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 38
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410
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
CHAPTER XXIX .- LIST OF TOWN OF- FICERS.
" Honor and shame from no condition rise ; Act well your part,-there all the honor lies." POPE.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS.
In the following list will be found the names of the principal town of- ficers from the year 1766. The first column, headed " Moderators, &c.," contains the names of the Moderator, Clerk and Treasurer, for each year, and always in that order of sequence.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1766. Ephraim Boynton, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1767. Theos. Mansfield, Theos. Mansfield, Richard Day.
1768. Theos. Mansfield, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1769. Theos. Mansfield, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1770. Theos. Mansfield, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1771. Richard Day, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1772. John Cheney, Abel Wilder, Richard Day.
1773. Richard Day, Abel Wilder, Moses Hale.
SELECTMEN.
Theos. Mansfield, Richard Day, Abel Wilder.
Theos. Mansfield, Joseph Boynton, Silas Whitney.
Abel Wilder, Seth Oaks, Jonathan Stimson.
Abel Wilder, Seth Oaks, Jonathan Stimson. Abel Wilder, Seth Oaks, John Boynton. Richard Day, John Cheney, Thomas Sawyer. Abel Wilder, John Boynton, Dudley Perley. Richard Day, Amos Merriam, John Homer.
ASSESSORES.
No Assessors.
411
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1774. Seth Oaks. Abel Wilder, Moses Hale.
1775. Moses Hale, Abel Wilder, Moses Hale.
1776. Moses Hale, Abel Wilder, Moses Hale.
1777. Thomas Kimball, Abel Wilder, Amos Merriam.
1778. Moses Hale, Abel Wilder, Abel Wilder.
1779. Benjamin Brown, Abel Wilder, Abel Wilder.
1780. Dr. Israel Whiton, Abel Wilder, Abel Wilder.
1781. Ebenezer Sherwin, Abel Wilder. Benj. Brown.
1782. Sam'l Crosby, Abel Wilder, Berj Brown.
SELECTMEN.
Abel Wilder, Levi Nichols, Abner Hale, Wm. Whitney, Eli Smith. Abel Wilder, Levi Nichols, John Boynton, David Poor, Gideon Fisher. Abel Wilder, William Whitney. Joseph Boynton, Eli Smith, James Murdock. Abel Wilder, John Boynton, Wm. Whitney, Eli Smith, Amos Merriam. Moses Hale, Miles Putnam, Daniel Goodridge, Joseph Bacon, Abner Curtiss. Amos Merriam, Ebenezer Sherwin, Solomon Bigelow, Seth Oaks, Samuel Noyes. Abel Wilder, Samuel Prentiss, Benjamin Brown, Samuel Stone, Francis Bridge. Amos Merriam, Joshua Gale, Bill Hancock, Paul Boynton, John Day. Amos Merriam, Sam'l Crosby, Esq., Amos Heywood, Edward Withington.
ASSESSORS.
No Assessore.
Abel Wilder, Moses Hale, Thomas Kimball.
No Assessors.
Selectmen.
Selectmen.
Amos Merriam, Ebenezer Sherwin, . Solomon Bigelow.
Abel Wilder, Sam'l Prentiss, Benjamin Brown.
Amos Merriam, Joshua Gale, Bill Hancock.
Amos Merriam, Sam'l Crosby, Amos Heywood.
412
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1783. Moses Hale, Benj. Brown, Moses Hale.
1784. Moses Hale, Benj. Brown, Amos Merriam.
1785. Abel Wilder, Benj. Brown, Amos Merriam.
1786. Moses Hale, Benj. Brown, Amos Merriam.
1787. Sam'l Prentice, Amos Heywood, Amos Merriam.
1788. Sam'l Crosby, Amos Heywood, Moses Hale.
·
1789. Sam'l Crosby, A mos Heywood, Moses Hale.
1790. Sam'l Crosby, Amos Heywood, Moses Hale.
1791. Sam'l Crosby, Amos Heywood, Moses Hale.
SELECTMEN.
Amos Merriam, Sam'l Crosby, Benj. Brown, David Foster, Daniel Hubbard. Benj. Brown, Samuel Prentice, Samuel Litch, James Steel, James Cooledge. Benj. Brown. Sam'l Prentice,
Sam'l Litch, James Steel, James Cooledge.
Benj. Brown, Sam'l Prentice, Sam'l Crosby, Esq.,
John Burr, Levi Moor.
Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Daniel Heywood. Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Daniel Hubbard, Paul Boynton. Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Daniel Hubbard, Paul Boynton. Amos Heywood, A biel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Paul Boynton, Ebenezer Richardson. Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Paul Boynton, Ebenezer Richardson.
ASSESSORS.
Amos Merriam, Sam'l Crosby, Benj. Brown.
Benj. Brown, Sam'l Prentice, Sam'l Litch.
Benj. Brown, Sam'l Prentice, Sam'l Litch.
Benj. Brown, Sam'l Prentice, Sam'l Crosby.
Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart.
Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart.
Amos Heywood, Jeremiah Stuart, Abiel Buttrick.
Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart.
Amos Heywood, Jeremiah Stuart, Abiel Buttrick.
413
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1792. Sam'l Crosby, Sam'l Crosby, Moses Hale.
1793. Sam'l Prentice, Amos Heywood, John Burr.
1794. Moses Hale, Moses Hale, Sam'l Prentice.
1795. Amos Heywood, Moses Hale, Levi Moor.
1796. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Levi Moor.
1797. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Levi Moor.
1798. Desire Tolman, Moses Hale, Amos Heywood.
1799. Desire Tolman, Sam'l Crosby, Amos Heywood.
1800. Desire Tolman, Samuel Crosby, Amos Heywood.
SELECTMEN.
Samuel Crosby, Abiel Buttrick, Paul Boynton, Ebenezer Richardson. Desire Tolman. Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart, Peter Robinson, Amos Hale. Moses Hale, Desire Tolman,
Paul Boynton, Ezra Hide, Benjamin Wilder. Moses Hale,
Desire Tolman, Benjamin Wilder, Jacob Wales, Thomas Greenwood. Amos Heywood, Benj. Wilder,
Sam'l Prentice, Jr., Thomas Wilder, Phinehas Whitney. Amos Heywood, Benj. Wilder, Sam'l Prentice, Jr., Phinehas Whitney, Jonas Bruce. Moses Hale, Ezra Hide, Amasa Brown, Benj. Hubbard, Levi Heywood. Samuel Crosby, Ezra Hyde, Desire Tolman, Thomas Graton, Benj. Hubbard. Sam'l Crosby, Thomas Graton, Paul Raymond, Jr., Jacob B. Woodbury, Benj. Adams.
ASSESSORS. Sam'l Crosby. Abiel Buttrick, Paul Boynton.
Amos Heywood, Abiel Buttrick, Jeremiah Stuart.
Moses Hale, Desire Tolman, Paul Boynton.
Moses Hale, Desire Tolman, Benj. Wilder.
Amos Heywood, Benj. Wilder, Sam'l Prentice, Jr.
Amos Heywood, Benj. Wilder, Sam'l Prentice, Jr.
Moses Hale, Amasa Brown, Ezra Hyde.
Sam'l Crosby, Ezra Hyde, Desire Tolman.
Sam'l Crosby, Thomas Graton; Paul Raymond, Jr.
414
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1801. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Levi Moor.
1802. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Samuel Prentiss.
1803. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Samuel Prentiss.
1804. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr.
1805. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond.
1806. Desire Tolman, Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond.
1807. Jacob B. Woodbury, Samuel Prentiss, Thomas Graton.
1808. Desire Tolman, Samuel Prentiss, Thomas Graton.
1809. Paul Raymond, · Samuel Prentiss, Thomas Graton.
1810. Amos Heywood, Samuel Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
SELECTMEN.
Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr., Sam'l Prentice, Jr., Eph'm Murdock, Isaac Noyes. Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr., Sam'l Prentiss, Jr., Benjamin Hubbard, Abel Jones. Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr., Thomas Greenwood, Samuel Brown, Hananiah Whitney. Amos Heywood, Thomas Greenwood, Hananiah Whitney. Thomas Greenwood, Sam'l Brown, Hananiah Whitney. Thomas Greenwood, Samuel Brown, Samuel Prentiss,
George Coffin, Timothy Hancock. Paul Raymond, James Raymond, David Beaman, Daniel Day, Thomas Knowlton. Paul Raymond, James Raymond, David Beaman, Isaac Morse, Abijah Pierce. Paul Raymond, Sam'l Prentiss, Sam'l Brown, Eph'm Murdock, Asa Perly. Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Asa Perly.
ASSESSORS.
Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr., Sam'l Prentice, Jr.
Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr. Sam'l Prentiss, Jr.
Amos Heywood, Paul Raymond, Jr., Thos. Greenwood.
Amos Heywood, Thos. Greenwood, Han'h Whitney.
Amos Heywood, Sam'l Prentiss, Jr., Amos Goodhue.
Amos Heywood, Han'h Whitney, Amos Goodhue.
Paul Raymond, Phinehas Whitney, Nathaniel Holman.
Paul Raymond, James Raymond, David Beaman.
Sam'l Prentiss, John McElwain, Isaac Morse.
Paul Raymond, Moses Hale, Jr., John McElwain.
.
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
415
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1811. Paul Raymond, Samuel Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1812. Eph'm Murdock, Sam'l Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1813. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1814. Isaac Morse, Sam'l Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1815. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1816. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Benj. Adams.
1817. Horatio G. Newcomb, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1818. H. G. Newcomb, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1819. Israel Whitcomb, Samuel Prentiss. Amasa Whitney.
SELECTMEN.
Isaac Morse, Thos. Greenwood, Sam'l Brown, George Coffin, Asa Hale. Isaac Morse, Thomas Greenwood, George Coffin, Asa Hale, Amasa Whitney.
Thomas Greenwood, Sam'l Prentiss,
George Coffin, Asa Hale, Amasa Whitney. Thomas Greenwood, Sam'l Prentiss,
George Coffin, Asa Hale. Amasa Whitney. Thomas Greenwood, Asa Hale, Asa Perly, Israel Whitcomb, Sam'l Noyes.
Thomas Greenwood, Asa Hale, Israel Whitcomb, Samuel Noyes, David Beaman.
Thomas Greenwood, Asa Hale, Israel Whitcomb,
Sam'l Noyes, David Beaman.
Israel Whitcomb, Asa Perly, Gideon Balcom, Levi Brooks, Moses Hale.
Israel Whitcomb, Gideon Balcom, Daniel Henshaw.
ASSESSORS. Paul Raymond, Nathaniel Holman, John McElwain.
Samuel Prentiss, Paul Raymond, John McElwain.
Isaac Morse, Sam'l Prentiss, William Tolman.
Paul Raymond, Isaac· Morse, John McElwain.
Paul Raymond, Samuel Prentiss, Isaac Morse.
Paul Raymond, Sam'l Prentiss, Jacob Woodbury.
Isaac Morse, Jacob Woodbury, Moses Hale.
Moses Hale, Horatio G. Newcomb, Jacob Woodbury.
Paul Raymond, Sam'l Prentiss, James McElwain, Jr.
416
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1820. H. G. Newcomb, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1821. Isaac Morse,
Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1822. Isaac Morse,
Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1823. Israel Whitcomb, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1824. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney. .
1825. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1826. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1827. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss, Amasa Whitney.
1828. Isaac Morse, Samuel Prentiss,* Amasa Whitney.
1829. Jacob Wales, Isaac Morse, Benj. Adams.
1830. Foxwell N. Thomas, Joshua Smith, Benj. Adams.
1831. Jacob Wales, Joshua Smith, Benj. Adams.
1832. Elisha Gregory, Webster Whitney, Benj. Adams.
1833. Mark Whitcomb, Webster Whitney, Benj. Adams.
SELECTMEN.
Gideon Balcom, Asa Hale, William Tolman. Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Benj. Adams.
Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Benj. Adams. Israel Whitcomb, James McElwain, Paul Raymond, Jr., Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Sam'l Prentiss.
Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock,
Israel Whitcomb.
Benj. Adams, William Brown, Jacob Woodbury.
Benj. Adams, Israel Whitcomb, Jacob Woodbury.
Isaac Morse, Israel Whitcomb, Luke Parks.
Isaac Morse, Israel Whitcomb, Luke Parks.
William Brown, Edward Loud, Henry Greenwood, Jacob Wales, Reuben Harris. William Brown, Henry Greenwood, Jacob Wales.
Henry Greenwood, Edward Loud, Seth Tucker, Jr. Benj. Adams, Israel Whitcomb, Henry Greenwood,
A888880R8.
Paul Raymond, Samuel Prentiss, James McElwain, Jr.
Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock,
Benj. Adams.
Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Benj. Adams.
Isaac Morse, Jacob Woodbury, Sam'l Prentiss.
Isaac Morse, Eph'm Murdock, Sam'l Prentice.
Isaac Morse, Jacob Wales, Israel Whitcomb.
Benj. Adams, William Brown, Jacob Woodbury.
Benj. Adams, Israel Whitcomb,
Jacob Woodbury.
Isaac Morse, Israel Whitcomb,
Jacob Woodbury.
Isaac Morse, Israel Whitcomb, Luke Parks. Jacob Wales, James McElwain, William Tolman.
James McElwain, Edward Loud, Jacob Wales. James McElwain, Thomas Knowlton, Mark Whitcomb, James McElwain, George Alger, William Brown.
*Died October 18. Joshua Smith served the remainder of the year.
417
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1834. Reuben Harris, Webster Whitney, Webster Whitney.
1835. John Cutter, Webster Whitney, Webster Whitney.
1836. Jolın Cutter,
Webster Whitney, Webster Whitney.
1837. Eph'm Murdock, Jr .. Webster Whitney, Isaac Morse.
1838. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, Isaac Morse.
1839. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.
1840. John Cutter, Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.
1841. John Cutter, Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.
1842. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.,
1843. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.
1844. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, E. Murdock, Jr.
1845. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, C. R. Whitman.
1846. Calvin R. Whitman, Webster Whitney, C. R. Whitman.
1847. E. Murdock, Jr. Webster Whitney. C. R. Whitman.
SELECTMEN.
William Brown, Isaac Morse, Levi Greenwood. William Brown, Isaac Morse, Levi Greenwood, Isaac Morse, Levi Greenwood, Elisha Beaman.
Levi Greenwood, Mark Whitcomb, Reuben Vose.
Levi Greenwood, Mark Whitcomb, Reuben Vose.
Mark Whitcomb, Henry Greenwood, John Forristall.
Henry Greenwood, John Forristall, Webster Whitney.
Henry Greenwood, John Forristall. Webster Whitney.
Henry Greenwood, Levi Parks, Webster Whitney. Levi Parks,
Henry Greenwood, Webster Whitney. Webster Whitney, Levi Raymond. Eph. W. Weston. Eph. W. Weston, John Cutter, Moses Hancock.
Webster Whitney, Henry Greenwood, Eph. Murdock, Jr.
Elisha Beaman, Harvey Wyman, Levi Raymond.
ASSESSORS.
Eph'm Murdock, Jr., William Brown, George Alger.
James McElwain, Eph'm Murdock, Jr., George Alger.
Webster Whitney, Benj. Adams, George Alger.
Eph'm Murdock, Jr.,
James McElwain, Levi Parks. James McElwain, Levi Parks,
William B. Whitney.
Levi Parks,
William B. Whitney,
Ezra Porter.
Levi Parks, James McElwain,
Webster Whitney.
Levi Parks, James Mc Elwain, Moses Hancock.
Levi Parks, Moses Hancock, Levi Greenwood.
Moses Hancock, Eph. W. Weston, Levi Greenwood.
Levi Greenwood, Eph. W. Weston, Moses Hancock.
Eph. W. Weston, Joseph Porter, George Brown.
Ezra Porter, Jacob Woodbury, Seth Tucker, Jr.
Eph'm Murdock, Jr., Moses Hancock, Seth Tucker, Jr.
27
418
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1848. Milton S. Morse, Webster Whitney, C. R. Whitman.
1849. Milton S. Morse, Webster Whitney. E. W. Weston.
1850 Elisha Murdock, Webster Whitney, E. W. Weston.
1851. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, Benj. R. Day.
1852. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, Benj. R. Day.
1853. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1854. John Cutter, Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1855. John Cutter, Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1856. Gilman B. Parker, Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1857. E. Murdock, Jr., Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1858. Giles H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1859. Giles H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, B. R. Day.
1860. Giles H. Whitney. Webster Whitney, B. R. Day .*
1861. Giles H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, Win. Brown, 2d.
SELECTMEN.
Elisha Beaman, Harvey Wyman, Levi Raymond. Levi Greenwood, Oliver Adams, Grover S. Whitney. Webster Whitney, Eph'm Murdock, Jr., Grover S. Whitney.
Moses Hancock, Nelson D. White, Oliver Adams.
Moses Hancock, Nelson D. White, Oliver Adams.
Oliver Adams, Seth Tucker, Jr., Levi Parks.
Oliver Adams, Maynard Partridge, David Caswell.
Maynard Partridge, John Cutter, Joshua B. Sawyer. Webster Whitney, Orlando Mason, Seth Tucker.
Webster Whitney, Orlando Mason, George Brown. Webster Whitney, Orlando Mason, Oliver Adams.
Webster Whitney, Orlando Mason, Oliver Adams.
Oliver Adams, J. B. Sawyer, Luke Hale.
Oliver Adams, J. B. Sawyer, George B. Raymond.
ASSESSORS.
Milton S. Morse, Ephi'm W. Weston, Ezra Porter.
Ezra Porter, Seth Tucker, Lincoln Balcom.
Ezra Porter. Elisha Murdock, Ezra Porter.
E. W. Weston, Moses Hancock, Ezra Porter.
Ezra Porter, Seth Tucker, Jr.,
Calvin R. Whitman.
Seth Tucker, C. R. Whitman, Edwin Parks.
Bethuel Ellis, Charles W. Bigelow,
Amasa Whitney.
Bethuel Ellis, Edwin Parks, Seth Tucker, Jr.
Seth Tucker,
Calvin R. Whitman,
Bethuel Ellis.
Calvin R. Whitman,
Bethuel Ellis,
Wm. L. Woodcock.
Bethuel Ellis,
Elisha Beaman, Seth Tucker.
Bethuel Ellis, Elisha Beaman, J. H. Fairbank.
Bethuel Ellis, Seth Tucker, Elisha Beaman.
Bethuel Ellis, Seth Tucker. Charles D. Brown.
* Resigned in August, when William Brown, 2d, was appointed.
419
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
YEAR. MODERATORS, ETC.
1862. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, John H. Fairbank.
1863. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, John H. Fairbank.
1864. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, John H. Fairbank.
1865. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, Anson B. Smith.
1866. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, Anson B. Smith.
1867. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, A. B. Smith.
1868. G. H. Whitney, Webster Whitney, A. B. Smith.
SELECTMEN.
Oliver Adams, J. B. Sawyer, George B. Raymond. Bethuel Ellis, Geo. B. Raymond, William Beaman. Bethuel Ellis, Geo. B. Raymond, William Beaman.
Geo. B. Raymond, John D. Howard, M. B. White, Bethuel Ellis,
William Beaman,
Wm. L. Woodcock.
Bethuel Ellis.
William Beaman, Wm. L. Woodcock.
Bethuel Ellis,
Seth Tucker,
Edward Loud, Jr.
ASSESSORS.
Bethuel Ellis, Seth Tucker, Charles D. Brown.
Selectmen.
Bethuel Ellis, Seth Tucker,
Wm. Beaman.
Bethuel Ellis,
Wm. Beaman,
Wm. L. Woodcock.
Selectmen.
REPRESENTATIVES.
The following named gentlemen have represented the town in the General Court in the years annexed to their names. In some years there was no choice. In other years there were two representatives. Since 1858 this town has alternated with Ashburnham in the selection of a candidate.
Robert Bradish,
1776, 1777. | Israel Whitcomb, .
1837.
Abel Wilder,
1780-85. Elisha Murdock, 1838/ 40, 48, 51.
Moses Hale,*
1786-1799.
Elisha Beaman,
1841.
Samuel Prentiss,
1800, 1812-16.
Henry Greenwood, 1842.
William Whitney, 1803, 1805-8.
Wareham Rand, 1843-45.
Israel Whiton, 1809-11.
Moses Hancock, 1849.
Daniel Henshaw,
1817.
Alvah Godding,
1850.
H. G. Newcomb,
1820.
John L. Reed,
1854.
Isaac Morse,
1823, 25, 34, 38. 1824.
Maynard Partridge,
1855.
Samuel Simonds,
1856, 57.
Reuben Hyde,
1827.
Jacob B. Harris, William Murdock,
1859.
William Brown, 1830-32, 34, 36, 39.
Nelson D. White, 1861.
William Dunbar, 1833.
G. H. Whitney, 1863, 65.
Jacob Wales,
C. R. Whitman,»
1835, 36. 1835.
W. N. White,
1867.
*Not every year.
420
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
SENATORS.
Abel Wilder was senator from 1786 to 1792. Elisha Murdock in the years 1852 and 1853. Horatio G. Newcomb was senator after leaving the town. Giles H. Whitney, before becoming a resident.
DELEGATES.
Abel Wilder was delegate to the Convention of 1779-80, which formed the Constitution of the State.
Moses Hale to the Convention which adopted the national Constitution,in 1788. Samuel Prentiss, Jr., to the Convention of 1820, which revised the State Constitution.
Abijah P. Marvin, to the Constitutional Convention of 1853.
OTHER OFFICERS.
The following gentlemen have held office under the state or national governments :
JUSTICES. Samuel Crosby, Ephraim Murdock, Isaac Morse, Mark Whit- comb, A. W. Buttrick, Edwin S. Merrill, Giles H. Whitney, L. W. Pierce, and Bethuel Ellis, Esqs., have served as justices of the peace. The latter has been trial justice. Others have held the commission.
SHERIFF. Joseph S. Watson has been deputy sheriff a long term of years.
POSTMASTERS. Samuel Crosby, in 1795; Amos Goodhue, in 1806 ; Dan- iel Henshaw, Mark Whitcomb, E. W. Weston, and E. S. Merrill.
CONGRESSMEN. Hon. Artemas Hale, Hon. William B. Washburn, and Hon. Carter Wilder, natives of the town, (except the last, who lived here in childhood and youth, ) have been in Congress ; the first from the Old Colony, the second from the ninth district, and the last from Kansas.
421
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
CHAPTER XXX .- BIOGRAPHIC.
" The clouds may drop down titles and estates, Wealth may seek us-but wisdom must be sought." YOUNG."
This chapter must, of necessity, be of a miscellaneous character. In it will be included the names, 1. Of all the professional men of the town; 2. Of all College graduates; 3. Of those who-though born here-have followed a profession elsewhere ; and 4. Of several men prominent in business or in some other respect.
SECTION 1 .- CLERGYMEN.
The names of these have been mentioned so often, and their charac- ters presented so fully, in the preceding chapters, that it would be su- perfluous to give them again in this connection.
SECTION 2 .- LAWYERS.
The first resident lawyer of whom we have any knowledge, was BEN- JAMIN BRIDGE, who came hither in 1796, from Worcester. He found little encouragement, and did not long remain. His health was not good, and he died not long after his departure. It is said that his chi- rography was very beautiful.
SAMUEL THATCHER succeeded him. He was a graduate, probably, of Harvard. The tradition is that he was a man of highly respectable talents, but that he was so discouraged here as to say that he would nev- er bring up a son to College. He left in a few years and settled in Maine, where he was prospered in his profession, and was sent to Con- gress. It is supposed that he became convinced, by success, of the value of education. A distinguished lawyer of this name, recently died at an advanced age, in Maine.
DANIEL HENSHAW opened a law office here as early as 1809. He belonged to the Henshaw family, of Leicester. He was a man of tal-
422
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
ents and education. Though not fitted to push his way to distinction, he had abilities sufficient to perform well the duties to which the public might call him. His influence was always in favor of education, good morals and religion. He was on the school committee several years, was clerk of the first Church, and represented the town in the General Court in the year 1817. After a residence of fifteen or twenty years, he left town and resided at various places, as Lynn, Salem and Boston. For a time he was editor of a paper in Lynn, and boldly advocated the cause of Temperance and of Freedom, when they were unpopular. At one time he was obliged to go armed. He was one of the first in the inauguration of Post Office reform. Mr. Henshaw wielded a ready, vigorous and elegant pen, and wrote much for the press. At one time he had thoughts of writing the History of Winchendon, but if he made any collections for that purpose, it has not been the good fortune of the writer to see them. In his old age, he visited Winchendon often, and seemed very much to enjoy renewed intercourse with former friends.
HORATIO GATES NEWCOMB was in town in 1816, and perhaps ear- lier. In 1820, he was representative in the legislature. He was a lawyer of respectable address and attainments. But Winchendon was not a congenial soil for men of the legal profession in those days, and he removed to Greenfield. He represented Franklin County in the State Senate.
The lawyers in practice here since the removal of Mr. Newcomb, have been Benjamin O. Tyler, David L. Morrill, L. D. Pierce, La- fayette W. Pierce, and Giles H. Whitney, Esqrs. These are still liv- ing, except L. D. Pierce, Esq. All but the two last mentioned, left several years since. T. G. Kent, S. A. Burgess, and Jacob B. Har- ris, Esqrs., studied law here, and perhaps conducted a few causes, but they are settled, and prospering in the following places, viz : Milford, Blackstone and Abington.
SECTION 3 .- PHYSICIANS.
The first physician of whom mention is made in the Records, was Dr. TAYLOR. The town paid a bill of his for attending Rev. Mr. Stimpson, but his residence is not given.
After him, Dr. DUNSMORE of Lunenburg had a run of practice in this town. Although a good doctor, he was a man of violent temper. It
·
423
HISTORY OF WINCHENDON.
is related that once when he had dismounted for the purpose of gathering chestnuts by the road-side, his horse refused to be caught. As the Dr. drew near he would caper away. Dr. D. was in the habit of taking his gun. Being exasperated, he leveled his musket and shot the horse dead.
Dr SHATTUCK, of Templeton, practised here as early as 1770, and for years later.
Dr GREEN came here in 1774, and remained a year or two ; but not finding business, he departed.
In 1777, ISRAEL WHITON, M. D., of Ashford, Conn., settled in this town, and remained till his death in 1819, about forty-two years. He had been Surgeon's Mate in the celebrated Col. Knowlton's regiment. two or three years. He had hard times in Winchendon, for a few years, but his practice grew by degrees till he had most of the business here, besides riding in nearly all the towns of Worcester North, and some in New Hampshire. Many young men studied medicine with him, and taught school in the winter. He was a man of sense, integrity and pru- dence. He had the confidence of the community, and was a worthy member of the Church.
He used to relate that while in New York, in the Revolution, he bought an elegant cane of a soldier for a shilling. Not long after he met an old gentleman who desired to look at his cane. Taking it in his hand, he burst into tears, saying : " This is all that is left of my son, the brave Capt. Cheeseman, who died fighting at Quebec." Express- ing a strong desire to recover it, and offering any price that might be demanded, Dr. Whiton felt pleasure in parting with it for the shilling which it had cost him.
At one time he had a patient in Royalston, a man who was in the hab- it of taking the property of other people, and neglecting to restore it. Being very sick and afraid of dying, the man confessed his sins to the Dr. On his return, in answer to an inquiry in regard to the patient's health, he remarked that the man would " probably get well, for he had puked up a harrow, a log chain and a pair of saddle-bags."
He was pursued by wolves on his return from the western part of Rindge, towards the close of the last century. They came near, and howled frightfully. He had a leg of veal on the crupper behind him, and thought of throwing it to the wolves, but thinking, as he said, that he had the best right to it, he put spurs to his horse, holding on to the
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