USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1841 > Part 2
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Our Social, Civil, and Religious Institutions-They cost great toil-great suffering-much treasure-much blood :- but not half as much as they are worth.
One of the soldiers of the revolution, Mr. Drury, was present, and replied to this sentiment, with some appro- priate remarks.
Col. James Estabrook of Worcester, a native of Hol- den, offered the following :
The early settlers of Holden-Distinguished for their love of order, peace, and sobriety-piously devoted to the cause of civil and religious liberty. May we, their descendants, cherish their virtues, and not prove recreant sons by neglecting to do all in our power to transmit them unimpaired to those who shall come after us.
Many volunteer sentiments were offered and received with cordial approbation, and we regret that we have not been able to procure them, to add to the count of the pleasant celebration.
At an early hour the assembly separated. No inci- dent occurred to mar the enjoyment of a festival of deep and peculiar interest. The arrangements were so judi-
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
cionsly made, as to secure best the gratification of those who attended.
'Those who participated in this centennial anniversary, can never join there in any other which shall return with the course of years. To other generations it may be in- teresting to know in what manner they of the present day honored the memory of their ancestors, and this rec- ord is made to perpetuate the recollection of the celebra- tion of the anniversary of the organization of the town of Holden.
The account of the Centennial Celebration at Holden was furnished by a gentleman whose interest in such oc- casions and predilection for historical research is well known from its practical fruits. It was not until we ex- amined the proof, that we became aware of omissions. sane of which it was then too late to remedy. We re- for to the remarks of William Lincoln, Esq .. in reply to the sentiment expressive of the relation which the towns of Holden and Worcester hold to each other, and also to that which has a more personal allusion. It was for the sake of these remarks that one at least of the guests from this town assented on his own part to the request that notes of their observations should be inserted. As citizens of Worcester, we could not but desire that an acknowledgement and declaration of the friendly and cordial connections still subsisting between the parent Down and its vigorous offspring, with the reflections in- cidentally suggested. might be preserved, in substance at least, if not in form. We trust that the historian of Worcester will not suffer the existence of such sentiments to remain unrecorded. although it may not be possible that the very language of a most happy extempore speech should be remembered. We hope to hear from him next week .- [Red.
Mr. SAMUEL C. DAMON,
DEAR SIR-The subscribers, Committee of Arrangements, were ap- pointed, before the Anniversary Exercises closed, to return the thanks of the audience to you, for your able address, and request a copy for the press. Most Repectfully,
Yours, SAMUEL DAMON, SILAS M. HUBBARD, WILLIAM METCALF, SILAS FLAGG, JAMES WINCH, PAUL DAVIS, LEMUEL FISKE, CHARLES CHAFFIN, JASON MANN, JOHN DAVIS, JONATHAN RICE, SAMUEL FOSTER, JUDAHI WRIGHT.
Holden, May 4, 1841.
£
PREFACE.
The Author of the following Address, and compiler of the Notes and Ap- peadis, desires to connect, with their publication, an acknowledgement of be- obligation to persons who have kindly imparted advice, and furnished materials of history. To the Committee appointed for that purpose-but particularly to Charles Chatlin, Esq., a member of that Committee; to Wil- han: Lincoln, Esq., of Worcester; and S. T. Haven, Esq., Librarian of the American Antiquarian Library; to the Librarian of Cambridge University; and the Rev. Joseph B. Felt; of Boston, to the Rev. William P'. Paine; and The citizens of Holden in general, also to the wife of. Aaron White, Esq., of Boylston, the author and compiler would express gratitude for their kindness and assistance. Without their ald this publication must have been destitute of interest and meagre in historical information.
In preparing this address for jmblication, the author has taken the liberty to make a few alterations. In some instances, additions have been made. Accuracy, however, has been lis constant aim.
Materials have been gathered from sources as various as can be read ily imagined by persons who have not attempted a similar work. Provincial and State papers, at Boston, Proprietors' and 'Town Books, Church and Society Records, Public Libraries, Newspapers, family histories and tra- dions, the recollections of the living, and the tombstones of the departed, Have been made tributary to the undertaking.
It is hoped some apology for the errors and imperfections of the work may be found in the circumstance, that hitherto this path of historical research has been untravelled. The author could neither copy the errors or excel- ler cies of his predecessors. And if this effort shall assist a successor, or any among his fellow citizens, better to understand, or render more com- plate the history of his native town, it will be a sufficient and rich reward.
ADDRESS.
This day completes the first century since the Town of Holden was organized agreeably to the Provincial Statues of Massachusetts Bay. The records of that event, which we have assembled to commemorate, have been carefully preserved upon the Town-books. They read as follows :- " At an annual meeting in Holden on Monday y fourth of May, Anno 17 11, Mr Simon Davis chose Moderator for s'meeting. Simon Davis, John Bigelow, and Cyprian Stevens chose Select-men. Cy- prian Stevens chose Town-Clerk-Sworn. Jonathan Lovell chose constable for the East-end-Sworn. James Smith chose constable for the West-end-Sworn. Sam- uel Clark, Samuel Pierce, and Samuel Heywood, chose Assessors --- Sworn. William Nickols chose Town-Trea- surer-Sworn. Abraham Newton chose Tything-man- Sworn. James Gray, Jotham Bigelow, and David Brown chose Fence-viewers. Jotham Bigelow chose Clerk of the Market-Sworn. James Grey, and Samuel Bruce chose Hog-reeves-Sworn. Joseph Woolley, and Abraham Newton chose Field-drivers-Sworn. Samuel Heywood chose Scaler of Leather-Sworn. James Cald- well and John Childs chose Deer-reeves-Sworn. John Bigelow, and Joseph Hubbard chose Surveyors of high- ways-Sworn. Simon Davis chose Grand-juryman."*
* Town Records, vol. 1, p. 2.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
In celebrating the Centennial Anniversay of a day, the records of which have now been read, MY FELLOW CITIZENS-We follow the promptings of principles decp- ly implanted in our natures. It is fit and proper to ex- hibit a becoming and grateful respect for the memory of that generation of men,-who, clearing the forests; made their homes upon the hills, and in the valleys of our town.
"The duty devolving upon me, by accepting the invita- tion from the Committee of Arrangements, to prepare an address for this occasion, I shall endeavor to discharge by narrating the history of Holden, from the period when authentic records commence, down to the close of the 18th century, concluding with an allusion to a few promi- nent events in the present century.
The earliest authentic accounts, on record, which refer to the tract of land now embraced within the limits of the township of Holden, are co-eval with the history of Worcester. That town originally had its North and South halves. The General Court of Massachusetts, in May, 1667, appointed a Committee "to take an exact viewe" of lands lying in the vicinity of Quinsigamond Pond, and being about mid-way between Boston and Springfield. Daniel Gookin, Edward Johnson, and An- drew Belchar, members of this Committee, made the fol- lowing report, in October, 166S :-
"We have, according to the Court's Orders bearing date 15th May, 1667, viewed the place therein mentioned, and find it to be about twelve miles westward from Marlbo- rough, near the road to Springfield, and that it contains a tract of very good chestnut tree land ; a large quanti- ty ; but the meadow we find not so much ; because a very considerable quantity of meadow and upland, about five thousand acres, is laid ou. unto particular persons, and
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
confirmed by this Court, but, all this not- withstanding, we conceive, there may be enough mead- ow for a small plantation, or town, of about thirty fami- lies ; and if those farms be annexed to it, it may supply about sixty families. Therefore we conceive it expedi- ent, that the honored Court will be pleased to reserve it for a town, being conveniently situated, and well watered with ponds and brooks, and lying near mid-way between Boston and Springfield. about one day's journey from either; and for the settling thereof; we do offer unto the Court, that which follows-viz :-
'That there be a meet proportion of land granted and laid out for a town, in the best form the place will bear, about the contents of eight miles square;
'That a prudent and able connuitter be appointed and empowered to lay it out.
That dne care be taken by the committee, that a good minister of God's word be placed there as soon as may be ; that such people as may be there planted, may not live as lambs in a LARGE place."*
This report was approved and accepted by the General Court. Another committee was appointed to carry its recommendations into execution. The history of this " tract of very good chesunt tree land. containing a good supply of ponds and brooks, and being about eight miles square, and laid out in the best form the place will bear" I shall endeavor to trace through a period of one hundred and thirty-two years, so far as its history refers to the original proprietorship, and settlement of Holden.
The persons, who had obtained a grant of this tract of land from the General Court, did not consider their title as valid, until by purchase, it had been secured to them by the Indians, the original proprietors of the soil. On
* Lincoln's history of Worcester, p. 3.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
the 13th of July, 1674, John alias Horrawannonit, or Quiquonassett, Sagamore of Pakachoge, and Solomon alias Woonaskochn, Sagamore of Tataessit, together with the consent of their kindred and people, conveyed by deed the abovementioned tract of land to Daniel Gookin of Cambridge, Daniel Henchman of Boston, and certain other persons, for and in consideration of £12 of lawful money, of New England currency, or in full value there- of in other specie to be paid within three months after the date of the decd. The Indians received "two coats and four yards of trading cloth valewed at twenty-six shil- lings," as a pledge that the money should be duly paid. Messrs. Gookin, Henchman, and others fully discharged their obligation to the Indians before the three months had expired, and came into possession of " the broken upland and woodlands, woods, trees, rivers, brooks, ponds, swamps, meadows, mineralls, or any other thing, or things whatsoever, lying or being within that tract of land, con- tayning eight miles square or the contents thereof, to be layd out by y" s' persons or their order in time conve- nient."*
'The district of country, described in the first Indian deed from which extracts have been made, embraced the entire townships of Worcester and Holden, before any portions were set off to form the towns of Auburn, Pax- ton, or West Boylston.t
King Phillip's war commencing A. D. 1675, in connec- tion with other unpropitious events, retarded the rapid
* See Note A.
t " The plantation of Quinsigamond, as originally granted, and surveyed, extended nearly twelve miles from north to south, and six from east to west. It was designed to include the same quantity of land which would have been comprehended in a tract eight miles square. As stated in the original plan, the north and south lines were 1920 rods each ; the east line 3815 ; the west 3760." Lincoln, p. 160.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
settlement of this part of the Massachusetts colony .* This circumstance induced the General Court, at their session in October 1682, to pass a vote rendering "forfeit and lost" the grant of this tract of land, to Gookin and others, unless vigorous exertions were speedily adopted to advance its settlement.t The Grantees were now urged to take immediate action to preserve their claims. It was found by estimation that about 480 acres of good meadow land were contained within the limits of this grant. An agreement was made, at a meeting of the Proprietors, April 24, 1682, to divide the whole township into as many lots as there were acres of meadow land ; " 200 for Planters ; SO for public uses or other specific appropriations, and the remaining 200 to be laid out on the north extremity forming a division, afterwards known as North Worcester, and subsequently rendered perma- nent by the incorporation of Holden."}
The dividing line between North and South Worcester was drawn during the year 1683 or 4. For a period of more than thirty years subsequent to this division, but very meagre records have been preserved relating to the North half of Worcester. "For a time," observes Lin- coln in his history of Worcester, " we lose sight of the town and its inhabitants. From 1686 to 1713 no record is preserved on the proprietary book of any transactions. Neither history nor tradition informs us of the labors, dan- gers and sufferings of the earlier planters. Gen. Gookin, the early and faithful friend of the plantation, was cal-' led to the rewards of a long life, characterised by fervent piety, enlarged benevolence, incorruptible integrity, and the practice of every manly virtue, in March, 1687."'S
* Holme's Annals, vol. 1, p. 369. tLincoln's his. Worcester, p. 30. p. 30.
66 p 33.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Capt. Adam Winthrop was appointed to the office which had been so ably filled by the untiring exertions of the much lamented Gookin. The Winthrop family of Boston owned extensive tracts of land in North and South Wor- cester.
I can find no records, which lead me to conclude, that any settlements were made in Worcester North half, pre- viously to 1722. The solitude of the wilderness had re- mained unbroken, unless the occasional report of an huntsman's gun, or the shrill whoop of the Indian, echoing among the hills, aroused the timid deer, or hungry wolf. 'Tradition reports that numbers of each species continu- ed in this vicinity, long after the first settlers had made their homes in the wilderness. History as well as tradi- tion, describes an Indian path leading from Lancaster to Hadley; which passed through the north part of this town, near the farm now owned by Samuel W. Hubbard. Traces of this path. I have been told are still to be seen.
One century had now elapsed. since the Pilgrims dis- einbarked from the May Flower, upon the shores of New England. It had been a century of labors, of hardships, perils and wars, to the first settlers of the country. Du- ring this period, the colonies were continually increasing in population and importance. Every year witnessed new settlements in the wilderness. Hardy adventurers were carrying to the westward the out-posts of civiliza- tion. The town of Worcester was incorporated June 1 1th, · 1722." In the month of October following, the proprie- tors of "common and undivided lands" in the town of Worcester, Voted-" that a committee of five persons be chosen, to provide a surveyor, and that he proceed forth- with to measure the meadow lands in Worcester North
>Lincoln's his. Worcester, p. 30.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
half."* Although this vote was not then carried into execution, in consequence of certain troubles in South Worcester, yet I deem it worthy of special notice, be. cause from this date-the last Wednesday of October, 1722, authentic records of this township have been care- fully preserved.
An incident occurred about this period-Spring of 1723, which led, as I suppose, to the forming of the first settlement in this town. Mr. Jonas Rice, a citizen of South Worcester, had discovered limestone upon the farm, now known by the name of the Bullard. Farm. At a meeting of the proprietors, in March, 1723, a vote was passed granting " encouragement to the first finder of limestones and undertaker of the burning lime for the supplying the town." A committee was appointed to agree with Mr. Rice to burn lime upon the following conditions, viz :
1. " The undertaker, Mr. Rice, to have a patent for 50 acres of land to be allotted him, for seven years; and that he have liberty to ent wood on any common land of the proprietors, and that every body else be forbid dig- ging limestones, or cutting wood, until the end of said term."
2. .. That the town be allowed 2d. per bushel for all merchantable lime."
3. " That all the inhabitants, that may have occasion, for their own use in building to be used in town, shail give 12d. per bushel for it, and no more." 4 & 5.
6. " That the undertaker be obliged to go upon the business with all speed, and also to supply the inhabi- tants with lime for their own use when they want it, as soon as may be with any conveniency and that they be
* Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1 : p. 1. 3 1
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
preferred before any other persons belonging to other towns."*
The lot of land, known upon the carly records of the town, as the Lime Lot, was sold, in the year 1759. to Mr. Anthony Clark.t The avails form a part of the present school fund of the town. A settlement was made in the immediate neighborhood of the lime lot. which is supposed to be the FIRST SETTLEMENT in Holden. The remains of lime kilns still appear about 60 rods south of Timothy Parker's house. That part of the town sibsequently sct off to form West Boylston, was very carly settled by the Lovells.
The records of the proprietors of the common and un divided lands in North and South Worcester, indicate that vigorous exertions were made on their part to pro- mote the rapid settlement of this portion of the township. mmnediately subsequent to the incorporation of Worcester. They caused two surveys to be made, one in the autumnitt of 1723, and the other in the spring of 1721. The land having been thus surveyed, was divided into lots contain- mg, respectively, 60 a. and 100 a. called, first and soc- ond divisions. 'Those owning land in South Worcester were entitled to tracts of land in North Worcester, agree- ably to the following rules, viz : A Jand-holder of 40 tores in the South part was entitled to 60 acres of the first division, and 100 acres of the second division, " and so proportionable to bigger or lesser lotts." I would re- mark that persons were left to the choice of particular iracis, having first cast lots for priority of choice. The individual drawing No. 1 was allowed to pitch first in that division which contained 60 a. lots, but last in the other division which contained 100 a. lots. The
* Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1 : p. 3.
t Town Records, Vol. 1 : p. 120
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
above tracts of land were all to be laid out in squares; or " long squares."*
No proprietor was more active and efficient, in pro- moting the welfare of North Worcester, at this early period, than Col. Adam Winthrop of Boston. As a mark of grateful respect to this gentleman for his good servi- yes, the proprietors passed the following vote :- " Col. Adam Winthrop for his good services done for the town of Worcester shall have the first pitch in the North half Part of Worcester."t For years subsequent to this event, the interests of North Worcester profitted by his wise counsels and judicious plans. He emphatically may be alled a FATHER to the town.
Year 1000 acres of land, in North Worcester, were transferred from company stock to private individuals. Many of the proprietors of lands living in Boston and wennty. their meetings were frequently held in that city. To facilitate settlements and raise the value of landed property, the proprietors appointed a committee to lay out four public roads. 6 rods wide, from the centre of Forth Worcester, in such ways as would be most ser- Vierable to the said half part and the towns adjoining. | The centre of the township was then supposed to be Shunt 50 or 60 gods north from the spot occupied by the hutise in which we are now assembled. These public roads were laid out previously to any portion of the township becoming the private property of individuals.
From the consultation of ancient records, or inquiries among the most aged inhabitants, I have not been able to decide upon the precise years when settlements were made in different parts of the town. The number of in- habitants as early as 1733 was sufficient in their opinion
. Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1 : p. 5. 6. + Ibid. Vol. 1 : p. 7. ; Ibid. Vol. 1 : p. 6.
1
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
to render desirable the establishment of public worship In November of that year, James Thompson, who lived beyond the Warner Farm, associated with sixteen other persons, petitioned the proprietors, praying that the land might be taxed to defray the expenses which would arise from building a meeting house and supporting a minister .* This attempt was not successful, but Thomp- son and his fellow townsmen did not relax their efforts, 'The right of petition, that most reasonable of all rights. they continued to exercise, until their desires were fully gratified, when they obtained, in the year 1736, a vote from the proprietors to erect a house for public worship : "50 feet long ; 40 wide; and 22 between the joynts."1 At the same meeting of the proprietors, Dec., 1736, it was also Voted that the meeting house should be erected "about 60 rods southward from the place where four roads meet."# Capt. Benjamin Flagg, Lieut. Simon Da- vis, and Lient. Joseph Hubbard, were appointed a com- mittee to select the proper spot, " which shall be found the. most accommodable therefor to be fixed and staked out." "The question may have arisen in the minds of some of this andience, what was the character of the preach- ing in those early times? A vote recorded upon the 29th page, Vol. 1, of the proprietors' books, furnishes a raost satisfactory answer. December 29, 1736 : "Voted. That provision be made for supporting an orthodox min- ister to preach the gospel in said North half for three years next to come."
'To defray the expenses which would necessarily arise
* Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1 : p. 27. t Ibid, Vol. 1 : p. 29.
# The first meeting house occupied the site where now stands the house of ( nl. Damon. It never was painted. The windows were small, and set with diamond glass in leaden sashes ; nine in front and five in each end. "There were a number of noon-houses near, for the accommodation of pe :- sous living at a distance.
§ Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1 : p. 29.
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
from carrying the above votes into execution, a tax of Ad. per acre for the first year; 2d. per acre for the second year ; and 3d. per acre for the following year, was as- ressed upon all lands lying within the North half of Worcester .*
Reasons sufficiently strong induced the inhabitants of North Worcester to take the proper measures for obtain- mg a separate act of incorporation, during the winter of 1739 and 40. The 9th of Jan., 17 10, has for a long.pe- rind been the date assigned for the incorporation of this HOW. Without doubt, this date is too early by one year. The error probably arose from the practice, then preva- lent m the colonies and throughout Europe. of com- meneing the year on the 25th of March, instead of the Ist of January. This practice went into disuse in the year 1752. by an Act of Parliament : when New Style was adopted in the place of old Style.t
A few events, worthy of notice, which took place pre- vionsly to the Act of incorporation being granted, I will proceed to narrate. At a general meeting of the citizens of North and South Worcester. held March 3, 1740, it was voted, that the North half part of the township be set off a distinct and separate town, if an Act to that effect could be obtamed from the General Court .; On the 13th of May following, a petition, signed by twenty-five citizens of North Worcester, was forwarded to the General Court, praying to be set off a separate and distinct town. This petition was not granted. At the next meeting of the General Court -- November of the same year-another pe- tition was presented ; and the petitioners were successful in obtaining An Act of Incorporation. The Act passed the General Court, January 2, and was signed by His
6 Proprietors' Books, Vol. 1: p. 30. t Encyclopaedia Americana, Vol. 4 : p. 549. # Worcester Town Records. 3*
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HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Excellency, Governor Belcher, Jan. 9, 17 41, and in the 1 1th year of the reign of George II.
When this Act had passed the General Court, the North half of Worcester became a distinct and separate town, "by the name of Holden, with all the powers, privi- leges, and immunities which the inhabitants of other towns within this Province do, and by law ought to enjoy."'s
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