USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Shirley > History of the town of Shirley, Massachusetts, from its early settlement to A.D. 1882 > Part 61
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III. BENJAMIN, m. Jehodan Conant of Ipswich, pub. Oct. 4, 1795.
IV. DANIEL.
WOODS.
.
This is a very common New-England name, and is borne by one or more families in almost every town. Wood, Woods, (sometimes spelled Woodes,) are supposed to have one origin in "mother- land," and perhaps, at an early date of their immigrant settlement, in this country ; but they have been so long estranged as to now ignore all kinship. Mr. Butler, the historian of Groton, supposes that
87
690
HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
Samuel Woods, who was one of the first settlers of the territory out of which Groton, Shirley and Pepperell were constituted, was the common ancestor of all the families of the name that have been set- tled in these three towns. He and his wife, Alice, were in Groton as early as 1662 or 1663, he being one of the proprietors of the soil. He held an eleven acre lot. He had six children recorded at Groton, and may have had more.
Nathaniel Woods was one of his children, and was b. March 27, 1667, was m. to Alice - - -, and had twelve children. One of these,
Aaron Woods, was b. May 26, 1707, m. Sarah Boynton, April 3, 1739, and had two children, the youngest of whom,
Woods, Lemuel,4 (Aaron,3 Nathaniel,2 Samuel,1) was b. at Groton, Sept. 23, 1742, married Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Sarah (Wheelock) Holden of Shirley. He lived for a short time at Pepperell, but the largest part of his active life was passed in Shirley, where he probably died, though we have found no record of the time of his death. He had eight children :
I. SARAH, b. at Shirley, Jan. 16, 1769, m. William Sabine of Putney, Vt. She had five children, and d. at Malone, N. Y., March, 1855.
II. HANNAH, b. at Pepperell, Oct. 6, 1770, m. Elijah Whitney of Putney, Vt., and d. at Worcester, Vt. He had seven children.
III. MOLLY, b. at Shirley, June 10, 1772. She was twice m., (first) to Benjamin Warren of Shirley, March 12, 1794; he d .; she m. (second) Eleazer Robbins of Lancaster, Oct. 15, 1799. She d. at Cambridge, June 17, 1845, and was buried in the old cemetery at Shirley.
IV. STEPHEN, b. at Shirley, May 3, 1774, m. Asenath Shedd of Pepperell, March 14, 1798. He had seven children, and d. at Pepperell, June 1, 1824.
V. LYDIA, b. at Shirley, April 15, 1776. She was twice m., (first) to Jonas Pushaw of Pepperell, March 14, 1798 ; m. (second) James Marsters of Hinsdale, N. H., July 10, 1828. She had six children :
1. EDWARD, b. July 8, 1798.
2. SARAH, b. June 23, 1800.
3. ELIZA, b. June 10, 1802.
4. DANIEL, b. Dec. 9, 1804.
5. BENJAMIN, b. Sept. 28, 1806.
6. JOHN, b. July 11, 1808.
VI. EMMA, b. 1778, d. 1780.
1
691
GENEALOGY .- WOODS-WORCESTER.
VII. AARON, d. in infancy.
VIII. LEVI, b. at Shirley, May 19, 178-, m. Betsey Pratt of Brat- tleboro, Vt., lived in Chittendon, Vt., had five children.
Woods, Aaron. There are three intentions of marriage publications of Aaron Woods, on the town records of Shirley, between 1775 and 1786. This proves that one was published three times, at the periods named, or that more than one resided here at the time. We have found neither record nor tradition by which the mystery can be solved.
Aaron Woods of Shirley, pub. to Hannah Farnsworth of Harvard, "Oct. ye 27, 1775."
Aaron Woods of Shirley, pub. to Mary Brown of Boxborough,
"Aug. ye 1, 1785."
Aaron Woods of Shirley, pub. to Elizabeth Gates of Lancaster, "Dec. ye 2, 1786."
WORCESTER.
Worcester, William. On the 15Ist page of this history we have spoken of William Worcester as the first physician estab- lished in town ; that he remained here nearly three years, and then returned to Tewksbury, where he had previously lived, and where he probably died. He had twelve children, but one of whom was born at Shirley : +
SAMPSON, b. at Shirley, June 11, 1771. He was the eldest son of Dr. Worcester who lived to manhood, m. Phebe Willard of Sterling, 1795, d. at West Boylston, May 5, 1824. He had nine children :
1. WILLIAM, b. at Sterling, April 22, 1797, m. Sybil Leonard of West Boylston, March 30, 1819, d. at Barre, Dec. 19, 1845. He had seven children :
(I.) William, b. Aug. 18, 1821, d. March 30, 1822.
(2.) Mary Ann, b. March 18, 1823, m. Samuel Field of Barre, Aug. 30, 1843. She had three children : I. "Martha Ann," b. March 9, 1848, d. 1848; 2. "William," b. Feb. 2, 1850, d. 1853 ; 3. "Ida Frances," b. Aug. 15, 1853.
(3.) Martha Jane, b. April 30, 1825, m. Edwin Morse of Worcester, May 1, 1850. She has one child : I. "William Worcester," b. April, 1851.
(4.) Phebe' A., b. Jan. 22, 1827.
(5.) Adaline F., b. July 3, 1829, m. Azel W. Barber of Worces- ter, Nov. 23, 1850.
(6.) Clara M., b. Jan. 26, 1831, m. Joel Barber of Worcester, Oct. 5, 1850.
(7.) Sybil L., b. June 23, 1835.
692
HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
2. WILLARD, b. at Sterling, Nov. 24, 1798, m. Elvira Glazier of West Boylston, May 22, 1823, d. at Shirley, Sept. 9, 1860. He had two children :
(1.) Julia Ann, b. April 23, 1824, m. William Park of Shirley, April 3, 1845.
(2.) Albert Willard, b. at Shirley, Nov. 27, 1832, m. Amanda M. Little of Shirley, May 12, 1853.
3. CLARISSA, b. Jan. 24, 1801, m. John Smith, Feb. 15, 1825 ; she had three children :
(1.) Charles W., b. Nov. 21, 1826, d. 1828.
(2.) Charles W., b. Nov. 24, 1828, d. at Worcester, 1883. He had great energy of character, was of distinguished business ability, and abounded in charity and good works.
(3.) John Edwin, b. Aug. 21, 1832.
4. SAMPSON, b. at Sterling, Aug. 26, 1803. He was twice m., (first) to Betsey T. Goodale of West Boylston, Nov. 7, 1827 ; she d. March 12, 1839 ; he m. (second) Mary B. Davis of West Boylston. He had four children :
(1.) Almira F., b. May 26, 1829, m. E. B. Rice of Worcester, April 10, 1850.
(2.) Israel Sampson, b. Sept. 2, 1835.
(3.) Thomas Adams, b. March 10, 1842, d. July 16, 1842.
(4.) Mary Elizabeth, b. July 13, 1844.
5. PHEBE, b. July 31, 1805, r. West Boylston, unm.
6. CHARLES W., b. at Princeton, Aug. 23, 1808. He was twice m., (first) to Matilda Wright of Brookline, N. H .; she d. Aug. 28, 1849 ; he m. (second) Ellen H. Scillinger. He had two chil- dren, b. in Shirley :
(1.) Harriet A., b. Sept. 7, 1833, d. Sept. 9, 1834.
(2.) Harriet M., b. Nov. 27, 1835.
7. ADALINE, b. May 12, 1811, m. Eli W. Holbrook of West Boyls- ton. She has had two children :
(1.) Susan C., b. Dec. 29, 1837.
(2.) Emily M., b. May 12, 1842.
8. EMILY, b. Aug. 15, 1813, m. Horatio N. Bigelow, Sept. 24, 1834, r. Clinton (1880). She has had four children :
(I.) Emily M., b. Sept. 11, 1837, d. 1838.
(2.) Henry N., b. Oct. 6, 1839.
(3.) Emily, b. Aug. 4, 1845.
(4.) Charles, b. May 5, 1849.
9. BENJAMIN F., b. Aug. 17, 1818, d. March 17, 1819.
693
GENEALOGY.
The names of those who served in the war of Independence, from Shirley, will be found in the foregoing genealogical record, with the exception of seven, whose family connections are not known. They are here entered from the army rolls :
John Wason, Francis Williams, Titus Colburn, John Darling, John Kelley, Joseph Burkmer, John Dutch.
The following names of Shakers are not found in the foregoing pages of genealogy, and yet were adult citizens of the town previous to the year 1800. They are therefore inserted in this place :
Oliver Burt. He was their chief horticulturist, and to him the community were largely indebted for their success, in after years, as seed growers. He d. Nov. 24, 1834.
Daniel Clark, d. May 27, 1809.
Samuel Kilburn, d. Aug. 7, 1807.
Jonathan Kinney, d. Nov. 28, 1825.
Samuel Randall.
David Melvin, d. March 16, 1834.
Here closes the Genealogical Register, containing a record of all the families and most of the adult male residents of Shirley, from its earliest settlement down to 1801, of whom a record could by any means be discovered. The reader will find that the pedigrees of several of the families are given, in some cases going back to the immigrant settlers. We have tried to be accurate in names and dates ; but in a record like this strict accuracy will hardly be ex- pected. Hoping to be excused for all errors which the careful reader may detect, the work is respectfully submitted.
Since the work passed through the press, a few errors have been detected which will here be corrected :
Page 446, first line for Hannah read Jane.
Page 535, sixth line from the bottom, for Lilly read Lilla.
Page 536, second line from the top, for Stephen Laroy read Stephen Leroy. Ninth line from top, on same page, for Marette read Marrette.
APPENDIX.
A. (See page 20.)
William Shirley was the governor of Massachusetts from 1740 to 1753-4, and, as the district which bears his name received its act of incorporation during his administration, it has been supposed that he was one of the grantees of the soil. This, however, is not true. Tradition also declares that he personally visited the town, and planted some trees as a memorial of his visit; and, that he gave to its inhabitants a bell for their church, which they lost through the faithlessness of the agent to whose care the gift was entrusted. But these.traditions rest upon no other than imaginary foundations. 'The most consistent view that we can take of the subject is that the town received its name from the man who happened at the time to be chief magistrate of the colony.
Like most of the English official residents of New England, Gov. Shirley entertained but little respect for our congregational forms of church government. On the contrary, he was a devoted adherent of the Anglican church, and if sectarian munificence will prove one's character benevolent, the governor was a man of benevolence. He was one of the largest proprietors of " King's Chapel " in Boston. In I749, when that edifice, now called "Stone Chapel," was erected, Gov. Shirley laid the corner-stone, with imposing ceremonies ; and at his death, in 1771, his remains were deposited in a vault beneath its aisles, with those of his wife, and tablets to their memory have been placed in niches of the inner wall. Much effort and some sacrifice were required at this period to sustain this first attempt, in New England, to establish the claims of Episcopacy in the midst of opposing Puritans ; and had this attempt been a failure, its cause would have been seriously impaired in Boston, and throughout the entire Eastern States.
B. (See page 21.)
"By accident or otherwise the westerly line of 'Stow Leg' was, for a long time, not an exact continuance of the west line of Groton, but inclined a little to the east from Groton old corner to Lunenburg
696
HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
corner. This variation was not noticed by the selectmen of Lunen- burg and Shirley in their perambulations of the line ; and they passed from the bound at the south-west corner of Stow Leg, a straight line to the bound in Groton line at Squannacook river, leaving the bound of old Groton south-west corner about five and a half rods to the west of the straight line."*
This error robbed Shirley of several acres of valuable territory, which included the dwelling-house of one of its farmers. It therefore became an object to have it rectified. Accordingly the Legislature was petitioned to establish the boundary line between Shirley and Lunenburg, as originally designed, viz., to commence at "Groton old corner," and from thence run to an established monument at the south-east corner of Townsend. After repeated trials and defeats, the prayer of the petitioners was granted at the session of 1848.
The success which attended this movement and secured to Shirley its just rights was greatly owing to the unwearied efforts of Hon. L. M. Parker, who made an elaborate report of the whole case, which report has been entered upon the records of the town.
C. (See page 21.)
Before dismissing the subject of settling the limits of the town, allusion should be made to an attempt for an enlargement of territory by removing the western boundary still further west toward Lunen- burg Centre. This would give a more regular form to the town, and serve to assist the interests of its inhabitants. Accordingly, about the year 1754, a petition was sent to the Legislature, praying that one mile of the territory of Lunenburg be annexed to Shirley ; but owing to the fact that county lines would be disturbed, as well as town boundaries, the project failed. And the failure prevented the ordina- tion of the first minister, who had offered himself as a candidate for settlement ; to which allusion is made in another part of this history.
D. (See page 51.)
After the Phoenix mill was completed and rented, the proprietors obtained permission of the agent to dedicate the building by a religious meeting, in the Shaker form, in one of its spacious rooms. The dedication took place May 17, 1851. The following account of the services is abridged from the Daily Evening Standard, pub- lished in New Bedford :
"The United Believers who assembled on the occasion consisted of the principal of the Shirley Shakers, with a large number who were invited from the society in Harvard, numbering from one hundred and fifty to two hundred persons, of high respectability, distinguished for their neatness, benevolence and industry, as well as for their pecu- liar manner of worship. The services were opened by one of the
*See L. M. Parker's report in town records of Shirley.
697
APPENDIX.
leading elders-William H. Wetherbee. He addressed his fellow- worshippers substantially as follows :
" 'Brethren and Sisters :- The occasion of our meeting this morn- ing, is somewhat out of our usual course ; but I hope and trust that all who are present have come in the fear of God, in the true spirit of humiliation and dependence, and with a desire to be benefited.
"'We have come here to invoke the blessing of God upon this place. I feel as though we had met here in the presence of God and his holy angels, and although this is not designed as a place of worship, yet on this occasion I believe God is here, and that he may be worshipped here to-day, in spirit and in truth. I hope that none have come looking for any great thing, and if any have come with any such motive they will be disappointed. We have come here as the servants of God, to seek his favor and blessing, and that our meeting may be productive of good results is my earnest desire.'
"This address was followed by an original hymn sung by the con- gregation. Lorenzo Dow Grosvenor, an elder from Harvard, then addressed the assembly. He earnestly recommended his hearers to cultivate the disposition of brotherly love in all parties, to worship with fervency of spirit and obey the dictations of those heavenly mes- sengers by whom he felt confident they were surrounded. A part of his remarks were something like the following :
" 'Our friends who are accustomed to see meetings for various purposes organized by choice of president, secretary, etc., may per- haps be looking for something of this sort to-day ; therefore, for your satisfaction we will just remark, that we consider our meeting organized as usual, by submitting the control of the same to none other than the "Bishop of Souls," and for the secretary we trust to the "Recording Angel." Most sincerely do I hope that the report will be such that we shall all be happy to pass the same under our review at any future period of our existence. The Lord help us to move under the influence of a right spirit. In conclusion he recom- mended prayer, in which they all united, kneeling in silence, vocal prayer not being very common among them. A more beautiful and solemn scene is seldom witnessed than that presented by so many persons kneeling in silence, in an open space. After the lapse of a few moments they all arose and sung a hymn. * * * *
"They then proceeded in their usual manner by marching to quick songs. Some thirty or more who seemed to be singers, formed an oval facing each other, and the rest marched around them two deep, making one circle within another ; after a while the inside circle faced around and marched in the opposite direction from the outside column. At the close of this exercise they took their seats in nearly the same form 'they at first stood in ranks, when Elder Grosvenor briefly explained the views and principles of the society, introducing the subject of social communities, etc. He was followed by Elder William Leonard, who discussed the community principle at length, showing their organization into communities to be the true Christian
88
698
HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
foundation, showing from the predictions of the prophets and the teachings of the apostles, that they were living up to the example of primitive days, giving also reasons why so many attempts had failed, and that this society had stood for more than sixty years.
" After singing an original poem, from the prolific muse of L. D. Grosvenor, the meeting was adjourned until one o'clock P. M., giving an intermission of one hour. At the time appointed the people re-assembled, and seated themselves in the order of their religious usage, and opened their meeting with singing a hymn.
"The short address, preceding the active worship, then followed, and the brethren and sisters arranged themselves in order for a march or dance, which they entered upon with renewed spirit. Several brief addresses were then made by persons of both sexes, who confidently affirmed that they had received, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, that which flesh and blood had not revealed unto man. Among the females was Mrs. A. D. Cook, who is distinguished for her gift in public speaking. Her subject was directed to the leveling system, in a short and comprehensive manner, and was listened to with the most profound attention by the audience.
"The meeting was closed at four o'clock P. M. The services were conducted by William H. Wetherbee as Elder, and Jonas Nutting as Deacon, who discharged the duties assigned in a manner highly cred- itable to themselves, and to the great satisfaction of the spectators. During the exercises several songs were sung, accompanied by solemn marches, in their peculiar manner, which added much interest to the occasion."
To this account from the New Bedford Standard, it may be added that aside from the devotional exercises, the most important feature of the service was the long address by Elder Grosvenor. He was, at the time, their most ready speaker, and was prized by his brethren as one "whom they delighted to honor." He devoted his speaking energies to the dogmatic support of his faith, while he aimed that his life should be a practical commentary on the value of that faith. His discourse was printed. Elder Grosvenor has since absolved his connection with the Shakers, and is now "a man of the world."
D. (See page 52.)
In 1868 the firm of C. W. & J. E. Smith was formed, and that of Levi Holbrook & Co. dissolved, by the transfer of the interest of the Messrs. Holbrook in the Fredonia mill to J. E. Smith ;- the firm having previously consisted of Levi and E. W. Holbrook and Charles W. Smith, (not C. W. Holbrook as stated on page 49.) Mr. C. W. Smith died March 3, 1883, and J. E. Smith continues the responsible head and manager of the business of both the Fredonia and Phoenix mills.
699
APPENDIX.
E. (See page 66.)
Within about three months from the time of this conflagration Mr. Reed, who held the office of first selectman of the town at the time and who was noted for his personal enterprise, died, after a short sickness, leaving a young widow and four children to mourn his early departure.
F. (See page 68.)
The Shakers furnish their school-room-which is a neat and hand- somely-supplied structure-without any expense to the town.
G. (See page 69.)
In the autumn of 1853 this school was furnished with an apparatus for illustrating physical science. It was raised by the subscriptions of the following named persons, who organized themselves into an asso- ciation, called "The Shirley Philosophical Apparatus Company."
The stock of the company was divided into shares and half-shares, at ten dollars per share. The half-share owners were entitled to one vote, and the shareholders to two votes. The apparatus is kept in a case prepared for the purpose, and is located in the school-room under the town-hall.
SHARE HOLDERS.
Oliver Howe, Thomas Whitney, Charles Chandler, George A. Whitney, George Page, William A. Wild, T. M. Wellington, Stephen Roberts.
HALF-SHARE HOLDERS.
L. M. Parker, James Longley, J. C. Hartwell, Seth Chandler, Zenas Brown, D. L. Chandler, Jonas Holden, T. E. Whitney, Thomas J. Hazen, J. K. Going, George Chandler.
H. (See page 70.)
Since the year 1841 the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education has prepared and appended to his annual report, grad- uated tables, showing the amount each town raises, in money, for each of its pupils between the ages of five and fifteen years ; the average amount raised for each child in the commonwealth between those ages, and the rank which each town holds, as compared with the other towns in the state, there being in all three hundred and thirty- nine towns.
From these tables the following has been compiled, showing how the amount appropriated to each pupil by Shirley compares with the
700
HISTORY OF SHIRLEY.
average amount appropriated by the state. The comparative rank which the town holds, with the other towns, is also appended.
1841. State raised $2.71 Town raised $2.26 Grade of the town, 177
1842.
2.84
66
2.84
66
60
66
58
1843.
66
66
2.59
66
60
2.70
66
66
66
68
1844. 66
66
2.91
66
66
2.39
66
66
66
66
89
1846.
66
3.04
66
66
60
2.80
66
60
66
82
1849.
66
66
3.87
66
66
3.25-5
66
66
66
65
1850.
4.52
66
3.75-6
66
66
66
87
1852.
1853.
66
4.95-7
4.28-6
66
66
66
98
1855.
66
66
6.14-9
66
4.28-6
66
66
66
94
1856.
66
5.36-1
66
4.61-5
66
66
98
1857.
66
66
5.48-6 "
66
3.89-6
66
66
66
I60
1859.
66
66
6.34
66
66
5.22-I
66
66
81
1861.
66
66
6.57
66
66
5.90-9
66
66
64
1867.
66
66
7.96
66
66
7.40-7
66
66
266
1869.
66
66
10.02-2
66
5.50-6
66
66
66
220
1870.
66
11.61-9
66
66
6.00-6
66
66
66
264
1872.
66
66
66
14.70-3
10.03-7
66
66
66
92
1875.
66
66
15.07
66
II.71-4
66
66
66
94
1878.
66
13.73-4
66
66
11.60-4
66
66
66
88
1879.
66
66
66
66
9.36-3
66
66
66
I53
1 880.
66
66
13.81-3
66
11.36-4
66
66
66
9I
1881.
66
66
13.59-2
9.07-8
66
66
192
66
66
66
7.36
66
66
5.96-4
66
66
66
75
1868.
66
66
10.95-I
66
4.84-3
66
66
66
289
1871.
1873.
66
14.84-5
66
66
11.55-4
66
66
66
105
1876.
66
14.83-3
66
66
II.83-6
66
66
1877.
66
66
II.82-8
66
6.53-6
66
66
66
150
1874.
66
5.82-9
66
66
4.27-6
4.72-7
3.70-4
66
66
66
245
1863.
66
60
6.04
66
66
4.92-4
66
66
IO2
1 860.
66
I27
1862.
6.57
66
66
5.20
66
5I
1865.
6.49
66
5.65-2
66
66
59
I866.
6.55
66
66
3.66-9
66
66
85
1851.
4.71
4.54
66
66
66
3.98-2
66
66
I27
1847. 66
3.14
3.54
2.95
66
66
66
80
1848.
66
66
2.99
2.52
2.36
3.44-8
136
94
1854.
1858.
66
I42
104
1864.
6.15
9.14-8
4.45-9
I. ( See page 90.)
There is a genuine anecdote connected with the life of Mr. Heze- kiah Spaulding that is worthy of preservation, as it shows most forci- bly the power of an aroused conscience.
66
12.11-5
99
14.33-5
13.55-7
66
248
4.76
66 106
1845.
701
APPENDIX.
Soon after he was settled on his farm, when money was scarce and 'very hardly attained, and when every dollar was appraised at its full value, Mr. Spaulding lost a package containing twelve silver dollars. This was to him a severe loss at a period when all he possessed was the result of personal toil, and when his real estate was burdened by debt. His neighbors joined him in a most thorough search for the missing treasure, spending many a weary hour in what proved a hope- less effort. The disappointed man was finally forced to believe that his lost money could never be recovered. Months and years rolled away, and although he did not forget his loss, he ceased to mourn the departure of what the blessing of God on his own labors enabled him soon to supply.
A few years since, when the Second Advent excitement was at its height in this vicinity, a convert to the Miller faith, who had always lived in the neighborhood of Mr. Spaulding's home, came to him and confessed that he had found the money, soon after its loss-that he was fully apprised, from the first, of the anxiety of the loser, and of his long efforts to recover it, yet his selfishness blinded him to a sense of duty and enabled him to overcome the upbraidings of con- science for all those years. He penitently asked the forgiveness of his injured neighbor, restored to him the principal, that he had holden so long, and promised that he would soon remit the interest.
Mr. Spaulding kindly forgave his injurer and although he revealed the fact, kept the name of the offender from the public ear during his life.
K. (See page 121.)
In the summer of 1775 a demand was made by the Provincial Congress, on the towns of Massachusetts, for thirteen thousand coats for the use of the patriot army then engaged in the siege of Boston. The coats were to be of "good plain cloth, preference to be given to that of home manufacture,"-were to be "made in the common plain way, without lappels, short, and with small folds, and faced with the same kind of cloth of which they were made ;" and the selectmen of the several towns were required to cause a certificate to be sewed to the inside of each coat, purporting from what town it came, by whom the coat was made, and, if the cloth was manufactured in this country, by whom it was manufactured. The committee of supplies were directed to apportion the coats on the towns by a schedule made in accordance with the last provincial tax,-the coats to be de- livered on or before the first day of October following; and the committee to cause them to be "buttoned with pewter buttons, those of each regiment respectively to have buttons with the same number stamped upon the face of them."
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