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 35
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 35
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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
From this time onward, the speed of traveling and its facilities were increased almost beyond measure.1
weather, from twelve hours to three days. A considerable part of the road between New Haven and New York, along the shore of the Sound, was extremely rough, rocky, and uncomfortable, and in fact in some places almost impassable for wheel carriages. After Brown's carriage had run for a year or two, or perhaps more, a man of the name of Hall petitioned the legislature of Connecticut for the exclusive privilege of running stage carriages on the road from New Haven through that state, to Byram river, which was granted, and the stages were established, and run for a number of years, when they passed into other hands. Not far from the same time an exclusive privilege of running stage carriages from Hartford to the Massachusetts line, between Suffield in Connecticut and West Springfield in Massachusetts, on the great post road to Boston, which then passed in that direction, was granted by the legislature of Connecticut to Reuben Sikes, who for many years, in connection with Levi Pease, of Shrewsbury in Massachusetts, and probably with others, kept up the line through to Boston.'
1 The improvement in the rate of motion in England, has been as great as in the United States. An advertisement of stage coachies in the Newcastle Courant, of 1712, says, ' All that desire to pass from Edinbro' to London, or from London to Edinbro', or any place on that road, let them repair to Mr. John Bailie's at the Coach and Horses,
320
COMMUNICATION.
It would not be useful to detail further the steps in the progress of a branch of improvement, whose course may be so easily traced by inspection of the newspapers.
Stages were placed on almost every road. The lines which cen- tred at Worcester, and went out and returned here in 1825, before canal or rail road affected this mode of conveyance, are thus enu- merated : there were stages, daily to Boston, Hartford, and New York, and to Oxford : three times a week, 5 lines to Boston ; 1 to Providence ; I through Hardwick to Northampton ; 1 through Brook- field to the same town; 1 to Springfield ; 1 to Keene ; 1 to East Chelmsford ; 1 to Southbridge ; 1 to Dudley ; twice a weck, there was a line to Providence ; and there were weekly lines to Athol, to Richmond, N. H. and to Ashburnham. Post riders carried mails twice a week to Pomfret, Conu. and weekly to Thompson, Conn .: others without mails went to Concord, Charlton, and Oxford.
In 1831, it was estimated that the average amount of traveling in stages between Boston and Worcester, was equal to 22360 pas- sages per annum, for which the lowest price of fare was two dol- lars, and the shortest time six hours.
The subjoined list exhibits an account of the different lines of stages in September, 1836, and the number of times each arrives and departs weekly.
Stage lo
Weekly.
Stage lo
Weekly.
Boston,
Mail,
7
Springfield,
6
66
Accommodation, 3
Northampton, 6
Springfield Mail, 3
Amherst, 6
Hartford, Southern Mail, 7
Keene,
6
Tremont Line, 6
Brattleborough, 6
Citizens,
6
North Brookfield, 3
Telegraph, 6
Barre, 3
Providence,
6
Greenfield, 6
Lowell,
6
Millbury, 12
Norwich,
6
Leicester, 12
The stage books gave the total receipts of three lines for the year ending April 1, 1835, thus : from Worcester to Springfield $8,699 : to Northampton $13,086 : by the way of Amherst $3,131 : amount-
al the head of Cannongate, Edinbro', every other Saturday, or 10 the Black Swan, in Holborn, every other Monday : at both of which places, they may be received in a stage coach, which performs the whole journey in thirteen days, without any stoppage, if God permits, having 80 able horses to perform the whole stage.' A late English paper states that the Mail coach from Edinburgh to London has been through in 40 hours.
321
MANUFACTURES.
ing in the whole to $24,915. It was estimated that the number of passengers annually carried between Worcester and Hartford was 30,000.
MANUFACTURES, Before the revolution, and for a long period af- ter its conclusion, the manufactures of the town were very incon- siderable.
Works for making potash were first established in the north part of the town, about 1760 : buildings for similar purposes were plac- ed on Lincoln street, by John Nazro, about ten years after : four more were erected at much later periods ; but all have long since been destroyed.
The distillation of rye, to an extent not only sufficient for home consumption, but affording some surplus for exportation, was early commenced, but was not successful.
In 1780, an association was formed, for the purpose of spinning and weaving cotton. In February, it was stated in the Spy, that a subscription was making for defraying the expense of a jenny. Mr. Thomas announces, under date April 30, that ' on Tuesday last, the first piece of corduroy made at the manufactory in this town was taken from the loom. Good judges speak highly of it, as superior to English. The carding machine, which is a great curiosity, as well as is the spinning machine, has been completed some time. In a little time it is hoped, the corduroys, jeans, &c. made in this town will be sufficient to supply the country.' The proprietors, it is said, in December, ' had lately erected buildings, and taken other meas- ures to carry on business extensively. A large quantity of fustian, jean, and corduroy are for sale now, lasting longer, and retaining color and beauty better, than the foreign.' These articles with the addition of ' federal rib and cotton,' were advertised by Samuel Bra- zer, in May, 1790. The site of the establishment was on the stream a short distance below the Court Mills. Want of profit or persever- ance, induced the owners to forego their brilliant anticipations, and the manufactory edifice, removed to Main street, was long after known as the 'Green store.'
Paper was made by Mr. Thomas in 1794, on the Blackstone Riv- er. The mill then erected was afterwards leased and finally sold to Elijah Burbank, and the business, continued by him until 1834, has since been extended by the Quinsigamond Paper Company.
A card manufactory was commenced by Daniel Denny in 1798. Peter and Ebenezer Stowell, in Oct. 1804, commenced weaving
41
322
TRADE.
carpets and plaids, and at one time, had six looms of their own in- vention and construction in operation. They pursued, at the same time, the business of printing calicos, and built shearing machines, superseded in use, in later days, by those of more perfect operation.
Abel Stowell, carried on a very extensive manufacture of tower and church clocks, and many now remain to attest the value of his han- diwork, and mark the hours of the present generation.
In 1803, Joshua Hale began the carding of wool in the south part of the town, and in 1810, erected a cotton factory, which, though of humble extent in comparison with the immense structures of the mill owners of the valley of the Blackstone, was considered a great enterprise a quarter of a century ago.
During the last ten years the water power of the town has been made to have more than double the former capacity, by the establish- ment of reservoirs, and is susceptible of being increased to great ex- tent by the same means.
There are now 2 mills manufacturing broadcloths : 6 making sat- inets : 1 for cotton sheeting and shirting : 2 for satinet warps : 1 for pelisse wadding : 2 for paper. There are 7 extensive establish- ments for building machinery : one wire factory : an iron foundry: and manufactories, of sashes, doors and blinds ; of lead aqueduct pipe : of paper hangings : of cabinet furniture : of chairs : of brush- es : of trunks and harnesses : of ploughs : of hats : of shoes : of watches : of umbrellas : of cutlery : of piano fortes ; and many other articles of utility or ornament. The amount of production in the different branches of manufacturing industry is very great, and con- stantly increasing.1
TRADE. Where almost every hand and head is busy in some branch of industry, and employments are multiplied and various, it has been found impossible to state in figures the amount of capital employed, or the precise results on general wealth.
Some aid is afforded in estimating the amount of business by the annual receipts of the Post Office. They are returned as follows : Years. 1825. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1829. 1830. 1831. 1832. 1833. 1834. 1835. 1836. Receipts. 8713 844 961 1008 1141 1332 1338 1169 1743 2053 2294 2827
The number of dwelling houses, stores, and factories, erected in the town, within the two last years, has been estimated to exceed
1 An effort has been made to ascertain the amount of manufactures of the town : but sufficient information has not been obtained to make an estimate with accuracy. Some details in relation to manufactures, trade, and business, will be found in the appendix.
323
MEDICAL SOCIETY.
three hundred : the stores and warehouses actually occupied are upwards of ninety :
The principal articles of import are grain, flour, lumber, coal, salt, lime, gypsum, oil, iron, lead, hardware, dry goods, groceries, paints, dye stuffs, cotton, and wool : of exports, ship timber, bricks, machinery, wooden ware, castings, cotton and woolen goods, paper, shoes, chairs.
CHAPTER XVI.
Societies and Institutions, Medical District Society. Antiquarian Society. Agricul- tural Society. Historical Society. Atheneum. Banks. Insurance Companies. Savings Institution. Various Associations. Military Companies. Newspapers and Periodicals.
Many of the societies meeting, acting, and having a kind of resi- dence here, belong to the county or country, rather than the town : yet, they are so closely connected with Worcester, that they could not properly be passed by in its history.
WORCESTER MEDICAL SOCIETY. A medical association was first formed in the county of Worcester, August, 1784, of which Dr. Samuel Prentice was Secretary, but it soon died, leaving no records for the historian.
The Mass. Medical Society, intended to produce that harmony and mutual effort necessary to elevate the profession to the standing and usefulness which the interests of the community required, failed of its object, by the limitation of its members to eighty in Massa- chusetts and Maine, and the restriction on their consultations with any, except those who obtained the qualifications they required. By the exertions of Dr. Oliver Fiske, the most respectable and influ- ential physicians of the county assembled, and formed the Worces- ter Medical Society, Dec. 18, 1794. Dr. John Frink of Rutland, was elected President, and Dr. Fiske of Worcester, Secretary. At an early meeting, a petition was preferred to the Legislature for incorporation, referred to a joint committee of physicians, and re- sulted in an arrangement to enlarge the numbers of the general society, and a proposal to create district associations. 'This system,
324
ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
removing the evils which had been felt, and mutually satisfactory, was carried into effect, and on the 26th of Sept. 1804, the Worces- ter District Society was organized. The succession of Presidents has been as follows : 1794, John Frink : 1804, Israel Atherton : 1806, Oliver Fiske : 1807, Thomas Babbitt : 1813, Abraham Has- kell : 1814, Jonathan Osgood : 1820, Abraham Haskell : 1825, Ste- phen Bacheller : 1830, John Green.
The Society have a very valuable library of about 400 volumes of works of professional use.
THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. This institution, having for its object, the collection and preservation of materials for the history of the western continent, was founded by Isaiah Thomas, LL. D. In the preparation of his work on printing, he had gathered the relics of the departed centuries, with curious illustra- tions of the literature of former times, at an expense few antiqua- rians could have bestowed, and with diligence and care none other would have devoted. Feeling the good the experience of the past may convey to the future, it was his design to save the seeds of knowledge gathered in successive centuries, to yield their increase in those which may succeed ; and by perpetuating the memorials of the present, to enable other generations to become wiser and happier by the experiments of their predecessors. Connecting with himself many friends of improvement and lovers of history, an association was formed by his exertions, incorporated by the Legislature of Massachusetts, Oct. 12, 1812. The centre building of Antiquarian Hall, erected at his expense, in 1820, with the land on which it stands, was presented by him to the society. The first volume of transactions, relating principally to the fortifications, mounds, and antiquities of the extinct nations of the west, was published, in 1820, at his charge. On his decease, by munificent bequests, he provided for the support of the institution he had established, and for the promotion of its great purposes. In the second volume of transac- tions, published in Sept. 1836, are inserted, an extended and pro- found dissertation on Indian history and languages, by Hon. Albert Gallatin, and the Memoir of the Christian Indians, by Daniel Goo- kin, so frequently referred to in former pages. The Library, esti- mated to contain 12,000 volumes, includes the collections of Mr. Thomas, a large portion of the books of the Mathers, many in the German language bequeathed by Dr. Bentley of Salem, a vast mass of tracts and manuscripts, and the best series of American newspa-
325
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
papers preserved in the country. There is a valuable cabinet illus- trative of antiquities and natural history. Two stated meetings of the society are held annually ; one in Boston, on the old election day in May ; the other for the election of officers, in Worcester, in Oc- tober, on the anniversary of the landing of Columbus. The num- ber of American members is limited to 140; many distinguished foreigners are enrolled on the catalogue by honorary elections. The funds, amounting to about 822,000, are appropriated to the support of a librarian, the purchase of books, the exploration of antiquities, and the other specific purposes designated by the munificent donor. The institution has been managed on the most liberal plan : its col- lections have been kept open to the public freely, and have been much frequented by strangers and scholars.1
WORCESTER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. This most excellent in- stitution was incorporated, Feb. 23, 1818.2 At the first meeting, March 11, 1818, for the purpose of forming a fund to be sacredly appropriated for the promotion of agriculture, the contribution of five dollars was required from each member on admission. In December following, Levi Lincoln, Daniel Waldo, and Edward D. Bangs, were appointed a committee, to ask for legislative bounty, who presented a petition at the next session. In consequence of this application, and other similar memorials, the Act of Feb. 20, 1819, granted from the state treasury, to each agricultural society, $200 annually for six years, for every thousand dollars of funds they had raised ; with the limitation, that the sum thus drawn, should not exceed $600 the year. The full amount of the munificent appro- priation of the government, since extended for a longer period, has been received by the association, and an amount nearly equal dis- tributed in premiums, or applied to the payment of necessary charg- es. The exhibitions of cattle and manufactures, in the month of
1 These officers have been elected : Presidents ; 1812, Isaiah Thomas : 1831, Thomas L. Winthrop. Vice Presidents ; 1812, William D. Peck : 1813, William Paine : 1816, Aaron Bancroft, Timothy Bigelow : 1821, De Wit Clinton : 1828, Thomas L. Winthrop: 1831, John Davis, Joseph Story. Treasurers ; 1813, Levi Lincoln: 1814, Isaiah Thomas, jr. : 1819, Nathaniel Maccarty : 1829, Samuel Jennison. Corresponding Se- cretaries ; 1812, Thaddeus M. Harris : 1814, Samuel M. Burnside : 1816, Abiel Holmes: 1826, William Lincoln, for domestic correspondence : 1832, Edward Everett, for foreign correspondence.
The late C. C. Baldwin, was librarian from April 1832, to his death in August 1835. Maturin L. Fisher, has been acting librarian since that dale.
2 Before the revolution, cattle fairs were held annually at Hardwick. The Shrews- bury Agricultural Society, and the Brookfield Association of Husbandmen, preceded the society of the county.
326
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
October, beginning in 1819, have been since continued with increas- ing interest. The festival has given one quiet spot among the con- flicts of excited times, where all sects and parties have met to unite their efforts for the common good. Addresses on these occasions have been delivered by the following gentlemen :
Years.
Years.
1819. Levi Lincoln,
1828. William S. Hastings,
1820. Lewis Bigelow,
1829. William Lincoln,
1821. Jonathan Russell,
1830. Ira Barton,
1822. Nathaniel P. Denny,
1831.
Oliver Fiske,
1823. Oliver Fiske,
1832. Waldo Flint,
1824. Isaac Goodwin, 1833.
Solomon Strong,
1825. George A. Tufts,
1834.
Charles Allen,
1826. Emory Washburn,
1835. Steplien Salisbury,
1827. Pliny Merrick, 1836. James G. Carter.
'The amount of funds and of monies paid as premiums, in years ending with the annual meeting in April, are as follows :
Years, 1820. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1829. 1830. 1831. 1832. 1833. 1834. 1835. 1836.
Funds, $2955 4636 4880 5100 5378 5739 6036 6645 6942 7352 7683 7938
Premiums, $43.4 492 687 536 414 417 391
464 476 476 480 491
The following officers have been elected; Presidents, 1818, Levi Lincoln, sen : 1820, Daniel Waldo : 1824, Levi Lincoln : Treas- urer, 1818, Theophilus Wheeler : Cor. Secretaries, 1818, Levi Lin- coln : 1824, Oliver Fiske : Recording Secretaries, 1818, Abraham Lincoln : 1819, Edward D. Bangs : 1823, William D. Wheeler ; 1834, Charles G. Prentiss : 1836, Edwin Conant.
THE WORCESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY, incorporated Feb. 19, 1831, was formed for the purpose of collecting and preserving all materials necessary for compiling a full account of the history, sta- tistics, and geography of the county. It requires, as evidence of qualification for membership, the publication of some work, or some practical exertion in aid of these objects. Hon. John Davis has been president since the organization.1
! The Centennial anniversary of the erection of Worcester county, was celebra- ted by this society Oct. 4, 1831. The first Court of Common Pleas was opened Aug.10, 1731 : and the Supreme Court of Judicature was held Sept. 22, 1731. It was deemed equally proper to commemorate either of the leading events of the first year of the century, Having regard to the attendance of the citizens, and from other considera- tions, the first day of the session of the Supreme Judicial Court in 1831 was selected, and the centennial anniversary of the sitting of that tribunal was commemorated, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, although the date was not precisely coincident with the return of the judicial term. The Address was delivered by IIon. John Davis, and, with a particular account of the ceremonies, is deposited in the Am. Antiquarian Society's Collections.
327
BANKS. INSURANCE.
The WORCESTER COUNTY ATHENEUM, was incorporated, March 12, 1830, with the intention of forming a full library for general use. Thirty four proprietors purchased shares, at the price of twen- ty five dollars each, subject to an annual assessment of two dollars. About 3000 volumes of works of general literature have been gath- ered, making a foundation for an extensive collection in future time. The library is now kept in one of the rooms of Antiquarian Hall, appropriated for the purpose.
The Rev. George Allen has been President : Frederic W. Paine, Treasurer : and William Lincoln, Secretary, from the organization.
The WORCESTER BANK, was originally incorporated with a cap- ital of $200 000, March 7, 1804, and its charter has been renewed in 1811 and 1831. The first President was Daniel Waldo, sen. chosen 1804, who declined the office in October following, when Daniel Waldo was elected his successor, and has since been at the head of the institution. The Cashiers have been : 1804, Levi Thax- ter : 1806, Robert Breck Brigham : 1812, Samuel Jennison.
The CENTRAL BANK, was incorporated March 12, 1828, with a capital of $100 000. Benjamin Butman was President to the au- tumn of 1836, when Thomas Kinnicutt was elected. The Cashiers have been ; 1828, Otis Corbett : 1829, George A. Trumbull : 1836, William Dickinson.
The QUINSIGAMOND BANK, chartered March 25, 1833, has a cap- ital of $100 000. Its Presidents have been : 1833, Alfred D. Fos- ter : 1836, Isaac Davis. Charles A. Hamilton has been Cashier.
The CITIZENS BANK was incorporated, April 9, 1836, with $500 000 capital, and went into operation in October following. Benjamin Butman is President, George A. Trumbull, Cashier, and Rhodes B. Chapman, Accountant.
The WORCESTER MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, was in- corporated, Feb. 11, 1823. Its powers are vested in a president, treasurer, secretary, and eight directors, elected at the annual meet- ing on the second Wednesday of December. The following has been the succession of the principal officers : Presidents ; 1824, Rejoice Newton : 1831, Frederic W. Paine : Secretaries ; 1824, Henry K. Newcomb, William D. Wheeler : 1827, Isaac Goodwin : 1832, Anthony Chase.
328
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES.
The table below shows the extension and progress of its business.
Amt. each
Years.
year.
Total amt. insured. $153815
Premiums received.
Expenses. Losses. Cash Funds.
1824.
$153815
333601
2675 56
392 65
1826.
190304
523906
2845 00
295 90
-
1827.
135800
659706
2159 34
394 60
1828.
157643
817350
2374 71
317 27
$1800
1829.
188009
1005359
3190 28
414 83
415
1830.
180353
1185712
2880 86
499 80
2414
1S31.
372352
1404249
4653 90
637 49
1000 $15885 11
1832.
478482
1702994
5973 43
SOS 00
325
21991 80
1833.
701933
2214623
9343 75
935 35
4850
26400 24
1834.
583449
2662272
8403 90
838 80
430
34904 31
1835.
778642
3283270
10750 62
1132 40
37
46603 50
As the association is formed for mutual security, and not for prof- it, there are strictly speaking no dividends. The average of amounts returned to the insurers on the expiration of policies, have been ; in 1831, 773 cents of each dollar paid as premium : in 1832, 823 : in 1833, 813 : in 1834, 833 : in 1835, 903.
The MANUFACTURERS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, founded on that principle of giving mutual security expressed by its name, was incorporated Feb. 25, 1834. Two millions of dollars were subscribed and are held as a fund, liable to assessment for loss- es. The company commenced business, Aug. 5, 1834, by issuing policies on the property of manufacturing establishments. By an act additional to the charter, the corporation were authorized to ef- fect insurance on buildings, public and private, except dwelling hous- es not connected with manufactories, within the United States.
The statements below include the business of years ending Oct. 1.
Years.
Insured.
Premiums. $3318
Expenses.
Losses.
Caslı funds.
1834.
$331222
1835. 2063301
22352
$3140
$6712
$16160
1836.
5000000
48126
3016
19100
30686
-
The dividends of returned premiums in 1835, were 553 : in 1836, 653. The concerns are managed by a president, twelve directors, and a secretary. The former and latter have been these : Presi- dents ; 1834, David T. Brigham : 1835, Harvey Blashfield : Secreta- ries; 1834, Edward II. Hemenway : 1835, Samuel Allen.
There is an agency of the Springfield Insurance Company in Worcester.
-
1825.
179786
$2169 86
$610 79
-
-
329
SAVINGS INSTITUTION.
The WORCESTER COUNTY INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS, was in- corporated February S, and organized April 17, 1828. A presi- dent, secretary, treasurer, twelve vice presidents, and twenty four trustees, chosen at the annual meetings, have the general charge of the institution, and make examination of its concerns by monthly committees. The funds are loaned and invested by a board selected by the trustees. 'The statement annexed, shows the condition of this most useful institution in years terminating in April.
1829. 1830, 1031. 1832. 1833.
1831. 1833.
1336.
Depositors, 105
251
400
678
913
1128
1442 1860
Deposites, $6263 13615 32032 08994 109983 151797 202177 276388
It appears from the annual returns made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, that the whole expenses of the institution, during the current year, when the funds have increased to nearly $300000, were $641, only. From the commencement, not a dollar of the investments have been lost.
Daniel Waldo has been President, and Samuel Jennison, Treas- urer, from the organization. Isaac Goodwin was Secretary to Au- gust, 1832, and William Lincoln has held that office since.
The multitude of unchartered associations is too great for sepa- rate enumeration. There are societies for the promotion of sabbath schools ; of temperance ; of missionary purposes ; of moral reform ; of education ; of charity ; of science : there are others for mutual protection against the calamity of fire; for punishing depredations on orchards and gardens ; for the prevention and detection of theft ; for improvement in music, and for many other benevolent or useful purposes. Among these, the Bible Society and the Lyceum are probably the only ones requiring particular notice.
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