USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Petersham > Sketches of Petersham natives and adopted citizens > Part 7
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inches long, would hang from the lower end of his fife. Surely, "the good god Pan" never piped under such dreary conditions.
Gen. Nelson A. Miles
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, son of Daniel of Petersliam, born in Westminster, Mass., 1839. Worked on a farm and attended District school and Academy in that place until 19 years of age, when he went to Boston and was clerk in a store. He attended a military school six months while in Boston, and enlisted in the Brewer Guards at Roxbury and joined the Regiment raised by Gen. Henry Wilson. He gave all his time and attention to studying tactics and drill, and has been in the army ever since. He is steadily making his own history. He was in every battle of the army of the Potomac save Gettysburg. A wound, and he has received many of them, inflicted at Chancellorsville, pre- vented his taking an active part in the former. He has the qualities of the statesman and orator, as well as an Indian fighter, in which capacity he is almost unequaled. His cam- paigns on the frontier, northwest and southwest, have been protracted, arduous and hazardous, but however difficult, dan- gerous or tiresome the position or pursuit, he has thus far proved himself equal to the occasion. He is a large, handsome and well-built man, young looking for one of his experience, with a light complexion and an expression that shows that he would take the labor of life in sober earnestness, though ready to laugh at a good joke. His headquarters are at Los Angeles, having charge of the southwest from Rio Grande to the Pacific. He married a niece of Gen. and Senator John Sherman, and has sons and daughters. His great-grandfather, and Susannah his wife came from Pomfret, Ct.,in 1740, that town having been settled by emigrants from Roxbury, Mass., in 1686. He was a useful and prominent man, holding many town offices, and be- ing on the committee for "seating the meetinghouse," the first one built here. In 1762 the town voted "to give 15 young women the hind seat on the woman's side gallery, in order to build a pew at their own cost." Mr. Miles' daughter Susannah was one of those who enjoyed this very liberal privilege. He had two sons also, Joab and Daniel, who were soldiers in the Revolution. The former, grandfather of the General, was in
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three campaigns or more. He was a man of unusual intelli- gence and capacity, and like his father chosen to a variety of town offices and on many important committees, was a popular and successful schoolteacher, leaving a worthy record and dy- ing in 1832 at the age of 91.
Since the sketch of Gen. Nelson A. Miles by Mr. Howe was written, he became Major-General in 1890, and on the retire- ment of Gen. Schofield in 1895 he became the commanding general of the army. During the strike riots of 1894 in Chi- cago he commanded the United States troops, later visited the scene of the Greco-Turkish war, and in 1897 he represented the United States Army at Queen Victoria's Jubilee. During the war of 1898 with Spain, he directed in person the occupation of Porto Rico. Within a period of two weeks the entire western part of the island was cleared of the Spanish forces. The total loss of Americans was only four killed and 40 wounded. He was raised to the rank of Lieutenant-General in 1901. In 1902-3 he made a tour of inspection of the Philippine Islands. I11 1901 he was retired from active service. He is a very active man at this date. His advice is sought in Washington on mil- itary matters of importance. Gen. Miles' father and grand- father were among Petersham's noted men of their day. Joab Miles, the elder, was a Revolutionary hero. He not only gave his services in the cause of American Independence, but after the Revolutionary War he had an opportunity of selling his valuable farm and, being an intense patriot, took pay in Colo- nial money, part of which was counterfeit, and the remainder was repudiated by the government, thereby losing his entire property.
Sara Jewett
Sara Jewett, great granddaughter of Rev. Solomon Reed, minister of the First Parish, and at that time (1780 to 1800, ) the only one. Granddaughter of the before mentioned Dr. Joseph Flint, and of Hannah (Reed)his wife, who was described as "comely in person, well- mannered, sweet voiced, of gentle presence, and in high repute." "Her father was a Kentuck- ian, and held for many years a Government office in Washing-
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ton. She is the youngest of two handsome daughters, the eld- est, married and living in New York. Sara is gifted and a beauty, a musician and something of an artist, besides being a first-class actress. She accomplished great things in three years' study. She makes dress one of the fine arts, and daz- zles by the grace and magnificence of her costumes."
John Wells Foster
John Wells Foster, son of Rev. Festus Foster, minister of the First Parish from 1801 to 1817. The son was born early in this century, educated at Middletown College, occupied a con- spicuous place among the American scientific corps, as United States Geologist for Lake Superior Mining District. Wrote a treatise on the Mississippi basin, and was a distinguished servant in that branch of science. He settled in Illinois, and died 3 years ago.
Royal Bosworth
Royal Bosworth, con of George, born in 1795 in the west part of the town, worked on his father's farm, attended district school and New Salem Academy. Taught school in various parts of the town, his first one being at the "Bell," Nathaniel Chandler. Esq., Committee man. He proved to be a successful teacher. He learned the wheelwright's trade of Samuel Clapp, serving three years, followed it in Athol and Vermont, after- wards went to Ware, had a partner in Ward Stowell, and ad- ded tanning to the carriage making. Moved to Ware Village continuing his first trade, with the addition of blacksmithing, after which he was burned out and went into the meat business. During the time he held several town offices, and was sent as representative. His first marriage was with Betsey, daughter of Asahel Stowell of this town. In 1841 he moved to Boston, with a capital of $10,000 of his own gathering, and engaged in the wood and coal business, which he carried on with great success, until his retirement in 1883. During the best part of the palin leaf hat business he was at the head of the house of R. Bosworth & Co., who did an extensive trade at the "McCarty store" in this town, under the direct management of his brother Jonas. He died in 1886, at the age of 91, after a busy and suc-
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cessful life, attended by many good deeds of kindness and charity, and without ostentation.
Hon. Charles Adams, Jr.
Hon. Charles Adams, Jr., son of Dr. Charles, of Oakham, born 1819. Received most of his early education in the district schools in his native place, came to this town at the age of 16, and commenced as clerk in the store of C. and W. Wadsworth, and remained six years, winning the friendship and esteem of all. He was handsome, cheerful, manly, and a general favorite. "He next became bookkeeper for J. B. Fairbanks & Co., at Ware, remaining a year, when he left the position and entered, in the same capacity, the employ of E. Bacheller & Co., North Brookfield, remaining with the firm 28 years, the last 9 as a partner. He was active in state and national politics, and served 17 years at the State House in various capacities as member of the Legislature, Senate, Council and State Treas- urer, from 1870 to 1875. He married in 1834, and celebrated his Golden Wedding three years ago. Of late years he has given much attention to genealogical and historical affairs con- nected with North Brookfield. He was an upright, honest man. gaining and holding the confidence of the community in which he moved, dying April 19, 1886."
Collins Andrews
Collins Andrews. Came to this town about 1842 from Brandon, Vt., where he was in the furniture business, which he changed to the manufacture of sheet, iron and tin ware, and' dealt in stoves, pumps and agricultural implements. A promi- nent townsman, and his skill as a mechanic, "making or mend- ing," was of high order, and equal to difficult jobs. His first wife and the mother of his children, was a daughter of Capt. David Twitchell of Athol, one of five sisters, all of which were excellent wives and mothers. She left four sons, one long con- nected with the press, and assistant Secretary of the State Board of Health in Iowa ; one a successful business man, and a post master in California ; one with the father at the close of his life, and the youngest went to Triest, with U. S. Consul Rich- ard Hildreth, the historian, when he became Vice Consul. Mr.
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A. represented the best points of the characteristic Yankee in intelligence, enterprise and ingenuity, and died 1885, aged 82.
Eleazor Bradshaw
Eleazor Bradshaw. Resided in this town long enough to accumulate a handsome fortune. He was a hatter by trade, in the days when every man and boy wore a hat. A shrewd busi- ness man, with attractive manners, kept a record of the size of his adult customer's heads, and when their covering became seedy, and the victim was passing by, he left his shop, came out and met bim with a new hat in one hand, while he polished its glossy surface with the other, saying "here it is in prime order." There was something very soothing to his customer's feelings in the way he caressed the hat, making his delicate passes always the right way of the grain, both with the article and buyer, that would be called mesmerism now, but by what- ever name, it was effectual and generally resulted in a bargain. He was owner of considerable real estate here, was great uncle of Abby Morgan, the first wife of Aaron Brooks, Esq., and mother of F. A. Brooks, Esq., of Boston. Mr. Bradshaw is best remembered as the giver of the Church Bell, cast by Paul Revere, and hung on the First Parish Church in 1792.
Henry K. Brown
Henry K. Brown, the sculptor, born in Leyden, Mass., came here at the age of 18, and engaged in house painting, in the em- ploy of Josiah Willard; remained three years, during which time he made his first attempts as an artist by painting portraits, which were remarkable as good likenesses, somewhat lacking in delicacy of tone and finish, but showing the promise of talent. Next, under the patronage of John Chandler, Esq., he was em- ployed to ornament his chambers, by covering the inner walls with immense cartoons, illustrating scriptural subjects. Soon after lie occupied a studio in Stanwix Hall in Albany, in com- pany with the sculptor, Joseph Carew, and the young painter, George Fuller, from which time the trio were life-long friends. Brown changed from painting, as did Thomas Ball, to the sister art, sculpture, and became great, as his equestrian statue of Washington in New York will abundantly testify.
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Phineas Wait Barr.
Phineas Wait Barr. Came from New Braintree, established the manufacture and sale of furniture, employed a number of hands and did a thriving business, until large factories and water power, and improved facilities and reduced prices ren- dered competition under the circumstances somewhat discour- aging. He turned his attention to hotel keeping, for which he showed a remarkable aptness, and became a genial and pop- ular "mine host." When the manufacture of palm leaf hats was at the highest pitch of profit and magnitude, he applied steam power to the pressing, finishing and box making, had extensive bleacheries, employed a large number of hands, con- sumed large quantities of lumber, wood, coal, brimstone, etc. He furnished work for a score of girls in lining and trimming the best of the goods, and did a thriving and extensive business for a long time. Meanwhile he was the faithful and accom- plished chorister of the First Parish from his first advent to the close of his life. His place in the choir was as familiar and constant as the "Sounding Board" over the pulpit in the old meeting-house. He was forward and prominent in public im- provements, was chosen to fill various town offices, was on the committee of arrangements in 1854, to celebrate the one hun- dredth anniversary of the town's existence, and no one recog- nized the fact that lie was not a "Native."
Col. Ephraim Doolittle
Col. Ephraim Doolittle came from Shoreham, Vt., in 1771, settled in the northeast part of the town and like the aforesaid Eleazer Bradshaw, was a hatter by trade. He scon won the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, and filled the offices of mod- erator, assessor, sealer of leather, selectman, and was twice sent to the General Court. He took an active part in the Revolu- tion, and was chosen Captain in 1774, and Colonel of a Regi- ment that went from this vicinity to Cambridge April 19th, 1775. He was on the following committees : To confer with Rev. Mr. Whitney, (the Tory parson) four times committee of correspondence, to censure the Tories, to support the Conti- nental Congress, on the war, to provide a minister, to draft a form of state government, on service and pay of soldiers, to try
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Tories, to petition General Court for leave to sell the ministe- rial lands, to accept the State constitution, to hire soldiers, to form a new County, delegate to state convention, auctioneer, to procure men for soldiers of the lowest bidders, etc. When ap- pointed Colonel, a number of his friends loaded some muskets to fire at his house as a salute, partly because he was popular, and partly in confidence that he would respond liberally with refreshments. Some rogues got to the loaded guns, withdrew the charges, substituted ashes, and rendered the arms voiceless. The serenaders were disappointed in the effect, they renewed the priming, picked the flints using the priming wire, but to no purpose. Meanwhile subdued expressions of wonder, disgust and profanity were heard by the Colonel, for the fizzle occurred just outside his bedroom window, and the affair was so ludi- crous that the Colonel, as afterward reported by his wife, nearly liad laughing hysterics. As soon as he could compose himself he lighted candles, opened the door and gave his visitors a warm and cordial welcome, and though the intended reports were a failure, the treat was a success, and the reception cordial. He was of jovial and cheerful disposition, of medium size, and highly esteemed. In his declining years he returned to his first home in Vermont, but indulged in lengthy visits here, and received the liearty welcome of his old neighbors.
Captain David J. Foster
Capt. David J. Foster, son of Silas, born in Bellingham, Mass., came here about 1824, and immediately took a promi- nent share in the leading enterprises of the town. He was in possession of remarkable energy, enterprise and shrewdness, was active in the revival of the straw goods trade, in the man- ufacture of palm leaf hats and hoods, and of covered buttons, which required the most delicate and complicated machinery. He was active in keeping up and encouraging the three local militia companies, and introducing new and attractive uniforms for two of them, of one of which he was chosen Captain. He builded and increased the breadthi of his real estate, married, and was the father of active, intelligent, and attractive children, was chosen Representative and shared in the town offices, and was a merchant. After the fire of 1847, which destroyed the
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business part of the town, including the button factory, he went to Boston with his clerk, Mr. Lyman Sibley, and established a manufactory of buttons and tailor's trimmings on Albany street, with a salesroom on Milk street, eventually taking Mr. Sibley as partner, under the name of D. J. Foster & Co. The Albany street factory was burned, but he started a larger one with in- creased business on Shawmut avenue. In 1861 he bought 4000 acres of timber land on White River in Michigan. Three years later he retired from his business in Boston and went to Michigan, establishing a lumbering business and a store, when he was joined by his son, Albert J., whose experience as a sol- dier had just terminared. D. J. Foster & Son rapidly increased the business to vast proportions, having three stores and unlim- ited lumbering and real estate transactions. During his long term at the West he did not fail to appear at his former home and give his personal direction and labor to the securing of his heavy hay crop, the result of liberal and well-directed farming, and this he did for 43 consecutive years. He had his full share of disaster from fire, in this town, Boston, and Whitehall, Mich., where he had a block of buildings burned, and where he was Vice President and Director of the First National Bank. To be crushed or discouraged by ill luck was no part of his character ; it only brought out his strength and perseverance.
He commenced life in moderate circumstances, and left $125,000, owing no man, dying in 1881 at the age of 75. Touching and commendatory messages came from his business associates in the West, and the pulse of this town beat fainter, when it was known that the stirring spirit had gone. Industry, force and sterling integrity were among his leading qualities, and in his home "a kind husband and father, and temperate in all things, except in hard work."
Hon. Jonathan Grout
Hon. Jonathan Grout came from Lunenburg, and first filled town offices in 1771. He was town clerk, selectinan, assessor, and presided at town meetings as moderator during the stormy period of the Revolution at least 25 times. He was captain of a company of Minute men, and on the following committees : To settle with the treasurer, of correspondence four times, twice"
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instruct delegates to Congress, to examine persons charged with being Tories, to draft State Constitution, to establish and locate a small pox hospital, to manufacture salt, to petition the "Great and General Court" for leave to sell the Ministerial land, to accept the State Constitution, to lease the salt works (at Rochester, Mass.,) to sell the Ministerial land, to regulate Petty jury, to re-survey the Ministerial land, to make plan for a new meeting house, to draw up instructions for the Representa- tive, and to form a new County. He was Colonel of a regiment at the siege of Boston, and was for seven years Representative to the General Court, was State Senator, a member of the Pro- vincial Congress that met at Cambridge in 1775, and of the first Federal Congress of 1789. He was the trusted and esteemed friend of John and Samuel Adams, Hancock, Fisher Ames and other leading statesmen and patriots of the day, and as before noted was the maternal grandfather of Seth Hapgood, Esq.
Sylvanus Howe
Sylvanus Howe, son of Peter, fourth generation from John, of England, came here from Lancaster, took an active part in the affairs of the town, and was chosen selectman, assessor, warden, constable, etc., at various times. In1 1773 he was chairman of the committee of correspondence for, or with "the town of Boston," chairman committee on resolutions of warlike tendencies sent to Boston, chairman of committee on instruc- tions to Representative Doolittle. Three times more he was on the committee of correspondence, twice on the war committee, and a member of the following committees during the Revolu- tionary war : To inform Mr. Whitney, the Tory Parson, of the town's vote, "that he should not preach any longer," Dec. 16, 1774, to take an inventory of and investigate the Tories, in 1775 to "censure" the Tories, (a thorough and perfect piece of work, by the way) to see how much the town owed the said minister, to support the Continental Congress, to draft form of State Government, to locate a small pox hospital, twice to buy beef for the army, on service and pay of soldiers, to accept the State Constitution, to sell the Ministerial lands, to re-survey them, to instruct the Representative, to settle with the treas- urer, etc. Mr. Howe owned the best and largest farm in town,
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a farm of over Soo acres, from which he furnished Government large quantities of beef, pork and grain, and also horses. He sold his produce for the army on credit, also buying the depre- ciated currency at its highest prices, to help keep its value up. He was advised by his friends not to be so confiding and reck- less, but answered that if we gained our liberties he would receive his dues, if not, property was of no use to him. His confidence was not misplaced, for he lived to share the freedom he had struggled for, and left $22,000 to his heirs.
Mr. Howe had a daughter Sarah, who showed both inclina- tion and capacity for an education. The father took her to school on horseback and on the pillion behind him. Arriving at the schoolhouse one day two miles east of the centre, it was found to be padlocked, and Master Ensign Mann, with his pu- pils, not "left out in the cold," for it was in the summer, but "waiting for something to turn up." Mr. Howe made short work of wrenching off the lock, and the lessons went on. Capt. Beaman, a Tory, had done this to spite a Whig schoolmaster and the committeeman (Howe) of the same proclivities. A lawsuit followed, Beaman claiming that the house was on his premises, Howe that it was in the highway, the latter however was fined six shillings. The daughter succeeded in becoming a good scholar for those days, and kept a well-written and in- teresting journal of the times that has afforded many valuable items of history to those who came after.
On Sylvanus Howe's gravestone : "He was zealous in the cause of independence, the best of farmers, an honest man, and revered his God."
Captain Asa Howe
Captain Asa Howe, cousin of the preceding, son of John, brother of Col. Cyprian Howe, an officer in the Revolution, and one of the deacons of the First Parish. He was selectman and assessor for several years, school committee, tythingman, high- way surveyor, etc. In 1774 commanded a company of Minute Men. The next year on the committee to settle with Rev. Aaron Whitney, then to locate the small pox hospital, on paying soldiers, to supply the town with firearms, 1777. He was a member of Captain Wing Spooner's company that went to re-
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enforce Stark, on a committee to provide preaching, to petition the General Court for leave to sell "the Ministerial lands," and keep the proceeds as a fund to support the preaching of the Gospel. From 1778 to 1779 inclusive, he was chairman of committee for hiring soldiers, to establish past services for sol- diers, to regulate petty jury box, to give the soldiers pay certificates, for giving additional bounties to the soldiers, and again for hiring soldiers. Also three times to buy beef for the army, to estimate the pay for services during the war, and laying out a road. He loaned money to the town several times during the war, and here follows a copy of one of the obligations :
"To Treasurer Sanderson : Pay to Capt. Asa Howe the sum of One Hundred and Seventy Pounds, it being Money the Committee for Hiring Soldiers Borrowed of the said How to Hire Soldiers with. The said How expects proper Allow- ance for Depreciation of money For the Above Smin agreeable to the Town Vote, and his Rec. shall be your Discharge For Said Sum."
JOEL DOOLITTLE,
WING SPOONER, Selectmen. EBENEZER WINSLOW,
Petersham, Jan. 26, 1780.
One of the Captain's bills against the town follows, copied from his own handwriting.
Petersham, May 14th, 1778.
The town of Petersliam to Asa How, Dr.
To going to Leicester and mustering in the eight month's men, I-O-O
For expenses for the journey to Leicester, as above, 7-6
Use of my lorse to Leicester, I-6.0
£2-13-6
The family came from Marlboro, Mass., and consisted of six sons and one daughter. The weakest of the brothers could lift a barrel of cider into a cart, and the shortest-lived one died at 68. They were all in the army, with the possible exception of one.
It was the Captain who, in his declining years, close to load the hay on his large and productive farm. A shower was near by, and two pitchers were making what haste they could in se-
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curing the load ; the old man managed for a while, but the quantity put up on both sides was too much for him. He slipped off the load and came down astride of the large off-ox, who showed no objection. "What did you come down after, deacon?" asked one of the pitchers; "More hay," answered the old man. This anecdote has been told many times, but here it commenced, unless it happened more than once.
Nathaniel McCarty, Esq.
Nathaniel McCarty Esq. One of 17 children of Rev. Nath- aniel of the old South Church in Worcester. He and his brother William came to this town before the Revolution, the latter fil- ling many town offices. The brothers built the hip-roofed house at the bottom of the hill, south of the common, the home of the late Geo. Bosworth, and is known as the "McCarty house" to this day. The subject of this sketch entered the store of James Ripley, whom he eventually succeeded, and did a large and lucrative business, winning the esteem and confi- dence of the public. He was Quartermaster in Col. Stearns' Regt. while it was stationed in Rutland, married Polly Cook of this town, and returned to Worcester, after retiring from busi- ness more than eighty years ago. He left a fund to the First Parish in this town for the support of public worship, which has done excellent service. ever since.
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