History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 151

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 151

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ezra Batcheller

551

NORTH BROOKFIELD.

to pay, and did pay, every dollar of their indebted- ness, principal and interest. But Tyler Batcheller, the founder and for years the sole proprietor and manager of the business, and the efficient senior partner of the firm from its beginning, did not live to see that fortunate consummation. The disappoint- ment and anxiety caused by the apparent loss of a large fortune-the accumulations of a half-century of successful business-the inability to meet present pecuniary liabilities ; the future darkened by the civil war in which the nation was then involved, the termination and result of which could not be antici- pated by any human foresight ;- in the midst of this accumulation of adverse and discouraging circum- stances, and probably to some extent in consequence of them, his health failed, and his constitution, never robust, and which had begun to feel the effects of advancing years, seemed entirely to give way, and after a brief confinement to his house and bed, and without any clearly-defined disease he died, October 8, 1862, nearly sixty-nine years of age,-apparently of mere exhaustion of the vital powers, accelerated, probably, by mental care and anxiety. Thus ended a life distinguished for industry, energy, perseverance, integrity and usefulness. If his life had been spared but a few months longer he might have seen the cloud, which overhung their business at the time of his death, dispelled, all the pecuniary liabilities of the firm paid in full, an ample competency for himself and family retrieved from the wreck of the old busi- ness, and a most favorable prospect for a future busi- ness, which, although he did not live to see it, was more than realized by the surviving partners, of whom his brother Ezra was henceforward to the end of his life the able and efficient senior partner. Mr. King retired from the firm in 1865.

In the early years of Tyler Batcheller there were no special indications of the prominent positions he was destined to fill in the community, and in the business world. In boyhood he was noted for his mild and peaceful disposition; never zealously mingling with his contemporaries in their noisy and boisterous sports ; then and always modest and unassuming in his deportment; improving to the best of his ability the very limited advantages afforded in those days for schooling : a very few weeks in the district school each winter being the extent of his school education -a defect which was ever a source of regret to him.

He was very early inured to habits of industry and economy, which he retained through life. The fol- lowing incident exemplifies both traita. The first three years of his service with Mr. Ward were the last three years of his minority, and his stipulated wages went to his father ; over and above which, during that time he earned and saved five hundred dollars-a large amount for those days-the interest on which, as he told the writer, was his self-restricted annual allowance før clothing for several years-until he went into business on his own account.

He united with what is now the First Congrega- tional church in North Brookfield, June 8, 1817. In the spring of 1818, in connection with Joseph A. (afterward Deacon) Moore, he organized and superin- tended the first Sabbath-school in town, and for six- teen years he was a member of the supervising com- mittee of the same.

September 15, 1820, he was elected a deacon, when he was twenty-seven years of age, and continued in that office twenty-eight years-until he removed his residence to Boston.

He was married April 6, 1819, to Miss Nancy Jenks, daughter of Mr. Nicholas Jenks, one of the early residents of the town. She was a most estimable lady and helpmeet, the mother of all his children. Her early and lamented death, in 1828, was a great loss to the whole community. She was born August, 1796, and died October 5, 1828, leaving four small children -three daughters and a son. He married for his second wife, October 8, 1829, Miss Abigail Jones Lane, daughter of Captain Samuel Lane, a very worthy young lady who had been an inmate of his family four years, and had the care of all his children, to whom she was now called to be a second mother; the oldest was only seven years old at the death of their mother. She lived to see the daughters all married, and survived her husband six years. She was born at Bedford, Mass., August 1, 1810, and died at Boston, March 10, 1877.

The "Skerry farm," which he purchased in 1821, covered a large portion of what is now the central village-the whole of the northeast quarter and part of the southeast, on no part of which was there any building except the old Skerry house in which he lived until 1836, when it was demolished, and a new house built on its site, and which was his home until he removed to Boston in 1848. It is now occupied as a part of the "Big Shop," and is the southwesterly portion of it. About 1825 the land on the streets by which the farm was bounded began to be wanted for building lots. In disposing of them Mr. Batcheller, with a view to the development and growth of the village, rather than to his individual interest, adopted the liberal policy of selling them at only about their value for agricultural purposes, to men of good char- acter who would probably become permanent citizens and to workmen whose services were wanted in or near his manufactory. The first sale was to hia brother and partner, Ezra Batcheller, where Frank A. Smith now lives : and in a few years those streets were lined by neat residences owned and occupied by a very desirable class of citizens. When "Grove Street" was opened through his land, and real estate had largely increased in value, he was asked by several individuals at the same time to set a price on building-lots; he declined, giving as a reason that several of his interested friends had intimated to him that at the prices at which he had been parting with building-lots, he was doing less than justice to him-

552

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

self, and perhaps to them. He accordingly proposed to leave the price to be made by two disinterested men mutually agreed upon, and that he would abide by their decision. The proposition was accepted, and carried into effect.

In 1848 it became necessary, for the convenience of the extensive business of the firm, that he should remove to Boston, which he did in December of that year, and, as was said at his funeral, "he carried his religion with him." He attended meeting regularly at Park Street Church, and November 2, 1850, he and his wife united with that church, then under the pas- toral care of Rev. A. L. Stone, now of San Francisco, Cal. September 17, 1857, he was elected a deacon of that church, and to the close of life remained an active and devoted officer. He was also for several years a member of the Prudential Committee of that society.

Mr. Batcheller was an original member of the Bos- ton Board of Trade: was chosen a member of its Committee of Arbitration, and served on other impor- tant committees.

In removing his legal residence to Boston Mr. Batcheller did not forget the town of North Brook- field, where he had passed nearly a century of his life, -nor the church and society there with which he had been connected more than thirty years, as was shown by his frequent visits and acts of liberality and benefi- cence.

Ezra Batcheller, the junior member of the original firm, if less prominent before the public, was, equally with his brother, an efficient and essential factor in the growth and prosperity of the manufacturing estab- lishment. And to his business tact and energy is largely due the prompt extrication of the concern from their temporary embarrassment in 1861. He was a large-hearted, public-spirited man, of earnest piety ; and his memory is fragrant of good deeds and an honorable and useful life.

The present firm name is E. & A. H. Batcheller & Company ; and this is the only boot and shoe man- ufactory now in operation in North Brookfield. In 1875, as appears from the census report, they gave employment to 927 males and 150 females, and manu- factured goods of the value of $1,817,000. Their facilities for business have been considerably increased since that date.

HON. CHARLES ADAMS, JR., A.M.

According to his own prepared family record, Mr. Adams is descended from Henry1, who came from England and settled in Braintree ; the line running through Edward2 of Medfield, John3 of Medfield, Abraham+ of Brookfield, Jesse® of Brookfield, Charles, M.D.6 of Antrim, N. H., and Oakham, Mass.

Charles, Jr.7, was born at Antrim, in the part then known as Woodbury Village, now South Antrim, January 31, 1810, and died at North Brookfield, April 19, 1886. In addition to the advantages of the com- mon schools, he attended a select school in Brookfield

under Rev. John Bisbee, and studied eight months with Rev. Josiah Clark, of Rutland. This completed his school education. He served an apprenticeship of five years in a country store at Petersham, and was employed as clerk for a single year hy J. B. Fair- banks, of Ware. He came to North Brookfield in 1832, and entered the employment of Messrs. Batch- eller, shoe manufacturers, as book-keeper and account- ant, which position he held for twenty years. In 1852 he became a member of the firm, and so con- tinued until 1860, when he retired with a competence.

Mr. Adams was much in public life-having held by election most of more responsible town offices : was representative to the General Court for the years 1850, '51, '52 and '62; State Senator 1865, '66, 77 aud '78; member of the Executive Council 1867, '68, '69 and '70; Treasurer and Receiver-General of the Com- monwealth 1871, '72, '73, '74 and '75. He was also honored with special trusts; was commissioner of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad Sinking Fund ; and for many years president of the North Brookfield Savings Bank. Perhaps it is enough to say, that in all these offices and trusts he fully met the expecta- tion of his constituents for industry, ability, foresight, good judgment and integrity.

In manners, Mr. Adams had the dignity, without the preciseness, of a gentleman of the old school of official station. What was lacking in courtliness was more thau made up by self-poise and an unaffected cordiality that won esteem, while it did not lessen re- spect. Always collected and maintaining a proper self-respect, he yet was at home equally in the kitchen of the farmers and the parlors of the educated. He saw a true manhood in whomsoever it existed, and yielded it due homage ; he detected and did not con- ceal his contempt for mere pretence and outside show.

Though he often lamented his early disadvantages of schooling, yet he was, in the best sense, an educated man-not "self-made " as the popular phrase is, which implies the creating of one's surroundings and means. Rather, he subjected those surroundings to his will, and made them the means to develop and furnish his miud; and thus was educated and trained. He utilized whatever advantages were within his reach, whether at home or at school, behind the counter or in the counting-room ; first as a subordinate and after as partner, owner and director. He was a learner, always and everywhere; seizing the opportunities, which both old and young so often throw away, to gain knowledge of men, and methods, and principles, and business, as well as books. And this early train- ing, and the formation of habits of observation and inquiry and research, and this steady application to the work and duty of the hour, laid the foundation of the self-reliance and power of concentrated effort which fitted him for the higher duties and responsi- bilities of business life and official position. He suc- ceeded because he had paid the full price of success.

Chat. Adams In

553

NORTH BROOKFIELD.

Nor was his lack of school privileges apparent. He was well read in general and local history, as well as in political economy, the industrial sciences and finance. His memory was retentive, and was well stored with available knowledge. He was a good talker; and though commonly very practical in con- versation, he yet possessed a mobile fancy and a vein of humor slightly imbued with satire that, combined and incited by refined instincts and pure thoughts and associations, made him a desirable acquisition to any social circle.

In the quiet life of a busy manufacturer, and even in the responsible station of a State official, there is little of incident and few turns of affairs to attract special notice and give interest to a biographical sketch. The startling situations, and conflicts, and triumphs which attach to military and professional life and make the reputation and renown of men of those classes and furnish the emphatic points in their biographies, are either wanting in legislative, and judicial and mercantile experience; or they are of strictly personal and temporary concern. They may have touched matters of success or popularity, vital in their day ; but that day was a brief one, and results affected mainly the parties immediately in- terested.

While a member of the Legislature and the Execu- tive Council, Mr. Adams gave his attention largely to matters of banking and finance, and questions grow- ing out of the State's connection with the Troy and Greenfield, and the Boston, Hartford and Erie Rail- roads, and other corporations. He was chairman, or a member of the appropriate committees. To these committees is entrusted the shaping of the financial policy of the Commonwealth. And as several of his terms of service followed close upon the ending of the late Civil War, his sound views and practical good sense made his influence at that juncture of especial consequence. The reports from his pen are dis- tinguished by a broad grasp, and able reasoning, and safe conclusions.

Mr. Adams did not claim to be a popular speaker, and attempted nothing in the line of oratory. He wrote out his intended remarks; and as he was a good reader, he made a favorable impression when- ever he chose to appear before the public. He had himself and his theme well in hand; his points were clearly put ; his evident mastery of his subject enlisted the hearer's attention, while his unaffected earnest- ness made a deep impression, if it did not carry con- viction.

His style of writing was largely influenced by his leading pursuits. It was direct, unadorned, and what in Addisonian times would have been called didactic. He used Anglo-Saxon words and idioms; and the guiding thread of logic was always apparent in his sentences and consecutive sections. Having Scotch blood in his veins, it was only natural that he should have a love for Scottish history and literature. He

became particularly fond of the poetry of Gray and Burns, and the poetry and romance of Sir Walter Scott. And the chance he had of going abroad in 1871, to complete the sale of State bonds in London, and which opportunity he embraced for extended travel in Scotland as well as on the Continent, intensi- fied the early passion, and gave direction to his study and reflection in later years, after his retirement from office.

In a paper which he wrote in 1873, on " The Life and Times of Robert Burns," he tells us how he was first led into this attractive field. "In the year 1827, when I was in my seventeenth year, in a trade with another young man, to make the bargain even, I re- ceived a copy of 'Burns' Poems' in two small red- morocco bound volumes, without at the time knowing or caring who Robert Burns was. On opening the books I was delighted to find in them several songs which I had often heard sung by my mother-a de- scendant from clan McAllister-who was a fine singer -of course the finest I had then heard, and you will pardon me if I say the finest I have ever heard to this day (in my estimation). Some of her favorites, which I found in these volumes, were ' Bonnie Doon,' ' John Anderson my Jo,' 'Auld Lang Syne,' 'Highland Mary,' 'The Lea-Rig,' etc. And the reading of these songs in their peculiar dialect, naturally led my thoughts beyond the songs themselves and the singer, and awakened an interest in the author and his life and home; and thus insensibly I became an ardent admirer of Burns and Scotland." He then relates his visit to the Land of Burns in 1871, and gives expres- sion to the thoughts inspired by the sight of the places and associations amid which the poet lived and wrote.

This paper, filling sixty-three closely-written pages of manuscript, reveals a trait of character which was prominent in all his life, viz., a tender and apprecia- tive regard for his mother; and it furnishes a fair sample of his literary style. It is characterized by vivid descriptions of natural scenery and peasant life. He groups the hamlet, and its occupants and home- surroundings in a spirited picture, charming by its lights and shades, its mingling of the real and ideal, and all enveloped in the fitful sunshine and mists of the Ayr and Ayrshire. This paper, and a diary kept by him, and since written out in full, take rank above many modern published essays and books of travel.

Mr. Adams prepared and delivered an address at the semi-centennial of the Oakham Sabbath-School, May, 1868 ; an address at the centennial of Antrim, N. H., June 27, 1877, in response to the toast- "Scotch character: still marked by grit and grace ;" an address delivered on Washington's birthday, 1874; and read a paper on North Brookfield family history before the New England Historic-Genealogical So- ciety, February, 1884; and had partly completed a Sketch of the Life of Thomas Gray. But his principal literary work was the compilation of family biog-

554

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

raphies, comprising the leading Brookfield settlers, and filling ten large quarto volumes. These manu- script volumes contain historical matter, personal anecdotes and adventures, and family memorials of great value to genealogists, and are a monument of the anthor's patient research and discriminating judg- ment.

Both by nature and self-culture, Mr. Adams was a conservative man. But his was a conservatism that is an element of strength, and not of weakness ; which was a consequent of deliberation and forecast, and not of timidity. He built. on well-laid founda- tions and not on the sand. He made no more " haste " than " good speed." The meteor may out- dazzle the evening star, but Jupiter remains king of the nightly heavens.

And this habit of mind fitted him for his work in the State treasurership an l his other financial trusts. A wise conservatism always begets confidence, and, when joined with a clear head and habits of investigation, is the common antecedent of permanent success. This trait appeared as a factor in his daily life, in his friendships, in his views on education, on political and moral reforms, and on questions of theology and religion. He learned the Assembly's Shorter Cate- chism from his mother, and was accustomed to recom- mend it as a safe manual of Scripture doctrines to be taught to children. He was for fifteen years a mem- ber of Dr. Snell's Bible class. And he united with the Presbyterian Church because of its steadfast ad- herence to the old standards of faith and practice.

Mr. Adams was tender and strong in his social friendships, and his heart and purse were open to the calls of the needy and suffering. He bestowed his charities freely, but unostentatiously, on those who had a claim on his generosity and kindness. Many a widow and orphan will miss his timely help, and cherish and bless his memory.

He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1878.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

WEST BROOKFIELD.

BY WILLIAM T. DAVIS.

THE town of West Brookfield should have been called Brookfield. It was the first place of settle- ment on the original grant ; it held the first church, and holds the ancient hurial-ground within its bor- ders, and was made the First Precinct when the old town of Brookfield was divided into three. On the 28th of May, 1750, the Second Precinct was incorpor- ated, including substantially the territory now included within the limits of North Brookfield, and on the 8th of May, 1754, the Third Precinct was

incorporated (now Brookfield), leaving the west part (now West Brookfield) to retain the name and powers of the First Precinct. The steps taken to obtain the division of the town into precincts, and the several acts of incorporation, may be found stated in detail in the history of Brookfield in these volumes. A sketch of the church in the First Precinct up to the date of the incorporation of West Brookfield may also be found in that history ; this narrative, therefore, will be confined chiefly to the career of the town since its incorporation.

In 1812 the town of North Brookfield was incor- porated. The division of the remainder of the old town of Brookfield, after Warren or Western, as it was originally called, had been set off in 1741, and North Brookfield in 1812, was accomplished without contest and by general consent. At a town-meeting held on the 22d of November, 1847, at which Alanson Hamilton acted as moderator, it was voted "that"the town choose a committee of two, one from each Par- ish, to present a petition to the next legislature to send out a disinterested committee to report to their body the terms upon which the town be divided, and that the town will abide said decision, provided that the town shall not disagree among themselves upon the terms of division previous to the first of January next, in which case said committee will petition the legislature to divide the town upon the terms agreed upon." The committee consisted of John M. Fiske and Francis Howe, the former from the First and the latter from the Third Precinct. A committee of twelve was also appointed, consisting of Baxter Ellis, Baxter Barnes, Nathaniel Lynde, Wm. Adams, Joseph Dane and Avery Keep, from the First Precinct; and Parley Blanchard, Elliott Prouty, Alfred Rice, Wm. J. Adams, Wm. Howe and Charles Flagg, from the Third Precinct, to consider terms and conditions of a division, and report to the town. At an adjourned meeting, held on the 27th of December, the commit- tee made the following report, which was accepted :

The Committee chosen by the town of Brookfield to consider and agree upon an equitable division of said towo into two distinct towns, in such manner and on such terms as shall subject each town to hear its just proportion of the burdeos or expenses, and prevent liabilities of the wbole undivided town, submit the following report :- Having duly con- sidered all the facts and circumstances that we could bring to our minds, they are of the opinion that the town should be divided by the same line that divides the two ancient parishes, and the part lying west of said line, except Preston Howe's land, shall be incorporated asa new and distinct town, by the name of West Brookfield, with the following con- ditivos or agreement, viz. :- If the County Commissioners shall order, either the road from Ware to West Brookfield depot, or the road from Fiskdale to South Brookfield depot, or both of them, to be made as they are now located, except a slight alteration may be made without addi- tional expense within two years, each town shall pay an equal portion of the expense of making said road or roads, also of the present debts of the town, if any there be ; West Brookfield shall relinquish and give up to Brookfield ull their right or interest in the town farm, with all the personal property on or belonging thereto ; Brookfield shall keep and support all the paupers who are now at the said establishment during their lives, West Brookfield paying to Brookfield fifty cents a week each for one-half the number of said panpers now at said alms-house duriog their lives. The names of the persons to be thus supported are as follows, and no other person, viz. :- Joseph Porter, Abigail Staples, Simeon

555

WEST BROOKFIELD.

Johnson, David Snow, Eleanor Gilbert, Solon Phipps, Hannnh Lawrence, Martha Richardson, Elizabeth Hobbs, Harriet Richards, Sally Forbes, Sally Parker, Holdah Wood, Mary Walker, Mary Ward, Esther Jennings, Sally Thomas, Abigail Paddock, John Lindley, William Richardson, Emily P. Morse and Orin Hamilton. Ruth Henshaw, insane, is to be supported by the town of Brookfield, and Harriet Candy to be supported in West Brookfield. All persons who may hereafter claim town aid are to be supported or assisted by the town in whose territorial limits they may have gained a settlement, by the laws of the commonwealth, prior to the division of said town. West Brookfield shall have the right to visit said alms-house, hy an agent or committee, for the purpose of seeing that said panpers are well treated or taken care of. The expensee necessarily incurred by your committee they pray may be allowed, aod that the town direct the Selectmen to give an order to Parley Blanchard, their chairman, for the sum of sixteen dollars for that purpose.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 151

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