USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Hubbardston > An address, in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Hubbardston, Mass. > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 H861st 1779108
M. I
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 0731
AN
ADDRESS,
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE
ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE
TOWN OF HUBBARDSTON, MASS., DELIVERED JUNE 13th, 1867,
BY REV. JOHN M. STOWE, OF SULLIVAN, N. II. ;
A POEM,
PREPARED BY DEA. EPHRAIM STOWE;
TOGETHER WITH OTHER
PROCEEDINGS AND EXERCISES CONNECTED WITH THE OCCASION.
WITH AN APPENDIX,
CONTAINING A LIST OF THE MUNICIPAL OFFICERS,
AND OTHER INTERESTING MATTER.
WORCESTER : PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON, PALLADIUM OFFICE. 1867.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/addressincommemo00hubb
Him. 9:
1779108
CENTENNIAL ADDRESS,
JUNE 13, 1867.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS OF HUBBARDSTON :
We congratulate you that the birthday of our native town falls on this auspicious season. Hubbardston was born in the most beautiful of the months ; when Flora, and Zephyros, her fabled spouse, were in their full ascendency. We can observe the exact day without one wish that it had been in any other part of the year. As I have walked this beautiful shaded street, and looked upon the flower plots in front yards, with the woodbine and ivy climbing over the doors, and pinks and lilies and geraniuns smiling through the win- dow panes, and as I have seen the honeysuckle and hyacinth and forget-me-not distilling the fragrance of affection over the graves of the dear departed, I have inquired whether this love of flowers and trees, which has always character- ized the people of this town, did not in part arise from the fact that the place drew in the odor of flowers with its first breath.
Doubtless the day was fixed without design, but we feel its influence none the less. As we have left our varied pur- suits and come home, from the north and the south, the cast and the west, to visit our mother once more, we find her attired in her most beautiful holiday dress, more beautiful and gorgeous on her centennial day than in her maiden life, as if each passing summer had given its beauties into her possession. As we have wended our way back to our native village, after years of absence, over these hills and through these winding valleys, it has been to us, one triumphal
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ovation, as when the victorious warrior of old returned to find his path strewn with blossoms and palm branches. Flowers have nodded and smiled to each other, and the rich green trees have bowed in obeisance as we passed. Just such summer breezes as of old have kissed our cheeks, and we have seen the same butterflies we chased once with naked feet. The wild pink of the woods has lost none of its for- mer charms. The birds sing our welcome in the same tune we admired in onr childhood's days. The squirrel runs out on the limb of the old tree, and chirps, as if he recognized us as old acquaintances. The brook ripples just as when we sought the spotted trout among its pebbles. Thus the very circumstances of the season carry us back to the past, and deepen the emotions, and hallow the impressions of the day. Grove and field, pond and brook, reflect the sweet images of carly days.
This year summer seemed to linger in her coming, that she might strew our path with her virgin blossoms, and this beautiful day is God's own benediction upon the occasion. In all our wanderings, the old homestead has never been forgotten, and never was it dearer than to-day. We are glad to be here, and our only regret is, that we have not a richer tribute to bring with us.
As I am commissioned to speak in behalf of the resident citizens, as well as those from abroad, I would repeat their welcome. We are right glad to see you, and clasp your hands once more. We welcome you to our hearts and our homes, as well as to the festivities of this occasion. Natives of Hubbardston, and you who have captivated her fair daughters,-you who once dwelt in these houses and tilled these fields, and you who have been drawn here by a friendly interest, one and all, Welcome ! May none of you ever blush to have it told that you was connected with this town, by birth, residence or relationship. But as you go back to your adopted homes, after revisiting the scenes of early life, and reviving oll acquaintance ; after sitting with father and mother, brothers and sisters again, around the
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old hearthstone, or at the long table, where once the unbro- ken circle met, and after dropping a tear over the graves of the dear ones whose presence we sadly miss, may you go richer in precious memories, and better for this review of by-gone scenes.
But one theme occupies our thoughts to-day. At every fireside, and wherever friend meets friend, incidents and re- miniscences of the town and its people, will be rehearsed. I shall present no other subject than the history and charac- ter of Hubbardston, through these hundred years.
Every thing that is valuable in this life is the result of toil, sacrifice and suffering. All the privileges of this favored generation have grown out of the labors and priva- tions of those hardy pioneers who have lived before us. All those benign institutions under which we find shelter and repose, strike their roots deep into that soil which was watered with the tears and the blood of our ancestors. Every town has its own character as truly as the individual, and that character is often as much the result of early im- pressions. As we look over these pleasant homes and well- cultivated farms, and walk through these streets, meeting well-dressed and refined people, and view these churches and school-houses, we know that this would never have been realized, had not the early settlers denied themselves all such comforts, as they plunged into the depths of the dark forests which covered this . whole territory. They dwelt in the rudest cabins, subsisting on the coarsest fare, depending upon the wild game of the woods for their meat. The nightly serenade of the Hubbardston Band then, was by the howling wolf and the hooting owl. The surly bear looked in at the door and growled at the children in the cra- dle. For twenty or thirty years after the settlement of this town, wolves and bears infested these forests. Yet with brave hearts and strong hands, these men cleared the woods and laid the foundation for coming generations; not for themselves, but for us. The axe and the gun were the pio- neers of all this civilization and refinement.
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It is not only fitting, therefore, that we pay an hon- est tribute to the heroic deeds and manly virtues of the fathers, but it is important also that we gather up and pre- serve the records, so that children's children may know what has been done for them. Some of the ancient nations saw so much the importance of a brilliant history to set before their young men, that where the record was obscure, or lacking in brilliant deeds, they supplied the deficiency with glowing fable. In some countries it was the custom to bring out the boys, at certain seasons, and show them the works of their fathers, and tell them of all the brilliant achievements of the past, that they might be inspired to do and dare. Such is the influence and importance of history.
Our annals to-day, mist be simple and unpretending. We have but little of thrilling incident or romantic adven- ture to relate. Time has drawn a veil over many things. Much that we would be glad to recite can never be known, for none are left to relate it. Dust and mould have gathered over the names of many whose influence was once promi- nent here. Even the graves of some of them are as obscure as that of Alaric, King of the Goths, who caused a deep river to be turned from its channel ; his grave was dug in its bed, and after he was buried the river was restored to its course again, and all the prisoners who did the work were slain, that none should know where he rested. So we know not the resting place of some of the fathers.
This town is located apart from the great marts of busi- ness, and thoroughfares of travel, with little to attract the busy world. We have been left much like Sancho, in the story of Cervantes. In his journey he fell soundly asleep in his saddle. Then there came a Frenchman and quietly lifted the saddle, and propped it up on both sides, and then stole away the beast from under him.
So our beast has departed. First came a railroad which lifted the saddle on the south side. Then a railroad which lifted it on the north side, and the two props put under, were two railroads located through town, but, never to be
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built. Thus the long array of teams and stage coaches which once rumbled through these streets, and drove up to these hotels, giving much of life and bustle to the place, are seen no more. Yet we have a "habitation and a name" which need no embellishment of fable.
Even the retirement of the place is genial to many hearts.
"How blest is he who crowns, in shades like these, A youth of labor with an age of ease."
These secluded towns have an importance which is some- times overlooked. They are the nurseries of civilization, virtue, and piety for the whole land. From these farm plants have been taken the slips which have caused the prai- ries of the West to bud and blossom like the rose. New England enterprise, New England virtue, New England principle, have given to the great West the position which it now holds.
The lament in all these towns is, that the best, the enter- prising young men emigrate. Let them go, and rejoice in the part you are thus taking in moulding the character, and shaping the destiny of the whole country. No place stands so high in the scale of importance, as that whose principal product and export is men.
Some years ago, in an obscure pasture on one of the slopes of Burnshirt Hill, there sprung up, unplanted, a little apple tree. For years it struggled for life against summer drought and winter storms, and browsing of cattle. At length it bore fruit, and of such quality as to attract attention. Thus originated the world-renowned " Hubbard- ston None-such." So from these obscure hills and valleys may come men whose influence will be equally wide-spread. It is a fact worthy of note, that the men who now take the lead in all departments of the nation have sprung up in just such rural homes as these. Our sons and daughters are found everywhere, and in that glorious day which is surely coming, when the clear, calm sky of freedom shall
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bend its genial arch over all nations, and kindred, and people, and when angelic voices shall sing
"That song of triumph which records That all the earth is now the Lord's,"
we believe it will be seen that our influence was not lost in hastening that day.
There are a few things in the history of the town which partially obscure our fair fame, -scenes of strife and controversy, which I shall only reproduce so far as faithful- ness demands. Let the waters of oblivion roll over them. We prefer to remember, and transmit to our children only what is pure and lovely and of good report. And when I allude to these things, I shall endeavor to twine the ivy, or weave the olive branch around the sears and defacements, rather than to expose them. I deem it no part of my duty to-day, to probe any wounds which time has healed, nor to uncover any deformities, the memory of which these years have overgrown.
Yet, though some evils have grown out of the excitable temperament of the people, with pleasure we record the fact, that there have been but few great crimes ever com- mitted in town, and but few notoriously bad men raised here. We were obliged to own "Old Grimes" as one of our sons, even after Worcester took possession of his cars. Yet at this day we look upon him as a man exceedingly weak in mind, and weaker in moral sense, rather than as a great rascal. Besides, he was not born in town.
We have no Indian history to relate.' There is no evi- dence that the native red man ever had a home or settle- ment within these bounds, or that he ever molested any of the people. Yet it is evident that he was well acquainted with this whole region, and that he had here important hunt- ing and fishing grounds. The ponds, to this day, bear the names which he gave them, only that the beautiful Asnacou- comick has been corrupted into Comet Pond. At Nasha- way, afterwards Lancaster, there was a large Indian settle-
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ment of the Narragansett tribe, and later another at Niche- wang, now Petersham. From Lancaster to the foot of the "Greate Wachusette" there was a path, and from there it branched off on both sides of the mountain, one on the north and the other on the south, but both leading to Niche- waug. The southern path, undoubtedly, lay through this town, passing near to Comet Pond, then near to where Benja- min D. Phelps lives, and thence to Burnshirt Hill, and near Burnshirt river it probably met the other path. Near the pond just named, there are the remains of an old chimney, or rude fireplace, built of stone. Here probably they had a wigwam, as a sort of half-way house in their journey through the wilderness. It is probable that Mrs. Rowlandson, the wife of the first minister of Lancaster, the story of whose captivity and treatment by the Indians was one of the mar- vellons books of our boyhood, passed down this path to Wachusett when she was ransomed and returned to her friends. In the records of the proprietors of Petershamn is the following, made in 1734. Voted to give Capt. Jonas Hough- ton a sum of money, "for making the road so feasible, from Lancaster along the North side of Wachusett, to the meet- ing of the other path which goes from the aforesaid Lancas- ter, along on the South side of Wachusett, as to carry com- fortably with four oxen four barrels of cider at once."
Hayward, in his Gazetteer, probably quoting from some old history, says, "around Moose Horn Pond, there is every appearance that there was once a stone wall built, or building. In some places the wall is two feet and a half high, as if laid up with men's hands ; and where there is not one stone left upon another, the appearance is of a large wall thrown down." But good judges, who have examined these stones, are of opinion that there is nothing here more than might be produced by natural causes. As we can conceive of no reason for building such a wall, the presumption is that it is not artificial.
But just over our northern boundary, in what is known as " mine hill," is a remarkable cave or room, extending fifty-
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seven feet into the solid rock, with a very narrow entrance. In the rock, overhead, the marks of drills are still plainly visible, and there are, in the region, the remains of an old well, and other evidences which prove it to be an artificial cave, and made long before there was any settlement here ; when, or by whom excavated, will probably forever remain a mystery. My grandfather, who removed from Concord to this town more than seventy years ago, heard a tradition in his boyhood, which he supposed threw some light upon the matter. In that region were one or two merchants, who traded largely with the Indians. At one time these Indians brought, what seemed to be valuable ore, and these men, under their guidance, fitted ont a company to go and secretly explore the mine. They were gone three or four months, but where, was kept a secret. The next year they went again, and were absent about the same length of time. They brought specimens of the ore, which were sent to England and analyzed, but not proving valuable, the expe- dition was abandoned, and these men dying soon after, the place of their operations was not divulged. It is not alto- gether improbable that this may have been the spot. This is about all we ever heard of the connection of Indians with this place.
On the 22d of December, 1686, Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprion Stevens, purchased of certain Indians, who claimed to be the owners of the soil, a tract of land twelve miles square, with very indefinite boundaries, which was known by the name of Naquag, and is described as composed of "Med- ows, Swamps, Timbers, Etervils." For this they paid £23. The deed was not recorded till April 14th, 1714, in Middlesex County.
This purchase included what is now Rutland, a portion of Paxton, Oakham, Barre, Hubbardston, and the largest half of Princeton, and contained 93,160 acres, including 1000 acres already granted to Hon. Samuel Sewell. This would make the original cost of the land less than one mill per acre.
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In 1713, on petition of the sons and grandsons of Simon Willard, the General Court confirmed this title, provided " that within seven years, sixty families be settled thereon, with sufficient quantity of land reserved for the use of the gospel ministry and for schools."
In December, 1715, the proprietors, who now numbered thirty-three, voted "to survey and set off into lots the con- tents of six miles square, to be granted to settlers in order to secure the performance of the conditions of the confirma- tion of the title." This tract was what is now Rutland, and a part of Paxton. They then laid out sixty-two house-lots of thirty aeres each, which were offered to permanent set- tlers, with the promise that the remainder of the land should be divided among them, in case the sixty families were set- tled within the prescribed seven years. This was the case, and thus the proprietors gave up all their right in one fourth part of the original purchase, and continued to manage the other three-fourths according to the laws relating to proprie- tors, till 1749, when the northwest quarter was incorporated into a separate district, called the Rutland District, now the town of Barre.
The portion which is now Hubbardston bore the name of the North-East Quarter. What is now Oakhamn, was the West Wing, and what is now Princeton, was the East Wing.
This North-East Quarter contained something over 23,000 acres, which, acording to the cost of the whole purchase, would be worth about $18. You will observe here, that the very feature of the township which made it of so little value then, has since been the great source of its wealth, in fact, that which has made it what it is. It was because it was covered with dense, unbroken forests. The first settlers lived in the woods. Their descendants have lived by the profit of the woods. These forests were then regarded as the greatest possible incumbrance, and every means was re- sorted to to prostrate and destroy them. In the spring they set fires and burned over large tracts, in order that grass and
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green herbs might grow for the cattle, which were driven up from the lower towns in great mimbers, to pasture. One terrible accident occurred in consequence. In May, 1781, fire was running in the woods near the house of Joseph Par- menter, and a fresh breeze was spreading the flames. Mrs. Parmenter ran to Mr. James Thompson's, about 200 rods, for help, leaving her children, one three years old, and one a year old, in the house. She hastened back with all possi- ble speed, but as she came in sight of the house, it was all in flames, and she was so evercome that she sunk down just where she was, unable to proceed further. Both the children were consmed.
The Natty Pond Meadows, now some of the most worth- less lands in town, were considered some of the most valu- able by the early settlers, because they never had much timber on them, and bore considerable quantities of hay. Of so little value was wood, long after the town was incorporated, that many men made it their business to cut down the trees and burn them on the ground, that potash might be made from the ashes. This was about the only article they could sell for money. But worthless as these forests once were, if the whole tract had remained unsettled and untouched till now, with the same progress all around us, probably all the property now in town, and all our cousins who visit us to-day, could invest, would not purchase it. Very few towns, so elevated, have so many valuable mill privileges. This, with the abundance of good timber, and that quality of the soil which so readily reproduces the for- est after being cleared, has given to this town its impor- tance. The words of the Psalmist are true of this place, " A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon thick trees."
In 1737, the proprietors, in order to divide this North- East Quarter among themselves, decided to lay it out into 68 house-lots, of one hundred acres each, and 33 great farms, of five hundred acres each, which would give two house-lots and one great farm for each share, besides the reserved
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lands. The same year the house-lots, and one of sixty acres, and another of seven acres, were surveyed. Before proceed- ing to the division, they ordered that lot No. 21 " be assigned to the first learned and orthodox minister, who shall be ordained, and settled in the ministry in this place, provi- ded he shall continue seven years, or until the day of his death, to his heirs and assigns forever." This lot lay in what is now the very centre of the town, embracing the Common, the Old Cemetery, and the lots on which the buildings now stand for considerable distance around.
They also ordered that lot No. 30 be set apart, and re- main unalienated, for the use of schools in town. This lot was sold in 1796, for $1273, and was the origin of the pre- sent school find of the town.
The lot of 60 acres was given to Eleazer Brown, who was then living upon it, on condition " that he or his heirs dwell, and keep a house thereon, for the entertainment of travellers, for the space of seven years." This lot was located where the farm of Thomas Temple has since been, and was the first settlement in town.
The seven-acre lot was granted for a meeting-house and common, and was situated on the top of the hill, north-east of the old burial ground. But when the people afterwards began to talk of building a meeting-house, they saw the in- convenience of the location, and made an exchange with Rev. Mr. Parker, who was in possession of the minister's lot, giving him the seven aeres, and taking half that amount where the common now is. Mr. Parker's house stood on this spot. After settling these preliminaries, the division was made by drawing lots.
Early the next year the great farms were laid out, and finding that there was still a surphis of land, they ordered that a farm of 150 acres of the choicest and best land remaining be given to the first minister, on the same condi- tions as before prescribed. This lot was located on the south side of Comet Pond, and contained very large mea- sure. The remainder was divided into twelve small farms
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from fifty to ninety acres each, which, according to the record, were distributed "to qualify the greater farms," which means probably to equalize the shares in value. In this survey also, they reserved strips of land six rods wide, between two tiers of farms, the whole length of the town, for roads. This land has since been incorporated into the adjoining farms, thus giving to each hundred acre farm an extra 300 rods of land.
In June, 1738, when the final division was made, one small farm of fifty-seven acres was granted to Rev. Thomas Prince, in consideration of his great services performed for the proprietors, and another to Adam Winthrop for the same consideration. Mr. Prince was for forty years pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, and was a very distinguished divine. By inheritance, he became a large land holder in the East Wing of Rutland, and as Gov. Gill married his daughter, and inherited his estate, he probably caused this tract to take the name of his distinguished father-in-law. Hence the name of Princeton.
Adam Winthrop was for many years Moderator of the Proprietors.
When this final division of the farms was made, such had been the changes in twenty-five years, since the confirmation of the title, that only two of thirty-three original owners remained to claim their shares.
Active measures were taken for the settlement of what is now the town of Barre. Several grants of land were made, on condition that houses should be erected on them, and large appropriations were also made to build a bridge over Ware River, to clear out the road to Nichewang line, and to provide preaching. But it does not appear that the proprie- tors ever made any special efforts for the settlement of this North-East Quarter. Still the course they pursued with their purchase, as a whole, shows that they were men of large views and a liberal policy. The same policy which led them to give away one-fourth of all their lands, to actual settlers, and to make liberal outlays for other portions,
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was doubtless intended to apply to this part also. They foresaw that if the southerly and westerly portions, which were most accessible, should become settled, the tide of civ- ilization would soon flow over this tract also. The size and shape in which the town was laid out, six miles square, with the reservation of lands for schools, roads, parsonage and common, show that they contemplated making this as im- portant a township as any of the others.
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