USA > Massachusetts > Historical collections, being a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Massachusetts, with geographical descriptions > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
-
561
CHARLTON.
our men escaped. John Woolcot, the lad above mentioned, was carried to Canada, where he remained six or seven years, during which time, by conversing wholly with Indians, he not only lost his native language, but became so naturalized to the savages, as to be unwilling, for a while, to return to his native country. Some years afterwards, viz. in March, 1728, in a time of peace, he and another man having been hunting, and coming down Connecticut river with a freight of skins and fur, they were hailed by some Indians, but, not being willing to go to them, they steered for another shore. The Indians landed at a little distance from them ; several shots were exchanged, at length Woolcot was killed.
": The last mischief which was done by the savages, in Brookfield, was about the 20th of July, 1710. Six men, viz. Ebenezer Hayward, John White, Stephen and Benjamin Jennings, John Grosvenor and Joseph Kellog, were making hay in the meadows, when the Indians, who had been watching an opportu- nity to surprise them, sprung suddenly upon them, dispatched five of them, and took the other, John White, prisoner. White, spying a small company of our people at some distance, jumped from the Indian who held him, and ran to join his friends; but the Indian fired after him, and wounded him in the thigh, by which he fell; but soon recovering and running again, he was again fired at, and received his death wound.' "
CHARLTON.
THIS town originally belonged to Oxford, of which it formed the western part. It was incorporated in 1754. The lands of this township were at first thought of very little value, being rough and hard of cultivation, and settlement at first proceeded slowly.
North-eastern view of the central part of Charlton.
However, in 1761 the place was so well settled that a church was organized, and Rev. Caleb Curtiss ordained pastor. He was dismissed in 1776. After an interval of six years, in 1783, Rev. Archibald Campbell was installed over the church, and continued pastor till 1793, when he was dismissed. The following ministers have been his successors: Erastus Larned, settled in 1796; Edw'd Whipple, 1804; John Wilder, 1827; William H. Whittemore, 1833; and Isaac R. Barbour, settled in 1836.
The above is a north-eastern view of the central part of Charl- ton, showing the Universalist and Congregationalist churches, and some other buildings in the vicinity. The village consists of about 15 dwelling-houses, on an elevated situation. Charlton is now a large agricultural town, of a strong soil, well watered by springs and small streams, which are some of the head waters of the
71
562
DOUGLASS.
Quinebaug. In this town are 4 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Universalist, and 1 Baptist. Distance, 14 miles from Worcester, 42 to Hartford, (Conn.) and 53 south-west of Boston. Population, 2,469. In 1837 there was 1 cotton mill; 656 spindles; cotton thread manufactured, 16,563 pounds; value, $10,000; males em- ployed, 4; females, 10. There were 15,500 pairs of shoes manu- factured ; value, $13,700 ; males employed, 27; females, 18.
DANA.
THIS township was composed of a part of Greenwich, in Hamp- shire county, of the north part of Hardwick, and the south-east part of Petersham. It was incorporated a town in 1801, and is one of the smallest towns in territory and population in the county. A Congregational church was embodied about 1824, but no minis- ter of this denomination has yet been settled. Ministers of other denominations have occasionally preached in the town. Popula- tion, 660. Distance, 30 miles north-west of Worcester, and 70 from Boston. In 1837 there were 70,000 palm-leaf háts manufac- tured in this town; value, $10,500.
DOUGLASS.
THIS town was granted about 1700, and began to be settled in 1722. The first settlers came from Sherburne, in the county of Middlesex, from which circumstance it was called New Sherburne until its incorporation in the year 1746, when it received the name of Douglass, to perpetuate the name and deeds of Dr. William Douglass of Boston, originally from Scotland, an eminent physician, and author of a history of New England, in 2 vols. Svo., a propri- etor and considerable benefactor. The church was gathered here in 1747, and Rev. William Phipps was ordained their first pastor. He was dismissed in 1765, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Stone, who was ordained in 1771. Mr. Stone died in 1837. His succes- sor was Rev. David Holman, who was ordained in 1808. The second Congregational church was organized in 1834, and Rev. John Boardman was installed pastor in 1835.
The general face of this town is uneven-hills and vales inter- spersed. Rivulets and springs abound, and the people reap great advantages by turning and spreading the water over their lands at their pleasure. There are some excellent interval lands on Mum- ford river, which passes the north part of the town, and empties into the Blackstone in Uxbridge. There are three small ponds lying in different parts of the town. On the west side of a hill a little north of the meeting-house, at the bottom, near a swamp, the Indians in former times had their wigwams and a fort, the remains of which are still visible, and their tools are yet found in the fields.
L
563
DUDLEY.
There are 6 churches, 2 Congregational, 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 for Friends. Population, 1,713. Distance, 18 miles from Worcester, and 47 from Boston. In 1837 there were 2 cotton mills, 4,000 spindles; 1,000,000 of cotton goods were manufactured; value, $55,000 ; males employed, 65; females, 75. There were 2 axe manufactories ; 121,400 axes and hatchets were manufactured; value, $116,400; hands employed, 79.
DUDLEY.
THIS township was originally granted to the Hon. Messrs. Paul and William Dudley of Roxbury, while yet in the possession of the aborigines, the tribe which was known by the name of the Pegan tribe. It was incorporated by the general court in 1731, and the
Eastern view of the central part of Dudley.
name of Dudley was given to it as a token of respect to the above- mentioned men, who were principal proprietors of the soil, and great benefactors to the first settlers in their infancy. The church was founded here in 1732, and the Rev. Perley Howe was ordained their first minister in 1735. He was dismissed in 1743, and the next year Rev. Charles Gleason was ordained, who continued the faithful minister till his death, in 1790. The Rev. Joshua Johnson was installed as successor to Mr. Gleason in 1790. His successors have been Rev. Abiel Williams, ordained in 1799, and Rev. James H. Francis, in 1831.
The central part of Dudley is situated on a commanding emi- nence, called Dudley Hill. The village consists of two churches, an academy, and about twenty-five dwelling-houses. The view above, shows the appearance of the place as seen from a point about half a mile eastward, on the road to Webster. The Congregational church is seen in the central part of the engraving, before which is seen the road ascending the hill, which here descends with con-
1
.
564
DUDLEY.
siderable abruptness. The Universalist church and the academy stand south from the Congregational church. Merino village is about 2 miles eastward. Four acres of land on the summit of this hill were given to the town for public uses by the Pegan tribe of Indians, on condition that all of their tribe who should ever inhabit the town should have the right to convenient seats in the meeting-house. The face of the town is uneven, but not moun- tainous. It is beautifully interspersed with hills, valleys and streams of water. The soil is generally good and fertile. There are quarries of gneiss in this town, which yield great quanti- ties of excellent building stone. There are 4 large ponds, the largest of which is in the east part of the town, called by the In- dians Chau-bun-a-gung-a-maug. French and Quinebaug rivers, both considerable streams, pass in a southerly course through this town. There are 3 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Universalist, and 1 Methodist. Population, 1,415. Distance, 18 miles from Worcester, 6 from Southbridge, 45 from Hartford, (Conn.,) and about 60 from Boston. In 1837 there were 3 woollen mills, 11 sets of machinery ; 196,653 yards of cloth were manufactured ; value, $319,991; males employed, 101; females, 98. There were 27,740 pairs of shoes manufactured; value, $22,698; males em- ployed, 26; females, 18.
The following, respecting the Indians who lived in this town, is from Gookin's Collections.
" About five miles distant from hence [Oxford] is a second town, called Chabana- kongkomun. It hath its denomination from a very great pond, about five or six miles long, that borders upon the southward of it. This village is fifty-five miles south-west from Boston. There are about nine families and forty-five souls. The people are of sober deportment, and better instructed in the worship of God than any of the new praying towns. Their teacher's name is Joseph, who is one of the church of Hassan- amessit ; a sober, pious, and ingenious person, and speaks English well, and is well read in the scriptures. He was the first that settled this town, and got the people to him about two years since. It is a new plantation, and is well accommodated with uplands and meadows. At this place dwells an Indian called Black James, who about a year since was constituted constable of all the praying towns. He is a person that hath approved himself diligent and courageous, faithful and zealous to suppress sin ; and so he was confirmed in his office another year. Mr. Eliot preached unto this peo- ple, and we prayed and sung psalms with them, and we exhorted them to stand fast in the faith. A part of one night we spent in discoursing with them, and resolving a variety of questions propounded by them, touching matters of religion and civil order. The teacher Joseph and the constable James went with us unto the next town, which is called Maanexit, is a third village, and lieth about seven miles westerly from Cha- banakongkomun. It is situated in a very fertile country, and near unto a fresh river, upon the west of it, called Mohegan river. It is distant from Boston about sixty miles west and by south. The inhabitants are about twenty families, as we compute one hundred souls. Mr. Eliot preached unto this people out of the 24th Psalm, seven to the end : Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in, &c.
" After sermon was ended we presented unto them John Moqua, a pious and sober person there present, for their minister, which they thankfully accepted. Then their teacher named and set and rehearsed a suitable psalm, which being sung, and a con- clusion with prayer, they were exhorted, both the teacher to be diligent and faithful, and to take care of the flock, whereof the Holy Ghost had made him overseer, and the people also to give obedience and subjection to him in the Lord."
D F
che
Pag
Hall. te th
565
FITCHBURG.
FITCHBURG.
THIS town was originally a part of the town of Lunenburg, and wholly included in the grant made to the proprietors of Turkey Hill. It was incorporated a town in 1764. A part of Fitchburg, to the north, was cut off in the year 1767, to aid in forming the town of Ashby. What the Indian name given to this territory was, is not known; but the first name applied to it by white men was Turkey Hills, so called on account of the great number of wild turkeys which frequented the place for their favorite food of chesnuts and acorns there abounding.
When the order or grant of the general court passed, in 1719, there was but one family residing in the territory of Turkey Hills. The head of this family was Samuel Page, universally designated by the honorable title of " old Governor Page." When the general court's committee (as they were styled) first visited the place, in Dec. 1719, in the performance of their duty, they found Governor Page, whose faithful sub- jects were composed of his wife Martha and several promising children, oocupying & comfortable habitation on the southerly side of Clark's Hill, a few rods to the rear of the barn belonging to the farm of Micah Marshall. It is directly opposite to the prin- cipal grave-yard, little more than one mile in a south-easterly direction from the meet- ing-house. Old Governor Page exercised not a little taste in the selection of his place of abode. He had, however, no title to the land which he was cultivating, for it was then public domain, and belonged to his majesty's province of the Massachusetts Bay. David Page was undoubtedly among the earliest, perhaps the first, of the settlers in Fitchburg. The birth of his eldest child is dated Oct., 1735. Some of the aged peo- ple of this town think that the first settlement was on the place now owned by James L. Haynes, and that the occupant was sometimes called Governor Page. Others say that David Page lived there, but from how early a period they cannot tell. As to the residence of old Governor Page near the center of Lunenburg, there can be but little doubt ; for the land on which the first pound was built was purchased of him, and the governor himself was elevated to the office of pound-keeper. The house occupied by one Page, near James L. Haynes', was "garrisoned," that is, sticks of timber, hewn on two sides to the thickness of six inches, were firmly driven into the ground so near together as to touch. They extended around the house at the distance of about ten feet from it. Port-holes were made through this of sufficient dimensions to allow the fire of musketry.
The condition of the highways, in the early history of the town, can hardly be ima- gined at the present time. For the most part they were merely "bridle paths," wind- ing through the woods, over one hill after another, increasing the distance double to what it is at the present time. Wheel carriages had not then been introduced. Tra- velling was performed on horseback. In order that people might not lose their direc- tion, trees were marked on one side of the.path. A few roads, which would soon prove the destruction of one of our modern carriages, were laid out at an early season near to the center of the town ; but in that part of the town which is now Fitchburg there was nothing of the kind till, in 1743, a committee was chosen " to lay out and mark a way to the west line of the town, in order to answer the request of the Hon. Thomas Berry, Esq. in behalf of Ipswich Canada, (Winchendon,) and to accommodate Dorches- ter Canada, (Ashburnham,) and the new towns above us." The two most important roads, which led from this part of the town to the center, were the one by David Page's, (J. L. Haynes',) and corresponding nearly with what is now denominated the old road, and the one by David Goodridge's, who lived in the place now occupied by W. Bemis, near the brick factory, at South Fitchburg. What little communication there was be- tween Lunenburg and "the new towns above," was principally made through the road by David Page's, already mentioned. This road, probably, passed the village of Fitchburg, nearly in the same place with the present travelled way. It then wound up the hill, by Enoch Caldwell's, over flat rock, through the land lately owned by Sylva- nus Lapham, and thence to what was then Lunenburg west line, and into Dorchester Canada. John Scott had been for a long time desirous of a more direet ronte to the center of Lunenburg ; but the town would not accede to his wishes. He accordingly procured a court's committee, who laid the present Scott road, " to the great satisfac
-
S
566
FITCHBURG.
tion of Mr. John Scott," as the records say. This road passed from the middle of Lu- nenburg by the log house where John Battles, Jr., now lives; then by Ebenezer Bridge's, where Deacon Jaquitt now resides, and then by Scott's own house, and so on to the road before mentioned. This Scott road was for some years quite a celebrated thoroughfare, and used to be called Crown Point road. David Goodridge, at quite an early period, commenced on his farm at South Fitchburg. His house was near to the spot now occupied by William Bemis. In the year 1745 or 6, one Amos Kimball, and his cousin Ephraim, moved from Bradford into this town. The house occupied by Samuel Hale was built by Amos, and the house on the Stony farm was built by Eph- raim. Soon after their settlement they built a grist-mill, with one run of stones, on the place where the stone factory now stands. The dam was only about forty feet in length, made of a log laid across the river, having spoilings driven in above it.
For several years previous to the incorporation of the town, says Mr. Torrey,* " the inhabitants of the westerly part of Lunenburg began to have shrewd suspicions that they were able to walk alone-that they were sufficient in knowledge and numbers to manage their own affairs-and that it was an unnecessary burden upon them to be compelled to travel the distance of five or ten miles to attend divine service, and transact the ordinary business of town affairs. It will be seen, upon an inspection of the case, that there was a pretty good foundation for these opinions.
By an examination of the records, it will be seen that a very fair proportion of those who were selected to manage the most important affairs of the town, was taken from among those afterwards belonging to Fitchburg. It ought, furthermore, to be considered that a ride of ten miles then was quite a different affair from a ride of that distance now. Of the roads at that period mention has already been made. They were but little better than cow-paths. When this town was incorporated, there were no wheel carriages here of a higher rank than ox carts. Any vehicle of lighter construction would have soon gone to destruction over such roads. Journeys were then made on horseback, or on foot. A spruce young gentleman, in treating the mistress of his affections to a ride, or the sober-minded husband, in carrying the partner of his life to church, brings the sure-paced animal to the horse-block, and mounts, the lady places herself on the pillion behind him. The horse starts off on a walk-the greatest speed at which it would be considered safe to drive him, through roads so rough. They thus pursue their journey, winding along up one hill and then another. The horse leaps over the smaller streams, for fear of wetting his feet, and wades boldly through the larger ones, even to endangering the feet of his riders. Now the 'gentleman dismounts "to let down" the bars, and then proceeds along, dodging under the boughs, twigs, and limbs of trees. He must start very early, or arrive at his journey's end very late. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at, that the early settlers of this town began, so early as they did, to desire a separation from the parent stock, that they might be nearer in the performance of their public duties, whether they were such as they owed to the community or to their Maker. The long-sought-for object of the people of the westerly part of Lunenburg having been obtained, a committee, consisting of Messrs. John Fitch, Amos Kimball, Samuel Hunt, Eph- raim Whitney, and Jonathan Wood, was chosen to procure the act of incorporation; which was obtained in Feb. 1764. At this time the whole number of inhabitants did not exceed 250.
The following individuals and their families composed the population of Fitchburg at the time it was incorporated :
Ephraim Kimball, Solomon Steward, Samuel Poole, Kendall Boutelle, Nehemiah Fuller, Ephraim Osborne, Hezekiah Hodgkins, Isaac Gibson, t Wm. Chadwick, Nicholas Danforth, Ephraim Whitney,
Wm. Henderson, Jonathan Wood, . Samuel Hodgkins, Samuel Pierce, Phineas Steward, James Poole, Francis Fullam, James Leach, Abraham Smith, Charles Willard, Isaiah Witt,
Thomas Gerry, Joseph Spafford, Timothy Bancroft, Samuel Hunt, David Goodridge, Samuel Walker, William Steward, Robert Wares, Silas Snow, Edward Scott, Ebenezer Bridge,
Ezra Whitney, Reuben Gibson, John White, Jesse French, Samuel Hunt, Thomas Dutton, Timothy Parker, Jonathan Holt, Phineas Goodell, Amos Kimball.
* The author is almost entirely indebted for the history of this town to the History of the Town of Fitchburg, by Mr. Rufus E. Torrey, a pamphlet of upwards of 100 oc- tavo pages, printed and published at Fitchburg, in 1836.
t " The personal prowess of these Gibsons was quite proverbial. On one occasion Isaac Gibson, in his rambles on Pearl hill, found a bear's cub, which he immediately seized as his legitimate prize. The mother of the cub came to the rescue of her offspring. Gibson retreated, and the bear attacked him in the rear, to the manifest detriment of his pantaloons. This finally compelled him to face his unwelcome antagonist, and they closed in a more than fraternal embrace. Gibson, being the more skilful wrestler of the two, ' threw' Bruin, and they came to the ground together. Without relinquishing the hug, both man and beast now rolled over each other to a considerable distance down the hill, receiving sundry bruises by the way. When they reached the bottom, both were willing to relinquish the contest without any further ex- perience of each other's prowess. It was a draw game, the bear losing her cub and Gibson his panta- loons." --- Torrey's History.
567
FITCHBURG.
Southern view of Fitchburg.
The above is a southern view in the central part of Fitchburg. The village, which is large and flourishing, lies in a narrow valley on the north-eastern bank of a branch of the Nashua river. There are 8 mercantile and 2 book stores, a printing-office, where a newspaper is published, two large hotels, a bank, " The Fitchburg Bank," which was incorporated in 1832, with a capital of $100,000. This place is 24 miles from Worcester, 30 from Lowell, and 47 from Boston. The general surface of the town is extremely un- even, consisting almost entirely of hills, some of which are very abrupt, and of considerable magnitude. Rollstone, a hill lying immediately south-west of the village, rises abruptly 300 feet above the bed of the stream which flows at its base; and there are other summits which rise still higher. The soil when properly subdued produces heavy crops, and abounds with excellent pasturage lands. Population, 2,662. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is Unitarian, ) 2 Baptist, and 1 Methodist. In 1837, there were 4 cotton mills, 3,880 spindles; 699,700 yards of cotton goods were manufactured ; value, $62,700; males employed, 27 ; females, 62 ; there were 3 woollen mills, 10 sets of machinery; 294,500 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $274,500; males em- ployed, 88 ; females, 64. Two paper-mills; 175 tons of stock were manufactured ; value of paper, $20,000; two scythe manufacto- ries; 31,200 scythes were manufactured ; value, $23,000.
The first church in Fitchburg was formed in 1764, and Rev. John Payson was or- dained pastor. Rev. Samuel Worcester, his successor, was ordained in 1797, and con- tinued here about five years, when he resigned, and was installed pastor of a church in Salem. Dr. Worcester entered zealously into the cause of missions. He died nt Brai- nerd, a missionary station among the Cherokees, June 7th, 1821. The successor of Dr. Worcester was Rev. Titus T. Barton, who was installed pastor in 1804; he was succeeded by Rev. William Bascom, in 1805. Rev. William Eaton, the next minister, was ordained in 1815. Rev. Rufus A. Putnam, the successor of Mr. Eaton, was or- dained in 1824, and was succeeded by Rev. John A. Albro, who was installed in 1832. Rev. Joshua Emery, the next pastor, was ordained in 1835. Rev. Calvin Lincoln was
568
GRAFTON
ordained pastor of the Second Society in 1824. The Village Baptist society was formed in 1831; their meeting-house was built in 1833. Rev. Appleton Morsc, Rev. John W. McDonald, and Rev. O. L. Lovell, have been the ministers of this society. The Methodist society was formed in 1834; Rev. Joel Knight was their first minister. " The first Baptist society of Fitchburg and Ashby" was incorporated in 1810. They have a kind of meeting-house in the north part of the town.
GARDNER.
THIS town was taken from Westminster, Templeton, Winchen- don, and Ashburnham, a corner from each. It was incorporated and made a distinct town in 1785, and named Gardner, to perpet- uate the memory of Col. Thomas Gardner, of Cambridge, who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill. The church was gathered here in 1786, and the Rev. John Osgood was ordained pastor in 1791. He died in 1821, and was the pastor, teacher, and physician for his people nearly 30 years. Rev. Sumner Lincoln, his successor, was ordained in 1824. Rev. Jonathan Farr was ordained over the Uni- tarian society in 1829, and was succeeded by Rev. Curtis Cutler in 1833.
The surface of this town is uneven, abounding in small hills and valleys, and though the land is somewhat rocky, it is strong and fertile. It is peculiarly adapted to grass and pasturage, being naturally moist, and abounding in springs and rivulets. The largest stream is Otter river, which flows into Miller's river in Winchendon. There are two ponds in this town, which have small streams running from them. Upon the various water-courses is considerable good meadow-land. There are 3 churches, 2 Con- gregational and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,276. Distance, 20 miles from Worcester, and 54 from Boston. In 1837, there were 25 manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; the value of articles manufactured was $109,064; hands employed, 350. There were 60,450 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, $8,125.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.