USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Athol > Athol, Massachusetts, past and present > Part 3
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1818-Lieut. Eleazer Graves, Ezra Fish, Eliphalet Thorpe.
1819-Lieut. Eleazer Graves, Eliphalet Thorpe, Capt. James Oli- ver. 1820-Eliphalet Thorpe, Joseph Proctor, Capt. James Oliver. 1821-Eliphalet Thorpe, Joseph Proetor, Capt. James Oliver. 1822-Eliphalet Thorpe James Oliver, Abner Graves, Jr.
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
1823-Eliphalet Thorpe. James Oliver. Abner Graves, Jr. 1824-Eliphalet Thorpe. James Oliver. Abner Graves, Jr. 1825-Eliphalet Thorpe. James Oliver. Abner Graves, Jr. 1826-James Oliver, Capt. Abner Graves, Col. Nathan Nickerson. 1827- Col. Nathan Nickerson. James Young, Daniel Ellenwood. 1828-James Young. James Oliver, Esq .. Dr. Ebenezer Chaplin. 1×29-James Young, Samuel Sweetzer. Jr .. Josiah Fay. 1830-James Young. Samuel Sweetzer, Jr .. Josiah Fay. 1831-James Young. Eliphalet Thorpe, Josiah Fay. 1832-James Young. Eliphalet Thorpe. Josiah Fay. 1-33-James Young. Eliphalet Thorpe, Josiah Fay. 1834-James Young. Eliphalet Thorpe, Noah Stockwell. 1835-James Young. Gideon Sibley, Noah Stockwell. 1836-James Young. Gideon Sibley, Noah Stockwell. 1837-Benj. Estabrook. Amasa Lincoln, Nehemiah Ward. 1835-Benj. Estabrook, Amasa Lincoln, Nehemiah Ward. 1839-Benj. Estabrook, Stillman Knowlton. Nehemiah Ward. 1840-Theodore .Jones, Elias Bassett, Joseph Stockwell. 1841-J. W. Humphreys, Elias Bassett, Alexander Gray. 1842-J. W. Humphreys. Henry Fish, Alexander Gray. 1843-John H. Partridge. Alexander Gray, John Kendall. I-44-Eliphalet Thorpe, Benj. Estabrook, Elias Bassett. 1845-Elias Bassett. Theodore Jones, Samuel Sweetzer. 1846- Theodore Jones, Elias Bassett, Samuel Newhall. 1×47-Samuel Newhall. Benj. Estabrook, Nehemiah Ward. 1×4>-Calvin Kelton, Nathaniel Richardson, Wm. D. Lee, Jr. 1849-Calvin Kelton, Nathaniel Richardson, Win. D. Lee, Jr. 1×50-Calvin Kelton. Nathaniel Richardson. Benj. Estabrook. 18:1-Benjamin Estabrook, Isaac Stevens, Josiah Haven. 1852 - Benjamin Estabrook, Isaac Stevens, Josialı Haven. 1853-samuel Newhall, Josiah Haven, Nathaniel Richardson. 1854-Nathaniel Richardson, Josiah Haven, Laban Morse. 1855-Josiah Haven, George Farr, Calvin Kelton. 1856-Calvin Kelton, James Lamb, A. G. Stratton. 1857-Calvin Kelton, A. G. Stratton, Benjamin Estabrook. 1858-Nathaniel Richardson. Calvin Kelton, John Kendall. 1859-Nathaniel Richardson, Calvin Kelton, John Kendall. 1860-Calvin Kelton, A. G. Stratton, Jona. Drury. 1861-Calvin Kelton, Amos L. Cheney, John Kendall. 1862-Amos L. Cheney, John Kendall, A. D. Horr.
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
1863-Calvin Kelton, A. D. Horr, Amos L. Cheney.
1864-Calvin Kelton, Josiah Haven, G. Lord, Jr.
1865-Calvin Kelton, J. W. Hunt, J. M. Riee.
1866-Calvin Kelton, J. W. Hunt, J. M. Riee. 1867-Calvin Kelton, J. W. Hunt, J. M. Riee.
1868-Calvin Kelton, N. Richardson, John Kendall. 1869-Benjamin Estabrook. N. Richardson, John Kendall.
1870- Benjamin Estabrook, A. G. Stratton, Josialı Haven.
1871-Edwin Ellis, A. G. Stratton, Josiah Haven.
1872-Edwin Ellis, A. G. Stratton, Josiah Haven. 1873-Solon W. Lee, A. G. Stratton, Josiah Haven. 1874-A. G. Stratton, Josiah Haven. E. J. Gage. 1875-A.G. Stratton, W. H. Amsden, G. Southard. 1876-W. H. Amsden, Wm. W. Fish, G. Southard. 1877-Wm. W. Fish, G. Southard, W. D. Smith. 1878-Wm. W. Fish, Gilbert Southard, W. D. Smith.
1879-Wm. W. Fish, G. Southard, W. D. Smith. 1880-G. Southard, Geo. W. Woodward, Josiah Haven.
1881-G. Southard, O. F. Hunt, O. T. Brooks.
1882-G. Southard, Henry Gray, Josiah Haven. 1883-G. Southard, C. F. Richardson, A. J. Nye. 1884-C. F. Richardson, W. D. Smith, Henry Gray. 1885-W. D. Smith. Henry Gray, J. W. Sloan.
1886-W. D. Smith, Henry Gray, J. M. King.
1887-C. F. Richardson, Ira Y. Kendall, A. J. Nye.
1888-C. F. Richardson, Ira Y. Kendall, Henry Gray.
1889-Gardiner Lord, Henry Gray, Orrin F. Hunt. 1890-Gardiner Lord, Henry Gray, James Cotton.
1891-Geo. W. Bishop, James Cotton, Edwin W. Ellis.
1892-C. F. Richardson, Edwin W. Ellis, James Cotton. 1893-W. D. Smith, Geo. W. Bishop, Herbert L. Hapgood.
Wilson D. Smith, chairman of the board of Selectmen for 1893, was born in New Salem, Jan. 11, 1845. His parents removed to Athol when he was five years of age, and this town has since been his home ; he attended the public schools of Athol and continued his studies at Wes- leyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., and Eastman's Busi- ness College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After leaving school
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
he engaged in business with George Farr in the manufact- ure of matches on South Street, in which he continued three years, and in 1866 went into the wool and wool waste business. being in company with G. P. Sloan for about a year since which time he has carried on the busi- ness alone ; for about a year he run the cotton mill, and sold out that business to Jones Brothers.
In 1877 he was elected on the board of Selectmen. assessors and overseers of the poor and held that position for three years ; he was elected to the same position in 1884 and again served three years, and in 1892 was elected on the board of assessors of which he was the Chairman. In 1893 he was elected Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor and Road Commissioner. He has been actively inter- ested in a number of the business enterprises of the town. having been one of the directors of the Athol Machine Co. from its organization until 1892, and has been in almost every stock company that has been organized in town. He is a member of Star Lodge of Masons, Union Royal Arch Chapter and Athol Commandery of Knights Templars, and was a charter member of the Poquaig Club. He was married in 1867 to Lucretia Wheelock, daughter of Dea. E. M. Smith of Athol, and has had two children, only, one of whom, Ray, is now living. Mrs. Smith died in 1891.
Geo. W. Bishop was born in West Burke, Vt., Oct. 4th, 1849. He graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy at the age of 17, and then entered the employ of the Connecticut & Passumpsic River Railroad in the train service and main- tenance of way. After four years of service with this com-
32
ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
pany he went to work for the old Vermont & Massachu- setts Railroad in 1870. He had charge of a section until 1874 when he was appointed roadmaster of the Fitchburg Railroad which position he still holds, having charge of the road from Fitchburg to Greenfield, Worcester to Winchen- don and the Ashburnham and Turners Falls branches. He holds a high rank among railroad men, having been pres- ident of the New England Roadmasters' Association, and also a delegate to the conventions of the Roadmasters of America Association at Denver, Col., in 1889, and Detroit Mich., in 1890. He is prominent in the Masonic frater- nity, having become a member of Star Lodge of Athol in 1872 ; is a member of Union Royal Arch Chapter, Athol Commandery of Knights Templars, Titus Strong Council of Greenfield and the Mystic Shrine. He has been master of Star Lodge, Commander of Athol Commandery and Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District, and in December, 1893, was elected Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. He is also a mem- ber of Tully Lodge of Odd Fellows, and various other or- ganizations.
Believing in the future growth of Athol he has, during the last few years, invested largely in building operations, He was elected a member of the board of Selectmen in 1891, and was the Chairman that year, and was elected again in 1893. He married Annie B. King Sept. 16, 1873.
Charles A. Carruth was born in Petersham, Dec. 13, 1853. He attended the common schools of his native town, and Highland Institute, and immediately after finishing his studies at the Institute was called upon to take charge of
1
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--
WILSON D. SMITH.
GEORGE W. BISHOP.
CHARLES A. CARRUTH.
HENRY GRAY.
- - -- -
ーーーーー ーーーーーー ー
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
a difficultt school in the west part of Petersham, which he conducted successfully.
He commenced his mercantile career in 1870 when he came to Athol and entered the employ of Parmenter & Tower as clerk, where he remained four and a half years, when in company with F. S. Parmenter he purchased the dry goods and clothing business of J. S. Parmenter, the firm being known as Parmenter & Carruth ; this part- nership was continued for two years when the business was sold to Holbrook & Twichell in 1876 and Mr. Car- ruth entered the store of Walter Thorpe as clerk in his dry goods and clothing business where he remained for five months, and in February 1877 bought out the clothing business of Wm. Bixby in Masonic Block, where he con- tinued until the building was destroyed by fire in 1890; after occupying a temporary store for some time he moved into his present store in Starr Hall Block.
He married Lizzie I. Bassett Feb. 15, 1877. She died March 24th, 1879, and he was married a second time Jan. 23, 1880 to Ida E. Davis of Orange.
In 1891 be was elected on the board of assessors and again for the year 1892, and re-elected for 1893. He is a prominent society man, being a member of the several Ma- sonic and Odd Fellow organizations and of Corinthian Lodge Knights of Pythias, and was one of the organizers of Poquaig Club of which he has been one of the Executive Committee since its formation.
Henry Gray was born in Athol, Jan, 16, 1830, a son of Alexander Gray. He attended the common schools and worked on the farm until about 23 years of age when he
·
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
came to the Centre to live, working at the carpenter busi- ness for several years, and later was employed in the shop of W. H. Amsden at Kennebunk. For quite a number of years he has been engaged in farming and the milk busi- ness, and has frequently been called upon to serve the town in official positions. He has served as Selectman seven years, and has also been assessor, overseer of the poor and road surveyor, and was a member of boards of Assessors and Overseers of the Poor for 1892 and 1893. Was mar- ried March 10, 1859, to Lucinda M. Peirce of New Salem; they have one daughter, the wife of Dr. Z. R. Luce of Bos- ton. Mr. Gray has been a member of Athol Lodge of Masons for about twenty years, and was the first Master of Athol Grange.
TOWN CLERKS.
It is interesting to know who have transcribed the records of the Town's doings through the years of its his- tory and to learn something of their lives. The first Town Clerk was John Haven, who was chosen at a town meeting held March 7th, 1763, and served continuously until 1774, and during the years 1776 and 1777.
Those holding this office since that time, have been, William Bigelow 1774 and 1775, John Foster from 1778 to 1782, Hiram Newhall 1782 to 1788, Thomas Stratton 1788 to 1797, John Humphrey 1797 to 1818, Theodore Jones 1818 to 1829, Wm. H. Williams 1829 to 1833, Ben- jamin Estabrook 1833 to 1840, John W. Humphrey 1840 to 1845, Joseph E. Jones 1845, Isaac Stevens 1846 to 1850, James I. Goulding 1850 to 1863, T. H. Goodspeed 1863 to 1873, Edwin Ellis 1873, J. S. Parmenter 1874 to 1881.
$
35
1202811
TOWN GOVERNMENT.
John D. Holbrook the present Town Clerk was appointed to that office by the Selectmen on the death of J. S. Par- menter in the fall of 1881, and was elected by the town at the next annual meeting in March, 1882, and has held the office continuously since that time.
Mr. Holbrook was born Oct. 6th, 1843, at Townsend, Vt .; he attended the public schools of his native town and Leland & Gray Seminary. The war of the Rebellion breaking out when he was a student, he enlisted from school when about 18 years of age, in 1862 in the 16th Vermont Regiment in which he served nine months, and on the expiration of his term of service enlisted in the 26th New York Cavalry for three years or during the war. On his return from the war he taught school in Townsend dur- ing one winter, and then went into the country store of Winslow & Piper of that town as a clerk ; after five years' service in this position he went to Fayetteville in the town of Newfane, and carried on a general country store for two years, from which place he came to Athol to reside in the Spring of 1872, the firm of Holbrook, Twitchell & Co. having been established in Athol the previous year with a store in the Music Hall building at the Centre. The firm continued to carry on business at that place, doing a dry goods and clothing business, until the burning of Music Hall in April, 1876, and in September of that year re- moved to the Lower Village and occupied the store where he now carries on business in Parmenter's block. In 1878 Mr. Twitchell retired from the firm which then became J. D. Holbrook & Co. In August, 1877, he married Miss Lydia A. R. Smith of Barre. Mr. Holbrook represented
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
this district in the Legislature of 1879. He is a member of the Congregational Church, Hubbard V. Smith Post, G. A. R., and Acme Lodge Knights of Honor.
TOWN TREASURERS.
The first Town Treasurer was Nathan Goddard who was chosen at the first town meeting in March, 1762, and held the office during that year and 1764.
Others who have held that position are: William Oli- ver 1763, Abraham Nutt 1765 to 1775, Hiram Newhall 1775 to 1779, Daniel Ellenwood 1779 to 1787, Joshua Morton 1787 to 1793, James Humphrey, Jr. 1793 to 1797, Thomas Stratton 1797 and 1798, Joseph Peirce 1799 to 1803, Joseph Crosby 1803 to 1806, Joel Morton 1806 to 1821, Henry Lee 1821 to 1840, Theodore Jones 1840 to 1850, Benjamin Estabrook 1850 to 1855, Merrick E. Ains- worth 1855 and 1856, Chas. C. Bassett 1857 and 1858, Abner G. Stratton 1859 and 1860, S. E. Twitchell 1861 to 1865, Nathaniel Richardson 1865 to 1875, Thomas H. Goodspeed 1875 to 1879, Enoch T. Lewis 1879, Samuel Lee 1880 to the present time.
Samuel Lee, who has been the efficient Town Treas- urer since 1880, belongs to the well known Lee family, and was born in Athol, Feb. 10, 1834, on what was known as the old Morton farm, on the Orange road, now occupied by J. W. Sawyer. He is a son of Henry Lee, who was also a popular town treasurer, having held that position the longest of any one in the history of the town, He attended the common schools of the town, and before completing his school life was for a time clerk in a store at Royalston, attended the select schools that were held at the Town
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
Hall. and was also a clerk in the store of James I. Gould- ing when about 15 years old. In 1855 he went into busi- ness with the late W. D. Lee, Jr., in a general country store, the firm being known as Lee & Co. In 1885 he sold out his interest in the business and in company with Charles Horr built the Summit House; he was also in company with T. H. Goodspeed for about four years, and was ap- pointed as postmaster by President Buchanan in 1858, serving until June 25. 1862. For the next six years he was largely engaged in the real estate business, and in 1868 in company with Geo. W. Stevens was engaged in trade where H. M. Humphrey's drug store now is. In 1873 he went into partnership with J. F. Humphrey in the general hardware business and in 1888 bought out Mr. Humphrey's interest and has continued the business since, dealing in hardware, building materials, sash, blinds, etc. He has been clerk of the old first parish of Athol since 1874, was assessor for three years, 1869, '70 aud '71, and has been tax collector five years. He has always taken an active interest in politics, having been chairman of the Democratic Town Committee for several years. and president of the Young Men's Democratic Club, and has several times been a candidate of the party for representative to the Legislature. Was married May 1st, 1861 to Hattie L. Nourse of Athol, and has one son, Fred H. Lee.
The office of Assessors has varied, sometimes having been combined with the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor, and at other times a separate board. For the last number of years, the Assessors have been elected as a sep- arate board.
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
The collection of taxes for most of the time in the past has been let out to the lowest bidder, and occasionally the office of Collector and Treasurer has been combined, as in 1860 when at the March meeting A. G. Stratton was elected as Collector on the condition that he act as Col- lector and Treasurer for the sum of $35, the same as paid him the year before. In 1793 we find it recorded that "the Collector was struck off to John Jacobs at six Pounds," in 1799 "Hired Calvin Kendall for $18.25 to be Collector of Taxes." In 1803 it was struck off to Samuel Morse at $16.75, and in 1806 and 1807 the work of col- lecting must have been considered either as an honor or a profitable occupation as Samuel Morse offered to serve the Town as Collector of Taxes without compensation during those years, and was elected, while the position was still more eagerly sought after in 1812, when James Oliver offered to give One Cent for the Collector's office; the town accepted the offer and he gave bonds and was sworn. Samuel Lee has been the Collector for several years, and receives a salary for the same of $250.
The Town's Poor. Athol like other towns in the early days took care of her paupers by disposing of them to the lowest bidder, and early in the present century we find numerous records like the following : At a town meeting held May 2d, 1803, "voted to give Francis Green Ten Dollars annually for keeping Hannah Marble (one of the Town's poor) during her natural life." In 1811 "the sup- port of the Paupers was disposed of to the lowest bidder in the following manner : Hannah Marble struck off to John Crosby at fifteen dollars for one years Board and Clothing.
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
Violet, a Negro, struck off to Abner Stratton at seventy- five cents per week for the term of one year." This Violet was for many years the slave of the first minister Rev. Mr. Humphrey. She was sold by Mr. Humphrey to Mr. Thomas Stratton, and finally after the death of Mr. Strat- ton and the manumission of slaves in this Commonwealth, she was supported by the town until she died at a very ad- vanced age. One of the last records of this kind is found in 1828 when it was "voted that the Provision for the Paupers for the year ensuing be set up by the Overseers of the Poor, and sold at auction to the lowest bidder. Voted that a fortnight from this day be the time for the selling of the Poor." A more humane method is soon inau- gurated for at the annual meeting held in 1829, it was "vot- ed to purchase a Farm to use for the support of the paupers and that a committee be chosen to effect that purchase, provided they can do it to their own satisfaction as regards price and payment, and the board of Selectmen was chosen thier committee." At a town meeting held in May of the same year, "Voted to accept the following Report"-The subscribers a Committee chosen by the inhabitants of the Town of Athol at their last meeting to purchase a farm for the use of their paupers, have attended to the duties of their appointment and submit the following report, viz: That on the Twenty-third April last James Young the chairman of your Committee bid off at auction, for the in- habitants of the Town, the farm lately owned by Adonijah Ball, Jr., deceased, for the sum of $1856; that the Ad- ministrator considered the said Young as purchaser, etc.'' This farm has been used as the Poor Farm to the present time.
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
There used to be a statue of the province that existed before the Revolution and was continued for some time after, which provided that if persons were legally warned to depart from a town, they could not gain a legal resi- dence there, and so the town would not be chargeable for their support in case they came to want. When any ob- jectionable persons came into town, the Selectmen and Constables were diligent in serving this notice upon them. It was called a "warning out." In the town records we find a copy of one of these documents that reads as follows: "Worcester, ss .- To John Jacobs Constable of the Town of Athol in said County -Greeting. You are in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts directed to warn and give notice unto Jerusha Bradish of Athol in the County of Worcester, Spiner, who has lately come into this Town for the purpose of abiding therein not hav- ing obtained the Town's consent therefor, that she depart the Limits thereof within fifteen days. And of this pre- cept with your doings thereon you are to make return un- to the office of the Clerk of the Town within twenty days next coming, that such further proceedings may be had in the premises as the Law directs. Given under our Hands and Seals at Athol aforesaid this Second day of January. A. D. 1794.
CALEB SMITH THOMAS STRATTON
ELEAZER GRAVES JR.
Selectmen of Athol.
Athol, January the 10th, 1794.
In obedience to the above Warrant I have this day fully executed the same as the Law directs.
JOHN JACOBS, Constable."
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TOWN GOVERNMENT.
Roads and Bridges .- The building and repairing of roads and bridges was a source of heavy expense to the inhabitants of Athol in the early days of its history, as it was to all our New England towns, and always has been in later times. In 1733 the Provincial Government had caused a road to be laid out and opened for travel from Lancaster to the valley of the Connecticut, near Deerfield, through Hubbardston, Templeton, Petersham, etc , to its westerly terminus at Sunderland, which gave it the name of the "Sunderland Road." This road was undoubtedly used by the early settlers of Athol in their journeys to and from the towns of the Connecticut Valley. In 1740 a road was marked and cleared from Templeton to Pequoig, and in 1754 a county road was laid from Lancaster to Po- quaig through Narragansett No. 6 (Templeton.) In 1753 the town of Warwick chose a committee to lay out and clear a road to Pequeage (Athol.) Prior to 1761, when the first gristmill was erected in Warwick, the inhabitants of that town were compelled to go to Northfield and Athol with their grain, and not only to go on foot, but to carry home on their backs their grain, and even hay, which they were obliged to buy for their cattle. At the second town meeting after the incorporation of the town, held in May 1762, one of the articles called for the building of a road to Royalshea (Royalston) line.
For many years there were no bridges over the rivers, and it was necessary either to ford the streams or cross on boats or rafts. Among the arrangements made by the proprietors in September 1750, for the ordination of Rev. James Humphrey as pastor of the first church, we find that Lieutenant Graves, Lieutenant Morton, Mr. Nutt,
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ATHOL, PAST AND PRESENT.
Mr. Samuel Morton and Mr. Aaron Smith were appointed "a Committee to make a Boat so big as to carry two Horses at once." The building and rebuilding of bridges over Millers River and Tully was a heavy expense, and among the ways suggested to lighten the burden was that of a lottery, it having been voted by the town in September 1784, "to petition the General Court for leave to make a lottery to build the Bridges over Tully and Millers River and repair the Causeway and chose Hiram Newhall, Josiah Goddard and William Bigelow a Committee for that pur- posc." Among the necessary and indispensable articles for the building of a bridge in those days was an abund- ance of rum, sugar and powder, as the following bill which appears on the town records will show : The Town of Athol, Dr.
To the Subscribers for rebuilding the bridge over Millers River in the year A. D., 1793.
S.
d.
For Timber,
9
1 (
To Framing,
11
6
To erecting Abutment,
13
15 7
To Rum, Sugar and Powder,
5
11
5 Committee for
Samuel Young,
Benjamin Blanchard,
William Young, Eleazer Graves, Jr.,
Rebuilding said Bridge.
Some degree of relief was afforded the towns during the first half of the present century by the turnpike system in which companies were formed and incorporated with the design of making better roads than the towns could afford to make, and toll was collected by the company from those who travelled on them. This part of the state obtained relief in that way from the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation, which was incorporated about 1800 by the
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TOWN GOVERNMENT
Legislature. A section of the act of incorporation states the object to be "for the purpose of laying out and making a Turnpike road from Capt. Elisha Hunts in Northfield aforesaid, through Warwick. Orange, Athol. Gerry, Tem- pleton and Gardner to Westminster meeting house, from thence to Jonas Kendall's Tavern in Leominster, and also from Calvin Munn's Tavern in Greenfield through Mon- tague and up Millers River through unincorporated land so as to intersect the road aforesaid in Athol and making the same in such place or places as the said corporation shall choose and keeping the same in repair, which road shall not be less than four rods wide and the path to be travelled in not less than eighteen feet wide in any place." The location of the toll gates is described as follows : "One of which gates shall be near where David Mavo keeps a tavern in Warwick, one other near where Samuel Sweetzer keeps a tavern in Athol; one other to be near the line between Gardner and Westminster. One other near where Jonas Kendall keeps a tavern in Leominster, the other one gate where the Corporation may judge most con- venient on the road from Greenfield to Athol aforesaid." In 1806 what was known as the Monson Turnpike was laid out, which extended from Monson in the southern part of the state to Richmond, N. H., and intersected the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike. Athol was largely inter- ested in these roads. and several of its prominent citizens held the office of clerk of the board of directors, Joseph Proctor, Clough R. Miles and Benjamin Estabrook having held that position. In 1832 the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation gave up its franchise and the road was laid out as a county road.
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