History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 57

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 57

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At the time of the incorporation of this town, in 1813, he was engaged in the tanning business at West Millbury. Previous to this, however, he had worked at his trade in Providence. His first venture at Mill- bury was in company with. Colonel Fay and Lieut. John Jacobs. Later, between 1810 and 1820, he was interested in the tannery on the Ramshorn stream, it being run by a stock company composed of Millbury people. The affairs of this company being wound up, a company was formed as Griggs, Abbot & Whitney. This firm run the tannery awhile, when, meeting with losses, they failed. In the settlement of the debts was shown the integrity of Captain Griggs. He had assumed those owing in the State, which was paid in full, principal and interest. He again resumed business, and was for a time connected with the late Captain Amasa Wood. About 1836 or 1837 he was again involved in business affairs, and the second time failed. About 1848 the captain be- came involved for the third time through his busi- ness connections, but again resumed business and paid his obligations. Captain Griggs was a constitu- ent member of the Baptist Church in Millbury. In religious matters in town he was prominently identi- fied-the church, the Sabbath-school and prayer-meet- ing.

He was early commissioned a captain in the Massa- chusetts Militia; and served the town in the Legis- lature. He was a man respected greatly in the com- munity, having great influence with those about him. He was a liberal-hearted man, ever ready to help the poor and needy. He was prominent in the anti-slavery cause, being an active member of the Millbury Society, engaged in that work. He married a daughter of Lieut. Jonathan Trask, of Millbury, by whom he had several children. Some died in childhood, and one when a young man. Two daugh- ters survive, Almira and Mary T., wife of Jonathan Munyan, Esq., of Worcester. After the death of Lieutenant Trask, Captain Griggs came into posses- sion of his farm, which he occupied many years. After the close of his business life he removed to Worcester, where he died December 6, 1852, respected and honored.

SAMUEL DAVENPORT TORREY.

Samuel Davenport Torrey was born in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts, on the 14th of April, 1789, and died at his home in Millbury, in the same county, December 23, 1877.

His ancestors came to the Province of Massachu- setts Bay in the year 1640, from the parish of Combe, St. Nicholas, in the county of Somerset, England, and settled in the town of Weymouth, Mass.

The genealogical line of descent has been traced from William Torrey, of Combe, St. Nicholas, Somer- setshire, whose will was dated in 1556, through Philip, his son, and the second William, and then through the second Philip to the third William, who was born in 1608, and came to America in 1640.

This William Torrey was a conspicuous character in Massachusetts, for many years a member of the House of Deputies, and always chosen clerk ; a mag- istrate, and a captain of militia. He died in 1690. He was a man of affairs, with education, having some knowledge of Latin, and also fair literary ability, which appears through a printed essay on "The Futurities," a quaint production still extent.

He had three brothers who settled severally-Philip in Roxbury, James in Scituate, Plymouth Colony, and Joseph in Newport, Rhode Island. William's oldest son was the distinguished scholar and preacher, Rev. Samuel Torrey, who lived in Weymouth, and died there after a pastorate of fifty years. He was educated at Harvard College, and it is recorded that he subsequently twice declined the presidency of the college. He had also the unusual honor of preaching three "election sermons" before the "Great and General Court of Massachusetts." He left no descendants.

His brothers were William, Micajah, Josiah, Jona- than and Angell, the youngest, who settled in Men- don in 1680, and from whom the line comes down through a fourth William, and through Joseph to a fifth William, the father of Samuel Davenport Torrey, the subject of this sketch. Tradition credits the family with unusual physical proportions, the last William being fabulously reported as six feet and seven inches in height.

His wife was Anna Davenport, daughter of Seth and Chloe (Daniels) Davenport, of Mendon, by whom he had six children-Samuel, Joseph, Louisa, Stephen, Benjamin and George.

The oldest son, Samuel Davenport Torrey, estab- lished himself early in life in Boston, in the West India trade, at No. 25 South Market Street, near Faneuil Hall, where the business has ever since con- tinued in the family name. In 1831, his health be- ing somewhat impaired, and having acquired what he regarded as a competency, Mr. Torrey retired from business and located himself permanently in Millbury.

For forty-six years he was one of the substantial citizens of the town, bearing an important part in

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

its affairs, as also of the Congregational Church, of which he was a member. His life was a model of courtesy and uprightness, and his genial and cordial manners were a true index of his rare character.

Mr. Torrey was twice married. His first wife, Delia Chapin, died in 1821, about a year after their marriage. In 1824 he was again married, to Susan Holman Waters, the eldest child of Asa Waters, the founder of Armory Village, and granddaughter of Colonel Jonathan Holman, who raised and com- mauded a regiment in the Revolution.

Mrs. Torrey was a woman of rare endowments and character. Neglecting none of the varied practical duties of her life, and even attaining unusual success in the performance of them, her highest interest was always in the world of thought. She had an irre- pressible desire to know the best that had been writ- ten in literature and philosophy, and in her search for this knowledge weariness and weakness were for- gotten, and the limits of her strength were often passed. She had the courage to follow the new views of truth, which her active and progressive mind at- tained, to their conclusions. She died in Millbury, February 3, 1866. Her memory is cherished by her children as a precious legacy.

Five children were the fruit of this marriage-four daughters and one son-the third child, Samuel Dav- enport, who died in infancy. The daughters are- Delia Chapin, who resided with her father till his death ; Louisa Maria, wife of Judge Alphonso Taft, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was Secretary of War and also Attorney-General under General Grant, after- wards United States Minister to Austria, and later to Russia ; Susan Waters, wife of Samuel A. Wood, of San Francisco, Cal .; Anna Davenport, wife of Ed- ward Orton, LL.D., president and professor of ge- ology in Ohio State University at Columbus, and afterwards State geologist of Ohio.

Mr. Torrey will long be remembered as a man of marked individuality, of thorough business methods, of inflexible integrity, with a decision and force of character which left a lasting impression wherever he was known.

In Millbury he devoted his attention to the care of his farm, to his family and his friends, taking also a lively interest in passing events. As he advanced in life his health became so far established that he was spared many of the painful infirmities of old age.

It happened to him to be called upon to assist in the burial of many of his juniors.

In a green old age

Ile seemed like an ouk, worn but steady, Amidst the elements, whilst the younger trees Fell fast around him.

Belonging to the heroic age of New England, he never for a moment lost the bearing of a gentleman of the old school.

Withont office, or the desire of office, he enjoyed

the respect and confidence of all. To an unusual de- gree he possessed

That which should accompany old age,

As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends.

DR. W. II. LINCOLN.

Dr. W. H. Lincoln was born in Dorchester, Mass., August 19, 1825. By the death of his mother, which occurred while he was quite young, the family circle was broken, and the five children, of whom he was the oldest, deprived of the many advantages which result from passing the first few years of life under a mother's influence. His early education was re- ceived at the ordinary public schools of fifty years ago, and later at the South Paris Academy, South Paris, Maine.

He began active life as a dentist in Portland, Maine. It was here that Dr. S. B. Chase, a leading physician of that city, suggested to him the idea of studying medicine, and kindly offered him the use of his library and practice. Thus it was that in 1850 he matriculated at Bowdoin Medical School, and passed the next six years of his life practicing den- tistry for present needs and studying medicine for future usefulness.

He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1856, and at once began the practice of his profession in Turner, Maine. Here he married Laura Nudd, of Brunswick, Maine, who died one year later. Soon after her death Dr. Lincoln removed to Hubbards- town, Mass., where he married Eunice A. Reid, and where he practiced medicine until May, 1862, when he received a commission as assistant surgeon in the Seventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, then in the field before Richmond, and joined them at once.

In September, 1863, he was promoted to "full" surgeon, and as such served with this regiment until the expiration of its term of service. At the close of the war he became a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and located at Millbury, Mass., en- tering at once into a large and laborious practice, which he still continues.

He has three children,-Charles II., Laura B. (Mrs. F. E. Powers, Worcester, Mass.) and Jacob R. (Dr. J. R. Lincoln, Millbury, Mass.).

Dr. Lincoln never courted public opinion or sought public favor. He is a man open to conviction, but outspoken in religion, politics and whatever con- cerns the public welfare, building his own house and living in it. He has always been an active citi- zen, and interested in all municipal questions. In professional life his manner is zealous and deter- mined ; to him the patient is always of paramount, the friends of secondary importance.

His professional life has been one of unquestioned ability rather than of remarkable popularity, al- though it has already placed him in a position to enjoy his practice in the years to come.

Will Lincoln

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HARDWICK.

CHAPTER CXLI.

HARDWICK.

BY WILLIAM T. DAVIS.

HARDWICK is situated on the western border of Worcester County, and is surrounded by the towns of Barre, Dana and New Braintree in that county, and the towns of Enfield, Greenwich and Ware in the county of Hampshire. Its territory measures about twenty-one thousand acres. At a time just preceding the establishment of the province of Mas- sachusetts Bay, in 1692, this territory was little known. The hardy settlers of New England rarely ventured so far into the wilderness, where, in case of hostile Indian attacks, they had no avenues of re- treat to the more secure settlements on the seaboard except through paths and trails, with which the na- tives were more familiar than themselves. In 1687, the date at which this narrative opens, the only west- ern towns which had been settled-Deerfield, West- field, Hatfield, Hadley and Northampton-were easily accessible by the Connecticut River, and along that stream they could readily escape to the garrisons along the Connecticut shore.

At the date above-mentioned, when every immi- grant from the Old World felt that greed for the possession of land which abstinence at home from such a luxury had created, associations were con- stantly forming in the older towns of Essex and Suf- folk Counties to secure grants which might, in time, secure to them abundant means of livelihood, or perhaps even untold wealth. Among these associa- tions was one in the town of Roxbury, consisting of Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Paige, Andrew Gardener, Benjamin Gamblin, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtis, Richard Draper and Samuel Ruggles. These men secured a deed of land which, with some alterations of boundaries, resulting from recent legislation, in- cluded the present township of Hardwick. The text of the deed is as follows :

Know all men by these presents that we, John Magus, Lawrence Massowaono, attorneys to Annogomock, Sachem of the tract of land called Wombemesscook, James and Simon, sons and heirs of Black James, Sachem of the Niping countrey for divers good causes and considerations as thereunto moving, and more especially for and in con- sideration of the sum of twenty pounds current money of New Eng. land to us in hand paid by Joshua Lambe, Nath. Paige, Andrew Gar- dener, Benja. Gamblin, Benjamin Tucker, John Curtis, Richard Draper Rad Sammel Ruggles, of Roxbury, in the county of Suffolk, in New Eoglaad, the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge ourselves therewith to be fully satisfied, contented and paid, have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents lo fully, freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, aliene, eofeofe and confirm unto the said Lambe, Paige, Gardener, Gambler, Tucker, Curtis, Draper and Ruggles, their heirs and assignes, a certain tract or parcel of land containing, by estimation, twelve miles long north and sonth and eight miles wide enst and west, situate, lying and being near Quabaug, commonly known by the name of Wombemesscook, being butted and bonnded southerly upon the land of Joseph Dudley, Esq., lately purchased of the Indians, easterly the sonthermost corner upon a pond called Sasagookapang, and so by a brook which runneth into the

said pond, and so up northerly unto a place called Nequaes, and so still northerly until it meets with a river Menamesich, and westerly by the river until it comes against Quabang hounds und joins unto their bounds or however otherwise butted and bounded ; together with all and singular the rights, commodities, liberties, privileges and appur- tenances whatsoever to the same belonging or however otherwise apper- taining. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land sitnate, containing and being as aforesaid to the said Lamb, Paige, Gardener, Gambler, Tucker Curtis, Draper and Ruggles, their heirs and nssigns, in common tenancy to their only proper use and behoofe forever. And the said John Magus, Lawrence Nassowanno, attorneys as aforesaid, James and Simon, heirs of Black James, as aforesaid, do covenant, promise and grant for themselves, heirs, executors and administrators, to and with the said Joshua Lamb, Nathaniel Paige, Audrew Gardener, Benjamin Gambler, Benjamin Tucker, Richard Draper and Samuel Rnggles, their heirs and assigns, that they will the above granted and targained land and every part and parcel thereof, with their and every of their appurtenances, warrant and defend from all and every person and persons whatsoever claiming any right or title thereto or interest thereon, from, by or under us. In witness whereof the said John Magns, Lawrence Nassowano, attorneys as nforesaid, James and Si- mon, have herenuto set their hands and seals, this twenty-seventh day of December, Anno Domini, one thousand six hundred eighty and six, annoy R R+ Jacobi, Seenndi, Angli, &c. Secundo.

JOHN MAGU'S, LAWRENCE NASOWANNO, JAMES, SIMON, ANDQEMAG.

Signed, sealed an l delivered in presence of ns.

JOHN GARDENER, SAMUEL ANAY.

Jobn Magnus, James and Simou, Indians, subscribers to this instrument personally appearing, acknowledged the same to be their act and deed, June 25th, 1687, before me-

WILLIAM STOUGHTON.

There was evidently a doubt on the part of the grantees in this deed whether the title sought to be obtained under it would have any validity in the esti- mation of the government. It bears date only seven days after the appearance of Andros as Gov- ernor of New England, who declared all titles to lands vested in the Crown. At any rate it was not recorded until the 7th of May, 1723, and up to that time at least no steps were taken to take possession under its provisions. Three years or more after the record of the deed, those who were living of the orignal grantees and the heirs of the others proceeded to find the bounds of the granted lands and to petition the General Court to confirm their title. Their petition, presented June 10, 1727, was unsuccessful. In 1729 another attempt to secure a confirmation of title was unsuccessful, and after other equally unsuccessful efforts to obtain from the court a title to the whole or a part of the purchased lands, on the 17th of June, 1732, it was ordered "that there be and hereby is granted unto the petitioners and their associates a tract of land of the contents of six miles square for a township at the place petitioned for, to be laid out in a regular form by a surveyor and chainman under oath, a plan thereof to be presented to this court at their next session for confirmation ; the said land by them to be settled on the conditions following, viz. : that they within the space of five years settle and have on the spot sixty families (the settlers to be none but such as are natives of New England), each settler

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

to buikl a good and convenient dwelling-house of one story high, eighteen feet sqnare at the least, and clear and bring to four acres fit for improvement and three acres more well stocked with English grass, and also lay out three shares throughout the town, each share to be one sixty-third part of the said town, one share for the first settled minister, one for the ministry and the other for the school; and also build a convenient meeting-house and settle a learned and orthodox minister within the time aforesaid." This order was concurred in by the Council June 20, 1732, and became a law on the signature of Governor Belcher being affixed on the 30th of June.

After the confirmation of their title to that portion of their purchase comprising a territory six miles square, the proprietors held meetings, admitted proper associates and voted to lay out the township, reserving ten acres near the centre for a meeting- house, burial-place and training-field. On the 22d of February, 1732-33, it was voted that "the committee shall as soon as may be lay out one hundred and eleven lots for the proprietors and settlers in one hun- dred acre lots, having respect to the quality of the land, viz. : four lots to each proprietor's share, sixty settlers and the lots for the minister, ministry and school; the minister's lot to be laid ont by the com- mittee near the centre of the town, and the rest of the lots to be drawn for both by the proprietors and settlers." It was also voted "that the remaining land belonging to the proprietors he all lotted out by the committee in such quantities as that each proprie- tor have three lots and so sorted as that in the draft each person may have a just and equal share," and " that each settler pay into the hands of the committee upon his drawing his lot the sum of five pounds towards the defraying the charges of surveying, etc., and the further sum of ten pounds each for the build- ing a meeting-house and settling a minister within the space of three years after his being admitted." It was still further voted "that each proprietor have leave to offer for admission five settlers of such per- sons according to the court's grant and shall give bonds to the committee for the fulfillment of the orders and conditions of court within three years from their admission, on forfeitnre of their lots to be again disposed of; always provided that those who have paid their money and are already admitted be deducted out of the whole in proportion ; and whereas the proprietors have each of them a draught of four lots, which makes nine lots, including the settlers, five of any of the nine heing settled by them shall be suffi- cient."

In 1733 an enlargement of the lands of the proprie- tors was granted by the General Conrt as compensa- tion for certain lands in the six miles square which it was found belonged to other parties. This enlarge- ment hegan "at the east bank of Ware river, at the northwest corner of a tract of land laid out to James Hovey; from thence running southerly as that line

runs to Brookfield bounds; and from thence easterly as Brookfield bonnds run to the southwesterly corner of Braintree six thousand acres ; and from thence ex- tending northwesterly, bounding northeasterly on said six thousand acres till the line comes to Ware river ; and then bounding on Ware river to the first bounds ; in lieu of four hundred acres taken off" by Braintree grant and the three hundred acres taken off by land of John Read, Esq., and the ponds, etc., as aforesaid, provided it interferes with no former grant."

In 1736 the territory was incorporated as a district, and the proprietors were authorized to choose town officers. At this time it appears to have borne the name of Lambstown. On the 27th of Jannary, 1739, the following act was passed incorporating the town under the name of Hardwick :

An act for erecting a plantation in the County of Worcester, called Lanibstown, into a township by the name of Hardwick.

Whereas the plantation of Lambstown, so-called, in the County of Worcester, is competently filled with inhabitants who labor under divers inconveniences and difficulties for want of n power of enjoying and ex- ercising town privileges among them, and have addressed this Court, set- ing forth the same and praying for relief therein ;

Be it enacted by His Excellency, the Governor, Council and Represen- tatives, in General Court assembled, and by authority of the same.

SECT. 1. That the said plantation of Lsmnbstown, inclusive of the ad- ditional grant, lying and being on both sides of Wear river, as the same is hereafter bounded and described, be and hereby is constituted and erected into a separate and distinct township by the name of Hardwicke, the bounds of said township being 'as follows, viz. : beginning at the East Bank of Ware river, at the Northwest corner of & tract of land laid out to James Hovey ; from thence, extending southerly, as that line rons to Brookfield bounds; and from thence Easterly, as Brookfield bonnds run to the Southwesterly corner of Braintry six thousand acres ; and from thence extending Northwesterly, bounding Northeasterly ou said six thousand acres till the line comes to Ware river, and so over the river, the same course, till it comes to the corner of Braintry grant, and there strikes on Rutland line ; thence running North thirty-nine de grees West seventeen hundred and sixty perch ; thence Sonthi forty de- grees West eighteen hundred perch ; thence South one degree thirty minutes West ten hundred and thirty perch ; thence East two degrees thirty minutes North ten hundred and five perch to Waro river.

SECT. 2. And that the inhabitants thereof be and hereby are vested and endowed with equal powers, privileges and immunities which any of the inhabitants of any of the other towns in this province are, or by law ought to be, vested with.

Provided nevertheless,

SECT. 3. That the inhabitants of said town do within three years from the publication of this act erect and finish a suitable and conven- ient meeting-house for the public worship of God among them, they having already an orthodox minister settled among them.

On the 5th of March, 1738-39, a meeting was held, called by Christopher Paige, who was duly author- ized by law, at which town officers were chosen for the year. Christopher Paige was moderator, Corne- lius Cannon was chosen town clerk, John Wells treasurer, and a Board of Selectmen was chosen, con- sisting of Eleazer Warner, John Wells, Benjamin Smith, William Thomas and Constant Merrick.

Before the incorporation of the town, as the act states, a minister bad heen either settled or employed. Rev. Ephraim Keith began to preach on the planta- tion as early as 1734. Rev. David White succeeded him November 17, 1736, and on the same day a church was organized. The pastorate of Mr. White continued until his death, January 6, 1784. In

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HARDWICK.

1736-37 a meeting-house was erected on the ten acres originally reserved for that purpose, but in 1741 a new house was built on the Common, which was not completely finished for several years. By the year 1750 the meeting-house was completed, but not before serions troubles had risen in the church, which it was found difficult to allay. After their final settle- ment the remainder of the ministry of Mr. White, which closed with his death, in 1784, was peaceful and prosperous. Mr. White was descended from John White, who came to New England in 1632. He was born at Hatfield, July 1, 1710, and graduated at Yale College in 1730.

The successor of Mr. White was Rev. Thomas Holt, who was ordained June 25, 1789. At the ordination of Mr. Holt, Rev. Charles Backus, of Somers, Conn., made the introductory prayer ; Rev. Benjamin Trum- bull, of North Haven, Conn., preached the sermon ; Rev. Josiah Dana, of Barre, made the consecrating prayer ; Rev. Nathan Fiske, of Brookfield, gave the charge; Rev. Daniel Foster, of New Braintree, the right hand of fellowship; and Rev. Joseph Apple- ton, of Brookfield, made the concluding prayer. Mr. Holt's pastorate continued until March 27, 1805, when he was dismissed at his own request.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 57

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