History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 6

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oxford > History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates > Part 6

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2 Gen. Court Rec., X., 187. These farms did not adjoin Oxford territory.

3 Col. Rec., V., 488. In the act it is described

as "conteyning 1,800 acres, with allowance of addition of 200 more next adjoining, to compleat the same to 2,000 acres ... in the Nipmug Country at a place called Marichouge-the lyne being marked with rainging markes in the cor- ners with S. D."

According to the earliest plan in Oxford records Manchaug Farm measured 674 rods by 424 rods-considerably short of 2,000 acres-in- cluding both Stoughton's and Dudley's shares. A plan made after 1731 gives " Manchaug Farm" 1,100 acres belonging to " the heirs of Mr. Dud- ley," and " belonging to Oxford." A plan made 1756 gives 1,020 acres in Oxford belonging to Thomas Dudley, and adjoining it on the east, the balance of the plot in Sutton, "now Richard Waters' and others."

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Gore's survey, but that they were " wanting in complement." They consequently added 81 rods in length to the southward. Thus after Dudley's farm became a part of Oxford, the south line of the town turned at " Manchaug corner " to the southward, running at nearly a right angle 81 rods, and thence 212 rods easterly to Sutton line.1

On 14 Sept., 1734, on petition of the town, Dudley's farm was annexed to Oxford, the lands being retained by his heirs until 1779.

Charlton set off. On 10 Jan., 1755, the District of Charlton was established. This took from Oxford all the original grant lying west of a line one mile west of the " Village line," leaving the out- lines of the towns as shown in diagram 3.2

Ward set off. The next dismemberment took place on the incorporation of the town of Ward. In May, 1770, a request of the inhabitants of the northeasterly part of the town to be set off as a separate district was refused in town meeting. On 17 Apr., 1772, William Bancroft with others of Worcester, Leicester, Oxford and Sutton, petitioned to be set off as a district. Anticipating this action the town in Mar., 1772, chose Edward Davis, Ebenezer Learned, Joseph Phillips, Daniel Griffith and Ephraim Ballard to "make answer" in the matter before the Court. The result was a dismission of the application. In 1773 the effort was renewed. Action was taken favorable to the petitioners, and a committee appointed to select a site for a meeting-house. Oxford chose William Phips, Capt. Ebenezer Learned, Capt. Jeremiah Learned and Ephraim Ballard to wait on this committee, On 23 June, 1773, certain families, including Samuel Eddy, Levi Eddy, Peter Jennison, Ruth Stone, Jesse Stone, Isaac Pratt, Abraham Fitts, Alexander Nichols, David Gleason, all of Oxford, were " erected into a Precinct" called "the South Parish of Worcester." On 10 April, 1778, the same was made a town, named " Ward." All living within three miles of the site of the meeting-

1 Stoughton's 1,000 acres included the Doctor Bullard and the Chandler Stockwell farms in Sutton, as well as all the territory of West Sut- ton and northiward from it. It was sold by William Taylor, heir and executor of Stoughton, 8 Dec., 1720, to Richard Waters of Salem, and Samuel Rich of Bellingham, Waters settling at the Bullard place and Rich at the Stockwell place. On 19 June, 1723, on petition of Ebenezer Learned for leave to tax lands adjoining Oxford for the maintenance of the ministry, this farm was "set to Oxford so far as relates to the sup- port of the ministry." It was soon after incor- porated as a part of Sutton. Gen. Court Rec., XIV., 84.

2 For several years previous to this action much dissatisfaction existed among the people of the westerly part of the town because of their want of privileges. Oxford in the important matter of locating the new meeting-house had apparent- ly no regard to their interests, and considering the circumstances it seems that no valid objection

could have been made to their being set off. The matter at last became so urgent that in May, 1750, Oxford voted to set off the west part of the town to within two miles of the west village line. But this was not satisfactory, and in Ma"., 1754, the petitioners appealed to the Legislature, representing their privations on account of dis- tance to meeting-that they were " disheartened, and as [they] had got timber for a meeting-house and were much encouraged by the gentlemen owning land [there] . . . but being taxed so high for the building the [Oxford] meeting-house and finishing it in the best manner, equal to, if not better than any in the country(?): paying for schools from which they derived no benefit-and "large herds of cattle brought among [them] breaking into [their] improved lands " .. . and living ten miles from the town pound it was "almost impossible to drive cattle there." ... " All these things considered [they] feared [they should] be undone without the help of the court."

WARD

POND

N. GORE

WEBSTER

· POND

CHANGES IN TOWN LINES.

house by road, excepting in Sutton, where the distance was fixed at a mile and a half, were embraced in the act. This took from the cor- ner of the town a tract resembling somewhat in form a quadrant. [See diagram 4.]

Moffit, etc., annexed. At March meeting, 1782, Isaac Moffit and Elijah Learned, living in the borders of Charlton, asked that they might be received as part of Oxford ; on which the town voted affirmatively. On 3 June, 1788, these, with Ephraim Segar, presented the case to the Legislature, and on 2 Jan., 1789, they, with their farms-250 acres-were set to Oxford. On 23 Feb., 1809, on petition of Amasa Kingsbury, 26 acres adjoining the foregoing on the north were also added. [See dotted lines, diagram 4, letter M.]

Kidder, etc., annexed. In 1792, Jonathan Kidder, Samuel Blanchard and Arthur Daggett, living near the northeast corner of the town, in Sutton, requested to be received as inhabitants, which request was granted conditionally. On 18 Feb., 1793, the General Court annexed them to Oxford. [Diagram 5, letters D, K.]

South Gore land annexed. On 6 Feb., 1807, the Kingsbury neighborhood, with land north and west of the same to Dudley line, was annexed, the following being named in the act: Lemuel Cud- worth, Craft Davis, Ezekiel Davis, David Fitts, Abijah Harris, Joseph Kingsbury, Ephraim Kingsbury, Samuel Kingsbury, Jeremiah Kings- bury, Jr., John Larned, John Larned, 3d, and James Wallis of Dudley.1 [Diagram 6.]

Webster. The next change was at the incorporation of "Webster." The town opposed this project, and in September, 1831, Ira Barton, Stephen Davis and Richard Stone were chosen to protest against it before the Legislature. They say :--

" The area of the town before the setting off of Charlton was represented as having been about 45,000 acres. In 1754 a large portion of the rich agri- cultural town of Charlton was carved from the west part of Oxford, and in 1778 about one third part of Ward was also taken from said town so that when the town of Oxford was surveyed in 1794 . . . it contained but 17,336} acres. Since that time another small portion of the south gore has been annexed to the town and by said survey Oxford now contains about 18,000 acres. The petitioners seek to carve off about 2,500 acres . . . by which the town will be reduced to about 15,000 acres or one third its original dimen- sions .- The land set off to Charlton and Ward as before mentioned constituted . . . [agriculturally considered] the best part of the former town, and a principal source of wealth and population remaining ... consisted in the water power of the French River together with the outlet of the Chaubuna- gungamaug pond. By an appropriation of this power to manufacturing pur- poses the town now sustains a population of 2034 inhabitants. By [the pro- posed action] it will lose about one sixth of its taxable property-a popula- tion of about 600 together with a considerable portion of that water power upon which the business and prosperity of the town much depends."

1 [Special Laws, 58.] Included in this territory was the tract originally set to Oxford in 1731. [ See diagram 6.]

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

Protests were unavailing and an act incorporating the new town- named in honor of the statesman-was passed 6 March, 1832.1

North Gore annexed. The last alteration was the addition of the North Gore, 22 March, 1838, embracing about 738 acres, and lying between the north line of the town and Leicester. [Special Laws, 22.] Diagram 7 represents the lines as they now exist.

Indians. The English settlers did not suffer seriously from the incursions of the natives, although at times they prowled about the borders of the village, stealing pigs, chickens, garden vegetables, etc., and at the time of Father Ralle's war in Maine they were con- siderably aroused and caused alarm.

Garrison Houses. On 16 Aug., 1722, a law was passed requir- ing frontier towns, including Oxford, to be put in a posture of defence. Military officers and selectmen were ordered to cause houses to be fortified, to which families might repair for safety.2 No men- tion is made in the town records of these houses, but, according to tradition, Col. Ebenezer Learned's, H. 120, and Peter Shumway's, H. 185, were two of them. Probably the old fort sufficed for the south part of the town. As late as 1845 there were the remains of a block house on the farm of Sanford A. Inman, H. 9, near Sutton line, per- haps built at this time. It was about 25 feet square, and the founda- tion stones and embankment were removed by Mr. Inman. The dis- covery of numerous Indian stone relics on these hills indicates that this was a resort of the Indians. Manchaug pond was a favorite haunt of theirs, and their village was not far distant. Lovett's farm, H. 17, and " Saccarappa," as indicated by stone implements found there, was another favorite locality, and probably a village existed at some time in that vicinity. Another place frequented by them was on Little River a short distance above Buffum's.

The accompanying illustration shows various specimens of Indian stone relics found in Oxford. No. 1, a natural stone used as a rubbing stone -found on the Plain ; 2, pestle, length 12 inches, Edson's, H. 163 ; 3, gorget or neck ornament, two perforations, Wellington's, H. 129 ; 4, sinker, perforated, Plain ; 5, use unknown, perforated, Hum- phrey's, H. 36 ; 6, awl or piercer, Lovett's, H. 17; 7, soapstone im- plement, use unknown, Lovett's ; 8, chisel, Whiting farm, H. 14; 9, gouge, N. Gore ; 10, chisel, Buffum's ; 11, chisel, Plain ; 12, arrow- heads, etc., different localities, largest, Woodbury's, H. 75; 13, drills or borers ; 14, scrapers, used on wood, or hides and skins ; 15, gouge, Rosebrook's, H. 4; 16, adze, Buffum's ; 17, small pestle, Allard's, H. 71; 18, axe, Wellington's ; 19 and 21, rubbing stones for dressing

1 In this act the north line was defined as begin- ning at the northeast corner of said town and thence running due west across the river, etc. In March, 1839, the Selectmen of Oxford were instructed by the town to petition the Legislature

to alter the course of this line "so that it may agree with the present Village line." The old line, W. 15° S., was restored. [See diagram 7.] 2 Prov. Laws, II., 259.

מזייף H וינרי "ירי

INDIAN RELICS FOUND IN OXFORD.

f i,

3, Le n

e e

$ · 0

n d l

S, g

ld 1

1, 1- İs

INDIANS.

1724-5

leather, Lovett's ; 20, part of steatite cooking dish, Abel Davis's, H. 57; 22, axe, Rosebrook's.

People armed. In these troublous times farmers were accustomed to go to their work with their implements in one hand and a gun in the other. Col. Learned, at the extreme north, as tradition informs us, was considerably annoyed at times by the sly manœuvres of the natives, but knowing his strength and courage they made no serious encroachments upon him. The occurrence related by Hutchinson is corroborated by tradition, the place having been at the site of the house later occupied by John Barton, H. 21, near " Barton Hill," in the easterly part of the town.

" On Aug. 6, 1724, four Indians came upon a small house which was built under a hill. They made a breach in the roof and as one of them was attempt- ing to enter he received a shot in his belly from a courageous woman, the only person in the house, who had two muskets and two pistols charged, and was prepared for all four; but they thought fit to retreat, carrying off the dead or wounded man."

This locality was on the Bernon estate, the property of Samuel Davis, then of Roxbury, and the occupant is unknown.

The eastern troubles culminated in 1725 in the famous Lovewell's fight at Pequawket, and in December quiet was restored.

Accounts have come to us by trustworthy tradition of several per- sonal encounters with the Indians. They, it appears, for some reason had a grudge against Abial Lamb, and at times lurked around his premises with evil intent, and once fired upon him when he was at a distance from home. He returned them as good as they sent, with fatal consequences it is said, after which he was unmolested.

The following is an incident in Col. Learned's experience :

"At candle-light on a cold evening, an Indian came to his door and asked for food and shelter. He was kindly received, and after supper was allowed to camp before the large open fire-place in the old-fashioned kitchen. Some time during the night the Colonel became conscious of a presence stooping over him as he lay in bed. The Indian, perceiving that he was awake, said to him in a scornful tone, 'You pale face!' Learned was out of bed in an instant, and with a well-directed blow laid the fellow upon the floor, and in a few seconds had him outside the house and the door shut upon him.

" Several months afterward his visitor again made his appearance, at even- ing, as before. He had in his hand a roll of valuable furs, which he presented respectfully to Learned, with the remark, 'You brave,' and left."

Collicump. So far as known, the last wild Indian living within the limits of the town was Collicump, whose dwelling was in the pleasant nook under the hills near the house of the first Joseph Brown, in the west part of the town, H. 88, within the sound of the brook which comes down through the rocky gorge near the old Charlton road and winds through the meadow below to the Maanexit. In this retired spot he lived to old age, runs the tradition, cultivating a little garden near his hut, hunting small game in the neighboring

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

woods and fishing in the river and also the stream in the easterly part of Charlton known as Little River-sometimes called "Collicum." He had deceased long before Mr. Brown's purchase of this farm in 1791, but his garden and the ruins of his cabin were then to be seen, and traces of his dwelling still remain. He met a tragic fate having been drowned in the latter stream in a deep hole a short distance below the mills of the late John H. Rich. Interesting mementos of him were recently in the possession of the late Jasper Brown, Esq., being two brass spoons ploughed up on the site of his cabin by Mr. Joseph Brown. They were of a peculiar pattern, unlike the present form of this utensil, and were doubtless furnished him by the English.1

Slaves. A return in State papers, 1754, gives Negro slaves in Oxford, three males, one female.

Richard Moore owned "Sharper," and 26 Nov., 1736, sold him to Joshua Haynes, Sudbury.2

Moses Marcy of Oxford had an Indian woman, sold him by the Court prior to 1747. That year he was discharged from his bond, she having "made away with herself after having tried to murder her mistress-run off and not heard from since."

In 1755, Cæsar, a slave, servant of Richard Moore, Jr., was arraigned before Worcester Court.3

Col. Ebenezer Learned owned a house servant named Mingo-was long in the family, and was dumb or successfully feigned himself to be so. He was provided for in Learned's will.

Rev. John Campbell had a servant, Will, was in the army of 1775, at the siege of Boston, enrolled as a soldier, may have been servant to Capt. William Campbell.

In a tax list for 1771 Dea. Thomas Davis is named as owner of a " servant for life," and William Watson is taxed for two, the same. In 1775 a negro was sold as part of his estate.

Josiah Wolcott had a house servant named Dinah who lived to be very aged, and died in 1829, a town charge.

Colonial Money. At the time of the permanent settlement almost the entire circulating medium consisted of Bills of Credit, issued by the Province, payable with interest, at short stated times. On 11 Oct., 1721, trustees were chosen to receive and care for the " Bank Money paid to the town." The amount was £64, Oxford's proportion of £50,000. The duty of these trustees was to loan this money in small amounts on security. 4

1 See plate of historic relics.

2 See cases in Worc. Court.

3 Ibid.

4 The preamble of the act, 31 March, 1721, re- cites: "Whereas the Publick Bills of Credit in this Province, which, for want of silver have for many years not only answered the charge of this his Majesty's Government, both in War and Peace, but served as a medium of exchange in the Merchandize Trade and Business of the

Province, are grown scarce in proportion to the great Demand for the same-Be it enacted," etc. Prov. Laws, II., 189. These bills varied in value from £5 to 3 shillings. In 1723 it was voted to issue £500 in one, two and three penny pieces, to be made of parchment about an inch in measure- ment, stamped, a round piece to pass as one penny, a square piece two-pence and a six-sided piece three-pence.

FINANCIAL.

In March, 1728, it was voted "to leave the concern of the £50.000 loan to the selectmen to take account of ye Trustees and report." This loan was redeemable in Boston, £10,000 on the last day of May in each year from 1726 to 1730. In Oxford the last payment was not made until Feb., 1736, when " Jer. Allen Treas." receipted " by Mr. Campbell, committee," for £12. 16s., "the last fifth" of said loan. On 20 Feb., 1728, another loan of £60,000 was issued, of which Oxford's share was £106. 10s. In April it was voted "to draw out ye Town's part," and the trustees were instructed to loan it in sums not under ten or over twenty pounds to one man. In this loan 4 per cent. of the interest went to the Province and the balance to the towns.

Early levies. The first raising of money by the town was 19 Nov., 1713, when £6 was voted for necessary charges, to be raised on the 30 house lots. The first County tax was in 1718, when Suffolk County raised £350; Oxford's share, 15 shillings, 9} pence. In 1721 a house of correction was to be built and £650 was raised ; Oxford's share, £2. 18s. The first tax of Worcester County was in Nov., 1732; Oxford's share, £14. 0s. 4d. The first levy of a Colonial tax in Oxford was 5 July, 1719, for the sum of £5. Taxes were collected by constables until 1786 when collectors were chosen.

Public Funds. In Oct., 1791, the town holding £340. 13s. 1d. public securities, it was voted to divide the same among the religious societies, the First and Second and the Baptists, each their propor- tion. The amounts were as follows : Standing Society £206. 3s. 3d., the Second Society £119. 17s. 2d., the Baptists, to be paid individu- ally, according to their valuation, the sum of £14. 12s. 8d. This shows the financial strength relatively of the religious organizations. In March, 1837, a committee of the town was chosen to receive from the Commonwealth its share of the surplus revenue ordered by Congress to be distributed, and to recommend some manner of dis- posing of the same, which advised that it be funded and the interest be divided among the school districts. In June, 1837, a report of the selectmen upon the division of this fund with Webster was ac- cepted, as follows : Whole amount, $2,965.65 ; Oxford's share, allotted on 1,569 population, $2,287.66 ; Webster's share, on 465 pop- ulation [in the part set off from Oxford], $677.99. In May, 1838, the town instructed the selectmen to pay out enough of this fund to clear the town from debt. The amount is not given ; a balance was voted, 1839, toward building the town hall on the north common. "Land Bank." In 1739, many people of small means being embarrassed, business much depressed and money scarce, a plan was laid to establish in Boston a private banking concern which resulted in the forming of the famous " Land and Manufactures Bank Com- pany." This affair, while it had the sanction of a few influential men, was projected and managed chiefly by persons of limited re-

HISTORY OF OXFORD.

sources, many of whom had land but little money and perhaps some of whom were insolvent. "This company [numbering some seven or eight hundred] were to give credit to 150,000 pounds to be issued in bills [payable in 20 years ] to be loaned on mortgage, every subscriber to pay 3 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the principal, and those not pay- ing bills might pay in produce or manufactures of the Province." 1

The Governor opposed the scheme, an act of incorporation was refused in the Legislature, proclamations were issued warning the public against it as dangerous, and all government officers, the courts and others within their influence were required to discountenance and obstruct the circulation of the bills. The leading merchants of the larger towns refused them in trade. Notwithstanding all opposi- tion the plan flourished for a time, and Hutchinson says " perhaps a majority of the Province were well wishers to it." By great exertion and the purchase of every commodity for which its bills would be received, the directors succeeded in getting into circulation fifty or sixty thousand pounds of their paper. In country places it was popu- lar, and passed freely among the traders and the people at large, and many towns voted to accept " Land Bank" in all their public finan- cial affairs. As late as May, 1741, their bills were in circulation.2 Its opposers appealed to Parliament and an act was obtained extend- ing to America an old law of Britain that no transferable stock should be raised without legislative authority, which dealt it a blow under which it soon succumbed. In 1741 the General Court appointed commissioners with power to tax all who had been in the company in proportion to their interest, and with moneys thus raised to redeem the bills, and make equitable adjustment between the members. Heavy losses resulted and its pernicious influence was felt long after- ward. Fortunately the people of this town did not engage in it to a great extent. Isaac Larned owned 40 shares, Jacob Cummings 30, Uriah Stone 40, Samuel Call 30 and Samuel Scott 30, all excepting Larned in the north part of the town. In 1748 the commissioners sold 46 acres of land of Samuel Call (now known as the Livermore place), H. 110, to pay his assessments.

[Form of a Bill.]

"TWENTY SHILLINGS

"We promise, for ourselves and Partners, to receive this Twenty Shilling Bill of Credit as so much Lawful Money in all Payments, Trade and Business, and after the expiration of twenty years to pay ye Possessor ye value thereof in Manufactures of the Province.

"BOSTON."

1 Hutchinson.

2 At that date Rev. William Jennison wrote thus to his wife, "I am now at Worcester in the business of the school, and preach at Holden-

but am uncertain whether I shall continue . . . because it will not do for me to oblige myself to take pay in 'Land Bank.' "

NORTH END OF THE PLAIN, FROM MEMORIAL HALL TOWER.

CHAPTER IV.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

FIRST MINISTERS. NON-RESIDENTS TAXED. REV. JOHN CAMPBELL. CHURCH FORMED. HAGBURN LEGACY. THE AWAKENING. MR. CAMPBELL'S TREA- TISE. DAVIDSON CASE. MR. CAMPBELL'S DECEASE. REV. JOSEPH BOW-

MAN. EMBARRASSMENT. CHURCH DIVISIONS. LAWSUIT. DARK DAYS. REV. ELIAS DUDLEY. REV. JOSIAH MOULTON. CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY FORMED. LATER MINISTERS. LEGACIES. UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. MINIS- TERS. CONVENTIONS. BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY. MINISTERS. METHO- DIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY. MINISTERS. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. MINISTERS. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. UNIVERSALIST MEETING-HOUSE. THIRD CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE. BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE. METHODIST MEETING-HOUSES. EPISCOPAL CHURCH BUILDING. CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILDING. PARSONAGES.

First Ministers. In accordance with the terms of the grant and the usage of the day the town was from the beginning an ecclesiasti- cal parish, and its early records refer constantly to ministerial affairs. The first minister named was Rev. John James, probably noted by Savage as having lived, and died 10 Aug., 1729, at Wethersfield. He had preached as early as 1683 at Haddam, and was at Derby from 1694 to 1706, and at Brookfield from 1711 to 1 May, 1714. On 29 July, 1714, it was " voted that every lot man shall pay his equal pro- portion of 10 shillings a sabbath for a quarter of a year to Mr. James for his preaching." On 30 Nov. it was voted that Mr. Moore [Richard] and John Town " take care and provide a minister as soon as convenient." On 25 March, 1715, voted that the money for the support of the gospel ministry among us, be raised on the lands in general belonging to the village. On 25. Sept., 1715, it was voted to send Daniel Eliott and Abraham Skinner to Jonathan Shattuck of Watertown " to treat with him concerning his coming to preach the Gospel to us." Mr. Shattuck preached at least two Sabbaths, for which he was paid 30 shillings. He was settled, 1717, at Littleton. On 10 May, 1716, it was voted to raise for the year 30 pounds on the 30 house lots for the support of the ministry, and Mr. Richard Moore was instructed " to go to the gentlemen that gave us the land [for the village] to see what they will give for the support of the Gospel among us." And on 31 July, John Town and Ebenezer Learned were chosen for the same purpose with directions that if said proprie- tors would not do their proportion to petition the General Court for help. The result of this effort we do not find, but in some way the people received encouragement.

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History of the town of Oxford, Massachusetts with genealogies and notes on persons and estates, Part 6

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town Number of Pages: 916

Author: Daniels, George Fisher, 1820-1897
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Oxford : Pub. by the author with the cooperation of the town
Number of Pages: 916