Ashburnham Town

Ashburnham Families

" Whatever strengthens our local attachments is favorable both to individual and national character. Show me a man who cares no more for one place than another, and I will show you in that same person one who loves nothing but himself."

Committee Of Publication

This volume is presented iu response to ii popular demand. The enterprise was instituted and sustained b}^ a generous desire of the citizens of Ashburnham to secure the publication of the history of the town. The initial action to this end is found in a vote of the town in 1880, making choice of Wilbur F. Whitney, llev. Josiah D. Crosby, Simeon Merritt and William P. Ellis to make preliminary arrangements for the compilation and publication of a volume. By subsequent votes of the town the committee has been directed to consummate the work.

In 1882 Mr. Merritt died, and George F. Stevens was elected by the town to complete the original number of the committee. Subsequently, on account of age and feeble health, Mr. Crosby resigned, and Charles Winchester was designated to fill the vacancy. Mr. Ellis was appointed by the committee to gather material and family registers, and from this point the work has been prosecuted without interruption.

Early in the spring of 1884 the committee contracted with Hon. Ezra S. Stearns, of Rindge, New Hampshu-e, to write a History of Ashburnham, following a general plan which he submitted for our consideration, and which met our approbation.

Mr. Stearns has faithfully and ably fulfilled the obligation he assumed, and has produced a work which meets our warmest approval and unqualified endorsement. Yielding to the express desii-e of the author, we reluctantly refrain from a more particular expression of our estimate of the sterling character of the volume and of our ready appreciation of the vigor of thought and felicity of expression which will not escape the attention of the reader.

Preface

A New England town can allege no antiquity. Only in a comparative sense can one assume the dignity of age. The municipal histoiy of Ashburnham is compressed within the brief span of one hundred and fifty years, and of this period the first two decades are isolated from the connected narrative of the remainder. The drama is limited in duration, yet the scenes are crowded with events. At the threshold stands the surveyor with his compass and chain, the emblems of approaching civilization , ready to sever from the wilderness a defined area and limit the stage on which will appear the shifting scenes of succeeding years. The early settler, struggling with the subjugation of the forest, and, in the dying flame and fading smoke of the clearing, rearing a cabin and garnering the product of a virgin soil, the mechanic in daily toil dreaming not that he is foundingindustries that will ])ecome swelling tributaries to the commerce of the world, the Revolutionary soldier breathing into life his aspirations of liberty, and in the fruits of war revealing the possibility of a republican form of government, the meeting-house on the hill, the settlement and labor of *'the learned orthodox minister," the early schools, the primitive roads broadening by use into thoroughfares, the rude mills exhi])iting only the elements of mechanical skill, are a part of the history of every New England town, and each occupies a place in the following chapters. And yet throughout the work, in early and in later affairs, it has been my constant aim to present, in a proper light, the forms of procedure and the phases of character peculiar to this town. The stereotyped features, which in the force and sequence of events are common to the history of all New England towns, have heen mainly employed as connecting links in the succession of events or as mirrors to the individuality of Ashburnham. The glory of any town is reflected in the lives of sterling men whose deeds are the soul of its annals. In the following chapters, generation has succeeded generation, and each has left to posterity the strengthening'^ influence of an inspiring example. In local history is found the most potent incentive to activity of life and an honorable conduct. The nearness and familiarity of the exemplars animate the example.

During a review of these many 3^ears I have found entertainment, which can be renewed by the reader, in silently noting the t3^pes of mind and character developed by the several families which have constituted the population of the town, - each generation exhibiting the balances between extremes of character and ability that incite comparisons and suggest conclusions. The summary record of achievement and conduct demonstrates that the genius of Ashburnham has been persevering, that the average ability of the citizen has been conspicuous, and the general character of the masses has been well sustained.

Without an interruption of the nan-ative in an exhibition of the fact, it has been my purpose to supplement the deeds of men with an ettbrt to also portray the habit and thought, the manners and customs, the aspirations and passions of each generation, and to state facts in such a manner that the reader l:>e left at full liberty to draw suggested conclusions. Leaving the discussion of philosophies to more pretentious volumes, it has remained our pleasurable labor to revive fading memories, to give form and substance to the shadows of the past, to clothe in the habiliments of truth the fugitive forms of tradition, to assign to deeds of men the inspiration of a good or an unAvorthy motive, to present a picture of the past in which can be seen in clearer light the outlines of the present, and to combine the past with the present in a connected narrative of sequence and fact. Xot to the manner born nor at any time a resident of Ashburnham, I have often gleaned in the field at a disadvantage, but I have been free from the prejudices of familiarity, and in this efibrt have not been misguided by the vivid impressions and false estimates of childhood and youth.

The lields, from Avhich the material of the following chapters has been garnered, are the town and church records, the manuscript volumes in the State archives, manuscripts and printed volumes wherever found, and registry and probate records of several counties. Cemeteries with their rigid inscriptions and family records, preserved by pious care, have supplied many dates that could not be secured from other sources. To the custodians of the numerous records that have been laid under tribute, and to a multitude of friends who have rendered cheerful and valued assistance, my weighty obligations are revived in the memory of polite attention and spontaneous kindness. A o^enerous measure of o-enealooical information has been obtained at the library of the New England Historic- Genealogical Society, and to John Ward Dean, A. M., and his obliging assistants, I am indebted ])eyond the conventional forms of acknowledgment. And duty joins with pleasure in an unreserved expression of my gratitude to Harriet Proctor Poore, whose familiarity with the repositories of historic and genealogical lore has aided successful research for many dates and facts not easily accessible. To Wilbur F. Whitney, William P. Ellis, George F. Stevens and Charles Winchester, who have faithfully represented the town in the preparation and publication of this volume, I am pleased to express personal obligations for courteous treatment and polite attention. Their zeal and interest in the prosecution of the work have been a constant incentive, and their prompt attention in the proffer of facilities has anticipated every reasonable requirement. The committee has relieved me from the embarrassment of censorship and the restraint of dictation, and, in a proper recognition of the fact, I assume responsibility for errors, for feilure of judgment and for all imperfections which appear in the following pages.

It should be borne in mind that many of the following chapters were written two years ago, and that mention of present time has reference to the beginning of the year 1886. The mention of a subsequent event and the employment of a later date are gratuitous amendments to the plan

Contents Introduction

Location. - Boundaries - Area. - Surface. - Soil. - Course of the Streams. - Connecticut and Merrimack Drainage. - Ponds. - Arboral Products. - "Wild Animals. - Native Birds. - Fish. - Elevations. - Scenery.

Source changes here: from History of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, by Stearns, Ezra Scollay, published 1887; 1,372 words in this source stream.

Ashburnham Families

" Whatever strengthens our local attachments is favorable both to individual and national character. Show me a man who cares no more for one place than another, and I will show you in that same person one who loves nothing but himself."

Committee Of Publication

This volume is presented iu response to a popular demand. The enterprise was instituted and sustained by a generous desire of the citizens of Ashburnham to secure the publication of the history of the town. The initial action to this end is found in a vote of the town in 1880, makino; choice of Wilbur F. '\\^iitney, Rev. Josiah D. Crosby, Simeon Merritt and William P. Ellis to make preliminarj' arrangements for the compilation and publication of a volume. By subsequent votes of the town the committee has been directed to consummate the work.

In 1882 Mr. Merritt died, and George F. Stevens was elected by the town to complete the original number of the committee. Subsequently, on account of age and feeble health, Mr. Crosby resigned, and Charles Winchester was designated to fill the vacancy. Mr. Ellis was appointed by the committee to gather material and family registers, and from this i)oiut the work has been prosecuted without interruption.

Eai-ly in the spring of 1884 the committee contracted with Hon. Ezra S. Stearns, of Rindge, New Hampshire, to write a History of Ashburnham, following a general plan which he submitted for our consideration, and which met our approbation.

Mr. Stearns has faithfully and ably fulfilled the obligation he assumed, and has produced a work which meets our warmest approval and unqualified endorsement. Yielding to the express desire of the author, we reluctantly refrain from a more particular expression of our estimate of the sterling character of the volume and of our ready appreciation of the vigor of thought and felicity of expression which will not escape the attention of the reader.

Preface

A Neav England town can allege no antiquity. Onh" in a comparative sense can one assume the dignity of age. The municipal history of Ashburnham is compressed within the l)rief span of one hundred and tift}^ years, and of this period the tirst two decades are isolated from the connected narrative of the remainder. The drama is limited in duration, yet the scenes are crowded with events. At tlie threshold stands the surveyor wnth his compass and chain, the emblems of approaching civilization, read}' to sever from the wilderness a defined area and limit the stage on which Avill appear the shifting scenes of succeeding j^ears. The earl}' settler, struggling with the subjugation of the forest, and, in the dying flame and fading smoke of the clearing, rearing a cabin and garnering the product of a virgin soil, the mechanic in daily toil dreaming not that he is foundingindustries that will l»ecome swelling tributaries to the commerce of the world, the Ivcvolutionary soldier breathing into life his aspirations of liberty, and in the fruits of war revealing the })ossibility of a republican form of government, the meeting-house on the hill, the settlement and labor of '*thc learned orthodox minister," the early schools, the primitive roads broadening by use into thoroughfares, the rude nn'lls exhibitinii' onlv the elements of mechanical skill, are a part of the history of every New England town, and each occupies a i)lace in the following chapters. And yet throughout the work, in early and in later afiliirs, it has been my constant aim to present, in a proper light, the forms of procedure and the phases of character peculiar to this town. The stereotyped features, which in the force and sequence of events are common to the history of all New England towns, have been mainly employed as connecting links in the succession of events or as mirrors to the individuality of Ashburnham. The glory of any town is reflected in the lives of sterling men whose deeds are the soul of its annals. In the following chapters, generation has succeeded generation, and each has left to posterity the strengthening influence of an inspiring example. In local history is found the most potent incentive to activity of life and an honorable conduct. The nearness and familiarity of the exemplars animate the example.

During a review of these mau}^ years I have found entertainment, which can be renewed by the reader, in silently noting the types of mind and character developed by the several families which have constituted the population of the town, - each generation exhibiting the balances between extremes of character and alnlity that incite comparisons and suggest conclusions. The summary record of achievement and conduct demonstrates that the genius of Ashburnham has been persevering, that the average ability of the citizen has been consi)icuous, and the general character of the masses has been well sustained.

AVithout an interruption of the narrative in an exhibition of the fact, it has been my purpose to supplement the deeds of men with an eftbrt to also portray the hal^it and thought, the manners and customs, the aspirations and jiassions of each generation, and to state facts in such a manner that the reader be left at full liberty to draw suggested I'onclusions. Leaving the discussion of philosophies to more pretentious volumes, it has remained our pleasurable labor to revive fading memories, to give form and substance to the shadows of the past, to clothe in the habiliments of truth the fugitive forms of tradition, to assign to deeds of men the inspiration of a good or an unworthy motive, to present a picture of the past in which can be seen in clearer light the outlines of the present, and to combine the past with the present in a connected narrative of sequence and fact. Not to the manner born nor at any time a resident of Ashburnham, I have often oleaned in the field at a disadvantage, but I have been free from the prejudices of familiarity, and in this effort have not been misguided by the vivid impressions and false estimates of childhood and youth.

The fields, from which the material of the following chapters has been garnered, are the town and church records, the manuscript volumes in the State archives, manuscripts and printed volumes wherever found, and registry and probate records of several counties. Cemeteries Avith their rigid inscriptions and family records, preserved by pious care, have supplied many dates that could not be secured from other sources. To the custodians of the numerous records that have been laid under tribute, and to a multitude of friends who have rendered cheerful and valued assistance, my weighty obligations are revived iu the memory of polite attention and spontaneous kindness. A generous measure of orenealosrical information has been obtained at the library of the New England Historic- Genealogical Society, and to John Ward Dean, A. M., and his obliging assistants, I am indebted beyond the conventional forms of" acknowledgment. And duty joins with pleasure in an unreserved expression of my gratitude to Harriet Proctor Poore, whose familiarity with the repositories of historic and genealogical lore has aided successful research for many dates and facts not easily accessible. To AYilbur F. Whitney, William P. Ellis, George F. Stevens and Charles Winchester, who have faithfully represented the town in the preparation and [)ublication of this volume, I am pleased to express personal obligations for courteous treatment and polite attention. Their zeal and interest in the prosecutioil of the work have been a constant incentive, and their prompt attention in the profter of facilities has anticipated every reasonable requirement. The committee has relieved me from the embarrassment of censorship and the restraint of dictation, and, in a proper recognition of the fact, I assume responsibility for errors, for failure of judgment and for all imperfections which appear in the following pages.

It should be borne in mind that many of the following chapters were written two years ago, and that mention of present time has reference to the beginning of the year 1886. The mention of a subsequent event and the employnjent of a later date are gratuitous amendments to the plan

Contents Introduction

Location. - Boundaries - Area. - Surface. - Soil. - Course of the Streams. - Connecticut and Merrimack Drainage. - Ponds. - Arboral Products. - Wild Animals. - Native Birds. - Fish. - P:ievations. - Scenery.