History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 45

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 45

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Mr. Whitney married, in 1842, Miss Hannah S. P. Cotton, youngest child of Rev. Ward Cottton, of Boylston. Three children were born to them-Daniel Cotton, who left them at the age of seven years; Mary P. C. (Billings), and Alice G. C. (Burton).

After leaving Hopedale in 1850 Mr. Whitney spent one year in Beverly and two years in Boylston. In 1853 he was chosen delegate from Boylston to amend the Constitution of Massachusetts, and removed to Southborongh, that he might return daily to his fam- ily while attending on that convention. The conser- vative Whigs managed to quash the proposed amend- ments before the people, but Mr. Whitney had the satisfaction of voting to leave the term "male " out of the amended Constitution. The conservatives of that day looked upon the proposition as the wildest of political dreams; but the thirty-five years since that convention has brought it near even to our doors here in Massachusetts.

During the years of darkness and violence following the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law, Mr. Whit- ney was ever ready and glad to do duty in the ranks of the Garrisonian Abolitionists. The flying fugi- tives were ever welcome to his home, and the sharp

encounters with his pro-slavery neighbors were fre- quent. On a town-meeting day a zealot in a bad cause addressed him with, " Mr. Whitney, you have nigger on the brain." "Oh, no, Mr. B., you have nig- ger on the brain ; I have negro on the heart," was his reply.

When the final crash of arms came it was not difficult to see that the end of slavery was near. Mr. Whitney, during the last year of the war, labored in the Sanitary Commission at. City Point, and was greatly pleased with the magnanimity of the Northern soldiers, and the absence of all disposition to take vengeance on the fallen traitors, as is common with other nations.

He was delighted when the great silent man, who brought the Rebellion to grief, brought our mother, England, who treated us very shabbily during the war, to a sense of her duty, or interest to pay the damages .. And since that day every effort and every advance towards a permanent arrangement between the two great English-speaking nations to settle all their differences by arbitration, instead of the sword, has given him the liveliest pleasure.

He believes in the good time coming, when nations shall have ontgrown the barbarism of war, and the injustice, oppression and ignorance which constitutes a chronic state of war. And he believes, further, that this good time is to come through the instrumentality of his beloved country. He knows that he must pass over the dark river before these great events trans- pire, but a firm faith of the final triumph of right- eonsness on earth and beyond the earth makes the evening of life joyful.

Curtis Newton was born in Fayville, November 13, 1803. He married Lydia Ball Smith. He died Octo- ber 11, 1880. In early life he was much interested in military matters ; was Captain of the Rifle Company for several years, and was chosen major, but declined to serve. He represented his district to the General Court, was many years assessor, was selectman four- teen years, deputy sheriff, anctioneer for more than twenty years, was moderator of town-meetings sev- eral years, justice of the Peace.

At the annual town-meeting in March, 1881, the following resolutions were unanimously passed, viz. :

Resolved, That in the death of our late townsman, Curtis Newton, Esq., which occurred on the 11th day of October last, we realize that the town has lost a beloved citizeo, a man who has filled miany of its highest offices, represented it in the General Court, and has ever per- formed the duties intrusted to him in a manner and with a degree of fi- delity that has done himself honor and has given satisfaction to his constituents. He has contributed liberally in many ways to the cause of freedom, and has always manifested a great love for the prosperity of this, his native town.

Resolved, That as a mark of respect due to so faithful a servant, we direct our town clerk to record these resolutions on the town book of records, and send an attested copy thereof to the widow of said deceased.

Dexter Newton was born in Fayville, January 13, 1823. He married Arathusa A. Brigham, December 9, 1846. In early life he was engaged in the provision busines -. Hetaught achool in this town three winters.

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He received his education in the common and high schools in Southborough and in the academy in Westfield, Mass. He was station agent at Fayville and Cordaville about eleven years ; kept store in Cor- daville about three years ; has been postmaster in Fay- ville since July, 1869 ; United States assistant assessor of internal revenue about five years ; represented the district in the General Court in 1861 and 1877; has been auctioneer about twenty years, selectman ten years, served on the Board of School Committee ten years, assessor twenty-seven years, overseer of the poor five years, moderator of town-meetings over thirty years, land surveyor, justice of the peace, notary public, and has been justice of the First Dis- trict Court of Eastern Worcester since June, 1879; has dealt largely in real estate, has built nine houses and has settled and helped to settle over two hundred estates of deceased persons. He has zealously advo- cated the principal reforms of his time.

Jonas Fay, Esq., a native of Southborough, was twice married. He was selectman, assessor and member of School Committee for many years. Was a school teacher when young ; represented the town in General Court; deacon of the Pilgrim Evangelical Church ; settled many estates of deceased persons and was active in town affairs.

Deacon Francis Fisher was twice married; held the office of selectman; represented the district in General Court ; in his younger days was a seafaring man , and for a number of years a sea captain.

Ezekiel D. Rockwood was twice married ; was a very prominent man ; served as selectman. overseer of poor for many years, and represented the district in the General Court. He was very liberal in his donations for the cause of freedom and temperance.

Harvey Newton, Esq., son of Hezekiah Newton, was born September 26, 1819, married Ann S. Gamage, July 30, 1844 ; served as selectman one year. Was once chosen to represent the district in the General Court, but declined to serve-a very remarkable case. He mannfactured boots and shoes with John Hartt, in Southville, some seventeen years, and afterwards carried on the business alone about eight years. He built and now owns the shoe factories in that village, and has contributed largely towards building up said village. He was never blessed with children, but has been highly blessed in many things.

James Henry Robinson, M.D., born February 9, 1831, married Charlotte K. Rire, November 9, 1857. He graduated from Albany Medical College in 1856, and commenced practice as physician at Deer Island the same year. He practiced also in Kansas, and while there was the family physician of the famous John Brown. Since that time he has practiced in Southborough and vicinity. He has represented the district in the General Court.

William H. Buck, Esq., born August 26, 1813. He married Sally Maria Brigbam, June 20, 1850. He was in the meat business some four years, and for

many years has been a cattle broker. He served as selectman eight years, and has held various other im- portant offices in town. He represented the district in the General Court one year.

Benjamin F. Prentiss, Esq., born July 25, 1820; married, July, 1850, to Susan S. Johnson, of whom he had five children. He has beld the office of selectman eight years, overseer of the poor eleven years ; is a master-builder by trade, and has erected nearly three hundred buildings.

Sylvester C. Fay was born May 23, 1825. He mar- ried Eliza Bell Burnett, daughter of Dr. Joel Bur- nett, February 16, 1858. He kept store in Fayville with his father and brothers many years. Lately he has been engaged in the manufacture of corsets. He is a man of much energy ; has served as selectman. He has long been engaged in the temperance cause and other reforms. His wife and her sister, Harriet Burnett, have caused to be erected a large school- house, in which is kept by them a school for about thirty-five small boys, who are here prepared for entrance to the St. Mark's and other classical schools.

Leander W. Newton was born in Southborough November 26, 1838. He married Emma M. Muzzy February 27, 1861. He has served as overseer of the poor ten years, and as collector nine years. He has represented the district in General Court. He is an active business man.

Horace F. Webster was born January 22, 1829. He married Ann M. Fox February 13, 1852. He has been town treasurer six years, He also repre- sented the district in General Court one year.

CHAPTER XVI.

STURBRIDGE.

BY LEVI B. CHASE.

STURBRIDGE is located in the southwest corner of Worcester County, bordering south upon the Con- necticut line, and west upon the county of Hampden.

The surface is made up of long parallel ridges, more rounded hills, and corresponding valleys.

The upheaval of rock is mostly of the gneiss forma- tion, the dip of the strata in some instances, as at the lead-mine, being almost perpendicular. Laterally, the trend of the strata is invariably northeasterly and south westerly. The ridges have their uniformity broken up by differences in height, and the rounding and excoriating action of the glacial period.

Right across these formidable barriers, and from its entrance at the west to its outgo at the east line of' the original town, nearly-if it held a direct course- at right angles with the rock system, the Quinebaug has its way, dividing the territory into two nearly equal portions.

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STURBRIDGE.

The streams affluent to the Quinehaug take the water-shed from both directions, their general course being governed by the same rule as the rock forma- tion.

In the present town we have Breakneck Brook aud Hamant Brook from the south, the former discharging at the south bend of the river, the other higher up, near the centre of the valley. On the north side is Hobbs, or Sugar Brook, which takes the flow from Walker Pond, passes near the Common, and with its long series of meadows forms a large portion and the lowest level of the Central Valley.

Cedar Pond Brook, near the Fair Grounds, and Long Pond Brook, near the western border, discharge the water of the respective reservoirs of the same name into the Quinebang.

Allum Pond is a notable natural body of water sit- uated about two miles northerly of Fiskdale Village. It is about one mile long and half a mile wide. It has Mount Toby upon the west of it, and is bordered by elevated land. The water is held in a rocky basin above the surrounding country. Fed by springs, its clear water abounding in fish, the salubrity of the air and the romantic scenery has given the shores of this pond a local reputation as a camping-ground.

Walker Pond, in old times called Salstonstal's Pond, is noted as a pleasure resort. Here the country road skirts the eastern border beneath tall trees, while upon the opposite side of the pond rises the abrupt precipices of Walker Mountain, over which winds the "mountain road," making up a drive which is highly appreciated by the people in the vicinity.

Lead-mine, Long and Cedar Ponds, have each their peculiar attractions.

Shumway Hill throws out its northern point as if to stop the Quinebang about two miles from the west- ern border of the town. The river is forced to turn and go around the hill close under the northern slope. Along the northern hank of the river, just where it curves, are situated the factories and the village of Fiskdale. From the opposite slope of Shumway Hill the view of this village is enchanting. From the pin- nacle of the hill very fine views of rural scenery are obtained in every direction except the southward, where lie the wooded hills and rocky ridges that envi- ron the lead-mine region. To the eastward lies the central valley of the town, and beyond the noted Fisk Hill.

From Fisk Hill one has an extensive and delightful view in every direction.

Looking westward across the valley, the Quinebaug is seen emerging from Fiskdale along the base of Shumway Hill, and seems to loiter idly along by grassy meadows and cultivated fields, winding about in many a romantic nook and charming retreat-a blending of water, meadow and forest scenery seldom surpassed.

All along the valley it is the quiet Quinebaug. Turned aside at Fisk Hill, it takes a southerly course,

going a little more hurriedly until it turns and plunges eastward between high, rocky hills, and then turns again to the northward, washing the opposite side of the hill which turned it from its former course. The river is again turned eastward by a high, rocky precipice and by this time charged with power, which is utilized for the purposes of man along the villages of Southbridge.

The quiet central valley is seen to the best advan- tage from Fisk Hill, presenting many points of rural beauty.

To the inhabitants of this town this valley has the additional charm of ancestral and historic associations-of being where are clustered the re- ligious and secular institutions of civilization which gives value to life, and of heing the resting-place of departed and loved ones. To those who have their home here it is the very centre of the world.

TANTOUSQUE IN NIPNET .- In September, 1633, John Oldham, with three companions, passed through Nipnet to the Connecticut River, " lodging at Indian towns all the way."

While being entertained by the Indians at Tan- tousque, he was shown some specimens of what proved to be plumbago, or black-lead, and was shown, or told, where the substance was to be found in large quantities, near a pond called by the Indians Quassink. That this took place in the valley of the Quinebang, in Sturbridge, is probable from following circum- stan ces.

A path to the Connecticut River passed through here, and there could have been none sonth of it until beyond the abrupt ridges of the Breakneck region ; the extent of which tract would carry any southern route nearer, and probably south of the de- posit of plumbago at the hill of Ocquebituque, "near the cornfield where one Namaswhat lives."

The last-mentioned lead-mine was known to John Pynchon some ten years later, but appears not to have been discovered by John Oldham in 1633. The hill of Ocquebituque is situated near the south line of Union, Connecticut, six miles or more from the Sturbridge mine. Hence, clearly John Oldham went by the Quinebaug Valley path through this town, about two miles north of the Sturbridge lead-mine, and about ten miles from the corntield where Namas- what lived.

William Pynchon established a trading-post for furs at Agawam (Springfield) in 1635.1 He had a monopoly of the trade over a large territory, and for a number of years the profits were considerable. One of his first enterprises was opening a road to the Bay settlements.

Preserved in the archives of Sturbridge are records of roads which were used before the settlement, and afterwards until the town was incorporated. By plot- ting the town according to the original survey and

1 Hon. George Sheldon.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

distribution of lots, these isolated items of record about the old paths have become available, and their location known.

The one that will be described was called, upon the records, "The road from Brimfield to Oxford." From the west line of the town to Fiskdale there is no record; from a point back of Bacon & Bates' store to No. 2 School-house; from there to the lower crossing over Cedar Brook, near the residence of Mr. Geo. Wight, it was identical in location with the present road ; passed the south side of Mr. Wight's house, and a small pond-hole near Mrs. Ransom's, then across the present highway, and to where Mr. C. D. Russell now resides; then across to near Mr. W. T. Lamb's, and along there with the present road to Mrs. H. Plimpton's; then crossed Sugar Brook, where N. D. Ladd & Son's mill-dam now is, on over a field ; then throngh pasture and woodland (where the tracks are still to be seen) to the north- west mowing lot, on Mr. J. H. Lyon's farm ; thence through the north part of his farm, passing Mr. N. Eggleston's, to the sontheast corner of Mrs. McGil- pin's farm, to where there was a fordway over Mc- Kinstry Brook by old Oxford line, and may be traced in the direction of Dudley. It was the road used by the first settlers of Sturbridge when they moved from Medfield, Watertown and other places.

It is here suggested that this may be the exact location of a section of the road opened by William Pynchon, about 1635-38, and that it then followed the general course of a previous Indian trail, which, in its course westward, doubtless passed a little north of Fiskdale, near the wigwams of the Putikookup- pogg Indians, and on to Ashquoash, in the north part of Brimfield.

Ten years later, 1648, Gov. John Winthrop writes in his journal (ii. 325) : "This year a new way was found ont to Connecticut, by Nashaway (Lancaster), which avoids much of the hill way." This new way is described by Mr. Temple ("Hist. North Brookfield ") as passing down the valley of the Quaboag and "struck the sonth trail east of Steerage Rock," in Brimfield. Other evidences of record furnish satis- factory proof that we have here the "Bay-Path" of Dr. J. G. Holland's admirable historical novel with that title.

Two important Indian paths, one from Providence and another from Norwich, united at Woodstock, and continued as one path through Sturbridge to Brookfield. The course was quite direct from Leba- non Hill to Fisk Hill, thence over Walker Moun- tain, sonth of the pond and onward to South Pond, a branch passing up the east shore to the ancient village of Qnobagud, while the more important ronte skirted the west side of the pond, going on to Wickaboag (now West Brookfield). It will be again noticed farther along, when opened for an Englishman's road, about 1680-90.

Gov. Winthrop sent Stephen Day, a printer, to

Tantousque, in Nipnet, in 1644, to examine the de- posits of black lead, and also to search for other minerals.

The 13th of November, the same year, the General Court granted to John Winthrop, Jr., "ye hill at Tantousque, about sixty miles westward, in which the black lead is, and liberty to purchase some land of the Indians." (Winthrop by Savage, vol. ii. p. 213.) He purchased some land of the Indians, as it appears.

A plot of land containing ten thousand two hun- dred and forty acres was surveyed for Major-General Waitstill Winthrop in 1715. Its east line ran across Saltonstal's two thousand acres, which had been surveyed the previous year, taking off nearly one-third. A reasonable inference is, that there was a prior claim, based upon a bargain between the an- cestor, John Winthrop, Jr., and the Indians. In this town the bounds were by natural features, In- dian style : from a rock in a meadow sonth of Lead- mine Pond, to an angle in Quinebaug River, north of Geo. Wight's mills; then northward on the west side of Cedar Pond to a point against the north end of the original pond; then west and onward, cover- ing the site of Brimfield Centre; then southeastward to the rock in the meadow.

The bounds of the tract were located with the evident design of taking in the valuable lands along the "Old Springfield Road," and, if fixed in 1644, or in the days of John Winthrop, Jr., may be taken as evidence of the antiquity of said road.

The lead-mine was being operated in March, 1658, by employés of William Paine and Thomas Clark, of Boston. The gentleman last named, it is snp- posed, was the Captain Thomas Clark who, the latter part of the same year, obtained a grant of the south- ern mine of plumbago, or the hill of Acquebituque. It appears that the Boston merchants carried on the works at Tantousque for a share of the products, it being included in the bargain that they should have the owners' share at a stated price. A path was opened from the lead-mine, passing a little south of the house formerly owned by the late Otis Davis, through Holland and Brimfield to the Springfield road.

Richard Fellows kept a tavern, the site of which is in the northeast part of Monson, and he was " very willing to undertake to haul the lead to the water- side," past his own door, to Connecticut River.

In the great war of 1675-76, known as "King Philip's War," the Quabangs were among the first to take arms against the English. The Quinebang flowed between the land of the Wabbaquassets and that owned by the Quabaugs.

No notable historical event occurred in Tantousque ; its paths, however, were used by parties of both Eng- lish and Indians.

Philip and his warriors were driven from Mount Hope, and about the last of July, 1675, forced to flee

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from Pocasset Neck, passed through Woodstock and Tantousque to Quabaug Old Fort. They were at that time pursned by Captain Henchman, aided by Oneko, son of Uncas, with fifty Mohegan warriors.

The fugitives crossed the Quinebaug and skurried up the forest-covered slope of what is now known as Fisk Hill, in the land of their allies, the Quabaugs. Their English pursners, looking up the broad expanse stretching away to the northward, knew that beyond were the Quabaug Ponds, and that somewhere about there were collected, in large numbers, their savage foes. Captain Henchman here ordered the pursuit to cease, and turned toward Boston.

Philip being reduced to a feeble following of forty- men, and "women and children many more," was un- willing to advance in the direction of the English forces at Brookfield, and at Tantousque passed on to the Old Springfield Road, and arrived at Quabaug Old Fort on the 6th of August. Quabaug Old Fort, called by the Indians Ashquoach, was situated just north of Sherman's Pond in Brimfield. A few days later another party of Wampanoags, endeavoring to get on the Nipmuck path to follow their chief, was intercepted before it reached the Quinebaug River, and one hundred and eleven men, women and chil- dren were taken and delivered over to the English.

The same path was used by the fugitives who escaped from the great battle of Narragansett Fort, December 19, 1775.

The spring of 1676 came on with smiling sunshine, awakening vegetation and the song of birds; but among the colonists was a feeling of gloom and dis- couragement. The Indians had been successful at every point.

A change, however, was approaching. About the middle of March the Indians were repulsed at West- field, Northampton and Hatfield -a grievous disap- pointment. Many of them became tired of the war, and returned to their fishing-places and hunting- grounds. Admonished by recent suffering from scarcity of food, many a sunny slope was being planted with corn, beans and other crops. The old wigwam was patched up, and their desire was for peace.

But that was not to be; they had carried the torch, the tomahawk and the scalping-knife to many a home of the white man, had commenced a war of extermina- tion, had sown the wind,-the whirlwind was upon them.

Into the valley of the Quinebaug, beneath the green foliage, in the first week in June, 1676, came Major John Talcott, of Connecticut, with two hundred and fifty mounted Englishmen, accompanied by Oneko, son of Uncas, with two hundred Mohegan warriors. They crossed the river in Dudley and coming np the Springfield Road, rushed in every direction upon the surprised inhabitants. Along the Quinebaug, by the shores of our ponds, or wherever the dwelling of a Quabaug might be, the Mohegans hunted them out

pursued upon the track of those who attempted to escape, and killed or captured them.

When the war was over some of the hostile Indians who had escaped drifted away in small parties and became absorbed into other tribes. Some went to- wards Maine, some to Canada, and some to the west- ward, near Albany.

Their corn-fields, whether on the hillside or upon the plain by the river, were quickly seeded to pines, and thereon were standing when the settlers came here forests of fifty years' growth. Their wigwams entirely disappeared. Stone implements alone speak of former inhabitants.

Depopulated Tantousque was included in a tract of the Nipmuck country, which a remnant of the In- dians, the former owners, made over to the Massa- chusetts government, February 10, 1681, for the sum of fifty pounds and a reservation of land five miles square, which is now in Dudley and Webster.

After the settlement of Woodstock, in 1656, and the second settlement of Brookfield, about the same time, a road from one place to the other, in their isolated and feeble condition, became a necessity, and was doubtless opened between these nearest neighbors at an early period. The Brookfield and Woodstock path came down on the west side of South Pond, and was essentially the "New Boston Road," so called, as far as Mr. C. D. Russell's, where it united with the Old Springfield Road, and followed that about a mile and a half to the old camping-grounds, now the northwest mowing lot on Mr. J. H. Lyon's farm. Turning southward past where stands the Levins Fisk house, then by Hosea Cutting's house and into the present road west of Mrs. Emmon's house ; then down the hill and across by Mr. P. Bond's house, over by Mrs. Malcom Ammidown's residence, and down the slope by the brick-yard to the river, where a bridge was built of logs.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 45

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