History of Athol, Massachusetts, Part 3

Author: , William G., compiler
Publication date: 1953
Publisher: Athol, Mass
Number of Pages: 756

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In 1731 the French established themselves at Crown Point, in what was clearly New York territory, but New York, partly because of divisions in her own government and partly because a quarrel with New Jersey was engrossing her attention, left the French undisturbed much to the disgust of more aggressive Massachusetts.

Into such a time as this was Athol, that new town on Mil- lers River called Paquoig, born in 1735.

For nine years no European conflict disturbed the American colonies. Indians were treacherous but not openly hostile, and we have no records of any serious menace to the settlers. But in 1744 the smoldering fire broke out afresh in Europe; the war of the Austrian Succession it is called. England and France were again enemies and the American Colonies were at war with each other. Governor Shirley conceived and carried out that mad scheme of the Louisburg campaign, which although successful was none-the-less foolhardy.

A body of Provincial soldiers was gathered by Governor Clinton at Albany for the invasion of Canada, but this enter-

HISTORY OF ATHOL

prise was ultimately abandoned, while France strengthened her outposts and Indian depredations broke out afresh. I have read the lists both of Shirley's soldiers and of Clinton's Provincials, but I fail to recognize an Athol name. Possibly we had a few men in those campaigns as did Northfield and Northampton, but I think it is more likely that all of our men thought their first duty was at home and remained here as "home guards."

Massachusetts at the time claimed much land north of her present boundaries and as a defense of Northfield and the other settlements in the Connecticut Valley established in 1724 a fort at Brattleboro called Fort Dummer. New Hampshire ob- jected to this invasion of territory claimed by her and appealed to the Crown, which sustained her contentions. Massachusetts withdrew her forces but New Hampshire declined to replace them as the fort was fifty miles from any other New Hampshire settlement of any size. Another Massachusetts settlement pre- vious to 1740 was at No. 4 (Charlestown, N. H.) As there are deeds of land in that town recorded in the Worcester, Massa- chusetts Registry, it is evident that these settlers considered themselves a part of Worcester County.

The nine families at Charlestown in 1744 at an expense of £300 erected a substantial fortification which New Hampshire declined to fortify, so an appeal was made to Massachusetts and a small garrison sent there November 11, 1744. The Colo- nial Government of Massachusetts, apprehending "a speedy rupture between the Crowns of Great Britain and France" ap- propriated £7000 in a supply bill and apportioned various sums to be laid out for the public defense. By this apportionment Pequoag, Nichewoag (Petersham), New Rutland (Barre), and New Salem were allotted £100 each. Undoubtedly the two forts as well as the garrison house at the Mills were strengthened financially by this appropriation.

We have no record of any actual hostilities here unit| 1746, but again on April 25, 1745 we find the General Court raising 503 men to garrison the western frontier and of this number Paquoig was allowed 6, Nichiwoag 5, and Northfield 6.(11) On April 3, 1746 pay and subsistence were allowed for 30 addi- tional men - for one month 10 at Nichiwoag, 10 at Narra- gansett No. 2, and 10 at Paquoig.(12) Garrisons of 30 men each were provided for blockhouses at Fall Town, between Fall Town (Bernardston) and Colrain, Colrain, Fort Shirley, Fort Pelham, West of Fort Pelham, and where Ft. Massachusetts stood. Two swivel guns were allotted to each blockhouse.

(11) Province Laws, Vol. XIII, p. 572.

(12) Province Laws, Vol. XIII, p. 702.

MILITARY BACKGROUND TO 1748

The danger was apparently great and the garrisons were taxing the Province severely for on April 24, 1746 the Gover- nor was "desired to write to the Government of Connecticut pressing them immediately to send five hundred men to the Colony to be posted by the direction of Col. Stoddard;" 50 men to No. 4 (Charlestown, N. H.) and 2 men provided for cannon and two swivel guns. Massachusetts added 10 men to the gar- rison at Narragansett No. 2, 7 to Paquoit, 10 at Nichiwoag, while 5 inhabitants each of Road Town, New Salem, and New Rutland were placed on the provincial pay roll.

Although the settlers here lived in mortal fear throughout this entire period, yet they do not seem to have been disturbed at any time except in the late summer and autumn of 1746. But so great was the danger that several families relinquished all their improvements here and sought safety in other quarters supposed to be less open to attack. The experiences of John Smeed and his family while seeking shelter at Fort Massachu- setts have already been related as part of the hardship in main- taining the early settlement here.

In the autumn of 1746 Massachusetts withdrew its garrison from No. 4, although this outpost or buffer for all the Con- necticut Valley had been attacked five times from April 19 to June 19, 1746. This left the main trail from Canada by way of the Connecticut River Valley unguarded until March, 1747, when the fort was again garrisoned. During this un- protected period there were many depredations in our locality and Pequage did not escape entirely. Ezekiel Wallingford and Jason Babcock, both of Pequage, were casualties.

Although much money was spent in the defense of Pequoig and many a timid one severely frightened, I know of no other actual casualties that befell Athol citizens in this war. It is evident that great fear was passed by the autumn of 1747 for on October 20, the Council voted to reduce the forces in the frontier ro 489 men. Of this number there were allotted to No. 4 - 30 men, Ashuelot 15 men, and 21 "poor inhabitants' were ordered to serve by turns, of which number 6 were to be stationed at Fall Town, 10 at Colrain, and 5 at Pagoig. The Government of Connecticut was desired to send 50 men to Deerfield and Northfield for the winter. In addition to this, Captain Samuel Willard was doing some service, probably scout duty with certain residents at Nichiwog, Poquaig, and Narra- gansett No. 2.

HISTORY OF ATHOL

March 8, 1748 there was allowed to Pequoiug £121.12.3 for billeting the Canadian soldiers a total of 324 weeks and 3 days at 7s6d per day-from February 28 to October 26, 1747. As this covers a period of less than 36 weeks, a little calcula- tion will dissolve to the reader that our town must have aver- aged 9 soldiers quartered here all that time. Similar sums were allowed to New Salem, Nichewoag and Narragansett No. 2.

March 10, 1748 the garrisons were further strengthened by the authorization of the raising by enlistment or impress- ment of 277 men. Of this number 50 were to be stationed at Ashuelot (Keene), 15 at Colrain, 20 at Fall Town, 10 at Green River (Greenfield), 10 at Road Town, 10 at New Salem, 20 at Paquaioge, 10 at Nichewoag, and 10 at Narragansett No. 2.

The records of service during this period are so meagre that we have no names of the men quartered here but there has been preserved the roll of a company of 53 men on guard at Nichewoag, Poquaig, and New Rutland from March to Octo- ber, 1748. There are but eight of these names that I am able to connect with Athol and my only authority for including any of them in the list of Athol soldiers is that men bearing these names are shown by contemporaneous records to have been here during or near that period. The names I include in the list are: Nathaniel Graves, Hugh Holland, Richard Morton, Abraham Nutt, James Oliver, John Oliver, Robert Oliver, Asa Smith, Caleb Smith, Gad Waite, and Robert Young.

But hostilities were soon over and in July, 1748 came the news that the chief contending powers in Europe had come to an agreement, and the following October the Treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle was consummated. Although the New Eugland Colo- nists were greatly outraged by the ceding back to France of their dearly acquired rights in Louisburg, yet they smothered their wrath and accepted the settlement as a welcome relief from warfare.

This treaty really settled nothing between the chief con- tending forces, and its only result was to effect a breathing spell during which quiet but active preparations were made for the final and effective struggle - the Seven Years' War as it was called in England, or the French and Indian War as it was designated in the American Colonies.

CHAPTER IV THE CHURCH IS FORMED

I THE history of many, and probably all of our New England towns during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. was practically the history of its church, the town church of the standing order, the faith of the Pilgrim Fathers. Town politics and church dissensions alike were aired in its town meetings, so that a complete church record of the early days. in any town, is the larger part of the town history. Pequoig was no exception to this rule. In fact, in its original grant as already stated liberal provision was made for the church and the ministry.

Small wonder that the early Pequoig inhabitants delayed in the settling of a pastor here, and in so doing technically vio- lated their charter. Though the town was born at a time of comparative peace in New England, the sufferings were so severe during King George's War, 1744 to 1748, that for a time the townsmen despaired of being able to keep their hold on this territory.

One of the conditions of the original grant was that a frame meeting house shold be erected and a learned orthodox clergy- man settled here within five years. Constantly watchful of Indian perfidy, and far from the nearest settlement of Hard- wick, they did well to erect a rude meeting house on the north bank of Mill Brook, near where the Hapgood School now stands. Hardly had this building been made fit for use before it was entirely destroyed by fire, perhaps the work of hostile Indians, but more likely through carelessness in burning the surrounding primeval forest. The ancient churchyard, which adjoined this house of God where the pioneers of our town, sleep, alone marks the spot where our forefathers first gath- ered to worship.

There are no exact dates regarding this building and most- of its short history is as unknown to us as is the identity of. the graves in its churchyard. It was probably begun in 1737,, two years after the first settlement, and burned about 1740.

Lost forever are the complete records of the early township: Dr. Joseph Lord, one of the first five pioneers, was the domin- ating personality of this settlement. A graduate of Harvard

HISTORY OF ATHOL

and the only resident with scholarly attainment, he practiced medicine, preached sermons, surveyed land as well as acting as Proprietors' Clerk. About 1749 he violently disagreed with his associates here and ultimately left the settlement and the province, taking with him all the records. Though the Pro- prietors of Poquaige brought suit against Dr. Lord some ten years later, these records were never recovered. Hence we have only fragments of the town history for the first fourteen years after its settlement.

The earliest record of a religious service in Pequoig was on October 18, 1749, when at a Proprietors' meeting, it was "voted that Mr. Brown be allowed for one day's preaching five pounds o.t." Undoubtedly there were earlier payments of this nature. We do know that Dr. Lord had frequently oc- cupied the pulpit, but as at the same meeting this vote was passed, Dr. Lord was deposed as Proprietors' Clerk, he prob- ably was not again tolerated as a preacher in this township but he was speedily engaged by Naragansett No. 6 (Templeton) where he seems to have ministered as stated supply for sev- eral years.

I fancy that the original location of the first meeting house and cemetery nearly a mile west of Pleasant Street was a con- cession to the West Hill settlers, but when a second building was erected in 1741, no such consideration was shown, for soon after the loss of the first building the Proprietors erected the second edifice in the center of the East settlement, which was by then considerably larger of the two. The site chosen was on Pleasant Street, near the former residence of Winfield H. Brock, now the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harold Haven. The well of the adjoining fort, in safe proximity, marks the spot where this meeting house stood.

In this crude building the pious fathers and mothers with their households gathered for worship, for church attendance was by law compulsory. Although a church was not organized for fifteen years after the first settlement, this meeting house served for religious services, with preaching at least a part of the time.

On December 10, 1749 Mr. James Humphrey of Dor- chester, a Harvard graduate, delivered his first sermon and supplied the pulpit, presumably as a candidate, for nearly five months thereafter. Less than a year later he became the settled minister here. As remuneration for his services it was voted "That Mr. James Humfries be allowed Eighteen Pounds lawful money for Preaching in this Place from the 10th of

THE CHURCH IS FORMED

December, 1749 to the 16th of May, 1750, being eighteen Sabbaths."

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Convinced that they wanted Mr. Humphrey as their per- manent pastor, on May sixteenth the Proprietors of Pequoig voted to extend a call to him. "Voted, That we give Mr. James Humfries, our present Preacher, the sum of Fifty Pounds law- ful money of this Province of the Massachusetts Bay, per An- num, while he continues in the work of the Gospel Ministry in this Place, - and farther, add to that Right, or whole share of Land, in the Township of Pequoiag, of which the house Lott on East Pequoiag Hill on the west side of the High Way Num- ber Eight is Part, - the Sum of Sixty Six Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence lawful money of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, to be paid, one half within one Year after his Ordination, the other half one Year after Payment of the first Half, if he accepts of the work of the Gospel Ministry in this Place."

"Voted, that Lieut. Richard Morton and Mr. Robert Marble and Lieut. Nathaniel Graves be a Committee to see whether Mr. Humfries will accept of his Call to the Gospel Ministry in this Place." A committee was also appointed at this meet- ing to "repair the Meeting House."(13)

Mr. Humphrey took time to consider the matter, perhaps in the meantime deliberating for more "encouragement," and not until August 8 was his written acceptance secured - and then only when a Pequoig committee virtually demanded it. Signed "So I remain with hearty Regards, your Servant in Christ Jesus, James Humfrey," his letter read as follows:

"I received by the Hand of Lieut. Richard Morton a Copy of your Votes passed at your Meeting on the 16th of May last respecting my settling among you in the Capacity of a Gospel Minister. And in Answer thereto, - In the first Place, I do heartily thank you for the good will you have expressed to me in your invitation. After mature Deliberation upon the impor- tant affair, I now signify my acceptance of the Salary and En- couragement you have given me to Settle in the work of the Ministry among you in this Place, in Case the Propriety will make me an Addition of Forty Shillings lawful money to your former Encouragement for my Annual Support, - and if it please God in his aldisposing Providence regularly to introduce me into the Pastoral Office over you, I hope by his grace and

(13) Proprietors' Book, p. 126.

HISTORY OF ATHOL

Spirit I shall be enabled in some good measure to fulfill my Ministry."(14)

The Proprietors voted the additional "encouragement" and directed Lieut. Morton, Lieut. Graves, and Robert Marble to arrange for the Ordination and that "they take Care to send to a Neighbouring Minister or Ministers to assist them in a Fast and in Gathering a Church in this place."(15)

Robert Marble was appointed a committee to go to Dor- chester as escort for Mr. Humphrey. Journeying on horse- back, he rode to Dorchester and brought the pastor back with him. They loaded the horse with his clothing, sermons, and provisions for the journey in saddle bags, and both mounted, but finding the burden too great for the animal, they took turns in walking. Before reaching Pequoig, the poor beast be- ·came so jaded that both men were obliged to walk.

Twenty-one days elapsed after his acceptance before the First Church of Christ in Pequoig was organized by a council of Rev. Samuel Kendall, first minister of New Salem; Rev. Abraham Hill, first minister of Roadtown; and Rev. Aaron Whitney, first minister of Nichewaug. August 29, 1750 - a day memorable and colorful in our church history. Presiding at these solemn exercises, the three reverend clergymen were dressed after the fashion of the times," in large powdered wigs, surmounted by the three-cornered clerical hat, with the min- isterial coat, and small clothes which were met at the knees by Jong, smooth silk or worsted stockings, the feet of which were protected in soft calf or deer skin shoes, fastened together with large, shining silver buckles."(16)

After "Solemn Prayer to God," these three ministers, a'gathered the Church and it was Imboded and each member signed the Covenant."

James Humphrey, then 28 years old, gravely affixed his signature first. Then:

Lieut. Richard Morton, the ranking military officer of the settlement, who lived on Pleasant Street Nathaniel Graves who also lived on the East side of the "street"

Abraham Nutt and Robert Marble, both of whom lived up by the Sentinel Elm

(14) Ibid, pp. 128, 129.

(15) Proprietors' Book, p. 129.

(16) Clarke's Discourse, p. 15.

THE CHURCH IS FORMED

Samuel Morton who had settled at the spot now numbered 488 South Main Street

Nathan Waite, probably located his house lot No.

15 E. W. at about 1543 Pleasant St.

Eleazer Graves, then living on the South Royalston Road Ephraim Smith, who lived at the "Brickyard"

Aaron Smith, then living on the Moore Hill Road

Perhaps owing to the prejudice that existed in those days against women participating in public affairs, the names of no women appear on the list of members.

But ten in number, they bow themselves together in prayer, and supplicate the blessing of God upon the act they have now consummated, and then in reverential order they withdraw from the house of worship.

In the early fall, on September 5, Pequoig made active prep- arations for the ordination of its new minister. That those liv- ing on the north side of the river might not be prevented from attending the exercises because of high water, a committee of five was appointed "to make a boat to cross Millers River so big as to carry two horses at once." Usually the townsfolk crossed at a fording place over in back of the Hop Meadow, just below where Tully joins the Millers, but evidently freshet conditions made this ford impassable.

There is little record of the proceedings of the ordination. We do know that on November 7, 1750 James Humphrey was ordained to the gospel ministry and installed as the first pastor of Perquage. To this council came Rev. Jonothan Bowman of Dorchester, whence came Mr. Humphrey; Rev. Timothy Wood- bridge of Hatfield, whence came the pioneer settlers; Rev. Samuel Kendall of New Salem who had kinfolk here; Rev. Abraham Hill of Roadtown who was Acting Clerk of this set- tlement; and Rev. Aaron Whitney of Nichewaug.

For approximately two years as supply and regular pastor, Mr. Humphrey labored here alone with no wife to advise and assist him but at length he made a trip to Dorchester (probably one of many) and there on October 9, 1751 he was wedded to Esther Wiswell of that town. Some few weeks later he brought her home to Pequoig. Their ar- rival in town was a gala occasion. That day, on November third, a delegation of youths and maidens went on horseback to Barre to escort their pastor and his new wife on the last leg

HISTORY OF ATHOL

of their long journey from the seaboard to this isolated hamlet. The few who remained at home were busy preparing the choic- est foods for the home coming feast. To Margery Morton, then fourteen years of age, was assigned the task of making the pies. These she baked in an out-door oven. In her excite- ment over the coming of the party along Pleasant Street she left her oven unguarded. Hungry boys were watching a chance to appease ravenous appetites and as soon as Miss Morton left her oven, they promptly raided it. Hence the first supper here for the bride lacked for its completeness the necessary pies. So great was her chagrin at this neglect of her assigned duty that "Aunt Margery" never ceased to mourn over it, although she lived more than seventy years thereafter.

By contract with the Proprietors, Rev. Humphrey became the owner of Lot No. 8, E. W. on Pleasant Street, upon which he erected a home which remained in his family for a century. Until the hurricane of 1938 Rev. Humphrey's landmark was the farm house on this land. A pretty fable tells of his coming from Dorchester with his bride on horse back, each carrying a riding stick of elm. When they arrived at their new home each stuck their stick by the roadside where they sprouted and grew into stately elms. It was one of these beautiful trees which during the devastating hurricane fell and crushed this farm house leaving the ell which is still standing in 1952.

Almost every house on Pleasant Street has its story, for here the real leaders of our town resided for a century, which to this day gives it the name of "The Street."

Fashioned crudely, the meeting house where they wor- shipped was not large, but for more than twenty years its con- gregation lived in harmony, enjoying the ministrations of the beloved pastor. In all the years of his pastorate he acted as Church Clerk and performed an outstanding service by the many injections of interesting data into the records.

Even in the house of God vigilance had to be maintained against the lurking Indians. The worshippers kept their fire- arms by them and stationed sentinels at the door to guard against surpise. Even the minister preached with his gun at his side. There was but one pew - Dr. Lord's. The rest sat upon planks resting on blocking.

"Tything men" were appointed annually by the town to see that proper order was maintained in the church. These were provided with a long pole, so as to reach anyone who so far forgot the sanctity of the place as to fall asleep, or commit any

THE CHURCH IS FORMED

other misdemeanor. It is said, how truly I do not know, that this pole had a squirrel tail on one end and a ball upon the other. If the offender was a women, the squirrel tail was used. If a man, a severe rap was given.

Noisy boys and unruly men were awed into decorum by a sight of the whipping post and stocks just outside the door. These stocks were made of two large thick planks, set up edge- wise and rendered immovable. The lower one had spaces cut in the upper edge for the reception of the culprit's ankles, while the top one was hung fast to it upon hinges, and so fit- ted as to swing and shut close down upon the one beneath. When it was made fast with a lock, it was impossible for the feet of the offender to be withdrawn. Left lying upon his back on the ground, the unfortunate prisoner was in no very envi- able or comfortable position. (17)

Here in this second meetinghouse for a third of a century our people worshipped God. Here all their public gatherings were held for the church was the center of social life as well. Here Rev. Humphrey had listened to their marriage vows, christened their children, and prayed over their dead.

Yes, this second meetinghouse built twenty-eight years be- fore had served the people well, but now in 1769 it was time to think about a larger edifice to accommodate a much in- creased population. Though the townsmen took definite ac- tion regarding the matter, they could not come to any agree- ment as to the location of this third meetinghouse. For two years a controversy raged, sites being chosen and appropria- tions made only to have the action rescinded at a subsequent meeting.

Despairing of ever coming to a final agreement the town on January 16, 1772 voted to leave the whole matter to the deci- sion of three arbitrators, Capt. Oliver Witt of Paxton, Capt. Stephen Maynard of Westborough, and Col. John Whitcomb of Bolton, and adjourned the meeting for three weeks to give these men time to consider the matter and report.

Their report recommended as a location a rise of land "on the west side of the County Road adjoining some hewed timber prepared for a house." This was a little south of the watering trough at Uptown Common and was apparently at or near a spot once voted on by Athol where John Brooks of Lancaster,

(17) Clarke's Discourse, p. 11.

HISTORY OF ATHOL

engaged by a town's committee, had begun to build a church edifice.

Within a short space of time the town voted to proceed with buying the necessary land, purchased from Seth Kendall for £1.0.4 and the building was erected in 1772-73. Here the third meetinghouse of Athol stood for fifty-four years until destroyed "by the hand of a wicked incendiary."(18) A simple structure, it became in later years a subject of derision - the-

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History of Athol, Massachusetts, Part 3

Author: , William G., compiler Publication date: 1953 Publisher: Athol, Mass Number of Pages: 756

Author: , William G., compiler
Publication date: 1953
Publisher: Athol, Mass
Number of Pages: 756