USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1704 to 1876, including Grafton until 1735, Millbury until 1813 and parts of Northbridge, Upton and Auburn > Part 17
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She married Deacon Ansel Holman, and lived near Slatersville, Rhode Island. She had three beautiful children, two daughters and a son. She, like her mother, died of
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consumption, and all her children soon followed her by the same disease. She is spoken of by those who knew her as being quite as eminent in virtue and piety as in beauty.
The fourth, Peter Holland, married Hannah Putnam and had two children; the present Peter Holland, and Abbie. who married Abiel Newton and died soon after.
The fifth, Waters Putnam, jr., married Jane Putnam, daughter of John, jr., and Nancy, third wife of his father. The sixth, Andrew Jackson, kept tavern with his brother Marble and by himself. He died at Hopkinton. His widow married Mr. Mitchell, who has just built the new house near the school house.
"Captain Peter" married for his second wife Ruth E. Waters from New Braintree. She had four children. Ruth died young. Edwin kept tavern several years; is now engaged in the manufacture of organs at Brattleborough, Vermont. He has quite a family. His wife had three pairs of twins in succession. 4 Solon went to California; returned and died single. Elizabeth married George Gibson and now lives in Oxford.
For his third wife he married Nancy, widow of John Putnam, jr. They had two daughters. Frances married Asa P. Dodge. Sarah married John R. Humes.
Captain Peter Putnam held many town offices and repre- sented the town in the legislature. After his death, the Gould place was bought by Newell Sherman, a local preacher and shoemaker.
The house where John R. Humes now lives was originally owned by a man by the name of Prince, who is supposed to have built it. But little is known of him.
His wife was an invalid. Elder Lamson called, to see her and proposed prayers, asking what he should pray for. She answered, "I don't know; ask Prince." So he said: "Mr. Prince, what shall I pray for?" Prince answered, "Her death, to be sure." She took courage and recovered, but you can ima- gine the embarrassment of Brother Lamson at the strange request.
Peter Putnam, son of Edward, born May 16, 1757, bought the farm of Prince ; and, after repairing and enlarg- ing the house, lived here many years. He married Sarah Marble, born in Sutton, January 31, 1760. Their children
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were Sarah, who married Moses Sibley, born where Staun- ton died, and had Sarah, Moses, Ellen and Huldah. She married for second husband Joseph Richardson of Auburn. Peter, jr., Fanny and Persis, already mentioned. Peter Putnam, sen., died November 22, 1827, very suddenly, while dining at Sherman's tavern.
Captain Peter Putnam lived here after his father's death, and his mother died here October 14, 1842. He and his second wife both died here. His widow, Nancy, now lives in this house.
After moving he used the old Gould house as a store-house, granary, etc. Two old men, Daniel Leonard and Wm. Cannon took lodgings in one of the lower rooms, while the garret was stored with all the usual garret accumulations, such as empty barrels, boxes, etc., besides some two hundred and fifty or three hundred bushels of corn on the ear, which was spread on the floor to dry.
In the dead of night, when these old men were fast asleep in the lower rooms of this old two-story house, the door at the head of the stairs, as well as the cellar door in the entry below, both standing open, the garret floor gave way, spilling its entire contents on the single floor directly over their heads, while the crawling corn went rattling down both flights of stairs to the very cellar, giving the poor old sleepers such a scare as is more easily imagined than described.
Leonard, who was a little, spry old man, caught his pants and went for Captain Putnam, crying, "Come! come! Captain! The devil to pay at the old house! I guess, but I don't know, I kinder calculate, I don't know, but the devil got Cannon. Come quick, Captain ! come as quick as you can!" "Captain Peter" aroused, lighted his lantern, and started for the old house. On his way they met Cannon, who, as he was trying to adjust his pants, which, in his trepidation, he had got on wrong side foremost, said, "I come tu, Captain; I thought the devil got Leonard, I couldn't find him no- where." When the Captain arrived and saw the work he thought it a wonder that the old fellow did not get them both. Cannon was a little deaf. One working in the field with him, on a cloudy day, said to him: "Mr. Cannon, do you think it is going to rain?" He answered : "I don't care if I do, a drop." But it was not eleven, and the grog was not there. He hurt one of his thumbs, so that the bone rotted out and made him sick for several weeks. For a year or more after it got well he wore a cot on it, and to the salutation of Good morning, Mr. Cannon, would invariably stick up his thumb and say : "Jes as tender as ye eye."
The house now owned by Nathan Tueker was built by Nathaniel Sibley for Dennis Murphy, about 1853. Sold by Murphy to Tucker in 1873.
The house now owned by Miss Bennett was owned, and perhaps built, by James Sibley ; then by John Carriel, a
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teamster between Sutton and Boston. He becane lame and is remembered as walking with a wooden shovel for a staff; he died here.
After his death Deacon Aaron Elliot bought the place, and married the widow for his second wife. His son Aaron lived here, after marrying the widow Spade for his second wife, several years. He died here. Luther Goddard was the next owner ; he was a cooper by trade, and had a shop opposite the house, where he carried on quite an extensive business. He had two children, Francis, and Jane, who married a Winter, and is a widow now.
The house now owned by Parley Putnam was built by Asa Putnam for Asa, jr., in 1816. It was next owned by Darius Putnam, then by Sumner, then by Joseph H. Putnam, now * by Parley, who built the new barn.
Phineas Lovett once lived in this house; his brother Moses died here. Moses was the father of Samuel Lovett of Lovettville, East Douglas.
The house now owned by Joseph Hall Putnam, was built by Asa Putnam for his brother Col. John Putnam, who mar- ried Mary, daughter of Rev. David Hall, D. D. His son, Joseph Hall Putnam, was the next owner. He married for his first wife Nancy Blandon, and had Sullivan, Sumner and Parley. For his second wife he married Waitey Blackman, born in Scituate, R. I., March 22, 1798, died here November 26, 1842. She had Nancy Ann, and Emeline, who married Joshua Lackey. Joseph Hall Putnam, sen., was born in the house opposite, and died here January 6, 1870, aged eighty- nine years, nine months. He was peculiar in his salutations. No matter what the time of day, he said, " Good morning, sir. Where ye goin'? What ye goin' there for?" He left a large estate.
When his son Sumner was about eighteen, he sent him to Oxford to learn to maké sale shoes; after remaining there three months he returned. His father built him a little shop and told him to go in and work at his trade; he would give him his board and clothes, and he might have all he could earn. So Sumner worked early and late, putting his earnings at interest. Consequently when he died he left twenty-five thousand dollars honestly earned in this school-district.
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He married Susan Dudley and had two children, Edwin and Louise. Edwin was drowned. Louise married E. E. Burdon, and lived but a short time. Sumner Putnam was a man much respected. He was one of the selectmen several years, and a member of the first Congregational church.
The farm, containing about sixty acres, was next inherited by Sullivan Putnam, and now by his son, Joseph Hall Put- nam.
The house now owned by Peter H. Putnam was the old homestead of his and his wife's ancestors. It was built by Edward Putnam, whose twelve children were born here. His son Asa was next owner, then Asa's son David, who had but one son, Bradford, born here August 11, 1817, married Harriet Sibley, born in Oxford, July 9, 1821. They had
RESIDENCE OF PETER PUTNAM.
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one daughter, Harriet Augusta, born April 18, 1841. She married Peter Holland Putnam (son of Peter H., son of Peter, son of Peter, son of Edward), July 6, 1862.
Bradford died September 16, 1856. His daughter inherited this place on the death of her grandfather, David Putnam. He was a Justice of Peace, and remarkable for his calmness. He held his share of town offices and represented the town in the legislature. The beautiful new- barn on the place was built by Peter H. Putnam in 1876. The farm contains about 100 acres. All of Col. John Putnam's children were born in this house.
The house now owned by Leonard Dodge is supposed to have been built by Enos Buxton. Asa Putnam bought it of Enos Buxton, jr., in 1805. It was then an old-fashioned, long-roofed house. He immediately made it upright and put it in its present form. Asa Putnam had a large family, all respectable. His son Asa now lives in Connecticut. His son Darius married Sally Putnam, and had two sons. One of his daughters, Delia, married Capt. Parley Howard, and died without issue. Rachel married John Rich, jr., and had two daughters. Rebecca married Maynard Dodge, and had one son ; she died soon after. Julia married Leonard Dodge, and had three children. Julia, born October 14, 1832, mar- ried Andrew J. Morse, died January 25, 1854. Richard Leonard, born Oct. 22, 1834, married Sarah Ann Fairbanks ; now lives in Oxford. Asa Putnam Dodge, born Sept. 13, 1836, married Frances A. Putnam.
The commodious new barn on the place was built by Leonard Dodge in 1862. He came in possession of the farm, containing ninety acres, in 1845.
The estate now owned by Newell Lackey was originally owned by Stephen Harwood. It was next owned by Solo- mon Stockwell, who lived in the old Harwood house which has been taken down.
The oldest house, now standing on the place, was built by Solomon Stockwell for his son Peter, who occupied it many years until his death. Peter Stockwell married Huldah Putnam, daughter of John. They had nine children, all dead but John P. and Sylvanus, who lives at Anoka, Minn.
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A daughter of Solomon Stockwell married Amos Bigelow ; he was sixteen and she fourteen years of age when married.
The new house where Mr. Lackey now lives was built by Peter Stockwell for his son Sylvanus, in 1850. It was sold to Asa Dodge and by him to Lackey.
On the road from Lackey's to Le Beau's there stood a small house owned and occupied by Oliver Sibley.
On the same road stands an old house owned by Mr. Bolster. Charles Putnam, son of Aaron, once lived there. Christopher Ambler lived there, then Abner Putnam, son of David, son of Deacon Cornelius ; he married a daughter of Archelaus, son of Edward, and had a large family. Among them were Sally, Amy, Harvey, Ruth, Archelaus, Dexter and Lawson. His daughter, Mrs. Newton. afterwards owned it. Then Thomas Hill, now Bolster.
On the place where Mr. Le Beau now lives, Levi Fuller first settled ; he came from Attleboro. It was next owned by his son Amos, then by Amos' son, Rufus Fuller; then by his brother, Elisha Fuller; then by William Dudley ; next by Parley Putnam ; then by Patrick Roach and now by Mr. Le Beau. The old house was taken down and the present new cottage built by Mr. Le Beau. The farm con- tains about fifty acres. On it is located the Fuller burying place.
The house where Joseph Wilcox now lives was built by Elder Turner Fuller; after his death the estate was sold to Leonard Logee, and by him to Zebina Day; after his death Joseph Wilcox bought it. He married Huldah, daughter of Elder Turner Fuller. The Rev. Willard Fuller was born in the part of this house which was moved from the Levi Fuller place prior to its removal.
Elder Turner Fuller was a Free-will Baptist, and held meetings regularly in this house for years. He was quite a revivalist, and many persons were converted here, among them his son Willard, afterwards an elder. Willard built a church, almost with his own hands, near Manchaug Pond, where he preached for years, and where many were converted.
There was at one time a little controversy among the brethren concerning the paying for the lime with which the church was plastered. As the discus- sion began to wax warm, the Elder, with tears in his eyes, arose and rebuked them in this wise: "Friends and brethren, I am led to believe we are getting
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the Christianity pretty much all out of our religion in these days. Will some one lead in prayer?" They all prayed and the lime matter was soon amicably settled.
Elder Turner Fuller was a comb-maker by trade, yet he worked on his farm and preached the Gospel. His first wife was a Buxton, his second a Ford.
Joseph Wilcox was born in Whitingham, Vermont, July 27, 1803. He had two sons and two daughters. One of his daughters married Henry B. Bullard.
Ransom Bolster's house was built by Lewis Putnam near his father's house ; sold to John Rich, jr., by him to Anson Nicholas, moved by him to present site. Titus Robbins lived there several years. Bolster bought of Nicholas.
Ransom C. Bolster was born in Burrillville, Rhode Island, Sept. 2, 1826, married Eliza Ann Donaldson, born in Bos- ton, Feb. 12, 1841. They have one son, William Robert, born in Sutton, Dec. 25, 1859.
The place where John Bennett now resides was first settled by Deacon Cornelius Putnam. His son Bartholomew lived in the large old house recently torn down by Mr. Bennett, supposed to have been built by his father. Bar- tholomew married a daughter of Edward Putnam. Their son Lewis, and Asa Stearns were the next owners ; they sold to John Rich, jr., he to Leonard Logee ; after his death the estate was bought by John Bennett, the present owner, who has just built a new house and barn.
Dr. H. P. Stearns, son of Asa and Mary (Putnam) Stearns, a distinguished physician and surgeon, was born in the old house on this place, April 18, 1828. When six years of age, he removed with his parents to Shrewsbury ; entered Yale College in 1849, graduated in 1853, studied medicine one year in Harvard University, then returned to Yale and graduated from the medical department of that college in 1855. He immediately went abroad and spent between one and two years, mostly in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the prosecution of medical studies; returned to this country and settled in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1859; was commissioned as- surgeon of the first regiment Connecticut volunteers, April 18, 1861. After three months' service he was commissioned surgeon of the United States volunteers,
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and ordered to report to General U. S. Grant, then in com- ·mand of the southwestern district of Missouri, with head- quarters at Cairo, Illinois. He remained on his staff during the winter of 1861 and 1862, and afterwards was constantly in the service, as medical director in the field, or of the United States general hospitals. At the close of the war was medical director of all the United States general hos- pitals at Nashville, Tennessee and vicinity; was in the service four years and four months in all, and retired with rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel. He was in general practice of medicine in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1866 to 1873; was then appointed superintendent of the Retreat for the Insane at Hartford, which position he still fills with distinguished ability.
The house now occupied by George Bennett was first owned by Archelaus Putnam, then by his son Aaron, then by Samuel Waters, who married Aaron's daughter Rebecca ; then by Archelaus Putnam, son of Abner; then by Charles Walker, who built a new house about 1837 ; then by Brad- ford Putnam, who died there ; then by Joseph H. Putnam, now by George Bennett.
On the site where George Ray now resides, Leonard Dodge built a house in 1834, where he lived until 1840. All his children were born here. He sold the place to his brother Willard, who lived here till his death. The house built by Leonard was burned 1862. The present house was built by Willard in 1863, bought by George Ray in 1869. Mr. Dodge had three wives ; first Huldah Sibley, second Fanny Bigelow, who had one beautiful daughter who lived to womanhood, married and died soon after of consumption. He married for third wife Widow Cadwell.
A young man, son of John Dodge, committed suicide by hanging in Willard's barn. He was a fine young man, and his death caused great excitement and sorrow in the family and neighborhood.
The house where George Keith now lives was built by Josiah Dodge for his daughter Nancy, born Sept. 5, 1799. She married Simeon Keith, born in Uxbridge, July 7, 1797. They had two sons and several daughters. The estate now
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belongs to his son George. Simeon Keith has been treasurer and collector of this town, and was constable for several. years. Mrs. Keith left his bed while he was asleep, went down and fell into the well, where she was drowned, August 5, 1860. Her fall awoke her husband, who went to her assistance, but she died before he could get her out of the water. Whether she was asleep or awake when the accident happened, no one knows. Charity would suggest somnam- bulism. She was a good wife and a kind mother.
The place where George Putnam now lives was built by Jonathan Carriel. It was afterward occupied by Dr. Free- land ; then bought by Daniel Marble ; after Mr. Marble's death it was owned by Darius Putnam. It now belongs to his heirs : he died here. His widow married Tourtellott Inman, Esq., who lived here several years, and now lives with his son in Medford. He voted for Hayes and Wheeler last. fall, being in his one hundredth year.
Daniel Marble married for his first wife Ruth Woodbury. They had three sons. Charles lived and died in Hartland. Vt., where he raised a family.
For his second wife he married Polly Harback and had four children, two sons and two daughters.
Daniel Marble was one of the best farmers in town. He was rather noted for raising fine stock. His farm was under a high state of cultivation. His fences were well cared for, and no bush or noxious weed allowed to fringe his mowing lots or fields. He was for many years a drover. He and his son Daniel bought many droves of cattle for the Brighton market, and were for a time very prosperous, but at last they met with heavy losses, which so embar- rassed them as to cause a failure. Just as the crash came, his beautiful twin daughters, Ruth and Polly, the pride and idol of his heart, were taken sick and died. The property gone, the daughters dead, the family hope seemed crushed forever. The wife and sons sought solace in the intoxicating cup, thereby adding the last killing weight to the bending back of the poor overloaded father. Until then he had been scrupulously nice to shave and keep himself in trim. But now his razor is laid aside, his personal appearance neglected, and he goes a mourning pilgrim to his grave. One of his neighbors asked him why he did not shave. His answer was, "I've been shaved too much already."
After the death of Mr. Marble, the Rev. John Walker lived in this house. He was a truly good man. His six children went to school in this district and were among the best scholars. One of his sons, Harvey D., graduated at college, and is now president of a college in Pennsylvania.
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The estate containing ninety-three acres now owned by Herman A. Kimmel, was originally owned by Nathaniel Carriel, who built the old long-roofed house taken down by his successor, Josiah Dodge, who bought the place of the Carriel heirs in 1818. Mr. Dodge built a new house in 1822. He also built the present beautiful house in 1832. But little can be learned of Mr. Carriel. He was father of Mrs. Huldah Dodge, who was born here. She married Josiah Dodge May 24, 1796, and died May 24, 1858, aged eighty-two years three months. Her mother committed suicide by hanging in the old house. She hung herself with a knot of yarn of her own spinning ; it was fastened to a shingle nail so slightly driven that it fell to the floor when she was taken down. She was a Prime. Several of her descendants have seemed to inherit her morbid state of mind, and put an end to their own life.
Mr. Dodge had property by inheritance, and added to it by his industry. He used to say to his boys, " We must keep striking at it, or we shan't earn anything." He was a member of the first Congregational church. He died here Sept. 22, 1848, aged seventy-nine. Israel Adams Dodge succeeded his father, and sold the estate to Herman A. Kim- mel in 1874. I. A. Dodge has held many town offices, and is much respected by the people. His last office was town clerk.
The Elliot Place was first settled by Joseph Elliot.
When he first came to take possession, he was accompanied by two or three young men who came to see the place. After they left, finding himself all alone in the dense wood, he sat down on a large stone up towards where the barn now stands, and wept like a child. After relieving himself in this way, he aroused his manhood, seized his axe, and commenced felling the trees. He soon had a respectable opening; after which he cultivated the land, built him a house, married Jerusha Fuller, and raised an honorable family. The old house, now down. stood near the stone on which he wept.
The present house was built by Deacon Aaron Elliot, next owned by his son, Capt. James T. Elliot, then by his sons, Gustavus and Joseph Fuller Elliot ; sold by them out of the Elliot family. Joseph Wilcox, jr., owned the part now belonging to Salem Shaw. The main farm was sold to Alvan Putnam in 1876. Deacon Aaron Elliot married a
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Taylor, daughter of James Taylor. His sons were Aaron, jr. and James Taylor. One daughter married Zelek Darling.
Aaron Elliot, jr., was a scythe maker, and his scythes were genuine, of the best of temper. He could not only make a scythe, but he knew how to use one. He swung a scythe four feet long, and no one attempted to out-mow him. He mowed an acre, on a wager, quicker than an expert could rake it. He was athletic. He said that when he was sixteen years old, the water being hard at the house, they had to bring water for washing from a well some thirty rods away. So he took a common cider barrel, of thirty-two gallons capacity, down to the well, filled it with water, drove in the bung, shouldercd the barrel, took the wooden tunnel in one hand, and carried them both to the house.
Aaron Elliot, jr., had two wives and a large family of chil- dren. He was born here Dec. 1, 1768, and died on Putnam Hill. He married Bettey Putnam, born April 14, 1783. His son Aaron, born March 5, 1801, was killed by the bursting of a grindstone in Oxford, March 27, 1833. He married Maria Putnam, daughter of Capt. Francis Putnam, born in Sutton, June 28, 1796. They had six children.
Deacon Elliot was one of the largest land-holders in Sutton. He sold the water power to Mr. Congdon who built the first factory at Manchaug. Aaron, jr., had a scythe shop there before the factory was built. Capt. James T. Elliot married Submit Baylies, daughter of Deacon Baylies of Uxbridge ; they had seven children, all born on this place. He built the large barn now standing there.
EIGHT LOTS, DISTRICT NO. 3.
The Dike farm was first settled by Daniel Dike, who had several sons living at his decease ; one of his sons, Anthony Dike, succeeded him on the farm.
He was in the revolutionary war, and after obtaining leave of absence to come home and attend to his business on the farm for a few weeks, he went to Vermont to purchase a drove of sheep; and upon his return with them learned that government was in pressing need of more troops. So he left his sheep, and started at once for the army, and arrived in season to join his regiment and take part in the engagements which resulted in the capture of Burgoyne.
He lived and died on his farm, leaving it to his three sons who survived him; they all lived to a good old age, but none of them left any issue. After the death of the three
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sons the place passed into the hands of the heirs-at-law, who sold it to Benjamin Barnes, who sold it to S. H. Stock- well; then it passed into the hands of Michael Cullina, the present owner.
This farm is situated at the southerly end of Ramshorn Pond. Tradition has preserved the following incident, as narrated by Mr. Daniel Dike :
When the first settlement was made in this vicinity, the Indians used to shoot . around the pond, and showed considerable hostility to the early settlers, who came to the conclusion that they must take some measures to rid themselves of them. They accordingly collected on a high hill, east of the pond, called Potter Hill; the Indians collected on a small island at the south end of said pond, situated a little north of the Dike house.
The parties commenced firing upon each other; after exchanging a few shots the Indians withdrew, leaving one of their number dead, and started as though they were going to Grafton. The inhabitants started after them, going between Ramshorn and Crooked (Singletary Lake) ponds, expecting to cut them off at the lower end of the latter, and capture them. But instead of going to Grafton, as the first appearance seemed to indicate, they turned their course to Dudley, where there was an encampment of the tribe. Ever after they kept away; or if any of them came around they behaved peace- fully. But the settlers not feeling quite safe, fearing the Indians might engage in farther hostilities, built a block-house of logs to which they could flee in case of sudden attack. This fort was situated about half a mile from the place where the skirmish above mentioned occurred, on the farm then belonging to Theophilus Kenney, who was the first settler.
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