Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 83: West Boylston, 1889 (part 1 of 2)

West Boylston is situated seven miles Crom Worcester, by wliicli it is bounded on tlie south, and is about forty miles from Boston. Its territory extends about five miles from north to south and about three and a half miles from east to west. In shape it very much resembles an Indian tomahawk without a handle. Its territory has been covered in part by the organization of six other towns, previous to its incorporation as the town of West Boylston in January, 1808. At the first incorporation of Lancaster, in 1653, its soutliwesterly corner boundary did not toucli tlie present limits of West Boylston, it being near the house on the Robert Andrews place in Boylston. The extension of Lancaster in 1711 covered all of the territory of this town lying east of the Stillwater River and north of a line drawn from near the present central bridge, nearly east to near the southwest corner of the first Lancaster grant in Boylston.

At the incorporation of Worcester, in 1722, it included the territory afterwards set off as Holden in 1741. Shrewsbury was incorporated in 1727 and included all the territory lying between Lancaster and Worcester, the strip of land lying between the Stillwater River and what was afterwards Holden, of about a mile in average width and about four miles in length, receiving the name of " Shrewsbury Leg." That part of this strip now within the town of Sterling still retains the name of "The Leg." In 17(iS all of this leg lying north of the Quinnepoxet River and covering the present village of Oakdale was ceded to Lancaster.

"A petition, dated May 15, 1780, asking to be set off from Lancaster to Shrewsbury, was sent to the General Court, signed by the following persons : - Aaron Sawyer, Nathaniel Lamson, Silas Hastings, John Glazier, John Dunsmore, Ezra Beaman, Nathaniel Davenport, Wm. Dunsmore, Silas How, Joseph Sawyer, Robert Andrews, Jr., Nathaniel Hastings, Oliver Sawyer, Frederick Albert, Micah Harthan, Elijah Ball, Hugh Moor, Levi Moor, Josiah Bennet, Sam'l Bigsby, Phineas How, Jacob Winn, Edmund Larkin."

Several of these men were then living within the limits of Shrewsbury, but it is probable that some of their landed estates extended into Lancaster; a part, too, were residents of territory now in Boylston and part in West Boylston. This petition was granted February 2, 1781, making a new line between Lancaster and Shrewsbury; but just where this line was located cannot now be given.

lying within the present limits of West Boylston. Boylston came next as a town, in 1786, and took a part of this territory from Sterling. In 1796 the "Second Precinct of Boylston, Sterling and Holden " was formed, taking from Sterling about two thousand three hundred acres, from Holden a strip of land about sixteen hundred rods long, one hundred rods wide at the north end and about one mile wide at the south end, and from Boylston all the rest of the territory was taken, now embraced in West Boylston, except the long neck of land extending to the line of Shrewsbury. This neck, which is about a mile wide at its northern end and about one hundred rods at its southern extremity, is about two miles long and covers about one-half of the grant of one thousand acres made to the town of Maiden in 1665, by the colonial authorities of Massachu-etts, and which is more particularly described hereafter, was added to the said precinct territory, when the town was incorporated in 1808.

It will be thus seen that all that part of the " Shrewsbury leg," lying north of the Quinnepoxet River, now embraced in the limits of this town, and covering the village of Oakdale, has been within the limits of five different towns, - first to Shrewsbury, from 1727 to 1768 ; then to Lancaster until 1781 ; then to Sterling, until 1786 ; then to Boylston, until 1808, when it became a part of West Boylston. Several other portions of the town have be(n within the limits of four different towns, and there are no portions of it which have not been in three different ones.

The natural scenery of the town is multiform, and in many places somewhat romantic in appearance, as it strikes the eye of a stranger, being diversified with hills and valleys, and in all directions interspersed with streams and springs of water, suited to the needs and wants of its inhabitants. Much of its soil is fertile, and with good management and cultivation well repays the labor of the skillful and industrious husbandman. Legendary history points to the fact that before its occupation by white men it had been peopled by Indians, and many places have been pointed out as the location of their corn-fields and dwellings, its first white settlers often finding specimens of Indian stone implements. The first white persons, of whom we have any history, locating within its territory were Jacob Hinds, Joseph Wooley, Ebenezer Frizzol, Benjamin Bigelow, Jonathan Fairbank, Aaron Newton, Ezekiel Newton, Edward Goodale, Stephen Belknap, William Whitney, Phineas Bennett, Jonathan French, Jonathan Lovell and Josiah Wilder, who came here from older towns below about 1720. These men, with their families, settled in the southeastern part of the town, and to protect themselves from any possible trouble from their Indian neighbors they built a garrison, or block-house, to which they could repair for the night as a place of security when danger was apprehended. This block- house was situated about forty rods north of the line of the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, and about half a mile from Boylston town line. A well, connected with ihi-i fort, is still in excellent preservation, and the outlines of an old cellar are plainly to be seen. Other families soon followed these first spoken of, and within a few years are known to have had settlements in nearly all the parts of the town. There are no accounts that any of these early settlers were troubled by the Indians, and it is not known that any lived within the town limits after its first settlers located here.

The circumstances which finally led to the formation, first, of the Second Precinct, and afterwards of the town, are given in the sketch of the life of Major Ezra Beaman on other pages of this history.

At the time of the incorporation of the town there were in it ninety-eight dwelling-houses and about the same number of families, one hundred and sixty ratable polls and one hundred and five legal voters. There were three school -houses, one church, one cotton-mill, two grist-mills, two saw-mills, one clothiersmill, one tannery, four blacksmith and one cabinetmaker's shops, two book-binderies, three stores and one tavern. There were sixty farmers, ten or twelve mechanics, several laborers, one clergyman and but one person of foreign birth.

At the first election in West Boylston, held on the first Monday in March, 1808, the following town officers were chosen : Moderator, Silas Beaman ; Town Clerk, Robert B. Thomas ; Selectmen, Ezra Beaman, Jonathan Plim])ton, William Fairbank, Silas Beaman and Amos Lovell ; Assessors, Robert B. Thomas, Silas Newton and Moses Perry ; Treasurer, Ezra Beaman ; Constable, Silas Beaman. At the first election for State officers, in April, 1808, there were eighty-five votes cast fiir Governor - Christopher Gore had si.'ity-six; James Sullivan had eighteen: and Levi Lincoln had one.

The town is made up of seven different villages. West Boylston proper covering the Central, Valley, Lower Factory, Depot and Old Common villages, and comprises about three-fifths of the town, with its outlying farm population. Oakdale, covering the vilage of Harrisville, makes the other two-fifths of the town. The Worcester and Nashua Railroad passing from south to north, and the Central Massachusetts Railroad passing from east to west through the town, crossing each other's tracks at Oakdale, gives the town full and constant connection of travel to all parts of the country. There are also lines of telegraph and telephone wires connecting with the main lines throughout the continent.

At the time when the precinct was incorporated, by a provision in the act, any persons, with their families, living within its limits, and who did not sign the petition for it and preferred to retain their connection with the old parishes, were allowed to do so by notifying the clerk of said Second Precinct within six months after the passage of the said act. The following-named persons availed themselves of this privilege: Jonas Temple, Jacob Hinds, Thomas Keyes, Thomas Keyes, Jr., Micah Harthan, Elijah Goodnow, Aseal Partridge, and Jesse Dana, of Boylston ; Saul Houghton, Joshua Houghton, Jonas Mason and Jonathan Prescott, of Sterling.

At the incorporation of the town in 1808, three of the.se individuals were allowed to retain their citizenship, and pay taxes on their estates in the old town to which they belonged. They were Jonas Temple and Thomas Keyes, to Boylston, and Jonas Mason, to Sterling; and they tenaciously adhered to the privilege, so liberally granted, until their decease, when their real estate, within the limits, came under the jurisdiction of West Boylston.

Moderators. - The following persons were severally moderators of the annual March Meeting, for the first fifty years, from 1808 to 1858 : Silas Beaman, Silas Newton, Paul Goodale, William Fairbank, Robert B. Thomas, Dr. John M. Smith, Andre Taft, J. F. Fay, E. M. Hosraer, D. C. Murdock, Benj. F. Keyes, J. C. Lovell. Since 1858 the jjosition has been filled by D. C. Murdock, J. C. Lovell, W. N. White, Geo. H. Jefts and Geo. F. Howe, Mr. Howe having presided for twenty-one years.

Chairman of Selectmen. - The following gentlemen served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen in the years from 1808 to 1858: Ezra Beaman, four years; William Fairbank, one year; John Temple,

The office of treasurer of the town was held during the first fifty years by the following persons: Ezra Beaman, Ezra Beaman, Jr., Barnabus Davis, Jonathan Plyrapton, Andre Taft, Francis Davis, John Lees, Seth White, Thomas Holme.-i, Ezekiel Peirce,

A. E. Winter, E. B. Newton, Moses Brigham, Samuel Brown, E. W. Holbrook, Dennis Harthan, Oliver B. Sawyer, who continued to hold the office until 1862. Since that year George F. Howe has served as treasurer 22 years, and Henry A. Sawyer, 5 years.

B. Thomas, 1 year; Joseph Hinds, 4 years, Ezra Bigelow, 10 years ; Francis Davis, 2 years ; Seth White, 5 years; Ephraim Bigelow, 7 years; B. F. Keyes, three years ; Barney Howe, 10 years ; O. B. Sawyer, five years; H. F. Holt, 1 year; Edward Howe, 3 years ; H. O. Sawyer, 1 year ; H. Houghton, 29 years.

Represextatives to the General Court. - The following persons represented the town in the House up to the year 1857, after which the district system went into operation: Ezra Beaman, 4 years; Barnabus Davis, fj years ; Joseph Hinds, 5 years ; Robert B. Thomas, 5 years ; Silas Newton, 1 year ; Thomas White, 1 year ; Silas Walker, 1 year; Dennis Harthan, 1 year; B. F. Keyes, 1 year; Levi Pierce, Jr., 1 year; Samuel Brown, 1 year; Brigham Prescott, 3 years; Addison Lovell, 1 year; Amos Child, Jr., 3 years; Eli W. Holbrook, 2 years ; E. M. Hosmer, 2 years ; O. B. Sawyer, 1 year; D. C. Murdoch, 2 years. The Fourteenth District of Holden, Paxton and this town, was represented in 1859 by Winson N. White; in 1862 by L. M. Harris, and in 1864, by D. C. Murdoch. The Eighth District, of Sterling, Boylston and this town, was represented in 1867 by W. McFarland ; in 1870, by Stephen Holt; in 1872, by Rev. J. W. Cross; in 1875, by Geo. F. Howe. The Sixteenth District, of Boylston, Northboro, Shrewsbury and this town, was represented in 1876 by Henry Pierce; in 1880, by H. O. Sawyer ; in 1884, by H. Houghton. For the Thirteenth District, composed of seven town?, and entitled to two representatives, H. E. Morton went from this town for two years, 1886 and 1887.

At the date of the incorporation of the town there were within its limits three school-houses. The first year the town voted fifty dollars as an appropriation for scliools. In December, 1808, the town voted to " divide the town into four school districts, two south of the river and two north." These houses were located, one near where the present South Schoolhouse stands ; the second, about eighty rods northwest of the old (Common ; the third near the present location of the double house in the Northeast District ; and the fourth above the village of Oakdale, or near the house of Pliny W. Stearns. A fifth one was built soon afterwards on " French Hill," at the Lower Factory village. The sixth house was built in 1843, and the seventh and eighth within the next eight years. For several years the town used the schoolroom in " Thomas Hall " for a high school. It was not until after the close of the late Civil War that the town took decided steps to relieve the overcrowded condition of our schools. Four two-story and one single-story house were built, and the town now has fourteen fine school-rooms, several of which have extra recitation and play-rooms attached. There is one high school and one grammar school, both in the same building, which have sessions of about forty weeks in the year. This building has, within the past two years, been much enlarged, with additional recitation and other rooms, making it a model house. A valuable apparatus for illustrations has been collected and is being added to from year to year. A valuable library of scientific, historical, biographical and mechanical works has been started, and now numbers over two hundred volumes.

Besides these two schools, there are three intermediate, one mixed and seven primary schools, holding sessions of thirty-three weeks each during the year.

Previous to 1840 the schools had not probably averaged sessions of more than twenty to twenty-four weeks in the year. To show their gradual increase, a few items are given, and as a further contrast of causes and effects, pauper expenses for the same years are given.

In 1810 the town made an appropriation of $150 for schools. In 1840 the sum was S600. In 1888 the appropriation was S'oOOO. In 1810 the town appropriated for the support of i)aupers S290. In 1840 the amount was $500, and in 1888 the sum was $2000.

The Public Town Library was established in 1878. Previous to that year some individuals had endeavored to start an interest in such an institution, but up to that time no action had been taken by the town in the matter. To David Childs, of Wayland, a native of the town, and his widow, Lydia Maria Childs, are we indeljted for the starting influence which finallyestablished this valuable addition to the town's property. Mr. Childs, in his will, left the sum of one hundred dollars for the town library of his native town, sujjposing no doubt that the town had one. His widow, who was the executrix of the will, proposed to pay this sum over to trustees provided the town would take steps to establish a library. She afterwards added a collection of about one hundred volumes to this bequest. By individual elforts and several other donations, with an appropriation by the town of six hundred dollars, the sum of over twelve hundred dollars was raised, and the instilution was successfully started on a small scale. Since that year it has constantly grown, and at the present time has a valuable collection of over three thousand volumes. It has a fine, large room, as a book and reading-room, large enough for its needs for many years to coiue.

Over the large streams the town has five bridges. Of these, one is built of stone, with three arches, over the Nashua River at the Valley village, and was built in 1856 at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The river at this point rendered it difficult to build a permanent structure, owing to curves in the banks and of quicksands at the bottom. Much expense has been laid out since the bridge was built, in walling the banks and in flagging the bottom of the river. It is now considered a substantial and enduring structure, likely to withstand all action of the water for centuries to come. This bridge is known as the " Beaman Bridge," and is the lowest one on the river-

The next one above, at the Central village, is an iron bridge of one hundred feet span, built in 1875, at a cost of about three thousand dollars, and is considered a strong and substantial structure. This bridge is also over the Nashua River.

The third bridge is over the Stillwater River at Oakdale, and was built in 1879, of fifty feet si)an, and another of the same span was built over the tiuinnepoxet River, at Harrisville, in 1880. Both these bridges are of iron, and believed to be strong and durable ones, certainly great improvements over the old wooden bridges of former times.

The fifth bridge is a wooden one over the Quinnepoxet River in Harrisville. It has been built but a few year:*, but shows evidence that it must be replaced ere many more years pass.

decided improvements to theirstreets - first, by naming and erecting the signs at the principal crossings, and second, by putting up of lamps for lighting the streets by night, on all the streets of the villages.

There are in the town a Masonic Lodge, one of Odd Fellows, a Grand Army Post, a Grange of Husbandry, a Council of Royal Arcanum and five diftereat religious societies.

A Masonic Lodge, " The Boylston," was instituted in this town March 8, 1876, and has kept in good condition to the present time. A very neat and pretty lodge-room was fitted up for its use over the Baptist Church, where all its meetings are held.

The Centennial Lodge of Odd Fellows was organized here October 24, 1876, and holds its meetings also in the Masonic Hall. This hall was formerly a difficult one about getting an easy access to ; but by the rtmodeling of the church, a few years since, the way to it was made much more easy, and possibly access to a membership to the two lodges has also become less difficult.

A " Grand Army Post " was organized here soon after the close of the war, - the " George D. Wells Post, No. 28," - and has been kept in a flourishing condition ever since. An auxiliary society, ''the Ladies' Relief Corps," was connected a few years since, and the two societies are doing a large amount of relief work for soldiers and their families. They have a very neat and convenient hall for their use, located at the Valley station.

A Grange, No. 106, was instituted here a few years ago, and has kept up a good- work! ntr lodge, - holds its regular meetings with full numbers and no abatement in the interest manifested at the time of its start. Thomas Hall has been fitted up for its use.

The first church (Congregational) in the territory now West Boylston was formed in 1796, consisting of thirty-three members, embracing widely different opinions relative to religious doctrines. The majority favored Arminian sentiments, while a minority were decidedly Calvinistic. Rev. William Nash, the first minister, favored the Arminian side, and on that account was opposed by the minority, who were never satisfied with his preaching. In 1802 religious conference meetings were originated and regularly held once a month by a respectable portion of the church, the meetings being open to all who wished to participate in them. ''Mr. Nash, although urged to participate, refused to favor or in any way afford aid and assistance in their maintenance, the majority of the church also refusing any assistance or countenance therein."

In 1809 the first religious revival in this tow'n occurred, and continued with great interest for several months. It caused much excitement and severe opposition, although a large portion of the people were fdvoraljly affected thereby. The meeling-house of this society had been built in 1794, and "was dedicated to the service and worship of God January Ist, 1795," the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. Daniel Grosvenor, of Paxton. Several can- i didates were successively heard, and it was not until March, 1797, when the call was extended to Mr. Nash to settle. He was a graduate of Yale College and a native of Williamsburg, Mass. He was not ordained until October 11, 17'.)7, with a stipulated salary of !i?333. 83. Mr. Nash understood that a portion of the society was opposed to his becoming its minister, and in his letter of acceptance he wrote regretting " the want of unanimity," and further siys : " Those gentlemen to whom my services have not been as acceptable as I could wish, I respect."' " In acting agreeably to their own best judgment, they have exercised a right which belongs to every Christian, and ought not, on that account, to receive the censure or dissatisfaction of any." This opposition to Mr. Nash seemed for a while to remain dormant, but was never extinguished, and in 1812 it became so great that an attempt was made to dismiss him. In 1814 his health became seriously impaired, rendering him unable to preach or discharge parochial duties. In 1815 he was dismissed at his own re(]uest. Mr. Nash had purchased the large farm in the south part of the town, which had been known as the "David Childs Place," where he continued to reside to the time of his decease, in 1829, aged sixty years. Mr. Nash married Elizabelh Doubleday in 1801. One son and a daughter - Charles and Elizabeth^are still living in the city of Worcester.

After the dismission of Mr. Nash various candidates preached here, but it was not until December, 1820, that Rev. ,lohn Boardman, from Newburyport, was invited to settle by a vote of sixty-five to twenty-eight, and he was ordained February 28, 1821, with an annual salary of five hundred dollars. In 1834 Mr. Boardman was dismissed at his own request, and he afterwards settled in East Douglas, where he died in 1842. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Boardman that the meeting-house on the old Common, the first one built, was burned in 1831. Mr. Boardman, with a majority of the church, being of the Calvinistic faith, left that location and built the brick house on the north side of the river, where the church and society have since continued to worship.

In September, 1834, Rev. Elijah Paine, a native of Ashfield, Mass., and who had been a settled minister at Claremont, N. H., accepted an invitation to settle over this church and society, and was installed November 3d, of that year, at a salary of six hundred dollars. Mr. Paine died here very suddenly September 14, 1836, aged thirty-eight years.

In 1837 Rev. Brown Emerson was ordained as Mr. Paine's successor, at an annual .salary of six hundred dollars. He was dismissed at his own request November 6, 1839.

Rev. Joseph W. Cross, who had been settled in Boxboro', Mass., was installed over this church and society March 11, 1840, at an annual salary of seven hundred dollars. He remained as pastor until March 16, 1859, when he was dismissed. Mr. Cross still remains a citizen of the town, having just passed the eightieth anniversary of his birth, being active and vigorous for one of his age. Mr. Cross has been followed by Rev. Messrs. H. M. Hitchcock, James H. Fitts, Wilbur Johnson, William W. Parker, Francis J. Fairbanks and Millard F. Hardy, who is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church and Society can date their origin back about eighty years, or about the year 1810, from which time the denomination has gradually increased to the present time. They formed their first society organization in 1813, but had no regular preaching until 1819, when a church was organized of about fifty members. Their first minister was Rev. Nicholas Branch, who has been followed by Rev. Messrs. Allen Hough, C. C. P. Crosby, Abiel Fisher, Joseph G. Binney, Lorenzo O. Lovell, Sewell S. Cutting, Leonard Tracy, Kazlett Arvine, Timothy C. Tingley, Zenas P. Wild, George R. Darrosv, J. M. Follett, Charles F. Holbrook, Edwin Bromley, George Colesworthy, Isaac Sawyer, Alvan M. Crane, J. W. Brigham and L. W. Frink, who is the present pastor. For several years this society worshipped in a small church, located in what is now the village of Oakdale. Their present meeting-house was built in 1832. About five years since this house was entirely remodeled, the old pews taken out, new windows put in, and the wh9le inside changed, making the house very neat, pretty and convenient. At the present time the society is engaged in building a parsonage-house in near proximity to their meeting-house.

The Methodist Society began to hold meetings here, first in different halls, then in the meeting-house of the Liberal Society, on the old Common, then in Freedom Hall at Oakdale. In 1858 they built their present neat and convenient house at Oakdale, and have, up to this day, maintained a strong and flourishing society. In 1854 Rev. David Higgins was their pastor. He has been followed by Rev. Messrs. J. H. Gaylord, I. B. Bigelow, J. W. Coolidge, S. J. Abbott, Daniel Atkins, Burtis Judd, Walter Wilkie, AVm. P. Blackmer, L. A. Bosworlh, William Pentacosl, William Gordon, Elias Hodge, C. A. Merrill, Wm. J. Hambieton and S. L. Rogers, who is now the pastor.

The Liberal Congregational Society was an outcome from the first religious society formed in town. There had all the time, from the first starting of that society in 1794, been in it several grades of belief, and when the first meeting-house was burned, by being struck by lightning, August 23, 1831, a permanent separation occurred.

The Calvinistic portion built the present brick house at the Valley, and the remaining portion organized a Unitarian Society and rebuilt a neat and pretty house nearly on the spot where the old one was burned. This house, together with the brick and the Baptist house, were all completed in 1832. After this time the society never settled a minister, but for several years employed different clergymen, both of Unitarian and Univeraalist sentiments, to supply their puli>it. In 1859 Rev. .1. H. Willis, Universalist, came here and preached until 18(52, when, principally owing to many of its members going into the army, the meetings were discontinued and Mr. Willis removed to Worcester. With this exception the society had had no stated preaching for over thirty-five years. Other denominations have used the house for a few months at a time, and the society has kept up its organization to the present time by the annual choice of parish officers. The house stands in by far the best location for a public building of any one in town, fronting, as it does, on a public common.

The Catholic Society was formed here some thirty years since, and just before the Civil War built their tirst house of worship. For several years they had no resident pastor, priests from abroad supplying for their needs until about 1873, when Rev. Father Anthony.!. Derbuel came here and remained until his decease. May 21, 1886, aged forty-nine years. He was a very genial and intelligent man, a native of France, and was liked by every one making his acquaintance. The next year Rev. Father Daniel F. Feehau came, and remained until November, 1888, when he removed to Fitchburg. Rev. Father J. V. Campeau has located here as his successor. The first church built by this society had only a seating capacity of about three hundred, and they, having outgrown its size in 1882, built their present large and commodious house near the Baptist meeting-house, it being much the largest church building in the town.

For the past year meetings have been held by the Episcopalians in a hall at the Valley, and it is said there is some talk of building and forming a permanent society here in the near future.

The town is favored with a large water-power, afforded by two streams which unite in this town, and form the south branch of the Nashua River. The first of these is the Quinnepoxet River, coming from the west through Holden, and on this stream are situated three cotton-mills and a small shoddy-mill, described hereafter.

The second stream is the Stillwater River, flowing from the north through Sterling, on which are situated the cotton-mills of the West Boylstou Manufacturing Company, the most extensive one within the town. At a short distance below these mills the two streams unite, and after flowing for about two miles enter the town of Boylston. On the main river at the central village is a cotton-mill on one side of the stream and a large grist-mill on the other. About sixty rods below the last mill, the water is turned into an artificial canal and carried nearly half a mile to a large artificial basin or pond, creating the power to operate the extensive works of the Clarendon Mills, the water then flowing through a canal for about a mile before it again unites with the main river. Besides the power aflferdcd by these large streams, there is a small stream called " Maiden Brook,'' on which there are at present two small jirivileges - the first operating machinery for making excelsior and also some basket machinery ; the second, a saw and shingle-mill, being the only one now operated by water-power in the town. Many years since, there was another small mill on this stream used for mechanical purposes, which was burned. On this privilege no mill has since been erected. Still another mill was erected and used for making shoddy for a few years, when it was burned, about twelve years since, and about the same time a freshet carried away the dam, and although some attempts have been made to rebuild, no work has been started up to the present time. Many years since there was a small privilege operating a .small mill on Gates Brook for various mechanical work, but mill and dam were torn away about twenty years ago. Another small power was obtained by carrying the water by a canal from this brook about half a mile to the Brimhall Place, on Worcester Street, but this establishment disappeared several years ago.

The first cotton-mill to be described is that of Samuel K. Warfleld, on the Quinnepoxet River, and near the line of Holden. On this privilege a sawmill had been erected, and operated for about forty years. In 1808 Mr. Warfield, having bought the mill and other buildings, with the farm connected, put up a small building of wood, with machinery of 1500 spindles capacity, which was ready and put in operation for the manufacture of satinet warps the same year, employing about fifteen hands. This was intended as merely a temporary arrangement, as the first building was so built and arranged as to be easily changed into tenements at any time when a larger factory building of brick should be erected. In 1881 this contemplated work was done ; the dam was raised, so as to increase the capacity of the pond, and a brick mill, of two stories, with the dimensions of 120 by 70 feet, was finished in 1882. Its capacity is 3200 spindles, and used for the manufacture of yarn and satinet warps, employing twentyseven hands and using about 700 bales of cotton during a year. Mr. Warfield also erected, about the same time, a small shoddy-mill, on the wasteway below the first mill, which was burned in 1885. It was immediately rebuilt, and has been run most of the time since, giving employment to about three men.

The second cotton-mill is also on the Quinnepoxet River, and is a substantial building of stone, with brick trimmings, finished and put in operation in October, 1874, by L. M. Harris & Company. The dam for this mill was built the previous year, the whole making a new establishment, has the capacity of 5540 spindles, and it is known as the " Whiting

Mill.'' The third mill, on the same stream, is also owned by L. M. Harris & Company, and is of the capacity of 3790 spindles, and is known as the Harris Mill. They are used for the manufacture of light sheetings and shoe drills, using about 1200 bales of cotton yearly, and employing about 100 hands. The water-power of the two mills is rated at 213 horse-power, and within the past few years the owners have put in steam-engines of 12.3 horsepower, enabling them to run all their machinery at such times as water may fail. At the point where the last-named mill now stands, a saw-mill was built by Henry Holt, about sixty years ago. After a few years he enlarged his building, and put in machinery for making cotton yarn. In 1845 the Messrs. Harris bought the mill, farm and houses, and continued the manufacture of yarn for about two years. In 1847 they commenced the manufacture of cloth, and followed it until 1853, when the mill was burned. This building was of wood. Steps were at once commenced for rebuilding, and the present building of stone, on a larger scale than the one burnt, was finished, the machinery all in and was put in operation in just one year after the fire. At the time when the Messrs. Harris carae here, in 1845, there were only the mill and two houses at this point. Now, in connection with the two mills, there are about twenty-five houses, several of them being tenement houses, the whole making what is known as the village of Harrisville.

The fourth establishment for the manufacture of cotton goods is situated in the village of Oakdale, on the Stillwater River, and is owned and operated by an incorporated c(mipany, known as the West Boylston Manufacturing Company, and it is much the largest establishment in the town, being of the capacity of 17,000 spindles, employing 375 persons, and using about 4,000 bales of cotton yearly in the manufacture of various fine cotton goods or fabrics.

The company was first incorporated in 1814 for the making of wire and cotton goods. The manufacture of wire was never started, and it would seem that no business was very energetically entered into, as the company charter was lost by neglecting to make the annual choice of officers. Up to this time the mill had been only a small one, built of wood. In 1823 the company was re-chartered and commenced the building of their first brick mill, finishing it in 1824.

In 1825 the first looms for weaving cloth were put into the mill, after which time all the several parts of the work of making cloth was done by machinery, and the business proved very successful for several years. About the last of the year 1839 the mill was completely destroyed by fire. In 1840 the mill was rebuilt on about the same scale and capacity. In 1868 the company built a dam of great strength and several feet higher than the old one, increasing their pond to several times its previous capacity and increasing greatly their water-power, and built^an additional mill of stone. On September 7, 1871, the whole establishment was destroyed by fire, being the most disastrous fire which has ever occurred in the town. The company rebuilt the present mill in 1872. The company, during the late Civil War, changed a part of their works and made the manufacture of army blankets a very successful business. After the war they used five setts of woolen machinery in making satinets. At present nothing but cotton goods are made, and the company have commenced putting in foundations for quite an extensive addition lo the main part of the mill. Besides the mills, the company owns thirty-two houses, many of them large tenement houses, a large brick store-house, store, barns, etc. Besides the waters of the Stillwater River, this company controls the waters of the Quinnepoxet River by a dam built below Harrisville, which turns the water into a canal by which it is carried into their large pond. The company also control the waters irom the Washacum Lakes in Sterling, the waters of which can be raised about four feet above their natural level by a short dam, and thus creating a large reservoir, to be drawn from in time of low water. The company have also a large steam-engine for use when needed to increase their motive-power. Another great addition made to their facilities for dealing with fires was the building of a large reservoir for holding water, of the capacity of 60,000 gallons, situated on a hill much higher than their building, which is kept constantly full by pumping, and can be used at a few moments' warning in extinguishing fires in any part of their buildings, or of the village of Oakdale.

The fifth cotton-mill is situated on the Nashua River at the Central Village, and on the south side of the stream. This is the mill of E. W. Holbrook, which has a capacity of three thousand six hundred and forty-eight spindles, and employs fifty hands. On the north side of the stream is the large gristmill of Edward A. Cowee, each party owning one-half of this privilege and power.

In the place where the cotton-mill now stands, a saw-mill was first erected several years belore the incorporation of the town, and was one of the sawmills in use at that date. A few yeais afterwards Ezekiel Peirce and his brother erected here a scythefactory, putting in the first trip-hammer used in this section. This trip-hammer, with its noise and operation, for a long time was a wonder not only to the people within hearing «f it, but often brought strangers from a distance to witness its wonderful performances. This scythe-factory was run until 1831, when Dr. John M. Smith and Ephraim Bigelow bought out the works and erected a small cottonmill, which they put into operation the following year. Mr. Bigelow had previously made cotton yarn in a room over the saw-mill for several years pre- I vious to that date. Mr. Bigelow was a man of conj siderable mechanical ingenunity, and it was while I here that was first started the germ of the remarka- ble machines afterwards perfected by his two sons, Erastus B. and Horatio N., after their removal to Clinton (then Lancaster), about 183(5, for the weaving of coach lace, counterpanes, carpets, etc.

In 1841 these mills passed into the hands of Mr. Holbniok an<l Oliver Eldridge, and they were run under the superintendence of Mr. Holbrook until January 9, 1848, when they were entirely destroyed by fire.

Nothing was done towards rebuilding until 1853. In that year Mr. Holbrook erected the first part of the present mill, starting it into operation the following year, in company with L. M. Harris, making light cotton sheetings, and continuing their successful manufacture up to the present time. He has, from time to time, made additions and improvements in buildings and machinery, until both are of about double their capacity from the time of their starting. He put in an engine of seventy-five horse-power in 1883.

Within the past five years Mr. Holbrook has also built a large reservoir of thirteen thousand five hundred gallons capacity above his building, to which water is pumped and kept constantly filled to be used in cases of fire. Its great utility was remarkably demonstrated during the past year, when, the gristmill on the opposite side of the river getting on fire, with little prospects of any part of the buildings or contents being saved, the attachment of hose to this reservoir and running the same to the mill sufficed in a few minutes to subdue the Hames and save nearly the whole contents of the buildings.

On the north side of the stream was erected both a grist-mill and a clothier's mill previous to or about 1761. The river at this point at that date was no doubt the dividing line between Lancaster and Shrewsbury. Micah Harthan, according to the military record of Lancaster, was engaged as a soldier in the expedition against Ticonderoga in 17.')8, and on his return from that unfortunate expedition no doubt engaged in the running of the two small mills at this point, and probably they were built by him. They have been widely known as the Harthan Mills, and were owned for nearly a century by the Harthans, tlie sons and grandsons of Micah.

Micah Harthan was bnrn probably in Marlboro' in 1735. In the time of the Revolution his name does not appear among those enrolled as subject to do military duly, it probably being considered that his business as a clothier was of too much importance to take hini away from it. He died in 1803, when the business of the grist-mill went to his son David. Both the grist and clothier's mills were burned in 1801. A new grist-mill on improved plans was erected at once, and a small fulling-mill was also built and run for a number of years by Oliver Moore, who ran this mill until his death in 1831. It was afterwards used for a few years by Sanuiel Flagg & Co. as a machineshop. In 1842 Charles M. Harris came here from

Rhode Island, and in company with Mr. Wilder used this mill for the business of making cotton-yarn, which was continued until 1847, when this and the grist-mill were burned. At the time of this fire machinery had been put in the upper story of the grist-mill for making twine and wickiug ; both this and the grist-mill being run by Childs & Dinsmore.

The cotton-mill was never rebuilt, and for about three years nothing was done towards rebuilding the grist-mill. During this time a run of stones was put into the machine shop of Mr. Holbrook, on the opposite side of the river, by James E. Wood, who run it until the new mill on the old site was started in 1851. In 18.50 Mr. Ruel G. Cowee came here from Gardner and built the present mills, which have the best reputation for making flour and grinding all kinds of grain of any mill in the region.

For several years the upper story of the mill was used for mechanical j)urposes, making weather-strips &c., but for the last twenty years the whole of the first buildings, with many additions, have been used for the greatly increased business. Mr. Cowee died ^l October 5, 1882, since when the business has been carried on by his grandson, E. A. Cowee.

The sixth establishment, or cotton-mill, is what is now known as the " Clarendon Mills," situated at what is known as the Ijower Factory village. The waters of the Nashua River at this point were turned into a canal and carried about half a mile from their natural course into a large artificial basin, and, after driving the machinery of this mill, flow in a canal about a mile before again uniting with the main stream. This work was first started by Major Ezra Beaman about 1793, to operate a saw and grist-mill. The saw-mill remained in operation until about 1872. The grist-mill was in a few years removed, and the first cotton-mill was started in the town; just the date of its starting cannot be learned, but it had been in operation several years before the incorporation of the j town, in 1808, Up to 1819 nothing had been done I beyond making yarn by machinery. Alloftheweav- I ing had been done by hand-work on the old looms, ' worked by females at their homes, and yarn from this mill was carried many miles away from the mills, was woven in the looms by the fireside of many a country home and returned as cloth to the mill. In 1819 twelve looms were put into operation in this mill, and from that date there was a rapid increase or growth of the cotton manufacture in this town, and which made it the leading industry, as it -- will long continue the leading one of the town. About that date a company was incorporated for this mill, under the name of the " Beaman Manufacturing Company," and continued its existence until 1873.

In 1847 and '48 the company enlarged the capacity | of their pond or basin to more than double its first condition, removing the old wooden building, working it over into several tenements, and built the main part of the present mills of brick. This was only one story above the basement. The two wings, of two stories - also of briclf - were added in 1854. In 1874 a change was made in the ownership, and the company was reorganized under the name of the " Clarendon Mills." This mill has a large steam-engine attached, of sufficient power to run one-half of the machinery in times of low water, or when otherwise needed. In 1881 they added a building for a bleachery of thirty-two Ijy sixty feet, and two stories high, thus enabling them to finish the goods made ready for the market. They manufacture at present counterpanes, sheetings, corset-jeans and sateens, making ladies' fine dress goods from Nos. 30 to 50 yarn. The mills are of the capacity of 10,950 spindles, and give employment to one hundred and ninety operatives. For many years they have been under the superintendence of Mr. George M. Lourie as resident agent. They are delightfully situated in what has ever proved to be a very healthy part of the town ; and, with its pretty pond, buildings and avenues lined and shaded by several varieties of trees, many of them planted near a century since, it presents to the eye a view both beautiful and romantic. Passing travelers, at about sunset of a pleasant day, often remark this pleasing appearance as their eyes take in this view from the upper railroad station in this town. A pleasing item in connection with these mills is worth recording. Mi?s Parney Underwood began work in them in 1822, and worked constantly for a period of about sixty-three years. She has not worked in them for three years past, but still remains hale and vigorous for one of her age.

Next to the cotton manufacture, the bottoming of boots has for many years been the leading industry of the town. This business had become one of importance in 1842, at which time there was probably about two or three hundred pairs of boots bottomed per day for Worcester manufacturers, in this town. This business continued to increase until, a few years before the Civil War, there were over two thousand pairs of boots so bottomed daily for Worcester parties, and continued with about the same amount of work until about ten years ago, when the business began to decrease, and now but few boots are bottomed here for Worcester men.

In the year 1850 a boot manufactury was erected near the upper railroad station in this town, and was in operation about twenty-three years, making some fifty cases of boots per day. Since 1875 it has been vacant. In 1851) another establishment was started on the north side of the river, making from fifty to one hundred cases per day until January 23, 1866, when the shop was burned.

A still larger shop was erected the same sea-son, and steam-power was added. After that time they increased their business, making some seasons as many as two hundred cases per day up to 1878. Since that time a much smaller number of boots has been made in this shop, but the business has been regularly carried on.

About 1860 an establishment was commenced at Oakdale for the manufacture of ladies' shoes, employing some twenty hands, with steam-power. This business was continued until 1878, when the shop was closed. Since that year the shop was used, a year or more, for making men's shirts. The business was afterward moved to Leominster.

The manufacture of hand-made oak baskets has been carried on in this town for more than seventy years. Formerly a two-bushel basket was as large as was made or wanted. Now they are made of the capacity of thirty bushels for factory use, and machinery is used to work out some of the larger parts of the baskets. At this time from ten to twelve persons are employed in this business.

The manufitcture of school apparatus was begun here over sixty years ago, and a few years afterwards the manufacture of a small machine called a "Warper Stop Motion " was begun by the same parties, and carried on until about one year ago, when the business was removed to Clinton. The making of school apparatus had been given up for many years previously.

Another business followed for the past twenty-flve years has been the manufacture of whatnots, brackets, and a variety of house ornaments, in which both steam and water-power have been used. The same parties have built a few church and parlor organs within a few years.

A steam mill, for sawing lumber, planing and matching boards, and the manufacture of packingboxes, was started at Oakdale about five years since, and employs five or si.\ men all the year.

The following histories of individuals are of those men who have for their lifetime been connected with the growth and prosperity of the town, and to whose energy, thrift and plans it owes its existence and present standing:

Ezra Beaman, Esq., more generally known as Major Beaman, was the eldest son of Jabez Beaman, and was born in Bolton, October, 1736. The father, having purchased a large tract of laud, removed here wiih his family in 1746, where he lived until his death in 1757. Major Beaman then became proprietor of the homestead and began that career of usefulness and success which contributed so much to the formation of the town. In 1758 he married Persis, daughter of Deacon Cyprian Keyes, of Shrewsbury, with whom he lived about thirty years. She died in 1788, leaving six children - Jabez, Ezra, Levina, Persis, Betsey and Eunice. He afterward married Mary Boylston, of Charlestown, who survived him and died June 6, 1813, aged sixty-two years.

Major Beaman was endowed by nature with a strong mind, possessing a remarkable spirit of enterprize, together with great energy and resolution, which enabled him to devise and execute various schemes and plans, not only for his own prosperity, but also for the interest and advantage of the community around him. His designs seldom failed to result auspiciously and in accordance with his desires and anticipations. He possessed and held a large amount of real and personal property, tl-.ereby constituting him by far the wealthiest man of the then inhabitants of the town. He was not only an active, leading man in his own vicinity, but sustained a prominence and wielded an extensive and controlling influence in the community at large. Whenever a project of a public nature, having the benefit of the community as its object, was originated and brought up for consideration, he was the first to be consulted as to its importance and practicability, when his judgment and expressed opinions generally had the efffect to cause the adoption of the scheme or its rejection and abandonment, thus clearly demonstrating and unmistakably manifesting the high estimation in which he was held by the leading portion of his fellow-citizens for his practical wisdom and sound judgment. Many of the public roads in this vicinity were projected by him, and although it has been handed down that he met with a strong and determined opposition, time has shown that most of these highways were located where they have proved to be of the most advantage to the after-growth of the town and county. Major Beaman was a patriot, a firm and ardent friend to his country, being one of the active and unflinching spirits of the American Revolution. He early took a decided stand against tyranny and oppression, taking up arms in favor of the rights of his country, marching to the battle-field to resist the encroachments of the enemy. He was with the American army at Cambridge in 1775, and performed a conspicuous part during that memorable period. He was ever ready to render aid and assistance in any emergency, not only by his influence, but when circumstances required, he promptly devoted his time, his property and his personal exertions for the purpose of sustaining and pushing forward the arduous struggle for American independence. It would seem that he was one with many others who had virtually pledged their lives, their property and their sacred honors in favor of obtaining liberty, justice and equal rights for themselves and their posterity.

In looking back and judging at this day, it seems to the writer that the leading trait in his mind and character was thoroughness and durability - everything was done to last for many generations.

He began in early life to set, in and along the highways adjacent to his own lands, a variety of shade trees, - elms, maples, buttonwoods and others. One of these buttonwood trees, set when he was thirteen years of age, is now an enormous one of its kind, measuring at its base over twenty-two feet in circumference. The many trees set by him now form one of the great beauties of our town, especially of that part of it in and around what are now the grounds of the Clarendon Mills corporation. In the highway, and against lands formerly owned by the Beamans, stands an enormous " White Oak " tree, which must be now several centuries old. Tradition says it was an ancient boundary tree, some believing that it was on the line of the extension of Lancaster in 1711, and of the Davenport farm. Certainly Major Beaman made it a boundary tree in selling land, and having the wish to preserve and insure its existence against the axe of any future vandal, he filled its trunk with large spikes, driving many pounds of iron into it. This tree is still thrifty and growing, and measures around its base twenty feet eight inches, and at six feet from the ground about fifteen feet in circumference. J

In 1764, Major Beaman built the large and com- f modious dwelling-house on what is now called East Main Street, at the Valley, in this town. This house was built in a thorough and substantial manner, of the best materials, and was at the time, no doubt, one of the best houses in its vicinity. It was designed for a public-house and, as a remarkable fact, it was kept as such by the two Ezra Beamans for about a century.

About sixteen years since, the main part of this establishment, being in the way of the line of one of our streets, was moved about thirty rods away and fitted up as a separate house ; all of its timbers being sound and in good condition, it promises to last another century if properly cared for. The large " Ell " of the old house was fitted up in its old location and makes a good substantial farm-house. One of the barns, eighty feet in length, has also been moved across the street and fitted up for tenementhouses, and thus changing very much the appearance of the old place.

Another feature of the old place was a large stone watering trough, erected over a century ago by Major Beaman, supplied by an aqueduct leading from a spring about forty rods away, with a constant stream of cool water, coming from an iron spout in a stone column towering above the trough, on which was ever found hung a dish from which the traveler could slake his thirst. This trough has been moved from its former location across the street, and still remains as a noted resort for thirsty horses and other beasts, but the old time "dipper" for man's use has long been missing.

To Major Beaman is the town indebted, more than to all others, for its existence as a town. The inhabitants of Boylston having decided to build a new meeting-house, a difficulty arose in regard to its location. The majority were in favor of building near the location of the old house, while a large minority, led by Major Beaman, wished to build about half a mile northwest of the old house, and nearer the centre of the territory of the town. It becoming apparent that no compromise could be effected, the minority seceded and built a new house on what is now known as the "old Common " in West Boyslton, in 1793 and 1794, and petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation as a town. In this effort they were joined by persons both from the towns of Sterling and Holden. Each of the three towns strongly opposed the movement, and it was defeated. They then applied for incorporation as a precinct, or parish, and this was granted in June, 179(i, and it was made the "Second Precinct of Boylston, Sterling and Holden." In the survey, by Silas Holman, of the territory at the time of the first application, 4075 acres were claimed as being in Boylston, 23(37 acres in Sterling, 3646 acres in Holden and 1392 acres in Worcester. The petition for a separate precinct was signed by forty-three voters of Boylston, twenty-three from Sterling, nineteen from Holden and three from Worcester. The act of incorporation did not include any of the territory from Worcester. At a meeting held by these people, December 17, 1792, it was first decided to build a meeting-house, and iu order to raise funds for the purpose, it was voted to sell the projected number of pews at auction, and sixty-six pews were thus sold for the amount of $1938.25. Of these, Major Beaman bid off thirty-one. At an adjourned meeting, held February 4, 1793, it was decided " to build a belfry to their house," and on the 13th, 14th and 15th days of June, 1793, the frame of the house was raised. About this time Major Beaman proposed that, for the amount realized for the pews sold, and the ownership of those unsold, he would finish the house. The language of the record gives this account of the result :

" This " proposition " was agreed to, and within the term of about eighteen uionths from the time it was raised he accomplished the work in a very decent and faithful manner, and at an expense far exceeding any pecuniary compensation which he can expect or hope for in return." Major Beaman also projected and built the dam on the Nashua River, with the canal, of near a half-mile in length, into which the water is turned and taken to the artificial pond, now owned and used by the Clarendon Mills Company, making it one of the most valuable water-powers in the town. On this he erected a grist-mill and a sawmill, which were used as such until after his death. At the incorporation of the town, in 1808, Major Beaman, at the meeting held the first Monday in March, was chosen chairman of the Board of Selectmen and treasurer. He was also chosen as the town's first Representative to the General Court, and he was, each following year, re-elected to these offices, holding them to the time of his death, June 4, 1811, in the seventy-fifth year of his age.

At his death all of his children were living, and his property was equally divided, after his widow's dower was set off. She only survived him about two years, when all of his property came into the possession of his children. Jabez, his eldest son, who left no issue, died in 1812, about one year after his father. In the settlement of the real estate left by Major Beaman, three commissioners, consisting of Silas Holman, of Bolton, with James Longley and Jotham Bush, of Boylston, were appointed to appraise and divide the real estate, and by a reference to their report, the following facts are gathered. There were twelve parcels of real estate, consisting of 819 acres, with buildings, all valued at $35,765; thirty pews in the meeting-house on the old Common, valued at $1212; two horse-sheds, $48, and one pew in Boylston meeting-house, $30.50. None of this real estate was sold, but after one-third of it was set off as the widow's dower, some parts of it were setoff to each of the six children, the largest proportion to Ezra Beaman, Jr., who was to make each one's portion equal by the payment of money. By the death of the widow and of the eldest son, Jabez, within t^wo years after this division, Ezra Beaman, Jr., came into possession of the homestead and the greater proportion of the landed estate, which he held during his long life.

The last Ezra Beaman never married, but lived to the good old age of ninety-two years and seven months, his decease occurring July 24, 1863. In many respects he was like his fiither, and always seemed to have his father's life and example before him ; often quoting his words and telling of his acts, and priding himself in " doing everything just as his father did." He was a generous man, a good and useful citizen, respected and liked by every one. At his death the naoie of Beaman became extinct in this town. He was the last one of his name, and since that time one thing after another has been changed until very little is left to remind us of the name. A number of years before the death of the last Ezra a movement was started to have the name of the town changed to "Beaman," and by a large majority, at a meeting called to act on the matter, a vote was psissed in its favor; but finding that the then only representative of the name was strongly opposed to it, the matter was dropped. The first incorporated cottonmill in town was for many years known as "The Beatiian Manufacturing Company," but in its reorganization, a few years since, it took the name of the "Clarendon Mills." The old farm was cut up and sold to many different parties, leaving only one hundred and forty-five acres, with a remnant of the old buildings, as the only portion of the old place now intact. In naming the streets of the town, three years ago, one short street received the name of "Beaman."

William Thomas was one of the early settlers in this town, on a small farm on what was then called "Shrewsbury Leg," now owned by J. B. F. Prescott, in the village of Oakdale, where he lived until his decease in 1810, aged eighty-five years. He possessed a peculiar relish for literature and science, ^nd devoted much time to reading and study. He had a peculiar taste for astronomical research and calculation, and this no doubt had a great influence in shaping and forming the character of his eldest son, Robert Bailey Thomas, Esq., born in 1766 and died in 1846, aged eighty years. He resided in the house in Oakdale now occupied by Charles M. Harris. He was a prominent man in the town, was its first town clerk, several times chairman of the Board of Selectmen, represented the town in the State Convention of 1820 for revising the Constitution, and was several years a member of the State Legislature. He was a justice of the peace, and for many yeans did all the conveyancing and other legal writing for his townsmen. He originated and established the Fanners' Almanac in 1793, annually preparing and furnishing the matter for that popular and widely-known manual to the end of his life. He accumulated a laj-ge property, and being very liberal and publicspirited, contributed much towards the welfare and growth of the town. He was the largest contributor towards the building of the largest hall in the town, and it was named "Thomas Hall" as a compliment to him. This hall was intended for school and religious purposes, and it has been used by the town for over forty years for all of its public meetings. Mr. Thomas leaving no children, and dying intestate, hia property was divided between his widow and two children of a brother. He married Hannah Bearaan, of Princeton, who survived bim and died in 1855, aged eighty-one years.

Thomas Keyes, Jr., was born in the town April 20, .1802, and died October 30, 1831, aged twentynine years. He was the son of Thomas and Lydia Keyes, and grandson of Thomas Keyes, who settled here in 1767. Very early in life he manifested a strong inclination for invention and mechanical work, but as his friends intended and expected that he would lead a farmer's life, those traits wei'e discouraged, and it was not until after his majority that he could devote any time to his natural inclinations. Had he lived a few years longer there is little doubt that he would have achieved a name that would have been a world-wide one. Astronomy was one of his favorite studies, and his great mechanical ingenuity led to the construction of the orrery, an instrument since becoming well known, for the purpose of illustrating the movements of the solar system. It is so simple and easy of management that it has become one of the most valuable instruments in use for the purpose it was intended for. With the orrery, one of his last designs was the construction of an apparatus which was to embrace the Lunariura and Tellurium on a different plan from any then known. Unfortunately, the traces of the designs which he left were so obscure that it was impossible for any one to understand them well enough to complete it. A board on which he had begun to trace these plans was the last wtirk of his life, he being suddenly stricken by the disease from which he never recovered. Another invention of his was a stop-motion, a machine used in the warping of cotton and woolen yarns. This machine was afterward improved and perfected by his brother-in-law, David C. Murdock, and for about half a century was the only machine used for the purpose, and was in use in every cotton-mill in this country and many in Europe.

Mr. Keyes was very much interested in education, and exerted a great influence among his associates in the promotion and sustaining of lyceums and debating societies. It was a leading trait in his character to fully communicate information and especially to explain to others any discoveries he chance<l to make.

David C. Murdock was born here December 21, 1805, and died October 15, 1886. He was the son of Deacon Artemas Murdock, and spent all of his long and useful life in this town. He was a natural mechanic, and learned the trade, and worked several years as a machinist. About the time of the decease of his brother-in-law, Thomas Keyes, Jr., before spoken of, he engaged in the manufacture of school apparatus and other small machines, made mostly for J. M. Wightman, of Boston, and continued the business until 1868, when his establishment was burned, and losing all his tools, patterns and models, this work was never resumed.

Soon alter the death of Mr. Keyes he made improvements on his stop-motion machine, and so perfected it that it had continued to grow in favor until it had been introduced into nearly every cottonmill in the country. On rebuilding, after the fire in 1868, he gave his whole attention to this machine, and had ahnost a monopoly of making any machines for tending warping of cotton yarn. Mr. Murdock was a man of much intelligence, and all his life-time exerted a great influence in town and public affairs.

He served many years as chairman of the Board of Selectmen, being in that position during the time of the late Civil War, when his activity and exertion went far towards the town's doing with credit its fullshare of carrying to success that great struggle. He sent two of his sons into some of the first regiments raised in the county, who served throughout the war, both reaching captain's positions. He served as a representative to the General Court four years, for many years was on the School Board and for nearly all his life, after thirty years of age, he was connected, in some capacity, with the town government. He married Adeline King, also of this town, October 6, 1829, who survived him less than a year. She died June 30, 1887.

Eli W. Holbrook, was born in Rutland, Mass., in 1809, and first came to this town in 1818, when about nine years of age, a poor boy entirely dependent on his own thrift and energy to obtain a living, he being the eldest of several children. His mother, with six children, living in Rutland, had, up to this time, supported her family by weaving cotton cloth in a loom worked by hand, at her home, coming or sending to West Boylston for the yarn, and returning the cloth. She removed here in the above year and continued to weave in the hand-loom for about four years, or until the work that was commenced on power-looms in 1819 had increased, in 1822, to such an extent as to do about all of this part of the work. Eli went at once into the mill here and commenced his long life-time connection with the cotton manufacture, which is more fully noted in the history of the different mills in town, on other pages of this history. Mr. Holbrook continued all bis life to be one of the leading men in the town. With a genial and kindly disposition he united a large benevolence and public spirit, spending much time and money in improving the public ways, by grading, setting out of trees, and other work thereon. He was a large contributor towards the support of the Gospel and many benevolent institutions, and was ever a leading member of the Congregational Society. His kindly nature ever made him a favorite with all the young folks, and he was ever noted as retaining the services of bis employes for long periods of time. He was connected with the town's government for many years, serving as selectman, assessor, and in other positions. He represented the town two years in the Legislature. He was very successful in his business and accumulated a handsome competence. April 30, 1835, he married Miss Adeline Worcester, of this town, with whom be lived over half a century. She died February 5, 1887. He suffered several of the last years of bis life from failing eyesight, but otherwise lived an active life until a few weeks before his death, which occurred November 26, 1888, being but a few days short of seventy-nine years of age. He leaves two daughters and five grandchildren.

Physicians. - Dr. Amariah Bigelow was the first practitioner to settle within the limits of the town. He came here in 1780, and married Persis, daughter of Major Ezra Beaman. He lived on the farm at the south part of the town, which, for long yeai's, has been known as the John Temple farm. He died very suddenly in 1787, leaving a widow and three children. His widow afterwards married John Temple, still remaining on the farm where she began life with Dr. Bigelow until her death, in 1832.

Dr. Nicholas Jenks, from North Brookfield, settled here in 1809. He lived in what is now Oakdale, where he also kept a store. After a stay of ten years he removed to Southbridge.

Dr. John M. Smith settled here in 1819, where he remained fifteen years, when he, too, went to Southbridge, and died there in the meridian of life.

1831. He was a young man very much liked by every one, and gave much promise of usefulness in his future career. He married a sister of Dr. John M. Smith.

Dr. Sherman Smith, a brother of Dr. John M. Smith, came here in 1831, and remained for a few years, and then went to Walpole, N. H., where he died suddenly in 1852.

Dr. Ephraim Lovell was a native of this town, being a son of Amos Lovell. He began practice here in 1841, and continued until the time of his death, in 1869, although, for the last four years, he was in failing health, and had an assistant. He was a man of a very amiable character, and was greatly beloved by every one who knew him.

Dr. George W. Warren came here as a successor to Dr. Griggs in 1846. He was a graduate of Amherst College, coming here as his first place for practice, and still remains, having followed his profession for more than forty years. Within the past two years he has associated with himself his son. Dr. Ernest L. WArren, a very promising young man in the calling.

Dr. Lemuel H. Hammond came here as an assistant to Dr. Lovell in 1866, and removed to Worcester in 1869, where he still has an extensive practice.

Dr. Warren Pierce came here from Sterling about 1873, and remained until 1881, when he removed to Plymouth, where he still remains in the practice of his profession. Dr. Pierce was one of the most skillful physicians who had ever lived in the town.

Three or four others, native-born doctors, have tried the field, but have not succeeded in establishing a foothold, and after a trial of a few months have left the work to the old incumbents.

The accounts of a few individuals who were natives of the town and who received a liberal education, fitting them for a professional life, is here given very briefly.

in this town (then Shrewsbury), in 1780. He was a lawyer and lived away from town, following his profession until about si.xty years of age, when he again came to this town, buying a small farm, on which he lived until his decease, June 18, 1858. He left three sons and one daughter.

John Reed, son of Capt. John Reed, was born here about the year 1800. He was fitted for and entered Harvard College, where be proved himself to be one of the smartest young men of his cla-s. But owing to his great propensity for fun and causing the faculty much annoyance and trouble, his father was notified " that it would be best to take his son away." He, however, had managed to obtain an education ranking him as a great scholar for his age. He followed the business of teaching for several years, being very successful. He left town during the late war and soon after died.

Dr. Ephraim Lovell, son of Amos Lovell, Jr., was born here in 1812. He studied for and fitted himself for a physician. He settled here in 1841, and followed his profession very successfully until his decease in 1869.

Rev. William Murdock, son of Arteraas Murdock, was born here in 1812. He was a graduate of Amherst College, and was settled afterwards for several years in the ministry at Candia, N. H. Having a difficulty about his throat which prevented the use of his voice in a great measure, he returned to this town about the year 1852, and went to work for his brother, David C. Murdock, where, from his great natural mechanical ability, he ever seemed as much at home as in the pulpit. He died very suddenly November 13, 1879, aged sixty-si.^: years, four mouths, ten days, leaving a widow, two sons and one daughter.

Sylvanus Morse, sou of Joseph Morse, was born here about the year 1800, received a college education and was the principal of Bradford Academy for several years. He returned to this town, and opened a family school in 1845, and was quite successful for a few years, when he sold out and again left town.

Dr. George W. Peirce, son of Levi Peirce, was born in 1819. He studied medicine and established himself in the town of Leominster about 1845, where he was a successful practitioner for many years. He died in that town in 1885.

Henry F. Harris, born here August 19, 1849, son of Charles M. Harris, graduated from Tufts College, and has been for several years in successful practice as an attorney in Worcester, Mass.

Edward A. Murdock, son of David C. Murdock, was born here May 24, 1854, studied medicine, and first established himself at Waltliam, and afterwards removed to Spencer, Mas^., where he is in the very successful practice of his calling.

Louis Cutting, born here November 11, 1849, son of John 8. Cutting, has for the past two or three years been studying law and is now located in Worcester, where he has been admitted to the bar.

Alfred Lovell, son of Addison Lovel, born December 28, 1851, graduated as a civil engineer at the Technical School in Worcester, about the year 1875, and is now located at Rustic, N. J.

Albert W. Hinds, son of Albert and grandson of Ephraim Hinds, Esq., has recently graduated from Brown University, and is fitting himself for a teacher. He was born in this town November 30, 1864.

Elmer F. Higgins, born January 21, 1862, and Tracy L. Newton, born February 20, 1867, both natives of this town, are now students at Brown University.

Llewellen Drake, born in Maine, and a graduate of our High School in 1885, and Harry L. Peirce, born here November 1, 1870, and was a graduate of the school in 1888, have both entered Colby University, at Waterville, Me.

MiMTAEY. - One of the first settlers of this town of whom we have any account as having enlisted for any of the military movements was Benjamin Bigelow, who enlisted as a soldier in 1745, in the expedition for the capture and reduction of Louisbourg, then belonging to France, and considered the Gibraltar of America. The capture and possession of this place was regarded at the time as a great achievement, and highly important in its advantages to the British Crown. On his return from this expedition Mr. Bigelow brought with him several articles of iron manufacture, fiome of which are yet in use on the farm which he then occupied, and which is now in the possession of Thomas N. Keyes.

E^phriam and Ithamar Bennett, sons of Phineas Bennett, one of the earliest settlers of this town, enlisted as soldiers in the army sent to Ticonderoga in 1758, and attempted to capture the fortress at that place. They were in the so-called "Morning Fight," which resulted, after four hours of hard fighting, in a disastrous defeat to the English army, and both of these two young men were killed in the terrible conflict.

At the commencement and during the progress of the war for the American Revolution the inhabitants of the district now comprising the town of West Boylston were zealous and active in all the efforts made to obtain and secure for the Colonies liberty and independence. Major Ezra Beaman was a prominent and leading spirit in this important and patriotic work, and nearly every one around him was also firm and determined in favor of freedom and the rights of the people.

On several special and important occasions the citizen soldiers here turned out, readily leaving their families and business to engage in the service of their country, and that without pay or remuneration, other than the satisfaction of having discharged their duty. ' During the continuance of the war several men here enlisted and joined the regular army at different periods, all of whom, with one exception, served out their time, returned home and lived to enjoy the blessings and advantages resulting from the toils and suffering which they had bravely endured. The names of these enlisted men were Ezra Beaman, John Bixby, Joseph Bixby, Zacharlah Child, Joseph Dwelley, William Fairbauk, Oliver Glazier, Benjamin Hinds, Jr., Jason Hinds, Ebenezer Inglesby, Ebenezer Pike, Paul Raymond, Isaac Smith, John Temple, Nathan Wilder and John Winn.

Of these men, the history of Ezra Beiman is given in another place ; of the two Bixbys, no reliable account of their subsequent life can be found. Their father, Samuel Bixby, came from Woburn and settled here about 1750, and both he and his wife died in 1800, since which time no one of the family seems to have lived in the town.

Zacharlah Child was born in 1763, being the eldest son of David Child, who was the owner and jiroprietor of the farm afterwards owned and occupied by Rev. William Nash, the first settled minister here under the precinct formation. Mr. Child was a young soldier, but served with credit, and after an honorable discharge settled on a small farm adjoining bis father's, and in 1784 married Lydia, daughter of David Bigelow, of Worcester, and had a large family of children. He died in 1845, aged eighty-one years. His wife survived him and died in 1849, aged eightyfive years. For many of his last years Mr. Child was in the receipt of a pension.

Joseph Dn-elley was born in Worcester, and after the war he purchased a farm in this town, the same afterward owned by Dea. James Fiske, which he owned and occupied about forty years, when he sold out and removed to Oakham, where he died in 1840, aged seventy-five years. He enlisted into the army when only fifteen years of age, served faithfully during the last three years of the war, enduring cheerfully many hardships and trials. He was in all the movements which resulted in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, and received an honorable discharge at the war's close.

William Fairbank was born in 1758, being the youngest son of Jonathan Fairbank. He was a farmer and occupied the farm now owned and occupied by James W. Robbins. He was a man of ability and prominence in the t<iwn, being often chosen to ofiices of trust and responsibility by his fellow-townsmen. During the last years of his life he received a pension from the government. He died here in 1840, aged eighty-one years.

Oliver Glazier was born in 1763, and was the son of John Glazier, of Boylston. In 1785 he married Rachel Hastings, of Boylston. They had ten children, all of whom outlived their parents. His wife died in 1841, when he went to Northboro' to live with his eldest daughter, witli whom he continued to live

Benjamin Hinds, Jr., and Jason Hinds were sons of Benjamin Hinds, and soon after the war are said to have gone to Maine and settled there. They were brothers to Jacob and Joseph Hinds, who both settled in this town and had families, but at the present time there is but one representative of the name in town, Solon Hinds, son of said Joseph Hinds, now over eighty years of age.

Ebenezer Inglesby. The only account we can give of him: is that he settled in this town about 1750, and removed therefrom in 1794. " He married a daughter of Aaron Newton and had a large family of children."

Ebenezer Pike settled in this town about 1760, and died here at an advanced age. " He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served his country faithfully."

" Paul Raymond was an early settler here, but removed from town previous to 1780." Probably he did not live here after the close of the war.

Isaac Smith was born abaut 1755, and came to this town soon after the close of the war, when he married Prudence Cutting, and settled on a farm one mile west of the old Common, where he lived until his decease in 1824. Of him it is said "He was a soldier of the Revolution, and performed good service during that memorable struggle ; and by the faithful discharge of duty, and the fatigue and hardship endured, he merited and ought to receive the gratitude and veneration of future generations. He was truly one of those brave spirits who, by their persevering eff'orts and untold sufferings, helped to consummate our nation's independence."

John Temple, the oldest son of Jonas Temple, of Boylston, was born in 1762 and died in 1841, aged seventy-nine years. He was, next to Major Beaman, of these Revolutionary heroes, the one mostidentified with the town's growth and prosperity. He first married Lois, daughter of Micah Harthan, who only lived one year after her marriage. In 1793 he married Persis, daughter of Major Beaman, and the widow of Dr. Amariah Bigelow, with whom he lived until 1832, when she died, leaving two children by Mr. Temple and two by Dr. Bigelow. Mr. Temple was an enterprising and successful farmer, possessing and occupying an extensive farm in the southerly part of the town, which had been previously owned by Dr. Amariah Bigelow. Mr. Temple was all his life a prominent citizen of an energetic temperament, which enabled him to act with promptness on matters of importance. " He was chosen several successive years as chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and frequently was called to the performance of other important duties of a public character. After the decease of his second wife he married Polly Dakin, of Boylston, who survived him and died in 1856."

Nathan Wilder, son of Abner Wilder, was born in 1760 and died in 1822, aged sixty-two years. Of him we only have this meagre history: " He married and had children, some of whom were living twenty-five years after his decease."

John Winn, son of Jacob Winn, was born in 1760 and died in 1843, aged eighty-three years. He married Abigail Cross, of Boston, who survived him and died in 1853, aged eighty-nine years. Mr. Winn was a cooper by trade and occupied, during his life, the premises now owned by Mrs. Cranson Cook, on the road to Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Winn had several children who survived them, but at the present time no one of the name is a resident in the town. And it is a singular and remarkable fact that of the sixteen Revolutionary soldiers of this town there is not a single descendant of the same name now living in the town.

We have no records of any persons having enlisted or of serving in the second war with England in 1812, but as other towns of the county were called upon to furnish men for temporary service, this town may have done so ; but at a meeting held on the 3d day of July, 1812, the following votes were passed by nearly a unanimous one of the meeting, only two voting adversely : "That the town disaproves of the late declaration of war against Great Britton." Also chose the selectmen and town clerk a committee to prepare certain resolutions, expressive of the sense of the town.

In the Mexican War two young men volunteered and went with the army to Mexico. George Flagg, son of Francis Flagg, was in most of the hard battles which resulted in the capture of the city of Mexico. He was taken sick while on his return and died in the hospital at New Orleans July 26, 1848, aged twenty-four years.

Charles W. Allen, son of Daniel W. Allen, served through the war with credit and came home after its close ; he remained here about two years and then went to California, where he died November 12, 1867.

West Boylston, in common with the towns of the whole North, was thoroughly aroused at the first indications that the South would rebel against its lawful government, and all such steps were at once taken to render all the aid to the constituted authorities to maintain the integrity of our Union, in the power of the town to show and maintain. Many meetings were held, volunteers for the army were encouraged to enlist, money was raised lor their equipment and for the care of the families of all who had one to leave. Our young men were urged to drill and otherwise perfect themselves for soldiers, and in fact all persons in town - men, women and children - seemed to vie with all others in their efforts to meet the needs of the hour. At the firat legal meeting held by the town, after the fall of Fort Sumter, April 29, 1861, the town voted to appropriate two thousand dollars for the equipment of a military company. It also voted to pay the men for the time spent in drilling, also to pay all the needed aid to families of men who should volunteer. The town also chose an efficient committee to attend to all the necessary work. As a consequence the town had volunteers in nearly all of the first regiments that went into the field, having men in all the regiments raised in the county. During tlie war the town sent into the army two hundred and fifty-two men. Of these, twelve were commissioned officers and two were surgeons. The commissioned officers were : Major Alonzo D. Pratt, of the Thirty-fourth ; Major Addison A. Hosmer, of the Twenty-eighth; Ca|)tain Pelham Bradford and Captain Woodbury Whittemore, of the Twenty-first Captain Charles C. Murdock, of the Twenty-fifth Captain George L. Murdock, of the Thirty-fourth Captain C. Alden Pratt, of the Forty-second : Lieutenant, William D. Toombs, of the Second ; Lieutenant Harlan P. Houghton, of the Thirty-fourth; Lieutenant James Conner, of the Forty -second ; Lieutenant Albert M. Murdock, of the Fifty-seventh, all Massachusetts infantry regiments; and Lieutenant Elliot F. Brigham, of the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry. Only one of these officers lost his life while serving in the army. Lieutenant Albert M. Murdock, while leading an assault on Fort Steadman, at Petersburg, Va., March 25, 1865, was almost instantly killed. His last words were, "Save the flag, boys.'' He was a very promising young man, the only son of Cyrus Murdock, only nineteen years of age when he left the Highland Military School at Worcester to join his regiment in the last year of the war. He took part in all the hard battles of the Wilderness and around Richmond, and ever showed himself a cool and brave officer.

Several of the other officers received wounds in the many battles they were engaged in, and most of them won their promotions by their services ; but all came home and, so far as known, are all still living and filling responsible positions in life.

Dr. Hunt was a young man of talent, of a very genial disposition and greatly beloved by all his acquaintances. He had only been in the practice of his profession three years when he joined his regiment at Newbern, N. C, in August, 1862. On November 18, 1862, while riding just outside the lines at Washington, N. C, he was fired upon and killed by straggling guerrillas. His body was recovered, brought home and buried at Douglas, his native town. He left a young wife and two children.

Dr. Wheeler served through the war, came home and afterwards resumed his practice in Leominster, in this county, and still remains in that town.

Probably no soldier of the great Civil War was better or more widely known than Sergeant Thomas Plunkett. He came to this town when about twelve years of age and lived here until the commencement of llie war. He enlisted from the town as a member of Company E of the Twenty-first Regiment, and saw much hard service and lighting previous to the battle of Fredericksburg, Va. In this battle he was the color-sergeant of his regiment and liad both arms shot away by a fragment of a shell. Notwithstanding the great loss of blood and the delay before his wounds could be attended to, his indomitable will carried him through, and he survived his irguries and lived until March 8, 1885, receiving from every one love and respect for his patriotism, courage and great physical loss. He held positions of trust at the Custom House and Stale House in Boston several years before his death, and was at his post at the State House nearly up to the da}' of his death, although his friends urged him to retire. His death was announced in the House of Representatives March 10th, when it was voted "to appoint a committee of eight to attend his funeral," and also "that a guard should be detailed by the Sergeant-at-arms to carry the colors which were borne by Sergeant Plunkett at the battle of Fredericksburg to the funeral," which was held in Mechanics' Hall in Worcester, and drew together a concour:-e of people large enough to twice fill that great hall. The Governor and staff, a large number of the State officials, many members of the General Court, many military companies, different Grand Army corps and citizens from all parts of the State came together to do this brave soldier honor. He left a wife and two sons.

After his recovery from his wounds his many friends raised for him such a sum of money as rendered him independent during his lifetime. He resided in this town several years after his return and marriage, but for the last few years he was a resident of Worcester, Mass.

At one time efibrts were made to have him promoted, and an application was made to Governor Andrew to give him a commission. This would have been gladly done, but after much thought and deliberation, that noble Governor says, "No! as sergeant he has achieved his wide reputation, and as such he will be longer remembered, so let him be ever known as Sergeant Plunkett."

During the war the town paid for recruiting and other expenses, with the amount of State aid paid to families, about forty thousand dollars, besides which, the ladies of the town raised, in various ways, upward of twelve hundred dollars in money, and sent stores of clothing, etc., to the hospitals at several times during the great struggle.

Farms. - There are in town about eighty farms of from thirty to two hundred acres each, on which the business of farming, in its various branches, is nearly the exclusive occupation of their owners ; while there are about twenty smaller farms of fifteen to thirty acres each, which occupy the time of their owners only a part of the time, the business lieing combined with, usually, some mechanical work. A majority of the larger farmers make the production of milk their principal business. This is sold from door to door in town early each morning. Several routes are supplied daily in Worcester, while many of the large farmers at the north part of the town send their milk by railroad to Boston. But little, comptiratively, of butter and cheese are made. Considerable attention is given to raising vegetables and small fruits for home and Worcester markets. The great grain staples of corn, wheat, rye and oats are not raised to as great an extent as fifty years ago.