History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 134

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 134

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TIMOTHY WHITNEY HAMMOND, of Worcester, son of Enoch and Lucy (Bowker) Hammond, was born at Petersham, January 26, 1814. He received such ad- vantages from the local schools as might be gained before thirteen years of age, after which he engaged in other employments. In 1835 he was united in marriage with Mary A. Houghton, daughter of Cap- tain Levi and Hannah Houghton. They removed to Worcester, 1844, where Mr. Hammond served two years as a clerk in the office of the Worcester and Nashua Railway. In 1849 he was made treasurer, which position he has held to the present time, or nearly forty years. He has been a member of the Worcester Mechanics' Savings Bank since 1851, of which he was president, 1877; has served as director of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company ; per- formed five years of duty as a member of the City Council, and held the position of treasurer of the Proprietors of the Bay State-House. Mrs. Ham- mond died October 13, 1887.

REV. EDMUND B. WILLSON, son of Rev. Luther

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and Sally (Bigelow) Willson, was born at Petersham, August 15, 1820. He studied at different preparatory schools, and entered Yale College, 1834, leaving, 1835, on account of ill health ; completed a course at the Cambridge Divinity School, and was graduated 1843. The settlements of Mr. Willson have been at Grafton, Mass., from 1844 to 1852; Roxbury, Mass., First Con- gregational Society, 1852 to 1859, when he was called to the pastorate of the North Society in Salem, of which he is still in charge. Mr. Willson, as pre- viously stated, delivered the address at the centennial of the incorporation of the town. He served in the House of Representatives for the years 1883 and 1884. While there he introduced a measure which became a law, authorizing instruction in the use of hand-tools in the public schools.

Several mechanical inventions have originated with residents of the town. Solomon Willard invented the hot-air furnace, taking ont no patent for his invention.

Asa Hapgood, who was a native of Barre, lived for a time in Petersham, where he worked as a wheelwright with his brother, Chauncy Hapgood ; afterward being employed as a railway conductor between Boston and New York, he gave his attention to providing for the comfort of his passengers at night, and invented the sleeping-car, by which he acquired a large fortune.

Paul Peckham invented a machine for dressing tapering conical surfaces, which was used by him in the manufacture of ladders.

Charles Frederick Bosworth invented a machine for sewing hat-braid, the patent-right of which was sold for a large sum, also a machine for lining hats and one for sewing heavy leather.

WOMEN .- The public records give us much less in- formation concerning the women who have lived in Petersham than they do of the lives of those who have been charged with responsibility for political affairs. Yet the town records occasionally present a glimpse of the life in the home and those who there presided. An entry in the records of May 19, 1762, is as follows : " Voted the number of young women the hind- seat on the women's side gallery in order to build a pew on their own cost, viz .: Sarah Rice, Eunice Wilder, Parsis Bowker, Esther Holland, Mehitabell Page, Hannah Walker, Ruth Page, Sarah Curtis, Molly Curtis, Susanna Miles, Jerusha Hudson, Sarah Sanderson, Martha Negus, Hadassa Houghton, Ann Wheeler." Of these, Susanna Miles was a member of the family of Daniel Miles, who came from Pomfret, Conn., and from whom Major-General Nelson A. Miles is descended. Esther Holland was presumably a sister of Captains Ira and Park Holland, of the Revo- lutionary army.

Mrs. Honghton, wife of Simeon Houghton, is said to have claimed to have been once recognized as the

handsomest woman in the town, her claim being based on the fact that she, being without classical features, was the first white woman, and, for a time, the only woman who lived in Petersham.

Mrs. Mary Greene (Chandler) Ware was the author of three books entitled: "Elements of Character," "Thoughts in my Garden," and "Death and Life." She was born in Petersham May 22, 1818, being the daughter of Nathaniel Chandler and Dolly (Greene) Chandler. The father, born 1773, was the son of John Chandler, who built what is known as the Chandler house about 1766. Dolly Greene was born in Staf- ford, Conn, 1783. Mary Greene Chandler and Dr. John Ware, of Boston, were married February 25, 1862. She having survived her husband, now resides in Lancaster, to which her father's family moved, 1828.

Mrs. Caroline Hildreth, wife of Richard Hildreth, the historian, excelled as an artist, her first successes being in crayon portraits. After she had studied in Europe she manifested talent in oil-painting.

Mrs. Elizabeth Barry, daughter of Dea. Cephas Willard, wife of Rev. William Barry, of Chicago, was vice-president, for Illinois, of the Mount Vernon As- sociation.

Miss Lucretia Pond left public bequests in behalf of the Unitarian Church, and for the care of the cemetery in which she was buried. Mrs. Ann Inger- soll bequeathed her homestead to the Unitarian Church for a parsonage, and made a small bequest for the support of the public library.

LONGEVITY .- A considerable number of instances of remarkable longevity are found in the history of the town. Three instances of an age of one hundred years or more are presented. In the year 1796, Dea. Daniel Spooner died, aged one hundred and three; Mary Farrar, died 1855, aged one hundred years ; Lucy Robinson, who died in 1863, was also a century old. The names, years of death and ages of twenty- four persons who have lived from ninety to one hundred years are as follows : Mrs. Sarah Stowell, 1830, ninety- nine; Jonathan Sanderson, 1832, ninety-two; Eunice Spooner, 1836, ninety-two; Esther Gale, 1849, ninety- two; Mary Curtis, 1853, ninety ; Joel Brooks, 1856, ninety-six ; David Wheeler, 1857, ninety; Mary Dunn, 1857, ninety-four ; Bertha Covill, 1857, ninety- two; Josiah Newton, 1858, ninety ; Caleb Chamber- lain, 1862, ninety-one; Lydia Holman, 1862, ninety ; Elijah Pike, 1864, ninety-one ; Robert Goddard, 1868, ninety ; Betsey Upton, 1869, ninety-one; Jonathan Simmons, 1869, ninety-nine ; Lucinda Chamberlain, 1869, ninety ; Joseph Farrar, 1870, ninety ; Artemas Wilder, 1871, ninety-one; Hannah Loring, 1871, ninety-two; Caleb Bancroft, 1871, ninety-two; Eliza- beth Tolman, 1875, ninety-two; Cephas Willard, 1879, ninety-two; Celia Morse Whipple, 1880, ninety-two.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

PETERSHAM-(Continued.)

THE REBELLION-PUBLIC SPIRIT.

Action, May, 1861-The Financial Burden-The Muster Roll, 53d Regi- ment, 21st Regiment, 31st Regiment-In Other Commands-The Navy- The Rebellion Record-Local Improvement-The Library Established- Memorial and Library Building Proposed-The Future Outlook.

THE REBELLION .- At the annual meeting of the town, held May 1, 1861, action was taken in view of the state of the country, it being " Resolved, That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding ($3000) three thousand dollars, to be expended, in whole or in part, under the direc- tion of the selectmien, for the purpose of providing uniforms for a military company, and supporting the families of those volunteers who may be called into the service of the State or the United States, and that the selectmen be authorized to pay one dollar per day to volunteers after they are enrolled, organized and accepted by the State, for their services drilling."

It will be noticed that this action comprehensively assumed the entire responsibility of providing uni- forms, payment of the soldiers at a rate higher than that allowed in the United States army, and support- ing the families of the soldiers. This appropriation was the beginning of the financial responsibility of the town' on account of the Civil War. Additional appropriations were made from time to time, until the town bad paid $13,999.76. The sum of $3195.64 was voluntarily subscribed by individuals, and $1800 paid as commutation by drafted men, making a total amount paid from all sources of $18,995.40. Of this amount only $3663.56 were refunded, leaving the net cost of the war to the town as such at the sum of $15,631.84. This represents the excess paid by the town in addition to its equal share paid by State and national methods of taxation.

Remarkable as the exhibit is for a country town, the assessed wealth of which was less than a million of dollars, the exhibit in respect to enlistments is still more notable. It appears from the town records that there were in the town at the beginning of the war, 1861, one hundred and eighty-eight men liable to enrollment. As appears from the Rebellion record, published by the selectmen at the close of the war, there had been one hundred and seventy-seven en- listments in behalf of the town. Some of these were re- enlistments, some were secured by bounty offered by the town ; but the fact that the enlistments so nearly equaled the total number liable to enrollment is certainly very creditable to the patriotism of the town.

One hundred and forty-seven men appear to have honorably served in behalf of the town, a number of these having re-enlisted, the total number liable to enrollment in 1861 being, as before stated, one hun-

dred and eighty-eight. Hon. John G. Mudge has furnished the names, given below, of those who served, with the remarks relative to death which fol- low in case of all, so far as known, who are not now living. This roll does not include several from out of the town who enlisted and subsequently deserted.

FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT (MASSACHUSETTS VOLUN- TEERS) .- Captain, John G. Mudge ; Sergeant, Joseph W. Upton ; Corporals, J. Benjamin Howe; Joseph M. Jackson, killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863, Ben- jamin W. Spooner. Privates : Jonas Brown, died January 29, 1879; Luther S. Benjamin ; Charles E. Ball, died June 27, 1863; Samuel A. Chamberlain ; Sanford E. Chamberlain ; John F. Clark, died 1863; Charles E. Cook; Horace Drury ; Geo. H. Edwards; Wm. P. Fairbanks; Augustus S. Gates; George W. Gates; Sextus P. Goddard, died November 1, 1885; Charles F. Hapgood, died August 8, 1863; John F. Jennerson, died June 26, 1863 ; Dwight Lippitt, died June 6, 1863 ; Henry H. Lippitt; William Henry Mann, died April 23, 1863 ; Spencer T. Nye ; Austin C. Parmenter, died February, 1864; George H. Parmen- ter, died June 26, 1888 ; Lyman Peters ; Lewis D. Rob- inson ; George A. Rogers ; Valentine O. Rathburn ; Alonzo Rathburn; John B. Stevens, died September 4, 1863; Frederick L. Sanderson, died May 10, 1888 ; James H. Stowell ; Alex. E. Smith ; Charles B. Smith, died March 23, 1877; Quincy A. Shepard-on, died July 27, 1863; John E. Townsend; Lauriston A. Si- monds, died November 28, 1869; Augustus Wheeler ; John A. Wilder, died November 19, 1872; Charles H. Williams; Henry Rathburn, died September 2, 1863.

TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT .- D. Marshall Mitchell, died August 23, 1882; German Lagara ; Calvin C. Aldrich; Daniel Noonan, died November, 1882; Samuel F. Young; Geo. W. Young ; Dwight Ripley, killed at Knoxville, Tenn., November 25, 1863 ; John W. Clark, killed at Petersburg, Va., June 1, 1864; Calvin C. Barnes, died February 9, 1866 ; Geo. H. Holman ; Job Lippitt; Geo. D. Whitcomb ; Lyman D. Edwards; Abner C. Gates, died February 20, 1865 ; Asa F. Ellis, died at Boston; David R. Brown, died at Athol; Wm. H. Allen ; Benjamin W. Crick- ett ; Geo. O. Cook; Henry Woods ; Sergeant Frank N. Peckham; Hiram Newman; Hoyt Hale, died August 7, 1862 ; Chas. S. Brigham, died from wounds received at Antietam, September 17, 1862; Edward A. Jackson, died at Gardner; Edward O. Murphy.

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT .- Ellis P. Amsden, died September 25, 1863; Jacob E. Amsden, died June 3, 1864; Zibina Cutler, died Angust 9, 1862; James Fobes, killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863; Leonard Stowe; George.F. Newton ; William Ryan; Albert W. Stevens, died April 8, 1863 ; Charles A. Stone, died August 4, 1863 ; Horace W. Pike, died June 13, 1863 ; John Young, died 1883.

In various other regiments of infantry, cavalry and artillery the persons whose names follow were

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enrolled :- Joseph Roe, killed at Atlanta, Ga., July 3, 1864; Calvin Carter, died; George A. Davis, killed at Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861 ; Jacob Nosedale ; D. M. McChester; George W. Jillson, died July 25, 1875; Albert Haskins; U. P. Phinney ; George D. Mason, died August 10, 1878; Hiram Rathburn ; Charles A. Pelkey ; Eben A. Conant; D. E. Collins; T. E. Rossiter; Thomas Riley; Lieut. Elisha Eldridge ; Henry B. Aldrich ; Thomas E. Field; James Wilson ; William M. Peckham; Sergt. George H. Holman, died November 17, 1864; Edward A. Arnold, died 1872; Albert Hemmenway; Almond Williams, died June 5, 1874 ; Josiah C. Whitney ; Dennis Brown, died February 20, 1868; David Ahern ; Isaac Williams ; George D. Whitcomb, died ; Samuel F. Young; Winsor Gleason ; Silas Richardson, died at Anderson- ville, Ga., Oct. 26, 1864; James Hyde; Erastus Weeks; Seneca D. Weeks, died 1883; Frank Ramsdell; Henry H. Williams, died September 30, 1876; James Kelley; Edward Whiting, died July 8, 1865; James W. Browning; Daniel Blackmer; David E. Howard ; Charles Lamphire; James Frazer ; Martin Heald ; Patrick Dunn ; Lyman D. Edwards; Charles R. En- glehari.

In the navy were found Leonard Brock, James W. Browning, James Mulligan, James Reed, John Nor- ris.

The towu was also credited by the State, in addition to these names, with eight three years' men and four colored recrui s for three years' service.

In the month of April, 1866, the selectmen pub- lished the Rebellion record of the town, thus sum- ming up the results: "Civil war in our land has ceased. The Rebellion, the greatest the world has ever witnessed, has been crushed, and our gor- ernment, by the aid of loyal hands, stands stronger than ever in the hearts of the people. Our heroic army has fulfilled its mission ; the living have re- turned to their homes, its dead are the nation's richest legacy. Petersham has responded promptly to all calls upon her loyalty and patriotism. The close of the war finds a small surplus of men placed to her credit. . The services of her soldiers were a priceless heritage; their honor our honor; which we should ever cherish with reverence and gratitude."

These facts are sufficient to show that the early reputation of the place, which gave it for a time the name Volunteers' Town, was well-sustained during the most critical period of our country's history since the Revolution.

LOCAL IMPROVEMENT .- A stately row of elms near the place formerly occupied by Dea. Cephas Willard, a mile north of the village, bears witness to a spirit of improvement among the people more than a century ago. The orderly condition of the large majority of the farms, the erection of a commodious town hall and school-houses in different parts of the town, the building at large expense of a shed for the protection of horses, adjoining the Unitarian Church, are more

recent marks of the favorable disposition of the peo- ple towards town improvement. In the year 1878 the "Petersham Village Iniprovement Society " was or- ganized, as stated in the constitution, "for the pur- pose of improving the good order and social condition of the town, adorning and beautifying the place of our home, promoting the public convenience and health, and elevating the standard of taste" of the people. The method of securing these objects was de- signed to be "by the transplanting of trees and the promotion of the growth of grass on the public grounds of the town, the establishment of sidewalks and improvement of the highways, encouraging the establishment of a public library, attention to general cleanliness with especial reference to the public health and by occasional meetings for the discussion of these objects and methods."

With purposes so largely stated, the society began a short existence of four years, after which it became inactive. Yet those few years of work were sufficient to make a permanent impression upon the future of the town. Many trees were transplanted which still live, walks were graded, and the movement which finally resulted in the organization of the Petersham Free Library was initiated. Francis A. Brooks, Esq., of Boston, a native of the town, made the first con- tribution, $500, toward this object. Other sums hav- ing been secured from individuals, the town finally made an appropriation sufficient to increase the li- brary fund to more than $1000, with which the library was hegun in the year 1879. Since that time it has received the benefit of frequent donations, with ap- propriations made by the town from time to time. Mrs. Ann Ingersoll left a small bequest in its favor. Some historical lectures were delivered by John Fiske, the proceeds to be applied to library purposes.

In the month of September, 1886, from fairs and other entertainments, several hundred dollars were raised in the hope that this would prove the nucleus of a library and memorial building. Various sums were afterwards added in the same manner, and the town, at the spring meeting, 1887, appropriated $300 with a view to adding similar sums annually.

In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Francis H. Lee, of Salem, became actively interested in raising the sum necessary to complete the work, in which task he had co-operation of Hon. John G. Mudge, James W. Brooks, Misses Elizabeth H. and Charlotte L. Flint and others. By their efforts the sum previously assured was increased to about $5000. At the annual town-meeting, 1888, the sum of $2000 was appropri- ated and J. G. Mudge, J. W. Upton, George Ayers were appointed a building committee on the part of the town ; Misses E. H. and C. L. Flint, Francis H. Lee, James W. Brooks and William Sims acting in behalf of the contributors. Edmund Willson, of the firm of Stone, Carpenter & Willson, gave his ser vices as architect. The plan adopted was a building of field-stone, the rooms of the first floor to be a pub-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

lic hall, with stage, a memorial hall, a library and reading-room. The building fund has been increased to about $11,000, and the erection of the library and memorial hall may be expected during the year 1889.

The work of local improvement has been privately prosecuted by James W. Brooks who made large im- provements upon "The Nichewaug," formerly called "The Highland Institute," converting what was be- fore a boarding and high school building into an ad- mirably appointed summer boarding-house.

Many summer residents of the town have shared in the spirit of improvement and have built new or re- modeled old houses. Several artesian wells have been bored for the purpose of supplying the dwellings with water. As a result, the future of the town is likely to combine, as its present condition now does, the attrac- tions of a popular summer resort with those of a vener- able farming community.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

FRANCIS AUGUSTUS BROOKS.

The Brooks family have long been prominently identified with the history of Petersham. Major Aaron, who was the first of the name to settle here, came from Grafton to Petersham at an early day, and was a leading spirit in the affairs of the town. Aaron, his son, and father of Francis A., was born in Peters- ham. He was graduated at Brown University in 1817, and was subsequently a tutor in that institution. He studied law with Levi Lincoln and also with Hon. Lewis Bigelow. He settled in Petersham, and had an extensive practice in Worcester and Franklin Counties.

Francis Augustus Brooks was born in Petersham, May 23, 1824. He was prepared for college mostly at Leicester Academy, and was graduated at Harvard University in the class of 1842. He studied law and was admitted to the Worcester County bar in 1845. He removed to Boston early in 1848, and has there pursued the practice of his profession for a period of more than thirty years. In 1873 he became engaged in the prosecution of litigation for the enforcement of claims of creditors against railroads in Vermont, which occupied his attention largely for a period of ten years. Since 1883 his professional work has been devoted chiefly to the administration of business and corporate trusts.

In the general undertakings of his professional and business life, Mr. Brooks has met with a large measure of success.

In politics he has been a Democrat (as were many of his ancestors), but he has not held public office.

Of their six children, three sons survive-Frederick, a civil engineer in Boston ; Charles B., a stock broker in that city; and Morgan, a mechanical engineer, residing in St. Paul, Minn., and treasurer of the gas- light company of that city.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

STERLING.

BY SAMUEL OSGOOD.

THE history of Sterling previous to the year 1781 is inwoven with the history of Lancaster, of which it formed a part known at first by its Indian name, Chocksert, and secondly and until the above date, as the "West Precinct of Lancaster," and lastly by its incorporated name-Sterling.

The territory, it appears, was derived from three original grants. First, the mile, so called, being a strip of land ahout a mile in width, bordering on Lancaster and included in the first original grant of Nashna township made in 1643, and purchased of Sholan, the Sachem of the Nashuaggs, whose royal residence was between the Washacum Ponds, on the high ground overlooking both those beautiful sheets of water, probably not many rods distant from the ice-houses east of Mr. John Gates' residence.

The character of Sholan, the Sachem at Washacum, is ever spoken of with favor. He not only invited the English to this place and sold them an extensive tract of territory, but his deportment towards the settlers was always peaceable, and he was held in high esteem by his white neighbors.

In view of the above facts in reference to the pacific character of this prince of the red men, would it not be a merited tribute to his memory to change the name of that beautiful and, indeed, only island in the West Washacum from " Wood Island " to Sholan ?

The second grant, containing the principal part of the town, was purchased of George Tahanto, a nephew of Sholan, in 1701.

The deed of this grant, "for and in consideration of" certain sums of money, paid at different times and to divers persons, was made to "John Moore, John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever."

This deed was signed by George Tahanto (his 0 mark and Mary Aunsocamug her ) mark.

Signed and sealed in presence of John Wansquon his ( mark, John Aquitticus his 1 mark, Peter Puckatangh his p mark,) Jonathan Wilder and John Guild.

September 14, 1847, he united in marriage with The third grant was the Shrewbury Leg. This was another strip of land, of somewhat irregular shape, Frances, daughter of Hon. Caleb Butler, of Groton, Mass., who is still spared to bless his home and life. | set off from Shrewsbury to Lancaster hy an act of the

Francis A. Brook,

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Legislature in 1768. It was something more than a mile wide, forming what is now the northern part of Boylston and West Boylston and extending along the north bank of the Quinnepoxit River to Holden, its western boundary, thence northerly on Princeton line to the Stillwater River, its eastern boundary in the West Precinct.

Subsequently, in 1808, about one-third of this tract was set off from Sterling to West Boylston.

It will readily be seen that the town is bounded on the north by Leominster, on the east by Lancaster, on the south by Boylston and West Boylston, and on the west by Holden and Princeton.

The surface of the town is agreeably diversified by hills, plains and valleys-wcodland and nicely culti- vated farms-pouds and water-courses, set off with the neatly-painted and comfortable farm buildings of its rural population.

The soil of the hill farms is slightly argillaceous, re- tentive of moisture and naturally fertile. The water is pure, the air is bracing and healthful; aud the scenery, especially in summer, is delightful.

There are five principal noted hills in the town. These are: Justice Hill, sometimes called Gerry's Hill, situated in the extreme northwest; Rowley Hill, about two miles west of the centre, and so-called be- cause its first settlers came from Rowley, in Essex County ; Fitch's Hill, which needs not to be described to travelers passing from Lancaster to Princeton; Redstone Hill, about a mile east of the centre, aud so called from the color of its stones; and Kendall Hill to the southeast, about the same distance from the centre as the last named, and so called from the name of its first inhabitants, who came from Woburn.

There is also North Wiccapicca Hill, a remarkably well-rounded, steep, sharp-pointed eminence, on the north line of the town, owned principally by Mr. Wil- liam C. Divol. It is cleared land, except a single clump of trees near the summit, which serves as a landmark for miles around. Rocky Hill, mostly in Leominster, projects into Sterling, on its northern border. South Wiccapicca is a precipitous ridge, running northerly from near the village to Pratt's Junction.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 134

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