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 55
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It was the local expression or outcome of a widely prevail- ing movement of a period noted for its humanitarian spirit, which extended throughout New England and beyond, and which had its outposts or subordinate agencies in many, if not in all, the towns of the Commonwealth. The underlying idea of that movement was to bring "producer" and "con- sumer" into immediate contact with each other, and thus remove the necessity of what were termed "middle men," whose income, whether wages or profits, served not only to increase the cost of goods to the latter but to diminish the sell- ing price to the former. The new form of transfer was there- fore designed to accrue to the benefit of both classes most intimately concerned in the matter.
For some years the enterprise prospered. Arrangements were made by which the local branch of the larger organization had come into possession of and stocked the store previously occupied by H. G. Whitney, now represented by George W. Bruce, and considerable business was done in West India goods, groceries, flour, and grain, accruing to more or less of profit to the members and to the outside public. The under- taking was finally given up, for reasons best known to those more immediately concerned in its administration.
Sovereigns of Industry. This was a society similar to the last, being based upon the same general principles and designed to promote the same mutually helpful and worthy ends. It was formed a few years after the war and utilized, as its place of trade, the so-called Bradbury store. It was temporarily successful, although suffering a decline afterward, having an experience very much like that of the "Union" just named. In 1877 its stock in trade was sold to Jerome Whit- man, and the company dissolved.
Village Improvement Society. Chiefly through the agency of Revs. C. M. Palmer and Lyman Partridge, pastors of the Congregationalist and Baptist churches respectively, an association was started in January, 1884, the purposes and ob- jects of which are sufficiently indicated by the name under which it was formally organized for active service. It seemed to strike a popular chord, being favorably received by all classes in the community, who responded generously to its appeals for membership, for money, and for active efforts to carry to a suc-
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cessful issue the various projects instituted in the line of its purposed end and aim.
This society has been continuously active during the few years that have transpired since it was founded, has maintained a good standing, and been in divers ways serviceable to the public. It has not only laid sidewalks, set out shade trees, and made many other improvements that have added to the con- venience and comfort of the people and to the attractiveness of the place, but it has developed a public spirit, a social feeling, and a sense of mutual inter-dependence and friendliness among those of different opinions, affiliations, callings, and positions in life, rarely, if ever before, realized in this community. More- over, by its public meetings, held once a fortnight from Sep- tember to May, and the varied exercises connected with them, it has contributed much to the general intelligence, the mental advancement, and the moral elevation of the community. Long may it live and prosper !
Freemasonry. It does not appear from any records that have come to hand that Freemasonry, as it is termed, was ever represented in town by an organized local lodge, but it is in evidence that there were members of other lodges here in considerable numbers at or soon after the close of the first quarter of the present century, some of whom, in times of mis- fortune, are known to have received substantial aid from the charity funds of the order. Subsequently, however, to the alleged abduction and murder, in 1826, of William Morgan, an apostate Mason of Western New York, for publishing the secrets of the institution, a strong anti-Masonic feeling sprang up in the community, which had its counterpart in, or perhaps was generated by, the prevailing interest and excitement through- out the entire country in the same behalf. Men known to be Masons were ostracized or regarded with suspicion, and public meetings were held for the purpose of exposing the presump- tive iniquities and mischiefs of the mystic craft, and to insti- tute measures for preventing its growth in numbers and in in- fluence. Delegates were chosen to attend an anti-Masonic con- vention at Worcester, in aid of a widely extended movement for the suppression of what was supposed to be a gigantic evil menacing alike the Christian church and the institutions of civil and religious liberty.
The opposition to Masonry entered largely into the politics of the time. Anti-Masonic candidates for the Presidency solic- ited votes in the campaign of 1832, anti-Masonic Governors were elected in some of the States, and neighboring towns sent anti-Masonic representatives to the Massachusetts Legis- lature. In 1831 the subject made its first appearance in public town meeting here, Hon. Samuel Lathrop, anti-Masonic can- didate for Governor, having 63 votes against 134 for Hon. Levi Lincoln, 14 for Hon. Marcus Morton, and I for Hon. Samuel
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SECRET ORGANIZATIONS-GALA DAYS.
Hoar. The next year the vote for Mr. Lathrop was only 47, Dea. Benjamin F. Wood, corresponding candidate for town representative, having 48. A year later, 1833, the anti-Masonic candidate for Governor, John Quincy Adams, had 42 votes, while in 1834 Hon. John Bailey, candidate on the same ticket, had 22.
During the last named year the Legislature passed a law prohibiting "all extrajudicial oaths" under a heavy penalty, the result of which, supplementing the general agitation of the subject, was a great decline of interest in Freemasonry, and the abandonment of many of the lodges in this state as in others.
Twenty years later, however, a reaction set in, inaugurating an increase of the order in the country at large, never equaled before. As a great, world-wide fraternity, it is to-day charac- terised by abounding prosperity, nowhere more strikingly mani- fest than in the United States. Some twenty or thirty brethren of the mystic tie are there at the present time in Westminster, whose badges or symbols, frequently seen by the observing eye, betoken no injury or harm to any important interest of public or private life.
Odd Fellowship. This term represents a secret chari- table organization similar to that last named, though without its prestige or high-sounding claims. It is said to have origi- nated in England towards the latter part of the last century, and to have been introduced into this country in or about the year 1819. The disrepute into which Freemasonry fell soon after caused it to be regarded with suspicion for a time, but it at length gained a place in public confidence, and adherents to its principles increased with astonishing rapidity. The motto of the order, "Friendship, Love, and Truth," has a peculiar charm to it, and, if practically regarded, can be productive of only salutary and beneficent results. There is about the same number of Odd Fellows in Westminster as there are Masons, whose organic affiliations, like theirs, are with lodges, encamp- ments, etc., in other localities.
Gala Days and Celebrations. During the period of this town's history there have been numerous public holidays or occasions of general rejoicing and festivity, which have con- stituted a not altogether unimportant part of the life of the people. They have usually been observed in connection with some special interest or department of activity, whose presenta- tion in its appropriate place in this volume, includes all the notice of them that seems to be required. Such were the "One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the 'embodiment' of the First Church," the "Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Baptist Church," the "Westminster Academy Reunion,' etc. Others there have been of a less signal character, to which only the merest allusion can be made. To this class
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
belong occasional celebrations of the Fourth of July, which, for the most part, have combined a patriotic purpose with some important matter of public utility or moral reform, like temper- ance, anti-slavery, or education. The several churches, in addi- tion to what has been alluded to, have had their respective seasons of sacred commemoration or innocent recreation, while the public schools have enjoyed their repeated "outings," for health, instruction, or pleasure, as arranged by the several teachers and the superintending committee.
Old Folks' Picnic. Under this designation there has been held at Wachusett Park for some fifteen years past an annual gathering of more than ordinary interest and importance, enlisting, as it does, the attention and co-operation of large numbers of people in this and neighboring localities. It was started in a small way and for a temporary purpose in 1878, with little or no expectation in regard to what might come of it in after years. The late Mrs. Hollis Bolton, of her own motion at the outset, proposed inviting a few of the elderly people of the neighborhood to come together on a stated summer day, for a pleasant time-for mutual congratulation, interchange of thought, and social recreation. The proposition met with favor, and proper means were taken for carrying it into effect.
As a result, there assembled a goodly number of those far advanced in years-men and women,-together with many of their relatives and friends, all of whom found it to be a season of such unqualified pleasure and satisfaction that a desire for its repetition spontaneously arose and was freely expressed. That desire crystalized into fact the following year,-an in- creased attendance and increased interest characterizing the event and opening the way for subsequent gatherings of the same sort. And so it has continued from year to year until there has been built up a permanent custom .- in a certain sense, an established institution of the town.
Though the occasion still retains its original name, yet it interests and brings together not the aged only, but all condi- tions and classes of people from within the town's borders, and also many friends and former residents from outside, all of whom find in it much satisfaction and delight. It is duly an- nounced and provided for by a committee chosen each year for the purpose, one of whose duties it is to prepare a programme of exercises, more or less formal, with which to engage the attention of those who may be present, and give character and dignity to the day. Those exercises are composed usually of singing, prayer, speech making, and the reading of letters from absent friends - the singing consisting largely of old time pieces, and the speaking and reading dealing chiefly with historical fact and incident, or personal reminiscence. Outside of all this there is ample time for social and friendly intercourse with all the amenities and courtesies therein implied. Though now
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IMPORTANT PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS.
continuing for many years, it is still held in high favor by the people generally, and seems destined to abide permanently in the community. In good weather several hundred persons are in attendance, whose chief regret about it is that its hours pass so swiftly away. Until recently it has been held on the Wednesday occurring nearest the 20th of June, but the better to suit the convenience and leisure of the larger number in- terested in it, the time has been changed to a corresponding day in the month of August.
Beside the times and seasons adverted to and described, there have been three of a more general and comprehensive nature, and withal distinctively historical, in which the inhabi- tants of the town, irrespective of party, sect, or class, have had an interest, and to which they have all to a greater or less ex- tent contributed. These will be noticed in the order of their occurrence.
1. The Municipal Centenary. Pursuant to the re- quest of prominent citizens desirous of having some appropri- ate recognition made of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, which was to transpire on the 20th of October, 1859, a legal meeting was called Aug. 22d of that year, at which, after satisfactory discussion of the subject, it was voted
"I. To celebrate the approaching anniversary of the incorporation of the town.
"2. To choose a committee of arrangements, consisting of fifteen per- sons, to have charge of all matters pertaining to the proper and creditable observance of the occasion.
"3. To authorize the selectmen to audit the accounts of the committee and give orders on the treasury for the payment of the same to an amount not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars.
"4. To instruct the committee to cause the address and other proceed- ings of the occasion to be printed in sufficient numbers to supply every voter in town a copy, if they think best.".
In accordance with these votes a committee was chosen with Joel Merriam, Jr., as chairman, and activities were at once put in motion for the successful accomplishment of the end in view. Inasmuch as the neighboring town of Princeton, which was incorporated on the same day as Westminster, had already effected arrangements for celebrating the event on the exact anniversary of its occurrence, Oct. 20th, it was deemed advis- able to anticipate the time by two weeks, and the 6th of the month was therefore fixed upon for the Westminster festivities. Under the direction of the general committee ample prepara- tions were made for the rare and interesting occasion. A cor- dial invitation was sent out to the sons and daughters of the town, scattered far and wide through the land, to return and share the hospitalities of the resident citizens of their birth- place, and the pleasures of its centennial day. Before that day dawned the village was elaborately decorated, many a flag floated
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
in the breeze, large quantities of bunting fashioned into chaste and pleasing devices graced both public and private buildings, while words of welcome and good cheer greeted the eye on every hand. A spacious platform had been erected under the broad branches of the venerable elms on the "Old Common," where the principal exercises of the occasion were to take place. Near by, on the open plateau, a large tent had been spread, be- neath which the collation prepared by a Leominster caterer was to be served and the postprandial speeches made. All things seemed in readiness for the great and notable event, and the evening before was auspicious of a happy realization of the wishes of all concerned.
The morning dawned full of promise. A hundred guns announced the arrival of the important day, and woke the town from its more or less disturbed repose. All were astir ere the hours had far advanced, and as they went hastening by, the streets filled rapidly with the people of the place, their already arrived guests, and the multitude coming in from the country round about. "A thousand hearts beat happily," "music arose with its voluptuous swell," and all were expectant of a delight- ful time.
But the day did not prove as propitious as was hoped. A gentle breeze sprang up ere the sun had ascended far in the eastern sky, which gradually increased in force and violence until it became a veritable gale, filling the air with dust and sand, making havoc with bunting, flags, and other articles of adorning, and seriously threatening the dinner tent and what was beneath it, rendering special appliances needful to make it safe and sure.
Nevertheless, it was deemed advisable to enter upon the pro- ceedings of the occasion as provided for by the Committee of Arrangements, and this was accordingly done under the im- mediate direction of the following
OFFICERS OF THE DAY.
President, - Benjamin Wyman.
Vice-Presidents, -- William S. Bradbury, George Miles, Sam- uel G. Kendall, David Whitney, Joel Merriam, Anson Spalding, Franklin Wyman, Benjamin F. Wood, Stillman Brooks, Manas- seh S. Forbush, Jonas Miller, Edward Bacon, Aaron Wood.
Toastmasters, - Daniel C. Miles, Frederick Allen.
Chief Marshal, - John Minott.
Assistant Marshals, - Joseph W. Forbush, Daniel C. Miles, Artemas Merriam, Philander C. Brown, Joseph M. Whitman, Amos B. Holden, James R. Bruce, Franklin Howe, Caleb S. Merriam, Major Page, Augustine Whitney.
Clerks, - Clinton Warner, M. D., Charles H. Stearns.
At ten o'clock a procession was formed at the Town Hall and moved, as rapidly as circumstances would allow, through
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ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF INCORPORATION.
Main Street to the place designated for the principal exercises of the occasion. The fire companies of Gardner and West- minster-three in number-accompanied by Worcester, Fitch- burg, and Gardner cornet bands, performed escort duty, the latter filling the air with their inspiring strains. Arriving at the " Common," where seats had been provided in front of the stage referred to, the assemblage, numbering about twenty-five hundred persons, came into as much of quiet as possible, and the exercises proceeded as follows :
I. Music by the bands.
2. Anthem by the Centenary Choir.
3. Reading of Scripture by Rev. Brown Emerson of West- minster.
4. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. Marcus Ames of Chelsea.
5. Original hymn by Lucy B. Whitney, sung by the congre- gation.
6. Address by Hon. Charles Hudson of Lexington.
The preliminary proceedings were carried through under great difficulty, and to little edification or pleasure, by reason of the fury of the elements, and Mr. Hudson began his address under circumstances most untoward and forbidding. It soon became evident that his labors were vain, only a few of the great assemblage in close proximity to him being able to hear what he was saying. It was therefore deemed advisable to adjourn to the church of the First Parish for the further execu- tion of the morning's programme. This being found much too small to accommodate all desiring admission, an overflow meet- ing was held in the Universalist Church on the opposite side of the street, where the poet of the occasion, Rev. William S. Heywood of Hopedale, Milford, read his production -the ser- vices going on in the two places simultaneously. So much time had been consumed, however, by the extra movements and delays occasioned by the weather, that only a small portion of the prepared oration was delivered -an omission in good degree compensated by the subsequent publication of it in full for general circulation. It was distinctively retrospective and historical in its character, and evinced much and varied research, careful preparation, and a thoughtful appreciation of the require- ments of the occasion. In its printed form, of which there was a large edition, it served as a satisfactory "History of West- minster" for a generation, containing much valuable informa- tion for the people of the town and the general public, as well as offering many important suggestions to the writer of this work, for which he is happy to make due acknowledgment.
The poem by the author of this work opened with a brief allusion to the occasion, and, after paying respectful tribute to the town of which he was a native and to the old Bay State, passed to a brief presentation of the high themes of life, man, and destiny as he contemplated and estimated them. It was
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HISTORY OF WESTMINSTER, MASS.
published, as were all the important proceedings of the day, in connection with the centennial address.
At the close of the exercises in the churches the procession re-formed and passed to the tent mentioned, where the collation was partaken of by some twelve hundred persons and where, dinner being over, further speaking, with accompanying vocal and instrumental music, took place.
The President of the day made an appropriate address of welcome, and was followed by the Toastmasters, whose well- chosen sentiments were responded to by Rev. S. S. Smith of Warren, a former pastor in the place, Rev. Dr. Allen, the husband of Myra Wood, misssionary to Bombay, Levi Miller of Antwerp, N. Y., Goodwin Wood of Fitchburg, Clough R. Miles, Esq., of Milbury, Rev. Charles Kendall of Petersham, Rev. Franklin Merriam of New Boston, N. H., Rev. Joseph Peckham of Kingston, the last six natives of the place, and by Charles Hudson, the orator of the day, Edwin Glazier, Esq., and Allen Folger of Gardner. Letters were also read from Dr. Joel Wy- man of Beaufort, S. C., Hon. Charles B. Hoard, M. c., of Water- town, N. Y., natives, and from Rev. O. H. White, a former pastor of the First Church and parish.
In the evening the Congregational Church was again well filled with an interested and enthusiastic audience. Friendly greetings were renewed, impromptu speeches made, additional sentiments offered and responded to, the whole being inter- spersed with singing. At a late hour the services closed with a benediction, and the Westminster Centennial passed into history.
The National Centenary. The one hundredth anniver- sary of the signing of the American Declaration of Indepen- dence occurred on the 4th of July, 1876. In anticipation of the event, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, issued a proclamation calling upon cities and towns throughout the land to take note of the same and duly honor it by public celebrations of a character calculated to commemorate the founding of a great and mighty nation upon the principles of civil and religious liberty and the inalienable rights of mankind. In response thereto, the day was appropriately observed in every part of the United States by all classes of the population. Scarce a municipality, large or small, was anywhere to be found, certainly in all the north, in which some demonstration of love and loyalty to a united and redeemed Republic did not take place.
At a town meeting held early in the month of June, the citi- zens voted not to hold a public celebration at the time indicated. Whereupon, by recommendation of the selectmen, the matter was taken in hand by private parties, active among whom was Dr. George B. Swazey, a meeting being called, at which there was a good attendance, much interest manifested, and a vote
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CENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
passed to observe the day in some suitable and patriotic man- ner. A committee of arrangements was chosen to make all needful provision for carrying that vote into effect, which was accordingly done.
Inasmuch as all other towns in the vicinity had a celebration of their own, this one was distinctively a local affair, although it had much wider, even national relations and significance. No records of it have been found, and only a few items pertaining to it can therefore be mentioned in this connection.
A large tent was pitched upon the Common, beneath which the more formal services of the occasion were held. Daniel C. Miles acted as President of the day, and Herbert Howe had charge of the literary and musical exercises. Rev. William S. Heywood of Holyoke gave the principal address, which was of a distinctively national and patriotic character. Of the nature and spirit of it and of the occasion which called it forth, a few extracts, selected indiscriminately from its pages, will furnish satisfactory indications :
"This is America's jubilee year-a year of historic meaning and worth, of patriotic memories, of national festivity and joy -a year that speaks to us of noble deeds and heroic achievements wrought and won for liberty's sake and to promote the God-derived, inalienable rights of mankind. A year it is whose airs are scented with that spirit of sublime self-consecration, faith in God. and devotion to the principles of human freedom, which ani- mated the breasts of noble men and women dwelling in the flesh a hundred years ago, -a year that awakens deep, tender, and mighty emotions in the popular heart, and swells to no common flow the tide of patriotic feeling in the soul of every true son and daughter of a country, whose history is luminous with illustrious examples of high and consecrated living, whose progress in the arts of civilized society and in the elements of national greatness and renown outvies that of any other realm beneath the sun, and whose benefits and blessings to all classes and conditions of people chal- lenge the competition and the admiration of the world."
"What profits it that we keep this holiday, if it do not tend to quicken in us the love of liberty and of man, if it do not confirm us more and more in the principles of all righteous government! What does it avail, that we pronounce eulogies upon those whose fidelity and disinterestedness, whose wisdom and high character made the Republic possible, and whose blood nourished it into vigorous growth-what. that we sing their honors all abroad and make the airs of the land vocal with their praise, if we do not catch their spirit, if we scorn for ourselves personally the toils and sacrifices that made their names truly great and their fame immortal !"
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