History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 48

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 48

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1 Town Records.

114

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

At a special town-meeting, October 14, 1776, the question was put : " Whether the town consent that Mr. Jonathan Gould, Ensign James Johnson, Mr. Job Hamant, Captain Ralph Wheelock, Captain Adam Martin and Captain Isaac Stacy, to " adjust or esti- mate the past services of Sturbridge soldiers in the present war, and to form some plan for the town to act or proceed."

The bounty was fixed at thirty pounds for each en- listed man for three years' service, and so remained through the years '77 and '78. In '79 one hun- dred pounds each was voted to nine months' men, forty pounds to be paid before they started. February, 1781, the town "voted to pay three hundred hard dollars to each man agreeing to serve three years," to pay one hundred at the time of marching, the re- mainder at the end of one and two years.

Clothing for the town's proportion of soldiers in the army was obtained mainly by voluntary contribu- tion. The receipts from that source being short of the requirements in 1778, April 14th, the selectmen were directed by vote of the town to purchase shirts, shoes and stockings, which they did, and brought in their bill in May to the amount of £217 188. 2d.

A large quantity of beef was furnished for the army, and when unable in 1780 to procure the amount called for (fifteen thousand nine hundred pounds), the town borrowed money and paid that instead to Colonel Davis' agent.

Names of soldiers of the Revolution from this town :

Abraham Allen, Caleb Allen, Eliphalet Allen, Joel Barrett, Justus Boyden, Amos Boyden, John Boyden, Thomas Boyden (also French War of '55), Nathan Browu, Asa Bullard, Asa Coburn, Pheneas Coburn, Zacha- riah Coburn, Edward Coburn, Henry Clark, Henry Clark, Jr., Rufus Clark, Lemuel Clark, Asahel Clark, Jepthalı Clark, Elijah Carpenter (also French War of '55), Jacob Cleaveland, David Corey, John Corey, Joseph Cheney, Ebenezer Crafts, John Congdon, Stephen Draper, Benjamin Dix, Silas Dunton, John Dunton, James Dyer, Thomas Dyer, Robert Edwards, Cyrus Fay, Simeon Fiske, Nathan Fiske, Joshua Fiske, Benjamin Fel- ton (also War of '55), Walter Freeman, John Goss, Abel Gunn, Joshua Hardiug, Hinsdale Hamant, Eleazer Howard (also War of '55), Benjamin Hobbs, John Holbrook, Benjamin Humphrey, Abijah Hyde, Joshua Hyde, Benjamin Hyde, John Hyde, Othniel Hyde, Samuel Hyde, James Johnson (also ¡War of '55), Comfort Johnson, Thomas Janes, Marvel Jackson, Joshua Gerrold, William Leech, Abel Mason (also War of '55), Sinieon Mason, Joshua Mason, Calvin Marsh, Silas Marsh, Duty Marsh, Aaron Marsh, Elijah Marcy, Adem Martin, Aaron Martin, Bloses Mar- tin, Ithamar Merrifield, Joseph Mills, Asa Morse, Samuel Morse, - Morse, Daniel Morse, Jeremy Morse, Enos Morse, Timothy Newell, Samuel Newell, Stephen Newell, Timothy Parker, John Phillips, Eben- ezer Philips, Elijah Plimpton, Elias Plimpton, Daniel Plimpton, Jr., John Plimpton, Oliver Plimpton, Moses Plimpton, Primus (colored man), Ichabod Robbius, Eli Robbins, Oliver Robbins, Nathan Rice, Jesse Sa- hin, Timothy Smith, Nathan Smith, Moses Smith, Nahum Smith, John Salmon, Joseph Shaw, Samuel Shumway, Ahijah Shumway, Elijah Shumway, Mark Stacy, Amos Scott, William Simpson, Joseph Towne, Parmenas Thayer (was three years under Gen. Wayne in the Indian War of 1791), Isaac Upham, Jonathan Upham, Nathaniel Walker (also War of '55), Josiah Walker, Benjamin Walker, Obed Walker, Pheneas Walker, Isaac Warner, George Watkios, Thomas Wakefield, Mr. Welch, Charles West, Dennison Wheelock, Ralph Wheelock, Thomas Young, John Taylor.

The foregoing is the list collected by George Davis, Esq., and is found in his historical sketch of this town. The following names have been found by the writer upon our town records, and State Archives :

Aber Allen, Jacob Allen, Joseph Dunton, Benjamin Freeman Amos Gleason, Samuel Glover, Josiah Hicks, Asa Homer, Syriel Leech, Isaac Newell, Rev. Joshua Paine (chaplain), Josiah Partridge, Daniel Plimpton (also War of '55), Abner Plimpton, Samuel Richardson, Thomas Simpson.

We have here only the names of survivors, a few of whom moved into this town after the war. The Rev. Joseph S. Clark states, in his centennial address upon the history of this town, July 4, 1838, "that he had obtained the names of two hundred and thirty-nine men from this town that served in that war. Among this number was one colonel, one major, eight cap- tains, eight lieutenants and two ensigns ; besides, the Rev. Joshua Paine officiated two months as chaplain."

WAR OF 1812-15 .- At a town-meeting in 1812. November 2d, on the question, "To see if the town will grant any additional pay to soldiers doing duty in defense of our country :" " Voted to pass the article by," is the only record upon our town's books refer- ring to that war. It proves that Sturbridge men were at that time " doing duty in defence of our country." Their names, for the most part, are unknown. In 1840 there is mention upon our records of Levi Sim- mons having served in the War of 1812. In an old account-book kept by a trader of that period, an arti- cle of charge against Charles Coburn is written across "Settled by death in the Army." A trace of the foundation of a small house and a lilac bush mark the spot of Charles Coburn's humble home. He was a son of Edward Coburn, whose name is on the Revolutionary list.

The widows of Tilly Woodward and Captain Asa Fisk are drawing pensions for their husband's services in the War of 1812.

Captain Benjamin Bullock, a sea captain, whose home was on the site now occupied by the residence of the writer, was captured by a British armed vessel in 1812, he being on the route home from the East Indies in command of a vessel in the merchant service. He was subsequently exchanged and immediately entered the service of the United States and returned his compliments with much vigor and success. He was wounded in an engagement with the enemy, from the effects of which he died soon after reaching home.

WAR OF THE REBELLION .- The efforts of the town to aid and encourage men to enlist is about all that is found upon the records having reference to the war. From time to time money was raised to carry out the intention of all the acts of the Legislature relative to aiding the families, or those dependent on. the volunteers on duty; also for the support of the widows and children of those that died while in the service. A bounty of one hundred dollars was offered by the town in 1862, August 28th, to those who volun- teered and were mustered under the "Order of the President for a draft of three hundred thousand men." A bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars for volunteers was offered in 1864, May 31st. The real war history of this town, as well as all over the land, was

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STURBRIDGE.

written in the hearts of brave men and loyal women - legible now only here and there-soon to be entirely obliterated.

On the occasion of choosing Presidential electors and State officers, November 8, 1864, there came into the town hall Dea. John Phillips, who was then one hundred and four years, four months and nine days old. He had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, had served three terms as Representative in the State Legislature, and had frequently held other office in town affairs. He was a man of large frame, and a long, strong and intelligent physiognomy. A ticket of each of the great parties of that time was held in front of him, and he was asked to designate which he would deposit in the ballot-box. He said, in a voice audible throughout the hall, "I wish to vote for Abraham Lincoln." After that he requested that all the soldiers who had been in the service, who were present, should place themselves in a row in front of him, and then that each man be introduced. Thus comrades of the two great wars met and shook hands. He requested to be borne to his carriage by soldiers -his comrades-and the writer was one of the four selected to have that honor.

At the time the town preserved no list of Sturbridge soldiers in the war, and the one here presented is the result of much labor, yet may not be complete. They are as follows :

12th Infantry .- William L. Allen.

13th Infantry. - Charles A. Phillips.

15th Infantry .- Emery F. Baily, William L. Blood, killed at Antie- tam, September 17, '62; Abram Benjamin, William Carter, William H. Clark, died of wonnds, October 1, '62, at Antietam, Md. ; Lucian G. Lamb, Alexander Oakes, Charles M. Plummer, Alfred L. Russell, killed Sept. 17, '62, at Antietam ; Charles E. Stone.

17th Infantry .- John B. Blodget, died Feb. 25, '65, at Newbern, N. C .; Henry Pepin, Albert Remington, Ezra Remington, Charles M. Whittemore, died April 25, '65, at Raleigh, N. C .; Simeon Young, his second enlistment.

19th Infantry .- Walter A. Learned, Arthur L. Walker, died Jan. 15, '65, at Andersonville Prison-pen, Ga.

21at Infantry .- George L. Bracket served three years, then re-en- listed ; George Burr, John Crosby, re-enlisted ; Curtis H. Dodge, Henry S. Edgerton, William H. Macomber, Ferdinand Rogers.

22d Infantry .- James Brigham, died of wounds, May 15, '64, at Laurel Hill, Va. ; Jerome D. Childs, John B. Cooper. died July 18, '62, at Harrison's Landing, Va. ; Edmund Mason, Henry G. Miller, John F. Moore, died of wounds, July -, '63 ; John Newton, Amasa Phette- place, Isaac G. Plimpton, died of wounds, July 4, '62, at Malvern Hill, Va. ; John A. Plimpton, Nathan L. Stone. killed June 27, '62, at Gaines' Mills, Va. ; Ransom W. Towne, Jefferson Wellington, David Wilson, Alvi R. Woodward, Simeon Young.

25th Infantry .- George Burr, second enlistment ; John Burns, Lewis W. Bensou, Alfred Carpenter, Maurice Doran, Nathan E. Keash, Wil- liam J. Stone, died of wounds, June 27, '64, at Washington, D. C. ; Robert Young.

27th Infantry .- J. Arthur Johnson.

28th Infantry .- James King.

31st Infantry .- Thomas O'Hurra, died Oct. 6, 162, at Jacksonville, La.

34th Infantry .- Waldo J. Allen, died Mar. 26, '65, at Sturbridge ; George A. Blood, Michael Cleary, Asa F. Crosby, killed Sept. 19, '64, at Winchester, Va .; Patrick Gavio, died Aug. 27, '64, at Andersonville Prisou-peo, Ga. ; John Hilton, Jamies Hurst, William King,! William W. Lombard, John Martin, Darius Moon, James Moon, Simeon G. Newton, died Oct. 7, '63, at Wehister, Mass. ; Richard Shaonock, died of wounds, Nov. 30, '64, at Middletown, Va. ; James Shepard.

40th Infantry .- Stephen Andrews, Francis A. Cooper.

42d Infantry .- Albert H. Edgertou, Charles T. Fowler, Frank H.

Gleason, second enlistment ; Mark Heathcote, William Heathcote, James Nolan, Theodore Snell, John Stone, Albert L. Sykes, Levins R. Wight, Nelson Wright, died June 6, '63, at New Orleans, La. ; George Wright.

45th Infantry -George P. Ladd.

51st Infantry .- Salem T. Adams, Albert Back, Levi B. Chase,1 Joho Cobley, Frank H. Gleason, John P. Haynes, Heory E. Hitchcock, Ev- erett C. Hooker, Lothrop |L. Hooker, William H. Hooker, Edward E. Jaynes, John F. Kebler, Andrew J. Lee, Henry H. Lincolo, Franklio P. Lumbard, William D. Marsh. Albert Moon, Harlan L. Pepper, Levi W. Richards,1 Henry H. Scarlborough,1 Chester Scarborough,1 Mel- via Shepard,1 Joseph S. Spencer, Edwin R. Spencer, Ilomer Smith, Merrick L. Streeter,1 Reuben Walker, Harrison Wells, Henry H. Wells, Daniel W. Wight,1 Delos Withey.

56th Infantry .- Andrew H. Barrett, Charles H. Brown, killed May 31, 1864, Cold Harbor, Va .; J. Arthur Johnson, second enlistment, died May 13, 1865, at Spottsylvania, Va., and his name is given to Post No. 173, Department Massachusetts, G. A. R .; William D. Marsh, second en- listment, died July 14, 1864, at Sturbridge ; Homer Smith, second en- listment, killed May 24, 1864, at North Anna River, Va.

57th Infantry .- George C. McMaster, died in the service.

60th Infantry .- John M. Chick.

61st Infantry -Frank H. Gleason, third solistment.

3d Battalion Riflemen .- Elias M. Gifford, Jr.

4th Cavalry .- Merrick Clark, George L. Marsh.

Veteran Reserve Corps .- William Amsden, Charles W. Smith.

11th United States Colored Heavy Artillery .- Abram B. Jackson.

23d United States Colored Troops .- Hiram H. Ransom, fell before Petersburg.

2d Heavy Artillery .- Albert H. Bump, Arthur M. Bullard, Alvin B. Chamberlain,1 John Cobley, second enlistment; Edwin N. Draper, James L. Groves,1 second enlistment ; Lothrop L. Hooker, second en- listment ; Frederick Holmes, Willlam H. Levalley, Elbridge G. Perry, Samuel A. Shumway, Addison P. Smith, Augustine Snell.

Five of these men, of the Second Heavy Artillery, some way became credited to Charlton. It is but justice to say that they intended to serve for their native town of Sturbridge, where three of them still reside.

The following are the names of those who were at that time inhabitants of Sturbridge, and who enlisted for other towns :

1st Battalion, Henry Artillery .- Addison C. Jackson, William T. Lamb, Levi W. Richards1 (second enlistment), enlisted for Worcester.

4th Heary Artillery .- George Remington for Southbridge, Samuel L. Thomson1 and Emerson D. Vinton1 for Worcester.

1st Cavalry .- Loren W. Johnson, Alphonso F. Childs, died August 20, 1864, at Andersonville prison-pen, Ga .; William S. Fuller, died January 10, 1863, at Annapolis, Md .; Amasa C. Morse, Ebenezer Smith and Far- Dum Southwick enlisted for Springfield.

4th Cavalry .- George P. Kendrick, George N. Stone1 and James Stone ealisted for Boston.

34th Infantry .- Julius A. Parkhurst for Southbridge.

45th Infantry .- William P. Plimpton for South bridge.

The following moved into this town soon after the war, and have remained until the present time, viz. :

Orsamns Kenfield 1 (34th Inf.), from Brimfield ; S. Dana Merrill 1 (23d Inf., Maine) ; William H. H. Ormsby1 and Ezekiel M. Cooper 1 (15th Inf.), from Brookfield ; Andrew B. Fletcher (36th Inf.), from Charlton ; Edward Hazzlehurst 1 and Jeremiah J. Shepard,1 from Rhode Island ; Charles Vickers 1 and John Day,1 from Connecticut; W. L. D. Lom- bard.1

Other resident members of Post 173 are:

W. E. Maynard, Maurice Cogan, Jerome Carto, Joseph L. Ballon, Jo- seph Keoworthy, in Sturbridge; B. C. Bennett, N. Alexander, W. Lilly B. W. Charles, E. H. Davenport, E. W. Carder, A. N. Moulton and James Scarborough reside beyond the border of the town, in Brimfield and Holland.

1 Men

1 Members of J. Arthur Johnson Post, No. 173, Department Mass , G. A. R. ; Commander (1888), W. H. H. Ormsby.

116

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In 1871 the town erected a monument of granite upon the Centre Common, and inscribed thereon the names of those Sturbridge soldiers who did not sur- vive the war.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES, CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. -A Congregational Church was organized in 1736, Wednesday, September 29th, consisting of fourteen male members, viz .: Rev. Caleb Rice, Henry Fiske, Ezekiel Upham, Joseph Baker, Joseph Cheney, Ebenezer Stearns, Joseph Allen, George Watkins, Solomon Rood, Daniel Fiske, Josiah Perry, Jonathan Fosket, Moses Allen, Daniel Thurston.

The same day Mr. Caleb Rice, a native of Hing- ham and a graduate of Harvard University, was ordained to the work of the ministry. As first pas- tor he became one of the associate proprietors, own - ing one- fiftieth part of the township. He died in 1759, September 2d, on a Sabbath day. Fifteen persons separated near the close of his ministry and estab- lished a Baptist Church. About one hundred mem- bers remained in his church.

Mr. Joshua Paine, a native of Pomfret, Conn., and a graduate of Yale College, was next called to minis- ter to this church. He was ordained here in 1761, June 17th. To accommodate the multitude expected on this occasion a platform was erected on the Common at the foot of the hill, east of the present meeting-house, and the interesting ceremony there performed where all could see. Rev. Joshua Paine died in 1799, December 28th, and the funeral took place the first day of the year and century of 1800. By precept and example he nobly sustained the peo- ple in their struggle for independence.

A new meeting house was built in 1784, on a site about ten rods northeastward of the old house, but was not completed and dedicated until the autumn of 1787.

The successor of Mr. Paine was Mr. Otis Lane, of Rowley, a graduate of Harvard University. A colony of twenty were dismissed from this society in 1801 to form a church in the Poll parish, now Southbridge. Mr. Lane was dismissed in 1819, February 24th, and was succeeded by Rev. Alvin Bond, a native of Sut- ton, and a graduate of Brown University. He was ordained in 1819, November 30th, and served a twelve years' pastorate, during which Sabbath-schools and Bible-classes were established here, and one hundred and twenty-three members were added to the church ; also a temperance society was formed.

Rev. Joseph S. Clark, of Plymouth, a graduate of Amherst College, was ordained pastor in 1831, and remained seven years. With his ministry com- menced the voluntary method of supporting religious worship by subscription, in this town. During Mr. Clarke's pastorate 203 members were added by pro- fession, and 56 by letter. The whole number of members was 335. In the same period this church and society contributed for objects of Christian charity $4,000, besides aiding several young men in

preparing for the ministry. The interior of the meeting-house was remodeled in 1835, giving more seating capacity than the old-fashioned pews.

The following are the pastors since 1838 : 6. Rev. David R. Austin, 1839-51; 7. Rev. Hubbard Beebe, 1852-54; 8. Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, 1856-62; 9. Rev. Marshall B. Angier, 1863-67; 10. Rev. Martin L. Richardson began his labors here in 1867, October 20th, and, rounding out his twenty-one years' service, resigned in 1888, October 20th, much to the regret of his people.

Names of those who have served as deacons : Dan- iel Fiske, elected 1736; Ebenezer Stearns, 1736; Isaac Newell, 1741; Joseph Baker, 1747; Edward Foster, 1749; Moses Weld ; Joshua Harding ; Job Hamant; Rowland Clark ; Elezear Hebbard ; Joel Plimpton, 1807; Daniel Plimpton, 1808; Zenas Duuton, 1826; George Davis, 1826; Ephraim M. Lyon ; James Chapin, 1832; Perley Allen, 1846-63; David K. Porter, 1850-53; Melville Snell, 1853-66; Henry Haynes, 1853, still in office ; Charles Fuller, 1863-86; Henry E. Hitchcock, 1863-73; Isaac Johnson, 1869-74; William G. Reed, M.D., 1886.

BAPTISTS .- In 1847 a new church was formed in Sturbridge, and Mr. John Blunt was ordained as its pastor. Henry Fiske and David Morse were the ruling elders-the only persons ever appointed to that office in this body. Two years later thirteen of their number were baptized by Rev. Ebenezer Moulton, pastor of the Baptist Church at Sonth Brimfield, Soon afterwards upwards of sixty were baptized, in- cluding their pastor, Mr. Blunt, and at that time this church is supposed to have fully conformed to the Baptist faith. Records of this society prior to 1780 are wanting. In 1784 a meeting-house was erected on the height of Fiske Hill, upon a piece of land given to the society for the purpose by Henry Fiske. This house and location was used for the meetings of the Baptist Society for nearly half a century.

Among the twelve who were added to the member- ship of the church in 1786 was John Phillips, who presided at a meeting in the Baptist meeting-house at Fiskdale, in 1860, June 29th, on the occasion of the celebration of his one hundredth birthday. He died in 1864, aged one hundred and four years.

The society built a new meeting-house, which was finished and dedicated in 1833, January 8th, on the site now occupied by No. 1 School-house.

After occupying that spot five years, this house was removed and located on ground given to the society for that purpose, by the Hon. Josiah J. Fiske, at Fiskdale.

Pastors .- Rev. John Blunt, 1747; Rev. Jordon Dodge, 1784-88 ; Rev. Lenas L. Leonard, 1796-1832; Rev. Addison Parker, 1833-35 ; Rev. Orrin O. Stearns, 1837-39; Rev. Joel Kenney, 1840-43; Rev. J. Wood- bury, 1844-47; Rev. Thomas Driver, 1847-49; Rev. Geo. E. Dorrance, 1850-52; Rev. Addison Parker, 1852-55; Rev. Geo. W. Preston, 1855-58; Rev. An-

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drew Read, 1858-62; Rev. J. M. Chick, 1862-64; Rev. William Reed, 1866-67 ; Rev. J. T. Farrar, 1867-69; Rev. C. A. Cook, 1869-70 ; Rev. C. W. Pot- ter, 1871-73 ; Rev. T. M. Merriam, 1873-76; Rev. J. H. Gannett, 1876-80; Rev. S. M. Reed, 1885.

A revival occurred in the early part of the ministry of the Rev. S. M. Reed, resulting in the addition of some thirty new members to the church, including two or three admitted by letter.

Persons named in the following list have served as deacons of this Baptist Church : Daniel Fiske, John Newell, Jonathan Phillips, Henry Fiske, John Phil- lips, Jonathan Lyon, Moses Fiske, Prince Bracket, Rufus F. Brooks, Edward Richardson, P. L. Goodell, Jonah Gifford, D. W. Harris, N. Uuderwood, E. T. Brooks, H. A. Chamberlain. Deacons Goodell and Chamberlain hold office at this time, 1888.

FIRST UNITARIAN .-- This society was organized in 1864, June 3d. The application to E. L. Bates, Esq., justice of the peace, requesting him to issue his war- rant to call a meeting for the organization of a re- ligious society for the support of liberal preaching, was signed by Eliakim Adams, Liberty Allen, Na- thaniel Upham, Wm. H. Upham, Bowers S. Chace, Levins Hooker, E. W. Moffitt and Wm. H. Skerry. The society started with about forty male members. The next year, 1865, the invitation of the National Convention of Unitarian Churches was accepted, and Emerson Johnson and Bowers S. Chace were chosen delegates to attend the convention with the pastor. A tasty and comfortable house of worship was built in 1872, and dedicated December 11th. A parish com- mittee is chosen annually, and the following persons have served in that office: Nathl. Upham, Chas. N. Allen, Eliakim Adams, Saml. M. Edgerton, Etban Allen, Farnum Southwick, Bowers S. Chace, Wm. H. Skerry, A. C. Morse, H. W. Nichols, Henry Weld, Edw. Nichols, Wm. H. Upham, Emery L. Bates, Chas. V. Corey, G. Norval Bacon, Jonas Rice, Alvin B. Chamberlain.

Pastors .- Rev. John A. Buckingham, 1864-66 ; Rev. Henry F. Edes, 1866-68; Rev. Charles T. Irish, 1870-71 ; Rev. John A. Buckingham, 1871-73 ; Rev. Clarence Fowler, 1874-80; Rev. B. V. Stevenson, 1880-82; Rev. Frank McGuire, 1882-88; Rev. Eph- raim A. Reed, September, 1888.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL .- Was organized as a parish under the name of Grace Church. The old Union Hall was fitted up and used for a chapel.

Rectors. - Rev. Samuel Spear, 1870-72; Rev. Levi Boyer, 1873-76 ; Rev. De Estaing Jennings, 1877, and continued several years ; then the services were dropped.

CATHOLIC .- The Fiskdale mission was instituted as early as 1872. The Irish and the Canadian-French have always had their separate meetings, and while a mission, they were attended by the priests of their respected nationalities, who had charge at South- bridge. Two very tasty and well constructed

churches were erected in 1885, and in 1886, Septem- ber 1st, the Fiskdale Mission was made a distinct par- ish. The Reverend Father Jules Gratton was placed in charge as priest. The census of the parish in 1886, was: Irish, 45 families and 175 souls ; French, 110 families and 610 souls.

EDUCATIONAL .- Rev. Joseph S. Clark, in his cen- tennial address of 1838, says: " The first step towards the advancement of common education in this place was the establishment of four schools at the average expense of £5 per school. The names of the four teachers who had the honor of laying the foundation oflearning among us (peace to their venerated dust !) were Margaret Manning, Mary Hoar, the wife of Jeremiah Streeter, and the wife of John Stacey, 1742.

Five school districts were formed in 1761, and re- ferring to that, Mr. Clark says, such indeed, is the present law of the Commonwealth, but the plan was devised and adopted by the citizens of this town long before our law-makers had suggested such a thought.

The School Committee of 1825, Rev. Z. L. Leonard, chairman, made a report of the schools- the first on record in this town. In that report it is found that "The whole number that have attended school the winter past is five hundred and sixty, of which a re- spectable number in each school have attended to the higher branches of study." There were twelve school districts. The age of attendance at common schools was at that time extended at option to twenty years, more or less.

From the 1888 printed report of the School Committee of this town, we find that " the school year of thirty- three weeks was divided into a spring, fall and winter term, of ten, eleven and twelve weeks, respec- tively."

Number of public day-schools. 14 Number of persons in the town May 1, 1877, between five and fifteen years of age ... 345

Number of different pupils of all ages in all the public schools during the school year .. .371 Whole number of teachers employed during the year ............ 20 Average wages of teachers per month .$27.75

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 48

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