History of Bolton, 1738-1938, Part 2

Author: Bolton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1938
Publisher: 1938
Number of Pages: 346


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Bolton > History of Bolton, 1738-1938 > Part 2


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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1754


Several men from Bolton were enlisted in companies to fight the Indians. John Whitcomb, Charles Holman, and Timothy Houghton were in a regiment stationed on the eastern frontier.


1755


John Whitcomb of Bolton took a company on the expedi- tion against Crown Point. Bolton men participated in the battle of Lake George on September 8, 1755.


1756


A family of Acadian refugees came to Bolton in this year, as related in Chapter IV, and the town was paid by the authorities to maintain this family from 1756 to 1760.


War was declared between France and England in May, and Captain Timothy Houghton mustered a company from Bolton to serve in certain campaigns. Captain Asa Whitcomb of Lancaster also led a company of 98 men, 26 from Bolton.


1762


As early as 1762, we find in the town records an article "To see if the Town will agree to Build or procure a work house and purchase materials to sett such poor to work as have not employ, and to choose some meet persons to inspect and govern the same and to grant money Therefor." It was voted that "the old School House by the meeting house Be Devoted to the use of a work house During the Town's


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HISTORY OF BOLTON


Pleasure." Apparently this plan was unsatisfactory, for a few years later the records show that different inhabitants of the town were being paid to care for the poor, also an unsatisfactory arrangement.


A farm with buildings was purchased in 1836, to be used for a Poor Farm. Money was borrowed for the purpose, which later was repaid with the first money received from the State Treasurer as the town's share of surplus revenue. Later more land was purchased from Stephen P. Southwick and John Kimmens. The Poor Farm remained the prop- erty of the town until 1903, when it was sold It has recently been torn down.


In 1909, Francis E. Whitcomb left a legacy of five thou- sand dollars to be known as the Francis E. Whitcomb Be- nevolent Fund, the income of which was to be used annually for the comfort and relief of the town's worthy poor and sick not in the almshouse.


1770


At a town meeting held on May twenty-first, the town voted to abstain from the use of tea and other British goods.


1773


A committee of correspondence was chosen to join with the committees in the other towns.


1774


Samuel Baker was chosen representative to the General Court to be held at Salem.


1775


The town voted to purchase ten guns for the use of those unable to buy their own.


Three companies marched from Bolton to Lexington numbering one hundred and twenty-seven men in all. The


15


TOWN RECORDS


records of the town from 1775 to the end of the War are filled with military matters, all of which may be found in the chapter on military history.


1778


In 1778, the inhabitants of the southwest part of Bolton petitioned the General Court to be set off as a separate parish because of the inconvenience of attending church in the center. This petition was granted on April 13, 1778. The parish, however, continued to be a part of Bolton until 1784, when it was incorporated as a district, called Berlin. In 1812, the district was made a town.


1779


Beginning with the year 1779, warrants for town meet- ings were posted on the meetinghouse, instead of being served by a constable.


1791


A committee was chosen to survey the center of the town. Its members were Silas Holman, Nathaniel Longley, Silas Whitcomb, and James Townsend.


1794


January 23, 1794, Bolton, with other towns, petitioned the General Court for the establishment of a new county, at Worcester. On October 6, 1794, a committee was chosen to provide an accurate plan of Bolton. This plan was accepted on April 11, 1795, and cost £8/4/6.


1812


In 1812, the town provided a singing school for one month after the town schools closed for the winter, and fifty dollars was allowed. The office of inspector of lime was created, and Jonathan Whitcomb was appointed.


16


HISTORY OF BOLTON


About 1812, the Powder House was built. It is a most interesting historic relic, situated on a rocky eminence over- looking the town, and commanding a fine view of the country for miles around. It is constructed of brick and originally had shelves for the storage of ammunition and powder. Always it was kept securely locked. It has several times been repaired. Of the ground surrounding it, four acres were generously deeded to the town in 1916 by George B. Newton for a public park, and several years later his sister, Miss Fidelia C. Newton, gave another acre, so that the park should extend to the common. The gift was accepted by the town, and the property has been im- proved. The Powder House appears on the Town Seal.


1824


On September second, Lafayette, guarded by the militia, spent the night in Bolton as the guest of Mr. S. V. S. Wilder.


1830


A committee composed of Joel Barnard, Joseph Sawyer, and Stephen Gardner was chosen to provide a spot and see that an engine house was built. This was on land which is now Pond Park. Poll taxes were abated on each person who faithfully performed his duty to the engine company.


Stephen P. Gardner, Amory Holman, and Thomas Fry were appointed a committee to survey and draw a plan of the town, "agreeable to the late resolve of the Legislature," and to provide one for the state and one for the town. This is the 1831 map, which shows all the houses with names of the owners.


1831


April 4, 1831, Silas Holman, Stephen P. Gardner, Amory Holman, Joseph Sawyer, Caleb Wheeler, Jonathan Jewett,


I7


TOWN RECORDS


and Barnard Nurse were appointed a committee to super- intend the building of a "Town House" somewhat in the style of that of Northborough. The site was chosen on the Common, not far from the meetinghouse. Captain Joel Barnard drew plans for the building, which was completed in 1834 at a total cost of $1371.47. Town meeting was held in the Town House for the first time on November 10, 1834. Seventeen years later, during the night of January 14, 1852, the building was burned. Fortunately, it was insured, but for only $900. At a special town meeting, plans were immediately made to rebuild, and a committee of nine was chosen. The new structure was of brick, and was built on the old location, fifteen feet nearer the road.


In 1914, the Town House was remodeled and an addition made at a cost of $3600. In 1916, Edward D. Emerson and the heirs of the late Frederick L. Felton generously con- tributed funds for the building of a porch with columns, which added much to its appearance.


1858


Dogs were first registered and taxed in 1858.


1864


In 1864, the town purchased the Baptist Meetinghouse for use as "No I" school, and granted the Baptist Society the use of the Town House until their new church building was completed. This building is now the Fire House.


1865


On November 7, 1865, a petition of Daniel Stratton and others, to form a new town called Hudson, was sent to the Senate and House of Representatives. This petition, when brought before the town, met with much opposition, as the


I8


HISTORY OF BOLTON


total valuation of property in that part was $100,280 in real estate and $18,925 in personal property, and the population was 453, nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the town of Bolton.


A committee was appointed to secure legal advice. Everything possible was done to prevent this petition being granted, and nearly $1600 was spent. However, on March 20, 1868, a bill was signed by the Governor, whereby about two square miles of territory in the southeast part of the town was annexed to Hudson. The town of Bolton received $10,000 from the new town of Hudson, and applied the money on town debts incurred for war expenses. The area thus lost to Bolton included thirteen or fourteen houses, one store, a grist mill, a sawmill, a cloth dressing establishment, a cotton factory, and a school house.


1870


In May, 1870, the town accepted a legacy of two hundred dollars, left by the will of Benjamin W. A. Barry, the income of which was to be used for care of his lot in the Pan Ceme- tery. This was the first fund established for such a purpose. There are now fifty-four funds, totaling over $9000.


1872


On February 17, 1872, the ground was first broken for the Lancaster Railroad, near "South Woods" road in South Lancaster, and near "Tadmore," so called, in Bolton.


1873


In 1873, fishing was prohibited in West and Little ponds for a period of five years, and the ponds were stocked with fish.


1875


On April 10, 1875, C. C. Moore, because of illness, resigned the office of Town Treasurer, having held the position for


THE BOLTON TOWN HOUSE


ENGINE


BOLTON


THE BOLTON QUICKSTEP


Engine I is one of the oldest in the country, dating back to 1813.


THE OLD HOOK AND LADDER


This, like the Quickstep, is a hand-drawn vehicle, but a later model.


19


TOWN RECORDS


thirty-five years. "The town voted unanimously by a standing vote to thank Mr. Moore for his long and eminently faithful services."


1876


A celebration was held by the town on July 4, 1876, to mark the hundredth year of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Doctor Richard S. Edes delivered an historical address, which was later printed.


1878


Free use of land back of the Town House was granted for twenty-five years to the Farmers and Mechanics Club, for the purpose of erecting a hall. This hall is now used by the American Legion Post and other organizations.


A "tramp house " was built on town land near the poor farm, in 1878, and was used to lodge tramps over night.


1887


An engine house was built near "No. I" schoolhouse for the hook-and-ladder, and later was used to store tools when the building was converted into the present engine house.


1900


The Town Seal was accepted in 1900, having for a center a sketch of the Powder House.


1901


In 1901, the town was bequeathed $10,000 by the Misses Emma and Anna E. Whitney for a public library building in memory of their father, Captain Joseph Whitney.


1904


The telephone was introduced in Bolton in 1904, installed first by private parties and later sold to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company.


20


HISTORY OF BOLTON


1913


Electric lights were made available in 1913.


1919


In 1919, by vote of the citizens, a large, suitably framed and inscribed photograph of David O. N. Edes was placed in the library. Six years later, a memorial of field stone with a bronze tablet bearing the names of the boys in World War service, with that of D. O. N. Edes leading, was placed on the library grounds, the expense of about $250 being defrayed from the soldier's bonus returned by the state. An unexpended balance of funds was paid to the D. O. N. Edes Post, and used by them in altering the Farm- ers and Mechanics building to be used as quarters for them- selves and for other organizations. Each year since then, the town has made the Post an appropriation of fifty dollars or more for its work and maintenance.


1920


A start was made in 1920, to alter the bylaws of the town, and much action taken which was later repealed. It was not until 1937 that satisfactory bylaws were passed and approved by the Attorney General.


1926


The town purchased a combined road-scraper, scarifier, and roller.


1928


The Fish and Game Association of Clinton acquired con- trol of a small brook near the Bolton and Clinton boundary and formed two ponds suitable for the culture of fish, thus starting a new and interesting enterprise in Bolton. In these ponds are placed small fish, purchased from the state


2I


TOWN RECORDS


hatcheries, - trout in one, and pond fish in the other. When they have reached a suitable size, they are taken out and distributed locally, and the process repeated.


In 1928 the town purchased at an expense of $1186.96, a clock which was placed in the First Parish Church tower, the Church agreeing with the town that the clock should remain the property of Bolton inhabitants, and its agents have safe and convenient access thereto, for maintenance and repair.


1929


July, 1929, the town appropriated fifty dollars for the privilege of bathing accommodations at Little Pond.


1930


October 27, 1930, the town voted to organize a fire de- partment, and purchase a siren.


1931


On February 1, 1931, "The Nashoba Board of Health" was formed, by the voluntary grouping of fourteen small towns for the maintenance of public health, according to modern sanitation, without excessive cost. "The Common- wealth Fund" of New York very generously agreed to bear all cost of establishing the unit and maintaining it during the probationary years. In Nashoba work, special atten- tion is given to the inspection of retail milk farms and milk supplies, roadside stands, private water supplies, and private sewerage facilities.


The Nashoba Laboratory is at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ayer, where much free work is done for the pub- lic, such as skin tests, diagnostic clinics, and X-Rays. A Public Health Nurse carries out the Nashoba program in each town.


The fire house was remodeled in 1931, at a cost of $1600.


22


HISTORY OF BOLTON


1935 *


As a W. P. A. project, seven waterholes were made at considerable expense in different parts of the town, thereby greatly lessening the fire hazard, and beautifying adjacent territory.


TOWN CLERKS


1738-1740 Jacob Houghton 1789-1794 Silas Holman


1741-1742 Daniel Greenleaf


1795-1796 Nath Longley


1743-1745 James Keyes


1797-1816 Stephen P. Gardner


1746-1749 Caleb Richardson


1817-1828 Nath Longley, Jr.


1750-1752 Nath1 Holman


1829-1836 Joseph Sawyer


I753 Caleb Richardson


1837-1841 Amory Holman


1754-1757 William Sawyer


1842-1846 Humphrey Barrett


1758-1761 Nath Holman


1847-1852 Abraham Holman


1762-1767 Captain Samuel Baker


1853-1876 Richard C. Edes


1768-1769 Samuel Moor


1877-1880 James D. Hurlbut


1770-1780 Nath Longley


I88I Francis C. Edes


178I Jonathan Meriam


1882-1884 Reverend C. A. Roys


1782-1788 Nath1 Longley


1885-1910 Amory S. Haynes


IgII- Frank A. Powers


TOWN TREASURERS


1739-1740 Josiah Richardson


I770


Samuel Snow


1741-1742 David Whitcomb


1771-1772 John Moor


1743-1745 Captain Benjamin Atherton


1778-1780 Calvin Greenleaf


1746


William Pollard


1781-1782 Nath Longley


1747


Nath1 Willson


1783-1784 Abraham Moor


1748


Abraham Moor


1785-1790 Micah Bush


1749-1754 William Sawyer


1791-1793 Abraham Moor


1755-1756 William Wilder


1794-1809 Oliver Barrett


1757 Abraham Moor 1810-1820 Stephen P. Gardner


1758-1763 Samuel Baker


1821-1825 Caleb Moore


1764-1769 Nath Longley


1826-1836 Alpheus Moore


* The records of the town since 1935 are so easily available that it Seemed unnecessary to carry them further here.


1773-1777 Abram Holman


23


TOWN RECORDS


TOWN TREASURERS - Continued


1837


Joseph Sawyer


1886-1887 James D. Hurlbut


1838-1854 Christopher C. Moore


1888-1896 Aaron R. Powers


1855 George F. Rice 1897-1914 George E. Dow


1856-1875 C. C. Moore


1915-1916 Franklin J. Hamlin


1875 Roswell Barrett 1917-1919 Rufus H. Randall


1882-1884 Joel Proctor


1885 Roswell Barrett


1923- Mary E. Sprague


1938 TOWN OFFICERS


Moderator


Henry C. Whitcomb


Town Clerk


Susan L. Dow


Frank A. Powers


Mary E. Sprague


Treasurer Mary E. Sprague


Cemetery Committee John C. Powers


Tax Collector Laura B. Kimball


Herbert E. Wheeler


Reuben E. Randall


Selectmen


Tree Warden Charles O. Hamilton


John H. Gustafson


Perley B. Sawyer


Leslie L. Babcock


Heman D. Kittredge


Edward C. Ware


Herbert E. Wheeler


C. Roy Clemens Richard Wheeler Miriam Edes


Constables


Prino Bonazzoli Alfred W. Dow


John Hopkins Charles Day Rufus Randall


George O. Hines


Grover C. Quimby


Richard M. Wheeler


Library Trustees Alfred W. Dow


Field Drivers William F. Laws


Mrs. Amos Wheeler Thomas T. Pond


Public Welfare Michael H. Butler Mary P. Howe Darwin Kittredge


Ralph A. Soli Elliot E. Rowe


Auditor Philip N. Dow


Assessors


Fence Viewers


School Committee


Trustees Francis E. Whitcomb Fund


Rufus Randall


1920-1923 Lewis C. Downs


IV EARLY MILITARY HISTORY


And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.


MATTHEW 24 : 6


FOR nearly twenty-five years after the first settlement of Lancaster, our forefathers were too much occupied with wresting a bare existence from the wilderness to think much about wars or the rumors of wars. But they could not long forget that they were living on the New England frontier. While the coast towns were comparatively safe, the out- posts of settlement for the next hundred years were in dan- ger of sporadic Indian raids. In general, however, the early settlers of Bolton had friendly dealings with neighboring Indian tribes, and the outbreak of King Philip's War was a surprise to them.


The war with King Philip began in June, 1675, and in August occurred the raid upon Brookfield which has already been described in the first chapter of this history. In 1676, the Indians attacked Lancaster and at the same time be- seiged the garrison house of Richard Wheeler on Wata- quadock Hill. After King Philip's War ended, southern New England was free from Indian wars at home, though the frontier towns were never safe from occasional raids.


Lovewell's War was the next episode in the French and Indian Wars in which men from Bolton had a part. The Indians in the territory that is now Maine were instigated


24


25


EARLY MILITARY HISTORY


by the French to commence a long series of raids. After many settlements had been sacked, the English sent out two expeditions which penetrated into the region of the Kenne- bec and Penobscot rivers and broke the power of the Indians. Lovewell's chief fight took place near Fryeburg, Maine, in 1725. Jabez Fairbank, a man who was later prominent in Bolton, became a captain under Lovewell. There were doubtless many others from the district in his company, but their names have not come down to us.


In 1745, the colony of Massachusetts equipped an expedi- tion to attack Louisbourg, a great fortress which was the stronghold of the French in America. Louisbourg was the Gibraltar of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and provided a base for raids upon New England ships and fishing boats. A force of nearly four thousand men, commanded by Colonel William Pepperell, set sail in a fleet of armed vessels and was joined by ten English warships. The combined forces began the siege on April 30, 1745, and on June 17th the for- tress surrendered after a prolonged bombardment. Bolton men fought at the siege of Louisbourg.


In 1748, following an Indian raid upon Ashby, Captain Ephraim Wilder, Jr., of Lancaster, set out with a company of men to pursue the savages who had attacked the town. The Bolton men with this company were Lieutenant John Whitcomb, Corporal Joshua Moore, Corporal Jabez Fair- bank, Israel Whitcomb, Eleazar Whitcomb, Oliver Pollard, William Sawyer, Samuel Moor, Jonas Whitcomb, Paul Gates, and Hezekiah Gibbs. During the following years, the settlements were never safe from French and Indian raids, and the names Gates, Houghton, Priest, Wheeler, Whitcomb, Whitney, Wilder, and others common to Bolton appear again and again on the military rolls.


26


HISTORY OF BOLTON


The mask of peace was dropped in the colonies by the year 1754, although war between France and England was not formally declared until two years later. Colonel John Winslow was stationed on the eastern frontier with a regi- ment, and we find at least three Bolton names in the com- panies - Sergeant John Whitcomb, Charles Holman, and Timothy Houghton. The next year, 1755, Samuel Willard was authorized to raise a regiment of eight hundred men for an expedition against Crown Point, an important fortress on Lake Champlain. John Whitcomb of Bolton was com- missioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and Timothy Houghton, Adjutant. In this company were the following men from Bolton : Gabriel Priest, Nathaniel Longley, John Whit- comb, Jr., Francis McFadden, James Townsend, Eleazar Whitcomb, Abram Holman, and Josiah Priest. In Captain Samuel Hunt's company were Silvanus Sawyer, drummer, and Francis Fullam, both of Bolton. In Captain Joseph Whitcomb's company were four from Bolton: Ensign Benjamin Hastings, Sergeant Dennis Lockling, Sergeant John Barnard, and Benjamin Marble, all of whom were in the bloody battle of Lake George, which took place on September 8, 1755. In Captain Asa Whitcomb's com- pany the only Bolton man listed is Charles Holman, who was killed in the battle of Lake George.


Everyone has read the beautiful story of "Evangeline," but it is probable that few realize how closely the sad tale of ravaged Acadia is related to the history of Bolton.


Acadia, a district in what is now Nova Scotia, was a bone of contention in the wars between France and England. Although the district was ceded to England under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the population was wholly French. The English suspected the loyalty of the Acadians,


293


Othe Province of the Massachusetts Bay to the Town of Bolton, Dr


To the maintenance of four french persons from the 1st day of June 1746 to the 10 thof December following Being twenty Seven weeks awful and five Days at 10/8 per week ? money ₹14-15-6


To the Doctors Bill To Nursing the french woman in har Sickness .


£1.5.8


0- 11-4


£16.12.6


Errors Excepted


Bollon December 10" 1746


Barnadas Baily Select O aver Barrett William wilder


men of Bolton


Maths Longley


track


2


A BILL FOR THE CARE OF THE ACADIAN REFUGEES BY THE TOWN OF BOLTON


27


EARLY MILITARY HISTORY


and decided to deport them. Opinions will always differ as to the necessity of driving these people from their homes. It is exceedingly doubtful whether an agricultural people, who understood nothing of the war, could ever have been a real menace.


However, as soon as General Braddock arrived from Eng- land, in 1755, General Winslow of Massachusetts was ordered to go by ship to the Bay of Fundy and deport the inhabitants of Acadia. All the Acadians who had refused to take the oath of allegiance to King George were assembled in their parish churches, where they listened to the reading of the harsh orders. Guarded by soldiers, they were placed on board the ships waiting to take them from their homes. As they sailed out of the harbor in the twilight, the helpless captives saw the sky lighted by a terrible glare, caused by the burning of their homes. The actual burning of the buildings was done by the Lancaster soldiers, under Captain Abijah Willard, who had received sealed orders which were opened after the departure of the inhabitants. One Bolton man, Jonas Moore, was in Captain Willard's company.


While most of the Acadian refugees went to the Isle St. Jean, which is now Prince Edward Island, or to New Orleans, a good number came to Boston. Upon their arrival, they were apportioned out to the towns of the Mas- sachusetts Bay Colony, and Bolton was required to provide for a family of four, a man and his wife and two children. The Province of Massachusetts Bay paid the town of Bolton for the maintenance of this family. The first bill on record is dated January 2, 1756, and the last, June 2, 1760. On the sixth of June, 1760, these unfortunate people were again divided, and three of the family which Bolton had in charge were sent to Harvard.


28


HISTORY OF BOLTON


War was at last formally declared between France and Great Britain in May, 1756. The conflict in North America was a part of the European struggle known as the Seven Years' War, which involved practically all the great powers and resulted in the foundation of the British Empire. In America, the momentous question whether France or Eng- land was to dominate the continent was on the point of settlement.


As before, men of Bolton were enrolled in the various campaigns, some for a few months, some for the duration of the war. Enlistment in the army was different then from what it is now ; a man might volunteer for an expedition or a special campaign and when the enterprise ended, his enlistment expired. That is why the same names appear again and again in the records.


At the beginning of the war, John Whitcomb of Bolton was appointed by the military council of Massachusetts to the committee in charge of transportation, stores, and pro- visions for the forces of the Province. As far as is known, he served on this committee throughout the war.


Captain Timothy Houghton of Bolton led a company of which the following men were from Bolton :


Sergeant Francis McFadden


John Whitcomb


Jonas Wilder


Robert Longley


Abraham Wilder


Samuel Nichols


James Carruth


Josiah Priest


Zacchariah Glazier


Richard Townsend


Marmaduke Jos. Hamilton


Levi Whitcomb


Silas Whitcomb


Many other Bolton men fought in Massachusetts companies, but it is impossible to identify them positively. In the


29


EARLY MILITARY HISTORY


regiment of Colonel Bayley, John Whitcomb was Lieutenant Colonel, and his brother, Captain Asa Whitcomb, of Lan- caster, led a company of ninety-eight men, twenty-six of whom are credited to Bolton :


Benjamin Hastings, Lieut.


Jabez Bears


Stephen Greenleaf, Sergt.


Benoni Bigelow


John Wheeler


James Carruth


Josiah Priest, Drummer


David Goodale


Benjamin Bruce


Francis McFadden


Ephraim Brown


Amos Merriam


John Houghton


Joseph Pratt


Jotham Houghton


Richard Roberts


Joseph Hale


William Sawyer


Joseph Keys


Benjamin Townsend


Mathias Larkin


Josiah Woods




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