USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Millbury > Centennial history of the town of Millbury, Massachusetts, including vital statistics, 1850-1899 > Part 9
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RUFUS STOCKWELL HOUSE
THE WAITE- HILL HOUSE
115
BLACKSTONE CANAL
another lock was to be constructed; thence, on land of Nathan Perry; thence, on land of Elijah Burbank, with the privilege of constructing a lock; thence, on land of Isaac Willard, and on land of Leonard Kingsbury, also land of Isaac Willard; thence, on land of Moses Park, with the privilege of erecting a dam across the river, and constructing a feeder into the Canal, also constructing a lock on said Park's land; thence, on land of Aaron Parks, and on land of Mr. Marble; thence, crossing the road on land of Daniel Aldrich, and on land of James Greenwood; thence, on land of Abner Pitts, and on land of Asa Waters. On this last course the road was to be located further north, and the road location was to be occupied for the canal. Thence, on land of Simon Farnsworth; the road adjoining this land to be located further north, and the present location of the road to be used for the canal; thence, on land of Widow Waters, the road adjoin- ing this land to be turned farther north, and its present site to be used for the Canal; thence, on land of Nathaniel and Andrus March; thence, on land of Asa Waters; thence, on land of Goddard, Harrington, and Woodward; thence, on land of widow Waters, with the privilege of placing spoil-banks on her land; crossing the road thence, on land of Nathaniel and Andrus March; crossing the road, (Main St.) thence, with the necessary privileges in the vicinity of five locks, etc .; thence, on land of Goodell Manufacturing Co .; thence, on land of Joshua Wait with the privilege of constructing locks, etc., on said land; thence on land of Joshua and John Wait, crossing the road (Grafton Rd.) with the privilege of constructing two locks, with other appendages, on said land; thence, on land of David P. Chase; thence, on land of Samuel Goodale; thence, on land of Widow Relief Brown; thence, on land of Asa and Lyman Goodale, with the privilege of constructing a lock, etc., on said Goodale's land; thence, on land of Joshua Chase, crossing the road; thence, on land of Paul C. Chase; and thence, down the valley.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
The first boat for the canal, the "Lady Carrington," was completed June 28, 1828, and was fitted up for the accommodation of passengers. The first boat which passed the whole length of the canal arrived in Worcester, Oct. 6, 1828, although parts of the canal had been navi- gated previously. On this day the packet boat, "Lady Carrington," from Providence, reached the upper basin at the head of the Canal, and was moored there, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Her arrival was announced by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells. The first inrush of water made some repairs to the newly made bank necessary, but on November 8th, 1828, the boats began making regular trips, and a fleet of six arrived at Worcester from Providence on that day.
In the official map of Massachusetts, issued in 1844, the location of the Canal from Millville to Farnumsville is given on the west side of the Blackstone River, and from Farnumsville to Worcester on the east side.
Oct. 8, 1828, the Massachusetts Spy stated that the "Lady Carrington" would take passengers from Wor- cester to Millbury, on October 9th, and return in the evening. The boat "Independence" also made excursion trips between the two towns.
In 1829, Jabez Hull was agent in Millbury securing patronage for the boat "Governor Lincoln." One of the boats was named "Millbury" in honor of the town.
The amount of freight delivered to Millbury by the canal during five of the years of its operation was as follows :-
In 1831, 876 tons;
In 1832, 1140 tons; In 1833, 1316 tons; In 1834, 1533 tons; In 1835, 1375 tons;
In the same time there were shipped from Millbury:
In 1831, 360 tons; In 1832, 223 tons;
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BLACKSTONE CANAL
In 1833, 171 tons; In 1834, 187 tons; In 1835, 183 tons; Nov. 27, 1829, the following statement was given out:
"Notwithstanding the general stagnation of business and the embarrassment of many of the manufacturing establishments on the line of the Canal, besides the interruption of the navigation for various causes, of more than a month, the income arising from the tolls this year cannot be less, at the close of the season, than $8000.00, and there is very little doubt that more than double this amount will be received next year and afterwards that the income will go on increasing, as the capacity of the Canal to trans- port merchandise safely and at a cheap rate becomes more exten- sively known.
"The Committee flatter themselves that after all existing debts are discharged, excepting the loan of one hundred thousand dollars, the income in 1830 will enable the Treasurer to pay the interest on this loan and leave a handsome sum to be divided at the close of the year among the shareholders."
The canal proved to be a benefit to the manufacturers on the stream as the reservoirs increased and equalized the volume of water in the Blackstone. Factories on the line of the canal nearly doubled, for an impetus was given to production and trade. It is stated that in Millbury alone over a thousand people came into the town to live, about 1830.
Serious obstacles, however, unfortunately, interferred with the operation of the canal. A portion of it was located in the Blackstone River, so that boats were more or less detained in both high water and low water and as a result goods were held up for weeks at a time. In some years the canal would be closed four or five months on account of the ice. In a season of much drought the manufacturers were jealous toward the boatmen for drawing off so much water. In Rhode Island, mill owners in a few instances went so far as to put large loads of stone into the locks so as to prevent the operation of the canal, but this drew out counter threats of setting fire to the mills.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
When the canal was discontinued, the water rights were sold. April 23, 1850, the Dorothy Pond reservoir and rights were sold to Andrus March for $375. Oct. 17, 1851, the rights at Ramshorn Pond were sold to Charles Washburn and others for $1500. The last toll collected on the canal was Nov. 9, 1848.
The Charter for the Providence and Worcester Rail- road was obtained in Rhode Island in May, 1844, in Massachusetts, March 12, 1844. At that time Millbury had a population of 2,171 and Worcester, a population of 7,497. In the entire Blackstone valley, including Providence and Worcester, the population was 70,555 according to the census of 1840.
After the completion of the railroad between Worcester and Providence a toast, given at a meeting held in Wor- cester, suggested the relative importance and permanence of the canal and the railroad in the minds of the persons present for it was, "The two Unions between Worcester and Providence. The first was weak as water, the last is strong as iron."
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ANNALS 1831-1850
CHAPTER VIII ANNALS 1831-1850
1831
In January, a newspaper, called The Plebian and Work- ingman's Advocate, was published in town.
April 4. In the warrant for an adjourned town meeting an article was inserted which embodied a petition received from the Rev. George W. Campbell and others seeking to have the town prevent the sale of alcoholic liquors.
The resolutions which were apparently adopted were as follows:
"Resolved, that we view with abhorrence the ravages which ardent spirit has made among us, so that we fully approve of the efforts made by temperance societies in suppressing it.
"Resolved, that considering the pernicious effects of ardent spirit by increasing pauperism and crime in the community, the public good of this town does not require the vending and retailing of it within the limits of its jurisdiction.
"Resolved, that the Selectmen be requested not to recommend any person or persons to the Court of Sessions for a license for retailing."
"Voted, that the law respecting taking fish be carried into effect against all those persons not residing in Millbury who shall take fish from the Ponds and Streams in town."
May 11. Nine hundred dollars were voted for schools.
At one of the town meetings a petition was presented "for a road from the saw-mill of Caleb Burbank in the southerly part of Millbury to the westerly part of Sutton."
During this year the name of the Post-office at Grass Hill was changed to "West Millbury" by the Postmaster- General.
The Rev. Joseph Goffe opposed the renewal or exten- sion of the act incorporating the Millbury Bank.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
At the cattle-show in Worcester, D. Packard of Millbury exhibited razors and penknives that were made here.
Among the advertisements recorded are those of Sewall Brown, a manufacturer of spindles; Harvey Waters, living near Bramanville, who desired turners and filers; and Henry Parker, a cabinet-maker.
In this year the death of deacon Moses L. Morse, a cutlery-maker, is recorded.
1832
At the town meeting it was "voted to raise one thousand dollars to support public schools this year, and thirteen hundred dollars to support the town's poor and other charges."
July 4. Asa Waters, Jr., who later took "Holman" as a middle name, delivered the oration, and M. F. Dow was secretary of the committee of arrangements.
George Marsh was the post rider from Sutton to Wor- cester by way of West Millbury.
The Millbury Academy opened in October for the first time.
Among the general advertisements we find the following :
D. B. & S. Harrington, masons; J. A. Hovey & Co., dealers in hardware and groceries; E. Harkness, hotel- keeper.
February twenty-sixth was "Temperance Celebration Day" throughout the United States. A meeting was held at Academy Hall. There was an active temperance society numbering about four hundred members.
1833
March 4. It was, "voted that the Rev. Joseph Goffe, William Whittlesey, and James Shepard be a committee to inquire into the causes of pauperism in this town, and also the best method of preventing the same, and report at the next town-meeting."
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ANNALS 1831-1850
" Voted that the selectmen be a committee to take into consideration the expediency of procuring a farm for the town for the purpose of supporting the town's poor."
" Voted that the selectmen be required not to approbate any person as an Innholder in this town who will not agree (as an express condition of such approbation) to close his bar on the Sabbath, in strict accordance with the Statute in such cases made and provided."
March 17. Capt. Amasa Wood's shoe factory at West Millbury was burned, with a loss of six thousand dollars. There was no insurance.
November 5. The Hon. Henry Clay visited the town and was entertained at the residence of Col. A. H. Waters.
November 11. "Voted that the subject of procuring a farm for the town be recommitted."
November 13. "Between 12 and 1 o'clock until dawn of day, the air was filled with innumerable luminous meteors or falling stars of various sizes, and darting from different heights. The sky was streaked with flashes of meteoric fire, incessantly repeated in every quarter. Thousands of brilliant bodies might be seen falling at every moment, all having the same general direc- tion, northward, sloping in their descent toward the earth at an angle of forty-five degrees, and resembling flashes of fire. The wind blew strong from the south and the meteors continued until the brightening of the sun hid them."
November 15. A meeting was held to form a Library Association.
Nathaniel and Danforth Goddard dissolved partner- ship and Danforth Goddard formed a company with Abner Rice for the manufacture of boots and shoes. Another boot and shoe company in town was that of Andrew and Parkhurst.
Among the business men in Millbury were the follow- ing: Waters and Farnsworth; D. B. Sibley; Otis Packard & Co. (Otis Packard, Lewis Mills, and Peter Pierce);
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
L. Chase & Company, who conducted a bakery; Josiah L. Woodard, stone cutter; Healy and Thompson, cabinet makers; Hale & Whipple, coal and iron.
Moses Dunton was a blacksmith at Armory Village.
William Shepard was agent for the Goodell Manufac- turing Company, and Jonathan A. Pope was agent for the stone mill (now Rice's) at Bramanville.
Two lawyers, William S. Lincoln and Alexander Ham- ilton, whose office was near Dagget and Wright's store, were located in town.
Capt. Amasa Wood was chosen as representative to the General Court.
1834
March 3. It was "voted that it is expedient to purchase a farm for the support of the town paupers, and that John Jacobs, Simeon Waters, Aaron Trask, and Elisha Jacobs be a committee authorized to purchase a farm for the use of the town."
The town heard the report of the committee chosen to inquire into the cause of pauperism in this town and it was accepted.
April 7. "Voted that the committee on the subject of pauperism be requested to ascertain the amount of money paid by this town since its incorporation, for the support of paupers, either directly or indirectly, in consequence of intemperance. "
May 14. Snow fell and remained until the next day. Water froze so that ice was formed one-half an inch thick.
October 10. A survey was begun for a branch line from the Boston and Albany Railroad at Millbury Junc- tion to Millbury.
November 11. The committee on the purchase of a town farm gave its report but the matter was recommitted and Samuel Waters and Rufus Barton were added to the committee. It was voted "that said committee be authorized to purchase a farm when they shall think best;
THE CAPTAIN AMASA WOOD HOUSE
THE GENERAL CALEB BURBANK HOUSE
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ANNALS 1831-1850
also that the purchase money shall not exceed six thousand dollars. "
Jonathan Hooker and Edmund Rice, manufacturers of doors, sashes, and blinds, dissolved partnership, but Mr. Rice continued the business alone.
The firm of Allen and Rice, sash and blind manufac- turers, was succeeded by Allen and Coombs.
Abijah Woodward retired from the firm of Daggett, Wright & Co., but B. M. Daggett and J. W. Wright continued the business.
B. M. Daggett kept a tailoring establishment.
Waters and Farnsworth, dealers in English and West India goods, sold the business to Abijah Woodward.
Charles Brooks and Sewall Brown dealt in West India goods and crockery near the Goodell factory.
John Morse opened a wholesale commission store at the lower canal basin where he dealt in flour, grain, salt, lime, and groceries. He also maintained two boats on the canal.
Cards and looms,in Burbank's cotton factory, and paper and other articles in his paper mill were sold in closing his accounts.
Tower and Lothrop manufactured hoes.
Hale and Whipple were scythe makers.
Lucien S. Larned kept a store.
Marble Putnam was hotel-keeper.
Both this year and last, money was scarce, causing several failures and assignments. It was worth three per cent a month.
1835
January 4. At sunrise the thermometer indicated twenty-four degrees below zero, the coldest day within the memory of townspeople.
March 2. It was "voted, to accept the report of the committee chosen to purchase a farm for the town as reported;" also "voted, this town choose a committee of three, who shall be called a Board of Overseers of the poor
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
farm and Town poor, and who shall be duly authorized to manage the same in all respects as they in their wisdom shall think most for the interest of the town, intending by these instructions to make all necessary improvements on the farm, and also to take under their care the paupers of the town, and contract with any person or persons for the carrying on the farm, and taking care of the paupers as they shall think proper, and in all to do and perform all that is necessary to do and carry into complete effect all the contracts already made in the name and for the town." Simeon Waters, Simon Farnsworth, and Samuel D. Torrey were chosen Overseers of Poor.
Following is a list of expenditures by the town for the year ending March 2, 1835:
Expense of Poor, $772.95.
Miscellaneous Expenses, $501.11.
Expenses of the Town Officers, $106.08.
March 25. "Voted, that the selectmen be requested not to approbate any persons in town to sell wine, beer, or cider."
March 26. The dye house of Waters and Goodell was burned.
July 6. Moving of the meeting-house from the Old Common was begun and September 18 it was raised at Bramanville.
Asa H. Waters was chosen vice-president of a conven- tion at Worcester to form a county temperance society.
At the Worcester Cattle Show the Goodell Manufac- turing Company received the premium on broadcloth.
Anson G. Stiles & Co. dissolved partnership, Harvey Blashfield having sold his interest to Asa H. Waters.
William Shepard advertised as a manufacturer of broad- cloth.
Harvey Waters desired a young man as a partner in the chair business at Armory Village.
J. J. Bishop kept a stable.
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ANNALS 1831-1850
Calvin Taft had a store by the Blackstone Canal near "the upper basin. "
August 20. "Messrs. Denny and Henshaw, railroad directors, were in town to locate the branch of the Boston and Albany." (On the third of the previous month the Boston & Worcester road had been opened to Worcester with a great celebration).
In November, a comet was visible in the northwest.
1836
January 14. . The new meeting-house was dedicated by the First Congregational Church.
March 8. It was "voted, that $400 be raised and appro- priated for the purpose of purchasing a fire engine and necessary apparatus, provided the same sum be raised by private subscription within ninety days, said engine to be located by the selectmen."
"Voted, that the subject of licensing be left discretionary with the selectmen."
"Voted, the selectmen be a committee on the part of the town to purchase an engine."
This year two of the old firms changed. Allen and Coombs, makers of sash and blinds, continued as Allen and Goddard. Nathaniel Goddard took Danforth God- dard's place in company with Abner Rice.
S. S. Kegwin and J. Grout, Jr., & Co., were each store- keepers.
June 29. "A northeast wind has been raging and rain has fallen every day for twenty-eight days."
August 2. "The frame was erected for a new shoe establishment. (The building is now called the "Ar- cade. ")
October 31. Work on the railroad branch on the Bos- ton and Worcester R. R. to Millbury was begun.
November 24. "The fire-engine voted for by the town in March arrived. Twenty-nine were at the engine meet- ing to form a company."
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
Thomas P. Green from Amherst College opened a high school. His terms were $3.00 for a quarter. If Greek, Latin, and French were desired the terms were $4.00.
The winter of this year commenced the first of Novem- ber and held on until April. It was the most severely cold winter for fifty years past."
1837
January 10. The tannery of Capt. Amasa Wood was burned at a loss of over five thousand dollars.
January 25. The heavens presented an unusual ap- pearance at night, distinguished from any which was before observed by the deep red-color of light, resembling the reflections upon the clouds from the blaze of a burning building, but of a deeper tinge. Many persons, indeed, supposed it to be the light of a distant conflagration, but it was the Aurora borealis. The most brilliant dis- play was at half-past seven, when a bright road of light extended from the heavens in the northwest to the south and thence to the eastern horizon. It was again quite brilliant at half-past ten. The magnetic needles fluctuated considerably.
March 6. It was "voted that the treasurer of this town be authorized to issue licenses to all persons owning dogs, who shall apply and pay the sum of $2.00, and that no dogs owned in this town be suffered at large without such license having been obtained as aforesaid, said license to continue one year from the 15 of March instant."
The town voted to build houses for fire engines No. 3 and No. 4.
May 17. "Voted, that this town agrees to receive from the Treasurer and Receiver-General of the Com- monwealth its proportion of the surplus revenue of the United States in deposit, and will comply with the terms and provisions of the several acts passed by the Legisla- ture of said Commonwealth, concerning the deposits of
127
ANNALS 1831-1850
the surplus revenue." William Whittlesey was appointed agent of the town in the matter.
The town "voted that $2,000.00 of the sum received from this Revenue be used towards paying the debt the town owes for the poor farm." The town had previously bought, in 1835, the farm of Aaron Peirce, Esq., containing at that time one hundred and nine acres and thirty-three rods, with the buildings thereon, and used it as a poor farm.
June 30. All the large manufacturing establishments in town except the Armory stopped in consequence of the general depression in business. Labor was very cheap and abundant, and there were constant applications for work. Breadstuffs continued high: flour was $12 a barrel, and other things were in proportion.
November 13. It was voted "that the trustees of the Surplus Revenue from the United States be required to appropriate the balance of this revenue in their hands not appropriated, to the payment of the town farm debt."
The grading of the Millbury branch railroad and the depot, situated on Canal street, were completed in June. The original cost of the construction of this branch line is said to have been $41,000.00. On November 22d "the first freight cars arrived on the Millbury Branch Railroad, with coal for A. Waters and Son."
November 24. By invitation, a party of forty or fifty persons came from Boston, with the directors of the Boston and Worcester R. R., to Millbury at the opening of the branch railroad. People were also present from Worces- ter.
Cannon were fired and bells were rung, upon their arrival. After viewing the road and the station the company gathered at Academy Hall in which dinner was served followed by speeches and toasts. When the party left town, cannon were again fired and bells were rung. On November 27th, passenger cars began running. They left Millbury at seven in the morning, arriving in Boston at ten.
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HISTORY OF MILLBURY
The meeting-house on Grass Hill was dedicated in July to the use of Congregationalists for three Sundays and Baptists one Sunday in each month, each paying in that proportion for the support of public worship.
December 5. " The first delivery of five hundred pistols was made to the United States Government at Washing- ton from the Waters Armory.
Perley Whipple offered for sale a mill site, previously used for making scythes, a dwelling, etc., below the outlet of Ramshorn pond.
Cotton waste, ropes, and bagging were bought by Silas Goddard' at the old paper mill, formerly General Burbank's.
New firms in town were:
Stockwell & Pringle, manufacturers of list carpets, cushions, mats, and mattresses; J. W. Upham, carpenter and builder; Dr. William M. Benedict, Mr. How, and Boyden Sibley, wool-dealers.
William H. Wood and R. L. Hathaway were, success- ively, principals of the Academy.
1838
January 7. The last twelve days were uncommonly warm and pleasant. The snow disappeared on the 27th of December, and the weather continued to grow warm until the frost left the ground. The roads became settled in many places and the grass started.
September 24. The Siamese twins were exhibited.
October 6. "The gun-factory caught fire at ten o'clock at night, but little damage was done."
These advertisements appear: William H. Hudson, tailor; A. G. Stiles, storekeeper; O. G. Davenport, boot manufacturer.
Brown's Woolen Mill was in operation.
This quotation was taken from a New York newspaper:
" We have seen broad-cloth made at Millbury, Mass., equal to any imported. The President and Secretary of State have ordered
...
MILLBURY FROM THE EAST IN 1839
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ANNALS 1831-1850
suits made from it. The price is twelve dollars per yard at whole- sale. Members of Congress are to be invited to buy suits from this cloth."
July of this year was said to have been the hottest month for a hundred years past and the June preceding was said to have been the next hottest month.
1839
February 28. The country was just emerging from that gulf of embarrassment and ruin into which the extravagant speculations of '37 and '38 had plunged so many. Money was getting to be very abundant and prices were expanding in corresponding ratio.
March 4. It was "Voted to re-commit the report offered by the committee to examine the title to the land occupied as a public common (old common) with instruc- tions to take such legal advice as they may think proper, provided, the First Congregational Society will share with the town in the expense." (See Chapter I.)
"Voted to allow members of engine companies three dollars each per year."
May 17. "A barn one-hundred feet long and forty wide, belonging to Capt. A. Wood, was burnt. This was the fifth time that Captain Wood had suffered by fire, making his total loss twelve thousand dollars.
June 25. At a meeting of the Second Congregational church the propriety of women's speaking in meeting was discussed with much excitement. Other meetings were held and after frequent discussions as to the right of woman's participation it was "voted that the whole subject be indefinitely postponed."
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