History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 85

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 85

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Eugene Sullivan, boro in Ireland ; enlisted in Leominster in the 36th Regt., Co. A, Mass., Vols .; went out with the company under Capta.n Thaddeus L. Barker September 2, 1862; died at Nicholsville, Ky., Sep- tember I, 1863, of fever ; a single man.

The monument was formally dedicated September 12, 1867. Capt. Leonard Wood was marshal of the day, and several of those who had served in the War of 1812 as members of the old Leominster Artillery were present on the platform. On account of the absence, from sickness, of Hon. John H. Lockey, Mr. Joel Smith acted as chairman. Rev. W. J. Batt, Rev. Horace Parker, of Ashby ; James Bennett, Esq., Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, a former pastor of the Unita- rian Church ; Rev. Geo. S. Ball, of Upton, a native of Leominster and chaplain during the war, took part iu the exercises of dedication. The grounds have since been graded and enclosed.

CHARLES H. STEVENS POST 53, G. A. R .- Two years after the close of the war an unsuccessful attempt was made to establish a post of the G. A. R. in Leominster. L. A. Cook, A. J. Parker, F. W. Polly, E. A. Bennett aud Charles H. Wilder were

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the authors of this movement. Not meeting with sufficient encouragement from the old soldiers, these men joined a Fitchburg encampment. The first deco- ration exercises in town were conducted by the com- rades named above, as a detachment of Post 19, of Fitchburg. The charter of the present post was granted June 13, 1868, and had as charter members, besides those named above, Aldrich Cook, C. B. Flagg, J. G. Eaton, Wm. A. Burrage, J. F. Chaffin and Geo, A. Browne. The post was organized July 9th of the same year, in the upper story of Gardner Hall, with Comrade Lucien A. Cook as its first commander. The post has, at different times, occupied a variety of halls in town, but now has an excellent and perma- nent encampment.

The record of the post has been such as to receive the approbation of the entire community. In its mem- bership are many of the most respected citizens, and its work is worthy of the highest praise. By its action, Leominster was the first town in the State to contribute money for a Soldiers' Home in Massachu- setts. It has ever been first in planning and executing good work. The post has expended nearly two hun- dred and seventy-five dollars a year in charity for the past twenty years, and several hundred families have received aid. At one time it suffered severely through the rascality of its quartermaster, W. H. Lovering, who deserted with the funds of the encampment. But the help and sympathy of the community, and the energy of the members, soon placed it again on a sound financial standing, and its work went on with- out interruption. It is now doing this work success- fully and is an honor to the community. The names of its past commanders are : Lucien A. Cook, Wm. A. Burrage, F. W. Polley, Joel A. Stratton, N. B. Ellis, Charles A. Wheeler, C. B. Flagg, Wm. B. Frissel], Thomas J. Ames, Madison Beal, Aldrich Cook, Clesson Kenny, A. W. Allen and W. D. Blanchard. Thomas A. Hills is the present commander.

WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS, NO. 31, DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS .- The first movement in the way of organizing a relief corps was in February, 1878. Then a few ladies met to consider measures for aiding the Post in its work. In March following "The Ladies' Auxiliary Corps " was organized. January, 1881, this corps became the "Leominster Relief Society," and the next December it was reorganized with its present name. It has rendered most efficient aid in the work of the Post, and is held in equal honor. Mrs. Sarah F. Gallup is now president of the corps.

E. A. BENNETT CAMP 52, SONS OF VETERANS .- The members of this camp were mustered in Decem- ber 15, 1885. The object is to keep fresh in mind what was accomplished by the fathers in bringing peace and honor to the country. Only those whose fathers served in the Civil War can become members. G. H. Woodworth is the present captain.

This completes the organizations which owe their

existence to the Civil War and also the military his- tory of the town. It may be added that the old artillery company renewed its orgaization after the war and continued until December, 1885, when it was disbanded by order of the adjutant general. The year before it had but few members at the annual muster ; hut the company was being rapidly filled by the efforts of Capt. Winch at the time the order was received. Its centennial would have occurred fifteen months later.

However imperfectly the foregoing record is given, it shows this : that Leominster has not been behind the chief of her sisters in the work and suffering required to secure and maintain our liberty.

CHAPTER CLIX. LEOMINSTER-(Continued.) CIVIL AND MISCELLANEOUS.

ANY general sketch of our civil affairs must be brief. The town managed its ecclesiastical business in its corporate capacity almost wholly for eighty years ; much of this time, also, there was war, or the preparation for war, so that a very large part of the business at any town-meeting would have relation to the church, or the school, or the military-topics which have already been treated at considerable lengths. This state of things must have continued at least nntil 1800.

The first town-meeting was warned by Joseph Wheelock, by authority of the " General Court," and held at the house of Jonathan White, innholder, Jnly 9, 1740. The election of officers was the only busi- ness transacted. The officers were the same as are now chosen, except that there were two hog-reeves, a surveyor of clapboards and shingles and two men to look after the deer.

The second town-meeting was held September 1st of the same year. The town voted : "To Build a Bridge Cross the river whare the Road is laid out to sd. river." Forty pounds were raised to build this bridge, and this sum could be worked out. No other business was transacted at this meeting. The bridge was the one over the Nashua at North Leominster where the stone bridge now is. It was for many years known as the " great bridge."

The next meeting of the town was December 5, 1740. The action of this meeting referred to the building of a meeting-house, of which mention has already been made. At this mecting, also, the town voted to raise £40 to provide weights and measures, a town stock of powder, bullets and flints and a town- hook, and to defray other town charges. No other meetings were held the first year. This is Leominster as she first appears. Here is a civil organization-a

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set of town officers ; here is a movement for public improvements-"a bridge over the only river which could not be forded at all times ; " a good religious beginning-a church planned and the money provided to pay for it; a little common property-a set of weights and measures and a record-book, and means for public defense. This is all. But it is a good beginning ; shows the lines of progress, and is sufficient to give by suggestion the whole civil history of the town until after the Revolution. To provide for the relig- ious training of the people, to educate the children, and to make such improvements as were demanded, was all that could be done by men who must subdue a forest for bread and fight a veteran nation for liberty. We see it all in these meetings. Roads and bridges were built, the general affairs were looked after, the public tax was not heavy until 1775, and public attention and thought were very largely con- fined to the lines already indicated. The people did not think it necessary to send a representative until 1774, just at the beginning of the Revolution. The thought and the feeling of the town during this struggle has already been described. But at its close a new danger appeared. The people had taxed them- selves heavily during the Revolution to meet all the requirements made upon them, and now there was little or no gold and silver in circulation, and paper money was nearly worthless. "But even under all these unfavorable circumstances the men of this town generally sustained their credit and honestly paid their debts. Some few, however, who sold their farms and took their pay in paper money, were ruined." The town passed thus safely through its first financial crisis. It was, however, a most severe trial to many towns of Worcester County. Taxes were high and there was great suffering, resulting in the temporary outbreak known as Shays' Rebellion.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS .- Previous to the close of the Revolution all the principal roads of the town had been located substantially where they are now. The first was the one passing through North Leomin- ster to Fitchburg and Lunenburg. This was laid out by Lancaster in 1734. As the custom then was, it passed over the highest hills; and it forms to-day part of Main and Prospect Streets, North Leomin- ster. It was originally laid out five rods wide, and was known as the " broad road." The second road was from the " great bridge " to this same broad road, and is that part of Main Street running from the stone bridge, North Leominster, to the little brook near the old engine-house. Other roads were built, and were "kept in such repair that the town did not suffer by comparison with the neighboring towns."

Of late, of course, new streets have been opened in all directions, and broad sidewalks built. But it is still true that this part of our civil affairs is well ad- ministered. The roads are carefully laid out and well huilt; and, with the sidewalks, are kept in ex-

cellent condition. Leominster may safely invite comparison with other towns in this particular.

It will be remembered that the second town-meet- ing took action in regard to a bridge over the Nashua River. This bridge was built immediately. It was of wood, and the abutments were made of pine logs, many of them from two to three feet in diameter, and firmly locked together. One hundred and thirty years later, when the town attempted to clear a way for a new bridge, these old logs were not only found, but they were, except from one-half to an inch on the outside, as sound as when put in place. The old logs still remain as part of the road-bed, for the foundation was so solid and the logs so hard to re- move that when the new stone bridge was erected, in 1872, only so much of the old foundation was re- moved as to give room for the new stone abutments. The rest was made the foundation of the road. The new stone bridge over the Nashua is one of the finest structures in the county, costing nearly twenty-five thousand dollars. It is certainly an honor to any own.

Among the other improvements in the highways is the new arched stone bridge over the Monoosuock Brook, on Mechanic Street, built in 1873. "This is a very fine structure, made of Leominster granite, dimension work, laid full joints in the best cement mortar, on a solid ledge foundation, fifty feet wide and a twenty-foot arch, with a capped granite railing."

There is also another fine stone bridge over the Nashua at North Leominster, near the furniture es- tablishment of Merriam, Hall & Co. This bridge cost about twelve thousand dollars, and is a most sub- stantial structure. There is, in addition to these named, a very excellent iron bridge over Monoosnock Brook, near the Wachusett Shirt Factory. It is the last and one of the best of the new bridges built by the town.

PUBLIC PARK .- Leominster has, properly speak - ing, no public park. Of late the Common, so-called, has been improved and beautified until it is now a most attractive place. Its history may be briefly given. Of course in the early days such a thing as a park was not in all their thoughts. They did buy land for a new church lot, however, and so, as ap- pears in the history of the churches, the land which is now the Common and much more came into the possession of the town as church property. On this the Second Church was built and remained until the town erected the present Unitarian Church, in 1823. The old house was then moved on to the lot at the head of Church Street, and fitted up as Gardner Hall. But the town owned the land now vacant only in its parochial capacity, and so when the First Congregational Society was formed in 1836, this open space became the property of that society ; for the society inherited all that the town owned as a parish. In 1841, however, the society conveyed this by deed to the town for a public Common.

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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

In a sketch of Leominster by C. H. Merriam it is stated that at the time this conveyance was made the land was unfenced, barren, with little, if any shade. We are also assured that only after much opposition were the citizens permitted to set out a tree apiece. The trees set out under this "grant " are the present elms and maples which now so beautify the Com- mon. It took fifteen years to induce the town to al- low this lot to be fenced, even at private expense, so convenient was it for parties coming to town to drive over this plot of ground at will. But, in 1856, the town voted to erect a fence and raised and ap- propriated the necessary money. In the condition in which this action left the Common it remained sub- stantially for a quarter of a century. It was unsightly at best and was allowed to keep itself. A few years ago, largely through the efforts of the Town Improve- ment Society, this lot was graded, laid out in plots according to a plan prepared by Mr. H. C. Burdett, a son of A. L. Burdett, a fine fonntain put in place, a drinking-fountain, the gift of Mr. S. M. Frost, erected, and the whole so beautified as to make it worthy of the town.

In the matter of strictly public buildings Leomin- ster has but little to say. Until 1823 the meeting- house was also the town-house. Here all public bus- iness was transacted. After the present Unitarian Church was dedicated the old church, moved and located as above stated, was used for town-meetings and other public business. The other parts of the building were used for school-rooms. Gardner Hall, as it was called, was an attractive and pleasant build- ing. It served its purpose well until a new hall was built, in 1850. The upper part was then used, first as a High School room and finally for a variety of purposes until 1870, when the house was wholly de- stroyed by fire.

The present town-hall was begun in 1850 and dedi- cated the following year. It was considered at the time an elegant structure, and Mr. Wilder speaks of it with much enthusiasm. It has since been raised and a story built underneath for a library-room, etc. But at the present time it is wholly inadequate to meet either the needs of the town or the wants of the library. The town has appointed a committee to con- sider how the present demands in this direction can best be satisfied.

Upon none of her public improvements, however, has Leominster more reason to congratulate herself than upon a plentiful supply of pure water. Leo- minster water-works were built in 1873. The history in outline is this: The matter rested in the minds of the people as a half-formed thought, or, possibly, little more than a suggestion, when Manson D. Haws caused an article to be inserted in the town warrant of the meeting to be held November 8, 1870, " To see what action the town will take to obtain water." Under this article Manson D. Haws, Charles H. Mer- riam, John H. Lockey, Joel C. Allen and Cephas

Derby were appointed a committee to examine the subject. On the 28th this committee recommended that the town petition the Legislature for leave to take a supply of water from the most desirable place within four miles of the Centre. The town adopted this report, and the committee were instructed to present the petition. Augustus Whitman was added to the committee, and Dr. G. W. Pierce appointed in place of Mr. Lockey, who declined to act further. The permission was granted and the town voted to accept of the same at its annual meeting in April, 1872. The vote was four hundred and ninety-seven in the affirm- ative and one hundred and seventy-six in the nega- tive.

After the necessary preliminary surveys, etc., the town voted, December 30, 1872, to proceed with the work, and elected a Water Board as follows: Emery Tilton, Dr. G. W. Pierce, H. M. Lane, George Hall, Charles H. Merriam and William Howland. Charles H. Merrian was chairman, H. M. Lane clerk and W. M. Howland treasurer. The necessary funds were obtained by a loan under vote of the town, and the works were completed and the water let into the pipes December 23, 1873. The town began to furnish water Jannary I, 1874. The water is taken from Morse Brook, at a distance of less than two miles from the Centre ; there is a fall of one hundred and eighty- three feet at the curb-stone about the soldiers' monu- ment; the works drain an area of twelve hundred and twenty-five acres; the storage is about one hundred and fifty million gallons, and the whole has cost the town a little over one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. By repeated analysis the water is proved to be unusually pure; the supply is more than abun- dant; the works more than pay the cost of running and the interest on the loan, if a reasonable sum be allowed for water used by the town; the value and safety of property is greatly increased; no single im- provement adopted by the town has so clearly and powerfully worked for its growth and prosperity as has its excellent water supply.

This would seem to cover all the town improve- ments which need special mention. The town has in its corporate capacity provided proper cemeteries, and has always caused the same to be well cared for. Nothing unsightly is seen in connection with either the old or the new burying-ground.

Leominster has always been most faithfully served by her representatives. Below are the names of all who have been elected to this office since the town first availed itself of the privilege of sending a dele- gate to the General Court.

1774, Israel Nichols ; 1777, J. Joslin and Israel Nichols; 1780, Israel Nichols ; October, Thomas Legato, first under the Constitution ; 1783- 85, Israel Nichols; 1786, Timothy Boutelle ; 1787-88, David Wilder ; 1789-91, Israel Nichols ; 1793, Timothy Boutelle ; 1795, Thomas Legate, Jr .; 1796-98, Thomas Gowing; 1800, '01, '03-06, Jonas Kendall ; 1807- 08, Abijah Bigelow; 1809, A. Bigelow and D. Wilder, Jr .; 1810, D. Wil- der, Jr., and Joel Crosby ; 1811-12, D. Wilder, Jr., and Benjamin Per- kins ; 1813, David Wilder, Jr., and B. Lawrence ; 1814, Joel Crosby

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and B. Lawrence ; 1815-17, Bezaleel Lawrence; 1818, Joel Crosby ; 1819, J. Crosby and B. Lawrence; 1820, Bezaleel Lawrence; 1821, Jonas Kendall ; 1824-25, William Perry ; 1826, Joel Croshy ; 1827, Joel Crosby and D. Wilder ; 1828, D. Wilder and J. Crosby ; 1829, J. Crosby and Wilder Carter; 1830, W. Carter and Charles Grout ; 1831, W. Carter and Charles Grout ; 1831, November, Wilder Carter and Car- ter Gates ; 1832, L. Burrage and C. Gront ; 1833, D. Wilder and C. Gates; 1834, D. Wilder and C. Gates ; 1835, February, P. S. Burditt ; 1835, C. Gates and P. S. Burditt ; 1836, l'. S. Burditt and Charles W. Wilder ; 1837, Charles W. Wilder; 1838, Jabez B. Low; 1839, Rufus Kendall and C. Hills; 1840, Charles Hills; 1811, Charles HTills; 1842-44, Leonard Bur- rage ; 1845, Charles W. Wilder ; 1846, James Burditt ; 1847, Charles W. Wilder ; 1848, Charles W. Wilder ; 1849, Solon Carter ; 1850, George S. Burrage; 1851, Joel Crosby Allen ; 1852, Joseph S. Darling ; 1853, Do election ; 1854, Alanson Richardson ; 1855, William Heustis; 1856-57, James Bennett; 1858, Charlea L. Joslin ; 1859, Francis Tinker ; 1860, J. Q. A. Pierce ; 1861, Manson Dana Hawa; 1862, no election; 1863, Joel H. Stratton ; 1864, Daniel R. Haynes ; 1865, John H. Lockey ; 1866, no election ; 1867, Howard M. Lane; 1868-70, Charles H. Merriam ; 1871 no election; 1872-73, Caleb Clesson Field, M.D .; 1874, George Hall; 1875- 76, Francis C. Bowen ; 1877-78, George F. Colburn ; 1879-80, Dwight B. Look ; 1881-82, Joel Smith; 1883, Rev. William B. Toulmin ; 1884-85, James Hadley ; 1886-87, Morrell A. Greenwood; 1888, no election.

In the above list the entry " no election " means that Leominster was part of a Representative dis- trict, and the election in those years went to some other town in the district. The dates given refer to the time of election. The service was the following year.

The town has also been well served by its town of- ficers. Below are given the names of the moderators at each of the annual town-meetings, the town clerks, selectmen and town treasurers for each year since the town was incorporated. Such a list is both interest- ing and valuable :

1740, July 7th .- Moderator, Joseph Wheelock; Clerk, Thomas Houghton ; Selectmen, Nathaniel Carter and Thomas Wilder ; Treas- urer, Gershom Houghton.

1741, March 2d .- Moderator, Thomas Davenport ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Ebenezer Polly and Thomas Wilder; Treasurer, Gershom Houghton.

1742 .- Moderator, Jonathan White; Clerk, Thomas Davenport ; Se- lectmen, Joseph Wheelock, Ebenezer Polly, Jonathan White, Treasurer, Jonathan Wilson and Nathaniel Carter.

1743 .- Moderator, Thomas Davenport; Clerk, Thomas Davenport; Selectmen, Jonathan White, Jonathan Wilson, Joseph Wheelock, Thomas Honghton and Nathaniel Carter ; Treasurer, Jonathan White.

1744. - Moderator, Jonathan White; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Treas- urer, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Capt. Jonathan White, Thomas Wilder, Joseph Wheelock, G. Wilder and Jonathan Wilson.

1745 .- Moderator, Jonathan White ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Se- lectmen, Thomas Houghton, Oliver Carter, Benjamin Whitcomb and Jonathan Carter ; Treasurer, Ebenezer Polly.

1746 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson; Selectmen, Leonard White, Joseph Wheelock, Nathaniel Carter, Jona- than Wheelock and Benjamin Whitcomb ; Treasurer, Thomas Wilder.

1747 .- Moderator, Thomas Wilder ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Select- men, Jonathan White, Thomas Wheelock, Thomas Houghton, Thomas Wilder and Jonathan Wilson; Treasurer, Thomas Wilder.

1748 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Abijah Smith, Nathaniel Carter, Joseph White ; Treasurer, John Joslin.

1749 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb; Clerks, Jonathan Wilson and Jonathan White; Selectmen, Joseph Wheelock, Nathaniel Carter, Philip Swelser and Jacob Peabody; Treasurer, Jonathan Wilson.

1750,-Moderator, Jacob Peabody ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson; Treas- urer, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Nathaniel Col- burn, Jacob Peabody, Benjamin Whitcomb and G. Honghton.

1751 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Treasurer, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Joseph Wheelock, Ebenezer Colburn, Jonathan White, Benjamin Whitcomb and Jonathan Wilson.

1752 .- Moderator, Jonathan White ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Treas- nrer, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Abijah Smith, Jonathan Wilson, Joseph White, Nathaniel Bennett and Daniel Johuson.

1753 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb; Clerk, Nathan Bennett; Treasurer, Nathan Bennett ; Selectmeu, Jonathan White, Nathaniel Colburn, Oliver Carter, Thomas Wilder and A. Iloughton.

1754 .- Moderator, Abijah Smith ; Clerk, Nathan Bennett ; Treasurer, Nathan Bennett ; Selectmen, Jonathan White, Abijah Smith, Jacob Peabody, Daniel Paine and Jonathan Houghton.

1755 .- Moderator, Jacob Peabody ; Clerk, Jacob Peabody ; Selectmen, Jonathan White, Nathaniel Colburn, Jonathan Wilson, William Divoll and Jacob Peabody ; Treasurer, Jonathan White.

1756 .- Moderator, Thomas Wilder ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Select- men, Jonathan Wilson, Nathan Bennett, Abijali Smith, Jonathan Carter and Oliver IIall; Treasurer, Nathan Bennett.

1757 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Abijab Smith, Nathan Bennett, Jonathan Carter and Oliver Hall ; Treasurer, Nathan Bennett.

1758,-Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb ; Clerk, Jonathan Whitcomb ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Benjamin Whitcomb, Abijah Smith, Oliver Carter and Abijah Houghton ; Treasurer, Israel Nichols.

1759 .-- Moderator, Abijab Smith ; Clerk, Jonathan Wilson ; Select- men, Jonathan Wilson, Benjamin Whitcomb, Abijah Smith, A. Hough- ton and Joseph White ; Treasurer, Israel Nichols.

1760 .- Moderator, Benjamin Whitcomb; Clerk, Nathan Bennett ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Abijah Smith, Nathan Bennett, Benjamin Whitcomb and Oliver Hoar ; Treasurer, Israel Nichols.

1761 .- Moderator, Abijah Smith ; Clerk, Oliver Hoar; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Abijah Smith, Caleb Sawyer, Oliver Hoar and Israel Nichols; Treasurer, Israel Nichols.

1762 .- Moderator, Abijah Smith ; Clerk, Oliver Iloar ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Benjamin Whitcomb, Israel Nichols, A. Houghton and Oliver Hoar ; Treasurer, I'm. Bennett.

1763 .- Moderator, Jonathan Wilson ; Clerk, Oliver IIoar ; Selectmen, Jonathan Wilson, Oliver Hall, Josiah Carter, Jonas Richardson and Joseph Beaman ; Treasurer, Jonathan Wilson.

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 85

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