USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > The Worcester book : a diary of noteworthy events in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1657 to 1883 > Part 9
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661 1877. Madame Eugenia Pappenheim at the Music Festi- val.
September 28.
662 I722. First Town Meeting.
September 29.
663 1790. Rev. Samuel Austin installed Pastor of the First Church.
He was born at New Haven, Conn., Nov. 7, 1760. A graduate of Yale College. He preached at Fair Haven from 1786 to 1790; at Worces- ter from 1790 to 1815, when he became President of the University of Vermont, which office he held until 1821; and at Newport, R. I., from 1821 to 1825. His connection with the church in Worcester was not severed until Dec. 23, 1818. In 1807, Williams College conferred upon him the degree of D. D. Dr. Austin was afflicted with melancholia dur- ing his last years, and his death, which took place at Glastonbury, Conn., Dec. 4, 1830, resulted from an over-dose of laudanum, administered to afford temporary relief from his sufferings. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D. D., of Hadley.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
September 30.
664
1796. Rev. Timothy Dwight passed through Worcester. "Few towns in New England exhibit so uniform an appearance of neat- ness and taste; or contain so great a proportion of good buildings, and so small a proportion of those which are indifferent, as Worcester."- Travels, Vol. I., page 366.
665 1845. New Court House dedicated.
An address was delivered by Chief Justice Shaw. This Court House was built of Quincy granite, and cost about $100,000.
October I.
666 1801. Corner Stone of the Brick Court House laid by Isaiah Thomas.
667 1839. Western Railroad opened.
First regular train from Worcester to Springfield.
668 1876. Wong Chin Foo lectured in Washburn Hall. He has since edited The Chinese American, a paper published at New York in the Chinese and English languages.
October 2.
669 1798. Mechanic Street Burial Ground surveyed and laid out.
.
670 1829. Historical Address delivered before the Worcester County Bar, by Joseph Willard of Lancaster.
671 1852. John W. Lincoln died, aged 64.
He was Selectman, Representative to the General Court, State Sena- tor, and Sheriff of the County seven years from 1844. He presented the Children's Friend Society with the estate at East Worcester, which was for some years the Orphans' Home.
672 1863. Worcester County Musical Society formed.
673 1876. The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston celebrated its annual field day in Worcester.
The Company was received and entertained by the Worcester Con- tinentals.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
October 3.
674 1800. Birth of George Bancroft.
George Bancroft, distinguished as a historian and politician, was son of Rev. Aaron Bancroft, D.D. He graduated at Harvard College in 1817, and afterwards studied at German universities. After his return he was tutor at Harvard, and preceptor of a school at Northampton. About 1835, he entered into politics, allying himself with the Demo- cratic party; wrote many addresses and resolutions, and delivered sev- eral orations in its interest; was Collector of Boston, 1838-41; Demo- cratic candidate for Governor, 1844; Secretary of the Navy in Polk's cabinet, 1845; Minister.to England, 1846-9; and Minister to Germany. 1867-74. His History of the United States, begun more than fifty years ago, has just been completed. The house in which Mr. Bancroft was born is still standing on Salisbury street, near the Highland School, and is now the residence of John B. Pratt.
675
1859. Dr. George B. Windship lectured on Physical Cul- ture.
In Washburn Hall. Dr. Windship was an enthusiast on the subject of physical training; by practice he was enabled to lift a weight of 2007 pounds. He died Sept. 12, 1876.
October 4.
676 1831. Celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the Incorporation of the County.
By the Worcester County Historical Society. A procession marched to the Old South Church, where an address was delivered by Hon. John Davis. A dinner was served at Estabrook's hotel.
October 5.
677
1843. Death of William Lincoln.
He was born in Worcester, Sept. 26, 1802; graduated at Harvard Col- lege, 1822; edited the Ægis, and with C. C. Baldwin, published the Worcester Magazine. He was a Representative, 1836-7 and 1841. His History of Worcester was published in 1837.
October 6.
1806. Thomas Street opened.
678
BIRTHPLACE OF GEORGE BANCROFT.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
This street was laid out and given to the town by Isaiah Thomas. The following memorandum was found in one of his almanacs: "1806. Oct. 6. Finished work on the new street. The Selectmen came and surveyed it and laid it out in form. The Light Infantry company, un- der arms, commanded by Capt. Flagg, marched through it, halted on the bridge, and discharged thi. e vollies. The gentlemen of the street prepared a large tub and two pails full of excellent punch, and the Se- lectmen, at the request of those present, and in conformity to their own proposal, named the street Thomas street. The Infantry company had as much punch as they chose to drink, and all present. Three cheers . were given, and the company marched off."
679
1829. Harrison Gray Otis and Edward Everett visited the Cattle Show in Worcester.
150 yoke of oxen were driven through Main street. At the dinner speeches were made by the distinguished guests.
Harrison Gray Otis was a nephew of the revolutionary patriot, James Otis. He was born in Boston, Oct. 8, 1765; graduated at Harvard College in 1783; and by his brilliant talents soon gained a high posi- tion at the bar; was a Member of Congress, 1797 to 1801; Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1803-5; President of the State Senate, 1805-II; Judge of Court of Common Pleas, 1814-18; United States Senator, 1817-22; and Mayor of Boston, 1829-32. Dur- ing the troubles with Great Britain, Mr. Otis was a vehement Federal- ist, and was one of the party of mischievous spirits who were respon- sible for that egregious political blunder, the Hartford Convention. He died in Boston, Oct. 28, 1848.
680 1857. Lola Montez lectured in Brinley Hall. Subject : "Beautiful Women."
Lola Montez, Maria Dolores Porris, Countess of Landsfeld, was born at Limerick, Ireland, about 1820, and died at New York in 1861. At an early age she married Capt. James, and accompanied him to India, but they soon separated. After leading an erratic life in the capitals of Europe, appearing in the streets and theatres as a danseuse and singer, she found her way to Munich, and for some time exerted a powerful influence over King Louis of Bavaria, who made her a countess. She was finally obliged to leave the country. In 1849 she was married to an English gentleman, but his family caused her to be prosecuted for bigamy, as her former husband was living. She came to America in 1851, in the same ship with Kossuth, and appeared in various places in theatres and on the lecture platform.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
681 1877. Sale of the old Foster street Depot.
The building was sold by Auctioneer B. W. Abbott, in eight sections as follows: I, $30; 2, $25; 3, $30; 4, $100; 5, $41; 6, $26; 7, $10; 8, $5.50. Total, $277.50. The frame of the first part of this building was raised May 31, 1835.
October 7.
682 1819. £ First Cattle Show in Worcester.
683
1828. Blackstone Canal opened.
The canal boat Lady Carrington arrived from Providence, and was received with firing of cannon and ringing of bells. The last toll on this canal was collected Nov. 9, 1848. A History of the Blackstone Canal, by Israel Plummer, will be found in the first volume of the Col- lections of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
684
1835. Joice Heth, nurse of Gen. George Washington, aged 161 years, was exhibited at Stowell's Railroad House. Remained here four days; admission 25 cents. This was Barnum's first venture as a showman.
October 8.
685
1818. "In Memory of Col. BENJAMIN FLAGG who died Oct. 8. 1818, aged 95.
"He commanded a company of minute men which left Worcester, April 19, 1775, on the alarm at Lexington, and attained the rank of Colonel in the Revolutionary Service. Selectman from 1766 to 77 in- clusive. An original member of the American Political Society."- Inscriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
Col. Flagg left 4 children, 41 grandchildren and 83 great-grand- children.
686
1879. Hon. Zachariah Chandler, of Michigan, spoke at a Republican meeting in the Rink, on Foster street. He died suddenly at Chicago, Nov. 1, 1879.
October 9.
. 687
1760. "We hear from Worcester that on the evening of the 9th inst. the house of Mr. Sheriff Chandler and others of
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
that town were beautifully illuminated on account of the suc- cess of his Majesty's Arms in America."-Boston News-Let- ter, Oct. 16, 1760.
The success referred to was the taking of Montreal by Amherst, Sept. 8, 1760.
688 1816. Rev. Charles A. Goodrich ordained Pastor of the Old South Church.
He was dismissed Nov. 14, 1820, and afterwards preached at Berlin and Hartford, Conn. He was at one time a member of the Connecti- cut Senate, and was author of several historical and other books. A brother of Samuel G., widely known as Peter Parley. Mr. Goodrich died at Hartford, Jan. 4, 1862, aged 72.
689 1826. President John Quincy Adams visited Worcester. He remained three days the guest of Gov. Lincoln. The President at- tended the Cattle Show on the IIth.
690
1867. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan visited Worcester.
He arrived from Boston at 9 A. M., and was received by military bodies and escorted through the principal streets.
October 10.
691 I865. Visit and parade of the Putnam Phalanx of Hart- ford, Conn.
692 1866. 25th anniversary of the Universalist Church, and installation of Rev. B. F. Bowles.
October II.
693
1842. First exhibition of the Worcester County Horti- cultural Society.
At the hall of the Society of Friends, over Joseph Boyden's jewelry store, corner of Walnut street. The exhibition lasted two days.
694 1843. Hon. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, attended the Cattle Show.
Richard M. Johnson was a Representative and Senator from Kentucky for many years, and Vice-President, 1837-41. It has been said that he killed Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames. He died in 1850, aged 69.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
October 13.
695 1725. Rev. Isaac Burr ordained. He was dismissed, March, 1745.
696
1846. John P. Hale spoke in the Town Hall.
697 1878. Death of Hon. Henry Chapin.
He was born in Upton, 1811; graduated at Brown University, 1835; and came to Worcester in 1846. He was Mayor in 1849-50, and Judge of Probate from 1858 until his death.
698 1882. President Arthur and suite passed through Worces- ter, on their return from the Webster Centennial celebration at Marshfield.
October 14.
699 1740. Visit of Rev. George Whitefield.
700 1867. Parade of the Amoskeag Veterans.
701 1873. Dedication of the Worcester Academy building on Union Hill.
October 15.
702 1823. Dedication of the Central Church and ordination of Rev. L. Ives Hoadly.
Mr. Hoadly was dismissed May 19, 1829. He died at New Haven, March, 1883, aged 92.
October 17.
703
1860. The Prince of Wales and suite passed through Worcester on their way to Boston.
The Prince appeared on the platform of the car, and was greeted with cheers by the large crowd assembled, which he acknowledged by bowing.
704
1865. Death of Dr. John Green.
He was born in Worcester, April 19, 1784; graduated at Brown Uni- versity, 1804; and practised medicine here more than fifty years. He gave his valuable library to the city, and endowed it.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
705 1872. Remarkable accident on Beacon street.
A horse, attached to a carriage in which was a lady, went over the em- bankment at the head of Sycamore street, and rolled down 70 feet to the railroad track below. The carriage was broken to pieces, but the woman and horse were not injured.
October 18.
706 1744. Edward Fitzpatrick executed for murder.
707 1814. "In Memory of SAMUEL CURTIS Esq. who died Oct. 18, 1814. Æt. 84.
"He was one of the leading Whigs of Worcester during the war of the Revolution. Was one of the committee who reported the constitution and rules of the American Political Society in 1773. In 1776, he was elected magistrate to exercise the powers of Justice of the Peace for the preservation of good order. Was a member of many important revolutionary committees. Selectman, 1766, 75, 90 to 95. Represent- ative to the General Court, 1778 to 1785, 1802, 1804, 1806."-In- scriptions from the Old Burial Grounds.
708 1848. Caleb Cushing spoke at a Democratic meeting in the City Hall, as candidate for Governor.
October 20.
709 1745. Jeffrey, a Negro, executed for murder.
710 1768. Arthur, a Negro, executed for rape.
7II 1783. First regular stage from Boston to Worcester.
712 1831. Daniel Webster and the Everett brothers attended the Cattle Show in Worcester.
713 1849. Father Mathew, the distinguished Irish temperance agitator, visited Worcester.
He arrived Saturday, 20th; preached at the Catholic church Sunday; and received signatures to the pledge at the City Hall on Monday.
Theobald Mathew was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1790. Educated as a Catholic priest, he performed missionary service at Cork, founded a temperance society, and administered the pledge to 150,000 persons in that place alone. He travelled in the interest of temperance through Ireland, England, and the United States. Queen Victoria be- stowed upon him an annuity of £500. He died in 1856.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
714 1870. Earthquake Shock.
Buildings were jarred and door bells rung.
October 21.
715 1713. Permanent settlement of Worcester.
716 1742. Jabez Green executed for murder.
October 22.
717 1783. First stage from Hartford to Boston passed through Worcester.
October 23.
718
1789. President Washington passed through Worcester. He arrived early in the morning, and was received with salutes of can- non by the Worcester Artillery. The President took breakfast at the "United States Arms," [now Exchange Hotel], and then proceeded on his way to Boston. ·
719 1850. Woman's Rights Convention.
October 24.
720
1732. "In answer to ye Petition of ye Revd mr. Isaac Burr, Voted that ye Sum of Twenty Pounds be assessed according to Law on the Inhabitants and Estates of ye Town of worces- ter to be payd to mr. Burr, which Sum the town Cherfully grant and earnestly Desire that he Lay ye Same out in pur- chising an addition to his Library."-Early Records.
1812. The American Antiquarian Society incorporated. "The persons named in the act were gentlemen eminent for their learn- ing and ability, who stood high in the confidence of the public, viz : Isaiah Thomas, Levi Lincoln, Harrison G. Otis, Timothy Bigelow, Nathaniel Paine, Edward Bangs, John T. Kirkland, Aaron Bancroft, Jonathan H. Lyman, Elijah H. Mills, Elisha Hammond, Timothy Wil- liams, William D. Peck, John Lowell, Edmund Dwight, Eleazer James, Josiah Quincy, William S. Shaw, Francis Blake, Levi Lincoln, Jr., Samuel M. Burnside, Benjamin Russell, Thaddeus M. Harris, Redford
721
123
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
Webster, Thomas Wallcutt, Ebenezer T. Andrews, Isaiah Thomas, Jr., William Wells." Of these, Isaiah Thomas was the master-spirit, and on its incorporation, he presented the Society with his private library; and in 1820, erected a building for its reception. The Society removed to its present quarters in 1853. The library now comprises over 70,000 volumes; the aggregate of the several permanent funds is about $80, 000. The interior of the library is arranged with fine effect; and the cordial welcome extended, and absense of red tape, make it a pleasant resort for the student or antiquary.
722 1864. Dale Hospital occupied.
This building, now the Worcester Academy, was erected for a medical college, and afterwards used for a female seminary. It was occupied by the Government, during the latter part of the Rebellion, as a hos- pital for disabled soldiers. It was formally inaugurated, Feb. 22, 1865.
October 25.
723 1770. William Lindsay executed for burglary.
724 1847. Providence and Worcester railroad opened.
· 725 1871. City Hospital opened.
In the Abijah Bigelow house, corner of Front and Church streets.
October 26.
726 1864. Trial and presentation of the organ in Mechanics Hall.
October 27.
727 1868. Gen. O. O. Howard lectured in Mechanics Hall.
October 28.
728 1859. Benjamin F. Butler spoke in the City Hall as Dem- cratic candidate for Governor.
He was elected 23 years later.
October 29.
729 1868. David R. Locke, otherwise Petroleum V. Nasby, lectured in Mechanics Hall. Subject : "Cussed be Canaan."
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
October 30.
730 1852. Charles Francis Adams spoke at a grand rally of the Free Democracy.
731 1854. Butman Riot.
Asa O. Butman, Deputy United States Marshal, came to Worcester for the purpose of seizing an escaped slave named William H. Jankins. The friends of the slave gathered in large numbers, and in the attempt to get Butman out of the city by a few who interposed between him and the mob, he wellnigh became a victim of its fury. A graphic ac- count of this affair, by Rev. Albert Tyler, will be found in the first vol- ume of the Collections of The Worcester Society of Antiquity.
October 31.
732
1722. Rev. Andrew Gardner dismissed.
He was the first Minister of Worcester, settled in 1719. Afterwards preached in Lunenburg, and died in New Hampshire, at an advanced age, in 1793. He was noted for his eccentricities.
733
1793. Samuel Frost executed for murder.
734 1805. Nathaniel Mower's hat shop burned.
735
1842. John B. Gough signed the pledge.
He was reclaimed by Joel D. Stratton, Sunday evening, Oct. 30, 1842; and the next evening took the pledge, at a temperance meeting in the Town Hall. Stratton was at that time employed by Thomas Tucker, who kept the American Temperance House. He died Nov. 4, 1860. A sketch of his life, by Rev. Horace James, was published.
736 1844. Swiss Bell Ringers at Brinley Hall.
737
1861. Departure of the Twenty-fifth Regiment.
This Regiment embarked with the Burnside expedition; took part in the battles of Roanoke Island and Newbern; and performed service in North Carolina until the fall of 1863. The next spring and summer the Regiment saw hard service, passed through Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor and other battles, and spent the hot months before Peters- burg. It arrived home, (excepting a portion that re-enlisted the win- ter before), October 13, 1864.
125
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
November I.
738 1851. Joshua R. Giddings addressed a Free Soil meeting in the Foster street Depot.
He spoke in the City Hall in the forenoon. It was charged that the Whigs engaged the hall for the evening to keep the Free Soil men out, and the use of the depot was tendered. Over 3000 were present.
739 1851. Hon. George S. Hillard addressed the Whigs at the City Hall.
740 1859. Dr. J. G. Holland lectured on "Art and Life," in Mechanics Hall.
74I 1875. Dr. Hans Guido Von Bulow at Mechanics Hall. One of the most eminent pianists of the present time. He was born at Dresden, Jan. 8, 1830. Was assisted by Liszt and Wagner, and made his first appearance as a pianist in 1852. His compositions are numerous and of a high order. He is now an inmate of an insane asylum. He married a daughter of Liszt from whom he was divorced; she then became the wife of Wagner.
November 2.
742 1865. Edwin Forrest at the Theatre.
He appeared the evenings of the 2d and 3d, in Richelieu and Lear.
November 3.
743 1856. Dr. Charles Robinson, the Free Soil Governor of Kansas, addressed a meeting at the City Hall.
744 1859. Henry D. Thoreau lectured on John Brown, at Washburn Hall.
November 4.
745 1777. Gen. Burgoyne and Hessian prisoners captured at Saratoga passed through Worcester.
746 1829. Worcester Lyceum formed.
1833. Henry Clay visited Worcester.
747 Q
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
He was the guest of Gov. Lincoln. On the 5th, he was welcomed at the Town Hall by Hon. John Davis, and made a speech. In the af- ternoon he visited Millbury. On the 6th he departed for Hartford.
748 1848. Charles Sumner spoke at a Van Buren meeting.
Sumner, at this time, was disfavored by the so-called respectable ele- ment of the state, on account of his association with the Abolitionists. After Mr. Sumner had been elected Senator, the following editorial appeared in the Boston Daily Advertiser of April 25, 1851.
"It is unnecessary for us to add anything to what we have already said of the disgraceful character of the coalition by which this object has been accomplished. It is the grossest outrage upon the feelings of the majority of the people of the state, by a combination of two minorities, which we have known to be perpetrated in any of the states of the Union. We regard this event as a most unfortunate one for the reputation of the state, and one which must paralyze its influence in the councils of the Union."
The above remains one of many evidences of the political wisdom and foresight of the Old Whig Party of Massachusetts.
" ( Time ! whose verdicts mock our own, The only righteous judge art thou !"
749 1849. Father Mathew's Mutual Benevolent Total Absti- nence Society formed.
November 5.
750 1788. Two Camels, late from Arabia, arrived in town with their keeper.
November 6.
75I 1848. Daniel Webster spoke three hours at the City Hall for Taylor and Fillmore.
Just before the meeting, a Free Soil procession paraded the streets with torches, and Webster noticed the large number it comprised. Gov. Lincoln remarked that they were mostly boys. "But these boys will soon be men," replied the great statesman. Webster was brought here at this time to denounce Charles Allen, (then running for Congress on the Free Soil ticket), but he made no allusion to him. The next day, Judge Allen was triumphantly elected over the Whig incumbent, Hon. Charles Hudson.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
November 7.
75 2 1714. Birth of the first male child in Worcester : Adonijah, son of Jonas Rice.
753 1781. Celebration of the surrender of Cornwallis, news of which was received the evening before.
November 8.
754 1861. First appearance in Worcester of Brignoli.
Signor Pasqualino Brignoli, long a favorite tenor with the American public, was born at Milan in 1832.
755 1882. Christine Nilsson at Mechanics Hall. Tickets, $1., $2. and $3. A small audience attended.
November 9.
. 756 1871. Samuel L. Clemens, otherwise Mark Twain, lec- tured in Mechanics Hall on "Artemas Ward."
November 10.
757 1778. Wedding of Hannah, daughter of Sheriff Gardner Chandler, and John Williams of Boston.
Hepsy Hemmingway said she well recollected the marriage, "for Bur- goyne's Band came down from Rutland, and played before the house of Sheriff Chandler all that evening."
758 1858. Frederick Warren shot.
Mr. Warren was City Marshal. He received a fatal wound by the ac- cidental discharge of a revolver in the hands of Henry W. Hendricks, a deputy sheriff of Charleston, S. C., and died on the 13th. A public funeral was held on the 15th.
November II.
759 1779. Robert Young executed for rape.
He was one of the Convention troops.
760 1868. Worcester Free Institute of Industrial Science ded- icated.
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THE WORCESTER BOOK.
November 12.
761 1861. Funeral of Lieut. John William Grout.
He was a member of the 15th Regiment, and was killed in the battle of Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, 1861.
762 1866. Clara Barton lectured on "Work and Incidents of Army Life."
763 1866. Maggie Mitchell in Fanchon, at the Theatre.
764 1883. Heavy Gale : car with nine passengers blown from the track of the Worcester and Shrewsbury railroad. No one was injured,
November 13.
765 1849. Peace Celebration ; reception to Elihu Burritt on his return from Europe.
November 14.
766 1864. Lynde Brook water let on.
November 15.
767 I865. Blind Tom at Mechanics Hall.
He was born a slave in 1838. He possessed little intelligence, but could perform the most difficult pieces of music on the piano after once hearing them.
768 1871. Batchelder's painting of the Battle of Gettysburg exhibited at Horticultural Hall.
November 16.
769
I775. Post Office established in Worcester.
Isaiah Thomas was appointed Postmaster, and held the office until 1801. His successors have been : James Wilson, 1801 to 1833; Jubal Har- rington, 1833 to 1839; Maturin L. Fisher, 1839 to 1849; Edward W. Lincoln, 1849 to 1854; Emory Banister, 1854 to 1861; John Milton Earle, 1861 to 1867; and Josiah Pickett, the present incumbent, ap- pointed in 1867.
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NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
770 1795. Worcester Association of Mutual Aid in Detecting Thieves formed.
November 17.
77I
1777. "On Monday last arrived here, and on Tuesday proceeded on their way to Boston, under an escort of light dragoons, his Excellency the President of the Continental Congress [John Hancock ] and his lady."-Spy, Nov. 21.
772 1883. Corner Stone of the first Swedish Methodist Church in New England laid at Quinsigamond.
November 18.
773
1776. "Last Monday passed through this town under guard, about 120 tories brought from Phillips Manor and places ad- jacent ; 30 of whom were enlisted under the infamous Major Rogers and taken in a late skirmish."-Spy, Nov. 20.
November 19.
774 1857. Park Benjamin read a poem entitled Hard Times.
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