USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1841 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 H69d 1774488
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 5463
HISTORY OF HOLDEN,
MASSACHUSETTS
1667- 1841
BY SAMUEL C. DAMON
1841.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
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https://archive.org/details/historyofholdenm00damo_0
1774488
WORCESTER NORTH-HALF (HOLDEN) MEETING-HOUSE - 1731
" 50 feet long : 10 wide ; and 22 between the joynts."
See page 28. " That noted House." See page 150.
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Damon, Samuel Chenery, 1815-1885.
The history of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1841. By Samuel C. Damon. [Worcester, Mass., Wallace and Rip- ley, printers, 1841.
vili, 154 p. incl. front. 22cm.
Aller t.p. : An historical address, delivered at Holden, Mass., May 4th, IS!1. the first centennial celebration of the municipal organization of the town. wie notes and an appendix ...
1. Hollen, Mas-Hist.
Library of Congress
F74.11712
5297
OHILF CARL
1524f11 7- 13935
TO
THE CITIZENS OF HOLDEN, THIS VOLUME CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE TOWN
PRINCIPALLY WRITTEN WITH AN EYE
UPON THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, IS RESPECTFULLY
INSCRIBED BY
THE AUTHOR.
" WHEN AT THE FIRST I TOOK MY PEN IN HAND, THUS FOR TO WRITE, I DID NOT UNDERSTAND 'THAT I AT ALL SHOULD MAKE A LITTLE BOOK IN SUCH A MODE." -- John Bunyan.
INDEX.
Act Incorporating Holden, 29, 69, 70. Andrews, Rev. Elisha, 108, 115. .. Worcester, 24. Anniversary, Centenial, 4-16. Association, Missionary, 115. Avery, Rev. Joseph, 40, 50, 55, 57, Stairs, Military, 136. 58, 59, 106.
Bardwell, Rev. Horatio, 102, 106, Belmap, Rev. A. 114. 115.
i Bigelow, John, 31.
Coleman, Rev. Dr. 30.
Covenant of Chh. 101, 104.
Town, 49. Clerks, Town, 93.
Davis, Rev. Joseph, 32, 38, 40, 106. Deed, Indian Ist, 63, 64. " Gov. John, 35. 20, 65, 65. " Isaac, Esq. 14, 15. " Hon. John Hancock's, 56. Deacons, Cong. chh. 107. Dodd, John, Esq. 129. Delegates Prov. Cong. 99. Donations to Rev. Mr. Avery, 50, 51 Estabrook, Col. James, 15, 16. Everett, Gov. 36. " Rev. Sam'l. 114. Factories, 145, 146, 147.
Earthquake in Holden, 39, 40. Effects of Rev. War, 52, 53. Emigration, 143. T'aith, Articles, Cong. chh. 103. ..
". Bap. chh. 110.
Gospel, Its support, 32. Gookin, Daniel, 20 23, 64, 66.
Ilalves, Wor. N. and S. 20
Hancock, Gov. 56. Haven, S. F. Esq. 10-13. " Rev. Joseph, 59.
Indians, 21, 22. Lafayette, 48, 147. Land French, 52, 53.
Graduates, College, 130. Grenadiers, 137, 138.
Henchman, Daniel, 37. Ilills, 127.
Holden, Samuel Esq. 30 31. Houses, Meeting, 28, 65, 113, 150.
Justices of Peace. 129. Lime Lot, 25, 26. Lincoln, William Esq. 16, 23 76.
Adams, Samuel, 42, 59
Admiration for Ancestors, 35.
Chenery, Doct. Isaac, 60, 133. " Thaddeus, 133. Church, Cong. 33, 71, 72, 100-107
Baptist, 108-114.
viii
INDEX.
Man, Blind, 118.
Manufactures, 145, 146, 147.
Marshall, Rev. Thomas, 112, 113.
Masters, Post, 133. Masonry, 135. Organization, Town, 19. Cong. 32, 71.
Paine, Rev. Win. P. 13, 107.
Papers, old, 150,151. Pastors, Cong. chh. 106, 107. " Bap. " 113, 114. Perry, John, 108.
Meeting, First Town, 19. Mellen, Rev. John, 39. Millenium, 119.
Missionaries, 131, 132.
Music, chh. 56, 152, 153, 153. Organization Bap chh. 109.
Otis, James, 42, 51.
Physicians, 133, 134.
Pollard, Rev. A. 114. Population, 142, 143. Prices Established, 50. Protest, 85, 91.
Rebellion, Shays 53, 34, 55, 51-91. Report to Gen. Court, 20, 21. Rice Jonas, 25.
Representatives, 100. Sampson, Deborah, 19.
Selectmen, 93-96. Schools, 139, 140, 141.
Settlement, First, 29. Sermon, Rev. Mr. Davis's, 38, 39.
Temperance societies, 148, 149. Thieves, Society for Detecting, 124, Topography, 126. 125.
Things in General, 14S.
Treasurers, Town, 98, 99.
Valuations, 144. War, Rev. 40-52. " French and Indian, 33, 34, 36, Washington's Death, 57. 37. Water-, Rev. George, 11 1.
Walker, Rev. John, 113, 114.
Winthrop, Col. Adam, 27. Wright, Judah, G, 116-124.
Resolutions, Revolutionary, 43-46. Rivers, 128. Shays, Daniel, 54, 76-80.
Soldiers, Revolutionary, 75, 148. Spring, 118, 119. Style, Old and New, 29.
A.N
HISTORICAL ADDRESS,
DELIVERED AT
HOLDEN, MASS.,
MAY 4TH, 1811,
THE FIRST CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN;
WITH NOTES AND AN APPENDIX.
BY SAMUEL C. DAMON.
WORCESTER: WALLACE AND RIPLEY, PRINTERS : 1841.
£
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS
FOR THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
THE CITIZENS OF HOLDEN, agreeably to a Notice, assembled at the Town Hall, 7 o'clock, P. M., November 30, 1840, to take into considera- tion the expediency of celebrating the first Centennial Anniversary of the Town of Ilo!den.
COL. SAMUEL DAMON was chosen Chairman, and CHARLES CHAF- FIN, Secretary of the meeting. After deliberating upon the subject, a unan- imous vote was passed, to celebrate the First Centennial Anniversary of the Town. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to make the necessary arrangements for the anniversary exercises :- Samuel Damon, Charles Chaffin, Paul Davis, William Metcalf, Jonathan Rice, Silas M. Hubbard, Lemuel Fiske, Silas Flagg, Jason Mann, Samuel Foster, John Davis, and James Winch.
A vote was then passed to invite Mr. Judah Wright to join this Committee: December 14, 1840. At 7 o'clock, P. M. the above committee conven- ed, with some of the citizens, when the subject was discussed-whether the citizens would celebrate January 9, 1841, the centennial anniversary of the act incorporating the town, or May 4, 1841, being one hundred years since the municipal organization of the town, by the choice of Town Officers. The latter day was decided upon by the meeting, as the most convenient and proper.
The committee of arrangements invited the Rev. William P. Paine to de- liver an address suitable for the occasion. Hle declined to accept the invi- tation in consequence of his arduous duties as a Pastor.
The invitation was then given to Mr. Samuel C. Damon, a native of the town, and member of Andover Theological Seminary. Mr. Damon, having signified his willingness to accept the invitation, the committee of arrange- ments appointed a sub-committee,-Samuel Damon, Paul Davis, and Charles Chaflin, to assist Mr. Damon, in searching for information touching the early history of the Town.
March 30 .- 7 o'clock, P. M. the committee met at the Town Hall, to complete their arrangements, in regard to the coming Anniversary.
1
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY of the municipal organization of Holden, will be celebrated by the citizens of the said town, on Tuesday, the fourth day of May next.
An Address will be delivered at 11 o'clock, A. M., by Mr S. C. DAMON.
Citizens of other towns, and especially such as have formerly been in- habitants of Holden, are invited to be present, and participate in the exer- cises of the occasion.
A Dinner will be provided at the Town IIall, by S. Davis.
By order of the Committee of Arrangements. Holden, April 28, 1841.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT HOLDEN.
( Extract from the National JEgis, Worcester, May 19.)
THE first century since HOLDEN, in Worcester County was established as a town, by the election of municipal officers according to the provisions of the acts of the Great and General Court of the Province of the Massa- chusetts Bay, was completed on May 4, 1841. The citi- zens, desirous of honoring the memory of the founders of their community, and of noticing in an appropriate manner an anniversary so interesting, had made arrange- ments for a public festival on the occasion.
The day was remarkable in the climate of New Eng- land. Snow had fallen during the preceding week to unusual depth, and the white drifts and beds remained along the borders and covered the little hollows of the fields, and although the sun shone bright, the north-west wind was chilled with the breath of winter. If we may trust to the records of former time, an hundred years ago, May was like a summer month, and an old diary states, that on the day of the old style then, which cor- responded with the fourth of May now, trees were bud- ding, flowers were springing, and windows were thrown open to admit the warm sun.
* On Tuesday, May 4, 1841, the thermometer stood thus at Hospital Hill, in Worcester : at sunrise, 33 deg. : 2 P. M. 50 deg. : at sunset, 47 deg.
1 **
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
'The citizens collected at an early hour to join in the solemnities and festivities of the anniversary. At 11 o'clock of the forenoon, a procession was formed at the house of Col. SAMUEL DAMON, under the direction of the Committee of Arrangements named below :
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
Samuel Damon, Charles Chaffin, Silas Flagg, Lemuel Fiske, Paul Davis, John Davis, William Metcalf, Samuel Foster, Silas M. Hubbard, James Winch, Jason Mann, Jonathan Rice, Judah Wright.
The arrangement of the Procession was under the di- rection of the following gentlemen, who officiated as Marshals.
MARSHALS.
Chenery Abbott, Le Baron Putnam, Joab S. Holt, Charles L. Knowlton, Ethan Davis, Nathan Ilowe, William Howe, Sparrow Crosby, James S. Moore.
First went "The Military Band" from the adjoining town of Paxton, a fine body of musicians, conducted by Mr. Thomas Ward and Mr. J. B. Allyer, their leaders.
A most interesting feature in the ceremonies of the day, was the attendanec of the ladies of Holden, and of some of the dames and damsels of other towns, who marched to the meeting-house.
They were followed by the citizens of Holden, and their guests.
The church was filled before the solemn exercises of the occasion commenced, with a large assembly.
After appropriate music by the Paxton band, the fol- lowing Hymn, composed by Mr. Judah Wright, a vener- able citizen of Holden, seventy years of age, suffering under the infirmity of blindness from infancy, was sung by a choir of more than an hundred singers, led by Col. Samuel Stratton.
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
HYMN-By JUDAH WRIGHT.
Let us our grateful voices raise,
To celebrate Jehovah's praise, -
Our fathers trusted in his care,
And we his richest blessings share.
When we a hundred years review,
We see the efforts of a few
Increasing, till a rising Town
Does their judicious labors crown.
Dark forests from the view recede,
And herds and flocks in safety feed,
And plenty erowns a cheerful home, Where prowling wolves were wont to roam.
The active, hardy, wise, and brave
Have reached their common home-the grave ;
And beauty, once the source of pride,
Hlas long since mouldered by their side.
The ravages which time hath made,
Teach us that all on earth must fade ;
Then let our best affections rise,
To solid joys beyond the skies.
Though nothing here can long endure,
The throne Eternal stands secure, And there we may repose our trust, Nor dread the summons, " dust to dust."
An impressive and eloquent prayer was then offered by the Rev. Horatio Bardwell, formerly clergyman of Holden, during six years a missionary in India, and now minister of the Gospel at Oxford, in Worcester County.
The address of the Rev. Samuel C. Damon was a faithful, able, and interesting review of the prominent events in the history of the town during the last centu- ry. In clear, simple, and persuasive manner, he related the trials, toils, and hardships of the early planters-ex- plained the causes which induced them to go out from the ancient colony of Worcester-narrated their exertions during the wars with the French and Indians, which disturbed the people of New England-referred to the spirited resolutions and acts of the citizens in the bright period of the revolution -- counted the soldiers who fought
5
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
the battles of freedom during the long war of indepen- dence, and traced the progress of the town in its march of prosperity through the hundred years which have rol- led onward since the organization.
Of the high merit's of Mr. Damon's Address, it is un- necessary now to speak : a copy was requested for the press by the unanimous voice of all who listened to the words of the speaker. The public will be enabled to es- timate, when it shall read, the excellence of the manner in which materials collected with extraordinary diligence from the archives of the State, the records of the town. the papers of the past, and from all other sources of in- formation, were arranged, and the accuracy and fidelity of the narrative.
After the Address, the glorious Anthem of Haydn, "O! Praise ye the Lord"-was sung by the choir, with the accompaniment of the band.
The hymn which follows, beautiful in the expression of the thoughts which croud on such an anniversary, and having graceful words and gentle flowing rhyme, was then sung by the many voices of the musicians. We regret that we are unable to learn the name of the author of such good verse.
IIYMN-By J. II. B. One hundred years have roll'd away, Unrealized, unseen, unfelt, Since first before thine altars here, O, Gon ! our holy fathers knelt. They lie beneath those swelling mounds, 'Those ancient graves that once were green ; No granite block, no marble pile Above their resting-place is seen.
Yet here they live, -the thoughts of GOD That in their children's bosoms thrill ; Each holy prayer, each stirring hope,- All these are their memorials still.
First in their noble thoughts and plans, The love and worship, Lord, of Thee ;
9
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Then, the strong training of their youth, The love of Man and Liberty.
And when, above our old grey hills, They heard the battle thunders roll ;
They look'd on those brave men who died, With a stern sympathy of soul.
And here we meet-remembering those Who laid these first foundations well,
That, o'er their honored dust, one strain, Of triumph and of love may swell.
And we, like them, shall pass away, Our thoughts and wishes, hopes and fears,
Lie buried in our scattered graves, Within another hundred years,
And now we bend before Thee, here, Stand on the ground our fathers trod ; Be Thou our strength, our life, our light, Our own, as once OUR FATHERS' GOD.
This hymn was read and sung after the ancient fash- ion, which was called "deaconing." The venerable Dea- con Rice, having consented to take part in the services of the church, standing in his place at the communion table, read line by line. The scene when the whole of that vast congregation rose and joined with the choir in the solemn melody after the manner of " they of an hun- dred years ago," was deeply impressive.
Rev. John Keep of Pelham in New Hampshire, who married Miss Davis, a daughter of Holden, addressed the Throne of Grace, in earnest prayer, after this most inte- resting exercise was concluded.
The Anthem "Thy Love will build up Zion," was next performed by the choir and band.
The benediction, brief, beautiful, and eloquent, was pronounced by the Rev. William P. Paine, of Holden.
Again the Procession was formed by the Marshals. Preceded by the Band, escorting about one hundred and forty ladies, and one hundred and cighty citizens, the company were conducted by the same Marshals to the Town Hall, where tables had been spread, and a plenti-
10
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
ful and elegant repast had been prepared by Mr. Davis.
The blessing of Divine Providence was implored by the Rev. Mr. Bardwell, and the thanksgiving of the crow- ded company at the feast was returned by the Rev. An- drew Pollard.
Col. Samuel Damon presided at the table, and announ- ced the following toasts :
The Day we Celebrate-Abounding in interesting associations and hal- owed reflections, and sacred to the memory of those who acted here an hundred years ago.
The flourishing Town of which this was originally a part-She did not cast us off', nor did we rebel-but " the heart of the Commonwealth" was too large for the body.
William Lincoln, Esq. of Worcester, being called on by the President, responded to this sentiment at some length, and on the conclusion of his remarks proposed the following toast :
Holden and Worcester-United in past time within the same territorial boundaries, may they hereafter be more closely connected by the ties of friendship.
The President gave the following sentiment :
Hon. Samuel Holden and Gov. Hancock, benefactors of the Town -To the munificence of the one we are indebted for a valuable Library, and to the other for our beautiful Common.
S. I. Haven, Esq. of Worcester, responded to the call of the President, nearly as follows :
MR. PRESIDENT : I feel a somewhat peculiar interest in the sentiment that has just been repeated, from the fact that I am connected with an Institution which owes its origin to the same kind of liberality as is there commem- orated; and in the absence of a more appropriate response, I will, with your leave, say a word or two before anoth- er toast is presented.
There are in this county, and its vicinity, several towns bearing the names of men distinguished in their day for promoting the literary interests of their country, and imparting from their wealth the means of providing
11
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
for the moral and intellectual cultivation of generations that should succeed them. Holden, Harvard, Hopkin- ton, are prominent among these monuments in honor and memory of such benefactions.
What more desirable, or more appropriate memorial could be devised, than communities like these, exhibit- ing in their intelligence, their good habits, their schools and religious institutions, the fruits of those endowments, the name and fame of which they perpetuate? What happier tribute could be paid to the worth of men who had regard to our well being as well as to that of their cotemporaies, than is rendered by such occasions and such meetings as the present? They looked forward to us with paternal solicitude, and, in return, we, this day, unite in expressing the filial reverence and gratitude with which we look back to them. I have not the honor, I believe, to be connected by descent with any of the foun- ders and fathers of this town. The various villages of our Commonwealth are seldom, however, without some connecting ties.
I have learned from the interesting discourse, to which we have just listened, that the late Mr. Avery, your long- loved and respected pastor, came from my native town, and that my grandfather preached his ordination sermon, and I am diposed to fasten upon these facts for want of better claims to unite in these ceremonies and partake of this hospitality. But, sir, the present occasion is not one of merely local interest. The reminiscences of events that happened in this neighborhood, anecdotes of men who have lived here, the record of manners and habits, all constitute a tributary stream to the general current of our country's history. All history should be, and American history in particular must be, the history of the people. Not an account of the proceedings of a
-
12
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
court, or the operations of any government only, but of what the people have been doing, in villages, and com- munities, and families. These things lie at the founda- tion of national character and sentiment, and consequent- !y of national events.
How would it be possible, for instance, for us to un- derstand the philosophy of our Revolution, and appre- ciate the spirit that originated and sustained it, without going into the villages and upon the farms, and into the dwellings, by the aid of local traditions and histories, and seeing what manner of men were there-how they lived, and what they felt, and thought, and did ? We are carried by this means behind the scenes, or rather into the scenes, of private history, and shown what are real- ly the secret springs of public history. Those matters which possess a natural interest to a particular neigh- borhood, from association with familiar names and places, should be of interest to every one, who seeks, in the ex - perience of the past, for that wisdom which may be de- rived from a knowledge of what those who lived before us have done or suffered-wherein they have erred and in what respects they have judged rightly. These rec- ords present to us pictures of human nature, both of its virtues and failings, such as we can best understand. 'The village disputes, religious quarrels, and political dis- sentions of past times, are analagous to those to which our own generation is exposed. They afford examples of character and conduct of which we can see the be- ginning and the end, and may draw therefrom most use- ful admonitions. We are living over the same lives, with important variations to be sure, but subject to the same general laws of action, inasmuch as we possess the same nature, and are governed by the same passions and mo- tives, which always lead to similar results-similar in
13
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
character and consequences. I believe, sir, the time is coming when history and biography will be taught in our common schools, as carefully as grammar and arith- metie-taught as lessons of life -- and that ignorance of the history of one's own town, or even of one's country, will be deemed as great a deficiency as ignorance of read- ing and writing now are. The historic genealogy of a village may be made as useful a guide, through the de- vious paths of hfe, as the chart of a mariner to him who sails among the quick-sands and breakers of the great deep: pointing out the track that others have pursued. and showing how and where they have advanced in safety, and how and where they have been lost upcu shoals and rocks, the victims of heedlessness, or folly. or headstrong passion.
Not to detain you longer. I will ofer as a sentiment -.
The Genealogical Tree : A tree of knowledge, both of good and evil. The fruits thereof we are compelled to taste. May they open our eyes to a consciousness of our own capacities for good, and our own responsibilities for evil.
The Concerner of the Commonzeralth-A worthy and honored descendant of the moderator of our first town meeting, which we are celebrating.
The patriotic and pinas resolutions of our forefathers-Whose first vete after their municip il organization was " to have the Gospel preached," and the next " to have a writing and reading school kept."
'The happy and appropriate remarks of Rev. Mr. Paine, following this sentiment, we are not so fortimate as to possess.
Honor to the memory of our Mothers, who presided orer the d'staff and the loom -- May their refined and beautiful Daughters be as much distinguish- ed for their industry, energy, and virtue.
After this toast was given, the ladies sent to the chair the following :
The gallant Sons of our renerable Fathers-The Daughters will acknowl- edge their authority and respect their dignity, while they continue to protect and honor them.
The distinguished Historian of Worcester-By whose assidnous labors among musty rolls, the early annals of our town have been put in an endur- ing forn.
2
11
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
This toast called forth a pleasant and humorous reply from Mr. Lincoln, the absence of which is explained in another place .- [ En. ]
The President gave the following sentiment, and ap- pealed to Isaac Davis, Esq. of Worcester, for a reply.
The patriots of the Revolution, of whom this Town furnishe 'ts full quota-Let the memory of the departed be cherished, and the living be erowned with honor.
Col. Davis rose and addresssd the company ncarly as follows :
MR. PRESIDENT : One hundred and twenty years ago, there was seen a man with a plough on his shoulder pas- sing very near the spot where we are now assembled. 'This individual pursued his course a few miles west of ns, where he thrust the plough into the virgin soil, cast in the seed, and reaped the fruit of his labors. That man was the father of the first minister of Holden, and filled various offices of trust in the first municipal elections. I refer to Lient. Simon Davis, whose remains are entomb- ed in yonder church-yard. He was my great-great- grandes About twelve years ago, on a "raw and gusty he month of March, there was seen a young mbling myself, riding with a young lady whom he had taken for " better and for worse," over nearly the same ground that the sturdy pioneer of the forest passed. Her ancestors lay in yonder grave-yard. These, Mr. President, are some of the relations I bear to those who have lived in the first century of Holden. With these connections I do not feel that I am an "alicn and a stanger" here. Never-no, never have I looked on a New England audience with more intense interest than on the present occasion. A few days since I was trav- dling in Old England-looking at her soil, her climate, her institutions, and the state and condition of her peo- ple, and be assured, Sir, I came home with renewed love pr our own happy homes, our own glorious institutions.
15
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
We do not know, nor can we know, how much the masses there suffer, unless we personally witness their degrada- tion. What we call poverty is there considered a com- fortable condition. To see the citizens of one of the thrice happy towns of New England assembled for the purpose of celebrating an anniversary like the present, is to my mind, a noble spectacle. It leads me to the con- templation of the social, civil, and religious privileges we are enjoying. Never have I so fully realized the in- estimable value of these privileges. Never shall I again wonder and be surprised that our fathers left their native land-crossed the broad Atlantic at an inclement season of the year, and breasted the dangers incident to this western wilderness. They came to establish the Institu- tions which we are now enjoying. Without troubling you with further remarks, Mr. President, allow me to offer a sentiment.
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