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 30
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
395
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Jan. 24, 1794.
WHEREAS it appears by a Resolve of the General Court on the Nine- teenth day of November, A. D. 1787, that Edward Rawson, Willis Hall and Stephen Maynard, Guardians of the Grafton Indians, were im- powered to sell about sixteen acres of Land, lying in said Grafton, and that they by their Deed in their said capacity on the Twenty-first day of May, A. D. 1788, conveyed to Joseph Bruce and Simon Bruce of said Grafton, Sixteen acres and five rods of land. And whereas it appears to this Court by the Petition and Representation of the said Joseph and Simon Bruce, and by the Certificate of the said Guardians, that by mistake the land described in said Deed is not the land intended by the Parties to have been conveyed as aforesaid. Therefore,
Resolved, that the present Trustees or Guardians of the Grafton Indians be and they are hereby empowered to make and execute a good and sufficient deed in fee simple, of said Land so intended to be con- veyed to said Joseph Bruce and Simon Bruee. Provided the said Joseph and Simon shall at the same time by a good and sufficient Deed in fee simple reconvey to the said Guardians in trust, for such of the said Indians as are entitled thereto the said sixteen acres and five Rods of Land, contained and described in their Deed as aforesaid.
Sent up for Concurrence,
EDW'D. H. ROBBINS, Spkr.
IN SENATE, Feb'y. 27, 1794. Read and Coneurred.
SAM'L. PHILLIPS, Prsdt.
Feb. 27, 1794. Approved.
SAM'L. ADAMS.
True Copy. Attest.
JOHN AVERY, Jun., Sec'y.
The house now owned by John Fahey, on the old Upton road, just above " Bruce Hollow," is a very old house. This was first owned by the Bruce family, who came here from Mendon. When the house now owned by Joseph Bruce was erected, in 1786, his grandfather and grandmother re- sided in it, his father and mother residing in the old house
396
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
until the death of the old folks, in 1799, when they removed into the new house. The old house was then rented for three years to Nathan Darling. Benjamin Leland, Jr., resided here for a while. When Joseph's father died the estate was divid- ed, and this house came into possession of Eliza (Mrs. William Eager, of Boston), who rented it for a number of years. At her death the administrator disposed of it to the present owner and occupant, John Fahey.
The honse of Jeremiah Flagg, which he now oeenpies, on the old Upton road, is also one of the oldest houses in town. This was ocenpied by Dr. Jonathan Grout for a number of years. The doctor sold the house to Reuben Cummings, who moved here from Uxbridge about 1795. He remained but a short time, and finally returned to that town. The next owner and occupant was Isaac Southwick, father of Hon. Isaac H. Southwick, of Providence, R. I. Aaron Fay next owned the honse, and sold it to his sister, Mrs. Samuel Wheelock, who in turn disposed of it to the present owner, Mr. Flagg. Edward Lesure at one time resided here.
The house now owned and occupied by Jonathan B. Sib- ley, was built by Elijah L. Case, who sold it to Rodney S. Dennis. It was next owned by his son, Edward P. Dennis, who built the present barn. After his death the property was sold to Michael O'Keef, of whom it was purchased by Mr. Sibley. The old house, which stood near the site of the present dwelling, was built by Dea. Joseph Merriam, 2nd, probably 125 years ago, and at his death the property passed into the hands of his daughter, Mrs. Elijah Case, and was next owned by her son, Elijah L. Case. The old house was moved just below the barn, and subsequently moved on to the new Upton road, where it now stands.
The honse now owned and occupied by David L. Fiske was built in 1797, by Royal Keith, his grandfather. The old honse just south of the present house was purchased by
397
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
Mr. Keith of James Whipple, February 6, 1797. The farm included fifty-three aeres of land, and was sold for £400 .*
The house now owned and occupied by Royal Adams Keith was built by his father, Royal, in 1827, who resided in it during his lifetime. The old house on this farm was taken down when the present one was built. The property was purchased of Benjamin Leland, in 1805.
The privilege in Kittville was built and first owned by Jonathan Whipple and Dr. Levi Rawson. They began the manufacture of shoemakers' tools. Whipple sold his inter- est to Rawson, and he disposed of it to R. P. Leland & Co. They were succeeded by Nelson Leland, who owned the property when it was destroyed by fire.
The old Red house, north of Charles Wesson's house, was built by Amos Ellis, and subsequently owned by Capt. Moses Roberts, his son-in-law. It was afterwards owned by R. P. Leland & Co., and Nelson Leland, the present owner.
The old honse near the Upton line, in which Michael Maroney now lives, was built by a Mr. Wood, who had a enrrier's shop near it. It was afterwards owned and oecu- pied by Timothy Fisher, Joel Taft and Joel Taft, Jr.
Benjamin Thurston eame to this town from Mendon and purchased land on George Hill, in September, 1774, of Fortune and Abigail Burnee. On this land he erected a house, in which he resided during his life. It was afterwards owned by his son, John, and his grandson, Daniel. The latter removed the old house and built the present dwelling, which, at his death, passed into the hands of Mrs. Lawson Munyan, his daughter. It is now owned by Lawson Munyan.
David Forbush eame to this town from Westborough, and purchased of Eleazer Flagg his house on George Hill,
* This house was consumed by fire in 1879.
398
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
which stood nearly on the site of the Red house which joins the house formerly owned by Silas Forbush, Jr. In this honse he resided a short time, and then built the Red house above referred to, in 1784. After his death the farm, which included eighty acres, was divided equally between his sons, Silas and Jonathan. Silas Forbush, Jr., built the house, which he formerly owned, in 1844, now owned by the Perry family. David Forbush was a member of the com- mittee of safety during the war of the Revolution.
The house of Augustus Johnson, situated between the Stow and Forbush farms, was built in 1816, by Jonathan Hayden. Hayden purchased the old house on the opposite side of the road of John Thurston, who built it. When he built, in 1816, he took the old house down.
When Abner Stow came here from Marlborough he located on land given him by his father, who was one of the original forty proprietors. This land was on George Hill. He built a log hut on the site of the present house of Silas E. Stow, in which he resided for about a year, when he erected a frame house, in 1735, just in front of the log hut. This farm has been owned and ocenpied by his descendants, as follows :- IIis son, Jonathan ; his son, Jonathan ; his son, Jonathan W .; and his son, Silas E. Stow, who came into possession of the property in 1867. He resided in the house six years, and in 1874 erected his present residence, which is without exaggeration the finest appointed farm- house in town. In 1847, Jonathan W., his father, built the barn, which is 107 by 40, with an ell 48 by 26. In 1832, Jonathan W. built a shoemaker's shop on the opposite side of the road, which was finished and remodelled into a dwel- ling house for his farm hands, in 1836. This latter building has since been taken down.
The house of Fred. Jourdan was built and occupied by Capt. Joseph Whipple. Here he resided and died. It was next owned by Capt. Amaziah Howard, and when he died
399
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
here he was buried in a brick vault, which he had had con- structed under his own supervision while alive. His body was subsequently re-interred in the burying-ground. The prop- erty was afterwards owned by Henry D. Howard and Royal A. Keith, who disposed of it to Mr. Jourdan.
Capt. Moses Harrington built the upright part of what is now the old Yellow house, owned by Horace S. Warren, and situated nearly opposite Bigelow Brothers' currying estab- lishment. A few years prior to 1800, and some years after this date, he kept a hotel here. He was a tanner by trade, and carried on the business in the old tan-yard, in the rear of where Rufus E. Warren's house and barn now stand.
The house now owned and occupied by A. A. Ballou was purchased by him of Sumner Dinsmore, who built it. Mr. Dinsmore removed to Worcester, where he is at present residing. He was born in West Boylston, in 1804, and came to this town in 1820 to reside with Oliver M. Brigham, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. In 1828 he married Rachel Clemens, of Charlton, and had a family of five children. All of them died young, and in 1844 his wife died. In 1845 he married Harriett M. Putnam. Mr. Dinsmore was engaged for a number of years in shoemak- ing and cutting shoes. He was Deputy Sheriff for some time, and also kept an apothecary store. He began the business in this town of manufacturing innersoles, heels and . stiffenings, which business he followed until he sold his real estate. Mr. Ballou came to this town from Winchendon, where he had been engaged as cashier in the National Bank, to act as cashier of the Bank here.
The house now owned and occupied by Colonel Cogswell, was built by George Clapp. Mr. Clapp was born in Peters- ham. He came to this town, and while here ereeted a large number of the best buildings. He subsequently removed to Rehobothi, and the property was then owned by H. D. P. Bigelow.
·
400
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
The next farm is known as the Otis Adams place. The house was built in 1799, by Nathaniel Adams. At his death, January 24, 1829, the property came into possession of his son, Hon. Otis Adams, who resided upon it until his decease. The property was then owned by his widow, who sold it to Franklin Worcester, the present owner and occupant. This farm is one of the best in town.
When Thomas Axtell came to this town from Marl- borough, he purchased and took deeds of land here from Ephraim Sherman and Nathan Sherman, in 1734, including some two hundred acres. A portion of this land is now owned by Capt. Benjamin Aldrich. The old honse stood a few rods east of the house of Nathan Chaffin, on the West- borough road, and was destroyed by fire several years ago. He sold his property, including land and buildings, and came and lived with his son on the place where S. J. Axtell now lives. The farm upon which he now lives was deeded to the first wife of Thomas Axtell, Jr., born May 11, 1712, and " her heirs, for and in consideration of the love, good-will and parental affection which I bear my dutiful daughter, Elizabeth Axtell, of Grafton," by Jolin Sherman, of Marl- borough. The Axtells have owned and occupied it since. This deed is dated 1746. There have been three houses on the same spot, on this farm. This Thomas' wife, Mary Axtell, was the mother at one birth of three sons-Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They lived about three weeks and all died.
Colonel John Goulding resided in a house which he erected on the site of the house now owned and occupied by Henry Wesson, on the Westborough road, in the Farm District. He was a tanner by occupation and his tan-yard was situated on land which is now owned by Harvey Putnam.
Joseph Willard erected a house in the Farm District in which he resided until his death, when the property came
THE HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO 220 DEVONSHIRE ST. BOSTOU
THE HON. OTIS ADAMS FARM.
401
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
into possession of Josephus Willard, who demolished the old house and erected the house now standing about 1825; here he resided during his lifetime. The property is now owned by Mrs. Ephraim L. Goulding. Josephus Willard and wife when in their prime of life were considered the strongest and largest couple in this town; each tipping the seales at 250 lbs. He held many town offices and was respected by his fellow-citizens. His wife was held in high estimation by her many friends.
The house now owned by Mrs. Lucy Mitchell, situated nearly opposite the Goulding house, was formerly a part of Captain Ephraim Goulding's shoe-shop and was moved to its present location about 1835.
Ebenezer Brooks, of Concord, came to this town in its early settlement. He located on land now owned by his descendant, Samuel H. Knowlton. He erected a small house and blacksmith shop. This property was subsequently owued by his son Joel, his son Elijah, his daughter Polly, who married Joel Knowlton; and their son was Elijah Brooks Knowlton, father of the present owner. The black smith shop was burned in 1859. A portion of the old house is still standing, to which a large addition has been added.
The house now owned by Perley Goddard, was purchased by him of A. L. Hawes, who had previously bought it of Charles Leland's widow. The house was built by Lieut. James Whipple, about 1775. After his death his son, Thad- deus Whipple, purchased it and sold some of the land. The property was subsequently sold to Charles Leland, and after his death was owned by his widow as above. The old Whipple house, built by Dea. James Whipple, who came to this town from Ipswich Hamlet in 1735, stood on the oppo- site side of the road from the present house, at the west of the present barn.
51
402
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
The house now owned and ocenpied by Charles R. White, caine into his possession by the death of his father, Samuel White, who removed to this town from Pomfret, Conn. He purchased the property in 1851, of Oliver Adams. Mr. Adams purchased of Morey Farnum, who had owned the farm for about twelve years. The house was probably built by John Whipple, who resided here until his death. The honse was two stories in front, with a gable roof run- ning back nearly to the ground. After John Whipple's death the property was owned by Jonathan Whipple.
The Luke Leland honse on the Farnumsville road, was built by Eleazer Whipple, who took down the old house and barn. These were owned by Ephraim Sherman and Ephraim Sherman, Jr.
The old Sherman house, built by Ephraim Sherman, in which he resided during his life, stood nearly on the site of B. Bassett's house in Farnumsville. This is claimed by his descendants to have been the third frame house built in this town. This house was afterwards owned by Moses Sherman and his son Samnel, who had it taken down and built the house now owned by his son, Tarrant Sherinan.
The house on Pleasant street now owned by Mr. Hitchins, was built by Samuel Leland. He was a blacksinith and had a shop here. The house now owned by Mr. Pullard stood between the Hitchins house and the blacksmith shop, and was moved to its present site about 1855, and sold to Royal Leland. It was subsequently sold to Samuel Leland, who in turn disposed of it to the present owner, Pullard.
On the site of the house formerly owned by Rev. William G. Scandlin, stood an old house which was built by Samuel Miner, who resided in it until his death, when John Roberts, his son-in-law, came into possession of it and took down the buildings and erected the present ones.
The house in which Charles Batcheller and his mother reside, was owned by Joseph Batcheller, his father. He
403
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
purchased it of Isaae Southwiek, who erected the buildings. The old house stood on the opposite side of the road from the present house, and was probably built by Daniel Axtell, who resided here some time. Timothy Temple next owned it, of whom Mr. Southwick purchased it.
The first house north of the Benjamin Heywood place, was once owned and occupied by Levi Leland; he built the present grist-mill and privilege, and died here. There was a clothier's shop near this house in which Benjamin and Levi Heywood conducted this business. It had previously been carried on by Holly Dorr ; he went to Boston and engaged in business with John Whitney. A Mr. White also lived here and carried on the business ; he came from Boston, and had a large family. White sold to the Heywoods. Ben- jamin Leathe at one time owned the mill property. The Heywood brothers took down the old house and built the house recently owned by Benjamin Heywood, Jr.
The old Phillips house, where the families of Ebenezer, John and Andrew Smith resided, is situated between Wil- kinsonville, in Sutton, and Grafton Centre. There are two routes, one through Saundersville, and the other via. the road which passes the house. Here Saundersville ean be seen half a mile distant. This house was at one time owned by Samuel Leland, who had a blacksmith shop here. He moved from here to the Charles Prentice house in the Centre, and had his blacksmith shop on the site of George F. Slocomb's boot and shoe manufactory. He subsequently owned the Hitchins house.
The house and land now owned by Deacon John MeClellan was purchased of the heir of Col. Joshua W. Leland. Dea- con Mcclellan resided on the farm in Sutton, which he acquired from his grandfather ; it was sold in 1865, to Reuben R. Dodge. On this spot more than one hundred and fifty years ago, James Leland, who came here from Sher- burne, settled. He was the ancestor of all the numerous
404
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
family by that name in this town. He was succeeded by his son, Phineas Leland, and he in turn by his son, Phineas Leland, Jr., and finally by Col. Joshua W. as above. Col. Leland died without issue. This farm of Major Mcclellan's is one of the best in town, situated in Saundersville, on the banks of the old Blackstone River. The present house was erected in 1792.
The next house is owned by the heirs of the late Wash- ington White. Deacon White was born in Northbridge, the son of Jesse W. and Anna (Mason) White. Her grand- father Mason died from a casualty at Thompson, Ct., aged upwards of 103 years. Mr. White belonged to a family of eleven children. In his death the town lost another of its honored and aged citizens. Moving for the last few years of his life amid the quiet scenes of home, to which he was ardently attached, and under whose affectionate care his growing infirmities were alleviated as far as it was possible for them to be, he was not prominent in public affairs. He was one, however, who took a deep interest in the welfare of his town. For years he filled the office of deacon in the church in Saundersville; confided in for his simple picty ; honored for his integrity ; esteemed by his neighbors ; the centre of filial love to his devoted children. The house was sold to Mr. White by George K. Nichols, M. D., who re- moved to the Centre.
Prior to 1800, an old house stood near the present site of the blacksmith shop in Saundersville. This was owned and occupied by a Mr. Pierce, who had a grist-mill about where Saunders' cotton mill now stands.
Another old honse stood near the site now occupied by the residence of Esek Saunders, and was the residence of Caleb Leland. After his removal to Vermont the house was owned by Charles Leland, who built a new house and took the old one down. This was occupied by Mr. Saunders until he erected his present residence.
405
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
The house of Jonas Brown, situated near the Sutton line, in Wilkinsonville, was a very old house. It was occupied by his sons, Clark and Jonas, Jr .; the latter removed to Paxton. Clark Brown had the largest number of children born in this house of any person ever a resident in this town. He had the old house taken down, and built the present house, now owned by his son, Horace Brown.
Aaron Brigham, the ancestor of the family of this name in this town, removed here from Marlborough, and erected his dwelling nearly on the site of the house now owned and occupied by John Crosby, about 1734. The present house of Mr. Crosby was built about 1835.
The house in which Ezekiel Brighanı resided was built by him just below the honse now occupied by Miss Diadamia Brigham, on Brigham Hill, about 1750, at which time the only way of reaching this beautiful elevation was by a bridle path through the dense forest.
Lieut. Ezekiel Brigham, son of the above, erected his dwelling on the opposite side of the road from his father's, about 1784, which he occupied until his death. The house was consumed by fire in September, 1869.
Elisha Brigham erected his dwelling about 1745, on the summit of Brigham Hill, and beyond the present house of Miss Diadamia Brigham. He continued to reside in it until his death, when the property came into possession of his daughter, who had married Zebulon Daniels. Here she re- sided nntil about 1800, when it was vacated on account of its unfitness. The house and barn were demolished by the wind, during the gale, in the year 1815. Oliver M. Brig- ham purchased the property in 1823. The spots where the above houses of the Brighams have been located are fixed by the cellar holes, which still remain unfilled.
The house in which Ebenezer Wheeler, who came here from Concord, lived, is still standing. He was dismissed
406
HISTORY OF GRAFTON.
from the Baptist Church in Leicester, to form a church of the same denomination here. The house is now used by Edmond F. Wheeler, a descendant, for his carriage and wood-house. The house in which Mr. Wheeler now lives was ereeted in June, 1786, by Col. Jonathan Wheeler, who at his death was the owner of a large estate. This house, notwithstanding it has been built nearly one hundred years, is in an excellent state of preservation. The timbers, which are of oak, are all perfeet, and the masonry in the cellar is as good, if not better, than it was the day it was done. Persons wishing to see what was called one of the best houses in the country, in its day, are invited to eall and examine this house. Nothing is more pleasing to Mr. Wheeler than to show visitors over the place and relate the several incidents and sketches connected with it, and his ancestors. He came in possession of the estate through his father, Gabriel F. Wheeler.
Among the older houses in New England Village is the house now owned by Lewis Bigelow. This was built by Nathan Johnson, who resided in it, and sold it to Ebenezer Leland, and it was finally purchased by Mr. Bigelow. This house is situated on the Westborough road, near. Pine Grove Cemetery.
The old Zadock Putnam house is one of the oldest. He came here from Salem, Mass. The house is now very much dilapidated, and stands unoccupied in the lower part of the mill-yard of the Washington Emery mill. The house can be seen quite plainly from the car as the Dummy passes through the village.
Another old house is the Nahum Stone house, situated on the eminence in the rear of the Baptist Church.
The house now owned and occupied by John Putnam, was built by Captain Remington, in 1806-7.
407
OLD HOUSES AND BUILDINGS.
Samuel Harrington had a hotel, from about 1795 until his decease, March 27, 1838, aged 84, on the old Grafton road, now Harrington street, Worcester, near the Worcester and Grafton line.
The old hotel, which stood on the site of the present hotel in New England Village, was moved and converted into a dwelling-house. It now stands just below the hotel, on the road leading to the depot, and is owned by Mrs. Hartwell. The hotel was kept about 1800, by Thomas Smith ; subsequently by Pardon Aldrich. This house was probably built by Col. Luke Drury.
VIEW OF GRAFTON AS IT WAS IN 1839.
The above engraving shows the appearance of Grafton, as it was seen about half a mile distant, on the old Upton road, near the house of Mr. Frederick Waterman, in 1839. The spire seen on the left is that of the Congregational (Orthodox) Church ; the next is the Baptist; that on the right is the Congregational (Unitarian). The large building on the right, with a cupola, is the Hassanamisco Honse, now the Grafton House.
OFFICIAL AND STATISTICAL HISTORY.
CHAPTER TENTH.
CONTENTS :
List of Moderators .- List of Selectmen .- List of Treasurers .- List of Assessors .- List of Representatives .- List of School Committees .- List of Constables .- List of Town Clerks .- List of Deputy-Sheriff's. -Facts and figures from the census of 1865 and 1875.
THIS chapter contains the names of persons who have r
filled the principal town offices. The matter, thongh not very readable, will be interesting to the individuals and their friends, and valuable for reference.
The word Selectmen in the old records is written Select- Men and Townsmen ; they exercised a great variety of powers, anything and everything, not expressly provided for, fell by custom at least, within their jurisdiction. To be a Selectman in olden times-to be regarded as one of the " fathers of the town," and a depositary of almost un- limited power, was considered no small honor.
MODERATORS AT PROPRIETORS' MEETINGS.
EDWARD GODDARD, April 9, 1728
SAMUEL CHANDLER, May 20, 1729 WILLIAM ROGERS, June 18, 1728
PHINEAS RICE, Nov. 19, 1728
ZERUBBABLE EAGER, Feb. 18, 1729
ZERUBBABLE EAGER,
Mar. 18, 1729
ZERUBBABLE EAGER, Sept. 2, 1729 SAMUEL CHANDLER, July 9, 1728
ZERUBBABLE EAGER, Nov. 4, 17:29 ZERUBBABLE EAGER, Sept. 1, 1728
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.