USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Marlborough > Historical reminiscences of the early times in Marlborough, Massachusetts : and prominent events from 1860 to 1910, including brief allusions to many individuals and an account of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town > Part 8
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2d . .
. .
John Quackenbush,
in Navy, on board Gunboat Ino. 57th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. in Navy, on board Gunboat Ino. in Navy.
. .
. .
Charles E. Blake, Charles A. Warren, James O'Donnell, E. R. Moulton, John W. Homans, John Quigg,
in Navy. 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 66
66
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John S. Felton
W, Frank Brigham Edward A. Brown Thomas M. Exley Sidney A. Brigham Samuel S. Shattuck Charles Cutting Edwin P. Miles
Eleazer Guertin
J. E. Allen
Frank Loring
Frank Bean
John Berry
John Eaton (killed)
Samuel E. Dudley
Austin B. Lawrence
Charles S. Rich
Fred Brigham
Stillman P. Wood
George S. Russell Abel Hastings
Thomas Andrews
Edward M. Hastings Thomas H. Boggs Edwin Goodwin
TOERIE
THIE PLEASANT STREET FIRE STATION, NO. 2 ..
The above building was erected on Pleasant street, in the west part, in 1895, at an expense of $17,000. The building committee were : Mayor William N. Davenport ; Guilford D. Marshall, Chief Engineer of Fire Department ; Charles L. Bartlett, John H. Parker, Edward J. Plunkett, Frederick A. Pope, Jeremiah W. Bradley.
The Central Fire Station on Main street was erected in 1909 at an expense of $55,000. The building committee were : Mayor Edward
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F. Brown, Louis N. Richer, Charles F. McCarthy, Edwin L. Howe, Charles H. Andrews, Charles E. Hayes, Frederick R. S. Mildon, Charles F. Holyoke, Webster L. Eugley, Henry Harper, James F. Sul- livan, Frederick L. Pratt.
Following we give the list of Chief Engineers of the Marlborough Fire Department :
Sylvester F. Bucklin, 1854-55
George Balcom, 1876-7
J. S. Witherbee, 1856
Edmund C. Whitney, 1878
Daniel Pope, 1857-58
David W. Ingalls, 1879-So
William S. Frost, 1859-60-61
George A. Stacy, ISSI
William E. Brigham, 1862
John C. Rock, 1882-3-4-5-6-7-9-93-4
Algernon S. Brigham, 1863
George H. Brigham, ISSS-90-I
Henry O. Russell, 1864-5-6
C. Waldo Brigham, 1892
Levi W. Baker, 1867
Guilford D. Marshall, 1895-6-7
Henry O. Russell, IS6S
John F. Byrne, 1898-1904. John T. Fay, 1899-1900
William A. Alley, 1869-70
Thomas E. Campbell, 1871-2
Edmund C. Whitney, 1873-4-5
J. Henry Gleason, 1901-2-3 Charles H. Andrews, 1905-6-7-8-9-10
Fire Department, 1910, consists of three Hose companies, 1, 2 and 4; Combination No. 1; Ladder Company No. 1.
Members of Hose Company No. 1 are :
Capt., David McDonald
Patrick Genery
Charles Husbands
Lieut., Frank Madden
Daniel Burke
Harry McCarthy
Clerk, Thomas Pomphrey
Peter Dugan John Quinlan
Edward Minnehan SUBSTITUTES.
Dennis Kelley
John Harris
Edward Murray
George Kenney
Eugene Sullivan
Active and substitute members of Hose Company No. 2 :
Capt., John E. Carey
James J. Martin
Frank S. Rock
David P. Hayes George McGee
Patrick English
John J. Brecken
Michael Pomphrey Edward J. Carey
Dennis F. Bradley
George F. Gallagher John F. Kavanaugh
Thomas H. Fahey
John J. Bell,
Edward F. Hamlin
Thomas J. Doyle
Active members of Combination Company No. 1 :
Capt., Charles T. Berry
Albert J. Adams
Herbert S. Bartlett
Lieut., Fred M. Hayden
Franklin G. Taylor William H. Hogan
Clerk, Albert C. Perry
Ernest A. Howe Driver, C. H. Bonner
Joseph I. Aldrich
Harry C. Graham Ed E. Lovely
Everett F. Russell
Charles H. Perry
Edward G. Richardson
Harrie C. Perry SUBSTITUTES. Ardeen Schwartz Stanley L. Weeks
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Members of Hose Company No. 4 :
Capt., George H. Ball
Irving H. Fay
Clerk, Fred L. Rice
Ernest C. Dalrymple
Charles W. Spearel
William W. Spearel
Elton E. Howe
Chester HI. Angier
SUBSTITUTES. Joseph E. Philbrick
George H. Robb Henry A. Brown Driver, Walter J. Logan
Fred A. Trull
Members of Ladder Company No. 1 :
Capt., George F. Griffin
Albert Goulet
Lieut., Edgar F. Chick
Luke Collins
Simeon Valliere Frank Fahey
Clerk, Patrick T. Lyons
Harry Taylor
Michael Manning
Charles Bean
Zephirin Bonin
Driver, John E. Carey
Ed Barry SUBSTITUTES. Joseph Belmore John O'Brien
Timothy Kennedy
Some of our principal fires :
September, 1852-Shop of Charles Dana Bigelow, Pleasant street.
October, 1852-Spring Hill Meeting House.
March, 1857-The great barn on Pleasant street of Lambert Bigelow with horses and cows.
March, 1857-Liberty Block, owned by George Brigham as shoe shop on Main street where the " Addison " now stands.
August, 1860-Two barns of John Cotting on Main street.
June, 1867-Last and Box Factory of Thomas Jackson.
June, 1867-Blanchard & Davis Die Factory, Florence street.
March, 1868-Shoe Factory W. H. Prussia Co., known as the old Universalist church.
October, 1869-First Catholic church, Mt. Pleasant, tower struck by lightning, church saved. April, 1871-Charles L. Frye Shoe Factory, $50,000 loss. Only $17,000 insurance. January 1873-Richards Block corner Broad and Lincoln streets,
November 1874-Abel Ilowe Shop and Barn.
January 1875-School House, Bolton street.
February 1876- Joseph Manning's Box and Planing Mill.
September 1876-Hillman House and Barn at the Y.
January 1877-Smith & Hicks Box Factory and Grist Mill.
January 1877-Thomas Jackson Last Factory.
July 1877-Greatest fire up to date : T. A Coolidge Shoe Factory, Howland street, loss $75,000, over 250 men, women and children thrown out of employment. 1878-Felton & Chipman Factory. March 1879-Temple Shop, High street.
Angust 1883-Morse & Bigelow, barn and storehouse, Pleaaant street, loss $2.000. Hydrants first used.
November 1883-Ephraim Howe, barn, Bolton street, loss $3,510.
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December 1883-First disastrous fire in Corey Block, loss $60,000.
September 1884-Chipman Shop on East Main street.
March 1887-Parsons' Machine Shop, Lincoln street, loss $5,728.
January 1889-Phoenix Block, Main street.
February 1889-Miles Block, Mechanic street.
April 1889-John Regan, house and barn, Boston road.
February 1890-Forest Hall Block, Lincoln street, loss $7,800.
May 1891-Hose I House, Bolton street.
May 1891-John O'Connell Shop,
April 1894-Burke Block, Main street.
September 1895-D. F. O'Connell, Eagle House, West Main street.
November 1897 -- Corey Block, loss $75,000.
February 1898-John O'Connell, Middleton Block, known as the Windsor House, loss $7.727.
December 1902 --- City Hall.
March 1909-Riley's Opera House.
December 1909-Ideal Plating Co.
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VILLAGE STREET ON SUNDAY.
" Over all the town rested the Lord's peace. There was no sound on the vil- lage street. Look either way, not a vehicle, not a human being. The smoke rose up soberly and quietly, as if it said : 'It is Sunday !' The leaves on the great elms hung motionless, glittering with dew. as if they too, like the people who dwelt under their shadow, were waiting for the bell to ring for mecting."-Henry Ward Beecher, in " Norwood."
Here we have a picture of "Springhill Meeting House" (now
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Union Church) with Postmaster Hollis Loring's house (later that of Dea. Curtis) and the "Brick House" or Thayer's Hotel, (now the home of Doctor C. L. Cutler. Quoting an old parishioner : "Let us imagine the interior of the church a hundred years ago. The large square pews well filled with substantial farmers and their families. Father Bucklin's pew No. 1 center aisle, Lawyer Draper No. 2, Mr. Coggswell No. 3, Silas Felton No. 4. Esquire Sherman No. 5, and so on. Large roomy square box pews extended on three sides of the gallery occupied generations by young men and boys who used to delight in turning up the seats which were hung with hinges and when the congregation arose for prayer, which generally was a long one,-and the final amen was said by the preacher. down would go the hinged seats making a noise like muskets.
REV. SYLVESTER F. BUCKLIN.
[His lamented death occurred at time of celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Marlborough. He was one of the committee of arrangements for June 13, 1860, and had taken a deep and active interest in the proceedings.]
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The pulpit was high and the gigantic sounding board hung over it from the ceiling. Mr. Bucklin climbed with all due patience and much dignity the winding stairs. His style was courteous and solemn and the services very lengthy. For twenty years he was pastor here and when he laid aside his official honors he took the place of layman and was a true friend, paying for some years the highest tax for the support of his church.
In winter the meeting house was as cold as a cluster of icebergs, but the people who were its supporters were filled with zeal that defied the ice and storm, and many of them climbed the hill and pushed their way thro' the valleys without much regard to snow- drifts and tempests of rain, to the old church on the hill they loved so well. Deacon Goodale came many miles from the East, and Deacon Bruce as far from the North, models of perseverance for the love they bore the church and seldom had their seats no occupant, for they were the leading spirit's of that old parish.
Capt. Proctor occupied the singing post of honor in the other end of the church. He kept time by the rising and falling of the hymn book in his hand. The tunes were few and the noise not always in accord. The choir made ready to sing by the pitch and then gave in advance the time. Cold tho' it was, it had a kindling influence on emotion and sentiment and when the whole force was out, singers and players, one said there was an uproar of sound which could be heard almost to the West Parish. There was the trombone and the clarinet and the 'cello and the bass and the double bass which even while the minister was praying would be sounded for the pitch. These with a melodian to fill in, and above all, the determined spirit of the singers, for it was the strength of voice rather than the perfect tone or correct ear for music which always took the palm those days, would make the choir a place of great distinction. The soprano would untie her bonnet, and throw back her head and let out such a volume of sound as would incite the awe and admiration of all the church goers, and they'd forget the lack of carpets, or heat or comfort.
" The seats were hinged; in prayer we rose And turned them up, aud then Were ready at the prayer's close To slam a loud Amen. We had no stoves ; our mates, poor souls, Indulgsd their vain desires
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With small tin boxes filled with coals Brought from a neighbor's fires. Our parson made it hot enough- No need for fires to yearn While good old doctrine, dry and tough, Made all our ears to burn."
Ye OLD TYme Country Choin
YE OLDE COUNTRY CHOIR.
Quoting Dea. D. B. Goodale "During the decade of 1830-40 the town had a population at the beginning of 2,074 and at the close- less than two per year -- 2,092. This suggested the rigid fixedness. the dreadful sameness reigning in business, fashion, and thought, in all that pertained to Marlborough society. Four religious societies, East Parish or Spring Hill, the West Parish, the Universalist -a new body of some 18 years standing and the Methodist in the north. These were all independent not even associating in pairs. Gates Academy was rising. The town at that time had a center- all the section between High School Common and Dea. Howe and the Loring and Ephraim Howe farms to Amos Cotting and Israel Howe there were but 25 families. The west district of about the same limits had nearly the same number. There were but two Irishmen in town. Sam'l Chipman made the coffins, John Maynard was the sexton, Emory Cotting made our boots and shoes, Miss Levina Bruce
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made our clothes. When the Rev. and Mrs. J. N. Goodhue came to town there were but three woven carpets in the parish and one painted barn. This was the heroic day of the Springhill Society when they braved greater odds and staked more of fortune or favor than it has ever been called to do in its history. Rev. J. N. Goodhue was ordained in 1836. The members of his church erected a monu- ment over his grave, and his memory is still cherished.
The first house in the foreground of our picture is the one built some where near 1850 by Hiram Fay for Mr. Hollis Loring [who married Laura Hitchcock,] a prominent business man and Justice of the Peace in Marlboro, where he held importance offices, and represented the town in Legislature. At our two hundredth Celebration Mr. Loring was Toastmaster. There were six boys in the Loring family and when these boys were in their teens their home was a favorite place for the boys in the neighborhood. Meetings were held in the basement of the house and in the barn where they organized a hook and ladder company and built a machine with which they successfully extinguished fires. On one occasion they were the first to arrive at a fire in Southboro', a feat which gave them no little pride. They formed a Company and solicited leather belts from Mr. Curtis, who, learning the name they had adopted replied : "I can give no belts to a company called 'Tough Nuts'!" Quickly the boys called a secret meeting and decided that "Tigers" was sufficiently ferocious for a name; the result of which was a patent leather belt lettered in red with the name "Tigers" presented to each happy boy. The Loring heirs sold this place in 1873 to Mr. John E. Curtis, who was born in Dudley, Mass., in the house belonging in the Curtis family for a century and a half. His great grandfather Capt. John Curtis was one of the early settlers of the town of Dudley. His grandfather was Lieut. John and his father, Deacon Chester. John Curtis left Dudley when 18 years of age, lived for a short time in Millbury going from there to Westboro, and in both places was employed in the shoe business. In Nov., 1851, he married Jane M. Putnam, daughter of Lewis and Puah (Mellen) Putnam of Westboro. In 1852 he removed to Marlboro where he was employed as foreman in sole leather room of John M. Boyd's factory and afterwards became superintendent for Mr. Boyd. In 1858 he began to manufacture shoes on his own account in a factory on High street. In 1861 he removed to Marlboro Block where from 1862-1864 was in company with his younger brother Henry C. Curtis.
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In 1868 he bought the old Boyd and Corey factory, corner of Main and Maple Streets where he continued the manufacture of shoes until the year 1878. The following year he was engaged by Rice and Hutchins as superintedent of factory, now known as Frank & Dustons, the business at this time amounting to $180,000 yearly. In 1889 the business had so increased that Cotting Avenue Factory was built and Mr. Curtis assumed charge. Here and also in the old factory at Middlesex Square he continued until the year of his death 1896 having part of the time both factories under his charge. Some years previous to this his two sons Arthur and Charles had entered his employ and at the time of his death, the latter was Superintendent of Cotting Avenue factory and Arthur foreman of the cutting room.
For nearly all of his life here in M. Mr. Curtis was known as "The Deacon" [having been chosen to that office by the Union Ch.] and the title was one of respect and esteem. In his earlier days he was one of the town's most active citizens taking a great interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the town and serving on all important committees. In the old town meeting days he was always a prominent figure and his voice and influence were never backward in advocating anything he thought was right, or opposing matters that he thought were not for the best, remaining ever a fair and honorable opponent.
Mr. Curtis served several years on the school board, was an active worker in the board of trade and served as president. He was largely instrumental in starting and sustaining the Y. M. C. A. organization. He died July 18, 1896 at "Lake Farm" his summer home. Ch .- Anna L., Arthur P. [m. Emma F. Searles, Westboro,] Charles W. [m. Cora B. Arnold, Marlboro, ] Mary E., Jennie L. [m. Frederick A. Pratt, Westboro,] Lillian F.
The Deacon's brothers Henry C. Curtis came to M. in 1862 and still lives here a most respected citizen. HIe m. Sarah Litchfield of Southbridge. Ch. living, Frank [m. Mrs. Mattie Litchfield, ch. George Litchfield.] His brother Francis, late veteran of the Civil War, came to M. in 1854. He m. Caroline Brigham of Marlboro'. Ch. living Mary [m. Chas. Foster, 3 ch.] and Harry who [m. Mrs. Ida Brown.]
In the distance in our picture of the village street we see the house of Abel Howe, who began in 1858 the manufacture of shoes on Main street (near Grant st.) with H. O. Russell. He later removed to
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High street and built a very large, convenient factory also the above house on site of which was the house of the Rev. David Ogden, pastor of the Congregational Ch. at the time when Mrs. Colgan-then Ellen Woods lived there for a year. Wm. Colgan was one of nine children of Wm. Colgan and Margaret McCarthy, both parents being among the foremost Irish people of the time. At the age of 14 he left Tipperary, Ireland, and took passage for America. In New York he found steady work as a teamster and remained there until 1849, when he came to Marlboro' and went to work for T. E. Miles, Asa Smith, Sidney Fay and Ivers & Johnson, becoming as years went on the veteran teamster of Marlboro. Oct., 1850, he married Ellen Woods, (who also had come over from Tipperary) at the first Mass ever celebrated in Marlboro, i. e. in the old Arcade. Rev. Geo. A. Hamilton officiated and pronounced the words making the young couple man and wife. Dennis and J. B. Witherbee were selectmen at that time and Mr. Colgan secured the marriage license from Lambert Bigelow (father of E. L. Bigelow) who was town clerk for 20 years.
Mrs. Colgan was the dau. of Maurice Woods and Ellen Denaher and born in 1831. She attended school in Ireland and at the age of 18 came over direct to Marlboro'. A year after her arrival she m. Mr. Colgan and her sisters were Mrs. Michael Dee of Marlboro, Mrs. Michael Ray and Mrs. Catherine Casey of Westboro'. Of the nine children six are living-Mrs. M. H. Ryan and Miss Agnes Colgan living in Marlboro. Mr. and Mrs. Colgan celebrated their 50th marriage anniversary by high Mass of Thanksgiving, Oct. 20, 1900. Since that time both have passed from this life.
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CHAPTER VI.
=
SPRING HILL MEETING HOUSE. NOW UNION CHURCH.
Pastors from 1666 to the present time: Revs. S. F. Bucklin, Chas. Forbush, John N. Goodhue, Geo. E. Day. David L. Ogden, Geo. Denham (supply) Levi A. Field, Geo. N. Anthony, Chas. R. Treat,
V
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John Willard, S. E. Eastman (supply), Albert F. Newton, W. F. Stearns, L. B. Goodrich, A. H. Wheelock. Through courtesy of Mr. David Goodale the following list of old time pew holders in the above church has been obtained :
Mary W. Woodward
Jacob Holyoke Ephraim Hinds
Jason Howe Silas Temple Wm. Wilkins and Joel Wilkins Win. Ward and Lucy Williams W. Williams
Aaron Brigham
Lydia Davis
Stephen Rice
Lewis Jewett
Daniel Brigham
Elizabeth R. Wilson
Jonathan Sawin Jerre Stowe
George Barnard
Daniel Darling
Samuel Arnold
Lydia and Samuel S. Howe
Nathan Goodale
Jabez Stowe
Nathan Loring
Aaron Stevens
Stephen Morse, Jr.
Ephraim Bigelow
Stephen Wesson
Lewis Howe
E. Spurn
Joseph Arnold
Calvin Maynard
Elijah Hale
William Hayden
Ezekiel Bruce and Jonathan Hapgood
N. B. Proctor for J. Hapgood Israel Litmis
John C. Maynard
Ephraim Maynard
Samuel Warren
Wm. Winchester for S. Winchester
John Arnold
N. B. Proctor
Benjamin Priest
John Maynard for Jonas Moore
Stephen Wilson and Eliphet Spurn
Hannah Sherman
William Barnes
J. C. Newcomb ex Job Goodale Josiah Sherman Winslow Brigham, Elizabeth Brigham
Jason Howe
John Hunting George Howe
Joseph Tayntor Jonathan Hapgood Ezekiel Bruce
David Goodale
Amory Maynard
George E. Munson
Samuel F. Williams
William Harrington
Jonathan Sawin Silas Newton
George Peters Lucinda Mowry
Nathan Goodale
David Goodale
Nathan Longley ex of will of Hunter
Solomon Weeks
Dexter Howe
PEWS IN GALLERY.
Hannah Howe Thomas Hapgood Sally Ames and Jonah Howe
Samuel Arnold and Rufus Stowe David Goodale Joseph Tayntor and Nathan Sawin
Benjamin Clark
Rufus Stowe
Mary S. Williams
Eben Witt
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Daniel Brigham Ezekiel Parmenter and E. Parmenter
Benjamin Priest Jason Howe Joseph Williams F. Winch John S. Temple
John Bruce and Elizabeth Eager Nathan Goodale and Nathan Longley ex. to John Hunter
Aaron Stevens and Samuel Warren
Betsey Weeks James Woods
Mr. F. L. Claflin, cashier of National Bank, is authority that their bell was cast by Paul Revere. At time ch. was destroyed by fire the bell was recast, and again in 1892. This fact makes the bell doubly historical.
Not far from the church is the Spring Hill Cemetery, where is to be seen the four posted slate monument for Rev. Wm. Brims- mead, the first preacher in Marlboro, who died in 1701 and who before any "meeting house" was built preached from house to house entering into the daily life of the people quelling all early contentions between them and pacifying all grief and trouble. It is said he refused to baptize all children born on a Sunday, and he was not the only one who objected to the rite on account of the superstition of those early days. Mr. Loring of Sudbury followed the same custom until a "pair of twins" were born to him on the Sabbath. From that time his opinions changed and all were permitted to receive ordinance. Mr. Brimsmead lived a bachelor but in his old age the town well cared for their beloved minister. Close by his tomb is another similar stone elaborately lettered with Latin inscription marking the resting place of Rev. Robert Breck, successor to Father Brimsmead, who died January, 1731. Those interested in quaint epitaphs will be rewarded by a visit to this place. The question has often been asked where were the Marlboro people buried previous to 1675, the date on the burial stone in the above cemetery of Capt. Hutchinson. The theory is that up to the latter date the people of Marlboro feeling their tenure of territory insecure, the earlier burials doubtless were all made in the older grave yards of Wayland, Watertown or Charles- town. If possibly any were unable to travel thither, every greatest effort must have been made to secretly bury the dead and hide all traces from the inhuman and sacriligious foe. The custom of burying the dead in the homestead grounds originated no doubt at this time of dread, and probably was the reason for the loss of many early records. The fact of the church being located upon the Indian planting field would be an argument against the burying the dead so near to the foe, and altho' the vard adjoining the old
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Common (back of High School) may have been the oldest in name, Spring Hill Cemetery near the Union Church contains the remains of most of the earlier settlers since 1675 and may surely be considered the oldest burying ground in the town. Nearly in the center of the yard is the oldest stone located.
Cartal". Edward Hutchinson Aged 67 yrs was shot By Treacherous India
GRAVE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD HUTCHINSON.
"Capt. Edwin Hutchinson aged 67 years was shot by Treacherous Indians Aug. 2, 1675. Dyed August 19, 1675."
Capt. Hutchinson of Boston was wounded in Brookfield and unable to get any farther on his way home than the public house kept by John or as he was usually called Goodman Howe, where he died Aug. 19th, and was the first person buried in the above old burying ground. His headstone is still standing and the inscription on it still legible.
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KING PHILIP.
"Away! Away! I will not hear Of aught but death or vengeance now. By the eternal skies I swear My knee shall never learn to bow ! I will not hear a word of peace Nor clasp in friendly grasp a hand Link'd to the pale-brow'd stranger race That work the ruin of our land."
The most eventful period in the history of Marlborough is that connected with the Narraganset or "King Philip War." When the people from Sudbury petitioned for a grant of land eight miles west, and after the punishment of the Pequots in 1638, and their submission to the colony agreeing to live in peace and friendship, the settlers, apprehending no danger, began to build and plant. But, the wiley Philip, the chief of the Wampanoags was secretly plotting the extermination of the English settlements, and enlisting the sub- ordinate tribes they spread devastation and terror through the Colonies whose hardships and sufferings then endured are unparalleled in our history. Marlborough, a frontier town, was the theatre of war, being a prominent post between Boston and the settlements on the Connecticut river. Foreseeing the approaching storm our people headed by their minister Father Brimsmead, called a meeting, the result of which was to establish and maintain various garrisons and appoint soldiers to guard the same. After the execution of three Indians, the murderers of Susaman, an Indian Missionary who had
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informed the settlers of the Indians' secret design, Philip enraged then openly began hostilities. Joining the Nipmuncks, a tribe in the county of Worcester who had professed willingness to treat with the English, Captain Hutchinson and Captain Wheeler were sent with a small guard to treat with them but were fired upon from ambush and eight of them killed and many others mortally wounded among whom was Capt. Edwin Hutchinson. All know the history of brave Capt. Wardsworth, who came from Boston to strengthen the garrisons at Marlborough and learning the fate of our mother town Sudbury, passed on to her relief. Quoting the late Emily T. Hunt of Sudbury :
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