History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 172

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 172

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Mr. Pope married Miss Anna Hammond, of New- ton, who survived her husband thirty-three years, living to the great age of one hundred and four years, six months and twenty-eight days, "Honored and beloved by all, cheerful in her old age, and a beauti- ful illustration of that perfect peace vouchsafed to those whose souls are stayed on God."

As a scholar Mr. Pope was more than a peer of the profession of those days. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all within the limit of his acquaint- ance, and after a faithful service of forty-six years, as pastor, his health failed him, and it was the unani-

mous wish of the people that a colleague be settled with him. The Rev. Stephen Crosby, of Thompson, Conn., came to preach, as a candidate to fill this position, and at the expiration of ten Sabbaths he re- ceived a unanimous call to become the junior pastor, and accepted the same. His salary was fixed at six hundred and fifty dollars per year, "as long as he should remain in that office, and should regularly supply the pulpit in this place." Notwithstanding the unanimity in which the call was made, there ap- pears to have arisen a difference of opinion in regard to the construction of the terms of settlement, which caused some unfriendly feelings. However, the ma- jority sustained Mr. Crosby in his version of it, and on June 19, 1819, he was duly ordained.

Although there was no outbreak to disturb the har- mony between pastor and people during the follow- ing four years, yet it was apparent that the majority were feeling not a little disturbed at the persistent and selfish manner in which he insisted upon his in- terpretation of the contract with the parish. For two years a spirited correspondence passed between the minister and parish ; committees were chosen, request- ing " Mr. Crosby to alter the contract between him and the people ;" votes were taken upon propositions suggested by him, which were generally unfavorable to his view of the question ; yet he protested against dissolving the compact. But on the 30th of May, 1825, a council was convened to consider the situation, and they were unanimous in their opinion that his pastorate should cease, and he was accordingly dis- missed.

Mr. Crosby received his education at Brown Uni- versity, Rhode Island, and Union Cullege, Schenec- tady, N. Y., and graduated in 1817. He studied theology under Doctor Knott, president of the latter college.

Nearly a year now passed without any stated sup- ply in the parish, but during this time the Rev. Levi Packard, of North Bridgewater, Mass., had occupied the pulpit as candidate for that place. He was so well liked by both church and people that a call was extended to him April 3, 1826, to settle with them as their minister. The terms proposed by the church and parish were, "that the contract should be dissolved, after six months' notice, by either party, and a salary of five hundred and fifty dollars per annnm." With a slight modification in them, which was agreeable to the parish, Mr. Pack- ard accepted. The change in the conditions was, " that the salary should be four hundred and seventy- five dollars per annum and a respectable dwelling- house for himself and family during his continuance with the society as minister." Arrangements were at once made for his ordination, which took place June 14, 1826. Previous to this, on the 18th of May, of this year, a lot had been selected by a committee of the town and a vote passed to build a parsonage. When completed this dwelling cost two thousand

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dollars, and was the same building and premises owned and occupied by the late Isaac Prouty. On the 3d of May, 1847, Mr. Packard purchased this property of the town.

He was a man of more than ordinary ability ; a kind neighbor and citizen. He was ambitious to see the society over which he had charge prosper in increas- ing numbers and devotion to the Master. Whenever the times pressed heavily upon the parish he was quick to comprehend the situation and liberally re- mitted portions of his salary, and this considerate generosity was duly appreciated.

Being of the "Old School," he was stern in his conviction of duty as he understood it, and perhaps was judged too harshly for the bold stand he took in sustaining it. On account of a conflict of opinion between the principles which he maintained and more modern ones, entertained hy the younger mem- bers of both church and parish, on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1853, he asked that he might be dismissed from the pastorate. He was a graduate of Brown University in 1821, and completed his theological education with Rev. Joseph Ide, of Medway, Mass. His pastorate continued over this people twenty-seven years.

The Rev. Stephen G. Dodd, of Milford, Conn., sup- plied the pulpit after it was vacated by Mr. Packard, and in due time received a call from the church, in which the parish concurred, to become their pastor. With his salary, a parsonage was to be furnished, and, in case of dissatisfaction by either party, six months' notice was necessary to terminate the rela- tions. These terms and conditions being satisfactory to the parties interested, he was installed August 23, 1854.

Mr. Dodd was not a brilliant man, in the common acceptation of the term; but his kindness of heart and sympathetic disposition won for him the most profound respect. Even in his temperament, gentle in his manners and possessing an unusual degree of forbearance, he secured to himself lasting friends, both among his parishioners and the people of the town. His services ended October 1, 1860, and he was dismissed by Council June 5, 1861. Ifis pastorate extended over a term of six years. He was a grad- uate of Princeton College, New Jersey.

A call was now extended to Rev. T. T. Waterman, of West Killingly, Conn., to fill the vacancy caused by this resignation, and accepted by him. His terms of settlement differed from the preceding only that three instead of six months' notice be given in case of dissatisfaction. His installation took place imme- diately following the ratification of the resignation of Mr. Dodd, and by the same council.

Mr. Waterman was an older preacher than the former pastor, and consequently came to the duties incumbent upon him with ripe experience and a thorough knowledge of the relations which should ex- ist between pastor and people. He was enthusiastic

in his preaching, presenting his subject with ardor and his prayers were fervent, with a flow of word and soul which were, at times, eloquent.

In closing his labors he made no communication to the church, resigning his office as pastor ; therefore when his letter-missive was presented the council had no action to take upon the matter. His ministry was of short duration, and ended January 1, 1863.

December 8, 1862, the parish warrant contained an article "to see what measures the society will take to supply themselves with a minister after July 1, 1863." The action upon this article gave the prudential committee authority to confer with the Rev. James Cruickshanks, of Chelsea, Mass., and " engage him, if possible, to preach for the society for one year." He was employed as supply for the above term. After ten months the church and parish united in a call to him to become their settled minister, which he ac- cepted, and January 13, 1864, he was regularly in- stalled.

Mr. Cruickshanks was a preacher of superior abil- ity ; his sermons were well grounded upon a sound evangelical doctrine, and all his literary efforts bore marks of culture and high scholarly attainments. He remained in charge of his duties eight years, his re- signation taking etfect July 2, 1871.

He was followed by Rev. H. A. Shorey, of Camden, Me., who was installed September 6, 1873, and dismissed January 1, 1877. His successor, Rev. A. S. Walker, of Gloversville, N. Y., was installed November 14, 1877, and remained in his charge ten years, when he was dismissed, September 1, 1887. The Rev. Erastus Blakslee, of Fair Haven, Conn., followed, and after preaching three months was in- stalled May 15, 1888.

THE REVOLUTION .- The military reputation of Spencer from the Freuch and Indian Wars to the closing of the late Rebellion has been one of patriot- ism and courage, and the town has furnished liberally of both men and means in all the conflicts for free- dom.

Edmund Bemis and James Smith were in the great expedition sent out under Sir William Pepperell, in conjunction with Admiral Warren, for the capture of Louisbourg in 1744, the former serving with some dis- tinction. James Smith, Jr., was in a later service; John Stebbings was captain in the regiment of Col. Timothy Ruggles at Fort Edward in 1755 and 1756, where he died. In the same expedition Capt. Philip Richardson and his lieutenant, John Wicker, were in command of a company, and before the war closed, which was substantially in 1762, the following persons participated, viz .: Israel Richardson, Jonas Bemis, James Capen, William May, Josiah Robinson, Jr., James Stebbings, Joseph Worster, Nathaniel Par- menter, David Prouty and Daniel Hill.

Thus early in the history of the country the people of Spencer were being trained in the art of war by actual service, willingly fighting the battles for Eng-

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lish sovereignty. (At this period most of the people supposed themselves loyal to the King, and were ready to shout, "God save King George !") Scarcely had the people recovered from the shock occasioned by these frontier wars before they were called upon to enter upon another contest, fraught with greater hardships and more personal sacrifices. The British ministry were beginning to press measures which some of the leading spirits regarded as infringements upon the liberties of the American people. A spirit of resentment to these acts, born, perhaps, without any ambitious design of dissolving connection with Great Britain, in a few short years became universal, and as a result the War of the Revolution.

This town distinguished herself-not by sending into the army illustrious men, for those she had not --- but by promptly furnishing her quota of the soldiers called for and patiently bearing the heavy burdens imposed by the war with as much patriotism and loy- alty to the cause of freedom as the average American community of those times. Chief among these bur- dens was the payment of taxes necessary in the pros- ecution of the war. These they met heroically ; but the system of taxation early instituted by the British goverument against the colonies, of which these people were a part, was both obnoxious and oppress- ive to them. "Taxation without representation " they considered unjust, no matter how trifling the tax, and objected to it as it involved a principle, and many of the wisest Englishmen of that day regarded their objections as reasonable. The people of Spencer were by no means alone in this reasoning. The Stamp Act of 1765 and later Revenue Acts were particularly obnoxious, and Spencer was in full sym- pathy with the town of Boston, which was first to enter a protest against these aud other like measures. Circulars and pamphlets sent out from Boston fired the hearts of the people and probably had much to do in hastening the conflict which soon followed. For seven years the people of Boston and immediate vicinity were discussing the situation and attempting to solve the problem involving their relations to the mother country. Very early, however, those towns more removed from the immediate effects of these acts began to comprehend the design of Great Britain towards the American people, and the effect produced by this literature upon them was very marked.

The towns of Leicester, Spencer and Paxton, being united as a representative district, met in convention January 1, 1773, "to consider these circular letters concerning the state and rights of the Province," and "spirited and patriotic resolutions," endorsing the views of Boston, were adopted and instructions of the same nature were prepared and forwarded to their representative in the General Court, Thomas Denny, Esq., of Leicester, requesting that his course of action be guided by the " spirit and letter of these instruc- tions." For two years these towns acted jointly in these deliberations, adopting patriotic measures, for-

mulating instructions to representatives or delegates in convention or Congress and appointing Committees of Correspondence.

The British Government, from policy, had, up to this time, abandoned some of the taxes upon imported articles, but among those upon which a tax still rested was tea, to give, as Lord North proudly said, "the King an opportunity to try the question with America." The opportunity soon presented itself, and the result was the " Boston Tea Party " of Decem- ber 16, 1775.

The people of Spencer were heartily in sympathy with that movement, and on the 27th of December, at a convention of the above-named towns, strong reso- lutions were presented condemning the use of tea, " while ladened with a tribute, contrary to our con- sent," and declaring that " we will not use it in our families." The women, too, acted as patriotically as the men of the convention, and they declared "that any of the sisters found using the destructive herb should be treated with scorn and contempt."

The resolves of the Great Continental Congress, for the non-importation of goods, wares and merchandise, were also cordially endorsed by these towns, at a convention held two days later, and the people of Spencer found no difficulty in abstaining from the use of such goods. The women, also, on this occa- sion affirmed that the " home spun " should be suffi- cient for the wants of themselves and their families on all occasions.

At a meeting held December 15, 1774, the town voted that sundry "Province assessments be paid to Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stow, and not to Harrison Gray, Province Treasurer," and they further added that they would "defend the assessors or constables from any damage of what kind or nature soever, that may arise from conforming to the votes or orders of this meeting." But the spirit of resistance to the real or imaginary encroachments made upon them by the British authorities was not confined to words or reso- lutions. Long before the conflict between the colo- nies and mother country began active measures had been taken, and a stock of powder, bullets and flint had been provided, and minute-men raised, that they might be prepared for an emergency at a moment's warning.

Under a warrant dated April 29, 1774, the town voted to raise "Fifty effective men, and that one pound of powder and Bullets answerable, be delivered out of the town's stock to each soldier," and any amounts remaining in the treasury from unexpended appropriations were also ordered to be used for patriotic purposes. At the raising of the meeting- house, in 1772, the sum of £1 6s. 6d. was still in the hands of the treasurer, and it was ordered that £1 0s. 6d. be given to the Continental committee, and six shillings be paid to Jeremiah Whittemore "for bringing a Barr of Lead from Boston for Bullets."

A meeting had been called for the 24th of April,

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

1775, "to make provisions for the company of minute- men in case of any special Imergency, such as pro- viding Waggons and Drivers to carry their Baggage, and support them before they can be otherwise sup- plied." But before this meeting convened they were called to "march in the Defence of our Just Rights and Liberties before the day came." The signal lantern had been hung out from the belfry of the old North Church, and messengers had brought the word to this and other towns in all directions from Boston, that "the war had begun, the British troops were marching on Concord." Although this was not in the days of the telegraph or telephone, yet the news of this movement sped with a rapidity almost rivaling these modern inventions, as on the afternoon of that eventful day, April 19th, "Capt. Ebenezer Mason, with a company of fifty-six men, buckled on their knapsacks, shouldered their muskets, and before the set of sun were on the march for Cambridge." The follow- ing are the names of those composing this company, viz. : Captain, Ebenezer Mason ; Lieutenant, Abijah Liver- more; Ensign, Joseph Livermore; Sergeants, Benja- min Bemis, Jr., William Green, William White and Samuel Hall ; Corporals, Oliver Watson, Jonas Muzzy, Asa Sprague and Jeduthan Green ; Drummer, James Draper ; Fifer, Luther Prouty ; Privates, John Draper, Jesse Bemis, Isaac Prouty, Nathaniel Wilson, Isaac Livermore, Michael Hatch, Jonathan Rich, John Waite, John Knapp, Joseph Grout, Benjamin Gleazen, Joseph Wheat, Levi Thayer, Joshua Draper, Jr., Elisha Whitney, Reuben Lamb, John Hatch, Amos Whittemore, Wright Woodward, Samuel Bemis, Rand White, Benjamin Sumner, John Woodward, Jr., Jonas Lamb, Thomas Sprague, John Bemis, John Ball, David Livermore, James Watson, Robert Watson, Thomas Whittemore, Nathaniel F. Loring, David Rice, Richard Huttice, Samuel Garfield, Jr., Nathaniel Cunningham, John Lamb, Jr., Asa Whittemore, John Worster, Elijah Southgate, Knight Sprague, David Lamb and Timothy Capen. Of this company forty enlisted, upon arriving at Cambridge, into the service for eight months under Captain Joel Green, with David Prouty as his lientenant. In Captain Seth Washburn's company of Leicester, which left there on the 17th of June for Boston, were nine men from Spencer, viz .: Ensign Joseph Livermore, Corporal Elijah Southgate, Privates Andrew Morgan, Jonas Lamb, Peter Rice, Thomas Sprague, John Hatch, Wright Woodward and Isaac Livermore. Those that participated in the battle of Bunker Hill were Joseph Livermore, Elijah Southgate, Jonas Lamb, Peter Rice, Thomas Sprague and Isaac Livermore. In the unfor- tunate expedition against Quebec, in 1775, were four Spencer men, viz. : John Guilford, Daniel Ball, Benja- min C. Ball and David Chamberlain. Although the town had no officers of high rank, it will ever be proud of those holding the minor offices, together with the rank and file who served in the army of the Revolution.

REPRESENTATIVES .- On the 17thi of June, 1775,

the town elected their first representative to the Great and General Court, to be convened at Watertown on the 19th, and Oliver Watson was selected for that post of distinguished honor. He was re-elected in 1776.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE .- In June of this year a resolve of the General Court was forwarded to the various towns in the Province to ascertain the minds of the inhabitants of said towns in regard to declaring the Colonies independent. In response to this resolution the town voted, emphatically, that they " Do Fully, Freely and Solemnly engage, with their Lives and Fortunes, to abide by and support said Congress in all such measures as they shall think proper to come into for the safety of the United Colonies."

The Continental Congress, having no power to manage trade, could not force Great Britain into a trade treaty ; consequently the continued importation of English goods caused consternation in the Colonies, and balances, which were heavily against them, and which must be settled in coin, were forwarded to England by boxes and barrels. This caused Congress to issue its paper money as a circulating medium, and this act, together with the unfortunate condition of the country, with the evils of the war pressing hard upon them, added another and serious embarrassment. The people of Spencer early took into consideration the situation, and resolved to do what lay in their power toward maintaining the value of the currency. The first of a series of instructions to their Representa- tive, Mr. Watson, was that "he use his influence in the support and credit of the paper currency of this Colony, and if any person or persons shall, by petition or any other way, motion or move for the discredit of said currency, that his or their names be published to the world." On the 4th of July, 1776, the ever mem- orable Declaration of Independence was signed, and agreeable to orders of the Continental Congress it stands recorded upon the town's records, "there to remain a perpetual memorial thereof."

STATE CONSTITUTION .- The following October the question was submitted to the town, " Whether they will give their consent that the present house of representatives, together with the council, shall enact a Constitution and form of government for the State of Massachusetts Bay." A meeting was called to consider this important question, and, upon pre- sentation of the article, it passed in the negative, and the following were their reasons for sustaining the vote: "First-There being many of the members of this town absent and in the army at this time, therefore not in a proper capacity to consent. Sec- ondly-We do not understand, by said hand-bill, that after our perusal of sª constitution, if not agreeable, we have no liberty to make objections, and if made, no encouragement of any alterations ; and, thirdly-As circumstances, are at this day, we are of opinion a form of government ought to be suspended for the

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present." To frame a Constitution for a great State, under these circumstances, they felt to be a matter of grave import, and, in their judgment, the people should be allowed more time for its consideration.

PRICES OF COMMODITIES .- Prices of all commodi- ties were high, a depreciated currency was the only available money, and people were put to their wits' ends to meet their obligations, and trade generally was in a demoralized condition. Early in 1777 the General Court sought to remedy one feature of this evil, yiz., the exceeding high prices, and an act to prevent monopoly and oppression " was passed by that body. A committee for the purpose, together with the selectmen of the towns and districts, were required to fix prices upon agricultural laborand pro- ducts ; also upon all goods, wares and merchandise necessary to the support of the people, or in use in the various trades. The following are some of the prices " fixed " for the town of Spencer, viz. : "Farm- ing labor not to exceed 3s. per day ; a day's work for a yoke of oxen 1s. 6d. ; wheat 6s. per bushel ; corn 3s .; rye 48 .; beef 2}d. per pound ; shoes 3s. per pair ; meal of victuals 9d. ; West India rum 8s. 2d. per gal- lon ; New England rum 5s .; W. I. flip 11d. per mng ; N. E. flip 9d., etc." This scheme, however, was not a success.

A CREDIT MEASURE .- During the years which im- mediately followed the Revolution the people here, as everywhere else among the colonies, were greatly crippled financially, and it required the united wis- dom and watchfulness of the General Court to de- vise means and measures for the best interests of the people and for bolstering up the currency and credit of the country.

Near the close of the year 1777 an act passed the House and Council calling in the State's money or bills of credit and putting the same on interest, which act appeared to be an oppressive one, and the inhabit- ants of this town instructed their representatives to " use every effort in their power to procure a repeal of the said act, as they considered it injurious to the poorer sort of people." A still further objection was, that "it would become payable about the same time that a large amount of the Continental money would be called in." The act, however, was not repealed, and, at a meeting December 29th, they proceeded to arrange for their proportion of the "called money," and voted "that £991, 17s. be assessed upon the Polls, Real and Personal Estates of the inhabitants, for the purpose of paying the town's proportion of Four Hundred Thousand Pounds, which is now called in by way of Loan." This assessment represented about thirteen hundred dollars in hard money, and was a burdensome tax for the people to meet at this time.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION .- January 5, 1778, a meeting was called to hear read the "articles of Confederation for a perpetual union between the United States of America," and a committee was chosen for the purpose of examining said articles.

This committee reported that "we find them to be, according to our best judgment, a well-concerted plan for the rule of government for the United States of America," and without further comment it was voted that "the representative be, and he is hereby directed to give his consent in the General Court to authorize the delegates of the State to ratify and confirm the said articles of confederation." At a meeting called May 4th, following, to hear the form of government proposed for Massachusetts Bay, a committee was chosen, consisting of Joshua Barton, Oliver Seager and Elijalı Howe, to consider the same. Their report was unfavorable, and, after a long debate, the question was put, "whether, or not, the town would approve of the Constitution," and it passed in the negative, one hun- dred and two voting against it, and none voting for it. They also sent to the General Court a remonstrance against adopting the instrument, and, from the tone of their "long debate," their reasons, in sustaining their vote, were, in substance, that the fundamental principles, in such a form of government, should originate with the people, through their delegates in convention for the purpose, as such a method was more in harmony with the great principles that un- derlie a free government, and eminently more demo- cratic ; and then, that the doings of such a convention be submitted to the people for their acceptance or rejection.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 172

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