {OSBOME'S MOCESSJ SOUTHBRIDGE. 311 was the abolishing of the court of sessions, and transferring its remaining duties to other courts. The act establishing the board of county commissioners was passed by the Legislature, February 26, 1828. These officers to hold commission by appointment from the gov ernor, by consent of the council, three years, unless sooner removed. A new system of roads was now inaugurated, which soon destroyed the value of turnpike roads, and relieved the pub lic from the burden of tolls. It was learned by the action of this board, that the distance around a hill was about the same as that over it, while the cost of construction of that class of roads was no greater. This may properly be taken as the commencement of good roads in Massachusetts, for the accommodation of the distant or long travel, without regard to local interest. When the town of Southbridge was incorporated in 1816, its roads had not advanced beyond the primitive period, as before represented ; since which time few towns, if any, have exhibited more enterprise in this respect. The first new road built here extended from a point a short distance west of the Methodist meeting-house to a point on the road opposite the dwelling-house of the late Oliver Plimp ton, Esq., relieving the travel from the angle near the house of J. J. Oaks (formerly the house of the late Fordyce Foster), and the hill on the old road. This was an improvement of the road between the center and Globe village made in 1823, principally through the in fluence of the late James Wolcott, Junior,' then the chief owner of the woolen mills in the latter village. The next improvement was in the center village, on Elm street (as now known) ; this was done by the authority of the court of sessions, in the spring of 1825, by widening the road between Main street and the Congregational meeting-house by 312 SOUTHBRIDGE. taking land upon the east side of the way. It had two objects, as then set forth, one to widen the street, and the other to open a piece of common land, similar to that connected with the Baptist meeting-house. The leading impulse to this movement was the commence ment of the erection of a hotel on the site of the present Edwards house. In December, 1824, Luther and Holmes Ammidown and associates, had excavated a cellar there, walled in the same, and had the sills placed thereon, while the frame was in preparation for the structure. This was the condition when the court's committee appeared to view, and hear parties in interest. There was a strong effort to influence the committee to widen the end on Main street, on the west side, to take in the whole cellar, and thus stop the erection of the hotel ; but the necessity was not deemed sufficient by the committee to incur that expense ; but four feet were taken from the east side of the cellar, reducing the length of the front four feet from the original design of the hotel to be erected. There was also made, in the year 1825, under the authority of the selectmen, a general survey of the town roads, by Colonel David Wight. These surveys were recorded by the town clerk, at a later date, in a book in that office for record ing roads. In 1826, Holmes Ammidown, being the highway surveyor for the center district, constructed the large water-sewer crossing Main street, and raised the grade in places from four to six feet, and constructed a reservoir near the east side of same. Those persons, now residents of this village, and not having witnessed the overflow of this street by sudden heavy rains, before this improvement was made, can scarcely realize as they now behold its fine elevated grade, always free from water, that it was frequently covered with water from one to four feet in depth, from a point opposite Elm street to the SOUTHBRIDGE. 313 house of Larkin Ammidown, Esq., when the only mode of transit for foot-passengers was by boat. In the year 1828, the date of the act establishing the board of county commissioners, this board was applied to, and laid out, and ordered to be constructed, the county road leading from Southbridge to Dudley, by way of the Red bridge; beginning a little east of the Columbian factory, and running to Dudley center, extending east to an intersection of the Boston and Hartford turnpike, leading through Oxford, Webster, Dudley, Woodstock, and Ashford. This was the first of the series of county roads now extending from the center village of this town. In 1829 the old form of the common around the Baptist meeting-house was changed from the original shape, as granted hy Captain Jedediah Marcy, April 13, 1801. A large piece on its north side, near the meeting-house, was exchanged for other land on the same side, in front of the present residence of William Edwards, and extending both east and west from that point, making an oblong square instead of the former triangular-shaped piece that lies east of the meeting-house.* The road was also straightened on the south side, taking a piece from the front of the cemetery, and the land adjoining, up to the present residence of Robert H. Cole. Several of the dweiling-houses on the north side of the present common, near the Baptist meeting-house, now stand on a part of what was formerly the old meeting-house common. The new county road to Dudley opened the way for two new town roads, built in 1829, both leading from this county road, at the Red bridge ; one south, by what is now Saunders Dale Print works, to save the travel on the old Dudley road westward (from this point of intersection to the Woodstock road), from the severe hills and angle; the other extending * See plan of this common, showing the form of original grant by Captain Maroy. 314 SOUTHBRrDGE. north up the valley of Trout brook, and since extended to unite with the old road leading to Dresser hill. The next county road opened was in 1832. This com menced at a point a little south of the center village, running south-westerly to the line of West Woodstock. This road was extended, by the influence of citizens of Southbridge, through West Woodstock and Ashford, to inter sect the Boston and Hartford turnpike before referred to. To effect this important object, in extending this road through these towns in Connecticut, a delegation from this town, to wit, Linus Child, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Bela Tiffany, and Holmes Ammidown, visited the Assembly of that State then in session at New Haven, where, after a few days' conference with the members of that body, they obtained an act from that Assembly granting right of way, and for its location and construction; opening an important and direct communication to Hartford and intermediate towns on its line of way. In the following year, 1833, attention was directed to ex tending this Hartford road north-easterly, to make a direct road from Worcester through Southbridge to Hartford. This county road commenced at a point on Main street, opposite the Edwards house (since erected), passing over Quinebaug river, at Central mills, and thence through the Gulf, so called, to Charlton center, North Oxford, and Auburn, to Worcester. By the completion of this line of roads, the great mail line of stage coach travel, which, for many years, had passed over the turnpike, through Sturbridge, was transferred to this route, and so continued until superseded hy radway accommodation. The three important roads leading east, soutli, and north, from the center village, having been finished, the mountainous road over Fiske hill claimed attention for opening an easy grade of road westward, through Sturbridge. This western road was constructed in 1838, commencing at SOUTHBRIDGE. 315 a point in Globe village, on the west side of Quinebaug river, and running by the south end of Fiske hill to Sturbridge center. This completed the series of roads contemplated by the leading citizens of Southbridge, at the time of the establish ment of the board of county commissioners. The great amount of severe labor in traversing all this extent of country to ascertain the most favorable location for each, and using the necessary management in procuring their location and construction, is probably little realized, or even thought of, by most of the present citizens of this town. It is deemed an act of justice by the writer, who was actively connected with these improvements for travel, to say, that to no one person is this town so much indebted for this series of roads as to the late Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown. There have been other important roads since constructed by or through the influence of this people, to wit : Hamilton street, between the center and Globe villages (the River road), by the Catholic church and railroad depot, in 1847. The Valley road, facilitating travel to Charlton city, and the depot on the Boston and Albany railroad, in the north part of that town, running up the valley of Cady brook, was con structed in 1851. The following year, 1852, the road leading north from Red bridge, over the Quinebaug, up the valley of Trout brook, was extended to intersect the old road in the south part of Charlton, leading over Dresser hill to Oxford. This brings the history of roads to a point in this town when few, if any, extended roads are required to facilitate travel in its vicinity. The introduction of steam-power has taken from this class of roads the importance formerly attached to them, for distant travel and for transportation of the mails. That era has had its day ; and the time will soon come when few or none of the 316 SOUTHBRIDGE. livina; can relate the excitement and interest felt in all the interior towns, along the line of post-roads, for the arrival and departure of the mail-coaches, drawn by four to six horses ; the sound of the driver's horn, echoing over the hills, and the sharp crack of the whip, announcing the near approach of this conveyance, was a source of much excitement with the village people surrounding the mail stations, all eager to see the new arrivals, and obtain the latest news. " The man of the whip and the reins was regarded as an important person in that day." TOWN-HOUSE. The first movement for building a town-house in South- bridge was made at a town meeting in 1835, but no definite action was effected at tins time, and the question remained at rest until brought forward at the March meeting in 1837. It now came up in connection with the action for the accept ance and disposition of the town's share of the surplus revenue of the United States, which, by an act of Congress of June, 1836, was to be deposited with the several States. This was " A Bill to Regulate the Deposits of the Public Money," which contained the following clause : " That the money which shall be in the treasury of the United States on the 1st of January, 1837, reserving the sum of $5,000,000, shall be deposited with the several States in proportion to their representation in the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, which shall by law authorize their treasurer or other competent authorities to receive the same on the terms hereinafter specified ; and the secretary of the treasury shall deliver the same to such treasurer, or other competent authorities, in such form as may be prescribed by the secretary afore said, which certificate shall express the usual and legal obligations of common depositories of the public money for the safe-keeping and re payment thereof, and shall pledge the faith of the State receiving the same to pay the said moneys and every part thereof, from time to time, whenever the same shall be required by the secretary of the treasury, for the purpose of defraying any wants of the public treasury beyond the amount of the five millions aforesaid. SOUTHBRIDGE. 317 1 ' Provided, if any State declines to receive its proportion of the sur plus aforesaid on the terms before named, the same may, at the discre tion of the treasurer, be deposited with the other States agreeing to accept the same in deposit. " And provided further, that when the said money, or any part there of, shall be wanted by said secretary to meet appropriations made by law, the same shall be called for in ratable proportions within one year, as nearly as conveniently may be, from the different States with which the same is deposited, and shall not be called for in sums exceeding ten thousand dollars, from any one State, in any one month, without pre vious notice of thirty days for every additional sum of twenty thousand dollars which may be required. The said deposits shall be made with the States in the following pro portions, and at the following times, viz. : one quarter part on the 1st day of January, 1837, or as soon after as may be ; one quarter on the 1st day of April ; one quarter on the 1st day of July ; and one quarter part on the 1st day of October of the same year." The sum apportioned among the twenty -six States, which the Union then contained, on January 1, 1837, was $37,468,859.97; but the change of financial affairs which took place in 1837 caused the government to withhold the last quarter payment. An extra session of Congress was called together in Septem ber, in 1837, by order of the President, Mr. Van Buren, to consult on measures for the relief of the country. It was decided by an act of Congress to suspend the Octo ber payment ; thus the several States received but three in stallments, amounting to the sum of $28,101,000, divided among the twenty-six States, as follows, to wit : Maine,New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut,Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,Delaware,Maryland,Virginia, North Carolina, §955,838.25 669,086.79669,086.79 1,338,173.58 764,670.60 382,335.30 4,014,520.71 764,670.60 2,867,514.78 286,751.49 955,838.25 2,198,727.99 1,433.757.39 South Carolina, Georgia,Alabama,Mississippi,Louisiana,Missouri, Kentucky,Tennessee,Ohio, Indiana,Illinois,Arkansas, Michigan, 1,051,422.09 1,051,422.09 669,086.79 382,335.30 477,919.14 382,335.30 1,433,757.391,433,759.39 2,007,260.34 860,254.44 477,919.14 286,751.49286,751.49 318 SOUTHBRIDGE. The several States differed much in their disposition of their share of this money. In some States it was divided among the people; in others for education, and given to counties, as in New York ; but in Massachusetts it was loaned to the several towns and cities, on the condition that it should be refunded to the State treasu rer, when he should be called upon to pay the same to the secretary of the treasury of the United States. The article in the warrant for March meeting, 1837, upon the question of receiving the town's share of this money, and the proceedings thereon, are as follows : "ARTICLE. "To see if the town will authorize their treasurer to receive on de posit, upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by law, any money which the Legislature may authorize or direct the treasurer and receiver-general of the commonwealth to deposit with the town of Southbridge, and if so, what disposition the town will make of such money. " Voted, March 6, That the town of Southbridge will receive upon deposit such portion of the surplus revenue of the United States as may be apportioned to this town ; and that the town will comply with all the conditions that may be imposed by law of this commonwealth for de positing said revenue with the several towns ; and that the treasurer of the town is authorized to draw for such installments, as from time to time may be due this town, and that the treasurer have authority to ex ecute all necessary obligations to bind the town to the repayment of such money to the commonwealth, should the same be called for." At the town meeting, March 27, following, held at the hall, of Moulton and Ammidown, Bela Tiffany was chosen moderator. It was then voted to build a town-house, two stories high, the walls of which to be of brick, and to finish the lower story for town business. The size of the house to lie sufficient to seat double the num ber of voters which are now upon the voters' list of this town, also to build a stair-way and lay the floor in the second story, SOUTHBRTDGE. 319 and leave the remainder of said story otherwise unfinished ; provided a spot can he obtained for its location. The following persons were appointed to select a location for the town-house, and to buy the same : From district No. 1, Stillman Plimpton, 2, Abel Mason, 3, Henry Plimpton, 4, Oliver Morse, 5, Holdridge Ammidown, 6, FreemanPratt, 7, Joseph Clark. The following persons were appointed the building com mittee : Jedediah Marcy, Dr. Samuel Hartwell, and John McKinstry. The lot selected was a piece of ground next north of the Congregational meeting-house, which was purchased of Luther and Holmes Ammidown, for the sum of eight hmidred and fifty dollars. At the town-meeting, held May 15, 1837, it was voted, " That Dr. Samuel Hartwell, town treasurer, be authorized to receive, as the agent of the town, from the treasurer and receiver-general of the commonwealth, this town's portion of the surplus revenue, and to bind the town for its repayment, as the law may require." The time when the treasurer received this money, and the amount of each sum received, is as follows : "Received May 22, 1837, $2,105.41 > July 26, " 1,106.57/ $3,211.98 Interest accrued on same before used, 95.45 " See account with Southbridge bank, where j the same was deposited until used for build- > ing the town-house." ' It was voted that this share of the surplus revenue be appropriated, first, to purchase the lot for the town-house location, and the balance, so far as may he necessary, for building the town-house, as before voted. $3,307.43 320 SOUTHBRIDGE. At a meeting of the town, June 4, 1838, the building com mittee was authorized to add a belfry or cupola, not to exceed the cost of one hundred dollars. The building committee made report of their doings to the annual town meeting, held March 4, 1839. The expenditure was as follows : Laid for purchase of location, " expense of construction, Total expenditure, $850.00 2,959.78 3,809.78 ' ' The committee report further, that they estimate the expense of of finishing the second story at one hundred and fifty dollars. "The committee omitted any charge for services in the foregoing. (Signed) ' ' JEDEDIAH MARCY, "SAMUEL HARTWELL, "JOHN McKINSTRY." SCHOOLS. Annual appropriations for schools in Southbridge, from the organization of the town in 1816 to the year 1871, inclusive : 1816,1817,1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822,1823, 1824, 1825,1826,1827,1828, 1829, 1830, $400 1831, 400 1832, 400 1833, 400 1834, 400 1835, 400 1836, 400 1837, 500 1838, 450 1839, 500 1840, 550 1841, 600 1842, 600 1843, 600 1844, 500 1845, 600600 600 600800SOU800800 1,000 1,000 800 800 1,000 1846,1847,1848,1849,1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854,1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, SOCTHBKinGE $1,200 1859, 1,200 1860, 1,200 1861, 1,200 1862, 1,200 1863, 1,200 1864, 1.600 1865, 1,600 1866, 2.000 1867, 2,200 186S. 2,425 1869, 2,700 1870, 2,700 1871, 321 $2,700 2,700 2,9002,9003,3003,300 3, 300 3,800 4,450 5,7003,300 7,4007,150 REMARKS. As early as the year 1S41 a vote was passed at the March meeting, to wit : "That Mr. Willard have the use of the room over the town hall, for a high school." From that date a high school has been maintained in this town, but by private contribution, until the following appro priations were made, beginning in 1 S54 : DIVISIONS OF SCHOOL MONEY. 1854, For Districts, $2,000; For High Sc lool. $200 1855, •• 1,600; •' 600 1856. 1,800; " 625 1857, - 2,000; 700 1858. " 2,000: I > 700 1859, ¦• 2,000; .. 700 1860. ¦¦ 2, 000 ; " 700 1861, 2.200; TOO 1862. " 2,200: " 700 1863, " 2.500; 800 1864. 2, 500 ; " • 800 1865. 2.500; SOO 1866, 3,000; 800 !SG7. 3,500; ,. 950 1868. ¦• 4.500: 1.200 1869, 2,500; .. 800 1870, . . * 5.500; " ¦ 1.900 1871, •¦ 5,600: 1.550 322 SOUTHBRIDGE. As before stated, the number of the school and highway districts have remained the same as established by the report of the committee, chosen at a town meeting, held for the or ganization of the town, March 6, 1816 ; yet some alterations have since been made by different arrangement of their terri tory. In the year 1845 a committee of seven were chosen to make such alterations as might be deemed more for the con venience of the inhabitants : For District No. 1, Samuel M. Lane. " "2, John Marsh. " "3, John P. Steadman. " "4, Willard Morse. " " 5, Marvin Cheney. " ' " 6, Francis S. Morse. " "7, Joseph Clark. The most important change made by this committee was in District No. 4. This district, heretofore, had been continued with a part of Charlton, the same as it stood before the town was incorporated ; but now an independent district was formed within the limits of the town, including a part of the First dis trict, north of the river, and a school-house located where it now stands, near the Catholic cemetery ; the other arrange ments were inconsiderable, pertaining more to the schools. Thus the districts continued up to the year 1868, when, at the town meeting, held on March 2, it was voted, ' ' That the several school districts in the town of Southbridge be and they are hereby abolished ; and that the town will forthwith enter upon and take possession of the property of the districts, in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes, chapter xxxix, section 3." The schools are now managed in accordance with said law. CHARLOTTE PLIMPTON, SCHOOL TEACHER, Was the daughter of Ezekiel Plimpton, whose father was Simon Plimpton, of Medfield, a brother of Joseph Plimp ton. She rode on horseback from Medfield to Sturbridge, SOUTHBRIDGE. 323 leaving in the morning, and arriving at her cousin Oliver Plimpton's at evening. After teaching school for a time, she married a Mr. Dorr, and settled in Roxbury. In 1870 this writer made her acquaint ance at Oakland, a part of that town, she then being about ninety years of age ; he found her then active and intelligent, possessing the vigor of a person of sixty to sixty-five. She spoke of keeping a summer school at Sturbridge, in the vil lage called Honest Town, in the years 1800 and 1 801 ; and had then preserved a list of the names of her scholars, as follows : School began on Thursday, March 24, 1800. Abby Shumway, Jeremiah Shumway, Benjamin F. Shumway, Adelaide Shumway, Debyann Shumway, Augusta Shaw, Susannah Shaw, Lucinda Shaw, Lucy Shaw, Dolly Shaw, Julius Shaw, Julia Plimpton, Mariah Plimpton, Harriet Plimpton, Lydia Plimpton, Chauncy Plimpton. Moses Plimpton, Stillman Plimpton Henry Plimpton, Sally Morris, Meriam Barrett, Dolly Newell, Samuel Lewis Newell, Isaac Ambrose Newell, Daniel F. Newell, Baxter Newell, Theodorah Courtis, Barlow Courtis, Hannah Marcy, Polly Marcy, Mehetable Marcy, Jedediah Marcy, Matilda Clark, Nathan Clark, Jack Clark, Almira Clark. Patty Clark, Lucinda Eddy, Amos Eddy, Jedediah Sumner, Charlotte Dresser, Lucy Bracket, Sally Robbins, Horatio Robbins, Sanford Robbins, Betsey McKinstry, Mercy McKinstry, William McKinstry, Hulda Chamberlain, Lydia Chamberlain, Silvia Perry, Perley Simpson, Sally Simpson, William Spencer, Matilda Spencer, Laura Putney, Isaac Putney, Salem Edmonds, Nancy Edmonds, Sally Abbot. GENERAL EDUCATION. Its Origin and Progress in Massachusetts, to the Present Time. If the descendants of the Puritans, with the light of the present age, do not approve of all the doings of their ances tors in the early stages of their progress, in founding and sus- 324 SOUTHBRIDGE. tainino- the o-overnment and institutions of New England, they have abundant reasons to rejoice for many acts of theirs, that continue to give tone and character to all parts of this country. Their early attention to providing means for general edu cation, and the encouraging of pursuits of industry, have been the means from which have arisen the great diversity of labor, wealth, and power, and the influence, moral, religious, and political, which now characterizes this section of the American Union, and which to-day stamps its image, with more or less force, upon all other sections of these United States. As legitimate descendants, true to the traditions and spirit of the principles of the Reformers, ofthe era of the Protestant Reformation, they regarded education as an essential element in sustaining sound morals and a rational and pure religion. The recent remarks of a New England man upon education are applicable here : " If there is anything in the institution of a free State which shows the character of its founders, it is the regard paid to the education of youth. Religion, morals, enterprise, whatever benefits or adorns society, rest here, on their surest foundation ; and where effectual provision is made in the infancy of a community for general instruction, other salu tary regulations may be expected to accompany them. Take from the commonwealth the universal education of the citizens, the social system is at an end. The form might continue for s\, time, but its spirit would have fled. To suppose that pure religion, pure morals, upright adminis tration of government, and a peaceable, orderly, and agreeable inter course in domestic and social relations of life, can exist where tlie people, as a body, are ignorant of letters, is an egregious solecism. "I do not say that education is all that is needed, but without kuowl- edge, generally diffused, other means of improving human society are comparatively weak and unavailing. " '* It is fortunate for the descendants of the founders of New England, that many of their ancestors had been educa ted in the best institutions of learning in England ; while their * See Professor Kingsloy's Historical Discourse on the Anniversary of the Settlement of New Haven. Also, see De Tocqueville's Democracy in America, chapter n. SOUTHBRIDGE. 325 moral and religious training had been of the sternest type. It has been said that the Pilgrims and Puritans exiled themselves from their homes and native country, and planted themselves in the wilderness of America to enjoy religious liberty ; free dom to worship God as their consciences dictated. If it be understood by what is here styled liberty and freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, that either the Pilgrims or Puritans meant, in any sense, toler ation of other forms of religious worship than that in which they believed and professed, it is a mistake. Their own declaration, before entering upon the design, giving the reasons which induced them to make the sacrifice of tbe enjoyment of their native country, home, and friends, seems to decide the object had in view. The Pilgrims state : " That which was most lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was, that many of their children, by the great licentiousness of youth in the country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins off their necks and departing from their parents, tend ing to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls ; to the great grief of their parents and dishonor of God. So they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted. "Lastly (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the propagating and advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world. "* It was not liberty which they most desired, when they formed the idea of removing to America ; it was restraint, the power to hold every individual in their own community to a rigid account of their morals and religion. They left their homes in England and removed to the Low Countries, as Bradford says, because " they heard there ivas freedom of religion for all men/" But now they had found, to their grief, that this toler ation was having a bad influence upon their children, and thus they desired to escape from this freedom. * See Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, pages 10 and 24." 82a 326 SOUTHBRIDGE. While the Puritans say : "And consulting together about settling some plantation in New England, upon the account of religion, where such as were called Non- Conformists might, with the favor and leave of the king, have a place of reception, if they could transport themselves into America, there to enjoy the liberty of their oirn persuasion in matters of worship and church discipline, without disturbance of the peace of the kingdom, and with out offense to others, not like-minded with ourselves. "* The Pilgrims and Puritans were honest in their purpose; there was no deception as to their intentions ; they openly and boldly declared their object in removing to America : " to enjoy the liberty of their own persuasion '' in matters of worship and church discipline, and to transmit the same privileges to their posterity. Although the Pilgrims were less politic in carrying forward their plans, their design was similar to that of the Puritans. With the latter class their plans were laid and executed with great wisdom, and with a view to certain ends to be accomplished. The charter, dated, "March 19, 1628," which they obtained, granted to them special prerogatives; enabling them to pro tect themselves against all encroachment upon either their religious or political rights. This charter, after reciting the names of the patentees, and describing the limits of their territory, adds : ' ' We have further, hereby, of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, given, granted, and confirmed, and for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant, and confirm, unto our said trusty and well beloved subjects, and all such others as shall hereafter be admitted and mode free if the emnpany antlmsociety hereafter mentioned, shall from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter be, by virtue of these presents, one body corporate and politic in fact and name by the name of the governor and company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England." And it further adds (after having organized their govern ment) : * See Young's Chronicles of Massachusetts, page 29. SOUTHBRIDGE. 327 "Shall have full power and authority to choose, nominate, and appoint such and so many others as they shall think ft, and that shall be willing to accept the same, to be free of the said companv and body, and them mto the same to ado, it; and to elect and constitute such officers as they shaU thinl-fit and requisite for the ordering, managing, and dispatching of the affairs of the said governor and company, and their successors* and to make laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the said company and for the government and ordering of the said lands and plantation, and the people inhabiting and to inhabit the same, at to them, from time to time, shall be thought meet." Thus, it is seen that their charter rights gave to them the privilege of selecting and admitting to their company only such as they might choose and were willing to conform to their peculiar ideas. At first their political franchise was to be held In London. and managed by a trading company ;* but this plan did not give that encouragement to that eminent class of men styled Puritans to embark in the undertaking of establishing a per manent colony, which they had contemplated ; consequently, the governor of the company, Mathew Cradock, at their meeting, held on July 29, 1629, offered certain propositions conceived by himself, viz. : "That for the advancement of the plantation, the inducing and en couraging persons of worth and quality to transplant themselves and families thither, and for other weighty reasons therein contained, to transfer the government of the plantation to those that shall inhabit there ; and not to continue the same in subordination to the company here, as now it is." This proposition caused considerable debate, when it was decided to refer the subject to two committees — one for trasferring, and the other against ; and these to report "Whether or no the chief government of the plantation, together with the patent, should be settled in New England or here." * This company originated in a fishing enterprise at Cape Ann, through the efforts of Edward Winslow and Robert Cushman, agents, in England, in behalf of the Plymouth colony, assisted by the Rev. John White, of Dorchester, England. The, indenture was made, January 1, 1623, and signed by Edward, Lord of Sheffield, in the twenty-first year of the reign of King James I. 328 SOUTHBRIDGE. Those against were, viz. : Nathaniel Wright, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Adams, Mr. Spurtow, and such others as they should think fit to call unto them, whether of the company or not ; and those for removing the government and patent were : Sir Richard- Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, John Venn, and such others as they should call unto them. These parties having given their reasons for and against in their report to the company, the cpiestion was then put to vote, at their meeting, August 29, 1628, when, by erection of hands, it appeared by the general consent of the company that the government and patent should be settled in New England."* Having now, by mutual agreement between the London trading company and those who designed to remove to New England to establish a colony and make America their future home, placed the patent and government in New England, they proceeded, on the 20th of October, 1629, to the choice of governor, deputy-governor, and assistants, when the following were elected : For Governor, John Winthrop, " Deputy Governor, John Humphrey. ASSISTANTS. Sir Richard Saltonstall, Mr. Thomas Sharp, Mr. Isaac Johnson, " John Revell, " Thomas Dudley, " Mathew Cradock, " John Endicott, " Thomas Goffe, " Increase Nowell, " Samuel Aldersey, ' ' William Vassall, ' ' John Venn, " William Pinchon, " Nathaniel Wright, " Samuel Sharp, " Theophilus Eaton, " Edward Rossiter, " Thomas Adams. * See Young's Chronicles of Massachusetts, pp. 85-88. SOUTHBRIDGE. 329 PATENTEES. The following were the patentees in the first charter : Sir Henry Rosewell, Sir John Younge, Thomas Southcoat, John Humphrey, John Endicott, Simon Whitcombe, And to their associates hereafter named, to wit : Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Aldersey, John Venn, Mathew Cradock, George Harwood, Increase Nowell, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassall, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Goffe, Thomas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchins, William Vassall, William Pinchon, George Foxcroft. When preparing to sail for New England, some of the offi cers elected for the government of the new colony at their last meeting were not prepared to leave England, when others were substituted to fill their places, to wit : February 10, 1630, Roger Ludlow in place of Samuel Sharp. March 18, 1630, Sir Brien Johnson in place of Theophilus Eaton. " " " William Coddington for Thomas Goffe. " " " Simon Bradstreet for Nathaniel Wright. And at a court held on March 23 following, Thomas Dudley, one of the assistants, was elected to the office of deputy-gov ernor, in place of John Humphrey, who was not to embark with the company. Thus it is seen how particular these founders were that the officers of this colony should all be residents, having no divided interest, but one in object. It appears that Mathew Cradock, the governor of the com pany at its origin in England, and the liev. John White, the principal originator of the enterprise, never visited the colony. Provision was made for a learned and able ministry for their rehgious teachers before leaving England, known for their soundness in their peculiar faith and polity. They embarked for New England mostly in April and 330 SOUTHBREDGE. May following. By the 11th of July eleven ships had ar rived, and by October, which closed the arrivals for the first year, seventeen ships had come with settlers for the new plantation. The first court held in the new settlement was at Charles town, August 23, 1630 ; at which time the first business pro posed was to provide for their ministers, Rev. John AVilson and Rev. George Philips ; the first settled over the church in Boston, and the latter at Watertown. Their houses were erected, and their salaries provided for, at the expense of the colony. While thus providing for their spiritual welfare, they did not overlook the moral character of those witliin their limits. It was ordered at this court, that Mom-ton, of Mount Wollaston, be sent for presently. At the meeting of the second court, held September 7, ordered that Thomas Mourton be set in the bilboes, and then sent prisoner to England. For the payment of this expense and his debts his property was sold, part given to the Indians for a canoe he took from them, and finally his house was burned in their presence, to manifest that wrong-doing was not to be tolerated. It soon became evident that no departure from their stand ard of either religion or morals was to be tolerated among themselves or those who might choose to come among them. They had sacrificed country, home and friends for the cause, in which they were engaged. It is not, therefore, surprising that now, having the power under their charter rights, to pro tect themselves, they should use this power against what they justly deemed an infringement upon those rights and privi leges. Thus all were held equally accountable in this respect; and any departure from this standard of religion and morals was regarded as an offense against the public welfare, when summary punishment followed. To sustain their conceptions of a pure religious worship, SOUTHBRIDGE. 331 and a correct understanding of their duties to the state, the education of their children was deemed an indispensable re quisite. As soon as they had organized a government for the colony, and provided houses for themselves and families, they thought of the education of their children. In April, 1635, it was ordered by the magistrates that our brother, Philemon Purmort, be entreated to become school. master, for the teaching and nurturing of children with us- It does not appear whether or not the Kev. Philemon Purmort accepted this trust ; but the Rev. Daniel Maude was chosen on the 12th of August, in 1636, to the office of " Free-School-Master." His support, at this time, was by subscription, as follows : * £ s. d. £ s. d. Henry Vane, Governor, 10 0 0 Samuel Cole, 0 10 0 John Winthrop, Deputy- Ralph Hudson, 0 10 0 Governor, 10 0 0 John Cogshall, 0 8 4 Richard Bellingham, 10 0 0 Robert Harding, 0 8 4 William Coddington, 1 10 0 William Aspinwall, 0 8 0 John Winthrop, Jr. , 1 0 0 James Penn, 0 6 8 William Hutchinson, 1 0 0 Jacob Eliot, 0 6 8 Robert Keyne, 1 0 0 Richard Wright, 0 6 8 John Cogan, 1 0 0 John Button, 0 6 0 Rev. Mr. Wilson, 1 0 0 Edward Bendell, 0 5 0 William Pierce, 1 0 0 Isaac Gross, 0 5 0 Thomas Oliver, 0 10 0 James Pennimore, 0 5 0 Thomas Leveret, 0 10 0 William Satler, 0 4 0 William Colburn, 0 10 0 John Audly, 0 4 0 John Newgate, 0 10 0 John Sanford, 0 8 0 Richard Tuttle, 0 10 0 William Balston, 0 6 8 Thomas Marshall, 0 6 8 Edward Rainford, 0 5 0 Thomas Savage, 0 5 0 John Pemberton, 0 3 0 William Talmage, 0 4 0 The founding of a college at an early day was determined upon, for introducing the higber branches of education among them. In the same year the Genera] Court appropriated * See Savage's Winthrop, vol. n, p. 215; also, Snow's History of Boston, pp. 348 and 349. 332 SOUTHBRIDGE. £400 for the erection of a house for a pnbhc school at Newton; which name was soon after changed to Cambridge, in honor of the place of that name in England, where many of the most noted among the first colonists were educated. Two years later, 163S, John Harvard,* a minister of Charles town, having deceased, left a bequest for the benefit of this school, of £779, 17s., 2d., which was deemed a large sum at this period in the history of this colony ; and in consideration of this timely liberality, the General Court, in his honor, gave this school the name of "Harvard College." The commissioners of the United Colonies of New Eng land offered a suggestion in favor of the citizens of towns generally contributing something for this institution, upon winch the authorities of Salem recommended that every fam ily give one peck of com, or 12d. money, or other commodity, to Cambridge college, to be sent to the treasurer at Cam bridge, or where, in Charlestown or Boston, he may appoint, In 1641 the income of Deer island was appropriated for public schools, and, in other years that and other islands in Boston harbor were applied to that object. At this early period the General Court regarded it a duty to see that children were properly trained in families by their parents, as well as educated at the free schools; and for insur ing this object the following preamble and order was passed in the year 1642 : " For as much as the good education of children is of singular behoof and benefit to any commonwealth; and whereas, many parents and mas ters are too indulgent and negligent of their duty in that kind ; "It is therefore ordered by this court and the authority thereof, that the selectmen of every town in the several precincts and quarters where * John Harvard died in Charlestown, September 11, 1638, aged about thirty. He graduated at Emanuel cnllc^e, in Cambridge, England, in 1631, and was received into the church at Charlestown in 1637. He had been a minister in England, and he preached ¦j. short time in Charlestown. Precisely 190 years after his death, a granite monument was erected to his memory, September 26, 1828. An address was delivered by Edward Everett on this occasion. SOUTHBRIDGE. 333 they dwell shall have a vigilant eye over their brethren and neighbors, to see first that none of them shall suffer so much barbarism in any of their families, as not to endeavor to teach, by themselves or others, their children and apprentices so much learning as to enable them to read perfectly the English tongue, and knowledge of the capital laws, upon a penalty of twenty shillings for each neglect therein ; also that all mas ters of families do, once a week, at least, catechise their children and servants in the grounds and principles of religion ; and further, that all parents and masters do breed and bring up their children and appren tices in some honest and lawful calling, labor, or employment, either in husbandry or some trade profitable to themselves or the commonwealth, if they will not, nor can not, train them up in learning to fit them for higher employment. ' ' And if the selectmen, after admonition by them given to such mas ters of families, shall still find them negligent of their duties in this particular as afore-mentioned, whereby children and servants become rude, stubborn, and unruly, the said selectmen, with the help of two magistrates, shall take such children or apprentices from them, and place them with some master for years — boys till they come to twenty- one, and girls till eighteen years complete — which will more strictly look into and enforce them to submit to government, according to the rules of this order, if by fair means and former instructions they will not be drawn into it." Restraint, and strict accountability for the conduct of all parties for the observance of all regulations adopted by the court, was required. In the year 1647, not to keep and maintain the schools re quired by law was made an indictable offense in Massachu setts, and it has so continued now more than two hundred years. The act of that year is as follows : "It being one chief point of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times, by keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times, by persuading them from the use of tongues, so that at least the true sense of the orig inal might be clouded with false glosses of saint-seeming deceivers; and that learning may not be buried in the graves of our forefathers in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors,— it is therefore ordered, " etc. "That every township in this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath in- 334 SOUTHBRIDGE. creased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then, forthwith, appoint one within their town to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general, by way of supply, as the major part of those that order the prudentials of the town shall appoint ; provided that those that send their children be not op pressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns. And it is further ordered that where any town shall in crease to the number of one hundred families or householders, they shall set up a grammar school, the master whereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the university ; provided that if any town neglect the performance hereof, above one year, such town shall pay £5 to the next school, till they shall perform this order." In the year 1671 the penalty for neglect to provide schools according to the foregoing order was increased to £10. And again, in 1683, an order was passed, in addition to the fore- " That every town consisting of more than five hundred families or householders shall set up and maintain two grammar schools, the masters whereof shall be tit and able to instruct youth as said law directs; and whereas, the said law makes the penalty for such towns as furnish not schools as the law directs, to pay to the next school £10, this court hereby enacts that the penalty shall be £20 where there are two hundred families or householders." The design was to train every member of the community in such manner as would enable him to understand the laws of the colony and his rights under the same. To prevent the neglect of parents or guardians in giving proper instruction in religion, morals, education, and training to proper habits of industry, stringent enactments were passed. The following paragraph, of this character, is an example of the Puritans' ideas in this respect: " This court do hereupon order and decree, that the chosen men ap pointed for managing the prudentials of the town shall have power to take account, from time to time, of the parents and masters, and of their children, concerning the calling and employment of their children; to impose fines upon all those who refuse to render such account to them SOUTHBRIDGE. 335 when required ; and they shall have power, with consent of any court or magistrate, to put forth and apprentice the children of such as shall not be able and fit to employ and bring them up, nor shall take course to dispose of them themselves; and they are to take care that such as are set to keep cattle (watch cattle) be set in some employment withal, as spinning upon the rock,* knitting, weaving tape, etc. ; and that boys and girls be not suffered to converse together, so as may occasion any wan ton, dishonest, or immodest behavior ; and for the better performance of this trust committed to them, they, the magistrates, may divide the town amongst them, appointing to every of the said townsmen a certain num ber of families to have the special oversight of ; they are to provide also that a sufficient quantity of material, as hemp, flax, etc., may be raised in the several towns, and tools and implements provided for working the same. And for their assistance in this so needful and beneficial employ ment, if they meet with any difficulty or opposition which they can not well master by their own magistrates, they shall take such course for their help and encouragement as the case shall require, according to jus tice ; and the said townsmen, at the next court in those limits, after the end of the year, shall give a brief account in writing of their proceed ings thereon." These small corporate bodies, called towns, were peculiarly adapted to carry out special acts of legislation, bringing home to every individual in the colony the requirements of law, and furnishing officers of their acquaintance in their own neighbor hood, for the execution of the same. The positive requirement that every district or town should maintain religious worship, of the character approved by the government, establish and support free public schools for all children and youth, practice religious exercises in each family; and that habits of industry, if not voluntary, should every- " "Spinning upon the rock:" this is of Dutch origin. Spinrock—A distaff held in the hand, from which the wool waB spun by twirling a ball below. " A learned and a manly soul I purpos'd her; that should, with even powers, The rock, the spindle, and the shears control Of deBtiny, and spin her own free hours. ' '—Ben Jonson. " On the rock a scanty measure place Of vital flax, and tarn the wheel apace."— Dryden. ¦• Flow from the rock, my flax, and swiftly flow, Pursue thy thread, the spindle runs below."— Parnell. 336 SOUTHBREDGE. where within the limits of the colony be enforced, — gave a uniform character to the whole population, and enabled the General Court to exercise its authority with all the exactness and precision of a military body. This rigid exactness might not be agreeable to the genera tion of the present day, who have been accustomed to a more liberal policy ; but the result accomplished by this stern rule of the Puritans has brought down to the present age institu tions and principles of subordination to constituted authorities that wield immense power for the general good of the whole American Union. On the subject of religion New England has essentially changed from rigid intolerance to a spirit of equality of right among all denominations. The observance of law and order is such, that the most unlimited scope of discussion can be maintained upon all subjects with perfect safety. The indomi table spirit of industry, so watchfully inculcated by the fathers of New England, still remains with unabated force ; and it may to-day be referred to for its unceasing energy in most of her industrial pursuits, with equal truth, as was expressed by one of England's greatest statesmen in re gard to the skill and energy displayed by the hardy mariners of New England in pursuit of the whale fishery. These remarks of Mr. Burke are quoted here as pertinent, in giving force to the idea relating to the present industry of this section of our country. The occasion was a bill brought forward in Parliament to restrict the trade and commerce of the provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, and the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Isles in the West Indies ; and to prohibit such provinces and colonies from carrying on any fishery on the banks of New foundland, and other places therein mentioned, under certain conditions and limitations. SOUTHBRIDGE. 337 On the 22d of March, 1775, Mr. Burke spoke upon this bill, and adverted to the great inconsistencies of the acts of Parliament relating to the affairs of the English colonies in America, when, in the course of these remarks, he made the memorable eulogy above mentioned : "As to the wealth which the colonies have drawn from the sea by their fisheries, you had all that matter fully opened at your bar. "You surely thought those acquisitions of value, for they seemed even to excite your envy ; and yet the spirit by which that enterprising employment has been exercised ought rather, in my opinion, to have raised your esteem and admiration. And pray, sir, what in the world is equal to it? Pass by the other parts, and look at the manner in which the people of New England have of late carried on the whale fishery. Whilst we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and be hold them penetrating into the deepest frozen recesses of Hudson's Bay and Davis' Straits — whilst we are looking for them beneath the Arctic circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of Polar cold, and that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen serpent of the South. Falkland Islands, which seemed too remote and romantic an object, for the grasp of national ambition, is but a stage and resting-place in the progress of their victorious industry. Nor is the equinoctial heat more discouraging to them than the accumulated winter of both poles. We know that whilst some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the longitude, and pursue their gigantic game along the coast of Brazil. " No sea but what is vexed by their fisheries. No climate that is not witness of their toils. Neither the perseverance of Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the dextrous and firm sagacity of English enter prise ever carried this most perilous mode of hardy industry to the extent to which it has been pushed by this recent people — a people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardeaed into the bone of manhood. " * The free school system has no doubt been much improved by the suggestions of experience, while the general plan remains the same. In 1789 a law was enacted authorizing towns, for the con venience of bringing the schools more to the immediate neigh- * See works of Edmund Burke (8 volumes, published in Boston, 1826), volume n, speech on his resolutions for conciliation with America, pp. 25-26. 338 SOUTHBRIDGE. borhood of each scholar, to give an independent government to local districts in managing their schools. This district management has, by some, been thought not to serve the best interests of education. A remedy for this evil, as supposed, has been made in chap ter 39 of school laws of 1849, giving towns the option to divide into districts or not; the latter of which is now in many instances being availed of by towns that desire to adopt the best mode of supporting their schools. The most valuable results from the more recent improvements in the general plan of common school education, in Massachusetts, have been from those suggested by the secretary of the board of edu cation. This board was established by an act of the Legislature, approved, April 20, 1837. Its first meeting was held in the council chamber, in Boston, June" 29, following. Authority having been given by the law creating the board, to appoint a secretary, the Hon. Horace Mann was now elected to fill this office ; it being understood that he should devote himself exclusively to the duties connected with the schools, which duty extended to the successors in the same manner. This first board of education consisted of the following persons : Edward Everett, George Hall, James G. Carter, Edmond Dwight, George Putnam, E. A. Newton, Robert Rantoul, Junior, Jared Sparks, Rev. Emerson Davis, and Thomas Robbins. One of the duties of the board is to prepare and lay before the Legislature, in a printed form, on or before the second Wednesday in January, annually, an abstract of school returns received by the secretary of the commonwealth ; and to make a detailed report of their doings, with such observations as their experience and reflection may suggest, upon the condi tion and efficiency of the school system, and most practical means of improving and extending the same. SOUTHBRIDGE. 339 To arrive at this knowledge, a series of questions were pre pared in blank to be filled ; these were distributed to all the common schools in the State. From the evidence adduced by the reports from the several schools, the comparison of the value of services of different teachers, their method of imparting instruction, and the ease with which some would accomplish their labors, while others with much greater effort and pains-taking would accomplish less, led the board of Edu cation to propose the system of normal schools, for the educa tion and preparation of both male and female teachers for the common schools. They represent their belief that the art of teaching is susceptible of advancement, as well as that of any other vocation. They say we are left to these deductions of reason on this subject, in that those foreign countries where the greatest at tention has been paid to the work of education schools for teachers have formed an important feature in their system, and with the highest results. New importance has been attached to the calling of instructor, by public opinion, from the cir cumstance that his vocation has been deemed one requiring systematic preparation and culture. The secretary held communication with friends of education in every county of the State. Meetings were held at conve nient places in each county, where the secretary could meet those interested in education, when almost every town would be represented. It was Mr. Mann's custom to address circulars to the school committees of the several towns in each county in which he was to hold a meeting, some weeks before the meeting, speci fying the several topics upon which information was required. His plan served to create a renewed interest in schools, and the best system of instruction . The law of 1826 required school committees to examine 340 SOUTHBRIDGE. teachers, to obtain evidence ofthe good moral character of ap plicants, and to ascertain, by personal examination, their liter ary qualification and capacity for the government of schools. This duty was never very thoroughly exercised, and a further difficulty existed in the supply of school-books for carrying on a systematic course of instruction that should apply generally throughout the State. Mr. Mann sought a remedy for this by adopting payment for services rendered by the members of the school committee in the several towns for examining teachers and visiting schools. No payment, nor even thanks, were seldom, if ever, given for such service. The supply of books was placed under the reg ulation of the school committee ; and a law was enacted making it the duty of school-teachers to impress upon the minds of children and youth committed to their care and in struction the principles of piety, justice, and a sacred regard for the truth, love of their country, humanity and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry, and frugality, chastity and tem perance, which form the basis of a republican government ; to endeavor to give their minds a clear understanding and ten dency of these virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and to secure the blessings of liberty as well as to promote their future happiness. The several school committees were required to give answers regarding the requirements of the general law, whether the provisions were complied with in relation to the aggregate length of time in which schools are kept, the different kinds of schools, and the qualifications of teachers employed. The requirements of the school laws are now easily ascer tained. The recent publication of the general statutes of the commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to the public schools, with the alterations and amendments, are collected and printed in pamphlet form, and should be possessed by all who have the care of children, especially teachers. SOUTHBRIDGE. 341 Mr. Mann entered into the subject of the construction of school-houses with great earnestness, and to him much is due for the spirit of improvement in schoohhouses throughout the towns of the State by his suggestions, to wit : size, quantity of pm-e light, ventilation, mode of warming, desks, seats, and, furthermore, their location, windows, yards, and play grounds. All these points he impressed >c>on the minds of school committees and teachers. With a view to correct spelling and reading, the following questions were made to be answered by the committees and teachers of the several towns, to ascertain the efficiency of the instruction given : "First. Are scholars in your schools kept in spelling classes from the time of their earliest combination of letters up to the time of their leav ing school, or what is the course ordinarily pursued in regard to orthog raphy, and how is it continued ? " Second. Are there defects in teaching scholars to read ? This inquiry is not made in regard to the pronunciation of words and the modulation of the voice, but do the scholars fail to understand the meaning of the words they read ? Do they fail to master the sense of the reading lesson ? Is there a presence in the minds of scholars, when reading, of the ideas and feelings intended to be conveyed and excited by the author ?" SCHOOL LIBRARIES. These libraries originated with the board of education. They embraced two series of fifty volumes each: one class for juveniles, to be 18mo, 250 to 280 pages each ; the others for youths, to be 12mo, 350 to 400 pages each. The writers selected at this time were as follows: Judge Joseph Story, Jared Sparks, Washington Irving, Rev. Francis Wayland, D. D., Professor Benjamin Silliman, Professor Den ison Olmsted, Professor Alonzo Potter, D. D., Hon. Judge Jesse Buell, Jacob Bigelow, M. D., Elisha Bartlet, M. D., Rev. Charles W. Upham, Rev. F. W. P. Greenwood, D. D., 23a 342 SOUTHBRIDGE. Rev. Royal Robbins, Hew. Warren Burton, Charles T. Jackson, M. D., Nathaniel Hawthorn, Esq., Robert Ran- toul, Jr., Esq., Professor Tucker, Professor Romeo Elton, Professor Lieber, Rev. Calvin E. Stone, D. D., Professor Edward Everett, Hon. Isaac Hill, Hon. James M. Porter, and the following ladies : Mrs. Emma C. Embury, Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Mrs. E. F. Ellet, Miss A. H. Lincoln Phelps, Mrs Harriet B. Stowe, Miss E. Robbins, Miss E. P. Peabody, Miss Mary E. Lee, and Miss Catherine M. Sedgwick. The plan to embrace every department of science and literature, preference being given to works relating to our own country. TEACHERS' INSTITUTES. The Legislature, by the recommendation of the board of education, passed a bill, May 10, 1848, authorizing the for mation of teachers' institutes in the following manner:* SCHOOL FUND. This was established in 1834; the act was passed, March 31, appropriating, from and after January, 1835, all moneys in the treasury derived from the sale of lands in the State of Maine, and from the claim of the State on the government of the United States for military service and not otherwise appropriated, together with fifty per cent, of all moneys to be received after that time from the sale of lands in Maine ; to constitute a permanent fund for the aid and encouragement of common schools ; but it was at first provided that the fund should never exceed one million of dollars. The income only ofthe fund to be appropriated to the aid of common schools; and a greater sum, it was provided, should never be paid to any city, town, or district, than is raised therein ¦ respectively, for the support of common schools. * See chapter 3S, Laws Relating to Public Schools, passed and approved 1816. SOUTHKRTDGE. 343 Returns were to be made by the several school committees respecting the state of the schools, as soon as the 1st of De cember, 1834 ; and any city, town, or district whose committee neglected to make such returns was not to receive the benefit of the school fund the first year the income of it would be distributed. The accumulations for the school fund to December 1, 1849, were $876,082.26. The same yeai- there was paid out of the fund for education. $17,217.S7 from the increase of the fund. In the year 1851 an act was passed to increase this fund to $1,500,000. In 1S54. when the fund was reorganized, it amounted to the sum of $2.000,000 ; and in 1859. the Leg islature made ample provision to increase this fund to $3,000,000, by applying part of the proceeds of the Back Bay lands, but the exigencies of the war of Rebellion made it ex pedient to divert these funds. January 1, 1866. this fund amounted to $2,001,450.33. NORMAL SCHOOLS. The first normal school in Massachusetts was commenced at Lexington. July 3. 1839. and removed to Newton in 1844, and permanently established at Framingham in 1853. This school is exclusively for the education of young women for teachers. The second normal school was opened at Barre, September 4. 1839, and was removed to Westfield in 1844. and is for the education of both sexes, for the same object. The third normal school was established at Bridgewater, Septemher 9, 1840 ; this school is also for the education of both sexes. The fourth normal school was opened at Salem on the 13th of September, IS 54. and is exclusively for young women. The principals of these schools often have more applications 344 SOUTHBRIDGE. for teachers than they can supply, which abundantly shows the wisdom of establishing this class of sol Is. As a general rule, the cases are rare in wliich normal pupils do not find ready employment as teachers; while the greatest demand is for those possessing the highest qualifications. Male teach ers, it is understood, receive generally $50 per month, and board, while females receive about two thirds and sometimes only half the sum, for labor performed equally well, which is a standing record of injustice that should be remedied; and to merit alone let reward be given. Mi CHAPTER IV. [CEMETERY. FT has been related in another place that Colonel Benjamin Freeman gave to the poll parish, by deed of April 13, 1801, one acre of land for a burying-ground. As early as the year 1835 all the lots into which this part of the cemetery had been divided for family burials were appropriated ; and it became necessary to procure other ground to accommodate the increased population of the town. At the time of the decease of the late Luther Ammidown, Senior, May 3, 1835, his family having no burial lot here, the wall at its south end was taken down to admit the passage of the funeral procession to the high ground in its immediate rear, when tbe remains of the deceased were buried there on the 6th instant following, in the lot on which was erected in 1867 the memorial tomb, by his son, Holmes Ammidown. This burial led to the selection of these grounds adjoining the old cemetery by the town two years later, as an addition to the tract given to the parish by Colonel Freeman. This first addition, containing one acre two quarters and seventeen rods, was purchased of Luther and Holmes Ammi down, June 3, 1837, at a cost, including a substantial wall around the same, of $175 ; the grantors reserving six burial lots, one of which is that before mentioned, where stands the memorial tomb. The other five lots front on the central passage-way adjoining the tomb lot, and extending north. 346 SOUTHBRTDGE. SECOND ADDITION. This addition adjoins on the east and south of the first ad dition, but much larger than both the former lots. It was bought of Jairus Putney, December 13, 1860 — consideration $1,636 — and contains sixteen and twenty-eight hundredths acres. RECEIVING TOMB. This tomb was erected at the expense of the town in 1861, by William B. Potter, for the sum of $304.29. ORNAMENTAL TREES. The large number of beautiful cone-shaped fir-trees border ing the old burial-ground and the first addition (which indi cates their location), were procured in Boston by Holmes Am midown (he residing there at that time), and forwarded to this town at his expense in the spring of 1838. They were planted where they now stand by Mr. William Beecher, Mr. Moses Plimpton, and other associates, at his request. This species of the pine family is an evergreen of great beauty, and is peculiarly adapted to embellish grounds of this character, giving life and freshness even to the winter landscape. As it requires many years to bring the fir to the growth as those in this cemetery are now seen, it is hoped the enterpris ing people of this town will not delay planting other fir-trees around the borders of the last addition, to add to the beauty of this interesting place. It is worthy of remark, in connection with this subject, that there has been a. greatly increased interest manifested within the last forty years, in this country, in preserving and beauti fying the depositories for the dead. The ornamental rural cemetery so recently adopted in most SOUTHBRIDGE. 347 of the populous towns and cities of the United States was not known to any extent deserving the name of such, either in this country or Europe, until within the period above-named, in modern times. The cemetery near Paris (known as " Pere La Chaise)," was probably about the first; but this, in extent and beauty of design, bears no favorable comparison with many cemeteries of this character now in this country. .MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY. The successful experiment of this rural cemetery, the first of the description in the United States, has been followed very rapidly, until the old system of what has been styled church yard interments, once so general in this country, has in most instances been abandoned in all large towns and cities. The origin of this cemetery was an idea suggested by Dr. Jacob Bigelow, as early as 1825, arising from the detri ment to the living, by the prevailing custom of depositing the dead in vaults beneath city churches, or contiguous to them, in church-yards. The tract of land, now Mount Auburn cemetery, situated between Cambridge and Watertown, located partly in both, was, before occupied for this purpose, known for many years as " Stone's Woods," and more familiarly to the college students as " Sweet Auburn." It was first purchased by Mr. George W. Brimmer, who had visited the place and admired its beauty and retired locality, for its proximity to the city of Boston. The Horticultural society of Massachusetts had been incor porated in 182H, and Dr. Bigelow, as one of the original members, the following year, suggested to Mr. Brimmer the desirableness of this place for an ornamental cemetery ; with a proposition to buy it for that purpose, in connection with an experimental garden. The lot then contained seventy-two acres. 348 SOUTHBRIDGE. Mr. Brimmer acceded to this suggestion, and generously agreed to sell at cost, which was $6,000. Sullicient lots having been subscribed for at $60 each, to pay lor same, it took the name of " Garden Cemetery." At a meeting called August 3, 1S31, it was resolved that a public religious consecration should lie held upon tho grounds. A temporary amphitheatre was erected with scats in one of the deep valleys of the • woods, having a platform for the speakers situated in the bottom ground. This meeting took place on Saturday, September 24, 1 831. An audience of about 2,000 pen-sons were present, making u scene of picturesque beauty and impressive solemnity. The services at this time were, in the order following : "1st. Instrumental music, by the Boston band. "3d. Introductory prayer, by Itcv. Dr. Ware. "HYMN. " WniTTKN nY Till1; Kiev. John I'ieju-ont. "To thee, <) (Joel, in humble trust, Our hearts their cheerful incense burn, For this thy word, ' Thou art of dust, And unto dusl, shalt thou return.' For whut wens life, life's work all done, The hopes, joys, loves, that cling- to clay, All, all departed, one by one, And yet life's load borne on for aye? Decay, decay, 'lis stumped on all! All bloom in flower and llcsh shall fade. V'c whispering' trees, when ye shall fall, lie our lout;- sleep beneath your shade I Here to thy bosom, mother earth, Take back in peace;, what thou liast given-; And all that is of heavenly birth, O God, in peace, recall to heaven ! " "4th. Address by the lion. Joseph Story. "- ftl.li. Concluding prayer, by Kev. John 1'icrpont. " (!th. Closed with music by the band." SOUTHBRIDGE. 349 The ladies of Boston, having raised by subscription the ex pense for a monument to be erected to the memory of Miss Hannah Adams, it was voted on the 6th of March, 1832, that the committee on surveys appropriate a lot for depositing in it her remains ; and on the 2d of September following the treasurer was ordered to pay thirty-five dollars for an iron fence to inclose the same. This was the first monument erected in Mount Auburn cemetery. The first interment was a child of Mr. James Boyd, July 6, 1832. The second was Mrs. Mary Hastings, July 12, the same year. The fee-simple of this cemetery was at first held by the Massachusetts Horticultural society, and called the Garden cemetery, at Mount Auburn. In the year 1835 an act of incorporation was obtained, with the name of " The Proprietors of Mount Auburn Cemetery." The whole grounds of the cemetery, including the several purchases up to 1854, contain a total of a little over 130 acres. The treasurer of this corporation holds generally a surplus of funds, frequently to the extent of $40,000. The expendi tures for the inclosing iron fence, the tasteful granite chapel, and observatory, have been liberal ; leaving ample funds for the directors to employ in works of art, to which they have already been applied, to a considerable extent.* LAUREL HILL CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA. Tin's cemetery was instituted in November, 1835; it is in two parts, taking the names North and South Laurel hill. The north, or first purchase, was made in February, 1836 ; the pres ent contents of both purchases are about 100 acres. The association was incorporated in 1837. The first burial was * See the History of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, by Dr. Jacob Bigelow, published in 1869. 350 SOUTHBKIDGE. the remains of Mary Carlisle, aged 67 years, wife of Abraham Carlisle. This interment took place, October 19, 1836. This lady, on an excursion to these grounds a few weeks previous to her death, selected her future grave, under the group of four large pine-trees near the center of the north plot, now inclosed by a granite coping and iron railing. Laurel Hill cemetery possesses many peculiar advantages for a burial-place. Its location on high ground upon the bank of the Schuylkill river commands a pleasing view of that fine stream of water. The undulating form of this tract of land, interspersed with hill and vallejr, and the variety of beautiful trees of different kinds, many of large growth, make the whole plot remarkably pleasing to the eye, and not surpassed in beauty and quality of ground by any place of this character in the country. There are many monuments here that display much artistic taste, while the grounds are well cared for by the superintend ent, who has a residence within the inclosure, supplied by the association. Foreseeing that there would be a necessity for a further increase of the grounds of this cemetery ere long, and that the occupation of all adjoining lands by the ad vance of the city, no addition there could be secured, a new act of incorporation was obtained in 1869, and a pur chase made of over one hundred acres, about a mile above the present Laurel hill cemetery, on the west side of the Schuyl kill, on the line of the Reading railroad, and just outside of the corporation limits, which takes the name of West Laurel Hill cemetery. Mr. T. Moran, the celebrated landscape painter, has just finished two pictures of great beauty, portraying scenes from the heights of West Laurel hill — one looking down the Schuyl kill upon the old Laurel hill, the other looking up the river to the picturesque scenery of Montgomery comity. From these may be realized, in part, the excellence and beauty of SOUTHBRIDGE. 351 this new city of the dead — a place where the living may resort, to spend an hour free from the turmoil of life, in quiet thought of their beloved but departed friends. GREENWOOD CEMETERY. These grounds are located on Gowanus heights, in South Brooklyn, commanding a fine view of New York bay. The contents of this whole tract at this time is about 480 acres. It was opened for burial in 1842. The number of interments to 1868 was 128,000, or an average of fifteen dady for the past twenty-six years. The numbei- of interments the past year have been an aver age of about twenty daily. It may well be called the city of the dead. The extent of ground, elaborateness of monuments, and cost of many of the tombs exceed that of any place of the kind in the United States. These grounds were selected with good taste. They have a sufficient share of hill and dale to give beauty to the lands cape. A large portion of the tract is quite generally covered with trees, and gives the appearance of a forest a short dis tance from the cemetery. The number of visitors, together with 'the entering and departure of friends to bury their dead, presents the appearance of the entrance to a city of living inhabitants. ' The three cemeteries here described, and of so recent origin, are the first of this class now so general in this country, which here and in Europe are taking the place of the church sepul chre interments, and fast bringing into disuse the unpleasant association of church-yard burials. It is consistent with an intelligent civilization, and rational love of kindred and friends, to beautify and adorn their places of rest, and to become familiar with the same by frequent visits thereto; but the idea of benefit to the dead by a near 352 SOUTHBRIDGE. association with the religious devotions of the living can only be ascribed to minds infatuated with superstition. It is related in the history of all past ages that burial- places for the dead have been consecrated by religious regard, and protected by law. The ancient Egyptians expended vast labor upon these de positories. The rock tombs of this people, embellished by im ages and hieroglyphic inscriptions, have come down from an almost prehistoric age, and many recently discovered, and dese crated by the hand of the modern curiosity-seeker, have inter nally been found to have the freshness of appearance of recent ti mes. The pyramids, supposed to have been erected for this object, have an origin unknown to modern civilization, and have been justly the wonder of all known times, and, no doubt, will so continue for ages to come. Their vast dimensions, and the extraordinary labor and skill in the science of mechanics, dis played in elevating the enormous blocks of granite to the great height now beheld, evinces an order of knowledge not sur passed in modern times in this character of work. The Egyptians, through a period of more than a thousand years before the Christian era, and for five or six centuries since, practiced the system of embalming the dead. No people ever had this art to the perfection of this ancient race. It is related that the plains around the pyramids, to the extent of hundreds of square miles, are a vast depository of tlie mummi fied bodies. It was not only human bodies that received this burial rite, but it was extended, by their religious fanati cism, to a great number ofthe animal creation. The Hebrews paid special regard to the places of burial of their dead. It is related in Scripture that Abraham purchased the cave of Macphelah. of the children of Heth, as a burial- place for his beloved wife Sarah. Also the Evangelist refers to the new tomb of -Joseph of SOUTHBRIDGE. 35 3 Aa-imathea, which he had hewn out of a rock, in which, when he had received, by permission of Pilate, the body of Jesus, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it therein. This custom of tomb burial, and dressing with linen, no doubt was derived from the Egyptians during the captivity of the Israelites in that country. The Greeks, while they had what they called their " sleeping fields," for the burial of their dead, the custom prevailed, to a considerable extent, to burn the bodies of deceased kindred, and to preserve their ashes carefully gathered up, and de posited in ornamental jars, to be sacredly kept as mementoes of those loved ones passed awav. The custom of burning the bodies of the dead prevailed also with the Romans and many of the less civilized people of that age. All these ancient people had their cemeteries invariably lo cated without the walls of their cities. Intermural interments were forbidden by special enactments. This course was adopted through a superstitious idea that the presence of the dead was a pollution to the living. Both the Greeks and Romans, as- also those of the ancient and wealthy Asiatic races, expended immense sums of treas ure in erecting receptacles for the bodies of deceased relatives. Many of these tombs are still preserved as interesting spec imens of antiquity, to which thousands in modern times have made excursions to witness the labors of a former civilization. Along the borders of those national highways constructed by the Romans during their imperial splendor, even now re garded as among their greatest achievements in national glory. they buried their dead, and erected to their memory those monuments which, in some instances, yet remain, and in a dead lan^uao-e, engraved in marble, continue to repeat all that is known in most instances, that the ashes of one once living- repose in silence beneath. 354 SOUTHBRIDGE. Tlie more costly and magnificent tombs have taken the name " Mausoleum," derived from the very remarkable edi fice erected to the memory of Mausolus, King of Halicarnas- sus, an ancient city of Asia Minor, by Artemisia, his wife, as a memorial of affection and honor for her deceased husband. This occurred about 353 years before the Christian era, and was ranked among the seven wonders of the world. On the top of this immense structure, surrounded by a lofty colon nade, was a colossal statue of Mausolus. History refers to this magnificent building as standing in the twelfth century. It is supposed to have been overthrown by the elements ; probably by an earthquake, or lightning. Having remained in ruins about five or six centuries, and many works of skill and art transferred to ornament other more modern structures, its remains yet excited the curiosity of many travelers, until 1846, when Lord Stratford obtained permission of the Sultan to remove a number of slabs from this work to supply antique curiosities for the British museum. Again, in 1856, a more effectual research was made here by the British vice-consul, at Mitvlene, Mr. Charles F. Newton, who, after great expense in excavation, succeeded in discover ing vast quantities of the original Mausoleum, including mo saic pavements, vessels of terra cotta, figures, and statues ; many of these and other works of art were the labors of Grecian masters. He discovered the base of the tomb, wliich was thirty-seven feet in height. The circumference of the whole structure was 472 feet, and its foundation was cut into a solid rock. The extent of Mr. Newton's excavations disclosed the en tire wall which inclosed this immense pile, which measures 1,300 feet. The total elevation of the whole structure was ascertained to be 140 feet, 3 inches. Among the great quantity of the very interesting relics SOUTHBRIDGE. 355 obtained here, once part of this wonderful edifice, were many that were part of the statue of Mausolus, formerly crowning- its top. All these having been shipped to England, and placed in the British museum, those belonging to the statue have by much care been fitted together, and now again ex hibit complete in that institution that ancient work of art, after a period of over 2,000 years. CHURCH BURIALS. Interment in vaults under churches, and not unfrequently in chambers formed in the walls of cathedrals and church edifices, near the altar, was first introduced at an early period in the history of Christianity. The parties who were first honored with burial in connection with places consecrated to religious devotion, were those who had suffered death for their behef and support of the cause of Christianity. From this origin many pious persons were led to desire that their place of rest after death should be in these conse crated places. This superstitions feeling at length became so general, that in densely populated districts the basements of places of religious worship became the receptacle of vast col lections of human remains. The incapacity of the vaults for all that desired this place of rest for their bodies after death, led to the consecration of grounds immediately surrounding their venerated places of worship, which took the name of church-yards. The custom of consecrating grounds for this purpose soon became general in all Christian countries. In this country may be seen in all the old States the meeting-house and grave-yard associated together. The prevalence of this custom continued down to quite a recent period. The most remarkable of these places are the vaults beneath the church of St. Peter and the Pantheon at Rome ; the Church of the Holy Cross, at Florence ; Campo Santo, of Naples ; 356 SOUTHBRIDGE. the cathedrals of Toledo, Grenada, and the Pantheon of the Escurial, in Spain ; the St. Denis, Notre Dame, Church of the Innocents, and the Pantheon, in Paris ; and Westminster Abbey, in England; this latter, perhaps, among the most remarkable. Long lines of kings and princes, and those noted for their eminence in piety and virtue ; those illustrious in learn- science, and the arts ; or great as military and naval in a: heroes, or philanthropists, — have alike served to increase these collections, continuing through a period of more than a thousand years. Finally, as superstition and traditionary custom began to give place to the spirit of intelligence, and the principles of sanitary protection for the living, these vast charnel-houses, by their near approximation to the assemblies of the living, be came revolting to all reflecting minds that understood the effect of the noxious vapors issuing from this vast mass of decomposition of human bodies. An important movement first took place, in opposition to this mode of interment, in the year 1773, in Paris, by an order from the government to close the Cemetery of the Innocents, in that city, against future interments. This act was soon followed by a law forbidding interments in most of the vaults of other churches there. This movement led to the adoption of the rural cemetery, and a return to the wisdom of the ancient civilization, exclud ing interments of the dead from the near abode of the living. It is a verification of the maxim, that history is but the repetition of itself; one set of ideas and customs becoming ob solete, and, for a time, remaining in disuse, are again revived as something new. The cemetery of the ancients gave place to the saintly custom of church burial, which, in turn, is superseded by the necessity of a renewal of the custom of the ancients. SOUTHBRIDGE. 357 The establishment of the cemetery on the high lands to the north-east of the city of Paris, known as Pere la Chaise, was the result of this change of custom. These grounds were formerly the residence of the confessor of Louis X IX, Pere la Chaise, and by him named Mont St. Louis. This Jesuit remained in the court of the king thirty -four years ; where his name became notorious through his influence over his master, in connection with the king's mistresses, Mesdames De Montespan and De Maintenon, particularly with the latter, in the severe persecutions of the French Protestants. It was their influence mainly which led to the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and the consequences that followed. This spot which was formerly the beautiful gardens of that- favored but bigoted priest, has become a depository for the illustrious dead of that noted metropolis. It is said that these high grounds, containing about eighty acres of land, were set apart for this purpose by order of the first Napoleon, through a motive of philanthropy ; but were given, by Louis XIV, through rehgious bigotry, to a favorite, whose chief notoriety was his rigid spirit of intolerance and persecution. MARCY'S MILLS. The first improvement of the water-power of the Quine baug river, in this town, was the erection of a saw-mill, in 1732, by Moses Marcy, a native of Woodstock, who removed to this place with his wife and five children, and built him self a house near the west end of the present dam, now owned by the Central Manufacturing Company ; this saw-mill he erected at that end of said dam. At a meeting of the Med field proprietors (of the grant of land now Sturbridge), held November 29, 1733, it was voted that Moses Marcy have fifty acres of land granted him if he will build a grist-mill on the Quinebaug, where he hath built a saw-mill, to be com pleted before the last of September, 1736. 24a 358 SOUTHBRIDGE. This grist-mill was also located on the west side of the river, just below the saw-mill, between the west end of the present dam and the Central mill. The west side of this river was in Sturbridge, and the east then in Oxford. It will be noticed, by referring to the deed of allotment of land in Oxford by the grantees and associates in 1688, that Joseph Dudley had 6,000 acres located at this south-west corner of that town, which not only included this Marcy tract, but much more than all that part of Charlton taken to aid in forming the town of Southbridge in 1816. Moses Marcy made his first purchase of land here of Cap tain Peter PapiUon, of Boston, who succeeded to the lands owned by Joseph Dudley, and deeded to Mr. Marcy lots, styled "Nos. 2 and 4," one hundred acres each, August 6, 1732, for £400 ; and his executor, John Wolcott, of Salem, deeded him another one hundred acre lot styled "Lot No. 6," March 25, 1736. Besides the fifty-acre lot granted him by the proprietors of New Medfield, as an inducement for erecting a grist-mill here, Mr. Marcy bought Lot No. 64, 73 acres, of Ezra Clark, one of said proprietors, October 27, 1738. Thus at this early day in the progress of settlements at this place, he was the principal owner of land in this vicinity upon both sides of the river. William Plimpton, who will be referred to in another part of this work, owned, adjoining on the west, at what is now the Globe village, from whom de scended William Plimpton, Junior, Gershom, Senior, father of the late Captain Gershom and Oliver Plimpton, Esq.; and ad joining on the east, below what is now the Columbian mills, was the land of Colonel Thomas Cheney, part of which soon after came into the possession of the Ammidowns. At that time Joseph Sabin owned the lands opposite Colonel Cheney, beyond the Red bridge, recently the David Putney place. Above the William Plimpton lands, along the Quine- SOUTHBRIDGB. 359 bang, at Westville (as now known), was Colonel Daniel Plimp ton, and further up this river, at the place lately known as Jephthah and Ziba Plimpton mills, was the land of James Plimpton; these two latter were sons of John Plimpton. Thus the original owners of the land along the Quinebang river, who were the first settlers, were John Plimpton, at Westville and vicinity; William Plimpton, at Globe village ; Moses Marcy, at center village ; Colonel Thomas Cheney, ad joining below and at Sanndersdale ; and Joseph Sabin, Caleb, and Philip Ammidown, his father, opposite to Colonel Cheney, north and east of the Red bridge ; which included all the land bordering the Quinebang within tlie limits of this town. Moses Marcy, at this time, possessed 423 acres, covering all the center village ; at the time of purchase 300 acres were located in the south-west corner of Oxford. After the west part of that town was set off and incorporated as the town of Charlton, this 300 acres became a part of that town, but were finally a part of Southbridge, when this town received its incorporation in 1 S16. Colonel Moses Marcy commenced life in quite moderate circumstances, but soon rose to a position of distinction in Storbridge and vicinity. He added other large tracts of laud to his estate, but made no further improvement of this water- power daring his lifetime, which teraainated on October 9, 1779, at die age of 72. A large part of this real estate fell to his son, Jedediah Marcy, who was born in Woodstock on September 1, 1725, and was married in Dudley, to Mary Healey, where he located and continued a resident during his life ; and also where several of his children located. His fourth child, a son, Jedediah Marcy, Jiinior, born July 26, 1757, married Ruth Learned, of Dudley, March, 1782, and moved to tbis estate, the homestead of his grandfather, and received from his father, Jedediah Marcy, of Dudley, a 360 SOUTHBRIDGE. deed of this place, including the mills and 400 acres of land, for the consideration of £1,000 ; this deed bears date, " April 27, 1789." It was witnessed by, and acknowledged before, Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton. There does not appear to have been any further improve ment of this water-power beyond that of the saw-mill and grist-mill, until the year after this estate became the property of Jedediah Marcy, Junior. The owner, at this time, of this real estate, is familiarly known as the late Captain Marcy. The year following his purchase, as is believed, in 1790, there was introduced here, by John Gray, the clothier's business, includ ing the carding of wool into rolls, as was formerly the custom for preparing wool to be spun in families upon the " hand- wheel," now out of use ; also the dyeing of yarn and domes tic made cloth, the napping, fulling, and dressing of the same. This branch of business has, many years since, been brought into disuse by the introduction of machinery for the spinning of wool and weaving of cloth, operated by water-power. These clothier's works were introduced here several years after those by the Plimptons above. Mr. Gray conducted these works about eight years, and then sold his interest to Zebina Abbot, who continued this business in connection with a small country variety store ; the first store opened in what is now the center village of South- bridge, about the year 1799. Soon after he sold his interest here : his store to Oliver Plimpton, Luther Ammidown, and others ; and his clothier's business to his brother-in-law, Mr. George Sumner, from Spencer. Mr. Sumner was an active and intelligent man, and soon became a prominent citizen in the affairs of the old parish. He was an efficient co-operator in procuring the incorporation of the parish territory as the town of Southbridge. According to the best evidence ob tained, Major George Sumner, familiarly known for manyyears as Deacon Sumner, removed to this place about the year 1802. SOUTHBRIDGE. 361 He continued this business about ten years, and removed to a building which he had erected near the cotton-mill, lately owned by Calvin A. Paige ; he purchased the surplus water of that cotton-mill about 1814, and carried on his business there until he sold out his interest and retired, about 1832. When he left Marcy's mills about 1814, a new manufactur ing company was formed for the manufacture of wool at this place. The following persons were stockholders: Jeremiah Shumway, Benjamin Freeman Shumway, Jacob Oaks, Joseph Marcy, Timothy Paige, Esq., and Dr. Reuben Harrington. These parties bought of the heirs of the late Captain Marcy one half of this water-power by contract, including the power on the west end of the dam, where stood the old mills of Colonel Moses Marcy ; they erected an addition to the old buildings, and introduced machinery for spinning and weav ing — the latter by hand-looms. This company conducted its business about two years as the Charlton Manufacturing Company ; but after the parish was incorporated in the month of February, 1816, as the town of Southbridge, they applied to the Legislature, and, on the 15th of June following, were incorporated as the Southbridge Factory Company, for the purpose of manufac turing wool in the town of Southbridge. All the foregoing members of the Charlton Manufacturing Company were named in the act of incorporation, except Jacob Oaks. They continued this business until August, 1818, when the com pany failed, and the property passed back to the heirs of the Marcy estate. Soon after this failure the manufacture of wool was com menced here, and continued about two years by Jedediah Marcy and his father-in-law, Colonel Moses Healey, of Dudley, under the charge of Adolphus Bartholomew (father of A. J Bartholomew, Esq., now of this town), as superintendent. After this business was closed, Mr. Jedediah Marcy leased 362 SOUTHBRIDGE. this manufacturing property to John Dawson and his son, John F. Dawson, who continued the business until about 1824, when these parties failed and relinquished their interest here. Soon after the Dawsons left, the mill and machinery was leased to John Shaw and William Chisholm ; they proving unsuc cessful in this business, in 1825, Mr. Jedediah Marcy having bought the interest here of Colonel Healey and the other heirs, the whole property in these mills and the real estate connected with them, extending south to the rear of the stores and dwellings on Main street, became his undivided interest on both sides of the river. This estate, known as Marcy's mills, had, up to the year 1827, continued in the name of the family, since the first pur chase by Moses Marcy in 1732, a period of 95 years, when on May 1, 1827, it passed by deed from the Hon. Jedediah Marcy to Deacon Elisha Cole, for the consideration of $10,000. This deed included the mills and five acres on the north side of the river, and about twenty acres the south side of the river. Deacon Cole conveyed by deed, December 26, 1832, to Royal Smith — consideration $6,000 — the mills and the five acres as aforesaid, and about 8^ acres on the south side of the Quinebaug.* Mr. Royal Smith held this property and operated the grist and saw mills up to January 10, 1836 (the old woolen-mill and machinery, which for several years had been known as the Cow-Tail Factory, had been destroyed by fire soon after Shaw and Chisholm left the premises), and then conveyed by deed his interest to Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, for the consideration of $9,000, including the saw-mill, grist-mill, all the water- power here, and about 12 acres of land.j Mr. Ammidown soon after organized the Central Cotton Mills Company, and conveyed this estate to that corporation. * For Marcy's deed see Worcester Records, book 264, pp. 662 and 563 ; and for Cole's deed see Bame, book 290, p. 459. 1 See Records of Deeds at Worcester, book 312, p. 478. SOUTHBRIDGE. 3gg For all further informationirelating to this water-power, many years known as Marcy's mills, on Quinebaug river, see the history of the origin and progress of the Central Cotton Mdls Company, in Southbridge, now under the part proprie torship and management of Chester A. Dresser, Esq. DRESSER MILL OR COTTON-MILL OP CALVIN A. PAIGE. This mill is located on land formerly a part of the Marcy estate. The original purchase was twelve and one-half acres of land, March 26, 1814, made by John Green of Warwick, Rhode Island, and William Sumner of Sturbridge, of Jacob Edwards and wife. The consideration was $516.87 five eighths were conveyed to John Green, and three eighths to William Sumner. The condition in the deed gave the right to build a dam to flow all they may need, and to build any mill, except a grist mill or saw-mill. The deed was signed in presence of Rensselaer Child, of Woodstock, and Ohver Plimpton, Esq., and acknowledged before Ohver Plimpton, justice of the peace, the same day. Recorded, Worcester Records, April 6, 1814, book 189, p. 538. The undisputed water-power is 14,282 feet, with a claim by Mr. Paige of two feet in addition. Mr. Sumner soon became the principal owner, but, by his decease in 1822, the property became for sale, when it was bought of the heirs of the Sumner estate, by Colonel William Foster, in 1823. Mr. Foster becoming involved in debt, and failing, conveyed the estate to Samuel H. Babcock, of Boston.* On the 28th of June, 1831, Mr. Babcock conveyed the same by deed to Harvey Dresser, for $12,500, including real estate and machinery. This cotton-mill, with all the real estate and machinery was * See Records of Deeds at Worcester, book 266, p. 63. 364 SOUTHBRIDGE. incoporated as the "Dresser Manufacturing Company," Febru ary 14, 1834 ; the corporators were Harvey Dresser, and his wife's brother, Jerry Merritt, of Charlton, Samuel Stafford, of Providence, and Benjamin W. Kimball, and their associates; with a corporate capital of $75,000 real estate, and $150,000 personal estate. Mr. Dresser deceased soon after the property was incor porated, and Mr. Stafford, of Providence, having failed in his private business, the trustees and administrators of Mr. Dres ser's estate, in adjusting its affairs, formed a new company, under the same act, which was organized, July 20, 1835 ; the stock having been subscribed for at a previous meeting. The proceedings for organization were as follows, to wit : "1st. Voted to accept the act of incorporation. "2d. Chose Linus Child, Esq., moderator. "3d. Chose Ebenezer D. Ammidown, clerk. "4th. Chose Linus Child, Esq., treasurer. "5th. Chose Linus Child, Esq.. and Ebenezer D. Ammidown, directors. " (ith. Chose Ebenezer D. Ammidown, agent." Mr. Ammidown continued the agent of the corporation to January 1, 1845, when he was succeeded by Colonel Alexan der De Witt, of Oxford, who held the office to the year 1850, at which time Calvin A. Paige was chosen, and held that office till the mill was destroyed by fire. The paid capital \vas $36,000. The manufacturing capacity was 50 looms, and the prepa ration needful for operating the same, for making light weight sheeting from No. 14 yarn. GLOBE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, GLOBE VILLAGE. The Globe village takes its name from the Globe Manufac turing Company, which was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, October 17, 1814. The corporators were Thomas Upham, David Fiske, Samuel Newell, James Wolcott, Jr., Perez B. Wolcott, Josiah J. Fiske, and Francis Wheelock. SOUTHBRIDGE. 365 The act of incorporation styles the parties " The Globe Man ufacturing Company," for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woolen cloth and yarn in the town of Sturbridge, with all the privileges and liabilities of manufacturing companies, under the act passed, March 3, 1809. Their authorized cap ital was not to exceed $30,000, in real estate, nor over $50,000 in personal estate.* When the poll parish was incorporated in 1801, the resi dents of what is now known as the Globe village were Oliver Plimpton, who possessed a farm of 244 acres, valued in 1798, three years before, at $3,115; Gershom Plimpton, Senior, 173 acres, valued at $2,704 ; the late Captain Gershom Plimpton, then Gershom, Junior, lived with his father ; Jonathan Perry, 100 acres, valued at $1,550; Samuel Fiske, 46 acres, valued at $437 ; and Samuel Newell, 10 acres, valued at $85 ; this valuation was exclusive of buildings. The only improve ment of the water-power at the time of the first survey of the parish territory, preparatory for obtaining a town grant, in the year 1812, was a grist-mill, and a mill for making linseed-oil, located on the west side of the Quinebaug river, on the south side of the road leading to Sturbridge, near the bridge ; and a saw-mill near the bridge on the same side of the river, north of said road. The first improvements here were made by William Plimp ton, of Medfield, one of the original proprietors of the grant_ for a town, which is now Sturbridge. He was born at Medfield, May 26, 1700 ; married Kesiah Dwight at Medfield, November 3, 1725 ; died, April 27, 1770 ; this William was son of Joseph, who was born at Medfield, November 15, 1677, and who died, October 21, 1740. One son of this William was Gershom, born at Medfield, January 14, 1733, who subsequently became a man of enter prise at this place ; but the clearing up of the lands and * See Massachusetts Special Laws, vol. v, p. 35. 366 SOUTHBRIDGE. commencing operations here was by his father, who probably located here about the time Moses Marcy commenced below on the Quinebaug, in 1732. He, it appears, was a clothier, and learned his sons that trade, which he and they estab lished here at an early period — the exact time when has not been ascertained; but it is known that this business was in operation here before 1758, as his son Gershom, who was married to Martha, daughter of Moses Marcy, that year, began housekeeping in the lofts over the clothier works at that time. Thus, the old canal and dam running along the west side of the river, forming a pond, where one is now seen, west of the present print-works, were no doubt constructed before 1750. To show that the son Gershom was active here at this period, it appears that his father deeded to him, as of Sturbridge, a portion of this estate, April 24, 1749 ; the first conveyance of land at this place by deed that has been seen ; which shows that this William probably came here with a family of young children ; having been married in 1725. There were three sons that came to this place ; the other two were : William, Junior, who married Prudence, another daughter of Moses Marcy ; he moved to Boston, then to Wrentham, and his granddaughter, Caroline Franker, be came the wife of Willard Sayles, one of the most important men who was ever connected with the business of this village. His other son, Frederick, located near the Alum ponds, in Sturbridge, about 1763, represented the town in the General Court, and finally removed to De Kalb, New York ; his daughter, Caroline, married General Timothy Newell, of Sturbridge, who, for a time, had an interest in the Globe cotton-mill before referred to. The old dam across the Quinebaug river, erected by Wil liam Plimpton and sons, was about 100 rods above the present high dam, and the canal leading from the same was constructed along the margin on the west side of the river, winding around at SOUTHBRIDGE. 367 the foot of the high lands in that vicinity, but has since been submerged by the overflow occasioned by the large dam below. The two sons, William, Junior, and Frederick, removing from here, the real estate on both sides of the river became the property of 'Gershom, who for many years operated the clothier's works, and erected here a grist-mill, and built the old house that, after many alterations, is now the large boarding- house of the present company. To this clothing business and grist-mill was added the busi ness of making oil from flax-seed. This latter branch was in troduced by Gershom Plimpton, Junior, known many years as Captain Gershom Plimpton. Not long afterwards a saw-mill was added, erected by Gershom Plimpton, Junior, and Nathaniel Thayer, of Frank lin ; this Mr. Thayer owned a tract of timber land on the gulf road leading to Charlton, and operated here with Captain Plimpton, under the style of Plimpton & Thayer. Captain Gershom Plimpton succeeded to part of the real estate of his father, located on the west side of the river ; his brother, Ohver, owning the land on the east side ; all those mills being on the west side. The dwelling-house of both Gershom, Senior, and Gershom, Junior, before referred to, stood near the north side of the road leading to Sturbridge, a few rods west of the bridge, but has since been much en larged, and the place greatly changed from the former resi dence of this family. Before any cotton or wool manufacture began here this place bore quite, a picturesque look. In front of the old man sion house were the Lombardy poplars and a large elm-tree, with a garden formed in terraces, extending easterly to the margin of the river ; this view is preserved in part by a land scape painting by Alexander, procured by the late James Wolcott, Esq., now in possession of Edwin D. Plimpton, Esq., Brooklyn, New York, son of this Mr. Plimpton. 368 SOUTHBRIDGE. Such was the state of affairs when the excitement began to have its effect here for engaging in the cotton and wool manu facture in the year 1812. The origin of the Globe Manufacturing Company appears to have been as follows: In the year 1812 James Wolcott, Junior, and his brother, Perez B. Wolcott, bought a quantity of machinery for the manufacture of cotton-yarn, which was placed in the oil-mill before referred to, then owned by Cap tain Gershom Plimpton. It was put in running order and operated here by these Messrs. Wolcott about two years, un der the superintendence of Mr. Moses Plimpton, subsequently known as one of the Columbian Manufacturing Company. Tliis business resulted profitably during this period, and by this success these gentlemen were induced to enlarge the same, and for that purpose invited others to join them, with the view of increasing their means to effect the object desired. The result was the forming of the Globe Manufacturing Company. They erected in 1814 the large mill on the north side of the road, below the bridge, known many years as the Globe mill, wliich, as before stated, gave its name to this village. The old machinery which had till now been operated in the linseed-oil-mill, with some new, was placed in this mill, filling only about half of its capacity. This company opened a store for the sale of merchandise on the first floor at the south end. This business was organized with an agent, store-keeper, and directors. The agent, in payment for the operatives' labor and supplies, drew his orders on the store-keeper to be paid in merchandise, as was the custom with most of the manufacturing companies of that period, and for many years subsequently, designed to add the advantages to be gained by trade to that of making goods. This mode of barter payment was a source of general dis satisfaction, with both operatives and farmers who traded with SOUTHBRIDGE. 369 them. The effect was to increase the price of labor and pro duce, which they required, equal to the profits on their mer chandise, introducing a circuitous mode of business without beneficial results, and was remedied only by separating the sale of merchandise from that of manufacturing, and by sub stituting periodical payments in cash. This company began its business at a time unfortunate for its success, like that of many others similarly induced into this business. It is well known by persons conversant with the history of that period, that all classes of merchandise, which the coun try was dependent upon by importation from Europe, were greatly advanced in value by their almost exclusion from the American market, consequent upon the war between the Uni ted States and Great Britain, declared by the act of Congress, June 18, 1812, and which was closed by the Treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814. On the opening of the American market by this treaty, for the free importation of foreign goods, the reduction of values was fully equal to the former advance, producing disastrous consequences to the parties who had been influenced by the former inflated values to organize this business, then in its infancy in the United States. Much capital had been drawn from agricultural and com mercial pursuits, and invested in this new business, a large por tion of which had now been lost by the disastrous effects of the returning peace ; which, however, was not without a com pensating result to the country, in the end it accomplished. The necessities of the war had abundantly proved the im portance to the country of having the ability to supply her wants in such emergencies, within her own limits. There is, probably, no better illustration of this principle than the mas terly and exhaustive speech upon this question by the Hon. John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, in the House of Repre- 370 SOUTHBRIDGE. sentatives in Congress, April 6, 1816, which resulted in the adoption, by the house, of the first tariff bill, with the prin ciple of protection to American industry, on the 8th of April following, by a vote of 84 to 54. This was the first step in the inauguration of what has since been styled the American protective system. It is believed that the Globe company did not continue its business operations, as at first organized, beyond two or three years. Its joint property was continued about five years. In 1816 a part of the corporators, Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, and Perez B. Walcott, with Samuel A. Groves, formed a new com pany for the manufacture of wool. This business, like the cotton, was first commenced by introducing machinery into the old linseed-oil-mill. This was the origin of the wool manufacture in the Globe village. The picking, carding, and dyeing was done here ; the weaving was done in the old store of Oliver Plimpton, op posite his late residence; the finishing in another building, erected the same year, adjoining the oil-mill on the south. The lower story of this building was occupied by Ephraim Angell, partly for a machine-shop, and partly for making cut iron nails, while the company's cloths were finished in the room above. The operatives, at this time, were chiefly foreigners. In 1819 this company bought of the old company the Globe mill, machinery and fixtures; their business was now concentrated in this building, with a variety store for the sale of merchandise on the south end of first floor, as had been occupied by the old company. They were incorporated as "The Wolcott Woolen Manufac turing Company," February 24, 1820, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars each, real and personal estate. A fire- engine was now introduced (the first in town). Also, a large horse-team was organized under the management of John Upham, making weekly journeys to Boston. SOUTHBRIDGE. 371 An act to increase their capital was obtained, February 11, 1822, but only to double its former capital in both real and per sonal estate — total, $400,000. In 1823 the product of the company was 16,043 yards of broad-cloths ; Lewis Tappan and Company, of Boston, were the principal selling agents. At the close of the year 1823 and the following winter the brick mill above the bridge, south of the other works, known as the Wolcott brick mill, was erected. In the year 1824 the power broad-loom, for weaving broad cloths, was first introduced here, with great opposition from the foreign male hand-loom weavers. Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, was now at the height of his reputation as a manufacturer of wool. He wielded a very important influence in the affairs of the town. His business had the appearance of success and prosperity. To enlarge their water-power, this company erected what is known as the " Big Dam," in the year 1827, running across the Quinebaug river, a short distance above the " Wolcott Brick Mill." The work for this dam was executed with great haste, without sufficient care to insure permanency, and, as anticipated by some who were aware of the rapid rise and power of the spring freshets in the Quinebang, it broke down ; this occurred during March, 1828, greatly to the destruction of bridges and mill property below. The Wolcott Woolen Manufacturing Company were much the largest losers. One two-story machine-shop, about forty feet in length, floated off entire, passing over the dam of the Dresser mill, and also the dam of Marcy's mill, now known as the Central mills ; but in passing over this latter dam, it was too high to pass through the arch of the new stone bridge below (then recently erected above the present bridge near the dam), the building having plunged deep into the water in passing over this dam, then in rising, the gable-end being under the upper part of the 372 SOUTHBRIDGE. arch, lifted out about one third of the key-stones, throwing down that part of the bridge ; but not having room to pass through, was crushed and broken in pieces by the great power of the flood, and floated in fragments down the river. Not long after, through the effect of this first disaster, the remainder of this bridge fell into the river, which was the last of what was called the Washington It ridge, that cost the town, at that day of low prices, about $4,000. This loss, by the damage to the dam and the mill property of this company, added to their depressed affairs before this disaster, proved too great for them to overcome ; the force and energy heretofore displayed by Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, the acknowledged pioneer and chief sustainer of the Wolcott Woolen Company, gradually broke down from this time. Mr. Wolcott made a great effort to resuscitate his depressed affairs during the same year, by engaging to a moderate ex tent the aid of Tiffany, Sayles, and Hitchcock, of Boston ; this enabled him to rebuild the dam, and to operate again his works, but only under a strict supervision of these parties. It was at this time that the Quinebaug Reservoir Company was formed by the united aid of the different mill-owners in this town. Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, struggled here under his in surmountable difficulties until the year 1831, when the estate passed into other hands. He now retired from the place and business he had organized, and continued through a period of- nearly twenty years ; having expended the vigor of his man hood, and leaving with an expensive family, and but little to show for these years, of anxiety and severe toil. It was a severe trial ; he had labored to prepare a business for others to reap the reward. He left in Southbridge many sympathiz ing friends; and those who knew him, and his efforts for suc cess, and the result of his labors, will always regard him as SOUTHBRIDGE. 373 having done much for the prosperity of the town, although unsuccessful for his individual interest. The father of Mr. Wolcott was a native of Rhode Island, and removed from there to the town of Dudley, Massachu setts, about the close of the Revolutionary War. He was known as Dr. James Wolcott; born, November 4, 1754, and died at Queechy, Yermont, September 14, 1830, aged seventy- six; to which place he removed from Southbridge, in the year 1826. He resided in this town about fifteen years, at the place on the Westville road now Mr. Litchfield's, but recently the residence of Samuel H. Judson, who erected the brick house, as it now is, about 1835. James Wolcott, Junior (as formerly known), it is believed, was a native of Dudley, born on April 29, 1787 ; he removed from Southbridge to Wolcottville, Connecticut, and from thence to the city of New York, and soon after to Brimfield, in the State of Illinois, and died there, February 18, 1853, aged sixty-six. He married for his first wife, Lucretia, daugh ter of Ohver Plimpton, Esq. ; — she had been previously mar ried to a Mr. Bostwick, who had deceased; for his second wife, Betsey Thompson, of Brimfield, Massachusetts; both of whom he married while he resided and conducted the manu facturing business at the Globe village. His brother, Perez B., who for a time was engaged with him here, was born, April 18, 1789, and died on February 17, 1851, aged sixty-two years. He married Isabella E. Foster, of Monson, Massa chusetts. Connected in this business at the Globe village with the two Mr. Wolcotts was a person well known' to many of the aged people here now living — Samuel Austin Groves, who, it is believed, followed Mr. James ^Wolcott to Wolcottville, and was engaged there with him for a time in the wool manufac ture ; but their connection ceased when Mr. Wolcott removed to New York. 85a 374 SOUrHBRIDGE. This property passed from the Wolcott Woolen Company into the hands of Messrs. Say les and Hitchcock, of Boston, who obtained an act of incorporation, approved, January 17, 1831, styled "The Hamilton Woolen Company," with a corpo rate capital of $200,000. This company organized, June 29, 1831, as follows: Samuel A. Hitchcock, president ; Willard Sayles, clerk ; Samuel A. Hitchcock, Willard Sayles, and Lorin Norcross, directors. Samuel A. Hitchcock now came from Boston, and took upon himself the general management of this company, as the resident agent. The productive power at this time was five sets of machinery, with the dyeing and finishing ap paratus suitable for the manufacture of broad-cloth. There were twenty-eight broad-looms ; and there were manufactured in the first year of their operations 40,778^- yards of broad cloths, of the value of $2.50 to $5.00 per yard ; probably averaging $3.25. Mr. Hitchcock continued this agency until 1836, when he sold a large amount of his stock in this company to Mr. Charles Merriam, and retired from further active business pursuits, and also from the firm of Sayles ifc Hitchcock, at Boston, where also he was succeeded by Mr. Merriam. Sam uel L. Fiske, who had been engaged in the counting-room of this company, by Mr. Hitchcock, the year he commenced the agency here, and had continued five years under his able man agement, now became the resident agent. The wool manufacture, during the five years' administration of Mr. Hitchcock, had been changed from one of loss to that of great success, which induced a great enlargement of these works. The foundation of the great six-story brick mill was laid in 1836, and the " Big Dam " was raised in height about three feet above its former condition, and greatly strengthened. This large brick mill was finished during the year 1837, and SOUTHBRIDGE. 375 filled with machinery the following year ; which, with the old machinery, the company had now in operation ten sets, with all the necessary preparation for making broad-cloths, with sixty broad looms. In 1844 this company introduced here, for the first time, the manufacture of delaines, and built the small woolen-mill near the big dam, for making cotton warps for this article. The system of monthly cash payments to employees was now inaugurated. By an application to the Legislature the capital stock of the company was increased to $500,000, by an act approved on May 23, 1845. The act for the increase of capital was accepted, and a new- company organized, June 4,- 1845, by the choice of the follow ing officers : Charles Merriam, clerk ; Addison Gilmore, trea surer ; Ohver Dean, Josiah Stickney, William J. Walker, Willard Sayles, and Gardner Brewer, directors. The stock holders at the time of this new organization were as follows : Adams, Abel Emmons, Nathan H. Amory, "William and G. M. Dexter, Fiske, Samuel L. treasurers. Foss, Jacob. Bowman, Abner H. Puller, Nathaniel. Brewer, Gardner. Gilmore, Addison. Brooks, Peter O, Junior. Hall, Dudley. Brown, Charles H. Hathaway, John. Brown, William. Hayes, F. B. Carney & Sleeper. Hitchcock, Samuel A. Carruth, F. S. Humphrey, Benjamin. Carruth, Nathan. Hutchins, H. G. Carter, Luke. Jackson, Ann. Crocker & Brewster. Jewett, Nathaniel. Dean, Oliver. Kendall, Hugh R. Dean, Oliver, Trustee for F. W. Lamson, John. Sayles. Lane, Josiah. Dean, Oliver, Trustee for C. F. Leeds, Timothy C. Brewer. Loring, Benjamin. Doane, A. Sidney. Loring, Elijah. Dupee, J. H. Lovell, George. 376 SOUTHBRIDGE. Mason, William P. Peters, Edward D. Merriam, Charles Quincy, Samuel Morse, Samuel F. Sayles, Francis W. Morse, Sidney B. Sayles, Willard' Nichols, Thaddeus. Shaw, Charles B. Pierce, Henry, A. Smith, Mary P. Stearns, John. An act for the further increase of the capital of this com pany to $1,000,000 was granted by the Legislature, and approved, February 14, 1846. Mr. Addison Gilmore having. resigned as treasurer, Mr. John Gardner was chosen to fill this office, April 14, 1846. Mr. Samuel L. Fiske, who had been connected with the management of the business of this company for a period of sixteen years, and for ten years as resident agent (during this period), now resigned his trust ; believing that the impaired condition of his health required rest and relaxation from active labor of so arduous a charabter. Joshua Ballard, Junior, succeeded him. In the year 1847 the old brick and wood mill erected by the Wolcott Woolen Company was repaired, and the printing business was now commenced here upon delaines. Mr. Willard Sayles, the most influential and largest stock holder in the Hamilton Woolen Company, and the head of the firm of Sayles, Merriam & Brewer, of Boston, died at his residence there, July 7, this year. September 27, 1849, the company voted to issue new stock to the amount of $100,000, which increased the paid-in capital to $600,000, the present capital. This year the company built the brick mill near the big dam, to increase the cotton- warps for their delaines, when the product was largely advanced. On Sunday morning, December 9, 1850, the large six-story brick mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the year SOUTHBRIDGE. 377 1851, with the addition of the two-story wing, which now con tains 432 delaine looms. Fancy cassimere looms now took the place of the broad- loom, formerly used for the manufacture of broad-cloth but discontinued. Gas was now, for the first time, introduced here for lighting these mills. Mr. John Gardner resigned the office of treasurer, and Mr. John R. Brewer was elected to fill this office, January 1, 1851. In 1858 the company built their model barn, and intro duced Ayrshire and Alderney stock, and, with Mr. George A. Dresser as farm manager, commenced experimental business in that line, on the rough lands in this vicinity. In 1860 the new brick mill was erected on the south side of the river, in the vicinity of the railroad depot, the lower side of Hamilton street, and filled with cotton machinery for the manufacture of print cloths ; but, in consequence of the war of Rebellion commencing, the business was deferred for the present. In 1861 the big dam was greatly strengthened and made a substantial and durable structure ; also, this year, the print works were greatly enlarged and improved. In 1864 the new brick mill near the railroad depot was filled with delaine machinery, as a substitute for print cloth business. It had 288 looms for weaving that article. Mr. John R. Brewer having failed in his health, retired from the treasurership of this company in 1865, and Joshua Ballard, Junior, who succeeded Mr. Fiske as agent in 1846, was now elected treasurer. Mr. Gayton Ballard succeeded to the agency which had been filled by his brother Joshua. This year the company made a large addition to their reservoir supply of water, by the erection of extensive works of this kind in the town of Holland, near the head source of Quinebaug river, which insures a constant supply. 378 SOUTHBRIDGE. In the year 1860 this company, at their own expense, estab lished a free library for the benefit of persons in their employ, which, in the year 1866, numbered 1,500 volumes. The transportation of the company in 1866 amounted to 6,348 tons, or a little over 20 tons each working day through the year. It now gives employment to 1,137 persons, to whom they paid for labor during this year $305,902.33. The product of manufactured goods for the year 1866 was 7,107,603 yards of delaines, 328,700 yards of cassimere, and 6,307 double shawls. They paid internal revenue tax on the sales of their goods sold this year, $105,677.89, and their town and county tax in Southbridge, $9,049.17. In the years 1867 and 1868 the company erected a com modious brick meeting-house, for the accommodation of the religious society in their village, at a cost of over $20,000. Their library has been increased by a donation from Gard ner Brewer, Esq., in 1872, of 1,000 volumes; and large addi tions are being made this year to their print works. This manufacturing company has, from the- time Samuel A. Hitchcock, Esq., took the agency of its affairs in 1831, to the present time, been one of the most ably managed and success ful corporations among the many well-conducted manufactories of New England. It is yearly making extensive improvements and enlarging its productive power, and at no former period has its prod ucts been equal to the present time. The great dam is now being raised four feet above its former height, and the print ing department has been greatly improved and enlarged. It has recently purchased the real estate, buildings, and water-power heretofore known as the Westville Mills, where extensive works, it is understood, are soon to be constructed. It is interesting to pass through the various departments of SOUTHBRIDGE. 379 the extensive works of this company, and for those who appre ciate skill and the display of new inventions in the various apparatus here used for rapidly producing the best results, a few hours spent in examining this branch of wisely-conducted industry will be well and pleasantly appropriated. And it may very properly be added that, in passing through these works recently, in company with several gentlemen from distant parts of the country, who were both surprised and de lighted with the curious and ingenious machines and admir able results produced, we saw nowhere posted "No Admit tance," but witnessed a gentlemanly and courteous desire to show all their operations to the fullest extent required. COLUMBIAN COTTON-MILL. This mill was erected in the year 1821, and burned in December, 1844. It was located upon a part of a tract of land known at the time the town of Southbridge was incorpo rated in 1816, as the "Morris Farm," then in the possession of Edward and Lyman Morris. About the year 1815 they made a partial excavation for a canal, a part of which is now used by the new mill on that location. This was the first movement for occupying the water-power connected with that privilege. This Morris estate, containing 159 acres and 70 rods of land (including the blacksmith's shop, which has recently been used as a place for making spectacles by the Southbridge Optical Company, and the dwelling-house opposite, then used by the Morrises as a shop for making barrels), became about this time the property of Hon. James B. Mason, of Provi dence, and by his deed of December 7, 1817, he conveyed the whole estate to Colonel William Foster, who sold the same entire to Major Calvin Ammidown, April 14, 1818 ; consider ation, $4,600.* * 'See Worcester Records of Deeds, book 212, pp. 191-^p. 380 SOUTHBRIDGE. On the 19th of April, 1819, Calvin Ammidown sold to Lement Bacon and Ebenezer D. Ammidown the mill-site, canal, and water-right on the south side of the river for $400; and on the 2d of October, 1821, sold other contigu ous lands for a small addition to the mill-site, to Ebenezer D. Ammidown and Samuel Hartwell, for $200.* Subsequently, the right of water-flowage, and location for part of dam, on the north side of the river, was, after some litigation, obtained of Jedediah Marcy. Moses Plimpton bought one fifth part of this water privi lege and mill site, October 22, 1821, for the sum of $635; and about this time Samuel Lewis Newell became part owner in the same company. The business was conducted under a general partnership up to the year 1825. During this period Mr. Newell lost his life by being caught up by a belt, and carried rapidly round a shaft while engaged as superintendent here. The difficulty in adjusting his interest in the copartnership property induced the surviving partners to apply for an act of incorporation, which was granted by the General Court, in June, 1S25. The capital was estabhshed at $36,000, divided into thirty-six shares of $1,000 each, and subscribed for as follows, in the years 1826 and 1827. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, 15 : shares. Moses Plimpton, Samuel Hartwell, 7 0 u Stillman Plimpton, William Healey, Joseph Congdon, 3 li 2 tta a __ = 36 shares. The manufacture of cotton was continued at this mill up to the time of the destruction of the same by fire in December, 1844, when it was voted by the company that its affairs should go into liquidation for a final adjustment. In this settlement * See Book of Eecords, 221, pp. 540-541; also pp. 542-548. SOUTHBRIDGE. 381 the entire real estate of the company became the property of Mr. Ammidown. This mill site and water-power now remained unoccupied until 1856, when Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, through the aid of his son-in-law, Mr. Barker, of Cincinnati, erected a brich mill on the premises ; and by the assistance of Holmes Ammi down, Esq., of Boston, filled this mill with machinery in the year 1858, and commenced the manufacture of cotton jeans and flannels. Tins business was conducted by Malcolm and Henry C, sons of Mr. Ammidown, to whom the property had been conveyed by deed. One of the proprietors, Malcolm Ammidown, having de ceased, this property was sold for the purpose of effecting a division of interests, and a settlement cf the deceased party's estate, when it became the sole property of Mr. Henry C. Ammidown. On the 5th of October, 1866, this estate was conveyed by deed from Henry C. Ammidown to Henry T. Grant, of Provi dence, Rhode Island ; described as a certain parcel of land in Southbridge, known as the Columbian Manufacturing Com pany property ; consideration, $37,000.* Mr. Grant at once commenced to erect a new mill, adjoin ing on the west of the brick-mill, before referred to, on said premises. This mill was finished in 1867, in March, and filled with 4,736 spindles and 108 looms, and put in operation with all the other necessary machinery for making print cloths, June 1, 1867. The product weekly is about 24,000 yards, and the whole process is said to be conducted with skill and profit. CENTRAL COTTON MILLS. Ebenezer D. Ammidown was the originator of this enter prise. He bought the real estate, including the water-power .* See records of Deals, Worcester, book 732, p. 510. 382 SOUTHBRIDGE. and about 12 acres of land in all, of Royal Smith, January 20, 1836; consideration, $9,000.* For the previous history of this real estate and water-power, see Marcy's mills. At the date of this purchase, Mr. Ammidown conveyed the estate to the Dresser Manufacturing Company, and the same was incorporated as the Central Manufacturing Company, February 17, 1837 ; the Dresser Manufacturing Company conveying the estate to this corporation. By this act of in corporation the company was authorized to hold real estate to the amount of $75,000, and personal estate not exceeding the value of $150,000. This company was organized with a capital of $60,000. The stock subscribed at this time was $52,000, in shares of $1,000 each, as follows : Ebenezer D. Ammidown, 30 shares. Linus Child, 10 " Dresser Manufacturing Company, 12 " The mill was erected in 1837, and the cotton manufacture commenced in May, 1838. At this time the machinery con sisted of 2,048 warp spindles, and 2,432 spindles for filling, a total of 4,480 spindles, and other preparations, with 120 looms for making fine shirting and sheeting from Nos. 32 and 38 yarn. On the 27th of December, 1845, the company was reorgan ized, with the capital increased to $80,000— shares $1,000 each. j. ms stock was sunsenbed tc )r as tollo1 iVS, viz.: Ebenezer D. Ammidown, 40 shares. Linus Child, 10 Manning Leonard, 15 " Chester A. Dresser, 15 " At the organization of tin's company Eh enezer D. Ammi- * See Worcester Records, book 312, p. 478. SOUTHBRTDGE. 383 down was elected the agent, Chester A. Dresser superintend ent, and Manning Leonard, clerk. This organization continued to January 1, 1852, when the manufacturing property was leased to Chester A. Dresser and Manning Leonard for the term of four years, to be operated by them for the company on contract, and continued in this manner five years. On the 14th of December, 1858, the whole property was sold by quit claim to Chester A. Dresser and Manning Leonard. The company was reorganized again, March 30, 1859, hav ing passed under an assignment during the previous year, and vested in the hands of Samuel M. Lane, as assignee, who, at the date last above given, conveyed the whole estate to Chester A. Dresser and Manning Leonard for $40,000. These parties conveyed the whole estate to the Central Mills Company for $50,000, by deed dated February 16, 1863, when a new company was incorporated the same year, with Chester A. Dresser, of Southbridge, and Samuel and William Foster, and T. A. Randall, of Providence, as stockholders. It has now about 6,000 spindles and 150 looms. The water- power is about 28| feet fall. SAUNDERS DALE. The Saunders Dale water-power, and the extensive improve ments there, are located on the homestead farm of the late Colonel Thomas Cheney, the pioneer settler in this place. The date of Colonel Cheney's purchases here, and several tracts of this land, are referred to in another part of this work. This farm, about seventy-five years ago, became a part of the large land estate of the late John Ammidown, who deceased December 3, 1814. In the year following the several farms belonging to this estate were divided among his six sons, at which time this homestead farm of Colonel Cheney descended to his two youngest sons, Adolphus and John Ammidown. 384 SOUTHBRIDGE. The first improvement of this water-power was made by Adolphus Ammidown in 1831, when he erected a dam across the Lebanon Hill brook, near the present dam, and a part of same, where he built a saw-mill and used it as such for several years. The water-power connected with the Quinebaug river these parties sold to their brother, Larkin Ammidown, August 19, 1834, for $1,000. (B. 302, p. 257.) He built the dam across the Quinebaug, and excavated the canal and enlarged the dam at the south end, adjoining the first dam, the same year. In 1835 he dug the race way, and erected a mill for manufactur ing cotton, wliich he partly filled with machinery, and began spinning cotton in 1836 ; but the business proving unsatisfac tory he sold the estate to Silas H. Kimball, December 16, the same year, for $11,000, and received in part payment from him the Dresser block, so called, in the center village of Southbridge. Mr. Kimball increased and improved the machinery, and mortgaged the property to Duty Evans, of Chepachet, Rhode Island. He associated other parties with him, and con tracted to sell a joint interest in the same; but the business proving a losing one, the parties failed. The estate now passed into the hands of assignees, who advertised and sold it at public auction, subject to the right of redemption on the Evans mortgage. The principal and interest upon this debt, at the time of sale, October 11, 1843, amounted to $11,706 ; Mr. Evans bid in the right of redemption at $70. Mr. Evans held the estate till April 1, 1847, when he sold his right — half to Stephen P. Irwin, one fourth to Moses E. Irwin, and the other fourth to W. A. J. Wilkinson. These grantees operated the mill about two years, until June 5, 1849, when the cotton-mill and machinery were destroyed by fire. This village was known at this time as Ashland, and now the water-power (except for a saw-mill, operated a part of the SOUTHBRIDGE. 385 time), remained unoccupied until sold to the present owner, James Saunders, of Providence. The real estate bought by Mr. Saunders consisted of several tracts, as follows : First, the Ashland estate and water-power, which included 34 acres, at $6,750 The balance of the Adolphus Ammidown fa™, 136 " at 2,000 The James M. Bean place, lately owned by Charles E. Cady, with blacksmith shop, 20 " at 5,250 Total, 190 acres, at $14,000 Mr. Saunders' deed bears date, "February 19, 1864." The blacksmith shop sold by Mr. Bean was erected by David and Erastus Bolles, from Woodstock, Connecticut, about the date of the incorporation of the town, 1815 or 1816. The sale of the Adolphus Ammidown farm, to Mr. Saunders for $2,000 was much less than the sum paid to his heirs. To insure the whole sale of these tracts at this time to Mr. Saunders, this farm was bought first by Mr. Chester A. Dresser, of the heirs, for a sum over $3,000 ; but this difference in cost, over sale, now included in the general sale to Mr. Saunders, was paid by Mr. Dresser and some leading gentle men of the town, who desired to see this water-power perma nently improved ; by this liberality the sale was effected. In 1865 Mr. Saunders made extensive improvements upon the dams, canal, and water-works generally, and erected the grist-mill and shop near the clam. In addition to the foregoing real estate, Mr. Saunders bought the farm of the heirs of the late Joseph Vinton, by deed dated, " September 20, 1866 ;" this farm contained 130 acres, for which he paid $8,000. Also, he bought the Thurs ton farm, 65 acres of land, for $4,250. This last place has been known as the " Jonas Lamb Farm," situated at the junction of 386 SOUTHBRIDGE. the roads leading to North Woodstock and Thompson ; before Mr. Lamb bought this place it was owned by men of the name of Arnold. Dr. Reuben Harrington bought this place of Colonel Benjamin Freeman in 1801 ; this was his first place of residence, when he came from North Brookfield, his native place, to establish himself as a physician. With these two last purchases and the first 190 acres, Mr. Saunders became the owner of 385 acres at this place, at a cost, excluding im provements, of $26,250. The foundation of the extensive brick buildings for the print works was laid about 1867, continued through 1868, and buildings finished preparatory for the machinery in 1869. The depression in the printing business has been such that Mr. Saunders has not succeeded in engaging persons of capi tal to furnish means for prosecuting the calico printing, as anticipated, while his own means have been exhausted in the original outlay, with nearly two hundred thousand dollars of indebtedness, secured by mortgages upon the estate, which is in process of foreclosure, having been sold to Earl P. Mason, of Providence, leaving all this large investment in a very unsatisfactory condition at the present time. THE COTTON-PLANT. ITS HISTORY INTRODUCED IN CONNECTION WITH THAT OF ITS MANUFACTURE. The article of cotton-wool having so important a bearing upon commerce, manufactures, and the monetary affairs of the country, a brief history of the cotton-plant, its mode of culture, and the annual product of that staple in the United States, and its past history and future prospects, is a subject of sufficient interest to appear here in connection with the growing business of the cotton manufacture. The botanical name of the cotton-plant is Oossypium ; its SOUTHBRIDGE. 387 varieties are very numerous ; but it is not the purpose to ex plain here these varieties, except those generally cultivated in this country. They are classed under three heads, to wit : 1st, the tree cotton ; 2d, the shrub cotton ; 3d, the herb aceous cotton. The cotton-plant has been known in history from a very ancient period ; but the time when it was first made use of for its wool is not known. The early Asiatic nations made use of cotton-wool for clothing coeval with their history, and from them it was in troduced into Greece and Rome. It is believed by the best tests and information obtained, that the Egyptians, under their ancient civilization, did not make use of cotton, but used flax and hemp as a substitute. It is well known that this most ancient people used vast quantities of cloth for shrouds for their dead ; not only human bodies were embalmed and wound in numerous folds of this cloth, but a great variety of animals, which their religion deified. By a close examination of these mummy cloths, in a great variety of instances, by powerful microscopes, they have uni formly been found to be of linen fabric. Mr. Thompson, in a paper read before the Royal Society of England, remarks : " Repeated observations having estab lished beyond all doubt the power of the microscope accu rately to distinguish between the fibres of cotton and linen, I obtained, through the kindness of various individuals con nected with the British Museum, the Royal College of Sur geons, the Hunterian Museum of Glasgow, as well as other public institutions both at home and abroad, a great variety of cloth of human mummies, and of animals and birds, which, being subjected to the microscope, proved without exception to be linen." Nor has he, among the numerous specimens collected during many years, been able to detect a single 388 SOUTHBRIDGE. fibre of cotton ; a fact recently confirmed by others, proving incontestably that the mummy cloth of Egypt was linen.* Cotton appears to have been introduced into modern Europe at first as an article of trade and commerce in the fourteenth century. t It is referred to by McCulloch, in his Dictionary of Com merce, as being an article of manufacture in England, at Manchester and Lancashire, in 1641. But it was not until the invention of machinery by Hargraves, Arkwright, Crompton, and Watt, in the period between 1760 and 1785, and the inven tion of the cotton-gin by Eli Whitney, in 1793, — that the great revolution was produced, which made cotton one of the lead ing products of agriculture, commerce, and manufacture. The cultivation of the Sea Island cotton-plant was intro duced into the United States soon after the Revolutionary War, about 1786. The following is a brief account of the three principal varieties of this important agricultural plant : TREE COTTON. This species of the cotton-plant is not much cultivated. Its growth is to the height of ten to twenty feet. It is a native of India, Egypt, Arabia, and America. The Sea Island variety is derived from the Arboreum, or tree cotton; its fibre is long, strong, and silky, and of a yellowish tinge. The seed is black and of Persian origin, though originally introduced into this country from the Bahama islands, where it had been intro duced by the English board of trade from the island of Anguilla in the Carribean sea. This cotton was raised first in Georgia in 1786, and the first bag exported was by Alex ander Bissel, of St. Simon's island, in 1788. The section of country capable of producing this cotton is very limited, being mostly confined to the low sandy islands along the coast of * See Industrial Besources of Southern and Western States, by J. B. D. De Bow, in 3 vols., vol. i, p. 116. \ See same, p. 118, SOUTHBRIDGE. 3gq South Carolina and Georgia. The region of this cotton is bounded on the north and north-east by the Santee river, and on the south-west along the coast of Georgia; in a tract of country about 250 miles in length, by about 30 miles in breadth. It flourishes only in lands affected by sea atmosphere, and on the main-land only along the borders of rivers or inlets, where the soil possesses saline qualities, in the vicinity of the tidal flow of the sea. It is also cultivated to a moderate extent quite generally in Florida. The annual product of this most expensive cotton has, before the late Rebelhon, of late years, varied from 10,000 to 40,000 bales. The cultivation is attended with more difficulties, and requires more experience to make a crop of this cotton than of the' upland; and for the general purposes of commerce and manufactures, is not of that importance to the countrv as the green-seed or short-staple cotton, which is adapted to a far greater breadth of country, and is less liable to disaster in the process of cultivation and the securing of the crop. In a favorable state of cultivation the quantity produced per acre of these two species of cotton is about equal in the number of pounds, but the Sea Island is much more expen sive in its culture, and requires more frequent and greater care in picking. Its value is also much greater. It is culti vated in this country as an annual, the same as the herbace ous or short-staple cotton. SHRUB COTTON. This species of the cotton-plant has several varieties. Its smallest variety is much hke the current-bush, while some others grow to the height of ten or twelve feet. It is cultivated in Guiana and Brazil, more than the herbaceous, and to some extent in the south of Europe, Egypt, and in India. It will flourish wherever the climate is adapted to the herbaceous, 26a 39Q SOUTHBRIDGE. while in favorable chmates, two crops during, a year may be produced. This species is not much cultivated in the United States. HERBACEOUS COTTON. This is the popular and favorite species of the cotton-plant, for cultivation in this country. The Sea Island, although pro duced from the tree species, is only cultivated as an annual here. The two are distinguished by the color of the seed, the Sea Island being black, and the short-staple or Gulf, and up land cotton, green. The short-staple cotton varies so much in its general appearance, in different localities, that it is claimed to possess quite distinct varieties ; the greatest extremes may be found between the short upland cotton of Georgia, and the long silky staple cotton of the Gulf States and Texas. It has been acclimated so as to be a moderately remunera ting crop, as far north as Southern Illinois, and the south part of Missouri.Mr. Purchas, in his Pilgrims, in a note containing a letter of Thorp, dated, " May 17, 1621," refers to the first culture of cotton in the United States, to wit : " This year the seeds were planted as an experiment (in 1621), and was a subject of in terest at the time."* This had reference to cotton in Virginia as a garden plant, no doubt. Again, in the year 1731, in a description of the province of South Carolina, by Peter Purry, of Neufchatel, for encourage ment of Swiss Protestants, to accompany him there to settle a new colony, he says : " Flax and cotton thrive admirably, and hemp grows from 13 to 14 feet high."t It is referred to by other writers quoted by Mr. De Bow in his Industrial Resources of the South and West, as being culti- * See vol. rv; also, B. Ii. Carroll in his Historical Collections of South Carolina, vol. n. A Briei Description of the Province of South Carolina by Robert Home, in the year 1666, refers to cotton wool, as being cultivated there; see p. 13. 1 See Carroll, vol. II, p. 13:1. SOUTHBRIDGE. 391 vated in 1736 and 1739; but in all the foregoing cases its cultivation was more as an experiment than for any practical or profitable result ; even as far north as the southern parts of New Jersey. At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, it is reported that General Delagall, of South Carolina, had 30 acres of the green-seed cotton in cul tivation. In 1775 the Congress of South Carolina recom mended the inhabitants to raise cotton; and Mr. Jefferson, referring to this product, speaks of the domestic economy of making cotton goods in families, in the year 1781. The green-seed cotton grown at this time came from Manilla and Cyprus, as asserted by some authors, while others say from Barbadoes ; the latter most probable, but perhaps from both places ; which may account for the difference in appear ance of this species in different sections of the cotton district. It is seen by the foregoing that there was an increased ten dency in the English colonies towards the cultivation of cotton as an article for export at this time. There had been created a demand for this article by the invention of machinery for facilitating its manufacture, but accompanying this state of things came the war of the Revo lution, that showed to all considerate minds which had re flected upon the true economy of nations, that there was a necessity for providing more independent means for securing clothing in time of war ; which gave a tendency of the coun try towards domestic manufactures ; another stimulus for the production of cotton. Under this state of the progress of the cultivation of cotton was the necessity for having a more economical mode of cleaning the staple from the seed ; which, up to the invention of the cotton-gin by Eh Whitney, in 1793, had been but a slow and expensive business. But now there was a remedy which effectually opened the way for almost an unhmited supply of this important product. 392 SOUTHBRIDGE. The growth of cotton in this country at first was as an ar ticle for export, to wit : among the exports from Charleston in 1748 were seven bags of cotton wool, valued at £3, lis., 5d. a bag. Another small export is stated in 1754. And, in 1770, ten bales were shipped to Liverpool from the American colonies.* After the close of the war for Independence, in 1784, the English revenue officers seized eight bags of American cotton, on the supposition that it was not possible so great a quantity could be the product of the United States ; this, in the year 1870, would be but 86 years ago. English opinion has had occasion to change much since that date, regarding the growth of cotton in this country. There is no one article of agricultural product that re quires more intelligent labor than the culture of cotton. The system generally in practice for its cultivation in most of the cotton-growing States is to prepare a deep mellow soil, to plant in drills, eighteen inches distant, and in rows from four to five feet apart, depending upon the quality of the soil. A profusion of seed is necessary, as the young plant is subject to many disasters ; but if the plants are found too thick, they may, after danger of loss is over, be thinned to the desired supply. About two bushels of seed to the acre is sufficient, if not eaten by the cut-worm or cotton-louse. To provide for their destruction, many planters sow, beside the drill seed, broadcast, five to ten bushels of seed per acre as a protection ; this seed may be of poor quality, for supplying sprouts for the worm, which destroys the plant for a period of about two weeks, ending about the 5th of May. The cotton-louse appears about June 20, and disappears about July 5. It is not safe to do the extent of thinning until after this last date. After the time the cat-worm ceases its work upon the * See De Bow, vol i, pp. 119 and 120. SOUTHBRIDGE. 393 young plant, which, in South Carolina and Georgia is, as be fore stated, about the 5th of May, then the dressing work begins, when all vegetation, except the plants standing in the drill rows, must be cut down, and the standing plants earthed up, to keep them upright and strong in their places. This process of cutting down with the hoe all vegetation, and earthing up around the plants, is continued into July, until the growth of the plant covers the ground and protects itself. Among the other diseases or disasters to which this plant is liable after the louse has disappeared — which is very disastrous for many years, having the general effect of severe rust — is the boll-worm, which makes its appearance about the third or fourth week in July. It is quite regular in its annual visits; oftener in wet than in dry weather. This worm bores into the bud and destroys the pod or blos som, and thus the cotton. Many experiments have been tried for defeating the effects of this enemy of the cotton crop. One, by pinching off, in the fourth week of July, the top bud; this produces many other branches ; and while it destroys many of the worms, it delays the ripening of the crop to a time when it is frequently overtaken by the frosts, and is lost in the end ; another mode, of some value, is building fires to attract and destroy the miller, or moth, that deposits the larvae. But the most effectual method is to employ the hands who attend the crop at this period, to go through the field and catch the moth ; this, it is said, requires about ten hands a day to examine a field of 100 acres. This should be done two or three times, at periods of three to four days, to have a good effect, which will pay well for the expense. The next pest of the cotton-planter is the caterpillar, which makes its appear- ance from the 25th of August to the 25th of September. When they come early, they do vast damage to the crop. At first, this scourge has but little or no effect, but when it ar- 394 SOUTHBRIDGE. rives at a certain growth and period of their work they are the most voracious eaters imaginable. It is stated that luxu rious growing crops of hundreds of acres are destroyed in the short time of three or four days, after they commence this eating process. They are not annual, but periodical ; generally once in seven years. Being now through with insects, heavy gales of wind are destructive, especially if accompanied by powerful rains. Lands to be planted ^with cotton should be well plowed in the autumn, as deep as the soil will permit, as by loosening the ground deep it allows the roots of the plant to penetrate down to keep a supply of moisture in a dry season. The usual planting season is from March 15th to the 10th of April, depending upon the dryness of the land and its mel low condition ; care being had that all lumps are well pulver ized, and the soil fine and soft, to allow the young sprouts to pierce through and show themselves, without being crippled by hard surface. To cultivate thoroughly, three to four times of plowing and dressing of the ground and earthing- of the plants is re quired. The thinning of the setting, in rich ground, should leave only one plant in a distance of 12 to 18 inches in the row, which is 4 to 5 feet distant in parallel lines. In light or poor soil, 2 to 4 standings of the plant is permitted, to sup ply the defect of branches that grow in rich soil. PICKING. After the pod opens, the sooner the cotton is picked the more valuable to the grower. There is a degree of oil in the cotton when it first opens that adds much to its weight, wliich by remaining open to the atmosphere, is to a considerable degree lost. Furthermore, all delay increases the liability to damage in various ways. SOUTHBRIDGE. 395 The cotton-pods begin to open about the 15th of August, from which time to the 1st of December the whole attention of the cultivator is directed to the picking. Fifty pounds of cotton in the seed is a good day's work, which is about 15 to 18 lbs. of clean cotton when ginned. The seed preserved for planting should be saved from the second picking generally, and from cotton picked from mid-day till night, and such as appeared vigorous; dryness being necessary. But all other cotton should, as picked, be kept in close bulk, except it be wet, when it is necessary to expose it to the sun, to free it from moisture not natural to the cotton. The cotton should remain in bulk from four to eight weeks, to allow it to heat moderately, but not too much ; this pro cess causes the oil in the seed to diffuse itself through the fibre, imparting to it a favorable tinge, desired by buyers and manufacturers. Ginning should be done moderately, not to break the staple ; and packing should be done only in rainy or moist weather, as the staple is a great absorbent of moisture, adding to its weight and the retention of the natural oil in the cotton. This is also an advantage when it is manufactured, in preventing flyings, which are produced by dry cotton. BALING. The compressing for good baling is about 30 lbs. to the square foot. The bagging should always be put on loose to allow for the swelling of the bale, so that when taken from the press the cotton shall remain entirely covered. The ropes or iron bands should be six in number, and the dimensions of the bale 22 inches by 24, and 4 feet 6 inches long in the press, uniformity being of great advantage in packing and stowing on shipboard. CROP PER ACRE. The cotton product varies much in the different cotton- growing States, and in fact in the same State, per acre ; 396 SOUTHBRIDGE. depending both on the quality of the soil, and the skill and care used in its cultivation. Bad husbandry with cotton is more injurious, as regards the secm-ing a good growth, than with most any other kind of agricultural crops ; and all pro ducers know perfectly well its ill effects in producing any favorable results. The average product of cotton, per acre, before it is ginned, that is, with seed aspicked in the field, is about as follows : In South Carolina, 320 pounds seed cotton " Georgia, 500 " " " Florida, 250 .. " Tennessee, 300 i L , t " Alabama, 525 " Louisiana, 550 " " Mississippi, 650 " Arkansas, 700 " " " Texas, 750 " For Sea Island, 400 " The shrink by ginning, ready for market, is about two thirds to three fourths ; that is, 1,000 pounds of cotton from the field, when prepared for the market, will generally yield 250 to 300 pounds of clean cotton. In dry seasons the plant is checked in its growth, and in wet seasons it runs more to leaves than cotton ; and, again, much depends upon the frosts. Late frosts in the spring, and early frosts in the autumn, are very effective in cutting short the crop. It is more difficult to cultivate than Indian corn, wheat, and other small grains ; it is more seriously affected by sudden changes of heat or cold, droughts, or excessive rains ; and, what is worse, a multitude of vermin, the worm, lice, ant, bug, fly, and the caterpillar. Although heretofore cultivated by ignorant slave-labor, much success has been attained in the growth of this, one SOUTHBRIDGE. 397 of the most difficult of agricultural crops. This fact may appear singular, when it is claimed that no one crop requires so much intelligent direction and methodical management, as the cultivation of cotton, to secure success. This is accounted for by the almost exclusive attention of slave planters to this one crop ; the master embodied all the intelligence, while the slaves acted under his direction, as mechanical power adjusted to a specific purpose. Cotton culture in the cotton-growing States was principally under the control of the most able and intelligent portion of the men in that section of this country. They had, through two or three generations, successively, made this business a specialty, to understand its requirements, to wit : the species best adapted to the climate and soil, time, and mode of plant ing, manner of preparing the ground, and treatment of the plants in process of cultivation. They thoroughly understood its liabilities by climate and weather, and the insects which infested it while coming to maturity, and all the known modes of protecting the crop against them. Furthermore, the soil was unexhausted gener ally, by the discontinuing for a time of the same crop. Their breadth of ground was ample for giving alternate years of rest to fields once occupied, rotation of crops, or rest, being indispensable. The talent embraced in the class called planters in the planting States, and they were the chief producers of cotton there, may, without derogating from the merit of any other class of men engaged in other pursuits, be placed on an equal level, in point of intelligence, with those of any other section of this country; and no other class better understood the busi ness in which they were engaged. The question now arises as to the future of cotton culture ; with the revolution in the labor system of these States, can equal results be effected '( With the old system, the principal 398 SOUTHBRIDGE. managers and the means have alike ceased to exist. In most instances new landlords and new systems prevail. To determine the result of the future, two points are im portant to be understood : will that section of the country continue its exclusiveness in the culture of cotton, or diver sify its crops by the production of corn and small grain, as has been the case since the close of the war of Rebellion '( It has been suggested that Northern men and Northern capital will now naturally tend there ; that may be ; but with a class of labor adapted to other pursuits, as well as cotton-growing, there is little or no probability of following exclusive cotton- raising, as did the slave planters, with a system specially adapted to that business, and not to an intelligent diversity of pursuit. The evidence is ample to show that cotton culture is not in the main a more profitable crop than corn or other grain, with former prices ; but should the present price of 20 to 25 cents continue to prevail, an increase from the present prod uct may be realized, but not to the extent of the future in crease of population, compared with the crop of 1860 (nearly 5,000,000 of bales) and the population of the United States at that time. It is agreed by those best acquainted with the expense of producing cotton, that 125 to 150 pounds of clean cotton is a fair average yield per acre ; and that five acres is a fair estimate per hand for proper cultivation, which at 150 pounds per acre is 750 pounds of clean cotton for each hand for his season's labor, and at 40 cents, is $300 ; this refers to Sea Island cotton, wliich requires more care and labor than the short-staple cotton. The same estimate per acre for clean cotton is the same for both long and short staple cotton, but with the short-staple, the amount of labor for producing being less, one good average field-hand can cultivates acres, which, at 150 pounds per acre, is 1,200 pounds, and at 25 cents is $300; same as Sea Island. SOUTHBRIDGE. 399 This estimate of $300 per hand includes, of course, the full sum received by the planter for the use of his land and all other cost connected with the producing — ginning, baling, and placing the same in market. Almost any agricultural product will yield, with the same expense, quite as favorable results.* ANNUAL PRODUCT OF COTTON, AND PRICE, IN UNITED STATES. QUANTITY EXPOKTED AND MANUFACTUKED, AND TOTAL EXPOKTS AND IMPORTS. Crop. Bales. Exported . Bales. Retained. Bales. Price, cts. lb. Value of Exports. Dollars . Exports of Country. Dollars. Imports of Country. Dollars. 1790 3,750 625 3,125 14 »„ 20,800,000 23,000,000 1791 5,000 500 4,500 26" 19,000,000 29,200,000 1792 7,500 358 7,142 29 20,700,000 31,500,000 1793 12,50020,000 1,2504,167 11,25015,833 32 26,100,000 31,100,000 1794 33 500,000 33,000,000 34,600,000 1795 20,000 15,000 5.000 361, 2,000,000 48,000,000 69,700,000 1796 25,000 15,000 10,000 36 yz 2,000,000 67,000,000 81,400,000 1797 27,600 8,750 18,750 34 J, 000. 000 56,800 000 75,400,000 1798 37,500 22,500 15,000 39 3,000,000 61,500,000 68,600,000 1799 50,000 22,500 28,500 44 4,000,000 78,600,000 79,000,000 1800 87,500 42,500 45,000 28 5,000,000 71,000,000 91,200,000 1801 120,000 50,000 70,000 44 9,000,000 94,100,000 111,300,000 1802 137,500 67,500 70,000 19 5,000,000 72,600,000 76,300,000 1803 150,000 102,500 47,500 19 8,000,000 56,800,000 64,600,000 1804 162,000 96,000 67,000 20 8,000,000 77,600,000 85,000,000 1805 175,000 100,000 75,000 23 9,000,000 95,600,000 120,000,000 1806 200,000 92,000 107,500 22 8,000,000 101,600,000 129,400,000 1807 200,000 165,000 35,000 21 U 14,000,000 108,300,000 138,500,000 1808 187,500 30,000 157,500 19 2,000,000 22,400,000 57,000,000 1809 205,000 132,500 72,500 16 8,000,000 52,200,000 59,400,000 1810 212,500 232,500 20,000* 16 15,000,000 66,600,000 85,400,000 1811 200,000 155,000 45,000 15 ii 9,000,000 61,300,000 53,400,000 1812 187,500 72,500 115,000 wys 3,000,000 38,500,000 177,000,000 1813 187,500 47,500 140,000 12 2,000,000 27,800,000 122,000,000 18H 175,000 42,500 132,500 15 2,000,000 7,000,000 112,000,000 1815 250,000 207,500 43,500 21 17,000 000 52,500,000 1113,000,000 1816 310,000 202,500 107,000 29 )s 24,000,000 81,900,000 147,000,000 1817 320,000 237,500 82,500 26 », 22,000,000 87,600,0011 99,200,000 1818 312,500 230,000 82,500 34 31,000,000 93,300,000 121,700,000 1819 417,500 220,000 197,500 24 21,000,000 70,200,000 87,100,000 1820 400,000 317,000 83,500 i1 22,000,000 70,700,000 74,500,000 1821 450,000 310,000 140,000 "Vi 20,000,000 65,000,000 62,600,000 1822 502,500 360,000 142,500 16 1-10 24,000,000 72,100,000 83,200,000 1823 462,500 432,000 30,000 11 1-10 23,000,000 74,700,000 77,600,000 1824 503,750 355.000 148,750 15 1-10 22,000,000 76,000,000 89,500,000 1825 627,500 440,000 197,500 20 1-10 39,000,000 99,500,000 96,340,000 1826 620,000 510,000 110,000 12 1-10 25,000,000 77,600,000 85,000,000 1827 675,000 510,000 165,000 10 29,000,000 82,300,000 79,500,000 1828 812,500 520,000 292,500 10 1-10 22,000,000 72,300,000 88,500,000 1829 912,500 660,000 252,500 10 26,000,000 72,400,000 74,500,000 1830 825,000 745,000 80,000 9 1-10 30,000,000 74,000,000 70,800,000 1831 962,500 692,500 270,000 9 1-10 25,000,000 81.300,000 103,200,000 1832 975,000 930,000 45,000 9 1-10 32,000,000 87,200,000 101,000,000 1833 1,112,500 810,000 302,500 11 1-10 36,000,000 90,100,000 108,100,000 * See Andrew Ure's Cotton Manufacture in Great Britain, in 3 vols.; Bohn's Scientific Library, vol. i, pp. 158 and 165; also, see De Bow's Industry and Eesourcee of tlie South ern and "Western States, in 3 vols. 400 SOUTHBRIDGE. ANNUAL PRODUCT OF COTTON.— Continued. lj Crop. Exported. Retained. Bales. Price. Cts. Value of Exports. Exports of Country. Imports of Country. 3 lbs. Dollars. Dollars. Dollars. 1834 1,150,000 960,000 190,000 12 8-10 49,000,000 104,300,000 126,500,000 1835 1,254,000 968,340 216,880 16 8-10 64,000,000 121,700,000 150,000,000 1836 1,361,000 1,059,200 236,773 16 8-10 71,300,000 128,700,000 190,000,000 1837 1,422,930 1,110,520 222,540 14 2-10 63,200,000 117,400,000 140,000,000 1838 1,801,490 1,489,830 246,060 10 9-10 61,600,000 108,500,000 113,100,000 1839 1,360,530 1,034,060 276,010 14 8-10 61,200,000 121,000,000 162,000,000 LS40 2,177,830 1,859,850 295,190 8 5-10 63,900,000 132,000,000 107,100,000 1841 1,694,940 1,325,510 297,280 10 2-10 54,300,000 121,800,000 127,900,000 1842 1,683,570 1,461,790 267,850 8 1-10 47,600,000 104,700,000 100,200,000 1843 2,378,870 1,980,770 325,710 6 2-10 49,100,000 84,300,000 64,700,000 1844 2,030,400 1,459,080 346,740 8 1-10 54,100,000 111,200,000 108,400,000 1845 2,394,500 2,182,260 389,000 5 9-10 51,700,000 114,600,000 117,200,000 1846 2,100,580 1,368,690 420,500 7 8-10 42,800,000 113,500,000 121,700,000 1847 1,779,000 1,318,050 427,620 10 3-10 53,400,000 158,600,000 146,500,000 1848 2,347,634 2,035,680 606,044 7 6-10 62,000,000 154,000,000 155,000,000 1840 2,728,596 2,566,500 642,485 6 4-10 66.400,000 146,000,000 148,000,000 1850 2.096,706 1,588,450 613,496 11 3-10 72,000,000 152,000,000 178,100,000 1851 2,336,257 2,318,090 485,614 12 1-10 112,000,000 218,000,000 216,000,000 1852 3,016,029 2,758,070 699,603 K 88,000,000 210,000,000 213,000.000 1853 3,262,862 2,778,920 803,725 9 8-10 109,500,000 231,000,000 168,000,000 1854 2,930,027 2,469,580 737,^36 9 5-10 93,500,000 278,000,000 304,600,000 1855 2,847,339 2,521,060 706,412 8 7-10 88,000,000 275,000,000 261,500,000 1856 3,527,845 3,378,570 770,729 9 5-10 128,400,000 327,000,000 314,600,000 1857 2,939,519 2,620,700 810,936 12 6-10 131,500,000 363,000,000 360,900,000 1858 3,113,962 2,794,560 595,562 11 8-10 131,300,000 325,000,000 282,600,000 1869 3,851,481 3,466,710 927,651 11 6-10 161,500.000 357,000,000 338,700,000 1860 4,669,770 3,774,173 895,597 11 1-2 192,000,000 400,000,000 362,200,000 1861 3,656,086 768,790 2,887,296 12>., to 31 K 34,000,000 244,000,000 286,600,000 1862 53 to 80 230,000,000 275,800,000 1863 62 to 163 322,000,000 302,000,000 337,000,000 252,200,000 1864 35 to 165 36 to 56 329,670,000 18G5 238,400,000 1866 2,196,987 1,552,457 644,530 52 to 35 416,000,000 335,000,000 353,000,000 432,000,000 1867 2,019,774 1,558,787 460,987 35 to 16 392,000,000 1868 2,498,895 1,657,015 841,880 16 to 26 349,000,000 1869 2,366,467 1,466,000 900,467 26 In the foregoing table the 1834, inclusive, are taken at that date, the number of b: without any average. The have usually been from 400 The quantity retained for exact quantity used for that before that date it was quite South is not included. bales of cotton in the years up to 400 pounds to the bale ; but after des as they entered the market, weight, since 1834, of the bales to 500 pounds. manufacture does not exhibit the purpose, after the year 1860; and as large, as that part used in the War. t Peace, SOUTHBRIDGE. 401 COTTON, 1869. QUANTITY IN THE PRINCIPAL PRODUCING COUNTRIES. Produced in the United States, 400 lbs. to the bale, 2, 900, 000 British India, " " 2,300,000 Egypt, " " 310,000 " Brazil, " <> 272,000 All other countries, to wit : The West Indies, Cape of ) Good Hope, "West Coast of Africa, Australia, and coun- 1 317,000 tries bordering the Mediterranean, ) Total> 6,099,000 MANUFACTURE. QUANTITY USED IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. Great Britain, bales of 400 lbs. each, 2,490 000 United States, France, Germany, Russia, Holland, Spain, Italy,British India, China, rec'd from India, Belgium, 1,080,000 630,000 420,000 250,000140,000 140,000 100,000 630,000 135,000 90,000 Total (customers for the above product), -» 6,105,000 China produces probably more cotton than all the other parts of the world together ; neither that country nor Japan is taken into account. THE SOUTHBRIDGE BANK. This bank was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of March 31, 1836, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. The stock was divided into shares of one hundred dollars each, which was originally subscribed for by ninety- five stockholders. The corporation was organized on June 1, 1836. Twelve directors were chosen at this time, to wit : Samuel A. Hitch- 402 SOUTHBRIDGE. cock, Moses Plimpton, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Bela Tiffany, Chester demons, Linus Child, Holmes Ammidown, John M. Warren, John Seabury, William Beecher, Larkin Ammidown, and Theodore Field, Junior. At a meeting of the directors, June 7, 1836, Samuel A. Hitchcock was elected president, and Samuel M. Lane was chosen cashier. The number of twelve directors was continued to October, 1842, and then reduced to seven, to wit: Samuel A. Hitchcock, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Linus Child, Benjamin Bullock, William Beecher, John P. Stedman, and Larkin Ammidown. Samuel A. Hitchcock was continued president of the corpo ration until his resignation, November 29, 1852. He was suc ceeded by Jacob Edwards, Junior, who held the office till October, 1862, when he declined a re-election, and Samuel M. Lane, the cashier, was elected his successor. Mr. Lane had continued in the office of cashier from the organization of the corporation in 1836 till his resignation, October, 1862, when he was elected president. Henry D. Lane was now appointed to that office. This bank was authorized by an act of the Legislature, ap proved, April 1, 1854, to increase its capital stock fifty thou sand dollars. The provisions of this act were accepted by the stockholders, May 1, 1854, and the additional capital was sub scribed and paid in the same year. The bank was converted into a National Banking associa tion, under the act of Congress of June, 1864, and commenced business as such, April 1, 1S65, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The board of directors elected, January, 1868, were Samuel M. Lane, Jacob Edwards, Manning Leonard, Calvin A. Paige, John Edwards, John O. McKinstry, and John P. Stedman. The directors chose S. M. Lane president, and appointed Francis L. Chapin cashier. SOUTHBRIDGE. 403 The same officers were continued by re-election January 1, 1869. Mr. Chapin was appointed to his office after the resigna tion of Mr. Henry D. Lane, January 7, 1867. He is a son of Luther Chapin, of Ware, Massachusetts, and received the office January 28, 1867. The ill-health of young Mr. Lane, which induced his resig nation of the office of cashier, continued to increase, and terminated in his death, April 24, 1867, at the age of 24 years and 6 months. CURRENCY AND BANES OF MASSACHUSETTS. The first or most primitive currency of Massachusetts was beaver, wampum, or ivampumpeagite, or the shell money of the natives. The mint that produced this Indian money was the Qnahaug and periwinkle shells of Long Island ; the shores abounded with these shells, which when made into beads were frequently called Seawan, from the Indian name of that island, known among the natives as Seawan Hachy, or the "Land of Shells." Its value in trade was three black or six white, as an equivalent for one English penny. Sometimes grain, wheat, corn, and again cattle, were a legal tender ; and when war prevailed, legal acts were passed that each able-bodied person should provide ammunition for him self — powder and balls; these were, for a time, used as a legal tender — one bullet for a farthing — about the time of the Pequot War. To obviate this difficulty of currency, and to substitute a popular and known medium of exchange, the General Court, in 1652, established a mint for silver coin. This was known as the "Pine-Tree Money," it having the picture of a pine-tree on each piece. This led to the story of Gov ernor Temple's explaining the species of this emblem to Charles II, calling it the royal oak. This coinage at first was three pence, six pence, and twelve pence. 404 SOUTHBRIDGE. It was made of about 25 per cent, more alloy than the English money ; the object was to retain it in the country. This may be said to be the first step in the supply of New England currencv. This continued until the recalling of the ft " colonial charter of Massachusetts, in 1686. About this time a bank was established on the basis of real and personal prop erty ; of the latter, such as was imperishable ; but this was of short duration. To relieve the colony from a want of a proper medium, bills of credit were issued by the government. The first of these were used to provide for the expense of tlie disastrous expedi tion against Quebec in 1690. These bills of 1690 and 1691, and those issued afterwards up to the second expedition against Quebec, in 1711, passed at par with gold and silver; but on the issue of £40,000, at this time, payable in two years, with the privilege of continuing the loan, began the deprecia tion of government bills of credit. This depreciation was not great at first, but there arose in 1714 a great difference of sen timent upon currency matters ; some sustained the side of a specie currency, another party urged the establishing of a bank, whilst a third party desired the continuance of province bills. A bank was now started in Boston and issued £100,000 in scrip, denominated merchants' notes, which sustained a good credit ; at the same time the government issued £50,000 in bills, and added some other issues soon after ; but instead of remedying the evil of the scarcity of currency, it operated to add to the stringency existing, from the fact that all articles of necessity or convenience advanced in price in a greater pro portion than the increase of the circulating medium, and it really left less money in proportion to the amount, of business transacted, than before; and such, it is believed, is the general effect of the expansion of paper money. To relieve tax-payers, an act of Government was passed in 1735, permitting the receiving of hemp, flax, and bar iron for SOUTHBRIDGE. 405 tax bills. All trades and business at this time suffered greatly by this depreciation. Two banks were started in 1742— one the Hard Money, and the other the Land and Manufactory Bank. Still, paper money depreciated, greatly to the damage of the creditor ; enabling the debtor to pay, for a dollar received, in paper that had depreciated after the contract was made 25 to 50 per cent., thus paying only one half or three quarters of value re ceived. To remedy this evil, Parliament passed an equity bill in 1742, and ordered the closing ofthe two banks created as above. The Land bank proved ruinous to many of the stockholders, they being liable for redemption of all issues. To add to the depreciation of existing currency, the war against Cape Breton came up, in which Massachusetts fur nished most of the troops and their outfit, and for its expense issued largely of other bills of credit to the amount of £260,- 000. The previous bills amounted, in 1744, to £3,259,747, 9s. This left Massachusetts greatly in debt, with her scrip so much depreciated, that 9 to 10 of scrip were given for one in silver. Thus its value was only about one tenth of its nom inal or par value. As the Cape Breton and Louisburg expe dition was for the benefit of England, an agent, William BoUan, Esq., a lawyer in high standing, and son-in-law of Governor Shirley, was sent to intercede for the refunding this large expenditure, which resulted in the capture of the strong fortress of Louisburg in 1745, and the treaty of Aix-la-Cha- pelle, October 18, 1848, much to the advantage of Great Britain. There was some delay before Mr. Bollan could bring his negotiations to bear with sufficient force upon Par liament for that body to favor this claim, from the fact, not that the province of Massachusetts had not been loyal, or was not justly entitled to this reimbursement, but that she had ex hibited a military power that had astonished them ; it created a jealousy ; she had done too much ; their fears were excited 27a 406 SOUTHBRIDGE. (as well as their pride) in this achievement, regarding the sub serviency of the colonies to that government in the future. But whatever the feeling may have been, the principle of justjce prevailed, and Mr. Bollan succeeded in obtaining the passage of an act for the full allowance of the bill claimed by the province. The sum expended in this expedition was £261,700, 0s., 3d., in new tenor, that is $333.33 to the pound; but in sterling, £183,649, 2s., 74d., which was the sum granted by Parliament. And to the credit of Massachusetts, she passed an act appropriating this, and also a sum of £75,000 to be raised by taxation upon the property of the colony, to pay her depreciated currency ; this latter sum being the residue of the outstanding bills of the government after appropriating the grant by Parliament. The act for paying off the bills of credit was at the rate ot one ounce of silver for fifty shillings of currency. This act was very strongly opposed, as having a very injurious effect upon trade by reducing values, and depriving the community of a sufficient, circulating medium to effect exchanges of prod ucts. Great distress and suffering was predicted as the con sequence of this change from a greatly inflated and depre ciated currency to that of hard money. The effect proved the apprehensions of destruction and loss to trade and business transactions generally as groundless ; these bills of credit were spread through tlie community, and thus the silver, in payment, was general. Heretofore, each party had been ac customed to calculate the extent of depreciation of bills, and thus place a corresponding advance upon articles in exchange; and when silver was received for the depreciated bills, they found they in reality had received more than was their estimated value before the act was passed. The estimate of bills of credit were at this lowest point, 60 shillings for one ounce of silver, but the act of redemption placed the bills at 50 shillings the ounce ; thus, when properly considered, SOUTHBRIDGE. 407 instead of ruin, all felt great gain had been achieved ; a relief had been given for the fears of some direful calamity that had been anticipated when the great change from inflation to the common standard should be had. Such, no doubt, will be found to be the result always, when proper steps are taken to restore an inflated currency to its proper basis — that of hard money. Prosperity must be, to some extent, illusory, so long as the value of the circulating medium ceases to harmonize with the universal standard of civilized nations, for the reason that it interferes with the general freedom of commerce by making the medium of exchange cumbrous, and tending to exclusiveness by deviating from the known common standard 5 and, although for a time it may hold out nominal advantages, yet it is apprehended that its general effect in the long run must be against the party that adheres to the principle of inflation. Silver was now the only legal tender ; but in, 1762 gold for the first time was placed on an equal basis with silver, and, for its standard value, was also made a legal tender. Up to the time of the Revolutionary war in 1775, Massachusetts was in a highly satisfactory condition with her currency and finances. She had gained much by the French war ; gold and silver were plenty, and the colony was then in a general state of prosperity. A new state of things was now by necessity brought out ; extraordinary demands were created, and soon an enormous issue of bills of credit was made. Previous to 1779 the Legis lature had authorized vast sums of paper money, then out standing £1,600,000, besides their liability for the debt of the General Government, a due proportion of $400,000,000, old tenor, up to the close of 1781. The depreciation of Continen tal old tenor bills was at this time 500 for 1 in gold and silver, when they finally ceased to be used, and were deemed worthless. A new currency was now adopted by the estab- 408 SOUTHBREDGE. lishing the institution by Congress, in 1781, called the Bank of North America. A branch of the Bank of North America was located in Boston in 1782. The first of our system of banks called the Massachusetts bank was chartered in 1784, capital £550,000. The law of Congress changing the old division of money from pound, shillings, and pence, to dollars and cents, was enacted in 1786. The act of Congress, establishing a United States mint, was made a law, March 3, 1791. The act regulating coins, their value and weight, was made a law on April 2, 1792. The build ing for the mint was commenced, July 31 following ; the first stone was laid by Dr. David Rittenhouse. The first coinage presses came to the mint the 21st of September same year, three in number. The minting began in October, 1792, to make half dimes, which President Washington refers to in his message to Congress the 6th of November following- : ' ' There has also been a small beginning in the coinage of half-dimes, the want of small coins in circulation, calling the first attention to them." The first bank, called the Bank of North America, estab lished by the act of May 26, 1781, with a capital of $400,000, was well managed ; it was the project of the Robert Morris, but was of short duration, giving place to the Bank ofthe United States, with a capital of $10,000,000, granted February 25, 1791, a branch of which commenced business in Boston in 1 792. The effect of these banks, and that of the Massachusetts bank before referred to, being decidedly favorable in keeping a uniform and par currency, Massachusetts granted the char ter for the Union bank the 25th of June in 1792. Massa chusetts also enacted the 25th of February, 1795, as Congress had in 1786, that dollars, cents, and mills shall be the money for keeping of accounts and transactions within her limits. The First National bank of 1791 for $10,000,000 being limited SOUTHBRIDGE. 409 in duration, a second was granted by Congress, 20th of April, 1816, with an authorized capital of $35,000,000. This bank, so long as it adhered strictly to legitimate banking, its opera tions were highly beneficial in regulating the rates of exchange, and keeping State bank bills at or near their par value. But its degeneracy to a political agency and speculation in stocks, and the products of the country, to a considerable extent, brought it into disrepute. When a renewal of its charter was asked for in 1832, and an act for that purpose passed by Con gress the same year, the president, General Jackson, vetoed the same the 10th of July following, and by his direction Roger B. Taney, secretary of the treasury, removed the cash de posits of the government from it, by his order, signed Septem ber 23, 1833. The United States bank, incorporated by Penn sylvania, March, 29, 1836, suspended payment, February 5, 1841. To supply its place the Fiscal Bank of United States was granted by Congress, August 6, 1841, and vetoed by President Tyler, August 16 following. Another bill was passed for the same, and was vetoed, September 9. This ended the national bank organizations, and placed the bank ing business of the country with State institutions and private banking-houses. This banking system conducted by State institutions served the purpose for giving to the country a sound circulating me dium up to the time of their suspension, in the early part of the war of Rebelhon, when another system became necessary. The national banking law was enacted by Congress, and approved, February 25, 1863. This was induced by the necessity of the time, occasioned by the vast demands for conducting the war for the preservation of the Republic. Whatever credit may be due for the advantages derived from this system, very properly belongs to the late Judge Salmon P. Chase, then the secretary of the United States treasury. The enormous demands upon the treasury at that period of 410 SOUTHBRIDGE. the Rebellion, for prosecuting effectively the war for the res toration of the Union of the States, can scarcely be realized now the exigency has passed. To devise a plan to meet this exigency required a bold but wise mind, and, as the result has shown, the right man was in the right place. Nine hundred millions of dollars were to be provided for in one year, and in a manner that men of capital throughout the country should have confidence in the ultimate specie re demption of the promises of the government placed in the market. While Alexander Hamilton and Robert Morris have been justly praised for their wise plans for providing waj's and means for raising money, providing for its redemption, and restoring the credit of the country in the Revolutionary period, the ability and wisdom of Mr. Chase has in no respect been excelled in his financial plans, either in the Revolutionary or any later period in the history of this government. Eldridge G. Spalding, of Buffalo, a member of Congress from the State of New York, then upon the committee of ways and means, was influential in support of Mr. Chase's plans, and made the following judicious remarks, stating some of the advantages of the measure : ' ' The additional advantages held out by the bill are : " First. — The national character given to the bills, to circulate at par in all parts of the United States. " Second. — It is made receivable at par for all internal taxes and all other dues to the government, except customs, and payable to the army and navy and all other creditors of the government. " Third.— The banking associations are to be exempt from all State and United States taxation, and only pay two per cent, per annum for en graving, paper, and printing their circulating notes, and which is to include all the other expenses of the currency bureau at Washington. "On a full review of this proposed plan of a national currency, it will be seen that it is based on public and private faith; that it proposes to combine the interest of the nation with tlie men of capital belonging to it. Men of surplus funds only can profitably engage in the business of banking. SOUTHBRIDGE. 4U " If speculators and adventurers, without positive capital, attempt to bank under this bill they will fail. Money lenders and not money bor rowers can successfully organize and manage banking associations under the provisions of this act." The bill passed by 78 yeas against 64 nays. The Bank of England originated through the necessities created by the war between that country and France, in the year 1694, by what is known in history as the war of King William ; the first great French war that involved the Enghsh and French colonies in America, beginning in 1688, and ter minating in the treaty of Ryswick, in 1697. England had been paying interest at the rate of twenty to forty per cent. per annum. The plan of this bank was first suggested by a wealthy merchant of London, William Patterson. The condition of the grant for this bank was that for the privilege, it should loan the government a fixed sum, perma nently, of £1,200,000, at eight per cent, annual interest, and receive £4,000 for the management of the debt. It was in corporated, April 25, 1694, and styled, " The Governor and Company of the Bank of England." Since this bank com menced its business, in 1694, on a capital of £1,200,000, it has from time to time been increased, and the actual loan to the government has at all times nearly equaled the capital invested ; in 1782 the capital was £11,642,400, while its loan to the government was £11,686,800, and the debt has since continued about this amount ; but it has received for com pensation a much larger sum for its services in managing the national debt. For the year 1845 it was paid £93,000. It is through this institution that the debt of Great Britain is managed. This bank was the principal agency that enabled England to carry on its wars. It suspended specie payments in 1797, by order of the government, and did not resume until 1823, 412 SOUTHBRIDGE. when it proved disastrous to many branches of industry in the country. The charter of this bank was renewed in 1844, with new but comphcated rights and privileges, designed to prevent the frequent and great fluctuations in monetary affairs ; but the new institution has failed to accomplish the design intended. This bank has since suspended twice by exceeding its rights under the new charter ; first in 1847 and again in 1857, while its discount rates have ranged from three to ten per cent. The result of this new charter has been to show the great dif ficulty attending legislative enactments designed to control the use of money, and the fluctuations in its value, and that of the products of industry. Supply and demand will always be found to be the control ling principle in all values, and nothing is more absurd than an over-issue of paper money, with the view of relieving a stringent money market ; as the general tendency is to ad vance the products in price far beyond the increase of the circulating medium. The safest and surest way will be found to neither inflate nor contract, but to keep the circulating medium as uniform as possible ; but this course is not to be relied upon with those who control money issues, as the tendency is to keep loans as large as possible, and to contract only when necessity compels the act. But to return to the financial policy of the United States, in the management of its public debt, it will be found to compare favorably with that of any European state. Con sidering the debt, at the close of the late war, being about $3,000,000,000, the reduction since, the rate of interest it now bears, and its value at home and abroad, give great cause for satisfaction. THE SOUTHBRIDGE SAVINGS-BANK. This bank was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, SOUTHBRIDGE. 413 approved on April 28, 1848, and commenced business in June following. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Esq., was elected the first pres ident, in 1S48, and continued till 1849 ; he having resigned, Dr. Samuel Hartwell was elected his successor in 1850, and still continues (now 1873), to hold that office. Manning Leonard, Esq., was chosen the first secretary, and Samuel M. Lane, Esq., treasurer in June, 1848, and they both now con-' tinue in their respective offices. The officers of this corporation, elected in May, 1869, were as follows : Dr. Samuel Hartwell, president ; Sylvester Dresser, John O. McKinstry, and John P. Stedman, vice-presidents; Calvin A. Paige, Chester A. Dresser, Robert H. Cole, John Comins, Andrew J. Bartholomew, Liberty Phelps, Erastus Winslow, Samuel Williams, Charles V. Carpenter, Samuel C. Hartwell, Samuel Newell, Henry Clark, trustees; Chester A. Dresser, Robert H. Cole, Liberty Phelps, and the secretary and treasurer, board of investments ; John 0. McKinstry, and CharlesV. Carpenter, auditors; Samuel M. Lane, treasurer. The first depositor was Miss Fanny Richardson, of Brook field, $200. The whole number of accounts which have been opened to Jauuary, 1870, is 3,910 ; and the number closed is 2,058. The number of accounts open, January 1, 1870, 1,852, The amount of deposits at the end of each year, from the opening of this savings-bank, are as follows ; No. of Accounts. i an i 1, 1849, |4,200 January 1, 1860, $141,300 u 1850, 6,600 1861. 172,300 " 1851, 12,600 1862, 181,900 " 1852, 16,200 ' 1863, 217,200 " 1853, 24,800 ' 1864, 242,800 1,252 " 1854, 40,900 1865, 266,700 1,332 u 1855, 62,100 1866, 275,000 1,320 ii 1856, 79,100 1867, 328,800 1,458 a 1857, 101,300 1868, 372,800 1,583 " 1858, 103,700 1869, 447,400 1,681 » 1859, 111,800 1870, 500,900 1,852 414 SOUTHBRIDGE. AQUEDUCT COMPANIES. The first aqueduct company in Southbridge was organized in the year 1825. The principal object which induced this company was the introduction of water to the new hotel, built that year on the site where the Edwards house now stands. The proprietors were Luther, Larkin, Oliver, and Holmes. .Ammidown, owners of the hotel, and Ehsha Cole. The spring from which the water is taken is situated in the low ground a short distance south of the house, now owned by and the residence of Chester A. Dresser. The water is conducted by lead pipes across the ground in a north-easterly direction, near the brick house of the late Joseph Marcy ; and thence near the residence of Larkin Ammidown ; and by the south side of the road to the hotel, passing under the stream of water now covered by the .the stone culvert near said hotel. Elisha Cole had a right to take the water to his house, and also Larkin Ammidown, for his house and barn, and these parties laid pipes and took the water to their premises. Also Luther and Holmes Ammidown had the right to lay a pipe connecting with the main pipe, near the aforesaid culvert, and take the water to their store-lot on the north side of Main street. The deed of this spring was signed by Jedediah Marcy, Jacob Edwards, and Ruth Healey, August 4, 1825 — con sideration ten dollars — granting the right of way to lay pipes. HOTEL. The aforesaid hotel, to which the water was conducted by the first aqueduct company, was located on the south side of Main street, at the south-west corner of Elm street, and erected on a plot of ground deeded by Larkin Ammidown to Captain Luther Ammidown, April 1, 1825, consideration $486; and subsequently by Luther Ammidown to the proprietors of the SOUTHBRIDGE. 415 hotel. William Bradford, for a time, while the hotel was in process of erection, had an interest in the company, but he soon sold to Luther and Holmes Ammidown ; when the owner ship of this house was as follows : Captain Luther Ammidown owned, 384 shares. Holmes Ammidown, ' - 26 1 1 1 Larkin Ammidown, •• 19 " Oliver Ammidown, " 16 " Total, 100 shares. The whole cost — land, aqueduct, and buildings, was $8,000. The plot of ground on which the hotel was erected is described as follows : Beginning at the north-west corner, at the corner of Calvin Ammidown's land, thence S. 32° E. by the road 6 rods ; thence S. 36° W. 8 rods and three links to Luther Ammidown's land, beside the road leading soutli ; thence W. 33° N. 5 rods, by Luther Ammidown's land afore said, to land of Calvin Ammidown ; thence N. 33° E. 10 rods and 15 links, by the said Calvin's land, to the bound first mentioned. SECOND AQUEDUCT COMPANY. This company took the name of the Southbridge Aqueduct Company. It was organized, June 22, 1831, under a general act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, approved, February 21, 1799. It was originated by Holmes Ammidown, for the purpose of introducing water to his dwelling-house, erected in the year 1830, and with that view the water was conducted to a reservoir which he had built on his house-lot near the rear of said dwelling-house. The location of this reservoir being on an elevated point of land, it afforded a convenient facility to supply most of the dwellings at that time in the center village ; and as the supply of water was equal to a much larger demand than was at first 416 SOUTHBRIDGE. designed, it was proposed to form a company, and admit others to partake of the advantages of the same. A subscription paper was drawn to receive the names of those who desired to be parties in the company, and to enjoy the privilege of introducing their pipes to receive water from the reservoir aforesaid. Date, June 14, 1831. The subscribers to this stock were as follows : Holmes Ammidown, Samuel Hartwell, 54 shares. 3 Stillman Plimpton, Nicholas Jenks, 1 n Ebenezer D. Ammidown, 2j Linus Child, i Harvey Dresser, Bela Tiffany, Daniel A. Hawks, 4 2 1 Henry Haynes, ¦ Samuel C. Fiske, Bradford Baylies i i i Moses Plimpton, 1 " Total 25 shares and 3 half shares, Perley Simpson, or barn rights. i 25 shares The spring from which this water is taken is located in the low grounds on the south side of the road leading to West ville, a short distance southerly of the present residence of Mr. J. J. Oaks. This spring was deeded to the aqueduct company by Jedediah Marcy, with the right of way through his land, November 11, 1831. The deed by Holmes Ammidown, granting ground for reservoir, and right of way for pipes through his house lot, is dated "July 11,1831." There are grants and conditions in this deed that are important to the owner of this house- lot and dwelling-house, now owned by C. A. Paige, Esq. This house standing so near the level of the reservoir, it was deemed a necessity by Mr. Ammidown, to secure his sup ply, to elevate the pipe that conducts the water to the reser voir, and bring it near the east wall of said house, at a con venient height to draw water from the main pipe into a sink in the house, opposite said elevated pipe. The organization of this company was on June 22, 1831, as follows : SOUTHBRIDGE. 417 "Harvey Dresser was chosen moderator; Moses Plimpton, clerk- and Nicholas Jenks, treasurer ; with the following as directors : Eben ezer D. Ammidown, Holmes Ammidown, Linus Child, Harvey Dresser, Samuel Hartwell, and Nicholas Jenks. "A committee was then chosen to draft by-laws, to wit: Linus Child Holmes Ammidown, and Moses Plimpton. " It was, at the commencement of this undertaking, supposed that four hundred dollars would meet the expense of con ducting the water from the spring to the reservoir, and the constructing of the same, and thus the shares were fixed at twenty dollars each ; but when this work was completed, it was found that the cost was five hundred dollars, when the capital stock was voted to be this amount, and the price of shares advanced to equal this expenditure. At a meeting of the company held on July 2, 1831, the com mittee for drafting by-laws made their report, which was ac cepted, and the management of its affairs were subsequently conducted under the same, upon the basis of the aforesaid capital, up to the 10th of July, 1865, a period of thirty-four years, when it was voted to transfer the property from this organization to a new company, embracing the same sharehold ers, but subject to new regulations. The changes effected by the new company were of little consequence, excepting the cutting away a part of the wall of the reservoir, and substituting for the same, which had a capacity of 100 barrels of water as a reserve, a trough ofthe capacity of only a few barrels, and the placing the pipes upon an exact level upon the edge of said trough, to equalize the draft of water into each supply pipe. This mode of distrib uting the water would have been a judicious operation, and an advantage in protecting the rights of shareholders, if the re serve supply had been maintained by preserving the reservoir in its original condition ; which could have been done by a side structure, and the same effect produced without injury to the reservoir or loss of reserve. 418 SOUTHBRIDGE. SOUTHBRIDGE NEWSPAPERS. The first newspaper published in this town was styled The Reformer and Moralist, and the first number issued was on the first Thursday of January, 1828. This paper was pub lished by P. E. B. Botham,* as sole proprietor and editor. It advocated firmly the cause of temperance, upon the total absti nence principle. The name of the paper, after the first year, was changed to The Moralist and General Intelligencer ; and, as stated, the office was " nearly opposite Rev. Mr. Parkes' meeting-house, Southbridge, Massachusetts." The type, press, and material gathered by Mr. Botham, passed, for a short time, into the hands of Moses Plimpton, Esq., who sold the same to Josiah Snow, of Providence, who removed to Southbridge in the spring of 1829, and issued a newspaper, styled The Southbridge Register, which he con tinued till the beginning of the year 1832, when he sold the whole material of the office to Joslin & Tiffany (Milton Joslin and Edwin D. Tiffany), who, on the 7th of February, 1832, issued the first number of a newspaper which they named The Village Courier j * Pierpont Edwards Bates Botham was the son of Frederick Whiting and Celestina Winslow Bottom (since Botham), born in Charlton, in 1803. Mr. Botham writes, in giving facts relating to this paper, that he bought the type and press in Boston. The type cost §600. The press was the Eamage style, worked by hand, the form inked by balls. The whole transported from BOBton to Southbridge by horse team, there being no railroads then in use ; it was before the invention of the traveling engine for propelling cars upon railways. When he published this paper, there were but two papers published in Wor cester — the Spy and -EV/i's, and no other in the south part of the county. He published the paper some thirteen or fourteen months, and becoming embarrassed by his expends itures, and not receiving aid from parties who encouraged the enterprise at first, the effects of his office were sold out at public auction. Since, he has resided at Bolton, Con necticut, where he kept school three months, then at Hartford, then Litchfield, Xew York, in Herkimer county. Returned to Hartford in 1830, and published an arithmetic This arithmetic had three editions, and was a successful enterprise for a time. He then published a collection of Watts's hymns, and from Hartford removed to Windsor, Connec ticut, and remained there until 1848. At this latter place he was married; and since has traveled much, and lectured upon the principles of his arithmetic and other subjects. More recently his home has been at East Brimfield. t Mr. Tiffany informs this writer that he commenced his apprenticeship in the printing business with Mr. P. E. B. Botham, in February, 1828, in setting type for The Reformer SOUTHBRIDGE. 41 9 The Village Courier was at first designed as a family news paper, neutral in politics, but the proprietors soon differed in the policy of continuing a neutral paper, Mr. Tiffany being a Whig in politics, and desirous of entering the political field in favor of Henry Clay, then the competing candidate against President Jackson, a candidate for re-election ; the o-reat leading questions being at this time the policy of sustainino- a national bank, and the American protective system ; a tariff encouraging domestic manufactures ; Mr. Clay being the na tional leader on both the bank and the protective system. Mr. Joslin, not favoring a political paper, sold his interest in the Courier to Mr. Tiffany, in August following ; when the Henry Clay flag was hoisted by Mr. Tiffany, and The Village Courier was issued under that character till January following. The last issue was No. 52, on the 31st of said month, 1833. Mr. Joslin becoming involved pecuniarily, and he being the capitalist, the issue was wholly suspended. Soon after Mr. Tiffany began the issue of his paper favoring Mr. Clay, another newspaper was published from the same press taking the opposite side in politics, and styled The True Republican, supporting the interest of General Jackson ; the first issue was about the 1st of September, 1832. This paper was edited and published by Harrison Grey Otis Parks, de signed as a campaign paper, and ceased to exist when the contest was over. There was a literary paper issued in Southbridge for a short period, styled The Ladies' Mirror. The first issue was on the 28th of August, 1 830. Each number contained eight pages, of nine by eleven inches. It continued through volume i, and issued two numbers of volume n, so far as has been ascer tained, and it is presumed the issues here given were all, and and Moralist, and continued till his failure in 1829. In April, 1830, he went to Hartford and completed his trade. In January, 1832, formed a connection in business with Milton Joslin, and bought of Josiah Snow the press and type he used in printing Tlie Svutltbridge Eepigter. 420 SOUTHBRIDGE.. that the paper was then discontinued. George W. H. Fiske appears as the publisher for the first five numbers, and from No. 6 Josiah Snow appears as the printer, and W. N. Sher man, as the editor, from commencement of volume n. It is believed that the publishing and issuing of a newspaper in Southbridge was discontinued in 1833, and that from that time no paper was pulilished in this town for the next twenty years. The next issue was The Southbridge Press, by the firm of Green & Brown ; nine numbers only ; beginning the 1 st of October, 1853. After this firm, the paper of same name was issued by Sidney Clark, beginning January 10, 1854, and continuing till May, or 1st of June, same year, when, on the 3d of June, Clark Jillson, who had for a time been associate editor, became joint proprietor, and continued until about the close of 1855. In 1856 Sidney Clark alone was the 'editor and publisher, and continued for a year or more, when the paper changed in the latter part of 1857 to the hands of E. A. Denney, as editor and publisher, about one year, and was issued as The South- bridge Press. The next newspaper was The Saturday Morning News, issued in 1859, by Charles L. Newhall & Co., but dis continued same year. This paper was followed in 1860 by a new issue called The Quinebaug Item, by Mr. O. D. Haven, but of short duration. The paper in 1861 changed to The Southbridge Journal, and was published and edited by Henry C. Gray, and continued by him until August 17, 1868; this date being his last issue. Mr. Gray disposed of his interest to Mr. William B. Morse, who became editor and proprietor, and issued his first paper, No. 25, on August 14 following, which he continued till December 1, 1871, when he associated with him Mr. George M. Whitaker, and now, 1873, they are conducting the paper with much energy and with apparent prosperity, SODTHBRIDGE. 4.O { giving evidence of a permanently established journal, which, since their joint issue, has been greatly enlarged, with a corresponding increase of patronage. DISTRICT COURT. The First District Court of Southern Worcester was estab lished by an act of the Legislature, approved, May 26, 1871, to take effect the 1st day of August following. The jurisdiction of this court embraces a district composed of the towns of Sturbridge, Southbridge, Charlton, Dudley, Oxford, and Webster. This court consists of one standing justice and of two spe cial justices. The first standing and present justice, is the Hon. Clark Jillson ; the two special justices are Frederick Whiting Botham, Esq., of Southbridge ; and William H. Davis, Esq., of Webster. These courts are held for criminal offenses on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Southbridge ; and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Webster, in each week, except legal holidays ; and for civil business in Southbridge on Mon day, and at Webster on Tuesday of each week, and at such other times as may be fixed according to law.* * See General Laws, May, 1871. An Act to Establish the First District Court of Southern Worcester. 28a s CHAPTER V. RAILROADS AND CANALS. TEAM, as a motor applied to purposes of navigation or railways, is of recent origin ; although the expansive power of water, by the application of cold or heat, has been known from ancient times. At any temperature, from the boiling point, 212°, down to 32°, below which it becomes ice, water is constantly in a slow state of evaporation — that is, making steam to a moderate degree ; but at 212° the power of evaporation becomes equal to the weight of atmospheric pressure, and in a confined position has a pressure equal to 14.7 pounds to the square inch ; this is termed one power, or the weight of one atmosphere ; at 250° of heat the pressure is equal to two atmospheres ; at 274°, three ; at 292°, four ; at 306°, five; at 357°, ten; at 389°, fifteen ; and at 415°, twenty atmospheres, which, at 14.7 pounds each, is about 294 pounds pressure to the square inch. These are the governing prin ciples of the expansive power of water by heat. Water is a liquid only when its temperature ranges between 32° and 212 of Fahrenheit's scale, which divides this range of heat into 180°, the range of heat between the freezing and boiling point. Water at 42° of temperature is in its most dense condition, the increase or decrease of heat at this point causes expansion ; by the increase of heat it continues to expand until it reaches 212°, the boiling point ; when, if the same quantity of heat is continued, the temperature ofthe water will remain the same, as the heat is expended in the evaporation, and the quantity of water, instead of expanding, will decrease ; SOUTHBRIDGE. 423 and if this process is continued 5J times of that which changed the water from the freezing to the boiling point, the whole quantity of water will become steam ; when, if the vessel has been such as to retain all the steam, it will be found to meas ure 1,700 times the bulk of water thus evaporated, which is the measure of the expansive power of water.* There had been many experiments by different persons extending through a long period of time in preparing machines for the utilizing of this power, which is not the purpose here to explain. But the first introduction of this motor for a practicable purpose was by Robert Fulton, applying it to navigation on the Hudson river, at New York, August 7, 1807. At this time he run the steamboat called the Clermont, from New York to Albany, and back, at a speed of about five miles an hour. This inaugurated a new era in navigation ; before this time the only mode of propelling vessels in water was by the power of wind. The application of steam-power to the traveling engine to facilitate communication by land is of more recent date. The first important trial of the traveling engine or loco motive propelled by steam was upon the railway eleven miles in length, connecting Darlington, on the river Tees, in the county of Durham, in the north-east part of England, with Stockton, a port at the mouth of that river. This road was built by George Stephenson, and opened for travel in 1825. It was at first operated by horse-power. The attention at this time ofthe most able minds, skilled in the science of machanics, was engaged to adapt machines for the use of the power of steam for land carriage, as it had so effectually been done upon water. * When cold is applied to water at its lowest liquid point, 33°, it will lose its liquid form and become dry solid ice, and when heat is continued after the temperature of the water rises to 212° Fahrenheit, it will then decrease and lose also its liquid form, and become perfectly dry and colorless; thus by an excess of either heat or cold below 32° or above 212°, at- just stated, water loses its moisture and becomes dry. Sensible heat expands water to 212°, and latent heat evaporates to perfect dryness, or is that contained in the pure steam. 424 SOUTHBRIDGE. Thus, an engine, called the Active, had been built by the son of Mr. George Stephenson, the celebrated Robert Stephen son, which was tested about this time on this railway. The speed attained was only about six miles an hour, with but a moderate amount of freight. This test was not conclusive in the public mind ; but by Mr. Stephenson it was deemed a success, showing that by some further improvement the desired object would be accomplished. The Darlington and Stockton road had demonstrated the superior advantage of the railway over the common highway or macadamized road, even when operated by horse-power, and was the means of giving en couragement to the parties who constructed the railway between Liverpool and Manchester. But the relative value of animal and steam power was yet unsettled; as also, the question whether the stationary or traveling engine should have the preference, if either should prove superior to animal power. At this juncture the directors of the Liverpool and Man chester Railway Company, for the purpose of settling the question of the value of the traveling engine operated by steam as a motor, offered a premium of £500 for the best competing engine, to be tested on their road ; one that should not produce smoke, should draw three times its own weight at ten miles an hour, should be supported npon springs, should not weigh more than six tons, if it ran on four wheels only, and should not cost more than £550. In October, 1829, four locomotives were presented for trial, when the prize was awarded to the engine called the Rochet, weighing four and a quarter tons, built by Robert Stephenson. The speed attained on this trial was an average of fourteen miles an hour, with seventeen tons of freight. This important result was conclusive in favor of the travel ing engine propelled by steam, over that of any other known power. Thus was commenced the era of steam-power applied SOUTHBRIDGE. 425 to the purposes of land travel. The name of Robert Stephen son, by this achievement in the year 1829, became as cele- ' brated in Europe and throughout the world as that of Robert Fulton by his success in the application of the same power to navigation in the year 1807, on the river Hudson, in America. From this point have emanated the vast number of railway enterprises which now span a great part of the habitable globe.* To understand the progress of internal improvement in this country, with regard to facilitating travel and the trans portation of freight, it is important to trace from the com mencement the first idea and movement for canals, and their progress, which stimulated the idea of a more rapid system of mtercommunication, by introducing steam as a motor on rail roads. So far as opening the first canal in this country, Massachu setts may justly claim the honor,. as she does that of the first railroad. But as to the origin of the idea of the practicability and superior advantage of canals for transportation in this country, it is not an easy matter to decide, as they had been suggested by different men even in the colonial period of its history, by many of the most intelligent citizens at various periods, and in different sections of the same. Canal navigation in Europe has been in successful use for several centuries; its antiquity extends even to an earlier civilization, in Egypt and the Asiatic States; it has also been in common use by the Chinese from a remote period. The Greeks and Romans understood its value, and during the con tinuation of the empire of the latter in Gaul and Germany, they planted marks of progress in this kind of internal im provement, particularly in the Netherlands, where, down to the present time, it is in more general use than in any * See Brande's Encyclopaedia of Science, Literature, and Art. 426 SOUTHBRIDGE. other place. These well-known facts, presenting the advan tages of inland water communication, were within the knowl- edge of intelligent gentlemen at all times in the history of this country. Their adoption here was only a question of time and ability, when extended population created for them a demand. Dr. Hosack, in his memoirs of De Witt Clinton, gives the names of distinguished persons who at different periods in the history of this country, have advocated them as feasible at dif ferent places in the interior, for connecting such regions with the sea-board, not only for their advantages in encouraging commerce, but in a political sense, by uniting more intimately the social relations of the different sections of this extended country, and as important in cases of war. Probably about the first suggestion of much importance was in the time of Cadwallader Colden, during the adminis tration of William Burnet, in the province of New York, in 1724. In a communication to the British government, he refers to the interior of this colony, and its advantages for canal navigation, to wit : ' ' From Albany the English traders commonly carry their goods over land sixteen miles to the Mohawk river, at Schenectady, and from thence they carry them in canoes up the Mohawk to the carrying-place between that river and another one which runs into Oneida Lake, which carrying-place is only three miles in length ; from thence they go down Onondaga river to Lake Cataracui (the French name for Ontario), allud ing to the feasibility of the country for a work of this kind."* William Try on, the last colonial governor of this province, refers to this tract of interior country, and its favorable state for such a work, and its advantages to the future prospects of this province and interior, connecting the Hudson with both Lakes Champlain and Ontario, in 1774. Many distinguished persons have referred to the favorable See O. Turner's History Holland Purchase, p. 17(i. SOUTHBRIDGE. 427 position of this interior for inland navigation with one grand object, that of connecting the navigation of the great interior lakes with the tide water, and through this medium to open for settlement the vast interior connected with the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Among these were Governor George Clinton, General Phihp Schuyler, and Elkanah Watson ; besides many others of equal note ; but perhaps there were none to whom there was so much credit due as to General Washington, in finally fixing public sentiment on the subject of connecting the great interior by canal navigation with the Atlantic* Soon after the close of the war for Independence he entered upon this business with great earnestness, traversing on the fine of the James river, the Potomac, and also from the Hud son into the interior of New York. He executed plans of the country, giving distances and many details with great accuracy, and laid these before Gov ernor Harrison, of Virginia, with strong arguments in their favor. The result was an action by the General Assemblies of both Virginia and Maryland in establishing improvement companies for adding advantages to navigation connected with the James and Potomac rivers; this was from 1784 to 1791.t General Henry Knox and others were moving in this mat ter in 1792, in Massachusetts, when bills were passed in their General Court granting charters for canals around the falls on Connecticut river, at South Hadley and Montague, for im proving its navigation ; and for a canal from Boston to the same river ; while the latter failed to be built, the first two were successful. Then followed the Middlesex canal, 27 miles in length, in 1808, connecting Boston harbor with the Merrimac river at Chelmsford, now Lowell.J * See O. Turner's History Holland Purchase, pp. 619 and 627. t See Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. II, p. 67; same by Irving, vol. IV, pp. 124 and 436. t See History of Western Massachusetts by J. G. Holland, vol. i, pp. 304 and 412. 428 SOUTHBRIDGE. The great leading work of this character was the Erie canal; there had been no effectual movement for this work until 1810, when a resolution by Jonas Piatt for this object was adopted in the assembly of New York, appointing Gouveneur Morris, De Witt Clinton, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Simeon De Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy, and Peter B. Porter, commissioners to examine and survey for this object. De Witt Clinton, from this time, identified himself as the leading man in this enterprise.* Mr. Clinton, while united with these able commissioners in the examination of this interior and in making the surveys, ' kept a journal during these tours, and carefully noted down his observations, which has since been published, and is an interesting work, relating to this interior country. The report of these commissioners to the assembly, in the winter of 1811, which was drafted by Mr. Morris, was in favor of this undertaking, and being favorably received by the Legislature, Mr. Clinton, then lieutenant-governor, and Mr. Morris, were appointed to solicit aid from the General Goverment ; but failing in this, they reported to the Legisla ture, and stated that sound policy demanded that the canal should be made by New York alone. In June, 1812, the State Legislature authorized a loan of $5,000,000, to be obtained in Europe ; which sum was the estimated cost of this work by these parties. The war with England having now commenced, the law authorizing this loan was repealed in 1814, and nothing more was done in relation to the canal until the restoration of peace. In the autumn of 1815 De Witt Clinton, Thomas Eddy, and Jonas Piatt, united with others in calling a meeting in New York, when a committee was appointed to prepare a memorial to be presented to the Legislature. This memorial ' See History ofthe Holland Purchase, by O. Turner, pp. 617-637. SOUTHBRIDGE. 429 was the labor of Mr. Clinton, and was presented to the Legis lature on the 21st of February, 1816. Governor Tompkins favored the enterprise in his message. On the 21st of March Colonel Rntzen Van Rensselaer, chairman of the joint com mittee on canals, made report urging the immediate commence ment of the Erie and Champlain canals. The assembly passed the bill as reported, on the 13th of April, by a vote 83 to 16. On the 16th Mr. Van Buren, in the senate, moved to amend, by authorizing the appointment of five canal com missioners to survey and estimate the expense of the work, and to ascertain the practicability of making loans on the credit of the State. The bill thus amended became a law, and there were appointed for the five commissioners, Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott, and Myron Holly. The commissioners reported respecting the Erie canal on the 17th of February, 1817, and on the 19th upon the Cham- plain canal ; these set forth in an able manner the feasibility of the work and its great importance to the resources of the State. After much discussion, a bill favoring immediate action passed the assembly, April 10, 1817, by a vote of 64 for and 26 against, and it was taken up in the senate the 12th, and passed on the 15th, when it became a law. The Erie canal was divided into three grand divisions, for convenience and expedition in construction. It was determined to commence work on the middle sec tion of the canal. Ground was first broken near Rome on the 4th of July, 1817. A large assemblage were present on this occasion ; Colonel Samuel Young made the principal address, and presented the spade to Judge Richardson, the contractor, on this section, when amid the discharge of cannon the first earth was removed. The middle section was finished in 1819, and on the 23d 430 SOUTHBRDDGE. of October it was navigated from Utica to Rome, and in 1821, from Rochester to Little Falls ; and on the 8th of October, 1823, the eastern division was finished, and a boat for the first time passed through to the Hudson river. The whole length was completed and opened for navigation, October 26, 1825. The last point finished was the locks and canal at Lockport, which was announced as follows : " To the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, President of the Board of Canal Commissioners : u sm — The unfinished parts of the Erie canal will be completed and in condition to admit the passage of boats on "Wednesday, the 26th of October next. It would have 1 >een gratifying to have accomplished this result as early as the 1st of September, but embarrassments which I could not control have delayed it. ' ' On this grand event, so ausjiicious to the character and wealth of the citizens of New York, permit me to congratulate you. "WM. C. BOUCK, Canal Com. "Lockport, Sept. 28, 1825." On the promulgation of this intelligence active preparations , commenced for celebrating thegrandopeningof this magnificent achievement. An important feature of the arrangement for this celebration was the placing of cannon of large calibre at hearing distances from Buffalo to Sandy Hook to announce the departure of the first boat from the waters of Lake Erie, at Buffalo, to pass from thence through the length of the canal and the Hudson river to New York. The work on the canal was finished, October 24 ; the guard-gates were then opened, and on the evening of the 25th the entire canal from Buffalo to Albany was in navigable condition. Buffalo at this time had but twenty -five hundred inhabitants, and on the hne of the canal, where then were only a few log huts, there soon arose in some places large cities, and in others prosperous and elegant towns ; such was the wonderful effect of opening navi gation through this country ; at this time mostly a wilderness. On the morning of the 26th the celebration commenced. SOUTHBRIDGE. 431 Buffalo was filled with noted persons from all parts of the State to witness this interesting occasion. Governor Clinton, and the lieutenant-governor, and a large delegation from New York and from the principal towns on the line were present. A procession was formed at 9 o'clock, a. m., at the court house, and moved down Main street to the head of the canal, where the pioneer boat, Seneca Chief, was in waiting. The governor, the lieutenant-governor, and the committees were received on this boat. After the ceremony of introductions and speech-making, all being in readiness to move, the signal gun was discharged, followed with one continuous roar from the cannon along the line, until the sound reached New York, announcing to its citizens that the grand procession of boats was then on its way from Buffalo to the Empire City. The time for the sound of the cannon to pass the whole line of canal to Albany, and thence down the Hudson river to New York, was one hour and twenty minutes. The Seneca Chief led the way in the procession, drawn by four gray horses, fancifully caparisoned, followed by the Perry, Superior, and Buffalo. The fleet moved from the dock, under a salute from a rifle company, accompanied by a band of music. The four boats, which left the head of the canal at Lake Erie, were joined by others at the principal places on the fine, and arrived at Albany on the 2d of November, at 1 o'clock, p. m. The celebration here at the capital was on a large scale, and, as was remarked by one of the company who came in the pro cession through the line, " It was a protracted 4th of July celebration." The crowning jubilee was at New York, which exceeded anything of the kind ever before arranged in that city. The final conclusion was a vast fleet that sailed down New York bay to Sandy Hook, where the whole were assembled to witness the pouring, by the governor, of a keg of water taken from Lake Erie, into the Atlantic ocean. 432 SOUTHBRIDGE. The same keg was here filled with water from the ocean, and this, on the return of the Seneca Chief to the head of the canal at Buffalo, was poured from her deck by Judge Samuel Wilkinson into Lake Erie; thus the waters of the ocean and inland seas were mingled, in token of perpetual union. The leno-th of the Erie canal is 363 miles, and its cost, as first constructed, was $7,602,000. Its width was forty feet at surface of water ; depth, four feet ; and the locks, eight-four in number, ninety-feet in length, by fifteen feet in width. The dimension was soon found to lie inconsistent with economy in the expense of transporta tion. The enlargement was commenced in 1848 ; and now the dimension is seventy feet width at the surface of water, and forty-two feet in width at the bottom, with a depth of water of seven feet, while the locks are proportionably enlarged. As the canal had progressed nearly to completion, its bold ness in conception and great prospective advantages for developing the country through which it was located, and its stimulus to commerce in the direction of the emporium of New York gave a great impulse to this kind of internal im provement in the other States of the Union. The following list of the principal canals have been the result, taken from the report of William J. McAlpine, to the New York assembly in 1853 : SOUTHBRTDGE. PRINCIPAL CANALS IN THE UNITED STATES. 433 Name. Erie Canal Champlain Chenango Central Division Western «' Susquehanna" North Branch " North Branch (exten.). . . Delaware Division Schuylkill Lehigh Union Delaware and Hudson . . " enlarged Del. & Raritan feeder Morris and Essex Chesapeake & Delaware. Chesapeake and Ohio Ohio and Erie Miami Sandy and Beaver James Kiver & Kanawha Wabash and Erie a New York, Pennsylvania, N. Y. and Penn., New Jersey, Del. & Maryland, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.. Virginia,Indiana, Illinois, Total length and cost 3,278 $87,491,283 363 0397 173 101 39739060 108 85 S'J 108108 43 101 13,} 191307178 76 147 379 90 102 Per Mile. $7,143,789 1,257,604 2,419,9565,307,2523,096,5221,039,256 1,096,178 3,628,302 1,275,715 2,500,1764,455,099 2,500,000 6,500,0002,844,103 3,100,0002,750,000 10,000,000 4,695,824 3,750,0001,500,000 5,020,050 3,057,1208.654,337 819,679 19,962 24,948 30,677 26,64715,01639,20821,26123,14951,20823,15060,200 66,15039,693 203,703 52,35615.00021,067 19,722 34,150 33,96884,846 Length of Locks. 90x15 feet. 100x15 " 90x16 90x15 90x1180x17 100x20 75x8K76x9 100x15100x24100x24110x22 90x1590x15 100x15 Many of these canals, like that of the Erie in New York, having been enlarged, both in capacity and cost, are now much greater than here appears. CANALS. Comparison of Several Important Canals Now Existing. Names of Canals. Length. Height of Locks. No. of Locks. Erie Canal, 363 miles. 693 feet. 84 Chesapeake and Ohio, 307 " 3,129 " 398 Schuylkill, 108 " 610 " 129 Delaware and Hudson, 109 " 1,073 " 110 Rideau (Canada), 132 " 445 " 47 Wetland, " 41 " 330 " 37 Du Midi (France), 150 " 828 " 100 Burgundy, ' ' 141 " 1,585 " 191 Berry, ' ' 186 " 756 " 110 Rhone to the Rhine (France), 203 " 1,208 " 164 Nantes to Brest, ' ' 218 " 1,711 " 288 North Holland, 50 " Level. 2 London to Liverpool, 265 " 1,439 " 185 Liverpool and Leeds, 127 " 901 " } tained. Caledonia, - 25 " 188 " 28 434 SOUTHBRIDGE. The Suez canal is 100 miles in length from the Mediterra nean to the Red sea ; but a direct line is but about 70 miles ; over 60 miles of this canal runs through small lakes and swampy ground. Its dimensions are 246 feet width at base, and twenty-six feet in depth of water ; the surface of water is 328 feet in width. The two principal ports are Port Said, at the entrance of the 'canal on the Mediterranean, and Suez, on the entrance into the Ked sea. The length of sections are, to wit : Suez to Bitter lakes, about 15 miles ; thence through these lakes 25 miles ; thence through a ridge of highland to Ismailia, 10 miles, a town half way on the line, on Lake Timsah ; thence through the highest elevation, by a cut of 150 feet, about 10 miles, to a range of flats and lakes that extend to Port Said, on the Mediterranean sea, a distance of about 40 miles. The principal excavations are on a length of about thirty miles at three different points. The line of way, after making the three cuts as aforesaid, was found to be nearly on a level from one sea to the other. The whole cost of this ship canal is reported to be about $60,000,000. This great work was commenced on the 1st of April, 1859, by the removal of the first earth, and the whole line completed for the grand opening celebration, winch was commenced on the 17th of November, 1869. The order for celebrating tbe opening by passing vessels through the canal was by live divisions, in the following manner : ' ' First Division — Yachts of crowned heads, princes, and ambassadors. " Second Division — Naval ships. " Third Division — Steamers belonging to commercial companies. "Fourth Division — Trading steamers not belonging to commercial companies. "Fifth Division — Private ships." The distance apart ofthe divisions in the order of sailing, was fixed at one kilometre ; and the distance between each SOUTHBRDDGE. 435 ship in a division was to be three cable lengths ; maximum speed not over five miles an hour, and where the canal was crooked, four miles. Punctually at 8 o'clock, November 17, a. m., her imperial majesty the Empress Eugenie's steam-yacht, the Algie, moved forward and entered the canal amid the discharge of cannon, shouts of the people, and music. LIST OF VESSELS. The following is the order in which the vessels moved in the line of procession going through the canal : Name. Tonnage. Description. 1. Algie, 800 Carrying Empress Eugenie and suite. 2. Steam Yacht, 700 ' ' the Emperor of Austria and suite. 3. " " 700 " the Archduke of Austria. 4. Garguano, 700 " a German Prince. 5. Steam Yacht, 525 ( Carrying the Crown Prince of Prussia ) and suite. 6. " " 670 i Royal flag of Prussia, with Prince Louis | of Hesse. 7. De Valk, 650 i Prince and Princess Henry of the ( Netherlands. 8. Psyche, 725 j British Ambassador Elliot and Admi- j ral Milne. 9. Orontes, 1,000 Russian Ambassador, General IgnatiefE. 10. Rapid, 700 Her Britannic Majesty's Sloop. 11. Newport, 700 it it It it 12. Dido, 650 it it ti ti 13. Actif, 700 French Corvette. 14. Forbin, 800 ii u 15. Latif, 2,500 Egyptian Frigate. 16. Vulcan, 1,000 Austrian Lloyd's Company. 17. Pluto, 1,200 tt u it 18. Peluse, 2,000 Messageries Imperiales. 19. Thabor, 1,500 tt tt 20. Hawk, 900 ( Alexandria and Malta Telegraph Com- j pany. Marc Fraisinet et fils, Marseilles. 21. Europe, 2,500 22. Lynx, 500 Dispatch Boat. 23. America, 1,500 Austrian Lloyd's Company. 24. Russian Steamer Odessa and Alex. Russian Company. 25. " " u it u ii 26. Principe Oddone, 1,200 Brindisi Line of Steamers. 27. Principe Tomaso, 1,000 tt u i . 28. S cilia, 909 11 11 u 436 SOUTHBRIDGE. LIST OF VESSELS— Continued. Name, Tonnage. Description. 29. Italia, 900 Brindisi Line of Steamers. 30. Scylla, 1,000 Trieste " " 31. Godavery, 1,800 Messageries Imperiales. ;>0 Delta, 2,500 Peninsular and Oriental. 33. El Mase, 2,000 Egyptian Government. 34. Fayonne, 1,500 it n 35. Turkish Steamer, 1,500 Ottoman Empire. 36. tt it 1,500 it 1 1 37. it tt 1,000 tt tt 38. Steam Yacht, Private British. 39. I I it t, 1 1 40. tt tt " Swedish. 41. It ' ' Norwegian , 42. ¦' " ' ' Austrian. There were some other large vessels that soon followed this procession. It arrived at Ismailia on the evening of the 17th, the half-way station. This is a town created en tirely by the necessities of the canal. Here center three canals ; the Maritime, the Sweetwater, and the canal from Zagasig to Ismailia, which runs through ancient Goshen to Suez. This is an auxiliary canal, running from Ismailia to Suez. The Sweetwater is also auxiliary, and runs in the op posite direction, from Ismailia, to Port Said, on the Mediter ranean. These two, while they supply fresh water, also allow the transit of a class of light boats or barges. After a cele bration at Ismailia, tlie procession proceeded to the Port Suez, on the Red sea. The inaugural voyage through the canal was made with great satisfaction to all parties present. At the time of the completion of the Erie canal there was perhaps as great an excitement in the different sections of this , country for penetrating its vast interior, and drawing from it the advantages of its prospective trade, as at any period since. Canals were the leading mode for effecting this object, but where apparently insurmountable barriers presented them- SOUTHBRIDGE. 437 selves to prevent this character of facilities, resorts were receiving consideration for other means of effecting similar results. Railroads to be used by horse-power were seriously contem plated, following the plan of the English tram-roads, which had been in use there in connection with transportation from the coal-mines as early as the year 1676 ; suggested no doubt by the discovery of the ancient rockways in use by the Egyptians, for conveying the immense blocks of stone for the Pyramids, and the extensive Roman highways, formed of blocks of stone closely fitted together to present a smooth hard surface for carriage-wheels. There was a movement in the Massachusetts Legislature in February, 1825, in contemplation of a canal from Boston to the Hudson river ; Loammi Baldwin was engaged to examine the country and make surveys, and having per formed this service presented his report and plans in favor of such work. This plan was not adopted, no doubt from the known suc cess of the Darlington and Stockton railroad at this time, before referred to. This successful demonstration of the English railway, and the test on the same by an engine called the Active was now claiming attention, with the hope that a successful effort might soon give steam, as a motor, an advantage over other known powers then in use on railways. Under this state of the progress of internal improvements, the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the 14th of June, 1827, appointed commis sioners to examine and survey one or more routes between Boston and Albany, for a railroad; one via Northampton, called the northern route, and another by way of Springfield called the southern; the latter only was surveyed. This was divided into two sections ; the first extended between Boston and Springfield, and the other from the latter place to 29 438 SOUTHBRLDGE. Greenbush on the Hudson. A report hy this commission was made to the Legislature, on the 29th of January, 1828, favora ble to this plan of way. The greatest altitude of hills repre sented by this survey and plan did not exceed 80 feet to the mile. The estimated amount for freight between the two extreme points, per annum, was 84,360 tons, and the number of pas sengers for a year was set at 30,000. But the commissioners predicted that it was quite probable the sources of business might be increased to give a more favorable result, by devel oping new business on the line ; and a further inducement was the contemplated great increase of the value of real estate in its vicinity ; probably more than the entire expenditure for the work when completed. This report was signed by Nahum Mitchell, and Samuel McKay, commissioners, and James P. Baldwin, engineer. The Legislature now referred this report to an able and more extensive committee, of the following names : Levi Lincoln, Nathan Hale, Stephen White, David Henshaw, Thomas Walter Ward, Royal Makepeace, George Bond, William Poster, and Edward H. Robbins, Junior, who sub mitted their report (which was quite voluminous) to that body, January 16, 1829. The southern route was selected by this committee, and by survey was 198 miles in length ; the elevation of the fine on the ridge between Worcester and Springfield was found to be 918 feet, and that between Springfield and Pittsfield was 1,440 feet, and the ridge beyond Pittsfield 966 feet. The plan of construction adopted by this commission was a continuous stone wall laid sufficiently deep as not to be affected by frost, and with a granite cap twelve inches in height and same in width, for the support of a flat iron rail for the car-wheels to run upon. The average estimated cost per mile for such track was 6,1434.17, making a total cost of the road from Boston to SOUTHBRIDGE. 439 Albany $3,254,876.46. Cost of freight was estimated at $1.97 per ton over the whole road, and for passengers 821 cents; this estimate was based upon stationary engines ; and without the stationary engine, using only horse-power, $1 .05 per passenger ; then for support of road, and to yield an income on cost of construction, $2 was added for toll, making a passage, through, cost $3.05. The committee add, for explanation, that, considering the difference of cost of coal in favor of English roads, compared with the expense of coal for steam-power in this country, they decided in favor of horse power. Such was the result of the knowledge then obtained be tween the relative value of horse-power and steam-power, so late as the commencement of the year 1829, only forty-four years ago. It was estimated by this able commission that the total annual receipts of the road would amount to $203,000 ; com paring this with the first annual receipts of the railroad in 1842, when embracing only the Western railroad from Worcester to Albany, which was 512,688, it gives a further idea of the very imperfect knowledge had at that time in regard to the effect of this class of roads for developing business.* * See Records of Department of State, Boston. Also, see Eeport of the Commissioners of the State of Massachusetts presented to the Legislature January 7, 1826, on the survey of different routes for a canal from Boston to Hudson river, by that board, signed by Nathan Willis, Elihu Hoyt, and H. A. S. Dearborn, Canal Commissioners. Also, see the report of the Board of Directors of Internal Improvements on the practica bility and expediency of a railroad from Boston to the Hudson river, and from Boston to Providence, submitted to the General Court, January 16, 1829, which contains profiles and plans of the routes, signed by Levi Lincoln, Nathan Hale, David Henshaw, Thomas W. Ward, Royal Makepeace, George Bond, William Foster, and Edward H. Bobbins, Jr. It will be noticed that the estimated business that was expected to be done by a railroad on this line and the result that followed by the road in full operation were widely apart. First, the cost of the road was much greater than estimated, and the business developed far exceeded the expectation. This, however, is not surprising when it is considered that no such business had ever before been known, and that all was an experiment— an untiod path. 440 SOUTHBRIDGE. But while much effort was expended by the labor and thought of many intelligent minds, with the endeavor to in fluence public opinion, and to obtain a grant by the Legisla ture favoring its construction at the expense of the State, which failed of success, private enterprise was effectively at work at the same time in another direction, which established the principle in Massachusetts of excluding works of internal improvement from the expense and control of the State, except on the principle of aid to individual labors, and that by receiv ing ample security. The charter of the Granite railroad was granted by the Legislature in 1825, and finished and opened for business in 1827. This was the first railroad constructed in the United States. It connected the granite quarries at Quincy, Massachusetts, with the Neponset river ; about three miles in length. It had the flat iron rail, 3 inches wide by -§¦ inch thick, laid upon wooden sills, but stone sills were substituted afterwards. This road had an inclination of 27 feet to the mile, with a plain of 380 feet in length, having an inclination of one foot to fom' and a half feet. With the exception of the plain where the descending cars drew up the empty ones, it was worked by horse power. It is reported that the first locomotive engine used in this country was made in England, at Stourbridge, in Worcester shire, and first run on the Honesdale railroad, that was owned and constructed by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, for bringing coal from the mines to their canal. The first locomotive engine built in the United States was at New Tork, by the Kembles, at their shop in West street, for the railroad connecting Charleston with Hamburg on the Savannah river, through South Carolina, in the year 1830. This now brings the subject to the time when the trial was made to test the relative value of horse and steam power, by SOUTHBRIDGE. 44J[ the trial of locomotives, October, 1829, on the Liverpool and Manchester railway. For rapid traveling, railways were now to supersede canals, but by no means to take their place for transportation of freight, in point of economy in expense. The necessity and value of water communication is as well recognized every where now as heretofore. Great efforts are at this time being made in Em-ope, on a large scale. Some of these contem plated works are canals connecting Berlin and Dresden, and Berhn and Frankfort-on-the-Main, and other important points. And the time, it is here predicted, is not chstant when, by the enlargement of the Erie canal, and a similar work between the great lakes and the Mississippi river, ordinary sloops and brigs will be enabled to pass from Hudson river, via the canals, the lakes, and the Mississippi, to New Orleans, and thence to New York. The year 1830 may be taken as the commencement in the United States of the railroad system for the use of steam as a motor applied to the locomotive or traveling engine. Large enterprises of this character were now commenced in nearly all the old States. The idea of constructing a work between Boston and Al bany, for securing a share of the trade of the Great West, for the emporium of New England was still continued. A charter was granted, March 15, 1833, for a road between Worcester and Albany, to continue the road then in progress from Boston to Worcester. Il> was organized, January 7, 1836, and completed and opened for use early in 1842. By some, its success appeared unfavorable, when P.P. F. Degrand, its friend and able financier made the following judicious re marks at the annual meeting, March 15, 1843 : * See History of Railroads in United States, by Henry V. Poor, N. Y.; also, see Hay- den's Dictionary of Dates, and George P. Putnam's World's Progress, on subject of Rail roads and Steam-Engines. 442 SOUTHBRIDGE. " Mr. President — Did you ever hear of Clinton's big ditch ? and are you aware that men are now living who, after predicting (in relation to the big ditch), that internal improvement was but another word for eternal taxation, have nevertheless witnessed in fifteen years the payment of the whole cost of that whole work, principal and interest, from its own earnings, and have seen its receipts swelling with a mighty tide, from, $14,338 in 1821, when 81 miles were opened, to 64,072 in 1822, when 116 152,958 in 1823, when 160 340,761 in 1824, when 280 566,112 in 1825, when it was completed and opened its whole length of 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. 762,003 in 1826. 859,058 in 1827. 1,056,092 in 1830, and to 2,033,504 in 1841. "Mr. President, don't you see by this statistical detail that the gross revenue of the Erie canal, in 1825, the first year after its completion, was about the same as the gross revenue of the Western railroad during its first year ? and don't you perceive that in 1826, its second year, the Erie canal gave a gross revenue of $762,000 ? ' ' Mr. President, are you not aware that the Western railroad is hut the continuation of the Erie canal, by the best channel of communica tion with the best customers for Western produce, who are the very men who can furnish, most economically, the manufactures, the products of the fisheries, wliich the West desires in return ? ' ' Are you not aware that the actual value of the articles transported on the Erie canal, exceeds in amount the value of the whole of our domestic exports to foreign countries from the whole United States ? and that the Western railroad gives easy access to this immense trade? "Are you not aware that, at the lock just west of Albany and Troy, one boat passes on an average, night and day, every eleven minutes during the whole season of navigation? "And are you not aware that a fair share of this immense trade belongs, of right, to the wide-awake people who live at the eastern end of Albany long wharf, or if you prefer, at the eastern end of Buffalo long wharf? "I say belongs of right; because the laws of trade are immutable. The produce of the West will seek its best market, which is New Eng land, and will seek it through the best, the most secure, the quickest channel, which is the Western railroad ; and again the same immutable law will give the return trade to the New England man; because he is the person who can most economically, either manufacture or fish out of SOUTHBRIDGE. 443 the sea what the West wants. The law of trade is immutable. That race of men will take the trade which can transact the business the cheapest, and that race of men is the New England race. What nature has denied to New England, as to soil and climate, has been supplied by the unceasing industry and inventive faculty of its inhabitants. They seek in every nook and corner of the earth whatever may find a market in any other place on the globe. ' ' liooking at these facts, and looking at the trade pre-existing be tween Boston and Albany, and between Boston and the great West, is it not fair to presume that the suocess of the Western railroad will tread in the footsteps of its illustrious predecessor, the Erie canal ? Is not the success clearly written in the result of the operations of 1842? Is it not there written that the success of the Western railroad, like that of the Erie canal, will, in a few years, far exceed the most sanguine predic tions of the most sanguine. Let $512,000, the receipts of the Western railroad for 1842, being the first year of its life, after reaching Albany ; let these $512,000 increase in like progression of the receipts of the Erie canal, and our annual income, in 1847, will be $1,000,000, from which take estimated expenses and interest on the loans and sinking fund, for the increase of business — say, 650,000, and there will remain, net $350,000, which is 11 J per cent, on the stock of the road." The following table of receipts and expenses shows the actual result of the business of the Western railroad, for fourteen years, proving the remarkable correctness of the prediction of Mr. Degrand, made at the annual meeting, in 1843: Year. Receipts. Expenses. Net Receipts. Year. Receipts. Expenses. Net Receipts, 1842 1843 184418451846 1847 1848 $512,688 573,882753,752 813,480 878,417 1,325,3361,332,068 $266,619 303,793 314,074370,621 412,679676,689 652,357 $246,069 269,909 439,678442,859467,738648,649679,711 18491850 1861185218531859 1867 $1,343,810 1,366,252 1,355,894 1,389,3731,525,228 1,767,068 4,086,701 $588,223 607,649 597,756656,687 778,487 938,792 2,837,411 $755,487 758,703758,138 732,686 746,741 828,275 1,162,160 Year. Total Cost. Income. Expense. Net Income. Interest. Dividend. Per Cent. 1843 1853 1859 1867 $7,566,791 9,953,758 11,030,279 12,692,361 $573,882 1,526,228 1,767,0684,086,707 $303,973 778,487 938,792 2,837,411 $269,909 746,741828,275 1,162,150 $350,179 266,397 $478,096 895,753 8 10 444 SOUTHBRIDGE. The capital of the Western railroad, at first, was $2,000,000. This stock was subscribed for by over 2,200 persons, which shows the further doubt of large capitalists in the success of this enterprise. The first directors, chosen at its organization, were Thomas B. Wales, Edmond Dwight, George Bliss, William Lawrence, Henry hvice, John Henshaw, Francis Jack son, Josiah Quincy, Junior, and Justice Willard. Major William Gibbs McNeil was chief- engineer, and Captain H. Swift, resident-engineer. At the organization of the directors, Thomas B. Wales was president; Josiah Quincy, Junior, treasurer; Ellis Gray Lor ing was appointed clerk ; and George Bliss, of Springfield, general superintendent. The new estimate of the cost was $3,000,000. During the winter of 1836 the Legislature in creased the capital stock to $3,000,000, and directed the treasurer to subscribe $1,000,000 to the stock of the road. Of the nine directors now, six were by law chosen by the stockholders, and three by joint ballot of the two houses of the Legislature. The length of the road was as follows : From Worcester to Springfield, 54 miles, and 3,680 feet. " Springfield to State Line, 63 " 568 " " State Line to Hudson Eiver, 38 " 1,180 " Distance from Worcester to Albany, 156 " 148 " From Boston to Worcester, 44 " 1,635 " Length from Boston to Albany, 200 " 1,883 " The extreme elevations are: Charlton summit, 906 feet; Springfield center, 71 feet ; Washington summit, Berkshire county, 1,456 feet ; State line, 916. The highest grade at Washington summit is 80 feet to the mile. Twenty miles of this road, commencing at Worcester, were SOUTHBRIDGE. 445 put under contract in January, 1837, and the work began in February, following. In June, the same year, the balance of tbe road from East Brookfield to Springfield was put under contract, and work began in July following. On the 1st day of October, 1839, this road was opened for travel between Worcester and Springfield. The total cost of this part of the road was $1,972,985 ; or, $36,135 per mile. At the commencement of the year 1842 the whole line of this road, except fifteen miles, run on the Hudson and Berk shire road, was completed to the State line; and the road through the State of New York to Albany, from the line, was finished on September 12, 1842. The entire cost of the road as now finished was $7,566,791; and, with the improvements to 1853, the total cost was $9,953,75S. It is no doubt, true, that there was as much economy in the expenditure for the construction of this road as in that of any other railroad in this country, and that the rates paid for loans were more favorable than that of any other. Mr. P. P. F. Degrand* was the financial agent, who was noted for his skill and abihty in matters of finance. RAILROAD FROM SOUTHBRIDGE TO BOSTON. This fine of railroad, now forming a direct daily comniuni- cation between Southbridge and Boston, has been the result of the union of several distinct railroad corporations. * Peter Paul Francis Degrand died at Boston, December 23, 1S55, aged seventy-five. He was a native of Marseilles, France, and came to Boston about 1803. His principal business was as merchant and banker. In May, 1810, he issued the first number of a commercial paper, caUed Tlie Weekly Report, which he continued for ten years. He commenced as a stock-broker in 1835, and was noted for his correct knowledge of the value of stocks and financial affairs, and was among the most reliable men of his time. By his last will and testament he bequeathed $120,000 to public uses. A large portion of this was given for the snpply of books in the French language, on scientific subjects, to the library of Harvard college ; another part was given to the city of Boston ; the income to be expended for books of amusements for children in the public schools ; and the remainder divided among eight charitable institutions. 446 SOUTHBRIDGE. The charters of these several roads, their separate locations, length of line, and final union, were as follows : First. —The Walpole road, extending from Dedham to Walpole, 8 miles, chartered on April 16, 1846. Second. — Norfolk County road, extending from Walpole to Blackstone, 18 miles, chartered on April 24, 1847. Third. — The Walpole and Norfolk County roads, united under the Norfolk County road, chartered on July 19, 1847. Fourth. — The Southbridge and Blackstone road, about 34 miles, was chartered on May 1, 1849. Fifth. — The Midland railroad, extending from foot of Summer street, Boston, to Dedham, about 12 miles, was chartered on May 2, 1850. Sixth. — The East Thompson railroad, running through a part of Con necticut, in the line of the Southbridge and Blackstone road, was char tered in May, 1853. Seventh. — The Boston and New York Central railroad was formed by the union of the Norfolk County, Southbridge and Blackstone, and the Midland railroads, using the East Thompson road as a part of the line, but not united in the corporation, was organized on December 12, 1853. Eighth. — The Midland railroad, with the right to purchase all of the foregoing railroads, from Boston to Mechanicsville, in Thompson, Con necticut, to unite with the Norwich road, and to include the branch from Webster to Southbridge, was chartered on March 19, 1858. Ninth. — The Midland Land Damage railroad, with the right to take all the foregoing railroads, was chartered in 1861. Tenth. — This road was organized as the Southern Midland railroad in 1863. Eleventh. — The Boston, Hartford and Erie, including the foregoing, with an extension through the States of Connecticut and New York to the Hudson river, at Fishkill, was chartered in the year 1863. DISTANCE AND LENGTH OF THIS ROAD BETWEEN SOUTHBRIDGE AND BOSTON. Miles. Length from Boston to Dedham Junction, 12-1% " " Dedham to Walpole, 6f% " " Walpole to Blackstone, 17-r\fV " " Blackstone to East Thompson, 16-ftrV " " East Thompson to Webster Junction, - BiMfe- " Webster Junction to Southbridge, ll-jVo Total distance from Southbridge to Boston, 70-rio The road from Dedham to Blackstone, 23-ttth miles, cost $950,605.00, and was opened for travel, April 23, 1849, and finished to Mechanics ville, the junction with Norwich and Worcester railroad, in the year SOUTHBRIDGE. 447 1855. The entire line to the depot in Southbridge was finished by putting down the last rail at 5l4 o'clock, p. m., November 9, 1866, when the first train of cars, the same evening, having run from Boston, over the whole line, entered the depot grounds in Southbridge." Through many delays and great disadvantages had in the construction of this line of road during a period of twenty years, principally for the want of ready cash capital, the money expended to complete and put the same in order for freight and passenger cars, including its full equipment, was about $5,000,000, for the 70 miles as now traveled between South- bridge and Boston. The completion of this road was an affair anxiously looked for by the people of this town, from the time the charter was granted for the Southbridge and Blackstone road, May 1, 1849, a period of about 17 years. It was not unexpected that the people here and vicinity would manifest great satisfaction at this desired result. But it is proper to record here, that, amidst this rejoicing and congratulation, for the consummation of so desirable an object for the convenience of the citizens and the prosperity of the town, an accident occurred which caused great sadness on this occasion. The following obituary notice in The Southbridge Journal, issued on Friday, November 23, 1866, following this occur rence, is sufficient to illustrate this sad affair, without further comment : "OBITUARY. " Died at the Edwards House in Southbridge, November 20, Timothy Farrar Crane, son of Edward Crane, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, aged 23 years and 9 months. " The record of his active life had but just commenced, when he met with the accident which terminated fatally ; but it was long enough to disclose the leading traits of his character and give promise of a career of usefulness. "He was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, February 8, 1843, and 448 SOUTHBRIDGE. graduated at Yale, in the class of 1864. He took fair rank among his classmates at school and college. But his ambition led him to the study of matters pertaining to a practical life, rather than his text-books, although it is said that he excelled in mathematics. " Since he graduated he has been engaged with his father in the con struction of the Boston, Hartford, and Erie railroad. This was his chosen field of occcupation, and he was intending to give to it the whole of his business life; but it lias closed in the midst of his activity, and in the first budding of his manhood. " On Saturday noon last, the 17th instant, in the line of his duty as superintendent of construction, upon this branch of said railroad, while riding upon one of the cars of the gravel train, the shackling gave way, and he was thrown violently upon the bridge over Main street, a short distance east of the center village of this town, breaking his leg, disloca ting his ankle and mangling his foot, also breaking his left arm in two places. He was taken to the hotel and attended by Dr. Hartwell, until his father and mother, and Drs. Miller and Clark, of Boston, arrived in the evening. ' ' His wounds were not examined on account of his low state until Sunday morning, when the bones were set, and his wounds properly dressed. But the shock to his system was too great. He never recovered from the reaction, but rapidly sunk away, remaining mostly in a state of unconsciousness till Tuesday morning, when he revived, and bade his father, and mother, and friends a long farewell ; said he was prepared to die, and sank to his eternal rest upon the bosom of his Maker. ' ' Young Crane became a member of Rev. Mr. Mean's Congregational church, in Dorchester,. January 1, 1859, and since has led a pure and holy life, consistent with his profession. ' ' The crape hanging at the doors of all the shops along our street, the anxious looks and tearful eyes on Tuesday, soon told how deep was the sorrow our people felt at the event of his death. Though a stranger to most, his prompt and energetic efforts to bring about the completion of our road, the inspiration his activity gave to the work, pushing it on with wonderful rapidity, and his genial and manly character, endeared him to all. He was the life of the enterprise under his care, and we loved him as a brother. Wednesday, a large number of our leading citizens, after a short prayer by Rev. E. B. Palmer, at the hotel, escorted the relatives of the deceased and the remains to Dorchester, on a special train, and returned in the evening." SOUTHBRIDGE. 449 RAILROAD PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES. The following table will show the extraordinary progress of railroad construction in the United States, each year, since the first railroad was built in this country (that of the Granite railway), at Quincy, Massachusetts, giving length of finished roads from January 7, 1828, to 1869 : 1828, miles finished, - 3 1849, miles finished, 6, 350 1829, 28 1850, 7,475 1830, 41 1851, ' 8,589 1831, 54 1852, 11,027 1832, 131 1853, 13,497 1833, 576 1854, 15,672 1834, 762 1855, 17,398 1835, 918 1856, 19,251 1836. 1,102 1857, 22,625 1837, 1,421 1858, 25,090 1838, 1,843 1859, 26,755 1839, 1,920 1860, 28,771 1840, 2,197 1861, 30,593 1841, 3,319 1862, 31,769 1842, 3,877 1863, 32,447 1843, 4,174 1864, 33,860 1844, 4,311 1865, 34,442 1845, 4,522 1866, 35,351 1840, 4,870 1867, 36,896 1847, 5,336 1868, 39,538 1848, 5,682 1869, 44,603 This may be regarded as a near approximation to a correct result. The progress of new roads and the extension of old roads is constant, and the difficulty great in always obtaining accurate facts. 450 SOUTHBRIDGE. TABLE FOR 1868. Miles of Railroads and their Cost in Each State and Territory. States and Territories. New England States. MaineNew Hampshire Vermont - Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut Middle States. New York New Jersey PennsylvaniaDelaware South Atlantic. Maryland West Virginia VirginiaNorth Carolina South Carolina Georgia Gulf States. Florida Alabama - MississippiLouisianaTexas South- Western. Tennessee KentuckyArkansas North- Western. Ohio IndianaMichiganIllinoisWisconsin Minnesota Iowa Missouri Interior Western. KansasNebraskaWyoming UtahNevada Pacific States. CaliforniaOregon Total miles and cost to January 1, .Miles. Cost. Total Miles. Total Cost. 560 $19,789,521 669 22,975,319 604 25,347,149 1,425 72,345,521 121 5,006,665 641 23,664,859 — 4,020 $169,129,034 4,332 182,538,123 973 69,770,243 4,398 226,772,257 243 7,483,596 9,946 486,564,219 458 34,620,899 365 22,972,154 1,494 49,365,194 1,096 25,687,414 1,077 25,131,600 1,575 34,352,624 6,065 192,129,885 440 9,416,000 953 28,511,726 900 25,508,404 371 14,386,557 513 15,200,000 3,177 93,022,687 1,436 44,386,387 813 28,799,285 113 4,400,000 2,362 77,625,672 3,500 150,000,000 2,600 100,000,000 1,200 44,500,000 3,500 150,600,000 1,200 48,500,000 570 18,200,000 1,500 61,300,000 1,300 55,000,500 15,370 626,600,500 648 30,800,000 555 21,000,000 510 25,000,000 500 18,000,000 550 25,000,000 2,763 119,800,000 750 30,300,000 150 5,000,000 1869 900 35,300,000 uary 1, 44,603 i SI, 800, 172, 037 SOUTHBRIDGE. 451 In 1872 the length of railroads in the United States was more than 70,000 miles; at a cost of $3,500,000,000. The length and cost of railroads in the last above statement include the Central Pacific and Union Pacific roads as finished. These two roads, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific States, were united at 2.47 o'clock, p. m., May 10, 1869. The last rail was laid at Promontory Point with much formality. Telegraphic dispatches were forwarded by an attachment of the electric wires to the last spike to be driven, and the dis patch was sent forward by the blow from the hammer as it fell upon the spike that fastened the last rail. These wires, wliich received the dispatch by the blow of the hammer, were connected with San Francisco, Omaha, Chicago, New Tork, Washington, New Orleans, and many other places, which, being prepared, received the signal of the hammer about the same instant. 452 SOUTHBRIDGE. LENGTH OF CONNECTING ROADS FROM BANGOR, MAINE, TO SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Miles. Miles. Elevation above the Sea. Bangor to Portland, 138 Portland to Boston, 108 246 Boston to Springfield, 98 Springfield to New York, 136 234 New York to Dunkirk, 461 Dunkirk to Toledo, 256 Toledo to Chicago, 529 1,246 Chicago to Omaha, 400 400 967 feet. Omaha to Fremont, 46 1,215 " Fremont to Columbus, 45 1,455 " Columbus to Kearney, 100 2,128 " Kearney to North Platte, 100 2,830 " North Platte to Julesbury, 86 3,557 " Julesbury to Cheyenne, 140 6,062 " Cheyennne to Summit Black Hills, 32 8,262 " Black Hills to Laramie, - 23 7,134 " Laramie to Fort Benton, 123 7,534 " Fort Benton to Green River, 149 6,092 " Green River to Fort Bridger, 67 6,644 " Fort Bridger to Echo Canon, 61 6,333 " Echo Canon to Weber Canon, 52 4,462 " Weber Canon to Summit of Pro- ) montory Ridge, the west terminus > of the Union Pacific Railroad, ) 60 1,084 4,932 " Promontory Point to Locom. Springs, 34 4,245 " Locomotive Spr'gs to HumboldtWells 130 5,650 " Humboldt Wells to Humboldt Lake, 270 4,047 " Humboldt Lake to Big Bend, 49 4,217 " Big Bend to Truckee River, 100 5,860 " Summit, 7,042 Truckee River to Cisco, 26 5,950 " Cisco to Alta, 23 3,635 Alta to Colfax, 15 2,448 " Colfax to Sacramento end of Cen- [ 50 697 56 " tral Pacific Railroad, \ Sacramento to San Francisco, 120 Total length Bangor to San Francisco 4,027 Proceedings at Promontory Point in laying the last rail to unite the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, May 10, 1869. This location is in Utah territory. "1st. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Todd, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, asking the favor of Heaven upon the enterprise. SOUTHBRIDGE. 453 " 2d. Laying the two rails opposite each other, preparatory for uniting the two roads. "3. Presentation of spikes for fastening the two rails, one presented by Dr. Harkness, in behalf of California, for the Central Pacific rail road ; and one presented by the Hon. F. A. Tuttle, in behalf of Nevada and Arizona, and one presented by Governor Safford, in behalf of Union Pacific railroad. Governor Safford then made a response in behalf of Central Pacific road, and General G. M. Dodge ad dressed the assemblage in behalf ofthe Union Pacific road." The spikes were now placed in readiness for driving, with wires attached, for delivering the messages of notice of fasten ing of last rails. The president of the United States, the Associated Press, and operators of telegraph lines at different points on the Pacific coast, and through the East were now notified by tele graphic dispatches to be ready to receive the announcement of the blow of the hammer which would be the signal for dis patching the news of the completion of this great enterprise. This announcement came to the city of "Washington and other places at 2.20 o'clock, p. m., May 10. Mr. Tinker, manager of Western Union Telegraph office, in Washington, placed a magnetic bell-sounder in the public office of that company, connecting the same with the main lines, and notified the principal offices to be ready. ISTew Orleans instantly responded, the answer being read from the tap on the magnetic bell in that office, and New York made the same response, when all sorts of inquiries came from many parts of the country, and Omaha replied " To everybody. Keep quiet. When the last spike is in readiness they will say, 'Done.' Don't break the circuit, but watch for the signals of the blows from the hammer." Pro montory Point now says, " Almost ready ; hats off: prayer is being made." A silence for the prayer ensued. At 2.40 o'clock the bell tapped again; word came from Promontory Point, " We have done praying ; the spike is about to be driven" Answer is given, " We are all ready in the East." 30a 4g4 SOUTHBRIDGE. Promontory Point now says : "All ready now ; the spike will be driven; the signal will be three dots for the commencement ofthe blows." For a moment there was silence, then the hammer of the magnet tapped the bell one, two, three, which was the signal ; another pause for a few seconds, then the lightning came flash ing over the wires eastward, two thousand fom hundred miles, from Promontory Point, the junction of the two roads, to Washington, and to many other points, announcing the blows of the hammer upon the spike, almost the same instant, and before the sound had ceased its echo in the ears of those who witnessed the performance. At 2.47 p. m. Promontory Point gave the signal, " Done," and the continent was spanned with iron. The same operation was had at the various offices in the distant parts of the country. The following dispatches were now passed : "Utah, Mat 10, 1869. 1 ' To Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Vice-President : ' ' The rails were connected to-day ; the prophecy of Benton is now a fact — ' This is the way to India.1 (Signed) " SIDNEY DILLON. GEO. M. DODGE. " JOHN DUFF. T. C. DURANT." Response of the Hon. A. Oakey Hall to a dispatch from the Mayor of San Francisco : "City Hall, New York, May 10, 1869. " New York rejoiced when, almost half a century ago, by the com pletion of the Erie canal the great chain of inland seas was united with the Atlantic ocean ; and the metropolis of America exults to-day, for the completion of the Pacific railway, uniting the extremities and coasts of an immense continent. Our flags are now flying, cannon booming, and old Trinity imparts a Te Deum of thankfulness ; congratulations are in adequate to express our thanks. Let May 10 hereafter be a day of re joicing, as the time of completion of this great enterprise." SOUTHBRIDGE. 455 LENGTH AND COST OF RAILROADS In the United States, and some General Statements of Railroads in Europe, at close of Year 1872. Total Total Cost per Total Miles. Miles. Mile of Miles. 1871. 1872. Railroad. United States, 70,178 Northern States, - 4,984 5,306 $49,592 Population to Middle States, 12,322 13,671 square mile of Western " etc., 29,319 33,062 territory, 14. Southern " etc., 13,751 15,281 Square miles Pacific " etc., 2,189 2,858 to a mile of 62,565 Railroad, - 43 70,178 Population to Square Miles Square Miles. to Miles of Railroad. Germany, 12,207 189 17 109,952 Austria, 5,865 158 40 73,915 France, - - 10,333 155 19 158,714 Russia in Europe, 7,044 36 284 166,477 Great Britain, - 15,537 265 8 176,269 Belgium, - 1,301 430 9 106,987 Netherlands, 886 236 15 97,202 Switzerland, 820 175 18 87,134 Italy, 3,667 225 29 89,714 Denmark, 420 111 34 57,112 Spain, 3,401 90 54 107,156 Sweden and Nor way, 1,049 19 180 62,438 Greece, 100 71 199 50,000 Portugal, 453 99 51 101,311 Total cost of railroads in United States and Territories, in 1872, 70,178 miles, at $49,592, $3,500,000,000 Total cost of railroads in United States and Territories, in 1860, at the commencement of the late Rebellion, or 30, 000 miles, up to that time, b 070, 000, 000 Total cost of railroads in United States and Territories in 1865, including about 35,000 miles, at $42,000 per mile, 1,470,000,000 Total miles in 1868, 44,603 miles, at total cost, 1,800,172,03, It is known that the cost of raikoads per mile, in 1872, was 456 SOUTHBRIDGE. much greater than heretofore. The average cost per mile in 1867 was 42,770; in 1669 it was $44,255; in 1872 it had risen to $49,592, of cost and equipment. Although through embarrassment and incompetency in the devising of plans and construction, together with much villainy, many roads have cost much more than was necessary by good, able management; yet most of the roads properly run, yield a fair income upon the whole expenditure ; while, in favorable locations, and by economy in the first outlay, they yield extraordinary profits. But much of these large profits are covered up by the process of adding to actual cost by increasing stock, known by rail road managers as the "watering" process. The railroad from Boston to Albany, which includes the Bos ton and Worcester railroad, and what has recently been known as the Western railroad, from Worcester via Springfield to Albany, together cost, up to 1867, $17,692,361, but now, by its market value, costs $24,301,751, an increase of 35 per cent. This road is no particular exception with good managed roads. The question arises whether there is now, or not, a too great monopoly in this system; and if so, what course shall be taken to mitigate or relieve the country of the evil. As remarked in another place, that, so far as relates to passenger fares, it has no material effect ; but in freights, in many instances, it has proved a serious embarrassment upon business. To devise plans for facilitating transportation between the sea-board and the interior, and the great valley of the Mississippi, should command the most careful attention of the best minds interested in the welfare of the country. RAILROAD SUBSIDIES. The force of precedent has never been more strikingly illustrated than in the grants of lands and subsidies in bonds to railroads. SOUTHBRIDGE. 457 The first law by Congress giving away lands was for home steads in 1842, to Oregon pioneer settlers, to encourage the planting of Americans in the Pacific region; which was re garded as an act of great liberality, and a concession on the part of Congress. About twenty years since an immense tract of land was granted to aid in building the Illinois Central railroad; but this was given only by alternate sections, and was a wise measure, for the reason that the future price of the land adjoining, and an equal quantity, was held by agree ment at double the usual price, and was readily sold at $2.50 per acre, wliich enabled the government to realize full price for both the reserved and that of the grant, at the land office value $1.25 per acre; and a more ready sale than would otherwise have been effected. The following grants for railroads have been made in differ ent States, to the amount set against the same. The following table gives the quantity of lands granted, and its proportion, according to the area of land in the several States in which the railroads are, that receive them : Acres. For Railroads in Alabama, proportion to area 1.8 3,730,000 Arkansas, " "1.7 4,804,000 California, " " 1.10 3,720,000 Florida, " " 1.17 2,360,000 Iowa, " " 1.5 6,750,000 IUinois, " "1.14 2,595,000 Louisiana, " " 1.17 1,579,000 Michigan, " " 1.7 5,328,000 Minnesota, " •' 1.6 7,783,000 Mississippi, " " 1.15 2,062,000 Missouri, " " 1.11 3,745 000 Kansas, " " 1.7 7,753,000 Wisconsin, " " 1.16 5,378,000 Total, 57,587,000 To Pacific Railroad corporations, 124,000,000 For Wagon roads, 3,225,000 Total for roads, 184,812,000 458 SOUTHBRIDGE.' CANAL GRANTS. To Ohio, 1,100,000 " Indiana, 1,439,000 » Illinois, 290,000 " Wisconsin, 325,000 " Michigan, 1,250,000 Total gift grants, 189,216,000 The total area of the public lands was 1,465,500,000 ; of which more than one eighth has thus been given away. These gift grants far exceed all the lands in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Mary land, Virginia, and half of Indiana. Many other schemes of a similar character have been brought forward, but the expose of the Credit Mobilier and other plunders have in some degree had the effect to cause members of Congress to recoil from such outrages, to save their reputation and popularity at home. The barefaced man ner the members have been bribed to vote away these lands, has come home to some of them in a manner that will tend to their retirement. THE AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY. The charter for this company was granted by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869, with a capital of $40,000, divided into 400 shares of $100 each. The stockholders were: Robert H. Cole, E. Merritt Cole, Alpha M. Cheney, Charles S. Edmonds, George W. Wells, and H. C. Wells. In 1871 the capital was increased to $60,000 ; shares the same in amount as before. This company erected a new building for their manufactory in 1872, at a cost of $35,000. This is located on Mechanics street, and receives its water- power from the Quinebaug river. SOUTHBRIDGE. 459 It is three stories in height, and has an area of flooring of 20,000 square feet, with a thirty-five horse-power Sibley water wheel ; the premises are heated by steam, and hghted by gas made upon the ground of the establishment. There are 300 windows, that light the different apartments, giving ample light for the workmen, who have their working- desks at the sides and ends of the walls of the building, in the several large rooms. There are now employed 130 hands, mostly men ; but ten to fifteen gkls are profitably engaged here. The material used is about $15,000 each, gold and silver, besides the manufacture of about 300,000 annually of steel spectacles and eye-glasses ; but the whole product increases largely each year, and is deemed by the citizens of the town one of the best branches of industrial pursuit there con ducted ; as the mechanics, being mostly men with famihes, add much to the general prosperity of the place. This business was originated here by William Beecher, Esq., a skillful and enterprising mechanic and business man, about the year 1831, in connection with other manufactures pro duced from silver, which he commenced in this town about the year 1826. In addition to the qualities of a skillful mechanic, he pos sessed rare genius as an inventor. These qualities enabled him to construct machines, by which the most intricate and delicate part of the work is dispatched with great rapidity. Since his day in this business, E. Merritt Cole appears to have succeeded to the skillful and inventive powers possessed by his predecessor. Soon after the origin of the manufacture of silver spectacles here, Mr. Beecher added that of making steel spectacles ; the first, it is believed, made in America. Also the manufacture of various styles -of eye-glasses, which were extended largely to the different metals of gold, silver, and steel, the same as the different material from which their spec- 460 SOUTHBRIDGE. tacles are made. The machinery for making screws, so small and delicate that the eye is unable to fully behold them, turns them out rapidly and in the greatest perfection. And so with all parts of this business. That for cutting glass for the eyes is performed by the cam motion, and is simple though exceedingly ingenious ; the same may be said with equal force regarding most of the nice machinery used here for the pro duction of the various articles in this line of manufacture. In 1840 Mr. Beecher sold his machinery, and transferred his business to Holdridge Ammidown and Jairus Putney, who carried on the business in the name of Ammidown & Put ney until 1842, when Mr. Putney retired. Lucius H. Ammidown succeeded Mr. Putney, when the business was conducted under the name of Ammidown et Son. In 1850 Holdridge Ammidown retired. The business was now continued by Lucius H. Ammidown, and Robert H. Cole, under the name of Ammidown & Co. About this time the manufacture of gold spectacles commenced here. William Beecher now became again interested in this busi ness ; the name of the firm continuing the same. Upon the decease of Lucius H. Ammidown in 1853, his father, Holdridge Ammidown, acquired his interest, and con tinued a partner until 1860, when he again retired. Mr. E. Merritt Cole was now admitted a partner, and the style of the firm was changed to Beecher — to' Southbridge, February 1, 1866." WARS OF THE UNITED STATES. Number of soldiers in the war of the Revolution, 275,000 d « of 1812 to 1815, 527,637 a " with Seminoles, 1817, 5,911 n n with Black Hawk, 1832, 5,031 ii " with Florida Indians, 1836 to 1842, 29,953 u " with the Greek Indians, 12,483 k " with Mexico in 1846, 73,260 it it of Rebellion, 1861 to 1865, 2,688,528 SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE COLONIES DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. The colonies were severally called upon by Congress for specific quotas. Massachusetts' quota, 52,698 men ; furnished, 83,052 men. Virginia's quota, 48,416 men ; furnished, 30,- 101 men. Thus Virginia fell short 17,421 men, and Massa chusetts furnished 30,350 men more than her quota; while the other New England colonies furnished the numbers in proportion to their population. Pennsylvania fell short 7,450 men ; Maryland, 8,747 men short. Delaware short 211 men; and South Carolina's quota was 16,932, but furnished only 6,660 men.* The whole number of Continental soldiers were, during the Revolutionary War, 231,971; militia, 56,163. During the late war of Rebellion, President Lincoln called, by proclamation, for 2,942,748 soldiers, the quota for Massa chusetts being 139,095 ; her soldiers sent to the field amounted to 158,380, as follows: In 1861, 35,913; in 1862, 33,204; in 1863, 17,814 ; in 1864, 52,728 ; in 1865, 6,809. The total * See New Hampshire Historical Collections, vol. i, p. 236, SOUTHBRIDGE. 475 negro troops furnished for the war was 186,017; of these Massachusetts provided 3,966, her Fifty-fourth and Fifty- fifth regiments not being included. The whole amount of compensation money paid during the war was $26,366,316.78, of wliich Massachusetts paid $1,610,- 400 ; also, Massachusetts paid State boimties to soldiers, amounting to $22,965,550.36. FURTHER REBELLION WAR STATISTICS. The following table shows the total casualties in action, and from the effects of wounds and disease, in the volunteer troops furnished by the several States and Territories, in the regular and colored troops, and other organizations, raised directly under the authority of the United States, and the aggregate number of troops raised under all the calls reduced to the three years' standard : 476 SOUTHBRIDGE. Total num Killed or Total Mlled ber caUeii to died of Died of dis or died service STATES AND TERRITORIES. wounds. ease. by disease ot wounds. reduced to three years' time. Maine, 2,811 5,544 8,415 56,595 New Hampshire, 1,661 2,530 4.191 30,827 Vermont, 1,902 2,998 4,800 29,052 Massachusetts, 6,029 7,904 13,933 123,844 Rhode Island, 476 1,073 1,549 17,878 Connecticut, 1,962 3,309 5,211 50,514 New York, - 14,445 17,407 31,852 381,693 New Jersey, 1,694 2,966 4,660 55,785 Pennsylvania, 10,284 11,090 21,374 267,558 Delaware, 310 214 524 10,303 Maryland, 718 863 1,581 40,692 District of Columbia, 55 244 299 11,536 Ohio, 11,237 14,398 25,635 237,976 Indiana, 5,817 13,392 19,209 152,283 Rlinois, 8,908 19,934 28,842 212,694 Michigan, 3,927 8,499 12,426 80,865 Wisconsin, 3,818 6,986 10,804 78,985 Minnesota, 608 1,676 2,284 19,675 Iowa, 3,444 8,642 12,086 68,182 Kansas, 1,226 2,194 3,120 18,624 California, 92 299 391 7,451 West Virginia, 1,213 1,842 3,025 27,653 Kentucky, 1,884 5,245 7,129 70,348 Missouri, 2,365 7,346 9,711 86,192 Tennessee, 2,222 2,193 4,475 12,077 Colorado, 108 207 315 1,762 Washington Territory, 29 107 136 805 Dakota Territory, 10 10 181 Nebraska Territory, 14 123 137 380 New Mexico Territory, 23 160 183 1,011 Regular Army, 2 047 2,832 4,879 Colored Troops, 2,997 25,301 29,353 186,017 Penitent Rebels, - 14 352 366 Hancock's Veterans, 9 406 415 Mississippi Reserve, 248 185 433 Indian Territory, 374 416 790 Alabama, 65 290 355 Florida, 169 102 271 Texas, 33 278 311 North Carolina, 54 349 303 Louisiana, 22 769 991 Arkansas, 384 545 929 Mevada, 10 225 235 Oregon, 67 667 734 96,089 184,331 280,420 2,340,328 SOUTHBRDDGE. 477 COST OF THE ARMY DURING THE REBELLION WAR. The following figures show the annual pay for the army, both volunteers and regulars, for six years : Year 1862,1863, 1864,1865, 1866, 1867, Volunteers, $91,116,610, 180,442,683, 220,853,973, 300,738,635, 248,943,313, 42,588,782, Regulars, $5,646,778 6,557,094 6,272,222 7,992,324 10,431,00414,024,492 Total, $1,084,683,949 " disbursements for army for six years, $50,933,916 $1,135,617,865 NATIONALITY OF THE ARMY. During this war it was a constant representation with the Enghsh writers, favoring the Rebels, to assert that the Federal army was almost wholly composed of foreigners. Professor B. A. Gould's work on statistics has the following on nation ality of the white soldiers in the Union army at this period : Native Americans, 1,523,300 Per cent, 75.48 British American, 53,500 u 2.65 English, 45,500 tt 2.26 Irish, 144,200 1 1 7.14 German, 176,800 (( 8.76 Other foreigners, 48,400 it 2.38 Foreigners, nativity unknown, 26,500 tl 1.33 2,018,200 100 The facts show conclusively that the Union army was not an ahen one, but three fourths native Americans. LIST OF THE FORTS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES, With their cost, number of guns, and men necessary to garri son them properly. This is the report made by Colonel Totten, of the Engineers : 478 SOUTHBRIDGE. Name. Place. Cost. Men. Guns. FortMcHenry, Baltimore, $146,000 850 74 " Carroll, " 135,000 800 159 " Delaware, Delaware River, Delaware, 539,000 750 151 " Madison, Annapolis, Maryland, 15,000 150 31 " Severn, " 6,000 60 14 " Washington, Potomac River, 575,000 400 83 " Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, 2,400,000 2,450 371 " Calhoun, Hampton Roads, Norfolk, " 1,664,000 1,120 224 " Macon, Beaufort, North Carolina, 460,000 300 61 " Johnson, Cape Fear, " 5,000 60 16 " Caswell, Oak Island, " 571,000 400 87 " Sumpter, Charleston, South Carolina, 677,000 650 140 " Castle Pinckney, " 43,000 100 25 " Moultrie ' " 75,000 300 54 " Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia, 923,000 900 150 " Jackson, " " 80,000 70 14 " Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, 51,000 100 25 " Taylor, Key West " 1,000 185 " Jefferson, Tortugas, " Expensive 1,500 298 " Barancas, Pensacola, " 315,000 250 49 " Pickens, " " 729,000 1,200 212 " Redoubt, " " 109,000 26 " McRea, " " 384,000 650 150 " Morgan, Mobile, Alabama, 1,212,000 700 132 " St. Philip, Mouth of the Mississippi River, 143,000 800 124 " Jackson, " " " 817,000 600 150 " Pike, Rigolets, Louisiana, 472,000 300 49 " Macomb, Chief Menteur, " 447,000 300 49 " Livingston, Barataria Bay, " 312,000 300 52 In addition to these are many incomplete works, as fol lows : Ship island, Mississippi river ; Georgetown, South Carolina ; Port Royal roads, South Carolina ; Tybee islands, Savannah ; Galveston, Brazos, Santiago, and Matagorda bay, Texas. Hampton roads is the great naval station of the Southern coast, and the only good roadstead south of the Delaware. Pensacola is very strong, and the only naval depot on the gulf. The fortresses at Key West and Tortugas are among the most powerful in the world ; and every vessel that crosses the gulf passes in sight of both. ECCLESIASTICAL. CHAPTER VI. THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. rPHE origin of the Congregational church and society was a colony of twenty-one members of the Congregational church in Sturbridge. They were residents in the poll parish that was established here by an act of the Legislature, Feb ruary 28, 1801. These members were dismissed from the church in Sturbridge, and organized this church on the 16th day of September following : Names of these First Members. Ralph Wheelock, Samuel Ellis, Lucy Johnson Mason, Asa Walker, Deborah Child Freeman, Mary Howard Mason, Daniel Morse, Lois Hibbard Morse, Abigail Smith Ellis, Elias Plimpton, Rachael Smith Foster, Phebe Stacy Morse, Fletcher Foster, Experience C. Wheelock, Jemima Corbin Harding, Abel Mason, Anne Clark Dresser, Ruth Hobbs Mason, Jason Morse, Lois Smith Foster, Mary Chub Chamberlain. This small colony united in their public religious worship with the Baptists and Methodists in the parish meeting house ; and their number of members in this church was not increased until the year 1815, when, during that year, five new members were added, to wit : George Sumner, Mar garet Burt Sumner, Keziah Freeman Brown, Lydia Plimpton, and Joshua Harding. This was the condition of the church when the parish was, by an act of the Legislature, made a town by the name of Southbridge, February 15, 1816. 480 SOUTHBRIDGE. INCORPORATION. This society was incorporated by the General Court, De cember 13, 1816, by the name of " Congregational Religious Society in Southbridge," with all -the powers and privileges which other rehgious societies enjoy, according to the con stitution and laws of Massachusetts. The following are the names of the incorporators, to wit : ' ' Daniel Morse, Joshua Harding, Samuel Newell, Frederick Whiting Bottom, Fletcher Foster, Abel Mason, Oliver Plimpton, Jason Morse, Freeman Pratt, Timothy Paige, George Sumner, Oliver Mason, Junior, James Wheelock, Ralph Harding, Elbridge G. Harding, Salem Marsh, Calvin Ammidown, Joseph Clark, Abel Mason, Junior, Ralph Wheelock, Waterman Potter, Pliny Arnold, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Asahel Prouty, Oliver Mason, Smith Foster, Duty Marsh, Duty Marsh, Junior, Moses Mason, Oliver Hooker, Henry Hooker, Abijah Richardson, Parker Morse, John Rider, Mason Morse, Enoch Bacon, Stephen H. Esterbrook Nathaniel Marsh, David Atherton, Smith Ellis, Denison Wheelock Corbin Lyon, John Newell, Jonathan Green, George Gleason, John Marsh, Alpheus Foster, Joseph Eaton, Moses Wheelock, Aaron Putnam, John Marsh, Junior, Joel Walker, Dresser Bacon, Benjamin Walker, Hinsdale Foster, Davis Wheelock, Calvin Wheelock, Luther Wheelock, Chauncey Plimpton, Samuel Austin Groves, Samuel Lewis Newell, Bela Carpenter, with their families and estates, together with such others as may hereafter associate with them, and their successors. "* PROCEEDINGS. This church and society gave a' call to the Rev. Jason Park to become their first pastor, October 10, 1816 ; and on the 18th of December following he was ordained. The services on this occasion were in the following manner : Rev. Otis Lane, of Sturbridge, offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Erastus Learned, of Canterbury, Connecticut, preached the sermon from the text, Acts, xx, 24 : "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry ¦¦ See vol. v, Massachusetts Special Laws, p. 174 . SOUTHBRIDGE. 4S1 which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God." The Rev. Daniel Dow, D. D., of Thompson, Connecticut, offered the consecrating prayer; Rev. Eliphalet Lyon, of South Woodstock, Connecticut, gave the charge to the pastor ; Rev. Edwards Whipple, of Charlton, gave the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Alvin Underwood, of West Woodstock, Con necticut, addressed the people, and Rev. Samuel Backus, of North Woodstock, made the concluding prayer. In the year 1815 this society arranged for a piece of ground for the location of a meeting-house, including 1 and J acres of land, it being the same on which the meeting-house of this society now stands, and the house and lot, now the residence of Dr. Samuel Hartwell, next south of the same. This meeting-house lot was a part of the homestead farm of the late Colonel Benjamin Freeman, (son of Samuel Freeman, born, October 24, 1744, and died, May 22, 1806); it contained 149 acres, 1 quarter, and 15 rods. It was sold by his execu tors, Joshua Harding and Jonathan Perry, of Sturbridge, to Andrew Brown, of Woodstock, April 8, 1807.* Andrew Brown, of Woodstock, sold this farm to Daniel Briggs, of Sturbridge, January 4, 1811 ;| Daniel Briggs, sold the same farm to John, Luther, and Calvin Ammidown, for $5,600, March 29, 1813. John Ammidown, having deceased, December 3, 1814, it became necessary soon after, in arranging the settlement of his estate, to partition these lands, when, as a part of the share of Calvin Ammidown, he received this 1 and \ acres, with other parcels of lands and buildings, included in the same deed, September 11, 181 6.| The first occupancy of these grounds was the erection of the house now the residence of * See Worcester Records, book 166, p. 463. t See book 178, p. 243. t See Worcester Records, book 202, p. 291. 482 SOUTHBRDDGE. Dr. Hartwell. This house was erected by Major Calvin Ammidown,. in behalf of the society; its design was to afford accommodation for a parsonage, and a hall for temporary public religious worship, until their meeting-house should be erected. Major Ammidown conveyed by deed this 1 and £ acres of land, and the house, as above stated, to the following members of this society, August 28, 1818, for the considera tion of $1,800, to wit : Joshua Harding, Elbridge G. Harding, Daniel Morse, Fletcher Foster, Ralph Harding, George Sumner, John Marsh, Duty Marsh, Samuel Newell, Freeman Pratt, Waterman Potter, Abel Mason, Junior, Oliver Mason, Junior, Jason Morse, Joseph Clark, Enoch Bacon, Frederick W. Bottom, Oliver Plimpton, Ralph Wheelock, Dennison Wheelock, Alpheus Foster, John Newell, Corbin Lyon, Parker Morse, Ira Carpenter, and William Sumner. The house is described in Major Ammidown's deed as being on the east side of the road, nearly opposite the house of Frederick W. Bottom. The sale was by shares ; the number is described as forty- seven shares, which were subscribed and paid for by the fore going parties, grantees in the deed, including those shares taken by the grantor. This deed was executed in presence of John Butler and Frederick W. Bottom, and acknowledged before F. W. Bot tom, Justice of Peace.* MEETING-HOUSE. Their meeting-house was erected in 1821, and dedicated, January 1, 1822. The Rev. Jason Park preached the dedi catory sermon. This house was enlarged and remodeled in 1839, and rededicated, September 5, of the same year; the sermon by Rev. Eber Carpenter, pastor. This house has been * Recorded, Worcester, book 217, pp. 634 and 536. SOUTHBRIDGE. 4g3 re-arranged internally to compare with the modern style, and embellished, at an expense of about $5,000. A second re- dedication took place Friday evening, September 24, 1869 the dedicatory sermon by the pastor elect, Rev. E. L. Jaguar, from 2d Chronicles, v, 14. Rev. B. F. Bronson, D. D. ofthe Baptist church; Rev. W. A. Braman, of the Methodist church of this town ; and Rev. M. L. Richardson, of Stur bridge, assisted in the exercises. The following hymn, by Mrs. Sigourney, sung at the dedication of this house, Sep tember 5, 1839, was again sung on this occasion : HYMN. "Praise to Thee, Lord of Hosts, Omniscient and Divine, Whose favoring presence we invoke To this our temple-shrine. In vain the builders' toil, In vain the prophet's prayer, To rear this consecrated dome With strength and beauty fair, Unless Thy spirit deign To light our incense flame, And to the altar gird the priest, To sanctify Thy name. We thank Thee for Thy word, That herald from the sky — We thank Thee for the promised grace On which our souls rely. And may an unborn race, Their country's hope and trust, Here magnify our fathers' God, When we are laid in dust." The society, being in harmony with the church in the choice of Rev. Mr. Jaggar, with a house of much beauty and good taste, and free of debt, gives evidence of an extended career of prosperity and usefulness. 484 SOUTHBRIDGE. Rev. E. L. Jaggar was installed pastor of this church on Thursday, October 14, 1869, the council concurring. The in stallation services were as follows : Invocation and reading of Scripture, by Rev. Austin Dodge, of Globe Village ; sermon from John i, 12, by Rev. Charles M. Hyde, of Brimfield ; installation prayer, by Rev. John Haven, of Charlton ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Mar tin L. Richardson, of Sturbridge ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. J. H. Windsor, of Grafton ; address to the people, by Rev. Edwin B. Palmer, of Chicopee ; the concluding prayer, by Rev. Henry Pratt, of Dudley ; and the benediction, by the pastor. MINISTERS. WHEN SETTLED, AND TIME DISMISSED. Rev. Jason Park, ordained, December 18, 1816; dismissed, December 18, 1832. Rev. Henry J. Lamb, ordained, June 6, 1833; dismissed, April 23, 1835. Rev. Eber Carpenter, installed, December 1, 1835; dismissed, July 21, 1864. Rev. Edwin B. Palmer, installed, December 27, 1864 ; dismissed, May 3, 1869. Rev. E. L. Jaggar, installed, October 14, 1869. Rev. Isaac G. Bliss, now Bible agent at Constantinople, supplied this pulpit two years, 1854 and 1855, during the absence of Rev. Eber Carpenter. DEACONS. Asa Walker, elected, September 16, 1801; died, November 5, 1814, aged 71. Daniel Morse, elected, September 16, 1801; died, January 7, 1832, aged 87. Jason Morse, elected, December 20, 1821; resigned, August 22, 1831. George Sumner, elected, March 27, 1832 ; resigned, September 5, 1839. Henry Haynes, elected, August 22, 1831 ; resigned, September 5, 1839. Josiah Hayward, elected, September 19, 1839; resigned, March 22, 1842. SOUTHBRIDGE. 485 Elbridge G. Harding, elected, September 19, 1839; resigned, June 3, 1851. Jonathan Cutting, elected, June 4, 1842. Samuel M. Lane, elected, March 12, 1851. MEMBERS AND BAPTISMS. Number of members when first organized, 21. Admitted prior to ordination of Rev. Mr. Park, 17 " under Rev. Mr. Park, 111 " " Rev. H. J. Lamb, 12 " " Rev. Eber Carpenter, 273 " " Rev. Isaac Bliss, " " Rev. Edwin B. Palmer, " Rev. E. L. Jaggar. baptized, 14. 102. 8. 200. REV. JASON PARK. Rev. Mr. Park was a native of Canterbury, Connecticut. During several years of his early life he was engaged as an in structor of youth for a season at the academy in Woodstock. In consequence of bodily infirmity, he was prevented from entering the ministry until he was advanced to the medium of life. His pastoral duties commencing with the first organization of this church and society, and extending through a period of sixteen years, ending December 18, 1832, closed with the re gret of his parishioners, with whom his labors had given great satisfaction. This separation was at his request, believing the best interest of his family required the change, which induced him to remove from this town. In his sojourn here he exemplified a love for the Christian ministry, and maintained a character that accorded with his profession in the discharge of his duties, both as a clergyman and as an upright citizen. Soon after his dismissal he removed with his family to the town of Barre, in the State of Michigan, and died there, May 11, 1849, aged seventy years. The remains of his wife and two of his children rest 'in the 32a 486 SOUTHBRIDGE. cemetery in this town. During the time he lived in Michigan he cultivated a small farm, and preached occasionally, but had no further pastoral engagement. By the opinion of those of his friends who knew him inti mately during his pastorate in Southbridge, and visited him at his residence in Michigan, it is believed that his anticipations regarding his removal, and the advantages to be gained by his residence in Michigan, were not realized, and it was a great source of reeret to him and his children who removed with him, that they had separated themselves from their friends in New England. REV. HENRY J. LAMB. The birthplace and early life of Rev. Mr. Lamb have not been ascertained. He was educated for the ministry at the Bangor seminary, and at tlie Andover Theological institute. His connection with the Congregational church and society in Southbridge was one year and ten months. He was settled afterwards for a time at Peterborough, New Hampshire; West Suffield, Connecticut; and at other places not now ascertained. In his personal intercourse he was courteous and social, pos sessing little of the sectarian prejudice that was exhibited by many at this time. It is believed that this liberality was not agreeable to the sentiments of the older part of his congrega tion, and it is quite probable that it had an unfavorable effect in this behalf, and aided in his dismission from the pastorate over this church. < REV. EBER CARPENTER. Rev. Mr. Carpenter was a native of Vernon, Connecticut, born, June 24, 1800. His father, Reuben Carpenter, was a farmer, with a moderate land estate ; sustaining the character of a good citizen. His mother, Miriam Dart, deceased when SOUTHBRIDGE. 487 he was less than three years old, and at the age of seven he lost his father. He was a graduate of Yale college, in September, 1825. His theological education was at Andover seminary. His first settlement in the ministry was at York, Maine, where he was ordained, February 17, 1830. He continued this pastorate five years and six months; during which time there were added to the church sixty persons. At York he was connected in marriage with Narcisse Ly man, which proved a happy union. His next settlement was with the Congregational church and society in Southbridge ; he was installed as the third pastor of this church, Decem ber 1, 1835. In his own language, " I was favored here with a very harmonious and delightful pastorate." It continued twenty-eight years, seven months, and twenty-one days. His dismission recommended him as an able and faithful minister. In 1853, finding his health impaired by eighteen years' continuous service with this society, he asked to be dismissed, which request was not granted, and he retired by permission over three years. In this absence he became proprietor of a rehgious publication called The National Preacher, published in New York, and having disposed of this publication in 1856, this church and society having failed to procure the settlement of another pastor, he was again invited to resume his pastoral duties with this people, in the spring of 1857, and continued until July 1, 1864. During his long pastorate with this church he always manifested an interest in whatever tended for its advancement, and took an active part in joining with its members in pro moting good objects. As a citizen, his influence in the cause of common school education was valuable, always ready to lend his aid in its behalf. The cause of temperance received from him an active support, while his efforts in general favored all good objects 488 SOUTHBRIDGE. for the elevation of society. He was respected by the peo ple, and it was a source of regret to part with him as a towns man. REV. EDWIN BEAMAN PALMER. The Rev. E. B. Palmer was the successor of Rev. Eber Carpenter in the pastorate of this society. He was installed, December 27, 1864, and dismissed at his request, May 3, 1869. His services as pastor were highly satisfactory to both the church and society, and it was with regret that they parted with him to occupy another field of ministerial services, which he was induced to accept as a duty to himself and family. The Rev. Mr. Palmer is a native of Belfast, Maine, a son of Lemuel R. Palmer. His mother's maiden name was Susannah R. Hanford. He entered Bowdoin college, at Brunswick, Maine, in 1852, and graduated in 1856. The same year entered the Theological seminary at Bangor, and graduated in July, 1859. He was married, September 12, 1859, to Thirza Merriman Field, a native of Brunswick, Maine ; she was born, Decem ber 30, 1830, daughter of William R. and Salome Field. Their children are Edwin Field, born in Newcastle, July 23, 1861 ; Susie Hanford, born in Brunswick, December 2, 1862, died in Brunswick, July 28, 1865 ; William Rich, born in Brunswick, July 23, 1866 ; Eva Moore, born in Southbridge, December 31, 1868. His first services as pastor was a settlement over the Damariscotta Congregational church, in Newcastle, Maine, September 20, 1859. Failing health compelled a cessation of mental labor, and in January, 1862, he was dismissed. In October of same year he received a commission as chaplain in the Nineteenth regiment Maine Volunteers, and served till March, 1863. From that time till the next February was an invalid, in Brunswick. SOUTHBRIDGE. 489 From February till October, 1864, he supphed the pulpit of the Pine-Street Congregational church in Lewiston, Maine. In October, having received an invitation from the Congre gational church in Southbridge, Massachusetts, he removed with his family there, and was installed as pastor, December 27, the same year. Having been dismissed, as aforesaid, from his duties there, he removed to Chicopee, Massachusetts, and was installed pastor over the Third Congregational church of that town, June 10, 1869, at which place he continues, now 1870, to Tabor in the pastorate with that people. REV. EDWIN L. JAGGAR. Rev. Mr. Jaggar is the successor of Rev. E. B. Palmer ; he was installed pastor of this church, October 14, 1869. He is a native of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, son of Luther S. Jaggar, and was born, December 6, 1835 ; is a graduate of Iowa college, of the class 1857, and of Chicago Theological seminary, class of 1861 ; was ordained, and installed pastor of the Congregational church in Clifton, Illinois, March 6, 1862 ; was installed over the Congregational church in Warren, Mas sachusetts, March 17, 1863, and dismissed from that church, October 15, 1867. Subsequently preached at Fair Haven and South Deerfield. From this latter church he was called to the Congregational church of this town. Rev. Mr. Jaggar was married to Miss Ellen S. Cook, of Chicago, April 29, 1861. He resigned the pastorate here the 1st of September, 1872. It is no disparagement to those worthy clergymen who preceded Rev. Mr. Jaggar, to say that he was not excelled in ability, as a speaker and logical reasoner, by any of his predecessors; and it is to be regretted that so able a man in his profession had not longer been retained in the pas torate of that church, not only for the good of that congrega tion, but the welfare of the town. 490 SOUTHBRIDGE. THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY, SOUTHBRIDGE. The meeting for organizing this society was held on the 1st of May, 1816, in the hall of the Ammidown hotel. The proceedings were as follows : "Chose for moderator, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard; clerk, Deacon John Phillips; advisory committee, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Deacon John Phillips, Captain Simeon Fiske, Rev. Stephen Haskell, Mr. Ebenezer Cutting. All the members of this advisory committee were members of the Baptist church of Sturbridge. At this time a constitution for the proposed society having been prepared by the Rev. George Angell, was presented to the meeting and read, as follows : " We, the subscribers, professing ourselves friendly to the Baptists, and being desirous to maintain the worship of Almighty God together, in accordance with the Baptist faith and order, do hereby form our selves into a society by the name of ' The First Baptist Society in South- bridge, ' and agree to observe the following articles: ' ' First. — Our annual society meeting for choice of officers and transact ing the business of the society shall be held some time in the month of March annually, at a convenient place appointed by their committee. " Second. — The officers to be chosen shall be a moderator, clerk, com mittee, and such other officers as may be thought necessary to take care of the prudential affairs of the society, and warn the meetings of its members. " Third. — The society, when duly warned and met together, shall have power to make all suitable regulations that may be necessary and use ful for conducting the affairs of the society as a majority by vote shall determine ; except that the society shall in no manner interfere with the acts or doings of the church, should there be one constituted, which by their articles of faith and covenant shall have the exclusive right of electing a minister or elders for the church and society. " Fourth. — Said society is not to grant and levy taxes, to be collected by force of civil law, nor to make use of such law to extort money from any person or persons, unless on a voluntary personal written agreement or obligation. " Fifth. — It is agreed by this society, to be the duty of every member thereof to contribute according to his ability towards supporting the SOUTHBRIDGE. 491 society, and that no one should be favored at the expense of another ; all money contributed as aforesaid for the support of the ministry is to be paid into the treasury, and paid for the support of the minister of the Gospel who labors for the church and society, under the direction of the committee. "Sixth. — The condition of membership of this society shall be a com pliance with the foregoing articles, and so long as each member adheres to the same, and demeans himself peaceably and orderly, he shall be entitled to the privileges thereof." Tlie constitution having been adopted, it received the fol lowing signatures as members : ' ' Cyrus Ammidown, George Angell, Reuben Harrington, William West, Abisha Sabin, Ephraim Bacon, Ezra Sabin, Fordyce Foster, Charles West, Morris Marcy, Edward Baylies, John M. Foster, Barzilla Baylies, Daniel Baylies, Samuel Rider, John McKinstry, Samuel S. Clark, Luther Ammidown, Luther Ammidown, Junior, Elisha Morris, Edward Morris, Alfred Morris, Larkin Ammidown, Lewis Ammidown, Adolphus Ammidown, Moses Sabin, Moses Morris, Caleb Ammidown, Gershom Plimpton, Joseph Marcy, William Stephens, Joshua Vinton, Allen Tif fany, Nathan Brown, Chauncy Brown, William Morris, Martin Spencer, William West, Benoni West, Joseph Arnold, Nathaniel Searle, Tyler Simpson, Palmer Chamberlain, Hiram Morse, Gardner Bartholomew, Jonathan Green, Adolphus Bartholomew, Charles Brown, Nathaniel Bolles, Erastus Bolles, Edward Morris, Luther Edwards, Horace B. Robbins, Edward A. Snow, David Pike, Salem Laflin, Horace Cheney, Charles Cheney, Joel Cheney, Daniel Sabin, David Putney, Eleazer Putney, Benjamin McKinstry, Jedediah Ellis, Charles Dugar, Peter Dugar, Noah Saunders, Amos Oaks, Joshua Farnum, Luther Sibley, Nathan B. Clark, Comfort B. Thorp, Jonathan Clemence, Eleazer Wheelock, William Simpson, Samuel Fiske, Junior, Samuel Fiske, Silas Ellis, Abel Jocelin, Hannah Clark, Anne Dresser, John Plimp ton, John Plimpton, Junior, Enoch Lewis, Chester Plimpton, Jacob Edwards, Jedediah Marcy, Aaron Clemence, Elijah Marcy, Samuel Ellis, Samuel Marcy, Ephraim Angell, Ophir Gould, John Clark, Jona than Tiffany, Jacob Oaks, Jonathan Clemence, Smith Ellis, Charles Tower, Perley Simpson, William Haskell, James Wolcott, Junior, Perez B. Wolcott, Dr. James Wolcott, Charles West, Reuben Woodward, Joseph Palmer, Elliot Morse, Lyman Morris, Ephraim Wheelock, Jabez Vinton, Rufus Brown, Solomon Town, Elisha Cole, Nicholas Jencks, Junior, Robert Thompson, Oliver Ammidown, Charles W. Vinton, Corbin Lyon, Luther Travis, Nathaniel M. Smith, Emory B. Smith, Seth Sackett." 492 SOUTHBRIDGE. The following are the names of the first committee for the year 1816 : •> Committee— Ephraim Bacon, Cyrus Ammidown, Joshua Vinton, Gershom Plimpton, Morris Marcy, Daniel Baylies ; moderator, Gershom Plimpton; treasurer, Reuben Harrington; clerk, Alpha Morse; collector, Daniel Baylies. The ministerial committee reported at this meeting that they had arranged with the Rev. George Angell as pastor for the present year, at a salary of $300, and to supply him with fire-wood. The pastor's services to commence, June 1, next. This re port was ratified unanimously by the members of the society present. The Rev. George Angell was engaged annually to supply the pulpit from this time till his decease, February 18, 1827. "ACT OF INCORPORATION. " Section I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, That Luther Ammidown, Barzilla Baylies, Elisha Cole, Jacob Edwards, Samuel Fiske, 2d, William Haskell, Nich olas Jencks, Alpha Morse and Luther Travis, and their associates, with their families, polls, and estates, be and they are with their successors hereby incorporated as the ' First Baptist Society ' in the town of South- bridge, with all the powers and privileges to which parishes and other religious societies are entitled by the constitution of this commonwealth. " Sec. n. Be it further enacted, That the said society be and is hereby empowered to sell or lease the pews in the meeting-house belonging to said society, and give deeds to convey the same. "And all deeds and conveyances of the same, and all executions ex tended on the pews in said meeting-house, shall be recorded by the clerk of said society, and being so recorded, shall be considered valid in law. "Sec. III. Be it further enacted, That any three of the persons named in the act, or either of them, may call the first meeting of said society, by posting up a notification at said meeting-house, giving at least seven days' notice of the time, place, and purpose of said meeting, and being so met, may agree on the mode of calling future meetings. "Approved, January 29, 1822."* * See Massachusetts Special Laws, vol. v, p. 448, SOUTHBRIDGE. 493 It is proper to state here that, during the period in which Rev. Mr. Angell was pastor of this society, the meeting-house was occasionally occupied by the Universalists, who joined with the Baptists in buying the interest hi the house which formerly belonged, in part, to the Congregationahsts. Thus the large number who signed the constitution that was drafted by the pastor embraced all denominations in town that had not withdrawn to join the Congregationahsts, when they sep arated and formed a distinct society. A bell for the Baptist meeting-house was procured by sub scription, of George H. Holbrook, of Medway, Massachusetts, weighing 991 lbs., at 40 cts. (less charges, $23.78), $372.62 ; hanging the bell and rope, $28; total cost, $400.25. This bell was raised to the belfry, March 7, 1823. The society organized under the act of incorporation, March 25, 1823, "By the choice of Gershom Plimpton, moderator; Elisha Cole, clerk; and Luther Ammidown, Junior, treasurer. Standing committee : Luther Ammidown, Esq., Alpha Morse, Elisha Cole, and Edward Bay lies ; and added, Nicholas Jencks and Samuel Fiske, 2d. MEETING-HOUSE. In the year 1816 the right and interest of the Congrega tionahsts in the parish meeting-house, completed and dedicated to public rehgious worship in the year 1800, was bought by the co-proprietors, the Baptists, Methodists, and Universalists, for the sum of $1,500, and owned by proprietors of pews; but by consent of these proprietors a Baptist minister was settled over the society the same year, and it has been continued as a Baptist church and society since ; the Methodists and Univer salists withdrawing and forming respectively societies and churches of their own order of faith, as will be seen in connec tion with the history of each of these denominations established in this town, in another place. 494 SOUTHBRIDGE. In the year 1835 this house was repaired at an expense of $1,415, under a contract with Jonas Lamb, at which time it became exclusively for the Baptists. In the year 1841, on the 3d of March, agreeable to legal notice given, the proprietors of this meeting-house voted to organize themselves into a cor poration, agreeable to the provisions of the revised statutes, chapter xliii. Votes in favor, 63; to wit: Royal Smith, 2; Luther Ammidown, 4; Joel Cheney, 2 ; Marvin Cheney, 2 ; Charles E. Cady, 1 ; Alpha Morse, 2 ; Holdridge Ammi down, 22 ; William Beecher, 2 ; John P. Stedman, 2 ; Oliver Ammidown, 2 ; Elbridge Ammidown, 2 ; Lewis Ammidown, 2 ; Adolphus Ammidown, 2 ; E. D. Ammidown, 2 ; Larkin Ammidown, 2 ; Elisha Cole, 3 ; Robert H. Cole, 1 ; Isaac Norcross, 1 ; Calvin Vinton, 1 ; Francis S. Morse, 2 ; Henry Fiske, 2 ; Estate Jonathan P. Ammidown, 2 ; against the or ganization, Nathaniel M. Smith, 2. This association was styled " The Southbridge Baptist Meeting-House Association," with the following BY-LAWS. " First. — The corporation shall be styled the 'Southbridge Baptist Meeting-House Association.' "Second. — The said association shall meet annually on the first Tuesday in April, for the choice of officers and other business of the corporation ; and the annual meeting shall be adjourned to the third Tuesday in April, for the purpose of selling the use of the slips, as is mentioned in the sixth article. Special meetings may be called by application in writing to the clerk, or one of the trustees, made by three or more pro prietors, stating the time, place, and object of the meeting. " Third. — All meetings of the association shall be called by posting up a copy of the warrant, attested by the clerk, or one of the trustees, on the outer door of the said meeting-house, at least ten days before the day designated for the meeting, which ten days shall embrace two Sabbaths. ¦•¦Fourth. — The officers of the association shall be a clerk, and treas urer who shall likewise be the collector. These officers shall be chosen annually by ballot. There shall also be a committee of five chosen by SOUTHBRIDGE. 495 ballot, who shall be styled trustees, all to be chosen annually, and shall hold their office till others are chosen and qualified in their stead. 11 Fifth. — No proprietor shall dispose of or convey his property in said meeting-house, except to such person or persons as a majority in interest of all the proprietors present at a meeting duly called for that purpose shall approve ; and any such conveyance, when made, shall con tain the conditions named in this article; and no proprietor shall convey less than one half a slip, and the ownership of one half of a slip shall entitle the owner to one vote. "Sixth. — The trustees shall annually, on the third Tuesday in April, rent at auction the slips in said meeting-house, and they shall apply the avails thereof to the support of a Baptist minister, of the .same faith as is now adopted by the Baptist church in said Southbridge ; provided that the proprietors may annually appropriate such sume as shall be necessary to meet ordinary contingent expenses. " Seventh. — It shall be the duty of the clerk to keep a correct record of all votes passed at any meeting of the proprietors, and to post up notices of all meetings, when requested so to do, and to perform all the duties usually done by clerks of other corporations. "Eighth. — No tax shall be assessed upon any proprietor without the concurrence of a majority in interest of all the proprietors, whether present or absent, and voting so to do at a meeting of the proprietors, called for that purpose. "Ninth. — It shall be understood that the annual use of the slips are rented for public worship only ; and the trustees shall have power to grant the occasional use of the house for purposes not interfering with its ordinary religious uses, nor inconsistent with the sacredness of a house dedicated to God. " Tenth. — These by-laws may be altered by a vote of two thirds in interest of all the proprietors, present or absent, at any meeting of tlie association, regularly called for that purpose. 1 ' A true copy. "Attest: JOHN P. STEDMAN, Cleric" Agreeably to the notice given in a warrant in due form, a proprietors' meeting was held, February 14, 1848, when it was voted to build a new meeting-house, to be owned and held in the same manner as the former. The old meeting-house was, at this time, sold to Luther and Andrew F. Ammidown for $1,000, by Jonathan Cutting, Junior, who had contracted to build the new house, and re ceive the old as part payment. 496 SOUTHBRIDGE. This building was burned on the evening of the 14th of November, 1863, and entirely destroyed. A meeting was held the 22 d of December following by the association, for making arrangements for replacing the same. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH— HISTORICAL RECORDS. The first movement for forming a Baptist church in South- bridge was a petition addressed to the Baptist church in Stur bridge, dated, " October 2, 1816," signed by a number of the members of that church residing in this town, and others belonging to sister Baptist churches then residing here, desiring to be set off as a separate body and formed into a new church. This petition having been received by the church at Stur bridge, a meeting was called the 7th of December, 1817, at brother David Fiske's, when, upon a hearing and considera tion of the petition, a unanimous vote was passed granting the request, and approving the design for a new church as set forth by the petitioners, provided the customary council should be called to approve and inaugurate the same. The Baptist church in Sturbridge, in aid of this object, sent letters to sister churches on the 9th of January following, requesting that delegates from the same appear at Southbridge on the 28th of said month, for the purpose of forming a sepa rate Baptist church in this town. Delegates from the following churches were present : From Thompson — Elder Crosby and Deacon Jesse Bolles. From Sturbridge — Elder Zenas L. Leonard, Deacons John Phillips and Jonathan Lyon, and Brother David Taylor. From Woodstock (First Baptist) — Elder Nicholas Branch and Brother John Clark. From Woodstock (Second Baptist) — Deacon William H. Manning and Brother Henry Wells. From Charlton — Elder James Boomer and Brother Daniel Bacon. SOUTHBRIDGE. 497 The council assembled at the dwelling-house of Dr. Reuben Harrington, on the same day last above given, and organized by the choice of Elder Zenas L. Leonard, moderator, and Elder Nicholas Branch, scribe. The exercises were then as follows : Prayer by Elder Crosby ; after which Elder Stephen Has kell appeared and was admitted to the council by a unanimous vote. Then, after a hearing of the views of the petitioners, their doctrine and faith, and the situation of the members, the coun cil voted to give their approbation and fellowship to twenty- six members as a Gospel church. Elder Crosby preached the sermon on the organization, and Zenas L. Leonard gave the right hand of fellowship. At a meeting of the church, on the 12th of March, 1817, after solemn prayer, they proceeded to exapiine the articles of faith, covenant, and by-laws, which had been prepared by the pastor, Rev. George Angell, and accepted the same. There had been admitted into this church, by baptism and letter, including the 26 members who formed the original church, up to the year 1840, 333 members. At the above meeting of the 12th of March, 1817, Thompson Kimberly and Cyrus Ammidown were appointed the first deacons. On the 16th of August, 1817, Deacon Thompson Kimberly was dismissed from the church by letter, and Joshua Vinton was appointed deacon on the 13th of May, 1820. Deacon Cyrus Ammidown and Deacon Joshua Vinton having declined to serve further as deacons, the church, on the 13th of October, 1821, chose, by ballot, Elisha Cole and Samuel Fiske. Deacon Samuel Fiske resigned, April 10, 1835, and on the 10th of October following, Marvin Cheney was elected to that office. 498 SOUTHBRIDGE. It appears that the articles of faith and covenant were re vised and printed for the benefit of the members on the 11th of November, 1824. The following is the record of the death of Rev. George Angell : ' ' Sabbath morning, at half-past eight o'clock, Elder George Angell departed this life, aged forty-one years, the eleventh year of his labors with us as our pastor. He died on the fourth day of his sickness, February 18, 1827." His first wife, Lydia Angell, died on July 27, 1818. His funeral service took place on the 21st following. The sermon on the occasion was delivered by Rev. Abiel Fisher, of Belhngham. The remains were deposited in the old part of the cemetery in this town, beside those of his first wife, and on the 24th following the church held a meeting, and voted to defray the funeral expenses, and procure memorial stones, to mark the place where his remains were deposited. These stones were marble, and are now to be seen on the east side of the center passage way, about the center of these - grounds. Rev. Addison Parker succeeded Mr. Angell. The cere mony of his installation was as follows : The Ecclesiastical Council was organized by the choice of the Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, as moderator, and Rev. George B. Atwell, of the first Baptist church of Woodstock, as scribe. Ministers and brethren present of sister churches were in vited to a seat in the council. Among those present were the following: From Worcester, Rev. Jonathan Going and Deacon Nathaniel Stowcll ; from Charlton, Rev. James Boomer and Brother Daniel Bacon ; from Sturbridge, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard and Deacon John Phillips; from Dudley, Rev. John B. Ballard ; from Sutton, Rev. Moses Harrington and Brother William Hastings ; from First Church, Woodstock, Rev. George B. Atwell, Deacon Luther Tucker, and Brothers SOUTHBRIDGE. 499 Asa Morse and Samuel Crawford; from Holland, Rev. John M. Hunt, Deacon Walter Lyon, and Brother Willard Wood ; from South Brimfield, Rev. John Eveleth. The ceremony was then as follows : " 1. Prayer by the moderator. "2. Heard the doings of the council at the ordination of Rev. Addi son Parker, when set apart for the ministry. " 3. Mr. Parker related his Christian experience and his belief of his call to the ministry, and his views of Gospel doctrines. ' ' 4. Voted to proceed to installation. Prayer by Rev. Air. Boomer. "5. Reading of Scripture by John B. Ballard; introductory prayer by Rev. James A. Powell, of Pomfret; sermon by Rev. Mr. Going, of Worcester, from 2d Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 3 ; installation prayer by Rev. J. M. Hunt; charge, by Rev. Z. L. Leonard; the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Moses Harrington ; address to the churches by Rev. James Boomer, who offered the concluding prayer ; benediction by the candidate. "The harmony and union manifested on the occasion, and during the exercises, as well as the solemnity and profound attention of the audi ence, was in the highest degree interesting. "Per order of the council. ¦•ZENAS L. LEONARD, Jtfodi rotor. " George B. Atweli., Scribe. " A true copy attest, in substance. "ELISHA COLE. Church Clei-1:" At a meeting ofthe church, held by previous appointment, December 2. 1832. Rev. Addison Parker made a request in writing for a dismission from the pastorate, giving his reasons, and offering his resignation. After some consideration of the question, the church voted to comply with the same, and then passed a vote tendering him their sincere thanks for his many kindnesses in their behalf. After wliich Mr. Parker and his wife, at his request, were dismissed to the Baptist church in Sturbridge. On Tuesday, March 26, 1833, voted to invite Rev. David C. Bolles, to the pastorate. The committee offered 8330 and the parsonage, as salary, which was declined by Mr. Bolles ; but finally the sum was increased to $400 and parsonage, and 500 SOUTHBRIDGE. on the 6th of April following he addressed a letter to the church signifying his acceptance. On the 11th of May of the same year, Mr. Bolles presented a letter of recommendation from the Baptist church in Brook lyn, Connecticut, for himself and wife, Frances, when, after re lating their Christian experience, the church voted to receive them into the same as members. Also voted at this meeting to have a public recognition of Rev. David C. Bolles to the pastoral office, on the day following. On May 13, 1833, the church met as proposed, when the Rev. Matthew Bolles tendered to the pastor the right hand of fellowship ; after which the pastor presented the right hand of fellowship to his wife, Frances Bolles. Rev. Matthew Bolles now addressed the church and society by invitation, when, after some pertinent remarks, stating the ratification of the proceedings of the church by the society, he declared the Rev. David C. Bolles pastor of the same. Rev. Mr. Bolles, in consequence of failing health, made a request to be relieved from the pastorate for a season to jour ney to a warmer latitude ; this was granted, giving each party the right to make the release of duties a final separation. He left the church about the 20th of November, 1834, and on the 1st of May following (having returned April 5, with improved health, and resumed his labors), addressed a letter to the committee ofthe church, that he should require $100 in in addition to former salary, making $500, and use of parson age, which the committee did not accede to, when it was agreed that his dismission should take place on. the 10th of May following ; and at a meeting of the church, July 5, 1835, a letter in accordance therewith, by request of himself and wife, was granted, with a recommendation to the Baptist church in Granville, Ohio. Sabbath, July 19, 1835, this church authorized its committee SOUTHBRIDGE. 501 to invite the Rev. Joseph G. Binney to take the pastorate, with a salary of $600 a year, and the use oT the parsonage. The invitation having been accepted, he commenced his ser vices the 23d of August. On the 12th of September following, Mr. Binney and his wife, Juliet, presented a letter of recommendation and dis mission from the Baptist church in Baltimore, when, after relating their Christian experience, they were by vote received into this church. This year, 1835, the meeting-house was repaired at con siderable expense ; outside painted and the inside reconstructed. The old square pews, as finished by the parish, when the house was erected in 1800, and continued to this time, were now removed and slips substituted, making several more pews and seats. The health of Rev. Mr. Binney failing, he was obliged to retire from preaching and remove to a warmer climate ; he resigned the pastorate of this church, August 21, 1837 ; church membership then being 164. In August, 1830, the number was 114, and when Mr. Binney began his pastorate in 1835 the number of members were 163. At this time the church and society appear to have been prosperous and harmonious. The report of the condition of this church to the Sturbridge association in September, 1835, represented the Sabbath school as follows : 1 superintendent, 16 teachers, and 80 scholars; infant school, 2 teach ers, and 40 scholars; Bible class, 1 teacher, and 40 members; a branch Sabbath school, 3 teachers, and 27 scholars ; branch infant school, 23 scholars ; library for the Sabbath school, branches, and Bible class, num bers 450 volumes. Rev. Sewall S. Cutting having supplied preaching for this church and society about three months previous, an invitation was given him the 9th of September, 1837, to become their 33a 502 SOUTHBRIDGE. pastor, and having signified his acceptance of their call he was installed the 25th following. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. William Hague, of the first Baptist church, Providence. Mr. Cutting commenced his services as pastor on the 10th of September following the invitation of the church and society. As members of the church of West Boylston, he and his wife, Evelina C. S. Cutting, were dismissed, by their re quest, to this church, and were received into fellowship here, the 24th instant, before his installation. The Rev. Mr. Binney and wife were, by their request, dis missed from this church, October 1, 1837, to a sister church in Savannah, Georgia. On August 29. 1838, the association met with this church by invitation ; at which time it was reported as having 186 members; but, in the following year, August 4, 1839, the mem bers had been reduced to 175. Several members of this church have been ordained as preachers of the Gospel ; among whom was Levi Hall, who in the year 1836 was accepted by the board of foreign mis sions, as a missionary to Arracan; he received ordination with this church, and on the 25th of September, 1836, was dis missed for that service. Catharine Morse, of this church, received dismission at the same time, and accompanied Mr. Hall to the same field of labor, she being then his wife ; she did not, however, have the privilege of working in the field of her choice but a short time. The news of her death was referred to with sincere regret, hy this church, the 17th of February, 1838. Mr. Hall was received into this church by letter from Holland, April, 1831. David B. Cheney began his studies for the ministry here, and was recommended by this church to the patronage of the Northern Baptist Education society, July 8, 1837. He was baptized by Rev. Mr. Binney, on the Sabbath, the 20th of March, 1836. SOUTHBRIDGE. 503 Ralph V. Lyon, baptized and admitted to this church, De cember 11, 1825, conceived it his duty to preach the Gospel; he had been an active member in the church up to the 1st of February, 1839, when he requested license as a preacher, but at this time he had not applied himself to the discipline of a regular course of studies. Notwithstanding, the vote was passed to hcense him as a preacher of the Gospel at this meeting, on the 4th of May following he was requested to preach at the next church meeting, with reference to receiving a hcense. He was dismissed, June 6, 1840, to the Baptist church in Thompson, Connecticut, and has continued a preacher since. Augustus Foster, who received baptism here, September 11, 1831, pursued a course of studies for the ministry in 1839, under the Northern Baptist Education society, by the re commendation of this church, but had been dropped by that society'; and not having the means to continue his course, he applied to this church for direction, April 6, 1839, when a committee was appointed, consisting of the pastor, Mr. Cut ting, Ehsha Cole, and Deacon Marvin Cheney. The result of this effort of Mr. Foster does not appear on record. The church membership at different periods, so far as seen by the records, have been as follows : 126114 145 179 163164186175 THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH. This church originated in some differences in the manage ment of the prudential affairs of the First Baptist church and society, when, for the sake of harmony and peace, a majority of 1827, returned to association, 1830, a a 1831, U U 1832, a it 1835, u a 1837, u tt 1838, ti a 1839, ,i tt 504 SOUTHBRIDGE. the members of that church withdrew their membership in 1842, and on Sunday, the 18th of September following, organized themselves into a new church, by the name of " The Central Baptist Church of Southbridge." At a business meeting of the church, held on the 21st instant, the following church officers were chosen : ' ' Marvin Cheney, clerk ; Henry Fiske, treasurer ; Marvin Cheney, Henry Fiske, Holdridge Ammidown, standing committee. Proceeded to choice of deacons, and elected unanimously Marvin Cheney and Henry Fiske. The Rev. S. S. Cutting, who had been present thus far, now retired, when (Deacon Cheney presiding) it was unanimously voted to invite him to become their pastor. The standing committee were instructed to correspond with Mr. Cutting accordingly. On the 24th following, this committee having communicated to Mr. Cutting the desire of this church, he addressed a letter of acceptance. At the meeting of the members held on the 21st of Septem ber, as aforesaid, a committee of five were elected to call a council for the recognition of this church. This committee was Rev.' S. S. Cutting, Henry Fiske, Royal Smith, Marvin Cheney, and Willard W. Bowen. The ecclesiastical council called for the recognition, assem bled, October 12, 1842. The churches represented were as follows : First Baptist church, Providence, Rhode Island. " " Grafton, Massachusetts. " " Belchertown, '' " " Sturbridge, " " Webster, " Rev. Professor Calvin Newton, of Grafton, was chosen moderator, and Rev. Loomis G. Leonard, of Webster, clerk. SOUTHBRIDGE. 505 The committee now presented the reasons for their separa tion, and organization as a separate church, and their desire " for recognition. The First Baptist church, from which they had separated, having been invited to be present, was represented by a com mittee of nine persons, who offered their objections, which were considered by the council, and not being deemed of suf ficient importance to prevent the request of this church for recognition, as a separate body, they voted the recognition, and appointed the public services on the same day. The Rev. Mr. Newton preached, on the occasion, from Jude, 3, and Rev. Mr. Leonard presented the right hand of fellowship. The pastoral office of this church was continued by Rev. Sewall S. Cutting, with uninterrupted usefulness, and with a high degree of harmony and prosperity, till the 29th of June, 1845, when he tendered his "resignation," to take effect at such a period, not far distant, as might be determined by the members. On August 9, 1845, this church gave an invitation to Rev. Timothy G. Freeman to accept the pastoral charge, joined by the vote of the society. The 21st instant following, Mr. Freeman, in reply, gave his letter of acceptance. He and his wife, Elizabeth Freeman, were received into this church, October 12, 1845, by letter, from the Baptist church in the city of Hudson, New York. The council for his installation met here for that pur pose, the 15th of the same month. The exercises were as follows : "Rev. J. B. Boomer, moderator; A. S. Lyon, North Oxford, scribe. Rev. J. F. Burbank, of Webster, offered prayer ; then the proceedings of the church, in calling Mr. Freeman f qr their pastor, were examined, after which he related his Christian experience, and was then declared by the council pastor of this church and society. Then followed the usual exercises ; reading of the Scriptures by Rev. David B. Cheney, of Norwich, Connecticut; introductory prayer by Rev. Eber Carpenter, ofthis 506 SOUTHBRIDGE. town ; sermon by Rev. W. R. Williams, of New York ; prayer of recog nition by Rev. J. B. Boomer, of North Oxford ; charge to the candidate, by J. F. Burbank, of Webster ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. S. S. Cutting, of New York ; address to church and congregation by Rev. A. S. Lyon, of North Oxford; concluding prayer by Rev. S. W. Thayer, of this town; prayer by the moderator, when the council was dissolved. "J. B. BOOMER, Moderator. "A. S. LYON, Scribe." Rev. Mr. Freeman continued pastor till 1847 ; his letter of resignation was dated and presented to the clerk of the church, January 23, of that year, and having been considered, was accepted to take effect, March 1, following An invitation was given to Rev. Sewall S. Cutting, by this church and society, February 4, 1847, to again become their pastor, to which he made a lengthy reply by letter, expressing his great regret that he could not consistently, with duty to the position he then sustained, comply with their desire, and respectfully declined the call. This church and society communicated by letter, May 8, 1847, to Rev. Oakman S. Stearns, that, on the 1st inst, " the Central Baptist church and the First Baptist society of this town had voted unanimously to invite him to become their pastor. To this invitation Mr. Stearns made reply the follow ing day, giving his acceptance. The council for his ordination assembled on May 18, next ensuing. The exercises were as follows : ' ' Rev. A. S. Lyon, moderator ; Rev. S. B. Swain, Worcester, scribe ; reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Solomon Gale, of North Oxford; introductory prayer by Rev. Eber Carpenter, of this town ; sermon by Rev. Barnas Sears, D. D., of Newton Theological institute ; charge to the candidate by Rev. S. B. Swain ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. J. Jennings, pastor of the Pleasant-Street Baptist church, Worcester; address to the church and congregation by Rev. A. S. Lyon; ordina tion prayer, by Rev. B. C. Grafton, of Medford; concluding prayer by Rev. Air. Woodbury, and benediction by the pastor. "A. SMITH LYON, Moderator. "S. B. SWAIN, Clerl." SOUTHBRIDGE. 507 The following is an extract from an historical discourse delivered by Rev. Oakman Sprague Stearns, in 1848, on the occasion of the church and society's vacating the old parish meeting-house, preparatory to the erection of a new house on the same location : "In the year 1796, a committee was raised to take into consideration the formation of a new town composed of parts of other towns in this vicinity ; the chief thing which fills this report of the committee is the erection of a meeting-house, as a rallying center, and the present location, it is then said, was eligible, for its convenience and beauty. The town itself was not incorporated until 1816. The frame of the meeting-house was raised on the 4th day of July, 1797. In the report of the committee it is recommended to complete the outside of the house by subscription, and then sell at auction the pews, and from their proceeds finish the inside, which recommendation was carried into execution ; the outside of the house would belong to the owners of the land, as a constituent element upon which the land was given ; that no deed should be forthcoming until the house was completed. ' ' The house was finished in 1800. The Rev. Erastus Learned officiated at the dedication. He was a Congregationalist, of Canterbury, Con necticut. When the house was erected, it was o wned and occupied by various denominations in this vicinity: the Universalists, Methodists, Baptists, and Congregationalists. "It was occupied by these denominations until near the year 1816, when the Congregationalists disposed of their right to the other de nominations. In the year 1816, and since, the preaching has for the most part been by Baptist clergymen. Up to 1835, occasionally, other de nominations held meetings in this house; when the house was sold at auction, bought, and repaired, and sold again in the form of slips, the deeds of which limited the kind of preaching, and declare that it shall be of the same belief and practice as the Baptist in olden times. In August, 1816, the Rev. George Angell was installed as pastor of this society, then worshipping here (the society was organized May 1, and George Angell commenced his pastorate June 1 following), and con tinued in office until God, by a mysterious providence, called him, in the prime of life, to pass from his labors in the church militant to the songs and joys of the church triumphant. Many will long drop a tear of sympathy at the grave of departed worth. A ministry of nearly eleven years, faithful, efficient, and successful ; a character for integrity and Christian consistency, unblemished ; a devotion to his work which rendered him the endeared pastor of a numerous people will not allow the name of Angell to be forgotten when our heads are laid low in the 508 SOUTHBRIDGE. dust and another generation shall arise that know not Joseph. By his instrumentality, the First Baptist church was gathered, consisting of 26 members, a colony from the Baptist church in Sturbridge ; but one of these is now living. " The first persons baptized and added to that church were two females, who are still alive ; one is an excluded member of the original church, and the other is with us to-day,* a pilgrim of half a century, mingling with the sorrows of the past, and ready also to sympathize in our anticipated joys. By means of the ministry of Mr. Angell, a good congregation was gathered and the church was much increased. "The successor was Rev. Addison Parker, who was invited to the pastorate in April, 1827, and closed his labors on December 2, 1832. In his days many were brought into the liberty of the Gospel. Following him was the Rev. David C. Bolles, who was installed, May 12, 1833, and continued as pastor until May 1, 1835. "The next pastor was the Rev. J. G. Binney, who remained from August 23, 1835, to August 21, 1837, when he likewise was obliged to seek a milder air for the benefit of his health ; he is now at the head of the theological school in Maulmain, where he is sowing the seed and pre paring the way for the evangelization of a numerous but ill-fated nation ; his memory will ever be fragrant among us, and Southbridge will never have reason to be ashamed that she once enjoyed the teachings of such a man. On the 25th of September, 1837, the Rev. Sewall S. Cutting became the pastor of this church, and continued to act in this capacity until September 18, 1842, when, for reasons then deemed sufficient, the Central Baptist church was formed, and he became its pastor. The church was then composed of 48 members ; it now numbers 87. In the summer of 1845, Mr. Cutting resigned the pastoral office, and became the editor of the New York Recorder, a place which he filled with entire success and the approbation of a much larger audience than his voice could have ever reached. At his resignation the Rev. Timothy G. Free man was invited to become the pastor of this church, and was installed as such the 15th of October, 1845 ; he resigned, March 1, 1847, and was for a time in Natchez, in Mississippi." The new meeting-house was dedicated to the worship of God, Wednesday, October 25, 1848. A large and attentive audience was present. The exercises were as follows : "1. Voluntary— Anthem : ' I was glad, ' etc. Mrs. Hannah Hovey Ammidown, widow of the late Lutht-r Ammidown, Esq. SOUTHBRIDGE. 509 " 2. Invocation by Rev. Eber Carpenter, Congregationalist, of this town. "3. Singing— 938th Hymn. "4. Reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Thomas Driver, of Sturbridge. "5. Prayer by Rev. David R. Austin, Congregationalist, of Stur bridge. " 6. Anthem—' How holy is this place,' etc. "7. Sermon by Rev. Sewall S. Cutting, from Isaiah, 62d chapter, 1st verse. " 8. A dedication prayer by the pastor, O. S. Stearns. "9. Singing. "10. Address to the congregation, by the Rev. Joseph Hodges, of East Brookfield. " 11. Prayer by the same. "12. Singing— Anthem : ' Wake the Song, ' etc. "13. Benediction by the pastor. "Number of church members, September, 1849, 103. 1850, 115. 1851, 121. 1852, 144." Rev. Mr. Stearns was dismissed from the pastoral office of this church at his request, April 30, 1854. His successor was the Rev. Shubal Stiles Parker, from Paterson, New Jersey. The records have omitted the exercises of Mr. Parker's installation. In the year 1857 this society raised the sum of $1,500, for a parsonage. The nmnber of members in this church, in 1859, was 175. Rev. Mr. Parker was dismissed at his request. A letter of dismission of him and his wife, Harriet N. Parker, to unite with the Friendship-Street church, Providence, Rhode Island, was given, March 31, 1867, after a service of eleven years, with much prosperity to the church and general satisfaction to the congregation. On the 21st of July, 1867, a unanimous call was given to Rev. B. F. Bronson to become their pastor ; this invitation was accepted, and Rev. Mr. Bronson commenced his labors, 510 SOUTHBRIDGE . September 1, following ; and continued in the pastorate to June 16, 1872, when, at his request, he received dismission. It should be added here, that this society erected and fin ished, in the year 1866, the brick meeting-house they continue to occupy, at a cost of over $20,000 ; and further, that soon after two spirited and prominent individuals, Chester A. Dresser, Esq. and the late John Edwards, Esq., contributed an organ at a cost of $2,000 ; the whole being the sole property of the society, which is now in a high state of prosperity. REV. GEORGE ANGELL. The Rev. George Angell was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, March 24, 1785. He moved with his father and family to North Providence in 1803. His parents were respectable people, and trained him to habits of industry. He married, in 1810, Lydia, daughter of Noah Farnum, and granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Windsor, formerly pastor of the First Baptist church in Providence. In 1809 he was baptized and admitted to that church. He soon determined to prepare for the ministry, and after his marriage took charge of a select school at Olney ville, near Providence. Here, there being no religious society, he established a meeting for prayer and exhortation ; taking the lead in these exercises, which pre pared him in some degree for commencing his future profes sion. During his occupation as teacher he was engaged, in the hours not required for his school, in the study of the Scriptures, and preached as occasion offered. In the autumn of 1812 he was called to supply preaching for the Second Baptist society in Woodstock, Connecticut, and in the spring following was engaged as the pastor of that society, and ordained, August 28, 1813. He continued this pastorate about three years, giving en tire satisfaction to his people. While discharging his pastoral duties in Woodstock, he SOUTHBRIDGE. 511 was invited to preach for the Union society in Southbridge, including various denominations that continued worship in the old parish church after the Congregationists withdrew. This was in the spring of 1816, a short time after the town was incorporated. There were a number of members of other Baptist churches in adjoining towns who had not withdrawn their membership from those connections, and were desirous of uniting in one church here. Mr. Angell accepted this invitation to preach to these united people, and soon after was requested by them, without distinction of any religious denomination, to become their pastor. He accepted this call with the distinct under standing that he should be settled as a Baptist clergyman ; which condition being agreed to, he began his pastorate, June 1, 1816. He organized a Baptist church here, January 29, 1817, with 26 members. During the first two years of his services he suffered the affliction of losing his wife and his two children. In 1819 he married Rebecca Thorndike, daughter of Paul Thorndike, of Dunstable, Massachusetts. By this wife he had one child, a son, George T. Angell, Esq., who is now engaged in the profession of the law in Boston, Massachusetts. He continued his ser vices in great harmony with this church and society to the time of his decease, Sunday, February 18, 1827, aged 42. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca T. Angell, survived him over 40 years. She died at Townshend, Vermont, June 16, 1868. REV. ADDISON PARKER. Rev. Mr. Parker was the successor of Rev. George Angell. He was born in Cavendish, Vermont, in 1797. His prepa ration for college was under the care of Rev. Ruel Lathrop and Rev. Abial Fisher, graduating at Middlebury college, Vermont, in 1825. He was ordained at Southbridge, August 18, 1827, and con tinued his services here to the satisfaction of this society, until 512 SOUTHBRIDGE. December 2, 1832, when, at his request, he was dismissed: He was then invited by the Baptist church in Sturbridge, and became their pastor, and subsequently was pastor of Baptist churches as follows : Methuen, Massachusetts ; Danbury and Stamford, Connecticut ; and at Three Rivers and Agawam, in Massachusetts. He died at the latter place, October 15, 1864, aged sixty-seven. The following remarks upon the life and character of the Rev. Mr. Parker are found in the sixty-second annual report of the Massachusetts Baptist convention, for the year 1864, pp. 55-57 : ' ' He was a man of positive faith, distinct and clear in his doctrinal utterances ; vivid and conciliatory in his mode of address ; a lover of good men and all good objects, and honored of God as an instrument in turning many unto righteousness." During his pastoral labors he baptized in the aggregate 340 persons, of whom twenty-five were the fruits of his last sum mer's labors at Agawam. REV. DAVID C. BOLLES. Rev. Mr. Bolles succeeded Rev. Addison Parker. He was installed, May 12, 1833, and continued his pastorate until May 1, 1835. His health, never firm, suffering from the climate, he was dismissed, at his own request, and settled in Ohio. He became pastor at different places in that State, to wit, Gran ville, Athens, and Jackson, where he died, April 20, 1840 ; his widow continued her residence at that place when last heard from. Rev. David Charles Bolles, born at Ashford, Connecticut, February 2, 1793, married Frances Mather, daughter of Eleazer Mather, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, November 5, 1821. He was educated for tbe bar, and was clerk of the courts in Windham comity for several years. He then studied theology SOUTHBRIDGE. 513 at Newton seminary, was ordained a Baptist minister, and fol lowed that profession until his decease as above. " He was a ripe scholar and a genial Christian. During his ministry at Southbridge there was unanimity and much prosperity. He was not so much distinguished by the power of his delivery as by his well- digested sermons, urbane deportment, and the spirit of love by which he sought to win men to the Cross." His father was Judge David Bolles, the son of Rev. David and Susanna Bolles, born in Ashford, Connecticut, September 26, 1765 ; he married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Dow, November 12, 1786. He died in Ashford, May 22, 1830. She died, December 16, 1833. There were eight children, Susan, Elizabeth, David Charles — the subject of this notice — Arinin, Lorenzo, Marcia, and Asa, and an infant surviving four days. Rev. David C. and wife had seven children : Julia A., David C, Junior, William M., Francis M., Hannah W., John, and Asa. His ancestry was among the first settlers in Connecticut. REV. JOSEPH G. BINNEY. Rev. Mr. Binney succeeded Rev. David C. Bolles in the pastorate of the First Baptist church in this town, and was in stalled, August 23, 1835. He remained in the discharge of his duties here, greatly to the satisfaction of this society, until August 21, 1837, when, at his request, he was dismissed. His health failing, he sought a milder climate. He removed to Georgia, and was engaged as pastor of a Baptist church in Savannah, and, in 1843, was appointed missionary to Bur- mah, and sailed with his wife for that country in Novem ber. He returned from Burmah in 1850, on account of the ill-health of Mrs. Binney, and soon after became pastor of a church at Elmira, New York. His health suffering here from the severity of the climate, he removed again to Georgia, 514 SOUTHBRIDGE. and became pastor of a church in Augusta, in that State. Leaving there, he for a time filled the office of president of Columbian college, District of Columbia. In the year 1858 he was again engaged for service in Burmah, and left for that station ; when, after several years service, he returned to re cruit his health in this country. While in Burmah he became the head of a theological school ; and in the year 1866, for the third time, has gone to his post in Burmah, and is now sup posed to be laboring in the missionary service in that country. Mr. Binney was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 1, 1807. He received a collegiate education at Yale, and pre pared for the ministry at the Newton Theological institute. His first settlement as pastor was over the Baptist church in West Boylston, Massachusetts. Quoting the remarks of a brother minister who subsequently was pastor of the Baptist church in Southbridge : " He was an ardent lover of this church. He planned wisely for its growth. He organized the discordant elements into a healthy unity, and in his pastorate much good was accomplished. ' ' His memory is very fragrant among this people, and Southbridge will ever esteem him for his works of faith and labors of love." Rev. Joseph G. Binney was married in Providence, at the residence of Rev. R. E. Pattisou, D. D., in October, 1833, to Miss Juliet Pattison, daughter of Rev. Williani Pattison and his wife, Sarah, born in West Haven, Vermont, October 15, 1808. She was baptized by Dr. R. E. Pattison, and joined the First Baptist church, Providence, Rhode Island, in the spring of 1831 : "From early childhood she was physically frail, but this impediment was more than compensated by the quickness of her intellect. Though few of her early associates lost as much time from study as she, yet such was her facility of acquisition and her habit of using all left to her, that she rarely found her equal as a scholar. Though her education was fre quently interrupted, and her teachers, except what she obtained at home, were often unskillful, yet at the age of twenty-one she was a com petent and successful associate principal in tho Charlestown female sem- SOUTHBRIDGE. 515 inary, of which Miss Whiting was for so many years the distinguished head. Religion changed the sweetness of her spirit and manners but little. It gave a new character to her motives of life. It was the basis of all that has made her for so many years a valuable assistant to her hus band in his present missionary work in India. " REV. SEWALL S. CUTTING. Rev. Mr. Cutting succeeded Rev. J. G. Binney, as the fifth pastor of the First Baptist church in Southbridge. He was born at Windsor, Vermont, January 13, 1813. His father was Sewall Cutting, merchant, then of that town, after wards for many years of Westport, New York, where he died, inl855. His grandfather was Jonas Cutting, of Weathersfield, Vermont, colonel of the 25th United States infantry, in the War of 1812. His remotest American ancestor was Richard Cutting, who emigrated from England in 1634, at the age of eleven years, and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. The mother of Sewall S. Cutting was Mary Hunter, daughter of William Hunter (whose father, David Hunter, had emigrated from Sharon, Connecticut, to Fort Edward, New York, where he died about 1763), who settled in Windsor just before the Revolution, and spent a long life in honorable pubhc service, as judge, counselor, and member of Congress. During the Revolution, then a young man, he was a subaltern officer, and was promoted for good conduct at St. Johns, and offered further promotion after the retreat from Quebec, which he declined. His father, David, was the son of Jonathan Hunter, who married Hopestill Hamlin, of Rochester, Massachusetts. Jonathan came to America early in the 18th century. Sewall S. Cutting married, September 14, 1836, Evelina Charlotte, eldest daughter of Gardner Stow, then of Keese- ville, New York, afterwards of Troy, and attorney-general of the State. He died, June, 1866. The issue of this mar riage was Gardner Stow Cutting, born at Southbridge, April 18, 1838. He graduated at the imiversity of Rochester, 516 SOUTHBRIDGE. 1858, and studied law in the office of his grandfather, at Troy. Mrs. Evelina C. S. Cutting died at Southbridge, June 12, 1839. The second wife of Sewall S. Cutting was Elizabeth, widow of Thomas W. Waterman, and daughter of Hugh H. Brownj printer and publisher, of Providence, Rhode Island. They were married, May 3, 1841. Her father was son of Jeremiah, and grandson of Governor Elisha Brown, a descend ant of Chadj Brown, first pastor of the first Baptist church in Providence. Churchill Hunter Cutting, issue of this marriage, was born at Southbridge, September, 1842, and was bred to the business of a merchant, and is now of the house of Samuel Slater & Sons, in New York. Sewall S. Cutting was educated at Waterville college and the university of Vermont, graduate of the latter, A. B., 1835, A. M., 1840, and D. D., 1859. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church, West Boylston, Massachusetts, March 31, 1836, and installed pastor of the First Baptist church in South- bridge, September 25, 1837. Resigning at Southbridge in 1845, he became editor of The New York Recorder, which office he continued until the sale of the paper in 1850, when he took the corresponding secretaryship of the American and Foreign Bible society, remaining in that ofiice till the autumn of 1851, when he resigned to become connected with the edito rial department of The Watchman and Reflector, Boston. He was principal editor, likewise, of The (quarterly) Christian Review, from 1850 to 1853. In 1853 he resumed his connec tion with The New York Recorder, as editor, till 1855, when he became professor of rhetoric and history in the university of Rochester, which position he filled about twelve years. Since, he has been retained by the Baptist denomination as an agent in the cause of education in favor of a learned ministry, and for the encouragement of young men of education, to enter upon this profession among the churches of this faith ; he ably fills that office. SOUTHBRIDGE. 517 REV. C. P. GROSVENOR. Mr. Grosvenor accepted the invitation of those members who continued under the name of the First Baptist church in Southbridge, after the major part withdrew and formed the Central Baptist church ; and continued their pastor about two years, when the old church became extinct. He commenced his pastorate with that part of the First church in 1842. After they discontinued their regular Sabbath services, those who remained in the town, many of them, united again with their brethren of the Central church. REV. TIMOTHY G. FREEMAN. Mr. Freeman, the successor of Dr. Cutting, was installed, October 15, 1845, and was dismissed, at his request, March 1, 1847. He came to this society and church from the city of Hudson, New York, and after he removed from this town was for a time pastor of a Baptist church in Mississippi. REV. OAKMAN S. STEARNS, D. D. Rev. Mr. Stearns was the successor of Rev. Timothy G. Freeman ; he was ordained as pastor of the Central Baptist church, Southbridge, May 19, 1847, and dismissed, at his re quest, on account of the failure of his health, May 30, 1854, and soon after became the pastor of the Kinney-Street Baptist church, Newark, New Jersey. The climate there not proving favorable, he resigned his pastorate, September 16, 1855. He was called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, the same year, and continued to labor with that church, with great harmony and success, until he accepted (by the solicitation of the board of trustees of the Newton Theological institute) the office of professor of Biblical literature and interpretation in the same, when he resigned, June 30, 1869. He is a native of Bath, Maine ; son of Rev. Silas Steams, 34a 518 SOUTHBRIDGE. pastor for thirty years ofthe Baptist church in that town ; he was born, October 20, 1817, and was a graduate of Waterville college, Maine, in 1840 ; and of the Newton Theological in stitute, in 1846. Dr. Stearns was married to Anna Judson Grafton, daughter of Rev. Benjamin C. Grafton, June 8, 1847; she died at Southbridge, April 1, 1848, aged 21 years. He married his second wife, Hannah Jane Beecher, of Southbridge, Decem ber 2, 1850, daughter of William and Hannah Ammidown Beecher, of that town. The children by this marriage are: William Oakman Stearns, born on November 18, 1855 ; Annie Beecher Stearns, born, July 5, 1859; and Charles Kanmouth Stearns, born, January 6, 1864. He is now, 1872, discharging the duties of his professorship at the Theological institute at Newton. REV. SHUBAL STILES PARKER. Rev. Mr. Parker, who was pastor of the Central Baptist church in Southbridge, about twelve years, was born in Rus sell, Massachusetts, May 7, 1821. His parents moved at an early period of his life to New York city, where he received a good academic education. At sixteen he taught school at Southwick, Massachusetts, one term in the winter. Then en gaged for three years as a clerk with a hardware firm in New York. At nineteen was converted during a very extensive revival which prevailed among the churches in the upper part of that city, and joined the Sixteenth-Street Baptist church, under the pastoral care of Rev. Alonzo Wheelock. Enter taining views of duty with reference to the ministry, entered in the autumn of 1841 the academic department of the Ham ilton Literary and Theological institute,""afterwards Madi son university, Hamilton, New York, and graduated in 1846. He served as assistant, during the succeeding winter, to the SOUTHBRIDGE. 519 Rev. George Benedict, pastor of the Norfolk-Street Baptist church, New York ; preaching in the evenings ofthe Sabbaths. In April, 1847, was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Burlington, New Jersey ; resigning there, he accepted the invi tation of the First Baptist church in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was installed in April, 1850. Removed in May, 1852, to Paterson, in that State, and took charge of the church in that city, till 1855, three years. Then, by an invi tation from the Central Baptist church in Southbridge, he ac cepted, and was installed their pastor in June, 1855. Having terminated his connection with the church in Southbridge, in 1867, he was called in February of that year to the pastorate of the Friendship-Street Baptist church in Providence, Rhode Island, where, in 1869, he was still laboring successfully, and much to the satisfaction of that people. ANABAPTISTS AND BAPTISTS. It is claimed by some, that the Baptists of the present day are regular descendants from the ancient Anabaptists. The learned Hooker defines the Anabaptists as follows : ' ' The Anabaptist rebaptizeth because in his estimation the baptism of the church is frustrate, for that we give it unto infants which have not faith, whereas, according unto Christ's institution, as they conceive, true baptism should always presuppose actual belief in the receivers, and is otherwise no baptism." The name Anabaptist, according to Bishop Burnet, in his History of the Reformation, embraced religionists of widely different behef; and that those found in England had their origin in Germany, and made themselves conspicuous there, as well as obnoxious, in many respects, to all rational thinkers, in both religion and morals. But of those in England there were two classes most remarkable : "The one was, those who only thought that baptism ought not to 520 SOUTHBRIDGE. be given but to those who were of an age capable of instruction, and who did earnestly desire it. This opinion they grounded on the silence of the New Testament about the baptism of children; they observed that our Saviour, commanding the apostles to baptize, did join teaching with it; and they said the great decay of Christianity flowed from this way of making children Christians before they understood what they did. These were called gentle or moderate Anabaptists. " Rev. Charles Buck, in his Theological Dictionary, also de scribes the Anabaptists of Germany, and refers to those who made Munster their central point : "These had many irregularities, and could not be considered as of any particular class of religionists, but were simply disturbers of the peace and good order of society, and as such they were dispersed by the strong arm of the law." Of these, as Bishop Burnet remarks, some found their way to England. This was in the time of Martin Luther.* But, as Mr Buck remarks : "It is but justice to observe also, that the Baptists in England and Holland are to be considered in a different light ; they profess an equal aversion to all principles of rebellion on the one hand, and to enthusiasm on the other ; and further, that the English and Dutch Baptists do not consider the word Anabaptist as at all applicable to their sect. " The modern Baptists are divided into two classes, styled General and Particular Baptists. The General Baptists pro fess the doctrines of Arminius, and it is said some are Arians ; but the Particular Baptists, who generally prevail in the United States, are Calvinistic in their faith, very different from those described by Bishop Burnett, to wit, that Martin Luther held, "That the chief foundation on which he relied was the Scriptures, as the only rule of Christians; whereas, those then styled Anabaptists argued that the mysteries of the Trinity, and Christ's incarnation and sufferings, of the fall of man, and the aids of grace, were, indeed, phil- osophical subtleties, and only pretended to be deduced from Scripture." * See his work, vol. n, p. 176. SOUTHBRIDGE. 521 Adult baptism is a leading principle with the Baptist de nomination at the present time ; and in this respect they are like many of the ancient Anabaptists described by Hooker and Bishop Burnet, but, in doctrine, are essentially followers of John Calvin, embracing his theological views, though in a modi fied sense. They regard the Scriptures as the source of their faith, holding to the primitive ideas of the Reformers — the right of private judgment and freedom of thought, which dis tinguished the believers in Reform from the supporters of Romanism. Thus the Baptists, hke other Protestant rehgious sects, are the legitimate result of the Reformation. In their parochial and church government they are decidedly Congregational, excelling even those styled Congregationahsts. They are essentially lovers of civil and religious liberty, hke the progenitors of the inhabitants of the Low Countries, so styled ; now the Netherlands. To these people England traces the love of liberty and her liberal institutions; and it is these principles that have de scended to the people of this country, but improved by the wisdom of experience. Rehgious freedom was a novelty every where, except in the Low Countries. Governor Bradford, in his history of Plymouth Plantation, referring to their reasons for removing to that country to relieve them from the perse cutions of their English brethren, observes : " Yet seeing themselves thus molested, and that there was no hope of their continuance there, by a joint consent, they resolved to go into the Low Countries, where they heard was freedom, of religion for all men. "* Joseph Hayden, in his Dictionary of Dates, says of the Baptists, "They have suffered much persecution," and might have added, but have not persecuted in return. " The first * See Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, p. 10. Also, for love of liberty in the Low Countries, see Tacitus' History ofthe Germans, Menzel's History of Germany, Thomas Colley Grattau's History of the Netherlands, Motley's Dutch Republic and History of the United Netherlands. 522 SOUTHBRIDGE. Baptist church formed in London was in 1608." Their con fession of faith, published as the result of a convention of Eng lish Baptist ministers, in 1689, is that which is now generally adopted by the Baptists of the United States, with, perhaps, some modifications. " In 1851, the Baptists had 130 chapels in London, and a total number in England and Wales of 2,789." Roger Williams established the first Baptist church in this country, and erected an imperishable monument to his name by inserting in the first legal enactments for the government of the colony of Rhode Island, of wliich he is the acknowledged founder, " that no man shall be molested for his conscience." Yet while Roger Williams is justly entitled to this honor for laying this liberal foundation principle in his colony for its government, equal honor is due to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, the moderate Romanist, for proclaiming, by written law, in the colony of Maryland, like principles of rehgious liberty.* While these colonies were an exception in this respect among the English colonies in America, it is a remarkable coincidence, that a Protestant and a Romanist should each proclaim this grand idea, without any concert or knowledge of action by each other. Mr. Williams, it appears by the best account of him, was of Welsh descent, born in 1599, educated at the university of Oxford, " and as his writings show, his education was liberal, but partaking of the taste of those times. He first studied for the profession of law, but changed to theology ; he received Episcopal orders. It is said he assumed the charge of a parish in England before coming to America, and was highly esteemed as a preacher ; " all this, however, is but rumor. Roger Williams commenced his manhood in the days of * See John Leeds Bosnian's History of Maryland, edition 1837, vol. n, pp. 351 and 195; also, soe notes and illustrations, p. 603. SOUTHBRIDGE. 523 bigotry and religious persecution, but possessing inherent ideas of religious liberty, and the right of freedom of con science, natm'ally adhered to the Puritan faith ; sympathizing with them as an oppressed people, he readily united with them in establishing the Puritan colony of Massachusetts, but adher ing to those natural feelings which led him to abandon the church of England, in its intolerance, he was but consistent in opposing hke intolerance in his adopted country. He is not generally claimed as a Baptist clergyman, or as having been the pastor of the first Baptist church in Rhode Island. It is believed to be a fact that he was, at the time this church was formed, a believer in immersion as baptism, and was baptized in March, 1638-39, by Ezekiel Holliman; at which time he baptized, in turn, Mr. Holliman and ten others. These first twelve members are named by Benedict, vol. i, p. 473, to wit : "Roger Williams, Ezekiel Holliman, William Arnold, William Harris, Stukely Wescott, John Green, Richard Waterman, Thomas James, Rob ert Cole, William Carpenter, Francis Weston, and Thomas Olney."* As he was a minister, and united in this mode of baptism, and the only minister in the new colony at this time, it is a fair presumption that he at first preached to this people, and in that respect was their first minister. It is, however, known that he soon withdrew from this society, wliich continued its existence, with the Rev. Chad Brown for its pastor ; and the same is now the First Baptist church in Providence. Its pres ent meeting-house, erected in 1744-'45, on the east side of North Main street, is known for its spaciousness and elegance by all who are acquainted with that city.f The Baptists, in point of numbers and prosperity, are the * See Knowles' Memoir of Roger Williams, p. 165. t See same, p. 175 524 SOUTHBRIDGE. second, in the United States, among the various religious denominations. In their Year Book, recently established by the American Baptist Publication society, they have commenced giving an nual statements of the general progress of their denomination in the United States. The following is taken from the Year Book of 1869 : Number of associations in the States and Territories 651 " churches 12,011 " ordained ministers 8,695 " members baptized 60,787 " members by letter - 15,304 ' ' experiences 2, 057 " restored 1,923 Total members 1,121,988 Total in British Provinces and West Indies 63,501 Total in Europe and Asia 19,268 Number of literary colleges and universities 25 " " theological institutes 14 This denomination, owing to their ideas of independence, have not heretofore been as efficiently organized for collecting and disseminating general statistics of their progress as some other religious sects in the United States; but, realizing this deficiency, they are now gaining in this respect. Their pub lication society, and the recent organization of the American Baptist Historical society, is doing much to promote the general knowledge of their progress and religious history. The Baptists are active in giving Sabbath school instruction, and in carrying the Gospel to those destitute of a settled min istry, by means of home missions and the system of colport- age, while all foreign countries are regarded as missionary ground, and are provided for, to a liberal extent, by the efforts ofthe American Baptist Missionary Union. In addition to the foregoing, the Baptists have twenty-tive weekly periodicals, besides thirteen monthly, and two quarterly publications. SOUTHBRIDGE. 525 Each State has its general convention, but as yet the whole Union is not supervised by one general head, like some other denominations of religion. METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY. There were several families of Methodists here at the time the poll parish was incorporated in the year 1801. These during the existence of the parish joined in support of religious worship with the Baptists and Congregationalists, and occasionally had a preacher of their own order. After the incorporation of the town, when these other religious de nominations separated and formed distinct societies, and set tled pastors of their own order, the Methodists united in part with one of these societies, and part with the other, and so continued until the year 1832. The Methodists now, for the first time, maintained sep arate worship in Southbridge. Their meetings were held in the district school-house in the Globe village, for a period of nearly six years. Rev. Hezekiah Davis, of Dudley, was their first minister. When their church was formed in 1834, the Methodist con ference provided for this new church. Rev. F. P. Tracy was placed here, a young man about nineteen years of age. He was an able scholar and possessed remarkable powers of elo quence. The church and society increased rapidly under his ministry. The school-house was always crowded with eager listeners, and it soon became necessary to obtain larger quar ters. In 1838 the society engaged of the Hamilton Woolen Company a large room, formerly used for storage of wool. This place was fitted up for their meetings, and used as such about two years, when, by the further increase of their num bers, this, like the school-house, gave place to still larger accommodations. This society, in 1840, moved into the second story of the old 526 SOUTHBRIDGE . Globe factory, and held their meetings there about three years. They, at the close of this period, decided to take measures for erecting a meeting-house of their own. In the year 1843 they obtained an eligible location for a meeting-house, through the liberality of Jedediah Marcy, Esq. ; and during this year erected and finished the house which they now occupy. The several ministers furnished them by the Methodist conference, since they entered their own house, are as follows : Rev. Stephen P. Cushing, for the year 1844. L. R. Thayer, " " 1845 and 1846. Chester Field, " " 1847, Died, 1864. Mark Staples, " " 1848 and 1849. Charles McKedding, " " 1850. Died, 1866. William R. Raynall, " " 1851 and 1852. David Sherman, " " 1853 and 1854. Joseph Denison, " " 1855. John Caldwell, " " 1856. J. B. Bigelow, " " 1857 and 1858. Ichabod Marcy, " " 1859 and 1860. I. W. Morey, " " 1861 and 1862. N. D. George, " " 1863. T. J. Abbott, " " 1864. J. W. Lewis, " " 1865 and 1866. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM. The honor of founding this religious denomination belongs to John and Charles Wesley, and their friend George Whit field. The Wesleys were sons of Samuel Wesley, rector of Ep worth, Lincolnshire, England ; John, the principal actor in this behalf, was born, June 17, 1703, and died in London, March 2, 1791. George Whitfield was the son of an innkeeper at Gloucester, England ; he was born, December 16, 1714, and died at New- buryport, Massachusetts, September 30, 1770. The Methodists received their name from an association of students, at Pembroke college, Oxford, called " The Holy Club." SOUTHBRIDGE. 527 The principal parties connected with this association were John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitfield. This name was given to the association "on account of the exact regu larity of the lives of these associates, and the manner of regu lating their time." This association was brought to a close in 1735, when John and Charles Wesley accompanied General James Oglethorpe to Georgia. They were invited there by the founder of that colony, and arrived in February, 1736. They were engaged as chaplains and preachers in the new plantation; but the rough and depraved portion of the settlers soon became res tive under the strict observances of these young clergymen, which soon created ill-feehng and abuse against them, and was the cause of their leaving that country. Charles left at the close of the same year, and John embarked from the colony December 2, 1737, and reached England, February 1, 1738.* While residing in Georgia, John Wesley invited George Whitfield to come to America, and he accepted the invitation; but his friend had returned to England before his arrival, when, in September, 1738, he likewise left that colony. These friends were again united in England, in the cause of religion ; they first inaugurated open-air meetings in 1739 ; the first Methodist society was formed at Moorfields about the same time, when lay preachers and class leaders were established. The first conference of Methodist preachers was assembled in England, in 1744. Although personal friends and laboring in the same cause, Wesley and Whitfield differed in their religious sentiments : the latter adopted the doctrines of Calvin ; while the former embraced the views of Arminius ; which, it is believed, is the general doctrinal sentiment of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the United States, that embraces about four fifths of all the Methodists in this country. Both of these leaders were * See Stevens' Georgia, vol. I, chap. 10. 528 SOUTHBRTDGE. brouo-ht up under the government and disciphne of the church of England, but did not confine themselves strictly to the discipline of that church. Instead of the thirty-nine articles of the English church, they have, it is believed, but twenty- five, with modifications. Mr. Whitfield made seven visits to America, and in several of these visits traveled extensively through the country, preaching to vast audiences, and no doubt doing much in preparing the way for the great success of this denomi nation, although, it is believed, but a small number of the Methodists, at this time, embrace fully his theological sentiments. The first Methodist society in this country was formed in New York city, by Philip Embury, a native of Ireland. He commenced his meetings in his place of residence, then near the present City Hall, in the autumn of 1766. Only six persons were present at that time. Their numbers increasing, they obtained the use of a sail-loft in William street, and continued worship there until the autumn of 1768, when they erected the first Methodist church in John street, on the site of the present church of this people. This was dedicated on the 30th of October, of that year. Mr. Embury preached the dedicatory sermon from Hosea x, 12. This denomination having now been established, and the knowledge having reached Mr. Wesley in England, he sent out two missionaries, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, to aid this cause in America. On their arrival Mr. Embury retired to Camden, New Jersey, and labored in the cause there until his decease in 1775, at the age of forty-five. His remains were buried there, and having remained fifty-seven years, were disinterred in June, 1832, and removed to Ash- grove cemetery ; on which occasion a funeral oration was given by the Rev. John Newland Maffitt. A monument was erected to his grave, with the following inscription : SOUTHBRIDGE, 529 "PHILD? EMBURY, 1 ' The earliest American minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, here found his last earthly resting-place. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 1 ' Born in Ireland, an emigrant to New York, Embury was the first to gather a class in that city, and to set in motion a train of measures which resulted in the founding of John street church, the cradle of American Methodism, and the introduction of a system which has beautified the earth with salvation, and increased the joys of heaven.'' The first annual conference was held in Philadelphia in 1778, consisting of ten preachers, reporting a membership of 1,160. The preachers at this time were not ordained to this work, but were lay preachers, not authorized to administer the ordi nances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. This was a source of dissatisfaction, and, as justly believed, retarded their usefulness, and the progress of the denomina tion. The preachers in this country united in requesting Mr. Wesley to relieve them, by adopting here the advantages of ordained officers and the church forms necessary to a distinct body. Mr. Wesley, desiring to maintain his hold upon this branch of the Methodist people, complied with this demand. Rev. Thomas Coke was ordained superintendent or bishop, and Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey were constituted elders, and sent to America for this object. Soon after their arrival, on the 25th of December, 1784, a conference was convened in Baltimore, for the purpose of considering Mr. Wesley's plan, and the same was unanimously approved. Mr. Coke was recognized as superintendent, and Francis Asbury was elected as assistant; and, on the 27th of the same month, he was consecrated to the office of bishop, the first created in America. Rev. Francis Asbury was sent out to this country by John Wesley, in the year 1771. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1745. His wisdom, activity, and devotion, as superintendent, for a period of 32 years, and as a preacher 54 530 SOUTHBRIDGE. years (45 of them in the United States) had given him the claim (being the first bishop) of apostle of American Method ism. He died at Spottsylvania, Virginia, March 31, 1816, aged 74. It is reported that the Methodists numbered, at the time of this conference in 1784 (at the close of the Revolutionary War) 83 preachers and 13,740 members. The credentials of Mr. Coke also authorized him to form a distinct church in the United States, accompanied with various rules suitable for its government, with the twenty-five articles of religion of this denomination. When formed, it took the name of the Methodist Episcopal church in, the United States. From that , time, 1784, the church has progressed under this organiza tion, and now extends to every State and Territory of this Union, and has become the largest of the Christian church bodies in this country ; and there is none more thoroughly systematic, or that is creating a better rehgious and moral influence. The first introduction of Methodism into New England was by the Rev. Jesse Lee in 1789 ; encouraged to do so by Bishop Asbury. He encountered many difficulties in the land of exclusive Puritan Congregationalism, but finally formed his first society at Stratford, Connecticut. Having returned to New York, after traveling extensively through several of the New England States, Mr. Lee was authorized in 1790, by Bishop Asbury, to locate in Boston. His labors there, and in the adjoining towns, were for a time quite discouraging to a young preacher, because it was with much dimcnlty he could procure places for holding his meetings. Finally, by perseverance, he formed the first Methodist society in Boston, in July, 1792. This entering wedge, and the activity of this church, did SOUTHBRIDGE. 531 much toward relieving New England from the Puritan intoler ance which so long stained this section of these States. The first General Conference of the Methodists of the United States met in Baltimore, November, 1792 ; at this time there were 266 traveling preachers, and 65,980 mem bers. These General Conferences have since been held periodi cally every four years, embracing the whole Union under one conference, up to the year 1844, when, unfortunately, the sub ject of slavery was introduced very unwisely into their dis cussions, and through the votes of the larger body of Northern members, the bishop of Georgia, at the conference in the city of New York, was removed from his episcopal functions. This action was unaccompanied by any regular articles of impeachment or judicial forms, and, as might reasonably be expected, caused much dissatisfaction with Southern members, who, the following year, including 13 annual conferences, met and formed a union, called "The Methodist Episcopal Church, South." Camp meetings, peculiar to this rehgious denomination in this country, commenced in the year 1799 ; they originated in an excited and protracted meeting, where two brothers by the name of McGee were requested to preach when on a journey from Tennessee to Ohio. One was a Presbyterian, and the other a Methodist. The Rev. P. Douglas Gorrie gives an account of this meet ing in his history of the origin and progress of Episcopal Methodism. 532 SOUTHBRIDGE. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH— STATISTIC^ FOR THE YEAR 1869. Church, North. Church, South. Total. General Conferences, Annual ' ' 1 72 1 33 2 105 Bishops,Traveling Preachers, Local " 10 8,830 10,340 9 2,495 4,413 19 Total Members in full connection, 19,170 1,114,712 6,908 26,078 " on probation, Total Lay Members, Sunday Schools, " " Teachers, 184,226 1,298,938 16,393 184,596 535,681 1 1,834,619 " Scholars, 1,179,984 INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING. Universities and Colleges, 23 Academies and Institutes, 85 Theological Seminaries and Biblical and Mission Institutes, 6 BOOK CONCERN OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Book Concern is the property of the General Confer ence, and subject to its control. It has special agents who regulate the business of books and its finances, and an editorial department. This concern is established in the city of New York, and is an important source of profit. It was first established in Philadelphia in the year 1789, with a borrowed capital of only $600. The first book committee was appointed in 1797, and in 1804 it was removed to New York. In 1836 it was destroyed by fire (loss $250,000), but soon rebuilt. The Western Book Concern was established in Cincinnati in 1820, and branches have been established in Boston, Chicago, Pittsburg, Buffalo, St. Louis, and San Francisco. The capital in 1836 was $281,650.74. The present capital SOUTHBRIDGE. 533 is $1,165,624.55. The joint Book Concern has paid out in profits, since 1836 up to 1868, the large sum of $1,335,866.25; this has been paid to the annual conferences, to meet church expenses, outside of their own business. This profit has been an annual average income since 1836, for thirty-two years, to 1868, of $64,592. This income is applied entirely to church purposes, under the special direction of the General Con ference. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has also its book concern. After the separation of this great religious organi zation, through a difference upon the question of slavery, a mutual arrangement of the book affairs was made in 1836, by wliich the South received their share of its funds, and has its book business established at Charleston, and at Louisville, Kentucky, managed with advantage and profit to that associa tion, hke the original at the North. THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. The first step taken for the formation of this society was in the early part of the year 1838. At this meeting it was voted to adopt the form of constitution as contained in the Revised Statutes of Massachusetts, in chapter xx, sections 26, 27, and 28. This general form was copied from The Trumpet, published April 2, 1838, being a transcript of the sections above stated in chapter xx ; this was circulated, when the following signa tures were obtained as members, to wit: ' ' Oliver Morse, Chapman Lee, Elisha Morris, Parker Morse, Jacob Edwards, Henry Coburn, Daniel F. Newell, Joel Atkins, Henry Plimp ton, Daniel A. Hawks, Loring Plimpton, Asa Home, Daniel D. Clem ence, William Camp, Thomas Broadbent, James Gleason, Pliny Litch field, William B. Potter, John S. Perry, Samuel Hammond, Sylvester Dresser, Luther Clemence, Charles Fuller, Sylvanus Chamberlain, Adol phus Cheney, James Flint, Nathan Brown, Junior, Benjamin P. Bowman, Verney Fiske, William Gleason, Stephen Rice, Ebenezer Edmonds, John 35a 534 SOUTHBRIDGE. L. Joy, William S. Knowlton, Andrew J. Hooker, Joseph Marcy, Jedediah Bottom, Christopher Whitney, Merrick Barnes, John N. Davis, Hiram Gilmore, William Bates, John F. Lee, Palmer Chamberlain, Luther Edmonds, Alvan Cady, Lemuel Dunbar, Pliny Haywood,' Elnathan M. West, Luke Bardwell, Tyler Thompson, Danforth Doughty, Asa Streeter, Winthrop Walbridge, George F. Cady, Libya Litchfield, George A. Waldron, Moses Newell, John Cutting, 'George A. Stetson, Luther S. Fox, Lewis L. Morse, Samuel L. Marsh, George Edmonds, Emerson Clark, R. O. Williams, Andrew J. Plimpton, Alden Potter, John R. Carter, George M. Oaks, David Walker, M. R. Olney, Daniel Whitford, J. J. Oaks, T. Harrington, John Calvert, Elijah B. Gibbs, C. G. Edmonds, Thomas Potter, James A. King." The warrant for the first meeting was issued by Benjamin D. Hyde, Esq., directed to Parker Morse, on the application of the following persons : "Adolphus M. Cheney, Jacob Edwards, Parker Morse, Oliver Hooker, Junior, Rufus Fuller, Daniel A. Hawks, William B. Potter, and Henry Coburn." The object of this meeting, as described in the warrant, was the choice of officers and to transact any business that might then properly come before them. This meeting was held at the New England hotel (then so- called, located on the present site of the Edwards house), April 14, 1838. Benjamin D. Hyde called the meeting to order, when the proper officers were elected for the organiza tion of the society ; and then voted as follows : That the society be called by the name of " The First Uni versalist Society of Southbridge." To procure by voluntary subscriptions means for the supply of preaching half the Sabbaths during the year ensuing. Also, voted that the committee for supplying preaching bo re quested to engage Mr. Boyden or some other clergyman of this denomination to preach for us. To amend the constitution by striking out all that part rela ting to taxing members. In the year 1841 the society bought the lot of land on which SOUTHBRIDGE. 535 the present meeting-house is now located, of Michael 0. Ryan. Subscriptions were now obtained for erecting said meeting house ; and Daniel F. Newell, Verney Fiske, and William B. Potter were elected for the building committee. The house was erected in 1842, and a bell purchased for the same. MINISTERS. The following clergymen have supplied preaching for this society at the times here stated : Rev. John Boyden, for the years of 1838, 1839, and 1840. " F. Whitaker, " " 1841, 1842, and 1843. " J. M. Usher, " " 1844. " R. O. Williams, " " 1845 and 1846. " D.H.Lee, " " 1847, 1848, and 1849. " B. F. Bolles, •- " 1850 and 1851. " Mr- Cambridge, / ,. ik ¦¦ Mr. Eliot, f •¦ J. W. Lawton, " " 1853, 1854, and 1855. " John Nichols, ( u „ " B. F. Bolles, \ 180b' •• W.W.Wilson, " " 1857 to 1863. " A. B. Hervey, " " 1864. " F. C. Flint is their present minister. EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, GLOBE VILLAGE. This church had its origin in a movement of some of the members of the other evangelical churches in this town. Having met in this village, in December, 1853, and con ferred upon the subject, it was unanimously decided, " That the necessities of this village required established preaching, and the ordinances of the Gospel ; and that it was the duty of Christians in this vicinity to unite in the support of this object." Rev. Mr. Brown of the Free church, Andover, rendered valuable aid in the preliminary steps in this behalf. A fur ther movement was had at a meeting held, January 21, 1854. 536 SOUTHBRTDGE. On this occasion Rev. G. Trask, of Fitchburg, with Rev. Oakman S. Stearns, and D. Sherman, of Southbridge, united their efforts in sustaining the measures for laying the founda tion of this church ; after hearing statements of the necessi ties and motives for prompt action in its favor, by L. W. Curtis, G. Hanson, R. Elliot, and O. Plimpton, the Evangelical Free church was then organized, with 29 members — 11 males and 18 females — who were originally connected with the Congre gational, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Protestant Episcopal churches. The success of this movement has proved that Christian unity, ignoring sectarian divisions, does not decrease the inter est felt for religious services, but tends to greater sympathy and purer motives, producing harmony and prosperity. On February 10, 1854, Mr. G.Hanson and Mr. G. Ballard were appointed deacons. Mr. Ballard not having accepted, Mr. Hanson is the only one who has as yet held that office in this church. The Rev. J. Cunningham was employed by the church and society for a year, ending March 11, 1855. Rev. W. C. Whitcomb commenced his labors in April following; he accepted a call for settlement, July 11, of the same year ; and was installed as pastor, January 3, 1856, in Gothic hall, by the following services : Rev. Edward N. Kirk, D. D., Congregationalist, of Boston, preached the sermon, and deliv ered the charge ; Rev. Shubal S. Parker, Baptist, of South- bridge, gave the right hand of fellowship ; and Rev. W. H. Brewster, Methodist, of Lowell, then addressed the people. Rev. Mr. Whitcomb resigned, March, 1857. This church now continued without any settled pastor for two years, being temporarily supplied during this period. In March, 1859, Rev. Henry Loomis became their pastor, but resigned in December, 1859, on account of ill-health. March 1860, Rev. Thomas Morony was invited to become their pastor ; he accepted and labored with this church till SOUTHBRIDGE. 537 January 1, 1863. Their next pastor, Rev. M. L. Richardson, began his labors here in June, 1863, and continued until February, 1867, when the Rev. Austin Dodge was invited, and became their pastor in October, 1867 ; after serving for a time with much satisfaction to this people, he resigned, when Rev. F. A. Warfield became his successor. The lat ter has since resigned also. The name of the new pastor we have not learned. ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY. This society had its origin in this town in a preliminary meeting held in the dwelling-house of Lawrence Seevy, an old wooden structure near the boarding-house of the Hamil ton Woolen Company, in Globe village, in 1840, in the month of September. There were present at this first meeting only twelve persons, composed of seven Irish and five Germans and French Canadians; then* priest at this time was the Rev. G. Fitton, the present pastor of East Boston. For the next four years the Catholic population increased but very little. They were visited twice a year, about the time of Easter and Christmas, by Father Fitton, pastor of Worcester, who used to hear their confessions, and celebrate mass, at the residence of Mr. Seevy. On account of his many labors in his large mission, Father Fitton could not visit South- bridge but on week-days. In 1844 Father Williams succeeded the Rev. G. Fitton, and visited Southbridge two or three times. He was succeeded, in 1845, by Father Gibson, who himself did not come but twice in the course of a year. At this time the Catholics numbered about forty. In 1846 Father Logan had charge of this small Catholic community, and is the first priest who visited them on Sunday. In two years the Catholic population here was more than doubled ; about one hundred in number. 538 SOUTHBRIDGE. Rev. John Boyce, of Worcester, was sent to visit them more regularly. He found it necessary to engage the town-hall, every two months, to give service to his people. For two years they worshipped in this place, and afterwards in the school-house for two years ; meanwhile their number increased rapidly. In 1852, May 10, they held a meeting in the south school- house, and resolved that immediate measures be taken for the erection of a Catholic church in Southbridge. Collectors were appointed to raise contributions, and Mr. William Edwards most generously gave them the land for a location for their church, which they commenced, July 12, 1852. On Sunday, May 1, 1853, their church was completed and dedicated under the invocation of Saint Peter, by the Rt. Rev. J. B. Fitzpatrick, bishop of Boston. After that time, a Jesuit father, from Worcester college, came regularly twice a month to visit this mission. At the same time a lot for a grave-yard was bought, which is the present cemetery of this society, on the right of the road lead ing to Charlton, about half a mile north-east of the center village. In June, 1858, the census of the Catholic population was taken, and it was found that this society numbered 1,673, about half Lish and half Canadians. In August of the same year the Rev. James Quan was appointed pastor here, and at Webster, as one mission. He used to come to Southbridge every alternate Sunday ; and he remained seven years in charge, during which the Catholic population slightly increased. A house was built in 1860 for the residence of a permanent pastor, which was indeed greatly needed. Finally, in September, 1865, the Catholic church of South- bridge was set aside as a parish by itself, and a pastor, Rev. A. M. Barrett, D. D., appointed for it. The parish, as SOUTHBRIDGE. 539 then organized, included Southbridge, Charlton, and Stur bridge, and numbered about 2,000 souls — half Irish and half Canadians, in 1867. Since the residence of a pastor with them they have in creased rapidly. They have very much the largest congrega tion in town ; some 400 children attend the Sunday-school, and their church, not accommodating more than 500 persons, is to be replaced by another of double its capacity. In 1870 the society was divided, the French portion with drawing and erecting a meeting-house of their own, which is at this time much the largest house for public religious wor ship in this town, and has a French priest for preacher. The Irish Catholics, in 1872, were preparing to erect a much larger meeting-house, to accommodate their increased numbers. Their old meeting-house has been removed some distance west on Hamilton street, and is being fitted and put in order for a school. The French priest, Michael F. Le Breton, the first pastor of the French church, began his duties over this new society the 8th of November, 1869, and in 1872 was still officiating here with the approval of his people and the respect of society generally. The Rev. A. M. Barrett, D. D., who had discharged his duties with much ability and general satisfaction here, was dismissed from this service in the autumn of 1869, when fol lowed the division of this first society, and the Rev. J. McDer- mott succeeded to the charge of the Irish division ; he con tinued the pastorship over this part in the meeting-house of the first church, but has since been created bishop and lo cated at Springfield in this State. His successor is the Rev. John Kremmens. 540 SOUTHBRIDGE. THE ROMISH CHURCH IN AMERICA. This church was first established in the Enghsh colonies in America in Maryland.* The first colonists, with the governor, embarked from the Isle of Wight, November 22, 1633, being principally Catho lics, sailing by way of the Azores and West Indies, touch ing at the islands of Barbadoes and St. Christopher's, and arrived at Point Comfort, at the entrance of the Chesapeake, in Virginia, February 24, 1634. They were about 200 souls, and in two ships, the Ark and the Dove. They sailed from Point Comfort the 3d of March, for the Potomac river, and up the same fourteen leagues, and landing on an island which they named " St. Clement's," set up a cross and took possession of the country in the name of our Saviour, and our lord the king of England. Finding this island not satisfactory for a town, they, in a few days, descended the river to the Indian town Yoamaco, and by consent of these natives took possession, and gave it the name " St. Mary's." The first mass said in this country was by Father Althane, who was a Jesuit, and explained the nature of the ceremony to the Indians present, which favorably impressed them. This mass was on the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. * It is asserted by some that the name Maryland was given to this colony in honor of Henrietta Maria, queen of King Charles I, who granted this province; as she was a rigid Catholic; while others claim the name was given in honor of Queen Mary, as an offset to an honor that had been conferred upon her sister, Queen Elizabeth, in naming Virginia; and others aver that the name arose from Mary, the mother of Jesus; as the celebration of the first maBS by these colonists was on the day of their arrival, and the day of the festi val of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary; the name, as originally caned, was " Mary's Land." This grant to Lord Baltimore passed the Beals, June 22, 1632; the same had been granted to Sir George Calvert, his father, who died before the patent was ready for delivery, April 15, 1632 . He appointed his brother, Leonard Calvert, governor over the same. Lord Baltimore (Cecilius Calvert) was a Catholic, and as the Episcopalians who founded Virginia established that form of worship and order of religious faith in their colony, and the Puritan founders of the colonies of New England had done the same, by establishing the religion of their peculiar faith, it was not unreasonable that Lord Baltimore should adopt the same course in support of the religion of his belief. SOUTHBRIDGE. 541 Although a Catholic, with former examples of the intoler ance of his religious order, Lord Baltimore proclaimed, hke Roger Williams, of Rhode Island, religious freedom in his colony ; but Virginia, settled by the adherents of the English church, and the Puritans of New England who had fled their country to avoid persecution for their religious opinions and form of worship, both estabhshed laws proscribing all other religious forms and faith within their jurisdiction. The oppressed Puritans in Virginia, the Nonconformists of Massa chusetts, and the exiled Huguenots of France, sought and received equal protection for their faith under this Catholic lord. Yet it must be said, that although his rule was humane and liberal in matters of toleration for religious sentiment, it did not embrace the same liberality and enlightened policy in pohtical affairs. The greatest good of the greatest number, and the equality of all before the law in personal rights and property, did not pertain to his scheme of government. Romanism had its origin in the English colonies in America in this colony, in 1634, and to the present time, 1870, has been in progress 236 years. This order of rehgious forms and faith was introduced by the French into the first colony they established in America; that at Port Royal (now Anna polis, Nova Scotia), in 1605, and into the colony upon the St. Lawrence, established by Champlain, in 1608. It was also the first to penetrate the great West along the chain of the great lakes, the prairies, and the valley of the Mississippi, from St. Anthony's falls to the gulf of Mexico. As early as 1668, the Jesuit priests, Marquette, Joliet, and Hennepin, and M. dela Salle, were known among these interior natives, extending from Lake Superior and St. Anthony's falls, down to the delta regions of the gulf, as before related. Their names were given to towns which were afterwards planted by the English, who, carrying the arts and progress 542 SOUTHBRIDGE. of civilization to where the hamlets of a barbarous race then stood, not only perpetuate the names of this enthusiastic and devoted band, but give equal religious and political liberty, as the common birthright of all — a liberty commending itself to an enlightened intellect, instead of a despotic rule that knew no law but brute force, and a mystic type of religion, not the bond of love and peace, but the result of fear and a morbid conception. The first bishop of this church, in these colonies, was John Carroll, of Maryland ; constituted in 1790 ; he died in 1815. The numbers of this denomination in these colonies at the time of the Revolution were 16,000 in Maryland, 7,000 in Pennsylvania, and in all the other colonies, 15,000 ; total, 38,000 ; in Louisiana and other territory since included, then French territory, about 7,000 more ; in all, 45,000, in a popu lation of about 2,500,000, in 1775 ; or one Catholic in about sixty of the whole number of the white inhabitants, at the commencement of the war that caused the separation of these colonies from England. It is yet a missionary field of this church. For convenience in the management of this church, the United States is divided into seven provinces, these into dio ceses, and the latter division into parishes. The provinces are named and divided as follows : Province of Baltimore, 11 Dioceses and 2 Vicariates formed in 1789. " " Cincinnati, 9 " 1 1 " 1833. " " New Orleans, 6 '• >• " 1793. " " New York, 10 " i i " 1808. " "St. Louis, 11 " " 4 " " " 1826. " Oregon, 3 " " 3 " " " 1846. " " San Franciscc , 3 " " " " 1853. These dioceses are each under the control of either an arch bishop or bishop ; if by an archbishop, then they are called an archdiocese ; and the several parishes into which these are SOUTHBRIDGE. 543 divided have a priest supphed for the care of each, who takes the name of " Father." There are fifteen archbishops, forty bishops, and about 3,000 priests in the United States. The number of commu nicants is reported at about 700,000 ; and the population in sympathy with them, called Cathohcs, is stated at about 5,000,000. They have thirty colleges, twenty-six theological seminaries, about 200 academies for males and females, and about 650 parochial schools, making the aggregate number of educational institutions, 906. Besides these, they have about 200 convents, which are usually institutions of the higher order of learning — literary and ecclesiastical. It has also done much in charities; there are about 150 hospitals for various classes ; the sick, indigent, aged, and des titute youth. The Christian brothers and sisters of charity labor in these institutions, with no other reward than food and clothing, and the satisfaction of doing good. The Episcopal denomination are beginning to pattern after this example ; they now have incorporated the order of St. Mary, and are engaged in the formation of the order of the Christian brotherhood. The Roman Catholic church in America excels all other denominations in system, efficiency, and activity in promoting their extension. In point of numbers of church members and population connected with their societies, they stand the third in the United States ; the Methodists and the Baptists only out number them. That which advances their numbers most is the vast Euro pean emigration to this country, particularly the Irish, who are chiefly Catholics. 544 SOUTHBRIDGE. To some Protestant Christians, their rapid increase is a source of alarm for the success of the free institutions of these States ; but when it is considered that within the last fifty years the old idea of intolerance and persecution for the sake of religion has in every shape ceased to exist in all the States of this Union, and that even in Europe, as well as in this coun try, freedom of thought and worship is everywhere being claimed as an inherent right in the individual, it is certainly a serious drawback upon sensibilities of this character, if, in deed, it is not sufficient to allay all such apprehensions. In the present total population of the United States of 40,000,000, the 5,000,000, the present number of those in this church, and those in sympathy, is one in eight of the whole number. :;f:mm Cf^i_, P BIOGRAPHICAL CHAPTER VII. HON. WILLIAM L. MARCY. T^TILLIAM LEARNED MARCY, son of Captain Jede diah Marcy, of Southbridge, Worcester county, Massa chusetts (of that part formerly Sturbridge), was horn the 12th of December, 1786, died at Balston Spa, New York, July 4, 1857. He received his education by beginning at the com mon town school, where, for a time, he was regarded as a dull scholar, but with a little kindness and encouragement by one of his teachers, advanced at once to a new life and spirit in his studies, which, through the recommendation of this teacher, induced his parents to place him in the academy at Leicester. His proficiency here was favorable, and during his stay he manifested that tendency for political affairs which largely characterized his future life. When here he wrote and de livered a Fourth of July oration among the students of this institution ; for the strong democratic tendency of this effort, and his discussions with the students upon political questions, sustaining the same principles, he was admonished by the head of that institution, which had the effect to induce him to close his course of studies at this place, and enter the academy at Woodstock, Connecticut. Soon after, his proficiency enabled him to enter as a student at Brown university, where he main tained the rank of a good scholar, and graduated with distinc tion in 1808. He soon established himself at Troy, New 54:6 SOUTHBRIDGE. York, where he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and en tered upon the practice of his profession. When the war with England broke out in 1812, he was a lieutenant in a military company in Troy, and with his com pany volunteered to serve the government for the defense of his country. They were stationed at French Mills, now Fort Covington. On the night of October 22, 1812, he was sent with a detachment, under command of Major Young, to cap ture a party of Canadian militia posted at St. Regis. Lieu tenant Marcy led the attack, broke open, himself, the door of the block-house occupied by the Canadians, and when they surrendered received their arms, together with their flag. These prisoners and the flag, it is reported, were the first cap tured during that war. Mr. Marcy remained in the service of the country until the close of hostilities. In 1816 he began his public official life as recorder of the city of Troy, from which office he was re moved for political reasons in 1818. He was a Republican, which was the political name of the Democratic party at that time, while their opponents were called Federalists. He had voted as a Republican for Governor De Witt Clinton, but, becoming dissatisfied with his administration, openly opposed him, and for this was removed from this office. He now became editor of The Troy Budget, a daily newspaper, and, with his signal ability as a political writer, made it one of the most prominent organs ofthe Democratic party. In January, 1821, he was appointed by Governor Yates adjutant-general of the State militia. In February, 1823, he was elected, by the Legislature, comptroller of the State. Mr. Marcy now re moved from Troy, and made his chief residence in Albany. Governor Joseph C. Yates and the Hon. Martin Van Buren were among his most intimate and firm pohtical friends. The office of comptroller in New York is the same as that of treasurer in other States. This was at a time when SOUTHBRIDGE. 547 this State was making very large disbursements for the con struction and completion of the Erie and Champlain canals, and the great increase of the State debt. The business capa city of Mr. Marcy was now put to a severe test, but so faith fully and skillfully were his duties performed, that no opposi tion was offered to his re-election in the winter of 1826. He introduced and perfected the system of collecting tolls upon the canals, and accountability for the interest as well as prin cipal of the State funds deposited in banks. He prepared the basis and general plan for a sinking fund, for the ultimate re demption of the State debt, created for internal improvements. He was a member of the celebrated combination of politi cians known in New York as the " Albany Regency," which controlled for many years, through the Republican party, the political affairs of the State. With Mr. Van Buren and other distinguished men of the Democratic party, he effected the revolution of the political parties, and in 1828 carried the State for General Andrew Jackson for president, and placed his friend Martin Van Buren at the head of the State government, January 1, 1829. It was through the efforts of Mr. Van Buren, Silas Wright, Mr. Marcy, and others of the Regency, that changed the old way of nominating candidates for office by members of the State Legislatures and the Congress of the United States to mem bers of pohtical conventions, who were selected by each great party for that object alone, and thus taking this business from members of the assemblies throughout the country, elected for purposes of legislation. By this move in the State of New York, the friends of President John Quincy Adams were defeated, and the State triumphantly carried for General Jackson, which secured his election. On the 15th day of January, 1829, the Democratic party, in recognition of Mr. Marcy's great ability and pohtical services, gave him the office of associate-justice of the Supreme court of the State,, to fill the vacancy oc- 548 SOUTHBRIDGE. casioned by the resignation of Judge Woodworth. This office he filled with great impartiality and acknowledged ability. In the exciting trial of the abductors of William Morgan, at Lockport, in 1830, his urbanity, firmness, and impartial decisions were highly commended by all parties. The dis charge of his duties as a judge gave great satisfaction to his friends and the members of the bar, and his resignation oc casioned much general regret by all who did not understand the object to be gained thereby. His resignation was for political considerations, and a plan of Mr. Van Buren's. The latter, at this time, was looking for the office of Presi dent of the United States, as successor to General Jackson. He was then secretary of state, but had determined to re sign, which he did, April 11, 1831, and was appointed soon after minister to the Enghsh court. Knowing well the tact and great ability of Mr. Marcy as a pohtical manager, he de sired to have him in a favorable position in Washington ; and as it was known that the term of office of Nathaniel Sanford, as senator, was to expire on the 4th of March, 1831, Judge Marcy was regarded as the most prominent man in many respects the party could put forward for his successor ; he was nominated at the caucus of the Republicans on the evening of January 31, 1831 ; being informed ofthis action he immediately resigned his judgeship, and on the following day was elected a senator for six years from the 4th of March following. His reputation for legal abihty was known in Congress, and he re ceived the important position of chairman of the committee on the judiciary, and a member of the committee on finance. Soon after Mr. Marcy took his seat in Congress as senator for New York, the question of confirmation of the appoint ment of Mr. Van Buren, as minister to England, came up for consideration ; it was conducted wholly upon party principles, and on that ground he lost the confirmation, which ultimately proved much to the detriment of his opponents, and made SOUTHBRIDGE. 549 Van Buren the president of the United States, as the succes sor of General Jackson. Mr. Marcy's speech in defense of his friend, Mr. Van Buren, on that occasion, has often been quoted in part, as contrary to sound principles of statesmanship ; that phrase, viz.. " That to the victor belongs the spoils ofthe enemy." It is believed of suf ficient importance to introduce here a part of that speech, to show the connection in which it was applied. The principal points of this speech, which were in vindica tion of Mr. Van Buren and of parties in the State of New York, both having been harshly assailed by Mr. Clay, were as follows : "The occasion which renders it proper that I should say something, has arisen in consequence of what has fallen from the honorable senator from Kentucky (Mr. Clay). His attack was not confined to the nominee (Mr. Van Buren) ; it reaches the State which I represent in this body. ' ' One of the grounds of opposition to the minister to London, taken by the senator from Kentucky, is the pernicious system of party politics, adopted by the present administration, by which the honors and offices are put up to be scrambled for by partisans, etc., a system which the minister to London, as the senator from Kentucky alleges, has brought here from the State in which he formerly lived, and had for so long a time acted a conspicuous part in its political transactions. I know, sir, that it is the habit of some gentlemen to speak with censure or reproach of the politics of New York. Like other States, we have contests, and, as a necessary consequence, triumphs and defeats. The State is large, with great and diversified interests ; in some parts of it, commerce is the object of general pursuit ; in others, manufactures and agriculture are the chief concerns of the citizens. " We have men of enterprise and talents, who aspire to public distinc tion. It is natural to expect from these circumstances, and others that might be alluded to, that her politics should excite more interest at home, and attract more attention abroad, than those of many other States in the confederacy. " It maybe, sir, that the politicians of New York are not so fastidious as some gentlemen are, as to disclosing the principles on which they act. They boldly preach what they practice. When they are contending for victory, they avow their intention of enjoying the fruits of it. If they are defeated, they expect to retire from office ; if they are successful, they claim, as a matter of right, the advantages of success. They see 36a 550 SOUTHBRIDGE. nothing wrong in the rule that ' to the victor belongs the spoils of the enemy. ' " But if there be anything wrong in the policy which the senator from Kentucky has so strongly reprobated, he should know that this policy is not confined to the minister to London and his friends in New York, but is practiced by his (Mr. Clay's) own political friends in that State ; he should know that to Ambrose Spencer, if to one man more than any other now liviug, the existence of that policy is to be ascribed. The practice of making extensive changes in the offices, on the change of parties in that State, was begun, I believe, before the nominee was upon the political stage ; certainly, while he was quite a young man, and before he had acquired great consideration in political affairs. I must be permitted, sir, to say, that of all the party men with whom I have acted, or been particularly acquainted (and the number of such is not small), I know of no one who has acted with, or advised to more moder ation than the person whose nomination we are now considering. "When the Senator from Kentucky condemns the present adminis tration for making removals from office, and then ascribes the act to the pernicious system of politics imported from New York, I fear he does not sufficiently consider the peculiar circumstances under which the present administration came into power. General Jackson did not come in under the same circumstances that Mr. Adams did, or Mr. Munroe, or Mr. Madison. His accession was like that of Mr. Jefferson. He came in, sir, upon apolitical revolution. The contest was without a parallel. Much political bitterness was engendered. Criminations and recrimina tions were made. Slanders of a most extraordinary character flooded the land. When the chief magistrate took upon himself the administra tion of the government, he found almost all the offices, from the highest to the lowest, filled by political enemies. " I have very good reasons for believing that it is the gentleman's rule of conduct to take care of his friends when he is in power. It requires not the foresight of a prophet to predict that, if he shall come into power, he will take care of his friends; and if he does, I can assure him I shall not complain ; nor shall I be in the least surprised if he imitates the example which he so emphatically denounces. "I must again allude to the grounds of the removal of some subordinate officers of the present administration, in order that it may be under stood upon what principle the act is vindicated, and to repel the charges of wanton proscription. The necessities of the late administration were such that it compelled these officers to become partisans in the struggle. Many of them mingled in the hottest of the fight; they were paragraph-writers for the newspapers, and the distributers of political hand-bills, and thereby exposed themselves to the vicissitudes to which those are always exposed for whom the political contests in free govern- SOUTHBRIDGE. 551 ments are waged. If among this class of officers there was more mor tality attendant upon the late conflict, it was because there was more disease. "The senator from Kentucky has denounced removals from office as the violation of the freedom of opinions and the liberty of speech and action. He advocates a course of conduct towards political opponents characterized by great moderation and forbearance, and, what is much more, he professes to have conformed his actions to his precepts. We, all of us, I believe, admire these liberal sentiments, and feel disposed, in our abstract speculations, to adopt them as the rule of our conduct. "The theory is, indeed, beautiful; but, sir, clo we put them in prac tice when brought to the experiment? I would ask the honorable senator if he has himself practiced them? I will not say he has not, because he assures us he has ; but I will say, that some part of his pub lic conduct has exposed him to strong suspicions of having departed from the path which he now points out as the true one, and of having wandered into that which he now thinks it is so censurable in others to have pursued. " It will be recollected, sir, that there is considerable patronage at tached to the department of state. To it appertains the selection of newspapers in which the laws of the United States are published. I well remember that while that honorable senator was at the head of that department, and when the fortunes of the late administration began to wane, the patronage of publishing the laws was withdrawn from certain public journals that had long enjoyed it. What was the cause of this change — this removal from office, I believe I may call it? It was not a violent and vindictive opposition to the existing administration. Some of these journals had scarcely spoken in whispers against it. No, sir; it was for lukewarmness — for neutrality. A want of zeal in the cause of the administration was alleged to be the offense; proscription was the punishment. Where was then that sacred regard for freedom of opinion and liberty of speech and action which we now hear so highly extolled ? Was not this an attempt to control public opinion through the medium of the press, and to bring that press into subserviency to the views of the men in power ? " All his public speeches were pointed, close, and logical, direct without surplusage, as were also his state papers. He agreed fully with President Jackson upon the subject of the United States bank, and voted against its re-charter. In 1832 he was a candidate for governor in opposition to Francis Granger, and elected by about ten thousand majority. His first message, as a literary and concise business produc- 552 SOUTHBRIDGE. duction, was highly commended by all parties. The great point of the message was his financial policy, which was re garded as exhibiting much thought, and while it was conser vative, it was well calculated to advance the best interests of the State, by developing its resources. In 1834 he was re-elected governor as an opponent to Wil liam H. Seward, by a majority of thirteen thousand votes. In 1836 he was a candidate for his third election against Jesse Buell, and came into ofiice by nearly thirty thousand majority over his opponent. As a candidate for the fourth term, he was defeated by the election of Mr. Seward. He favored the annexation of Texas, and gave his support to James K. Polk for president, and received the appoint ment of secretary of war. Here he exhibited his adminis trative ability in conducting that department through the war with Mexico. His diplomatic powers were here ex hibited with much force in the adjustment of the Oregon boundary with England, and his ability as a statesman was shown to be of a high order. He supported General Cass against General Taylor for president, and on the latter's election returned to his residence at Albany, and remained in private life during the four years of the succeeding administration of the General Government, but, on the election of General Pierce as president, he was called to the department of state. In this office, perhaps, more than any other, he had the opportunity to show the full powers of his mind as a wise statesman, and particularly in the case with the Austrian government, in sustaining Captain Ingraham in his acts in the question of Martin Koszta. In this correspondence he greatly distinguished himself at home and abroad, which placed him in the scale of ability not inferior to any statesman, among the many great men who have be fore or since controlled the affairs of that office. On the induction of Mr. Buchanan to the ofiice of president he retired SOUTHBRIDGE. 553 to private life, and died just four months to a day afterwards, while engaged in reading. He was twice married ; his first wife was Dolly, daughter of Captain Samuel Newell, of his native town ; his second, Cornelia, a daughter of the late Benjamin Knower, of Albany, a politician of the same party, an influential man, and a friend of Mr. Marcy. He may be described as a person above the ordinary height, stout and muscular ; his forehead, face, and eyes indicated a man of ability. His appearance, generally, was impressive to a stranger. He possessed great self-control, and was free from pretense ; yet there was great dignity in his manner. Socially, he was pleasant and attractive. He did not excel as a polished speaker, but his straightforward and practical com mon sense views were always interesting. His great forte was as a writer ; he had no superior in his state papers. HON. EBENEZER DAVIS AMMIDOWN. Ebenezer Davis Ammidown was the only son of Major Calvin Ammidown, who was one of the prominent men in procuring the act of incorporation of the town of Southbridge, and in laying the foundation of the business interests of the place. His mother was Deborah Davis, daughter of Ebenezer Davis, of Charlton, extensively known as a man of great wealth, for that time, in the county of Worcester. The sub ject of this notice was born in Charlton (in that part which, taken with parts of Sturbridge and Dudley, formed this town in 1816), November 18, 1796, and died here, on the 21st of November, 1865. Mr. Ammidown was eminently the leading man in South- bridge and vicinity, in public improvements ; a large portion of his life was devoted to that object. The introduction of county roads, especially leading to this common center, was largely by his efforts ; the railroad from Boston to this town 554 SOUTHBRIDGE. was particularly a result of his labors and influence ; and in the cotton manufacture, although he was not the first to en gage in that business in this place, yet to him more than to any other person has the development of that business been carried on and advanced here. He, in connection with Dr. Samuel Hartwell, the late Moses Plimpton, Esq., and Mr. Samuel Lewis Newell, were the founders of the Columbia Cotton- mill, erected in 1821, and burned, December 6, 1844 ; he erected on that site the present brick mill in 1856, filling it with machinery in 1858; and founded the Central Cotton Manufacturing Company, before explained. At one time lie was operating all the cotton-mills in the vicinity; the Dresser or Paige mill, the Westville mill, the Columbian, and the Central Company mills. In 1 843-'44, in company with his brother-in-law, Dr. Samuel Hartwell, he visited Europe, and traveled extensively among the manufacturing localities in both England and the conti nent, and made arrangements, and introduced for a time, at tlie Central mills, the de laine manufacture. It was a leading object during the most active part of his life to introduce travel and facilitate business in connection with this town, by county roads and by railway, as before referred to. He was a commissioner for the Norwich and Worcester rail road for making its location, and securing lands for right of way; was president for a time of the Norfolk County rail road, and the leading man in procuring the charter for the Southbridge and Blackstone railroad; was also a long time active in his labors as the agent for right of way and direct ing the operations of the New York Central and Midland rail roads, from Boston to Dedham. The leading effort in all this labor was to introduce, railroad communication direct from Southbridge to Boston, and ultimately continuing it west to an intersection with the Boston and Albany railroad, at Palmer, SOUTHBRIDGE. 555 Massachusetts ; to take much of the western travel and freight nia this town east to Boston and Providence. When in the State Legislature, in both the house and senate, he was regarded as an able member on committees, especially on railroad improvements. So much of his time diverted from his personal affairs was a serious injury to his own estate, which, to a considerable degree, was sacrificed for what he esteemed the public good. Having nearly brought to the intended result the direct railroad communication from his native town to the capital of the State, and with the center of trade in Rhode Island, it appeared to be a premature and sad close of his life, that he could not be permitted to witness the long-desired object of his labors. This was accomplished on the evening of Novem ber 9, 1866, a few days short of a year after his decease. Hon. Linus Child, long personally acquainted with Mr. Ammidown, and for several years connected with him in busi ness, refers to his character and ability as follows : " He was a man of great natural talents and energy, and to whatever business or employment he applied himself, he always exhibited great clearness of perception, comprehen siveness of views, and a capacity to appreciate at a glance the true bearings of any subject to which he gave his attention. " In these particulars he was rarely excelled or even equaled. His advice and council was frequently sought by his neigh bors and friends in questions of doubt and difficulty^ and always freely given. He was often selected as referee in dis putes and controversies between different parties, in which his clear and discriminating judgment always enabled him so to decide as to give great weight and satisfaction to his decisions. For many years he was the principal magistrate, before whom cases from his own and adjoining towns were tried. " It is known to the writer that the cases tried before him 556 SOUTHBRIDGE. often amounted to scores in a single year. In this some what extensive business his clearness of perception, the maturity of his judgments, and the strong sense of justice which always characterized his proceedings, so marked his administration of justice that his decisions were almost uni versally acquiesced in by the parties. His decisions were seldom appealed from, and during an experience of fifteen years, no instance is remembered by the writer in which one of his decisions was ever reversed on an appeal to a higher court. He had been constantly engaged in business and in matters of public interest from the time that South- bridge was a small village up to its present position, as one of the most thriving and prosperous towns in the south part of Worcester county. Though most of his large business opera tions are now conducted by other parties, it is yet believed that much of the business prosperity of the town is due to the spirit of enterprise awakened by his early suggestions and cherished by his hearty co-operation. "Mr. Ammidown's time and talents were not confined chiefly or in a great part to matters to which allusion has been made. For many years he was a member of the board of county com missioners. To the duties of this office he carried qualifications of a high order. Few men have ever held that office who were more highly appreciated by their associates than he was. His thorough and extensive acquaintance with the interests of the county, made his services in connection with the board pe culiarly valuable, and gave him a great and deserved influence with its members in all their deliberations. In whatever relations he held with public or private associations he im pressed upon all who had his acquaintance a conviction that he was a man of no ordinary powers of mind. " Though his quiet and unobtrusive manner did not permit him to take a prominent part in the debates of either the senate or house of representatives, yet, when his associates ¦ Zr SOUTHBRIDGE. 557 came to know his qualifications, there were few men among them whose opinions and counsel were more sought for, or who really exerted a greater influence than he did. His judgment was always sound, and his matured opinions upon all subjects were ever found to evince much thought and re flection, and were ever considered reliable. " He was always cool and deliberate. His judgments were never rashly formed. He ever preferred to wait before making his conclusions until his usually severe process of thought and reflection would enable him to reach a result satisfactory to his own mind. His conclusions, thus formed, he seldom changed. The pertinacity with which he clung to opinions once adopted frequently gave him the appearance of obstinacy to those who did not understand the careful manner in which he arrived at the results of his own reflec tions. But to those who knew him most intimately he was a wise counselor and a safe and trusted friend. He was always calm and collected, even in the most trying circum stances. He was seldom off his guard, and never manifested undue excitement. The undisturbed calmness with which he met the last hours of his life, when, in the perfect possession of all his faculties, he held his last interview with his family, and gave his last counsels and directions, only indicated the same quiet and well-balanced mind which he had so constantly displayed throughout all the varying scenes of a long and useful life." HON. LINUS CHILD. Hon. Linus Child was born at Woodstock, Connecticut, on the 27th of February, 1802 ; his father was Rensselaer Child, and his mother, Priscilla Corbin, who were married, November 28, 1797. This family resided upon a large and valuable farm in the north border of that town, near the Massachusetts line; 558 SOUTHBRIDGE. and besides the cultivation of this tract of land, Mr. Child, Senior, was largely engaged as surveyor and conveyancer over a circuit of country of considerable extent in that vicinity ; and as the records will show, this class of business, for a num ber of years among the farming community, was monopolized by him ; he was a man of large stature, and possessed more than the ordinary powers of intellect. The subject of this sketch spent his early life on his father's farm, with the usual attendance upon the public school in the neighborhood. He began his preparation for college under the tuition of Rev. Samuel Backus, of the Muddy Brook parish, East Wood stock, and completed his preparatory studies at Bacon acad emy, Colchester, in that State, in the autumn of 1820. In the following winter he became a member of the Freshman class of Yale college, where he graduated in 1824. Mr. Child did not reach the highest rank in college as a scholar ; but for honest, actual mastery of the prescribed course, few were before him. After he graduated he became a member of the Law school of New Haven, and studied in the office of S. P. Staples. He also enjoyed the instruction of Judge Daggett, of same place. Six months after entering the Law school, he entered the office of Hon. Ebenezer Stoddard, in the west parish of his native town, and after eighteen months of study he became a member of the bar in Connecticut. He then spent a year in the office of Hon. George A. Tufts, of Dudley, Massachusetts, when he was admitted to practice in the courts of Worcester county, and immediately removed to Southbridge, and there commenced the practice of his pro fession; in 1829 he married Berintha, daughter of Oliver Mason, Esq. After continuing in his profession at South- bridge about eighteen years, he removed to Lowell in 1845, and took the agency of the large corporation known as the SOUTHBRIDGE. 559 "Boot Mills," where he continued about seventeen years ; then removed his family to Boston in April, 1862, and resumed his legal profession, wliich he continued till the time of his decease. He died at Hingham, after a short illness, of conges tion of the brain. This attack commenced on Thursday, when he gradually failed, dying Friday evening about nine o'clock, the 26th of August, 1870. His remains were buried at For est Hills cemetery, on Monday following. In a brief description of Mr. Child, it may be said, he was large of stature, frank and cordial in his manner of inter course, with an open and genial countenance, warm-hearted and generous, with an hoDesty of purpose. He was well informed in the current affairs of the day, and was able to converse with that intelligence which made his conversation instructive. While residing at Southbridge, he. was elected six times to the office of senator from Worcester, in the State Legislature, and in the performance of his duties as chairman of the com mittee on railroads, he did much in framing the laws and charters of several roads ; establishing principles that have since controlled the immense investments in those institutions. As a lawyer, he excelled not perhaps so much as an advocate as he did as a counselor, yet through his apparent fairness and honesty of purpose, he rarely lost a case before the court. It may properly be said of Mr. Child, that as a religious man, giving his time and influence in that cause, supporting whatever tended to its advancement, whether as a laborer in the church, the Sabbatli school, tlie cause of an educated min istry, or the extension of the Gospel by missionary efforts, his services were regarded fully equal, if not greater than in any other field of his engagements. His life was one of practical usefulness, devoted with an honest zeal to the promotion of such objects as he believed would tend to the best good of society. He leaves a wife and three children ; a son, Linus 560 SOUTHBRIDGE. Mason Child, a graduate of Harvard, and now a lawyer in Boston; and two daughters, Myra Berintha and Abbie. The widow of Hon. Linus Child, deceased in the autumn of 1872. MOSES PLIMPTOM. The subject of this sketch, was the son of Gershom and Keziah Fiske Plimpton, born, October 17, 1795; married Edna Taylor, of Sturbridge. He died, September 19, 1854, of an injury received in crossing Washington street, Boston, near the old South church, by being run against by horses at tached to an omnibus. Their children were : Ellen Maria, born, August 21, 1822 ; married, March 18, 1844, to Dr. Samuel Cyrus Hartwell, of Southbridge, son of Dr. Samuel Hartwell. Mr. Plimpton's other children were : George La fayette, born, August 11, 1824; died in Ohio. Jane Elizabeth, born, March 4, 1827 ; married Ambrose Clark, Somerville. Caroline S., born, April 1, 1829. Louisa E., born, October 5, 1832 ; married, Charles S. Lincoln, a lawyer, of Boston. Edwin Taylor, born, September 28, 1835 ; died at St. Louis, in 1862, from disease contracted in the army, at the battle of Shiloh. Clara Cornelia, born, September 29, 1840; now teacher at the Blind asylum, New York. Mr. Plimpton was, from the period of the incorporation of the town of Southbridge, 1816 to 1844 (the time the mill he assisted to build — the Columbian Cotton factory — was burned), one of the leading men of the place. The loss suf fered by the Columbian Manufacturing Company, of which he was a large proprietor, involved his pecuniary affairs largely, and induced him soon after to remove from the town. During a period of forty years, from his early manhood to that time, few, if any, exerted a greater or more beneficial influence in this town than he. To the cause of temperance, schools, lyceums, and religion, and, in fact to all objects, the . BLEitcta-i SOUTHBRIDGE. 561 design of which was the elevation of the people and society about him, he gave his attention and active support. Al though not having the advantage of a collegiate educa tion, yet he may be properly called an educated man, well read in the general literature of the day — romance, history, and politics — and possessing considerable knowledge of many scientific subjects. The writer recollects, favorably, an historical lecture de hvered by him before the Southbridge lyceum, that was very highly esteemed for the research it exhibited in the numerous and highly interesting facts it disclosed, and the agreeable manner in which it was expressed. Some quotations were made from this lecture, in manu script, by the Rev. Joseph S. Clark, when he delivered his centennial discourse at the close of the first century of the in corporation of the town of Sturbridge, and to which he es pecially refers at the close of a note in his historical sketch, remarking, "That he acknowledged with pleasure the many important items re specting the first settlers of that vicinity, which, with a commendable zeal, Mr. Plimpton had saved from oblivion." It is much to be regretted that his lecture, here referred to, had not been preserved in print. Much inquiry has been made by this writer among the different members of his fam ily and friends for this manuscript, but so far without success. It is to be hoped that it may yet be found, as much of its con tents were from the recollection of the aged several years since passed away ; and such facts can not now be restored without this document. DR. SAMUEL HARTWELL. Dr. Hartwell is a native of Oxford, born, August 30, 1793. He is the fifth generation from William Hartwell, of Con- 562 SOUTHBRIDGE. cord, Massachusetts. His father was Samuel, who was the son of Samuel 3d, who was son of Samuel 2d, who was son of Samuel 1st, the son of William of Concord, who was living there about 1636. The subject of this notice received his education at the common school and Leicester academy; studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Cyrus, in New Jersey, and graduated at the college of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, in 1816. He commenced his profession the fol lowing year in Southbridge, the year after this town was incorporated, and has continued the practice of medicine up to the present year, 1873, being now eighty years of age. He married, April 13, 1819, Lydia, daughter of Major Calvin Ammidown ; she was born, January 14, 1799, and died, September 3, 1848. About four years after he settled in this town he engaged in the manufacture of cotton with his brother-in-law^, Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Moses Plimpton, Esq., Mr. Samuel Lewis Newell, and others, and erected the Columbia Cotton-mill, and was in terested in the operating of the same until that mill was destroyed by fire in 1844, when the affairs of this company were closed. He has at all times manifested an interest in such improve ments as tended to advance the interest and welfare of South- bridge and vicinity, but that for which he is most distinguished is his reputation as a physician; in this profession he maintains a high degree of eminence, not excelled, if equaled, in this respect by any person in Worcester, south district. Intel lectually he is much above the average, well read in general literature and the sciences. By a long and attentive course of practice, and as advisory physician, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and now stands remarkable, for his years, in both mental and physical vigor, apt and quick in his per ceptions, not a fossil of a past age, but conforming to the advance of the times. y t ' i s /t-e-r-t-e r " (- r i fc-t'-i-y-C- SOUTHBRIDGE. 5g3 TIMOTHY PAIGE, JUNIOR, ESQ. Timothy Paige, Junior, Esq., was son of Timothy Paige, Esq., of Hardwick, born at that place, March 6, 1788, died in Southbridge, November 16, 1822. He studied law with Samuel F. Dickinson, Esq., of Amherst, and Hon. Abraham Holmes, of Rochester. He removed to Georgia and resided there about three years, chiefly at Augusta and Waynesboro', in the practice of the law and as preceptor of an academy. In 1814 he returned to Hardwick, and in December, that year, opened a law office in Honest Town (Southbridge in 1816), and same year, re ceived commission as justice of the peace. In the first organ ization of the town in March, 1816, he was elected town clerk, and, as the records will show, he opened the first book for town proceedings, giving the mode of keeping said records, which system has since been followed. His father, Timothy Paige, was a lineal descendant from Elder William Brewster, of Plymouth, born in Hardwick, February 16, 17^7'; he was son of Colonel Timothy and Mary Foster Paige, grandson of Deacon Christopher and Elizabeth Reed Paige, and one of the earliest white inhabi tants of Hardwick. His mother was Mary Robinson, a lineal descendant from Governor Thomas Dudley, born in Hardwick, December 3, 1758 ; they were married, January 20, 1780 ; she was daugh ter of Thomas and Mary Warner Robinson, and granddaugh ter of James and Patience Ruggles Robinson, who removed from Boston to Rochester in 1714, and thence to Hardwick, in 1757. JAMES WOLCOTT, ESQ. The town of Southbridge owes much of its prosperity to the efforts of James Wolcott, junior, particularly in intro- 564 SOUTHBRIDGE. ducing the wool manufacture at the Globe village, as has been related in connection with the manufacturing business of that section. It seems proper that a further reference to him, and the family he originated from, should be made here to per petuate his memory. He was the son of Dr. James Wolcott, a descendant of Henry Wolcott, one of the most ancient and respectable families in New England. This Henry was son of John Wolcott, of Golden Manor, Tolland, in Somersetshire, England. He was born on December 6, 1578 ; his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Saunders, was born in 1589. He came to New England in his fifty-second year, in the company of Rev. John Wareham and Rev. John Maverick; arrived 30th of May, 1630, in the ship called the Mary and John, of 400 tons, in company with 140 persons, who settled at and became the founders of Dorchester. He soon after followed Wareham and others, who availed themselves of the information given of the country of Connecticut, by John Oldham, on his visit there in September, 1633; he having reached the river at the Indian place called " Mattan- eaug." They removed to that place, and founded there the town of Windsor, in the year 1635-'36. Some portion of this family afterwards returned to Boston and Salem, and others settled in Rhode Island. From this latter branch came Doctor James Wolcott, the father of the subject of this notice, who for many years at different periods resided in Dudley, Charlton, and Southbridge, but removed to Queechee, Vermont, in 1826, where he died, September 14, 1839. The subject of this notice was born at Dudley, April 29, 1787, and died at Brimfield, Illinois, February 18, 1853. COLONEL OTIS AMMIDOWN. The writer having had the acquaintance of this Mr. Ammi down through a period of fifteen years of the last part of his life, and having gained from him much valued information SOUTHBRIDGE. 5gg relating to the early history of the family whose name he bore, feels it a duty as well as a pleasure, to make this acknowl edgement. Mr. Otis Ammidown spoke of the French ex traction of the name, of which he entertained no doubt. He resided for a time, while engaged in commercial busi ness, at Paris ; and had visited Rochelle, and Bordeaux, in the department of the Gironde, and remarked that the name Aimedoune, or Amidon, Amadon, and Ammidown, as now spelled, was not uncommon in that part of France, but gener ally spelt Amidon. The following tribute to the memory of this Mr. Ammidown (quoted from a pamphlet printed in Philadelphia, which was presented to the writer by Philip Russell Ammidown, of Boston, soon after his decease), gives a fair exhibit of his character, and shows the high estimate entertained of him by the large circle who had his acquaintance in that city, where he had resided many years : "At a meeting of the session of the Second Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : "Whereas, This church having experienced a great loss in the death, on the 23d of December, 1858, of our late revered and beloved col league, Otis Ammidown, Esq., who for forty years filled the office of ruling elder ; whose humble, unaffected piety, earnest and liberal zeal, warm and affectionate sympathy, gentleness of manners and meekness of wisdom, present an example worthy to be long remembered and cher ished by those among whom he moved ; therefore, "Resolved, That the pastor, the Rev. James M. Crowell, be requested to furnish for publication the funeral discourse pronounced by him, as a memorial to be distributed among the families of this church. "At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Lehigh Coal and Nav igation Company, held, December 29, 1858, the president reported the death, on the 23d instant, of Otis Ammidown, Esq., late Treasurer of the Company ; whereupon, it was unanimously "Resolved, That the Board have heard with regret of the decease of the late Treasurer, who, to the sterner virtues of unblemished integrity, and of strict conscientiousness in the discharge of duty, added the grace of Christian kindness of heart, and the charm of courteous man- 37a 566 SOUTHBRIDGE. ners, and who, throughout a protracted term of service, at all times commanded the respect and conciliated the regards of those with whom he was associated. "Resolved, That a copy of the above resolution be furnished to the relatives of the deceased, with an expression of sympathy of this Board with them in their bereavement. (Signed) "EDWIN WALTER, "Secretary." QUOTATION FROM REV. MR. CROWELL'S REMARKS. ' ' Mr. Otis Ammidown was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, January 30, 1771. " He was in early life engaged in commercial pursuits, and was for several years a resident of the island of St. Domingo, while a colony of Prance. He left there at the commencement of the troubles which terminated in the massacre and expulsion of the white population from that place. Soon after his return from St. Domingo to the United States, he visited Europe, and was a resident merchant in Paris at the close of the Revolution in the time of the first Napoleon, and when he, Napoleon, was declared First Consul. Surrounded as he was there, by numerous temptations, by which so many youth are lured in that profligate city to destruction, he maintained a high moral sense, which protected him from the dissipations to which others became victims, and this was the more remarkable as he did not, at that time, profess to have experienced, a religious change. He had received, however, a religious education, and had a pious mother, to whose early instructions he was much indebted. After leaving Paris, he was settled in Norway, for a time, in commercial business. He returned to the United States in the year 1798. Some time after his return to his native country he became a subject of Divine grace, and he lived long to adorn the profession which he then made. He came to Philadelphia at the close of the year 1813, and soon after his settlement here he connected himself with this church, and was elected a ruling elder of it in 1818; the duties of which office he filled with great fidelity and acceptance till the close of life. "In early life he was connected in mercantile pursuits with his brother-in-law, the late Hon. Jonathan Russell, who was one of the commissioners associated with Messrs. Adams, Clay, Gallatin, and Bay ard, in negotiating the treaty of peace between our country and Great Britain at Ghent, in 1814. "In January, 1827, Mr. Ammidown was elected treasurer of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, the duties of wdiich office he discharged with exemplary fidelity until within a few days of his death. "In all the relations of life he was highly esteemed and respected. Of quiet and retiring habits, he was, nevertheless, a man of most genial, guile- SOUTHBRIDGE. 5gf less, and cheerful spirit. His countenance was usually lighted with a smile, and his soul was the seat of a benevolence which earnestly desu-ed the welfare of all. None doubted the sincerity of his friend ship; and the public exhibition of his character, for more than four score years, was the best proof of his Christian consistency. Few men, perhaps, have lived for so many years with so few faults, and with a character so unstained and exemplary. " From every department of society we hear the same testimony to his sterling worth. It needed but to know him to love him. He was an upright man, and, what is more, he was a good man, and full of faith and the Holy Ghost. My own acquaintance with him has been of but short continuance— but little over a year and a half— but I have seen far more than enough of him to assure me of the excellence and beauty of his character as a man, a Christian, and an elder in the house of God. "My visits to him will always be cherished most pleasingly in my memory ; a fragrance most delightful lingers around the remembrance of of him. I always felt like sitting humbly at his feet, as I regarded him as one of God's noblemen — one of God's saints, fast approaching the time of full maturity, just about to join the venerable company of the Apostles, and the godly fellowship of the martyrs in the house of Gocl on high. His sun was beginning to go down when I first met with him, and the golden radiance of God's grace has been around him ever since. I never met with any one of more bland and winning suavity of manner. It was refreshing to cross his threshold, and feel the warm grasp of his hand, and meet the kindly smile of welcome which lit up his face as he gave his cordial greeting. " It was pleasant to retreat for a little while from the discordant noises of a tumultuous city into the quiet retirement of his parlor, and by the side of the blazing fire in the grate, sit and talk with him of days gone by. If ever there was a perfect type of a gentleman of the olden time it was our departed and beloved friend. He has been emphatically a man of the past. In our city he has been one of the links that bind us to our earlier history ; and in this church he was the connecting bond between its former and its latter days. He was born five years before our country was free • he was twenty-eight years old when Washington died ; and all the members of the session of this church at the time he became a mem ber of it are gone. "Like the old Israelites leaving Egypt, so this venerable man has been living in this world, having his quiet home here, but having his heart above and beyond it in Canaan ; his feet have pressed the soil of the strange land, but his heart has beat for his home in the house of many mansions. "His dying was a fitting close to this quiet and beautiful life. But a brief sickness preceded his removal. There was nothing of terror or 568 SOUTHBRIDGE. gloom in his passage down the dark valley. He was gently cheerful ; there was all the calm, unfaltering confidence of one who could say, 'I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. I know that my Redeemer liveth ; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. ' To my inquiry, ' Is the Saviour precious to you, and is He with you V he replied with great deliberation and fervor, as he looked with intelligent cheerfulness at me, 'Yes, yes, oh, yes!' "On the day before his decease a former pastor called on him, and being greeted by him with evident pleasure, he remarked to him, ' My friend, you well know in whom you have so long believed, and you are well assured He will never leave or forsake you!' "The dying Christian, although utterance was difficult, exclaimed, with a strangely marked emphasis, 'Never! Never!' " His death was but a pilgrim going home to take his rest. " There was no death: What seemed so was transition; That life of mortal breath Was but a suburb of the land Elysian, Whose portal we call death." FREDERICK WHITING BOTTOM, Charlton aud Southbridge. Mr. Bottom was born at Plainfield, Connecticut, the 1st of March, 1780 ; died at Southbridge the 25th of May, 1855. He was the son of Abial Bottom, a machinist by trade. His prior ancestors were Jedediah and John Bottom, who resided at Norwich, Connecticut. He graduated at Brown university in 1802, read law with Hon. Tristam Burgess, of Providence, and Hon. Pliny Mer rick, of Brookfield, and began the practice of his profession in Charlton; removed to the poll parish, known as "Plonest Town," in December, 1814, and became active in favor of form ing the parish into a town, which took place in February, 1816. He continued his practice here till his decease, as above. Mr. Bottom married Celestina Winslow, daughter of Jacob Winslow, innkeeper at Providence. Their children were: Pierpont Edwards Bates, born in 1803 ; Celestina Winslow, southbridge. 569 born in 1805 ; and Frederick Whiting, born in 1811. The first son has been referred to in another place. The daughter married Samuel Cheever Fiske, a native of Sturbridge ; they had two children, sons, Frederick Botham and Alexander Parkhnrst ; the first, a merchant in New York ; the latter was a captain in the army of the late Rebelhon. The youngest son, Frederick Whiting Botham, married Almira Keith, of Thompson, Connecticut ; commenced the practice of law in Douglas, Massachusetts ; and after wards removed to Southbridge, "where he continues his profession, and maintains a position of respectabihty as a townsman. He is one of the special justices of the Worcester South District Court. His sister, Mrs. Fiske, died during the present year, 1873. DR. JACOB COREY. Having mislaid some papers relating to Dr. Corey, they were omitted in the proper connection with Sturbridge, but are now inserted in the latter part of the volume. Dr. Jacob Corey studied medicine with Dr. Lilley, of Rut land; he married Matilda Walker of this town, and began his practice here, where he continued to reside and to labor during the remainder of his long life. Dr. Corey, it has been remarked before, in connection with Sturbridge, in the list of physicians, was noted in his pro fession and enjoyed the confidence of the people, as well as of the 'medical fraternity ; and, furthermore, he possessed, in a considerable degree, the character of a humorist, fond of jocularity, keen in his perceptions, and enjoyed those things that tended to good feeling, and the pleasantry of society. His characteristics are quite well given in the following fines, the composition of his son, G. V. C, which also exhibit a 570 SOUTHBRIDGE. trait of character in the son, not much dissimilar to that of the father : Full fifty years he plied the healing art, Twice twelve students learned the art of him; " He could minister to the mind diseased," Wipe out the ooze of dismal melancholy ; And with his genial smile and cheerful word, Bring hope and comfort to despairing invalids. His spirits seldom flagged, They beamed frofn his great face, And floated round his huge head, Like a halo round the genius of Mirth ! -' There was no winter in his bounty." Twice ten thousand would not cancel The unpaid charges on his ponderous books ; He never dunned but when his purse was lean, And he was urged by stern necessity ; Therein he failed of justice to himself And his posterity. The honest, laboring man he always honored, But liars, cheats, and all non-paying scoundrels He utterly despised. In all his childrens' minds he did instill The sacred principles of honesty and truth ; He compounded the incomparable Bezor ! That even the learned Dr. Hartwell Did not know! It is death to fevers — not to patients. He used to ride a white-faced mare, Her eyes were large and white : In flesh the mare was rather spare, And she would kick and bite. " Old Gospel " was the creature's name, She paced with wondrous ease ; None ever knew the old mare lame, None ever heard her wheeze. SOUTHBRIDGE. 5Y1 His monstrous, huge, black saddle-bags, Bestrode the old mare's back ; On top of that rode ' ' Dr. Vags, "* And gave the mare a whack. She would pace, and he would sing; He said God made things right, Except one solitary thing : 'Twas not moonlight every night." EARLY SETTLEMENTS LN THIS VICINITY. The history ofthe first planting of the territory, now the county of Worcester, shows that there were only a few scattered settlements in all this territory until the close of the war between England and France, terminated by the treaty of Utrecht, July 13, 1713. Previous to this time several plantations had been granted by the General Court, commencing in 1643 with Lancaster, then Mendon, 1660 ; Brookfield, 1660 ; Worcester, 1668 ; Ox ford and Woodstock, in 1683 ; but fhe two latter, as has been shown, did not commence settlements before 1686. All these, except Woodstock, had at some time during their progress been destroyed before 1713, and efforts had contin ued during all that period (from 1643 to 1713) to induce set tlers to locate in them, with but little success. The fear of assault from the Indians was such that but few settlers could be persuaded to remove to any of them until after the peace before mentioned. But now settlements spread over all this territory with great rapidity, and within a period of twenty-two years (up to 1735) following 1713, all the territory in this county had been granted for towns. This period was remarkable for a spirit of land speculation ; it became a mania with the noted and influential men of the * The only profane language he ever used was, "I vags," and "pox it." So people, for fun, called him "Dr. Vags." 572 SOUTHBRIDGE. colony. The governors, judges of the courts, clergymen, officers of the college, and merchants, all entered into this scramble for these interior lands.* It has been stated in connection with Dudley, that settle ments commenced in its territory in 1721, and in Sturbridge in 1730, and also in the west part of Oxford, afterwards Charl ton, about the same time. These dates are likewise the time when settlements began in the territory now Southbridge, and, as the deeds recorded at Worcester, and in Suffolk county at Boston show, the whole line of the lands bordering upon the Quinebaug river were occupied in the years from 1730 to 1733. The center part, including the water-power and the land now occupied by the center village, as before related, was held by Moses Marcy ; that adjoining above, now the Globe village, by William Plimpton ; and that above him by John Plimp ton, covering Westville and vicinity. The land next below Mr. Marcy was occupied by Colonel Thomas Cheney on both sides, down to Saundersdale, and thence on the south side to land bought by John Vinton, of Stoneham, in 1738. On the north side of the Quinebaug, below the bridge across the river (lately called the "Red Bridge)," was the land of Joseph Sabin, where he settled in 1733. The Ammidowns did not locate in that vicinity till 1760. The first sale of land by Moses Marcy, in the tract now the center village, was to Samuel Freeman, blacksmith, of Sturbridge, six acres, partly in Sturbridge and partly in Oxford; another lot adjoining, eight acres, and one of 110 rods, on which said Freeman's house now stands, as expressed ; and a third lot of 32 perch in Oxford, a triangular piece adjoining the road. These two latter pieces are those on which stand the house of Mrs. Vin ton, lately the Shumway house, on Elm street, the building See Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, vol. II, pp. 299 and SOU. SOUTHBRIDGE. 5 70 on the corner east of the Edwards hotel, and extending to a point near the present bank building, the property of Mr. Leo nard at this time. The first lot includes the large building west of Elm street, formerly the « Old Tavern." The low part at the south end, by the large elm and the well, was Samuel Freeman's dwelling-house, in which he raised his family of children. His son, the late Colonel Benjamin Freeman, was born there the same year it was erected, in 1744. This deed is witnessed by Nathaniel Walker and Rowland Clark, recorded b. 29, p. 400, Worcester. This Nathaniel Walker was from Weston, near Boston ; he bought a tract of land in the large gore, north part of Sturbridge and Charl ton, of John Davis, May 12, 1743—270 acres; consideration £1,600. (See b. 26, p. 596). He was the father of the late Deacon Asa Walker, and the ancestor of all of the name in this vicinity. Rowland Clark bought, in 1746, on the hill south, known now as the " Clark Place," as will be shown hereafter. Samuel Freeman located his blacksmith shop east of the south part of the Edwards brick hotel, standing where Elm street now is, and the front on the range of the two large elms recently cut down. These two trees grew up, one at the south front corner, and the other at the north front corner of said shop. The location of the saw-mill and grist-mill erected by Mr. Marcy, was a point to be reached by roads, first in the direc tion of Woodstock, as at this time that town had been settled 58 years, having begun its first settlement in 1686. The second road was to Oxford, that town having been settled since 1713 then 31 years. Then it became necessary to accommo date the pioneer settlers in New Medfield (Sturbridge), and those in the west part of Dudley. All these roads were built at tirst with the design of reaching these mills in the shortest and most convenient way. 574 SOUTHBRIDGE. Mr. Freeman, no doubt, selected his location at the junc tion of these roads, to secure the business for his blacksmith shop, as the farmers came to the mills. It is proper to observe, that the first settlers in Sturbridge, many of them settled within the limits of this town ; one range of these set tlers, extending from the Globe village, south, on the hill land ; beginning with the Plimptons, at what is now the Globe village; thence south, the Hardings, Denisons, Wheelocks, Masons, Morses, Ellises, and Fosters; then, on the south road, the Clarks,and on Lebanon hill, the Morses; thence east on the lower road to Woodstock, the Morses, Morrises, Pratts, and Bacons; and to the east, on the road to Dudley, the Cheneys, Sabins, Putneys, Ammidowns, and Vintons; all these settlers made these mills a common center, now about 135 to 140 years since, and 126 years (now 1870) since Samuel Freeman located here. May 26, 1746. John and Caleb Harding to Rowland Clark, all of Sturbridge, 102 acres, £160; b. 30, p. 132. December 30, 1747. Nehemiah Underwood to Rowland Clark, both of Sturbridge; b. 30, p. 126. This farm descended to his son, Jephthah Clark, and then to his grandson, the late Joseph Clark. April 10, 1747. Richard Williams, of Boston, one of the heirs of Capt. PapiUon, to William Alton, of Thompson, Con necticut, 60 acres of land in Oxford. April 10, 1747. Ebenezer Scott, of Oxford, to William Alton, of Thompson, 60 acres, £138, bounded N. on Brown lot, south on Holmes Ammidown's own land, and west on Kitchen's land. May 27, 1751. Martha Williams, wife of the late Richard Williams, of Boston, to William Alton, 20 acres; b. 31, p. 182. This William Alton was one of the principal men in the west part of Oxford, and headed the petition for setting off this part of Oxford, which became Charlton in 1754. This is SOUTHBRIDGE. 575 the late Major Calvin Ammidown's farm, lately known as the " William Bradford Place." May 10, 1796. The heirs of William Alton, to wit, Ben jamin, Moses, Amasa, Susannah, Miriam and Silence Alton, sold to Luther and Calvin Ammidown, 1301- acres, this home- farm, when it passed from the Altons to the Ammidowns. 1748. Moses Marcy, of Sturbridge to Jedediah Marcy, his son, with a house on same, in Dudley, adjoining land of the Rev. Mr. Gleason, Samuel Newell, Benjamin Newell, and Samuel Fairbanks; 100 acres granted as a portion of his estate to his oldest son. June, 1751. John Peacock, to Joseph Barrett, land in west part of Dudley. April 9, 1760. Reuben Ellis, of Sturbridge to Gershom Plimpton, of Sturbridge, 1£ acres. July 1, 1761. Jonathan Perry to Gershom Plimpton, of Sturbridge, 4J acres, £4 ; b. 49, pp. 43 and 44. This Gershom Plimpton was the father of the late Ohver Plimpton, Esq., and Captain Gershom Plimpton, well-known men in the history of the parish, and in the early history of the town. May 9, 1765. James Denison to Ralph Wheelock, both of Sturbridge, 12 acres, £200; b. 51, p. 296. Mr. Denison was one of the pioneer settlers in Sturbridge ; Mr. Wheelock married Experience, daughter of Mr. Denison, and the first white child born in Sturbridge. A large family was the result of this marriage, who became worthy residents here. April 16, 1765. Aaron Gleason, of Charlton, to Alexander Brown, of Killingly, Connecticut, 193 acres in Charlton, £46 ; b. 55, p. 363- This Mr. Brown was the father of Nathan, Rufus, and Charles Brown. November 5 1761. Jonathan Mason, to Abel Mason, both of Sturbridge, 85 acres in Sturbridge; b. 59, p. 329. This farm is supposed to be the present residence of a descendant This Jonathan was one of the proprietors of Sturbridge; and 576 SOUTHBRIDGE. this Abel, his son, is known as the elder, late Captain Abel Mason. Their descendants are now residents here. March 8, 1764. Joshua Mason to Oliver Mason, both of Sturbridge, 35 acres, £20. This Joshua Mason is supposed to be the father of this Oliver Mason. January 4, 1765. Thomas Cook and wife, of Union, Luke Upham and wife, of Killingly, Thomas Sabin and Ebenezer Sabin, of Pomfret, to Ephraim Bacon, of Woodstock, 81 acres in Sturbridge, £20 ; b. 51, p. 283. This is located in the south-east part of Southbridge, near the farm now the home stead of Mr. Francis S. Morse. Mr. Ephraim Bacon is the ancestor of the Bacons now residing in that vicinity, and father of the late Enoch Bacon. 1766. Samuel Davis to Asa Walker, both of Sturbridge, 50 acres. March 20, 1770. Isaac Wood to Asa Walker, both of Sturbridge, 60 acres, £100 ; b. 65, p. 147. This Mr. Walker is the late Deacon Asa Walker, who was born in 1743, and died in 1814, and was the son of Nathaniel Walker, who bought the 270 acres in the county gore in 1743, the year this son was born. August 28, 1769. Ebenezer Edmonds, of Dudley, to Henry Pratt of Sturbridge, 80 acres, £60. November 12, 1778. Edward Learned to Henry Pratt, both of Sturbridge, half of 91 acres, £112; this Mr. Pratt was the father of the late Freeman Pratt ; b. 82, p. 166. August 28, 1769. Ebenezer Edmonds, of Dudley, to Dan iel Morse, of Sturbridge, 56 acres, £39 ; land in Sturbridge ; b. 82, p. 193. This is the late Deacon Daniel Morse, born, 1744, died, 1832; he was brother of Jeremiah Morse, the father of the late Alpha Morse, whose son, Francis S., retains their homestead ; also, a brother of Asa Morse, the father of the late Parker Morse. This family came from Sherburne to Sturbridge. SOUTHBRIUGE. 577 1775. Joseph Morse to Jason Morse, both of Sturbrido-e 30 acres. to ' December 14, 1775. Daniel Hill to Jason Morse, both of Sturbridge, 60 acres, £10; b. 82, p. 74. This Jason Morse was the father of the late Jason Morse and a distant branch of the Morse family above. October 6, 1772. Samuel White, Junior, to Edward Morris, of Dudley, 50 acres, £60; b. 76, p. 50. This is the farm of the late Ehsha Morris, on the hill, south-east of South- bridge village, and residence of the late Widow Prudence Morris. December 8, 1772. Edward Foster to his son, Fletcher Foster, both of Sturbridge, £80, b. 71, p. 416. This family have been long known ; their farm was at Westville. The first improvement of the water-power on the Quinebaug at this place was by this family, aided by the late Jedediah Ellis ; this Mr. Ellis was the son of Samuel Ellis, one of the pro prietors of New Medfield. April 27, 1789. Jedediah Marcy, of Dudley, to his son, Jedediah Marcy, Junior, land partly in Sturbridge, and partly in Charlton, 400 acres, with a grist-mill, saw-mill, dwelling- house, and several barns and other buildings, £1,000 ; witnessed by and acknowledged before Caleb Ammidown. The grantor here was the oldest son of Colonel Moses Marcy ; and the grantee the late Captain Jedediah Marcy. March 11, 1797. Jedediah Marcy, of Dudley, to Nathan and Charles Brown, of Charlton, 446 acres, bounded on the south by Woodstock north line. This tract of land is known as the "Brown Farm," b. 109, p. 48; deed witnessed by and acknowledged before Caleb Ammidown. March 12, 1799. Jedediah Marcy, Junior, to Calvin Perry, blacksmith, one acre, adjoins on the south end of Benjamin Freeman's garden; h. 161, p. 253 ; witnessed by and acknowl edged before Caleb Ammidown. This includes the land west 578 SOUTHBRTDGE. of C. A. Paige, the other side of Elm street, extending to the Botham place. March 12, 1799. Jedediah Marcy to William Love, one acre, price $100 ; b. 175, p. 41. Bounded as follows: Begin ning at N. E. corner, S. 11£°,W.13 rods 9 links; W. 12°, N. by land called "Meeting-House Common" 10 rods to the road; N. 33£°, W. by said road, 4 rods 12 links; N. 23°, E. 11| rods; thence E. 10 rods 12 links to bound first mentioned. This lot covers most of what is now known as the land on which stands the C. A. Dresser house, and open lot adjoin ing on the east, and Central street on the west, opposite. April 13, 1801. Jedediah Marcy to Nathaniel Searle, trader, one acre of land, $200; b. 143, p. 226. This tract is the house-lot of the late Larkin Ammidown, Esq. May 26, 1801. Benjamin Freeman to John Wait, 3 acres and 13 rods, south side of road leading east to Dudley ; b. 147, p. 39. This is the lotnow known as the "Spectacle Shop," re cently, of R. H. Cole. Mr. Wait erected here a blacksmith's and trip-hammer shop. April 2, 1801. Benjamin Freeman to Reuben Harrrington, physician, 32 acres, adjoining on the Widow Cheney farm; b. 143, p. 175. This is the late Jonas Lamb farm, now a part of Saundersdale; located at the corner of Woodstock and Dudley roads. April 1,1802. William Love, to James Wolcott, Oliver Plimpton, Luther Ammidown, and Calvin Ammidown, part of one acre of land, bought of Jedediah Marcy, bounded as follows : Beginning at S. E. corner of said acre of land, and adjoining parish common, west of the new meeting-house, W. 12c, N. on said common 50 feet; thence N. about 30 feet, until it comes as far north as to make a right angle with the N. side of said store, standing on the same ; thence easterly fifty feet as the store now stands, to parish common ; thence 18 feet to place begun at ; price, with building, $45; b. 147, p. 444: the SOUTHBRIDGE. 57-9 first store in Center village. In this deed Mr. Love grants the right to the spring of water in rear. This is part of open lot between Pnbhc Library block and the C. A. Dresser house. April 8, 1807. Joshua Harding and Jonathan Perry, of Sturbridge, executors of the will and testament of Colonel Benjamin Freeman, to Andrew Brown, of Woodstock, Con necticut, 149 acres, 1 quarter 15 rods, $4,181.62— the homestead farm of said Freeman, except 2 acres 64 rods, and dwelling-house and barn, set off to Mrs. Keziah Brown, and one acre for burying-ground; b. 166, p. 463. January 4, 1811. Andrew Brown, Woodstock, to Daniel Briggs, Sturbridge, 149 acres, 1 quarter 15 rods, except two lots as above, for Mrs. Brown, and the burying-ground, $4,700 ; b. 178, p. 243. March 29, 1813. Daniel Briggs to John, Luther, and Calvin Ammidown, 149 acres, 1 quarter 15 rods, $5,600, reserving same as above ; also 30 rods of land, sold Reuben Harrington (same as the house and blacksmith-shop, west side of Elm street, opposite residence of C. A. Paige, Esq.), and small lot to Benoni West, on the present location of west part of the Edwards house. September 11, 1816. Luther Ammidown and Larkin Ammidown to Calvin Ammidown, house and store, about | of an acre; next to the land ofthe heirs of Jeremiah Shumway. (This is the Columbian building, on Main streut, now the prop erty of Manning Leonard, Esq., erected in 1814.) Another lot, about ten rods of land, with barn on same. (This is part of the Tiffany house lot, now Manning Leonard's residence.) A third lot, 1£ acres. (Thisis the lot on whichis nowthe meeting-house of the Congregational society, and the residence of Dr. Samuel Hartwell.) A fourth lot includes the residence of the late Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Esq., 154. acres and 18 rods ; the fifth lot is the pasture land beyond, price $3,000; b. 202, p. 291; b. 217, p. 534. This sale was occasioned by the death of John Ammidown, one of the joint owners in the Freeman farm. 580 SOUTHBRIDGE. April 20, 1815. Luther and Calvin Ammidown to Larkin Ammidown, the interest of John Ammidown in Freeman farm, being one third part, also one third of the old store, the open lot west of library building, and west of Baptist meeting-house, all John Ammidown's interest; see b. 196, pp. 171 and 172. April 20, 1815. Larkin Ammidown to Luther and Calvin Ammidown, quits all right to two thirds of Freeman farm — a deed of partition. This was the beginning for dividing up Col. Benjamin Freeman's homestead. The three brothers, John, Luther, and Calvin, having all deceased sometime since, this estate has, to a large extent, passed from that name. Caleb Ammidown, born, August, 1736; died, April 13, 1799, aged sixty- three. John Ammidown, born, April 15, 17.)9 ; died, December 3, 1814, aged fifty-five. Luther A.mmidown, born, July 8, 1701 ; died, May 3, 1835, aged seventy- four. Calvin Ammidown, born, June 21, 1768; died, January o, 1825, aged fifty-seven. December 2, 1737. At this time the heirs of the late Captain Peter PapiUon employed Isaac Learned, surveyor, to lot out all their remaining lands in Oxford, and to make a plan of the same, dividing them into eight parcels, when a division was made by lot, two parcels to each of the four heirs.* Besides the 3,000 acres, bought of Paul and William Dudley, Captain PapiUon had bought the 3,000 acres of the Hon. William Stoughton, adjoining his tract on the north; thus making 6,000 acres which he owned in the south-west corner of Oxford, and bounding upon Dudley on tlie south, and butting on the west upon Sturliridge east line. All these lands were now for sale. These PapiUon lands embraced all that part of Charlton taken with part of Sturbridge and Dudley to form Southbridge, covering a large part of the center village and water-power, a part of which had previously been sold to Col. Marcy and Col. Thomas Cheney. * See plan of this division, Worcester Records, boot 10, page 310. YALE UNIVERSITY