History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 149

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 149

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

THE CLARK UNIVERSITY .- Though favored much above most cities with the means of culture, Worces- ter is about to add to the existing institutions one of the greatest promise, not only for her own citizens, but for the country at large. Mr. Jonas G. Clark, a wealthy and liberal-minded man, announced two years ago his intention to establish a university, and to endow it to the extent, at least, of one million dollars. In response to a petition signed by him, and by Charles Devens, George F. Hoar, Stephen Salisbury, John D. Washburn, William W. Rice, Joseph Sargent, Frank P. Goulding and George Swan, a charter of incorporation was granted to the Clark University, with all the powers usually given. In May, 1887, the Board of Corporators was organized, with Jonas G. Clark, president, and John

1519

WORCESTER.

D. Washburn, secretary. Steps were at once taken toward carrying out the project, and at this writing two very large brick buildings are almost finished, on land conveniently located in the southern part of the city. It is expected that students will be received in the antumn of 1889. Professor G. Stanley Hall, late of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, has been chosen president, and is now visiting, for the purposes of observation, various universities in sev- eral countries of Europe. What final shape as regards its scheme of work the Clark University will take, has not been made known. It is, however, pre- sumed that the first object of the corporation will be to establish what the name signifies in its highest meaning, to wit : a school of liberal culture for men who have already completed the ordinary college course, or have otherwise acquired an equivalent thereto. With that accomplished, the establishing of under-graduate courses will be easy, if considered desirable.

The Hon. Charles Devens, justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth, presided on the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of the principal building, October 22, 1887. The commn- nication, then read, from the founder, contained these words :

Broad in its scope, liberal in its methods and comprehensive in its teachings, ... we dedicate this University to Science, Letters, Art and human progress, in their best and most valuable forms.

The Hon. George F. Hoar, in making the chief address, spoke, in part, as follows :

A university ... is a place where the highest instruction is to be obtained, . . . where libraries are to he found, which show the existing boundaries of human knowledge, and workmen and apparatne are found fitted and employed to extend them. These institutions have ever been among the most heneficent forces in American history. .. . The Uni- versity is the natural ornament, the bright, consummate flower of democ- racy. It is the greatest of all levellers. . . . It is devoted to no sector creed or statement of doctrine in which human presumption has sought to imprison the free spirit of truth, and to bar its onward pathway.

For the fulfillment of the purposes of founder and trustees, thus definitely expressed, the city waits with brightest hopes.

THE WORCESTER ACADEMY. - This school was projected, two generations ago, by persons of the Baptist faith, who desired an educational institute under their own control. After much conference, it was thought well to leave the organization with cer- tain trustees, who in 1832 bought fifty-nine acres of land, with a building thereon, worth in all ten thou- sand dollars. This land lay, as then described, one- half mile south of the village; as the city now is, it was east of Main Street, and on the high land ex- tending from Lagrange to Hammond Streets. In 1834 the institution was incorporated under the name of the "Worcester Manual Labor High School." Operations were begun then in earnest, and we learn by the catalogue of 1836 that there were in that year one hundred and thirty-five pupils in all, living in or attending the school. Isaac Davis was the

president of the trustees, a post which he held until age and infirmity forbade him. Otis Corbett was then secretary, and Ichabod Washburn treasurer. It was intended that the pupils should, by manual lahor, pay a part of their living expenses; but no labor, except on the farm, was convenient, and as the prices for all things furnished were very low, the school was in continual financial straits. Iu 1846 the Legislature permitted the name to be changed to the " Worcester Academy," and the notion of manual labor was then abandoned. In that year there were one hundred and eighteen students, who were charged for board $1.30 to $1.50 per week, according as they did not, or did, use tea and coffee. The total neces- sary expenses of a term of eleven weeks were from $23 to $29. Such were the statements of the annual catalogue.

Under the new name things went on somewhat as before. In 1850 the total of pupils for the year was one hundred and seventy-six, and preparations were made for a new building of brick, one hundred feet long and four stories high. But the work only in- volved the academy more deeply in debt, and a pro- position to change the location met with favor, more especially as it had a savor of financial gain. It was proposed to sell the lands of the academy, now ap- preciating in value, and buy, with the proceeds, the old Antiquarian Hall, it being then for sale. This was done in 1854, aud the school was moved without delay to the new place, on the corner of Belmont and Summer Streets. The academy had thus, as said the catalogue of 1856, a sufficiently-equipped building, all paid for, and twenty-five thousand dol- lars beside, profitably invested.

Under the new state of things more was doubtless expected than came to pass. The pupils no longer lived in the academy, but where it suited them, in or out of town, and thus, perhaps, the esprit de corps was, to some extent, injured. Young women were also then admitted to the academy, a policy which, in a modified degree, is pursued to the present day. But the affairs of the school went on with reasonable efficiency until the time came for a more important change than the last. A large building and some acres of land were for sale on Providence Street. This had been (1850-53) a medical college, but afterward was used, first, for a ladies' collegiate institute, and then, during the war, for an army hospital. The trustees of Worcester Academy, having always a prudent financier in their president, bought this property in 1869 for the sum of forty thousand dollars.

The academy was forthwith moved to that spot, and there remains. The institution has never lacked benefits from its friends, although it has had times of severe pecuniary stress. To-day it is on a pros- perous basis, the result of gifts made or pledged for its use, by friends in many parts of New England. | Aside from the Hon. Isaac Davis, the most constant

1520

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

friend and contributor to the academy's funds has been the Hon. Joseph H. Walker, now president of the trustees. The present principal, D. W. Aber- crombie, A.M., a Harvard graduate, has had charge since 1883. There are now eight teachers and one hundred and thirty students, most of whom live in the buildings. The academy has two courses of in- struction,-a college preparatory and a scientific, in both of which the various liberalizing studies of our mo lern days are carefully pursued.

Although the school is professedly under denomi- national control, it is contended that no limited views prevail in the management. The teachers are chosen from the graduates of several colleges, and the young men are likewise fitted for many different institutions. In view of its age and usefulness, the Academy is justly regarded with pride and interest by the citizens.

THE WORCESTER MEDICAL INSTITUTION .- This medical college was incorporated in 1849, chiefly through the efforts of Dr. Calvin Newton, a well- known divine and physician. In 1850 and 1851 im- posing buildings (now the Worcester Academy) were raised on land given by John W. Pond, and a full course of instruction was established. The training was of the eclectic, Thompsonian or botanic order. There were fonrteeu gradnates in 1851, and the future was bright, but difficulties arose that need not be de- tailed here, and the college ended its existence in a very few years.

LADIES' COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE .- This institu- tion received a charter from the State in 1854. Its early status is not clear to one who investigates at this distance. It was held up as a project worthy the notice of wealthy philanthropists in February, 1855, though, doubtless, then a scheme only. The Rev. E. A. Cummings, signing himself " financial secre- tary," published a pamphlet detailing what was proposed, but which allows us to believe that the Collegiate Institute was not founded as yet. A later prospectus shows that the trustees had acquired the lands of the defunct medical hospital, of which pos- session was taken in 1856. Here was then set up a fully organized women's college, with power to grant degrees. It was, to some extent, befriended, if not directed, by persons of the Baptist faith. In 1857-58 there were in all one hundred and fifty pupils, for whom an elaborate course of study, linguistic and other, was provided. 'In 1860 the annual catalogue contained a cry for funds, as the income did not meet the outgo. Notwithstanding the appeal, matters did not improve with the institute, and it appears to have been closed soon after. The property entered upon a period of legal complications, from which it emerged to be bought by the trustees of the Worcester Acad- emy, as before said.

OREAD COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE .- In 1848, Eli Thayer, having been before a teacher in the Manual Labor High School, established a seminary for young

ladies. The name, Oread, was fancifully adopted from Virgil's line, " Hine atque hine glomerantur Oreades" (Aen. 1, 500), and had special reference to the woody hill on which the building was placed. The institution was incorporated four years later, with power to grant degrees, and presently gained a high standing in the community. Its patronage and affiliations were mainly with the Baptist denomina- tions, but with no purposed sectarian bias. The studies pursued were of a liberal order, with much that made for true culture. The Oread flourished for many years, and its doings were a conspicuous part of the social life of the city. After a varied his- tory it at length fell into a stage of less prosperity, and the school has been of late discontinued. The picturesque building-a castellated structure of the olden time-still dominates from its height a good part of the city ; but its lawns and groves are giving place to rows of modern brick houses.

III .- PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Schools, under private management, and with vari- ous degrees of excellence, have existed from time to time, during a century past.

The antiquary, delving into musty records, will learn of Thomas Payson's seminary for young ladies, in 1791, and of the school that this same person undertook in 1795, " near Dr. John Green, Jr." He will find, also, that in 1805 Mrs. Nugent had au academy for young ladies. It appears, too, that in 1828 Samuel M. Burnside, spokeu of before, projected a law school, but with what success is not clear. It is probable that his prospectus, preserved among the treasures of the American Antiquarian Society, was the beginning and end of his project.

In the year 1831 Rejoice Newtou, Levi Lincoln, Isaac Davis, Pliny Merrick, Thomas Kinnicutt and others-eleven in all-wishing to establish a school for young women, bought the old Chandler mansion on Main Street, nearly opposite the head of Park, where now a large business block stands. A school was opened the next year, under care of Mrs. Wells, who was succeeded by John Wright. The under- taking, however, came to an end in a very few years, and left little trace of its usefulness. But the details of any of these projects, if at hand, would not over- much interest us.

There are, to-day, several private schools, but only one which justly calls for mention here. Caleb B. Met- calf, M.A., who had for several years been master of the Thomas Street Grammar School, left it in 1856 to establislı, ou Salisbury Street, a school that presently developed into the Highland Military Academy. The institution yet flourishes, with promise of long use- fulness, Mr. Metcalf having of late yielded the active control to Joseph Alden Shaw, M.A., head master. The scholars received, being usually from twelve to sixteen years of age, live in the buildings and are under supervision. An established course of study prepares

1521

WORCESTER.

them for entrance to any college or similar institution, or for a general business life. The object of the mili- tary department is to teach habits of promptness and a good carriage.

More than one thousand pupils have gone out from this institution, and they may be found in every State of the Union, exemplifying, in all lines of life, the training received at the academy.

Of the many institutions in the city not properly scholastic, but which aim at special culture in one way or another, it is not necessary to attempt detailed mention.

CHAPTER CLXXXIV.

WORCESTER-(Continued.)

SOCIETIES, ASSOCIATIONS AND CLUBS.

BY MR. NATHANIEL PAINE.

To give a detailed history of the many societies, literary, social and political, which have existed in Worcester would necessitate the occupying much more space than the limits of this history will admit.

In the period just before the War of the Revolution, impatience at the demands made by the British Government, and its infringement npon what men then thought were the rights of all men, caused the formation of a political society, which, though short- lived, had a marked influence upon municipal affairs which was far-reaching in its effects.

Many years after, when these rights were fully established, societies were formed for mutual pro- tection against the ravages of fire, and for aiding each other in bringing thieves to justice. Then came so- cieties for the literary and educational improvement of the people by the distribution of books, and by courses of lectures upon scientific subjects illustrated by suitable apparatus.

Societies and associations for philanthropic and benevolent purposes, as well as representative orders or chapters of the numerous secret societies of the county, are also established here. Churches and schools are represented by many societies, associations or clubs for special purposes in their line of work. Book clubs, athletic clubs and those especially for social purposes are also numerous.

With so large a number it is to be regretted that so few can be spoken of in detail, but it is the hope of the writer that the brief notices here presented may prove of some historical value.

THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SOCIETY, the earliest not of a religious nature, formed in Worcester, of which any record has been handed down, was or- ganized December, 1773, by the leading Whigs for discussion and consultation upon the civil and re-

ligious affairs of the town. Its principal purpose was undoubtedly to influence and, as far as possible control the action of the loyalist party, which consisted very largely of the wealthy and influential men of the town. At a meeting held January 3, 1774, a committee, appointed at the house of Asa Ward the 27th of the previous month, reported a code of by- laws which was adopted. The committee, consisting of Nathan Baldwin, Samuel Curtis and Timothy Bigelow, in presenting the rules and regulations for the government of the society, prefaced them with the following preamble, setting forth the reasons for its formation and the objects in view : "Whereas, at this present time, the good people of this country in general (and with respect to some particular circum- stances, the town of Worcester in particular) labor under many impositions and burdens grievous to be borne, which we apprehend would never have been imposed upon us if we had nnited and opposed the machinations of some designing persons in this Prov- ince, who are grasping at power and the property of their neighbors ; for the prevention whereof, and the better securing our liberties and properties, and counteracting the designs of our enemies ; we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do by these presents incorporate ourselves into a society by the name of the American Political Society, and to meet at some public-house in Worcester, at least once in every month, to advise with each other on proper methods to be pur- sued by us, and each of us respecting our common rights and liberties, civil and religious ; and for the re- gular ordering and conducting our said society in their meetings, they shall choose some one of the members of said society as a chairman," etc. The by-laws adopted indicate that it was to a certain extent a secret society, the first article reading as follows : "That no discourse or transaction in any of our meet- ings shall be communicated or divulged to any person or persons not belonging to our said society, by any ways or means whatever (snch only excepted as are allowed to be made public by the unanimous vote of our said society), and if any person or persons shall be guilty of a breach of this article, he or they be pun - ished with expulsion from our said society." The ninth and tenth articles, which are as follows, are in the same spirit : "9th. That every member of our said society shall have full power to dismiss himself from said society in the following manner, viz .: by informing them in any one of their meetings, in writing, that he will inviolably keep all the secrets of said society as faithfully as if he still belonged to it himself, and as they desire, but that he desires a dismission by a vote of said society, and that it may be entered on the journal of the transactions of said society that he was dismissed by his own desire. 10th. That each par- ticular member of this our said society, reposing special trust and confidence in every other member of the society, looks upon himself as bound, and hereby binds himself by the ties of honor, virtue, truth,

1522

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

sincerity and every appellation that is dear to him in this life, faithfully and truly to keep and perform for himself each and every of the articles herein men- tioned and expressed to all intents and purposes."

At one of the meetings in February, 1774, the ques- tion as to the propriety of choosing any person to any office, who was not a professed friend to constitutional liberty, was discussed. April 4th there was an inter- esting meeting, over thirty members being present. Among the questions discussed and acted upon was that of preparing instructions to the representatives to the General Court, to be chosen the next month. It was also voted at this meeting that "this society will each one bear and pay their equal part of the fine and charges that may be laid upon Messrs. Joshua Bigelow and Timothy Bigelow, for their refusal to be empanneled upon the Grand Jury, at our next Superior Court of Assize for the county of Worcester, if they shall be chosen into that office, and that their refusal is founded upon the principle that they cannot con- sistently with good conscience and order serve if Peter Oliver, Esq., is present on the bench as Chief Justice or Judge of said Conrt, before he is lawfully tried and acquitted from the high crimes and charges for which he now stands impeached by the Honorable House of Representatives, and the major part of the Grand Jurors for the whole county join them in refusing to serve for the reasons aforesaid." Matters of town and church government were often discussed. At the meeting of May 2, 1774, the matter of Rev. Mr. Maccarty's salary was debated, as to whether an addi- tional sum of twenty pounds, which had been allowed him, should be taken off for the year. June 10th, by a unanimous vote, it was agreed " not to purchase any English goods until the port and harbor of Boston shall be opened." At a town-meeting held on the 7th of March, 1774, the fourth article of the warrant was " for the town to consider and act and vote as they may think proper, npon a petition of twenty-seven citizens of the town, that some action be taken in relation to the act of Parliament giving a privilege to the East India Company to export teax to America, subject to duty, for the purpose of raising a revenue for his Majesty." The request was referred to a com- mittee consisting of William Young, Josiah Pierce and Timothy Bigelow (all members of the Political Society), to take it into consideration and report in two hours. The committee promptly reported a long preamble with three resolutions, the substance of which was, "that the inhabitants refuse to buy, sell or in any way to be concerned with India teas of any kind until the act imposing a duty be repealed, and also to break off all commercial intercourse with those persons, in this or any other place, who should act counter to these resolutions," etc., etc. This action of the town called forth a protest from the loyalists against accepting the report of the committee, which was rejected by the meeting. . The protest was, how- ever, entered upon the records by Clark Chandler, the

town clerk, who was a loyalist, and this action on his part occasioned much excitement. When it became known to the members of the Political Society that the obnoxious protest had really been entered on the town records they were very indignant, and at once proceeded to show that they were, and upon a petition of Joshua Bigelow and others, a town meeting was called the 22d of August, 1774, to consider the matter. This meeting was adjourned to the 24th of the same month, at which time it was voted, "That the town clerk do, in the presence of the town, obliterate, crase or otherwise deface the said recorded protest and the names thereto subscribed, so that it may become utterly illegible and unintelligible." That this vote was most thoroughly carried out, an inspection of the town records will give ample evidence, the obliteration being so complete that it is "utterly illegible and unintelligible." In 1776 it was found that the society was having too much influence in controlling the town-meetings, which occasioned an opposition to it, and it was finally dissolved in May of that year. It had, however, been a power for good in the community, and many of its members were useful and honored officers of the town, as well as doing efficient service in the War of the Revolution.

WORCESTER FIRE SOCIETY .- This ancient society was organized in January, 1793, and is still in exist- ence, observing its old rules and regulations adopted at the outset although the service for which it was founded has long since been superseded by the appli- ances of modern inventions for the protection of prop- erty from fire. Its founders, says the preamble to the by-laws, " influenced by a sense of social duty, formed themselves into a society for the more effectual assist- ance of each other, and of their townsmen, in times of danger from fire." Among the original members were Joseph Allen, John Green, Stephen Salisbury, Sr., Daniel Waldo, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Edward Bangs and Isaiah Thomas. Neither the records nor the newspapers of the day give the reasons for its for- mation. Probably the immediate cause was the destruction by fire on the 4th of January, 1793, of the weaver's shop of Cornelius & Peter Stowell, situ- ated at the corner of what is now Park and Wash- ington Streets. The by-laws adopted are almost, word for word, like those of a " Masonick Fire So- ciety " instituted at "Glocester (Mass. ) August 18th, 1789," which were printed at the press of Isaiah Thomas & Co., at Boston, and that also may have suggested to Mr. Thomas the idea of forming a similar society in Worcester. Meetings are held quarterly at some hotel and at the annual meeting, in January, an oration and poem are usually delivered. Remi- niscences of the members, from its foundation to the election of Dr. George Chandler, in 1864, have been published, which give many items of local history, and indicate the prominence of its members in town affairs. From 1795 to 1831 the office of town treas- urer was held by a member of this society, and

1523

WORCESTER.

from 1790 to 1831, one or more of the Board of Select- men. Since then a majority of the mayors of the city have also been members. It has also furnished three Governors of the State, United States Senators and Representatives, and an Attorney-General of the United States.

The number of members is limited to thirty, thus making it a somewhat exclusive society and this fact probably induced some gentlemen, who were unable to become members, to form other societies of a like nature.

THE MUTUAL FIRE SOCIETY was formed in July, 1822, but remained in existence only a short time. The Social Fire Society, formed in 1840, was also given up after a few years. Both these societies were organized on the same plan as the older society, but they seem to have lacked the elements of success that characterized the first.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 149

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