USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Grafton > History of Grafton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, from its early settlement by the Indians in 1647 to the present time, 1879. Including the genealogies of seventy-nine of the older families > Part 26
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" The attention of our citizens, however, is especially called to the limited accommodations for any increase of the library beyond the current year. Every available space in the town hall is filled with its book-case, so that we shall be obliged very soon, either to furnish a building or room suitable for the library, or to stop the purchase of books. The trustces would respectfully urge some early action of the town in this respect."
Number of volumes added in 1878, seventy eight ; re- placed, four; purchased, forty-eight ; on the catalogue of the library, three thousand six hundred and ninety-one ; taken out, eleven thousand seven hundred and sixty ; num- ber of persons taking books, six hundred and forty-nine ; new members, one hundred and one; books charged and unreported, none ; books unaccounted for, three. The
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
whole number of persons drawing books throughout the year was distributed through the town as follows :- From the Centre District, 407; Farnumsville, 40; Saundersville, 29 ; New England Village, 44; other outlying neighbor- hoods, 129. The number of new members was nearly double that of last year.
The gentle and culturing influence of books in the house- hold, in the community, in giving scope to thought and strength to mind, in diffusing a broad and generous educa- tion, in fostering a spirit for the acquisition of useful knowl- edge, in its restraining and healthful energies,-these well- attested faets are proving the Free Public Library to be one of our most valuable and indispensable agents in qualifying a people to be both fitted to govern and to be governed.
Sabbath-Schools.
With this laudable means of imparting and widely diffus- ing religious instruction among the young, Grafton is well provided. In former days, heads of families in this as well as in other towns throughout New England, appear to have been very diligent and conscientious in teaching their child- ren the great principles of the Christian religion and morality by frequently exercising them in the catechism then in use. In olden times every family was a Sabbath-school, and pastors of churches, too, were accustomed to consider themselves as under indispensable obligations to hear and examine the children and youth of their respective charges, at stated times, in the catechism. Since the introduction and estab- lishment of Sabbath schools in this town, they seem to have been welcomed here and elsewhere as a means much prefer- able to the catechism for instructing the young in the knowledge of Christian truth and duty, and to have dis- placed, in very considerable measure at least, the publie catechetical exercises of former years.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Grafton contains at the present day (1879) seven distinct Sabbath schools, viz. :-
Number of Scholars.
1. Evangelical Congregational . 168
2. First Baptist . 140
8. Congregational Unitarian 75
4. Second Baptist . 74
5. Congregational (Saundersville) 88
6. Freewill Baptist (Farnumsville) 60
7. St. Philips, Catholic 200
Making a total of . 800
Children and youth, who enjoy the inestimable privilege of weekly instruction in the all-important truths and duties of religion and morality, of whom a considerable proportion derive no benefit of these topies from parental teachings and example, and who, destitute of the advantage in these respects which the Sabbath-schools afford them, might be left to grow up in heathenish ignorance, the pests of civil society, and the grief of any Christian community in which they resided.
Fire Department.
" A fire department is hereby established in the town of Grafton, subject to all the duties and liabilities and with all the powers and privileges set forth and contained in an act entitled ' An Act to regulate fire departments,' passed on the 9th day of April, 1839. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
House of Representatives, March 26, 1853. Passed to be enacted. Approved. JOHN H. CLIFFORD."
The following was the first board of engineers :- John W. Slocomb, chief; Joshna W. Harrington, clerk; Esek Saunders, Jonathan D. Wheeler, Asa F. Smith, Erastus Fisher, Leander S. Pratt, David Jourdan, Samuel B. Dol- liver. Hon. A. M. Bigelow was foreman of the Rescue Company ; M. M. Elliot of the Emperor ; A. J. Robbins, Blackstone.
Rescue Engine Company, No. 1, Centre, consists of forty members. They have charge of a very fine Howard &
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
Davis hand engine, and all the apparatus usual with such a machine. Captain Henry Mann, foreman.
Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, Centre, consists of about forty members. They have a serviceable truck, well supplied with hooks, ladders, ropes, axes, etc. These two .companies are located on North street.
Emperor Engine Company, No. 2, consists of forty mem- bers. Their machine is one of the Howard & Davis make. They are located in New England Village.
Blackstone Engine Company, No. 3, consists of forty members. The machine is the same as the others, a Howard & Davis. They are located in Farnumsville.
The following we clip from a report of the Engineers of the Fire Department in 1856, Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, chairman, relative to the companies, machines and prop- erty :-
"The citizens can feel assured that they have three powerful fire engines, in perfect order, manned by companies of superior ability, which has been practically demonstrated by two of the companies as to the power of the machines, and of their skillful management, the past year. No. 1, Rescue, attended a fireman's muster at Milford, at which a large number of machines were present, many of which were cele- brated for their power and skillful management, but the superior power of the Rescue, together with its excellent management; enabled the company to bear away the first prize of sixty dollars with apparent ease. No. 2, Emperor, attended a like muster at Brookfield, and all the quali- ties of the Rescue, together with superior management of the company, were fully exhibited with like success, and they gallantly bore off the first prize of fifty dollars ; and the Board do not hesitate to give it as their opinion, had Company No. 3, Blackstone, availed themselves of the opportunity to have visited Lowell, at the muster called there, they would certainly have borne off another prize, and would have done themselves much credit."
The following real estate is the property of the town be- longing to the Fire Department :- Three buildings, each twenty-eight by eighteen feet, two stories high ; the lower story finished for the use of the machines and hose, the
.
343
SOCIETIES, FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
upper stories finished for the convenience of the members of the companies.
Societies, etc.
The General A. B. R. Sprague Post, 24, Grand Army of the Republic, was chartered September 25, 1867. The fol -- lowing were the officers for 1879 :- William C. Fletcher, P. C .; James C. Kelley, S. V. C .; Caleb W. Wheeler, J. V. C .; James Gleason, Q. M .; Edward F. Chamberlain, Chap- lain ; George W. Hastings, Surgeon ; John Brophy, O. D .; C. W. Aldrich, O. G .; C. Snow, S. M .; Peter Goodnow, Q. M. S .; Edward F. Chamberlain, delegate ; James Glea- son, alternate ; Henry Mann, Adjutant.
Franklin Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was insti- tuted March 10, 1852, and contains at the present time, 1879, eighty-four members. Benjamin F. Gibson, Master. Past Masters, Dr. Levi Rawson, Capt. John W. Slocomb, George W. Cromb, Jr., Charles B. Jencks, Willard D. Wheeler, George F. Slocomb, John W. Bigelow, Frederic Waterman, Gilbert Cummings, Silas A. Forbush, Herbert F. Allen, Andrew Kerr, J. F. Searle and M. E. Steere.
No. 98, Welcome Lodge, Independent Order of Good Templars, was chartered February 15, 1866. It has a mem- bership of 250.
The Reform Club was established in June, 1876. It has a membership of nearly fifty. Richard Odlum is president. The former presidents were Silas A. Forbush and Col. Charles Bigelow.
First National Bank.
This Bank was organized in October, 1863, with a capital of $100,000. Began business in January, 1864, with the fol- lowing Board of Directors :- Jonathan Warren, president, Luke F. Allen, Winthrop Faulkner, Augustus Slocomb, and George F. Slocomb. John L. Ordway was the first
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
cashier. He resigned October 29, 1864, and Gilbert Cum- mnings was appointed to fill his place. In June, 1870, Mr. Cummings resigned, and was succeeded by M. B. Goodell, who resigned in January, 1871, and was succeeded by A. A. Ballou, the present cashier, who entered upon his duties March 1st of that year. In March, 1866, George K. Nichols was chosen a director in the place of Augustus Slocomb, deceased. In January, 1867, Samuel C. Flagg succeeded Mr. Nichols. Horace S. Warren, in November, 1875, was chosen to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of his father, Jonathan Warren, and Mr. Slocomb, vice- president, was acting president until January, 1876, when he was made president. The officers at present are as fol- lows :- Directors,' George F. Slocomb, president ; Luke F. Allen, Winthrop Faulkner, Samuel C. Flagg, Horace S. Warren; A. A. Ballou, cashier; Winthrop Faulkner, assist- ant cashier.
Grafton Bank and Grafton National Bank.
This Bank was incorporated March 29, 1854, and organ- ized May 1, 1854, with a capital of $100,000. The Direc- tors were as follows :- John W. Slocomb, Edward B. Bige- low, Jonathan D. Wheeler, Erastus Fisher, Calvin W. For- bush and Alfred Morse. Jonathan Carey was elected cashier June 12, 1854, to begin August 1, 1854; Walter T. Sutton was elected cashier March 7, 1859, to begin April 4, 1859. Captain Slocomb resigned June 18, 1860, and the same day Ezekiel B. Stoddard was elected president. Henry F. Wing was elected cashier April 18, 1864, and began his duties April 25, 1864. Jonathan D. Wheeler was elected president October 3, 1864. February 18, 1865, organized as a National Bank, under the name of GRAFTON NATIONAL BANK, and began business April 1, 1865, with the same cap- ital as before. The Board of Directors were as follows: -Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, president; Esek Saunders, Alfred Morse, William R. Hill, Samnel Harrington, Willard
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SAVINGS BANK, STAGES.
D. Wheeler and John D. Warren. The present officers are as follows :- Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, president; Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, Hon. William R. Hill, George K. Nichols, Samuel Harrington and Joseph A. Dodge, diree- tors ; Henry F. Wing, cashier. The Bank has a surplus of $17,750.
Savings Bank.
This Bank was incorporated March 10, 1869, and organ- ized March 29, 1869. The following were the officers :- President, Hon. Abraham M. Bigelow; Vice-Presidents, Esek Saunders, Edward B. Bigclow, Samuel Harrington, Seth J. Axtell, Jesse H. Smith; Trustees, Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, George K. Nichols, Thomas T. Griggs, W. D. Wheeler, H. C. Greenwood, A. W. Rice, John Wheeler, George F. Slocomb, Alfred Morse, Joseph Adams, Lewis W. Dodge, H. S. Warren, C. E. Whitin, J. H. Wood, S. A. Forbush and L. V. Leland ; Secretary and Treasurer, Henry F. Wing. The following are the officers for 1879 :- Presi- dent, George K. Nichols ; Vice-Presidents, Samuel Harring- ton, Thomas T. Griggs, Gilbert C. Taft, George F. Slocomb and Horace S. Warren ; Trustees, Hon. Jonathan D. Wheeler, Joseph Adams, Ashley W. Rice, Silas A. For- buslı, Silas E. Stowe, John B. White, Joseph A. Dodge, Luke F. Allen, Seth J. Axtell, Lewis W. Dodge, Luther V. Leland, Silas Vinton, Samuel C. Flagg, David White, Per- ley Goddard and Jonathan B. Sibley. Deposits, $127,- 774.10 ; interest, $5,491.80 ; guarantee fund, $1,000. Secre- tary and Treasurer, Henry F. Wing.
Stages.
The first public conveyance of any account which was run between the Boston and Worcester Railroad depot and the centre of the town, was owned by John B. White, in 1846
44
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
This line was subsequently purchased by David White and Silas Vinton, in 1852. In 1854 David White purchased Mr. Vinton's share, and continued the business until 1862, when he sold his property to Henry Holden, who, after a few years, sold to Roswell A. Smith, who continued until the Dummy Railroad was completed, in 1874, when his stages, horses, etc., were sold at auction. Previons to 1846, a one-horse carriage carried the mail and such passengers as it could. O. S. Pond, now of Worcester, and James H. Cheney, of Stow, contracted for carrying the mail prior to 1846.
Telegraph Office.
The office of the Western Union Telegraph Company was opened in this town in September of 1855, in Warren Block. The office was moved in 1878 into the Post-office building. Hon. Jonathan H. Wood has had charge of the company's business here since the opening.
Political.
In 1800, the vote of this town for Governor was as fol- lows :- Strong, 11; Gerry, 72; Gill, 1. Lientenant-Gov- ernor-Gill, 62 ; Ames, 0; Robbins, 0; scattering, 2. Sena- tors for Worcester County-Town, 81; Brigham, 41; Stearnes, 83 ; Hale, 36 ; Taft, 81.
Oldest Road.
The oldest road in town is the Nipmuck road, over which the first settlers from Boston to the Connecticut Valley and Wethersfield passed, in 1635 and 1654. This road was subsequently known as the Hassanamisco road, and lately as the Grafton road. This road started in Worcester at
347
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Plantation road (now Plantation street), and continued down Harrington street by the "Farms," coming out near the Half-way House, nearly opposite the Boulevard, continuing nearly to the Poor Farm, near New England Village, and into town over " Brigham Hill."
Grafton's Centennial Celebration.
From the early move made by the town it became pretty well known that Grafton would do something towards cele- brating our nation's centennial anniversary .* The general committee of arrangements chosen at the April meeting consisted of G. K. Nichols, G. W. Fisher, S. E. Stowe, D. W. Noreross, Rev. J. H. Windsor, G. F. Jourdan, P. S. Maher and Richard Long. The sons and daughters of Grafton were invited home to participate in the exercises of this grand occasion. The schools were put to learning and rehearsing national airs, and the people generally seemed to spare no pains in making the day a success. The people seemed to realize that the old century was passing away, and an appropriate quiet reigned in our village during the evening and early night ; but after the " passing " all the exuberance of young America burst forth at the birth of the new century.
Special pains were taken by many of the citizens to decorate their houses and grounds, and the abundancy of "red, white and blue," attested the loyalty and devotion of Grafton people.
At 8 o'clock people begun to gather, and at sharp 9 o'eloek the procession begun to be formed, under J. B. Sibley, chief marshal, which at 10 o'clock moved in the following divisions :-
Worcester Daily Spy, July 6, 1876.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
FIRST DIVISION.
J. F. Searles, Marshal. Shrewsbury Brass Band, H. C. Reid, leader. 84 Mounted Members of the Farmers' Club-George W. Estabrook, President-in costume, con- sisting of wide-brimmed straw hats with national bands, in shirt sleeves and overalls. A. B. R. Sprague Post, J. K. Axtell, Commander.
SECOND DIVISION. G. F. Jourdan, Marshal. Rescue Fire Company, No. 1, Henry Mann, Foreman. Emperor Fire Company, No. 2, Henry E. Brooks. Blackstone Fire Company, No. 3, S. E. Crumb, Foreman.
THIRD DIVISION. P. S. Maher, Marshal. Carriages containing the Committee of Arrange- ments, Officers of the Town, Clergymen, Orator, Chaplain, Reader of the Declaration. Officers of the Day. Invited Guests and Citizens.
FOURTH DIVISION. S. C. Knowles and C. H. Elliott, Marshals. 600 School Children by Schools-Each School having a Banner with Motto and Designs, and each Scholar carrying a flag.
The division was led by the High School. The banner was white bunting witli a red silk back, wrought in blue and gold letters, reading " 1839-1876. High School- Union and Liberty." All the banners were finely executed, and no two were alike in design or sentiment. Following the High School came the other schools. The procession marched up North street to Col. Coggswell's, counter- marching via. the boulevard down to Worcester street to Mrs. Brigham's, countermarching to the square, down Clark
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LADIES' SEWING CIRCLE.
street, through County street by Church street, down South street to Joseph Bruce's, countermarching to the common. Platforms for the orator and band had been built, and among those occupying seats upon the former were Capt. Samuel Hall, aged 90 years ; Joseph Bruce, 86; Jonathan Hall, 83; Silas Forbush, 81; James Morrison, 80; and other old citizens as invited guests. H. A. Miles, D. D., Hingham ; C. E. Keith, Needham; Isaac Southwick, Provi- dence ; Charles E. Miles, Jonathan Forbush, J. S. Stone, C. W. Forbush, and Charles L. Flint, Boston. At a few minutes past eleven, the chief marshal introduced the presi - dent of the day, Rev. J. H. Windsor.
After dinner the president introduced the toast-master, Mr. E. P. Capron, who, with some pleasing remarks, pro- ceeded to dispense his "feast of reason and flow of soul " with the following sentiments :-
The Event we Celebrate, Rev. A. C. Hussey.
Our Country, our Whole Country, Rev. A. J. Bates.
The President of the United States, George K. Nichols.
The Congress of the United States, A. A. Ballou.
Our Commonwealth, Rev. H. A. Miles, D. D., Hingham.
New England, Charles L. Flint, Esq., Boston.
The Town of Grafton, S. J. Axtell.
Our Fathers, Capt. Benjamin Kingsbury.
The Citizens of Grafton in other Towns, Charles E. Miles, Boston.
Our Honored Dead, Rev. L. M. Sargent.
Our Town Officers, Hon. George F. Slocomb.
Public Education, F. M. McGary.
The Ladies, E. P. Capron.
The Medical Profession, Dr. W. E. Rice.
The Military, George P. Bigelow.
France, Rev. A. M. Barret.
The Grand Army, J. K. Axtell,
The oration was then delivered by one of the sons of Grafton, Rev. E. Frank Howe, of Terre Haute, Indiana. It was unfortunate that seats could not have been provided for all the people, but when they conld stand and listen an hour and a half to an address, it is commendation enough for the excellent quality of the oration and the speaker.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ladies' Sewing Circle.
Wednesday, the 5th inst., the ladies of the sewing circle connected with the Evangelical Congregational Church and Society celebrated, with appropriate exercises, the semi-cen- tennial of their organization. The exercises were held in the vestry of their church. The beautiful day brought a large number from abroad. They came from Newtonville, Westborough, Holliston, and a large delegation from Wor- eester, while many, whose years and feebleness keep them generally within doors at this season, ventured out to the re- union, so that there were nearly 200 present-forty from abroad, and five of the original members.
At 12 o'clock over 160 sat down to the dinner. The social cheer, and the quiet joy of many of the aged mem- bers, as they thus came together for the first time in such a connection, was one of the pleasing features of the day. A centre-table was set apart for those ladies whose ripe years and general feebleness entitled them to extra care. This table, at which abont thirty sat down, was one of the marked features at the dinner. The united ages at this table would exceed 2,000 years. After an hour spent in partaking of an excellent collation, Miss Carrie Flagg was called upon to preside as toast-mistress. The toasts, which abounded in keen wit, called. out frequent and hearty applause. The history was a succinct and very carefully wrought sketch of the rise, progress and work of the organization. From this it appears that the society was originally styled a " Chari- table Society." It then held its meetings near the spot now occupied by Forbush & Brown's shop. Subsequently it re- ceived the title of the "Young Ladies' Sewing Circle." Its mission of Christian love and labor was wholly, or in part, the ministry of four pastors, viz. :- Rev. Messrs. Searle, Wilde, Biscoe and Windsor. Its benevolences have gone to the foreign missionary field, Rev. Dr. Goodell's family having at one time been a recipient of its fellowship of service. It has sustained colporteurs, theological students, and in later
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SAUNDERSVILLE.
years worked almost wholly for home missionaries. During these fifty years the society has sent forty-five barrels or boxes to missionary families, and have made a total contri- bution to the missionary cause of more than $7,000. Its aggregate membership is 370. Its present list numbers sixty, of which eighteen are gentlemen. The mortuary sketch was very impressive. As one after another from among the list was alluded to, the falling tear and tender countenance gave their response. The necrology list num- bered ninety-six ; of these nine were gentlemen. The paper was an able production, and should be put, as indeed the entire programme of exercises, into published, permanent form .* A society that can give such a history, covering so long a period of uninterrupted and harmonions co-labor, is worthy of more than such a fragmentary report as this. The historian closed his sketch as follows :- " Fifty years ago this circle was united to benevolence. Their union has never been regretted, discord has never come between them. Engraven on the wedding ring are these words : 'The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.'"t
Saundersville.
Saundersville is situated in this town, on the line between Grafton and Sutton, upon the Blackstone River. This is one of the many manufacturing villages that have sprung up so suddenly in our State, within the past fifty years. It is nestled cosily among the surrounding highlands, present- ing a landscape very beantiful and picturesque, especially in the sumner. Mr. David Wilkinson began here with a small cotton-mill, in 1829. In 1835, the three brothers Saunders purchased the privilege, together with most of the territory now included in the village. They found 1,000 spindles and twenty-four looms in two wooden buildings, and but four dwellings. They soon erected a large and very hand-
* This has since been done. t Worcester Daily Spy, March, 1879.
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HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
some stone mill, 175 feet long and 51 feet wide, three stories high, with an ell 78 by 38, and a poreh and tower 24 by 18, five stories high. The capacity of this mill is 12,000 spin- dles and 210 looms, employing 200 operatives. There are now in the village nearly fifty houses, and a population of abont six hundred. There is also in the village a grist-mill, with two runs of stones and a bolter; a blacksmith shop with three forges ; a wheelwright shop ; and one store. The Saunders Cotton Mill Company, of which Esek Saunders, Esq., is the principal shareholder, have a fine farm of two hundred acres, on which eight or ten men are employed. There are a large number of cows, and nearly all the milk and the vegetables for the village are here provided. There is a boarding-house, where many of those employed in the mill are boarded. The company have the principal control of the village, and it is one of the most quiet and orderly places on the week day and the Sabbath to be found in New England. The village is noted for its cleanliness. For thirty-three years there have been only two cases where the police has been called to settle quarrels. The Sabbath is perfectly quiet ; no boys or yonng men are seen playing ball, or in any manner preventing the peaceful observance of the day. There is a fine library in the village, to which Mr. Saunders has given $1,000, that is accessible to all. The Congregational Church is the only one in the village.
About two-thirds of the operatives in the mill are Irish and French. Many of the former are Protestants, and they liave a little church of their own at Wilkinsonville, about half a inile west. The Protestant and Catholic Irish live together-many occupying tenements in the same building- very harmoniously.
Esek Saunders, Esq.,
Has been a remarkably busy, enterprising man. He was born in Scitnate, R. I., May 21st, 1800. He is the son of Ebenezer and Deborah (Howard) Saunders. He left home
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Heliotype Printing Co.
Boston,
RESIDENCE OF ESEK SAUNDERS, ESQ.
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ESEK SAUNDERS.
at the unripe age of eight years, and always lived away from his parents after that time. At sixteen years of age he became connected with the extensive staging and express business between Newburyport and Boston, owned by the Eastern Stage Company. Here he remained for over seven- teen years. The books of this corporation are now in the possession of the Essex Institute, Salem. The main route of the old stage company, in the winter of 1818, is sketched as follows :-
" A coach left Portsmouth for Boston at 9 A. M., running through, dining at Topsfield, then through Danversport and Salem to Boston, and back the same way the following day, dining at Newburyport. The company became prosperous, having in 1828 substantial stables at all the chief points on the route, and owning hotels, or a controlling inter- est in them, at Boston, Newburyport, Exeter and Dover. Its shares were at a premium of fifty dollars, and semi-annual dividends of eight per cent. were paid to the holders. What, indeed, of the hundred and fifty good, sound, trusty men, who from first to last, drove stages over these routes in the employ of regular or opposition lines! Men who combined energy and good-nature in a ratio not likely to be developed by any vocation now in vogue-men who cracked their joke as they swung their whip-men who knew what it is vouchsafed us to know of that fascinating uncertainty, the horse, and supplemented this with a wonderfully shrewd appreciation of human nature."*
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