History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 95

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 95

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Representatives Chosen.

1863. A. A. Cook.

James R. Davis.

1864. Zibeon C. Field. J. B, Bancroft.

1786. None. .

1787. David Stearne.

1788. David Stearns.

1789. David Stearns.

1790. None.

1791-1812. Samuel Jones.

1813. Pearley Hunt.

1814. Samuel Jones.

1815-16. Pearley Hunt.

1817. None.

George W. Stacey, of Milford 1866

1818.

None.

1819. Esek Green.

John S. Needham, of Blackstone. 1866

Isaac H. Stearns, of Milford. 1867

Town Clerks. "

Caleb Cheney, 1781, '82, '83, '87, '88, end also treaenrer.

Samuel Jones, 1784, '85, '86, 1807 to 1816. Adams Chapin, 1789, '90, '91, '92 to 1807.

John Claflin, Jr., 1816, '17.

Newell Nelson, 1818 to '26.

Clark Ellis, 1826 to '29.

Isaac Davenport, 1829 to '37. Newell Nelson, again 1837 to '43. Jobu Erskine, 1843 to '48. Leander Holbrook, 1848.

John Erskine, again, 1849, '50.

Lee Claflin.

Henry C. Skinner, of Milford, 1872

1835. Henry Nelson.

John C. Scott, of Blackstone 1872

George W. Taft, of Uxbridge 1873

Albert Smith, of Blackstone. 1873

Lawrence Reade, of Milford 1873

Albert Smith, of Blackstone. 1874

Albert W. Gaskell, of Mendon. 1874

James Bergin, of Milford. 1874

George G. Parker, of Milford.

1875

Patrick Kennedy, of Blackstone, 1875

Charles C. Capron, of Uxbridge. 1875

Under the apportionment of 1876 the towns of Milford, Mendon and Upton constituted the Second Representative District of Worcester County, and the following were chosen until the next apportion- ment :

Wm. II. Cook, of Milford .1876

Augustus S. Tuttle, of Milford 1876

W'm. H. Cook, of Milford .1877

Charles A. Davis, of Upton. 1877

Homer W. Darling, of Mendon 1878

Isaac N. Crosby, of Milford 1878

Isaac N. Crosby, of Milford 1879

Benjamin A. Jourdan, of Upton 1879

Silas W. Hale, of Milford 1880

Charles W. Wilcox, of Milford 1880

Silas W. Hale, of Milford 1881

Edward S. Leland, of Upton 1881

Thomas J. Hall, of Upton 1882

David M. Richardson, of Mendon 1882

James F. Stratton, of Milford,

1883

Daniel Reed, of Milford

1883

James F. Stratton, of Milford 1884

Henry J. Bailey, of Milford

1884

James F. Stratton, of Milford. 1885

Ilenry J. Bailey, of Milford

1885

1857. John S. Scammel.

1860. H. O. Lathrop.

Andrew J. Sumuer.

Daniel S. Chapin.

1858. Elbridge Mann.

1861. H. O. Lathrop.

James H. Barker.

Charles F. Claflin.

1859. James H. Barker.

1862. Aaron C. Mayhew.

H. O. Lathrop.

Under the apportionment of 1886 the towns of Milford, Blackstone, Mendon and Hopedale consti- tuted the Eleventh Worcester District, and the fol- lowing have been chosen :

Jamee Lally, Jr., of Milford, ..................... 1886

1850. Hiram HInnt.

1851.

Charles F. Chapin.

Leonard Hunt, 1856 to '59.

1852.

Horace B. Ilero.

Ethan C. Claflin, 1864 to '81, '82, '83, '84, '85.

1853.

None.

1854. Herman H. Bowers.

Lewis Hayden, 1886, 187, '88.

1855. Horace B. Hero.

1856. Aaron C. Mayhew.

The twenty-first article of amendments to the Con- stitution, providing for representative districts, was adopted by the Legislature of 1856 and 1857, and ratified by the people in 1857. Under the apportion- ment made in accordance with the amendment, the town of Milford constituted the Nineteenth Repre- sentative District of Worcester County, and until the next apportionment the following Representatives were chosen :

None.

John Mason, 1842 to '55.

IS48.

Horace B. Hero.

George Howe, 1839 to '42.

1849.

D. P. Walbridge, 1855.

Ariah Bragg.

1839. John Meson.

John Corbett.

1840. Nelson Parkhurst.

1841. Jeremiah Kelly.

1842. Elmer Cobb.

1843. Adam Hunt.

1844-45. Alfred Bragg.

1846. Waldo C. Perry.

1847.

Alfred Bragg.

George B. Blake, of Milford

1872

Charles F. Chapin, 1851 to '55, '56 to '59.

Aaron Claflin.

William H. Burbank, 1855.

1836. Sullivan Sumuer.

Lewis Fales, 1859 contionously to '81.

Lewis Hayden, 1881, '82, '83, '84, '85,'86.

Otis Parkhurst.

IS38. Ilenry Nelson.

John T. Mclaughlin, 1887-88.

Town Treasurers.

David Stearns, 1787 to 1826. Gustavus D. Peck, 1826, '27, '33. Samuel L. Scammell, 1828, '29. John Claflin, Jr., 1830, '31. Lee Claflin, IS32.

None.

George W. Hobbs, of Uxbridge.

1871

1834. Rufna Thayer.

Samuel L. Scammell.

Bainbridge Hayward, of Milford 1870

1831. Newell Nelson.

Lawrence Reade, of Milford. 1870

Henry Nelson.

Lyman Paine, of Blackstone 1870

1832. William Godfrey.

George B. Blake, of Milford.

1871

Isaac Davenport.

Wm. N. Aldrich, of Mendoo.

1871

1827. Samuel L. Scammell.

Alexander H. Allen, of Mendon.

1868

ISZ8.

None.

Harrison C. Whitman, of Uxbridge 1869

1829. John Claflin, Jr.

A. A. Sherman, of Uxbridge. 1869

IS30. John Claflin, Jr.

B. Hayward, of Milford. 1869

1825. None.

Alfred A, Burrell, of Milford. 1868

1826. John Claflin, Jr.

Thomas G. Kent, of Milford. 1868

Joseph H. Wood, 1885. Heury E. Fales, 1886, '87, 'S8.

1820. NoDe.

1821-23. Pearley Hunt.

Moses Farrar, of Blackstone 1867

1824. None.

Charles Wing, of Uxbridge. 1867

Under the apportionment of 1866 the towns of Milford, Mendon, Uxbridge and Blackstone consti- tuted the Fifteenth Representative District of Wor- cester County, and the following Representatives were chosen to represent the district until the next apportionment :

James W. Putnam, of Milford. 1866

1865. Zibeon C. Field. Joseph Hancock.

1784. Ichabod Thayer. 1785. Ichabod Thayer.

Sylvester Dean, 1834 to '37, '59 to '64.

Sullivan Sumner, 1837, '38.

John Corbett.

1837. Ellis Sumner.

1833.

Andrew J. Sumner.

Alfred Bragg.

1284

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Henry E. Fales, of Milford 1886

James Lally, Jr., of Milford. 1887

Thomas McCovey, of Blackstone. 1887

James Lally, Jr., of Milford 1888

'Thomas McCovey, of Blackstone. .1888

"The population of Milford since the introduction of the shoe industry has steadily increased. In 1815 it was probably about one thousand, in 1825 about twelve hundred and fifty, in 1835 fifteen hundred, in 1845 twenty-five hundred, in 1855 about seventy-five hundred, in 1865 about nine thousand, in 1875 about ninety-eight hundred, and in 1885 ninety-three hun- dred and forty-three. At the date of this sketch, after deducting the population of Hopedale, it probably stands at about ten thousand. The town owns no water-works, but the inhabitants are supplied by the Milford Water Company with water, and an annual appropriation is made to pay for water for fire pur- poses. It has a good Fire Department, with two steam fire-engines and three hose companies and a hook-and-ladder company, and is thus well provided against serious disaster.

The following list of expenditures of the town for the year 1887 will exhibit the working of its munici- pal machinery, and with this list this imperfect sketch must close. The writer wishes, however, be- fore closing, to give due credit for a large amount of information to the exhaustive " History of Milford," prepared by Rev. Adin Ballou, who, while furnishing the town with a memorial of inestimable value, has completed a lasting one of himself :

Highway department $11,066.26

Incidentals, 9,474.80

Schoole

21,225.00

Poor department. 10,236.09

Town Debt. 25,000.00

Money, borrowed and paid. 20,000 00

State tax

6,952.52

National bank tax

4,177.56

State and military aid. 5,941.00

Liquor licenses 1,904.12

Water for fire purposes

3,354.79

Interest

5,089.54

Fire department

4,761.76

Gas and street lights,

3,305.11

Memorial Ilall Square

7,496.29

account

1,031.57

Town Hall and Lockup. 696.10

Plans and surveys, Sewer Committee

812.00

Lawrence Street

275.42

Town Park 49.24

Library

837.02

Concrete sidewalks 1,375,31

Vervon Grove Cemetery

150.00

Memorial Day

100.00

Support of paupers 88.68

Burial lots.

22.50

Total

.$145,422.72

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN CLAFLIN.

The Claflins have been more or less prominent in Milford for over eighty years. They came directly or

indirectly from Hopkinton, and they are said to be of Scotch extraction; their ancestors may have been among the Scotch immigrants who helped to settle Hopkinton at an early period. (See "History of Milford.")

John Claflin, the son of John and grandson of Ebenezer, was born iu Holliston, June 24, 1775; he married Lydia, daughter of Henry and Jerusha (Burnap) Mellen, of Hopkinton, in 1798 (she having - been born December 15, 1777); they came to Milford in 1798, resided two years on the Noah Wiswall place, carrying on there the business of cordwainer; then bought about forty acres of land, with its buildings, of Samuel Rockwood, the place recently occupied by Benjamin D. Godfrey, and lived there four years. He next purchased, of his father, the lot where the Mansion Honse now stands, containing about four acres, with the buildings thereon. There he kept store and tavern five years. This was probably the first tavern kept on that spot. Thenceforth, steadily advancing in enterprise and increasing in wealth, he became one of our most influential citizens; shrewd and successful in public affairs as well as private; captain and then major of artillery; invested first or last with the most responsible town offices, and holding for thirty years nearly, previous to his death (which occurred July 10, 1848), a continuous com- mission as justice of the peace. His children were: Sylvia, Amelia, Charlotte, Direxa, Aaron, Jerusha, Horace B., Sophia A., William Bainbridge.

H. B. CLAFLIN.

Horace B. Claflin was born at Milford, Mass., December 18, 1811, his father being John Claflin, general country store-keeper, farmer and justice of the peace. He was educated at common school and the Milford Academy.

At the age of twenty he, in company with his brother, Aaron, and brother-in-law, Samuel Daniels, succeeded his father in business at Milford. The latter gave each of the three boys one thousand dol- lars to start with. The following year (1832) they opened a dry-goods store at Worcester, in connection with their general store at Milford. In 1833 Aaron took the Milford store, leaving Horace in exclusive possession of the Worcester business. He remained in Worcester until July, 1, 1843 (marrying, meantime, Agnes Sanger, daughter of Colonel Calvin Sanger, of Sherborne, Mass.), and then, with William F. Buck- ley, he formed the firm of Buckley & Claflin, and began a wholesale dry-goods business at 46 Cedar Street, New York. In 1850 they built a store at No. 57 Broadway, and moved into it in January, 1851. The following July (1851) Mr. Buckley retired, and Mr. Claflin made up a firm with William H. Mellen and several juniors, under the style of Claflin, Mellen & Co. In 1853 Mr. Claflin and others built, at 111 Broadway, the building known as Trinity Building,

John Claflin .

Mfautic

Time . Engrav_ N.

Aaron Claflin.

MILFORD.

1285

whither the business was transferred on the comple- tion of the structure. There the firm did a rapidly- increasing business until Jannary, 1861, when they moved into the store corner of Church and Worth streets, running through to West Broadway.

The great expansion of their trade, in view of their largely increased room, came at an unfortunate time. By the late Civil War the firm's assets were largely locked up and rendered almost worthless, and Claflin, Mellen & Co. were compelled to ask their creditors to accept seventy per cent. on long time in settlement of their accounts. A large majority of the creditors accepted these terms, but claims to the amount of about one million dollars could not be adjusted ou extended time, and were bonght up by friends of Mr. Claflin at abont fifty cents on the dollar. Very speedily after resumption the firm began to discount the com- promise notes, and long before maturity of the exten- sion, the seventy cents, and thirty cents additional, with interest on everything, had been paid. Then Mr. Claflin sought out all who had sold their claims for cash (at about fifty cents), and paid them the bal- ance needful to make up one hundred cents and interest.

January 1, 1864, Mr. Mellen retired, and since theu the style of the firm has been H. B. Claflin & Co. Their sales during the war amounted in one year (from May 1st to May 1st) to seventy-two million dollars.

In the panic of 1873 the firm, with millions of dollars of bills receivable on hand, could not get discounts rapidly enough to meet their open accounts at maturity. No paper with their name on it went to protest, but they asked their creditors to accept notes at an average of five months, with interest added, in settlement of the open accounts, and most of the creditors were willing to extend this accom- modation. The notes were paid at an average of abont ninety days say two months before maturity. The ability of Mr. Claflin may be judged fairly by the magnitude of the business which he built up, which from 1865 to the time of his death far ex- ceeded that of any other commercial house in the world. He was the pioneer of that development of modern business by which the old-fashioned jobbing houses became importers, and even manufacturers, as well as distributers of merchandise, a develop- ment which has now extended to many other branches of trade, with a constant tendency to the minimum of profit and consequent benefit to the consumer. · The fortune which be accumulated is a very inade- quate measure of his success, for his great liberality to his associates prevented him from keeping to him- self the share of the profits which he might fairly have claimed. More than a score of persons who stood in confidential relations to him in the business (partners and others) retired to leisure at various times with ample fortunes, not one of them having contributed a dollar in money to the firm's capital.

If he had been avaricious his accumulations would probably have been thrice what they were, but he pre- ferred gratitude to money. In measuring his work, too, not only his individual fortune and those of his immediate associates must be reckoned, but note should also be taken that hundreds of fortunes throughout the United States have had their begin- ing in the generosity of Mr. Claflin. It was a great satisfaction to him to give young men a liberal start, and perhaps no other man has lived in this country who has helped so many beginners with money and with unexampled credit, until they have become able to sustain themselves.

He was a man of strong convictions and of noble principles. In 1850 it was unpopular-it cost some- thing-to be known as an opponent of slavery, but when the Castle Garden meeting was called in that year, he, in his quiet way, let every one know that he was an uncompromising friend of freedom, and it was a satisfaction to him to be published in the list of " Black Republicans," which many of the newspapers held up for abuse.

Although strongly Republican in his political views, and a Republican Presidential elector in 1872, in 1884 he voted for President Cleveland (when most of his personal friends were in favor of Mr. Blaine), because he was a sincere believer in civil service re- form.

His life was remarkably happy. He said to bis sons many times, " I should be glad to live my life over again, for with all its mistakes and disappoint- ments it has been full of happiness." Only a man of good heart and clear conscience could say that.

Mr. Claflin's benevolence was without limit. He was always thinking of the poor and needy, and fre- quently said to his family, "We must try to give pleasure to poor people, not to the rich ; the latter do not need our attention." His cheerfulness was won- derful. His conversation sparkled with humor. Even in the most trying times his presence was like sun- shine to his family and friends. He was a living il- lustration of Sir Humphrey Davy's charming lines : " Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart and secure comfort."

His pleasures, except those of business, were found at home. He belonged to no clubs, entertained and went into society comparatively little; but in his home circle, and among the few who were very inti- mate with him, the charm of his bright face, his overflowing merriment, and his sweet seriousness will never be forgotten. He loved more than most men, and every one that lived in his immediate presence had an affection for him beyond expression in words. He died November 14, 1885, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.

1286

HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

AARON CLAFLIN.

Aaron Claflin was born in Milford, April 20, 1807. He grew up and succeeded his father, John Claflin, in business. He married Mary, daughter of Captain Rufus and Hannah (Parkhurst) Thayer, April 17, 1828. He has devoted himself honorably and suc- cessfully to business, mainly in manufacturing boots, and especially as a wholesale dealer in that general line, managing, since 1842, a large and flourishing boot and shoe store in New York City, and residing inį Brooklyn much of his time. But he has constantly given Milford a large share of his business enter- prise and wealth.

The numerous substantial edifices in our Centre, occupied under his auspices, or affording ample ac- commodations to other business men, together with public halls, &c., proclaim his deep interest in the thrift of his native town. Besides these, he owns and runs a large model farm of two hundred and fifty acres on Silver Hill, with probably as much pecuniary benefit to others as to himself. This is his rural home, which he visits quite regularly from month to month, making such temporary stays as convenience and pleasure dictate.

He is an expert at minding his own business, treat- ing his fellow-creatures commendably, dispensing his benefactions unostentatiously, and thus insuring to himself a corresponding measure of respectful good- will. His memory is a most remarkable eneyelo- pædia of town history, genealogy and interesting facts. Milford owes Mr. Claflin and family a high tribute of solid honor and gratitude.

Mr. Claflin's children are as follows: Fidelia, Charles F., George W., Mary L., John H., Josephine B., Adla M., Henry A.

Mrs. Aaron Claflin died July 18, 1875.

HON. AARON C. MAYHEW.

Mr. Mayhew came to Milford from Hopkinton in the year 1829, and entered the employ of the late Lee Claflin to learn the tanner's trade. With a reso- lute ambition and energetic will to achieve success in the world he did so. Having mastered his trade and married a congenial helpmeet, he entered into partnership, March 25, 1835, with David S. Godfrey, for the manufacture of leather, under the firm-name of Godfrey & Mayhew. The firm soon commenced to manufacture boots and shoes. Their business grew and prospered. Mr. Godfrey having died, Mr. May- hew formed, in 1853, a co-partnership for prosecuting the same line of business with George W. Howe and John S. Leland, under the firm-name of A. C. May- hew & Co. Mr. Leland died in 1857, and Sullivan C. Sumner took his place in the firm, which, with slight changes, remained in continuons activity. Mr. Mayhew was several years president of the Milford Fire Insurance Company, vice-president and on the Investment Committee of the Milford Savings Bank

from its incorporation in 1851. He was made presi- dent of the Milford National Bank at its institution in 1854, and held that responsible position until his death, which occurred September 26, 1880. Mean- time he was distinguished in civil and political life as moderator of many town-meetings, selectman, rep- resentative to General Court two years, twice a State Senator, a member of Governor's Council under Banks two years, on the State Central Committee of the Republican party for several years, and a Presi- dential elector on the Grant and Wilson ticket in 1872. Such is the outline of his personal and pub- lic success, from the humble beginning whence he started.

His pedigree was also honorable. He placed in the hands of Rev. Adin Ballon documents and a genealogieal tree which make him a descendant of the celebrated Mayhews that distinguished them- selves in the early times of New England as civilizers of the Indians. Thomas came over from England in 1631; he was immediately admitted a freeman, settled at Watertown, held numerous responsible civil offices, and finally, under a grant from the Earl of Sterling, was made superintendent of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and the adjacent islands, for the purpose of governing, civilizing and Christianizing the Indians there. He left Watertown with a colony of whites for his domain, and his son, Thomas, as a preacher to the Indians. This son died when the father was seventy years of age; and finding it im- possible to procure a successor who understood the language of the natives, he took his son's place, min- istering till his death, at the advanced age of be- tween ninety and one hundred years. (See Mayhew Genealogy, " Milford History.")

ZIBEON C. FIELD.1

Zibeon C. Field, of Milford, is the son of Zibeon and Lydia (Howe) Field, and was born in Paris, Maine, on the 25th day of December, 1831. He is a direct descendant of the eminent English astronomer, Sir John Field. He is also a lineal descendant of John Alden, the last surviving signer of the famous compact made on board the " Mayflower."

Mr. Field first came to Milford in 1848, and worked for some time in a boot shop, but his health having become impaired, in 1852 he sailed for Cali- fornia, going around Cape Horn in the good ship "R. C. Winthrop." After having passed three years there at work in the mines, he returned to Milford, but soon after engaged in the provision business in Roxbury. It was not till 1858 that he was perma- nently established in Milford, where he has ever since been carrying on a coal and lumber business in con- nection with his brother, Perley T. Field.

He has been married twice ; his first wife was Lydia

1 By C. A. Dewey.

Ame :.

Hours "July

gibeon Le. Field

1287

RUTLAND.

A., the daughter of Colonel Peter and Hopestill (Prentiss) Corbett, by whom he had four children. She died March 21, 1872. His second wife, whom he married June 17, 1874, was Anna, the daughter of Almon and Sarah A. (Darling) Thwing, of Hopedale. By this marriage the town lost one of the best of its teachers,

Mr. Field has always shown a lively interest in public matters, and heen willing to do his share of work for the common good. For two years he was foreman of the Washington Hook-and-Ladder Com- pany of Roxbury. In Milford he served some time on the Board of Engineers ; for five years he was chairman of the selectmen, and for three years a member of the School Committee. For two years, in 1864 and 1865, he was a member of the General Court, where he served on the committees on horse- railroads and on railways and canals. He was also appointed by Governor Andrew as a justice of the peace.

He was an active and efficient worker as agent of the town in recruiting soldiers for the war. He went to Washington in 1864 and, by a personal interview with President Lincoln, secured the credit of one hundred and thirty-seven three years' men to Mil- ford, for whom the town had received no credit in the settlement between the State and National govern- ments, thus saving for the town many thousand dollars.

For several years past Mr. Field has declined to accept of any civil office, but still takes a warm inter- est in polities, and is now chairman of the Repub- lican League of Milford. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and has long been one of the standing committee of the parish.

Mr. Field has played well his part in life. Success- ful in his private business, he is one of those public- spirited and most valuable men who are always ready to lend a hand in aiding any good work which may advance the interests of the town. Quick and clear in his perceptions, and endowed with a large share of common sense, he has always shown the courage of his convictions, and has ever been disposed to stand up for what he believed to be right. He enjoys the respect of the entire community in which he lives, and has long been regarded as one of the leading and most influential citizens of Milford.

CHAPTER CLXIII.

RUTLAND.

BY CHARLES R. BARTLETT.

Indian Deed and Grant of Twelve Miles Square-Proprietorships and Hardships of Early Settlers-Location and Surface-Roads and Schools -Revolutionary War-Encampment of Burgoyne's Army-Indians.

AN Indian deed, dating back more than two hundred years, December 22, 1686, given and executed by

Joseph Trask, alias Puagastion, of Pennicook ; Job, alias Pompamamay, of Natick ; Simon Piticom, alias Wananapan, of Wamassick ; Sassawannow, of Natick ; James Wiser, alias Qualipumt, of Natick (Indians who claimed to be lords of the soil), to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Ben- jamin Willard and Cyprian Stevens, for twenty-three pounds of the then currency, of a certain tract of land twelve miles square, comprising about one-eighth part of Worcester County, including what is now the whole of Rutland, Oakham, Barre, Hubbardston, more than one-half of Princeton and nearly or quite one-half of Paxton.

Upon the petition of the descendants of Maj. Simon Willard, of Lancaster, to the General Court for the confirmation of their title to the above tract of land, on the 23d of February, 1713, the following order was passed :

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History of Worcester County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 95

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