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 27
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The length and errors of this letter call for an apology, but I dislike apologies and will forbear.
Most Respectfully Yours, Cornelia B. K. Brown.
This letter, which gives us such minute details of the confession, appears to afford convincing proof of the fate of the child, silencing all other conjectures, and without conflicting evidence would apparently settle the question in the minds of the majority of readers. Could the first letter be found it might be seen that there were some va- riations between the statements of 1827 and 1859, and some points might be more clearly defined, or new impres- sions gained in view of what is now known, but in its absence we have nothing to rely upon but that of the later date.
These statements, so far as known to me, were not con- tradicted, and they became more firmly fixed in the minds of those familiar with the original story, and interested many to whom the whole was new, by means of an article contributed by William T. Harlow, Esq., to the " Old and New Magazine " in 1874. Mr. Harlow made a very in- teresting and romantic story. of the loss of the child and the subsequent confession of the murderer, in which he included statements which he had heard from the lips of his mother, who remembered some who joined in the search for the child. To adapt the story to interest magazine readers he apparently drew upon his imagination, as some of the statements unfortunately will not bear the results of close investigation. In 1884, A. P. Marble, Esq., read before the Worcester Society of Antiquity a paper upon the same subject, which was published in the " New Eng- land Magazine " in 1886. The statements already printed formed the basis of his sketch, but his attempt to make a
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readable romance led him still farther than Mr. Harlow to enlarge upon the facts and to introduce much fiction that the casual reader will accept as truth. Reference to the loss of the child may also be found in the Keyes Genealogy, 1880, and in the Worcester County History, 1879.
After many perusals of this story in the varied forms in which it appeared, I felt a desire to look into the matter and to make clear some points which seemed to me to need explanation. I therefore commenced a thorough investi- gation, only to be surprised at almost every turn I made.
I have been informed that Mrs. Brown, now deceased, whose letter furnished this strange story, was a woman of marked intelligence, of integrity and personal worth. She stood so high in the estimation of her acquaintances that it is impossible to do otherwise than believe that, as far as she was concerned, her statement was correct. Certainly the whole tenor of her letter gives evidence of intellectual ability, as well as an earnest desire to state only that which she believed to be true. Of Mrs. Anderson I can find no trace in Deerfield, N. Y., or its vicinity, although I have made inquiries personally and corresponded in many di- rections. The children of Mrs. Whitmore, now living, can give me no information upon the subject, and the children of Mrs. Brown appear to have no papers or facts which add to the statement of their mother. The whole story of the alleged confession stands, then, upon the statement made by Mrs. Brown, which she declared she had received from her sister Mrs. Whitmore, who had heard it from the lips of Mrs. Anderson, to whom the murderer confessed. Thus passing through the minds of three individuals, it would not be strange if there were some mistakes, and if the imag- ination was drawn upon for some of the details. One nat- urally receives the impression that the first letter of Mrs. Brown (1827) was written at or near the time of the alleged confession, but a careful scrutiny of the second letter fails to determine that point.
The results of my investigations were presented briefly in a paper read before The Worcester Society of Antiquity
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in 1891, and published in its proceedings for that year. As the only basis of the story of the confession is the letter of Mrs. Brown's, in endeavoring to establish the truth, that must pass under criticism, and I must confine myself almost entirely to her statement, although I may refer in- cidentally to the statements of Mr. Harlow and Mr. Marble, but neither of these writers had any information about the confession except as published by Mr. Everett in 1859.
Redemption Rock, a huge gray boulder, in a clump of trees and underbrush, on a farm in the Northeast section of the town, is a most interesting relic of early Indian History. Here, Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, wife of Rev. Joseph Row- landson, the first minister of Lancaster, was redeemed from captivity from the Indians, in May, 1676, after the de- struction of that town by the Indians under King Philip. The release of Mrs. Rowlandson, after a captivity of eleven weeks and five days, was secured through the efforts of Mr. John Hoar of Concord who bravely went among the hostile savages, and obtained her ransom, after a good deal of ceremony and delay.
The story of Mrs. Rowlandson's capture, the details of the burning of Lancaster, and the murder of so many of its inhabitants, the account of her travels, sufferings and release, as related in her quaint and inimitable "Removes," are among the most interesting, as well as touching, narra- tives of Indian history.
After her capture, Mrs. Rowlandson was taken to the vicinity of Wachusett Mountain, and thence by successive "removes" through the wilderness to Northfield, on the Connecticut River. "After many weary steps," she states, returning from her wilderness wanderings, “we came to Wachusett." There she remained until her release.
Not only was King Philip with her captors, but several other of the leading Sagamores, and among them, Quinni- pin, the master of Mrs. Rowlandson, and his wife, the cele- brated "Squaw Metamoo," "Queen of Pocasset," "A severe and proud dame," says Mrs. Rowlandson, "be-
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stowing every day in dressing herself, near as much time as any of the gentry of the land, powdering her hair and painting her face." Her narrative proceeds, "On Tuesday morning they called their General Court (as they stiled it) to consult and determine whether I should go home or no, and they all seemingly consented that I should go, except Philip, who would not come among them." This absence of Philip is explained in another passage in the narrative: - "Philip smelling the business called me to him and asked me what I would give him to tell me some good news and to speak a good word for me that I might go home to- morrow. I told him I could not tell what to give him; I would give anything I had and asked him what he would have. He said two coats and twenty shillings in money and half a bushel of seed corn and some tobacco. I thanked him for his love, but I knew that good news as well as that crafty fox."
In November, 1879, Hon. George F. Hoar, of Worcester, a lineal descendant of John Hoar of Concord, purchased of William S. Everett about half an acre of land, in the center of which "Redemption Rock" is situated, and caused the following inscription to be placed upon that face of the rock which rises some twelve feet from the ground.
" Upon this rock, May 2nd. 1676, was made the agreement for the ransom of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson of Lancaster, between the Indians and John Hoar of Concord, King Philip was with the Indians, but refused his consent."
The land where Redemption Rock is, formerly belonged to Israel Everett, father of Abram and brother of Dea. J. T. Everett, whose residence in Everettville was not far from the spot referred to.
In the summer of 1901, Senator Hoar, deeded this prop- erty to his grand-nephew, John Hoar, son of the late Sherman Hoar, the only one of the family by the name of John. This deed was executed, sealed and delivered in the presence of thirty descendants of John Hoar of Con- cord, whose signatures as witnesses appear on the docu- ment.
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Mt. Adams Celebration. In 1825, at the inauguration of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency, an attempt was made by the inhabitants, at the suggestion of the late Ward N. Boylston, Esq., to substitute the name of Mount Adams for the time honored Wachusett. Accordingly on the 4th of March a grand celebration was held. The day was welcomed by the discharge of cannon in the village and from the mountain, and ringing of the bell at sunrise, which was repeated at noon and sun setting. At three o'clock P.M. an excellent dinner was given at Mount Adams Hotel by Ward Nicholas Boylston, Esq., to the militia companies, military and other public officers and inhabi- tants of the town and invited guests from neighboring towns. They had previously attended public worship in the Congregational Meeting House, where appropriate prayers were offered and a discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. Clarke. It is calculated that nearly seven hundred persons partook of this truly generous entertainment. In the evening a large bonfire was lighted on the mountain which was distinctly seen at Boston.1
1 From the Massachusetts Spy of March II, 1829.
Mr. Editor: It will be recollected that on the inauguration of John Quincy Adams to the presidency, four years ago this day, the good people of Prince- ton (hastily no doubt), at the suggestion of an old friend of mine, saw fit to honor me with a new name, that of Mount Adams. I had at that time very serious doubts at to the propriety of the course taken by my friends in Princeton, although I did not then remonstrate. During the four years last past, I have been in rather a disagreeable dilemma. Some of my friends and visitors have greeted me by my new name, while others have been determined to know me by no other than by my ancient and well established title, Wachusett. Now, my age, rank and elevation will, I trust, justify me in speaking for myself and settling this matter. I am satisfied with the administration of Mr. Adams. Of the course he has taken in relation to the leaders of the federal party, I have nothing to say, because I have not in my possession "unequivocal evidence" upon which I could form an opinion. As Mr. Adams retires from office at this time, with due deference to him, I beg leave, through the medium of your paper, to inform the public that I have resumed my former name, by which, alone, I wish hereafter to be known and distinguished.
Respectfully, I remain your substantial friend,
Princeton, March 4, 1829.
Wachusett Mountain.
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MONADNOCK FROM WACHUSETT
I would I were a painter, for the sake Of a sweet picture, and of her who led, A fitting guide, with reverential tread, Into that mountain mystery .* First a lake Tinted with sunset; next the wavy lines Of far receding hills; and yet more far, Monadnock lifting from his night of pines His rosy forehead to the evening star. Beside us, purple-zoned, Wachusett laid His head against the West, whose warm light made His aureole; and o'er him, sharp and clear,
Like a shaft of lightning in mid-launching stayed, A single level cloud-line, shone upon By the fierce glances of the sunken sun, Menaced the darkness with its golden spear!
So twilight deepened round us. Still and black The great woods climbed the mountain at our back; And on their skirts, where yet the lingering day On the shorn greenness of the clearing lay,
The brown old farm-house like a bird's-nest hung. With home-life sounds the desert air was stirred: The bleat of sheep along the hill we heard, The bucket splashing in the cool, sweet well, The pasture-bars that clattered as they fell; Dogs barked, fowls fluttered, cattle lowed; the gate Of the barn-yard creaked beneath the merry weight Of sun-brown children, listening, while they swung, The welcome sound of supper-call to hear; And down the shadowy lane, in tinklings clear, The pastoral curfew of the cow-bell rung.
Thus soothed and pleased, our backward path we took, Praising the farmer's home. He only spake, Looking into the sunset o'er the lake, Like one to whom the far-off is most near "Yes, most folks think it has a pleasant look; I love it for my good old mother's sake, Who lived and died here in the peace of God!" The lesson of his words we pondered o'er,
* It was in the 60's that Whittier came to Princeton to visit a Quaker friend, Miss Howells, who accompanied him to the Roper farm where he was inspired to write this poem.
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As silently we turned the eastern flank Of the mountain, where its shadow deepest sank, Doubling the night along our rugged road: We felt that man was more than his abode, - The inward life than Nature's raiment more; And the warm sky, the sundown-tinted hill, The forest and the lake, seemed dwarfed and dim Before the saintly soul, whose human will Meekly in the Eternal footsteps trod, Making her homely toil and household ways An earthly echo of the song of praise
Swelling from angel lips and harps of seraphim.
John Greenleaf Whittier
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANY
Princeton as a Summer Resort. City residents were attracted to Princeton by the pure bracing air and beautiful scenery as early as 1830, 40 years before the advent of the railroad through the town.
Wachusett House. A seven mile journey over hill and dale by stage coach was the only means of reaching the village. During the summer of 1856 a large party from the Wachusett House (then owned by John Brooks Sen.) went down to the Boylston Farm and bribed one of the farm lads to take the crowd back to the hotel in a two wheeled cart drawn by oxen and dump them at the front door. A minister was of the party to lend dignity to the occasion. Thus do we early learn of "Joy Rides."
In the spring of 1857 P. A. Beaman and Isaac F. Thomp- son hired the hotel of John Brooks and continued the business for two years, when Mr. Beaman purchased the property. The present Bowling Alley and Laundry build- ing was erected in 1861. The large barn now standing on the property was built in 1864. The house was enlarged by raising and placing a new story on the ground floor and building a large L in 1869-70. A more commodious dining room was added in 1873. The present residence of Mr. A. T. Beaman was remodeled and enlarged as an "annex" in 1883. The business grew to such proportions during this period that many guests lodged in nearby houses which were enlarged for this purpose. Two hun- dred guests were often entertained at week ends and many were turned away for lack of accommodation.
This period 1866 to 1880 marked the crest of the wave of prosperity incident to the hotel business in Princeton.
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After the death of Mr. P. A. Beaman, Mar. I, 1894, his sons A. T. and H. C. Beaman continued the business until the hotel was destroyed by fire Nov. 28, 1910.
Prospect House now the Princeton Inn. In 1860-61 Mr. Wilkes Roper remodeled the Baptist Church making it into a hotel. Mr. I. F. Thompson purchased the prop- erty at this time. He continued as its proprietor until 1874 when he sold to George L. Bliss of Worcester. Mr. Bliss enlarged the dining room and made additions to the barn. About seventy-five guests could be accommodated at this time. Mr. Bliss did a good business for nine years. He sold the property to John E. Day of Worcester in 1883. Mr. Wayland C. Davis leased the property and remained its proprietor for eighteen years. During this time in 1895 Mr. Davis added a story to the house so that one hundred or more guests could be accommodated.
From 1901 to 1913 several parties leased or owned the property with varying degrees of success. In the spring of 1913 Mr. H. C. Beaman purchased the property and is the present owner.
Mountain House. In 1856 Daniel Howe enlarged the farm house formerly owned by Micah Hobbs at the base of Wachusett and probably began taking summer boarders at that time. In 1859 Samuel C. and Moses H. Bullard bought the property of Mr. Howe, built a barn and opened the Mountain House to the public. They added a story to the main house, and built an additional wing in 1880. This enabled them to accommodate about one hundred guests. Mr. Samuel Bullard died in 1887 and his brother Moses H. continued the business until he sold to Gilbert A. Derby of Fitchburg in 1894. Mr. Derby conducted the hotel nine years. The property changed owners several times until it was purchased by George E. Doherty of Somerville in the spring of 1914. He opened the house to the public in June. The house was burned July II, 1914.
Grand View House. After disposing of the Micah Hobbs House to S. C. and M. H. Bullard in 1859, Mr. Daniel
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Howe built on the easterly side of the road opposite the Mountain House. He died shortly after and his widow who was a sister of S. C. and M. H. Bullard opened the house for summer guests. At her death her son William R. Howe continued the business. In 1893 Mr. Howe made extensive additions so the hotel contained forty sleeping rooms and was called the "Grand View House." This was burned in Sept., 1899.
Mt. Pleasant House. Mr. Charles A. Whittaker opened his new house for boarders in 1868. The spot selected for this summer hotel was an ideal one. Situated three fourths of a mile west of the Post Office, it stands on an elevation commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country with forest, orchard and mowing land in close proximity, and was appropriately named "Mt. Pleasant House." The business proved so successful that Mr. Whittaker built ex- tensive additions in 1875. Other enlargements were made from time to time until from forty to sixty guests were accommodated. Mr. Moses C. Goodnow, son-in-law of Mr. Whittaker, took charge of the business in 1879 and continued until 1908.
After this a portion of the house was let to different parties for the summer months. In the spring of 1912 Mr. Goodnow sold the property to Edward C. and Harry S. Whitney of Worcester, who made radical changes in the premises. They removed a portion of the house to an adjoining lot where Edward C. now spends the greater part of the year. Harry Whitney then remodeled the main house and now has a delightful country home which he occupies permanently.
Howard House. Mr. Nelson S. Howard built a modest house on land purchased of Mr. P. A. Beaman in 1868 and began taking summer boarders. Business prospered from the first and we find Mr. Howard enlarging the house from time to time, until he could take care of forty or more guests. He retired from the business in 1889 and the house has since been let to different parties for the summer months.
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" Harrington Farm " has a wide reputation as a place for summer recreation. It is favorably situated on the western slope of Wachusett Mountain, with an extensive view and all the attractions of running brooks, ponds, forests, orchards and gardens which furnish an abundance of fresh vegetables. This farm first offered its attractions to city people in 1882; and though the buildings have been enlarged Mrs. A. R. E. Harrington and son Joseph C. have no difficulty in filling the house every summer. They accommodate about thirty guests.
Pratt's Cottage. The earliest knowledge we have of boarding business here is in 1867 when James B. Mirick took the property from Dr. Alphonso Brooks and opened a boarding house. He conducted the house seven years. Mr. William G. Morse followed Mr. Mirick and held the property two years when it was purchased by the present occupants. This hostelry has the distinction of being the only house open to the public throughout the year. Under the management of Mrs. Harriet Pratt and her daughters, Lillian and Harriet, the hotel has made a reputation for square dealing and good service during a series of years dating back to 1876.
Woodland Cottage, under the capable management of Mrs. Edward A. Padgham has for the past ten years been a favorite resort for those who desire quiet home surround- ings. It is situated on Prospect Street, in close proximity to church, library, school, store and physician; with a fine view, reaching far away to the east, where can be seen in a clear day, Prospect Hill in Waltham, and Blue Hill in Milton. The house accommodates ten or twelve guests.
Grimes House. Other persons interested in this busi- ness who might be mentioned, are Mr. Edwin Grimes who took a limited number of guests for many years in the old colonial house formerly owned by Dr. Partridge, which stands opposite the Pratt Cottage.
Pine Hill House. Mr. Joseph Miller, who began taking guests for the summer in the house now owned by Joseph and Edward Brewer near Pine Hill. This was a very
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sightly location and Mr. Miller enlarged the house and continued the business until 1888.
Fernside. Mr. Wilkes Roper made several ventures in the summer boarding business; the most notable being his purchase of the property now known as Fernside, in 1870. During his occupancy two wings were added to the house. He continued the business until 1885.when Mr. F. A. Boyd took the property on lease for four years. Mr. Roper then sold the premises in 1890 to the present owners who run the house as a vacation rest for working girls.
Summit House. Since early in the nineteenth century Wachusett Mountain has offered a goal for many a traveller, explorer and sightseer. In 1866 Mr. William G. Morse had a booth for the sale of candy and cigars on the summit of the Mountain during the summer months. The only means of transporting his material was by a small two wheeled cart drawn by a sturdy Canadian pony over the rocky path leading up from the Mountain House. Busi- ness evidently proved good, for he erected a small stone house on the summit in 1870. He continued the business during the summer months four years.
In 1874 the Wachusett Mountain Co. built a road from Mr. Amasa Smith's near Pine Hill, to the Summit, and erected the first Summit House and barn the following year. In 1879 the house was enlarged and a Bowling Alley was built. Brigham and Derby were the proprietors at this time.
The Mountain was sold to P. A. Beaman & Son in 1882 and they erected a three story building forty feet square in 1884-5. They conducted a general hotel business in the summer months until the State took the property for a Reservation in 1900.
After the State acquired the Mt. Wachusett Property in 1900 Mr. Alley L. Harrington hired the hotel for several years. Mr. William R. Howe afterwards hired it for some years.
The Reservation Commission early in 1907 decided to modernize the hotel at the summit and engaged J. C. F.
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Mirick to prepare plans for this purpose. Work was started in September of that year. The house was opened for guests in June 1908. The Commission hiring a Mr. Osgood and wife to operate the hotel. The following year Messrs Charles E. and Thomas Horne hired the property. The hotel became so popular that the Commission deemed it advisable to build an "Annex," comprising a billiard room, laundry and several sleeping rooms in 1910. From that date to the present (1915) the hotel has grown in prosperity under the able management of Mr. Everett W. Needham, Supt. of the Reservation.
In view of the facts herein noted it will be observed that for more than three-quarters of a century Princeton has attained note as a summer resort.
With the advent of the automobile the accommodation of summer guests for any extended period has become a thing of the past, and in its place has come the summer resident, who buys a farm or building site, erects a modern dwelling and often becomes a citizen. There are forty- five of this class at present.
The valuation of the town has increased from $817,346 in 1890 to $1,485,128 in 1914, and with improved ways of reaching this beautiful hill town, the future prosperity of this community would seem assured.
(Courtesy of Mr. C. J. F. Mirick.)
INNHOLDERS AND TAVERNS
The records of the County Court furnish the names of a number of the innholders or tavern keepers, as the law required them to be licensed and recorded. The following list comprises all names recorded from 1760 to 1795, but may not include all who "kept tavern" during that period.
Abijah Moore 1760, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Zachariah Harvey 1760.
(Wilder was here before)
Joseph Sargent 1765, 6, 7, 8, 70, 2, 3, 6, 9, 80.
The first license of Mr. Sargent is thus recorded May 1765, "Joseph Sargeant of Princetown is Licensed by this Court to keep a publick Tavern in the House Lately occupied by Capt. Abijah Moor as a Tavern he having purchased sd Estate, & the sd Joseph thereupon recognized in the sum of Fifty Pounds with Two Suretys namely William Richardson, Esq. & Eben™ Jones in the sum of Twenty five Pound Each Conditioned that he duely account with ye Collector & pay his Excise according to Law. Also in
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the sum of fro with sd Suretys in £5 each Conditioned that he keep good rule & order and duely observe ye Law relating to Innholders, at ye same Time took ye oath by (law required) Relating to Bills of Credit of ye neigh- booring Governments". Vol. 336.
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