USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol II > Part 26
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The next county road opened was in 1832. This com- menced at a point a little south of the center village, running south-westerly to the line of West Woodstock.
This road was extended, by the influence of citizens of Southbridge, through West Woodstock and Ashford, to inter- seet the Boston and Hartford turnpike before referred to.
To effect this important object, in extending this road through these towns in Connecticut, a delegation from this town, to wit, Linns Child, Ebenezer D. Ammidown, Bela Tiffany, and Holmes Ammidown, visited the Assembly of that State then in session at New Haven, where, after a few days' conference with the members of that body, they obtained an act from that Assembly granting right of way, and for its location and construction; opening an important and direct communication to Hartford and intermediate towns on its line of way.
In the following year, 1833, attention was directed to ex- tending this Hartford road north-easterly, to make a direct road from Worcester through Southbridge to Hartford. This county road commenced at a point on Main street, opposite the Edwards house (since erected), passing over Quinebang river, at Central mills, and thence through the Gulf, so called, to Charlton center, North Oxford, and Auburn, to Worcester. By the completion of this line of roads, the great mail line of stage coach travel, which, for many years, had passed over the turnpike, through Sturbridge, was transferred to this route, and so continued until superseded by railway accommodation.
The three important roads leading east, south, and north, from the center village, having been finished, the mountainous road over Fiske hill claimed attention for opening an easy grade of road westward, through Sturbridge.
This western road was constructed in 1838, commencing at
315
SOUTHBRIDGE.
a point in Globe village, on the west side of Quinebaug river, and running by the south end of Fiske hill to Sturbridge center.
This completed the series of roads contemplated by the leading citizens of Southbridge, at the time of the establish- ment of the board of county commissioners.
The great amount of severe labor in traversing all this extent of country to ascertain the most favorable location for each, and using the necessary management in procuring their location and construction, is probably little realized, or even thought of, by most of the present citizens of this town.
It is deemed an act of justice by the writer, who was actively connected with these improvements for travel, to say, that to no one person is this town so much indebted for this series of roads as to the late Hon. Ebenezer D. Ammidown.
There have been other important roads since constructed by or through the influence of this people, to wit: Hamilton street, between the center and Globe villages (the River road), by the Catholic church and railroad depot, in 1847.
The Valley road, facilitating travel to Charlton city, and the depot on the Boston and Albany railroad, in the north part of that town, running up the valley of Cady brook, was con- structed in 1851.
The following year, 1852, the road leading north from Red bridge, over the Quinebang, up the valley of Trout brook, was extended to intersect the old road in the south part of Charlton, leading over Dresser hill to Oxford.
This brings the history of roads to a point in this town when few, if any, extended roads are required to facilitate travel in its vicinity.
The introduction of steam-power has taken from this class of roads the importance formerly attached to them, for distant travel and for transportation of the mails. That era has had its day ; and the time will soon come when few or none of the
316
SOUTHBRIDGE.
living can relate the excitement and interest felt in all the interior towns, along the line of post-roads, for the arrival and departure of the mail coaches, drawn by four to six horses; the sound of the driver's horn, echoing over the hills, and the sharp crack of the whip, announcing the near approach of this conveyance, was a source of much excitement with the village people surrounding the mail stations, all eager to see the new arrivals, and obtain the latest news. "The man of the whip and the reins was regarded as an important person in that day."
TOWN-HOUSE.
The first movement for building a town-house in South- bridge was made at a town meeting in 1835, but no definite action was effected at this time, and the question remained at rest until brought forward at the March meeting in 1837. It now came up in connection with the action for the accept- ance and disposition of the town's share of the surplus revenue of the United States, which, by an act of Congress of June, 1836, was to be deposited with the several States.
This was " A Bill to Regulate the Deposits of the Public Money." which contained the following elanse :
" That the money which shall be in the treasury of the United States on the 1st of January, 1837, reserving the sum of $5, 000, 000. shall be deposited with the several States in proportion to their representation in the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, which shall by law authorize their treasurer or other competent authorities to receive the same on the terms hereinafter specified ; and the secretary of the treasury shall deliver the same to such treasurer, or other competent authorities, in such form as may be prescribed by the secretary afore- said, which certificate shall express the usual and legal obligations of common depositories of the public money for the safe-keeping and re- payment thereof, and shall pledge the faith of the State receiving the same to pay the said moneys and every part thereof, from time to time, whenever the same shall be required by the secretary of the treasury, for the purpose of defraying any wants of the public treasury beyond the amount of the five millions aforesaid.
317
SOUTHBRIDGE.
" Provided, if any State declines to receive its proportion of the sur- plus aforesaid on the terms before named, the same may, at the discre- tion of the treasurer, be deposited with the other States agreeing to accept the same in deposit.
" And provided further, that when the said money, or any part there- of, shall be wanted by said secretary to meet appropriations made by law, the same shall be called for in ratable proportions within one year. as nearly as conveniently may be, from the different States with which the same is deposited, and shall not be called for in sums exceeding ten thousand dollars, from any one State, in any one mouth, without pre- vious notice of thirty days for every additional sum of twenty thousand dollars which may be required.
The said deposits shall be made with the States in the following pro- portions, and at the following times, viz. : one quarter part on the 1st day of January, 1837, or as soon after as may be ; one quarter on the 1st day of April; one quarter on the 1st day of July; and one quarter part on the 1st day of October of the same year."
The sum apportioned among the twenty-six States, which the Union then contained, on January 1, 1837, was $37,468,859.97; but the change of financial affairs which took place in 1837 caused the government to withhold the last quarter payment.
An extra session of Congress was called together in Septem- ber, in 1837, by order of the President, Mr. Van Buren, to consult on measures for the relief of the country.
It was decided by an act of Congress to suspend the Octo- ber payment ; thus the several States received but three in- stallments, amounting to the sum of $28,101,000, divided among the twenty-six States, as follows, to wit :
Maine, $955,838.25
South Carolina, - 1,051,422.09
New Hampshire, - 669,086.79
Georgia, - 1,051,422.09
Vermont, -
669,086.79
Alabama, 669,086.79
Massachusetts, - 1,338,173.58
Mississippi, 382,335.30
Connecticut,
764,670.60
Louisiana, 477,919.14
Rhode Island, 382,335.30
Missouri, 382,335.30
New York, 4,014,520.71
Kentucky,
1,433,757.39
New Jersey,
₹64,670.60
Tennessee, 1,433, 759.39
Pennsylvania, 2,867,514.78
Ohio, - 2,007,260.34
Delaware,
286,751.49
Indiana, 860,254.44
Maryland, - 955, 838.25
Illinois, 477,919.14
Virginia, - 2,198,727.99
Arkansas, 286,751.49
North Carolina, -
1,433,757.39
Michigan,
286,751.49
318
SOUTHBRIDGE.
The several States differed much in their disposition of their share of this money.
In some States it was divided among the people; in others for education, and given to counties, as in New York; but in Massachusetts it was loaned to the several towns and cities, on the condition that it should be refunded to the State treasu- rer, when he should be called upon to pay the same to the secretary of the treasury of the United States.
The article in the warrant for March meeting, 1837, upon the question of receiving the town's share of this money, and the proceedings thereon, are as follows :
"ARTICLE.
"To see if the town will authorize their treasurer to receive on de- posit, upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by law, any money which the Legislature may authorize or direct the treasurer and receiver-general of the commonwealth to deposit with the town of Southbridge, and if so, what disposition the town will make of such money.
" Voted, March 6, That the town of Southbridge will receive upon deposit such portion of the surplus revenue of the United States as may be apportioned to this town; and that the town will comply with all the conditions that may be imposed by law of this commonwealth for de- positing said revenue with the several towns; and that the treasurer of the town is authorized to draw for such installments, as from time to time may be due this town, and that the treasurer have authority to ex- ecute all necessary obligations to bind the town to the repayment of such money to the commonwealth, should the same be called for."
At the town meeting, March 27, following, held at the hall, of Moulton and Ammidown, Bela Tiffany was chosen moderator.
It was then voted to build a town-house, two stories high, the walls of which to be of brick, and to finish the lower story for town business.
The size of the house to be sufficient to seat double the num- ber of voters which are now upon the voters' list of this town, also to build a stair-way and lay the floor in the second story,
319
SOUTHBRIDGE.
and leave the remainder of said story otherwise unfinished ; provided a spot can be obtained for its location.
The following persons were appointed to select a location for the town-house, and to buy the same :
From district No. 1, Stillman Plimpton,
2, Abel Mason, 66
66
3, Henry Plimpton,
66 4, Oliver Morse,
66 5, Holdridge Ammidown,
66 G, Freeman Pratt,
66
66 7, Joseph Clark.
The following persons were appointed the building com- mittee : Jedediah Marcy, Dr. Samuel Hartwell, and John Mckinstry.
The lot selected was a piece of ground next north of the Congregational meeting-house, which was purchased of Luther and Holmes Ammidown, for the sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars.
At the town-meeting, held May 15, 1837, it was voted,
" That Dr. Samuel Hartwell, town treasurer, be authorized to receive, as the agent of the town, from the treasurer and receiver-general of the commonwealth, this town's portion of the surplus revenue, and to bind the town for its repayment, as the law may require."
The time when the treasurer received this money, and the amount of each sum received, is as follows :
"Received May 22, 1837, $2,105.41;
July 26, " 1,106.57 3 $3,211.98 Interest accrued on same before used, 95.45
" See account with Southbridge bank, where
the same was deposited until used for build-
$3,307.43 ing the town-house."
It was voted that this share of the surplus revenue be appropriated, first, to purchase the lot for the town-house location, and the balance, so far as may be necessary, for building the town-house, as before voted.
320
SOUTHBRIDGE.
At a meeting of the town, June 4, 1838, the building com- mittee was authorized to add a belfry or cupola, not to exceed the cost of one hundred dollars.
The building committee made report of their doings to the annual town meeting, held March 4, 1839. The expenditure was as follows :
Faid for purchase of location,
$850.00
" expense of construction, 2,959.78
Total expenditure,
$3,809.78
"The committee report further, that they estimate the expense of of finishing the second story at one hundred and fifty dollars.
" The committee omitted any charge for services in the foregoing.
(Signed)
"JEDEDIAH MARCY,
"SAMUEL HARTWELL,
"JOHN MCKINSTRY."
SCHOOLS.
Annual appropriations for schools in Southbridge, from the organization of the town in 1816 to the year 1871, inclusive :
1816,
$400
1831,
$600
1817,
400
1832,
600
1818,
400
1833,
600
1819,
400
1834,
600
1820,
400
1835,
600
1821,
400
1836,
800
1822,
400
1837,
800
1823,
500
1838,
800
1824,
450
1839,
800
1825,
500
1840,
1,000
1826,
550
1841,
1,000
1827,
600
1842,
800
1828,
600
1843,
800
1829,
600
1844,
$800
1830,
500
1845,
1,000
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SOUTHBRIDGE.
1846,
$1,200
1859, -
$2,700
1847,
1,200
1860,
2,700
1848,
1,200
1861,
2,900
1849,
1,200
1862,
2,900
1850,
1,200
1863,
3,300
1851,
1,200
1864,
3,300
1852,
1,600
1865,
3,300
1853,
1,600
1866,
3,800
1854,
2,200
1867,
4,450
1855,
2,200
1868.
5,700
1856,
2,425
1869,
3,300
1857,
2,700
1870,
7,400
1858,
2,700
1871,
7,150
REMARKS.
As early as the year 1841 a vote was passed at the March meeting, to wit :
" That Mr. Willard have the use of the room over the town hall, for a high school."
From that date a high school has been maintained in this town, but by private contribution, until the following appro- priations were made, beginning in 1854 :
DIVISIONS OF SCHOOL MONEY.
1854, For Districts, -
$2,000; For High School, - $200
1855,
1,600;
600
1856,
1,800;
625
1857,
- 2,000;
..
1. 700
1858,
2,000:
700
1859,
2,000;
66
- 700
1860,
2,000;
700
1861,
- 2,200;
יר
700
1862,
2,200;
66
700
1863,
66
- 2,500;
66
٠٠
800
1865,
2,500;
،٠
800
1866,
..
3,000;
. .
-
800
1867,
- 3,500;
..
- 950
1868,
4,500;
..
1,200
1869,
- 2,500;
800
1870,
،،
5,500;
66 .
1,900
1871,
66
-
- 5,600;
- - 1,550
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,500;
800
1864,
322
SOUTHBRIDGE.
As before stated, the number of the school and highway districts have remained the same as established by the report of the committee, chosen at a town meeting, held for the or- ganization of the town, March 6, 1816; yet some alterations have since been made by different arrangement of their terri- tory. In the year 1845 a committee of seven were chosen to make such alterations as might be deemed more for the con- venience of the inhabitants :
For District No. 1, Samuel M. Lane. 66 6. 2, John Marsh. 66 66 3, John P. Steadman.
4, Willard Morse.
5, Marvin Cheney.
6, Francis S. Morse.
60 " 7, Joseph Clark.
The most important change made by this committee was in District No. 4. This district, heretofore, had been continued with a part of Charlton, the same as it stood before the town was incorporated ; but now an independent district was formed within the limits of the town, including a part of the First dis- trict, north of the river, and a school-house located where it now stands, near the Catholic cemetery ; the other arrange- ments were inconsiderable, pertaining more to the schools.
Thus the districts continued up to the year 1868, when, at the town meeting, held on March 2, it was voted,
"That the several school districts in the town of Southbridge be and they are hereby abolished; and that the town will forthwith enter upon and take possession of the property of the districts, in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes, chapter xxxIx, section 3."
The schools are now managed in accordance with said law. CHARLOTTE PLIMPTON, SCHOOL TEACHER,
Was the daughter of Ezekiel Plimpton, whose father was . Simon Plimpton, of Medfield, a brother of Joseph Plimp- ton. She rode on horseback from Medfield to Sturbridge.
323
SOUTHBRIDGE.
leaving in the morning, and arriving at her cousin Oliver Plimpton's at evening.
After teaching school for a time, she married a Mr. Dorr, and settled in Roxbury. In 1870 this writer made her acquaint- anee at Oakland, a part of that town, she then being about ninety years of age ; he found her then active and intelligent, possessing the vigor of a person of sixty to sixty-five. She spoke of keeping a summer school at Sturbridge, in the vil- lage called Honest Town, in the years 1800 and 1801; and had then preserved a list of the names of her scholars, as follows :
School began on Thursday, March 24, 1800.
Abby Shumway,
Meriam Barrett,
Charlotte Dresser,
Jeremiah Shumway,
Dolly Newell,
Lucy Bracket,
Benjamin F. Shumway, Samuel Lewis Newell,
Sally Robbins,
Adelaide Shumway,
Isaac Ambrose Newell, Horatio Robbins,
Debyann Shumway,
Daniel F. Newell,
Sanford Robbins,
Augusta Shaw,
Baxter Newell,
Betsey Mckinstry, Mercy Mckinstry,
Lucinda Shaw,
Barlow Courtis,
William Mckinstry,
Lucy Shaw,
Hannah Marcy,
Hulda Chamberlain,
Dolly Shaw,
Polly Marcy,
Lydia Chamberlain,
Julius Shaw,
Mehetable Marcy,
Julia Plimpton.
Jedediah Marcy, Matilda Clark,
Sally Simpson,
Harriet Plimpton,
Nathan Clark,
William Spencer,
Lydia Plimpton,
Jack Clark, Almira Clark.
Laura Putney,
Moses Plimpton,
Patty Clark,
Isaac Putney,
Stillman Plimpton,
Lucinda Eddy,
Salem Edmonds,
Henry Plimpton,
Amos Eddy,
Nancy Edmonds,
Sally Morris,
Jedediah Sumner,
Sally Abbot.
GENERAL EDUCATION.
ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS IN MASSACHUSETTS, TO THE PRESENT TIME.
If the descendants of the Puritans, with the light of the present age, do not approve of all the doings of their ances- tors in the early stages of their progress, in founding and sus-
Susannah Shaw,
Theodorah Courtis,
Silvia Perry, Perley Simpson,
Marialı Plimpton,
Matilda Spencer,
Chauncy Plimpton,
324
SOUTHBRIDGE.
taining the government and institutions of New England, they have abundant reasons to rejoice for many acts of theirs, that continue togive tone and character to all parts of this country.
Their early attention to providing means for general edu- cation, and the encouraging of pursuits of industry, have been the means from which have arisen the great diversity of labor, wealth, and power, and the influence. moral, religions, and political, which now characterizes this section of the American Union, and which to-day stamps its image, with more or less force, upon all other sections of these United States.
As legitimate descendants, true to the traditions and spirit of the principles of the Reformers, of the era of the Protestant Reformation, they regarded education as an essential element in sustaining sound morals and a rational and pure religion.
The recent remarks of a New England man upon education are applicable here :
" If there is anything in the institution of a free State which shows the character of its founders, it is the regard paid to the education of youth. Religion, morals, enterprise, whatever benefits or adorns society, rest here, on their surest foundation ; and where effectual provision is made in the infancy of a community for general instruction, other salu- tary regulations may be expected to accompany them. Take from the commonwealth the universal education of the citizens, the social system is at an end. The form might continue for a time, but its spirit would have fled. To suppose that pure religion, pure morals, upright adminis- tration of government, and a peaceable, orderly, and agreeable inter- course in domestic and social relations of life, can exist where the people, as a body, are ignorant of letters, is an egregious solecism.
"I do not say that education is all that is needed, but without knowl- edge, generally diffused, other means of improving human society are comparatively weak and unavailing." *
It is fortunate for the descendants of the founders of New England, that many of their ancestors had been educa- ted in the best institutions of learning in England ; while their
* See Professor Kingsley's Historical Discourse on the Anniversary of the Sett lement of New Haven. Also, see De Tocqueville's Democracy in America, chapter II.
325
SOUTHBRIDGE.
moral and religious training had been of the sternest type. It has been said that the Pilgrims and Puritans exiled themselves from their homes and native country, and planted themselves in the wilderness of America to enjoy religious liberty : free- dom to worship God as their consciences dietated.
If it be understood by what is here styled liberty and freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, that either the Pilgrims or Puritans meant, in any sense, toler- ation of other forms of religions worship than that in which they believed and professed, it is a mistake.
Their own declaration, before entering upon the design, giving the reasons which induced them to make the sacrifice of the enjoyment of their native country, home, and friends, seems to decide the object had in view. The Pilgrims state :
" That which was most lamentable, and of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was, that many of their children, by the great licentiousness of youth in the country, and the manifold temptations of the place, were drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins off their necks and departing from their parents, tend- ing to dissoluteness and the danger of their souls; to the great grief of their parents and dishonor of God. So they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted.
"Lastly (and which was not least), a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation, or at least to make some way thereunto, for the propagating and advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world."*
It was not liberty which they most desired, when they formed the idea of removing to America ; it was restraint, the power to hold every individual in their own community to a rigid account of their morals and religion. They left their homes in England and removed to the Low Countries, as Bradford says, because " they heard there was freedom of religion for all men!" But now they had found, to their grief, that this toler- ation was having a bad influence upon their children, and thus they desired to escape from this freedom.
* See Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, pages 10 and 24.
22A
326
SOUTHBRIDGE.
While the Puritans say :
"And consulting together about settling some plantation in New England, upon the account of religion, where such as were called Non- Conformists might, with the favor and leave of the king, have a place of reception, if they could transport themselves into America, there to enjoy the liberty of their own persuasion in matters of worship and church discipline, without disturbance of the peace of the kingdom, and with- out offense to others, not like-minded with ourselves."*
The Pilgrims and Puritans were honest in their purpose; there was no deception as to their intentions ; they openly and boldly declared their object in removing to America : " to enjoy the liberty of their own persuasion " in matters of worship and church discipline, and to transmit the same privileges to their posterity.
Although the Pilgrims were less politic in carrying forward their plans, their design was similar to that of the Puritans. With the latter class their plans were laid and executed with great wisdom, and with a view to certain ends to be accomplished.
The charter, dated, " March 19, 1628," which they obtained, granted to them special prerogatives; enabling them to pro- tect themselves against all eneroachment upon either their religious or political rights.
This charter, after reciting the names of the patentees, and describing the limits of their territory, adds :
" We have further, hereby, of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, given, granted, and confirmed, and for us, our heirs and successors, do give, grant, and confirm, unto our said trusty and well beloved subjects, and all such others as shall hereafter be admitted and made free of the company and society hereafter mentioned, shall from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter be, by virtue of these presents, one body corporate and politic in fact and name by the name of the governor and company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England."
And it further adds (after having organized their govern- ment) :
* See Young's Chronicles of Massachusetts, page 29.
327
SOUTHBRIDGE.
"Shall have full power and authority to choose, nominate, and appoint such and so many others as they shall think fit, and that shall be willing to accept the same, to be free of the said company and body, und them into the somme to admit; and to elect and constitute such officers as they shall think fit and requisite for the ordering, managing, and dispatching of the affairs of the said governor and company, and their successors ; and to make laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the said company and for the government and ordering of the said lands and plantation, and the people inhabiting and to inhabit the same, us to them, from time to time, shall be thought meet."
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