History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 43

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 43

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tained a vote of the town of Marlborough in our favor to be set off as a seperate Town, by such bounds as is described by the vote of Town and the Plan herewith annexed, and likewise for a further manifestation of the aforesaid Town of Marlborough'e good-will towards us in the matter, have by their vote directed their Selectmen to sign or order en assign- ment with us as petitioners to this Honorable Court, upon the consider- ation of the whole, we have some reason to think Providence favors the matter and have hope of a Blessing. Wherefore, we humbly petition this Honorable Court that we, the Inhabitants of the aforesaid south- erly part of the Town of Marlborough, being abont fifty familiee al- ready settled with some preparation for more, may be set off by such bounds as described by the aforesaid vote of the Town for setting us off, and more fully set forth in the plan herewith annexed, and with the land may be incorporated into a Town and have and enjoy all immunoi- ties, Privileges, Rights and power as other Towns within this Province have and do by law enjoy, and we your humble Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, shall ever pray."

The above pursuant to a vote of the town of Marl- borough, June 12, 1727, directing the major part of the selectmen, or the whole of them to sign a peti- tion to the General Court with the inhabitants of "Stoney Brook," beiug the southerly part of the town, for a corporation of the same: Joseph Stratin, John Sherman, Eliazer Howe, Samuel Brigham, Abraham Eager, selectmen. Names of petitioners : William Ward, William Johnson, John Bellows, David Fay, John Woods, Daniel Taylor, Nathan Brigham, Nathaniel Joslen, John Mathis, Jr., David Bruce, William Johnson, Jr., Jonathan Witt, John Amsden, Jon. Newton, Joseph Woods, Roger Bruse, Othniel Taylor, Daniel Newton, Isaac Bellows, Samuel Bellows, Robert Horn, John Newton, Joseph Ball, Abram Newton, Ephraim Newton, Benjamin Newton, Caleb Witherbee, Samuel Lyscom, Eliazer Bellows, John Belknap, Isaac Newton, Joseph With- erbee, Samuel Gibbs, Jon. Bellows, Moses Johnson.

From its local situation in the mother town it was named Southborough. At the time of the incor- poration of Southborough it contained about eight thousand eight hundred and twenty-two acres. On the 7th day of March, 1786, in response to a peti- tion signed by the following persons, who resided on the premises, viz. : Daniel Fay, Elisha Bemis, Phine- has Bemis, Jolmn Leonard and Lydia Pierce, that part of Framingham, then known as " Fiddle Neck," and which now forms the southerly portion of South- borough, containing about three hundred acres, was, by an act of the Legislature, set to Southborough. May 5, 1835, by an act of the Legislature, about six- teen acres were taken from the formerly supposed area of Southborough and added to Westborough, thereby putting an end to a long contest between the two towns in regard to their boundary lines, March 24, 1843, by an act of the Legislature, and in response to the petition of Willard Newton, Willis Newton, Henry B. Newton, William F. Newton, David Temple and Daniel Walker, that part of Southborough lying north of Monument No. 3, near the house formerly owned by Barnabas Brigham, and Monument No. 5, near the "Tunnecog Bridge," containing about eighty-two acres, was set to Marl- borough. Southborough now contains about nine thousand and. twenty-four acres, according to the

SOUTHBOROUGH.

old surveys, ineluding roads, common, cemeteries and land under water. Its surface is somewhat un- dulating, and its scenery delightful and varied. The soil is a strong, deep, gravelly loam, rich and very productive. The land is somewhat stony, especially in the southerly portion of the town. The principal rock is granite. In the western part, and near Fayville, there are numerous springs which contain large quantities of iron. The wood consists chiefly of oak, walnut, chestnnt, maple and birch. The following are the names of its familiar hills, meadows and streams of water: Wolf-pen Hill, Break-neck Hill, Pine Hill, Oak Hill, Clean Hill, Mount Victory, Troublesome Meadow, Bloody Meadow, Handkerchief Meadow, Angle Brook, Deerfoot Brook, Pancake Brook, Stony Brook and Sudbury River. Stony Brook, having its source in the westerly part of Sonthborough, meanders in an easterly direction through the central portion thereof, and falls into the Sudbury River in Framingham. This last- named stream has its source in Westborongh, and forms the southern boundary of Southborough. Its thread divides this town from Hopkinton. The two streams afford considerable water-power. Angle Brook, a tributary of Stony Brook, has its source in Marlborough. Numerous towns and county roads of superior quality checker the town. Her many bridges are mostly of stone. The inhabitants of the town, in her early days, were principally employed in agriculture. The sturdy yeomanry of the town, from generation to generation, have laid low many of her forests, and her men of energy and persever. ance have, through the lapse of her past years, con- verted many of her once rugged hills and valleys into beautiful fields, orchards and gardens, which bring forth abundant crops for man and beast.

This town now contains several superior farms, and there are one hundred and seventy-nine in all, of from ten to four hundred acres. By statistical comparison of farm products, including her great yield of excellent fruit, Southborough appears to lead all the towns but one in the Commonwealth. The farms are nearly all in a high state of cultiva- tion, aud are mostly fenced with good stone walls. The buildings are commodious and tasty and are generally kept in good repair. Her agricultural pro- ducts in 1875 amounted to $197,365. The farmers formerly produced butter, veal and beef for the market; now their energies are largely devoted to the production of milk and fruit. The noted " Deer- foot Farm Company" is a corporation established under the laws of the State, and the shares thereof are owned by members of the Burnett families ; Hon. Edward Burnett being president ; Robert M. Burnett, treasurer ; Seth H. Howes, clerk ; William W. Rogers, superintendent. Butter of superior quality is made here on the most scientific principles, from the milk of pure Jersey cows. About 55,000 pounds of butter are made here yearly, and 49,000

quarts of cream are sent to Boston ; 146,766 cans of milk were used in this factory the past year. There has also been sent to Boston by other parties 445,193 cans of milk during the past year.

Southborough has had a Farmers' Club for some twenty-eight to thirty years. It has done much to revolutionize the whole system of farming. Farmers have been stimulated largely through the influence of the club to vie with each other in having the finest breeds of cattle and the best herds of cows. Much greater yields of grain, vegetables and fruit, and of vastly better quality and size, reward the intelligent and industrious farmers. The great suc- cess of the club is largely due to the indefatigable exertions of a few men, among the foremost of whom we would mention Samuel N. Thompson, its presi- dent ; Deacon D. W. C. MeMaster, its clerk ; and Horace F. Webster, its treasurer.

The superior grazing fields of Southborough impart a peculiarly rich and agreeable flavor to the milk and butter. The inhabitants of this town are generally in comfortable circumstances. The number of persons fully supported by the town during the twenty-eight years immediately preceding 1888 averaged yearly only about seven. The following statistics from the Assessor's Report in 1888, concerning the wealth of the citizens and other matters of interest, shows that there are in the town 398 horses, 1089 cows, 22 sheep. 79 swine, 4213 houses, 16 oxen, 234 other neat cattle, Personal property taxcd, $287,043; real estate taxed, $1,142,400-total, $1,429,443. Number of polls, 618. Amount of taxes raised, $18,249,13. Statisties show that there is much wealth in this town, far exceeding per capita that in most other towns. Although a large portion of the inhabitants in former years were employed in agricultural pursuits, we find that there has been a commendable degree of interest manifested in other important enterprises. There have been in town since its incorporation at least six grist mills. three saw mills, one wire factory, one carpet factory, one flour mill, two sash and blind factories, one peg mill, three extensive tanneries, one currier shop, one brush factory, two brick kilns, three cotton and wool factories, six boot and shoe factories, one bonnet fac- tory and one carriage factory. This town contains four villages, viz .: Southhorough Centre, Fayville, Cordaville and Southville. Fayville is situated in the easterly and Cordaville and Southville in the southerly portion thereof. The Boston and Albany Railroad ex- tends through Cordaville and Southville; the Old Colony Railroad extends through Southborongh Centre and Fayville, and connects with the Boston and Albany Railroad at South Framingham. In about the year 1845 Southborough seemingly took upon herself a new life, in consequence of the sudden influx of manufacturers. Extensive boot and shoe factories were built in the south part of the town, and, as a consequence, the beautiful village Southville sprang into existence. John Hartt & Co. and Newton & Hartt manufactured

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

boots and shoes there extensively and successfully for many years, giving employment to a large number of workmen. G. Bickford Brigham continues the business there, and employs abont one hundred hands ; and his annual sales of boots and shoes amount to $165,000.

William B. Wood also erected a factory in South- ville, in which he manufactured cotton and woolen cloths for many years, giving employment to a num ber of people.

Soon after the erection of those factories, Milton H. Sanford, Esq., purchased a large tract of land in the south part of the town, and in 1846-47 he erected thereon a large stone factory for the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods. He also built thereon many dwelling-houses and other buildings. This thriving village he named Cordaville, in honor of his wife, Cordelia. The same factory was burnt October 31, 1855. Two persons lost their lives in consequence of the fire, and others were injured. On the same spot he erected the present stone factory. He manu- factured very extensively various kinds of cotton and woolen fabrics, and jute blankets. He became very wealthy. In 1864 he sold the real and personal prop- erty to a stock company, called the "Cordaville Mills Company," Franklin Haven, Esq., being president, John II. Stevenson, Esq., treasurer, and Judge Thomas Russell, clerk. In 1871 said property was sold by anction to Adolphus Merriam, Esq., of Framingham. For some years large quantities of goods were there manufactured by Merriam & Wil- son. March 9, 1876, a stock company was formed under the corporate name of "Cordaville Woolen Company," Hubbard Willson, Esq., president and su- perintendent, and Adolphus Merriam, Esq., treas- urer, said Willson, Merriam and Joseph Merriam, directors. This company now manufacture blankets. They employ about one hundred operatives, and the sales amount to about one hundred thousand dollars per year.

In 1860 one Kidder commenced the manufacture of brick near Fayville ; after his death the property was owned and the business continned by Ball & Hol- man. They were succeeded by the Framingham) Brick Company. By the aid of steam-power and in- proved machinery the latter company are able to manufacture yearly one and a half millions of brick. Fayville was so named in honor of a large portion of its former business men, to wit: Colonel Dexter Fay, and his two brothers, Colonel Francis B. Fay and Honorable Sullivan Fay, Colonel Artemas Fay and his brother, Elijah Fay. Colonel Dexter Fay com- menced business as a butcher. He afterwards built a small store about fourteen feet square. His trade so increased that he had to enlarge his store from time to time. It became a famous place for trade and eventually the yearly sales therein for many years exceeded $125,000. His brothers formerly were more or less interested with him in this business ;

so, latterly, were his sons, Emery B. Fay, Caleb T. Fay, Sylvester C. Fay and Augustus F. Fay. Col- onel Dexter Fay was also a noted cattle broker, and was a constant attendant at the Brighton Cattle Mar- ket for over forty years. Colonel Francis B. Fay, after having filled many important offices in town and county, moved to Chelsea, Mass. He became a very successful commission merchant, was several times in his lifetime honored with a seat in hoth branches of the Legislature, and was once elected representative to Congress. He was the first mayor of Chelsea. Honorable Sullivan Fay was conveyancer, settled many estates, was clerk of the Agricultural Branch Railroad Company, was elected to both branches of the Legislature, and was president of a Medical Col- lege in Worcester, Mass. Colonel Artemas Fay was a manufacturer of boots, shoes and bonnets. Elijah Fay was a currier. The phrenological poet once wrote concerning the organ of weight in the head of Colonel Dexter Fay: "This organ is very large in your friend, Colonel Fay-Colonel Dexter, of course. There are many of that name on the records of fame -there is Francis of Boston, in the mercantile trade ; and Artemas, here at home, by whom bonnets are made."

In those days beef cattle were sold in market by estimated weight or by weight of the sides after they were killed and dressed. In estimating droves of heavy cattle his judgment was most always sought, as no broker who attended the cattle market could excel him in that art. He was a very honorable man in his dealings, was very active in business, and was honored and respected by his townsmen. He held many of the principal offices and represented the town in the General Court. He was an excellent colonel in his regiment. Fayville received the following dis- tinguished honor:

General Lafayette, in about the year 1815, while journeying from New York to Boston with his body- guards, stopped at the hotel in Fayville for refresh- ments. The people of the village assembled to do him honor, and he shook hands with them all.

John L. Whiting was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., May 28, 1823. He was the son of Seth Whiting and Mary Kendall, and was one of nine children.

The Whiting family in the United States is de- scended from Rev. Samnel Whiting, who came to this country in 1636, and was the first minister of Lynn, Mass. (1636 to 1679).

Seth Whiting and family moved to Southboro' in 1841, and from that date until 1850 the brush busi- ness was carried on by the father and son in Fayville. Mr. Whiting, Sr., was one of the earliest and one of the best brush-makers in New England; he made several valuable improvements in the art, and did more than any other man to super- sede English with American paint-brushes in the Boston market. He considered it a sin to make a i poor brush, or one that was not exactly what it

John Do. Writing

SOUTHBOROUGH.

seemed to be. Shoddy of any kind, moral or ma- terial, found no favor in his sight.

John L. Whiting married Mary, daughter of Moses Sawin, of Southboro', in 1852. He commenced the manufacture of brushes in Boston in 1864, and has for years been the largest brush manufac- turer in the United States. Whiting's patent brushes have a national reputation, and have been introduced to some extent in other countries. Mr. Whiting has introduced machinery into his factory, thus effecting a great saving of labor. The brush- makers of the olden time used but one machine, while John L. Whiting & Son have in use be- tween seventy-five and eighty.

Several of Mr. Whiting's inventions effect a very material saving in the length of bristles used in brushes ; this is accomplished by mechanical de- vices which secure the bristles in the ferrule by a shorter hold than any of the old methods, thus practically extending their length and increasing their value, without injury to the quality of the brushes. This economy of stock of course reduced the prices of the brushes ; the result has been more of a publie than a private benefit, as other brush-makers have been stimulated to extra exertions, in order to accomplish, as far as possible, the saving effected by Mr. Whiting's inventions.

Mr. Whiting is popular with his employés, it be- ing worthy of note that there has never been a strike in his factory.

He is a public-spirited citizen and a liberal con- tributor to many worthy charities.

In 1872, Curtis Newton and Dexter Newton, sons of Stephen and Sally Newton, having purchased the large estate of the late Col. Dexter Fay, ereeted, with the assistance of Daniel H. Thompson, Joseph Fair- banks, Allan D. Howe and Lewis Brewer, a shoe- factory in Fayville, forty by fifty feet. Since that time the factory has heen twice enlarged, so that now it contains over forty-six thousand feet of flooring. The last addition was made by Dexter Newton, Joseph Fairbanks, Allan D. Howe, Henry H. Newton and Augusta E. Brewer, who are the present owners of the factory. It is leased to H. H. Mawhinney & Co .; Allan D. Howe, superintendent.

The monthly pay-roll amounts to about twelve thousand dollars. They employ about three hundred operatives. The sales amount to about four hundred thousand dollars annually.

Since the erection of this factory Fayville has more than doubled its inhabitants and tenements.

Lincoln Newton (2d), was formerly a hoot and shoe manufacturer in Fayville, and gave employment to many persons.

CHAPTER XV.

SOUTHBOROUGHI -- (Continued).

THE number of inhabitants in town at the time of its incorporation is not positively known. There were about fifty families. and probably about two hundred and eighty inhabitants. In 1757 it appears that the number of enrolled men was 75, and the number of minute-men 56. In 1790 the number of inhabitants was 837. At the close of each subsequent decade the number of inhabitants was as follows, viz .: 1800, 871; 1810, 926; 1820, 1,030 ; 1830, 1,080; 1840, 1,145; 1850, 1,347; 1860, 1,854; 1870, 2,133; 1880-85, 2,100.

Of the names of the inhabitants, the Newtons, Fays and Brighamns have always predominated. The number of Newtons born in town since its incorpora- tion is 443 ; and the number of Fays born in town during the same time is 334.

By order of the General Court, the first towu- meeting was held August 28, 1727, at the house of Timothy Brigham, which stood where is now located the St. Mark's School-house. William Johnson was moderator .. The first town-meeting, under warrant of selectmen, was held March, 1728-James Newton, moderator ; Moses Newton, Seth Bellows, Doe Mathes, and Captain Ward were selectmen. The principal business of this meeting, besides the choice of officers, and of several town-meetings which followed, was to arrange for procuring a minister of " good conversa- tion to preach God's word," and to devise ways and means to build a meeting-house. Money for both purposes was promptly raised. The first meeting- house built was 50x40 feet, and 20-foot posts; £300, or $1,000, was appropriated for same. It was built in 1727-28. This house lasted seventy-nine years, at the end of which time it was sold for $76.99, and taken down. It was located a few feet south of the house now owned by the Pilgrim Evangelical Society, and on a portion of the land given by the inhabitants of Marlborough to the inhabitants of this section thereof, previous to the incorporation of Southbor- ough(said land was given and set apart for the accom- modation of meeting-house, burial-place and for a training-field forever). In 1806, December 17th, the second church edifice was dedicated ; it cost $7,778.

The pews sold for $2,658 above the appraisal. In 1856 said meeting-house was conveyed by the First Parish Society to said Pilgrim Evangelical Society, and hy the latter it was remodeled and fitted up in its present modern style at a cost of about $13,000, and dedicated. In 1828, September 10th, the Baptist Society dedicated the brick church which is now oc- cupied for a dwelling. For want of sufficient room in the church, the dedicatory services were held in the grove near "Mount Vickory." The present Baptist Church was built in 1845. The first church

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of the Pilgrim Evangelical Society was built in 1832. It is now the high school-house. The Episcopal Church was dedicated August 15, 1862. The Second Congregational Church was located in Southville, was built in 1872.

St. Matthew's Catholic Church, located between Cordaville and Southville, was built in 1879. St. Anne's Catholic Church was built in 1887, and located between Fayville and Southboro' Centre. Rev. John F. Redican is rector of both societies. He was born in Worcester, April 2, 1858; is a graduate of the public schools of Worcester, also of the Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass ; studied theology in Mon- treal University ; was ordained in Montreal ; spent five years as assistant in Webster ; came to Cordaville as first pastor of St. Matthew's Church November 26, 1886.

The first minister settled by the town was Rev. Nathan Stone. He was ordained October 21, 1730, and continued their pastor until his death, May 31, 1781. June 1, 1791, Rev. Samuel Sumner was settled. He was dismissed, agreeably to his request, December, 1797. In 1799, October 9th, Rev. Jeroboam Parker, a native of Southborough, was ordained, and became their pastor. He was dismissed at his own request in 1832. The First Parish Society afterwards settled Rev. John D. Sweet, Rev. William Lord, Rev. Alden and Rev. Barnard. The salary first paid to Mr. Stone was £120 or $400, and thirty cords of good wood. In 1734 his salary was raised to €150 and thirty cords of good wood.

Only one religious society existed in town until 1825. The Baptist Society have settled Rev. Jonathan Forbush, Rev. Abiasaph Sampson, Rev. W. Morse, Rev. Aaron Haynes, Rev. M. Ball, Rev. John Alden. They have had several acting pastors, the present one being Rev. II. G. Gay. The Pilgrim Evangelical Society was organized February 17, 1831, and have settled Rev. Walter Follett, Rev. Jacob Cummings, Rev. E. M. Elwood, Rev. G. D. Bates, Rev. W. J. Breed, Rev. John Colby, Rev. II. M. Holmes, Rev. A. L. Love, Rev. J. E. Wheeler and Daniel E. Adams, D.D. Rev. Alanson Rawson was acting pastor from April 28, 1843, to April 12, 1852. Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D.D., was acting pastor from April 1, 1874, to April 1, 1875.

The Episcopal Society have had for rectors Rev. Joshua R. Pierce, Rev. A. C. Patterson, Rev. Charles Wingate, Rev. Robert Lowell, Rev. J. I. T. Coolidge, D.D., and the present rector, Rev. Waldo Burnett.

The Second Congregational Society have settled Rev. C. A. Stone, and have had for acting pastors Rev. John Le Bosquet, and Rev. Truman A. Merrill.

The first appropriation made by Southborough for teachers was in 1732, viz. : to Timothy Johnson, six pounds; and to Samuel Bellows, four pounds ten shillings. Subsequently, for several years, Solo- mon Ward was employed to teach in rotation the four schools located in different sections of the town.

Southborough maintained but four schools until 1837. The citizens of Southborough have ever mani- fested a great interest in education.

In 1859, Henry H. Peters, Esq., a wealthy citizen, feeling a deep interest in the education of the youth, and having a desire that the scholars of Southborough should have as good advantages for obtaining an edu- cation as was enjoyed by the scholars in the neigh- boring towns, donated the present school-house, nicely finished and furnished, and the land con- nected therewith, to the town, on condition that it should be used for a high school, to be taught by a master qualified to teach the branches usually taught in a high school, and to be kept at least eight months in each year. The town accepted the very liberal donation at a regular town-meeting ; and as a token of their appreciation of his generosity, they directed that it should be called the " Peters High School- House."

The citizens generally have manifested great satis- faction with the good results of the school. They have been willing to appropriate a liberal sum yearly for the support of this as well as for the other ten schools. The School Committee, in 1878, expended for schools, $5,854. In 1852 a free public library was established. The opening of the same was properly celebrated. A public meeting was held in the Town Hall February 12th. The occasion was enlivened by speeches, songs and music. A. L. Hobart, M.D., then of Southborough, made the principal address. The following extract from his address will quite fully ex- plain the character of the preliminary measures inci- dent to its establishment :

Col. Francis B. Fay, in the fullness of his soul and liberality of his spirit, conceived io his heart to do a good thing noto the iohabitants of the good old town of Southborough, which gave him birth ; aod so, unsolicited, and of his own good-will and pleasure, be thrust his hand deep into his pocket, and drawing forth five hundred pieces of silver ($500), beld them up before the eyes of the inhabitants of the town, while he thus spoke : "Fellow-citizens ! Fellow-townsmen! I was born, aud nurtured, and rocked, and reared in your midst. I am one of you, and you are dear unto me. And now, as you are dear unto me, and as my heart and hands are drawn towards you in affection, and as the enlightenment and elevation of your minds are things near my heart, therefore, if all together, or any of you, will give a like sum, I will give these five bundred pieces of silver to form the nucleus of a Town Library, which shall be free for all the inhabitants of the town to use for their improvement, and for their children's children forever.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 43

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