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 74
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
593
OXFORD.
from Boston. In 1837, there was 1 satinet mill ; 20,000 palm-leaf hats and 1,300 straw bonnets were manufactured, valued at $7,486.
OXFORD.
THIS town was a grant made by the government, in 1682, to Joseph Dudley, Esq., governor, to William Stoughton, Esq., lieut. governor of Massachusetts, to Major Robert Thomson, Messrs. Cox and Blackwell, and associates. It was styled " a tract of land lying in the Nipnet or Nipmuc country," (the Indian name of which was Mauchaug.) The grant expressed 8 square miles, but according to the survey and boundaries it comprehended 12 miles in length from east to west, and about 9 in width, comprehending the whole of Charlton and a part of Dudley and of Ward.
It was surveyed by Mr. Gore of Roxbury, and a return thereof being made to the general court, they accepted the same, and on the 16th of May, 1683, they granted the plantation and gave it the name of Oxford. The original proprietors of Oxford, in the year 1686, took on to the grant 30 families of French Protestants, who were driven out of France in consequence of the repeal of the edict of Nantz by Louis XIV., in the year 1684. According to a MS. delineation of the town of Oxford, it was laid out in lots in the names of the original proprietors. Between cleven and twelve thou- sand acres at the east end were " severed, granted, and set apart for a village, called Oxford, for the said families." Some of these people were from Rochelle, in France, or vicinity. They had with them a French Protestant minister, Mr. Daniel Bondett. They built a meeting-house, (which stood near the road leading to Norwich, Conn.) and near this was their burying-ground. They built two forts for defence against the Indians, one of which was near their meeting-house, at the foot of Mayo's hill; the other, the larger fort, stood on the summit of the hill. A well in each of the forts is to be seen, though they are both nearly filled up. These settlers set up a grist and a malt mill, and planted vineyards and orchards, the remains of which are yet to be seen. They acquired the right of representation in the provincial legislature. Of this fact the public records preserve the evidence ; for, in the year 1693, an act was passed em- powering Oxford to send a representative to the general court. The French plantation can be clearly traced down to the year 1696, at which time it was broken up by an incursion of the Indians. It appears they killed a Mr. John Evans, and John Johnson and three of his children. Mrs. Johnson was saved by her brother, Mr. Andrew Sigourney, sen., who, hearing the report of the guns, ran to the house and pulled her out of the back door, (with a child in her arms,) and took her over French river, which they waded through, and fled towards Woodstock, Conn., where there was a garrison. The Indians killed the children, dashing them against the jambs of the fireplace. Mr. Johnson, having been to Woodstock, returned as the Indians were massacring his family, and was shot down at his own door. Upon the dispersion of the French set- tlers from Oxford, it appears that most of them went to Boston. It is believed that, after the fear of the Indians had subsided, a few families returned to Oxford, but most of these went back again to Boston, in about 19 years from the time of their first settlement of Oxford, about the time of the erection of the first French church in Boston, in 1701-5. Among the French Protestants who emigrated to Boston and lived for a time in Oxford, were Montel, Jacques Dupen, Capt. Jermon, Peter Cante, Berean Caeini, Elie Dupeu, Ober Jermon, Jean Maillet, Andre Segourne, Jean Maillet, ant., Peter Canton, Jean Jeanson, Mr. Germaine, Jean Beaudoin, - Boudinot, and Benja- min Faneuil .*
* Other settlements of French Protestants were made in different places in America, (principally in New York, Virginia, and Carolina.) Some of the descendants of these people have rendered distinguished services to our country. Of the nine presidents of the old congress, who conducted the United States through the revolutionary war, three were descendants of French refugees who had emigrated to America in conse- quence of the revocation of the edict of Nantz. These were Henry Laurens of South Carolina, John Jay of New York, and Elias Boudinot of New Jersey.
75
594
OXFORD.
Site of the French Fort on Mayo's Hill, Oxford, Mass.
The above shows the situation (as viewed from the south-east) of the principal fort of the French Protestants, which they erected as a defence against the Indians on Mayo's Hill. The pile of stones seen near the center of the engraving, by which a person is standing, shows the precise spot of the cellar of the fort or fortified house. Mr. Samuel Mayo, on whose farm this interesting relic is situated, has shown a laudable spirit in preserving the remains of the fort from being obliterated. The well (which is filled up, ex- cept a small depression,) was situated at the feet of the person standing by the stone wall. On the left of the engraving, about four rods south of the cellar of the fort, is seen a grape vine which was originally planted by the Huguenots. They had another fort to the westward of this, on the first elevation, seen beyond the re- mains of the fort. It is probable the church and burying-ground were near this place. In the distance is seen, to the north-west, the village of Oxford, about one mile and a fourth in a direct line. This village contains about 40 houses, 2 churches, and a bank. French river is seen flowing to the eastward of the village. When standing on the site of the fort, the observer has a commanding prospect, especially to the westward. Wachusett mountain is seen rising in the distance far to the north-west.
The following is an extract from a poetical tribute to the memory of the Huguenots of Oxford, by Mrs. L. H. Sigourney :
" On visiting a vine planted by the Huguenots, at the ruins of the French Fort at Oxford.
-Not by rash, thoughtless hands, Who sacrifice to Bacchus, pouring forth Libations at his altar, with wild songs Hailing his maddened orgies, wert thou borne To western climes-but with the suffering band Of pious Huguenots didst cross the wave, When they essay'd to plant salvation's vine In the drear wilderness. Pensive they mark'd The everlasting forest's gloomy shade, The uncultured vale, the snow invested heath,
Track'd by the vengeful native; yet to rear Their temple to the Eternal Sire, and pay Unfetter'd homage to his name with joy, Though on their hymn of praise the desert howl'd. The savage arrows scath'd them, and dark clouds Involv'd their infant Zion ; yet they bore Toil and affliction with unwavering eye, Fix'd on the heavens, and firm in hope sublime Sank to their last reposc .- Full many a son Among the noblest of our land looks back Through time's long vista, and exulting claims These as their sires."
At the abdication of the Huguenots, the lands of the township reverted to the pro- prietors, who, on the 8th of July, 1713, granted them to others for a settlement, on condition that their number should amount to 30 families at least. The requisite num-
te
2
595
PAXTON.
ber of associates was obtained. The town was incorporated in 1713 : about a year and a half from the date of the grant a distribution was made by lot to the 30 families. The following is the list of persons as they drew their lots :
Daniel Eliot, Jr., William Hudson, Joshua Whitney, Nath'l Chamberlin,
Ephraim Town, Benjamin Nealand, Joseph Rocket,
Jonathan Tillotson,
Samuel Hagbourn, Jos. Chamberlin, Jr., Ebenezer Larned, Oliver Coller,
Benoni Twichell, Daniel Eliot, Sen., Joseph Chamberlin, John Chandler, Jr.,
Isaac Larned, Abiel Lamb, Thomas Hunkins,
Joshua Chandler, Thomas Gleason,
Edmund Taylor,
Abram Skinner,
Daniel Pearson, John Coller,
The town of Oxford is not very hilly or uneven. In the cen- ter is a large plain, of a mile and a half in length and about a mile in width, which is nearly all under cultivation. Near the north end of this plain stands the Congregational meeting-house, and about a mile south of this the meeting-house of the Universalists. The village is mostly built on one long street, running nearly north and south. From the plain the land rises on all sides, but not very high. French river, passing through this town, affords it a fine water power. There are extensive cotton and woollen manufac- tories. Oxford Bank has a capital of $100,000. Distance, 10 miles from Worcester, and 45 from Boston. Population, 2,047. In 1837 there were 4 cotton mills; cotton spindles, 6,226; cotton goods manufactured, 653,500 yards; value, $92,685 ; males em- ployed, 66; females, 67. There were 5 woollen mills, 12} sets of machinery; cloth manufactured, 184,820 yards ; value, $371,915 ; males employed, 122 ; females, 78. There were 4,165 pairs of boots and 33,522 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $36,794; males employed, 66; females, 45.
The first church was gathered in this town January 18, 1721, and the Rev. John Campbell (a native of Scotland) was ordained their pastor in March the same year. He died in 1761, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bowman, who was installed in 1764. Mr. Bowman lived in great harmony with the people until 1775, when the war occasioned differences among them, which led a number to profess themselves Quakers, and then they "declared themselves to be of the sect called Universalists." These difficulties led to the dismission of Mr. Bowman in 1782. The following ministers have succeeded Mr. Bowman : Elias Dudley in 1791, Josiah Moulton in 1805, David Batcheller in 1816, Ebenezer Newhall in 1823, Loren Robbins in 1832, and Horatio Bardwell in 1836.
The resettlement of the town at first proceeded slowly from fear of the natives, but it is not known, except what has been related, that any person in Oxford was killed by them. Concerning the Indians, Hutchinson gives the following incident :
" On the 6th of August, 1774, four Indians came upon a small house in Oxford, which was built under a hill. They made a breach in the roof, and as one of them was attempting to enter he received a shot in his belly from a courageous woman, the only person in the house, who had two muskets and two pistols charged, and was pre- pared for all four, but they thought fit to retreat, carrying off the dead or wounded man. It is a pity the name of this heroine has not been preserved, that it might be handed down to latest posterity."
PAXTON.
THE principal part of this town originally belonged to Rutland and Leicester, the line between which towns formerly passed a little north of where Paxton meeting-house now stands. It was incor-
Benj. Chamberlin,
Ebenezer Humphrey,John Town,
Eben'r Chamberlin, Israel Town.
596
PETERSHAM.
porated as a district by an act of the general court, by the name of Paxton, in 1765. The first settlements were made within its limits a few years after the settlement of Rutland and Leicester, which was about 1720. It is certain that before 1745 there were several families in the place, and some considerable improvements made.
Among the early settlers were Josiah Livermore and his brother, Jason Livermore, and Abijah Bemis, from Weston. Near them were also William Thomson and one or two of his sons. The settlement of the town was never interrupted by Indian depre- dations, or by any other calamity, but gradually progressed till all the land was taken up. It is believed that this town was never constituted such by any direct legislative act ; it, however, assumed full town privileges some time in the year 1776, when Mr. Abraham Smith was sent representative to the general court.
At the first meeting after the organization of the district, holden on the first of April, 1765, a vote passed to build a meeting-house, which was accordingly erected the same year. Rev. Silas Biglow was ordained their first pastor, October 21, 1767. He con- tinued but little more than two years in the office, being removed by death, Nov. 16, 1769, and was succeeded the next year by Rev. Alexander Thayer. The next minis- ter was Rev. John Foster, who was ordained in 1785; his successor was Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, who was installed in 1794. . The next pastor, Rev. Gaius Conant, was ordained in 1808, and was succeeded in 1832 by Rev. Moses Winch. Mr. Winch was succeeded by Rev. James D. Farnsworth, in 1835.
Central part of Paxton.
The above is a southern view of the Congregational church in the central part of Paxton. This town is hilly, consisting of large swells of land, which on their summits are so levelled as to appear like plains, the acclivity in many instances being so slight and gradual as hardly to be perceived for a considerable extent on their tops. The two highest hills in the town are Turkey Hill and Asnebumskit Hill. From the top of the last-mentioned hill, in a clear day, the prospect is very extensive and delightful. Popu- lation, 619. Distance, 7 miles from Worcester, and 47 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 24,200 pairs of boots ; value, $48,430; males employed, 53, females, 9.
PETERSHAM.
THIS was an original grant made by the general court, in 1732, to John Bennet, Jeremiah Purley, and others, as a compensation
597
PETERSHAM.
for services done by them in the Indian wars, under Capt. John White, of Lancaster. Some time after the grant, the proprietors
Southern vien of Petersham.
purchased the soil of the Indians, for a satisfactory consideration, and took of them a deed. It had been a residence of the Indians, and was called by them Nich-e-waug, which name it bore until it was incorporated a town, in 1754.
The chief seat of the Indians appears to have been in the south part of the town, near Nichewaug Hill, whereon, as in some other parts of the town, they had planted fields of Indian corn, the traces of which were remaining when the English began a settlement there. The first settlers experienced many hardships and difficulties. In the infancy of the settlement, in 1744, a French war broke out, and the Indians, being always in the interest of the French, became hostile, and began to commit depredations in various parts of the land, which occasioned the few inhabitants great fear, and obliged them for their safety to fortify a number of houses in different parts of the town, into each of which a number of families moved, and soldiers were stationed there as a guard to the inhabitants and to reconnoiter the country.
The church was gathered in this place, and the first pastor, Rev. Aaron Whitney, was ordained, in 1738. He died in 1779, in the 41st year of his ministry, and the next year was succeeded by Rev. Solomon Reed. The next pastor, Rev. Festus Fos- ter, was ordained in 1802; his successor was Rev. Luther Wilson, who was installed in 1819. The next pastor, Rev. George R. Noyes, was installed in 1834. Rev. Wil- liam Wolcott was ordained pastor of the second church in 1830; he was succeeded by Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, in 1834.
The cut is a southern view in the central part of Petersham, showing the public buildings, &c. . The natural situation of the town is very beautiful; it is elevated, but not hilly or uneven. The center of the town lies upon the highest land in it, which is a large, long, flat hill, upon the highest part of which runs the prin- cipal street from north to south, and for upwards of three miles in length affords a most commanding prospect, not only of the whole town, but of the towns adjoining. The soil is rich and fertile, and the land bears all kinds of grain, but it is most natural to grass and pasturage. This town is watered by Swift river, on which are some manufactories of iron. Here are 3 churches, 2 Congrega- tional and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,731 .. Distance, 29 miles from
598
PHILLIPSTON.
Worcester, and 62 from Boston. In 1837, there were manufactured in this town 130,525 palm-leaf hats ; value, $25,495. There is 1 woollen mill.
PHILLIPSTON.
THIS town was chiefly taken from Templeton, and was set off as a separate parish in 1774, and in 1786 was incorporated a town, and named Gerry, in honor of Elbridge Gerry, a vice-president of the United States ; " but on account of the disapprobation of his measures when governor of Massachusetts, and especially a law for districting the state for the choice of senators, which was highly obnoxious to a majority of the town, they petitioned to the court, and the name was changed to Phillipston, in 1812." The organ- ization of a church was retarded on account of the revolutionary war. However, in 1785, one was gathered, under the direction of the ecclesiastical council, and in 1788 Rev. Ebenezer Tucker was ordained pastor. He was succeeded, in 1800, by Rev. Ezekiel Bascom ; the next minister, Rev. Joseph Chickering, was installed in 1822, and was succeeded by Rev. Alexander Lovell, in 1835.
This town is uneven, consisting of hills and valleys, but the soil is productive. Two miles west of the meeting-house is situated a very fertile hill, large in extent, called Prospect Hill. There is an eminence on this hill, which overlooks all the highlands for many miles around. Upon it are many excellent farms. About a mile east of the center is situated a large and fine pond. There are 3 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Universalist, and 1 Methodist. Population, 887. Distance, 30 miles from Worcester, and 58 from Boston. In 1837, there was one cotton mill, 1,512 spindles ; 165,000 yards of cotton goods manufactured; value, $15,000 ; one woollen mill; 11,500 yards of cloth manufactured ; value, $25,000. Palm-leaf hats manufactured, 65,500; value, $15,600.
PRINCETON.
THIS township was partly taken from Rutland, and partly made up of some lands in the neighborhood which belonged to the state. It was incorporated in 1771, and named Princeton, in honor of Rev. Thomas Prince, pastor of the Old South church in Boston, and a large proprietor of this tract of land.
At the time of its incorporation there were about 20 families in the place. The inhabitants erected a meeting-house in 1762, and in 1764 the church was embodied ; and after a number of unsuccessful attempts to settle a minister, Rev. Timothy Fuller was ordained, in 1767. He was dismissed in 1776, and the church was destitute of a pastor till 1786, when Rev. Thomas Crafts was ordained. In consequence of ill health, he was dismissed in 1791. Rev. Joseph Russell, the next pastor, was ordained 1796, and was succeeded by Rev. James Murdock, D. D., in 1802. Rev. Samuel Clarke succeeded Dr. Murdock in 1817. Rev. Alonzo Phillips was ordained the pastor of the second church in 1820, and was succeeded by Rev. Elijah Demond in 1836.
599
PRINCETON.
View of the central part of Princeton.
The above is a south-west view of the Congregational church and some other buildings in the central part of Princeton, which is very elevated and commands an extensive prospect. The spire of the ancient church is seen rising in the extreme distance.
The surface of this town is hilly, but has a good soil. It is watered by numerous springs and rivulets, and a branch of the Nashua river, which begins at the foot of Wachusett Hill. There are several places in the town where springs issue and the waters divide, running some into Merrimac, some into Connecticut river.
Distant view of Wachusett Mountain.
Wachusett Mountain lies in the north-west part of the township, and is the highest land in the state east of the Green Mountain range. It is a little more than 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and rises, without any very steep ascent, about 1,900 feet higher than the surrounding country. The sides of the mountain are generally covered with wood, which gradually dwindles in size towards the top, till it becomes mere shrubbery, and on the summit vegetation almost entirely ceases. Wachusett gives to the spectator upon its summit a view of the country from 30 to 50 miles on every side. The principal rivers and ponds of the county, and many of the towns and villages, are presented very distinctly to the naked eye. This place is much frequented in the
600
ROYALSTON.
summer months. Part of Wachusett Pond lies in this town, and part in Westminster, the dividing line passing through it. In the south-west part of the town is Quinepoxet Pond, some part of which falls within the limits of Holden. There are 4 churches, 1 Congregational, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Universalist, and 1 Baptist. Population, 1,267. Distance, 15 miles from Worcester, and 45 from Boston. In 1837 there were 50,000 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $20,000; there were 75,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured; value, $9,500.
ROYALSTON.
THIS town was granted by the general court, in 1752, to the Hon. Messrs. Hubbard, Erving, Royal, Otis, and others. The grant was known by the name of Royalshire, until its incorporation in 1765, when it was called Royalston, in compliment to the late Col. Isaac Royal, one of the original proprietors. Before the last French war, some who intended to settle at the place began to work upon their lands, but the breaking out of the war put a stop thereto. Towards the close of that war, some people began to work there again, and in 1762 several families moved into the place, the first of which came in June. Its progress in improvement was very rapid, for in less than three years from that time it was incorporated with distinct town privileges. In 1766 a Congregational church was organized in the town, and in 1768 Rev. Joseph Lee was or- dained their pastor. Mr. Lee continued an able and faithful pastor more than 50 years. His successor, Rev. Ebenezer Perkins, was ordained in 1819. Among the first settlers there were about 10 Baptist families. Their first teacher was Rev. Elisha Rice, who continued but a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. Whitman Jacobs, installed in 1770.
The land in this town consists generally of hills and valleys, and the soil is excellent, being suitable for tillage or grazing. It is watered by Miller's river and its tributary waters, upon which is much good meadow. Several small streams, one of which has upon it a perpendicular fall of 20 feet, and descends 100 feet in 40 rods, unite and form Tully river, which pours into Miller's river a great quantity of water. These various streams afford a number of good mill sites. Population, 1,629. Distance, 34 miles from Worcester, and 70 from Boston. In 1837 there were two woollen mills, 6 sets of ma- chinery ; 72,000 yards of cloth were manufactured ; value, $72,000; males employed, 34 ; females, 34 ; there were 129,000 palm-leaf hats manufactured ; value, $16,225; three manufactories of chairs and cabinet ware; value of articles manufactured, $15,041; hands employed, 17; there were 11 saw-mills ; value of lumber, $18,165; hands em- ployed, 22.
RUTLAND.
THIS town was purchased of the Indians, in 1686, for £23 of the currency of that time, and a deed executed to Henry Willard, Jo- seph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard, and Cyprian Stevens, by Wanapapan and Walipunit, of Natick, and others, In- dian proprietors. The general name of this tract was Naquag.
This deed was recorded, but nothing further was done with the purchase for 26 years. In 1713, upon petition of the proprietors, it was confirmed to them by the general court, conditionally, that within 7 years' time 60 families should be settled upon it. The con-
601
RUTLAND.
ditions of the grant being fulfilled, the town was incorporated by the legislature, at their May session, in 1722. The Rev. Joseph Willard was chosen unanimously by the inhabitants to be their minister, but, as events took place, was never settled with them. The church was gathered in November, 1727, and at the same time Rev. Thomas Frink was ordained their first pastor. He was dismissed in 1740, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Buckminster in 1742. He preached to the people 50 years, and died 1792. In about 8 months he was succeeded by Rev. Hezekiah Goodrich. Mr. Good- rich died in 1812, and was succeeded by Rev. Luke B. Foster, in 1813. The next pas- tor, Rev. Josiah Clarke, was ordained in 1818.
Public Buildings in the central part of Rutland.
The above is a south-western view of the Congregational church, town-house, and hotel, in the central part of Rutland. These buildings are situated on a very elevated situation, having a com- manding prospect in almost every direction.
This town is situated on the height of land between the sea and Connecticut river, and is hilly and very uneven. It has no large stream, but is watered by a branch of Ware river, which affords power for several mills. This is a good grazing township, and the inhabitants export considerable beef, butter, and cheese. There is fine fishing at Mustapaug and Long ponds. About half a mile east of the meeting-house is a spring, the waters of which soon divide; part runs to the Merrimac and part to Connecticut river. Popu- lation, 1,265. Distance, 12 miles from Worcester, and 51 from Bos- ton. In 1837 there was 1 woollen mill, which manufactured 26,000 yards of cloth ; value, $15,080 ; there were 10,304 pairs of boots, and 5,950 pairs of shoes manufactured ; value, $23,369 ; males em- ployed, 37; females, 13. The following account of the disturb- ances from the Indians is from Whitney's History of Worcester County :
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.