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 33
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Joseph L. Brigham
George L. Beals, Jr.
George G. Hadley Charles C. Eaton
Earl Richel
Orange S. May
Merrick Hadley
Nazzar Dane
Martin B. Lane Patrick Mulchy
Charles W. Lane
John M. Baldwin
1
Stephen Sawin
Edwin J. Russell
Augustus G. Nutting Edward G. Newell Henry W. Ward
Jonas P. Sawin .
Charles S. Keyes
William Franklin
Fred M. Stanley
Thomas Doolan
Edwin A. Whitney
William L. G. Ward Alexander Grout Jesse W. Goodwin
Osman Casvant William C. Marea Mark Dunlap
Hosea S. Whitney
Theodore Barron Peter Sherbert
Charles H. Wallace Rodney King
Cyrus D. Horton
.
- George A. Stone Austin Brooks
Samuel E. Stone
Orrin N. Bennett
Asahel Wheeler
Henry Pelky
458
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
The immediate effect of the draft was depressing. The gloomy days of the war and the season of discontent were during the spring and early summer of 1863. The spontaneous enthusiasm among the masses which attended the early progress of the war, reflecting the warm colors of hope and courage, began to wane and a general sentiment of depression was instant and pervading. Presently the victory at Gettysburg and the success of the army in the West in- vited the people to rally for the closing struggle. The firm command of General Grant and a unity of movement and purpose, which controlled the separate armies, restored the confidence and elicited an enthusiasm scarcely less exultant than that which thrilled the loyal North at the fall of Sumter. During these fluctuations in the general sentiment of the North, the people of Ashburnham, unmoved by the influences of the hour, maintained a record unstained by the shadow of disloyalty.
The men who entered the service in 1863 were generally assigned to regiments already in the field and very few of them were in any one organization. In July Rodney King was assigned to the Nineteenth and transferred to the Twen- tieth Regiment ; John M. Baldwin was assigned to the Thirty- ninth and transferred to the Thirty-second Regiment ; John E. Valentine, a corporal, to the Fifteenth Regiment ; and John Fitzgerald to the Nineteenth and transferred to the Twentieth Regiment. These men remained in the service to the close of the war and were honorably discharged.
In July and August the quota of the town was credited with the names of Charles Lepond, John Shaffer, James Burke, Charles Wilson and Thomas Andrews. These were hired recruits and all of them deserted soon after, and to secure additional bounty, undoubtedly, they enlisted and deserted again before the close of the war.
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459
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
George F. Potter enlisted July 14 and was assigned to the Sixteenth Regiment. He was subsequently transferred to the Eleventh Regiment and was discharged in May, 1865. In the Second Regiment Heavy Artillery was Harvey P. Brooks and Edwin A. Pollard ; the former enlisted in July and served to the end of the war ; the latter enlisted in Octo- ber and died at Newbern, North Carolina, November 16, 1864. Francis Sacket, who enlisted in November, was assigned to the Twenty-seventh Regiment and in Jannary, 1865, was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Pat- rick Doolan enlisted in December and served to the elose of the war in the First Battery Light Artillery. John Cassidy enlisted in August in the Sixteenth and was trans- ferred to the Eleventh Regiment. He was discharged after a service of eighteen months on account of disability. Archibald McMahon enlisted December 25 and deserted from the Twenty-fifth Regiment after a service of eight weeks, and Theodore A. Dodge enlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corps in November.
From January 1, 1864, to April 1, 1865, eighty-three enlistments were credited to the quota of Ashburnham. This number includes four entries into the Twenty-first Regiment, twenty-six reenlisted men and fifty-three new enlistments. A few of the men who entered the service during this period were hired recruits who received the bounty offered by the town without reluetanee or conscien- tious scruple, and with equal alacrity deserted at the first opportunity. Others were residents of this town and all of these earned an honorable record. In the following list will appear the names of several who had previously been honor- ably discharged from a former service. Unless otherwise stated all of the following were honorably discharged on account of expiration of term of service or at the close of the war.
460
HISTORY OF ASHIBURNHAM.
NAMES.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT.
MILITARY ORGANIZATION
REMARKS.
William S. White Jolin Fregean Louis C. E. Coderre Morris Smeddy
Dennis O'Neill
Josiah Thomas Job Foster William Doolan James Kelley Frank B. Sawtelle
Jan. 29, 1864 May 13, 1864
5th Cavalry 19th Regiment
66
2d H. A.
Heury T. Lane Charles T. Chamberlain
June 14, 1864 July 20, 1864
2d H. A. 60th Regiment
5th Regiment
Hobart W. Piper
Aug. 6, 1864
Unattached
Frank W. Bemis Irving Brooks Harlem E. Ward
Aug. 6, 1864 66
Unattached =
Alexander O'Brien Samuel A. Taylor
Aug. 11, 1864 Aug. 16, 1864
20tl Regiment 4th H. A.
This name is repeated in a later service Discharged July 29, 1865 Formerly a captain in 21st Regt. In this service he was a lientenant ; resig'd March 8, 1865
Asahel Wheeler
Aug. 20, 1864
4th H. A.
Formerly a captain in 21st Regt. He was commis- sioned a captain in this service and assigned to the fist Regt. Mustered out at expiration of term of service
Joseph H. Whitney
Aug. 20, 1864
4th H. A.
This was his third enlist- ment. He was formerly a lieutenant in 21st Regt. Promoted in this service to sergeant-major, Dec. 1, 1864 ; discharged June 17, 1865
Discharged June 17, 1865
Aug. 20, 1864
4th H. A.
Oliver D. Wilder Theodore Greenwood Ebenezer Hart Frederick Hammond James Fargo William H. Smith George O. Whitney Joseph Hanwart Etiene Lechuga Sereno Newton Richard C. Chase David O. Williams Charles H. Whipple Walter C. Clark
Harlem E. Ward Michael Horrigan George G. Hadley Isaac Call Michael Mulloy
Jan. 3, 1865 Feb. 18, 1865 June 28, 1864 Ang. 23, 1864 Aug. 27, 1864
4th Cavalry 19th Regiment V. R. C. .4
=
·
66
..
Sept. 21, 1864 66
30th Regiment
2dl Cavalry
Feb. 6, 1865 Feb. 21, 1865 Feb. 2, 1865
Feb. 23, 1865 Feb. 6, 1865
1st H. A. 14th Artillery 19th Regineut
Discharged July 5, 1866
Discharged May 18, 1865 Discharged July 20, 1865 Deserted Oct. 4. 1865 Discharged June 15, 1865 Discharged Feb. 20, 1865, on account of disability Discharged Aug. 12. 1865 Discharged JJune 30, 1865 Discharged Aug. 31, 1866 Discharged Nov. 15, 1865 Deserted Sept. 29, 1864
Jan. 4, 1864
Jan. 18, 1864
7th Regiment
Discharged July 30, 1865 Died May 30, 1864 Deserted April 1, 1864 Transferred to 37th and to 20th Regt .; discharged June 16, 1865
Died in Rebel Prison Aug. 6, 1864
Discharged Oct. 1, 1>65 Discharged Mar. 25, 1865 Discharged July 20, 1×15 Discharged June 30, 1865 Discharged May 6, 1865. He had previously been in Regimental Band 20th Regt. Died Oct. 29, 1864 100 days service ; dischar'd Nov. 30, 1864 100 days service ; dischar'd Nov. 30, 1864 100 days service ; dischar'd Nov. 16, 1864
Promoted corporal ; dis- charged Nov. 14, 1864. He formerly served in 53d Regt.
Discharged Nov. 14, 1864
Charles L. Starkey
July 20, 1864
Albert H. Tuckerman
July 23, 1864
June 2, 1864 June 14, 1864
57th Regiment
Jan. 5, 1864
25th Regiment
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461
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
NAMES.
DATE OF ENLISTMENT.
MILITARY ORGANIZATION
REMARKS.
James Walker Newton B. Whitman
Sept. 1, 1864
V. R. C.
Discharged Nov. 14, 1864 No record
William Pfaffle
Feb. 20, 1865
=
Hancock Corps =
Jan. 18, 1865
66
N. C. Regiment U. S. A.
William G. Davenport George H. Litch
Sept. 14. 1864
Nov. 11, 1864
Charles W. Brigham
Mar. 2, 1865
..
Francis E. Brigham
Mar. 3, 1865
William Butler
Feb. 4, 1865
6:
Charles W. Kendall Michael Murphy John E. Waliant John Rebel
Sept. 2, 1864
Dec. 20, 1864
Feb. 6, 1865
In the midst of the later enlistments and accounting for a few of them the following persons were drafted May 16, 1864 : Patrick O'Brien, Martin N. Ward, Thomas Ham- mond, Thomas Mahan, Amos F. Willard, Patrick J. Hare, Timothy A. Tenney, Merrick Hadley, George A. Stone, Job Foster, Orange S. Whitmore, Hezekiah Matthews, Joseph L. Brigham, Frederick Pelky, George G. Rockwood, Aaron Rice, William Doolan and Hartwell Tenney. No official statement of the several quotas of this town has been found and the records of the town afford no information. The number of enlistments in 1861 was eighty-five ; in 1862 fifty-seven ; in 1863 eighteen and in 1864 and the early months of 1865, including the veterans, there were eighty- three enlistments, making an aggregate of two hundred and forty-three entries in the service from this town during the war. The whole number of individuals who entered the service from Ashburnham, so far as found in this record, is two hundred and thirteen. Joseph H. Whitney is credited with three enlistments and the following persons were counted twice upon the quota of the town : Charles II. Heald, Martin V. B. Grimes, Charles W. Kendall, Francis Sacket, Augustus McIntosh. Samuel A. Taylor, Asahel Wheeler, George E. Davis, Samuel C. Lesure, Lorenzo II. Gilbert, Charles G. Lawrence, George W. Lawrence,
462
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
Charles H. Puffer, George F. Puffer, Henry H. Martindale, Charles II. White, Erastus MeIntosh, James M. Garnet, George G. Hadley, Ransom G. Stowell, James E. Whipple, Frank A. Davis, Michael FitzGibbon, Francis H. Morton, Oliver D. Wilder, Charles F. Leathers, Hobart W. Piper, Harlem E. Ward.
Several, who were residents of Ashburnham at the time they entered the service, enlisted on the quota and their names appear in the records of other towns. It is not pre- sumed that the following list is complete.
Noyes B. Herrick, Clarence D. Proctor and Alden W. Parker, on the quota of Fitchburg, served in the Fourth Regiment Heavy Artillery from August 20, 1864, to June 17, 1865.
Lieutenant George M. Munroe, on the quota of Boston, was an original member of Company G, Twenty-first Regi- ment. He was promoted from first sergeant to second lieu- tenant, September 26, 1862, and to first lieutenant, March 3, 1863. At the battle of Antietam, after Lieutenant Charles H. Parker was removed from the field on account of wounds, he assumed command of the company and was wounded in the knee and the arm.
Charles L. Stimson was in Company E, Twenty-fourth Regiment, on the quota of Boston. He was detailed as military secretary to General Burnside and subsequently was commissioned a lieutenant in the First Ohio Cavalry.
George Henry Stearns, credited to Bridgewater, was a member of the Brigade Band, Twentieth Army Corps.
William H. Richardson, Otis Pratt and Aaron Pratt served in Rhode Island regiments.
Aaron B. Bixby enlisted from Fitchburg in Company A, Thirty-sixth Regiment, and was transferred in September, 1863, to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
463
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Corporal Charles M. Whitney, assigned to quota of Fitch- burg, was a member of Company D, Twenty-first Regiment. He was killed September 1, 1862, at the battle of Chantilly.
Ephraim W. Moore enlisted from Boston in Company F, Second Regiment. He died August 20, 1862, from wounds received in the engagement of Cedar Mountain.
Newton Brooks, on the quota of Gardner, was a member of Company G, Fifty-third Regiment.
Patrick Fitzgerald, there known as James Fitz, was a member of Company K, Sixth New Hampshire Regiment. He served from November, 1861, to July 17, 1865.
Webster W. Wallace, on the quota of Lawrence, enlisted in First Regiment Heavy Artillery, August 1, 1861. He was promoted a sergeant and died of wounds, July 26, 1864.
In other regiments are found the names of Henry Merriam, George Willard, Charles Stone, John L. Cook, Reuben A. Buzzell, George O. Metcalf and George P. Ward.
A large number of the sons of Ashburnham who removed from their native town previous to the war were in the service and several were officers of rank and distinction. So far as the facts are ascertained, a record of service will be given in the family registers.
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CHAPTER XX.
PHYSICIANS. - LAWYERS. - PERSONAL NOTICES. - COLLEGE GRADUATES. - OTHER SONS OF ASHBURNHAM.
DOCTORS BROOKS, SENTER, ABRAHAM LOWE, ABRAHAM T. LOWE, NATHANIEL PEIRCE, ABERCROMBIE, CUTLER, STONE, MILLER, WALLACE, WHITMORE, MATTOON, TEMPLE, JILLSON, CHARLES L. PIERCE, STICKNEY, AMORY JEWETT, NATHANIEL JEWETT. - LAWYERS CUNNINGHAM, ADAMS, PARKER AND ANDREWS. - SAMUEL WILDER. - JOSEPH JEWETT. - WVERS JEWETT. - JACOB WILLARD. - SILAS WILLARD. - JOHN ADAMS. - ENOCHI WIHT- MORE. - JEROME W. FOSTER. - OHIO WHITNEY. - ISAAC HILL. - THOMAS PARKMAN CUSHING. - MILTON WHITNEY. - A LIST OF COLLEGE GRADU- ATES. - OTHER SONS OF ASHIBURNHAM.
PHYSICIANS. - Ashburnham has been fortunate in the character and ability of the resident physicians. The follow- ing list includes several men of superior skill and professional reputation.
DR. PETER BROOKS was the first physician of Ashburn- ham, and during the greater part of his practice here he had no competitor. Dr. Senter was here a short time, but his practice was not of sufficient duration to disturb him in the full possession of the field which he held until the arrival of Dr. Lowe. Dr. Brooks lived on the old Winchendon road, between the common and the David Russell farm. About 1792 he left town and nothing is known of his subsequent history. His family remained permanently and his descend- ants in this town have been numerous. Of the native ability and professional skill of Dr. Brooks little is known. From the fact that he remained here twenty years it is reasonable
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PERSONAL NOTICES.
to presume that he enjoyed some measure of public confi- dence.
DR. SENTER was here a short time immediately preceding the Revolution. In 1774 he was chosen one of a committee to amend the Boston Covenant before it was signed, but his name does not appear again in the records. Tradition pre- serves his name and compliments him with good ability and a liberal education. His stay was brief and his connection with this town unimportant.
DR. ABRAHAM LOWE, son of Jonathan and Sarah ( Per- kins) Lowe, was born in Ipswich, February 11, 1755. The homestead of his father was in the parish of Chebacco, and is now a part of the town of Essex. In his infancy the family removed to Lunenburg. If Dr. Lowe did not pursue a liberal course of academical study at the schools he was a close and attentive reader and an accurate scholar. His professional studies were pursued under the tuition of Dr. Abraham Haskell, a justly famed physician of Lunenburg. At this time Dr. Lowe became acquainted with Dr. Peter Snow, who was a fellow-student, and subsequently a dis- tinguished physician and esteemed citizen of Fitchburg. The acquaintance ripened into a mutual friendship which was sustained through life. In 1786, or the year preceding, Dr. Lowe removed to Ashburnham and here began the labor of a long and useful life. In an eminent degree he was trusted as a physician and esteemed as a citizen. He was frequently chosen to positions of trust and in professional employment he had no rival for many years. Among his minor employ- ments Dr. Lowe was town elerk seven years, transcribing the records in a clear hand and in well-chosen language. But for municipal service he found little leisure. His active years were devoted to his profession and few physicians have practised with less criticism and greater success. Among
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466
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
his fellow-men he was accorded a supremacy which is only surrendered to superior abilities and unchallenged character. The aged who remember him are familiar with the courtesy of his manner, the kindness of his heart and the impress of truth and wisdom which attended his speech. He died October 23, 1834.
DR. ABRAHAM T. LOWE, a son of Dr. Abraham Lowe and Charlotte (Hale) Lowe, was born in this town, August 15, 1796. The influences of his home invited study, and at an early age he attended the academy in New Ipswich, and at twenty years of age he was graduated a Doctor of Medicine at Dartmouth Medical College. At the solicita- tion of his father he commenced practice in this town where he was successfully employed nine years. His circuit ex- tended into Westminster and other adjoining towns. Of his professional labors at this time Dr. Lowe has said, "My duties called me, I believe, almost without exception, into every house and family in town. I knew the direction and condition of every road, bridle path and passable cross-ent way. I never, while in health, declined a professional visit. I rode on horseback, in a light-wheel carriage, or sleigh, to meet the requirements of the season or state of the travelled ways; but there were times when travelling in either of these modes was impracticable ; then I took to my rackets, or Indian snow-shoes ; and I have frequently in this manner made visits, both in and out of town."
In the midst of this arduous; professional employment Dr. Lowe took an active interest in the schools of this town and was a member of the committee of supervision. IIe was popular with all classes and is held in grateful remem- brance by the aged who were his associates. In 1825 or 1826 he removed to Boston and engaged in the business of a wholesale and prescription druggist. In this business he was successful and retired with a competency in 1839.
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467
PERSONAL NOTICES.
Dr. Lowe bas been a director in several monetary institu- tions and in this direction his service has been conspicuous. . In 1859 he was chosen president of the Safety Fund Bank which subsequently became the First National Bank of Boston, and under his sagacious management this institution has maintained a prominent position among its energetic rivals. Dr. Lowe was an able advocate, and was promi- nently identified with the construction of the Boston and Lowell railroad. At that date many regarded the project as experimental, but the substantial results are a tribute to the foresight and judgment of Dr. Lowe and his associates. He was one of the early directors of the road from Worcester to Albany and for several years a director of the Boston and Worcester railroad and also the Fall River railroad. He early and elearly comprehended the importance of these gigantic enterprises and with energy and courage he labored for the future interests of his city and Commonwealth.
In addition to efficient service for the public schools of Boston, he has repeatedly served in the Board of Aldermen, and beginning in 1824, he has been a member of the Massa- chusetts Legislature several years. In this service he diselosed the rare traits of mind and of character which distinguish his successful career in business.
In early life Dr. Lowe compiled the Columbian Orator, a school-book which was favorably received, and subsequently he published the Second Class Book, for younger pupils ; but he is better known as the author of several papers upon seientific and medical subjects. Ile is one of the original trustees of Cushing Academy and during the past ten years he has been president of the board.
Dr. Lowe at the age of almost ninety years has earned a respite from aetive employment. Without ambition or ostentation he has conscientiously met every responsibility
468
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
and faithfully directed every interest confided to his care. His industry, his integrity and his purity of character, which attended him through life, now crown his age with blessings and honor.
DR. NATHANIEL PEIRCE, a son of Oliver and Mary (Smith) Peirce, was born in Lunenburg, October 8, 1778. He pursued his preparatory studies at New Ipswich Academy and was a teacher in the public schools several years. He entered Harvard University, but on account of failing health did not graduate. Later he pursued a course of professional study and received his diploma at the Medical School, then in Weathersfield, Vermont, and in that town he practised a short time. Leaving Weathersfield he removed to his native town where he was engaged in the manufacture of wool or felt hats, at that time one of the home industries of New England. He removed to this town in 1825 and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. From the first he secured and maintained the confidence of the people and for many years his practice was large and remunerative. In the mean time he purchased many aeres of land and became a prosperous farmer, and as the infirmities of age invited him to less active pursuits he gradually retired from practice and gave his attention to the supervision of his farm.
A tall, commanding man, his head towering above the multitude, he was dignified in manner and deliberate in the use of words. In method he was direct and aggressive, and if he was sometimes blunt in his speech he was generally just. His opinions were well matured and when required . they were expressed without evasion or concealment. If he honestly differed with others in opinion and expressed his own views plainly, he tolerated no contention and conducted no quarrels. He was a kind neighbor, an honest man and a faithful citizen. He was frequently chosen by his townsmen
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Nom H. Cutler.
469
PERSONAL NOTICES.
to local office and was a member of the Legislature 1831 and 1832. He died September 3, 1862.
DR. OTIS ABERCROMBIE, a native of Deerfield and a grad- uate of the Yale Medical School, came to Ashburnham in 1827. He was favorably received and was chosen a member of the school committee soon after his arrival. At this time the field was occupied by members of the profession who had become established in the confidence of the people. In 1829 he removed to Fitchburg. After a successful practice of nine years, on account of failing health, he retired from business and removed to Lunenburg where he died January . 24, 1851. aged forty-nine years.
DR. WILLIAM H. CUTLER, son of Jonathan and Keziah (Hutchins) Cutler, was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, July 2, 1787. After attending school at the academy in Plain- field he pursued his professional studies with Dr. Darius Hutchins of Abington, Connecticut. His first professional labors were in Winchendon where he practised about seven years. In 1820 he removed to New Salem and was there successfully employed until he removed to this town in 1829. In Winchendon he was a member of the school committee in 1819 and in New Salem he was frequently chosen to positions of trust, among which he was for many years one of the trustees of the New Salem Academy. In this town Dr. Cutler rode a wide circuit many years and was justly re- garded as a conscientious, skilful physician. As a man, he was upright, sincere and honest, and was held in high esteem. As the infirmities of age grew upon him he retired from active practice and removed in 1864 to Andover where he died July 16, 1867.
DR. WILLIAM P. STONE, son of David and Lydia (Per- kins) Stone and a brother of Rev. Benjamin P. Stone, D. D., late of Concord, New Hampshire, was born in Reading,
470
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
Vermont, July 23, 1809. A few years after this date the family removed from Reading to Enosburg, Vermont. Dr. Stone graduated at Dartmouth Medical School in 1835 and came to this town in 1837, where he was successfully employed eight years. From the first he was well received. Beneath a modest and unassuming manner, there was no failure in the discovery of an intelligent mind and a faithful and competent physician. He had many friends and no enemies. In the spring of 1845 he removed to Boston and previous to 1850 he removed to Danbury, New Hampshire, . where he remained several years. In October, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Second New Ilampshire Volunteers, and was promoted to surgeon of this regiment, July 6, 1864. He remained in the service until the regiment was mustered out, December 19, 1865. Soon after the war he removed from Danbury to Westminster, Vermont, where he continued the practice of his profession a few years. He died in Burke, New York, 1872.
DR. ALFRED MILLER, son of John and Betsey (Robinson) Miller, was born in Westminster, Vermont, March 15, 1815. He pursued his preparatory studies in the schools of West- minster and Bernardston and graduated at Middlebury College 1840. While reading for his profession he taught school several years and completed his study with Dr. Alfred Hitchcock and at the Medical School in Woodstock, Vermont, where he graduated in 1844. In the following year he entered upon the practice of his profession in this town where he was successfully employed until he removed to Fitchburg in 1863.
He was a skilful physician and was highly respected by all who knew him. Affable and kind in his manner, atten- tive to the calls of his profession, he was a popular physician and a valued citizen. Dr. Miller was repeatedly elected a
471
PERSONAL NOTICES.
member of the school committee and to other positions of trust. In Fitchburg he was eminently successful. He con- tinued in active practice in that city until his death, Novem- ber 15, 1877, aged sixty-two years. He was a member of the Legislature 1866 and 1876.
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