USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Uxbridge > Uxbridge year by year, 1727-1927 > Part 1
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UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1727-1927
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Gc 974.402 Uxls 1192561
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 4308
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An early view of Uxbridge
From Barber's Historical Collections
UXBRIDGE CENTER, 1839
WACANXUEX
XYOUSE
UXBRIDGE CENTER, 1844
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1727- 1927
Compiled by BEATRICE PUTNAM SPRAGUE
Photographed by RALPH HENRY ALTON
In Commemoration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Uxbridge, Massachusetts
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OF
2
A
R
E. L. FREEMAN COMPANY WOONSOCKET, R. I.
1927
1192561
"He who knows nothing of the past remains in a state of perpetual childhood." -Cicero.
Can Book Shop- 4.00
To
The many friends who have assisted the compilation by additions, corrections, and suggestions.
THE PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
ROLLIN H. N. BLANCHARD
WILLIAM J. BRADY
DR. WILLIAM L. JOHNSON CHARLES A. ROOT
MARY H. SAYLES
RODNEY H. SCOTT
AUGUSTUS C. SEAGRAVE
ARTHUR WHEELOCK
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR 1727-1927
A two hundredth anniversary seems a fitting time to look back upon the past and to gather into an orderly sequence the events that have marked the years. As during the last months, such a survey has been taken, the amazing truth of Thoreau's statement that "all events which make the annals of the nations are but shadows of our private experience" has been apparent. Here in our small Town, through the last centuries, has been enacted a miniature United States history. A brief summary of some of the significant periods will show that while the Town has been thus closely woven into the warp and woof of its country, yet there has been developed definite characteristics that make the Uxbridge we celebrate.
Our Indian period came while the land was yet Mendon. Then converts of John Eliot's religious pilgrimage through southeastern New England lived at Ironstone, a band of "Praying Indians". Without doubt some of these converts, along with other Nipmucks, joined in a raid on Mendon, a bloody incident of King Philip's War. A War, which along with small pox, brought by white men, reduced the number of Indians to such an extent that the Town, after its incorpora- tion, had no Indian troubles.
[7]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
Such freedom from an outside foe, permitted the new Town to begin at once civic planning. The fertile plains in the south and the Hartford turnpike in the north had attracted the earliest settlers, but the wise builders of 1727 saw the possi- bilities of the valley through which the Mumford ran. By this river, they erected the first meeting house and near by set apart a "Lott" for the minister, the Rev. Nathan Webb. Ebenezer Read gave his pasture for a common and John Farnum, his orchard for a pond. A school master was hired for the children. A road across the Blackstone over Taft's bridge and north to the Hartford turnpike was built to bring the people to church and to the grist mill on the Mumford. After these civic duties, marked by a generosity always found in town annals, were done, the citizens were free to work upon those natural problems that confronted all colonists: homes, food and clothing.
With such thrift and industry did these hardy men and women pursue their self appointed task of town and home building, that by the time Uxbridge issued its Declaration of Independence, there was prosperity. During the war years, money was contributed with the greatest liberality, while the home industry of making clothing had developed to such an extent that not only the Town soldiers were provided with shirts, breeches, stockings, and shoes, sent to them by a special messenger, but clothing was sold upon order to the Common- wealth.
Yankee inventions soon began to turn the trend of the people from farming to manufacturing. As early as Revolu-
[8]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
tionary days, Richard Mowry at his farm in South Uxbridge was building all the paraphernalia for making woolen, linen, or cotton cloth; machinery which was used in the homes. But in 1810, home work was superseded; both cotton and woolen mills began running. By the "hard times" period of 1837, two cotton and six woolen mills, partially equipped with machinery built in Uxbridge, had been established. Only men versed in the intricacies of such manufacturing can tell how, over well nigh insurmountable obstacles, the risky ven- tures were financed and the cloth, acceptable to buyers trained in English standards, was produced.
While the manufacturers were developing their factories, they were also engaged with the rest of the community- except the isolated Friends-in settling religious differences; differences in belief that led in 1831 to a division of the First Congregational Society and its Church in Christ into two societies. These new congregations each at once built, ardent to uphold the true faith, imposing churches. Facing the common, these graceful edifices are still the architectural pride of the Town-daily reminders that the forefathers ever made their best offerings to the worship of God. This early schism also indicated the many religious sects that the community was to harbor. Only a diversity of tenets was to satisfy the people of Uxbridge.
By the early forties, there had begun to come to the Town new settlers; immigrants driven out of oppressed, famine stricken Ireland. Uxbridge was glad of their help. Farmers wanted hired men. The Providence and Worcester railroad
[9]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
had to be built. The growing mills, recovering from a financial crisis, needed more hands. The Irish went to work with a will and, marvelous to relate, not only subsisted themselves but, joining with others of their race in the United States, sent back to their kindred in Ireland for the years 1848 to 1851 nearly fifteen million dollars. The poor people of the new country did not forget the poorer relatives of the old country. Is it strange that in their chosen Town the descendants of these industrious immigrants have prospered?
The Irish brought from the old country the Roman Catholic faith. By 1855, St. Mary's parish had been formed, a large church had been erected, and a burying-ground con- secrated. Immigrants from Canada and other old world countries later made this the largest parish of the Town; strong enough to erect in 1926, a beautiful stone Gothic church, fitted with the rich ecclesiastic gifts of devoted parishioners.
When the Civil War came, the main business of Uxbridge was, not farming, but manufacturing. Woolen machinery had been improved and the product of the factories perfected. While absent men and boys endured hardship and fighting at the front, the home Town ran its mills from six to six, in summer heat and winter storm, owners and operatives alike toiling without rest to clothe the armies. The Union soldiers were not ragged. The veterans, who so unobtrusively re- turned, caring little for hero worship, found what they sought, a peaceful place to earn a decent living. Well these war wise men knew that the southern taunt, which called the condition
[ IO ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
of the northern laborers worse than that of the slaves, was false. The tired fighters had faith in the words of Lincoln, "The hired laborer of today labors on his own account today, and will hire others to labor for him tomorrow." Words that Uxbridge history has proved a prophetic truth. Men who have worked in the mills as children have lived to run the manufactories.
In the two decades that followed the Rebellion, a new sense of civic pride began to arise. The hard work of the war years had left money in the hands of the citizens: money to be spent in the Town, for Uxbridge's prosperity has never been undermined by absentee mill owners. Soon the Town Hall raised its spire high as the church steeples. Pretentious houses were erected. Enterprising men projected a water- works. Kerosene lamps, adjusted to burn a set number of hours, lighted the flats and then illumined with a yellow circle other dark thoroughfares. A newspaper moved its seat of publication from Douglas to Uxbridge, where it chronicled for the next forty years the events of each week. The public library was opened. The annual cattle show brought to the church sheds, cattle and to the Common, crowds. Hotel Wilson made its sensational appearance. Society balls filled the roads on appointed evenings with hacks in which sat ladies in bustled gowns, escorted by beaux in dress suits. But none of these manifestations of prosperity had as deep effect upon the healthy life of the community as did the shorter labor laws with which Massachusetts blazed the trail of humanitarian labor legislation. The mill hands had given
[II ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
during the experimental years of the cotton and woolen industry their utmost strength. Now a period began when such day laborers could have leisure to enjoy profits.
The nineties were not gay in Uxbridge. A free trade law blighted the mills. The overseers of the poor were besieged with appeals for help. A miniature Coxey's army walked the streets by day and crowded by night the lockup. The first night watchman had to be employed. A water famine led to destructive fires and to malaria, with the consequent loss of property, health, and lives. In spite of all these handicaps, the installation of modern improvements kept pace with the age. The telephone, the electric light, and the electric railway strung their wires along the streets. A new high school was built. The Thayer Memorial Building was given. A Civil War Monument graced the common. While the social life- that vital spark in any community-was well served by bicycles, picnics, and sleigh riding.
Then came the years which saw the completion of the new water works, the result of an untiring search by efficient men. Citizens hourly reap the reward of their patient labor. Now, too, began to develop the power stations which have been such important adjuncts in Town business. As for the mills, this was a period when they were going through a process of readjustment, discounting losses, preparing under protection, for an active future.
By the 1910's farming had begun to have a fresh impetus, thanks to the use of a method once recommended to a small farmer by that genial humorist, Samuel F. Scott:
[ 12 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
"How is your farm getting along?" Mr. Scott, asked a neighbor.
"Not very well," was the blue reply.
ยท "Do you know, I can tell you just what to do about that."
"What's that?" asked the farmer, eager for such wise advice.
"Put up a nice little woolen mill. That will take care of your farm all right."
Under such tender guardianship, outlying farms, fitted with all modern appliances, began to flourish. A second factor that also helped agriculture was the arrival of immi- grants, especially the Dutch, who bought on Williams Hill, the old farms of the first settlers and brought the land back to productivity. The Poles, too, bought farms, but that nation- ality combined their agriculture with work in the factories, rivaling the French as mill hands.
The entrance of the United States into the World War found Uxbridge busy. The Granite Company was completing a $250,000 government contract for stone to wall Ellis Island. The Worcester Suburban Electric Company was rapidly expanding its service. Most of the mills were running on full time; one working upon French blue army cloth. Ladies, not unaware of Europe torn by shot and shell, had for some months been preparing emergency dressings. At once upon the Declaration of War, men enlisting began to leave, cloth contracts to arrive. The Town became the scene of feverish activity. Workers vied with each in giving the maximum of
[13 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
service. The sum total of all the efforts, aside from the food produced and the Red Cross work, showed 250 men under the colors, a recorded amount of $1,735,300 invested and given, and 3,125,175 yards of army cloth woven. One company alone had an output of 1,445,175 yards. The forefathers had sown the seeds of the textile business along the river banks. The tender sprouts of their plantings, nurtured with care, had grown to maturity. The mills could speedily and well fill any call for cloth.
As the years since the World War have been prosperous, Uxbridge approaches its anniversary hale and hearty-glad from a comfortable present to look back upon an honorable past. To blaze the trail for some future real historian, who will make that past live again, I am offering as my birthday gift these simple chronicles.
[ 14 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1709
(I)
THE TAFTS BRIDGE OVER THE BLACKSTONE
Robert Taft and his five sons, Thomas, Robert, Jr., Joseph, Daniel, and Benjamin were undoubtedly the first of the Mendon pioneers that had extensive holdings of land in the region now Uxbridge. In order to reach their land, the Tafts wished to build a bridge across the Blackstone River. In this year, the Town of Mendon voted "that Mr. (Robert) Taft and his sons should be freed from working at the highways, in case they build a bridge over the 'Great River' to the land on the west side of said river until other men's work come to be proportionable to theirs in working upon the highways." Judge Alphonso Taft writes, "The bridge was built and was probably the first bridge ever built over the river". In 1729, the Tafts built a second bridge, a short distance below the first. This time the town allowed them sixty pounds towards the expense. One of the abutments of this latter bridge still stands.
1727
(2)
THE INCORPORATION OF UXBRIDGE
Jun. 27. Uxbridge was incorporated. The Town was then in the County of Suffolk. The Town was probably named from Uxbridge in Middlesex County, England.
(3) THE FIRST MEETING HOUSE
The act of incorporation provided that "the inhabitants of said Town of Uxbridge do, within the space of two years
[15]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
from the publication of this act, Erect and finish a suitable House for Publick Worship of God and procure and settle a learned Orthodox Minister of good conversation and make provision for his comfortable support". It was later voted "to sett ye Meeting House within the fence of Eben. Read's pasture, on a place which they have viewed
for and Judg'd convenient."
THE FIRST TOWN MEETING (4)
Jul. 27. The first town meetings were held in the Cornet John Farnum house. The first selectmen were Robert Taft, Jr., Ebenezer Read, Woodland Thompson, and Joseph White. The first town clerk was Edmund Rawson, the first town treasurer, Solomon Wood.
POPULATION (5)
The population at the time of the incorporation is not known.
1728
THE QUAKERS (6)
Mar. 6. The Town voted "not to free the Quakers" from taxation which was to support a religion that sect did not follow.
THE MUMFORD RIVER (7)
The river was first formally mentioned by name at this town meeting. It is related that before there was any settlement here, a man named Mumford was making a journey from Webster to Mendon through the wilderness. It was the spring of the year and the streams were flooded. On arriving at this place, Mr. Mumford attempted to ford the river, but
[ 16 ]
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UXBRIDGE CENTER, 1926
UXBRIDGE CENTER, 1926
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
the water being deep he was drowned. Soon after this acci- dent two hunters skirting the river bank discovered the body, and as it could not be carried to Mendon, they buried the unfortunate man close to the spot where he was found. As the hunters could obtain no coffin, they improvised one from the bark of a large chestnut tree. Many years after in digging for the cellar of the first hotel, the workmen found Mumford's body encased in its unique casket. From the time of the accident, the river was the Mumford.
MUMFORD POND (8)
The town meeting voted that they "accept of Cornet John Farnum's proffer in giving them a piece of land by Mumford's river by ye road to sett a pond on, and stated said place for service".
THE LIQUOR QUESTION (9)
Jul. 8. The Town voted "to procure fifteen gallons of good rum for ye raising of ye meeting house".
THE COMMON (10)
Aug. 15. Ebenezer Read deeded his pasture to the Town for a Common. The record of the deed is in Boston.
1729
THE MEETING HOUSE (II)
Jan. The meeting house was completed, a structure forty feet in length, thirty-five feet in breadth, and nineteen feet "between joynts".
TOWN MEETING (12)
May 4. A town meeting was held in the meeting house.
[ 17 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1730
(13)
THE FIRST CHURCH
Jan. 6. The first church was organized.
1731
THE FIRST MINISTER (14)
Feb. 3. Rev. Nathan Webb, who "continued in faithful service of the Master" until his death in the sixty-sixth year of his age, in March, 1772-a ministry of over forty years- was ordained. The act of incorporation provided "that they set apart a Lott of not less than one hundred acres of Land in some convenient place in said Town near the Meeting House for use of the Ministry". The parsonage which the Rev. Mr. Webb built upon his land was later known as the Dr. Willard house.
(15)
WORCESTER COUNTY
Apr. 2. The Town became a part of Worcester County, created upon this date.
1732
STOCKS (16)
Mar. 2. The Town voted to provide a pair of stocks "for the benefit of such disorderly persons as might need correctionary and salutary reproof".
THE FIRST SCHOOL MASTER (17)
The act of incorporation provided that the new town maintain "a schoolmaster to instruct their youth in writing and reading". John Reed, chosen in this year was probably
[ 18]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
the first master. The first schools were evidently maintained from land granted by the general court for school purposes. Teachers were paid from one dollar to one dollar and a half weekly. For some twelve years the school was kept in the meeting house or in private houses.
1735
THE TOWN OF UPTON (18)
A part of the original territory of the Town was incor- porated into the Town of Upton.
1737
THE BURYING-GROUND (19)
Mar. 20. The lot of land where now stands the town hall, the grammar school, and the Methodist church was given to the Town by Daniel Taft for a burying-ground. According to the deed he gave the land "for and in consideration of the love and affection I bear ye town of Uxbridge", and "for diverse other valuable considerations moving me hereunto". Previous to the gift of land the lot had been used as a burial place.
1738
(20)
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE
The Town voted to build a school house.
1746
(21)
THE SOUTHWICK BURYING-GROUND
The oldest burying-ground was owned by the Southwicks. The first authentic burial there was in this year. Probably
[19]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
the earliest burials were in the first years of the century. The lot, which has recently been improved by Miss Jenks of Asbury Park, a descendant of the Southwicks, is three- quarters of an acre.
1756
THE SCHOOLS (22)
The first money appropriated for schools, which was raised by the Town, seems to have come from the tax of this year.
EQUAL SUFFRAGE (23)
The widow of Josiah Taft was allowed to vote on the question of a requisition for a certain sum of money for colonial purposes. The citizens, with a sturdy sense of justice de- cided, as her husband's estate was one of the largest, that there should be no taxation without representation. Mrs. Taft's affirmative vote caused the payment of the money.
1759
THE HARTFORD TURNPIKE (24)
The turnpike was in use at this date as a road from Boston to New Haven, Ct.
THE COMMON (25)
May. A record regarding the gift is at Worcester, Bk. 4I, p. 433.
1760 (26)
The Town was divided into school districts, "each district to enjoy the privileges of schooling in proportion to the money raised by them".
[ 20 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR.
1763
(27)
THE WORKHOUSE
May. The Town voted that " the selectmen should provide a work house and a master for the same and convey all idle persons there providing that they come to want and belong to the town". 1
1766
THE QUAKER MEETING HOUSE (28)
The first Quaker meeting house was built on a location that was later in the town of Northbridge.
1768
THE SIMEON WHEELOCK HOUSE (29)
Simeon Wheelock bought the land upon which his home was soon built." Mr. Wheelock lived but three or four years in this home. It was later owned by Elihu Brown, the black- smith, who planted the large elm tree, probably about 1790. The house is now the D. A. R. chapter house.
1769
THE FIRST POST OFFICE (30)
Moses Farnum built his house in South Uxbridge. The first post office was here.
1770
THE FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE (31)
April. The meeting house in the southern part of the Town was built. Moses Farnum was the first minister.
[ 21 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1771
(32)
UXBRIDGE LAND ANNEXED TO MENDON
This year the legislature passed an act for "the setting of John Holbrook and others of Uxbridge with their lands to the South Precinct in Mendon". This land was probably in the southeastern part of the Town near Chestnut Hill.
1772
(33)
THE TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE
July 14. The northern part of the original territory of the Town was incorporated into the town of Northbridge.
1774
(34)
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
July 6. A committee was appointed "to correspond with the committees that now or shall be chosen by any towns in this province for the purpose on any matter that may respect the present difficulty that now or may subsist between Great Britain and North America".
(35)
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Oct. 26. It was voted in town meeting "to purchase five barrels of powder and as much shot as was proper" and a com- mittee was chosen "to provide for soldiers who may be called to march".
1775
(36)
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Jan. The Town voted "to carry the resolves of the Con- tinental Congress into execution", and a committee of inspec-
[ 22 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
tion was appointed "to see them strictly adhered to in this town".
THE MINUTE MEN (37)
Apr. 19. "A muster Roll of the minute Company that marched from Uxbridge in the Alarm on the 19th of April, 1775, Last Past under the command of Capt. Joseph Chapin.
Capt. J. Chapin.
Ist Lt. Simeon Wheelock.
2d Lt. Stephen Taft.
Sergt. Aaron Taft.
Sergt. Solomon Wood.
Sergt. Peter Taft.
Corp. David Draper.
Corp. Caleb Farnum.
Private Jesse Morse, Joseph Carpenter, David Wood, Ephraim Spring, Baxter Hall, Peter White, Jacob Taft."
"A Muster Roll of the militia company that marched from Uxbridge in the alarm on the 19th April, 1775, last past under the command of Captain Samuel Read.
Capt. Samuel Read.
Ist Lt. Edward Seagrave.
2d Lt. Noah Taft.
Se'g't. Bazaleel Taft.
Se'g't. Dexter Wood.
Se'g't. Abner Taft.
Corporal Jonah Wood.
Privates Noah Keith, Abel Aldrich, Nathaniel Rist."
[ 23 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1775
(38)
THE FIRST LIBRARY
George Southwick managed the "Uxbridge Social and Instructive Library, 1775" at his store in "Quaker City". This library was discontinued about 1812.
1776
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (39)
The Town voted affirmatively "To see if the town will vote if the Honorable Congress should for the safety of the United Colonies Declare themselves Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, whether they will solemnly Engage with their lives and fortunes to support them in the Mesure".
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS (40)
July. The Town voted "to grant six pounds to each person who shall Enlist in behalf of this town to go to Canada, or the Northern Department, agreeable to the late act".
1777
THE TORIES (41)
May. The Town chose "by written votes," Seth Read, "to procure and Lay before the court Evidence that may be had of the Inimical disposition of any inhabitant of this town towards this or any of the United States who shall be charged by the freeholders and other Inhabitants of said town, or if their residence within this State is lookt upon to be dangerous to the public peace and safety".
[ 24 ]
UXBRIDGE CENTER, 1874
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1778
(42)
CLOTHING FOR THE SOLDIERS
Mar. In March it was voted, "to send to the soldiers now in actual service in the Continental Army in behalf of the town of Uxbridge for three years, or during the war, two shirts, one pair of breaches, two pair of stockings and one pair of shoes", and a committee was chosen "to procure s'd cloathing and a man to carry it to them".
(43)
MONEY FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
During the year two thousand pounds were raised "to provide for the soldiers in the Continental Army"; and in the same year "men were sent to Rhode Island and men as Guards to Rutland".
TEXTILE MACHINERY (44)
Richard Mowry, a workman skillful in many trades, built hand looms for weaving, the warping bars and all the para- phernalia needful for making woolen, linen, or cotton cloth.
1779
(45)
SUBSTITUTES FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Jan. The warrant for the town meeting contained this article: "To see what sum of money the Town will give, or Allow to such Persons as have Provided a man to do a turn for them in the Continental Service for three years or during the War".
(46)
MONEY FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Apr. Two thousand five hundred pounds were appro- priated "to carry on the Continental War".
[25]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
HIRED SOLDIERS (47)
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