USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, civil and ecclesiastical, from its first settlement in 1739, to april 1852 > Part 14
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"6. We believe that Jesus Christ has made a true and proper atonement for mankind by the sacrifice of himself for sin.
"7. We belive that all who are truly regenerated by the Spirit of God, and so are penitent believers in Christ, will be infallibly saved.
"8. We believe that all true believers are justified by faith in Christ, and their sins freely forgiven, for the sake of the atonement.
"9. We believe it is the duty of believers to be baptized by a total immersion in water, and for baptized believers to par- take of the Lord's Supper, and that regularly ordained minis- ters of the Gospel are the only authorized administrators of those ordinances.
" 10. We believe that the first day of the week ought to be observed as the Christian Sabbath.
" 11. We believe that every Christian church has full power to receive, discipline, and exclude her own members, according to the laws of Christ, yet in proper subordination to the offices which the great Head of the church has appointed.
" [2. We believe that the officers which Christ has appoint- ed in his church are Bishops and Deacons, whose official au- thority is exclusively ministerial.
" 13. We believe that every Christian who has a family is bound to maintain visible religion in it.
"14. We believe that all men will be raised from the dead and judged according to the deeds done in the body, and that the righteous will be received into endless Happiness, and the wicked will go away into endless Punishinent."
After the formation of the church in Princeton, Mr. Walker confined his labors exclusively to the church in Holden, and the Rev. Mr. Andrews was again employed to preach in town half of the time. He continued his labors nearly two years. Rev. Elisha Andrews was a man of uncommon talents, as a preacher, although he had never enjoyed the advantages of a College education. He is reported to have been remarkably happy in the expository style of preaching.
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· Upon the leaving of Mr. Andrews the church were dependent upon temporary engagements until 1826, when Rev. Elias Johnson became their pastor, preaching alternate Sabbaths in Princeton and Westminister. During his ministrations nearly thirty were added to the church. In 1828, a meeting house was erected at an expense of $2,000. This house was located about a mile north from the centre of the town, and was built of brick. Mr. Johnson closed his ministerial labors with the society in 1830.
In March, 1830, about thirty members requested and obtained a dismission from this church, and formed themselves into a distinct church at Westminster. On the 27th of September following, Rev. Appleton Morse received an unanimous call to become the pastor of the church and society in Princeton and Westminister. Mr. Morse, having accepted the call, was ordained Oct. 19. The following were the exercises on that occa- sion :- Reading the Scriptures by Rev. Asaph Meriam of Boylston ; Introductory prayer by the same ; Sing- ing by the choir ; Sermon by Rev. Ira Chase, Profes- sor of Biblical Theology in the Newton Theological Ins- titute ; Anthem ; Ordaining prayer by Rev. Elisha Sam- son of Harvard; Charge by Rev. Abel Fisher of West Boylston; Right hand of fellowship by Rev. John Walk- er of Holden ; Address to the church by Rev. Mr. Fish- er; Concluding prayer by Rev. Samuel Everett of Mil- ford, N. H .; Ordination Anthem ; Benediction by the pastor. Mr. Morse divided his labors between the two places until the spring of 1831, when they were confined exclusively to Princeton. About twenty-five were ad- ded to the church under his labors, which terminated April 1, 1832, at his own request.
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The Rev. Appleton Morse was born in Hopkinton, in this State, March 7, 1805. He entered Brown Uni- versity in June, 1824. "During his sophomore year, ill health obliged him to leave the University and sus- pend for a time his studies." On his recovery, he en- tered upon a theological course at the Institution at Newton, and graduated in 1830. Soon after his dis- mission from Princeton, he was settled in Fitchburg, where he remained for several years.
After the dismission of Mr. Morse, the church was supplied with preaching from temporary sources until 1834. In June of that year, Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell received and accepted an invitation to become their min- ister. He was ordained on the 19th of July, 1834. Exercises as follows :- Introductory prayer and reading the Scriptures by Rev. Alonzo Phillips, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Princeton ; Sermon by Rev. Mr. Patterson; Ordaining prayer by Rev. Appleton Morse, previous pastor; Charge by Dr. Lovell, father to the pastor elect; Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Bis. ing ; Address to the church and society by Rev. Mr. Willard ; Concluding prayer by Rev. J. P, Cowles, pas- tor of the Congregational church in Princeton. Mr. Lovell continued the minister of the church until No- vember, 1836, when, at his own request, he was dis- missed. Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell was born Aug. 20, 1806, at Rowley, in this State. He was the son of a Baptist clergyman. He graduated at the Brown Uni- versity in 1833. On his dismission from Princeton, he became pastor of the Baptist church in Amherst, N. H.
Immediately after the dismission of Mr. Lovell, Rev. Mason Ball commenced preaching to the church and society in Princeton, and, on the 11th of March, 1837,
16*
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received and accepted an unanimous call to settle with them in the Gospel ministry. He continued pastor un- til 1841, when he was dismissed. In June, of the same year, Rev. Mr. Coburn of Boston was invited to become their pastor : he however negatived the invitation. The present Baptist church was erected about this time.
In October of 1841, Rev. Orlando Cunningham of Reading, Mass., received an invitation to become pastor of the church. Having accepted the invitation, he was ordained Nov. 23. The exercises on the occasion were-Introductory prayer by Rev. David Goddard of Leominster ; Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Harding, Congregationalist preacher of Princeton ; Ser- mon by Rev. J. W. Parker of Cambridge; Ordaining prayer by Rev. Orin Tracy of Fitchburg; Charge to the candidate by Rev. John Allen of Sterling; Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Andrew Pollard of Holden ; Address to the church and congregation by Rev. S. B. Swain of Worcester ; Concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Goddard. Under the labors of Mr. Cunningham, several were hopefully converted and connected themselves with the church. He continued his labors with them until January, 1844, when, at his own request, his pastoral relation was dissolved. During this year several of the members withdrew from the church, having imbibed the views of the Anti-Sabbatarians.
Since the dismission of Mr. Cunningham, the Baptist church and society in Princeton have been dependent upon temporary engagements for a supply of their pul- pit. They have had no preaching however since No. vember, 1851.
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CHAPTER XIV.
First Public School in Town-Division of the Town into School Districts- Appropriations for Schooling-Select Schools --- Munificence of John Brooks, Esq .- Native Ministers.
Although the early settlers of this town were not fa- vored with many educational priviliges, yet they evinced an interest in the subject, and, considering their means, accomplished much. As soon as they were legally in- corporated into a District, the worship of God was
"First in their noble thoughts and plans ; Then, the strong training of their youth."
And even previous to this, those parents who were in- terested in education, taught their own children for seve- ral years. Private schools were also kept, supported by private contributions, in a small room of some one of their log houses.
"The first public school was kept by Mr. Samuel Woods, in a house on the farm at present owned by Capt. Nahum Wilder." The precise year when this shcool was commenced we have been unable to ascer- tain. It is supposed that it was about the year 1759, the date of the District's incorporation. The first action of the District upon the subject, in a corporate capacity, as appears by the records, was on the 2d of January, 1764, when six pounds, (about $27) was voted for the use of Schools that year. The year immediately suc- ceeding, this sum was augmented £100 old tenor, equiv- alent to £13, 6s, Sd. It would appear from the Town Records to have become an almost established method
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of proceedure, to do as last year respecting schools; with a few exceptions, however, the amount of money raised was gradually augmented with the increase of population.
Previous to 1769, the town not having been divided into districts, the selectmen were expected to address a warrant to the people of a neighborhood, instructing them to procure a school teacher, and allowing the dif- ferent neighborhoods the amount paid by them. The following is a copy of a warrant addressed to Mr. Robert Cowden and sixteen others, bearing date Jan. 4, 1768 :
" You are hereby ordered to procure a Schoolmaster to ya approbation of ye selectmen, and Improve in ye use of Schooling what you are assessed in ye School Rates, and when you have done so you may have orders to draw ya same out of ye District Treasury.
" Sum total of your School Rates £3, 5,2, 1."
In October, 1769, it was voted to make an alteration respecting the Schools, and a committee consisting of Dea. Keyes, Caleb Mirick, Sadey Mason, Stephen Brig- ham, Robert Keyes, Joseph Phelps, and Samuel Woods was chosen for that purpose, to report at a subsequent meeting. At a meeting on the 6th of December, the same year, said committee reported that it was expedient to divide the town into six districts or squadrons, as they were at that time usually termed. This report was adopted by the town and the division accordingly made. There were at that time one hundred and nineteen fami- lies in town.
The " Middle Division," or District, embraced thirty- six families, as follows :- Moses Gill, Joseph Wooley, Jabez Stratton, Dr. Ephraim Woolson, William Gibbs,
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Isaac Stratton, William Foster, John Barber, Joseph Haynes, Samuel Wood, Job Brooks, John Gleason, Amos Powers, Enoch Brooks, Rev. Timothy Fuller, Elisha Gale, Josiah Wetherbee, Josiah Mirick, Paul Matthews, Joseph Eveleth, Caleb Mirick, Joel Rice, George Parkhurst, John Mirick, Samuel Hastings, J. Bullard, Joseph Norcross, Abner Howe, Adonijah . Howe, Joseph Sargent, Ebenezer Jones, John Jones, James Mirick, Peter Goodnow, Thadeus Bowman and Isaac Jones.
The " Southerly Division" contained twenty families : Ephraim Hartwell, Joseph Gibbs, Thomas Mason, Jacob Moore, Aaron Brooks, Nathan Farrow, Samuel Bailey, Robert Forbes, Sadey Mason, Col. Benjamin Holden, William Muzzey, Jonathan Smith, - Eager, Charles Brooks, Asa Harris, Eliphalet Howe, - - Conant, George Smith, William Raymond, and Richard Cheever.
" Easterly Division," ten families :- Silas Houghton, Allen, J. Stanley, Joseph Abbot, Charles Wyman, Col. Elisha Jones, Warren Sawin, Isaac Abbot, Joseph Phelps, and Oliver Dresser.
" Westerly Division," eighteen families :-- C. Hart- well, Nathan Smith, David Parker, William Thompson, Robert Cowden, Oliver Davis, Lt. Boaz Moore, Timo- thy Keyes, Joseph Eveleth, Humphrey Moore, Silas Plympton, - Morse, Robert Rossier, William Skin- ner, Micah Newton, Seth Savage, John Jones, and Abraham Savage.
" North-westerly Division," fourteen families :- Isaac Thompson, Philip Rogers, John Bartlett, Stephen Brig. ham, - Davis, Stephen Ralph, David Everett, Ebe- nezer Colburn, Daniel Sumner - Howard, Aaron Perry, Isaac Norcross, Noah Norcross, and Artemas Howe.
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"North-easterly Division," twenty-one families :- Jonathan Powers, Timothy Billings, Robert Keyes, Tilly Littlejohns, Samuel Moseman, Elisha Wilder, Ephraim Osgood, Joel Houghton, - Brown, John Frost, Benjamin Wilson, William Edgell, James Robin- son, Timothy Moseman, William Moseman, Phineas Beaman, James Harrington, Stephen Harrington, Abijah Harrington, Elisha Hobbs, and - - Gregory.
In January, 1771, it was " voted that each Squadron have liberty to build their own school houses ;" it ap- pears, however, that neither of them availed themselves of this privilege. In March, of the same year, it was " voted a school house be built in each Squadron of ye town at ye town cost, and that a school house be built in ya Middle Squadron, twenty feet square, and that one hundred dollars be allowed for ye building ye same, said money to be raised in ye Middle Squadron, and ye other Squadrons to be assessed by ye same proportion for ye building ye other school houses, and if any money is left, it shall be converted to ye use of schooling in ye Squad- ron." A committee, of two to each Squadron, was chosen at the same time, to superintend the building of said houses. In the year following, this vote was so far re- considered, that it was " voted each Squadron be rated separately," and application was also made to the " Quarter Sessions" for the confirmation of this vote. The six school-houses were accordingly built, during that and the following year. The one in the Middle Squadron at the expense of &26, 13s, 4d. "These houses stood, with the exception of that of the centre district, until 1797, when new ones were erected, which remained until 1836, when the town again commenced re-building them." The centre school house, which had
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been used to transact the municipal business of the town in, was consumed by fire, whereupon the present old Town House was built, and used for the centre school, until 1811, when the district was divided. In 1792, a new division of the town into school districts was made, and in 1838 it was new districted as at present. At this time, also, most of the school houses were built with brick.
The town, since the year 1800, has appropriated for schooling, $34,687,87 1-2, exclusive of private appropri- ations. The appropriation for the present year, 1852, is $1000, which is divided equally among the ten dis- tricts. In addition to this, about $65 will be received from the school fund of the State ; making in all, $1065, to be expended for the purposes of Common Schools. Of this, two-thirds is to be expended for the winter schools, and the remaining one third for summer schools.
Statistical Account of the Common Schools, for 1851-2 :- Number of Districts, 10; Number of differ- ent scholars in Summer Schools, 279,-in Winter, 337; Average attendance in Summer Schools, 260,-in Win- ter, 275.
The influence exerted by Common School instruc- tion, has been, in the highest degree, happy and salutary upon all the citizens of the town. It may be confident- ly asserted that each individual has, to a certain extent, personally shared in their enlightening and ennobling blessings. The interests of education in Princeton have not been unaffected by the progress of learning throughout the community. The demand for more school instruction, has been met, by individuals of this place, through the maintenance, at different periods, of
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a Select or High School. In 1828, John Brooks, Esq., not only fitted up a building for the accommodation of an English and Classical school, and purchased a valua- ble philosophical apparatus for the use of the same, at his own expense, but he also obligated himself to pay the instructor a salary of $300 annually, for three succes- sive years,-exclusive of the tuition of scholars. This school was quite prosperous for several years, especially " while under the management of Mr. Goddard, who pos- sessed, in an eminent degree, all the requisites of a suc- cessful teacher." Mr. Goddard continued teacher until 1831. Subsequently, it was continued under the tuition of different individuals until 1835, supported by the liberal contributions of Mr. Brooks, and a few other in- dividuals.
Princeton has raised up and educated many eminent and good men. Subjoined, are the names of Clergymen, of the Congregational and Baptist denominations, na- tives of this town, and who received their early educa- tion in this place :- Rev. Messrs. Stephen Baxter, -- Ralph, William Mason, Thomas Mason, Humphrey Moore, William Allen, John Keyes, Ezra Newton, Con- gregationalists ; Rev. Messrs. Abel Woods, Joshua Ev- eleth, Ephraim Eveleth, Baptists; Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D., Professor in the Andover Theological Seminary ; Oliver Allen, at present a Missionary at Bombay ; Charles Brooks, son of John H. Brooks, Con- gregationalist.
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CHAPTER XV.
Biographical Notices-Physicians-Postmasters-Public Buildings-Accom- modations at the Wachusett Hotel-Streams and Ponds-Wachusett Mountain-Hills-Products.
Notices of the clergymen of the town strictly belong to the division of biography. The relation of these to their parishes, however, is so intimate, it has been found most convenient to furnish a brief memoir of each min- ister in the history of his parish.
Hon. MOSES GILL, though not a native of Princeton, his history is, nevertheless, more or less interwoven with it. He was born at Charlestown in this State in 1733. His early days were spent in mercantile pursuits. He was married to Miss Sarah, the only surviving daughter of Rev. Dr. Prince, then pastor of the Old South Church, Boston, in 1759, from whom he intherited a large amount of land in Princeton. Having retired from business, in 1767, Mr. Gill commenced residing in this town a portion of each year. He represented the town in General Court, at Salem, and in the year of Provincial Congress, at Concord, in 1774. For a few years subse- quent to that period he was a member of the State Le- gislature. He was chosen Senator in 1780, which of- fice he held until he was transferred to a seat in the Ex- ecutive Council in 1789. He was elected Lieut. Gover- nor in 1794, under Mr. Adams-an office which he held until May 20, 1800, when he departed this life,* acting as Governor after the demise of Gov. Sumner, June 7, 1799, until the inauguration of Gov. Strong, May, 1800.
* Having buried his first wife in 1767, Mr. Gill married, in 1772, Miss Rebec- ca, a neice of the late Thomas Boylston, Esq.
17
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WILLIAM DODDS, EsQ. was a native of Lexington, Mass. At an early age he removed to Holden, where he was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Child, and, after residing there until 1771, he came to this town, to live on the farm at present owned by Mr. John Dodds. For nearly thirty years he filled the office of Town Clerk, to the general acceptance of the town. He also repre- sented the town in the State Legislature a few years. Several years he was engaged in teaching District Schools in Princeton. In 1809, he received a Justice's commission. His death occurred in 1833, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five.
" WARD NICHOLAS BOYLSTON, Esq., alias Ward Hal- lowell, was born in Boston, Nov. 22d, 1749. His father, Benjamin Hallowell, Esq., was a native of Boston, and, at the time of the revolution, an officer in the Cus- tom House. His mother, Mrs. Mary Hallowell, was the daughter of Thomas Boylston, and sister to the second wife of the Hon. Moses Gill. He received his education in the free schools of Boston. In March, 1770, at the solicitation of his maternal uncle, Nicholas Boylston, Esq., the distinguished benefactor of Harvard Universi- ty, he dropped the name of Hallowell, through a royal li- cense, and added to his Christian name that of the above- mentioned uncle. In 1773, for the purpose of renova- ting his health, Mr. Boylston commenced a journey through Europe and Asia. He embarked on board the ' King of Naples,' bound from Boston to Newfoundland, October 12th. From the latter place he sailed.to Italy, and from thence proceeded to Turkey, Syria, the Archi- pelago, Palestine, Egypt, and the Barbary Coast. He also passed through Geneva, Savoy, France, and Flan- ders. During this tour he kept a journal, which, replete
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with interest, and in many parts illustrative of Biblical history, is still preserved in manuscript, and which, it is to be hoped, may yet be given to the public. He arri- rived in London, 1775, and for the twenty-five subse- quent years remained there engaged in the various ope- rations of trade. In 1800 he sailed for Boston, where he arrived on the 15th of May of the same year. From this time until his death, in 1727, he continued to reside during the larger portion of the year at Princeton, spend- ing the winter months at his seat at Jamacia Plains, Roxbury, Mass. Soon after Mr. Boylston's arrival in Boston, he confirmed to Harvard University a bequest of Nicholas Boylston, Esq., amounting to $23,200, as a foundation of the professorship of Rhetoric and Oratory, with the condition that John Quincy Adams should be appointed professor. In 1802, he secured to the same Institution an annuity of $100, to be distributed in prizes for the discussion of medical questions. In 1803, he paid to the treasurer of the Institution $500, as a fund, the income of which should be expended in additions to the library. To this succeeded the annuity of $60, to 'be distributed in elocution prizes to under-graduates. Large bequests were made to the same institution in his will."* Mr Boylston's bequests to Princeton, we have noticed in another place.
MOSES G. CHEEVER, Esq. was a native of Princeton, and his name ought to find a prominent place in this connection. Mr. Cheever was an active and useful man in the town. Few men have enjoyed more largely the esteem of their fellow citizens. His sphere was in the humble walks of life, yet by his enterprise and economy he amassed a large property. At his death he made a
* Russell's History of Princeton, p. 127.
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donation of a piece of land to the town for a Cemetery, and also $300 to prepare the ground. He died in June, 1851, at the age of 59.
Capt. BENJAMIN HARRINGTON, was a native of Prince- ton. He cherished a sincere desire for the general prosperity of the inhabitants of his native town, and also did much to promote the same. Mr. Harrington was a benevolent man. The high standing he took in the moral enterprises of the day, obtained for him many warm and lasting friends. He departed this life in December, 1851, aged almost 78 years.
PHYSICIANS .- The following are the names of the indi- viduals who have practised in Princeton as Physicians : Drs. Zachariah Harvey, Ephraim Woolson, Ephraim Wilson, - Walker, Henry Eldridge, Luther Allen, Henry Bagg, Martin Howe, - Titus, - Brainerd, Chandler Smith, Orville Brooks The present practi- tioners are Drs. Warren Patridge and Alphonso Brooks.
NAMES OF POSTMASTERS .- Princeton, Charles Rus- sell, Esq. Moses G. Cheever, Esq., George F. Folger ; East Princeton : H. V. Pratt.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS .- The Town House, erected in 1842, is one story high, 64 feet long and 40 feet wide.
Congregationalist or " Union" Meeting House, built in 1838. Baptist Church, erected in 1839. Methodist Episcopal Church, erected in 1839.
Wachusett Hotel, an elegant building, furnished in a style not surpassed, probably, in New-England. The best accommodations are furnished, by the landlord, Mr. John Brooks, Jr. Every convenience and luxury to be obtained in the metropolis, especially during the summer months, is furnished for the weary traveler, and for those who wish
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to spend their time during the warm season in Prince- ton, where the scenery is then most delightful.
'This town is situated fifteen miles from the Court House in Worcester, nearly north, and is highly celebra- ted, not only for the industry and enterprise of its inhab- itants and the fertility of its soil, but also for the extreme purity and excellency of its atmosphere.
STREAMS .- The town is exceedingly well watered by springs and rivulets. There are however no large streams, although several large and fine rivers have their sources here. 'The waters of the small streams flow partly east, into the Massachusetts Bay, and partly west, into the Connecticut River. One has its source at the foot of the Wachusett mountain, and flows east, consti- tuting one branch of the Nashua River. A second runs nearly south, and empties into Quinepoxet pond. A third has its source at the foot of the mountain, on the westerly side, and flows southwest, constituting the east branch of Ware river, which flows into the Connecticut. Upon this last stream, Mr. Seth Savage erected a cotton factory at the west part of the town, called " Slab city" ; which however at the present time is not in operation, and has not been for some years. "Another cotton factory, of about an equal size, formerly existed on East Wachusett brook, in the east part of the town. This was burnt in the winter of 1836."? At the present time no farther use is made of the waters of the different streams in this town than to turn common grist mills, saw mills, and mills for turning out chair stuff.
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