USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Westminster > History of Westminster, Massachusetts (first named Narragansett no. 2) from the date of the original grant of the township to the present time, 1728-1893, with a biographic-genealogical register of its principal families > Part 40
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The carding mill. bought by Joseph Rider in 1805, was disposed of by him to Joel Merriam in 1819, who sold to Asa Farnsworth, Jr., in 1826. From him it passed through the hands of Benjamin Wyman to his brothers, Franklin and David, the latter finally disposing of his interest to Franklin, giving him full possession of the same.
The trip hammer property when last noticed was in the hands of Isaac Williams and Thomas Bemis. Mr. Williams disposed of his share in 1792 to John Heywood of Gardner. After a few years it was sold to Mr. Bemis, who became thereby sole proprietor. After the death of Mr. Bemis his sons managed it for some time, but finally transferred it in 1814 to David Wyman, who, after letting it to Joseph Dale and others, at length removed the buildings and incorporated the land with his fulling mill property.
330
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
It has been stated that David Wyman purchased the fulling mill and lands adjoining in 1792. Shortly after, he disposed of one-half of his inter- est to Elisha Hall, with whom he was associated in business for a brief period, when he regained possession of the whole, which he retained through life. After his decease, in 1839, it passed at different intervals through the hands of his sons, David, Franklin, David and Alfred, and finally to the sole ownership of Franklin in 1845, at which date the latter secured by right of inheritance and purchase control of all the mill sites and water power located within the limits of lot 112.
During the period of more than a hundred years covered by the occur- rences thus far narrated, important changes had been going on below, upon territory included within the boundaries of lots No. 107 and 108. It is an interesting fact that the men who drew these lots in the first division of the lands of the township deemed them so undesirable as homesteads, that they declined taking them, choosing instead a location on the northeasterly slope of Bean Porridge Hill, afterward the Jonathan Sawyer estate, now owned by Mr. Porter F. Page. For that reason the two lots under notice became the common property of the proprietors, remaining undisposed of till after the incorporation of the district of Westminster, when they were sold to Dea. Joseph Miller. Soon after, the owner erected a sawmill a few rods above the site of the more recent mill of Mr. Benjamin Wyman. In 1778 Mr. Miller sold the westerly part of this undivided tract of land, one quarter of the whole, to Edmund Barnard, who lived on lot No. 64, -the present Simeon L. Bolton place. - a man of character and enterprise, and one of the leading citizens of the town. Associating with himself his neighbor, Isaac Williams, and John Raymond, the company built somewhat extensive iron works for the manufacture of various implements of industry and arti- cles of household use. The establishment was known by the name of " The Forge," and stood between the sites of the present paper mills, so near the line of lot No. 112 that the right of flowing to within a few feet of the full- ing mill was purchased of the owner, Thomas Rand, a few years afterward. The following year Messrs. Barnard and Raymond sold their interest to Silas Beaman of Boylston, and in 1796 Mr. Williams disposed of his share to Ephraim Beaman, brother of Silas, the two carrying on business under the style of "E. & S. Beaman." In 1804 the property was conveyed to Enoch Leonard of Canton, who, with his son Phineas, continued in possession till 1812, when the latter, his father having deceased in 1808, sold to Nathan Corey of Harvard. Mr. Corey took down the iron works and erected just below a factory for the production of certain kinds of cotton goods. On the premises, too, was a potash shop, by whom built is not known, which Mr. Corey operated for a time in connection with his other manufacturing business. Not succeeding to his satisfaction. he, in 1818, dis- posed of the property to Nichols and Gorham of Oakham, who very soon sold to Thomas L. Parker of Cambridge, and he in turn to Joseph Edgarton of Shirley and Wonder Wears of Harvard.
Mr. Wears removed to town, bought out Mr. Edgarton, and commenced manufacturing by himself. He continued in the business but a few years, although he retained the ownership of the property till his death in 1838, meanwhile renting it to different parties for different purposes, as his con- venience or interest seemed to dictate. In the settlement of the estate his executor, Doctor Parker of Shirley, sold this and contiguous portions of it to Franklin Wyman.
Recurring to the time when Dea. Joseph Miller sold the Forge property to Edmund Barnard, it appears that at the same date, Dec., 1778, he con- veyed the other three-quarters of the land included in house lots Nos. 107 and 108, the eastern portion of them, to Asa Farnsworth of Harvard, who soon took possession, building the first dwelling on the premises at or near the site of the present residence of Samuel H. Sprague. On this tract of land. near its western boundary, was the sawmill built by Mr. Miller. Five years after, Mr. Farnsworth sold the mill with adjoining farm to Ephraim Robbins, who, in 1804, transferred an undivided half to his kinsman, Jonas
W. P. ALLEN, GARDNER, MASS.
WYMAN PAPER MILLS AT WACHUSETTVILLE,
331
LOWER WACHUSETTVILLE PROPERTY.
Robbins. In 1806 the mill was disposed of to Phineas Leonard, the owner of the adjoining Forge lot, and a part of the farm to Edward Battles of Stoughton. At an early day Mr. Battles sold to David Wyman, after whose death the property passed to his son David, who sold it to his brother Ben- jamin, whence a portion of it passed to Mr. Sprague. the present owner.
In 1831 Asa Farnsworth, Jr., who owned the southeast part of his father's original estate, which had been for some years in the possession of his uncle, Phineas Gates. and was therefore called the Gates place, sold the same to Benjamin Wyman, who soon after erected upon it a spacious dwell- ing house and accompanying outbuildings. which have been occupied by himself and family to this day. Upon Mr. Wyman's property was an available water privilege, a few rods below the Miller mill site, which he after- ward utilized by the erection of a new mill for lumber producing purposes. This mill served the ends for which it was designed, and passed into desue- tude many years ago.
It will be seen by the foregoing narrative that the entire water power of Wachusettville and the mill privileges connected therewith, excepting only the one last named. came into the possession of Franklin Wyman in or about the year 1845. Twenty years before, the lands at the outlet of Meet- inghouse Pond had been purchased by David Wyman, Sen., and Wonder Wears, and therewith the control of the water supply derived from that source, and these also by various transfers had been added to and become a part of the property of which Mr. Wyman was now the sole proprietor, enhancing the value of the other portions very considerably.
The time had now come when some radical changes must be made with respect to the uses to which this great amount of power was to be applied. A sawmill was no longer needed at the head of the village where one had stood for more than a hundred years. The growth of woolen factories in the country at large, and the consequent decline of home production of cloth and other woolen goods had destroyed the busines of the carding and fulling mills. Other kinds of business-coopering, chair making, the grinding of grain. etc., -were declining in profitableness on account of increasing competition, better facilities, or otherwise. These and other considerations suggested and demanded a new departure in the entire industrial economy of the neighborhood. the result of which was the establishment, at the date last named, of paper making as promising most satisfactory returns to the owner of the property and the greatest advantage to the community. Meeting with some unforeseen difficulties and delays for a time, the under- taking became at length firmly and permanently established, entering upon a remarkably prosperous career, the incidents and main features of which are presented under their appropriate head in the earlier pages of this chapter.
By this brief recital it will be seen how largely the water power of Wachusettville has contributed in the past to the industrial activity and prosperity of Westminster. What it will do in the future to the same end. the future only can reveal.
[ NOTE .- Subsequent to the time of writing the foregoing chapter, arrangements were made by the parties concerned for the removal of the entire business of "Nichols Brothers," described on page 317, to Gardner, and the consequent transfer of the plant, with all its belongings, has been effected during the passage of these sheets through the press. Moreover, in the spring of the present year (1892) the city of Fitchburg, in carrying out its plan for increasing its public water supply from the Westminster and Wachusett ponds, pursuant to a recent special act of the Legislature, made a pur- chase of the mill property of Franklin Wyman - privileges, factories, dwellings, and all their appurtenances, -involving the early permanent suspension of the paper making industry ai Wachu- settville. These transactions reduce very considerably the mechanical facilities of the town and its attendant industrial prosperity, much to the regret of its people and all interested in its well-being in future years. It is to be earnestly hoped that some new enterprise may come in to fill the places thus made vacant, or otherwise supply the losses likely to accrue thereby. ]
CHAPTER XVII.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS -PART THREE.
DISINTEGRATION AND RECONSTRUCTION -SEPARATE PARISHES - CONGREGATIONALIST - METHODIST - UNIVERSALIST - BAPTIST.
FOR three-quarters of a century after the settlement of West- minster the religious interests of the inhabitants were provided for and managed in accordance with established New England usages. The founding and maintenance of religious institu- tions was deemed a public concern, to be secured as were other objects closely related to the general welfare. The town built the meetinghouse and furnished means for the payment of all expenses incident to public religious instruction and worship. Moreover, but one form of faith prevailed nominally here-the faith of the Puritans, which was essentially Calvinistic, more or less rigidly interpreted and administered under independent forms of ecclesiastical polity.
Nevertheless, there were indications in certain directions, here as elsewhere, that this unity was not absolute and universal and was not destined to continue forever; nay, that important changes were impending and would at no distant day ripen to a legitimate consummation. The principles of relig- ious liberty operating conjointly with the growing intelligence of the community, tended naturally to that final result. To this source are largely due the multiform sects and denominations existing in modern society and throughout the Christian world.
Westminster was not exempt from influences created by the considerations mentioned, nor from the effects they were cal- culated to produce. Tokens of their presence began to mani- fest themselves, indeed, before the close of the eighteenth century, as noted in a previous chapter. Isolated cases of divergence from the prevailing beliefs and of new ecclesiastical affiliations occurred at that early day, the forerunners of multi- tudes bound, sooner or later, to follow. In 1814 others appeared, increasing in number as time went on, of which the public were advised through certificates addressed to the town clerk, in form following, to wit :
" We certify that John Dupee of Westminster is a member of the Reli- gious society in the Town of Dana called Universalist.
" Dated the Ist Day of April, 1814.
AARON JOHNSON.
- Com." DAVID WHIPPLE.
333
ECCLESIASTICAL DISINTEGRATION.
"This may certify that Samuel Marsh of Westminster is a member of the Religious society called Methodist in Ashburnham and pays to their support.
"Ashburnham, Dec. 19, 1814. HENRY WILLARD. Com." SIMON WILLARD.
"I hereby certify that Samuel Cooper hath become a member of and united in religious worship with the first Baptist Society in Ashby and Fitchburg.
" Fitchburg Dec. 2. 1815. GEORGE WOOD, Clerk."
Certificates of a similar character followed these in rapid succession, until, in some half a dozen years, the number had amounted, in the aggregate, to more than a hundred, represent- ing as many persons who had formally joined some religious body distinct from that supported by the town, and who were thereby, according to law, exempt from public taxation for religious purposes. These seceders, as they may be termed, or portions of them, became in due time the respective nuclei of several churches and societies formed in subservience to the principles of spiritual or theological affinity, of which particulars will be given hereafter.
In order to meet the growing dissent and gratify the desire to hear other views of Christian truth discussed than those held and preached by Rev. Mr. Mann, an article was inserted in the warrant for a town meeting held April 7, 1817, "To see if the town will admit the inhabitants of the town into the Meeting- house for Religious purposes, on any time which will not interfere with our regular standing order." Upon this article it was "voted to admit the Inhabitants into the Meetinghouse as spec- ified."
This action was of a general nature, and had on the face of it a semblance of toleration and catholicity. But it was evidently not intended to lend any sanction or extend any hospitality to any form of heresy or give encouragement to those whose opin- ions were deemed hostile to the received standard of faith. For when a few months later, Nov. 24, 1817, the town was asked to " give the Universalist Society of Westminster [organ- ized the previous year] liberty of supplying the Desk in the Meetinghouse with a preacher four Sabbaths in a year," it was voted not to grant the request. Nevertheless, at the next April meeting the town expressed itself " willing that the Rev. Cyrus Mann exchange with the Rev. Samuel Clarke of Prince- ton." This was about the time when the revolt against the sterner features of the prevailing creeds assumed in the State of Massachusetts the form of Socinianism, latterly known as Unitarianism, and when an exchange of pulpit civilities between the stricter Calvinists and those known to entertain the newly- acknowledged views was a question of great interest in many of the churches,-in some of them of great excitement, causing alien-
334
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
ation of feeling, open hostility, disruption of old ties, and in not a few instances secession and the founding of new churches and societies under radically different theological auspices and denominational terminologies. Mr. Clarke was of the new school, and that there existed in Westminster considerable sympathy with him in his position of protest against the old Calvinism, is shown by the vote of the town just mentioned, as in other ways soon to be specified.
At the same meeting, held April 6, 1818, a project, which was carried into execution twenty years later, was submitted for consideration, as expressed in the article, "to see if the town will remove the meetinghouse into the center of the town," upon which it was "voted not to remove the meeting house."
The opposition to the views and teaching of Mr. Mann ad- verted to increased, from year to year, resulting at length in the entire separation of church and town in matters of an ecclesi- astical nature, and in the adoption of the voluntary system as applied to the maintenance of the various forms and activities of worship and work in the development and promotion of the Christian life. On the 5th of April, 1819, the town, in con- formity to the custom which had prevailed for seventy years, "Voted and granted $600 for the Rev. Cyrus Mann's fifth years' Sallery." When, a year later, April 3, 1820, the question of appropriating money for the payment of Mr. Mann's sixth year's salary came up, it was "voted to dismiss the article." This was the last time that the town in its corporate capacity was called upon for the support of the public instituions of re- ligion. Before another year expired the adherents of the old form of faith had organized on an independent basis for the maintenance of their distinctive views, and the town ministry of Westminster had come to a perpetual end. The newly established association took the name of "The First Congre- gational Society of Westminster," which repreresented and pro- vided for the more external business interests of that portion of the people holding still the doctrines of the fathers, while the body representing the inner spiritual life existing among them assumed the corresponding title of "The First Congre- gational Church of Westminster." Under those respective heads the history of the original religious movement, organized and established here, will be continued from the date when the change just noted took place to the present day.
To secure the end thus indicated, a historical sketch, furnished at the request of the editor of this work by the recent pastor of the church and society, Rev. Charles M. Palmer, is cheerfully submitted, with the exception of a few paragraphs relating to matters more fully detailed in preceding chapters. It is given substantially as it came from the pen of the writer.
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W. P. ALLEN, GARDNER, MASS.
CHURCH OF THE FIRST PARISH,
335
FOUNDING OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
As we recede from the early times, whether of a state, a town, or a church, the history of what transpired in them be- comes increasingly interesting and valuable. Something more than an idle curiosity prompts the desire to know the genesis of things, in respect to the institutions of society and the types of human life which at any time have a place in the world. The story of the early struggles, the great hindrances, the heroic perseverance of any people, and of the motives im- pelling thereto, is always pleasing to appreciative and respon- sive souls.
The founding of this church was almost coeval with the settlement of the town. The Puritan order seemed to be : first, a rude dwelling, next a meetinghouse, though the people often worshiped for a time in private houses, then a schoolhouse, and other institutions of the higher civilization. Almost mar- vellous does it seem that two families should have set up public worship on the Sabbath, supporting preaching at a considerable expense almost from the beginning in 1737. And what is more wonderful, they had a decent meetinghouse dedicated two years afterward, in 1739, and a church organized and a minister or- dained three years later, in 1742. There seems to have been but six or seven families in town up to this date. This little band in the forest, sixteen miles distant from any settlement, appears in marked contrast with not a few towns in modern days upon our western frontier. These, sometimes with a mar- vellous growth of one or two thousand settlers in a single year, support a dozen or more liquor saloons, and things of a like nature, but wait for the home missionary to come and gather a few sympathetic souls for worship, and possibly after a time for a church and Sunday school.
It makes a vast difference in both the early and later history of a community whether its pioneers are people of the highest religious earnestness, or are led by the love of gain and ad- venture. This town was fortunate in its first settlers. They were of good Puritan stock, and their moral qualities marked their subsequent career.
[Rev. Mr. Palmer here gives a brief outline of the pastorates of the first two ministers of the town, with some account of their personal qualities and characteristics, all of which is omitted for reasons already indicated. His sketch is resumed with the installation of the third minister of the town, Rev. Cyrus Mann. ]
Rev. Cyrus Mann was ordained to his chosen work, and in- stalled as pastor of the church Feb. 22, 1815, Rev. Mr. Rock- wood of Westborough preaching the sermon. For fifty years an ordination had not occurred in town. This was, therefore, a novel, as well as most interesting, occasion, for which great preparation was made.
336
HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
The young pastor came from one of the first and best fami- lies of his native place. Of good Puritan stock, and nurtured in the Calvinistic faith, he found in the duties of his newly as- sumed position his congenial work. In personal appearance he was above medium height, with square shoulders, black hair and eyes, with heavy, overhanging brows, and a dignified and reserved manner. Though not so easy of approach as many, he yet carried a warm heart, and could unbend in the familiar intercourse of domestic life. He commanded the thorough res- pect of all. The young, especially, stood greatly in awe of him, and seldom ventured upon any intimacy with their minister. They were wont to hear in those days, and heed too, the injunc- tion : "Children should be seen, not heard."
The sermons of Mr. Mann were well-studied, doctrinal, pun- gent, and designed to awaken and convict. They penetrated the consciences of many, and there was a high state of religious interest during his entire ministry, and this culminated in at least seven powerful revivals, by which 459 persons were added to the church while he had charge of it.
Under such earnest pressure as his preaching and personal efforts produced, it is not strange that some spirits recoiled in strong antagonism to his presentation of their case backed by the word of God. Early in his ministry liberal doctrines, then prevalent in the eastern part of the state, were espoused by a number of his congregation, who went out and formed a church where milder views were held and preached, and impenitent sinners were made more comfortable.
Up to this time there had been but one house of worship in town, save that a small Methodist one had been erected in the north part in 1817. The Universalists erected a house of worship on the North Common, so-called, in 1820, and in 1827 the Baptists, residing mostly in the southeast part, after having held meetings for some time with increasing interest, formed a society, under the auspices of which a church edifice was built soon after at the foot of Meetinghouse Pond.
Naturally the good shepherd of the old church felt grieved that any sheep should wander off to another fold. To his view others were building on the foundations he had laid with toil- some care. But he abated not at all his earnestness and fear- lessly denounced the judgments of God upon the impenitent. In spite of some infelicities of manner and voice, Mr. Mann was a powerful embassador of God. His words, however, were spoken in sincerity, tenderness, and love. The hearer of his impressive prayers could never doubt that he walked with God and was in secret accord with his Master. Such preaching, accompanied by such devotion and zeal, will always be sifting in its nature and awaken the hostility of those who will not yield to its claims. Nevertheless, God honors it to the salva- tion of souls.
337
EFFICIENT LABORS OF REV. CYRUS MANN.
This pastor had the rare ability to put new converts to work, causing them to become active Christians rather than silent partners in the church. Timid boys and diffident men were led to pray and testify in public to an extent that would be pleasing in any body of believers at the present time. Family worship and household religious training were secured in an unusual degree.
He did much for the educational and reformatory interests of the town. To him, more than to any one else, may be attrib- uted the building of the Academy, which did so much in its time for the young people of this and adjoining localities. As the head of its management for several years, he was not only able to make it conduce to the prosperity of his own church, but was privileged to employ it as a means of directing not a few young men to careers of usefulness in the ministry and elsewhere. One writer says :- "So influential was this Acad- emy in promoting learning and religion in Worcester County, that if Mr. Mann had never done anything else he would deserve the lasting gratitude of the people of Westminster and the surrounding towns."
He was one of the earliest ministers in the state to espouse the cause of temperance and to work for its promotion, often giving lectures in aid of it at home and abroad, thereby render- ing it substantial service. It was largely by his efforts that as early as 1828 this reform had numerous earnest adherents in town. Church members began to be disciplined for un- due indulgence in the use of the intoxicating cup. A few years later fermented wine was discarded in the observance of the rite of the Lord's Supper, though after much discussion and strenuous opposition.
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