History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 144

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

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John Henry Woolrich is the second son of Henry Woolrich, of Curveley Ilall, Handley, Cheshire, England. Ilis aneestry dates back many hun- dred years, and the old church is still standing at Handley to which the family have paid tithes for upward of four hundred years. llis mother was a Vernon, and n connection of that family to which Adiuiral Ver- non belonged, after whom Mount Vernon, the home of Washington, was named.

The subject of this sketch was born at Handley, county of Chesh- ire, March 14, 1837. His early days were passed in attaining an education near the old city of Chester. From about the age of fourteen to that of twenty he served a full apprentice- ship, under indentures, in the acquire- ment of the profession of a chemist, and thus laid the foundation of that chemical knowledge and experience that has proved so useful to him in his present business. In the year 1860, Mr. Woolrich left his native country, and removed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, soon after engaging in the drug business in that pince. lle still retains an interest there in the same enterprise. During the time that he was engaged in the drug

business, Mr. Woolrich also ncted as agent for the firm in England who were manufacturing Ridge's patent food for iofants und invalids. Ia the year 1870, in connection with others, Mr. Woolrich undertook the manufacture of this article at Malden, Mass. After remaining there five years the enterprise was transferred to Palmer, for the purpose of securing hetter shipping facilities, where it has since continued under his manage- ment and control. The business has now attained large proportions, and the article manufactured has de- servedly achieved great popularity as an article of domestic usc.

On Ang. 19, 1862, Mr. Woolrich was united in marriage to Louisa, eldest daughter of Robert Woodell, of the city of llalifax. But one child has been born to them,-Vernon Henry Woolrich, born May 22, 1863, now attending school at Mount Allisen Academy, in New Brunswick.

Mr. Woolrich bas permanently loented in the village of Palmer, and occupies a pleasant residence on Thorndike Street, which he erected for his own use in the spring of 1877, and which he calls "Tushingham Cottage," after the ancestral estate of the Vernon family.

JOHN HENRY WOOLRICH.

RIDGE'S FOOD

FACTORY.

RIDGE'S PATENT FOOD FACTORY. WOOLRICH & CO., PALMER, MASS.

993

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

The first mills probably stood at the northeastern corner of Pataquatick Pond.

Saw- and grist-mills have existed in different parts of the town since that time. William Mason had a tannery at Blanchardville, in the early part of the present century. Asa Gates carried on a small carding and cloth-dressing estab- lishment in Thorndike about 1822 or '23. Hancock & Bur- nett had a lock-manufactory at Thorndike about twenty years ago. Horace Clark manufactured cotton batting, where the Palmer Carpet Company now is, about the same time.

In 1824, John B. Blanchard came to Palmer from the town of Dudley (afterward Webster), and began the manufacture of seythes at Blanchardville. He continued in that business until 1840, when he retired, and his four sons-Alonzo V., William J., John D., and Franklin-continued the business in partnership until 1872, when the death of John D. dissolved the firm, and the business was discontinued. When in opera- tion these works produced about 2000 dozen scythes annually, at an average valuation of $9 per dozen.

The water-privilege at Bond's village was early utilized by Emelius Bond and others. A small woolen-mill existed there prior to 1850, but was destroyed by fire in that year.

THE BOSTON DUCK COMPANY,

at Bond's village, was organized about 1844. It now has an excellent mill at that point, and is engaged in the manu- facture of cotton duck. The mill contains 15,000 spindles. The number of hands employed is 350, and the average an- nual production is 4,500,000 yards. In 1877, 2,388,000 pounds of cotton were used. The pay-roll averages about $7000 per month. The capital stock is $350,000. Oren B. Smith has been the resident agent of the company since 1870.

THE BONDSVILLE DYE-WORKS

are also owned and controlled by the Boston Duck Company. They occupy a large brick building, which was erected in 1876, and are doing a large business. All varieties of cloth and flannels are colored at the works.

THE OTIS COMPANY

is located at Three Rivers, and engaged in the manufacture of fancy dress goods. The Palmer Manufacturing Company located on the site in 1824, but failed in 1828. In 1830, Joseph Brown went to Three Rivers and took charge of the enter- prise for another company, and in 1832 commenced the manu- facture of common white cotton goods. Brown left in 1861. Samuel Haines succeeded him, and engaged in the manufac- ture of fancy dress goods. The mill was burned May 10, 1863, and the privilege was unused for nine years. The Otis Company erected their present handsome mill in 1872. They employ between 500 and 600 hands, their pay-roll amounting to from $10,000 to $11,000 monthly. The mill contains 451 looms, uses about 3000 bales of cotton annually, and produces from 300,000 to 400,000 yards of fancy dress goods per month. Edwin I. Barker is acting agent, and Albert A. Barker resident superintendent.

THE THORNDIKE MANUFACTURING COMPANY

commenced operations in that village in 1837, when they erected a stone cotton-mill. In 1846 and 1847 they erected a second mill, and in both these establishments are now employ- ing about 450 persons. Cotton tieks, denims, and stripes are the goods manufactured. Over 3000 bales of raw material are annually used, producing about 5,500,000 yards of manu- factured goods. Cornelius Wilson, of Thorndike, is the agent, and exercises a general superintendence over the inills. The capital stock of the company is $450,000.

THE PALMER CARPET COMPANY,

about a mile above Palmer Depot, was established Nov. 16, 1874. It is an incorporated joint-stock enterprise, with a

capital of $50,000, and is principally engaged in the manu- facture of Brussels and Wilton carpets, of which about 125,000 yards are annually produced. The number of persons em- ployed is 55, receiving about $1800 per month. The company use about 150,000 pounds of worsted yarn annually. The works used by the concern were erected in 1871 by the Parks Carpet Company, and came into the possession of the present owners in 1874, since which time a new boiler-room has been added. Andrew Pinney is the superintendent of the works.

THE HAMPDEN HAT-MILLS

are located at Palmer Depot, and were established in 1869. S. N. Davis first engaged in the business of straw-hat finish- ing, and continued therein upward of three years, when he was succeeded by Robert L. Goddard, the present owner, who has since pursued that branch of manufacture. When run- ning, the establishment employs from 50 to GO hands. In 1877 over 100,000 dozens of straw-hats were finished in the mills, and over 40,000 dozens were trimmed.

RIDGE'S PATENT-FOOD FACTORY,

located on Thorndike Street, Palmer Depot, is one of the most widely known enterprises in the country. Woolrich & Co., the owners, removed from Malden, Mass., to Palmer, in the winter of 1874. From 6 to 10 persons are engaged in the manufacture of the patent food .* The factory is a model of cleanliness and order. Hundreds of dozens of boxes of the food are annually produced.

THE PALMER IRON-FOUNDRY,

at Palmer Depot, bas been run by Edgerton & Davis since 1874, succeeding Julius C. Shaw. They employ from 12 to 15 men in the manufacture of hollow-ware, sinks, and various kinds of machinery.

THE PALMER PLANING-MILLS

were established at Palmer Depot in 1873 by Francis Keyer, the present proprietor.

THE MARCHANT & WING HAT-FACTORY

at Palmer Depot was established in 1876 by Reuben C. Wing. George W. Marchant became associated in the enterprise in the fall of 1778, and the firm are now engaged in the manu- facture of straw hats, and in finishing and pressing the same variety of goods. The proprietors have recently remodeled the factory, with a view to increasing its production.

SAWYER & GALLOP

have been engaged in the manufacture of soft soap since 1851 at Thorndyke, succeeding Smith, Blanchard, and others in the same business. Upward of 1000 barrels are annually produced.

MILITARY.

The military history of Palmer has been highly creditable. In the early wars the town contributed snch assistance as was in her power cheerfully and patriotically. In the war of the Revolution she was not bebind her sister-towns in the exhi- bition of those qualities which nerved the arms and cheered the hearts of a liberty-loving people. On June 17, 1776, stir- ring resolutions, breathing the spirit of independence, and de- voting the " lives and fortunes" of the citizens to the support of the General Congress, were adopted by the town. Many of her citizens joined the ranks of the patriots. John A. MeElwean was among this number, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill and at the surrender of Burgoyne.

To the late war Palmer contributed her full quota of men, and supported every active measure for the overthrow of the Rebellion.

The following is a list of the soldiers who served from Palmer in the war of 1861-65 :

* Food for infants.

125

994

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Paul J. Prue, Bartholomew J. Murphy, Herbert W. Hitchcock, Albert C. Par- sons, Artemas W. Priggs, Franklin Blair, Joseph F. Dewlley (mus.), Francis C. Cook (capt.), John Murphy, George W. Mills, William Mc- Guire, Elbridge Melntosh, Jamie's McGrath, I-ainh Unry, Frank F. Les- ter, Otis E. Kendall, Sammel R. Keith, Frank J. Holt, John K. Hemp- stead, John Hard, Robert J. Hanrock, OBrar S. Griswold, Robert Gregory, Miles C. Gerald, James C. Fletcher, Walter H. Ducan, Henry Canter- bnry, Samuel Brown, Morris Breen, Rufus M. Bacon, Jr., Frank Angell, Charles Hastings (wagoner), James B. Foster (mus.), George F. Amidon (corp.), Elbridge G. Hastings (sergt.), William F. White (sergt.), Anson A. Dorman (sergt.), Horace White, George H. Wellinan, Charles Tuin, Perbin Thompson, Charles A. Studley, Eli Strickland, Dexter H. Pack- ard, Luke Killon, John Kennedy, William F. White, Michael Mulvaney, Hiram N. Palmer, James Fitzpatrick, George Dunham, Daniel Moulton,

Bernard M. Hanson, George W. Clark, Horace White, John Farrel, Pat- rick O'llare (corp.), Eward Fitzgerald, Patrick Owen, Harlow B. Kibbe, Lyman A. Cooley, Stephen Lucas, Horatio D. Green, Jacob Smith, Joseph Bell, Henry Gregg.

For assistance in compiling the foregoing facts thanks are due to Jonathan MeElwean, Asa Shumway, Alonzo V. Blan- chard, the widow of Cyrus Knox, M. W. French, the editors and proprietors of the Palmer Journal, and other citizens of Palmer, and especially to the clergy of the various churches in the town. Much help has also been derived from several pamphlets loaned by Rev. B. M. Fullerton.

BRIMFIELD.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

THIS town is situated on the eastern border of the county of Ilampden, and bounded as follows : On the north by the town of Warren, Worcester Co. ; on the south by the towns of Wales and Holland, Ilampden Co .; on the east by the town of Sturbridge, Worcester Co .; and on the west by the towns of Monson and Palmer, Hampden Co., the last named town being separated from it by the Quaboag River, a branch of the Chicopee River. The east, west, and south lines are straight, and correspond nearly with the cardinal points. The north and northwest lines are irregular. The area included within its limits is given at 21,618 aeres.

NATURAL FEATURES.

Situated upon the highlands which separate the waters of the Thames from those of the Connecticut, the greater portion of the town is quite elevated, the highest points reaching an altitude of more than 1200 feet above the sea.

Its general topography is made up of a series of lofty ridges and isolated hills, many of which approach the dignity of mountains, and all more or less irregular and rugged in outline, and consisting of crystalline and metamorphic rocks, of which gneiss forms a prominent feature. The general direction of these ridges is a little northeast and southwest, and they are found in all parts of the town. The principal elevations are known by the following names : East and West Waddaquodduck Mountains, Stecrage Roek,-a prominent feature in the landscape, whose lofty heights the Indians were wont to ascend in order to get their bearings for Agawain and Nonotuck, and from which circumstance it is said to have derived its name,-Chamberlain Mountain, Great Mountain, Mill-Stone Mountain, Saw-Mill Mountain, Cook's Mountain, llubbard's Hill, Sheep-Pasture Hill, Indian Hill, Grass Hill, Mount Misery, Burt Hill, Breakneck Ilill, Haynes' llill, Bush Ilill, James Hill, and Wache-Queeche llill. Many of these are exceedingly rough and rugged in their outlines, and are a marked feature in the landscape as seen from any di- reetion.

The principal streams are the Quinnebaug and Quaboag Rivers and their branches. The major portion of the town is drained by Mill Brook, an important affluent of the Quinne- bang River, a branch of the Thames, which discharges into Long Island Sound at New London, Conn. The Quinnebaug receives the waters from all the eastern portions of the town, including those of two considerable ponds, known as Sherman, or Brimfield, and Allum Pond .* Sherman's Pond is situated near the centre of the town, and contains about 80 aeres.

Allum Pond lies near the east boundary, in a deep basin, surrounded by precipitous ridges, and covers an area of about 100 aeres. Brimfield, or Sherman's Pond, discharges into Mill Brook. The western part of the town is drained by three considerable affluents of the Quahoag River, the most important of which is Elbow Brook, in the southwest part of the town. All these streams furnish water-power to a greater or less extent, which has been utilized in various places.

Interspersed among these hills and mountains are numerous valleys, or intervales, of greater or less dimensions, and gen- erally composed of a sandy loam, and producing fair erops of grass and some varieties of grain. Many of the upland farms are stony or gravelly. A few like those on Tower Hill are composed of a rich loam, but the meadow-lands of the val- leys are generally considered the choicest for all purposes. The town may with propriety be called one of the "hill- towns" of the county, and includes almost every variety of soil and location.

Among the local names of the smaller streams are Erwin's Brook, in the south part of the town; Hitchcock's Brook, running through the village of Brimfield ; and Treat Brook, a little west of the village, named in honor of the first settled minister. Perry and Bottle Brooks are small streams in the northwest part of the town, flowing into the Quaboag River.

There are still remaining upon the hills and mountains considerable quantities of timber, consisting mainly of oak, maple, elm, chestnut, pine, and white birch. Minerals abound in various places, among the most important being bog-iron ore, which was formerly worked to a considerable extent on the farm of Charles Bugbee, since occupied by Michael Travers.t

The early settlers prized the natural grass of the water- courses very highly, and they had recourse to various methods to increase the erop. Among other expedients, they dammed the streams to produce an overflow, which materially bene- fitted the natural grasses and added largely to the crop of wild- hay. The introduction of English grasses upon the uplands was found a difficult experiment to make successful, and the " swale hay" was the more highly prized in consequence.

STATISTICAL.

According to the census taken in 1771, there were 230 polls, 146 dwellings, 8 mills, 5 shops, 143 horses, 478 cows, 256 oxen, 342 swine, 856 acres in tillage; 1249 aeres in grass, pro- ducing 823 tons of English hay; 535 acres fresh meadow, producing 490 tons of hay ; and a total valuation in the town of £7481 88.

By the census returns of 1875, it appears that there were 298 polls, 257 dwellings, and 275 families. There were 12,300

t The geology of the whole valley will be found described in a general chapter.

* According to Roger Williams, who wrote upon the language of the New England Indians, Allum, or Alnm, was the Nipmuck word for dog.

995

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

acres of improved lands, with products valued at $272,740, and the total valuation of property was $567,200.

EMINENT CITIZENS.

Of the men of distinction which Brimfield has produced may be mentioned Timothy Danielson, a leading spirit during the Revolutionary period. He was a man of great physical energy and endurance, and possessed of good education. Ile served as a general in the Revolutionary war for a time, and filled many important civil offices. In after-years he was a Senator and member of the council, and was the first chief- justice of the Court of Common Pleas. He died at Brimfield in 1791, at the age of fifty-eight.

Jonathan Thompson, of Brimfield, attained to a coloneley in the army of the Revolution; was in active service, and present at the siege of Yorktown. Lieut. Thompson, also of Brimfield, is said to have been the last man killed in the Rey- olution. Abner Morgan held the rank of major in the same army. Christopher Ward was a trusted and efficient soldier of that period, had many stirring experiences, and was trusted with the conduct of many enterprises requiring courage and ingenuity. Mr. Blodgett also saw much active service.

Gen. Wm. Eaton, noted for his exploits in the war against Tripoli, undertaken for the suppression of piratical assaults upon our commerce in the Mediterranean, was long a resident of the town. Hle married the widow of Gen. Timothy Daniel- son, and lies buried in the cemetery at Brimfield.

Charles Prentiss, the author of a history of the United States, and the biographer of Gen. Eaton and Robert Treat Paine, resided at Brimfield for a time.

Erastus Fairbanks, ex-Governor of Vermont, is a native of the town ; also Josiah Stebbins and Samuel Hitchcock, both of whom attained to the Bench, the one in Vermont, the other in Maine.

INDIAN OCCUPATION AND RELICS.

The region of country which afterward became Brimfield at the time of its first settlement is presumed to have been one vast forest. The Indians had probably burned over about 2000 acres for the purpose of cultivation, and to make early grazing-places for the deer.

It is not certain that there was any regular Indian village on this land, although a few wigwams are said to have ocen- pied Indian Hill. It was a part of the Nipmuck country, a tribe which seems to have had no one acknowledged head .* Brookfield was the home of the Quaboag tribe.

The hill known as Indian Hill was cultivated by the In- dians, as was also the East Hill. The early settlers followed the customs of the Indians in planting corn. The proper time was when the young oak-leaf was as big as a mouse's ear. The proper method was to hill the corn, planting beneath the seed a fish for plant food.

Near the outlet of Sherman's Pond many arrow-heads are frequently found. While living in the western part of the town William H. Sherman found a stone utensil and a pot or mortar, but so broken that it could not be restored to its origi- nal shape. Stone hatchets or tomahawks have also been found at Sherman's and Alum Pond, and around a rock on the old C. R. Brown farm. An Indian family, John and Sarah Quan, with their children, once lived near Alum Pond, and were of the Mohican tribe. John had been a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, and came from Norwich, Conn. These relies and the names of some of the hills and water-courses are the only traces of the Indians left.t

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

On the 20th day of June, 1701, the General Court, in com- pliance with a petition of 21 residents of Springfield,$ ap- pointed Col. John Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, Pelatiah Glover, James Warriner, David Morgan, and Joseph Steb- bins a committee to lay out a new township, eight miles square, on the eastern boundary of Springfield. They were to settle thereon, distribute it to 60 families, settle 20 families within two years from May, 1702, and make provision by grants for entertaining 70 families if the land would conveniently ac- commodate so many. Also to settle an "able orthodox min- ister of the gospel there as soon as may be." No one person was to be granted more than 120 acres of land.

The first visit of the committee was made Sept. 22, 1701, 20 other persons accompanying them. After two days they returned to Springfield, being unable to decide where to locate the central village of the town or "town plot." A second attempt was made, with no better success. Grout's Hill, now in the town of Monson, was finally selected as the proper spot. The first grants of land were made Dec. 31, 1701, to 13 per- sons, on condition that they should commence work thereon the following spring. This they failed to do. For a number of years no further grants were made. The reason assigned was that the war " did hinder the proceedings of us so that we Could not full fill the Conditions of our Grant by Reason of the Great danger we should be in of the los of our lives."

When Brimfield was first settled there was no other settle- ment east of Springfield and south of Brookfield as far as Ox- ford, and it was in old Hampshire County. On May 22, 1761, the town voted against removing the court to Northampton, also appointing a committee, who presented six cogent reasons against the project. ¿

As originally laid out Brimfield included the present towns of Monson, Wales, Holland, part of Palmer, and part of the town of Warren, formerly called Western. | Monson was incorporated as a district on April 25, 1760, with all the rights of a town except that of corporate representation in the Leg- islature, and in 1775 became a town, its first town-meeting being heid December 29th of that year. Wales and Holland were formerly included in the district of South Brimfield. Wales was incorporated as a district Sept. 18, 1762, and be- came the town of Wales, Feb. 20, 1828. Previous to the latter date it had retained the name of South Brimfield. Ilolland was incorporated as a district by virtue of an act passed July 5, 1783, and as a town May 1, 1836.

The town was first designated as " the plantation adjoining Springfield to the east of Springfield." The records of the committee show that for the sake of convenience alone they changed the name of the town to Brimfield.

The inhabitants were at first greatly annoyed by the Indians. The trouble from this source was so serious that two block- houses were erected where the residents could take refuge at night, or in case of attack. The site of one was south of the mill-pond, near the present residence of John S. Needham. The other stood where the almshouse now is.

In the Massachusetts Archives (xei., page 62) is a muster- roll of men posted, July 24, 1722, under Col. Samuel Partridge, at Brookfield and Brimfield." There is also a letter from John Sherman, bearing date July 10, 1725, asking thai a guard may be stationed at Brimfield. In the muster-roll of Sergt. Joseph Knowlton's company of Springfield, dated Nov. 19, 1725, the names of twelve men designated as the " Brimfield scout" are given .- [Mass. Archives. ]

On June 15, 1709, the General Court prolonged the time originally allotted for the settlement of Brimfield to four

* Three renegade Narragansett Indians-Allumps, Massashowell, and Aguntics -are said to have exercised anthority over these Indians, who owed a quesi al- legiance to Uncas as the nominal head of the tribe cast of the Connecticut River.

+ It is at least questionable whether the modern Indians ever manufactured or made use of any description of stone implements excepting pots of soapstone. They most probably are relics of a semi-civilized race long since passed away,- possibly identical with the " mound-builders" of the West.

* Mass. Archives, vol. exiii , page 296.

¿ Mass. Archives, vol. exvii., page 064.

| See Ma-s. Archives, cxvii., 102-7, and Ancient Plans, iv., 117.

៛ One of the eight men nt Brimfield was Bezaleel Sherman. All the men were from Springfield.

996

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

years after the conclusion of the war with France and Spain. Maj. John Pynchon was appointed a member of the com- mittee in place of his father, who had died in 1703. The fur- ther settlement of the town, from some cause, was very slow, but on June 10, 1714, the Brimfield committee petitioned the General Court for a further grant of land, three miles in width, on the eastern border, which petition was granted. The loca- tion ou Grout's Hill was then abandoned, and the present and more desirable one selected. A road was laid out over Hub- bard's Hill (now Tower Hill) northward eight rods wide. This was the town street. On each side of this road were located the lots of the settlers, 40 rods wide by 160 in length.

Considerable difficulty was experienced by the committee by reason of a claim to a portion of the land made by the heirs of Judge Waitstill Winthrop. The subject was the cause of sev- eral petitions for a new survey by the Brimfield people, which request was finally granted. A new survey was made, and accepted Dec. 18, 1728, making the colony line the southern boundary of the Winthrop farm.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 144

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896