USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > History of the town of Princeton in the county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1759-1915, Volume I > Part 2
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The Early Period
the natural outcome of the earlier New England energy and enterprise, which was now quieting down to the con- templation of possession and improvement, the spirit of unrest and the propensity to acquirement proving as strong motives as some of the higher elements with which we are perhaps too much inclined to invest the acts of our ances- tors. Some of the qualities seem to stand out in marked contrast to the characteristics of the present age, but it is probable that the emergencies of the time developed them into prominence and activity, and that a stress of circumstances would again bring forth these or similar powers to meet the necessities. There is a strain in every generation which comes to the front when the alarm of danger or the call for assistance is sounded.
The first settlement of Europeans within the limits of the present State of Massachusetts was at Plymouth in 1620, and nine years later that of Salem was made. Boston was founded in 1630, and various other places in the sur- rounding country were established within the next twenty- five years. Soon the course of expansion extended into the region to the westward, though in several directions. On the northerly line Lancaster, now comprising several towns, was purchased of the Indians in 1643. Mendon, at the south, was founded in 1659. In the central line Worcester and Oxford followed, and further to the west Brookfield, and so on to Springfield and Deerfield, and into Connecticut.
Nipnet or Nipmug Country. To the inhabitants of the first settlements of the colony of the Massachusetts Bay all of the territory to the westward was known by the general name of the Nipnet or Nipmug country, the authorities having but little definite understanding of the extent of the tribe of Indians bearing that name. Gover- nor Winthrop, in his journal, under date of January 27, 1631, gives the same characterization of this country when he describes a trip made into the interior by himself and others. Going up the Charles River above Watertown at a point at or near the present Waltham " they went up
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History of Princeton
a very high rock from whence they might see all over Neipnett." From this rock they espied " a very high hill due west about forty miles off," which hill was Wachusett Mountain, doubtless then, at least, unknown by that name to the colonists.1
Indians. Although it seems probable that the Nipnets, once a large and powerful tribe, ruled over this whole territory, yet the Nipmuck country, later described by Gookin and other reliable authorities, was practically confined to what is now the southern half of Worcester County, extending into Connecticut. Nipnet signifies "fresh water country," and one writer says that the various tribes of Indians in that vicinity have often been classed together under the general name of Nipnets, i.e., all fresh water Indians. And there is not wanting evi- dence that the Quabaugs, the Washakums, Nashaways, Wachusetts and others, were more or less nearly allied either by blood or by marriage, or by both, but it is certain that they never acknowledged allegiance to one local head chieftain.
The Quabaugs made their headquarters near Brookfield and the Nashaways lived north of the Nipnets near Lan- caster. These were sometimes called Waschakums, from a large settlement of the tribe near the ponds of that name in Sterling, and sometimes called Wachusetts from the stronghold in the mountain of that name in Princeton.
Exploration. As the spirit of adventure developed among the colonists, and their desire to explore the country increased, or the wish to remove from the growing towns on the coast led them to seek new locations, their knowledge of the abode of the various Indian tribes and the territory which they claimed as their own became clearer.
In 1631 John Winthrop and his associates first heard from some visiting Indians of the great river - Connecti- cut - to the westward with its fertile valleys. Almost immediately not only adventurers but some of the best of the settlers directed their feet along the then unfamiliar paths, or followed the well-defined Indian trails, with the
1 This rock now known as Boston Rock.
II
The Early Period
hope of finding more promising surroundings than were presented on the coast. New settlements were projected and developed in a surprisingly short time, considering the many obstacles which had to be encountered. In 1633 John Oldham and others journeyed over the wild and undeveloped country into Connecticut by paths probably never before trodden by the white man, and subject to the unknown perils of an unknown land. Other groups fol- lowed very soon to explore this western country. Large companies from Watertown, Cambridge and Dorchester journeyed to Connecticut and there began new settlements. In 1635 William Pynchon and associates went from Rox- bury to the Connecticut River and soon laid the foundation of what is now the flourishing city of Springfield. The " Old Connecticut Path," of which the colonists had some knowledge as early as 1630, passed through Cambridge, Waltham, thence through South Framingham, Hopkinton, Grafton, Dudley, Sturbridge to Woodstock and on to Hartford. It was a branch of this path which passed westward through Brookfield to Springfield.
A new way became known as early as 1648, as Winthrop records in his Journal, in that year: " This year a new way was found out to Connecticut by Nashaway which avoids much of the hilly way." Whether this path branched off, as is thought by some, from the earlier Connecticut path perhaps near Sudbury, and passed through what is now Lancaster, Rutland, and New Braintree to Springfield, it is difficult to decide, but the inference is drawn from this statement of Winthrop that this northern way had not been in use to any extent by the English previous to the year 1648.
Lancaster, which was settled in 1653, had been obliged to build roads, or more properly speaking, paths, to bring the settlement into closer touch with Sudbury and other towns, and these paths would naturally be utilized and form a portion of the long road from the coast. It is possible that instead of passing through Princeton it may have gone south of that line and passed through Holden
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History of Princeton
and thence to Quabaug Pond in West Brookfield, or this Holden route may have been established at a later date. The Bay Path, so often referred to, was laid out in 1670, and passed through Marlborough and Worcester to Brook- field, and on to the River. By means, therefore, of these travelled paths the general character of this part of the colony became somewhat known, but there was no at- tempt at making a settlement in the region about the mountain. There was no town settled for many years between Sudbury or Lancaster and Brookfield.
Land Purchases. By the year 1680 settlements had been commenced, and as the desire of the colonists for extending their domains increased, the General Court of the Colony, acknowledging the inherent rights of the Indian tribes as owners of the soil, had purchased many tracts of land in the different localities, some of them em- bracing many square miles in area. Individuals had little difficulty in obtaining grants of the land thus pur- chased, and in cases where they had traded directly with the Indians, the Colony very freely confirmed the title.
Nipmuck Territory. In pursuance of this general policy the General Court in 1681 appointed William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, Esquires, a committee to negotiate, in behalf of the Colony, with the Nipmugs (Nipmucks) for their territory, the name Nipmuck still being applied to this neighborhood. In the first report of progress which these gentlemen rendered they stated that " the northern part near Wachusett is still unpurchased, and persons yet scarcely to be found meet to be treated with thereabouts." In other words they had not been able to find the true owners of this northern part, which suggests a long dis- persion of the tribes once identified with its occupancy and ownership. A report made by this committee a few months later indicates decided progress in the search for those who were thought to hold title to the lands. After referring to the vicinity of Marlborough and Sherburne they say, " The northerne part, adjoyning to Nashaway is
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The Early Period
found the best land, most meadowed and capable of setle- ment, which land, except a small tract that Hananamesit desired to be kept by the Natick Indians, may, wee sup- pose, vpon reasonable termes, be so farr as respects the Indian Clayme, taken into the Countreys lands, which wee offer our advise as best to be donne, least the matter grow more difficult by delays." 1
One tract, perhaps not now clearly identified, of large extent, was purchased for the sum of £30 and a coat, while another tract 50 miles long and 20 miles broad was bought for the snug sum of £50, delivered in cash to the supposed owners, or at least to the representatives of the Nipmucks, who appeared to have some claims upon proprietorship.
But notwithstanding the advice of the excellent com- mittee the Colony made no move towards purchasing this " northern part adjoining to Nashaway," and it remained for individuals to take the first steps toward the purchase of a portion of it. Whether the prominent men identified with this purchase were restless in the confines of their own town and anxious to expand and enlarge those borders, or whether they were actuated by the same spirit of specu- lation which in every age prevails, may not be determined, but it is true that Lancaster men, with a few associates, reached out their hands for a bit of this territory and secured a tract, reported to be twelve miles square, for the sum of £23! - about 10 cents for 100 acres.
There are many deeds upon record showing conveyances of land by representatives of various Indian tribes, for which valuable compensation was made. The valuation of these lands as indicated by the deeds may seem ridicu- lously small to the present reader, but the value of the dollar in that day was far greater than that of the dollar of to-day. One historian asserts that the price paid the Indians for the land in a certain town was fully up to the price set upon the individual lots sold to the settlers by the proprietors.
1 Mass. Bay Records, Vol. V, page 242.
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History of Princeton
Purchasers. The majority of the purchasers of the tract referred to above were of Lancaster; the two Willard Brothers, their brother-in-law, Cyprian Stevens, and Joseph Rowlandson, the minister of the town, with others of less prominence; and these purchasers in a general way explored their purchase, noted its streams and ponds, its hills and valleys, following, it may be, the trails of the Indians as well as the " path " now somewhat worn and well-defined by the travel between the Bay settlement and the interior. And is it not probable that in some of their expeditions they stepped aside from the beaten path and ascended the mountain to view the country? Per- haps they were the first, or among the first white men to climb its rugged sides, now so easily travelled by means of well-known paths and well-made roads.
Indian Deed. The first step showing concerted action looking towards the occupation of the territory under con- sideration appears in a deed dated December 22nd, 1686, recorded in Middlesex Registry, Vol. XVI, page 511, under date of April 14th, 1714.
By this deed Joseph Trask alias Puagastion of Penni- cook, Job alias Pompomamay of Natick, and Simon Pitacum alias Wananacompan of Wamasick, Sosowonow of Natick, and James Wiser alias Qualapunit of Natick for the sum of twenty-three pounds, conveyed to Henry Willard, Joseph Rowlandson, Joseph Foster, Benjamin Willard and Cyprian Stevens, “ a Certain Tract of Lands, medows, swamps, Timbers, Entervailes, containing Twelve mile square, according to the buts and bounds, as followeth, viz: - The name in General being Naguag, The South Corner butting upon Muscopaug Pond, and running North to Quenibeck and to Wonketopick, and so running upon Gte Wachusett which is the North Corner, so running nor west to Walamanumpscook, and so to quaquanunawick a little pond and so to 'Asnaconcomick' pond which is the nor west corner. And so running South and so to Musshauge a great swamp, so to Sasaketasick which is the South corner. And so running East to Pascatickquage
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The Early Period
and so to Ahampatunshauge a little Pond, and so to Sum- pauge Pond and so to Muscopauge pond which is the East Corner." 1
Delay in Occupation. The condition of political affairs in the colonies at the time of this purchase and for several subsequent years appears to have been a sufficient reason for delay in carrying out any plans formed by the pro- prietors for the settlement or sale of the land. The abrogation of the first charter of the colony by King James II in 1686 was soon followed by the appointment of Sir Edmund Andros as Governor of New England, his arrival occurring in December of that year. This appointment, which possibly at first promised favorably to the colonies, proved exceedingly embarrassing and unsatisfactory. Restless under the new administration, smarting under the blow of the dissolution of the charter, the people gladly availed themselves of the confusion existing in England, anticipated the accession to the throne of William of Orange, and violently deposed Andros from his position in April, 1688. It was not until 1692 that the second charter was secured, and in the meantime hostilities be- tween France and England had been declared, and for seven or eight years the colonies were in the midst of the excitement, anxiety and uneasiness appertaining to war, giving of their means, their men and their energy to help forward the cause of England.
Queen Anne's War. After the close of the war in 1698 comparative quiet reigned in the country for a few years, but in 1702 the lull in the strife was succeeded by another war known as Queen Anne's, which for ten or more years left its disturbing influence upon the country, embarrass- ing its progress in every direction, and hindering the growth of the new as well as of the older settlements.
Lands in the regions beyond the bounds of civilization
1 The original deed is not in existence, and the above copy and that on the Proprietors books do not agree in the spelling of the Indian names. The latter has Wananapan, Quanitick, etc. Simon Pitacum apparently did not sign the deed.
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History of Princeton
were practically of no value while these disturbances prevailed. The events of that period of New England history between the years 1675 and 1713 were sufficient to cripple all business activity and to strike a blow at all progressive movements. Lancaster, Worcester, North- field, Brookfield and other towns had suffered severely from depredation of the Indians during King Philip's and the subsequent wars. New settlements begun with a good degree of energy were almost depopulated or entirely abandoned.
Return of the Settlers. But upon the close of Queen Anne's War in 1713 confidence was somewhat restored. The dangers which had threatened public and private enterprise were seemingly arrested if not removed, and the towns over which had hung the clouds of sorrow, fear and desolation began to assume new life and activity. The former residents turned once more to the cultivation of their abandoned or neglected farms, and new adventurers cast their lot with the old. However, with the experience of the past years and the uncertainty of the future, it was not strange that the growth of these settlements was com- paratively slow. It was at this time - perhaps the only opportune time since the purchase in 1686 - that the pro- prietors of Naquag and their heirs considered the subject of opening the land for settlement and making the property a better paying investment than it hitherto had proved. Although the original purchasers had secured a deed from the Indians who claimed that " they only had power to convey and alienate the same," they had not acquired any confirmatory title from the authorities of the Colony, who held possession by virtue of a charter granted by the King. It is also true that the whole territory known as the Nip- mug Country of which this tract doubtless formed a part was sold by Sholan, the Sagamore.
Title Worthless. The title, therefore, was practically worthless, and the heirs of the original purchasers sought relief from the General Court, which passed an Act on the 23rd of February, 1714, confirming to the sons and grand-
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The Early Period
sons of Major Simon Willard and their associates, the orig- inal tract, with the exception of 1000 acres belonging to the Honorable Samuel Sewall. It does not clearly appear why these lands were confirmed to all the children and representatives of the deceased children of Major Willard, embracing as it did some persons not included in the original purchase. This act provided " that within seven years there then be sixty families settle thereon and suffi- cient Land reserved for a Gospel Ministry and Schooling. And that the Grant shall encrouch upon no former Grant or Grants, nor exceed the Quantity of Twelve Miles Square. The town to be called Rutland, & to ly to the County of Middlesex."
Name of Rutland. In reference to the naming of the township Judge Sewall says in his Diary under date of Feb. 23-24, 1713-14: " This Court a large township, of 12 miles square, is granted near Wadchuset; out of which my 1,000 Acres are excepted. I was surpris'd, not having seen it, till 'twas pass'd by the Deputies. Gov' is uneasy till the word Associats be inserted. Will have it call'd Rutland: I objected because that was the name of a Shire. The Chief Justice said 'twas not convenient except the Land was Red. But the Gov' would not be diverted. I suppose the quantity might be one thing inclin'd his Excellency to this Name." 1
Judge Sewall's special interest in this arose from his ownership of the 1,000 acres excepted in the Act of the General Court. This plot was originally granted by the Colony in 1681 to the six youngest children of Major Simon Willard, in consideration of the distinguished and unremunerated services of the father, lately deceased. This tract, called Sewall's Farms, was in the northerly part of the present town of Rutland, and embraced much excellent farming land. In March 1684-85 the Willards obtained from Thomas Dublett and wife, Sarah, Indians, a release of all their (presumed) right in the premises, upon the payment of £2.10, and in 1693 the elder brother,
1 Vol. II, page 425.
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History of Princeton
Henry Willard, purchased it. After his decease it was sold in 1692 to the Hon. Samuel Sewall to cancel a debt of £84. Soon after the confirmation of the township to the Willards and their Associates, Judge Sewall obtained from the General Court an Act confirming the title of his little lot of 1,000 acres, the boundaries of which cannot be traced today. It seems singular that in the deed of the twelve miles square, no mention is made of this 1,000 acres which lay within its limits, but perhaps the matter of a paltry 1,000 acres out of 93,000 may not have been thought worth considering. Thus it appears that both tracts (one within the other) were now held by indisputable title acquired by purchase of the Indians claiming right therein and by Act of confirmation of the General Court of the Province.
Names of Associates. It is noticeable that the Indians conveying the smaller tract in 1684-85 did not join in the deed of the larger tract in 1686. The grantees of Rutland township and their Associates executed a deed of Associa- tion under date of April 14-17 which was recorded August 17, 1718 in Middlesex Registry, Vol. 19, page 293. The property was divided into 33 shares of which Joseph Foster had two and the others one each. The names of the Associates are as follows:
Joseph Foster of Billerica.
Cyprian Stevens of Lancaster for self and for children by wife Mary.
Thomas How of Marlborough, Att'y & Assign of heirs of Jos. Rowlandson.
Simon Willard of Salem.
John Willard of Concord.
Benjamin Willard, Framingham.
Joseph Willard, London.
Josiah Willard's heirs. Samuel Willard's heirs.
Henry Willard's heirs.
Daniel Willard's heirs.
Jonathan Willard's heirs.
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The Early Period
Thomas - of Sudbury and Hannah, his wife, a daughter of Simon Willard.
Nathaniel Howard of Chelmsford, children by Sarah Willard.
Robert Blood, late of Concord, children by Elizabeth Willard.
Joshua Edwards, late of Charlestown, children by Mary Willard.
Hon. Wm. Taylor of Dorchester.
Peter Townsend.
Paul Dudley.
Addington Davenport.
Adam Winthrop.
Thomas Hutchinson.
Thomas Fitch.
John White of Boston.
Thomas How of Marlborough.
John Chandler of Woodstock.
William Dudley of Roxbury.
John Farnsworth of Groton.
Children and heirs of Peter Bulkley, late of Concord.
Moses Parker of Chelmsford.
Jacob Stevens of Stow.
The New Township embraced in area nearly one-tenth of the County of Worcester, and was considered a very large grant even for the days when the authorities were lavish with their gifts of land. Grants of a few hundred acres were apparently freely made for all sorts of reasons, as will be noted hereafter in connection with some Prince- ton land. But in this case the character of the petitioners, and the services of Major Willard to the Colony, would naturally debar any serious objections to the confirmation of a purchase, which wisely included in its provisions lands for new settlements of advantage to the Province.
The accompanying plan indicates plainly the extent of the township of Rutland as originally granted, and the towns then included within its limits.
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History of Princeton
BARRE
HUBBARDSTON
Judge Semails Farm of 1000 Acres
OAKHAM
PRINCETON
RUTLAND
PAXTON
Prawne They
Farm
PLAN OF RUTLAND TOWNSHIP. FROM THE ORIGINAL.
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The Early Period
Proprietors. At the first meeting of the Proprietors held in Boston on the 14th of April, 1714, of which Paul Dudley, Esq., of Boston was Moderator and Mr. Samuel Wright of Sudbury, Clerk, the establishment of a town was considered and the Committee consisting of William Dud- ley, Esq., Thomas How, Esq., Captain Jacob Stevens, Captain Jonathan Prescott and Mr. Samuel Wright, was appointed to "Look after the Plating said town, and establishing Inhabitants there, and to Report to the Proprietors the most convenient place for settling a town- ship, and the best method in their Judgment for the Incorageing Inhabitants to settle in said Town."
The next meeting was held on the 24th of December, 1715, at the Green Dragon in Boston, when it was voted " that the contents of Six Miles Square be Surveyed & set off for the Settlement of Sixty-two families in order to the performance of the Grant. - That the place for the settle- ment be determined by the Committee already chosen for settling the Town."
The details of the surveys, settlements, distribution of lots and the thousand and one matters necessary to be attended to, were left to the Committee above named, thus obviating the necessity of holding frequent meetings of the Proprietors.
First Birth. The Settlement soon gave evidence of gradual but solid growth, though it is probable that for the first few years the winter months were passed by a majority of the settlers in the towns where the comforts of life were greater, and the necessary supplies for the family more readily secured. The event of the birth of the first male child there occurred in 1719 (a son of Moses and Eunice How), and was appropriately recognized by the Proprietors in the gift of one hundred acres of land to the young man. Some fifty families were now on the spot, comprising representatives from Boston, Concord, Sud- bury, Marlborough and other towns, and also emigrants of respectability from Ireland. A meeting house was erected, and provision made for the support of the ministry
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History of Princeton
and school, in compliance with the conditions imposed by the General Court in the Act confirming the lands to the Proprietors, and on the 30th of May, 1722, the town of Rutland was incorporated. Thereafter the Proprietors of the township (the " Grand Proprietors " as they have been styled) had no authority over the "Six Mile Square " or " Settlers " part. The individual lands within the town limits were distributed among the Settlers at various times or sold for the benefit of the whole, - until the entire area had been disposed of, the records finally closing in the year 1797. These records are now in the care of the Town of Princeton, and deposited in the Town Library.
Sales and Transfers. During the years of preparatory work culminating in the organization of a separate town within the bounds of the proprietorship, there had been many changes among the Associates by reason of death and transfer of shares. These transfers do not appear to have assumed, at any time, any degree of speculative tendency, although as early as 1714 we find record of a sale by Captain Samuel Wright of a share for forty pounds, which he had purchased for thirty-five pounds only a month before. The original price, twenty-three pounds, paid the Indians for the whole tract was doubtless satisfactory to them, possibly foreseeing as they might that the lands could be of but little value to them with the advancing march of the white man. During the long period of thirty years before any attempt was made to improve or realize upon the investment, it is quite certain that the value was not eaten up by taxes, as these were not assessed by the colony, whatever might be counted as loss of interest upon the sum advanced. But in reading the records of the meetings of the Proprietors one can but notice the uneasiness caused by delays of projected settlements, the apparent lack of inter- est, and the meetings for financial questions to be solved. To meet the oft-repeated calls for money required by the maintenance of the few highways and bridges which the increasing travel from the seaboard to the interior de- manded, resort was sometimes had to sale of lots, and quite
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