USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > History of Rutland ; Worcester County, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement, with a biography of its first settlers 1879 > Part 2
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Those persons to whom the six miles square was con- firmed, and after the town was incorporated, were consid- ered as Proprietors thereof, and in all future meetings and transactions, managed their own affairs.
The annexed Table exhibits the Persons to ,whom the six miles square was confirmed,-and were the Proprie- tors of Rutland.
First column, the Proprietor's name,-second, the num- ber of his Lot,-third, the present owner or occupier.
PROPRIETORS.
No.
PRESENT OWNERS, &c.
Samuel Wright,
1
Dea. Murdock, Hiram J. Townsend.
Cyprian Wright,
2
Dea. William Mead.
Jacob Stevens.
3 Aaron Clark, Jonathan Clark.
Jacob Stevens,
4 Rogers, Forbes, Darling, Reed,
Brown.
Robert Patrick & Co.
5
Dr. G. Estabrook, Dea. J. Wood- bury.
Simon Davis,
6 Daniel King's heirs.
William Blair,
7 Dr. John Frink.
Samuel Ball,
8 Dr. John Frink.
Josiah Haynes,
9 J. and G. Estabrook.
Joseph Wright,
10
Frink, Fessenden, Parker.
Estes Hatch,
11
Emery Parker.
Samuel Sewall,
12
J. Woodbury and J. Stone.
Graves and Barnard,
13
Watson, Baker, Read, Rogers.
Clarke and Hendry,
14 King, Brown, Read.
Joseph Stevens,
15 Charles Smith, E. Moore.
Ezekiel Day,
16 Taylor Estabrook, C. Marsh.
William Blair,
17 E. Adams, A. Preston.
67
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
PROPRIETORS.
No
PRESENT OWNERS, &c.
Daniel Shepard.
18
William Hubbard.
Henry Franklyn,
19
Sardine Muzzy.
David Melvin,
20
E. Wheeler and J. Estabrook.
Jonathan Willard,
21
J. Davis and L. Bartlett.
Thomas Read,
22
J. Temple, D. Read's heirs.
Jacob Farrar,
23
Joel Temple.
Ebenezer Davis,
24
L. Bartlett and J. Temple.
Samuel Stone,
25
Stone, Hooker, Monroe.
Jonathan Waldo,
26
Ebenezer il. Miles.
Jonathan Waldo,
27
Barzillia Miles.
Benjamin Fletcher,
29
Joel Davis, Esq.
John Dakin,
30
Joel Davis Esq.
John Barber,
31
R. Wheeler and R. Woodis.
Mark Perkins,
32
D. Roper and E. Wood.
John Charnock,
33
Williams, Stratton, Cheney. Joseph Buss.
Jonathan Sewall,
35
Jonas Stone.
Jonathan Willard,
36
J. Stone and J. Rogers.
John Buttolph,
37
Zadock Gates, Esq.'s heirs.
Wm. and J. Allen,
38
T. Haynes, J. Marsh.
Thomas Wheeler,
39
Daniel Demond.
James Pitts,
41
D. and O. Demond, G. Smith.
Michael Gill.
42
George Smith.
Thomas Fitch,
43
William Hubbard.
John Smith,
44
Joel Wilson.
John Jeffries.
45
Joel Wilson.
Samuel Goodenow,
46
Andrew Putnam.
Thomas How,
47
Andrew Putnam.
Isaac Gibbs,
48
A. Rice, D. Rice, J. Smith.
Daniel How,
49
T. Flint and G. S. Flint.
Moses How,
50
S. and J. Williams.
Estes Hatch,
51
Nathan Wilson.
Jonas Clark,
52
Charles Lewis Newton.
James Browning,
53
E. White, Charles Browning.
Eleazer Browne,
54
Jedediah Estabrook, Snow.
Samuel Davis,
55
Adonijah Bartlett.
Joseph Stevens,
56
Edwin and David Henry.
George Robbins,
57
Eleazer Ball,
58
Erazer Heywood,
59
Elisha Sumner and Son.
Edward Rice,
60
Bartlett, Monroe, Reed.
Minister Lot,
61
Meeting-house, G. Fay, Benton, Dean.
Ministry Lot, School Lot
62
63
Rev. Josiah Clarke. Samuel King and Sons.
J. and J. Crosby.
23
Joel Davis, Esq.
Edward Rice,
34
Thomas Smith,
40
D. and O. Demond.
Joel, Wm. and J. Hubbard. Jeremy Rogers.
24
HISTORY OF RUTIAND.
After deducting a prior grant of one thousand acres to Hon. Samuel Sewall, Esq.,-one -thousand acres to the Province or Artillery Farm,-nine hundred and thirty acres, the grant to Capt. Benjamin Willard,-10 acres for Public use,-and for Water and Roads, eight hundred and eighty-five acres,
The six miles square was honorably, justly and peacea- bly divided among the Proprietors named in the foregoing Table in the following manner. In 1716, the Committee of the Grand Proprietors, as before stated, set off to each settler a House lot of thirty acres. 30 acres.
June 27, 1720, Meadow Lot of 5
May 15, 1723, First division of upland, 150
June 28, 1728, Pine Plain Lots, 5
May 21, 1729, Second Division, 55
May 18, 1743, Third, 30
May 20, 1747, Fourth, . 15
May 292 1751, Fifth,
10
Dec. 10, 1757, Sixth, 5
Total of division 305 acres.
The admeasurement of the town proving large, some remnants of land were sold in 1794, and the proceeds were divided among the Proprietors. The concerns of the Proprietory did not close until 1797. Many of the bounds of the House Lots, Division and Meadow Lots, now are the same as first laid out. That each Proprietor might have an equal value of land, prior to a division, the laying out Committee selected a Lot for a Standard, to equalize by, if the division was better than the standard, he had less, if not so good, more acres.
25
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
RUTLAND.
RUTLAND is situated on the height of land fifty miles a little North of West from the city of Boston, forty East of the Connecticut River, twelve Northwest of Worcester, an equal distance from New Hampshire on the North, and Connecticut on the South, and at Bigelow's mills eight hundred and seventy feet higher than tide water at Boston. According to a recent survey, is bounded on Holden 1371 rods, Paxton 1366, Spencer 361, Oakham 2203, Barre 580, Hubbardston 883, and on Princeton 1714-contains of land and water 20,439 acres.
WHEN INCORPORATED.
THE lands in the six miles square being confirmed to the settlers, a petition was presented to the General Court, and they, sometime in their session, which was begun at Boston, on Wednesday the 30th of May, 1722, passed an act of incorporation, entitled, "An act for further estab- lishing the town of Rutland, and empowering them to choose all proper officers, and for empowering them to raise and collect money for the defraying the necessary charges of the said town, Forasmuch it appears that the proprietors of the township of Rutland, have performed the conditions of the grant made thereof by the Great and General As- sembly of this Province in 1713, Be it enacted by his Ex- cellency the Governor, the Council, and House of Rep- resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the au- thority of the same, That the inhabitants and freeholders of the said town of Rutland be invested with, and forever hereafter enjoy all the powers, privileges and immunities 2*
26
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
which other towns within this Province, by law, have and usually enjoy ; and that they be, and hereby are enabled to levy, assess and collect three pence per acre per an- num, for the space of two years and a half from the first day of July last past, (the time that the minister began to officiate as a minister there.) on all the lands both improv- ed and unimproved, whether divided or undivided, contain- ed within the lines of the contents of six miles square, as is already laid out, and within which the present inhabitants settled; and that the said land be subjected and made liable to the payment of the same, to defray the charge of build- ing the + Meeting-house, and paying the minister's settle- ment and salary, excepting only the present minister's lot, and ministry lot, with their divisions, also the school lot ; and also one thousand acres of land appertaining to Samuel Sewall, Esq., (the committee of Rutland having agreed for, certain considerations with the said Samuel Sewall, Esq .. ) and five hundred acres of land appertaining to the Artilery Company of this Province, and eighty acres of land on and near Buck Brook, and one hundred and forty acres of land about Mill Brook, (being part of Benjamin Willard's nine hundred acres laid out there to promote a mill,) which said lands shall be free from said tax or assessment, any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding." " Passed in the House of Representatives, and in Coun- cil, and consented to by the Governor." "A true copy examined."
" Per JOSIAH WILLARD, Sec'y."
From the foregoing statement, it appears that the whole grant of twelve miles square was named Rutland, in 1713; but only the six miles square, granted by the proprietors to the settlers, was called Rutland, and incorporated as a
27
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
town; and · that this was not done until the session of the General Court which was begun May 30th, 1722. And in consequence of the above recited act, an order of the General Court passed July 6, 1722. authorizing and em- powering Capt. Samuel Wright to call a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Rutland, on the last Monday of July current, then to choose town officers to serve until the general meeting in March next. The town was notified and met accordingly, and this was the first legal town meeting ever held in Rutland.
CHOICE OF OFFICERS.
Capt. Samuel Wright, Moderator.
Samuel Wright, Town Clerk.
Samuel Wright,
Ens. Joseph Stevens, Selectmen.
Lieut. Simon Davis,
Capt. Samuel Wright,
Ens. Joseph Stevens,
Assessors.
Daniel How,
Ens. Joseph Stevens, Town Treasurer. Moses How,
Eleazer Heywood,
Daniel How,
Edward Rice, - Surveyors of Highways.
William Finton,
James Browning,
John Crawford, Tythingmen.
Daniel How,
Fence Viewers.
Edward Rice,
Capt. Samuel Wright, Clerk of the Market.
Peter Moore, Sealer of Leather.
John Dakin,
Robert Mclem,
Inspectors of Swine.
Hugh Hamelton,
Constables.
Robert Mclem,
28
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
BY WHOM RUTLAND WAS PEOPLED.
THE first settlers of Rutland were principally from re- spectable families in the flourishing towns of Boston, Lex- ington, Concord, Sudbury, Marlborough, Framingham, Lancaster, Brookfield, and emigrants from Ireland, sev- eral of whom brought letters testimonial of their church fellowship in Ireland.
They were persons of courage, enterprise and sentiment, possessing something of the spirit of the Pilgrims,-left their native town or country, and bid farewell to friends, acquaintance,-a father's house,-a pleasant home, to settle in a howling wilderness, exposed day and night whether in the hut or field, to the wily and cruel Indian,- the lurking and ravenous bear and wolf. "A howling wilderness it was, where no man dwelt, the hideous yells of wolves, the shrieks of owls, the gobling of turkeys,-and the barking of foxes was all the musick we enjoyed,-no friends to visit, no soul in the surrounding towns-all a dreary waste, and exposed to a thousand difficulties,"-no roads, mills, schools or sanctuary. The nearest settled towns were Lancaster, Worcester, Leicester and Brook- field, and these but thinly peopled; as late as 1702, the town of Worcester was entirely depopulated, and in the spring of 1715, had only one family,-Jonas Rice's.
Leicester was not granted and settled but about one year before Rutland. Its first town meeting was held March 6, 1721, and their first minister installed in Septem- ber of the same year.
Westminster was called Narraganset No. 2, until its incorporation, which was on the 20th of October, 1759.
29
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
LANDS, WATERS, &c.
SOIL .- The soil is of the several varieties, from the deep, warm rich loam, to the dry barren gravel or sand ; yet there is but little of the latter description. or that which will not richly repay the judicious, industrious farmer for his labour. Professor Hitchcock in his Geology of Massa- chusetts did not discover in Rutland rich mines of silver and gold, or quarries of valuable stone ; but it is evident that the produce of our farms will purchase good Bank Bills.
WOOD .- The growth of wood is of many kinds, from the large high-wide-spread tree to the humble shrub .- such as Oak of all sorts, Chestnut, Walnut, Pine of all sorts, Beech, Ash, Maple of many kinds, Birch in its varieties, Poplar, Elm. Sassafras, Hemlock, Haematack, Cedar, &c. WATER .- Rutland being on the height of land, the East branch of Ware River, and water distilled from the clouds, is all the water of any consequence that flows into it.
This branch of Ware River has its origin at the west side of Watchusett Hill; it flows into this town at its Northeast angle, taking a circuitous course, receiving sever- al tributary streams, running in this town five miles and sixty-nine chains, falling one hundred and one feet, it de- parts at the Northwest.
Muschopauge Pond is of some note, being the starting and closing point of the Indian Deed. It covers about one hundred acres, is fed by springs,-its water is pure and deep, and is a reservoir for mills and factories. In 1834, large dams, and a grist and saw mill were built a lit- tle distance from the pond in Holden.
Round, Cedar Swamp, Evans, or Demond Pond, has the
30
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
same qualities as Muschopauge, but is not so large, con- taining but sixty or seventy acres. Gregory or Long Pond is about a mile long but is narrow, resembling a large riv- er, is also fed by springs, and its waters are deep and pure ; and is also a reservoir for mills and factories. These ponds were formerly abundantly furnished with fish of a delicious flavor.
Mill Brook received its name from having the first mills in Rutland carried by its power; it has its main source from one of two springs that rise near each other, one-half mile East of the meeting-house; the waters of several other springs West of Muschopauge hill unite with this, and form a brook on which a considerable business is performed; its course is Westerly through meeting-house meadow, and falls into Long Meadow Brook.
Long Meadow Brook has its waters from Long Pond and Buck Brook, flows through long meadow, and unites with the Ware at New Boston school-house.
Buck Brook issues from the Northeast corner of Cedar Swamp Pond, takes a circular course Westward and mixes with long Meadow Brook north of Long Pond.
Pomagusset Brook is made of waters that flow from meadows and swamps near Princeton, runs Westerly through Pomagusset meadow and falls into the Ware.
Harwood's Brook has its source near the last. but takes its course Southeasterly, and by the help of other streams forms a handsome brook before it leaves the town, and mixes its waters with the Quinepoxet in Holden.
Sewall's Brook has its source North of Joyner's hill and runs Northerly through Sewall's meadow and falls into the Ware.
Mulliken Brook is composed of the waters of several prings that rise Easterly of Pound Hill, and when united
31
HISTORY OF RUTLAND
make a considerable rivulet, and passes into Holden near its Northwest corner.
Davis's Brook has its source at or near the same spring as Mill Brook; these two make a curiosity, as one mixes with the Connecticut and the other with the Merrimack.
Wood Hill Brook has its water from springs Northeast of Turkey Hill Pond runs Easterly and unites with Davis's Brook, and falls into Holden near the Northeast corner of Paxton.
Dublin Brook has its source in swamps, runs Southerly and falls into Spencer near the bounds of Rutland and Paxton.
Cold Brook has its source near Allen's Grant, runs Northerly across the old Turnpike and passes into Oakham.
Folly Brook has its source near Oak Hill, -waters the plains,- crosses Nichewoag road, and falls into Oakham.
Steven's Brook has its source in Cranberry or Blood's swamp, runs Northerly and flows into Barre.
Ball's Spring and the waters of Ash swamp unite, run Westerly and mix with waters of Cedar Swamp Pond.
Rutland, although on the height of land, is well watered ; every farm is watered either with a pond, river, brook or spring of pure and durable water.
HEIGHT OF LAND.
THE height of land in the County of Worcester is in the towns of Ashburnham, Westminster, Princeton, Hol- den, Rutland, Paxton, Leicester, Spencer, and Sturbridge ; on the West of these towns all the water runs into the Connecticut River only.
D
1
r B
1 A L
I
32
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
In Ashburnham the water runs three ways, West, South- east and Northeast; in Westminster and Princeton the water ruus East and West. From Shrewsbury and Graf- ton, the water runs into Providence and Merrimack rivers ; very little passes out of this County into Charles River, Part of the waters of Rutland, Paxton, Leicester and Spencer, and all of Brookfield, are emptied into Connecti- cut River in the town of Springfield.
The other part of the waters of Rutland mix with the waters of Quinepoxet, and unite with Still River in Boyl- ston, which constitute the south branch of the Nashua, which uniting with other rivers falls into the Merrimack.
MILLS, FACTORIES, TURNING LATHES, &c.
IN the Northerly part of this town, nearly equidistant from the towns of Rutland and Hubbardston, on the great County Road leading from Worcester to Keene, are situat- ed Bigelow's Mills, on the East Branch of Ware River, which has also the privilege of the waters of the Asnacon- comick Pond as a reservoir, is equal to any in the town, and inferior to but few in the County for Mills, Factories, &c. There is at this time in operation at this seat and the site about forty rods below, a grist and saw mill, shingle and clapboard factory, &c.
Dale's Mill Seat is on the same river, two miles and twen- ty chains below, in which the river falls between the two sites sixty-four feet. At this time, there is at this seat in operation a grist and saw mill, trip hammer, circular saws, lathes for carrying on the chair making business to the number of several thousands a year. There is water sufficient for a factory, or any kind of machinery carried by water power. Formerly, clothing business was carried
33
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
on, at the opposite side of the river, where now measures and small wagons are made by Royal T. Brooks.
A little below there has been a saw mill, and carding machine, owned by Ball and Earle. It is now occupied by John Dale for a chair shop or factory.
On the lower falls of Pomagusset Brook there is a saw mill owned by William Davis. Some fifty or sixty years ago there was in operation at the falls above, a saw mill, owned by John Rice.
On Mill Brook between Ministry and meeting-house meadows, there was formerly erected a grist mill by Capt. John Hubbard. Near the same place, Capt. King has built, and has now in operation, a board and shingle mill, circular, perpendicular and felloe saws, where considerable business is done.
Below on the same stream, the first grist and saw mills were erected, ever built in Rutland ; the saw mill was built on mill farm, now owned by the Messrs. Hammonds ; the grist mill on mill lot, now owned by Reuben Woodis, on which he has built a shoe peg factory. Tradition says the grist mill was burnt by the Indians.
At the upper falls of Long Meadow Brook, forty acres of upland and meadow were granted and laid out to Capt. Samuel Wright, April 4th, 1721, on which a saw mill was built by Ephraim Jones in 1728, and is one of the best sites for mills, factories, or any kind of machinery operated by water power, of any in this, or neighboring towns. i It is now owned by Joseph Demond, where he now has in operation a grist mill, with two runs of stones, corn cracker, bolting sieve, saw and shingle mills, bolting saw, turning lathe and slitting saw, all of which are carried by tub wheels, except the saw mill. ·
3
34
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
BUCK BROOK OR DEATHVILLE.
A VILLAGE has been commenced at what was origi- nally called Buck Brook, in which are in operation a sat- inet factory, grist mill, with two runs of stones, corn crack- er, board and shingle mill, a temperance store, and me- chanics, of various trades.
HILLS.
MEETING HOUSE HILL is high, and the meeting-house "may be seen in many of the adjacent towns, and even a great distance at the West and Northwest; but as the town abounds with hills, it affords no extensive and com- manding prospect of itself."
Muschopauge Hill is by many feet the highest land in town, and has a commanding and beautiful prospect of the North and East, and is the only hill in town that retains . its Indian name. On it there is a place of roots and herbs, called the "Indian Garden." This hill was originally laid out to Capt. Edward Rice and Capt. Samuel Stone.
Rocky or Pound Hill is at the end of the ten rod road or street ; it was called by the former name, until the Pound was built in 1764, since which time it has been called by the latter. Thirty years ago it contained only the Work- House and another small house, and the pound. Now it is a pleasant little village.
School Lot Hill, one mile West of the meeting-house, received its name from the School Lot being laid out on it. From this hill there is an extensive and pleasant view of the surrounding country,
Joyner's Hill, one mile North of the meeting-house, is
35
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
excellent land, and makes a good appearance as you pass through the centre of the town.
Cheney Hill was formerly owned by a man by the name of Cheney. House lots, Nos. 28, 29, 30 and 21, were pitched on this hill.
Brintnal Hill is the North and highest part of said range, named for Mr. Brintnal, who preached and taught a school in the early settlement of the town ; it is now own- ed by Levi Bartlett.
Bear Hill is bounded Westerly by the Sewall Farm. Benjamin Fletcher's one hundred acres were located on this hill. It is now owned by Joseph Miles. n
A hill south of Pomagusset meadow, containing one hundred and fifty acres of land, was granted to Jacob Farrar, but has been many years owned by the heirs of Capt. Edward Rice.
Birch Hill, between the two last hills, was granted and laid to the heirs of Joseph Wood, to the right of Lot No. 21, originally granted to Jonathan Willard, and is now owned by Maj. Silas Furbush.
Oak Hill is within the limits of New Boston, was laid out to Henry Franklyn's heirs, Capt. John Charnock's heirs and to Eleazer Ball, and is now owned by Jeduthan Green and others.
Worcester Meadow Hill had its name from joining on a meadow in Worcester, (now Holden.) This hill was orig- inally granted as first division of upland to Joseph Wright and Samuel Goodenow, and is now owned by Jedediah Es- tabrook and Suel Reed.
Walnut Hill was granted to Samuel White, laid to right of Lot No. 36, bounded by Worcester, and is now owned by Stephen Fessenden.
Wood Hill is partly in Rutland and partly in Paxton.
36
HISTORY OF BUTLAND.
It was granted and laid out to Benjamin Wood, Esq, to right of Lot No. 57. It was owned by Joseph Bartlett, then by Ebenezer Frost.
Stevens's Hill, one mile south of the meeting-house was granted to Dea. Stevens's House Lot, No. 56, and then owned by Aaron Rice, since by Capt. John Phelps, now by Edwin and David Henry.
Smith's Hill lies North and bounds on Cedar Swamp Pond, and is now owned by Daniel and Otis Demond.
Hendry's Hill lies North of Buck Brook and is now owned by the Henery or Henry heirs, and Capt. Sardine Muzzy.
This hill was granted to Malcam Hendry and Sarah Mccarter.
Allen's Grant and Hill, Westerly of Long Pond, was granted and laid out to John Allen, Estes Hatch, Esq., and others to right of Lots No. 38, to said Allen, and Nos. 11, 49 and 50, to Esq. Hatch. The present owners are Gen. William Crawford, Joseph Marsh, Thaddeus Haynes, Wilson, Smith, &c.
Barrack Hill had its name from the Barracks being built on its summit for Burgoyne's army. This land was laid out to Alexander Bothell, Jonathan Davis and James Heaton. Its present owners are Henry's heirs, Zaccheus G. Carpenter, David D. Browning, Suel Stone and Jonas Roper.
Charnock Hill was granted to Capt. John Charnock of Boston and his heirs, to their right of House Lot, No. 34. Charnock was bounded Easterly by mill farm. Its present owners are John D. Williams, Israel Stratton, and J. E. Cheney.
Grass Hill is nearly a mile Southwest of the meeting- house. House Lot No. 57, was pitched on this hill to
37
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
George Robbins. It has since been owned by Robert Patrick. The present owners are Joel, William and Jo- seph Hubbard, &c.
There are many hills in this town without any particu- lar name ;- a great part of it is made of hills, or large swells, and is some of the best land in the town; there is not a hill but may be with ease and safety ascended to its summit with a carriage, or that has not been cultivated by the plough ;- from many of them there might be taken beautiful landscapes ; five hundred and fifty rods East of the meeting-house, on the old Turnpike, is an extensive and beautiful prospect to the East, as almost any in the Com- monwealth-the blue hills of Milton are distinctly visible.
VALES OR VALLEYS.
BUT a small part of the town is comprised of lands of this description. We have no valleys to vie with the Mis- sissippi; the longest is the one that Ware river passes through, -long meadow is something of a valley. From Holden by Mill Brook through the ministry and meeting- house meadows, is a vale or valley, - from No. 5, School house to Holden is another, - East and West of Dublin road are valleys; there are several others of minor note, as birch valley, &c.
MEADOWS.
THE following are the most noted :- Meeting-house, Long, Ware, Ministry, Sewall's, Pomagusset, Loring's, South, Pine Plains, &c. ; there are many without any par- ticular names. Some of our meadows are good, some middling, and some indifferent; most of them when first 3*
38
HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
cleared, produced abundant crops. It is evident that some were partially cleared by the Indians or beavers, and produced grass before the white people began their settlement, and was a great means in preserving and sup- porting their cattle at its commencement through the winter.
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