History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 58

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 58

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In the earlier records of the laying out of the roads, frequent reference is made to " the silver mine." This is a strata of shale rock supposed to contain de- posits of gold and silver extending from near the New Hampshire line to " the great shading place," as it was called, on the Nissittissit River, about half a mile below the North Village. Various parties prospected here in search of the precious metals. Prominent among these was Joseph Heald, Esq., one of the principal men of the town in earlier days, whose acquaintance with the medicinal properties of plants

had gained for him the additional title of " doctor." Having acquired some knowledge of mineralogy, he became possessed with the idea that gold lay hidden away somewhere in this region. He lived in the westerly part of the town, near the pond which still bears his name. The only outlet to this pond is at its northerly end by a small brook, which, for the first half-mile of its course, runs through a wild gorge, whose precipitous sides rise in many places to the perpendicular height of a hundred feet or more. Along this "gulf," as it is still called, Squire Heald thought he discovered indications of a "gold pocket," and thereupon began to excavate a tunnel into the side of the ravine. He extended this mine into the solid rock a distance of about sixty feet in length, with an average height of six feet. Whether any gold was ever found there has never transpired, but the town thereby acquired a great natural and artificial curiosity, which has not even yet lost all its attrac- tions.

The prospectors at the "Silver Mine " being unsuc- cessful, became discouraged and abandoned the " claim." The lode remained neglected until its very existence became almost a mere tradition. About the year 1880, however, attention was again attracted to it. Daniel Bates, of Fitchburg, having made a care- ful analysis of the rock, and having satisfied himself there was money in it, obtained a lease of the land, erected a crushing-mill at the "great shading place " and began active operations. He persevered in the work with a pertinacity that deserved success; but at the end of three years of unremunerative labor and outlay, his funds failing, he was obliged to ask for co- operation.

A stock company was formed under the compre- hensive name of "The Fitchburg Gold and Silver Mining Co." New and improved machinery and methods were introduced, and the enterprise was pushed with renewed zeal for two or three years longer, when, on account of continued failure, it was suspended. But within the present year the work has again been commenced by the company with sanguine hopes of ultimate success.

Whether these expectations will ever be realized or not, the continued prosperity of the town is fully as- sured by the general activity and thrift of its people.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JONAS FITCH.

Jonas Fitch was born in Pepperell, Mass., March 21, 1811. The majority of people in the State of Massa- chusetts bearing the name of Fitch are probably the de- scendants of two brothers, who emigrated from Eng- land to this country. One settled in Reading, the other in Bedford. From the latter Mr. Fitch was a lineal

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descendant of the fifth generation. Jonas Fitch, his grandfather, and Zachariah Fitch, his great-uncle, came to Groton and settled there near to each other. Pepperell at that time was a part of Groton. One of their brothers, named William, was killed in the French War. Jonas Fitch was a man of great mechanical genius, especially in the art of clock- making. All the movements of his clocks was his own handiwork. Several of these time-pieces are still in existence at Pepperell and Groton. His special mechanical aptitudes were inherited by his grandson, Jonas Fitch.

Mr. Fitch removed to Boston in 1832, and, after working for one or two business firms, accepted em- ployment from Millard Sears. The relations between himself and employer proved to be so satisfactory that, in 1839, a co-partnership was formed between them, which continued many years; after its disso- lution Mr. Fitch conducted his affairs alone. While associated with Mr. Sears, the two erected numerous buildings on Long and Central Wharves, and also in the neighborhood of both localities.

One of the principal embodiments of Mr. Fitch's constructive skill is the Masonic Temple in Boston. All the interior is of his creation. He also wrought the wood-work on the large Fitchburg Depot and on the commanding City Hall of Boston.

Many of the Commercial and State Street blocks were erected under his supervision. The Mount Vernon Church, one of Boston's stateliest structures, · is also of his workmanship. He was a member of the commission charged with the duty of supervising the erection of the new State Prison at Concord. To this trust he devoted much time and labor. In the building of the Boston Post-Office he had the respon- sibilities of the master carpenter.

Not only on the public edifices, but on numerous beautiful private residences and on substantial busi- ness blocks in all parts of the city, are the tokens of his practical architectural genius visible.

Their frequent recurrence is also a proof of the high estimation in which his creative abilities were held. Mr. Fitch was one of the very first among the enterprising artificers who introduced steam machin- ery into the processes of wood-working at Boston. His shop contained a full complement of the most im- proved and efficient labor-saving devices. His pride was in the fact of his being a complete carpenter-not a builder, as some carpenters style themselves. When the memorable conflagration of 1872 had laid so large a portion of Boston in ashes, he probably did more than any of his contemporaries in the labor of recon - struction. Long before the fire had been extinguished he had ordered the whole of a large saw-mill's annual product, and was thus abundantly supplied with the raw material for large augmentation of his own for- tune. Exhaustive in his observation, quick to per- ceive probable necessity, and prompt in providing the means for its supply, he also enjoyed the utmost con-

fidence of the firms for whom he had raised places of business. Orders for new buildings pressed them- selves upon his acceptance. Wherever Jonas Fitch superintended the erection of a building, that very fact was held to be a gnarantce of its solid excellence. In civic affairs Mr. Fitch took a conspicuous and an influential part. In the years 1859, 1860, 1864, and 1865 he was a member of the Boston Common Council. He was also a member of the Board of Alderman in 1866 ; served as chairman of the Committee on the Fire Department, and as a member of the Committees on Streets, on Bridges, on Military Affairs and also on several joint committees. Re-elected to the same po- sitions in 1867, he served as chairman of the Com- mittee oo Faneuil Hall, besides yielding continuance of service on most of the committees to which he had belonged in the previous year. During these two years of aldermanic responsibility he was a per- suasive advocate for the widening of Tremont, Han- over and other streets, which were subsequently im- proved in the manner recommended.

In 1864, 1865 and 1866 he was a member of the Water Board; and from 1862 to 1867, inclusive, was one of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions.

Mr. Fitch has rendered excellent legislative ser- vice to his native State, as a member of the Lower House of its Legislature. He represented his district in Boston in the year 1855 and 1857. In the first of these terms he served in the joint Committee on Pris- ons and in the last as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings. Here his practical knowledge of architectural construction clothed his advice and action with unrivaled value. In 1871 he was a mem- ber of Governor Claflin's Executive Council and served on the Committees on Finance, Harbors, Rail- road and Bridges, on the Boston, Hartford & Erie Rail- road, and on State Prisons. In 1872 he was elected to membership in Governor Washburn's Council; again served on the same committees as those of the previous years ; in addition, in the Committee on Par- dons. The ancient and honorable institution known as Free Masonry has also received cordial support from Mr. Fitch. He has been connected with many of the organizations peculiar to it. His first degree was taken in St. Paul's Lodge, South Bos- ton. In December, 1855, he became a member of the Columbian Lodge in the city proper. On the 16th of October, of the same year, he was initiated into St. Paul's Chapter, and was subsequently a member of the Board of Directors for many years. On the 18th of November, 1855, he was made a Knight Templar, and on the 19th of the following month joined the commandery. On the 31st of December, 1874, he was constituted a life member. He was also a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organization he filled various prominent offices. He was one of the directors of the old Mechanics' Mutual Insurance Company for many years. He also held the same office in the Continental

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Bank, whose edifice is of his erection. What is more to the credit of a citizen than all his achievements in architectural construction or in the administration of purely business corporations, is the part he has taken in building up the nation in righteousness. It is con- stitutionally founded on the basis of equal rights-the equal rights of humanity. Slavery was in most fla- grant discord with its fundamental principles, and gave the lie to its solemn professors. These facts were as clear as the sun to Mr. Fitch. He became one of the earliest members of the Abolitionist party ; and was also, and logically, an active member of the Free-Soil organization, distributing ballots at the presidential election in which James G. Birney was a candidate for the Chief Magistracy. Practice was always in harmony with principle. His life was the embodiment of his beliefs. He gave employment to negroes in his own work-shops at a period in our national history when such a policy involved consid- erable self-sacrifice and exposure to hostile criticism if not to something worse. Whatever would benefit humanity commended itself to his sympathies and assistance, even if it were only the old hand fire- engine department, of which he was a member. He was always proud of his connection with it, and in later years loved to recount the stirring incidents of his tireman experience. Mr. Fitch was a man of cir- cumscribed literary education. The school in which his real education was received was that of the great world. Here his native ability, caution and sound judgment were developed and disciplined. Had he enjoyed the advantages of High School culture and retained his individuality, there is no social or politi- cal position to which he might not have been a suc- cessful aspirant. Thorough in all that he undertook and exceedingly exact in all his dealings, he was yet a man of no personal pride. His pride was in his work. That expressed himself, and he was invariably careful that no laxity on his part should mar its ex- cellence or cloud the brightness of his splendid repu- tation. In early manhood be was a member of the old Marlborough Chapel, and was afterward an at- tendant at the famous Park Street Church, and a liberal supporter of all its interests. Jonas Fitch was married, on the 19th of June, 1836, to Catharine D., daughter of Abiel and Margaret D. Blodgett. Of four children born to them one died in infancy ; three are still living; Annie E., wife of John Wal- lace, Esq., and Charles Henry and Carrie T. Fitch. Mr. Fitch died on the 19th of February, 1882.

CAPT. ARNOLD HUTCHINSON.

Capt. Arnold Hutchinson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pepperell, July 19, 1789. He was the son of William Hutchinson, who was a native of the town of Marblehead, Mass., and who bought a large tract of intervale land on the Nasbua River, in the northeasterly part of the town of Pepperell, settled

thereon in his early manhood, and married Mrs. Sarah Blood Pierce, of the neighboring town of Hollis.

Their son Arnold seems to have possessed in a good degree the indomitable will and untiring energy which have been prominent characteristics of the in- habitants of the old town by the sea, which was the birth-place of his paternal ancestor. His childhood and youth were passed upon the farm where he was born, and which in course of time became his own. His early educational advantages were limited to such as were afforded by the district schools of that time, in a small country town. But he availed himself of these advantages with all the earnestness of his nature ; thus laying the foundation for a life of active service in the various duties of his home life and those of the public offices which, by the choice of his fellow-citizens, he was called in after-years to fill.

He married, May 20, 1819, Amelia Parker, tbe sixth of the eleven children of Deacon Jonas and Ruth (Farmer) Parker, both of whom were natives of Pep- perell, and they immediately commenced their house- keeping in his boyhood's home. His wife was a help- meet indeed. Endowed with good health, and a strong constitution, she was also a woman of great strength of character. Possessing sound judgment and a well-stored and discriminating mind, she was of great value to her husband. Twelve children were born to them, ten sons and two daughters, but three of whom are now living ; two died in childhood, one in early womanhood and six in the prime of manhood.

He managed successfully his large farm, and for a number of years taught school during the winter, either in Pepperell or one of the adjoining towns.

He was one of the stalwart men of his time. In height he was six feet and two inches, of good pro- portions, fine physiognomy, a commanding presence and dignified bearing and gifted with remarkable ex- ecutive ability-one whom nature made a leader among men.

Previous to 1829 he held the offices of town clerk, selectman and other important town offices. Year after year he was chosen moderator of the annual town-meeting and in 1829, '30, '39, '40, '42 and '44 he represented the town in the State Legislature to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

In politics he affiliated with the Democrats and in 1849 was elected State Senator.

When the military spirit of the olden time was a strong element of power in Pepperell he was chosen commander of the militia, whence he obtained the title of captain, by which, as was customary in those times, he was ever after known.

In religious belief he was associated with the Evan- gelical Congregational Church, of which he and his wife were prominent members, having a voice in all its councils and laboring to promote the interests of the church and parish.

He was also a stockholder in the old Pepperell Academy, and endeavored, to the extent of his ability

. Arnold Stretchinson

Hewitt & Hinslan

amos . Daundus

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to advance the cause of education in his native town. In 1854 he sold the homestead farm, where he had spent sixty-five years, and bought the farm of Dea. Parker, his father-in-law, where he lived until he was obliged by failing health to give up manual labor. He then purchased the house on Park Street, which is now occupied by his youngest son, Charles D. Hutch- inson. His golden wedding was celebrated after his removal to this house, and was made a very pleasant occasion.

Faithful and true in all the relations of life, Capt. Hutchinson was a courteous gentleman, a helpfiil son, a kind husband and father, and a good neighbor, honest and upright in all his dealings.

He died of pneumonia on the 9th day of December, 1873, at the age of eighty-four years, four months and twenty days. Mrs. Hutchinson survived him nearly sixteen years. She died on the 4th of August, 1889. She was born November 21, 1799 ; consequently lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, eight months and thirteen days.

HEWITT CHANDLER WINSLOW.

Hewitt Chandler Winslow was born March 23, 1828, at New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Me. Ile was a son of Philip and Berthia (Rideout) Wins- low, both of whom were natives of New Gloucester, and is a lineal descendant of both the Winslows and Bradfords of Plymouth, Mass., his grandmother being a member of the latter family. Barnabas, the grandfather of Hewitt, was one of the early inhabit- ants of New Gloucester. Philip, the father, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He served on the coast defences of his native State, and was at Portland when the encounter occurred between the "Boxer" and " Enterprise." Hewitt lived with his father till he was ten years old, when he went to North Yar- mouth, Me., and "worked out." All the school in- struction he received was what he obtained by an attendance on the public schools three or four months in a year before he was seventeen years old ; but, like many another New England boy, he found means of pursuing his studies out of school, and without an instructor.

He worked during the day, and read and studied in the evening by the light of the fire-place, the tal- low-candle and the pitch-pine knot. At seventeen he went to work in a factory at Gardner, Me., where he learned the trade of wool-carding and finishing. He soon arose to the position of overseer, in which capacity he served for about six years, after which he engaged in paper-making at the mills of the " Great Falls Paper Company," and was for some time foreman. Since 1865 he has had charge of the paper-mills at East Pepperell. As agent of these mills Mr. Winslow has performed faithful and effi- cient work. The company has been known by three different names since he took charge of its affairs. It

is now called the " Fairchild Paper Company," and employs over two hundred hands. As a business man Mr. Winslow is devoted to his work and attends strictly to it. It has been his habit to get to his office throughout the year at about seven in the morning and to leave it abont eight at night. He is a direc- tor in the First National Bank of Ayer, and a trustee and director in the Ayer Savings Bank.

Notwithstanding his devotion to business, he has found time in the midst of his busy life to attend to religious matters. For many years he has been an active member of the Methodist Church and a sub- stantial and reliable supporter of his denomination in East Pepperell, and has repeatedly held the office of trustee and steward of the Methodist Church in that place.

In politics he is a Republican. When a young man he was active and enthusiastic in the anti-slav- ery movement. Since then he has identified himself with other reforms and placed himself on the right side of questions and subjects the agitation and ad- vancement of which have been for the good of the race. He has never used rum or tobacco and his habits have been exemplary. November 15, 1855, he was married, in Pownal, Me., to Miss Henrietta True. Miss True was a daughter of William and Zilphia Ann True, and was born March 18, 1833. Her fa- ther was a native of Freeport, Me., and her mother of Cumberland, Me.

Mr. Winslow has one daughter, Helen True, who was born in Gardiner, Me., October 25, 1861.

AMOS JOSEPH SAUNDERS.

Amos Joseph Saunders was born in Rowley, Aug- ust 3, 1826. He was the only son of Joseph and Mary (Mighill) Saunders, who were also natives of Rowley. At the age of twelve he entered Dummer Academy at Byfield, which he attended a year. He then returned home and spent some years on his father's farm, occupying his time in the winter season at shoe-making. But farming and shoe-mak- ing were not always to be pursued by this enter- prising New England lad. He had a fondness for study, an interest in hooks, and took pleasure in the discussions of the Lyceum and such other lit- erary privileges as were afforded by the country towns of half a century ago. In 1850 he entered Pierce's Academy at Middleboro', where, with the exception of a short time spent at Hampton Falls, N. H., and at Dummer Academy, he remained until he entered Brown University, R. I., at which he graduated in 1855, at the age of twenty-nine. This was the last year in which Dr. Wayland was pres- ident of the university. He taught a grammar- school at Danvers, and in August 1856, became principal of the Merrimac Academy at Groveland. In 1860 he took charge of the academy at Pepper- ell, where he taught till 1866, when he resigned on

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account of his health. Shortly after, he became proprietor of a store in Pepperell Centre, with a branch store at East Pepperell, but he soon removed to the latter place, where he still resides and car- ries on the business. Since leaving his profession as a teacher, Mr. Saunders has continued to show bis interest in schools by a long service on the School Board. He has also served as selectman, assessor and member of the Library Committee. He has for many years been an active member of the Republican party. In 1873 he was the Repre- sentative of the Thirty-first Middlesex District, comprising the towns of Groton, Pepperell and Ayer, and was re-elected in 1875. In November, 1876, he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate by the Fifth Middlesex District. During his con- nection with the Legislature, he served on the fol- lowing joint standing committees : the Liquor Law, Woman Suffrage, Claims, Taxation and Education. In 1874 he was appointed justice of the peace, and has held the office to the present time. In 1856 he married Lucy Parkhurst Savage, a daughter of John and Mary Savage, of Rowley. He has three daughters and one son, viz. : Lucy Blanchard, Jo- seph Amos, Mary Harris and Stella Fourth. Mr. Sauuders, at the age of sixty-four, is in good health, and attends to his daily business with the enthu- siasm and efficiency of a younger man. He exhib- its the traits of a typical New Englander, who starts out from the ancestral farm and works his way by perseverance and industry to positions of usefulness and trust. Born and reared in one of the oldest towns in Essex County, where the Col- onial stock was of sterling quality, he found in Pepperell elements that correspond with the best characteristics of those with whom he was associ- ated in his early days. The place was congenial to his tastes, and he has actively participated in such public measures as have conduced to the public good, and the town has shown her appreciation of the child of her adoption by honoring him with the highest offices in her power to bestow.

CHAPTER XXIII.

HUDSON.

BY RALPH E. JOSLIN AND WALTER H. SMALL.

LOVERS of the antique will find little in the history of Hudson to quicken their pulses and satisfy their longings. The aroma of "other days " is very faint, and is obscured by such a delightful state of mysti- cism that the prosaic prober after facts is prone to ask at every trace, "How do you know?" Well, sometimes by tradition, sometimes by faith, rarely by sight.

A town which has yet to see her first quarter cen- tury completed cannot boast of very ancient history distinctively her own. What there is, is family history, bound inseparably with Marlborough and the other sister towns, which were included iu one general grant in 1656.

From the history of Marlborough, then, must be gleaned those records which apply to this northern portion, now called IIudson. But the early records are so badly jumbled, and they have been so care- lessly kept by their modern custodians (one complete book is lost) that it is difficult to rest many statements on absolute certainty. Yet some are definitely set- tled. Among them is the fact that a large portion of Hudson, probably all east of High Street, belonged to the Indian plantation, and all west of that point was a common cow pasture.

The summary of that history is this: In 1656 thir- teen leading citizens of Sudbury, feeling they were becoming too crowded for comfort, petitioned, for themselves and their rapidly growing families, that the honored Court "would bee pleased to grant unto us eight miles square, for to make a Plantation." They express their preference by saying, " Wee have found a place which lyeth westward about eight miles from Sudbury, which we conceive might be comfort- able for our subsistence."

Agreeably to this petition the General Court granted them six miles, " provided it hinder no former grant." But two years previous the General Court had granted to the Indians, on petition of Mr. Eliot, the Indian Apostle, the right to make a town eight miles west of Sudbury, so that the grant to the Sudbury men con- flicted with it. A committee was appointed to lay out the Indian grant, and "In case there is enough left for a convenient township for the Sudbury men, to lay it out for them." The result was that the new township lay around the Indian Plantation on three sides, and the Indian planting-field was directly in the centre of the proposed new settlement. The Eng- lish wanted this field badly and they soon began to encroach upon it. They built a meeting-house on one corner; they allowed their cattle to roam over it, and feed from it, and finally the Indians became disgusted with their neighbors and moved about a mile away.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 58

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278