USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Gardner > History of the town of Gardner, Worcester County, Mass., from the incorporation, June 27, 1785, to the present time > Part 21
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" Rogues and vagabonds, idle and dissolute persons, who go about begging, persons who use any juggling or unlawful games, or plays, common pipers and fiddlers, stubborn children, runaways, common drunkards, common night walkers, pilferers, lewd, wanton, and lascivious persons, in speech or behavior, common railers and brawlers, persons who neglect their calling, or employment, misspend what they earn and do not provide for themselves, or for the support of their families, and all other idle and disorderly persons, including therein those persons who neglect all lawful business and habitually misspend their time by frequenting houses of ill-fame, gaming-houses or tip- pling shops, may, upon conviction, be committed, for a term not exceeding six months, to the house of correction, or the house of industry or work-house within the city or town where the conviction is had, or to the work-house, if any there is, in the city or town in which the offender has a legal settlement, if such town is within the county."*
*Massachusetts General Statutes, chap. 165, sect. 28.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
The question of how to abate this evil, is engaging the atten- tion of our Massachusetts legislature at the time of this writing, March 26th, 1878. Various opinions exist as to the best methods to be pursued, no new legislation being thought nec- essary, unless it be to provide for a better enforcement of the above statute, under the vigilance of the state detective force. The general opinion is, that vagrancy, in all countries, is fos- tered by indiscriminate almsgiving, which is not charity. In confirmation of such an opinion, Mr. Lambert, late poor-law inspector of England, says, " I cannot too emphatically enforce my conviction, that, as long as the public persists in bestowing alms upon valiant beggars and sturdy vagabonds, every attempt, on the part of those who make or administer the laws for the suppression of vagrancy and mendicancy, will, most assuredly, prove unavailing."
That there is a decreasing necessity for the fostering or con- tinuance of this evil, is evident from the statistics of the Labor Bureau, of Massachusetts, for 1877. According to the careful investigation of Col. Wright, of this bureau, with the exception of the building trades and unskilled laborers, no large bodies of men have been found, out of employment. Since 1875, there has been an average deduction in wages of nine per cent., which corresponds, very nearly, to the decline in gold. Wherever the municipal administration did its duty, there was much less spent for pauperism in 1877, than in 1875, showing the expenditure for paupers to be on the decrease. The con- clusion then, is, if men are vagabonds, they are such from preference, and as a general rule, should be treated according to the provisions of the statute relating to vagrancy.
It may be thought, by the reader, that a disproportionate space is given, in this chapter, to the discussion of vagrancy. Our only apology is the greatness of the evil, as it now exists, throughout all our towns and states.
In directing the attention of the reader to that part of the history of Gardner, which relates to the care of its paupers, we shall be interested in and perhaps somewhat surprised, at the
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
manner in which they were annually disposed of, by vendue or auction, previous to the purchasing of the present town farm. We are not, however, to associate this method of disposing of paupers, with the auction block of the southern slave dealer. It was a method of public charity, which the necessity of the times demanded. That this unfortunate portion of our inhabi- tants have always been well provided for is, unquestionably, true. We give the following as an illustration of the manner in which the town annually made provision for its poor.
In the town warant for January 5th, 1789, vol, 1, page 100, Town Records, we have the following :-
" To see what method the town will come into, to take care and provide for Oliver Upton and his family ; to vendue them out to the lowest bidder, or take some other method, as the town shall think best when met. Voted, To vendue them to the lowest bidder. Voted, To choose a committee to draw the conditions of sale.
JOSEPH BACON, Committee.
" The conditions of the sale of Oliver Upton and wife are such, that the lowest bidder have them until March meeting, with their household stuff, and to provide vietuals and drink, convenient for them ; and to take care of them. The selectmen to take a minute of his household stuff. Also the children to be let out to the lowest bidder until the selectmen can provide better for them ; and to provide victuals and drink for them.
JOSEPHI BACON, Committee.
" Voted to accept of the report of conditions of sale. Chose Ebenezer Eaton vendue master. Oliver Upton and wife bid off by Simon Gates, at ten shillings per week. Oldest child bid off by Simon Gates, at one shilling per week. Second child, bid off by John Heywood at ten pence per week. Third child, bid off by Andrew Beard, at one shilling, two pence per week. Fourth child, bid off by Ebenezer Bolton, at one shilling, nine pence per week."
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
This method, of disposing of the poor, was pursued by the town until the year 1849, when the present town farm was purchased. For a few years, previous to 1849, the care of the poor was left discretionary with the selectmen. In June, 1789, there was an article in the town warrant, to see " if the town will build a work-house, in order for the poor to be set at work, if the town shall think proper, or act anything relating thereunto, as they shall think best when met. Voted, That the selectmen put this article into the next warrant for a town meeting." This article appeared in the warrant for a town meeting Sep- tember 14th, 1789. " Voted, To dismiss it." Thus began and ended all action, of the town, respecting a work-house for the poor, until the year 1849, when the following article appeared in a warrant for a town meeting, January 1st, of that year : " To see if the town will choose a committee to purchase a farm or house for the more convenient support of their paupers, act or transact anything relating thereto. Voted, To choose a committee of five to purchase a farm for the support of the poor, at their discretion, and report at a future meeting." This committee consisted of Messrs. Francis Richardson, Chas. Green, Asaph Wood, Smyrna W. Bancroft, Joseph Whitney. March 5th, 1849, the town " Voted, To accept of the report of the committee chosen to purchase a pauper farm. Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to give a note to Abraham Stone, for three thousand, five hundred dollars, in consideration of pur- chasing his farm. Voted, That the overseers of the poor, stock and furnish the pauper farm, and that the treasurer be author- ized to borrow one thousand dollars for the same."
At a town meeting held April 2d, 1849, the town " Voted, To accept of the following rules and regulations for the gov- ernment of the work-house :- "
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Rules and Regulations for the government of the Work-house in the town of Gardner, and duty of the Overseers of the Poor, the Master, the Physician and the Inmates of said house.
POWER AND DUTY OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
It shall be the duty of the Overseers of the Poor, to provide for all poor and indigent persons, who are, or may be unable to take care of and support themselves, and at all times when circum- stances will admit, they shall be supported on the farm, which the town has purchased for that purpose, which shall be hereafter known by the name of Gardner Work-house. And to provide suitable stock, farming utensils and household furniture, and to make such additions and repairs as are necessary for said estab- lishment, and to manage the concerns in the best possible manner, and to provide suitable places for all poor children, as soon as they can earn their living ; and see that they are brought up to some trade or calling, and suitably schooled, and they shall constantly keep suitable persons for a master and mistress, and such other help as they shall deem necessary, and they shall employ a physician to attend to the sick, when requested by the overseer or master. Said physician shall keep a record of all his visits, the price and for whom said visits were made, for which he shall receive such compensation as may be agreed upon by him and the overseers, and may be removed at the pleasure of the overseers. It shall be the duty of the overseers to meet at the work-house on the last Saturday in February, May, Au- gust and November, annually, for the purpose of inspecting the concerns of the establishment and giving directions to the mas- ter. It shall be the duty also, of one of the overseers to visit said work-house, as often as once a month, for the purpose of inspecting the management of the concerns, the usage of the inmates, and giving directions to the master, etc. ; and at their meeting in February, they shall take an inventory of all the personal property and the betterments, if any, which shall be recorded in a book, kept by them for that and other purposes, and they shall also keep a record of all persons who are sup-
GARDNER WORK HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
ported in said work-house, the time when they come and the time when they go away ; and to record all other matters which they shall deem necessary, all of which shall be reported by them at the annual March meeting.
POWER AND DUTY OF THE MASTER.
The master shall have the immediate care and control of the inmates, and all the property belonging to the institution, and shall give an account of the same to the overseers, when called upon by them ; he shall see that the inmates are suitably pro- vided with lodging, clothes, victuals and drink, and shall call on the overseers for such things as are necessary for that pur- pose. It shall also be the duty of the master to see that all who are able to labor are employed in such a manner as shall be most advantageous to the town, and to instruct in regard to the moral character of all persons in his care, and see that the Sabbath is duly observed, and to take care of all the fires, see that the lights are struck, and that the inmates retire to bed in proper season, and that the children in his care are suitably schooled ; and it shall be his duty to punish any of the inmates, who are refractory or disobedient, and perform all other duties which may devolve on him by the direction of the overseers.
DUTY OF THE INMATES.
All persons, who are maintained in the work-house, shall be under the immediate care and control of the master and mistress of the house, and shall not absent themselves from the premises without their consent, and such as are able to labor shall labor according to the directions of the master. There shall be no ardent spirits used on the premises except by special direction of the physician.
The above rules and regulations shall be laid before the town at a regular meeting, and when accepted by them, shall be the Rules and By-laws of the Gardner Work-house, and shall be read at the work-house, in the presence of the master and in- mates, at the commencement of each year, by one of the over-
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
seers. These rules and regulations may be altered or amended at any legal meeting of the town.
The town farm consists of two hundred thirty-three and twenty-one thirty-seconds acres, including the road. The house is large, commodious and in good condition of repair.
March 7th, 1870, the town voted, that the overseers of the poor, with four other persons, chosen by the town, at that meeting, be a committee to superintend the construction of a new barn on the town farm. The barn is 40 by 72 feet and cost the town about $3,000.
We give, below, the cost of supporting the poor, at the town farm, each year since 1860, previous records being inaccessible. Also cost of supporting the poor away from the town farm since 1860, with the exception of those years of which the record is not obtainable.
Cost of supporting poor, annually, at Almshouse since 1860 :
Cost of supporting poor, annually, away from Almshouse since 1860 :
1860
$917 33
1860 $176 62
1861
1,300 14
1861
232 24
1862
1,073 22
1862
294 55
1863
882 48
1863
299 04
1864
1,060 44
1864.
1865
1,004 91
1865 421 50
1866
692 95
1866
562 25
1867
756 19
1867
461 54
1868
708 22
1868
690 22
1869
997 71
1869
411 53
1870
1,250 02
1870
372 61
1871
967 87
1871
528 43
1872
1,304 27
1872
738 97
1873
1,258 29
1873
1874
1,459 67
1874
1875
1,756 14
1875.
1876
2,544 67
1876
1877
1,223 45
1877
1,194 88
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
Names of masters of the Work or Almshouse from its estab- lishment in 1849, to the present time :-
Abram Stone 1849-1851
Isaac B. Hathaway. . . 1869-1870
John V. Platts. 1852-1857 Levi P. Wood ..... .1871-1872
Daniel S. Elkins. 1858-1861 Albert Sanderson . . .1873-1876
Washburn Whitney. - 1862
T. D. Marstin . 1877
Artemas S. Hubbard . 1863-1868
Albert Sanderson .1878
According to the secretary's report for the Board of State Charities, the returns show that two hundred and twenty-two, of the three hundred and forty-two cities and towns in the state, provided for their paupers during the pauper year ending March 31st, 1877, in almshouses. The whole number of persons sup- ported at these establishments, within the year above named, was six thousand one hundred and sixty-six. The number of persons supported out of almshouses, was two thousand five hundred and five. The average cost, per week, for each pauper, in the almshouse, is two dollars and forty-four cents; the average cost per week, for each pauper outside the almshouse, is three dollars and forty-eight cents.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
CHAPTER X.
VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
" A place for everything, and everything in its place."
-Benjamin Franklin.
" Variety's the source of joy below, From which, still fresh revolving pleasures flow."- Gray.
" Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavor."-Cowper.
TN this chapter, we shall speak of the various organizations that have been in existence, in this town, since its incorpor- ation, some of which still exist, and some, having had their day and done their work, have ceased to be.
MILITARY.
" Sound all the lofty instruments of war, And by that music, let us all embrace." -First Purt King Henry IV., Act. V., Scene 11.
The year 1794, is distinguished in American history, for the celebrated defeat, by General Wayne, of the Indians of the Northwest, as well as for the famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania, when, as General Washington expressed it, " the contest' was " whether a small proportion of the United States shall dictate to the whole Union." It was a year of feverish excitement, throughout the nation, requiring unusual vigilance, on the part of those in authority, lest the liberty, secured by the war of the Revolution, should be sacrificed by the spirit of anarchy, so rife in many quarters. Acting upon the principle, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the au- thority of the commonwealth, issued its order to all towns for
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
their quotas of men, who should be ready at a minute's warning for any military service that might be required of them.
Accordingly a town meeting was called, August 4th, 1794, " To see what method the town will come into, to raise the men that are now sent for, to stand at a minute's warning, agreeable to order now sent to town, or act anything relating thereto, as they shall think best when met." Upon this article, the town " Voted, To make some consideration to the soldiers' pay, more than what the continent has made, in case they are called for." " Voted, To make up the wages to the soldiers, in case they are called and have to march, forty shillings per month, with what the continent and state shall give, as wages, and twenty shillings bounty, per man, the bounty to be paid when the men march. It is to be understood always, the soldiers that are raised, in this town, should march and the continent or the state should give them forty shillings per month, and twenty shillings boun- ty, then the town is not to give them any bounty or wages." Who these men were, or how many, is not given in the record. October 9th, 1797, the town " Voted, To make up to those men, that turn out to stand at a minute's warning, if they march, ten dollars a month, including what the continent and state give them."
According to the laws of the commonwealth, a military com- pany was formed, with William Bickford, captain .* This company continued to perform military duty, as required by law, till the time when the statute under which it was created, was repealed. The following are the names of the different commanders : William Bickford, Reuben Haynes, Samuel Edgell, Aaron Greenwood, Abel Kendall, Benjamin Edgell, David Nichols, Arna Bacon, Ezra Moore, William Bickford, Jr., Ahio Temple, Levi Priest, Ezekiel Howe, Abel Jackson, Bart- lett Stoddard, Henry Whitney, William Learned, George W. Cowee and Ephraim Wright.
August 10th, 1812, there was an article in the town warrant to this effect : " To see if the town will choose a delegate to meet
*Revised Statutes, 1836, chap. 12, sec. 5-12.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
in county convention at Worcester, on Wednesday, the 12th day of August, instant ; to consult upon the alarming situation of our country, on the declaration of war, between the United States and Great Britain and her Dependencies, and to petition the president of the United States, if they see fit, to bring about a speedy and honorable peace with Great Britain." " Chose Rev. Jonathan Osgood, delegate."
GARDNER LIGHT INFANTRY.
Acting in accordance with the spirit indicated in the above vote, in 1813, a volunteer company was formed, called the Gardner Light Infantry. It was ordered, soon after its organi- zation, to South Boston, where it remained, on duty, until the close of the war. The following are the names of the commis- sioned and non-commissioned officers, belonging to this com- pany, at the time they were ordered into service : Ephraim Williams, Captain ; Samuel Sawin, Lieut. ; Joel Cowce, Ensign ; Ebenezer Bolton, 1st Serg. ; Charles Hoar, 2d Serg. ; Benj. Stone, 3rd Serg. ; Reuben Wheeler, 4th Serg. Privates : Luke Whitney, Josiah Eaton, Joel Wheeler, James Coolidge, Jr., Josiah Wilder, Isaac Wilder, David Wilder, Phineas Moore, Aaron Conant, Abram F. Glazier, George W. Davis, Seth Whitney, Joseph Whitney, 2d, Joseph P. Whitney, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Hubbard Kendall, Joseph L. Newell, Pliny Bil- lings, David Perley, David Reed, Jr., Isaac Jackson, John Woodbury, Nathaniel Wright, Jonas Brick, Amasa Leland, Farwell Conant and Benjamin Edgell. William Fenno, drum- mer ; Levi Divol, bass drummer ; Edward Loud, fifer.
The following were the officers of this company : Ephraim Williams, Joel Cowee, Reuben Wheeler, Benjamin Stone, Thomas Bennett, Jr., Isaac Jackson, Martin Dunster, Luther Alden and Isaac P. Kendall. This company continued its existence for about twenty years, under the command of the above named officers, and enjoyed the reputation of being spirited and well disciplined.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
GARDNER GREYS.
In 1844, a military company was formed, called the Gardner Greys. The following is a list of the officers and privates in this company :-
James Coolidge, 2d, Capt. ; David Kendall, Joseph Wood and Hiram Wood, Lieuts. ; Charles Leland, Quarter-master ; John W. Hill, Henry C. Hill, Aaron B. Jackson, Edwin A. Stevens and Alonzo B. Clark, Sergs. ; Josiah A. Jackson, Hosea Adams, John H. Peabody and James W. Woodbury, Corporals ; Aaron B. Jackson, Treasurer.
Privates : Edwin Hill, Asher W. Shattuck, James B. Lord, Ebenezer Ballou, Alonzo Davis, Addison A. Walker, Joseph L. Wheeler, William B. Hill, George A. Glazier, Nathan A. Gates, John M. Seaver, Edwin Howe, Charles E. Bickford, Abijah Hinds, Jr., Merrick Adams, William H. Learned, Still- man D. Colburn, Harrison R. Rawson, Lysander B. Jaquith, William T. Peabody, Chas. Noyes, Hiram Williams, Elijah W. Foster, John H. Walker, Albert Bickford, J. H. Sperling, Geo. T. Lowell, Ai Stone, J. P. Lynde, Ransom Bolton, Belarmin Bolton, Luke Whitney, R. G. Reed, Daniel Adams, Ephraim S. Bowker, Luther B. Walker, Samuel Hodgman, B. G. Coch- ran, Asa F. Smith and Benjamin H. Rugg.
D. G. FARRAGUT POST NO. 116, G. A. R.
This Post was organized January 6th, 1870. There were, at the commencement, seventeen charter members, with the fol- lowing officers : G. W. Wilson, P. C .; D. R. Symonds, S. V. C .; G. H. Pond, J. V. C. : E. P. Brown, Adjt. ; N. W. Cramm Q. M .; C. F. Tenney, Surg. ; E. F. Wiley, O. D. ; C. H. Newton, O. G. ; R. B. Baker, S. M. ; H. G. Pollard, Q. M. S. The Post has now fifty-one members. Since its organ- ization, it has expended, for charities, $629.90, besides the amount which comrades have bestowed from their private purses, which is probably an equal amount. Assisted by an annual appropriation of the town, this Post, upon Decoration
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
Day, strews the graves of their fallen comrades, in the various cemeteries of the town, with flowers furnished by the friends of the soldiers, after which, assembling in the Town Hall. they listen to an oration, pronounced by some gentleman of their own selection. The present officers are : O. F. Smith, P. C. ; C. Beckwith. S. V. C. ; J. B. Thompson, J. V. C. ; H. Clark, Adjt. ; E. J. Cushing, Q. M .; J. W. Clapp, Surg. ; J. W. Walcott, O. D. ; D. O. Remington, O. G. ; M. V. Coburn, S. M. ; J. F. Ashley, Chap.
HOPE LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
" The world is in pain, Our secrets to gain ; But still let them wonder and gaze on, For they ne'er can divine The word nor the sign Of a Free and Accepted Mason."
The first regular communication, of Hope Lodge, was held in Free Mason Hall, Gardner, Tuesday evening, March 22d, 1864. Charles Heywood, M. ; Henry C. Hill, S. W. ; Edward J. Saw- yer, J. W. ; Alonzo B Clark, Treas. ; George Heywood, Sec. ; George E. Woodman, S. D .; George Nichols, J. D. ; L. S. Stowe, S. S. ; Andrew J. Moore, J. S.
Charter members : Levi Heywood, Horace Whitney, Charles Heywood, Henry C. Hill, Edward J. Sawyer, Alonzo B. Clark, George Heywood, George E. Woodman, George Nichols, Alvin M. Greenwood, Nathaniel Holmes, James H. Greenwood, F. C. Whitcomb. The hall now occupied by Hope Lodge, is in the attic story of the Town Hall, which, in accordance with a vote of the town, February 18th, 1865, was leased for a term of years. This room was prepared and elegantly furnished, for the use of the Lodge, in the spring of 1865, and was dedicated, by members of the Grand Lodge, in April of the same year, since which time it has continued in a flourishing condition, care being taken, to preserve the high tone of its membership, in which it was instituted. The regular meetings of this lodge are held monthly, on or before the full moon. The officers of
HISTORY OF GARDNER. 249
the present year are : Marcus H. Howe, W. M. ; Frank W. Cummings, S. W. ; Charles F. Read, J. W. ; John W. Hill, Treas. ; John C. Stone, Sec. ; Rev. E. A. Read, Chap. ; Chas. N. Edgell, M. ; Henry H. Adams, S. D. ; Albert Lovejoy, J. D. ; Andrew C. Upham, S. S .; Arthur W. Brown, J. S .; George W. Lusk, I. S. ; Lucian N. Hadley, Organist ; John Dustin, Tyler.
Past Masters : Charles Heywood, Henry C. Hill, Edward J. Sawyer, John D. Edgell, Frank W. Cummings, Charles F. Read, William Stone.
Committee on Charity : Henry C. Hill, Ezra Osgood, Chas. F. Read.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. "Friendship, Love and Truth."
The William Ellison Lodge, No. 185, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted March 19, 1878, with a membership of thirty-two. The professed objects of American Odd Fellowship are " to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan, to improve and elevate the character of man, imbue him with proper conceptions of his capabilities for good, enlighten his mind, enlarge the sphere of his affections, and lead him to the cultivation of the true fraternal relation, designed by the great Author of his being." The hall of this lodge is located near the depots, over Messrs. Howe Brothers' grain store.
The following is a list of officers chosen at the institution of the lodge : J. Warren Spring, N. G. ; H. O. Tubbs, V. G. ; W. H. Cowee, Sec. ; J. J. Dunn, Treas. ; A. W. Wilson, W. ; C. O. Plantier, C. ; J. S. Garner, O. G. ; A. M. Richards, I. G .; E. N. Goddard, R. S. N. G .; F. A. Laws, L. S. N. G .; E. L. Gates, R. S. V. G .; W. B. Heathfield, L. S. V. G .; C. F. Woodbury, R. S. S. ; H. D. Lusk, L. S. S. ; C. H. Spring, Organist ; W. W. Tandy, Chaplain.
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HISTORY OF GARDNER.
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS.
" Erin, my country ! thongh sad and forsaken, In dreams I revisit thy sea-beaten shore ; But, alas ! in a far foreign land I awaken, And sigh for the friends who can meet me no more !" -Thomas Campbell.
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