USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > West Brookfield > Quabaug, 1660-1910 : an account of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration held at West Brookfield, Mass., September 21, 1910 ; > Part 1
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250th ANNIVERSARY OF QUABAUG 1660-1910
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SETTLED QUABOAG 1660
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 9059
FOSTER HILL. SITE OF THE ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT OF BROOKFIELD AND THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT, SEPT. 21, 1910
Quabaug 1660-1910
An Account of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Held at West Brookfield, Mass. September 21, 1910
COMPILED AND EDITED BY CHARLES J. ADAMS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH IN WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION, OF THE JOINT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTED BY THE TOWNS OF BROOKFIELD, WEST BROOKFIELD, NORTH BROOKFIELD AND NEW BRAINTREE
DAVIS PRESS WORCESTER, MASS. 1915
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1244899
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
ALFRED C. STODDARD, North Brookfield, Chairman. ARTHUR F. BUTTERWORTH, Brookfield. CARLTON D. RICHARDSON, West Brookfield. D. CLARENCE WETHERELL, New Braintree. HAROLD A. FOSTER, North Brookfield.
PREFACE
Since work was first undertaken looking toward the preparation of the following narrative, four members of the Joint Executive Committee in charge of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration of the settlement of Brookfield have died. To the memory of these gentlemen -Hon. Theodore C. Bates, of North Brookfield, Hon. George K. Tufts, of New Braintree, Rev. Benson M. Frink, of West Brookfield, and Mr. Frank E. Prouty, of Brookfield-the Committee on Publication takes this opportunity to pay its sincere tribute of respect. Three of the deceased-Mr. Bates, Mr. Tufts, and Mr. Frink-were members of the original Committee on Publication. Mr. Frink, it is known, had collected much material for an historical account of the cele- bration and had even made a beginning toward the writing of it. But the fire that destroyed his home, not long after his death, consumed all this material. It is believed that both Mr. Bates and Mr. Tufts had likewise gathered together a considerable quantity of valuable data. No trace of their collections, if such existed, has, however, as yet been found. The years that have elapsed since the date of the celebration have made it extremely difficult, if not in some particulars impossible, to reassemble all the facts that it would have been desirable to preserve in permanent form for future reference. Under these circumstances, the compiler dares not hope that the following pages will prove to be devoid of errors or re-
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PREFACE
grettable omissions. He does, however, most earnestly hope and believe, that they have been reduced to a minimum.
To the reorganized Committee on Publication, under whose guidance he has labored, he is sincerely grateful for the very efficient assistance and uniform kindness they have extended to him. Without their constant aid, it would, indeed, have been impossible to complete the work at all.
In conclusion, may he add that it is to him a genuine pleasure to have had a part, however modest, in perpetuating the honorable history of his native district.
CHARLES J. ADAMS.
WORCESTER, MASS., July 1, 1914.
QUABAUG 1660-1910
AN ACCOUNT OF THE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION HELD AT WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS., September 21, 1910.
T HE two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the found- ing of Brookfield was celebrated on September 21, 1910, at West Brookfield, on and around the site of the first English settlement in the Quabaug territory. Elaborate commem- orative exercises were arranged and carried out under the direction of a Joint Executive Committee elected by the towns of Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, and New Braintree, the first three of which are included, together with a portion of the fourth, within the limits of the original Quabaug grant.
Among the various sub-committees named by this body was one intrusted with the duty of preparing for publication a complete account of the celebration, from the inception of the idea in the imagination of a few individuals, through all the preliminary stages, to its successful accomplishment on the appointed day. This committee, having completed its labors, offers the following narrative, in the hope not only that it may serve to revive pleasant memories in the minds of those who were present on the occasion, but that future generations inhabiting the Quabaug townships will find it not without permanent interest as an historical document.
I. PREPARING THE WAY.
As the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the origi- nal Quabaug settlement approached, the idea of making it
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
the occasion for some sort of celebration was doubtless more or less vaguely present in the minds of many, especially among the older residents of the Brookfields, who could recall the observance of the two hundredth anniversary, fifty years before. The honor of taking the initiative in efforts looking toward the materialization of the idea, however, belongs to the Quabaug Historical Society, a number of whose members, as early as the spring of 1909, had begun in a quiet way to consider what could be done.
One of the most enthusiastic of these individuals was Rev. Benson M. Frink, of West Brookfield, a vice-president of the society, around whom much of the activity connected with the preliminary movement centered. Another of the vice-presidents, Hon. George K. Tufts, of New Braintree, was also deeply interested from the first. "I like the idea of observing the 250th anniversary of the actual beginning of the Brookfields, very much," he wrote, under date of April 27, 1909, "not merely on account of the material gain sug- gested, but on account of the sentiment involved in such an observance. Perhaps I am a little old-fashioned, but in these days, when the idea of utility seems to be the prevailing one, a turning aside to a consideration of first principles, in the way of an observance of the kind suggested, always appeals to me. I can conceive of no fitter instrumentality than the Historical Society, which, if I remember aright, has not met since September, 1907. I do not recall the cele- bration of 1860, as I was in college, but I should be very glad to promote a similar one in 1910."
The president of the society, Robert Batcheller, had removed his residence, a year or two previously, to the city of Washington. When the suggestion was communicated to him, however, his interest was immediately aroused. On June 5, 1909, he wrote: "I approve of the idea as you outline it, and if it is carried out I will make every effort to be pres- ent. I will be responsible for a subscription of $100 to a fund to carry out a celebration under a good committee. But
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PREPARING THE WAY
personally, to my regret, I cannot do much, if anything, because I can be so little in or near Massachusetts. For months I have felt most uncomfortable in my mind, because of my continuing to hold the presidency of the Quabaug Historical Society, when I have by so doing blocked the wheels of its progress. I have decided to resign the presi- dency therefore, and shall write at once to that effect. But my interest will remain, you may be sure, and I will back it up with the amount I have named, and be present if possible."
Although Mr. Batcheller felt impelled to carry out his threat, and did, indeed, place his resignation in the hands of the society's executive committee shortly afterwards, thus modestly stepping aside and permitting others to reap the full glory for successfully launching the most difficult under- taking ever attempted by the Historical Society, too great credit cannot be accorded him for his part in making that success possible. It is but simple justice to him and to the cause of truth to repeat in this connection the tribute paid him on another occasion by Rev. Joseph J. Spencer in the preface which he prepared for the pamphlet containing Mr. Batcheller's sketch of the organization and work of the Quabaug Historical Society during the first five years of its existence:
He speaks all too modestly about his own part in bringing this Quabaug Historical Society up to its present flourishing condition. There are many who realize that the largest credit is due him for his unstinted efforts in behalf of the or- ganization. In heat and cold, in fair weather and in foul, his zeal has been unvarying and his generosity unlimited. Without his liberal contributions of time, money, energy and tact, much that has been of most value to us all could not have been brought about. * * He was the one person pre- eminently adapted to lead in the organization of the society. The unflagging interest of the meetings, the absence of tire- some details of business routine, the careful management of all the affairs of the society and the fostering of the spirit of
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
genial good fellowship between the various branches of the organization, have all been due to the personal oversight of the president.
These are not idle words of courtesy, but express the simple truth. It was with deep regret that the society ac- cepted his resignation, after vainly attempting to persuade him to continue in his office for another year and serve as president of the day on the occasion of the celebration. But while nothing could alter his belief that others were now more fortunately situated to lead in the work which he had begun, the inestimable value of his service through many years should not be forgotten, nor the fact that his pledge of $100 was the first pledge of money received in connection with plans for the anniversary.
After a number of informal conferences had been held, the time seemed ripe for bringing the matter before the atten- tion of the society as a whole. The first formal step was taken by Rev. Benson M. Frink, Carlton D. Richardson and Philander Holmes, three members of the executive committee from West Brookfield, who, on June 7, 1909, issued a call for a meeting of the officers of the various branches of the society, to be held in Grand Army Hall, West Brookfield, on the even- ing of June 19. Among those present at this meeting were: Rev. Benson M. Frink, Mr. and Mrs. Philander Holmes, and Carlton D. Richardson, of West Brookfield; Emerson H. Stoddard, of Brookfield; Alfred C. Stoddard, of North Brook- field; Hon. George K. Tufts and D. Clarence Wetherell, of New Braintree, and Daniel G. Hitchcock, of Warren. Rev. Benson M. Frink presided, while Mrs. Philander Holmse served as secretary. At this meeting the proposed celebra- tion was thoroughly discussed and the prevailing sentiment was at the moment in favor of extending it over an entire week, with a separate old home day in each of the five towns, and, on the sixth day, an elaborate joint celebration on West Brookfield Common, not far from the site of the original settlement.
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PREPARING THE WAY
Early in August, a second meeting was held at the same place, with seventeen persons attending. The proposition was again gone over, and it was voted as the sense of the meeting "that the Quabaug Historical Society be the in- strument or medium of taking charge of the celebration."
During the month of September, the executive com- mittee held several meetings at the home of Rev. Benson M. Frink, in West Brookfield, completing plans to bring the entire matter before the annual meeting of the society, in North Brookfield, on October 14. It was in these sessions of the executive committee that the main features of the cele- bration, as it was finally carried out, were gradually evolved. Chief among these features were a parade, a dinner, an ad- dress, and an historical pageant representing the destruction of the first settlement by the Indians during King Philip's War.
In connection with the historical pageant, it is of interest to note that, twelve or fifteen years previously, such an affair had been discussed with Carlton D. Richardson by the late David F. Lincoln, of West Brookfield. Mr. Lincoln had made a life-long study of the Indian history of the territory, while Mr. Richardson was the owner of the farm on which such a pageant would naturally be held, since the site of the block house in which the settlers fortified themselves during the seige was almost in his dooryard. Mr. Lincoln outlined the general course that the pageant must follow, and arranged many of the details. During his lifetime, no suitable occa- sion presented itself, but the pageant of 1910 carried out his plans so closely that it may be said to have been the work of his hand and brain.
The whole matter of the proposed celebration was for- mally presented to the Historical Society through its execu- tive committee at the annual meeting, in North Brookfield, on October 14. The principal result of this meeting was the appointment of a committee to invite the co-operation of the several towns. It was further voted, "that this committee
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
interest themselves and report at an adjourned meeting, inviting the selectmen of the various towns to this meeting, at North Brookfield, four weeks from to-day, November 11, 1909."
The boards of selectmen cordially responded to the invi- tation, and at the adjourned meeting gave assurance of their desire to co-operate to the extent of their ability. Already the plans, as outlined, were assuming considerable propor- tions. The occasion was felt to be worthy of a most elaborate celebration, and the expenses would necessarily be heavy. As these would have to be met, in large part, if not in whole, by appropriations made by the various towns, and as there appeared to be some question as to the legal rights of the towns to appropriate money for a joint celebration of this nature, it was voted at this adjourned meeting of the society to call special town meetings in each of the towns for the pur- pose of petitioning the Legislature to bestow upon them such rights. Hon. Theodore C. Bates, of North Brookfield, and Arthur F. Butterworth, of Brookfield, were elected a com- mittee to prepare the necessary legal papers.
The special town meetings were held in the spring of 1910. The following extract from the warrant for the meet- ing in North Brookfield adequately represents them all:
ARTICLE 2. To see if the town will vote to petition the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to authorize the town of North Brookfield to raise money by taxation to aid and assist in paying the expenses that may be incurred by the celebration and observance in the year 1910 of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding or settlement of the original town of Brookfield, (formerly called Quabaug), such celebration to be held during the year 1910, and to be participated in by the towns of Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield, Warren, and New Brain- tree, the territory now embraced in the five towns having been formerly, in whole or in part, within the original grant of land in the year 1660, by the Bay Colony of Massachusetts, to constitute the town of Brookfield, and act thereon.
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PREPARING THE WAY
On the affirmative action of the towns interested, the petitions were sent to the Legislature, and the desired per- mission was speedily forthcoming. (Acts and Resolves of 1910, Resolves, Chapters 16, 17, 18, and 122.) At this point in the proceedings, the town of Warren, feeling that its con- nection with the old Quabaug township was too slight and transitory to warrant participation in the celebration, with- drew. The other towns, however, proceeded at later special town meetings to appropriate money-Brookfield, North Brookfield, and West Brookfield, $300 each, and New Brain- tree, $75-and to appoint committees, which, combined as a Joint Executive Committee, should have entire charge of the planning for and carrying out of the celebration. These committees were as follows:
BROOKFIELD:
Frank E. Prouty
Emerson H. Stoddard
Arthur F. Butterworth
William Mulcahy
Arthur H. Drake
WEST BROOKFIELD: John G. Shackley
Albert W. Bliss
Philander Holmes
Carlton D. Richardson
Rev. Benson M. Frink
NORTH BROOKFIELD : Hon. Theodore C. Bates
Thomas G. Richards
Harold A. Foster
Patrick J. Daniels
Charles S. Lane
Alfred C. Stoddard
NEW BRAINTREE:
Hon. George K. Tufts
D. Clarence Wetherell
J. Thomas Webb
James E. Barr
On the permanent organization of this committee, somewhat later, Hon. Theodore C. Bates was elected chair- man, Harold A. Foster, secretary, and Philander Holmes, treasurer.
To these gentlemen, officers and members of the joint executive committee, is due the warmest gratitude of the towns and the highest credit for the success of the celebration. Their unsparing expenditure of time and energy, their con- spicuous ability, and the absolute harmony with which they labored, often under trying circumstances, in the faithful
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
performance of their arduous duties, have written their names high on the list of our towns' efficient, unselfish, and patriotic public servants.
The first meeting of this committee was held on June 27, 1910, in the Selectmen's Room at the Town House in West Brookfield, which town was selected as the committee's regular place of meeting. In the twelve weeks that inter- vened between this date and the day of the celebration, September 21, fourteen meetings were held, at least one of them lasting practically all day. The briefest glance at the records of these meetings suffices to indicate the vast variety and multiplicity of the business transacted.
The celebration, as it gradually took shape during the deliberations of these gentlemen, was to consist of a parade in West Brookfield village; an historical pageant on Foster's Hill, representing the Indian attack on the first settlement and its burning in 1675; a dinner on West Brookfield Com- mon, and an oration, with other literary and musical features suitable to the occasion. Each of these features was placed in the hands of a sub-committee, while still other sub-com- mittees were appointed to invite notable guests, attend to their reception, provide an exhibit of historic relics, organize a bureau of information, and arrange for other details in con- nection with the events of the day. These committees were made up as follows:
LITERARY COMMITTEE:
Hon. George K. Tufts, New Braintree, Chairman. Hon. Theodore C. Bates, North Brookfield.
Rev. Benson M. Frink, West Brookfield. Rev. William L. Walsh, Brookfield.
COMMITTEE ON TENTS AND DINNER:
Carlton D. Richardson, West Brookfield, Chairman. Thomas G. Richards, North Brookfield. William Mulcahy, Brookfield. James E. Barr, New Braintree.
Meriam Public Library
Town House
Wheeler Block
Old Meriam Printing Office
WEST BROOKFIELD CENTER. MAIN STREET LOOKING NORTH
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PREPARING THE WAY
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC:
John G. Shackley, West Brookfield, Chairman. Alfred C. Stoddard, North Brookfield. Charles S. Lane, New Braintree. Arthur F. Butterworth, Brookfield.
COMMITTEE ON PRINTING INVITATIONS:
Thomas G. Richards, North Brookfield, Chairman. Rev. Benson M. Frink, West Brookfield. Emerson H. Stoddard, Brookfield. D. Clarence Wetherell, New Braintree.
COMMITTEE ON INVITING NOTABLE GUESTS:
Hon. T. C. Bates, North Brookfield, Chairman Hon. George K. Tufts, New Braintree. Arthur F. Butterworth, Brookfield. John G. Shackley, West Brookfield.
COMMITTEE ON PARADE:
J. Thomas Webb, New Braintree, Chairman. Philander Holmes, West Brookfield. William Mulcahy, Brookfield. Patrick J. Daniels, North Brookfield.
COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMME:
Hon. T. C. Bates, North Brookfield, Chairman. Rev. Benson M. Frink, West Brookfield. Arthur F. Butterworth, Brookfield. James E. Barr, New Braintree.
COMMITTEE ON LOCATING TENTS ON COMMON:
Carlton D. Richardson, West Brookfield, Chairman. John G. Shackley, West Brookfield. Albert W. Bliss, West Brookfield. Philander Holmes, West Brookfield. Rev. Benson M. Frink, West Brookfield.
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL CHILDREN: Emerson H. Stoddard, Brookfield, Chairman. Alfred C. Stoddard, North Brookfield. Philander Holmes, West Brookfield. Hon. George K. Tufts, New Braintree.
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
COMMITTEE ON BAGDES:
John G. Shackley, West Brookfield, Chairman. Carlton D. Richardson, West Brookfield. D. Clarence Wetherell, New Braintree.
COMMITTEE ON RELICS:
Albert W. Bliss, West Brookfield.
BUREAU OF INFORMATION:
Albert W. Bliss, West Brookfield, Chairman. Emerson H. Stoddard, Brookfield. D. Clarence Wetherell, New Braintree. Harold A. Foster, North Brookfield.
RECEPTION COMMITTEE:
Hon. T. C. Bates, North Brookfield, Chairman. The Reception Committee was made up of a large number of ladies and gentlemen from the four towns whose names will be found in Appendix A.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAY:
Hon. T. C. Bates, North Brookfield, Chairman. Hon. George K. Tufts, New Braintree. Rev. Benson M. Frink, West Brookfield. Arthur F. Butterworth, Brookfield. Harold A. Foster, North Brookfield.
Between the date of the celebration and the actual be- ginning of the labors of the Committee on Publication, three of its members-Hon. Theodore C. Bates, Hon. George K. Tufts, and Rev. Benson M. Frink-passed away. Mr. Bates was succeeded by Alfred C. Stoddard, of North Brookfield; Mr. Tufts, by D. Clarence Wetherell, of New Braintree, and Mr. Frink, by Carlton D. Richardson, of West Brookfield. On the reorganization of the committee, Mr. Stoddard was elected chariman.
One of the first acts of the Joint Executive Committee was the election of its chairman, Hon. Theodore C. Bates, of North Brookfield, as President of the Day, with the fol- lowing vice-presidents: Hon. George K. Tufts, of New Brain-
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PREPARING THE WAY
tree; Rev. Benson M. Frink, of West Brookfield, and Arthur F. Butterworth, of Brookfield. Hon. Roger Foster, of New York, a descendent of the ancient family from which Foster's Hill takes its name, was secured as the principal orator, while brief addresses were also promised by His Excellency, Gov- ernor Eben S. Draper, of Massachusetts; Congressman Frederic H. Gillette, of Springfield; Congressman Charles G. Washburn, of Worcester, and Mayor James Logan, of Worcester. Mme. Tryphosa Bates-Batcheller, the gifted daughter of Hon. Theodore C. Bates, consented to sing, and arrangements were made for a chorus of school-children from the four towns, under the direction of Dana J. Pratt, of Worcester. As chief marshal of the parade, Carlton D. Richardson, of West Brookfield, was elected.
One of the happiest thoughts of the committee was the invitation extended to the Quabaug Tribe of Red 'Men, of West Brookfield, to participate as Indian warriors in the sham battle on Foster's Hill, and the cordial co-operation of this organization was one of the chief factors in assuring the success of the pageant.
Among the gracious actions of the committee, which should be mentioned as affording a pleasant indication that its members were no less appreciative of the courtesies suit- able to the occasion than of such duties as tended merely to efficiency, was the extending of an invitation to Mr. Ezra D. Batcheller, of North Brookfield, the only living member of the executive committee in charge of the two hundredth anniversary celebration, fifty years before, to be the guest of the committee. A similar invitation was extended to Mrs. Lyman Whiting, whose husband, the late Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, delivered the oration at the two hundredth anniversary celebration. The invitations were accepted, and both Mr. Batcheller and Mrs. Whiting were present.
The committee also undertook a strenuous campaign of advertising. Frequent articles, historical as well as of a purely advertising nature, appeared in various newspapers
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SETTLED QUABOAG 1660
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INCORPORATED
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THE UNDERSIGNED, A COMMITTEE ELECTED BY THE TOWNS OF BROOKFIELD, NORTH BROOKFIELD, WEST BROOKFIELD AND NEW BRAINTREE CORDIALLY INVITE YOU WITH YOUR FRIENDS, TO JOIN US ON W EDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1910 IN CELEBRATING AT
WEST BROOKFIELD
THE
Two HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SETTLEMENT OR FOUNDING OF THE TOWN OF BROOKFIELD, (QUABAUG,) MASS.
1660-1910
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BROOKFIELD
FRANK D. PROUTY
EMERSON H. STODDARD
ARTHUR F. BUTTERWORTH
WILLIAM MULCAHY
ARTHUR II. DRAKE
WEST BROOKFIELD
JOHN G. SHACKLEY
ALBERT W. BLISS
PHILANDER HOLMES
CARLTON D. RICHARDSON
REV. BENSON M. FRINK
HON. THEODORE C. BATES CHAIRMAN
NORTH BROOKFIELD
HON. THEODORE C. BATES
THOMAS G. RICHARDS
HAROLD A. FOSTER
PATRICK J. DANIELS
ALFRED C. STODDARD
NEW BRAINTREE
HON. GEORGE K. TUFTS D. CLARENCE WETHERELL
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