History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 160

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 160

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In 1810 the town made an appropriation of $150 for schools. In 1840 the sum was $600. In 1888 the appropriation was $5000. In 1810 the town appropriated for the support of paupers $290. In 1840 the amount was $500, and in 1888 the sum was $2000.

The population of the town in 1810 was about 600, in 1840 about 1600, and in 1888 about 2950.

The Public Town Library was established in 1878. Previous to that year some individuals had endeavored to start an interest in such an institution, but up to that time no action had been taken by the town in the matter. To David Childs, of Wayland, a native

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of the town, and his widow, Lydia Maria Childs, are we indebted for the starting influence which finally established this valuable addition to the town's property. Mr. Childs, in his will, left the sum of one hundred dollars for the town library of his native town, supposing no doubt that the town had one. His widow, who was the executrix of the will, pro- posed to pay this sum over to trustees provided the town would take steps to establish a library. She afterwards added a collection of about one hundred volumes to this bequest. By individual efforts and several other donations, with an appropriation by the town of six hundred dollars, the sum of over twelve hundred dollars was raised, and the institution was successfully started on a small scale. Since that year it has constantly grown, and at the present time has a valuable collection of over three thousand volumes. It has a fine, large room, as a book and reading-room, large enough for its needs for many years to come.

The vital statistics of the town since its incorpora- tion are as follows: The number of births for the first fifty years, from 1808 to 1858, were 1694; from 1858 to 1888, 2554, making the whole number 4248. The number of marriages from 1808 to 1858 were 693; from 1858 to 1888, 1236, making the whole number 1929. The number of deaths from 1808 to 1858 were about 1100 ; from 1858 to 1888, 1549, mak- ing the whole number 2649. This does not include the statistics for 1888.

Over the large streams the town has five bridges. Of these, one is built of stoue, with three arches, over the Nashua River at the Valley village, and was built in 1856 at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The river at this point rendered it difficult to build a per- manent structure, owing to curves in the banks and of quicksands at the bottom. Much expense has been laid out since the bridge was built, in walling the banks and in flagging the bottom of the river. It is now considered a substantial and enduring struc- ture, likely to withstand all action of the water for centuries to come. This bridge is known as the " Beaman Bridge," and is the lowest one on the river.

The next one above, at the Central village, is an iron bridge of one hundred feet span, built in 1875, at a cost of about three thousand dollars, and is con- sidered a strong and substantial structure. This bridge is also over the Nashua River.

The third bridge is over the Stillwater River at Oakdale, and was built in 1879, of fifty feet span, and another of the same span was built over the Quinne- poxet River, at Harrisville, in 1880. Both these bridges are of iron, and believed to be strong and durable ones, certainly great improvements over the old wooden bridges of former times.

The fifth bridge is a wooden one over the Quinne- poxet River in Harrisville. It has been built but a few years, but shows evidence that it must be replaced ere many more years pass.

During the past five years the town has made two i

decided improvements to their streets-first, by naming and erecting the signs at the principal crossings, and second, by putting up of lamps for lighting the streets by night, on all the streets of the villages.

There are in the town a Masonic Lodge, one of.Odd Fellows, a Grand Army Post, a Grange of Husbandry, a Council of Royal Arcanum and five different religious societies.

A Masonic Lodge, "The Boylston," was instituted in this town March 8, 1876, and has kept in good condition to the present time. A very neat and pretty lodge-room was fitted up for its use over the Baptist Church, where all its meetings are held.

The Centennial Lodge of Odd Fellows was organ- ized here October 24, 1876, and holds its meetings also in the Masonic Hall. This hall was formerly a difficult one about getting an easy access to; but by the remodeling of the church, a few years since, the way to it was made much more easy, and possibly access to a membership to the two lodges has also become less difficult.

A "Grand Army Post" was organized here soon after the close of the war,-the "George D. Wells Post, No. 28,"-and has been kept in a flourishing condition ever since. An auxiliary society, "the Ladies' Relief Corps," was connected a few years since, and the two societies are doing a large amount of relief work for soldiers and their families. They have a very neat and convenient hall for their use, located at the Valley station.

A Grange, No. 106, was instituted here a few years ago, and has kept up a good-working lodge,-holds its regular meetings with full numbers and no abate- mient in the interest manifested at the time of its start. Thomas Hall has been fitted up for its use.

Beaman Council, No. 964, Royal Arcanum, was instituted here in 1887, and holds its regular meet- ings in the Grand Army Hall.

The first church (Congregational) in the territory now West Boylston was formed in 1796, consisting of thirty-three members, embracing widely different opinions relative to religious doctrines. The majority favored Arminian sentiments, while a minority were decidedly Calvinistic. Rev. William Nash, the first minister, favored the Arminian side, and on that account was opposed by the minority, who were never satisfied with his preaching. In 1802 religious conference meetings were originated and regularly held once a month by a respectable portion of the church, the meetings being open to all who wished to participate in them. "Mr. Nash, although urged to participate, refused to favor or in any way afford aid and assistance in their maintenance, the majority of the church also refusing any assistance or counte- nance therein."

In 1809 the first religious revival in this town oc- curred, and continued with great interest for several months. It caused much excitement and severe op- position, although a large portion of the people were

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favorably affected thereby. The meeting-house of this society had been built in 1794, and " was dedi- cated to the service and worship of God January Ist, 1795," the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, of Paxton. Several can- didates were successively heard, and it was not until March, 1797, when the call was extended to Mr. Nash to settle. He was a graduate of Yale College and a native of Williamsburg, Mass. lle was not ordained until October 11, 1797, with a stipulated salary of $333.33. Mr. Nash understood that a por- tion of the society was opposed to his becoming its minister, and in his letter of acceptance he wrote regretting "the want of unanimity," and further says: "Those gentlemen to whom my services have not been as acceptable as I could wish, I respect." "In acting agreeably to their own best judgment, they have exercised a right which belongs to every Christian, and ought not, on that account, to receive the censure or dissatisfaction of any." This opposi- tion to Mr. Nash seemed for a while to remain dor- mant, but was never extinguished, and in 1812 it became so great that an attempt was made to dismiss him. In 1814 his health became seriously impaired, rendering him unable to preach or discharge paro- chial duties. In 1815 he was dismissed at his own request. Mr. Nash had purchased the large farm in the south part of the town, which had been known as the "David Childs Place," where he continued to reside to the time of his decease, in 1829, aged sixty years. Mr. Nash married Elizabeth Doubleday in 1801. One son and a daughter-Charles and Eliza- beth-are still living in the city of Worcester.

After the dismission of Mr. Nash various candidates preached here, but it was not until December, 1820, that Rev. John Boardman, from Newburyport, was invited to settle by a vote of sixty-five to twenty-eight, and he was ordained February 28, 1821, with an an- nual salary of five hundred dollars. In 1834 Mr. Boardman was dismissed at his own request, and he af- terwards settled in East Douglas, where he died in 1842. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Boardman that the meeting-house on the old Common, the first one built, was burned in 1831. Mr. Boardman, with a majority of the church, being of the Calvinistic faith, left that location and built the brick house on the north side of the river, where the church and society have since continued to worship.

In September, 1834, Rev. Elijah Paine, a native of Ashfield, Mass., and who had been a settled minister at Claremont, N. H., accepted an invitation to settle over this church and society, and was installed No- vember 3d, of that year, at a salary of six hundred dollars. Mr. Paine died here very suddenly Septem- ber 14, 1836, aged thirty-eight years.

In 1837 Rev. Brown Emerson was ordained as Mr. Paine's successor, at an annual salary of six hundred dollars. He was dismissed at his own request Novem- ber 6, 1839.

Rev. Joseph W. Cross, who had heen settled in Boxboro', Mass., was installed over this church and society March 11, 1840, at an annual salary of seven hundred dollars. He remained as pastor until March 16, 1859, when he was dismissed. Mr. Cross still re- mains a citizen of the town, having just passed the eightieth anniversary of his birth, being active and vigorous for one of his age. Mr. Cross has been fol- lowed by Rev. Messrs. H. M. Hitchcock, James H. Fitts, Wilbur Johnson, William W. Parker, Francis J. Fairbanks and Millard F. Hardy, who is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church and Society can date their origin back about eighty years, or about the year 1810, from which time the denomination has gradually in- creased to the present time. They formed their first society organization in 1813, but had no regular preaching until 1819, when a church was organized of ahout fifty members. Their first minister was Rev. Nicholas Branch, who has been followed by Rev. 'Messrs. Allen Hough, C. C. P. Crosby, Abiel Fisher, Joseph G. Binney, Lorenzo O. Lovell, Sewell S. Cut- ting, Leonard Tracy, Kazlett Arvine, Timothy C. Tingley, Zenas P. Wild, George R. Darrow, J. M. Follett, Charles F. Holbrook, Edwin Bromley, George Colesworthy, Isaac Sawyer, Alvan M. Crane, J. W. Brigham and L. W. Frink, who is the present pastor.

For several years this society worshipped in a small church, located in what is now the village of Oakdale. Their present meeting-house was built in 1832. About five years since this house was entirely remodeled, the old pews taken out, new windows put in, and the whole inside changed, making the house very neat, pretty and convenient. At the present time the so- ciety is engaged in huilding a parsonage-house in near proximity to their meeting-house.

The Methodist Society began to hold meetings here, first in different halls, then in the meeting-house of the Liberal Society, on the old Common, then in Free- dom Hall at Oakdale. In 1858 they built their present neat and convenient house at Oakdale, and have, up to this day, maintained a strong and flourishing so- ciety. In 1854 Rev. David Higgins was their pastor. He has been followed by Rev. Messrs. J. H. Gaylord, I. B. Bigelow, J. W. Coolidge, S. J. Abbott, Daniel Atkins, Burtis Judd, Walter Wilkie, Wm. P. Black- mer, L. A. Bosworth, William Pentacost, William Gordon, Elias Hodge, C. A. Merrill, Wm. J. Hamble- ton and S. L. Rogers, who is now the pastor.

The Liberal Congregational Society was an outcome from the first religious society formed in town. There had all the time, from the first starting of that society in 1794, been in it several grades of belief, and when the first meeting-house was burned, by being struck by lightning, August 23, 1831, a permanent separation occurred.

The Calvinistic portion built the present brick house at the Valley, and the remaining portion or- ganized a Unitarian Society and rebuilt a neat and

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pretty house nearly on the spot where the old one was burned. This house, together with the brick and the Baptist house, were all completed in 1832. After this time the society never settled a minister, but for several years employed different clergymen, both of Unitarian and Universalist sentiments, to supply their pulpit. In 1859 Rev. J. H. Willis, Universalist, came here and preached until 1862, when, principally ow- ing to many of its members going into the army, the meetings were discontinued and Mr. Willis removed to Worcester. With this exception the society had had no stated preaching for over thirty-five years. Other denominations have used the house for a few months at a time, and the society has kept up its or- ganization to the present time by the annual choice of parish officers. The house stands in by far the best location for a public building of any one in town, front- ing, as it does, on a public common.

The Catholic Society was formed here some thirty years since, and just before the Civil War built their first house of worship. For several years they had no resident pastor, priests from abroad supplying for their needs until about 1873, when Rev. Father An- thony J. Derbuel came here and remained until his de- cease, May 21, 1886, aged forty-nine years. He was a very genial and intelligent man, a native of France, and was liked by every one making his acquaintance. The next year Rev. Father Daniel F. Feehan came, and remained until November, 1888, when he removed to Fitchburg. Rev. Father J. V. Campeau has lo- cated here as his successor. The first church built by this society had only a seating capacity of about three hundred, and they, having outgrown its size in 1882, built their present large and commodious house near the Baptist meeting-house, it being much the largest church building in the town.

For the past year meetings have been held by the Episcopalians in a hall at the Valley, and it is said there is some talk of building and forming a perma- nent society here in the near future.

The town is favored with a large water-power, af- forded by two streams which unite in this town, and form the south branch of the Nashua River. The first of these is the Quinnepoxet River, coming from the west through Holden, and on this stream are situated three cotton-mills and a small shoddy-mill, described hereafter.

operate the extensive works of the Clarendon Mills, the water then flowing through a canal for about a mile before it again unites with the main river. Besides the power afforded by these large streams, there is a small stream called " Malden Brook," on which there are at present two small privileges-the first operating machinery for making excelsior and also some basket machinery ; the second, a saw and shingle-mill, being the only one now operated by water-power in the town. Many years since, there was another small mill on this stream used for mechanical purposes, which was burned. On this privilege no mill has since been erected. Still another mill was erected and used for making shoddy for a few years, when it was burned, about twelve years since, and about the same time a freshet carried away the dam, and al- though some attempts have been made to rebuild, no work has been started up to the present time. Many years since there was a small privilege operating a small mill on Gates Brook for various mechanical work, but mill and dam were torn away about twenty years ago. Another small power was obtained by carrying the water by a canal from this brook about half a mile to the Brimhall Place, on Worcester Street, but this establishment disappeared several years ago.

The first cotton-mill to be described is that of Samuel R. Warfield, on the Quinnepoxet River, and near the line of Holden. On this privilege a saw- mill had been erected, and operated for about forty years. In 1868 Mr. Warfield, having bought the mill and other buildings, with the farm connected, put up a small building of wood, with machinery of 1500 spindles capacity, which was ready and put in operation for the manufacture of satinet warps the same year, employing about fifteen hands. This was intended as merely a temporary arrangement, as the first building was so built and arranged as to be easily changed into tenements at any time when a larger factory building of hrick should be erected. In 1881 this contemplated work was done; the dam was raised, so as to increase the capacity of the pond, and a brick mill, of two stories, with the di- mensions of 120 by 70 feet, was finished in 1882. Its capacity is 3200 spindles, and used for the manu- facture of yarn and satinet warps; employing twenty- seven hands and using about 700 bales of cotton dur- ing a year. Mr. Warfield also erected, about the same time, a small shoddy-mill, on the wasteway be- low the first mill, which was burned in 1885. It was immediately rebuilt, and has been run most of the time since, giving employment to about three men.

The second stream is the Stillwater River, flowing from the north through Sterling, on which are situ- ated the cotton-mills of the West Boylston Manufac- turing Company, the most extensive one within the town. At a short distance below these mills the two streams unite, and after flowing for about two miles The second cotton-mill is also on the Quinnepoxet River, and is a substantial building of stone, with brick trimmings, finished and put in operation in October, 1874, by L. M. Harris & Company. The dam for this mill was built the previous year, the whole making a new establishment, has the capacity enter the town of Boylston. On the main river at the central village is a cotton-mill on one side of the stream and a large grist-mill on the other. About sixty rods below the last mill, the water is turned into an artificial canal and carried nearly half a mile to a large artificial basin or pond, creating the power to of 5540 spindles, and it is known as the " Whiting

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Mill." The third mill, on the same stream, is also owned by L. M. Harris & Company, and is of the capacity of 3790 spindles, and is known as the Harris Mill. They are used for the manufacture of light sheetings and shoe drills, using about 1200 bales of cotton yearly, and employing about 100 hands. The water-power of the two mills is rated at 213 horse-power, and within the past few years the owners have put in steam-engines of 125 horse- power, enabling them to run all their machinery at such times as water may fail. At the point where the last-named mill now stands, a saw-mill was built by Henry Holt, about sixty years ago. After a few years he enlarged his building, and put in ma- chinery for making cotton yarn. In 1845 the Messrs. Harris bought the mill, farm and houses, and con- tinued the manufacture of yarn for about two years. In 1847 they commenced the manufacture of cloth, and followed it until 1853, when the mill was burned. This building was of wood. Steps were at once commenced for rebuilding, and the present building of stone, on a larger scale than the one burnt, was finished, the machinery all in and was put in operation in just one year after the fire. At the time when the Messrs. Harris came here, in 1845, there were only the mill and two houses at this point .. Now, in connection with the two mills, there are about twenty-five houses, several of them being tenement houses, the whole making what is known as the village of Harrisville.

The fourth establishment for the manufacture of cotton goods is situated in the village of Oakdale, on the Stillwater River, and is owned and operated by an incorporated company, known as the West Boylston Manufacturing Company, and it is much the largest establishment in the town, being of the capacity of 17,000 spindles, employing 375 persons, and using about 4,000 bales of cotton yearly in the manufacture of various fine cotton goods or fabrics.

The company was first incorporated in 1814 for the making of wire and cotton goods. The manufacture of wire was never started, and it would seem that no business was very energetically entered into, as the company charter was lost by neglecting to make the annual choice of officers. Up to this time the mill had been only a small one, built of wood. In 1823 the company was re-chartered and commenced the building of their first brick mill, finishing it in 1824.

In 1825 the first looms for weaving cloth were put into the mill, after which time all the several parts of the work of making cloth was done by machinery, and the business proved very successful for several years. About the last of the year 1839 the mill was com- pletely destroyed by fire. In 1840 the mill was rebuilt on about the same scale and. capacity. In 1868 the company built a dam of great strength and several feet higher than the old one, increasing their pond to several times its previous capacity and increasing greatly their water-power, and built an additional mill

of stone. On September 7, 1871, the whole establish - ment was destroyed by fire, being the most disastrous fire which has ever occurred in the town. The com- pany rebuilt the present mill in 1872. The company, during the late Civil War, changed a part of their works and made the manufacture of army blankets a very successful business. After the war they used five setts of woolen machinery in making satinets. At present nothing but cotton goods are made, and the company have commenced putting in foundations for quite an extensive addition to the main part of the mill. Besides the mills, the company owus thirty-two houses, many of them large tenement houses, a large brick store-house, store, barns, etc. Besides the waters of the Stillwater River, this company controls the waters of the Quinnepoxet River by a dam built below Harrisville, which turns the water into a canal by which it is carried into their large pond. The company also control the waters from the Washacum Lakes in Sterling, the waters of which can be raised about four feet above their natural level by a short dam, and thus creating a large reservoir, to be drawn from in time of low water. The company have also a large steam-engine for use when needed to increase their motive-power. Another great addition made to their facilities for dealing with fires was the building of a large reservoir for holding water, of the capacity of 60,000 gallons, situated on a hill much higher than their building, which is kept constantly full by pumping, and can be used at a few moments' warn- ing in extinguishing fires in any part of their build- ings, or of the village of Oakdale.

The fifth cotton-mill is situated on the Nashua River at the Central Village, and on the south side of the stream. This is the mill of E. W. Holbrook, which has a capacity of three thousand six hundred and forty-eight spindles, and employs fifty hands. On the north side of the stream is the large grist- mill of Edward A. Cowee, each party owning one-half of this privilege and power.

In the place where the cotton-mill now stands, a saw-mill was first erected several years before the in- corporation of the town, and was one of the saw- mills in use at that date. A few years afterwards Ezekiel Peirce and his brother erected here a scythe- factory, putting in the first trip-hammer used in this section. This trip-hammer, with its noise and opera- tion, for a long time was a wonder not only to the people within hearing of it, but often brought strangers from a distance to witness its wonderful performances. This scythe-factory was run until 1831, when Dr. John M. Smith and Ephraim Bigelow bought out the works and erected a small cotton- mill, which they put into operation the following year. Mr. Bigelow had previously made cotton yarn in a room over the saw-mill for several years pre- vious to that date. Mr. Bigelow was a man of con- siderable mechanical ingenunity, and it was while here that was first started the germ of the remarka-

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ble machines afterwards perfected by his two sons, Erastus B. and Horatio N., after their removal to Clinton (then Lancaster), about 1836, for the weav- ing of coach lace, counterpanes, carpets, etc.

In 1841 these mills passed into the hands of Mr. Holbrook and Oliver Eldridge, and they were run under the superintendence of Mr. Holbrook until January 9, 1848, when they were entirely destroyed by fire.

Nothing was done towards rebuilding until 1853. In that year Mr. Holbrook erected the first part of the present mill, starting it into operation the follow- ing year, in company with 1 .. M. Harris, making light cotton sheetings, and continuing their success- ful manufacture up to the present time. He has, from time to time, made additions and improvements in buildings and machinery, until both are of about double their capacity from the time of their starting. He put in an engine of seventy-five horse-power in 1883.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 160

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