USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 8
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PARTRIDGEVILLE
T HE first meeting of the Proprietors was held in Partridge- ville, called the Southeast Plantation. In very early records, it is referred to as "Mine Hill" section. The meetings were held on Ridge Hill, about 500 feet to the east from the four corners.
Finally, Noah Merritt and Ezekiel Knowlton settled here about 1756-the latter on the land on the west side. His son, Stephen Knowlton, sold this property to Otis Partridge, Sr., in 1811. Noah Merritt settled on the east side of "Mine Hill".
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In Partridgeville is a natural pond which feeds a large brook; and on this stream a gristmill was built by Otis Part- ridge. Later it was operated by Otis Partridge, Jr., and his brother, Herman. They moved the gristmill across the road and added a sawmill. On the old site they built a chair shop where they manufactured cane-seat chairs. All the cane was split by hand, boys doing this work. Later another shop was built, a two-story building. Otis Partridge, Jr., also made water wheels for mills.
In 1855, one shop was operated by Augustus Jones and his brother, George. In 1870, the firm was A. A. Jones and Company. They operated the upper shop and Merritt and Warren the lower factory. Later, Captain V. P. Parkhurst did business here. The buildings were destroyed by fire, and in 1938, the privilege was washed away.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE OLD HOUSES IN PARTRIDGEVILLE
The houses in this hamlet were all built before 1850. The Ezekiel Partridge house stands as it was built in 1825. It is a large house with large rooms and a huge chimney in the center, with fireplaces in most of the rooms. The barn, also large, stood across the road. This property was owned by a member of the Partridge family until 1890, when it was sold. However, it was later bought back by Mr. Bartlett, a grandson.
The Aholiab Sawyer farmhouse was built in 1790, replacing a log cabin built about 1765. The present house stands about a half-mile from the four corners and faces west. On the east side of the house is a large kitchen, long and narrow, with a huge fireplace. There is also a fireplace in each room on the first floor. There is an old story that the fire in the kitchen was never allowed to go out for seventy years. It is also
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related that a box of matches was bought of a peddler but never used for anything but lighting a fire out-of-doors.
The Otis Partridge, Junior, place was the first house from the four corners going west on the road to the center. It sits back from the road, a low-studded cottage with a central chimney. There have been no changes since it was built, about 1830.
The next house, across the brook, was the Otis Partridge, Senior, house. Though there have been some changes, in out- ward appearance it remains practically as it was built.
The Jones farm was owned by Aaron Jones and later by Augustus and George Jones who, in 1867, divided the old homestead. The house, facing the north, stands as it was built, with a central chimney and a large room each side of the front entrance. Originally, it had a long shed on the east side. The attic was used for a loom room. In 1900, this in- teresting old house was purchased by Dr. John Green of St. Louis, whose wife, Harriet Jones, was a Partridge descendant, thus restoring it to the family. Unfortunately, it was sold after Dr. Green's death.
In 1855, J. B. Works lived in a small house on the lower road to Hubbardston. It had been built many years before and stands today without change, very close to the road.
Perhaps the oldest house in Partridgeville is the one that stands at the bend of the road to the airport. It was occupied for many years by Oliver Brown, a soldier of the Revolution. In 1855, J. Whitney lived here.
Another old house is on the Cave Road. This was built about 1800 and in 1855 was occupied by T. Coleman. It is a very low cottage with the kitchen on the east side, though the house faces south. Originally, there was a large barn a few hundred feet to the east of the house; and the buildings were arranged to form a square.
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SOME OLD HOUSES IN EAST TEMPLETON
The first frame house built in East Templeton was owned by the Simonds family. The last owner was Zebedee Simonds, son of James. This house - a large one with central chim- ney - stood at the junction of the Gardner and Otter River roads. It had an upper and lower piazza on the west side and faced south on the turnpike. In 1813, it was sold to Joel Fales who occupied it for many years. The house was taken down around 1920.
The land on the south of the Square was owned by Zeba' Simonds in 1800; and in 1834 he sold house lots, one of which was purchased by Joel G. Fales who built a house on the corner. This is now owned by his grandson, George Howard. The house stands as it was built, an ell having been added in its early years.
The next house (west) was built by Samuel Upham in 1856, and stands as it was built, having been used as an inn for thirty years. The ell was a gathering place for men, as it contained the bar. The kitchen was in the east side and the dining-room at the back of the house. All traveling men and minstrel troupes were entertained here. The house has never been changed; even the window trim and the front door remain the same. It is now owned by Mr. Upham's grand- niece (formerly Doris Turner).
The next house is very old, having been built before 1800. It is the homestead of Zeba Simonds, and in 1847, T. T. Greenwood lived in it. For many years it was occupied by Charles Whipple. It is a cottage-type house, and remains - outwardly at least - as it was built.
The second house west of the causeway was built by Abijah Fales. It is a small cottage of four rooms, facing north. Mr. Fales had to build it twice, as the hurricane of 1815 blew it
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down. After living in the house for a year, he sold the property to Newell Day who owned the shop across the road. Mr. Day later sold to Jonathan Whitney who was sure the water on the land held medicinal properties. He built a large ell for a rest home, but the venture was not a success. Later the ell was moved across the driveway and remodeled into a dwelling house.
The old house at the corner of Sawyer Street and the Turn- pike was built by Joshua Sawyer, Jr., and later owned by his nephew, William Sawyer, who lived there many years. The old brick oven was removed about 1940.
The oldest houses on Sawyer Street are on the corner of Gardner road and at the foot of the street. The first was built long before 1800 and was owned by Artemas Howe - later by his daughter, Abigail, who lived there until her death. She sold many acres of the farm to Abner Fales. The house is conspicuous by its steep pitch roof. There is a story that the well was dug first and the house built over it because the builder was afraid of Indians and wanted to be sure of a water supply. The second of these houses is the last on the street. The occupants owned the mill below. In 1820, Artemas Brown lived here, as he was in business with Joel Fales. Later the house was owned by Moses Gage, who operated the mill with Mr. Fales. Later still, George Sawyer lived here. This house was originally built as a boarding-house for the mill. In outward appearance, it remains unchanged.
The house at the corner of Mechanic Street and the Turn- pike was owned in 1800 by Asaph Bush and his brother, Darius. Later it came into the possession of Jonathan Green- wood who, with his heirs, owned it for sixty years. A low- studded cottage, with central chimney, it looks as it did when built.
In 1855, there was, across the road, a house much like the
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Greenwood house, owned by Mrs. D. Whitney, a widow, who also owned many acres on Cottage Street. In 1882, this house was moved a few hundred feet back on Cottage Street, and there it stands today. On its original site, C. N. Johnson built his mansion.
The house at the top of the hill was owned in 1855 by) Hereford Potter. A small, low-ceiling cottage, it is supposed to stand correct with the compass, facing true south. The house remains as first built.
Next to this house is a larger one, with big rooms and fire- places. It was built before 1800 by a Mr. Stone; and the succeeding owners were Mervin Coleman and his son, William.
On South Main Street, the first house was built about 1835 by J. C. Upham who occupied it for many years. The rooms were small with low ceilings. Two families lived in it - one occupying the east side, the other the west. In the east-side kitchen was an open water tank, with water running in and out continuously.
About a half mile south of the village was a large farm known as the Bush Farm. Jabez Bush came from Marlboro and purchased about 100 acres, building a small house, partly a log cobin. Later, Stephen Bush, his son, owned the property; and the next owner was Jonathan Bush, grandson of Jabez. Jonathan sold the property in 1849 to James Gulfing who built a new house across the driveway and tore down the old house.
Stephen Bush sold a part of his farm to his daughter, Lucy, and her husband, Austin Stockwell. They built a house a few hundred feet to the north - a small building with a very high pitch roof.
On North Main Street, the oldest house is the Gay place. It was built on the "ministerial lot". The income of this lot was to be used for the benefit of the First Church. Amos,
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Gay built the house about 1785 and called it Mt. Pleasant. The house, a low cottage facing south, remains practically as built. It stands well back from the road because the latter was built by the county long after the house was built.
The first of East Templeton's two octagon houses was built on Main Street, about 1860, by T. T. Greenwood. It is three stories high, with a covered Widow's Walk or cupola. There are four rooms on each floor. The stair well is in the center of the house-four flights from the basement to the Widow's Walk. The latter has a stair landing, with a 6' passageway; and windows all around it reveal the landscape on every side. The reason for the windows, so tradition says, was that the owner of the house might watch the village, and especially the nearby Greenwood factory, for fires. This unusual house has always been an object of interest.
All the rooms in the house are square, the octagonal corners being made into closets, cupboards or other small rooms. A narrow piazza encircles the first floor.
This house has recently been purchased by the Holmbo family. It has been renovated inside and painted outside, so again it takes its place as one of East Templeton's interesting houses.
The other octagon house is on Cottage Street, having been built about 1870. It has the same floor plan as the Main Street house; but is only two stories high and has no Widow's Walk. There is a piazza on the south and west sides only.
CONCERNING THE OLDEST FAMILIES OF PARTRIDGEVILLE
The Ezekiel Knowlton family was one of the first to come to Partridgeville. He settled on the west side near the pond. There were many children, and their descendents are now living in Gardner.
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The Merritt family settled in the east part of the hamlet, and in 1945, there remained only one member living in East Templeton - Mrs. Helen Blackman, a direct descendant of Noah Merritt.
Of the Alihoab Sawyer family, that settled about 1785, there is only one member living in this village - W. W. Sawyer.
The Bush family came from Marlboro about 1790, Jabez Bush being the first to come here. He had a number of children; and Mrs. Ruth Bishop and W. W. Sawyer are the only descendents now living in East Templeton.
Otis Partridge came to Partridgeville in 1811 with his family of seven sons and seven daughters; and a son and daughter were born after the family arrived here. Otis Part- ridge and his oldest son, Ezekiel, bought 400 acres of Stephen Knowlton, formerly the Ezekiel Knowlton place. Maynard Partridge, the seventh son, removed to Royalston. He was the originator of the Partridge table for measuring logs into cord feet by a caliper measure. In January, 1880, there were 190 Partridge descendants. In 1945, there were living in East Templeton two members, George Howard and Ruth Eames, and one still lives in Partridgeville, Mrs. Alice Browning Barrett, a great-granddaughter of Mrs. Uriah Moore, the youngest of this Partridge, Senior, family.
EARLIEST HISTORY OF EAST TEMPLETON
In 1730, was transferred to Captain Andrew Robinson of Gloucester, as a bounty from the French and Indian War - later to John Keyes of Shrewsbury, Edward Goddard of Framingham and by them to Gresham Keyes of Shrewsbury and John Hubbard of Worcester, a grant of three hundred acres. They later sold out of it one fortieth each to various persons; but one share was given to Governor Belcher. Mill
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Brook ran through this tract of land which was called "Mine Hill" farm.
The first meeting of the Proprietors was held on Ridge Hill, at a point a few hundred yards to the east of the four corners in Partridgeville. Samuel Chandler of Concord led the meeting, and a contract was made with Samuel Sheldon of Billerica to build a sawmill; but he failed to do so. An- other contract was made with Lt. Simonds and Reuben and Oliver Richardson who built a mill in 1743 on Lot No. 91. This mill was later burned by the Indians.
The next meeting was held in the same place, on Ridge Hill, and it was voted to survey and clear the roads. On May 9, 1750, they voted to lay out Meadow Lots, and a year later voted to build a meeting house.
Thomas Hobbs of Concord sold for 26 pounds and 10 shillings his Lot No. 91 to James Simonds and Reuben and Oliver Richardson. After two years, Reuben Richardson bought a lot of Jonathan Wyman. The record of this pur- chase is in the first of the eighty transfers of recorded deeds in Worcester. The Richardsons later sold their interest to Lt. James Simonds who built a saw-and grist mill. This was burned by Indians, and he went to Leominster. Ten years later, it was rebuilt by John Simonds.
- This mill was made entirely of wood, except the water- wheel crank. John Simonds was obliged to go to Boston for this, and brought it back on horseback, fording the streams and following the bridle paths. The mill was operated for many years by Zeba, John and Zebedee Simonds as a saw-and grist mill, also a shingle mill. It was again burned by the Indians, and these men did not rebuild. John went to Leominster, but Zeba and Zebedee remained here.
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WHITNEY TAVERN
The history of Whitney Tavern dates back to 1805. At that time, it was owned by Seras Cook. He conducted the largest and most accommodating tavern to be found anywhere on the route from Brattleboro, Vermont, to Boston.
In March, 1805, Seras Cook deeded the tavern to Joshua Tucker, a resident of Templeton. It was then known as Tucker Tavern. Jonathan Greenwood bought the tavern the sixteenth day of March, 1812; and four years later, it was sold to William Whitney.
The covered driveway, which gave shelter to teams over- night, was 110 feet long and 40 feet wide, allowing more than sufficient room to drive in eight four-horse teams at one time. Above this long driveway and extending its entire length, was a bowling alley. The tavern had three barns, built in such a way as to form a square open at one side. The largest barn was 80 feet in length, the next was 40 feet, and the third was 30 feet. The barns and the driveway together could accom- modate 200 horses at one time. The former were filled with hay from the meadows belonging to the tavern.
One of the interesting features of these barns was the water- ing trough at the side of the road. This was hewed out of a pine log fifteen feet long, with a diameter of two and one- half feet. Springs across the road supplied the water.
Later, for years, there was a large iron tub which served as a trough. The water came from the same source, but it was discontinued when the state road, Route No. 2, was built. The owners of this property received a rebate on their taxes for this loss of water supply.
Mr. Whitney helped pull heavily laden wagons over the steep grade called Ladder Hill, by hitching his oxen on ahead of the horses. For this service, he would receive a quarter.
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The entire second floor along the front section of the Tavern was used as a dance hall. The "orchestra" consisted of one lone fiddler who knew all the dance tunes of the day and was always ready to respond to the dancers' choice. Also, in this hall was held a dancing school. Candles provided the only lighting. Back of each candle-holder was a reflector made of many small mirrors set close together in a circle with a metal holder. One of these candle-holders now hangs in the front hall of the remodeled tavern. Also, in the hall is a kitchen- pot. This is a cylinder made from sheet metal, with one side open. Through the middle is a rod called the spit which is turned with a crank. The kitchen-pot was put in front of the fireplace, open side to the fire, and in it was roasted the meat for dinner.
"I burnt me finger in the Spit, I burnt me finger, I feel it yit".
Apparently pie was served at every meal at the Tavern, for the landlady herself, so it is recorded, made fifty pies every morning.
In 1830, the Tavern was remodeled. Half of the old build- ing was moved about a quarter of a mile up the road and placed on a foundation. The moving was accomplished by means of oxen and rollers. In 1946, it was owned by G. Robbins.
The remaining part of the Tavern was made into a house and has been owned by the Baker family for many years. In 1946, it was owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eames (Ruth Baker). Part of the barn lumber was used to build Greenwood & Wright Chair Shop.
One of the interesting stories connected with the old Whit- ney Tavern is this:
The sharpshooters of District Narragansett No. 6 were
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gathered at the tavern for a muster. In the middle of the bar-room stood a keg of gun powder; and as the guns used at that time were muzzle loaders, each man filled his powder horn from the keg, which stood on end with the top entirely open. It was well into the afternoon, and the sharpshooters were fairly well intoxicated. One of them came to fill his powder horn from the keg, quite forgetting the pipe in his mouth. As he leaned over, a spark dropped from the pipe into the keg, with the result that one side of the bar-room, was entirely blown out. Nobody was killed, but many of the men were badly hurt. It cost $500 to repair the damage.
STORY OF THE MILL ON NORTH MAIN STREET
Lots No. 89 and No. 91 remained in the Simonds family for several generations. They operated a saw-and grist mill and a shingle shop. All grain that was milled was raised in this locality.
In 1813, John Simonds deeded to Joel Fales of Walpole the 173 acres of land, with the mill site, water rights, and rights of flowage. The ruined mill was restored, the dam repaired and a new grinding stone installed. Mr. Fales also manufac- tured shingles. Many years later, Joel Fales sold his business to his son, Joel G. Fales. The latter took into partnership Edson Higley, and they converted the saw-and gristmill into a chair shop. In 1836, the firm was known as Higley and Fales. A few names which appear on their ledger are: Amos Gay, Luther Alden, Daniel Swan, Abel Davis, John Dyer, Bennett Potter, George Belcher, Cambridge Day, Artemas Bush, Merlin Coleman, Jonathan Cutting, John Gage, Calvin, Jonathan and Walter Greenwood, Abijah Hines, David Ken- dall and many others.
Fales and Higley, after many years, sold to Parker Jennison and Joseph Sawyer; later, Walter Greenwood and Samuel
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Jennison bought the property. Then it was Walter Green- wood & Company, which included Charles Whitney, T. T. Greenwood, Daniel Mixter and Fitch Sargeant. These men carried on for many years.
Amasa Hodge bought the property in 1863 from the Miller River Bank and continued to make chairs for 23 years - until 1886, when the factory was burned.
About 1897, the people of the village raised $1,000 by public subscription and purchased the old mill privilege and site. In 1898, the Bay State Metal Wheel Company erected a shop there. This factory was dedicated in December, 1898. Fred- erick Greenwood was the master of ceremonies, and some of the speakers were Percival Blodgett, Rep. Francis Leland, Colonel George Hawkes and Rev. W. F. Gilmore.
The main factory was 100' x 40', two stories and a base- ment, built at a cost of $20,000. It was lighted by 90 double windows. Both steam and water power were utilized - 60 horse-power engine and 75 horse-power water service.
The firm comprised Julius Ballin, New York, President; George W. Travers, New York; O. W. Siebert, Clerk; Frank Hunt, Brattleboro, and J. Twohey, New York. It was a Massachusetts corporation with a capital of $27,000. They manufactured wheels for velocipedes, go-carts, toy wagons, etc.
Later an addition was built to the original factory; and a separate concern, called Children's Vehicles Company, made baby carriages of all types. In 1910, this building was dedi- cated. In 1926, the section housing the Children's Vehicles Company was badly burned. However, it was repaired and business continued for many successful years.
Finally, the firm disbanded and sold and resold until Hed- strom Union purchased it and removed the machinery to Fitchburg.
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The flood and hurricane of 1938 damaged the plant so greatly that all but one building was taken down. At present (1946) a small firm manufactures overstuffed furniture there.
FALES BROTHERS' SHOP
At the lower end of Pleasant Street, before the street was built, stood a shop owned and operated by Otis Fales and his brother, Joel G. Fales, sons of Joel Fales, Sr. It was a small shop of two stories and a dry house. The water power carried 18 feet head. They manufactured chairs and chair backs. Across the way, they had a large blacksmith shop; and they owned the only trip-hammer in this section. They made small articles, such as hoes and rakes.
In November, 1880, the shop was burned to the ground. All the buildings were lost, including the blacksmith shop. The loss was about $20,000, and as there was no insurance, the firm disbanded. Now the entire site and privilege are gone, ruined by the flood of 1938.
THE EAST TEMPLETON COOPERATIVE
A cooperation of East Templeton residents and a few others was named, East Templeton Chair Company. They bought the mill and the privilege, formerly the property of the Sawyer Brothers, at the foot of Sawyer Street. This con- cern made cane seats for chairs and chair frames. For many years, the women of the vicinity did the seating by hand in their homes, the work being brought to them.
In 1880, the shop was destroyed by fire. The alarm was sounded, and the Bay State Engine was soon playing on the flames. The dry house was also in flames, due to the intense heat. The entire plant, with the exception of the water wheel, was destroyed. The loss was about $20,000, with insurance of $5,000. Most of the workmen were stockholders.
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In 1881, the stockholders voted to rebuild. The new shop was to be three stories high, with a slate gable roof, and was built by M. M. Favor of Gardner. It was put together with 14" x 7" timbers and strongly braced; the floors were of 3" square plank. There were 134 windows to light the plant, and it had a powerful elevator running from the basement to the third story. This building was dedicated with a fair and grand ball in January, 1882. F. L. Sargeant was the floor manager; and at intermission, an oyster supper was served. This concern continued business until 1890, when it was dis- banded and the property sold to George W. Travers of New York. Later, he added another building to the plant. Mr. Travers manufactured children's furniture, wooden toys and wooden chairs, as well as some of reed. About 1925, the build- ings were burned to the ground; and now, in 1946, the entire privilege is gone- ruined by the flood of 1938.
THE TOY SHOP OF CHESTER N. JOHNSON
Chester N. Johnson bought the old tannery site and in 1868 erected two buildings. Two stories high, with a frontage of 30 feet, they were connected by a foot bridge. Here were manufactured wooden toys, children's chairs, doll furniture, etc. Mr. Johnson continued in business until his death in 1894. Then the business was operated by Joshua Greenwood until 1897, when one of the buildings was badly burned. In 1898, Mrs. Nellie Greenwood took down what remained of the plant and erected a business block in West Gardner with the usable lumber.
For many years, this water privilege was not used. Around 1903, George Mooney bought the site and built a small, one- story shop where he made turned stock. After a few years, he added another story to the building and began to make reed furniture. Later, other firms operated in this shop -
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Charles Harwood made chairs there - and once the build- ing was made into tenements, but the venture was not suc- cessful. Eventually it was burned. In 1946, the pond that supplied the water power and the privilege had disappeared, destroyed by the flood and hurricane of 1938.
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