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ATHOL
M. L
Gc 974.402 At46c 1202811 Aw 10-
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01104 4291
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/atholmassachuset00casw
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Lilly B. Gaswell
ATHOL
1
MASSACHUSETTS,
PAST AND PRESENT
BY LILLEY B. CASWELL.
ILLUSTRATED.
"IT IS A NOBLE FACULTY OF OUR NATURE WHICH ENABLES US TO CONNECT OUR THOUGHTS. OUR SYMPATHIES, AND OUR HAPPINESS WITH WHAT IS DIS- TANT IN PLACE OR TIME: AND LOOKING BEFORE AND AFTER, TO HOLD COM- MUNION AT ONCE WITH OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR POSTERITY."
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. ATHOL, MASS. 1899.
1
VIEWS AND CUTS.
Athol from the Ledges,
1
Boundary Map, (initial)
1
Round Top,
5
Fitchburg R. R. Depots.
7
Indian Fording Place,
11
Churches,
68
Main Street School House,
126
Lake Park School House,
127
Highland School House,
128
Old High School Building,
137
High School House,
138
Grand Army Badge,
148
Scene of the great fire of 1890 and portrait of Alexander McLeod,
175
Water Works Elevations,
178
Residence of George W. Horr, Esq.,
186
Millers River National Bank,
348
Ginery Twichell as the Unrivalled Express Rider.
356
Letter from John Brown to Col. George H. Hoyt.
360
PRESS OF THE ATHOL TRANSCRIPT CO., ATHOL, MASS.
Breda per - $10.00
1202811
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTIVE. Location- Boundaries- Surface- Streams-Ponds -Hills -Products-Census-Growth of the Town-Valuation. 1-8
CHAPTER II.
ANCIENT PEQUOIG. The Nipnets-Survey of the town-Names of the men who drew house lots in 1734-First settlers-Indian depredations- French and Indian War. 9-17
CHAPTER III.
NAMING THE TOWN. The name of Paxton-Act of Incorporation-Sketch of John Murray. 18-24
CHAPTER IV.
TOWN GOVERNMENT Call for first town meeting-List of Selectmen- sketches of Wilson D. Smith-George W. Bishop -Chas. A. Carruth -Henry Gray-Town Clerks-Sketch of John D. Holbrook-Town Treasurer .- Sketch of Samuel Lee-Collection of taxes-The town's poor-Road- and bridges-The currency. 25-44
CHAPTER V.
CHURCHES. The first church-Evangelical Congregational Church-First Baptist-Methodist Episcopal-South Athol Methodist Church-Sec- ond Unitarian-St. John's Episcopal-Second Advent-St. Catherine's Catholic. 45-83
CHAPTER VI.
ATHOL IN THE REVOLUTION. Action of the town just before the Revolu- tion-Minute men-Sketch of Ichabod Dexter, Athol's first captain- Marching order of Capt. Ephraim Stockwell-List of Athol men in the Revolution-Votes passed by the town during the war. 84-94
CHAPTER VII.
War OF 1812 AND POLITICAL HISTORY. Opposition of the town to the War of 1812-Political History-Representatives-Senators. 95-104
CHAPTER VIII.
ATHOL IN THE REBELLION. Opening of the Rebellion-First volunteers -War meeting&-Roll of Honor. 105-122
IV
CONTENTS.
CIIAPTER IX.
EDUCATIONAL. First provision made for schools-School expenditures- Sketch of Flora E. Kendall-School Committee-Sketches of Charles A. Chapman and W. D. Luey-Teachers-High School-Principals of the High School-College Graduates-Libraries-Library committee. 123-146
CHAPTER X.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. Parker Post, No. 123-Sketches of James C. Parker and Commanders-Hubbard V. Smith Post, No. 140 -Sketches of Hubbard V. Smith and Commanders-Memorial Day Orators-Gen. W. T. Sherman Camp, Sons of Veterans-Hoyt Post, Matrons of the Republic-Woman's Relief Corps, No. 82-Sketch of Mrs. Clare H. Bnrleigh. 147-165
CHAPTER XI.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. First engines-Steamer contest-Sketches of Fred A. Haskins-James McManamy-Charles F. Smith-Harry F. Boutell- The great fire of December, 1890-Water works. 166-178
CHAPTER XII.
THE LEGAL PROFESSION. First Lawyers-Sketches of Clough R. Miles- Isaac Stevens-Hon. Charles Field-Geo. W. Horr-Sidney P. Smith -Henry M. Burleigh-Edgar V. Wilson-Charles Field, Jr .- Joseph A. Titus-Trial Justices-District Court-Deputy Sheriffs. 179-194
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. Early doctors-Sketches of Dr. Wm. H. Williams-Dr. George Hoyt-Dr. George D. Colony-Dr. James P. Lynde-Dr. Samuel H. Colburn-Dr. Marshall L. Lindsey-Dr. Charles H. Forbes-Dr. Hiram H. Burns-Dr. Alphonzo V. Bowker -Dr. H. R. Thayer-Dr. Windsor A. Brown-Dentists. 195-208
CHAPTER XIV.
OLD ATHOL FAMILIES. The Lords-Olivers-Kendalls-Mortons-God- dards- Sweetser family- Estabrooks- Fish family-Humphreys- Hoar family-Morses-Havens-Stockwells-Fays. 209-287
CHAPTER XV.
BIOGRAPIIICAL. Sketches of Addison M. Sawyer-Capt. Charles C. Bassett -John C. Ilill-Daniel Appleton Newton-Joseph B. Cardany- Cephas L. Sawyer-J. Sumner Parmenter-Frank C. Parmenter-Edwin Ellis-Lyman Wilder Hapgood-Nathaniel Richardson-George T. Johnson-Washington II. Amsden-Pardon D. Holbrook-Daniel W. Houghton-J. Wesley Goodman. 288-306
V
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL CONTINUED. Sketches of Theodore Jones-Frederick Jones- George Sprague-Jonathan Stratton-Ahner Graves Stratton-Wm. H. Garfield-Jonathan Wheeler- Joseph Proctor- Major Warren Horr-Col. Wilson Andrews-Joseph F. Packard-Thomas D. Brooks -Edmund J. Gage-Alexander Gray-James M. Rice-Joseph F. Dunbar-Russell Smith-Azro B. Folsom-Daniel Bigelow-Dexter Aldrich-Gilbert Southard-James W. Hunt.
307-328
CHAPTER XVII.
JOURNALISM. Athol's first newspaper, Freedom'> Sentinel-Worcester West Chronicle-sketch of R. Wmn. Waterman-Athol Transcript- Sketches of Dr. Vernon O. Taylor-Wells L. Hill-Edgar A. Smith Frank W. Gonrlay-Cottager Company and W. II. Brock & Co .- Sketches of Winfield H. Brock-Will K. Briggs. 329-439
CHAPTER XVIII.
POST OFFICES AND BANKS. Early post offices-List of Postmasters at Athol Center-sketche- of James F. Whitcomb-Edwin B. Horton- Athol Depot post office-List of Postmaster -- Change of name of post office --- Sketches of Howard B. Hunt-Arthur C. Longley-Justin W. Clayton-Miller> River Bank-Athol Savings Bank-Athol Na- tional Bank-Athol Co-Operative Bank-Sketche, of Hon, Alpheus Harding-Thomas II. Goodspeed-Col. Albert L. Newman. 340-353
CHAPTER XIX.
SONS OF ATHOL. Sketches of Hon. Ginery Twichell-Col. Geo. H. Hoyt -Joel D. Stratton-Lysander Spooner-Edwin Loring Sprague -- Henry Harrison Sprague-Lncius Knight Sprague-Jerome Jones- Frederick E. Proctor-Wilson H. Lee-Roland T. Oakes-Charles W. Cheney-Henry M. Phillips-Joel D. Miller-Frederic E. Stratton -seth Twichell-Dr. Manrice H. Richardson-Josiah W. Flint. 354-384
CHAPTER XX.
EARLY AND LATER INDUSTRIES. First grist mill and saw mill-Indus- tries in the early part of the century-Boot and shoe industry- sketches of Charles M. Lee-Solon W. Lee-Merritt Lee-William D. Lee, Jr .- James M. Lee-Athol Shoe Co .- Hill & Greene-Eli G. Greene-sketches of Leroy S. Starrett-George D. Bates-Charles A. Bates-Arthur F. Tyler-C. Fred Richardson -Herbert L. Hapgood -Almond Smith- Henry R. Stowell-Abijab Hill-Charles L. Morse Frank E. Wing-Lewis Sanders-Fred R. Davis. 385-109
PREFACE.
When Athol Past and Present was first conceived it was designed to be a Gift Book of two hundred pages or more, but after the work had been commenced and a portion of it was printed, the author pur- chased all the interest that Mr. W. A. Emerson, its originator, had in the work, and its plan was materially changed until it has reached proportions never thought of at first, with upwards of four hundred and fifty pages, exclusive of the portraits, which number about one hundred pages more.
The author lias performed all of the work, not only of gathering the material and writing the history, but has also solicited all of the portraits and sold the books, during the time that he could get while not engaged in his regular profession and other business, and most of this has been done in the few months of the winter season of each year for the last nine or ten years. Those who have never written or as- sisted in writing a historical work are not aware of the vast amount of labor involved. The fields from which the material of the following chapters have been garnerned are the town and church records, old muster rolls in the state archives at the State House, family records and manuseripts and printed volumes wherever found. The files of the Athol Transcript and Worcester West Chroniele have been freely Con- sulted as well as those of the Barre Gazette and Greenfield Gazette and Courier, and we have also availed ourselves of the valuable information contained in the centennial discourse of the Rev. S. F. Clarke, the well prepared work of "Athol in Suppressing the Great Rebellion," and the history of Athol by George W. Horr in Jewett's history of Worcester County.
We have also received valuable assistance from the Fitchburg Publie Library, and from Edmund Barton, librarian of the American- Antiquarian Society at Worcester, and are indebted to the publishers of Picturesque Woreester North for the unique little poem on "Margery Morton" by Mrs. Clare H. Burleigh, which we have incorporated in our sketch of the Morton Family. The author is also largely indebted to the assistance of George W. Horr, Esq., and Herbert L Hapgood, who have enabled him to carry out his plan for a more complete history than was at first contemplated. To these and all others who have in any way contributed to the advancement of the work, and have thus en- abled us to present to the people of Athol the first published history of the town, we would tender our grateful acknowledgements.
The first five chapters of the work were printed during the year 1893, and the succeeding ten chapters in 1896, and consequently the events of the departments treated in those chapters and the sketches of individuals there appearing, do not bring them up to the present date.
LILLEY B. CASWELL.
.
REEF
ATHOL FROM THE LEDGES.
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTIVE.
" Whatever strengthens our local attachments is favorable both to individual and national character. Show me a man who cares no more for one place than an- other, and I will show you in that same person one who loves nothing but himself."
ROYALEVON
ORANGE
ATHOL
PHILLIPSTON
NEW SALEM
PETERSHAM
Springfield. Athol & Northeastern.
The township, as originally laid out and surveyed in October and November. 1732, consisted of a territory six miles square, but from time to time portions of the original
ATHOL is situated in the north - western part of Worcester County, on the Hoo- sac Tunnel line of railroad, 8 miles from Boston, and is connected with Springfield, from which it is 48 miles distant, by a branch of the Boston & Al- bany Railroad, form- merly known as the
2
ATHOL, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
territory have been annexed to other towns, and set off in the formation of surrounding towns.
Portions of Athol were annexed to Royalston Feb- ruary 26, 1799, and March 7, 1803; a part of Athol was taken to form Gerry in 1786, and a portion of the north- west corner was set off to form Orange. There has also been several additions to the town, a part of Gerry being annexed February 26, 1806; a part of Orange February 7, 1816, and parts of New Salem February 5, 1830, and March 16, 1837; the boundaries now present a very irregu- lar outline, especially on the Phillipston line. The town is bounded on the north by Orange and Royalston; on the east by Royalston and Phillipston; on the southeast by Petersham, and west by New Salem and Orange. It now contains 19,000 acres. The southeast corner, as at first surveyed, was south of the meeting-house now standing in Phillipston ; the northeast corner was northeast of South Royalston meeting-house ; the northwest corner was a few rods south of North Orange meeting-house, and the south- west corner probably remains unchanged.
The surface is very uneven, hills abounding in almost every part of the town, but rising to the greatest height in the northern and eastern sections. Here, Millers River, after entering the town a short distance from South Roy- alston, flows for several miles through a narrow valley among the hills. forming some of the wildest and grandest scenery in this portion of the State, until just below the village it expands into fertile meadows, which with their emerald hnes in Summer form a beautiful setting for the village which lies along the valley, and stretches up the sloping hillsides until it merges in the "Highlands," and
3
DESCRIPTIVE.
the "Street." the home of the first settlers of the town; indeed. beautiful for situation is Athol, the Queen of North- western Worcester.
Millers River, known by the Indians as the Pequoig, like many of our New England rivers and mountains, was robbed of its name, and given one which has no special significance, except that unfortunately for the generations coming after him, a man by the name of Miller was drowned in the waters of this river while attempting to cross it, and thus gave his name to the stream. The most important tributary is Tully. which coming from the north unites with Millers River where the meadows expand northwest of the village. This stream, according to tradition, derived its name from an Indian's dog, which in following a deer, drove the animal. over the meadows into these waters, and while attempting to seize his prey, was struck by the deer and held under the water until poor Tully was drowned.
This has been the generally accepted theory until re- cent investigations tend to show that this is not probable, as Tully has been found to be a good old English family name, instead of an Indian name.
As there were persons by the name of Tully in Massa- chusetts and other New England States it seems more likely that the brook was named after some of these early settlers, who in some way became interested in this section, perhaps some surveyor, as has been suggested by those who have investigated the matter.
Another stream entering Millers River, which is of more importance to the town, is " Mill Brook." that has its source among the hills in the eastern part of the town and the edge of Phillipston, and comes rushing down, making a
4
ATHOL, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
descent of several hundred feet in the course of two or three miles, and affords numerous sites for mills and facto- ries, and upon which are located some of the most flourish- ing manufacturing establishments of the town, while many other privileges of equal value are yet undeveloped.
This stream was known by the name of " Mill Brook ', as early as 1737. In regard to the origin of its name, Rev. Mr. Clarke, in his Centennial address, says: " Whether it was so called from the circumstance that a mill had been previously built on it, or because it afforded numerous sites for mills, or from some other cause, I have been unable to determine."
But aside from the business connected with this brook, it possesses attractions for the scenery connected with it ; the waters of this stream and its tributaries form what is now known as Lake Ellis, a beautiful sheet of water, dot- ted with islands, upon some of which are located tasty Summer cottages. Before reaching the Lower Village the brook, in a series of cascades and falls, flows along a rocky bed, above which forest trees rise, forming most romantic and picturesque spots.
The largest sheet of water is South West Pond, situ- ated in the westerly part of the town, while Silver Lake. secluded among the hills, only a few rods from the village, is a perfect gem, bordered on the cast by the beautiful cemetery bearing its name, and on the south and west by " Lake Park," which, ere long, will be covered with fine residences, and is destined to become a favorite rural resort. Near by was the home of Jason Babcock. whose name these waters formerly bore, and who was taken prisoner by the Indians and carried to Canada ; the newly-laid streets
5
DESCRIPTIVE.
of this section bear old Indian names and those of the early settlers.
The principal hills are Chestnut Hill in the north, Round Top, Ward's and UND JOJ Pierce's in the east, from MT which extensive and wide- sweeping views of the coun- try for miles around can be obtained, with villages dot- ting the hilltops ; below, seeming almost at your feet. winds the river, and by its side curves the iron track over which is daily being trans- ported the passengers and traffic of a continent ; looking to the west, stretching away in the dim distance, can be discerned the peaks of the Green Mountain range of southern Vermont and Berkshire, while to the north, rising in clear, bold, outline, Monad- nock's rocky summit seems to be within hailing distance. ยท To the west, across the intervening valley, is "West Hill," one of the locations of the early settlers, with its "Sentinel Elm." a landmark seen from every direction. High Knob, south of the Centre, is another eminence from which an enchanting view of a deep valley and the western hills beyond is obtained.
To the lover of beautiful scenery, pleasant and attrac- tive drives stretch out on every side. Would you like a wild mountain road, now on the breezy hilltop, anon dip- ping into deep gorges, and traversing rocky hillsides, travel over "Bear's Den Road," as it winds over and among the
6
ATHOL, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
hills of the northeastern section of the town; another ro- mantic drive is the "Gulf Road," connecting the Bear's Den Road with Chestnut Hill Road.
If meadow and river scenery is desired, most charm- ing bits of these can be found on the Orange and South Athol roads.
Athol is not distinguished as a farming town, yet there are good farms in various sections of the town that yield fair returns for the labor expended on them, and the farm- ers of Athol have been among its most substantial and reliable citizens. According to the State census of 1885, the agricultural property was valued at $647,319, and the agricultural products amounted to $143,653, of which $43,- 252 was the value of dairy products.
But it is as a manufacturing town that Athol is most distinguished, and few towns of its size possess such a variety of manufacturing industries as the people of this busy and thriving community are engaged in. Among the products turned out from the factories and shops are shoes, cotton and woolen goods, silk, doors, sash and blinds, pine furniture, piano cases, billiard tables, rattan chairs and baby carriages, packing boxes, paper boxes, wallets, machinery of various kinds, fine mechanical tools, matches, building material, soapstone articles, etc. The State census of 1885 gave 114 manufacturing establishments, turning out pro- ducts to the value of $1,328,948, which at the present time has been largely increased by new industries coming into town, and by additions to those already established. With all these varied industries, there is little danger of a general depression of business. The town has had a healthy growth, both in population and business.
FITCHBURG R. R. DEPOT, BUILT IN 1873. (Damaged by Fire, July, 1892.)
FITCHBURG R. R. DEPOT, REBUILT IN 1893.
DESCRIPTIVE.
The first census of which we have any record was in 1776, when the population was 848, and the first census enumerator was Hiram Newhall, the town records of 1777 stating that it was voted to allow his account for numbering the people. The population had increased but little up to 1800, when the number was 993 ; the various census returns since that time are as follows: 1810, 1,041; 1820, 1,211; 1830. 1.325; 1840. 1,591; 1850, 2.034; 1855, 2,395; 1860. 2.604; 1865, 2,814; 1870, 3,517; 1875, 4,134; 1880. 4,307 ; 1885, 4,758 ; 1890, 6,319. The per cent. of gain from 1880 to 1890 was 46.
The growth of the town dates from the building of the Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad, which was completed as far as Athol in December, 1847, the cars commencing to run to this town on the last Monday of that month, when the event was duly celebrated by a large gathering of the people. Since the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel the railroad facilities have wonderfully increased, until now seven passenger trains a day, each way, pass over the Fitchburg road, while another important factor in the rail- road communication of the town is the branch of the Bos- ton & Albany, which was constructed in 1871 as the Athol & Enfield Railroad, and in which the town took nearly $100.000 in stock, two passenger trains, each way, pass over this road daily, between Athol and Springfield. The railroad station is an elegant structure, built in 1873, and is an ornament to the town.
The valuation of the town, as returned by the Assess- ors for 1891, was $3,156,287. Real estate, $2,473,000 ; personal estate, $683,287; polls, 1820 ; dwelling-houses. 1123. The taxes assessed amounted to $69,895.83, and the
-
8
ATHOL, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
rate was $21 per thousand. The growth for the last four or five years has been rapid, more than $600,000 having been spent in the erection of buildings during the past three years, among which are the new Bank Block of the Millers River National Bank, Webb's new Main Street Block, the Commercial House, three new school buildings, including a fine High School building, Lucien Lord's Aca- demy of Music. and C. F. Richardsons Block.
The natural and acquired advantages of Athol are many ; with abundant water-power furnished by Millers River and Mill Brook, good streets and roads, more miles of sidewalk than any town of its size in Western Massa- chusetts, a good system of water-works, streets lighted by electric lights, a good public library and schools, and sur- rounded by beautiful scenery, it is fast being filled up with beautiful homes.
CHAPTER II.
" Within a lone, sequestered glen, All desolate and wild, The haunt of beasts and savage men, Here roamed the forest child."
ANCIENT PEQUOIG.
The valley of the Pequoig seems to have been among the last portions of Eastern and Central Massachusetts to be settled ; the country to the east and south, and the Con- necticut Valley on the west, had contained for many years flourishing settlements, but along this valley and on these hills the white man had scarcely penetrated. From the eastern headwaters of Millers River in Ashburnham, down the valley, until the Connecticut was reached, there were no settlements before 1735.
This was the country of the Nipnets, or Nipmucks, whose territory extended over nearly the whole of Worces- ter County, and an old map makes the Nipmuck region also extend beyond the Connecticut, on the west, and north- ward into New Hampshire. According to Eliot, Nipmuck, or Nipnet, was a " great country lying between Connecticut and the Massachusetts, called Nipnet, where there be many Indians dispersed." These were the Indians out of whom the Christian settlements were gathered, of whom Eliot was the missionary and apostle. One branch or faction of
.
10
ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
the tribe, whose home or headquarters was around Wicka- boag Pond, in West Brookfield, was called the Quabogs. To the east of the Quabogs lay the possessions of the Nip- nets, or Nipmucks. The Nashaways lived north of the Nipnets, and are sometimes called the Wachusetts, from their strongholds in the mountain of that name in Princeton.
Another tribe was the Squakheags, who occupied the territory now included in Northfield, Vernon and Hinsdale, and the Millers River Valley. It has been customary with most writers to class all these tribes under the general name of Nipnets.
These natives had many places of temporary sojourn, as the rich valleys for planting, and by the falls of the rivers and shores of ponds for fishing. The meadows of Athol formed one of the favorite corn-planting places of the Indians, while the forest-covered hills around, which abounded with wild game, were their hunting-grounds. This was also upon one of the most frequented Indian trails from southern New England to Canada, and there were two Indian crossings of the Pequoig within the limits of this town, one a little above Lewis' Bridge, and the other not far from the house of the late James Lamb.
Squakheag, now Northfield, was one of the gathering places during King Phillip's War, and during that strife bands of the dusky warriors traversed this valley. During this war the Indians had gathered at their Menameset camps, which were located in what is now New Braintree and Barre. Major Thomas Savage was sent with a force of troops to break up this gathering. Upon learning of the near approach of the English the Indians left Mena- meset, and pushed on northward, heading for Paquayag.
11
ANCIENT PEQUOIG.
This band comprised the Narragansetts, the Nipmucks Indian and the Grafton Indians, a Fording place . miscellaneous crowd, num- bering, in all, about 2,000 souls. The English pur- sued, but the Indians, by a feigned attack, drew them off on the wrong trail, and reached Millers River. which they crossed, prob- ably at the crossing near the James Lamb place. Mrs. Rowlandson, who was a prisoner with the Indians, gives an interesting account of the flight and the crossing of the river. She says : "They went as if they had gone for their lives, for some consider- able way, and then they made a stop, and chose out some of their stoutest men, and sent them back to hold the English army in play whilst the rest escaped ; and then, like Jehu, they marched on furiously, with their old and young ; some carried their old, decrepit mothers, some carried one and some another. Four of them carried a great Indian upon a bier, but going through a thick wood with him, they were hindered, and could make no haste ; whereupon they took him upon their backs, and carried him, one at a time, till we came to Pacquag River. Upon a Friday, a little after noon, we came to this river. They quickly fell to cutting dry trees, to make rafts to carry them over the river, and soon my turn came to go over. A certain number got over the river that night, but it was the night after the Sabbath before all the company got over."
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