USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. II > Part 25
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"In the possession of such immunities and blessings, it is natural to wish their long continuance, and to inquire for the means of their con- servation. Unfeigned gratitude to the Divine and Munificent Benefactor, a sense of our constant dependence on Him, the cultivation of moral and religious principles, and the performance of social obligations, are indispensable prerequisites both to individual and national prosperity. When people abandon themselves to a course of dissipation, they become prepared, like Esau, to sell their birthright for an insignificant reward.
.. A spirit of philanthropy and mutual forbearance ought to be cherished as far as the public safety will admit. Truth and error are often em- braced with equal sincerity. How ought we to be ready to cast the veil of charity over each others' foibles, where no injury arises to essential truth. Difference of opinion in this country, even among those who are equally tenacious of the elective franchise, and the fundamental principles of the Constitution, has, in some cases, unhappily grown into asperity and censoriousness. It is now a proper time for all these animosities to be hushed to peace. To all true Americans Union is the rallying word. But all those who are not true Americans, and who wish to sap the foundation of the superb structure, reared by the venerable Washington and his honorable companions, are to be credited only for the frank avowal of their sentiments and designs. Such ean not think it strange, if the people should advance, as an honest opinion, that 'the Ethiopian may as soon change his skin, or the leopard his spots,' as for them to become useful in the exercise of delegated trust, under a government they peremptorily condemn and despise.
" A general dissemination of knowledge contributes largely to the perpetuity of our republican institutions. The mind must be informed before it ean consistently choose, or judiciously decide. In our rising youth we behold the stamina of future patriotism and usefulness. Means of information ought not to be neglected. Next after the Bible may be recommended to their perusal Washington's pre-eminent fare- well address, the history of our own country, and Cary's olive branch. The intelligent young American, feeling in his bosom the glow of lib- erty, will be led, like the young prince of Carthage, to swear eternal enmity to despotism.
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
"Too great precaution and vigilance can not exist towards the first dawnings of any attempt to subvert public freedom. According to Polybius, an ancient writer, such a design can not be expected to spring from the industrious and honest part of the community. It is ambitious pride and boasted avaricious greatness that would fondly riot on the spoils of others' labor. The agriculturalists, manufacturers, and me- chanics of America will cautiously guard their rights, and safely preserve the palladium of their country.
"Industry is one of the main pillars of our republic. To despise this is foreign from a patriotic American. While some of the wan, pedantic metropolitans would cast opprobrium on the enterprising inhabitants of the country, and tauntingly style them the ' backwoodsmen,' etc., ours shall be the glory to follow the example of him (now slumbering in the shades of Mount Vernon) who deemed it an honor to wield the sickle and direct the plow.
"It may not be unprofitable for us this day to cast an eye towards the other nations of theglobe. In Asia tyrants rule with absolute dominion. The millions of population there have no voice in government, and are sunk in degradation and imbecility as under the spell of a general incubus. Africa's sable sons never saw the Star of Freedom rise on their extended plains. In the kingdoms of Europe the inhabitants would fain boast of the name of liberty, while the immunities and blessings of it are far be- yond their embrace. Even in England the laboring people, by incessant toils, gain only a miserable pittance to protract the thread of mortal being. France groans under the Bourbon yoke and Catholic despotism. In Spain, by the aid of Protestant monarchs, the bloody Inquisition, with all its horrors, is revived.
" Perhaps this very day many unhappy victims are suffering all the tor- tures that malice can invent, and savage cruelty inflict, because they presume to read the Gospel for themselves, and obey its sacred dictates. Are not their heart-rending sighs and groans borne to the ears of our pained imaginations by every eastern wind that blows? O State re- ligion, thou deadly foe of human rights and human bliss, when will thy barbarous, diabolical reign be passed? May propitious Heaven suc- ceed the patriots of South America to break the Spanish yoke, and tri- umphantly rear the standard of independence.
" What kind of pleasure those Protestants can enjoy who were in- fluential in reinstating the Pope and the most sanguinary Inquisition, they alone must determine. While they bore the name of Christianity, they have aided in unsheathing the dagger against its vital interests. Under the counterfeit of religion tyrants have generally cloaked their nefarious plans. The perversion of that which is the most valuable, is always the most detrimental to society. To this most abominable source may be traced the greater part of the wars which have desolated
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Europe since the Christian era. How any of the Americans who have tasted the delicious sweets of liberty and enjoyed the resplendent beams of truth can indulge a sympathy for the sanguinary church of Rome, when they have so long been praying that Babylon might be overthrown, is a solecism I am unable to solve. Those who have indulged a spirit of virulence against the only government under Heaven which was struggling for the support of civil and religious freedom, rejoiced in the triumphs of its enemies and the prospect of its subversion : encouraged, countenanced, and co-operated with the invading foe: and mourned when the glorious cause of liberty brightened and finally became victori- ous-surely must be deeply in arrears both to their country and their God. Such have advocated a cause which Heaven did not deign to bless, and opposed one on which it propitiously smiled. Short of due repentance and return, such can not appear with very good grace this day in cele- brating the independence and triumphs of their country.
" But, ye patriots of Columbia, ye who have borne the heat and burden of your country's cause, and have undeviatingly rallied around its standard in prosperity and adversity, to you belong the pleasures of an approving conscience, that, even in the darkest moments, you have endeavored to discharge your duty. You emphatically wear the badge of Washing- tonian benevolence written in the heart. You participate in your country's sorrows and delights. Never since time began, on the ordinary scale, has the arm of Almighty God, to whom alone belongs the destiny of empires, been made bare more wonderfully in favor of any national enterprise than it has been in favor of yours. You have beheld the boasting lords of transatlanic birth pollute your soil with their hostile tread, and seen them fall the sad victims of their own hallucinations and mad ambition. To you belong the cheerful duties and heart-felt pleasures of this resplendent day. Should you be called ere long to the peaceful slumbers of the tomb, you have the pleasing reflection of leav- ing your posterity in a land sacred to the rights of men, and Freedom's effulgent reign. May the rich blessings you enjoy rest on them and their descendants, and all within our happy Union, till the name of America shall be no more, and empires sleep in everlasting night."
The following are some of the proceedings of the celebration of the National Independence in this town, July 4, in the year 1821.
REV. JOHN BISBE, ORATOR.
"On the morning of the 4th instant, the glorious anniversary of American Freedom was hailed at Southbridge. By the discharge of cannon it was announeed to adjacent towns that the importance of the day was not forgotten. By 10 o'clock a large concourse of citizens had
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assembled at the house of Messrs. L. & L. Ammidown. At half-past 11 o'clock the procession was marshaled by Colonel E. Phillips and Major S. Fiske, and moved to the meeting-house, where the performances were attended to in the following order, viz. :
" 1st. The following ode, written for the occasion by Timothy Paige, Junior, Esq., was sung by a large choir of singers, accompanied by the band.
"ODE FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1821. "Let hymns of triumph rise around The shrine of Liberty ; Her temples fill with joyful sound, Of song and minstrelsy.
It is a nation's natal day- 'Tis Freedom's jubilee ; With thankful hearts due homage pay- The homage of the free.
From thraldom's dream our fathers woke, And spurned at tyrants' sway ; The sceptre of the mighty broke, And east their chains away.
Great was the work, and great their souls Who made their country free; Their names are written on the rolls Of immortality !
Others have fought, and battles won, In vain-their hope expires ; Their Chief was not a Washington- Their soldiers, not our Sires.
To despot rod let Enrope bow, And shake her gilded chains; Free as our streams to ocean flow, We tread our native plains.
Unchecked Columbia's Eagle soars, With wide and glorious sweep ; Her mountain oak, her thunder pours Triumphant o'er the deep.
Invincible in battle-field, Iler march is victory ! Strong are the arms in fight that wield The sword of Liberty.
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And long as Justice holds her sway, And Valor shields the brave, Undim'd her stars shall shed their ray, And high her banners wave.
These blessings claim the song of praise, Of thankfulness and love, Lond hallelujahs let us raise To Ilim who rules above."
" 2d. Prayer by Rev. George Angell.
"3d. Declaration of Independence read by William W. Thompson, Esq., in an impressive style.
"4th. Music by the band.
" 5th. Oration by Rev. John Bisbe; eloquent and instructive, incul- cating the soundest American principles.
"6th. Music by the band.
" The procession was again formed at the meeting-house and pro- ceeded to the Bower. General J. Davis, assisted by Amasa Nichols, Esq., Major John Spurr, Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, and Sylvester Watkins, presided.
" About three hundred sat down to the table, and partook of an elegant entertainment, prepared by Messrs. L. & L. Ammidown.
" The cloth being removed, the following citizens were chosen a committee for the Anniversary Festival of 1822:
" Charlton,
John Spurr, Dan Lamb, Samuel Hall.
Jonathan Davis,
" Oxford,
Richard Olney, Rufus Moore. Amasa Nichols,
"Dudley,
William Winsor, John Brown. James Wolcott, Junior,
" Southbridge,
Larkin Ammidown, Fordyce Foster.
Edward Phillips, .
" Sturbridge,
Sylvester Watkins, Ephraim Morey. Francis Clarke,
" Brookfield, -
Moses Bemis,
.
Solomon Richardson.
"Mr. James Wolcott, Junior, General Jona. Davis, and Major John
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
Brown were chosen to express the thanks of the assembly to the orator, and request a copy of the oration for the press. They reported that the service had been attended to, and that the request would be complied with.
"The toasts were announced by Major John Brown, and repeated by Mr. Moses Plimpton.
" The following thirteen regular toasts were adopted by the com- mittee:
" 1. The Day we Celebrate-While Liberty sleeps beneath the oppression of tyrants, this day will be hallowed by every American.
"Six cheers-Tune, 'Yankee Doodle.'
"2. Our Republic-She stands alone in the world : but we declare this day that her existence shall be perpetuated, 'till states and empires be no more.'
"Six cheers-' Washington's Grand March.'
"3. The Statesmen and Soldiers of the Revolutionary War-Great was the work, and great the souls of those whose labors produced the fabric of liberty, which the world now beholds in the United States of America.
"Three cheers -- ' General Green's March.'
"4. The Memory of Washington-May the living reverence the virtues of that hero and philanthropist, who sacrificed the enjoyments of domestic life that America might be free and happy.
" Nine cheers .- ' Washington's March.'
"5. The Er-Presidents-In their retirement from public life they have the heart-feeling consolation of finding their children in a land saered to the cause of freedom.
"Six cheers-' President's March.'
"6. Literature-Regulated by a liberal policy, the most important means of perpetuating republicanism.
" Three cheers-' Smith's Minuet.'
"7. Massachusetts-By Federal legerdemain actually dispossessed of her whole funds, even pocket change, to settle the bills of madness and folly.
" No cheers-' No Luck About the House.'
"8. The Late Convention-Sixty thousand dollars of the people's money gone ; squandered by political jugglers. May the people learn wisdom from their sufferings, and not employ cheats any longer.
" No cheers -. Burbank's Solitude.'
"9. The Holy Alliance-While tyrants and despots are combined to dictate what kind of government a nation shall have, let republicans lament the fate of Naples and all Italy.
" No cheers -- ' Burbank's March.'
" 10. Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce-By the plow we will thrive. The busy hum of factories and workshops shall be heard ; and
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our canvas be spread over every sea to export our produce, and . aggre- gate the profusions of every clime.'
" Six cheers -. Green Grow the Rushes."
"11. Religion-The cause is sacred. May no attempt be made by law to filch one particle from its primitive purity.
" No cheers -. Vale of Avoca.'
"12. The Army and Navy of the United States-The boasted soldiers of Waterloo could not withstand the one; nor the mistress of the ocean the other. Their crown is immortal honor.
" Nine cheers -. Greenfield.'
" 13. The American Fair-Daughters love freedom as well as sons. Sons protect them, and they will protect you.
" Six cheers-' Fair America.'
"The following are all the volunteer toasts preserved ; many more were given, and in a truly republican, liberal expression :
" 1. By the President .- Our Orator-May Republicans ever be thankful for blessings like him.
" 2. By the First Vice-President .- The Enemies of' Republicanism-In whatever country found, distinguished by some specious name. Sons of Liberty, hold the terms ' Washington Benevolence,' ' Holy Alliance,' etc., in utter detestation.
'. 3. By the Second Vice-President .- The Militia of the United States- Well organized, the nation's life-guard in time of peace; the rock of our defense in the first moments of war.
" 4. By the Third Vice-President .- Massachusetts-The Cradle of Liberty. May the great children of the State be cautious about rocking the little ones.
"5. By the fourth Vice-President .- The Surviving Patriots of the Revolu- tion-Covered with wounds and worn out with age, may they hail this day with all the vivid fire of youth.
"6. By the Orator .- The United States of America-The last Republic on earth, may she be the first in restoring freedom to the world,
"7. By Major John Brown .- The Late War -- A second struggle for inde- pendence ; just in its commencement and glorious in its results. It has commanded for us respect abroad, and restored confidence at home.
"8. By Mr. Moses Plimpton .- A Free Government-For all who know its value and desire it ; and may those who choose a king be ruled by an Emperor of Russia or Austria till they, like the frogs in the fable, be- come sensible that every monarch is a log or a serpent.
" 9. By Frederic W. Bottom, Esq .- Independence-It costs much ; but not half what it is worth.
" 10. . By Mr. Morris Marcy .- The Holy Allianer-A wicked contrivance of monarchs to suppress the liberties of mankind.
" 11. By Mr. Brewer Thompson, from Natches .- The Town of South-
·
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bridge-May infant manufactures cover the shivering backs and warm the icy hearts of our sapient legislators.
" 12. By B. F. Shumway .- Andrew Jackson-The ' Hero of the Battle of New Orleans'-his name is immortalized. The heroes of Waterloo can never pluck a feather from his plume.
"13. By Captain Otis Ammidown .- The President of the United States -May his praise extend as far as the sun diffuses his radiance.
"14. By Gabriel Priest .- American Manufactures-A School of Indus- try ; a scourge to British importation.
" The festivities of the day were closed with appropriate songs by Lieu- tenant John Ammidown, Mr. Samuel Dunbar, Mr. Aaron Willard, and others. It was cheering to the present actors on the stage to witness the eagerness of the youth and children pressing forward and listening with attention to catch the sentiments conveyed in the oration and toasts, and everything illustrative of the achievement of liberty.
" Order and decorum were the characteristics of the day. In good sea- son the company separated, conscious that they had cheerfully discharged an important duty, in evincing to the world that we will, if we have but one day to live, devote that to our country.'"
ADDITION TO SOUTHBRIDGE. "AN ACT
"TO SET OFF CERTAIN PERSONS FROM DUDLEY, AND ANNEX THEM TO SOUTHBRIDGE IN THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER.
" SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That Otis Am- midown, Caleb Ammidown, Thomas Cheney, Joel Cheney. Jera Mans- field, Charles Cheney, and Hiram Cheney, together with their estates, shall be and hereby are set off from the town of Dudley and annexed to the town of Southbridge, to enjoy all the privileges and the immunities of Southbridge. Bounded as follows: Beginning at the great monu- ment on the line between Dudley and Southbridge; thence north, 24º; east, two hundred and forty rods (240), to a corner of Caleb Ammii- down's land; thence north, 22º; cast, thirty-two rods (32); thence north, 10°; east, two hundred and thirty rods (230), to Quinebaug river ; thence up said river, one hundred and one half rods (100}), to a chestnut- tree on the bank of said river: thence north, 4º: west, one hundred and sixty-six rods (166): thence north, 94º: cast, two hundred and sixty rods, to a black-oak-tree on Southbridge line.
" SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the town of Southbridge shall maintain all persons who heretofore have, now are, or may hereafter gain a settlement in the above-mentioned premises, and may become charge- able to any town in this commonwealth.
21A
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
"SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the persons aforesaid shall pay all taxes that now are assessed on the town of Dudley, agreeably to the val- nation of the premises aforesaid, and the town of Southbridge shall main- tain and keep in repair one third part of the Vinton bridge, so called, in Dudley, forever. provided the persons before mentioned shall have the same privileges as the inhabitants of Dudley to obtain material to repair the same.
"FEBRUARY 23, 1822."*
ROADS OR HIGHWAYS.
In all new settlements local travel is the first object for which roads are constructed, and next to the accommodation of neighbors is the approach to a common center for attend- ance on public business and public religious worship.
Such was the origin of all New England roads. From these came the connection between towns and villages, and thence to county-seats, and the capital of the province or the State.
The lack of a general plan for accommodating distaut travel led to the Turnpike or Post-roads. In their location but little regard was paid to the altitude of hills ; the pre- vailing idea was directness.
Experience soon made these roads objectionable, for two important reasons : 1st, the altitude of hills; and 2d, the bur- den of tolls.
The power for the location of roads for town accommoda- tion rests, first, with the selectmen; but in cases where there was a neglect in this respect, a remedy was provided for, by ap- peal to the court of sessions, which body in the year 1826 re- ceived additional authority, under the title of "Commissioners of Roads." The frequent appeals to this court under theirmore extensive powers suggested the plan of establishing a commis- sion whose duty should be mainly to attend to this business, and be distinct from the former authority. One result of this
* See vol. v, Massachusetts Special Laws, p. 499.
1
CHARLTON
- SOUTHBRIDGE ~~
MASS 1830.
Heuthinder our taken from the towns of Dutiny fhurendu and Chartten ant encerpteind int its
and Chartten an 175+
Area about 13 500 acres Frpulahmm in M20 1066
The Churchany runs in Southfrutas Ds mith The
af rame Šš fool themato the top of Columbia (os Pand ort for, to the fast y same 10 fort
Distance from Boston 57mites, from Harvester
Population in A00 - 4031
. 150 - 1655
* 1850 - 3575.
EXPLANATION
Đơnhạng House
WOODSTOCK. CON
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Stem
Scale of 100rocks to an inch
This map is made from a correct survey of the Town of Southbridge b Barlow Freemas dog under the direction of the subursters . committer appointed . Han'S Wiss for that purpose in pursuance of a resolve of the Legislature of Massachusetts, passed Marche !" IN
. Taser Proespèces
Southbridge (ct 1831
Even D. Immuneen
" MOTO-LITHOGRAPHIE CONY POSESIONES PROCESSI
PRBRIDGE
Quinebous
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
was the abolishing of the court of sessions, and transferring its remaining duties to other courts.
The act establishing the board of county commissioners was passed by the Legislature, February 26, 1828. These officers to hold commission by appointment from the gov- ernor, by consent of the council, three years, unless sooner removed.
A new system of roads was now inaugurated, which soon destroyed the value of turnpike roads, and relieved the pub- lic from the burden of tolls.
It was learned by the action of this board, that the distance around a hill was about the same as that over it, while the cost of construction of that class of roads was no greater. This may properly be taken as the commencement of good roads in Massachusetts, for the accommodation of the distant or long travel, without regard to local interest.
When the town of Southbridge was incorporated in 1816, its roads had not advanced beyond the primitive period, as before represented; since which time few towns, if any, have exhibited more enterprise in this respect.
The first new road built here extended from a point a short distance west of the Methodist meeting-house to a point on the road opposite the dwelling-house of the late Oliver Plimp- ton, Esq., relieving the travel from the angle near the house of J. J. Oaks (formerly the house of the late Fordyce Foster), and the hill on the old road.
This was an improvement of the road between the center and Globe village made in 1823, principally through the in- finence of the late James Wolcott, Junior, then the chief owner of the woolen mills in the latter village.
The next improvement was in the center village, on Elm street (as now known); this was done by the authority of the court of sessions, in the spring of 1825, by widening the road between Main street and the Congregational meeting-house by
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
taking land upon the east side of the way. It had two objects, as then set forth, one to widen the street, and the other to open a piece of common land, similar to that connected with the Baptist meeting-house.
The leading impulse to this movement was the commence- ment of the erection of a hotel on the site of the present Edwards house. In December, 1824, Luther and Holmes Ammidown and associates, had excavated a cellar there, walled in the same, and had the sills placed thereon, while the frame was in preparation for the structure. This was the condition when the court's committee appeared to view, and hear parties in interest. There was a strong effort to influence the committee to widen the end on Main street, on the west side, to take in the whole cellar, and thus stop the erection of the hotel ; but the necessity was not deemed sufficient by the committee to ineur that expense ; but four feet were taken from the east side of the cellar, reducing the length of the front four feet from the original design of the hotel to be erected.
There was also made, in the year 1825, under the authority of the selectmen, a general survey of the town roads, by Colonel David Wight. These surveys were recorded by the town clerk, at a later date, in a book in that office for record- ing roads.
In 1826, Holmes Ammidown, being the highway surveyor for the center district, constructed the large water-sewer crossing Main street, and raised the grade in places from four to six feet, and constructed a reservoir near the east side of same. Those persons, now residents of this village, and not having witnessed the overflow of this street by sudden heavy rains, before this improvement was made, can scarcely realize as they now behold its tine elevated grade, always free from water, that it was frequently covered with water from one to four feet in depth, from a point opposite Elm street to the
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