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 33
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
The next house was built by Moses Batcheller, and was owned by Luke Wood, then by Jeremiah Stone, then by the Sutton manufacturing company ; now occupied by Charles Norcross.
The old mill, a grist and saw-mill, once at Pleasant Falls, and one of the first mills in town, was built by Daniel
417
TOWN OF SUTTON.
Chase, known as " Miller Chase ;" he died May 28, 1769, aged eighty-four ; his widow, Sarah Chase, died December 1771, aged eighty-eight. The mill was tended at one time by Nathaniel Hall, son of Willis. It was next owned by Solomon Whipple, next by Captain March Chase. Site now owned by the Sutton manufacturing company.
There was once a gun-factory and blacksmith shop there owned and occupied by Luke Wood, then by Jeremiah Stone, then by Timothy McNamary. Michael Coogan once made shoddy there. The shuttle business was first started there in 1832 by Milton Ruggles, then carried on by Rug- gles and Fowler, then Fowler, Pratt and King, then Fowler, King and Baxter, then by S. Pratt and company ; then by Wilkinsonville shuttle company ; next by A. D. Chase, then A. D. Chase and company. The old shop was moved away.
A new shuttle shop was built by the Sutton manufactur- ing company, near the Wilkinsonville railroad depot, in 1849, and first occupied by Chase and Dudley. A part of it was occupied by B. Taft and Son of Northbridge, as a box shop. R. B. Fuller made shoe-kit there for a while. It was burned in 1851, soon rebuilt by the corporation and occupied by Chase and Dudley. It is now used as a cotton mill by the owners.
The first place across the river, now owned and occupied by Nehemiah B. Chase, is a beautiful one. The old house was built by Lot Hutchinson, and afterwards owned by Captain Abner Chase, who married Sukey Marble, daughter of Malachi. She was a beautiful woman. He died of con- sumption, June 25, 1825, aged forty-two ; his widow mar- ried Stephen Crossman and died December 1, 1855, aged sixty-nine. She sleeps by the side of her first husband in the Wilkinsonville cemetery. The present house was built by N. B. Chase in 1857.
The brick house on the hill above Pleasant Falls was built by Abraham Chase in 1837 -the barn in 1829. The old house was taken down in 1838. Caleb Chase was the first settler there, then Moses, then Nehemiah, then Captain Abraham, now his son Levi.
53
418
HOMES OF THE
This is one of the best farms in the east part of the town ; the different owners have all been wealthy and honorable men -Captain Abraham, Captain Abner, Caleb and Nehe- miah. Captain Abraham kept school, was on the town's committee for several years ; he also represented the town
RESIDENCE OF I. B. HARTWELL.
in the general court, and held other offices. His widow, daughter of Lydia and Jonathan Dudley, still survives. He died here October 26, 1857, aged sixty-eight years and seven months.
On the place now owned by I. B. Hartwell, Francis Dud- ley first settled ; he was the son of Samuel. The present
419
TOWN OF SUTTON.
house was built by Caleb Chase, son of Nehemiah. He first built a low house, and afterwards enlarged it to its present form. Edward Dudley bought and sold to Mr. Hartwell. He has been on the school committee and held other offices.
The next place toward the village was built by Leonard Dudley, son of Captain John, in 1832. He was a stone- cutter and one of the best of men; he died there May 12, 1842, aged forty. He married Elizabeth Fisher, born September 17, 1813, died February 26, 1875. Since the death of Mr. Dudley the place has been owned by his brother John, and occupied for several years by Jonas Brown, a retired merchant in delicate health. He has one daughter, who is quite an accomplished teacher.
The pretty cottage nearly opposite was built by Horatio Chase, next owned by Harper, now by Mr. Shambeau.
The large house now standing on the site of the former stone school-house, was built by Horatio Chase. A sort of public house and stable have been kept there ; it has been partly owned and occupied by others, but is now owned by Mr. Chase.
The next house was built by John Sherman. Mr. Barber, who married a daughter of Caleb Chase, lived there. Amos Severy also lived there. It was afterward owned by Whitney, now by John Anderson, and occupied by his brother Edward.
N. B. Hapgood built on the east side, and sold to Whit- ing Fisher, who sold to Mr. Woodburn, the present owner.
The next house back was built by Whiting Fisher, and sold to Mr. Wilson, the present owner. Mr. Fisher was a mason by trade, and a very industrious man ; he became quite deaf, walked on the railroad and was badly injured by the cars.
The house now owned and occupied by Edwin C. Hall was built by Mr. Belknap. Mr. Hall is son of Calvin, son of Stephen, son of Stephen, son of Percival. His mother was daughter of Thomas Harback, Jr. Her mother was a Bemis from Spencer.
The brick house opposite was built by Leonard and Edward Dudley in 1836; sold by them to their brother
420
HOMES OF THE
James, and now owned by his son John of New York, and occupied by Fred. C. Dudley, son of D. T. James Dudley was a very fine man ; he was engaged for several years in trade and was of the firm of Dudley and Hill when he died. He was born May 13, 1805, and died December 12, 1841; he married Dolly Towne, born July 4, 1810, died Aug. 22, 1864. Their son John served an apprenticeship at Stew- art's in New York, and is now engaged at a salary of $10,000 a year. Since the death of Mr. Dudley this house has been let to many different families.
The next house on the other side of the street was built by N. R. Hapgood, who married a daughter of Caleb Chase ; it was built in 1836, next owned by Sullivan Newton, now owned and occupied by Mr. Boyd.
Nearly opposite stands the store. It was first kept by John Sherman, when it was broken open and a large amount of goods stolen. Leonard and James Dudley succeeded him in 1828 ; next kept for several years by Jonas Brown ; he was also postmaster there. Since Mr. Brown left the store it has been kept by several different parties, among them Luther F. Woodbury, for several years. It is now kept. by Fred. C. Dudley.
Opposite is a small house made from the old Harback school-house which stood on the knoll just east of Samuel Prescott's. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. Van Buren Dorr.
On the place where Sullivan Newton now lives, David Dudley, twin brother to Jonathan, who settled on the " Peter place," and son of Samuel, the more than centena- rian, built the first house, which was burnt about 1797. His son Abel rebuilt soon after and gave it to his son Abel, who sold to Jeremiah Stone and he to Asa Waters in 1815. Waters sold the place to Brown and Newton in 1835. They enlarged and improved the house to its present grand form and proportions.
David Dudley died here January 10, 1797.
The next house was built by Edward M. Dudley, son of Capt. John and Deborah, in 1860, and has always been occu- pied by himself and family. He is too well known to need
421
TOWN OF SUTTON.
mention here, but, for future generations, let us say that he does not degenerate from the high standard of the Dudleys already given. Nor has he many superiors for honest integ- rity and good common sense. He has been " boss farmer " for " the corporation " for several years. He is one of the best judges of horses and cattle to be found. Has been one of the selectmen of the town, etc.
RESIDENCE OF SULLIVAN NEWTON.
The next house on the other side of the street was built by the Hon. William R. Hill in 1848 and has always been occupied by himself. Mr. Hill is one of our best known citizens, as the honors bestowed upon him will testify. For personal appearance he has few equals ; he is noted for his vocal gifts : has led the choir at Grafton for seven years ; has been president of the Worcester County Musical Con- vention, held many town offices, represented the town in
422
HOMES OF THE
the legislature, and has also been a member of the Massa- chusetts senate.
The next house belongs to the Sutton manufacturing com- pany, and has been occupied by too many tenants to allow of personal mention.
The next house was built by David Wilkinson for the Sutton bank, which was established in 1827 and continued about three years, when it closed and redeemed all its bills. The first cashier was - Wilkinson, the next Darius Boyden Sibley, the next and last was William Hovey. Hez- ekiah Howe was President. The building was used several years as a store. Charles P. Baldwin kept there two years, commencing in 1830. Mary Ann Sibley, now his wife, had rooms in the same building, where she and her mother carried on millinery and dress-making. He is now a retired merchant of wealth in New York. Dudley and Hill kept here one year. The building has since been occupied by various parties as a tenement house. It belongs to the corporation. .
The first house nearly opposite or in front of the present store and post-office, was built by Benjamin Morse, who married a daughter of Samuel Dudley and moved on to the place where M. M. Hovey now lives. The house has been down nearly a hundred years. The present house was built by David Wilkinson for a tavern in 1824. They had a great raising and a dinner, the tables being spread in the barn. The Rev. Edmund Mills was there and asked the blessing.
It was first kept by William Newhall, then by Dea. Jona- than Leland, then by Major Thomas Harback, next by Josiah Towne, then by Townsend Willard, then by Sardius Bacon, then by William C. Walker, then by Daniel Sabine. It has since been occupied as a store, first by Dudley and Hill, in 1836, till the death of Dudley in 1841, since by W. R. Hill, the present occupant, who has also kept the books of the corporation, and is the present Wilkinsonville post-master. The rest of the building has been used as the factory board- ing house. It was at one time kept by John W. Gamble, a very worthy man, who was instantly killed by the falling of some heavy machinery which they were raising by tackle to
423
TOWN OF SUTTON.
one of the upper stories of the factory, September 15, 1847 ; he was forty-five years of age when he died. One of his daughters married Elijah Marten, one of the noted writing masters.
The first house south of the bank house was built for the agent. It was occupied for several years by Mr. Seth Hart- well, then agent. It has since been occupied by the several agents, and is now the residence of Mr. G. H. Scarle, superintendent of the mill.
The next house was built by David Wilkinson for the cashier of the bank. It has since been occupied by various parties as a tenement house.
The next house was also built by Mr. Wilkinson as a rectory or parsonage for the Episcopal church. It was first occupied by Rev. D. Le B. Goodwin from 1825 to 1854; his family were born there. His son Daniel was a clergy- man, graduated at Brown University. It has since been occupied by his reverend successors.
The present rector is the Rev. James S. Ellis. The corner stone of the church was laid in great pomp by the freemasons on the twenty-fourth of June 1828.
There is a house on the corner opposite the boarding house. It was once occupied by Deacon John Morse, agent of the old mill that was burnt, also by his brother Nathaniel, who was drowned one Sunday while watching the dam in the time of a flood. It is now owned by the corporation, and has been occupied by too many to particularize. The other three or four houses between the boarding house and the factory are also corporation houses.
North of the new iron bridge which spans the disgraced and attainted Blackstone, made so by the waste of fertilizers cast into it by the foolish and prodigal city at its head, stands the railroad depot known as Sutton station.
A little above is the beautiful residence of Abraham Dud- ley Chase, with his large, elegant and commodious barn. He made most of his money in the shuttle business, from which he has now retired and carries on his very valuable farm. He is a son of the late Captain Abraham Chasc. He built his house in 1850.
424
HOMES OF SUTTON.
The next house was built by David Tyler Dudley in 1851, and is and has been occupied by himself. He is a shuttle maker, and has been much in office, as the town's list of officers shows.
The next house was built by Mr. Warren Wilder, once a shuttle maker, now retired on account of ill health. The house was built in 1851. These three houses of old busi- ness associates are very much alike and all good ones.
The next building that side of the river was a shuttle shop, but is now a cotton mill. The old house beyond is a tenement house belonging to the corporation. Any other houses not particularly noticed in this village, are either corporation tenement houses, or over the line in Grafton. The corporation own twelve houses in the village.
......
54
WILKINSONVILLE.
H. A. Tracy
Heliotype Printing Co., Boston.
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Part III.
ECCLESIASTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL.
The religious history of this town is coeval with its civil. When the governor, council and assembly of the province confirmed the purchase and made a grant of the land to the proprietors in 1704, it was upon the condition "that they settle a town of thirty families and a minister upon said lands within seven years after the end of the present war with the Indians."
At the first town meeting, held at a private dwelling, December 2, 1718, a prominent object of the meeting was to provide for the establishment of the gospel ministry. Measures were taken in March following to erect a house of worship, which was completed in the course of the year .*
" In the fall of the year 1720, a number of the christian inhabitants of the township of Sutton embodied into a church state under the direction of Rev. Mr. Swift of Fram- ingham, and the Rev. Mr. Breck of Marlboro ; at which time (after the Publick services of a Day of Fasting and prayer in which the Reverend ministers mentioned assisted), the
* See "Annals " in this book.
428
CHURCHES OF THE
following persons, whose names are as followeth, signed a solemn covenant to walk together in church relation.
Timothy Manning, John Whipple,
Samuel Stearns,
John Stockwell,
John Page,
Ebenezer Stearns,
Elisha Johnson,
William Larned,
Samuel Sibley, Samuel Parker,
The persons entering into covenant.
At the same time Timothy Manning was chosen Monitor."
The above is the only record of the organization of the First Congregational church in this town, and it is found in the handwriting of the Rev. David Hall, the second pastor. The records of the church for the first eight years of its existence are lost, having been carried away by the first pastor.
The church was organized upon the Congregational plat- form, of the simplest and most rigid character, and has ever maintained the principles of such organization. Tradition says it was owing to a difference upon the matter of church government with the first pastor that led to his dismission. Subsequently an effort was made to introduce the Eldership into the church, according to the Cambridge platform, but the proposition was unanimously rejected.
"On the 9th day of November 1720, the Rev. John Mckinstry was ordained pastor over them as a Congrega- tional church, they calling him thereto, and calling in the help of sister churches.
" The Rev. Mr. Swift of Framingham gave him the charge, and the Rev. Mr. Thatcher of Milton gave him the right hand of fellowship.
" The Rev. Mr. Baxter, pastor of Medfield, the Rev. Mr. Breck, pastor of Marlboro', the Rev. Mr. Prentice, pastor of Lancaster, and the Rev. Mr. Dor, pastor of Mendon, assistants sent to on the occasion mentioned."
The ministry of Mr. Mckinstry continued about eight years, when, from difficulties arising as stated above, he was dismissed, and was subsequently settled in Ellington, Con- necticut, where he died.
429
TOWN OF SUTTON.
Mr. Mckinstry was dismissed Sept. 2d, 1728, and on the 30th day of the same month the church solemnly renewed their covenant and subscribed their names to the same. The following is a record of the transaction :
.
EMERSON, S.C.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, SUTTON CENTRE.
"Sept. 30th, 1728. The Brethren of the Church here renewed their solemn covenant with God and one with another and subscribed thereto as following: "1. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed Promise this day to renew our Solemn Covenant engagements to serve the Lord God Almighty with his grace assisting us; apprehending ourselves called of God into the church state
430
CHURCHES OF THE
of the gospel, do first of all confess ourselves to be unworthy to be so highly favored of the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his which triumphed over so great unworthiness, and with a Humble reliance on the aids of his grace therein promised for them, that, in a sense of their inability to do any good thing, do humbly wait on him for all - we now thankfully lay hold on his covenant and would choose the things that please him.
"2ndly. We declare our serious belief of the christian Religion as contained in the sacred Scriptures, and with such a view thereof as the confession of faith in our churches has exhibited. Heartily resolving to conform our lives unto the Rules of that Holy Religion as long as we live in the world.
"3rdly. We give up ourselves unto the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and avouch him this Day to be our God, our Father, our Saviour, and our Leader, and receive him as our Portion forever.
"4thly. We give up ourselves unto the Blessed Jesus, who is the Lord Jehovah, and adhere to him as the Head of his People in the Covenant of Grace, and rely upon him as our Priest, and our Prophet, and our King to bring us unto Eternal Blessedness.
"5thly. We acknowledge our Everlasting and Indispensible obligations to glorify our God in all the Duties of a Godly, and a Sober, and a Righteous life; and very particularly in the duties of a church State and a body of Peo- ple associated for an obedience to Him in all the ordinances of the Gospel; and we hereupon depend upon his gracious assistance for our faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent on us.
"6thly. We desire and intend and, (with Dependence on his promised and powerful grace) we engage to walk together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the faith and order of the Gospel as far as we shall have the same revealed unto us - conscienciously attending the Publick worship of God, the Sacraments of his New Testament, the Discipline of his Kingdom, and all His Holy institutions in Communion with one another, and watchfully avoid- ing sinful stumbling blocks aud contention as becomes a people whom the Lord has bound up together in the bundle of Life-at the same time we do also present our offspring with us unto the Lord, proposing with his Help to do our parts in the methods of a Religious Education that they may be the Lord's. And all this we do flying to the blood of the Everlasting Cove- nant, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the Great Shepherd, would prepare and strengthen us for every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
The men subscribing were by name as followeth:
Sutton, Sept. 30th, 1728.
Percival Hall,
Nathaniel Dike,
John Singletary,
Samuel Rich, Elisha Johnson,
John Whipple,
Elisha Putnam, John Sibley,
Obadiah Walker,
Ebenezer Stearns,
Simon Dakin,
John Stockwell,
Samuel Bigsby,
Israel Putnam,
Ebenezer Stockwell,
Gershom Wait,
Solomon Holman,
James Leland,
Samuel Dudley, John Page.
After this transaction, which took place the same month, Mr. Mckinstry was dismissed. We have the following inter esting record, showing with what zeal the infant church after
431
TOWN OF SUTTON.
a severe trial, put itself in readiness for the work of main- taining the covenant which they had so solemnly renewed :
" October 4th, 1728. 1st. The Brethren had a meeting and made choice of Dea. Percival Hall for a Moderator so long as they remain Destitute of a Pastor.
" 2. Chose Simon Dakin, Clerk.
" 3. Chose Dea. Elisha Putnam, Monitor.
" 4. Chose Dea. Hall to read the Psalm.
" 5. Chose Mr. John Whipple to set the Psalm, and Isaac Chase to set it in his absence."
At this meeting it was also " agreed upon and voted to observe the 23d of the Instant October as a day of Humilia- tion -and the Rev. Mr. Parkman and the Rev. Mr. Troop to preach on said day if the Town acquiest therein, and then the meeting was dissolved.
" To the substance of which - attest - " SIMON DAKIN, Clerk."
Early in November following the above acts of the church, Mr. David Hall was invited to preach to the people in this town. He supplied the pulpit several months to the great acceptance of the people, and in March 1729 received a unanimous call to settle with them in the ministry and become their pastor, the church and town concurring in the call.
This invitation was laid before Mr. Hall, and on July 24, 1729, his acceptance of the same was laid before the church at a meeting called to consider the same.
The following is Mr. Hall's answer to the invitation :
"To the Chh. & Christian Inhabitants of the Town of Sutton. The Invita- tion which you gave me to settle with you in the work of ye ministry, March ye 26th, has been with me as a matter of serions advice and Religious Consid- eration and I have also thought upon the Incouragment which you conjoyned therewith and would manifest a sense of gratitude to you for your Respect and good will discovered in both. The value of a hundred pounds which you offer me in work and materials for my Incouragment in settling with you, I Return you my hearty Thanks and shall be willing to manifest a cordial acceptance of it provided I am ordained among you. As for the hundred acres of Land you Proposed to Lay out to the ministry and as such promised to give me a Lease or deed of it to be ye Sole Propriety of me and my heires after me: I would with respect Thereto take notice of your good will therein manifest towards me, but must be excused from accepting of it under such a proposal. But if I
432
CHURCHES OF THE
may have a cleare and secure Title to it from ye Proprietors of ye undevided lands in Sutton and not as included in ye four hundred acres of ministerial Land (as there is a fair Prospect that I may) it not being as yet laid out to the ministry, upon this proviso I will thankfully accept it, and the Same shall discharge you from your obligations in Reference thereto. Lastly as to the Sallery you have offered me I observe with a suitable Resentment yt you have made provision yt it shall be honourable & as you have made a honourable Pursuance thereof for the present Considering your abilities and my present necescities in voting a hundred pounds sallery in money, equivalent to silver at sixteen shillings an ounce, which is the standing value of money, wherein you have agreed that I shall receive my yearly sallery according to which standard I do accept of an Hundred pounds a year at present, and doubt not and expect that as my necessities shall require, you will continue to make Good your obligation as God shall bless you, that my necessities and charges if they should increase may nevertheless be honourably supplied, and with these provisos, I do now accept of your call, which, if you will please to receive and record in confirmation of and compliance with what amendments I have made, and prove yourselves a willing and Honourable People unto me, I shall account that necessity is laid upon me as at this day, and, according to help from Christ, will endeavour to labor with and for you in the gospel.
"DAVID HALL.
"July 15th, 1729."
After this answer was read to the church " it was put to vote to see whether the church would accept of the said answer provided Mr. David Hall would be ordained accord- ing to the church platform, i. c., in the Congregational way ; and the vote passed in the affirmative."
A committee was then appointed to wait upon Mr. David Hall to see whether he would take office according to the forcmentioned vote.
The following is the answer of the candidate :
"In compliance with the Terms of the church with respect to Governing the same I shall as far as I am concerned therein endeavour to conform to the platform drawn up by the Synod of our churches of New England in every article so far as it may be thought in reason to be consistent with the interest and peace of the church provided it be agreeable to the great rule of the gospel. DAVID HALL."
This was acceptable to the church, which then proceeded to take measures for Mr. Hall's ordination.
This extreme jealousy for their liberty and rights as a Congregational church arose in part, if not wholly, from the controversy with Rev. Mr. Mckinstry, their first minister. The answer of the candidate exhibits a degree of caution even, while assenting really to the proposition of the church,
433
TOWN OF SUTTON.
worthy of all praise. He would consult their interest, while maintaining the integrity of the gospel in all matters of church government and discipline.
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.