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HISTORICAL SKETCHES
RELATING TO
SPENCER, MASS. BY
HENRY M. TOWER.
Gc 974.402 Sp34t v.II 1127358
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
V
C
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 4485
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch02towe_0
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
RELATING TO
SPENCER, MASS.,
BY
HENRY M. TOWER
VOLUME II
1 902
SPENCER, MASS.,
W. J. HEFFERNAN-SPENCER LEADER PRINT.
1902.
,
"Every man owes some service to his native town .- Luther Hill in town meeting debate.
1127358
BEULAH M., 1874.
AMBROSE L. 1902.
HENRY M. TOWER AND FAMILY, 1891. DEWITT HENRY M. SARAH M. ARTHUR M. IDA B.
PREFACE.
My first volume of Historical Sketches having been accorded a more generous welcome than anticipated, I have thereby been encouraged to continue the work of "rescuing the past from being forgotten" and of "giving honor to whom honor is due." Bear- ing in mind the motto expressed on the first page, I do not know in what direction I could have rendered my native town better service, and while this volume is largely a compilation, I trust on that account it will prove to be all the more interesting.
I herewith extend to all who have helped in this work my cordial appreciation of their assistance.
CONGRESSMAN PHINEAS JONES
The subject of our sketch is distinguished as the only Spencer man ever elected to the United States Congress. He was the only son of Phineas Jones, a soldier of the Revolution, who came from Charlton and settled about 1786 on the original John Graton farm near what is now known as the Stiles reser- voir. The farm was lot number twenty-five as shown on the proprietor's map of Spencer and joined the Leicester line. Mr. Graton was the third settler in town, coming here, it is supposed, in 1723. His farm has been known in recent years as the Ebenezer Proctor place. Here Phineas Jones Jr. was born, April 18, 1819, the youngest of a family of fourteen children and the only one to develop into sturdy man or womanhood, the others dying in childhood or in the early years of life. Phineas Jones Sr. not only was a well-to-do farmer, but he also kept hotel. His house was on the old South County road from Worcester to Southbridge and Connecticut by way of Leicester center, and before the advent of the railroad, the stage coach and the two, four and six-horse teams laden with freight, daily going and coming, made life along the route anything but monotonous, and in wide contrast with the quiet and stillness of the present day. It is interesting to note that when this road was first lo- cated, according to the original record at the registry of deeds in Worcester, not a point of compass was given, not a record of distance, simply directions from tree to tree the whole route.
Mr. Jones believed in a good education and at a proper age sent his son to the Academy at Leicester to supplement such teaching as the times then afforded in Spencer. Young Phineas graduated with great credit and returned home to take charge of his father's farm, who was now advanced in years and this filial duty he continued to render until his fathers' death, Apr. 27, 1850, aged eighty-four; he then cast about for something else to do and took up school teaching, for which he was emi- nently qualified. He also gave some attention to surveying. Finding, however, these occupations embraced too limited a field for his aspiring nature and growing ambition, he moved to the center, into the house now standing opposite the Congregational Church, and established a country store in a building just then erected, known as Union Block, where A. G. Pease & Co. now deal in hardware. His store became not only a political center for
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
the discussion of state and national politics, but a place to talk over town affairs and he was not the least among the many debaters of that day who here found a free forum. His services were in ready demand at auctions and it is said by those now living, who then knew him, that his ability in that line has since then never been equalled in Spencer. His fine appearance, genial smile, good voice, fluent speech and ready wit all conspired to put the crowd in good humor, followed by quick sales at good prices. He was an active participant in town affairs. At the March meeting in 1854, Luther Hill, as moderator, auctioned off to him
PHINEAS JONES JR.
as the highest bidder the privilege of collecting taxes for that year, he agreeing to pay the town a certain sum of money for the concession. Mr. Jones expected to gain by this transaction. He thought the taxes might be collected early and the interest on a large sum of money accumulate for his own use before he needed to pay over to the town the bare sum of taxes collected. But it so happened that money was hard to obtain that fall. Taxes came in slowly and Mr. Jones would have been a loser if he had paid over to the town the bonus money which it was understood had been agreed upon. He refused, however, to do
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CONGRESSMAN PHINEAS JONES
this, claiming the whole transaction was illegal, although not so understanding the trade when it was made. The town fathers were angry at this refusal and in fact so were a large majority of the property owners and were bound to try the case at law. Bacon & Aldrich, leading attorneys of Worcester, were engaged on behalf of the town and gave assurance of an easy victory. Wm. T. Harlow of Spencer was counsel for Mr. Jones and was equally confident .. A case of this kind had never been tried and, it was finally argued before the full bench of the Supreme Court on an agreed statement of facts. Harlow won, to the great dis-
HOTEL OF PHINEAS JONES SR. (Photo by Currin)
and birthplace of Phineas Jr. and Henry P. Jones.
comfiture of the eminent counsel on the opposite side as well as of many citizens. Perhaps it may prove interesting to record here the doings of the Court as found in Mass. Law Reports 6 Gray 502.
"Inhabitants of the Town of Spencer vs. Phineas Jones. A sale by a town to the lowest bidder of the right of collecting taxes, without any provision as to his qualifications for the office of collector of taxes or any other election is void; and the town call- not maintain an action against him for the amount bid although
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
he acts as collector for the year. Action of contract to recover the sum of $47.50, which the defendant promised to pay the plaintiff for the privilege of being their collector of taxes for the year 1854. The parties submitted the case to the decision of the Supreme Court, September term 1856, upon the following statement of facts. On the first Monday of March 1854 the plaintiffs held their annual town meeting and in the warrant was the following article: 'Art. 15. To see in what method the collector of taxes shall be chosen.' The Town Record of action on this article reads: 'Art. 15. Voted that the taxes be collected by the lowest bidder. They were struck off to Phineas Jones who gave a bonus of $47.50 for the privilege of being collector and who was immediately sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties.' Jones collected taxes but would not pay the bonus and town sued. The court sustained the case of Jones and said 'Such a bargain is void upon the most obvious principles of public policy. There are no reasons which would justify the giving of this office to the lowest bidder which would not apply to that of as- sessor or treasurer. The promise is also without consideration, for the collector has no right to any beneficial use of money collected for the town. Such use is a breach of his trust.' "
While in Spencer, Mr. Jones was noted as a lover of good horses and he was the first man in town to own a horse that could trot in two-forty, the standard of excellence and the accomplish- ment of which was considered to be a great feat in those days.
Mr. Jones having noted his successes thus far in his busi- ness life and wishing a wider field for development, sold his store and removed in 1855 to Elizabethport, N. J., where he engaged ex- tensively in the manufacture of carriage wheels. Finding a more desirable location, he removed to Newark in 1860 and in partnership with Mr. William H. Baldwin, established a factory on a much larger scale and year after year continued to in- crease his manufacturing facilities and to extend his business until the day of his death, which occurred April 19, 1884. His partner, Mr. Baldwin, died in 1901, aged 101.
The following extracts from a biographical sketch are taken from the" History of Essex Co., New Jersey :"
"In the wheel business he exhibited a great deal of me- chanical ingenuity, and several of his inventions which were patented proved to be very valuable.
"In politics Mr. Jones was a Republican, and in maintain- ing the principles of that party was bold and energetic. As a ready and forcible speaker, he always commanded attention, and as an intelligent, efficient man of business, acquired confidence and re- spect. Within three years after his settlement in Elizabethport he
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CONGRESSMAN PHINEAS JONES
was elected a member of the Common Council, and served for two years in that body.
"For several years after his removal to Newark he gave strict attention to his factory, in which he had now one hundred men employed, with a constantly increasing demand for his produc- tions. Nevertheless, we hear from him in connection with the Board of Trade, established in 1868, of which he was a member and a director, and in which he took a very active and promi- nent part. We also hear of him as a director of the People's In- surance Company, established in 1866; but in 1874 he appears more prominently as a member of the General Assembly, in which body he served so satisfactorily to his constituents that the year following he was re-elected to the same position. In 1881 Mr. Jones was elected a member of the Forty-Seventh Con- gress, and served to the end of his term, although during the last months of the second session he suffered so much from sick- ness contracted at Washington that he declined the renomination which was tendered to him. But of all the institutions of a public nature with which Mr. Jones was connected, the New Jersey Agricultural Society awakened his liveliest sympathies. The experience of his early life made him a valuable member of its board of directors, and to its interests he devoted much of his time and attention.
"His sudden death in the midst of a most honorable and use- ful career, was deeply lamented by the community of which, for nearly a quarter of a century, he had been an esteemed and valu- able member."
It is not thought Mr. Jones made any set speech while in Congress but he spoke at length in the 47th Congress on the river and harbor appropriation bill, Vol. 14, part 4, pages 3441, 3442 and 3446, also on Screws Vol. 13, page 2514 and probably along other lines in the 46th and 47th sessions of Congress which may be found by consulting the records.
HENRY P. JONES
Henry Phineas, son of Phineas Jones Jr., was born at Spencer Mass., at his grandfather's house near Stiles reservoir, Nov. 29, 1846. At the age of nine he became a resident of Elizabethport, New Jersey, whither his father had removed in 1855. His first schooling was in the old red schoolhouse which once stood on
HENRY PHINEAS JONES.
the highest swell of land between the Aaron Watson place and Moose Hill Farm house. At Elizabethport he attended the public schools and in 1858, his father having removed to Newark, in the same state, he attended later the Newark Academy. In 1868 he engaged in the shoe business and continued therein four years, the firm name being Canfield, Jones & Co. In 1873 he made an extended tour of Europe covering nearly a year. In 1875 he was admitted to partnership in the firm of Phineas Jones & Co.
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HENRY PHINEAS JONES
manufacturers of vehicle wheels and since that time has devoted himself to the development of that industry and is reported to be a man of unusual business ability. During the Civil war he served three years as a drummer boy, with the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Irish Brigade, 1st division, being only fifteen years of age when he enlisted. His ancestry is evidently of English or Scotch origin and contains on the maternal side the names of Woodward, Bancroft, Metcalf, Stone, Whipple, Trowbridge, Atherton, Treadway, Howe, Cook, Flagg, Ham- mond, Phillips, Lamb, Bennett, Towne, Richardson, Wilson, Brown, Humphreys, Rice and Viles. He married June 24, 1875, Ada Emily Anderson. They have five children as follows: Elizabeth Anderson, born April 10, 1876; Phineas, born Jan. 3, 1879; Henry Percy, born Nov. 19, 1880; Elsie, born Oct. 16, 1883; Spencer, born Dec. 13, 1891.
The regard of Mr. Jones for his native town is well illus- trated by the name given to his youngest son.
The location of the place where Capt. Edmond Bemis first settled on his father's farm is now considered fully established. E. Harris Howland states that in his boyhood days there was an old cellar a short distance westerly of the present Stanley house at Westville. This location agrees with certain bounds described in a deed from Samuel Bemis to Samuel Flagg in 1762 as follows: "Beginning at a heap of stones south of the County road op- posite to ye dwelling house in which my son Edmond lately lived, thence running southerly as ye fence now stands through the meadow to a large red oak tree marked, near Seven Mile river so-called, from thence up ye river to a small pitch pine tree marked, preserving room by said river for erecting a fence, from thence running southwardly to a stake and stones on a large bog in Cranberry meadow brook etc." No other point on the old farm other than the one named tallies with the description of bounds as given.
John M. Howe of East Brookfield is authority for the state- ment that on Monday Oct. 9, 1839, the first passenger train be- tween Springfield and Worcester passed through Spencer from Springfield about nine a. m. The train consisted only of the engine, tender and one coach. The engine for this trip was sent from Worcester the day previous.
WILLIAM OTIS BEMIS
The subject of this sketch was born in Leicester, January 1, 1819, but came to town at so early an age that he always has passed as of Spencer origin and to the manor born. He belonged to the Paxton line of the Bemis family. About 1823 his father, Dea. Amos Bemis, a Baptist then but later connected with the M. E. Church, moved to Spencer and became manager of the Powder Mills on Seven Mile river. Here he lived about five years, when on account of impaired health he sought an outdoor life and removed to the farm where he lived until his death. The farm became in time the property of his son, Wm. Otis, who oc- cupied the same some thirty-three years, or until his death, Jan. 7, 1883. His widow, two daughters and son, Leslie S., now live on the homestead. His early education was limited and he was put to work on the farm when quite small, but by wide reading he became well versed in general literature and the affairs of the world. When a young man he learned the art of boot bottoming, but this pursuit was not congenial to his poetic nature. At the age of nineteen his father offered to give him his time on consideration that he earn and pay over to him the sum of six hundred dollars. This seemed a large amount of money to save in two years from the meagre earnings of that day, but he boldly undertook the task and at the age of twenty- one paid the obligation and was fifty dollars ahead. He then went to Philadelphia to work at his trade and in his leisure moments study art, that city then being the art centre of America. Later he returned to his native state and studied with George L. Brown, a distinguished landscape painter having a studio in Worcester. He also became a pupil of Francis Alexander, a portrait painter in Boston. About 1847 he made the acquaint- ance of Benjamin H. Kinney, the Worcester sculptor, with whom he went to live and was induced by him to open a studio and branch out for himself. This he did with good success and painted many fine pictures for leading families in Boston and Worcester. Nov. 28, 1850, he married Miss Julia A. Stebbins, an adopted daughter of the late Amos Kittridge, and soon after settled on the old homestead. He varied life's routine by occa- sional visits to other places in search of new and unique landscape views as a setting for his cattle pieces which was his most prolific line of painting. It has been said many times by those competent to judge that he produced some real masterpieces of
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WILLIAM OTIS BEMIS
art that will be valued more and more as time passes. As a side issue he interested himself to some extent in agriculture, was the first man in town to introduce Jersey cattle and was the pioneer of making gilt edged butter. He was rather an extensive writer of verse and his poetry contains much to be admired. While he had a vivid sense of humor, which appears in some of his pieces, there is evident throughout all his writings
WM. OTIS BEMIS. The Landscape Artist.
a high moral and religious purpose, as though he were striving to give expression only to the most exalted sentiments of the hu- man breast.
His friends and acquaintances all loved him for his sterling qualities of mind and heart, but because of his unseeking and unassuming nature the circle of his friends, while manifold, was not as large as it ought to have been for the general good. As
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
one contemplates his life it becomes most appropriate to join with the poet in saying, "I wish the good were not so few." Mr. Bemis was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery and his grave is marked by an unhewn bowlder of Quincy granite, bearing thereon the design of a pallette with his name and date of birth and death. The following lines are thought to have been the last he ever penned, and are luminant with beautiful sentiments.
My Studio.
Within this little narrow room. Near a window where the light Falls gently on my canvas In rays of purest white, I have placed with care my easel To catch the golden beam
And here I mix my colors To paint some fleeting dream.
I care not if this room be small, My soul is roaming free,
And I'm traveling o'er the mountains, I'm dreaming by the sea- I float in clouds of amber, I stand at beauty's gate- I'm "'Neath the walls of Paradise " Where longingly I wait.
Oh, 'tis a grand old studio- Far from this room of mine- 'Tis higher than the mountains With its golden hued sunshine- 'Tis broader than the valleys That open to the sea And hung with glowing pictures So beautiful to me.
If you'd like to view this studio, Knock at the gates of God; He'll let all truthful lovers in Who toil upon His sod His glories he will gladly show, You may the scenes behold- Enchanting far beyond compare- Pictures all framed in gold.
The following historical poem on Galileo is probably as elaborate as any of his writings. Other selections will be found distributed through the volume.
Galileo.
BY WM. OTIS BEMIS.
Venerable old man, enfeebled by years. And revealing the wondrous works of God Seen in nature's book; why wandered he alone, In chilly winter time, o'er the drear hills And winding road that leads on to that proud And mighty city, Rome ? Toilsome the way And sad for him-philosopher of the skies- Called from his fair home, beautiful Florence. Summon'd by Inquisitor and Cardinal to answer Like a felon steeped in crime why he had taught And demonstrated that Copernicus was right, That insignificant was the grand old earth
.. To the mighty blazing sun, the center Of the glorious universe The earth was spherical, on its axis turned And proudly moved around the sun That sheds its morning beams of cheering light To other spheres, more ponderous far Than this huge world on which we dwell.
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WILLIAM OTIS BEMIS
(Copied by Currin)
HOMESTEAD OF W. O. BEMIS, Before alterations were made in the dwelling. From an oil painting by Mr. Bemis.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
Great Jupiter-fiery Mars And all the planetary host, abodes of men; Beheld mountains jagged in the cold moon And tracked innumerable stars in milky way. Great Galileo, this was his offence-
Copernicus was dead; 10 vengeance dread Could they wreak on him; Galileo, braver man,
Had dared to proclaim to men the wonders of the skies.
Before his dread accusers with chart in hand Trembling then he stood, demonstrated long,
But him they could not understand.
Coldness and taunting jeers, fiendish laughter, Fell heavy on his heaven taught soul,
Pronounced his doom-bow down, recant or die They bid him then, like meanest slave in chains For market-talked of his punishment, .
The faggot flame, and agonizing death;
Wrung from him recanting bitter words,
Absolving words, burning on his pure lips,
To speak against the truths of God.
Oh, cruel Inquisitor, Galileo's recanting words
Came only front his blanched, trembling lips.
His heart sorrowful felt the pangs,
His deep convictions never changed;
Rising from his bending knees, teeth clenched,
The world caught these words, inuttered low And never to be forgotten, sacred to Philosopher, and dear to aspiring men: "The world moves notwithstanding." Sick at heart, discouraged, old and weak,
Departing from his accusers to silence doomed
To lift no more his telescope skyward,
To track no more the wonders of the skies,
It made him sad of heart, while the mind Of inen in darkness groped.
In the fair city of Florence
A blind old man, in his garden walked,
Breathing the nectared breath of flowers
Warmed by the beams of the life giving sun,
The center of the universe, his days Made cheerful by contemplation And music on his lute; calmly his life Faded like the sunset's flush, to be
Remembered long as the skies shall Arch the earth, the divine illuminator
To men, the revealer of the wonders And mysteries of the heaven above."
His brother, Amasa T. Bemis, now living at Hillsville, relates an amusing instance of the pre-occupation of his brother's mind relating to the picture of a haying scene. The artist had nearly completed the painting and an ox wagon loaded with hay stood in the foreground with the picture of one ox only attached. For some reason the unfinished picture was laid aside. After a time it was brought forth and completed. Amasa was called to see and criticise. "Well," said Amasa, "The picture is a fine che
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WILLIAM OTIS BEMIS
but you have got a curious mix up of cattle attached to your cart; an ox and a cow yoked up together is a little out of the ordinary." "Sure enough, "said the artist, and they both laughed heartily, "but," continued Otis, "my mind is on cows so much that I think cow, dream cow, and it seems, paint cow without realizing what I am about." He then took his brush and rectified the mistake.
HOUSE BUILT BY CAPT. BENJAMIN JOHNSON,
at Hillsville in 1747. From a painting by Wm O. Bemis. The location of this house was on the site of the present dwelling of Lewis Hill. Capt. Johnson was a leading citizen of Spencer and at the first town meeting in 1753 was chosen Moderator, Town Clerk, Treas- urer, Selectman and Assessor. He died January 23, 1771.
( Copy by Currin)
Daniel Bemis, blacksmith and farmer, and a son of Joseph Bemis, before emigrating West about 1820, forged by hand all the nails used in the construction of the large two-story house built by his father, Joseph, about that date in the southeast part of Spencer, now standing and owned by A. B. Davidson of Lei- cester.
For lack of time an index for volume one could not have been prepared and printed. This book however contains the complete index of names and places for both volumes.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
SPENCER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Erected in 1847. This structure was remodelled in 1871 at a cost of about $15,000.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF OTIS COLE
Otis Cole, was born in Stark, N. H., Dec. 25, 1832. His boyhood was passed in North Spencer, whither his father, Joshua Cole, had moved too early for his boy to have any mem- ory of such a change.
"Born from above" in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Spencer, October, 1849. The foundation of an education was as- sured in the common school. The earlier days in an old red
REV. OTIS COLE
Went out from the Spencer M. E. Church to preach the gospel and has made a very suc- cessful pastor. Wherever he has been stationed he has won the love and esteem 'of the people in a marked degree. Before leaving Spencer he was a partner in the firm of Rowell & Cole, grocers, on Main street.
schoolhouse on the road from Aunt Sally Cunningham's, now the homestead of Geo. F. Barclay, at North Spencer to the Reuben Cunningham place on the Jocktown road. This building is still a part of a dwelling house farther along the same road and was for many years the home of the late Christopher Lyon.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
In 1840 the school was transferred to a new brick school- house on and almost in the main highway to the center of the town and still in use for the North Spencer school.
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