USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 11
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March 31. The flannel mill, situated near the cemetery, burned.
October 24. (Sunday.) The Singletary mill burned.
Charles Hale advertised that he had a stone scythe- factory to let or for sale.
1853
Jan. 14. Friday morning, A. H. Waters & Co.'s cotton mill burned.
March 7. At the town meeting Asa H. Waters was chosen moderator and Ira N. Goddard, town clerk. (This was the first of sixty-two successive elections of Mr. Goddard to this office.) Mr. Waters was elected as delegate to the Constitutional Convention to be held at Boston.
March 8. One thousand dollars were voted for the High School. The prudential committee of the school districts was authorized to hire teachers for the several school districts.
In March a bill was reported to the legislature for incor- porating the Millbury Savings Bank.
John Pender invented a new fancy loom which was in operation at the mill of Smith and Pratt, New England Village, Grafton.
April 10. Sunday morning the machine shop formerly owned by Dea. John Leeland burned at 5 o'clock.
April. The sash and blind company of Fullam & Morse (T. S. Fullam, C. D. Morse, E. M. Park) dissolved. The new firm formed was H. Armsby, C. D. Morse and E. M. Park.
GROUT CORNER, NORTHEAST CORNER OF MAIN AND CHURCH STREETS, 1892
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ANNALS 1851-1870
June 6. The Millbury Sash Co. (T. B. Allen, Benjamin McIntire, Franklin Dwinell) dissolved.
Thomas Ashworth returned from California bringing a nugget of almost pure gold that weighed seventy-three and one-half ounces and was valued at thirteen hundred dollars.
Dr. Henry G. Davis advertised as a specialist of curva- tures and club-feet.
W. R. Johnson and G. J. Taft were storekeepers.
J. P. Denison was leader and Wm. F. Lovell, clerk of the Millbury Cornet Band.
1854
January. Horace Greeley lectured at the Second Con- gregational Church.
March 6. It was "voted that the selectmen be author- ized to purchase of Asa H. Waters about three acres of land suitable for an addition to the cemetery."
N. P. Smith of the "know-nothing" party was the representative in the Legislature from Millbury.
This year so far as known all drinking places in town were closed.
1855
March 5. It was "voted to build a receiving tomb in the cemetery on Grass Hill."
A committee chosen to determine the manner of repair- ing highways reported thereon and it was voted that the highway districts be abolished and that one agent be appointed for each district, who should make semi-annual report to the selectmen. These suggestions were accepted.
It was voted that the name "Central Cemetery" be applied to the new cemetery, that the part laid out in 1854 be called the "west section," the other part the "east section."
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
It was voted that owners of dogs should pay a tax of one dollar on each dog; and that dogs should be muzzled, if they ran at large.
May 23. B. C. Summer was appointed by the select- men as liquor agent.
1855
In September news was received of the death of Gen. Joseph Farnsworth.
October 23. At a meeting of the selectmen, T. H. Bar- ton was appointed police officer with all the powers of a constable, except the serving and executing of any civil process.
October 30. The town collector and treasurer having absconded, the assessors appointed Ira N. Goddard as collector and, November 6, the town chose David Atwood as treasurer.
October. John P. Hale lectured on Anti-slavery.
Wendell Phillips lectured at the Second Congregational Church.
True W. Childs, executor of the estate of Abijah Glea- son, offered for sale the old shop once occupied by Thomas Blanchard and the saw-mill privilege nearly opposite; also a reservoir near Ramshorn Pond.
1856
January 9. The thermometer registered twenty degrees below zero, the lowest for years.
January 13. More snow was on the ground than at any one time "for twenty years past."
March 8. Simon Farnsworth was chosen town treas- urer. It was voted that the highway districts be re- established and that surveyors be chosen to repair the same, as in former years.
March 10, Orra Goodell, Gates Chapman, A. W. Wood, and N. H. Jordan were appointed police officers.
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ANNALS 1851-1870
March 22. David Atwood was chosen to fill a vacancy on the school committee, caused by the resignation of the Rev. N. Beach.
April. There was a meeting of the "Society of Social Friends" held at the Academy as a farewell to A. P. Stone, the retiring principal, who was presented with a gold watch.
June. A large and spirited indignation meeting was held regarding the assault on Charles Sumner at which condemnatory resolutions were passed.
Millbury raised. two hundred dollars in cash and col- lected two hundred dollars' worth of clothing for the free state people of Kansas.
September. Wheeler and Mallalieu, dealers in tin ware, dissolved, but Mr. Mallalieu continued the business.
Thayer and Johnson, manufacturers of portemonnaies, on South Main St., dissolved partnership. This business was later moved to New Worcester.
Charles A. Tourtellotte opened a hotel at the lower tavern stand, moving from West Sutton.
Advertisements:
Harrington & Heald, Tools. S. R. Parker, carriages.
1857
January 22. On Thursday night there was a severe snowstorm and on Friday morning the thermometer registered twenty-six degrees below zero.
August 8. At five o'clock Sunday morning Capt. Charles Hale's house caught fire and partly burned. It was saved by A. H. Waters' force pump.
An attempt was made to blow up the residence of A. G. Randall by placing against the door a bomb made by filling a tube of iron two and one-half feet long with pow- der. The door was torn to pieces, windows were blown in and partitions wrecked, but, fortunately, no one was hurt. The selectmen offered two hundred dollars for the detection of the perpetrators of the outrage.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
March 25. D. G. Prentice, Abiel W. Wood, B. D. Humes, David T. March were appointed special police officers.
May 7. "Voted that a committee of seven be appointed to furnish such persons who shall enlist, and to those inhabitants who have enlisted, as soldiers, and be accepted as such, in the volunteer militia, with anything which in the opinion of the committee may be necessary for their comfort, and for the support of such of their families as may need, during the absence of said volunteers, and for organizing said volunteers. That said committee shall call for such sums as they may want for the purpose afore- said, and the selectmen shall draw their orders therefor upon the treasurer, and may borrow upon the credit of the town such sums as may be needed for that purpose." The committee chosen consisted of J. E. Waters, Nymphas Longley, C. D. Morse, Hosea Crane, Sylvester Smith, Silas Dunton, David F. Wood.
June 4. The town "voted to hear the report of the committee chosen at the last meeting."
"Voted that the matter of enlisting and organizing a military company in Millbury be re-committed to the committee chosen at the last meeting, and that they be instructed to proceed with the organizing of such a com- pany, when, in their opinion, the state of the country calls for such an effort on the part of the town."
September 24. "Voted that the town raise the sum of $2500 to defray the expenses already incurred, in fulfilling the encouragement, given by the Town of Millbury to such of its inhabitants as may have volunteered, or who may volunteer, as members of the militia of this State in the service of the United States, and that the selectmen be directed to continue supplying the families of such volunteers at their discretion."
"Voted that the town fully approve and ratify the doings of the selectmen in furnishing the families of our
155
ANNALS 1851-1870
townsmen, who are defending our country in this unholy and unprovoked Rebellion."
The West Millbury post-office was re-established.
D. F. Wood had a large contract for army blankets.
War meetings were held frequently.
Moses W. Wheeler kept a general store.
R. Briggs & Co. dealt in cotton waste.
Henry Mason made shoe nails.
At Armory village Henry Tower made hoes, masons' trowels, and tri-squares.
1862
July 17. "Voted that the town pay each man who shall voluntarily enlist from this town, under the present requi- sition, the sum of $100 upon his being duly mustered into the service of the United States."
"Voted that the town add to the War Committee Horace Armsby, D. T. March, C. R. Miles, J. E. Bacon."
August 19. "Voted that the town pay one hundred dollars bounty in addition to that already voted to those men who enlisted between August 13th and the 15th inclusive, to fill up the quota of the town on the first 300,000 volunteers called for by the President."
"Voted that the Town offer a bounty of $150 to each man who will voluntarily enlist to fill up the quota of this town, on the last call for 300,000 men for nine months."
"Voted to choose the following persons as an addition to the War Committee: Dr. S. W. Cooke, E. E. Forbes, H. L. Bancroft, V. A. King, A. A. Livermore, George A. Perry, John G. Wood, Rufus Carter, George W. Mallalieu, Davis Guild, William H. Harrington, E. M. Holman."
Mills were running on full time and all who desired employment could find it. J. D. Wheeler made sheetings, the Stillwater Mill print goods, D. F. Wood Army blank- ets, and J. D. Green had two hundred men making breech-loading rifles for the Russian government, having furnished many for this government. Col. A. H. Waters had a large contract for bayonets and muskets, for the
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
United States. The Witherby Tool Company also had a contract for twenty-five thousand bayonets and ramrods.
A patent was granted to A. Stockwell and B. D. Humes for an improvement in looms.
October. 1st Lieut. John W. Emerson was presented with a sash and belt by friends, in honor of Lieutenant Emerson's second enlistment, the presentation speech being made by Col. A. H. Waters.
1863
March 16. It was voted that the selectmen "be author- ized to assist such families of volunteers as they shall think best, from the treasury of the town."
"Voted to abolish the school districts."
Citizens planned to petition the General Court for permission to build a horse railroad to Worcester. The estimated capital was $100,000.00.
Dr. H. G. Davis invented an improved carriage wheel and axle.
Mrs. A. C. Jordan kept a millinery store.
1864
March 30. "Voted the town will raise the sum of $4400, to be assessed at the next annual assessment, for the purpose of refunding money which has been contrib- uted by individuals, in aid of and for the purpose of pro- curing its proportion of the quota of volunteers called for from the Commonwealth, under the order of the President, dated October 17, 1863, and February 1, 1864, and for the purpose of paying $100 to each of those persons who have enlisted under said calls."
It was also "voted that the town pay those persons who have enlisted or may enlist in the United States service as a part of the quota of the town, under the last call of the President for 200,000 men, bounty as follows, to wit, to those who enlisted from the time the act was passed by the legislature, authorizing towns to raise money for this
THE WALLING MILL, 1886
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ANNALS 1851-1870
purpose to this day $100, to those who have enlisted today or who may hereafter enlist $125."
A meeting of the Society of Social Friends was held at the Millbury Bank on the 7th of April. They voted "That the library belonging to the Society be offered to the Town, for the purpose of founding a free public Library.
(signed) WM. H. HARRINGTON, SILAS DUNTON,
D. B. CHASE.
Committee of Society of Social Friends."
April. The town "voted to accept the library from the Society, and to choose a Board of Trustees to take charge of it. The first Board of Trustees chosen were: David Atwood, O. H. Waters, Hosea Crane. The Chairman of the School Committee and the principal of the High School were members ex-officio.
It was voted that the Roman Catholics be allowed to open a cemetery and that a committee of three be chosen to make arrangements which shall be satisfactory to Colonel Waters, to the Catholic Church, and to the town, in regard to a right of way to the said cemetery.
July 30. The funeral was held of Edward R. Harring- ton, who died on the twenty-eighth at Central Parish Hospital in New York of wounds received in the army of the Potomac.
John Humphries took out a patent for turning bayonet sockets.
The firm of Merriam, Simpson & Ray dissolved. The members of the company were, Adolphus Merriam, Peter Simpson, Francis B. Ray and Joseph G. Ray.
Two storehouses at the Walling mill burned, destroying three thousands dollars' worth of wool.
Richard Kimball, John E. Harrington, and Richard Stoyle at one time were blacksmiths in town. Mr. Kimball went to Philadelphia where he made railroad cars.
Dr. Underwood had an office in Millbury.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
1865
Two hundred dollars were voted for the town library.
Colonel Waters offered to give the land in order to make the road leading from the town hall to the cemetery. measure at least forty feet in width, provided that the town repair the road and fences.
The thanks of the town were voted to William Dickinson of Worcester, for the gift of a lot of land for the Park Hill schoolhouse.
April 13. Hosea Crane, Joseph Robbins, and Jason Emerson were chosen as a Board of Trustees, for Central Cemetery.
The town adopted by-laws in regard to truant children and the school committee recommended that the over- seers of the poor provide suitable accommodations for children sentenced under the truant law.
April. When Mr. Sibley brought to town news of the fall of Richmond, the citizens held a meeting at the Town Hall, but later adjourned to the Second Congregational Church, where spirited speeches were made. During the day bells were rung, bands played, and an effigy of Jefferson Davis was drawn about town.
May 30. The town voted to reimburse individuals for money paid for filling the quota of the town during the year 1864.
A. H. Waters advertised for sale all his machinery for making guns.
1866
March 19. The town "voted to adopt the following resolution : Whereas the frequent violation of the Sabbath has become a source of great annoyance to law- abiding citizens of this town. Therefore, Resolved: that we recommend that our board of selectmen see that the law relating to the matter be enforced."
November 6. It was voted to appropriate a sum of money, not exceeding $300.00, for the purpose of establish- ing evening schools.
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ANNALS 1851-1870
1867
March 11. It was "voted that the liquor agency be abolished and that the liquor on hand be turned into the street." (This was not fully executed.)
May. The "Ohio Mowing Machine Co.," of which J. E. Taylor was agent, dissolved.
June 5. At a meeting of the selectmen sixteen persons were appointed police officers.
June. The West Millbury post office was robbed.
November. The firm of Crane and Aldrich, dealers in dry goods and groceries, having a store in Randall's Block, dissolved.
A black otter, measuring four feet, six inches in length, was killed in West Millbury by Frank A. Goddard.
Thompson, Skinner & Co., machinists, were once located in this town, but later moved to Worcester.
Chester Hastings was a box manufacturer.
Thaniel Cutting kept a store.
1868
March 13. The Still-water mill was burned to the ground at half-past four in the morning, being nearly all destroyed before the fire was discovered.
April 20. Josiah L. Woodward's barn with all his stock, hay, and farming tools was burned at one o'clock in the morning.
June 24. It was "voted that no license be granted in this town, authorizing the sale of liquors to be drunk on the premises." This referred to both distilled and fermented liquors.
1869
February 3-4. A terrific storm of thunder and lightning passed over the town between eleven at night and one in the morning, accompanied by a driving hail.
March 15. It was "voted that a committee of five be chosen to investigate the matter of steam fire engines,
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
also to consider the feasibility of providing suitable reser- voirs for use in case of fire.
March 29. The committee on steam fire engines reported, "that they had visited two establishments for their manufacture, and examined the different machines, and were unanimous in recommending to the town the purchase of two machines of the third class, for $6000.00." The report was accepted.
November 2. A committee was chosen to investigate matters at the almshouse, complaints having been made of the management.
1870
March 14. The committee of investigation at the almshouse reported that the inmates had been well treated, and that the house had been kept in good order. John Hopkins, Esq., of the committee, dissented to some of the views of the majority and made a minority report. It was voted on motion of Colonel Waters "that the present master of the almshouse be discharged as soon as it can be legally done."
It was "Voted that the selectmen be instructed to appoint a committee to look after the interests of the town in matters relating to the proposed railway to Cutter's Summit. "
Six thousand dollars were voted for the support of schools.
September 6. It was "voted to take a vote by ballot to see if the town will allow the sale of ale, porter, and strong beer in the town." The result of the ballot was in the negative.
April 11. The first express train from Worcester to Providence passed Millbury at half past eleven in the forenoon.
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CIVIL WAR
CHAPTER XI
CIVIL WAR
In compiling an account of Millbury men in the Civil War the individuals have been grouped with the regiments in which they served, for it is only in a rough way that the career of the separate soldier may be ascertained, since the regimental returns were very inadequate. Indeed, not infrequently the papers and books of a regiment have been lost completely, either through the capture of headquarters or because of some necessity of strenuous campaigning. In other cases scant records were kept because of a fear lest information be given the enemy if the papers should be lost.
In the sketches which follow, engagements and cam- paigns are cited in which the individual may have taken part, although of this fact we cannot be altogether sure, as he may have been on detached service, on sick leave, or even in a Confederate prison.
The names that are included in this chapter comprise those men that were credited to Millbury in their enlist- ment, although several of these did not reside here at the time. It also includes men who have lived in the town since the Civil War, but who enlisted from other places. For this latter list we have been mainly dependent on the records of the George A. Custer Post, No. 70 G. A. R. The dates and notes recorded have been taken almost altogether from the publications of the adjutant-general's office of the state, although regimental histories, personal accounts, and the G. A. R. roster have also furnished material.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
During the Civil War Millbury furnished three hundred and forty-six men, of whom seven were officers-a surplus of twenty-six over all the demands that were made upon the town. Some of these, however, were re-enlistments or second enlistments. In 1861, 471 in the town were available for military service.
The first meeting held to consider matters relating to the war met May 7, 1861, when a vote was passed appoint- ing a war committee and authorizing the expenditure of all that the committee might deem needful in furnishing those who enlisted from the town with all that they might need, and the selectmen were directed at their discretion to supply the families of volunteers. This committee consisted of J. E. Waters, Hosea Crane, Nymphas Long- ley, Sylvester Smith, C. D. Morse, Silas Dunton, and David F. Wood. (See Annals, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865.) In March, 1862, twenty-three families were thus being assisted. From time to time the town also authorized the payment of bounties to the recruits who were credited to the town. The total amount that was paid out in aid of soldiers' families was $19,676.56 all of which was repaid by the State. The whole amount of money appropriated and expended for war purposes, exclusive of State Aid, was $35,930.74.
Although there was no local Soldiers' Aid Society organ- ized in the town the ladies of the several churches sent clothing and other supplies to the front and to the hos- pitals. They also took work for the "Soldiers' Rest" of Worcester and in other ways answered to the frequent calls for patriotic service that were made upon them. Teachers and pupils in the public schools devoted time to picking lint from linen cloth that was brought from the homes.
SECOND REGIMENT
The Second Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States May 25, 1861, and was mustered out July 14, 1865. It took part in the following engagements:
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, GEORGE A. CUSTER POST NO. 70, 1913
163
CIVIL WAR
Jackson, Port Royal, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Averysborough. It was one of two Massa- husetts regiments with Sherman's army in the march from the mountains to the sea.
Roster of Millbury men:
Name
Co.
Mustered
Discharged
Cause
Hall, Freeman L.
H
May 25, '61
Mar. 16, '63
Disability
Re-enlisted
Henck, Wm. C.
Feb. 14, '65
Never joined regiment
Hyde, William
D
May 25, '61
May 28, '64 Exp. of service
Credited to W. Boylston
Crosby, Pardon L.
F July 24, '62
Dec. 30, '63
Re-enlisted
Dec. 31, '63
July 14, '65
Exp. of service
Color sergeant. Credited to Bellingham
ELEVENTH REGIMENT
The Eleventh Regiment served as a regiment from June 13, 1861, until June 12, 1864, when the original mem- bers were mustered out, but the recruits and an additional company were formed into a battalion which served until July 14, 1865.
The regiment took part in the following engagements: First Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Bristoe Station, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotamy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Poplar Spring Church, Boydton Road.
Roster of Millbury men:
Name
Co.
Mustered
Discharged
Cause
Gross, David N.
K
Apr. 4, '64
July 14, '65
Exp. of service
Absent sick. Credited to Cambridge
Rhodes, Otis W.
I June 13, '61
July 1, '63 Disability Lost an arm
Stapleton, William
B Feb. 15, '65
May 17, '65
Exp. of service
(?) Wood, Silas G.
F Apr. 18, '62
Apr. 18, '65
Exp. of servic
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT
The Fifteenth Regiment of Massachusetts volunteers was mustered into the service of the United States June 12, 1861, under the command of Col. Charles Devens, Jr., and left for Washington Aug. 8, 1861. The regiment was recruited in Worcester County and its nucleus consisted of three companies, viz: A, B, and C, of the Ninth Regi- ment, to which were added recruits from many New England families that had been represented in the Revo- lution.
The regiment was first engaged at Ball's Bluff, Va., where it suffered severely. It was next engaged in the battles of the Peninsula campaign and afterwards at Antietam where 52 per cent were lost in killed and wounded and 24 were missing, for of 606 officers and men who entered the battle only 262 remained available for service. This was one of the heaviest regimental single battle losses of the war. So severe, indeed, were the casualties which the regiment suffered in its early fighting that it was reported to have been "shot to pieces."
The regiment was engaged in the battle of Fredericks- burg, but it did not suffer severely.
Not only in battle but also on the march the men won distinction for with the 19th regiment the 15th was com- plimented in General Orders, June 26, 1863, for marching in the best and most compact order and with the least straggling from the ranks.
The regiment took part in the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2 and 3, 1863, going into action with 18 officers and 221 men of whom 22 were killed and 93 wounded.
In August, 1863, 169 recruits were received. In the fall of that year the regiment was engaged in many skir- mishes and in the battles of Bristow Station and Robert's Tavern.
Early in 1864 about fifty re-enlisted for three years and about as many recruits were received. May 1, 1864, at the opening of the Spring campaign, there were about
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CIVIL WAR
three hundred officers and men present for duty, but in the battle of the Wilderness one half of this number were lost in killed and wounded. In all the marches from the Rapidan to Petersburg in which the Second Army Corps was engaged this regiment bore its part. On June 22d, only five officers and seventy men could be put into battle near the Jerusalem Plank Road before Petersburg and in the engagement nearly all of this remnant were cap- tured as prisoners, only one officer and five men escaping. These were placed in another command until the return of convalescents from the hospitals permitted an inde- pendent organization again.
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