USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
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2
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF WINCHENDON,
(WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.,)
FROM THE
GRANT OF IPSWICH CANADA IN 1735,
TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY
REV. A. P. MARVIN.
" Children's children are the crown of old men : and the glory of children are their fathers."-PROVERBS XVII : 6.
WINCHENDON : PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 1868.
SOCSCI REF F74 W75 M3. 18680 8/96
+ 3 maps In back pocket
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1868, by A. P. MARVIN, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the District of Massachusetts.
PRINTED BY GARFIELD & STRATTON, 176 MAIN ST., FITCHBURG, MASS.
Available from: HIGGINSON BOOK COMPANY 148 Washington Street Post Office Box 778 Salem, Massachusetts 01970 508/745-7170
This facsimile reprint has been photoreproduced on acid-free paper manufactured to Library of Congress standards (ANSI Standard C39.47-1984). Hardcover bindings are Class A archival quality.
Winchendon.
1
INTRODUCTION.
" The door swings wide; enter the structure plain, Roomy and somewhat large ; of ornament Devoid, save that each hall, bracket and niche, Is graced with some ancestral form and face ; And all is consecrate to God."
ORIGIN OF THE WORK.
At a town meeting held in March, 1857, it was voted " that the school committee be a committee to correspond with the family of the late Milton Whiton, to see upon what terms the manuscript can be pro- cured, and report at some future meeting." The " manuscript" re- ferred to in the vote, consisted of four Lectures on the history of Win- chendon, prepared by Rev. John Milton Whiton, D. D., then of Ben- nington, N. H., extending over about one hundred and fifty pages of medium sized sermon paper. Being a native of Winchendon and much interested in its early history, and being moreover addicted to histori- cal inquiries, he had prepared a brief history of the town from the origi- nal grant of Ipswich Canada, to the year 1820. In the year 1855, he read two of these lectures in the town hall, to a respectable audience, by whom he was requested to read the remainder. Much interest was expressed in the work, and offers of compensation were made. The Dr., while declining to receive any pay, consented to continue the reading of his manuscript, at some convenient time. His decease, in the course of the coming season, prevented the fulfillment of his promise, but the people were desirous of possessing his manuscript, and either printing it as a History, or making it the foundation of a History of the town.
In accordance with the above vote, the committee,-Messrs. A. P. Marvin, Elisha Murdock, B. F. Clarke, E. S. Merrill and Isaac M. Murdock-corresponded with the family of Dr. Whiton, and purchased the four lectures for forty dollars. They reported that " the history was very valuable as far as it goes," but that being in the form of lectures,
4
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
it " must be re-written, in part, or else be accompanied by occasional notes." The latter method was preferred by the committee. Besides other suggestions, was this: " that the town as a corporation, will be one hundred years old in a few years, when it is probable there will be a Centennial Celebration, the account of which will be an interesting chapter of town history." It was thought best therefore " to defer the publication until after that event." It was voted by the town, that in- asmuch as the work of Dr. Whiton, " though valuable, is not complete, a committee be appointed to collect and compile such additional facts in relation to the military, business, educational and religious history of the town, as are necessary to bring the annals of the town down to the present time." The committee chosen were A. P. Marvin, Elisha Mur- dock, Bethuel Ellis, Stillman Hale and Isaac M. Murdock.
In March, 1860, this committee were instructed " to make a full and definite Plan of the History of the town, and report the same to the next town meeting." This vote was complied with, and a Plan was reported, which was adopted by the town. It is substantially that on which the following pages were written, and therefore need not be cop- ied here. It may be said, however, that the report and plan contem- plated a new work, and not merely Dr. Whiton's manuscript with notes. That was found to be impracticable. The manuscript could only be used as materials for history. In accordance with the recommendation of the committee, it was voted that " the work be embellished with pic- tures of the town hall and the old meeting-house on the hill, and also with a map of the town, to be procured at the public expense, and also with portraits, and with pictures of churches, dwellings, &c., at private expense." At subsequent times, the town voted to add pictures of the academy and the new school-house. In 1861, the committee were authorized to prepare a history on the plan proposed, and " draw on the treasury for all necessary expenses."
Action was taken at different times with reference to the publication of the history, as soon after the hundredth anniversary-1664-as con- venient. But when the time came, the country was in the crisis of its fate ; the centennial passed by without any municipal celebration ; and it was the general opinion that the work ought not to be put to press until the suppression of the rebellion, in order that the action of the town in sustaining the government, might be included. For this rea.
5
INTRODUCTION.
son, it was voted, at the March meeting, in 1865, that the publication of the work be still farther deferred. At the same time, a vote was passed, requesting the writer to prepare the history of the town, and draw on the town treasurer for his compensation. In the meantime, Capt. Hale had been removed from the committee by death, and Mr. Luke Rice had been chosen in his place. The health of Hon. Elisha Murdock had failed, so that, for several years, he had been able to render no assistance. From the above date, the whole responsibility of preparing the work has rested upon the author, though votes were passed at different times, referring the matter of publication to the com- mittee and the selectmen. By a vote in 1866, the work was farther delayed. At the March meeting in 1867, the publication of the work was authorized, and in the autumn of that year, it was seriously prosecuted. Collections had been made during the preceding years, but it was found necessary to make a thorough search of all the town records, as well as those of the churches, parishes and other associa- tions. Several weeks were occupied in this work, and early in the pres- ent year, the writing of the history was commenced. At the March meeting,-1868-it was agreed that the " town would furnish the pic- tures and maps voted heretofore, at the town's expense, and subscribe for seventy-five copies of the History," if the author would publish the work at his own expense.
SOURCES OF THE WORK.
The " History of Winchendon" by the late venerable Mr. Ezra Hyde, was a very accurate and creditable work. It was appreciated by the public, and the edition was soon exhausted. But it was very brief, and merely referred to facts and events. All the records copied or referred to by him, I have consulted in the originals. For the dates when certain families moved into the town, and their places of residence, as well as for a number of facts recorded in the chapter on " note-wor- thy events," his work deserves the credit. The manuscript of Dr. Whiton is worthy of his reputation as an accurate chronicler of events, written in an elegant style. Everything coming from his pen, was neat and correct. The paper is of superior quality, with gilt edges. The handwriting is legible as print, and as beautiful as an engraving, and the words and sentences take their places with almost faultless precis- ion. But as the narrative was not complete, it was necessary to put
6
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
it aside, and write the history of the town anew. If the whole of his manuscript were printed, it would probably cover about seventy pages of this volume ; but as it contains many references to extraneous mat- ters, the part that relates to Winchendon would occupy much less space. The reader will be indebted to him for many anecdotes and incidents illustrative of the life and character of people here in the olden time.
I have thought it right to make these references to the much respect- ed gentlemen who have written on the history of the town, but the true sources of the following history are to be found in original Recorda. I have read almost every page of the several volumes of town Records, including the Registers of births, marriages, and deaths. In addition, the Records of churches, religious societies, engine companies, literary associations, soldiers' aid societies, and committees, have been careful- ly examined. The work was long and dreary, but it was unavoidable if the history was to be full and reliable. Besides, I have consulted original papers in the offices of the Secretary of State, and the Adju- tant-General. All the names of militia officers were copied from the rolls by my own hand ; and in making out the roll of the soldiers in the late war, I searched through more than seven hundred pages of fine print, in the office of the State printers, in order to secure accuracy. But as the State has not yet half completed the work of printing a cor- rect roll of all her soldiers, there must necessarily be omissions and er- rors in the chapter on the war.
The individuals to whom the author is indebted, are numerous. Bethuel Ellis, Esq., and Mr. Luke Rice of the committee, have ren- dered very valuable aid. The former has assisted in forming the maps, and in making out the list of soldiers ; and by his surveys, has enabled me to give the height of the Centre above the water in the Village, and to form a plan of the Common. His advice has been sought on many occasions, and has always been estecmed. The extraordinary memo- ry of Mr. Rice has been of great assistance. His mind is a repository of local and personal history, and he has been free to communicate. In particular, the names of all the married couples in town in the year 1800, were furnished by him. His name occurs often in the following pages, where proper credit is given. Many of the names on the pages accompanying the maps, were also derived from his recollection. Web- ster Whitney, Esq., has furnished several excerpts from the Records- in particular, nearly all the list of town officers-and has given much
7
INTRODUCTION.
verbal information. He has allowed me the freest access to the origi- nal papers in his office, and the printed works which would throw light on the history of the town. The Records through all the years of the town's existence, have been written in a legible hand, but some of the clerks had their own peculiar modes of spelling and of forming senten- ces. For the last thirty-six years, the Records are a model of neat- ness and accuracy.
The author takes pleasure in expressing his indebtedness to the late Mr. Smyrna Greaton for most of the facts in the history of the Meth- odist church ; to the Hon. Artemas Hale, of Bridgewater ; to Mr. Al- bert Brown for the papers of his venerable grandfather, the Hon. Abel Wilder ; to Messrs. Jacob and John Woodbury, and many others, for information in regard to unrecorded facts. It should be added how- ever, that the information of different persons often covered the same ground, and that in every instance, where possible, resort has been had to the Records for the sake of verification.
THE CENTENNIAL.
Reference has been made to the hundredth anniversary of the organ- ization of the town, and to the fact that the centennial celebration which was contemplated, never took place. In fact, the town intended to have a celebration, and voted a thousand dollars to pay the expenses. A large and respectable committee was appointed to make arrange- ments. The Hon. William B. Washburn, our representative in Con- gress, a native of the town, was invited to prepare the historical ad- dress. But the pressure of business upon him made it impossible for him to find time for that service. As the time for the anniversary, the 14th day of June, 1864, drew nigh, the committee concluded to post- pone, for the time, at least, the proposed celebration. The principal reason given was, that the public mind was too intently and anxiously fixed on the great struggle in the " wilderness," and beyond, where many of our soldiers were fighting and falling, to enter into the spirit of a centennial celebration. The time therefore passed by, with per- haps an expectation that later in the year, a day might be found for the commemorative festivity. But what is not done in its time, is gen- erally never done; and thus it proved in this case. We had no cen- tennial proceedings to make a chapter of history.
However, as the season wore away, and the time of year,-Novem-
8
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
ber,-when the first town meeting was held in the town, drew near, a desire was expressed by some of the aged inhabitants, to have a histor- ical discourse on the early history of the town. Accordingly it was proposed to have all the congregations unite on Thanksgiving day, and after suitable expressions of gratitude for the Divine favor, in the bless- ings of the year, to recall the past of the town's history. On the ap- pointed day, the North Congregational house of worship was thronged by the people from all parts of the town, who came to participate in the services. The preliminary exercises had special reference to Thanks- giving. The singing, the scriptures and the prayers were appropriate to the day. The devotions were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Clarke, Best and Litchfield. The author then gave an address which extend- ed through an hour and a half, to which the audience listened with ap- parent interest. The facts and anecdotes crowded into it, form a part of this volume. Though a poor substitute for a centennial celebration, it served to show the interest of the citizens in the history of their ances- try, and a desire to honor their memory. The following hymns, writ- ten for the occasion, were sung. The first is inserted for its merit ; the last, because it had the fortune to be in good company.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
BY MISS N. A. W. PRIEST.
TUNE-DENNY.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO:
Once more with thankful hearts we greet This glad returning day, Once more within these walls we meet, To sing, and praise and pray. To offer grateful thanks to God, With hearts that overflow, And trace the paths the fathers trod, A hundred years ago.
A wild, unbroken solitude, By foot of man untrod, The grand primeval forest stood, And stretched green arms abroad. And where our church bells call to prayer. And feet of hundreds go, The wolf's long howl disturbed the air A hundred years ago.
Our grandsires came with axe and plough, They felled the forest tree,
9
INTRODUCTION.
Where fruitful fields are smiling now, They broke the stubborn les ; They laid foundations firm and broad, They builded sure and slow ; We reap rich harvests where they sowed, A hundred years ago.
They built them homes, they tilled the soil, Their flocks they watched and fed, With strong, brown hands inured to toil, They won their daily bread. And when the revolution came They left the axe and plough, And battled well in freedom's name As we are battling now.
Then honor to those men of old, Who felled the forest trees, And warr'd with hunger, want and cold, That we might dwell at ease. God give na strength our work to do, And grace our work to know, Like those brave, simple men that lived, A hundred years ago.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
TUNE-PARK STREET.
Our fathers' God! to Theo we raise Our hearts in songs of grateful praise. For all the mercies Thou hast shown, E'erwhile a hundred years have flown.
Then wild woods waved o'er all the waste, The streams flowed by in useless haste ; In swift pursuit the flerce wolf" ran, The stealthy savaget marked his man.
Beneath Thy smile our fathers wrought, They built, they sang, they prayed, they fought ;} They hid the seed within the soil, And waving harvests blest their toil.
The forest fell before their stroke, The pine, the beech, the sturdy onk ; In opening glades they reared their home, And soon appeared Thy hallowed dome.
The rolling years have swiftly past, But still Thy mercy standeth fast ; That God who broke the Briton's sway, Now guards us in this wrathful day.
Then garlands round the brows entwine Of those who lived in " auld lang syne," And worship Him who reigns above, With prayer and songs of grateful love.
*Incident in the life of Dr. Whiton ; also, of Col. Woodbury.
t Incident in the life of John Darling.
# Many were out in the Revolution.
10
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
MAPS, PICTURES, PORTRAITS.
In a work of this kind it is desirable to have illustrations enough, with- out making a picture book. The maps have been prepared with great care. That of the town is mainly Whitney's map on a reduced scale, some of the obvious errors being corrected, as in the bend of the river between the Cemetery and the Butler mill. But instead of inserting the names of present residents in the map, a number has been used to designate the spot where each house or old cellar may be found. The numbers extend from 1 to 157 north and west of Miller's river, and from 1 to 146, south of the river. To each number, printed on a sheet facing the map, are annexed the name of the first owner or occupant, when it can be ascertained, the names of others who dwelt there sub- sequently, and the name of the present resident. In this way, the map, in itself, is a history of the town. A small o indicates an old cellar, though the artist has sometimes made the letter large, and in others has omitted it. In several instances the exact locality of early settlers can- not be found, and the name is inserted between those which are known, and near the spot of their residence. The outline of the hills is given as well as the summits. The courses of several brooks have been marked. The enlargement of the Monomonauk is indicated, as well as the loca- tion of smaller lakes. Discontinued roads are indicated by single or double dotted lines. New roads are inserted. The map of the Village is on the same plan. It is copied from Walling's survey, enlarged, and shows the new streets. By reducing the size of the town map, and printing the names on separate sheets, the cost has been reduced, at least one half, while the maps are more manageable, and their value is greatly enhanced. These, with the Plan of the original division of lots, were lithographed by Charles H. Crosby, of Boston.
The Pictures are designed to give specimens of the architecture of the place for the information of those who shall live here in future years. At the same time they serve to embellish the work. The churches and the town hall are given with neighboring buildings, simply because they thus appear to better advantage. By this means, moreover, the ex- pense is divided. The picture of the Village, of the South Side, of Spring Village, of the Baptist Church, of the Church of the Unity, of the Methodist Church, of the Bank and of the New School House, were drawn on the block by Mr. Roswell M. Shurtleff. The rest, excepting
.
MRS.M.A. S. WAKEFIELD
11
INTRODUCTION.
the First Church, sketched by Charles J. Rice, Esq., were photographed by Mr. I. F. Alger. All the engravings, except that of the old Dea. Day house were made by Messrs. Russell & Richardson, of Boston.
The portraits have not been inserted for the purpose of flattering in- dividuals or families. The plan of having portraits has been resolved on and reconsidered, several times. The fact that there are no pictures of many who most deserve to be remembered, seemed to render it ad- visable to have none at all. At the last moment, however, it was de- termined to have eight portraits. It was found impossible to have one of Hon. Abel Wilder, Capt. Phinehas Whitney, or any of the clergy- men who were here previous to 1845. The portraits of Ephraim Mur- dock, Esq., Isaac Morse, Esq., and Mr. Amasa Whitney, are inserted, because they were, in a peculiar sense, the fathers of the Village. Mr. James Murdock, Sen., lived to a great age, was a highly respected citizen, and was in a certain sense among the fathers of the town. Hon. Artemas Hale is an aged gentleman, whose birthplace was here, and who has conferred honor on his native place. It was expected up to the last moment, to have a portrait of Dr. Israel Whiton, as a compan- ion to that of Dr. Alvah Godding, because, with a brief interval, they illustrate the medical history of the town for about ninety years. It is an occasion of sincere regret that the portrait could not be obtained. Both Dr. Godding and Mr. Hale were reluctant to appear in this prom- inent manner, but kindly yielded to the request of friends. The por- trait of the author has been inserted, at the request of friends whose wishes are imperative. The picture of Mrs. Wakefield,* (Miss N. A. W. Priest,) has been procured by friends, without consulting her wish- es, for which liberty the boon of pardon is hereby craved. It was deemed essential to the completeness of the work, that the portrait of the ex- quisite genius who is the author of " Over the River," and of " Heav- en," should have a place. Thus it appears that Maps, Pictures and Portraits are illustrative of the history of the town, and are therefore of general interest. It may be added that the artists have done their work in a manner worthy of their high reputation.
* Mrs. Wakefield, though born in the edge of Royalston, belongs to Win- cheaden. Her family have resided here, from the beginning, through five or six generations. Her father moved into Royalston a little while before her birth, and returned while she was quite young.
12
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
It was the intention to have the work printed here, by Mr. Ward," who is unsurpassed as a workman, certainly by any outside of Boston. But it was not possible for him to obtain a suitable press until too late. Reluctantly therefore, and after considerable delay, the work was put into the hands of Messrs. Garfield & Stratton, of Fitchburg, whose workmanship will speak for itself.
It may be objected by some that the work is too large, and that too much space has been given to " Roads," " School Districts," and mi- nute details. But no apology will be offered, and the work must be left to time for any needed justification. The utmost pains have been tak- en to secure accuracy, and to treat every event and every person with perfect fairness. Some may inquire why certain names are not to be found in the biographic chapter. For example, one son of Rev. Mr. Mor- ton is distinguished as a business man in New York ; Julius L. Clark, Esq., son of Rev. E. L. Clark, is highly respected as the Superintend- ent of State Charities ; three sons of Rev. Mr. Storrs are graduates of Amherst College, and two of them were officers in the late war ; and Rev. Charles N. Wilder is a graduate of Burlington University. But none of them are natives, and most of them received their education elsewhere. Doubtless errors and mistakes will be found, but these will be pardoned by those who appreciate even a hundredth part of the labor and care involved in preparing a town history.
CORRECTIONS.
Some errors have crept into the following pages, which need correction.
Page 105, line 1, insert Moses before Smith.
Page 113, line 27, for 1744 read 1774.
Page 226, line 6, insert Miss Caroline A. Pitkin.
Page 362, line 1, insert Joel Butler, 99.
Page 398, line 14, for raising read dedication.
Page 398, line 14, for 1792 read 1793.
Page 398, line 18, insert David Stoddard.
Page 424, line 7, for Otis read Samuel.
Page 431, line 7, of note, for Simeon read Daniel.
Page 434, line 28, for Newton read Hopkinton.
Page 439, line 9, for 1762 read 1752.
Page 476, add that Capt. Benjamin Wilder had 17 children.
Add to page 226, Mr. Frederick W. Russell and Miss Mary A. Marvin ; and to page 380, the fact that the Alert Company, true to its antecedents, took the first prize at a muster in Fitchburg, on the 6th day of October, 1868.
* The first printer in Winchendon was Mr. Rollins, who had a job office. and started two small papers, one called "The Mirror," and the other the " Torchlight," a campaign paper, in 1852. Mr. Ward succeeded him, and prints. either plain or in colors, with much taste and elegance.
13
CONTENTS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I .- TOPOGRAPHIC.
Location of the Town; Original Boundaries ; Present Boundaries and Extent ; Surface,-Water, Hills, Plains and Meadows, Forests ; Flora, Fauna; Ge- ology. 17
CHAPTER II .- EXPLORATIONS.
Division of Lots ; Settlement ; First Settlers ; Contrast between 1764 and 1864.
CHAPTER III .- ORGANIZATION AND NAME.
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