USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol III > Part 15
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169
WAYSIDE MONUMENTS.
Road between Groton and Townsend. The inscription is as follows : -
NEAR THIS SPOT
JACOB AMES WAS KILLED
IN 1744, WHO WAS THE LAST
WHITE MAN MURDERED BV
THE INDIANS IN THIS
VICINITY.
The truth of the matter is this : More than a hundred and fifty years ago John Ames lived in the northwesterly part of the town of Groton, near the banks of the Nashua River, a short distance below the present Hollingsworth paper-mills. His dwelling was used as a garrison against the threatened assaults of the Indians; but it has long since disappeared, though the old cellar hole still remains. This house was attacked on Thursday, July 9, 1724, and in the assault John Ames was killed; and his death and the date were duly entered in the Groton town-records. During the next au- tumn Jacob Ames, a son of John, petitioned the General Court of the Province, setting forth the fact that he killed one of the assaulting party, and asking for an allowance from the public treasury, besides the customary bounty, for his service. There is now no evidence to show that after this date any white person was ever killed by the Indians in the neighborhood of Groton. Certainly there was none killed in the year 1744, as at that time there were no incursions by the enemy in this vicinity. On April 12, 1753, this part of Groton became a District, which took the name of Pepper- ell, and subsequently was made a Town.
The following petition is found in the printed Journal of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (page 16), under date of November 20, 1724, and is sufficient authority for the main statements in the account just given : -
A Petition of Jacob Ames, shewing that he was one of the Weekly Scouts near the Garrisons on the Westerly part of the Town of Groton ; and on the Ninth Day of July last, when it was the
170
HENRY A. GREEN, ESQ.
Petitioners Week to be on Duty, a Number of Indians appeared at the Garrison of the Petitioners Father John Ames, and killed him at the Gate, and then rush'd violently into the Garrison to surprize the People there. And the Petitioner did with Courage and Resolution by himself defend the Garrison, and beat off the Indians, Slew one of them and Scalp'd him ; praying, That altho' it happened to be his Week to be on Duty, that this Court would take the Premises into their wise and serious Consideration, and grant what other Allowance more than the Establishment by Law, shall to them seem meet, for his aforesaid Service. Read, and in Answer to this Petition. Resolved, That over and above the Fifteen Pounds due to the Petitioner by Law, for recovering the said Scalp, and the good Services done this Province thereby, the Sum of Fifteen Pounds be allowed and Paid out of the Publick Treasury to the said Jacob Ames for his good Service as abovesaid.
Sent up for Concurrence.
See "Groton during the Indian Wars" (pages 131-133), for some allusions to this affair, as taken from the Boston newspapers of that period.
HENRY A. GREEN, ESQ.
THE following notice of Mr. Green appeared in the " Satur- day Evening Gazette" (Boston), January 10, 1891, and was written by the editor, Colonel Henry Grosvenor Parker, who had been his friend for many years :-
- Forty years ago no more striking figure could be seen in Boston streets than that of Mr. Henry Atkinson Green. Command- ing in stature, graceful in movement, elegant in dress, there was in every manifestation of the man the unmistakable air of gentleman. Men and women alike turned to look at and admire him. In those days there was a Boston aristocracy that was a real one, and the rest of mankind were separated by a dividing line so marked as to amount to a distinction of caste, as it were, between the few who composed the charmed circle and the many worthy people who were clearly out- side it. This barrier was broken by the war of the Rebellion, when
171
HENRY A. GREEN, ESQ.
the heart of the aristocratic mother and that of the democratic mother bled alike over the sacrifice of their own, and when humanity and brains asserted themselves above and beyond the accident of posi- tion, and the rich men of that day and their descendants became the poor men of a later time. Mr. Green was in the charmed circle and of it. He was a Lawrence, a favorite in society, and one of the earlier members of the Somerset Club. But he was also a man among men, educated himself to trade, mastered the dry goods commission business in the house of Wilkinson, Stet- son & Co., in Federal street, and in that of Tucker, Newton & Mills, in which he became a partner, and continued so in the firm's changes (Mackintosh, Green & Company) until his death ; all the while " a hail fellow well met " with the trade, popular with buyer and seller, a kind friend to the "younger boys in the store," an excellent salesman, a careful dealer, and a wise and conservative investor of his own earnings. His manner was frank, and his voice was at once manly and musical. It was a distinct, emphatic sound, and not an aspiration. It was magnetic in its quality. Mr. Green made his own fortune. He was not above work, and always hon- ored intelligent workers. He was fond of music and the theatre and the last novel, but never cared much for society, so called. His impulses were kindly in every relation of life. He detested a snob, especially a poor and incapable one. He had no patience with a sham of any kind. Among his warmest friends were the strongest business men in Boston, whose judgment he respected and whom, though not in his line of life, he was glad to meet in all places and
under any circumstances. Mr. Green had long been warned that he was a minute man, but his end was sudden when it came. His last two years, made happy in many ways, were quiet, thoughtful, elevating. His religion was simply " Do unto others as you would that others should do to you." It is singular that his favorite cousin, Mrs. William W. Tucker, should have died in Paris on the same day [January 8]. Mr. Green's funeral took place yesterday [January 10] at 10 o'clock, at his late residence, No. 110 New- bury street, and was largely attended. After the simple service of the Episcopal Church, the remains were taken to Groton, for interment in the family lot.
HENRY ATKINSON GREEN, Esq., died at his residence in New- bury Street, Boston, on Jan. 8, 1891. He was a son of Dr. Joshua
172
MAJOR MOSES P. PALMER.
and Eliza (Lawrence) Green, and born at Groton, on April 29, 1828. He was educated at the academy in his native town, and in 1846 came to Boston to live. At the time of his death, and for many years previously, he was a member of the firm of Mackintosh, Green & Co. His wife, Mrs. Emily (Wagner) Green, died on Jan. 4, 1885. Mr. Green left two married children : Mrs. Caroline Sargent Green, wife of William Amory Meredith, of London, England ; and William Lawrence Green, of Albany, N. Y. The interment took place at Groton.
" The New-England Historical and Genealogical Register " (XLV. 173) for April, 1891.
MAJOR MOSES P. PALMER.
BEFORE the State Republican Convention met in Boston, on September 16, 1891, the name of Major Moses Poor Palmer, of Groton, late of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Vol- unteers, was prominently mentioned in connection with the candidacy for the Auditorship of the Commonwealth. On that day the following lines, written by his army comrade, Captain William Bird Kimball, of Enfield, were circulated among the delegates, and attracted considerable attention for their snap . and terseness. Captain Palmer was severely wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg, when his leg was shat- tered and the knee joint destroyed. Some years ago he had a fall, which broke his leg again and has since compelled him to go on crutches ; and only a week before the Convention he met with another serious accident which laid him up for the second time since the original injury. With this explanation Comrade Kimball's allusion to the "Gettysburg leg " is made clear. A fac-simile of the circular is here given :--
FOR AUDITOR,
MOSES P. PALMER.
REPUBLICANS.
Do you want a "Moses" to help along ? A man patriotic, sagacious, strong, Soldier, Senator, Citizen, Farmer, His name is certainly Moses P. Palmer, His " Gettysburg leg" is out of repair, But if his name's on the ticket He'll surely get there.
דיSTO ת כזו פיזיליחי.
I74
MAJOR MOSES P. PALMER.
Major Palmer is a son of Moses Harriman and Mary Har- riman (Hale) l'almer, and was born at Derry, New Hampshire, on May 1, 1830. His parents were cousins, and in the year 1832 the family removed to East Bradford (now Groveland), Massachusetts, where the son received his early education, attending school at Merrimack Academy in that village. Dur- ing the summer months he worked upon his father's farm, and in the winter on the shoemaker's bench, as was the custom of young men at that time in his neighborhood. He learned the trade of shoe-cutting at Marlborough and in the year 1854 came to Groton in order to superintend a shoe factory that had just been started. It was organized by Messrs. Bigelow and Randall, in a building that had then only recently been given up as a tavern, and situated near the Congregational meeting-house. On December 19, 1855, the establishment was burned, when the business was transferred to the building previously used as a bakery, at the corner of Main and West Streets. Here young Palmer remained until 1858, when in partnership with his brother, he began the manufacture of shoes at Marlborough, where he continued until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in the spring of 1861. He then recruited a company of riflemen in that town, and on May 6 of that year was commissioned as captain. In the meantime the quota of men asked for by President Lincoln was filled, and for that reason the company was not at once accepted, but assigned afterward to the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, which became the nucleus of the Thirteenth Massa- chusetts Volunteers. On June 25 this organization was ordered to garrison Fort Independence in Boston Harbor, where it was soon recruited to ten companies ; and on July 16 Palmer was commissioned as first lieutenant. On July 30 the regiment left for the seat of war ; and on August 16, 1862, Lieutenant Palmer was promoted to a captaincy, although he had been in command of his company during most of the time since the regiment left Boston. In the campaign of 1862 he was in command through all the principal battles of the Army of the Potomac, notably the second Battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded three times, - one of which
175
MAJOR MOSES P. PALMER.
wounds was a very severe one, a bullet passing through his neck and lower jaw, -and also slightly at Fredericksburg. HIe took part in the battles at Bolivar Heights, Front Royal, Thoroughfare Gap, and Chancellorsville, and in various other skirmishes.
During the fight at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, while in the First Corps (Reynolds's), he was severely shot in the right knee and crippled for life, and, on March 9, 1864, was honorably discharged from the military service. Owing to this wound, he has lost the use of his knee, and been crippled for life. On May 10, 1866, for gallant and meritorious services in the field, he was brevetted Major of Volunteers.
After his discharge from the army Captain l'almer returned to Groton, the home of his wife, and bought a farm, situated on the Great Road to Boston, about a mile from the village, where he now lives, much respected in the community. For twelve years (1877-1889) he has served the town as select- man, assessor, and overseer of the poor, and for four years was the chairman of the Board. He has been commander of E. S. Clark Post No. 115, Grand Army of the Republic ; Master of Grange No. 7, Patrons of Husbandry ; an officer of the Groton Farmers' and Mechanics' Club, and a member of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society at Lowell, having been for many years one of its Vice-presidents and Trustees.
Major Palmer was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives during the session of 1884, and a member of the Senate during the sessions of 1888-1890, a period of three years, a longer term of service than has ever been accorded to any other Senator from his district.
On July 7, 1861, Major Palmer was married to Martha Green, daughter of Joshua and Matilda ( Prescott) Eaton, of Groton ; and they have one son and two daughters. On November 19, 1891, his elder daughter, Mary Ilale, was mar- ried to George Herbert Warren, Esq., a lawyer of Manches- ter, New Hampshire.
176
THE FARNSWORTH FAMILY.
THE FARNSWORTH FAMILY.
CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN FARNSWORTHI, Esq., of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has recently published a book entitled " Matthias Farnsworth and his Descendants in America" (Pawtucket, 1891), which contains many interesting facts concerning the family. From carly colonial times the Farnsworths have been closely connected with the town of Groton, where they have always borne a prominent part in civil, military, and church affairs. The author of the work just mentioned has the following reference to Jonas Farnsworth, Jr., who is the same person alluded to at the end of the extract from "The Continental Journal, and Weekly Advertiser" (Boston), September 11, 1777, given immediately afterward, which says that he was wounded at Machias, Maine, in the assault on that town.
His son, Jonas, Jr., born Oct. 2, 1744, married Sarah Delap of Granville, N. S., June 13, 1775. He joined his fortunes with the revolted colonies, moved into Maine and was one of the original settlers of Machias [Maine]. He was a captain in the militia, and was adjutant of Colonel Benjamin Foster's regiment at Machias in service in 1777 ; and was recognized as an efficient and patriotic man (page 79).
Captain Bunker from Machias, informs, That on Thursday the 28th ult. three of the Enemy's Frigates, with a Brig commanded by the noted Dawson, paid a Visit at that Place ; the Frigates anchored at some Distance below the Town, while Dawson kept under Way, 'till he came opposite a Breastwork thrown up about half a Mile from the Town, garrisoned with only twelve Men, when he saluted it with a Broadside, which was returned from a two- Pounder and two Swivels several Rounds, when Dawson sent his Boat to go ashore, but a few of our Men being in Ambush just where they were about to Land, as soon as they came within Musket shot, an Indian, who desired the first Shot, fired and kill'd the Man at the Bow Oar, when they immediately put back for the Brig. After which a Number of Boats with about 300 Marines and Mariners went ashore and burnt two Dwelling Houses, two
١
177
THE FARNSWORTH FAMILY.
Barns full of Hay and a Grist Mill. By this Time about 150 of the Militia had Mustered, who attack'd and drove the Enemy off ; on seeing which, Dawson weigh'd Anchor, and was endeavouring to get down, when he luckily ran a-ground, and our People at- tacked him with Small Arms only, so warmly as not a Man durst shew his Head above Deck, 'till the above Boats came to tow him off, which our People beat off, having killed upwards of 60 of the Enemy ; and 'tis thought that if a very thick Fog had not arose, they would have near Kill'd all the Enemy, if not destroy'd Daw- son. Our Loss was only one, Mr. James Foster, Killed, and Mr. Jonas Farnsworth, Wounded, though not dangerous.
I am indebted to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Hall, an only daughter of the late Dr. Amos and Mary (Bourne | Webber) Farns- worth, for the following letter : -
BROOKLINE, MASS., May 22, 1890.
DR. SAMUEL A. GREEN :
DEAR SIR, - I have in my possession a relic of Revolutionary times, certainly unique, which was given to my son Prescott Farns- worth Hall, by the late Miss Elizabeth Farnsworth, of Groton. It is the barrel of a gun carried by my grandfather, Major Amos Farns- worth, of Groton, when he marched to meet the British invaders on the ever memorable April 19, 1775. On the night of June 16 he was doing picket duty on Bunker Hill with Deacon Samuel Lawrence, also of Groton, and one other at an exposed point where they could watch the landing of troops from the English ships ; and the next day he fought with this gun in the Battle, when he was severely wounded, a bullet passing through his right arm, and shat- tering the bone. He was always decided in the opinion that Colonel William Prescott, a cousin of his father's, and well known to him, commanded the American forces on that eventful day. Many years afterward he caused this gun-barrel to be taken from the stock and welded to a small crowbar, which he used in his garden. A few months after the Battle be rejoined his company (Captain Henry Farwell's), and volunteered to go on an expedition to attack Quebec ; but the Captain refused his consent, saying, "I cannot spare you ; they will suffer fearfully." Soon afterward he returned to his home sick with a slow fever contracted in camp.
In 1776 my grandfather served in a five months' campaign as ' Ensign at Ticonderoga, -- where at one time he was reported to be
178
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TOMATO.
the only officer of the company fit for duty, - and at Albany and Saratoga. During the following winter he served in New Jersey ; and in 1777, before the surrender of Burgoyne, he went with a force to strengthen the army of General Gates. While there he was one of a scouting party - with Colonel William Prescott and others --- which captured a British sutler, and then divided his gold among themselves, each man receiving two Johannes [a Portuguese gold coin of the value of about eight dollars]. My grandfather's share was made into a necklace of gold beads, which was worn by his wife, and now belongs to his granddaughter, Mrs. Joseph H. Meredith, of Boston.
In 1778 he was active in the formation of the Sixth Massachu- setts Regiment of Artillery, which many years later, in the War of the Rebellion, was the first to leave Massachusetts for the seat of war. In 1794 he was commissioned Major of this regiment, but resigned at the end of four years.
Sincerely yours, MARY E. HALL.
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TOMATO.
THE tomato plant (Lycopersicum esculentum), now so com- mon in every vegetable garden, was first introduced into Groton about the year 1840. The young plants were sent to Dr. Joshua Green by William Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, and were brought to this town by Aaron Corey, a well- known stage-coach driver of that period, who also acted in the capacity of a modern expressman. They were set out by Eliab Going Bolton, an experienced gardener, who watched them with great care during their growth. I remember dis- tinctly with what curiosity they were regarded by persons interested in such matters, and how the fruit, as it ripened, was carefully distributed in the neighborhood for trial and judgment. According to my recollection, the verdict then was an unfavorable one; but this has long since been set aside, and a later tribunal has decreed otherwise. It has decided that the tomato stands on the border-line of neces- sity, and has come to stay.
-1
179
THE FIRST PARISH, GROTON.
THE FIRST PARISH, GROTON.
THE following accounts of three installations and one ordination of ministers settled over the First Parish in Groton are taken from the "Christian Register" (Boston) of the dates given respectively after each extract : -
On Wednesday, November 1, Rev. Charles Robinson was in- stalled over the church and town or first parish in Groton. The services were performed as follows ; - Introductory Prayer, and Reading of the Scriptures by Mr Field, of Weston ; Sermon by Mr Walker, of Charlestown ; Installing Prayer by President Kirk- land ; Charge by Dr Thayer, of Lancaster; Right Iland of Fel- lowship by Mr Barrett, of Boston ; Address to the Church and Society by Mr Ware, of Boston; Concluding Prayer by Mr Bascom, of Ashby. The crowded state of the house evinced the interest felt in the occasion, and the silence which prevailed during the services, afforded a proof of their excellence, which was con- firmed by the universal satisfaction expressed after their close. Mr Walker's text was from Isaiah lxv, 5. - Which say, stand by thy- self, come not near to me ; for I am holier than thou. The subject of discourse was the exclusive system, which has of late been attempted to be enforced by a combination of sects. Mr Walker spake of its origin and history, and examined the principle on which it is de- fended and the pleas which are made in its support. He met the common arguments respecting fundamentals, and conscience, and compassion for souls, and showed the injustice which must be the consequence of the exclusive system, and the little importance that should be attached to the distinction made between ecclesiastical and civil penalties when this system is permitted to affect members of society in their civil relations. It was a powerful discourse, well suited to the times, clear in its statements, and convincing in its arguments. The music on this day was selected and performed with taste. The circumstances of the town were such as to render the occasion umusually interesting, and while we were led to rejoice in the firmness and prudence manifested by this society in advo- cating their rights, we could not but feel that their situation pecu- liarly called for the exercise of the christian graces, and pray that standing fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made free, they may also abound in love and good works.
November 1. 1826.
t 80
THE FIRST PARISH, GROTON.
INSTALLATION
On Wednesday, the 21st. inst Rev. George W Wells, late of Kennebunk, Maine, was installed over the First Congregational Church and Society in Groton. The Sermon, from Rom ii. chap. 4 v. was by Rev. Mr. Peabody, of Portsmouth N. H. The object of the discourse was to show the mighty power of love as a means for reforming Sinners, contrasted with measures of wrath and denunciation. In conclusion, the principles of the Sermon were happily and forcibly applied to the Christian Minister as a Teacher and Reformer of his fellow men. The day was favorable, and all the services of the occasion unusually interesting.
It is a proper subject of rejoicing, that this ancient and respect- able Society is again, and so soon, provided with a faithful Minister ; and that they have moved as harmoniously to the choice of one who has been tried in the Service, and who, therefore brings with him to this field of his labors, preparations which the young and inexperienced, however devoted, cannot possess.
December 1, 1838.
ORDINATION AT GROTON.
Messrs. Editors, - I regret not seeing an account in the last Register of the installation of Mr. Smith in Groton. I suppose it may be owing to the illness of the Scribe of the Ecclesiastical Council, Rev. Mr. Bates of Ashby, that no account of this inter- esting event has yet been furnished for your columns.
The Installation took place July 12th, a calm, lovely, beautiful day, all in harmony with the sacred associations and delightful duties of the occasion. The Council convened at Farnsworth's Hotel, a thorough going neat and well ordered Temperance House. The Rev. Mr. Abbot of Westford was called to act as Moderator and Rev. Mr. Bates of Ashby as Scribe. After the usual prelim- inaries the Council adjourned to the Meeting-house. The services were introduced by a brief and pertinent prayer by Mr. Chandler of Shirley. Appropriate selections of Scripture were read in good taste and judgment by Mr. Gilbert of Harvard. A well written and able Sermon was preached by Mr. Fox of Newburyport, from these words, 'Walk worthy the vocation wherewith ye are called.' The Sermon might not have been in exact accordance with the taste and judgment of every one. But all must acknowledge that
181
THE FIRST PARISH, GROTON.
it was exceedingly clear in its arrangement, definite in its state- ments of doctrine, eloquent in some passages of it, generous and liberal in its concessions to the Orthodox, hardly just to ourselves, and breathing throughout a most excellent spirit, a spirit worthy of all imitation. It was long, quite long, an hour, yet it was so good it seemed short. The preacher at the close paid a strikingly just tribute of respect and remembrance to the late pastor, Rev. Mr. Wells ; a gentleman whom, now dead all praise - yet whose un- common moral and religious worth few appreciated and honored as they ought when living.
The Installing prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Robinson of Med- field, the predecessor of Mr. Wells. No terms can do justice to this performance. Singularly appropriate in its topics ; uncom- monly felicitous in its language ; most happy in its scriptural allu- sions and quotations ; thrillingly fervent in expression ; it was such an outpouring of the soul as awakened in all present the truest devotional feeling, the holiest sympathies, the most heavenly aspira- tions. The Charge was to have been given by Mr. Folsom of Hav- erhill. He was detained by illness, and Rev. Mr. Fosdick of Sterling, like a good soldier, consented to stand in the breach. And considering what he had to say was almost necessarily im- promptu, it was well said. And though it might not have in it all the gravity and formality of an old fashioned Charge, yet it contained many sound thoughts to which it will be well if the pastor and all the ministers present take good heed. The Right Hand on the Fellowship of the Churches was expressed by Mr. Babbidge of Pepperell, with that exquisite taste and nice discrimination for which that gentleman is so remarkable. The Address to the people was by Mr. Lincoln of Fitchburgh. The time had been so much occupied by those who went before him, that he had the good sense to omit large portions of his address. But what he did give was so good that under other circumstances we should have been glad of it all. That part of his address which related to ministe- rial independence was rich and eloquent. Would every parish act out his suggestions, the pulpit would be more a candle of the Lord than it now is, and the people would truly rejoice in its rays. The Concluding Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Kingsley of Stow. It was brief and fervent. The Benediction was by the Pastor. The singing was performed by the Choir under that veteran leader Mr. Thurston of Fitchburgh, whose grave countenance and sonorous voice it is always grateful to see and hear on such occasions. The singing
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