USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 6
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1742. Stephen Tenney. Jonathan Wood. Samuel Nelson.
1791. Ezra Wood. Elisha Bradislı. David Chapin. Jonas Warren.
1792. Ezra Wood.
Elisha Bradisb. David Chapin. Silas Warren. Nahum Wood.
905
UPTON.
James Vial. 1821. Ezra Wood. Elisha Chapin. James Vial. Eli Warren. Wm. Fisk.
1822. Sanıe.
1823. Daniel Fisk, Jr. Ezra Nelson. Elisha Fisk. Elijah Warren. Moses Whitney.
1824. Daniel Fisk, Jr. Ezra Nelson. Elisha Fisk. Elijah Warren. Reuben Wood, Jr.
1825. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Elisha Fisk. James Vial. Benhen Wood, Jr. Eliab Leland.
1826. Elisha Fisk.
Elijah Warren. Elisha Chapin. Joseph Wood. Stephen Taft.
1827. Elisha Fisk.
Stephen Taft. Wm. Fisk. Elijah Whitney. Jonathan Nelson.
1828. Elisha Fisk.
Stephen Taft. Eliab Leland. Elijalı Whitney. Jonathan Nelson.
1829. Elisha Fisk.
Stephen Taft. Elijah Nelson. Clark Fisk. Joseph B. Chapin.
1830. Elisha Fisk. Stephen Taft. Elijah Nelson. Clark Fisk. Joseph B. Chapin. 1831. Ezra Nalson.
Stephan Taft. Elijah Nelson. Clark Fisk. Joseph B. Chapio.
1832. Wm. Legg.
Ezra Wood. Joseph B. Chapio. Daniel Nelson. David Batcheler.
1833. Same.
1834. Wm. Legg.
Elijah Warren. Stephen Taft. Jonathan Nelson, Jr. Joel Taft. 1835. Sama.
1836. Same.
1837. Joseph B. Chapin. David Batcheler. Abel Walker. Elijah Nelson (2d). Orra Wood.
1838. Joseph B. Chapin. Elijah Nelson (2d). Orra Wood. J. B. Bradish. David C. Wood.
1839. Orra Wood. Elijah Warren.
W. B. Hall. Josiah A. Rockwood. Wm. Knowlton. 1840. Elisha Fisk.
Stephen Taft. Amos Stearns. Joho Hunt. Henry Barns.
1841. Jotham Bradish. Joel Taft. Moses Whitney. Perley P. Taft. Fisher Taft.
1842. Nahum W. Holbrook. Loring Johnson. Jonathan Nelson (2d).
1844. Wm. Legg.
Elijah Nelson. Henry Baras. J. T. McFarland. Chapin Wood.
1845. Wm. Legg.
Elijah Nelson. David C. Wood. Levi Fisk.
Hartford Stoddard.
1846. Elijah Stoddard. Thomas J. Hall. David Batcheler. John H. Leseur. Elisha Fisk, Jr.
1847. Elijah Stoddard. Wm. Hall. Thomas J. Hall. Jonathan E. Ward.
David W. Batcheler.
1848. Elijah Stoddard.
Wm. Hall.
Thomas J. Hall.
John Hunt.
David W. Batcheler.
1849. WDI. Hall
John Hunt. David W. Batcheler.
1867. C. H. Leland.
1886. Dennis T. Fisk.
Fisher Taft.
George D. Whiting. Velorous Taft.
Whitman Holbrook.
1868. Arba T. Wood.
1887. Thomas J. Hall.
Fisher Taft.
Dennis T. Fisk. Wm. H. Willington.
1869. Arha T. Wood.
1888. Same.
At this point in our narrative a completion of the list of persons who have held the more prominent offices of the town would be proper. The following is a list of the moderators of annual meetings, of treasurers and town clerks for the years set against their names: Moderators. Town Clerks. 1735. John Hazeltine. Jonathan Wood.
1736. John Hazeltine.
1737. John Hazeltine.
1738. Jonathan Nelson. 1739. William Green. 1740. John Hazeltine.
1741. Matthew Taft.
1742. William Green. 1743. William Green.
1744. John Sadler.
1745. Joho Sadler.
1746. Joho Hazeltine.
1747. John Hazeltine. 1748. Jobo Hazeltine. 1749. John Hazeltine. 1750. John Hazeltine. 1751. John Hazeltine.
Treasurers. Samnel Wood and Jonathan Wood.
John Sadler. Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood.
Israel Taft. Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Nelson.
Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood.
G. A. Morse. Lewis Fisk. Arba T. Wood.
1855. Elisha Fisk.
John C. Welch.
Perley P. Taft. John Hunt. Arba T. Wood.
1856. Arba T. Wood.
Elisha Fisk.
Stephen L. Bosworth. Royal Lackey. John C. Welch.
1857. Velorous Taft. Arba T. Wood. Henry T. Barnea. Emory W. King. Elisha Wood (2d).
1858. Arba T. Wood. Thomas J. Hall. Melvin Webster. Elisha B. Fisk. Wesley L. Fisk.
1859. Arba T. Wood.
Thomas J. Hall. Elisha B. Fisk. Wesley L. Fisk. Emerson Haven.
1875. Thomas J. Hall. B. A. Jourdan. James J. Nelson.
1876. Sams.
1877. Velorous Taft. Charles A. Davis. Dennis T. Fisk.
1878. Thomas J. Hall. B. A. Jourdan. James J. Nelson.
1879. Sams.
1880. Thomas J. Hall. B. A. Jourdan. Velorons Taft.
Perley P. Taft. Adams Fisk. 1863. Arba T. Wood.
1881. Velorons Taft. George D. Whiting.
H. C. Holbrook.
Calvin H. Ruggles. Adams Fisk.
1864. Velorous Taft. Arha T. Wood. Henry W. Whitney.
1865. Same.
1866. Velorous Taft.
Arba T. Wood. E. S. Leland.
1885. Same.
Velorons Taft. Nahum W. Hall.
1850. David C. Wood.
J. T. McFarland. Thomas J. Hall. David G. Chapio. Velorons Taft. 1851. Velorons Taft.
Thomas J. Hall.
-
J. T. McFarland. Elisha Fisk. Stephen L. Bosworth.
1852. Velorons Taft.
Nahum B. Hall. Elisha Fisk. Jonathan E. Ward. J. T. McFarland.
1853. Velorons Taft. J. C. Ward. G. N. Morss. Whitman Holbrook. Elisha Fisk. 1854. Velorous Taft.
J. C. Ward.
Jonathan Nelson.
John Sadler. Jonathan Wood. John Sadler. Jonathan Wood.
John Sadler. John Sadler. Jonathan Wood.
Matthew 'Taft. Jonathan Wood.
Matthew Taft. Jonathan Wood.
Joho Sadler.
Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood. Jonathan Wood.
Emery W. King. C. N. Harrington. 1870. Whitman Holbrook. Emery W. King. Dennis T. Fisk. 1871. Arba T. Wood. Eli W. Batcheler. Thomas J. Hall.
1872. Thomas J. Hall. Horace Forbush. B. A. Jourdan. 1873. Thomas J. Hall. Horace Forbush. B. A. Jourdan. 1874. Thomas J. Hall. Horace Forbush. B. A. Jourdan.
1860. Stephen L. Bosworth. Edward S. Leland. Emerson Haven. Levi W. Taft. Rufus H. Harhack.
1861. Stephen L. Bosworth. Edward S. Leland.
Elisha Fisk. Benjamin F. Holbrook. Calvin H. Ruggles.
1862. Arha T. Wood.
1882. Thomas J. Hall. B. A. Jourdan. J. Plummer Taft.
1883. Thomas J. Hall.
B. A. Jourdan. Velorous Taft.
1884. Same.
Winthrop B. Fay.
Jonathan Wood.
906
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Moderators.
Treasurers. Jonathan Wood.
Town Clerks. Jounthun Wood.
1828. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
1753. Marshal Baker.
Jonathan Wood.
Jonathan Wood.
1829. Ezra Wood.
Ezra Nelson.
1754. Marshal Baker.
Jonas Warren, Jr.
Jonathan Wood.
1830. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Jlurvey Brudish.
1755. Wilson Rawson.
Stephen Sadler.
Jonathan Wood.
1831. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Harvey Bradish.
Elisha Fisk. Ezra Nelsou. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1756. Marshal Baker.
Stephen Sadler.
Jonathan Wood.
1832. Ezra Wood.
Harvey Br dish.
Harvey Bradish.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1758. Marshal Baker.
1759. Marshal Baker.
Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1836. Elijah Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1760. Wilson Rawson.
Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1836. Elijah Nelson.
Ilarvey Bradish.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1761. Wilson Rawson.
Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1837. Abel Walker.
Harvey Bradish.
Daniel Fisk. Jr.
1762. Eben. Wadsworth.
Stephen Sadler. Stephen Sadler. Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sudler.
1840. Timothy B. Allen.
Joseph Perry.
Joseph Perry.
Harvey Bradish.
1766. Marsbal Baker.
Wilson Rawson.
Josiah Dean.
1843. Joseph S. Farnum.
James A. Nelson.
Ilarvey Bradish.
1768. Nathan Tyler.
William Fisk.
Josiah Dean.
1844, Iliram Fowler.
James A. Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
1769. Wilson Rawson.
William Fisk.
Josinh Dean.
1845. Hiram Fowler.
Elisha B. Fisk.
Harvey Bradish.
1770. Abiel Sadler.
Josiah Dean.
Josiah Dean.
1846. Velorons Taft.
Elisha B. Fisk.
Harvey Bradish.
1771. Ezra Wood.
Josiah Deao.
Josiah Deau.
1847. Velorons Taft.
Elisha B. Fisk.
Harvey Bradish.
1772. Ezru Wood.
Josiah Pease.
Josiah Denn.
1848. Velorous Taft.
James A. Nelson.
Ilarvey Bradish.
1773. Wilson Rawson.
Aaron Warren.
Elijah Warren.
1849. Veloroos Taft.
James A. Nelson.
llurvey Brudish.
1774. Ezra Wood.
Stephen Sadler.
Josiah Dean.
1850. Velorons Taft.
James A. Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
1775. Ezra Wood.
William Fisk.
Josiah Dean.
1851. Velorous Tuft.
James A. Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
1776. Ezra Wood.
Abiel Sadler.
Josiah Dean.
1852. Velorous Taft.
James A. Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
1777. Ezra Wood.
Abiel Sadler.
Ephraim Whitney.
1853. Velorous Taft.
Charles H. Leland.
Ilarvey Bradish.
1778. Ezra Wood.
Josiah Deaue.
Ephraim Whitney.
1854. Velorous Taft.
Charles II. Lehud.
Harvey Bradish.
1779. Ezra Wood.
Robert Taft.
Josiah Deane.
1855. Velorous Taft.
Horace Forbush.
Perzy G. Wood.
1780. Benjamin Farrar.
Stephen Sadler.
Ephraim Whitney.
1856. Velorons Tuft.
Horace Forbush.
Perry G. Wood.
1781. Benjamin Farrar.
Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1857. Velorous Taft.
Horace Forbush.
Perry G. Wood.
1782. Ezra Wood.
John Tatt.
Thomas Forbush.
1868. Velorous Taft.
Winthrop B. Fay.
Perry G. Wood.
1783. Ezra Wood.
John Taft.
Thomas Forbush.
1859. Velorous Tuft.
Winthrop B. Fay. Perry G. Wood.
1784. Ezra Wood.
Jobn Tuft.
Jonathan Batcheler.
1860. Velorous Taft.
Winthrop B. Fay.
Perry G. Wood.
1785. Benjamin Farrar.
John Taft.
Jonathan Batcheler.
1861. Stephen L. Bosworth. Winthrop B Fay.
Perry G. Wood.
1786. Jonathan Batcheler. John Taft
Jonathan Batcheler.
1862. Stephen L Bosworth. Winthrop B. Fay.
Perry G. Wood.
1788. Benjamin Farrar.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. Ezra Wood.
1864. Velorons Taft.
Winthrop B. Fay. Winthrop B. Fay. Edwin Nelson.
Perry G. Wood. Edwin Nelson.
1791. Ezra Wood.
Elisha Bradish.
Ezra Woud.
1867. Arba T. Wood.
Edwin Nelsoti.
Edwin Nelson.
1792. Ezra Wood.
Henry Fisk.
Ezra Wood.
1868. Velorous Tuft.
Elisha B. Fisk.
Winthrop B. Fay.
1793. Thomas M. Baker.
Daniel Fisk.
Ezra Wood.
1860. Velorons Taft.
Elisha B. Fisk.
Winthrop B. Fay.
1794. Thomas M. Baker.
Daniel Fisk.
Elisha Bradish.
1870. Charles C. Mower.
Whitman Holbrook. C. H. Lelaud.
1795. Thomas M. Baker.
Daniel Fisk.
Elisha Bradish.
1871. Levi W. Taft.
Horace Forbush.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1796. Junathau Batebeler.
Jonathan Ward.
Ezra Wood.
1872. Arba T. Wood.
Horace Forbush.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1797. Ezra Wood.
Jonathan Ward.
Ezra Wood.
1873. Albert Davis.
Horace Forbush.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1798. Ezra Wood.
Daniel Fisk.
Ezra Wood.
1874. Velorons Tuft.
Horace Forbush.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1799. Ezra Wood.
Daniel Fisk.
Ezra Wood.
1875. Velorous Taft.
Hlorace Forbush.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1800. Elisha Bradish.
Amos Whitney. Ezra Wood.
1876. Velorons Taft.
Horace Forbush.
Jeronie Wilmarth.
181. Stephen Bradish.
Amos Whittley.
Ezra Wood.
1877. Velorons Tuft.
E. S. Leland.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1802. Wilson Rawson.
Amos Whitney.
Ezra Wood.
1878. Whitman Holbrook.
E. S. Leland.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1803. Wilson Rawson.
Amos Whitney.
Ezra Wood.
1879. Velorous Taft.
E. S. Leland.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1804. Elisha Bradish.
Elisha Fisk.
Ezra Wood.
1880. Velorous Taft.
E. S. Leland.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1805. David Chapin.
Elisha Fisk.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1881. Velorous Taft.
E. S. Leland.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1806. David Chapin.
Maynard Wood.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1882. Velorous Tuft.
J. J. Nelson.
Jerome Wilmarth. Jerome Wilmarth.
1807. David Chapin.
Maynard Wood.
Damel Fisk, Jr.
1883. Velorous Taft.
J. J. Nelsoti.
1808. David Chapin.
Calvin Ruggles.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1884. Velorous Taft.
J. J. Nelsotı.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1809. Wilson Rawson.
Calvin Ruggles.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1885. Velorous Taft.
J. J. Nelson.
Jerome Wilmarth.
1810. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Job Carpenter. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Elijah Warren.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1887. Thomas J. Hall.
S. B. Fisk.
Jerome Wilmarth. Francis T. Nelson.
1813. Exra Wood, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1815. Ezru Wood, Jr.
1816. Ezra Wood, Jr.
1817. Ezra Wood, Jr.
1818. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Eli Warren.
Ezra Wood.
1819. Daniel Holbrook.
Eli Warren.
Jonathan Ward.
1820. Daniel llolbrook.
Eli Warren.
Ezra Wood.
1821. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1822. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1823. Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1824. Lyman Stoddard.
Eli Warren.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1825. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1826. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Elisha Fisk.
Ezra Nelson.
Elisha Fisk.
Moderatora.
Treasurers.
Town Clerks. Elisha Fisk. Elisha Fisk.
1757. Wileen Rawson.
Stephen Sadler. Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1834. William Legg.
Harvey Bradish.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1763. Marshal Baker.
Abiel Sadler.
1839. Lynn Stoddard.
Joseph Perry.
Harvey Bradish. Elisha Fisk.
1765. Marshul Baker.
Stephen Sadler. Stephen Sadler.
Abiel Sadler.
1841. William Legg.
1842. Nahum W. Holbrook. James A. Nelson.
Harvey Bradish.
1767. John Hazeltine.
1838. Nahum W. Holbrook. Joseph Perry.
1764. Ezra Wood.
Abiel Sadler.
1833. William Legg.
1752. Jolti Sadler.
1827. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1888. Velorons Taft.
S. B. Fisk.
1814. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Samuel Forbush, Jr. Jouathan Ward. Samuel Forbush, Jr. Dauiel Fisk, Jr.
Ezra Nelson.
Ezra Wood.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Ezra Wood.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
Ezra Wood.
Jonathan Ward.
Daniel Fisk, Jr.
1886. Velorous Taft. S. B. Fisk.
Jerome Wilmar.h.
1811. Ezra Wood, Jr.
1812. Ezra Wood, Jr.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. Ezra Wood.
1863. Stephen L. Bosworth. Winthrop B. Fay.
Perry G. Wood.
1789. Ezru Wood.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. Jonathan Balch.
1805. Velorous Taft.
1790. Ezra Wood.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. Ezra Wood.
1866. Velorous Taft.
On the 10th of November, 1735, five months after the incorporation of Upton, the town voted to build a meeting-house on a part of the old burial-ground, about fifty rods north of the south road to Mendon and about one mile from the centre. It was to be forty feet long and thirty-five feet wide, and the sum of one hundred pounds was raised towards defraying its cost. From year to year small sums were raised to complete it, but it was never entirely finished. Twelve years elapsed before a pulpit was built and five years before all the windows were glazed. Dur-
Terry G. Wood.
1787. Ezra Wood.
Abiel Suller.
Abiel Sadler.
907
UPTON.
ing the first three years the town-meetings were held in private houses, but after that time the meeting- house was so far finished that town-meetings were held within its walls. On the 18th of August, 1735, Rev. Thomas Weld, of Roxbury, and a graduate of Harvard in 1723, was invited to become pastor and was ordained January 4, 1738.
The sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, old tenor, was given to him as a settlement, and eighty pounds as an annual salary. He was dismissed in December, 1744, and was afterwards settled in Middleboro'. Dur- ing the French War he entered the army as a chaplain and died in the service. Rev. Elisha Fisk was invited January 25, 1751, and ordained June 5th, with aset- tlement of one hundred and twenty pounds, and a salary of sixty pounds. Mr. Fisk was a native of Ston- ington, and graduated at Harvard in 1750. He married Hannah Forbes, of Westboro', and died August 6, 1795, having had nine children.
During the ministry of Mr. Fisk, in 1761, many of the people became dissatisfied with the location of the meeting-house, and three questions were con- sidered : whether the old meeting-house should re- main where it was and be finished at once ; whether it should be moved ; and whether a new honse should be built. The territorial centre was found to be on the plain not far from the new burial-ground on the Westboro' road, and three sites were at various times discussed : the centre, the ground on which the meet- ing-house of the First Church now stands aud a small hill, which was called Meeting-house Hill. Finding it impossible to come to any harmonious agreement, the town voted to refer the question to a committee composed of Captain Edward Davis, of Oxford ; Hezekiah Rice, of Framingham; Colonel Oliver Wilder, of Lancaster; Major Daniel Hayward, of Worcester; and Captain Caleb Hill, of Douglas. On the 24th of June, 1761, the vote, however, was re- scinded, and it was voted to let it remain seven years and then to move it to the spot on which the meeting- house now stands. On the 23d of March, 1768, at the expiration of the seven years, at a meeting of the town, action was had on the following articles in the warrant :
Will the town remove the meeting-house to the spot agreed upon June 24, 1761 ? Will the town divide into two parishes? and will the town choose a committee to report what in their judgment would be the best course to pursue ? On the first two questions the town voted in the negative, and on the last in the affirmative. The committee selected consisted of Jonathan Livermore, of Northboro' ; Samuel Reed, of Ux- bridge ; William Jennison, of Mendon ; and llezekiah Taylor, of Graf- ton. This committee at a subsequent mesting reported as follows: "Having taken into serious consideration your complaints aud your different opinions, and after a very patient hearing of all parties so deeply concerned, we are of the opinion that it will be best for the in- habitants of this town to let their meeting-house remain where it now 18, being fully sati-fied that the town will be divided into two parishes before many years. All things, therefore, being duly considered, we thus Judge."
Notwithstanding this advice, two years later, in 1770, the majority voted to build a new house. In 1821 the church built in 1770 was repaired, a belfry
added to it, with a bell, and a clock was given by George Holbrook, of Medway.
In 1848 the present meeting-house was built on the west side of the Common, and dedicated January 3, 1849. The old house was sold to D. B. Fisk, and now stands on the easterly side of the Common, devoted to other uses.
Rev. Benjamin Wood was invited to settle as the successor of Mr. Fisk, December 17, 1795, and was consecrated June 1, 1798, with a salary which, at the end of fifteen years, was raised to four hundred dol- lars, and which, during his pastorate of fifty-one years, never exceeded that sum. Previous to 1812 the church had only a covenant, but in that year adopted articles of faith, and not until 1834 was the parish legally organized. On the 25th of June, 1835, Mr. Wood delivered a centennial address of much interest and value, and in 1848 an address commemorative of the fiftieth year of his settlement. He died April 24, 1849, at the age of seventy-six years, and at his funeral services Rev. A. H. Tracy, of Sutton, preached the sermon. He was born in Lebanon, N. H., Sep- tember 15, 1772, the youngest of twelve children, and graduated at Dartmouth ju 1793. An older brother of Mr. Wood was the teacher who, it is said, fitted Daniel Webster for college.
Rev. William Warren, a native of Maine, and a graduate of Bowdoin, was installed November 14, 1849, and dismissed April 29, 1856. His successor was Rev. Andrew J. Willard, a native of Vermont and a graduate of Vermont University, who was or- dained April 30, 1857, and dismissed July 8, 1865. After the dismissal of Mr. Willard, Rev. Spencer O. Dyer supplied the pulpit from November 30, 1865, to November 30, 1870, and was followed by Rev. John E. M. Wright, who was installed November 15, 1871, and dismissed March 31, 1875. Rev. Frank J. Marsh was ordained January 26, 1876, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Almon J. Dyer. Mr. Marsh was a native of Leominster, and a graduate of Am- herst.
A Baptist Society was organized in 1751, but was never vigorous, and, after a few years under the min- istrations of Elder Abraham Bloss, it was dissolved. In 1787 a new society was formed, which at various times was presided over by Elders Ingalls, Simeon, Snow, Sawyer, Smith aud Bullard. After the de- parture of Mr. Dexter Bullard the society was merged in the First Unitarian Society, which was organized in 1846. The last-mentioned society built a church on the easterly side of the Common, which was dedi- cated in 1848. The first pastor of the society was Rev. William Cutter Tenney, a Harvard graduate in 1838, who left in 1849, and was succeeded by Rev. George S. Ball, whose service has continued up to the present time, with the exception of two years (1857- 58) when he was the settled minister over the First Church in Plymouth. During the War of the Rebel- lion, Mr. Ball served eighteen months as chaplain of
908
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
the 21st Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and is remembered by all who come within his influence as a fearless soldier as well as a faithful minister of God. As a pastor he extends his sphere of useful- ness beyond his church and his flock, and is univer- sally heloved as a citizen, neighbor and friend. In 1873 Hon. William Knowlton built a church at West Upton, the use of which he gave to the Unitarian Society, and in 1874 the old church was sold to the bishop of the diocese for Catholic worship. The Catholic Society has been organized only a few years, but it is steadily gaining in strength and vigor.
A Universalist Society was incorporated March 9, 1825. Like the Baptist Society, it had no church, and when the Unitarian Society was organized the members of the two societies became united.
A Methodist Society was formed in 1873, and has a commodious and handsome house of worship at the southerly end of the Common, in Upton Centre. Its first pastor was Rev. N. B. Fisk, who served three years, and was followed by Rev. John Short, the Rev. Mr. Hubbard and the present faithful pastor, Rev. Wm. P. Blackmer.
In the latter part of the last century there was a respectable body of Quakers in the town, but no dis- tinct society was ever organized.
With the incorporation of the town and the organi- zation of its church, the municipal machinery of Upton was complete. Like all other towns in Massa- chusetts, in their earlier days, the town was the parish and the parish was the town. The town settled the minister, fixed and raised his salary, huilt and main- tained the place of worship, and the collector of the town collected the precinct or parish tax. With one parish, with united and harmonious interests, and with an industry-that of agriculture-in which most of the people were engaged, the early life of the town was passed with no disturbance of the public peace to check its development and growth. Before many years, however, had passed away the French War checked for a time its advancing prosperity, and called on its sons to bear their share of the burdens of the strife. Exactly what part the town performed in the war it is difficult to learn from available records. From what can he gleaned from the archives of the State concerning its activity in some of the events of the war, it may be fairly inferred that in all its varying scenes it thoroughly performed its part.
The records state that the following Upton men enlisted " for the intended expedition, in 1756, against Crown Point, under the command of General John Winslow," and were attached to the regiment of Col. Richard Gridley :
Nathan Tyler, captain.
James Steward.
Jonathan Pritchard.
Benjamin Jones.
Thomas Rowel.
The following were mustered, October 11, 1756, in the company of Lieutenant-Colonel Irving, attached
to Colonel Richard Gridley's regiment, to march to Fort William Henry :
Benjamin Stewart. Benjamin Jones.
James Stewart. Ephraim Warfield.
Jonathan Pritchard.
The following is " a list of training soldiers, March 23, 1757, in Upton, under command of Captain Jona- than Wood, alarm-man, and who stand in a body."
Moses Wood, sergeant. Joseph Plumly.
Abiel Sadler, sergeant. Daniel Wood.
Stephen Sadler, sergeant. Samuel Taft.
Ebenezer Sadler, corporal. David Nelson.
James Flagg, corporal.
Benjamin Perham, Jr.
Preserved Partridge, corporal.
Lemuel Perham.
Samuel Wright, drummer.
Benjamin Farrar.
Josiah Peas, druomer.
Moses Baker.
Josiah Peas, Jr.
John Wood.
Elijah Rice.
John Lackey.
Samuel Forbush.
Ephraim Whitney.
Ebenezer Walker.
Nathan Brackett.
Joseph Sadler.
Oliver Whitney.
Josiah Wood.
Wm. Johnson, Jr.
Elijah Tyler.
John Ward.
John Nichole.
Thomas Palmer.
Benjamin Rockwood.
David Paloier.
ABron Warren.
Thomas Nelson.
Zachens Stevens.
James Torrey.
Israel Taft,
Robert Taft.
Elisha Taft.
Wm. Green.
Ephraim Warfield.
James Taft.
Isaac Aldrich.
Nathan Taft, Jr.
Nathan Wood.
John Taft.
Adonijah Rice.
Daniel Fisk.
Joseph Cody.
Benjamin Fisk.
Moses White.
Samuel Fisk.
Thomas Rowel.
William Fisk.
Jacob Hill.
Josiah Fisk.
John Wilson, Jr.
Ebenezer Ober.
Benjamin Stewart, Jr.
Ebenezer Wood.
James Stewart.
Samuel Wood, Jr.
Jonas Warren, clerk.
Samuel Warren.
A list of the alarm-men, at the same date, bears the following names :
Rev. Elisha Fisk.
Robert Bradish.
Deacon Jonas Warren. Thomas Newman.
James Bradish. Samuel Wood.
Beriah Rice.
Alexander Cleaton.
Marshal Baker. Jonathan Wood, Jr., miller.
Matthew Lackey.
Ebenezer Wood.
Hezekiah Ward, lieutenant. Stephen Rice.
Wilson Rawson. Samuel Wood, school-master.
Wmn. Patten.
Francis Nelson.
Ralph Hill.
Elijah Warren.
The following men enlisted for the relief of Fort William Henry in August, 1757, in the company of Captain James Whipple, attached to the regiment of Colonel Artemas Ward :
Stephen Sadler, sergeant. John Nichols.
Jonas Warren, sergeant. Aaron Warren.
Preserved Partridge, sergeant. Benjamin Farrar.
Sammel Wright, corporal. Samuel Warren.
Samuel Fisk. Josiah Fisk.
Samuel Wood. Nathan Wood.
Elijah Rice. Joseph Wilson.
Daniel Fisher. Thomas Webster.
Francis Nelson.
Beriah Rice.
The following enlisted for the reduction of Canada in 1759, in the company of Captain Stephen Maynard, attached to the regiment of Colonel Wm. Williams :
Daniel Fisher.
909
UPTON.
Nathan Wood. Elijah Rice.
Benjamin Farrar. Joha Nichola.
The following enlisted for the invasion of Canada in 1759, in the regiment of Colonel Abraham Williams, under the command of His Excellency, Jeffry Am- herst, general and commander-in-chief :
Wilson Rawson.
Nathan Wood.
James Long.
Samuel Wright.
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