USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume II > Part 4
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Another case happened in what for many years was known as the powder mill district and occurred in the old shingled school-
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
house, by far the oldest in town, owned by the Abner Smith estate and used for storage. The sides of this schoolhouse were made of two-inch oak plank, but no one had an idea of the great weight of the structure until Mr. Smith attempted to move it to its pres- ent location from the old schoolhouse lot. He got it properly loaded and the number of yoke of oxen thought to be sufficient for the haul, but they only succeeded the first day in moving it a few feet. The next day with double the number of oxen, not much more satisfactory results were secured. This method of moving was then abandoned and the services of Dean of North Brookfield, a famous building mover, secured, and the house was placed in its present position by more modern methods. This old schoolhouse was built prior to the year 1800; how long before no- one knows. Perhaps the town records might disclose the date. In its early history some boy, with better purpose than usual in the use of the jack-knife in those old time schoolrooms, carved on its woodwork the number of scholars attending school at one of the terms in 1804. I think the number was forty-eight and his handiwork still may be seen. This old building ought to be pur- chased, relocated on the Agricultural grounds, put in order and kept as a memento of the past. In the powder mill district at the time the events about to be narrated took place, lived a man by the name of Nathaniel Green. He had three sons, all large, well- built, muscular specimens of humanity, good-hearted after their way, blunt spoken, often profane in speech, greatly determined to carry out their own ideas, always ready for a fracas whenever provocation appeared and quite often just as willing to have one without provocation. As they grew up to young manhood they attended the winter school, as was the custom of young men at that time, not so much in their case to obtain information from books as to have what they termed a "high old time " and they usually had it. They were not overcareful to obey the rules of the school, took pleasure in annoying the teacher, and the word " hec- tors " might be applied to them in all the strength of its meaning. One winter day the "big " boys, as they with others were called, were busy sliding during the noon hour and were not disposed to come in at one o'clock, the usual time for commencing the after- noon session. The small children were all in and seated and the male teacher stood in the door way calling to the older scholars outside. They slowly and reluctantly obeyed and as one by one they passed the teacher he placed one hand on the back of each head and rather forcibly and roughly pushed them along. This. was a kind of punishment naturally to be resented even by ordina- rily well-behaved young men, but was of a kind to make the blood of the Green boys boil with indignation. Nathaniel Green Jr., before he reached the door, saw how those fared who had pre-
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SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
ceded him and what was in store for him, and quickly planned a change of exercise for the teacher. As his turn came to step in, he suddenly grabbed one of the teacher's legs and holding it up from the floor danced him along into the house. The posi- tion of the teacher was one of the most helpless imaginable. Soon some one cried, " Put him in the fireplace!" The big boys needed no second invitation and as many as could, got a chance to aid in putting the helpless teacher into a place he was loth to go. The fire was so largely out that he was not much burned but his clothing was badly soiled, his hands and face more or less scratched and blackened beyond recognition. He was then let alone. Lame and chagrined he made his way to Squire Daniel Capen's house, the next building east of the schoolhouse, later owned by Abner Smith. Here he washed, arranged his toilet, told his story to Mr. Capen and asked his advice about con- tinuing to teach the school. Mr. Capen, quick to sense what might follow an attempt to do this, advised the young man not to make the trial. He accepted the advice and his labors in that district came to an end.
An Early Saw Mill.
Joel Howe of this town and Tilly Bemis of East Brookfield, cousins, now living, both of whom are over eighty years of age, when small boys visiting relatives at the Samuel Bemis farm, took a row boat and paddled up the Seven Mile river until they reached a sharp bend in the stream toward the East. It was near this locality that they saw in the bed of the river the foundation timbers of a building which they were told were those of an old saw mill, presumably built by Samuel Bemis. As there is but little fall in the stream at this point the mill must have been run by the current of the river carrying an undershot wheel.
Cider Mill Pond.
Joshua Bemis, now living, upwards of eighty years of age, remembers when a small boy going into a cider mill located near the dam of this pond, and the same was reached by a cart path from what is now Main Street. It is not known who was the owner of the mill but no doubt the pond derived its name from that source.
CHARLES EDWIN DENNY
BY JOSEPH W. TEMPLE.
Charles Edwin Denny was born in Leicester, Oct. 26, 1815 and died in Spencer, June 1, 1856. May 19, 1840 he married Sarah B., daughter of Dr. Jonas and Persis Guilford of Spencer.
He came to Spencer when quite a young man and apprenticed himself to Josiah Green, pioneer boot manufacturer, to "learn the trade, " as it was termed in those days. He early showed busi- ness tact and ability, and gaining the confidence of his employer,
CHARLES EDWIN DENNY.
soon became his confidential clerk and was entrusted with the books, accounts and details of the business.
Six months before his apprenticeship expired and just after the "hard times" of 1837 had spent its fury, he formed a partnership with John White, to manufacture boots, Mr. White to manage the business until he, Mr. Denny, should close his
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CHARLES EDWIN DENNY
term of service, but Mr. Green, feeling that this relation to him and his business would be detrimental, gave him his freedom from further service. Mr. Denny then entered upon his first venture as a manufacturer under the firm name of White & Denny, in 1838.
Mr. White acted as salesman for the product of their goods and his method of disposal was largely one of exchange, or bar- ter as it was termed, which proved very unsatisfactory to Mr. Denny, so much so, in fact, that this partnership was of short duration. He dissolved with Mr. White and in 1839 formed a new connection with Lewis Bemis as Denny & Bemis and for about four years they manufactured their goods in the west end of what was known as the Bemis tavern, on the site now oc- cupied by the Baptist Church and the school building which contained the Denny Hall. After the marriage of Mr. Denny, he began "keeping house "in the west tenement of the house of Hon. James Draper, on the spot now occupied by the residence of Mr. F. E. Dunton and in 1844 purchased a lot of Col. Alonzo Temple and built himself a residence which is the same, known now as the Guilford home on Main, corner of Linden Streets.
In 1846, or thereabout, he erected a building upon this lot a few rods east of the dwelling, 26 x 40, two stories high, which he used as a manufactory, conducting the business under his own name. Later, when this building was abandoned for a new factory, it was cut in halves and one-half forms a part of a dwelling on Cherry street and the other half a part of a dwelling on Maple Street. Requiring more room for an increasing busi- ness, he purchased land on Maple Street and erected a com- modious four-story building, known now as the David Prouty factory, moving his works here in 1853. Since 1850, or possibly at an earlier date, Mr. Denny had become aware that he was the victim of that much dreaded disease-consumption-and felt that a partner in his business was imperative and in 1854 he as- sociated with him Mr. John G. Prouty, son of the late Isaac Prouty, under the firm name of Charles E. Denny & Co.
Possessed, as he was, with a remarkable courage to battle with both business and disease, yet he soon became painfully aware the time was fast approaching when the former, even with the assistance of a business helper, was becoming irksome and in the fall of '55 he retired from the business and an active life. In the early winter following he joined a small party of gentle- men from Boston, for a trip to Florida, with the feeling that a change of climate might prove beneficial to his failing health and at the same time afford him a little social recreation. With headquarters at Palatka, they made occasional hunting excur-
4
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
1
THE SPENCER HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
Erected in 1857 on the site of the present David Prouty High School, with Denny Hall on second floor; later removed to opposite side of Main street and now known as the Denny Hall graded school.
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CHARLES EDWIN DENNY
sions and upon one of these Mr. Denny shot a fine specimen of a black bear, the pelt of which he exhibited to his friends at home with much pride. This trip, however, brought him no relief from his malady and he early returned to his home. At this time the town was erecting a new High School building, the progress of which he watched with much interest and before it was completed he donated to the town the sum of $2000 with the desire that it be used in finishing the second story into a public hall. His wish was complied with and in appreciation of this generous gift, they gave it the name of "Denny Hall. " June following this, he passed away.
He was quite an active member of the First Parish society and evinced more than ordinary interest in its welfare, was clerk and a member of the parish committee for several years and so arranged several items in his will that they came into possession of the sum of $5000 and an " undivided fifth part of Union Block, so-called," also "my dwelling house and lot thereto belonging, next south of said Union Block," to be used for parochial and benevolent purposes, in said First Parish. He also left, by this will, the sum of $500, to the M. E. Church to be used in the purchase of a parsonage.
At the present day, gifts, charitable or otherwise are be- stowed in princely amounts, but fifty years ago, in the day of small things, that man who donated the sum of $10,000, to town or worthy object, deserved the credit of a princely giver. His benefactions evinced a generous nature and kindly spirit, were thankfully received and will ever be held in grateful re- membrance by his chosen beneficiaries.
His short business life was emphatically a successful one and if he could have enjoyed an ordinary degree of health and length of life, there was a fair prospect of his becoming one of Spencer's wealthy and generous citizens. He possessed qualities which inspire confidence and assure faithful service and his fellow citizens were pleased to honor him with the offices of Selectman and Town Clerk for several consecutive years.
Socially, he was a pleasant man to meet and it required no effort, on his part, to make such a meeting agreeable. He was a republican in politics, but not an agitator.
In 1745 the town had an article in the warrant to see what should be done in regard to "that pore child which Asher Rice brought into town and is now by the Selectmen's orders with Mrs. William Rickors." Voted that "the Selectmen take the most prudent care of the same they can."
THE SPENCER SHAKERS
From the Spencer Leader of September 8, 1900.
We present to our readers today, with suitable illustrations, the history of the Spencer Shakers, as compiled by Henry M. Tower of Spencer and which was read by the author at the meet- ing of the local branch of the Oraskaso historical society in David Prouty high school hall last Wednesday evening. The at- tendance at the meeting, like all previous meetings of this body, was not as large as the merits of the paper read deserved.
In the absence of Dr. E. W. Norwood, President of the society, Chas. N. Prouty presented the speaker. Dr. Norwood came in subsequently.
The pleasures of the occasion were augmented by the pres- ence of Miss Olive Hatch Jr., a native of Spencer, who joined the Shaker settlement at Shirley when thirteen years of age, and who celebrated her ninety-second birthday anniversary on the day of the meeting. Miss Annie L. Walker, a Shakeress from Harvard, also was present and both ladies wore the quaint costumes of the Shakers. Mrs. Lucy C. Mathews of West Brook- field, who at one time was a member of the Shaker community, also was present.
At the close of the meeting Miss Hatch was made a life member of the Oraskaso society on motion of Miss Annie J. Ward, and those present had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with her.
Mr. Tower's Opening Remarks.
I have been asked several times how it happened that this subject was chosen for this evening's paper. In reply will say that it appears to be a case of predestination.
Since a boy I have been almost unconsciously acquiring in- formation about the Spencer Shakers. I first learned about these persons through my mother. My grandfather, Levi Adams, between the years 1833 and 1836, was superintendent of the powder mills on the Seven Mile river and lived near the mills in a house now torn down. Nearby was the Baxter place, now known as the Bemis Valley farm. Here Lydia Baxter, a Shakeress in some respects, lived two or three weeks each spring
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THE SPENCER SHAKERS
Perito Elichotypes de Prostate.
SHAKER VILLAGE AT SHIRLEY,
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
and fall and the balance of the year at Shirley. Mother was then a young girl, and Mrs. Baxter always sent for her as soon as she reached Spencer. She wanted her for company and related to her much of Shaker life and customs. Later Timothy N. Upham of Hillsville, who had married mother's aunt, joined the Shakers, and afterwards came to father's house several times and stopped over night. I heard the Shaker questions discussed, and, although small, remember much that was said. Since then about once in five years this subject has been pointedly brought to my notice. When the Historical Society was organized, some two years ago, I agreed to present a paper giving what in- formation I then had on the subject. In arranging to do this, I found much was lacking in order to make a complete history, and set about obtaining the required data. It has taken some time, but it seems to me nearly if not quite all the information that is of value has been secured, and all herewith presented as fact has been obtained either from authentic documents, living witnesses, personal information from those now dead or by per- sonal observation.
The Shaker History.
In 1774, Ann Lee, a Shakeress, with seven others of like faith, came to America from England, in order to avoid the persecution which the preaching of their doctrines occasioned. Gladstone says these doctrines were, "virgin purity, non-resist- ance, peace, equality of inheritance, and unspottedness from the world." It might naturally be inferred that the teaching and practice of such doctrines would tend to produce a quiet, peace- able, and orderly people, and such was the case. The spirit of that age, however, was one of uncompromising hostility toward any phase of religious thought or practice, differing from the current teaching of the Established Church. No matter how exemplary the life or spotless the character, those qualities were not deemed so essential as it was to be strictly orthodox in what was then generally supposed to be the true faith; and so this little band of Shaker exiles sought in this country that religious freedom which was denied them in their own land. They did not find it. America in those days was not that paradise of religious toleration for which they had so fondly hoped. On several occasions not only were their lives in jeopardy because of their religion, but socially they were ostracized and branded as dangerous heretics by those who assumed both the wisdom and authority to dictate to everyone how they should think and act in religious matters. In 1777 they purchased land at Water- vliet, New York, and for " three and a half years lived in retire- ment, held their solemn meetings, and offered up their devotions
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THE SPENCER SHAKERS
to God until the way was prepared for the commencement of their testimony to the world in the spring of 1780." Up to this time they had not obtained a single convert, but at the close of the year following they had added a thousand persons to their communion. From thence onward for fifty years they gradually increased in numbers, or until the time our interest in them es- pecially commences, when they had established seventeen com- munities, one of these at Shirley, in this state, and with this community, so far as now known, all the Spencer people who ever became Shakers united.
In order to show the intolerance of the New England spirit toward the Shakers in the early days of their organization, the
OLIVE HATCH JR.
following quotations, excepting one extract from the history of Harvard, are taken from the history of Shirley, written by the Rev. Seth Chandler, an eminent Congregational clergyman. Mr. Chandler says: "Ann Lee first commenced preaching in this town in 1781, and later a community was organized.
Brutal Treatment of Elder Whittaker.
In 1782 Elder Whittaker was tied to the limb of a tree, when the mob scourged him with a whip until he felt that the skin was almost flayed from his back. He was black and blue from his shoulders to his waistband, and in many places his flesh
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
bruised to a jelly as though he had been beaten with a club, the blood from his wounds running down and filling his shoes. "I have been abused," said he, "but not for any wrong I have done," and his prayer was, " Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Mr. Chandler adds: "The community has now existed over a century, always sustaining a respectable posi- tion in both the number and character of its supporters. With primitive Christians they repudiate war, slavery and every social vice. They abstain from immoral companions and associations, and have all things in common. From a long and intimate ac- quaintance with this peculiar people I have been led to regard them as a sincere and devoted band of Christian brethren who are seeking a better country, that is a heavenly."
Names of the Spencer Shakers.
The names of the persons from Spencer who became Shakers were: Olive Hatch, her children, John, Mary and Olive; Asaph Prouty, his wife Martha and children, George and Abigail by his first wife Lucy Cutter, and Lorenzo D., Nathan C., and Lucy C. by his second wife, Martha Goodnow; Chloe Loring, Becca Prouty, her daughter Harriet A. and Timothy N. Up- ham-fifteen in all. Beside these Lydia Baxter and Nancy Gleason were deeply interested in the Shaker doctrine, but for reasons which will be given later did not join the order. Of the whole number of these persons, but two are now living, and these are our guests this evening, Lucy C. Mathews of West Brook- field, born in 1828, and the venerable Olive Hatch Jr., of Harvard, who with us celebrates today the ninety-second anni- versary of her birth. Olive Hatch, senior, Chloe Loring, Nancy Gleason, Becca Prouty and Sally Bisco, mother of Foster Bisco, were sisters, daughters of Capt. John Draper, who lived on what is now the Spencer town farm, originally the Stevens Hatch place. It was here that the younger children of Capt. Draper were born and where his daughter Olive was living at the time of her marriage. The house is now torn down, but stood a short distance north of the present town farm barn. The youngest of the family was Eleazer Bradshaw Draper, who kept the Jenks tavern for a long time within the memory of many now living.
Their mother was Rebekah Muzzy, daughter of Deacon John Muzzy, who owned the farm now occupied by Tyler J. Putnam. Deacon Muzzy during his life time was one of the foremost men of the town of Spencer, and thus it will be seen that this little coterie of sisters inherited their strength of mind and body from the very best of old New England ancestry. They were habitual students of the Bible, with the constant en- deavor to ascertain their true personal relation toward God and
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THE SPENCER SHAKERS
man, and a fixed purpose to follow any path where duty said go. They delighted to talk over religious topics and experiences, and became exceedingly well versed in the Scriptures and history of the Christian Church. Olive, being the oldest, and likewise a natural leader, was the first to become interested in that expres- sion of religious belief now known as Shakerism. This was the result, on her part, of independent research, and in talking over her belief with others she was told that her doctrine was "that of the Shakers." "Well," she said, "if there is a body of Christians anywhere that believe as I do I want to make their acquaintance. " Learning there was such a community at Shir- ley, she procured a team and with her small children, the young- est then only two years of age, and a friend, presumably Mrs. Baxter, commenced the journey. She received a cordial recep- tion, and finding her ideas to be in accord with those of her en-
PHOTO LIECCO BOSTON
SHAKER SETTLEMENT AT HARVARD.
tertainers she decided then to make her future home with them as soon as she could arrange to do so, having due regard to all the obligations she owed to her husband and family. It was six years or more after this before she was enabled to carry out her cherished purpose which she did Oct. 1st, 1821, being at that time forty-seven years of age. It is probable that the first visit of Olive Hatch to Shirley occurred in the spring or summer of 1815, since in that year the Congregational Church was disturbed over the Shaker question, as will be seen by the following record made Aug. 27th, during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Pope :
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
Shakerism Thought by Some to be a Dangerous Heresy.
" There being a report spread and generally believed, that two sisters of the church have embraced a dangerous heresy, and a number of the brethren having conversed with them, and they being confirmed in their belief that such heresy was embraced by them, it was thought expedient that the Church should inquire into the matter. Accordingly the Church tarried after divine
ELDER JOHN WHITELEY
of the Shaker Societies in Massachusetts in which was laid the plot of the " Undisc vered Country," by W. D H ,wells.
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THE SPENCER SHAKERS
service and appointed a church meeting next day at five o'clock p. m. and also appointed Dea. Wm. White, Dea. Reuben Under- wood, Daniel Moulton, Wm. Sumner and Zebina Abbott to take the matter under advisement and report at said meeting. Brother Daniel Moulton was requested to give information to the sis- ters, and desire them to attend. The Church met according to agreement, but the sisters Lydia Baxter and Olive Hatch did not appear. The Church unanimously voted to eject them from their fellowship and communion, but not absolutely and finally so as to prevent their returning and being again received into the communion of the Church, provided they abandon those errors for which they are excluded, and give evidence of possess- ing a humble, penitent temper." Before this action was taken, Daniel Moulton and William Sumner called at the house of Olive Hatch to investigate the report in circulation that her views had changed from the standard orthodox faith. She received them kindly and proceeded to explain the principles of her belief. Al- though she spoke in great kindness, an intense spirit of animosity was aroused in the breast of Daniel Moulton. "What," he said, shaking his fist in her face, "do you suppose you are capable of expounding the word of God and thinking to know it better than your teachers?" She then asked him if this might not be possible, and quoted the following texts from the 119th Psalm: "I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testi- monies are my meditation. Thy commandants make me wiser than mine enemies." He replied, "There are no such texts in the Scriptures." The Bible was then produced by Nancy Hatch, a daughter thirteen years of age, the texts found and the open book placed on the table by his side, but he refused to read, and in a passion went away. The spirit of this good woman re- mained undaunted, although she was deeply grieved at the stern rebuke and the stormy interview. For many days thereafter she was sorely tried in her feelings, until a time came in her experi- ence when she heard what she believed to be a divine voice say- ing " I have come to thee. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," and from this time on to the end of life her spirit was at peace.
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