USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sterling > One hundredth fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Sterling, Massachusetts; exercises in the First parish church > Part 3
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Town of Sterling, Massachusetts
now a part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad system and have been for a number of years. Passenger train service through the center was discontinued in January, 1926. The electric trolley line from Worcester through this town to Fitchburg was opened in December 1906, and abandoned in April, 1927. The local telephone exchange came in 1904. Electricity for light and power, developed by the waters of the Connecticut at South Vernon, Vermont, was brought to town and offered to local uses in December, 1911.
The advent of State highways, the motor bus, motor vehicles of all kinds, and other con- veniences, have been compensation in a way for what has been lost in steam and electric transportation.
The face of the town was somewhat changed by the construction of the Wachusett reservoir pursuant to a statute of 1895. As a result, there were acquired by the Common- wealth 1269.3 acres of land, and 261 acres were actually flowed by the waters of the reservoir. A number of excellent farms with all their buildings were wiped out, and restrictions in the interest of public health were imposed
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One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
upon the uses of some other lands and of the Washacum Lakes.
Interesting light is thrown upon social condi- tions by provision for the support of the poor. In early days they were boarded around in homes of those in the town willing to perform that service. In June, 1822, the town bought the farm between Upper and Lower North Row for the accommodation of the poor. This farm was bought of William Morris and contained about 114 acres. In 1877 a new and commodious "poor house" was built. The assumption by the state of the care of insane and feeble-minded paupers, and generally improved economic conditions, led to the sale of the farm in May, 1907, to Lena G. Sawin. Since then, the few dependent upon the public have been supported in other ways.
It is much to be desired that a complete history may be written of the manufacturing industries of Sterling. They have been numerous and varied. They include clocks, chairs and chair stock, charcoal, guns, hats, shirts, patterns, needles, refrigerators, baby carriages, baskets, textiles, cider and vinegar, pottery ware, emery wheels, tannery products, and perhaps other
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Town of Sterling, Massachusetts
articles. The want of adequate water power, removal to more favorable localities, fire, death, possibly in some instances a lack of the proper combination of mechanical skill and business sense, and other causes, have resulted in leaving the town now almost bereft of manufacturers, although the Buck chair factory just over the boundary line in Princeton is of distinct advantage to Sterling. Whether this dwindling of manufactures will in the end prove a blessing cannot now be told with cer- tainty. An interesting chapter in our annals waits the hand of one who will trace the various mercantile adventures of the precinct and town. Agriculture remains the main source of support of the inhabitants. There has recently been a re- newed and increasing understanding that the soil of the town is peculiarly adapted for the culture of fine fruit, and much acreage is now devoted to orchards. Modern methods of easy transportation to large markets render the production of milk and of vetegables much more inviting than hitherto. Intensive cultiva- tion of the land in these and other ways may make our town more useful than ever before. Scientific investigation into the fertility of
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One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
different kinds of soil, practical insight and business imagination well may build for Sterling a more attractive future than any of her past.
Not infrequently "trifles light as air" with no ambitious design win distinction not attained by labored efforts. Nothing has contributed so much to spread widely the name of Sterling as the verses entitled "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Those lines portray an apparently insignificant incident, but they have had a broad appeal. They emulate the popularity of Mother Goose Tales. Scarcely a child in the country has not been familiar with them. College students have sung them. They have been parodied, para- phrased and translated, and almost universally known. They were the first words spoken into the phonograph by its inventor, Thomas A. Edison. There has been contention from time to time as to the soundness of the claim of Sterling to be the birthplace of the idyl and the rhyme. Rivals for this distinction have been almost as numerous as the towns which sought the coveted honor of being the birthplace of Homer. Newspaper articles and monographs have been written on the theme. Mr. Henry Ford has nearly, if not quite stilled this con-
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Town of Sterling, Massachusetts
troversy by removing the original schoolhouse of the Sterling Mary and her lamb to his Wayside Inn estate in Sudbury, where it has been set up and maintained, and by causing to be written and published an historical narration of the facts and a critical analysis of other claims, vindicating Sterling as the true scene.
The most important product of any town is its men and women. If they be industrious, steadfast, virile, virtuous, they are the chief glory of the place of their birth. It is said in the Book of Books that "Righteousness exalteth a nation" and "He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart . .. shall never be moved." Appeal to the conscience of the vicinity will establish that, gauged by these tests, there is no occasion for Sterling to fail in pride for the kind of men and women she has given to the country. Few can be preeminent. It is the character of the great majority who stamp their mark upon a community. There have been many from Sterling who have merited the encomium, "well done, thou good and faithful servant," a prize reserved from its first utterance for those who do good work but are nameless in the roll
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of fame. There are three outstanding figures among natives of the town to whom attention appropriately may be directed on this occasion. The first is Prentiss Mellen, a son of the first minister. He was an eminent lawyer, a senator of the United States from Massachusetts, and the first chief justice of the State of Maine. He was born in 1764 on Divinity Hill, as it has been termed because of the residence there of ministers of the Church for more than fifty years, near the present home of Edwin Robinson. The second is George Putnam. He was born August 16, 1807, where Mr. and Mrs. E. Kendall Heywood lived for many years and where Mr. and Mrs. Chester B. Blodgett now live. He was a clergyman of distinction and of genuine eloquence, and for a long time was pastor of the church in Roxbury. When Thackeray visited this country, he attended his church and was deeply impressed by his power. He has preached in this pulpit. He gave the address in 1866 at the dedication of our Soldiers' Monument, and also contributed a substantial endowment for our public library. He was a great spiritual force for the uplift of mankind in his day and generation. Ebenezer Butterick,
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Town of Sterling, Massachusetts
born in 1826 on the place now the home of John A. Davis, achieved a position of primacy in the field of business. He conceived the idea of making paper patterns for clothing for women and children. He launched that idea as a practical venture in this town in a very small way, and by energy, perseverance, sagacity, made the business which bore and still bears his name not only highly successful but inter- national as well as national in scope. His career is a fine example of the sure and rich reward open to one who has the wit to devise a simple thing and to promote it for the benefit of many people.
The safety, strength and permanence of our government and of American institutions de- pend upon the self-reliance, self-control, energy, industry, resourcefulness, practical sagacity, perseverance, vigor, virtue, intelligence, courage, faith, of all the people. Our forebears, who settled this town and made the history of which we take note this day, possessed those qualities in ample measure. The same qualities com- bined with a true sense of the value of what they did will inspire those of the present and the future to maintain unimpaired the rich tradi-
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tions thus handed on, and to transmit them to those who come after, not only without blemish but augmented and brightened by higher and better achievements for the local and the general welfare. On this festive occasion the town, ancient yet ever young, offers to her inhabitants, native and foreign-born alike, the advantages of her schools, her library and her churches, the enjoyment of her opportunities and the sharing of her burdens. She welcomes all to this her renewed dedication to loyalty to the nation, to the fine spirit of local attachment, and to the solemn obligation that each suc- ceeding year shall find her a better place in which to rear a family and to lead a happy and useful life. Sterling, we salute thee! Of thee and of all who dwell within thy boundaries may the vision of the poet come true :
"Forward through the ages In unbroken line Move the faithful spirits At the call divine. Gifts in differing measure,
Hearts of one accord, Manifold the service, One the sure reward."
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Town of Sterling, Massachusetts
Hymn
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain ! America ! America ! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea !
O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress, A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America ! America ! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America ! America ! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea !
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One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary
Benediction REV. FRED T. CRANE Minister of The First Congregational (Unitarian) Church of Sterling
Now may the Holy Spirit, which in all ages entering the souls of men maketh them friends of God and prophets, abide with us and keep us in the way of life.
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