USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 25
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overlooking as it does the scenes of his early labors. The town purchased the building and it was used for nearly thirty years as a schoolhouse; and on the site a handsome school building was built later. The older building is the next above the present Burbank schoolhouse.
CHAPLIN-BRAMAN-MARBLE HOUSE, OLD COMMON
This old residence, facing the Old Common, or old train- ing ground, was once the home of the Rev. Ebenezer Chaplin. Later it was the residence of Dr. Amasa Bra- man. The place is now occupied by Mr. Charles Marble, son of the late Henry Marble. The doctor's still- house was a little way from here on the corner of Elm- wood and Beach streets where cider-brandy was distilled.
THE ELLIOT-SEVERY-GILSON HOUSE
The ancient and forsaken old mansion, once the home of Captain Andrew Elliot, a soldier of the Revolution and captain of one of the Sutton companies, was built before 1771, if the tradition is true that it was erected by Captain Timothy Carter who died in that year. He left no sons and only his older daughter Anna married, so far as the .town records show. Certainly she, as the wife of Andrew Elliot, was long mistress of the mansion. Their two older sons died before the father, the third son remained in Millbury, and the fourth son, John, removed to Liver- more, Maine. Both the Elliot family and the Severy family which later occupied the property are extinct by name in Millbury.
Like many of the best farm houses of its time, the old house is dominated by a large central chimney, is two stories in height, and so placed as to command a beautiful prospect over the valleys towards Worcester, but its distinguishing feature is an unusually elegant cornice with brackets, which is returned at the corners upon the end walls with skill and fine effect. The interior well
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THE CAPTAIN ANDREW ELLIOTT - GILSON HOUSE
THE BARTON - DAVIDSON HOUSE
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repays a visit, especially the ancient best room at the south- west corner of the ground floor which, with its panelled and wainscoted walls, timbered ceiling and quaint buffet built into one corner, is still a dignified apartment, even in its neglected and abandoned state, suggesting how charming it must have been when furnished in the olden style. This is, perhaps, the best example in town representing the traditions of local craftsmanship of the time when the carpenter made good joinery before the coming of machine tools destroyed his art. Although he might have had only a single book for his instruction, that was a good one and was principally an explanation of the classic orders, thus explaining why we discover in these old houses that their builders knew the value of such simple architectural virtues as simplicity, balance and good proportion in parts and in whole. Above all, there was an appreciation of good proportion which, about 1840, almost became a lost art. Many old Mill- bury doorways show that their makers did possess that understanding.
Mr. Wm. J. Gilson has built a new house a few rods west of the old one and now occupies the modern one and works the farm.
FREELAND-GOFFE-GARFIELD HOUSE
The residence of Andrew P. Garfield, facing the old common, is a fine old building. This house is reputed to have been built by Dr. Freeland in 1772. It has dis- tinction in the small sized old window panes that are undisturbed in the ell part of the house. In 1872, the building was remodelled in the interior. Within are preserved many house utensils of early New England. It was the home of the Rev. Joseph Goffe, the best known old-time minister of the First Church of Millbury. Here "Priest Goffe," as he was called, for many years produced those sermons that stirred his hearers in the long ago. The old mansion has witnessed many stirring scenes in
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times past, but the old soldiers have vanished from the training ground in front, the church building has been removed to Bramanville, the old still-house went in flames, and the old settlers, one by one, have passed away.
FULLER-TRASK-DAVIDSON HOUSE
Probably the oldest (1742) of the houses still standing in town is that of Mr. Henry W. Davidson, at West Millbury. It is two-stories high and the roof has a long slope on the rear side. The old building, a relic of pre- Revolutionary times and an interesting memento of the early days of Sutton and Millbury, is still a substantial structure. Pleasantly situated on high ground it com- mands a good view of West Millbury and the surrounding country. A short distance south may be seen the old mansion of Col. Jonathan Holman, a son-in-law of Cap- tain Trask. To the southeast may be seen Potter Hill, not far from which is the site of the home of John David- son, an early ancestor. In this family were one Colonial and two Revolutionary soldiers.
We are indebted to Mr. Walter Davidson, secretary of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the following facts relating to the old homestead and the land about it. "The land was sold to Jonathan Fuller, by Nathan Kenney, April 6, 1742, for three hundred seventy pounds. Forty-eight acres being the amount. May 3, 1742, Jonathan Fuller sold to Samuel Trask (b. 1721, a nephew of Mrs. Jonathan Fuller), 'who has lived with me from infancy and whom I have adopted' one half of his farm, and the other half to be his at the death of said Fuller and wife, forty-eight acres and buildings, the consider- ations being tender love and regard and five shillings. Capt. Samuel Trask added parts to the farm as follows: from Wm. Fiske-June 6, 1742; also in 1747; from Tim- othy Carter, Sept. 23, 1748; from Jonathan Kenney, Dec. 13, 1752; from Amos Chase, April 20, 1762; from G. Gould, Oct. 4, 1763. The original barn was built in
THE FULLER - TRASK - DAVIDSON HOUSE
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1761, and was in use for one hundred and fifty years." To the building mentioned by Mr. Fuller, in 1742, an addition was made a short time afterwards. Over the front door appears the date, 1743. On the death of Samuel Trask, March 7, 1790, the property was inherited by his son Jonathan.
Senator George F. Hoar took a great interest in this old mansion and some years ago he paid a visit to the house, examining the old structure.
COL. JONATHAN HOLMAN HOUSE, WEST MILLBURY
Col. Jonathan Holman, a large real estate owner, pos- sessed about three thousand acres. The following deed shows the amount of land on the Holman homestead where Colonel Holman built the mansion house, in 1812- 13, and it also locates some of our early settlers of West Millbury:
"1758, March 14, Solomon Holman of Sutton, Deeded to Jona- than Holman the following :-
" All that my certain messuage or Tenement of housing and Land Situate in Sutton, afore sd where I now Dwell, containing by Esti- mation one hundred acres, be the same more or less & in what I call my homestead through which goes a Town way from ye pre- cinct meeting house to Rams-horn pond. The whole bounded as follows-namely-northerly on Land of Samuel Trask-Easter- ly part on Land of Simon Tainter and partly on Land of said Jonathan Holman. Southerly partly on sd Town way & partly on land of Stephen Small-& westerly on Land of Jacob Snow & partly on Land of Abel Chase-also the half part of my Saw mill with the mill Dams thereto belonging-said mill stands on a stream running out of said pond with one half of all appurtenances to the mill belonging & one half ye Liberty of yard Room-said home- stead acres comes westerly on land of Solomon Holman, Jr. Dwelling there on for myself my Heirs etc. do covenant and En- gage the above-demised premises to him the said Jonathan Holman, etc, to secure and Defend by These Presents-(his mother's thirds should she out live).
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal This 14 Day of March In the 30th year of His majesty's Reign Anno Dom-1758-In the presence of Dolly Drowne J. Chandler
Recorded March 14, 1758- - the mens (meeting house) first Lib. 39 page 529. informed before Signing- SOLOMON HOLMAN (seal)"
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This place was occupied in 1915 by Mr. John W. Pierce. The house is a large, commodious structure representative of the wealthy and influential New Englander of early days.
JACOBS-MCGRATH HOUSE, WEST MILLBURY
This old building was, many years ago, the home of Deacon Elisha Jacobs, whose daughter was married to Sewall Brown, once a well-known citizen of the town. Sixty years ago the place was in the possession of Jedediah Bugbee. Next, it was owned by Patrick McGrath, father of the present occupant. The road at present ends here, but formerly it continued on by the home of Stephen Stockwell. On an old road, which formerly ran north from the home of the first Jonathan Waters, there once lived Timothy Allen, who is said to have been the Nimrod of this region. He once had a difficulty with the occupant of this Elisha Jacobs place and determined to get his revenge. A barrel of cider had been left exposed in the yard, whereupon Allen, early one morning, took a position where he could get a good sight of it, and he shot the spigot- hole so that the contents were released. When the owner went to remove his cider to the cellar, he found that the barrel was empty and, although he was puzzled for some time to know what had become of his beverage, ere long the bullet-hole was found and the mystery was solved. Tim had his revenge.
ELIAS LOVELL HOUSE
The Elias Lovell house was built on the usual lines of the country home of the past century with the addition of an ell. This is situated opposite the reservoir on Burbank hill near the Millbury-Sutton boundary. It is the birthplace of Mr. Russell B. Lovell, the nonogenarian. Until recently the property was owned by David Ring who married one of the family.
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MANSFIELD-HALL-BALCOM HOUSE
The old house, owned by the heirs of Willard Balcom, is situated in West Millbury on the road leading to Auburn and Oxford. It is a two-story structure with a hip-roof and an outside wall of brick, one tier thick. The main building remains as it was originally built. The place was held by Thaddeus Hall previous to the Civil War. Thus it was the home of Orson Hall, his son, who, at the time of the capture of New Orleans by the Union forces in 1862, was the proprietor of the St. Charles Hotel in that city.
MARBLE-WATERS-HAIRYES HOUSE, WEST MILLBURY
This house, one of the oldest dwellings in town, was originally the residence of Deacon Solomon Marble who came here from the south part of the town (Sutton) previous to 1797. It is an old landmark. The place later came into the hands of 'Squire Simeon Waters from whom it descended to his son, Simeon Sylvester Waters, father of Lyman S. Waters. A later owner was Mr. Charles Buckley from whom it passed to Mr. Thomas Windle, who made extensive alterations on the buildings. The house took fire in the fall of 1913, but it was repaired. The property is now owned by Mr. Henry Glover.
DEACON MARCH PLACE, BRAMANVILLE
The house and farm situated on the northwestern side of the old road that led to West Millbury, i. e., on the southeastern side of Brierly Pond, and one of the old landmarks of Bramanville, is owned by Mr. William E. Horne, but was formerly occupied by Deacons Tyrus and David March. From an old deed (Dec. 19, 1806) we learn that Simeon Waters, previous to his purchase of the Dea. Solomon Marble farm, at West Millbury, from Joel Marble, was the owner of this March Place, purchasing it from Ebenezer Sibley. Other parties
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mentioned in this deed whose land adjoined were Col. Caleb Burbank, Carter and David Elliot, Abigail Sibley and Dr. Amasa Braman. From an old plan in possession of Lyman S. Waters, a grandson of 'Squire Simeon, one may see the course of the old road, now discontinued, which formerly ran on the West Shore of Brierly's Pond. Abigail Sibley, single, deeded land to Simeon Waters near his farm.
MARCY HOUSE
Just above the mill of John S. Rich, toward the old common, there is an old two-story house, which was once the home of Amos Singletary, a basket-maker, and a descendant of that family who early located here. He is not, however, the Amos Singletary who had the honor of being a member of the Provincial Congress. Here also once lived the Dwinnels. Still later, this house was occupied by Jeremiah Marcy, a cousin of Wm. L. Marcy, who was a United States Senator, Governor of New York, 1832-1838, and an important United States official in 1853.
PIERCE HOUSE, WEST MILLBURY TOWN FARM, 1835-1913
This house and farm is the home of the Pierce family for Dr. Ebenezer Pierce of the Woburn branch of the family settled here. The farm is located but a short dis- tance from the home of George I. Stowe, on the road leading to Auburn. The house was the home and office of the first Town Clerk of Millbury, 'Squire Aaron Pierce. Although at present this place seems to be too far removed to serve as the town clerk's office, at that time the Old Common was the center of the town. From the annals of the town, from old deeds and from other docu- ments, we learn that the town clerk of the early days was influential in private as well as in public affairs. 'Squire Pierce was one of the old-school gentlemen and
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highly respected. Like 'Squire Simeon Waters, and 'Squire Ephraim Goulding, he was frequently consulted by the early citizens. The old house is two stories in height and sits a little back from the road. It has sheltered many older citizens who have passed through misfortunes and mishaps in life's struggles, and given them a haven of rest, free from turmoil and strife. It is related of one citizen, who for a time found a home here, that he one day disappeared, and was sought in vain. He was a man of good address, with good clothes, and had a considerable knowledge of law. One bright morning a fine barouche drove up to the door of the farm house and from it came the lost inmate of the farm. After securing his few belongings, he jumped into his equipage, waved his hand and disappeared for all time, so far as his residence here was concerned. He had found a wealthy client in another town, who was glad to get his legal services at a moderate price. We withhold his name but in days gone by it was a power here.
SMALL-STOWE FARM, WEST MILLBURY
Stephen Small, a Colonial soldier, was the original settler on the farm now occupied by G. Burton Stowe. This extends from the West Millbury Cemetery to the shore of Ramshorn Pond and it is noted for its production of hay, fruit, and vegetables. Capt. Samuel Small, a son of Stephen, was in the Revolutionary war. Aaron Small, a highly respected member of this family, who spent his life on the farm and for many years had extensive cider and vinegar works, was father of the late Samuel A. Small, one of the best-known citizens. From the labor of this family of Smalls fine orchards were developed which are still in a high state of production and are prob- ably the largest apple orchards in town. From its very earliest settlement the farm remained in that family till a few years ago, when it was bought by Mr. G. B. Stowe, who has improved the property.
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RUFUS STOCKWELL HOUSE
This house, situated on Martin Street near the corner of North Main, is one of the solid old structures which no doubt antedates the beginning of the town, and it is well preserved. It contains a buffet cupboard in a lower front room extending from the floor to the ceiling. A fireplace is still in existence, as of old. Wide timbers extend through the center of the ceiling in the rooms, as they commonly did in houses built a century or more ago. An old style stairway is still standing which leads to the story above. The interior of the old building suggests people and days long since passed away. The property is now occupied by descendants of Rufus Stockwell.
HOUSE OF WILLIAM H. STOCKWELL, WEST MILLBURY
This homestead is of great age, and was the home of several in the Pierce family, descendants of the deacon, Dr. Ebenezer Pierce. The farm adjoins that of Colonel Holman and that of Stephen Small. It is on the North Oxford road and stands as a landmark of early days. Members of this early household became connected with the Waters and Burbank families by marriage. Capt. Abijah Burbank's second wife, Mary, was the daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Pierce. The house later came into the hands of Robert Jones, who was a well-known citizen, held town office, and was deeply interested in religious matters and other good enterprises. He married one of the Pierce family. From Mr. Jones, the place passed into the hands of Mr. S. Stockwell, who married Lucine, a daughter of Mr. Jones.
TAINTER-STOWE HOUSE, WEST MILLBURY
The George I. Stowe house is one of the oldest in town, and was built about the time that the Henry W. Davidson house was erected. It is known that the structure has withstood the storms of a century and three-fourths, and
THE WALLING MANSION
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it is still in good condition. This was the early home of the well-known Tainter family which figured largely in our early history, as we learn from the church and Rev- olutionary records which give us the names of many of this name. Mr. Stowe, the present owner of the property, has made great improvements on the farm. The farm is suited to general crops, especially cabbages, corn and apples. In a walnut grove a short distance from the house, there is an excellent spring of water from which the Indian of early days undoubtedly supplied himself, for numerous relics, such as arrow heads, have been found nearby. The present owner has utilized the spring for a system of water supply.
THE RUFUS WAIT HOUSE
This old place on the road to Bucks Village, just beyond the Tourtellotte House, or "The Lower Tavern," was once the home of the well-known Wait family. Two at least of these were soldiers of the Revolution, whose graves in the County-bridge cemetery are so marked. Rufus Wait resided here during the continuance of the Blackstone Canal and was in charge of two of the canal- locks which were then situated near this place, as we learn from his old account book (now in the possession of Mr. George F. Chase). The old building is two and one-half stories in height, similar to many of the old homes of Revolutionary days and is well-preserved. In front of the house still stands the old horse-block, for- merly used by members of this family in mounting their steeds for a ride to mill, meeting, or elsewhere. Near the well is an old Indian relic, a mortar about ten inches in diameter. The house is at present occupied by members of the Thomas Hill family.
NELSON WALLING HOUSE
The Walling house, one of the finest residences in town, is situated on spacious grounds bounded by Miles, Main
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
and Canal streets. Between the latter street and this mansion there were several locks of the Blackstone Canal. On this location originally stood the home of the March family, and the place was in their hands for a long time. The present house was built by Clough R. Miles, Esq., who was an important figure in town in his day, for the old justices of the peace often held court here, with the 'squire presiding. 'Squire Mills of Sutton also frequently sat on the bench here in the preliminary trial of cases. These justices, together with 'squire Randall, the old- time lawyer, expounded much law here, in the days now passed away.
Mr. Nelson Walling extensively remodelled the house and graded the grounds which previously showed traces of the excavations made for the canal locks.
THE WATERS-SABINE-CARTER HOUSE
Previous to building this house, Asa Waters, the first, lived on the Bramanville main street, at the east corner of the lane leading to his factory (Rhodes St.). The elm planted in front of this earlier house attained a great size and was not cut down until after 1900.
The date when the house on Elmwood Street was built is uncertain; but was not earlier than 1771 and not later than 1793. It was then the stateliest and most comfort- able residence in the town. A typical New England village dwelling of the best class, the house had four square rooms on each floor of the main house, besides a capacious ell. A huge chimney arose from its center. The front door faced the street and opened upon a little square fenced garden, such as give so much diginity to some of the houses that have survived from that period in Salem and Newburyport. In 1805, when Asa Waters had reached the age of sixty-three years, he deeded half the house and grounds to his son Samuel, then living in a smaller house about 100 rods to the northeast, remains of which can still be seen in the field. At the same date
THE WATERS - CARTER HOUSE
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as that deed, Asa Waters made his will, bequeathing to the son Samuel the remaining half of the house, but mak- ing the reservations, common in old wills, in favor of the widow, Samuel's mother, so that the latter should have a comfortable home in the house, where her son should continue to furnish his mother with the comforts and luxuries to which she had been accustomed. Shortly after this, Samuel and his family removed to the mansion to live with his father who survived until 1813, and there Samuel lived until his own death in 1858, and there Sam- uel's widow continued to live until her decease in 1870. Asa Waters, his children, his grandchildren and great- grandchildren occupied the house for about one hundred years.
Elder Samuel Waters, as he was called, was deeply interested in the welfare of the church of which he was elder, holding his time and his means ever at its service. He was active as a manufacturer and, about 1828, built the stone mill on the site or just above the site where his father had established the first armory on the Singletary. The stone structure is now the Holbrook Mills (p. 258). He is remembered as a stirring man, intensely interested in whatever subject commanded his attention. His farm was a fine one. On the death of Samuel, the property passed to his son-in-law, Harvey Goodell, and then to another son-in-law, George Sabine, who lived there many years. Henry W. Carter acquired the property in 1883 and has made alterations and extensive improvements.
Approached from the east the house seems to stand at the focus of a noble amphitheatre of hills, with out- buildings and barns stretching to an imposing length. They stand on a terracing of masonry walls, below which runs a clear brook. Altogether it looks the ideal home of the comfortable farmer. Our illustration has caught the charm of the place. Its windows overlook a prospect of broad meadows towards the river, above which rise the trees, roofs and towers of the center village.
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WELLMAN-CARTER HOUSE, OLD COMMON
The Wellman-Carter house was built, about 1747, for the Rev. James Wellman, the first North Parish minister. The house is a large plain wooden building with an ell. The old structure stands on the corner of the road leading to Auburn. Here resided Dr. Timothy Longley and Cyrus Faulkner, worthies of old days. The house and farm many years ago came into the hands of Mr. Rufus Carter, who lived here for many years.
WATERS-WOOD-SOULE FARM, WEST MILLBURY
The Soule place, one of the largest and best farms in the town, was originally settled by Nathaniel Waters, a brother of Jonathan, who settled the C. R. Harris farm adjoining. Portions of the original buildings with the water privilege were sold to Solomon Holman by Nathaniel Waters, but some land was later added by John G. Wood. From the Waters family the farm passed to Capt. Amasa Wood and for nearly one hundred years it remained in the Wood family. As described in the sketch of Captain Wood, boot and shoe manufacturing was once carried on here. The old factory building and the country store kept by the Wood family have been moved back from their original location. About 1870 this farm, then owned by Mr. John G. Wood, was the most noted stock farm in the county.
OLD HOTELS
The old hotel, known as "The Lower Tavern," has stood for many years and was a place well known through- out the county. It has had many proprietors. During the time it was occupied by Charles A. Tourtellotte, the hall in the old building was a popular place for dancing- parties. During the time of Mr. Tourtellotte's occupancy he was the owner of the once famous "Tom Hyer", a horse that in his prime could trot a mile in 2:37. "Old
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Tom" appeared almost annually at the Worcester County horse and cattle show, and nearly always won his race. The place was famous for its bird-suppers, Later, land- lord John White, a son-in-law of Mr. Tourtellotte, marrying his oldest daughter, kept the hotel for over twenty years and was the most popular hotel keeper in town. He was a crack shot, and always had a larder full of game-birds.
The old Hotel kept by Simon Farnsworth, and later by Elijah A. Johnson, stood on the site of the present Town Hall. It was destroyed by fire and its ruins were unsightly for a long time. One old barn, which escaped the flames, was used for many years as a livery stable.
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