USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 50
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1828 .- March 3. The committee who were chosen on the support of the poor in December, 1827, re- ported: "They agree to recomend to the town to appoint a board of Overseers, to consist of three per- sons, to manage all the concerns relating to the poor of the town." The town voted to accept the report, and chose Aaron Trask, Solomon Dwinell and Her- vey Peirce overseers for the year ensuing.
April 7. Town "voted to allow ten cents an hour and eight cents an hour for use of oxen to work on the Highways."
At this date, on the vote for a new county, the vote.stood nineteen yeas and twenty nays.
1829 .- May 4. The town chose Aaron Peirce, Esq., and Colonel Amos Hill representatives to General Court.
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" Voted to choose a committee of seven to examine the records and to determine whether the Congrega- tional meeting-house in Millbury is the property of the town or of the individuals who built it, and whether, when it is necessary to repair it, it properly belongs to the town to do it." The committee were Aaron Peirce, Elias Forbes, Samnel Waters, George W. Livermore, Caleb Burbank, Asa Andrews and John Jacobs, "which committe are to report at the next meeting."
May 11. The Committee on Meeting-house re- ported as follows: "That upon a careful examination of the records of the town and Parish, as well as the proprietors who built said house, they are brought to the conclusion that it is doubtful whether the town, as a corporation, has any legal right in said house. Your committee recommend that all repairs upon the meeting-house aforesaid be made by the Congre- gational Parish, and that the town allow them a rea- sonable compensation for the use of said house, as long as they shall occupy the same for the purpose of holding meetings therein." Signed by the com- mittee.
1830 .- May 3. " Voted to forbid Surveyors of High- ways appropriating money for ardent spirits, raised for support of Highways and Bridges the present year."
" Voted to discontinue the road from Tyrus March's to Jonathan F. Putnam's."
1831 .- March 7. The committee appointed in 1830 to examine schools in town reported. They say : " We were much gratified with the wisdom and econ- omy of the arrangement in the schools on Grass Hill, at the Paper-Mill and Union Districts, in dividing them and placing all under a certain age by them- selves, under the instruction of female teachers, thus leaving the master nnembarrassed by young children, to pay an undivided attention to the older scholars."
They commend the infant school kept by Miss Hooper in the Paper-Mill District, and say : "This is beginning the work of government and education where it ought to begin-it is laying the axe at the very root of ignorance and insubordination." They say that " four hundred and eighty-five scholars had attended the schools in town the past winter."
April 4. An adjourned town-meeting; an article was in the warrant relating to a petition received from Rev. George W. Campbell and others, who had peti- tioned to have the town see what could be done to prevent the sale of ardent spirits in town. In this article-which in substance contained the peti- tion-it was voted to adopt the following resolves :
" Resolved, that we view with abhorrence the ravages which ardent spirits has made among us, so that we fully approve of the efforts made by temperance socie- ties in suppressing it.
" Resolved, that considering the pernicious effects of ardent spirit by increasing pauperism and crime in the community, the public good of this town
does not require the vending and retailing of it with- in the limits of its jurisdiction.
" Resolved, that the Selectmen he requested not to recommend any person or persons to the Court of Sessions for a license for retailing."
"Voted, that the law respecting taking fish be carried into effect against all those persons not residing in Millbury who shall take fish from the Ponds and Streams in town."
May 11. Voted nine hundred dollars for schools this year.
1832 .- March 5. Voted to raise one thousand dollars to support public schools this year, and thirteen hun- dred dollars to support the town's poor and other town charges.
1833 .- March 4. " Voted that Joseph Goffe, William Whittlesey and James Shepard be a committee to inquire into the causes of pauperism in this town, and also the best method of preventing the same, and re- port at the next town-meeting."
" Voted that the Selectmen be a committee to take into consideration the expediency of procuring a farm for the town for the purpose of supporting the town's poor."
". Voted that the Selectmen be required not to ap- probate any person as an Innholder in this town who will not agree (as an express condition of such appro- bation) to close his bar on the Sabbath, in strict ac- cordance with the Statute in such cases made and provided."
November 11. " Voted that the subject of procur- ing a farm for the town be recommitted."
1834 .- March 3. " Voted that it is expedient to purchase a farm for the support of the town panpers, and that John Jacobs, Simeon Waters, Aaron Trask and Elisha Jacobs be a committee authorized to pur- chase a farm for the use of the town."
The town heard the report of the committee chosen to inquire into the causes of panperism in this town -accepted.
April 7. " Voted that the committee on the subject of pauperism be requested to ascertain the amount of money paid by this town since its incorporation for the support of paupers, either directly or indirectly, in consequence of intemperance."
November 11. Committee on buying town farm reported at this meeting, and it was recommitted with two added to the committee, namely, Samuel Waters and Rufus Barton. " Voted, that said committee be authorized to purchase a farm when they shall think best ; also that the purchase-money shall not exceed $6,000.00."
1835 .- March 2. " Voted, to accept the report of the committee chosen to purchase a farm for the town as reported." " Voted, this town choose a committee of Three, who shall be called a Board of Overseers of the poor farm and Town poor, and who shall be duly authorized to manage the same in all respects as they in their wisdom shall think most for the interest of
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the town, intending by these instructions to make all necessary improvements on the farm, and also to take under their care the panpers of the town, and con- tract with any person or persons for the carrying on of the farm, and taking care of the paupers as they shall think proper, and in all to do and perform all that is necessary to do and carry into complete effect all the contracts already made in the name and for the town. Simeon Waters, Simon Farnsworth and Samuel D. Torrey were chosen Overseers of Poor and Farm."
March 25. " Voted, that the Selectmen be requested not to approbate any persons in town to sell Wine, Beer or Cider."
1836 .- March 8. " Voted, that $400.00 be raised and appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a Fire Engine and necessary apparatus, provided the same sum be raised by private subscription within ninety days, said Engine to be located by the Selectmen."
" Voted, that the subject of licensing be left dis- cretionary with the Selectmen."
" Voted, the Selectmen be a committee on the part of the town to purchase an Engine."
1837 .- Engines were soon purchased, for we find the town, on March 6th, voting money to build houses for Engines Nos. 3 and 4.
March 6. " Voted, that the Treasurer of this town be anthorized to issue licenses to all persons owning Dogs, who shall apply and pay the sum of $2.00, and that no dogs owned in this town be suffered at large without such license having been obtained as afore- said, said license to continue one year from the 15 of March instant."
May 17. "Voted, that this town agrees to receive from the Treasurer and Receiver-General of the Com- monwealth its proportion of the surplus revenue of the United States in deposit, and will comply with the terms and provisions of the several acts passed by the Legislature of said Commonwealth, concern- ing the deposits of the surplus revenue." William Whittlesey was appointed agent of the town in the matter.
The town "Toted, that $2,000,00 of the sum received from this Revenue be used towards paying the debt the town owes for the poor farm." The town had previously hought, in 1835, the farm of Aaron Peirce, Esq., now in use as a poor farm, containing at that time one hundred and nine acres and thirty-three rods, with the buildings thereon.
November 13. "Voted, that the Trustees of the . Surplus Revenue from the United States be required to appropriate the ballance of this revenue in their hands not appropriated to the payment of the Town Farm Debt."
1838 .- March 5. Town voted nine hundred dollars for schools.
1839 .- March 4. "Voted to re-commit the report offered by the committee to examine the title to the land occupied as a public common, with instructions
to take such legal advice as they may think proper, provided, the First Congregational Society will share with the town in the expense."
"Toted to allow members of Engine Companies Three Dollars each per year."
1840 .- March 2. "Voted that the sum of $250 be appropriated towards purchasing an Engine with Suc- tion Hose, provided, the same amount, be raised by subscription." Chose Asa H. Waters, Dr. Wm. M. Benedict, Stephen Blanchard, School Committee. There seems to have been something remaining of the surplus revenue from the United States, for we find at this meeting the town "Noted that the balance of this revenue be appropriated towards building new roads."
1841 .- March 1. "Voted that $250 be appropriated for Grass Hill Engine, provided the same amount be subscribed in ninety days."
Town also "Voted to appropriate $250 to build an engine-house on Grass Hill, if an engine is procured."
1842 .- This year the town, at the March meeting, voted $1000 for schools.
1844 .- March 4. "Voted that the Selectmen be au- thorized to purchase three and one-half acres of land near the new cemetery, if it can be purchased for the same sum per acre that was paid for the lot purchased last year (Central Cemetery)."
1845 .- March 3. "Voted to appropriate the sum of $60.00 to repair the fence, and to purchase the right which Elijah Holman has, in the Grass Hill burying- ground."
1846 .- March 2. "Voted that the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money, which shall be equal to one-half of the expense of purchasing a Fire-Engine for District No. 3, provided the inhabitants of said district raise and pay into the town treasury the other half of said expense, said Engine not to cost more than $1000."
March 16. "Toted that the Selectmen be authorized and required to build a receiving Tomb at the new Cemetery."
November 9. The town chose Benjamin Flagg Rep- resentative to General Court.
1847 .- March 1. Town "Voted not to build a Town House."
Voted one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars for schools this year. The license law seems to have been in force, for the town, at this meeting, voted to prosecute all violators.
1848 .- March 6. Town "Voted that the Overseers of the Poor be, and they are hereby, authorized to expend out of the money raised for the support of the poor, such sum or amount as they may deem proper, for the support of in a private family." The name left out above is that of an eminent citizen of the town, who had done much for her prosperity, but who, by successive misfortunes, had become poor. He was kindly cared for to the end of his days in the above manner.
Voted this year, for the support of schools, one
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thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. For the poor, one thousand dollars.
1849 .- March 5. " Voted to accept the road as laid out recently by the Selectmen, leading from the Cem- etery in West Millbury to Oxford line, by the house of Aaron Small."
November 12. Chose Asa H. Waters Representative to General Court.
1850 .-- March 5. " Voted that the Selectmen be in- structed to examine the rights of the Town in the old Common, also localities of the roads, and lay out ne- cessary roads upon said Common."
April 1. " Voted to refer the article 6th, concerning a High School, to a committee, to be chosen one from each School district, and report at next March meet- ing." Committee were Simeon Waters, Leonard Dwinell, Samuel Waters, C. R. Miles, Josiah L. Woodward, Oliver Rice and Simeon Hayward.
1851 .- March 4. " Voted that the Town do have a High School. Voted that a Committee of seven, one from each school district be chosen, to bring in plans and estimates at the April Meeting, to establish a High School." Committee: J. E. Waters, Horace Waters, A. H. Waters, E. W. Goffe, Josiah L. Wood- ward, John E. Bacon and Hervey Park.
" Voted to raise and appropriate $100 to purchase Town maps, said maps to be placed in the hands of the Town Clerk and by him to be sold at cost.
April 7. High School committee reported, and it was accepted. " Voted to choose a committee of three, and that they be instructed to purchase the Millbury Academy estate, provided, it can be pur- chased on the conditions as by the report of the High School Committee."
" Voted that the committee be appointed by the chair." C. R. Miles, Andrus March and Mowry Far- num, committee. Fifteen hundred dollars was appro- priated as part payment of the Academy estate. Selectmen authorized to borrow five hundred dollars to make the first payment. "Voted to raise $500 for the support of the High School the current year."
November 10. J. E. Waters, A. P. Benchley and Henry Waterman appointed envelope distributors under the Secret Ballot Law.
At this meeting, on the question of revising or altering the Constitution of the Commonwealth, the vote stood yeas, 228; nays, 172.
1852 .- March 1. Voted seven hundred and fifty dol- lars for High School the current year.
1853 .- March 7. Asa H. Waters, moderator; Ira N. Goddard chosen town clerk (Mr. Goddard has filled the office ever since). At this meeting Asa H. Waters was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention at Boston.
March 8. Voted one thousand dollars for High School. " Voted the Prudential committee of school Districts are authorized to hire teachers for the sev- eral school Districts."
authorized to purchase of Asa H. Waters about three acres of land suitable for an addition to the cemetery (Central.)"
1855 .- March 5. " Voted to build a receiving tomb in the cemetery on Grass Hill."
" Voted on article 5th, to determine the manner of repairing Highways,"-a committee was chosen.
" Voted to abolish the Highway Districts."
In article 5th, at the town-meeting March 5th, it was " to determine the manner of repairing the high- ways, townways and bridges the year ensuing."
March 19. At the meeting, which was an adjourned one, the committee chosen before reported. The re- port was accepted. They reported that one agent should be appointed for each district, who should make a semi-annual report to the selectmen.
" Voted that the name ' Central Cemetery ' be ap- plied to the new cemetery, and the part laid out in 1854 be called the West Section, and the other part be called the East Section."
By-laws in regard to dogs accepted.
" Voted that dogs shall pay a tax of one Dollar, and be muzzled if they run at large."
May 23. B. C. Sumner appointed liquor agent by the selectmen.
October 23. At a meeting of the selectmen, T. H. Barton was appointed police officer, with all the powers of constables, except the serving and execut- ing any civil process.
October 30. The town collector and treasurer having absconded, the assessors appointed Ira N. Goddard collector.
November 6. Town chose David Atwood treasurer, to fill vacancy.
1856 .- March 8. Simon Farnsworth chosen town treasurer. "Voted that the highway districts be re- established, and that surveyors be chosen to repair the same as in former years.
March 10. Orra Goodell, Gates Chapman, A. W. Wood and N. H. Jordan appointed police officers.
March 22. David Atwood chosen to a vacancy on the School Committee, caused by the resignation of Rev. N. Beach.
1857 .- March 2. " Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand eight hundred dollars for common schools."
"Voted to raise the sum of one thousand dollars for High School.".
1858 .- March 1. David Atwood chosen town treasurer.
"Voted to instruct the selectmen to appoint a liquor agent with a salary of one dollar.
"Voted that no compensation be allowed the mem- bers of the fire department the year ensuing."
1859 .- March 7. This year the town voted three dollars per year to each member of the fire depart- ment.
"Voted that the selectmen be instructed to retain
1854 .- March 6. " Voted that the Selectmen be the control of Academy Hall-that they let it for all
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proper purposes, and that the town-meetings be held there." This was the last meeting held in the First Congregational Church building.
1860 .- March 19. "Voted that the price per hour for labor on the highways for man be twelve and one-half cents, and for ox-team twelve and one-half cents per hour."
1861 .- March 18. "Voted that the selectmen be authorized to negotiate with Col. Waters, or some other person, for a room or rooms for a lock-up."
" Voted to raise the sum of one hundred dollars for the purpose of improving the Dwinell burying ground, so-called, provided, the owners convey the same to the town by quit-claim deed."
March 25. D. G. Prentice, Abiel W. Wood, B. D. Humes, David T. March appointed special police officers.
May 7. "Voted that a committee of seven be ap- pointed to furnish such persons who shall enlist, and to those inhabitants who have enlisted, as soldiers, and be accepted as such, in the volunteer militia, with anything which in the opinion of the committee may be necessary for their comfort, and for the sup- port of such of their families as may need, during the absence of said volunteers, and for organizing said volunteers. That said committee shall call for such sums as they may want for the purpose afore- said, and the selectmen shall draw their orders there- for upon the treasurer, and may borrow upon the credit of the town, such sums as may be needed for that purpose." The committee chosen were : J. E. Waters, Nymphas Longley, C. D. Morse, Hosea Crane, Sylvester Smith, Silas Dunton, David F. Wood.
June 4. Town " voted to hear the report of the committee chosen at the last meeting."
" Voted that the matter of enlisting and organizing a military company in Millbury be re-committed to the committee chosen at the last meeting, and that they be instructed to proceed with the organizing of such a company, when, in their opinion, the state of the country calls for such an effort on the part of the town."
September 24. "Voted that the town raise the sum of $2500 to defray the expenses already incurred, in fulfilling the encouragement, given by the Town of Millbury, to such of its inhabitants as may have volunteered, or who may volunteer, as members of the militia of this State in the service of the United States, and that the selectmen be directed to continue supplying the families of such volunteers at their dis- cretion."
"Voted that the town fully approve and ratify the doings of the selectmen in furnishing the families of our townsmen, who are defending our country in this unholy and unprovoked Rebellion."
1862 .- July 17. "Voted that the town pay each man who shall voluntarily enlist from this town, under the present requisition, the sum of $100 upon
his being duly mustered into the service of the United States."
" Voted that the town add to the War Committee Horace Armsby, D. T. March, C. R. Miles, J. E. Bacon."
August 19. " Voted that the town pay one hundred dollars bounty in addition to that already voted to those men who enlisted between August 13th and the 15th inclusive, to fill up the quota of the town on the first 300,000 volunteers called for by the President."
"Voted that the Town offer a bounty of $150 to each man who will voluntarily enlist to fill up the quota of this town, on the last call for 300,000 men for nine months."
" Voted to choose the following persons as an addi- tion to the War Committee : Dr. S. W. Cooke, E. E. Forbes, H. L. Bancroft, V. A. King, A. A. Liver- more, George A. Perry, John G. Wood, Rufus Carter, George W. Mallalieu, Davis Guild, William H. Har- rington, E. M. Holman." (At this time war-meet- ings were frequent.)
1863 .- March 16. " Voted the selectmen be author- ized to assist such families of volunteers as they shall think best, from the treasury of the town."
" Voted to abolish the School Districts."
1864 .- March 30. " Voted the town will raise the sum of $4400, to be assessed at the next annual as- sessment, for the purpose of refunding money which has been contributed by individuals, in aid of and for the purpose of procuring its proportion of the quota of volunteers called for from the Common- wealth, under the order of the President, dated Octo- ber 17, 1863, and February 1, 1864, and for the pur- pose of paying $100 to each of those persons who have enlisted under said calls."
" Voted that the Town will pay those persons who have or may enlist into the United States service as a part of the quota of the town, under the last call of the President for 200,000 men-bounty as follows, to wit, to those who enlisted from the time the act was passed by the legislature, authorizing towns to raise money for this purpose to this day $100, to those who have enlisted to-day or who may hereafter enlist $125.'
1864 .- A meeting 1 of the Society of Social Friends was held at the Millbury Bank on the 7th of April. They voted
That the library belonging to the Society be offered to the Town, for the purpose of founding a free public Library.
WM. H. HARRINGTON. SILAS DUNTON. D. B. CHASE.
Committee of Society of Social Friends.
April 11. Town "Voted to accept the Library from the Society," and to choose a Board of Trustees to take charge of it. The first Board of Trustees chosen were : David Atwood, O. H. Waters, Hosea Crane. The
1 Town records.
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chairman of the School Committee and principal of the High School were to be members ex-officio.
" J'oted that we allow the Catholics to open a cem- etery, and that we choose a committee of three to make arrangements which shall be satisfactory to Col. Waters, The Catholic Church and the Town, in regard to a right of way to said cemetery."
1865 .- March 13. " Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to pay the old school districts what may be due them for the school-houses, which the town pos- sesses in consequence of having abolished the school districts."
Town voted two hundred dollars for the town li- brary.
Colonel Waters proposed to give the land to make the road leading from the Town Hall to the cemetery, so as to measure at least forty feet in width, provided the town repair the road and fences.
Thanks of the town were voted to William Dickin- son, of Worcester, for the gift of a lot of land for the Park Hill School-house.
April 3. " Voted to choose a board of Trustees of Central Cemetery, to consist of three persons"- Chose Hosea Crane, Joseph Robbins and Jason Em- erson.
Noted by the town to adopt by-laws in regard to children truant from school.
The School Committee recommended that the overseers of poor provide snitable accommodations for children sentenced under the trnant law.
May 30. The town " Voted to reimburse individ- uals for money paid for filling the quota of the Town during the year 1864."
December 30. " Voted to establish and maintain Schools for the education of persons over fifteen years of age."
1866 .- March 19. Voted to adopt the following res- olutions :
" WHEREAS the frequent violation of the Sabbath has become a source of great annoyance to law-abid- ing citizens of this town, therefore Resolved, that we recommend that our Board of Selectmen see that the law relating to the matter be enforced."
November 6. " Voted to appropriate a sum of money, not exceeding $300, for the purpose of estab- lishing evening Schools."
1867 .- March 11. " Voted to abolish the Liquor agency, and that the liquor on hand be turned into the Street."
(This vote was not literally carried out.)
Inne 5. At a meeting of the selectmen sixteen per- sons were appointed police officers.
(Probably to execute the liquor law.)
1868 .- June 24. " Voted that no license shall be granted in this town, which will authorize the sale of liquor to be drunk on the premises, of either distilled or fermented liquors or both."
1869 .- March 15. " Voted that a committee of five be chosen to investigate the matter of Steam Fire
Engines, also to consider the feasibility of providing suitable reservoirs for use in case of fire."
March 29. Committee on Steam Fire Engines re- ported " That they had visited two establishments for their manufacture, and examined the different ma- chines, and were nnanimous in recommending to the town the purchase of two machines of the third class, for $6000." Report accepted.
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