USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1876 to 1950, Volume II > Part 60
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DISTRICT No. 2
Pigeon Hill Cemetery. Town owned. (Accepted, February 1, 1915.)
Fuller Burial Place. On Leo Burrows Farm. About twenty-five graves. Inscrip- tions. Names-Fuller.
DISTRICT No. 3
Paupers' Cemetery. On Town Farm property. About fifty graves. Town owned. Many inscriptions.
Burial Place on former Harwood Farm. Three or four graves. No inscriptions.
Arnold Cemetery on State Reservation. Enclosed. About twelve graves. Inscrip- tions on all. Names-all Arnold or Carpenter.
Burial Place on State Reservation. About fifty graves. A few inscriptions. Names -Marsh, Woodbury and Griggs.
Burial Place on Freeland Farm. About twenty-five graves. One inscription. Mary Wilkins, A.D. 1765.
Cemetery on Griggs Farm. Inscriptions. Names-Hall.
Burial Place on Batcheller Farm. About twenty-five graves. No inscriptions. Last interment about 1866.
DISTRICT No. 4
Cemetery on Currier Farm. About thirty graves. Inscriptions. Names-Hutchin- son, Merriam, Marsh, Putnam.
Cemetery on Woodbury-Cole Farm. About twenty graves. Inscriptions on most. Names-Cole, Woodbury, Pratt. (Riley not inscribed. )
Cemetery at Sutton Center. Town owned.
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Cemetery on Carpenter Farm, now owned by F. S. Smith Heirs. About twenty graves. Inscriptions. Names-Carpenter.
DISTRICT NO. 5
Burial Place near Purgatory. Two graves of smallpox victims. Inscription. Names -Titus and Lowe. (A girl, seventeen years old, dug the graves and buried them without help.)
DISTRICT No. 6
Darling Cemetery on Darling Farm. About thirty graves. Inscriptions. Names- Darling, Paine.
French Baptist Society Cemetery. About fifteen graves. Inscriptions. Names- Couillard, McDonald.
Burial Place in Tucker Village. Two graves. No inscriptions. Names-Bassett. Burial Place opposite Paine House. Eight Graves. No inscriptions. No names.
The Harwood Cemetery. Miss Clara Darling wrote that this was a very old cemetery, beyond the Darling pasture, on land now owned by Stanley Grey. This cemetery, years ago, was also called "Indian Burial Ground." The tops of the stones can still be seen, but so many years' growth of leaf mold have covered them that it is not known whether or not there are any inscriptions on them. It has been said that the Wheelers were buried there. The high ledge in the Darling pasture has been called for generations, "The Indian Cave." The road by the Darling farm went by this cemetery and on the Morse place to Douglas.
DISTRICT NO. 7
South Sutton Cemetery. Town owned. The first burial in this cemetery was in 1803.
Burial Place at "New State." Two graves. No inscriptions. No names.
DISTRICT No. 9
Armsbury Cemetery. About one hundred graves. Town owned. (Accepted, Feb- ruary 5, 1917.)
DISTRICT No. 10
Dodge Cemetery. About one hundred graves. Town owned. (Accepted, March 10, 1914. )
DISTRICT No. 11
Howard Cemetery. Town owned. Land purchased from Emory Howard by the Town for a new cemetery, in 1864.
Marble Cemetery. On the old Marble or Kamaitis farm. Thirty graves. Inscrip- tions. Names-Barnes, Marble, Locke.
DISTRICT NO. 12
Dudley Cemetery. In Wilkinsonville. Town owned. (Accepted, March 17, 1913.)
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INDUSTRIES and RESERVATIONS
Burial Place. Episcopal Church. Two graves. Rev. Preston Barr and Mrs. Pres- ton Barr.
DISTRICT No. 13
Fuller Cemetery. About forty graves. Inscriptions. Names-Fuller, Briggs, Put- nam, Barton, Metcalf.
Holt Cemetery. On Holt farm. About twelve graves. Inscriptions.
Burial place in Manchaug. Now under water. Three or more graves. Names not known.
Alvin B. Swindell has served on the Board of Commissioners of Public Ceme- teries as Secretary or Chairman for over ten years.
History of Sutton
PART V-COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
T HE community organizations play an important part in village life. They promote sociability and good fellowship among the members, avoiding social or religious distinctions. Many of these groups sponsor charitable projects and secure benefits, not otherwise available, for the needy and the under- privileged in the town.
Great power and inspiration is created by a body of men or women, working together for a worthy cause. Their common interest contributes to a sympathetic understanding between the members and thereby works for harmonious living in the community.
THE SUTTON FARMERS' CLUB
The Sutton Farmers' Club was one of the first and, for years, the most impor- tant organization in the town. It held monthly meetings and was formed prima- rily as a forum for agriculture. Well-known speakers addressed the Institutes.
However, since it was practically the only community organization in the village, it served as a kind of social group, adults and young people attending. It sponsored, often, popular and "literary" entertainments. It disbanded about 1886, after the establishment of the Sutton Grange, which had similar aims.
The great project, undertaken by the Club, was the annual Cattle Show for which it combined with Millbury and Auburn Farmers' Clubs as the Union Agricultural Society.
The Third Exhibition of this Society was held at Sutton Center, October 3, 1882. (Others were held here in 1884 and 1886.) Henry S. Stockwell was Presi- dent and the officers and members of the committees included the most prominent of the Sutton Citizens, showing the predominance of farmers' interests in the Town.
The events of the day were: Ploughing Match at 9:30; Exhibition of Horses at 11:30; Trial of Working Oxen, 2 o'clock; Trained Steers, 3 o'clock. No boy over fifteen was allowed to compete.
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Over twenty-five classes of premiums were listed. Among the contests were:
Best Ploughing with one pair of Horses or Oxen, 8 furrows each.
Premiums from $1 to $5.
Boy's Plowing Match ( Allowed a driver. ) Premiums, $1 to $3.
Working Oxen.
Oxen, five years and upwards. Best Work, 4000 pounds.
Oxen, four years old. Best Work, 3000 pounds.
Sweepstakes premium of $5 for the Yoke of Oxen that will back the Heaviest Load without excessive use of whip.
Best Fancy Trained Steers. Premiums, $1 to $2.
One remembers the farmer boy, George Marsh, showing off his beautiful young steers, kneeling at his command, the command seeming to be a tap with the whip on the animals' knees.
For over sixty years, a large, heavy stone stood as a landmark on a Sutton Center property, hauled there by one of the competing teams, at the request of the owner, as a "Keep Off" sign for drivers, cutting corners across the lawn.
It was an exciting day in Sutton Center when the Cattle Shows were held there. Exhibitors began to arrive early. Cattle were corralled on the Common and were tied to its fence posts. Their owners had been busy for weeks, getting the herds ready: washing, brushing and oiling their coats; the horns scoured, polished and oiled to look like ivory and the hoofs similarly treated.
There was noise and much dashing about in the town, a brass band adding to the gayety. After the awards, the cattle looked very splendid as they were led around on parade, their coats shimmering in the sunlight, the prize rosettes car- ried on their horns.
THE WILKINSONVILLE DEBATING SOCIETY
In the late 1870s, there was a debating society in Wilkinsonville which met twice a month and attracted able and scholarly men from the village, who took part in its programs. Judging from the enthusiastic response of the audiences, as reported, and knowing the reputations of the speakers, it is evident that neither wit nor wisdom was lacking in the debates. The Worcester Spy records a few of the subjects under discussion.
"January 19, 1878. 'Resolved, that poll tax payers should not be allowed to vote on money appropriations.' I. B. Hartwell and W. H. Steere in affirmative; Rev. P. Y. Smith and Warren Wilder in the negative. This was reported to be the most interesting session of the season when it was decided that poll tax payers should not be allowed to vote on raising money.
"December 13, 1877. 'Resolved, that in matter of dress we should be governed by laws of fashion rather than by laws of convenience.' Newell Wedge, affirma- tive; I. B. Hartwell and A. D. Chase in negative. Decided in negative.
"February 1, 1878. 'Resolved, that in the settlement of the Eastern Question, the Christian princes, now under the dominion and oppression of the Turkish Government, should be declared free from their allegiance and tribute to the Mahomet Government.' Amos Batcheller and Rev. P. Y. Smith argued in the affirmative and W. H. Steere and J. P. Newton in the negative. Question decided in the negative.
"December 31, 1877. 'Resolved, that moderate poverty, considered in its rela- tion to life, is a blessing.' After an animated discussion, the question was de-
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cided in the negative by the judges. The attendance was very large, more than the seating capacity of the hall."
THE WEST SUTTON LYCEUM
In the 1870s, another organization, the West Sutton Lyceum, was conducting interesting meetings of an educational nature in a different section of the town. It held a levee, December 23, 1877, in the Masonic Hall to raise funds for a popular lecture course. The receipts were over one hundred twenty-five dollars. "Mr. J. C. Waters and Mrs. Julia Phelps received the prize as the most stylish walking couple in the grand promenade."
THE SUTTON GRANGE Compiled by Miss Marian T. Smith
The Sutton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, Number 109 was organized March 6, 1883 in the vestry of The First Congregational Church by State Master, James Draper of Worcester. There were 36 charter members. The first officers were: Master, Charles N. Woodbury; Overseer, Alfred A. Putnam; Chaplain, Edwin Hutchinson; Steward, Charles E. Lowe; Assistant Steward, Eli D. King; Lady Assistant Steward, Mrs. B. Frank King; Secretary, Miss Sarah M. Mills; Treas- urer, Henry F. Lombard; Gate Keeper, H. Sibley Stockwell; Ceres, Mrs. J. Hall Putnam; Pomona, Miss Flora Putnam; Flora, Miss Sarah Diviny; Executive Committee, Henry S. Stockwell, Mrs. J. H. Towle, Mrs. Henry F. Rice and David Searles.
The public installation was held Friday evening, March 16, 1883. Officers were inducted to office by F. A. Harrington, Master of Worcester Grange, assisted by F. H. Hammond. Guests were present from Worcester, Auburn, West Boylston and Millbury.
The Grange, or P. of H., as it is called generally, is a secret organization for the promotion of agricultural interests. Its objects are: 1. General improvement of the farm; 2. To increase general happiness, wealth and prosperity of the country; 3. To give the women on the farms a chance to have a social time with their neighbors; 4. To increase fellowship, as no political or religious discussions are allowed; 5. To prevent cruelty to animals, to care for the sick, instruct the youth and aim to elevate all classes, both socially and morally.
It is the only organization, except the church, where the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters can meet on the same level. Its motto is, "What is worth doing, is worth doing well."
April 24, 1883, it was voted to hold the meetings the first Tuesday of each month. The first year they were held in the church vestry, in private homes, or in Washington Hall, the hall over the Brick Store. The first "Fruit and Flower Show," or "Harvest Festival," was held in Washington Hall, September 18, 1883, a custom which was continued for many years. At this festival the farmers brought their choice fruits and vegetables to exhibit, while the ladies exhibited flowers, canned goods and fancywork.
September 2, 1884, the meeting nights were changed to the first and third Fridays, and January 21, 1898, the nights were changed to the first and third Wednesdays as they are now.
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HISTORY of SUTTON
November 7, 1884 they voted to have uniform badges for all members.
On March 6, 1885 the Town Hall was completed, and the Grange was given the use of Lyric Hall for two nights a month for $35 a year. This included light, fuel and service of the janitor. Memorial Hall was to be used not more than three times a year.
Part of each meeting is spent in the discussion of topics of special interest to the farmers and their wives. Some of the topics have been: "Care of Domestic Animals," "Poultry," "Potatoes," "Evening with Corn," "Geology of Sutton; Its Soil," "Mineral Wealth," "Our Native Ferns," "Noted Sons and Daughters of Sutton," "Housekeepers' Exchange" and "Ideal Homes." Each meeting has a literary program and a social hour.
The organization has sponsored special suppers, fishing parties, picnics, clam bakes and trips to places of historical interest.
March 25, 1908, the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Grange was observed with a chicken-pie supper. A purse of $25 was given to Miss Sarah Mills in appreciation of her efficient service as Secretary for all of the twenty-five years.
A community service committee was started February 5, 1913 and the money earned by this committee helps some worthy undertaking in the town; such as furnishing prizes for school speaking contests, a Philco Radio Set for the High School, a sewing machine for the 4-H Club and other projects.
There is a Grange Educational Aid Fund from which members of the Grange may borrow $100 toward their schooling. It also has two scholarships a year for deserving Patrons from the State.
May 17, 1933, the fiftieth anniversary of the Grange was celebrated. Brother Charles N. Woodbury, first Master; Charles E. Lowe, first Steward; and Mrs. B. Frank King, first Lady Assistant Steward, were present to receive their fifty- year jewels. Ernest King of Hillsboro, N. H., another charter member, sent an interesting letter to the meeting.
Old Timers' Night was observed, June 19, 1935, when Charles N. Woodbury, first Master; Fred S. Smith, former Chaplain; Mrs. Mary King, first Lady Assist- ant Steward and Mrs. Harriet Balcome, a charter member acting as Flora, all fifty-year members or over, occupied the official chairs.
For many years the people of the town looked forward to the annual dramatic night, which was one of the highlights of the year. July 13, 1913, "The Court- ship of Miles Standish" was presented as an outdoor play on the Church Common.
There have been three members, who have been given jewels for sixty years continuous membership: Fred S. Smith, Fred L. Batcheller and Mrs. Lucia K. Ray. The last two named are still living. Besides the fifty-year members previ- ously listed are: Herbert L. Ray, Mrs. R. Alice Smith and Mrs. Stella Richardson. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Richardson are still living. A large number of the Patrons have received twenty-year certificates.
At the present time (1950), there are 191 members.
The Grange is always ready to assist in any worthwhile project in the community.
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ORGANIZATIONS
WEST SUTTON COMMUNITY LEAGUE By Lucy Waters Phelps
The West Sutton Community League had its inception in a novel manner. In the summer of 1928 Miss Frances J. W. Freeland conveyed the thought to Prof. Walter N. Waters. She said to him that West Sutton should have an annual picnic as well as other parts of Sutton. The "Stay-at-Homes" should send out cordial invitations to natives and other friends who had sought afar in which to carry on their lifework. Many people will be happy to lay aside their routine work to spend a yearly "at-home" day in West Sutton.
Prof. Waters relayed this idea to persons in the village. All who were solicited, accepted their respective duties with zeal and confidence.
The first gathering was local in character. Mrs. John E. Tuttle, who with her husband, Rev. John E. Tuttle, owned the Bullard homestead, suggested that it be called "The Rally Day." We met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Erastus C. Plum- mer, in August 1928. After lunch we adjourned to the Baptist Church, just below, because of rain. There a paper on "The Leonard Ancestry" was read by Mrs. Edward D. Leonard; a paper on "The Churches" was read by Mrs. Erastus C. Plummer and a paper on "The Schools" was read by Miss Lucy Waters Phelps. Mrs. Charles Butler, a former resident and teacher, then residing in New York sent a pleasant note of remembrance, which was read by Lucy W. Phelps, the secretary. A poem was delivered by Miss Jessie H. Putnam and a song ren- dered by Robert H. Luther. Then Edward D. Leonard and Charles S. Phelps set two evergreen trees on the church lawn that were contributed by Mr. Ramsay. (And the rain was still falling.) The song "Auld Lang Syne" completed the pro- gram. All said their goodbyes and returned to their respective homes; and all carried with them, in their heads and hearts a strong thought that something grand and new had begun in the village of West Sutton.
By appointment the nominating committee met at Edward D. Leonard's home Tuesday evening, Aug. 28, 1928, to "move and second" the following outline of the project in hand: Name, "West Sutton Community League"; Object, sug- gested by Rev. John E. Tuttle, "To promote everything that makes for the bet- terment of the Community in all particulars"; Annual Meetings, last Saturday in August of each year; Committees, of which there were five-Young People's Work, Programmes, Village Improvement, Ways and Means and Membership; Officers of which there were six positions; Membership; Non-residents; Annual Dues; Officers nominated. Voted to call the first Community meeting at the Parish House, Sept. 4, 1928. (The Parish House was the Bullard store before 1937 when the church bought it; since the Community has used it, it was voted to call it the Community Hall.) At this meeting David N. Putnam was unani- mously chosen as first president of our League.
Here, too, it was moved and seconded to make Miss Frances J. W. Freeland an Honorary Member of the League.
The idea of using the West Sutton school building had been sought and per- mission to do so was obtained from the School Committee. At the meeting of Oct. 10, the members voted to have the building wired for electricity, the expense to be shared by the town, the library and the League. (The West Sutton hotel burned in 1899. One room had been used for the branch Library. Salvaged
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HISTORY of SUTTON
books were transferred to the school building.) Note is made of a meeting at the West Sutton schoolhouse, Jan. 16, 1929, "where the new electric lights gave splendid service."
In 1929 there was much discussion on buying a building-site for the League but no final action was taken. That is the reason for a sum of money still in the Millbury Savings Bank for a "building fund."
On Aug. 25, 1936, Mr. Albert Everett, a Civil War Veteran, wrote to Mrs. David N. Putnam, then corresponding secretary, a letter, giving the League a 100-dollar check. The letter follows:
"Hornell, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1936.
"Dear Mrs. Putnam:
I thank you very heartily for your invitation to the Community League Picnic-would like to be present if such a thing were possible. But I am well along in my 97th year-have lately had a very hard time with a doctor in this town, and am only barely escaped out of his hands. West Sutton was the home of my mother and three generations of her family and I have always had a deep interest in it.
I enclose a check for one hundred dollars ($100.) to be placed in a bank and held as the nucleus of a fund for a home of its own at some time in the future when-maybe-it can own the spot where it now meets.
I wish it may long live, and help to bind together as one people all those who meet with it, from year to year.
Very sincerely yours, (Signed) Albert Everett"
He died the following year, Dec. 16, 1937.
Mr. George E. Clark served as president the longest time to date-from 1933 to 1946. Then he retired, due to ill health. In leaving, he gave the League a very useful memorial-though small-a gavel, which he made by hand, bearing the initials of the League-W.S.C.L. and the block to go with it. He died the following April, 1947.
From its beginning the League has had six presidents; the one at the present writing, 1951, is O. Earl Rosebrooks who has served nearly four years.
With little exception monthly meetings were held for years, more formerly than at present. The programs have been varied, pleasing and often informative. It is to be regretted that there is not space here to recall the nice things that have been said and done at our League meetings, through the years. Little children, under their teachers' guidance, teen-agers, young men and women and adults from near and far-all have contributed to make successful the many sessions of the League. However, they are recorded in the League's books of record.
WILKINSONVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
In the years immediately before World War I, the village of Wilkinsonville was a thriving community. There was plenty of employment and a large group of energetic citizens called Wilkinsonville their home. There were very few auto- mobiles-a Stanley Steamer or two, and perhaps a Ford. Nearly everyone de- pended upon the streetcars and trains to go to and from Worcester or down the valley. In winter and early spring, these were on limited or uncertain schedule and people hesitated to run the risk of standing, chilled to the bone, waiting for
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ORGANIZATIONS
the streetcar which might be so crowded, there would be standing room only, all the way to Worcester. There was therefore, an agitation among Wilkinsonville people to have more entertainments and social gatherings in the village. Soon the Village Improvement Society was formed and more or less informal meetings were held. Funds were raised for chairs, dishes and other equipment by enter- tainments in Arnold Hall, on the second story of the present Molleur's Block: The entrance that was used, mostly, was a rickety fire escape which has since been removed. The minstrel show, the old Singing School, with their participants in costume, will long be remembered. The Girls' Club, organized at about the same time, co-operated with the men in their efforts to raise needed funds. Mr. Donald Starbard, Master Mechanic at the Anco Mills, was very much interested in the welfare of the young people and was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Society. John Wesley, Jerome T. Rutledge, also from the Mill, gave their support to the project. Louis Hall, Michael J. O'Mara, Frank and Harry Dodge, Arthur Merrill and others gave generously of their time and talents and property.
A new floor was laid in Arnold Hall by volunteers, so that weekly dances could be held and the hall could be more generally used. The registration for the soldiers in World War I was held in the Hall in 1917-1918. A platform was built near the schoolhouse for outdoor dancing. A piano was purchased, half of the cost being promised by the Girls' Club and half by the Improvement Society and it was moved out of and into the schoolhouse weekly, to provide music-a backbreaking task.
A large crowd attended the preparedness meeting, in 1917. This was on the Church Common and a chorus of one hundred voices was conducted by Professor Walter Waters of New York and prominent speakers gave the addresses.
The extra unfinished room in the schoolhouse addition was made available a few months for entertainments but the village people decided it was time to have an auditorium sufficiently large to accommodate the different activities of the village.
With that in mind, it was decided to form a Corporation, buy a tract of land and make plans to erect a Community Hall. A lot, a part of Louis Hall's farm, at the corner of Providence Road and Church Street, was selected. Wilkinsonville Community Association, with a new name, started as a "Corporation for the social improvement of the members, by means of literary and musical exercises and social gatherings and for educational, benevolent, and charitable purposes."
The first meeting was held, Aug. 28, 1919, at 8 P.M., at the schoolhouse. The names signed to the first agreement were: Louis T. Hall, Adin E. Lowe, George H. Dodge, J. Thomas Piper, Josiah Woodward, Louis Gauvin, Frank E. Dodge, John C. Dudley, Arthur C. Merrill and (Rev.) Preston Barr.
The first president was Frank E. Dodge, who was still holding the office at the time of his death, in 1943; his brother, George H. Dodge, was the first treasurer and still held the office until his death, also, in 1943. John Dudley served as clerk for twenty-eight years.
Plans were made at first for a building to seat 300 people and a drive was started to raise $3000. The Girls' Club gave their attention to the new Society and made a very substantial contribution to the success of the undertaking. The architect was instructed to arrange for a gallery, asbestos curtain, pine sheathing, birch floors, hot-air heat and a concrete floor in the basement.
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The foundation was completed in December 1920, and was covered with tar paper for the winter. During the summer, the lawn parties and the clambake in Rock's field had netted $486. Much more was raised for the project, later. Then came the after effects of the war. The crushing blow came, in June 1929, when the village was sold. The mill with water privilege and railroad facilities, board- inghouse, twenty-six tenements, store and tracts of land were turned over to the highest bidder. The population of Wilkinsonville was radically changed, the automobile and nearby movie arrived and the Community Hall project was al- most abandoned. Interest in building a meeting-place has been awakened several times, however, especially in 1940, when plans were again made for a smaller building. A new drive for funds was started and Hector Chase and his Com- mittee raised a large sum of money by holding whist parties and a Mock Trial was given in Sutton under the leadership of Roscoe Fisher with large financial profit.
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