USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Proceedings of the Worcester Society of Antiquity, for the year 1881-1882 > Part 10
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* The illustrations which accompany this account are from sketches made later. by Mr. William A. Emerson.
BALANCED ROCK, SHREWSBURY, MASS,
115
interest .* The old church was then visited, but it has been modernized to an extent that destroys its antiquarian interest. Its pulpit was occupied by the Rev. Dr. Sumner and later by the Rev. George Allen. A number of the party ascended to the bell- deck where an extensive view was obtained, embra- cing more than a score of towns, from the heights of Dorchester to the hills of Westminster. It is a fact not generally known that Shrewsbury and Princeton are on the same level above tide water, and the view from the former does not lose in com- parison with the latter. The day was an admirable one, and the party was amply repaid for the trouble of climbing the narrow stairs.
* The following are the inscriptions on the Ward monument : EAST SIDE.
SARAH. wife of Gen. Artemas Ward, Dec. 13, 1788 Æ 63.
Maj. Gen. ARTEMAS WARD. Son of Col. N. Ward H. U. 1748-1762, a Justice & 1776 Chief Justice of the C. C. Pleas For the Co. of Wor, 1778, a Major in the expedition against Canada 1759. appointed Col. 1766. his Commission as Col revoked for his inflexible opposition to arbitrary power, whereupon he informed the Royal Gov. that he had been twice honored- 1768 chosen one of the exceutive Council and by the same Royal Gov. and for the same reason negatived and deprived of a seat at that Board-1775 appointed to the command of the army at Cambridge and by the Continen- tal Congress first Maj. Gen. of the army of the revolution. 1779 appointed a member of the Continental Congress, and under the Federal Government repeatedly elected a member .- 16 years a Representative of this town in the Legislature & in 1786, Speaker of the house of Representatives. Firmness of mind & integrity of purpose were characteristic of his whole life so that he was never swayed by the applause or censure of man but ever aeted un- der a deep sense of duty to his Country & accountability to his God-long will his memory be preserved among the friends of liberty & religion.
Oct. 27, 1800. Æ 73.
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Returning to the Sumner Mansion, they were met by Dr. Brigham, who in honor of the guests had come in an ancient narrow gig-chaise, painted bright yellow, and unlike Dr. Holmes' "one hoss shay," built to withstand the ravages of time for genera- tions yet to come. This vehicle was used by Sher- iff Thomas W. Ward," in his official journeys. Dr. Brigham also brought the medicine chest of his
Capt. NAHUM WARD son of Gen. Ward, March 7, 1778, in the army, E 24. MARTHA daughter of Gen. Ward July 25 1781, Æ 21.
SOUTH SIDE.
WARD. Deacon WILLIAM WARD, from England, Marlboro, Aug. 10, 1687, E. 87. Col. NAHUM WARD, son of Capt. W. Ward, May 7, 1754, E. 70. Capt. WILLIAM WARD, son of Dea. Ward, Marlboro, Nov. 25, 1697, Æ. 57. BENJAMIN, son of Col. Nahum & Martha Ward, April 22. 1717, JE. 12 mos. First Death in town. MARTHA. Reliet of Col. Nahum Ward, July 1, 1755, 2. 68. MARTHA, daughter of Col. Nahum & Martha Ward, July 2, 1794, E. 78.
WEST SIDE.
CHARLES G. WARD, son of T. W. & Il. P. W. Adj't. 24 Reg. Mass. vol. killed in Battle at Drury's Bluff, Va. May 16, 1864. x. 34. HARRIET P. wife of Thomas W. Ward, Mar. 25, 1876, 2. 75 yrs. ARTEMAS, son of Thomas W. & Harriet P. Ward, Oct. 28, 1833, 2. 5 ys.
NORTH SIDE.
ARTEMAS WARD, son of Thomas W. & Elizabeth Ward Dec. 31. 1816, Æ. 26. JOSEPH WARD. son of Thomas W. & Elizabeth Ward. Oct 2, 1821, E. 32. THOMAS WALTER WARD EsQ., 18 years High Sheriff of this Co., Ang. 20, 1835. 2. 77. A. H. WARD son of T. W. & E. Ward, Feb. 18, 1864, E. 79. NAHUM WARD, son of T. W. & E. Ward April 6, 1860, Æ. 74. HARRIET WILLIAMS, wife of William Williams. & daughter of Thomas W. & Elizabeth Ward, Nov. 13, 1824 E. 37. JOHN TUCKER, son of A. II. & S. H. Ward, died in Boston, Nov. 2, 1840, E. 24, 5 mos. ELIZABETH, Reliet of T. W. Ward Esq., Nov. 18, 1846 ÆE. 87. ELIZA MARIA ANTOINETTE. Oct. 26, 1821, E. 3 yrs 8 mos. & 8 ds. FRANCES CAROLINE AUGUSTA, 23 Oct. 1824, E. 18 mos. & 20 ds., daughters of Andrew H. & Sarah II. Ward.
* Thomas Walter Ward was son of Gen. Artemas Ward. He was sheriff of Worcester County from 1805 to 1824.
HUMANPE
MARTHA
WARD MONUMENT, SHREWSBURY, MASS.
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father who was for many years a physician in Shrewsbury. Its contents were inspected with in- terest.
At the close of the afternoon a generous collation was served, the divine blessing being invoked by the Rev. George Allen. Several citizens of Shrewsbury joined the party in the evening which was passed with music and pleasant conversation until eight o'clock, when the company returned to the city ar- riving about nine, with the memory of an agreeable and profitable experience, which will be a lasting one.
The September meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday the 6th, President Crane in the chair.
The following persons were present: Messrs. Crane, Roe, Paine, E. H. Marble, Tucker, F. P. Rice Stone, Clark Jillson, B. J. Dodge, Cook, Dickinson, Estey, Staples, ; and by invitation, Mr. John G. Smith, Albert H. Hoyt, Esq., of Cincinnati, and J. A. Me- Clellen, LL. D., of Toronto, Government inpector of High and Normal Schools for the Province of Onta- rio, Canada-16.
Edward B. Glasgow was elected an active member.
The President alluded to the recent visit of the Society to Shrewsbury, and the Hon. Clark Jillson offered the following preamble and resolution, which were unanimously adopted :
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Whereas, On the 10th day of August, 1881, by special invita- tion from George Sumner Esq., The Worcester Society of An- tiquity visited his ancient and uniquely furnished mansion in the town of Shrewsbury, where the members enjoyed an afternoon of rural delight, paying their respects to several points of his- toric interest as well as natural curiosity, among which may be mentioned the burial place of Major Gen. Artemas Ward, and Equipoise Rock ; being accompanied thither by their venerable friend, the Rev. George Allen, who visited on that day, perhaps for the last time, the scene of his early labors in the christian ministry nearly three score years ago, therefore,
Resolved, That a vote of thanks be, and the same hereby are tendered Mr. and Mrs. Sumner, for their generous invitation, their liberal entertainment, and all their efforts to make the occasion worthy of continued remembrance.
A donation of two specimens of early wood en- graving was received from C. J. Sawtell Esq., of New York city, through Mr. S. E. Staples. They were the work of Hans Leonard Schauffelin, a pupil of Albert Durer. A vote of thanks was tendered for the same.
A portrait in oil of Elihu Burritt, late an. honor- ary member of the Society, was presented in behalf of several members, by Mr. S. E. Staples, mainly through whose efforts it was secured. This portrait was painted in 1841, and is considered a good like- ness.
Mr. Alfred S. Roe was then called upon, and gave a very interesting and graphic account* of a visit he
* Since published in the Cincinnati Enquirer, and reprinted in the Bos- ton Sunday Herald. New York Sun and other papers.
C.F. JEWETT & CO
-
THE WARD HOUSE, SHREWSBURY MASS.
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made on the 4th of July last, in company with Mr. Samuel H. Putnam of this city, to the Wolf Den, made famous by the exploit of Gen. Israel Putnam. They also visited the house in which he lived and his burial place at Brooklyn. Brief remarks fol- lowed by Messrs. Tucker and E. H. Marble.
Dr. MeClellan of Toronto was introduced, and responded by interesting remarks in an appropriate and happy manner.
The President announced in suitable and becom- ing terms, the death of Samuel Foster Haven, LL. D., forty years Librarian of the American Antiquarian Society ; and on motion of Mr. B. J. Dodge, a com- mittee of three was appointed to draft suitable reso- lutions to be reported at the next meeting. Messrs. Dodge, Clark Jillson and Roe were appointed.
The meeting was then adjourned.
The October meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday the 4th. The following persons were pres- ent : Messrs. Staples, Tucker, C. Jillson, Lawrence, Dodge, Rugg, Paine, Metcalf, Stone, Warren, Estey, Hubbard, H. M. Smith, Shumway, Seagrave, Lovell, C. R. Johnson, J. A. Smith, F. C. Jillson, Rice, and three visitors-23.
Mr. B. J. Dodge from the committee appointed at the last meeting presented the following resolu- tions, which were unanimously adopted, and on mo- tion of Mr. Nathaniel Paine were ordered to be transmitted to the widow of the late Dr. Haven.
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The committee to whom was referred the duty of framing resolutions on the death of Dr. Haven, respectfully offer the following :
Resolved, That The Worcester Society of Antiquity, with a deep sense of bereavement, take formal notice of the removal by death, which occurred on the 5th of September last, at his home in this city, of Samnel Foster Haven, LL. D., at the age of seventy-five years three months and eight days.
Resolved, That Dr. Haven, through the whole of the long period of forty-three years which marked his term of service as librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, has furnished to us an example of patient study, accurate perception and ready sympathy, which gave him remarkable power to perform, and which is fully exhibited in the growth add prosperity of the Society which he served.
Resolved, That we regard Dr. Haven as a conscientious and accurate historian, as witnessed by the valuable historical arti- cles which have from time to time emanated from his graceful pen.
Resolved, That we shall miss his genial manners, his happy faculty of speech, and his always ready and kindly response to the demands of those of us who have enjoyed his acquaintance, and also have had occasion to consult with him upon historical or other matters, in which he was the leader of us all.
Resolved, That to his more immediate personal friends, and the circle of his own family we tenderly express our sympathy and deep sense of their bereavement.
Alfred Waites was elected an active member.
A letter from Dr. George W. Brown of Rockford, Ill. was read and a proper reply was ordered. A copy of his pamphlet relating to John Brown, of Kansas fame, accompanied the letter.
Remarks upon the death of president Garfield were made by C. R. Johnson, H. M. Smith and J. L. Estey.
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Mr. H. M. Smith in behalf of the Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company, presented a set of their publications relative to the manufacture of Barb Fence, Telegraph and other wire.
Mr. I. N. Metcalf presented copies of programmes of the recent Musical Festival in Worcester.
The thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. S. E. Staples for his efforts in securing the portrait of Elihu Burritt, presented to the Society at the last meeting.
Mr. A. S. Roe extended to the members an invi- tation to be present on the occasion of the presen- tation of the portrait of John Adams to the High School, to take place on the 19th of October, in the hall of the high school building. Adjourned.
At the regular monthly meeting held Tuesday evening, Nov. 1st, twenty persons were present, namely ; Messrs. Crane, Roe, Rice, Sumner, Harlow, C. Jillson, Manning Leonard of Southbridge, Rugg, Prentiss, J. A. Smith, Stone, Cook, Lee, Lawrence, B. J. Dodge, Waites, Staples and Knight, members ; and Mr. George Estey and Master Lawrence visitors. . Mr. Staples was chosen Secretary pro tem.
The following letter from Mrs. Frances W. Haven in acknowledgment of the resolutions adopted by this Society upon the death of Dr. Samuel F. Haven, was read:
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62 ELM ST., OCT. 18TH, 1881.
Henry L. Shumway Esq., Secretary of The Worcester Society of Antiquity,
SIR, Please accept my acknowledgments for a copy of the Resolutions adopted at a meeting of The Worcester Society of Antiquity, Oct. 4th, 1881, in relation to my lamented husband.
I sincerely thank the members of the Society for these kind expressions of appreciation of him, and of sympathy with his bereaved family.
Mr. Haven felt a cordial interest in the work of the Society of Antiquity, and wished for it abundant prosperity and useful- ness.
Very respectfully yours, FRANCES W. HAVEN.
A letter from W. HI. Bigelow of New Haven, Ct. transmitting a biographical sketch of himself was read. Abraham K. Gould was elected an active member.
The President gave an interesting account of the recent Crane family reunion in New York city, and of an excursion up the Hudson river to Albany.
Mr. Roe presented a collection of the leading newspapers from nearly every state and territory in the union, containing notices upon the death of President Garfield, from which he read extracts interspersed with appropriate and interesting re- marks. Manning Leonard Esq., of Southbridge, a life member, made remarks expressing his interest in the work of the Society. It was then voted to adjourn.
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The Annual Meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 6th. The following members were present : Messrs. Crane, C. Jillson, Shumway, Estey, Sprague, Tucker, Lovell, Dodge, Potter, Tolman, Phelps, Stone, Dickinson, F. C. Jillson, Marshall, Gould, C. R. Johnson, Lawrence, Cook, J. A. Smith, W. H. Bartlett, Paine, Sumner, O'Flynn, F. P. Rice, H. M. Smith; and by invitation Mr. Joseph Lovell.
Albert Curtis Esq. was elected an honorary mem- ber; Charles H. J. Douglas of Providence, R. I., a corresponding member, and Sullivan Forehand an active member.
The Treasurer presented his annual report as follows:
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of
The Worcester Society of Antiquity. Gentlemen :- Agreeable to the requirements of the by-laws of this Society, I herewith submit this my sixth Annual Report, showing the receipts and expenditures of the Society, from Dec. 7th, 1880, to Jan. 3rd, 1882, as follows :-
CASH RECEIVED.
1881.
Dr.
Assessments,
$176,00
Admissions,
18,00
Donation, 3,00
Sale of Proceedings, . 5,18
Life membership, 50,00
Temp'y loan of Treas., 237,95 $490,13
CASHI PAID.
1881. Cr.
Rent, $211,25
Gas, . 7,45
Stationery & Printing, 89,35
Express & Postage, . 23,32
Cleaning & rep'g rooms, 14,81
Loan of Treas., 1880, 143,95
$490,13
There are accounts to the amount of $170 due the Treasurer at this date, all of which is respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. SMITH, Treasurer.
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Mr. Albert A. Lovell, the Librarian, presented his report for the year 1881, accompanied by an inter- esting sketch of Ezra Beaman.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
To the Officers and Members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
Your Librarian respectfully presents the following Report for the year 1881 :
INCE the last report the Society has issued the following
S publications : No. XI. and XII., Records of the Proprietors of Worcester, Massachusetts, Parts III. and IV. No. XIII, Proceedings of The Worcester Society of Antiquity for the year 1880. No. XIV. Worcester Town Records. 1753-1765. The following are now in press and will soon be issued : Nos. XV. and XVI., Worcester Town Records comprising the Revolu- tionary period, and No. XVII., Proceedings of The Worcester Society of Antiquity for the year 1881. Two sets of the Col- lections of the Society have been suitably bound for the library. In binding the several publications the first thirteen numbers form three volumes of Collections, and Nos. XIV .. XV., and XVI., are designed to form the fourth volume. It may be well to suggest to members and others who have not had their publi- cations bound, that it is desirable that this order be followed so as to preserve uniformity. Within the past year our library accommodations have been improved by an additional room for our increasing collections. The Catalogue of the library begun some time ago will be completed before the next monthly meet- ing. There have been received during the year as contributions to the library 165 bound volumes. 657 pamphlets, 26 miscella- neous articles.
I desire to call attention to a gift from individual members of the Society, of a framed oil portrait of Elihu Burritt, a deceased
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honorary member ; to Mass. Colony Records, from Geo. Sum- ner ; to the Army Chest and papers of Company A, 25th Regt. Mass. vols. from S. H. Putnam : to a set of the American Al- manac, bound, from Clarendon Harris Esq., and also, to a list of donations accompanying this report.
The interest which has been developed in this Society by a recent visit to Shrewsbury, renders whatever pertains to that town, so rich in historic material, appropriate in this report. Shrewsbury, staunch and true to every cause which tends to the advancement of religion, liberty and law, is and always has been a representative New England community, solid and substantial as the hills on which she rests. While she holds in grateful remembrance the name of Ward, the first commander of our infant army in the war of the Revolution ; of Sumner, the beloved pastor who led his flock by the still waters of happiness and peace ; of Cushing, the military leader in the struggle for free- dom ; she is not unmindful of the services of Ezra Beaman, the patriot and the man of enterprising public spirit, ever ready to defend the colonies from the encroachments of arbitrary power, and to do whatever tended to the advancement of the material prosperity of the community in which he lived. It seems proper that the history of this man should be presented in connection with whatever pertains to the history of Shrewsbury, for, al- though his abode through nearly his whole life was in one locali- ty, he lived in three separate townships, the division and re-divis- ion of the territory which originally fell to the lot of Shrewsbury rendering such the case. His whole life except the first ten years, was connected with this town or territory set off from the original grant. I have deemed it best at this time to present briefly some facts concerning Major Beaman, who was an active and leading man in the immediate vicinity where he resided, and who sustained and exercised an extensive and controlling influ - ence in the community at large. It is in the lives of the leading spirits of these early days that we must look to find the spring that watered and nourished feeble settlements until they had struck their roots into deeper and stronger soil, and had attain- ed such a growth, and were so firmly established in the principles
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of self-government that the summer heat of political agitation, and the winter blast of infidelity, communism and private am- bition pass harmlessly by and leave no trace behind.
It is not my intention to lay before you a full and complete survey of the life and services of Ezra Beaman, but to pass them in hasty review and make this report in some degree doc- umentary.
ZRA BEAMAN was born in Bolton, Mass., October 16,1736. He was the son of Jabez Beaman, who having purchased a large tract of land in the westerly part of the town of Shrewsbury, situated on both sides of the Nashna River, including some of the most fertile in that region, removed thence with his family in 1746. Jabez Beaman dying in 1757, the homestead came under the proprietorship of Ezra the eldest son where he resided until his death. In 1758 he married Persis, daughter of Cyprian Keyes, with whom he lived thirty years. She died November 7th, 1788, at the age of 50 years. By this marriage he had six children. IIe afterwards married Mary, daughter of Richard Boylston of Charlestown, who survived him.
It was a characteristic of Major Beaman that he was constitu- ted with an active and vigorous mind, combined with wonderful energy, decision, firmness and perseverance. Thus constituted he was constantly engaged in projects both of a public and pri- vate nature which accrued to his own emolument and to great and essential advantage to the whole community. His judg- ment was almost unerring, and his designs generally resulted in accordance with his expectations and desires. Such was the confidence reposed in him, and in such high estimation was he held by the people not only of his own town but of a large sur- rounding section, that whenever any project of a public nature bearing upon the well being of the people at large was to be considered, he was at once consulted and generally in accord- ance with his expressed opinion either for or against, was the scheme adopted or rejected.
In 1764 he erected a dwelling house on the tract purchased by his father which he occupied until his death, and which his son bearing the same name continued to occupy for half a cen- tury later. ·
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This house in the thoroughness of its construction, its size and its architectural proportions, was probably unsurpassed by anything of its kind in the county. This was known as the Beaman Tavern, and for a century was a typical Way-side Inn ; and from it went out an influence which was felt not only in its immediate vicinity but throughout a large extent of country.
The tavern of one hundred years ago, and even up to the time when the railroad superceded the stage and the team as a means of transportation for passengers and merchandise, especially when its proprietor was a person of prominence and force, was a power in the community. During the days of the Revolution the tavern was the resort of tories or patriots according to the political proclivities of the landlord, and here were schemes de- vised, either for or against the patriot cause according to the political character which it assumed. It was at the tavern where the people most frequently assembled either in a formal or in- formal manner to discuss, debate, devise and carry forward such plans and projects as from time to time occupied the attention of the people. Its good cheer no doubt lent its aid, and who can tell what inspiration it imparted? The influence of the Beaman Tavern was decidedly in favor of the patriot cause and a favorite stopping place for soldiers on their way to and from the army, there to impart or receive the latest information in regard to events so rapidly transpiring.
Major Beaman was a true and ardent patriot. When the first encroachments of arbitrary power were beginning to be felt he was convinced that nothing short of forcible resistance would be of any avail, and during the struggle he was an active and unflinching spirit in behalf of the liberties of the people. He was with the army near Boston in 1775, and during the whole war was actively engaged in whatever tended to the advance- ment of the cause. Ilis time, his influence, his property, were devoted to the cause of colonial independence, making the pledge his own, of life, property and sacred honor.
The people of Shrewsbury manifested their confidence in him by repeatedly electing him a member of the board of selectmen.
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He was thus chosen in 1766-69-70-71-72-73-76-79-84-85. We of this day can hardly realize the importance of the office of se- lectinan of a town for the years immediately preceding and during the Revolution. The position seems to have implied but little, but in reality it implied much. In towns true to the patriot cause it implied a lofty patriotism and an unyielding firmness, and was an office of the utmost importance and re- sponsibility. Not only were the selectmen called upon to take care of the ordinary interests of the town, but much additional labor was required. The procuring of soldiers to fill requisitions for men, the raising of money and supplies of provisions and clothing for the army, the care of the families of soldiers besides the carrying on of the war to a great extent on the part of the town. As was often the case the Committees of Safety and Cor- respondence were made up wholly or in part from their num- ber. In accordance with recommendations of the Provincial Congress, the town exercised largely legislative, executive and judicial functions ; its votes were laws, its judgment as to wheth- er a man was a patriot or a tory was final, and from the ver- dict of hostility there was no appeal; and the selectmen and committees executed their decrees with spirit and firmness. By direction of the town they entered tories' honses, disarmed them, confined them to limits or in jail as the case might require. Thus the office was no sinecure, but on the contrary one of great labor, and probably at no time in the history of the colonies or the states, has such care been exercised in the choice of town officers as during this period of toil and strife. It is difficult at this day to realize the amount of labor and responsi- bility which devolved upon them.
Major Beaman, aside from his services in the army, acted a prominent part in the revolutionary proceedings of the town. As selectman, member of the committee of inspection, commit- tee of correspondence and safety, as a prosecutor of persons inimically disposed towards the cause of the colonies, as one chosen to procure men and supplies for the continental army, he was zealous and indefatigable.
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In 1781 the people of the North Parish desiring to obtain an act of incorporation as a town, took steps in that direction. In the warrant for a town meeting to be held in May of that year, the 5th article was as follows : "To hear the petition of Ezra Beaman and others praying to be set off a separate town." Some opposition manifesting itself, it was not until 1786 that an act of incorporation was obtained. Of the new town which was named Boylston, Ezra Beaman was chosen chairman of the board of seleetmen, which office he held during the years 1786- 88-89-90- 91-92, and was a member of the board during the years 1803-4-5. He was also representative from this town to the Great and General Court in 1789-1791, and town treasurer 1791-92-93-94. In 1794 a controversy arose in relation to the location of a new meeting house about to be erected. Major Beaman whose residence was some three miles west from Boyl- ston centre, was desirous that the new house be erected half a mile northwest of the old one. After a protracted struggle the majority decided to build upon the old site. Major Beaman, with others seceded, and he at his own expense built a meeting house about three miles to the westward, and this difficulty in relation to the meeting honse cuhninated after much opposition in the incorporation of the town of West Boylston in 1808.
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