Hubbardston Town

Hubbardston Town

This town was originally a part of Lancaster, and was first settled in 1737. The pioneer was Eleazer Brown, who came from Rutland with his family in 1737, and for nine years following was the only settler in the town. Sixty acres of land were given him on condition " that he or his heirs dwell and keep

1 The writer is indebted to the " History of Hubljardaton," by Rev. J. M. Stowe, and to Horace Underwood, Esq., for val\iable information, which has greatly lessened his labor in the preparation of this work.

a house thereon for the entertainment of travelers, for the space of seven years." In the proprietors' records, June, 1743, appears the following : " Whereas Eleazer Brown, for securing travellers from being lost in storms, was settled in the N. E. Quarter of Rutland, and has dwelt there for six years past, and has undergone considerable difficulty in so doing, therefore, voted, that for the encouragement of said Brown, Mr. John Caldwell be desired to purchase a good milch-cow for the use of said Brown, and notify said Brown thereof, and that he shall be paid therefor out of the proprietors' stock." In September of the same year, the record adds : " Mr. Caldwell informs that he is ready to deliver Mrs. Brown either of his own cows which she may choose, for sixteen pounds (old tenor), pursuant to the vote passed at our last meeting." This shows human nature to have been the same among the early settlers as in some of their descendants. Mr. Caldwell improved the opportunity to make a good sale of one of his own cows, and Mrs. Brown appears as chief manager of the firm of Brown & Co., innholders.

From all we can gather, we judge that Mrs. Brown was well fitted for her pioneer life - hardy, resolute and masculine in character. Mr. Read, in his " History of Rutland," says : " Mrs. Brown had the resolution and fortitude to remain in the settlement for several years after her husband's death, before there was any other inhabitant, and for a number of years it was called ' Widow Brown's Farm.' Mr. Brown used to take cattle from the lower towns in the summer season, let them run in the woods, yard and salt them. After his death Mrs. Brown would take her gun, mount her horse, and ride along the cattle-paths, if necessary pass over Ware River to Rutland, and, by the sound of a conch-bell, call the cattle together." We have no account of there being children or any other person in her family, and infer that for several years she was sole inhabitant of the town. How she displayed herself as polite landlady will be best told in the substance of a story which comes to us by tradition. She sometimes had distinguished guests from Boston, and on one occasion, when several such gentlemen came to dine with her, she prepared the best dinner in her power. She was both cook and table waiter. They ate pudding first - which was the fashion till within sixty years - and one of them, more fastidious than the rest, wanted a clean plate for his meat. As she could not furnish another, she quickly took his aside, washed it, and returned it dripping to its place. Observing that he was not quite suited, she reached over his shoulder, took it again, wiped it with the bottom of her short gown and returned it once more. Not having seen this operation, her guest now relished his dinner, and those on the other side of the table who did see it did not describe the dish towel till dinner was over. If we are shocked by such rudeness, we must not forget that she was the smartest, the handsomest and the most accomplished lady in town, the very elite of the place. And we are not sure lait she possessed those elements of true politeness that, with the opportunities and the culture of modern ladies, would have made her their equal. It was her evident purpose to fulfill faithfully the conditions on which the grant of land was made ; and this she did to the evident satisfaction of the proprietors, for in December, 1749, they declared that these conditions had been fully complied with, and confirmed the title of the land to the heirs of said Brown and their assigns forever.

It has always been said that Mr. Brown was killed by a deer, but all that is known about it is that on the 25th of November, 1746, he left his home to hunt in the woods. As he did not return, search was made for him, and on the 17th of January, fifty-three days after he left home, his dead body was found about three miles from home, near the Barre line. His gun stood by the side of a tree, and a large buck lay dead by his side. All else is conjecture. Of the death of Mrs. Brown there is no record. No stone marks her resting-place. The last mention of her is in the proprietors' records of December, 1749.

Whether the town was left without an inhabitant after her departure or decease we do not know, but there is no evidence that any one else came to live here before 1749. Probably one thing that prevented settlers from occupying these farms sooner was the fear of the Indians, who often disturbed the people of Rutland and other places near. As late as 1725 Capt. Brintnall was ordered to surround and protect with his company the meadows in Rutland, while the farmers gathered their hay. Then, as Barre and some of the other adjoining towns were previously settled, those who came from a distance would naturally locate where they would have nearer neighbors.

Molly Green, daughter of Israel Green, has always been'reported to be the first child born in town. She died in 182(5, supposed to be seventy-seven years old. If so, Mr. Green must have settled here as early as 1749. He lived on great farm No. 26. He was elected chairman of the first Board of Selectmen and Assessors. In 1770 he moved to Winchendon, that part of it now within the limitsof Gardner. His four sons, who served in the Revolutionary War, were probably born here. His daughter, Susannah, became the second wife of Josiah Baldwin, another early settler, who moved from this town to Gardner. Many of their descendants are now living in Gardner.

Other early settlers were Charles Parmeter, Joseph Rist, Joseph Eveleth (who was the first one who united with the church after its formation, and was one of the first deacons), Joseph Grimes and four sons, one of whom was Ephraim Grimes, better known as "OldEph Grimes," an eccentiic character; Benjamin Hoyt, Stephen Heald, Isaac Bellows, John Woods and Nathan Muzzey.

The following families were here prior to 1800 : Elijah Adams, Medway, 1774 ; Issachar, brother of Elijah, Medway, 1778 ; Reuben, brother of Elijah, Medway, 1786 ; Philemon Adams, 1780 ; Ralph Adams, 1780; Simeon Allen, 1776; Ephraim Allen, Rutland, 1788; John Ames, Rutland, 1769; Jonathan, son of John, 1795; Thomas Atwood, 1783; Isaac Balcom, 1795; Josiah Baldwin, 1768; Andrew Barber, 1777; Samuel Bartlett, 1795; Isaac Bellows, Rutland, 1772; Amasa, son of Isaac, 1790; Asaph, son of Isaac, 1796; David Bennett, Princeton, 1789; Abner Benson, 1790; Hugh Blair, 1773; Elijah Boyden, 1775; David Boynton, 1767; Ebenezer Boynton, 1767; Caleb Boynton, 1774; Isaac Bridges, 1773; Hosea Brigham, 1782; Asa Brigham, 1791; Samuel Britton, 1774; Eleazer Brown, Rutland, 1737 ; Ebenezer Brown, Sutton, 1788 ; Oliver, son of Ebenezer, 1798; Asa Brown, Rutland, 1787; John Browning, Rutland, 1785; Jesse Burditt, Marlboro', 1775; TJiomas Caryl, 1773; Jonathan Caryl, 1773; Joseph Caryl, 1773; Stephen Church, Rutland, 1774; Asa, brother of Stephen, Rutland, 1776; Ephraim, brother of Stephen, Rutland, 1782 ; Reuben Clapp, 1791; John Clark, Hopkinton, 1774; John, son of John, Hopkinton, 1774; William, son of John, 1776 ; Moses, son of John, 1778 ; Isaac, son of John, 1784; Joseph, son of John, 1784; Ezra, son of John, 179- ; Luther, son of John, Jr., 17 - ; John, son of John, Jr., 179- ; Oliver, son of John, Jr., 1798; Ephraim, brother of John, Hojjkinton, 1782; Samuel, brother of John, Hopkinton, 1796 ; Ely Clark, Barre, 1770; Benjamin Clark, 1782; Anthony Clark, Rutlaud, 1768 ; Peter, son of Anthony, 1788 ; Araos, son of Anthony, 1789; Jonathan Clifford, Southboro', 1778; Robert Converse, 1767 ; Abraham Cutting, 1795 ; Israel Asahel Davis, Holden, 1793; Asahel Davis, 1776; Davis, 1792; Bela Davis, 1777; David Davis, 1790; Oliver Davis, 1781; Benjamin Davis, Holden, 1798; Joel Earle, Leicester, 1783 ; Joseph Eveleth, Princeton, 1770; David, son of Joseph, 1790; Oliver Fairbanks, 1777 ; John H. Falls, Germany, 1785 ; Stephen Farrington, 1773 : Elijah Farrington, 1773 ; William Follett, Attleboro', 1766; Samuel Follett, Attleboro', 1775; Stephen Frost, Rutland, 1794; Daniel Gage, 1778 ; Jonathan Gates, Rutland, 1770 ; Henry Gates, Framingham, 1787 ; Benjamin Gates, 1793; Abner Gay, Dedham, 1797 ; Bezaleel Gleason, 1790; Thomas Gleason, 1793; Clark Gleason, 1797; Seth Gleason, 1787 ; Peter Goodnough, 1773 ; Isaac Goodspeed, Barnstable, 1782 ; Isaac, son of Isaac, Barnstable, 1782 ; Luther, son of Isaac, Barnstable, 1794 ; Heman, son of Isaac, Barnstable, 1793 ; Elijah, sou of Isaac, Barnstable, 1793 ; Israel Green, 1749 ; Joseph Green, Lexington, 1773 ; Abijah Greenwood, Holden, 1770; Moses, brother of Abijah, Holden, 1770; Levi.brotherof Abijah, Holden, 1770; Joseph Grimes, Tewkesbury, 1761 ; Bill, son of Joseph, Tewksbury, 1767 ; Joseph, son of Joseph, Tewksbury,

Joshua Phillips, Smithfield, R. L, 1764; James, son of Joshua, Smithfield, R. I., 1767 ; Richard, son of Joshua, Smithfield, R. I., 1779 ; Gideon, son of Joshua, Smithfield, R. I., 1786 ; Joel Pollard, Rutland, 1770; Ezra Pond, Wrentham, 1768; Levi, sou of Ezra, 1785; Joseph, son of Ezra, 1778; James Potter, Holden, 1787 ; Josiah Procter, 1778; Edward Rice, Rutland, 1767; Ephraim Rice, Holden, 1766; Silas Rice, Holden, 1775 ; Ebenezer Rice, Holden, 1784; Edmond Rice, Marlboro', 1782; Abel Rice, Barre, 1791; Job Richardson, 1788 ; Solomon Rolph, Princeton, 1782 ; Thomas Sargent, Leicester, 1773 ; Samuel, son of Thomas, Leicester, 1774; John, son of Thomas, Leicester, 1776 ; Ebenezer, son of Thomas, Leicester, 1785 ; John, son of John, 1797 ; Edward Selfridge, Rutland, 1788; Joseph Shattuck, 1772; David Slarrow, Rutland, 1767; Samuel Slocomb, Medway, 1779 ; James, son of Samuel, 1786 ; Peleg, son of Samuel, 1797; John Smith, 1774; Jonathan W. Smith, Boylston, 1782; Elisha Snell, 1779; Samuel Spring, Newton, 1785; John Spring, 1790; Nathan Stone, Rutland, 1768 ; Jeduthan, son of Nathan, tinue for a long time, calls were made for men to enlist for three years ; then larger bounties were required. On the 11th of May, 1778, a meeting was called to see what bounty the town would give to the men who were then to be raised. Voted " To give 30 pounds to each man. Then voted to adjourn the meeting to Moses Clark's, Inholder's, to seven o'clock this day, and there the meeting Died a natural death." Very likely the reason for such a record is that they did not succeed in getting the men to volunteer, for on the 25th of the same mouth another meeting was held, at which they voted to raise three Continental men, and also voted that the men who should be called into the service in the future should be hired, and the town taxed for the same. Then adjourned to seven o'clock, when it was voted to give a bounty of one hundred and forty pounds to each of the three men. At an adjourned meeting, on the next Wednesday, this vote was reconsidered, and one hundred pounds was voted, " and no more," and a committee was chosen to hire the men, and borrow the money. Then adjourned to June 5th. But probably this committee did not find it easy to get either the men or the money, for June oth they reconsidered the last vote, and voted one hundred and twenty pounds. Then adjourned to June loth, when they voted to raise eight hundred pounds, to be assessed on the town, to hire men as needed. These records indicate that they were in straits in regard to those calls for men. At the meeting May 25th it was voted " To make an Everidge of what has been Done by the Inhabitants of the Town Since the Continental men have been Raised - then voted to Chuse a Com"" of five men to make an Everidge, then voted John Woods, Thomas Sergant, Joseph Eveleth, Ezra Pond, Capt. John Clark, be a Com"" for the above said purpose to make ye Everidge and hire men into ye service."

This committee made their report in August of the same year, which was not accepted. But on the 15th of October their report was adopted in substance, and is inserted here because it shows in what kind of service the men from this town had been engaged.

"21y. Voted six pounds p' month for the two months to Rhode Island, May and June 1777 - then voted Ten pounds p' month for the men that went to Benninjrton, gon five weeks July 20th then voted fifteen Shillings p' Day to the men that went over ye Mountain on horseback - then Voted Twenty pounds for the Three months' Service Sept. 2' - then Voted Ten pounds p' man that went for thirty Days to Take Gen'. Burgoyne - then Voted Twenty pounds p' man that went for three months under Capt. Marean to gard Burgoynes men to Cambridge - then Voted four pounds p' month for ye Six months Service at j^e Barracks in Rutland - then Voted three pounds p' month for the Turn to Brookfield to Keep Stores - then Voted Twelve Shillings p' Day for ye twenty Davs' men that went with Leut Muzzv."

It is probable these sums were for special service rendered by men who were not soldiers, and who had gone without any bounty stipulated by the town. At the same meeting they also voted " To chuse a Com"° whose bisiuess Shall be (when there is orders comes for men) to Set the price they will give for men to go that turn if men will Turn out and go for said price then to hire them if they will turn out, then to Draft ye highest payers, and to Draft in proposion to what a man possesses."

October 26, 1778, the town voted to exempt several men from paying taxes, for bounties, because they had hired men for the army, and also voted to give credit to all those who had done more than their part. In June, 1780, four men - Ezekiel Pond, Thos. Durant and William and Timothy Nightingale - were hired for the army, and the sum of ten thousand pounds was raised to aid them and others who might be called for. Then voted "To give ten dolhirs per month, the old way, to the militia men who enlisted for six months, to be stated in Rye, Indian Corn, Beef, and Sole Leather, and also voted to add .S500 in paper to each of the militia now hired." And those who enlisted for three years or for the war were to have " twenty head of three years old cattle. Heifers and Steers, of average value." ' This was done because the currency had so far depreciated that they found it difficult to fix upon any definite sums. Up to this time the several quotas had been filled with- , out a draft. But thp summer of 1781 was probably the darkest in the whole history of the town. Calls for men had been so often made that probably nearly three-fourths of all who were fit for soldiers had been or were then in the service. There seemed to be no men who could be spared and their means had become almost exhausted in paying the war taxes. Every measure was resorted to which offered any hope of escaping a draft. April 30, 1781, they voted "To divide the town into two parts by the Templeton and Rutland road, and each p.art shall furnish a man for the army for three years." Whether these men were raised does not appear, but it is evident that they failed to furnish all the men called for, as the order soon came to Captain Slocomb, commander of the militia, for a draft. The selectmen and militia oflicers made every possible effort to obtain the men, but failed. Another town-meeting was called, the 2d of July, to decide what measures should be adopted. They then chose a committee to consult as to the best means to be adopted. After conferring together for an hour, they reported that in their opinion it was best to " class the town." This report was accepted, and it was voted " To class the town into four classes." Then voted " That Capt. Slocomb

I The following record sliows tlie value of stock as estimated December 19, 1777 : Voted " That a yoke of oxen live or six years old that measure six foot be Set at l-3£ and all other cattle in proportion. Voted a good horse five years old at ami all othei-s in proportion. Voted Store Sheep at r.s. Voted Swiue one year old at one pound and aU others in proportion." * postpone the draft till next Monday, and the town clear him of all damage in so doing." All their efforts were fruitless, and when they came together on Monday it was voted " That Capt. Slocomb draft for six months into the Continental Army." The names of the drafted men are not recorded.

On the 16th of the same month a meeting was held " to see what bounties the town will give to the men that are detailed from the militia for six mouths, five months, and three months, into the service, and what means the town will adopt to furnish the men with spending money." Voted " To give the three months men nine pounds the old way, stated in beef and Indian corn." After an adjournment of two hours it was voted " That the treasurer give his security to the six months', five mouths' and three months' men, and that Lieut. Nathan Stone give his security to such of the men as choose it."

There is nothing in all the records that more clearly shows the exigencies of the times than this. All they attempted to do was to furnish spending money for the men, and to do this, required the assembled wisdom of the town. And the fact that they thought indemnity from Nathan Stone was better than from the town, as such, shows how low their credit had fallen. It is probable that only one other call for men was made. At the meeting held February 11, 1782, "to see if the town will raise the remainder of the men for the three years' service, and procure money for marching the same," it was voted "to accept of four men which Lieut. Jones, of Carlton, has offered at seventy-five pounds per man." Then voted "to set off to Lieut. Eli Clark, one-seventh part of the town to pay Levi Parmenter, as a soldier, to serve three years in the Continental Army." It is probable that the remainder of the men volunteered.

Occasionally an individual presented a claim for services in the army, which the town would not recognize. November 19, 1781, there was an article in a warrant for town-meeting " To see if the town will make any consideration to Oliver Fairbanks for the service he has Don in the army, extraordinary as he may make it appear." Voted "in the negative."

During all these years the families of soldiers were faithfully provided for at the expense of the town. They received no State aid, as in theWar of the Eebellion. As early as 1777 a committee was appointed to provide for these families, and one hundred pounds raised for the purpose. Each succeeding year, during the war, some action was taken in relation to this matter, and several appropriations were made, but such was the state of the treasury that few of the bills were presented before 1782. A few specimens of these accounts are inserted here to show the names of some of the soldiers, and how their families were taken care of.

Toion of Hubbanhtot) ittdebt d to me for gtipplyiiig the women whose husbands loere in the service of the U. S.for 1778. Delivered to the wife of Asa Cliuvch Ave J^ Busliels of ludian corn, eiglit bushels of Rie 1171b. of fresh porlt and lOOIb of Beef.

Delivered to the wife of Israel mead Seveu Bushels Indian corn four 1^ Bushels Kie 38Ib. cheese 831b. Beef one pair Shooes half Bushel malt one peck salt five Bushels Potatoes.

Delivered to the wife of Andrew Barber two Bushels Indian Corn one Bushel Rie 7J/^lb. cheese which I delivered in behalf of the town, for \ which I now praj' for allowance for the same. \

At the same meeting it was voted to allow " Captain Adam Wheeler for geting three Beriels of Sider by the Desire of the Selectmen for Mr. Stephen Churchs wife, at Ss. per Beriel 9s. For transport of sd Sider from Rutland -is."

Besides the calls for men, as stated above, and the expense of providing for their families, freiiuent demands were made upon the town to furnish beef for the army. In 1780 the General Court sent an order for 3420 pounds. The town voted to comply with the request, and the currency had so far depreciated that they raised £5130 to pay for it, which would make the cost over seven dollars per pound. On the 1st of January, 1781, another committee was chosen to purchase beef, and £10,000 was raised to pay for it. This would make more than 860,000 raised in less than a ^ year, for the purchase of beef. In estimating the sacrifices of those times, we must remember that this money had cost them as much as good money costs in ordinary times. Several other calls were made for beef, and were met, and accounts were allowed for driving cattle to Rutland for the army. Some of the men who took the.se contracts for beef, and received pay in Continental money, were totally ruined. The currency continued so to depreciate in value that at one time the town voted to allow one silver dollar for seventy-five dollars paper-money. Then it decreased so that ninety dollars would pay only one dollar taxes, and finally the town voted not to receive any more paper-money. The following extract from an old memorandum-book of Captain John Woods will illustrate still further the worth of money at that time : -

In 1782 a vote was passed to hear the report of Daniel Sumner in regard to the paper-money his son took of the town for his services in the army. The same year an ai-ticle was inserted in the town-meeting warrant, " To see what the town will do with the old average tax that was to raise bounties for the men levied in 1777." Voted " All persons behind in s" average pay up." The same year it was also voted " To set oft" one-seventh part of the town to John Woods to pay Thomas Durant for three years' service in the army." Also voted " To set ofl" one-seventh to Abijah Greenwood to pay Caleb Newton for three years' service in the army." That was the third

The next pastor was Rev. David Kendall, ordained October 20, 1802, and remained until April 26, 1809. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Gay, who was ordained October 17, 1810. He officiated as pastor until May 1, 1827, when the pastorate ended. The i church divided and Mr. Gay became pastor of those who left the old church.

The pastors from this division of the church have been as follows: Revs. Abner D. Jones, Ebenezer Robinson, Wm. H. Kinsley, Claudius Bradford, S. H. Loyd, Geo. T. Hill, Stillman Barton, A. S. Ryder, B. F. McDaniel, A. P. Willard, J. R. Johnson, H. W. Morse, A. C. Nickerson, D. W. Morehouse, N. A. Haskell and George F. Clark, the present pastor, who settled in 1883.

The frame of the first meeting-house was raised in 1773, but it was not until 1794 that the building was completed, and not until 1806 were the porch and belfry added. The bell was put in in 1805, the clock in 1808 and stoves in 1830. The building was remodeled in 1842 and again in 1869.

The Evasgelical Cosgregatioxal Church was organized in 1827, being composed of seceders from the old church. Xinety-four members of the old church went with the new society, and thirty remained with the town. The society was organized i as " The Calvinistic Church of Hubbardston," but -subsequently took its present name. The pastors since Rev. Mr. Gay, who retired in 1841, have been as follows : Oliver B. Bidwell, D. B. Bradford, C. W. Allen, Henry B. Fay, John M. Stowe, J. F. Norton and M. H. Hitchcock, the present pastor, who was settled in 1883.

The Methodist Church was organized in 1839, and a church building erected in 1846. Among those who have served this church as pastors are Joseph Whitman, Stephen Gushing, Willard Smith, George W. Bates, Wm. Gordon, Samuel Tupper, George Q. Poole, Moses P. Webster, Burtis Judd, F. Q. Burxows, Charles Baker, Mr. Atkinson, N. H. Martin, H. R. Parmeter, C. H. Newall, C. H. Vinton, I. B. Bigelow, P. M. Vinton, J. S. Day, T. B. Treadwell, O. W. Adams, W. R. Trisdale, J. J. Woodbury, W. E. Dwight, William Silverthorn, Lorenzo White, L. A. Frost, and J. C. Smith, present pastor.

The Williasisville Union Sunday-school Society was incorporated August 29, 1888, by -Charles E. Brown, of Springfield, Mass., M. H. Hitchcock, of Hubbardston, Sarah E. Hemmenway, of Barre, Ellen 31. Williams, Susan M. Jewett, Minerva F. Hale and H. B. Jencks, of Hubbardston. Its object is " to interest all the residents of Williamsville and vicinity in maintaining public worship and a Sunday-school on the Sabbath, and such other religious and social meetings and other assemblies on week-days as the public interests may require." Officers, - President, M. H. Hitchcock ; Clerk, M. F. Hale ; Treasurer, H. B. Jencks. Its constitution is well fitted to carry out the idea of union meetings in a little village four miles from churches. A neat and tasty building has been erected, costing eighteen hundred dollars, and the society is out of debt, owing to the liberality of former residents and friends.

There is a beautiful grove here on the borders of a large pond, in which annual reunion picnics of present and former residents of three old school districts is held in August.

Schools. - In the first division of land among the proprietors, a lot, No. 30, was set apart for school purposes, and in 1796 this lot was sold for twelve hundred and seventy-six dollars. In 1767 the first school was held, one month at the house of Joseph Slarrow, and one month at the house of Edward Rice.

In 1770 the town voted to build a school-house twenty-six feet by twenty. This was the first in town, and stood near the southwest corner of the old burial ground, and was for some time used also as a town-house and church. Prior to this the schools and town-meetings had all been held in private houses.

In 1771 the town chose a committee to " squadron out the school places;" that is, provide places for schools in other parts of the town. Before 1781 nothing had been done to build other school-houses. At their March meeting that year a committee of seven was chosen "To squadron out the town for schooling, and to see how many school-housen to build." The next year this committee made their report, dividing the town into seven squadrons, and recommended building a school-house in each squadron. The report was accepted ; but no further action was taken till March, 1784, when it was voted to build the seven school-houses, to be completed by the 1st of June, 1786. The sum of £105 was raised to pay expenses, and a building committee appointed in each squadron ; but it was from three to five years before these houses were all completed. In 1786 there was an article in the town-meeting warrant, " To see if the town will reconsider the vote formerly passed, granting £105 to build school-houses." The vote to reconsider was in the negative; a new committee was appointed, and fifty dollars additional appropri-

Libraries. - The Hubbardstou Library Association was formed prior to 1825. It was a private enterprise, and after a few years was abandoned. For almost twenty years prior to 1870 a library association was sustained in the village, and in 1871 the Farmers' Library, which was organized about 1861, was united witli it. Various donations of books were received from various sources, and in 1872 the library numbered one thousand one hundred and fifty-nine. The largest donation was made by Jonas G. Clark. The library was moved to the library building in 1875. The first librarian was Miss Sarah E. Marean. The library now contains sixteen thousand volumes.

Fire Companies. - The first fire-engine was purchased in 1830, and a fire company formed soon after. Later a hook-and-ladder company was formed.

Prominent Persons. - Hon. Ethan A. Greenwood was a successful portrait painter, and was for many years justice of the peace ; was also a representative to the General Court and State Senator.

William Bennett gave much of his time to collecting material for a town history of Hubbardston, and all later historians of this town owehim adebtof gratitude for his invaluable labors in this field of literature. He died in 1881.

The following were Hubbardston men, viz. : Drs. William Parkhurst, John Browning, Stephen Clark, Nelson P. Clark, Jubal C. Gleason and S. E. Greenwood.

Samuel Swan and his son George were the only lawyers who have practiced law here. Others who were born here were Ethan A. Greenwood, Thomas O. Selfridge, William A. Williams and Edward B. Savage.

The following were the officers of the day : President, Levi Pierce ; Vice-Presidents, Col. Moses Waite, Dr. Moses Phelps, Capt. Ebenezer Stowe, Moses C. Wheeler, Oren Marean, Abel Howe ; Chief Marshal, Lyman Woodward; Assistant Marshals, Wm. H. Whittemore, F. P. Morse, Rockwell H. Waite, Asa H. Church ; Toast Master, J. C. Gleason ; Chaplain, Rev. I. B. Bigelow.

The address was delivered by Rev. J. M. Stowe, and a poem read by Horace Underwood. The town also celebrated the Centennial of American Independence, July 4, 1876. The following hymn, written by Horace Underwood, was sung on that occasion :

Copperas Mine. - When the new county road to Templetou was built, in 1828, in cutting through a ledge, ore was discovered which was supposed to be of great value. It proved to be copperas. The mine was worked on a large scale for many years, but though the copperas was ot good quality, the cost of its manufacture was so great the enterprise was at length abandoned, and all the buildings of the settlement have now disappeared. This ledge is very extensive, though it comes to the surface in but few places.

Physicians. - The first practicing physician in town was Dr. Moses Phelps, who came here in 1776, and for more than half a century visited hislpatients on horseback with his huge saddle-bags of medicine. His son, Moses Phelps, studied and practiced with him, except for four years spent in Barre ; after more than fifty years of active service, he continued to be consulted till his death, in 1873 ; the father and son thus covering almost a century of practice.

Others have been Drs. Goodnow, George Hoyt, Brown, Holmes, Taylor, Alexander, Billings, Bemis, Pillsbury, Scribner, Freeland, Lincoln, Sylvester, Ruggles, Ames, Joseph M. Tenney, H. O. Palmer and Amory Jewett.

The Militia. - Prior to 1791 there was but one military company in this town. It then numbered one hundred and forty men, and was rapidly increasing, and the town voted to divide it into two companies, to be called the East Company and the West Company, and to choose officers for the two, which shows that miliiary oSicers at that time were elected in town-meeting. The oflicers of the West Company were: Ebenezer Mann, captain; Daniel Parkis (af- terwards spelled Parkhurst), lieutenant ; John Browning, ensign. Of the East Company : Moses Greenwood, captain ; Asa Church, lieutenant ; Paul Matthews, ensign.

Rifle Company. - In 1816 an independent company was chartered, called the Hubbardston Rifle Company. The first officers were : James H. Wheeler, captain; Ephraim Mason, lieutenant; Brigham Davis, ensign.

In 1829, after the active militia was so reduced as to include only able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and thirty, the West Company was disbanded. The officers - Asa Underwood, captain ; Makepeace Clark, lieutenant, and Samuel A. Knox, en.sign - were discharged, and the non-commissioned officers and privates were enrolled in the East Company.

Light Infantry. - In 1843 another independent company was chartered, called the Hubbardston Light Infantry. The first officers of the Infantry Company which followed were: George Williams, Jr., captain; Henry Chase, first lieutenant; Daniel Witt, second lieutenant; Joseph Russell, third lieutenant, and Harvey Brown, fourth lieutenant.

Grand Army of the Republic. - Post 109 was organized in 1868, but finally, the number of members dropping below the number called for by charter, it was abandoned.

Soldiers' Monument - The town erected a monument to the memory of her soldiers, in 1885. It was dedicated June 17th of that year, the address upon the occasion being delivered by Hon. W. W. Rice.

Post-Office. - A post-office was established in Hubbardston in 1810, and the following have been postmasters : Reuben Wheeler, Clark Witt, John Church, Levi Pierce, Dana Braun, Appleton Clark, Abijah S. Clark, John Phelps, John F. Clark, William Bennett, Jr., William H. Whittemore, Lyman Woodward and J. B. Flynn.