USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume IV > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
115
REMINISCENCES OF SPENCER.
ready and competent players. Having from my youth had a great fondness for clarinet practice, I was courteously assigned to that part, which, mere amateur that I was, I would never have dreamed of offering to take. And while I was glad to do my best, I fancy that my performances would now seem crude enough, even were only myself to be the critic. A well known expert in this line was Ambrose M. Tower. For years he was recognized and quoted for his skill in execution. He had belonged to the former organization, but at the later period, owing to his impaired health, he was not permitted to attend. Among the singers were Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Powers, J. W. Temple, Joseph and Marietta Green, Hiram Brewer, Mary Hersey, Frank E. Dunton, John M. Green, Mrs. Joel Dunn, J. Edward Bacon, Mrs. Theodore Prouty, Charles Muzzy, Mrs. Corliss, Pamelia Comins and Estelle Ward. If any name, especially worthy of mention, has been omitted from the foregoing list, the fault is chargeable to the lapse of nearly forty years and not to any deliberate intention. For uniform courtesy received from each and from all, for personal enjoy- ment, for the quickening of my mind and the brightening of my life, always excepting my church relations and work, noth- ing has ever surpassed my connection with that notable body of young people.
But the most grateful enjoyments of this world are quite sure of an ultimate end, as all find out to their cost. With me it was speedily realized, bound as I then was by an in- exorable "time-limit." Three short years were ended. Like an auctioneer's mallet, after the last bid, the stroke of destiny fell, and like the Israelites of old, I had only to "take up my baggage and go." As by the turn of a wheel I was set down in that quaint old city of Newburyport, whose feet are twice daily bathed in the tidal waters of the lovely Merrimac. I have seen many changes since then. I have often set foot m Spencer and for a period I again lived there, as the pastor of the same church. I have made new friends there and formed other connections. I have watched with the keenest pleasure the astonishing growth and the material improvement of the town. Yet the endeared circle was broken. Never again did I meet all the associates whom I so cherished in those former relations. The potent charm was dispelled. My only com- pensation is that the scenes of that happy time so kindly and brightly linger in the memory. And as the years pass and gradually the end of all things earthly draws near, no change. of season nor of place can aught diminish the ardor of my at- tachment to Spencer and to its generous and enterprising- people.
116
BEMIS MEMORIAL PARK.
Since the issue of Vol. II two thirty-six hundred pound Parrott guns, in use during the Civil War, have been placed in position equi-distant east and west from the monument, to the memory of Edmund Bemis. These were ob ained from the Brooklyn navy yard, through John D. Long, Secretary of War, and were loaned to the town of Spencer for purpose above named. John G. Avery was the prime mover in this project, and raised the money needed to defray all expenses.
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
BIOGRAPHY OF COL. ALONZO TEMPLE
BY JOSEPH W. TEMPLE.
Alonzo Temple was born in Rutland, Mass., Nov. 19, 1797. He came to Spencer at the age of fifteen and began life as an ordinary laborer, as this was about the only occupation offering to young men, in those days. Specialties were few. Ministers, lawyers and doctors were about the limit, so that the "horny handed sons of toil," constituted the great preponderance of the male population.
Being of a prudent and saving disposition, his surplus earnings soon enabled him to purchase a small farm, in the "south side," so called, situated on the south county road and now known as the Washington Marble farm. In time, the additions to this, in acres, made him one of the large land owners in this section of the town.
While engaged in the duties of an agricultural life, and its accessories, he found time to learn the trade of carpenter, and during the first half of the 19th century he became an important contractor and builder, in and around Spencer. Ad- joining the west line of his farm, was that of the late Caleb Sibley, the same now owned and occupied by Mr. Stephen D. Hadley, and more recently known as "Grasmere." The dwei- ling was a mansion, for those days, charmingly located and an ideal country residence. Mr. Sibley was a large land owner, but his business was principally buying, selling or bartering the product of neighboring farms, running a weekly line of teams to Boston, for the sale, or exchange of the same. The ell of this dwelling he used as a store, from which he supplied general merchandise to the immediate and surrounding coun- try. Being a near neighbor to Mr. Temple, he soon became interested in him and made him general manager, for both his Boston and local trade. He remained with Mr. Sibley until his marriage with Mrs. Adeline (Rider) Sibley, June 17, 1827, then removing. with his wife, to his farm.
118
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
In 1834 he took up his residence in "the village" and erected the dwelling, for a home, now the third one west of Elm Street on the south side of the "great post road." At that time there was but one other dwelling, west of this point, to the Brookfield boundary. He moved his family into this house while yet in an unfinished condition, but as building was his business, he soon disposed of this property, purchased the land and built the dwelling now owned and occupied by Mrs. P. K. Comins.
In 1840 a "great fire" destroyed the dwelling and repair shop of David Gates and also tannery of Samuel Barnes, on the spot now occupied by the Bacon and Hayward blocks.
COL. ALONZO TEMPLE
Soon after this district was purchased by Mr. Temple and Lorenzo O. Livermore and they erected a large building, on the spot, which was used for various mechanical purposes. In 1850 this building was purchased by Bush & Grout and used as their boot manufactory.
In 1837 the woolen mill, located west of, and near Elm street dam, run by Messrs. Whittemore, Brown & Rider, was destroyed by fire. It lay in ruins until 1840 when the property
119
COL. ALONZO TEMPLE.
was purchased by Mr. Temple and upon it he erected. a three- story stone mill, which was first occupied by Mr. Silas Eldridge for the manufacture of cotton cloth in 1841. Later this factory was owned by William Henshaw and was destroyed by fire in 1852.
At this time the business of the town was in a prosperous condition, more tenements became a necessity and to meet the call Mr. Temple made a venture, which had the appearance, then, of a hazardous project, but in a few years it proved to have beeen a judicious move. This venture was the opening up of a tract of land lying on the south side of the village. now known as "Canada." The land there consisted first of rocky pasture, and then dense woods, extending one quarter of a mile southerly, into what was known as the "Muzzy woods." He made a purchase extending into pasture and woods, laid out a private street. now known as Temple street and erected four houses of eight tenements, thereon. This was the entering wedge into the "Muzzy hill" property and for years following. the increase in value of land and dwellings was phenomenal. adding largely to the taxable property of the town. Later he gave the land and opened up High street. which added another handsome valuation, from which the town derived further benefit, by way of increased taxes. The Methodist church and several dwellings on Main street were also the result of his handiwork.
In his day, the hours of work, for the day laborer, or skilled artisan were from "sun to sun" and when ten hours became fixed, by law as a day. he was often heard to remark that he felt ashamed to be returning from work with the sun still one or two hours high. He enjoyed life best when most busily engaged in his work, although handicapped all his life by reason of lameness, resulting from a broken hip, at four years of age.
Possessed of a remarkable memory, he was authority on dates, or events, happening in the early history of the town and his reminiscences were often amusing and always in- structive.
In his younger days he was much interested in military matters and early became a member of the Massachusetts militia. In 1823 he received his first commission, from Gov. William Eustice as ensign. and for Lieutenant from the same governor, 10th of July. 1824: was commissioned Captain by Gov. Lincoln on the 11th of August, 1826, Major on the 7th of May, 1828 and Lieutenant Colonel on the 23d of June, 1830; was honorably discharged on the 30th of May, 1831, when the regiment was disbanded.
120
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
It will be seen that he was born when John Adams was president and while George Washington was still alive and he lived to see a complete change in the social, political and com- mercial aspect of the world. At his decease he had nearly outlived twenty out of the twenty-one presidential administra- tions of the American Republic. He was one of a company to welcome Lafayette on his visit to Worcester in 1824 and had the honor of a personal interview with that illustrious patriot.
He loved a good horse and often spoke with pride of the black charger he rode at the head of his company on that oc- casion, paying for the same at the rate of fifteen dollars a day. He was present on Wachusett mountain on the inauguration of John Quincy Adams, when the great bon-fire was made and the mountain was rechristened into "Mount Adams," a name, however, that did not stick.
He was a state legislator, selectman and assessor. When in his vigor was active and prominent in all things that tended to the best interests and welfare of the town. He died Oct. 29, 1883.
EXTRACTS FROM SCHOOL REC- ORDS, DISTRICT NO. 2.
November 6, 1810. At a school meeting of the inhabitants of the Ward No. 2 met at the schoolhouse and chose Moses Livermore, moderator, and Nathan Crague, clerk, and chose Nathan Crague, committeeman for the year ensuing. Fran- cis Adams agreed to board the school master for one dollar per week. Voted to have a school master keep two months in the winter.
December 10, 1810. Joshua Bemis, Jr., began his school and kept two months at ten dollars a month.
June 5, 1811. At a school meeting of the inhabitants of 'Ward No. 2 met at the school-house and chose Nathan Crague, moderator. Voted to have a school mistress to keep out the money that was due to the ward. Hired Melinda Watson to keep nine weeks at one dollar per week and the board was given. $9.00.
October 28, 1811. At a school meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2 met at the school-house and chose Caleb Morse, moderator. Nathan Crague, clerk. Voted that Oliver Morse be committeeman for the year ensuing. Voted to have a school two months in the winter. Hired Asa Mann two months and gave him twenty-four dollars and he boarded himself.
October 21, 1812. At a school meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2 met at the school-house and chose Caleb Morse, moderator, Nathan Crague, clerk. Voted that Moses Liver- more be committee for the year. Voted to have two months' schooling to begin the first Monday in December. Voted to give the boarding of the master in proportion to the scholars that each one sent to school. Hired Joel Grout to keep the school at ten dollars and fifty cents per month.
May 24, 1814. Then the inhabitants of school ward No. 2 met at the school-house and chose Nathan Crague, moderator. Voted to have the rest of the money due to the ward used for a woman school. Voted to give the board. Hired Betsey
122
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
Green to teach the school, for which she had an order of $12. Remains due to the Ward No. 2, 67 cents.
May 8, 1815. Then the inhabitants of the school ward No. 2, met at the school-house and chose Amos Livermore, modera- tor. Voted to take five dollars of the next year's money for the use of a woman school if there was any more money that be- longed to the ward for 1814, that is to replace the five dollars voted to give the board in proportion to the number of scholars that each sent.
November 7, 1815. Met according to the adjournment. Voted to give the wood. Voted to pay for the board of the master out of the town's money. Voted that the school should begin the second Monday in December if they could find a master to teach the school.
August 10, 1816. Then the inhabitants of Ward No. 2 met at the school-house, chose Joseph Wheet, moderator. Voted to have a woman's school begin as soon as they could hire a mistress. Voted that Bond White should send his children by his mending the windows.
November 29, 1816. At a meeting of the inhabitants in Ward No. 2, at the school-house, Nathan Crague, moderator, voted to take the wood and board out of the school money. Phineas Livermore agreed to get the wood at two dollars per cord. Josiah Kingsbury to measure the wood. Joel Grout agreed to board the master for one dollar and thirty-nine cents per week. Hired George Guilford to teach the school two months at nine dollars per month.
August 8, 1817. At a meeting of the inhabitants in Ward No. 2, at the school-house, Joseph Wheat, moderator, voted that Catherine Sprague keep the school six weeks at one dollar per week. Amos Livermore agreed to board for one dollar per week. Voted that the school begin on Monday, the 11th.
September 24, 1817. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2, chose William Denny, moderator. Voted that the winter school begin the first Monday in December. Caleb Morse agreed to board the master for one dollar per week. Josiah Kingsbury to get the wood for one dollar and ninety- seven cents per cord.
November 10, 1820. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2, chose Sylvester Luther, moderator. Voted to put the wood up by the lump. Thomas Kingsbury agreed to get the wood for three dollars, fifty cents for the school.
123
SCHOOL RECORDS.
October 6, 1823. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2, chose John Gleason, moderator. Voted the school be- gin first Monday in December. Voted to buy a chair for the school-house.
1827. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2, chose Nathan Crague, moderator. Voted that the school begin the first Monday in November. Mr. Hersey agreed to find the wood for eleven shillings sixpence a cord. Josiah Kingsbury agreed to board for 75 cents per week.
Sept. 22, 1828. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Ward No. 2, chose Elijah Hersey moderator. Voted the school begin the second Monday in November. Joel Grout agreed to get the wood at two dollars and seventeen cents per cord. Joel Grout agreed to board the master at ninety-five cents per week.
Worcester, ss.
To Joel Grout, one of the inhabitants of school Ward No. 2 in the town of Spencer, making application to us. Greet- ing :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of school Ward No. 2 in said town qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at their school house in said town on Friday the ninth day of July next at five o'clock P. M. to vote and act on the following articles. Viz. :
1. To choose a moderator to preside in said meeting.
2. To choose a clerk for said district.
3. To see if said school ward will take measures to move said school house about the length of said building to the north of where it now stands.
4. To see if said ward will take measures to repair said school house and build an addition to the same for an entry and wood house.
5. To see if said district will raise money sufficient to purchase a stove for said school house and for to defray the expenses of the above contemplated repairs, and take any other measures they may then think necessary to carry the same into effect. And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by notifying personally every inhabitant of said dis- trict qualified to vote in town affairs or by leaving at his place of abode a written notification expressing the time, place and purposes of said meeting seven days at least before the time appointed for the same.
124
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon to said meeting, at the above time and place and the clerk who shall then and there be chosen and sworn is directed to make a farther return of the same to our office.
Given under our hands and seals this twenty-eighth day of June, A. D. 1830.
WILLIAM BEMIS DAVID PROUTY WILLARD RICE ELI PROUTY Selectmen of Spencer.
Return of the afforegoing warrant.
Worcester, ss. Spencer, July 9th, 1830.
By virtue of the within warrant to me directed, I have personally or by written notice notified and warned all the freeholders and other inhabitants in school Ward No. 2 quali- fied to vote and act in town affairs to meet at the time and place and for the purposes mentioned in the within warrant.
Attest: JOEL GROUT.
The inhabitants qualified to vote in town affairs being convened by virtue of the above warrant at the time, place and for the purposes specified in the same.
1st. Made choice of Joel Grout for moderator.
2nd. Made choice of Caleb M. Morse for clerk.
3rd. Voted to pass over the third article.
4th. Voted to repair said school house and build an addition to the same for a wood house and entry.
5th. Voted to raise the sum of sixty dollars to pay the expense of the repairs of said house and purchase a stove for the same.
Voted to choose a committee of three to purchase the stove and repair said house as they should think proper.
Made choice of Nathan Craig, Eleazer Bemis and Joel Grout for the aforesaid committee. Voted to adjourn this meeting to the first Monday in October next at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Attest : CALEB M. MORSE, District Clerk.
Oct. 5th, 1830. Then met according to adjournment, the report of the committee being read respecting the repairs and addition of said school house. Voted to put up the board and wood for the winter school at the lowest bidder. Mr. Nathan Craig agreed to board the master for $1.25 per week. Captain Joel Grout to get the wood for $2.371/2 per cord.
125
SCHOOL RECORDS.
Bill for repairs and addition made to school house Ward No. 2, presented by committee of said ward.
Paid William Watson 2nd bill for lumber Asa McCullum's bill for work .
$10.75
Thomas G. Kingsbury's bill for lumber 2.52
9.27
Joel Grout's bill for nails, lime and sundries
7.26
Charles Watson's bill for work 6.50
Nathaniel Wilson's bill for stove 11.00
Nathan Craig's bill for lumber 13.00
$60.31
Signed, NATHAN CRAIG ELEAZER BEMIS JOEL GROUT Committee of said Ward.
Attest, CALEB M. MORSE, District Clerk.
Oct. 5th, 1830.
To William Pope, Treasurer of Spencer :
Pay the committee of school Ward No. 2, Sixty Dollars and this shall discharge you for the same.
Signed by the committee,
JOEL GROUT NATHAN CRAIG ELEAZER BEMIS.
Spencer, March 7th, 1831. A true copy. Attest : CALEB M. MORSE, Clerk.
April 17, 1847. At 1 o'clock P. M. a meeting of the legal voters at school house No. 2 chose Joel Grout moderator to preside at the meeting. Chose Thomas G. Kingsbury clerk for the district. Voted to repair the school house. Voted to board the house with pine boards matched and planed, and nails for the purpose. Voted to have four new windows and frames. Voted to shingle the house with good pine shingles, and nails for the purpose. Voted to purchase a stove and funnel. Voted to raise seventy-five dollars. Voted to choose a committee of three to repair the house, purchase the stove and funnel: Caleb M. Morse, Thomas G. Kingsbury and Joel Grout. Voted this committee to have money to purchase the materials to repair with.
October 7, 1858. Had a school meeting. Voted choose Willard Howe moderator. Voted to have a winter school.
126
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
Voted to spend two-thirds of the money. Voted to have school begin the 2nd Monday in November. Voted to board for two dollars per week-Waldo Wilson. Voted to have one cord good hard wood. Voted to have the lowest bidder get the wood (T. G. Kingsbury, five dollars.) Voted to have seventy- nine cents of the district's money kept by T. G. Kingsbury for repairs. Voted to have H. Streeter send his children to our school by paying ten cents apiece per week the ensuing year.
Feb. 17, 1865. Had a school meeting at 6 o'clock P. M. Voted and chose Isaac C. Tyler moderator. Voted to have school begin first of May. Voted to have one cord and half of hard wood. Voted to have the wood cut and put into the house last of May. Voted to have the wood got for ten dollars per cord-Willard Howe agrees to get it.
CHARLES F. LIVERMORE
BY HENRY CLEWS
Herewith is presented the portrait of a man who amassed a larger fortune probably, than any other person ever born in Spencer. For quite a number of years about the time of the civil war he spent his summer vacations in his native town. Mr. Henry Clews, the New York banker, has very kindly written an account of Mr. Livermore's business career especial- ly for this work which now follows :
Charles F. Livermore, born in Spencer, Mass., came to New York as a young man and took a situation in the dry goods importing house of Coffin & Haydock. After being there a number of years he left to embark in a similar business on his own account under the firm name of Spedding & Livermore. He was unsuccessful in this venture, having met with disaster in the so-called Western cyclone panic which struck New York merchants in 1857, and caused general disaster in Wall Street and the mercantile community. Several years prior to this, Mr. Livermore married the adopted daughter of Wilson G. Hunt, who was a leading and successful dry goods importing merchant in this city, and with whom I was connected in business for many years. In this way I became well acquainted with Mr. Livermore. I left that firm and started in Wall Street as a banker and broker the latter part of 1857, and after being in my new business for two years I invited Mr. Livermore to join me, which offer he accepted, and my firm then became Livermore, Clews & Co. Mr. Livermore's nanie was placed first as it made the firm name sound the best, al- though I was the senior member. Mr. Livermore remained with me until 1865, when he retired from business with a fortune of $750,000. In the meantime his wife died, and two years thereafter he married his second wife, Miss Emma Riley, the daughter of Captain Riley, the president at the time of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. When Mr. Livermore died he left his widow his entire property, which had increased by good investments in real estate to be valued at $1,600,000. His
128
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
widow in about a year after his death married Baron de Sellier of Paris, who is the brother of the famous Princess de Sagan of Paris. Mr. Livermore left three children, two boys and a girl. John, the eldest son, married Miss Brooks of Newport, R. I., who is the niece of Eugene Higgins, the famous and very wealthy yachtsman, who was the only son of E. S. Higgins,
CHARLES FREDERICK LIVERMORE.
Son of Walton Livermore. Born in Spencer July 4, 1824. Died March 25, 1889.
who during his time was the richest merchant in New York, having left to young Eugene and his daughter Mrs. Brooks, an estate of over forty million dollars. Mrs. Brooks' residence in Newport ranks among the palaces there.
HENRY CLEWS.
July 29, 1902.
AUGUSTUS B. PROUTY
Augustus B. Prouty, son of Liberty Prouty, wire mann- facturer, inherited an inventive mind, which manifested itself while living in Worcester, in the construction of a card ma- chine that would set six hundred teeth per minute, doubling the capacity of machines then in use and which were deemed
AUGUSTUS BISCO PROUTY
Inventor. Born in Spencer Oct. 5, 1831; died in Providence, R. I., July 19, 1897. Left home to learn the card clothing business in Leicester at the age of thirteen. Moved to Worcester in 1863; moved to Providence in 1881.
marvels of perfection. Mr. Prouty took the machine to the first Paris exposition where it attracted more attention than any other machine in the whole exhibit. Not only was a medal freely granted but Emperor Napoleon III. made a special visit to see the machine in operation, was highly
130
SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY.
pleased, and congratulated Mr. Prouty on his achievement. The latter considered that more of an honor than the medal. While it was truly said of Mr. Prouty that "he had made more improvements in card machinery than any other man," it was also true that the machines were not a great success financially. Manufacturers were disinclined to throw out machinery already in use, which if slower did good work. The new machines were expensive, and required high grade mechanics to run them and so while he sold the Paris machine and marketed quite a number in this country, he was finally compelled to adopt another line of effort, to gain a livelihood.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.