Petersham Town

Petersham Town

Fridny we reconnoitered their post with an intention to approach them the next day. This mo%'ement gave them an alarm, and at 3 o'clock Saturday morning I received a flag from Wheeler, requesting that he might liave a conference with Gen. Putnam. It was granted and they met Saturday forenoon. To provide for his personal safety seemed to be the principal object he bad in view - no encouragement on this head being given, lie retired ; and Saturday evening I was informed that Shays had left Pelhani, and had pointed his forces towards thia place, where, it was said, he expected to be joined by many others, and where he could make a stand, as many towns in this vicinity were in his interest. At 8 o'clock our troops were in motion; the first part of the night was light, and the weather clement ; but between li and 3 o'clock in the morning, the wind shifting to the westward, it became cold and equally, with considerable snow. The wind arose very high, and with light snow that fell the day before and was falling, the paths were soon filled up, the men became fatigued, and they were in a part of the country where they could not be covered in the distance of eight miles, and the cold was so increased that they could not halt in the road to refresh themselves. Under these circumstances they were obliged to continue their march. We arrived here about 9 o'clock, exceedingly fatigued by a march of 30 miles, part of it in a deep snow, and in a most violent storm. When this abated the cold increased and a great part of our men are frozen in some part or other - I hope none of them are dangerously so, and that most of tiiem will be able again to march in a short time. We approached this town nearly in the centre, where Shays had covered his men ; and had we not been prevented by the steepness of the hill and the depth of the snow from throwing our men rapidly into it, we should have arrested very probably one-half of his force: for they were so nearly surprised, as it was. that they had not time to call in their outparties, or even their guards. Ahout loH fell into our hands, and none escaped but by the most precepitate flight in different directions ; but most of their men fled for Athol. It is said they intended to reach Northfield. This brings him near the line of another State, where he may vainly hope to find an asylum. Thus, Sir, that body of men, who were, a few days since, offering the grossest insults to the best citizens of the Commonwealth, and were menacing even Government itself, is fast dissipating, and it will not long, I think, have the least existence. It must be pleasing to your Excellency to know that this has been efTected, and bloodshed avoided, but in an instant or two, where the Insurgents have rushed on to their own destruction, after every effort had been made by the officers of Government to prevent it. Thitt so little has been spilt is owing, in a measure, to the patience and obedience, the zeal and fortitude discov" ered in our troops, to whom too much thanks cannot be given. A different line of conduct which Shays flattered his troops would be manifested and would have given them support, and led them to acts of violence, while it must have buoyed up the hopes of their abettors and stimulated them to greater exertions.

As soon as the troops are able to move I shall follow Shays, and throw part of our force into Berkshire. Before I leave this place I shall make a disposition of the troops, and discharge such whole services as are no longer necessary.

Notwithstanding the present state of things, much is necessary for the General Court to do ; and decided measures on their part will give support to our friends and dismay to others,

Mr. Cabot will honor this by being the bearer of it. His great attention to duty and bis knowledge therein entitle him to thanks. He will give your Excellency a more minute account of matters than I have been able to write.

An extract only can be given from the singularly interesting narrative of Capt. Park Holland, which will amply explain itself and throw fresh Tight upon the report of Gen. Lincoln :

Some time in December I was appointed to take I he company raised in the towns of Petersham, Athol and Rutland, which was immediately filled by voluntary enlistment. I had enlisted as private soldiers thirteen old commissioned officers, among whom was Gen. Kufus Putnam, in whose regiment I had served during the War of the Revolution. Uuring these transactions Capt. Daniel Shays, commander-in-chief of the opposite party was not idle. He had collected, it was said, eight or ten thousand men, a part of whom, under the commaod of Luke Bay, were somewhere in the vicinity of West Springfield. Another large force commanded by Adam Wheeler collected first at Princeton, from thence marched to New Braintree, while Shays with the main body was in or near the town of Pelham. While Gen, Lincoln and his troops lay at Worcester, news arrived that Shays with his division was on the march to Springfield to tiike possession of the Continental stores, arms, ammunition, etc.. which were deposited there. Gen. Lincoln marched immediately to Brookfield, where he halted for the night. The next day we continued our march for Springfield, and white on the way sometime before noon we heard that Shays had reached there already and had had an encounter with Gen. Shepherd, who was there guarding the United States property with a detachment of government troops. We soon met stragglers from Shays' retreating troops, among others a sleigh with two or three dead men, who, as a soldier remarked, - " poor fellows, had had their grievances redressed forever," the "redress of grievances " being a term much in use among them. It was with no small grief that I now recognir-ed in one of the dead my old friend Spicer. ... I had known him as a faithful soldier through the war and as one who at various times had manifested much afl^ection for me. On our arrival at Springfield we found that Shays had made a rapid retreat towards Pelham, and Gen. Shepherd gave us the following account of the battle, if it could be termed such : ' Shays and his men were found to be rapidly marching to Springfield, where the Continental stores were deposited and guarded by Gen. Shepherd, who immediately sent out his aids with a flag to inform Shaj's that if he advanced any further he should fire upon him. He returned no answer, but continued marching more rapidly towards Shepherd, who then ordered his field-pieces loaded, some with balls and some with grape shot, and when within reach of the guns he ordered one of the field-pieces to be fired over the beads of the insurgents, which was quickly done, but they only quickened their march instead of baiting, as he had hoped they would do. Another piece was now ordered with as good aim as possible at the main body. This had the desired effect, a rapid and disorderly retreat, leaving their dead and one mortally wounded on the field. Gen. Shepherd remarked to me that at no time in his life was he called upon to perform so painful a duty as when he ordered good aim to be taken at Shays and his men, many of whom had fought at his side and stood firm through the most trying scenes of the late war. I had served under Shays and knew him to be a brave and good soldier or officer, and I can truly say that it was with no regret on my part that I had not reached here in season to see him and his mis' taken followers fired iipon as enemies.

While Sliays was advancing upon Springfield Capt. Day had collected a considerable force on the opposite side of the river at West Springfield to re enforce Shays if necessary. Therefore, soon as Lincoln's men had taken some refreshments we crossed the river to call Capt. Day to account for bis acts and deeds, but on our arrival we found that he, in hia wisdom, had thought best to disband his troops, and that neither he nor his kinsmen were to be found. We next marched to old Hadley, thinking it possible that Day might collect his men and attempt to join Shays at Pelham. Here we remained two or three days to refresh and wait for our artillery and stores to overtake us. About the third day of our tarry in Hadley, at sunset we received orders to march immediately as we supposed to Pelliam, but the fact was that Gen. Lincoln had received information that Shays had left Pelham and was on his way to Petersham. We left immediately, late as it was. The weather was comfortably warm, but about ten or twelve o'clock in the night the wind changed to the northwest, blew furiously, accompanied by a violent snow-squall, and became intolerably cold. The snow was deep, though a fine sleigh path would have made it good travelling had it not been that our artillery was in front with wheels so much wider than the path that the road was filled with loose snow, which rendered the travelling as uncomfortable as can well be imagined. We reached Petersham about sunrise next morning, tired, hungry and frozen, having travelled in the course of the night thirty miles, the hardest march I ever endured. I found myself badly frost-bitten, and found but two of my whole company who were not more or less frozen. Shays being informed that Gen . Lincoln was close in his rear thought it best to leave town, and so rapid were his movements that many left their provisions, and some on the fire preparing for breakfast. Our quartermaster had gone in front of us to look out for houses to lodge in, so when we reached the main street we had only to take possession of such as were pointed out to us, some of which were still occupied by Shays' men, who soon left and gave us a peaceable entrance. Never were a good fire and breakfast enjoyed more highly by any set of men. The main body of Shays' troops marched throngh the town to the northern hounds, which pass through a valley, and were inamensuro out of tho colJ wind. There tbey made a halt» probably to consider what was best to be done; either to make a firm stand and give Gen. Lincoln battle or to make a final retreat. It appears that they cbose the hitter, as many relumed to their homes.

Their place of haltinir, as mentioned above, was directly in front of my home, where my family then were, and it may be supposed felt themselves in a Tery unpleasant situation, as it was well-known that I was out in Lincoln's Ainiy, and of course unfriendly to Shays. Of course they had reason to expect some abuse from them. My wife was at tins time confined by illness to lier chamber, but with her usual presence of mind she told the young man living with her to make a good fire in each room in the house as soon as she saw their intention of halting, and to bring from her cellar and pantry everything she had to offer for breakfast. The house was soon filled to overflowing with men half starved and half frozen, among whom was Mr. Converse, now quartermaster, an acquaintance of ours. My wifR sent for him and told him she had done all in her power for their relief and comfort, and hoped he would see that they did no damage to the honse. He assured her that he was very grateful, and that as fur as possible he would comply with her request ; which he strictly did, and after eating and warming themselves to their satisfaction they departed, having done no damage save clearing the house of every eatable thing.

An appendix to the address of Rev. Edmund Willson preserves to us a f^raphic description of the rout of Shays* men by an eye-witness, Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard. The house of his father was one of several that were occupied by troops, they supposing that their own march of the day previous had put a long distance between them and the forces of Lincoln.

"I well remember," writes the Kev. I)r. Willard, of Deerfield, "the entrance of the insurgents into Petersham, and the alarm it excited among those who were known to be on the side of the Government. Several of the insurgents had been arrested and condemned to death for having been found in arms the second time, in violation of the oath of allegiance which had been imposed after their first capture ; and their party had threatened to take prisoners who should be held as hostages for the life aud salety of those who were under condemnation. On this account my father and some others secreted themselves when the insurgents approached their houses. The sudden and unexpected arrival of Lincoln the next morning, and the precipitate retreat of Shays and hia army dispersed all fear, but not all trouble. The array of the Government was quartered upon us from Sunday morning till Wednesday, and left our houses in such a state as to inspire dread of armies in every bosom.

'* The insurgents were little prepared to act with efBciency. To say nothing of their want of personal qualifications, they were deficient in arms. Some of the staff officers were appropriately armed ; for, in hia flight, one of them left at our house the only weapon which I think he had, - a cayie, which was nothing else than a stick stripped of its bark, with a pewter head, of which my boyhood took possession.

"I was out at the door on the approach of Lincoln's army ; and an officer of the insurgents came riding up at full speed, and gave me, a boy often years - the oral commission, 'Run into the house, and tell them to parade in a minute, for the enemy are upon us I' I went in, but found them in as much confusion as a hive of bees swarming. After they were gone, it appeared that one of them had forgotten to take his gun, and a brother of mine took possession of it, and it was never called for.

*'It was in the midst of a violent snow-storm, or. rather, the snow was flying, and it was very cold. Some poor wight had his hat taken from his head, and, I suppose, went without a hat against that furious north wind to Athol, where they halted. I, myself, found the hat the following spring in one of our lols, and, as my head was large for a boy of niy age, it suited me very well, and I finished the wear of it."

The writer has often conversed with another eyewitness to the scenes, a younger brother of the author of these reminiscences, the late Deacon Cephas Willard, well known in Worcester County. But he, with a humorous twinkle of his eye, excused himself

Other houses in the town are said to have been occupied in similar manner, including the village tavern and that of the minister, Rev. Solomon Reed. He was a large, portly man, who stood guard in his halls for the night, as tradition affirms, with drawn sword, in order to prevent trespass on the part of the insurgents.

I observe here there are many things to be considered before we condemn the misled followers of Daniel Shays. Tlieir leaders wore ignorant, aud many of them deceived. Our government was a new and untried ship, with many joints that needed oiling, to say the least ; with no chart of experience to guide us, nor map of the paht by which to lay our course. He who stood by the side of these men in many hardfought battles with a powerful enemy, and witnessed their hardships and sufferings, borne without complaint, would much rather remember the good service they rendered their country than dwell upon what historians have set down as a blot upon their country's pages*

Chaptee Lxxiii The Churches

A Meeting in Grofon - Aaron Wliitiiey ordained as First pastor - Opposed to the Uetolution - Action by the Town - A Guard at the Church-door - Solomon lieed Ordamed - Indian Com OJ'ered as Salary - A Mutual Council to Settle *'JurTa and Qaarrels^^ - FestuB Foster Ordained - Tlie Covenant Chantjid - Eev. Lnllier Willxon Installed - Disestablishment of the Churches - Property Transferred - The Jilinisterial Land Sold for Corn - Sundry Bequests - Bee. GeorgeR. ^oyes, D.I)., Settled - Biblical ScJiot' arship - Iter. Nathaniel Gage Settled - House of Worship Built - Clock and Bell - Several Pastors - Congregational Church - Baptist Church - Tlie VniversiUists - Methodists.

The long and generally peaceful prosperity which followed the adoption of the Constitution of the United States gave opportunity for the growth of the churches, schools and industries of the county and of this town. The local growth may be here narrated from the beginning. The proprietors of the town voted, at their second meeting, held at Groton, in the autumn of 1733, to build a meeting-house.

This action, taken in a town forty miles distant, recalls still earlier events. In the settlement of the colonies the civil and ecclesiastieal organization was sometimes effected on shipboard, or in England before the colonists embarked. The town and chuich of Dorchestes were organized at Plymouth, England. Afterward the community removed from Dorchester to Winsor, where it united with other towns in the formation of the State of Connecticut. So the erection of a church at Petersham was ordered by a vote taken in Groton. Five years passed before the settlement of a pastor, preaching being maintained during a portion of the time.

In 1738 a young graduate from Harvard was dismissed from the cliurch at Littleton and came to Nichewaug to be tlie minister of the town and cliurch which was yet to be organized within it. A church covenant was adopted and Aaron Whitney was ordained and settled as minister. A proprietor's lot was assigned to him, with two hundred pounds in money as a settlement and one hundred and fifty pounds as an annual salary. He was ordained in December of the same year. Isaac Ward and Thomas Adams were chosen deacons. Probably the dedication of the house of worship also took place.

The covenant adopted was Trinitarian in form. It was in use until the year 1802, or sixty-four years, when a statement of faith Unitarian in its terms was substituted. The pastorate of Mr. Whitney appears to have been peaceful and prosperous until the time of the Revolution. He was royalist in sentiment, and this led to a vote of the town that they " will not bargain with, hire nor employ the Rev. Mr. Whitney to preach for diem any longer." He was treated as "an enemy of his country," though his character was blameless and his fidelity unimpeachable. Mr. Wliitney regarded the action of the town as wholly illegal and would have continued to preach in disregard of the vote of the town. To prevent this a committee was chosen "to see that the publick worship be not disturbed by any person or persons going into the desk but such persons as shall be put in by the Town's Committee." In pursuance of this vote, the committee on the following Sunday stationed Peter Gore, a half-blood Indian, armed, tradition says, with a gun, at the door of the church, and when Mr. Whitney arrived he was not allowed to enter. A clear spring upon the Phillipston road, called " Gore spring," preserves the memory of Peter Gore, who owned the pasture in which it is found. Mr. Whitney continued to preach at his own house and still claimed to be the minister of the town. The pastorate was practically closed in 1777. Four of his sons were educated at Harvard College.

On the 15(h of June, 1780, the town voted unanimously to call "Mr. Solomoa Reed to settle with them in the work of the Gospel," and iurther " voted that the Town give him a Settlement of one hundred pounds Stated on Indian corn at three shillings pr bushel, to be paid in 30 days after his ordination." A yearly salary of one hundred pounds "on Indian corn " at the same rate was otfered. At the suggestion of Mr. Reed these proposals were so modified that the payment was to be made in lawful money, it being agreed that "each and every hundred "pounds when paid shall be with a sum of money sufficient to purchase six hundred and sixty-six bushels and towthirds of a bushel of Indian corn." The agreement further recited that, " Whereas, through the wiles of the adversary or through the weakness and Infirmities of human nature, dissention, difficulties, Jarrs and Quarrels may subsist between the said Mr. Solomon Reed and the Congregation in this Town, whether the Difficulty arises on the part of the Town church or on the part of s'* Mr. Solomon Reed," and provided that a mutual council should be called to compose and arrange all differences.

These conditions having been agreed to, Mr. Reed was settled and his pastorate continued uniil the year 1800, or about twenty years. This long service is sufficient evidence that Mr. Reed was beloved and respected by his people, although the truth of history compels one to say that he was not free from temptation to excesses in the use of intoxicating drinks. Furthermore, the people were not without fault in this respect, the selectmen having approved a bill of more than five thousand pounds for liquors and other articles for the ordaining council by which Mr. Reed was settled. This statement is made from memory of the language of the bill which the writer has seen. The explanation of the astonishing sum is found in the date, 1780, when currency was so inflated that the amount in specie was probably less than two hundred dollars.

In the year 1801 the church and town invited Mr. Festus Foster to become their minister. He consented, and was ordained January 13, 1802. Three months after his ordination the church substituted a "Christian Profession," Unitarian in sentiment, for the " Covenant" in previous use. The profession thus adopted has been continued by the First Parish, with slight changes, to the present time. The pastorate of Festus Foster closed 1817, when he w.is dismissed with honorable recognition of his faithful services.

Rev. Luther Willson, a native of New Braintree, born 1783, a graduate of Williams College, 1807, for some years preceptor of Leicester Academy, pastor of the First Church, Brooklyn, Conn., from 1813 to 1817, was installed at Petersham, June 23, 1819. The pastorate contained until October 18, 1834, or more than fifteen years, which, although his relations with his people were harmonious, he characterized as " times of excitement and division." After resignation, he lived in Petersham, preaching at various places from time to time, and died November 20, 1864, his grave being found in the cemetery east of the common. Luther Willson and Sally Bigelow were united in marriage November 30, 1806. Miss Bigelow was born July 6, 1783, and died January 29,

During the pastorate of Rev. Luther Willson a State law was passed disestablishing the churches of Massachusetts. A Trinitarian Congregational Church was organized, which included those who did not accept the " Christian Profession," which had been substituted for the earlier "Covenant." The affairs of the Church were to be no longer connected with the town. The property and records passed to the First Congregational Parish, which received from the town $3975.43 in money, that being the amount of a fund which had resulted from the sale of the " ministerial lands." These lands were one proprietor's lot set off for the maintenance of the ministry. They had been used by Rev. Aaron Whitney previously to the year 1775. Two entries in the records of a meeting held May 24th of that year will serve to indicate the cause of transfer of the lands to the care of the town :

" Voted unanimously, that the town will not hire the Eev'd Mr. Whitney to preach with them any longer, and that he is Dismissed from any further services as a Gospel Minister in this Town. . . . Voted, that the Selectmen take possession of and lease out the ministerial lands for the most they will fetch." Three years later, or in 1778, it was voted to sell the ministerial lands. From such sale the ministerial fund was established.

The report of the committee which sold the lands, accepted by a town-meeting, 1780, shows that four hundred and twenty-eight acres and one hundred and four rods were sold in lots to ten different persons, corn being the standard of value. The sales amounted to 6779 bushels and 22 quarts, as the value of the lands. The annual interest to be paid, as reckoned by the committee, was 405 bushels and 15 quarts. The rate appears to have been six per cent. The slight discrepancy in reckoning from these figures is doubtless explainable by the fact that the committee reckoned from a number of smaller quantities.

Upon the separation of the afl'aiis of the church and town, Aaron Brooks, Esq., Jared Weed, Esq., and Jonas Carruth were the committee which made the inventory of church property to be transferred. The parish also received subsequently the sum of one thousand dollars, which was given by Nathaniel McCarty, his will having provided that the interest "shall be applied to the support of Unitarian preaching in said Town," and five hundred dollars, which were devised by an item of the will as follows : " I give and bequeath to the Town of Petersham five hundred dollars, the interest to be appropriated to support the singing on Sundays in their meeting-house. Provided the inhabitants of that town see that part of public worship decently and properly performed ; the principal to be perpetually kept good by a safe investment on land security."

The will contained this explanation : " My inducement to these bequests is ... a desire to testify the interest which I continue to feel in the place where I long resided and where, with the blessing of heaven, I acquired much of my property." These bequests came to the church as the successor of the town in respect to ecclesiastical interests.

The first vSunday-school in Petersham was established by Rev. Luther Willson, who was its first superintendent. Rev. George R. Noyes, D.P., succeeded Rev. Luther Willson. His translation of a large portion of the Bible has given him a reputation wider than any one denomination. His works, which are still in print, are a Translation of the Heb-ew Prophets, Translation of the Book of Psalms, Translation of .Job, and the New Testament Translated from the Greek text of Tischendorf. He made also a collection of Theological Essays by various authors, for which he wrote an introduction. The translation of the Scriptures anticipated many of the changes of the Revised Version.

Dr. Noyes was a native of Newburyport ; a graduate of Harvard College, 1818 ; received the degree of Doctor of Divinity, 1839 ; settled in Brookfield, 1827 ; installed in Petersham, October, 1834 ; elected to a professorship in the Theological School of Harvard University in 1840.

Rev. Nathaniel Gage was born at North Andover, Mass., 1800 ; graduated at Harward, 1822 ; at the Divinity School, 1826 ; was settled in the ministry at Nashua, N. H., and Haverhill, Mass., seven years each; installed at Petersham, October 6, 1841; dismissed, 1845 ; afterward of Lancaster and Westboro', which was his hist settlement. He subsequently resided at Cambridge, preaching at Ashby and other places, and died in 1861.

During the ministry of Mr. Gage at Petersham the house of worship, which is still occupied by the First Parish, was erected. It was built by a stock subscription of fifty-five shares of one hundred dollars each, which were subsequently presented by the shareholders to the parish. The first church edifice, which was regularly occupied from the year 1738, after several years of progress toward completion, was used until about the year 1780, or sixty-two years. Then the building of a new church was agitated, but it was probably 1788 when it was ready for occupation. Eleazer Bradshaw, Esq., of Brookfield, gave a bell which came from the works of Paul Revere. A clock was given later, 1828, by Cyrus Wadsworth. Ui)on the erection of the present church, 1842, the bell and clock were removed from the old church. That building, which had been used for worship from 1788 to 1842, or fifty-four years, was removed to the east side of the Common and devoted to secular uses until destroyed by fire, 1845. The previous removal of the bell and clock, and consequent preservation of those relics of the early time, is an occasion of special satisfaction. The bell bears the inscription :

Brief mention only can be made of those who have since served as pastors of the church. Rev. Ephraim Nute, Jr., was ordained October 15, 1845; dismissed, 1848. He has since been settled in Scituate and Chicopee, and has lived in Kansas, to which State he went in connection with a movement to settle that territory with emigrants opposed to slavery and in favor of the organization of a free State.

Rev. Martin W. Willis, ordained at Walpole, N. H., 184.3, was installed at Petersham, 1848. The pastorate continued until 1851, since which time he has been settled at Bath, Me., and at Nashua, N. H., subsequently residing in St. Louis.

John J. Putnam, previously settled in Bolton, was installed 1852. During his ministry the organ was purchased, which displaced the violin, violoncello and bass viol, which Iiad been in previous use as an aid to church music.

Rev. Daniel Francis Goddard was born at Plymouth, Mass., November 29, 1827. He studied two years at Amherst College, afterward preparing for the ministry with Rev. Russell Tomlinson, a Universalist. He was ordained and settled over a Universalist Church, Boston, afterward being engaged in the ministry at Weymouth and Chelsea, before coming to Petersham. His subsequent employment was at Revere, Harvard and Chelmsford. He died July 13, 1883.

Rev. Thomas D. Howard, who served as pastor about four years, was born at Springfield, Mass., December 26, 1826, being the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Dwight) Howard. He graduated at Harvard College, 1848, Divinity School, 1851, and has since been settled in order at Berry, Me., Sheboygan, Wis., Petersham, Charlestown, N. H. He united in marriage, 1854, with Sarah A. Eaton, of Berry, Me. During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Howard served as chaplain, and upon resigning at Petersham, served as secretary of the Commissioners of Prisons. for Massachusetts.

Lyman Clark was born at what is now Sago, W. Va., 1838, being the son of Cornelius and Abigail (Wright) Clark, natives respectively of Bridgewater and Westford, Mass. The family having removed to Illinois, Lyman Clark served in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-65. Upon leaving the army he entered the Meadville Theological School, remaining four years ; was graduated 1869 and ordained at a meeting of the Western Conference at Quincy, 111., October of the same year. He was located for several months at Jacksonville, III.; has been settled at Lancaster, N. H., 1870-74; Petersham, 1874-82; Ayer, 1882 ; to the present time. He was a member of the House of Representatives 1879, representing the towns of Templeton, Phillipston, Hubbardston and Petersham; was united in marriage, 1872, with Isabel Clough, daughter of Eben and Susan Clough, Bethel, Me.

Rev. Isaac Francis Porter was born at Wenham, Essex County, Mass., June 29, 1839. He served as a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, attended Madison University, New York, afterward the Meadville (Pa.) Theological School. He has been settled in the ministry at Princeton, 111., Peterboro', N. H., Chicopee, Petersham, (1883-87), Bolton and Berlin, Mass.

Henry Harrison Brown, the present pastor, was born at Uxbridge, 1840, the son of Pemberton Brown, and Paulina (Whitmore) Brown, of Sutton. He studied at Nichols Academy, Dudley, at Meadville and served in the War of the Rebellion from 1862-65 ; was ordained at Petersham, 1888.

Congregational. - An Orthodox Congregational Church was organized and established by council held January 25, 1823. Its house of worship was built several years later, or about the year 1829. Its pastors have been Rev. Mr. Wolcott, 1830-33 ; Rev. Caleb B. Tracy, installed June 25, 1834 ; Rev. Columbus Shumway, installed October 4, 1837 ; Rev. Solomon Clark, installed April 13, 1841 ; Rev. A. B. Foster, installed May 12,1853; Rev. Lucien H. Adams, installed October 28, 1862, dismissed January 2, 1865, to become a missionary to Turkey of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The church has since been served in pastoral relations by Rev. Charles Kendall, Rev. Mr. Root, Rev. Wm. Miller, Rev. Abijah Stowell, Rev. Benjamin Ober, Rev. Charles W. Fifield, installed October 14, 1874 ; Rev. Elbridge W. Merrit, acting pastor, and Rev. David Shurtleft', installed May 8, 1884.

A second church of the Orthodox Congregational denomination was organized in the southwest part of the town, on the borders of Dana and Hardwick, in the year 1836 or 1837, and a meeting-house was built. Probably the ^nearness of the locality to Dana Centre led to its discontinuance.

Baptist Chuech. - At the time of the Revolution, and for some years afterward, a Baptist Society was maintained in the southwesterly part of the town, its church being located near the Factory Village, socalled, otherwise Nichewaug. Rev. Samuel Dennis and Rev. Mr. Sellon were pastors. The meeting-house was subsequently moved to Dana, where it was for some time occupied by the same society and afterward by Universalists, finally being used for secular purposes.

A branch society of the Baptist Church in Athol was organized in Petersham, November, 1824. Rev. Thomas Marshall held services for several years, he residing in the westerly party of the town. In May, 1849, this branch church assumed an independent organization, and Rev. John Shepardson became their first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. E. .C. Anderson, D.D., and Rev. T. T. Merriman and Rev. Kilburn Holt, pastor from 1882-87. Rev. Arvin Augustus Smith, the present pastor, was settled 1888. Of these several pastors a few facts may be given. Rev. Samuel Dennis was an ardent revolutionist and probably the author, in part, of the reply of the town to the Committee of Correspondence of the town of Boston, the resolutions sent to the General Court, and the instructions to their representative. His name appears as representative to the General Court, 1777.

tion and conduct of the Highland Institute, a school which was for some years maintained in what is now known as the Nichewaug, and of which Rev. E. C. Anderson, D.D.. was for some time principal.

Eev. T. M. Merriam, A.M., was the author of two works entitled "The Trail of History; or. History of Religion and Empire," and " William, Prince of Orange."

A Univeesali.st Society was organized in the year 1836 or 1837. It built the house of worship now occupied by the Baptists. The society was continued probably until the year 1849. Rev. Mr. Willis and Rev. Mr. Coolidge served as pastors.

The Methodist Church. - Preaching was maintained by the Methodists, and a society formed, which continued from 1843 to 1848 or '49. A small chapel was built, the use of which, for church purposes, was afterward discontinued. Their pastors were Rev. Messrs. Button, Clarke and Goodwin.

Chapter Lxxiv

From a letter of Captain Park Holland we have this account of the educational facilities of the town during his boyhood, or about the year 1760 :

"Our opportunity for obtaining an education was very limited indeed. The Psalter and a few old books were all that were used in the few months' school we attended. . . . Our books of amusement were likewise very few. ^sop's Fables and occasionally some ballads brought us by a strolling pedlar, were the principal, and they were read with great pleasure; and not read merely, but often committed to memory." From such, not by any means worthless, beginnings has grown the present modern school.

Schools. - The town being large in respect to territory, it has been necessary to maintain schools in the several neighborhoods. Nine school-houses are still found out of the village, and formerly there were ten, one having been burned. Schools have been temporarily suspended at different times in several of the school-houses for want of pupils in the neighborhood, other schools being well filled. In the village a brick school-house is found, in which are three rooms, one of which has recently been occupied by the library, one by a primary and ungraded school, one by a high school. Although the population is below the standard which requires a high school to be maintained, the town has been accustomed to vote an appropriation for the high school from year to year. This voluntary action indicates the earnest interest of the people in the education of children. The town appropriates a high percentage of its valuation for school purposes. The number of children of school age, or from five to fifteen years, was one hundred and fifty-nine for the year 1888. A boarding-school, under the name of the Highland Institute, was maintained for several years.

Industries. - The most common employment of the people from the beginnins: has been that of farming. The necessary grist-mill, saw-mill and blacksmith and wheelwright shops have done their work from an early date. No manufacturing corporation is at present located in Petersham. In 1847 a fire which swept the westerly side of the Common, destroying property estimated at fifty thousand dollars, burned a building which was fitted with engine and machinery for the manufacture of lasting buttons. Fourteen buildings were burned, including two hotels, barns and out-buildings, one dwelling-house, one large « store, one building occupied by shops, offices, etc. This fire inflicted permanent injury to the business interests of the place.

The braiding of palm-leaf hats was introduced by Mr. Samson Wetherell, October, 1827. He procured material and employed a Miss Gilbert to teach braiding, furnishing her a room in his own house for the purpose. The apprentices became teachers of others throughout the town. The first expense was borne wholly by Wetherell & Brown, merchants. Afterward one dollar was paid by learners to the teacher. The leaf was first split with a pen-knife, the hats being whitened in a barrel with brimstone, pressed with a fiat-iron and barreled up to send to market. In ten years from the introduction the gross business amounted to twenty-five thousand four hundred and ninety-five dollars, the value of one hundred and thirty thousand five hundred and twenty-five hats, the product of one year. This continued for a long time to be an impor- J tant industry in many households, and is still prac- 1 ticed to some extent.

Pearlash was at an early day produced to a consid- I erable extent. To meet the necessities of the Revolution, saltpetre was made to be used in manufacture of gunpowder. More patriotism than profit is said to have been connected with this enterprise.

To meet a want caused by interrupted commerce, salt was made at Rochester Shore ard brought to the town for the use of the people. The enterprise was not successful, for which reason it was abandoned.

Petersham

Paul Peckharn formerly manufactured ladders, and at the proper season sent them around through the country for sale. In this business he used a machine, invented by himself, for dressing tapering conical surfaces.

A cheese-factory was erected three-quarters of a mile south of the village, and the business carried on for some time. It was finally discontinued, and the building moved to the rear of the Unitarian Church, where it was converted first into a skating rink, and afterward into a tenement-house.

German Lagara has manufactured articles of fancy wood- work, plates, bowls, nut-dishes, etc., which are sold to summer boarders and others who visit the town.

Mr. Elisha Webb has, for many years, manufactured powder kegs at the south part of the town, employing a small corps of workmen. This has for years been the largest manufacturing interest of the town.

Formerly Petersham was a thoroughfare and stopping-place for teams passing with merchandise or stage-coach passengers from Boston through Sudbury, Shrewsbury, Holden, Rutland and liarre, to Athol, Orange, Greenfield, Northfield, Warwick and the southeastern part of Vermont. For the accommodation of this travel there were four taverns^one in the eastern part of the town, two near the centre and one on the road to Athol at the north end. One of these, as Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard tel's us, maintained a sign which " was somewhat emblematic of what a tavern should be, viz.: a tea-kettle hung from the arm of the post."

John Chandler, Esq., who lived a century ago, kept a large deer park of seventy acres, surrounded by a very high Virginia fence, sufficient, as was supposed, to keep the deer safely enclosed. But tradition tells of an exceedingly deep snow, which, drifting against the rails, compacted into a bridge, w'hich gave his deer their natural liberty.

Wealth. - By the census of 1885 the population of the town was 1032, of whom 972 were native, 60 of foreign birth. The dwelling-houses numbered 278. The products of the town were valued at $167,583, including, with other classifications not here given, animal products valued at $9252 ; dairy products, $40,459 ; cereals, $10,297 ; wood products, $9299; hay, straw and fodder, $56,628.

The property of the town, other than that classified as products, was valued at $706,765, and included land, valued at $355,132; buildings, $199,274; machines and implements, $36,968; domestic animals, etc., $70,609; fruit-trees and vines, $44,782. The total value of products and property was $874,- 348.

position of the town in respect to wealth thus: "There are but seven towns who pay more to a State tax." From this it appears that Petersham was then eighth in the State in respect to wealth.

Population. - The population of the town has declined somewhat during the present in comparison with the previous century. In the early settlement of the State, villages were often located at the summit of hills, presumably on account of the more defensible position. The possibility of a stealthy attack from a savage foe made it necessary to select the village site with a military eye. But the advent of the ponderous locomotive, with the necessity for a graded road-bed, determined the location of villages in the valleys rather than upon the hills. The building-up of the railway centres has made steady drain upon the population of farming communities, whether upon the hills or in the valleys. During at least a large portion of the present century the young people have constantly gone from Petersham to make homes in other towns and cities. The movement of population is indicated by s ime figures collected by Mr. Willson for his historical address, with the addition of the results of the later census returns.

The depopulation of Petersham has built up other places, its former residents being found in Boston, Worcester, Fitchburg, Athol, Greenfield, New York, Chicago and many other places. It remains for a fuiure writer to narrate the exodus of this town, and tell of the doings of its children in their new homes.

Congressmen. - Jonathan Grout, who came from Lunenburg, having served seven years as Representative in the General Court and one year in the Senate, was chosen a member of the first Congress under the Constitution.

Lewis Bigelow, born 1785, a graduate of Williams College 1803, studied law and was chosen a member of the Seventeenth Congress. He was the author of a Digest of the Cases determined in the Supreme Judicial Court from 1804 to 1816, a work published ih 1818, yet still found in law offices. A comparison of these dates shows that this standard work of legal analysis was produced before the author was thirtythree years of age.

Representatives - 3 oihna, Willard, 1761, 1763 ; John Chandler, 1768 ; Theophilus Chandler. 1769 ; Ephraim Doolittle, 1772, 1773, 1774; Jonathan Grout, 1775, 1777, 1779, 1784, 1786, 1787; Captain Elisha Ward, 1777 ; Samuel Dennis, 1777 ; Samuel Peckham, 1787 ; Park Holland, 1788, 1789; Ruggles Spooner, 1770, 1790; Daniel Bigelow, 1791, 1792; Asa Pond, 1818; Joel Bryant, 1822; Hutchins Hapgood, 1823; Israel Houghton, 1824; Cyrus Wadsvvorth, 1827; Joseph Gallond, 1829, 1830, 1832; Micajah Reed, 1829, 1832, 1833; Josiah Wheeler, 1830, 1849; Aaron Brooks, 1834, 1835; Nahum Gale, 1836, 1837; Cephas Willard, 1835, 1838; Seth Hapgood, 1837, 1840, 1849; Joseph Brown, 1839; Artemas Bryant, 1839, 1840; Asa Clark, 1841; Jonas Howe, 1845; Elbridge G. Miles, 1846; Lyman Robinson, 1848; George White, 1851,1853; Lewis Whitney, 1852 ; John G. Mudge, 1856,1858,1865; Josiah White, 1861; Hudson Tolman, 1862 ; Stephen D. Goddard, 1869, 1873 ; Lyman Clark, 1879 ; Elisha Webb, 1883. The foregoing list is incomplete. ToAVN Officers. - The records for the first three years after the incorporation of the town are deficient. The first list of officers preserved to us is that chosen March 0, 1758, the town having been incorporated in 1754. The list includes several offices now obsolete, as tithingmen, clerk of ye market, leather sealer, deer-reeves, hog-reeves, in the town records sometimes called liog-constables. The list of officers for that year was as follows: Joshua Willard, Town Clerk; Joshua Wilder, Daniel Miles, Joshua Willard, David Sanderson, James Clemence, Selectmen and Assessors; Nathaniel Sanderson, Treasurer; Jerameel Wilder, Benjamin Chandler, Constables ; Samuel Chamberlain, Samuel Briant, Andrew Dalrymple, Ebenezer Hill, Surveyors of Highways and Collectors; David Stone, Joel Matthews, Tithingmen ; Sylvanus How, Seth Hapgood, Fenceviewers; Daniel Spooner, Clerk of ye Market; David Sanderson, Leather Sealer; Kenelm Winslow, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Nathan Goddard, David Curtice, Field-drivers; William Walker, Joseph Marble, Aaron Chandler, Hog-reeves; Daniel Dunkin, William Daget, Deer- reeve; Kenelm Winslow, Pound-keeper. The record shows that all were sworn except the town clerk, deer-reeves and pound-keeper. The office of deer-reeve is suggestive of the fact that deer were to some extent domesticated. This first Board of Selectmen of which we have record was notable by reason of the name of Daniel Miles, tw^o sons of whom, Daniel and Joab, served in the revolutionary army. The descendants of Joab Miles are now represented by Major-General Nel.son A. Miles, of the United States Army.

Selectmen. - No complete account of the Board of Selectmen or other official boards can here be given. In addition to the previous names we find that among those who served in the years from 1757- 1792 were Joseph Wilson, Daniel Spooner, Daniel Duncan, Capt. Zedk. Stone, Thomas Rogers, Selh Hapgood, John Chandler, Theophilus Chandler, Elisha Ward, Samuel Gates, Sylvanus How, Jonathan Grout, Simon Houghton, Asa How, William Willard, Ephraim Doolittle, David Stone, Samuel Dennis, Timothy Whitney, David Curtis, Edward Powers, Daniel Hastings, Samuel Briant, Ruggles Spooner, David McClellan, Jonathan Sanderson, Capt. Wing Spooner, Ebenezer Winslow, Joel Doolittle, John Hildreth, Robert Peckham, Thomas Carter, Isaac Packard, Edward Baker, Daniel Hawks, Samuel Peckham, Samuel Stone, Maj. Ephraim Stearns, Joseph Gleason, Capt. John Permenter, Joseph Brown, Lieut. Luke Rice, Daniel Bigelow, Park Holland, William Macarty, Seth Williams, John Demick, Joseph Negus, Joel Brooks, Ebenezer Hammond, Jotham Bowker.

The following is a partial list of names of persons who have served on the Board of Selectmen since 1852 as found in town reports : Asa Johnson, P. W. Barr, Joab Young, S. D. Goddard, Hudson Tolman, J. W. Upton, Oren Tower, George Ayres, J. H. Clapp, Hubbard Peckham, H. S. Miner, Alfred Peckham, David C. Paige, Merrick Blanchard, Josiah White, Elijah Hildreth, Elisha Webb, Sewell C. Goddard, L. P. Cutler, C. K. Wilder, F. L. Sanderson, Geo. Bancroft, Charles F. Paige, Merrick E. Hildreth, Sanford B. Cook.

Willard, William McCarty, Samuql Peckham, Jared Weed, Seth Hapgood, John L. Giillond, Lyman ESibley, Chas. B. Mosely, J. G. Mudge, Lewis E. Whitney, H. N. Tower, Sanford B. Cook. Of these the veteran town clerk of the early time was David Sanderson, who appears to have served eighteen years. Jared Weed, Esq., served twenty-six years, from 1817 to 1842, inclusive; and Lewis Whitney, twenty-six years, from 1849 to 1874, inclusive.

Town Trea.sueers. - The names of some of those who have served the town as treasurers are as follows : - Nathaniel Sanderson, 1758-72. The uprightness with which Mr. Sanderson discharged his duty is made a matter of public record. The committee chosen to audit his account for a period of five years find, in closing their report.

That what he has paid out and ia yet in the Constable's hands, Amounts to Six Hundred and Forty-Two Pounds Nineteen shillings and one penny ; that the Treasurer lias paid out Four Pounds Seventeen Shillings & four pence one farthing More than he hath Received In. He says that there is Now in the Treasury Five Pounds Six Shillings and Eleven pence two farthings, which, being added to the above Ballance, Makes Ten Pounds Four Shillings three pence and three farthings, which sum he says he's confident Belongs to the Town.

Those curious in such matters may exercise their minds upon the question whether or not upon this statement Mr. Sanderson was more solicitous to do justice to the town, than accurate in determining what was due himself.

Theophilus Chandler was chosen town treasurer, 1772-76; David Sanderson, 1776-80; Capt. Ephraim Stearns, 1781-92. Of those who have served at later dates, the names of Jonas Howe, Joseph G. Parmenter, Collins Andrews and John G. Mudge are reported, the latter having served continuously since 1869 to date, 1888, inclusive, or eighteen years.

School Committee. - The following are some of the names of persons who have served on the School Committee since 1852, the list being incomplete: - John J. Putnam, John Shepherdson, Luther Willson, Charles Kendall, L. Sanderson, John A. Wilder, Lyman W. Hapgood, Frank A. Wood, S. S. Tower, William Miller, John M. Holman, S. P. Goddard, D. F. Goddard, E. Jackson, Sanford B. Cook, Lewis W. Loring, A. Stowell, T. T. Merriman, George White, E. C. Anderson, Mrs. Maria N. Ayers, Benjamin Ober, C. W. Fifield, Lyman Clark, L. O. Martin, Elisha Webb, Luther Stone, F. L. Sanderson, M. H. Leamy, I. F. Porter, David Shurtlefl; Mrs. M. R. Stone.

The more prominent town officers for the year 1888 are Sanford B. Cook, town clerk ; John G. Mudge, treasurer ; Merrick E. Hildreth, George Bancroft, Sanford B. Cook, selectmen and overseers of the poor ; Frederick Bryant, Henry L. King, Thomas S. Howe, assessors; Rev. David Shurtlefl" Luther O. Martin, M.D., Mr.s. Maria N. Ayers, school committee ; Daniel F. Bigelow, constable and collector of taxes.

Chapter Lxxv Biographical Notes

Parh Holland - Samitvl Willard, D.D., the Blind Minister - Solomon Willard, Builder of Bunker Hill Monument - Deacon Cephas Willard - Aitstm Flint, the Beloved Phijucian - William Brown Spooner, the Philanthropist - Timothy W. Hammond - Rev. E. B. Wilhon - Inventors - Women - Longevity.

While no citizens of Petersham appear to have risen to the highest rank in connection with the civil and military history of the country, yet the personnel of the town is singularly interesting in respect to character and attainments. It is possible here only to add some facts to the information previously published of the dwellers in or natives of the town. If somewhat extended narratives are given concerning a few, it is because the facts are at hand and with the hope that a more full history may be prepared by other hands at some future date, in which more ample justice can be done to the many whose names are worthy to be enshrined in the memory of those who come after, and whose lives offer examples worthy of imitation.

Captaix Park Holland. - An historical letter written to Major Jonas Holland, of Schenectady, N. Y., by Captain Park Holland, informs us that their ancestors were from London. Upon coming to this country, they sett'ed at Watertown, afterward removing to Shrewsbury, where Park Holland was born, and later located in Petersham. In 1776 Park Holland, having been previously enrolled as a minute-man, enlisted, with thirty neighbors and friends, for service in a brigade of Massachusetts troops, which were sent to New York. He served under Washington at White Plains and in New Jersey. He, upon expiration of his first enlistment, re-enlisted for service during the war, with twenty-four or five others of Petersham. His brother, Ivory Holland, received a lieutenant's commission, and Park Holland was made a sergeant-major, from which rank he rose to that of captain, and was paymaster and agent to settle the accounts of the regiment. He served in the campaign which led to Burgoyne's surrender ; afterward at West Point and at White Plains. At the close of the war he, by public advertisement, visited Petersham, Northampton, Worcester, Harvard, Danvers, Boston and Wrentham to pay the soldiers of the regiment.

Captain Holland once attended a dinner given by Washington to some of his ofiicers, and a characteristic incident is narrated, showing the general's abhorrence of profanity.

The payment of the Revolutionary soldiers being completed. Park Holland and General Rufus Putnam went in partnership to survey '- the Schoodiac and Pa?samaquody country, the harbors, islands, &c.," of Eastern Massachusetts (now Maine). An interesting narrative of this and several other surveying tours in what is now Maine and Vermont is given in his letters. On one of these tours he undertook to survey a tract of land extending north to the height of land dividing the waters of the St. John from the St. Lawrence, an unknown distance, supposed to be fifty or sixty miles into the wilderness, but which proved to be a hundred and sixty miles from the northern limit of previous surveys. The hardship of this tour was such that Captain Holland weighed eighty-three pounds less upon his return than when he set out, much of the time having been spent without any proper supply of food. At the time of Shays' Rebellion (so called), a company was raised by Captain Holland in Petersham, Athol and Rutland for service of the government. No stronger testimony to his worth could well be given than the fact that he was able to enlist as privates thirteen commissioned officers of the Revolutionary army, including General Rulus Putnam, under whom Captain Holland had served, as he had under Captain Shays himself. His company marched with General Lincoln from Hadley to Petersham, all but two of them being more or less frost-bitten on arrival. He had a wife and family at the north part of the town. Shays' men, on their retreat to Athol, halted before the house. Mrs. Holland, being herself ill, ordered fires built and food otTered to the insurgents, and by her discreet civility the household was saved from further injury than being stripped of food supplies.

Captain Holland was chosen selectman, town clerk, and for .several years represented the towns of Petersham and, after removal to that place 1790, Belchertown in the General Court. He, in company with another person, purchased 'of the Penobscot Indians one hundred and ninety-two square miles of land lying on either side of the Penobscot Eiver, but the title does not appear to have been made good. He removed, however, to Eddington, Maine, where his last days appear to have been spent attended by a faithful daughter, who discarded all oHers of marriage in devotion to her honored father's happiness. The story of his life was largely written out in letters dictated to her afier Capt. Holland ceased to himself use the pen, with which he had in early years shown much skill. He was accustomed to say that if "variety is the spice of life," his had been well seasoned. Dr. J. G. Holland, the author, born in Belchertown 1819, was a grandson of Luther Holland who was a brother "of Capt. Park Holland.

Samuel Willard. - Prom a work entitled " Singers and Songs of the Liberal Faith," by Rev. A. P. Putnam, D.D., the following sketch of the life of one of the sons of the town is taken :

" Rev. Samuel Willard, D.D., born in Petersham, Mass., April 18, 1776, was a son of William and Catherine (Wilde) Willard, and grandson of Rev. Samuel Willard, of Biddeford, Maine. Samuel Willard, the grandfather of the Biddeford minister, was acting-president of Harvard College, 1701-07, and was the son of Major Simon Willard, who came from Kent, England, and bought land of the Indians in Concord, JIass., before the year 163.5. Joseph Willard, another president of Harvard, 1781-1804, was uncle to Samuel, the subject of this sketch. The latter spent his early years on his father's farm. He began to prepare himself for college at the age of twenty-one, and was fitted mainly under the instruction of Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D.D., of Lancaster, Mass. Having graduated at Harvard, 1803, he was subsequently, for more than a year. Dr. Abbott's assistant in the Exeter Academy, and was afterwards for some months tutor at Bowdoin College, prosecuting at both of these last-named institutions his studies in the classics, and devoting himself also to the study of theology, under the direction of Drs. Appleton, Buckminster and McKean. In September, ISOiJ, he removed to Cambridge, where he continued his preparations for the ministry, and soon obtained a license to preach. Economical considerations induced him to reside for a time at Andover, and it was while he was there that he was invited to preach at Deerfield, Mass. He gave his first sermon in that place, March 15, 1807, and received, the next June, a call to settle. August 12th was fixed upon for the ordination. The council called, in accordance with the custom of the churches, sat for two days, and after a rigid examination of the candidate refused to ordain him, regarding his views as too liberal for the orthodox standard. Here was one of the first indications of the split that was destined ere long to divide the Congregational body of New England. Another council was called with more success, and he was duly ordained September 23d, of the same year. I'Vom that time Mr. Willard was a recognized pioneer of the liberal movement in Western Massachusetts ; bravely contending with voice and pen for larger freedom, and willingly suffering not a little odium and persecution for the sake of what he believed to be the truth. On the 30th of May, 1808, he was married to Susan, only daughter of Dr. .Toshua Barker, of Hingham, by whom he had three children - Susan, Mary and Samuel, the last a graduate of Harvard, 1835. About the year 1818 his eyes suddenly failed him, in consequence of too much study by a dim light. For thirteen years after this sad occurrence he was able to see large objects only very indistinctly, and for the remaining twenty-seven years of his life he was totally blind. The amount and variety of intellectual and other labor which, with the faithful aid of his family, he accomplished during these forty years of his calamity, seem almost incredible. He continued his usual pastoral duties until September, 1829, when he resigned his charge; then removed to Hingham, where for some years he assisted his son-in-law in teaching a school, and finally, after a brief residence in Concord, returned to Deerfield, where he spent the rest of his days, preaching occa-

It is said that Dr. Willard, who was the author of four hundred and sixty-seven hymns, could repeat from memory any of them, also whole books of the Bible. He wrote several books, and numerous articles for religious newspapers and magazines. Samuel Willard died at Deerfieid October 8, 1859.

SoLOMOx WiLLAED. - The public services of Solomon Willard, brother of the foregoing, were such as to justify extended notice of his life. He was born in 1783. The first twenty-one years of his life were spent in his native town, at the end of which time he went to Boston. He had only common advantages in regard to education, but made the best use of those he had. His first work in Boston was fitting piles for wharf construction, at fifty cents per day. In this connection he said that his employer taught him to keep his broad-axe sharp. We soon hear of his having attended le.-sons in drawing. He connected himself with the Athenreum, attended lectures upon anatomy, studied geology and chemistry. Meantime his labors have advanced to architecture and designing. He built an extensive winding stairway, since destroyed by fire. Going south, he made a model of the Capitol building at Washington. He became a teacher of architectural drawing and designing, and invented the principle of the hot-air furnace, taking out no patent for the invention, but leaving profits to be reaped by others.

But the great work of Mr. Willard's' life was as architect of Bunker Hill Monument. The building of the monument was initiated to commemorate the fiftieth year of independence, but the corner-stone was laid June 17, 1825, the anniversary of the battle, rather than on Independence Day. Full information of Mr. Willard's connection with the monument is given in "The Memoir of Solomon Willard," by W. W. Wheildon, prepared by direction of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. In this work the question of who was the architect is fully and carelully considered. Several persons had prepared designs for an obelisk, from which circumstance arose a controversy as to who was the architect. This claim has been made in behalf of Alexander Paris, Horatio Greenough and Robert Mills, but a careful examination of the evidence, made by direction of the association having the monument in charge, makes it conclusively established that Solomon Willard was the true and only architect, as he unquestionably was the superintendent of practical construction from the beginning to the completion of the work.

For his services he accepted no compensation, only allowing a commutation of his expenses, which were very small. His desire was to do the work as a labor of patriotism, having ample support from other work. Under his direction a quarry was purchased at Quincy. For the transportation of the stone to the seashore the first railway of the country was laid, it and Sally (Bigelow) Willson, was born at Petersham, August 15, 1820. He studied at different preparatory schools, and entered Yale College, 183-1, leaving, 1835, on account of ill health ; completed a course at the Cambridge Divinity School, and was graduated 1843. The settlements of Mr. Willson have been at Grafton, Mass., from 1844 to 1852 ; Roxbury, Ma's., First Congregational Society, 1852 to 1859, when he was called to the pastorate of the North Society in Salem, of which he is still in charge. Mr. Willson, as previously stated, delivered the address at the centennial of the incorporation of the town. He served in the House of Representatives for the years 1883 and 1884. While there he introduced a measure which became a law, authorizing instruction in the use of hand-tools in the public schools.

Several mechanical inventions have originated with residents of the town. Solomon Willard invented the hot-air furnace, taking out no patent for his invention.

Asa Hapgood, who was a native of Barre, lived for a time in Petersham, where he worked as a wheelwright with his brother, Chauncy Hapgood ; afterward being employed as a railway conductor between Boston and New York, he gave his attention to providing for the comfort of his passengers at night, and invented the sleeping-car, by which he acquired a large fortune.

Charles Frederick Bosworth invented a machine for sewing hat-braid, the patent-right of which was sold for a large sum, also a machine for lining hats and one for sewing heavy leather.

Women. - The public records give us much less information concerning the women who have lived in Petersham than they do of the lives of those who have been charged with responsibility for political affairs. Yet the town records occasionally present a glimpse of the life in the home and those who there presided. An entry in the records of May 19, 1762, is as follows :

" Voted the number of young women the hindseat on the women's side gallery in order to build a pew on their own cost, viz.: Sarah Rice, Eunice Wilder, Parsis Bowker, Esther Holland, Mehitabell Page, Hannah Walker, Ruth Page, Sarah Curtis, Molly Curtis, Susanna Miles, Jerusha Hudson, Sarah Sanderson, Martha Negus, Hadassa Houghton, Ann Wheeler." Of these, Susanna Miles was a member of the family of Daniel Miles, who came from Pomfret, Conn., and from whom Major-General Nelson A. Miles is descended. Esther Holland was presumably a sister of Captains Ira and Park Holland, of the Revolutionary army.

handsomest woman in the town, her claim being based on the fact that she, being without classical features, was the first white woman, and, for a time, the only woman who lived in Petersham.

Mrs. Mary Greene (Chandler) Ware was the author of three books entitled : " Elements of Character," "Thoughts in my Garden," and "Death and Life." She was born in Petersham May 22, 1818, being the daughter of Nathaniel Chandler and Dolly (Greene) Chandler. The father, born 1773, was the son of John Chandler, who built what is known as the Chandler house about 1766. Dolly Greene was born in Stafford, Conn, 1783. Mary Greene Chandler and Dr. John Ware, of Boston, were married February 25, 1862. She having survived her husband, now resides in Lancaster, to which her father's family moved, 1828.

Mrs. Caroline Hildreth, wife of Richard Hildreth, the historian, excelled as an artist, her first successes being in crayon portraits. After she had studied in Europe she manifested talent in oil-painting.

Mrs. Elizabeth Barry, daughter of Dea. Cephas Willard, wife of Rev. William Barry, of Chicago, was vice-president, for Illinois, of the Mount Vernon Association.

Miss Lucretia Pond left public bequests in behalf of the Unitarian Church, and for the care of the cemetery in which she was buried. Mrs. Ann Ingersoll bequeathed her homestead to the Unitarian Church for a parsonage, and made a small bequest for the support of the public library.

Longevity. - A considerable number of instauces of remarkable longevity are found in the history of the town. Three instances of an age of one hundred years or more are presented. In the year 1796, Dea. Daniel Spooner died, aged one hundred and three; Mary Farrar, died 1855, aged one hundred years; Lucy Robinson, who died in 18(53, was also a century old. The names, years of death and ages of twentyfour persons who have lived from ninety to one hundred years are as follows : Mrs. Sarah Stowell, 1830, ninetynine ; Jonathan Sanderson, 1832, ninety-two ; Eunice Spooner, 1836, ninety-two ; Esther Gale, 1849, ninetytwo ; Mary Curtis, 1853, ninety ; Joel Brooks, 1856, ninety-six ; David Wheeler, 1857, ninety ; Mary Dunn, 1857, ninety-four ; Bertha Covill, 1857, ninetytwo; Josiah Newton, 1858, ninety; Caleb Chamberlain, 1862, ninety-one ; Lydia Holman, 1862, ninety ; Elijah Pike, 1864, ninety-one ; Robert Goddard, 1868, ninety ; Betsey Upton, 1869, ninety-one ; Jonathan Simmons, 1869, ninety-nine ; Lucinda Chamberlain, 1869, ninety; Joseph Farrar, 1870, ninety; Artemas Wilder, 1871, ninety-one; Hannah Loring, 1871, ninety-two; Caleb Bancroft, 1871, ninety-two; Elizabeth Tolman, 1875, ninety-two; Cephas Willard, 1879, ninety-two; Celia Morse Whipple, 1880, ninety-two.

Chapter Lxxvi

Action, Miry, liCA - Tha Financial Btirdea - The Mitsler Roll, 53d Bcgiment, 2Ut Hegimeiit, ZUl Regiment - In Other Commands - The Navf/ - Tito Rebellion Record - Local Improvement - The Library Estahlielted - 3Lemori(d and Library Building Proposed - The Future Outlook.

The Rebellion. - At the annual meeting of the town, held May 1, 1861, action was taken in view of the state of the country, it being " Resolved, That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding (ii!3000) three thousand dollars, to be expended, in whole or in part, under the direction of the selectmen, for the purpose of providing uniforms for a military company, and supporting the families of those volunteers who may be called into the service of the State or the United States, and that the selectmen be authorized to pay one dollar per day to volunteers after they are enrolled, organized and accepted by the State, for their services drilling."

It will be noticed that this action comprehensively assumed the entire responsibility of providing uniforms, payment of the soldiers at a rate higher than that allowed in the United States army, and supporting the families of the soldiers. Tliis appropriation was the beginning of the financial responsibility of the town on account of the Civil War. Additional appropriations were made from time to time, until the town had paid $1.3,999.76. The sum of $3195.64 was voluntarily subscribed by individuals, and $1800 paid as commutation by drafted men, making a total amount paid from all sources of $18,995.40. Of this amount only $3663.56 were refunded, leaving the net cost of the war to the town as such at the sum of $15,631.84. This represents the excess paid by the town in addition to its equal share paid by State and national methods of taxation.

Remarkable as the exhibit is for a country town, the assessed wealth of which was less than a million of dollars, the exhibit in respect to enlistments is still more notable. It appears from the town records that there were in the town at the beginning of the war, 1861, one hundred and eighty-eight men liable to enrollment. As appears from the Rebellion record, published by the selectmen at the close of the war, there had been one hundred and seventy-seven enlistments in behalf of the town. Some of these were re-enlistments, some were secured by bounty offered by the town ; but the fact that the enlistments so nearly equaled the total number liable to enrollment is certainly very creditable to the patriotism of the town.

One hundred and forty-seven men appear to have honorably served in behalf of the town, a number of these having re-enlisted, the total number liable to enrollment in 1861 being, as before stated, one hundred and eighty-eight. Hon. John G. Mudge has furnished the names, given below, of those who served, with the remarks relative to death which follow in case of all, so far as known, who are not now living. This roll does not include several from out of the town who enlisted and subsequently deserted.

The town was also credited by the State, in addition to these names, with eight three years' men and four colored recrui s for three years' service.

In the month of April, 1866, the selectmen published the Rebellion record of the town, thus summing up the results : " Civil war in our land has ceased. The Rebellion, the greatest the world has ever witnessed, has been crushed, and our government, by the aid of loyal hands, stands stronger than ever in the hearts of the people. Our heroic army has fulfilled its mission ; the living have returned to their homes, its dead are the nation's richest legacy. Petersham has responded promptly to all calls upon her loyalty and patriotism. The close of the war finds a small surplus of men placed to her credit. . . . The services of her soldiers were a priceless heritage; their honor our honor; which we should ever cherish with reverence and gratitude."

These facts are suflicient to show that the early reputation of the place, which gave it for a time the name Volunteers' Town, was well-sustained during the most critical period of our country's history since the Revolution.

Local Improvement. - A stately row of elms near the place formerly occupied by Dea. Cephas Willard, a mile north of the village, bears witness to a spirit of improvement among the people more than a century ago. The orderly condition of the large majority of the farms, the erection of a commodious town hall and school-houses in different parts of the town, the building at large expense of a shed for the protection of horses, adjoining the Unitarian Church, are more recent marks of the favorable disposition of the people towards town improvement. In the year 1878 the " Petersham Village Improvement Society" was organized, as stated in the constitution, " for the purpose of improving the good order and social condition of the town, adorning and beautifying the place of our home, promoting the public convenience and health, and elevating the standard of taste" of the people. The method of securing these objects was designed to be " by the transplanting of trees and the promotion of the growth of grass on the public grounds of the town, the establishment of sidewalks and improvement of the highways, encouraging the establishment of a public library, attention to general cleanliness with especial reference to the public health and by occasional meetings for the discussion of these objects and methods."

With purposes so largely stated, the society began a short existence of four years, after which it became inactive. Yet those few years of work were sufficient to make a permanent impression upon the future of the town. Many trees were transplanted which still live, walks were graded, and the movement which finally resulted in the organization of the Petersham Free Library was initiated. Francis A. Brooks, Esq., of Boston, a native of the town, made the first contribution, $500, toward this object. Other sums having been secured from individuals, the town finally made an appropriation sufficient to increase the library fund to more than SIOOO, with which the library was begun in the year 1879. Since that time it has received the benefit of frequent donations, with appropriations made by the town from time to time. Mrs. Ann IngersoU left a small bequest in its favor. Some historical lectures were delivered by John Fiske, the proceeds to be applied to library purposes.

In the month of September, 1886, from fairs and other entertainments, several hundred dollars were raised in the hope that this would prove the nucleus of a library and memorial building. Various sums were afterwards added in the same manner, and the town, at the spring meeting, 1887, appropriated .$300 with a view to adding similar sums annually.

In the autumn of the same year, Mr. Francis H. Lee, of Salem, became actively interested in raising the sum necessary to complete the work, in which task he had co-operation of Hon. John G. Mudge, James W. Brooks, Misses Elizabeth H. and Charlotte L. Flint and others. By their efforts the sum previously assured was increased to about $5000. At the annual town-meeting, 1888, the sum of $2000 was appropriated and J. G. Mudge, J. W. Upton, George Ayers were appointed a building committee on the part of the town ; Misses E. H. and C. L. Flint, Francis H. Lee, James W. Brooks and William Sims acting in behalf of the contributors. Edmund Willson, of the firm of Stone, Carpenter & Willson, gave his ser vices as architect. The plan adopted was a building of field-stone, the rooms of the first floor to be a pub- lie hall, with stage, a memorial hall, a library and reading-room. The building fund has been increased to about ,1?11,000, and the erection of the library and memorial hall may be expected during the year 1889.

The work of local improvement has been privately prosecuted by James W. Brooks who made large improvements upon " The Nichewaug," formerly called " The Highland Institute," converting what was before a boarding and high school building into an admirably appointed summer boarding-house.

Many summer residents of the town have shared in the spirit of improvement and have built new or remodeled old houses. Several artesian wells have been bored for the purpose of supplying the dwellings with water. As a result, the future of the town is likely to combine, as its present condition now does, tlie attractions of a popular summer resort with those of a venerable farming community.

Biographical Francis Augustus Brooks

The Brooks family have long been prominently identified with the history of Petersham. Msjor Aaron, who was the first of the name to settle here, came from Grafton to Petersham at an early day, and was a leading spirit in the affairs of the town. Aaron, his son, and father of Francis A., was born in Petersham. He was graduated at Brown University iu 1817, and was subsequently a tutor in that institution. He studied law with Levi Lincoln and also with Hon. Lewis Bigelow. He settled in Petersham, and had an extensive practice in Warcester and Franklin Counties.

Francis Augustus Brooks was born in Petersham, May 23, 1824. He was prepared for college mostly at Leicester Academy, and was graduated at Harvard University in the class of 1842. He studied law and was admitted to the Worcester County bar in 1846. He removed to Boston early in 1848, and has there pursued the practice of his profession for a period of more than thirty years. In 1873 he became engaged in th3 prosecution of litigation for the enforcement of claims of creditors against railroads in Vermont, which occupied his attention largely for a period of ten years. Since 1883 his professional work has been devoted chiefly to the administration of business and corporate trusts.

September 14, 1847, he united in marriage with Frances, daughter of Hon. Caleb Butler, of Groton, Mass., who is still spared to bless his home and life.

Of their six children, three sons survive - Frederick, a civil engineer in Boston ; Charles B., a stock broker in that city; and Morgan, a mechanical engineer, residing in St. Paul, Minn., and treasurer of the gaslight company of that city.