USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. II > Part 19
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Through his services as surveyor and conveyancer, a large portion of the more ancient deeds of land, in the towns of this vicinity-Charlton, Dudley, Oxford, and Sturbridge-are found in his handwriting, in clear and concise drafts, and fine speci- men of penmanship.
The Hon. Emory Washburn, late Governor of Massachu- setts, in his historical sketch of Leicester academy, in the latter part of his very excellent history of that town, refers to Caleb Ammidown in the connection of benefactor to that institution, as follows :
" Caleb Ammidown was of a class of men which were once scattered through the country, whose independence of thought and opinion gave character and consistency to public sentiment of the community at large. Though these men had little other training than the development which circumstances produced, the lack of education was more than supplied by the strong common sense which had been disciplined in the school of necessity. Though the more immediate sphere of Mr. Ammidown was circumscribed within the limits of a single town, yet his influence was felt, and his name and character were known through a much wider circuit.
" As a land surveyor he was engaged by the government in surveying the confiscated estates of the refugees in the Revolution. For many years he was a member of the Legislature, and, as such, was a strong sup- porter of the government during the 'Shay Rebellion,' as it was called. Among the other responsible offices he was called to fill was that of excise master for the county of Worcester, after the close of the Revo- lution."
Ei DO. Ammindern
SOUTHBRIDGE.
SECTION III.
CHAPTER I.
THIS town had its origin in a poll parish, incorporated by the name of the second religious society in the town of Charlton, February 28, 1801.
For some cause not ascertained, this parish received the name of Honest Town, and continued to be known in all this region of country by that name fifteen or twenty years. The precise time it received this title is equally unknown at this time, but it is a matter of history that the name Honest Town continued until this territory was incorporated as a town by the name of Southbridge.
POLL PARISH.
ITS ORIGIN, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION.
The first meeting preparatory for establishing a poll parish or town by including within its limits a portion of each of the three towns, Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton, was held at the tavern-house of the late Colonel Benjamin Freeman (a central point within the limits aforesaid) early in the year 1795.
At this preliminary meeting the question was discussed, when it was ascertained that the general sentiment of those present favored an immediate movement for securing this
16A
230
SOUTHBRIDGE.
object. It was represented and believed that the interest of all within the limits designated would be greatly promoted in their religious, political, and social relations, by being united in a separate body politic.
As then situated they were members of different towns, and subjected to great inconvenience, by being compelled to travel, many of them, six miles or more to enjoy like privileges, which, if formed into a separate parish or town, they could have within their immediate vicinity.
To effect so desirable an object, with all interested, a com- mittee of seven of their number was selected to consider that subject, also the building of a parish meeting-house, the selec- tion of a location for the same, and to make their report at a future meeting. The following-named persons were chosen to act in this behalf: Oliver Plimpton, Daniel Morse, Joshua Harding, Luther Ammidown, Asa Walker, Eleazer Putney, and James Dyer.
" REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
"The committee to whom was referred the subject of forming a number of the inhabitants of the south-east part of Sturbridge, south- west part of Charlton, and west part of Dudley into a town, have at- tended to that service, and beg leave to report as follows, viz. :
" The first article of instruction to your committee was to report the most convenient spot for a meeting-house.
"In the public opinion three particular spots have been referred to, at a very moderate distance from each other. Your committee having paid particular attention to each of them, are unanimous in their opinion that the central, which is a rising ground on Captain Marcy's land, north of Colonel Benjamin Freeman's barn, * concentrates convenience, elegance, and beauty.
" The second article of instruction to your committee was to report the principle upon which said house was to be built. As it is natural that, in a class of citizens so numerous as is comprised in the limits of the proposed town. there will be different sentiments with regard to
* This barn was located, covering the ground on which is now the bank building, and · the front yard of the house of Captain Luther Ammidown, at the cast of said bank building.
231
SOUTHBRIDGE.
modes of religious worship; this part, therefore, of your committee's instructions forms the most arduous and difficult task. But as a liberal and conciliatory plan appears to be the general wish, your committee pro- pose the following :
"That subscriptions be opened to raise a sum sufficient to erect a frame and belfry for a meeting-house, and complete the outside, and that the pews be sold at public vendue to complete the inside.
" That every denomination be equally privileged in said house, accord- ing to their interest therein ; this clause, however, not to be construed so as to operate against the major part governing, but to confirm the free use of the house to the minority when the majority are not improving the same.
"Your committee foresee with concern that the liberality of the plan will be objected to by many respectable characters, as having a tendency to deprive the town of a stated settled orthodox ministry, to which objection your committee beg leave to make the following observa- tions :
" First .- The difference in sentiment between the Congregationalists and Baptists is principally confined to the administration of the ordi- nance of baptism-a very immaterial difference indeed. Were both par- ties seriously to reflect that religion consists in purity of heart, and give no more weight and consideration to modes and forms of worship than they really deserve; and if a minister should be settled disposed to ad- minister that ordinance in the manner most agreeable to the subject of it,-we might look forward with pleasing anticipation to the near ap- proach of the wished-for period when both parties might be happily united in one society.
" Second .- That every denomination being equally privileged in said house, according to their interest, will have a material tendency to unite and connect them together in one society.
" Third .- That there are comprised in the proposed town as large a number, and in respectability, both as to character and interest, as new towns are generally comprised of ; it would be ungenerous to say they were not as well disposed towards supporting the Gospel.
" The third article of instruction to your committee was to ascertain the bounds of said town. Your committee propose the following: Be- ginning at the south-east corner on the State line, to include James Has- kell, Benjamin Stone, Thomas Cheney, Lieutenant Eleazer Putney, Eliakim Chamberlain, Jesse Merritt, Paul Rich, Asa Dresser, Alexander Brown, John Chub, Joseph and William Mckinstry, Jonathan Perry, to the river; thence up said river, to include John Plimpton, Capt. Elias Plimpton, Fletcher Foster, Captain Samuel Ellis, Jedediah Ellis, Simeon Mason, and Chester May, to the State line.
" But as an actual survey will be necessary before an act of incorpora-
232
SOUTHBRIDGE.
tion can be applied for, your committee are of opinion to refer minute circumstances respecting boundaries to that period.
" Fourth. Article of instruction to your committee was to report a plan for a meeting-house, which plan will accompany this report.
" The fifth article and last of the instructions to your committee was to see what number of persons will come forward to assist to build said meeting-house.
" Although your committee as yet are not well enough informed to detail the particular disposition of every person, yet from what infor- mation your committee have already obtained the disposition of the people appears to be general in favor of the plan.
" Your committee propose to bring forward subscription papers at the present meeting, which will give that point its fairest decision. All moneys, either by sales of pews or subscription, to be considered as binding whenever an act of incorporation takes place, otherwise to be void and of no effect.
"Your committee, in closing this report, are disposed to present to your view the geographical situation of the proposed town. The Great Parent of Nature seems to have been profuse in His favors to this place. The Quinebaug river, which falls so nearly central through, with its ex- cellent seats for mills and other water-works, are circumstances highly favorable to the introduction of useful mechanics, and rendering it a place of activity and business. The goodness of the soil, with the excel- lent forests abounding with all kinds of timber for building, are estimates of great value to the general plan.
" Abstractly considered, from the value it will add to the real estate, if we take into view the benefits that would naturally result from a religious society, where there are so large a number of youths, in forming their minds for the accomplishment of usefulness and virtue, where they are at present, by reason of local situation, notoriously neglected, are, in the opinion of your committee, considerations of much weight, that ought to bear down all obstacles that present themselves in the way of the accomplishment of an object so noble, so great, and so good.
"From every view of the subject, your committee recommend with steadiness, energy, and vigor, to take the most effectual measures to carry into effect an object of so much consequence, as soon as time and other circumstances will admit.
" All of which is humbly submitted by your committee,
"OLIVER PLIMPTON, " DANIEL MORSE, "JOSHUA HARDING, "ASA WALKER, "LUTHER . AMMIDOWN, "ELEAZER PUTNEY, "JAMES DYER."
Committee.
"STURBRIDGE, January 29, 1796."
233
SOUTHBRIDGE.
In pursuance of the foregoing report and recommendation, a survey of the territory for the proposed parish was made by Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, in the autumn of the above year, and a plan made to accompany a petition for pres- entation to the General Court.
The handwriting and phraseology of the above report is that of Joshua Harding, one of said committee.
MEETING-HOUSE.
A convenient place for public religious worship was one of the objects to be attained, by securing a grant for a parish ; and to effect that object it became necessary to erect a meet- ing-house as a common center of attraction, to promote the end desired. Thus it was deemed important to proceed with the building of the same, as soon as means could be provided.
It appears that the work for the meeting-house was per- formed by Major William Love, and commenced in 1797,* and finished early in the year 1800.
By the book of records of the first proceedings, after the house was finished, there appears the proprietors' names, the number of pews each person owned, and number and price of each, as follows :
MEETING OF PROPRIETORS.
At a meeting of the proprietors of the new meeting-house, near Colonel Benjamin Freeman's, October 16, 1800:
Voted: " That a book be purchased for the purpose of making a record of the pews in said house, together with the names of owners, numbers and price of each.
(Signed) "GERSHOM PLIMPTON, JUNIOR, "Proprietors' Clerk, pro tem."
The following list of pew-owners will show the names of
* Report says the frame of the meeting-house was raised, July 4, 1797.
234
SOUTHBRIDGE.
the persons who contributed to the expense of erecting the first meeting-house within the limits of the present town of Southbridge, and what was known formerly as the parish church :
RECORD OF PEWS IN THE PARISH MEETING-HOUSE.
Ministerial Pew,
No. 17.
Price, $70
Oliver Plimpton, Esq.,
Two pews, 18.
52. 29
2.
66 68
Col. Benjamin Freeman, - Three pews,
56. 28
60.
27
66 1. 65
Capt. Jedediah Marcy, - Two pews, 45.
John Ammidown,
Eliakim Chamberlain,
Ralph Vinton,
Luther Ammidown,
One pew, 20. 66 60
Calvin Ammidown,
66
66
51
Jeremiah Morse,
Capt. Ralph Wheelock,
19. 15.
66 45
Comfort Searl,
..
16.
42
Lieut. Eleazer Putney and Son,
8.
66
41
John Vinton,
6.
66
48
Jonathan Perry, Charlton,
25.
66
41
Cyrus Ammidown, ¿
66
26.
66
39
Israel Marsh,
13.
37
William Fessenden,
Joshua Harding,
Henry Pratt,
..
21.
37
Lieut. Daniel Morse,
31.
37
Elijah Marcy,
29.
38
Jonathan Mason,
34.
37
Lemuel Mason,
James Dyer, -
..
32.
66
37
Ralph Harding,
14.
37
Asa Morse,
33.
66 37
Zebina Abbot,
37.
37
Abisha Sabin,
..
39.
66
37
..
22.
37
David Dix,
Daniel Marcy, Junior,
66
4. 5. 50
66 51
Joseph Shaw,
66
..
66
..
. .
..
Two pews, 58. 27
25
6: 3. 51
39
235
SOUTHBRIDGE.
Ensign Denison Wheelock, -
One pew, No. 24
Price, $37
Thomas Cheney,
30
36
Asa Walker,
66
38
66 36
Moses Clark, -
،،
40
36
Capt. Elias Plimpton, -
28
66
36
Lieut. Gershom Plimpton,
23
36
Ebenezer Clark, -
27
36
David Smith,
66
9
37
Edward Morris, S
.6
66
11
36
Captain Abel Mason,
10
35
12
66
36
Fletcher Foster,
Three pews,
47
29
John Marsh, -
One pew,
66
36
33
Lieut. Robert Edwards,
35
33
Jeremiah Shumway,
34
29
John Plimpton, -
66
48
28
Samuel Robbins,
66
46
27
Eleazer Wheelock,
66
44
30
Ruggles Morse,
42
66
30
Lieut. Robert Edwards,
41
29
Jedediah Ellis,
- Two pews,
59
26
Gload Dugar, -
One pew,
49
66
29
Ephraim Wheelock,
31
28
Nathan Brown,
33
28
Jason Morse, Junior,
66
55
29
Joseph Shaw,
66
50
29
Ebenezer Clark, §
66
43
66
29
Jonathan Clemence,
57
66
27
Jephthah Clark,
The Rev. Joseph Clark states in his centennial historical sketch of the town of Sturbridge, delivered to the citizens of that town, July 4, 1838, ten days after the one hundredth an- niversary of its incorporation as a town, that this meeting- house was commenced in 1797, and dedicated in 1800. Also he states that there were 74 different ministers who supplied the pulpit during the 16 years the parish remained united in one society. The several religious denominations that united here were the Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists, and Universalists.
236
SOUTHBRIDGE.
It is much regretted that there has not been discovered any record of the dedication services of this meeting-house, the day when, or the names of any of the clergymen who assisted in that service .*
Neither is there any record discovered to show who were the ministers that constituted the large number who supplied the pulpit during the existence of the parish.
Some names are recollected by the writer, who were among this number, to wit : Rev. Edwards Whipple, of Charlton ; Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Rev. Otis Lane, and Rev. Edward Turner, of Sturbridge; Rev. Abial Williams, of Dudley ; and Rev. Ephraim Lyman, of Woodstock.
TERRITORY OF THE PARISH-A SKETCH OF ITS EARLY HISTORY.
The territory for the contemplated parish, suggested by the foregoing report, was, in its separate parts at different periods in its history, within the limits of five different towns, besides a part being included for several years in a tract of land known formerly as "Middlesex Gore," viz .:
A part of Oxford, from the time the grant was made for that town in May, 1683, to the year 1754, when the west part of that town was set off and incorporated as the town of Charl- ton ; and then a part of Charlton up to the period of the parish, and until taken with other territory in February, 1816, for the town of Southbridge.
* Rev. Erastus Learned, it is said, officiated at the dedication. See Mr. Clark's Histor- ical Sketch, page 40 ; also Rev. Oakman Sprague Stearn's Historical Discourse on Leaving the Old Parish Meeting-House.
This Rev. Erastus Learned was pastor of a church in Canterbury, Connecticut. He de- livered an ordination sermon, December 5, 1805, at the settlement of Rev. Cornelius Adams over a church and people in Scotland society, Windham, Connecticut. This ser- mon was published, and is preserved among a collection of sermons in a volume now in the library of the New York Historical Society, which sermon bears evidence of much ability ; no doubt he was selected for the occasion of this dedication, for his known celeb- rity in that respect. This appears to be all that is known relating to the services on the interesting occasion of dedicating this house.
made from Surver of Balet & Pommes un
PHẠTHỆ PRIZM
Prutrarted by
Moyer Samuel Siceman MAY I1: 1012 Propand expressly for the Enstory of Southbridge
W41 N 186 R
PART OF CHARLTON
NH W' 706 A
.441
PART OF
DUDLEY
PART OF STURBRIDGE
presented by minutes iwhen Ar Shine Samuel Framan
237
SOUTHBRIDGE,
A part of Dudley, from the time of the grant for that town in 1731, up to the period of the parish, and the forming of the town of Southbridge, as aforesaid.
A part of the grant for New Medfield in the year 1729, to 1738, when this grant was incorporated as the town of Stur- bridge, and then a part of Sturbridge, to the period of the parish, and to the date of its union with other territory in establishing the town of Southbridge, in 1816.
A part of New Roxbury, from the time of the grant for that district, in November, 1683, to 1690, when New Roxbury received from the Legislature of Massachusetts the name of Woodstock, and thence to 1747, the time when that town seceded from Massachusetts, and applied for admittance to the colony of Connecticut, when soon after all the part of that town, cut off by the new colony line of 1713, became known as Middlesex Gore.
It is important here, in order to make this part of this trans- action clearly understood, to make the following statement :;
It was supposed that the grant for New Roxbury (afterwards Woodstock), when made by the General Court of Massachu- setts in 1683, was within the limits of its charter, being north of her south line, as run by Woodward and Safery, in the year 1642.
But their line was proved to be erroneous by the running of the same in 1713, by the joint action and agreement of these adjoining colonies, which proved that about seven eighths of Woodstock, and also the towns of Enfield and Suffield, which had been granted and located along that border by Massachu- setts, about the same time, were south of said line.
Nevertheless, by the agreement entered into for ascertaining and establishing this division line, these three towns having been settled by people from Massachusetts, were to continue under her jurisdiction; but for the quantity of land in the same found south of the new line, she was to pay in an equivalent
238
SOUTHBRIDGE.
number of acres of unimproved lands within her territory, not otherwise appropriated, which were to be selected by commis- sioners appointed by Connecticut, for her use and benefit. By survey, these lands, south of the line of 1713, were found to be 107,593 acres; the equivalents for which, Connecticut received, sold, and appropriated the proceeds mostly for the encouragement of Yale college ; and thus this line, which for many years had been a question of dispute and much irritation between these colonies, appeared at the time to be settled to the satisfaction of all parties.
But, in the year 1747, thirty-four years afterwards, these towns, finding that their taxes, by being under the jurisdic- tion of Massachusetts, were more than they would be were they a part of Connecticut, within the limits of whose char- ter their territory was known to be, declined to pay taxes assessed for the support of the government of Massachusetts, and petitioned to be received by the colony in which they were located. Connecticut at first attempted to make an ami- cable arrangement for receiving these towns; but Massachusetts declined such advances, alleging that by agreement they were a part of her territory, as also by purchase, having paid for the same. But, in the course of this discussion, it was discovered that the arrangement that had been made for keeping these towns in Massachusetts was void, by its not having received a ratification by the crown of England ; consequently, Con- necticut, by her General Assembly in 1752, voted to receive them on the ground that they were within the limits of her charter granted by the king, and that they had no right with- ont his authority to alter or change the same.
These towns passing from Massachusetts under this plea, admitted a principle that took from Woodstock all that part of her territory north of said new line, about 3,000 acres ; and lying in the middle, between the towns of Dudley and Stur- bridge on the northi, and Woodstock and the province line on
239
SOUTHBRIDGE.
the south, and not being a part of either town, but unappro- priated province land, it took the name of " Middlesex," and was known by that name until 1796, when, by an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, it was annexed to Dudley and Sturbridge, so much as lay opposite to each, and all that part set to Sturbridge, about 2,000 acres, fell to Southbridge when she was incorporated as a town in 1816.
VALUATION OF THE REAL ESTATE IN THIS TERRITORY.
The number of acres owned by each inhabitant, as rendered by the State assessors, in the valuation made in 1798. Each town taken separately, to wit :
Names of residents in the part taken from
DUDLEY.
John Ammidown,
300 acres, $4,800
Ebenezer Ammidown,
84
947
Thomas Cotterell,
79
66
1,149
Thomas Cheney,
200
3,320
Luther Chamberlain,
143
2,740
John Dyer,
60
786
James Haskell,
70
752
Stephen Haskell,
41
564
John Haskell,
82
894
Edward Morris,
29
יר
349
Theodore Marcy, -
80
830
Pero Morney,
50
470
Jesse Morse,
30
288
Eleazer Putney and Son,
382
4,914
Edmond Sabin,
18
115
Royal Sabin,
80
840
Reuben Stone,
48
281
Benjamin and Perley Stone,
54
640
Perley Stone,
85
820
Benjamin Stone, Jr.,
770
66
664 Winthrop.
William Smith,
112
1,160
Luther Smith, -
120
1,240 Winthrop.
Moses Sumner,
12
140
-
יו
66
-
-
-
240
SOUTHBRIDGE.
STURBRIDGE.
Cyrus aud Joseph Ammidown,
107 acres, $1,000
Erasmus Babbit,
105
66
1,102
Joseph and Joseph Barret, Junior,
61
708
Ephraim Bacon,
170
66 2,660
Anna Barrett,
86
571
Nathan Brown,
400
2,150
Asahel Clark,
17
118
Isaac and Solomon Clark,
97
1,490
Moses Clark, -
48
544
Jephthah Clark,
88
6: 1,176
Henry Clark,
140
2,270
Ebenezer Clark,
63
795
Solomon Clark,
127
1,060
David Dix,
100
66
1,400
Jedediah Ellis,
492
3,387
Fletcher Foster,
350
5,250
Samuel Fiske,
460
437
Benjamin Freeman, -
328
66
4,456
Comfort Freeman,
150
2,475
Joshua Harding,
140
1,200
Ralph Harding,
120
1,707
Jedediah Marcy,
411
7,725
Elijah Marcy,
100
400
Daniel Marcy, -
60
66
900
David Morse,
90
1,845
Samuel Morse, -
112
1,333
Daniel Morse,
77
1,364
Daniel Morse, Junior,
170
1,136
Jeremiah Morse,
108
1,558
Oliver Morse, 2d,
83
860
Calvin Morse,
80
520
Jason Morse,
137
1,168
Henry Morse,
58
493
Abel Mason,
120
1,167
Lemuel Mason,
29
304
Simeon Mason,
289
2,900
Joshua Mason,
94
1,000
Silas Marsh,
166
1,668
Silas Marslı, Junior, -
9
112
Duty Marsh,
130
1,620
John Marsh,
- 126
1,030
66
66
66
66
66
66
241
SOUTHBRIDGE.
STURBRIDGE-(CONTINUED).
Eliab Marsh, -
50 acres,
$625
William Mckinstry,
111
1,251
Joseph Mckinstry,
145
1,540
Asa Morse,
130
.. 1,465
Asa Morse, Junior,
23
140
Israel Marsh,
19
66
218
Samuel Newell,
10
85
Gershom Plimpton,
173
2,704
Oliver Plimpton,
244
3,115
Elijah Plimpton,
260
2,555
Elias Plimpton,
166
6.
2,765
John Plimpton,
169
2,460
James Plimpton,
375
5,317
Joel Plimpton,
100
840
Henry Pratt,
160
1,920
James Pike,
30
205
Jonathan Perry,
100
1,550
Widow Elisha Robbins,
110
1,269
Ezekiel Robbins,
50
581
Timothy Robbins,
2
..
41
Samuel Robbins, -
70
840
Jeremiah Shumway,
150
1,912
David Streeter,
160
1,260
Joseph Shaw,
180
.. 2,970
Seth Shaw, -
94
1,238
Comfort Searle,
107
1,440
Abisha Sabine,
133
1,596
Ralph Wheelock,
250
3,124
Denison Wheelock,
130
1,565
Eleazer Wheelock,
56
..
867
Ephraim Wheelock,
3
.. 49
CHARLTON.
313 acres,
$4,105
Caleb Ammidown,
117
1,275
Luther Ammidown,
190
2,660
Moses Alton,
83
1,148
William Blood,
34
272
Alexander Brown,
170
1,530
Nathaniel Borden,
79
..
790
Jonathan Clemons, -
50
655
Charles Dugar,
139
1,936
Benjamin Douty,
-
154
2,002
-
-
..
..
..
٠٠
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Calvin Ammidown,
..
..
..
242
SOUTHBRIDGE.
CHARLTON-(CONTINUED).
Benjamin Douty, Junior,
79
acres. $869
Robert Edwards,
79
474
John Heath,
8
. .
244
Ruggles Morse.
154
1,232
Amos Oakes,
40
. .
320
Simeon Putnam,
89
968
Andrew Searle,
92
..
1,012
John Vinton,
449
. .
4,722
.Jabez Vinton,
90
1,080
Asa Walker,
91
..
819
" TOTAL VALUATION.
" The total quantity of land in each of the towns of Dudley, Sturbridge, and Charlton in 1798, was, by this account and valuation, as follows:
Dudley, number of acres, 16,567; valued at $200, 139
Sturbridge,
28,342, 6. 349,658
Charlton,
26,807,
347,525
Total acres, 71,716 Total, $897,322
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