History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 174

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 174

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

cinct contained a population of more than two hun- purposes was fitted up on the first floor of the old dred people, and while they were paying taxes for the support of schools in the East Precinct, yet they were of little or no value to them, owing to the great distance to travel and poor roads to reach them. In 1755, two years after being incorporated into a parish, the sum of sixteen pounds was raised for schools, and the annual appropriations for this purpose, up to 1775, averaged thirty pounds. There were, as yet, no school-houses here, but for several years the question of building one or more had been before the parish.

In 1766 the town was divided into six school "squadrons," three on the east and three on the west, and it was voted that " schools be kept in such as the inhabitants shall appoint," and private houses were used for this purpose. Two years later, houses were erected in some of these, but, as each was so sparsely settled and embraced so much territory, schools kept in them could not be made either practical or profit- able.

In 1786 it was decided to reduce the size of the "squadrons," making them ten in number, and a vote was passed "to build houses in each," but the impov- erished condition of the town at this time prevented the carrying out of this vote, and they were not com- menced until 1790. In 1792 two hundred pounds were raised to finish school-houses already in process of construction, and also to build more, and in 1795 an additional sum of four hundred pounds was voted for the same object. The houses were now com- pleted and the late divisions were now known as wards or districts, and in 1810 were formally num- bered from one to ten inclusive, and duly recorded.

In 1849 another district was added by a division of Nos. 9 and 10 into three separate districts, and this was recorded as 11.

The first School Committee chosen in the town was ' in 1815, and the members thereof were required to visit the schools twice each year, to note the progress of the various classes and their standing in reading, spelling and pronouncing, also in writing, arithmetic and English grammar, and "more especially their decent and respectable behavior both in and out of school." It was also obligatory upon the committee to instruct the scholars in their " duty as to piety and morality." At the first visit of the committee they required each scholar to write his or her name upon a slip of paper, and the same again at the close, "that by this test they might ascertain what proficiency the pupil had made during the year."

The growth of the town from 1795 to 1837 did not require extra school facilities, and annnal appro- priations ranging from five to eight hundred dollars gave them a fair amount of schooling, both summer and winter.

In 1832 a school sustained by private subscription was opened in the vestry belonging to the Congrega- tional Church, in which the higher branches were tanglit, and remained there until a room for schonl

town-house building, where it was transferred and the same grade continued until 1857. In 1856, the population having reached the required number named in the school law making a high-school obligatory, steps were now taken by the town to comply with that law. Additional land adjoining that upon which the vestry stood was given them by William Pope, Esq., for a high-school building, and " a large and commodious edifice, 60 x 40, two stories high, with cupola and bell," was erected. The school and ante-rooms were upon the first or ground floor, and the second floor was used as a hall. Mr. Charles E. Denny, a respected citizen of Spencer, bequeathed the sum of two thousand dollars towards the payment of this building, and in appreciation of this generous act the hall was thereafter to be known as " Denny Hall." In 1888 this building was moved to the sonth side of Main Street, near the Baptist Church, to be used as a graded or grammar-school, to give place to a new high-school building.

In the school year of 1865-66 fifteen schools were maintained in the eleven districts.

The first important addition to the district schools was in 1867, in District No. 9, when a substantial brick building, three stories high, was erected, which would accommodate three hundred scholars. The rooms were spacious, well lighted and ventilated, and it cost, when built, $22,000. In 1885 steam-heating apparatus was added and in 1887 gas for lighting. From 1865 to 1888 the population of the town tre- bled in numbers, necessitating a continued enlarge- ment of school buildings in many of the districts, while within a radius of one-half mile from the centre extraordinary facilities were required. Within the latter limits six large brick structures have been built, the last one completed in 1888, which will accommo- date two hundred and eighty scholars, and the aggre- gate sittings in the six is sixteen hundred and twelve. They are unique in architectural designs and con- structed with great care in reference to sanitary arrangements; airy and well lighted and furnished with all the modern improvements.

The High School building, built in 1888, is the gift to the town of Spencer by David Prouty, Esq., a life- long resident and honored citizen. The dimensions of this building are eighty-five by ninety-two feet, two stories high, with a basement. It is built of brick and stone, and the style of architecture, above the base- ment, is Romanesque in type. Upon a front corner is a tower eighty-three feet in height, and at its base a corner stone, with the inscription: "David Prouty High School."

The basement contains two large play-rooms, a laboratory and library room, heating apparatus, store- rooms, etc. On the first floor is the principal's office, school and recitation rooms, and upon the upper floor a large hall used for meetings and entertainments in connection with class exercises. The clnak-rooms,

David Prosty

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closets, halls and stairways are large and convenient. This magnificent gift was erected at a cost of forty- five thousand dollars.

The appropriations for schools from 1753 to 1795 varied from £20 to £50 annually ; from 1795 to 1850, $500 to $1600 ; in 1865, $3000; 1875, $11,000, and in 1887, $22,000. The number of scholars in 1840 was 324; in 1860, 346; in 1880, 1521, and in 1887, 2110. In 1869 the town paid the sum of $95,000 for new school buildings, and improving old ones, equipments and supplies, and for teachers' services and expenses for maintaining the schools, the sum of $150,000.

The number of school-houses in 1888 were 15; the number of rooms occupied, 34, and the number of teachers employed, in all grades, 52.

This generous record is indicative of the steadily- growing interest the inhabitants have manifested over the intellectual training of the young.

DAVID PROUTY .- David Prouty was the fourth of that name in direct descent from Richard Prouty, who was a resident of Scituate, Mass., as early as 1667. The first David in the line moved to Spencer early in the eighteenth century, purchasing and settling upon a lot north of the centre of what was, years after, Spencer Township. He had a son David, born in 1739, who was conspicuous as a soldier in the war with the French, a captain in the War of the Revolu- tion, a major in the State militia and for many years selectman and assessor of Spencer. He had a son bearing his name, born in 1772, who also participated in the honors of the town as selectman for many years and Representative to the General Court; and he had a son of the same name, born October 13, 1813, and is the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Prouty was reared as a farmer and continued in this occupation until he reached the age of twenty- three years. The year following he left the farm and entered the employ of Mrs. Hannah Hatch, widow of the late Eli Hatch, manufacturer of wire, and in 1840 he purchased these works of her. This was his first business venture, and he remained in it until 1846, when he disposed of the works to Liberty Prouty, that he might take possession of the farm in- herited by him from his father, who died in 1845. In 1850 he sold this farm and came to "the village" and erected the dwelling-house he now occupies, moving into it January 6, 1851. In 1852 he entered the boot-firm of Charles E. Denny & Co., but in 1853 this firm was dissolved, in consequence of the ill-health of Mr. Denny, and in 1854 a second dissolution occurred, by the death of John G. Prouty, a member of it. John Boyden then became partner, under the firm-name of Prouty & Boyden, until 1857, at which time E. Jones & Co. took the interest of Mr. Boyden in the concern, and the name of the firm was changed to David Prouty & Co. In 1859 Isaac L. Prouty bought out the interest of E. Jones & Co., but the style of the firm remained the same, and in 1862 T. C. Prouty was admitted to the partnership.

This business relation continued until 1876, when Mr. Prouty retired from it and an active business life.

There are qualities in the make-up of individuals, which, if well balanced and blended, are a guarantee to success. These Mr. Prouty possessed in a marked degree, viz., prudence, good management and a sound judgment; and they were in a great measure the secret of his prosperity.

Being a man of quiet and unpretending habits, whether in a social or more public way, unneces- sary or outward demonstration or show was always carefully avoided by him. He has represented his fellow-citizens in the General Court, has held many offices in the gift of the town, and in any, or all of them, there has been no question raised as to his faithfulness, honesty or capability.

In his business efforts he has been richly rewarded with an ample fortune, and in his quiet way has made it the source from which many charitable objects have obtained pecuniary relief, and no worthy charity has appealed to him in vain. He has merited and still re- ceives the kindest remembrances of his fellow-citizens, and they trust he may live long to enjoy the fruits of his generous charities.

He married Caroline, daughter of Dr. Jonas Guil- ford, of Spencer, Jan. 14, 1840. She died Nov. 14, 1863. Dec. 16, 1867, he married Mrs. Sarah B., widow of the late Charles E. Denny, sister of his former wife, and she died January 3, 1873. By his first marriage he had but one child, a son, Jonas Guilford Prouty, horn September 21, 1844, and he died at the age of nine- teen years. Mr. Prouty was deeply afflicted by this loss, as it not only destroyed in him bright hopes for the future, but this death left him childless and alone. Possibly it may have warmed his heart towards other worthy young men, as he has been deeply interested in a number of such, and they have reason to thank him for material aid rendered them. The spontaneous gift of the David Prouty High School Building was a noble illustration of a desire to confer a lasting hene- fit upon the young of this and future generations who shall seek it for moral and mental improvement.

ROADS .- The traveled ways of the early settlers were the foot-path, which led from house to house, and the bridle-path, which led to town. Later on, these ways became roads, and at the present time, after passing through the various changes of straight- ening, widening and grading, many of these " primi- tive paths " constitute important highways in this town. There is no record showing when the "Great Post Road" was laid, but it was a public traveled way previous to 1725, as during that year the town- Leicester-was "presented " at the Court of Quarter Sessions for having no bridge across the "Seven Mile River." If the road had not a recorded location at that time, it must have had a little later on, as in 1728 the town was assessed the sum of £12 28. 5d., it being their proportion of the expense of locating it.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

After having been "presented " the second time at the court for the same offence, iu 1729 they caused a bridge to be built. In 1800, complaint having been made by the attorney-general of the " badness of the Great Post Road," an effort was made to convert it and the North County Roads into turnpikes, but the town successfully remonstrated, by petition to the General Court, against it. In 1807 this road was altered and improved, by straightening easterly and westerly, from the house of Amasa Bemis, near West- ville, now so called. Further alterations, in location, east of this point had been suggested from time to time, and the commissioners called upon to make them, but as late as 1832 no important changes had been made. This year, however, they ordered specific repairs through "the village," and September 10th the sum of eight hundred dollars was voted "for repairs near the houses of Joseph Mason and Walton Liver- more." lu 1856 general alterations were made in the road from Brookfield to Leicester lines, re-locating it in places, widening, cutting and filling it in others, and marking the boundaries by stone posts at each angle along the whole line. The North and South County Roads were located in 1756 and '57 respec- tively. The Great Post Road was the busy one of these three highways, as the principal business be- tween the country towns and Boston centred upon it. It was the main thoroughfare between Hartford and Worcester, and was the route over which the first line of stage-coaches between these two points plied. This line was established in 1783, and the trip was made in four days.

TAVERNS .- Spencer was a famous stopping-place for these coaches from the days of the "three taverns " in 1788 to the supplanting of them by rail- roads. It was a relay station for change of horses while its taverns furnished travelers with sub- stantial food and drink, and it was not unusual to see fifteen coaches congregated here at the noon hour, and upon extra occasions, twenty-five. The Centre was early designated as " Upper and Lower Villages," the meeting-house being the nucleus of the former, and the "three taverns " the latter. These taverns, in 1788 the only three dwellings in the lower village, were the " Jenks," which occupied the site of the Massasoit Hotel ; the " Mason House, " be- neath the "big elms" near the boot factory of J. Prouty & Co., and the "Livermore House," on the site of the residence of J. W. Temple. In 1743, Josiah Robinson built a small dwelling upon lot No. 22, which was purchased in 1754 by one John Flagg and kept by him as a public-house for seven years. In 1775 Isaac Jenks became owner of the property and the house was ever afterward known as the " Jenks Tavern, " and was the most famous of all the inns in Spencer with the traveling public. A French gentleman who chanced to spend a night under its roof in 1788 spoke in high terms of the manner in which it was kept in comparison with French taverns.

He said, " the chambers were neat, the beds good, the sheets clean, the supper passable; cider, tea, punch and all for fourteen pence per head." Also, General Washington passed the night here October 22, 1779, and Mrs. Jenks, the hostess, was ever proud to refer to the event, as her illustrious guest complimented her at the breakfast-table by saying, " Madam, your bread is very beautiful."

There were but two dwellings in the " Upper Vil- lage " at this time, viz., the " Morse House," now standing on the west corner of Main and May Streets, and the "Pope Mansion." This latter, the oldest dwelling standing in town, was built in 1745 for Rev. Joshua Eaton ; and four years after the Rev. Joseph Pope succeeded Mr. Eaton. The former occupied this house with his bride. At his decease it came into possession of his son, William Pope, Esq .; then was owned by Hon. William Upham, son-in-law of the latter ; and since his death, Mrs. Lucretia H., widow of the late William Upham, has owned and occupied the premises.

This building has been carefully preserved for nearly a century and a half, and bids fair to pass far into the twentieth century as a venerable land-mark representing the birth of the "Leicester West Pre- cinct."

TOWN POUND .- Upon a small piece of land, "five or six rods square," at the west end of the meeting- house, was located the town pound, stocks and horse-block. The two latter "fixtures" did not survive the eighteenth century. There is no record showing at what date the pound was built; but it was undoubtedly of early origin, as in 1768 a new one appeared to be necessary, the town voting then to build "a new one with stone," and appropriated £7 for the purpose. It would seem that they had but little use for it, as in 1772, and again in 1790, articles were in the warrant of these years, "to see if the town would use the stone to underpin the meet- ing-house," or "to take the stone to fence the bury- ing-ground." Previous to 1796 one or more attempts were made to move it; but this year the ground upon which it stood was wanted for horse-sheds, in con- nection with the meeting-house, and it was voted "to build a town pound on Jeremiah Whittemore's land, at the corner of the town road where it turns to Benjamin Gleason's, of the same bigness of the old one, three sides of stone and one of wood." The contract for building was awarded to Mr. Whitte- more for £11. This enclosure remained until 1877, when the wall was taken down and the pound aban- doned.

POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS .-- The first post- office established in town was on the 1st of October, 1810, and was kept in the "Jenks tavern." Isaac Jenks and his son, Isaac, Jr., were postmasters until December 15, 1825. At this date Charles Bemis re- ceived the appointment, and moved the office to the tavern in the "Upper Village." Amasa Bemis, Jr.,

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was appointed postmaster August 12, 1828, and Na- thaniel Wilson February 25, 1831. Eleazer B. Dra- per became postmaster October 24, 1832, and he removed the office to the first location. William Bush, Jr., succeeded him September 22, 1845, and after two years he moved the office to the store of Dr. L. Bemis, now corner Main and Elm Streets, east side. April 3, 1849, Dexter Bemis received the ap- pointment. The next appointee was George H. Liv- ermore, January 13, 1851, and he located the office at "Union Building." The 3d of May, 1853, Willard Rice became postmaster, and he changed the location to the ell part of the "Solomon Davis" house, corner Main and Elm Streets, west side. May 23, 1845, Luther Hill was appointed, and he removed the office to the "Bemis Store." July 11, 1861, Eli J. Whittemore was made postmaster, and it was again taken to Union Building, where it has remained to the present time. Horace A. Grant was postmaster September 26, 1864, and Emerson Stern was ap- pointed May 18, 1869, and no change has been made since his appointment.

CEMETERIES .- The first public burial-place in the town was upon about one acre of land, donated by Mr. Cunningham, and was the north part of the meet- ing-house and training-field lot. In 1791, 1817 and 1857 one-half acre each year were added, making the lot contain about three acres. In 1872 a further addi- tion was made, and at this time a trust fund was raised by parties having an interest in the protection and preservation of the family lots, monuments and other stones that marked the burial spots. The sum sub- scribed for this purpose was three thousand and thirty-five dollars, and the town was made trustee of the fund. New lots were located, concrete walks laid ont and from time to time appropriate monumental and other work erected in memory of the departed.

The first person buried in the original lot was Eliz- abeth Adams, in 1742. In 1759 John Stebbings and others were given permission to erect tombs on the burying-ground. In 1790 this lot was inclosed with a "Good stone wall, with two Gates for to Pass and Repass." In 1793 it was voted "to purchase a car- riage to carry Corpse to the Graves," and in 1794 a house was built for the hearse and a pall purchased. This was the only burial-ground until 1845. On the 20th of May of this year B. H. Kinney, of Worcester, purchased four acres of land lying partly on and farming the west bank of the "Seven Mile River," near the "Whittemore Bridge," so-called. He laid this ont into burial-lots, avenues, paths, etc, and while it remained in his possession it was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies as " Pine Grove Ceme- tery." This lot has been added to at two different times, until it now contains about twenty-five acres. It is owned by an association of proprietors belonging to Spencer, and the spot selected for it shows ability and taste to provide a home for the remains of loved

ones. It is superintended with excellent judgment and care.

In 1864 the Catholics purchased three acres of land for a cemetery lying on the west side of the great post road, one mile west of the post-office. In 1868 they bought thirteen acres upon the east side of the road and opposite this lot, and subsequently, four and one- half acres more were added. The new ground is neatly laid out, with a circular drive around a cen- tral mound, upon which is erected the Holy Cross. They have considerable fine monumental work, and are doing much each year to beautify the place.

DIVISION OF THE COUNTY .- As early as 1798 the question of a division of Worcester County came be- fore the town, but the people were as loyal to the old county at this time as they had been to the country during the late perilous times, and did not cast a sin- gle vote in its favor. In 1828 another attempt at separation was made by taking sixteen towns from this county and four from Middlesex, and a petition from parties interested was presented to the General Court for that purpose. The vote of the town npon the question was two in favor and eighty-five against. A third time, in 1874, the people were requested to vote for or against a division, and they were as decided in their opposition to it as ever, and in- structed their Representative " to oppose any legisla- tion tending to make any change in the county."

STATISTICS .- The population in 1776 was 1042; in 1790, 1322; in 1800, 1432; in 1810, 1453; in 1820, 1548; in 1830, 1618; in 1840, 1604; in 1850, 2243; in 1860, 2777; in 1865, 3026; in 1870, 3953; in 1875, 5451; in 1880, 7460 ; and in 1885, 8250. The number of polls in 1800 was 285; in 1810, 301; in 1820, 347 ; in 1830, 386 ; in 1840, 395 ; in 1850, 591 ; in 1860, 715 ; in 1870, 940; in 1880, 1671; in 1888, 2039. In taking the valuation, and assessing the taxes of the town from 1753 to 1824, two lists were made and called the "North Side List" and "Sonth Side List," the great post road being the dividing line. From the latter date this division was abandoned, and but one list made of the whole. The valuation in 1860 was $1,286,333; in 1870, $2,121,210; in 1880, $3,048,520 ; in 1888, 83,918,150. The number of houses in 1764 was 100; in 1850, 341; in 1860, 485; in 1875, 666; in 1885, 1003, and in 1888, 1088.

CONNECTED WITH STATE GOVERNMENT .- The following persons have been connected with the State government, viz .: William Upham, Councilor in 1878-79. Senators: James Draper in 1831-32; Wil- liam Upham in 1859; Lnther Hill in 1867; Charles P. Barton in 1883, and George P. Ladd in 1888. Delegates to Constitutional Convention : John Bisco in 1779; James Draper in 1820, and Jabez Green in 1853. Representatives to the General Court: Oliver Watson in 1775-76-77-80; John Bisco in 1777-80- 81; John Muzzy in 1779; Isaac Jenks, 1728 to 1786; James Hathaway, 1787 to 1794; Benjamin Drury, 1794 to 1811 ; Jonas Mnzzy, 1811-12 ; Phineas Jones, 1812;

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

James Draper, 1813 to 1819, and 1828 to 1832, and 1836 and 1837 ; William Bemis, 1820; Rufus Adams, 1823 and 1832; William Pope, 1827; Walton Liver- more, 1831 ; David Prouty, 1833-34; Lewis Bemis, 1834-35; Amos Brown, 1835 ; Dennis Ward, 1836-37- 39-47-56 ; Walter Sibley, 1838; Eleazer B. Draper, 1839-10-41-15 ; Jonas Guilford, 1842; Jabez Green, 1843-44-50; Milton Boyden, 1848 : William Baldwin, 1851; Alonzo Temple, 1852 ; Alanson Prouty, 1853; William Henshaw, 1854; William Upham in 1857- 72; John L. Bush, 1859; George L. Hobbs, 1861; Luther Hill, 1863-65-70-87-88 ; Dexter Bullard, 1867; Erastus Jones, 1874; David Prouty, 1876; James H. Ames, 1878; Jobn W. Bigelow, 1880; Isaac L. Prouty, 1881-82; Joseph W. Temple, 1884; James Holmes, 1886.

Spencer, for several years after its incorporation, elected a representative alone ; then a representative district was formed of Leicester and Spencer. In 1866 the towns of Leicester, Spencer, Southbridge, Charlton and Auburn fornied a district, and in 1876 Southbridge, Spencer, Oxford and Charlton were made a representative district. In 1887 the district was again changed to Leicester and Spencer.

PHYSICIANS .- The physicians of Spencer, previous to 1800, were James Ormes, from 1732, and later on, Asa Burden, William Frink, Benjamin Drury and Jonas Guilford. At the present time they are E. R. Wheeler, E. W. Norwood, F. J. Sanborn, E. A. Mur- dock, Marc Fontaine, Ishmael Verner and Eli Bar- nard.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 174

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