USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester county, Mass., from 1784 to 1895 > Part 7
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8
98
HISTORY OF THE
INNS AND INNKEEPERS.
Samuel Jones, Jr., known as Land-'ord Jones, was the first innkeeper in town. His house stood on the north side of the Hudson road, facing the road to Northboro, built 1749. He died 1797 and his real estate was sold to Solomon Howe of Marlboro 1804. Howe bought the Bullard house 1803, which had previously been owned by John Dexter and John and Moses Pollard. He kept tavern here until he built a tavern and store building, where Dea. Peters' house now stands. The business was continued here by William A. Howe, James E. Woods, Haman Hunt, Dexter B. Saunders and R. S. Hastings until 1852, when the building was moved to its present location.
The house now owned by P. B. Southwick in Carter- ville, built by Luther Carter about 1830, was for a few years used for an inn.
The Belmont House, which stood on the site of the present Unitarian parsonage, was occupied for hotel purposes from 1868 to September, 1883, when it was burned. This was originally built by Solomon Hough- ton 1820, and was occupied by Dr. Griggs. Later was enlarged by Josiah Bride for a boarding house for his scholars, and lastly converted into a hotel. The occupants were: John Draper, Calvin Carter, Fred Wheelock, W. A. Webber and James McFarland.
The house recently known as the Berlin Hotel was formerly known as the Esquire Meriam place ; later was called the Ellis place and town farm. Was prob- ably built by Levi Meriam, Sr., about 1780. Was converted into a hotel 1885 by Peter O'Toole of Clin- ton. Has had various proprietors; part of the time unoccupied.
BELMONT HOUSE.
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THE OLD DANIEL WHEELER HOUSE.
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JONES
Ye Jones April 19 175 Innychit
SAM JONES' INN, 1749.
POWDER HOUSE, 1814.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
STORES AND STOREKEEPERS.
The first store of which we have any account was kept in the old Bullard house. Solomon Howe had a store there about 1802. He was preceded by John Dexter and he by John and Moses Pollard. John Pollard was the first in town. The next store was on the site of Dea. Peters' house, which was moved to its present location (Mrs. R. S. Hastings) 1852. This, in the different locations, has been kept by Solomon Howe, his son William A., James E. Woods, Haman Hunt, Dexter B. Saunders, R. S. Hastings, Riley Smith, E. S. Moore, and Christopher S. White, the present proprietor. This was a place of considerable trade before Marlboro, Hudson and Clinton grew to such large proportions and absorbed so much of the trade. It is reported on good au- thority that in the early times sixty hogsheads of rum were sold in town yearly.
In summer's heat and in winter's cold, Like a charm it worked, as I am told; Ten gallons oft I've heard them say Was often used to get the hay. Excuse we must these men of toil, Who redeemed for us this rugged soil, Who from early morn till late at night Dug and delved with all their might.
The next store in point of time was one at the west part. The town voted 1820 to sell a piece of land to Stephen Shepherd and Timothy Dwight. This was the site of the house of George H. Felton, a part of the school yard, and was erected for pur- pose of store and dwelling. Stephen Shepherd and Dwight and Stephen Moore were traders here until
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HISTORY OF THE
1826, and were succeeded by Waldo Winter till 1830, and he was followed by Josephus Wilder, Levi Goss, George Woods and Minot Hastings, and finally by John F. Newton. The present West Berlin depot was built for a store and formerly stood where the flagman's house now is. It was built by Daniel Barnes on land claimed by Aaron Pollard. The claim was contested in suit at law.
Into this new building John F. Newton moved from the old and was succeeded by C. C. Carter, who moved back again, and he finally was followed by Riley Smith for a few months. Silas R. Carter is the present storekeeper at the west part, in the build- ing built by himself about 1870.
The store in Carterville was built by Luther Car- ter 1846, and was occupied first by Ezra S. Moore, then by Samuel M. Fuller till 1875, and finally by John A. Merrill, who has occupied the premises since. Thomas Pollard was in company with Moore about 1856.
In the south part there was a grocery store kept by John A. Goddard in the house now owned by Ed- ward P. Hastings about 1854. In 1858-9 William Bassett kept for sale groceries in the old Parks house. In 1860 the building known as the Union Store was built on the corner near by James Hastings'. It was used as a Protective Union store a few years and then converted into a shoc shop, and was finally burned. On the opposite corner the Hastings Bros. (Ruthven and Arthur) built the store now standing there. They continued in occupancy until 1890, when they sold to Laselle & Walter, the present pro- prietors.
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THE OLD EAST SCHOOL-HOUSE, 1792.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
EDUCATIONAL.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The excision of our territory from Bolton, 1784, necessitated a new arrangement of the schools, hence nearly the first work of the district, 1785, was to divide the inhabitants into four squadrons for school purposes. The old school-houses, under the new order of things, were illy located for the con- venience of the people. Besides, they were of cheap construction and in a dilapidated condition at this time, and were soon sold, and new houses of better style and convenience were built by the town, or district, as it then was called. The exact location of the old houses, built when we were of Bolton, are unknown; one stood near Edward Flagg's. In 1792 the town built four new school-houses, one in each squadron-north, south, east and west. There was no school in the centre of the town until 1835, when a fifth district was formed, after a prolonged struggle and much wrangling in town meetings. The four new school-houses were built after one model-the typical old red school-house of New England. The dimensions were 18x22, and were located, as ap- pears by record, thus : One at a stake and stones near William Pollard's house, another at stake and stones near Nathan Johnson's house, another at a stake and stones near John Bruce's house, and the other at a stake and stones between Esquire Fairbank's and David Southwick's, on Jona. Meriam's land. The town grant for building was about $170, or about $850. The house near John Bruce's, in the east district, was enlarged, some years after, eight feet
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HISTORY OF THE
in length. It stood longer than any of the others on the original spot, and was burned by an incendi- ary in the summer of 1894.
RESIDENTS IN EACH DISTRICT, MARCH 20, 1835 .- EAST.
Levi Sawyer, Amory Wetherbee, Josiah Sawyer, George W. Sawyer, Rufus Howard, Asa Sawyer, Silas Sawyer, 2d, Thomas Sawyer, Asa Bride, Jarvis Wheeler, Sewall Bruce, Sylvanus Bruce, Abram Bigelow, Jonas Hale, Amory Carter, Silas Sawyer, Abram Sawyer, Oliver Sawyer, Lewis Sawyer, Hor- ace Bigelow, Ira Brigham, Moses Dudley, Samuel S. Dudley, Henry Brown, Daniel Holder, Thomas Holder, John Holder, Luke Fosgate, Joel Fosgate, Rhoda Bigelow, Sarah Holder, Amity Wheeler, Meriam Wheeler. Only two now living.
SOUTH.
Timothy Jones, Paltiah Jones, Ephraim Goddard (Levi Wheeler's estate), Levi Wheeler, Jesse Wheeler, Stephen Wheeler, Rufus Priest, Ephraim Hastings, Sawyer Hastings, Zenas Johnson, George W. May- nard, Joseph Park, Russell Park, Anne Johnson, Anna Park, Calvin Smith, Calvin Smith, Jr., Job Spofford, Benjamin F. Spofford, Amos Sawyer, George Brigham, Amory Holman, Dexter Fay, Pere- , grine Wheeler, Maverick Johnson, Lewis Barnard. None now living.
WEST.
Stephen Pollard, Ephraim Babcock, Jr., Thomas Brigham, Jonah Houghton, Ephraim Babcock, Reu- ben Hastings, Oliver Moore, Elijah Edson, William Bartlett, Ira Sawyer, William Babcock, 2d, Solomon
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
Greene, Abram Babcock, Lewis Carter, Alvin Bab- cock, Albert Babcock, John Larkin, John F. Larkin, James E. Wood, Ziba Keyes, Rufus Carter, Danforth Carter, Luke Whitcomb, William Barnes, Josiah Babcock, Daniel Holbrook, Oliver H. Barnard, Leonard Hartwell, William Fife, Jr., Thomas Hil- dreth, Ephraim Howe, Ephraim Howe, Jr., Benjamin Whitcomb. Leander Pierce, Oliver Stone, Ebenezer S. Sawtelle. Hannah Jewett. Two now living.
NORTH.
Luther Carter, Daniel Carter (tan yard and build- ings). Daniel Bartlett, Samuel and Emerson Spofford, John Wheeler, Daniel Wheeler, Jacob Goddard, Joseph Moore, Roswell Bliss, Amos Wheeler, Lewis I. Bass. Alonzo Wood, Stephen S. Southwick, Oliver Young, Sanderson Carter, Ivory Carter, William Babcock, Levi Bartlett, John Powers, Henry Powers, Rufus Sawyer, Edwin Bothrick, Alden Sawyer. None now living.
CENTRE.
Ira Carter, William Sawyer, Micah R. Ball, Oliver Fosgate, Silas Houghton, Josiah Bride, William A. Howe, David R. Lamson, Jonathan D. Meriam, Lewis H. Johnson, John L. S. Thompson, Ebenezer S. Clarke, Josiah Conant, Amos Sawyer, Jr., Joel Bullard, Hollis Johnson, Jonathan Bartlett, Silas Fairbank, William A. Sawyer, Philo M. Ellis, John Bartlett, Ira Brigham, James Goddard, Jr., William Jones, Levi Bruce, James Goddard, Jacob Felton, Jesse Wood, Benjamin Cofran, Simeon Bowman, Francis Balch, Timothy Bailey, Benjamin F. Bailey, Silas Bailey, David Keyes, Abel Sawyer, Josiah Ben-
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HISTORY OF THE
nett, John F. Newton, Paul Brigham, Azubah Brig- ham, Sibel Brigham, Levi Houghton, Henry H. Bliss, Susan and Amelia Johnson. All gone but one.
WFST SCHOOL-HOUSE.
In 1836 the west district built a new brick school- house. It stood at the railroad crossing by the road to Moran's. The north district built a school-house on the east side of the road about 1830.
The first school-house in the centre district was built in 1836, was used twenty years, then sold, and is now the house of Joseph Staples.
These six houses, including the brick one in the west and the new one at the north, subserved the uses of the town from the time of their erection to 1857, when the present houses were built. The pres- ent east school-house originally stood on the site of Frank H. Crossman's house; was moved 1881 to accommodate families nearer Hudson. The new houses were built on the most improved models, and were considered the best patterns of excellence and convenience then known. The houses first built were the north and south. Both cost $2,785; the east cost $1,360.25 ; the centre, $1,500.40 ; the west, $1,358.45.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
About 1875 the increase in the number of scholars in the centre district so increased as to necessitate additional school accommodations. The want was supplied by utilizing "Barnes' hall," so-called, for the purpose, and the more advanced" from all the districts attended this. The high school closed 1879. The school district system, which had been in
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
existence since 1836, was abolished by vote of town April 1, 1856.
THE BERLIN ACADEMY.
The founder of the Berlin Academy was Josiah Bride, a self-educated man, who never had a day's schooling in academy or college, but attended Marl- boro high school. He began teaching classes in the old Town House about 1835. With commend- able energy and perseverance in study, he became proficient in the higher branches of an English edu- cation and was well mentally equipped to dis- charge the duties of principal of his academy. In 1843 he came in possession of the Evangelical Society's meeting-house and changed the same for school purposes. In connection with this he enlarged the Dr. Griggs house and converted it into a large boarding house, which stood where the Unitarian parsonage now stands ; was later used for a hotel and finally burned. The academy continued in success- ful operation till about 1857. The last two or three years it was under the management of Rev. Gardner Rice.
THE BERLIN ACADEMICAL BOARDING SCHOOL.
For a quarter of a century the " Academy" was the pride and glory of the townspeople. It had patrons from nearly every state in the Union, and also several from the Cuban isles. As nearly all these young people were from families of culture, and by the testimony of the assistant teacher, re- cently given, " came with a desire to learn," the intellectual and moral stimulus to the residents of the town was very noticeable. Nearly all the young
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HISTORY OF THE
people of the town were day pupils for longer or shorter periods, and to them, as to those from abroad, the influences of the faithful teaching received in Berlin has been lifelong.
" I know that I am a better woman for being under such instruction and within the circle of such influence."
" I have never ceased to be grateful for the kindly and wise interest manifested for me while a pupil in Mr. Bride's school. The instruction, the influence in various ways, has been a benediction to my whole life."
Such testimony received from members of the school might be multiplied indefinitely.
While we are glad that all can now enjoy the benefits of free high schools, we believe that for the full development of the mental, moral and physical man and woman, no institution has done more than the well managed co-educational home schools that were the pride of New England half a century ago.
The academy grew from a small and modest be- ginning-the school founded by Josiah Bride in 1832 or '33, in response to the wishes of parents whose children had been under his teaching in the district schools of South Berlin and Robin hill in Marl- boro. Thus solicited, he consented to open a private school in a room of Madam Puffer's house, on condition that each child bring a chair and stand or table for his or her own use, as he had no desks. and dared not risk the necessary outlay to procure them, for fear the venture would fail. But the school grew and flourished, and in March, 1835, the town voted "to let Josiah Bride have the Town House to keep school in."
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107
TOWN OF BERLIN.
The number of pupils increased, and in 1843 Mr. Bride bought the building erected for the Orthodox Church, refitted as a school room, enlarged his boarding house, etc.
At this time Miss Martha Chamberlain, a former pupil, was his efficient assistant, both in the house management and in the school room, although in a letter received only a few weeks before her death (Feb., 1895), she says : "Mine was the doing of the little things with thought and care for the welfare of those around me, and hardly worthy to be called assistance." All who received that care bear heart- felt testimony to its value, and bless the Providence that placed them under the influence of a seemingly perfect life.
Although the matter of co-education added some- what to the difficulty of management, it was a cardinal point of excellence with Mr. Bride, who was a lifelong believer in woman's right to all that is good in every department of life. His methods of discipline were often original and uniformly suc- cessful.
At one time a worthy lad and lass, who were members of the school, evinced a liking for each other, which did not escape the keen eyes of the principal. The lad roomed alone in the extreme end of the L of the boarding house; in this room was a large and cozy wardrobe. The favored lass sometimes, in the late evening hours, called at her friend's room. The principal had a peculiar method of clearing his throat, known as "Mr. Bride's hem," and some who read this will distinctly hear it again on the mental acoustics. One night, slowly ap-
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HISTORY OF THE
proaching the room of the lad, he repeatedly gave the familiar hem. This to the lovers' hearts was a danger signal, and the lass was quickly shut in the wardrobe. A gentle tap was heard at the door ; the principal was ushered in, and, seating himself beside his pupil, in his most instructive manner made clear to him his difficult problems in geometry, his ob- scure translations in Latin, interlarding his assistance with entertaining story or moral lesson. The clock struck eleven, twelve, and one, apparently unnoticed by the teacher ; then came the hour of two, which fell on his ear in evident surprise. With an apology for detaining his pupil so long, he stepped to the wardrobe and opened the door, saying as he did so, in his blandest tones, "Miss -, it is time for you to go to your room now." Thus ended the discipline and the wooing in that room. In similar original and quaint ways he ruled a realm as difficult sometimes to manage as a kingdom.
Mr. Bride's labors did not end with his teaching. For many years, on the Town School Committee, he labored for the highest good of the public schools. As superintendent of the Orthodox Sunday school, he gave much time to the interests represented there. A constant attendant upon the worship of the sanctuary, his advent at the head of his family procession, numbering thirty or more, was watched for by the audience as an important event. There was in town no more liberal contributor to every cause calculated to promote the welfare of the com- munity. He was not only the enthusiastic teacher, but the public-spirited citizen and the warm-hearted friend. His memory is fragrant with good.
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109.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
SCHOOL FUNDS-PRIEST AND YOUNG MONEY.
We have two funds, known as the Priest and Young money, the interest of which may be appro- priated for schooling. The former, given by Joseph Priest, Jr., 1817, amounts to $520, and the latter, by Miss Nancy Young, 1859, $1,500. At a town meet- ing held March 4, 1861, the following resolves were passed in recognition of the generous gift of Miss Young :
Resolved, By the citizens of Berlin, in town meeting assembled, that we gratefully acknowledge the free and generous bequest of Miss Nancy Young, lately deceased, by which she has se- cured to the town, for the benefit of common school education, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars.
Resolved, That we cherish with deep regard the memory of the friend of our youth, and that we inculcate a like remem- brance of her name on the part of the rising generation.
Resolved, That the foregoing be transcribed by the town clerk upon the public records as a standing memento of the- deceased benefactress of the town.
SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Dexter Fay, Jr.
Wilder Sawyer.
Jacob Moore.
Humphrey Sawyer.
Daniel Wheeler.
P. B. Southwick.
Albert Babcock.
Ira O. Carter.
Daniel Holder.
Jonathan F. Wheeler.
Asa Sawyer.
Silas Greenleaf.
Barnabas Fay.
Addison G. Smith.
George A. Cotting.
Josiah Bride.
E. C. Shattuck. Amory A. Bartlett.
Lewis Sawyer.
Amasa A. Whitcomb.
Oliver Barrett Sawyer.
Lemuel Gott, Jr.
Josiah Sawyer, 3d. Winthrop Bailey.
Charles Keyes.
Hattie Sawyer.
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HISTORY OF THE
Abbie Sawyer.
Mary H. Holder.
Mary J. Keyes.
Olive C. Wheeler.
Mary J. Smith.
Lucy H. Wheeler.
Ellen L. Keyes.
Sarah Smith Sawyer.
Abigail Wilder.
Sarah Sawyer (Mrs. L. Carter)
Florence M. Bassett. Sarah Arissa Sawyer. Lizzie E. Merrill.
Hannah Powers.
Lucy Elizabeth Howe.
Nellie Reed.
Harriet Fay.
Harriet Susan Fay.
Sarah Fay.
Minnie E. Fay.
Lucy F. Sawyer.
Cora Belle Holbrook.
Sophia R. Sawyer.
Ada Berry.
Zilpah E. Fay.
Clara L. Shattuck.
Lois Wheeler.
M. Isabelle C. Shattuck.
Mary A. Bassett.
Grace W. Stetson.
Olive Boyce.
Alice M. Rathbun.
Emma Boyce.
Lois H. Wheeler.
Ellen Hastings.
Nellie Maynard.
Mary E. Felton.
Lilla Newsome.
Mary E. Gott.
Hope Rice.
Phebe A. Holder.
Emma A. Flagg.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
THE SOUTH PARISH AND THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE, 1778 TO 1830.
The inhabitants of the south part of Bolton, in 1778, moved by a common impulse, which was hastened undoubtedly by the ferment and rupture in the Bolton Church, known since as the Goss and Walley controversy, petitioned the General Court to be incorporated into a new parish. The distance of many members, from four to six miles, from the Bolton Church was a sufficient reason for asking for better church accommodations. The prayer of the
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WESSON
THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
CENTRE VILLAGE FROM RICE'S HILL.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
petitioners was granted by an act passed April 13th, 1778, and Samuel Baker, Esq., is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal inhabitant to call a meeting for permanent organization. Samuel Baker issues his warrant to Samuel Jones, innholder. At his house the inhabitants are summoned to meet April 7, 1779. On that spot our town was virtually born. Samuel Jones' tavern stood fronting the Northboro road, on the north side of the road to Hudson. Samuel Baker was chosen Moderator ; Jonathan Meriam, Clerk; James Goddard, Abijah Pratt and Joshua Johnson, Parish Committee; Jon- athan Meriam, Timothy Jones and William Sawyer, Jr., Assessors. One week later the parish took measures for building a meeting-house, and voted to locate it on the Little hill on the north side of the road that leads from Samuel Jones' house to Samuel Rice's shop in the crotch of the roads. There was no Common then. The road to Bolton turned by our present Town House. It was a blacksmith's shop and stood where A. A. Bartlett's house now is and was previously owned by David Rice, one of the first settlers near the middle of the town. The Little hill was considerably in front of the present church edi- fice. Esquire Meriam could not persuade the Build- ing Committee of the new church to set it so high as it now stands. He conspired with William A. Howe, and in the night they secretly lifted the stand- ards one full foot. Look at the Common and the
height of the underpinning of the church, and you
will see what became of that "Little hill." The frame of the first meeting-house was raised June 16, 1779, by aid, as usual, of "rum," " cider " and " spike
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HISTORY OF THE
poles." It was twelve years in building, and there was voted from time to time hundreds and thousands in the depreciated currency of the times to build that humble house of prayer. The Building Committee were Jonathan Meriam, Fortunatus Barnes, James Goddard, Sr., Timothy Jones, William Sawyer. Second Committee: Jacob Moore, Barnabas May- nard, Henry Powers, William Babcock.
In the meantime " candidates " were heard-Revs. M. Stearns, Foster and Edmunds. November 14, 1780, voted to hear Mr. Reuben Puffer. March 12, 1781, Mr. Puffer was "called." No objections. " Ordination to be out of the meeting-house if the weather permit." The ordination took place Nov. 26, 1781, under an oak tree easterly of the meeting- house, all the old folks say. Certainly there is some- thing inspiring in the faith and labors of the fathers, under the depression and uncertainties of war, to press forward in their circumstances, not to say poverty, to establish the ordinances of religion. The council for ordination consisted of the churches in Sudbury, East Sudbury, Westboro, Shrewsbury, Northboro, Lancaster, Bolton and Stow. Rev. Mr. Bigelow of Sudbury, Mr. Puffer's pastor, preached the sermon. Mr. Puffer's presence and ministry seemed to be quite helpful to his struggling parish. No church meet- ing was called for nearly two years. He certainly grew in the esteem of Berlin people and all the region ; every congregation was pleased to see him ascend the pulpit steps. It was not a day for entic- ing away favorite ministers, but it was understood that he had favorable overtures. His sermons were not especially arousing, but solemnly impressive. In
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GROUND PLAN, FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
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TOWN OF BERLIN.
1803 he preached the annual sermon before the governor and Legislature. An anecdote concerning him was published in print in the Lancaster "Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary." The writer of this is responsible for its appearance in type. He gave it verbally that morning to the speaker, who gave it in response for Berlin in the after-dinner speeches. Judge Brigham of Westboro had pro- cured the appointment of Mr. Puffer to the service. His son-in-law, E. M. Phillips, Esq., of Westboro, gave the anecdote to the writer personally. Accord- ing to custom, Mr. Puffer had all parts of his service written, even the prayer. In offering it he lost his bearings ; he tried to regain his ground, but only stumbled; the suspense was awful. A fellow mem- ber gave Judge Brigham a nudge, whispering, "That is your minister, is it?" The disconcerted minister had the courage to desert his written prayer and to throw himself into the occasion, and the suspense of the assembly quickly gave way to rapt attention and delight. His own people, better than any other who did not hear him on this occasion, could tell what the effect was. He lifted his learned and dignified audience to exalted views of their position and duties to the state and to God. The prayer ended, Judge Brigham returned the nudge of his neighbor, re- sponding, " That is my minister." Berlin ever had great satisfaction in Dr. Puffer abroad. His church records show that he ranked with foremost ministers in councils, far and near, on difficult cases. To this day friends and dissentients as to religious tenets revere the "man of God." His face, his features and form and manner are fast passing out of re-
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