History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 25

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 25

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As a sequel, Mr. John Hoar, a well-known citizen of Concord, either was deputized or went of his own accord to visit the Indians here with reference to the release of Mrs. Rowlandson. The diplomatic inter- view carried on between the two parties developed some curious features. "In the morning," says Mrs. Rowlandson, "Mr. Hoar invited the sagamores to dinner ; but when we went to get it ready, we found they had stolen the greater part of the provisions Mr. Hoar had brought; and we may see the wonder- ful power of God, in that our passage, when there was such a number of them together and so greedy of a little good food, and no other English present but Mr. Hoar and myself, that it was a wonder they did not knock us on the head and take what we had." In order to conciliate the Indians, or their leaders, Mr. Hoar brought something else besides provisions. Just what all the diplomatic proceedings were between Mr. Hoar and these Indians we have no means of knowing. It has been stated that one Quinnapin was called her " master," who might be supposed to take a prominent part in the business. Mrs. Rowlandson states that " Mr. Hoar was obliged to conciliate the royal Quinnapin with a pint of rum, upon which he at once became beastly drunk." Without being made acquainted with the details of "this negotiation, it is sufficient to know that Mr.

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IHISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Hoar succeeded in obtaining the relcase of Mrs. Rowlandson and her return to Lancaster. In the summer of 1880, Hon. George F. Hoar, of Worcester, who is a descendant of John Hoar, of Concord, in the fifth generation, purchased about half an acre of land, in the centre of which "Redemption Rock" is located. This rock is situated about sixty feet south of the highway and rises in the rear some twelve feet above the level of the ground. Upon this part of the rock these words are engraved in clear letters : " Upon this rock, May 2, 1676, was made the agree- ment for the release of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, of Lancaster, between the Indians and John Hoar, of Concord. King Philip was with the Indians, but refused his consent."

POPULATION .- At its incorporation in 1759, with 30 families, the whole number of inhabitants, as the families were young, did not probably much exceed 100 persons. The first census taken was in 1790, when the population was 1016. This shows a hand- some increase in thirty years, considering that the whole business of the place was farming. But for the next ten years the increase was only 5, the census reporting 1025; and for the next ten years the in- crease was small, the census being 1067; but after that we find a larger increase: 1820, 1261; 1830, 1346; and 1840, 1347. This increase was undoubtedly occasioned by the introduction of two new kinds of business-chair-making and shoe manufactures. As these declined we find the population decreasing, as the census shows: 1850, 1318; 1860, 1201; 1870, 1279; but in 1875 it was only 1063; and in 1885, 1038. By these figures the population assumes a stationary state, as the business is confined almost exclusively to farming. Aside from the farm, the only permanent business which is likely to increase is the entertainment of summer company, but thi- has not much effect in the increase of population. It is possible that there may be a larger foreign ele- ment coming in to engage in farming, which would gradually increase the population. If there are many young people in the American families, it is pretty certain that they will leave for the city or go West or South. Thus, taking all things into account, it would look as though the population of Princeton might remain in a stationary state for a long time.

SCHOOLS .- The first settlers were so scattered that they could not nnite in supporting a school, but the parents taught their children in their houses. The first school opened was in 1762, and was kept at the place formerly known as Captain Nahum Wilder's. This school was taught by Mr. Samuel Woods, who became famous in the town as a teacher, and was .called " Master Woods." The first appropriation for schools was in 1764, and was only six pounds, or twenty-seven dollars; but this appropriation was steadily increased till 1769, when the town was divided into six school districts. These districts con- tained the following number of families: The First

District had 36; the Second District, 20 ; the Third District, 10; the Fourth District, 18; the Fifth Dis- trict, 14 ; and the Sixth District, 21. This makes 139 families, showing a rapid increase in ten years, from 1759 to 1769, when there were only some 30 families. But no school-houses were built till 1773, when the town commenced building a school-house in each district. These houses were occupied till 1792, when some changes were made in the number of districts and it was decided to build new houses, though not completed till 1797. These houses continued till 1836, when they were rebuilt, most of them with brick.

EDUCATION .- Aside from the common schools, there are other modes of applying the term education to a people. One test is the average intelligence of a people. While the exact knowledge of every in- dividual cannot be measured, neither can the intelli- gence of one community easily be compared with that of another, we believe that the great mass of the inhabitants of the town will compare favorably with those of other places.

In fact, from the fine physical organization of this people, as well as from living in the healthiest region to be found, they should have advanced to a higher education. There is another test: the proportional number of teachers to the population of the place This class in Princeton has always been large. It has not only supplied the town with most of its teachers but every year sent out a goodly number to other places. Many have inherited the right kind of quali- ties to make good teachers, viz. : energy and talent, with ambition and love of power. It is not merely temporary teaching, but permanent, making a pro- fession or business of it. There is another test-that is, the number of college graduates. It has been maintained that those towns having a permanent classical school send relatively a larger number to college, but the comparison should be made with a population similarly situated, that is, a country town made up mainly with a plain and hard-working farm- ing people.

EDUCATED MEN FROM PRINCETON.

Names. College.

Leonard Wood, 1796. Harvard

Thomas Mason, 1796 llarvard

Wm. Mason

Harvard

Ilumphrey Moors

Harvard

Stephen Baxter

Abel Woods.

Chas. Brooks.

John Hays.

Joshua Eveleth

Ephraim Eveleth

David Oliver Allen, 1823 Amherst

William Allen, 1832 Amherst

Nathan Alleu, 1836. Amherst

Chas. T. Russell llarvard

Thomas Russell

Harvard

Ezra Newton.

Erastus Everett

Dartmouth

George W. Moore,

Samnel Everett

Sylvanus Haynes

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PRINCETON.

Elisha Perry

William P. Smith.

William Phillips

Joel Gleason

John P. Rice.

David Everett, 1795, Dartmonth

Chas. Pratt

Amherst

Harris H. Wilder

Amherst

Harry Beaman

Harvard

Leonard Wood and Thomas Mason were the first college graduates from the town. They belonged to the class of 1796 (Harvard), Leonard Wood being valedictorian and Thomas Mason the greatest wrest- ler, thus showing that one excelled in mental power, and the other in physical.

REVOLUTION .- The town records show that its inhabitants took a very lively and active part in the great work of the Revolution. As early as in 1768, at a public town-meeting, the voters denounced the act of Parliament imposing duties on paper, glass, painters' colors and tea imported into the colonies. When, in January, 1773, the grievances under which they labored from British rule came up for discussion in a public meeting, the subject was referred to a committee to draw up an expression of their views. Dr. Ephraim Woolson was chairman of this com- mittee, and the following resolutions furnish abundant evidence that he was. a complete master of his subject.

Resolved, 1. That the connection between the mother-country and these colonies is of great consequence to both, if mutually kept up; but when digressions are made from established compacts, that connection begins to lessen, and, of conise, creates an alienation, the effects of which must be attended with bad consequences. For the resolute man, in a just cause, while in a state of freedom, never will consent to any abridgements or deprivations of his just rights, and disdains threats, or any measures of compulsion, to submission thereto-not like the dog, the more he is beaten the more he fawns-but, on the contrary, with a noble miad, defends to the last, and every stripe stimulates his efforts and endeavors in defence of his owa or his country's cause.

2. That this town, as a part of this province, whensoever their rights, liberties and properties are infringed upon, by what authority soever, that they, in honor to their forefathers, by whose solicitude and industry, under God, they for many years have enjoyed the fruits of their labors -for the regard they bear to posterity-as friends to their country have good right to complain, and manifest their uneasiness at such pro- ceedings.

3. That the repeated attempts to make the people of this province subject to unjust taxation, and absolute dependency upon the crown together, appear subversive of, and inconsistent with, the constitution of a free people.

4. That such measures are unconstitutional, and demand the attention of all well-disposed people, and a mutual connection and joint adherence in proper means for redress, that thereby the rights and liberties, civil and religious, which have been transmitted to ns from our illustrious ancestors, might be kept inviolate by ns, their posterity.

5. That they shall be always ready to concur in all just and proper means that this province and the neighboring colonies may come into for the common good, and in conjunction with the friends of liberty, shall bear testimony to all invasions upon our rights and liberties.

6. That this report (these resolutions) be put upon the town records, that posterity may know they had a sense of their invaluable rights and liberties, and were not willing to part with them but by their own con- sent, and that they are determin d to vindicate and support them, as times and occasions may call for.

The above resolutions were unanimously adopted as the sense of the town. It should be borne in mind

that this action took place some time before the war broke out.

It is related that when word reached the place that a band of the King's troops had made an excursion up the Mystic River and carried off a quantity of gun- powder from the Charlestown Arsenal, it thoroughly aroused the inhabitants, and they spent the night in converting pewter plates into musket-balls. In March, 1775, a company of minute-men was formed, and or- dered to train once a week. On the 19th of April an express came to the town shouting, "To arms! the war is begun." As the news spread, the imple- ments of husbandry were thrown aside in the field, and this company seized their arms and started at once for Lexington and Concord. The records of the town from 1775 to 1783 furnish the strongest possi- ble evidence of the sagacity, energy, boldness and self-sacrificing spirit of its citizens in all matters per- taining to carrying on the war. No town in the State can show a better record in furnishing soldiers or pro- viding means for this purpose."

PRINCETON AS A HEALTH RESORT .- The three great natural sources of health are pure air, pure water and a pure soil. Where, then, can pure air be found? Certainly not about cities, or villages, or low ground ; generally, in such places the air is more or less contaminated with poisonous gases or effluvia arising from sewers, from accumulation of filth, from decomposition of animal and vegetable matter, etc., while about mechanical and manufacturing places the air is vitiated by steam, by smoke, by chemical, mechanical and other impurities. Then, the air passing over a thin or sandy soil, with few trees, be- comes parched or dry, while that along the rivers and about large bodies of water is too moist or damp. On the other hand, the air on high mountains is too bracing and changeable for weak lungs and cannot be favorable to good health in any class of persons. Where, then, can the best air be found ? It must be upon high ground, sufficiently elevated above the surrounding country to obtain generally a fresh breeze from the four points of the compass. At the same time the ground should not be level, but so inter- rupted by hill and valley as to cause not only frequent changes in the circulation, but that the whole surface should be so undulating as to be thoroughly drained and frequently washed by the showers of heaven. The earth itself should not be too rich or highly cul- tivated, must not all be open land, por all covered with woods, but always green with vegetation and dotted here and there with trees. The description here given applies pre-eminently to this town. I venture the opinion that there is no region or spot in New England where the atmosphere, in quantity, purity, perhaps in all life-giving properties, can be found so well adapted in every respect for comfort, health and longevity as in this place.

The next agent most productive of health is pure water. Its virtue does not arise so much from its use

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

as a beverage as for culinary purposes. Here it is used in a variety of ways, combining with almost every kind of food cooked. In this way it has a powerful influence upon the human system, either for good or evil. As its immediate effects are not so per- ceptible as some other agents, so in a quiet, gradual manner, comparatively unseen and unfelt, its bad effects became more destructive and fatal. Many discases can be traced directly to its impurities, and others indirectly; while, if we could go back and analyze all the primary and occult causes in produc- ing diseases and derangement of the system, we should be surprised at the great number of diseases produced from impure water.

There are certain conditions connected with the earth which are indispensable for securing the best quality of water. It must come from natural springs suitably located in the ground, where it may be found in abundance and at the same time be fed alone from the rains from the heavens. While the soil should be good-but not too rich-it must not be composed of a clay or lime formation. The rocks should be granite or hard, not soft, nor composed of mineral substances, where, by the laws of chemical affinity, the least particle of matter, mineral or gaseous, can be- come mixed with the water. Neither should there be any decaying animal or vegetable matter upon the surface of the ground or imbedded in it, with which the water can come in contact. It will be seen at once that it is very difficult to find all these condi- tions combined in one place. But here nature has provided springs or fountains of water, with the means of purifying it, far better than can be furnished by artificial reservoirs, and expedients for filtering it that can be devised by human skill and ingenuity. Nowhere else can water in quantity, purity and health-giving properties be found equal to that found here.

Pure Soil .- This as a condition of health may not seem so important as that of pure air and pure water. In fact, the two latter cannot be found in their best state unless the earth itself is of the right quality. This must be composed of just such materials as make up every part and parcel of this rocky, hilly town. It is said there is not an acre of level ground by itself in the place. There are no swamps and scarcely any decaying animal or vegetable matter. The whole structure of the earth is here made up largely of rocks of the hardest kind, which never breed disease. There are other considerations favor- able to health, both of body and mind. These are the stillness and quiet of the place, pleasant rides over fine roads, grand opportunities for exercise by walking amid beautiful scenery, and Wachusett Mountain adds greatly to the advantages and attrac- tions of the place, especially with reference to health and recreation. Such are the relations between the body and the mind that, in order to secure the high- est state of health, the proper exercise of both must

be taken into account. Pure air, pure water and a pure soil are conditions indispensable for the sanita- tion of the body, but mental development, improve- ment and enjoyment require something more. This, in part, is obtained by observing and studying the beanties of nature, in such scenery as this town affords. No town in the State can excel this in the variety, beanty and extent of its scenery. This last condition adds greatly to the merits and attractions of the place as a health resort.

FIRST TOWN-MEETING .- The following officers were chosen at the first regular town-meeting, March 16, 1761 : Moderator, Dr. Zachariah Harvey; Clerk, Dr. Zachariah Harvey ; Selectmen, Dr. Zachariah Harvey, Joseph Gibbs, Abijah Moore and Timothy Moseman ; Assessors, Dr. Zachariah Harvey, Abijah Moore and Peter Goodnow; Treasurer, Peter Good- now; Constables, Caleb Mirick and Sadey Mason ; Tythingmen, Samuel Nichols and Joseph Rugg; Highway Surveyors, Panl Mathews, Silas Whitney, Stephen Brigham, Tilly Littlejohn and Timothy Keyes; Clerks of the Market, Samuel Hashu and Timothy Keyes; Fence-Viewers, Samuel Hastings and Amos Spring ; Field-Drivers, James Mirick and Oliver Davis; Deer-Reeves, Robert Cowden and Ed- ward Wilson ; Hog-Reeves, Amos Powers and Sam- uel Hastings; Surveyor of Boards and Shingles, Sealer of Leather, Stephen Brigham ; Wardens, Peter Goodnow and Timothy Moseman ; Agent to the Geu- eral Court, Dr. Zachariah Harvey.

A list of these officers is here presented partly for instruction and partly from curiosity. One, a physi- cian, is chosen to five of the most important offices. Twenty other men are chosen to office, making full one-half of all the heads of families.

In 1759 there were only thirty-one voters, but in 1771 they had increased to one hundred voters. In 1791, when the first census was taken, there were one hundred and forty-four dwelling-houses and one thousand and sixteen inhabitants, all within fifty years, showing a rapid increase.

PERSONAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.

MOSES GILL was born in Charlestown in 1733, and engaged early in mercantile pursnits in Boston. In 1759 he married Miss Sarah Prince, the only sur- viving daughter of Rev. Thomas Prince, then pastor of the Old Sonth Church. In 1767 he took up his residence in Princeton, where he inherited from the Prince estate some three thousand acres of land. Here he held important offices, both in the town and the State. Mr. Gill was the first Representative of the town in the Provincial Congress held at Water- town, and of the General Court at Salem in 1774 and 1775. He was a member of the Legislature up to 1780, when he was elevated to the Senate Board, re- maining there till 1789. In 1794 he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and was annually re-elected, and upon the death of Governor Strong in May, 1800,

Selon S. Mailing!

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PRINCETON.

Mr. Gill officiated as Governor till the close of the year. He died May 20, 1800, while holding the office of Lieutenant-Governor. Aside from these offices he was appointed, in 1775, judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Worcester County, which office he held till 1789, when he was transferred to the Governor's Council.

Mr. Gill lost his first wife in 1769, and in 1772 he married Rebecca Boylston, niece of Thomas Boylston and sister of Mrs. Mary Hallowell, mother of Ward Nicholas Boylston. This marriage formed the link between these two families.

In his "History of Princeton " C. T. Russell says of Mr. Gill, " Throughout his whole life he maintained the character of an upright man, a firm, uncom- promising patriot, a devoted husband, a liberal towns- man, an exemplary public officer, and a consistent Christian."

WARD N. BOYLSTON .- His original name was Ward Hallowell, son of Benjamin Hallowell, and born in Boston, November, 1749. His mother was a sister of Themas Boylston, and at the solicitation of his maternal uncle, Nicholas Boylston, the distin- guished benefactor of Harvard University, he dropped the name Hallowell and added that of his uncle. His full name was known afterwards as Ward Nicho- las Boylston. In 1773 he visited Europe for his health, and from 1775 to 1800 he resided in London, engaged in trade. In 1800 he returned to Boston and purchased the estate in Princeton, where he resided summers until his decease in 1827. This place had become famous in this region for its size (three thousand acres), its large and splendid build- ings, as well as the high cultivation of its land. Whitney, in his "History of Worcester County in 1793," says at that time, " It is not paralleled by any in the New England States, and perhaps not by any on this side of Delaware." Mr. Boylston spent his winters at Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, where he pos- sessed a beautiful situation. While in Princeton he lived in a princely style, and was remarkable for his politeness to all with whom he came in contact. He possessed an unusual amount of intelligence and liberality in his benefactions.

While residing in London he became familiarly acquainted with the celebrated Dr. John Hunter, and having had two uncles in this country distinguished members of the medical profession, he became greatly interested in all matters pertaining to medicine. For this purpose he made several handsome donations to Harvard University, so that the name Boylston is honored, being attached to a medical library, an anatomical museum, a medical society, and prize medals for essays to improve medical science. Thus it was said, "He has done more towards raising the standard of the medical profession in this Common- wealth than all others of the profession."

TIMOTHY FULLER was the first minister of Prince- ton. He was born in Middlesex, near Salem, in 1738,

and graduated at Cambridge in 1760. He was settled in Princeton in 1767, and became a conspicuous char- acter in the history of the town.

In 1774 and '75 there arose a sharp variance of feeling and opinion between him and his people. A bitter controversy ensued. He was charged with ne- glect of pastoral duties and Toryism, which he indig- nantly denied. There was fault on both sides, each being positive, self-willed and determined. Mr. Ful- ler was dismissed and left the town in 1776. But after awhile he returned and spent several years there. In 1788 he represented the town in the convention which adopted the Federal Constitution. In 1796 he re- moved to Merrimac, N. H., and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, where he died in 1805. One of the peculiar incidents of Mr. Fuller's residence in Prince- ton was that he became the first owner of Wachusett Hill, which previously was Province land.

The General Court, in 1768, upon Mr. Fuller's pe- tition setting forth a small salary and hard getting along in the ministry, passed an act giving the moun- tain, containing five hundred acres, to him. Mr. Ful- ler married, in 1770, Sarah Williams, danghter of Rev. Mr. Williams, minister of Sandwich, and was the head of a venerable family, several of his children being born in Princeton. Timothy Fuller, his oldest son, formerly a resident of Groton, was a member of Congress and the father of Margaret Fuller, one of the most remarkable women this country ever pro- duced. H. H. Fuller, another son, became a distin- guished attorney in Boston. Other descendants of Rev. Timothy Fuller have made their mark in the world.

SAMUEL WOODS. - From the best authorities known, he came from Chelmsford, and became a resident here about the time of the incorporation of Princeton in 1759. Soon after this he opened the first public school in the town near the Wilder place. He became known as " Master Woods," and was the head of a most distinguished family. From the little incidents known about him, it is evident he possessed a brain of remarkable power. As he was noted for his originality, Governor Gill christened him with the name "Philosopher." His son, Leon- ard Woods, was born in 1774, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1796. He became one of the most distinguished preachers and writers in the country. He was graduated at the age of twenty- two, with the highest honors in the class. He was professor in the Andover Theological Seminary for years, and his writings on theology and other sub- jects are well known. He died August 24, 1856, in his eighty-first year, from heart-disease, brought on from over-exertion and heat.

SOLON S. HASTINGS.1-The names of men who distinguish themselves for the possession of those qualities of character which in a large degree con-

1 By G. B. H.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 25

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