USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol IV > Part 19
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Colonel Prescott, the commander of the American forces, and at least three of the Pepperell soldiers who lost their lives in the fight, were natives of Groton.
ERROR ON BUNKER-HILL TABLETS.
In connection with the names that are given on the tablets set up by the city, there is a singular error worth noting. David Kemp, of Groton, is named as one of the men who was killed on the Seventeenth, though fortunately he was only captured in that engagement, and afterward was carried to Halifax. By mistake he was reported as dying while a pris- oner in Boston, and for a long time his family mourned him as dead. It is not recorded when they first heard of his safety, but it was probably many months after the battle.
In " The Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal " (Water- town), July 29, 1776, it is said : -
Last Tuesday Evening came to town from Halifax, Lieut. Scott of Peterborough, in New Hampshire Government, who was wounded
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and taken Prisoner at the memorable Battle of Bunker Hill the 17th of June, 1775, and has been a Prisoner ever since. He informs, That he with 13 others broke Goal about 5 Weeks ago, and betook themselves to the Woods, where they seperated ; that Captain Martindale and his first and second Lieutenants, John Brown Rifleman Leonard Briggs of Ware, and himself arrived at Truro at the head of Cobbecut river, after a travel of 3 days, where they procured a boat and got to the Eastward ; that Richard Carpenter formerly Barber in this town, Philip Johnson Beak, David Kemp of Groton, and Corporal Cruse of Virginia, and two others took the road to Windsor where they were apprehended and confined in irons ; that Benjamin Willson of Billerica, one of the Bunker Hill Prisoners, died lately [on June 10, 1776,] in goal ; and that he left Master James Lovell still confin'd, in high health and spirits.
From the foregoing newspaper account it appears that David Kemp did not die in Boston on September 10, 1775, as is recorded on the Company Return ( LVI. 70) among the Massachusetts Archives ; and furthermore, that he was alive nearly one year after the memorable engagement. The fol- lowing petition, printed in the Journal of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, September 13, 1776, gives the exact date of Kemp's escape as well as other interesting facts : -
A petition of David Kemp, of Groton, setting forth, that his son David Kemp, jun. a soldier in Capt. Parker's company, in Col. Prescot's regiment, was taken prisoner at the battle of Bunker's- Hill, the 17th June, 1775, and carried to Halifax, where he remained till the 13th June last ; that he was not made up in said Parker's roll, only to the 17th June, therefore praying that his wages to this time may be allowed him.
Read and committed to Capt. Kimball, Mr. Ingals and Mr. White. (Page 104.)
A GROTON MAN SHOT PITCAIRN.
In a note book of the Reverend Jeremy Belknap, accord- ing to an extract printed in the Proceedings (XIV. 93) of the Massachusetts Historical Society for June, 1875, it is recorded : -
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A negro man belonging to Groton, took aim at Major Pitcairne, as he was rallying the dispersed British Troops, & shot him thro' the head, he was brought over to Boston & died as he was landing on the ferry ways.
It has long been known that Pitcairn was killed by a negro," but this is the first time, perhaps, that he has ever been con- nected with Groton.
PRESCOTT INSCRIPTION.
The following inscription is found on the monument in Prescott Square, Groton : -
COLONEL WILLIAM PRESCOTT COMMANDER OF THE AMERICAN FORCES AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL WAS BORN ON THE 20TH OF FEBRUARY 1726 IN A HOUSE WHICH STOOD NEAR THIS SPOT
FIRST MAN TO FIRE.
In the account of Chelmsford, prepared by Henry S. Per- ham for Hurd's History of Middlesex County (II. 249), is found the epitaph of Joseph Spalding, who died in that town on July 31, 1820. It is there stated that -
He was among the brave asserters & defenders of the liberties of his country at Bunker Hill, where he opened the battle by firing upon the enemy before orders were given : &, after enjoying for many years the blessings of civil & religious liberty in common with others
Hle ' sunk to rest With all his countrys honor's blest.'
FIRST MAN KILLED.
Amos Foster, a private in Captain Walker's company, Colonel Bridge's regiment, writes, under date of August 3, 1825, as follows : ---
I was close by Asa Pollard [of Billerica] when he was killed. He was the first man that was killed. The ball struck the ground and hopped along before it struck him.
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BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
Foster's letter is printed in " The New England Historical and Genealogical Register " (XII. 121, 122) for April, 1858. Substantially the same statement appears in the Genealogical Register of Hazen's History of Billerica (page 113).
FIRST MAN WOUNDED.
In Holland's History of Western Massachusetts (II. 420), the author says :-
At the battle of Bunker Hill, Aaron Barr of Myrifield [now the town of Rowe] was the first wounded man brought into Cambridge, from the field. He belonged to Capt. Maxwell's company. He was struck by a cannon ball in the morning, had his leg taken off, and died the same day.
There has been a discrepancy of statement in regard to the first man killed in the action, as some persons claim the distinction for Pollard, and others for Barr. The evidence appears to be that Pollard was killed instantly, while Barr was carried from the field and died some hours later in Cambridge. The authority for the statement that Barr was the first man killed is the following writing pasted on the Company Roll among the Massachusetts Archives: "Aron Barr, the first man killed on Bunker Hill June 16 [sic], 1775." It appears to have been placed there many years ago, but long after the date of the original record. He was a member of Captain Maxwell's company, Colonel Prescott's regiment, and not of Captain Nutting's company, as stated in the volume of Bunker-Hill Memorial Tablets (note, page 80), published by the city of Boston.
LAST MAN TO LEAVE THE FIELD.
In Glazier's History of Gardner, Massachusetts (page 25), it is recorded that David Foster " was engaged in the Revo- lutionary War nine months, and was the last man who fled from the enemy at the battle of Bunker hill."
DIED - In Andover, Dea. Isaac Abbott, 91. He was the last to leave the field at the battle of Bunker Hill.
" Boston Daily Advertiser," August 13, 1836.
I leave it for others to settle the discrepancy between these two statements.
.
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gather there from year to year, as well as to the eye of the passer- by. The women have always furnished us with a bountiful dinner, of which parents, children, and friends freely partook. After dinner came declamations, recitations, and singing by the children, followed by talks and speeches from the elderly men and others, in which reference was had to things which happened here during our school life in former days, and interspersed with reminiscences of olden times ; when, after singing some old familiar tunes by all present, the meeting adjourned.
I cannot forbear, just here, to say that last year (1892) at our Arbor Day gathering, a flag-pole, having been procured by a com- mittee previously chosen for the purpose, was duly erected ; and soon after the flag containing the stars and stripes was floating in the breeze amid the cheers of all present. A fitting close of that meeting was the singing of the national hymn to the tune of America, in which all joined most heartily.
And now, sir, knowing you to be not only interested in historical matters but in educational matters as well, I send the enclosed, hoping it may not be void of interest to you, coming as it does from old Groton, though I am not sure that after reading it you will not think I am getting a little into dotage.
Most truly yours, WILLARD TORREY. HON. SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D., Boston.
I suppose I may be considered as a sort of connecting link be- tween the generations past and the present; and, being the oldest resident member of this - Chicopee- Row - District, I may be sup- posed to know as much about the history of this district and its school as any person now living. It is now seventy-seven years since 1 first began to attend this school, and adopting the language of another, I can say the years I have travelled lie stretching in long array behind me ; and I am approaching the time when one lives much in memory. I have ever felt a deep interest in the prosperity and welfare of this school, having been connected with it successively as pupil, teacher, and Committeeman. There was a time when this school ranked as second to no school in town, in regard to its literary attainments and standing, but it is distinguished mainly or largely for the number of teachers it has sent out during the past three-fourths of a century, or perhaps a little more, The late Caleb Butler, Esq., a prominent and influ-
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ential man in this town, remarked that it was the result of the benefit we derived from the income of the school fund, - a be- quest of Col. Josiah Sartell, whose residence was near this schoolhouse. Thinking it might be of interest to some present, I concluded to jot down the names, with a short sketch of each, of those who went out from here and engaged for a longer or shorter time in the vocation of teaching.
I begin with John Shepley, son of John Shepley, who lived in an old brown house which stood where the late Freeman Torrey's barn now stands ; he had three sons, - John, the eldest, engaged in teaching in the winter season while pursuing his studies for a profession ; he became a lawyer, settled in Maine. Ether was a common-school teacher ; became a lawyer, settled in Portland, Maine, was Chief-Justice of that State, and a Senator to Congress ; he was a man highly respected and much esteemed. Stephen was also a teacher ; was a farmer, and settled in Shirley. [See Volume III. pages 278-281, for sketches of John and Ether Shepley. ]
I mention next Josiah Sartell Williams, who was named after Col. Sartell ; he was the oldest son of Jacob Williams, who lived where Samuel P. Williams now lives, and whose wife was sister to John Shepley, Senior. Josiah, familiarly called "Schoolmaster" Williams, was a stout, strong-built man, and weighty withal, and consequently was called to teach some very difficult schools both in Groton and adjoining towns. He never failed to go through with his schools ; he often taught two schools in a winter, - the school terms then were generally short. Jacob Williams, son of Jacob, was a teacher ; became a physician, practising awhile in Groton, also in Gilmanton and Deerfield, N. H. [See Volume III. pages 23, 24, for a sketch of Dr. J. Williams. ] Richard, youngest son of Jacob, was a pupil of this school, and fitted at Groton Academy ; he taught in this district and several other schools in town ; was a physician ; settled in Milford, N. II., and died there greatly lamented. [See Volume III. pages 50, 51, for a sketch of Dr. R. Williams. ] Sarah F., daughter of Josiah S. Williams, taught in Chicopee and several other schools in town, also in South Braintree ; married Dr. Locke of Nashua and died there. [See Volume III. page 72.] Abbie Williams, granddaughter of Josiah S. Williams, taught school several terms ; married, but soon died.
William Eaton, son of Jonas, Senior, taught this school, also the Trowbridge and Tarbell Schools; was a member of School
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Committee one year; carpenter by trade, went to Boston and carried on the lumber business; died there at the age of eighty- five; was reputed rich. Henry Franklin Eaton, brother of William, educated at Chicopee School and Groton Academy, taught schools in Shirley and Dunstable; went to New Bruns- wick and engaged in the lumber business, and has accumulated considerable property.
Samuel P. Williams, son of Samuel and grandson of Jacob, was educated at Chicopee School and Lawrence Academy ; taught Trow- bridge School ; went out west to seek his fortune, soon returned and worked awhile at his trade as carpenter; was in trade for a time in Nashua, came back to Groton and settled down to farming ; has been collector of taxes several years. Jacob Williams, second son of Samuel Williams, was teacher; was out west awhile, returned home and soon died of consumption in early manhood. Henry Williams, third son of Samuel Williams, taught Sandy Pond School ; died young, a victim of consumption. Herbert F. Williams, young- est son of Samuel Williams, taught school in South Weymouth ; is now and has been for several years a practising physician in Brooklyn, N. Y. [See Volume III. pages 63, 64, for a sketch of Dr. Williams.] Mary S., oklest daughter of Samuel Williams, was a graduate of Framingham Normal School, taught several schools in Groton, also in South Weymouth ; she also died a victim of con- sumption. Alline S., sister of Mary, was a graduate of the Normal School at Framingham, taught school in Groton and South Wey- mouth ; married Mr. Marcy, a lawyer, settled in Connecticut, and in a few years died of consumption. Ellen M., sister of Alline, taught in Groton, and also in South Weymouth ; was married and settled in Connecticut ; afterward went with her husband to lowa for his health, but soon returned to Groton, where in a few weeks her husband died ; she married again, and resides in Groton.
Warren F. Stone, who married Mary Williams, daughter of Josiah S. Williams, while residing in this district was sent as Representative from this town to the General Court; was also teacher. Charles W. Stone, son of Warren F. Stone, fitted at Lawrence Academy and graduated at Williams College, taught in our Groton schools, also was Principal awhile of Erie Academy, Penn. ; settled in Warren, Penn., practising law ; has held respectively the offices of Representative, Senator, Lieutenant-Governor, and Secretary of State of Pennsyl- vania, and is now Representative to Congress from Pennsylvania. Rufus B., brother of Charles W. Stone, was teacher in Groton ;
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after the war went South ; was Judge of Court there, but the times being perilous for a Yankee in the South, he returned North and settled in Bradford, Penn., in the Oil regions, and has been and is now in the practice of law there. George F. Stone, youngest brother of Charles W. Stone, was teacher in our High School awhile ; married and moved to Bradford, Penn., and for five years was Superintendent of Schools in that city ; is also a lawyer, and now living in Washington. [See Volume III. pages 282-285, for sketches of the Stone brothers.]
Willard Torrey, son of Noah Torrey, enjoyed the school privi- leges of Chicopee School and Groton, now Lawrence, Academy ; taught seven different schools in town, in all some twenty winters, and was a member of School Committee twenty years out of thirty ; held the town offices of Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of the Poor, and Surveyor of Highways ten years, and also office in parish and church ; and was a Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years. [See Volume III. pages 151, 152.]
Noah Torrey, brother of Willard, was a graduate of Groton Academy, Dartmouth College, and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ; taught schools in Groton and other places ; settled in South Braintree, where he now lives ; is a practising physician ; and has held several town offices, and is Justice of the Peace. [See Volume III. page 53, for a sketch of Dr. Torrey.]
Watson Willard Torrey, son of Willard, was a graduate of Lawrence Academy, Williams College, and Union Theological Seminary ; taught schools in Groton and other places, and was for awhile Principal of Erie Academy, Penn. ; was settled in Sherman, Conn., but his health failing he went to Iowa, and in a few months was brought home, where he soon died, another victim of consumption.
Appleton H. Torrey, youngest son of Willard Torrey, was for a time a student of Lawrence Academy and of the Business College at Springfield, Mass. ; taught the Hobart School in Groton ; then went to Boston, clerk in wholesale boot and shoe store several years ; then came to Groton and engaged in the retail boot and shoe business ; has been Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, and Surveyor of Highways four years, is Justice of the Peace, and now is Town Clerk of Groton. Augusta M. Torrey, daughter of Freeman Torrey, taught several terms in Groton and Dunstable ; has married her third husband, and is now living in Ayer.
George II. Williams, eldest son of Rufus Williams, was educated
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at Chicopee School and Lawrence Academy ; taught the Winthrop and Trowbridge schools in Groton, also a school in Illinois ; upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he was among the first to answer the President's call for volunteers ; he enlisted in Company E of the Thirty-third Regiment from pure patriotic motives ; he fought at Gettysburg and Malvern Hills, and with Joe Hooker at Lookout Mountain, where he was severely wounded and left on the field as dead ; recovering from this he rejoined his regiment in time to move in May under Sherman in his March to the Sea ; he was in command of his company at the fight of Resaca, and had almost succeeded in reaching Atlanta when in an engagement he fell at his post - nobly doing a soldier's duty.
Marcia (Williams) Parkhurst, sister of George H. Williams, while attending Lawrence Academy was called to teach a school in Dunstable, and continuing there until she entered the State Normal School at Framingham ; after graduation at that institution she taught in Dover and South Weymouth, also several terms each in Chicopee and Trowbridge Schools ; after marriage for nine terms she taught the ungraded Chaplin School, having about sixty pupils ; and for ten or eleven years was teacher of the Intermediate Depart- ment of the Butler School ; in 1876 was chosen a member of the School Committee, but having engaged to teach she declined to serve ; was elected again in 1888 for three years, was re-elected in 1891, and is now serving in that capacity.
Adelaide Louisa Williams, sister of Mrs. Parkhurst, taught in Dunstable, New Ipswich, and the Willard and Trowbridge schools in Groton ; married and settled in Hyde Park, Mass. Asa Williams, son of Rufus Williams, obtained his school training at Chicopee and Lawrence Academy ; taught in Dunstable and Townsend, and for several terms the school in West Groton ; was the first Principal of the Butler School after it was graded into three departments ; was in the employ of the Boston and Maine Railroad some ten years, and is now head book-keeper at their supply store in the city of Lawrence, Mass. Josiah Sartell Williams, son of Rufus Williams, bears the name of his grandfather ; taught the Willard and Trowbridge schools, also in Brookline, N. II. ; settled in Nobscot, Framing- ham, has been postmaster there for several years, has served as School Committeeman, also Assessor ; and has a family of four sons and two daughters.
Reuben Lewis, son of Asa S. Lewis, obtained his education at Chicopee School and Lawrence Academy ; taught the Trowbridge,
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Hobart, Chicopee, and Farmers' Row schools, -in all, many winters, -and was a member of the Board of School Committee; also Assessor of taxes many years. Susan F. Lewis, daughter of Reuben Lewis, graduated at Lawrence Academy, taught the Hobart School, but was soon married.
Maria Shattuck, daughter of Andrew Shattuck, taught several schools in Groton and in Warren, Penn .; married a lawyer and settled in Warren, Penn., and is now residing there, and is highly esteemed in that place. Sarah S., sister of Maria, was teacher ; married and settled in Warren, Penn., where she now lives. Harriet N. Shattuck, another daughter of Andrew Shattuck, taught school awhile ; afterward married and went down South.
Joseph B. Raddin taught school in Pepperell ; has served as Selectman, Assessor, Surveyor, and Superintendent of Highways ; is married and favored with a large family of children ; resides in Groton.
Andrew Blood, son of Timothy Blood, was educated at Chicopee School and Lawrence Academy ; taught several different schools in Groton, - Chicopee being one of them, - served on the Board of School Committee several years, was captain of the old Artillery Company, married, died while comparatively young, leaving a family of four children.
Charles Blood, brother of Andrew, attended Chicopee School and Lawrence Academy ; taught the Willard School ; went to Cali- fornia for his health, and after four years returned to Groton ; was married, and followed his trade of tin and sheet-iron worker ; served as Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, and Highway Surveyor ; served several months as a soldier in the late war.
Clara Lillian and Mary Louise Hutchins, granddaughters of Samuel Williams, were both pupils of Chicopee School and graduates of Lawrence Academy ; they taught schools in Groton, but soon entered a printing office, as proof-readers, in Cambridge, where they now reside.
Alice Chapman, daughter of Charles II. Chapman, attended Chicopee School and was a graduate of Lawrence Academy ; taught Chicopee School and two or three other schools; is now engaged as teacher of elocution in Lawrence Academy and in one or two schools out of town.
Cora I. Chapman, sister of Alice, was a pupil in Chicopee, also a graduate of Lawrence Academy ; taught several terms the Win- throp, and is now teacher of Chicopee, third term.
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DISTRICT SCHOOL, NO. 5.
Grace Trumbull, educated at Chicopee School and a graduate of Lawrence Academy, taught school in Harvard, also Chicopee, several terms ; was lately married and removed from Groton.
In the foregoing list I find five lawyers, four physicians, and one minister, and quite a number of others who became influential members of society, and filled various offices of trust and responsi- bility in church and town affairs.
Most if not all the persons mentioned above received their early education and training at Chicopee School, which was gener- ally supplemented by an attendance for a longer or shorter time at Groton or Lawrence Academy.
From the facts above stated, as also from my own observation and experience, I have come to the conclusion that a liberal expen- diture of money for educational purposes will not only be a great blessing to the present generation, but its benefit will be felt by generations to come.
DISTRICT SCHOOL, No. 5.
THE HONORABLE GEORGE LUNT, a distinguished graduate of Harvard College in the Class of 1824, during one winter of his college course taught a District School at Groton. It was, if I mistake not, in old No. 5, situated on Common Street. Mr. Lunt was born in Newburyport, on December 31, 1803, and died in Boston, on May 16, 1885. Some years ago I asked him to give me a short account of his experience in town, when he wrote the following note : -
DEAR DR. GREEN :
SCITUATE, Aug. 7, 1884.
I was very glad to hear from you, but am so occupied with other matters, besides a not very good state of health, that it would not be convenient for me to write out reminiscences of my brief residence in Groton. If you see fit to make any mention of a fact of so little consequence, I have no objection to your stating that during my Junior year at Harvard College, which must have been in 1823, I was employed for a time as teacher of one of the District Schools in Groton, - I do not remember which.
Trusting that you are well, and hoping some time to see you in the city, I remain,
Yours very truly, GEORGE LUNT.
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A LIST OF CIVIL OFFICERS.
In former years there prevailed a common custom among undergraduates of New England colleges to teach District schools during the winter in some country town, but now it has nearly disappeared in this neighborhood. An interesting list of such students who have taught in Groton might be made; and as a beginning I will name the following persons : -
William Allen (II. C. 1802), D.D., President of Bowdoin College.
James Delap Farnsworth (H. C. 1818), a Congregational Minister.
Seth Ames, (H. C. 1825), Associate Justice of the Supreme Ju- dicial Court of Massachusetts.
Thomas Sherwin (H. C. 1825), Head Master of the English High School, Boston.
Willard Parker (H. C. 1826), LL. D., an eminent physician of New York.
Cecil Franklin Patch Bancroft (Dart. C. 1860), LL.D., Principal of Phillips Academy, Andover.
John Lewis Hildreth (Dart. C. 1864), a distinguished physician of Cambridge.
A LIST OF CIVIL OFFICERS.
RESIDENTS OF GROTON, HOLDING COMMISSIONS, ETC.
THE following names are to be appended to the two lists given, respectively, on pages 153 and 428 of the third volume of this Historical Series, and to the list on page 23 of the second volume.
May 12, 1886 George Sumner Graves, Justice of the Peace to Issue Warrants and Take Bail. [This entry was omitted in its proper place. ]
June 7, 1894 April 30, 1896
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