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 31
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"Our present chief justice ; whose upward march on the judicial ladder has been so steady, so brilliant, so wonderful; whose untiring industry, intense application and persistent study, have made him in early life the Joseph Story of the west, may well follow through all his future career the good example and sterling virtues of Chief Justice Sibley."
In October 1804 he was united in marriage to Sarah Whipple Sproat, daugh- ter of Colonel Ebenezer Sproat, a gallant officer of the Continentals during the revolutionary war, and granddaughter of Commodore Abraham Whipple of the federal navy, who fired the first hostile gun at the British, and who became noted for deeds of successful and desperate daring on the ocean. After the war, Commodore Whipple and Colonel Sproat having retired from the service, removed, together with their families, to Marietta, at the mouth of the Muskingum, on the Ohio river, aud settled permanently there. The nauti- cal tastes of the old veteran were not extinguished by his inland residence, for he was placed in command of the first square-rigged sail-vessel that ever de- scended the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to the Gulf, a feat which he successfully accomplished, passing the falls of the Ohio without accident, and making the voyage to Havana In safety, where the cargo of flour and other stores was profitably disposed of. Mrs. Sibley died in Detroit in 1851 much lamented. There were born to Solomon and Sarah Sibley nine"children, four sons and five daughters. One of the latter died in infancy, and two others, Mary and Augusta, a year or two after their marriage. Four sons and two daughters are still living.
The eldest of the family, Ebenezer Sproat, graduated with honor at West Point, at the head of his class. He entered the army, and after a few years service as an officer in the line, was transferred to the United States quarter- master's department, in which he remained for more than a quarter of a cen- tury, rising gradually in rank until he attained that of colonel. He was so accomplished and valuable as an officer that he was stationed at headquarters in Washington City for many years, performing mainly the duties of a quar- termaster general through the war of the rebellion, until excessive labor broke down his fine physique, and he was compelled to tender his resignation, after thirty years continuous service. He was chief quartermaster of General Taylor during the Mexican campaign, and was complimented in general orders by that commander for his ability and efficiency. He retired from the army with the warm attachment and respect, not only of the officers of his own corps, but of all others of the staff and line also. He has been in Ger- many for the past three years, superintending the education of his children.
The oldest daughter was married to Hon. M. Trowbridge of Detroit, where they yet reside, surrounded in their old age by loving relatives and friends. That city is also the home of Sarah J., unmarried, and Alexander H. and Frederick B. Sibley, of the surviving sons and daughters. Henry Hastings Sibley, whose portrait is presented in this work, was destined to the legal profession by his father, but after a year's application he wearied of the study of Blackstone and Coke, and obtained the consent of his parents to push his fortunes in some occupation better suited to his restive and adventurous character. He went to the "Sault St. Marie," at the foot of Lake Superior,
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in 1828, and there secured employment as a clerk, and remained during the winter, becoming initiated in the mysteries of the fur trade. He was then seventeen years old. The following spring he entered the service of the American Fur Company, of which John Jacob Astor was the head, as office clerk at Mackinaw, the great central depot of the north-western fur trade. Here he remained for nearly five years, devoting his leisure time to study. In 1834 the company was reconstructed, with Ramsey Crooks as president, and young Sibley was selected, in company with Messrs. Roletta and Hous- man, to conduct the fur trade of the upper Mississippi region as partners with the company. The whole of the extensive country occupied by the Sioux bands of Indians, from above Lake Pepin to the British possessions and to the tributaries of the Missouri, with its many posts, clerks and voy- ageurs, was assigned to young Sibley as the district over which he was to exercise exclusive control.
His duties required him to visit the several trading stations more or less frequently, so that he was accustomed to travel hundreds of miles through woods and prairies, where wild Indians and wild beasts alone were to be seen. Nevertheless, being an enthusiastic hunter, expert alike with shot gun and rifle, he greatly enjoyed this new kind of life, beset though it was with many dangers. Mr. Sibley's headquarters were at St. Peters, now Mendota, near the junction of the Minnesota river with the Mississippi, and that was his home for a quarter of a century. On his arrival in 1834 there were no white residents in what is now the state of Minnesota, save the United States sol- diers at Fort Snelling, and those persons employed in the fur trade.
In 1848 Mr. Sibley was elected delegate to congress, for that portion of the territory of Wisconsin not included within the boundaries of the state of the same name. He was admitted to a seat in the house of representatives, in January 1849, and through his exertions and the aid of friends in and out of congress, the act arranging the territory of Minnesota was passed before the adjournment, and approved by the president. He was elected for the two succeeding congresses as delegate from Minnesota, and after serving during five consecutive sessions, he declined to be longer a candidate.
When the convention to form a state government met in the city of St. Paul in 1858, Mr. Sibley was elected president of the democratic branch, two separate conventions having been formed, which subsequently harmonized upon a constitution that was adopted by the people, and still remains the fundamental law of the state. Mr. Sibley was elected first governor of Min- nesota, and served until the first of January 1860. When the great Sioux outbreak of 1862 occurred, carrying death and desolation among the frontier settlers of Minnesota and Iowa, Ex-Governor Sibley was placed in com- mand of the forces raised for its suppression, and his intimate knowledge of Indian character and of their mode of warfare, particularly fitted him for this position. Notwithstanding the fact that he had none but raw volunteers, aided by good officers, he brought them in a short time under discipline, and on Sept. 23, 1862, he defeated the savages with great slaughter, took more than two thousand prisoners, more than five hundred of whom were war- riors, and released one hundred and fifty white women and children, and twice as many mixed bloods who had been held captives by the Indians. The warriors were tried by a military commission appointed by Colonel Sibley, more than three hundred of them condemned to be hung, and nearly one hundred more to various terms of imprisonment, from one to ten years. The humanitarians of New England and the Quakers of Pennsylvania prevailed
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Eng & by J. C. Buttre
HASibley
GGEN HENRY Hi FIB. LY
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upon the tender-hearted President Lincoln to interfere and prevent the whole- sale military execution which was about to take place, and but forty of the murderers were hung by his order during the winter following.
Colonel Sibley, shortly after the decisive action at Woodlake, was commis- sioned brigadier general United States volunteers "for gallant and meritorious service," and remained in command of the military district of Minnesota until 1865. In 1863 he followed "Little Crow," the chief, and others who escaped after the battle, far into the wilds of Dakota, with a force of four thousand men. The refugees had fallen back upon the strong bands of their kindred in the upper prairies, and although thus heavily reinforced, they were pursued, defeated in three successive engagements with heavy loss, and driven in confusion across the Missouri river at a point where the flourishing town of Bismarck now stands. General Sibley was brevetted major general before the muster out of the volunteer officers. He now resides in St. Paul, Minn., and is engaged in active business. He is president of the board of regents of the State University, and of other literary and charitable institutions.
Welcome Aldrich made an opening and built a house in the woods west of George Dudley's, where he lived several years. Two of his daughters were born there. He had fine peach trees and many flowers around his house, and although much retired, it seemed a pleasant home. It was on no public road. After Aldrich left the place, it became of bad repute and was burned. The site belongs to his widow, who now lives at the MeKnight place.
Still farther west, on what is known as the Robinson pas- ture, one Robinson built a small house and lived. Malachi Marble hired him to go into the revolutionary service as a soldier, and he never returned. His widow married an Ambler, and was mother of Christopher.
The place now occupied by Alvan Stockwell was a part of the farm of Samuel Dagget, one of the thirty original pro- prietors of the four thousand acres. He probably sold it to Nathaniel Sibley. It then came into the possession of Jonas Sibley, and afterwards into that of Jonas L. Sibley, by whom it was deeded to Ensign Daniel Woodbury, and by him to John Stockwell; by him to his cousin Tyler Stock- well, who occupied it until his death, when it was sold to his nephew, Henry Sibley Stockwell; by whom it was sold to a man by the name of Mulchray, and by him to Mr. Charles F. Mack, and by him deeded to Mr. Alvan Stock- well, the present occupant.
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The farm now owned by Rufus Harback was part of the original farm owned by Freegrace Marble, and was deeded to his son, Enoch Marble, who lived and died here. It then came into the possession of Rufus Marble, who also lived and died here; then it was deeded to Freegrace, a great-
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE DUDLEY.
grandson of Freegrace Marble ; then deeded to Joseph H. Putnam and occupied by his son Sullivan and his son-in-law Joshua Lackey ; then sold to Rufus Harback.
The Dudley farm is situated on the county road running from Millbury through Wilkinsonville. Samuel Dudley first
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settled here about 1725, and built a house upon the site of the present dwelling and occupied it until his death. After his death Mr. Reuben Eaton occupied the old house until his death ; then it was sold to Reuben McKnight, who owned and lived upon it until his death, after which his widow occupied it for a time, when she sold it to Mr. Welcome
RESIDENCE OF WILLARD AND G. W. RICE.
Aldrich, who occupied it until his death, since which it has been occupied by his widow.
The Jonathan Dudley place was purchased by him about 1745, of a man by the name of Ward, who, it is supposed, was the original owner. The old house stood opposite the present one, on the other side of the road. The present one was erected in 1805.
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Jonathan Dudley occupied it until his death, when it came into the possession of Mr. Jason Dudley, who occupied it until his death, when it came into the possession of Mr. George Dudley, who now owns and occupies it.
The Willard Rice farm was purchased of Anna Marble, widow of Major Alpheus Marble, son of Enoch, and grand- son of Freegrace. There is now standing upon these premises an old shop that was used by Major Marble one hundred years ago for a blacksmith shop, and by the present owner for fifty years as a cooper shop.
In the old house which stood near where Willard. Rice now lives, lived Major Alpheus Marble, a man of some note in his day. He it was that owned the first chaise in the east part of the town. After the death of Major Marble, his son Alpheus, who married Polly Hall, daughter of Capt. Josiah Hall, lived in the same house, and there their three children were born. Their sons, Willard and Henry, now live on the old common in Millbury.
The place now occupied by Mrs. Sophronia Rice was first owned by Mr. Noah Rice, then by his widow, Mrs. Hannah Rice, by whom it was conveyed to the present owner, who now lives upon it, with her son, Henry Rice. This is a part of the Enoch Marble estate, and was originally owned by Freegrace.
The house upon this place was moved here from the old Reuben Eaton estate, just north of the Dudley farm.
The house now owned and occupied by Gilbert Searles or son, was built by Aaron Marble for his son Luther, who sold to his brother-in-law, William Boomer, who traded it to Joseph H. Putnam for a place in Charlton. Putnam sold to present owner.
The first house in Marbleville was built by John Nelson. One Pratt lived there early ; Joe Nelson owned it. Noah Rice built the upright part now standing and lived there. Capt. Samuel Marble, son of Major Alpheus Marble, lived there and carried on scythe making. Alvan Pratt stocked guns in this house. One Metcalf wove satinet there.
Grover and Sprague made wicking in the old scythe shop. There was a grist-mill there, once owned by Major Marble.
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Joseph Hathaway made several different articles there. Noah Rice had a still in which he made cider brandy. One Sherman of Grafton brought cider there containing many shiners, supposed to have been dipped up with the water with which it had been diluted. The old scythe shop was burned, after which Ezra S. Marble built a shuttle shop in which he carried on business several years, and accumulated a handsome estate. After his death he was succeeded by his son Ezra W. The factory was burnt about 1874 and rebuilt by present owner. Ezra S. Marble built the house now occupied by C. Ruggles, for his daughter. Mrs. R. Ruggles built the barn.
The house where Albert Stockwell now lives was built by Ezra S. Marble ; his son Henry lived and died there. The small house on the new road he also built. His father first occupied it. It has since been occupied by various operatives who have worked in the factory. Albert Stockwell bought the farm owned by the Marbles and the house where he lives ; he is son of George, son of Enoch. His mother lives with his brother, George K.
The other house was built by Aaron and Thaddeus Marble, and has been owned by Lewis Burnap, Capt. John Marble, Palmer Harback, Ezra S. Marble, and now by Mrs. E. McIntire.
The house now occupied by Benjamin Hathaway and Charles Young was built by Capt. Asa Woodbury. Samuel Prescott lived there several years. It has been occupied by many different families who have worked in the factory. It is one of the factory tenement houses, as is the one opposite now occupied by John McDermot and Richard Thompson. It also was built by Capt. Woodbury.
The first house west of the bridge was built by Capt. Asa Woodbury for his brother-in-law, Benjamin Fiske, who lived there a few years. It has since been occupied by various families employed in the factory.
The next house was also built by Capt. Woodbury and first occupied by his partner, H. Boyden. After the death · of Capt. Woodbury's first wife, he married again and moved into this house, where he died. He held his share of town
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offices, and was representative in the general court, etc. He was a very kind-hearted, companionable man, of enterprise and general worth.
This house has also been occupied as a tenement house by the mill operatives, and belongs to the mill property.
John P. Stockwell built a grist-mill where the store is. He also had a shoddy mill there, but losing his dam twice, he converted it into tenements, which are at present unoccu- pied. The store in same building is owned by Horatio Chase, and kept by his cousin, Lyman Pratt. Both are worthy men, and descendants of the Rev. David Hall, D. D.
The place now owned and occupied by John P. Stockwell was first settled by Deacon Percival Hall, who came to Sutton in 1720. He bought proprietor's rights, so that he owned six-sixtieths of the town ; his name is on almost every page of the old proprietor's books. He came here from Medford, where he was one of the founders of the church. He was second deacon of the first Congregational church in Sutton. He married Jane Willis and had eleven children. His son Willis Hall was less than two years of age when he came to Sutton. He (Percival) died in the old house which stood near where the present one stands, Dec. 25, 1752, aged eighty. His widow died here Oct. 28, 1757, aged eighty. She was daughter of Thomas and Grace Willis, and was born in Cambridge ; married in Woburn, Oct. 18, 1697. He owned the saw-mill already mentioned. He was suc- ceeded on this place by his youngest son, Deacon Willis Hall, who married Martha Gibbs, daughter of Jacob Gibbs. (See genealogy.)
Martha Gibbs, wife of Deacon Willis Hall, died Feb. 1, 1756. He married Anna Coye, daughter of William and Anna Coye, who came from Scotland and settled in Worces- ter county. (See genealogy.)
Anna Coye, wife of Deacon Willis Hall, died here April 7, 1800. He died April 10, 1800. Their funerals were both attended on the same day, and both were buried in one grave. The day is said to have been one of great solemnity, and a large concourse of people followed them to their grave. .
Truly Yours Willis Mall
The honorable Willis Hall was the son of Rev. Nathaniel Hall, and grandson of deacon Willis Hall, of Sutton.
He was born in Middle Granville, Washington County, N. Y., April 1st, 1801. Graduated at Yale College with the first honor of the class of 1824. Practised law in Mobile, Alabama. In 1832, resumed his profes- sion in New York City. In 1836-7, represented the city in the State legislature, and successfully introduced a bill requiring banks of issue to secure their notes by depositing collaterals with the State Comptroller, a system afterward adopted by the United States.
In 1838 he was Attorney-General of the State of New York, and filled the office with distinguished honor. In 1842 his health became seriously impaired, yet he did not lose his interest in public affairs, and acted as corporation counsel to the city of New York in 1857-8.
He subsequently spent two or three years in France, Italy, and Ger- many, and returned to New York in 1856, and resided with his brother, Dr. E. Hall, until his death, July 14th, 1868.
He was a man of remarkable political foresight, and greatly esteemed by his cotemporaries.
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Their son Nathaniel graduated at Dartmouth college in 1790. He was a settled minister at Greenville, N. Y., where he died July 31, 1820. He married Jan. 22, 1798, Hannah, daughter of Deacon Daniel Emerson of Hollis, New Hampshire, born there Dec. 7, 1773, and died May 22, 1832. They had nine children. Two graduated at Yale college, one at Hamilton, and one at Union college. Willis was attorney general of New York in 1839. He was a par- ticular friend of Henry Clay, who on his last visit to New York was the guest of Hon. Willis Hall. Hannah married Rev. Abijah Crane. Nathaniel was a limner ; Daniel E. was a noted physician in New York. Edward is now living in New York, and is also a doctor of much celebrity. David B. is a retired elergyman, now engaged in preparing a history of the Hall family. He lives in Duanesburgh, New York. Jonathan Hall, born here, settled at Windsor, Vt. One of his daughters, an accomplished lady, married Captain Blood of St. Louis, who owned and navigated a steamboat. His son Alfred succeeds him on his place at Windsor, Vt. Israel was quite distinguished. Jacob lived in Hartford in Vermont, where he married a Richardson and raised a large family. One of his sons, Andrew, now lives in Boston, where he has been a broker many years. His second wife was Sarah Prouty. During the rebellion she raised a com- pany of volunteers and marched them into camp.
Willis, son of Deacon Willis, lived in Vermont and had quite a large family. His son Willis was at one time a merchant at Woodstock, Vermont, and was very popular ; he afterward went to Garretsville, Ohio, where he died. His son John died where James W. Barnes now lives. Deacon Hall's son Willis, who was an officer in the revolu- tion, was born in this house. Deacon Willis Hall settled his estate upon his son Joseph, who sold him out, causing the deacon much grief; so his son Josiah bought the place of Joseph, and built the present house and barn ; his eight children, enumerated in district number two, were all born here. The large buttonwood tree standing in front of the house was set out by his son, Oliver Hall, when he was quite young. Gardner Hall was born in this house April 6,
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HOMES OF THE
1813, and Dr. Stephen Monroe wrote the deed conveying the entire estate, mill and all, to Captain David Dudley on that day. The mill then belonging to Captain Hall has been removed, and is now owned by Joel Houghton. This house and farm was afterwards owned and occupied by Captain Asa Woodbury, and inherited by Mrs. J. P. Stockwell, the present owner. Anna Hall, daughter of Willis and Anna, married John Whipple, and had Parley, who was for several years a scythe manufacturer at Millbury, in company with Captain Charles Hale. Firm name Hale and Whipple. He was a deputy sheriff; he went from Millbury to West War- ren, where he built up a place known as Whippleville. His son Franklin went to Yale, but left on account of sickness. He is now an insurance agent at Worcester.
Almira married a clergyman by the name of Rice ; father of Hon. W. W. Rice of Worcester.
John Willis was a justice of the peace, deputy sheriff, coroner, etc. He lived and died in Sutton, leaving a large estate.
Clarissa married John M. Case and now lives in Charlton. She is noted for religious charities. Lyman was a printer and publisher ; he was a man of great intelligence and true worth. Percival was a gunsmith ; died in Worcester.
Joseph was educated at West Point and died in Mexico, probably in military service. Mary Ann married Rev. Mr. Fiske, and now lives in New Hampshire.
The small house now belonging to J. P. Stockwell was an ell moved from this house.
The house opposite, now occupied by Silas T. Servey, was originally a weaver's shop owned by Daniel Harback. It was removed and finished up by Captain Asa Woodbury for his daughter, Mrs. Servey, the present owner. Mr. Ser- vey's mother was a Taft, sister to Stephen Taft, the father of Hon. Velorous Taft.
The place now owned and occupied by Samuel Prescott has quite a history, which can be but imperfectly learned. On the original farm Elisha Johnson lived in 1717 .*
* See Annals, page 18.
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TOWN OF SUTTON.
Deacon Willis Hall was Indian agent, and paid annuities to the Hassanamisco Indians. One of the tribe, who be- friended Mrs. Johnson, known as Roberts, came with his squaw for his money after he was ninety years of age. His wife said he was getting to be a boy again, as his teeth were just cutting. He had just had two new ones.
The next occupant of the place seems to have been Benj. Swinerton, who married Elizabeth Hall, daughter of Stephen, son of Percival. Swinerton was a blacksmith. Then it was occupied by Mr. Prime, a tailor, the father of Nathaniel Prime of the firm of Prime, Ward and Company, once bankers in New York. The widow Prime, mother of Nathan- iel, married for second husband Nathaniel Carriel. It was next owned by Solomon Wheeler, who kept store in the east room. Caleb Morse lived there. Colonel Joseph Ward, brother of Mrs. Morse, lived there. Wheeler and Morse married sisters. Wheeler married a second wife by the name of Milk; she was a widow from Boston, and had one son, James Milk, who lived in Boston. Wheeler sold to John Harback; the deed was acknowledged at Suffolk before Samuel Cooper, April 16, 1790.
John Harback was a trader in Boston, in company with Nathaniel Prime, after which he went to Port au Prince, where he died.
After the death of John Harback, the farm, containing two hundred and thirty acres, was owned by his brother, Daniel Harback, who married a Ward and raised a large family in this house. His second wife was widow Park, maiden name Peirce. The big buttonwood trees now stand- ing in front of the house were set out by one of his boys.
After the death of Mr. Harback, Captain Asa Woodbury bought the place, and moved the barn down to the Deacon Hall place. Some of the land is now owned by Stockwell. The house and some twenty acres of land Samuel A. Pres- cott bought and now owns. He has just been improving and enlarging his house, adding bay windows and terracing and beautifying his grounds. He has a fine arrangement for irrigation, which gives him a good opportunity to force his early vegetables, strawberries, etc. He is making it one of
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the most desirable places in town. He bought the saw-mill built about 1830 by Joseph Hathaway, which he has very much improved and enlarged, adding thereto a box factory, in which he has done much business. Mr. Prescott has been quite an inventor. He invented, and had patented a water- wheel, which promised him a fortune but for the pressure of the times. Nelson Cowen, now living in Worcester, once lived in this house several years.
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