History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 100

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The date of the introduction of the Universalist creed to this town is 1820, in which year a spot of land nearly opposite the B. & A. R. R. depot on the Plains, and now occupied by a brick dwelling-house, was purchased, and the erection of a church edifice thereon was contemplated. Ministers prominent in that denomination in other towns were obtained to preach that doctrine, and to arouse such an enthusiasm as should result in the establishment of a church and society.

Public worship was held for several years in a hall and dwelling-houses, but gradually, chiefly on account of the depression in agriculture and of the scarcity of money, the people considered it impossible to raise funds for a church building, and the project was aban- doned, and soon all interest in the matter was appa- rently lost. In 1838, and for two or three years pre- viously, a number of persons had become dissatisfied in the First Church, and filed certificates of withdrawal. April 9th a few of these associated themselves, and formed the First Universalist Church of Barre, and some from the south part of the town, wlio had been interested in the scheme of 1820, joined them. The next year they purchased a building lot at the south

end of the Common, and erected a building which was dedicated in April, 1840.

This society was never a strong one, but it held together as an organization for about ten years, when their interest waned and dissensions arose among them, which soon resulted in their disintegration, and June 6, 1851, their edifice was sold to a board of trus- tees for the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and, after some necessary repairs and changes in construc- tion, was dedicated the following 17th of September to worship in accordance with the usages of that faith.

Although there had been desultory Methodist services in town as early as 1823, this denomination did not obtain a foothold here until 1842, when ser- vices were held in the town-hall; under the foster- ing care of various clergymen and prominent laymen of their faith their congregations increased, and in 1850 they took into serious consideration the matter of erecting a house for worship. A spot for a build- ing was obtained, but when it was found that the Universalist edifice could be purchased, that was bought, and the building-lot sold to its previous owner. Since 1844, when the first pastor was as- signed to this church, twenty-seven ministers have been sent by the Conference to its pulpit, but two of whom have remained for three years.

The present pastor is Rev. Charles Nicklin, who was located here in 1888. This church is in a pros- perous condition, and, though not so strong as twenty years ago, is now increasing in the number of its attendants and its influence; its membership is abont seventy-five, and of its Sabbath-school about seventy ; the building has a seating capacity of about three hundred.

The first services under the auspices of the Ro- man Catholic persnasion were held about 1852, pri- vate houses being first used, and afterward the town- hall was occupied for this purpose. In 1856 services were held in the church building now owned by them, located south of the Common, and which was then a dwelling-house, although it had been built for, and previously occupied as a country store. The Catholics of Barre were then a component part of the Worcester Mission ; in 1860 they were consti- tuted a parish, and connected with Templeton, and afterwards with Ware and North Brookfield, and now with Otter River. In 1858 they purchased the brick dwelling-house, and remodeled it into a church building; about seventy-five families are connected with this parish, which is under the charge of Rev. Father Raynolds, and services are held bi-monthly. In accordance with the custom of the denomination, the church property is in the possession of Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield, this parish being in that diocese. The house of worship is pleasantly located, and has a seating capacity of about four hundred.

In 1854 another church organization was effected under the title of the Free or Independent Church. Rev. Marshall G. Kimball was their pastor, the ser-

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mon at his installation being preached by Theodore Parker. This society prospered for a while, but, for want of sufficient cohesive power, gradually faded away. It was in existence about five years; its pas- tor was a young and popular man ; at the dissolution of the society he entered upon educational work in the West.

Early in the century several families came to the east part of the town from Sutton ; their predilections were for the Baptist form of belief; as no denomina- tion of that kind existed here, they attended upon that form of worship in the town of Templeton. As they increased in numbers, and the distance to Templeton was considerable, they desired to be or- ganized into a church here. Accordingly, the officers of the Templeton Church came to the east part of the town, and Angust 21, 1811, a society was formed at the house of Elias Chase; this society was consid- ered a branch of the Templeton Church rather than as an independent organization, and services were held in dwelling-houses for a number of years. In 1813 they were much strengthened in numbers by withdrawals from the First Parish or Old Church, the ministerial tax in that parish being consid- ered burdensome. Notwithstanding that they con- sidered themselves members of a distinct parish, the tax for the old parish was still levied and collected from them, this being assessed in con- nection with the town taxes. In 1816 the church protested against this tax, served notice on the town to that effect and that they should apply for au act of incorporation. This subject was freely discussed in town-meeting, when it was at length decided to pay no attention to their protest as regarded the tax, aud not to oppose their iucorporation. In 1817 the matter of taxation again came up, when a committee, on the part of the town, was appointed to consider the subject. They reported that they considered it nnjust for the members to aid in supporting two or- ganizations, and recommended that the voters of the old church choose their necessary parish officers, and grant and raise money for their own ministerial sup- port. In a few years this was done, and harmony prevailed. No pastor was installed over the Baptist Church, but preaching was pretty constant. Rev. Mr. Leonard, who afterwards became a noted clergy- man, was one of their early ministers, preaching for them about 1817 ; he was followed by other earnest workers, who so built up this mission and gave it such strength that it was deemed wise to erect a church edifice. This was accomplished in 1832-33, their first house being situated nearly opposite where Mr. Samuel Adams now lives. In 1832 the church was incorporated, and became a regularly organized body.

Previous to 1836 Rev. John Walker had preached occasionally for them and was their regular pastor from 1837 to 1844. During his pastorate a feeling prevailed that it was advisable to have their edifice in

the village of Coldbrook, and plans were formed to move there; but when it was suggested that by so doing they would be in the town of Oakham, and their charter had incorporated them as a church in Barre, they obtained land westerly of the village and within the Barre boundary. In 1842-43 their new house was erected and in the winter of 1843-44 was dedi- cated. Their old house was soon afterward taken down and carried to Oakham, where it was re-erected and used for a number of years by the Methodists. Since 1837 their regular ministers have been Rev. John Walker, from 1837 to 1844; Rev. George W. Cate, September 8, 1845, to May 13, 1849; Rev. Lewis Holmes, June 1, 1849, to August 8, 1853; Rev. Payson Tyler, July 9, 1854, to August 17, 1856; Rev. L. Tan- dy, October, 1856, to November 28, 1858 ; Rev. D. Avery, April 1, 1859, to March 30, 1862 ; Rev. Joseph Shepardson, May 4, 1862, to January 18, 1863; Rev. George L. Hunt, June 3, 1863, to March 27, 1864; Rev. E. J. Emery, April 1, 1865, to Jannary 28, 1866 ; Rev. C. D. R. Meacham, September 6, 1870, to August 9, 1874; Rev. K. Holt, March, 1877, to Jnne 4, 1882 ; Rev. Philander Perry, September 3, 1882, to May 1, 1884; Rev. Henry H. Mansur, July 8, 1884, to March 26, 1888, and Rev. William Read, the present pastor, who was installed June 3, 1888. The seating capacity of the building is about three hundred and its services are well attended; the number of its church members is forty-five and of its Sabbath-school one hundred.

Leaving now this sketch of the church and return- ing to the period anterior to the incorporation of the town, we can form some idea of the trials of the inhab- itants, struggling under many untoward circumstances to bring order out of confusion and have a well-dis- posed and well-regulated form of local government. The schools, crude as they were and maintained under many difficulties, were cherished as the bulwark of a future nation. Highways, too, were demanding much consideration.

From a mere handful of individuals, at the time when the proprietors of this Northwest District had assigned certain localities for roads, the inhabitants had so increased in number that it became necessary that additional paths for travel should be constructed to accommodate the passing to and from the places where the meeting-house and schools had been estab- lished and for transaction of business, or for social relations one with another, or to render and receive aid in case of sickness or other tronbles, or to pay such slight visits of courtesy as the times demanded. Mat- ters of state were coming to a crisis. May 20, 1772, a warrant for a town-meeting was issued to Noah Mandell, requiring him " forthwith, in His Majesty's Name," to warn all the freeholders and other inhabit- ants qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the meeting-house, June 3d, there to act on certain arti- cles. The voters assembled at the time and place, and after organizing the meeting, electing a grand juryman for the year to serve at the Court of Quarter

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Sessions and choosing a committee to repair the " great bridge " over the Ware River, they voted to pass over three of the articles in the warrant and also voted that they be not entered upon the records. What these articles were might be a matter of greater con- jecture, did not contemporaneous history reveal the existing state of affairs. The people were becoming restive under the restraints imposed upon them by foreign rulers, and the determination to have these burdens modified or to be released from such servi- tude was every day becoming more apparent. Feb- ruary 23, 1773, another meeting was held "to hear and consider of a Circular Letter from the town of Boston, dated November 20, 1772, containing the States and Rights of this Province in particular, etc."

A committee of five members, with John Caldwell as their chairman, was chosen to take this letter into consideration ; they soon reported "that upon a full conviction of the propriety and expediency of the measure, they recommend the inhabitants of said District to pass the following resolves : 1. That the rights of the Colonists, and of this Province in par- ticular, as stated by their respectable brethren of the metropolis of this Province, are agreeable to the real sentiments of the inhabitants of this District, and that it is of the utmost importance that the inhabit- ants of this Province stand firm, as one man, to sup- port and maintain all their just rights and privileges. 2. That the inhabitants of this and the other British Provinces have an equal right with the people of Great Britain to enjoy and dispose of their own prop- erty, and the same cannot be taken from them but by their own consent. 3. That the Parliament of Great Britain have passed several acts in the execution of which American subjects are burdened with uncon- stitutional taxes. 4. That to render the Governor and Judges of the Supreme Court of this Province independent of the grants of the General Assembly is an innovation and infraction on the Charter Rights, as it destroys that check which should remain in the hands of the people. 5. That the thanks of this Dis- trict be given to the town of Boston for their zeal shown in the defence of their Charter Rights." This report was unanimously adopted, and a copy was sent to the Committee of Correspondence and Communica- tion at Boston.

A movement to throw off some of their burdens was now inaugurated, and a closer union of the people and a firmer binding together of the common interests made it imperative that the district should have a more united organization. The shackles of a greater power being distasteful, it is no wonder that the lesser authority of the district should be considered as tending to divert their cares and energies, and with the people working together for the common good, an organization as a town was felt necessary.

Accordingly, at a meeting held April 5, 1773, for that purpose, it was decided to petition the General Court to be set off as a town, and John Caldwell,

Asa Hapgood and Nathan Sparhawk were chosen a committee for that purpose. This petition appears on the House Journal, June 22, 1773, and an order of notice was sent to the adjoining towns in relation to it. No further steps were taken in regard to it until the following February, when the petition was again brought to the attention of the General Court, again read and then ordered that the prayer be so far granted that the petitioners have leave to bring in a bill. This was sent down for concurrence and on the 16th of the same month a bill for incorporat- ing the district into a town by the name of Barre was passed to he engrossed, but one week from that date the bill was ordered to be laid on the table. No reason is given for recalling the bill, but it is certain that Governor Hutchinson, in power by the authority of King George the Third, was a pliant and willing tool in the hands of his royal master, and a rebuke and punishment must be administered the people, in part and as a whole, for their participation in such stirring events as the Boston Massacre in 1770, the destruc- tion of the tea in the harbor in 1773, and their ap- parent restiveness under the many restraints imposed upon them. May 13, 1774, Thomas Gage succeeded Governor Hutchinson, and on the 25th of this month the government was reorganized. In the Governor's opening address he declared his inten- tions, in accordance with the instructions of the King, to remove the General Court to Salem. This met there the 7th of June, and on the following day is recorded "a bill to incorporate Rutland District as a town." The following day the bill was read for the third time and passed to be engrossed, and on the 14th it was passed to be enacted. The records of the Commonwealth do not give the date when the bill was signed by the Governor. On the 17th of June the doors of the House were closed for a secret session, the members having assembled to consult upon the course of the Governor, his bearing towards the House and the condition of the Province; the Governor, having been informed of these proceedings, at once sent his secretary to dissolve the General Court; the House took no notice of this messenger, but proceeded with its business, which, however, did not relate so much to the affairs of the Province as to the existing general condition of matters.

On the authority of the Massachusetts Spy we have the information that the Governor then proceeded to the House and demanded admittance ; this was re- fused ; he immediately dissolved the General Court, having previously stated what bills he had signed that morning, among which was the one incorporating this town. In place of Barre the name of Hutchin- son had been inserted; no reason is given for this change, but it is believed to have been made in the Council at the command of Gage, that thereby he might aid in perpetuating the name of his imme- diate predecessor. In August, 1774, a committee consisting of Asa Hapgood, Nathan Sparhawk,

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Andrew Parker, John Mason and Peter Fessenden were chosen to meet committees of other towns at Worcester to take into consideration the existing condition of the Province; at an adjourned meeting held in September the committee made their report, a part of which was accepted; it does not appear what this was; with the spirit of freedom at work, a certain degree of secrecy was necessary.

The first warrant of the town for a town-meeting was issued December 20, 1774, notifying the inhabit- ants to assemble at the meeting-house the following 10th of January to choose a representative to the Provincial Congress, to he held at Cambridge, Feb- ruary 1st, and to choose a committee to give the rep- resentative instructions as to his course. John Mason was chosen representative, and at an adjourned meeting the committee's instructions were read and accepted by the town. They were in accord with the prevailing sentiments of the people; they desired Mason to stand for and to vindicate, in every consis- tent way, in a firm, steady and uniform manner, their rights; to act in accord with the Continental Con- gress, and to coincide with its determination in gen- eral, unless sad necessity should compel him to do otherwise. Notwithstanding his instructions, much was left to his discretion, the well-known character and ability of the man evidently convincing his fel- low-townsmen that they had made choice of an hon- orable and able representative to an important assem- blage. At the meeting of January 10th the patriotism of the town and their determination to resist the en- croachments of Great Britain are still further shown when it was voted that the town would "indemnify the constables from paying any more money to Har- rison Gray, the former treasurer of the Province, but that they should pay the said money to Henry Gard- ner, now treasurer." This vote was passed in accord- ance with the advice and resolve of the Provincial Congress. The times were eventful; the resistance to oppression had increased, and the necessity of act- ing in unison was apparent. August 1, 1774, the district met to take action on several papers sent hither in regard to the Boston Port Bill ; after con- siderable deliberation they decided that their share or proportion of the money now in the district treasury should be paid towards the support of the Congress to be held at Philadelphia. Affairs were assuming conflicting aspects. Here, and now, as elsewhere, a few stanch men were vigorously endeavoring to have their more timid or cautious associates take more pronounced positions on the questions of the day. The officers of the militia had resigned their posts, "throwing the militia of the town, as it were, into a state of nature." The Committee of Corre- spondence for the County of Worcester had recom- mended that every town in the county shonld meet at once and choose officers to lead them wherever they might be called, until the government should be brought under proper regulations. In consequence

of this, it was decided to form two companies of militia, one to be under the command of Captain Ezra Jones, the other under Captain William Buck- minster. These companies were not to exceed fifty men each, including officers, and a proper allowance of money was recommended to remunerate them for each half-day that they should be required to be under arms for the purpose of drill and discipline, these half-days to be two in each month for the next eight months, unless the town should hereafter con- sider it unnecessary, or unless the Committee of Safety for the Provinces should, within that time, call them to march to any part of the Provinces, when their pay, so far as the town was concerned, should cease. In April, 1775, "the alarm " was sent out from Boston of the great need of militia. Twenty- one men marched from this town to do battle in their country's cause; they were attached to Colonel Brewer's regiment, and, under the immediate com- mand of their own townsman, Captain John Black, did their duty at the battle of Bunker Hill. Buck- minster was appointed lieutenant-colonel of this regi- ment; he received a severe wound in the engagement and was disabled from further military duty. He returned to his farm, but did not forget the needs of his country. His patriotism and enthusiasm were of great value in aiding and filling the quotas subse- quently demanded from this town. Colonel Buck- minster lived to see the end of the struggle, but his wound wore upon his stalwart frame, and June 22, 1786, he passed away, not fifty years of age.

These twenty-one men did not enlist in the army, but soon returned home. Subsequent events called for more aid, and in a short time fifty-eight men, in- cluding a number of those who were at Bunker Hill, enlisted under Captain Black for a term of eight months, Samuel Lee, born here in 1767, enlisted at the age of thirteen, and was attached to the army at West Point; he served during the remainder of the war, and was in many important engagements; re- turning to his home, he obtained an education, and hecame a prominent man in the town, holding many State and town offices. He was a man whose integrity and sound judgment were never questioned, and whose opinion was sought on many points. He died here at the age of seventy-two. An oil-painting of him adorns the walls of our Public Library.

By the demands of the country, ably seconded by a Jones, a Black, a Buckminster, a Sparhawk and others, the patriotic spirit prevailed; the wavering gradually sinking their objections to armed resistance, realizing that the power of tyranny was endeavoring slowly to tighten the cords which were being then thrown about them. Firm and decisive measures were necessary that the people might act together and in a spirit of accord, that they should encourage the fickle, take counsel one with another, and resist all overtures trom royalty to consider in convention how peace might be obtained.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

For the support of the militia money was essen- tial; struggling with poverty, yet resolute and un- wavering, the strictest economy was necessary to maintain their position. Schools and highways were now of secondary importance; no funds could be spared for support or repair; the minister's salary went unpaid ; every effort of the people seemed given to the one cause. But this condition of affairs could not long exist ; money must be obtained, and finally it was voted to sell some of the land about the meeting-house and the old proprietors' roads, and devote the proceeds to the use of the schools, as they recognized their great importance.

At this time another incident occurred, which still further illustrates the patriotism of the people. Thus far the town had been known as Hutchinson. The firm adhesion of ex-Governor Hutchinson to the au- thority of Great Britain, he being a strong believer in, and upholder of, royal prerogatives, had rendered the name obnoxious to the inhabitants. Smarting under the insult inflicted by the name, they resolved to apply to the General Court for an act authorizing the town to be named anew. January 17, 1776, it was voted to petition for authority to change the name from Hutchinson to that of Wilkes. John Caldwell, Nathan Sparhawk and John Mason, of the selectmen, and Andrew Parker and Asa Hapgood, ofthe Commit- tee of Correspondence, were chosen to act for the town. Their petition stated that, having formerly been known by the name of Rutland District, in 1773 they applied for an act of incorporation as a town, which was granted by both Houses, but non-concurred in by Governor Hutchinson, unless he could have the privilege of naming the town ; but the House dissented, and the matter was not completed until Gage became Governor, "who very soon after gave us a specimen of what he was, or intended to be to the colony, by fill- ing up the blank with that obnoxious name, Hutchin- son, that well-known enemy of the natural and stipu- lated rights of America, which gave us a very disa- greeable sensation of mind, uot being able to speak of the town in which we live, but our thoughts were necessarily turned upon that ignominious enemy of mankind, and, in a measure, filled with shame to tell where we lived, when requested," and the petitioners desired that the obnoxious name of Hutchinson be canceled, and that the name of WILKES, "that ever- memorable friend to the rights and liberties of America, would give content to the inhabitants."

The committee who had this petition in charge was made up from the best minds in town,-men com- manding respect for their attainments and force of character.

The Legislature at this time was not in session, it having assembled on the last Wednesday of the pre- ceding May, but it might be convened again and on any day, as at this time it held several sessions each year. John Caldwell was the representative at this time and was a member of the Provincial Congress

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1576

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1576