History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 123

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 123

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John Cooper, an ordained Baptist elder, was for many years the preacher, preaching frequently until near the time of his death, in 1818. His brother Na- thaniel also preached occasionally. "The Baptists had their meetings in private houses, mostly in those of the preachers."

In April, 1787, it was voted that the warrant for town-meeting be put, "one at the place where the Baptist meet for publick worship," from which it is manifest that they early had a place of usual meeting, probably the house of "Elder Jolin Cooper," near the Cooper grave-yard. Jesse White, the blacksmith, was deacon.

In 1793 Whitney speaks of ten families of Bap- tists, " at present destitute of any settled teacher." Yet there was a Baptist society as late as 1812, for Abner Cooper and John Cooper, "committee," certify that "Phineas Taft, of the town of Uxbridge, is a member of the religious society in the town of Northbridge called the Northbridge Baptist Society." After the death of Elder John Cooper they did not have preach- ing regularly. Mr. Sawyer, and after him Mr. Rufus Bennett, preached occasionally, but soon all public

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

services ceased, and the society has had no existence for many years. The few of this persuasion in the town have identified themselves with the Baptist so- cieties of Farnamsville, or North Uxbridge, or with the Congregationalist or Methodist Churches in the town.

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN WHITINSVILLE .- The first Methodist services in the town were held in the house of Rufus Bennett, near the Quaker Meeting- house, early in 1828. Miss Rebecca Bradford, of Providence, R. I., a school-teacher, secured the preaching of the first sermon by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Osgood, in this house. "As a result of this and other meetings, a revival of religion followed, in which a number were converted. Among them were Amasa Benson, Amos White and Lyman Aldrich, who be- came pillars in the church. Mr. Bennett, who had been connected with the Baptist Church of Upton, joined them, and became a local preacher among them.

"The meetings were held in privato houses, in the school-house near the Quaker Meeting-house, and in the stone school-honse at Plummer's Corner, and the Lord's Supper celebrated in Captain Amos White's new barn a number of times.

"At the session of the New England Conference, which met at Lynn July 23, 1828, Bishop Elijah Hedding presiding, 'Northbridge Circuit' was organ- ized. It was in the New London District, Edward Hyde, Presiding Elder. Will. J. Lovejoy and Joseph Iveson were the preachers."

During most of the years until 1850 preachers were appointed for this circuit, and religious services were maintained. Two camp-meetings and several grove-meetings were held on the Benson farm. But it was not in this part of the town that Methodism was to have its permanent and central place. The village of Whitinsville had been and was still grow- ing and giving promise for the future, and here was the Methodist Church to find its home. The first Methodist preaching here was secured by Mr. Charles Taylor. The preacher was Rev. Joseph W. Lewis, of Webster. He was assisted by Chas. W. Ainsworth, of Millbury. The services were held in the hall just erected on Railroad Avenue, which became the place of worship for many years. This was early in 1850. April 24th of the same year, at the session of the New England Conference in Boston, Bishop Thomas A. Morris presiding, " Whitinsville took its place in the list of appointments. It was included in the Wor- cester District, J. Hascall, Presiding Elder; H. P. Andrews, preacher." "June 23, 1850, Dr. Hascall organized the Quarterly Conference" here. Since that day the church has maintained regular worship, and had constant preaching. They remained in the hall where they began for twenty-five years. October 22, 1875, the new meeting-house was dedicated. In 1882 a troublesome debt was removed, with the gener- ous help of friends in the place. It was a happy

day, October 22d, when they held their meeting-house and parsonage free of all encnmbrance. The church has grown with the village, and now numbers ninety- one members. The preachers have been: 1850-51, H. P. Andrews ; 1852, Cyrus L. Eastman ; 1853, Jon- athan L. Esty ; 1854, Jonathan D. Bridge (during this year a collection of $6.50 was reported "to assist fugitive slaves"); 1855, it was united with East Doug- las ; 1856-57, Wm. P. Blackmer; 1858-59, Geo. H. Mansfield; 1860, Nath. A. Soule; 1861-62, William Merrill; 1863-64, Abraham M. Osgood; 1865-67, William A. Braman ; 1868, Robert G. Adams; 1869, D. D. Hudson; 1871-73, Emory A. Howard (during this pastorate, the Spring estate was purchased, with the house which has since been the parsonage, and the ground for the new meeting-house); 1874-75, William Merrill (during this pastorate the meeting- house was completed and dedicated); 1876-77, Edward A. Manning; 1878, J. W. Fenn; 1879-80, Seth C. Cary ; 1881-83, Lyman D. Bragg (during this pastor- ate the debt on the property was paid); 1884-86, James Mudge ; 1887, E. Stuart Best.

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- For some years previous to 1871 there had been an increasing number of United Presbyterians in Whitinsville. They had brought from their homes in the north of Ireland and Scotland a strong affection for their own faith and worship. They had worshipped occasion- ally and " communicated " with the United Presby- terian Church in Wilkinsonville. Some had united with this church. But they felt they must have for themselves and their children more regular Sabbath services, and early in 1871 they began such services with Rev. Mr. Cresswell as minister, and soon a " congregation " was formed and became connected with the Boston Presbytery. Worship was held at first in Smith's Hall and subsequently in "The Chapel" formerly used by the Congregational Church. Here they continued until they went into their new meeting-house, save during an interval of about seven months, when, owing to internal difficulties, the congregation was disbanded for a brief time. It was reorganized December 16, 1874. In 1881 a meeting- house was built on Cottage Street, in the erection of which, friends in the village greatly assisted them. It was dedicated February 22, 1882. In 1888 a par- sonage was built on the same lot with the meeting- house. The preachers have heen Rev. Robert Hark- ness, Jannary 21, 1873, to April 22, 1874. For three years it was supplied by various ministers. Rev. J. L. Thompson was installed June 11, 1878. He was released April 11, 1882. Rev. J. Crawford MeKay, installed April 24, 1883; resigned in July, 1884. It was supplied by Presbytery with various preachers, among them Rev. J. R. McAllister from Jannary, 1880, to July, 1887.

Rev. Wm. Hughes was installed October 25, 1888, and is the present pastor.

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH .- The great increase in

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NORTHBRIDGE.

manufacturing in the recent years has brought many of foreign birth into the town for labor. In 1875 there were one thousand three hundred and six who were born in Ireland or Canada; most of these were of the Catholic faith. They have always belonged to the parish of Uxbridge and been under the care of the Priest resident there. As their numbers increased, it was felt that they should have a church in this town, and Rev. Dennis O'Keefe purchased the land for one in 1868. His successor, Rev. Dennis Moran, built the church. The first service was on Christmas, 1870. Rev. Henry L. Robinson became pastor in 1871 and remains such. He is assisted hy Father Lan- gier, who especially ministers to the French, who are the larger part of those of the Catholic faith. The church was moved to its present site on Church Street, and enlarged and a basement added in 1883.

CHAPTER LXVI.

NORTHBRIDGE-(Continued.)

SCHOOLS AND LIBRARY.

IMMEDIATELY on the incorporation of the district, attention was given to the interests of education. At the second town-meeting, September 21, 1772, a com- mittee was appointed to "Squadron " the district for school purposes. In November, the same year, they report their work making seven "Squadrons," some of which were very small. In 1785 the second and third were united, making six, and in 1793 the fifth and sixth were united, making five squadrons. But this last union, putting Adam's Corner, Northbridge Hill and what is now Whitinsville into one squadron, proved unsatisfactory, and in 1796 James Fletcher and others, in what is now Whitinsville, received per- mission to be a district by themselves, and to build their own school-house and not to be taxed for the building of any other school-house. The next year a similar privilege was granted to the families in the vicinity of the Quaker Meeting-House, on the same conditions. The same year five families at Riverdale were made a district. In 1802 another district was founded, including the families at Prentice's Corner and on the northeast side of the meadow. In 1832 we find eight districts, which continued, with occa- sional changes of families near the border lines, until the district system was abolished and the town system adopted in 1867.

At the first the schools were kept in private houses and in the meeting-house. There is evidence that a school-house stood on the hill on the east side of the road, north of the burying-ground. But it does not seem to have been in use at the time of the incorpora- tion of the district. It is not until 1791 that the

building of school-houses was agitated. That year an article was put into the warrant to see if the town would build a house in each district; hut it was passed over in the meeting. In 1795 it was voted to build a house in each district, and a committee was appointed for the purpose. But the next year the article to grant and raise money to build school- houses in the town of Northbridge was dismissed, from which it is manifest the work was not yet begun. And at the next meeting, the same year, they refused to appoint a committee to set the school-houses in each district. It is evident that the dissatisfaction with the new squadrons had something to do with this delay, as the same year James Fletcher and five others were made a new squadron if they would build their own school-house, and the next year the same action was taken for six families near the Quaker Meeting-House. At the meeting in June, 1796, a committee was appointed to instruct the committees appointed the previous year to build school-houses and to order them to set them in the most convenient place and to say how big each school-house shall be. From the absence of any further reference to school- houses in the records and from the recollections of persons recently living, we judge that the school- honses were built in most of the districts soon after this, as on the Hill in 1797. Yet it is manifest that not in all, very soon, as in 1807 a vote is passed " to allow district No. 7 to build a school-house if they please," and as late as 1810 there is a petition from certain families to be set back to the " Winter dis- trict " until suitable school-honses have been built in the districts to which they had been assigned. The whole town was taxed for huilding these houses, those of two districts being exempted who were to build their own houses. Also the lands of non-resident owners were taxed for the same purpose.

The school-houses then erected sufficed until the district system was abandoned in 1867, except that another had to be erected to meet the demands of the increased population of Whitinsville, and it had to be twice enlarged until it had six rooms. After the adoption of the town system new houses were built for all the schools, save at Adam's Corner, where the house was thoroughly repaired. A new two-story house was built in Whitinsville in 1869, and enlarged for two more schools in 1872. In 1878 another large school-bonse was built in Whitinsville for four schools; and now measures are being taken to erect a large brick school-honse in the centre of this village for the high and grammar schools and for primary schools, thus providing twelve school- rooms in Whitinsville.

Until 1865, the town had had only the district schools, including all grades, and in Whitinsville the grades of Primary, Intermediate and Grammar. In the annual report of that year, the committee pleaded earnestly for a High School, which the State laws required of every town having five hundred

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

families, this town having five hundred and fifty ; and a vote was passed to establish a High School. This was done at once, and the school was located in Whitinsville, and has been maintained ever since, doing good work and accomplishing all that could be reasonably expected, giving those who are unable to go out of town for education the opportunity to por- sue their studies several years longer than formerly. The committee the same year urged the lengthening the terms of school, which had heretofore been only six months, with a private school kept in some of the districts. Their recommendation was adopted the next year, and since that time the schools have been kept between nine and ten months.

In the beginning the care of the schools devolved on the selectmen. In 1799 an article was put in the warrant for the March meeting, "To see if the town will choose a committy to regulate the school dis- tricts," but it was voted " not to choose a school com- mitty." But in 1805 it was voted "to choose a school committee of five;" the change was not acceptable, and a committee was not chosen again until 1810, and from 1813 to 1819 none were chosen. From 1820 the school committee has been chosen every year. In 1826 "it was voted to allow Dr. Crane fifty cents each visit and to visit each winter- school twice." At the same meeting a school com- mittee of eight was chosen, one for each district. The next year "it was voted to comply with the requisitions of the law in choosing a school commit- tee," and three were chosen, and it was "voted each District be allowed to choose their own prudential committeemen, agreeable to usual custom." The innovation of the previous year, in having the pro- dential committee of the districts chosen by the town, was not acceptable. But the next year, 1828, the town again chose the prudential committees of the districts and continued to do so until 1862, when the choice reverted to the districts again, where it re- mained until the district system was abolished in 1867. In 1828, Mr. Adolphus Spring and Dr. Crane were a visiting committee to supplement the work of the prudential committee. Dr. Crane received twelve dollars for his visits. From this time for several years the town's committee are spoken of as " visit- ors." Previous to 1858 the whole committee was chosen each year ; this made possible, and sometimes actual, an entire change of persons in the board in a single year, and might bring in a board none of whose members had had any experience in the care of schools. This brevity and uncertainty of tenure was unfriendly to the adoption and carrying out any plans of school-work which extended over years, and was a hinderance to that progress which was needed. In 1858 the plan was changed, and each member now serves three years, and two new ones are chosen each year, and thus there is a continuity of service, and the benefit of experience is secured. There has been for many years an earnest endeavor to increase the

efficiency of the schools. A new and powerful im- pulse was received in this progress abont 1847. In 1843 the committee, of which Rev. Lewis F. Clark was chairman, made a very plain report as to the deficiencies in the schools and in the school-honses, and calling for progress. Their report was printed, and it was evidently pondered; we see a slow increase in appropriations for several years, until 1847, when a very large increase of almost fifty per cent. was made, and since this time there has been great advance, and the town has heen ready for any expense needed for the success of the schools. In 1843 the town was very near the lowest in the State for the amount appropriated per scholar, there being but forty-three out of three hundred and seven that raised less ; now there are but sixty-nine that raise more. In 1852 the appropriation was $2.96 per each child of school age; now it is $11.20. As a result of this interest and these efforts the schools are doing good work, for which every parent and every citizen may be thankful. Much of this gain has been due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Rouse R. Clarke, who was first chosen a member of the committee in 1852, and served the town almost without interruption until his death, February 2, 1888. For many years he was acting superintendent, though unwilling to be called such. He brought to the work great love for the cause of education, a high estimate of its importance, a large measure of common sense, a friendliness to new ideas, with an unwillingness to undervalue the old methods, and great faithfulness in the care of the schools. When the new school-house was completed on Cross Street, in Whitinsville, the following vote passed unanimously in the town-meeting April 7, 1879: " Resolved, that in recognition of the long- continned and eminent services of Dr. R. R. Clarke on the Board of School Committees, his constant and zealous efforts to advance the interests of our schools, whereby they have been raised to the present high standard, it is hereby ordered that the new school- house on Cross Street shall be designated and known as the 'Clarke School,'" and the following resolu- tions were passed at the town-meeting, April 2, 1888, after his decease :

Resolved, That we, the citizene of Northbridge, desire to place upon the record our high appreciation of the services of the lata Dr. Rouse R. Clarke, in behalf of our public schools.

For almost thirty years his best thought and most earnest efforts were devoted to their interests. During all this time it was his greatest ambition to do all in his power. Believing that the stability and free- dom of our civil and religious institutions depend upon the education and morality of the people, he entered upon his life-work with a sin- cere desire to serve his generation hy doing what he could to advance the interests of education in our midst.

For all these years he has spared no expense of time or effort to ac- complish this. We believe the present success of our schools is largely due to his untiring devotion to their welfare. We cannot express too strongly our high appreciation of his valuable services and the deep sorrow we feel for our great loss.

Resolved, That the clerk he directed to enter these resolutions upon the Records of the Town, and forward a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

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NORTHBRIDGE.

THE WHITINSVILLE SOCIAL LIBRARY .- At a meeting of the citizens of Whitinsville, held Decem- ber 10, 1844, to take into consideration the establishment of a Social Library, P. Whitin, Esq., was called to the chair. It was stated that the sum of one hundred dollars was left as a legacy, by Miss Sarah Fletcher, to be appropriated to such a Library whenever it should be thought best to establish one; and that this sum, with the interest on the same, was now available. Voted that we consider it expedient to establish such a Library at the present time. Voted, To choose a committee of three to draft a constitution, and pre- sent it at a future meeting. L. F. Clark, Horace Annsby and Leander Gorton were appointed on this committee.

The constitution presented by this committee, with some amendments, was adopted December 17th, and the society was organized under the name of "The Whitinsville Social Library." Signatures were obtain- ed to the constitution, and December 24th the officers were chosen with Rev. L. F. Clark president.

By February, 1845, eighty-six subscribers had be- come members of the association by payment of one dollar as initiation fee and signing the constitution, which imposed an annual assessment of one dollar. Two hundred and fifty books had been purchased, and arrangements made for loaning them. This is the origin of the Social Library.

The association became incorporated April 14, 1858, under the provisions of the forty-first chapter of the Revised Statutes of Massachusetts.

April 9, 1860, a legacy of five hundred dollars was received from Ezra W. Fletcher, of which it was voted to use only the interest.

The library was for many years kept in "the chapel " of the Congregational Society, and was used by subscribers, and a few others, as the teachers, to whom its privileges were extended by the association. But when better and permanent accommodations were provided in the Memorial Building, in 1876, it was determined to offer its privileges to all the inhabitants of the town on certain conditions, and the following vote was passed by the association :

To make tha Library frea to tha Inhabitants of the Town of North- bridge, subject to such Rules and Regulations as the Association or Cor- poration may adopt, upon condition that tha Towa shall aqqually appro- priate and pay to the treasurer of the Corporation for the maintainanca and support of said Library a sum not less than Three Hundred Dollars. The Library ceasing to be free to the inhabitants of said town when the Towa ceases to make the above mentioned annual appropriation for its maintainance and support.

The town accepted the proposition of the associa- tion at its annual meeting in March, and has since made annual appropriations for the support of the library. The needed changes in the constitution and by-laws were made, and the library is still under the control of the association, of which any citizen of Northbridge may become a member by payment of one dollar annually, or a life member by payment of ten dollars, and signing the constitution. At the

annual meeting, February 13, 1888, the fee for life membership was made five dollars.

Rev. L. F. Clark was re-elected president every year but two, until his death, in 1870. Dr. R. R. Clarke was chosen to succeed him, and re-elected annually until his death, in 1888, when Geo. A. Annsby was chosen, and is now president. From the small beginning with two hundred and fifty volumes, the library has grown apace, and, as we learn from the annual report made February 13, 1888, contains 4,507 volumes. The number who took books the last year was 418, and the number of volumes circulated was 6,875.

CHAPTER LXVII.

NORTHBRIDGE-(Continued.)

MANUFACTURES.

WHILE the early settlers were agriculturists, the necessity of mills for sawing their lumber and for grinding their grain soon led to the building of mills for this purpose, as the abundant water privileges on the Blackstone and Mumford Rivers gave them ample opportunity for doing. Samuel Terry erected a saw- mill at " Ye Falls," on the Mumford River, at what is Dow Whitinsville, in 1727 or 1728. Some time before 1740 Woodland Thompson built a saw-mill on "Oil Brook," a small stream running into the Blackstone, on the west side, a little south of Riverdale. In 1764, James Nutting, Sr., sold " two grist-mills and a saw- mill " at what is now Riverdale. Having purchased the property in 1753, without mention in the deed of dam or mills, we infer he built the dam and the mills, thus first making use of the privilege, and building the first grist-mill in the town. Some time between 1805 and 1814 the privilege at what is now Rockdale was first put to use, and a saw and grist-mill were built by John and Jesse Eddy.

But these elementary manufactures were not those which were to grow and build up the town. The manufactures which were to employ its citizens in great numbers, and bring to them comfort and wealth, were those of iron, cotton, wool and leather.

IRON MANUFACTURES .- The very early develop- ment of the manufactures of iron in this town was doubtless due to the existence of iron ore within its limits. September 16, 1700, Mendon (then including Northbridge) voted " that noe person shall carry any mine or iron ore out of or from the Town Common, upon penalty of twenty shillings a load, the one-half to the informer, the other half to the use of the towne." At a meeting October 14th, the same year, Samuel Thayer was permitted to carry away the "ore that had been digged," "provided sd Thayer paid twenty shillings in money to Capt. Chapin for the town's use ;" and a reward was voted to the informer.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

March 3, 1712, the town reaffirmed the vote forbid- ding to carry away ore from the "Town Common," but said, "as for any yt was in Impropriated Lands, they might Repair to the owners." This ore was in the Uxbridge part of the town. The location of the " Iron Works" at "ye Falls of Mumford's River " was due to the power which "ye Falls " afforded, to the abundance of wood for charcoal for smelting, and to the evident expectation of finding ore near at hand. The man who established the works here was Samuel Terry (clerk), of Barrington, Mass. He purchased four hundred and eighty-eight acres of land, with the water privilege at "ye Falls," and "all the mines or minerals" thereto belonging, for £488, equal to £162 in gold, in 1727.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 123

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