USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Ashburnham > History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts : from the grant of Dorchester Canada to the present time 1734-1886 with a genealogical register of Ashburnham families > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 As32st v.1 1626850
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
Gc
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01104 4275
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofashburn01stea
-
Égra I. Planul.
HISTORY
OF
ASHBURNHAM
MASSACHUSETTS
FROM
THE GRANT OF DORCHESTER CANADA TO
THE PRESENT TIME, 1734-1886
WITH A
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER
OF
ASHBURNHAM FAMILIES
BY EZRA S. STEARNS, Author of the History of Rindge, N. H.
vil
" 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 another, and I will show you in that same person one who loves nothing but himself."
ASHBURNHAM, MASS. : PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN. 1887.
3-4
1626850
PREFATORY NOTE
BY THE
COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.
Tis volume is presented in response to a popular demand. The enterprise was instituted and sustained by a generous desire of the citizens of Ashburnham to secure the publication of the history of the town. The initial action to this end is found in a vote of the town in 1880, making choice of Wilbur F. Whitney, Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, Simeon Merritt and William P. Ellis to make preliminary arrangements for the compilation and publi- cation of a volume. By subsequent votes of the town the committee has been directed to consumate the work.
In 1882 Mr. Merritt died, and George F. Stevens was elected by the town to complete the original number of the committee. Subsequently, on account of age and feeble health, Mr. Crosby resigned, and Charles Winchester was designated to fill the vacancy. Mr. Ellis was appointed by the committee to gather material and family registers, and from this point the work has been prosecuted without interruption.
Early in the spring of 1881 the committee contracted with IIon. Ezra S. Stearns, of Rindge, New Hampshire, to write a History of Ashburnham, following a general plan which he sub- mitted for our consideration, and which met our approbation.
Mr. Stearns has faithfully and ably fulfilled the obligation he assumed, and has produced a work which meets our warmest approval and unqualified endorsement. Yielding to the express desire of the author, we reluctantly refrain from a more particular expression of our estimate of the sterling character of the volume and of our ready appreciation of the vigor of thought and felicity of expression which will not escape the attention of the reader.
WILBUR F. WHITNEY, WILLIAM P. ELLIS, GEORGE F. STEVENS, CHARLES WINCHESTER.
5
PREFACE.
A NEW ENGLAND town can allege no antiquity. Only in a comparative sense can one assume the dignity of age. The municipal history of Ashburnham is compressed within the brief span of one hundred and fifty years, and of this period the first two decades are isolated from the connected narrative of the remainder. The drama is limited in duration, vet the scenes are crowded with events. At the threshold stands the surveyor with his compass and chain, the emblems of approaching civilization, ready to sever from the wilderness a defined area and limit the stage on which will appear the shifting scenes of succeeding years. The early settler, struggling with the subjugation of the forest, and, in the dying flame and fading smoke of the elcaring, rearing a cabin and garnering the product of a virgin soil, the mechanic in daily toil dreaming not that he is founding industries that will become swelling tributaries to the com- merce of the world, the Revolutionary soldier breathing into life his aspirations of liberty, and in the fruits of war revealing the possibility of a republican form of government, the meeting-house on the hill, the settlement and labor of " the learned orthodox minister," the early schools, the primitive roads broadening by use into thoroughfares, the rude mills exhibiting only the elements of mechanical skill,
6
PREFACE.
are a part of the history of every New England town, and each occupies a place in the following chapters. And yet throughout the work, in early and in later affairs, it has been my constant aim to present, in a proper light, the forms of procedure and the phases of character peculiar to this town. The stereotyped features, which in the force and sequence of events are comnon to the history of all New England towns, have been mainly employed as connecting links in the succession of events or as mirrors to the individuality of Ashburnham. The glory of any town is reflected in the lives of sterling men whose deeds are the soul of its annals. In the following chapters, generation has succeeded genera- tion, and each has left to posterity the strengthening influence of an inspiring example. In local history is found the most potent incentive to activity of life and an honorable conduct. The nearness and familiarity of the exemplars animate the example.
During a review of these many years I have found enter- tainment, which can be renewed by the reader, in silently noting the types of mind and character developed by the several families which have constituted the population of the town. - each generation exhibiting the balances between extremes of character and ability that incite comparisons and suggest conclusions. The summary record of achievement and conduct demonstrates that the genius of Ashburnham has been persevering, that the average ability of the citizen has been conspicuous, and the general character of the masses has been well sustained.
Without an interruption of the narrative in an exhibition of the fact, it has been my purpose to supplement the deeds of men with an effort to also portray the habit and thought. the manners and customs, the aspirations and passions of
7
PREFACE.
each generation, and to state facts in such a manner that the reader be left at full liberty to draw suggested conclusions. Leaving the discussion of philosophies to more pretentious volumes, it has remained our pleasurable labor to revive fading memories, to give form and substance to the shadows of the past, to clothe in the habiliments of truth the fugitive forms of tradition, to assign to deeds of men the inspiration of a good or an unworthy motive, to present a picture of the past in which can be seen in clearer light the outlines of the present, and to combine the past with the present in a connected narrative of sequence and fact. Not to the manner born nor at any time a resident of Ashburnham, I have often gleaned in the field at a disad- vantage, but I have been free from the prejudices of familiarity, and in this effort have not been misguided by the vivid impressions and false estimates of childhood and youth.
The fields, from which the material of the following chapters has been garnered, are the town and church records, the manuscript volumes in the State archives, manuscripts and printed volumes wherever found, and registry and probate records of several counties. Ceme- teries with their rigid inscriptions and family records, preserved by pious care, have supplied many dates that could not be secured from other sources. To the custodians of the numerous records that have been laid under tribute, and to a multitude of friends who have rendered cheerful and valued assistance, my weighty obligations are revived in the memory of polite attention and spontaneous kindness. A generous measure of genealogieal information has been obtained at the library of the New England Historic- Genealogical Society, and to John Ward Dean, A. M .. and
8
PREFACE.
his obliging assistants, I am indebted beyond the conven- tional forms of acknowledgment. AAnd duty joins with pleasure in an unreserved expression of my gratitude to Harriet Proctor Poore, whose familiarity with the reposi- tories of historic and genealogical lore has aided successful research for many dates and facts not casily accessible. To Wilbur F. Whitney, William P. Ellis, George F. Stevens and Charles Winchester, who have faithfully represented the town in the preparation and publication of this volume, I am pleased to express personal obligations for courteous Treatment and polite attention. Their zeal and interest in the prosecution of the work have been a constant incentive, and their prompt attention in the proffer of facilities has anticipated every reasonable requirement. The committee has relieved me from the embarrassment of censorship and the restraint of dictation, and, in a proper recognition of the fact, I assume responsibility for errors, for failure of judgment and for all imperfections which appear in the following pages.
It should be borne in mind that many of the following chapters were written two years ago, and that mention of present time has reference to the beginning of the year 1886. The mention of a subsequent event and the employ- ment of a later date are gratuitous amendments to the plan originally adopted.
EZIA S. STEARNS.
RINDGE, N. H .. May 1, 1887.
9
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Location .- Boundaries - Area .- Surface .- Soil .- Course of the Streams .- Connecticut and Merrimack Drainage .- Ponds. - Arboral ProJnets. -Wild Animals .- Native Birds .- Fish .- Elevations .- Scenery.
17-26
CHAPTER I.
THE EARLY GRANTS.
Seven Grants of Land .- The Policy of the General Court .- An Era of Grants .- The Starr Grant .- Owned by Green, Wilder and Joslin .- The Cambridge Grant. - The First Survey .-- The Lexington Grant .- Sale of same to the Germans .- The Bluefield Grant .- The Early Road to Northfield-The Grant Sold to William Jones and Ephraim Wetherbee .- The Converse Grant .- Sale to Joseph Wilder. - The Rolfe Grant. - Sale to John Greenwood .-- The Dorchester Canada or Township Grant .- The Canada Soldiers .- Four Towns Chartered in One Enactment .- The Township Surveyed .- Area .- Personal Notices. 27-51
CHAPTER II.
PROPRIETARY HISTORY.
The Township Awarded to Sixty Persons .- Their Influence over the Settle- ment .-- Proceedings of the First Meeting .- Changes in Membership of the Proprietors .- House Lots Surveyed. - Site for Meeting-house Selected .- Saw-mill Proposed -Second Distribution of Land .- A Fulling-mill Suggested .- The First Meeting-house. - War with Heze- kiah Gates .- The Province Line .- Mossman's Inn .- Fear of Indians. -Block House Built .- The Settlement Temporarily Abandoned .-- The Situation. - Changes in Membership of the Proprietors .- Personal Notices .- Mossman's Petition. 52-79
CHAPTER III.
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS.
Renewed Activity of the Proprietors .- Moses Foster .--- The Second Saw- mill .- Grain-mill .- Settlement .- Disagreement between Resident and Non-resident Proprietors .- Names of Early Settlers .- The German Settlement .- The Province Line. - Manufacture of Potash .- Distri- bution of Undivided Lands .- Farewell to the Proprietors. - Persona! Notices. 80-107
.
10
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION.
Incorporation .- The Petitions of the Inhabitants and of the Proprietors .- The name of Ashfield Proposed .- The Charter .- Early Town Meetings. -Ashby Incorporated .- Contribution to Ashby .- New Arrivals .- Salary of the Minister .- Schools .- Abatement of the Province Tax - Revolutionary Flashes .- Death of First Minister .- The Common .- Tax List, 1770 .- Price of Commodities .-- A Pound and Field Drivers. -Gardner First Suggested .- Warning Out. 108-130
CHAPTER V.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
Situation of the Town .- The Covenant .- Worcester Convention ..- The Juror List .- Represented in Provincial Congress .- Powder and Lead. -The Militia Organized. - Prominent Citizens Interviewed. - The Salt Problem .- Alarm at Lexington .- Captain Gates' Company .- Captain Davis' Company .- The Siege of Boston and Battle of Bunker Hill .-- Captain Wilder's Company .- The Declaration of Independence. -Enlistments in 1776 .- An Hour of Gloom .- Town Proceedings. - Soldiers in 1777 .- Alarm and Call for Troops .- The Response of Ashburnham .- Continental and Other Soldiers .-- Public Aid .- Assent to the Articles of Confederation .-- Depreciation of the Currency .- The Soldiers in the Field. - New Recruits. - Clothing for the Army .- Alas! One Deserter. - Soldiers in 1779 .- Representative to General Court .-- Price of Commodities .- Constitution Proposed .- Thanksgiv- ing .- Soldiers in 1780 .- Town Meetings. -- Observance of the Sabbath. -Soldiers in 1781 .- Bounty Proposed. -. \ Fine Remitted. -- Requisi- tions for Beef .- Home Trials. 131-176
CHAPTER VI.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY .- CONTINUED.
Personal Notices .- Ebenezer Munroe .- Abraham Lowe .- Joseph Jewett. - Samuel Kelton .- Renben Townsend .- Isaae Stearns .- William Stearns .- Isaac Whitmore .- Charles Hastings. - David Wallis. -- Cyrus Fairbanks .- Ebenezer Wallis .- Thomas Gibson. - Jonas Rice. Reuben Rice .- Eliakim Rice .- Jabez Marble .- Lemuel Stimson .- Abraham Townsend .- John Bowman .- Joshua Fletcher .- Joseph Merriam .- Asa Brocklebank .- Jonathan Gates. - Jonathan Samson. -Ezekiel S. Metealf .- David Clark .- David Chaffin .- Ebenezer B. Davis .- Isaac Merriam .- David Merriam .- John Winter. - William Ward .- Edward Whitmore. - Reuben Rice .- Abraham Lowe .- Joseph Jewett .- Reuben Townsend .- Lemuel Stimson. - Jonas Rice .- Jabez and Oliver Marble .- Thomas Gibson .- Charles Hastings .- Joseph Gibbs. - David Wallis .- Cyrus Fairbanks .- Joshua Fletcher -Joseph Merriam .- Names of Pensioners Residing in Ashburnham in 1840.
177-210
11
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
STATE RELATIONS, POLITICS, TOWN OFFICERS.
A Season of Disquietude .- Shay's Revolt .-- The Loyal Sentiment of Ash- burnham .- Volunteers 10 Suppress the Revolt .- Isaac Stearns' Diary. -A Bloodless Campaign .- Constitutional Conventions .- Representa- tion in the Legislature .- Vote of the Town for Governor .- Proposed Divisions of the County .- A List of Town Officers. 211-242
CHAPTER VIII. . ECCLEASISTICAL HISTORY.
Early Measures to Secure Preaching .- Rev. Elisha Harding .- Call and Ordination of Rev. Jonathan Winchester .- A Church Embodied .- The Covenant. - Original Membership .- Additions. - The First Dea- cons .- Death of Mr. Winchester .- llis Character .- Call and Ordina- tion of Rev. John Cushing .- A Long and Successful Ministry .- An Era of Concord .-- Discipline without Asperity .- Half Way Covenant. -Death of Mr. Cushing .- His Character .- Call and Ordination of Rev. George Perkins .- Installation of Rev. George Goodyear .- Rev. Edwin Jennison .- Rev. Elnathan Davis. - Rev. Frederick A. Fiske. --- Rev. Elbridge G. Little .- Rev. Thomas Boutelle .- Rev George E. Fisher .- Rev. Moody 1. Stevens. - Rev. Leonard S. Parker .- Rev. Daniel E. Adams .- Rev. Josiah D. Crosby .- A Vacancy .- The Deacons. 243-283
CHAPTER IX.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. - CONTINUED.
The First Meeting-house .- Votes Concerning the Edifice .- Pews Con- structed .- The Town as a Parish .- The Salary of Mr. Cushing .- The Hurricane .-- The Site of the First Meeting- house .- The Second Meeting-house .- Proceedings 1791 .- Painting of the Meeting-house .-- Toleration .- Dissolution of the Relations between the Town and the Church .- First Parish Organized .-- Contention over the Ministerial Fund .- The Third Meeting-house. - Location .- Continued History .- -The Edifice Remodelled .-- The Parsonage. 284-308
CHAPTER X.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. - CONTINUED.
THE METHODISTS. - The Field and the Situation .- The Early Preachers .-- The First Meeting-house .- Second Meeting-house. - The Ministers.
THE UNION CHURCH .- The Elements Collected .- The Meeting-house .- A Church Embodied .- The Early Preachers .- Elder Edward A. Rollins. -Rev. A. A. Whitmore .- Temporary Supplies .- Rev. Daniel Wight. -The Parish .- Personal Notices .-- The Deacons.
THE BAPTISTS .- Preachers without Pay .- Stephen Gibson .- Disintegration. ADVENTISTS .-- Their Belief .- No Church Organization.
THE CATHOLICS .- First Services in this Town .- Purchase a Meeting-house. -Rev. John Conway. 309-323
12
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI.
SACRED MUSIC.
A Truthful Remark of No Great Account .- Early Action in Relation to Sacred Music .- Ye Pitch-pipe .-- Early Hymn-books .- New Tunes .- First Choristers .-- Deaconing the Hymn. - Bass Viol .- Musical Families .-- Later Members of the Congregational Choir .- The Meth -
odist Choir. 324-330
CHAPTER XII. .
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Home Education .- First Appropriation for Schools .- First School-houses. -Districts .-- Eight Districts Defined .- A New District .- The Tenth District .- New Boundaries .- The Eleventh District .- The District System Abolished .- School-houses .- Text-books .- Teachers .- Ap- propriations-School Legislation .- High Schools .- Prudential Affairs. -- Supervision. . 331-349
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CUSHING ACADEMY.
Incidental Features of the Endowment .- The Will of Thomas Parkman Cushing. -- The Trustees .- Progress of Events .- Winchester Square .- The Edifice .- Dedication .-- The School Fund. -- Jewett Hall .- The Crosby Scholarship .- Library and Apparatus .- Professor Pierce .- Professor Vose. - Board of Trustees, Past and Present. . 350-359
CHAPTER XIV.
BOUNDARIES.
Donations of Land to Other Towns .- Original Area .- Province Line .- Incorporation of Ashby .- Gardner .- Area Severed from Ashburnham. -The Families .- Land Annexed to Ashby. - The Petitioners. - Ash- burnham Resists .- New Boundaries .- The Families .- A New Town Proposed. - Meeting-house Built .- Renewed Effort and Opposition .- John Ward and William Barrell Annexed. - Petition of George Wilker and others. . 360-371
CHAPTER XV.
ROADS AND RAILROADS.
The Primitive Roads .- The Northfield Road .- Early Roads in Ashburnhani. -The Great Road to Ipswich Canada .- 1 County Road .- Road to Ashby Line .- New Roads. - The Town Indicted .- Other County Roads. -South Turnpike .- The Winchendon Road Amended .- Turnpikes .-- Teaming. - Expenditure. - Road Commissioners. - Railroads. 372-385
13
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVI.
HOTELS AND STORES.
The First Inn. - Several Early Innholders .- Uncle Tiny's .- The Cockerel Tavern .- Two Hotels on Main Street .- Children of the Woods .- A New Tavern .- The Central House .- The Frye Tavern-The Tavern at Factory Village.
THE STORES .- The First Store .- The Jewetts and their Successors .- Madame Cushing a Merchant .- Several Small Stores .-- The Winches- ters .- Adams and Greenwood .- Ellis and Lane .- Newton Hayden .- Parker Brothers .- Marble and Gilson .-- George Rockwood .- Elliot Moore .- Mirick Stimson .- Store in South Ashburnham. . 389-400
CHAPTER XVII.
MECHANICAL INDUSTRIES.
Prominent Position of Ashburnham .- Three Early Mills .- A Multitude of Grain-mills and Saw-mills .-- The Manufacture of Chairs .- The Great Number Engaged. -- John Eaton .-- The Pioneers. - Philip R. Merriam. -Charles and George C. Winchester. - The Boston Chair Manufact- uring Company .- W. F. Whitney .- The Manufacture of Chairs in South Ashburnham .- Burrageville .- Tubs and Pails .--- Thread Spools. -Friction Matches .-- Baskets .- Miscellaneous Wood-ware .- Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing .- Cotton Factories. - Tanning .- Morocco Business. - John and S. W. Putnam. 401-423
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ASHBURNHAM LIGHT INFANTRY.
Zeal in Military Pursuits. - Early Officers. - The Light Infantry Organized .- First Commanders. - A Few Veterans .- Service in War of 1812 .- The Roll .- Years of Prosperity .- List of Officers 1791 to 1847 .- Promotions .- The Militia Company .- Militia Officers .- The Draft 1814 .- History from 1855 to 1862 .- Brief Record from 1866 to Present Time .-- List of Officers. 424-439
CHAPTER XIX.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Prepared For War .- Mission of the Ashburnham Light Infantry .- Early Enlistments .- Second Regiment .-- The Home Company .- The Uni- form .- Liberality of George C. Winchester .- State Aid .- Twenty- first Regiment .- Its Record .- Names of Men in this Service .- Colonel Joseph P. Rice .- Captain Walker and the Slavery Problem .- Other Enlistments in 1861 .- Record of 1862 .- Fifty-third Regiment. -Resolutions .- Record of 1863 .- The Draft .- Enlistments .- The Second Draft .- Conclusion. 440-463
14
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX.
PHYSICIANS. - LAWYERS .- PERSONAL NOTICES .- COLLEGE GRADUATES .- OTHER SONS OF ASHBURNHAM.
Doctors Brooks, Senter, Abraham Lowe, Abraham T. Lowe, Nathaniel Peirce, Abercrombie, Cutler, Stone, Miller, Wallace, Whitmore, Mattoon, Temple, Jillson, Charles I. Pierce, Stickney, Amory Jewett, Nathaniel Jewett .-- Lawyers Cunningham, Adams, Parker and Andrews .-- Samuel Wilder .- Joseph Jewett .- Ivers Jewett .- Jacob Willard .- Silas Willard .--- John Adams .- Enoch Whitmore .- Jerome W. Foster .- Ohio Whitney .- Isaac Hill .- Thomas Parkman Cushing. -Milton Whitney .- A List of College Graduates .- Other Sons of Ashburnham. 464-517.
CHAPTER XXI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Pauperism .- Tithingnien .- Town House .- Union Hall .- Post Offices .- Libraries .- First National Bank .-- Savings Bank .- Farmers' Club .- Pounds .- Bounties on Wild Animals .- Thief Detecting Society .--- Brass Band. - Powder House .- Population. 518-540
CHAPTER XXII.
MORTUARY RECORDS.
The Early Burials .- Death of Mr. Haskell-Germans Buried Elsewhere. -- The Old and the New Cemeteries .- Suicides. - Accidental Deaths .- Record of Deaths of Aged Persons .- List of Aged Persons now Living in Ashburnham. 541-535
CHAPTER XXIII.
GLEANINGS.
A Present to Rev. JJohn Cushing .- Seating the Meeting-house .- Minor Topies .- A New Town Proposed .- 1 New Naine Suggested for Ashburnham .- A War Cloud .- Sickness .-. 1 Severe Winter .- A Variety .- The Great Gale. - The First Fire Engine . - Temperance .- Millerites .- The Great Freshet .- Miscellaneous Topics 556-573
GENEALOGICAL REGISTER 575-1007 INDEX OF NAMES 1009-1022
15-16
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS.
PAGE
Frontis.
EZRA S. STEARNS
JOSIAH D. CROSBY
281
A. T. LOWE
469
WILLIAM H. CUTLER .
485
JEROME W. FOSTER
486
OHIO WHITNEY, JR.
502
H. C. HOBART
592
IVERS W. ADAMS
666
JOSEPH CUSHING
762
RODNEY HUNT
825
SIMEON MERRITT
839
LORING MUNROE.
843
IVERS PHILLIP'S .
962
OHIO WHITNEY
963
WILBUR F. WHITNEY.
ENGRAVINGS.
SECOND MEETING HOUSE 295
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
306
CUSHING ACADEMY
35G
THE BRICK STORE
413
FACTORIES: BOSTON CHAIR MANUFACTURING CO.
WILBUR F. WHITNEY 414
POWDER HOUSE
ADAMS HOMESTEAD 586
PETER HUNT HOMESTEAD 761
RESIDENCE: DR. N. JEWETT 765
THE WILDER HOMESTEAD 849
RESIDENCE: DR. A. L. STICKNEY 909
THE OHIO WHITNEY HOMESTEAD 962
RESIDENCE: CHARLES WINCHESTER 99€
396
.539
40%
INTRODUCTION.
LOCATION. - BOUNDARIES. - AREA. - SURFACE. - SOIL. - COURSE OF THE STREAMS. - CONNECTICUT AND MERRIMACK DRAINAGE. -- PONDS. - ARBORAL PRODUCTS. - WILD ANIMALS, - NATIVE BIRDS. - FISH. -- ELEVATIONS. - SCENERY.
ASHBURNHAM is the most eastern of the three towns in Worcester county in Massachusetts bordering upon New Hampshire and is bounded on the north by Rindge and New Ipswich ; on the east by Ashby and Fitchburg ; on the south by Westminster and Gardner and on the west by Winchen- don. The old common on Meeting-house hill is fifty-five miles in right line northwest from Boston, and thirty-one miles north from Worcester, and is in latitude 42º 38' north, and longitude 4º 10', very nearly, east from Washington. The area of the town is about twenty-four thousand five hundred acres including about one thousand five hundred acres of water. The surface is hilly and diversified. Without ranges or sys- tens of hills the outlines of the landscape are bold and majes- tie, and promontories are frequent, yet isolated. Many of the elevations are bold and rugged, while others are rounded and elevated swells of land fertile to the summit. There is very little plain and intervale. The streams are gathered in broken and narrow valleys.
2
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HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
The soil of Ashburnham is that common to the hill towns in this vicinity. When placed in comparison it is even stub- born and rocky, yet in most parts arable and productive. The surface is well watered. The subsoil is elay retaining moisture and springs of the purest water are abundant.
The altitude of this town is greater than that of the sur- rounding country on the east, south and west. The courses of the streams are outward except in the north. The line of water-shed between the Connecticut and Merrimack valleys extends diagonally through the town. The line of division is irregular but is easily traced from Great Watatic to Little Watatie, thence southerly and over the low ridges between Upper Naukeag and Rice pond to the old common. Diverg- ing to the north and west the line extends near the ancient Winchendon road past the residence of Edwin Hayward to near the John Woods farm, thence southerly into the forest about one mile and thence westerly and southwesterly about two miles to the southeast corner of Winchendon.
The northwestern or Connecticut slope is drained into Mil- ler's river. The Upper Naukeag lake which flows into Lower Naukeag is the source of the south branch of that river. At the Lower Naukeag it receives a copious affluent from the north- east. This stream rises in Binney pond in New Ipswich and receives the drainage of a considerable portion of the castern slope of New Ipswich mountains. It enters this town through the farm of Edwin J. Stearns and flows thence through the village of North Ashburnham into the Lower Naukeag. In its onward course from this lake the next considerable tribu- tary to the south branch of Miller's river is the modest con- tribution of Rindge which flows past the mills of Robert W. MeIntire and joins the stream north of Burrageville. The river thus reinforced abruptly leaves the town but repenting before a mile is traversed, it returns and patiently drives the
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