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7
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 03621 7807
GENEALOGY 974.402 L551E
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/leominstermassac00emer_0
JOEL C. ALLEN.
LEOMINSTER
MASSACHUSETTS
ISTORICAL AND
ICTURESQUE
L
F
BY WILLIAM A. EMERSON
AUTHOR OF EMERSON'S HAND-BOOK OF WOOD' ENGRAVING- HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DOUGLAS, MASSACHUSETTS- FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS, PAST AND PRESENT.
ILLUSTRATED
PUBLISHED BY THE LITHOTYPE PUBLISHING CO. GARDNER, MASS. 1888.
Copyright, 1888, by The Lithotype Publishing Company.
PRESS OF J. D. MILLER & CO., LEOMINSTER, MASS.
4-12-a ft= 1213
CONTENTS. 1295446
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTIVE. Location-Extent- Boundaries-Surface- Hills-Scenery -Ponds-Streams. -
17-22
CHAPTER II.
HISTORICAL. Occupation of the town by Nashuah Indians-Purchase of the land by the whites-Lancaster new grant-Copy of original deed -Principal proprietors -- Early settlers-Incorporation of the town- Work of subduing the forests and making farms-Leominster for a long time exclusively a farming town-Destructive fires-Census. 23-29
CHAPTER III.
TOWN GOVERNMENT.
List of town officers-Sketches of town clerk and
treasurer-Selectmen-The police, fire, and water departments. -
30-41
CHAPTER IV.
CHURCHES. History of the First Congregational Unitarian-Orthodox Congregational-St. Leo Catholic-Central Baptist-Methodist Episcopal-Congregational Church of Christ, North Leominster. 42-58
CHAPTER V.
EDUCATIONAL. History of the schools-Sketches of Dr. Field-Mr. James Bennett-Present organization of schools-Committee-Superintend- ent-Teachers -- Field High School-Graduates-Public Library- Museum. 59-87
CHAPTER VI.
PATRIOTISM. French and Indian war-War of the Revolution-Shays' Rebellion-War of 1812-War of Rebellion-Roll of Honor- Sketches of Soldiers-Soldiers' Monument-History of Post 53 G. A. R .- Woman's Relief Corps-Sons of Veterans-Old Military Companies. - 88-119
CHAPTER VII.
ORGANIZATIONS. Secret, Mutual Benefit and Temperance Societies- Clubs-Town Improvement Society-Farmers and Mechanics Asso- ciation. 120-129
CHAPTER VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL. Sketches of prominent men now deceased-Alvah Crocker -David Wilder-Dr. Charles Woodward Wilder-James H. Carter -J. C. Lane-Oliver Patch-Charles H. Merriam-William A. Nichols-Levi Goss-Joseph Cozzens-William M. Howland-Joel C. Allen-Samuel Merriam-Maj. Joseph Tenney-James Burdett- Joseph S. Darling-Silas Richardson-Aaron S. Gibbs-Oliver G. Caldwell-Augustus Whitman-Dr. J. M. Randall-Emery Tilton- William Tilton. 130-150
IX.
BIOGRAPHY BY FAMILIES. The Morses-Burrages-Carters-Hills-Jos- lins. - 151-177
XII
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
BIOGRAPHICAL CONTINUED. Sketches of Joel Smith-Dana Graham- W. D. Somers-Hiram W. Pitts-William Durant-Samuel G. Wilder-Jacob Colburn-Maj. T. S. Bennett-A. M. Polley-James B. Gallup-Philander Woodbury-Luke Wilder-Henry A. Wilder -Maj. Amos Haws-Capt. Thomas Hills-Moses D. Richardson- James A. Richardson-Dr. D. P. Richardson-J. A. Kendall-Chas. Carter-Jairus Litchfield-John Coolidge. 178-196
CHAPTER XI.
COMMERCIAL. Banks-List and sketches of officers-Post-offices-Real Estate and Insurance-Doctors-Lawyers-Dentists-Druggists- Watchmakers and Jewellers-Printing-Photographers-Surveyor -Undertaker-Dry Goods-Millinery-Clothing-Boots and Shoes -Hardware-Stoves-Plumbing-Steam and Gas Fitting-Gro- ceries-Provisions-Markets-Market Gardening-Bakers-Furni- ture-Hair Dressers-Coal Dealers-Contractors-Express-Hotels -Painters-Paper Hangers. 197-23I ʻ
CHAPTER XII.
MANUFACTURING. History of the Comb Business-Present manufacturers of Combs and Horn Goods-Paper Making-Tannery-Boots and Shoes-Pianos and Piano Cases-Children's Carriages-Rattan Works-Machinery-Woolen Goods-Chamber Furniture-The Harwood Manufacturing Co .- Musical Merchandise-Children's Toys-The manufacture of white shirts-Lumber, Doors, Sash and Blinds-Apple parers-Paper boxes-Roller Desks-Enamel Works -Leather trunk handles-Fountain Pens-Miscellaneous-Leom- inster Gas Light Company-Leominster Electric Light Company- Electric Railway Company.
232-295
CHAPTER XIII.
CONCLUSION. Sketches of Rev. Francis Gardner-Ward M. Cotton-Luke Lincoln-Maj. Seneca Colburn-Capt. David Allen-Charles Grout -Emerson Prescott-Joseph Haskell -- Cyrus Kinsman-Jacob Puf- fer-Bartemus Tenney-Barney S. Phelps-Porter M. Kimball-Dr. Daniel Farrar-Henry Stearns-Col. H. D. Look-Joseph A. Look -Dr. Sewall Richardson-Capt. Er Baich-George A. Bishop- Isaac Cowdrey-John Dickey-S. S. Crocker-Porter Piper-E. J. Marsh-Stephen A. Miller-Alanson Richardson-Wm. B. Whitney -Sumner M. Frost-Francis H. Shaw-J. W. H. Lawrence- Clarence Kenney-Wm. Booth-Rev. Eli Fay-Nathaniel G. Wood -T. B. Grimes-J. F. Chaffin-Frank H. Pope-B. Marshall Pitts- Wilbur B. Tenney-Joel G. Tyler-Francis H. Colburn-Loring Sears-James C. Brooks-Henry Jackson-George Robbins-Geo. Reed-Wm. H. Vose. -
296-320
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PORTRAITS.
Allen, Capt. David
298 Batt, Rev. Wm. J. 84
Allen, Joel C.
Frontispiece. Bennett, Capt. E. A. 104
Ames, Thomas J.
114 Bennett, James 84
Anthony, J. C.
254
Bennett, Maj. Thomas S.
188
Bigelow, Dr. C. E. 204
Balch, Capt. Er
304
Blanchard, W. D. II4
Balcome, Rev. F. A.
54 Blodgett, B. F. 244
PORTRAITS.
XIII
Blodgett, E. F.
244
Estabrook, J. W. 217
Boutwell, F. N.
210
Bowen, F. C.
66
Farrar, Dr. Daniel
216
Boyden, C. C.
198
Farwell, Artemas S.
98
Brown, Capt. G. W.
94
Fay, Rev. Eli
94
Brown, Dr. H. R.
204
Field, Dr. C. C.
60
Buffinton, E. A.
284
Foster, C. C.
66
Burditt, James,
I44
Foster, George W.
268
Burdett, Wm. C.
268
Foster, Hugh M.
214
Burdett, H. C.
318
Foster, Ira B.
98
Burrage, George Sanderson
162
Foster, Martin F.
214
Burrage, George Sumner
300
Bürrage, H. E.
2J7
Burrage, William F.
I36
Burrage, Capt. Leonard
160
Butterfield, Daniel
98
Gallup, James B.
I88
Caldwell, Oliver G.
146
Gane, George A.
288
Carter, Albert H.
98
Gardner, Franklin
98
Carter, Charles
300
Gates, Henrietta M.
66
Carter, James H.
I32
Gibbs, Gen. Aaron S.
I44
Carter, Rufus H.
98
Gibson, Bezaleel
298
Chaffin, J. F.
II4
Glover, Lieut. Alfred R.
98
Chase, William H.
243
Goodhue, Joseph F.
244
Clapp, Fred. A.
246
Goodrich, Charles A.
34
Colburn, Charles H.
22I
Goodrich, Leonard
98
Colburn, George F.
30
Goss, Levi
I36
Colburn, Jonas
182
Gould, C. E.
272
Colburn, Jacob
I88
Graham, Dana
182
Colburn, Maj. Seneca
298
Greenwood, M. A.
207
Conant, J. Q.
220
Grimes, T. B.
318
Conant, L. W.
220
Grout, Charles
298
Cotton, Ward M.
298
Hall, George
198
Cook, George H.
242
Hall, Dr. H. P.
204
Cook, F. H.
272
Hall, I. Freeman
66
Cook, Capt. L. A.
104
Hardy, Edmund
98
Cooley, Rev. H. E.
54
Harty, William
34
Coolidge, F. S.
260
Harwood, N.
280
Cowdrey, Isaac
308
Haskell, Joseph
300
Cowdrey, Andrew W.
98
Haws, Amos,
I90
Cozzens, Joseph
Haws, M. D.
252
Crocker, Alvah
I 30
Haynes, Daniel R.
298
Crocker, Clifton A.
318
Hills, Charles
298
Crocker, Lieut. F. W.
Hills, T. A.
207
Crocker, S. S.
308
Holman, J. P.
268
Crosby, John F.
98
Horton, Rev. E. A.
84
Howe, W. F.
202
Howland, William M.
I39
Hudson, C. E.
272
Hudson, F. W.
308
De Bevoise, Rev. G. H.
54
Derby, Cephas
220
Derby, Charles H.
98
Jewett, Wade H.
248
Derby, Henry K.
98
Johnson, A. W.
98
Donovan, H. F.
214
Johnson, William H.
98
Dresser, C. E.
282
Jordan, M. L.
98
Durant, William
182
Jorgensen, Capt. H. P.
98
Joslin, Charles A.
.30
Earl, Thomas A.
243
Joslin, Charles L. 175
Earl, William D.
243
Joslin, Col. George C.
104
Ellick, Eli A.
98
Joslin, Maj. Elias
I44
Cutter, Dr. E. J.
204
Darling, Col. Joseph S.
I44
Davis, H. E.
246
Hunt, Charles A.
30
Frissell, W. B.
II4
Frost, Sumner M.
314
Gallup, George H.
98
Gallup, Leroy R.
98
Cook, Aldrich
248
I36
318
XIV
PORTRAITS.
Kendall, J. A.
I49
Pitts, Hiram W.
184
Kendall, J. Henry
84
Polley, A. M.
188
Kendell, Rev. S. C.
54
Polley, F. W.
114
Kenney, Clarence
225
Porter, C. H.
246
Kenney, Capt. Clesson,
198
Porter, L. W.
260
King, Charles H.
34
Powers, George M.
66
Kinsman, Cyrus
300
Prescott, Emerson
I49
Kivlon, John
214
Proctor, C. H.
225
Lamb, Charles A.
98
Puffer, Jacob
300
Lane, Howard M.
30
Lane, J. C.
132
Railey, J. J.
II4
Lasselle, William A.
34
Ready, John C.
98
Lawrence, W. F.
225
Reed, W. S.
282
Lewis, James M.
98
Rhoades, Charles H.
31
Lockey, John H.
256
Rice, Rev. C. F.
54
Lockey, John M.
203
Rice, Charles H.
34
Lockey, J. P.
260
Rice, George L.
198
Look, Dwight B. ;
200
Richardson, Alanson
244
Look, Frank N.
318
Richardson, C. H.
212
Look, Col. H. D.
304
Richardson, Dr. D. P.
318
Look, Joseph
304
Richardson, J. A.
318
Lothrop, Philip
268
Richardson, L. A.
212
Lyon, A. E.
210
Richardson, Lewis
98
Marshall, James E.
98
Richardson, Dr. Sewall
304
Marsh, E. J.
308
Mason, Rev. A. F.
54
Mather, John
272
Mayo, Hamilton
197
Rockwell, E. M.
66
Mellen, Capt. James M.
98
Rockwood, Capt. G. W.
94
Meredith, Rev. Richard
54
Rollins, Edward B.
98
Merriam, Samuel
142
Merrill, Amos B.
216
Salisbury, D. W.
297
Miller, J. D.
70
Savage, Rev. William H.
84
Miller, S. A.
312
Shaw, Francis H.
314
Morse, Maj. Gen. Augustus
I52
Sinclair, Charles H.
98
Morse, George F.
I 54
Smith, O. H.
242
Munsie, David I.
34
Spring, H. N.
IT4
Nichols, William A.
136
Stebbins, Rev. R. P.
54
Nims, Dr. F. E.
212
Stratton, Capt. J. A.
94
Tenney, Bartemus
300
Osborn, Andrew B.
98
Tenney, C. A.
246
Owens, John F.
98
Tenney, Maj. Joseph
144
Tenney, J. G.
198
Tilton, Charles E.
34
Paton, A. S.
242
Tilton, E. B.
242
Payne, Rev. E. B.
54
Tilton, Emery
149
Phelps, B. A.
298
Tilton, William
149
Phelps, Louis
250
Thompson, Elijah
114
Peirce, E. F.
217
Toulmin, Rev. W. B.
54
Pierce, Dr. George W.
86
Tripp, J. Q. A.
98
Pitts, B. M.
225
Tyler, Joel G.
318
.
Rodger, William
243
Merriam, Charles H.
135
Sawtelle, H. F.
217
Morse, Albert G.
152
Shiel, Rev. Daniel
54
Morse, Gardner
152
Smith, Joel
178
Morse, Ralph G.
152
Snow, John G.
98
Somers, W. D.
182
Nickerson, D. C.
198
Stevens, Capt. Charles H.
98
Nixon, C. F.
216
Richardson, Silas
I44
Robbins, J. M.
210
Robbins, W. T.
212
Robinson, Rev. J. B.
54
McDonough, John
98
Richardson, Moses D.
194
Randall, Dr. J. M.
204
Lawrence, J. W. H.
314
Prevear, Edward
207
Patch, Oliver
I32
PORTRAITS.
XV
Valpey, H. R.
2 54
Wilder, Henry A.
188
Wilder, Samuel G.
186
Wheeler, Dr. C. A.
20
Wilder, Luke
Wheelock, Rev. Albert H.
318
Williams, A. W.
198
Wheelock, G. H.
210
Whitcomb, C. A.
248
Wetherbee, J. W.
248
Whitney, A. L.
260
Wild, Charles
216
Whitney, F. A.
264
Wilder, A. O.
207
Whitney, F. W.
268
Wilder, Albert L.
98
Whitney, William B.
314
Wilder, Dr. Charles W.
132
Wood, Charles B.
98
Wilder, David
298
Woods, George
198
Wilder, George E.
98
Wood, Capt. Leonard
104
VIEWS AND CUTS.
Residence of F. A. Whitney, Grove Avenue,
17
Boundary Map, ( initial )
I7
Monoosnock Brook,
19
Bird's eye view of Leominster Centre,
2I
Old Tombstone,
25
Residence of Dwight B. Look, West Street,
26
Leominster Centre in 1830,
29
Leominster Fire Department,
36
Water Works Elevations,
40
Old Parsonage of Rev. Francis Gardner,
42
Residence of D. W. Salisbury,
42
Rev. John Rogers' monument,
43
Rev. Francis Gardner's tablet,
43
Rev. Francis Gardner's inscription,
44
Rev. Abel Conant's monument,
45
Orthodox Meeting House,
48
Orthodox Congregational Church,
49
Pierce School House, North Leominster,
68
Field High School Building, -
68
Bennett School, Pleasant street, -
68
International Fair Building, ( architect's drawing )
73
Residence of M. D. Haws, North Leominster,
80
Residence of Hamilton Mayo, Esq., Pearl street,
80
Group of Relics from the Museum,
87
Residence of John H. Lockey, West street,
88
G. A. R. badge,
III
Residence of N. Harwood, Grove Avenue,
I20
Frost Drinking Fountain, -
I27
Old House of William Burrage,
I 58
Old Church in Norton Sub-course,
I 58
Birthplace of Ruth Kilburn Burrage,
164
Charlestown Ferry and residence of John Burrage,
164
Homestead of Capt. Josiah Burrage, -
168
Birthplace of the comb business, ( initial )
232
Residence of A. W. Williams, Grove Avenue,
232
Diagram of old screw press,
234
Old comb tools,
239
Horse power in old time comb shops,
240
Valpey & Anthony, Lynn Factory,
254
Valpey & Anthony, Leominster Factory,
2 54
W. H. Jewett & Co.'s Piano Factory, Allen's Block,
258
Children's Carriages, 265-266
267
Leominster Worsted Co.'s Mill,
276
Merriam & Hall's Factory, North Leominster,
277
Factory of the Harwood Manufacturing Co., North Leominster,
279
Factory of the W. S. Reed Toy Co., - 282
Wachusett Shirt Co.'s Factories Nos. I and 2,
287
Reuben Gibson House,
296
Bird's-eye view Whitney Carriage Co.'s Works,
I 88
PREFACE.
Those who have never written or assisted in writing a historical work of any kind are not aware of the variety and amount of labor involved. In collecting the material for this volume the town and Church records, the Public Library and Museum, the files of the "Leominster Enterprise" and previous publications of a historical nature have been placed under contribution for all they contained to throw light upon the early history of the town. In addition to their acknowl- edgement I would also refer to Rev. J. D. Miller, to whom I am indebted for the preparation of the entire Educational and the greater portion of the Manufacturing Chapters ; to Hon. A. A. Burrage, James T. Joslin, Esq., Mrs. Clara A. Carter, and Albert G. Morse for valuable genealogical data, and to many others who have in various ways con- tributed to lighten my labors. The people of Leominster have given the work their cordial sympathy and support, without which it certainly could not have reached its present attractive form and ample proportions, for this and the unusually courteous treatment received I desire to express my personal thanks beyond the conventional forms of acknowl- edgement. The work is also largely indebted for its permanent value to the cheerful and ready assistance of Charles A. Joslin, town clerk, in ex- amining the records and in correcting and verifying facts and dates.
In conclusion, I would say the publishers have accorded me the fullest liberty and, as a proper recognition of the fact, I assume responsi- bility for all errors and imperfections which appear in the following pages.
WILLIAM A. EMERSON.
RESIDENCE OF F. A. WHITNEY, GROVE AVENUE.
CHAPTER I.
DESCRIPTIVE.
EOMINSTER is situated in the northeastern part of Worcester County, Massachusetts, on the line UNSTER LEOMINSTER, of the Old Colony and Fitchburg railroads, five miles southeast from Fitchburg ; twenty miles north from Worcester and forty-six miles north- west from Boston, via the Fitchburg railway, and fifty-three by the Old Colony. The township is irregular in form, with an area of about twenty-nine square miles. It is bounded north- erly by Fitchburg and Lunenburg, easterly by Lunenburg and Lancaster, southerly by Lancaster, Sterling and Princeton, and westerly by Princeton, Westminster and Fitchburg. The sur- face in the northern and western parts is uneven and undulating. The hills are an even dozen in number, and are each distinct and separate. "North Monoosnock," "Bigelow," "Carter," "Nichols," and "Houghton," in the northern part, "South Monoosnock," " Sheldon," " Gardner," "Baberry," and "Long" in the central, and "Rocky," " Bee," or " Legate " in the south- 3
18
LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
ern. Seven out of the twelve have good roads over them and are easily accessible for agricultural purposes.
The other hills are in some parts high and steep, especially North and South Monoosnock, and furnish very little of value except wood and granite ; other portions of these five hills are, however, accessible, and furnish excellent mowing land and pasturage.
South Monoosnock, the highest point of land in town, has an elevation of 1020 feet above sea level, and about 600 feet above the common at Monument Square. The village of Leominster with this rugged hill scenery for a background, and old Monoosnock towering above his fellows, presents a picture of rare beauty.
The southerly part of the town is principally plain and level land, light and sandy, and not suitable for grass, although there is some very good farming land in this section. The eastern part, through which the Nashua river passes, has extensive plains and intervales, producing grass in abundance without cultivation. Previous to 1838 there were no natural ponds wholly within the limits of Leominster. It included a small portion of White's pond on the east, and a corner of Chualoom on the northeast, but by the annexation of No-town the whole of Rocky Pond was brought within the town limits.
The north branch of the Nashua river, originally called the North river, after the union of the several branches whose sources are in Ashburnham and Westminster, runs through the center of Fitchburg and enters the town from the north, is soon after joined by Baker's Brook, proceeding through the North Village, and in a southeasterly direction, is joined by Monoosnock and Falls brooks, enters the town of Lancaster about a mile south of White's Pond, thence easterly and south- erly uniting with the true Nashua about a mile south of the Lancaster meeting house and forming what was formerly the
19
DESCRIPTIVE.
Penecook, but now the Nashua, they pass off together and unite with the Merrimack at Nashua in New Hampshire. This river takes a serpentine course in Leominster, through a wide and comparatively level valley. The Hon. Charles H. Merriam, in his excellent Sketch of Leominster, in the Worcester County History says " The valley of this stream for a considerable part of the distance in Leominster is bordered on its southerly side by high, steep banks, which appear to have been made by the wearing away of the deep, loose, gravelly formation by the action of water in the time of freshets during the long ages it has been working. Some of these banks are as much as sev- enty-five feet high and are carved out as if done by the hand of art, leaving wide tracts of rich, level grass land, renewed from year to year by the overflow. The 'Scar' at the turn on Main street, near the North Village, is a sample of this work- ing. The river, at some places, is still busily wearing away these formations bringing down the trees with giant power and enlarging the area over which, in spring, it roams at will, fer- tilizing and making productive its domain. Nothing could be more grand than the thought of this silent but stupendous work, or more lovely than these dales in Summer." Monoos- nock Brook is the next stream of importance, divid- ing the town nearly in the centre. It has its rise in "Rocky Pond," in Leomin- ster, flows northerly through the Leominster Reservoir, and through the southerly part of Fitchburg and back into Leominster, passing in a circuitous course, through the center to the Nashua below North Leominster. Its tributaries are Morse, Slack, Haynes' and Quarter-of-a-mile Brooks. "Fall Brook" in the southerly part of the town is the next largest ;
20
LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
" Bartlett Brook " next, in the southwesterly part and Chualoom Brook in the easterly part ; there are several other brooks in different parts of the town of lesser magnitude. Leominster, with all these natural features of hills, dales and streams within it's borders, is in itself picturesque, and the surrounding scenery is noticeable for its quiet beauty.
There are few towns so favored with pleasant and attractive country drives or whose inhabitants seem to appreciate them more. . The number of fine horses owned in town is unusually large and the streets and roads are kept in admirable condition. Next to a neat and attractive residence, with well kept grounds, the Leominster man prizes his "team," and well he may with such opportunity to enjoy it.
It has been remarked by one who has visited here, that " The average citizen is fond of that which it was not possible for his ancestors to obtain-comfort, and is not averse to adopting those things that ordinarily come under the head of modern improvements, whether intended to benefit the individual or the public. In town affairs particularly, he does not mean that it shall lack any of those appointments and conveniences that indicate progress, not that the characteristic feature of the place is merely a spirit of enterprise, but a local pride which aims at the best ; for instance, the town wanted gas, and the whole amount of stock was taken on the street within thirty- six hours. It wanted water, and its water bonds to the sum of $150,000 were sold at a price and with a readiness which betokened the high character of Leominster credit." I think we may truthfully add to this one other feature just as express- ive of the true character of the people, and that is their inter- est in culture ; intellectual, religious and social. They have an exceptionally large and well selected public library, containing, as it does, 10,000 volumes. The privileges of the library are free to all. The reading room is well supplied with the current
=
LEOMINSTER FROM INTERSECTION OF GROVE AVE. AND WALNUT STREET.
21
DESCRIPTIVE.
newspapers and periodicals, and not the least interesting and creditable feature of the institution is the museum. The Pub- lic Schools are of the best. A well conducted newspaper is generously supported, and the six churches, of different denom- inations, are in a flourishing condition. The social qualities of the people find expression in the large number of societies and associations.
Some of the peculiar features of the place are the nicely constructed and well kept sidewalks, the prompt and efficient police force, and an excellent Fire Department ; the latter sup- plemented by a good water supply, with fire hydrants in differ- ent parts of the town.
In the matter of Railroads, Leominster has transportation facilities in every direction. Through the centre runs the Old Colony with five trains to Boston and also to the principal cities in Southern Massachusetts. The Fitchburg and Worcester division affording ample means of communication between the shire towns of the county.
Through North Leominster runs the Fitchburg and Hoosac Tunnel lines with eleven trains each day to Boston and direct communication north, via the Cheshire and Central Vermont. Fast through trains are also operated by this line to Chicago, St. Louis and all points West.
The Depot at the Center is an attractive modern structure, and well suited to the requirements of the place. The other principal public buildings are the Town Hall, Allen's, Bank, Fosters', Wood's, Morse's, Cook's Monoosnock, and Hotel Blocks in the center and Kendall Hall in North Leominster.
Monument Square is located in the heart of the business portion of Leominster and from the enclosure rises the granite shaft that commemorates the valor of the soldiers of the late war. This square is also the converging point of the five princi- pal streets, Main, West, Pleasant, Central and Mechanic. Con-
22
LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
tiguous to it is the "common" with its walks, its fountains and its well kept lawn. Clustered about the latter and the square are the Town Hall, several churches and the representative business establishments of the town.
The industries of Leominster are varied, including the manufacture of Horn Combs, Jewelry, Buttons, and a great vari- ety of fancy goods from horn, Children's Carriages, Pianos, Piano Cases, Toys, Leather, Paper, Leatherboard, office Desks, Shirts, Shoes, Linen and Woolens and Machinery.
With such a variety of industries in a town there is very little danger of general depression of business.
The place has grown rapidly during the past three or four years and is still growing. New buildings are going up all the time and are occupied as soon as completed. Manufacturers and Merchants are continually extending their resources and it would be impossible to find a community of 7,000 persons more really contented, prosperous and happy.
CHAPTER II.
HISTORICAL.
HE Town of Leominster has very little Indian history, although for many years pre- vious to its incorporation the parent town, Lancaster, suffered greatly from Indian depredations.
The whole territory of the town was at one time owned by Sholan, Sachem of the Nashuays, whose headquarters were at Waushacum in Ster- ling.
Very little is now known of the occupation of the land comprising the town of Leominster by these Indians, the tribe having ceased to exist in an organized form, before the Lancas- ter New Grant was much settled by the white man, and there is no intimation that the settlers were ever molested ; a state of things no doubt resulting from the fact that the courage and spirit of the tribe and its rulers was broken, and also that the land had been purchased of their chief, and paid for to his full satisfaction, thus giving no occasion for disputes or ill feeling.
This first argreement was made in 1701, and the following is a copy of the Indian deed of the new grant, the bargain
24
LEOMINSTER, HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE.
with George Tahanto and other Indians, for lands purchased of them.
" Know all men by these presents, That I, George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds, was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime Sagamore of Nashuah, for the purchase of said township, and also forty-six shillings formerly paid by Ensigne, John Moore and John Houghton of said Nashuah, to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, now deceased, but especially, for and in consideration of eighteen pounds, paid part, and the rest secured to be paid, by John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land on the west side of the westward line of Nashuah town- ship, adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on Nashuah river, bearing westerly towards Wachusett Hills and runs northerly as far as Nashuah township, and which lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said In- signe, John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever, and I, the said George Tahanto, do hereby promise and engage to pro- cure an order from the honored General Court for their allow- ance and confirmation of the sale of said lands as aforesaid, and also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances as may be necessary for the con- firmation of the premises, and that also I, the said George Tahanto, do by these presents, fully notify and confirm, all and every, the said township of Nashuah, alias Lancaster, to the Inhabitants and proprietors thereof, according as it was form- erly granted to them, or their ancestors, by my uncle Sholan, and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes, and confirmed by the Hon. General Court. For the performance of all the above said, I, George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal this
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