USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the parish and town of berlin [Mass.] > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Gc 974.402 B454c 1791069
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 4094
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofparisht00cart_0
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND TOWN
BERLIN. MALL.
BY A. CARTER /
WONCASTER , MASS. 100%.
1
F CARTER, AMORY .
844073 History of the parish and town of Berlin,
.15 [ Mass. ] Worcester, Mass., 1878. 40p.
CHELF CARD
›
)
? :
.
-
1
›
179:069
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND TOWN
OF
BERLIN
BY A. CARTER.
WORCESTER, MASS; 1878.
INTRODUCTORY.
N order to understand truly the history of Berlin, it seems necessary to consider it in its embryo state-through its infancy and youth, to mature age. It must have been some time in embryo, for the records show that the land deeded by Samuel Jones and David Rice to the citizens of Bolton, who had petitioned to be set off as a Parish, to be used as a burying ground, was so deeded in 1768, some ten years be- fore said citizens were set off as a Parish. In 1778 the section of territory now comprising Berlin, excepting a small tract taken from Marlboro', was set off from Bolton by an act of the government of Massachusetts Bay, and was desig- nated by the title of the South Parish of Bolton, it was a political organization, presenting territorial limits, and in- cluding all the citizens within that territory. It seems to have been a preliminary step toward town organization. The next step was an enactment forming the same territory, together with a few farms from Marlboro', into a district un der the title of the District of Berlin. It seems to have remained a district about 28 years, and was then incorpo- rated as a town, with equal rights of other towns of the Commonwealth. As a proof of the foregoing, there is here added the enactments and proceedings as taken from the records by the present town clerk, covering the space of time from the set-off as a parish up to its incorporation as a town in 1812.
8 22 May 33 c
man
HISTORY OF THE PARISH AND TOWN OF BERLIN.
RECORDS FROM 1778 TO 1812.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
In the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-eight. }
AN Acr, for setting off a part of the Town of Bolton in the County of Worcester, as a separate Parish.
Whereas, for the greater convenience for attending the Publick Worhip of God, it is found necessary to set off a part of the town of Bolton, in the County of Worcester, as a separate Parish.
BE IT ENACTED by the Council and House of Represen- tatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That all the Lands, with the inhabitants thereon in the town of Bolton, to the southward of a line beginning three miles, one-half, and sixty-two rods from the south- westerly corner of said Bolton, at a stake and stones on Lancaster line, thence running East twenty-four degrees, South one mile, one-half and forty rods, to a heap of stones near Amos Merriam's shop, thence running East thirty- seven degrees, South three miles and forty rods to Marl- boro line.
Be and is sett off hereby as a separate Parish, by the name of the South Parish in Bolton. And be it further en- acted by the authority aforesaid, that the said South Parish
6
shall be, and hereby is invested with all the rights, privileges and immunities which by law other Parishes are invested with.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all the inhabitants of said Town shall pay all their former ministerial taxes in the same manner as if the town had not been divided, Except, that assessment made January, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, and that tax, with the use that may hereafter be made, shall be paid ac- cording to said Incorporation, any former votes of the town to the contrary notwithstanding.
And be it further enacted, that the inhabitants of each Parish in said Town have full liberty to attend Publick Wor- ship, in which Parish they please, and to pay their ministe- rial taxes for their Polls and Estates where they attend. Provided they return names annually some time in the month of September to the Assessors of the Parish they propose to attend Publick Worship in, and all that shall not thus return their names, to be taxed to the Parish within the limits of which they shall live in the month of September annually.
And be it further enacted, that Samuel Baker, Esq., be, and is hereby empowered to issue his warrant to some prin- cipal inhabitant of the said South Parish requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants to meet at such time and place in the South Parish as by said warrant shall be duly specified, and there choose such Officers of said Parish. And the inhabitants qualified by law to vote, being so assem bled, shall be, and are hereby impowered to choose such officers accordingly.
In the House of Representatives, April 13th, 1778.
This Bill having been read three several times, passed to be enacted. J'S WARREN, Sp'k'r.
In Council, April 13th, 1778, this Bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.
JNO. AVERY, D. Sec'tary.
Consented to by the major part of the Council.
True Copy : Attest, JNO. AVERY, D. Sec'tary.
A True Copy of Parish Record,
ALBERT BABCOCK, Parish Clerk.
7
WORCESTER, SS. To Samuel Jones of Bolton, in said County.
Gentleman : Whereas, by an Act of the General Court, passed this present year, of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-eight, a part of the town of Bolton, in the southerly part was sett off and incorporated into a sepa- rate Parish by the name of the South Parish. And, whereas by the said Act, the subscriber is authorized by warrant, directed to some one principal inhabitant of said Parish, re- quiring him to give warning to the inhabitants of said South Parish, to meet at such time and place as shall be specified in said warrant, to choose Parish Officers.
These are therefore, in the name of the Government and people, to require you the said Samuel Jones, to give notice to the inhabitants of the said South Parish, qualified to vote in town affairs (by posting up this warrant and notification in some public place within the same ) to meet at the house of Samuel Jones, innholder in said Parish, on Tuesday, the nineteenth day of May inst., at two of the clock in the af- ternoon, then and there,
Ist. To choose a Moderator to govern said meeting.
2d. To choose all necessary Parish Officers, and have this warrant at the time of said meeting and place aforesaid, with a return of your doings thereon.
Given under my hand and seal at said Bolton, this fifth day of May, A. D. 1778.
SAMUEL BAKER, Justice of the Peace.
Worcester, ss. By virtue of this warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants in the South Parish of Bolton. qualified to vote in Parish affairs, by readding and by post- ing up this warrant at the house of Samuel Jones, Innholder. fourteen days before said meeting, to meet at the time and place for the purposes in said warrant.
Bolton, May 19th, 1778.
SAMUEL JONES.
Bolton, South Parish, May 19th, 1778.
At the house of Samuel Jones, the inhabitants of said Parish, being on due warning met :
1st. Chose Samuel Baker, Moderator to govern said meeting.
2nd. Chose Jonathan Merriam, Parish Clerk. Sworn.
3rd. Voted to choose three persons for a Parish Com- mittee.
8
4th. Chose James Goddard the 1st Committee Man.
N. B. The above minutes were taken by the Moderator.
5th. Chose Abijah Pratt 2nd Committee Man.
6th. Chose Joshua Johnson 3rd ditto
7th. Chose Jonathan Merriam,
8th. Chose Timothy Jones, Parish Assessors.
9th. William Sawyer, Jr., Sworn.
10th. Chose Samuel Jones, Parish Treasurer. Sworn.
11th. Chose Fortunatus Barnes, Collector. Sworn.
SAMUEL BAKER, Moderator.
A second meeting was held July 6th, 1778, to agree upon a Meeting-house spot for said Parish, and
2nd. To see what the Parish will do about having preach- ing amongst ourselves.
Bolton, Sept. 29th, 1778.
In Parish meeting assembled. Voted to have preaching among ourselves, and to choose a committee to hire a Min- ister. Chose James Goddard, Fortunatus Barnes, and Joshua Johnson for said committee. Then voted under the article following, the first grant of money to support preach- ing of £100, and also £13, 9s. to pay the incorporation expences. From this time preaching was secured to the South Parish, ever afterwards.
At a subsequent meeting, dated Dec. 24th, 1778, voted to choose a committee to take a deed of the Meeting-house spot, on the little hill north of the road leading from Samue' Jones house to Samuel Rice shop, at the crotch of the roads.
(COPY OF DEED.)
Know all Men, by these presents, that I, Samuel Jones of Bolton, in the County of Worcester, and State of the Mas- sachusetts Bay in New England, Yeoman, for and in consid- eration of the love and good which I have for the inhabit- ants of the South Parish in sd Bolton, and for ye speedy settlement of the Gospel in sd Parish, have given, granted and do by these presents give, grant, aliene and fully, freely, and absolutely confirm unto the Inhabitants of ye sd South Parish in said Bolton, their heirs and assigns forever, one acre and twenty rods of land in sd South Parish for a Meet- ing-hous place and accommodation, bounding as follows : Begining at a red oak on the South side of ye County road,
9
and runs westerly nineteen rods with ye said Joneses land to a heap of stones by the Burying field ; then Northerly, crossing the County road five rods, then Northeasterly ten rods to a small blak oak or mark of said County road ; then turning aa little more Notherly runing on ye Northwesterly side of a town way twenty-six rods : then crossing sd way two rods to heap of stones ; then Southwesterly eleven rods and an half to a heap of stones ; then Southerly twelve rods to a heap of stones ; then Southwesterly five rods to ye first mentioned bounds, excepting a County road and a town way being within sd bounds given, and to have and to hold the sd given and granted premises together with all their appur- tenances free of all incumbrances whatsoever, to them ye sd Inhabitants, their heirs and assigns as an absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple forever ; and I ye sd Sam'el Jones, for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators do cove- nant and engage the above demised premises to them the sd Inhabitants of ye said South Parish in Bolton, their heits and assigns against the lawfull claims or demands of any person or persons whatsoever, forever hereafter to warrant and secure and defend by these presents.
In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of January, A. D. one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine. SAMUEL JONES. (Seal.) Signed, sealed and delivered WORCESTER, SS. March 1st, 1779.
in presence of Phinias Moore,
The above named Samuel Nath'el Longley. Jones appearing, acknow ;- edged the above written instrument to be his free act and deed. Befor me, JOHN WHITCOMB, Ju. Pea.
Rec'd March 5th, 1779. Entered and examined for
NATH'L BALDWIN, Reg'r.
WORCESTER, SS. The foregoing is a true copy of record, recorded in the Registry of Deeds, Book 80, Page 485.
Attest : HARVEY B. WILDER, Reg'r.
Chose Silas Bailey, Eph'm Fairbanks and Jacob Moore, committee under Article 3d. Voted to build the House soon as convenient, of the same size of Northboro, except one foot in heighth; then voted to choose a committee to furnish material for the same, of five persons. Chose Jona-
-
10
than Merriam, Fortunatus Barnes, James Goddard, Timothy Jones and Wm. Sawyer, Jnr. for said committee.
May 3rd, 1779, under warrant made the following grants of money, 25 pounds to pay Samuel Jones for use of his house in time past, in holding meetings for Public Worship. Granted 200 pounds to hire preaching in future-then at the adjournment, May 31st, 1779, granted eight hundred pounds in addition to all other sums, to enable the committee to carry on building the Meeting-house, and also instructed this committee to provide Rum, Cider, Spike Poles and other necessaries for raising the Meeting-house in said Parish.
EPHRAIM FAIRBANKS, Moderator.
The Meeting-house being raised, and the floor being laid, (the lining floor only) the meetings for worship, and for Parish business, were held within the house afterwards, for some time in an unfinished state, and remained the same for several years, owing to the depreciation of paper money, which was to the rate of one dollar of silver was worth forty dollars of paper, or continental money.
But according to the Records, the Parish maintained the Preaching of the Gospel, and on the 12th of March, 1781, voted to concur with the Church in inviting the Rev. Reuben Puffer to become their Pastor, with no objections-so says the Record-the conditions of his settlement were as follows. Upon the acceptance of the invitation of the Church and Parish to become their Pastor, he was to receive one hundred and sixty pounds settlement in silver money, or in paper money at the common exchange, and sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and fourpence, as a yearly salary in silver money, or paper money at the common exchange.
Then voted to choose a committee to prepare the Invita- tion of the church and congregation and lay it before Mr. Puffer, and said committee consist of three persons. Chose Josiah Sawyer, Henry Powers and Abijah Pratt. Thereon June 11th, 1781, voted in Parish Meeting assembled, that the Parish will find Mr. Reuben Puffer twenty cords of wood at his dwelling house so long as he remains Minister of said Parish. July 30th, 1781, at Parish meeting, voted to concur with the church in their choice of a council as follows-the Church iu Sudbury, Church in East Sudbury, the Church in Stowe, the Church in Westboro, the first Church in Shrews-
11
bury, the Church in Northboro, the Church in Lancaster.
And that the day of the Ordination be Wednesday, the twenty-sixth day of September next-and the committee to issue letters missive were Jacob Moore, Joel Fosgate, Stephen Bailey. This committee was to provide for the Council, and prepare a place to hold the Ordination services. The Meeting-house was not finished suitably for to hold the services in, so they were held upon the knoll east of the Meeting-house under the shade of a white oak tree.
Under the same Warrant, at an adjourned meeting, it was voted to petition the Town of Bolton to be sett off as a separate Town or District, which was consummated in 1783. From this to 1833, the business of the Parish was changed to the District of Berlin, when all business was carried on as in Town affairs, under the name of District, until 1812, when it was incorporated as the Town of Berlin.
Here follows the Act of Incorporation of what to this day constitutes the Town of Berlin.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the year of our Lord, 1784, An Act to Incorporate the South Parish in the town of Bolton, together with David Taylor, Silas Carley, Job Spafford and John Brigham, Inhab- itants of Marlboro, with their estates, into a District by the name of Berlin.
Whereas it appears on representation to this Court, that it would be productive of publick good, and to the benefit and satisfaction of the inhabitants and proprietors of the South Parish in the Town of Bolton, and the above named inhab- itants of the Town of Marlboro should they be incorporated into a distinct District, and that all persons immediately con- cerned are agreeing thereto.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the lands hereafter described, and included with- in the following boundaries with the Inhabitants thereof, be, and hereby are, incorporated into a District by the name of Berlin, bounded on the North by Bolton, East by Marlbor- ough, South by Northborough, and West by Lancaster.
And the said District of Berlin shall be, and hereby is in- vested with all the privileges and immunities of any District within this Commonwealth, as made and provided.
12
Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said District of Berlin shall be subjected to pay their propor- tionable part of all publick debts owing by the Town of Bolton at the time of the passing of this act, according to the present taxable property of the Town of Bolton, and the District of Berlin, exclusive of that part of said District of Berlin which before the passing this act, was part of the Town of Marlboro.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said District of Berlin shall be at their proportionable part of the expense of supporting the poor belonging to the said Town of Bolton, previous to the passing this act, to be apportioned in like manner as is expressed in the foregoing proviso, and any poor which in time to come may be turned on the said Town of Bolton, or shall be received and sup- ported by that Town, or by the said District in whichsoever such poor had their situation.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said District of Berlin shall have a good right to claim and receive one equal third part of the publick stock of arms and ammunition belonging, before the passing this act to the Town of Bolton.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said District of Berlin may join with the Town of Bolton in the choice of a Representative, which Representative may be an inhabitant of the Town of Bolton, or of the District of Berlin, and shall be paid by the Town of Bolton and the District of Berlin in the same proportion as they shall pay other Publick charges, and the Selectmen of Bolton shall annually, at the usual time for issuing a warrant for notifying the voters to assemble for coming to the choice of a Repre- sentative, issue their Warrant directed to some Constable, or Constables of the District of Berlin, to warn the voters of the District to assemble with the said town of Bolton for that purpose.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that the Inhabitants and Proprietors of Lands, which before the enacting hereof belonged to that part of the District of Berlin which was part of the Town of Marlboro, shall be holden to pay all taxes already assessed on them by the Town of Marlboro, anything in this act to the contrary not- withstanding.
13
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid that Samuel Baker, Esq., is hereby authorized to issue his warrant directed to some principal Inhabitant of the District of Berlin, requiring him to notify the inhabitants of the said District, qualified to vote by law in town affairs, to assemble at such time and place as he shall therein direct, to choose all such officers as Districts within this Commonwealth are directed and required by Law to choose in the Month of March, annually, and the said District of Berlin shall be considered as belonging to the County of Worcester, and the Easterly boundaries thereof, shall be the boundaries be- tween the Counties of Middlesex and Worcester.
In the House of Representatives, March 16th, 1784.
This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. TRISTRAM DALTON, Speaker.
In Senate, March 16th, 1784. This Bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.
SAMUEL ADAMS, President.
Approved : JOHN HANCOCK.
A true copy, attest : JOHN AVERY, Secretary.
Copied by Albert Babcock, Parish Clerk of the First Parish in Berlin Oct. 144th, 1878.
Here follows the Warrant of the first meeting of the or- ganization of the District of Berlin.
WORCESTER, SS., To Fortunatus Barnes, a principal Inhab- itant of the District of Berlin,-Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby authorized and required to warn the freeholders and other inhabitants of the said District, qualified by Law to vote in Town or District affairs, to meet at the meeting- house of said Berlin, on Monday, the twelfth day of April. instant, at one of the clock in the afternoon of the said day.
Ist. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
2nd. To choose all such officers as Districts are by Law impowered to choose in the month of March annually ; and have this warrant, with a certificate of your doings thereon, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under my hand and seal this fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1784, and in the eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
SAMUEL BAKER, Justice of the Peace.
14
WORCESTER, SS., April ye 12th, 1784.
This may certify, that in obedience to the within warrant, I have notified and warned the Inhabitants of the District of Berlin, to meet at the time and place, and for the ends and purposes within mentioned, by order of the Hon. Sam'l Baker, Esq. FORTUNATUS BARNES.
In observance of the foregoing Warrant, dated April 5th, 1784, the Inhabitants of the District of Berlin, met at the Meeting-house in said District, on the twelfth day of April, 1784, and proceeded as follows, viz :
1st. Chose the Hon. Samuel Baker, Esq., Moderator for this meeting.
2nd. Chose Jonathan Merriam, District Clerk. Sworn.
Chose Lieut. James Goddard, Mr. John Temple, Jona. Merriam, Mr. William Sawyer and Capt. Barnabas Maynard, Select-men. All sworn.
Mr. David Taylor, Mr. Jona. Merriam and Lieut. Henry Powers, Assessors. All sworn.
Constable, Joel Fosgate. Sworn.
Treasurer, Lieut. Timothy Jones. Sworn.
Then voted to choose the other officers by hand vote, ex- cept the Wardens.
Then chose for Highway Surveyors, Mr. Nathan Jones, Eph'm Fairbanks, Esq., Levi Merriam, and Capt. Barnabas Maynard. All sworn.
Tything-men, Mr. Robert Fife and Ebenezer Worcester.
Mr. Abel Baker and Jona. Baker, Hog Reaves. All sworn.
Mr. Thomas McBride, Culler of Hoops and Staves.
Mr. Jonathan Jones, Surveyor of Boards and Shingles." Mr. John Temple, Sealer of Leather. Sworn.
Then voted to adjourn this meeting unto Thursday the twenty-ninth day of April instant, to meet at this place at four o'clock in the afternoon, and sd meeting is adjourned accordingly. Attest : SAMUEL BAKER, Moderator.
DISTRICT OF BERLIN, April 29th, 1784, from the adjourn- ment of this meeting of the organization of the District, we now pass to the Act of Incorporation of the District of Berlin into a Town, in the year 1812-in a period of twenty- eight years.
15
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.
An Act to Incorporate the District of Berlin into a Town by the name of Berlin.
Article Ist. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court Assembled, and by the authority of the same : That the District of Berlin, in the County of Worcester, be and hereby is, Incorporated a town by the name of Berlin, subject to the like duties and require- ments, and Vested with all the Powers, privileges and immu- nities which other towns do or may enjoy agreeably to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.
Article 2nd. Be it further Enacted, that either of the Justices of Peace for the County of Worcester, be, and he is hereby authorized to issue a Warrant directed to a free- holder, an Inhabitant of the said Town of Berlin, requiring him to notify and warn the freeholders and other Legal Voters thereof, to meet at such convenient time and place as shall be appointed in said warrant, for the choice of such Officers as towns are by law required to choose and appoint at their annual town meetings.
In the House of Representatives, February 5th, 1812.
This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted.
In Senate, February 5th, 1812. This Bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted.
SAMUEL DANA, President.
Council Chamber, February 5th, 1812.
Approved : ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Secretary's Office, February 10th, 1812.
A true copy. Attest : BENJAMIN HEMANS, Sec'y.
WORCESTER, SS. To Mr. Ephraim Badcock, a freeholder and Inhabitant of the Town of Berlin, -Greeting.
In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this Warrant was issued by Levi Merriam, for the qualified voters of the Town of Berlin, to meet at their meeting-house on Monday, the second day of March next, at one o'clock, P. M., to act on the following articles, viz :
16
Article Ist. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2nd. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing. LEVI MERRIAM,
A Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.
WORCESTER, SS. In obedience to the above order, I have notified and warned the Legal Voters of the Town of Berlin to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes men- tioned.
Berlin, Feb. 26th, 1812. EPHRAIM BADCOCK.
Proceedings of meeting, Berlin, March 2nd, 1812.
In observance of the foregoing Warrant, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Berlin, met at their meeting-house, and proceeded as follows, viz :
Article Ist. Chose Dea. Stephen Bailey, Moderator, to preside at said meeting.
Article 2nd. Chose Town Officers as follows.
Dexter Fay, Town Clerk.
Selectmen, Stephen Bailey, James R. Park, James God- dard, Jr., David Barnes, Alvan Sawyer.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.