USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1876 to 1950, Volume II > Part 7
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Halls and Decoration Tyler Stockwell, Chairman
Henry T. Dudley
Clymer A. Reynolds
David Tousignant Elmer E. Shaw
Ushers: For Receptions
John E. Gifford, Chairman William F. Hutchinson
Clarence E. Wallace
Miss M. Ethel Brigham
Miss Marion M. Cullina
Miss Luella M. Dudley
John F. Freeland
Rev. Samuel Hodgkiss Benjamin Townley
Roy W. Warner
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ANNALS of SUTTON
of Sutton". Rev. Albert Ribourg, pastor of St. Paul's Church at Manchaug, chose for his subject, "Why America in the Past Has Been Called the Land of Liberty".
Chief in importance of the morning services was that which took place in the First Congregational Church, the old church on the common, which had the closest relation to the early history of the town. The musical program was in charge of Miss Anna H. Whipple, organist and choir director, and included selections by the choir, a solo by Dr. Frank H. Kendrick, formerly of Sutton, and hymns by the congregation. The invocation was by Rev. Frank A. Lombard, a son of Sutton, then Dean of Doshisha College in Japan. Rev. Herbert E. Lombard of Byfield, also a Sutton son, spoke on "The Pioneer Preacher". Rev. Warren P. Landers, pastor of the church and an active member of the bicenten- nial committee, gave an address on "The Country Town in History". The Anni- versary Hymn, sung at the service, was written for the occasion by Mrs. Helen Knight (Bullard) Wyman, daughter of Dr. Asa Bullard.
"The interim between morning and afternoon services on Sunday was passed in renewing acquaintances with visitors and friends, who had been long sepa- rated by the circumstances of life. Every home in the center of the town had its guests and most of them had either been born in Sutton or had lived there at some time in the past."
In the afternoon, the first formal bicentennial program was held, a union service of all the churches in Sutton. "At 3 o'clock nearly every seat in the town hall was taken, and still from the four roads leading to the old historic site was a constant string of vehicles and pedestrians, so that when Rev. Warren P. Landers called the meeting to order at 3:30, the hall was crowded to its utmost capacity, as well as both halls and the entryways; many were not able to get inside the doors."
"The services were opened with a piano voluntary by Miss Anna H. Whipple, and singing of the doxology by the congregation. Rev. Samuel Hodgkiss, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church at Wilkinsonville, invoked the divine blessing upon the service of the day and the services of the days to follow during the celebration of the bicentennial. 'Hear, O my people' was sung by Mrs. George W. Marble, Miss Luella M. Dudley, Mrs. Charles E. Hutchinson, Charles E. Hutchinson, Dr. Frank H. Kendrick and William F. Hutchinson. The scripture lesson was read by Rev. Harry D. Hanna, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Saundersville. 'Coronation' was then sung by the congregation, after which Rev. Mr. Landers told the audience of our John Mallalieu, who years ago manufactured woolen cloth in what is now known as Smith's village. And that he had a son, Willard, born in the village, or near it, who had become a great power in the Methodist church. This was Bishop Willard F. Mallalieu, who not being able to leave his other duties to attend the celebration, had sent a letter of greeting. He introduced Rev. John M. Collins of Manchaug, who read the letter. 'What the Centuries have Wrought for Christian Progress in the State' was the subject of Rev. Francis J. VanHorn, pastor of Old South Congre- gational Church of Worcester. After this address, Dr. Frank H. Kendrick sang 'Beyond the Gates of Paradise', and was followed by an address by Rev. George A. Putnam, pastor of the daughter church in Millbury, and himself a grandson of Sutton, on 'What the Centuries Have Wrought for Christian Unity in the
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Church'. The services were brought to a close after the singing of 'Onward Christian Soldiers', by the audience, with the benediction by Rev. Leopold E. Scharf, of West Sutton."
The ushers for this service were: Fred L. Batcheller, Chairman, Sumner C. Clifford, Dr. William A. Greene, Wallace F. King, Albert S. Putnam, Fred B. Clark, William H. Davis, Milton L. Holbrook, Walter J. King, Charles R. Tift.
Education Day. Worcester Telegram, May 16 (abstracts) : "At break of day the inhabitants of Sutton, and especially those living at the center of the town, where the people of the state and nation are congregating these three days, were up and doing, in anticipation of the duties or the pleasures that devolved upon them.
"The people living in the remote parts of the town were up in the early morning to get their farm chores out of the way, so that all the family might be enabled to take in the celebration in all its details. Barges were started running from Millbury electrics at 8 o'clock, and the first one which came to the town was drawn by six white horses, and contained only one passenger, a reporter to the Worcester Telegram. The next and every one that arrived after that was filled with passengers, and when the educational exercises were announced in Memorial hall at 10:30, there was a large crowd everywhere about the hall, the church and the houses about the common.
"This morning the Telegram told of the decorations that are on most of the residences and all the public buildings at the center. Today more beautiful than these were the decorations of nature. The carpet of living green that covers the Sutton hills, the trees of every kind known to New England, just putting forth their leaves, and most beautiful of all the hundreds of apple trees that are at their best and give to the town from one end to the other the appearance of one grand flower garden.
"In Memorial Hall and the school building there were exhibited many things of interest. Conspicuous at the side of the stage in the hall there is hung a large sepia drawing of General Putnam, taken from an oil painting for the celebra- tion, and which is the property of the town of Sutton, to have and hold forever. The painting from which the drawing was made was loaned by Marietta College.
"In a glass case at the side of the hall is a collection of relics of General Putnam, also loaned by the college. In the same case is a collection of photo- graphs, taken in Marietta, and which have been given to the town of Sutton by Pres. Alfred T. Perry of Marietta College. In another case there is a collection of old papers and books contributed by the townspeople. There is also an exhibition of school work and textbooks in the town hall and the central school- house."
Rev. Samuel Hodgkiss, Chairman of the School Board, presided at the morning meeting, which opened at 10.30. Col. Homer B. Sprague of Newton gave the first address, "Education and the Elective Franchise." and said in part :-
"In a free country like ours the ultimate source, humanly speaking, of every blessing, social, civil or political, as for every corresponding evil, the ultimate remedy is to be found, if found at all, in right education."
Colonel Sprague dwelt at length on the problems that confront the govern- ments of towns and cities.
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ANNALS of SUTTON
"Broadly speaking, two tasks of immense difficulty, but not impossible, con- front us. The first is to enlighten, quicken, enthrone conscience, the conscience of every child in school-a task never to be forgotten, omitted or slighted. In accomplishing it, no painstaking can be excessive, no vigilance can be safely relaxed; for no problem or process in education ever required more time and skill. Progressively more and more, and by and by all, of the youth of the land must somehow be made to love their country as our common mother, yet to love justice more; to recognize law, however enacted, as a sacred thing, the veritable binding ordinance of God; to scout the atheistic sentiment, 'Our Country right or wrong'; and to cherish, in dealing with other peoples, feeble as well as mighty, a sense of honor as lofty and stainless as that in the immortal utterance of old Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, 'I would lay down my life to serve my country, but I would not do a base thing to save it!'
Mr. J. W. McDonald, Agent of the State Board of Education, was the next speaker. His subject was "Education in Massachusetts". Quoting from his address:
"The Puritan settlers around Massachusetts, under the gentle, devout and courageous Winthrop and his worthy compeers, had hardly more than built their log cabin homes and their first, humble thatched-roof meetinghouse, before they began to show a solicitous regard for the education of their children and even of the children of the Indians.
"At first, provisions for education were left to the voluntary action of towns, and when furnished, parents could use them or ignore them as they saw fit. And some did ignore them, for in the new country where the struggle for a livelihood was arduous, even child-labor became valuable. So the General Court in 1642 made it one of the duties of the selectmen of the town to see that all children were taught 'to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country.' This law was a timid first effort-hardly more than a shadow cast before, of the law of 1647, the first enactment in the history of the world whereby a legislative body pledged the wealth of the community to make education forever free and universal and this, not as the dispensation of a charity, but an obligation.
"Two hundred and fifty years separate us from those men, and during this time education in Massachusetts has had it dark age and also its renaissance. Today over 13,000 public school teachers are instructing over 400,000 pupils. We have over 42,000 pupils in 263 high schools, the poorest of which furnishes opportunities for as advanced an education, as did the infant Harvard of the days of Winthrop.
"I am not so visionary as to argue that by any adaptation, the school alone can remedy all evils, but I have a strong faith that when the education of today is adapted to meet the conditions of its day as did that of the fathers, there will be a great decrease in idleness and crime, and a great increase in virtue and happiness. Then we shall be making good citizens."
"The City School" was the subject of an address by Mr. Homer P. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, Worcester.
The next address was to be given by Rev. Frank A. Lombard, Dean of Doshisha University, Japan, but owing to the pressure of time it was omitted.
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HISTORY of SUTTON
His subject was "The Democracy of Letters". An abstract was published by the request of the committee, a part of which follows:
"Religion and education are the foundations of democracy. Without them any form of popular government must eventually fall through its own inefficiency.
"Among the dynamic forces of education the influence of letters is supreme. Literature is a product of the human heart and soul, finding expression through gifted lips or pen, but appealing to the universal in mankind. Great thoughts are the property of no individual mind or people, they are the heritage of all. True literature in living form, broadens interests and deepens those sympathies that make for brotherhood.
"The world moves towards a more united life. To it a wrong name has been given. It is not imperialism, but world democracy. The day shall dawn; but for signs, the heralds of its coming need not look in senate halls or in island fields, but in the schools and homes where boys and girls in their own, and other tongues are making friends with kindred from every land on earth, and becom- ing citizens of that democracy of letters that knows no bounds of time or place.
"The day was one of recreation and reunion for the children, who were pupils in the schools of the town, and they were brought from all parts of the town in barges, arriving early in the forenoon and remaining all day.
"The schools represented by teachers and pupils were the Putnam Hill, Eight Lots, Hathaway, Manchaug, Old Stone, West Sutton, Union, Leland Hill, South Sutton, Harback, Wilkinsonville, Central and High. At the noon hour all but the High School were given lunch in the bicentennial tent each school providing for its own. In the high-school building there was luncheon and a special reunion for the present pupils and the graduates. In the early afternoon there were sports and games for the boys and girls."
Exercises in Memorial Hall began at three-thirty, presided over by E. Blake Barton, Superintendent of Schools. After a short address, he introduced pupils from Manchaug, who were directed in Kindergarten Games by Miss Ada Longfellow. Music for the day was furnished by Steere's Orchestra of Worcester.
Rev. Dr. Alfred T. Perry, President of Marietta College, gave the address of the afternoon. He reviewed the provisions for education made by the early New England settlers and continued:
"The ideals of the fathers were of course not always fully carried out. Not all the boys in New England have received the training which was meant for them. The man who is the chief figure in this celebration was denied the early advantages, enjoyed by most around him. It was only by private study under great difficulties that Gen. Rufus Putnam obtained most of his education.
"New England, founded by people of strong convictions and an adventurous spirit, was, in the early days, full of an abounding vitality. Her youth were not content to live in the communities where they were born, and pursue the same round of duties as their fathers; they aspired to win new conquests, to visit new scenes, to carve their own fortunes. So out from these hills and valleys there streamed into the great West a flood of young people. There were others press- ing into the same region, but in influence, if not in numbers, New England people excelled them all, so that it is not too much to say that in a very real sense New England has projected herself clear across the continent, and the great states of the Middle West and northern part of the Mississippi valley have
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felt strongly, and in most cases have been dominated by influences which had their birth here.
"It was such a company of brave pioneers, out of the villages of Massa- chusetts, that Rufus Putnam led in 1788 over the Alleghenies to make the first permanent settlement in the new territory northwest of the Ohio River. These Marietta settlers were true to their New England inheritance as far as education was concerned. The first winter of their arrival, the children were gathered in the old block house, still standing, where they were taught by two young men of the party competent for the work. In the great ordinance of 1787 by which the Northwest Territory was constituted, occurs this clause: 'Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of man- kind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.' And in the deed by which the land was transferred to the Ohio Company this statement appears: 'And also reserving and excepting two complete townships for the purposes of a university.' The charter for this Ohio University, located at Athens, Ohio, was obtained in 1804 and Rufus Putnam, with six other Marietta men, were among the first trustees. Somewhat later the sons of the pioneers built Marietta College. Thus did this son of Sutton, himself denied school advantages, plan and labor and give that other children might have the highest educational advantages."
In the evening at Memorial Hall from eight o'clock until nine, there was a reception to the guests, tendered by the Selectmen. Receiving were: B. Frank Batcheller, Franklin R. Putnam, Tyler Stockwell and their wives.
Official greetings from towns incorporating parts of ancient Sutton was the first number on the program after the reception. B. Frank Batcheller presided.
The addresses by representatives of towns, given in order of Cession of Terri- tory:
Westboro
1728
Mr. T. H. Reilly
Upton
1735
Mr. Charles A. Whitney
Auburn
1778
Mr. Thomas E. Eaton
Northbridge
1780
Mr. Edwin Glueck (in absence of Rev. John Thurston)
Oxford
1793
Hon. John E. Kimball
Millbury
1813
Arthur H. Batchelor
Grafton
1842
Fred A. Dodge (for Hon. John E. Mcclellan)
Following the addresses was a soprano solo by Miss Luella M. Dudley.
The Response for the Town of Sutton to the Greetings of the Neighboring Towns was given by Rev. Warren P. Landers in the absence of the Town Attorney, J. Fred Humes.
"As the people were leaving the hall, there was seen in the east a brilliant illumination, from a bonfire in the town of Westboro, built by the citizens of that town in honor of the town of Sutton, as an additional greeting to the town over the spoken greeting from the official delegates."
Civic Day. From the Worcester Telegram, May 17. "This has been the greatest day in the history of the Town of Sutton. It has called to the Town men of high position in the State and Nation and has been a day to be remem- bered in the annals of not only the town, but the county. The day has been given up solely in honor of the man, who is known in history as the founder and father of Ohio; the man who is credited with being the one who came to
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HISTORY of SUTTON
the rescue of this country when the state of Ohio was chartered, and who by his firmness in imposing conditions upon the United States Government in granting a state charter, prevented the new state from going into history, as one where the traffic in human lives, called slavery, was legalized.
"An important part in the honoring of Gen. Rufus Putnam has been done by the Freeland family, which owns the farm which was in the olden times owned in part or all by the father of Gen. Rufus Putnam.
"When the town of Sutton determined it would perpetuate the memory of its famous son by means of a monument to mark the place of his birth, the Free- lands came forward, and, with the spirit of patriotism which has been the record of this old family from the early days of the town to the present, gave free from all limitations the land on which the Putnam house once stood, and in which the monument which was dedicated today now is. The members of the Freeland family who signed the deed of transfer are Mrs. Caroline Freeland and her sons, James, John, J. Eddy and George F. Freeland.
"There was at the dedication of the monument the largest crowd of the three days' celebration, and it was estimated that at this services there were gathered in the neighborhood of 2000 people.
"The line of parade to the monument was formed at the town hall at 10 o'clock and was made up of Chief Marshall Henry F. Rice and aids, T. Burt Stevenson, John E. Gifford, Fred L. Batcheller, Charles E. Lowe and Lindol E. French; Battery B Band of Worcester, 25 men; Worcester Light Infantry, Capt. P. L. Rider, 50 men; carriages with guests; and 500 carriages and barges and hundreds afoot and horseback, bicycles and automobiles bringing up the rear.
"Among those in the first carriages were Gov. John L. Bates, Adjt. Gen. Samuel Dalton, Hon. George F. Hoar, Hon. Curtis Guild, Jr., Hon. James W. Stockwell, Mrs. Louise Taft of Millbury, mother of the Secretary of War, and her sister, Miss Delia Torrey, Gen. Henry S. Dewey and Gen. William H. Brigham of the governor's staff, Hon. John R. Thayer, representative in congress from this district, Hon. William M. Mills of Marietta, Ohio, the official delegate from that state, Thomas M. Babson, city solicitor of Boston, Alfred T. Perry, D.D., President of Marietta College, Hon. J. Lewis Ellsworth, sec'y, State Board of Agriculture, Prof. Edwin A. Grosvenor of Amherst College, Hon. Walter H. Blodget, Mayor of City of Worcester."
Hon. James W. Stockwell presided at the exercises of unveiling the monu- ment. At the opening he said in part: "We rejoice that the day is pleasant, as it is for this service in memory of Sutton's greatest general and citizen. There are lives that create epochs. Sutton has had its share, a large share, of men whose lives have blessed the town, the state and the nation. Foremost among these is the memory of the man we have met here to remember this day. There is some- thing in opportunity; there is the ring of God's life in men, when he meets that opportunity and crowns it with success. There is still more and nearer the god- likeness when he fixes his effort upon the dark and doubtful issue, and brings out of it glorious achievement. To the memory of such a man we have met here to consecrate this stone."
The Prayer of Dedication was offered by Rev. Warren P. Landers. The stars and stripes covered the top of the tablet on the monument, behind which was the platform from which the speakers addressed the large audience.
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President Stockwell continued, saying in part:
"In the house that stood on this beautiful hill and whose walls are just beneath our feet, a child was born, a life was begun whose influence shall never end as long as patriotism is honored and noble lives are an inspiration. For and in behalf of this town we dedicate this memorial stone; we consecrate this ground forever to the memory of Sutton's most illustrious son, General Rufus Putnam."
The American flag was then removed amid applause, showing the massive block of granite bearing this inscription:
GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM Born April 9, 1738
Soldier in the war for Independence. Companion of Washington. Constructor of works at Dorchester Heights That compeled the evacuation of Boston. Engineer of fortifications at West Point. Father and founder of Ohio. Leader of the company that gave the great Northwest to freedom, education and liberty.
This memorial dedicated May 17, 1904, By the town of Sutton at its bicentennial.
LE
GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM MONUMENT
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HISTORY of SUTTON
Presiding Officer Stockwell introduced Governor Bates. The following are excerpts from Governor Bates' address:
"There is to me something of an ideal nature to this ceremonial. It is not only that it is a memorial to a great man, who here was born, but it is also that it is a revelation of the fact that the virtues that he represented have not, indeed, passed away from the earth.
"His was a varied life. He, perhaps as much as any man whom the country has produced, represents the possibilities of attainment within the land. Looking from this lofty elevation, I am not surprised that the world seemed large to Rufus Putnam, or that he was filled with great purposes."
Referring to Rufus Putnam's achievements, he continued, "May this monu- ment ever stand here telling subsequent generations that the virtues of Rufus Putnam were virtues that are admired in this generation and will never pass from off the earth."
President Stockwell expressed regret at learning of the illness of Secretary of War William Howard Taft, which prevented him being present at the exer- cises. Quoting from Secretary Taft's letter, "There are very few instances in history where a man so modest and comparatively unknown has done so much for his country as did Gen. Rufus Putnam."
After referring to his military career, he continued:
"When we consider the remarkable character of the charter which is known as the 'Ordinance of 1787', by which charter the exclusion of slavery from the magnificent states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, cast the balance with those who opposed human bondage, and secured ultimately a free country, it is difficult to discuss those who drafted and passed the ordinance without using words which in other connections would be extravagant praise.
"I regret my absence especially because I have the warmest associations with Sutton and with Millbury and with Worcester County, which includes them all. Both of my grandfathers and one grandmother and all of my ancestors on either side in this country prior to them were citizens of Worcester County, and my grandfather, Samuel D. Torrey, and great-grandfather, Asa Waters, were for half a century residents of Millbury. My great-great-grandfather, Col. Holman, was a resident of the town of Sutton. Born and hailing from Ohio, which Rufus Putnam founded, and with many of the earliest and sweetest asso- ciations of my life in Millbury and Sutton, Rufus Putnam's birthplace, you can readily understand the regret I feel at not being present on this occasion."
Introducing Senator Hoar, Mr. Stockwell said in part:
"We are very greatly indebted to our beloved senator; his the primal thought of this monument, his the words of the inscription on this tablet, wrought in bronze and placed on this granite rock."
Senator Hoar, who was received with much applause, said in part:
"There are a great many characters in history that are a good deal like our beautiful Worcester county hills. From Connecticut, and Rhode Island to New Hampshire, there is a succession of rolling hills like these we look upon, beauti- ful, fertile to the top, yet if one of them was taken away, there is another and another and another beyond. They wouldn't be much missed in the landscape, and that's the way with almost all the men, statesmen, warriors, preachers and orators and teachers, who make up the public life of the republic. If one had
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