Groton Town (part 8 of 9)

The earliest records of the town were written by Richard Sawtell, and begin on June 23, 1662, though his election as town clerk was not recorded until December 24, 1662. During the period since that date there have been thirty-four town clerks, of whom five, namely, Jonathan Morse, William Longley, Jr., James Blanchard, Jonathan Sheple and Samuel Rockwood, died while in office - Longley being killed by the Indians on July 27, 1694. During the early part of 1682 Captain James Parker, Richard Blood and Jonas Prescott made entries in the records, though no one of them appears to have been at the time town clerk. Jon- athan Morse was the first who signed the records with his name, though the practice with him was not constant. William Longley, William Longley, Jr., and John Longley were representatives of three successive generations in the same family, being father, son and grandson. On December 9, 1687, William Longley, Jr., was chosen clerk, but he acted as such during only a part of the next town meeting on May 21, 1688, when he was followed by Josiah Parker, who made the entry for so much of that meeting as occurred after his election. Mr. B^gham, the present occupant, has filled the position for more than thirlyfive years continuously - by far the longest term of service of any town clerk. Joseph Lakin, with a record of seventeen years, comes next to him in length of time. Of all the persons mentioned in the list, only the last three are now living, namely, Mr. Boutwell, Mr. Parker and Mr. Brigham ; and their combined term of service covers just forty-four years. Since the death of Mr. Park, which took place on September 23, 1875, these three have been the only survivors. Mr. Butler died on October 7, 1854, and Mr. Boynton on November 30, 1854 - less than eight weeks apart.

A List of the Treasurers (so far as they are found in the town records, with the dates of their election and terms of service). - Alden Warren served during twenty-four years, which is the longest term of any treasurer ; and next to him, in length of service, was Benjamin Bancroft, who filled the office for seventeen years. After him came Calvin Boynton, who served during sixteen years, and then Capt. Ephraim Sawtell, with a term of fifteen years. William Livermore, who was treasurer in 1845, is the senior survivor ; and, with the exception of the brothers George and Walter Shattuck, all his successors are still alive.

Date of Election. March 3, 1730, Samuel Tarbell. March 2, 1731, Samuel Tarbell. March 7, 1732, "Justis Prescott." March 6, 1733, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 5, 1734 (In the list of town officers chosen on this day the treasurer's name is omitted probably through an oversight but without doubt it was Benjamin Prescott). March 4,1735, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 2, 1736, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 7, 1737, Benj. Prescott, Esq. March 6, 1738, "Justice Sawtell." March 4, 1739, Nath. Sawtell, Esq. 1740 (no record is found). March 3, 1741, Nath. Sawtell, Esq. 1742 (no record is found). March 1, 1743, " Deacon Longley." March 6, 1744, Dea. John Longley March 5, 1745, Dea. John Longley March 3, 1746, Dea. John Longley March 3, 1747, Dea. John Longley

The Old Stores axd the Post-Office of Gro- TOX. - Tradition has preserved little or nothing in regard to the earliest trading-stores of Grotou. It is probable, however, that they were kept in dwelling-houses by the occupants, who sold articles in common use for the convenience of the neighborhood, and at the same time pursued their regular vocations.

Jonas Cutler was keeping a shop on the site of M. Gerrish's store before the Revolution, and the follow ing notice, signed by him, appears in The Massachu

" Whereas on the 19th or 20th Night of November Instant the Shop of the Subscriber was broke open in Groton,&M6. from thence was stollen a large Sum of Cash, viz., four Half Johannes, two Guineas, two Half Ditto, One Pistole mill'd, nine Crowns, a Considerable Number of Dollars, with a considerable Quantity of small Silver & Copper, together with one Bever Hat, about fifteen Yards of Holland, eleven Bandannas, blue Ground with white, twelve red ditto with white. Part of a Piece of Silk Romails, 1 Pair black Worsted Hose, 1 strip'd Cap, 8 or 10 black barcelona Handkerchiefs, Part of a Piece of red silver'd Ribband, blue & white do. Part of three Pieces of black Sattin Ribband, part of three pieces of black Tafferty ditto, two bundles of Razors, Part of 2 Dozen Penknives, Part of 2 Dozen ditto with Seals, Part of 1 Dozen Snuff Boxes, Part of 3 Dozen Shoe Buckels, Part of several Groce of Buttons, one Piece of gellow [yellow ?] Ribband, with sundry Articles not yet that he or they may be brought to Justice, shall receive TEN DOLLARS Reward and all necessary Charges paid. Jonas Cutler. " Grotoyi, Nov. 22, 17G3 [8].

" 4®^ If any of the above mentioned Articles are offered to Sail, it is desired they may be stop'd with the Thief, and Notice given to said Cutler or to the Printers.".

On October 21, 1773, a noted burglar was hanged in Boston for various robberies committed in different parts of the State, and covering a period of some years. The unfortunate man was present at the delivery of a sermon by the Reverend Samuel Stillman, preached at his own request, on the Sunday before his execution ; and to many of the printed copies is appended an account of his life. In it the poor fellow states that he is only twenty-one years old, and that he was born in Groton of a respectable family.

He confessed that he broke into Mr. Cutler's shop, and took away " a good piece of broad-cloth, a quantity of silk mitts and several pieces of silk handkerchiefs." He was hardly seventeen years of age at the time of this burglary. To the present generation it would seem cruel and wicked to hang a misguided youth for offences of this character.

Mr. Cutler died on December 19, 1782; and he was succeeded in business by Major Thomas Gardner, who erected the building formerly known as Gerrish'a Block, which was moved away in the summer of 1885. Major Gardner lived in the house now owned by the Watters family.

Near the end of the last century a store, situated a little north of the late Benjamin Perkins Dix's house, was kept by James Brazer, which had an extensive trade for twenty miles in different directioos. It was here that the late Amos Lawrence served an apprenticeship of seven years, which ended on April 22, 1807 ; and he often spoke of his success in business as due, in part, to the experience in this store. Late in life he wrote that "the knowledge of everyday affairs which I acquired in my business apprenticeship at Groton has been a source of pleasure and profit even in my last ten years' discipline."

The quantity of New England rum and other liquors sold at that period w^ould astonish the temperance people of the present day. Social drinking was then a common practice, and each forenoon some stimulating beverage was served up to the customers in order to keep their trade. There were five clerks employed in the establishment ; and many years later

" In*the first place, take this for your motto at the commencemeut of your journey, that 'the difference of going just right, or a little wrong, will be the difference of finding yours'elf in good quarters, or in a miserable bog or slough, at the end of it. Of the whole number educated in the Groton stores for some years before and after myself, no one else, to my knowledge escaped the bog or slough ; and my escape I trace to the simple fact of having put a restraint upon my appetite. We five boys were in the habit, every forenoon, of making a drink compounded of rum, raisins, sugar, nutmeg, «&c., with biscuit, - all palatable to eat and drink. After being in the store four weeks, I found myself admonished by my appetite of the approach of the hour for indulgence. Thinking the habit might make trouble if allowed to grow stronger, without further apology to my seniors I declined partaking with them. My first resolution was to abstain for a week, and, when the week was out, for a month, and then for a year. Finally, I resolved to abstain for the rest of my apprenticeship, which was for five years longer. During that whole period, I never drank a spoonful though I mixed gallons daily for my old master and his customers." i

' ' James Brazer, 'VouLD inform the public that having dissolved the Copartnership lately subsisting between AARON BROWN, Esq. SAMUEL HALE and the Subscriber ; he has taken into Copartnership his son WILLIAM F. BRAZER, and the business in future will be transacted under the firm

They will offer for sale, at their store in Groton, within six days a complete assortment of English, India, and W. India GOODS, which they will sell for ready pay, at as low a rate as any store in the Country.

founders of Groton Academy, and his subscription of £15 to the building fund in the year 1792 was as large as that given by any other person. In the early part of this century he built the house now belonging to the academy and situated just south of it, where he lived until his death, which occurred on November 10, 1818. His widow, also, took a deep interest in the institution, and at her decease, April 14, 1826, bequeathed to it .nearly five thousand dollars.

After Mr. Brazer's death the store was moved across the street, where, until the summer of 1885, it remained, forming the wing of Gerrish's Block. The post-office was in the north end of it during Mr. Butler's term as postmaster. About this time the son, William Farwell Brazer, built a store nearly opposite to the Academy, which he kept duriug some years. It was made finally into a dwelling-house, and occupied by the late Jeremiah Kilbourn.

The brick store opposite to the High School was built in the year 1835, by Henry Woods, for his own place of business, and afterwards kept by him and George S. Boutwell, the style of the firm being Woods & Boutwell. Mr. Woods died on January 12, 1841, and he was succeeded by his surviving partner, who carried on the store for a long time, even while holding the highest executive position in the State. In the spring of 1855, when he began to practice law. Governor Boutwell sold out the business to Brigham & Parker. The post-ofiice was in this building during the years 1839 and 1840 and until April, 1841. For the past thirty years it has been occupied by various firms, but is now kept by John H. Sheedy & Company.

Duriag the last war with England, Eliphalet Wheeler had a store where Miss Betsey Capell and her sisters, Sarah and Catherine, in more modern times, kept a haberdasher's shop. It is situated opposite to the Common, and is now used as a dwelling-house. They were daughters of John Capell, who owned the saw-mill and grist-mill, which formerly stood on the present site of the Tileston and Hollings worth paper-mills, on the Great Road, northwest of the village. Afterward Wheeler and his brother, Abner, took Major Thomas Gardner's store, where he was followed by William F. Brazer, Park & Woods, Park & Potter, Potter & Gerrish and lastly by Charles Gerrish, who kept it for more than thirty years. It was given up as a store in July, 1884, and has since been moved away and made into a tenement-house.

Near the beginning of the present century there were three military companies in town : the Artillery Company, commanded at one time by Captain Jantes Lewis ; the North Company, by Captain Jonas Gilson, and the South Company, by Captain Abel Tarbell. Two of these officers were soon promoted in the regimental service ; Captain Tarbell to a colonelcy, and Captain Lewis to a majorate. Captain Gilson resigned and was succeeded by Captain Noah Shattuck. They had their spring and fall trainingdays, when they drilled as a battalion on the Common, - there were no trees there then, - and marched through the village. They formed a very respectable command, and sometimes would be drawn up before Squire Brazer's store, and at other times before Major

David Child had a store, about the beginning of the century, at the south corner of Main and Pleasant Streets, nearly opposite to the site of the Orthodox meeting-house, though Pleasant Street was not then laid out. It was subsequently occupied by Deacon Jonathan Stow Adams, then by Artemas Wood, and lastly by Milo Henry Shattuck. This was moved off nearly twenty years ago, and a spacious building put up a few rods north, on the old tavern site across the way, by Mr. Shattuck, who still carries on a large business.

Alpheus Richardson kept a book-store, about the year 1815, in his dwelling, at the south corner of Main and Elm Streets, besides having a book-bindery in the same building. Soon afterward an L was added to the house, and for a short time he carried on a country variety store in connection with his other business. The book-store and binder's shop were continued until about 1850. It is said that this house was built originally by Colonel James Prescott, for the use of his son, Abijah, as a store; but it never was so occupied by him.

Joseph and Phineas Hemenway, uncles of the late Augustus Hemenw-ay, of Boston, built a store on the north corner of Main and Elm Streets, about the year 1815, where they carried on a trading business. They were succeeded by one Richardson, then by David Childs ; and finally by John Hamilton Spalter, who had for many years a book-store and binder's shop in the building, which is now used as a dwell-

About the year 1826, General Thomas Adams Staples built and kept a store on Main Street, directly north of the Orthodox meeting-house. He was followed successively by Benjamin Franklin Lawrence, Henry Hill and Walter Shattuck. At one time the style of the firm was Shattuck, Brown & Company. The building was burned down very early on Tuesday morning, November 17, 1874, and its site is now occupied by Dr. David Roscoe Steere's house.

In November, 1844, a large building was moved from Hollis Street to the corner of Main and Court Streets. It was put up originally as a meeting-house for the Second Adventists or Millerites, as they were called in this neighborhood, after William Miller, one of the founders of the sect; and during the following winter and spring it was fitted up in a commodious manner, with shops in the basement and a spacious hall in the second story. The building was known as Liberty Hall, and formed a conspicuous htructure in the village. It was first occupied by tenants in July, 1845. The post-office was kept there while Mr. Lothrop and Mr. Andruss were the postmasters. It was used as a shoe-store, a grocery and a bakery, when, on Sunday, March 31, 1878, it was burned to the ground.

The brick store, owned by the Dix family, was built and kept by Aaron Brown, near the beginning of the century. He was followed by Moses Carleton, and after him came and Merriam, and then

Benjamin P. Dix. It is situated at tlie corner of Main Street and Broad Meadow Eoad, and is now used as a dwelling-house. A very good engraving of this building is given in The Groton Herald, May 8, 1830, which is regarded by persons who remember it at that time as a faithful representation, though it has since undergone some changes.

Near the end of the last century Major William Swan traded in the house now" occupied by Charles Woolley, Jr., north of the Common, near the old burying-ground. It was Major Swan who set out the elms in front of this house, w^hich w^as the Rev. Dr. Chaplin's dwelling for many years.

At the beginning of this century two daughters of Isaac Bowers, a son of Landlord Bowers, had a drygoods shop in the house owned and occupied by the late Samuel William Eowe, Esq. About the year 1825 Walter Shattuck opened a store in the building originally intended for the Presbyterian Church, opposite to the present entrance of the Groton Cemetery. Before the Revolution there was a store kept by Jonathan Clark Lewis, near the site of Captain Asa Stillman Lawrence's house, north of the Town Hall. Mr. Lewis was an Englishman by birth, and died on April 7, 1781. See "Groton Epitaphs" for a cut of the family coat^of-arms, which appears on his grave-stone. There was a trader in town, Thomas Sackville Tufton by name, who died in the year 1778, though I do not know the site of his shop. Captain Samuel Ward, a native of Worcester, and an officer in the French and Indian War, was engaged in business at Groton some time before the Revolution. He

The Groton Post- Office. - The Groton post-oflSce was established at the very beginning of the present century, and before that time letters intended for this town were sent through private hands. Previous to the Revolution there were only a few post-offices in the Province, and often persons in distant parts of Massachusetts received their correspondence at Boston. In The Boston Gazette, or County Journal, June 30, 1755, a letter is advertised for Samuel Bowers, of Groton, who at that time kept a tavern ; and in the same newspaper of August 4, 1755, another is advertised for Captain Samuel Parker, and one for Dudley Woodbridge, who lived probably at Groton, Connecticut. It is also stated that " none of the above Letters came by the last mails." In the supplement to The Boston Gazette, February 9, 1756, letters are advertised as remaining uncalled for, at the Boston office, addressed to William Lakin and Abigail Parker, both of Groton, as well as to Samuel Manning, Townsend; William Gleany, Dunstable; and Jonathan Lawrence, Littleton. Nearly five months afterward letters - and perhaps these identical ones - are advertised for the same persons in The Boston^Weehly News- Letter, July 1, 1756, as still uncalled for. The name of David Farnum, America, appears also in this list, and it is hoped that wherever he was he received the missive. The names of Oliver Lack (intended for Lakin) and Ebenezer Parker, both of this town, are given in another list printed in the Gazette QiZxjiTi^ 28, 1762; and in the same issue one is advertised for

Samuel Starling, America. In the supplement to the Gazette, October 10, 1768, Ebenezer Farnsworth, Jr., and George Pierce, of Groton, had letters advertised ; and in the Gazette October 18, 1773, the names of Amos Farnsworth, Jonas Farns worth and William Lawrence, all of this town, appear in the list. In the Columbian Centinel (Boston), January 29, 1794, a letter is advertised for Benjamin Tarbel, of Groton.

I find no record of a post-rider passing through Groton, during the period immediately preceding the establishment of the post-office ; but there was doubtless such a person who used to ride on horseback, equipped with saddle-bags, and delivered at regular intervals the weekly new^spapers and letters along the way. In the year 1794, according to the History of New Ipswich, New Hampshire (page 129), a postrider, by the name of Balch, rode from Boston to Keene one week and back the next. Probably he passed through this town and served the inhabitants with his favors.

Several years ago I procured, through the kindness of General Charles Devens, at that time a member of President Hayes's Cabinet, some statistics of the Groton post-office, which are contained in the following letter :

"Sir, - I have to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from Samuel A. Green, of Boston, Massachusetts, with your indorsement thereon, requesting to be furnished with a list of postmasters at the office of Groton, in that State, from the date of its establishment to the present time.

sumed the department building, on the night of the fifteenth of December, 1836, destroyed three of the earliest record-books of this office ; but by the aid of the auditor's ledger-books, it is ascertained that the office began to render accounts on the first of January, 1801, but the exact day is not known. Samuel Dana was the first postmaster, and the following list furnishes the history of the office, as shown by the old records.

"Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Office probably established in November, 1800. Samuel Dana began rendering accounts January 1, 1801. Wm. M. Richardson, October 1, 1804.

" Each postmaster held the oflBce up to the appointment of his successor, but it is probable that Mr. Boutwell and Mr. A. Wood, although regularly appointed, did not accept, judging by the dates of the next postmasters.

" As to the 'income' of the office, to which allusion is made, it is very difficult to obtain any of the amounts ; but the first year and the last year are herewith appended, as follows : -

This letter of the Acting First Assistant Postmaster-General supplements the account in Butler's " History of Groton" (pages 249-251). According to Mr. Butler's statement, the post-office was established on September 29, 1800, and the Honorable Samuel Dana was appointed the first postmaster, Xo mail, however, was delivered at the office until the last week in November. For a while it came to Groton by the way of Leominster, certainly a very indirect route. This fact appears from a letter written to Judge Dana, by the Postmaster-General, under the date of December 18, 1800, apparently in answer to a request to have the mail brought directly from Boston. In this communication the writer says : -

" It appears to me, that the arrangement which has been made for carrying the mail to Groton is sufficient for the accommodation of the inhabitants, as it gives them the opportunity of receiving their letters regularly, and with despatch, once a week. The route from Boston by Leominster, to Groton is only twenty miles farther than by the direct route, and the delay of half a day, which is occasioned thereby, is not of much consequence to the inhabitants of Groton. If it should prove that Groton produces as much postage as Lancaster and Leominster, the new contract for carrying the mail, which is to be in operation on the first of October next, will be made by Concord and Groton to Walpole, and a branch from Concord to Marlborough.

after deducting the necessary expenses, including the postmaster's salary, was, for the first year after its establishment, about twelve dollars, or three dollars for three months. In the year 1802 it was thirty-six dollars, or nine dollars for three months, a large proportional increase. At this time the mail came once a week only, and was brought by the stage-coach.

Samuel Dana, the first postmaster, was a prominent lawyer at the time of his appointment. He was the son of the Reverend Samuel Dana, of Groton, and born in this town June 26, 1767. He occupied a high position in the community, and exerted a wide influence in the neighborhood. At a later period he was president of the Massachusetts Senate, a member of Congress, and finally chief justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas. He died at Charlestown, on November 20, 1885.

Judge Dana kept the post-office in his own office, which was in the same building as that of the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, another noted lawyer. These eminent men were on opposite sides of the same entry, and generally on opposite sides of all important cases in the northern part of Middlesex County. The building stood on the site of Governor Boutwell's house, and is still remembered as the medical office of the venerable Dr. Amos Bancroft. It was afterward moved away, and now stands near the railway- station, where it is occupied as a dwelling-house. Judge Dana held the position during four years, and he was succeeded by William Merchant Richardson, Esq., afterward the chief justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire. Mr. Richardson was a graduate of Har- vard College in the class of 1797, and at the time of his appointment as postmaster had recently finished his professsional studies in Groton, under the guidance of Judge Dana. After his admission to the bar Mr. Richardson entered into partnership with his former instructor, succeeding him as postmaster in July, 1804; and the office was still kept in the same building. During Judge Richardson's term the net revenue to the department rose from nine dollars to about twenty-eight dollars for three months. He held the position nearly eight years, and was followed by Abraham Moore, who was appointed on January 31, 1812.

Mr. Moore was a native of Bolton, Massachusetts, where he was born on January 5, 1785. He graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1806, and studied law at Groton with the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, and after his admission to the bar settled here as a lawyer. His office was on the site of the north end of Gerrish's Block, and it was here that the post-office was kept. During his administration the average income from the office was about thirty-three dollars for the quarter. In the summer of 1815 Mr. Moore resigned the position and removed to Boston.

Eliphalet Wheeler, who kept the store lately occupied by Mr. Gerrish, was appointed in Mr. Moore's stead, and the post-office was transferred to his place of business. He, however, was not commissioned, owing, it is thought, to his political views ; and Major James Lewis, who was sound in his politics, received the appointment in his stead. Major Lewis retained Mr. Wheeler for a short time as his assistant, and during this period the duties were performed by him in his own store. Shortly afterward Caleb Butler, Esq., was appointed the assistant, and he continued to hold the position for eight years. During this time the business was carried on in Mr. Butler's law-office, and the revenue to the government reached the sum of fifty dollars a quarter. His office was then in a small building, - just south of Mr. Hoar's tavern, - which was moved away about the year 1820, and taken to the lot where Colonel Needham's house now stands, at the fork of Main and Hollis Streets. It was fitted up as a dwelling, and subsequently moved away again. At this time the old store of Mr. Brazer, who had previously died, was brought from over the way, and occupied by Mr. Butler, on the site of his former office.

On July 1, 1826, Mr. Butler, who had been Major Lewis' assistant for many years and performed most of the duties of the office, was appointed postmaster.

Mr. Butler was a native of Pelham, New Hampshire, where he was^born on September 13, 1776, and a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1800. He had been the preceptor of Groton Academy for some years, and v/as widely known as a critical scholar. He had previously studied law with the Honorable Luther Lawrence, of Groton, though his subsequent practice was more in drawing up papers and settling estates than in attendance at courts. His name is now identified with the town as its historian. During his term of office as postmaster the revenue rose from fifty dollars to one hundred and ten dollars a quarter. He held the position nearly thirteen years, to the entire satisfaction of the public ; but for political her-

Mr. Woods held the office until his death, which occurred on January 12, 1841 ; and he was followed by the Hon. George S. Boutwell, since the Governor of the Commonwealth and a member of the United States Senate. During the administration of Mr. Woods and Mr. Boutwell the office was kept in the brick store, opposite to the present High School.

Upon the change in the administration of the National Government, Mr. Butler was reinstated in office on April 15, 1841. He continued to hold the position until December 21, 1846, when he was again removed for political reasons. Mr. Butler was a most obliging man, and his removal was received by the public with general regret. Daring his two terms he filled the office for more than eighteen years, a longer period than has fallen to the lot of any other postmaster of the town. Xear the end of his service a material change was made in the rate of* postage on letters; and in his History (page 251) he thus comments on it :

"The experiment of a cheap rate was put upon trial. From May 14, 1841, to December 31, 1844, the net revenue averaged one hundred and twentj-four dollars and seventy-one cents per quarter. Under the new law, for the first year and a half, the revenue has been one hundred and four dollars and seventy-seven cents per quarter. Had the former rates remained, the natural increase of business should have i-aised it to one hundred and fifty dollars per quarter. The department, which for some years before had fallen short of supporting itself, now became a heavy charge upon the treasury-. Whether the present rates will event- Qallj- raise a sufficient revenue to meet the expenditures, remains to be seen. The greatest dilficulty to be overcome is evasion of the post-office laws and fraud upon the department."

did not appreciate the fact that the best way to prevent evasions of the law is to reduce the rates of postage so low that it will not pay to run the risk of fraud.

Captain Welcome Lothrop succeeded Mr. Butler as postmaster, and during his administration the office was kept in Liberty Hall. Captain Lothrop was a native of Easton, Massachusetts, and a land surveyor of some repute in this neighborhood. Artemas AVood followed him by appointment on February 22, 1849; but he never entered upon the duties of his office. He was succeeded by George Henry Brown, who had published The Spirit of the Times, a political newspaper, during the Presidential canvass of 1848, and in this way had become somewhat prominent as a local politician. Mr. Brown was appointed on May 4, 1849 ; and during his term the office was kept in an L of his dwelling, situated nearly opposite to the Orthodox meeting-house. He was afterward the postmaster of Ayer. Mr. Brown was followed by Theodore Andruss, a native of Orford, New Hampshire, who was appointed on April 11, 1853. Mr. Andruss brought the office back to Liberty Hall, and continued to be the incumbent until April 22, 1861, when he was succeeded by George Washington Fiske. On February 13, 1867, Henry Woodcock was appointed to the position, and the office was then removed to the Town-House, where most excellent accommodations were given to the public. He was followed on June 11, 1869, by Miss Harriet Elizabeth Farnsworth, now Mrs. Marion Z. Putnam ; and she in turn was succeeded on July 2, 1880, by Mrs. Christina

The office is still kept in the Town-House, and there is no reason to think that it will be removed from the spacious and commodious quarters it now occupies, for a long time to come. This public building was erected in 1859, and the first town-meeting was held within its walls, on Tuesday ,.November 8th, of that year. The High School was first opened in the lower hall on Monday, December 5th, and the examination of classes for admission took place three days previously, on Friday, December 2d.

A semi-daily mail was established between Boston and Groton in the year 1849, during the early part of postmaster Brown's administration ; and a tri-daily mail on Monday, April 18, 1887. The post-office was made a postal-order office on Monday, August 16, 1886, and raised to the rank of a Presidential office on February 15, 1890.

Few towns in the Commonwealth can present such an array of distinguished men among their postmasters as that of Groton, including, as it does, the names of Judge Dana, Judge Richardson, Mr. Butler and Governor Boutwell, One of Judge Richardson's assistants was afterwards Postmaster-General of the United States, The Honorable Amos Kendall was studying law in his office at the time, and subsequently became Postmaster-General under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren, 1835-1810. In Mr. Kendall's " Autobiography " (Boston, 1872), edited by his son-in-law, William Stickney, it is said : were much interrujited by the business of the office, which devolved on him as the oldest student. He had charge of the post-office ; received, made up and despatched the mails, delivered the letters and papers and made out the accounts. He was frequently sent on business to the neighboring towns, and employed in collecting office dues." (Page 78.)

West Groton is a small settlement that has sprung up in the western part of the town, dating back in lis history to the last century. It is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Squannacook River, and in my boyhood was known as Squannacook, a much better name than the present one. It is to be regretted that so many of the old Indian words which have a local significance and smack of the region, should have been crowded out of the list of our geographical names. There is a small water-power here, and formerly a saw-mill, grist-mill and a paper-mill were in operation ; but these have now given way to a factory where leather-board is made. The Peterborough and Shirley Branch of the Fitchburg Eailroad passes through the place, and some local business is transacted in the neighborhood. As a matter of course, a post-office was needed in the village, and one was established on March 19, 1850. The first person to fill the office was Adams Archibald, a native of Truro, Nova Scotia, who kept it in the railway station.

A post-office was established at South Groton, on June 1, 1849, and the first postmaster was Andrew Boynton Gardner. The village was widely known as Groton Junction, and resulted from the intersection of several railroads. Here six passenger-trains coming from different points were due in the same station at the same time, and they all were supjjosed to leave as punctually.

The trains on the Fitchburg Railroad, arriving from each direction, and likewise the trains on the Worcester and Nashua Road from the north and the south, passed each other at this place. There was also a train from Lowell, on the Stony Brook Railroad, and another on the Peterborough and Shirley Branch, coming at that time from West Townsend.

A busy settlement grew up, which was incorporated as a distinct town under the name of Aver, on February 14, 1871, so called after the late James Cook Ayer, of Lowell.

The name of the post-office was changed by the Department at Washington, from South Groton to Groton Junction, on March 1, 1862 ; and subsequently this again was changed to Ayer, on March 22, 1871,

Closely akin to the post-office in its functions is the service of the telegraph and the telephone, and for that reason I add the following facts :

The telegraph office was opened in the village of Groton on Saturday, March 20, 1880, mainly through the exertions of the late Charles Harrison Waters and of Francis Marion Boutwell, Esq. ; and the first message was sent to Nashua. The office was established in the railway-station, where it has since remained, and the first operator was Miss Etta Augusta Shattuck.

The Old Taverns and Stage-Coaches of Groton. - It has been said that there is nothing contrived by man which has produced so much happiness as a good tavern. Without disputing the statement, all will agree that many good times have been passed around the cheerful hearth of the oldfashioned inn.

The sites of the earliest taverns of Groton cannot easily be identified, but the names of some of the landlords are found in the records of the Middlesex Court of Quarter Sessions, - now at East Cambridge, - when they were licensed as inn-holders. At that period no great preparations were made in the small towns for the lodging of strangers, beyond (obtaining the necessary license, and guests were treated like members of the family. Occasionally a farmer would keep a tavern ioi a while, and thus make a market for his home products. For a long time Groton was a frontier settlement, and all beyond it was a wilderness. The trarel through the place was mainly along the circumference of civilization. frc»m one outlying town to another, and there was but little patronage for public-houses. The following list of early lan«ilords and retailers of spirits is taken from the Court records, and the entries are made during the months of July, August and September in the req>ectiTe years :

ITIS. - NsjiMiKl Woo& ITli - yatLa-id Wooa^ 1715. - 2s aai^niea Woods. ITie. - XaAMiel Woofe 1717. - y»thwMfl Woede, Hbmxs BcUiM, Seuer foaen; JajWB

In the Journal of the House of Eepresentatives (page 96), December 21, 1752, is a petition of Caleb Trowbridge, Jr., of Groton, stating that :

" He lives iipon a publick Road leading from Dunstable to Harvard, which is frequented by many Travelers ; that the publick Houses on said Eoad are fifteen Miles distant from each other ; that he has only Liberty to Eetail, yet is often crowded with People who want necessary Refreshment, but who is not allowed to sell it to them ; he therefore prays he may now obtain a Licence as an Innholder.

" Pass'd in Council, fiz. In Council, Deceinber 21st, 1752. Bead and Ordered, That the Justices of the General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, be and they hereby are allowed to grant the Petitioner a License to be an Innholder, if they see Caiise, at their Adjournment on Saturday, the 23d Instant, the Time for granting Licences being elapsed notwithstanding, provided the Petitioner first obtains the Approbation of the Select-Men of Groton for that purpose.

The Trowbridge tavern cannot now be identified with certainty ; but it is highly probable that it was the same as the Bowers inn, mentioned in the next paragraph.

The earliest tavern in Groton, of which there is any positive record or knowledge, was kept by Samuel Bovvers, Jr., in the house lately and for a long time occupied by the Champney family. Mr. Bowers was born in Groton on December 21, 1711, and, according to his tombstone, died on " the Sixteenth Day of De- cember Anno Domini 1768. Half a hour after Three of the Clock in y^ Afternoon, and in the Fifty Eight year of his age." He was first licensed in the year 1755, and was known in the neighborhood as "Land'urd Bowers," - the inn-keeper of that period being generally addressed by the title of landlord. I do not know who succeeded him in his useful and important functions.

The next tavern of which I have any knowledge was the one kept by Captain Jonathan Keep, during the latter part of the Revolution. In The Independent Chronicle (Boston), February 15, 1781, the committee of the General Court tor the sale of confiscated property in Middlesex County advertise the estate of Dr. Joseph Adams, of Towusend, to be sold "at Mr. Keeps, innholder at Groton." This tavern has now been kept as an inn during more than a century. It was originally built for a dwelling-house, and, before the Revolution, was occupied by the Reverend Samuel Dana ; but since that time it has been lengthened in front and otherwise considerably enlarged. Captain Keep was followed by the brothers Isaiah and Joseph Hall, who were the landlords as early as the year 1798. They were succeeded in 1825 by Joseph Hoar, who had just sold the Emerson tavern, at the other end of the village street. Excepting the year 1836, when Moses Gill and his brotherin-law, Henry Lewis Lawrence, were the landlords, Mr. Hoar kept it until the spring of 1843, when he sold out to Thomas Tread well Farnsworth. It was then conducted as a temperance house, at that time considered a great innovation on former customs.

After a short period it was sold to Daniel Hunt, who kept it until 1S52; and he was followed by James Minot Colburn, who had it for two years. It then came into the possession of Joseph Nelson Hoar, a son of the former landlord, who took it in 1854, and in whose family it has since remained. Latterly it has been managed by three of his daughters, and was known as the Central House. For a long time it was the only tavern in the village, and for neatness and comfort could not easily be surpassed. Within a few months it has been shut up as a public-house, but it is hoped only temporarily. The following description of the inn was written by the late Mrs. Delano A. Goddard, in a letter from Groton to the Worcester Daily Spy, July 7, 1876, after giving an account of the celebration on the Fourth of July :

"I cannot leave Groton without one word for its 'Central House,' its only tavern ; a long, low building, with a picturesque piazza its whole length, covered with a luxuriant woodbine. It is unique, and is kept by three sisters [the Misses Hoar], who receive their visitors hospitably and serve them themselves ; who, in spite of all their household duties, never seem hurried, are always to be found, always courteous, always ready. They are admirable representatives of the intelligent, capable, attractive New England girls who don't know what shirking is, but who take up the life they find waiting for them, and make of it the best thing they can."

In August, 1877, a tavern, known as the Fletcher House, was opened at the southerly end of the village street. It is situated on the easterly side of the Boston Road, near the Colonel Prescott monument, and fifty years ago was owned by Dr. Farnsworth.

In a list of innholders printed near the end of Isaiah Thomas's Almanack for 1785, appears the name of Richardson, whose tavern stood on the present site of the Baptist Church. It was originally the house owned and occupied by the Rev. Gershom Hobart, which had been considerably enlarged by additions on the north and east sides, in order to make it more suitable for its new purposes. Mine host was Captain Jcphthah Richardson, who died on October 9, 1806. His father was Converse Richardson, who had previously kept a small inn on the present Elm Street, near the corner of Pleasant. It was in this Elm Street house that Timothy Bigelow, the rising young lawyer, lived when he first came to Groton. Within a few years this building has been moved away. Soon after the death of Captain Jephthah Richardson the tavern was sold to Timothy Spaulding, who carried on the business until his death, which occurred on February 19, 1808. Spaulding's widow subsequently married John Spalter, who was the landlord for a short time. A^bout 1812 the house was rented to Dearborn Emerson, who had been a driver of a stagecoach, as well as the owner of a line. He remained in possession of it for a few years.

During the War of 1812 it was an inn of local renown ; and a Lieutenant Chase had his headquarters here for awhile, when recruiting for the army. He raised a company in the neighborhood, which was ordered to Sackett's Harbor, near the foot of Lake Ontario. The men were put into uniforms as they enlisted and drilled daily. They were in the habit of marching through-the village streets to the music of the spirit-stirring drum and the ear-piercing fife; and occasionally they were invited into the yard of some hospitable citizen, who would treat them to

" the cups that cheer but not inebriate," when taken in moderation. William Kemp was the drummer, and Wilder Shepley the fifer, both noted musicians in their day. Sometimes Moses Kemp, a brother, would act as fifer. William, who died on September 28, 1885, at the advanced age of ninety- six years, used to give many reminiscences of that period. He was born at Groton on May 8, 1789, and began to drum in early boyhood. His first appearance in the public service was during the year 1805, as drummer of the South Company of Groton, commanded by Luther Lawrence, Esq., afterward the mayor of Lowell. Among the men enlisted here during that campaign were Marquis D. Farnswprth, Aaron Lewis, William Shepley and John Woodward, of this town; and James Adams and his son, James, Jr., of Pepperell.

During his boyhood Mr. Kemp knew Major Daniel Simpson, the veteran drummer of Boston, whose mother was Sarah, daughter of Job and Sarah (Hartwell) Shattuck, of Groton. The major was born at Harrison, Maine, on September 29, 1790, and died in Boston on July 28, 1886. In former years he used to spend considerable time at Groton, where many a trial of skill between the two drummers has' taken place.

It was about the year 1815 that Dearborn Emerson left the Richardson tavern, and moved down the street, perhaps thirty rods, where he opened another public-house on the present site of Milo H. Shattuck's store. The old tavern, in the mean time, passed into the hands of Daniel Shattuck, who kept it until the year before his death, which occurred on April 8,

1831. The business was then carried on during a short time by Samuel Clark Tenny, who has the following advertisement in The Groton Herald, June 12, 1830:

" Old Stand. " HHHE Subscriber would respectfully inform his friends and the public generally, that he has taken the Tavern lately occupied'by Mr. Daniel Shattuck, in Groton ; and having thoroughly fitted up the same for the reception and accommodation of travellers, he flatters himself he shall obtain a share of their custom.

The next landlord was Lemuel Lakin, and after him Francis Shattuck, a son of Daniel, for another brief period. About the year 1833 it was given up entirely as a public-house, and thus passed away an old landmark widely known in those times. It stood well out on the present road, the front door facing down what is now Main Street, the upper end of which then had no existence. In approaching the tavern from the south, the road went up Hollis Street and turned to the left somewhere south of the Burying- Ground. The house afterward was cut up and moved off, just before the Baptist meeting-house was built.

Dearborn Emerson married a sister of Daniel Brooks, a large owner in the line of stage-coaches running through Groton from Boston to the northward ; and this family connection was of great service to him. Jonas Parker, commonly known as '' Tecumseh " Parker, was now associated with Emerson in keeping the new hotel. The stage business was taken away from the Richardson tavern, and transferred to this one. The house was enlarged, spacious barns and stables Avere erected, and better accommodations given to man and beast, - on too large a scale for profit, it seems, as Parker & Emerson failed shortly afterward. This was in the spring of 1819, during which year the tavern was purchased by Joseph Hoar, who kept it a little more than six years, when he sold it to Amos Alexander. This landlord, after a long time, was succeeded in turn by Isaac J. Fox, Horace Brown, William Childs, Artemas Brown, John M. Gilson, Abijah Wright and Moses Gill. It was given up as a hotel in 1854, and made into a shoe- factory, owned by Messrs. Bigelow & Randall ; and finally it was burned on Wednesday evening, December 19, 1855. Mr. Gill had the house for seven years, and was the last landlord. He then opened a public-house directly opposite to the Orthodox Church, and called it The Globe, which he kept for two years. He was succeeded by Stephen Woods, who remained only one year, after which time this also was given up as a public-house.

The following advertisement in The Groton Herald, March 13, 1830, shows that the selectmen of the town at that time, wishing to be impartial in distributing their official patronage, used to meet equally at all the taverns in the village for the transaction of public business:

" 'p HE Selectmen sf Groton will meet on the last Saturdays of each month the present municipal year, at 3 o'clock, p. m., viz. : - At Hoars Tavern in March, April, May and June ; at Alexander's in July, August, September and October ; and at Shattuck's in November, December, January and February.

Another hostelry was the Ridge Hill tavern, situated at the Ridges, three miles from the village, on the Great Road to Boston. This was built about the year 1805, and much frequented by travelers and teamsters. At this point the roads diverge and come together again in Lexington, making two routes to Boston. It was claimed by interested persons that one was considerably shorter than the other, - though the actual difference was less than a mile. In the year 1824 a guide-board was set up at the crotch of the roads, proclaiming the fact that the distance to Lexington through Concord was two miles longer than through Carlisle. Straightway the storekeepers and innholders along the Concord road published a counter-statement, that it had been measured by sworn surveyors, and the distance found to be only two hundred and thirty-six rods farther than by the other way.

The first landlord of the Ridge Hill tavern was Levi Parker, noted for his hearty hospitality. He was afterward deputy-sheriff of Middlesex County, and lived at Westford. He was followed, for a short time, by John Stevens, and then by John Hancock Loring, who conducted the house during many years, and was succeeded by his son Jefferson. After him came Henry Lewis Lawrence, who kept it during one year; he was followed by his brother-in-law, Mosea Gill, who took the tavern in April, 1837, and kept it just five years. When Mr. Gill gave up the house, he was followed by one Langdon for a short time, and he in turn by Kimball Farr as the landlord, who had bought it the year previously, and who remained in charge until 1868. During a part of the time when the place was managed by Mr. Farr, his son Augustus was associated with him. Mr. Farr sold the tavern to John Fuzzard, a native of Brighton, England, who kept it as the landlord for a while, and is still the owner of the property. He Avas followed by Newell M. Jewett, and he in turn by Stephen Perkins, a native of York, Maine, who took it in 1880. The building had been vacant for some years before that time. It was given up by Mr. Perkins in the spring of 1884, when it ceased to be a publichouse, and was occupied again by Mr. Fuzzard as his dwelling. A fair used to be held here on the first Tuesday of every month for the sale of horses, and buyers were attracted from a long distance. At one time this property was owned by Judge Samuel Dana, who sold it to John H. Loring.

As early as the year 1798 there was a tavern about a mile from the Ridges, toward Groton. It was kept by Stephen Farrar, in the house now standing near where the brook crosses the Great Eoad. Afterward one Green was the landlord. The house known as the " Levi Tufts place," in the same neighborhood, was an inn during the early part of this century, conducted by Tilly Buttri'ck. Also about this time, or previously, the house situated south of Indian Hill, and occupied by Charles Prescott, - when the map in Mr. Butler's History was made, - was an inn. There was a tavern kept from about the year 1SV2 to 1818 by a Mr. Page, in Mr. Gerrish's house, - near the Unitarian Church in the village, - which was built by Martin Jennison, about 1803. Last spring the same dwelling was newly furnished and opened as a boarding-house for transient or permanent guests, according to an advertisement in The Groton Landmark, May 3, 1890. There was also a tavern, near the present paper-mills of Tileston and Hollingsworth, kept for many years (1820-45) by Aaron Lewis, and after him for a short time by A. M. Veazie. It was originally the house of John Capell, who owned the saw-mill and grist-mill in the immediate neighborhood. Amos Adams had an inn near Squannacook, a hundred years ago, in a house now owned by James Kemp.

Forty years ago an attempt was made to organize a company for the purpose of carrying on a hotel in the village, and a charter was obtained from the Legislature. The stock, however, was not wholly taken up, and the project fell through. Of the corparators, Mr. Potter was the last survivor, and he died in Cincinnati, on December 2, 1884. Below is a copy of the act : -

"An Act to incorporatk the Groton Hotel Company. " BE it enacted hy\ the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, asfolloios: "Sect. 1. Luther F. Potter, Nathaniel P. Smith, Simeon Ames, their associates and successors, are hereby made a corporation, by the name of the Groton Hotel Company, for the purpose of erecting, in the town of Groton, buildings necessary and convenient for a public house, with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the liabilities, duties and restrictions, set forth in the forty-fourth chapter of the Revised Statutes. "Sect. 2. Said corporation may hold such real and personal property, as may be necessary and convenient for the purposes aforesaid, not exceeding in amount twenty thousand dollars : provided, that no shares in the capital stock of said corporation shall be issued for a less sum or amount, to be actually paid in on each, than the par value of the shares which shall be first issued. And if any ardent spirits, or intoxicating drinks of any kind whatever, shall be sold by said company, or by their agents, lessees, or persons in their employ, contrai-y to law, in any of said buildings, then this act shall be void." [Approved by the Governor, May 2, 1850.]

In the spring of 1852 a charter was given to Benjamin Webb, Daniel D. R. Bowker, and their associates, for the purpose of forming a corporation to carry on a hotel at the Massapoag Springs, in the eastern part of this town ; but the project fell through. It was to be called the Massapoag Spring Hotel, and its capital stock was limited to $30,000. The act was approved by the Governor on May 18, 1852; and it contained similar conditions to those mentioned above in regard to the sale of liquors. In the spring of 1859 an act was passed by the Legislature, and approved by the Governor on April 1st, incorporating Abel Prescott, Harvey A. Woods, Levi W. Woods, Stephen Roberts, and Levi W. Phelps, their associates and successors, under the name of the Groton Junction Hotel Company, for the purpose of erecting a hotel at Groton Junction, now known as Ayer. The capital of the company was limited to $15,000, but the stock was never taken. These enterprises are now nearly forgotten, though the mention of them may revive the recollections of elderly people.

The Grotox Stage-Coaches. - During the first half of the present century Groton had one characteristic mark, closely connected with the old taverns, which it no longer possesses. It was a radiating centre for different lines of stage-coaches, until this mode of travel was superseded by the swifter one of the railroad. Wayfarers from the surrounding towns off the line of travel came hither daily in private vehicles to engage their seats and take their passage. During many years the stage-coaches were a diiitinctive feature of the place ; and their conaing and going were watched with great interest, and created the exciteoient of the day. In early times the drivers, as they approached the village, would blow a bugle in order to give notice of their arrival ; and this blast was the signal at the taverns to put the food on the table. More than a generation has now passed away since these coaches were wont to be seen in the village streets. They were drawn usually by four horses, and in bad going by six. Here a change of coaches, horses and drivers was made.

The stage-driver of former times belonged to a class of men that has now disappeared from the community. His position was one of considerable responsibility. This important personage was well known along the route, and his opinions were always quoted with respect. I easily recall the familiar face of Aaron Corey, who drove the accommodation stage to Boston for so many years. He was a careful and skillful driver, and a man of most obliging disposition. He would go out of his way to bear a message or leave a newspaper ; but his specialty was to look after women and children committed to his charge. He carried also packages and parcels, and largely what to-day is intrusted to the express. I recall, too, with pleasure Horace George, another driver, popular with all the boys, because in sleighing tintie he would let us ride on the rack behind, and even slacken the speed of his horses so as to allow us to catch hold of the straps. In youthful dialect, the practice was called "ketching on behind.''

Some people now remember the scenes of life and activity that used to be witnessed in the town on the arrival and departure of the stages. Some remember, too, the loud snap of the whip which gave increased speed to the horses, as they dashed up in approved style to the stopping-place, where the loungers were collected to see the travelers, and listen to the gossip which fell from their lips. There were no telegraphs then, and but few railroads in the country. The papers did not gather the news so eagerly nor spread it abroad as pronaptly as they do now ; and items of intelligence were carried largely by word of mouth.

The earliest line of stage-coaches between Boston and Groton was the one mentioned in the Columbian Centinel, April 6, 1793. The advertisement is headed " New Line of Stages," and gives notice that -

" A Stage-Carnage drives from Bobbins' Tavern, at Charles-River Bridge, on Monday and Friday, in each week, and passing through Concord and Groton, arrives at Wijman's tavern in Ashley [Ashby] in the evenings of the same days ; and after exchanging passengers there ^ the Stage Carriage from Waljyole, it returns on Tuesdays and Saturdays, by the same route to Robbins's.

The C'harlestoicn Carriage drives also from Eohhins' on Wednesday in each VFeek, and passing through Concord arrives at Richardson's tavern, in Groton, on the evening of the same day, and from thence returns on Thursday to Robbins".

"Another Carriage drives from Richardson's tavern in Groton, on Monday in each week, at six o'clock in the morning, and passing by i?ic/i a ;-rfson's tavern in Concord, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, arrives at Charlestown at three o'clock in the afternoon. From Charleslown it drives on Tuesday and Thursday in each week, at three o'clock in the afternoon and returns back as far as Richardson's tavern in Concord - and from that place it starts at 8 o'clock in the mornings, of Wednesday and

Friday, and nilis again to Charlestown. From there it moves at six o'clock on Saturday morning, and returns to Richardion'' s tavern in Groton, in the evening of the same day."

It was probably one of these " Carriages" to which allusion is made in Mr. Winthrop's " Memoir of the Honorable Nathan Appleton," as follows :

" At early dusk on some October or November evening, in the year 1794, a fresh, vigorous, bright-eyed lad, just turned of fifteen, might have been seen alighting from a stage-coach near Quaker Lane,i as it was then called, in the old town of Boston. He had been two days on the road from his home in the town of New Ipswich, in the State of New Hampshire. On the last of the two days, the stage-coach had brought him all the way from Groton in Massachusetts ; starting for that purpose early in the morning, stopping at Concord for the passengers to dine, trundling them through Charlestown about the time the evening lamps were lighted, and finishing the whole distance of rather more than thirty miles in season for supper. For his first day's journey, there had been no such eligible and expeditious conveyance. The Boston stage-coach, in those days, went no fai'ther than Groton in that direction. His father's farm-horse, or perhaps that of one of the neighbors, had served his turn for the first six or seven miles ; his little brother of ten years old having followed him as far as Townsend, to ride the horse home again. But from there he had trudged along to Groton on foot, with a bundle-handkerchief in his hand, which contained all the wearing apparel he had, except what was on his back." - Proceedings of the Massachusetta Historical Society, v. 249, 250.

It has been said that the first public conveyance between Boston and Groton w^as a covered wagon, hung on chains for thoroughbraces ; but this was probably subsequent to the time of the advertisement. It was owned and driven by Lemuel Lakin, but after a few years the owner sold out to Dearborn Emerson.

" The subscriber respectfully informs the public that he drives the Stage from Boston to Groton, runniog through Lexington, Concord, and Littleton, to Groton : Starts from Boston every Wednesday morning, at 5 o'clock, and arrives at Groton the same day ; Starts from Groton every Monday morning, at 7 o'clock, and arrives at Boston the same day at i o'clock. Passage through, 2 dols. per mile, 4d.

The given-name of Emerson was Dearborn, and not " Danborn," which is a misprint. Two years later he was running a stage-coach from Groton to New Ipswich, New Hampshire; and on the first return trip he brought three passengers, - according to the " History of New Ipswich " (page 129). Emerson was a noted driver in his day ; and he is mentioned with pleasant recollections by the Honorable Abbott LaAvrence, in an after-dinner speech at the Jubilee of Lawrence Academy, on July 12, 1854, as appears from the published account of the celebration. Subsequently he was the landlord of one of the local taverns.

" GEOTON Stage sets off from J. and S. W'heelock's [Indian Queen Inn], Xo. 37, Marlboro'-Street [now a part of Washington Street, Boston], every Wednesday at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at Groton at 3 o'clock in the aifternoon, same day; leaves Groton every Monday at 4 o'clock in the morning, and arrives in Boston at 6 o'clock in the afternoon, same day." (Pages 19, 20.)

It seems from this uotice that it took three hours longer to make the trip down to Boston than up to Groton, - of which the explanation is not clear. In the Register for 1803, a semi-weekly line is advertised, and the same length of time is given for making the trip each way as is mentioned in the Register of the preceding year.

About the year 1807 there was a tri-weekly line of coaches to Boston, and as early as 1820 a daily line, which connected at Groton with others extending into New Hampshire and Vermont. Soon after this time there were two lines to Boston, running in opposition to each other, - one known as the Union and Accommodation Line, and the other as the Telegraph and Despatch.

One of the drivers for the Telegraph and Despatch Line was Phineas Harrington, popularly known along the road as "Phin " Harrington. He had orders to take but eight passengers in his coach, and the trip was made with remarkable speed for that period. " Phin " was a man of small size; and the story used to be told of him that, on cold and stormy nights, he would get inside of one of the lamps fixed to the box, in order to warm his feet by the lighted wick ! He passed almost his whole life as a stage-man, and it is said that he drove for nearly forty years. He could handle the reins of six horses with more skill than any other driver in town. Mr. Harrington died at Dracut, on May 23, 1870, aged eighty years, two months and nine days.

" Good Teams and Coaches with careful and obliging drivers will be provided by the subscribers." Books were kept in Boston at A. M. Brigham's, No. 42 Hanover Street, and in Groton at the taverns of Amos Alexander and Joseph Hoar. The fare was one dollar, and the coach went three times a week.

About this time George Flint had a line to Nashua, and John Holt another to Fitchburg. They advertise together in the Herald, May 1, 1830, that " no pains shall be spared to accommodate those who shall favor them with their custom, and all business intrusted to their care will be faithfully attended to." The first stage-coach from this town to Lowell began to run about the year 1829, and John Austin was the driver. An opposition line was established soon afterward, and kept up during a short time, until a compromise was made between the two lines. Later, John Russ was the owner and driver of the line to Lowell, and still later, John M. Maynard the owner. Near this period there was a coach running to Worcester, and previously one to Amherst, New Hampshire.

Fifty years ago General Thomas Adams Staples was a well-known stage proprietor. He was a man of large frame and fine proportions, and is still remembered by many residents of the town. He was born in Boston on July 20, 1804, and died at Machias, Maine, on November 13, 1880.

The following is a list of some of the old drivers, who were well-known along their respective routes. It is arranged in no particular order and is by no means complete ; and the dates against a few of the

Lemuel Lakin was among the earliest ; and he was followed by Dearborn Emerson. Daniel Brooks drove to Boston during the period of the last war with England, and probably later.

Aaron Corey drove the accommodation stage to Boston, through Carlisle, Bedford and Lexington, for a long time, and he had previously driven the mailcoach. He was succeeded by his son, Calvin, the driver for a few years, until the line was given up in 1850. Mr. Corey, the father, was one of the veterans, having held the reins during thirty-two years ; he died March 15, 1857, at the age of seventy-three.

45), Leonard Williams Cushing (1842-45) and Joseph Stewart, - these drove to Boston. After the stages w^ere taken off, " Joe " Stewart was the driver of the passenger-coach from the village to the station on the Fitchburg Railroad, which ran to connect with the three daily trains for Boston. The station was three miles away, and now within the limits of Ayer.

Among the drivers to Keene, New Hampshire, were Kimball Danforth (1817-40), Ira Brown, Oliver Scales, Amos Nicholas, Otis Bardwell, Abel Marshall, the brothers Ira and Hiram Hodgkins, George Brown, Houghton Lawrence, Palmer Thomas, Ira Green,

Barney Pike, William JohnsoD, Walter Carleton and John Carleton. There were two stage routes to Keene, both going as far as West Townsend in common, and then separating, one passing through New Ipswich and Jaffrey, a northerly route, while the other went through Ashby, Rindge and Fitzwilliam, a southerly one.

Anson Johnson and Beriah Curtis drove to Worcester ; Addison Parker, Henry Lewis Lawrence, Stephen Corbin, John Webber, and his son Ward, drove to Lowell ; the brothers Abiel and Nathan Fawcett, Wilder Proctor and Abel Hamilton Fuller, to Nashua.

Micah Ball, w^ho came from Leominster about the year 1824, drove to Amherst, New Hampshire, and after him Benjamin Lewis, who continued to drive as long as he lived, and at his death the line was given up. The route lay through Pepperell, Hollis and Milford.

The forerunner of this Amherst stage was a onehorse vehicle, which used to go over the road each way two or three times a week, and carry the mail. It began to run about the year 1820, and took passengers as occasion required.

The sad recollection of an accident at Littleton, resulting in the death of Silas Bullard, is occasionally revived by some of the older people. It occurred on February 3, 1835, and was caused by the upsetting of the Groton coach, driven by Samuel Stone, and at the time just descending the hill between Littleton Common and Nagog Pond, then known as Kimball's Hill. Mr. Bullardwas one of the owners of the line, and a brother of Isaac, the veteran driver. The Colum- Man Centinel, February 5, 1835, contains the following account of the affair :

" On Tuesday afternoon [February 3], as the Groton and Keene mailstage was returning to this city, in a narrow pass of the road in Littleton, one of the fore wheels of the stage came in contact with the hind wheel of a wagon, which suddenly overturned the stage. - There were eleven passengers in the vehicle at the time, who, with the exception of Mr. Silas Bullard, of this city, and Mr. Washington Shepley, of Groton, escaped uninjured. Mr. Bullard was seated with the driver at the time of the accident, and was thrown, with great violence, to the ground, the stage falling immediately upon him. His collar-bone and two of bis ribs were broken, shoulder blade dislocated, and otherwise injured. He was conveyed to a private dwelling, where he has the best medical aid, but his recovery is very doubtful. Mr. Shepley's injuries were of an internal nature, but not such as to prevent his immediate return to Groton. A passenger states that no blame can be attached to the driver."

Besides the stage-coaches, the carrier-wagons added to the business of Groton, and helped largely to support the taverns. The town was situated on one of the main thoroughfares leading from Boston to the northern country, comprising an important part of New Hampshire and Vermont, and extending into Canada. This road was traversed by a great number of wagons, drawn by four or six horses, carrying to the city the various products of the country, such as grain, pork, butter, cheese, eggs, venison, hides ; and returning with goods found in the city, such as molasses,, sugar, New England rum, coffee, tea, nails, iron, cloths, and the innumerable articles found in the country stores, to be distributed among the towns above here. In some seasons it was no uncommon sight to see forty such wagons passing thrc^ugh the village in one day.

In addirion to these were many smaller vehicles, drawn by one or two horses, to say nothing of the private carriages of individuals who were traveling for business or pleasure.

The Grotox Fire Department. - The first fireengine in Groton was made in the year 1802, by Loammi Baldwin, Jr., then a law-student in the office of the Honorable Timothy Bigelow, but who afterward became a civil engineer. He was a son of Loammi and Mary (Fowle) Baldwin, and born at Woburn on May 16, 1780 ; and after his graduation at Harvard College, in the class of 1800, he came to Groton in order to study the profession of law. Like many others he does not seem to have found out at the start his proper calling, as his tastes were naturally for mechanical science and the kindred arts. While following his studies here, a house, situated just south of the academy grounds, was burned down in the winter-time and there was no fire-engine to stop it. The neighbors had to fight the flames as best they could, with snow as well as water. By this incident he became so impressed with the need of an engine in Groton, that with his own hands he constructed the first one the town ever had. This identical machine, known for a long time as Torrent, No. 1, is still serviceable after a use of more than eighty- eight years, and will throw a stream of water over the highest roof in the town. It was made in Jonathan Loring's shop, then opposite to Mr. Boynton's blacksmith-shop, where the ironwork was done. The tub is of copper, and bears the date " 1802." Mr. Baldwin, soon after this time, gave up the practice of law, and became distinguished in his new profession.

" The old ' machine ' has a quaint appearance with its copper tub on which is inscribed its name, Torrent, No. 1, and its ancient tool box which bears the date of its birth, 1802, The said tub is three feet six inches long, two feet two inches wide, and twenty-two inches deep. On its bottom rests an oak plank in which are set the valves and in which stand the brass cylinders and air chamber, the former of which being each five inches in diameter and sixteen inches high. A gooseneck on the top of the air chamber serves as the outlet for the water and a reel is attached to the hind part of the tub capable of carrying one hundred feet of two-inch hose, the first supply of which was made at the harness shop and sewed with waxed thread" (page 4).

Among the active members of Torrent Company, nearly fifty years ago, was Elijah Tracy, a deaf-mute, who attended the stated meetings, and turned out at the fires, with as much regularity as his more favored comrades.

At two different times within sixteen years, Torrent, No. 1, has done most excellent service in putting out fires, and it is the testimony of all acquainted with the facts, that on each of these occasions it prevented a serious conflagration. Notably this was so at a fire which took place early on Sunday morning, October 26, 1884, when a dwelling-house, owned by Andrew

Robbins, was burned down. At this time Mr. Dix's buildings, in very close proximit}', were in great danger, but they were saved through the efforts of the Fire Department and the use of the old engine, which was worked to good advantage in narrow quarters, where the other engine could not be taken. The other occasion was when Walter Shattuck's store was burned down on November 17, 1874 ; and largely by means of this engine the Congregational meetinghouse was saved from destruction.

Torrent, No. 1, until recently, was housed at the end of a row of horse-sheds, near the First Parish meeting-house, but in the year 1885 it was transferred to West Groton, for the protection of that part of the town. It was there placed in the charge of a volunteer company of young men ; and on April 5, 1886, the town voted to authorize the Board of Engineers to form a permanent company in that village, which was accordingly done, with the volunteer association as a nucleus. The engine has been re-named, and is now know^n as the Squannacook. An engine-house, next to the new church on Groton Street, has been built, which was formally opened with appropriate ceremonies, on the evening of December 30, 1887. In the upper story is a hall for public meetings, where, on January 6, 1888, the company gave a ball. A pamphlet was printed (Ayer, 1887, 12mo, pp. 8), entitled "Constitution and By-Laws of Squannacook Engine Co., No. 2, West Groton, Mass.," which sets forth the rules of their government.

mation was the series of incendiary fires that occurred during the year 1829. Presumably the name of the engine comj3any was taken from the Union Congregational Church in the immediate neighborhood ; and the engine was housed at the easterly end of the horse-sheds, situated on the northerly side of the meeting-house.

"TAKE NOTICE. '^ r I iHE Subscribers to the New Eugine are hereby requested to meet -*- at Alexander's Hotel, MONDAY the 10th inst., at6 oclock, P.M. to hear the report of their Committee, chosen for the purpose of purchasing an Engine, and to transact any other business which they may think expedient.

A Board of Engineers of the Fire Department was originally appointed in April, 1875, by the selectmen, in accordance with Chapter 35 of the Public Statutes. Their first report was made in the spring of 1876, and printed in the Town Report of that year. A new engine, known as the Lawrence, was bought in August, 1875, and is kept in the town-house. The following is a list of the chief engineers, with the dates of their several appointments, which are made by the selectmen :

Groton Fire Club. - The Groton Fire Club was formed during the winter of 1815 ; and the immediate occasion of its organization was the burning of John Wethered's dwelling on Wednesday evening, February 1, 1815. This house stood at the lower end of Main Street, and some years previously had been owned and occupied by Dr. Oliver Prescott, Senior. Mr. Wethered was from Wilmington, Delaware, and came to Groton from that State. According to tradition the dwelling was set on fire by a negro in his employ, who had been a slave at the South.

On November 7, 1814, Mr. Wethered bought the place of Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr. ; and three months later the house was burned, as has been stated. On April 29, 1816, Mr. Wethered sold it to Robert C. Ludlow, of Boston, a purser in the United States Navy, who, at this time, in connection with Commodore Bainbridge and Charles W. Green, was interested in the ownership of the Lakia farm, where they were then raising sheep. On September 25, 1817, Purser Ludlow sold it to Joshua Nash, who ten years later became the father-in-law of the late Bradford Russell, Esq., of Groton.

John Wright, for the accommodation of her school for girls, a famous institution more than sixty years ago. After Mrs. Wright's occupation of the place, it passed into the hands of Dr. Amos Farnsworth, and since that time there have been several owners. The house is now kept as a tavern.

The first meeting of the Fire Club was held on February 4, 1815, when the Honorable James Prescott was chosen president of the association, and Caleb Butler, Esq., secretary. The club used to meet annually, for the choice of officers, at one of the public-houses in the village, when a supper was served ; and sometimes on such occasions members of one of the engine companies would be invited to join in the festivities. Each member of the Fire Club was required to provide two leather buckets and a fire-bag, which were to be always ready for use ; and a failure to take them to a fire was met with a fine. Among some of the descendants of the early members these articles are now treasured as heirlooms.

On March 1, 1875, the town voted to adopt Chapter XXIY., Sections 23-31, of the C4eneral Statutes of the t^ommonwealth, by which action the need of a private organization w^as largely superseded. The last meeting of the Fire Club, according to the records, was held in November, 1872, no day of the month given. The following preamble, with a list of the original members, is taken from the first two pages of the record-book : constantly in readiness to act with promptitude and effect on such distressing emergencies, agree to form and procure immediately to organize a society for that purpose, to be called, ' Groton Fire Club,' and do pledge ourselves to comply with and conform to all such rules and regulations, as the Society may at any time adopt to promote that end. " Dated the fourth day of February, A.D. 1815.

On May 6, ]872, the town voted to build five reservoirs, which should hold 4000 gallons each. They were to be so situated as to give protection to the greatest number of houses in the village, with due regard to a sufficient supply of water. The reservoirs were placed, respectively, near the three meeting-houses, the Town-House, and the High School ; and they are kept full by the water which runs from the roofs of these several buildings. After that vote, a few years later, another reservoir was placed in Court Street.

Starch-Factory, Paper-Mills, Etc. - In the spring of 1832 the following act was passed by the General Court of Massachusetts ; and under the authority of the enactment a company was organized at Groton for the manufacture of starch.

A mill was built for the purpose on the Groton side of the Squannacook River, three-quarters of a mile above the village of West Groton, but the undertaking did not prove to be a success. It stood on the site of the present paper-mill in that locality; and the place is shown on Mr. Butler's Map of Groton. It was expected that this new industry in the town would help the farmers of the neighborhood by encouraging the cultivation of potatoes, which were to be used in making the article ; but the scheme was a failure.

" Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That Oliver Sheple, Samuel Dana, Samuel Dana. Jr., Oliver Sheple, Jr., James Dana, and Washington Sheple, their associates and assigns be, and they hereby are constituted a corporation and made a body politic, by the name and style of the Dana Manufacturing Company, for the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woollen goods, iron wares, and starch from any materials, in the respective towns of Groton and Shirley in the county of Middlesex, and for this purpose shall have all the powers and privileges, and be subject to all the duties and requirements contained in an act passed the twenty-third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, entitled 'an act defining the general powers and duties of manufacturing corporations.'

" Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the said corporation may take and hold such real estate, not exceeding in value the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, and such personal estate not exceeding in value two hundred thousand dollars, as may be suitable and convenient for carrying on the business aforesaid."

The building was subsequently used as a paper-mill, and burned many years ago, probably during the summer of 1846. Soon afterward another mill was erected on the same site, which was bought on October 22, 1852, by Lyman Hollingsworth of Jephthah Richardson Hartwell. The plant was sold in 1881 by Mr. Hollingsworth to Messrs. Hollingsworth and Yose, of Boston, who still own it. The senior partner of this firm is a nephew of the former owner. The product of the mill is a Manilla paper of high grade, of which about three tons are made daily. On August 7, 1889, I visited the mill when they were making a paper, which is sent to England in boxes, for the manufacture of sand-paper, and very likely to be returned here in that form. In the stock-houses there were two hundred tons of old cordage, more or less, ready to be ground up and used in connection with " wood pulp," which enters largely into the composition of the article. Last year a new dam, a solid granite structure in place of the original one, was built ; though, in times of low water, steam-power is required to turn the machinery.

The direct road from the village of West Groton to the paper-mill - perhaps three quarters of a mile in length - was laid out by the county commissioners on April 18, 1838. An attempt was previously made by interested persons, in the spring of 1832, to have the same piece of highway built, but it did not meet with success, as it was then adjudged by the commissioners to be " not of common convenience and necessity." Of course the road was opened in order to accommodate the business of the new fattorv.

The paper-mill on the Nashua River, at the Paper- Mill Village, was originally a wooden structure, and built in the year 1841 by Oliver Howe, who owned the saw-mill and grist-mill in the close proximity ; and here the manufacture of Manilla paper was carried on. During more than a century there has been a dam at this place across the river, and in early times there was, also, a ford known as the Stony Ford way or Stony Wading-place. Among the Massachusetts Archives at the State House is a rough plan, made probably about the year 1740, which gives the names of the bridges, etc., in this neighborhood, at that period. It is found in the volume marked on the back " Maps and Plans " (XVI. 6), and bears the catalogue number 1482.

About the year 1846 the property, on which stood these several mills, was sold to the brothers John Mark and Lyman Hollingsworth ; and on Sept. 1, 1851, Lyman sold his share to the other brother, John Mark, who rebuilt the paper-mill, making it of brick, but the building was very soon afterwards burned. The following item is taken from the Bostoii Daily Journal, Monday, June 7, 1852 :

" Paper Mill Burnt. We learn that a paper-mill, dwelliug-house and out-buildings adjoining, situated in Groton, and owned by Mr. J. M. Hollingsworth were totally consumed by fire on Saturday [June 5]."

" 4®= J. M. HoUingsworth's extensive and costly paper mills, at Groton Junction [Paper Mill Village], are nearly ready to go into operation. Mr. H. intends to manufacture first quality book paper, employing about 35 hands."

On March 7, 1865, Mr. Hollings worth, just before his death, on April 6th of that year, sold the property to his brother Lyman, who himself died on April 1, 1890 ; and eleven years later it was burnt for the second time. The Boston Evening Journal, Friday, May 26, 1876, has the following account of the fire :

" Mill Burnt at Gkotox, Mass. " The large paper mill of Lyman Hollingsworth at North [?] Groton was destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon [May 25]. It gave employment to about fifty workmen, and was valued at $140,000. The insurance is placed in the following companies : Etna, Hartford, and Phcenix, of Hartford ; Home of New York ; North British and Mercantile ; Springfield Fire and Marine ; Fire Association of Philadelphia ; Meriden Fire ; Koger Williams of Providence, and Shawmut of Boston. It is divided as follows : On mill, $5(i.000 ; machinery, S24,000, and on stock, covering the probable loss, 88,000. It is not yet known how the fire occiirred."

The mill was again rebuilt, this time by Lyman Hollingsworth, and the manufacture of book paper continued, now with a daily product of about five tons. On Dec. 13, 1881, the establishment was sold to Messrs. Tileston and Hollingsworth, of Boston, and in July, 1889, by them transferred to the Tileston & Hollingsworth Company, of Boston, a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth.

At West Groton there is a leather-board mill, of which the daily product is about four tons. It employs thirty-five men, and stands on the site of a saw^- mill and grist-mill, which were built as early as the year 1765, and perhaps earlier. There is also a sawmill on the Squannacook River, near the Townsend line, giving employment to eight or ten men, w^here box-shooks, reels, staves, etc., are made.

The Geography Of Grotox

EiVERS. - In early times, before the original Plan-- tation had been cut up in order to form other towns, the Nashua River flowed through the township of Groton for a distance of ten miles or more, and nearlybisected its territory ; while to-day its course within the town's limits is hardly more than three miles. This river is formed by the union of two branches, known respectively as the North Branch and the South Branch, which come together at Lancaster. The former has its source in Ashburnham, near the foot of the Watatuck Mountain, and in Westminster, and passes through Fitchburg and Leominster; while the latter rises in the neighborhood of the Wachusett Mountain, at Princeton, and among the hills of Rutland and Holden, and passes through West Boylston and Clinton. Both these branches for a considerable distance above their confluence are known also as the Nashua. The stream at Groton is about one hundred feet above tide-water.

At a very early period the Nashua River was sometimes called the Penacook, and at other times the Groton River. In Thomas Noyes's survey of the grant of Major Simon Willard's farm, in the autumn of 1659, the land is described as " lying and being for the most part on the east side of Groaten Riuer." And again, at the session beginning on Sept. 6, 1676, the approval of the General Court was given to Jonathan Danforth's survey of lands laid out to William Hauthorne, " lying in the wilderness; on the North of Groaten Riuer at a place called by the Indians Wistequassuck," now within the limits of Townsend.

At a later period it was more frequently referred to as the Lancaster River; and it is likely that the stream bore diflferent names in different towns along its course even at the same time. In the record of " The lands of Mr. Samuell Willard, which is layd out to him in the towne of Grotten," on Sept. 29, 1680, reference is made to the Nashawag River - another form of spelling.

The Squannacook River forms the divisional line with Shirley for perhaps four miles, which is the whole distance of contact with that town. This stream rises in Ashby and flows through Townsend and by West Groton, emptying into the Nashua. The name is found in the Proprietors' records as early as the spring of 1684.

PoxDS. - Baddacook Pond - lies about two miles from the village, near the Lowell Road. It covers an area of 103 acres, and is the largest pond in the town. It is mentioned in the record of James Parker's land under the date of July 6, 1666.

Cady Pond - a small and deep pond, covering perhaps two acres, lying less than a mile from the village in a southeasterly direction, near the Boston Road. It was named after Nicholas Cady, one of the early settlers, who owned land in the neighborhood. This pond and Flat Pond, both very small, are the only ones in the town whose waters ultimately reach the Nashua River.

Cow Powc? - sometimes called Whitney's Pond, in the easterly part of the town, covering an area of seventy-one acres. Cow Pond Meadow is mentioned in the record of Ralph Reed's land before the year 1664.

Duck Pond - near the Ridges, east of Knop's Pond, and separated from it by a ridge only - lies perhaps half a mile south of Cow Pond. It covers fifty-five acres, and has no outlet.

Knop's Pond - near the Ridges, west of Duck Pond, and is of the same size as that pond, covering fiftyfive acres. So called from James Knapp, or Knop, an early settler who owned land in the neighborhood.

Martin's Pond - nesir the foot of Gibbet Hill, on its northeasterly side - covers sixteen and two-thirds acres; it was named after William Martin, an early settler. In the record of James Parker's land, on July 6, 1666, ''the pond called Goodman Martin's Pond," is mentioned. The following article, found in the warrant for the town-meeting held on September 17, 1792, seems to show that the outlet of the pond was formerly through Hog Swamp and Half- Moon Meadow into James's Brook, though there is now no other evidence to confirm this view :

-* Art. 8. To see if the town will order the water running from Martin's Pond to be turned into the old Channel as it formerly used to run, through the Town, and appoint some proper person or persons to remove the obstructions and Effect the Business."

In the proceedings of the meeting, it is recorded that this article was " Past in the ^N'egative." A measurement of the pond was lately made, when frozen over, which proves it to be much smaller than it was half a century ago.

Massapoag Fond - on the easterly border of the town, but lies mostly in Dunstable and Tyngsborough, covering an area of fifty-dx acres. It is now used as a storage basin of water by the Vale Mills Manufacturing Company, of Xashua, New Hampshire, and in dry seasons it is drawn upon for a supply.

Wattle's Pond - three miles north of the village, on the road to East Pepperell, with no outlet. The origin of the name is unknown ; but perhaps from Wattle, " a rod laid on a roof for the purpose of supporting the thatch." Many of the houses of the early settlers were thatched.

The area of the ponds, with the exception of Martin's Pond, is taken from the Fourth Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Massachusetts (January, 1873), as ^iven on pages 124 and 125.