USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Uxbridge > Uxbridge year by year, 1727-1927 > Part 2
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June. The town voted "that the committee for Hireing Soldiers for s'd Town be Directed to Engage to Such Soldiers as they may hereafter Procure to Engage in the present war in consequence of orders Received for that purpose (for the Hire of such Soldiers) Either Continental Currency, or the produce of the land Raised amongst us, Acting Deferention- arily in Engaging either Money or produce, as to the sum of Money, or quantity of produce, and at what price, as they with such soldiers may agree".
CLOTHING FOR THE SOLDIERS (48)
Nathan Tyler and the other selectmen of Uxbridge pro- cured for the use of the Commonwealth thirty-nine shirts, thirty-nine pairs of shoes, thirty-seven pairs of hose. For which they were allowed by the committee on discount six hundred and sixty-two pounds. Forty pounds was allowed for the selectmen's trouble and for transportation.
CORN FOR THE SOLDIERS (49)
Joseph Taft had a grist mill in Happy Hollow where corn was ground for the Continental Army. Some of its foundation still stands.
1780
(50)
MONEY FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
One thousand pounds were raised to supply the army with beef.
[26 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1781
(51) MONEY FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Jan. Twenty-three thousand pounds (old English money) were raised to supply the army with beef.
Aug. 28. One hundred and fifty pounds (hard money) were raised for the supply of beef called for by the general court of Massachusetts.
(52)
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS
" As near as can be estimated Uxbridge sent 250 soldiers to serve in the Continental army."
1786
SHAY'S REBELLION (53)
The Town sent a company of forty-seven men under Capt. Seagrave to assist in breaking up Shay's ill-organized army of discontents. Simeon Wheelock was with the com- pany. On the icy streets of Springfield his horse slipped and fell. The rider died of the injuries received. His oldest son Royal, returned home alone bringing his father's knapsack and musket.
Dr. Samuel Willard took an active part with the insurgents in the rebellion. After the defeat of the rebels, the Doctor was attainted, could not practice openly in Uxbridge, and was obliged to flee with his wife and child to Rhode Island. The wife of Col. Whitney sent for him to visit her secretly. The Doctor came by night and was hidden until his patient re- leased him, when he again went after dark to Rhode Island. His situation caused him great anxiety. At length a pardon was extended to all Shay's adherents, enabling Dr. Willard
[27]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
to return to his home and practice. The Dr. Willard House, by Mrs. Helen C. Hanson tells more about the Doctor.
1788
A GRAMMAR SCHOOL (54)
The first appropriation was made for a grammar school.
1789
PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S VISIT (55)
Nov. President George Washington spent the night at the Taft tavern on the Hartford turnpike.
"If we cannot show the hatchet That cut the cherry tree Nor the lie he could not tell He was so good you see-
We can show the same old mansion That kept him over night The room he slept in and the sign That hung so plain in sight."
The Old Taft Tavern by Sarah F. Taft describes Washington's visit.
1795
A NEW BURYING-GROUND (56)
Apr. 13. The oldest part of the present Prospect Hill Cemetery, one and one half acres, was conveyed to the Town by Jonathan Farnum for twenty pounds.
[ 28 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1796
(57)
THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The Town was divided into eleven school districts.
THE COMMON (58)
There is a record of the gift of the Common at the town hall.
THE HORSE SHEDS (59)
The number of horse sheds required was large. The sheds were back of the meeting house and on the north side as far as the old blacksmith shop.
1797
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND TOWN (60)
The First Congregational Society, composed of ninety men resident in the Town, was incorporated; henceforth there was no connection with the town government. Bazaleel Taft, Esq. became the first church moderator.
SCHOOL HOUSES (61)
School houses were built in the several districts.
1798
PROBATE COURT (62)
"Probate court in the County of Worcester will be held the fourth Tuesday in May and November, at the house of Mr. Wood, inn-holder in Uxbridge." Notice in an old almanac.
[ 29 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1800
A PUBLIC HOUSE (63)
A public house was standing on the site of the present Inn. In excavating for the cellar of this early hostelry the body of Mumford, for whom the river was named, was found.
1805
(64)
THE UXBRIDGE MUSICAL SODALITY
The sodality organized with Wm. Bruce, president and Smith Capron, secretary.
"Preamble-To cultivate friendship, refine the heart and improve the understanding are the dignified employments of rational beings. . Sacred music, accompanied with no other incentive than its own, will decline as soon as the fervor of novelty subsides; hence its permanency can only be secured by the formation of a Society." Candidates for admission to this sodality had to pass an examination both as to character and to musical knowledge. Fines were imposed for absence (twelve and one half cents) and for tardiness (six and one half cents). "Any member for disorderly conduct, or for inter- ruption of any member when speaking, shall be fined by the president six and a quarter cents for every offence." Unpaid fines led to expulsion. In spite of the rigidity of its rules the Sodality lived fourteen years.
1810
A POST OFFICE (65)
There was a post office in the house of Samuel Read on the Hartford turnpike.
[30]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
THE FIRST WOOLEN MILL (66)
Daniel Day built his mill, a structure 20x40 feet, two stories high, where he began the manufacture of woolen goods. The mill used the water power of the S. F. Scott and Sons in Elmdale. This was the first venture of the kind in Uxbridge, the second in the United States. The machinery consisted of a carding machine and a picker for the purpose of carding rolls for home manufacture, built by Artemas Dryden of Holden. In 18II an addition was constructed where a billy and a jenny with thirty spindles, built by Arthur Schol- field, were placed.
A part of the building was used by Jerry Wheelock, a son-in-law of Daniel Day, for turning bobbins.
Weaving was done at this time, not in the mill, but on hand-looms set up in houses or in shops built for the purpose.
Employees labored in the mills at this date 68 or more hours a week.
THE FIRST COTTON MILL (67)
Cotton goods were manufactured in a mill owned by Benjamin Clapp in the village later known as Rogersonville.
1812
THE MAIL (68)
The mail was carried between Providence and Worcester by Abner Cooper, first on horseback, and then in a one-horse gig, which was later replaced by a two-horse vehicle capable of carrying passengers.
The first real stage line was established by Henry Richard- son. Coaching Days in Uxbridge by Mrs. Anna C. Sharpe tells about the early roads and stage coaches.
[3] ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1814
THE RIVULET MILL (69)
The mill was built upon the site of the present factory. This was the second attempt to make woolen goods in the Town. Such American manufacturing enterprises were stimu- lated by the embargo laws of 1807 and the non-intercourse act of the War of 1812-British laws that were rigourously enforced. At this period were sown the seeds that ultimately enabled the United States to become independent of English manufactures.
A writer in the Compendium of June 4, 1901, tells of the pluck these early men must have had to overcome the obstacles in the path of their business ventures. He writes of the first home made machinery and of manufacturers hitching up teams and going to Vermont to buy loads of wool, which raw material they would bring home and turn into the finished products. The fruit of the looms then had to be packed upon sleds or wagons drawn by oxen and taken to Providence, the shipping center of the region.
(70)
WOOLEN MACHINERY
British law forbade the exportation of any textile machinery or of any plans or drawings. The machinery in the United States was made either by workmen like Samuel Slater, who carried in their minds the necessary details for the construc- tion, or by inventions made in the new land. In our Town, John and George Carpenter were builders of textile machinery. They built a billy and a jenny for the Rivulet mill. Their workshop was in the Shuttle Shop, built by them. Later owners made shuttles; hence the name.
[32 ]
MUMFORD POND, 1926
POUT POND, 1926
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(71)
DYEING AND FINISHING
John Capron was engaged in the business of dyeing and finishing cloth woven in the families of the vicinity. He con- trolled the water right of the Mumford river that he had bought from the Read family. He used the first Capron building, that stood where Taft's block now is, for his mill. He also used a room in a house that was once standing near E. J. Farnum's office. This house was later the home of John W. Capron.
1815
(72)
THE IRONSTONE MILL
The mill for the manufacture of cotton goods was built on Ironstone Brook by William Arnold and others.
A MEMBER OF CONGRESS (73)
Benjamin Adams represented the South Worcester district in Congress from 1815 to 1823. "He was defeated for a second term by Jonathan Southwick by reason of a speech of Mr. Adams in favor of the protection of American manu- factures. Daniel Webster and the commercial interests of Boston having taken the field against him on account of his vote in favor of the protection of American industry."
1818
MILITIA COMPANIES (74)
A north company of militia, commanded by Otis Taft, was disbanded; the noncommissioned officers and privates were annexed to the south company, conmanded by Capt. John Grant. July 27, the united companies became the
[ 33 !
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
Uxbridge Grenadiers, with John Carpenter, captain. The Grenadiers had two red letter days when the ladies of the Town presented banners to the company. The first of these gala occasions was in 1818, when the emblem was presented by Miss Catharine M. Read. The second occurred Sept. 18, 1826, when Miss Catharine Messenger was spokeswoman for the ladies.
The latter's opening words were, "Accept it, Sir, in testi- mony as a pledge of the deep interest we feel in what can add to your honorable distinction. Accept it, Sir, as evidence of our ardent wishes that your future deportment may evince the most sincere devotion to public duty."
So effective was the oratory of the fair of the Town, that the gallant, John W. Capron, who rose to be colonel of the regiment, married both the ladies-in succession, however, with due regard for Puritan proprieties.
(75)
THE ROGERSON MILL
The Clapp cotton. mill was bought by Robert Rogerson. Many improvements were made and the whole village laid out with much taste.
(76) SOLOMON'S TEMPLE LODGE, F. AND A. M. Dec. 10. The lodge's charter has this date.
1819
WOOLEN MACHINERY (77)
Jerry Wheelock built woolen machinery at his home in the east part of the Town, continuing in business until 1834, when the large machine shops of Worcester made competition im- possible. "He was well known, not only in this vicinity, but
[ 34 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
in parts of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and the eastern part of New York, as a through workman and as making great improvements in the machinery he built, both in workman- ship and in the ease and perfection of its operation." One of his machines which went into immediate use in most of the mills of the county was used for napping.
THE ACADEMY BUILDING (78)
Feb. An article appeared in the town warrant, "To see if the town will permit the erection of a private school-house on the north end of the Common, between the cartway leading to widow Fanny Willard's backyard, and the wall south of where the old blacksmith shop stands; provided said building can be erected by private beneficence".
Mar. 3. The Town voted that liberty be given to build a school-house on the town Common.
Dec. 25. The Masons, who paid for building a part of the school-house, held their first meeting in the upper story.
The Uxbridge Academy by William A. Mowry has been published.
1820 1192561
A PRIVATE SCHOOL (79)
In the autumn a school was opened in the Academy build- ing by Abiel Jacques.
THE CAPRON MILL (80)
The mill, built in this year contained the first satinet power looms ever built. The looms were probably planned by Luke Jilson of Cumberland, R. I., who was the engineer of the mill.
[ 35]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1823
THE BLACKSTONE CANAL (81)
The canal was incorporated. The Blackstone Canal by Miss Catherine D. Sessions and Mrs. Edith Shute tells the history of the canal.
1824
THE FORGE BROOK MILL (82)
Seth Wheelock put up a building for carding woolen rolls on the south branch of Forge Brook, Ironstone.
1825
THE BLACKSTONE BANK (83)
Jan. 18. The bank was incorporated as a state bank with John Capron as president, Jonathan Gregory, cashier.
THE LUKE TAFT MILL (84)
The mill, now the Waucantuck, was built by Luke Taft. This mill burnt in 1837 or 1838 and was at once rebuilt. For years both the mill and the village were called "Crackerville" from the crackers served at the "raising" dinner.
(85) THE UXBRIDGE WOOLEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY
The mill, now known as Hecla, was built on the Black- stone. It was incorporated the next year, the original owners being Amariah Chapin, Royal Chapin, Dr. George Willard, John Taft, and Orsmus Taft. For years the mill and village were called "Shankbone". The name originated at the "raising". "In those days the raising of every building of considerable size was the occasion of a great turn out of people
[ 36 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
far and near who gave the job a big send off on the first day. Their labor was entirely voluntary, their only reward being a big dinner with plenty of liquid refreshment easy of access. Not much is now said about the latter, though it is safe to say it was neither water or 'three per cent', but the dinner was good and plenty, consisting of shankbone soup. No other name having been given to the long mill and village, some of the yeomanry dubbed it 'Shankbone', little thinking that the name would so long outlive them."
The original mill was burnt Ag. 28, 1828. It was rebuilt in 1828, was burnt in 1853 and rebuilt the same year.
1827
THE POST OFFICE (86)
The first post office was established. John W. Capron was the first post master. It is probable that the office was at first in Mr. Capron's house for his daughter, Mrs. W. L. Johnson, remembers a window that was always spoken of as the "post office window". Later the post office was in the Capron building.
1828
THE BLACKSTONE CANAL (87)
Jul. I. The Lady Carrington made her initial trip upon the canal from Canal street, Providence, to Scott's Pond.
Oct. 7. The Lady Carrington passed the whole length of the canal from Providence to Worcester.
[37]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1829
(88)
THE CAPRON STORE
Effingham Capron, John W. Capron and William C. Capron inherited the corner building from their father, where they opened a general store.
1831
A DIVISION IN THE CHURCH (89)
Differences between a liberal party and a Calvanistic one caused a division of the members of the first parish, which led to two distinct societies: the Unitarian, named the First Con- gregational Society, and the then called "Orthodox", under the name, The First Evangelical Congregational Society. Both churches have published histories that tell of this schism.
(90) THE FIRST EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY
The society of this name was united with the church under the name, First Evangelical Congregational Church. Meet- ings were held in Taft's hall. The Rev. David A. Grosvenor was the first minister.
(91)
THE UXBRIDGE GRENADIERS
May. Only sixteen soldiers answered to the call for the meeting of this date, the last recorded one.
A FEMALE SEMINARY (92)
Dec. A female seminary was opened in the Academy building with Miss Susan Brigham as teacher.
[ 38]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1832 THE POPULATION
(93)
The population was about 2,036.
1833
THE WACANTUCK HOUSE (94)
The old public house had been moved south on Main street, where it was later known as the Macomber building. ยท Dudley from Douglas built a new hotel on the site of the old one. This proprietor was refused a license to sell liquor, sold it without one, was prosecuted, and finally so disgusted the citizens that a number of them, one of whom was Moses Taft, joined together under the name of the Temperance Company and in 1834 purchased the property. The company held the hotel but a short time. Then it was leased to Andrew Wil- liams, who was succeeded by Kingman, then by Bennett, afterwards by Cogswell, who in turn was succeeded by Samuel Lovett, the proprietor for thirty years. A picture taken after 1844 has a sign over the hotel reading, "Wacantuck House by B. Cook".
(95) THE FIRST EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Nov. 13. The edifice of this church was dedicated.
THE SCHOOLS (96)
A school for boys and girls was opened in the center school house.
THE FEMALE SEMINARY (97)
The first boarding house for the female seminary was opened in a house now one of the tenements on Mendon street.
[39]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
Fifteen or sixteen boarders could be accommodated. Board was $1.40 per week. The next year, the Macomber building was used as the boarding house.
1834
(98)
THE EMERSON BROOK MILL
A woolen mill was started by Alvin Cooke on Emerson Brook.
1835
(99)
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY
Jan. The society's new edifice was dedicated.
(100)
A SEMINARY
An Uxbridge male and female seminary was opened with Charles C. Jewett as head master. Mr. Jewett was later the librarian of the Boston Public Library.
1837
THE LADIES ASSOCIATION (IOI)
May The association was formed among the ladies of the First Congregational Society. It was the first society of a social nature in the Town.
(102)
A FINANCIAL STORM
The year when the state banks failed was one of trial and failure in the manufacturing business. Scarcely a business man in the Blackstone Valley was left standing squarely on
[ 40 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
his feet; although many went under for a time, most of them came to the surface again struggling desperately for success. An instance of the ill fortune which often attended the early woolen business is shown in the settlement of Dr. Willard's estate. He had stock in the Uxbridge Woolen Manufacturing Company that had cost him four thousand, five hundred dollars-nine shares. It sold about 1842 for forty-five dollars.
Another example of unsuccessful investment was the failure of Robert Rogerson of North Uxbridge. Mr. Rogerson was a man of great personal enterprise and public spirit but lacking in the necessary prudence. He was a heavy loser at this time. He, who a few years before could reckon his property by hundreds of thousands, wen't forth penniles's, never to recover from his misfortunes.
(103)
THE SCADDEN SILVER MINE
Silver was discovered by Kyland Tucker on his land. The find caused great excitement. Mr. Tucker nearly had brain fever. New York capitalists invested money in the develop- ment of the mine. A shaft was sunk, but water soon flooded the work, making pumps necessary. After a few years the project was abandoned. Every dollar mined was said to have cost a hundred dollars. An account of the mine is given in the Compendium of Mar. 28, 1886.
1839
(104)
THE POOR FARM
At this date the Town was maintaining a Poor Farm, paying the superintendent $200. In the financial reports of the year and in those of the forties, the support of the paupers was one of the largest items of expense.
[4] ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
THE POLLS (105)
The number of polls was 539. "The whole amount of reduced value of Real and Personal, $54,904.46. Each poll pay $1.45."
1841
THE ACADEMY (106)
Sept. Dr. J. Mason Macomber became principal of the Uxbridge Academy. Pupils from thirty-five towns and six different states attended the academy during the Doctor's principalship. For some time the Macombers lived in the house that had been owned by Dr. Willard and took academy students to board.
1842
(107) THE NORTH UXBRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH
Jun. 22. The church was organized with the Rev. Austin Robbins as pastor. Services were held in a hall built by Robert Rogerson that was "dedicated to Christian worship without regard to sect".
1844
THE ELM TREES (108)
The trees were planted on Main street and the Common by an improvement society, headed by Mrs. Ebenezer Hay- ward. Some two hundred dollars were raised for the purpose. Money that was left from this fund was many years later used to help in paying for the granite posts at the entrance of Prospect Hill Cemetery.
[42 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1845
THE SHOE BUSINESS (109)
In the forties and early fifties, there were shoe factories in Wheelocksville. The first large shop was probably on Men- don street where it occupied a building now divided into two houses, one owned by Nelson Fales, the other by the Waucantuck Mills. Another shop was run by Joshua Garside in what is now a tenement house on Henry street, the property of the Sessions. About 1851, Mr. Garside built an addition onto his small shop, which was dedicated with a dance. Fire- men, impressive in uniforms, are remembered by a lady, who was then a child of five, as among the attendants at this social occasion.
1846
TAFT'S BLOCK (IIO)
Apr. 28. Messrs. Robert and Jacob Taft bought the brick block from John W. and William C. Capron.
THE ALMSHOUSE (III)
The almshouse, located near the New York and New England railroad at Ironstone, was burned.
1847
THE ALMSHOUSE (II2)
The almshouse was rented for the use of the paupers for $30.00.
THE UXBRIDGE LODGE, I. O. O. F. (113)
The lodge was instituted with J. A. Bowen as noble grand.
[ 43 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
(II4) THE PROVIDENCE AND WORCESTER RAILROAD
Oct. 25. The road was completed as far as Millville early in 1847, but in constructing the grade between Millville and Uxbridge the contractors "fell down on the job". The directors had to take the work into their own hands. The road was completed and opened for travel on Oct. 25. Then an excursion of stockholders and visitors was held. Three powerful engines hauled nine covered cars and twelve or thirteen open ones fitted with seats in which were seated some twelve hundred people. The train reached Worcester at II.30 A. M. and left again at 1.30 P. M. At Worcester, two or three hundred more guests joined the procession. At 7.30, the return was made by moonlight, passengers being left at all the stations along the way.
Joseph Thayer was one of the first directors of the road. He contracted to build the portion of the track that ran through his place. An interesting anecdote is told by Judge Chapin of the Squire quelling a strike of the workers who had recently come to the United States by reading them the riot act.
1848
(II5)
THE UXBRIDGE LODGE, I. O. O. F.
The widows' and orphans' fund of the Uxbridge Lodge, I. O. O. F. was established.
THE ALMSHOUSE (II6)
The present property was purchased for a town farm.
THE BLACKSTONE CANAL (II7)
The last toll was collected upon the Blackstone Canal. The canal had proved a wholly unproductive enterprise. "It
[ 44 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
has been truly said that the canal was more useful to the public than to its owners." The dams and reservoirs built by the company later helped in the multiplication of manufactories.
1850
(II8)
THE UXBRIDGE COTTON MILLS
The mills were sold to the Messrs. Whitin of Northbridge.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH (119)
The first mass was celebrated in the house of a laborer by Father McGrath. Previous to this date the Catholics had attended a mission in Blackstone.
RICH MEN (120)
A Boston firm issued a book of some two hundred pages, giving the names and reputed wealth of all persons in the state worth $50,000 or more, with a short sketch of their lives and how they got their money. Below are the names listed from Uxbridge.
"Uxbridge-Dexter Richardson, $50,000; mostly inherited; farmer, and speculator. Joseph Thayer, $50,000; mostly inherited; lawyer, farmer, speculator".
Dexter Richardson was the son of Joseph about whom Judge Chapin tells the following story: "As he (Joseph Richardson) showed to a neighbor his various notes and mortgages, the neighbor inquired, 'How under heaven did you come by so much property?'
'Ah' said he, 'any fool can make money, but it takes a wise man to keep it.' "
Joseph Thayer lived in what is now the Bazeley house, which was built by his wife's father, Bazaleel Taft, Sr., in I794.
[ 45 ]
UXBRIDGE YEAR BY YEAR
1852
(I2I)
THE POST OFFICE
The post office in North Uxbridge was removed to Rogerson village.
THE TELEGRAPH (122)
The town was first connected by telegraph with the outside world. The wire was run into the store owned by Robert Taft. A telegraph machine was placed in the Store and A. S. Sweet was instructed in its use by an expert from Provi- dence. The first dispatch sent by him was to the firm of S. W. Foster for a tierce of lard for the store; telegraphing for it in the morning, the tierce arrived in Uxbridge on the noon train.
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