USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 29
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 29
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
By a selection most fortunate for Massachusetts, Dr. Woodward was appointed Superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital, and became resident in Worcester in January, 1833,1 bringing to that establishment, on its commencement, those high qualifications de- sirable for its success.
Since his residence here he has become member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society, of the Ohio Historical, Philosophical and Medical Society, President of a Temperance Society, and connect- ed with other literary, medical, and useful associations.
The heavy and increasing labors of his official situation, preclude him from exercising, beyond the walls of the hospital, except in con- sultation, the skill and experience acquired by wide practice. Yet the relation he holds, justifies, while his high character renders desira- ble, the claim, to number among our physicians, one of whose name any community might be proud.
Aaron Gardner Babcock, son of Amos Babcock, born at Prince- ton, Mass; studied with Dr. Chandler Smith in that town ; attended the lectures, and received medical degree at Bowdoin College, in 1830; commenced and continued business in Holden for three suc- ceeding years ; and began practise here, in May, 1834.
William Workman, son of Daniel T. Workman, born in Col- raine, Mass. studied with Dr. Seth Washburn at Greenfield, and Dr. Flint at Northampton, and received the degree of M. D. at the Medical College of Harvard University in 1825. He practised in Shrewsbury from 1825 to 1835, and in April of the latter year, re- moved to Worcester.
1 On the removal of Dr. Woodward from Wethersfield, a card was transmitted to him, subscribed by 670 persons, expressing warm personal regard, high respect for his tal- ents, worth and usefulness, and the sincere regret, which would be understood by all who enjoy his acquaintance, for his departure. Mass. Spy, Jan. 16, 1833.
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PHYSICIANS.
Chandler Smith, son of Calvin Smith, born in Peru, Berkshire county, studied with Dr. John M. Smith of West Boylston, received his professional diploma from the Berkshire Medical Institution in 1825 : and practised in Princeton, Mass. from Nov. 1826, until his removal to Worcester in June, 1836.
Among the physicians since the revolution, not included in the foregoing list, were : GEORGE HOLMES HALL, a native of Medford, who practised here nearly three years from 1783, married a daugh- ter of Gardner Chandler, and removed to Brattleborough, Vt. where he remained in his profession and in the business of apothecary : SAMUEL WILLARD, of Harvard, who was resident of this town about two years after 1790 : and JOHN HOMANS, afterwards of Brookfield, now of the city of Boston, who was of Worcester a few months in 1815.
1 The kindness of that accurate antiquarian, the Rev. Dr. T. M. Harris, by a com- munication since the last sheet went through the press, has furnished materials for cor- recting and extending the very brief notice of Dr. Dix, on page 255.
Doct. Elijah Dix, was born at Watertown, Aug. 24, 1747. Enjoying few advantages of early education, such was his desire to become qualified for respectable station in so- ciety, that, when a young man, he went to live with the Rev. Aaron Hutchinson of Graf- ton, engaging to do sufficient work for him to pay for board and instruction. Withi this excentric man, who was a thorough scholar, he made good proficiency in the ele- ments of literature and science. His circumstances in life precluding the attainment of collegiate education, he entered himself as medical student with Dr. John Green. On commencing the practise of the profession in Worcester, he connected with it an Apoth- ecary's store, having been qualified for this business by being some time with Dr. Wil- liam Greenleaf of Boston, and by careful attention to the most approved Dispensato- ries. In the spring of 1784, having unsettled accounts with Dr. Sylvester Gardner, who went, at the commencement of the revolution, from Boston to England as a loyal- ist, Dr. Dix, with an honorable sense of responsibility, made a voyage thither, with the means to liquidate the outstanding claims. An adjustment was effected to the mutual satisfaction of the old friends. The visit afforded opportunity, not only of enlarging his knowledge of mankind, but establishing correspondence, for trade, with the houses of eminent chemists and druggists in London. Besides a choice assortment of medicines, he brought back some valuable books and philosophical and chemical apparatus. Re turning to Worcester, he formed the plan of an Academy here, and uniting with him a number of gentlemen, the institution was commenced, and for some time flourished. At- tentive to public improvement, he was the first to set trees himself, and induce others to plant them, on the borders of Main Street. He was one of the most efficient and zeal- ous promoters of the Worcester and Boston Turnpike, a work affording, at the period of its establishment, great facilities to travel. Having built a house in Boston, and a store for wholesale druggist's trade, he removed there in 1795. After that part of Dor- chester, now South Boston, was set off from the metropolis, and connected with it by a bridge, he erected there an edifice, with furnaces and ovens, for refining Sulphur, and a laboratory for clarifying camphor, and other. preparations, proofs alike of chemical sci- ence and energetic spirit.
He was of strong natural powers of mind, of active industry and ardent enterprise. As a physician, skill, improved by study, observation, and experience, rendered his ser- vices useful and successful. MS. of Rev. T. M. Harris.
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CHAPTER XIV.
Graduates of Colleges, and natives of the town who have received liberal education. Distinguished citizens. John Chandler. Capt. Jonas Hubbard. Col. Timothy Big- elow. Col. Ephraim Doolittle. David Thomas. Benjamin Heywood. Joseph Allen. Isaiah Thomas.
JOSEPH ALLEN is the first person borne on the records of Harvard College from Worcester. His father was the Rev. Benjamin Allen, an early settler, to whom land was granted at the south east corner of the town. He was born Feb. 14, 1720, entered the University, but was not graduated, and, it seems, died early.
TIMOTHY PAINE, H. U. 1748, son of Hon. Nathaniel Paine of Bristol, R. I. removed to Worcester at the age of eight years, and was long one of our most respected and useful citizens. Soon after leaving college he was engaged in the public service. The number and variety of offices he held, exhibit the estimation in which he stood. He was Clerk of the Courts from 1750 to 1774 : Register of Pro- bate from 1756 to 1767: Register of Deeds from 1761 to 1778 : Member of the Executive Council of the Province from 1766 to 1773; in 1774, was appointed one of this Majesty's Mandamus Coun- cillors, a station which was declined in compliance with public will expressed in the manner related in preceding pages : Selectman from 1753 to 1763, and from 1765 to 1774: Town Clerk for ten years from 1753: and Representative in 1788 and 1789.
Solid talents, practical sense, candor, sincerity, affability, and mildness, were the characteristics of his life, which closed July 17, 1793, at the age of 63 years.
RUFUS CHANDLER, H. U. 1766. See Lawyers.
SAMUEL WILLARD, H. U. 1767, son of Dr. Nahum Willard, born April 13, 1748, studied medicine with Dr. Israel Atherton of Lan- caster, and established himself in Uxbridge in 1770. He was par- ticularly distinguished for his treatment of the insane. 1
1 He married Olive, daughter of Rev. Amariah Frost, of Milford, by whom he had two sons : 1. Abijah, born Feb. 16, 1782, practised medicine in Uxbridge, and died April 12, 1816. 2. George, physician in Uxbridge, and representative of that town in the Legislature. Levi Willard, brother of Samuel, son of Nahum, born in Worcester, Nov. 24, 1749, studied with his father, and went into the practise of medicine and sur- gery in Mendon; acquired good reputation in both departments ; and died there Dec. 11, 1809.
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WILLIAM PAINE, H. U. 1768. See Physicians.
NATHANIEL CHANDLER, H. U. 1768, son of Hon. John Chandler, born Nov. 6, 1750, a student of James Putnam, was called to the bar in 1771, and commenced business in Petersham, which he con- inued until the courts were closed. Almost necessarily a royalist, he became a refugee, and, for a time, commanded a corps of volunteers n the British service. From New York he went to England. Returning, in 1784, he engaged in trade in Petersham. Sickness compelled him to relinquish the shop. He removed to Worcester, where he died, March 7, 1801.1
SAMUEL PAINE, H. U. 1771, son of Hon. Timothy Paine, born Aug. 23, 1754; was associated with his father as Clerk of the Courts and Register of Probate, before the revolution. He left the country, and visited New York, Nova Scotia, and England. He received pension of £84 per annum, from the British government, as an American Loyalist. After the war he returned home, and died in Worcester, June 21, 1807.
WILLIAM CHANDLER, II. U. 1772, son of Hon. John Chandler, born Dec. 5, 1752, left the country at the commencement of the 'evolution, and remained with the British during that contest. He 'eturned, and died in Worcester.
JAMES PUTNAM, H. U. 1774, son of James Putnam, Esq. born Nov. 16, 1756, retired to Nova Scotia immediately after leaving the University ; became a favorite with the Duke of Kent ; accompanied him to England, obtained the office of Marshal ; was member of the household of his patron, and one of the executors of his will.
DANIEL BIGELOW, H. U. 1775, son of Daniel Bigelow, was born April 27, 1752. After leaving college, he instructed the town school to the spring of 1776. Then he formed connection with William Stearns, Esq. in the publication of the Spy. On the return of Mr. Thomas from Salem, in 1777, the newspaper was surrender- ed to its original proprietor. He then entered the office of Mr. Stearns, as student at law, was admitted June, 1780, and opened an office in Petersham, where he died Nov. 5, 1806. He was repre- sentative of that town from 1790 to 1795; senator of the county from 1794 to 1799 ; member of the executive council in 1801; and was successor to Judge Sprague and predecessor of Judge Paine, as county attorney.2
NATHANIEL PAINE, H. U. 1775. See Lawyers.
SAMUEL CHANDLER, son of John Chandler, born Feb. 25, 1757,
1 Willard's Address, 77.
2 Willard's Address 88.
34
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was merchant, for some time connected with his brother Charles in Worcester, afterwards engaged in trade in Putney, Vt. and was in extensive business. He died Oct. 26, 1813, in Woodstock, Vt. He entered Harvard College in 1771, but soon left the University.
TIMOTHY BIGELOW, H. U. 1786, was born in Worcester, April 30, 1767. His father, Col. Timothy Bigelow, engaging in the pri- mary movements of the revolution, was soon called into military service. The early education of the son, necessarily devolving on maternal care, was commenced in the public schools of his native place. This then imperfect source of instruction was soon disturbed by the troubles of the times, and he entered the printing office of Isaiah Thomas, where he was occupied during two years.1 The passion for books and the strong love of literature, were manifested amid the employments of the press, by the devotion of leisure hours to the acquisition of the elementary branches of English, and the rudiments of Latin. In 1778, he was placed, as pupil, under the charge of the Rev. Joseph Pope of Spencer. The spring of 1779 found him in the quarters of the Continental Army, posted to watch the British forces on Rhode Island, gaining the manly accomplish- ments a camp affords, and enjoying the frank courtesies of military life. When the regiment of Col. Bigelow marched south, he re- turned to his home, and pursued his studies for two years under the kind superintendence of Benjamin Lincoln, son of the revolutionary general, then student at law ; and when this gentleman left Worces- ter, they were continued, under the direction of another law student, of great eminence in after life, the late Hon. Samuel Dexter, who accompanied his scholar, and presented him for admission at the University, in 1782. In college, Mr. Bigelow took prominent rank in a distinguished class,2 excelling in the exact sciences, and par- ticularly in mathematics. Leaving Cambridge, he adopted the pro- fession of the law, and entered the office of Levi Lincoln, sen. When the insurrection broke out, in 1787, he joined the army and aided in sustaining the government against the wild designs of its
1 Hon. Benjamin Russell, long editor of the Columbian Centinel, and Senator and Councillor of Massachusetts, was apprentice of Mr. Thomas, while Mr. Bigelow was in the printing office. Warm friendship arose, and was cherished, between these gentle- men, until the death of the latter.
2 Among his classmates, were the late lamented Chief Justice Parker, Christopher G. Champlin, U. S. Senator from Rhode Island, Thomas W. Thompson, U. S. Senator from New Hampshire, Alden Bradford, Secretary of Massachusetts, John Lowell of Roxbury, and William Harris, President of Columbia College. With such competitors, excellence was high merit.
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TIMOTHY BIGELOW.
nternal enemies. When a company of colonists was formed, by en. Rufus Putnam, from the inhabitants of Worcester and Essex, or the first settlement of Ohio, he entered into the plan of emigra- ion, but was reluctantly induced to relinquish the execution by domestic considerations. Admitted to the bar in 1789, he com- nenced, in Groton, Mass. the practise of a profession, whose duties ind labors were sustained, for more than thirty years, by a constitu- ion never robust, against the pressure of bodily infirmity. In 1806, e removed to Medford, and while resident there had an office in Boston. His business was widely extended. Attending the courts of Middlesex and Worcester, and those of Hillsborough and Merri- nack, N. H. he became one of the prominent counsellors at the bar of Suffolk, and, in the latter years of his life, was retained in many of the important causes in Essex and Norfolk. Among able competitors and eloquent advocates, the broad range and multipli- city of his engagements, are indications of standing not to be mis- taken. A fluent speaker, well versed in his profession, enjoying the reputation of a good general scholar, he possessed the nobler merit of high moral and religious principles.
Mr. Bigelow early entered the Legislature of the Commonwealth. From 1792 to May, 1797, he was representative from Groton : dur_ ing the four succeeding years, Senator : in 1802, Councillor : in 1804, he was again elected representative : for eighteen ensuing years was returned member of the House; in 1805, he was chosen its Speaker ; and in 1808 and 1809, and subsequently, from 1812 to 1819 inclusive, presided over this branch of the legislative depart- ment with signal ability and popularity. Entering warmly into the politics of the times, and entertaining the views of the opponents of the policy and measures of the General Administration, he was a prominent member of the Federal party ; and in December 1814, as delegate from Massachusetts, attended the Hartford Convention, with his colleagues, Hon. George Cabot, Hon. Harrison G. Otis, and Hon. William Prescott, of Boston.1 In 1820 he was at the Council board ; but, before the term had expired, he had ceased from earthly cares and laid down the burden of mortality. He died at Medford, May 18, 1821, aged 54 years.
Endowed with ready apprehension, of active and inquisitive mind, gathering knowledge with remarkable facility, exact method and system enabled him, under the pressure of a load of labors, to com- pass a vast amount of reading. Exploring almost every branch of
1 Of this famous political assembly, Hon. Daniel Waldo of Worcester, was a member.
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liberal science, he was peculiarly conversant with Theology. Resting on scripture truth as the basis of faith and the guide of practise, the better to resolve the dubious texts of the Bible, in his latter years, he added to familiar acquaintance with Greek, sufficient proficiency in Hebrew, to enable him to read the Old and New Testaments in their original languages. With rare colloquial talents, he freely poured forth the stores of diversified information, and the treasures of re- tentive memory, enlivened by illustrative anecdote, and a vein of sparkling humor. He was member of the American Academy, and Vice President of the American Antiquarian Society.1 He was active in establishing and conducting, the association of the 'Mid- dlesex Husbandmen.' Taste for Horticulture, led him to execute a systematic plan of ornamental gardening around his home, which his liberal spirit made the seat of hospitality, and where were exer- cised the social and domestic virtues, rendering his private life as excellent, as his public course was eminent .?
THOMAS CHANDLER, H. U. 1787, son of the third Hon. John Chandler, born Jan. 11, 1768, was merchant, and died here.
GARDNER L. CHANDLER, H. U. 1787, son of Col. Gardner Chand- ler, born Nov. 29, 1768, studied law with Levi Lincoln, sen. and dis- covered distinguished talent and capacity for a profession, which he soon abandoned, and devoted himself to merchandise, in Boston.
JOSEPH ALLEN, H. U. 1792. See Lawyers.
WILLIAM DIX, II. U. 1792, son of Dr. Elijah Dix, born July 25, 1772, studied medicine with Dr. Waterhouse in Cambridge, and
1 While Free Masonry was in its palmy state in New England, Mr. Bigelow presided, for two triennial terms, over the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and, in that capacity, with a spendid cortége of craftsmen, in 1808, inade a journey to Portland, to instal the officers of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
2 Hon. Timothy Bigelow married, Sept. 1791, Lucy, daughter of Judge Oliver Prescott of Groton, one of the founders of the American Academy and of the Mass. Medical Society. His children were: 1. Katherine, m. Hon. Abbott Lawrence of Bos- ton. 2. Andrew, settled in the ministry, first in Medford, afterwards over the first Congre- gational Church, in Taunton. 3. John Prescott, Secretary of the Commonwealth. 4. Edward, residing at Medford: 5. Helen : 6. Francis, merchant in Boston. 7. Eliza- beth Prescott, living at Medford.
The publications of Hon. Timothy Bigelow, were: 1. Oration before the Phi Beta Kappa, July 21, 1796, at Cambridge : 2. Funeral Oration on Hon. Samuel Dana, April 4, 1798, at Amberst, N. H .: 3. Eulogy on Washington, Feb. 11, 1800, at Boston : 4. Ad- dress before the Washington Benevolent Society, April 30, 1814, at Boston.
The materials for this sketch have been derived from a Memoir, kindly furnished by the Rev. Andrew Bigelow. Could the pen of that ripe scholar and elegant writer have been borrowed, ample justice might have been rendered to the worth of his father. In the Centinel of May 19, 1821, is a tribute to the memory of Mr. Bigelow, traced by luis early associate, Maj. Russell, with the glowing pen of friendship.
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took his medical degree in 1795, when he delivered an inaugural dissertation on dropsy, which was printed. He died at the island of Dominica, in the West Indies, April 4, 1799.
ELIJAH DIX GREEN, B. U. 1793, son of the second Dr. Jolin Green, born July 4, 1769, was physician in Charleston, S. C. where he died, Sept. 21, 1795.
SAMUEL BROWN, H. U. 1793, born Dec. 9, 1768, was son of Luke Brown, commenced the study of physic with the elder John Green, which was completed with Dr. John Jeffries, to whose daughter he was united in marriage, and established himself in Boston. An inaugural dissertation on the bilious malignant fever, July 10, 1797, of extraordinary merit, gave him, at once, distinguished reputation, well sustained by rare skill and science. As a testimonial of appro- bation of the high merit of his essay, a silver plate was bestowed by the Massachusetts Medical Society, of which he was member. A disease of the knee so impaired his constitution, that he submitted to the amputation of the limb. The result did not restore health. He died, at Bolton, Aug. 4, 1800, while on a visit to his mother, who had married William Osborne, an innkeeper of that town.1
ASA MCFARLAND, D. C. 1793, son of James McFarland, was born April 19, 1769. He was tutor in Dartmouth College two years; and appointed Trustee of that institution ; which office he resigned in 1821. He was ordained minister of Concord, N. H. March 7, 1798, officiated twenty seven years, and died, Feb. 18, 1827. He was President of the N. H. Domestic Missionary Society, and connected with many other charitable associations. The Doctorate of Divinity was conferred upon him by Yale College, under the pres- idency of the venerable Dr. Dwight, in 1809. 2
1Luke Brown, grandfather of Dr. Samuel, removed from Sudbury about 1750, opened, and long kept, a public house, north of Lincoln square, near the site of the ancient jail, and acquired wealth by speculation in wild lands. While on a journey to New York, undertaken for negociating the purchase of a township in Vermont, now Newfane, he contracted the small pox, and died, soon after his return, April 14, 1772, aged 58. He was succeeded in the business of innkeeper, by his sor, Luke, who died Nov. 6, 1776, aged 31, leaving four sons, Luke, Arad, John, and Samuel.
? The ancestor of this family here, was Daniel McFarland, who emigrated from Ulster in Ireland in 1718. His son Andrew, grandfather of Asa, left three sons ; William and James, both dying at Worcester ; and Daniel, who removed to Pennsylvania, about the commencement of the revolution, and settled on the Monongahela, where his deseend- ants remain. Duncan, brother of the first Daniel, planted in Rutland. By his last will, Aug. 14, 1746, he devised ' to Daniel, my well beloved son, whom I likewise constitute, make, and ordain my sole executor, the one half of all my lands that I enjoy at present, on the strict condition that he will never marry Betty Harper.'
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GRADUATES OF COLLEGES.
JOIN CURTIS CHAMBERLAIN, H. U. 1793, son of John Chamber- lain, born, June 5, 1773, read law with Hon. Benjamin West of Charlestown, N. H. was admitted to practise in 1796, opened an office in Alstead, and held prominent place at the bar of Cheshire county. He was representative in Congress from 1809 to 1811. In 1826, he removed to the Western part of the state of New-York, and died at Utica, Nov. 15, 1834, at the age of 62.
LUKE BROWN, II. U. 1794, son of Luke Brown, jun. born Nov. 29, 1772, read law and entered into its practise in Hardwick, Mass. where he married a daughter of Gen. Jonathan Warner, and for a time pursued the profession with indifferent success, but he soon abandoned his office.
HENRY VASSALL CHAMBERLAIN, son of John Chamberlain, born Jan. 11, 1777, entered Harvard College in 1794. He withdrew from the University, studied law with Hon. Nathaniel Paine, and with his brother, John C. Chamberlain, was admitted in 1801 at the bar of Cheshire, N. H. practised in Farmington, Me. a few years ; about 1810, removed to the South, and has resided for twenty years in Mobile, Ala. where he has acquired wealth and reputation. He has there held the offices of Port Warden, Alderman, Sheriff of the County of Mobile, Judge of the Orphan's Court, and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.1
WILLIAM E. GREEN, B. U. 1798. See Lawyers.
MOSES MILLER, B. U. 1800, son of Moses Miller who married Sarah Gray, born Nov. 23, 1776; was fitted for college, principally in the town school, under the instruction of Mr. Andrew Morton. He was tutor in Brown University three years, while acquiring the- ological education, and was ordained minister of Heath, Mass. Dec. 26, 1804, where he has since remained sole pastor of the Congregational Society. 2
TYLER BIGELOW, H. U. 1801, son of David Bigelow, studied law with Hon. Timothy Bigelow, in Groton, opened an office in
1 His only child, Henry Chamberlain, a lawyer of good standing, has been member of the legislature of Alabama.
2 The Rev. Mr. Miller, married Bethialı, daughter of Dr. Samuel Ware, of Conway, and has had nine children, of whom six are living. The oldest son was member of Amherst College in Sept. 1836. His grandfather, Moses, was for many years, deaeon of the old South Church in Worcester, held many civil offices in the town during the revolution, was a man of firm patriotism, unusual soundness of judgment, striet integrity, and liberal benevolence. His great grandfather, was a soldier of Capt. Church in the Indian wars, was wounded severely, and carried a musket ball received, in fight, to his grave.
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Leominster, and removed to Watertown, Oct. 4, 1804, where he has since resided, having received ample share of the confidence of cli- ents and the emolument of the profession. I
WILLIAM FITZ PAINE, son of Dr. William Paine, born Nov. 2, 1783, entered Harvard College in 1797, but withdrew ; engaged in commerce ; went abroad, and resided during several years at Port Louis, in the island of Mauritius, and since 1821, at Batavia in Java.
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