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 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
23
The Early Period
often to assessments upon the share holders. And there is evidence of unwillingness on the part of some of the share holders to meet the collection of these assessments, dodging the payment of the tax. There is no doubt that the financial embarrassment induced some to sell their shares to others having more faith in the enterprise. And it is reasonable to infer that the later purchasers, at least, realized a fair return for their investment, especially when they held corner lots with meadows and uplands of corre- sponding value. In 1724 a share was sold for £200. With the establishment of the town well underway, the Proprietors considered plans for the future, anticipating the movements of the progressive New Englander in pushing out over the frontiers "beyond the confines of settlement and civilization." The remaining land of the Township was divided into sections known as the North- west Quarter, now Barre, the Northeast Quarter, now Hubbardston, the East Wing, now Princeton, and the West Wing.
East Wing. The first reference upon the Proprietors' records to the East Wing, which eventually formed one- half of Princeton, is under date March 26, 1718, when it was voted " that the Two Large Tracts or parcels of land belonging to the Proprietors of Rutland on the East and on the West of the township of the Settlers' part be divided each into three and thirty or sixty-six farmes for the three and thirty Proprietors, or whole shares, as Equally as may be per Quantity and Quality any Large Tracts of meadow to be Reserved as Common for the whole and each share to have its proportion." The following June the Com- mittee having charge of the survey was urged to "take care " that these tracts " forthwith and with all possible Expedition be Laid out - with all suitable accommodations of ways for or to Each farme or lott." The survey of the Wing was completed during the following summer and plans prepared. The original is probably not in existence, but among some papers found in Rutland a few years since was a small copy. There are evidences of errors of the
24
History of Princeton
copyist both in names and descriptions of the lots, but it is sufficiently accurate to show the method of division and to enable one to determine the present locations. The Wing was divided into 48 lots of about 237 acres each, 33 being numbered consecutively I to 33, twelve “ let- tered " lots A to M, and three meadow lots, " Poutwater," " Wachusett " and " Deadmare." There were also six "Gores " on the northwesterly end, containing in all about 237 acres. Many of the lines forming the boundaries of these lots are still to be seen in the town, and all of them can be readily traced. The easterly line of Lot B is a few rods in the rear of the present Town Hall, and in the spring or autumn standing on the hill one can trace the sectional lines by the walls through valleys and over hills almost to Rutland.
Father Ralle's War. With these plans before them the Proprietors held a meeting November 5, 1718, at which 25 of the 33 share holders were represented. An assess- ment was ordered to cover a balance of £133, 18.4 for expenditures incurred in surveys and for other necessary charges. Before, however, the consummation of any plans for settlement could be effected, new perplexities arose, occasioned by the commencement of hostilities by the Indians in the war known as Lovewell's or the Father Ralle's war, in 1722. Discontent had arisen among the Abenakis or Eastern Indians, resulting from real or fancied wrongs in the taking of their lands, and this was fostered and fomented by the machinations of the French officials in Canada. The terrible scenes of King Philip's war were renewed, villages were burned, men, women and children massacred or carried into captivity. Great fear was felt in the interior settlements, and many villages were almost deserted.
Massacre in Rutland. In Rutland the exposure and consequent danger appeared so great that a large propor- tion of the families, perhaps two-thirds, left the town, seeking security in the settlements on the coast and else- where. On the 14th of August, 1723, five Indians entered
25
The Early Period
the town, waylaid and killed the minister, Rev. Joseph Willard, and two children of Deacon Joseph Stevens, taking captive two others of the Deacon's children. The inhabitants promptly called upon the Province for soldiers, and although a small guard was sent there, great difficulty was experienced in securing a number that could be in any degree efficient. Other towns all along the border were demanding similar protection, and the authorities were unprepared to cope successfully with the emergency. Though quiet prevailed during the following winter, the enemy were on the alert in the spring, and notwithstanding the watchfulness of the guard and the inhabitants, another raid was made upon the town on the third of August, when three men were killed. All through the summer the people of Groton, Dunstable, Lancaster, Rutland and other exposed towns were calling for soldiers to protect their houses and to guard the men in the fields making their hay and gathering their crops. In July of that year the mili- tary guard about Rutland numbered but 38 men. But the second attack upon Rutland not only aroused the inhabitants and quickened the vigilance of the soldiers but stimulated the government to active measures, resulting in a very material increase of the military force in this vicinity as well as in other places of anticipated danger. The incidents connected with this war belong more properly to the history of Rutland. A treaty of peace was signed in December, 1725, and hostilities ceased. Some of the absent families returned to the town, but many others sold or abandoned their farms and made homes elsewhere. In December, 1727, there were but about 25 families there, and for some years thereafter the progress was slow. Still there was a growth, and as gradually the fear of Indian invasion was lessened, matters resumed the ordinary aspect of a rural settlement.
Renewal of Settlement. The disturbances of these years of war between 1722 and 1726 were a serious em- barrassment to the Proprietors of the township. The establishment of new towns was not only retarded but
26
History of Princeton
rendered impossible and all of the operations of the Pro- prietors practically ceased. In October, 1733, Adam Winthrop, Esq., Rev. Thomas Prince and others took the necessary legal steps for calling a meeting of the share holders, which was held at the Royal Exchange Tavern in Boston on the 7th of November following, there being present thirteen gentlemen representing II} shares. A Committee consisting of Messrs. Adam Winthrop, Samuel Willard, Estes Hatch, Richard Bill and Francis Brinley was appointed for the general management of the affairs, and it was ordered that a new survey or renewal of bounds of the East and West Wings, and the northern half of Rutland be made. To meet the anticipated cost of this with other necessary expenses, a tax of £10 per share was laid. A full list of the fortunate owners of the shares at that time with their respective tax appears on the records.
New Survey. Two surveyors, Samuel Willard and Henry Lee, appeared willing to undertake the survey at the same price, but Mr. Willard offered some small induce- ment and the contract was given to him. Subsequently he made an arrangement with Mr. Lee and the latter sur- veyed the East and West Wings, doubtless commencing the work as early in the year of 1734 as the season per- mitted. For this work Mr. Lee received £1oo with £7 additional for the division of the three meadow lots. The distribution of the unassigned land in the East Wing soon followed as appears by the following record :
" The Division of the unappropriated Lettered Lots, Gores and Gussets in the East and West Wings in the Southern half part of ye Township of Rutland in ye County of Worcester, being after ye Rate of One hundred & fifty- eight acres to Each of the Thirty three whole Shares ac- cording as the said Divisions are described in a plat of each wing laid by the Committee before ye Proprietors of ye sd Township (Exclusive of ye Settlers part) at their meeting by adjournment ye 24th day of Septemb' 1734, at the Royall Exchange Tavern in Boston.
The East Wing Conta 237 Acres in Each Lot.
The Early Period
27
Letter M 79 acres in ye Southerly part to heirs of Peter Boul- key.
Claimed by Capt. John Boulkey & Rev. Mr. Benj. Prescot.
138 ac in North y to Adam Winthrop.
A
7 ac in South y to John Willard claimed by Thos. Prince.
72 very Rocky adjoining Northerly on the 2ª seven acres
Sixty three acres to Thos. Prince.
Nine acres to Wm. Allen.
158 Joseph Rowlandson now Wm. Allen.
79 in West y Joseph Willard now Mrs. Hannah Fayerweather.
79 adj. East Simon Willard now Wm. Salter.
79 Eastermost Henry Willard now John Dolbear 5 S.
Samuel Willard's sister Leland &.
C 79 South y Simon Willard - Richd Bill.
158 North y Daniel Willard - heirs.
D 79 West y Moses Parker - Saml Hatch.
158 Josiah Willard - heirs.
E 79 Jacob Stevens T.P. 158 Paul Dudley T.P.
F
79 John Willard T.P.
158 Thos. How T.P.
P.S. Claiming John W's whole right in ye East Wing autg to 86 ac in this Division 79 ac are laid out in this lot & the other 7 in lot H.
G 79 Joshua Edmunds
112 Joseph Foster
Sam1 Waldo
20 Robert Blood heirs
26 Moses Parker
H 158 in West y Wm. Taylor Francis Brinley. 79 East Cyprian Stevens Sec' Willard.
I
7 West y & Gore Cyp. Stevens by his wife Mary Willard.
B
28
History of Princeton
&c 39 Adjª Joseph Foster 138 Adjd.
1: Saml Waldo
East y Joseph Foster
1 Jona Oulton, Cor-
1 nelius Waldo
Thos. Fitch. Fitch
II2 Eastermost & Gore Gore 59 acres.
K
Granted to first Minister of Rutland.
L 79 Cyp. Stevens 79 Joseph Willard
Estes Hatch
79 Penn. Townsend -
Gores
a 7 ac. Jos. Foster
Saml Waldo.
b 20 Thos. Brintnal
Widow Hannah formerly Willard.
c 33 John Chandler
heirs Eben' Allen.
d 46 Thos. Fitch Fitch
e 59 Divided with I.
f 72 Cyp. Stevens heirs by wife, Saml Waldo.
Gift to Rev. Mr. Prince. Plans of these lots were made and ordered to be put upon record, but unfortunately do not appear thereon. The Proprietors granted to Rev. Mr. Prince " In consideration of the great care & labour he has taken in calculating & Computing ye Divisions above mentioned & other good Services perform'd to the proprietors," 72 acres of land in lot A " Not having been set off to any of the proprietors by reason of the broken- ness of it." Mr. Prince prepared many of the plans of the Rutland lands, some of which are still in existence, and show excellent workmanship.
November 26, 1735. Division of Meadow Lots
" The Northerly " Southerly End lines of the Three Lots in ye sª East Wing are supposed to be 1913 poles in length & their Easterly & Westerly side lines to be 200 poles in length, whether they be really longer or shorter: These lots are here Divided: & the several Divisions
29
The Early Period
Numbered, including both the medow & the Upland contained in ye sª medow lots, as the plat Describes them : with the express intention, yt sd medow lots are exactly as larg & broad as the plat Describes them, then the sd Divisions must be exactly for Length and Breadth as they are therein described; but if the sª medow Lots are really larger or lesser, than their sª Division must be answerbly larger or lesser; & the particular owners of the Divisions in the several medow Lots must take care by agreement, or otherwise to state the Bounds of their Respective Divisions among themselves."
" One acre of medow valued as three acres of upland."
Wachusett
I. 21 medow 86 Upland Paul Dudley, Thos. How,
John Willard) } Jacob Ste- vens) Thos. Prince.
II. 2130
IO50
Samuel Willard's heirs.
III. 360
"
60 rods " Moses Parker = Oulton & Waldo.
IV. 62
"
27}
T. Hutchinson.
V. 2
4I
heirs Jos. Rowlandson
=
9
Wm. Allen (formerly granted Allen).
VI. 4
23
Thos. Prince, Dec. 26, 1734.
Dead Mare1
I.
22} Upland
Cyprian Stevens = to Secty Willard.
II.
45
III. 22
162
"
Col. Taylor = F. Brinley. Jos. Willard = Hannah Fayr- weather.
1 In a report by Capt. Wright of Rutland, July 10, 1725, the following ref- erence is made to this locality, which indicates the origin of the name by which it was for many years known. "Our people are now beginning to mow their out meadows we shall want a Strong guard, one Scout Came in Last night dis- covered no Indians; tho the watch at one of the garisons Discovered an Indian as they say 2 nights agoe by a Garison as they lay at some distance, this morn- ing we found a mare as we Sopose Shot & Dead & Sopose the Indians shot her."
30
History of Princeton
IV. 3
144
V. 6
100
Penn Townsend = Anthony Stoddard.
Joseph Foster, Joshua Ed- munds, Moses Parker, Cyp- rian Stevens, Robert Blood = Saml Waldo.
VI. 8
22 Upland
Cyprian Stevens, Joseph Willard, Penn Townsend = E. Hatch.
I. 31
34 130
II. 90 rods30100
III. 152
IV. 72
2390
V. 10
141
VI. 62
2570
VII. 62
252
VIII. 53
27100
Poutwater
Adam Winthrop.
Adam Winthrop, Dec. 26, 1734. Peter Boulkey's heirs = Capt. John Bulkly & Benj. Prescot.
John White = { heirs, } James Pemberton, 4 Saml Sewall. Wm. Dudley = Col. Isaac Winslow. Josiah Willard's heirs.
.120
John Farnsworth = } Benj. Brown, ¿ B. Dyer, } John Buttolph. Simon Willard = } Wm. Salter, ¿ Richª Bill.
Thus the whole area of the East Wing was equitably divided among the proprietors. Similar divisions were made of the other lands, settlements projected, and eventu- ally towns incorporated. The Northwest quarter of the district was incorporated as a district in 1753, and as the town of Hutchinson in 1774, the name being changed in 1776 to Barre. The West Wing became a precinct in 1759 and the town of Oakham in 1762. The Northeast quarter was incorporated as Hubbardston in 1767. The remainder with a portion of Leicester formed the district of Paxton incorporated in 1765.
Proprietors' Records. The Records of the General Proprietors abruptly closed in 1770, the lands had all been disposed of, and the plans, papers and books were ordered to be committed to the keeping of the Hon. Moses Gill.
31
The Early Period
Unfortunately the plans and papers are missing, but copies of the original surveys of their respective lands are on record in some of the towns above named.
The settlement of the East Wing, so often contemplated but not yet accomplished, was again discussed by the proprietors in June, 1742, when a committee was requested to " Project a Method for Bringing forward settlements in the East Wing in concert with the neighboring farmes on the East Side thereof," but no report of the Committee 'appears on record or of any action relative thereto. There is some evidence tending to show that a few families were living in the East Wing near to Rutland line at this period. It is undoubtedly true that some of the lots, especially those owned by Rutland men, were under cultivation long before any dwellings were erected. These lands were reasonably accessible, although the roads must have been at certain seasons in a deplorable condition, even worse than when subsequently attacked by those calling themselves high- way surveyors.
French War. The war declared by the French against Great Britain in 1744, known as the Old French War, continuing for four years, doubtless had its effect in retard- ing the settlement, as did also the French and Indian War in 1754. This last was a heavy burden upon the Province in men and means.
But while the East Wing was still " on the market," awaiting the courageous settler or the removal of whatever obstacle was preventing the beginning and growth of a settlement, developments were taking place upon the North and East of this tract which indicated an early advance of the tiller of the soil. A large area of land lay between Lunenburg, Westminster, Leominster and Rut- land, much of it unappropriated, and none of it included within the bounds of any town.1
The survey and location
1 In 1714-15 the Committee for laying out the township of Rutland, were instructed to do so "as near as may be in a Square Figure, but withal contigu- ous to the Line of the Towns of Lancaster, Worcester and Leominster if it reached so far," but this was found impossible, as it would not cover the tract purchased of the natives. They were, therefore, obliged to locate the town and "leave a slip of land too small for a township."
32
History of Princeton
of quite a number of large tracts within this area granted by the Province tended towards early settlements thereon, and it appears that for a few years the new comers pre- ferred locating near Lancaster, probably on account of the greater facility for travelling and the procuring of Supplies. The action of the Rutland proprietors in 1742, referred to above, was doubtless occasioned particularly by the pro- posed movement of Mr. Wilder hereafter described, and by the frequent grants made by the General Court of Province Land. Leaving for the present the East Wing, let us look at the history of some of the " Farmes contigu- ous to the East Wing," which contains much of interest and value and a record of the first settlers within the present limits of Princeton. A reference to the accompanying plan will make clear to the reader the location of the " Farmes " and the several grants hereafter described.
33
The Early Period
6
11
2
10
15
18
12
3
6
9
19
2
8
29
25
8
1
PLAN OF THE FARMS AS TRACED OUT BY MR. BLAKE.
I. Rutland East Wing.
2. Hubbardston.
3. Hubbardston Annex.
4. Westminster.
5. Leominster.
6. Sterling.
7. Rutland.
8. Stillriver.
9. Allen's.
10. Wachusett Mountain.
II. Kneeland's.
12. Drury's.
13. Willard's.
14. Notown.
15. Muzzey's.
16. Stevens'.
17. Potash.
18. Watertown Farms.
19. Mayhew.
20. Allen's.
21. Wilder's.
22. Brattle Farm.
23. Blagrove.
24. Loring Farm.
25. Hartwell's Meadow.
.
1
22
20
CHAPTER III THE FARMS ADJOINING
Province Grants. First in importance as to extent and value is the tract of 2000 acres known as, -
Watertown Farms. The origin of the name and the occasion of the grant are clearly established.
In 1637 the General Court granted to the town of Water- town " land to accommodate 50 or 60 families at the River that runs to Concord," but a controversy arose with the town of Sudbury concerning its location. The dispute was finally settled by the Court and the following order passed in May, 1651.
" Its ordred by this Court that Watertowne shall haue two thousand accors of land layd out neere Assabeth River, joyninge to the bound of Sudbury, in respect of such land as was wantinge to them, which was graunted them formerly by this Court, to be the bound of their towne, & that Capt. Willard & Lieut. Goodenow are appoynted to se this done & performed, & to make returne there of to this Court at theire next session, p'vided it be not p'judiciall to any former graunts." (Col. Record 3 : 235.)
No return of this Committee appears on the records of the Court, and the location of the grant was evidently neglected for many years.
The next mention of the subject on these records is in 1726, although it is probable that some previous attempts to secure the land were made by the town. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Watertown on the 14th of March 1725-6, it was " put to vote whether the Town will choose a Committee to Adress the great and General Court for a Sutable Track of Land to settle their young people on, and to endeavour the obtaining the former Grants which were made to Watertown that have not yett been Obtained, and the Vote past in ye Affirmative."
34
35
The Farms Adjoining
In December following a petition to the Court was presented by the towns of Watertown and Weston (the latter having been originally within the bounds of the former town) reciting in substance the above facts and stating that " the grants have not yet been taken up or satisfied." " And forasmuch as the Inhabitants are much straightened as to land so that many of them have been obliged to remove out and settle in other places," they prayed that a grant of Province Land might be made for their relief.
Not accomplishing their desire at this time another attempt was made in 1727, the Committee stating in their petition that " your petitioners have for many years past solicited your Honours even before the time of Limitation for settling Grants was expired, but have never yet been favored so far as to be allowed to survey the said additional Grant " and they " are once more Emboldened to lay their Case before your Honrs for your Wise and Just Considera- tion."
The only result of this appeal was a reference to the next session. Not to be baffled, however, the towns in June, 1728, repeated their request and this time it was favorably considered and a grant of two thousand acres of Province Land was made to them. This appears to have been satis- factory to the towns and in October following a survey was made of a tract "joining to the Great Watchusett Hill," which was Confirmed by the General Court, Sept. 25, 1729.
The bounds of this tract are given on the plan on file in the State Archives as follows: -
" South Westerly by Rutland line, every other way by Province Land, beginning at Rutland line N. 39 W. 840 perch on Rutland line, East 39 North 86 perch East 4 North 140 perch under great Watchusett, North 40 East 160 perch, East 35 South 654 perch and South 35 West 600 perch to Rutland line."
As Russell says the westerly line is " daintily deflected to exclude the mountain, and at the same time include all the valuable land at its base." This was not the only time
36
History of Princeton
the mountain was " left out in the cold " by Surveyors, and it was only when the first minister of the district secured it by gift from the Province that it was considered worth much of anything.
The accompanying plan 1 will give a general idea of the bound and location of this extensive tract, the western boundary of which extended more than two miles and a half.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made by Watertown to find a purchaser for it. In 1756 the three towns Water- town, Weston and Waltham, each then having an interest in the tract, voted to sell it, and although no record of the sale appears on the Watertown records, among the town files,1 however, is a report of a Committee dated the 12th of March, 1758, showing that they had been successful in disposing of it for £2005. (£802. Lawful money.) This sum was equally divided between the towns of Watertown, Weston and Waltham.
This conveyance was made to Josiah Coolidge by deed, dated the 27th of October, 1756 (recorded Worcester deeds, Vol. 38, page 207), and signed by Jonathan Bemis and others acting doubtless as agents for the towns, although not so stated in the deed. Very likely Mr. Coolidge the purchaser was acting in behalf of what would now be called a syndicate, but whether so or not, he, within a very few years, conveyed the whole tract, or what appears to be the whole area, to nine individuals as follows:
To John Samson . 180 acres.
Henry Spring, Jr. 100 acres.
Jeremiah Whittemore 264 acres. Benj. Brown 343 acres.
Henry Gale. 150 acres.
John Bullard. 190 acres.
John Mirick. 193 acres.
Lemuel Jones. 153 acres.
Amos Spring 391 acres.
1 See page 33.
37
The Farms Adjoining
making a total of 1964 acres. These parcels were after- wards in many cases subdivided among the first settlers of the district of Princeton. The whole tract appears to have been at some time surveyed and divided into lots, probably by direction of the above-named grantees, but we are not aware of any plans now in existence.
After prolon ged and persistent search through volumes of deeds recorded in Worcester Registry sufficient informa- tion was gained to enable the writer with the courteous suggestions of Albert C. Howe, Esq. (whose ancestor was early settled on lot number 14 still retained in the family), to determine the location of the " squadron lines " and make a plan of the whole which may be considered sub- stantially correct.
The story of how the " Farms " became a part of Prince- ton is told elsewhere.
Gardner's Farms. In endeavoring to trace the origin of the name of " Gardner's Farms " more time and labor have been expended than upon any other portion of this work and the results have been far less satisfactory.
A careful examination of the public records proved fruit- less, and the search was several times abandoned, only to be again renewed, as some possible clue to the mystery presented itself. Finally a plan bearing date of 1733 was found in Worcester Registry of Deeds (Vol. 32, page 116) describing a tract of 900 acres unappropriated land situated in what is now Leominster, and upon this plan " Willard's Farm" heretofore described was designated as "Gardner's Farm." This farm as has been stated was granted to the heirs of Rev. Joseph Willard, upon petition of Rev. Andrew Gardner, and in this way appears to have acquired the name of "Gardner's Farm." The title, however, appears not to have been confined to that farm of 200 acres alone, but embraced tracts on the west and north, probably with- out any well-defined limits. A portion of this territory with lands adjoining acquired subsequently the name of No Town, as it was for many years unappropriated land.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.