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 8
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102
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
public affairs the proprietors were inspired by loftier pur- poses and nobler aims.
The following table presents a list of the owners of the several rights when the propriety was organized and the first division of lands was made. Compared with the list in Chapter II., it is found that sixteen persons who were admitted as grantees of the township had sold their interest in the grant previous to the carly meetings of the proprie- tors. The right-hand column gives the name of some subsequent owner of the same right. Five rights were continued in the same name throughout the existence of the organization. In some instances a right was owned by several persons in succession. In filling the right-hand column in such cases, the name of the person in whose possession the right remained the longest time has been selected.
This list of proprietors introduces many names, which became intimately associated with the continued history of the town. Zimri Heywood, Ebenezer Conant, Jonathan Samson, Samuel Fellows, James Coleman, David Taylor, James Spaulding, Nathan Melvin, John Bates, Jonathan Gates, Nathan Dennis, Elisha Coolidge, Moses Foster, Josiah Wilder, Jonathan Winchester, Stephen Ames and David Clark were well-known resident proprietors. Many of the non-resident proprietors were succeeded by their sons who subsequently occupied the lands acquired by inheritance. Among this class the families of Wilder, Stearns, Kelton, Dana and Crehore are conspicuous.
The families who settled on any of the six minor grants do not appear in these records of the proprietors, and not until the act of incorporation did they constitute a part of the body politic.
1 1
103
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS.
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS.
'NOISIAKI J.SHIA
NOISIAMI ANOJIS
TIHRD DIVISION.
NOISIAANI ILLIAOS
EQUIVALENT LOTS.
LATER OWNERS OF THE
SAME RIGHT.
Timothy Mossman,
1
35
31
7
32
Zimri Heywood.
Elisha Tilestone,
2
45
18
39
William Cooper,
3
49
57
23
35
Andrew Wilder,
4
24
36
12
35
Edward Summer,
5
29
51
2
18
45
John Swift,
7
20
17
53
19
Ministry.
8
11
62
62
School,
9
12
15
G3
63
Hezekiah Barber,
10
58
€
55
21
Samuel Blake,
11
17
40
17
48
Edward Hartwell,
12
14
5
14
60
Thomas Wilder,
13
41
7
54
20
Joseph Weeks,
14
5G
48
56
29
do
do
do
Josiah Baker,
15
42
38
44
Samuel Fellows.
Ebenezer Crane,
William Bowdoin.
Ilezekiah Barber,
17
18
62
47
1-
James Coleman.
Joseph Warren,
18
3
30
20
42
Samuel Fellows.
Isaac Royal,
19
52
50
16
32
Timothy Tilestone,
20
8
42
28
23
Isaac Royal,
21
43
59
42
17
Caleb Dana.
Matthias Evans,
22
4
12
50
10
Griggs.
John Andrews,
23
30
63
21
36
David Taylor.
Thomas Tilestone,
24
2
45
9
20
Caleb Wilder.
Nathan Ileywood,
25
37
14
15
31
Caleb Wilder.
Joseph Wilder, Esq.,
26
27
31
38
Caleb Wilder.
Benjamin Bird, Jr.,
27
26
43
49
James Spaulding.
Ralph Pope,
28
57
21
11
46
Ebenezer Pope.
Humphrey Atherton,
29
31
28
30
30
Nathan Hey wood.
Nathaniel Blake,
30
33
22
32
40
Isaac Stearns.
James Mears,
31
40
S
26
51
Samuel Dwight.
John Crehore,
32
G
39
6
50
John Crehore.
Isaac How,
33
23
19
CI
61
Isaac Stearns.
Robert Redman,
34
5
34
33
IS
Isaac Stearns.
Thomas Tilestone,
35
39
33
52
33
Nathan Melvin.
Thomas Tilestone,
36
60
29
36
5
Caleb Dana.
Oliver Wilder,
37
32
46
4G
4I
John Bates.
Benjamin Sumner,
38
53
11
5
49
Benjamin Sumner.
Joseph Wheelock,
39
16
1
19
3
Jonathan Gates.
Ebenezer Clapp,
40
59
13
10
57
Benjamin Ilammett.
John Shepard,
41
9
37
4
48
Oliver Wilder.
William White,
42
55
9
41
5G
Caleb Dana.
Samuel Henshaw,
43
1
25
40
28
Caleb Dana.
William Cooper,
44
28
41
43
8
Alexander Hill.
Nehemiah Clapp,
45
25
10
35
2
Nehemiah Clapp.
Jonathan Dwight,
46
63
3
I
34
Nathan Dennis.
Edward Kelton,
47
50
47
31
11
Heirs.
Samuel Butt,
48
44
20
3
47
Elisha Coolidge.
13
Samuel Sumner.
Joseph Triscott,
6
47
John Moffatt.
Eben'r Conant.
Caleb Dana.
John Moffatt. Jonathan Samson.
Recompense Wards- worth Stimson.
16
52
48
6
Samuel Fellows.
Gordon.
S. c.
William Babcock. Joshua Henshaw. William Scott.
104
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
.
ORIGINAL. PROPRIETORS.
FIRST DIVISION.
SECOND DIVISION.
THURD DIVISION.
FOURTH DIVISION.
EQUIVALENT LOTS.
LATER OWNERS OF THE
SAME RIGHT.
-
Benjamin Jewett,
49
46
61
45
27
Jonathan Gates.
Joshua George,
50
19
2
25
Elisha Coolidge.
Robert Cook,
51
36
. 55
27
15
Moses Foster.
Thomas Lyon, Jr.,
52
48
56
13
53
Josiah Wilder.
Richard Withington,
53
61
41
37
4
Henry Coolidge.
Seth Sumner,
55
62
24
51
14
Caleb Dana.
James Swift,
50
21
23
29
54
James Swift.
First Minister,
57
10
53
24
Jonathan Winchester.
Bartholomew Gould,
58
13
1 35
22
37
Moses Burgess.
Samuel Kneeland,
59
54
49
59
1
Samuel Kneeland.
John Robinson, Jr.,
60
27
GO
25
59
Stephen Ames.
Thomas Tilestone,
61
15
26
58
39
David Clark.
William Sumner,
63
34
32
38
29
Eben'r Hemenway.
Many of the non-resident proprietors were men of influ- ence and character and during their connection with the affairs of this town were actively engaged in other pursuits. One of the most influential and useful members of the pro- priety was Caleb Wilder. He was a son of the elder Judge Joseph Wilder and a lifelong resident of Lancaster. Own- ing several rights in the plantation, from an early date until after the incorporation of the town, he continued to exercise a controlling influence in the general direction of its affairs. He introduced the manufacture of potash here and was a leading spirit in all the concerns of the settlement. In 1765 he was styled major and probably held other commissions in this line of service. He was a deacon of the church and honorably filled many positions of trust in his native town. He died June 19, 1776, aged sixty-six years. Two of his sons, Caleb, Jr., and Samuel, became useful citizens of this town. In an eminent degree they reflected the sterling character and marked ability of their honored father.
8
58
Benjamin Church.
Thomas Stearns,
62
38
57
44
Caleb Dana.
James Atherton,
51
105
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS.
Joseph Wilder, another son of Judge Joseph Wilder, was born in Lancaster, 1708. He was a surveyor, a magistrate, a colonel in the militia, and after the death of his father he was also one of the Justices of the County Court. Hc set- tled in the North Precinct or Lancaster New Grant which was incorporated under the name of Leominster in 1740. Forgetting that Leominster originally was a part of Lancas- ter, it is sometimes erroneously stated that he removed from Lancaster to Leominster in 1740. While a proprietor of Dorchester Canada, for many years he was also the owner of the Starr and the Converse grants. He died September 12, 1776.
Oliver Wilder was a cousin of Judge Wilder, Sen. An early proprietor, he was frequently named on important committees and after the death of Thomas Tilestone he was often chosen to preside at the meetings of the cor- poration. Like nearly all the Wilders he was a military man and rose to the rank of colonel. He died March 8, 1765.
Thomas Wilder remained a proprietor but a short time ; his right was subsequently owned by Caleb Dana.
The Sumners were extensively engaged in buying and selling land in other townships. Seth Sumner was the only one of this name who attended any considerable number of the meetings or was in any way identified with the settle- ment beyond the purchase and sale of lands.
Caleb Dana was of Cambridge, where he was born 1697, and died April 28, 1769. Becoming a proprietor about 1750, at one time he owned nearly four thousand acres or over one-eighth of the township. Ile was a magistrate, and at his home and in the councils of the proprietors an active, energetic man. Ifis land in this town was subsequently owned by his son George Dana, who settled here about 1776 and died in this town April 11, 1787.
106
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
Richard Dana, a brother of Caleb Dana, resided in Cam- bridge; born June 26, 1700, and died May 17, 1772. He was a graduate of Harvard University and an able lawyer. Several years he was clerk of the propriety, leaving a clear, ornate record. His son, Francis Dana, and grandson, Richard H. Dana, were men of national reputation.
Henry Coolidge, a brother of Elisha Coolidge, who set- tled here, owned a right several years. Ile married a daughter of Caleb Dana and resided in Cambridge.
Joshua Henshaw, Esq., of Boston, as he was styled when named in the records, was probably the same who was elected to the Council in 1768. On account of his patri- otism he was not recognized by the royal Governor and was later one of the selectmen of Boston.
Rev. John Swift of Framingham married a sister of Thomas Tilestone. An original proprietor he continued his interest in the township until his death in 1745. In his will he gave to his son, Rev. John Swift, Jr., of Acton, "his right of land in Dorchester Canada," who remained a proprietor until the common lands were distributed. IIe was admitted a grantee on account of the service of his brother William Swift of Dorchester who perished in the expedition under Sir William Phipps in 1690.
Joseph Wheelock of Lancaster, and after 1740 of Leom- inster, served on important committees in the earlier pro- ceedings, but after 1760 his right was owned by Jonathan Gates who became a settler.
Rev. William Cooper was pastor of the Brattle Street Church, Boston. He was the original owner of two rights which were subsequently owned by Alexander Hill and Joshua Henshaw.
Isaac Stearns was not a proprietor until about 1760. He was a son of Hon. John Stearns of Billerica where he was
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107
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENTS.
bora June 16, 1722, and there resided until his death April 23, 1808. He was a representative, a senator, a magistrato and a most useful citizen. By his associates in the propriety he was held in great esteem and was frequently named on important committees. Two of his sons, Isaac and William, subsequently settled in this town.
With the elose of this chapter we leave the non-resident proprietors in the retirement of their homes. Many of the later proprietors became residents and in the following chapters it will appear that the propriety introduced to the town a considerable number of its most valued and useful citizens. The proprietors left the town many legacies. An unwearied effort to forward the settlement had been a con- stant aim and purpose. The meeting-house, the mills, the division of the town into lots, and an initial system of roads must be placed to their credit. In the proceedings of their meetings the settlers became familiar with method and sys- tem which they subsequently called to their aid in the man- agement of town affairs. They left an impress and imparted a character to the settlement that reflects in pleasing lines the worth of the men and the spirit of the organization.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION.
INCORPORATION. - THIE PETITIONS OF THE INHABITANTS AND OF THE PROPRIETORS. - THE NAME OF ASHFIELD PROPOSED. - THE CHARTER. - EARLY TOWN MEETINGS. - ASHBY INCORPORATED. - CONTRIBUTION TO ASTIBY. - NEW ARRIVALS. .- SALARY OF THE MINISTER. - SCHOOLS. - ABATEMENT OF THE PROVINCE TAX. - REVOLUTIONARY FLASHES. - DEATH OF FIRST MINISTER. - THE COMMON. - TAX LIST 1770. - PRICE OF COMMODITIES. - A POUND AND FIELD DRIVERS. -- GARDNER FIRST SUGGESTED. -- WARNING OUT.
ASHBURNHAM was incorporated February 22, 1765. In this decisive measure several interests were involved. The concern of the non-resident proprietors in an act of ineor- poration was measured by its probable effect upon the value of their lands in the township; to the resident proprietors with an equal interest in the value of lands were tendered the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship in the proposed town ; there were also a few residents who were not pro- prietors and whose only interest was of a personal character, and last there were the settlers on the independent grants or farms, as they were commonly called. Nearly all of the last named class were the Germans, who had settled on the Lex- ington grant. Until the town was incorporated they had constituted a little republic and were as independent of the proprietors as were the inhabitants of the neighboring towns. They built roads within their grant and managed their inter- nal affairs with no intermediate authority between themselves
108
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 109
and the laws of the province. It was the office of an act of incorporation to join and cement these several interests and give to every citizen an equal voice in the management of public affairs. The measure of deliberation and conference which led to a union of these interests in the solicitation for incorporation cannot be determined. There is no evidence of any discord in the progress of these proceedings, yet it is certain that the resident proprietors were the first to pro- pose the measure. Their petition was considered by the General Court as early as June 7, 1763, when it was resolved that the prayer of the petition of the inhabitants of Dorchester Canada to be incorporated be granted, and that they have leave to bring in a bill. At a meeting of the propri- etors in May, 1764, it was decided to apply to the General Court for an act of incorporation. Richard Dana, Joshua Henshaw and Caleb Dana were chosen to present their peti- tion. To this committee, Samuel Fellows, Elisha Coolidge, Jonathan Samson and Samuel Nichols were joined to rep- resent the inhabitants. In accordance with their instructions the committee of the proprietors joined by Samuel Nichols representing the residents of the township presented the fol- lowing petition :
To his Excelcy Francis Bernard Esq" Capt" general & govern' in chief in & over his Majesty's province of Massachusetts Bay, the Hon'ble his Majesty's Council and the Honble house of repre- sentatives in general court assembled at Concord on ye 5th day of June Anno Dom. 1764.
Humbly Sheweth
The proprietors & inhabitants of that planta- tion in the county of Worcester call'd Dorchester Canada That its inhabitants are now increased to such a number as in the petitioners humble opinion makes it fiting & Expedient for them to be incorporated into a town. That ye sd proprietors long since
110
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
built a meeting house there for public worship & for ye space of four years last past & more have had an able learned & orthodox ministr of ye gospel settled there whom ye petit" have supported hitherto. That ye incorporating ye sd plantation will greatly pro- mote the growth thereof by removing the great and unavoidable inconveniences which they have hitherto laboured under & will continue during their present situation. That for promoting their incorporation ye petit's have agreed & voted that a tax of three half pence an acre be laid by yr Excelly & Hon' upon all ye lands & farms within ye limits & plan of ye sd plantation, (except ye Cambridge farm, parsonage or ministry lands & ye school lauds) to continue for ye term of three years from ye 25th day of Jany last, sixty pounds thereof to be annually applied for ye paym' of their minister's salary & ye residue for further finishing their meeting house aforesd, Keeping ye public county road there in due repair & for necessary charges.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that the plantation aforesd with all the lands & farms within ye plantation and limits thereof may be incorporated into a town & that ye inhabitants thereof may be invested with ye like power & privileges that other towns in this province are invested withall. And that ye aforesd tax as agreed upon may be ratified & confirmed. And yr petit" as in duty bound will ever pray.
RICD DANA. JOSHUA HIENSIIAW. CALEB DANA. SAMUEL NICHOLS.
Comttee.
It is prayed yt ye intended town may be called Ashfield.
The request of the petitioners that the new town be called Ashfield was disregarded by the royal Governor. At that date the nobility of England were frequently compli- mented in the selection of names for the incorporated towns, and Governor Bernard was greatly inclined to this system
---------
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 111
of nomenclature. The town of Ashfield in this State received its name and its charter only four months after the incorporation of this town, In the employment of that name it is asserted that the Governor tendered a compliment to Lord Thurlow of Ashfield, a member of the king's coun- cil. It is possible that some of the proprietors of Dorches- ter Canada who were on intimate terms with Governor Bernard proposed the name with a knowledge that it was one he held in reserve for early use, or with equal proba- bility it may be presumed that with more immediate associa- tions the inhabitants found in Ashfield a fitting name for a town engaged in the manufacture of potash. In either event the suggestion was of no avail. The General Court, with an accommodating regard for an assumed prerogative of the Governor, in the act of incorporation, left the name a blank, which was subsequently supplied with the name of Ashburn- ham which is supposed to be in honor of John, the second Earl of Ashburnham. It is a good name and consequently better than precious ointment.
It is probable that the settlers had selected their com- mittee in advance, and that they were joined with the other committee by the proprietors in courteous recognition of the fact. Further evidence of conference appears in a vote of the proprictors obligating themselves to pay into the treas- ury of the proposed town for a term of years an annual tax of three half pence on each acre of land owned by them, provided the other lands in the township were taxed at the same rate. This agreement between the resident and non- resident proprietors, was recognized by the general Court and was made a part of the act of incorporation. An exception, however, was. made by the Legislature of Cam- bridge farm, then owned by the town of Cambridge, and for that reason it was exempted from the payment of the pro-
112
HISTORY OF ASHBURNDAM.
posed tax. An act of incorporation, with no name of the town inserted, passed both houses of the General Court February 15, 1765, and four days later the engrossed bill bearing the name of ASHBURNHAM was sent to the Governor for approval. The bill was signed February 22, 1765, the day that Washington entered upon his thirty-fourth year. The act creating a town and vesting it with civic powers and privileges, is in the following terms :
An Act for incorporating a new Plantation in the county of Worcester called and known by the name of Dorchester Canada into a Town by the name of Ashburnham.
Whereas the inhabitants of the Plantation called and known by the name of Dorchester Canada labour under many difficulties and inconveniences by reason of their not being incorporated : There- fore for the removal thereof --
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Repre- sentatives, that the Plantation commonly known by the name of Dorchester Canada according to the bounds of the original grant thereof made by the General Court the first day of June 1736 being as follows, viz :
A Tract of Land of six miles square bounding southerly on the Narraganset Township Nº 2 Westerly on a Township laid out for Tilton and others. Northerly on a township laid out for Ipswich and Easterly part on Townsend and part on Lunenburg. It begins at a Hemlock, the northeasterly corner of the said Narraganset Town and runs West Eighteen degrees South seven miles wanting twenty rods; from thence North twelve degrees East eight miles and two hundred rods; and from thence East twelve degrees South seven miles and one hundred perch ; from thence Southerly by said Townsend line one thousand one hundred and twenty rods and by Lunenburg line six hundred and twenty rods to where it first began. And the Inhabitants of the same Plantation together with all the Lands and Farms included within the same boundaries be and hereby are incorporated into a town,
.
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 113
by the name of ASHBURNHAM, and that the same town be and hereby is vested with all the powers privileges and immunities, that any other of the towns in this Province do or may by law exercise and enjoy.
And whereas it is agreed between the Inhabitants of the Plan- tation aforesaid and the Proprietors of the common and undivided lands there, that a tax of three half pence an acre be laid upon all the land within the same (Excepting Cambridge Farm and the lands alloted and reserved for the ministry, the first settled minis- ter there and the school) for the space of three years from the fifth and twentieth day of January one thousand seven hundred and sixty-four ; Sixty pounds whereof to be annually applied to and for the payment of the minister's salary and the residue towards finishing the public meeting house there and for repairing the public roads through the said Plantation from and after the aforesaid twenty-fifth day of January.
Be it therefore Enacted, that there be and hereby is granted & tax of three half pence an acre to be annually levied and assessed upon all the lands in the aforesaid Township (except the lands and farms before excepted) for the term aforesaid and for the uses and purposes aforesaid and that the proprietors aforesaid be thenceforward discharged and free from all further and other taxes and expenses on account of those articles and every of them, unless by order of this Court.
And be it further enacted that Joseph Wilder Esq be and he hereby is impowered to issue his Warrant to some one of the principal Inhabitants of the aforesaid new Town, requiring him to warn the Inhabitants thereof to assemble at the aforesaid Meeting House sometime in the month of March next to choose all town officers by law required for carrying on and managing the affairs of the said town and to assess levy and collect the tax aforesaid.
In compliance with the duty enjoined in the act, Joseph Wilder of Leominster, who was then one of the justices of the County Court, issued the following warrant :
8
114
HISTORY OF ASHBURNHAM.
WORCESTER SS. To Dea Samuel Fellows, one of the principal inhabitants of the new town of Ashiburnham Greeting : - In his Majesty's name you are required to warn all the Inhabitants of said Ashburnham to assemble at the Meeting House in said town on Monday the twenty-fifth day of this instant March at ten o'clock in the forenoon to choose a Moderator to govern said meeting and to choose all town officers as before recited and to agree how to call meetings for the future.
Hereof fail not and make due return.
Given under my hand and seal this eleventh day of March in the fifth year of his Majesty's reign Anno Domini 1765.
JOSEPH WILDER,
Justice of the Peace.
By the terms of his instructions Judge Wilder was required to issue his warrant to one of the principal men of the place. The mantle of honor fell upon Deacon Fellows. The selection was approved by the town who made choice of the same principal inhabitant to preside over the first town meeting assembled in Ashburnham. William Whitcomb was chosen town clerk, and the principal inhabitants were so numerous that five were delegated to perform the duties of selectmen. They were Deacon Samuel Fellows, Tristram Cheney, James Coleman, John Rich and Jonathan Gates. Jonathan Gates was also chosen constable and Samuel Wilder collector of taxes. For assessors the town chose Samuel Wilder, William Joyner and John Bates. The town had no money, but anticipating future possibilities, Deacon Samuel Fellows was chosen treasurer. For wardens the town selected Deliverance Davis and Jacob Schoffe. The highway surveyors were Stephen Ames, Tristram Cheney, Deliverance Davis, James Coleman and Jonathan Samson. To the office of tithingmen with its solemn obli- gations the town called Tristram Cheney and John Kiblinger.
-
صفة فيـ
FROM THE INCORPORATION TO THE REVOLUTION. 115
Elisha Coolidge was made surveyor of boards and shingles and also of wheat. For deer reeves the town solicited the watchful attention of Nathan Melvin and William Benjamin. The custody of weights and measures, if they had any, was delegated to Elisha Coolidge. Christian William Whiteman and Jolm Samson were selected for "vewers," an office relating to the division of lands, and then with the choice of Henry Selham and Samuel Foster to officiate as hog reeves, the list of officers was completed. The next meeting was called in his Majesty's name to assemble on the twenty-ninth of April for the transaction of business which could not be considered under the former warrant. Thomas Wheeler, who was not named in the proceedings of the first meeting, was chosen moderator. It was voted to raise six pounds to defray town charges and "fifty pounds to make and mend private ways." For labor upon the roads it was voted to allow two shillings and six pence per day for each man and one shilling and four penee for a pair of oxen. The number of hours was not stipulated. Samuel Wilder, William Joyner and John Bates were chosen to sell the land of delinquent tax-payers, and after a vote to let swine run at large the ensuing year, in a motion to adjourn they secured an equal liberty for themselves. Two other town meetings were called before the close of the year. At the former the town declined to send a representative to the General Court, and at the second meeting Samuel Nichols was chosen collector of taxes in room of Samuel Wilder who was out of town about one year. In June of this year Tristram Cheney and William Joyner certify that they have "perambulated the line between Winghendon and Ashburnham."
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