USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of Gardner, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1860 > Part 7
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Jonathan Wood, Reuben Haynes, Ebenezer Howe.
William Whitney, Samuel Edgell, Lewis Glazier.
Reuben Haynes, William Whitney, Joseph Edgell.
Reuben Haynes, Jonathan Wood, William Whitney.
Reuben Haynes, William Whitney, Abel Kendall.
Ebenezer Howe.
Ebenezer Howe.
Ebenezer Howe.
Smyrna Glazier, Esq.
Aaron Wood, Esq.
Aaron Wood, Esq.
Aaron Wood, Esq.
101
TOWN HISTORY.
Jonathan Greenwood. Thomas Baker, Allen Perley.
TABLE-Continued.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
Assessors.
Treasurers.
Representatives.
1803.
Col. A. Kendall. Capt. Reuben Haynes Samnel Stone,
James Coolidge, Simeon Leland, Levi Fairbanks, Aaron Wood.
William Whitney, Reuben Haynes, Josiah Conant.
A. Wood, Esq.
1804. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes Samuel Stone, James Coolidge, Simeon Leland, Aaron Wood, Joshua Whitney.
Reuben Haynes, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr.
Lewis Glazier.
1805. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes Aaron Wood, William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. Arna Bacon.
Reuben Haynes, Simeon Leland,
Lewis Glazier.
1806.
Col. A. Kendall. Capt. Reuben Haynes Aaron Wood,
Selectmen.
Lewis Glazier.
|Rev. J. Osgood.
1807. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. Smyrna Glazier.
Selectmen.
Lewis Glazier.
Rev. J. Osgood.
1808. Lewis Glazier.
Capt Reuben Haynes William Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Haynes.
Lewis Glazier, William Bickford, Jr. Reuben Haynes.
Lewis Glazier.
1809. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Whitney, Smyrna Glazier, Reuben Haynes.
William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. Aaron Wood.
Lewis Glazier.
Aaron Wood, Esq
102
TOWN HISTORY.
William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr.
1810. Lewis Glazier.
Capt Reuben Haynes William Whitney, Reuben Haynes,
Aaron Wood, William Whitney, William bickford, Jr. William Bickford, Jr.
Lewis Glazier.
A. Wood, Esq.
1811.
Col. A. Kendall. Capt. Reuben Haynes William Bickford, Jr. William Whitney,
Reuben Haynes, Noah Fairbanks.
William Bickford. Jr. Simeon Leland.
S. Glazier, Esq.
A. Wood, Esq.
1812. Asa Hill.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Bickford, Jr. William Bickford, Jr. S. Glazier, Esq. Reuben Haynes, Noah Fairbanks.
Reuben Haynes, Smyrna Bancroft.
A. Wood, Esq.
1813. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes
William Bickford, Jr. Selectmen. Smyrna Bancroft, James Scollay.
S. Glazier, Esq. A. Wood, Esq.
1814. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Bickford, Jr. William Bickford, Jr. S. Glazier, Esq. Smyrna Bancroft. Smyrna Bancroft, Smyrna Glazier. James Scollay.
W. Bickford, Jr.
1815. Lewis Glazier.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Bickford, Jr. William Whitney, James Scollay, Smyrna Glazier. Smyrna Glazier, Aaron Wood.
Asa Richardson. W. Bickford, Jr.
1816. Asa Hill.
Capt. Reuben Haynes William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. James Scollay.
Selectmen.
Asa Richardson. W. Whitney, Esq.
1817. Lewis Glazier.
Asa Richardson.
William Bickford, Jr. William Whitney, Adam Partridge, Levi Priest.
James Scollay, William Bickford, Jr.
Asa Richardson.
103
TOWN HISTORY.
TABLE-Continued.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
Assessors.
Treasurers.
Representatives.
1818. W. Whitney, Esq. Asa Richardson.
William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. James Scollay.
Selectmen.
Asa Richardson.
1819. Lewis Glazier.
Smyrna Glazier.
Smyrna Glazier, Noah Fairbanks, Abel Jackson.
William Bickford, Jr. Asa Richardson. W. Whitney, Esq. Walter Greenwood, Ezra Baker.
1820. Lewis Glazier.
Asa Richardson.
William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. William Bickford, Jr. Benjamin Stone. Benjamin Heywood.
William Whitney,
Asa Richardson. W. Whitney, Esq.
1821. Lewis Glazier.
Asa Richardson.
William Bickford, Jr. William Whitney, James M Comee, Lewis Glazier.
William Bickford, Jr. Benjamin Heywood.
1822. Lewis Glazier.
Asa Richardson,
James Scollay. Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Josiah Jackson.
William Whitney, Abel Jackson, James Scollay.
Asa Richardson.
1823. Lewis Glazier.
Daniel Spaulding.
Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee.
William Whitney, William Bickford, Jr. James Scollay.
Benj. Heywood.
1824. Lewis Glazier.
Daniel Spaulding.
Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee.
William Whitney, Benjamin Heywood, James Scollay.
Benj. Heywood.
104
Asa Richardson.
TOWN HISTORY.
1825. Lewis Glazier.
1826. Lewis Glazier.
1827. Lewis Glazier.
1828.
Martin Dunster. Levi Heywood.
1829. Martin Dunster.
Levi Heywood.
1830.
Martin Dunster. Levi Heywood.
·
1831.
Martin Dunster. Benj. F. Heywood. 10
1832. Martin Dunster.
Benj. F. Heywood.
Nathan Green, Ahio Temple, Adam Partridge, George W. Davis, Asaph Wood.
James Scollay, Walter Greenwood, Asa Richardson.
Benjamin Heywood, William Whitney, Martin Dunster.
James Scollay, Nathaniel Wright, George W. Davis.
George W. Davis, Nathaniel Wright, Martin Dunster.
William Whitney, James Scollay, Benjamin Heywood.
William Whitney, Nathaniel Wright, James Scollay.
William Whitney, James Scollay, Timothy Heywood.
James Scollay, Timothy Heywood, Amasa Whitney.
Benj. Heywood. W. Whitney, Esq.
Benj. Heywood.
Benj. Heywood. Smyrna Glazier.
Benj. Heywood. Smyrna Glazier.
Benj. Heywood. Smyrna Glazier.
Benj. Heywood.
Benj. Heywood. Timo. Heywood.
Benj. Heywood.
105
Daniel Spaulding.
Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee.
Lewis Glazier, James M. Comee, Joel Cowee.
Noah Fairbanks, Smyrna Glazier, Joseph Wright.
Lewis Glazier, Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright.
Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright, Joel Cowee.
Walter Greenwood, Joseph Wright, Nathan Green.
Walter Greenwood, Nathan Green, Nathaniel Wright.
TOWN HISTORY.
.
L
Asa Richardson.
Asa Richardson.
TABLE-Continued.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
. Assessors.
Treasurers.
Representatives.
1833. Martin Dunster.
Benj. F. Heywood.
Nathan Green, Adam Partridge, George W. Davis.
Timothy Heywood, Amasa Whitney, Amasa Leland.
Benj. Heywood. Timo. Heywood.
1834.
Martin Dunster. Benj. F. Heywood.
Adam Partridge, George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson.
Timothy Heywood, Amasa Leland, Amasa Whitney.
Walter Heywood
1835.
Martin Dunster. Benj. F. Heywood.
George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson, Nathan Green.
Timothy Heywood, Amasa Leland, Amasa Whitney.
Walter Heywood Timo. Heywood.
1836. Martin Dunster. Benj. F. Heywood.
George W. Davis, Isaac Jackson, Nathan Green.
Amasa Leland, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Asaph Wood.
Walter Heywood James Scollay.
1837. Asaph Wood.
Benj. F. Heywood.
George W. Davis, Nathan Green, Asaph Wood.
Amasa Leland, Smyrna W. Bancroft. Benj. F. Heywood.
Walter Heywood
1838.
Martin Dunster. Benj. F. Heywood.
George W. Davis, Nathan Green, Nathaniel Wright.
Benj. F. Heywood, Amasa Leland, Smyrna W. Bancroft
Walter Heywood Timo. Heywood.
1839. Asaph Wood.
Theophilus P. Wood. George W. Davis, Nathan Green, Joseph Wright.
Asaph Wood, James Scollay, Smyrna W. Bancroft.
Walter Heywood
106
TOWN HISTORY.
1840.
Martin Dunster. Theophilus P. Wood. George W. Davis,
1841. Asaph Wood.
1842. Martin Dunster.
Theophilus P. Wood. Joseph Wright, Amasa Leland, Mirick Stimpson.
Thomas E. Glazier, John Engell, Amasa Leland.
B. F. Heywood.
Timo. Heywood. Joseph Wright.
1843.
Martin Dunster. Francis Richardson.
Thomas E. Glazier, Walter Greenwood, John Edgell.
Selectmen.
Seth Heywood.
Joseph Wright.
1844. Martin Dunster.
Francis Richardson.
Thomas E. Glazier, George W. Davis, John Edgell.
Thomas E. Glazier, John Edgell, Hubbard Kendall.
Seth Heywood.
Joseph Wright.
1845. Asaph Wood.
Francis Richardson.
John Edgell, Smyrna W. Bancroft. Nathaniel Wright.
Thomas E. Glazier, Smyrna W. Bancroft, David Wright.
Seth Heywood.
Joseph Wright.
1846. Asaph Wood.
Francis Richardson.
Asaph Wood, George W. Davis, John Edgell.
Thomas E. Glazier, Francis Richardson, Nathaniel Wright.
Seth Heywood.
S. W. Bancroft.
1847. Asaph Wood.
Francis Richardson.
Joseph Wright, Thorley Collester, Stephen Taylor.
Thomas E. Glazier, Aaron B. Jackson, Calvin S. Greenwood.
Seth Heywood.
S. W. Bancroft.
107
Joseph Wright, Smyrna W. Bancroft
Theophilus P. Wood. George W. Davis, Joseph Wright, Smyrna W. Bancroft
Asaph Wood, Charles W. Bush, Walter Heywood.
Asaph Wood, Amasa Leland, John Edgell. -
Walter Heywood
Walter Heywood
TOWN HISTORY.
TABLE-Continued.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen. .
Assessors.
Treasurers.
Representatives.
1848. L. H. Bradford.
Francis Richardson.
Thorley Collester, Lewis H. Bradford, Alonzo Sawtell.
Aaron B. Jackson, Calvin S. Greenwood, John Edgell.
Seth Heywood.
Asaph Wood.
1949. L. H. Bradford.
Francis Richardson.
Thomas E. Glazier, Alonzo Sawtell, Jonas Pierce.
Nathaniel Wright. Smyrna W. Bancroft, Aaron B. Jackson.
E. S. Jackson.
Thos. E. Glazier.
1850. Asaph Wood.
Francis Richardson.
Thomas E. Glazier, Thoiley Collester, Elisha S. Jackson.
Austin Whitney, Rufus Newton, Joshua A. Whitney.
E. S. Jackson.
John Edgell.
1851. Asaph Wood.
Francis Richardson.
Thomas E. Glazier, Thorley Collester, Elisha S. Jackson.
Austin Whitney, Rufus Newton, Alonzo Sawtell.
E. S. Jackson.
John Elgell.
TOWN HISTORY.
1852. Asaph Wood.
Abel S. Wood.
Aaron B. Jackson, Asa Merriam, Rufus Newton.
Selectmen.
E. S. Jackson.
Amasa Whitney.
1853
Thos. E. Glazier. Francis Richardson.
Alonzo Sawtell, Thomas E. Glazier. Smyrna W. Bancroft.
Selectmen.
E. S. Jackson.
David Wright.
1854. Thos. E. Glazier. Francis Richardson.
Thos. E. Glazier, Alonzo Sawtell, Smyrna W. Bancroft. S. W. A. Stevens.
Thorley Collester, Hubbard Kendall,
E. S. Jackson.
David Wright.
108
1855. John M. Moore.
Jas. H. Greenwood.
Asa Merriam,
A bel Stevens,
E. S. Jackson.
John M. Moore.
Aarou L. Greenwood, E . ward Greenwood, Marcius A. Gates. Asa F. Smith.
1856. Thos. E. Glazier. Jas. H. Greenwood.
Thomas E. Glazier, S. W. A. Stevens, Charles Thompson.
Simeon K. Leland, I horley Collester, Ivers Whitney.
E. S. Jackson.
Asa Merriam.
1857.
Thos. E. Glazier. Jas. H. Greenwood.
Aaron L. Greenwood, Asa F. Smith, Asa Merriam, Marcius A. Gates.
Rufus Newton,. Edward Greenwood.
1858. Asaph Wood.
Jas. H. Greenwood.
Asa Merriam, Marcius A. Gates, Amasa Bancroft.
Rufus Newton, Francis Richardson, Ivers Whitney.
E. S. Jackson.
Thos. E. Glazier.
1859. Thos. E. Glazier. Francis Richardson.
Asa Merriam Amasa Bancroft, Marcius A. Gates.
Francis Richardson, Ivers Whitney, Aaron Greenwood.
E. S. Jackson.
William Mayo.
TOWN HISTORY.
10$
109
E. S. Jackson.
110
TOWN HISTORY -VALUATION, &C.
VALUATION, & c.
Valuation of the Town for the year 1858, . $826,475
No. of Polls, . 654
No. of Voters,
·
. 500
AMOUNT OF MONEY RAISED IN 1858, EXCLUSIVE OF HIGHWAY TAX.
Town Grant,
$6,700.00
County Tax,
886.31
State Tax,
371.00
Overlayings,
266.94
Total,
- -$8,226.65
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PERSONS PAYING TWENTY DOLLARS AND UPWARDS.
Alexander, Eastman, $20 17 .
Adams, Ezekiel, .
21 39
Brick, Elijah,
44 41
Baker, Ezra,
67 60
Baker, Joseph,
27 92
Baker, Richard,
24 10
Bancroft, Smyrna W.,
81 88
Bancroft, Amasa,
78 77
Bush, Charles W.,
48 23
Brick, Alfred H.,
36 39
Britton, Charles A.,
20 37
Bent, A. Allen,
21 91
Bradford, Lewis H.,
37 56
Brown, Jonathan,
44 92
Brinkman, John,
20 48
.
.
.
.
.
TOWN HISTORY .- TAXES.
111
Coolidge, Artemas,
21 39
Cowee, Joel,
33 68.
Collester, Rugg & Co.,
51 27
Collester, Maro,
23 49
Clark, Alonzo B.,
20 07 .
Canterbury, Ira,
27 10
Comee, widow Sarah,
28 10
Conant, Calvin,
20 85
Cobleigh, Luke,
.
28 03
Derby, Philander, 32 73 .
Dodd, W. W. & G. W., 20 38 .
Davis, G. W., Heirs of,
.
27 80
Edgell, John, .
96 03
Ellsworth, George F.,
20 99
Eaton, Peter,
45 13
Eaton, John,
34 78
Foster, Elijah W.,
29 64
Fairbanks, Sardis,
33 88
Fairbanks, Levi,
32 34
Green, Charles,
.
62 01
Graham, Lewis H.,
38 10
Goodspeed, Daniel J.,
24 91
Greenwood, Edward,
46 94
Greenwood, Walter,
66 14
Greenwood, Walter, Trustee of Baptist Society, 40 80 Greenwood & Wright, 190 68
Guild, Willard G.,
24 43
Gates, Samuel G.,
24 98
Gates Marcius A.,
24 56
Gates, Horace,
27 94
Glazier, Thomas E.,
60 09
Heywood, Seth,
195 79
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
112
TOWN HISTORY .- TAXES.
Heywood Chair Mfg. Co.
291 18
Heywood, L., & Co., 26 65 .
Heywood, widow Mary,
30 60
Heywood, Levi,
388 09
Hogan & Co.,
57 12
Howe, N. B.,
48 43
Howe, Simeon,
21 04
Hill, Wm. B., Admr. of the est. of Geo. Howe, 25 91
Howe, Ebenezer, 23 94
Howe, Joseph P.,
23 59
Hill, Henry C.,
139 16
Hager, George B.,
38 23
Hinds, Abijah, 29 75 .
Hodgman, George, 21 77
Jackson, Elisha S., 34 61 .
Jackson, Josiah A., ·
20 92
Kendall, Hubbard, estate of,
25 24
Kendall, Benjamin T.,
53 95
Kendall, Orison, .
.
29 40
Kelton, George,
.
25 91
Lynde, Wm. S.,
95 91
Lovewell, Leonard,
.
52 33
Lovewell, Isaac,
.
23 63
Lawrence, Henry,
32 93
Merriam, Albert,
29 81
Morse, C. W., .
21 37
Moore, John M.,
20 59
Nichols & Baker,
24 74
Parker, David, 208 89
Parker & Heywood, Trustees of Sarah Heywood, 61 20
Pierce, S. K., .
125 94
Pierce, Jonas, .
58 04
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
TOWN HISTORY .- TAXES.
113
Partridge, Seneca,
66 03
Perley, Asa,
24 40
Peabody, John H.,
21 59
Rugg & Osgood,
53 04
Richardson, Francis,
57 54
Richardson, Asa,
36 80
Ray, Heman,
28 18
Ray, Amos,
26 78
Stevens, S. W. A.,
30 68
Stevens, Abel S.,
22 23
Sawin, L. H.,
54 05
Sawin, John,
48 64
Stone, Benjamin,
47 32
Shumway, Charles A.,
24 45
Scollay, Charles, ·
23 54
Smith, Asa F.,
20 01
South Gardner Mfg. Co.,
229 50 .
Temple, Seth H.,
42 40
Temple, C C.,
23 54
Travers, E. C. J. & O. A.,
36 83
Thompson, Hollis,
24 82
Wood, Asaph,
100 99
Wood, Abel S.,
71 99
Wood, Nelson P.,
21 80
Whitney, Amasa,
98 18
Whitney, Joseph, 2d,
24 19
Whitney, J. & I.,
44 61
Whitney, J. & J. A.,
31 07
White, A. & Co.,
47 37
Wright, Joseph,
21 85
Wright, Edward,
21 04
Willis, Andrew W.,
29 39
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
114
TOWN HISTORY .- ROADS.
NON-RESIDENTS.
Taylor, Stephen, $28 76
Murdock, E., Sawyer, and others, 61 21
Whitney, Seth,
.
22 18
Stone, Leonard, .
. 20 40
ROADS.
The town is well supplied with roads, amount- ing to between fifty and sixty miles in length, of which the following are the principal ones :
The road leading from Brattleborough to Bos- ton, through the south part of the town, is about four miles in length, and was originally a turn- pike. In the year 1829, it was abandoned as such, and made free for public travel. It was laid out as a county road by the Commissioners in the year 1833, and re-built by the town, at an expense of between seven and eight thousand dollars.
The county road leading from Westminster to Royalston passes through the center of the Town ; length, seven miles.
The roads from the center of the town, lead- ing to Ashburnham, Winchendon, Jonesville, Templeton, and Hubbardston, are of about an equal length ; viz: from four to five miles.
115
TOWN HISTORY .- MILITARY.
The roads belonging to Gardner are kept in repair at a cost of from fifteen to eighteen hun- dred dollars annually.
The Vermont and Massachusetts rail-road passes through the town from east to west, at about an equal distance from the center and south village, five or six miles in length.
MILITARY.
Soon after the incorporation of the town, a militia company was formed of all the able bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, (according to the laws of the Com- monwealth,) and chose William Bickford, Cap- tain. This company continued to do duty, until the law requiring such duty was repealed. The following are the names of its commanders.
William Bickford, Reuben Haynes, Samuel Edgell, Aaron Greenwood, Abel Kendall, Ben- jamin Edgell, David Nichols, Arna Bacon, Ezra Moore, William Bickford, Jr., Ahio Temple, Levi Priest, Ezekiel Howe, Abel Jackson, Bart- lett Stoddard, Henry Whitney, William Learned, George W. Cowee and Ephraim Wright.
116
TOWN HISTORY .- MILITARY.
In 1813, a volunteer company was formed, called the Gardner Light Infantry. Soon after its organization, it was ordered to South Boston, where it remained on duty until the close of the war.
The following are the names of the commis- sioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates belonging to this company at the time they were ordered into the service of their country.
Ephraim Williams, Captain ; Samuel Sawin, Lieut .; Joel Cowee, Ensign; Ebenezer Bolton, 1st Sergeant ; Charles Hoar, 2d, do .; Benjamin Stone, 3d, do .; Reuben Wheeler, 4th, do.
Privates : Luke Whitney, Josiah Eaton, Joel Wheeler, James Coolidge, Jr., Josiah Wilder, Isaac Wilder, David Wilder, Phineas Moore, Aaron Conant, Abram F. Glazier, George W. Davis, Seth Whitney, Joseph Whitney, 2d., Jos. P. Whitney, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Hubbard Ken- dall, Joseph L. Newell, Pliny Billings, David Perley, David Reed, Jr., Isaac Jackson, John Woodbury, Nath'l Wright, Jonas Brick, Amasa Leland, Farwell Conant, and Benjamin Edgell.
William Fenno, Drummer; Levi Divol, Bass, do .; Edward Loud, Fifer.
This was a spirited and well-disciplined com-
TOWN HISTORY .- MILITARY. 117
pany for about twenty years, under the command of the following named officers :
Eph'm Williams, Joel Cowec, Reuben Wheeler, Benjamin Stone, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Isaac Jackson, Martin Dunster, Luther Alden, and Isaac P. Kendall.
In 1844, a company was formed called the Gardner Greys. The following is a list of the officers of the company :
James Coolidge, 2d, Captain ; David Kendall, Joseph Wood, and Hiram Wood, Lieutenants ; Charles Leland, Quartermaster ; John W. Hill, Henry C. Hill, Aaron B. Jackson, Edwin A Ste- vens, and Alonzo B. Clark, Sergeants ; Josiah A. Jackson, Hosea Adams, John H. Peabody, and James W. Woodbury, Corporals ; Aaron B. Jackson, Treasurer.
Privates : Edwin Hill, Asher W. Shattuck, James B. Lord, Ebenezer Ballou, Alonzo Davis, Addison A. Walker, Joseph L. Wheeler, Wil- liam B. Hill, George A. Glazier, Nathan A. Gates, John M. Seaver, Edwin Howe, Charles E. Bickford, Abijah Hinds, Jr., Merrick Adams. William H. Learned, Stilman D. Colburn, Har- rison R. Rawson, Lysander B. Jaquith, William T. Peabody, Charles Noyes, Hiram Williams. Elijah W. Foster, John H. Walker, Albert Bick-
11
118
TOWN HISTORY .- MUSIC.
ford, J. H. Sperling, George T. Lowell, Ai Stone, J. P. Lynde, Ransom Bolton, Bellarmin Bolton, Luke Whitney, R. G. Reed, Daniel Adams, Ephraim S. Bowker, Luther B. Walker, Samuel Hodgman, B. G. Cochran, Asa F. Smith and Benjamin H. Rugg.
This company was disbanded in 1851; since that time there has been no military company in Gardner.
MUSIC.
There were two bands of music formed in 1855. One in the center of the town, called the Gardner Cornet Band, is composed of eighteen members. The other is in the south village, and is called the Mechanics' Cornet Band; it consisted of nineteen members at its formation ; it now numbers sixteen.
These organizations have not the power to protect or secure property that belong to the engine companies ; yet their music has a tenden- cy to invigorate, enliven and animate the mind, rendering it more capable of enjoying its pos- sessions.
119
TOWN HISTORY .- FIRE DEPARTMENT.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department at the present time, con- sists of two organized companies of engine men formed in 1852. One is located in the south village, and is called the Cataract, No. 1 ; Samuel Bent, Foreman. The other, is in the west village, and is called the Torrent, No. 2; Hiram Wood, Foreman. Both companies have powerful en- gines which were purchased by the town at an expense of nearly three thousand dollars, includ- ing hose.
FIRES,
AND INJURIES BY LIGHTNING.
1798, August 10. A barn belonging to Seth Heywood was set on fire by lightning and con- sumed, with the crops of hay and grain.
1798, August 24. A barn belonging to Samuel Stone was struck by lightning and burnt; it was well filled with hay and grain.
1808. In May, a dwelling-house of Joseph Wright, with all the furniture, was consumed. The fire was occasioned by a defect in the oven.
1809. In November, a house belonging to Allen Perley was burned, with the furniture ; he was having it repaired at the time ; the workmen
120
TOWN HISTORY .- FIRES.
had left shavings so near the fire-place, that on going out, the wind took them to the fire, thus communicating the flames to the building with such rapidity that there was no chance to save it.
1810. In the spring of the year, a house be- longing to Capt. Ezekiel Howe was struck by lightning: there had been quite a shower of rain a little while before; Mr. Howe was coming to- wards the house when it was struck, and remarked " that the electricity had the appearance of live coals thrown from the roof." The house was not burned, but so shattered, that he built a new one; the furniture was upset, and the crockery thrown from the shelves and broken. A loaded gun standing in the house was discharged by the electricity.
1813. The card shop of Josiah Wilder, Jr. was destroyed by fire. Also, a dwelling-house belonging to Aaron Pratt.
1827. In February, a chair shop of James M. Comee was burned.
1829. A grist mill belonging to Capt. William Bickford, (where C. J. and O. A. Travers' chair shop now stands,) was burned.
1834. In June, the dwelling-house of Seth Whitney took fire upon the roof, and was de- stroyed. In October, a chair shop belonging to
121
TOWN HISTORY .- FIRES.
Walter Heywood was burned on the site where Asher Shattuck's house now stands.
Capt. Henry Whitney had a mill burned, and built another on the same site, which he sold to Daniel J. Goodspeed, which was afterwards burnt.
Martin Dunster had a chair shop destroyed by fire, on the site where Nichols & Baker's grist mill now stands.
1839. In March, a chair shop of Elijah Put- nam was burned, on the site now occupied by L. H. Sawin.
1841, August 20. The blacksmith shop be- longing to Capt. William Learned was destroyed by fire.
1846. A mill belonging to Ai Stone, in the north part of the town, (where John Cowee's mill now stands,) was burned. A small house belonging to Heman Ray was burned the same year. Daniel J. Goodspeed had a shop con- sumed by fire, where Greenwood & Wright's chair shop now stands.
1852. In November, the same individual had a shop burned on the site now occupied by B. F. Kendall.
1855. In March, the house that had been occupied by Miss Kneeland and Mrs. Phinney, was burned.
11*
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TOWN HISTORY .- CASUALTIES.
1857. In September, a large paint shop be- longing to the South Gardner Chair Manufac- turing Company, near the depot, was burned. Loss, $10,000 ; insured for $5,500.
Other inconsiderable fires may have occurred.
HAIL STORM. A sudden storm of hail came over the north part of Gardner, June 20, 1850, breaking the glass on the west, and north-west . side of the buildings where it went. The hail came with such force that it broke down the growing vegetables in its course.
CASUALTIES.
In 1802, Seth Heywood was found dead by the road-side, between Leominster and West- minster ; he had been to assist a man in driving some cattle, and, in returning home, it is sup- posed, he felt unwell and stepped out of the road and died. He was a young man, dearly beloved and greatly lamented by his friends. His age was 25.
In 1818, David Wilder was killed in conse- quence of a tub of gravel falling on him while he was at work in a well; the tub was drawn
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TOWN HISTORY .- CASUALTIES.
up by a windlass ; those working at that, turned it so fast, that the tub went over after it was drawn up. His age was 30.
In 1820, Joseph Clark, Jr., died in a fit. His age was 33.
In 1822, William Fenno died in consequence of falling from his wagon while going down the hill, about a quarter of a mile east of the center of the town, a little below the road to West- minster. On examining the wagon, it was found that the linchpin went but a little way into the axle-tree ; it was supposed, on turning around, as one wheel went over a stone, the pin came out, and on going down this hill the wheel came off, causing the accident. He lived two or three days.
In 1826, Jonathan Martin was found dead in his house, being left alone for a little while. Jonathan Bancroft was found dead in a pasture, while on a visit to his son ; as he was going from the field to the house, he died, (as was supposed) in a fit. His age was 76.
In 1831, Asahel Brick died in a fit. His age was 47. Harriet, daughter of Abijah Hinds, was drowned in a clay pit. She was 7 years of age.
In 1834, Capt. Ahio Temple died suddenly in his bed. His age was 70.
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TOWN HISTORY .- CASUALTIES.
In 1835, Benjamin Howe fell from a ladder attached to the high beams in the barn ; he had nearly reached the top when the ladder swayed, and he fell to the floor, injuring him so badly that he died the third day. His age was 52.
In 1837, Daniel Gates was so injured by the upsetting of his wagon, (near the house of Amos Ray, ) that he lived but a few days.
In 1842, Winslow Davis was wounded by fall- ing from his wagon, causing his death in a few days. Amasa Leland was killed by a timber falling upon his head while taking down his barn. His age was 49. Silas, son of George W Davis, while sliding from a hay-mow, came forcibly upon a pitchfork, which entered his body caus- ing his death. He was 10 years of age.
In 1844, Mrs. Joel Cowee died suddenly in her bed. Her age was 54.
In 1846, Horace P., son of David Bickford, was drowned. He was 5 years of age.
In 1851, Andrew Beard was found dead in his bed. His age was 79.
In 1852, a child of George Howe died in a fit. He was 2 years of age.
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