USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 35
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"The loss sustained by Mr. Nichols can not be much less than $10,000, which alone he has to bear, unless a generous public should feel charitably disposed to contribute to his relief."
" His persevering exertions for two years past in an undertaking for the benefit of the rising generation give him a peculiar claim upon the generosity of a benevolent public.
" DUDLEY, April 15, 1816."
Much sympathy was expressed at the time to Mr. Nichols for the great loss he had sustained by the destruction of this beautiful edifice, and it was hoped that by circulating subscrip- tion papers (which was done soon after in this and adjoining towns), he would be relieved, to a large extent, from this burden. As it was known that Mr. Nichols designed to re- build and that material would be accepted, a large portion of
425
DUDLEY.
the amount subscribed was made payable in such material ; the full amount of the subscriptions has not been ascertained, and it is supposed that this paper, with many others that re- lated to the expense of the original, and the rebuilding of the second structure, have been lost, destroyed, or remained with the other papers of Mr. Nichols' estate, and not made public. But from the best information obtained, the subscription did not exceed $1,000, or rather fell short of that sum.
Mr. Nichols had already sustained heavy losses by invest- ments in the cotton manufacturing business in the east part of the town, yet, with a perseverance worthy of much praise, he proceeded with the work of rebuilding, and, in the latter part of the year 1818, had finished the outside of the new building, except painting, and fitted up a school-room and opened a school.
The following is the act of incorporation :
"AN ACT TO ESTABLISH NICHOLS ACADEMY IN THE TOWN OF DUDLEY. "SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That an academy be, and is hereby established in the town of Dudley, in the county of Worcester, by the name of " Nichols Academy, " for the promotion of piety and virtue, and for the instruction of youth in such languages, and in such liberal arts and sciences, as the trustees, hereinafter provided, shall order or direct.
" SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That Jonathan Davis, Amasa Nichols, Benjamin Russell, John Spurr, John Brown, Isaiah Rider, Luther Ammi- down, John Kettell, and Benjamin Gleason, Esqs. ; Rev. Thomas Jones, Rev. Hosea Ballou, Rev. Paul Dean, Rev. Edward Turner, Dr. Dan Lamb, and Dr. Abraham R. Thompson, be and they are hereby established a body corporate, by the name of the trustees of Nichols Academy ; and they and their successors shall continue a corporation by that name, for- ever, with power to have a common seal ; to contract, to sue or be sued, and prosecute or defend suits by their agent or agents appointed for that purpose ; to receive by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise, any lands, tenements, or other estate, real or personal; to hold or improve the same ; to lease, exchange, sell, or convey the same, for the benefit of said academy, by deed or deeds, duly executed by their treasurer, or other officer or agent, being thereunto authorized by the said corpora-
426
DUDLEY.
tion ; provided that the annual income of the whole estate of said cor- poration shall not exceed $6,000.
"SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees shall have power, from time to time, to appoint a clerk, who shall be under oath, and a treasurer, who shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of his trust, and such other officers and instructors of the said academy, as the said trustees may judge needful and proper; and also to determine the time and place of their meetings, the mode of warning the same, or electing officers or trustees, and of transacting all other business; and to ordain necessary and reasonable orders, regulations, and by-laws for the instruc- tion and government of the said academy, not repugnant to the laws of this commonwealth.
" SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That when any of the said trustees shall die, or resign, or by age, infirmity, or otherwise become incapable of discharging his said trust, in the judgment of the major part of the said trustees, the survivors may fill such vacancy by electing a successor.
"SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the number of the said trustees shall not at any time be more than fifteen, nor less than nine, five of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and all questions shall be decided by the votes of the major part of the trustees present ; and, in case of an equal division, by the casting vote of the pre- siding trustee.
" SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That Jonathan Davis, Esq., be and he is hereby authorized to appoint the time and place of the first meeting of the said trustees, and give them notice thereof.
"Passed, June 18, 1819."
Soon after the act of incorporation was obtained, Mr. Nichols conveyed the building and land, by deed of trust, to the trus- tees and their successors forever for the purpose of a seminary of learning, providing that if the trustees should fail for six consecutive months to maintain the school, the estate should revert back to the grantor.
The labor and responsibilities now resting on the trustees were great and perplexing. They were under the necessity of sustaining a school : there were no funds, and the large build- ing was unfinished, needing to be painted to preserve the ex- terior, and much to be done internally, to give it decent con- veniences for a school. This was certainly a discouraging condition for commencing their trusteeship; but the trustees
427
DUDLEY.
were not disheartened; they began their labors in earnest with a determination that the institution should be put into working operation.
They assessed themselves for a sufficient sum to paint the academy, and make needful improvements to supply the imme- diate necessities of the school, that it should commence under such circumstances as would give the enterprise a fair oppor- tunity for success.
The school opened with a favorable patronage from the public, but needed more funds to complete the inside of the building, by preparing dormitories and a victualing depart- ment.
In 1823 the trustees applied to the Legislature for aid ; but the committee on education reported unfavorably upon the petition, on the ground that it had not been the practice of the State to aid academies until some permanent funds had been secured to the institution. It was represented to the peti- tioners that if they could raise and secure to the academy a fund of at least $2,000, their prospects would be favor- ble for a grant of half a township of wild land in the State of Maine.
To raise this sum resort was had to subscriptions from those here and in the neighboring towns who favored the establish - ing of this institution in their vicinity. The proposed sub- scriptions were to be payable (when desired) on time, to run five, ten, and twenty years, bearing interest annually. The sum required was subscribed by the following parties :
John Brown,
Dudley, $100
Royal Southwick, Jr., Dudley, $5
William Hancock,
75
*Remember Ingraham, 66 25
Morris Learned,
50
*Edward Howard, 66 35
Thomas Learned, 60
20
Samuel Robinson, 2d, 66 20
Samuel S. Knight, 66
50
*Luen Pope, 66
5
William Learned, 66
50
*John D. B. Kelley, 66
5
*Thomas Pope,
66
25
*Nathan Pratt, 66 10
Chester Clemens,
66 20
*Royal Carter, 66
10
428
DUDLEY.
John Eddy,
Dudley, $10
Nathaniel Lyon,
Dudley,
$30
John Webster,
66
5
John Jewett,
66
20
Jason Waters,
66
20
William Healy, Junior, "
5
John M. Pratt,
66
10
Henry Coburn,
66
10
Jonathan Day,
66
10
*Amos C. Tourtellot, 66
5
Alanson Bates,
25
Harvey Perry,
66
10
Jepthah Bacon,
66
45
Oren Keith,
66
10
Josiah Corbin,
66
10
Joel Barnes,
66
25
*Stephen Davis,
66
5
John Tucker,
66
20
Peter Richard,
66
10
Walter Jewell,
66
20
Moses Healy,
66
5
John Haskell, 2d,
66
8
*Perley Healy,
66
10
Timothy Corbin,
66
20
*Daniel Marcy,
66
25
Asa Robinson, Junior,
66
10
George A. Tufts,
66
100
Abner Perry,
66
15
Lemuel Healy,
66
20
Mark Elwell,
66
20
Otis H. Lee,
6:
10
Asa Prince,
66
5
Abiel Williams,
66
20
Allen Hancock,
66
25
Daniel Dwight,
66
20
John Fair,
66
25
William Healy,
66
20
Elisha Knight,
66
10
Abiel Elwell,
66
10
Laban L. Wilson,
66
10
*Perez B. Wolcott,
66
30
Ephraim Upham,
66
10
Aaron Davis,
66
5
David Dodge, 66
66
10
*David Nichols,
66
25
Nathaniel Brown,
66
10
William Windsor,
66
100
Eliphaz Perry,
66
10
*Isaac Ammidown, 66
25
Lemuel Healy, Junior, 66
10
$1,391
*Ethan Bullard,
66
3
Those marked * not paid, less
$248
Received from Dudley,
$1,143
66 66
Oxford,
180
66 Charlton,
130
66 66 Southbridge, -
125
66
66 Samuel Slater,
100
66
66 Jeremiah Kingsbury, -
50
66
66 Jesse Ormsby, -
-
-
25
Total cash received,
$1,753
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10
Smith Phetteplace,
6.
10
Chester Davis,
66
10
*Henry Wolcott.
25
Presson Pond,
429
DUDLEY.
John Spurr, Charlton, $100
Ira Barton,
Oxford, $20
Samuel D. Spurr,
66 20
Abijah Davis,
66
20
Harvey Dresser, 66
10
Jonathan Davis, Jr.,
" 20
Luther Ammidown, Southbr'ge, 60
Stephen Davis,
66 20
Luther Ammidown, Jr., “
10
Jesse Ormsby,
Thompson, 25
Holmes Ammidown, 66
10
Samuel Fiske,
Southbridge,
15
Larkin Ammidown, 66
10
Isaac Oakes,
5
Fordyce Foster,
5
Samuel Slater,
100
Jonathan Davis, Oxford, 100
Jeremiah Kingsbury, Oxford, 50
The total subscriptions, for which notes were given, or settlements of the same made in money at the time, amounted to $2,001, though of which but $1,753 were realized for the institution.
On the strength of these subscriptions a grant of wild land, to the quantity of half a township, in the State of Maine, was obtained from the Legislature, in 1825, which was sold for money ; and the academy received by its trustees $2,500, which, at the time of sale, was as much, perhaps, as could have readily been obtained ; but, considering the future prospects of that new State, having but a few years been changed from a territory or province of Massachusetts, its lands might, with a reasonable probability, have been expected to advance in value; and had they deferred the sale six to eight years, they would have realized at least five times the sum which was received.
There was, however, a pressing demand for money to sup- ply the necessities of the institution. The academy had not been finished, and made available for its pressing wants ; but with these funds, $4,253, the trustees were enabled to finish the building, converting the upper story (which had been de- signed by Mr. Nichols as a spacious hall for exhibitions, dec- lamation, etc.), a large portion into dormitories and study- rooms, leaving the central section only for the chapel. Other portions, which were not required for the school department, were converted into boarding accommodations, giving suffi-
430
DUDLEY.
cient capacity to lodge and board about thirty students within the building.
Up to the year 1823 all the trustees were known or sup- posed to be Universalists. In filling vacancies in the board, it had been heretofore suggested by several of its members, that if they should elect a part of the board from other relig- ious denominations, it would disabuse the public mind of the impression that it was a sectarian school; but Mr. Nichols warmly opposed such a policy, and the trustees thus far yielded to his wishes.
There were now two vacancies in the board to be filled, and, contrary to the wishes of the founder, two gentlemen were elected, known to be Trinitarian Congregationalists, Colonel William Hancock and the Hon. George A. Tufts. It is quite probable that there could not have been elected two trustees, in the range of all religious sects, who would have taken a stronger interest in the institution, or acted more wisely in promoting its usefulness. They were both residents of the town, and known to be active friends of education and the improvement of society.
This, however, did not convince Mr. Nichols of the propri- ety of this movement ; he was ardent in his religious senti- ments, and had sacrificed nearly all his pecuniary estate in establishing an institution for the special advancement of the religious denomination to which he was united. He regarded this as an act of great disregard of his views and desires.
He was so much offended at this action of the board, that he immediately resigned his office as one of the trustees and as secretary of the board, which offices he had held from the commencement of the institution to this time ; and he never afterward appeared to take any interest in its affairs.
Of the propriety of the course adopted by the trustees, it is not purposed here to make any extended remarks ; but it is deemed proper to say, that up to this time, Mr. Nichols
431
DUDLEY.
had borne the chief expenditure that had brought this institu- tion into existence. It is true that a subscription for its aid had been received; but, of the amount so subscribed, only about $800 came from other denominations; the $2,500 received from the State was in the usual course of its patron- age to institutions of learning, without regard to sectarian influences.
Now, if this act of neutralizing the character and influence of this institution is to be judged by the course generally adopted by other sectarian schools, particularly Calvinistic believers, would they have thus acted and elected men known to be Universalists, as trustees ? It is believed they would not, if precedent is to be the ground of judgment.
The plea was to destroy its sectarian character, that other denominations might come to its support ; but, by this step, it is not certain that its prosperity was advanced, from the fact that schools of this character founded by Universalists were few compared with the many sustained exclusively by those op- posed to the doctrine of Universalism ; and by this act of neutralization, the great incentive for its support by those who had founded and sustained it up to this time, was taken away ; thus it is quite doubtful as to the advantage gained by this change of its sectarian character.
So far as the propriety of sustaining the broad principles of toleration, the trustees may have been right ; but, under the circumstances, and with due consideration for the great ex- penditure and the religious sentiments of Mr. Nichols, and his ardent desire to continue the school on the basis of an in- stitution that favored his religious views, it is believed that the trustees should not have changed its character, so long as there was any probability of its being sustained under the plan and design of its founder.
The school at this time was receiving a fair share of patron- age compared with other academic institutions, and it is only
432
DUDLEY.
problematical that any gain was had by the change here made. It has, however, continued with fair success up to a recent period. At the present time it is suffering for want of means to enlarge and put in suitable repair its buildings.
Its general fund is very small, if any exists.
Colonel William Hancock has been its largest patron since its character was changed from a sectarian school.
He donated to the school in April, 1865, $2,000, on the fol- lowing conditions. The money to be placed at interest, and the income appropriated annually to pay the tuition of such scholars as the trustees shall deem worthy to receive such favor ; but no scholar shall receive the benefit of this fund to an amount exceeding twenty dollars. And no other appro- priation of principal or interest of this fund than that above mentioned shall be made for at least a period of twenty-five years.
At his decease, in 1868, lie left to the trustees for the same purpose, and under the same restriction, $4,000 more; in all, $6,000.
In a letter to this writer, he remarks :
"I have had no official connection with the institution since 1843, but have always felt a warm interest in its prosperity. And I think I might add, have done more than any other man (except the founder) to promote its welfare. I served nineteen years as a trustee, which were years of constant labor. I drew all the plans, made the estimates, and superintended the work of remodeling and finishing the building, as left by Mr. Nichols; was fifteen years on the committee (thirteen years chairman) for hiring teachers, and was secretary more than a dozen years.
" I rejoice that I have been able and disposed to do so much, and re- gret that my ability did not permit me to do more, but hope that others hereafter may do better. The school now sustains a reputation scarcely inferior to any other in the State, of this character."
At this time, when the above remarks were made, October 29, 1866, the students in the academy numbered 107.
433
DUDLEY.
Since the act of incorporation the trustees have had six presidents :
1. General Jonathan Davis, of Oxford, elected in 1819.
2. Rev. Abiel Williams, of Dudley.
3. Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. 66
4. Colonel John Eddy, 66
5. Rev. Henry Pratt, 66
6. Oscar F. Chase, Esq., 66 elected in 1870.
The first four in the list of presidents have deceased, and all the original trustees.
There have also been six secretaries, whose names are as follows :
1. Amasa Nichols, Esq., of Dudley, elected in 1819.
2. Rev. Abiel Williams,
3. Hon. George A. Tufts, 66
4. Colonel William Hancock,
5. Lemuel Healy, Esq., 66
6. Daniel Dwight, Esq., 66 acting in 1870.
All the gentlemen in the list of secretaries, except the last, Mr. Dwight, have deceased.
The several preceptors elected by the trustees since the in- stitution was incorporated have been in the following order :
Time of election and date of resignation are stated accord- ing to the records.
Elected 1819, Solomon L. Wilds, A. M. -
resigned 1822
1822, Isaac Webb -
-
1824
1824, William H. Rockwell
-
66 1826
66 1826, H. Lounds Street
66
-
- 1828
66 1828, William G. Learned -
66
66
1828
66 1829, Sanford Lawton 66
1832
66 1832, William S. Porter
66
-
-
66 1833
66 1833, Darius Ayres
66 1834
66 1834, Benjamin Diefendorf
66
66
1836
66 1836, John Bowers 66
66
1837
66 1837, Oscar Fisher -
-
-
-
66 1840
66 1840, Elisha W. Cook. -
66
66 1842
66 1842, Henry C. Morse -
66
(2d term) - 66
1844
1
-
-
-
66
1839
66 1839, Henry C. Morse -
66
66
-
434
DUDLEY.
Elected 1844, Samuel W. Bates - .1. M.
resigned 1846 66 1849
1846, Alden Southworth
66
-
1849, Alvin H. Washburn - 66
-
-
1851
1851, William W. Birchard
-
16 1852
66 1852, Alvin H. Washburn
66
(2d term) - 66 1852
1853
66 1853, James A. Clark
66
-
66 1854
66 1855, Alden Southworth
66
(2d term) - 66
1856
66 1856, Ogden Hall
66
66
1857 1862
66 1862, John T. Clark 66
-
-
66 1866
66 1866, William H. Putnam -
-
66 1867
1867, Francis C. Burnett -
66
66 1868
66 1868, Isaiah Trufant -
66 1869
66 1869, A. L. Blane, W. G. E. Pope, and H. F. Burt
66 1869
66 1870, Harold Wilder and A. H. Livermore - -
66
1870
-
By a petition from the town of Dudley, in 1870 to the Legislature, praying the authority for taxing its inhabitants for raising money to aid this academy, permission was granted for that purpose.
In accordance with this authority, a legal meeting of the inhabitants of the town was called to act thereon, when a vote was ordered and passed to raise the sum of $12,000, to be paid in six annual installments of $2,000 each, the first payment to be made upon the 1st day of July, 1871; and the same sum to be paid upon each 1st day of July until the full sum of $12,000 should be paid. The town further agreed to pay the trustees of this academy $1,000 yearly, in payment of the tuitions of those scholars in town, that their school committee should deem qualified to enter a high school.
The foregoing acts, when it is considered that the town of Dudley has much less population and aggregate of valuation than most of the towns in its vicinity, must be regarded as highly creditable to the intelligence of its inhabitants and to their proper appreciation of what constitutes the best welfare and advancement of the interests of its people.
66 1852, J. H. Almy
66
66
66
66 1857, Munroe Nichols -
435
DUDLEY.
For the better accommodation of the students of this academy the trustees purchased the Universalist meeting- house, in 1867, paying for the same $1,000, which building has been remodeled by raising the walls to make a second story for a hall, with school-room and two ante-rooms below ; while a new front and spire has been added, making a pleas- ant and convenient building for this institution.
As a further accommodation for this institution the trustees have decided to either put in good repair the old academy structure for a boarding house, or to erect a new building for that purpose, the coming season of 1873.
When the foregoing is accomplished, which time is not dis- tant, this institution will have accommodations and advan- tages, scarcely less than any of the best academic schools in this State.
The autumn term of this academy for 1871, with Leonard Moore, A. B., as principal, had about fifty scholars, and the winter term following had about the same number; but the expectation is favorable for a large advance in scholars when the boarding facilities are prepared, as the plans now design.
THE MERINO WOOL FACTORY COMPANY, DUDLEY.
This company was incorporated, February 13, 1812. The corporators were Learned Corbin, Jepthah Bacon, Aaron Tufts, Phineas Bemis, and William Learned, together with such others as may hereafter associate with them. Some of those known to have been associated with these corpora- tors were William Hancock, Morris Learned, Allen Hancock, Thomas Learned, Wm. Robinson, Peter Butler, and a Mr. Pratt, of Oxford.
This company, like many others formed at this early period in the history of cotton and wool manufacturing in this coun- try, lost all its original capital.
The act of incorporation says it was formed for the pur-
436
DUDLEY.
pose of manufacturing wool and cotton in the town of Dud- ley, in the county of Worcester, according to the act, en- titled "An Act Defining the General Powers of Manufactur- ing Corporations," passed the 3d of March, 1809.
The capital stock was not to exceed $50,000 in real estate, and personal estate not exceeding $100,000.
The mercantile firm of French & Everett, and Israel Thorndike, were stockholders (residing in Boston) in the ori- ginal company. Subsequently, Major John Brown was inter- ested here from about 1825 to 1837, with Samuel H. Bab- cock, of Boston, as principal capitalist. More recently, it passed into the hands of Henry H. Stevens, who has greatly enlarged the works, and now manufactures linen goods on these premises extensively.
TUFTS' FACTORY, OR RAM'S HORN, DUDLEY.
This woolen mill has been known by both of the above names ; the latter name, " Ram's Horn Factory," arose, as lias been reported, by some person having fixed the horns of a ram upon a conspicuous place on the factory building, at the time the first building was erected, which gave the mill this name, by which it was known many years ; but more recently took the name of "Tufts' Factory," from the name of one of the principal proprietors, the Hon. Aaron Tufts.
This mill was erected in the year 1816. The proprietors were Judge Aaron Tufts, John R. Jewett, Mayo Pratt, Harvey Conant, and William Robinson. Its water-power is supplied from Gore and Baker ponds, which is regarded as an excellent power for a four-set mill; and, as the fall is rapid, it may, in a short distance be used twice, making it doubly valuable.
During the active life of Judge Tufts, he supplied means for running this mill many years, and Mr. Jewett was the principal manager.
437
DUDLEY.
The goods made here were low-priced woolens, mostly blue cloths.
The last mill, erected near the site of the former was of granite, taken from the quarries in its immediate vicinity, but was burnt about the year 1868, and this water-power has since remained vacant.
THE VILLAGE COTTON, WOOL, AND LINEN MANUFACTUR- ING COMPANY, DUDLEY.
The above name was changed by an act, passed on the 27th of February, 1815, to " Village Factory."
This company was incorporated by the first name, June 12, 1812, with the following names as corporators: Samuel Wa- ters, Amasa Braman, Estes Howe, Titus V. Shepard, Eseck Brown, Isaac King, Nathaniel Bartlet, Silas Chase, George Viner, John Stockwell, Junior, Stephen Bartlet, Nathan Ban- croft, Luther Whitmore, Samuel Walker, Daniel Putnam. Absalom Leonard, Francis Sibley, Aaron Hammond, Joshua Waters, and Thomas Kendall, Junior, together with such others as may hereafter join or associate with them, their successors and assigns, be a corporation, by the name of " The Village Cotton, Wool, and Linen Manufacturing Company," for man- ufacturing cotton, wool, and flax, in the town of Dudley, gov- erned by the act of 1809. Authorized to hold real estate $50,000, and personal estate $100,000.
This mill passed into the hands of Samuel Slater on the 6th of November, 1824, together with fifteen acres, one quarter, and twenty-eight rods of land, and all the other buildings on the same, with the water-power belonging thereto, for the sum of $7,500, the same now is the property of the heirs of Mr. Slater. At present Horatio N. Slater, Esq., is the prin- cipal manager of the estate of the late Samuel Slater, in Webster, in which town this estate fell when the town of Webster was formed in 1832.
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