USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 45
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In 1804 William Weld erected what was for many years known as Weld's Tavern, and fitted the hall for the use of this Lodge, which building is now standing, and is the dwelling- house of David Craig, on the west side of the Common.
In 1805 Major Moses Dresser erected the tavern on Dresser
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Hill, now standing, and fitted the hall for this association, which removed and held its meetings here, being convenient of access for the members who resided in the three towns, Charlton, Dudley, and Sturbridge, the district which this Lodge cov- ered.
The Royal Arch Chapter for this district in 1805, and subse- quently, held its meetings here.
The King Solomon Lodge, chartered September 18, 1805, was granted on the petition of the late Captain Gershom Plimp- ton and others.
This was a progressive Lodge for a time; it was represented in the Grand Lodge by Sumner Barstow, of Sutton, in 1808 ; and again in 1810, by Major John Brown, of Dudley ; in 1815 was again represented by Sumner Barstow, but was represented the previous year by Rev. Richard Carique, then the Universal- ist minister of Oxford.
This Lodge in 1815 purchased a new set of jewels and re- galia, at the cost of $120. The same year the officers of this Lodge had a public installation in Charlton Center ; a procession was formed and proceeded to Rev. Edwards Whipple's meeting- honse, where the Lodge was solemnly consecrated and the offi- cers installed. Mr. Whipple officiated, and after the services the procession formed and returned to the Weld Hall, and partook of a dinner prepared by Mr. Copeland. The dinner being over, there followed speeches, sentiment, and songs, making a pleas- ant occasion, when the Lodge retired to its working duties and adjourned.
Among those present at this installation were W. E. Richard Carique, High-Priest ; E. John Brown, King; E. Benjamin Stow, Scribe; Comp. Thaddeus Marble, Treasurer; Comp. Jason Waters, Secretary; Comp. Gershom Plimpton, R. A. Captain ; Comp. Ephriam Williard, C. O. H .; Comp. Erich Marsh, P. S .; Comp. Reuben Harrington, Joseph G. Hall, and
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Francis O. Clark, Masters of the Vails; Comp. Jonathan Cope- land and Moses Williams, Stewards, and Rufus Bacon, Tyler.
John Wilder, of Leicester, was elected its High-Priest in 1817. This same year Richard Carique removed and was in- stalled the first High-Priest of the Adoniram Chapter at Attle- borough, Mass. At the session in 1818 Rev. Jonathan Going, of Worcester, King, and Nathan Knowlton, Scribe, represented this Chapter in the Grand Lodge several years. Rev. Mr. Going was the pastor of the Baptist church in Worcester, and was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter in that town. He intro- duced the Rev. George Angel into the King Solomon Chapter, who for several years continued fellowship with that institution.
In 1825 this Chapter had a noted gathering at Charlton Cen- ter, to celebrate the nativity of St. John the Baptist on the 24th of June. The committee of arrangements were Stephen Eddy, Albigence Marsh, Harvey Dresser, Maj. John Spurr, and David Lathe. Linus Childs, Esq., then a law student at Dudley, na- tive of Woodstock, delivered the oration. John Spurr, Marshal of the day.
The last entry in their book of records is May 12, 1829. Their charter was recalled by the Grand Chapter, September 8, 1840, and September 13, 1842, stricken from the list.
This Chapter held its regular meetings in the tavern on Dresser Hill, and at a meeting in 1806, the Blue Lodge, that held its meetings in the house of Gen. Town, and William Weld's tavern, united in holding their meetings at the same place, where, beneath one of the lids of the side seats, is the following inscription : " Built, 1805 ; finished painting, June 6, 1808, by Nathan Walden."
This writer was a member of the Doric Lodge in Southbridge, and was personally known to, and had seen, nearly every per- son named in this historic sketch of the Masons of this vicinity. He knew a large proportion of the members and officers of these
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several institutions who resided in the three towns here named, that attended these meetings; the writer was twenty-five years of age when the Doric Lodge was chartered in 1826. He now recalls the names of no one whom he knew of these parties now living. Still, some few of these members may survive. The late Southbridge Lodge is excepted in this statement.
When the Doric Lodge of Southbridge was organized, it re- ceived into membership several persons who had belonged to these older Lodges.
This Lodge was active in its work several years ; this writer was received into membership the first year after it received its charter in 1826.
The general excitement produced throughout our country by the abduction of William Morgan, at Lockport, N. Y., in 1830, cast a stigma upon these institutions for many years.
There was a general spirit of condemnation against secret societies, that had, as then believed by many, a tendency to re- gard the laws of the country as of no binding force when they interfered with the oaths of these institutions, yet it is believed that an idea of superiority of these oaths was not recognized by any Mason, except, perhaps, by parties ignorant of their duties under the civil laws for the support of good order in society. But the abduction of Morgan was regarded a sufficient reason for suspending action by the Masonic institutions for many years, out of respect for public opinion.
PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES IN THE TOWN OF CHARLTON.
THE first burial-ground in Charlton is believed to be the Dresser Cemetery, in the valley west of Dresser Hill.
As Charlton was originally a part of the territory granted in 1683 for the town of Oxford, it is presumed that the first set- tlers in this west part of her territory buried their dead in the first cemetery of that town on Oxford plain. It is quite proba- ble that settlements did not commence in this west part of Ox- ford, except, perhaps, near the present Oxford west line, before about 1735 to 1740, as the first permanent settlements in Oxford were not till the year 1713.
This cemetery contains only one acre of ground ; the first burial was a young man, James Dresser, son of Lieut. John Dresser, who set apart this ground for a burial-place, probably at the time of the death of his son, in May, 1745. Aaron Dresser, a great-grandson of the donor, knew the place of this grave, and date of same.
This burial-ground became the property of Elijah Thompson ; and his descendant, George Thompson, gave a deed of same to the town, conditioned that it be cared for as a cemetery, and two gates maintained for entrance-ways. It contains about 160 head-stones at this time. The privilege of burial here was granted by the original proprietor and his heirs for the families residing in the south part of the town.
This Dresser family came from Thompson, Connecticut, about 1735, and located on the hill that now bears their name.
Richard Dresser, brother of John Dresser, born in Thompson, Sept. 22, 1714, old style, married the daughter of Moses Marcy,
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who bought lands at the south-west corner of the town in 1732, on the Quinebang River, and settled there with his family. They came from Woodstock, and were neighbors to the Dressers and Altons when they resided in Thompson, and all came to Charl- ton and located in the south part of this town, about the same time, as the first pioneer settlers when all this part was an un_ broken wilderness.
Miss Dorathy Marcy, who married Richard Dresser, Oct. 12, 1741, was born in Woodstock, Nov. 18, 1723. She died May 16, 1770, aged 47 ; and he died Aug. 27, 1797, aged 83.
This Mr. Dresser was the first Town Clerk in this town, and his father-in-law, Moses Marcy, was authorized by the General Court of Massachusetts, when the act of incorporation for this town was granted, to give notice and preside at the first meeting for organizing by choice of town officers.
The early residents in this part of Charlton were the Dressers, Bloods, Altons, Chamberlains, Ammidowns, Clements, and Conants.
Philip Ammidown and wife were buried in this cemetery.
Caleb Ammidown, who died in 1799, and his wife, Hannah Sabin, who died in 1820, were buried here ; also Patty Holmes, wife of Luther Ammidown, who died in 1794, and an infant son of this Mr. Ammidown, by his second wife, was buried here.
But all these interments of the Ammidown family, except Philip and his wife, have been removed to the cemetery at Cen- ter Village, in Southbridge, and deposited in the lot on which stands the memorial tomb, erected in 1867 by Holmes Ammi- down, a descendant of this family.
NORTH SIDE CEMETERY.
This cemetery dates back to an early period in this town's history ; but at what date it was set apart for a burial-place is
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not now known. It has been reported as having been a part of the land formerly of Jonathan Wheelock, one of the planters in this north part, and since was the property of John Wheelock, who died and was buried here in 1816. His heirs enlarged the original ground, which has since passed into the possession of the town, and again enlarged and improved.
Here are some noticeable monuments erected in this burial- place, among which may be mentioned one erected to the memory of Dea. Daniel Bacon by his descendants. His burial was in 1813. Another to the grave of Levi Hammond, and one to the memory of Samuel Rich ; besides the names of Lamb, Stone, Wheelock, Davis, Tucker, Marble, Williams, and Waters. This last, to the memory of Capt. Israel Waters, was erected at the expense of Leicester Academy Fund, by the trustees of that institution. Capt. Waters gave by his last will and testa- ment $8,000 or more as a fund for that institution.
David Dunbar, of the Revolutionary war, lies buried here. He was a religious man, and much devoted to that cause.
When Gen. Lafayette, in 1825, passed through this town, he was greeted by Mr. Dunbar in words of hearty welcome as an old companion in arms. Mr. Dunbar died New Year's Day, 1827, aged 80 years.
The remains of Ebenezer Davis, who died in 1816, aged 79, were buried here. At the time of his death he was regarded as one of the most wealthy men in Worcester County. He was one of the founders of the Baptist society, and he and his wife united with that church ; but afterward withdrew and was a strong supporter of the faith of Universalism. Rev. James Boomer, a long time pastor of the Baptist society here, was buried in this cemetery ; he died Feb. 25, 1837, aged 78 years.
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THE CENTER CEMETERY, CHARLTON.
This cemetery ground, the first part, was a gift to the town by Ebenezer McIntire, containing an acre of ground, accepted by a vote of the town at a meeting March 12, 1764, and located as represented, "a little south-east of Ebenezer McIntire's barn." He also gave the land for the location of the meeting-house and common. This Mr. McIntire was the first settler in this locality, now the center of Charlton, and acting upon the principle of a wise liberality, he enhanced the value of his real estate by these gifts, for the encouragement and advancing of the prosperity of this Center Village. He opened his residence for a tavern, which, for many years, was the chief resort of the townspeople for business and amusement. This center cemetery has been twice enlarged by taking land on the south and east, the north and west sides being bounded by roads.
The first tomb was erected by Daniel Alexander, about 1812. This was for his wife, who died two or three years before. He died in 1831, aged 89.
In 1812 Rufus Wakefield built, by contract, eight tombs for the following gentlemen : Salem Town, William Weld, Gen. John Spurr, John Stephens, Jolin Rich, and two other families whose names do not appear on the doors.
The eighth tomb was not built till 1819; this was for Gibbs Dodge. The Wm. Weld tomb was sold to Harvelin Town, in which the remains of his father and mother were deposited, making nine tombs in this yard.
The most numerous names of persons buried in this cemetery, are : Philips, Towns, Harwoods, MeIntires, Welds, Marbles, Ryders, Wards, Bordens, Fays, Spurrs, Stones, Fitts, Williards, Merritts, Goodails, Bartons, Richs, Woodburys, Wakefields, Bullins, Comins, and Lampsons. Rev. Caleb Curtis, the first settled minister of Charlton, was buried here; his pastorate was
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from 1762 to 1776; but he continued to reside in this town and took an active part in its affairs many years afterward ; he died here in 1802.
Ebenezer MeIntire, the donor of the first part of this cem- etery, and active in the early history of Charlton ; his remains were buried here, but no memorial stone has been erected to his memory, nor is the place of the grave positively known. His- tory alone perpetuates his name through the recorded acts of his judicious liberality.
CHARLTON CITY CEMETERY.
This cemetery is a proprietary yard ; the owners at first were twenty-eight persons, organized the 20th of May, 1856, under an act of the Legislature of March 17, 1841. Simeon Lamb, a Justice of the Peace, aided in the organization and location of the grounds; he was the moderator then, and of the meetings since. Washington W. White was the secretary. The land was purchased of Nathan Walker, and laid out in lots by the trus- tees. They have a receiving vault, which was erected by Horace Prince in 1859.
In 1864 this association received from the executors of the will of Benjamin Wallis $300, to be used in beautifying these grounds.
The first burials here were the bodies of Waldo Wallis and a Miss Thayer, interred the same day. A new fence was erected for its inclosure in 1869. The lot was accurately surveyed in 1872, by R. B. Dodge.
The following are the present Trustees for 1877: Simeon Lamb, David R. Dodge, Erastus Winslow, Jonas Bemis, Elijah R. Carpenter, Jeremiah Newton, and Charles D. White. Their by-laws were adopted May 20, 1836.
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FAMILY OR PRIVATE BURIAL YARDS.
There are thirteen or fourteen family burying yards in Charl- ton. These were set apart for burials, mostly at an early period in this town, although some are of recent times.
These private burial-places were adopted through mistaken views, mostly, probably, for reasons of family associations, pa- rental or filial regard, and the sacredness of homestead relations. But reflection and experience teaches, that these homesteads often change owners and pass entirely from all family relation- ship, and into hands that knew not the former owners, and care little or nothing for the memory of those sacredly, and with great solemnity there buried. There is no law for the protec- tion of these private burial-places; disinterested owners regard the inclosures and memorial tablets only as an incumbrance, and unless protected by reservations in conveyances, and per- manently fenced in with stone or indestructible material, the yards and head-stones are sometimes removed, and the place of such interments lost.
It is quite different with cemeteries set apart by towns as public burial-places. Legislative enactments protect public cemeteries ; they continue under town authority without change.
The following are the names and localities of the several private burial-places :
McIntire Burial-place.
The MeIntire burial-place is a few rods in the rear of the resi- dence of R. B. Dodge, on land now owned by Frank L. Horn ; it was formerly the residence of Obed McIntire. A colony of persons of that name settled in this west part of Charlton, but have generally passed away, and all that they regarded as sacred to themselves and posterity has passed to the hands of strangers who knew them not, and have no reverence or respect for their remains and traditionary history.
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PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES.
Cranberry Meadow Cemetery.
This is located near the north line of Charlton. The Ham- monds, Wards, Lambs, Newhalls, and Whites are connected with this burial-place.
Williams Burial-place.
Maj. Daniel Williams and his wife only lie buried here, north part of Charlton.
Harvelin Town Burial-place.
Located near Charlton Depot. Mr. Town and wife, and her father and mother, Daniel Williams and wife, and a daughter are buried here. Mr. Town was depot master and express agent about thirty years.
The Putney Burial-place.
This is at Barefoot Corner, so called in School District No. 10. This name, Barefoot, is said to have arose from the fact that soldiers from here when meeting for military duty came on serv- ice barefooted.
This lot contains 116 square rods; it is fenced with stone ; and has been deeded to the town, and is in good condition.
Harrey Dresser Burial-place.
This lot is a short distance in rear, westerly, from the old Dresser Tavern and late residence of this Mr. Dresser. IIe and his wife, two sons and a daughter, and his wife's brother, Maj. Jerry Merritt, were buried here.
The Fitts Burial-place.
This is in the east part of the town, School District No. 6. It is the place of the burial of this family; the farm is now owned by John Hagerty ; passed out of the name of the Fitts family. It is about 30 by 50 feet square. Caleb Rich, wife,
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and family, were much respected formerly in this town ; but their remains now rest among strangers. The lot is inclosed by a stone fence.
The Mixter Burial-place.
Located near the residence, and on the farm noted for many year's as that of Ezra Mixter and his son, Rufus. They and their wives, and others of the name, lie here, but the place has passed from their name to other owners.
The Joseph Martin Burial-place.
Here are only two graves ; Joseph and Mary Martin, buried in 1827 and 1830 ; the ground is in an open field, near Buffins' Ville, about fifteen rods from the road. Strangers now own the ground.
The Chase Burial-place.
In the south-east part of the town, near Parker School-house, on the road to Dudley, about seventy-five rods from the road on a point of land about five rods from an arm of Baker Pond. It is in an open lot, and about eighteen feet square. This family were settlers here before the war of the Revolution. The burials are supposed to be Eleazer Chase and wife, and son Timothy, who lost a leg when a soldier in that war, and two children.
There is another Chase family that have a burial-place over the line near this yard in Dudley. The plot for the Chase burial-place in Charlton is reserved by deed, but as no relatives are known to exist, the yard and memorials are fast becoming obliterated, showing the error in setting aside such private yards.
The Jonathan Tucker Burial-place.
This is in the north-west part, near Spencer, near Millward School-house. Lot inclosed with stone wall.
The only graves are Mrs. Martha, wife of Jonathan Tucker,
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who died Nov. 23, 1774, and Capt. Tucker, whose grave has no memorial.
The Capt. Jesse Smith Burial-place.
This is in the north part of the town, on the road leading to Rochdale, on the farm now owned by Wm. D. Warren.
It is now the town's poor burial-place. Capt. Smith deeded this lot to the town ; he had no children ; but public-spirited, he gave a bell to the Baptist church, north side, but is now on the school-house, where he gave a thousand dollars, the interest to be used for repairing the school-house and giving extra school- ing.
The Alton Burial-place.
Located on the farm now in the north-east part of South- bridge, originally owned by William Alton, the first settler there. He came with the Dresser family from Thompson, Connecticut.
Formerly could be seen two brown field stones marking the heads of the graves of William and Mary Alton, buried there probably about the time of the Revolutionary war. These graves were on the south side of the road, about fifty to seventy rods west of the house and barn, as they now stand, but the stones have been removed, and as last seen by this writer, about two years since, were a part of the stone wall at a distance in the lot, fifty to sixty feet north-east from where they formerly were placed about a hundred years since.
The Alton farm was purchased by Luther and Calvin Ammi- down May 10, 1796, 130} acres.
The late Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, had that for his last residence. He died there April 13, 1799; then Maj. Calvin Ammidown made this place his residence till about 1818, when he sold it to William Bradford, of Woodstock, Ct.
Maj. Ammidown moved to Center Village and died in the Columbian Building Jan. 5, 1825.
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The removal of these stones was an act of desecration, dis- creditable to the actor.
The initials of the names, W. A., for William Alton, and M. A., for Mary Alton, were to be seen on those head-stones by this writer when last there.
THE SPURR FUND. 1
This is a donation by will of Thomas Jefferson Spurr, as fol- lows :
"I give and bequeath to the town of Charlton, Massachusetts, the sum of $500 on condition that the same be invested care- fully, and that the income thereof shall annually be spent-
"First. For taking care of the lot in the burying-ground in the center of said town, where the body of my father, Samuel D. Spurr, was buried, so that the grass, trees, stones, and fence be kept in good order and repair.
"Second. If there is any surplus, that the same shall be used for improving and ornamenting the common, so called, in the center of said town."
This Mr. Spurr was a lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, wounded in the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862, and died at Hagerstown, Sept. 27th following, aged 24 years. He was a grandson of Gen. John Spurr, of Charlton, on his father's side ; and on his mother's side, grand- son of Dr. Dan Lamb, a distinguished physician of that town.
These cemetery sketches are principally from a printed history of these burial-places by Rev. Aaron Titus, Jun. ; that of Win. Alton, and some remarks explanatory, are by this writer.
END OF VOL. I.
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