USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1876 to 1950, Volume II > Part 22
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The horsesheds, which were "respected for their antiquity and the memories of the past," were blown down in the hurricane of 1938 except for two, which were used for a time as a parsonage garage.
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Ernest P. Putnam purchased the land east of the sheds from Milton Sherman and erected a new house and a building where he conducted a printing business. Some of the lumber used was from Henry C. Batcheller's shoe shop, originally on the Loren Hoyle property. Mrs. Putnam (Marion Gurney) was a contralto soloist and took part in many local productions. She sang in the choir of the First Con- gregational Church; also served as its director for some years. She was active in Red Cross work during World War I. Mr. Putnam was Town Auditor from 1914 to 1918. The Putnams lived later on Uxbridge Road.
Mr. and Mrs. G. Herbert Johnson were the next owners of this house. Mrs. Johnson was Miss Gladys Caswell from Douglas. Their daughter Mildred was born here. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Munroe and family followed as tenants. There were four children; Herman, Clifford, Nicholas and Hazel.
Lewis H. Sherman purchased the place at auction and it is now occupied by his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Swindell. Their daughter Janice is a graduate of the Sutton High School and of the Northampton School for Girls. Janice is a soprano soloist and has specialized in music. Mrs. Swindell is a former regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Swindell is in the office of the American Steel and Wire Co. He has served many years on the Sutton Cemetery Commission.
The adjoining property was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Linton, who resided there with their three children, Arthur, George and Ella. Arthur married Miss Fannie Servey, a graduate of the local high school, and an able teacher in the grammar school. Arthur lived in Stoughton and was in the hardware business; he had one son by his second wife. George Linton was married, lived in Lynn and was employed by Thompson, Houston Electric Co. Ella married Abram Duncan Johnson. They had two children; a son Allan died in infancy; a daugh- ter, Ruth L. Johnson Pooler of Springfield, a graduate of Wheaton College, died Aug. 31, 1937, while vacationing in the White Mountains with her husband. Both Mr. Linton, who was a very religious man, and his wife died here. The property was deeded to Mrs. A. D. Johnson by her mother, Aug. 14, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson made their home here and in Hopedale.
The Johnsons sold the home place to Lewis H. Sherman, who resold it to his grandson, Morrice S. Perry, on Oct. 23, 1944. Mr. and Mrs. Perry (Florence Hughes of East Douglas) live here with their young son, Jeffrey Hughes Perry. Morrice Perry is the Town Treasurer.
East, on Boston Road, is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Paine. The house lot was purchased from Charles W. Putnam. This is the seventh new house built by contractor Vernon S. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Paine came from Leicester and are the proud parents of twin sons, Curtis and Donald, born April 9, 1938. The boys sing in the choir of the First Congregational Church. Because of their un- usual talent in music, they are in great demand for musical programs and have appeared several times on Television. Mrs. Paine was the former Beatrice Horne and is a teacher of piano. Mr. Paine conducts the grocery store in the Brick Block.
Mr. Paine's father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Paine (Flora G.), moved on Sept. 2, 1951 into the new house, built by Frank H. Paine on the lot adjoining his on Boston Road. Mr. and Mrs. Paine were both born in Dudley, Mass., and had lived in that town, in Oxford, in Florida and in Leicester before coming to Sutton.
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"ROSECROFT", HOME OF MR. AND MRS. JOHN E. GIFFORD
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"The house next to the Congregational Church on the road leading from the center of Sutton to Wilkinsonville, which to the early settlers was known as 'Ye King's Highway', was built some time before the LeBaron house just beyond, known later as the Pierce or Hovey house and built in 1794. This place for many years was owned and occupied by ministers, who preached at the Congregational Church, and was called 'the parsonage'.
"In the early 1870's, it was acquired by one Henry D. Bond, who came here with his wife and family and remained about ten years. On Jan. 19, 1884 the house and land were purchased by Elias L. Snow, a newcomer to West Sutton from the middle west.
"At this time the ell was torn down and rebuilt, also extensive renovations were made on the main part of the house. The beautiful old fan-topped doorway was left untouched. Then, later, a fine forty-foot barn was added at the end of an alley way, connecting the buildings. The roof of the barn was blown off in the hurricane of 1938, and as a result the barn was torn down. These buildings were always painted white with green or maroon blinds.
"Mr. and Mrs. Snow lived here about twenty years and farmed the land and improved the place generally. In 1906 Mrs. Snow passed away and in 1908 Mr. Snow also died, from a fractured hip and pneumonia.
"In April 1907 this place was sold to Mr. and Mrs. John E. Gifford, and since their occupancy certain improvements have been made; such as a new stone garage, an artesian well, with electricity, plumbing, heating and insulation throughout the house and landscaping of the grounds.
"Here on Oct. 4, 1907 a son Charles Edwin was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gifford, making two sons with John Dudley, born in Brockton, Mass. Dec. 9, 1905. The older boy passed away in July, 1913 from a fall in a neighbor's barn with result- ant injuries. This little boy of seven and one half years was one of great promise and was greatly mourned by his parents.
"Charles Edwin, the second son, grew to manhood and was graduated from North High School in Worcester and from Massachusetts State College in Amherst at the age of 20, majoring in Landscape Architecture.
"He now is in Norfolk, Va. with the Winn Nursery Co., rating high in his field, and loved by all who know him. On June 11, 1932 he married Miss Doris Virginia Allen of Auburn, Mass., a registered nurse, and they have three chil- dren, Nancy Louise, Dudley Allen and Merrilee Dianne.
"Mr. Gifford was a Reserve Officer with the rank of 2nd. Lieutenant, receiving his rank while still at college. On Feb. 26, 1942, he was ordered to report for duty in World War II. Stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, he was placed in the Quartermaster Corps, and became Salvage Supervisor during the first year with a promotion to 1st. Lieutenant and then to Captain. He was at that time transferred to Richmond to take over a project of uniform repair work for about a year. In Dec. 1945 he was sent to Panama. He served as Salvage Supervisor for the first year and for the last six months as Post Quartermaster for the Federal Post Area. He returned to the States in July 1946, receiving his discharge at Fort Devens, July 20 of that year. Length of service in World War II about four and one half years.
"Mr. John E. Gifford, the father, was a native of Brockton, Mass. He was educated in the Brockton public schools and was graduated from Massachusetts
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State College, then known as Amherst Agricultural College in the class of 1894, at the age of twenty. He was a thorough-going student of progressive agriculture and was an enthusiastic promoter of all phases of agriculture.
"His roommate at college was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Stockwell of Sutton, and because of this friendship, he was a frequent visitor to Sutton, spending the summer vacations working in the hayfields and helping to care for the large herd of Devon cattle, being developed on the farm.
"Harry, the son, became a victim of tuberculosis during the spring of his junior year at college and died that fall. There was great mourning and lone- liness now and the way looked dark to the bereaved father and mother, and it was at this point that Mr. Stockwell wrote to Mr. Gifford, asking him to come to Sutton after graduation and become a partner in the developing of the herd of Devon cattle and the carrying on of the farm projects.
"Mr. Gifford had been offered a position as superintendent of an estate, owned by one of the Vanderbilts in New York State where there were riding horses as well as cattle, but, instead, he came to Sutton and worked continuously for twenty years in the town.
"He served on the school committee for six years; was an officer of the local, county and state granges for many years and was an Institute speaker for the State Board of Agriculture.
"In 1903 and 1904 he served as secretary of the Worcester Agricultural Society, at the time when it united with the New England Society, holding its fairs at the Worcester Fair Grounds.
"In September of 1913 he was hired by the trustees of the New Essex County Agricultural School in Danvers, Mass. to teach Animal Husbandry and Dairying. He remained here three years. In January 1917 he went to Ellington, Conn. as county agent for Tolland County for two years during World War I.
"It was during the time when the Giffords were at Ellington, Conn. and Danvers, Mass. that Mr. and Mrs. George Freeland occupied the house with their small daughter Evelyn and the little girl Caroline, who was born here.
"Later Miss Ruth Greenlay and her mother lived here for two years. Miss Greenlay was principal of the High School at that time.
"In the spring of 1919, Mr. Gifford returned to Sutton and took over the headship of the Agricultural Department at North High School in Worcester with a staff of four teachers, later increased to seven. He was president of the Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Teachers from 1920 to 1922. In 1941 at a State Conference of Agricultural Teachers, he was presented the twenty-five year service key.
"His teaching was always a source of great satisfaction to him, and many of his boys, who went into positions of responsibility and trust, would return after years of service to thank him for his patience and confidence in their ability to succeed.
"The Future Farmers of America is a National organization and prize speak- ing contests are sponsored by it each year. Mr. Gifford's boys were nearly always among the contestants, and in the 1930's one, Richard Conn, was a National winner of the first prize of $300.00 in cash and his expenses from Worcester. The National Meet was held at Kansas City where the first prize winners from
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each state competed. This was a proud day for the city, the school and for the boy.
"As many have said, Mr. Gifford was a natural teacher, with that quality in his teaching that made the student want to work and succeed. He remained at North High School for nearly twenty-five years, retiring in 1943. He passed away May 18, 1944 at the age of seventy.
"His wife, nee Luella M. Dudley of Sutton, survives him and still lives in the house on "Ye King's Highway."
"Mrs. Gifford was educated in the schools of Sutton and Classical High School in Worcester. She taught school for three years prior to her marriage. In her youth she was a lover of music, especially the voice, and devoted many years to this work. In later years she carried on a project of turkeys, raising hundreds of the birds each year under the trade name of Rosecroft."
Note-Mrs. Gifford relates the following:
"It was in the late 1920's that I had a project of three hundred turkeys. This number resulted from a small flock of four fine hens and a stately tom.
"Everyone in the neighborhood seemed interested in my flock and some of my good friends suggested that I have a dog to look after them when I was not about. So one eve- ning these friends came, bringing in their car a lovely collie, four years old.
"Tex was a bright sable and white individual, with that noble carriage which nearly always marks the purebred in all fine animals. He radiated confidence in every move he made, and took his assignment as naturally as though it had been sheep or cattle.
"This was in March that he came, so he began his duties as guardian of the flock, at the beginning of the season.
"When the first poults were hatched and put into the brooder house he seemed to understand that this also was another responsibility for him, and he would station himself beside the house and wait for the little poults to come out onto the wire frame for their food and water, and then he would lie down and watch. In this role of guardian he was the picture of composure and dependability.
"As the poults got a little older, they were moved to another brooder house and it was here one day that Tex demonstrated his intelligence in time of emergency.
"One late afternoon my son Edwin and I went out to the brooder houses and found about twenty-five month-old turkeys had discovered a weak place in the wire and had squeezed through the aperture and dropped to the ground and were huddled under the house around a low stone pier.
"We got a long pole and tried to push them gently out into the open where we could catch them and put them back onto the wire frame. However, each time we would get them away from the pier about three feet, they would hop over the pole and run back again.
"It was very soon obvious that we were getting nowhere this way, and dusk was coming on, and so in desperation I told Tex to go under there and chase out those little turkeys. He looked up at me to see if he had heard aright and I said it again, whereupon he crawled under the house until he was about three feet from the little turks, and here he laid down on his side, stretching himself out full length facing the birds.
"In a minute or two they began to leave the pier and come to him, where they cuddled next to his warm body, settling there for comfort. We called to him to bring them along out, and sure enough, he hitched his body around, taking the turkeys with him, and slowly scrubbed along toward the opening where Edwin could reach in and take them out, one by one, and drop them onto the wire frame.
"When the last one had been retrieved and the cover put in place, Tex came out and capered up and down the lot, looping the loop a few times, while we stood by laughing and praising him. It really seemed as though he were laughing too.
"Then and there we decided that he was more than 'just dog'. His was an intelligence far superior to that of many a human.
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FAIRVIEW FARM
THE HAROLD JOHNSON FARM
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"Another time five little turkeys, only about two weeks old, got off the wire frame and down under the brooder house, and again Tex crawled under and gently nosed out each one where we could catch it and put it back on the frame.
"Tex would also round up the big birds if they got out of the yard. This he did by cornering his bird in the angle of a building or the corner of the wall, and before it could fly he would bring his forepaws down upon its back and hold it firmly with his nose until we could relieve him, never once harming the bird in any way."
The farm east, at the top of the hill, was owned in 1876 by Marius M. Hovey. Mr. Hovey died here in February 1898, in the house of his birth, the home of his family for almost ninety years. Mr. Hovey was a man of integrity, much respected by the townspeople. The buildings on the place, with the exception of a small cottage, were destroyed by fire at nine o'clock in the evening on Sept. 13, 1898. Mrs. Hovey and son Marius moved to the house across the street, formerly owned by Mrs. Mary F. B. Pierce, Mrs. Hovey's mother.
Mrs. Hovey was vivacious and never lost her youthful spirit; she was kind and generous to a fault. She had family pride and respected traditions, yet these did not prevent her, when occasion demanded, from laying aside conven- tion and entering upon an almost untired commercial venture, that of selling her homemade bread. This necessitated her rising early, to get large orders baked for early morning delivery. In this she helped finance her son William's education. He died suddenly, January 13, 1889, in his Senior year at Harvard College.
The younger son of the family took it upon himself to invite his young friends to a party at his house at one o'clock of a certain afternoon. At the appointed hour the young host appeared at the back door with the assembled group, dressed for the party, numbering fifteen or more-the invitation having been quite general. He escorted them through the house to the astonishment of his parents, who were at luncheon. One of the little girls noted the table, with the food not cleared away, and wondered why so little preparation had been made. With the company seated in the parlor, the bewildered mother hurried across the street to her sister. "Fan, what do you suppose that child has done now?" "Fan" and her cook were equal to the occasion, however, and kitchen preparations began in earnest. Mrs. Hovey, with frock changed, directed the games, and the entertainment, so slow in beginning, became quite lively. At the end the guests sat down to a wonderful feast, the older members of the family hovering about to see that all were well served. It was a supper, not to be forgotten by the children-or the grownups.
The Hovey farm and cottage were sold March 24, 1902 to Henry M. Brigham. Mr. Brigham's ambition had been to own the place upon which he had worked in his youth. Being one of thirteen children he knew what it was to work. (It is said that he used to rent out his sled at ten cents per noon hour, while he sawed wood, so great was his desire to get ahead.)
Mr. Brigham erected the present buildings and moved in Dec. 17, 1902. The buildings at that time cost $15,000, but the contract did not include a cellar door, so Mr. Brigham had to pay extra to have the door installed. He was a prosperous farmer. He died here May 28, 1907, leaving his wife, Hannah Jane Sherman Brigham, whom he had married Nov. 28, 1855, and a daughter Ella J., wife of Henry Waters Putnam. Mr. Putnam carried on the farm for several years; he, too, was an honest and successful farmer. He served as Town Treasurer and was Deacon of the First Congregational Church. Jane C. Brigham died Dec. 7, 1929 and Ella J. Putnam Dec. 24, 1935.
At times Mr. Brigham in describing some transaction was given to overstatement and for confirmation would turn to his son-in-law. "Wasn't that so, Henry?" To which honest Henry would reply, "So I've heard you say, Brig. So I've heard you say."
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HISTORY of SUTTON
Mr. Brigham was born in Westboro, Oct. 29, 1833, the son of Betsey (Sherman) and Willard Brigham. When fifteen years old he came to Sutton, where he was bound out to M. M. Hovey, the sum of $100 to be paid the boy when he became twenty-one years old. Feeling that his services were worth more than the contract demanded, Mr. Brigham left Mr. Hovey at the age of eighteen, forfeiting the $100, and went to Worcester where he found work in a shoeshop. When he became twenty-one, he had $300. In the shoeshop he worked nights to get ahead that he might spend time haying for Mr. Hovey.
At the age of twenty-one he bought a small place in West Millbury, but soon exchanged it for the Carpenter farm in Sutton, where he lived for ten years, working for Mr. Hovey all the time he could spare from his own farm. In 1864, he became warden of the Sutton Town Farm, which position he held for eight years. Leaving the Town Farm, he bought the Spurr farm, which adjoins the town land. Here he made many improvements, building a new farmhouse, moving the barn and removing stone from the land with which he built many walls. After living on this place twenty-seven years, his ambition was realized and he moved to his home-"on the most valuable farm in Sutton."
Mr. Brigham was a most helpful member of the West Sutton Baptist Church, one of the chief financial supporters and always ready to aid every good cause. At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor in Sutton.
HOME OF THE GORDON HUMES' AND THE WALLACE JOHNSONS
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Henry Waters Putnam sold the farm June 8, 1936 to his nephew, Charles W. Putnam and made his home with the nephew's family until his death on Good Friday, March 26, 1937.
Charles Wesley Putnam carried on the farm until his death in 1942. He was born March 9, 1880 in Sutton and married Nellie Jane Adams of Oxford. They had three daughters, Jennie Belle, Doris and Shirley Ella. Mr. Putnam served on the School Board from 1920 to 1934. The year after her husband's death, Mrs. Putnam and her younger daughters moved across the street to the LeBaron house, which her husband had purchased a few years earlier.
In April 1943, F. Hazen Bordeaux bought the Brigham farm from Mrs. Putnam. The Bordeaux family lived here for a year when the property was sold to the present owner, Walter F. McGovern, June 14, 1944. Mr. McGovern lives here with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harold A. Johnson (Mar- garet C. McGovern). Mr. Johnson operates the farm. Mrs. Sarah Donnelly McGovern, mother of Mrs. Johnson and Mr. McGovern, lived here also until her death in 1945.
Miss M. Frances Peirce became owner of the LeBaron house which was the property of her mother, Mrs. Mary L. B. Peirce, in 1876. At Miss Peirce's death in 1891, the estate was left to her sister, Mrs. Ellen Hovey and her son Marius Hovey. Here Mrs. Hovey boarded the local school teachers for many years, always a charming hostess to the many pupils, who visited the teachers, espe- cially those in the Maybasket parties. At many a midnight, one could find Mrs. Hovey cooking in her spacious kitchen, standing over a hot wood-stove. She died, active in her work, as she hoped she would. Marius Hovey served for several years on the School Committee.
After his mother's death, Mr. Hovey sold the farm on Oct. 7, 1915 to Herbert C. Wilson of Worcester. Mr. Wilson carried on the farm but never lived here. After his death Mrs. Wilson sold to Charles W. Putnam, March 10, 1937.
Mrs. Charles Putnam lives here now with her daughters, Doris and Shirley. Doris was married to Gordon R. Humes, April 26, 1942, in Colorado where he was stationed. They have a daughter Barbara, born Sept. 14, 1948. Shirley Ella was married to Wallace E. Johnson, Nov. 6, 1943. Mrs. Humes and Mrs. Johnson are the present owners of the farm.
Gordon R. Humes spent four years in Military Service in World War II. He was a member of the Air Force in the 344th Bomb Squadron. Wallace E. Johnson served three years in World War II in the Medical Unit of the Ninth Armored Division, stationed in England, France and Germany.
Before the Putnam family moved to the farm, the house was rented to Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Shaw. Mr. Shaw is Associate Agent of the Worcester County Extension Service. He married Miss Janice Gibson of Auburn. Their son Bruce was born May 5, 1931.
Mrs. Luella Gifford has written the following description of the LeBaron House. She has lived for years in the adjoining property and often talked with Mrs. Hovey about the old home, built by Mrs. Hovey's great-grandfather.
"The LeBaron house at the crest of Sutton Hill is the creation of one, Lazarus LeBaron of French Huguenot ancestry, and carries in its symmetrical architecture the gift of artistry and beauty that appeals to all beauty-loving people. It will never outgrow its setting and will always impress one as an example of dignified
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hospitality, to attract those who understand and appreciate its solid worth and beauty. The date of its erection-1794.
"Coming to the large front door on the north side, we sound the old brass knocker and the door opens softly and we are bidden to enter. The front hall is thirty-five feet long and at the end is a large south door, matching the front door. The staircase rises to a landing, then turns and ascends to the second floor. The balustrade is topped with a rail of mahogany with pine balusters and is fashioned in true colonial style.
"The lower front rooms at east and west are large and high with recessed windows and inside shutters, finished in panelled woodwork and painted in old-ivory. The doors are in the old 'Christian' or 'angel' design, with cross at top and panels in bear's-foot graining in mahogany, and are hung on the old H and L hinges. The southeast and southwest rooms are nearly the same size as the front rooms and similarly finished. All rooms in the main part of the house, both upstairs and down, have fine fireplace and mantels.
"The compartment between the taproom or northeast room and kitchen was used to store and serve the liquid refreshments to the sojourners. Mr. LeBaron was a royal host and the great and the near-great were his special delight. Dressed in knee breeches and long, silk stockings, with silver buckles at knee and slipper, his appearance was gracious and welcoming. To this Inn came Lafayette, Gov. John Hancock, Maj. John Paul Jones, Gen. Putnam and others to find ready hospitality.
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