USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Ashburnham > History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts : from the grant of Dorchester Canada to the present time 1734-1886 with a genealogical register of Ashburnham families > Part 28
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RAILROADS. - The charter of the Vermont and Massachu- setts railroad, now operated by the Fitchburg railroad, is dated March 15, 1844, but the road was graded from Fitch- burg to South Ashburnham in the summer and autumn preceding and in anticipation of an act of incorporation. At this point there arose an animated contest over the continued location of the road. For two years it was an even question whether it would be extended through Gardner or through Winchendon. In this controversy the town of Ashburnhanı
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was an indifferent spectator, as in either event it would not materially change its course through this town. The busi- ness men early perceived that the route through Gardner, which was finally adopted, would accommodate this town as well as the other, and it would also leave an invitation to the Cheshire railroad, then in contemplation, to build from Winchendon through Ashburnham . Centre to Fitchburg. For a season the town was so deeply engrossed with this project that little attention was paid to the controversy over the location of the first railroad that was built within the town. The causes and influences which controlled the loca- tion of both of these roads were wholly outside of Ash- burnham, and while a considerable portion of the town were · disappointed neither of them approached the central village. Both of the roads have been of material benefit to the town.
THE ASHBURNHAM RAILROAD lies wholly within this town and materially contributes to the general prosperity of the place. It is young in years and limited in length, yet it has more history to the linear mile and in certain years of its duration has developed more stratagem than has attended the fortunes of many older and longer roads. The difficulties which surrounded its construction and early management are fortunately settled and only the exterior history of the road demands attention. In May, 1871, a charter was obtained for a line of railroad from the junction of the existing roads to the central village, a distance of about two miles. A com- mittee, consisting of George C. Winchester, Austin Whitney, William P. Ellis, Ohio Whitney and George H. Barrett, was immediately chosen to solicit subscriptions to the capital stock which, at this stage of the proceedings, was limited to one hundred thousand dollars. To aid and encourage the enterprise the town of Ashburnham, on a vote to invest five per cent. of its valuation, purchased shares to the amount of
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forty-eight thousand dollars. Eleven thousand five hundred dollars was subscribed by three men residing in Fitchburg and in Boston and the remainder of the stock was taken by residents of this town. At the organization of the corpora- tion which promptly ensued, George C. Winchester, Ohio Whitney, Austin Whitney, Addison A. Walker of Ashburn- ham, Daniel Nevins, Jr., Hiram A. Blood and Otis T. Ruggles were chosen a board of directors. George C. Winchester was subsequently chosen president and Colonel George H. Barrett clerk and treasurer.
The construction of the road was prosecuted with energy and without any unreasonable delay. About the first of January, 1874, the road was completed and a turn table and engine house were built at the northern terminus, but the depot was not erected until the following year. At the annual meeting in the summer of this year, the following board of directors was chosen : Austin Whitney, Addison A. Walker, Walter R. Adams, Simeon Merritt, Ohio Whitney, Daniel Nevins, Jr., and Thomas H. Clark. William P. Ellis was chosen elerk and treasurer and was continued in office until the corporation was dissolved. He was also station agent and to his care was confided the details of the operation of the road. In 1875 Mr. Nevins declined a reelection and the board was increased to nine members. The new members elected were George C. Winchester, Franklin Russell and George G. Rockwood. The only change in the board of directors in 1876 was the election of Wilbur F. Whitney, in room of Austin Whitney. From 1874 to 1877 the road was equipped and operated by the stockholders under the immediate management of the board of directors. In the adjustment of claims against the corpo- ration the debt was gradually increased and the earnings did not exceed the current expenses to an extent that afforded
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any relief. The corporation issued mortgage bonds for twelve thousand dollars and at that time it was generally presumed that ultimately all the debts would be liquidated by the net earnings of the road. In 1877, and after the road had been in operation three years, George C. Winchester demanded payment of a claim of eleven thousand five hundred dollars for personal service. This demand was unanswered for a season with a spirit of resistance and a consciousness of inability to pay it. A final settlement was subsequently made, and in the summer of 1877, the franchise of the road and the rolling stock were conveyed to Mrs. Winchester and the corporation was dissolved. To this enterprise the town and the inhabitants of Ashburnham have contributed eighty-eight thousand five hundred dollars. The loss was serious to a few. Had the burden been more equally distributed, it is probable that in the general utility and convenience of the Ashburnham railroad, every one will find ample compensation for the loss sustained. Mrs. Winchester continued to own and operate the road in the interest of the public until 1885 when it was sold to the Fitchburg railroad corporation.
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CHAPTER XVI.
HOTELS AND STORES.
THE FIRST INN .- SEVERAL EARLY INNHOLDERS. - UNCLE TIM'S. - THE COCK- EREL TAVERN. -- TWO HOTELS ON MAIN STREET. - CHILDREN OF THE WOODS. - A NEW TAVERN. - THE CENTRAL HOUSE. - THIE FRYE TAVERN. - THE TAVERN AT FACTORY VILLAGE.
THE STORES. - THE FIRST STORE. - THE JEWETTS AND THEIR SUCCES- SORS .- MADAME CUSHING A MERCHANT. - SEVERAL SMALL STORES .- THE WINCHESTERS. - ADAMS AND GREENWOOD. - ELLIS AND LANE. - NEWTON HAYDEN. - PARKER BROTHERS. - MARBLE AND GILSON. - GEORGE ROCK- WOOD. - ELLIOT MOORE. - MIRICK STIMSON. - STORES IN SOUTH ASH- BURNHAM.
IxNs or taverns were numerous in the olden times, and a fictitious prominence is frequently assigned them. Around these ancient hostelries tradition is wont to linger and prone to crown them with a dignity they did not enjoy and to regard them with a peculiar charity especially reserved for the dead. In fact, a large majority of them were simply farm-houses in which the traveller was entertained. The proprietor was more a farmer than a landlord and the busi- ness was only supplementary to his stated avocation. And often in the pursuit of gain the license of the innholder was secured more for the sale of spirituous liquors than for a rational entertainment of man and beast.
The first inn of this town, of which there is any record or tradition, was built upon the old Bluefield road extending from Lunenburg to Northfield. It was situated on the Bel- low's grant in the northwest part of this town, and was not
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occupied after 1744, when the settlement was abandoned. The Court Records represent that Moses Foster was a licensed innholder in 1751 and through several succeeding years. He lived at first in the northeast part of the town and at an early date removed to a lot adjoining, south of the common. His house after he removed was an inn, but it is uncertain at which place he was residing when first licensed. The next landlord who appeared on the scene was Nathan Dennis who lived at Lane Village and owned the mill. He was here only two years, 1753 and 1754. In 1756 Thomas Wheeler in the northeast part of the town was an innholder and was succeeded by James Coleman who was included within Ashby in 1765. For several years, commencing with 1759, Elisha Coolidge was licensed. He probably resided in the house previously occupied by Nathan Dennis. In 1767 Nathan Melvin who lived near the Amos Pierce place, in the eighth school district, received permission from the court to entertain the solitary traveller who might acciden- tally pass that way. Captain Deliverance Davis was a licensed innholder in 1767 but he did not continue in the business many years. Among the ancient hostelries in this town none were so popular as " Unele Tim's." Tradition assigns no other name to the public house kept by Timothy Willard. He was probably the first landlord in this town who ever gave his undivided attention to the business and his house was known "from Canada to Boston." On his tables often were fresh pickerel which an hour before were sporting in the clear waters of Upper Naukeag. At this inn Dr. Lowe was entertained the first years of his residence in this town. The house was on the old road from Ashburn- ham to Winchendon, on the site of the residence of Mrs. David W. Russell. In 1798 David Russell, Sen., pur- chased the hotel and farm and continued the business. He
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procured a new sign on which was painted a profile of a chanticleer in the constant occupation of crowing over the fame of the place. In a few years, so fickle is fame, the name of "Uncle Tim" was heard no more. The inn was known as the " Cockerel Tavern."
About the close of the century two hotels were opened on Main street, - one by Captain David Cushing, where Nahum Wood now lives, and one on the opposite side of the street, over which Joseph Jewett presided when not engaged in other pursuits. Commencing with about 1815, and con- tinuing with a waning patronage until about thirty years ago, there was a hotel on the north turnpike, and either the hotel or the locality was familiarly known as Children of the Woods. The travel on that once busy thoroughfare has been diverted into other channels and the old hotel has fallen with the weight of years. There was a hotel several years where the brick store now stands. It was built by John Adams, son of the centenarian, about 1826. Hobart F. Kibling and Merrick Whitney were the landlords. In the same building there was a store which is mentioned in another connection. This hotel was built soon after the road from Winchendon to Fitchburg had been thoroughly repaired and many teams from Vermont and the valley of Miller's river passed through this town. The new hotel was successful and its prosperity led to the building of another on the opposite side of the street, now known as the Central House. The hotel last mentioned was built by Captain Silas Whitney in 1829, but it was not finished until 1832. It was called the Washington House and in front, leaving space for the passage of teams, there was a huge sign suspended between two posts. The sign bore a supposed likeness of George Washington who proclaimed that he, at least, was a cold water man by having beneath him a huge watering-
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trough which occupied all the space between the posts. In this house, also, Hobart F. Kibling was the first landlord. He was succeeded by Samuel Whitney and his sons who had acquired possession of the property. Later, the house was conducted by Stimson and Howe and by Knight and Forris- tall who were succeeded by Israel W. Knight, a son of one of the preceding landlords. Mr. Knight conducted the business many years and until his death, September 5, 1858. His son, James M. Knight, succeeded him, remaining in the business two or three years. Ferdinand Petts was the next landlord. The property was purchased by Walter R. Adams, 1866, who assumed the management of the business until 1879 when he was succeeded by John C. Stone. Mr. Stone has thoroughly repaired the buildings and built a block of stores on the site of the driveway. The appearance and convenience of the buildings are much improved and the house is well conducted.
The Frye Tavern, more recently known as the Astor House, was a prosperous hotel fifty years ago. The land- lords were James Frye, Merrick Whitney, James Barrett, Orin Morton and Otis Metcalf. It has been owned many years by the Cheshire railroad and occupied by tenants.
About the time the Frye Tavern was opened, Norman Stone had a hotel at Factory Village for several years. Public houses on the main lines of travel were numerous in those days and many at intermediate points between the villages were successful.
STORES. - Until the close of the Revolution there were no stores in Ashburnham. If any one returned from the centres of trade with goods, which were offered for sale, the business was not of sufficient magnitude or duration to secure the appellation of merchant or surround his abode with the dignity of a store. In the mean time the store in Lunen-
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burg was frequently visited, and upon an old ledger of Moses Whitney, who had a store in Rindge in 1772, are extended accounts with several residents of this town. It is probable, however, that, for many years, the greater part of the home supplies were procured in the lower towns in exchange for the product of the farm, or for shingles, split and shaved from the stately pines which were abundant at that time.
Joseph Jewett, Esq., removed to this town in 1783, and immediately opened a store in his dwelling-house which stood at the corner of Main and Cushing streets. In a few years he built a store near by which remains to this time and is a part of the building owned and occupied by Charles Hastings. Associated in trade with Mr. Jewett for one year, about 1790, was Samuel Appleton, the generons bene- factor of several educational and charitable institutions, and in later years General Ivers Jewett was admitted to a part- nership with his father. The Jewetts were men of enter- prise, and succeeded in building up a prosperous business which was extended into the surrounding towns. They exchanged goods for every product of the farm, sending annually many tons of pork, butter, cheese, grain and wool to the seaboard. Ashes, too, with them, were an acceptable tender for goods from the store. These they converted into potash and forwarded it to the market. In later years they received yarns from the Slaters of Rhode Island and other manufactures of the time. At that time the power loom was a sleeping dream in the soul of invention. This yarn was distributed among the families who wove it in hand- looms, returning the cloth to the store and receiving their pay in goods. In this and many other ways these enter- prising merchants invited trade. They offered every facility for the payment of goods. They entered into close relations
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HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
with the people of Ashburnham and many others in the adjoining towns. . In accordance with a custom of the times they sold wines and liquors in quantity and by the glass. They supplemented their business with an inn, and mixed and vended grog from the ramparts of the store and the skirmish line of the hotel. They clothed the naked, fed the hungry, relieved the thirsty, and in their more substantial trade provided all against future want. The "Jewett Store " was an institution which suffered no rival and has witnessed no successor.
Joseph Jewett retiring from an active interest in the busi- ness it was continued by General Ivers Jewett. For a short time Colonel Hosea Stone was associated with General Jewett, and in 1824 Samuel Woods, who had been a clerk in the store nine years, bought a half interest and the firm became known as Jewett and Woods. Soon after, the new firm bought a store and a cotton-mill in Fitchburg and sold the store in this town to Samuel Barrett. The Fitchburg enterprise was not successful. General Jewett, in this and other speculative transactions, met with less success than had attended his career as a merchant. In 1828 Samuel Woods bought the store of Mr. Barrett and returned to Ashburnham and in company with George H. Lowe he continued in trade until 1831. Samuel S. Stevens suc- ceeded Mr. Lowe, and soon after Jonathan O. Bancroft and Elbridge Stimson were admitted to the firm then known as Woods, Stevens & Co. In 1833 they sold to George H. Lowe who continued in trade until 1842. Mr. Lowe sold to Jacob Osgood of Weston, whose son, Charles, had an interest in the business. The Osgoods were succeeded in 1851 by James Learned who was in business sixteen years when he sold the store and goods to Henry Vanness, who, with unruffled placidity, fostered a waning trade until 1877,
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when the curtain fell. The fastened door and the boarded windows shut out the light of day but not the memory of many years.
The second store in order of date, and the first in the elevation and dignity of its surroundings, was on the old common. Here Mrs. Cushing, assisted by her sons, con- ducted a small trade several years. The modest store was at the east of the common and was established about 1795. A few years later Deacon Heman Lincoln, on this site, erected a dwelling-house and enlarged the store. For a short time he conducted the business and was succeeded by Doddridge Cushing, who continued in trade several years, when the Jewetts purchased the goods and removed them to the foot of the hill. Subsequently, Leonard Stearns, from New Ipswich, was in trade a year or more. and later Charles Hastings purchased the real estate, enlarged and repaired the buildings, bought new goods and continued in trade until 1829. He sold to Lemnel Stimson, and in the spring of 1830 the business was assumed by his sons, Elbridge and Mirick, who closed out in 1833, and since then no one has engaged in trade at this place.
About the time the Jewetts withdrew from an active interest in trade three small stores were opened in this town. William Brooks in the house of his father, Thaddeus Brooks, in the ninth school district conducted a limited business several years ; and Reuben Rice, who lived in the fourth school district where Alfred D. Kinsman now resides, had a store in his house an equal length of time. Neither of these securing a monopoly of the trade, Asahel Corey and Salmon Rice opened a store on Water street. Later Mr. Rice sold his interest to Levi Corey. The Coreys were succeeded in 1839 by Charles Winchester, and it was in this store of modest pretension that Mr. Winchester outlined the first
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HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
chapter of an active, successful career. Asahel and Levi Corey, having sold their business in Water street, opened a new store in the hotel building on the site of the brick store. After a few years they were succeeded by Philip R. Merriam who removed from a small store on the south turnpike. Mr. Merriam and his son were followed by Horace C. Crehore who continued in trade several years.
In 1842 Charles Winchester sold the store he had out- grown on Water street and bought this store. Six years later he admitted his brother, George C. Winchester, to an equal partnership. They were eminently successful. For the accommodation of an increasing trade, and to provide accounting rooms for their other business they erected, in 1855, the substantial building now occupied by Adams and
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THE BRICK STORE, NOW OF ADAMS & GREENWOOD. ERECTED BY C. & G. C. WINCHESTER, 1855.
Greenwood. The firm was dissolved in 1870, and George C. Winchester continued the business until 1879. This
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HOTELS AND STORES.
store was reopened in 1881 by Adams and Greenwood, the partners being Walter R. Adams and Moses P. Greenwood. With a full line of miscellaneous goods, they at once secured an extensive trade and are reaping the fruit of merited success.
The store now occupied by Parker Brothers was built by Ivers White in 1855, and leased to William P. Ellis for eight years. Mr. Ellis formed a partnership with Martin B. Lane, and under the name of Ellis and Lane they conducted a trade in stoves, tinware and groceries for several years. The firm was then dissolved by the retirement of Mr. Lane, who removed the stove and tinware department to the store in the Town Hall. Newton Hayden being admitted to a partnership with Mr. Ellis, the business was enlarged and ineluded the wares usually displayed in a country store. In 1866 Mr. Hayden became sole proprietor, and he was succeeded by several firms which included Hon. Ohio Whitney, Walter R. Adams, Moses P. Greenwood and Captain Walter O. Parker. In 1876 Captain Parker and his brother, Frank H. Parker, under the firm name of Parker Brothers, assumed the business. Under their judicious management, the demands of the community have been fully answered and a good trade has been firmly established.
After the removal of Mr. Lane to the Town Hall, he was associated with Joel P. Marble, and in 1876 he was succeeded by Frank B. Gilson. The business was continued under the firm name of Marble and Gilson. In 1880 they built a new store on Central street and added a line of groceries to their former trade. They continue in the management of a pros- perous business. There were earlier dealers in stoves and tinware than any named in the preceding paragraphs. Ben- jamin Merriam was an early dealer in this line of ware in the old store on Water street, and Elliot Moore, for a few
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HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
years, was in this line of trade in the George Rockwood store.
George Rockwood opened a store about 1833, where Marshall Wetherbee now resides. He continued in trade several years and a part of the time Dr. William H. Cutler had an interest in the business. He was succeeded by the Union Store, which was continued four years, and later Elliot Moore continued the business a few years.
After Asahel Corey had been in trade on Water street and in the hotel building on the south side of the street, he built in 1846 a store on the site of the residence of George C. Winchester. In this building his son, Jonas Corey, opened a store and was succeeded immediately by George Rock- wood and Austin Whitney. Then the firm of Corey, Barrett and Kibling, comprising Jonas Corey, Colonel Francis J. Barrett and Joseph W. Kibling, was actively engaged in trade at this place for a few years. They were succeeded by Austin Whitney, and while his brother, Samuel V. Whitney, was postmaster, the post-office was located here. The building was purchased by George C. Winchester in 1856 and remodelled soon after.
George W. Kibling, who lived in Lane Village, where Merrick Hadley now resides, had a store in his house a few years, commencing about 1835. There was no other store in this village until Mirick Stimson began trade in 1868. Mr. Stimson has continued without interruption to the present time. In North Ashburnham, Asa R. Lovell was in trade about three years, commencing in the autumn of 1845. The goods were owned by several gentlemen who lived in that vicinity, and who sustained the store as a local enter- prise. The goods were subsequently sold at auction. Except the trade in groceries conducted by Daniels Ellis, there have been no other stores in this village.
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Stores in the village of South Ashburnham have been numerous. In 1822 Jonas Munroe opened a store and con- tinned in trade several years. The building occupied by Mr. Munroe was later the ell of the Deacon Glazier shop. Mr. Benjamin E. Wetherbee, the present owner of the premises, tore it down a year ago and completed its history. Hosea Hosley, in 1836, began trade in a building still known as the red store, opposite the residence of Hezekiah Matthews. After a vacancy of several years, the next trader in this store was Lewis G. Matthews, who, with a line of groceries and patent medicines, began business in 1852, and continued until 1874. Oliver A. Raymond, in the autumn of 1846, began business under favorable auspices in the May store. He died the following year and the goods were sold out by his brother. The Protective Union Store was opened in the May building in 1848. Stores established on this plan were found at this date in almost every village. Generally conducted by men un- skilled in the arts of trade, very few of them were successful. This proved no exception, and was closed before the expira- tion of a year. The May store, which, like the temple of Janus, has been sometimes open and sometimes closed, was occupied a year and a half, commencing August, 1863, by John B. Day, who displayed a line of dry goods and groceries. In 1868 Mr. Day resumed business in the same building. The following year he was succeeded by Stephen V. Ware, who remained two years and again the doors were closed. The next occupant was Luther Osborn, who con- tinued about three years, and from that time until 1876, the store was unoccupied. In the autumn of that year Stephen V. Ware resumed trade with a line of dry goods and gro- eeries. In March, 1884, he sold to John Davis, who moved the following summer into the store under Union Hall where
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he was recently succeeded by Alfred E. Garlick and James H. Long, who have built up a prosperous trade.
More to accommodate his employés than to solicit a general trade, Edward S. Flint dealt in staple groceries about nineteen years, commencing 1857. In 1866 Mrs. Mary Blodget fitted a room in her dwelling for the accom- modation of a limited stock of ladies' furnishing goods. The business was successfully continued eight years. Near the depots, Sumner H. Upham, Francis Eaton, Sewell S. Lane and Stephen V. Ware have each been in trade a short time.
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