USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Winchendon > History of the town of Winchendon (Worcester County, Mass.) from the grant of Ipswich Canada, in 1735, to the present time > Part 35
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The traders in Waterville have been Moses Hancock, James Marsh, Trask W. Ray, and W. H. Whittemore. About fifty years ago, Dr. Pentland had a store near John Cook's. At present there is a large trade in the Village, by which the wants of this and neighboring towns are supplied.
CARPENTERS, BLACKSMITHS, &C.
The larger part of the houses in the Village have been built by Esq. Murdock, Mark Whitcomb, Sidney and Levi N. Fairbank, E. W. Lord, A. W. Buttrick, and Raymond & Forristall.
There was a blacksmith shop, long ago, owned by Jason Bemis, near the top of the hill on the road from the Village to the Centre. Col. Adams carried on the business on the Common. His sons Benjamin
ANNETS
SHAWLS CLOAKST
First National Bank.
375
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
and Oliver, wrought at the same trade. Most of this business in the Village, during the last thirty-five years, has been in the hands of Oli- ver Adams, Daniel and Salmon Scott, Harvey Wyman and Luke Hale. J. C. Lynch is a carriage maker, and Levi Flagg aids in promoting gen- eral cleanliness by making a large quantity of soap. The workers and dealers in tin, copper, stores, &c., at different times, have been Wm. and S. Knapp, E. T. Russell, J. P. Barber and A. P. Bateman. Bricks in large quantity, are made by S. Chamberlain and Wm. Brown. But this catalogue must have an end.
AMOUNT OF BUSINESS.
It is not possible to give the exact amount of manufacturing business in the town annually. The following derived from an authentic source, is given as an approximation. The annual product of wood ware, and things of that nature, amounts probably to the value of $400.000. The cotton fabrics are not less than $300.000. Machinery of various kinds, amounts to nearly 8150.000. Other manufactures will swell the sum total to 81,000.000. To this must be added the products of the soil, the profits of trade, &c.
CORPORATIONS.
WINCHENDON SAVINGS BANK.
This was organized in 1854. Hon. Elisha Murdock was the first President, Sullivan B. Bail. Treasurer, and Calvin R. Whitman, Clerk. Quite a large amount has been deposited in the bank. from the begin- ning. The present deposits are not less than $175.000. The follow- ing is the present board of officers : E. Murdock, Jr., President ; Al- vah Godding, Wm. Brown, 2d. J. H. Fairbank, M. T. Nash, N. D. White, and W. L. Woodcock, Vice Presidents ; Silas Raymond. Ir- ving E. Weston, Seth Tucker, O. Mason, Henry Whitcomb. B. Ellis, S. Fairbank, B. D. Whitney, C. C. Alger, and I. M. Murdock. Trus tees ; G. H. ,Whitney, Auditor ; B. Ellis, Secretary, pro tem ; Charles L. Beals, Treasurer.
WINCHENDON NATIONAL BANK.
This institution was started in 1864, as a National Bank, with a cap- ital of $100,000. The next year it was increased to $150.000. John Henry Fairbank has been President. and Charles L. Beals. Cashier, from the beginning. The first Board of Directors was as follows. viz : J. H. Fairbank, O. Mason, Sidney Fairbank. George Brown. I. E. Weston, J. B. Sawyer, and William Smith, of Templeton. The fol- lowing changes have been made : Messrs. Charles J. Rice, and N. D. White, take the places of Messrs. Brown and Weston.
376
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
CHAPTER XXV. - FIRE DEPARTMENT.
" Then came The hollow sound of rushing flame ; And from each loophole flashing light, A spout of fire shines ruddy bright, And gathering to united glare, Streams high into the midnight air." SCOTT.
SECTION 1 .- FIRE WARDS.
In the early history of the town, no special measures were taken by the public in reference to fires. There was little danger that log cab- ins would take fire, and if seasonably discovered, there was no great dif- ficulty in extinguishing the flames. When a fire occurred, the family exerted themselves to put it out ; and the neighbors, if any were near enough to render assistance, hastened to their aid. Perhaps the first step in the way of organized co-operation, was the annual choice of Fire Wards by the town, and the requirement that families should be sup- plied with fire buckets. In many places, every house was required to be furnished with a certain number. These were made of leather, were always to be in order, and hung up in a particular place, so as to be avail- able at once. In other places, ordinary pails were used. It is many years since the town began the practice of choosing fire wards, who have been generally selected from the most respected citizens. Their au- thority is considerable, and in former times, was exercised more than at present. The establishment of a well-organized fire department has naturally transferred much of the actual responsibility, in case of fire, to the Foreman. The office of fire ward, however, is still important, as it is necessary for the town's authority to be represented on such occasions.
SECTION 2 .- THE PILOT.
The first fire company in this town, was formed sometime between 1830 and 1835. The meeting which stands first in the Record Book
377
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
of the Co., bears date, July 7th, 1835. At this meeting a committee was chosen " to settle accounts of 1834," showing that the organization was in existence as early as that year. The officers chosen at the meet- ing in July, 1835, were as follows : Ephraim Murdock, Jr., Captain ; Joshua Keith, 2d, Mate ; Benjamin F. Eddy, Clerk ; Mark Whitcomb, Sumner Wyman, Calvin R. Whitman, Engine Committee. The annual meeting was held on the first Tuesday in April. It was a rule that " the meetings for drill shall be at the Engine House on the first Mon- day of each month from May to October inclusive, and the time for roll calling shall be in May, at 5 o'clock, A. M. ; in June, July and August, at 4 o'clock, A. M. ; in September, at 5 1-2 o'clock, A. M. ; in Octo- ber, at 6 o'clock, P. M." That was taking " time by the forelock."
The burning of Col. B. Adams' blacksmith shop is said to have aroused the people to the necessity of having an engine and a company to work it. The money for purchasing the PILOT was raised by sub- scription. The engine was used at a fire for the first time, as well as can be ascertained at this late day, when the house of Asa Stearns was burned in 1834, or 35. It was not a very powerful machine, according to the present standard, but with an efficient company, it did good ser- vice on many occasions.
It may gratify some to read the names of the first members. The following were on the roll in 1835.
Elisha Murdock, Sumner Wyman, Charles Smith, Joshua Keith, 2d,
Benj. F. Eddy, Oliver Adams, Amasa Whitney, Jr.,
Isaac Taylor, Jr., Emery Carriel, Samuel Walton,
John Fitts, Milton S. Morse, Levi Foskett, Levi Woodbury, Leander Sampson, Stephen Burpee, Hiram S. Newton, D. J. Goodrich, Moses H. Ross,
Seth Tucker, Jr.,
Charles Murdock,
Calvin R. Whitman,
Edwin Bradbury, M. T. Nash, Elihu L. Morse,
Alonzo Merriam, Mark Whitcomb, Isaac Pollard, Joel M. Heywood, Harry Pitkin, Ephraim Murdock, William Murdock,
Joseph Smith, A. C. Fay, George W. Morse, William Russell, William Wilder.
Total, 37.
378
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
The following officers were chosen in 1836, viz : William Pollard, Capt. ; Oliver Adams, Mate ; Calvin R. Whitman, Clerk ; William Murdock, Amasa Whitney, Jr., Harry Pitkin, Engine Committee. The next year, the Captain, Mate and Clerk, were Ephraim Murdock, Mil- ton S. Morse and William Murdock. It is not necessary to give the officers' names from year to year. The following gentlemen besides those named above, acted as Captain at different periods, several of them holding the office repeatedly : Milton S. Morse, Baxter D. Whitney, Marvin T. Nash, Sumner Wyman, Harvey Wyman.
The Records of the Pilot Company close in 1847, but the engine has been used at fires, since that time, on various occasions. It was sold in 1867, for $23.
SECTION 3 .- THE ALERT COMPANY.
This Company had its origin in a paper dated January 27, 1851, and signed by a number of citizens who felt the need of an efficient organ- ization for extinguishing fires. On the 8th of February, a " meeting of those interested in forming an Engine Company to be attached to Engine No. 1, of this town, was held at the Passenger house of the Cheshire Railroad Co., at 7 o'clock, P. M." William Murdock was chairman, and Nathaniel Gilmore, clerk. A Constitution and By-laws were adopted, and the following officers were chosen : James P. T. Bur- bank, Foreman ; Edwin S. Merrill, First Assistant ; Sidney Fairbank, Second Assistant ; William Murdock, Treasurer ; M. B. Felton, Clerk.
A committee was chosen to petition the Selectmen to insert an arti- cle in the " warrant for the March meeting, asking the town to appro- priate a sum of money sufficient to purchase a Suction Engine." The Selectmen complied with the request, and in accordance with the Stat- utes, appointed certain persons as " Engine-men to be attached to En- gine No. 1."
The Engine was purchased by subscription, but the town, at the March meeting, in 1852, appropriated $100 for purchasing “ Hose for Alert Engine Co.," and $67.75 for Engine-men. In 1853, the ex- pense of the Fire Department, including hose and couplings, repairs of Engine, and money paid to men, amounted to $395.77. The next year, " Engine Hose, $200." The expenses from year to year need not be given. The citizens have ever been proud of the Alert Com- pany, and by vote of the town or private subscription, have evinced
379
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
their appreciation of its services. It has always been very serviceable at fires ; promptly on the ground, and both alert and skilled to do ef- fective duty. It was noticed on the first occasion, when the Co. bat- tled with a considerable fire - by which Mr. N. H. Hand's store and the barracks were burned,-that the noise and confusion formerly at- tendant upon fires was superseded by stillness and order. The contrast was striking.
This Company has competed with others, on various occasions, and has always come off with honor. The first contest was at Keene, N. H., on the 10th of September, 1857. The Alert Engine was manned by sixty-eight men, some of them volunteers. Twelve companies en- gaged in the trial, and the third prize was won by the Alert. The Del- uge, of Claremont, N. H., threw to the height of 152 feet. The Frank- lin, of Greenfield, 151 feet, and the Alert, 150 1-2 feet. It was a close struggle. The day was windy, and the height reached was far less than the Co. had achieved at home. A few days before this trial, the Engine threw water five or six feet over the Liberty Pole, which was 173 feet in height. The third prize was $50.
The next trial was at Manchester, N. H., on the 15th of September, 1859, when fifty-three companies were on the ground, and competed for the prizes. They came from many of the principal cities and towns of New England, as Boston, Providence, Worcester, Portland, Lynn, Portsmouth, Charlestown, Cambridge, Lowell, Chelsea, Nashua, Law- rence, Roxbury, Dover, &c. The Alert Engine surpassed all other companies ; the water thrown by it reaching the height of 170 feet, while the next attained to 166 feet only. The highest prize was 8400. The following extract from the Record book-W. C. Hunt then clerk -gives the finale of this effort.
" Friday evening, Sept. 16th, 1859. On the Alert's arrival at Winchen- don, the citizens of this place gave us a most cordial welcome. We were re- ceived at the depot by the Niagara Co. No. 2, when a torchlight procession was formed, headed by the Keene Cornet Band, and as we marched through the principal streets, we were greeted by the citizens, amid illuminated houses, bonfires, torches and cheers. We then proceeded to the American House, where a good supper awaited us, which was rounded off by a number of ad- dresses and congratulatory speeches."
On the 15th of September, 1860, the water was thrown about twenty feet above the top of the pole, or about 207 feet above the water in the
380
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
reservoir. The Co. were getting ready for a contest at Templeton. This trial came off on Templeton Common, September 21, 1860, when eight companies from the vicinity competed. The Alert reached the height of 168 3-4 feet ; the next highest was 148 feet. The prize was a Banner. The playing being over, the Record says :
" After which the companies were ordered to form a hollow square, to hear the report of the several trials, at which time the Prize Banner was presented to the Alert Engine Co. No. 1, Winchendon, by Col. Henry Smith, with a powerful speech, which was responded to by Mr. I. M. Murdock, in behalf of the Foreman."
The company is still in a flourishing condition, under the command of a favorite captain,-Charles Forristall-with full ranks. The Fore- men, at different times, have been as follows : James P. T. Burbank, Ed- win S. Merrill, Charles E. Forristall, John D. Howard, A. P. Bateman.
Doubtless the following extract from the Records-D. L. Morrill, Esq., Clerk-will remind many of the earlier members of the company of a pleasant day when they contributed much to the enjoyment of the people, while partaking themselves in the general joy.
CELEBRATION DAY.
" The Company met at the Engine House, in full uniform, Foreman com- manding. The Company was here joined by the Waterville Brass Band, un- der direction of Col. J. Merriam, Chief Marshal, by whom they were accom- panied to the Academy yard, where a procession was formed of the schools in town, and the citizens. The procession then moved under the escort of the Company, to the island of E. Murdock, Jr., where it is estimated there was an audience of more than 2000 persons. Numerous speeches were made, and refreshments furnished. The exercises in the grove were closed about 4, P. M .; after which the Company, with Band, paraded through the streets, and worked the Engine from the reservoir in front of the Academy building, greatly to the satisfaction and amusement of the assembled crowd, till 6, P. M. At 7, the members of the Company, with their ladies, partook of a bountiful supper, provided by Messrs. Whitcomb, Fairbank & Mason, at their hotel. Songs and sentiments succeeded, and at 8 1-2, P. M., the members and ladies separated, and repaired to witness the Fire Works under direction of Mr. T. Saul, which were very brilliant, and exceeded the expectations of all. The members of the Company then dispersed at their leisurc."
381
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
For many years the company was accommodated with an Engine house and hall by Capt. E. Murdock, Jr., for which the town gave him a vote of thanks.
Thirty-seven members entered the public service in putting down the rebellion. Their names will appear in the list of those who went from this town to the war. They had the hearty approbation of those who remained at home. The company was proud of their achievements, and rendered honor to those who fell in the field, or died from wounds, hardships and exposure. They rendered needed aid to comrades who suffered for the public good. In this connection it should be added that their Records contain grateful mention of a donation of $100, received from Capt. E. Murdock, Jr., for the benefit of these soldiers or their surviving friends.
SECTION 3 .- THE NIAGARA COMPANY.
This company belonged to Waterville. It was organized in the year 1855, and after twelve years of service, was disbanded in 1867. The first meeting with a view to forming a company, was held in the Water- ville school-house, on the 31st of March, 1855. William L. Woodcock presided, and Stillman Safford acted as Clerk. At a meeting, April 2, a committee chosen at the previous meeting reported a Constitution, which was adopted, after which the following officers were chosen : Will- iam Towne, Foreman ; William L. Woodcock, First Assistant ; L. B. Piper, Second Assistant ; Charles Hyde, Clerk ; Adam French, Treas- urer. The stewards were L. Taylor and S. C. Aldrich. There were changes in the course of the year, by which Mr.C. Hyde became Treas- urer, and Mr. J. Hastings became 2d Assistant.
The Engine, named the Niagara, was purchased by subscription. In 1857, the town paid $112.72, for repairing the engine. In 1859, the town appropriated $633.29, for Engine Hose. It is supposed that the Niagara had its share of this necessary apparatus. The officers for the second year, were William L. Woodcock, William H. Grant, Charles J. Piper, James A. Wood, including the stewards, Levi Taylor and Ozro Hancock. In the course of 1857, Mr. Stillman Safford was cho- sen Clerk, and he held that office during the entire existence of the com- pany, except brief intervals, when S. C. Aldrich, D. Boyce, J. B. Burke and J. Leary kept the Records. These Records, if not filled with de-
382
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
scriptions of eventful scenes, present some very amusing specimens of humor.
The successive Foremen were William L. Woodcock, Jairus Hast- ings, Samuel Page, William H. Grant, Amasa Aldrich, Samuel Ken- dall, Francis D. Perry.
The company was always, according to its motto, " ready for action," and rendered very prompt and efficient service, in case of fire, wheth- er in Waterville, or in other parts of the town. And at various trials, as at Jaffrey, Keene, &c., it came off honorably, if not with the high- est prizes. The spirit by which this company was sustained so long, is highly creditable to the members, and the citizens of Waterville, who gave their encouragement ; and it is matter of regret that an organi- zation capable of such energetic service, which is at times, almost in- dispensable, has disbanded. Quite a proportion of the members en- tered the public service, and some fell in the sacred cause of freedom.
383
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
CHAPTER XXVI .- LIBRARIES AND LY- CEUMS.
" Books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a progeny of life in them to be as active as that soul was whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve, as in a vial, the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. Unless wariness be used, as good almost kill a man as kill a good book; who kills a man, kills a reasonable creature, God's image ; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were in the eye."
MILTON.
-" The grand debate, The popular harangue, the tart reply, The logic, and the wisdom, and the wit, And the loud laugh-I long to know them all." COWPER.
SECTION 1 .- THE FIRST LIBRARIES.
The first settlers of the town were not a literary people. Books were few and periodicals almost unknown. The successive ministers had cer- tain works which were necessary in studying the Bible in the original tongues, besides a moderate number of theological, controversial and miscellaneous books. Through their preaching, the intellectual as well as moral and religious tone of the public mind was elevated. They were often styled, in the Records, " teachers of morality, piety and religion." They were in the habit also of giving instruction in different branches, to the youth, either singly or in classes. In Mr. Stimpson's Book of Accounts, there is a charge for teaching Arithmetic to some youth whose wants the schools did not meet. In former times, the ministers fitted the boys for College, though very little in that line was done in Win- chendon. Perhaps the two ministerial sons of Dr. Israel Whiton were the first who began a classical education in this place.
The physicians had their collection of books which were necessary in their profession. The same was true of the lawyers-Messrs. New- comb and Henshaw-in later years. Doubtless there were works on their shelves pertaining to history, philosophy and the belles lettres ; but
.
384
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
the number was not large. In scattered farm houses there would be found stray volumes of poetry-Young, Thomson, Cowper, &c.,-but there was, of course, nothing to be compared with the abundance of books, magazines and papers, which are now to be seen in all our homes. And it may be said farther, that there was scarcely any of the trash which now enfeebles rather than invigorates the minds of the readers.
The first library for circulation was in the Centre. When it was be- gun is not known to the present generation. It was kept for a while by Dea. Joshua Smith, and afterwards by Mark Whitcomb. It was sold about forty-two years since. The next collection of books belong- ing to a company, was in the Village, and was kept for many years in the house of Ephraim Murdock, Esq. It is supposed by those who re- member this library, that it was started about the year 1810. This continued in existence until somewhere near 1825, when it was sold by auction. There were from 150 to 175 volumes in the collection. Some- time between 1830 and 1835, another library was commenced, which was for a long series of years, under the care of Mark Whitcomb, Esq. This contained between 200 and 300 volumes, some of which were works of value. The Family Library series well known in the last generation, was in the collection. This library, after a career of usefulness, fol- lowed in the way of its predecessors, and was scattered by sale at auc- tion, a little more than twenty years since.
SECTION 2 .- THE TOWN LIBRARY.
The public library owes its origin to private liberality. On the even- ing of December 6, 1850, the writer gave a lecture in the hall of the Academy, on the subject of READING. The lecture closed in the words following.
" There is then, money enough, if it can only be got at ; and it can be had, just as soon as our young gentlemen take the same interest in reading, and in a library, that they do in other things. May we not hope that such a time will come ? May we not hope that the time has already arrived, when many of this enterprising class are ready to commence the enterprise ? But surely the burden ought not to be thrown upon them ; nor would it be. I am not authorized to speak for any man, but I feel sure that there are ladies and gen- tlemen in this place, who will readily co-operate in establishing among us a well-selected library, and in that way open up to our youth, of either sex, a. fountain of improvement and of happiness ; an inexhaustible spring of the pur-
385
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
est, richest nutriment for the immortal minds of the youth of this generation, and of the many generations that are to come."
At the close of the address, Ira Russell, M. D., rose and proposed that immediate measures be taken to establish a library. The motion was passed without opposition, and a committee was chosen to raise a subscription. At the same time, it was determined to form a literary association for general improvement. A corporation was formed un- der the General Statute, and adopted at a meeting held on the 18th of February, 1851, of which meeting the following is the record.
" Academy Hall.
Meeting was called to order by D. L. Morrill, Esq., in pursuance to a war- rant which was read.
On Motion, William L. Lincoln was chosen Clerk pro tem.
Heard the report of the committee appointed to present a Constitution for this Association, which was read by A. P. Marvin, Chairman.
Voted that the Constitution be taken up, article by article.
After some discussion on the part of several gentlemen present, it was vo- ted to adopt the following Constitution."
Then follows the Constitution, after which the names of the first of- ficers are recorded. They are as follows :
" President, Elisha Murdock ; Vice President, Calvin R. Whitman; Clerk, E. S. Merrill ; Treasurer, Amasa Whitney; Jr. ; Executive Committee, Ira Russell, Orlando Mason, Wm. L. Lincoln, Henry Perley and Ebenezer But- ler ; Library Committee, A. P. Marvin, B. O. Tyler, E. Murdock, Jr., D. L. Morrill and Alvah Godding."
Mr. Merrill declined serving, and H. Harwood was chosen Clerk.
The following was the result of the effort to raise a subscription for the purchase of books. The condition of payment was that $300 should be raised. Col. William Murdock procured the subscriptions.
Elisha Murdock,
$30 00
Geo. Brown,
$5 00
Milton S. Morse,
15 00
Joel M. Heywood,
5 00
Wm. Murdock,
15 00
Orlando Mason,
5 00
B. O. Tyler,
15 00
M. B. Felton,
5 00
Alvah Godding,
15 00
Wm. Knapp, 5 00
D. L. Morrill,
10 00
Geo. B. Raymond,¿
2 00
H. Harwood,
10 00
Wm. L. Lincoln,
5 00
Sidney Fairbanks,
10 00
Chas. E. Forristall,
2 00
E. Murdock, Jr.,
30 00
A. P. Marvin,
5 00
25
.
386
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
Oman Hoar,
$3 00
Smyrna Greaton,
$2 00
B. D. Whitney,
5 00
Leander Hartwell,
1 00
Wm. Beaman,
3 00
Amasa Whitney, Jr.,
3 00
J. M. Doane,
2 00
Calvin R. Whitman,
10 00
Reuben Hyde,
3 00
Leander Leland,
1 00
Joseph Merriam,
2 00
Wm. W. Whitney,
2 00
B. R. Day,
2 00
S. S. Cooledge,
3 00
Andrew Parker,
1 00
M. D. Raymond,
1 00
E. S Merrill,
5 00
E. W. Lord,
2 00
S. W. Fairbank,
2 00
A. W. Buttrick,
2 00
E. W. Weston,
5 00
Maynard Partridge,
2 00
Ira Russell,
10 00
Seth Brown,
1 00
C. C. Parker,
1 00
Theodore Reynolds,
2 00
Selah Lovejoy,
2 00
David Caswell,
2 00
Bethuel Ellis,
2 00
Elisha Hyde,
1 00
A. S. Kimball,
2 00
Joel Hyde,
2 00
Henry Perley,
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