History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 51

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 51

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November 2. A committee was chosen to investi- gate matters at the Almshouse, some complaints hav- ing been made of the management.

1870 .- March 14. Committee of Investigation of the Almshouse affairs reported "That the inmates had been well treated, and that the house had been kept in good order." John Hopkins, of the commit- tee, dissented to some of the views of the majority, and made a minority report.

" Voted, on motion of Col. Waters, that the present master of the Almshouse be discharged as soon as it can be legally done."

" Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to appoint a committee to look after the interests of the Town in matters relating to the proposed Railway to Cut- ler's Summit."

Voted for support of schools six thousand dollars.

September 6. " Voted to take a vote by Ballot to see if the town will allow the sale of Ale, Porter and Strong Beer in this town."

The ballot being taken, it was voted no.

1871 .- January 3. Cattle notice from the selectmen. Cattle to be prohibited from being driven through town without a certificate from a veterinary surgeon that such cattle are not infected by any contagious disease.

March 20. " Voted that the School Committee be instructed to employ a Superintendent of the public schools in town." Fifteen hundred dollars was ap- propriated for his salary.

The dog-tax money was voted to the town library. " Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to procure

a place, if possible, for a Lock-up."

April 19. " Voted to rescind the vote instructing the School Committee to employ a Superintendent of Schools.'

1872 .- March 25. " Voted to accept the provisions of the act of legislature to provide for the election of road commissioners.

" Voted to choose a board of road commissioners- one for two, and one for one year."

" Voted that the Selectmen be authorized and em- powered to present to Samuel E. Hull a testimonial, not exceeding in valne $100, for his services in rescu- ing persons from the water near the Hull Saw- mill."

" Voted $250 for Memorial Day."

" Voted a Piano for the High School."

" Voted in addition to the Dog-tax $400 for the town Library."

" Voted for the support of schools in town, $7500."

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MILLBURY.

" Voted to choose a committee of Seven to take measures to get steam-power on the Millbury Branch Rail Road."

1873 .- March 17. " Voted that Firemen be paid ten Dollars and the amount of their poll-tax."

" l'oted that a committee of three be appointed to collect facts in regard to the part this town had in the late war, and prepare the same for preservation." The committee appointed were: Colonel A. H. Waters, Ira N. Goddard, Jonathan E. Waters.

A committee was appointed by vote of the town to consider the best means of furnishing water supply for use in case of fire.

The committee on procnring steam on the Millbury Branch reported : " Voted that the report he recom- mitted."

1874 .- March 16. " Voted that the Selectmen he authorized to toll the Bells in Town this afternoon at 3 o'clock, during the funeral of Hon. Charles Sum- ner, and that a committee of three be appointed to present resolutions upon the death of our late Senator."

" Voted to accept the report of the committee chosen at the last annual meeting to collect facts in regard to the part the Town had in the late war, as made by Colonel Waters, the chairman, and that with the re- cord of the Soldiers, as prepared in 1866, it be printed with the next annual reports."

" Voted that a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration and report upon the matter of the pollution of the Blackstone river, by the Wor- cester System of Sewerage. Committee appointed Geo. A. Flagg, C. D. Morse, O. H. Waters."

" Voted that the road commissioners be instructed to construct side-walks, mentioned in Article 26th of the warrant, and that the town appropriate the sum of $1200 for the same."

Resolutions were reported on the death of Charles Sumner.

" Voted, that a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration the whole subject of a Town Hall, and report to the Town at the next November meeting."

March 23. "Voted, that the Road Commissioners be authorized to Sell the land mentioned in article 25 of warrant (a gravel pit near the house of John Marlboro') if in their opinion the interests of the Town will not be subverted thereby-with the re- servation that if intoxicating liquors shall ever be sold upon said premises the title to said land shall revert to the Town."

Committee appointed at annual meeting in 1873 on water supply in case of fire reported, and it was accepted. They say they have caused two routes to be surveyed-one taking the water from Singletary Pond and the other from Hathaway's Pond. "Your committee are of the opinion that the most feasible and reliable plan for furnishing an adequate supply

of water for fire purposes is hy taking the water from Singletary Pond."

"Voted, that the committee chosen in 1873 see on what terms Pipes can be laid, etc., to the Armory Village."

"The vote passed on the 16th of March amended so as to consist of seven persons, and that the con- mittee be instructed to select a suitable site for a Town-House."

"Voted, that the Trustees of cemeteries be a com- mittee to ascertain the graves of any soldiers on the roll of Honor of this town which are not marked, and report the cost of procuring and setting such stones."

April 1. The selectmen notify Wm. Ryan that he has been appointed keeper of the lock-up. Salary, fifty dollars per year.

May 7. "Voted, to receive the majority and mi- nority reports of the committee on Town-House."

November 7. " Voted, that the citizens of this Town are opposed to any division of the County of Wor- cester."

1875. - March 15. "Town revokes the acceptance of the act in regard to Road Commissioners, and abolishes said board."

The old Board of Selectmen to appoint sixteen highway surveyors.

Two hundred dollars was appropriated for head- stones for soldiers' graves.

"Voted, to have the Selectmen put the Town into Highway districts."

1876 .- March 20. " Voted, to appropriate $75.00 to furnish the armory in Aiken's Block."

"T'oted, that the Trustees of Cemeteries be in- structed to set apart a lot in the Cemetery (Central) on which to erect head-stones for those soldiers who died elsewhere, but who were credited on the quota of this Town."

" Voted, that head-stones be erected to the graves of those soldiers credited elsewhere, but buried in this Town."

1877 .- March 19. Committee on extingnishing fires reported, and the matter was postponed. Again taken up, and a committee of three chosen to inves- tigate. Seven thousand dollars voted for schools.

1878 .- March 18. Six hundred dollars voted for lighting the streets. "l'oted, that the Town prohibit the encampment of Gypsies within its limits." "Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to take for the Town from the Commissioners of Inland fisheries a lease to the Town of Dorothy Pond." " J'oted, that the Town build a Town-Hall," and a committee of nine was appointed to get plans and estimates. C. D. Morse, chairman. They were also to find a suit- able location and report. "Voted three thousand dollars for support of Poor."

March 25. Committee on town-house reported recommending the Rhodes or the Torry lot. The committee desired to sit again, and report further

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

(granted). Town then voted for a location ; the ma- jority was in favor of the Rhodes lot-(present site).

April 13. Committee on plans and estimates for town-house reported-" That as the Town had voted for the Rhodes lot, they had prepared their plans and estimates for that lot." Their total estimate of cost was twenty-eight thousand dollars for the building and lot, ready for the fixtures, and recommended the town to adopt the plans.

The same committee were then by vote chosen as a building committee, with power to build, but should not do so until the money was appropriated. The committee were David Atwood, H. L. Bancroft, Rufus Carter, John Hopkins, B. B. Howard, C. D. Morse, I. B. Sayles, N. H. Sears, L. L. Whitney.

A motion was made to borrow twenty-eight thou- sand dollars, and appropriate it for buying a lot and building a Town House. It did not receive a two- thirds vote, and failed to pass. It was then voted to borrow twenty-eight thousand dollars in anticipation of the taxes of 1878 and 1879, for the same purpose, and the vote passed. (This vote was afterwards re- water supply and Fire-Engines." scinded. )

Attempts were afterwards made to change the location of the new Town House; but the $28,000 was finally voted, payable in ten years, and. the gines having reported it best to purchase two steam- ers, the selectmen were instructed' to have a trial of machines, and then to purchase the best machines.

Rhodes lot retained. But before the matter ended, the building far exceeded in cost the before-men- 1 tioned sum. $2000 was paid for the lot, and later the town bought a small strip of land more. The total cost of the Town House completed was $40,- 936.72.

1879 .- March 24. " Voted that the Town join with Sutton in taking for both towns a lease of Singletary Pond." It was afterwards stocked with Lake Supe- rior salmon trout.

" Voted $100 for grading the Common in Armory Village."

1880 .- March 22. Town first met in new Town Hall.

" Voted to reduce the number of School Committee from six to three, as provided by law."

" J'oted $1000 for Town Library, to be wholly ex- pended for Books."

" Voted, the Reading-room (so-called) be set apart to be used for the Town Library."

" Voted that the old Town Hall be turned over to the School Committee, to be used for School pur- poses."

" Voted $500 for Sidewalks from Crane & Waters to Wheeler's Village."

" Voted that Millbury be a Fair town, and that the

management of Fairs shall be under the control of the Selectmen."

May 5. Tramp officers appointed by the Selectmen this date; they were to arrest all such.

1881 .- March 21. " Voted a board of Health be appointed, and that a committee be appointed to present names for such a board."

" Voted, a committee of three be appointed to con- sider the purchase of Steam Fire Engines."

A minority report was presented; it agreed with Committee on Pollution of Blackstone River made a partial report; they were instructed to press the matter as they saw fit. the majority report, so far as it related to the plans, but differed in regard to the manner of stating the probable cost of the same. The minority believed Committee on Board of Health, chosen to select names for such a board, reported a list of names, the building would cost not less than thirty-five thousand dollars. It was then voted that the plans when it was " Voted that further consideration of the of the committee be accepted and adopted.

report be postponed."

November 8. " Voted that the Treasurer be author- ized to borrow money to meet the expenses of the committee on pollution of the Blackstone."

1882 .- March 20. " Voted the town ask the legisla- ture to extend to women who are citizens the right to hold town offices and to vote in town affairs, on the same terms as male citizens."

In regard to the nnfenced part of the Old Common, and the title to it, the town " voted that if a clear title to the land can be obtained, the sum of $150 be ap- propriated to fence it."

" Voted to accept the report of the committee on

March 29. A committee was appointed to see about pipes and hydrants in the streets.

1883 .- March 19. The committee on steam fire-en-

A committee was appointed to confer with the towns of Grafton and Northbridge in regard to having a superintendent of schools in conjunction with them.

November 6. " Voted a committee be appointed to provide suitable quarters for Steamer No. 1."

1884 .- March 17. " Voted $800 for lighting the streets." $9000 was voted for schools.

" l'oted the Engineers make arrangements to give aların at fires, expense not to exceed $250."

June 27. Registrars of voters appointed by the se- lectmen.

November 4. Self-registering ballot-box used. The box registered 616 votes and 601 names were checked on the voting list. The ballots were then taken from the box and found to be 601 canceled and one uncan- celed.

1885 .- March 16. " Voted the committee on pollu- tion of the Blackstone be continued in office and to continue their efforts."

The selectmen were authorized to put the cistern in order near the Baptist Church.

By-laws of the town adopted, and all existing by- laws, except those relating to truants, repealed.

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MILLBURY.

1886 .- March 15. "Voted for the support of the Poor $3,000."

April 7. Nathan J. Streeter appointed police-officer by the selectmen.

1887 .- March 21. "Voted, that the town most strongly protests against any amendment nullifying, or in any way changing, the provision of said act, that said Sewerage (Worcester) shall be purified be- fore being anywhere discharged into the Blackstone River." The above referring to petitions presented to the Legislature looking to an amendment to the Sewerage Act before passed in 1886.

"Resolved, that the Town instruct the Selectmen to oppose the granting of any charter to any private corporation for the purpose of supplying the town with water."

"Voted, to appropriate the sum of $1,200 for Elec- tric Lights."

1888 .- March 19. "$3,500 voted for repairing High- School building. For Schools, $9,000."

"Voted, that Hon. H. L. Bancroft be a committee to correspond with the proper person in regard to the portraits of Gen. Caleb Burbank and Wife, and that said portraits be obtained, if possible, and placed in the Library Room."

November 6. "Water question indefinitely post- poned."

The present Board of Selectmen, 1888, are George F. Chase, James H. Ferguson, I. B. Sayles.

CHURCH HISTORY .- Warrant for the first meeting in Second or North Parish, Sutton :

WORCESTER SS. To Jeremiah Buckman, Jr., of Sutton, in ye county of Worcester, Greeting :

You are hereby required in his majesties name to warn and give notice to ye freeholders and others, inhabitants in ye Second Parish in Sutton aforesaid, qualified to vote in Town affairs, that they must meet at the house of Mr. Richard Singletary, in said Sutton, in said precinct, on Monday, the twenty-sixth Day of December instant, at oine of ye clock io ye forenoon, then and there to act on each of ye particulars expressed int above request.1 By posting a copy of the request and this warrant at such public place in said Precinct, hearof fail not and make return hearof and of your doings hearin at or before ye said twenty-sixth Day of De- cember iostant at nine o'clock in ye morning. Given uoder my hand and Seal at Oxford this Eighth Day of December, A.D. 1743.

RICHARD MOORE, Justice of Peace.

First Congregational Church .- Accordingly, on the 26th of December, 1743,2 the first meeting of the parish was held at the house of Richard Singletary. The first moderator was Capt. Timothy Carter ; and Robert Goddard, clerk. The parish continued to hold meetings at the same place until May, 1745. The house was also used for religious meetings for quite a period. April 29, 1745, Rev. Matthew Bridge was called to the ministry, but declined. They next called Rev. Josiah Dunster, and he also refused. The third call was extended to James Wellman. The church was formally organized on the 10th of Sep- tember, 1747. Mr. Wellman was ordained October 7, 1747. Among those who participated at the or-

dination was the Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, of the Old Sonth Church, Worcester. The church adopted the Cambridge platform. Ruling elders were chosen by this church, but it bas always been carried on un- der the Congregational system. The first church building was begun in 1744.3 on the spot now known as the Old Common. It was a barn-like structure, and during the latter part of its use as a church it was known as " The Lord's Barn." It was afterwards removed across the road some four or five rods, and used in connection with a public-house. The next church edifice was begun in 1802, and was dedicated to the service of God November 27, 1804. Soon after the year 1827 the idea was put forth of removing this church to Bramanville. It became a question to be discussed in parish meetings about the year 1832. There were many opinions in regard to the matter. It was finally left to a board of referees, composed of members of churches in different places, who decided that it would be best for the church to have the building removed. The parish accepted their report, and the church was taken down in 1835, and was again consecrated to God January 14, 1836. The pastors who have presided over this church have been as follows : Rev. James Wellman, ordained Oc- tober 7, 1747, dismissed July 22, 1760 ; Rev. Ebene- zer Chaplin, ordained November 14, 1764, dismissed March 22, 1792; Rev. Joseph Goffe, ordained Sep- tember 10, 1794, dismissed December 9, 1830; Rev. Osgood Herrick, ordained December 9, 1830, died March 16, 1837; Rev. Nathaniel Beach, ordained November 22, 1837, dismissed May 11, 1857 ; Rev. Edmund Y. Garrette, installed September 30, 1857, dismissed November 3, 1869; Rev. Geo. A. Putnam, installed April 11, 1872.

Among those who have been deacons in this church we find the name of Asa Waters, the Revolutionary gun-maker. The present ones are David T. March, Osgood H. Waters, Royal Thayer. There have been no ruling elders elected in this church since Jona- than Waters, in 1829. Among the early elders was Amos Singletary, the first male white child born in Sutton. This church has been a power for good in the community, and is still doing a good work. The total number connected with it since its organization is one thousand and ninety-five, according to the records the church has. But it must be remembered that those for the first seventeen years after its or- ganization are lost.

Rev. Mr. Putnam, the present pastor, in 1875, made quite an extended visit to Palestine and the Holy Land, drawing inspiration and knowledge at places sacred for all time. The present superinten- dent of the Sunday-school is D. Edmund March.

Second Congregational Church and Society .- A hand- ful of praying men and women, including among its number Asa Waters, members of the First Church in

1 Petition for meeting.

2 Church records.

3 Church records.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Millbury, may justly be styled the founders of the Second Congregational Church and Society. Mr. Waters, with others, was instrumental in procuring the charter under which it now lives. It contained a wholly original provision to operate as a bar against its ever being subverted or converted to the use of any other sect or denomination, as was often done in those days. Mr. Waters was among the first to move in the matter of colonizing from the parent society. After the separation the infant colony had no fit place for holding meetings. Mr. Waters built and fitted up a hall, lighted and warmed it expressly for their accommodation. Here, free from rent, the in- fant society was encouraged to grow.

Among those who officiated at this place from Sab- bath to Sabbath was Rev. Dr. Austin, of Worcester. Rev. Joseph Goffe, who had keenly felt their removal from his church, had forgiven them so far, that he presided at the evening meetings. At this time a fierce and bitter controversy was raging throughout the State between the Orthodox (so called) and the Unitarians. The latter had gained control of Har- vard College, and a powerful wave of Unitarianism was sweeping out of Boston and Cambridge, and over- turning the oldest and best established churches in the principal towns throughout the Commonwealth. This was the situation at the time the Second Congre- gational Church was being formed in 1827.

By law every man was obliged to pay taxes for the support of religion somewhere. The restrictions on voting in most societies was very loose. One had only to hand in his name to the clerk of any society he chose to become a member and to vote.

Mr. Waters was greatly exercised by these events, and wishing to guard the new society against the sec- tarian wave then raging and rolling over the, State, went to consult the Hon. Alfred D. Foster, who, among the eminent lawyers of that day, stood almost alone in his firm adherence to the Orthodox faith.

Mr. Foster drew up the charter and by-laws, and inserted a provision that to become a member the ap- plicant must receive a majority affirmative vote fron the present members. This was an original idea, and was afterwards copied into other charters. It proved an effectual barrier against sudden assaults, and on one occasion it undoubtedly saved this society from a like overthrow. The same provision is found in a charter at Lowell and in a charter at Amesbury-each member may cast as many votes as he owns pews.

The charter is dated February 10, 1827, and its first section reads :

Be it enacted, etc., that Asa Waters,1 Elias Forbes, Joseph Torrey, Ver- non Stiles, David Woodward, Calvin Barker, Simon Farnsworth and Aaron Trask he incorporated into a religious Society.

The Second Congregational Society dates its birth from this act of incorporation February 10, 1827.

It will be noticed that the act of incorporation is dated, some time before a petition was presented to the parent church for any to be dismissed for such a purpose. This proceeding was considered irregular by the First Church, and they complained of it. Their records have considerable to say in regard to the matter.

June 30,2 1827, a petition from forty persons liv- ing in Armory Village and near by, who were mem- bers of the First Church, was presented, asking to be dismissed. On the 16th of July the request was granted, and on the 23d of August they formed them- selves into what was known as the Presbyterian Church of Millbury. In 1834 the church was changed from the Presbyterian to the Congregational form of government. The church edifice was completed and dedicated October 2, 1828, and in 1867 a parsonage was completed and first occupied by Rev. Stacy Fow- ler, the same year. We find that though Rev. Joseph Goffe had, in the beginning, objected to the forma- tion of this church, he became a member of it Feb- ruary 5, 1837.

Among those who have filled the office of deacon in this church may be mentioned : Moses Dunton, Moses L. Morse, John Leland, Henry Mills, Thomas H. Witherby and Nathaniel Goddard, the latter chosen in 1836, and continued until his death, in 1887. The present ones are Amos Armsby and A. W. Lincoln. The superintendent of the Sunday- school is Lyman S. Waters.

In the early part of 1888 the pastor, Rev. John L. Ewell, was on leave of absence for a visit to the Holy Land. He returned with health and spirits re- newed for more efficient work. The membership in this church January 1, 1889, was two hundred and twelve. The total number that have joined since its organization has been seven hundred and thirty-two. This church is in a flourishing condition, and is doing a great work for the morat and spiritual wel- fare of the community.

The following have been pastors of this church : Rev. George W. Campbell, installed January 13, 1830, dismissed in 1833; William A. Larned, or- dained May 7, 1834, dismissed October 19, 1835; Samuel G. Buckingham, D.D., ordained May 24, 1837, dismissed May 3, 1847; Leverett Griggs, D.D., in- stalled September 22, 1847, dismissed January 19, 1856; Lewis Jessup, installed April 24, 1856, dis- missed March 29, 1860; Charles H. Pierce, installed October 22, 1862, died October 5, 1865; Stacy Fow- ler, installed December 6, 1866, dismissed March 5, 1878; Jolin L. Ewell, installed April 16, 1878.

Methodist Episcopal .- A Methodist class was formed in this town in 1825 by Rev. William Archer, an English preacher. This class flourished a short time and was then discontinued. In 1835 another class was formed by Rev. Erastus Spaulding, still liv-

1 Although the first-named in the act of incorporation and a prime mover in the matter of separation, the records show that Mr. Waters was not dismissed from the First Church until January 1, 1838.

2 First Church records.

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MILLBURY.

ing in town and well-known as Father Spaulding. The church was organized the same year under the circuit plan. The preachers on this circuit at that time were Revs. M. P. Alderman and William Heath. The first regular stationed minister with this church was Thomas Tucker. The church building was ded- icated to the service of God November 17, 1840; the sermon was by Rev. Orange Scott. Since the advent of Mr. Tucker the church has been regularly sup- plied by the Conference with ministers who have labored faithfully to advance her interests. This church has been successful in rescuing many from the ways of sin and planting their feet on a sure foundation. The present pastor is Rev. W. C. Town- send, it being his third year among this people. The church is prosperous and a bright future is be- fore it. The Sunday-school is in charge of Mr. F. W. Sawyer and is well attended.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 51

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