History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 114

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 114

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He was dismissed from the church in Berlin, October 23, 1832. Both he and his wife died in Yonkers, N. Y., 1886. Had no child. Her maiden- name was Foote, of Fair Haven, Ct.

Rev. Michael Burdett, now a retired Presbyterian clergyman in Philadelphia, succeeded Mr. Baldwin,

July 17, 1833, to 1834. He was succeeded by Rev. Eber S. Clarke, of Winchendon, Ju. 21, 1835. Mr. Clarke was dismissed 1837, and settled once more in Richmond, Mass., where he died.

Rev. Robert Carver followed in a successful minis- try, 1838-42. Settled next at Raynham. Entered into the Christian Commission service of the army, in which he died. After Mr. Carver's retirement, the Unitarian parish was also withont a pastor. Rev. David R. Samson had succeeded Mr. Walcot, 1834-39.

Reciprocal overtures were now made on the part of the two parishes for reunion. This was effected in the settlement of Rev. Henry Adams, son of Chester Adams, Esq., of Charlestown, and graduate of Am- herst and Andover. His first settlement was Worth- ington ; next, "Hillside Church," of Bolton, noted as the " Wilder Church " (S. V. S. Wilder). Mr. Wilder, after his return from Europe, and before Hillside Church was built, attended Dr. Puffer's ministry in Berlin. Mr. Adams was installed Oct. 25, 1843 ; was dismissed 1853. The same year, Oct. 26th, Rev. W. A. Houghton was installed ; resigned at the termination of twenty-five years, Oct. 26, 1878. Rev. Albert Barnes Cristy, of Greenwich, Ct., and gradu- ate of Andover, was ordained and installed July 3, 1879. He gave way to a call to the church in Con- way, 1881.

Rev. Henry Hyde succeeded Rev. Mr. Cristy in the same year ; was dismissed 1885.

Rev. Charles H. Washburn, graduate of Amherst, was the third successor to whom Rev. Mr. Honghton has given the right hand of fellowship and received them into the church at their ordination. He was ordained and installed December, 1885; dismissed Nov. 2, 1888 ; called to North Woburn.

In 1853-54, under the lead of Rev. Gardner Rice, then principal of the Berlin Private Academy, a Methodist interest was started and organized. Rev. W. W. Culburn and Rev. B. F. Whittemore were the principal preachers.

The war broke up the organization. It was re- vived again in 1878, since which time Revs. Mr. Hanniford, Wilder, Burlingham, Desjardin and Bar- ter have been the preachers. They built and dedi- cated their church 1887-88.

In 1871 the Unitarian element, which had been mostly dormant from 1844, was revived and organ- ized. A church was built, and dedicated April 1, 1881. Its ministers have been Revs. George Greene, Granville Pierce, Francis Thacher, - Litchfield and Porter.

For a small town, Berlin has a large element of the Quaker faith. Bolton has about the same. Their meeting-house is just within Bolton limits. Their Quarterly Meeting occurs in August. The society has existed since 1790.

Berlin and Bolton have known, better than most towns, the Friends, or Quakers, in their citizenship. Both towns would bear cheerful testimony to their

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worth. To see the commingling of the descendants of Cassandra Southwick and the Boston Puritans fraternizing in religious meetings, public and private, with kindliest regards for each other's distinctive views and order of worship, seems to preclude the possibility of certain historic facts; just as fully Puritans as ever, and just as fully Quakers as ever. But many of the Quakers on whom the Puritans' wrath descended were as unlike our worthy Quaker citizens as were the old Puritans unlike the Puri- tans of to-day. Not here can we discuss the merits of the case, but we rejoice together in the better knowledge of personal liberty of opinion-, and the harmonizing influence of religious faith. But Berlin has to confess; we did imprison a Quaker, and for non-payment of the minister-tax, which ministry he did not believe in. We are glad it was a hundred years ago, 1786. Nor do we offer that in extenuation. The Quaker executions were more than two hundred years ago. The law as applied in Massachusetts, 1657, was recommended to all the Colonies by the " Federal Commissioners." It was enacted here by only one vote in majority, and stood in force but two years.

But for ministerial taxes the law exempted Quakers, Episcopalians and others as early as 1750-60; only they must show certificates that they really belonged to some religious society. Here seems to have been Brother Jonathan Baker's lame point. The assessors were bound by the law. The indica- tions are that he would not or could not present his certificate, so the assessors would not abate; by law they could not. No doubt the case was very much affected by words and temper. The town finally remitted his fourteen-shilling tax, and his certificate of Quaker membership stands on record.

On school matters Obediah Wheeler, Quaker, was the persistant leader in insisting on a division of the school money ; as constantly refused. That is our issue to-day with the Catholics.

EDUCATIONAL .- Previous to the organization of the precinct, 1784, schools had been maintained for a few weeks at a time in private houses. School-houses are named in early records as if they had served us while of Bolton. The precinct proceeded, 1785, to "Squad- ron the district." We had four, according to the four cardinal points of the compass. The centre of the town went north, south, east or west, as they saw fit. This for fifty years. A fifth district was added, 1836, and all of them, unwisely, took on separate existence. This continued about twenty years, when, as soon as permitted by the Legislature, the town took possession of the schools and houses.

Three of the houses had done service about seventy- five years each. The town proceeded at once to build anew five houses for the five districts, all alike, 1857- 58. When the cost of the war came on we congratu- lated ourselves in having already paid for our school- houses. These were all duly dedicated by becoming

services. School interests revived very much, nor has it very much subsided. Not required by law to main- tain a high school, it is difficult in a population of less than a thousand to do so. A few terms have been maintained. But three adjoining towns offer ready facilities, and by rail the accommodation is very good with each of them. It is a conviction of the com- mittee that the schools of Berlin compare favorably, in material and quality, with towns around us. Teach- ers' wages stand above the average in the State. None but females have been employed for many years. Once the town furnished a large quota of young men -several in a season. They have been supplanted. School-teaching is woman's right.

The first school report read in town-meeting, and before required by law, was offered by William A. Howe, then a young man. He had never been to high school or academy.

A stimulus to Berlin, perhaps, was the somewhat famous Quaker School of Thomas Frye, just be- yond our Bolton line. English grammar was a specialty. Berlin pupils availed themselves of the advantage. Later, Berlin had a somewhat similar school. Josiah Bride, a native of the town, with never a day of instruction from private teacher, high school or academy, opened a private school in the town-house. His skill, or art in teaching, gave him greater and greater success. Good in scholarship, he excelled in communicating. His private school grew into a boarding-school, and this into Berlin Academy. From 1833 to 1853 this school did much for Berlin. Pupils came from several cities and several States. Meanwhile Mr. Bride was active in the town and in the church. He died, 1887, at eighty-five years. Berlin is represented in the Technical School, Wor- cester, by a teacher ; in Amherst Agricultural College by a student ; several have graduated at commercial colleges. Of school funds Berlin has only two thou- sand dollars. Joseph Priest, unmarried, gave by will, 1817, five hundred dollars ; Miss Nancy Young, 1860, gave by will fifteen hundred dollars. These persons had lived quiet and inexpensive lives. These gifts were about all they possessed, severally. Berlin cherishes their memory. But it is only by recalling to each school generation the facts, that the generosity of worthy benefactors is held in remembrance. Ask in almost any school who was Horace Mann, and see.

Sadly, Berlin has no public library. Sectional in- fluences have prevented united town action. When we separated from Bolton, a generous library became a bone of contention. A division of it was finally effected. The Berlin share, with additions, was kept alive during the pastorate of Dr. Puffer.

An educating influence in Berlin was the old lyceum, as now spoken of. Rev. Dr. Allen, of North- boro', was, next to Concord, the original in starting this kind of school and debating society. He kindly gave many of his lectures in Berlin. Several years followed of elevating endeavor. This movement be-

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gan about 1830. It did not wholly cease for thirty years-lectures and debates. The writer of this thinks he sees results in the town meetings of the present. Relatively we have many townsmen capable of pub- ic speech in town meetings. Also more than a com- mon number of competent moderators.

Berlin has had but few college graduates. Early in our history two young men died in their preparatory studies. Winthrop Bailey graduated at Harvard, 1808. Was pastor of the church in Pelham, later, ind, for many years, of Deerfield.

Barnabas Maynard Fay graduated at Yale, 1833. He taught in several institutions for the deaf and lumb. Had also several pastoral charges. His son s superintendent of the Institution for Deaf and Dumb n Washington, where the father died.

Rev. W. A. Houghton graduated at Yale 1840. Pastor eight years in Northboro', twenty-five in Berlin, Resigned 1878. Still resident.

Winthrop Sawyer, nephew of Rev. Winthrop Bailey ind namesake, took the surname Bailey, and studied 'or the ministry at Princeton, N. J., and held two or three pastorates. He died in south-east New York.

Levi and Willard Brigham, brothers, more con- nected with Berlin than with their native town, Marl- boro', were graduates of Williams, and both were suc- cessful ministers.

Our physicians have come to us. Dr. Benjamin Nurse, of Bolton, 1777-1804; Dr. Daniel Brigham, of Westboro', 1800-1825 ; Dr. Samuel Griggs, pupil of Dr. Twitchell, of Keene, 1824-1833; Dr. J. L. S. Thomp- son, -- , 1833-1840, afterwards of Bolton and Lan- caster. Died 1886.

Dr. Edward Hartshorn, graduate of Harvard Medical School 1838, came to Berlin 1841; practiced till 1854. Dr. Lemuel Gott, graduate of Harvard Medical School, settled in Rockport, 1836; in Berlin, 1854- 1888. Was successor to Dr. Hartshorn. Died August, 1888. No resident physician since.

TOWN HISTORY. - Some one has expressed the entiment: "Blessed is the town that has no his- ory." George Elliot has expressed the same, I bink, as to the family,-perhaps for a reason. But n respect to the staple of the early history of so nany inland towns. of Massachusetts-the Indians- ve appreciate the force of the sentiment expressed. We gladly surrender all claim to the Indian from Massasoit to Tecumseh.

But we do suffer loss of historic material when we an quote no town connection with such a historic event as the American Revolution. In this matter ve can only say Berlin was born in it, and there is ublimity in the fact. In the darkness of that terri- le day, what faith in God and confidence in man, hat, under such a cloud, men should so deliberately olan for the future, and lay new foundations for coming generations! It was Rome over again selling he land on which Hannibal had intrenched his 26

legions. Residents on Berlin territory appear both in Lancaster and in Bolton, in all the wars of the Colonies, including the Revolution. And in the midst of the latter struggle the Berlin fathers were even planning a life independent of the mother town. And every element of town life was duly cared for after the example of Puritan forethought. Peace came to the country in 1783. A parish had been formed in the very darkest days of the war. In 1784 they came into town life by Congressional pro- visions. Had Berlin been a corporate body during the war, there can be no doubt her sentiment and action would have been as Bolton and Lancaster were. But a somewhat shady aspect appears in re- spect to the Shays' Rebellion. A Berlin delegate was appointed to one of the conventions, perhaps hoping to secure moderation. But so far as any vote of the town gave expression, all that can be said is that the majority for Hancock for Governor, against Bowdoin, was interpreted in those days as being in the radical element. Yet Judge Baker, probably the most influential man in the town, was a tower of strength for the government. He was once assaulted, by threats at least, on his way home from the court,- probably not by his own townsmen. That was a ter- rible time when citizens of noblest life, who had fought side by side for independence, were again armed, face to face against each other. It demands a hundred years breathing-time to judge these old insurgents impartially. There was no sublimer scene in the war itself than when General Artemas Ward led the officers of the court up Court-House Hill in Worcester, against the very point of bayonets which had withstood the British soldier on the field of blood. Our vote had been, for two years, for Bow- doin. After the Paxton Convention, it was wholly reversed. Lancaster went as invariably for Bowdoin. Both these men were loyal to the State; but Hancock was regarded as less rigorous towards the insurgents. An article in the town warrant, 1787, to pay soldiers in support of the government, was "passed over." The town remonstrated, 1807, against Jefferson's Embargo; also, 1812, against the restrictive measures of President Madison.

We can say, for ourselves, we have lived a quiet and peaceable life. We did have some trouble with our ever esteemed mother-town. The great and general court told us both how we must bear our- selves in local matters. But we did not see alike then as to the support of the poor, and some other points. It took a good while, indeed, to adjust mat- ters. Among other things, creditable alike to mother and daughter, there was a very good library which must needs be divided. This, of course, involved the ministers. They did not see eye to eye in a matter so material as this. It took time, correspond- ence, committees and conferences. We had judicious men on both sides; so, as usually under such influ- ence, this, too, was adjusted.

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Town rivalries have taken a very different turn in later days. A town of a thousand people on moderate territory, known, as it were, each to all, is a more enjoyable community than a like number mixed with ten thousand in a city. The drawback to onr "hill towns" is the financial inability to support religious institutions. State, county and town taxes in Berlin in 1887 were nine thousand dollars-say ten dollars per capita. To support three churches besides, lays upon less than one-half of the people about three thousand more. So that the half who do support the churches must needs pay nearly as much for this as for all their assessments besides. "Help, Lord," when " the godly man ceaseth."

How so many boys of the large families, sixty years ago, could get a living by settling down in the town is unaccountable. Hardly a mechanic ever hired a man. Old farms were divided. Some were "made up." A carpenter never built by "contract." So much, "by the day." A single blacksmith in each of the four districts, or less, was sufficient, and be, per- haps, had a farm also. Probably there was not, sixty years ago, a business in town that required a "hired man," except farming. The mills, in flush of their season, had extra help. A single tannery grew so as to need two or three men part of the year. This gradually died out, yet Berlin gained in population, relatively, with Bolton and Lancaster.

We should have had the present Old Colony Rail- road running through our centre. But towns were not then permitted to invest, as in the start of the Central Massachusetts. Our twenty thousand in the Central Massachusetts, had it been put into the Old Colony, would have brought it to our doors, and have been a rich investment. It would have brought the rail to South Berlin, to the Centre; and to West Ber- lin as now. Individuals conld not raise the money. To him that hath shall be given. Alas ! for him that hath not. Berlin, with other towns on the line, in- vested heavily in the Central Massachusetts, and heavily has it borne upon us. After bearing it some fifteen years we sold at less than thirty-three per cent. This rail has come to our centre, but not as the Old Colony would have come. We do not complain. Above all, as a fellow-citizen, Mr. Chandler Carter has lifted our indebtedness. Few know how the smaller towns have to struggle.

Before the war Berlin had several shoe-shops of moderate capacity. In these work was done for the larger houses in Hudson and Marlboro'. The war changed the order of business by concentration. Our shops were vacated.

After the war and loss in population of about two hundred (twenty-two in the army), Berlin attempted an incorporated shoe manufactory by small shares, sufficient to employ a hundred hands. Parker Brothers, Charles E. and John H., of Boston, were succeeding hopefully. "The Boston Fire" crippled them badly. Another, at home, laid the Berlin struc-

ture in ashes. Thus we were put back again, save a small establishment still in force. So the population has decreased by removal of families to centres of business. Berlin is shut down to farming and horti- culture. Summer boarders have set in upon the town, with the prospect of increase and remunera- tion. We claim that the town is unexcelled in pleasant resorts and summer drives, by any town within the same distance from Boston.

MILITARY .- As a town Berlin has, of course, no part in the wars till 1812 and the Rebellion. The Revolution had just terminated when we came upon the stage. Our soldiers are in the records of Bolton and Lancaster, and there imperfectly. But of those who survived, Berlin citizens should be on record as such. Many of the veterans of the old French and Indian Wars, 1744-50 and 1755-63, were still living 1784.

Of some three hundred soldiers on record in Lan- caster in the French and Indian Wars, about twenty of them are of Berlin territory. Of some forty to fifty names in the Revolution, on Bolton records, nearly one-third were of Berlin territory. The Bolton lists have been searched out from old papers recently discovered. No entire list is known or attain- able.

Among the foremost in military service were the Bruces. Most of them on Berlin records were more or less in the Revolutionary War. Abraham (tradi- tionally) was at the capture of Burgoyne. John Hudson, father of Hon. Charles Hudson, had eight sons in the war of 1776-83.

Our soldiers' list, made up of the incidental records, stands : Bruce-Benjamin, Daniel, Abraham, Timo- thy ; McBride-James, John, Thomas; Bailey-Col. Silas, Lieut. Timothy, Benjamin, Barnabas ; Johnson -Capt. Edward, Joshua, Eleaser, Nathan ; Larkin- Matthias, John, John, Jr., Ephraim, Edmond, Peter ; Samuel Baker, Samuel Baker, Jr., Edward Baker, Amos Meriam, Jonathan Meriam, Uriah Moore, Ben- jamin Nurse, Nathan Barber, Fortunatus Barnes, Samuel Jones, Jr., Nathan Jones, Jabez Fairbanks, James Fife, Jr., Elijah Foster, Nathaniel Hastings, Silas Howe, Silas Houghton, Hezekiah Gibbs, Jr., Abijah Pratt, John Pollard, Thomas Pollard, Joseph Priest, Job Spafford, David Rice, Samuel Rice, Robert Fosgate.

Berlin in the Rebellion is fully ou record by a pub- lished memorial address and a memorial hall, with memorial tablets and photographs. A Post of the G. A. R. keeps well alive the heroic spirit of their fallen comrades. The soldiers' memorial day has become an established anniversary. We count it among our educational institutions.

The tone and temper of Berlin in the outbreak of the war was one and the same with all patriotic citi- zens. The news of Sumter was read from the stage- box of our expressman before he alighted. A com- pany were in waiting for such news as might come.

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BERLIN.

Hardly a man uttered a word; but every face was defiant.

A meeting was soon called, addresses made and resolutions offered. Names were pledged for enlist- ment. The call came speedily and was readily re- sponded to. Our population was short of eleven hundred. We sent into the war one hundred and thirty-nine men. Twenty-two fell in battle or died in the service. Captain Christopher S. Hastings was our only commissioned officer. He raised a company for himself, though exempt, by years, from military duties. His company was at the battle of Freder- icksburg, at Jackson and the siege of Vicksburg. Enfeebled by small-pox, he died of malarial fever at Monnd City, Illinois. Our death-list besides was Thomas Rathburn, Charles H. Maynard, Alonzo F. Howe, Silas F. Jillson, Silas E. Goddard, George Ira Carter, Hollis S. Johnson, Nathan B. Garfield, William H. Coburn, James Barry, Samnel A. Snow, George H. Bowers, Edwin J. Bigelow, Rufus H. Williams, Henry P. Rich, Tyler Paine, Homer F. Stone, Lafay- ette Warden, Watson Wilson, Charles O. Starkey, Lemuel Gott, Jr., Ezra Bartlett, Levi Holder.

Died since the war; J. Pillsbury, N. Johnson, George F. Hartwell, George C. Wheeler, Ansel Snow, Nathan M. Allen, William H. King, James F. Rath- burn, Edward H. Hartshorn.

Town appropriations for the war, fourteen thousand dollars. State aid, eleven thousand.

Perhaps no soldiers in the service were more care- fully provided for, so far as it could be done at home, than the soldiers of Berlin.

The question of what memorial, commemorative of our fallen patriots, we should adopt, was considerately weighed. Needing a new town-house, with modern conveniences, a " Memorial Hall" was decided upon as that which would be most enjoyed by the citizens, being also especially appropriate for the use of the surviving soldiers. In 1870 the house was dedi- cated with becoming services. Memorial Hall con- tains memorial tablets with the record of each fallen soldier. Each has also a good photograph likeness hung by the tablet. The Grand Army of the Repub- lic have taken commendable care of the hall and its treasures. Annnally the town appropriates fifty dol- lars for " Memorial Day." This has become an estab- lished anniversary, an educating force for the people, as well as for the children.

The Grand Army of the Republic, as to Post 54, of Berlin, is sadly diminishing. But the Sons of the Veterans are already organized. May the Grand Army of the Republic long survive ! Our last survi- vor of the War of 1812, many years seated on the plat- form on Memorial Day, died 1886,-John D. Mer- rill, eighty-eight years.

At the annual March meeting, 1884, Hon, William Bassett made a motion for the observance of the town centennial. The motion prevailed, and a committee was appointed to carry the vote into effect.

The day passed off happily, though one of the hottest of the season, September 10th. Ex-Governor Bout- well, who represeuted the town in the proposed amend- ment to the State Constitution, 1853, was present and added much to the day. Rev. A. P. Marvin, historian of so many towns, and of the county itself, very much enriched the historical bill of fare. Adjacent towns were represented, and many former residents and natives responded to the sentiments of the day. Alto- gether, it was a day of successful interest, though very little parade or show was attempted. Such occasions are becoming more and more important, though many towns allow them to go by in indolent forgetfulness.

PARISH, PRECINCT AND TOWN OFFICERS, 1778-1888.

Moderators .- Samnel Baker, 1778, 184, '88; Ephraim Fairbank, 1779 '83 ; James Goddard, 1780, '86, 87; Jacob Moore, 1781; Fortunatus Barnes, 1782 ; David Taylor, 1785, '89, '91, '93 ; Barnabas Maynard, 1790, '92, '94-96, '98, '99, 1801, '02, '06, '08, '09 ; Stephen Bailey, 1797, 1800, 03, '11-13 ; James R. Park, 1804, '07 ; Jonathan Merriam, 1806 ; Solomon Howe, 1810; Henry Powers, 1814, '15; Oliver Sawyer, 1816-29; Asa Sawyer, 1830-46, '48, '51 ; William Jones, 1847; Silas S. Greenleaf, 1849, '50 ; Amos Sawyer, 1852-58; Lewis L. Carter, 1859-61 ; William Bassett, 1862; Amory A. Bartlett, 1863-66, '79-81, '85; Abel W. Longley, 1867-69, '72, '74, 175, '77 ; Elijah C. Shattuck, 1870, '71, '73, '76 ; Leslie Hastings, 1878; Edward H. Hartsboru, 1882-84, '86 ; James D. Tyler, 1887, '88.

Town Clerks .- Jonathan Merriam, 1778-85, '89-99, 1800-04 ; John Temple, 1786-88 ; Stephen Bailey, 1805-07; Dexter Fay, 1808-15; Amos Sawyer, 1816 ; Solomon Howe, 1817-26 ; Josiah Conant, 1827-31 ; Wm. A. Howe, 1832-37 ; Lewis Sawyer, 1838-45, '50-55; Oliver B. Sawyer, 1846 ; John F. Newton, 1847-49 ; Otis L. Larkin, 1856 ; Albert'Babcock, 1857, '58, '74-82; Josiah E. Sawyer, 1859-73 ; Frank H. Crossma", 1883-88.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 114

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