USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > The Worcester book : a diary of noteworthy events in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1657 to 1883 > Part 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
1863. Funeral of Col. George H. Ward.
At the Salem Street Church. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Richardson, assisted by Rev. Dr. Hill and Rev. T. E. St. John. The funeral procession included the State Guard, Highland Cadets, City Guard, Members of the Fifteenth Regiment, City Government and ex-Mayors, among whom was the venerable ex-Gov. Lincoln, who marched the whole distance to Rural Cemetery. Morning Star Ma- sonic Lodge also attended.
Col. Ward belonged to the Fifteenth Regiment, and lost a leg at Ball's Bluff. Returning to duty he was placed in command of a brig- ade, and fell, mortally wounded, in the Battle of Gettysburg.
479
1883. Death of Hon. John D. Baldwin.
He was born at North Stonington, Conn., in 1810; studied for the min- istry and preached for a time, but afterwards adopted journalism as a profession. He was connected with the press at Hartford; was editor of the Commonwealth at Boston; and in 1859 purchased the Spy. He was a delegate to the Chicago Convention of 1860, and a Member of Congress from 1863 to 1869. Author of two works on archaeology, and genealogies of the Baldwin and Denison families.
July 9.
480
1845. Death of Hon. Daniel Waldo, aged 82.
He was born in Boston, and in 1782, came to Worcester with his father, Daniel Waldo, senior, and engaged in business. Mr. Waldo acquired large wealth, which he liberally dispensed. He built the Central Church and presented it to the society; and also gave the land for Rural Cem- etery. In business his habits were exact : he once sent a special mes- senger to Holden to collect a bill of ten cents. His elegant mansion, occupied by himself and maiden sisters, stood where Mechanics Hall building now is. Mr. Waldo was a member of the famous Hartford Convention.
48I 1845. Rockwell and Stone's Mammoth Circus exhibited on lot at the corner of Main and Chandler streets, present location of Trinity Church.
88
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
482 1871. French Catholic Church on Park street dedicated. The Society was formed in 1869.
July 10.
483 1731. Worcester County erected.
484 1784. Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty died.
He was born in Boston in 1721. In his youth he followed a seafaring life, which a delicate constitution induced him to abandon. He grad- uated at Harvard College in 1739, and three years later was ordained pastor over the church in Kingston, Mass. He was the minister of Worcester from 1747 to his death in 1784.
485 1784. House of Bezaleel Stearns, in the Gore between Worcester and Grafton, destroyed by fire.
486 1856. Worcester County Fremont Club formed.
487 1860. Rosa Bonheur's Horse Fair exhibited in Horti- cultural Hall.
The picture remained here two weeks.
July 11.
488 1822. Mutual Fire Society formed.
" The Mutual Fire Society had its origin as follows :
"The Hon. Daniel Waldo was a member of the Fire Club. [i. e. the Worcester Fire Society] formed in 1793, and a by-law of this "Club" provided that no person should become a member of it except by a unanimous ballot. An ecclesiastical fire was, and for years had been, raging in the Old South Church, which set the whole town in a blaze. Mr. Waldo seceded from the Old South Society, and built, at his own expense, a new meeting house, which was completed in 1823, and has been successively called the Calvinist Church, the Central Church, and often at first, the Waldo Church. Gen. Nathan Heard and Hon. John Davis retained their membership in the Old South Church, and were both decided friends of its pastor, Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, a college classmate of Mr. Davis, but the special object of Mr. Waldo's dislike and hostile measures. It so happened, that, without any purpose of in- volving or affecting ecclesiastical matters, Mr. Heard and Mr. Davis were proposed as members of the old Fire Club, and on balloting for their admission, each was blacked by the single ballot of Mr. Waldo; and
MY b
THE CENTRAL CHURCH.
89
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
his exclusion of them from membership led to the formation of the MUTUAL FIRE SOCIETY."-Manuscript of the Rev. George Allen.
The original members of this body were Artemas Ward, Austin Denny, Lewis Bigelow, Jonathan Wentworth, Elisha Flagg, Nathan Heard, jun., John Davis, John Coolidge, Stephen Goddard, Joseph Swett, Henry Rogers, Aaron Ho ve, Sewall Hamilton, Thomas B. Eaton, Simeon Burt, Harmon Chamberlin, Benjamin Howard, Enoch Flagg, Daniel Heywood, William Manning, John F. Clark and John M. Earle. The following were subsequently admitted : Benjamin Butman, Frederick W. Paine, William D. Wheeler, Gardner A. Paine, William Hovey, Willard Brown, Cyrus Stockwell, Asael Bellows, Francis T. Merrick, Lovell Baker, Luther Burnett, jr., Samuel Harrington, jr., George Day, L. W. Stowell, Zenas Studley, Lewis Lilley, Richard Mills; Albert Brown, Samuel Banister, Alpheus Merrifield. Silas Bailey, James Worthington, Benjamin Porter, William M. Town, William B. Fox, Samuel Congdon and David Wilder.
489 1840. First issue of The North Bend, a paper published at the office of the Spy, in the interest of Harrison for Presi- dent and John Davis for Governor. It was discontinued after the canvass.
490 1854. Worcester County Kansas League formed.
For the encouragement of emigration to Kansas.
49I 1860. First Public Parade of the Emmet Guards, M. J. McCafferty, Captain.
492 1863. Draft in Worcester.
The number drafted in the different wards was as follows. In ward I, 88; 2, 85; 3, 39; 4, 89; 5, 87; 6, 91; 7, 121; 8, 102.
July 12.
493 1731. First Probate Court in Worcester.
494 1862. War Meeting in Mechanics Hall.
"The immense losses incurred by our armies on the Peninsula, in the Shenandoah valley, and elsewhere, made it necessary to call for more troops. Accordingly a great meeting was held on the 12th of July, in Mechanics Hall, by request of the Mayor, 'to respond to the call of the Governor, for immediate action in relation to the recruiting of vol- unteers, to fill up at once the quota of Worcester under said call.' "- Marvin. Ex-Gov. Lincoln, Gen. Devens, and Rev. Merrill Richardson spoke.
90
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
July 13.
495
1674. First Indian Deed of Worcester signed.
"A deed of eight miles square, for the consideration of 'twelve pounds lawful money of New England, . . ,within three months after the date to be paid and satisfied,' was executed, with great formality, . . . by Solomon, alias Woonaskochu, sagamore of Tataesit, and John, alias Hoorrawannonit, sagamore of Packachoag."-Lincoln's History. The Indians received, on account, two coats and four yards of trucking cloth.
July 14.
496 1776. The Declaration of Independence was first read in Worcester.
The messenger bearing the Declaration to Boston was intercepted and a copy obtained, which was read to the people from the porch of the Old South Church by Isaiah Thomas, the patriot printer.
July 15.
497
1835. Rev. David Peabody installed Pastor of the Central Church.
He was dismissed in 1838, and died while Professor of Rhetoric in Dartmouth College at Hanover, N. H., Oct. 17, 1839, aged 34.
498 1874. Soldiers' Monument dedicated.
Seven thousand dollars was appropriated by the City Government for the occasion. The procession, under command of Gen. Josiah Pickett, included the City Government and guests, veterans of the war, nearly all the Grand Army posts in the County, with numerous societies and lodges, and the Fire Department. The old State Guard paraded for the last time. At the Monument Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas read an original poem; and addresses were made by ex-Gov. Bullock, Gen. Devens, George Crompton, Esq. and Mayor Edward L. Davis. Vice- President Wilson and Gen. Burnside were present.
The Monument was designed by Randolph Rogers, and cost $50,000.
July 16.
499
1810. Peter Stowell died, aged 48.
Peter Stowell was a son of Cornelius Stowell who came here soon after
91
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
the organization of the town, and married a daughter of Palmer Gould- ing, senior. Cornelius Stowell about 1790 took his sons, Peter and Ebenezer, into partnership with him, and began the business of manu- facturing woolen cloths. Jan. 4th, 1793, their shop was burned. In 1804, the sons, Peter and Ebenezer, commenced the weaving of car- pets, plaids, &c., and at one time had six looms of their own invention and construction in operation. They made the first carpets used in the State House at Boston. Peter married Betsey, daughter of Capt. Israel Jenison.
500 1866. Reception in Mechanics Hall to James Stephens, the Fenian Head Center.
501
1870. Centennial of the Massachusetts Spy.
It was observed by a dinner at the Bay State House, followed by re- marks from Hon. J. D. Baldwin, Judge B. F. Thomas, Hon. J. M. Earle, ex-Gov. Bullock, and Messrs. Adin Thayer, C. H. Doe, J. E. Greene, C. H. Woodwell and George Jaques. The next issue of the Spy con- tained fac-similes of the first number published in Boston in 1770, and of the first copy printed in Worcester in 1775.
July 17.
502 . 1725. Indians pursued in Worcester.
See a letter of Benjamin Flagg printed in Lincoln's History.
503 1776. The Declaration of Independence first appeared in print in New England, in the Massachusetts Spy.
504
1793. Death of Hon. Timothy Paine.
He was a son of Hon. Nathaniel Paine of Bristol, R. I., and was born in 1730. Came to Worcester when a child. He was Clerk of the Courts from 1750 to 1774; Register of Probate, 1756 to 1767; Register of Deeds, 1761 to 1775; and a Member of the Executive Council from 1766 to 1773. Appointed one of the Mandamus Councillors in 1774, he was forced to resign by a popular demonstration. He also filled the offices of Selectman, Town Clerk, and Representative. Although of . loyal sympathies during the Revolution, he does not appear to have forfeited, in any degree, the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
505 1854. First party of emigrants departed for Kansas. A large number started from Boston, and were joined at Worcester by those belonging in this vicinity.
92
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
506
1860. Stephen A. Douglas passed through Worcester.
A large crowd assembled at Washington square, and a salute was fired. Mr Douglas made a brief speech from the platform of the car. He passed through the city again on the Ist of August.
July 18.
507
1867. Death of Hon. Ira M. Barton.
He was born at Oxford, Oct. 25, 1796; graduated at Brown University in 1819; and practised law in Oxford from 1822 to 1834, when he re- moved to Worcester. He was a Representative, 1830-32, and 1846; State Senator, 1833-4; Elector on the Harrison ticket in 1840; and Judge of Probate, 1836-44. He resided until his death in the Gardner Chandler mansion, opposite the Common ..
July 19.
508 1861. Camp Lincoln, at the Agricultural ground, occu- pied by the 25th Regiment.
509
1862. War Meeting in the City Hall.
Addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Richardson, Major McCafferty and Gen. Devens. A "Committee of Safety" of one hundred was chosen to take in charge the business of recruiting.
July 20.
5IO 1818. The Elephant Columbus was exhibited at Hatha- way's Tavern. Admission 25 cents.
5II 1845. Second [Laurel street] Methodist Church formed.
512 1852. Holy Cross College burned.
513 1854. Republican Party organized.
The preliminary organization first attempted in a hall, was adjourned to the Common; Putnam W. Taft was President, and W. H. Harris and Thomas Drew, Secretaries. Permanent organization was effected by the choice of Oliver B. Morris of Springfield as President, with ten Vice-Presidents. Speeches were made by Henry Wilson, Rev. John Pierpont, Theodore Parker and others. Resolutions in stout opposition to the slave power were adopted; and the convention adjourned to meet in September for the purpose of nominating state officers.
THE GARDNER CHANDLER MANSION.
93
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
July 21.
514 1864. The Fifteenth Regiment arrived home from the war. It was honored the next day with a grand public reception.
July 22.
515
1776. First Celebration of Independence.
Cannon were fired, bells were rung, bonfires lighted, and the colors of the Colonies displayed. "The Declaration of Independence of the United States was read to a large and respectable body, among whom were the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence, assembled on the occasion, who testified their approbation by repeated huzzas." A large number repaired to the "King's Arms" tavern, where the obnox- ious sign was destroyed, [see ante, No. 26.] and the company partook of a dinner at which toasts were drank.
516 1802. "Mrs. Gannet's Exhibition. The Ladies and Gen- tlemen of Worcester are respectfully informed that Mrs. Gan- net, the celebrated American Heroine, who served nearly three years with great reputation in our Revolutionary Army, will, at the request of a number of respectable characters, deliver an Address to the inhabitants of this town, in the Court House, to-morrow, at 5 o'clock, P. M.
Tickets may be had of I. Thomas, Jun., price 25 cents -children half-price."-Spy, July 21.
"Deborah Sampson, who served three years as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary army, was born in Plympton, Mass., 17 Dec., 1760; died 29 April, 1827. Her poverty and her patriotism led her to enlist in the 4th Mass. Regiment under the name of Robert Shurtleff. She was wounded in a skirmish at Tarrytown; was present at Yorktown; and after the war married Benjamin Gannett, a farmer of Sharon, and received a pension. She published ' Female Review' (12mo, Dedham, 1797), probably written by herself. A new edition, with introduction and notes by Rev. John A. Vinton, was published in 1866."-Drake's Dict. Am. Biog.
517
1847. Funeral of Capt. George Lincoln, killed in the Bat- tle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847.
The remains arrived from Boston at II A. M., under escort of the New England Guards. A procession of military formed on the Common M
94
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
under command of Gen. George Hobbs, and with civic bodies under direction of Col. Isaac Davis, proceeded to the house of ex-Gov. Lin- coln, where the remains were received with military honors. The arms of the deceased, with his cap, plume and belt, were placed upon the coffin. His charger, which he rode on the fatal battle field, was led by a corporal of the U. S. Army. The procession moved through Elm, West, Pleasant and Main streets, to the First Unitarian Church, where services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Hill.
·
518 1859. Boiler Explosion at the Wire Works, Grove street. The large steam boiler, 30 feet long, 4 feet in diameter, and weighing 5 tons, exploded with tremendous force, shattering the engine house of brick, and demolishing walls of buildings adjacent. Several work- men were severely injured. The boiler shot into the air 200 feet and landing in a garden on Lincoln street, 1-4 of a mile distant, rebounded across the street, and entered the earth 4 feet.
July 24.
519 1817. "New Circus. Mechanick street, (near the South Meeting House), Worcester. Mr. West's Stud of performing Horses, for a few nights only. Boxes, one dollar. Pit, fifty cents."
520 1845. First Daily Spy published.
See ante, No. 370.
July 25.
521 1850. Death of Samuel M. Burnside.
He was born at Northumberland, N. H., in 1783; studied law with Judge Ward of Boston; and commenced practice in Westborough in 1810. He removed to Worcester the same year, where he lived the remainder of his life. His residence for some years was the Jedediah Healy house, between the present American House and Union blocks, on Main street; later, he built the fine residence on Chestnut street, now occupied by his daughters. Mr. Burnside's reputation for learning in his profession was high.
July 26.
522
1809. First issue of The Scorpion.
A virulent political paper, published weekly. Only three numbers were printed.
95
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
523 1826. Attempt to break the Worcester Bank.
A person representing himself as an agent of the Suffolk Bank of Bos- ton presented bills of the Worcester Bank to the amount of $48,000, and demanded the specie, which was more cash than the bank had in its possession. He was paid in part, and offered a draft for the re- mainder, which was refused. The next day the property of the bank was attached, but in the meantime provision had been made for the payment of the amount. The action of the Suffolk Bank was in con- sequence of the refusal of the directors of the Worcester Bank to main- tain a deposit with the former for the redemption of its notes. A full account of this affair will be found at page 364 of Hersey's History.
524 1832. First Menagerie : Lion, Tiger, etc., exhibited at Central Hotel.
525 1859. First Regatta of College crews at Lake Quinsiga- mond.
Regattas were held here yearly until 1870.
526
1862. Great War Meeting on the Common.
The Meeting was called at II A. M., and nearly all business was sus- pended. Addresses were made by Col. Wells of the 34th Regt., Gov. Andrew, John B. Gough and others.
July 28.
527 1860. A Bell and Everett Flag was displayed at Central Exchange.
July 29.
528 1861. Reception of the 13th Regiment.
The Regiment left Boston at 5 P. M., and reached Worcester at 7.15. It was received by four companies from Camp Scott under command of Lt .- Col. Ward; and marched and counter-marched through Main street to the City Hall, where a collation was provided. The Regi- ment departed at 9.30.
July 30.
529
1840. Log Cabin Meeting.
"Gov. Lincoln's speech is spoken of as one of uncommon ability.ª He fixed the lie on the Palladium man in reference to the charges against himself and Gov. Davis."-Spy, Aug. 5.
e
·
96
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
July 31.
530 1831. £ Sunday Evening Concert in the South Meeting House, by the Worcester Harmonic Society, for the benefit of Mr. Emory Perry, the President. Tickets 25 cents.
53I 1873. Worcester and Shrewsbury Railroad opened.
August 1.
532
1861. Return of the Worcester Light Infantry from the war.
533 1862. Great War Meeting in Mechanics Hall under the auspices of the Freedom Club.
August 2.
534
1824. Corner Stone of Town Hall laid with Masonic cere- monies.
August 3.
535
1775. "Last Thursday the prisoners who were taken at Light House Island arrived here, under guard, from Head Quarters at Cambridge. There were twenty-two marines, (including two serjeants and two corporals ; the Lieutenant who commanded the party belonged to the Preston, and was with three others killed on the spot ; seven were wounded), and twelve tory carpenters, (among whom was the infamous Jonathan Hampton of New York), in all thirty-four. The Saturday following they were according to order, sent from this town to Springfield, where they are to remain for the present."-Spy, Aug. 9, 1775.
536
1821. The West Point Cadets, under command of Major Worth, arrived in town at 6 A. M. on their return from Boston. They encamped on an eminence adjacent to Back (now Summer) st. At II A. M. the battalion marched to the hotel of Howe and White. In the evening they were received at the mansion of Hon. Levi Lincoln, and left town at 4 A. M. the next day.
97
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
537 1835. Visit of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany of Boston.
The Company encamped west of the town, and remained three days.
August 4.
538 1799. "In Memory of SAMUEL BRIDGE, Deac. of the 2ª Church in Worcester In life he exhibited the virtues of the active & useful Citizen, and graces of the pious & cheerful Christian. He was an example of fidelity and punctuality. A pattern of decency and order, and A promoter of every plan of public utility or private benevolence. Obiit the 4th of August 1799 Atatis 65.
"Married Mary Goodwin, March Ist, 1757. Lived on the east side of what is now Lincoln street. Was a constable of the town of Worces- ter. A signer of the royalist protest of 1774. Crier of the Courts from 1779 to 1799."-Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
539 1864. National Fast and Great Storm.
540 1879. Anthony Chase died, aged 88.
He was born in Paxton, and came to Worcester in 1816. Was in bus- iness with his brother-in-law, John Milton Earle, also connected with him in the publication of the Spy. He was the first agent of the Black- stone canal; County Treasurer, 1831-65 (succeeded by his son); Sec- retary Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 1832-52, and President 1852-79; also connected with other financial institutions. A member of the Society of Friends.
August 5.
54I 1757. Lord Howe passed through Worcester from Boston to New York.
George Augustus, Lord Viscount Howe was the eldest son of the sec- ond Lord Howe, born in 1724. He succeeded to the title in 1735. As Colonel of the Royal Americans he was ordered to this country in 1757, and was appointed Brigadier-General in December of that year. He was killed in a skirmish near Ticonderoga, July 6, 1758. Massachu- setts erected a monument to his memory in Westminster Abbey.
542
1851. Celebration of Emancipation in the West Indies. Speeches were made by H. I. Bowditch, Parker Pillsbury, William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and others.
C
98
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
543 1873. Corner Stone of Piedmont Church laid.
August 6.
544 1803. "Erected To the Memory of LIEUt BENJa STOWELL, who died August 6, 1803. A. 73.
"Was lieutenant in Capt. Johnson's company which served under Gen. Amherst in the campaign of 1779. Selectman, '1777."-Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
545 1840. S. G. Goodrich, (Peter Parley), addressed a Har- rison meeting.
546 1840. Ladies' meeting in aid of the Bunker Hill Monu- ment building fund.
547 1858. 100 guns were fired and the church bells rung for the success of the Atlantic Cable.
548 1869. Death of Hon. Charles Allen.
He was a son of Hon. Joseph Allen and brother of Rev. George Allen, born in Worcester August 9, 1797. Admitted to the bar in 1818 he practised in New Braintree, but soon returned to Worcester; member of both branches of the Legislature; one of the N. E. Boundary Com- missioners in 1842; Judge Court of Common Pleas, 1842-4; Chief Jus- tice of Suffolk Co. Superior Court, 1858-9, and of Mass. Superior Court, 1859-67. In 1848, he dissolved the Whig party at the Philadelphia Convention, by "spurning the bribe" of the vice-presidency offered to Massachusetts; and the ensuing fall was elected to Congress, serving two terms. He was a member of the Peace Convention of 1861.
August 7.
549
1861. A flag was presented to the Fifteenth Regiment by the Ladies of Worcester.
The ceremony took place in the City Hall, and the presentation speech was by the Hon. George F. Hoar, to which Col. Devens made an ap- propriate response.
August 8.
1779. Deacon Chamberlain left the Church on account of innovation in singing.
550
99
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
"Anciently, those who joined in singing the devotional poetry of reli- gious exercises, were dispersed through the congregation. . . . . After the clergyman had read the whole psalm, he repeated the first line, which was sung by those who were able to aid in the pious melody : the eldest deacon then pronounced the next line, which was sung in a similar manner, and the exercises of singing and reading went on al- ternately. . .... By resolution of the town, Aug. 5, 1779, [it was] 'voted, that the mode of singing in the congregation here, be without reading the psalms, line by line, to be sung.'
"The sabbath succeeding, . . . after the hymn had been read by the minister, the aged and venerable Deacon Chamberlain, unwilling to desert the custom of his fathers, rose and read the first line according to his usual practice. The singers, prepared to carry the alteration in- to effect, proceeded, without pausing at its conclusion : the white-haired officer of the church, with the full power of his voice, read on, until the louder notes of the collected body overpowered the attempt to re- sist improvement, and the deacon, deeply mortified at the triumph of musical reformation, seized his hat, and retired from the meeting house in tears."-i.incoln's History.
55I
1861. Departure of the Fifteenth Regiment.
The Regiment participated in the disastrous battle of Ball's Bluff, and also in the battles of Fair Oaks, Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and others. It arrived home July 21, 1864, with its numbers reduced to 150 men.
August 9.
. 552 1856. Hon. Henry B. Stanton addressed a Frémont meeting.
August 10.
553
1731. First Inferior Courts in the county.
554 1808. Gen. Moreau passed through Worcester on his way to Ballston springs.
"We have yet to learn what this great General is about in this country ; we think the time is not far distant when the mystery will be unravelled. God grant that our fears may prove groundless."-Spy, Aug. 17.
Jean Victor Moreau, one of the most eminent generals of France, was born at Morlaix in Brittany, Aug. 11, 1763. Jealous of the ability and power of Napoleon, he was implicated in a conspiracy against him,
100
THE WORCESTER BOOK.
and in 1804 was exiled to the United States. He lived with his wife at Morrisville, Pa., and at New York until 1813, when he returned to Europe, and co-operated with the allies against France. He was mor- tally wounded at the battle of Dresden, August 27, 1813.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.