USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > History of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts : from the first settlement to the present time, 1643-1879 > Part 29
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BRIDGES AND MILLS.
ing-house, a small space above said confluence. Said bridge is 140 feet long, and a Causey 40 rods long on a county road. The 7th bridge is called the Neck bridge, [60 rods ] below the confluence of Nashua branches, on the Post road ; said bridge is 173 feet long. The 8th bridge is called Jones' bridge, 90 rods [feet] long, no road to said bridge. The 9th bridge is called White's bridge on Harvard road, 49} feet in Lancas- ter, and 80 rods Causey. The 10th bridge is called Wileses [Wilds'] bridge, 58 feet long in Lancaster. The width of said rivers, the south branches and north branches in general, is about 6 or 7 rods wide ; and below the confluence is about 9 or 10 rods wide. But one house for public worship which is represented in the above, near the Center of said town. Falls in the Entervales northwesterly of said meeting-house. The distance from Lancaster to Worcester, the shire town, is re- puted at 15 miles ; and from said Lancaster to Boston, through Concord, 36 miles ; through Lincoln, 35 miles ; through Sud- bury, 37 miles. In Lancaster are 8 Ponds, and two pieces, as above. There is but one fall of water worthy of note, although a swift stream, which is noted above. No mountains, manu- factories. Here is two Potashes, and one Pearl Ash ; one full- ing mill ; one machine for manufacturing nails ; one furnace for casting hollow-ware; one trip-hammer. Mills here are four saw-mills and two grist-mills. No mines, or minerals, or iron works. In Lancaster is one farm claimed by the Com- monwealth, containing by estimation, seventy-five acres, for- merly owned by Col. Abijah Willard, about sixty rods east- wardly of the meeting-house. This above plan is plotted by a scale of 200 rods to an inch. Compleated surveying and plot- ting, May 29, 1795, by the subscribers, (excepting what credit is given for.)
MATTHIAS MOSMAN, CALEB WILDER, JR."
The population of the town in 1790, by the first national Census was fourteen hundred and sixty, and in 1800 it was fifteen hundred and eighty-four, making a gain of one hun- dred and twenty-four in ten years.
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
The ever-recurring question of dividing the county, came before the town again in 1798, when three men voted in favor of a division, and more than one hundred in the negative.
The town purchased of John Sprague, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Thayer a " piece of land for a burying-field," May 28, 1798. This is now known as the "Middle Cemetery," of which a more extended notice will be given in the chapter on Cemeteries.
Great changes in the population took place in the latter part of the century ; first by the coming of several families from Reading, and secondly by the formation of the Shaker families in Lancaster and Shirley.
Probably there were changes in all parts of the town, as well as in the northern section, but we have more definite in- formation in regard to the latter. One whose memory is a full repository of ancient facts-J. Marshal Damon-gives the following items in relation to several families who took up their abode here between eighty and ninety years since.
Samuel Damon, with his family, came from Reading to this town, April 20, 1796. He owned a large section of land where C. K. Goodale and the Willard brothers now reside. He was soon followed by a number of families who settled on lands that had been owned by persons who had joined the Shaker community. The following came from Reading. William Gould, Joseph Emerson, with three sons, Elias, Ephraim and Charles, Timothy Lewis, Jonathan Tenney or Kenney, Joseph Upton, John Goodwin, William Nichols, Isaac Cow- dry, and the widow Foster, who married Nathaniel Burbank. Dr. John Hawkes had preceded these by many years. Isaac Saunders lived on the south side of Ponakin hill. The old house still remains in a ruinous state.
The formation of the Shaker community was the occasion of a remarkable revolution throughout the northern part of the town, from side to side, and extending as far south as Goat- ham and Ponakin hill. Mother Aun Lec, whose strange
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MOTHER ANN LEE.
history cannot be read without interest after the lapse of nearly a century, raised a moral tempest in the three northern school districts as they then existed. Her character is still in dispute, but there can be no question that she was a woman of strong will and magnetic power. In one of her journeys from eastern New York to New England, she came to Lan- caster, and seems to have found here a field all ready for the sowing of her strange doctrines or fantasies, as different par- ties might view them. Her coming was about 1780, and her first lodgment seems to have been made in the northwest sec- tion of the town. A man named Phillips owned the Simeon Whitney place on the road to North Leominster. This, with the house of Elijah Wilds, in Shirley, became the headquar- ters of Mother Ann at her advent. She was mobbed once when at the house of Wilds. She jumped from a back win- dow and hid in the swamp west of the Shaker settlement. She held meetings at various houses, but after a time, a large room was used for the purpose on the east end of the house of Aaron Lyon, now owned by Otis Houghton, on Ponakin hill. This was in 1781-2, when the community or family was formed. To this center came crowds of people, who were moved as the wind bows the forest, by the burning words of Ann Lee. It is reported that strong men were so wrought upon by her searching words and terrible denunciations, as to fall upon their knees in open meeting, and with streaming eyes beg for mercy. By 1783 several families were number- ed among her converts. Aaron Cook, John Clark, Aaron John- son and Samuel Barrett, owners of farms in the north part of the town, joined the community. Moses Howard owned the Emerson place ; Thomas Beckwith the John Whittemore place ; a man named Melvin owned the house which stood on land of William J. Knight on the Greenbush road; Samuel Whitney lived on the place now owned by Charles Fairbank ; Susie and Relief Whittemore, sisters and maiden ladies, own- ed the James H. Holman place. Most if not all of these, with a Mr. Worcester, on the Carr place, and Mrs. Manasseh
24
370
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Knight, united with the Shakers. It is said that many fell away, and went back to the world, but that a large portion remained and died among them.
At length the Shakers were gathered into three families, one of which was in this town, just south of the northern line, and the other two north of the line, in Shirley. The last two still remain, but the buildings in Lancaster are rented. In some cases families were broken up, the father or mother leaving home, and joining the community. There was a violent fer- ment ; the strangest notions were broached and discussed from house to house, as well as in public meeting. Yet the epi- demic was confined to one section of the town, and scarcely raised a ripple south of Ponakin hill. ' In process of time the excitement subsided, and the seething elements, ceasing to ef- fervesce, settled down into a quiet, well-ordered and thrifty community.
Members joined the Shakers from other towns, but L'ancas- ter supplied a large quota. To show how the location of fami- lies was changed, it is necessary to go a little more into detail.
Aaron Lyon lived at the coming of mother Ann on the top of Ponakin hill, in the same house which is now occupied by Otis Houghton. The house is still in good repair. The situ- ation is pleasant and commands an extensive view. Lyon joined and then left the Shakers. He had three sons, Aaron, John and Luther. His daughter Mary married Jonas John- son. The late John E. Lyon, who acquired a fortune in con- nection with railroad business, was a grandson.
Abel Beckwith went from Ponakin hill to the Shakers, and remained till his death. Moses Howard, who also lived on Ponakin, joined the community.
Samuel Whitney went from the Ephraim Rugg place, which was near the corner of the Shirley and Goatham road. John Melvin went from his place on the Greenbush road. The Whittemore sisters lived on the northern slope of Ponakin hill, at the Holman place.
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SHAKER CEMETERY.
The wife of Manasseh Knight left the Knight place, so call- ed, and joined the family. This place is now owned by Mr. Coburn of Gardner, and the house has recently been repaired and made to look as good as new.
Aaron Cook, another convert, lived back of the " old brick tavern." A family by the name of Cooledge lived on a spot long forgotten except by a few old men. It is a little north of the land which lies between Spectacle and Oak hill ponds, and is a pleasant little nook, in the woods. This pretty glade is marked by a few old apple trees, and the remains of a cel- lar and chimney. In old times a bridle, private, or some oth- er way came down from the turnpike, by the house, and be- tween the ponds, and so passed on to the Rugg mill. But Cooledge left his sylvan nest, and cast in his lot with the Sha- kers. Probably other families or individuals joined them, but it is impossible to get positive information so long after the events took place. However, there is reason to believe that John Phillips, and Abijah Phillips, with his three daughters, Grace, Hannah and Elizabeth, became members.
The burying yard of the families is in Lancaster, a little south of the town line. The field slopes gently to the south- east, and the mounds of earth are all in rows reaching north and south across the yard. The brothers are in one section and the sisters in another. The head-stones are small and plain, but they are marble. The yard is truly a cemetery, a quiet sleeping place.
The "holy hill" of the community is also in Lancaster. This rises like a dome just south of the town line, and west from the road. The summit is crowned or circled by trees which can be seen from a great distance. The appearance of the hill attracts attention and awakens inquiry. From a per- son who once ascended the hill, by invitation, on occasion of a religious ceremony, the following facts are elicited.
All the families in the community ascend the hill twice a year, at least. Whether the procession is made oftener is not certain. One procession is made in October, and one in the
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
spring. Outsiders are not expected or desired to be present.
When the time comes for the ascent, they all meet in the big house and form a procession. They march abreast in pla- toons, two or more males in line with two or more females. There is an alley or space between the sexes. At the foot of the hill on the north side is a small brook, spanned by a bridge. Here on the occasion referred to, the procession halted and formed into a square, the males and females on opposite sides. The elder then said something to this effect. "Whoeveramong us has anything against a brother or sister, let not him or her pass this brook until reconciliation is made."
Then and there all differences are settled. Explanations are made and received. Things which cannot be explained away or excused, are acknowledged. Forgiveness is asked and freely given. They all shake hands in token of amity and confidence. They then stand in the square and " throw love to each other." This is done by throwing both hands to- wards one another, and then drawing back the hands towards the heart, as if to take in the proffered love.
This touching ceremony, which has the appearance of en- tire sincerity, being finished, the procession is again formed, and all march up the hill in silence. The summit is enclosed by a neat fence. The enclosure is entered by a gate, and made convenient by a gravel walk.
In the center of the lot or sacred place, is a monument on which there is an inscription including the name of Jesus, and supposed to be in his honor. One person,-probably the religious leader,-read the inscription aloud in the hearing of the whole assembly. Then all knelt in silent prayer around the monument. After a suitable time devoted to this impres- sive exercise, they rose to their feet and sang one or more of their hymns. While singing they marched around the monų- ment.
Several addresses followed from different members, after which the marching was resumed. This was again accompanied with singing. The interest increased and was expressed by shouting, though in musical cadence.
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THE HOLY HILL.
The whole ceremony having been completed, the company formed in procession again, and marched down the sacred hill in the same order as that in which they had ascended. When they reached the houses, those who by reason of age or in- firmity were not able to join the march, stood in the doors and " threw love " to their brethren and sisters, and gathered it back again with their peculiar motion, as if taking it into their bosoms in double handfuls. The procession then dis- solved, and each one returned to his or her respective home.
Our informant speaks of the whole exercise as having been peculiarly solemn and impressive. It was certainly well adapt- ed to promote brotherly kindness and Christian charity. Whether the annual or semi-annual service is always conduct- ed according to a set form is not known by our informant. But whether ex tempore or prescribed, there must be a bless- ing in it.
This chapter will be appropriately closed with a statement of the doings of the town, somewhat in detail, for the year 1800, the last year of the eighteenth century.
At the annual meeting, March 3, Capt. John Maynard was chosen moderator, William Stedman, clerk, and John May- nard, treasurer. The selectmen were Joseph Wales, Josiah Flagg, Joseph White. The assessors, John Whiting, Jonas Lane, Paul Willard.
The regular school committee consisted of the following prominent citizens. Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, Dr. Israel Ath- erton, Hon. John Sprague, William Stedman, Esq., Ebene- zer Torrey, Esq., Capt. Timothy Whiting, Benjamin W. Wil- lard, Gen. John Whiting, Capt. Jonas Lane, Merrick Rice, Esq., Josiah Flagg. It was the duty of this committee to visit the schools. In earlier times, that duty was generally expected of the minister of the town.
The committee to hire the Latin grammar school-master, were John Whiting, Oliver Carter and Eli Stearns. This school was under the inspection of the general committee.
Jonas Lane, Joseph Wales and Benjamin Wyman were cho- sen a committee to employ a singing-school master.
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Fish Reeves were still chosen as regularly as the year came round. The legal profession were largely represented on the committee in 1800, as follows : John Sprague, William Sted- man, Merrick Rice and Ebenezer Torrey.
Four hundred dollars were raised for highways, to be work- ed out.
At the April meeting the political sentiment of the town was shown by the vote for governor, Gov. Strong receiving ninety-seven votes, and Elbridge Gerry fifty.
Some looseness in disbursing the school money in the dis- tricts, led to the choice of a committee to call to account the several school districts respecting the expenditure of their re- spective portions. The committee were William Stedman, Benjamin W. Willard and Daniel Stearns.
When the first interments were made in the north part of the town is not definitely known, but the following action shows that the need of a burial ground was felt there before the close of the last century. In accordance with a petition from several persons, Benjamin W. Willard, Jonas Lane and Ben- jamin Wyman were chosen a committee to " consider the ex- pediency of appropriating a certain piece of land at the north part of the town, where a number of persons are buried, for the purpose of a burying field." The committee reported fa- vorably, and the field was taken under the care of the town.
When the time came for choosing a representative, Judge Sprague, who had held the office many years, declined to be a candidate, and a vote was passed, " that the town do request him to accept of their thanks for his past attention and faith- ful services in that station." Capt. Samuel Ward was chosen in his stead.
At the same meeting the duty of putting a " rail fence round the Old Common burying field " was assigned to Col. Jonas Lane, Capt. Timothy Whiting and Gen. John Whiting. This yard had already been occupied more than a hundred years.
There was, at the time, a project for building a turnpike through the Center, and Old Common to Bolton, and a com-
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CENTER ROAD AND BRIDGE.
mittee to whom the subject had been referred, reported in its favor, and recommended that a subscription be taken up in aid of the enterprise. The list of subscribers comes under a la- ter date. The committee to raise subscriptions were Merrick Rice, Samuel Ward and William Stedman.
It was voted that the small bridges in the town should be built with stones ; that is, with stone abutments.
The town determined to have a road from the meeting- house, (then near the house of Mrs. Abbie Lane, ) to the Old Common, and raised a committee to solicit subscriptions for a road and bridge. This was to avoid going round by the old Neck bridge. The committee were John Sprague, Timothy Whiting and Thomas Ballard.
At the October meeting another committee was elected to carry into effect the previous vote for building a road and bridge from the Center to the Old Common. John Maynard, Merrick Rice, John Thurston, Eli Stearns and Timothy Whi- ting were charged with this important undertaking.
Out of this action grew the present road from the Center by the railroad station and Center bridge to the Old Common. Previously the way was by the place of Charles L. Wilder, then along the Neck road on the west bank of the river to a bridge about sixty rods down stream from the present bridge. Soon after, that part of the Neck road which was on the intervale was abandoned by the town notwithstanding the people liv- ing on the Neck strove to have it retained, and even extend- ed to the Center bridge after the old Neck bridge had been swept away for the last time.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MINISTRY OF REV. TIMOTHY HARRINGTON, FROM 1748 TO 1795. STATE OF RELIGION AND MORALS AT THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY.
THE pastorate of Mr. Harrington continued during the long period of forty-seven years. In that period great events oc- curred which affected the whole people, and local affairs often stirred the feelings of the citizens of the town to the lowest depths. The last French and Indian war ; the Revolution ; the rise of parties, federal and democratic, which divided the na- tion, all concurred to bring about strife and division in com- munities, parishes and churches. The gradual change of sen- timent in relation to religious truth, which came about in this period, brought its questionings and doubts into this commu- nity. Troubles in regard to the relative power of the church and the clergy, which agitated and divided churches in the im- mediate vicinity, threw their influence over the lines, and threatened to involve the minister and people here ; but the mutual confidence of the pastor and his flock made all these disturbing elements harmless.
The first settlement of Mr. Harrington was at Swansey, N. . H., then called the Lower Ashuelot. A note in the Church Rec- ords states that the plantation of the Lower Ashuelot was broken up by the French and Indian enemy in the spring of 1747. The people were scattered, but the church, or a major- ity of it, seems to have been in Rutland the next year, as a document soon to be quoted, shows.
The church in Lancaster, at a meeting, August 8, 1748, " chose Timothy Harrington, pastor of the church late at the
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377
TESTIMONIAL TO MR. HARRINGTON.
Lower Ashuelot, to be their pastor, desiring him, if he ac- cepted their invitation, to give with his answer of acceptance, a testimonial from the church late of the Lower Ashuelot, of their consent hereunto ; which was concurred in by the par- ish assembled on the same day." On the fourteenth of Oc- tober, Mr. Harrington gave his answer of acceptance, and al- so the required testimonial, which will be read with interest by the generations following.
" At a meeting of the church late of the Lower Ashuelot, held by adjournment at the house of Lieut. Daniel Davis, in Rut- land, on Wednesday, the twelfth day of October, 1748, as- sembled to consider and act upon the Rev. Timothy Harring- ton's request of a Testimonial of our acceptance of his Doc- trines and Conversation amongst us, and of our consent to his settling in the work of the ministry either at Lancaster, or wherever God in his providence shall open a door for it ;
" And having taken his request, with all circumstances, in- to consideration, (although we should have greatly rejoiced to have sat again under his ministry at the Lower Ashuelot) yet we grant his request, to testify to the first church in Lan- caster, or to any other church wherever God shall open a door for his settlement, in the work of the ministry, that while he stood in a pastoral relation to us, his doctrines and conver- sation were acceptable to us. And we heartily can and do rec- ommend him to the work of the ministry, either to the first church in Lancaster, or to any other church that shall call him to the work of the ministry among them.
" And may grace, mercy and peace be to him and you. And asking an interest in his and your prayers, we are yours in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Nathaniel Hammond, Timothy Brown, Jonathan Hammond. In the name and on the behalf of the church late of the Lower Ashuelot."
The record of the church, after receiving the above docu- ment, proceeds. " There was a parish meeting called, at which the sixteenth day of November, 1748, was appointed for his installment ; and the first church in Cambridge, the church in
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HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Lexington, the church in Watertown, the church in Waltham, the west church in Sudbury, the church in Southborough, the first church in Westborough, the church in Stow, the church in Bolton, the church in Harvard, the church in Lunenburg, the church in Leominster, and the second church in Lancas- ter were invited to assist in the solemnity by their elders and delegates.
" Who accordingly assembled at the time appointed, formed themselves into a Council, accepted of what had been trans- acted, and performed the solemn service."
The ministers present, from the churches above named, and in the same order, were, Rev. Dr. Appleton, Rev. Messrs. Hancock, Storer, Williams, Loring, Stone, Parkman, Gard- ner, Goss, Seccomb, Stearns, Rogers and Mellen. Rev. Mr. Hancock, father of Rev. John Hancock, of Braintree, and grandfather of Gov. Hancock, preached the sermon from the text, in I. Cor. 9 : 19. "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."
A meeting of the church was held in the meeting-house, March 2, 1749, called by request of the Hon. Joseph Wilder, Esq., and Mr. Josiah White, to see if the church would con- sent to their resigning the office of deacon on account of ad- vanced age. There was first a " solemn address to God by prayer ;" then " some discourse upon the occasion of the meet- ing," whereupon it was voted not to " consent to their resig- nation of their office, nem. contrad. But to "relieve them in their advanced age." This vote was also unanimous. They then voted to choose " two persons more into the office of dea- con," but because the attendance was thin, the meeting was adjourned two weeks, when, " God willing," they would pro- ceed to the choice.
At the adjourned meeting, after a " solemn address to God," the church, by " written votes, and a great majority," chose Joseph Wilder, jr., Esq., and Mr. Joshua Fairbank. They werc desired " not suddenly to refuse serving the church in
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LEGACY FOR CHURCH VESSELS.
said capacity, but to take the matter into a deliberate con- sideration, and to give their answer at the next sacrament. After which they were recommended to God by prayer, and the meeting dissolved." Such was the becoming manner in which church business was transacted by the fathers. And the mode of accepting the office was characteristic of the times. At the sacrament in April, following, the deacons elect were desired by the pastor, if willing to accept the office to which they had been chosen, to " manifest it by assisting in the dis- tribution of the elements ; which they did accordingly."
A troublesome case of administration came up in 1755, which lasted more than a year, in which the complaint related to a scandalous offence. It was somewhat intricate, but the church maintained its integrity by not admitting the accused party into fellowship, until he could make "proper satisfaction."
The church met, at the request of Dea. Joshua Fairbank, September 9, 1761, for two objects. The first was to deter- mine what to do with a legacy left to the church by Mr. Thom- as Sawyer. The church requested Br. David Wilder to obtain a copy of the will, and report to another meeting. The item in the will, dated 1735, was as follows. "My will is that my ex- ecutors pay out of my estate the sum of twelve pounds to pur- chase a vessel for the use of the church in Lancaster, at, on, or before one year after my decease." The legacy was worth, when the will was made, £22-8 in the currency when the church took this action. As the estate had been settled, the question was whether the church should receive the £12 in depreciated currency, or the real value as the giver intended. That would depend on the good will of the heirs. Therefore, one of the brethren-Dea. Joshua Fairbank-" was empower- ed to wait on such of the heirs of the executors of the last will and testament of the said Mr. Thomas Sawyer, as have not paid their proportion, according to the said computation, and to see whether they will do it." In due time Dea. Fair- bank reported that the aforesaid parties had " consented to pay their proportion, and it was done accordingly." They
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