USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 28
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In Nov., 1847, it was voted to buy 12 acres at north end of Town's Plain for a new cemetery and to enlarge that at the Centre. In 1848 three-fourths of an acre, two rods wide on the south and extending several rods on the west, were added to the old ground, and 11 acres, 25 rods purchased of John Fitts for a new one, now the North Cemetery.
The Catholic ground contains 142 acres and was opened in 1864, having also been bought of Mr. Fitts.
In March, 1859, voted to improve the south ground and fence it at a cost not over $500. In Nov., 1870, voted to set apart lots 462, 455 and 424 in North Cemetery for burial of soldiers. In April, 1871, voted $500 to improve the North Cemetery. In Nov., $300 additional was voted for the same purpose. In April, 1856, it was voted to build a receiving tomb, which was done at the North Cemetery.
Hearse. Up to 1796 the bier was the only means of carrying the dead to burial. In Feb, warrant was an article "to see if the town
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POUNDS.
will provide a carriage to carry their dead to a place of interment," on which we find no action. Soon thereafter a vehicle was in use consisting of a pair of long shafts without springs placed on an axletree with two wheels, with a flooring and a long canvas top over a series of small bows like a chaise top, a rude, unsightly affair. In 1817 it was voted to "procure a decent hearse for the conveyance of the dead." Another was voted in 1837, and in 1858 the present carriage was bought, costing $251.
In Nov., 1821, by-laws were adopted fixing the price for digging graves, etc. Sextons were to receive 50 cents for attendance at funerals with hearse ; and it was recommended that "giving public invitations to bearers and mourners . . . to return to the houses of the deceased for refreshments be discontinued."
In 1821 voted to have the bell rung Sundays and tolled at funerals at town expense. In 1825-6 George Nolen served at $12} per year.
Sextons. The first choice of sexton or "grave digger" recorded was May, 1768, when Robert Manning was chosen ; Sept., 1768, Aaron French took his place. In May, 1776, David Mellen came in, Abner Mellen following in 1793. In May, 1819, Charles Town began, and later Charles P. Nichols acted several years. In April, 1842, Elliot Marsh offered to furnish " a good pine coffin" for persons 12 years and older for $2, other charges to be 50 cents for attendance, and $1 for grave, total $3.50; and for those under 12 years $2.75. He was chosen sexton. Alexander C. Thurston later held the office for several years, and 1856 Edmund Miller succeeded him. In 1860 Caleb Thompson was appointed, Charles R. Carlton following in 1868. In 1870 Reuben Rich took the place and has since officiated, except- ing for one or two years, when Melvin W. Pierce was elected.
Pounds. March 30, 1714, it was "voted to build a pound two rods square to be set on the west side of the 8-rod way, against the 6-rod way, to be built by John Town by the last of next May," each freeholder to pay a day's work or 2s. 6d. in money. This was, ex- cepting roads, the first public work of the town, and the location about on the site of the present brick store. Farm stock ran at large for which each owner had a mark, a description of which was entered in the town records.
On 24 May, 1716, £2. 5s. was voted for a pound.
On 24 March, 1719, "Agreed with Abraham Skinner, Sen., to build a pound 33 foot square and 7 foot high to be completed by the 7th of May," and voted £2. 7s. for the same. By a later vote Skinner was directed to repair the old pound.
April, 1728, voted to build a pound 30 feet square.
May, 1769, voted to build a new pound at the southwest corner of the burying-ground, of stone, six and one-half feet high, four feet thick at the bottom, with eight-inch timber on top of the wall. For- mer structures had undoubtedly been of wood. This substantial
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HISTORY OF OXFORD.
work stood nearly 80 years, until the enlargement of the cemetery in 1848, when it was removed. In Nov., 1850, a new pound was voted, and soon after the present one built near Turcott's, H. 184.
Cattle, etc. April, 1726, "Voted that no herds of cattle be brought into town [to feed] the ensuing year." May, 1729, "Voted that every person taking a herd [to pasture] shall pay 10s. per head to the town." In 1734 a by-law was made against receiving cattle to feed or graze, under a penalty of 10s. per head, to be in force three years. March, 1735, "Voted that horses and cattle of the inhabit- ants may go free on the commons."1 May, 1735, field-drivers were ordered to " clear the town of all herds of cattle " and "prosecute the owners." March, 1739, " Voted to make an act to prevent bring- ing such herds of cattle to feed in the town." March, 1748, " Voted, that no person shall take any cattle belonging to persons in other towns, upon forfeiture of 40s. to be recovered by the town treasurer, this for 3 years ensuing." 1769, "Voted, to let hogs go at large yoked and ringed."
Town Poor. In early times aid to the poor was given by indi- viduals at discretion and bills sent to the town. In 1734, by a by- law, a penalty was required for a certain offence, "for the use of the poor," probably to be distributed by the selectmen. We find that Hannah Frail died at Daniel McIntire's before 6 March, 1749 ; Susanna Groo with a child travelling from Lebanon to Hampton sojourned at John Wiley's, 29 Jan., 1754; William Lackey, wife and child, of Waltham, at William Brown's, 19 April, 1753; and bills were sent for these severally to the selectmen. The Revolutionary war greatly increased this class, and a workhouse was discussed in many meetings but not decided on. In May, 1775, nearly 5,000 poor were sent from Boston into the State for support, 35 having been assigned to Oxford.2 On 1 Jan., 1779, the selectmen reported to the Court four aged per- sons from Charlestown who had four years lived on the town, Matthew Mallet and wife, between 70 and 80, Margaret Fosdick, 78, Dorcas Delany(?), 60, asking relief. In reply these were ordered to be sent to Sutton. On 18 May, 1779, pay was voted to Ebenezer Fish for supporting Lydia Cop, " one of the poor of Boston." Stephen Pratt provided for her in 1780. Jan., 1780, David Mellen sent a bill for support of widow Munsell for a year. In 1784 voted to sell to the lowest bidder the support of the poor.
In April, 1818, Ezekiel Davis, insane, was dependent on the town and in Worcester jail for safe-keeping. The selectmen were instructed to remove him and " put him out to those who will take him on the lowest terms and give bonds for the damage he shall do and for his good behavior." In 1819 he was in jail again. Living in the south
1 The commons were extensive, much of the outland at that date not having been allotted.
2 It is very doubtful whether so large a number actually came to the town for support.
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CENTENARIANS.
part of the town he wandered into Nipmuck woods, where he lived in a hut near the "Goat ledges " with " bell-fish," as he called the rattlesnakes, for company. He was harmless and spent much time in travelling about the region bareheaded and barefooted. When Web- ster was set off in the division of the poor he was assigned to that town.
Auctioning the poor annually was continued until 1826, when their support for ten years was contracted for by Capt. Stephen Barton at $574 per year. For five years their residence was at H. 49 on Rocky Hill.
Early in 1831 a committee was chosen to review the matter, which advised the purchase of a farm for the support of the poor. In Sept. they further reported in favor of the " Harris place," which the town voted to buy at a cost of $3,683. In March, 1832, the estate was conveyed and the dependants of the town have since been there domiciled. After a few years the old house was found insufficient to accommodate the increasing number of inmates, and an addition of about 25 feet was made at the north end. A tramp house was built 1878 at a cost of $258. In the spring of 1890 it was voted to enlarge the accommodations of the place, and during the summer and autumn the old house was removed to the rear and the new and commodious front part added, as now existing. The institution is now fitted to receive thirty inmates.
Centenarians. Nancy Cady, widow, perhaps from Northbridge, died at the almshouse, 1 Aug., 1873, age 105. [Oxford Record.] Record of birth not found.
Mary, daughter of Israel Town, born 16 Nov., 1709, at Framing- ham, married Theodore Kingsbury, resided at South Oxford, and died Jan., 1810.
Mehetable, daughter of Israel Town, born 23 Dec., 1731, married Samuel, son of Josiah Larned, removed to Ashford, Conn., "d. over 100" years of age. [Adams, Framingham, who might have had this name confounded with Mary her sister.]
Sarah, daughter of Dea. Ebenezer Humphrey, born 30 Oct., 1771, married, 1795, Jesse Kidder, removed 1802 to Livermore, Me., where she died 24 Oct., 1874. In 1872 it was said of her "She is very deaf, but in her 103d year her health is remarkably good, and her face smooth and fair as a girl's." [His. Livermore.
Huldah, daughter of Jonathan Pratt, born 1 March, 1739, married Isaac Town, (2) Samuel Bixby, resided at Oxford, removed 1831 to live with her son at Bethel, Me., where she died May, 1843.
Naomi (m. n. Everden), widow of Josiah Wolcott, died 18 July, 1848, age 108. [Gravestone. ] No record of her birth is known to exist. It is understood that Dr. Bardwell from what he could gather from her, personally, became satisfied that the reputed age, 108, did not exceed the truth.
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HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Dinah, colored, in the family of Josiah Wolcott. "Dinah, a faith- ful slave, died 1829, supposed to be 100 years old." [Gravestone.
Dennis Tonar, Irish, died, aged 108, 23 Dec., 1874. [Oxford Record.
Excise Bill. In town meeting, Aug. 30, 1754, the Excise Bill was read and it was voted not to accept of it. "Voted, that the said Excise Bill is disagreeable to them." This bill was to lay a tax upon wines and spirituous liquors. Gov. Shirley opposed it as unjust to require families to render an account of what was consumed in their private houses. The bill was sent to the towns for action, and with some amendments became a law.
8
Embargo. In Aug., 1800, the town voted to join with Boston in petitioning the President for redress of supposed grievances on account of the embargo, and chose James Butler, Sylvanus Learned and Abijah Davis to draft a proper petition. This was done and presented in town meeting and by vote the selectmen were requested to sign it. Three refused, viz. : Nehemiah Davis, Asa Harris and Josiah Kingsbury ; Elias Pratt, Jr., and David Stone, Jr., complied. The signatures of the committee were added and it was forwarded.
State Constitution. In Aug., 1820, on the question of a revis- ion of the State Constitution the vote was 47 yes, 6 no. In Oct. Richard Olney was chosen as delegate to a convention at Boston for the purpose of a revision. In April of 1821, 14 articles of amend- ment were voted upon and a very large majority vote against all was given.
Court of Sessions. Justices of the Peace from Oxford sitting in this Court at Worcester :-
RICHARD MOORE in 1739, '40, '42, '44.
DUNCAN CAMPBELL, 1754, '55, '56, '59, '60, '61, '62, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '71.
EDWARD DAVIS, 1763, .'64, '65, '66, '67, '68, '70, '72, '73, '74, '76, '78, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83.
JOSIAH WOLCOTT, 1769, '71, '72, '74.
EBENEZER LEARNED, 1776, '77, '78, '80, '81, '83, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95.
SYLVANUS TOWN, 1793, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '1, '2, '3, '4, '5, '6, '7.
SYLVANUS LEARNED, 1796, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '1, '2, '3, '4, '5.
In Sept., 1807, by law a radical change was made in the court and the number of justices was reduced from 30 or 40 to one chief justice with five associates. JONATHAN DAVIS was in 1808 and 1811 associate justice, and in 1812, '13, '14, chief justice with three asso- ciates. In Aug., 1814, a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the County of Worcester, JOHN HOOKER, Chief Justice, was held. In
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CORONERS.
1828, Feb. 26, the Court of Sessions was abolished and the Board of County Commissioners established.
Oxford Cases, Court of Sessions. Feb., 1732, John Mayo vs. Elijah Moore, recovered "for a gun of small bore, barrel 4 feet long, with a varnished stock of speckled color, with a lock to it."
1737, Aug., Joshua Haynes of Sudbury vs. Richard Moore ; plain- tiff bought of Moore a negro man named Sharper for £115, said to be sound ; claimed he was so blind as to be incapable of service ; verdict for defendant.
1738, Ebenezer Humphrey, for absenting himself from public wor- ship, fined 20s.
1741, Thomas McIntire, for the same, pleaded living a great dis- tance from meeting [at Charlton] and poor roads, sentenced to pay costs, amounting to £3. 16s., was committed, afterward paid, and was released. Ephraim Morey, fined £5 for killing a deer.
1742, Ebenezer Humphrey, for absenting himself from public wor- ship, fined 20s. and costs. Richard and Stephen Carey, fined £10 for killing a deer in North Gore.
1743, Alexander Nichols, near Worcester line, fined for killing a deer.
1758, Case of slander, Duncan Campbell vs. Edward Davis, left to referees, who reported each should pay his costs and "there be ended." 1
1763, Aug., Alexander Nichols vs. John Wiley for assault. [See "Wiley."]
1764, Feb., Mary Jackson, widow, William Jackson, brazier, and James Jackson, shopkeeper, all of Boston, vs. Hezekiah Bellows, for ejectment from Campbell tavern property, verdict for plaintiffs.
1777, June, appeal, Ebenezer Coburn, clerk of First Foot Company in Col. Holman's regiment. In accordance with a resolution of the General Court, 10 July, 1776, this company was notified to meet to "enlist or draught" one man in each 25 to recruit the American army. A man, of an Oxford family, "living near Oxford," being duly warned absented himself, for which he was arraigned by said Coburn before Edward Davis, Esq., at Ezra Bowman's hotel in Oxford on 27 Aug., 1776, and pleaded that "it was against his opinion to train or take up arms," which was not considered by the court a sufficient defence, and he was fined £10. He appealed and the higher court confirmed the action of the justice, adding costs.
Coroners. Although the chief duty of coroners was the hold- ing of inquests on persons dying unnatural deaths, at the beginning of the present century when suing for debt was frequent, they acted in place of deputy sheriffs in serving writs. So far as known
1 One charge was that the defendant had said plaintiff had gone to Lord Loudon for a commission.
30
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HISTORY OF OXFORD.
Jonathan Harris was the first coroner in Oxford, having been ap- pointed June, 1797, and continued for about 20 years.
Inquests. The first inquest we find under him was June, 1801, when it was ordered that he be paid for expenses in the case of "Phillis" (colored), found dead. [See Whittemore.] In 1802 the same on Joshua Wetherell of Dudley, drowned. In 1804 on Harvey, minor son of Stephen Kenney of Sutton. In 1805 on Reuben Barrett [Burrell?], drowned in Peter Pond, Dudley. In 1813 on James Howard of Dudley. In 1815 on David Howard, "found dead in the woods about one-third of a mile northwardly from Joseph Brown's house," in east part of Oxford, H. 23. On 3 June, 1819, on Elihu Moffitt, who hanged himself in the west part of Oxford, H. 69. On 22 July, 1819, on Asa Harris, insane, who threw himself into the well at the present almshouse. In the winter of 1819-20 on James Maxwell of North Oxford, who returning home from Millbury, being intoxicated, fell in the road near the present house of Asa H. Pope, H. 132, and died from freezing.
In 1817 Lemuel Crane was a coroner and held an inquest on the body of Capt. Ebenezer Redding.
Rufus Harris, son of Jonathan, whom he succeeded, held inquests in 1821 on Sumner Barton of Sutton, and Hezekiah Healy of Dudley, both shot; 1 Oct., 1822, on Eden Davis of Dudley ; 28 Dec., 1824, on Jeremiah Moffitt, at the old mill, south end of the Plain. On 18 Sept., 1825, James Farwell held an inquest on Day Phipps, drowned in the river in south part of the town. On 25 Dec., 1825, Rufus Harris on Stephen Webster, drowned in Chaubunagungamaug ; 9 Oct., 1825, on John M. Wilder; 24 Oct., 1825, on Leonard Eddy, accidentally drowned in north part of Oxford; 14 Sept., 1826, on David Dudley ; 29 May, 1828, on Benjamin Learned, who hanged himself at North Oxford; 22 Oct., 1829, on John Rowley, an Englishman and factory operative, found dead in the strip of woods between the north end of Augutteback Pond and the road. He had been dead several weeks.1
Sylvanus Harris, the next incumbent, on 7 Oct., 1834, held an inquest on William A. Smith, son of Simeon, who was drowned in the river near the present stone arch bridge on Charlton road; and on 9 July, 1835, on Thomas, son of John Larned.
Deputy Sheriffs. As no record of appointments has been found we can only give the years in which these are known to have officiated. Richard Moore, Jr., 1753-1757 ; Jeremiah Learned, 1762- 1767 ; Jonas Pratt, Jr., 1780 ; Benjamin Hovey, 1782-1787 ; Archi- bald Campbell, 1801-1804; Learned Conant, 1805, 1806 ; Jeremiah Shumway, 1822 ; Samuel Smith, 1823-1845 ; Jasper Brown, 1852 ; Orrin W. Chaffee, 1859-1875.
1 The bark of a sapling near which he lay was gnawed off to the height of two feet.
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INCUMBRANCES REMOVED.
Wild Game, etc. May, 1739, the town chose Thomas Gleason and Edward Davis to prosecute those who kill deer contrary to law. In 1742, John Nichols was chosen to do the same. For many years "deer-reeves" were regularly elected town officers. In 1791-2 and 1801 the town voted to pay bounties on crows killed.
Small-pox, then greatly feared, was brought to town by soldiers from the army in 1776-7. In the Court of Sessions, 15 Aug., 1776, Ebenezer Learned was made one of a committee to oversee hospitals in the County. Dec., 1776, the town voted liberty to Dr. Daniel Fisk to inoculate for it at the house of Samuel Davis, Jr., H. 17, four months from 1 Jan. Jan., 1777, Dr. Alexander Campbell was refused leave to inoculate at his house. In April, William Nichols, Ezra Bowman and Ebenezer Humphrey were chosen to take names and number of persons in the hospitals, and to warn doctors not to take more persons, if they would avoid the penalty of the law. A hospital was established, 1777, at North Oxford, at the "Cary house," H. 114. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nichols of Ward were employed as nurses. In 1798 Dr. Fisk and Dr. Learned asked leave to establish a hospital but were refused. At about this date the old Moore tavern, rear of Israel Sibley's, H. 205, was used as a hospital. In 1864 there was a "scare" at North Oxford, there being several cases, and 16 April Joseph Stone was appointed by the selectmen to take charge of them.
Weights and Measures. March, 1725, " Voted to purchase a standard of weights and measures." Our present standards are of comparatively recent date.
State Maps. In 1802 the State had furnished the town with maps, and it was voted that they be deposited at James Butler's house.
Town Survey. A survey of towns was required by the State in 1795, but we find no allusion to it in Oxford records. In March, 1830, the selectmen were authorized to hire a surveyor to prepare a map of the town in accordance with a late act of the legislature. Sylvester McIntire was employed, and a plan made from his surveys is in the office of the Secretary of State.
Incumbrances removed. In Aug., 1816, it was voted that the building on the common, built in 1802 by Archibald Campbell [saddler's shop], be removed in 60 days. This building stood on the west side of the common near the present house of Charles Lamb, and was about 15 by 25 feet, one and a half stories. After Camp- bell left it and went into the tavern, Ashbel M. Hawes used it as a shoe shop employing Andrew Smith. Later it was occupied by Josiah Ware as a dry and fancy goods store and straw shop. He was from Franklin and was the first to trade in straw braid in the town. [See Ware.]
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HISTORY OF OXFORD.
In April, 1852, it was voted that the hay scales in front of Barton's hotel be removed. These were the property of William Sigourney, who had for more than 25 years thus occupied a location in the middle of the main street. The tavern sign-posts which had also probably stood in the same location nearly 100 years, were removed about the same time.
Orchard. Jan., 1714, " voted that Ebenezer Humphrey should have the orchard adjoining the southwest corner of his home lot, making allowance to the town in money in full, of what two men shall judge it to be worth," and chose John Town and Abiel Lamb to appraise the same. This was a Huguenot orchard, located directly west of the Old Mill at the south end of the Plain. It did not go into Humphrey's possession.
Mill. Jan., 1714, it was voted that Daniel Eliott should " build a greust mel for the town yuse." May, 1715, voted and chose Richard Moore and Benoni Twitchell "to go to Daniel Eliott and discors with him concerning building ye Corn Mill to see whither he will go on and accomplish it in a reasonable time." Up to this date the people were obliged to go out of town for grinding.
Public Halls and Meetings. For the first one hundred and twenty-five years of Oxford's history its town meetings were held in the houses of public worship; from 1717 until 1748 in the house at the north end of the Plain, and from 1748 until 1808 at the house on the north common, continuously. In 1795 the Universalist Society offered the use of their house, but the proposition was not accepted until Oct., 1807, when the town voted to hold its meetings alternately at the north and south meeting-houses. The first meeting at the south house was in March, 1808. Thereafter, with the exception noted below, until the building of a town hall, the meetings were con- tinued in the same manner. In 1832 an unsuccessful attempt was made to have all meetings held on the Plain.1 In May, 1835, it was voted to hold all meetings for one year at D. D. Clemence's hall [north tavern], he to " furnish the hall gratis and pay the town ten dollars for their company."
First Town Hall. In June, 1835, it was voted to build a town hall, and a committee on plan and location was chosen. In July this vote was rescinded. There being a disagreement between the north and south parts of the town as to location, although repeated efforts were made, it was not until April, 1839, that a vote could be obtained to proceed to the carrying out of this plan. At that date it was voted
1 In the discussions on this subject the question was raised as to the geographical centre of the town. A committee chosen to decide the question reported it as a point 41}% rods northerly from
a large elm tree near the meeting-house, the large tree now standing in the centre of the highway at the common.
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FIRST TOWN HALL.
to build at once on the site of the old meeting-house at the north common, and to appropriate toward this object an unexpended balance of the surplus revenue received from the national govern- ment. Money sufficient to make up the sum of $1,800 was raised and a building committee consisting of Cyrus Lamb, Liberty Lamb, Nathaniel Brown, Stephen Barton and Jotham Eddy was chosen.
Great excitement throughout the town followed this action, and immediately another meeting was called by the opposing party, which assembled at Brown's Inn, April 17. After the choice of a mode- rator an adjournment was made to the common, the house being too small to accommodate the assembly. The result was the dismission of every article in the warrant looking to the rescinding of former action. This was a second victory for the northerners. But the matter was not suffered to rest. A petition for another meeting was presented to the selectmen, which request was refused. Upon this, application was made by 27 voters to George B. Slater, Esq., of Webster, who issued a call for a meeting, which was held May 20 at the meeting-house on the Plain. There were nine articles in the warrant bearing on the rescinding of former votes and building nearer the centre of the town than the north common, every one of which was summarily dismissed and the meeting adjourned. The town hall was built upon the site of the old Meeting-house in 1839, and the first meeting in it was in November of that year. It was of wood, in size about 50 by 32 feet and 12 feet stud, of one story, the main hall having an arched ceiling. It was plain in its exterior, had a pediment end fronting the street, and with comfortable heating and seating conveniences was creditable as a public building. It was sold at auction in 1874 for $314 to Craft Davis.
In March, 1841, an article to see if the town would grant the Methodist Society the privilege of raising the hall one story and fitting up in it a house of worship for their use, was dismissed.
For many years a jealousy had existed between the north and south portions of the town, and when in 1851 North Oxford obtained the new road from the railroad station to the villages, as a means of "getting even," the old bone of contention, the town house, was picked up by the southerners and in Sept., 1851, it was voted to re- move this building to some convenient spot on the Plain, and a com- mittee chosen to carry out the vote. This action aroused the people of the north and in Jan., 1852, a meeting was called-(1) to see if the town would rescind its action of Sept., 1851; (2) to see if the town would sell the town hall; (3) to see if the town would petition the Legislature to divide said town in the centre by a line running east and west. By a vote 127 to 123 it was decided that the house remain where it then stood. The south still persisted and in February another meeting was held to act upon the same subject. A general rally was made, the check list used and a ballot vote taken, resulting in a vote 219 to 201 against a removal of the house. This set at
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