Brookfield Town (part 8 of 18)

Rkv. Thomas Snell. - Among the candidates, employed after the death of Mr. Appleton, were Mr. John Fiske, who preached for several months, and received a call to settle ; Mr. Nathaniel H. Fletcher, afterwards of Kennebunk, who received two calls, both of which he declined ; Rev. Z. S. Moore, afterwards president of Amherst college ; and Rev. Charles Briggs, who settled in Rochester.

Mr. Thomas Snell preached his first sermon in North Brookfield, on the last Sabbath in October, 1797 ; and after 4 or 5 months' probation, was called to settle in the ministry, by a vote of 87 to 15.

The annual salary offered was ^400 ; and the terms of settlement proposed were : " That if two thirds of the legal voters of the society should at any time be dissatisfied with the said Mr. Thomas Snell with respect to his Ministry or otherwise, and should signify their disaffection and the reasons of it to him in writing ; and if such matters of grievance cannot be removed, and an amicable compromise take place within the term of one year after such notice be given ; and if at the end of the year two thirds of said Society, at a legal meeting called for that purpose, vote that the said Mr. Thomas Snell be dismissed, he shall consider himself as discharged from his ministerial relation to said society ; and from that time shall relinquish any further demands for services performed among them.

2. That the said Mr. Thomas Snell shall have liberty to leave the Precinct and Society, when he shall see fit, by giving one year's notice for a compromise as above."

The call was accepted ; and the Precinct voted to concur with the church in the choice of a council, and the day for the ordination. A committee, viz. Lt. Thomas Bond, Lt. Wm Ayres, Thompson Rawson, Ens. Robert Cutler, Lt. Jason Bigelow, Eli Howe, Jabez Ayres, Lt. Joseph Bush and Wheat Gilbert, was chosen, " To superintend and conduct the council with propriety on the above said day " ; and it was agreed to pay Wheat Gilbert ^27.75, to provide for the council.

In his Historical Discourse, Dr. Snell says : "At the time of my ordination, the church in the North Parish of Brookfield consisted of 80 members, most of them in the decline of life. No small portion of these So soon passed away, and the male members were reduced to a very small number. Twenty-five only acted in the matter of inviting me to become their pastor, and two of those expressed a desire to hear further. Considering the small number embraced in the church, and the declining age of many, some gentlemen in the vicinity expressed a concern lest the church should become extinct ; and one individual advised me to introduce what was then called the half-way Covenant, i.e., that baptized parents of good morals, though without any pretentions to experimental piety, might unite with the church, and have their children baptized, and be excused from coming to the Lord's Supper, because, unqualified in their own estimation to attend upon such a solemn ordinance, not considering that one ordinance is as sacred as the other. But this plan was never adopted by the Church."

Small Pox. - This town seems not to have shared in the prevalent prejudice against inoculation as a guard against virulent small pox. Probably it was due to the fact that two of our leading men, viz. Hon. Jedediah Foster and Wm Ranger, went to Esopus, N.Y., entered a hospital there, were inoculated, had the disease, and returned in health. Sept. 30, 1776, the town voted to establish a small pox hospital at the old Silas Walker house, to be in charge of Dr. Wm Thomas and Dr. Jacob Kittridge. A hospital was also established at the Joseph Cutler house. In 1777, John Watson's house was taken for the same purpose. In 1782, hospitals were established in each of the three precincts. In 1797, the town voted to open one or more hospitals, from Oct. i, to May I, next year. And the house of Thomas Ranger was taken for patients who should wish to be inoculated. This hospital was under the care of Dr. Francis Foxcroft of Brookfield and Dr. Daniel Baird of the West village. Patients came from the neighboring towns, and even as far as Worcester. Over 200 in all, of different ages, were treated ; and not a death occurred. On sunny days the convalescents used to go to the cave and ledges on Slate hill, to get fresh air, play cards, etc.

Picture of Old Times. - Dea. Freeman Walker says : "The contrast between the common articles of diet, 100 years ago, and now, is very striking. Tea was used in families only on Sundays, and special occasions. And flesh meat constituted a much smaller portion of the food of the people. Old Mrs. Hill (the mother of Kittridge Hill) has told me that owing to the scarcity of winter feed, the farmers kept but few cattle ; that they were a staple article, almost a legal tender for debts, and the use of their flesh was a luxury not generally enjoyed. She said that meat was usually cooked by boiling, as it was considered a great waste to either broil or roast it, as so much of the juice was lost. When boiled, the liquor was always used in the shape of bean porridge or broth, which were the common articles of daily food. She said that she once attended

Town Of North Brookfield

" Old Mr. Picliard used to go to Boston once a year and get a barrel of rum, which he brought up chained to the axle of his ox-cart wheels. This would last him and his neighbors a year,

"The use of fine flour bread is another thing which has come about in comparatively recent times. Since my recollection, the purchase of 7 lbs. of flour was more thought of in the family, than is a barrel now. I have heard Col. Nye say that in the family where he was brought up, and lived ten years, there was not a particle of fine flour used at the table where he ate."

The following anecdote was told by Mr. Amasa Walker, as characteristic of the close of the century, Capt. John Potter of the Lower Village, was the watchmaker, and a leading man in public affairs. His sign intimated, watchmaking and " Mathematical Instruments." But in truth he was a universal genius, to whom everybody went for all delicate and difficult mechanical makings and mendings.

Not far from his shop was the village tavern. The hostess was a smart, sociable lady, well posted in her vocation, but not versed in technical terms of uncommon use. One day in the absence of her husband, a stranger called, and ordered dinner ; and while it was in preparation, made many inquiries of the landlady about the town, its trades, etc. Among other things he asked, "Who is your clergyman?" It was a new word to her ; and hesitating a moment, she answered, " Capt. Potter,"

When the husband came home at evening, she said to him - "a gentleman took dinner here to-day, and asked a great many questions about the place ; and among others, who the clergyman was ; and I told him, Capt, Potter ; for as I did not know what he meant, and as Capt, Potter did every thing, I thought he must be the clergyman, if we had any."

The Town of North Brookfield. - The first move towards obtaining town privileges was made in 18 10, An article was inserted in the Parish warrant. May 13, 1810, To consider whether the Parish will vote to be set off as a Separate Town from the other Parishes, with all the privileges of a Town. On the question. Will the inhabitants send a petition to the Legislature, for the purpose of being separated from the other precincts and be incorporated into a Township by the name of North Brookfield? 82 voted Aye, and 10 voted Nay. Daniel Gilbert, Esq. Lieut. Jason Biglow, Luke Potter, Capt. Aaron Forbes and Dr. Jacob Kittridge were appointed a committee to draft a petition, which was as follows : " To the Hon'^' Senate and House of Representatives - incorporated into a Township by the name of North Brookfield ; and that the Territorial hmits of such Incorporation may be the same as those whereby the said Precinct is now designated.

" And the said Inhabitants would beg leave further to state, that from the extensive limits of said Town, it being separated into three distinct precincts, together with the necessary mode of transacting the business of the same, by annual rotation in each Precinct, they not only find the distance of travel burdensome, but, in considering the transacting of their parochial concerns a two-fold labor and expense ; That the offices of said Town are of necessity distant from the Centre, and that from the number of its Inhabitants, and the multiplicity of the business of the said Town, the term of one day insufficient for transacting the same."

Voted, Daniel Gilbert, Esq., Luke Potter, Capt. Abel Harwood, Capt. Wm Ayres and Moses Bond be a committee to associate with their agent. Capt. Forbes was paid $1, for his services at Boston, and Lieut. Biglow $13.85.

The appUcation failed; and April 15, 181 1, another petition was sent to the Legislature, in charge of Daniel Gilbert, Esq., as agent for the Precinct. This new petition stated the bounds of the proposed town, as they were defined in the Act establishing the Second Precinct [see ante, p. 250 ] as far as to the northeast corner of Joshua Dodge, Jr's land; and adds - "Thence westwardly on the most southwardly lines of lands now owned by Samuel Waite and Daniel Waite, and Calvin and Francis Stone to the said Calvin and Francis' southwest corner; Thence northwardly on the most westwardly lines of said Calvin and Francis Stone's land, to the line dividing the Town of New Braintree from the Town of Brookfield - the lands of said Calvin and Francis Stone and part of ^Vhitney hill (so called) having been set to the said town of Brookfield from New Braintree, more than twenty years ago, in consideration of territory taken from said Second Parish and annexed to the town of New Braintree, and has since been considered a portion of the Second Parish, and been assessed as part of the same." The bounds were then continued on the lines of New Braintree, Oakham and Spencer to George Llarrington's northeast corner, " And further, your petitioners beg leave to state, that they are tenants in common with the two other Parishes, in a certain Burying Ground, lying in the Third Parish, and that as there are many families in said Second Precinct whose deceased connections are deposited there, your Petitioners hum-

Act Of Incorporation

Sect. i. Be it enacted tic. That all that part of the town of Brookfield which has been heretofore called and known by the name of the Second or North Parish (excepting that part of said territory now lying south of the post-road leading from Worcester through Spencer to Springfield), together with the inhabitants thereon, be, and the same is hereby incorporated into a separate town by the name of North Brookfield. And the said town of North Brookfield is hereby vested with all the powers and privileges, and shall also be subject to all the duties to which other corporate towns are entitled and subjected by the constitution and laws of this Commonwealth.

Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That the inhabitants of the said town of North Brookfield shall be entitled to hold such proportion of all the personal property now belonging to and owned in common by the inhabitants of the town of Brookfield, as the property of the said inhabitants of North Brookfield bears to the property of all the inhabitants of the town of Brookfield, according to the last valuation thereof.

Sect. 3. Be it further enacted. That the inhabitants of the said town of North Brookfield sliall be holden to pay all arrears of taxes due from them, together with their proportion (to be ascertained as aforesaid) of all the debts now due and owing from the said town of Brookfield, or which may be hereafter found due and owing by reason of any contract or other matter and thing heretofore entered into, or now existing.

Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, That the said town of North Brookfield shall be holden to support their proportion of the present poor of the town of Brookfield, which proportion shall be ascertained by the present valuation of the town ; and ail persons who may hereafter become chargeable, as paupers, to the town of Brookfield and North Brookfield, shall be considered as belonging to that town, on the territory of which they had their settlement at the time of passing this act, and shall in future be chargeable to that town only.

Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, That the said town of North Brookfield shall be holden to pay their proportion of all state, town and county taxes assessed on the inhabitants of the said town of Brookfield, until a new valuation shall be made of the said Towns. Provided, That the said town of North Brookfield shall be holden, until the further order of the Legislature to pay to the town of Brookfield such proportion of any of the expenses of maintaining the bridges and causeways over the rivers in the town of Brook- field, as a committee of the Court of Sessions for the county of Worcester shall determine ; and said Court of Sessions are hereby authorized, on application of either of the inhabitants of Brookfield or North Brookfield, from time to time, to appoint a committee for the above purpose, whose report, made to and accepted by said court, shall be binding on the said towns.

Sect. 6. Be it further enacted, That any Justice of the Peace for the county of Worcester, upon application therefor, is hereby authorized to issue his warrant, directed to any freeholder in the said town of North Brookfield, requiring him to notify and warn the Inhabitants thereof to meet at such time and place as shall be appointed in said warrant, for the choice of such officers as towns are by law required to choose at their annual town meetings. [Passed Feb. 28, 18 12.]

Be it enacted, that Austin Flint of Leicester, Nathaniel Jones of Barre, and Joseph Cummings of Ware, are hereby appointed a committee to hear and consider the claim of Brookfield on the one part, and of North Brookfield on the other; and finally to determine whether the town of North Brookfield ought in future, to pay any part of the expenses of maintaining the bridges and causeways in the town of Brookfield . . .

Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That from and after the time the report of said committee, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the said fifth Section of said Act incorporating the town of North Brookfield, shall be repealed ; and the duties and liabilities of said North Brookfield, resulting from the said section, shall altogether cease . . .

At this point the historian begins to realize the irreparable loss consequent upon the destruction of the North Brookfield Town Records by fire. The labor of gathering materials for the fifty years covered by those Records has been difficult and discouraging, and in many respects results are unsatisfactory ; and the history of those years must necessarily be fragmentary and topical. What has been attempted is, to present fully the leading and essential facts and movements that have contributed to build up the town's industries, and give character to its inhabitants. Fortunately, a few persons were living when this work was commenced, whose memories covered the period in question. The Historical Discourses of Dr. Snell contain much important matter ; some papers prepared by Messrs. Freeman and Amasa Walker are accessible ; a large amount of historical material has been collected and saved by Mr. Henry E. Waite ; and the results of Mr. Charles Adams, Jr's five years of earnest labor in searching family records, and drawing forth family reminiscences ; all these, and the constant aid of members of the committee of publication, have been at the writer's disposal ; and to these sources is due whatever of completeness marks the remaining pages of the book.

It will help the reader to appreciate the progress of the town, if we can draw a true picture of the place as it was when the present century opened. Dr. Snell says: "At the time of my settlement (1798), the scenery was rural beyond almost any other town in the region, the population everywhere very sparse, and not five - if there was one - wellfinished and neady painted house in town - and but three or four dwelling houses within about half a mile of our meeting-house, which of all others was the place of the greatest retirement, except on the Sabbath. The spot, while far from central, furnished no eligible sites for building ; and there being no mercantile business in town, but upon a very small scale, and but one mechanic [Capt. John Potter] within nearly a mile, the house of worship had around it through all the week, a remarkable stillness ; disturbed only by the coming and going of the sickly, the palsied, those aiidicted with swellings, disjointed bones, broken limbs, and the diseased of every sort, who resorted for relief, like the multitude around Bethesda, and with much the same confidence of a cure, to your far-famed surgeon. Dr. Jacob Kittridge, whose decease in 181 3 was so much lamented. The age and infirmities and consequent coldness of your former house of worship, without any means of warming it in severe weather, together with the distance of dwelling houses (except two or three), rendered the condition of the people on a cold Sabbath every thing but tolerable ; and the labors of the minister wholly useless, unless to afflict his hearers with a long discourse for not providing a warmer house. When almost every one was anxiously looking for the close of service that he might thaw out from his morning's freeze, and that desire was to be read in the countenance without danger of mistake, you may well imagine that the feelings of the speaker could not be of the most pleasant sort, especially when he had spent half the week, day and night, in preparing his discourse. I wonder that so many people then attended public worship in severe weather, making their way for miles to God's house, without any means of warming, till the noon intermission. And 1107a I as much wonder that so many absent themselves from the sanctuary, as I then did that so many attended.

" Every individual who went to meeting, with the exception of some half dozen, must be either a pedestrian or a horseman. For those who did not walk, there was but one mode of conveyance, and that the saddle and pillion. A wagon was a thing unknown ; and as for chaises, there were but three or four in town,' and scarcely an umbrella for protection from rain. People of both sexes were obliged to take the storm as it was sent ; and thought it no great task to walk in clusters two or three miles to the sanctuary.

" The inhabitants were all husbandmen - even the few mechanics who wrought at their trades merely to supply town customers, were farmers upon a larger or smaller scale. There was not more than a single mechanic whose ware was purchased abroad ; while we were wholly dependent upon other places for most kinds of mechanical business, no less than for merchandise. , . . The population of the Precinct was then about i,ioo, nor did it essentially vary for nearly 30 years."

At that date, Wait's Corner, in the northwest part, and the forge and mills on Five-mile river, were the main business centres of the place.

The clothier's shops, at these points, have been described in Chapter I. ; as has Capt. Potter's mechanical laboratory at the Lower Village, in a preceding page of this chapter.

The stores - referred to by Dr. Snell - were Joseph Thurston's, who lived at the Harvey Belcher place, and kept a barrel of new rum, ditto, of sugar, a chest of tea, a few nutmegs and notions ; Samuel Hinckley's, west of Buxton's hill, who kept molasses, which he bought by the hogshead. West India rum, and logwood, indigo and madder, some English calicoes, and an assortment of spices ; and William Fiske's, near the meeting-house, who promised to rival Hinckley's, but died in iSoo.

The taverns were Wait's, near Woolcott's Corner ; Thomas Ball's, at the Lower Village ; and Capt. Harwood's, on the hill near the Amasa Walker place.

The village blacksmith was Dea. Walter Walker, at the Amasa Walker place ; John Hinds, in the east part ; Wyman Bartlett, near the Walnut Grove cemetery ; and Chellis Keep in the west part. The Jenkses did blacksmithing at their forge, and their two trip hammers gave them special facility for doing heavy work.

Salmon Dean had a tannery in Spunky Hollow ; Francis Stone had another at Wait's Corner ; David Thompson and Daniel Wetherbee had a tan-yard opposite the E. Hill place.

Elijah and Daniel Richardson were the wheelwrights ; and Paul Haskell did such work when he had leisure. He depended on farming for a living ; and the Richardsons were forced to seek a more remunerative calling among the rich virgin soils of Vermont. Their work here was mainly the making of ox-cart wheels, axles and tongues, as the carpenters or the farmers themselves could get out the cart-body, and the oxsleds. Such a vehicle as a pleasure wagon - and that without springs - was a rare luxury, as late as 181 2.

The carpenters were Bela Stoddard, Josiah Parker, Nathan Carruth and Joseph Poland ; but every thriving man could hew, and mortise, and lay shingles.

The First Town Meeting

The cobblers of that day, were Ezra Richmond, who had a small shop in the east part of the town ; Malachi Tower, who lived in the old Dempsey house ; Thomas Tucker and Abiel Dean. They had a bench in their kitchens ; but used to go round to the farmers' houses in the fall with their kit, and stay a week or so, mending and making the family supply of shoes.

Wm Hubbard, a wounded English soldier, was the tailor ; and Abigail Wright the tailoress ; but the woman did as much cutting and fitting as the man ; and in a majority of cases, both tailoring and dress-making were done by the housewife or a maiden sister, at home.

Spinning and weaving - for every family owned a great and little wheel, and the loom was still a common appendage to the unfinished garret - were "household arts," as also was wool-dyeing. The dye-pot kept its place in the chimney corner till the century was well opened ; and the madder tub was displaced only when Dea. Ellis of the West Precinct introduced his new method of coloring scarlet. Lamb's wool cloth, skilfully fulled, and dressed, and colored, made a red riding-hood that set off to good advantage a plump face and side curls, and the girls knew it, and so did their mothers.

Joseph Thurston had a small potash house in his garden ; and every farmer annually set up a leach-tub, for extracting lye for soap making. Samuel Stevens and Elisha Drake had a small pottery, where they made brown earthen ware. Justus Stevens was the sieve maker.

The four principal cider mills, were Cyrus Ayres' in the east part, William Ayres, 2d's in the west part, Samuel Cheevers' near Capt. Nye's, and Jonathan Wetherbee's, where the Big Shop now is.

The only brick house in all the Brookfields, in 1798, was one built by Maj. Peter Harwood, soon after the Revolution. It stood i,^- miles east of No. Brookfield village ; is now owned by Charles S. Knight.

Eleazer Bradshaw, the hatter, was the prim bachelor of those times, who always wore a Quaker hat of his own manufacture, and was once sent as representative to the General Court. He sold groceries in a small way ; was honest ; kept his own counsel ; and died worth 140,000.

181 2. - The first town meeting was held on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 181 2. Daniel Gilbert, Esq., was chosen moderator, and Moses Bond, town clerk.

for, and the righteousness of the step. But, without regard to pohtics, the Brookfield Light Infantry Co., when ordered out by Lt. Col. Salem Town, promptly responded, and marched to the defence of Boston. They were in camp at the " Rope Walk," South Boston, Sept. S, to Oct. 30, 1814.

Industries. - In Chapter I. were enumerated and described all those industries which depended on water-power for their successful prosecution. In this chapter will be described only those which depend on mechanical skill, and are driven by hand-power, horse-power or steampower ; and the list will be chiefly confined to such as can properly be classed as public enterprises. And as will appear, these several enterprises are all in a single line of business.

The seed which has developed into the great tree of North Brookfield's prosperity, was planted in 18 10, by Oliver Ward, who came from Grafton, where the business of shoe-making had already been established. " Previous to the shoe business," says Dr. Snell in his Historical Discourse of 1850, "the people of this town with a very few exceptions, were farmers, and were making next to no progress in any thing profitable, or calculated to elevate their character and promote the cause of morality or civilization. They had no productive employment, and did but little else through the winter months, but to get their fuel, [sit by the kitchen fire,] drink their cider, and tend their cattle. There were rnany poor {?cc!\\X\^% - poor houses - and poorly furnished. The mechanics were few, and did business upon a very narrow scale. With one or two exceptions only, all their customers were their neighbors. The introduction of the shoe business and its successful prosecution, which furnished profitable employment to almost all classes of people, in a few years put a new face upon things, bringing ready money into the hands of the diligent and laborious poor, made them comfortable livers, and freed from debt, and put spare money into their pockets. The extension of this business soon began to increase our population - buildings were repaired - children handsomely clothed - new habitations began to rise and multiply, till this flourishing village with a busy population stands before you, as tlie result of diligence and reformation from some of our old and impoverishing habits. Instead of sending the products of the farm to a distant market, it is with scarcely an exception, more than consumed among ourselves. Most of the people seem to have money enough to purchase any and eveiy thing they wish, and even many things they would do better without - and defray expenses that never ought to be incurred - which serve to waste precious time, and impoverish and corrupt the mind, rather than increase rational enjoyment and intellectual edification.

" We are greatly indebted for our temporal prosperity to gentlemen who have so steadily and honorably for many years, gone forward in this manufacturing enterprise. If they have found it for their gain, we are to rejoice in it. Who goes a warfare at his own charges? The ox that treads out the corn is not to be muzzled. Who would subject himself to all this care, and labor, and risk, and vexation, for nothing? While they are promoting the prosperity of others, it would be painful to think that they must lose all themselves. Their past influence in support of order and correct habits, and religious institutions, and benevolent operations, and good principles, ought not to be forgotten."

Oliver Ward. - As already intimated, to Oliver Ward belongs the honor of starting the manufacture of sale shoes in North Brookfield ; and his was the earliest establishment of the kind west of Worcester. Mr. Adams says of him : " Mr. Ward learned the tanner's trade of Clark Brown of Grafton ; came from Grafton to North Brookfield a little before 1810, and for a short time carried on the tanning business in Spunky Hollow. He started a shoe manufactory here in iSio, depending mainly on the Southern market for sales of his goods. At first, only sewed work was done. But after a short time, pegged work was introduced. Mr. Ward made his own pegs. Maple logs were sawed into sections of the proper length, which were then split with a long thin knife into splints, the points cut with a stiff knife, and then the splint divided into pegs. The next improvement was to cut the points of the pegs in the blocks with a knife and mallet before splitting ; and the next was to cut the points with a toothed gouge driven like a carpenter's plane ; and the next to do the whole by machinery.

"The business increased gradually, so that in the year 1832 it had grown from "the day of small things," to an annual production of 65,000 pairs, of the cash value of $52,000. Tyler Batcheller, who had learned the trade in Grafton, worked as journeyman for Mr. Ward 8 years, living in his family. Ezra Batcheller learned the trade of shoemaking at Mr. Ward's, and lived in his family 6 years. Others who served an apprenticeship with Mr. W., and afterwards went into business for themselves in this town, were, Gideon B. Dewing, Samuel S. Edmands,

Solomon M. Edmands, William Johnson, Hiram Ward, Charles Duncan, Daniel Whitney, Jr., Edmund Smith, Charles Newcomb ; and Harvey Belcher, Otis Waite, John F., Jeremiah and Cheney Dewing, Otis Daniels, Amphion Gates, Henry and Rice Johnson, Joseph W, and Moses Thompson, Ezra Green, Tilly P., and Wm A. Snow, Nymphas Whiting, Dexter, and Elisha P. Perry, Wm H. Ayres, Dennis Ward, Harrison Harwood, Cliarles Adams, Marcus Hitchcock, John Haven, Levi Hamilton, and others, learned the trade, and made it the means of a livelihood.

" Mr. Ward's business was largely extended ; and when the ' hard times' of 1837 came on, he was obliged to yield to the pressure, with all the other firms in town. His health soon gave way, and he did not resume business. He died in 1839, leaving an honorable reputation for integrity and faithfulness in every relation in life, and unassuming manners that won the regards of all. His large family were well educated, both at home and at school. His wife was a lady of distinguished domestic qualities, as well as devoted piety."

T. AND E. Batcheller. - The following account of this firm, and the men who were associated in its management, was prepared by Mr. Charles Adams, Jr., and was the last literary work of his life. It is printed, without alteration, from his manuscript.

Of all the men who have been citizens of this town since its incorporation, no one, probably, has done so much to promote its material growth and prosperity as Deacon Tyler Batcheller ; and a history of the town, without a brief sketch, at least, of his active and useful career, would lack an essential element. He may truly be called the founder of the now large and flourishing central village of North Brookfield. He was born, as will be seen in the genealogical record, Dec. 20, 1 793, in the town of Sutton, where he lived with his father till April 1802, when the family removed to this town, which, however, was then the North parish, or " Second Precinct in Brookfield " ; his father purchasing of Solomon & Edmund Matthews by Deed Aug. 19, 1801, and for many years occupying the farm ever since known as the " Batcheller place ", now, (1885) owned by J. Winslow Bryant. At an early age, probably in his 15th year, he went to Grafton and learned the trade of shoe-making of Mr. Nathan Johnson. At the close of his apprenticeship there he returned to North Brookfield, and was employed in the establishment of Mr. Oliver Ward who, in 18 10, had commenced in this town the manufacture of " sale shoes ", the first and only manufactory of the kind in the State, west of Grafton. In the family of Mr. Ward he found a pleasant and congenial home for about eight years.

In 18 19 he commenced business on his own account, at the " Wetherbee house", so called, which stood on the spot now occupied by the house of Mrs. Erastus Hill. Having married, the same year, he resided there with his family; the back part of the house serving as his manufactory. At first his entire business consisted only in what shoes he could make with his own hands ; soon, however, taking into his service one or two apprentices, and his brother Ezra, who had already learned the trade of Mr. Ward. The first shoes he made were chiefly of a low priced quality, specially adapted to the Southern trade. These he packed in empty flour-barrels and consigned to Mr. Enoch Train, who in those days ran a line of sailing packets between Boston and Havana. On these small consignments a large per cent, of profit was realized. In 1821, he purchased the " Skerry house " and farm in the centre of what is now the main village of the town, expecting to enter into possession the first of the following April ; but in February 1822 his dwelling and shop at the Wetherbee place were totally destroyed by fire, and he at once removed his family to his new purchase, the "Skerry House ", where he resumed and continued his business in an out building on the premises, until 1824. In that year, having previously taken into his service several additional employes, he built a small two story shop, which is now a part of the immense structure known far and wide, as the " Big Shop ", into which, January i, 1825, he removed his business, and at the same date took into partnership his brother Ezra, continuing the same business, though somewhat enlarged, under the firm of T. & E. Batcheller. - From this time forward to the end of his life, the two brothers were associated as partners through all the changes in their business ; and in giving a history of it, their names cannot be dissociated. Tyler, the senior, attended to the purchase of stock and to all other business abroad ; while Ezra was the efficient and popular Superintendent, almost always at home, and at his post, giving direction to all matters pertaining to the manufactory. - Harmonious in all their business relations, and interests, as well as in all measures devised for the public weal, the act of one was the act of both ; and in most matters their names were usually coupled, and they were familiarly spoken of as " the Deacon and Ezra ".

They now added to their business the manufacture of " Batcheller's Retail Brogan", an article adapted to the New England trade, and kept for sale in all the stores in this and many of the neighboring towns ; their main business, however, being the manufacture of goods for the Southern and Western States. The firm of T. & E. Batcheller continu'^d, with a constantly increasing business until January i, 1830, when, by the admission of Freeman Walker, it was changed to "T. & E, Batcheller & Walker ". The business having largely increased, the factory was now enlarged to three times its original size. In 1831, they introduced the manufacture of Russet Brogans, specially for the trade of the Southern States - the first that were made in Massachusetts. They soon became a leading article in the shoe trade and continued to be so for many years. Mr, Walker retired from the firm in 1834, and the firm resumed its former style of " T. & E. Batcheller ". At this time the business had increased from its small beginnings to what was then considered very large ; but the manufacture for an entire year then was probably no more than the product of a single week in the " big shop " at the present time. Nothing that could properly be called machinery had been introduced to prepare the stock for bottoming, none of which was done in the factory, but was put out and done by workmen in their small shops in this, and most of the towns in the vicinity - in some instances the stock was carried to a distance of twenty to thirty miles.

The firm of T. & E. Batcheller continued until June 10, 1852, when Charles Adams Jr., Alfred H. Batcheller, William C. King and Hervey J. Batcheller were admitted to the firm, and its style changed to T. & E. Batcheller & Co. ; meanwhile a store had been established in Boston for the transaction of their business, and Tyler Batcheller, had found it necessary, for greater convenience, to remove his residence to Boston the latter part of 1S48. - Mr. Adams retired from the firm January i, 1S60, the firm name remaining the same, and Hervey J. Batcheller retired soon after. The business had then increased, from the day of small things, - to nearly a million and a half of dollars annually. In April 1861, the Southern rebellion broke out, paralyzing for a while, almost the whole business of the country. This firm suffered with the rest, and their business being very largely with the Southern States, their losses were proportionally large. A suspension was inevitable, and they were temporarily under the general financial cloud. But an arrangement, highly honorable to them, was soon made, and in a itw months they were enabled to pay, and did pay every dollar of their indebtedness, principal and interest. But Tyler Batcheller, the founder and for years the sole proprietor and manager of the business, and the efficient senior partner of the firm from its beginning, did not live to see that fortunate consummation. - The disappointment and anxiety caused by the apparent loss of a large fortune - the accumulations of a half century of successful business - the inability to meet present pecuniary liabilities; the future darkened by the civil war in which the nation was then involved, the termination and result of which could not be anticipated by any human foresight ; - in the midst of this accumulation of adverse and discouraging circumstances, and probably to some extent in consequence of them, his health failed, and his constitution, never robust, and which had begun to feel the effects of advancing years, seemed entirely to give way, and after a brief confinement to his house and bed, and without any clearly defined disease he died, October 8, 1862, nearly sixty-nine years of age, - apparently of mere exhaustion of the vital powers, accelerated, probably, by mental care and anxiety. Thus ended a life dis- tinguished for industry, energy, perseverance, integrity and usefulness. If his life had been spared but a few months longer he might have seen the cloud, which overhung their business at the time of his death, dispelled, all the pecuniary liabilities of the firm paid in full, an ample competency for himself and family retrieved from the wreck of the old business, and a most favorable prospect for a future business, which, although he did not live to see it, was more than realized by the surviving partners, of whom his brother Ezra was thenceforward to the end of his life the able and efficient senior partner. Mr. King retired from the firm in 1865.

In the early years of Tyler Batcheller there were no special indications of the prominent positions he was destined to fill in the community, and in the business world. In boyhood he was noted for his mild and peaceful disposition ; never zealously mingling with his contemporaries in their noisy and boisterous sports ; then and always modest and unassuming in his deportment ; improving to the best of his ability the very limited advantages afforded in those days for schooling. A very few weeks in the district school each winter being the extent of his school education - a defect which was ever a source of regret to him.

He was very early inured to habits of industry and economy, which he retamed through life. The following incident exemplifies both traits. The first three years of his service with Mr. Ward were the last three years of his minority, and his stipulated wages went to his father ; over and above which, during that time he earned and saved five hundred dollars - a large amount for those days - the interest on which, as he told the writer, was his self-restricted annual allowance for clothing for several years - until he went into business on his own account.

He united with what is now the First Congregational church in North Brookfield, June 8, 181 7. In the spring of 181 8, in connection with Joseph A. (afterward Deacon) Moore, he organized and superintended the first Sabbath School in town, and for sixteen years he was a member of the supervising committee of the same. -

September 15, 1820 he was elected a deacon, when he was twenty seven years of age, and continued in that office twenty eight years - until he removed his residence to Boston.

He was married April 6, 18 19, to Miss Nancy Jenks, daughter of Mr. Nicholas Jenks, one of the early residents of the town. She was a most estimable lady and helpmeet, the mother of all his children. Her early and lamented death in 1828, was a great loss to the whole community. She was born August 1796, and died Oct. 5, 1828, leaving four small children - three daughters and a son. He married for his second wife, Oct. 8, 1829, Miss Abigail Jones Lane, daughter of Capt. Samuel Lane, a very worthy young lady who had been an inmate of his family four years, and had the care of all his children, to whom she was now called to be a second mother ; the oldest was only seven years old at the death of their mother. She lived to see the daughters all married, and survived her husband six years. She was born at Bedford, Mass. August I, 1810, and died at Boston, March 10, 1877.

The "Skerry farm" which he purchased in 182 1, covered a large portion of what is now the central village - the whole of the northeast quarter and part of the southeast, on no part of which was there any building except the old Skerry house in which he lived until 1836, when it was demolished and a new house built on its site, and which was his home until he removed to Boston in 1848. It is now occupied as a part of the " Big Shop ", and is the southwesterly portion of it. - About 1825 the land on the streets by which the farm was bounded, began to be wanted for building lots. In disposing of them Mr. Batcheller, with a view to the development and growth of the village, rather than to his individual interest, adopted the liberal policy of selling them at only about their value for agricultural purposes, to m,en of good character who would probably become permanent citizens, and to workmen whose services were wanted in, or near his manufactory. The first sale was to his brother and partner Ezra Batcheller, where Frank A. Smith now lives : and in a few years those streets were lined by neat residences owned and occupied by a very desirable class of citizens. When " Grove Street " was opened through his land, and real estate had largely increased in value, he was asked by several individuals at the same time to set a price on building-lots, he declined, giving as a reason that several of his interested friends had intimated to him that at the prices at which he had been parting with building lots, he was doing less than justice to himself and perhaps to them. He accordingly proposed to leave the price to be made by two disinterested men mutually agreed upon, and that he would abide by their decision. The proposition was accepted, and carried into effect.

In 1848 it became necessary, for the convenience of the extensive business of the firm, that he should remove to Boston, which he did in December of that year, and as was said at his funeral, " he carried his religion with him ". He attended meeting regularly at Park Street church, and November 2, 1850 he and his wife united with that church, then under the pastoral care of Rev. A. L. Stone, now of San Francisco, Cal. - September 17, 1857, he was elected a Deacon of that church, and to the close of life remained an active and devoted officer. He was also for several years a member of the Prudential Committee of that Society. -

Mr. Batcheller was an original member of the Boston Board of Trade : was chosen a member of its Committee of Arbitration, and served on other important committees.

Boot And Shoe Manufacturers

In removing his legal residence to Boston Mr. Batcheller did not forget the town of North Erookfield, where he had passed nearly half a century of his life, - nor the Church and Society there with which he had been connected more than thirty years, as was shewn by his frequent visits and acts of liberality and beneficence.

Ezra Batcheller, the junior member of the original firm, if less prominent before the public, was, equally with his brother, an efficient and essential factor in the growth and prosperity of the manufacturing establishment. And to his business tact and energy is largely due the prompt extrication of the concern from their temporary embarrassment in 1861. He was a large-hearted, public spirited man, of earnest piety ; and his memory is fragrant of good deeds and an honorable and useful life.

The present firm name is E. and A. H. Batcheller and Company ; and this is the only Boot and Shoe Manufactory now in operation in North Brookfield. In 1875, ^^ appears from the Census Report, they gave employment to 927 males and 150 females, and manufactured goods of the value of $1,817,000. Their facilities for business have been considerably increased since that date.

Hiram Ward. He was second cousin of Oliver Ward, and learned the trade of shoemaking in his shop, and started in business for himself about 1830. He lived in the centre village nearly opposite the hotel. With a thorough knowledge of the trade, he combined good judgment, and Yankee push ; and his business rapidly increased, and he prospered, till 1837, when he went down in the general crash. He settled with his creditors at 62 J cents on the dollar. After this he left town and located in Philadelphia, where his wife, a most estimable woman, of great energy and tact, opened a millinery establishment. This enterprise proved successful, and they accumulated a large estate. In after years, Mr. Ward came to North Brookfield, and paid the balance of his old creditors' accounts in full - an example of integrity and honor, too rare in our day.

Johnson and Edson started a boot manufactory in the centre village, soon after Hiram Ward, and were equally prospered ; but went down with the rest in 1837.

Dewing and Edmands began the shoe business, at the old Edmands place, in 1S35, where they remained doing a safe and successful trade till 1852. The firm of Edmands and Duncan took the business that year, having built a large shop on Summer street. Later the firm was Edmands, Duncan and Hurlburt. The partnership was dissolved about

According to the Census of 1837, the total value of boots (24,170 pairs) and shoes (559,900 pairs) manufactured in North Brookfield the previous year, was $470,316. The population of the town then was 1,509.

Other firms who have started in business since 1837, and manufactured boots and shoes in this town, for a longer or shorter term, and with greater or less success, have been : C. & D. Whiting, Whiting & Haskell, Whiting, Lowe & Co., Bond & Jenks, H. B. & J. N. Jenks, Woodis & Crawford, Jenks & Miller, Gulliver & Jenks, Gulliver, Duncan & Howe, Gulliver &: Stone, P. K. Howe, Fullman, Livermore & Montague, 01mstead & R. Walker, A. & E. D. Batcheller. The last named firm started in 1S60, in a shop which is now the Railroad station, where they continued in business till 1S75.

Currying. - In 1855, North Brookfield made return of one currying shop, employing 4 hands; value of leather curried, $28,467.04. "The business is job-work."

Pocket Books. - About 1840, several persons engaged in the manufacture of pocket books in a small way ; near that date the business went into the hands of Henry H. Sparks, who carried it on till 1876. In 1855, the published returns were: Number of pocket books made, 27,000; value, $10,000; males employed, 2; females, 18. In 1S75, the value of goods manufactured was reported at $15,000. In some intervening years, it was much greater.

Schools. - No change of consequence was made in the school system, when the Precinct became a Town. The eight school districts remained practically unaltered, except that the Centre was divided into two districts ; and prudential committees, with full powers, were chosen in each, till 1S69, when by vote of the town, the district system was abolished, and the whole care of the schools was put into the hands of the school committee. The several houses, which had been built at the expense of the districts, were appraised; and the sum, $10,000, was raised by tax, and each tax payer credited in his bill with his proportionate share.

The high school was opened Aug. 19, 1857, under the care of O. W. Whitaker, a graduate of jNIiddlebury College, The average number of scholars the first year, was 45. Average membership in 1885, 65.

Sabbath School. - Dr. Snell says: "In 181 7, the pastor commenced a new exercise on the Sabbath, the instruction of youth upon moral and religious subjects, after the close of public worship. This was done by question and answer. The attendance was from 10 to 20. The next - year, at the solicitation of a few pious females, Dea. Tyler Batcheller and Dea. J. A. Moore organized a Sabbath School, which continued through the warm season. This was repeated each summer till 1821, when at a meeting IMay 25, the church appointed Bonum Nye, Hervey Belcher and Walter Walker to assist and encourage the two deacons. Since then the church has annually appointed a superintendent, with four assistants.

New Meeting-house. - The old house at the Lower Village was occupied till the close of 1823, - 74 years from the date of raising the frame. The new house at the Centre was built that season, and dedicated Jan. I, 1S24. The site and building cost $6,000. " The slips were prized by the builder so as to cover the whole expense, and in the course of a few hours were about all sold at auction - none for less than the appraisal, and the rest for so much more that the amount of choice money was about $700."

The house was re-modelled in 1S42 ; was lengthened by the addition of 20 feet, and beautified in 1853, and re-dedicated Jan. 18, 1854. It was again re-modelled in 1874. The clock on the tower was presented to the Parish by Dea. Tyler Batcheller in 1856.

The Chapel was built in 1854, and raised to a second story in 1S60, with a view to provide a pastor's study, and accommodate the Appleton Library.

Rev. Dr. Snell. - On a previous page [p. 259] was given an account of the call and ordination of Mr. Snell, and his description of the condition of his church and people. The following sketch of his life and labors is prepared from statements written by himself, and facts collected by Mr. Charles Adams, Jr.

Thomas Snell was a native of Cummington, born Nov. 21, 1774; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1795; taught an academy in Haverhill, N.H., one year; studied Theology with Rev. Dr. Charles Backus of Somers, Ct. ; was licensed by Tolland x\ssociation Oct. 3, 1797; ordained at North Brookfield, June 27, 1798, and continued sole pastor of the church till Sept. 17, 185 i, more than 53 years, and senior pastor till his death May 4, 1S62, - his whole ministry covering a period of 64 years. His salary was originally $400 a year ; was raised to $500 in 183S ; and after the settlement of a colleague was reduced to $300.

From the first, he appears to have secured the confidence and respect of his church, which remained undiminished till the close of his long pastorate and life.

His relations to his parish, according to his own account, were of a checkered character. A few opposed his settlement, at the outset, because of the hij-ge salary (?). A great commotion was raised, (to quote his own expressions) " by the exposure made of Intemperance ; its extent and abominations, and effects, and its alarming demands upon men's purses, which ought to be paid over, if anywhere, to the cause of benevolence." This sermon was preached Jan. 5, 18 12, long before the Temperance Reformation had begun its benign work - or even the seeds of that healing tree were planted. In his conclusion, he challenged his people " to curtail the use of ardent spirits so far as to save a proper sum to bestow upon the cause of Foreign Missions, whose claims he had set forth upon the last preceding Sabbath. And now, how much? Here is the subscription: - I think I can save three dollars, and pledge that amount to the cause. How much can you give, Dea. Adams? And you, Dea. Walker? And you, Esq. Hale? and so on through the congregation. The sum then pledged was ^40. And this was the first money given to Foreign Missions in this Town." "... In 1827 several individuals agreed to use no ardent spirits, even in the most laborious seasons of the year, while engaged in their farming pursuits. This led to the formation of a Temperance Society in 1828, upon the principle of entire abstinence from the use of distilled liquors."

When he was settled, and for many years afterwards, the only public religious services expected from the minister were the two sermons on the Sabbath, and a preparatory lecture once in two months. He says : " prayer meetings, religious conferences, meetings for serious and personal conversation, stated lectures for general instruction, meetings for humane and charitable objects, a third service on the Sabbath, and even seasons of special revival of religion were all unknown in this town at the time of my ordination." In Sept. 1815, without public notice, a prayer meeting was held at the house of the pastor, attended by his family and two young men. It occurred on a Friday evening ; and from that time to the present a meeting has been held weekly on Friday evening.

Dr. Snell was very early interested in the subject of Domestic Missions. He says : "In 1807 this church agreed to raise $10 for Domestic Missions. This was the first effort in religious charity made in this place. And it was a great effort : we could scarcely accomplish it. Ten dollars does not speak of our poverty, so much as the narrowness of our conceptions." Then came the subscription of «S40 for Foreign Mis-

Rev. Dr. Snell

Dr. Snell attended the meeting of the Massachusetts General Association in 1810, when the American Board was organized; and perhaps this was his favorite charity during his life, though he did not become a member of the corporation till 1S38. In 1S24, the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Associations, auxiliary to the A.B.C.F.M., were formed. Their joint contribution that year was $71, and a box of clothing. ... In all these charities, Dr. S. was the efficient leader and generous patron.

At the time of his settlement it was made by law " the duty of all resident ministers of the Gospel " to have a sort of supervision of all the schools in town, and to see that all children of suitable age attended school. Probably no minister in the State performed this service with greater punctuality and faithfulness than Dr. Snell. When the law was enacted which provided that towns should annually choose a " School Committee," to examine teachers, and exercise a general supervision of the schools, he was elected, and was rechosen a member of the committee every year (with a single exception) till 1850, - a nearly continuous service of more than half a century. He was an early advocate for the establishment of a College at Amherst, and one of its most efficient founders and patrons. He was a member of the Board of Overseers of its Charity Funds from its organization in 1822, for thirty-three years, fifteen years serving as its secretary ; and during the whole term of his membership he was absent from but one meeting.

They have all been collected and bound in one volume which is owned by the Appleton Library. Among them are an Oration at Brookfield, Independence day, 1813; a sermon before the General Association, June, 18 14; a sermon before the Governor, Council and Legislature, 181 7, and several Historical Sermons and Discourses. The most valuable of these are " A Sermon delivered on the last Sabbath in June, 1838, containing a Brief History of the Town," pp. 55 ; "A Discourse containing an Historical Sketch of the Town of North Brookfield," delivered May 28, 1850; and "A Discourse containing an Historical Sketch of the First Congregational Church in North Brookfield," delivered May, 1852, pp. 56.

Dr. Snell officiated as Secretary of the General Association of Massachusetts, 25 years. Rev. Emerson Davis, his successor, says of him : " My recollections of him as a preacher are very pleasant. I knew him better as the much respected Secretary of the General Association, which office he held from 1824 to 1850. It was mainly by his efforts that the statistics of the churches were gathered, which were first published in 182S; and if you consider the difficulty of beginning such a work, and the progress he made previous to 1S50, you will see he is entitled to much credit.

He was systematic, punctual and honest ; an eminently wise man, a safe counsellor, and a faithful friend ; an agreeable companion ; full of good sense and good humor." -

No minister probably ever lived in this part of the State who was more extensively known, or more generally enjoyed the confidence of the people, and especially of the churches than Dr. Snell ; or whose services were more frequently brought into requisition in the settlement and dismission of Pastors, and the adjustment of clerical and parochial difficulties.

Theologically, Dr. Snell was Calvinistic in his views. " He was not, strictly speaking, a theologian, and yet without discriminating between high, low, or moderate Calvinism, we may truly say, he was a Calvinist." This was said in the funeral sermon by Rev. Dr. Gushing, his colleague, who certainly zoas a theologian ; and he adds : " on the subject of theology, the position of the lamented Pastor of this Church may be expressed in three words, He was Orthodox. He held the great doctrines of the Christian system with great tenacity. Still he could not properly be said to belong to any school. His real position was characteristically expressed by himself at a meeting of the Brookfield Association, when he said to a brother : ' The apostle Paul did not trouble his head about " Old School " or " New School," and they shall not trouble mine.' He had not those metaphysical traits of mind that would interest him in philosophical speculations. The Bible he made his study ; and his delight was simply in Biblical forms of doctrine. What are known among Evangelical Christians as the distinctive doctrines of grace, were his almost constant theme." This is illustrated by a quotation from the closing part of his 40'^ Anniversary Sermon : " I have endeavored, though with much imperfection and weakness, to preach to you the gospel of the grace of God ; both its doctrines and duties ; its warnings and encouragements ; its promises and threatenings.

" I have presented to your minds the humbling doctrine of man's state of apostasy from God, and of his guilty helplessness ; the ample provisions of Divine Grace through a crucified and arisen Savior ; the perfections and decrees of God, according to which he does all his works of creation, providence and redemption ; the moral agency and accountability of men ; the duty of immediate repentance, and the sinner's aversion to it ; regeneration by the Spirit of God through the instrumentahty of divine truth; justification by faith in Christ; the resurrection of the dead, and future judgment, and eternal retribution.

" But I feel that I have done these things in a very poor and imperfect manner, that calls for the forbearance of man, and the mercy of God."

During the early years of his ministry, in addition to his ordinary ministerial duties, he was accustomed to receive mider his instruction young men who contemplated a college course, or who desired a higher education than was at that day afforded by the schools in town.

In a word, Dr. Snell was a man of warm heart, clear head, positive convictions and the courage to utter them ; and withal, guided by large common sense and practical wisdom. During his whole pastorate, he was a power for good in the social, educational, and commercial, as well as the religious interests of the town.

Rev. Christopher Gushing, D.D. - He was the fourth in the line of pastors of the First Church, and was installed as colleague with Dr. Snell Sept. 17, 1 85 1 ; was sole pastor after Dr. S's death, and was relieved of the duties of the office May i, 1S67, that he might enter upon the secretaryship of the xA^merican Congregational Union ; was dismissed Sept. 17, 1868. He was born at South Scituate May 3, 1820; graduated at Yale College 1844, and at Andover Theol. Sem. 1847; ordained over the Edwards Church, Boston, Feb. 21, 1S49; dismissed Apr. 23, 1851, and installed at North Brookfield, as above. He was Secretary of the A. C. U. till 1877 ; and from 1867 to 1878, he edited and published, in company with others or alone, the Congregational Quarterly.

Rev. Gabriel H. De Bevoise began to supply the pulpit statedly Jan. I, 1868; was installed Sept. 17, 1868; dismissed 1880. He was born at Brooklyn, N.Y. Jan. 7, 1831 ; fitted for college at Phillips Academy; graduated at Andover Theol. Sem. 1864; ^^'^s ordained at Walpole, N.H. July 26, 1865, dismissed 1S68. After leaving North Brookfield, he was installed at Leominster, May, 1881.

Rev. Sedgwick P. Wilder, the present pastor, was born at Newfane, Vt., May 28, 1847; graduated at Beloit College 1871 ; Yale Theol. Sem. 1875 ; ordained May 28, 1875, preached at Faith Chapel, Springfield, and at Brandon, Vt. ; installed at North Brookfield June 24, 1880.

Baptist Society. - The Baptist Society and Church, though located at East Brookfield, should be noticed in this History, because its originators were largely North Brookfield people. As early as 1748, travelling ministers of the Baptist denomination began to hold meetings in the eastern part of the town. But they had no stated services here, as appears from the following : " This may certify the assessors of Brookfield that David Hinckley of Brookfield doth usually attend the public worship of God on the Lord's day at the Baptist Society in Sturbridge, and we believe him to be conscientiously of that persuasion.

"On the 14th of Nov. 1786, a compact was entered into by eleven persons, for the purpose of maintaining a religious interest. This is regarded as the commencement of the Baptist Society in Brookfield. The places of worship at the time were mostly dwelling houses ; sometimes barns ; and the Society was variously suppHed." In 1795, ^ commodious meeting-house was erected, and afterwards well finished.

May 15, 1797, a "Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Brookfield and Spencer, setting forth, that for many years your Petitioners have attended on the instructions of Teachers of the Baptist Denomination, and have contributed for their support ; and now we are well accommodated with a meeting-house, and a supply of Preaching annually ; and therefore we pray your Honors to incorporate us together with our Polls and Estates into a Distinct and separate Religious Society, with all the Privileges Powers and immunities, which Parishes are entitled to by Law in this Commonwealth."

The Petition was granted, and the Society incorporated June 17, 1800 ; and its first meeting held Oct. 29th. Mr. Nathaniel Price was preacher for about two years. Rev. Laban Thurber succeeded him; was ordained in 1 80 1, and closed his labors in 1805. "From 1805 to 1815 the pulpit was suppUed but a small part of the time. Those were years of darkness to the Society ; very small was the number that could be convened, when an appointment was made for a messenger of the truth " - says an Official Report. "In 1S15, Rev. John Chase (then a Hcentiate) was engaged to supply the pulpit a part of the time. He continued his labors till 1818 with much success; fifty-five persons were baptized." June 9, 1 8 18, a Council was convened, and thirty-seven believers were constituted and recognized as the Baptist Church in Brookfield. The day following, June 10, Brother Chase was ordained its Pastor." He continued in the pastorate till his death, July 28, 1833.

A new meeting-house was built, and dedicated March 4, 1840 : cost ^3,500. During the pastorate of Rev. L. C. Stevens, 'the house was repainted, and much improved, and a parsonage built - both of which buildings are entirely free from debt.

Among those that have entered the ministry from this church, are Rev. Otis Converse, Rev. Abel Harvvood, who died in Virginia Mar. 26, 1836 ; and Rev. Levi B. Hathaway, who died while pastor at Rockport, Aug. i, 1843. And in this connection should be named Rev. Hervey Jenks, who, though not a member of this church, was born and reared under its shadow. Hervey was son of Nicholas Jenks, was born in 1787 ; was hopefully converted while teaching a grammar school in Rehoboth in 1810; graduated at Brown University 1810, having united with the First Baptist Church in Providence the previous June. As a student, he ranked high in his class ; maintained an unsullied character, and enjoyed the confidence of officers and members, and bid fair to become eminent in the literary world. He was approbated as a preacher by the Providence Church June 11, 181 1, and received ordination by the same body a year later. He supplied half a year at West Stockbridge, Mass., and was settled in Hudson, N.Y. in 1813, where he died June 1814 - thus early closing what promised to be a brilliant and successful career of usefulness.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - No record has been found of preaching by this denomination in North Brookfield before 1829, when Erastus Otis was appointed by the Conference to the Brookfield circuit. About this date Nathaniel Smith, formerly a Free-will Baptist, gathered a Class at his own house. His Exhorter's license bears date May 1830. F. VV.

Sizer and George Sutherland were appointed to this circuit in 1830, and sustained preaching during the summer at the old Congregational meeting-house at 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoons. Rev. Samuel Davis had charge of the circuit in 1S32, assisted by Jotham Haven, S. W. Coggeshall and Eben"" F, Newell. A new meeting-house was built this year at the Lower Village, and was dedicated Jan. 30, 1833, Dr. Wilbur Fisk president of Wesleyan University preaching the sermon. The trustees of the church were Nathaniel Smith, Elias Bartlett, Wm Bartlett, Hervey Wellington and Eben'' Stevens. Mr. Davis resided in this town.

"In 1834, North Brookfield was made a station, with Henry Mayo preacher in charge. Serious financial troubles came upon the people that year. They had depended on the sale of pews \ but hopes and plans in some way failed, and in March 1S35, ^ ^^^^ *^^ attachment was issued against the trustees by Messrs. Joshua and Wm Prouty of Spencer, for the sum of $1,200." Miss y. A. Holmes'' History. This suit was not settled till 1840, though preaching was maintained for most of the time. The membership in 1S35, ^^'^^ 23.

The society led a checkered life for the next 25 years, sometimes meeting in the town hall (which was burned during their occupancy), sometimes in the Grove Schoolhouse, and sometimes in the chapel of the First Church, till the erection of the present church edifice, which was dedicated Mar. 13, 1861. The original cost was $4,000, Dea. Tyler Batcheller making a generous donation, and others of the Congregational churches following his example.

The coming on of the Civil War, and the stagnation of business nearly swamped the enterprise, and almost starved out the preacher. "These were days of heroism ; and we cannot refrain from saying, All honor to the noble men whose deeds [of self-denial for religion's sake, and of valor in the tented field] made them heroes ! " At the close of 1862, the liabilities of the society were $1,400. " During the next Conference year, the debt was liquidated by the restless energy of pastor E. S. Chase. There followed a decade of continued prosperity, at the close of which the salary figures ($1,000) stood the highest of any time in the history of the church, and, save once in the long past, the membership (81) was never so large as at that time." Number of members 1885,58.

Union Congregational Church

"The records of the Union Congregational Society date its formation, Oct. 29, 1853, on petition of Amasa Walker, Wm Duncan, J. H. Hill, Charles Duncan, T. M. Duncan, Hervey Belcher, Benj. Cummings, Jr., J. H. Field and Lathrop Dorman ; and that the first meeting was called by warrant issued by Freeman Walker, justice of the peace, at which meeting the usual officers were chosen, and bye-laws adopted.

On the 2d day of May 1854, the Society voted to extend an invitation to Rev. Levi F. Waldo to become their minister, with a salary of S800. Mr. Waldo was a graduate of the Union Theol. Seminary, and had been pastor of a church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He made but little use of manuscripts, and was a very acceptable preacher. A church was organized June 7, 1854, and Mr. W. was installed as pastor, He was dismissed, at his own request, June 13, 1856.

The Society remained without a minister till June 3, 1857, when Rev. Wm H. Beecher was installed, and remained in that office till May 14, 1 86 1, when he was dismissed by a mutual council called for that purpose. Mr. B. was the eldest son of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D.D., and a man of good natural talents, an able off-hand speaker, and had the natural qualifications for a preacher which is hereditary in that remarkable family.

The Society voted Mar. 24, 1862, to engage Rev. J. E. Tower to supply their desk for one year. He was a man of great promise ; had just graduated from Andover Theol. Sem. (A.C. 1858), and great hopes were entertained that he would become permanently attached to the Society. He continued his services till the following August, when he took a vacation. During his absence he was taken suddenly ill, and died at Groton, Aug. 18, 1862, aged 28.

The Society voted Dec. 23, 1862, to invite Rev. Luther Keene (A. C. 1859) to become their minister, which was accepted by him, and he was ordained and installed. At a meeting of the Society April 29, 1867, Mr. K. asked a dismission, which was granted, much to the regret of a great majority of his parishioners.

Dec. 2, 1867, the Society engaged the services of the Rev John Dodge to supply their desk for one year, on a salary of $1,400. He remained for about three years and a half, when he left, and was subse- (luently settled in New Braintree.

Mar. lo, 1873, the services of Rev. Charles E. Coolidge (And.Theol. Sem. 1870) who had been settled over the First Church in Holyoke, were engaged to supply the desk for one year ; and on the ist of April it was voted to invite him to settle over the Society ; which he accepted, and arrangements were made for his installation. In the mean time a proposal was made by the First Congregational Society for a union of the two societies ; but after a protracted negotiation, satisfactory terms of union could not be agreed upon, and the effort was abandoned. During the pendency of this negotiation, Mr. Coolidge withdrew his acceptance of the call, and left, after preaching about a year and a half - although the Society voted, 19 to 3, to renew the call.

The Society was variously supplied till May 3, 1876, when they voted to extend an invitation to Rev. George H. Wilson to settle over them in the ministry; and he was ordained Sept. 6, 1876. Mr. Wilson was a graduate of Bangor Theol. Seminary, and was very acceptable as a preacher. The loss of his wife soon after his marriage and settlement, was a severe trial, and probably had an influence in his seeking a dismission from his charge, which, at his own request, was effected June i, 1878.

The Society voted Mar. 3, 1879, '^o invite Rev. John W. Hird to become its minister, and he was installed Mar. 28, 1879, and still continues in office, to the general acceptance of his people. He was born in England, graduated at Yale College 1871, and at Andover Theol. Sem. 1874. It will become the duty of some future historian, to describe the man, his talents, and the results of his ministry.

The Meeting-house of this Society was built by an Association upon the joint stock principle ; the shares being placed at $50 each, of which 177 were taken. The stockholders organized Oct. i, 1853, by choosing Freeman Walker to preside as moderator, Thomas H. Tucker, treasurer, Hiram Knight, clerk. The location for the meeting-house was purchased of Cha^ P. Adams for $2,000. The house having been completed, the entire property and franchise was transferred by deed Feb. 17, 1855, to the Union Congregational Society. The pews were appraised for an amount sufficient to cover the entire cost of the house ; and the Society sold the choice of the same at auction. The results of the sale were :

It has been in charge of the Rev. Michael Walsh, the Rev. Daniel F. Cronin, and the Rev. J. P. Tuite. Full statistics could not be obtained.

List Of Representatives In The Mass. Legislature College Graduates

and from Worcester. Later, all mail matter came to Brookfield by stage, whence it was distributed in various ways over the town. In 1S26, a post-office was established in North Brookfield, on the condition that it should be no expense to the government. Jonathan Gary was the first Post Master, and transported the mail to Brookfield and return, once a week, for the income, which then amounted to $50 or ^60 a year. About 1830, when the shoe business was largely increased, a triweekly mail was established, which was changed to a daily service about 1843. The income of the office in 1850 was ^900. In 1854, a mail was sent and received twice each day. Mr. Gary resigned in 1843, and was succeeded by John Hill, who was succeeded in 1849 by William Adams. His successor as Post Master was Kittridge Hill, who held the place till 1 86 1, when Rev. W. H. Beecher was appointed. When Grant's administration came in power, Mr. Beecher was succeeded by William L. Poland, and he by his wife Harriet A. Poland, who held it till March 1 886, when George G. Lincoln was appointed.

Professional Men es[ North Brookfield. - Laivyers. Daniel Gilbert, D. G. 1796, d. 185 1 ; Joseph Felton, J. H. Hills, J. E, Greene, Y. G. 1853 ; R. E. Beecher, in practice four or five years ; L. E. Barnes, A. G. ; Henry W. King, (firm of Rice and King, Worcester.)

Daniel Pearce ; Oliver Kittridge ; L. Wright ; Gheney Potter, d. in No. Bkf'd. ; Moses Porter; Thomas Jones; Joshua Porter, 1834 to his death in 1874; Warren Tyler, 1843 t<^ ^^e present time; Wilbur F. Witter; Thomas J. Garrigan ; O. J. Travers ; Samuel H. Golburn ; Julius Gast ; M. A. Warriner.

The North Brookfield Savings Bank was incorporated in 1854. The presidents of the institution have been, Amasa Walker, Gharles Adams, Jr. (two terms) S. S. Edmands (two terms). Treasurers, Hiram Knight, ten years; Bonum Nye, 1864 to the present time. Amount of deposits, June, 1886, $506,500.79. Assets, same date, $524,368.12.

The Appleton Library. - Mar. 16, 1859, the Hon. William Appleton of Boston, son of Rev. Joseph Appleton, second pastor of the Ghurch in North Brookfield, wrote to Rev. Dr. Snell, proposing to donate to the First Ghurch and Parish the sum of $5,000, and a considerable number of valuable books, to lay the foundation of a Parish Library, which should be held and maintained " for the use of the ministers of the said church forever."

At a legal meeting held April 11, 1859, the Parish voted to accept the gift on the terms proposed, and that the name of said library should be The Appleton Library. Voted, that the care and management of the library should be vested in a Board of Trustees, to be composed of the minister or ministers of the Ghurch for the time being, and four others to be elected by the Parish. The original Board was Rev. T. Snell, D.D., Rev. C. Gushing, Charles Adams, Jr., Dr. Joshua Porter, Bonum Nye and Gideon B. Dewing.

$3,000 of the donation was expended in the purchase of books ; and the balance, $2,000, was permanently invested, the annual income to be expended in preserving and caring for the Library.

The North Brookfield Free Public Library. - At an adjournment of the annual March meeting, held May 17, 1879, the town voted, "To accept certain sums of money donated to it by the past and present members of the North Brookfield high school and their friends, for the purpose of establishing a Free Public Library and Reading Room."

This fund was made up by subscriptions as follows, viz : the scholars and citizens, $500, of which Wm H. Montague contributed one hundred dollars; and in addition, T. G. Bates gave $500, and Alfred H. Batcheller of Boston, $1,000, making in all $2,000, with which the Trustees, (appointed by the town) established and started the enterprise. Rooms were fitted up in the Walker Block, and " on Thanksgiving eve, November 26, 1879, was formally opened the first Free Public Library and Reading Room, ever established in North Brookfield, for the free use of every person in the town."

The North Brookfield Railroad Gompany was organized Jan. 14, 1875, and ^l^s following Board of Directors chosen: Alden Batcheller, Theo. G. Bates, Bonum Nye, Wm H. Montague, Freeman Walker, John Hill, Liberty Stone, T. M. Duncan and S. S. Edmands. The capital stock was $100,000, $10,000 of which was subscribed by individuals, and the balance of $90,000 taken by the town. This town subscription

North Brookfield Railroad

The contract for building the road was awarded to George W. Cram of Norwalk, Ct., who commenced work July 20, and finished the contract, so that regular trains were running Jan. i, 1S76. The road was leased to the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, which was to supply rolling stock, and operate the same for ten years from Jan. i, 1S76. The lease has been renewed for a term of fifty years from Jan. i, 18S6.

" Your Directors beg leave to submit the following as their Annual Report for the year ending with December 31st, 1SS5. During the year 14,076 tons of freight have been received at North Brookfield, 4,998 tons of freight forwarded' from North Brookfield, making 19,074 tons transported over the North Brookfield Railroad, and 44,823 passengers have been carried over it during the present year. The amount received from the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. as the proportion of the gross receipts, as per terms of the old lease, due the North Brookfield Railroad Co. in 1885, has been $2,432.01. The Directors have declared a dividend in 1885 of two (2) per cent, on the Capital Stock, which left a cash balance on hand of $463.45, as shown by the Annual Report of the Company's Treasurer, herewith submitted.

The Official Reports of the Auditor of the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. made to the Directors of the North Brookfield Railroad Co. disclose the following interesting facts concerning the volume of freight and number of passengers transported over the North Brookfield Railroad during its ten years of operation.

Freight And Passenger Traffic

Total income of the North Brookfield Railroad Co. from the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. under first lease for ten (lo) years, from January ist, 1S76, to January ist, 1886, inclusive :

The total number of passengers carried over the North Brookfield Railroad during the ten years it has been in operation has been 451,099, and no one has ever been killed or injured.

The following significant statement shows what it would have cost the people of North Brookfield to have done the same volume of business by the former methods, namely stages and teams, and what has been saved to them during these ten years by the construction of a railroad.

The regular stage coach fare between North Brookfield and the Boston and Albany Railroad Station at East Brookfield was thirty (30) cents, and the transportation of 451,099 passengers at this rate would have cost

The amount actually received by the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. for the passenger service over the N. B. R.R. has been $58,326.78, which includes the amount paid by the United States government for the transportation of mails, and the amount received from the American Express Co. for carrying express matter over the road, in all about $8,000, all of which has always been included in the passenger train service, thus leaving the actual amount paid the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. for the actual transportation of passengers over the road, $50,326.78, whereas it would have cost by stages $135,329.70, or a saving of $85,002.92, by the North Brookfield Railroad in its passenger service alone in the ten (10) years.

The cost of transporting 147,336 tons of freight between the station of the Boston and Albany Railroad at East Brookfield and North Brookfield, by teams, (horses or oxen,) at the price charged at the time the

North Brookfield Railroad

North Brookfield Railroad was opened, which was the same price that had been paid for many years prior to that time, namely, seven (7) cents per hundred (100) pounds, would have been ^206,270.40, whereas the amount actually paid to the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. for this service, has been $59,078.75, thus showing $147,191.65, or about one dollar per ton, saved on the transportation of freight alone during the ten years.

This sum represents the income and savings to our people by means of our railroad over the former methods of conducting the business during the ten years it has been in operation, and is two and one-half times the entire cost of the Railroad.

The new lease of the North Brookfield Railroad to the Boston and Albany Railroad Co. took effect January ist, 1886, and is for the continuous term of fifty years from that date, at a fixed annual rental of $3,000 per year.

Heretofore the income of this Company has been based on the receipts of the Railroad for each year's business ; hereafter beginning with January ist, 1886, the income of this Company becomes a fixed and assured sum, equivalent to three (3) per cent, per annum on the Capital Stock. There will be no more formulating of tables showing the varying earnings of our road, no more fluctuation of income, but one uniform, assured sum of $3,000 each year for fifty years. By the terms of the new lease the entire North Brookfield Railroad, from the station of the Boston and Albany Railroad at East Brookfield, to the end of the track in front of the Boot and Shoe Factory of Messrs. E. & A. H. Batcheller & Co. in North Brookfield, becomes unqualifiedly leased to the Boston and Albany Railroad Co., which was not the case under the former lease, which has just expired.

The absolute removal of all doubts and liabihties on this point, and the consequent benefits to this Company, cannot be over-estimated, and your Directors congratulate you on the assured increased annual rental, for so long a term - fifty years, - and still further on the assured removal of all liabihties or responsibihties to this Company on account of the location of the North Brookfield Railroad. Especially do we con- oratulate the town of North Brookfield, as the largest and principal Stockholder, on its ownership of so valuable property, from which, for many years, a large income is annually assured, signifying a low rate of taxation and resultant prosperity to its people.

The following record of the action of the citizens and town of North Brookfield, and lists of names of volunteers and enlisted men who served in the late Civil War, and are credited to us, has been compiled by a committee appointed by the town, consisting of T. M. Duncan, J. S. Cooke, D. W. Knight, C. H. Bartlett, E. J. Russell, N. H. Foster and A. H. Foster.

On the 15*'^ of Apr. 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers, and commanding the rebels to return to peace within twenty days.

On the 17"*, in quick and cheerful response to the President's call, the gallant old Sixth Regiment of Mass. State troops left Boston on their way to Washington to offer their services for the defence of the capital. On the 19th they reached Baltimore, where they were attacked by a rebel mob, and two of their number were murdered while marching on their route through the streets of that city, and seven others were more or less wounded ; when our soldiers turned upon their assailants, and eleven of the rioters forfeited their lives by their cowardly assault, and many others were wounded. A few moments only were required to flash this startling news through all the loyal States.

The peaceful industries of life were to a great extent laid aside, and all began to prepare for the terrible issue. Only a few moments after the occurrence of this brutal assault, the news was received by our telegraph operator, Mr. George C. Lincoln, whose office was then at his store in the old town house. The news spread like wild-fire. The despatch was at once sent to the counting room of Messrs. T. & E. Batcheller & Co., where, upon its being read, Mr. Ezra Batcheller said excitedly, " Something must be done immediately ; " and at his suggestion, after a few words of consultation among those who happened to be present, it was decided that a public meeting should be held in the town hall on that same evening (Apr. 19'^) to see what could be done to meet the emergency.

Accordingly, large sheets of paper were taken from the Batcheller's packing room and quickly converted into flaming placards, and posted in several places in the village where they would not fail to attract immediate attention. The words upon them were nearly as follows :

Our Massachusetts Soldiers have been murdered in the streets of Baltimore, while marching on their way to Washington to protect the capital of our country.

As this notice met the eyes of eager crowds who gathered around it, a mingled expression of indignation, anxiety and sorrow was depicted upon every countenance.

Evening came. Our hall was filled with interested and anxious citizens. The meeting was called to order by Mr. W. S. Phelps, who was chosen chairman, and it was addressed by J. E. Green, Esq., Hon. Freeman Walker and others, who alluded to the barbarous massacre which had that day occurred in Baltimore, and stated the object of the meeting to be " To see if North Brookfield will respond to the call of the President, by raising a company of volunteers to offer their services to the government."

Some of the older and more conservative of our citizens who had heard from their fathers' lips something of the privations and sacrifices, hardships and dangers of Revolutionary days, and thus knew something of what is involved in the terrible fact of war - ominously shook their heads, saying it cannot be done ; - others in the full strength of early manhood, with warmer blood coursing through their veins, and still retaining all the ardor, impulse and enthusiasm of youth, said "Yes, ours is a glorious country, this is our native land. Ours is the freest and best government upon which the sun ever shone. Traitors' hands are seeking to throttle and destroy it ; to us who have ever shared its bounties and enjoyed its protection, in this time of its rarest need and greatest danger, it calls for help, and should we refuse the aid which it implores ? Shall the sons of Revolutionary sires see the old flag which was so heroically borne through seven long years of fire and blood by their fathers, and which has ever since waved in undisputed triumph, - shall we see this glorious old flag torn down by treacherous hands and trampled in the dust by traitors' feet ! No ! Never ! We are ready, we are vviUing, we are anxious to go to the rescue, and if need be will seal our devotion with our lives."

It was then stated that an enroUment Hst had been prepared, and it was voted that it should then and there be opened for signatures ; Joseph C. Fretts and Charles Perry were the first to enroll their names, and several others soon came forward and signed the roll amidst the most enthusiastic applause. This was the starting point of Co. F. of the old 15''^ regiment M. V.

After much excited and interesting discussion, and the adoption of strong and decided resolutions expressive of the willingness and determination of all our fellow citizens to do whatever our duty and the emergency might demand, the meeting at a late hour adjourned till the next evening (Apr. 20*) at 7-I o'clock. At the close of the meeting it was decided by those who had thus far been influential in arousing the people, that the town hall should be put in military trim, and accordingly all the red, white and blue material in the town was brought into requisition ; not a single piece of bunting could at this time be bought in Boston or New York, while all the principal streets in both those cities were so profusely decorated as to be almost covered with it.

Saturday evening (Apr. 20''') came, and with it such a meeting as North Brookfield had never seen before. The town hall was filled to its utmost capacity. Not only were our own citizens there en masse but many also came from the adjoining towns. The band from Brookfield came over and volunteered their valuable services, and the fine and inspiring martial music which they discoursed added much to the interest and enthusiasm of the meeting. *

The hall had been beautifully decorated, and the military aspect of the place and the stirring appeals of the fathers of the town to the patriotism of the young men, urging them to give their services to the country, were such as resulted in the enrollment of several more on that evening who were afterwards connected with Co. F. in the fifteenth regiment.

Before the close of the meeting it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to issue their warrant for a legal town-meeting to be holden at the earliest practicable day. The meeting then adjourned.

It being now late on Saturday evening, a warrant could not be drawn and posted till Monday morning ; the warrant for the first legal town meeting to act upon matters pertaining to the war was dated and posted Monday, Apr. 22, 1861, and the meeting was held on the earliest day on which a legal meeting could be convened, viz. Monday Apr. 29*.

After the close of the meeting Saturday evening, Apr. 20''', many of our citizens, including quite a number of ladies, rode to West Brookfield to see the military companies as they passed through on their way to the seat of war, and it was past one o'clock in the night before they reached home. During Sunday Apr. 21^', a large number of batteries with their horses and all the paraphernalia of war passed over the railroad, going on to the front, and our churches were very thinly attended on that day, for a train of cars a quarter of a mile in length laden with men in their new and gay uniforms, horses with their showy trappings, and cannon bright as gold glistening in the sun, was at that time a sight more unique and interesting to young and old than the inside of a church ; consequently few turned their steps to the latter, while multitudes flocked to the railroad depot to see the former.