History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 131

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 131

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The meeting was organized by the choice of Hon. Solomon Strong as chairman and Levi Lincoln, Jr., as secretary. The Rev. Dr. Bancroft addressed the meeting, and expressed his deep sense of the importance of the subject to the character and interests of our country, and its con- nexion with the cause of religion.

Mr. Burnside moved that a committee be appointed to prepare resolu- tions expressive of the sease of this Convention upon the subject of the toleration of slavery in the country west of the Mississippi.

Hon. Oliver Fiske, Isaac Goodwin, Esq , Edward D. Bangs, Esq., Bezaleel Taft, Jr., Esq., and Samuel M. Burnside, Esq., were appointed on the committee. The meeting was then adjourned till the next even- ing to receive the report of the committee.

Oa Friday evening the meeting was opened according to adjouro- ment. The Hon. Oliver Fiske, chairman of the committee, presented a report, consisting of the following Preamble and Resolutions, which (after a very impressive and eloquent address from the Hon. E. H. Mills, of Northampton, a member of the last Congress, and some pertinent ob- servations fromn John W. Hubbard, Esq., of this town) were, on motion of Hou. Seth Hastings, unanimously adopted .

"WHEREAS, In the opinion of this meeting, by the unequivocal spirit

and language of the Federal Constitution (exemplified by the adoption uf the Ordinance of 1787, and by enbsequent acts and provisions), Con- gress possess the power of prescribing the terms on which new States to be created from a territory, not a party to the original compact, may be admitted into the Union ; and

" WHEREAS, The voluntary admission of slavery, as a condition, would be a departure from the wise and liberal system of our National Govern- ment, und abhorrent to that spirit of freedom so illustrious in our insti- tutions ; and

" WHEREAS, The extension of slavery would be dangerous, in com- mon, to those States who, in their compact, acted under an implied se- curity, that the moral and political evil of slavery, though not abolished, would never be extended ; and who, by the act of admission of new States, are solicitous tu transfuse the spirit and blessinge of independence which they possess and are bound to guarantee the rights they enjoy -the first of which being a republican form of government ; and

"WHEREAS, More especially it would be inconsistent, if not unjust, to extend a privilege to new States, formed from a territory acquired by purchase, which has been withheld from those created within the origi- nal limits of the United States by an express article in the ordinance of 1787, which ordinance hae since been sanctioned by Congress and has become a permanent law. Therefore

"Resolved, That those members of the last Congress who with zeal and perseverance opposed the extension of slavery are entitled to the gratitude of the friends of morality, of religion and the republican character of the United States, and that we deeply regret that any men- bers, especially from those States whose Constitution and laws prohibit slavery, and whose constituents deprecate its practice, should have felt it their duty to give it countenance aod support.

"Resolved, That this Meeting most earnestly request their Representa- tives in Congress to use their unremitted exertions to prevent the sanc- tion of that honorable body to any further extension of slavery within the extending limits of the United States-more particularly io giving a precedent in the case of the admission of Missouri-a precedent which in future may be the means of depopulating the vast wilds of Africa and readering our boasted Land of Liberty pre-eminent only as a Mart for Human Flesh !

"Resolved, That the foregoing Preamble and Resolves, subscribed by the Chairman aad Secretary, he transmitted to the IIon. Messrs. Adams and Kendall as expressing the sentiments of this meeting."

MISCELLANEOUS. - Washington's Second Visit to Worcester .- In the autumn of 1789 President Wash- ington made a tour through New England, and passed through Worcester on his way to Boston, coming from Springfield through Palmer, Warren, Brookfield, Spencer and Leicester. Of his visit here the following account is taken from Wall's " Remi- niscences of Worcester:" "Information being re- ceived in Worcester during Thursday evening that Washington would be here the next morning (Octo- ber 23, 1789), a company of' respectable citizens, about forty in number, paraded before sunrise, on horse-back, and went out as far as Leicester line to welcome him into the town. The Worcester Com- pany of Artillery, commanded by Major William Treadwell, were already assembled, on notice being given that Washington was approaching, and hefore he reached here five cannon were fired for the New England States, 'three cannon for the three States in the Union,-one for Vermont, which will be speedily admitted, and one as a call to Rhode Island before it is too late.' When the 'President General ' had arrived in sight of the meeting-house (the Old South Church), eleven more cannon were fired. Washington viewed with great interest and atten- tion the Artillery Company as he passed and ex- pressed to the inhabitants his sense of the honor done him. He stopped at the 'United States Arms'

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(now Exchange Hotel), where he took breakfast, and then proceeded on his journey. To gratify the in- habitants, he politely passed through the town on horse-back. He was dressed in a brown suit, and pleasure glowed in every countenance as he came along. Eleven more cannon were fired as he de- parted. The party of forty citizens before-mentioned escorted him a few miles from the village, where they took their leave. The route travelled was up Lincoln Street, across the upper end of Long Pond, by the old road, through Shrewsbury," etc.

Funeral Honors to Washington .- In common with so many towns, not only in the State, but through- out the country, Worcester paid its deep homage to the memory of Washington, and put in the hands of every family, in enduring form, the record of its ap- preciation.

The Massachusetts Spy of February 26, 1800, gives the following account of the funeral honors paid to Washington by the citizens of Worcester: "On Saturday the inhabitants of this town joined in the national honors paid to the memory of our illustrious Washington. At eleven o'clock the procession formed at the Court-honse agreeably to the order pub- lished in our last paper. The male youth from eight to eighteen amounted to two hundred and fifty-an impressive sight. The whole number was not less than seven hundred. With solemn music they moved to the South Meeting-house, the pulpit of which was covered with black broadcloth. After a grave and pathetic piece of music the Rev. Mr. Aus- tin addressed the Throne of Deity in a devout and appropriate prayer; this was succeeded by music, when the Rev. Mr. Bancroft pronounced an eulogy on the character of the deceased Hero and patriot of America, which we think, at least, one of the best we have seen or heard on the subject. The solemni- ties closed with music. The serious attention, the solemn appearance of the audience through every part of the exercise, witnessed that every heart felt the loss his country had sustained and gave an amen to the truth of the virtues which the eulogist por- trayed.

" The town returned their thanks to the orator, re- quested the oration for the press and voted that every family should be furnished with a copy at the town's expense."

Lafayette's Visit .- On September 4, 1824, Lafayette visited Worcester, breakfasted with the Hon. Judge Lincoln, from whom he received an address of wel- come, and to which he replied in earnest words. A full account of the interesting occasion may be found in "Reminiscences of Worcester."

SECOND PERIOD.

From the opening of the Blackstone Canal to the incorporation of Worcester as a city.

THE BLACKSTONE CANAL .- The first attempt at procuring water communication between Worcester 91

and Providence originated with citizens of the latter place, notably John Brown, about 1796; surveys were made and acts of incorporation for a canal company sought from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The former State soon passed the act required.

A petition from citizens of this county to the Leg- islature of Massachusetts, praying that incorporation might be granted for the opening of "inland naviga- tion from the navigable waters near Providence to the interior parts of Worcester County, and, if feasi- ble, to Connecticut river," was presented at the May session, 1796. A project was at the same time started, " which had the effect, if not the intent, of defeating the former," of constructing a canal from Boston to the Connecticut River. Incorporation was refused for the canal to Providence.

The project was revived, however, in 1822, and meetings were held early in that year here and in Providence with a view to speedy actiou. Commit- tees were appointed, funds for survey were obtained. Benjamin Wright, chief engineer upon the middle section of the Erie Canal, was secured to make a sur- vey and an estimate of cost of construction. These were completed in September of that year, and report thereof made.

January 14, 1823, our Legislature passed an act in- corporating "John Davis, Wm. E. Green, John W. Lincoln, Lemuel Davis, Edward D. Bangs, John Warren, John M. Earle, Dan'l Waldo, Isaiah Thom- as, Rejoice Newton, Reuben Sikes, Oliver Fiske, Theophilus Wheeler, John Green, Asa Hamilton, Benj. F. Heywood," their associates, &c., under the name of the Blackstone Canal Company, with au- thority to "locate, construct and fully complete a navigable canal commencing in or near the village of Worcester." "to the boundary line be- tween Massachusetts and Rhode Island." A similar act was passed by Rhode Island, authorizing the con- struction from tide-water to the boundary between the two States. These corporations were subse- quently united, the Massachusetts act authorizing it being passed February 20, 1827.

In 1824 the work of excavation was begun in Rhode Island, and in 1826 in Massachusetts near Thomas Street, in this town.

The first boat arrived in Worcester October 6, 1828. Freight-boats came as far as Uxbridge October 18th, and soon thereafter to Worcester. The cost was abont seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The sanguine expectations which were here enter- tained of the effect of the construction of the canal upon Worcester are illustrated by the following ex- tract from the address of the Hon. John Davis at the dedication of our Town Hall in 1825:

The town, unaided by any particular advantage except that of being the Centre of a thrifty and enterprising population, has risen in wealth and numbers to a degree almost unequalled in the interior of New Eng- land. It is now in its youth, and its growth is vigorous and healthy. What will be its future destinies remains to be disclosed by time. Should it become the head of inland navigation, hence to the waters of the

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Narragansett, it is safe, without the gift of prophecy, to predict that this valley will be covered with population, and the exhilarating horry und bustle of trade will pervade places that are now under the peaceful dominion of the farmer ; the spires of new temples, dedicated to the wor- ship of God, will rise up to greet the eye of the beholder ; the mechanic arts, under new combinations of capital and skill, will take deeper and stronger root ; the fine arts will find an abode among us ; and our hills, under a better cultivation, will put on a gayer and more beautiful attire. This unspicious event, we have great reason to believe, is near at hand. The scruples of the most incredulous seem now to be removed, and if we pursue it steadily there is little doubt of its being accomplished.

It is doubtful if the results so confidently looked for would have come in their fulness as the sole effect of the canal, but unquestionably great results did follow. The whole Blackstone Valley was stimulated, new villages sprung up, new industries were started, the water-power was utilized, a new outlet for Worcester products was created, closer business relations were maintained between Worcester and Providence and the seaboard, on the one hand, and between Worces- ter and the surrounding country on the other. But, more important still, Worcester was made more em- phatically a distributing centre for imports over the canal.

A comparison between the number of tons trans- ported each year by means of the canal to and from Worcester is exceedingly instructive : To Worcester, in 1831, 4300 tons; 1832, 4400 tons; 1833, 4663 tons; 1834, 5336 tons ; 1835, 4694 tons.

From Worcester in 1831, 808 tons ; 1832, 890 tons ; 1833, 848 tons ; 1834, 826 tons ; 1835, 739 tons. The amount of tolls collected increased from $1000, in 1828, to $16,464.45 in 1834, which was the highest reached in any year. It gradually declined from the latter year until the last toll was collected in 1848. Between 1825 and 1835, when the Boston and Wor- cester Railroad was opened, the population of Wor- cester had increased from 3650, in the former year, to 6624 in the latter-a much greater increase in those ten years than in the previous sixty years.

In valuation the town had increased from 82,437,- 550. in 1825, to $3,667,250 in 1835.

OPENING OF RAILROAD COMMUNICATION .- Pre- vious to the opening of the canal the trade of Worces- ter had been largely with Boston. The effect of easier freight communication with Providence had since then tended to divert its trade from Boston. But it was not only Worcester's trade that was diverted, but, practically, Worcester County's trade. Unquestioua- bly this fact had its influence in hasteuing the con- struction of the Boston and Worcester Railroad. .

That railroad was incorporated June 23, 1831, and was the first of any length in the State. It was com- pleted and opened for public travel July 4, 1835. A grand celebration took place here on July 6th. A train of twelve cars arriving here at one o'clock brought the directors and a large number of stockholders. The arrangements for the celebration were under the di- rection of a committee of which Hon. Charles Allen was chairman. The visitors were escorted to the Town Hall, where ex-Governor Levi Lincoln presided,

and speeches were made by Governor John Davis, Governor Everett, Chief Justice Artemas Ward, Hon. A. H. Everett, Hon. Julius Rockwell and others, The terminus of the road was on Foster Street, near Main. Passenger cars ran three times daily each way, occu- pying about three hours for the trip. The fare was $1.50 at first, but was raised the next year to $2.00.

The Western Railroud was completed from Worcester to Springfield in 1839, and trains began running on October 1st of that year. The road was completed to Albany in 1841.

The Norwich and Worcester Railroad was opened for the running of through trains April 1, 1840.

The Providence and Worcester Railroad was finished and trains began running October 25, 1847, and on November 4th of that year the event was celebrated here. Ex-Gov. Davis welcomed the visitors; after which a banquet was served in Brinley Hall, at which Governor Lincoln presided, with Governor Davis, Judges Charles Allen, Emory Washburn and Thomas Kinnicutt and Hon. Stephen Salisbury as vice- presi- dents. Speeches were made by John Barstow, presi- dent of the road; United States Senator Simmons, of Rhode Island ; Mayor Burgess, of Providence; Presi- dent Wayland and Professor Gammell, of Brown Uni- versity ; President Nathan Hale, of the Boston and Worcester Railroad; Hon. George Bliss, of Springfield, for the Western Railroad ; Judges Allen, Washburn and Kinnicutt, Governor Davis, Hon. Stephen Salis- bury, and others.

Worcester thus rapidly became a great railroad centre and appropriately the "heart of the Common- wealth."

Population and wealth increased with extreme ra- pidity. Population in 1840, 7497; 1845, 11,556; 1848, 15,000 about. Valuation in 1840, $4,288,950; 1845, $6,004,050 ; 1848, $8,721,100.

GENERAL PROGRESS .- It was probably in this period that Worcester began to be known as the " Heart of the Commonwealth." That designation was undoubtedly first applied to Worcester County. The first mention of it in print which I have been able to find, as applied to the county, is in the Spy of October 12, 1831, in which the county is referred to as being "as justly entitled to the appellation of the 'Head of the Common- wealth' in agricultural improvement, as it is to that of the 'Heart of the Commonwealth' from its local situation.'

Warwickshire, the central county of England, was thus denominated by the poet Drayton in 1613 : " That shire which we the ' Heart of England ' call." And perhaps some scholarly son of Worcester County appropriated it from Drayton to his own beloved county. But clearly the town soon began to covet the title, and with such success that the county was forced, either in love or from necessity, to resign all claim to it.

I have been unable to find any earlier documentary title for the town to it than in a quaint book, entitled

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WORCESTER.

"Pictorial Views of Massachusetts for the Young," published at Worcester in 1847 by Warren Lazell, where the town is referred to as follows: "Being in the centre of the interior county of the State, and containing a fertile soil and a population noted for industry, intelligence and wealth, this town has long been denominated the 'Heart of the Common- wealth.'" The adoption of that emblem by the city in its seal, confirmed its title to it by adverse user against all claimants.

The first " Village Directory " was published in 1829 by Clarendon Harris, whom we, of this genera- tion, remember with great respect and affection. It purported to contain "the names of the inhabitants, their dwelling-houses and places of business arranged according to streets and squares." It contains two hundred and ninety-seven entries or numbers, di- vided as follows among the only streets given : Lin- coln Square and Main Street, 106; Summer Street, 20; School Street, 20; Thomas Street, 12; Central Street, 4; Mechanic Street, 25; Pleasant Street, 7; Front Street, 25; South Street, 15; Green Street, 27 ; Washington Square, 8; Grafton Street, 16; Middle Street, 7; Prospect Street, 5.

The next directory was published in 1843, and the issue has continued successively each year since.

The town began to move with quick step along the various paths that led to the city of Worcester. With the rapid increase in wealth and population came the necessity for ampler expenditure on the part of the municipality. Methods adequate for the little country village were not sufficient for the now important town. The modest requirements of the former generatiou were insufficient to properly satisfy the growing needs of the great central town. Muni- cipal comforts aud even elegancies must be provided. First of all, the darkness of the streets at night must be relieved. A lamp association was formed, and in 1833 the towu voted an appropriation for the purpose of lighting the lamps of the association. In 1834 the town voted that the selectmen be requested to petition the Legislature for authority to establish a Fire Department, and on February 25, 1835, neces- sary authority having been obtained, the Worcester Fire Department was established.

In 1832 a commodious brick school-house was built on Thomas Street, and in 1837 there were twelve districts and an appropriation of seven thousand dol- lars for schools, which included two thousand five hundred dollars for the Centre District.

The Worcester Manual Labor High School was incorporated in 1834 and dedicated June 4th of the same year. Its organization was largely due to the efforts and munificence of the Hon. Isaac Davis.

Mount St. James Seminary (now Holy Cross Col- lege) was also established. The State Lunatic Hos- pital was located here and portions of its building constructed respectively in 1831, 1835 and 1836.

The only means, prior to 1845, for supplying water

were through the Daniel Goulding Aqueduct, but in that year the Legislature, by Chapter 90, provided that

The Inhabitants of the Centre School District in the town of Worces- ter, as the limits of said district are now defined, are hereby made a corporation by the name of the Worcester Aqueduct Company, for the purpose of constructing and maintaining an aqueduct to conduct water from Bladder pond, in said town, to said district, for the extinguish- ment of fires and for other uses ; and also that the corporation might vote to raise money, the amount to be assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants of said district and collected by the town.

A board of managers, consisting of Stephen Salis- bury, Isaac Davis, Wm. A. Wheeler, Henry W. Miller and Samuel Davis, was appointed. Pipes were laid through Prospect, Thomas, Main, Park, Salem, part of Mechanic, Pleasant and Elm Streets, in all about two miles, with fifty-six hydrants. The town paid to the corporation five hundred dollars yearly. In 1847 the pipes were extended about two miles.

The town, in anticipation, perhaps, of its future patronage of music, sought its inspiring and educating influence, and in 1846 voted to give the Worcester Brass Band permission to erect a stand upon the Com- mon and play once a week after July 1st.

One unique fact should be referred to. In 1837 the surplus revenue of the United States was divided among the States and towns, and Worcester received its proportion.

The town voted May 1, 1837, to receive from the treasurer of the Commonwealth its proportion of the surplus in deposit, with the agreement to pay it back when demanded. The receipt of the same is thus re- corded : "Tuesday, May 2, 1837. The town received from the treasurer of the Commonwealth $6084.39, being the two first instalments of this town's propor- tion of the surplus revenue of the United States."

On July 20th of the same year the town received the additional sum of $4526.52, being the third in- stalment.

Worcester was no longer dependent upon one bank. Before incorporation as a city it had, in addition, the Worcester County Institution for Savings (established 1828); the Central Bank (1829); the Quinsigamond (1833); the Citizens' (1836); the Mechanics' (1848). In- surance companies were multiplied: the Manufacturers' Mutual Fire (1834) ; State Mutual Life (1844); Mer- chants' and Farmers' (1846); and People's Mutual Fire (1847).

Manufactures became established, inventive genius was stimulated, water-power was increased, steam- power was introduced, industries were multiplied, all without the aid of foreign capital. In the " Direc- tory " of 1848 the unique fact is stated in these words : " All the business is done by private capital ; there is not a single corporation concerned in the management of labor of this town."

Worcester was no longer compelled to resort to Boston newspapers for the daily news. The Worces- ter Daily Transcript was issued June 9, 1845, by Julius L. Clarke, editor and proprietor.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The Spy followed quickly, and issued its first daily July 1, 1845. John Milton Earle was its editor and proprietor.

WORCESTER INFLUENCE .- Worcester furnished, dnring ten years of this period, from its citizens two Governors for the Commonwealth-Levi Lincoln (from 1828 to 1833 inclusive), and John Davis (in 1834 and 1835, and again in 1841 and 1842). Indeed, it is an exceptional fact not only that the Governor of the State from 1825 to 1835 inclusive should have come from this town, but more significant that one should have immediately sneceeded the other. The claims of "locality " must have had less influence then than in some years.

The interchange of offices, by the will of the people, between these two notable men was equally striking. Levi Lincoln was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the election of John Davis as the successor of the former as Governor. Lincoln re- mained a member of Congress until he resigned in 1841, when he was appointed collector of the port of Boston by President Harrison. In 1844 and 1845 he was in the State Senate (the latter year as president), and in 1848 was elected Worcester's first mayor.

Governor Davis also remained in public life, serv- ing as United States Senator from 1838 to 1841 ; again as Governor for two years (1841 and 1842); and again from 1845 to 1853 as United States Senator.

PLINY MERRICK was district attorney for the Mid- dle District from 1832 until 1843, having previously been county attorney from 1824. From 1843 to 1848 he was judge of the Conrt of Common Pleas, in which latter year he resigned, and accepted the position of president of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad.

Worcester had during a portion of this period another distinguished citizen upon the bench of the Conrt of Common Pleas. EMORY WASHBURN was appointed judge in 1844, and remained till December, 1847, when he resigned. He had, prior thereto (in 1841 and 1842), been a member of the Massachusetts Senate.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 131

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