History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 46

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 46

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Hannah (Murdock) Darling, and a granddaughter of James and Deborah (Williams) Murdock, early resi- dents of Winchendon. Captain Converse married (2) June 2, 1877, Harriet E. (Leland) Dearborn, daughter of James and Hannah (Kidder) Leland; she died July 16, 1888.

MORTON E. CONVERSE, son of Capt. Ebenezer H. Converse, and of the ninth generation in America, was born in Rindge, N. H., September 17, 1837. He pursued a stated course of study in the public schools of his native town and the academies of the vicinity, and was in business two years at Salmon Falls, N. H. In response to the first call of the President for three years' men, and joining the multitude of the loyal North, he entered the service. His regiment, the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteers, an organization of excellent reputation, was assigned to the Burnside expedition to North Carolina. In July, 1862, the regiment joined the army in Virginia and shared the dangers of the second battle of Bull Run, of Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam. The following spring it was ordered to Mississippi to re-enforce the army under General Grant. It was engaged at Vicksburg and saw hard service, during the ensuing months, in Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky. Early in 1864 the regiment was returned to the Army of Virginia and participated in the battle of Cold Harbor, the memorable assault upon Petersburg and other historic engagements. In the autumn of this year he was discharged on account of expiration of the term of enlistment. While with and sharing the fortunes of tlie regiment, for nearly two years, he was an acting commissary of subsistence. Having escaped wounds in the service, Mr. Converse was less fortunate in the effects of exposure and the influences of climate. The ensuing two years he suffered severely from ma- laria and was not actively employed. In 1867 he be- gan, at Converseville, in Rindge, the manufacture of pyroligneous acid, iron liquor, acetic acid and other products of wood acid. This business was continued successfully eight years. In 1873 he bought and re- fitted a mill at Converseville and engaged in the manu- facture of light wooden-ware.

In September, 1878, Mr. Converse removed to Winchendon, where he has been successful in the es- tablishment of an important industry. He formed a partnership with Orlando Mason, a prominent citizen and a successful manufacturer of Winchendon, Mass., and under the firm-name of Mason & Converse, the manufacture of toys and light wooden-ware was con- tinued successfully until 1883. At this time the exist- ing partnership was dissolved. Mr. Converse then formed a partnership with his uncle, Alfred C. Con- verse, of Chelsea, Mass., under the firm-name of Con- verse Toy and Woodware Co. They purchased the Monadnock Mill, a commodious and substantial build- ing, one hundred by forty feet, three stories, and ample steam-power, situated near the railroads center- ing in Winchendon, and in each succeeding year the

volume of the business was largely increased. In 1887 the firm-name was changed to Morton E. Con- verse & Co., the parties in interest being the same, and a new mill, one hundred by forty feet, four stories high, was erected, and a new industry was added to the business. The firm, under favorable auspices, has begun the manufacture of reed and rattan chairs and reed furniture. By improved machinery and processes the firm is cutting cane for its own manu- facture and for the market. Until recently wooden toys were chiefly imported from Germany. The for- eign goods were made without machinery in the homes of poorly-paid laborers. At the present time the home market is mainly supplied by American manufacture, and large quantities are exported. In this industry Mr. Converse maintains a foremost rank, and has built up the largest business in this line in the world. He has been successful in the production of original designs and a succession of novelties, and many of them have been protected by patents. With each year his business has steadily increased until the firm employs one hundred and fifty hands, with a pay-roll of four thousand dollars per month. Mr. Converse has his business well in hand, and under judicious supervision in each department. He has continually maintained fraternal relations with his employés, and has ever been considerate of their rights and thoughtful of their interests. In business habits he is industrious and cautious, yet quick in discerning the tendency of the trade, and in compre- hending and anticipating the demands of the market. The successful issue of his business is found in his ability to organize, and in the fertility of his mind in the production of new designs and novelties, and in inventions to meet the increasing wants of the trade.

Mr. Converse is a public-spirited citizen, active in the church and in the cause of temperance, and an earnest advocate of all that relates to the welfare of the town and the community. Every enterprise that relates to the health, the convenience or the attrac- tiveness of the town commands his influence, and support. A man of generous impulses and of a happy temperament, he is a firm friend, and he cultivates no enmities. He is sincere, frank and honest, command- ing the confidence of the business community, and the respect of his associates. He is a member of Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, having been connected with the Masonic order since early manhood, and is also an active member of the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Converse married, August 19, 1869, Hattie M. Atherton, daughter of Thomas and Susan (Peacock) Atherton, of Lowell, an accomplished lady of amiable and excellent traits of mind and character. She died in Winchendon, October 28, 1886, leaving two chil- dren : Grace Atherton Converse, born November 17, 1873, and Atherton Darling Converse, born January 7,1877.

William Brown

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OAKHAM.

WILLIAM BROWN (1st).

In 1813, while Winchendon was still in its infancy, there being but seven houses in the village proper at that time, Samuel Brown came from Lincoln to found here a permanent home for himself and family. He brought with him his young wife, Eunice Hagar, from Weston-one very competent to share with him the reverses of fortune in a new country. They chose the site for their home on a pleasant hill-top, at the foot of which nestles the little sheet of water known as Bullardville Pond.

Their oldest child, William Brown, was born July 15, 1820. He attended school in Winchendon, but, being of an energetic temperament, he, early in life, showed a preference for active labors. He was par- ticularly fond of teaming, and he was employed when quite a young man, by the contractors at the time the Cheshire Railroad was being built, to team the iron rails from place to place as needed.

He was one of four children, and with them united in following the worthy example of their father and mother, which had taught them that true content- ment and honor were the reward of honest labor, and not the fruits of idleness. He married, April 8, 1856, Julia A. Lovejoy, daughter of Oliver and Nancy (In- galls) Lovejoy. Their union was blessed with three children,-Arthur L., born May 18, 1857; William H., horn May 26, 1860, and Mary E., born March 6, 1868. For many years he farmed quite extensively, dealing mostly in stock.

In 1879 he began business ; he purchased a mill about half a mile from his homestead, and fitted it for the manufacture of tubs and pails, employing from twelve to fifteen hands. His sons, having com- pleted their education at Wilbraham and Worces- ter, joined him in his business. He kept on building and improving until the time of his death, when he had between sixty and seventy employés.

He was one of Winchendon's most enterprising and prosperous manufacturers, and he was personally active in whatever was necessary to be done in or about his large mill. Although engrossed in husiness, he found time to cultivate the benevolent side of his character. He was never too busy to attend to the appeals of those in his employ. The poor found in him a ready friend, not with good advice alone, but often with substantial aid. He was of very impul- sive nature, quick to resent an injury, and as quick to do a generous or noble deed.

His illness was of short duration, there being no pause in his labors until about two weeks before his death, which occurred January 16, 1888. At the time of his decease he was the only surviving member of his father's family, except one, Mrs. Eunice Nash, who still resides in Winchendon. His oldest son, Arthur, married Anna L. Lovejoy; their child, Charles Tyler Brown, was born June 26, 1883. Wil- liam H., his second son, married Ella L. Smith ; their daughter, Bernice Irene Brown, was born July 25, 1887.

He left a large estate, much of which was made by his own ability and business sagacity. The old home- stead is still kept in the Brown name, being now occupied by the third and fourth generations, a new house having been erected in 1837.

CHAPTER CXXXIX.

OAKHAM.

BY JESSE ALLEN.

THIS town is situated in the western part of the county of Worcester and very near the centre of the State, and bounded northerly by Barre and Rutland, easterly by Rutland and Paxton, southerly by Spencer and New Braintree, and westerly by New Braintree and Barre.

The first settlement in Worcester County was made in what is now the town of Lancaster in 1643; but it was more than seventy years after that date before the settlers had reached the "mother town of Rutland" (of which Oakham was formerly a part), and one hundred and seven years before the tide of emigration had overflowed into what is now the town of Oakham.

On the 22d of December, 1686, Joseph Trask, alias Pugastion, of Pennicook, Job, alias Pompamamay, of Natick, Simon Piticom, alias Wananapan, of Wamassick, Sassawannow, of Natick, and James Wiser, alias Qualipunit, of Natick (Indians who claimed to be lords of the soil), gave and executed a deed to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Jo- seph Foster, Benjamin Willard and Cyprian Stevens, for £23, of a certain tract of land twelve miles square, the north corner of which was the "Great Mountain Wachusett." The Indian name of this tract was Naquag. The name of Rutland was given to it February 23, 1713, when this Indian deed was confirmed by the General Court. This deed, signed and acknowledged by the above-named Indians, was received April 14, 1714, and entered with the Regis- try of Deeds for the County of Middlesex, liber 16, page 511, by Samuel Phips, register. To this con- veyance can be traced the titles of the present owners.

The first settlement in this tract was made in 1716, and the first male child born (in Rutland) was in 1719, for which good fortune he received one hun- dred acres of land.

Oakham was the southwest corner of the "twelve miles square," and, previous to its incorporation, known as "Rutland West Wing." Its surface is uneven, and the soil is of great variety. The range of hills, extending from the northeast section, through the central and southwest portion, thence into New Braintree, possess a deep, heavy, clay soil,

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

excellent for grass, fruit, corn and the smaller grains. While the gravelly soil of the northwest part and the sandy plains of the eastern border produce excel- lent crops of potatoes and all kinds of grain. At the time of its first settlement the surface was covered with vast forests principally of oak and chestnut, while many other varieties of wood and timber, such as maple, birch, ash, hemlock, pine, poplar, etc., were found in greater or less abundance.

No large streams of water are found within its borders. The small streams and brooks which water and drain its surface all have their sources within its limits, and flow either northerly to the Ware, or southerly to the Chicopee River, and by their rapid fall furnish considerable water-power the greater part of the year.

The first settlements in "Rutland West Wing" were made in the fall of 1749, when ten families from the "old town " banded together for this pur- pose, and united in building their log houses, all working on each one in turn. Nine were completed and occupied before winter set in, and the tenth the following spring.

The heads of these families were: James Bell, James Dean, William Harper, Robert McMane, Cap- tain James Craige, Alexander Bothwel, Alexander McFarland, William Banks, Patrick Green and Alex- ander Crawford. These colonists were Scotch-Irish, from the North of Ireland, strong, courageous men. No obstacles, however great, could discourage them. Just the right kind of pioneers to subdue such a wil- derness. We can hardly imagine the trials and hard- ships endured by these early settlers.

By the many Indian relics of stone, such as toma- hawks, gouges, mortars for pulverizing corn, arrow- heads, etc., found in all parts of the town, there can be no doubt that many generations of the "Red Men " had roamed over these hills and through these valleys. But, for the most part, in this section of country, they had ceased to be hostile many years previous to this date. But still many were remain- ing in the region, wandering around more like beg- gars than warriors, and were a source of continual anxiety for many years to these early settlers, who could not easily forget the stories of the atrocities committed by them only a few years before in places but a few miles distant. The country was still in- fested by many wild beasts. As night came on their cattle must be gathered into their rude barns, and the house doors securely fastened, and often their slum- bers would be disturbed by the howlings of wolves and other animals.

A young woman started one day to walk through the dense forest, from Mr. Alexander Crawford's, in the northeast part of the settlement, to the house of his son, about three miles distant. She would pass but one house on the way. The path was traced by blazed trees. Two-thirds of the distance was accom- plished in safety, when, coming suddenly into a

small clearing, what was her dismay to find herself face to face with a large bear. Although greatly ter- rified, her presence of mind did not leave her. She knew that an attempt to escape by flight would mean almost certain death.

Betraying no signs of fear, "she looked at the bear, and the bear looked at her." The steady gaze of the brave young woman was very soon too much for Master Bruin, who slunk away into the bushes, to the intense relief of the young lady, who com- pleted her walk in safety.

The land was almost entirely covered with a heavy growth of wood and timber, which must be cleared off' before it could be cultivated. Rocks and stumps must be gradually cleared out, roads laid out and made, buildings constructed and many other obstacles overcome.

However, in spite of all discouragements, the number of settlers was largely increased during the next nine years by the arrival of other families.

The " West Wing" had been laid out previous to its settlement, by the proprietors of Rutland, into fifty-two lots, of about two hundred and fifty acres each.

As the population increased, very soon the need of better advantages for educating their children, and for the support of preaching in their midst began to be felt. December 29, 1758, a petition, signed by twenty-four persons, was sent to the Colonial Gov- ernment, praying that they be incorporated into a precinct.

In response to this petition, an act was passed "in- corporating the inhabitants of the West Wing of Rutland into a precinct, with all the rights, privi- leges and immunities which, by law, precincts had been vested with."

The records of the town commence at this date. The first precinct meeting was held at the house of Lieutenant Alexander Bothwell March 6, 1759, for the purpose of choosing precinct officers. Colonel John Murray, of Rutland, was chosen moderator.

On the first page of the records, in May of the same year, it was voted "to raise teen poonds by tax to Repair Hyways. Also to tax the inhabitence teen poonds to support pritching this present year, and that the meeting he kept the first Sabbath at the house of Captain James Craige, ye 2 day at Alexan- der Crafford's, ye 3 at Left. Bothwell's, ye 4 at Patrick Green's, and so. the other four days accordingly." Action was taken a few weeks later respecting a burying-ground, and three acres were set apart for that purpose, including the present ground near the church. At the same meeting it was voted " to pay Thomas Harmon for finding the Senter of the Pre- cinct." Also "to pay the Chane men thare Charges." The benefits received by the people in becoming a separate precinct soon created an earnest desire to become entirely separated from the " Mother Town," and thus enjoy all the privileges and advantages of an independent municipality.

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OAKHAM.

Only three years after having become a separate precinct at a meeting held April 16, 1762, it was voted "to petition the General Court to be incorporated as a separate town," and on the IIth day of June, 1762, was passed " an act for erecting the West Precinct of Rutland into a district by the name of Oakham."

The town was called Oakham, probably from a town of the same name in England. Perhaps, also, the fact that the tree found in the greatest abundance in her forests was the " sturdy oak " had something to do in determining the name of the new town, as it could with the greatest propriety be called, as the name signifies, " the home of the oak.

The first town-meeting was held at the house of Capt. James Craige, who lived in the north part of the town, in what is now the village of Coldbrook Springs, on Tuesday, the 22d day of June, 1762. The warrant was issued by John Murray, Esq., of Rutland (in after-years famous for his loyalty to Great Britain), "In the second year of his Majesty's reign, King George the Third." The following town officers were chosen : Clerk, George Harper; Selectmen and As- sessors, James Craige, George Harper and Jonathan Bullard ; Constable, James Dean ; Treasurer, Arthur Forbes; Warden, James Bell; Surveyors of High- ways, Joseph Craige, Arthur Forbes and Alexander McFarland; Tithingman, Solomon Parmenter.

At a meeting held soon after, George Dunn and John Crawford were chosen " hog reves," also, Samuel Boyd and William Harper, " deer reves."

From an item found in a list of bills to be paid by the town, the following year, doubtless the occasion of the first town-meeting was celebrated in a " proper and becoming manner," for the following bill was presented by Capt. Craige, at whose house the meet- ing was held :

Au account of Charges Being upon town Buesues June ye 224, 1762, to 7 Diners and 12 Bolls of punch for Col. Murray, £1 5s. Od.

It certainly must have been a day of rejoicing to the first settlers, who had lived to see the infant settle- ment of 1749 become in the short period of thirteen years a prosperous and independent town.

The new town of Oakham continued to increase in population and prosperity till the trying days of the Revolution.

ECCLESIASTICAL .- The religious history of the town may be said to have begun with its first settle- ment. There can be little doubt that the early set- tlers of Oakham, if not strictly religious men, were under the influence of religious training and Puritan ideas. In their petition sent to the Colonial Govern- ment, nine years after the first settlement, to be set off as a separate precinct, the reason made the most prominent that the petition ought to be granted was "That ye greater of us live at a very great Distance from the places of Public Worship, both in Old and New Rutland. That we are not in a Capacity of Our- selves to raise any sum of money in order to hire

Preaching among ns, as we are neither a Propriety, Town District, nor Parrish."

It is probable that up to this date they went to church on the Sabbath to West Rutland, where was a Presbyterian Church, formed by certain persons of that faith, who had seceded from the Rutland Centre Congregational Church, where Thomas Frink was pastor, or perhaps to the centre church of Rutland

As soon, however, as they were formed into a sepa- rate precinct, they had preaching at their own private houses for two or three months in the year. This plan was continned for abont two years. On April 14, 1761, it was voted " to build a Meeting-house at the Santer, or next convenient place." It was to be forty-six feet in length and thirty-six in width. In- stead of erecting an entirely new building, however, the old Presbyterian meeting-house of West Rutland was bought, taken down and removed to Oakham Centre, in the fall of the same year, and placed a little to the south and east of where the present building stands.

This house was finished in a very gradual manner. In the fall of 1763 the floor was laid and windows glazed, and votes were passed in reference to some of the finishing, occasionally, for many years.

It was lathed and plastered in 1785, previous to which time there were only rough boards and beams.

The pew ground was sold in 1766, the first seven choices at £4 each. Each man was to build his own pew, "finishing it in the same fashion as the town pew," for the use of the minister. The pews were nearly square, with seats on three sides, except room for a door. Chairs or a short settee were sometimes placed in the pews.

There was a gallery on three sides; one-half, to a bar in the middle of the front one, was for men ; the other for women ; each with a separate entrance.

It had no steeple. After it was lathed and plas- tered, in 1785, the beams were left unenclosed, but were hewn close and painted. This building was used for more than fifty years, when, in 1814, it gave place to the present meeting-honse. The history of the town and church for the first fifty years is one.

The town was the parish. The minister was paid by a tax upon all the property. It built and owned the meeting-house, and the selectmen were often the committee to supply the pulpit. Church interests and the qualifications of ministers were subjects often warmly discussed in town-meeting.

A Presbyterian Church of about thirty members was organized August 28, 1766. There is a tradition that, owing to the questionable habits of some of the proposed members, considerable difficulty was expe- rienced in organizing the church. Objections were made to some that they sometimes drank too freely, to others that their language sometimes bordered too closely upon profanity. At last a certain Scotchman exclaimed, " Weel, if the Laard wants a church in Oukham he must tak' them such as they be."

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The first minister ever settled in Oakham was the Rev. John Strickland. He was installed over the Presbyterian Church, probably at its organization, and was the first minister settled in Oakham and the only one under the Presbyterian form of government. The town voted him £133 6s. 8d. for a settlement, and for a salary £60 the first year, £63 68. 8d. the second year, and £66 13s. 4d. annually thereafter, so long as he should remain their minister. He was born probably in Hadley, in 1739, was a graduate of Yale College, class of 1761, and at the time of his settlement was twenty-seven years of age. Doubt- less this was his first settlement.

Mr. Strickland's ministry was troubled by conten- tions concerning church government, which resulted in a change of government and minister. Nearly all the original settlers were Irish Presbyterians. But as the new town increased in population the Congre- gational element soon became the majority. Most of the neighboring churches were Congregational. In the latter part of 1772 a vote was passed "that the Church be Congregational," but it was not formally organized by a council till June 23, 1773. Accord- ingly, Mr. Strickland was compelled to send in his resignation, which he did at a town-meeting held June 2, 1773, in the following terms :

To the gentlemen, Committee, &c.

GENTLEMEN :

Upon a maturs und deliberate consideration of the difficulties that bave long subsisted in this Society, it appears evidently to me that it is forever impossible that I should be either useful or comfortable as a minister of this parish. Am therefore willing to save the trouble of a Conucil or Councils by asking a dismission from this charge, in case we can come to an agreement that may be satisfactory on both sides.

You must be sensible, gentlemen, that it is probable that a dismission will be greatly detrimental to me.

You then, as you profess to be friendly, and discover an unwilling- ness to do me any damage, do that which is just and reasonable and christian.

Wishing you and the Society harmony, prosperity and happiness, I subscribe myself, gentlemen, your friend, well-wisher and humble servant,

JOHN STRICKLAND, JR.

In reply, the town also showed how it would be detrimental to their interests as well as his, it costing something in those days to settle a minister, when it was understood that quite a large sum must be given the new minister at his installation as a settlement. They, however, granted his dismission, with the lib- erty to supply the pulpit for six months, half of the time, " not being missing a supply more than two or three Sabbaths at a time or together, if you can help it, and let us know seasonably when we are to have a supply and when not." For this service he was to have the whole pay for the six months, at the same rate as his salary had been previously. This was dated the same date as his communication, and he agreeing to it, was dismissed June 2, 1773. No rec- ords of the Presbyterian Church, as a church, are ex- tant so far as known.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 46

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