USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume I > Part 11
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Bad Effect of the Drink Habit.
Thus it seems to be certain that there was a shortage of rum in New England as early as the spring of 1813, and no remedy at hand except to make liquors from some other substance, for liquor certainly was in sharp demand, presumably to supply men who in those days, even as now, would freely sacrifice the most desirable of earthly possessions in order to satisfy their appetite for strong drink, and doubtless there were as many more younger men thoughtlessly ready to follow their example. Besides there were many men of exemplary character and strong wills who were moderate drinkers, for at this time, the evils flowing from the use of intoxicants had not in any appreciable degree excited public at- tention, nor the dangers of the moderate use of liquors hardly dis- cerned, and so the best sentiment of those days allowed the mod- erate use of liquor, from the clergy down, as a phase of correct liv- ing beyond criticism. It is certain that there was an unusual de- mand for alcoholic liquors at this time, a short supply, high prices and a ready sale for such kinds as could be produced.
Two Large Distilleries.
It was at such a time and under such circumstances as these that two distilleries were erected in Spencer. These were in size
150
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
about thirty by forty-five, one story besides a basement and both very high studded. Phineas Jones was the proprietor of one that stood near the Thomas G. Trott place and Alpha Bemis owner of the other, which was built at the foot of what afterwards became known as Still Hill in the valley east of the railroad and the town's highway, and south of Pigeon or Cranberry Meadow Brook, as it flows along just after passing underneath the railroad above Howe's Mills. Large barns were also built near by in. which to keep cattle that were fed the by-products. Grist mills either had been built for general use or else were built but a short distance away for use during some process of the preparation of the grain. At the Phineas Jones distillery, the late well known citizens, Alonzo Temple and Nathan Craig, were employed, each on an alternate service of twelve hours as the still must needs run night and day. It appears that these distilleries became a sort of an evening rendezvous for the drinking men of the surrounding section, and that some from over indulging in the use of the liquor there on sale became hilarious and at times noisy. On this ac- count it was arranged that Nathan Craig, who was very deaf and insensible to ordinary noises, should sleep from bedtime until mid -: night when he would arise and take up the work relinquished by Alonzo Temple. Gin was one of the principal liquors distilled and this was made from rye with the essential oil of the juniper berry to give it color and flavor.
Farmer Sacrifices Education for Drink.
These berries grew quite plentifully in the pastures of the town and a certain fairly well-to-do farmer kept his boys from school in order to pick these berries which he exchanged for gin for his own consumption. Nathan Craig, who was a highly honora- ble citizen, noting this, said, " If ever I get so debauched in my mind as to consent that my children be deprived of an education in order that I may have liquor to drink, I hope the Lord will take them away from me." As it has ever been, the presence of distilleries of ardent spirits or their free sale in any community lowers its moral tone, so it proved to be in this case and a great many of the best families in Spencer were glad when these stills were abandoned and possibly the owners were too; as it is known that later Alpha Bemis became a staunch advocate of total absti- nence. It is thought by some that what in this article has been called the Alpha Bemis distillery was really owned and operated by a company of individuals, but the late Hiram Howe a few days before his recent death said Alpha Bemis was the sole owner, and in the absence of other equally good and positive testimony, his declaration will probably be accepted as the truth. After the
151
INDIAN BURIAL GROUND.
treaty of peace in 1815 distilling in Spencer became unprofitable and was soon abandoned.
Following the suspension of distilling, the use for which the buildings had been erected, ceased, and they stood without a purpose for many years except as a place for general storage, and were finally torn down and utilized in the construction of other buildings. The Alpha Bemis distillery building was leased by a man named Mason and operated as a boarding house for railroad workmen, about 1835-6-7 or during the years that the then Western Railroad was being built through the town. About twelve rods from the dam in the Alpha Bemis mnill lot and nearby the location of the distillery, is a boulder, shaped somewhat like the Egyptian pyramids. Over this stone was built a bakery, or bakery and house combined, when the construction of the above railroad was first begun in this town. Built up against the south side of this boulder, and with the chimney resting partly on it, was a brick oven about six feet long, four feet wide and five feet high. This stood for some years after the building had been removed, and portions of the brick comprising the foundation may still be seen imbedded in the ground.
Indian Burial Ground.
Still hill refers wholly to the road running easterly from Still valley up an incline of nearly a hundred perpendicular feet. This used to be the favorite coasting place for the boys and girls of that neighborhood. The top of the hill is nearly on a level with the railroad, and it is here on the plain, two or three hundred feet towards South, Spencer that the only Indian burial ground in Spencer is known to exist. When the railroad was being built there were three engineers in charge of the section through Spen- cer and they boarded with Abraham Capen Sr., a prosperous farmer living nearby and father of Abraham Capen, our present townsman. The railroad passed through this level and sandy piece of land, on which trees seem unwilling to grow, making a cut of from four to five feet. It was here that skeletons were found, and with them many stone implements such as the Indians bury with their dead. The three skeletons first exhumed were in an excellent state of preservation and were taken on boards to the grounds of Mr. Capen near his house, and there left for some time to be seen by the public, who were much interested. After this they were buried in one grave in a nearby field, with suitable headstones which have since been razed to the ground by some thoughtless ploughman, and the exact location lost. After this other skeletons were excavated, but were dumped with the gravel in the deep fill farther north. There is now quite
152
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
a plot of level land on the east of, and adjoining the cut men- tioned above, which to all appearances was a part of the Indian cemetery.
The following pupils attended the old district No. 9 school in 1892 and were all in one class. This list was furnished by Mrs. C. J. Sage of Cherry street; she is a daughter of the late Capt. Willard Rice and was born in Spencer, Jan. 29, 1818:
George Frederick Grout,
Frances Marion Temple,
Millins Frederick Prouty,
Horace William Rice,
Wallace Whittemore,
Lorenzo Bemis,
Moses Bemis,
John Draper,
Clementine Drake,
William Drake.
In 1798 the assessors of Spencer made a return of all the houses in town with the ground-floor space occupied by each and the number of windows and square feet of glass in the same. Those belonging to the Bemis family are herewith annexed.
NAME.
Stories to House.
Ground Area.
Number Windows
Square ft of Glass.
Assessors Valuation
Bemis, Joseph
I
900
II
45
$160
Bemis, Nathan
I
II20
12
90
400
Bemis, Nathaniel
I
780
7
40
150
Bemis, Joshua
I
1098
9
65
400
Bemis, Silas
I
I 140
4
32
200
Bemis, Jonas .
2
1140
25
223
600
Bemis, Jesse .
I
456
50
Bemis, Amasa
2
800
II
67
320
Bemis, Wm. Jr., .
2
844
I8
IIO
322
Bemis, David .
I
810
IO
47
200
.
.
BEAR STORY OF JOSEPH GAR- FIELD SR.
This narrative was related to the author when a child, by his grandmother, Polly (May) Tower.
The last bear killed in Spencer was shot by Joseph Garfield Sr., about the year 1793. He owned the farm occupied later by
-
POLLY MAY,
daughter of William May, born in Spencer, December 20, 1789, died in Oakham September 8, 1865. She was a granddaughter of David May, who was one of the active insurgents in shay's rebellion. She married Luke Tower of Rutland, March 9. 1817 and was the mother of the late Ambrose M. Tower of Spencer.
his son, Joseph Garfield Jr., where Austin Putnam now lives. Mr. Garfield discovered the bear early one morning on a wall north of his dwelling house. The wall ran east and west and divided
I54
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
his mowing from his woodland. Quickly going to the house he got his rifle and despatched Bruin at the first shot. This was an event of more than local interest, as it had been a long time since a bear had been seen in Spencer. He divided the carcass and it was distributed among his neighbors, a portion finding its way to
JOSEPH GARFIELD JR., who inherited the farm of his father on which the bear was killed. Born January 4, 1806. Said to have resembled his father in a marked degree.
Mr. May's table. The news spread with great rapidity from house to house. Everyone told everyone else, and in a few hours a stream of people on foot, horseback and in wagons were on their way to the Garfield farm. Parents came, bringing their children, for here was an object lesson not to be lost. A real live bear had been shot and nobody knew how many more there were lurking about in the bushes ready to jump out and eat little boys and girls who had incautiously strayed too far away from home, and all this in those days was thought to be the proper thing to impress on the children's minds, and so deeply were these points stamped on the mind of little Polly May, that even after she had got to be an aged woman the sudden recollection of those impres- sions caused an involuntary shudder. Of course all the visitors had to go and see the place where the deed was done and congrat-
155
REVOLUTIONARY STORIES.
ulate Mr. Garfield on his bravery and success. The skin in a few days was taken to Mason's tannery in the village and when finished was made into a leather apron for the use of Mr. Gar-
This is guaranteed to be a picture of a section of the identical wall on which the last bear killed in Spencer was shot, and which is 110W standing on the farm of Austin Putnamı. The bear however, is not guaranteed.
field. He was a cooper in addition to being a farmer and had a small shop 16 x 18 where he made and repaired cider and meat barrels for the farmers in that section of the town.
Revolutionary Stories
related to Geo. W. Bemis by Lieut. Nathan Craig, a revolution- ary soldier, grandfather of Geo. A. Craig Esq., and never before printed. From Bunker Hill there was a narrow neck of land stretching to Charlestown. The British had a gunboat at a con- venient distance to command this tract. Lieutenant Craig when crossing this neck with two companions met the Americans retreating and they also started to go back, but being thirsty he stopped with his companions at a well having an old-fashioned sweep. One of the men drew a bucket of water and resting it on the curb commenced drinking, when a cannon ball struck
156
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
and completely demolished the curb. The trio then de- parted on the double quick. At the battle of Bennington the British soldiers that were captured were tied together in pairs with a rope around their arms and this was fastened to a rope that ran
THE WILLIAM MAY PLACE
Built on the west end of lot 15, probably about 1742. The farm descended to his son, David May, who was with the insurgents in Shay's Rebellion and at Petersham, was one who fired on the government troops wounding Dr. David Young. Dr. Young sued him and recovered large damages, which took the whole value of his farm to satisfy. He removed to Brattleboro, Vt., where he died. This was also the birth- place of Polly May.
through the line between the men. There was also a prominent Tory caught. The American soldiers fastened around his neck the rope that ran between the soldiers and the prisoners were then led through the principal streets.
SPENCER COMPANY OF MOUNTED MEN.
"A Muster Roll of a detachment of men from Capt. John New- hall's company from Spencer District, of Col. John Chandler Jr.'s Regiment that marched on the late alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry under the command of John Newhall as their cap- tain, from Spencer district to Sheffield, being 94 miles." They were gone 1512 days and each private received 2 lbs., I shilling and 4 d. for his services. This was a company of mounted men and the colony allowed 8d. per day for feed for the horses for the
THE ORIGINAL CAPT. JOHN NEWHALL HOUSE.
The ell part of this house is the original Capt. John Newhall house built in 1741 and said to be the oldest in town. In later years it has been known as the Will. N. Adams place and is the last house in Spencer on the Charlton depot road.
158
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
two days they were detained at Sheffield, the balance of the time being taken up on the road. The muster roll was as follows :
Capt. John Newhall.
Private William Morgan,
Ensign William Bemis,
James Prouty,
Sergt. Samuel Garfield,
Richard Beers Jr.,
Sergt. John White,
John Wooster Jr.,
Corporal James Wilson,
66 Daniel Bacon,
Corporal Jonathan Stoddard,
Ephraim Brown,
Lieut. Joshua Lamb,
66
Nathan Whitney,
Sergt. Caleb Bridges,
Ebenezer Washburn,
Sergt. Joshua Whitney,
John Cunningham,
Corporal Josiah Livermore,
6.
Oliver Seager,
Corporal Richard Southgate,
John Giltord,
Private Oldham Gates,
Ebenezer Drury,
Jonas Bemis,
Isaac Bridges,
David Prouty,
Edmund Bridges,
Thomas Wood,
Thomas Bridges,
Israel Holton,
Benj. Woodward,
James Draper,
Timothy Capen,
James Ormes.
Solomon Clarke,
Nathan Barton,
66
Nathaniel Parmenter,
Samuel Garfield Jr.,
Total cost for the company's service 78 pounds, 19 shillings, II12 pence. This was in 1759.
HON. G. W. BEMIS.
The subject of this brief biography might truthfully quote, as equally applicable to himself, the opening sentence of the Memoirs of General Grant : "My family is American and has been for generations, in all its branches, direct and collateral," and to the believer in the potency of hereditary influences in the formation of character, he affords an example of the cumulative results of such an ancestry. Thoroughly imbued with the spirit of our institu-
GEORGE WASHINGTON BEMIS,
of Independence, Iowa. (Photo by G. A. Craig.)
tions, cherishing an unwavering faith in the ultimate universal establishment of the fullest human liberty, and recognizing no social distinction based upon any foundation other than personal merit, he presents a striking type of the ideal American.
The son of Eleazer Bemis, he is a descendant, in the paternal line, of Joseph Bemis, an English yeoman who emigrated to this
160
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
country, settling in Watertown, near Boston, in 1640, and through his mother, Susan Hartwell, of William Hartwell, who located in Concord, Mass., in 1636. Patriotism, industry and integrity seem to have been the salient qualities which marked his progenitors, and instances of exceptional longevity point to exemplary habits and well-conducted lives.
George Washington Bemis was born October 13, 1826, at Spencer, Mass., where he remained until 1837, when his father removed to Alabama, Genesee county, New York. This change of residence was an event of no small moment, and involved a journey of many days, fraught with more adventures and possible dangers than are now incident to an ocean passage or trans-conti- nental tour. The section of New York into which he was thus brought was then a part of the ever-advancing frontier, and he gave a sturdy lad's assistance in the arduous labor of subduing the rugged face of nature to the needs of civilization. This task performed, his summers were spent in working on the farm which he had helped to wrest from the surrounding wilderness, and his winters were devoted to making the best use of such advantages as were offered by the primitive country school. The list would be a long one which included the names of all the men of prom- inence who owe much of their success to the efforts of the Yankee pedagogue of that period, whom Halleck describes as
* * * * * * " teaching
The A B C from Webster's spelling book, Gallant and godly, making love and preaching, And gaining by what they call 'hook and crook,' And what the moralists call over-reaching, A decent living."
A course at the Cary Collegiate Seminary at Oakfield supple- mented this instruction, and that he profited by every educational opportunity is shown by his early election to the office of superin- tendent of the township schools. His interest in political matters dates from the presidential campaign of 1840, and in 1848 he dis- gusted his father-an ardent Whig- by casting one of the eleven anti-slavery ballots "which leavened the lump " of four hundred polled in that district for the opposing candidate. He remained an enthusiastic and uncompromising Abolitionist throughout the struggle which terminated in emancipation. He has always, too, been a zealous advocate of woman suffrage. He taught school for two years in Wisconsin and in April, 1854, came west to visit an acquaintance. So enamoured did he become of the broad and fer- tile prairies of Iowa during his stay that he determined to adopt Independence as a place of residence, and went into the land busi- ness. Shortly afterward he became engaged to Miss Narcissa T. Roszell and, in the February of 1855, he went to New York, whither the young lady had preceded him, and brought her back his wife. This proved an exceptionally happy marriage-a union
HON. GEORGE W. BEMIS. 161
of congenial tastes and hearty co-operation of progressive aims, It was blessed by three children : May, who did not long survive early womanhood, and William S. and Arthur R., young men who have now established homes of their own.
Mr. Bemis was elected a member of the Eighth General As- sembly in 1859, and served in the lower house during the regular
GEORGE WASHINGTON BEMIS,
Of Independence, Iowa, visiting the schoolhouse of his youth at District No. 2, Spencer, Mass., in 1898. Photographed by George A. Craig, Esq. His father Eleazer, was a grandson of Capt. Edmund Bemis, and lived 011 the Daniel Chickering place, prior to his removal West in 1837.
"For every heart there is some cherished spot, Some scenes which time and distance never blot ; We love the mansions where our kindred dwelt, We love the altars where our fathers knelt. We love the classic hall, the tranquil shade, Where in the studious hours of youth we strayed ; And when we mingle in the busy strife Of sterner cares, that mark maturer life, Their forms are loved, revered, remembered still, That curbed our passions, and controlled our will, And opened to the mind's inquiring eye, Fountains of thought that time can never dry."
session of 1860. It may be of some interest to mention, as an illustration of the changes wrought in a few decades, that four days and three nights were consumed in going from Independ-
II
162
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
(Photo by G. A. Craig.)
THE JOSEPH BEMIS HOUSE.
163
HON. GEORGE W. BEMIS.
ence to Des Moines, and that the capital had neither a railroad nor a telegraph line at that time. The session lasted nearly three months, and the legislators had to deal with business of great im- portance, including a revision of the Code, and an attempt to mitigate the "hard times" then existing by remodeling the rev- enue laws. Mr. Bemis introduced an important bill in relation to the duties of county surveyor and was largely instrumental in sub- stituting the present supervisor system for the then existing coun- ty judge rule. The extra or "war session" which followed in June, 1861, was one that demanded action in affairs of much mo- ment, and in all the deliberations he took a prominent part, his sagacious influence being very apparent. As one of a special com- mittee of five, he was sent to investigate the construction of the insane asylum at Mt. Pleasant, out of which some ugly scandal had arisen, and he performed other and important duties.
Upon the expiration of his term, he was made a postal clerk on the Illinois Central Railroad between Dubuque and Sioux City, a position which he held for seven years. In the fall of 1869 he
The Joseph Bemis House,
Cut of which is shown on opposite page, was situated on lot 80, where Captain Edmund, father of Joseph, settled. Joseph Bemis was born in Spencer November 20, 1752, and died January 17, 1823. His wife Jemima (Craig) Bemis, was born in Leicester, September 19, 1759, died in Spencer July 21, 1848. She was a sister of Nathan Craig of Bunker Hill fame. This house was built probably about 1820, and it was here that George W. Bemis, son of Eleazer Bemis, was born. Sylvanus Bemis son of Joseph, was an expert carpenter, and made by hand all the window frames, sash and doors for this house.
was appointed by Governor Merrill, one of the Commissioners of the Hospital for the Insane at Independence, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Albert Clarke, and he acted as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board until his resignation in December, 1871. He was reappointed by Governor Carpenter in April, 1872, and served in the same capacity until July, 1892, during which time he received and disbursed more than a million dollars. He was elected from Buchanan county to the State Senate in 1871, and was justly regarded as one of the most efficient members of that body, giving to its records little in the way of oratory, but much service in a conscientious application of practical business judgment to the questions which presented themselves for consid- eration. He served as chairman of the committee on the State University and was one of the committee on appropriations. He also secured for the hospital at Independence, without a dissent- ing voice in the Senate, an appropriation of $200,000, the largest ever granted. He was chosen Treasurer of State in 1876 and re-
164
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
elected in 1878, conducting the affairs of that extremely respon- sible office in such a manner as to win expressions of general ap- proval.
He was a member of the first board of supervisors of Bu- chanan county and, apropos of his candidacy for that office, he once told an amusing and characteristic anecdote. On the day of the election he returned from an eastern trip to learn, with sur- prise, of his nomination. The struggle was an intensely hot one, party feeling ran high and the result of the battle was in great doubt. He started for the polls with the modest intention, as in previous instances, of voting for his opponent, but it occurred to him on the way that he was no more justified in "scratching" than any other voter, and he deposited a straight ticket in the box. "I received a majority of exactly one," he concluded, "and so became the choice of the people."
Mr. Bemis is of rather more than medium stature and some- what full habit. His physiognomy and the general contour of his head recall portraits of Charles Darwin, and in many respects he is not unlike that eminent iconoclast. A long public career has left him with an unblemished reputation. He has held great pecuni- ary trusts with an integrity that has never known the shadow of suspicion, and in every situation he has been the champion of tem- perance and sound morality. It is fitting that, with good health, a keen relish for all intellectual and wholesome recreation, sur- rounded in his pleasant home by the friends and neighbors of a half a century, he should be able to say with Adam, in "As You Like It"-
"Therefore my age is as a lusty winter, Frosty, but kindly."
This sketch was written by Stephen Tabor.
GENEALOGY OF JOSEPH BEMIS
OF SPENCER, MASS., AND OF HIS DESCENDANTS.
JOSEPH BEMIS was the son of Capt. Edmund Bemis and grandson of Samuel Bemis Sr., both of Spencer.
JOSEPH BEMIS 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2, John 1; b. at Spencer, Nov. 20, 1752; d. Jan 17, 1823; m. Jemima (Craig) b. at Leicester, Sept. 19, 1759; d. July 21, 1841.
CHILDREN.
I Daniel,
b. June 16, 1782, d. Sept. 16, 1863.
2 Mary,
b. Feb. 22, 1784, d. April 10, 1877.
3 William,
b. Aug. 27, 1786, d. July 12, 1873.
4 Patty,
b. Jan. 27, 1789.
5 Susan, b. June 23, 1791, d. June 5, 1856.
6 Eleazer,
b. Nov. 17, 1793, d. Aug. 15, 1873.
7 Sylvanus,
b. June 18, 1796, d. May 29, 1884.
8 Sally,
b. Aug. 7, 1798, d. Nov. 1850.
9 John,
b. Dec. 13, 1801, d. Aug. 28, 1883.
IO Franklin,
b. Feb. 1, 1803, d. July 14, 1863.
DANIEL BEMIS 8, Joseph 7, Edmund 6, Samuel 5, John 4, Joseph 3, Joseph 2; John I: b. June 16, 1782, in Spencer, Mass. ; d. Sept. 16, 1863, in Plymouth, Wis .; m. Charlotte Wheelock, Nov. 18II ; b. Nov. 1, 1790, in Charlton, Mass .; d. May 31, 1857, in Plymouth, Wis. Removed from Spencer, Mass., between Sept., 1813, and Oct., 1816 ; removed to Byron, Genessee Co., N. Y., between 1827 and 1833; removed to Alabama, Genessee Co., N. Y., between 1827 and 1837 ; removed to Plymouth, Wis., in 1844.
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