USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 14
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Brooksy Case
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
tures on various subjects by distinguished speakers. Among those who appeared in Millbury were Wendell Phillips, Thomas Starr King, Horace Greeley, Dr. Charles Jewett, John B. Gough, and the Rev. I. Holbrook. The latter said that he had investigated the matter of the origin of the Lyceum and was satisfied that the institution originated here in Millbury about 1820. Since that time similar societies have been in existence in town. In 1856, a society of the kind flourished at Bramanville of which the late Bishop Willard Mallalieu was president when a young man. Connected with this society were many prominent citizens. The meetings were held in the vestry of the First Congregational Church, and in the meetings many young men of the period made their first attempts at public speaking.
MILLBURY LYCEUM
A Society called the "Millbury Lyceum" existed here in 1869-'70 which was formed "For the purpose of in- dividual improvement in public speaking and with a view to the attainment of a wider familiarity with subjects of historical interest or of current importance, and to the exercise of that respectful toleration and free expression of difference in opinion which best subserves the formation of correct judgment."
The officers were :-
President, John Hopkins; Vice Presidents, A. H. Waters, Silas Dunton, W. A. Lovell, George A. Flagg; Secretaries, Luther M. Lovell, and Rufus R. Crane; Treasurer, Ira N. Goddard.
Committee, R. N. Holman, F. H. Underwood, George N. Smith, William M. Clinton, N. H. Sears, D. J. Duggan.
Among those connected with this Society we find the following names, the list evidently being incomplete.
J. T. Treadwell E. Tobey
Rev. E. Y. Garrette
Dr. W. H. Lincoln
S. N. Rogers
Rev. S. Fowler
G. W. Heywood Dr. Leonard Spaulding
Dr. S. W. Cooke
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FORMER SOCIETIES IN MILLBURY
This society should not be confounded with the earlier one formed in 1820.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
In the early days of Millbury a society existed for the promotion of agriculture and had in its possession a small library. Meetings were held for a time at the Armory Village but other societies came into existence and it finally went the way of many other early organizations.
Many years later, a similar society was formed at West Millbury, called "The West Millbury Lyceum." Agri- cultural talks, debates, and an occasional exhibition, consisting of declamations, etc., made many an evening pass pleasantly.
MILLBURY ATHENEUM
In 1832, this organization possessed a library. Its meetings were held at Armory Village. From one of the volumes once in the Society's library, we extract the following information:
"Rules of The Millbury Atheneum, or Social Library
"1. The Library will be opened on every Saturday, from 2 to 9 P. M.
"2. Each share draws two volumes.
"3. No books can be retained more than three weeks, unless on penalty of one cent a volume per day.
"4. The holders of books are not permitted to loan them to others.
"5. When different applications are made for the same book, it shall go to the highest bidder.
"6. For defacing, mutilating, or otherwise injuring a book damages will be assessed by the Librarian.
"7. No proprietor will be permitted to draw books while fines or taxes remain against him unpaid.
"8. Shares, Three dollars each .- Transferrable at the Library room."
The books belonging to this society, as well as those which belonged to the Agricultural Society previously in existence, were donated to the "Society of Social Friends."
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
MATERNAL ASSOCIATION
As early as 1834, the above organization which was connected with the First Congregational Church was in existence, as its records show. Meetings were held once a month. The object of the society was to bring children up to become useful men and women. Article 7 of the by-laws was as follows: "It shall be the duty of this asso- ciation to provoke one another unto love and good works, and to defend each other's religious character from all unjust aspersions and surmises, whenever thus assailed."
The officers were:
President, Emily W. Herrick
Vice Presidents, Rebeckah March and Experience T. Holman.
Members:
Mrs. Bancroft
Emily W. Herrick
Rebeckah P. March
Experience T. Holman
Rebeckah Goddard
Eunice D. Goulding
Angeline Goodell
Betsey Blanchard
Harriet Putnam
Sarah Wood
Sarah W. Godell
Clara Hall
Lydia W. Woodward
Mrs. A. Gleason
Eliphal Lovell
Mrs. H. Tainter
The president of the association was the wife of the Rev. Osgood Herrick, pastor of the First Congregational Church.
ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY
A society of this name was in existence in 1835, instituted to resist the aggressions of the slave-power, and the organization had much to do with changing the senti- ment of the townspeople on the question of human slavery. Sterry S. Kegwin was secretary, and on the executive com- mittee were Samuel Waters, Dea. Tyrus March, Alexander Hamilton, John Morse, and Capt. Joseph Griggs. An active member of the society at this time was Orra Goodell, who hated slavery as much as he did the liquor business. The following extract from the work of "Garrison and his Times" shows the state of feeling, in Worcester county, against anti-slavery societies in the same year. "On the
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FORMER SOCIETIES IN MILLBURY
10th of August, 1835, at Worcester, Mass., the Rev. Orange Scott, a Methodist clergyman of high standing, while delivering an anti-slavery lecture, was assailed by a son of Ex-Governor Lincoln, who with the assistance of another man tore up his notes and offered him personal violence." (He was the clergyman who delivered the sermon at the dedication of the Methodist Church of Millbury in 1840.)
FEMALE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
On Friday, Sept. 9, 1838, some ladies of West Millbury met at the home of Alfred Torrey and formed a society with the above name. The Society did much good in its day, helping needy ones at home and abroad. The list of members included many of the early prominent families.
MORAL REFORM SOCIETY
A society called "The East Millbury Female Moral Reform Society " formerly existed in town. Its purpose was, as its title implies, the moral and religious improve- ment of the community. The "East Millbury" referred to was more commonly called Armory Village, i. e., Millbury Center.
SOCIETY OF SOCIAL FRIENDS
In the '50's and '60's literary and social interests were fostered among the faculty, pupils, and local friends of Millbury Academy (as the High School continued to be frequently called) by the "Society of Social Friends." Meetings were held at various houses, a library was main- tained, and for some time a paper called "The Port Folio" was edited by a committee from the society.
PHILODOXIAN DEBATING CLUB
In the number of "The Port Folio," for Jan. 24, 1853, the following notice is given: "Debating Club. A large number of people connected with the Academy, and
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
many others, have formed a society called the Philodoxian Club. The Club hold regular meetings for debate at the Academy, on Monday evening of each week. The meet- ings and debates are open to all . ." At a meeting of the club held at the time the perennial interests of man- kind are shown in the choice of a subject which was, "Are the Abilities of the Sexes Equal?" O. H. Waters was appointed to uphold the affirmative and H. A. Gale the negative. The secretary of the club at the time was A. Armsby.
LADIES' UNION ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY
Just before the erection of Union Chapel at West Mill- bury, in 1888, and for some time later, an organization bearing this name flourished in the village. Its work was similar to that now fostered by the present society into which it was merged. The members accomplished a work of lasting importance in giving to the village the present Union Chapel, for with them originated the idea of the structure and, with the help of others, the work was carried along until the building was completed. (See chapter on "Churches.")
MILLBURY CATHOLIC TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY
This society was organized largely through the influ- ence of William A. Walsh, Jan. 6, 1904, and was a factor for good from the time of its organization. It was re- quired of all members that the pledge be taken, on the first Sunday of each year, to abstain from all intoxicating drinks. Its first officers were:
Spiritual Director President
Vice President
Rec. Sec.
Finan. Sec.
Treasurer
Father Conlon William A. Walsh Robert F. Brown William R. Power Farnum Stevens Daniel F. Donovan
Board of Directors :- D. F. Kinnery, George F. Jaffery, Frank Flood, Charles A. Kennedy, James L. Ivory.
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ANNALS 1891-1913
CHAPTER XIV
ANNALS 1891-1913
1891
March 16. The town voted to adopt an act of the Legislature relating to public cemeteries.
It was voted to accept the cistern on the common and to settle with Mrs. Harrington for the same.
One hundred dollars were voted to furnish guide-boards through the town.
Osgood H. Waters, George F. Chase, and Amos Armsby were appointed as a committee to confer with the school committee and report plans for a new school house at Bramanville.
1892
March 21. The report of the committee appointed at the preceding annual town-meeting to report plans for a new school house at Bramanville was accepted.
The treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, was authorized to borrow money to the amount of $12,000 with which to build and furnish a schoolhouse at Braman- ville and to issue several notes of the Town for $1200, one being paid each year for ten years.
Evening schools were established and two hundred dollars were appropriated for their maintenance.
Two hundred and twenty-five dollars were appropriated for headstones at the graves of deceased soldiers.
One hundred dollars were appropriated for shade trees to be set on the highways and public grounds.
Five hundred dollars were appropriated for the construc- tion of a sidewalk from Wheeler's Village to West Mill- bury.
14
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
One thousand dollars were appropriated to widen West Main Street, Bramanville, from the house of William Shannahan to that of Mr. Merrigan and from Rhode's Street to the site of the Walling Mill.
June 14. At a special meeting the town voted two thousand dollars to complete and furnish the new school- house at Bramanville.
Oct. 10. L. L. Whitney, J. W. Sheehan, David Atwood, Ira N. Goddard, Charles D. Morse, F. A. Lapham, George F. Chase, Osgood H. Waters, and E. A. Grosvenor were chosen to act in conjunction with the selectmen to see what action the town would take in regard to abolish- ing the grade crossing of the Providence and Worcester Railroad over Elm Street near Gowing Bridge.
1893
March 20. The town adopted by-laws providing for the detention, care, and instruction of truants. All previous by-laws, conflicting with the new code, were rescinded.
Twenty-three hundred dollars were appropriated for street lights.
June 1. It was voted to accept Howe Avenue, as laid out by the selectmen, and to appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars to build the same.
The selectmen were authorized to contract with the Millbury Water Company for a supply of water for fire purposes and for public use, on terms to be mutually agreed upon, for a period of ten years.
June 19. It was voted to construct a concrete walk from Gould Street to the West End Flax Mill.
1894
January 27. It was voted as the sense of the town- meeting that the town should acquire as a state highway the county road leading from the Worcester line, on Main Street in Millbury, to the Sutton line in Millbury
THE FINE ARTS BUILDING, COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, 1893, CHICAGO CHARLES BOWLER ATWOOD, ARCHITECT
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ANNALS 1891-1913
on the road to Wilkinsonville; and that the selectmen petition the highway commission that the Commonwealth acquire this road as a state highway; also the selectmen were authorized and instructed to co-operate with the authorities in Sutton and Grafton to have this road extended to the Northbridge line.
March 19. It was "voted that an appropriation of two hundred and fifty dollars be made for constructing a sidewalk on the westerly side of Maple street, and five hundred dollars for the continuation of the sidewalk from West Millbury to the house of W. A. Harris, or as far as this appropriation will permit."
The thanks of the town were extended to Dr. George C. Webber for his twelve years' faithful service as a member of the school committee.
It was voted to enter into an agreement with the Mill- bury Water Company for sixty hydrants, to be used as protection against fire.
West Main Street, Bramanville, was widened from L. L. Whitney's to Burbank Square.
Five hundred dollars were voted for maintaining evening schools.
September 21. The town voted to appropriate three thousand dollars for altering, straightening and deepening the channel of the Blackstone River.
The selectmen were instructed to take action in com- pelling Worcester to purify its sewerage before emptying it into the Blackstone River. (See Annals, April 8, 1913.)
1895
March 18. It was "voted that the marking of the graves of the Revolutionary soldiers and sailors buried in this town be referred to the commissioners of cemeteries with power to act." One hundred dollars were appropriated for this work.
It was voted that the town reorganize a company of twenty men as Lion Engine Company, No. 5, at West Millbury.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
Eleven thousand dollars were appropriated for schools.
A loan of five thousand dollars was authorized with which to pay for abolishing the grade crossing at Gowing Bridge.
The genuineness of the Indian relics which have been found in Millbury and Sutton from time to time in years past was settled today beyond question. At least, Prof. Frederick W. Putnam of Peabody Institute, Cam- bridge, is satisfied that the bowls, fancy cut stones, arrow heads, and picks, are the handiwork of the Indians. With Professor Putnam, were his assistants in the museum, George A. Dorsey and C. C. Willoughby, also Professor Putnam's class of four young men.
The company went out 'on Soapstone Hill, to the rear of W. E. Horne's store, just off High street. Some of Mr. Horne's men were put to work digging under the shadow of the big ledge which hangs from the hillside. At a depth of about three feet, seven or eight Indian bowls were dug up. Most of these were broken. The broken ones were about six inches in diameter. One perfect bowl found was oval shaped, about nine inches long and six inches wide, with knobs on the ends to do service as handles.
Two stone picks were also found. Professor Putnam stated that the genuineness of one of the picks cannot be questioned, while the second one was probably the handi- work of the Indians as well. One of the picks was made of quartzite and was about eight inches long and two inches thick. The quartzite is a mixture of quartz and mica. The second one was much smaller, being about four inches long and an inch thick. This was of pure quartz and was very hard.
Professor Putnam said that he should subject the quartzite pick to a water cleansing, this being the only way to preserve the natural surfaces. He said rubbing it with the hand would be very injurious, while, by allowing a stream of water to run on the pick, he should expect to
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ANNALS 1891-1913
find particles of soapstone on the end where the pick had been used in shaping the rudely made implements and dishes made by the Indians.
The bowls found were made of steatite, or soapstone.
The floor of the cave under the big ledge was dug up to a considerable depth, but nothing more than some curious rock specimens were found.
Following dinner, the relics found were discussed, and some of the other relics found in this vicinity recently were exhibited.
George Burton Stowe showed a bowl of soapstone, about 8 inches deep and 20 inches in diameter. The bowl was found on the Freeman farm at West Millbury, and for forty years had been used for watering hens and chickens. The bowl weighed about 100 pounds. Pro- fessor Putnam said that the bowl was the work of the Indians.
Mr. Rockwood showed a fishhook, a number of bones of fowls and animals, fancy cut stones and several bowls, all of soapstone, found near Soapstone hill, some of them within two weeks.
Mr. Crane showed a gouge 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, made from stone, found by him near Ramshorn pond last fall.
All these relics were, in the opinion of Professor Putnam, the work of the Nipmuc Indians.
During the afternoon a number of bowls and picks were dug up, similar to those found in the morning. Mr. Willoughby exposed a number of plates for making some pictures of the locality. The students took the relics with them to be placed in the museum at the Peabody Institute.
1896
Ten men were added to Lion Engine Co. at West Mill- bury and one hundred dollars were appropriated with which to pay them.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
It was voted that the selectmen be a committee to confer with the Millbury Water Company and to require it to make a report according to law.
The naming of the streets was left with the selectmen with power to act.
June 9. It was voted to accept the location of a por- tion of the highway near the mill of Edwin Hoyle, in West Millbury, provided that it be of no expense to the town.
It was voted to pay one hundred and fifty dollars to the Second Congregational Church for damages to its bell and for the use of the new bell under the same guarantee as the town voted March 6, 1885.
The Millbury Electric Company was authorized to light the streets with thirty-two arc and six incandescent lights for one year for the sum of two thousand dollars.
1897
March 15. The town "voted to appropriate twenty dollars for a storm flag to be used to indicate changes in the weather."
Park Street as laid out by the selectmen was accepted as a public way.
Sec. 6 of Article I. of the by-laws of the town were amended by striking out the words "first day of March," and inserting in place thereof "third Wednesday of February," so that the article will read "The fiscal year as far as the accounts of the several town officers are concerned shall close on the third Wednesday of February, and all accounts be made up to that time."
Three thousand dollars were appropriated for expenses in the lawsuit against the city of Worcester.
1898
March 21. It was voted "that the town adopt the provisions of Chap. 331 of the acts of the Legislature of 1888, relating to taking or catching pickerel in Singletary Lake or any of the ponds within the Town of Millbury."
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ANNALS 1891-1913
The town voted "No" on licensing the sale of intoxi- cating liquor. 1899
One hundred and sixty dollars were appropriated for the purchase of headstones for the graves of deceased soldiers.
1900
The town accepted the extension of Orchard Street, two hundred feet to the north.
A committee of four, consisting of H. W. Aiken, Esq., George F. Chase, J. H. Ferguson and Charles B. Perry, Esq., was appointed to act with the school board in con- sidering the building of a new school house, and to report at a future meeting.
April 16. The committee appointed to consider and report on building a new school house submitted two reports: one, that a new building be erected; the other, that the Union School house be repaired and altered to meet the present exigency.
May 16. The selectmen appointed Thomas A. Winter as burial agent.
In accordance with the report of the committee on appropriations, the town voted that Union School building be repaired, that rooms be added, that a good heating and ventilating plant be installed and that ten thousand dollars be appropriated for the purpose.
On page 326 of the town records for the year 1900 appears for the first time the Town Seal. The committee chosen at a former meeting reported as follows:
"Having considered the matter referred to them, the committee caused to be engraved a seal, the device of which has for a central figure a mill, to represent industries from which the town received its name, Millbury, and two crossed muskets, a product of the town, used in three of our country's wars. By virtue of the authority reposed in us under the aforesaid vote, the seal, an impres- sion of which is hereupon affixed, is made and established the Town Seal of Millbury."
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
1901
March 18. The town "voted that in addition to the dog fund seven hundred dollars be appropriated for the Town Library."
Three hundred dollars were appropriated to aid needy soldiers or their widows.
Four hundred dollars were appropriated for buying from the heirs of A. H. Waters a tract of land adjoining the High School and Union School buildings.
October 27. The first car on the Blackstone Valley trolley line ran into Worcester a few minutes after two o'clock. It was crowded to its utmost capacity. The road soon afterward started on a regular schedule.
1902
March 17. One hundred and twenty-five dollars were voted, as the town's share, to be contributed toward the erection of a monument to the men of Worcester County who enlisted in the War of the Rebellion.
May 23. At a special meeting the town voted to accept a contract with the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the construction of a section of state highway beginning at the Worcester line and extending to or toward the Grafton line.
1903
March 16. The treasurer was instructed to pay no money, except upon a duly appointed bill or voucher, and to the party to whom it is due.
The committee appointed to investigate the conduct of the poor department was authorized to place in the hands of all liquor sellers in town a list of all persons whose names are, or have been within one year, on the books of the overseers and to report to the overseers the names of any persons known to give or sell liquor to the same, to- gether with names of the purchasers.
Article 16 in the Warrant read, "to see if the town would vote to raise annually the sum of one thousand dollars,
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ANNALS 1891-1913
if Andrew Carnegie would give a Library Building and Miss Delia C. Torrey give the land upon which to erect it." A committee was appointed to consider the matter.
The town voted to accept nine hours as a day's work by its employees.
A committee was appointed to investigate the accounts of the various town officers and to report a uniform system of accounts.
May 11. The committee appointed to consider the proposition to accept a lot for a library building, which was understood to be offered by Mr. Carnegie, if the town complied with his conditions, reported that thanks be given for the offer made, but the committee thought that the town could not afford to raise annually the amount required. The report of the committee was accepted.
A reference section was established in the town library. June 15. The selectmen were authorized to contract with the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the construction of a section of state road in town as proposed by the commission. Accordingly, the selectmen made a contract with the State Highway Commissioners to build a section of state road beginning where the first section ended (built from the city line on the Worces- ter road towards the town) and continuing to a point a few rods north of Greenwood street.
1904
March 21. The town voted "that whenever any money is payable by the town of Millbury to any person whose taxes are then due and wholly or partly unpaid, the collector of taxes shall request the town treasurer to with- hold payment of said money to an amount not to exceed the unpaid tax with interest and costs."
The town accepted the invitation of the town of Sutton to participate in its bi-centennial celebration. Millbury was represented by the selectmen.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
May 26. At a special meeting it was voted that the selectmen contract with the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the construction of a section of state road on North Main Street to a point near Martin Street.
July 26. The selectmen were authorized to sign an agreement to indemnify the commonwealth against all claims for land and grade damage caused by the con- struction of North Main Street (near Martin Street) as a state road.
1905
March 20. It was voted that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to consider Millbury's past history with its industries and to report at some future meeting, to the end that such an account be preserved in book form. The chair appointed George F. Chase, the Rev. George A. Putnam, Ira N. Goddard, John C. Crane, and George W. Mallalieu as that committee.
1906
March 19. It was voted that the town concur with the board of harbor and land commissioners in a proposed change in the boundary line between Millbury and Oxford (see town records for 1906, pp. 474-478); also that the town concur with the same commission as to the boundary lines between Millbury and Sutton (see town records for 1906, p. 478).
It was voted that the selectmen be a committee to take action to force the city of Worcester to purify its sewerage, as decreed by the court, and that counsel be employed.
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