USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Uxbridge > Address delivered at the Unitarian church, in Uxbridge, Mass., in 1864, with further statements, not made a part of the address, but included in the notes > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
" One woman can now make as much lace in a day, as a hundred women, a hundred years ago."
" It now requires only as many days to refine sugar, as it did months thirty years ago."
" It once required six months to put quicksilver on glass ; now it needs only forty minutes."
We have thus briefly referred to the local charac- teristics of this town and its inhabitants. We have referred to some of the sources of its industry and the manner in which they have been developed. We come down to the year of our Lord 1864, and we find here more of the elements of substantial prosperity than were ever found here before. Here are more rich men, more productive industry and more to commend it to our hopes and expecta- tions than have existed at any former period in its history. It is true, that more of the foreign element is found here than formerly, and a Catholic church exists where formerly not a Catholic was found; but the day has come when the Catholic and the Pro- testant, the Calvinist and the Liberal Christian, can
1
95
ADDRESS.
dwell together in peace and harmony, each one worshipping God in his own way, and standing, or falling, to his own Master. The future success and prosperity of this town depend, not upon its water- power, although this is always desirable as an incidental circumstance; not upon its steam-power, used either to drive fixed machinery, or for rapid locomotion; not upon the fertility of its soil, nor the beauty of its location, but upon skilful, industrious, intelligent, true-hearted and virtuous men and women.
If you ask, what are the conditions of growth and prosperity for any city, town or village, I answer, that it is not the advantages of the best location, not the most fruitful soil, not the largest water-power, not the best facilities for communica- tion; but if in addition to a reasonable supply of these, there are men who have the brains to plan, the wills to undertake, and the nerves to carry on such business as will furnish the blessings of well- paid labor, and if there are women with heart and brains enough to appreciate and aid them, your question is readily answered.
And here we learn one of the unpleasant lessons taught by the facilities which are now furnished for cheap and rapid travel, and transportation. No longer than thirty years ago, it was about a three days' journey to visit Boston, attend to business and
96
ADDRESS.
get fairly home. Now you can reach there in season for business, attend to business during business hours and be at home in time for tea. But have you ever thought that the tendency of this state of things is to steal away your brightest and your best, and before you are aware of it, to convert them into citizens of some commercial metropolis, whither everything seems to be moving. Centraliza- tion is the result naturally springing out of this rapidity of communication, which tends to carry away the active and energetic men with a power almost irresistible. How is this tendency to be counter-balanced? I answer, by building up at home the means of lucrative employment, and by giving to skilful, honest labor, its just and honest reward. Teach your children, that the object of human life is not greatness, but goodness; that the real phi- losopher's stone is an elevated standard of human virtue; that the demand upon a human being is to do well the duty which lies nearest him and make the world better by his having lived in it. All men cannot be great, but every man can be good. All men cannot reach what are falsely estimated as the points of desirable elevation, but every man can be respectable. All men cannot exert a wide and prominent influence, but every man may be a blessing to the loving circle which surrounds him. All men have their particular localities to which they transfer
-
97
ADDRESS.
their affections; but I envy neither the head, nor the heart of him, who does not often turn with a deep and heartfelt longing to the scenes, the remem- brances and the friendships of his carly home; and I honor with my heart of hearts, the man, or the woman, who amid the allurements of this changing world, retains in large measure the purity and guilelessness of an innocent and happy childhood.
We see them in our sweetest dreams,- These fruitful hills and flowing streams ; And listen, with a half drawn sigh, To melodies of days gone by.
But soon there soundeth loud and clear, A voice we must not fail to hear ; There pointeth, with a warning hand, An angel to the stern command ;-
The past must bury up its dead :- The future comes with earnest tread, It crowds each moment of to-day, And drives the cherished past away.
13
A COMPOSITION BY A YOUNG LADY OF UXBRIDGE, WRITTEN IN
1832
APPENDIX XIV.
OF SOME MEMBERS OF THE CAPRON FAMILY APPENDIX XV. OF THE TAFT FAMILY APPENDIX XVI. OF THE SCHOOLS APPENDIX XVII. OF THE SELECT SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES . APPENDIX XVIII.
OF THE LIBRARIES APPENDIX XIX.
OF THE BANKS IN UXBRIDGE
APPENDIX XX.
OF THE BURYING-GROUNDS
APPENDIX XXI.
OF THE MEN FROM UXBRIDGE WIIO SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR,
1861-1865 APPENDIX XXII.
APPENDICES.
1
APPENDIX I.
THE SUCCESSORS OF REV. MR. CLARKE.
The successors of Rev. Mr. Clarke as pastors of the First Congregational Church in Uxbridge have been :
Rev. CHARLES TAYLOR CANFIELD, ordained and installed October 12th, 1860, and resigned March 31st, 1862.
Rev. RUSHTON DASHWOOD BURR, was installed November 12th, 1862, and resigned May 4th, 1868.
Rev. SAMUEL RUSSELL PRIEST, was ordained and installed Jan. 20th, 1869, and resigned Jan. 2nd, 1871.
Rev. JAMES THOMPSON LUSK, was hired March, 1872, and resigned July 1st, 1875.
Rev. GEORGE BREMNER, was ordained and installed Nov. 16th, 1875, and remains pastor of the church. Much might be kindly said of the last five whose names appear, but the time has not yet come. H. C. .
THE SUCCESSORS OF REV. MR. JUDSON.
1
DAVID ADAMS GROSVENOR, son of Nathan and Lydia Adams Grosvenor, was born at Craftsbury, Vermont, July 10th, 1802. His parents were from Windham County, Con- necticut. In 1818, he entered Phillips Academy, Andover, and began his preparation for college, having the christian ministry in view. He entered Yale College in 1821. An inflammation of the eyes during his junior year, rendered
--
102
APPENDIX I.
him unable to read for nine months, and compelled him to fall back a year in his standing, from the class of 1825 to that of 1826. After graduating he spent a year in the family of Judge IIall, of Ellington, Conn., as .principal of his " High School." The next three years were spent at the Theological Seminary of Yale College. After being licensed to preach, he supplied for nine months the pulpit of the Congregational Church in Pomfret, Conn., his father's native place. He began preaching in Uxbridge, August, 1831, and on June 6th, 1832, was ordained and installed pastor of the First Evangelical Congregational Church in this town, and was dismissed at his own request, June 15th, 1842. IIe was what is known as a " Taylorite " in his views ; these views representing the New Haven school of orthodoxy in contra-distinction to the Andover school. IIe was a faithful preacher, a man of fair learning and ability, and performed his pastoral duties with much patience and fidelity. No man could have more at heart the interests of his church, and no man ever gave himself more zealously to his calling than he. In February, 1843, he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in Elyria, Ohio, and remained there till the summer of 1852. In 1853, he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Medina, Ohio, where he remained several years.
Mr. Grosvenor published several sermons and articles for reviews. He married in May, 1835, Miss S. Whitney, and their only child, who died in infancy, is buried in the Uxbridge Cemetery.
Mr. Grosvenor died at Cincinnati, Ohio, August 11th, 1866, of cholera. His widow lives upon the valuable estate
103
APPENDIX I.
which her beloved husband left in Elyria, Ohio. " He was a faithful servant of the Lord and through the grace given to him, was uncommonly successful in his labors."
The successors of Rev. Mr. Grosvenor, all of whom, except Mr. Abbot, are living, have been :-
Rev. JOHN ORCUTT, installed Dec. 18th, 1842, and dismissed May 1st, 1849 ;-
JACOB JACKSON ABBOT, D. D.,-a notice of whom we give below ;-
Rev. J. B. JOHNSON, installed December 15th, 1864, and dismissed February 6th, 1868 ;-
Rev. THOMAS C. BISCOE, installed December 2d, 1868, and dismissed May 25th, 1876 ;-
Rev. GEORGE II. JOHNSON, hired for one year from May 1st, 1877, and left when the year expired ;-
Rev. WILLIAM H. COBB, installed September 18th, 1878, and remains pastor at the present time.
JACOB JACKSON ABBOT, D. D., was born in Groton, Vermont, July 17th, 1813, and died in New Haven, Conn., December 3d, 1878, at the age of sixty-five years. He com- menced his preparation for college after he attained his majority, entering the academy at Peacham, Vt., late in the year 1834, and the Sophomore class in Dartmouth College in the summer of 1836 ; and he was graduated in 1837 at the head of his class. The next two years he was engaged in teaching in the State of Mississippi. Returning to New Eng- land in 1841, he entered Andover Theological Seminary ; but was now persuaded to accept a tutorship in Dartmouth College, which he held for two years. In 1843, Mr. Abbot declining any further service in the college, entered the
-
104
APPENDIX I.
middle class in Union Theological Seminary. He used to say that the theological course was a " perfect feast to him." He was graduated in 1845, and immediately accepted a call from the church in Bennington, Vt. He was ordained and installed August 27th, 1845, as the successor of the Rev. Dr. HOOKER. He married Miss Margaret Fletcher Whitin, of Whitinsville, September 16th, 1845. The work upon which he entered was a large one, and his health failed him during the first year, and at the end of the second year he was dismissed, his physician giving him little encourage- ment of regaining his health. As soon as he was able to travel, he accepted an agency from the American Tract Society, and set out on horseback to make a tour through the States of North and South Carolina, and Georgia. His health gradually improved, and at the end of seven months, he was able to return to New England, although he was not immediately able to resume the responsibilities of a pastorate. In 1850, he accepted a call from the Evangelical Congregational Church in Uxbridge, after having supplied the pulpit there for six months. Here he had " precious fruits of his labors and warm hearts still attest his faithful- ness." During the pastorate of Mr. Abbot, September 3d, 1856, Mr. William Banfield Capron, son of Deacon William C. Capron, was ordained as a Christian minister. Rev. Mr. Capron was afterwards appointed to the Madura mission, where he died Oct. 6th, 1876. Mr. Abbot resigned his pastorate in 1862, and preached for some time in Whitinsville and other places in the vicinity. In 1863, he went to Washington to engage in the work of the Christian Commission. This service, which he undertook for six
105
APPENDIX I.
weeks, lasted almost two years, or until the close of the work of the commission. He discharged with fidelity and great success the delicate and perplexing duties of the position. From Washington he went directly to the Cen- tral church in Yarmouth, Maine, which had been waiting for him for some months. He was installed as pastor and remained here until the final failure of his health, and was dismissed October 1st, 1875. He then spent a year and a half at a health-retreat in the interior of New York, and in 1877, he went to Colorado, but finding no permanent relief from the change of climate, he came back to his home in New Haven, Conn., to die. During his last illness, which was accompanied by intense suffering, he used to say, that he " wanted to feel that everything, all his trials even, came from the hand of God." " Second causes trouble me," he said, " I want nothing to come between me and God." The final change came at midnight. "I think the death struggle is over," he said ; " I pray for you all ;" and so he fell asleep. Dr. Abbot was frequently appointed on the examining committee of Bowdoin College, and such was his familiarity with the classical languages and with mathe- matics, that he was able to enter into the different examina- tions as readily as if he had been a professor of only a single department of study. He was a careful student of the Serip- tures in the Hebrew and Greek tongues, and a clergyman who knew him well says, " he was the only parish minister I have ever known, who had worn out his Hebrew Bible, so that it had to be re-bound." In 1874, Bowdoin College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
As a minister, Dr. Abbot was remarkable for his elear and
14
-
106
APPENDIX I.
discriminating views of the truths of the Bible. His ser- mons were remarkable for simplicity in the statement of the truth and for their evangelical tone. In the pulpit he seemed under restraint, as one possessed with a sense of the glory of the place. He was a judicious counsellor and a faithful friend .- [ED. Condensed from an obituary written by Rev. E. HI. Byington, and published in the VERMONT CHRONICLE, of January 18th, 1879.
APPENDIX II.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist Church, in North Uxbridge, was organized June 22nd, 1842, and was called the " Uxbridge Baptist Church." On the same day, AUSTIN ROBBINS was ordained and installed pastor of the new church.
David D. Paine and Ira Parkis were subsequently chosen deacons of the church. The church rapidly increased in numbers, receiving forty-seven members during the first year of its organization. Rev. Mr. Robbins remained with the church until 1850, when he resigned after a successful pastorate of eight years. For the next four years the pulpit of this church was supplied by Rev. JOB BOOMER, Rev. JOSEPH SMITH, Rev. JOSEPH TILLINGHAST and Rev. S. S. MALLORY, each officiating about one year. Rev. JAMES RUSSELL became pastor of the church November 11th, 1854, and resigned in 1864, after a very successful pastorate of nearly ten years. Rev. JOSEPH BARBER became pastor in April, 1865, and resigned in November, 1868, and was fol- lowed by Rev. J. W. DICK, in April, 1869, who continued his ministry here until July, 1871. In October, 1871, Rev. J. II. TILTON was installed pastor of the church and remained six years, closing his labors October, 1877. In the follow- ing month, November, 1877, the present pastor, Rev. B. HI. LANE, was installed.
108
APPENDIX II.
This church has always occupied the hall, which was fitted up as a place of worship, by Mr. Robert Rogerson, over the store which was built about the time of the organiza- tion of the church ; and the Messrs. Whitins have furnished it for the same purpose since they came into possession of the property.
The church has recently purchased a house for a parson- age, with a site for a house of worship, which they hope to erect at some future time. The membership of the church, for the last twenty years, has not varied much from one hundred members. (A. A. W.)
APPENDIX III.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHI.
The earliest account of any Roman Catholic Church service that we have been able to obtain, is, that a service was held for the few Catholics in Uxbridge in the year 1850, by the Rev. PATRICK MCGRATH, of Hopkinton, in one of the farm-laborer's tenements of the late Joseph Thayer, Esq.
Uxbridge was erected into a parish by the late Right Rev. J. B. FITZPATRICK, Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts ; and Rev. E. J. SHERIDAN was appointed pastor, August, 1853. The parish then included the towns of Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge, Douglas and Uxbridge.
St. Mary's Church, in Uxbridge, was dedicated 1855 ; the sermon, on the occasion, being preached by Rev. James A. Healy, now Bishop of the Diocese of Maine.
In May, 1867, Rev. DENNIS O'KEEFE was appointed pastor and remained one year, when he was removed to Clinton, Mass.
In May, 1868, Rev. D. F. MORAN was appointed pastor, who, in 1870, caused to be built St. Patrick's, Whitinsville.
In 1871, Rev. II. L. ROBINSON was appointed pastor, and in 1876, St. Mary's Church was repaired and re-decorated at a cost of $2,500. The present parish includes the towns of Uxbridge and Northbridge. St. Patrick's in Whitinsville, Northbridge, was built in 1869. St. Mary's in Uxbridge is the parish church. The whole number of souls in the parish is about 2,000.
APPENDIX IV.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The first Methodist preaching in Uxbridge Centre began about September 1st, 1874. Some of the citizens, desiring to reach a class that was not hearing the Gospel, made arrangements with Rev. Mr. MERRILL, then pastor of the M. E. Church, in Whitinsville, to preach in Taft's Hall on Sunday evening's ; and Mr. Merrill continued his services up to February 7th, 1875.
Mr. F. T. POMEROY, of Shrewsbury, a local preacher of the M. E. Church, succeeded Mr. Merrill, and remained here until April, 1877. His appointment was considered a mission of the Church.
In the Autumn of 1875, a Sunday School and prayer and class meetings were initiated. The mission was formally organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church, with eight mem- bers, December 19th, 1875, by Rev. Dr. Haskell, presiding elder of the Worcester district.
Mr. HUNTER, of the Boston University, succeeded Mr. Pomeroy, but soon left. He was succeeded by Rev. JOHN W. COLLIER. He began his labors June 9, 1877, and closed them June 23d, 1878, to go as missionary to Peru, South America. He was an earnest, christian minister, abundant in his labors, and was eminently successful. For the remainder of the conference year, Rev. J. H. THOMPSON supplied the pulpit; Mr. Thompson was returned to
01
111
APPENDIX IV.
Uxbridge for the conference year 1879-80, which was the first appointment made here by the Conference.
In March, 1878, the society purchased of the town, as a site for a church edifice, a lot in the old burying ground, in the centre of the town. Subscription papers for the church were opened in January, 1879, and on April 1st, the amount pledged was $3,500. A plan for the church has been accepted, and the work of building has begun. It is expected that the church will be ready for use in January, 1880. The membership is now about 60 .- [July, 1879. Compiled from the account of Rev. Mr. Thompson. ED.
APPENDIX V.
JOSEPH THAYER, ESQ.
The death of this venerable gentleman occurred in Wor- cester, on Tuesday, January 9th, 1872.
" Esq. Thayer," a title by which he was so well known, was born in Douglas, in the year 1792, and was the last of a family consisting of three brothers and two sisters. He was fitted for college under the Rev. David Hohan of Douglas, entered Brown University in 1811, and graduated in the class of 1815. Among his classmates were Rev. Jasper Adams, Rev. George Taft, Rev. Alvan Bond, Hon. Charles Turner, and others, who were men of standing and influence in their day and generation. Dr. John E. Hol- brook, the eminent physician and naturalist, who recently died, was at one time a room-mate of Mr. Thayer.
After leaving college Mr. Thayer studied law with Hon. Levi Lincoln, in Worcester, and Hon. Bezaleel Taft, Jr., in Uxbridge. He commenced business in Uxbridge, about the year 1818, and from that time made Uxbridge his home. He married Chloe Taft, a daughter of Hon. Bezaleel Taft, a lady of rare intellect, and of a most pure, sweet and religious nature. For a number of years he was largely engaged in the practice of law, and in various business matters which found their way into his hands. Of rare financial ability, had his lot been cast in the midst of favor- able surroundings, according to the estimate of his cotem-
。
-
APPENDIX V. 113
poraries, he would have been among the millionaires of the land. With no patrimony, he accumulated a property which would have been considered large at the time when, some twenty-five years ago, with failing health, he substan- tially retired from active business. Economical and thrifty, he was always remarkably ready to assist persons by loans and pecuniary aid, and when he had once given his confi- dence, he was slow to withdraw it, and he suffered loans to lie uncollected, apparently without anxiety, not according to the practice which is common among men of shrewdness and sagacity. The same spirit was apparent in reference to some of his poor tenants, who although comparatively pen- sioners upon his good-will, were rarely disturbed or troubled. A man of large perceptions and calm, clear judgment, he relied much upon his own mental resources and rarely sought the advice of any one else. His advice was much sought in municipal matters and he always took a deep interest in the honor and prosperity of the town of Uxbridge. His intuitions were clear and distinet, and his mental faculties rarely failed when any emergency demanded their exercise. An illustration of his skill in the management of men is related of him. He contracted to build a portion of the Providence and Worcester railroad, leading through his farm. While the work was progressing the Irishmen struck for higher wages. Seeing the workmen sitting around, Esq. Thayer informed the sub-contractor that he would attend to those fellows. He proceeded to his house and taking the Riot Act, read it to the Irishmen with a loud voice and an impressive manner. By the time he had closed, cach man had seized his shovel and proceeded to his
15
-
APPENDIX V.
114
work ; one fellow suggesting to his neighbor in a low voice, " Be jabbers, I didn't know there was such a law as that in this country !" A characteristic anecdote is related of him by one who took part in a consultation between himself, Judge Barton and Esq. Thayer. The question related to a suit upon a certain bank note. Judge Barton suggested certain points of law. Esq. Thayer, losing all patience, exclaimed, " Ira, I tell you there ain't but one pint in the case. He must pay the note." In this case as in many others, his intuitions were correct in spite of nice questions of law which troubled those more learned and better lawyers than himself.
By general consent he was elected a delegate from the town of Uxbridge to the Massachusetts Constitutional Con- vention in 1853.
He was deeply interested in Freemasonry, was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and at one time was one of the most prominent men of the Order.
He was a life-long democrat, and was formerly very influential in the counsels of the party ; still he never allowed his party feelings to interfere with his friendships, and he was loyal to the government in the great rebellion. When inquired of once why a near relative of his always voted the Whig ticket while he voted the Democratic ticket, his reply was, " why, God bless you, he was brought up in a Whig neighborhood." Would that the same amount of charity might always be exercised towards political opponents ! He was elected a representative from the town of Uxbridge for several years, and took a strong and active interest in the leading questions of the day, including banking, the Warren
L
115
APPENDIX V.
bridge, &c., &c. He took an active part in the construction of the Blackstone canal, and of the Providence and Wor- cester railroad, having been one of the first directors of the last-named corporation.
He was fond of his classmates and friends ; and until his mind became somewhat clouded, was remarkably clear in his recollection of names, faces and dates. Probably no man was better acquainted with men and affairs in the south part of Worcester county than he was when blest with health and vigor. However differing from many of the prominent men of his time, he enjoyed their respect and confidence. He has passed away full of years, and many whom he has befriended will bless his memory. H. C.
1
ا لاء التعليم
APPENDIX VI.
JAMES WATSON ROBBINS, M. D.
James Watson Robbins, M. D., was born at Colebrook, Conn., November 18th, 1801, and died in this town, January 10th, 1879. His ancestors on his father's side, for several generations, were Orthodox clergymen. He was graduated at Yale College, in 1822, and stood amongst the foremost members of his class. For three or four years he taught in families in Virginia, and amongst those whom he fitted for West Point, was the famous Robert E. Lee, Com- mander-in-chief of the Confederate army, in the rebellion of 1861. In Virginia; he began his botanical studies, a branch of natural science that he zealously pursued for the remainder of his life. He returned to Connecticut in 1825, and now entered upon his medical studies ; and in 1828 he received his degree of M. D. From May to November, 1829, in company with another botanist, he made a botanical journey through the New England States, and it was at this time that he met Dr. George Willard, of this town, and by him was persuaded to make Uxbridge his home. He formed a partnership with Dr. Willard, but it was soon Jissolved. In 1836, he became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and was twice elected delegate to the American Medical Association. From 1860 to 1864, he spent his time with certain mining companies, as physician and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.