USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Charlton > Charlton historical sketches > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
AN OBITUARY.
We give here an obituary of one of
the early families of Charlton; it will prove of interest to the many members of this scattered family. We have copies of other obituaries of prominent persons in the long ago times, but at this writing we are unable to find them. This obituary is from the Worcester Spy of March 3, 1813. Deacon Bacon was prominent in the work of the Bap- tist church, he, with his wife, having united themselves to this church on February 26, 1767; they were the first who were received into the church under the "new form" namely, "the laying on of hands" by the deacons was omitted from the service. His son Deacon Daniel Bacon, Jr .; died in 1834 and was buried at the Centre, while Deacon Daniel Bacon, Sr., is buried at Northside.
"In Charloa, on the 10th ult., Mrs Mary Bacon, aged 75 years, and within forty-four hours afterwards, Deacon Daniel Bacon, her husband, aged 77 years, of the epidemie which pervades in that place. Their remains were car- rie l to the meeting house the Sabbath following, where a discourse was de- livered by Elder James Boomer, from Luke 23-xxviii. They were conveyed away and buried in one grave. They were both professors of the religion of Christ and maintained a confident and well supported character of piety. Their faith being lively and operative, was productive of good works and adorned every branch of their duty ; without saying more it may be remarked that their lives furnished the strongest argu- ment in favor of the reality, importance and divinity of religion; the strongest unbeliever could not look upon them in their last sickness and disease, their christian calmness and submission with- out sighing the wish: 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.' "
It is thus that we have briefly sketched the burial places of Charlton.
20
We do not claim that we have stated all which could be stated, but we have published this much that nothing which we have gathered may be lost. It has been a pleasure.
Charlton has a history-it only needs to be gathered. This can be done, lit- tle at a time, and at no distant day many incidents, dates and reminis- cences would have been preserved. This article is the closing one of the se- ries upon cemeteries, though as we have other notes we shall continue these sketches for a few weeks longer. The remaining ones may be fragmen- tary, yet we trust they will be interest- ing to the citizens of Charlton.
In closing this series, however, per- mit a few suggestions: Time surely wastes the world away. Less than sev- enty-five years have passed since the
tombs in our town were built-solid and enduring, the builders thought; yet, where are they today. My word is -don't erect any more tombs. The wasting hand of time wears even the best cut stone; therefore, obtain good, solid substantial stones and place them above the bodies of your relations. If you strive for fancy carving and orna- mentation, the time will come when re- grets will be yours and those who fol- low you. Have such a care for your lots that being left alone they will be able to care for themselves; for the world too soon grows careless over the remains of earlier generations. Re- member the dead-not for grief or sor- row, but to prepare our way for the way marked out for the steps of all wearing mortal forms.
WHITNEY'S HISTORY OF CHARLTON, WITH NOTES.
[We republish a history of which the ; was solemnly ordained to the work of original edition is quite scarce and val- uable. The history is of the various towns in Worcester county, and was written by Peter Whitney, A. M., min- ister of the gospel in Northborough, in said county; printed at Worcester, by Isaiah Thomas in 1793. The book is full of reminiscence and of historical value. We reprint that part relating to Charlton, with brief notes:]
This town was taken wholly [1] from Oxford, and was the westerly part thereof. It was incorporated Novem- ber 2d, 1754, and then received its present name. [2]
As much of the land in Charlton lies in the hands of the original proprietors, its settlement was greatly retarded for many years. However, in April, 1761, the Congregational church here was imbodied, and the Rev. Caleb Curtis 1 .- There is a section of Charlton once called the "gore" which did not belong to Oxford; it was ceded to Charlton in 1757.
2 .- It is supposed that this town takes its name from Sir Francis Charlton, a member of the Privy Chamber, England, about the time this section was set off from the town of Oxford, in 1754; or else it derived its
the gospel ministry in this place on the 15th of October, 1761. He continued their pastor fifteen years, and was dis- missed from his office by a mutual council October 29th, 1776. The people remained destitute of a settled pastor upwards of six years, until January 8th, 1783, when the Rev. Archibald Campbell was installed their pastor. This Mr. Campbell was ordained pastor of the church and congregation in Easton, in the county of Bristol, on the 17th of August, 1763, where he continued nineteen years, being dis- missed from his pastoral relation to that people August 11th, 1782. Mr. Camp- bell continued in the pastoral office in Charlton until April 9th, 1793, when he was dismissed by council, at his special request.
There is a large Anabaptist church name from King Charles. Charlestown was thus named; and to avoid having let- ters and packages missent and other incon- veniences caused the citizens of Charleston (S. C.) dropped the "w" which gave them their present name. It might have been in such way that other letters were dropped and gave us our name. However the name came we are not ashamed of it.
22
and society in this town, but at present they are destitute of a settled minister, as well as the Congregational church and society.
We proceed to a topographical de- scription of Charlton.
-
This town was not in high repute at first, and was thought by some to be hardly worth settling upon; as it was very rough in its natural state and hard to subdue. But such land is al- most always found to be strong and to wear well. This being the case with Charlton, frem small beginnings and an inconsiderahle figure, it has risen up in the space of thirty or forty years, to renown among the towns of the county. It is computed to be nearly seyen miles square, being much larger in extent than Oxford from whence it was taken, and in general a better tract of land. The people are become very numerous, [3] there being 1965 souls in the place when the census was taken in the year 1791, which is more by several hundreds than any town in the county, except Brookfield, Sutton and Worcester, and it is become exceedingly wealthy-as in the last state tax there were but six towns which paid more. There are three hundred dwelling houses in the town. The people subsist chiefly by the cultivation of the earth; and they
3 .- The population of Charlton increased from its beginning until 1820, when it reach- ed 2134. notwithstanding the loss of inhabi- tants in ceting a portion of its territory in 1816, to make a portion of the present in that section, suffered them to use fre- Southbridge. The few years previous to quently a neglected bridge; the people in
1820 it enjoyed a prosperity it never did in any other decade. Business of all kinds was lively, and a spirit manifested in public improvement seldom seen. In 1830 there were more inhabitants, but the public spirit was not so quickened.
have great encouragement to labor, for the soil is strong and rich and the lands are fertile and very productive. Here they raise grains of all kinds in plenty ; beef and pork are fatted; butter and cheese are made in quantities equal to, if not surpassing, any other town in the county. The lands are well and natu- rally adapted to orcharding and fruit of all kinds. The hills are moist and springy; the hills and valleys are well proportioned and agreeably inter- spersed. The town is well watered by springs, brooks and rivulets, none of which claim particular mention. But there is one large river [4] in the west- ern part of the town, near to Stur- bridge, which runs from the north to the south, and is called Quinebaug. This river is almost an inconceivable advantage, not to Charlton only, but to many adjacent towns, by supplying great plenty of water for all the mills and water works in the dryest seasons. On this river, within the limits of Charlton, there are some rich interyal and good meadow lands.
There are several hills in this town
4 .- The southwest portion of Charlton was made a portion of Southbridge in 1816. Marey's mill was the chief attraction. For a long number of years the people in this section desired to be separated from Charl- ton, and make a town for themselves. One of the great bones of contention was the building and repairing of the bridge at Marcy's mill. Almost every year the fresh- ets would do more or less damage and the people in the central, northern and eastern parts of the town, not having much to do
the vicinity of the bridge who used it all the time were in the minority and could not se- cure the needed yearly appropriations. The question of a division of the town was agi- tated a score or more of years before it was effected.
23
worthy of mention-one by the name of Ponnakin; [5] another called Mash- ymuggett; [6] this is high, for on its summits buildings in about twelve ad- jacent towns may be discerned. This hill is situated about three-quarters of a mile from the Congregational meet- ing house. There is a third, known by the name of Blood's Hill. [7] The fourth and last we shall mention is called Craige's Hill. [8]
There are no ponds in the town wor- thy of notice, nor mines or minerals as yet discovered. [9]
5 .- This high hill on the town farm, is dartially covered with a splendid growth of pine. The town farm was the homestead of Ebenezer Davis, for many years a prominent and influential citizen.
6 .- This hill is now owned by Moses Woodbury. It was originally owned by one John Edwards, who in later years resided in the southwest part of the town. This hill, we understand, is not the highest point of land in Charlton by a few feet. The "Little Mugget," just southeast of Charl- ton Depot is the highest. This Little Mug- get is not mentioned among the elevated lands of our towu ; it was probably at this time covered with woods, and its height and range of sight were not realized until the hill was shorn of the forest.
7 .- The elevation just south of Dresser Hill was originally owned by the Blood Brothers, who early came into this town and purchased. The farm of Dexter Blood has ever remained in the name and family. Dresser Hill was quite a military resort; there being many trainings and reviews here. In those days a gun house stood at the northeast corner of the lot southeast of the Dresser Hill school-house, which con- tained artillery, etc, property of the state. Captain Dresser, the father of Major Moses Dresser, who built the present Dresser Hill House (1805 kept a hotel and was enter- prising in many ways.
8 .- Craige's Hill is now owned by Lewis C. Prindle.
The wood and timber which grow in Charlton is white, black and red oak, and walnut and chestnut in great plen- ty; some white pine and some pitch pine; in the low lands there is ash, birch, maple, &c., &c.
In Charlton there are a few dealers in European and India goods, as is usu- al in country towns; [10] and they have also all the common tradesmen and me- chanics. But there are two tanners [11] in the town to be noticed who carry on their business to a very considerable degree, and in the most advantageous manner, viz., Capt. Israel Waters and Mr. Asa Corben; and especially the former, in the northerly part, who car- ries on his work to great perfection. He has an excellent bark mill carried by water, and upon a new construction, whereby he grinds all his bark. On the same stream a little below there is a gin still, [12] a brewery, malt house of this forge was standing a few years since.
The ponds of Charlton today for the most part are reservoirs; the water privileges of adjoining towns are better, owing to the fact that Charlton is a watershed and discharges its waters on either side of the town. Ba- ker pond which is almost the only natural pond wholly or in part within our limits was named after Joseph C. Baker, the grandfather of Harrison Baker of Charlton and Zephaniah Baker of Dudley.
10 .- These stores were at the north side the city, Charlton Centre and at Dresser Hill.
11 .- Captain Israel Waters lived on the place now owned by Samuel Rici, and his tannery was just south of the house, and at that time was one of the most flourishing in the vicinity; the remains of the founda- tion are still to be seen. The Bark mill was nearest the pond. The tannery of Mr. Corbin was in the southeast part of the town.
9 .- A little above Otis Walker's mill was a forge at one time for making pig and bar iron from ore found in the vicinity; but 12 .- The residence of Mr. Wheelock is the present residence of Mr. Daniel F. Rus- either from fault in the ore or the work the iron was not very good. Part of the dam sell. The house and outbuildings were
24
and corn mill under the same roof, the ferent parts of the town, where large property of Mr. Eli Wheelock, who erected said works in the year 1792, and where he carries on each branch of business very largely to his own and the public interest. On the same stream there are several grist and saw mills and other water works; and most of the mechanics live in this north part 1
of the town. There are also a number of pot and pearl ash works [13] in dif- built by Mr. Wheelock, and the site of the "gin mill," which added so much to the "public interest,' is just west of Mr. Rus- sell's barn, the brick walls of which are still standing. Between North Side and Mill- ward there were several workshops of various kinds. The scythe shops at Millward were not erected until about the beginning of this century.
13 .- There were several pot and pearl asheries in town, the sites of some of them are still seen and known. We will mention some: The one owned by Salem Town was others, no doubt, in town. We could, if on the knoll, just north of William H. Wake- ' time permitted, add other notes to this brief field's house, near the juncure of the road history of our town. written over eighty leading to North Side; the excavation is years ago. There have been many changes, visible. The water was furnished by a spring just below it. Just west of the house of Charles R. Austin, for a long time owned by Samnel Rich, there was another; a well
quantities of pot and pearl ash are an- nually made and exported. Charlton is in many respects one of the foremost towns in the county. It is situated southwest from Boston at a distance of sixty miles; and from Worcester court- house it is fifteen miles, a little to the southwest. It is bounded north, by Spencer; east, by Oxford; south by Dudley; and west, by Sturbridge.
now marks the spot. Just southeast of Mr. John Tyler's barn also was one. In certain seasons the grass is excellent in that part of the meadow covered with ashes, and other seasons the crops are poor; everything de- pends whether the season is wet or dry. At Andrew Reynold's place, also, a few rods southeast of his barn, was one. It was run by John Edwards, Jr. ; an old well is now at the place. There were asheries also on Leonard Carpenter's farm; near Solomon Richardson's ; near the Four Corners, south of the Alpheus Davis estate. There were
but landmarks are still in our midst which note the industry of the fathers. It is well for us to learn all we can of them that we may the better direct our labors in life.
MASONS OF CHARLTON.
FAYETTE LODGE.
In the records of the Grand Lodge of masons of Massachusetts we learn un- der the date of March 14, 1796 that :- "a petition was presented from Eben- ezer Phillips and others for a charter to erect and hold a lodge in the town of Charlton by the name and title of Fayette lodge. 'Twas voted that the prayer of petitioners be granted." In the same records of June 10, 1799 we find that "the petition received from Fayette lodge praying for liberty to meet annually by rotation at Charlton, Sturbridge and Dudley was read and voted the prayer of the petitioners be granted during the pleasure of the grand lodge."
The masons in this vicinity will be seen lived at a distance from each oth- er and that they accommodated each other as much as they could. The meetings for several years were held in the house of Gen. Salem Towne, which was erected the same year of the formation of the lodge. The lodge was held in a room fitted up for the purpose by Mr. Towne, he at that time
being an active mason. This room after the lodge was removed was made into household apartments of the Towne manse. This house is still in a very good state of repair proving the excel- ency of the timber and the skill of the workmanship of which and by which it was made. The charter of the lodge was granted March 14, 1796. A copy of the seal is before us. The motto above the seal is "Conjuncti fraterno Amore." On the outside of the circu- lar seal is "Fayette Lodge, Charlton Mass.," and within are the compasses, the Bible and the motto "Nil Sine Deo." In 1806 the Grand Master appointed R. W. Eben. H. Phillips of Charlton, as Deputy Grand Master for the 6th district. We do not know how large a territory this district embraced; but probably it contained a dozen or so of lodges. It was Mr. Phillips' task to visit these lodges from time to time and report their condition to the Grand lodge.
In 1804 "Welds' tavern" was erected, and Mr. Welds fitted his hall for the
26
fraternity. This bouse is now owned and occupied by Mr. David Craig at the Centre. The fraternity did not meet here, however, many times but removed to Dresser Hill, in the tavern built the following year by Major Moses Dresser, and which masonic hall was fitted at his entire expense. It may be said that the hall in "Dresser house" was de- signed for the Royal Arch Chapter, and after the chapter which received its charter in 1805 was well at work, the lodge transferred its meetings from the Centre to Dresser Hill. The condi- tions, or among them, which Major Dresser offered the fraternity if they would hold their meetings in his hall were, he would give them "meals of two or three dishes of meat, puddings and pies, with white bread and cheese for twenty-five cents;" he would "care for the horses for ten cents," and would give the hall free of expense except when a fire was needed. From this time on until the "Masonic excite- ment" their meetings were held in this hall. The question of cost must have been of no small importance, especially if the scattered members attended with regularity. They came some distance and of course wanted their horses and themselves cared for. Dresser Hill house was quite a resort in the early part of this century; and in earlier times in the tavern which Major Moses Dres- ser occupied before the present house was erected.
In 1826 the Doric lodge was formed in Southbridge which materially affect- ed the growth and influence of Fayette lodge. But with the "excitement"
both of these lodges suspended their meetings. The opposition was very fierce and none of the masons were eager to hold on against the pressure. The lodge was never revived in Charl- ton, though in Southbridge the masons came together, ยท united their efforts, received new members, and are today a strong and influential body.
KING SOLOMON'S CHAPTER.
This chapter received its charter September 18, 1805. It was granted to G. Plimpton, Jr., and others. It seems to have a varied experience for the ten succeeding years. It was represented in the grand chapter in 1808 by Sumner Barstow; in 1810 by John Brown, in 1812 by Sumner Barstow; and in 1814 by Rev. Richard Carrigue. In 1815 the chapter purchased a set of new jewels, and a new regalia, at the cost of nearly $120. The chapter took this opportu- nity to have a public installation of officers, which made one of the great occasions of our town. This installa- tion took place September 6, 1815. We quote from the grand chapter records concerning this memorable gathering. "A procession was then formed and pro- ceeded to the Rev. Mr. Whipple's meet- ing house, where King Solomon's chap- ter was solemnly consecrated and the officers installed in accordance with the ancient form. After the benediction was pronounced the procession was again formed and returned to the hall, where the companions and brethren sat down to a plentiful and splendid enter- tainment prepared by Jonathan Cope- land. Sentiments, songs (the singing was led by a Professor Navill) and
27
social hilarity prevailed, and at an early hour the grand chapter returned to their room and closed; and the company separated well pleased with the harmony and good fellowship which had marked all the proceedings of the day."
The following persons were installed as the officers of the chapter: W. E. Richard Carrique, High Priest; E. John Brown, King; E. Benjamin Stow, Scribe; Comp. Thadeus Marble, Trea- surer; Comp. Jason Waters, Secretary ; Comp. Gershom Plympton, R. A. Cap- tain; Comp. Ephraim Willard, C. of H., Comp. Erich Marsh, P. S .; Comp. Reu- ben Harrington, Joseph G. Hall and Francis O. Clark, Masters of the Vails; Comps. Jonathan Copeland and Moses Williams, Stewards; and Rufus Bacon, Tyler.
This chapter was evidently working under a dispensation for various reasons for nearly ten years. John Wilder of Leicester was elected its high priest in 1817, after the removal of Rev. Richard Carrique from this vicinity. This same year Rev. Richard Carrique was instal- led as the first high priest of Adoniram chapter at Attleborough, Mass. At the session of the grand chapter, 1818, Rev. Jonathan Going of Worcester, king, and Nathan Knowlton, scribe, were re- presentatives from and for King Solo- mon's chapter. This chapter was repre- sented at the yearly gatherings of the grand chapter for a considerable num- ber of years. Rev. Richard Carrique alluded to, began his residence in Charl- ton in 1812, and preached for the Uni- versalists in this and adjoining towns for
some three years. He died in Hudson, N. Y., in 1849. Rev. Jonathan Going was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Worcester, at this time, and after the formation of R. A. chapter in Worcestor, was an officer in that and was quite active until it became dor- mant.
In 1825 there was another large gathering of the chapter to celebrate the nativity of St. John the Baptist. This occurred the 24th of June. From the records of the chapter we learn that the following named were the com- mittee of arrangements: Stephen Eddy, Albigence Marsh, Harvey Dresser, John Spurr and David Lathe. Mr. Linus Childs of Woodstock, Ct., was selected to deliver the oration. Major John Spurr was marshal of the day. The oration was delivered in the Center meeting house.
The last writing in the chapter records was May 12, 1829, though we think on the authority aged citizens there were meetings after this, ever in 1831. The charter of this chapter was revoked at the session of the grand chapter, Sept. 8, 1840, and Sept. 13, 1842, it was stricken from the list of chapters and its charter forfeited.
The chapter held its regular meetings in the Dresser Hill house, and when they were well at work in 1805-6 the Blue lodge, which had been holding its meetings in the house of Gen. Salem Town and in the William Welds tavern, now David Craig's house, united with them in holding their meetings in the same place. In the "old hall" in
28
Dresser Hill house, underneath one of the lids of the side settees, is this in- script'on, "Built 1805; finished painting J'n'r 6th 1808 by Nathan Walden."
CONCLUSION.
The historical notes we have written out were gathered in the usual labors of the parish, in conversation with the older members of the community who delight to dwell upon the times and memories of their youth, and from records and books which have come to hand relating to our town. The author has had only a residence of three years in Charlton, hence he has not been able to seek out all which might have been written. But now as the pastorate of the author closes he could only put in permanent form the notes he had
gathered, that they might aid the fu- ture historian of the town. During our residence here also we have written a history of the Universalist parish, to which we have ministered, which was delivered to the parish in the shape of sermons. The notes upon the parish made four sermons of ordinary length. Upon invitation of Rev. Dr. T. B. Thayer, editor of the Universalist Quarterly, this history will be rewritten and condensed for the pages of the periodical over which he so ably pre- sides. It will appear in said Quarterty at no distant day. It is the author's de- sign to secure extra copies of this his- tory, and should any one desire a copy, it could be furnished at a small price.
....
ERRATA ET ADDENDA.
Page 5, column two. "Barefoot" was a name given to this locality by Capt. Abijah Lamb, who in the old militia days commanded the "South-west Company." Many of his compa- ny on training days were said to appear in the ranks barefoot- ed; hence the name was given to tlie locality which it bears to this day.
Page 6. column one. The tomb has since been torn down and the place levelled.
Page 8, column one, tenth line from bottom. The word "plat" for "flat."
Page 13, column two, eleventh line from bottom. "Main" for "plain."
Page 16, column one. Parley Laffin was sexton just previ- ous to Comins Litchfield.
Page 25. The records of the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter have been in the possession of Mr. Albigence Marsh, formerly of Charlton, but now of Saunenim, Ill., where he is still living at the age of eighty-six. He became interested in these sketches and gave the author many items of interest. These records are now to be restored and preserved in the archives of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Massachu- setts.
Samem
+
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.