USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Warwick > History of the town of Warwick, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1854 > Part 10
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to weigh a hundred tons, which is so nearly bal- anced that it can be rocked with one hand. These things are richly worth the time and trouble of a journey of some distance to any lover of natural curiosities.
AGRICULTURE.
For the last twenty years the farming interests of the town have somewhat improved : the inhabitants . have become convinced that science and system are as necessary to success as bone and muscle; and most of our farmers have adopted the plan of culti- vating a smaller number of acres, and by a rotation of crops, and a higher state of improvement, obtain a better return for their labor.
Their attention is more devoted to the raising of fruit, hay, and vegetables than formerly. Some have planted new orchards, and others have trimmed and grafted their old ones ; quite a quantity of the best varieties of apples are now grown, so that in ordinary years they have enough for their own supply, and in fruitful ones an overplus to carry to market. The number of horses, cattle, sheep, and swine, has de- creased more than half; but, as they consist of better grades and larger forms, their value has increased, while their numbers have been continually decreasing
Their dwellings are more comfortable and elegant, their fences improved, and their carriages and farm- ing-tools show a utility never before dreamed of, and their value has increased over a hundred per cent. There is also an appearance of neatness and
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thrift to be seen about their homes never before known since the memory of our oldest inhabitants ; and around many of their dwellings are now planted ornamental trees, interspersed with flowers and other things of taste, which, in some instances, make the passers remark that these people have much to make them comfortable and happy.
CATTLE-SHOWS AND FAIRS.
In the autumns of 1859 and 1860 the people of this town held a cattle-show on the Common, and a fair in the Unitarian Church, each year, which were attended by a large number of the inhabitants of Warwick ; and nearly all the towns within twenty miles were represented by quite a respectable number of their best citizens : and many brought with them speci- mens of their agricultural products, and manu- factured articles, while others presented their best horses, neat cattle, sheep, and swine; and we had natural curiosities, flowers, paintings, and other arti- cles of the fine arts ; and, in fact, about every thing that is ever exhibited on similar occasions. We also, at our first gathering, had an able extempore address from R. D. Chase, Esq., of Orange, on the benefits that we should derive from a continu- ation of these meetings in after years. At our meeting together on the second occasion, W. Gris- wold, Esq., of Greenfield, gave us an interesting and instructive scientific address, interspersed with
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anecdotes and other matter, so suitably arranged as to give general satisfaction.
We felt that our cattle-shows and fairs had be- come quite a success ; and we only regret that we have been unable to continue them to this time, as we are satisfied, that, had we done so, it would have been for the advancement of the knowledge of agricultural science, and suggested improvements in practical farming generally.
MANUFACTURES.
The manufacturing interests of our town are com- paratively small, for the reasons that have already been stated ; yet with the perseverance and indus- try of our people they are nevertheless considerable. They consist mostly of lumber of various kinds, or of such articles as are made from lumber, or of which wood is the component part.
In the first place, we would mention that we have fourteen saw-mills within the limits of the town, two of temporary steam-power : nine of them have circular saws of the most approved structure ; and they, all combined, cut out over four million of feet of lumber annually, consisting of pine, chestnut, hemlock, and hard wood, which is carried to the dépôts in the adjoin- ing towns, and transported by steam-cars on the rail- roads to all parts of New England, and the State of New York. It is worth at the dépôts, when placed on the cars, on an average, over fifteen dollars per thousand. The whole process of cutting, hauling, manufacturing,
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and carting to the railroads, employs a large number of men in the winter season, and some during the other seasons of the year. We also have nine small- er mills, that cut pail-staves, chair-stuff, shingles, and broom-handles in considerable quantities, which also find a market abroad.
The stave-mills the past year cut staves and head- ing for over one hundred and fifty thousand pails. And, besides the above, a large amount of wood is cut from our hills and valleys, and hauled to Winchester, Northfield, and Wendell, to be used by the inhabit- ants of these places, or sold to the railroad compa- nies for their use, or transportation to other less wooded regions.
We have also a tannery that employs eight men manufacturing upper leather. They use three hun- dred cords of hemlock bark annually. This bark is mostly grown in town, and is worth from eight to ten dollars a cord. The annual product of this tannery is over fifty tons of leather, - worth, when ready for market, over twenty thousand dollars.
In the village is a boot manufactory, which has been in operation eighteen years. The business was established by Nahum Jones (then a resident of Bos- ton, now of Warwick). It was commenced on a small scale, and has gradually increased from about fifteen thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars per annum, and gives employment to forty men in the various departments of the business. The number of pairs of men's, boys', and youths' boots made here in 1871 was twenty thousand. These boots are adapted to the New-England trade. Nearly all the
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men employed are residents of the town, and owners of real estate.
In the south part of the town is quite a large shop for the manufacture of brush-woods formerly owned by James S. Wheeler (deceased), but now by his son. They make and send to market over twenty-five hundred gross of brush-woods annually. These woods are made of hard wood, and employ from six to eight men ; and the annual product is from four thousand dollars to six thousand dollars, as the season proves to be wet or dry, the power used being water. And there are several small shops that manufacture quite a large amount of chair-stuff of various kinds.
THE WARWICK LIGHT INFANTRY.
In the year 1852 the citizens of Warwick, to the number of fifty or over, united for the purpose of forming themselves into a military company, and petitioned the authorities of the State for powers and privileges given by them to other similar organi- zations.
Their request was heard, and soon answered ; and a charter was granted for five years under the name of the Warwick Light Infantry, allowing them such recompense for their services as other infantry-compa- nies received, on condition that they well and truly performed all the duties required of them by the statutes of the Commonwealth.
Said company assembled, and elected James Stock-
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well captain, Edward F. Mayo and Henry G. Mal- lard lieutenants, with all other officers that were necessary to make them an efficient company of vol- unteer militia.
This company was armed and equipped in a becom- ing and tasteful manner, and performed all the mili- tary duties that the law required for the full term of their charter with a faithful and soldier-like precision, first under Capt. Stockwell, afterwards under Capts. Mayo and Mallard, so as to receive the approbation of their superior officers, and the esteem of their fellow-citizens. And several times have I heard it remarked by the spectators who witnessed their sol- dierly appearance, and the accuracy of their evolu- tions, " that such a company was an honor to any town."
THE CORNET BAND.
For twenty years our town has been cheered and made happier by the harmony of sweet sounds, called forth by an organized body of our citizens called the Warwick Cornet Band. Said organi- zation commenced its operations under Charles F. Hastings as leader, which in a few years was trans- ferred to James E. Fuller, and for a few months to Edward F. Mayo, who with their great love of music, and their usual promptitude of action, soon drew around them a dozen or more of our young men of musical talent, who, mostly under their instruction (with occasionally a teacher from abroad), developed so much skill in the science of music, that for several
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years they were considered an important element in all our public gatherings, and a great source of pleas- ure to the citizens of Warwick as they met from week to week for practice, either on the town com- mon or in the band-room, and united their efforts to become masters of the sweetest, the highest, the most soul-cheering power ever given to man.
They were often invited to the neighboring towns to assist at their fairs, picnics, and other places of amusement and pleasure ; where they were efficient in calling forth such harmonious strains of excellent music, that, after their return to their homes, they were followed with gratitude from those whose happiness was enhanced; and we were congratulated for our accomplished band of excellent musicians.
For several years past, the band has been con- tinued under the leadership of Mr. Samuel Hastings, who has and does still give much time and zeal to the work, as the members have been continually changing, so that at the present time but a very few remain that belonged to the company when he was first chosen to be its leader and teacher ; and we are happy to record that all the expressions of grati- tude and praise given by any one to its first leader and his comrades can, with equal sincerity, be given to him and those with whom he is associated. In fact, the band has become so much of a fixture, that if we should be deprived of its services, even for a short time, our gatherings of all kinds would be exceedingly tame, if we were obliged to meet without seeing their smiling faces, or hearing their sweet, melodious sounds ; and we would here add, for our-
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selves, and the citizens of our town, to the " War- · wick Cornet Band," as it now is, and as it has been, an expression of thanks, to be handed to coming genera- tions with this work, that their children and ours may know that their labors of love are appreciated by us, and those that immediately preceded us.
We hope that the present members will persevere in their noble work, and that those that come after them and have like talents will be moved by their example and perseverance to come forward and do likewise. And we feel assured that their contemporaries will shower blessings of gratitude upon their heads.
SCHOOLS.
Our schools have been, for some years, considered by our neighbors as good as any to be found in this vicinity. Although we have never had a sufficient number of inhabitants to oblige the town to main- tain a high-school, yet the desire that our children and youth should receive a good practical education has been so great, that, for a series of years, we have succeeded in sustaining one of a private nature, or, in other words, a select school, where the higher branches could be learned ; and, at other times, many of our young men and women have gone one or two terms each year to schools and academies in the adjoining towns ; so that, for the last forty years, we have not only been able to supply our own schools with competent teachers, but have also supplied seve- ral to the neighboring towns. And, in the year 1840,
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during the winter term, twelve young gentlemen and several young ladies, natives of Warwick, taught school in this and the adjoining towns. For the past few years, the number of scholars attending school has been reduced more than fifty per cent, and somc of our schools are very small: yet the interest taken in them has in no way declined, nor our schools, as a whole, deteriorated, as the town-grant of $1,200 for that purpose amply proves ; and we feel assured, by what we see and hear, that our people, as a class, are determined that their children shall enjoy for time to come still greater facilities of ob- taining a good, practical, common-school education than were given to those of former years, being con- vinced that our common schools are the only sure foundation of a free government.
HISTORY OF ITS CHURCHES CONTINUED.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL (NOW UNITARIAN) CHURCH.
As has already been recorded by the Hon. Jona. Blake, the Rev. Preserved Smith was ordained Oct. 12, 1814, and continued as pastor of this church and society for thirty years ; and, for this series of years, he not only performed all his church and parochial duties, as a faithful minister, a devoted Christian, and an exemplary man, but he was also first and foremost in all things that would in any way advance the true interests of his people, or would further, and be instrumental in, the happiness and progress of all the
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inhabitants of the town. Especially have his influence and example been witnessed in the advancement and prosperity of our common schools ; and we feel that we are justified in recording, that, to him more than any other man, are we indebted for the high standard to which they attained during his long residence among us as our teacher and guide. He asked of us and obtained his dismission in 1844, and preached his farewell sermon Oct. 12 of the same year. After the lapse of twenty years, he came, by request of his still grateful people, Oct. 12, 1864, and delivered his half- century discourse to a large, attentive, and interested audience.
The order of exercises was as follows : -
I. Voluntary by the choir, E. F. Mayo, leader.
2. Reading of Scriptures by Rev. John Goldsbury of Warwick.
3. Hymn of Welcome. Original. By Miss M. A. Reed of Warwick (now wife of Rev. H. P. Os- good) .*
4. Prayer by Rev. J. F. Moors of Greenfield.
5. Hymn from " Greenwood's Collection," read by Rev. S. Barber.
6. Sermon. Text from Acts xxvi. 22, "Having obtained help of God, I continue to this day."
7. Prayer by Rev. Alpheus Harding of New Salem.
8. Farewell Hymn. Original. By Miss M. A. Reed.
9. Benediction by Rev. I. S. Lincoln, resident pastor. After the services in the church, there was a col-
* See Appendix, p. 205.
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lation in the vestry, at which there were remarks by both clergymen and laymen, closing with dismission- hymn. The church was very tastefully decorated with flowers and emblems appropriate to the occa- sion. Mr. Smith is now (March 16, 1872) residing in Greenfield, enjoying a comfortable measure of health.
We will here quote an extract from Rev. Mr. Smith, where he speaks of the generation that were leaders in the church, and worthy citizens of the town at the time of his settlement.
" There was the sainted Barnes, whose walk was with God; J. Blake, sen., was truly, in dress and manners, a gentleman of the old school; Dea. Caleb Mayo, noted for his straightforward uprightness and integrity ; Capt. Peter Proctor, the unflinching pa- triot ; Capt. Mark Moore, the substantial friend of good order ; and women not a few, who were mothers in Israel, full of good works, and ministrations of mercy and kindness." Also, "In 1831, Warwick was visited by a dysentery of a very malignant type, which swept off, in about seven weeks, sixteen per- sons, old and young. In the families of John Whit- ney, jun., and John Bowman, four died out of each within a few days. Mr. Bowman's sister and child were buried at one time: at another, a week after, he himself and another child were buried at the same time."
Rev. D. H. Barlow supplied the desk in 1845, 1846, and 1847, a part of the time, but resided in town only a part of the time. Rev. Samuel F. Clark in 1848, one half of the time, and in Athol the other part, where he was settled the following year. Rev. George F.
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Clark was installed as pastor of this church April 14, 1848. Rev. F. T. Gray of Boston preached the ser- mon; Rev. O. C. Everett of Northfield made the installing prayer ; Rev. S. F. Clark of Athol gave the right hand of fellowship. He was dismissed April I, 1852. After his dismission, Rev. Luther Wilson of Petersham supplied till April 1, 1854. Rev. Abra- ham Jackson of Walpole, N.H., supplied from April I, 1854, to April 1, 1855. The Rev. John Goldsbury commenced to supply in 1856, and continued to April 1, 1859. The Rev. Increase S. Lincoln com- menced his ministry in September, 1860, and closed his labors for this church in June, 1867. The Rev. J. B. Willard of Harvard supplied through the sum- mer and autumn of 1867. From that time to Sept. 20, 1868, the pulpit was supplied by different clergy- men. The Rev. William A. P. Willard commenced his labors Sept. 20, 1868, and was ordained as pastor of this church and society Jan. 20, 1869. The ser-
vices on that occasion were as follows : Invocation. by Rev. M. Baker of Orange. Reading of the Scrip- tures by Rev. J. Goldsbury of Warwick. Sermon by Rev. J. F. Moors of Greenfield. Ordaining prayer by Rev. J. B. Willard of Harvard. Charge by Rev. S. Barber of Bernardston. Right hand of fellowship by Rev. I. S. Lincoln of Winchester, N.H. Address to the people by Rev. Mr. Baker of Orange. Benedic- tion by the pastor-elect. The singing, under the direction of Capt. E. F. Mayo, was in fine taste ; and its departing strains will linger upon the ear a long time. The church was wreathed, arched, and gar- landed with evergreens, in a style that did credit to the managers.
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April 1, 1870, Mr. Willard tendered his resignation to the church, to take effect Oct. I, 1870. Resigna- tion accepted by the church, and by the society soon after. Since that time the church has been desti- tute of a pastor, but has been supplied by the Rev. John Goldsbury of Warwick for the former, and the Rev. Mr. Bailey of Athol for the latter part of the time. Unitarian preachers originating from War- wick : Rev. John Goldsbury, Rev. Nathan Ball, Rev. Amory Gale, Rev. Stillman Barber, Rev. Amory D. Mayo, and the Rev. Henry H. Barber.
Their church edifice (as has been said) was erected in 1836, and was first painted and repaired in 1846 by Joshua T. Sanger, under the superintendence of Ira Draper, Caleb M. Proctor, and James Stockwell, a committee chosen for the purpose, who assessed $150 upon the pews to defray the expenses of said repairs. Mr. Sanger was faithful to his trust ; and his work was performed in a substantial and acceptable manner.
In 1859, after the church had been considerably damaged by a stroke of lightning, a committee was elected, consisting of Ira Draper, Hervey Barber, and N. E. Stevens, to superintend the repairs upon the same, who were instructed to assess a sufficient sum upon the pews in said church to defray the expenses thereof, not exceeding $300. Said commit- tee contracted with Mr. John Turner of Orange, for the sum of $258, to perform the above services, and assessed $269 upon the pews to pay the same, and other contingent expenses thereof.
Again, in 1870, the parish voted to raise $500 for
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the purpose of new shingling, painting, and repairing their. church ; and a committee was elected, consisting of Samuel W. Spooner, Hervey Barber, and Edward F. Mayo, who were instructed to assess so much of the above sum as would be sufficient to pay the repairs of all kinds upon the outside of the building ; while the papering, and other ornamenting of the inside, was to be raised by subscription, or in some other way that might be devised. Said committee assessed $434.52 upon the pews, and employed the Messrs. Graves Brothers of Amherst (by the day) to paint and ornament, and William K. Taylor to shingle and repair, said church.
Said committee by their treasurer (Hervey Barber) collected the above $434.52, and received of E. F. Mayo $284.02, a balance of the proceeds of two prior fairs, or levees, raised by the ladies of the society for the purpose of doing the ornamental work on the in- side of their church; and nearly $100 by donation from William B. Spooner of Boston, Rev. Mr. White of Keene, N.H., the Unitarian society at Springfield, Mrs. Merrifield, and others ; and $60 as the proceeds of lectures given by Rev. A. D. Mayo, Rev. J. F. Moors, and Rev. H. H. Barber, -the balance from other sources making a sum-total of $1,067.83 as the expense of said repairs, which is now (March, 1872) all settled and paid : so that they not only have a well-proportioned church, but one that is completely and elegantly finished ; and they now have as neat, tastefully-arranged, and beautiful a church as can be seen in any of the adjoining towns.
April 1, 1864, Mrs. M : 1) {Blake) Clap of Dorchester,
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Mass., upon the eightieth anniversary of her birth presented to the First Church and Society in War- wick (her native town) $1,000 ; which was gratefully received by said Church and Society.
April 1, 1868, Mrs. Clap, on her eighty-fourth birth- day, made to said Church and Society another dona- tion of $1,000 ; which was received in the same spirit as the former.
July, 1868, Miss Mary Ann Hastings of Framing- ham, Mass., bequeathed to the First Society in War- wick the sum of $1,000, the income of which is to be for their use forever.
For this bequest a vote of thanks is entered on the Society's records.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (ORTHODOX).
Rev. Roger C. Hatch, the second pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Warwick, after his dismission in 1853, resided in Warwick until the time of his death, which took place Sept. 12, 1868, at the advanced age of eighty years. During his residence here he was beloved and esteemed as a good citizen, a faithful pastor, an exemplary Christian, a true man, and devoted friend.
Since the dismission of Mr. Hatch, the church has been supplied by the Rev. Daniel C. Frost, Mr. Charles E. Bruce a licentiate from Northfield Academy, and others, until 1855, when Rev. Henry M. Bridge, for- merly of the Methodist Church, was installed as its pastor. He was dismissed Dec. 20, 1859.
Rev. E. H. Blanchard was ordained over this
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church April 25, 1860, and was dismissed May II, 1868. Rev. Mr. Bissell supplied from June, 1868, for nearly a year. Rev. Edward Barnard Bassett was invited to preach Sept. 2, 1869 ; and he was installed as pastor Dec. 15, 1869, and is the present pastor of this church (1872).
We will here record an extract from "The Congre- gationalist and Boston Recorder " of Dec. 30, 1869 :-
" The sermon at the installation of the Rev. Mr. Bas- sett over the church in Warwick was preached by the Rev. Dr. Barstow of Keene, N.H. Installing prayer by the Rev. H. B. Hooker, D.D. Charge to the pas- tor by the Rev. T. Cutler. Fellowship of the churches by Rev. A. B. Foster. Address to the people by Rev. E. Newton. Among the members of this little church, which is in the hill-country of Judæa, is a venerable mother in Israel, now in her ninety-second year. During thirteen years of her life, she read the Bible through every two months ; and has read it through more than one hundred times in all. Now, near the shore of the better land, she realizes the value of the promise, 'And even to your old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you.' And now we will introduce an incident of her early life, showing to the people of these railroad timės how the people of Warwick travelled seventy years ago. This lady, Sarah Blake Leonard, then the wife of Francis Leonard, 2d, went to the residence of her father, Jonathan Blake, sen., in the following man- ner, - Mr. Leonard, his wife, and three children rid- ing on one horse, and carrying from thirty to forty pounds of old iron in a bag ; Mr. Leonard carrying
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a child on each arm, and his wife behind him carrying the baby in her lap, the iron swung across the saddle in the same way that the people of that day carried their grain to mill."
Congregational preachers originating from War- wick : Rev. John Fiske, D.D., Rev. Moses Fiske, Rev. Swan L. Pomroy, D.D., Rev. Nahum Gould, Rev. Junius L. Hatch, Rev. John Leonard, Rev. Francis Leonard, Rev. Levi Wheaton, Rev. George W. Bar- ber. This society and church united in 1871, and painted and repaired their church edifice. They employed the Messrs. Graves to do the ornamental work; and they now have one of the neatest, the handsomest, and best-arranged churches, which is as ornamental and as well designed as any in this vicin- ity.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN WARWICK.
Exactly how early Baptists existed in this town we are not informed, but suppose that there were some as far back as 1797, when the church in Royalston was organized.
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