USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. II > Part 6
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STURBRIDGE.
dam with a view to the introduction of an enlarged business, when it attracted the attention of Mr. Fiske, who, about the year 1827, made a purchase of these improvements and the water-power, with considerable adjoining land.
Mr. Fiske erected the brick mill, and filled it with machinery in the years 1827-'28, and began the cotton manufacture in May, 1829.
The dimensions of this first cotton-mill are eighty-four feet by forty, and five stories high.
The stone mill was erected in 1834 and 1835 ; filled with machinery, and commenced to manufacture cotton in 1836. This mill is one hundred and eighty feet by forty, and five stories high.
These mills had ten thousand spindles and two hundred looms, and made print cloths sixty-four by sixty-four ; weight seven yards to the pound.
They occupied only about half of the water-power connected with this privilege.
The water-power is here used twice. The upper privilege, occupied by the stone mill, has a head and fall of twenty-three and a half feet; and the lower, occupied by the brick mill, sixteen and a half feet, making a total of forty feet, and the whole quite secure against any sudden rise of water in the river.
The supply of water from this river, the Quinebang, has been much improved and equalized by the erection of large dams, forming reserves at its head-waters, which hold the sur- plus accumulations of the winter and spring, and release it in the dry seasons.
These mills were greatly enlarged or rebuilt on a more en- larged scale in the years 1869 and 1870 ; the stone mill was partially taken down and prepared for purposes of storage ; and near to it, for occupying the power of that mill site, a new brick mill was erected, of the dimensions of one hundred and eighty-two feet by seventy, four stories high, with an L ex- tension, fifty-six feet by seventy-two, three stories high.
59
STURBRIDGE.
At the center of the large part of this mill are two towers, one on each side, in one of which, is hung a bell of the weight of fifteen hundred pounds, having a clear mellow tone, which is distinctly heard, when rung, over a large extent of the town.
The foundation of all parts of this large mill rests upon solid rock, and the wheel-pit and canal were excavated out of the same. The machinery is operated by a Leffel wheel, having two hundred and eighty horse-power. Every part of the mill has the modern improvements, and has a light and airy aspect. This mill contains sixteen thousand spindles, and three hundred and fifty looms. The daily consumption of cotton is two thousand five hundred pounds, and it has a product of fifteen thousand vards of cloth.
At the lower mill site there has been a large addition to the old brick mill, on its south side, eighty-five feet by seventy, five stories high; besides, the roof was raised on the old mill, and two stories added to correspond with the new part and a central tower is also added, that is seen a long distance in approaching this vicinity. Besides, at the north end, an L was added, fifty-six feet by seventy, used as the picker depart- ment, and cloth-room, having the boiler-room in the basement.
This mill has an iron propelling-wheel of two hundred horse-power. The contents of this mill are twelve thousand spindles and two hundred and fifty looms.
Both mills in full operation consume three thousand two hundred pounds of cotton, and the six hundred looms turn out twenty-five thousand yards of standard print cloths, sixty- four by sixty-four, daily ; weight, seven yards to the pound.
The tenement houses have been enlarged and much im- proved ; and, while it adds to the growth of this village, the prosperity of the town is advanced.
There is yet much valuable water-power on the Quinebaug within the limits of this town, not occupied, which is destined in the future to add largely to its present number of inhabitants.
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STURBRIDGE.
There is a mannfactory of angers and bits, which is con- ducted skillfully and to a considerable extent.
The water-power at Westville, before referred to, is divided between this town and Southbridge, the Quinebang at that place being the division line between these towns ; and here an extensive enlargement of the manufacturing business is being made on the south side of the river, which will give the new mills and principal outlay to Southbridge, but will add inci- dentally to the population in that part of Sturbridge.
POPULATION.
In the year 1765 whole number 896
1790
66
1740
6.
1800
6.
1846
٠٠
1810
1997
،٠
1820
1633 6 Southbridge, incorporated
..
1830
168 1
1816, taking about 750 souls.
.4
1840
2005
Increase at Fiskedale.
1850
..
2119
1860
،،
2991
.6
1865
..
1992
1870
2101
It will be noticed that from 1860 to 1865 there was a large decrease in the inhabitants of this town, which was occasioned mostly by a severe call for the young men for the war of the Rebellion, taking largely from the farming population.
LIST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES.
Caleb Rice, son of Rev. Caleb Rice, the first minister in Sturbridge, graduated at Harvard university, 1764.
Nathan Rice, son of same, graduated at Harvard, in 1773 ; he was a colonel in the United States army, which was sta- tioned at Oxford during the winter of 1798-'99 ; afterward re- moved to Burlington, Vermont, where he died about 1830.
Joshma Paine, son of the Rev. Joshma Paine, gradnated at
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STURBRIDGE.
Harvard, in 1784 ; he was ordained pastor of the first church in Charlestown, June 10, 1787; the first minister settled there after it was burned by the British, in 1775. He died, February 27, 1788, in the following year.
Thomas Babbit, physician, graduated at Harvard, in 1784 . he studied his profession with the elder Dr. Warren, of Bos- ton; began his practice at Gloucester ; returned to Sturbridge in 1790, and removed to Brookfield in 1803, where he died in 1813, having acquired distinction as a surgeon. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical society, and was a surgeon in the expedition to Tripoli, with General William Eaton.
Ephraim Allen, physician, graduated at Harvard, in 1789; he studied with Dr. Erasmus Babbit, of this town, and settled at Salem, New York, where he continued until his death.
Erasmus Babbit, lawyer, graduated at Harvard, in the year 1790 ; he was a captain in the army while at Oxford.
Samuel C. Crafts graduated at Harvard, in 1790; he set- tled in the State of Vermont, and was elected its governor, which office he held several years.
Grosvenor Tarbell graduated at Yale college, in 1793, physician; he studied his profession with Dr. Thomas Babbit, and settled at Lincoln.
Alphens Cheney graduated at Dartmouth college, in 1795.
John Paine, a lawyer, graduated at Harvard, in 1799; son of Rev. Joshua Paine; studied his profession in the office of Jabez Upham, of West Brookfield, and practiced law in this town till his death.
Timothy Newell graduated at Harvard, in 1802 ; the only son of General Timothy Newell ; died at Salem, New York, soon after he left college.
Samuel Bacon graduated at Harvard, in 1808; son of Ephraim Bacon, in that part now Southbridge ; read law with W. C. White, Esq., of Rutland, and Ilon. Levi Lincoln, of
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STURBRIDGE.
Worcester. While in this latter place assisted in editing the National . Egis. He then edited The Hive, a political paper, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1812, he became an officer of marines in the United States service ; afterward practiced law in Philadelphia ; then became an Episcopal clergyman, and lastly, an agent of the American government, on the coast of Africa, to protect persons liberated from slave ships ; he died there the 2d of May, 1820.
Benjamin Rice, graduated at Brown university, 1808; studied theology at Andover, and settled in the ministry at Buxton, Maine.
Josiah J. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1808 ; he read law with Nathaniel Searle, of Providence, and fin- ished his studies with Timothy Bigelow, Esq., of Boston ; entered the practice of law at Wrentham. Was senator in the State Legislature, and member of the governor's council. He was the founder of the manufacturing business at Fiske- dale, in this town, where he died, August 15, 1838.
Jacob Corey, graduated at Brown university, in 1808 ; practiced medicine during his life in this town.
William Learned Marcy, graduated at Brown university, in 1808; he read law in the city of Troy, New York; removed to Albany, and soon rose to distinction, as a lawyer and po- litieal writer ; he was a native of that part of the territory that became a part of Southbridge; and will be more particu- larly referred to in that connection.
Daniel F. Harding, graduated at Brown university, in 1809; he was of that part of the town taken to form Southbridge.
David W. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1825 ; studied law with his brother, Josiah J. Fiske, at Wrentham ; and settled in his profession at Detroit, Michigan.
Calvin T. Fiske, graduated at Brown university, in 1826; a brother of the last described; settled as a physician in Sturbridge.
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STURBRIDGE.
Henry F. Leonard graduated at Brown university, in 1826 ; son of Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, and died at Sturbridge, soon after he left college.
David T. Lane graduated at Amherst college, in 1829 ; son of Rev. Otis Lane ; studied theology at Andover, and received a commission from the American Board, with the design to labor as a foreign missionary ; but died at his father's soon after leaving Andover, at Sterling, Connecticut.
William H. Taylor graduated at Brown university. in 1837 ; a teacher.
Abijah S. Lyon graduated at Brown university, in 1837 ; became pastor of the Baptist church at North Oxford.
Benjamin F. Brooks graduated at Amherst college, in 1837 ; he read law at Cambridge, settled in his profession in Boston, and is distinguished as an able attorney and coun- selor.
Chester W. Carpenter, Amherst college.
John B. Allen, Union college.
Darius Gore, Amherst college.
Alfred Belknap, Amherst college.
Merrick Lyon, Brown university.
SCHOOLS.
This town had thirteen districts for schools, with fifteen schools. The money raised for this purpose has been as follows: In 1866, raised $1,800; in 1867, $1,800; in 1868, $2,000; in 1869, $2,200; in 1870, $2,200; and in 1871, $3,500. The school district system has been abolished, according to the act of the Legislature providing for the same.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHAPTER III.
HON. AMASA WALKER.
H ON. Amasa Walker, now a resident of North Brookfield, is a descendant of Nathaniel Walker, one of the early planters, of the town of Sturbridge, residing in that section, for- merly called " The Gore," a tract of 10,000 acres, as shown by the map of the first survey of this territory, which subsequently became this town. This Mr. Nathaniel Walker located at the head of what is now known as "Walker's Pond," in 1748; he came with his wife, who was Submit Brewer, and several children. He was the son of John Walker, of Weston, who was the son of Samuel Walker, of Woburn, who was the son of Angustine, of Charlestown; admitted freeman in 1641 ; was master mariner, and died at Bilboa, in Spain. His will is in the office of the Secretary of State, at Boston.
Nathaniel Walker had a large family of children, among whom was a son, named Phineas, born in 1738 ; who married Susannah Hyde, of Sturbridge. He settled at Woodstock, and died there at the age of ninety-two, and his wife at the age of ninety-four. They had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters . me of his sons. Walter, was born at Woodstock, Connectient. May 27, 1773: he married Priscilla Carpenter, of that town. April 3, 1798, and made his residence in Brookfield. Massachusetts. They had three children : one, Amasa, the subject of this notice, was born at
66
STURBRIDGE.
Woodstock, May 4, 1799. He married Emeline Carleton, of Boston, July 6, 1826. She died, July 24, 1828, leaving a daughter, who survived her but a few weeks.
Mr. Walker married again, June 23, 1834, Hannah Ambrose, of Concord, New Hampshire. They had three children. First, Emeline, born at Boston, April 11, 1835 ; married to Alfred Batcheller, of Boston, June 18, 1857. Second, Robert, born at North Brookfield, July 12, 1837 ; married Isabella Tucker, of Holden. He was a lieutenant in the volunteer service in the late war of Rebellion, and badly wounded at the battle of New Market, Virginia, in 1864. Third, Francis Amasa, born at Boston, July 2, 1840; married Exem Stoughton, daughter of T. M. Stoughton, of Gill (Turner's Falls), Massachusetts, who was born, October 11, 1840. Their children are : Stoughton, born at Turner's Falls, June 3, 1866 ; Lucy, born at North- ampton, September 1, 1867 ; Ambrose, born at Washington, District of Columbia, December 28, 1870. Francis Amasa was the Adjutant General of the Second Army Corps during the late war, and in 1870 was Commissioner of Indian Affairs, but recently has accepted a professorship at Yale college, New Haven.
Amasa Walker was a graduate of the common school of North Brookfield, but studied the Latin language a few months under the charge of his pastor, Rev. Dr. Snell. He served as an apprentice in a country store, and commenced business for himself in West Brookfield in 1820. Was agent for the Methuen Factory Company in 1823 and 1824, and went to Boston in 1825, where he conducted a successful trade, mostly in the boot and shoe business, till 1840, when he retired from mercantile affairs.
Mr. Walker then devoted his time and attention to literary pursuits, political affairs, and scientific objects.
IIe was appointed professor of political economy in Ober- lin college, Ohio, in 1842, and gave lectures there seven
67
STURBRIDGE.
years, though not a resident at that institution. In 1861 was appointed lecturer on public economy at Amherst college, and gave lectures there till 1869. He was a member of the Massachusetts house of representatives, in 1849; of the senate, in 1850, and secretary of state for the years 1851 and 1852 ; member of the constitutional convention in 1853, and of the house again in 1858 ; was one of the electoral college of 1860, and the secretary of that body ; was elected to Con- gress, to fill a vacancy in the session of the thirty-seventh Con- gress, 1862 and 1863. He received the degree of doctor of laws from Amherst college in 1867.
While Mr. Walker's attention has been largely engaged in his professorships and political affairs, he has made a special study of " The Science of Wealth." He published an octavo volume upon this subject in 1866, which has passed to its sixth edition, and is regarded as a work of standard value; it has probably given more celebrity to his name than any other or perhaps all the prior acts of his life. His mental activity has been constant and untiring, having for its object the gen- eral advancement of the industrial, social, and moral improve- ment of his fellow-man ; and, in aid of this end, he has been a liberal contributor of his ideas for the newspaper press and periodical publications of the country.
CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL WALKER.
James settled in Belchertown, had nine children.
Mary married Alpheus Richardson, of Sturbridge ; they had six children.
Lucy married Comfort Freeman, of Sturbridge ; they had eight children.
Nathaniel, Junior, settled in Sturbridge, and had six chil- dren.
Phineas settled in Woodstock, Connecticut, and had nine children.
68
STURBRIDGE.
Asa settled in Charlton, in the south-west part, in that tract which became a part of Southbridge, and was the father of the persons of that name in this latter named town, and had six or eight children.
Josiah settled in Sturbridge, and had five children, among whom was Perez Walker, a distinguished citizen of this place.
Beulah married a Mr. White, of Middlefield, Massachu- setts ; they had ten or more children. .
Joel settled in Vershire, Vermont, and had six children.
Lydia was an invalid ; she never married.
Submit was blind, and never married.
BENJAMIN D. HYDE,
STURBRIDGE AND SOUTHBRIDGE.
Mr. Hyde was the son of Joshua Hyde, of Sturbridge, a farmer in favorable circumstances ; was born in that town, February 8, 1803. He was connected with the business of the farm mostly, until 1828, except for five winters he taught school: one season in Sturbridge, two in the center of the town of Dudley, and two winters in the center of the town of Charlton. The Ist of January, 1828, he entered the law school at Northampton a short time before the death of the late Judge Howe, who was then at the head of that institu- tion. Ile continued there, with the exception of a part of a year, until the spring of 1831, being part of that time in the office of Bates & Dewey. In March, 1831, he was admitted to the bar of the Common Pleas court at Northampton. He then returned to Sturbridge, and in May of the last named year opened an office for the practice of his profession in Sonthbridge, and continued the same there until April, 1840, when he returned to Sturbridge, and continued the practice of law with success, accumulating for himself and family a handsome estate. While residing at Southbridge he repre-
Benj @
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STURBRIDGE.
sented the town twice in the Legislature, and in Sturbridge filled the same office once, and in each of the three sessions was placed on important committees, discharging the duties with ability and credit to himself. He was also a member of the constitutional convention of Massachusetts in 1853. Mr. Hyde was a man of sound practical sense, had little regard for personal show, but gave his time and attention to whatever came before him with great directness of purpose. His habits of industry were such that he had but little leisure for amuse- ments, but was always social and companionable in his general intercourse with society. He died, November 2, 1869, aged sixty-six.
Henry D. Hyde, a lawyer of distinction, practicing his pro- fession in Boston, is his son.
PHYSICIANS.
Mesheck Remington, Jacob Corey, Junior,
Erasmus Babbit,
Daniel Mason,
Jacob Corey, M. M. S.,
Hosea Wheeler, M. D ..
Thomas Babbit, M. D. and M. M. S., Calvin P. Fiske, M. D.,
Matthias Rice,
Orson Parker,
Abisha Howard, M. M. S.,
Cyrus Hutchins,
Ephraim M. Lyon,
William S. Saunders, M. D.
Among this list of physicians Dr. Jacob Corey, senior, for many years of his practice in this and adjoining townships, became the most known.
His patients were co-extensive with all the region of coun- try within a circle of eight to ten miles from his residence. Being a man of great endurance, he was constantly on his horse, traveling over the hills and valleys both by night and by day ; and, although not learned, he possessed that experi- mental knowledge that gave the people great confidence in his ability. He was born in 1756, and died, May 17, 1839, aged eighty-three.
At an earlier period Dr. Thomas Babbit was regarded as 5A
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STURBRIDGE.
a physician of skill, possessing a respectable standing with the profession generally in that vicinity.
LAWYERS.
Erasmus Babbit, Junior, John Paine,
George Davis, Benjamin D. Hyde.
This town has had its full share of men of distinction. General Timothy Newell has before been referred to; also Colonel Nathan Rice, son of the first minister. He served in the war of the Revolution, and at the time of the aggressions of France, during the administration of President John Adams, when war became imminent between that country and the United States, which induced the President to commence preparation for such an event, by raising troops and stationing them at different points for prac- tice in military tactics. An encampment of a body of these men was stationed at Oxford and placed under Colonel Rice's command in the year 1799, before referred to in the collections for that town.
He was regarded as a man of ability as an officer, and pos- sessed considerable merit as a literary man.
Colonel Ebenezer Crafts, a native of Pomfret, Connecticut, born, September 3, 1740, a graduate of Yale college, resided here many years, and exercised much influence in the cause of education, being one of the principal founders of Leicester academy. He was a merchant in this town and accumulated a respectable estate.
At the commencement of the Revolution, he raised a com- pany of cavalry and joined the army at Cambridge before Boston, in 1775. After the evacuation of that town by the British troops, he returned to Sturbridge, and soon after was elected colonel of a regiment of cavalry and commanded a company under General Lincoln in the Shay's rebellion. He removed to Vermont in 1790, to take charge of a township of
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STURBRIDGE.
land which he and General Newell had previously purchased, which tract took the name of " Craftsbury" in his honor. His son, Samuel Chandler Crafts, born at Woodstock, Connecti- ent, October 6, 1768, graduated at Harvard college in 1790 ; moved to Vermont, and became chief judge of the county of Orleans, and continued as judge, also holding many other important offices in that State, till 1828, when he was elected governor and re-elected in 1829 and 1830. Represented Vermont in Congress eight years, and, for a time, filled the office of senator, having been appointed by Governor Paine to fill a vacancy. He died at Craftsbury, November 19, 1853. His father died in that town, May 24, 1810, aged seventy.
Colonel Crafts built at Sturbridge, what is now and has for many years past been known as the hotel back of the trees, on the south side of the village common.
Among the prominent names of this town are Fiske, Allen, Plimpton, Walker. Newell, Wight, Harding, Morse, Clark, Smith, Corey, Marsh, Ellis, Johnson, Mason, Freeman, Boy- den, Hyde, Phillips, Hobbs, Upham, Watkins, Felton, Cong- don, Dunton, Howard, Rice, Holbrook, Denison, Wheelock, Shumway, Taylor, and Marey.
Many of these names are applicable to the town of South- bridge, residing in that part of this town which was set off with parts of Dudley and Charlton to form that town, in the year 1816.
THE WORCESTER SOUTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
INCORPORATED, MAY 2, 1855.
The first meeting of this society, under the act of incorpo- ration, was held at Sturbridge, June 16, 1855.
The organization was as follows: for Moderator, Luther Hamant ; for Secretary, Aaron Lyon.
72
STURBRIDGE.
The following permanent officers were now elected :
For President, Oliver E. Felton, Brookfield; for Secre- tary, Aaron Lyon, Southbridge; for Treasurer, Simcon F. Marsh, Sturbridge.
It is proper to add that an association for the encourage- ment of agriculture was formed here several years before this act of incorporation was obtained.
It was the enterprise and intelligence of this body that at- tracted attention in the adjoining towns, and induced a desire to participate in its advantages. Thus it was deemed advisa- ble, in the year 1854, to petition for an act of incorporation, which was obtained, and the organization was made as above.
In the following year, at their annual meeting, the officers elected for the organization were continued in office, and elected for the years 1857-'58-'59, except Aaron Lyon, who resigned the latter year. Samuel H. Hobbs, of Stur- bridge, was chosen to fill his place.
In 1859 this society united with the town, and built a public hall, with two spacious rooms, one above the other ; and this society made use of the upper hall.
At the annual meeting, in 1860, Calvin P. Fiske, M. D., was elected president, and Messrs. Hobbs and Marsh continued in their respective offices. The same officers were continued for 1861.
In 1862, at the annual meeting, Newton S. Hubbard was elected president ; Colonel David Wight, secretary ; and Melvin Haynes, treasurer.
In 1863 the president and secretary were continued, and Simeon F. Marsh elected for their treasurer ; for 1864 the same officers were continued. At this time the permanent fund was $1,401.
The officers for 1865 were Newton S. Hubbard, for presi- dent ; Samnel H. Hobbs, secretary ; and David Wight, treasurer.
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STURBRIDGE.
In 1866 Rufus B. Dodge, of Charlton, was elected presi- dent, and the secretary and treasurer of the past year were continued ; they served also for the year 1867.
In 1868 Sylvester Dresser, of Southbridge, was elected president; Henry Haynes, of Sturbridge, was made secre- tary ; and David Wight, treasurer.
For 1869 same officers were continued. In 1870 Daniel Dwight, of Dudley, was president ; Amasa C. Morse, of Stur- bridge, secretary and treasurer.
The same officers were continued for the year 1871.
The premiums and gratuities paid by the company yearly have been as follows :
For 1855,
Paid $201.25
For 1863, 1864,
Paid $393.57 373.86
1857,
66 290.26
66 1865,
66
575.45
6. 1858,
331.50
1866,
560.20
1859, 66
314.71
1867,
625.10
66
1860,
387.50
1868,
808.72
1861,
440.25
1869,
738.52
1862, -
388.19
The balance of funds over all liabilities in October, 1871, was $7,430.99. This sum entitles this society to draw annu- ally from the State $600, which is the largest sum any one . agricultural society can draw in any one year.
The agricultural fair grounds, consisting of about twenty - five aeres, were reported upon at a special meeting of the society, held, January 14, 1868, with a recommend to pur- chase of the persons then owning them, about nineteen acres of Nelson Bennett, and five or six acres of Thomas McCarty, located in the town of Sturbridge.
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