USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > History of the town of Douglas, (Massachusetts,) from the earliest period to the close of 1878 > Part 15
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BENJAMIN WALLIS, Esq., the older son, lived to be 70 years of age, his death being occasioned by exposure to the cold. He drove a yoke of fat oxen to Providence, R. I., in the month of Jan- uary, and became so chilled by the intense cold that he died there.
JAMES WALLIS, the second son, was born in Douglas, but afterwards moved to Webster, where he owned and run a grist-mill
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and blacksmith shop. From this place he went to Southbridge, and thence to West Brookfield, where he died, aged 85.
DAVID WALLIS, the third son, born in Douglas, was a farmer, always living in Douglas. He died at the age of -.
SAMUEL WALLIS, the fourth son, retained his faculties umimpaired to an advanced age. At 85 he was summoned to Worcester as a witness in the case involving the flowage of the Moses Knapp privilege, walking the entire distance from his home to Worcester. He died at 90, and at the time of his death, which was occasioned by a fall, he was apparently as well able to endure fatigue as for years before.
AARON WALLIS, the fifth son, was a man who took an active part in town affairs, and lived to the age of 77 years. He was Selectman and Assessor for many years.
AARON A. WALLIS, son of Aaron, succeeded his father in town business. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen for a long time, and held many other town offices.
DUDLEY FAMILY.
FRANCIS DUDLEY settled at Concord, Mass., about 1663 .. He married Miss SARAH WHEELER, of Concord, Oct. 26, 1665, who died Dec. 12, 1713.
They had a son 2 SAMUEL, who was born in 1666, and mar- ried for his first wife ABIGAIL KING Nov. 1, 1704, and for his second wife LYDIA -. Samuel Dudley died in 1775, at Sutton, and his first wife died in 1720.
WILLIAM DUDLEY, son of Samuel, was born May 28, 1726, and married ANN SHEPHERD, of Stoughton. He was Town Clerk of Douglas soon after its incorporation.
4 PAUL DUDLEY was the son of William Dudley, and died Feb. 9, 1857, aged 80 years. He married DOROTHY REED.
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5 JOHN DUDLEY was the son of Paul Dudley, and was born Sept. 10, 1790, and married SUBMIT HILL, who was born March 3,1790.
6 JAMES HILL DUDLEY was the son of John Dudley, and was born Dec. 10, 1814, and married ELIZA AVERY PRENTISS, of Hampton, Conn., who was born Sept. 3, 1819.
7 ARTHUR JAMES DUDLEY was born May 7, 1839, and married CHRISTIANA SARAH HILL Nov. 12, 1861, who was born June 28, 1838. They have the following children : Walter John Hill Dudley, born Aug. 23, 1862 ; Guilford Chauncey Dudley, born March 5, 1864 ; Robert Arthur Dudley, born Feb. 23, 1867; Loiezer Eliza Dudley, born March 7, 1870 ; Ralph Edward Dud- ley, born April 20, 1876.
DAVID DUDLEY, son of Paul Dudley, was born about 1788, and married HANNAH WALKER, of Sutton, Dec. 16, 1810, by the Rev. Edmund Mills. He died in 1829, aged 43, and Hannah his wife died June 5, 1872, aged 84. Their children were : George R. ; Louie M., born 1814 ; Eliza J., born Feb., 1817, and died June, 1817; David W., born 1818, died October, 1818 ; David W., born March, 1800, died in 1855; Eliza J., born 1823.
GEORGE R. is married, and resides in Covington, Ky., and his children are Eugene, Emma, Kate, Anna, and Willie.
LOUIE M. married EDMUND CARPENTER in 1833, and died in 1835.
ELIZA J. married DUTEE SMITHI, of Burrillville, R. I., in 1848, and died Dec. 7, 1867. Her children are Luella M., born 1850 ; George H., born 1854; and Clara H., born 1858. Luella M. married Moses H. Balcome, of Douglas, April 15, 1876.
WILLIAM DUDLEY, son of Paul, was born Oct. 29, 1793, married HARRIOT CRAGIN, and had the following children : William Dudley, born Nov. 11, 1816, who married Elizabeth Morse, of Providence, R. I., and had as issue Charles L. Dudley ; Charles Dudley, of Providence, who married Clara D. Wilmouth, and had as issue William A. Dudley, Annie W. Dudley, and Harriet C.
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Dudley ; Harriet C. Dudley, who married George R. Barker, Oct. 21, 1847, their issue being Harriet C. D. Barker, born March 23, 1851, died Sept. 15, 1876 ; J. Fremont Barker, born April, 1855 ; Charles D. Barker, born 1857; George R. Barker, died 1865, aged 40 years.
William Dudley, son of Paul, married for his second wife MARY COBB, of Taunton, and had three children, all dying young. For his third wife he married SOPHRONIA LINCOLN, of Worcester, and had as issue Sophronia (not living) ; George, born 1834; Edwin R., born 1838 ; Mary W., born 1844.
WILLARD DUDLEY, son of Paul, was born about the year 1797, married EUNICE BALCOME, and had the following issue : Paul, Edwin, Dorothy, Frank, and Betsey.
DOROTHY DUDLEY, daughter of Paul Dudley, born March 29, 1801, married BENJAMIN HILL, and had as issue Benjamin, Emelinc, Eliza Ann, and Edwin.
HARRIET DUDLEY, daughter of Paul and Dorothy, his wife, was born Dec. 15, 1704, married JOSIAH ADAMS May 14, 1823, and had as issue Josiah Augustus, born March 12, 1824, married Fidelia, who had a daughter, Adelaide Francis, born Nov. 2, 1845. Josiah Augustus died Jan. 19, 1859, and Fidelia, his wife, May 31, 1861.
AMOS GOULD.
Most of the boys and young men of the village are familiar with a little wood-colored house, one story in height, that stands (or used to stand) by the roadside in Centerville, for some time the home of Amos Gould, or " Uncle Amos," as he was commonly called. He was a stone-layer by trade, though he worked more or less at all kinds of heavy out-door labor, and was noted for great muscular strength. During the hottest days of summer, as well as at other seasons of the year, he worked bare-headed in the sun, which gave rise to another sobriquet by which he was known, " knot-head." When employment failed, or the long winter evenings came on, he occu- pied himself in making whip-stalks and axe-handles, which were
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much in demand among the farmers ; and when tired of this he whiled away his leisure hours in playing a fiddle, of which he was passionately fond, and on many an evening would the boys, and even the girls, crowd the cabin of the old man to hear him play and sing by the hour.
Stories innumerable are related of various exhibitions of his strength before old age came on, such as wrestling, lifting, throw- ing the bar, pulling stakes, etc., - some real and some fictitious. He was generally on good terms with mendicants, gypsies, and Indians, mixing freely with them as they came and went. It is said that once, while "Uncle Amos " was laying a wall along the edge of a pond, near which some Indians were encamping, one of them, a noted bully, came behind him and pushed him over with his foot, saying, "me big Indian." Without a word "Uncle Amos" rose, caught the astonished red man amidships, lifted him clear of the ground and tossed him over a rail fence into the water, and as the brave struck out for shore he retorted, " me big Indian too !"
His only companion in the solitary life which he preferred, and to which he obstinately clung, was a little dog, curiously marked, and remarkable for brute intelligence. The two were inseparable. At home, at work, in all the old man's wanderings and adventures, this faithful attendant answered his master's call ; and when, one cold, bleak morning, the insensible form of "Uncle Amos " was found by the roadside, the faithful dog lay on his bosom, where he had watched in vain over the life of his master.
Although relatives offered him a comfortable home in his declin- ing years, he clung as if by instinct to the mingled freedom and privations of a solitary life.
AMOS HUMES.
Amos Humes, the father of 'Squire Humes, was a man of in- dependent character, and consequently of considerable influence in town affairs. He held various town offices, and was elected Representative to the General Court several times. In those days it was the custom for the fortunate candidate to " treat " his con-
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stituents, a custom which, unfortunately, is not yet buried in the oblivion it deserves. At the time he was chosen he proposed in open town-meeting that, instead of treating his neighbors, as the fashion was, he should contribute ten dollars for the benefit of the public schools. A proposition of that kind from Amos Humes was authoritative, the most thirsty among those present not daring to dissent, and the approval of his proposition was immediate and unanimous.
RUSSELL TITUS.
Few men in Douglas were better known while living than was Russell Titus. Eccentric in manners and dress, self-assured without being impudent, he was always conspicuous in any local gathering of a popular character. He was an ardent advocate of temperance, and took prominent parts in the debates at local meetings, conventions, etc., relating to the question. Keenly alive to any real or fancied injury or insult, he was as warmly ap- preciative of any kindness done him; and it was said that at some time, and in some way or another, he always managed to return a favor. Many can testify to his spontaneous goodness of heart. He died March 11, 1874, in the 60th year of his age.
DUDLEY BALCOME.
There is scarcely a New England town that has not some genial, good-hearted character, a genuine Yankee, who is "hail fellow well met" with everybody. Such a man was Dudley Bal- come, for sixty years a useful resident of Douglas. Prominent in town affairs, he occupied various offices of confidence and re- sponsibility, the duties of which he discharged with strict integ- rity, especially that of town collector, for which position he was always a favorite candidate. Quite an orator, in his way, he was often heard in the lyceum, and at town-meetings generally, on questions where the principles of justice and humanity were in- volved. Few who were present will ever forget the eloquent and
RESIDENCE OF MOSES H. BALCOME, DOUGLAS CENTER.
RESIDENCE OF D. M. LEE, EAST DOUGLAS.
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even touching argument he once made at a town-meeting in favor of measures proposed for protecting birds, "our humble benefac- tors, that not only save the crops unharmed, but cheer us with their song."
His affection for birds, however, did not extend to foxes. Armed with a long-barreled smooth-bore, " good for any red-coat at fourteen rods," as he used to say, and accompanied by "Old Pomp," the well-known hound, he won quite a reputation as a fox hunter, and loved the sport to the last. He was sympathetic and warm-hearted, generous to a fault, affable and courteous in his demeanor, and the town lost a valued servant by his death, which took place in the latter part of December, 1874.
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MR. EZRA JONES
died Dec. 5, 1868, aged 41 years. Mr. Jones came to Douglas in the year 1846. He was variously employed until 1850, when he engaged in the grocery and dry goods business at Manchaug. Several years subsequent to this he carried on business at the store afterwards occupied by J. F. Putnam, in the Arcade building, and was subsequently associated with his brother, A. F. Jones, in Chase's Block, at the same time carrying on the butchering business. He was an invalid for three years, and died of consumption. "He was an industrious, hard-working man, a kind and indulgent hus- band and father, and an upright, public-spirited, useful citizen."
DEA. WARREN HUNT.
Few names are more familiar, not merely to citizens of Douglas, but among the older business men of other localities, than that of Dea. Warren Hunt, a native and life-long resident of the town. His connection with the Axe Company, its growth and prosperity under his management, the comprehensive character of his plans, the energy he displayed in perfecting them, his shrewdness and foresight, joined with a certain force of will that made him when in
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his prime a leader among leaders, all combined to secure to him much more than a strictly local reputation. Some men are endowed by nature with intellectual qualities that establish their supremacy at once and without question in any enterprise with which they are connected. Their personal impress is left on everything ; they seem " born to rule."
Such a man was Deacon Hunt. To good judgment, foresight, and skill in effecting combinations - three qualities essential to a busi- ness man - he united that executive capacity without which these amount to little more than foundations for castles in the air. With him, a scheme once devised, the results were fairly anticipated, and no delay gave tilne for the seeds of failure to take root. His men, the machinery, the details of the work, went forward seemingly in obedience to his single will, just as the wide belt of the water- wheel is the single source of motion to the intricate shafting of the mill. Quick to discern, prompt to decide, ready to act, he never was guilty of indecision himself, and would hardly tolerate it in others. The breadth of mind that caused him to conceive any new business enterprise in the gross was accompanied with a fortunate readiness in understanding and attending to the minutest details. He would pick out a defective axe from a heap of them with what seemed to his men supernatural discernment. Of course in such a long business career as he led, seeing so much of men, he came to know them and was quick to read them, and perhaps rather unspar- ing in his exposure of their weaknesses at times ; yet no one knew better than he how to develop latent talent, as well as to place men where they could be employed to the best advantage.
Nor were his ideas and plans, as is too often the case with men submerged in business, narrowed and concentrated upon the mere affairs under his personal charge. In his day and generation he was the leading citizen of Douglas, active in town affairs, inter- ested in public improvements, and prominent in the Church. Gen- erous and public spirited by nature, he was accustomed to look for- ward to the ultimate results, keeping constantly in view the growth and prosperity of the place, and endeavoring to make them keep pace with its business development, that the one might be the pat- ron rather than the oppressor of the other. Probably he did more than any one to build up the village.
As might be expected from one of such a positive character, his
Marrow Hunte
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views upon all general topics were most decided in their character, and always forcibly avowed ; but with all his native force of mind and strength of will, however, there was combined a dignity and suavity of manner that was winning in the extreme when he chose to exercise them. It was this that rendered him an excellent pre- siding officer. More than once has it been said by those compe- tent to judge, and knowing him long and intimately, "we never had a man among us who could conduct a public assembly of any kind with equal tact, dignity and grace."
We might record innumerable instances and incidents that have been preserved, illustrative of his prominent traits. To enumerate them all would fill a volume, and to attempt an adequate and fit- ting selection from among the number would be difficult, if not impossible. To those who knew him this brief and necessarily imperfect notice will revive recollections that are valuable and im- perishable ; and to those who did not know him it will at least transmit his memory, and serve to postpone the obliviousness that slowly covers up the pathway of the dead.
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DR. WILLIAM JENNISON.
The name of Dr William Jennison, a physician who practiced in Mendon, and also in Douglas in the early history of our town, will be familiar to many who have examined its annals. He was born in 1732, married Mary Staples, of Mendon, and eventually re- moved to Brookfield, where he died on the 8th of May, 1798. He was the father of Samuel Jennison, a lawyer and graduate of Harvard University, who practiced law in Oxford.
JONATHAN SPRAGUE.
This good man was born in Douglas Oct. 6, 1801. He was brought up under the quiet and subduing influences of the Quak- ers, and his whole life was one of the most unobtrusive of those so generally characteristic of this estimable class of people. His nat- ural repulsion to anything like conspicuousness led him to shrink from public observation to that degree that probably scarce any of
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his more immediate neighbors conld be said to have really known him, especially in those details of mind and habit that constitute the man himself. These were open to the observation of his fam- ily and most intimate friends ouly, and to them they were known and read of all.
Nevertheless, on all matters where a thorough conscientious- ness in the discharge of his obligations as a citizen were involved, as well as in the retiracy of his family, he was one of the most un- compromising and outspoken, and could never be betrayed into the sacrifice of his honest convictions on any consideration of pub- lie expedieney or personal favor. This trait, with his well-known generous and sympathizing nature, led him instinctively to es- pouse the cause of the oppressed, and from the very beginning of the great anti-slavery struggle he was one of its firmest adherents and most steadfast defenders, even though it cost him no small amount of ridicule to stand up well nigh solitary and alone for his principles, as he did in identifying himself early with the old " Lib-
Jonathan Preaque
erty party." His indignation at the infamous "Fugitive Slave Law," as it was so justly called, was not a sentiment merely, but an incarnation ; and the panting refugee from bondage was never turned from his door, but on repeated occasions, says one who knew him most intimately, these poor men and women were heartily welcomed under his roof in East Douglas, and aided on their flight for freedom by all the means at his command.
He was a man of great vigor and keenness of mind, penetra- ting intuitively to the very essentials of all the leading questions of the day, never contenting himself with any merely superficial ideas on these subjects. Few men probably were capable of framing a more incisive question on any point which they did not fully grasp than he. Evading the vital issue on such matters was useless when he set himself to " know and understand." He was remark- ably well read on all matters affecting the public interest, and es- pecially in the realm of religion. He would state with rare precis- ion the points of difference characterizing the different evangelical
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denominations, readily grasping the vulnerable feature in any con- troversy, with a happy faculty of holding it up to the light both of reason and revelation.
His consistent and reproachless life closed Nov. 2, 1876, when he was suddenly stricken down by apoplexy. Mr. Sprague was married Oct. 26, 1826, to Mary Ann Whipple, daughter of Wel- come Whipple, Esq. The fiftieth anniversary of their wedding was celebrated at the church in South Sutton, at which four geu- erations of their family were present to do them honor, together with a large number of invited guests. The address from their son, Col. Homer B. Sprague, contained reminiscences of the past followed by an original poem, which served to make the occasion one of rare and deep interest.
HOMER B. SPRAGUE
spent a portion of his school days in East Douglas. He fitted for college at Leicester Academy, graduated at Yale in the class of 1852, receiving the DeForest prize, a gold medal of the value of one hundred dollars, given for the best written and spoken composition. After studying law at New Haven, he entered upon the practice of his profession in Worcester, but soon after accept- ed the position of principal of the Worcester High School. From Worcester he went to New Haven and again began the practice of law, continuing there until the breaking out of the rebellion.
During the war he did much to inspire patriotism in others, and himself entered early into the service of his country, enlisting a company of soldiers in New Haven and of which he had been elected Captain. He was afterwards promoted Major, and Nov. 5, 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel. His regiment was in several engagements, both in the department of the gulf and with the army of the Shenan- doah under General Sheridan.
In the battle of Winchester Colonel Sprague commanded the regiment (Thirteenth Connecticut). In the heat of the contest his horse was shot under him, and he led his regiment on foot. Soon after the Colonel and a few brave men who stood by him were overpowered and captured. After an experience in Libby Prison, and afterwards in Andersonville, he was released and again re-
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sumed command of his regiment. Since the war he has been engaged in teaching. In 1867 he was chosen principal of the State Normal School at New Britain, Conn., afterwards professor in Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. From there he went to Brooklyn, and became principal of the Adelphi Academy. Re- signing this position he entered the lecture-field and soon became one of the most popular lecturers of the day. His lecture enti- tled " The Bright Side of Life in Confederate Prisons," is replete with incidents and anecdotes showing the sunnier side of prison life, when told by the Colonel in his inimitable style. His other lectures, among which may be mentioned " Milton as an Educa- tor," "Riches, and what Constitutes Them," "Shakespeare's Youth," "Shakespeare's Manhood," and " Oliver Goldsmith," are universally popular, and make the Colonel an established favorite wherever he lectures. He is now principal of the Girls' High School, Boston.
JAMES E. SIMMONS
was born Feb. 20, 1825, at Oakham, Mass. He came to Doug- las at an early age, and was for a long time engaged in busi- ness in Chase's Block. During a residence in Douglas of more than twenty-six years he was closely identified with the people ; in all his business transactions he was kind, courteous and gen- tlemanly ; and in the social circle the ennobling traits of his char- acter were conspicuous. In 1863 he removed to Slatersville, where he engaged in mercantile business, and came to be as uni- versally respected there as in Douglas. He died April 11, 1868, and his remains were brought to Douglas for burial.
MR. FENNER BATCHELLER
was born at Thompson, Conn., in 1807, and was next to the youngest of a family of eleven children. He removed his residence to Douglas in 1826, and for a number of years was employed in the cotton mill of Howe & Co., who were then operating what is
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now known as the Lovett mill. After years of faithful service he was promoted to the position of overseer, and for some time was Agent of the mills.
He organized, in 1827, the first Sunday-school ever gathered in this village, at which those who were confined to labor during the week days were instructed in reading, writing and ciphering. In 1841 he represented the town in the General Court, for many years he was postmaster, and during nearly every year of his res- idence in Douglas he held some town office. He always had a heart and a hand for every good cause, and was ever ready to aid in any
Fermer Batcheller
project tending to elevate the morality and prosperity of the town. His kindness of heart, sterling honesty, and perseverance in what- ever he undertook, made him a man whom his townsmen loved to honor.
He was for twenty-three years a director of the Blackstone Na- tional Bank, and in this capacity his prompt and sound judgment made him a safe adviser for all who sought his counsel. His con- summate honesty and singleness of purpose made him faithful to all the trusts committed to him.
COL, HORACE EMERSON
was born in Uxbridge in 1801, and removed to Douglas when quite young, since then making this place his home. He married Azuba Hill, oldest daughter of Capt. Caleb Hill. Colonel Emerson was passionately fond of military pursuits, and his commanding pres- ence on the muster field made him the subject of admiration. He rose from the rank of Ensign to the Colonelcy of the Second Regi- ment of Infantry, holding successively the commissions of Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel.
Before taking the command of his company it was in a badly- demoralized condition. A summons to appear on parade was un- heeded by half the members, and those who did appear made it a
15
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complete burlesque by costuming themselves in the most ridicu- lous manner. Captain Emerson immediately set himself about securing a better state of discipline in the ranks, in which he was seconded by his Orderly Clerk, Fenner Batcheller, Esq. On one occasion, when twenty-eight absentees were reported, he deter- mined to select Alvah Crossman upon whom to apply the test of authority, he being a man of means, and able to bear any fine that might be imposed. The matter was carried into court, and Mr. Crossman employed ex-Governor Davis, of Worcester, as counsel, who came to Douglas to examine the records of the company as preliminary to making an attempt to quash proceedings. After a lengthy search for errors he remarked that it was the only eor- rectly kept military record he had ever seen, and of course Colonel Emerson was sustained. The result was that after this the best of discipline prevailed in the company. This will serve to illus- trate the' methodicalness and promptitude which characterized his life. Anything entrusted to him was sure of faithful attention.
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