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HISTORICAL SKETCHES
RELATING TO
SPENCER, MASS. BY
HENRY M. TOWER,
M. L
Gc 974.402 Sp34t V. IV 1127359 GENE. !_ LECTION GENEALOGY COLLECTION
V
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01068 4501
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch04towe
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
RELATING TO
SPENCER, MASS.,
BY
HENRY M. TOWER
VOLUME IV
1909
SPENCER, MASS. W. J. HEFFERNAN-SPENCER LEADER PRINT. 1909.
1127359
-
HENRY MENDELL TOWER
Died April 23, 1904
Born July 23, 1847
.
HENRY MENDELL TOWER
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR OF "SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY."
[The material for this Volume IV of "Sketches of Spencer History," was compiled and collated by Mr. Tower prior to his death, and during the weeks of his last long illness he completed the necessary details for the publication of the volume. In his will he directed his heirs to see that the book was published.]
His heirs, complying with his wishes, present this volume, therefore, to its readers, dedicating it to the memory of their loved husband and parent.
This volume, being a posthumous work, and none of the previous volumes having contained a suitable biography or appreciation of Mr. Tower's life and work, the following tribute and sketch, published in a newspaper April 30, 1904, the week following his death, is here reproduced:
"Henry Mendell Tower died Saturday afternoon April 23, 1904, after an illness of several months, aged fifty-six years, nine months.
"Mr. Tower has been a very useful citizen, particularly in the latter years of his life, when he relinquished to some extent active business affairs and devoted himself in a considerable degree to things which would be of benefit to his native town and fellow-citizens.
"He always held an active interest in things historical and few people can realize the patient and persistent labor exercised by him in resurrecting and preserving data and historical things. It is, perhaps, not known to many that he was the founder and prime mover in the organization of the Spencer museum, con- tributing largely in its early days valuable relics, which now may be seen on the shelves at the Sugden library.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
"Mr. Tower was a man who accomplished things. Once with his mind set upon attaining some ideal or object he worked with rate persistency and was not satisfied to stop short of accomplishment if the latter could be obtained by honorable means.
"He prepared at great expense and has had printed two volumes of "Sketches of Spencer History," a third volume is in process of printing now at the Spencer Leader office and the manuscript for a fourth volume was left by him to be published by his heirs. Mr. Tower made no pretense at compiling a comprehensive history of the town, his purpose being simply to collate and preserve bits of local history that might otherwise be destroyed or lost. He never expected or realized financial reward from these labors and we believe that he was actuated by a high purpose, as shown in the words printed on the fly-leaf of his first volume: 'I shall pass through this world but once-therefore if there be any good I can do, let me do it now, for I shall never come this way again.'
"He possessed a great quantity and variety of information. He made painstaking efforts to acquire more and if there be any inaccuracies in any of the historical works which he has produced they do not come from any failure to do his part.
"He had been successful and unsuccessful in business affairs, and successful again. His organization of the Spencer Paper Box Co., of which he had the sole management until health failed him two years ago, was followed by unusual success; unskilled help has become skilled and the business particularly prosperous.
"For some months, after trying for health in the climates of other states, he has realized that the end was coming. He watched for the translation to the other world with the utmost complacency, resignation and ardent faith. Frequently, when we have spoken with him in these latter months, he would speak of his approaching end, always calmly, philosophically and hopefully.
"Perhaps no man is without his faults, but whatever of these Henry M. Tower had, they are entirely overshadowed by the good which he endeavored to do for his family, his fellow
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HENRY MENDELL TOWER.
citizens and native town. He has erected a monument for him- self that is enduring.
"Henry M. Tower was born July 23, 1847, in the building on Main street that for many years afterward was used for a boot factory by Prouty Bros.
"He was the son of Ambrose Mendell Tower and Rosamond Draper Adams. He always took considerable pride in his ancestry, the paternal side coming from John Tower of Hingham, who came from England in 1637, and the maternal side being descendant from Henry Adams of Quincy, who came from England also in 1637. His father was an expert and skilled mechanic and the son inherited considerable of his father's ingenuity. His mother was of most beautiful character and is remembered with respect by many citizens during her residence at Red Gate cottage at the junction of Lincoln and Pleasant streets, now owned by W. J. Heffernan.
"Mr. Tower learned the trade of jeweler from his grand- father, Luke Tower, who at that time lived where Miss Vian Snow now resides, corner Lincoln and Pleasant streets. He worked at this trade in Randolph and other places, but afterward became a builder and erected a number of houses in Spencer. In 1873 he went into the real estate business and was occupied in that way for some time. Later he took a place with Isaac Prouty & Co. as shop carpenter and afterward superintended the construction of the large brick storehouse of the company and also the residence of C. N. Prouty on Cherry street. He was for many years a boss carpenter and contractor, building many of the houses in Spencer and surrounding towns.
"For a time he was engaged in manufacturing boot trees, and then in company with Wm. Tucker organized the Tower Machine Co., which manufactured lathes and other machines at East Brookfield. He next turned his attention to the manufact- ure of a water filter and the result was the organization of the Sanitary Improvement Co. This business was not particularly successful owing to the expensiveness of the product and conse- quent narrowly limited field for sales, and the concern went out of business. Mr. Tower next started the manufacture in 1890 of paper boxes at West Brookfield and after being there for
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
nearly a year moved his plant to the I. Prouty & Co. shop at Spencer. This bu iness has been particularly prosperous and successful. Two years prior to his death he resigned the man- agement of this business to his eldest son, De Witt, and went to Colorado and Georgia. His health, which had become some- what impaired, was apparently benefited for a time by the climates of both Colorado and Georgia
"Mr. Tower served for a year or more as president of the Spencer Board of Trade, during which time it saw some of its liveliest days. He made vigorous and persistent effort to accom- plish results for the benefit of the town through this agency. He caused to be erected signs marking the Elias Howe birthplace and endeavored to exploit the town as a summer resort. He was largely responsible for the creation of Bemis Memorial park.
"Mr. Tower was married in 1870 to Sarah Woodbury, who survives him, with four children, DeWitt, Ida B., Arthur M. and Ambrose L.
"The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock in the M. E. church, of which society Mr. Tower was a trustee. The service was in charge of Rev. W. A. Wood.
"Interment was at Pine Grove cemetery."
SPENCER PHIPS
SIR WM. PHIPS
The following epitaph to his memory is inscribed in the Church of Saint Mary Woolworth, London :
"Near this place is interred the body of Sir Wm. Phips, Knight, who in the year 1687 by his great industry discovered among the rocks near the banks of Bahama on the north side of Hispaniola, a Spanish plate ship which had been under water forty-four years, out of which he took gold and silver to the value of three hundred thousand pounds sterling, and with a fidelity equal to his conduct brought it all to London, where it was divided between himself and the rest of his adventurers, for which great service he was Knighted by his then majesty King James II. and afterwards by the command of his present majesty ; and at the request of the principal inhabitants of New England he accepted the Government of the Massachusetts in which he continued to the time of his death, and discharged his trust with that zeal for the interest of his country and with so little regard to his own private advantage that he justly gained the good esteem and affections of the greatest and best part of the inhabitants of that colony. He died 18 February, 1694, and his lady to perpetuate his memory hath caused this monument to be erected."
For Whom was Spencer Named ?
No one living knows. But there is some circumstantial evidence which points to a probability which is set forth in a publication of the Massachusetts Historical society for 1873 and is as follows :
"Spencer. possibly a name given by the Lieut. Governor (then acting Governor), Spencer Phips. He was the adopted son of Sir Wm. Phips, being Spencer Bennett, nephew of Lady Phips, who was the daughter of Roger Spencer. The well known title of Earl of Spencer was created in 1765 but in 1753 Chas. Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, had succeeded to the honors of his maternal grandfather and was the 2d Duke of Marlborough. The high position of the duke in political life inclines to the belief that the town was named in
Elaborately engraved si.ver handle of a sword carried by Spencer Phips and now in Harvard Library, Cam- bridge, Mass. Photographed Expressly for this work.
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SPENCER PHIPS.
his honor." Assuming the above to be true the suggestion for the town's name probably was introduced by Spencer Phips. The items which follow in regard to the Phips family are of interest.
From Paige's History of Cambridge.
"Spencer Phips was son of David Bennett of Rowley by his wife Rebecca Spencer. He was born at Rowley, June 6, 1685, and was early adopted by Gov. Wm. Phips whose wife was a sister to Mrs. Bennett. He took the name of Phips when quite young, which was confirmed to him as his legal name by the general court June 18, 1716. He graduated H. C. 1703, was a Colonel, Representative 1721, Councillor 1721-1732, Lieut. Gov. 1732-1757. He bought the Haugh farm of more that 300 acres embracing the whole of East Cambridge and the Northeasterly portion of Cambridgeport Aug. 15, 1706, and soon after removed there. He also bought Oct. 2, 1714, the estate formerly owned by Dr. James Oliver on Arrow St. near Bow St., afterwards known as the Winthrop Estate which became his homestead. He died Apr. 4, 1757. His wife Elizabeth died May 7, 1764.
"David, son of Spencer (born Sept. 25, 1724) inherited the homestead and resided there until the Revolution, when he adhered to the King and went with his family to England where he died July 7, 1811. His estate here was confiscated but the loss was repaired by benefits which the British Govern- ment bestowed upon him and on his children.
"In Will of wife of Spencer Phips, son of Sir. Wm. Phips, late of Boston, in New England, deceased, maiden name Mary Sargeant, daughter of Roger Spencer-"I give to Dorcas Salter, wife of Eneas Salter, Jr., that silver tankard my son used at college."
Spencer Phips' Son David.
Taken from English records and includes his application, claim, evidence and decision on his claim for compensation as a Loyalist.
"Persons receiving allowance under a General Minute of the Board dated the. . day of. . but whose claims are not set forth by memorial or supported by voucher.
"Phips, David. Present allowance 100 pounds. Pro- fession, Lieutenant in the Navy.
"Mr. Flucker knows him very well, he is now at Halifax, was taken by a French ship and is now out of business. He is an excellent man, suffered very much by the powder, with
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
General Gage, ordered to be removed. He was sheriff of
Middlesex. He was very ill used on account of his removing the powder, they would have stoned him if they had caught him, he was released about 4 or 5 months ago from Boston. Mr. Phips, he believes had property worth about 2,000 pounds. He had a good house and a farm. Is told he has got the promise of ship from the Commander of the Fleet at Halifax, he is a Master and Commander but does not know whether he receives pay or not.
"His character fully certified, no further attendance re- quired.
"Mr. Phips attends himself, and says he was put upon the list by Lord Geor. Germaine, when he was first Lieutenant in the Navy and he was then put on the list for 100 pounds a year and now he suffers by having been active in his pro- fession. He has a wife and seven children, his wife and three daughters are here and three sons and one daughter in America."
HIe values his property in America at 5,000 pounds Sterling.
Decision.
We heard this gentleman's case from Mr. Flucker who speaks well of him and says he was sheriff of Middlesex in the Province of Massachusette Bay, and that he is now at Halifax on the Naval line. He is a master and commander, and has the promise of a ship from the admiral on that station. His pay as Master and Commander is 6 shillings a day. We think that as he at present receives 6 shillings a day that 50 pounds a year will be sufficient until he gets a ship and that. whenever he gets a ship, the whole of his allowance should cease.
Audit office Records. Public Record Office England 1783-1790. Decisions on Old Claims for temporary support Oct .- Dec. 1782. Bk. 2. Vol. 3 p. 286.
David Phips died at Bath in Somerset, England, in 1811, aged 87.
HISTORY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPENCER.
By Rev. Otis Cole.
At an early date there was a Baptist church in Green- ville, a village in the southwest part of Leicester. In its records the following item has been found :
"In 1818 the church was divided in consequence of the remoteness of several of its members from their place of wor- ship and a new society was formed in the northeast part of Spencer."
Prior to the organizing of this new body a Baptist church had been organized in Brookfield and a commodious meeting- house erected in 1795 on the old post road from Spencer to East Brookfield about a thousand feet beyond the Spencer lin -. Certain citizens of Spencer were interested in this movement. Ezekiel Baxter, Ezra Bennet, Luke Converse, Elisha Drake, Clarke Hill, David and Thomas Jenks were members of the time members of the church.
society. It is not known that any Spencer people were at that Many of the chief families of the western part of the town are said to have worshipped there. Nathaniel Bemis, Jr., occupied the highest priced pew in this meeting-house, within the memory of those now living. Later Dea. Amos Bemis and wife were members of the church. Dea. B. was then in charge of Spencer powder mills. He afterwards moved to a farm in the northwest part of the town and joined the church at Jocktown. This ancient house of worship, in Brookfield and so near the Spencer line, was taken down in 1830 and rebuilt for the Baptists at a more convenient location in East Brookfield village. There it still stands as the home of the church though more than a hundred years have passed since its first erection.
Returning from this digression, which has not been devoid of interest, it must be noted that no indication of the number set off at Greenville as the nucleus of a church at North Spen- cer is found, either in the extract from the church record given above or in the minutes of the council at which the new ecclesiastical body was organized. The register of the First Baptist church in Spencer has some twenty-four names of
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
men and women whose membership is dated earlier than 1819, the year of its organization. But this affords no assurance that all of this company came from the Greenville church. Probably many of them did. That is all that can be affirmed. Nothing is shown as to residence, save that the Bonds and Bryants are known to have been Leicester people and J. Cun- ningham a resident of Spencer. It is certain also that some Paxton families were interested in the new movement, being, at least, of Baptist training and heritage, or inclination.
Jonathan Cunningham was the great grandson of Robert Cunningham and inheritor of a goodly portion of the large landed estate which Robert bought in 1731, of Col. Joshua Lamb, one of the original proprietors of the town. Jonathan, with his wife, Deliverance Earle, united with the Baptist church, probably at Greenville, in 1810, nine years prior to the forming of a church in his own neighborhood and house. He built the generous farm house. lately owned and occupied by John Norton, now deceased. This dwelling is still in service. In it the council for the organization of the new church met, June 30, 1819. This house, probably sometime used as a tavern on the old country road also, must be nearly, perhaps quite, a century old.
A copy of the record of the council with the names of its members, of the articles of faith adopted and of the covenant then made now follows :
Constitution of the First Baptist Church in Spencer.
Spencer, June 30, 1819. In pursuance of letters missive from the Baptist Church in Leicester to the Baptist Churches in Charlton, Worcester, Holden and Brookfield, the afternamed Pastors and Delegates convened in Council at the house of Mr. Jonathan Cunningham for the purpose of considering the pro- priety of establishing a Baptist Church in this place.
Present from Charlton-James Boomer, Pastor ; David Dunbar, Daniel Bacon, Delegates ; Worcester-Jonathan Going, Pastor ; Luther Goddard, Solomon Parsons, Andrew Adams, Delegates ; Holden-John Walker, Pastor ; Windsor Newton, William Metcalf, Delegates ; Brookfield-John Chase, Pastor ; Rufus Harrington, Henry Sprague, Delegates ; Leices- ter-James Sprague, Pastor ; Daniel Woodard, David Parker, Committee.
The Council was organized by choosing Rev. Jonathan Going, Moderator and Rev. John Chase, Scribe. After prayer by the Moderator the Council proceeded to inquire into the religious views and principles of those persons desirous to be
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BAPTIST CHURCH.
constituted into a Church of Christ ; and being satisfied with their statements in relation to the topics involved in gospel doctrines, and church discipline, voted to give them fellowship as a church of Christ-to be called the First Baptist Church in Spencer.
Br. Bonner was appointed to preach at 2 o'clock P. M. Br. Goddard to address the Church and give the hand of fellowship. After prayer by Br. Culter the Council dissolved. JONATHAN GOING, Moderator.
JOHN CHASE, Scribe.
Articles of Faith and Covenant.
Adopted June 30, 1819.
Article 1st. We believe in one God, who is self-existent, independent, and eternal, whose nature comprises every pos- sible perfection, excellence and glory, manifested in the works of creation, providence and redemption. That it hath pleased God to make himself known by (a) three, who bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one. That Jesus Christ in the beginning (b) was the Word, was with God and was God. That all things were created by him, and for him, and (c) man from the dust of the ground, in his own image, and breathed into him the breath of life, and he became a living soul capable of knowing, loving and obeying his Creator. But by the sin of our first parents (d) judgment has come upon all men to condemnation (e) that the holy scriptures which are given by inspiration of God (f) are able to make us wise unto salvation (g) through faith in Jesus Christ.
Art. 2nd. We believe that we are all by nature the chil- dren of wrath (h) enemies in our own mind to God by wicked works, that there is none that doeth good, no not one, (i) but are prone to evil and that continually, and to do good have no knowledge and in this is our condemnation (j) that light is to come into the world and we have loved darkness rather than light, and will not come to Christ that we may have life, so that salvation is of the Lord.
Art. 3rd. We believe that God, (k) who declareth the end from the beginning, calleth those things that be not as though they were, (1) who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, for by grace we are saved through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, (m) not by works of righteousness, which we have done, (n) but ac- cording to his mercy has saved us by washing of regeneration,
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. That the doctrine of electing love, and grace is according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledgment of the truth, which is after godliness, and the hope (o) of eternal life which God that ca !- not lie promised before the world began, and hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, ac- cording as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love (p) in whom we have redemption through his blood, (q) the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. .
Art. 4th. We believe that those who are called according to his purpose, and are preserved in Christ shall never perish, (r) for he that began a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, (s) and nothing shall separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, (a) for they are dead and their life is hid with Christ in God, (b) and are kept by the power of God through faith unto salva-
tion. (c) The Father who gave them to Christ is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of his hands. (d) That it is the indispensable duty of believers to maintain good works, (e) and so adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (f) To let their light shine before men (g) and to keep themselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Art. 5th. That as it hath pleased the Father that in Christ all fulness should dwell, (h) and hath given him to be head over all things in the church, (i) it is their duty to observe all things, whatsoever he hath commanded, there being one Lord, one faith and one baptism. (j) It is the duty of be- lievers to subject themselves to the ordinances as instituted by him, that in Christ, and that in the original Greek baptize means to dip, to plunge, to immerse, to overwhelm, it is the believer's duty and privilege to follow the commands and in- stitutions of Christ, buried (k) with Christ in baptism, to be baptized into the likeness of his death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so they also should walk (1) in newness of life. Also that as the Lord Jesus Christ the same night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, brake it and gave it to his disciples saying take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me, and in obedience to Christ we esteem it our duty and privilege (m) to commune
a, 1st John 5:9. John to b. c, Gen. 2:7. d, Gen. 3:6. e, Rom. 5:18.
f, Tim. 3:15. g, 2 Tim. 3:15. h, Col. 1:21. i, Pol. 4:3. j, John 3:19.
k, Isa. 46:10. 1, Rom. 4:17. m, Eph. 2:5 and 5:8. n, Tit. 3:5. 0, Tit. 1:2.
p, Eph. 1:3-4. q, Eph. 1:7. r, Rom. 8:28. 8, Phil. 1:6.
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BAPTIST CHURCH.
with our faith, and order, (n) and thus show forth our Lord's death until he come. (o) Also they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel (p) and they who administer in holy, spiritual things have a right to reap the worldly things of the church.
Art. 6th. We believe there will be a resurrection of the dead (q) both of the just and of the unjust (r) for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. (s) Then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from an- other as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats, and shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left, then shall the King say unto them on his right hand come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world ; then shall he say unto them on his left hand depart ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Covenant.
We do now in presence of God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and men and angels, voluntarily by the grace of God renewedly give up ourselves to God ; and to each other by the will of God ; to take him for our chiefest good and his word and Spirit for the rule of our lives. We also give up ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and engage to adhere to him as the Head of his people in the covenant of grace and rely on Him as our Prophet, Priest and King to bring us to eternal glory.
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