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 39
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veal. When he reached the opening by the old Keith tavern, the pack left him and slunk off into the woods.
In 1811, he bought of the Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, two hundred and forty acres of land, including the outlet of Monomonauk lake, and extending almost to Spring Village. Mr. Otis was tired of paying taxes on unproductive land and sold the whole for $50!
OTIS CROSBY, Esq., came to town in 1781. He had been a physi- cian in Shrewsbury. It does not appear that he practised here, but he kept an apothecary store fifteen to eighteen years, and supplied the doc- tors in the region with drugs and medicines. He was appointed Post- master in 1795. For many years he was a noted Justice of the Peace, and his Record Book reveals a rather low state of morals in those days. After a residence of about twenty-five years, in the house which he built, where Mr. Jarvis Winn now lives, he removed to Vermont, and died in Montpelier.
Dr. ZIBA HALL resided here a few years beginning with 1790. He came from and returned to Keene, N. H., where he obtained notorie- ty from the peculiarity of his religious views.
In 1793, Dr. MASON SPOONER took up his residence here as a physi- cian, by invitation of Dr. Whiton, his medical instructor. He remained about nine years, and then removed to Templeton. He was a man of sense, shrewdness and wit, and had a remarkable faculty for characteriz- ing obnoxious individuals with a few words which would stick to them like a burr through life. Nothing but the love of strong drink prevented him from rising to the front rank of the medical profession. He mar- ried one of the daughters of Major Sylvester.
Dr. JACOB HOLMES opened an office here, by advice of Dr. Whiton, in 1804, and remained about two years; he then removed to Westmin- ster, then to Athol, and finally to Leicester. He had a high reputa- tion and large practice.
In the year 1806, in compliance with the wishes of Dr. Whiton, Dr. WILLIAM PARKHURST began practice here, but after a few years re- moved to Petersham, where he still resides. His wife was a daughter of Major Sylvester. He has always maintained a good reputation as a physician.
Dr. WILLIAM H. CUTLER came in 1816, and rode his circuit a few
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years ; then removed to Ashburnham, where he resided till recently. His home is now in Andover.
Dr. M. SPAULDING succeeded him, but soon took his departure.
Subsequently Dr. ALLEN C. FAY resided here a brief period, but soon removed to Milford, where he has a large practice.
Dr. JAMES M. FULLER was here from 1821 to 1824. Another Dr. Fuller resided here about the same time.
In 1826, Dr. ALVAH GODDING, a pupil of the celebrated Dr. Twitch- ell of Keene, settled in the Centre, where nearly all the preceding phy- sicians had resided. As Dr. Whiton died in 1819, there was but a space of a few years between them, and they together have filled out a term of about eighty-five years of medical practice. Whether as a citizen, a physician, or a member of the Church of Christ, he has always been held in high estimation. Like Dr. Whiton, he has represented the town in the General Court. He removed to the Village in 1841.
Of the later physicians who are yet in active life and strength, it is not needful to speak at length. Dr. IRA RUSSELL, who became a partner of Dr. Godding in 1844, who afterwards resided in Natick, and who gained a distinguished reputation as a Surgeon in the army, during the late rebellion, returned to town in 1866, and has an extensive practice.
Dr. MILLER was here a few years subsequent to 1853 ; he returned to Troy, N. H., whence he came.
Dr. WILLIAM LINCOLY came in 1852, and remained a few years. He was held in high esteem. He is now practising in Wabashaw, Minn., of which town he has been Mayor.
In 1860, Dr. JOHN T. PAGE commenced practice in the Village. His business grew by degrees, and he was esteemed a skillful physician by a large circle of patients in this vicinity. He was found dead in his ofice, early in the morning of the 27th day of December, 1866.
Dr. M. L. BROWN has opened an office here the present season.
Dr. WILLIAM P. GEDDES entered on his profession here as an eclec- tic physician in 1854, and has had a large business in this and the neigh- boring towns.
This seems the proper place to refer to a resident who, though not a physician, bore the title of doctor, and kept an apothecary store, with other articles of a miscellaneous sort. Dr. PENTLAND, so called, lived
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near the house of Mr. John Cook, not far from the Ashburnham line. He was a Scotchman who came here with some money, and afterwards visited Scotland, where he obtained more. But he was of unthrifty habits, and soon scattered all his substance. According to Dr. Whi- ton, he carried on a farm as well as a store. He was a gentleman of pol- ished manners and general information, but he grew intemperate and dissipated, and at last, he and his wife became literally vagabonds, all their means having been consumed. Mr. John Woodbury recollects his going to the store to buy some potatoes when a boy. Mrs. Pent- land, dressed like a fine lady in silk, waited upon him and tore a wide rent in her dress. What became of them is not known, as they left town more than fifty years since. Dr. Whiton says " they might well be designated the unhappy pair."
SECTION 4 .- GRADUATES.
OTIS CROSBY, though not a native, belonged to this town when he took his degree at Dartmouth College, in 1791. He studied for the ministry, and was invited to settle in New Gloucester, Me., but died of consumption prior to settlement.
Rev. JOHN MILTON WHITON, D. D., son of Dr. Israel Whiton, took his degree at Yale College in 1805. He was settled for nearly half a century in Antrim, N. H., when he sought a field of labor requiring less exertion, in Bennington, N. H. He was a man of piety and wis- dom. His influence at home and far and wide among the Churches, was that of a discreet, peace-loving and godly minister of the gospel. He was superior in ability and scholarship.
Rev. SAMUEL H. TOLMAN, son of Dea. Desire Tolman, was a grad- uate of Dartmouth, in 1806. He was settled in several places, one of which was Atkinson, N. H., and was a useful minister ; of exemplary life and conversation.
STEPHEN EMERY, Jr., graduated at Dartmouth, in 1808, and set- tled as a lawyer, in Athol.
Rev. SEWALL GOODRIDGE, son of Payson Goodridge, received his de- gree at Dartmouth in 1806. He preached in Canada.
Rev. OTIS C. WHITON, graduated at Yale College. He was a son of Dr. Israel Whiton. His ministerial life was passed in North Yar mouth, Me., Westmoreland N. H., and other places. He was a useful minister.
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Rev. GAMALIEL C. BEAMAN, son of David Beaman, took his degree at Amherst College. He has been a worthy Presbyterian minister, in Iowa, for many years.
Hon. WILLIAM B. WASHBURN, son of Asa and Phebe [Whitney] Washburn, is a graduate of Yale College,-class of 1844. He has been in Orange and in Greenfield, where he now resides. He is President of the Greenfield Bank, and Representative of the Ninth District in Congress.
Rev. SAMUEL WATSON BROWN, son of Samuel Brown, Jr., gradu- ated at Yale College near 1850. After spending several years in teach- ing and in business, he was ordained in Rindge, N. H., in 1863. He preached in South Coventry and Groton, Conn. His death occurred in the latter place in the autumn of 1866, at the age of thirty-eight years. He was esteemed in every place of his residence, as a modest, sensible and christian man, as well as a faithful minister.
EMERSON C. WHITNEY took his degree at New Haven in 1851. He was a man of fine promise, but deceased at the age of twenty-nine, be- fore entering on his profession. Many high hopes were buried in his too early grave.
SAMUEL BALDWIN, Esq., son of Samuel Baldwin, took his degree at Yale College. He is a lawyer at the west.
The more recent graduates are as follows : William W. Godding, M. D., a graduate of Dartmouth College, in the year 1854, now first assistant physician in the National Asylum for the Insane near Wash- ington, D. C .; Jacob B. Harris, Esq., a graduate of Yale in the class of 1854, now a lawyer at East Abington, Mass .; John Nelson Mur- dock, Esq., a graduate of Brown University in 1852, now a lawyer at Wabashaw, Min .; Isaac M. Murdock, a graduate of Brown University in the year 1853 ; and Charles Edward Bigelow, who took his degree at Williams College in 1866.
At present, Frederick Russell is a Senior, and Charles L. B. Whit- ney a Sophomore in Harvard University ; John Hale is a Sophomore in Amherst College ; and Addison B. Poland a Freshman in Wesleyan University.
In this connection may be given the names of certain natives, or res- idents of the town, who, though not graduates, have held a respectable position in some profession.
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Artemas Brown, M. D., son of Samuel Brown, was born in 1789. He was a physician of honorable standing in Medway, where, after a long course of practise, he died within a few years. He was a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1853.
Rev. David Woodbury, was son of Col. Jacob B. Woodbury. He is a clergyman of good reputation in the Baptist Church, and resides in Silver Creek, N. Y.
Rev. Silas Woodbury is brother of the preceding. He is a respected minister in connection with the Presbyterian branch of the Church of Christ. His residence is in the State of Tennessee, Shelby Co.
Rev. Andrew Pollard, D. D., a prominent clergyman in the Baptist denomination, is a native of Harvard, though he was in Winchendon in his early years. He has, for many years been pastor of a Church . in Taunton.
Dr. Abel H. Wilder was the son of Levi Divoll. His surname was changed to that of his mother. He has lived in Groton and other places, and always maintained a respectable position as a physician.
Levi Pillsbury, M. D., is the son of the Rev. Levi Pillsbury. His residence is in Fitchburg, where his practice is quite extensive.
Rev. Moses Hale Wilder, son of Abel Wilder, Jr., and grandson of Hon. Abel Wilder and of Dea. Moses Hale, is a Congregational clergy- man of highly respectable standing. He has published a work on mat- ters pertaining to Church polity, with credit to his reputation. As a pastor, he has been successful. His present charge is at Paris, N. Y.
The Hon. Carter Wilder, formerly member of Congress from Kan- sas, though not born in this town, lived here and attended our schools in his early years. He is the son of " one-eyed Abel," so called. The residence of the family was at the Pollard place, between the Bigelow farm and the old No. 6 school-house.
Hon. W. W. Rice, of Worcester, is connected with Winchendon by ancestry and residence, though this is not his birth-place. A grand- son of Capt. Phinehas Whitney, he has been familiar with the town from early days, and his father, Rev. Benjamin Rice, lived here sev- eral years, while he was still a member of his father's family. He is a graduate of Gorham Academy, and of Bowdoin College. After hav- ing charge of the Leicester Academy a few years, he settled in Wor-
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cester as a lawyer, and has a large practice. He has been Mayor of the city, and for a time, Judge of Probate.
Dr. Joshua Tucker, and Dr. Elisha Tucker, sons of the late vener- able Seth Tucker, have long had a high reputation as dentists in Bos- ton. Dr. Levi W. Foskett follows the same profession with success in this vicinity.
Roswell M. Shurtleff, son of the late Dr. S., of Rindge, came here in childhood, and was trained in our schools. He is an artist of rising reputation in New York. This work is adorned with several products of his pencil.
OTHER PROMINENT MEN.
Hon. Thomas Berry of Ipswich, is often referred to in the first part of this work. As he was prominent in settling the town, and resided here occasionally, though not a permanent inhabitant, a few lines may be properly given to his memory. Dr. Fitts, of Ipswich, in a letter to Dr. Whiton, says that Col. Berry " was a very influential man here, both in Church and State. He was the most prominent member, he was a wise counsellor, and manifested great interest in the prosperity of religion and the cause of education. He was Judge of Probate of Essex county from 1739 to 1756, and for most of the time Judge of the county court also."
Dea. Richard Day, who came hither from Ipswich, as early as 1752, is believed to have been a native of Ireland. His wife, a daughter of Gabriel Pushey, was of French ancestry, in Acadia. Dea. Day was a large landholder, the tradition being that at one time, he owned near- ly a third of the town. The first proprietors parted with their lots at a very low price. It is said that some lots were sold for a mug of flip, so little money-value had land, in this remote place, during the time of Indian wars. Mr. Day built the best house in town, which is still standing. He also built a log tavern, which was in the orchard west of the house of Isaac Cummings. There Mary Holt, the first child of the town, had her birth. He was the most prominent man till his death, in 1774. He was the Moderator of the first town meeting, town Trea- surer for several years, and held other offices. He was the first dea-
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con of the Congregational Church. In addition to talents and charac- ter, he is said to have been a man of great physical strength. Three of his sons, John, Nathan and Daniel, were revolutionary soldiers. Na- than died of dysentery, in camp near Somerville.
Hon. Abel Wilder was born in Leominster, April 15, 1741, old style, the 26th, new style. He was in Winchendon as early as 1762, and from that time till his decease in 1792, was constantly in public em- ployment. He was the first town Clerk, and he held, at different times, every office worth having. He was the first representative to the Gen- eral Court, after the Constitution was adopted, and from 1779 to 1792, was either in the House or the Senate, except a year or two when the town sent no delegates. He represented the town in the first Consti- tutional Convention. At his decease the public mind was prepared to send him to Congress. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in 1769. Mr. Wilder was a remarkable man. He was of stout build, and though not handsome, had a pleasant countenance and command- ing presence. Though in constant employment in public business, not only as an officer, but as a member, and generally chairman of every important committee in town, parish and church, he seems never to have provoked the jealousy and envy that usually follow superior men. Though a man of firm principle and unbending rectitude, and earnest piety, he appears to have been one of those rare men whose " enemies are at peace with him." His minister relied upon him, the public con- fided in him, the church rested on him as a pillar, and his family re- garded him with love and reverence. He fills the largest place in the history of the town. And as he was so useful in his life, so there were mitigating circumstances attending his lamented departure. He was chairman of the building Committee, in erecting the meeting-house in 1792. The day he left home to go to Jaffrey, where he was inocula- ted for the small pox, of which he died, he passed over the Common. The men were leveling the land before the meeting-house, and when, after a few pleasant words, he rode on his way, the workmen, with the ancient courtesy, took off their hats and bowed to him. He returned the salute, and was seen no more. When it appeared that his case was to have a fatal termination, Dr. Israel Whiton visited him, and received his parting directions respecting his business and family. He was cheer- ful and prepared for his departure. His grave, says a note from Mrs. Albert Brown, " is with six others, who died at the time, of the same
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disease,“ on the farm owned by Mr. Benjamin Pierce, one mile north- east of East Jaffrey. The grares are enclosed, and there are grave- stones to two of them." Many letters of Mr. Wilder are preserved, and if there were room, they would be inserted here, as illustrative of his noble character. Two of them may be found on pages 88 and 90.
Dea. Moses Hale, a native of Boxford, came here in 1770. He lived for a time with Abel Wilder ; then became a surveyor and farmer, and after living on the south-east of the Common, west of the Gardner road, several years, he set up the Hale tavern. Next to Dea. Wilder, he filled the largest place in public estimation ; and after the death of Mr. Wilder, he was in the first rank. He filled many offices, and was, several years, delegate to the General Court, besides being delegate to the State Convention, for adopting the national Constitution. He was deacon of the Congregational Church for a long term of years preceding his decease in 1828.
Capt. Phinchas Whitney, son of William Whitney, was the most prom- inent business man in the town from about 1800 to his death in 1831. Besides a large farm, he kept tavern for a while, owned an oil mill and woolen factory, and did a large business in raising and keeping cattle and horses. Though esteeemed by his townsmen, he was rarely in of- fice, because his engrossing business led him to decline public employ- ment. He was the first to enlist to put down the Shays rebels, being then a youth of twenty years. Afterwards he was Captain of the Cav- alry Company of this and neighboring towns. He was an indefatiga- ble worker, and kept all about him at work ; yet he was a good employ- er, and those brought up by him, remember him with respect and grat- itude. At the time of the great religious awakening in 1820-21, he paid the wages of his workmen whenever they were inclined to attend
* The graves of three persons-two adults and a child-may still be found. ou the " old Capt. John Pike place," now owned by Capt. Oliver Adams, about sixty rods south of the place long occupied by Asaph Brown, and thirty rods west of the road going from Levi Stearns' to the old burying-yard. There is a cellar and well in an old orchard. The town declined to furnish a "pest-house," but these three persons died here of the small pox, and their graves were forgotten till Mr. Simeon B. Stearns, of Williamsburgh, N. Y., who was on a visit here, this summer, 1868. informed the author. The graves -of two adults and one child-are within six feet of the north and south wall, and a few rods south of the wall running east and west. They are per- pendicular to the former wall. The names are not known. Double red roses, after seventy or eighty years, still flourish there-or did till recently-and shed beauty and fragrance over the lonely graves.
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the week-day meetings. From that period, through life, he was deci- ded and devoted as a Christian. He was active as a pioneer in the Tem- perance reform. He died at Newton, while on a journey to Boston with his youngest daughter. But though summoned away while far from home, he was ready, as is the good man always, to go to " be for- ever with the Lord."
Lieut. Paul Raymond, son of Col. Paul Raymond, was one of the foremost men in all public business, for a quarter of a century. His father was Lt. Col. in the Revolution, and the tradition is, that while the Colonel of the Regiment was generally sick or out of the way, in times of danger, Lt. Col. Raymond was a brave and competent com- mander. Lieut. Paul, was a brave revolutionary soldier, as well as his father, and also his brother James. Lieut. Raymond was Moder- ator, first Selectman, Assessor, Treasurer, &c., &c. ; and during a long period, was on committees to manage cases before the Courts, and to build roads and bridges. He was the father of the late much esteemed Dea. Paul Raymond.
Seth Tucker, Senior, settled early on the place now occupied by his son and grandson. He was a revolutionary soldier. As a man of in- dustry and integrity ; as a pioneer in the beginning of the Village, and as an exemplary member of the Baptist Church, he deserves honorable mention. The author remembers him as a venerable old man, to whose talks about old times, and on religious themes, he listened with interest. He attained the great age of 98 years. His grave is in the old bury- ing-yard. There was a remarkable spirit of fraternal confidence be- tween Mr. Tucker and his brother Elisha. Their first property was a hen owned in common. When they became men, and removed to Win- chendon, they owned a farm together. The house was in the lot north of the North school-house. Each took what he needed from the farm, but they made no division of crops. This went on until each had five children when they made a division of property satisfactory to both. Elisha died in the course of the year ensuing.
Lieut. David Poor has already been mentioned in several places. He is referred to again because of his singular notions. One of them was that he should come back again, at some future time ; another was, that stones grow. Both these notions were brought together on one occa- sion. He was building a stone wall, and a neighbor remarking that it
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was too low, he replied : " Well, it will grow, and when I come back, it will be high enough." Another anecdote may be given. Having a quarrel with a neighbor named Bosworth, who threatened violence, Lieut. Poor came before Esq.Crosby to " swear the peace" upon him. As the Esq. read the paper to which Peor was to take oath, he listened attentively till the passage was reached which stated that he was in bodily fear of Bosworth, when he could hold in no longer, and burst out : " No : I'm not afraid of him, and never was." "Mr. Peor," said Esq. Crosby, " you had better go home and be quiet,"
Col Jacob B. Woodbury is worthy of a place in this series of sketch- es. He came from Ipswich, after the Revolution, in which he had been a faithful soldier and good officer. The record of his military life would furnish several interesting pages in a family history, but there is not room for it in this condensed volume. The story of his contest with the wolf, however, must not be omitted. About eighty years ago,-the exact year is not known by his surviving sons-word came to him that a wolf had been tracked from Hubbardston into the southern border of this town. The hunters were fatigued with the long chase in the snow, and handed over the pursuit to Woodbury and his neighbors, one of whom was his brother-in-law, Roberts. They got upon the track, and pursued the animal to the ledge of rocks north of James Raymond's, nearly half way from Raymond's to the Perley, or Joseph Whitney place. While the dogs followed the wolf over the ledge, the men skirt- ed its eastern base, expecting to meet the game at the northern end. · Their expectation was confirmed, but the leading dog and the wolf had evidently had a fight, in which the dog fared hard, as he could not be induced to close with the wolf again. He followed with the men, but his courage was gone. The pursuit was continued into the Manning swamp, southwest of the Estey, or No. 5 schoolhouse. The men drew near the animal, the Col. heading the party. He snapped his gun, but it held fire, the priming being wet by the moist snow that fell from the branches. Mr. Woodbury then followed the victim along the body of a fallen tree, and when near enough, gave him a stunning blow on the head with the butt of his gun. This staggered the wolf, now fatigued with his race and his struggle with the dog. Mr. W. now threw him- self upon the body of the wolf, and pressed him into the snow. The animal made desperate effort to rise, and to assail his antagonist, but
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the Col. held on with a fatal grip. He called to Roberts for his jack- knife. Reaching from a safe distance, the knife was put in his hand, when he cut the wolf's throat, and the contest was over. The body was swung under a staddle, and carried on the shoulders of the men, to Mr. Woodbury's house as a trophy. That was the last and the most fa- mous wolf fight in the annals of the town. It should be said that Col. Woodbury was not only a brave soldier, but a good farmer, a respect- ed citizen often in public employment, and a faithful member of the First Church. An interesting sermon was delivered at his funeral, by Rev. Mr. Morton. This was printed, and stray copies of it are yet extant.
Ephraim Murdock, Esq., Isaac Morse, Esq., and Mr. Amasa Whit- ney, are placed in this list of worthies, because they really laid the foundations of the growth and prosperity of the Village. By their in- dustry, frugality, foresight and enterprise, the business of the town was largely increased. They were all in public employment somewhat, and had much influence in town and parish affairs, but their mark was made as men of business. They were contemporaries here for almost half a century. They were men of good morals, of temperate habits, support- ers of religious institutions, prudent as well as enterprising, and there- fore did much to give character to the place. It is owing in large meas- ure, to their example and their instructions, that business has ever been done here on a safe scale, and that there have been but few failures, in hard times. It is the habit of the place to pay debts. May the in- fluence of these men, as relates to integrity, good habits and upright- ness in business, continue till the Village becomes a city, and through all its history.
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