USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Templeton > The story of Templeton > Part 9
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T. T. GREENWOOD & CO.
The T. T. Greenwood shop was built in 1849, a few hun- dred yards below Mechanic Street. The first owners were T. T. Greenwood and Fitch L. Sargeant. They manufactured wooden tubs, pails and other wooden articles. The factory consisted of three buildings - the main building being two stories high with an ell in the rear. The shop was run by water power, supplied by a small pond in front of the plant. In 1896, a boiler was built and an engine and boiler installed to supplement the water power. Often in the summer, the plant had been obliged to cease work because of lack of water. In September, 1894, a paint shop was built across the street, two stories high and about 25' x 50'.
After a few years, Mr. Greenwood bought Mr. Sargeant's interest; and the firm became T. T. Greenwood and Sons. They manufactured bedroom furniture, mostly of pine and birch wood. This firm also operated a furniture store at 8 Cross Street in Gardner; later it was moved to Main Street. After the death of T. T. Greenwood, the shop was operated by Frederick Greenwood and his brother, Thomas, who later sold his share. About 1906, the business was discontinued. A few years later, another concern manufactured small ar- ticles in the paint shop. This building was afterward de- stroyed by fire; and the hurricane of 1938 entirely ruined the site and privilege.
T. T. Greenwood bought a portion of the Jones farm in Par- tridgeville to flood for a reservoir for use by manufacturers.
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THE TANNERY ON TANNERY HILL
Tannery Hill was at the foot of Mechanic Street. It was a sharp decline from Gardner Road, following down the gulley to meet the lower end of Sawyer Street. At the head of the hill, were the tannery and oil mill.
This tannery had many owners in the course of its exist- ence, the first of whom are not known. But early in 1800, it was owned by Jonathan Bush and later by Jonathan Bush and Daniel Swan, then by Daniel Swan alone. Finally, it was sold to Warren Simonds and a Mr. Peckham. They later deserted it, and the building was left to decay. But in 1868, C. N. Johnson bought the site and built his shop.
UNDERWOOD MILL
On the old site of the Underwood Mill were, for many years, the ruins of the Underwood brothers' saw mill, situated on North Main Street, on the old road to Otter River. The mill stood a few feet below the Ridgely Club's dam, and was run by the Underwoods for many years - until the supply of lumber gave out. Then it was deserted.
BROOKS MILL *
About 1820, Joel Fales and Artemas Brown bought the Brooks Mill at Floodwood and set it up opposite the Sawyer house now owned (1946) by Horace Gill. Lumber only was sawed there. Later, Moses Gage and George Sawyer owned the mill, and subsequent owners were the Sawyer brothers. They, in turn, sold the property to the East Templeton Chair Company.
*Early records of Brooks Mill not available.
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THE SMALL SHOPS
In 1820, a chair business was begun in this village by Newell Day. The shop stood on the west of the causeway, on the site of the present bus terminal (1946). Newell Day made woodseat chairs. Later he sold out to Jonathan Whitney who started making flag-seat chairs which were very popular.
A small factory stood a few yards below the East Temple- ton corner, back a few hundred feet from the road, and was used by a number of different firms. Captain V. P. Parkhurst painted chairs there; Pembrook Johnson at one time made winnowing mills, used in grinding grain. However, the de- mand for these ceased because of Western granaries. Later, Martin V. B. Grimes and his brother, Lucius, endeavored to manufacture children's carts and toy wagons; but a depres- sion forced them to close this business. J. C. Upham also made tables here. From 1878 to 1881, this shop was owned by Ernest L. Nitsche and used by him for a furniture paint shop. At a later date, H. J. Wright and a Mr. Tottingham became the owners of the building; and many years after- ward, it was taken down.
In the building now known (in 1946) as the Monett Block, a Mr. Bunting had a tin shop for many years. He also ran a grocery store in the same building.
On the Coleman farm on Cottage Street, early records re- veal a boot and shoe shop existed. Later it became a barber shop.
Abiathia Fales made hemmers for sewing machines and also did electro-nickel plating in the early days of the village.
THE UPPER SHOP
The main shop was about 25' x 70', two stories and a basement. The engine house, which connected with it, was 20' x 40'; while the storehouse was 40' x 50', two stories high;
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and the lumber shed was 20' x 50'. The shop was built about 1846, on the privilege a few hundred feet above the present (1946) Methodist Church, by Bennett Potter who, with T. T. Greenwood, manufactured chairs and chair frames. Mr. Greenwood afterward bought out Mr. Potter and con- tinued the business alone. Later, he sold to Parker and Jennison who enlarged the building. The next firm became Parker-Sawyer and Company which did an extensive busi- ness in all kinds of chairs.
In 1868, the business was sold to McLean and Dickerson who, in turn, sold it to a Mr. Forbush. Subsequently, Cap- tain V. P. Parkhurst purchased the property and carried on for many years. In 1884, the buildings were owned by A. H. Proctor of Gardner; but the firm of Whitney and Firmin car- ried on business there. In 1886, the entire plant was destroyed by fire and never was rebuilt. There was insurance in the amount of $4,000.
MEMORIAL HALL BUILDING
The Memorial Hall Building was erected by Captain V. P. Parkhurst as private property. This building stands at the junction of the Gardner roads and was built about 1880. It is 38' x 66' and three stories high. The first floor was used for stores: A. S. Hodge sold groceries and dry goods; Jackson and Brock had a boot and shoe shop; and Miss Lucy Whitney operated a millinery store. These were the first storekeepers.
The second floor was used for entertainment purposes, having a small stage and a fine dance floor. It was hand- somely finished in black walnut and chestnut. On each side of the room is a marble tablet, framed by black walnut with cannon balls on the arches; the whole being decorated with
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the national emblems and bearing the names of the men of Templeton who gave their lives in the Civil War. There are 47 names engraved on these tablets.
The third floor of the building was used for a lodge room by the Grand Army of the Republic for many years. Also, on the third floor are a large kitchen and dining-room. Later, the building became the property of Ericson Post No. 109.
EAST TEMPLETON CHURCHES *
In 1840, the first steps were taken for a Methodist Church; and the Templeton "circuit" was formed which included, in addition to Templeton, South Royalston, Petersham, Phillipston and Hubbardston.
In 1843, the church building was erected, with a member- ship of but 23 at that time.
*See section on CHURCHES for a complete record.
SCHOOLS *
Early records show that the first school in East Templeton was in Partridgeville and was known as District No. 2. Sometimes classes were held in homes, and there is a record of a school held in a barn near the four corners. From 1794 to 1827, there were seven male teachers; the wages per week, besides board, being from $1.87 to $4.00. There were also seven female teachers during the same period; and their wages were between 67 cents a week and $2.33. In the 33 years, there were only 158 weeks of schooling.
About 1827, Partridgeville became District No. 3. The town voted a sum of money for a new school, and a building was erected halfway between Falesville and the Sawyer Place. Maria Cutting was the teacher for many years. Finally this building was sold to Bennett Potter, Jr., and moved to a site
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a few hundred feet west of the present Methodist Church. He sold it to Bennett Potter, Sr., who remodeled it and added an ell, making it into a dwelling house, which he occupied for many years. The next owner was Jonathan Whitney; later it came into the hands of Frances Moore; and now (1946) it is owned by Roland Goodwin. Names of the scholars attending this school include Partridge, Jones, Merritt, Sawyer, Bush, Alden, Turner, French, Day and Goddard.
Another school was built on Mine Hill, a few hundred feet east of Partridge Four Corners, about 1827. In 1893, this building was discarded, and the scholars of the Partridge Dis- trict were sent to the schools in East Templeton. The last teacher in this school was Miss Amy G. Perkins.
In 1830, a schoolhouse was built in Falesville. It stood a few hundred feet west of the present church (1946). It was a larger building than the others, with six large windows on each side. In use for many years, it was later moved to a site on the Gardner road, east about 200 yards from the corner, and was made into a blacksmith shop by Henry Wright. Eugene Chipman was one of the last of the smiths. The forge was placed in the rear of the building, the entrance remain- ing the same.
The next school was built on land given to the town for that purpose by Abel S. Dudley and located east of the church. School was held in this building for many years, high-school sessions being conducted here when the high school first came to East Templeton. The building still stands as when built.
About 1874, the School Street schoolhouse was built, and it remained in continuous use until 1923, when the Main Street School was built.
*See section on SCHOOLS for complete record.
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OLD ROADS IN AND ABOUT
The first road was surveyed for a bridle path and was con- tinued from Westminster. Later it was surveyed for travel by oxen and carts from the southerly part of Gardner (Pail Factory District), crossing the Otter River by a pole bridge, through Partridgeville, to the Center.
The next road to be built was the Turnpike No. 5, through South Gardner, Route No. 2. Ladder Hill was very steep, and about 1845, the road at the east side was reconstructed and a wall built. The rocks were put into place by a crew. of men and 50 pairs of oxen. About 1899, at a very heated Town Meeting, it was voted to reduce the grade by removal of 25,000 feet of earth, the cost to the town to be $2,500, the remaining expense to be met by the builders of the Electric Railway Company. A ballot resulted in 200 "yeas" and 165 "nays".
In 1793, a road was built from the church in Hubbardston to Winchendon (Ipswich-Canada), passing through Sim- mondsville (East Templeton). Early records of the county roads read: "passing by the Simonds Mills". This road runs north until it reaches the top of the hill, then branches north- east to the village of Jonesville (Otter River), passing the Underwood Mills - now (1946) the Ridgely Club property. The road entered the village on the west side of the railroad tracks. From Simondsville to Hubbardston, it passes through Partridgeville, down the steep hill by the cave, into Hubbards- ton through Poutville.
About 1870, the road to Gardner was built, parallel to the Turnpike No. 5. At that time, the road from the turnpike, just below the Gardner line, was discontinued.
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School Street and Pleasant Street were opened between 1860 and 1870.
Before 1800, the road connecting the Turnpike and the old road in Partridgeville was built. There were four large farm- houses on this road, now (1946) called Cottage Street.
SONS AND DAUGHTERS
Dr. Salome Merritt was "borned" in the village, on South Main Street, February 21, 1843, the daughter of Increase and Susan Merritt. She had her early education in the district school on South Main Street, and at an early age went to Boston to live. There she studied under Dr. Hamelin and later became a family doctor. In 1898, she was associated with the Woman's Charity Hospital in Roxbury.
Frederick Greenwood was the son of Thomas and Louisa (French) Greenwood, and was born on June 5th, 1850. He attended the village school and later studied at Wilbraham Academy. In his early life, he was a newspaper reporter in Chicago, but later returned to the village to join with his father and brothers in the manufacturing business. After the death of his father, he and his brother, Thomas, managed the factory; and later the latter withdrew from the business. Frederick Greenwood held many town offices during his life.
George Ira Alden was "borned" on Cottage Street, April 22, 1843. His early education was received in the district school in Partridgeville. He attended Harvard College in 1862 and later received a degree at Cornell. From 1868 to 1896, he headed the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Also, he was consulting engineer of the Norton-Emery Company and president of the
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Norton Company and the Norton Grinding Company. He held several offices in Worcester banking houses and served for many years on the school board there.
Abiathar Fales was "borned" in the village and baptised June 10, 1827, the son of Joel Fales and his wife, Ruth. About 1850, he trekked to California to make his fortune searching for gold, returning in 1851, poorer but wiser.
SONS
Oscar A. Thayer was born August 10, 1870, in Orange, but he spent his boyhood in this village. He was educated in the village schools and went to Fitchburg to study draftsmanship; later becoming a well-known architect. He designed Hastings Hall in Fitchburg, the Nursery for Blind Babies in Boston and many other buildings of note. He also designed the new East Templeton School on Main Street.
John B. Wheeler was "borned" in East Templeton, a son of Eben and Mary Wilder Wheeler and was a descendant of the first settler in Baldwinville. He became a student of nature; was expert in zoology, ornithology, geology and an authority on ceramics. At one time, he had a bushel of ar- row heads, spear heads, hammers and other weapons fashioned by the Indians. He was engaged in the collection and sale of antiques and curios after 1885. Twenty-two winters were spent in the tropics in natural history work. Mr. Wheeler was also a superintendent in the state work for the suppres- sion and extermination of the gypsy and brown-tail moths.
Major Albert Potter was born in the village in June, 1870, a son of Wilbur and Georgianna Richards Potter. He moved to 'Gardner when a young man. In July, 1899, he was pro- moted to the rank of captain, while serving in the Army in;
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the Spanish-American War. In 1919, he became a major. Major Potter served in many public offices in the city of Gardner.
Fred Stanley Hunting was born in the village, on South Main Street in September, 1867, the son of William and Mary Day Hunting. His early education was in the village; and he was graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1888. He became president of Fort Wayne Electric Light Company and chief engineer, vice-president and treasurer suc- cessively of the General Electric Company. Mr. Hunting also served in many offices in the banking business - becoming president of the First National Bank of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Charles Ingalls was born in the village in 1854, the son of Lemuel and Eunice Richardson Ingalls, and was educated in the village schools. He was a student of nature and wrote a number of booklets on such subjects as, "Birds of Temple- ton", "Crow", "Ants", etc. He gave many lectures, especially in the schools of the county and was recognized as an author- ity on the bird life of Worcester County. In April, 1898, Mr. Ingalls went to the Klondike with ten other men from this district, organized under the name of "Athol Mining Com- pany". They bought their supplies in Tacoma, Washington, and there built a boat to run by steam; it was 45 feet long and 12 feet beam, and was to be used in ascending the rivers and exploring the rich streams. In Dawson City they became discouraged and decided to give up the adventure and return home. They arrived the first of October, and are quoted as saying, "We had experience with great hardship but no gold".
Another native of East Templeton became a well-known lawyer in Boston. He was Benjamin Baker, son of Professor Lucas Baker. In later years, he resided in Virginia.
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Lewis Gay, son of Amos Gay, was born in 1797 in the house that his father built on the "ministerial lot". He spent his early life here, learning the grocery trade. Later he went to Boston, where he occupied a stall in Faneuil Hall Market for many years and became wealthy. He returned to his native town in his latter years and spent the remainder of his life on the old homestead. He died in 1881, at the age of 84.
DIVISION OF THE TOWN OF TEMPLETON
In 1785, the question of division of the town was first agi- tated, when the residents of the north end of Templeton and the southern part of Winchendon petitioned the General Court to be made into a separate township. In 1851, division agitation was renewed, and the town to be formed was to be known as "LeRoy". A great deal of feeling was manifested, but the division was not granted.
In 1892, a petition for a division was obtained and presented to the Legislature. In 1896, a hearing was held in Room 426 in the State House in Boston. Hon. Percival Blodgett repre- sented the south part and J. Otis Wardwell the northern part of the town, showing its geographic conditions. He said that the two sections were already provided with the require- ments - such as schools, fire department, cemetery, churches and halls for meetings. In 1894, the town ordered the future town meetings to be held in the village of Otter River; and the voters of the south part were compelled to travel from two to six miles to attend town meetings. The bill in the Legis- lature was No. 1082. The Legislative Committee on Towns reported unanimously in favor of this division, the new town to be called Baldwinville and include Otter River, and the old town to retain the name of Templeton. By an act of Legis-
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lature, the voters were to ballot in June, 1896 and September, 1896.
Baldwinville proposed to have 121/2 square miles, with a valuation of $800,000, 465 voters and a population of 1,800.
Templeton proposed to have 211/2 square miles, a valuation of $450,000, a population of 1,200 and 286 voters.
The Vote of the Town
June 20, 1896 Sept. 26, 1896
Yes
No
Yes
No
Precinct No. 1. Templeton
122
13
126
15
Precinct No. 2. East Templeton
103
1
109
1
Precinct No. 3. Otter River
7
84
9
81
Precinct No. 4. Baldwinville
18
265
42
235
By these votes, the township remained the same; and the attempt to divide the Town of Templeton had failed again.
TEMPLETON STREET RAILWAY
A company was formed, with a capital of $50,000, to build an Electric Street Railway. Ten thousand dollars was sub- scribed in Templeton. The first officers were: President, Frederick Greenwood; Clerk, Charles Ingalls; Auditor, Per- cival Blodgett. The directors were: Dr. S. E. Greenwood, George W. Bourn, Eugene Lincoln and H. J. Wright. Pat- rick Hirsch was the contractor, and he sublet the work to the New England Electric Railway Construction Company of Worcester. Work was begun on October 6, 1899.
The power house, which was located in this village, on Main Street, was 56' x 76', built of brick. The engine house was equipped with one Noyes tandem compound engine, and one cross compound Buckeye engine of 500 horse power. The electric equipment consisted of two generators - one 150 kilowatts, the other, 200 kilowatts. Both were manufactured
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at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Louis Borden was the first engineer, and his assistant was William Redman. The two boilers were of 250 horse power each. The first superintendent was R. D. Colburn of Hyde Park; the first motormen, Knox Kent and W. E. Snow from Hyde Park and Thomas Shaw from Ros- lindale, also Merrick Blanchard from Athol. Conductors were: Coleman from East Templeton, Brooks from Baldwin- ville, Doherty and Hawkes from Templeton.
The car barn had three tracks, and the company owned five cars. Two flat cars were built to haul freight to and from the factories along the line of the road, with an electric en- gine to haul the freight cars.
The first car was operated for the public on July 30, 1900, at 8:00 p. m. On the return trip, when the car reached the center, people were out in large numbers to watch and cheer. Soon the line was extended to Athol; and the first car over, the Baldwinville branch of the Templeton Street Railway ran on July 3, 1901.
ODD ITEMS ABOUT THE VILLAGE
Joshua Sawyer was the promoter in securing the East Tem- pleton Post Office. He drew up a petition and got many signers, but this went by default; and he was obliged to obtain the petitioners again. Previously, the residents of East Tem- pleton went to the center for their mail. About 1866, this petition was granted, and Fitch Sargeant became the first postmaster. He served until 1892, then Edward and Thurber Sargeant and Louis Pond were the postmasters successively. In 1902, the office was moved from the Sargeants' store to the G. A. R. Building, with Martin Grimes as the postmaster. He served until 1909, then Miss C. B. Robbins followed. Now, in 1946, Mrs. Bertha Conners is postmaster.
The village had been called the Southeast Plantation and
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later, Simondsville. Then it became known as Falesville, but on acquiring a postoffice, it was renamed by the Government, East Templeton. In some of the families, the same numbered box has been used since Mr. Sargeant assigned them in alpha- betical order.
There was a stage from Gardner to Templeton once a day which carried passengers and the mail. The charge was 35 cents, and for many years, George Jacob was the driver. But there were many drivers up to 1900 when the street railway was built, and the old stage coach became a thing of the past. The children of the village thought it great fun to watch the stage come in.
In September, 1861, the 25th Regiment, Company I, was organized and went to camp at Worcester. It was mustered into service on October 8th, with Varinus Parkhurst as cap- tain. The Company contained 34 men from Templeton. Company D of the Massachusetts 36th Regiment was organ- ized in Templeton in August, 1862, under Captain Amos Buffum, with 31 men from Templeton, most of them from the East Village. Company G, 53rd Regiment (9 mos.) was organized in September, 1862.
The Ericson Post No. 109 of the Grand Army of the Re- public was organized in the East Village in 1869.
Beyond the Abraham Garfield house on the Otter River Road (about 400 feet from the corner, on the right), a large gate opened on a lane leading to a park. Here ball games, picnics and target-shooting meets were held.
On April 3, 1890, the Village Improvement Society was or- ganized by a group of home owners, meeting in Memorial Hall. The purpose was to improve the village in any way possible. The first president was Charles Ingalls, with Fred Greenwood as vice-president, O. A. Thayer as secretary and
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Mrs. Frank Gage, treasurer. The same month the village was solicited for funds, and the committee reported $203.00.
In 1890, it was voted to call the street on which the school was located, School Street.
For many years the sidewalks were repaired and plowed during the winter by the society. In 1914, forty elm trees were set out in memory of Mrs. Julia Sawyer who gave a sum of money to the town. In 1920, the society purchased addi- tional trees, and John B. Wheeler planted them on the plot of land in front of the church, in memory of the East Temple- ton soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
On March 16, 1854, a meeting was called and a society formed to establish a library in East Templeton. J. B. Sawyer was chosen president; C. W. Brooks, vice-president; and F. L. Sargeant, secretary and treasurer, as well as the first librarian. Any person could become a member by purchasing shares at $2.50 each. Each share carried a vote and was transferable. The original membership list contained thirty-four names. Annual meetings were held until 1888, and a little later the society was disbanded. In May, 1903, books and cases were given to the Boynton Library at Templeton Center and re- ceived by Charles Lane, librarian.
On the Hubbardston Road from Partridgeville is a series of terraces and ledges, rising abruptly to a height of 70 feet. On a small plateau, about one-third of the distance up the hill, is the entrance to a cave. At one time, it was possible to enter the cave erect, but a huge boulder has settled in front of the mouth and now (1946) it is impossible to enter. For years, however, one could creep in on hands and knees to the spot where the roof begins to rise. The cavern is about 57 feet in length, and its widest part is about 9 feet, contrasted with 26 inches at the entrance. On the wall, drill marks can
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be plainly seen. According to an old tradition, Indians told settlers in Concord of finding ore here. It is very probable that "Mine Hill" excavation was made about 1712. In 1824, the cave was reopened to allow visitors to enter.
On September 6, 1881, residents of the village were in a panic because of the atmospheric darkness which settled in the early morning. In the early evening, the sky was a green- ish-blue. The air was very still; it was hard to breathe, and everything was very wet and sticky - a condition caused by sulphuric elements in the fog. All the schools were dismissed and the Second-Day Adventists were sure the end of the world had come!
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