History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 52

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 52

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Bishop W. F. Mallalieu, of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, was once an active member of this church, and his relatives still reside here. He was president of the Lyceum at Bramanville in 1856, and was greatly interested in literary work.

Baptist .- The town records show that as early as 1814 there were in Millbury several people belonging to the Baptist Church at Grafton, and also that as early as 1817 there was a Baptist Society at Mill- bury. May 10, 1826, a more thorough organization was effected among them, to spread their doctrines among the people. This organization had its ups and downs, Revs. Christopher Hale, Otis Converse, Elder Harrington and others preaching for them. Strong objections were made by a few people in town to these reverend gentlemen coming here for that purpose ; anonymous letters were written to them, telling them to "stay at home and mind your own business ; when we want you we will send for you."

At the house of Abijah Gleason, in West Mill- bury, December 23, 1836, the Baptist Church of this town was formed, with eighteen constituent members. The first public meeting was held in the old school- house, the site of the present Union Chapel. The West Congregational Church having been built in 1837, the Baptists joined with them in Union services there. In 1840 this Union arrangement was closed, and the church removed to Armory Village, where distinctively Baptist services were held in the old Academy Hall. The first regularly settled pastor was Rev. Hervey Fitts, in 1841.

Rev. Hervey Fitts remained with the church from 1841 to 1843; Rev. James Upham, D.D., 1843-45; Rev. S. J. Bronson, 1846-53, and again, 1870-74 ; Rev. Cyrus T. Tucker, 1853-56 ; Rev. S. A. Thomas. 1858-61; Rev. J. E. Brown, 1863-67 ; C. A. Skinner, 1867-69; Rev. George B. Gow, D.D., 1874-80; Rev. D. W. Hoyt, 1880-89.

December 26, 1864, their house of worship was occupied for the first time, and since then the church has been in a prosperous condition, The present

deacons are Cyrus White, B. F. Melntyre and Francis R. Herrick, the two latter in active service. This church has connected with it an organization known as the "Gough Temperance Society," in charge of the following committee: John C. Crane, James A. Dike, Henry B. Magoon. The church accepted the resignation of Rev. D. W. Hoyt, January 6, 1889. P. W. Wood superintends the Sunday-school.

The West Congregational Church .- Owing to the removal of the First Congregational Church building from the "Old Common " to Bramanville, in 1835, some who were dissatisfied with the change deter- mined upon building a church at West Millbury. April 20, 1837, found the work completed, and twen- ty-nine members withdrew from the First Church. May 23, 1837, the West Congregational Church was organized with forty-five members. The same arti- cles of faith and covenant used by the First Church were adopted by them. The early Congregational ministers who preached here were Rev. Caleb B. El- liott and Rev. A. Phillips. Mr. Elliott was educated for the ministry by General Burbank. Other minis- ters in conjunction with these carried on the work until 1840, when, on July 8th, Rev. Sidney Holman was installed as pastor. Previous to this the Congre- gationalists and Baptists had used it as a union church, the Congregationalists having their pastors three Sundays a month, and the Baptists one-each paying in that proportion. Rev. Mr. Holman was dismissed June 11, 1851. After this services, from time to time, were held until December 28, 1857, when the church disbanded. Some time later the church was again opened, and preachers were sup- plied by the Methodist Conference. The church building, which stood on land now owned by Mr. Ira Glazier, was sold about 1871, and removed about two years later. The closing history of this building will be found uuder that of the Union Chapel.

The Baptists, while worshipping here in conjunc- tion with the Congregationalists, were supplied by Rev. Hervey Fitts, Professor Knowles, of Newton, and Jonah G. Warren, all faithful preachers of the Word.

Protestant Episcopal Mission .- A few years previous to 1879 Rev. James T. Ellis, then rector of St. John's Church at Wilkinsonville, opened, at the invitation of his parishioners in Millbury, a mission. Meetings were held awhile in the old Town Hall, and for a longer time in the vestry of the Methodist Church. Upon the completion of the present Town Hall the mission met there. Mr. Ellis remained with it until 1882, when he resigned at the parent church. Rev. John Gregson was next in charge, and labored faith- fully to advance its interests. But the small number becoming discouraged, the mission was discontinued at the close of 1888.

The year 1884 opens the first chapter of the First Unitarian Society in Millbury. The matter of or- ganizing such a society had for some time been

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talked about. The first services were held in Blanch- ard Hall Sunday, March 16, 1884; the preacher was Rev. Austin F. Garver, of Worcester. The society's covenant was adopted June 29, 1884. The provisions were that in this church all seats should be free. The first Sunday-school was organized July 13, 1884.

The society was incorporated under the law of the State March 19, 1885. In that year a lot was pur- chased and given to the society by John Rhodes, Silas Dunton and Thomas A. Winter. The church building, a unique structure, was completed in Angust, 1888. The September following, on the 20th, the new edifice was dedicated to the service of God. In 1885 a call was extended to Rev. Julius Blass, who accepted, and still remains beloved by his people.

Union Chapel ( West Millbury) .- As before stated, the West Congregational Church was disbanded in 1857, but soon afterwards the people, feeling the need of religious services, applied to the Methodist Episco- pal Conference to be supplied, who sent to the people Rev. Messrs. Hamilton and Abott. Other local preachers followed-Rev. J. J. Woodbury (Methodist) and Rev. Mr. Barber (a Baptist), but not under the Conference. Rev. Edwin S. Snow, while supplying the Methodist Episcopal Church at Millbury, occa- sionally preached Sunday afternoons.

The church building was sold to John G. Wood about 1871, and converted into a cotton-factory, and burned April 27, 1876; about 1878 religious services began to be holden in the school house, and were continued there for several years, several of the pas- tors in town supplying in the afternoon.

In 1887 the people began in earnest to talk of hav- ing a new chapel. A Ladies' Union Entertainment Society was formed, officers chosen and the society placed on a working basis. A few entertainments were given, and in the fall the following solicitors were chosen to procure subscriptions to build the chapel: Mrs. J. S. Blanchard, Mrs. J. C. Crane, Mrs. E. C. Goulding, Mrs. H. W. Davidson, Lizzie Wheeler, Flor- ence Freeman, Leora Balcom and Florence Crane, who forthwith collected sufficient funds to begin the work. A Building Committee was chosen as follows: Thomas Windle, H. W. Bentley, Ira Glazier, Freeman Vanor- man and H. W. Davidson. The building was soon up and finished, and on May 29, 1888, it was dedicated to the service of the Most High. The building and pro- perty is to be forever held by a Board of Trustees, for the people of the village. These trustees are to be members of the following churches in town,-Baptist Church, First and Second Congregational Churches and the Methodist Episcopal Church. The number is three. The first board were Ira Glazier, Edwin Hoyle and Theodore B. Sherwood. No regular preachers are settled here, but the pastors of the above- named churches officiate Sunday afternoons, with Mr. John C. Crane, a local preacher of the Baptist Church.

A Sunday-school is maintained throughout the year, and a weekly prayer-meeting is held in the neighbor- hood. The superintendent of the Sunday-school is J. C. Crane.

The Board of Trustees for 1889 are J. C. Crane, H. W. Davidson and Mrs. H. W. Bentley.

St. Bridget's ( Catholic) .- The first Catholic clergy- man to officiate was Rev. James Fitton, the first pas- tor of St. John's Church in Worcester. Millbury was established as a mission in 1850, when this church was begun and dedicated to God. Several years pre- vious to this, however, services were held in the Town Hall, in the Arcade, and in the house of James Camp- bell, near Wheeler's Village. Rev. Matthew Gibson succeeded Father Fitton at Worcester, and also in missionary work here. The succeeding pastors in mission work here were Revs. A. L'Eveque and E. J. Sheridan, of Uxbridge, they being succeeded by Rev. J. J. Power. During the pastorate of Father Power the church was enlarged. In 1869 the mission ended, and the church became a regular parish, with Rev. M. J. Doherty as resident priest. This church has a wide-spread influence among our Catholic fellow-citizens.

On the death of Rev. M. J. Doherty, Rev. William H. Goggin-then rector of the cathedral in Spring- field-was appointed by Bishop O'Reilly, pastor of St. Bridget's Church, September 1, 1886. Within one year Father Goggin completely remodeled the church so as to make it one of the prettiest in town. The congregation numbers eleven hundred souls. The church has several societies,-Sodalities of the Blessed Virgin and Children of Mary, temperance societies for boys and young men. There is also connected with the church a flourishing literary society of sixty members, with rooms in the Arcade Block, on Elm Street.

Church of the Assumption (French Catholic) .- This church was dedicated November 14, 1886. The first priest in charge was the Rev. J. A. Charland, who still remains and is highly esteemed by his people. The church is of wood, and has ample grounds con- nected with it. The regular attendance is about six hundred souls.

A St. Jean Baptiste Society was formed in town in 1872, and ended in 1875.

Again started January 31, 1880, and still continues. SCHOOLS .- The people of Millbury early saw the need of having school accommodations, but the be- ginning was very small. At the annual meeting of the town of Sutton in 1813, the year of the separa- tion, the parent town had voted one thousand dollars for schools. August 23d of the same year Millbury voted to raise her proportion of this money, which was three hundred and sixty-five dollars, a sum that would about pay the salary of a good teacher at the present time. The above sum was the whole amount paid for schooling in 1813. In 1887 there was paid for the salaries of teachers in town $7,772.44. For

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the year ending March 16, 1888, the total receipts for school purposes was $10,246.01. The expenditures were the same.

The school-house of early days in Millbury was a different building from that of the present time, but from those early structures have gone forth noble men and women, who have made their mark in the world, whose lives have shed lustre on the town of their birth. But those structures have been removed by the hand of time, and more commodions houses have arisen. The old residence of Gen. Caleb Bur- bank on Burbank Hill, was bought and remodeled for school purposes. It stands on the hill overlooking the valley of the Blackstone, a reminder of him who did so much for the prosperity of our town.

Private schools were early held in Millbury, an excellent one being kept at Bramanville. September 5, 1836, Mr. Thomas P. Green, from Amherst College, opened what he called a high school at West Millbury. The terms were three dollars per quarter, but for Greek, Latin and French four dollars was charged. The Millbury Academy was incorporated March 5, 1832. Those named in the act were Gen. Caleb Bur- bank, Asa Waters Simon Farnsworth, Jonas Sibley, A. G. Randall.

The property was divided into shares, of which many were taken by citizens. They were signed by Gen. C. Burbank, president.

The academy was advertised to commence October 24, 1832.

We find that William Hall was the first principal ; in 1834, Mr. Richardson; R. L. Hathaway in 1837; also William H. Wood in 1837; Foster Freeland in 1840; A. P. Stone in 1851. The academy received a gift of land from Asa Waters.

A. H. Waters was secretary of the Board of trus- tees in 1834.

It was a successful institution, for several year: being well patronized by people in and out of town, but we find it advertised to be sold at auction in 1845. It was evidently not sold, for it was continued as an academy for some years after. Among those who graduated from this academy was the Hon. Horace Maynard, a name that afterwards became familiar to the people of this and other countries.

In 1851 the town voted to establish a high school. The same year a committee was chosen to purchase the academy property, and it was done that year, and money appropriated for the support of the high school there. . The year following seven hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated for the same purpose.

Ever since that time a high school has been main- tained. The school at present is under the charge of Mr. S. J. Blanpied, an excellent teacher. The total number of schools in town is seventeen, and it is be- lieved they will compare favorably with those in other places. The first persons in town anthorized as a committee to have charge of schools were Stephen Blanchard, Dr. Amasa Braman, Dr. William M. Bene-

dict, Samuel Waters, Captain Asa Goodell, Josiah S. Prentice and Josiah Stiles, Esq. They were chosen in 1815. About 1827, a new law having come into operation, six persons were chosen as a town School Committee as follows: Dr. William M. Benedict, Joseph Griggs, Oliver Rice, Vernon Stiles, Paul C. Chase and Deacon Hervey Pierce.

In this connection we would not overlook Dr. Leonard Spaulding and Dr. George C. Webber, who for long years served on the School Committee, and faithfully labored with others to advance the cause of education among us.

The present School Committee are Dr. George A. Slocomb, Irving B. Sayles and Deacon David T. March.

Among the former school-teachers at West Mill- bury was Clara Barton, a lady whose presence is hailed with delight by the people of two continents, and whose name will go down to latest posterity as, "One of the few, the immortal names that were not born to die."

TOWN LIBRARY .- 1n 1851 a society connected with the Millbury Academy existed called "Social Friends." Through their efforts had been collected about six hundred volumes of books. The old academy was about to be merged into the present high school. This society having made so good a beginning in 1864, determined among themselves to offer their library to the town on condition that it be cared for and in- creased from year to year. The town accepted the offer with a vote of thanks; a board of trustees were chosen to serve each for three years. This was the beginning of the present public library, which is kept in the town building. The librarian is Abby B. Freeman. Present number of volumes, five thousand seven hundred and ninety-four. Trustees, Irving B. Sayles, D. Edmund March, John Hopkins.

NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTING .- In the history of the town there have been two or three efforts made to establish a newspaper here; one was the Millbury Plebeian, but that, with others, were short-lived. The last was the Millbury Chronicle, in 1877. Frederick W. Fletcher was editor and proprietor. It was a fair little sheet and published weekly. The number we have before us is dated July 6, 1877, and contains an account of the 4th of July Studlefunk parade of that year. Several printing-offices have existed. Benja- min T. Albro was a printer here in 1832; he printed at that time the Confession of Faith and Covenant of the First Presbyterian Church (now Second Congre- gational). Later a Mr. Thompson did small job work. Sewall Goodridge was a printer in Sutton in 1808, but whether he was at that time in what is now the limits of Millbury is unknown. Sermons printed by him for Rev. Joseph Goffe, in 1808, are still in existence. Our town relies chiefly upon Boston and Worcester for its daily newspapers. In 1871 a directory of the town was published by Tyler & Seagrave, of Worces- ter, and in 1886 another was published by A. E

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Foss & Co., of Needham, Mass. A news-room was formerly kept by Perlin W. Graves, and at the present time by William H. Belcher.

RAILROADS .- Millbury is well supplied with rail- road communication, the Providence and Worcester line furnishing many trains per day. A branch of the Boston and Albany was early built at a cost of forty-one thousand dollars. The Providence and Worcester station is in charge of F. W. Sawyer, and the Boston and Albany in charge of B. T. Rice. Various lines of stages have from time to time existed, but the last one was taken off in 1888. Great things were expected of the old Blackstone Canal, and, in fact, it did give quite an impetus to the business of the town, but the railroads that soon followed, gave a death-blow to that enterprise. The old upper basin of the canal was close by the residence of the late Nelson Walling, the lower one near the Tourtellotte tavern.

SOCIETIES .- May 20, 1812, the Religious Charitable Society of the County of Worcester was formed in the church of the Second Parish of Sutton, then situ- ated on what is now the old Common in Millbury. This society had several objects in view, and gentle- men from several towns in the county were present. The objects were : "Ist. To aid indigent young men of piety and talents in the acquisition of a suitable education, with a view to the Christian ministry. 2d. To afford pecuniary aid to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 3d. To assist feeble churches and societies in maintaining among them the preaching and institutions of the Gospel." A committee was chosen to prepare an address to the people, who reported June 16th, of the same year. The first board of officers chosen were to act until the first annual meeting in August following, and were Rev. Dr. John Crane, of Northbridge, president, and Rev. Benjamin Wood, of Upton, secretary. A board of directors were also chosen. At the annual meeting in August, Dr. Crane was again chosen president, the meeting being held at Sutton South Parish. The society, in its day, was productive of much good.

Temperance Societies .- Soon after the year 1800, a temperance society was formed in what is now the limits of this town. Its purpose was not total absti- nence, only moderation in drinking. Reports were required of its members every Saturday evening. About the year 1820 a total abstinence society was formed here that became a power for good. The good old ministers of those days had not all then come to this point, for we find in the report of the cattle show of 1824 that the Rev. Joseph Goffe, of Millbury, took a premium of six dollars for the best cider, and in the Spy of the same year he had a long article on how to make good cider. March 18, 1864, Blackstone Lodge of Good Templars was organized. In 1871 the mem- bership was one hundred and fifty-seven. The pre- siding officer was P. W. Wood. A Gough temperance society was formed in the Baptist Church in 1886,

which is in charge of a committee of three.1 Through the influence of this society many have signed the pledge. The Millbury Temperance Union was formed at the Baptist Church in 1886. This society is composed of males only, and represented in it are members of the several churches, and others outside of the church. Among its number are many of the solid men of the town. It has done much for the moral welfare of the place. The first president was L. L. Whitney, and the present one Rev. D. W. Hoyt. The total membership is about one hundred. There is also a lodge of Good Templars still in the field.

An Anti-Slavery Society was early formed here, for we find in 1835 an organization effected to resist the aggressions of the slave-power. The society had much to do with changing the sentiment of the people on the question of slavery. Sterry S. Kegwin was secretary, and the executive committee were Samuel Waters, Tyrus March, Alex. Hamilton, John Morse and Joseph Griggs.

Lyceum .- It is said that the first Lyceum in the country started in this town. Investigation on this point has confirmed the truth of the above statement, but the date of its origin cannot be given.

Masonic .- Olive Branch Lodge, F. and A. M., re- ceived its charter September 14, 1797, from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It is signed by Paul Re- vere, grand master; Isaiah Thomas, senior grand warden ; Joseph Laughton, junior grand warden ; and Daniel Oliver, secretary. The first communica- tion was held May 1, 1797. The first officers of the lodge were Jonathan Larned, master ; D. Fiske, S. W .; J. Davis, J. W .; S. Larned, secretary ; S. Town, treasurer ; J. Harris, S. D .; J. Kingsbury, J. D. ; N. Whitman, S. S .; P. Butler, J. S. ; Wm. Robinson, tyler. Among the list of past masters, deceased, are Archibald Campbell, Jonas L. Sibley, Jotham Gale, Dr. Levi Rawson, H. E. Rockwell. Of the masters now living we give N. H. Greenwood, R. N. Holman, I. B. Sayles, N. H. Sears, James Dyson, Jr., S. E. Hull, F. K. Hodgeman, S. N. Rogers, James H. Fer- guson, E. J. Humphreys. The officers for the present year are F. A. Lapham, W. M .; C. H. Hakes, S. W .; C. B. Perry, J. D. ; T. A. Barrow, treasurer ; R. R. Crane, secretary ; Rev. Julius Blass, chaplain ; John French, marshal; Geo. C. Webber, S. D .; H. F. Rice, J. D. ; H. T. Merriam and Fred. Ogden, stewards; A. L. Tołman, I. S .; Geo. Gates, tyler.

Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter, chartered December 9, A.I. 2403, meets the first Tuesday evening of cach month. Annual convocation held. Past High Priests -M. E: Irving B. Sayles, M. E. Edward J. Hum- phreys, M. E. Samuel E. Hall, M. E. George J. Dudley, M. E. George C. Webber, M.D.

The Masonic lodges of the town include among its members many of the leading citizens, who are thor- oughly interested in the work of the craft.

1 Gough's career as a lecturer may be said to have begun in this town.

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Order Easter Star, Adah Chapter, No. 15, chartered July 10, 1884, organized April 28th, same year, had eighteen charter-members. The order has a board of three trustees and a relief committee, and meets once a month. The first W. M. was Mrs. J. A. Crane ; first W. P., Mr. E. J. Humphreys; first Secretary, Mrs. J. C. Goddard. Officers for 1889-W. M., Miss Nellie M. Nye; Secretary, Mrs. Lizzie G. Winter.

Putrons of Husbandry, Millbury Grange, No. 107, was organized Feb. 9, 1883. The first Master was N. B. Chase; first Secretary, Lilla Wheelock ; first Treasurer, C. H. Maxham; first Chaplain, C. H. Searles. Following is a partial list of present officers: Master, I. E. Howe; Secretary, H. W. Carter ; Treas- urer, G. J. Dudley ; Steward, S. N. Rogers ; Chaplain, C. H. Searles. Past Masters-N. B. Chase, Geo. J. Dudley, H. W. Carter, C. R. Brackett. The present membership is ninety-one, and a good interest is maintained in the work.

Royal Arcanum. - Millbury Council, chartered March, 1885, It is a fraternal benevolent institution, having an assessment plan of insurance connected with it. Its object is a good one and the council here is in a flourishing condition. The first regent was F. A. Lapham, E. J. Humphreys was first orator and J. Henry Searles the first secretary. Their meetings are held in the Town Hall building. The following are some of the officers : C. F. Gale, regent; A. H. Batchelor, secretary ; J. A. Dike, chaplain ; E. J. Humphreys, T. A. Winter, H. T. Merriam, trustees.

Ancient Order of Hibernians .- Millbury Division, No. 9, meets once a month. The division was organ- ized November, 1871. The first officers were: Presi- dent, Thomas Mccarthy ; Vice-President, John Ivory ; Recording Secretary, Patrick Kinnery; Fi- nancial Secretary, Patrick T. Duggan ; Treasurer, Jeremiah Sullivan. Present officers : President, John Clifford ; Vice-President, Thomas Brown; Re- cording Secretary, Patrick Carroll ; Financial Secre- tary, Jeremiah Keleher; Treasurer, Edward J. Do- lan. Present membership, seventy-three.

Bands .- In 1853 the Millbury Cornet Band existed, of which J. P. Denison was leader.

The Millbury Cadet Band was organized June 10, 1886, with a membership of twenty-four. The first leader was Frank Weidmiller. In September of that year Mr. C. G. Marcy, of Worcester, became teacher and leader. Mr. William C. Gegenheimer is the present leader. The band numbers twenty mem- bers.

Grand Army of the Republic .- George A. Custer Post 70, G. A. R., was organized August 10, 1876. The following were charter members : Edward E. Howe, A. B. Slocum, Dr. George C. Webber, Edward Holden, George R. Leland, O. N. Carpenter, Daniel Cobb, James Clark, R. E. Bowen, Dr. William H. Lincoln. The first commander was Edward E. Howe; first chaplain, B. F. McIntyre; first adjutant, R. D. Loomis, The present officers are: Commander, R.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 52

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