USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Fitchburg > Fireside legends : incidents, anecdotes, reminiscences, etc., connected with the early history of Fitchburg, Mass., and vicinity > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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GENEALOGY 974.402 F555em
THE BOULDER ON ROLLSTONE IIILL.
Prof. George H. Barton of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and class composed of Lowell Institute teachers in mineralogy, with members of Fitchburg Agassiz Association. Mary L. Garfield, Photo.
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CHAPTER I.
INDIAN REMINISCENCES.
UST before the landing of the Pilgrims, a pestilence had swept away the greater part of the native population of New England, so that many portions of the interior were practically uninhabited, and were visited only by roving bands of Indians, bent on war, or engaged in hunting and fishing.
There are no indications that the territory with- in the limits of Fitchburg was ever permanently settled by the Indians, as arrow heads and other implements of Indian manufacture have seldom been found, and never in large quantities, but we have reason to suppose from the few relics left behind, that they were not unmindful of the excel-
BAKER'S POND. View by Florence W. Tyler.
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Mini EL-11-6 -988 ' 0'0 -05'S /
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NDIAN
RELICS
lent salmon trout which sported in the waters of the Nashaway, or the wild game so abundant in the forest wilds.
What Indian name was given to Fitchburg is not known, but Turkey Hills was the first name applied to it by white men ; and it was so called in the grant of the General Court in 1719, probably from the fact that at that time it was the favorite resort of im- mense numbers of wild turkeys which here found shelter. aud an abundance of their favorite food, chestnuts and acorns.
The first settler within the limits of Fitchburg was David Page, who lived near
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MOULTON.
ACROSS THE VALLEY TOWARD ROLLSTONE HILL, FROM GARNET STREET. Moulton, Photo.
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BENJAMIN SNOW PLACE FROM GREEN STREET.
Mr. Snow and team in the foreground. Gen. Moses Wood place and Gen. Wood's Hill in distance. Orchard and garden in foreground was known as " The Garden of Eden."
Moulton. Photo.
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S. S. HOLTON.
Native of Northfield, Mass. Represented his town in the legislature; served as overseer of the poor and assistant assessor in Fitchburg for several years.
RESIDENCE OF S. S. HOLTON, PEARL STREET.
(GEN. MOSES WOOD PLACE.)
"Near this spot, about the year 1730, the first settler of Fitchburg, David Page, built a garrison house in which he lived for several years. Here, in 1761, the first publie house was opened by Samuel Hunt. In this tavern were held, 1764, the first town meeting, first public religious services and the first public school."
-Inscription on tablet near house.
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WHALOM LAKE, View taken by Mr. F. E. Fairbanks,
what is now Pearl Street, between the present residence of S. S. Holton and Blossom Street. His dwelling was built of logs and surrounded by a stockade of sticks of timber driven closely together as a protection against the incursion of savages and to add to its conven- ience and safety, in case of siege he made a covered channel by which a small brook was conducted for quite a distance underground and through the garrison, supplying it with pure water.
Torrey's History refers to David Page
PEARL STREE
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as one of a large family of children of Gov- ernor Page, and states that he afterwards re- moved to the northerly part of Vermont.
An elderly gentleman of Lunenburg from whom the facts were obtained, in 1835, re- lates the following : "This Page. having a roving disposition and a speculative cast of mind, took it into his head, when young, that he could make more money by trading with the Indians, than by cutting down forest trees and cultivating the soil Accordingly, he directed his course towards Canada, and commenced pur-
JOSEPH SPOFFORD HOUSE DOF OF PEAR HTC 44-5
VORES
BIRDSEYE VIEWS FROM ROOF OF Y. M. C. A. BUILDING.
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PEARL HILL
PEARL
PAGES
ST.
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SAMUEL
MAIN
HUNTS
ROLLS TONE MILL
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NASHUA
DER AMOS
KIMBALLS
chasing beaver and otter skins of the ig- norant natives upon this principle .- that his foot weighed just four pounds and his hand one pound. This they seemed to doubt, but were soon satisfied by his making the declaration that it was as fair for one party as the other, since he weighed off to them. by the same weights, his powder. tobacco, shot. etc. This grand field for making an honest living was, however. soon closed : for some other traders coming that way. explained the trick to the Indians, and the old Governor's speculating son had to decamp very suddenly-weights and all to save his life."
Soon after Page located other settlers began to come in, until in 1748, there were at least five other garrisons within the boundaries of Fitchburg. The owners were Samuel Poole, Samuel Hunt, Isaac Gib- son, Joseph Spofford and John Fitch. The latter lived in the northern part of the town, since set off to form a part of the town of Ashby, and it seems certain the town of Fitchburg was named for him as lie was prominent in securing its incorporation.
This is the somewhat legendary account of the Indian raid upon the Fitchburg settlement as it is given by Rufus C. Torrey in his history. In 1748 Fitchburg received a visit from the Indians, the occasion of which was as follows: One day while at work in the woods Mr. Fitch eut down a tree
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(1.) OLD HARRIS HOUSE, PEARL ST.
Built by Elijah Garfield previons to the Revolution. Joshua Pearee, grandfather of Alonzo P. Goodridge, helped Mr. Garfield seleet the oak trees for the frame and helped cut them down.
(2.) FITCH MEMORIAL TABLET.
In Ashby. Ereeted by the city of Fitchburg on the site of the Fitch garrison in 1893.
(3.) THE OLD POUND. Pound Hill road.
(4.) ISAAC GIBSON PLACE. Foot of Pearl Hill.
(5.) PROCTOR HOUSE, MAIN ST.
Removed to make way for the Iver Johnson building.
Edmund D. Garfield, Photo.
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RESIDENCE OF HON. RODNEY WALLACE, PROSPECT STREET.
Moulton, Photo.
HON, RODNEY WALLACE.
Paper manufacturer. Identified with many corporate and monetary interests of Fitchburg. On Governor's Council, 1880-82. Congressman, 1889-90.
HON. WILLIAM H. VOSE (1808-84).
Woolen manufacturer. Held positions of responsibility and trust in Fitchburg, and was its fifth Mayor.
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WALTER HEYWOOD AND WILLIAM O. BROWN RESIDENCES.
W. R. Rankin, Photo.
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WALTER HEYWOOD (1804-80).
Founder of the Walter Heywood Chair Manufacturing Company, and one of the pioneers of the chair industry in this country.
WILLIAM O. BROWN (1815-90).
County Commissioner twenty-one years. Three years and one month in the army as Quartermaster of 25th regiment, and Post Commissary at Newbern, N. C.
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GIN. MOSES WOOD (1503 69).
Just President Kollstone National Bank and of Worces- ter South Savings Institution. President and Treasurer of American Kattan Company. State Senator 20
HION. 1. C. WRIGHT (1824-1900).
Founder of Pamon & Gould hardware business. Director in Rollstone National Bank, Trustee and member Investment Committee Worcester North Savings Institution. Prominent Mason and Representative in Legislature.
BENJAMIN F. WALLIS (1835-96).
Clerk and Assistant Treasurer Worcester North Savings Institution. Treasurer Fitchburg & Leominster Street Rail- way Company. Representative in Legislature.
WILLIAM BAKER (1821-96).
Successor of Silas Holman in the insurance business in 1879. An original Trustee of the Worcester North Savings Institution, and member of Board of Investment.
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Francis, Architect.
UNION PASSENGER STATION.
Moulton, Photo.
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Moulton, Photo.
THE ADAMS FOUNTAIN.
Presented to the City by Rodney Wallace, Henry A. Willis and James Phillips, Jr. First public work of Herbert Adams, the sculptor.
Francis, Architect.
WALLACE LIBRARY AND ART BUILDING. Presented to the city by Hon. Rodney Wallace.
Moulton, Photo.
Paris Salon 1\\7.
HOE ANASA NORCROSS (1821 99).
RESIDENCE.
La wina Attorney and trust Mayor of Fitchbing. Member of Congress. President Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company
HON. EUGENE T. MILES (1826-76).
Fitchburg's second Mayor. President of Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company. Captain Co. A, 53d Massa- chusetts regiment.
HON. H. A. BLOOD (1833-95). Third Mayor of Fitchburg, and prominent railroad builder and manager.
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HON. ALONZO DAVIS (1817-SS).
For thirty two years a chair manufacturer in Fitchburg utd eighth Mayor of the city.
HON. FREDERICK FOSDICK.
Ninth Mayor of Fitchburg. President of Fitchburg Steam Engine Company, Active Y. M. C. A. and temperance worker and speaker.
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RESIDENCE OF HON. FREDERICK FOSDICK, PLEASANT STREET.
Moulton, Photo.
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which in falling unfortu- nately demolished a wig- wam belonging to Surdody, a "half tamed" Indian, while its owner was absent on some hunting expedi- tion. Fitch did not con- sider it necessary to repair the damage done, or to offer any remuneration or apology to the owner upon
his return. The wrath of the latter was kindled not a little, and he sought a recompense congenial to his savage nature. Bent on re- venge he quietly proceeded to Canada and, by representing the defenceless condition of the whites, induced a party to accompany him on an expedition of ven- geance and plunder. Upon the arrival of the Indians .- about eighty in number .- on Saturday, July 2d. 1748. they divided into small parties, and from the thickly wooded heights looked down on the settlement be- low. The view of the garrison houses, inc.uding Fort Gibson with its hardy de- fenders, led them to hesitate about attacking the main settlement and they began to skir- mish around. One party proceeded to the farmhouse of David Goodridge in South Fitchburg and one of them. as he after- wards informed Mr. Fitch when in captivity.
Moulton, Photo.
COUNTY JAIL AT SOUTH FITCHBURG.
Burned in 1875. Although filled with convicts no one was injured and none escaped.
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climbed into a tree for the purpose of viewing the premises through the window. He saw only a white squaw feeding her papoose with milk. They also retired from this house without any warlike demonstrations.
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The following day being the Sabbath they were surprised and disappointed at seeing the concourse of able-bodied, church- going pale-faces, armed. as was their cus- tom, and well prepared for bears or Indians. Finding little promise of scalps in this direction they skulked away, saying it was "useless to attack them there for they were as thick as the leaves in the forest."
The next day was spent in lurking about the neighborhood, intent on mischief of one sort or another. They killed an ox which was quietly browsing in the woods, made an encamp- ment. roasted the beef, and had a regular Fourth of July barbecue. The ox or steer was the property of a Mr. Taylor, who then lived in the north part of Lunenburg. Joshua Pierce, the grandfather of Mr. Alonzo Goodrich, lived with Mr. Taylor, and through him it is learned that the camp was afterwards discovered in a field. then belonging to John Scott, on Scott road and was called "Camp Pasture" from this circumstance. The Indians had all this time kept a close watch on the object of their
OGAN
MAIN STREET WEST OF PRICHARD, 1867.
James E. Morse, Photo.
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expedition. Fitch's garrison. which was in the northern part of the town- now Ashby-and several miles from neighbors. Mr. Fitch after the disappearance of Surdedy felt extremely uneasy and insecure, and peti- tioned the government for assistance. Three soldiers, named Jennings, Blodgett, and Perkins, were accordingly stationed at his house. During the following day. July 5th, the soldier Perkins having left on a furlough. and no alarm having been excited at the garrison, the soldier Blodgett started out in quest of game. He had pro- ceeded but a short distance when he discovered Indians in ambush. He attempted to return but was immedi- ately shot down. This was a signal for a general attack on the garrison. The remaining soldier fought gallantly, but soon fell under the shower of bullets poured in upon them. Mr. Fitch kept up the fight for some time, his wife loading the guns and he firing them. At last the Indians told them that if they would surrender they would not burn the garrison and their lives would be spared. otherwise they would be burned with the building.
They finally accepted the terms. and the Indians kort their word so far as to save the lives of the captives, in spite of Surdody's endeavors to have Fitch killed on the spot. They lost no time. however, in stripping the bodies of the dead soldiers and setting fire to the gar-
rison, starting with their prisoners and marching towards Canada. The soldier Perkins, returning from his furlough, espied the smoke and gave the alarm, and by even- ing nearly a hundred men, from Groton, Lancaster and even Westford, had as- sembled, but it was so late it was decided to wait until morning, and before daybreak, choosing Major Hartwell as commander, they started on the trail of the Indians. They gave up the pursuit, however, upon finding a piece of birch bark attached to a tree containing a request signed by Fitch for his friends not to pursue him, for the Indians had given him to understand that if overtaken the whole family would be tomahawked and scalped.
The band of captives, consisting of the father, mother and five children, the youngest a babe of less than five months old, were taken to Montreal, where they were ransomed the following fall, the ransom money being raised by subscription among the people of Bradford, the place of Fitch's former residence. They all lived to return with the exception of Mrs. Fitch, who died while on the way home, at Providence, R. I., Dec. 26th, 1748. The dates on the Fitch monu- ment are evidently incorrect, as well as the varying statements of Peter Whitney and Rufus C. Torrey. The researches of Mr. Stephen Shepley fixes beyond question the date of the Indian raid as July, 1748.
JOHN FITCH AN EARLY SEI JIER OFASHBY AFTERLA CONTE ST WITH THE INDIANS IN WHICH TWO SOLDIERS WERE'S AIN JENNINGSA BLOOT ETT WASWITH HIS FAMILY TAKEN TO CANADA JULY 1741 WAS RANSOME O | 47 &AFTER HIS RETURN PROCURED THE INCORPORATION OF
ASHBY MARCH 1767 WAS THE FIRST MODERATOR THE FIRST CONSTABLE & WITH J.LOCKE & J JONES WAS SELECTMAN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE TOWN
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F. A. C. FOURTH DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT,
JOHN FITCH,
THE FOUNDER OF FITCHBURG.
BY THORNTON MI. WARE. City Hall, Fitchburg, April 22. 1896.
THE PERPETRATORS.
John Fitch, the founder, . Dr. James Ross.
Unkachewhalom, sachem of the Nockeges, Mr. H. L. Chase.
Surdody, his court interpreter, . . Mr. Will L. Walker.
Samuel Page, . J young settlers of l Mr. H. C. Pateh.
Joseph Scott,
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Lunenburg
Mr. W. A. Hardy.
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Susannah Fitch, John's daughter, Mr. W. L. Emory.
Tabitha Fitch, John's sister, . Mr. M. F. O'Connell.
Antelope, daughter of Unkachewhalom, . Mr. C. H. Putnam.
Musical Director, Prof. Alois Bartschmid.
The Russell Orchestra.
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THORNTON M. WARE. Wrote the earlier F. A. C. play, "The Monarch of Jamboree" and also the farce, "The Revolving Wedge."
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THE OLD FITCHBURG CORNET BAND, GEORGE RICH, LEADER, 186S. Moulton, Photo.
Moulton, Photo
FITCHBURG ATHLETIC CLUB. FIRST GOVERNING BOARD, 1891-92.
George D. Chapman, Pres., Adams Crocker, Vice-Pres., Alfred K. Miller, Sec., Rev. C. M. Addison, Charles S. Alexander, Samuel B. Bartow, Jr., Walter L. Emory.
The descendants of John Fitch settled principally in Claremont, N. H. Charles and James Fitch of Sterling and Mrs. L. M. Wheeler of Fitchburg are also descend- ants. Cyrus S.
Tolman of Fitch- burg is a great- grandson of John Fitch ; his mother was Susanna, the eldest daughter of Paul, son of John Fitch. From his mother while living Mr. Tolman learned many interesting facts of family history. At the time of the capture the Indian having the infant of the family in charge applied to its head bear's grease, or some similar substance, which made the child exceedingly turbulent and hard to manage, where- upon he was bound securely, with his back to that of his tormentor, and in that way made the journey regardless of his entreaties. This child, Jacob Fitch, was afterwards for some years a clerk in the store of Dr. John Taylor in Lunenburg. Though in other respects well formed his lower limbs were of dwarfish size in consequence of the rigor with which he was bound.
In 1751 Mr. Fitch married again, his second wife being Mrs. Elizabeth Pearce of Lunenburg.
The following story respecting the second Mrs. Fitch, related by Mr. Torrey, may be taken with a grain of allowance. It is said she undertook one day to make some candles, and accordingly put the ingredients, tallow and wicking, together in a kettle over the fire and commenced stirring them together ; this she continued to do till she was reduced nearly to the state of the liquid over which she was engaged. One of the neighbors enquiring the meaning of such unusual conduct, she
DEA. DAVID BOUTELLE (1791-1883).
His farm extended from Mt. Vernon to East and Boutelle streets and from Pearl to Winter and Main. Land occupied by railroad station and park was once his garden. He gave the land and contributed liberally toward building the Roll- stone church and Boutelle chapel.
DEA. CYRUS S. TOLMAN.
For many years a manufacturer of machinery, and al- though in his eighty-second year continues in active business. Served for several years as deacon in the Rollstone Congre- gational church.
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replied that she was making candles and wondered very much "why they did not come."
The life of John Fitch illustrates the uncertainty of riches. he was prosperous and became one of the wealthiest men of Fitchburg, and afterwards of Ashby when his neigh- borhood was set off in 1767 to form a part of that town. Having sold land and loaned money he was obliged to receive his pay in the paper currency of the times, which depreciated so rapidly that it soon became worthless. He d'ed April 8, 1795, aged 87 years, at the house of a relative in Ashby, and a monument commemorating the principal events of his life was afterwards erected on the church common in Ashby to his memory.
On the day after the capture of Fitch. Deacon David Goodridge was fired upon by a party of Indians. He ha.l lost his cow and was searching for her on horseback. He had reached the farm of Deacon Amos Kimball (the Hale place) and was talking with him as he was hoeing corn, in a field sur- rounded by a brush fence ; while thus occupied his dog began to bark furiously and looking around to ascer- tain the cause he discovered two In- dians lying flat on the ground with their guns pointing through the fence Hle wheeled his horse and shouting at the same time to Kimball, "Indians ! Indians !" started down the hill, the Indians firing upon him as he went, but owing to the rapidity of his motion missed fire, and plunging down what is now South street, across the river by Kimball's (Cushing) mill, and up Blossom street to Page's garrison gave the alarm. The leaps of
For years
The FITCH FIDAN MONUMENT
the horse down the steep part of South street were afterwards measured and found to cover eighteen feet. In his flight Goodridge lost his hat, which the Indians secured, and ten years later it was found on the head of an Indian captured some- where near the Connecticut
river. Deacon Kimball lost no time in heeding the cry of his brother deacon, and while the attention of the Indians was directed to the latter took to the woods and by dint of good running escaped although the bullets whistled uncomfortably near.
From Page's garrison the alarm was immediately given (three muskets, heavily loaded, discharged with a certain interval between each report) and the Indians, retreating to Rollstone Hill, seeing the commotion below and people flocking in, took up their march for the north, making a circuit through Westminster, where they killed and scalped a man named Bowman, who was at work in a field, then pressed INDIAN on rapidly and overtook their companions with Fitch before they reached Montreal.
Of the descendants of Deacon David Good- ridge there is now living in Fitchburg one great-grandson, Mr. Alonzo P. Goodrich. His brother, John Goodrich, died in this city in April, 1888, at the age of nearly 80 years. Mr. Goodrich bore the name of his father and grandfather, and a son and grandson were also named John. Two of his sons reside in Fitchburg, Henry A. Goodrich, the well-known clothier, and
RESIDENCE OF HENRY A. GOODRICH, HIGHLAND AVENUE.
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Pinny Gloverich
President Fitchburg Board of Trade.
JOHN B. GOODRICH, ESQ.
Noted Boston lawyer. Born in Fitchburg, Jan. 7, 1836. Died in Boston, Jan. 11, 1900.
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THAIL AT.
JOSHUA PIERCE PLACE, EARLY HOME OF ALONZO P. GOODRIDGE. THE GOODRICH ELMS. Mary L. Garfield, Photo.
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ALONZO P. GOODRIDGE. Born 1807. Senior Native Resident of Fitchburg and authority on local historical events of the past century.
EDWIN A. GOODRICH.
Brick Manufacturer. Ex-Alderman, and President Worces- terNorth Agricultural Society three years.
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Col. Geo. E. Goodrich. Alonzo P. Goodrich resided for 51 years in the house on the Palmer place, which was built by his grandfather, Joshua Pierce, and thirty-one years in his present residence. He acquired the farm from his grandfather by will, and this is probably the only in- stance within the city limits where land has had but two proprietors since it was first cleared. At the time the deed was given the farm was bounded on all sides by "common land." Mr. Goodrich is reliable authority on matters connected with the history of Fitchburg, and to him the writer is indebted for the verification of many of the facts here given. Edwin A. Goodrich, son of Alonzo P., has a brick yard on the old Goodrich farm.
JOHN GOODRICH.
A favorite rendezvous of the savages in this vicinity during the early days of the settlements was Wachusett mountain, in the neighboring town
of Princeton. Their camping ground was on the northeast side, near the margin of Wachusett lake. Here their council fires were lighted, expeditions planned and treaties made, and here Mrs. Rowlandson remained for some time after her captivity, until she was ransomed. Not only was King Philip with her captors but several of the
OLD STONE PASSENGER DEPOT FITCH. R.A.
A.D.
OLD, VIEM. ENGINE HO ANAFIRE FREIGHT OFFHE
PHILIP KING of Mount Hope
Moulton
WRECK OF THE RIVER ST. BRIDGE
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CATTLE SHOW ON THE UPPER COMMON.
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leading chiefs, annong them Quinnapin, the master of Mrs. Row- landson, and his wife, the celebrated "Squaw Sachim" Metamo, " Queen of Pocasset," next to Philip in influence and cruelty. Mrs. Rowlandson, in her quaint narrative "Twenty Removes," refers to her mistress as "A severe and proud dame, bestowing every day in dressing herself near as much time as any of the Gentry of the Land, powdering her Hair and painting her Face."
Mrs. Rowlandson was here when the Indians returned from Marlboro and was present at the grand pow-wow both before and after the attack on Sudbury. The ransom of Mrs. Rowlandson was secured through the efforts of Mr. John Hoar, who bravely came among the hostile savages and opened negotiations for her release, which was effected, after a great deal of ceremony and delay, at a place tradition locates in a meadow near a huge bowlder, since known as "Redemption Rock," and near the shores of the pond of the same name. It is said that Philip opposed the release of the captive, and that Mr. Hoar was obliged to conciliate Quinnapin with a pint of rum, upon which he at once got beastly intoxicated. The details of the negotiation are not known, but Mr. Hoar at last succeeded in obtaining the release of Mrs. Rowlandson and her return to Lancaster. In the summer of 1880 Hon. George F. Hoar of Worcester, who is a de- scendant of John Hoar of Concord, purchased about half an acre of land, in the center of
which "Redemption Rock" is located. The location of this rock is near Everettville, on the west side of the road, only a short distance from the highway. Upon one side, which rises some twelve feet from the ground, is engraved the follow- ing inscription : "Upon this rock, May 2, 1676, was made the agreement for the release of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster, between the Indians and John Hoar of Concord. King Philip was with the Indians but refused his consent."
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Hanaford, the Historian of Princeton, relates that about the time of the revolution a daughter of a Mr. Keyes, aged four years and eight months, wandered off and became lost in the Wachusett woods. The people for thirty miles around col- lected and for weeks searched for her, but without success, nothing of the child was ever discovered, and the parents believed she had been car ied off by the Indians. This was made more probable by the story of two men, who, years after, on a trading expedition to Canada related on their return that they found living among the Indians a white woman who knew nothing further of her birth or parentage, than that she once lived near "'Chusett Hill."
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L. J. BROWN (1827-84).
REMINISCENCES OF L. J. BROWN.
In the fall of 1860 there was a sharp and spirited contest over the representative to Congress from this district, which resulted in the election of Hon. Gold- smith F. Bailey of Fitchburg over Hon. Eli Thayer of Worcester. Mr. Brown favored Mr. Thayer and entered into an agreement with Mr. Silas Ruggles, a druggist located in the adjoining block, who favored Mr. Bailey, that the one favoring the defeated candi- date should wheel in a barrow from his place of business in Fitchburg to the hotel in Leominster, a well known darkey named Ben Franklin. Mr. Brown's candidate being defeated, at one o'clock Thursday afternoon, Nov. 8, 1860, all being in readi- ness, that gentleman commenced his arduous task amid the firing of cannon and the plaudits of nearly fifteen hundred spectators, who had assembled to see the sport. He was attended by the Leominster Band, a large number of people on foot and a score or more of carriages also accompanying him throughout the journey (five miles), which was accomplished in two hours and a quarter with but seven rests.
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