History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 123

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 123

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These lots were designated for many years as the " ministry" and the " minister's lot." The minister's lot was early sold to Colonel George Sanger, and was known for more than sixty years as the Colonel Sanger lot. quantities of cedar were cut, and pine and oak tim- ; It is now owned by William Knowlton & Sons, of ber were abundant, the business of manufacturing lumber and shingles was very profitable, although for many years after the first settlements the process of manufacturing shingles was by hand; the Bad- luck shaved shingles were considered the best in the market.

On the road leading south from the Wallis Mill, about one-half mile from the Webster road, stands the old house and other buildings which for many years was the homestead of William Dudley, called by everybody " Daddy Bill," to distinguish him from the William Dudley who was a son of Mr. Paul Dud- ley. He was a brother of Reuben Dudley and son of Lemuel Dudley, who was a son of the elder Paul. The other house on this road was formerly and for many years the home of George Starr. His wife was - Ides, daughter of Reuben Ides, who once lived here and owned this place.

About one mile west of the Wallis Mill on the Webster Road, is the old Streeter Place (so called). This farm, of about two hundred acres, is within the grant of four thousand five hundred and forty-two acres originally granted to the twenty proprietors of Douglas. The farm was first settled before the grant to the twenty proprietors by Mr. Asa Streeter, who lived here many years, and left the farm to his chil- dren, who afterwards sold most of it to the Uxbridge Woolen Co. The buildings have long since gone to decay and the cultivated lots are covered with wood and timber.

Still farther on the Webster Road, about half-way through the woods, stood another house and barn, built by John S. Chapin, about 1815.

John S. Chapin came from Uxbridge, and was ex- tensively engaged in the wood and lumber business in this part of the town. He only cultivated a small tract of land near his buildings. The house was moved to East Douglas many years ago by Mr. W. D. Jones and was afterwards sold to Lueins Simpson, and now stands at what is known as " Bull Run." Another farm was situated within the limits of the grant to the twenty proprietors, called the "Cham- berlin Farm," of one handred and sixty acres; it was southwesterly of and adjoining the ministerial lot. The location of this farm is well known, but

the buildings were abandoned more than one huu- dred years ago, and no one would now mistrust that any portion of the land was ever under cultivation.

lu this immediate vicinity, and within the limits of the twenty proprietors' grant is the ministerial lot, so called, originally consisting of four hundred acres,- two hundred acres granted to the First Congregational Society and two hundred acres to the first settled minister.

Upton, Mass. The lot called the ministry lot-after- wards called the ministerial lot-was owned by the society for many years, but about the year 1830 was sold at auction. Benjamin Buffum bought forty acres on the west end of the lot, built him a log house and barn, and lived there many years, working at the wood and Inmber business. The lot has ever since been known as the Buffum shanty lot. The next one hundred acres east of Buffum was bought by Deacon Hunt and owned by him at the time of his death. It is now owned by the heirs of J. M. Aldrich. The next lot east of this, of eighteen acres, was owned by Nahum Legg, afterwards by Gardner Chase, and is now owned by Elias T. Balcome, of Worcester. The remainder of the ministerial lot is owned by the heirs of Dr. David P. White.

Captain Benjamin Taft, who was early one of the principal owners among the twenty proprietors, own- ing at one time more than one thousand acres of their grant, had four hundred acres of his right set out at the extreme southwest part of their grant. It ex- tended from the Connecticut corner to the Rhode Island line, and was two hundred and forty rods wide. About three hundred acres of this tract was sold by his son, Sweeting Taft, to Mr. John Tilley, of Boston. A road leading from Oxford Gore, as it was then called, passing by the house of Elder Harvey Wake- field, and crossing the county-road about one-half mile east of Connecticut east line, passed on sonth through this tract. About one-half mile south of the county-road this road becametwo roads-one, running in a sontheasterly direction, led to the north end of Wallum Pond ; the other, running in a south westerly direction, terminated in Buck Hill woods. On the last road, near the corner of Rhode Island and Massachu- setts, there was once an old house that was built by the father of Gideon Isaiah Wyman Thayer, and Gid- eon also lived there. East of this place is the Starr place, huilt and owned by Ebenezer Starr. Another house, and the only one now standing on this road, is the Buxton place. The house, from its appearance, is one of the first built in the town. Still farther north, on this road, is the Mason place, owned by Richard and Abraham Mason-once a large farm with good buildings. It is now a wilderness.

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DOUGLAS.

John Tilley, who came from Boston, bought of Sweeting Taft, who was a son of Captain Benjamin Taft, three hundred acres of the Benjamin Taft land. He sold two hundred acres to the Masons, and on the one hundred acres that he kept he built quite a re- spectable house and barn, a little south of the county- road, and for many years kept a hotel under the name of "coffee-house." This road has since that time always been known as the coffee-house road,-the whole of this tract of four hundred acres belonging to the Taft estate. Some of it, once under a good state of cultivation, is now entirely grown to wood, with the exception of two or three acres.

Near the easterly edge of Douglas Woods, on the county road, there is a famous and never-failing spring called the "Cold Spring," which has been so designated and known for more than one hundred years. Long before this, and before the first settlers located in Douglas, travellers, with their teams, used to stop at this place when passing through the country, pitch their tents near the spring, and take their midday meal or pass the night there; it was for very many years known as the White Oak tavern, although no buildings were ever erected there.

The farm at the south end of Badluck Pond, known as the Chase Place, recently owned by. Silas and David Chase, was owned by their father, Asa Chase, who lived in a small house on the south side of the road from the Silas Chase house. Asa Chase bought the place from a Mr. Cooms or Cozzens, who was the first settler there.

The next house east of the Chase farm, now owned by C. W. Brown, was owned for many years by his father, Enoch Brown. Enoch was a prominent man in town affairs, very accurate and precise in all his ways and expressions, extremely sensitive to criti- cism, and an honest and honorable man. He served for many years on the Board of School Committee ; was selectman and assessor many times, and in his younger days was a successful school-teacher. Enoch Brown bought the place of Henry Howell, who bought of his father, Philip Howell, who, in turn bought of Mr. Oliver Emerson. They lived in an old house standing a little north of the present house, and successfully operated for many years a hatter's shop, that stood on the south side of the road, east of the barn.

The next house on this road, recently owned by Joseph Morse, was owned by his father, Paris Morse, and was built by his grandfather, Levi Morse, and has always been kept in the Morse family.

The next house east, now owned by Joseph Briggs, was built by Levi Morse for his son, Minor. The house was unoccupied for many years under the superstitious prejudice that it was haunted; but for many years it has secured occupants without much trouble.

The house near the camp-meeting grounds, owned and occupied for many years by Deacon Levi M.

Stoddard, was built by Levi Morse for his daughter, who married a Stoddard, the father of Levi M.

On the road leading from the county road, south, over Wallum Pond Hill, there was once a house, quite a little way west of the present road, known as the old Watkins house, built and owned by the father of George Watkins. The hill on which it stood is now known as the Watkins Hill. The house was afterwards owned by John Alger, and a little west of this house was the Billings place. Both honses were long ago abandoned, and the farms are entirely covered with wood and timber. The house near the railroad near the Summit, known as the Flynn house, was owned for many years by Mr. Levi Brown. Levi was brother of Enoch and Simeon, who were sons of Jonah Brown, who lived at the south part of the town. The next house on this road, now owned by Peter Jarvis, was owned by Orrin Chase, some twenty years, and was formerly owned by Mr. John M. Whiting.

The old Asahel Aldrich place, now owned by Alfred Reynolds, is one of the early settled places in the town, and was owned by the father of Asahel Al- drich. Asahel Aldrich owned a large tract of wood and timber land west of his house, built a saw-mill and a shingle-mill and manufactured large quantities of lumber and shingles for market. The New York and New England Railroad went directly through his mill-ponds and demolished his dams, and he, about this time, sold out his farm and property and moved to the State of Illinois.

At the old cellar, where Daniel S. Buxton's house stood, was the old place of Timothy Aldrich. Lovell Parker's old place and Olney Augel's, the last house in Douglas, were on this road. On the road running east, past the school-house, the first is the Joseph Bowdish place, which was owned by his father, Nath- iel Bowdish. The buildings are rapidly going to decay. On the road running south from this road, between the Bowdish and Olney Arnold places, there was, one hundred years ago, three or four good farms. The Simon Fairfield place, the David Har- rington place and the Jonah Brown were all on this road and were well-cultivated farms. Now not an acre of the land is under cultivation.

The Olney Arnold farm, now rapidly running down, was once a good farm and under a good state of cul- tivation. The Zara Parker farm is one of the early settled farms in town, and was owned for many years by Zara's father, Mr. Prince Parker. The house of Harley Brown was owned by Mrs. Mary Fairfield, Abel Parker and a Mr. Prince.

North of this house, on the south side of Frog Pond, fifty years ago, stood the last log house in Douglas. It was owned and occupied by Mr. Jona- than Marsey or Massey. His daughter Ruth married Emer Esten, and recently died at the old Esten place.

The old house still standing near the Mormon

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Chapel is the old Simon Harrington house, one of the early built houses in town.

The house of Potter M. Bates is one of the early built houses in town. It was the home of his wife's mother, Mrs. - Mowry.

An old cellar on the road between Potter M. Bates and Retus Walling shows where once stood the house of Joseph Emerson. The buildings have all been down many years. Joseph Emerson was the father of Caleb and Darling Emerson, and his father's name was Joseph. He built the house and was the first settler here.

Retus Walling, now living, bought his farm of John M. Whitney and built the house where he now lives. The place was formerly owned for many years by Elder Pliny Britt. Elder Britt organized the Re- formed Methodist Church of South Douglas about 1806, assisted in building the meeting-house and preached there for several years. Elder Amos Yates was his successor, who preached there until by the infirmities of age he was unable to preach longer. There have been no meetings there for many years.

The William Jefferson place, next east of Retus Walling's, now owned by Mr. Walling, is one of the earliest settled farms in town, originally including nearly all of what is now known as "Tassletop." William Jefferson was brother of Aaron, and their father, Aaron, lives in an old house near the church. He had a brother Seth, who was father of Waterman Jefferson, who lived in an old house near the Caswell place. The farmn now owned by Lovel Parker is the old Caswell farm, owned originally by Mr. Nathan Caswell, who left it to his son Nathan, who left it to his children, some of whom live in the West. N. S., David, and Mary (who married John Fairfield) are still living in Douglas.

Jared Benson once owned what is now the Town Farm. He sold to David Richardson and he to the town of Douglas. The house now occupied by Darius Heath was the homestead of Captain Moses Balcome, who was brother of Amos Balcome, who owned the farm at the end of the road west of the Captain Moses Balcome farm. Amos and Moses Balcome were sons of Bezaleel Balcome.

Aaron Balcome was one of the early settlers of Douglas, He was the progenitor of the Balcome family that at one time was a numerous and influen- tial family in town. He was the father of John Bal- come, who had eighteen children. His sons were: Ellis, Samuel, John, Jesse, David, Warren, Aaron, with several daughters. Aaron and Johu Balcome owned the farm now owned by Dennis Quinn. Aaron, brother of Ellis, at one time owned and lived at what was many years ago known as the Ridell place.

John Balcome settled on the old homestead. Samuel married the daughter of Priest Stone, the second settled minister of Douglas, and settled on the farm belonging to his wife's father, in the centre of the town. Ellis married Eunice Hunt and settled on

the farm now occupied by C. W. Potter. Jesse at one time owned the brick house now belonging to the heirs of Joseph and Jeremialı Batcheller. David owned the place now owned by Thomas Kelley, and Warren built a small house now standing unoccupied at Centerville.

The farm recently owned by John Robins is one of the first settled farms in town ; it was first settled by Dr. William Jennison, afterwards owned by his son, Samuel Jennison, Esq., and by Dr. Taylor, who lived there many years. The farm afterwards passed through the hands of Paul Dudley and William Dudley (who built the large house east of the church), Paris Hill and Caleb Hill (by whom it was sold to John Robins. The Holman house was built by Rev. David Holman), on land bought of The hotel of J. H. Dudley was built by his grandfather, Paul Dudley. It has always been occupied as a hotel .. The house of A. J. Dudley and A. M. Hill was built by John Dudley. The house now owned by Joseph A. Richardson, and occupied by himself and his father, David Richardson, was built by Doctor Aaron Batcheller, and occupied by him until his death. Dr. Batcheller was one of the most skillful physicians who ever lived in the south part of Wor- cester Couuty. His practice was extensive in all the adjoining towns.

The following stanza, composed by him, to be in- scribed on his tombstone, shows that he not only en- tered heartily into his work, but that he also thought of the future :

" Thousands of journeys, night and day, I've rode weary on my way To heal the sick, but now I've gone A journey never to return."

The house now owned by Chandler Titus, known as the old Jo Albee place, was the homestead of the elder Lemuel Tiffany, and was the place of twenty acres originally granted to Ephraim Hill for heing the first settler after the grant of four thousand acres. This was in the fourth range of lots. The old Whiting farm, at the Benjamin Whiting place, is one of the oldest settled farms in town. Benjamin Whiting was son of Abner Whiting, who built the present Whiting house. Abner was brother of David Whit- ing ; they were sons of Caleb Whiting, who lived at the Dennis Quin place, where David lived after the death of his father. Abner and Fred Whiting were sons of David. Cypron and Benjamin were sons of the elder Abner. The farm owned by Jesse B. Sherman is the old Daniel Aldrich farm, by whom it was first set- tled ; it was afterwards sold to Fred. Whiting and to the present owner. The Jesse Chase farm, known as the Daniel Logee farm, was originally owned by Syl- vanus Holbrook.

The William Chase farm is one of the early settled farms in town. It was owned by his father, whose name was William, who lived in a house near the present one. William Chase, Sr., was brother of

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DOUGLAS.

Joseph Chase, who lived in the Sewell Chase house, known as the Rufus Young farm.

On the old Providence turnpike, near the south part of the town, fifty years ago stood a large two- story house and a large barn, known as the Thad. Thayer place. Thaddeus Thayer was the fifth sou of Joseph Thayer, who was son of Isaac Thayer. Thad- deus was one of a family of twelve children, born about 1753, kept a hotel and owned a large farm, and was a distant relative of the Thayers now living in Douglas. West of the Thaddeus Thayer place sixty years ago, on a small road that ran by the two hun- dred acre farm reserved out of the three thousand seven hundred acre grant to the Aldrich family, and south of the Aldrich farm, there was a good-sized farm with fair buildings, owned by Israel Thayer. Israel Thayer had borrowed some money of a peddler, and one night, about sixty-five years ago, the peddler went to the house either to collect his pay or the in- terest on his money, and he accepted an invitation to stay all night. During the evening Israel's three sons -Nelson, Israel and Isaac-conceived the idea of putting the peddler out of the way, and thus settle his claim against their father, thinking, no doubt, that, as they had been killing hogs that day, it would be a favorable excuse to account for any blood they might shed in killing the peddler. They therefore loaded their father's gun and went out into the yard and shot the peddler through the window. Not killing him by the shot, they took an axe and beat his brains out. They were subsequently arrested and tried for the crime, were convicted and executed in Buffalo, in the State of New York. This farm and the Aldrich farm are now grown to wood and timber.

The Aldrich family probably all sprung from this Aldrich-Edwin, who was the first settler. His son was Jacob Aldrich, and his sons Aaron, Jacob and Amariah. Seth Aldrich, Sr., once lived at the Joshua Fairbank place. Aaron Aldrich settled on a large tract of land at or near the Simon Rawson place. His sons were Aaron, Ezra, John, Joseph and Seth. Their descendants still living in town are quite numerous.

The Southwick farm, in the neighborhood of the Aaron Aldrich farm, is also one of the early settled farms in town. This was originally the Lovell Pulsifer farm. He was a blacksmith and wore a leather apron wherever he went, was elected Representative to the General Court, and wore his apron and homespun clothes. Some of the Representatives undertook to tease him in regard to his appearance by asking him if there were no smarter and better men in Douglas to represent the town. His reply was, " Yes, I sup- pose there are some smarter men in Douglas, but they haven't got any clothes." Moses Southwick married the daughter of Lovell Pulsifer and succeeded to the farm. Moses was the father of Lovell, Moses, Luke and seven daughters, of which Chandler Walker

married one. Moses' father's name was Joseph, who lived in Smithfield, R. I. The numerous Thayer family that have lived in Douglas and Uxbridge for the last one hundred and fifty years all sprung from a Mr. Thomas Thayer, who came from England. Captain Marvel Thayer and his brother John, formerly living in the south part of the town, were sons of John Thayer, who was brother of Thaddeus and Joseph Thayer, Esq., formerly of Uxbridge ; these three were sons of Joseph and grandsons of Isaac Thayer, who was the son of Ferdinand Thayer.

Mr. Asa Thayer, who is now living, was born in 1799 ; was one of twelve children-seven sons and five daughters-children of Mr. Asa Thayer, who lived in Uxbridge, and married Mary Murdock, daughter of Captain Benjamin Murdock, who bought Nathaniel Brewer's right in the one thousand acre grant, called the Draper and Brewer grant. Captain Murdock lived in the small house on the opposite side of the road from the house of Jacob Williams. Asa Thayer, Sr., built the house and barn now owned by Jerre Dunlavy and kept a hotel there for many years, and after his death the present Asa Thayer kept it for a hotel for many years. This is on a part of the Mur- dock farm-the original Brewer farm. Two of Asa Thayer's brothers-Emory and Turner-and two of his sisters-Olive, who married Ezekiel Taft, and Nancy, who married Arnold Taft-lived in Douglas.

Asa Thayer, Sr., was son of Samuel Thayer and grandson of Captain Thomas Thayer, who was a son of Ferdinand Thayer, one of the early settlers in the State.

The road leading from the village of East Douglas South, has for many years been called "the Mar in road." About one mile south of the village and a little east of the four corners is the old Martin farm, which has been kept in the Martin family since the town was first settled. Harrison, who is still living, Aaron and Eliza Martin were children of Major Comfort Martin. Eliza married Robert Hannant, and her children still own the farm.

Comfort Martin was a large, portly man, who stood more than six feet in his stockings and was son of Comfort Martin, who raised a large family, mostly daughters; was one of the early settlers of Douglas.

The Gould family was one of the early families of Douglas. Mr. Ebenezer Gould settled on the place recently owned by Parley Gould. His sons were Benjamin, Daniel and Jason. Benjamin's sons were Aaron and Judson; Daniel's sons were George, Otis and Eliezer, and Jasou's sons were Sylvester and Par- ley. The farm now owned by Hartford Thompson was the old Cummings farm, owned for many years by Ithael Cummings, and was also owned by his father.

The Stephen A. Paine place, east of the school- house, was the old David Mowry farm, and was set- tled by his father.

The house where Joseph Thompson now lives is on the old Peter Reed farm. Peter Reed was a promi-

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

nent man in his day ; he raised a large family of chil- dren; among whom were Joseph and Josiah. He once kept a store in the old house that stood near the present house,1

CHAPTER CLXXVIII. DOUGLAS-(Continued.)

First Congregational Church-Second Congregational Church-Reformed Methodist - Methodist Episcopal - Catholic - Manufactures - Educa. tional-The Willis Fund-Masonic-G. A. R .- The Press-The Revolu- lion-The Rebellion.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organ- ized November 11, 1747, with twenty-three members. The first pastor was Rev. William Phipps, ordained December 16, 1747, and remained until July 10, 1765. He was succceded by Rev. Isaac Stone, who was or- dained October 30, 1771, and served this church thirty-four years. His successors have been as fol- lows: Revs. David Holman, for thirty-five years; John W. Salter, Gilbert D. Richardson, John D. Smith, Francis Dyer, Amos Holbrook, J. W. C. Pike, W. W. Dow and James Wells, the present pastor. The first house of worship was dedicated in 1748, and the present house in 1834.

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was or- ganized June 12, 1834, with twenty-nine members. The first pastor was Rev. John Boardman, installed February 25, 1835, and remained until his death, No- vember 8, 1841, His successors in the pastorate have been as follows : Revs. Chauncy D. Rice, Joshua L. Maynard, S. M. Plympton, William T. Briggs and Rev. Stephen Smith, the present stated supply. The first church edifice was erected in 1834, and remod- eled in 1872.

REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH, South Douglas, was formed in 1808, and its first pastor was Pliny Brett. No meetings have been held here for about twenty years and the house is going to decay.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH in East Douglas was organized November 5, 1866, with Rev. W. Wilkie as pastor. The present house of worship was erected in 1872. The pastors since Mr. Wilkie have been as follows : Revs. William P. Blackmer, William Silverthorn, Daniel P. Atkins, William M. Hubbard, William D. Bridge, J. J. Woodbury, W. H. Cook, I. C. Smith, Jonathan Neal and John Capen, present pastor.

ROMAN CATHOLIC .- Catholic services were held in this town prior to 1850 by Father Sheridan. A church was formed in 1865. Among those who have served as spiritual guides to the Catholics of Douglas may be mentioned : Fathers Sheridan, O'Keefe, Moran, Gegnier, Coullard, Delphos the present pastor.

THE REFORMED METHODIST CHURCH of East Douglas was organized in or abont 1844, and the

house of worship was erected the following year. Solomon P. Snow was first pastor. No services have been held here for about ten years, and only three members of this church are now living.

MANUFACTURES. - The manufacture of axes in Douglas dates back to about the year 1790, when Joseph and Oliver Hunt began making them in a small way at East Douglas. A shop was subsc- quently started at the Centre. After a number of years, of varying success, the business came into the hands of Oliver Hunt, who, with his sons Warren and Otis, succeeded in bringing the business to a pros- perous condition. Benjamin Cragin was a prominent factor at this time, he acting as selling agent. Warren Hunt subsequently took charge of the business and had associated with him for three or four years Alexan- der Scudder. The Donglas Axe Manufacturing Com- pany was organized in 1835, with William T. Eustis as president, and the corporation has continued to the present time, and the Douglas axe has a world- wide reputation. Various prize medals have been awarded this axe, among them those from the Massa- chusetts Mechanics' Association, Philadelphia Cen- tennial, Paris Exposition, London World's Fair, the Vienna Exposition, etc. The works are now in suc- cessful operation.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 123

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1464

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1464