History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 137

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 137

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Ist. To choose a Clerk, Moderator and such other Officers as may be deemed proper and necessary.

2d. To determine the mode of calling future meetings.

3d. To adopt euch By-Laws as may be deemed necessary.

At the meeting held pursuant to the warrant, Jones Wilder was chosen moderator, Silas M. Wilder clerk and Luther Peters, Charles H. Loring and John Smith, Jr., prudential committee.

Charles H. Loring and Dr. E. C. Knight were chosen a committee to draft by-laws. At an ad- journed meeting the committee reported and their re-

A fine-toned bell has recently been purchased, and | port was accepted.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

BY-LAWS.

Art. 1. This Society shall be called The First Evangelical Congrega- tional Society in Sterliog.

Art. 2, declares what officers the society will annually elect.

Art. 3, defines the manner in which new meorbers may be admitted.

Art. 4, fixes the time for the annual meeting.

Art. 5, prescribes tbe mode of calling future meetings.

Art. 6, establishes the rule in this society that no tax shall be levied "on its members until every reasonable means has been exhausted : " " but all funds shall be raised, and all expenses paid by voluntary sub- scription."

Art. 7, defines the number necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Art. 8, declares how the By-Laws may be altered or amended.

In 1853 the society purchased the meeting-house, built fifteen years before, and owned by the Uni- versalists. In 1885 the interior of the church was much improved by the repainting of the woodwork in a pleasing color and by new frescoing of the walls. In 1887 the society purchased the house of Silas Stuart for a parsonage. It is a pleasant place just a little retired and admirably adapted to the purpose for which it was purchased. No religious society can feel itself suitably equipped to fulfill its mission until it has secured a permanent and pleasant home for its minister and his family. The society has maintained religious services during the entire period of its existence, paying its settled pastor from six hundred to eight hundred dollars annual salary. It has received aid from the Home Mission Society to the amount of about two hundred dollars annually, but it has paid back by frequent voluntary contributions to various religious enterprises a yearly sum, prob- ably equal to the amount of aid it has received. This financial exhibit is highly creditable to the society and evinces an energy and a spiritual life worthy the cause it seeks to promote. Long may it continue to fulfill its high and sacred mission and do its full share of work in the enlightenment and re- generation of the world!

The church was organized June 22, 1852, with twenty-two members. The first pastor was the Rev. William B. Green. Mr. Green began his ministry April 1, 1852, and closed July 1, 1853.

Rev. Mr. Lothrop followed, but did not remain very long.

Rev. William Miller succeeded Mr. Lothrop in Jannary ; was installed May 9, 1855, and was dismissed October, 1858.

Rev. J. C. Labaree next took pastoral charge, Octo- ber 1, 1861; was ordained February 4, 1863, and re- mained with the society four years. Rev. Mr. Labaree on leaving Sterling was called to the ministry in Ran- dolph, where he has since remained. He is kindly remembered by the citizens of Sterling, without dis- tinction of sect, who held him in high respect.

Rev. Elbridge Gerry next became acting pastor in 1866, serving two years and four months.

Rev. Evarts Kent came next, after Mr. Gerry, but remained only ten months.

Rev. L. D. Mears began his ministry November 13, 1870, and was dismissed by council September 9, 1873.

The next minister was Rev. George J. Pierce, from January 1, 1874, to January 1, 1875. And then fol- lowed Rev L. B. Marsh, from 1875 to 1876.

Rev. B. F. Perkins next assumed pastoral care of the society, April 1, 1877, and closed April 1, 1883. Rev. Mr. Perkins' services were very acceptable, and his pastorate was the longest of any since the forma- tion of the society. Immediately on his separation from the church in Sterling, he was called to the church in Saundersville, where he still continues to dispense the Word. No person is more cordially wel- comed by his former townsmen than he, whenever, on given occasions, he returns among them.

Rev. O. G. McIntire and Rev. S. H. Robinson fol- lowed Mr. Perkins, one year each. Both were very genial, pleasant gentlemen. The latter is now settled over the Congregational Church in Greenfield, Mass.

The present pastor is Rev. John E. Dodge. Mr. Dodge was installed June 2, 1887. Under his minis- try, thus far, the society appears to be invigorated with new life, and we bespeak for Rev. Mr. Dodge a long and useful ministry.

The ecclesiastical record of Sterling would not be complete without the mention of another important branch of the Christian Church. Though there may not be an organized society, a considerable number of the population are of the Roman Catholic faith, and attend church at either Clinton or West Boylston. The number of families is thirty-one. At one time they held church services in the town-hall, and the proposition to build a house of worship was seriously entertained. The plan, however, was abandoned for reasons connected with the churches in the two towns above mentioned.

There are also a number of families of Spiritualists who hold meetings occasionally at private houscs. These persons were formerly interested and active members of either one or the other of the three prin- cipal churches in the town, but have now, to a con- siderable extent, withdrawn their aid for their support.

EDUCATION .- Sterling has ever been mindful of her obligations in respect to the education of the young. Her district schools have been her pride and she has ever watched over them with paternal fond- ness.

The first school-house of which there is any record was built in 1743. This was in the centre, near the meeting-house. Other buildings for the same pur- pose were soon afterward erected in the remote parts of the town, as the increase of population and the public convenience required. One was located on Rowley Hill, on the site of the present school-house. There was another in the Chocksett District, at the corner of the roads, near Mr. John B. May's.

This location retained the name of the " Old School- house bank " long after the building was demolished. Another stood near the corner of Mr. Ephraim Chand- ler's land, opposite the present one in Redstone. This was the scene of the renowned nursery poem :

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" Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was white as snow," etc.

Miss Rebecca Kimball was the teacher.

Doubtless there were others in other parts of the town. They were rude structures with cavernous fire- places, but otherwise destitute of the comforts and conveniences of modern school buildings. In 1797 the town was re-districted-each new district contain- ing, as nearly as might be, twenty families, except the Centre, which contained forty families, and has ever since been considered a double district and has drawn a double share of the public money. By a vote passed at the same town-meeting new school-houses were ordered to be built in all the newly-formed districts, involving au expense of some three thousand dollars. The centre school-house was not built until the fol- lowing year. These new structures, except that in the centre, were all built upon the same general plan and were quite uniform in external appearance. These old red school-houses hy the roadside-how vividly and sacredly, almost, are they held in remem- brance by many of the older people of the town ! But in the general progress of events all these plain, modest temples of learning have been in turn sup- planted by others of more modern construction, more tasteful and elegant in appearance and more luxu- riously furnished with conveniences and comforts for both teacher and pupil.

The appropriations of money for the support of schools has always been generous in comparison with the town's valuation of taxable property.

Iu 1800 the appropriation for "schooling " was five hundred dollars. From 1816 to 1835 it was eight hundred dollars. Since 1835 the yearly allowance has been on the increase, until it has reached, in this year of grace, 1888, the sum of four thousand dollars. In the intervening period since 1835 school libraries, books of reference, outline maps, eight-inch mounted globes, large surfaces of black-hoard and other needful supplies have been liberally and promptly furnished to facilitate the process of instruction.

Parents still continue to manifest interest in the progress of their children by occasional visits to the schools and by lending their influence in other prac- ticable ways. But it is to be feared, however, that personal interest in the schools on the part of the community generally has abated to a considerable extent from what it was sixty or seventy years ago- or even fifty years ago-on account of the fact that the State has gradually assumed entire control and management of the public schools, to the exclusion of those most intimately concerned, from any voice, part or lot in the matter except to pay the annual tax assessed upon them. And, at least, whatever advance has been made in popular education in the last half- century, it cannot be denied that the old district sys- tem had many a redeeming feature. As the popula- tion of the town was larger than at present, so the attendance upon the school was also much greater.

It was the writer's experience to attend school in the Chocksett District when eighty scholars were daily convened within the walls of the old school building, whose outward dimensions were twenty-two hy twenty-two feet. The terms of school were short, never exceeding ten weeks in winter and eight or nine in summer. The "examination " at the close of the term was an event of much importance to all the people of the district and was usually attended by them in numbers oftentimes fully equal to the ca- pacity of the school-room. The teachers were faith- ful to the trusts committed to them, and a generation of men and women, fairly equipped, mentally and morally, for the duties and responsibilities of citizen- ship was the result of their labors. The annual "School Meeting," clothed with the authority, through its " Prudential Committee," of selecting and hiring the teacher, and of deciding on all other matters relating to the school, excepting the raising and ap- propriation of money, was a powerful means of awak- ening and keeping alive an intense interest in the school and a strong desire for its welfare. In about the year 1822 there was organized an association by the name of the "Sterling Mutual Improvement So- ciety "-changed a few years afterward to " The Ster- ling Lyceum"-whose declared purpose was to aid the teachers and improve the district school».

This society had an active existence of about forty years. It was a powerful auxiliary in the educational work of the town. It convened the teachers at stated times for the discussion of vital questions. relating to their daily duties in the school-room ; it called out, from time to time, during the winter terms, the higher classes in all the schools for public competitive exer- cises in reading, geography, grammar and arithmetic; it also had lectures from " home talent " and from dis- tinguished speakers from the cities and various other places.

It was truly a popular institution, and its regular meetings drew together in the town hall crowded audiences of old people and young, and was a potent instrumentality for promoting the social, intellectual and moral well-being of the entire community.

Few towns of the same extent and rank have pro- duced a greater number of native teachers than Ster- ling. A list, as far as can be remembered, is subjoined at the end of this sketch.

Since the organization of the Board of Education in 1837, and through the influence of Normal Schools, Teachers' Institutes and educational literature, im- proved methods of teaching and discipline have been adopted. Blackboard instruction in all branches is resorted to, oral teaching is more frequently practiced, and the old A B C method of teaching young children to read is fast passing away. And in modes of disci- pline the change is not less apparent. The ferule, "that scepter of despotic power," is practically ban- ished from our school-rooms, and other ridiculous forms of physical torture, such as supporting a heavy

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

book with the arm extended in a right line from the body, of bending the body forward and holding down a nail, or of being hit on the head by a heavy ruler, thrown by the master as punishment for minor of- fences, is not tolerated by public sentiment and is now never practiced. The regular terms of school were oftentimes prolonged from one to four weeks by private subscription ; and not unfrequently a private school was supported in the autumn by those who felt the need of larger opportunities for the education of their children, and who regarded it more economical to maintain a school of higher grade in town than to be at the expense of board and transportation to an academy at a distance from home. Notwithstanding, scarcely a year passed in which numbers of our young people of both sexes did not avail themselves of the privileges afforded at the high schools and academies of Lancaster, Worcester, Leicester, New Ipswich and other places to prepare themselves for teachers, or for entrance into some college or technical institution. This state of things, which, indeed, had been of long continuance, led to the feeling on the part of many that the establishment of a high school was a public necessity.

At the town-meeting in the month of April, 1883, the subject was brought before the town. A discussion followed. Rev. Mr. Perkins made a strong and con- vincing argument in its favor. The Irish adopted citizens generally were found to be favorable to the measure. By a yea and nay vote the question was de- cided affirmatively by a fair majority. In September following the school went in operation with Mr. Her- hert B. Hayden, of Ashland, as its first principal. Mr. Hayden was a graduate of the Ashland Hight School and had spent one year at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. Mr. Hayden had a good measure of success and gave general satisfaction. He remained with the school five years. He left town at the close of the spring term, 1888. Mr. Henry A. MacGowan, of Clinton, was appointed to the principalship of the school at the commencement of the fall term of the present year. Mr. MacGowan is a graduate of Am- herst College, of the class of 1886. He entered the Divinity School at Andover, but his studies in prepara- tion for the ministry were interrupted by ill health, and he was obliged to suspend his professional studies. Having regained his strength in a measure by rest, he was induced to accept the position offered him by the School Committee and entered at once upon its duties. Under his judicious and able management, as a thorough scholar himself, the school gives promise of an advanced position, and worthy to take an equal rank among the high schools of the State.

Since the establishment of the High School, and principally through its instrumentality, a course of lectures has been maintained during the winter. These lectures are numerously attended by our people and afford, not only pleasant entertainment, but valu- able instruction. These literary entertainments are

much enjoyed, and are looked forward to with interest and pleasant anticipation.

A fine High School building was erected in 1883 on a beautiful site, between the Emily Wilder parsonage and the old Dr. Kendall place. It was formerly owned by the late Jacob Conant, Esq., and was pur- chased by the town of a subsequent owner of the property. The edifice is two-storied, with a large play-room in the basement. It is a neat building, pleasantly located, and presents an attractive appear- ance.

In respect to the number of graduates from various colleges, Mr. Goodwin (to whom the writer of this sketch is indebted for most of his acquaintance with the early history of this town) says : "The number educated at the public colleges from this place is not great, but our scholars will not suffer by a comparison with those of many towns who present a larger cata- logue." He then gives a list of nineteen graduates, with the dates of graduation, as follows :

1. John Mellen (Harvard University, 1770), for many years minister at Barnstable.

2. Joseph Kilburn (Harvard University, 1777), minister at Wendell, Mass.

3. Isaac Bailey (Harvard University, 1781), minister at Ward, Mass.

4. Prentiss Mellen, LL.D. (Harvard University,'1784), chief justice of the Supreme Court of Maine.

5. Henry Mellen (Harvard University, 1784), attorney-at-law at Do- ver, N. H.

6. Thomas Moore (Dartmouth College, 1787), settled in the ministry in Pennsylvania.

7. Pierson Thurston (Dartmouth College, 1787), minister at Somers- worth, N. H.

8. James Kendall, D.D. (Harvard University, 1796), minister of the ancient church &t Plymouth, Mass.

9. Bartholomew Brown (Harvard University, 1799), for some years counselor-at-law at Sterling, afterward at Bridgewater, Mass.

10. Hosea Hildreth (Harvard University, 1805), minister st Gloucester, Mass.

Il. Amos W. Rugg (Harvard University, 1805), died soon after leaving college, greatly lamented.

12. Martin Moore (Brown University, 1811), minister at Natick, Mass. 13. Mark Moore (Brown University, 1814), counselor-at-law in Con- necticut.

14. Nahum H. Groce (Harvard University, 1808), preceptor of an scad- emy.

15. Pierson T. Kendall (Harvard University, 1812), for many years practicing physician at Sterling.

16. Ezekiel Hildreth (Harvard University, 1814), instructor of youth fn the Southern States.

17. Abel T. Hildreth (Harvard University, 1818), instructor of youth in the Southern States.

18. Oliver H. Blood (Harvard University, 1821), practicing physician at Worcestor, Mass.

19. Moses G. Thomas (Brown University, 1825), many ysars minister at Concord, N. H.

20. George Putnam, D.D. (Harvard University, 1827), minister at Rox- bury until his death, in 1872.

21. Edwin Conant (Harvard University, 1828), counselor-at-law at Sterling, removed to Worcester.

22. Josiah K. Waite (Harvard University, 1829), settled in the minis- try first at Fitzwilliam, N. H.

23. Augustue K. Rugg (Union College, N. Y., 1836), counselor at Al- bany, Ga., where he died in 1843, much lamented.

24. Silas Bailey (Brown University, 1838), distinguished educator, died in Paris, France, 1874.

25. Mark Bailey (Brown University, 1848), professor in Oregon State University.

26. Ambrose P. S. Stuart (Brown University, 1847), after spending three years in the German Universities of Gottingen and Heidelberg, he

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accepted professorships in various colleges, and is now engaged io finan- cial affairs io Lincoln, Neb.

27. Addison Stuart eutered Brown University and went through the regular collegiate course, all but the last year, when he commenced the study of law. Has a law-office at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

28. William Richardson, Ph.D. (Dartmouth College, 1864), engaged in educational work in Ohio.

29. Frank W. Wilder (Tufts College, 1880), counsellor-at-law and real estate agent, Dakota Ty.

30. Edmuod W. Powers (Tufts College, 1881), counselor-at-law, Bos- ton, Mass.

31. Arthur P. Rugg (Amherst College, 1883), counselor-at-law, Wor- cester, Mass.

32. Fred. H. Wilder (Tufts College, 1886), counselor-at-law and real estate agent, Dakota Ty.

A goodly number of the sons and daughters of Sterling who had charge of our schools, as teachers, were graduates of the State Normal Schools. They are as follows :

Edwin May, graduated at Bridgewater.

Hannah Ross, graduated at Bridgewater.

Edward A. Lynds, graduated at Bridgewater.

Mary Rugg, graduated at Bridgewater.

Sarah H. Rugg, graduated at Bridgewater. Luther Rugg, graduated at Bridgewater.

Mary S. Osgood, graduated at Bridgewater. Carrie Rugg, graduated at Salem.

Delia S. Nourse, graduated at Salem.

Abbie Hastiogs, graduated at Bridgewater.

William Hastings, graduated at Bridgewater. Fannie M. Houghton, graduated at Westfield. Kittie Wilder, graduated at Worcester.

Mary Boland, graduated at Framingham.

R. L. Chandler, Worcester.

Florence Houghton, now a student at Framingham.

The following are graduates from the Technical Institute at Worcester :

Oliver W. Rugg, aow practicing civil engineering at Worcester Arthur Woods, now practicing civil engineering at Worcester. William A. Nelson, mechanical engineer at Fitchburg.

J. Edward Syods, engaged in the lumber business near Duluth, Mina.

LIBRARIES .- The first public library was estab- lished in the latter part of the last century, known as the "First Social Library in Sterling." It was or- ganized by voluntary subscription, and regulated by suitable by-laws, with proper officers for its man- agement. The only record the writer has been able to find was that of the annual meeting of the proprie- tors in 1803, held for the choice of officers and the transaction of such other business as might properly come before it.

It was a valuable collection of several hundred vol- umes of standard works of history, biography, travels, fiction and other important subjects.

It was replenished from time to time by a small an- nual tax upon the members of the association. It did valuable service for many years, and its benefits were shared by a large number of the people of the town. But, like all sublunary things, it had its day of pro- gress and decline, and in 1852 came to a final termi- nation by a public sale of the books at auction.

In 1848 a small library of choice books was pur- chased by the town for each school district.

In 1857 a Farmer's Library was established, con-

taining some one hundred and fifty or two hundred volumes by the ablest writers npon agriculture. These books were subsequently turned over to and became a part of the Town Library.

But the highest and grandest point in the work of founding a library was reached when the town, at its annual meeting in March, 1871, appropriated three hundred dollars for the purchase of books for the es- tablisliment of a Free Public Library. Liberal ap- propriations have been made each year since for the purchase of new books and for meeting incidental ex- penses. Generous donations for the support of the library have been made by the following persons, most of whom were former residents of the town : Mr. A. K. Loring, of Boston, contributed a valuable package of books. The late James T. Allen, of New York, gave his check for three hundred dollars. William Frederick Holcombe, M.D., of New York, generously gave one hundred dollars. Rev. Geo. Putnam, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass. , in token of his friendly regard for his birthplace, also gave one hun- dred dollars ; and his daughter, the late Miss Carrie Putnam, bequeathed the sum of two thousand dollars, the interest of which to be used in the purchase of books. Edwin Conant, Esq., of Worcester, gave five hundred dollars, to be called the "Elizabeth Anne Conant Fund," the interest to be used in the purchase of books. From all these sources of income the li- brary at present contains more than six thousand volumes.

For the beautiful library building that now adorns the village, the town is indebted to the mnnificence of Edwin Conant, Esq., of Worcester, who furnished the means whereby it was erected. It was built in 1885, as a memorial tribute to his late lamented daughter, Miss Elizabeth Anne Conant.

Mr. Conant also furnished the very neat and sub- stantial chairs and tables which the library hall and reading-room contain.

The librarian's desk was presented by the Richard- son heirs, as a tribute to the memory of their father, -the late Deacon William B. Richardson. It is con- structed of cherry, very neatly finished and is per- fectly in keeping with the pleasant surroundings, and bears the following inscription :

Io memory of DEA. WILLIAM B. RICHARDSON, By his Heirs, 1886.

The library building was formally dedicated Octo- ber 13, 1885. The public exercises were held in the Congregational Church, a large congregation being present, including many from the neighboring towns, and were as follows :

1. Voluntary oo the Organ. Miss Annie M. Wilder, Organist.

2. Anthem. .By the Choir.

3. Dedicatory Prayer ... By Rev. J. H. Whitmore.

4. Anthem. .By tho Choir.

5. Meniorial Address By Rev. E. H. Hall, of Cambridge.

6. Hymo 840. ........ .Hymo and Tune-Book, read by Rev. Mr. Whitmore.

7. Benediction By Rev. S. H Robinson.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

MILITARY .- The military record of Sterling has been an honorable one. In 1755, when the French and Indian War broke out, Sterling furnished her quota of men and supplies-precisely how many men is not known-but the names of more than twenty of her young men have been preserved whose lives were sacrificed in that war, in one or another of its cam- paigns. So also when the War of Independence came, the call for men was duly responded to. The name of Colonel Asa Whitcomb is rendered famous by his military service and ardent patriotism. An- other honored soldier who gave eight years' service was Lieutenant Joel Pratt. Reuben Blood, Sr., and Nathaniel Houghton were veteran soldiers of the Revolution. There were others also, but history has failed to record their names, and tradition has but imperfectly transmitted an account of their service. The several wars in which the country was involved, and in which many of our citizens participated, served to keep alive the military spirit and enconrage military organizations and exercises in times of peace. If now they were of no great practical benefit, they at least served a holiday purpose. Company trainings and regimental musters were great social events, and drew together multitudes of people. In the early part of the present century two military organizations existed in the town, known as the North and South Companies. The distinction was made by the road running easterly from Princeton to Lancaster, bisect- ing the territory of the town into two not very une- qual parts ; those whose residence was on the south side falling into the South Company and those on the north side into the North Company.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 137

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