USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Paxton > Town of Paxton, Massachusetts : 150th anniversary celebrated June 30, 1915 > Part 3
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in Ralph Earl's Company. Later list given from Barre, June
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
25, 1778, of men returned by Committee for settling disputes between towns as to soldiers credited to them, said Cole was claimed by Worcester and Paxton and Committee did not allow him to either Town. Records do not state further details.
Jude Converse
John Davis
Samuel Deny is in State House record under Paxton heading, as among list of field officers of regiments of Worcester Co. Militia made up of Worcester, Leicester, Holden, Spencer, and Paxton, including the New Parish called "Bogechoge."
Benj. Flagg is also listed as above.
Clark Earll Oliver Earll
Ralph Earll, Captain, Col. Danforth Keys' Regiment, engaged June 27, 1777, served to July 27, 1777.
Ralph Earl (Paxton), Captain of 7th Company in Col. Samuel Denny's (1st Worcester County) Regiment of Massachusetts Militia. Among the list of officers chosen by companies in said regiment dated at Leicester, March 28, 1776, ordered in Council, April 4, 1776, that Commissions be issued, reported as com- missioned April 5, 1776.
Francis Felps
David Goodenew (also given from Holden)
Samuel Gould
James Green Levi Greenwood
Thos. Greenwood
Peter Gun Samuel Haywood
William Heard
Ed. Henderson John Henderson William Henderson Micah Herington John Holdin Jonah How
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
Johnathan Hubbard Johnathan Hunt Luther Hunt Thomas Hunt Job. Johnson John Johnson
David Knap ? see below
Enoch Knapp David Knapp ? see above Joseph Knight
James Lagon Thomas Lamb Jason Livermore Josiah Livermore James Logan Adam Mainord, 2d Lieut. Samson Marbel
Samson Marble (probably the same man.)
Aaron Martain, also listed from Dana and Dighton.
Thomas Martin, fifer listed as a Paxton man, 20 years old. Once confined for stealing a "fire-lock." Judgment of Court Martial, 100 lashes, and $3.00 stopped from wages. Punished only with 100 lashes according to record, also furnished with a furlough June 10, 1783 "until declaration of Peace. "
Adam Maynard Willard Moor Phineas Moore Elijah Morse Hezekiah Newton (see below.) Jonas Newton Josiah Newton Hezekiah Nuton (see above). William Obrian Amos Pierce David Pierce Francis Phelps (see previous entry as Francis Felps). Francis Pike
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
James Pike
John Pike
Ephraim Prat
Ephraim Pratt, drummer in Capt. Ralph Earl's Company.
Fortunatus Prescot
Ebenezer Prescott
Joseph Prescott
Jason Livermore and Samuel Brewer of Sutton, raised a company in Paxton and Sutton and marched from Paxton on the 9th day of August, 1776 to Charlestown, N. H., thence to Ticonderoga and Mount Hope where they remained for some time.
Records at State House searched from Vols. 1 to 12 only, further volumes not complete as to specification by towns so as to be accessible for reference readily.
During the Revolutionary War the record of the town of Paxton is a most honored one. It not only furnished its quota of men required by the Continental Government but furnished more. Neither was the military spirit shown by the acts of the men alone. Woman did her part and it seems to me fitting that the act or acts of the widow of Jason Livermore should be men- tioned here. Her husband and three sons were plowing in their field when informed by a messenger of the expedition of the regulars to Lexington and Concord and that the Minute Company of which they were members would march forthwith. The direc- tion of the father to his sons is as worthy of being embalmed in history as the command of Admiral Dewey, "Gridley, you may fire when ready," or any other under similar conditions. "Boys, unyoke the cattle and let us be off." They marched to Cambridge the bullets in their pouches made from his wife's pewter plates and spoons and I have no doubt they did good execution on the 17th day of June, 1775 for Jason Livermore and his three sons took part in the battle of Bunker Hill with other men of Paxton. This woman with a son not quite 12 years of age not only carried on the farm and provided for the family, but excavated the earth from beneath the barn and other buildings and manufactured from it more than a hundred pounds of saltpetre, a necessary
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ingredient in gun powder, and for which there was a great want in the army. Abigail Livermore, widow of Lieut. Jason Liver- more died in Paxton, Jan. 17, 1824, aged about 100 years or to be exact, 99 years and 5 months.
The town of Paxton paid almost $10,000 for hiring and for the equipment of soldiers and military stores demanded by the Government and this in addition to the amounts paid into the state treasury.
In 1776 a warrant for calling a town meeting to be held on the 23d day of May, A. D., 1776, was issued for the purpose of choosing "a person to represent them in the Great and General Court agreeable to the precept directed to them for that purpose. There is no record of what was done at this meeting and the warrant was not recorded until 1779. It was probable, however, that Mr. Abraham Smith was chosen, because a vote was passed on the 3d of May, 1777, instructing Mr. Smith, our present rep- resentative, to use his influence in the General Assembly to repeal a certain act. In the third Provincial Congress, Rev. Alexander Thayer was sent as a delegate, which was convened in Watertown on the 31st day of May, 1775. A Committee on Correspondence for the county of Worcester remonstrated against his holding a seat in that body, owing to his leaning toward the Royal cause, and a committee to whom the case was referred, reported against his right. Their report was not accepted but he has given a leave of absence and a motion "that he be instructed to return as soon as may be" was negatived.
On February 17th, 1777, agreeable to an act of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts Bay to prevent monopoly and oppression, a selectman and a constable were appointed a committee for the town of Paxton to agree upon a fixed price upon articles for the town of Paxton. While the above committee fixed prices to all of the necessary articles in common use, a few things impressed me as being somewhat humorous. As for instance, West India Rum, 8 shillings, 2 pence per gallon; New England Rum, 5 shillings, 1 pence per gallon; a mug of flip made with half a pint of West India Rum, 1 shilling, 1 pence; a mug of flip made with one half pint New England rum, 9 pence. Some drinkers.
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A common meal of victuals, 9 pence; lodging one night, 4 pence; keeping a horse a night or 24 hours on English hay, 1 shilling; keeping a yoke of oxen a night or 24 hours on English hay, 1 shilling. Mutton, lamb and veal, 3 pence a pound; flour, 18 shillings per 100 weight; turkeys, fowls and ducks, 4 pence a pound; milk, 1 penny, 3 farthings per quart. Men's best shoes, 8 shillings a pair; women's shoes, 6 shillings, 8 pence. Making men's shoes, 2 shillings, 8 pence; making women's shoes, 2 shillings, 8 pence. Good salt pork, 8 pence per lb. Farm laborers, in months of July and August, 3 shillings per day; May, June and September, 2 shillings, 3 pence; April and October, one shilling, 9 pence; November, December, January, February and March, 1 shilling, 4 pence per day Spanish potatoes, 1 shilling per bushel in the fall of the year and not to exceed 1 shilling, 4 pence at any time of the year.
At a town meeting, June 1, 1778, Captain Adam Maynard was chosen moderator. The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, the third next, at one of the clock in the afternoon.
June 3, 1778, Article 2, voted that the committee chosen for that purpose in April last, provide for the families of the non- commissioned officers and privates who went from this town into the Continental Army, with what they judge the necessaries of life until the annual meeting in March next, provided that they pay said Committee the stated prices for the articles when they received them. The town voted 50 pounds for the purpose.
At a meeting, June 3d, 1778, Article 3, voted in behalf of the com- mittee to the persons hereafter named the sums annexed to their names for providing necessaries for the families of James Green and William Henderson-viz:
Seth Snow
£4 6s 7d 3f
William Maynard
£1 0s 0d Of
Samuel Brewer £0 7s 11d Of
John Warren £1 3s 2d of Abner Morse £0 17s 0d Of £0 5s 5d Of
John Thomson
Phineas Mann
£0 16s 4d Of
Jonas Knight
£6 14s 0d Of
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
Phineas Moore Joseph Bellows
£0 9s 0d Of £0 5s 5d Of
Total
£16 5s 4d 3f
In the war of 1812 the citizens of Paxton were zealous as they were in the Revolutionary days, for on August 12th, 1812 a town meeting was held, at which Nathaniel Crocker, and Braddyl Livermore were appointed delegates to a County Convention to consider the affairs of the State and Nation. At the same meeting a committee was elected, consisting of Nathan Swan, Nathaniel Lakin, David Davis, Jr., Braddyl Livermore, and Jonathan P. Grosvenor to draw up resolutions to be forwarded to the Presi- dent. The records of the town contain no further items of im- portance concerning this second war with Great Britain. In the war between the states the citizens of Paxton responded heartily to the call of the National Government. The first man to enlist was Edward E. Monroe, who enlisted April 18, 1865, three days after President Lincoln issued the call for volunteers. He was followed by:
Henry A. Allen
Ambrose Eames
Simon C. Abbott
Charles O. Goodnow
Henry G. Bigelow
O. J. Goodnow
Charles G. Bigelow
Alwin S. Graton
Henry A. W. Blackburn
Charles A. Harrington
George R. Browning
Samuel A. Harrington
Henry A. Browning
George M. Harris
William F. Browning
Samuel W. Harris
George P. Browning
Charles Butler
Ward Harris James Holmes
Isaac J. Bowen
John Holmes, Jr.
Herbert Cheney
Hollis W. Howe
Wallace S. Chase
George R. Hubbard
Daniel Cummings
Michael Karrivian William E. Keep
John A. Cummings
Everett W. Conant
Sylvester Larivee
Alanson H. Dodge, George W. Dodd
Solomon K. Maynard
Nathan E. Monroe
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Frank W. Mulligan
Hiram D. Parkhurst
John S. Mills
Charles H. Parker
Alvin S. Nichols
John S. Pratt
Samuel A. Newton
Edward F. Pratt
Nahan Newton
Albert Pratt Isaac R. Savage
Erastus W. Newton
Charles H. Newton
Walter Shaw
Cyprus Osland
John W. Smith
George O. Pierce
Henry C. Ward
John D. Pierce
William Ware
William F. Pike
In addition to these men:
Chas. E. Graton
James D. Butler
George F. Cheney
Edward D. Bigelow
Samuel Stratton
George W. Brown
Benjamin F. Ware Charles A. Bemis
and William M. Warren, citizens of Paxton, enlisted elsewhere. Twenty of the citizens of Paxton gave their lives for the defense of the nation. To their memory the town in 1871 dedicated the monument standing upon the Common.
A special town meeting was held on Tuesday, November 22d, 1864. The town voted a committee of five to be chosen by ballot to complete arrangements to celebrate the Centennial-David G. Davis, William Mulligan, Henry Slade, John Partridge, Ralph E. Bigelow. The committee was authorized to spend a reasonable sum for the services of such persons as might be needed to deliver orations on said day of celebration and to notify all natives of the town. The anniversary was observed on the fourteenth day of June, 1865, and from what I have read and learned from some who were here on that occasion, it was most fittingly observed. Whether any of those whose names I find in the account of the celebration still survive, I do not know. I knew personally the following: Capt. John D. Coggswell of Leicester, who led the Leicester Band, a man 6 ft. 4 in. in height and of fine proportions; Joseph A. Denny of Leicester, Loammi Harrington and David Manning, of Worcester; and William Mulligan of Paxton. Finer types of men than these never existed.
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
"They cannot be where God is not on any sea or shore, Thanks be to God that such have been although they are no more"
In 1820 John Partridge established a boot factory and carried on the business for many years. Lakin and Bigelow also carried on the business for many years, succeeded by Mr. Bigelow and his son John, under the name of R. E. Bigelow & Son. Mr. Bige- low worked with his men and I remember him on my visits to his shop, standing at his bench with apron on, cutting the upper leather by patterns laid upon it. His countenance seemed to radiate a perpetual benediction. Genial and just to all, treating his employees as fellow workmen; no quarrels about wages or hours of labor between him and them, he deserved the fortune he made, and he died much regretted by all who knew him. Settlements between him and his workmen were made each 6 months. A short time after his decease the shop was burned and the business was continued for a time by his son John, and I believe afterward by George Dodd and Henry C. Ward, sons-in- law. Since that time agriculture has been the business of the in- habitants of Paxton, a business more and more recognized as worthy of the highest intelligence and energy.
Aside from the Religious Society worshipping in this place, there have been the American Social and Debating Club of Paxton, Soldiers' Memorial Association, established March 3, 1883. Its last meeting recorded was held May 30, 1892, and the Village Improvement Society .. I should not consider I had done my duty did I content myself with the mere mention of the "American Social and Debating Club of Paxton" more often called the Paxton Lyceum, for it filled an important place in the social life of this town for thirty years. To it I owe much, and I know I voice the sentiments of many here present in paying a tribute to it for its usefulness.
On Saturday, the 20th day of February, 1864, twenty-six persons met and formed a Club, which was named the American Social and Debating Club of the town of Paxton, and on February 26th, 1864 adopted the constitution and by-laws for its govern- ment with the following, which I quote as worthy of being noted:
"Whereas it is necessary in order to fit ourselves for the vari-
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
ous duties of life to cultivate a correct mode of speaking, and to qualify ourselves by practice to express opinions in public in a correct manner, and whereas the extensions of our informa- tion upon all subjects calculated to improve the mind is highly commendable and as expressions so abundantly provided that these things can in no other way be so speedily accomplished as by forming a Club for such a purpose.
Wherefor, we the undersigned have organized a Club and have adopted for our government the following Constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations:
Article 2. The object of this Club shall be the improvement of all connected with it in debating, social advancement, and general literature. Section 2 of these by-laws provided this Club shall meet annually on the 22d of February to celebrate the birthday of the father of our country at such place as the Club may direct."
This by-law was faithfully followed for many years, and during my connection with it and so far as my recollection of it is concerned, celebrated usually with a play and social time afterwards. At each meeting a question was proposed for debate at the next meeting of the Club and principal disputants were appointed. A committee was appointed to decide upon the weight of the argument and the merits of the question. After the principal disputants had spoken, discussion of the question was open to the house for a limited time.
The first question the Club debated was: "Are debating socials more beneficial than injurious?" and Dr. George O. Warner, Henry Allen, Charles Dodd, and S. W. Stratton held to the affirm- ative, and Horace H. Bryant, George S. Lakin, L. S. Walker, Charles G. Bigelow in the negative. Usually there were songs, recitations, and readings during the evening. Its last meeting was held on the 24th day of January, 1895 and where it would appear by the records that the cash and other property remaining in the hands of the Society was distributed, I understand that the Society merged practically into what is now the Village Improve- ment Society, which is still in existence. So far as I know, the
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
only one now living in the town who was active in the affairs of the society is Henry H. Pike.
Among those who impressed me as good debaters I mention William Mulligan, Ledyard Bill and Henry H. Pike. I always listened to them with interest and profit. Some time since, I heard Mr. Pike speak before a Legislative Committee in Worcester on the matter of the extension of the tracks of the Electric Rail- way through Paxton and I am sure he could never have so ably argued the needs of his town in the premises had he not been a member of the Lyceum.
At the annual town meeting held March 2, 1891 under Article 4, the voters considered the matter of a telephone for the use of the citizens. The records of the town do not show that any spe- cific appropriation was made for the purpose, but my recollection is that payments were made out of the contingent expense account. The citizens contributed money, materials and work, and tele- phone connection made with the outside world to the great con- venience of the residents of the village.
Paxton has not been lacking in those whose interest extended beyond their earthly existence, and they have left substantial proofs of their affection for their birthplace. On the fifteenth day of February, 1881, the will of Simon Allen of Paxton was probated and in it he provided: "After the decease of my wife Emily I give and devise all of the real estate and personal property remaining at her decease to the Town of Paxton, State of Mass- achusetts to be held in trust by the said town and placed at interest till such time as the principal and interest shall amount to the sum of $2000, when it is my will that the same shall be expended in the erection of a Town Hall and said hall to be known as Allen Hall and shall be under the control of the town."
At the annual town meeting held on the 5th day of March, 1888, Article 14 voted that the town take the proceeds of the Allen fund and the town pay back to the said fund the amount taken from the principal of said fund with interest and that enough more be added thereto to make the sum returned $1000 which, together with the Allen fund shall (be) used to build a new town hall, and Levi Smith was chosen a committee to report a committee of five
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
for building committee: Ledyard Bill, William Brown, Alvin S. Graton, Edward P. Keep, and Henry S. Pike, and it was further voted to instruct the building committee to prepare plans and to advertise and receive proposals for building the town hall, and if the bids are in their judgment favorable they can accept the same and make contracts "and to have power to purchase a location for a town hall and to put in a foundation."
At a meeting, May 10th, 1888, the town voted to raise the sum of $700 in addition to that already raised, to complete the town hall; also voted that $100 of it be raised the coming year, 1889, and $200 a year until all is paid. At a meeting, September 13th, 1888, the town raised $1200 to complete and furnish the hall.
The first town meeting was held on Tuesday, the 6th day of November, 1888 for the election of National and State officers, the first meeting of the voters of the town of Paxton to be called at any other place than in this building for one hundred and twenty-one years. Andrew Jackson Howe, a celebrated physician of another state willed to the Town of Paxton the farm where he was born, where Deacon Josiah Keep lived for many years. Later, Charles D. Boynton bequeathed to the City of Worcester his farm for a park, but with the provision that the citizens of Paxton should have equal rights and privileges therein with the citizens of Worcester, provided also for the erection of a fireproof building in which to keep the town records and in order that the town might not sufier by the loss of taxes formerly assessed on his real estate, left the bulk of his personal property to the town, the income of which he directed should be used "to reduce the burden of taxation."
Mention should also be made of the gift of William Mulligan of his portrait, and of Ledyard Bill of the portrait of Charles Paxton.
At a special town meeting, Monday, August 28th, 1911, under article 3 of the warrant, "to see if the town will appropriate a sum to light the streets by electricity," it was voted to pass over the article, but previous notice having been given, a motion was made to reconsider this article and to choose a committee of three to report three weeks from this date at 7.30-committee, Daniel W. Graton, Charles H. Derby, and George H. Johnson.
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
At the adjourned meeting on the 8th day of September, 1911, the committee reported, but I presume the report was not in writ- ing as I could not find it among the records.
Under Article 29 of the warrant for the annual town meeting held March 4, 1912, "to see if the town will choose to have electric lighting for the town of Paxton and if any action would be taken, a committee was chosen consisting of Charles H. Derby, George H. Johnson, and Edward E. Eames.
At the annual town meeting held March 3, 1913, the matter of lighting the streets by electricity was taken up and a committee chosen consisting of Edward E. Eames, Charles H. Derby and Henry H. Pike. Four weeks from that date, at an adjourned meeting held March 31, 1913, Edward E. Eames of the committee made a report and W. D. Thompson, electrical engineer, gave a report as to the cost of constructing and maintaining a municipal lighting plant.
A special town meeting was called on the 11th day of April, 1913, and Article 2 was considered-"to see whether the voters of the town of Paxton will authorize the town of Paxton to acquire the plant for the manufacture and distribution of electricity as provided in Section 1, Chapter 34 of the revised laws of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts and Acts of the Amendment thereof." The article was lost, owing to a ruling by the Moderator, but on the third day of May, 1913, at a special town meeting, the town voted to construct and maintain within its limits a plant for the distribution of electricity for furnishing lights for municipal use for lighting and power except for use of cars, for its inhabitants, and a committee consisting of the Board of Selectmen, Fred L. Durgin, Clarence A. Rossier, Edward E. Eames, Arthur W. Dwyer and Daniel N. Wentworth were chosen, and under their supervision a plant for the distribution of electricity for light and power was constructed.
I find in the town report for the year ending February 1, 1915 that $1,295 was subscribed by public spirited citizens and resi- dents to aid the enterprise. I would be very glad to see the town where I now live follow this town's example and own an electric plant.
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ONE HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Time did not permit me to enter more minutely into the sub- ject than I have, and very likely I have left out some things some one may think I ought to have mentioned. I trust my failures may be looked upon with leniency and my contribution to this celebration be judged by my good intent rather than my accom- plishment.
It may not be amiss to glance over the fifty years which have elapsed since the centennial and to briefly recount the progress of our age. Fifty years have seen our nation more than double its population and its per capita wealth, cars propelled and streets lighted by electricity, the telephone, wireless telegraphy, the sub- marine fighting ship, the aeroplane-mighty strides onward in all the arts and sciences. In view of all this, who shall dare to say we have reached the highest point that civilization can attain?
May we hold ever before us the deeds of those who established our nation, their courage and perseverance, their conquest of the wilderness, planting churches, schools and colleges, their firm defense of rights against oppressive laws, and may we, heirs of their accomplishment, reaping in joy where they sowed in tears, transmit to those who shall come after us, the Commonwealth they founded and loved, broadened and made more useful by a like devotion.
Let this anniversary and other anniversary occasions quicken public spirit and renew in us and all a determination to pledge anew our love and loyalty to our Commonwealth.
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OF THE TOWN OF PAXTON
ADDRESS OF REV. W. H. PHIPPS
In response to the toast, "Paxton, the home of our early days, may its remembrance be as dear to those who shall come after us as it has been to ourselves."
As I was on my way to Paxton this morning my sister told me a little incident of a cousin, five years old, who said to his mother, "Mother, I love you." "You do?" said the mother. "What is love?" The little fellow replied, "Love is something which makes us awful happy. " Now I think it must be the love of Paxton and of the people whom we meet here today which makes us all so "awful happy."
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