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 72
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"On the 26th of October, the same year, 1704, a party of the enemy having been discovered at Still river, the soldiers and inhabitants belonging to Mr. Gardiner's gar- rison, with divers others, went in quest of them, and returned in the evening, much fatigued with the service of the day. Mr. Gardiner, (who had been preaching several years with the people of Lancaster, and was now their pastor elect,) in compassion to the soldiery, took the watch that night upon himself; and coming out of the box late
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LANCASTER.
in the night, upon some occasion, was heard by one Samuel Prescott in the house, between sleeping and waking, who, supposing him an enemy, seized the first gun which came to hand, and shot him through the body in the parade. But the fatal mistake immediately appeared ; and he, being carried into the house, forgave the per son who shot him, and in an hour or two expired, to the great grief not only of his consort, but of his people, who had an high esteem of him.
" On the 15th of October, 1705, Mr. Thomas Sawyer, with his son, Elias Sawyer, and John Biglow, were captivated at his garrisoned house about the dawn of day. Mr. Sawyer's youngest son, about fourteen years of age, escaped through a back win- dow of the house.
"The Indians treated' Mr. Sawyer with much cruelty, but at length they arrived at Montreal. There Mr. Sawyer observed to the French governor that on the river Chamblee there was a fine seat for mills ; and that he would build a saw-mill for him, provided he would procure a ransom for himself, his son, and Biglow. The governor readily closed with the proposal, as at that time there was no saw-mill in all Canada, nor artificer capable of building one. He accordingly applied to the Indians, and ob- tained the ransom of young Sawyer and Biglow without the least difficulty, but no sum would purchase Mr. Sawyer's redemption. Him (being distinguished for his bravery, which had proved fatal to a number of their brethren) they were determined to immolate. The victim was accordingly led forth and actually fastened to the stake, environed with materials so disposed as to effect a lingering death. The savages, sur- rounding the unfortunate prisoner, began to anticipate the horrid pleasure of beholding their captive writhing in tortures amidst the rising flames, and of rending the air with their dismal yells. On a sudden a friar appeared, and with great solemnity held forth what he declared to be the key to the gates of purgatory, and told them unless they immediately released their prisoner he would instantly unlock those gates and send them headlong thereinto. Superstition prevailed, and wrought the deliverance of Mr. Sawyer, for they at once unbound him, and gave him up to the governor. In one year he completed a mill, when he and Biglow were discharged. They detained his son Elias one year longer, to instruct them in the art of sawing and keeping the mill in or- der ; when he was amply rewarded and sent home to his friends, where his father and he both lived to a good old age, and were gathered to their graves in peace.
"On August 5th, 1710, a party of the enemy coming by advantage of the bushes very near to Mr. Nathaniel and Mr. Oliver Wilder, and an Indian servant, at their labor in the field, the servant was killed, but the men escaped to the garrison. And this was the last mischief done by the enemy in Lancaster."
The year following the incorporation of the town, Rev. Joseph Rowlandson preached among the people, and continuing with them, he was ordained in 1658, at which time it is probable the church was gathered, though not certainly known, as the records were destroyed at the burning of Mr. Rowlandson's house. After the resettlement of the town, Rev. John Whiting was settled in the pastoral office, in November, 1690. He continued but a few years, being killed, as already related, in 1697. In May, 1701, Rev. Andrew Gardner began to preach at Lancaster, and the day of his ordination was fixed in the fall of 1704; but before the time came, a sudden and surprising death arrested him. He was succeeded by Rev. John Prentice, who was ordained March 29, 1708. His successor was Rev. Timothy Harrington, who was installed in 1748. Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D. D., the next pastor, was settled in 1793. From the close of the last Indian war the population increased rapidly. 'The first meeting-house, as already stated, was burned by the Indians in 1704. Another was raised the next year, and completed in 1706. The third was built in 1743. The present elegant brick meeting-house was built in 1816, and was dedicated on the 1st of January following. Within the present bounds of the town there has never been but one incorporated religious society.
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LEICESTER.
Lancaster is beautifully situated on the Nashua river, whose north and south branches meet near the center of the town. This stream annually overflows the extensive intervals on its banks, and enriches their already productive soil. There are ten ponds in different parts of the town. Interesting specimens of minerals are found here, and a large slate quarry was once worked for the sup- ply of the Boston market, but has for some time been neglected.
South-western view of the central part of Lancaster.
The above engraving shows the appearance of the central part of Lancaster from the road a few rods north of the burying-ground. The prominent building in the center, with a spire, is the Congre- gational (Unitarian) church. The building with a small spire, to the right, is the academy. The Lancaster House, with a turret, is seen to the left of the church; the bridge seen below the meeting- house is that on which the principal road crosses the Nashua. The Lancaster Bank is in this village. Mr. Rowlandson's house, which was burnt by the Indians, was located at the spot where the cattle are seen feeding. In the central village there are about 75 houses. In this place there are many large elms. There are two other vil- lages in this town, the south or New Boston, and the North village. Population, 1,903. Distance, 16 miles from Worcester, about 25 from Lowell, and 35 from Boston. In 1837 there were 1 woollen and 3 small cotton mills. There were 6 comb manufactories; value of combs manufactured, $35,000; males employed, 40; females, 9. Engraving in its various branches, printing, and book- binding have been carried on to some extent in the central village.
LEICESTER.
THIS township was purchased of the Indians on the 7th of June, 1686-7, by Joshua Lamb, Richard Draper, Samuel Ruggles, and others. The natives called the place Towtaid, but by the English,
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LEICESTER.
before the present name was given, it was called Strawberry-hill. The settlement was not made till many years after the purchase.
In the beginning of 1713, the proprietors petitioned the general court for a confirma- tion of the purchase ; which was granted, on the condition that within 7 years from that time 50 families should be settled on a part of the tract, and that a sufficient quantity of land should be reserved for the gospel ministry there and a school. The court ordered that the town should be named Leicester. It appears that the 50 families were settled on land previous to 1722, for on the 8th of Jan. of that year a deed was executed by order of the proprietors to John Stebbins and 46 others, securing to them their lands. Parts of the original purchase are now comprehended in the towns of Spencer, Paxton, and Ward. The first town meeting was held on the 6th of March, 1721. The exact time when the Congregational church here was first formed cannot be ascertained, but that it was organized before the 30th of March, 1721, appears probable, since at a town meeting then held the question of settling Mr. David Parsons as pastor was acted upon. He was the first minister in the town, and was installed in Sept., 1721. He had previously been settled in Malden. . The connection of Mr. Par- sons with the people was very unhappy, as they soon began to differ, and at length fell into violent contention. Difficulties continuing to increase, the town voted, on the 13th of Jan., 1735, to join in calling an ecclesiastical council to dismiss him, which con- vening, he was dismissed from his pastoral relation on the 6th of March the same year. He continued, however, to reside in the town till his death, in 1737. By his particular direction he was buried on his own land, apart from the graves of those who had once formed a part of his congregation. He was unwilling that his ashes should repose by the side of those with whom he had worshipped in the sanctuary, but who had contended with him. His grave is now visible in a mowing-field, about 30 rods north of the meeting-house. He was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. David Goddard, a native of Framingham, in 1736, whose relation to the people was uni- formly happy. Rev. Joseph Roberts, the successor of Mr. Goddard, was ordained in 1754, and was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Conklin, in 1763. The next minister, Rev. Zeph. Swift Moore, D. D., was ordained in 179S. Dr. Moore was succeeded by Rev. John Nelson in 1812. A Baptist society was formed in the town about the year 1738. The first minister was Dr. Thomas Green, a physician of considerable distinction in his day. He was a native of Malden, Mass., and was one of the early settlers of Leicester. It was chiefly through his instrumentality that this church was gathered. Their meet- ing-house stands about 3 miles south of the Congregational meeting-house. There has been a respectable society of Friends here for more than a century. In 1732, eight persons filed their certificate with the town-clerk that they belonged to that per- suasion, who, either from a mistake in spelling, or to make a revengeful pun, wrote it "those people called Quackers." Their present meeting-house, built in 1791, is com- modious and of good proportions. The spot in which it stands is retired, and almost surrounded with forest-trees ; around it repose, in their nameless graves, the ashes of those who have died of the society. The number of this society is now about 130 members. In 1823, an Episcopal society was gathered in the south part of the town, and a neat church erected by private subscription, which was consecrated by Bishop Griswold, in May, 1824. The Rev. Joseph Muenscher was ordained in March, imme- diately after which he took charge of this church. This was the first Episcopal church ever formed in Worcester county.
There was from 1777 till 1783 a society of Jews resident in this town. They removed here in the winter of 1777 from Newport, R. I., to escape from the war then raging along the coasts. There were in the whole, including servants, about 70 who removed here. Numbers of them engaged in trade, and licenses are recorded to these " to sell bohea and other Indian teas." After peace took place they mostly returned to Newport. They always observed the rites and ceremonies of their law, and their stores were closed from Friday evening until Monday morning. A child of one of the families having one day tasted of some pork in one of the neighbor's houses, its mother, immediately upon learning the fact, administered a powerful emetic, and thus cast out the sin of which
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LEICESTER.
it had been unconsciously guilty. Not one of their number now remains ; the last individual some years since moved to New York, and the synagogue where they worshipped is now desolate and forsaken.
In this town is an endowed academy, and one of the oldest in the state, which was incorporated March. 23, 1784. It owes its foundation to the generosity and public spirit of Col. Jacob Davis and Col. Ebenezer Crafts. This for many years was the only academy in the county of Worcester. The character of its instruc- tion has ever been elevated and liberal. It has a respectable phi- losophical apparatus, which was procured in 1824.
West view of Leicester.
The above shows the appearance of the village of Leicester, as seen from the residence of N. P. Denny, Esq., on Mount Pleasant, about 1 mile distant from the center of the place. The public buildings, the Orthodox and Unitarian churches, the academy, the bank, and town-house, all stand in a line on the summit of the hill, on the north side of a small public green, surrounded by railing.
The town is well watered by springs and several large brooks. Shaw and Henshaw ponds are of some extent. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, 1 Episcopal, 1 Friends, and 1 Baptist. Population, 2,122. Distance, 6 miles from Worcester, and 46 from Boston. Clappville is a manufacturing village, situated about 4 miles from the center of the town, having an Episcopal and Baptist church. In 1837, there were 5 woollen mills, 15 sets of machine- ry; 130,159 yards of cloth were manufactured; value, $319,450; males employed, 166,; females, 178. There were 8 manufactories of machine cards ; machines, 118; value of machine cards manu- factured, $101,500 ; hands employed, 38; there were 9 manufac- tories of hand cards ; machines, 35 ; value of cards manufactured, $50,300 ; hands employed, 32. There was 1 scythe manufactory, (20 hands,) and 1 machine manufactory, (8 hands.)
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LUNENBURG.
LEOMINSTER.
THIS town was taken from Lancaster, and was part of what was called " Lancaster New Grant." It was incorporated in 1740.
The church here was embodied in 1743, and Rev. John Rogers was ordained their pastor. On account of difference of opinion between him and his people about some minor doctrinal points of religion, he was dismissed in 1757. But about one fifth of the society adhering to him, a poll society was made of them by the legislature, with whom he preached till prevented by the infirmities of age ; and was dismissed from them in 1788. After the settlement of the controversy with Mr. Rogers, the church and town proceeded to the choice of a minister, and in 1762 Rev. Francis Gardner was settled their second pastor. After the dismission of Mr. Rogers from the " poll socie- ty," that church and society was dissolved, and the members united with Mr. Gard- ner's church. Rev. William Bascom, the successor of Mr. Gardner, was installed in 1815, and was succeeded by Rev. Abel Conant, in 1824. Rev. Phillips Payson was ordained pastor of the 2d church in 1825 ; he was succeeded by Rev. Ochus G. Hub- bard, in 1833.
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South-eastern view of the central part of Leominster.
This is a pleasant town, and contains much excellent land. The north and western parts are hilly, the land rising in long regular swells; the eastern part, through which Nashua river passes, has extensive plains and tracts of interval.
The above is a south-eastern view of the central part of Leom- inster village, which consists of upwards of 30 dwelling-houses, in the immediate vicinity of the two churches represented in the en- graving. This place is 20 miles from Worcester, 7 from Lancaster, 5 from Fitchburg, and 41 from Boston. There are 5 churches, 2 Congregational, (1 of which is Unitarian,) 1 Baptist, and 1 Uni- versalist. Population, 1,944. In 1837, there were 5 paper-mills in this town, and 17 comb manufactories; value of combs, $80,800; males employed, 84; females, 47.
LUNENBURG.
THIS town was granted by the general court, in 1719, to a num- ber of persons, upon their petition, for a valuable consideration ;)
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MENDON.
reserving, however, school and ministerial lands. The grant in- cluded the whole of the present town of Fitchburg. It was called Turkey Hill (from a hill in the middle of the tract which was once frequented by wild turkeys) until the time of its incorporation, in 1728; when the name of Lunenburg was given to it, in compli- ment to George II., who the preceding year came to the British throne, and was styled Duke of Lunenburg, as having in his Ger- man dominions a town of that name. Many of the first settlers were emigrants from Ireland and Scotland. A church was formed here in 1728, and the Rev. Andrew. Gardner ordained pastor, a few months before the incorporation of the town. He was dis- missed in 1732, and was succeeded the next year by Rev. David Stearns, who died in 1761. He was followed by Rev. Samuel Payson, ordained in 1762, died in a few months. Their next minister was Rev. Zabdiel Adams, ordained in 1764. The suc- ceeding ministers were Rev. Timothy Flint, ordained in 1802, Rev. David Damon, in 1815, and Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard, in 1828. Rev. Eli W. Harrington was ordained pastor of the 2d church in 1837. The land in this town is elevated, and the hills afford the best soil. The people are principally engaged in agriculture. In 1837, there were manufactured 90,000 palm-leaf hats; value, $17,000. There were 16,000 volumes of books printed and bound; hands employed, 5. In the central part of the town there are two churches, and about 15 houses. Distance, 25 miles from Worces- ter, 10 from Lancaster, 22 from Lowell, and 40 from Boston. Population, 1,250.
MENDON.
[For the history and description of this town, the author is indebted to a well-written history, by John Geo. Metcalf, M. D., of Mendon. It is a matter of regret that this his- tory, so politely furnished by the author, could not be copied entire ; but, owing to the prescribed limits of this publication, extracts only could be given.]
MENDON is situated at the south-easternmost extremity of the county of Worcester, and is the oldest town in it except Lancaster. It was incorporated May 15, 1667. It is 18 miles from Worcester, 34 from Boston, and 24 from Providence, R. I. It is 12 miles from the Worcester and Boston railroad at Westborough. Population in 1837, 3,657.
The face of the town is broken and hilly; the north part is the most fertile, producing large crops of hay and grain. This part of the township has also long been noted for its variety and abun- dance of winter apples. The south-westerly portion of the town is generally rough and stony, though there are some excellent farms in it. The south-easterly part is more level and sandy, and less fertile; the middle, hilly and thinly inhabited.
The manufacturing villages are all in the south parish, and are situated principally upon Mill and Blackstone rivers. They are called Millville, Blackstone, Waterford, and Upper and Lower Canadas. There are five post-offices in this town, viz. Mendon,
1 1 i
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MENDON.
in the north parish, and South Mendon, Millville, Blackstone and Waterford, in the south parish. There are nine houses for public worship, viz. 1 Congregational Restorationist, 1 Evangelical, and 1 Friends in the north parish, and 1 Congregational Restorationist, 1 Free-Will Baptist, 1 Friends, 2 Calvinistic, and 1 unoccupied, in the south parish.
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South-western view of the central part of Mendon.
[The above shows the appearance of the central part of Mendon, as it is entered from the westward. The village consists of three churches, 1 Congregational Resto- rationist, 1 Orthodox, and 1 for Friends ; there are, perhaps, upwards of 50 dwelling- houses within half a mile of these churches. The village is situated on a commanding eminence, having an extensive prospect to the eastward.]
Mendon was originally settled by people from Braintree and Weymouth, in the county of Norfolk. John Moore, George Ald- rich, Nathaniel Hareman, Alexander Plumley, Matthias Puffer, John Woodland, Ferdinando Thayer, Daniel Lovett, John Hasber, Josiah Chapin, Joseph Penniman, John Scammell, and John Gur- ney, of Braintree; Goodman King, Sen., Walter Cook, William Holbrook, Joseph White, Goodman Thomson, Goodman John Raynes, Goodman Bolter, Sen., Abraham Staples, Samuel Pratt and Thomas Bolter, of Weymouth, all had land allotted to them before their removal to the town.
At a general court holden at Boston, Oct. 16, 1660, " in further answer to said Bran- try petition, the court declare that they judge meete and proper to grant a plantation of eight miles square, and that the persons named have liberty to enter upon and make a beginning thereat." This tract of eight miles square was afterwards purchased of the Indians, for the sum of " twenty-fower pounds sterling," as set forth in a deed given by " Anawassanauk, alis John, Quashaamait, alis William of Blewe hills, Great John, Namsconont alis Peter, and Upannbohqueen, alis Jacob of Natick," to Moses Payn and Peter Brackett, "both of Brantre;" said deed bearing date April 22, 1662, and witnessed by John Elliot, Sen., John Elliot, Jr. and Daniel Weld, Sen.
At the time of the above grant the court also ordered " that Major Humphrey Ath. erton, Lieut. Roger Clap, Eliazur Lusher and Deacon Parke, or any three of them, shall be and are hereby impowered to make a valid act there." These gentlemen were denominated " the committee for Nipmug," which, it seems, was the original name of the town. Oct. 30, 1663, this committee ordered that all those persons who had been
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MENDON.
accepted to allotments of land in the plantation should remove there, with their fami- lies, by the middle of Nov. 1664, " upon penaltie of forfeituer of all their grants there."
At a general court held at Boston, May 15, 1667, the plantation of Nipmug, which was now called Quinshepauge, was incorporated by the name of MENDON, and was at- tached to the county of Middlesex, May 12, 1670. Moses Payn and Peter Brackett, the original grantees, assigned all their right, title and interest in the territory to the selectmen of Mendon.
The first meeting-house was " set on the highest side or part of the land, which is a highway, neere to Joseph White's san pitt, in his house lott ;" but where Joseph White's sand pit was, and con- sequently where the first meeting-house was located, tradition does not agree. As the original inhabitants all settled in what is now called the north parish, and as the meeting-house was near a sand pit, it is presumed that it was placed somewhere between the present Friends' meeting-house and Muddy brook.
There was no magistrate among the first settlers, at least such as would serve the purposes of the town, for we find that Jan. 1, 1669, "the town men chose the colonell to be returned to the general courte to gain power to take the virdict of ye jury upon ye death of John Lovett-to marry-and to give the present constable his oath." These powers were conferred upon Colonel Crowne, at a general court holden at Boston, May 19, 1669.
Among other orders passed by the selectmen this year, is the following : " Ordered, by us, to read the law to ye youth, to exhorte them to the due and careful observation of ye Lord's day, and that their parents be desired to do their duty herein, for the pro- moting God's glory, theirs and their children's good."
Joseph Emerson was the first minister, and was settled Dec. 1, 1669; though his salary did not begin until Jan. 1, 1670. He was son-in-law to the Rev. Mr. Bunkly, who was minister of Concord, and who concluded the terms of settlement between Mr. Emerson and the town. Mr. Emerson's salary was forty-five pounds for the first two years, to be paid as follows :
"Tenn pounds at Boston yearly at some shope there, or in money at this town. The remayning to be made up, two pounds of butter for every cow, the rest in pork, wheat, barley, and soe to make the year's pay in work, Indian corn, rye, pease and beef."
After the second year he was to be paid fifty-five pounds yearly, "and soe on as God shall enable them." All differences between the minister and the town were to be referred, for adjudication, to the churches of Medfield, Dedham and Roxbury.
Mr. Emerson continued to minister to the spiritual wants of the people until the town was destroyed, by the Indians, in King Philip's war, in 1675. When the inhabit- ants of the town returned, in 1680, Mr. Emerson did not come back with them.
The transactions of a town meeting, holden May 6, 1675, was the last entry in the records before the town was burned. One Richard Post was killed at this time, and, as tradition says, near the office of the Hon. William S. Hastings. Post lived on the road from Mendon leading towards Sherburne, and that portion of it upon which his house was situated, though since shut up as a public highway, has retained the name of Post's lane to this day. Post was the first man killed in King Philip's war within the bounds of the colony of Massachusetts.
After an absence of about five years, the inhabitants, or at least the major part of them, returned, and Jan. 3, 1680, was holden their first town meeting. At this meet- ing, among other town officers, Samuel Read was chosen "clark of the scrits." They immediately set about rebuilding another meeting-house, and, Oct. 4, 1680, gave a call to Mr. Grindal Hanson to become their minister. Mr. Hanson accepted the call, and immediately entered upon his parochial duties, but was not ordained until April 7, 1684. His salary was fifty-five pounds per annum, as follows : " fifteen pounds per annum in starling country money of New England, and forty pounds per annum more to bee paid in good merchantabell country pay, such as the town raiseth." His salary was to be paid semi-annually, on the 25th of October and the 25th of March. All diffi- culties were to be referred to a mutual council of Congregational ministers.
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