Uxbridge Town (part 2 of 4)

It would be interesting to follow the varying fortunes of this establishment from the time when the water was let into the canal up to the present time; to show who has made money in the business and who has lost it, because it might be taken as a sort of exponent of the fate of the infancy of woolen manufacturing in this country; but time will not allow it. In its history, there is an illustration of the common law principle, that the owner of land through which water runs, has the right to the run of the water without its being diverted and carried past his land. This right may be parted with by grant, or, it may be lost by twenty years adverse use by the party making the diversion of the water. The waters of the Blackstone River, when they were let into the canal of the Uxbridge Woolen Co. were illegally diverted from the owners of land situated on Blackstone River, and before the twenty years had expired, most of the land owners found out their rights and acted accordingly. I well remember about the year 1846, when this matter came home to Mr. Edward Seagrave, the principal owner ot the establishment. It came almost like a clap of thunder in a clear day. He walked into the office of a young man who formerly practiced law in the Union Building, and commenced counting out ten dollar bills until he had reached five of them, - rather a liberal fee for Uxbridge in those days, - " There," said he, "help me out of this." The matter was subsequently adjusted. The rigid application of the same law against the diversion of water, prevented the establishment of a manufacturing village at Skull Rock Bridge by the Messrs. Lockwood.

The only other mill in Uxbridge operated by the waters of the Blackstone River, is the one now run by Messrs. Bradford and Taft. I could say something of the history of this mill, and of a valuable privilege at Goat Island yet unoccupied; but the facts about it are so modern, and Mr. Moses Taft knows

About seventy years ago, Mumford River was described as follows: "Mumford River has its rise in 'Rocky woods, or Douglas woods, in Douglas, being increased by streams from Badluck Pond and from Manchaug Pond in Douglas, and by springs and rivulets, and runs in an easterly course into Uxbridge; then it turns and runs south-easterly within a few rods of Uxbridge meeting-house, where there are several sorts of mills in excellent order and where much business is well performed. This river continues its course and joins the Blackstone River about one mile south-east of the meetinghouse." This description was given about the time when John Capron settled in Uxbridge. As nearly as I can learn, the several sorts of mills in this village at that time consisted of a grist-mill on one side of the stream and a saw-mill on the other side.

In the year 1821, the Capron factory in this village was built under the supervision of Luke Chilson, of Cumberland, R. I., and the first application of water-power to the running of a satinet loom by machinery in this vicinity was made by Mr. Chilson at this factory. The mill was at first sixty feet long; in 1837, sixty feet were added to its length, and in 1855, forty feet more were added. At first, 'it ran two sets of machinery; now it runs six. The house now occupied by Col. Capron was built for a tenement and a finishing shop; what is now the parlor having been originally used for finishing cloth. This factory was never destroyed by fire, but no building probably ever had a more narrow escape from it. Nearly twenty years ago, in a tremendous thunder shower, it was struck by lightning. In a few moments after the explosion, Mr. Salmon Brown discovered that the wool near him was on fire. He instantly seized the burning wool in his arms and threw it out of the window and saved the establishment from destruction. Had the fire been at any other point in the building, or had Mr. Brown less presence of mind, it would probably have been impossible to prevent a conflagration. The first manufacture of cotton goods in Uxbridge, at what is now the village of the Uxbridge Cotton Mills, was by Forbes and Benjamin Clapp. Benjamin Clapp had previously manufactured shovel handles and shoe pegs at the old Col. Tillinghast distillery building; and he and his brother, Forbes Clapp, about the year 1812, purchased the privilege now occupied by the Uxbridge Cotton Mills, and erected a small cotton mill which was afterwards removed and converted into a boarding-house. There they manufactured cotton thread until about the year 1816, when they failed. They had been stocked by Mr. Robert Rogerson, who was at that time a merchant in Boston, and the concern passed into his hands. Mr. Rogerson manufactured cotton thread there until about the year 1825, when he removed the Clapp mill and commenced the erection of his first stone factory. Near it, and a few years afterwards, in accordance with his original plan, he erected a second stone factory; and as you well know, since the property passed out of the hands of Mr. Rogerson, both mills have been united. Of Mr. Rogerson I can speak with knowledge, and much of it was derived from personal acquaintance. It has rarely been my lot to become acquainted with a man who impressed me more forcibly. My first knowledge of him was when I was about twelve years of age, when he and his brother Handel came to my father's house and spent the night. The arrival of two men from Boston, whose forms, features and style of dress were so marked, was an event in the history of our quiet neighborhood. It was before the days of railroads, and the vehicle in which they rode savored of the city and was got up in a style somewhat unusual in our vicinity. At that time, the contract was made and concluded for the erection and completion of the first stone factory. Some persons now living can recollect, but few can recall the appearance of the spot where the Uxbridge Cotton Mills are now situated, before it felt the touch of the hand of Robert Rogerson.

He expended there in buildings and machinery, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He laid out a village, which at that time had more of the quality of perfection than almost any other manufacturing village in New England. For a time, prosperity attended him; but at length, crushed by pecuniary reverses and reduced to penury, he disappeared from the town; and the magnificent property that had been erected by his genius and enterprise, and through which he furnished the means of industry and emolument to many of your people, passed into the hands of strangers; and it became the duty of the speaker, who as a boy had looked upon the grave, stern man with a reverence almost unbounded, to give this same man the written notice to abdicate his home. Robert Rogerson was no ordinary man. Upon all whom he met, he left a distinct impression of his peculiar individuality and personal independence. His handwriting was su generis, neither easily read nor easily forgotten. He began with small means and became rich. For a number of years he was engaged in Boston in the manufacture of thread by means of an apparatus operated by horse-power. The horse was kept quietly at work in a cellar, and was no more ignorant of what his owner was doing than the public, who were unable to solve the mystery of his success. He was engaged quite early in life in manufacturing in West

Boylston, and when the Crown and Hagle mills were erected, he was a man of large property and remarkably prosperous. He was a man of extensive reading, much thought and rare musical genius. It was a luxury on the Sabbath, to listen to the strains of sacred melody which were produced by his skill in the use of the organ, which the Unitarian society owe to his munificence, - and during the last thirty years, it has always had an organist who has played it without compensation, - or to join with him in the rich music in which his soul delighted. With all his superior qualities, he was not without traits which tended to make him unpopular with the mass of the people. He had little of the small-talk of the world and he did not readily adapt himself to all men and to all occasions. He had an indomitable will and a deep undercurrent of pride, which led him, if possible, to accomplish alone whatever he undertook, and to scorn to ask for aid until it was too late to be of any avail. He vainly endeavored to bear up under the load of debt which accumulated in his business, and he stood like the oak which bends not to the storm. The crash came at last, and it came with such force that he never rallied from it. He sank so deep that no bubble ever rose to the surface; but even to the last, he proved himself a benefactor to Uxbridge; for scarcely a debt was owing by him in this vicinity that was not paid in full. He left the splendid property that he had erected here, to beautify and benefit the town, and the capitalists were the only losers by his misfortunes. 'Whatever may have been the feelings of some who imagined they were his enemies, Uxbridge owes him a debt of sincere gratitude, and whatever may be the verdict of the rest of the world, the people of this, his adopted and cherished home, should love and reverence his memory.

It may not be uninteresting to refer to the progress of manufacturing upon the Mumford and Blackstone Rivers so far as the same are situated within the limits of the original town of Uxbridge. When one visits Whitinsville, and remembers that thirty years ago there was but one machinist in the village, then called South Northbridge, he begins to realize the progress which has been made there within the present century. At some time before the memory of any living man, there was a forge not far from the spot where the Stone Factory now stands, because there were the remains of one there sixty years ago. A forge was afterwards built by Col. Ezra Wood,* the grandfather of Samuel Fletcher, Mrs. Paul Whitin and Mrs. Amasa Dudley, upon the spot which is now occupied by the brick shop near the bridge. The grist-mill that formerly stood at the upper dam was removed about the year 1804 and was located close to the forge. The shop of Col. Paul Whitin stood on the west side of the road, on the north side of the stream, and next south of his house; and these build- _ings, together with three or four residences, constituted in 1808, what is now known as Whitinsville. In 1809, Col. Whitin erected what is now the upper cotton mill at the upper dam. A company consisting of Mr. Whitin, Samuel Fletcher and others, was formed for the manufacture of cotton, and was incorporated by the name of the " Northbridge Cotton Mills," and continued the manufacturing of cotton goods down to the year 1825. In 1825, the estate was sold to Thomas and William Buffum, who owned and occupied it until 1829, when they failed. The property passed into the hands of Samuel Shove for one year, and was then purchased by Paul Whitin and Sons who have owned it ever since. In 1814, Paul Whitin converted the forge building into a cotton factory and it was occupied as such by Whitin and Fletcher until 1826, when the original building was taken down by P. Whitin's Sons and the present brick building erected in its place. In the year 1844, the splendid stone factory was built on the east side of the road, and in 1847, the large brick machine shop was built to take the place of the wooden structures which from time to time had been growing up to accommodate the immense increase in the building of machinery; and if we visit the premises to-day, we shall witness the evidences of growth and prosperity which leave us utterly unable to foresee the results of the next half century ; for who can tell what the combined power of steam and human intellect may not be able to accomplish.

Upon the Blackstone River, at the spot where is now the village of Rockdale, early in the present century were a saw-mill and a grist-mill known as Eddy's mills. After the last war, as we used to say, about the year 1815, a corporation was formed called the " Northbridge Cloth Manufacturing Company," consisting of the elder Governor Lincoln, Daniel Waldo, Judge Nathaniel Paine, Jesse Hddy and others, who built there a factory and manufactured woolen cloths. Mr. Waldo became frightened and gave his stock to the younger Governor Lincoln and Col. John W. Lincoln. If I am correctly informed, the corporation sold out its interest m the estate before the death of the elder Governor Lincoln, who died in 1820. His executors sold a large quantity of wool, which he had raised to be, worked up in the mill of the corporation, at the price of two dollars a pound; and they made more money on the wool than the Governor had made in manufacturing. Three-fourths of the estate was conveyed by the corporation to John Farnum, Samuel Willis and Hsek Fitts, and on the 17th of December, 1821, it was conyeyed by said Farnum and Willis to Sylvanus Holbrook. On the 11th day of October, 1822, the other fourth was conveyed by Jesse Hddy to Sylvanus Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook did a very extensive business there for a number of years. Enterprising and ambitious, for a time he seemed to be a favorite of fortune. Some of us remember the time before he was overtaken by misfortunes by fire and flood, when in robust health, with glowing cheek and flashing eye, he used to drive that white horse and sulky over this section of country; and, as we turned to look upon his splendid form, and one of the most striking faces we ever beheld, we unconsciously said to ourselves, there goes one of nature's noblest specimens of aman. He afterwards became the owner of Dunn's mills, situated about a mile -below Rockdale. Dunn's mills were once a famous spot. I-wellremember when West River failed and the grist could not be ground in my native town, that a sort of pilgrimage was made over an old narrow, hilly road to Dunn's. There was a mystery about the still, deep-flowing river which astonished those whose experience was confined to shallower streams; and David Dunn, who lived in the green house by the mill, east of the river, and Henry Dunn, who lived in the red house upon the hill, west of the river, with their coats all covered with meal and their hats all caked with dough, were objects of peculiar reverence. If at that time, as now, scythes and bayonets had been manufactured in the stone shop, almost as rapidly as a man can wink, the days of witchcraft would seem to have come again, and Blackstone River might have been in imminent danger of becoming an object of idolatry.

Rising in the north-westerly part of the town, a small stream runs into the Mumford River. It bears the euphonious title of "The Rivulet.". Upon this small stream, the " Rivulet Manufacturing Company" established themselves in 1815. The company consisted of Samuel Read, Alpheus Baylies, John Capron, Daniel Carpenter, Jerry Wheelock, George Carpenter, Joseph H. Perry, Luther Spring, Ezbon C. Newell, Samuel Judson and Amherst Billings. It was formed March 14th, 1815, with a capital of fourteen thousand five hundred dollars, for the purpose of manufacturing wool and cotton into yarn and cloth, to continue eight years and as much longer as three-fourths of the company should agree to continue it; and to make no dividend of profits within the term of eight years, unless by a vote of three-fourths of the company. 'They manufactured only satinets and purchased the warps. Hither because the stream was so small, or for some other reason, a dividend of profits was never declared; and the privilege was abandoned, so far as the manufacturing of wool was concerned, between thirty and forty years ago. From that time to the present, the factory has passed through a variety of fortunes, and it remains as a standing admonition not to build too large an establishment on too small a stream. The power of the Mumford River has been enlarged. and economized by means of the construction of two or three splendid reservoirs, operating on the same principle as the interest which accures upon reserved profits in: business; but the poor little rivulet, that like the little stream in the orchard described by Grace Greenwood, was scarcely worth a dam, never arrived at the dignity of having a decent sized reservoir to encourage it in its efforts to furnish constant power to the establishment.

There runs through this village and empties into the Mumford River another small stream known as Shuttle Brook. As I have before stated, the building, which formerly occupied the spot where the shuttle shop now stands, was the scene of the ablutions of the crazy crowd congregated under the care of Dr. Samuel Willard. From Dr. Willard, the property passed into the hands of Abiel Jaques, who about the year 1825, sold the water privilege and building to the late Capt. George Carpenter, who erected the building where the water privilege is now used. Capt. George and Col. John Capron, for a few years occupied the shop for the building of looms and other articles of machinery. The estate then passed into the hands of Messrs. Aldrich and Hopkins, who carried on the business of making shuttles. It then passed into the hands of John White, who carried on the same business. It then passed into the hands of Joseph Thayer, Esq., who, so far as I can learn, never manufactured shuttles, - cotton or wool, but who seems to have had, first and last, about as many titles in the manufacturing establishments of Uxbridge as all the manufacturers put together. It then passed into the hands of Robert G. Taft, who carried on what is known as the " kit business," that is, making shoemakers' tools. It then passed into the hands of George W. Thurston, who also carried on the "kit business." It then passed into the hands*of Robert Taft, who did not carry on the "kit business," and from him it passed to the present owner. Before I became an inhabitant of Uxbridge, I used to hear about a mineral spring situated somewhere in the neighborhood of the shuttle shop, but like the springs at Ballston, it has been over-shadowed by the splendors of Saratoga and is heard of no more.

The next stream, to which our attention wonld naturally be directed, is the Emerson Brook, upon which there was once a factory, a saw-mill and a grist-mill, but they have been substantially abandoned. Those who are more acquainted with the stream than I am, can tell whether it possesses any power that is worth the expense of attempting to apply it, although I see no reason why the quantity of water and the extent of the fall would not authorize a reasonable effort to make the same subservient to the good of the community.

The last stream that I shall refer to is the Ironstone Brook. About the year 1814, the factory of the Ironstone Manufacturing Company was built by William Arnold, Moses Farnum, Dr. Comstock and Laban Comstock, and they manufactured cotton yarn. About 1820, William Arnold came into possession of the property, and it was used for the manufacture of cotton cloth. The mill was burned in 1832, and was not by him re-built. The property then passed through various hands, and Jonathan F. and Elisha Southwick re-built the mill in 1836. Since its re-building it has been owned by sundry individuals and firms, and has generally been devoted to the manufacturing of different kinds of woolen goods. The mill takes its name from the peculiar appearance of the stone of which it is built, indicating the presence of iron in it.

Upon the privilege below the stone mill, manufacturing was begun by means of a small wheel, which was put in a short time before Mr. Farnum raised the dam at Millville. The reason why a manufacturing establishment in miniature was erected there, is to be found in the fact, that the owner of a lower privilege has the right to flow out an upper privilege upon the same stream, provided the upper privilege is not occupied for mill purposes. Mr. Southwick, the owner of the privilege of which I am speaking, in accordance with the advice of counsel, established rather a small mill and wheel there, and I have always felt a decided conviction that it was not an unprofitable investment.*

There is one other object to which the waters of the Blackstone valley have been appropriated, that deserves a passing notice; I refer to the Blackstone canal. The subject of a canal, from the waters ot Narragansett Bay to the centre of Massachusetts, had been agitated at various times from 1776 to the time when the Blackstone Canal Company was incorporated. In 1822, the project was taken hold of in earnest. Acts of incorporation were granted by the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively; and on July 5th, 1825, the two State corporations were united under the name of the " Blackstone Canal Company." 'The excavation was begun in Rhode Island in 1824; in Massachusetts in 1826; and the first boat passed over the whole line and arrived at Worcester, October 7th, 1828. Amid

*See Appendix XII., for note upon Ironstone; and especially Appendix XIII. for the very valuable communication of Charles A. Wheelock upon the history of manufacturing in Uxbridge. Mr. Wheelock has most heartily entered into the publication of this Address and the preparation of the several notes to it, To him the town is much indebted.

the booming of cannon, the waving of flags and the general rejoicing of the people along the route, the waters of the Narragansett and the centre of Massachusetts were at length united. The expense of the work was about seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, over two-thirds of which was paid by citizens of Rhode Island. It has been truly said, that the canal was more useful to the public than to the owners. I know that some persons have been accustomed to sneer at the Blackstone canal; but to my mind, it was a magnificent enterprise. To the Providence and Worcester railroad, it was a sort of fore-runner, hinting at its grade, furnishing its path, and opening an avenue for the transportation of heavy freight up and down through the valley, until the day should come, which: would demonstrate the necessity and the possibility of more rapid communication.* As a proof of this, we give the quantity of freight carried over the canal from Proyidence to Uxbridge during five years; in 1831, 964 tons; in 1832, 1,184 tons; in 1833, 1,069 tons; in 1834, 1,497 tons, and in 1835, 1,534 tons.

*The Blackstone canal ceased to be used in Massachusetts after the opening of the Providence and Worcester railroad in 1847. It continued in partial use in Rhode Island for several years longer; not for its value as a means of public transportation, but to secure water rights obtained by means of the canal charter.

any accurate statement of what the canal would have accomplished if it had been constructed twenty years earlier; but many of the best informed men, - men who have had the best opportunities for forming a sound judgment, will tell you to-day, that not only Providence and Worcester, but every town along the whole line of the canal is deeply indebted to it, for its present growth and prosperity.

I have thus referred to running water and to some of the results of its application to machinery, or ortherwise. It has increased wealth and comfort and productive industry. In the little story to which I have referred, John Hopkins is represented as coming in contact with another giant, to which I propose, for a few moments, to call your attention. " Aque fluentes" is not the only giant here made useful. John's new giant was far more difficult and dangerous to manage; and much more rapid and impetuous in his manner of doing business. When the first was not powerful enough to perform the tasks imposed, the second could be brought to his aid, and while the first was mostly limited to the lines of travel in which he had been accustomed to run and never could be managed with any success on an ascending grade, but there came to a dead stop, the latter could be made to work at any place and at any time; and the more closely he was confined and the more abundantly he was fed, the more powerful and active was the strength that he put forth; and while the former was a comparatively slow and lazy traveler, the latter moved as swiftly as the wind. Go to Wheelock's factory and you will find a twenty-five horse-power engine already added to the force of the original stream. Go to the Uxbridge Woolen factory, and you will find an addition of a forty horse-power of the same kind. Go watch each shrieking engine as it thunders along the iron track which passes through this village, and you will find the steam giant of John Hopkins. Had this giant been. confined at the Rivulet factory, and had the means of feeding him been as readily furnished as now, that weather-beaten estate might have been as bright and as busy as any, and never have been struck by the desolation which seems to have marked it. The use of steam as a power in this town (if I remember accurately) did not exist until after the opening of the Providence and Worcester railroad. The increase which it may give to your power, productiveness and industry, time only can tell. It would be less easy to tell what you may become with it, than to tell what Worcester would be without it.

About twenty years ago, two gentlemen were seen riding on horseback from Providence to Worcester, and paying rather careful attention to many of the localities of their journey. They were Messrs.

Moses B. Ives and Alexander Duncan, two of the most wealthy and influential citizens of the State of Rhode Island. The object of their singular ride was to ascertain the feasibility of a railroad from Providence to Worcester. According to their suggestions, meetings were held, facts were collected, stock was subscribed for, and after a few years a railroad was completed between the two cities. When we see the immense and numerous freight trains which pass over this road daily, when we observe the crowd of passengers who fill the cars, when we find the stock selling at one hundred and thirty-five dollars a share, whether gold is one hundred and forty, or one hundred and seventy, paying from its earnings a semi-annual dividend of four per cent., with a handsome surplus to be applied to building a double track, or to any other improvement which may tend to the accommodation, or safety of the public, it is hard to realize, how, at first, the matter dragged, and how difficult it was to induce capitalists to invest in the enterprise. But time, as truly the vindicator of a great enterprise as of a virtuous deed, has demonstrated even to the timid and hesitating, that the hour had fully come for building the rail-way; and as the beacon lights of free-labor stream out from the mills as we glide so smoothly by, they speak in tones of genuine eloquence of the energy, com-

We have thus briefly referred to the local characteristics of this town and its inhabitants. We have referred to some of the sources of its industry and the manner in which they have been developed. We come down to the year of our Lord 1864, and we find here more of the elements of substantial prosperity than were ever found here before. Here are more rich men, more productive industry and more to commend it to our hopes and expectations than have existed at any former period in its history. It is true, that more of the foreign element is found here than formerly, and a Catholic church exists where formerly not a Catholic was found; but the day has come when the Catholic and the Protestant, the Calvinist and the Liberal Christian, can dwell together in peace and harmony, each one worshipping God in his own way, and standing, or falling, to his own Master. The future success and prosperity of this town depend, not upon its waterpower, although this is always desirable as an incidental circumstance; not upon its steam-power, used either to drive fixed machinery, or for rapid locomotion; not upon the fertility of its soil, nor the beauty of its location, but upon skilful, industrious, intelligent, true-hearted and virtuous men and women.

If you ask, what are the conditions of growth and prosperity for any city, town or village, I answer, that it is not the advantages of the best location, not the most fruitful soil, not the largest water-power, not the best facilities for communication; but if in addition to a reasonable supply of these, there are men who have the brains to plan, the wills to undertake, and the nerves to carry on such business as will furnish the blessings of wellpaid labor, and if there are women with heart and brains enough to appreciate and aid them, your question is readily answered.

And here we learn one of the unpleasant lessons taught by the facilities which are now furnished for cheap and rapid travel, and transportation. No longer than thirty years ago, it was about a three days' journey to visit Boston, attend to business and get fairly home. Now you can reach there in season for business, attend to business during business hours and be at home in time for tea. But have you ever thought that the tendency of this state of things is to steal away your brightest and your best, and before you are aware of it, to convert them into citizens of some commercial metropolis, whither everything seems to be moving. Centralization is the result naturally springing out of this rapidity of communication, which tends to carry away the active and energetic men with a power almost irresistible. How is this tendency to be counter-balanced? I answer, by building up at home the means of lucrative employment, and by giving to skilful, honest labor, its just and honest reward. Teach your children, that the object of human life is not greatness, but goodness; that the real philosopher's stone is an elevated standard of human virtue; that the demand upon a human being is to do well the duty which lies nearest him and make the world better by his having lived in it. All men cannot be great, but every man can be good. All men cannot reach what are falsely estimated as the points of desirable elevation, but every man can be respectable. All men cannot exert a wide and prominent influence, but every man may be a blessing to the loving circle which surrounds him. All men their affections; but I envy neither the head, nor the heart of him, who does not often turn with a deep and heartfelt longing to the scenes, the remembrances and the friendships of his early home; and I honor with my heart of hearts, the man, or the woman, who amid the allurements of this changing world, retains in large measure the purity and guilelessness of an innocent and happy childhood.

But soon there soundeth loud and clear, A voice we must not fail to hear ; There pointeth, with a warning hand, An angel to the stern command ; -

A Composition By A Young Lady Of Uxbridge, Written In Of The Select Schools And Academies. .... . Appendix Xviii

Oise MMMM Ne 9G G8 6 oo 8 Oooo 6 6 6 oe BANS DOME OF THE SCHOOLS:= «os, ho 6 isn so eel en eisai ns PA PREIND lexe Navel OF THE SELECT SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. .... . APPENDIX XVIII. OF THE AWBRAREDS) a tue tue ike eine Lene oatsiemre) asi tea APPEND DMoe NG TENG OF THE) BANKS IN; UXBRIDGE eesti net ise ils Ue) talc PPEND Dx SXONC.

Appendix

Rev. GEoRGE BREMNER, was ordained and installed Nov. 16th, 1875, and remains pastor of the church. Much might be kindly said of the last five whose names appear, but the time has not yet come. bata Gr

Davin Apams Grosvenor, son of Nathan and Lydia Adams Grosvenor, was born at Craftsbury, Vermont, July 10th, 1802. His parents were from Windham County, Connecticut. In 1818, he entered Phillips Academy, Andover, and began his preparation for college, having the christian ministry in view. He entered Yale College in 1821. An him unable to read for nine months, and compelled him to fall back a year in his standing, from the class of 1825 to that of 1826. After graduating he spent a year in the family of Judge Hall, of Ellington, Conn., as principal of his '' High School." The next three years were spent at the Theological Seminary of Yale College. After being licensed to preach, he supplied for nine months the pulpit of the Congregational Church in Pomfret, Conn., his father's native place. He began preaching in Uxbridge, August, 1831, and on June 6th, 1832, was ordained and installed pastor of the First Evangelical Congregational Church in this town, and was dismissed at his own request, June 15th, 1842. He was what is known as a '' Taylorite" in his views ; these views representing the New Haven school of orthodoxy in contra-distinction to the Andover school. He was a faithful preacher, a man of fair learning and ability, and performed his pastoral duties with much patience and fidelity. No man could have more at heart the interests of his church, and no man ever gave himself more zealously to his calling than he. In February, 1843, he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in Elyria, Ohio, and remained there till the summer of 1852. In 1853, he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Medina, Ohio, where he remained several years.

Mr. Grosvenor published several sermons and articles for reviews. He married in May, 1835, Miss S. Whitney, and their only child, who died in infancy, is buried in the Uxbridge Cemetery.

which her beloved husband left in Elyria, Ohio. <« He was a faithful servant of the Lord and through the grace given to him, was uncommonly successful in his labors."

JacoB Jackson Agssot, D. D., was born in Groton, Vermont, July 17th, 1813, and died in New Haven, Conn., December 3d, 1878, at the age of sixty-five years. He commenced his preparation for college after he attained his majority, entering the academy at Peacham, Vt., late in the year 1834, and the Sophomore class in Dartmouth College in the summer of 1836 ; and he was graduated in 1837 at the head of his class. The next two years he was engaged in teaching in the State of Mississippi. Returning to New England in 1841, he entered Andover Theological Seminary ; but was now persuaded to accept a tutorship in Dartmouth College, which he held for two years. In 1843, Mr. Abbot declining any further service in the college, entered the middle class in Union Theological Seminary. He used to say that the theological course was a '' perfect feast to him." He was graduated in 1845, and immediately accepted a call from the church in Bennington, Vt. He was ordained and installed August 27th, 1845, as the successor of the Rev. Dr. Hooxer. He married Miss Margaret Fletcher Whitin, of Whitinsville, September 16th, 1845. The work upon which he entered was a large one, and his health failed him during the first year, and at the end of the second year he was dismissed, his physician giving him little encouragement of regaining his health. As soon as he was able to travel, he accepted an agency from the American Tract Society, and set out on horseback to make a tour through the States of North and South Carolina, and Georgia. His health gradually improved, and at the end of seven months, he was able to return to New England, although he was not immediately able to resume the responsibilities of a pastorate. In 1850, he accepted a call from the Evangelical Congregational Church in Uxbridge, after having supplied the pulpit there for six months. Here he had ' precious fruits of his labors and warm hearts still attest his faithfulness." During the pastorate of Mr. Abbot, September 3d, 1856, Mr. William Banfield Capron, son of Deacon William C. Capron, was ordained as a Christian minister. Rey. Mr. Capron was afterwards appointed to the Madura mission, where he died Oct. 6th, 1876. Mr. Abbot resigned his pastorate in 1862, and preached for some time in Whitinsville and other places in the vicinity. In 1863, he went to Washington to engage in the work of the Christian Commission. This service, which he undertook for six weeks, lasted almost two years, or until the close of the work of the commission. He discharged with fidelity and great success the delicate and perplexing duties of the position. From Washington he went directly to the Central church in Yarmouth, Maine, which had been waiting for him for some months. He was installed as pastor and remained here until the final failure of his health, and was dismissed October 1st, 1875. He then spent a year and a half at a health-retreat in the interior of New York, and in 1877, he went to Colorado, but finding no permanent relief from the change of climate, he came back to his home - in New Haven, Conn., to die. During his last illness, which was accompanied by intense suffering, he used to say, that he '' wanted to feel that everything, all his trials even, came from the hand of God." '* Second causes trouble me," he said, '*I want nothing to come between me and God." The final change came at midnight. '<I think the death struggle is over," he said; ''I pray for you all;" and so he fell asleep. Dr. Abbot was frequently appointed on the examining committee of Bowdoin College, and such was his familiarity with the classical languages and with mathematics, that he was able to enter into the different examinations as readily as if he had been a professor of only a single department of study. He was a careful student of the Scriptures in the Hebrew and Greek tongues, and a clergyman who knew him well says, '' he was the only parish minister I have ever known, who had worn out his Hebrew Bible, so that it had to be re-bound." In 1874, Bowdoin College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

discriminating views of the truths of the Bible. His sermons were remarkable for simplicity in the statement of the truth and for their evangelical tone. In the pulpit he seemed under restraint, as one possessed with a sense of the glory of the place. He was a judicious counsellor and a faithful friend. - [Ep. Condensed from an obituary written by Rev. H. H. Byington, and published in the VERMONT CHRONICLE, of January 18th, 1879.

Appendix Ii

The Baptist Church, in North Uxbridge, was organized June 22nd, 1842, and was called the '* Uxbridge Baptist Church." On the same day, Austin Ropprys was ordained and installed pastor of the new church.

David D. Paine and Iva Parkis were subsequently chosen deacons of the church. The church rapidly increased in numbers, receiving forty-seven members during the first year of its organization. Rev. Mr. Robbins remained with the church until 1850, when he resigned after a successful pastorate of eight years. For the next four years the pulpit of this church was supplied by Rev. Jos Boommr, Rey. JOSEPH SmirH, Rev. JosepH TIiurmcHast and Rey. S. S. Matxory, each officiating about one year. Rev. JAMEs RussELL became pastor of the church November 11th, 1854, and resigned in 1864, after a very successful pastorate of nearly ten years. Rev. JosepH BarBer became pastor in April, 1865, and resigned in November, 1868, and was followed by Rev. J. W. Dick, in April, 1869, who continued his ministry here until July, 1871. In October, 1871, Rev. J. H. Tiron was installed pastor of the church and remained six years, closing his labors October, 1877. In the following month, November, 1877, the present pastor, Rey. B. H.

This church has always occupied the hall, which was fitted up as a place of worship, by Mr. Robert Rogerson, over the store which was built about the time of the organization of the church; and the Messrs. Whitins have furnished it for the same purpose since they came into possession of the property.

The church has recently purchased a house for a parsonage, with a site for a house of worship, which they hope to erect at some future time. The membership of the church, for the last twenty years, has not varied much from one

Appendix Iii

The earliest account of any Roman Catholic Church service that we have been able to obtain, is, that a service was held for the few Catholics in Uxbridge in the year 1850, by the Rey. Parrick McGratu, of Hopkinton, in one of the farm-laborer's tenements of the late Joseph Thayer, Esq.

Uxbridge was erected into a parish by the late Right Rev. J.B. Firzparrick, Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts ; and Rev. E. J. Saerman was appointed pastor, August, 1853. The parish then included the towns of Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge, Douglas and Uxbridge.

St. Mary's Church, in Uxbridge, was dedicated 1855 ; the sermon, on the occasion, being preached by Rev. James A. Healy, now Bishop of the Diocese of Maine.

In 1871, Rey. H. L. Ropryson was appointed pastor, and in 1876, St. Mary's Church was repaired and re-decorated at a cost of $2,500. The present parish includes the towns of Uxbridge and Northbridge. St. Patrick's in Whitinsville, Northbridge, was built in 1869. St. Mary's in Uxbridge is the parish church. The whole number of souls in the parish

Appendix Iv

The first Methodist preaching in Uxbridge Centre began about September 1st, 1874. Some of the citizens, desiring to reach a class that was not hearing the Gospel, made arrangements with Rev. Mr. Merrixx, then pastor of the M. E. Church, in Whitinsville, to preach in Taft's Hall on Sunday evenings; and Mr. Merrill continued his services up to February 7th, 1875.

Mr. F. T. Pomeroy, of Shrewsbury, a local preacher of the M. E. Church, succeeded Mr. Merrill, and remained here until April, 1877. His appointment was considered a mission of the Church.

In the Autumn of 1875, a Sunday School and prayer and class meetings were initiated. The mission was formally organized as a Methodist Episcopal Church, with eight members, December 19th, 1875, by Rev. Dr. Haskell, presiding elder of the Worcester district.

Mr. Hunter, of the Boston University, succeeded Mr. Pomeroy, but soon left. He was succeeded by Rev. Jonn W. Coxturr. He began his labors June 9, 1877, and closed them June 23d, 1878, to go as missionary to Peru, South America. He was an earnest, christian minister, abundant in his labors, and was eminently successful. For the remainder of the conference year, Rev. J. H. Toompson

In March, 1878, the society purchased of the town, as a site for a church edifice, a lot in the old burying ground, in the centre of the town. Subscription papers for the church were opened in January, 1879, and on April 1st, the amount pledged was $3,500. A plan for the church has been accepted, and the work of building has begun. It is expected that the church will be ready for use in January, 1880. The membership is now about 60. - [July, 1879. Compiled from the account of Rev. Mr. Thompson. Ep.

'¢ Esq. Thayer," a title by which he was so well known, was born in Douglas, in the year 1792, and was the last of a family consisting of three brothers and two sisters. He was fitted for college under the Rev. David Holman of Douglas, entered Brown University in 1811, and graduated in the class of 1815. Among his classmates were Rev. Jasper Adams, Rev. George Taft, Rev. Alvan Bond, Hon. Charles Turner, and others, who were men of standing and influence in their day and generation. Dr. John E. Holbrook, the eminent physician and naturalist, who recently died, was at one time a room-mate of Mr. Thayer.

After leaving college Mr. Thayer studied law with Hon. Levi Lincoln, in Worcester, and Hon. Bezaleel Taft, Jr., in Uxbridge. He commenced business in Uxbridge, about the year 1818, and from that time made Uxbridge his home. He married Chloe Taft, a daughter of Hon. Bezaleel Taft, a lady of rare intellect, and of a most pure, sweet and religious nature. For a number of years he was largely engaged in the practice of law, and in various business matters which found their way into his hands. Of rare financial ability, had his lot been cast in the midst of favorable surroundings, according to the estimate of his cotem- poraries, he would have been among the millionaires of the land. With no patrimony, he accumulated a property which would have been considered large at the time when, some twenty-five years ago, with failing health, he substantially retired from active business. Economical and thrifty, he was always remarkably ready to assist persons by loans and pecuniary aid, and when he had once given his confidence, he was slow to withdraw it, and he suffered loans to lie uncollected, apparently without anxiety, not according to the practice which is common among men of shrewdness and sagacity. The same spirit was apparent in reference to some of his poor tenants, who although comparatively pensioners upon his good-will, were rarely disturbed or troubled. A man of large perceptions and calm, clear judgment, he relied much upon his own mental resources and rarely sought the advice of any one else. His advice was much sought in municipal matters and he always took a deep interest in the honor and prosperity of the town of Uxbridge. His intuitions were clear and distinct, and his mental faculties rarely failed when any emergency demanded their exercise. An illustration of his skill in the management of men is related of him. He contracted to build a portion of the Providence and Worcester railroad, leading through his farm. While the work was progressing the Irishmen struck for higher wages. Seeing the workmen sitting around, Esq. Thayer informed the sub-contractor that he would attend to those fellows. He proceeded to his house and taking the Riot Act, read it to the Irishmen with a loud voice and an impressive manner. By the time he had closed, each man had seized his shovel and proceeded to his work; one fellow suggesting to his neighbor in a low voice, '« Be jabbers, I didn't know there was sucha law as that in this country!" A characteristic anecdote is related of him by one who took part in a consultation between. himself, Judge Barton and Esq. Thayer. The question related to a suit upon a certain bank note. Judge Barton suggested certain points of law. Esq. Thayer, losing all patience, exclaimed, 'Ira, I tell you there ain't but one pint in the case. He must pay the note." In this case as in many others, his intuitions were correct in spite of nice questions of law which troubled those more learned and better lawyers than himself.

He was deeply interested in Freemasonry, was a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and at one time was one of the most prominent men of the Order.

He was a life-long democrat, and was formerly very influential in the counsels of the party ; still he never allowed his party feelings to interfere with his friendships, and he was loyal to the government in the great rebellion. When inquired of once why a near relative of his always voted the Whig ticket while he voted the Democratic ticket, his reply was, '' why, God bless you, he was brought up in a Whig neighborhood." Would that the same amount of charity might always be exercised towards political opponents! He was elected a representative from the town of Uxbridge for several years, and took a strong and active interest in the bridge, &c., &e. He took an active part in the construction of the Blackstone canal, and of the Providence and Worcester railroad, having been one of the first directors of the last-named corporation.

He was fond of his classmates and friends; and until his mind became somewhat clouded, was remarkably clear in his recollection of names, faces and dates. Probably no man was better acquainted with men and affairs in the south part of Worcester county than he was when blest with health and vigor. However differing from many of the prominent men of his time, he enjoyed their respect and confidence. He has passed away full of years, and many whom he has befriended will bless his memory. TAC:

Appendix Vi

James Watson Robbins, M. D., was born at Colebrook, Conn., November 18th, 1801, and died in this town, January 10th, 1879. His ancestors on his father's side, for several generations, were Orthodox clergymen. He was graduated at Yale College, in 1822, and stood amongst the foremost members of his class. For three or four years he taught in families in Virginia, and amongst those whom he fitted for West Point, was the famous Robert E. Lee, Commander-in-chief of the Confederate army, in the rebellion of 1861. In Virginia, he began his botanical studies, a branch of natural science that he zealously pursued for the remainder of his life. He returned to Connecticut in 1825, and now entered upon his medical studies ; and in 1828 he received his degree of M. D. From May to November, 1829, in eompany with another botanist, he made a botanical journey through the New England States, and it was at this time that he met Dr. George Willard, of this town, and by him was persuaded to make Uxbridge his home. He formed a partnership with Dr. Willard, but it was soon dissolved. In 1836, he became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and was twice elected delegate to the American Medical Association. From 1860 to 1864, he spent his surgeon. In 1864 he made a botanical tour through Louisiana, Texas, Mexico and Cuba; his former pupil, General Lee, furnishing him with a pass and many other facilities for passage and safe traveling through the rebel States. The sufferings of his last sickness, which was not long, were borne with his usual good nature and patience. Dr. Robbins was unmarried, but he found a home with those who made him such a home as was perfectly congenial to him - with those who ministered to his every want and looked up to him with a genuine reverence.

His medical scholarship was profound and accurate; but it is said, that '' a certain sort of intuitive practical sense" was denied him. His specialty was botany; and for his studies in this line, he deserves our particular notice. Here he had few superiors. His acquaintance with the leading botanists of this country was wide, and it was also intimate. His correspondence was extensive with botanists in England, France, Germany and other lands. He probably had the most complete private botanical library in the country. He kept up his acquaintance with the classical languages ; and read, wrote and spoke French and German, and could read and write Italian and Spanish.

In his practice, Dr. Robbins believed that in certain diseases much help was to be derived from mesmerism. He was also a believer in spiritualism and it was his dying faith. By his special request, Rev. Adin Ballou, of Hopedale, conducted the funeral services in the Orthodox church, which was filled with his acquaintances and professional friends from this and the neighboring towns. - [ Compiled from an obituary notice published in the COMPENDIUM of

Appendix Vii

Dr. Macomber was born in New Salem, Mass., October 11th, 1811. In * early boyhood, he not only showed a fondness for books, but declared it his purpose to be educated. Save as he went a term or two to the New Salem Academy, he prepared himself for college as a solitary student, studying much of the time in his father's kitchen, and now and then teaching to obtain what means he must needs have under such circumstances. At the age of twenty, he entered Amherst College, where he remained one year, when he entered Brown University, where he graduated in the class of 1835." While in college, and to accommodate a friend, he came to Uxbridge and took charge of the Academy ; and now began his interest in the town which finally lead him to spend here the last years of his life. After leaving college, he taught in two or three academies, and in 1841, he came again to this place. For ten years, but not continuously, he was principal of the Academy here. In 1851, Mr. Macomber began the study of medicine, and was graduated from the New York Medical College in 1854. After leaving New York, he was for five or six years professor in the Pennsylvania Medical College in Philadelphia; and as occasion required, he assisted in filling the chairs of some of the other professors.

Sarah A. Lee, of Chester, Mass., and it was while he was professor in Philadelphia that his only son and child, Charles Lee, a youth of great promise, died at the age of 18. The Doctor remained here after this sad event for a year or two, but a settled sorrow, combined with feeble health, resulted in his resignation, although the University would most willingly have retained him in its service. In 1861, he came again to reside in this place, and here he died, February 9th, 1881. His funeral services were held in the Unitarian Church, Sunday afternoon, February 13th, a very large audience being present.

Dr. Macomber was brought up a Baptist, and early in life he became a member of that church, and sometimes preached in Baptist churches, while engaged in teaching. His ancestral and accepted faith he gradually outgrew, and became one of '' the most liberal of the liberal christians." The marked characteristic of his latter years was, a deep interest in religious thought; and no one was ever freer in his expression of the extremest views than he ; - always ready to receive new light and doing his best to impart it. After he made Uxbridge his home; he was a constant attendant upon the Unitarian church, and as constant a member of the Bible class in its Sunday school, ever taking a leading part, with Bible in hand, in all that was going on. In 1876, he was made a life member of the American Unitarian Association ; and after the establishment of the Unitarian local conferences, he was often present at them as delegate, and frequently participated in their debates with great earnestness. [Compiled by the Ed. from an obituary published in the COMPENDIUM.

Appendix Viii Jonathan Whipple

Jonathan Whipple was born near the spot now occupied by the railroad depot at Lonsdale, R. I. He was a hatter by trade and served his apprenticeship in Boston. In the year 1780, he lived in Douglas, and removed to Uxbridge in 1790. He was aman of much dignity of manner, exceedingly hospitable, and a thorough gentleman. When he lived in Douglas, there occurred the severe winter of 1780-81. Snow fell November 4th, 1780, on an average four feet in depth in Massachusetts. Water from the eaves did not drop for forty days. Friends on a visit staid six or eight weeks ; people were drawn on sleds to Mendon, where their horses staid during the winter ; marketers from Douglas went with hand-sleds to Boston, this being the only manner in which they could go.

When General Lafayette was passing through New England in the time of the Revolutionary war, he called at Mr. Whipple's in Douglas, and being in want of two horses employed Mr. Whipple to get the horses for him. Mr. Whipple furnished his own horse and one belonging to a neighbor, and the General and his suite passed on. Three months went by and the horses were not returned. Learning that General Lafayette was in Boston, Mr. Whipple went there and called upon him with a friend. The General was shaving up-stairs but immediately came down and inquired where he had met them. Mr. Whipple informed him that he furnished him with two horses three months before, which had not been returned to him. Said the General, ''It is not my fault, but the fault of my secretary. They shall be returned to you, and I will compensate you for the horses and pay you for your trouble ;" and he did so to Mr. Whipple's entire satisfaction. Mr. Whipple used to tell the story in his old age with great interest. When General Lafayette visited this country in 1825, and was at the laying of the corner-stone at Bunker Hill, Mr. Whipple took especial pains to call upon him; and after he had shaken hands with him, told him that he once lent him two horses. Upon this the General gave him a second good shake of the hand, and Mr. Whipple left him, highly gratified with the greeting; and from this time onward, he always related the story of the second interview as an interesting appendix to the first.

Mr. Whipple had a strong tendency to collect all sorts of articles with which to supply his customers. No person who ever had an opportunity to observe his collection in the upper story of the old shop that he occupied, will be likely to forget it. It was a common saying, that one could not ask for any article which Mr. Whipple could not supply. To test the accuracy of the statement, two friends called for goose yokes, and were surprised to find that they were at once furnished.

Mr. Whipple married Mary Jennison, a daughter of Dr. William Jennison, who practiced his profession in Mendon, Douglas and Brookfield. Among the children, were twin brothers, who were born October 31, 1777, soon after the surrender of Burgoyne, and who, at the urgent request of their grandfather, were christened Liberty and Independence. The sympathy between these two brothers was very remarkable. When either of them spoke of any other brother, it was, '' brother Charles," or '' brother Henry," or '' brother William ;" but when he spoke of his twin brother, it was always simply, '' brother." The resemblance in their personal appearance was very striking, and it required an intimate acquaintance to prevent mistakes in their identity.

When Independence Whipple was eleven years old, an incident occurred which made a very strong impression upon him. Standing in the road near his father's house in Douglas, he saw the equipage of Gen. Washington, which proceeded in the following order : -

The boy with his native politeness exchanged salutations with the General, and never forgot the meeting, nor the illustrious man whom he so deeply venerated. Hse:

Appendix Ix

Elihu Brown was born in Douglas, and died in Uxbridge in 1840, aged 79 years. He married Nancy Thwing of Douglas, who died the year before her husband at the age of 76. Mr. Brown at first hired the house formerly occupied by Mr. Royal Jepherson, and afterwards purchased the estate. He was a blacksmith, and once occupied a shop that stood where the Academy building now stands. Mr. Brown resided in the Jepherson house until a year or two previous to his death, when he sold the estate in order to pay a debt which he was determined to pay, although he was not pressed for the payment. He afterwards moved back to the house, and occupied it a short time as a tenant ; but he finally died in the Esq. Adams house, where he was living with his son, Capt. Pemberton Brown. He was found dead in his bed, having apparently died without a struggle.

Mr. Brown was a man of strong common sense, sterling honesty, excellent judgment; he was one who said what he meant, and meant what he said. He did considerable town business and his opinion was frequently sought and followed in the affairs of the town and neighborhood. He lived respected and honored, and died sincerely lamented by

Mr. Orsmus Taft died at his home, in this town, July 8th, 1880. Here he was born on January Ist, 1795, and here, too, he spent his life, with the exception of nine or ten years, when he was engaged in business elsewhere. Mr. Taft left the ancestral farm, in the easterly part of the town, when he was eleven years of age, to enter the woolen mill of Daniel Day, the first mill started in this place - and he always believed that he was the first Yankee to. learn to weave satinet. With Mr. Day he spent seven years - the old term, in New England, of serving one's apprenticeship at a trade. From 1819 to 1822, he was engaged in this mill as a partner. In 1824, he had charge of the carding and spinning department of the '* Capron Mill." When the Uxbridge Woolen Mill was started in 1825, he was interested in it as owner, and also held the position of agent for it. In 1838, he sold his share in it to Edward Seagrave. He soon formed a partnership with his nephew, Robert Taft, and opened a store. His interest in this continued until 1844, when he sold out to his nephew, and was not a resident of the place again until 1853, when he was made station-agent of the Providence and W orcester railroad. This altogether, and passed the remainder of his life in the quiet of his home, surrounded by his family, that ever most thoughtfully and generously cared for his wants. Thus quietly, cheerfully, always interested in local, national and church affairs, he came to his end. " Cheerful he gave his being up, and went, To share the holy rest that waits a life well spent."

Mr. Taft was lineally descended from Robert Taft, the early settler of Mendon. The order of succession is - Robert ; Robert, Jr. ; Israel ; Jacob; Jacob, Jr. ; Orsmus.

On the 28th of October, 1821, Mr. Taft married Margaret Smith, of Mendon, who survives him. Of a large number of children, eight are now living, either in this town, or in Providence, R. I. - [ Compiled by the Editor from an obituary notice in the CompENDIuM, July, 1880.

Appendix Xi

About a mile and a half north-east from the meetinghouse, is what is known as ''the city." It consists of a few houses near the entrance of what is known as the Pudding street road. This road leads to the town of Upton, and is reported to have received its name from the fact, that on a certain occasion, all the inhabitants had pudding for dinner. Whether the tradition is correct or not, the name is as well defined and understood as Beacon street, or Pennsylvania avenue. The large house on the north side of the old Hartford and Boston turnpike, and easterly of the road above referred to, was built on the spot where there was once a tavern, probably one of the earliest in town, kept by Mr. Ezekiel Wood, the father of the wife of Captain Emory Wood, and grand father of Wheelock Wood and - - - Wood, who formerly resided upon the spot. The house was burned after it was given up as a hotel. Few facts are now known of this hotel, or its owner. It is said, that before insurance was common in this neighborhood, the barn of Mr. Ezekiel Wood, the former hotel-keeper, was burned. According to the custom of the time, a subscription was made; and among the subscribers was Captain Samuel Reed who subscribed ten dollars. When Captain thoughtlessly, but not very complimentary to the giver, «I suppose I should not have had this, had it not been for Mr. John Capron." Captain Reed being a rather high-spirited man, suggested that if Mr. Capron was to have the credit of his subscription, he should hardly subscribe a second time. Yet how natural it is at times to ascribe an act to a wrong motive, and to fancy that a kindness has not come from the dictates of the heart of the one who does the kindness, but from some outside influence. The ' city" was not the result of any particular business, but was a settlement of some members of old families, who built their houses in the vicinity of the old homestead. From Mr. Elias Wheelock, who was brought up in the eastern part of the town, and married a daughter of Mr. Samuel Wood, I learned that Dexter Wood, - the father of Samuel and Uncle Ezekiel Wood, as we used to call him, - and Ezekiel Wood who kept the hotel at the '' city," were brothers. Dexter lived on the Pudding street road, in the house now occupied by James S. Farnum and formerly occupied by Samuel Wood and Amariah A. Wood. David Wood, with whom Mr. Wheelock was brought up, lived in the house formerly owned by Luke Taft, and more recently by Amariah A. Wood. David Wood was a brother of Solomon Wood, who formerly lived in Mendon, and was the father of the late Obadiah Wood of Milford; was also the father of the late Nathan Wood of Milford, familiarly known, as 'Uncle Nathan." Mrs. Luke Taft and Mrs. Reuben Wood were daughters of David Wood. Josiah Wood formerly lived on the place now occupied by Luke S. Farnum. He was the father of Sumner Wood, Captain

Emory Wood, Mrs. Daniel Carpenter, Mrs. Cummings, the mother of Josiah Cummings, and others. Dexter Wood and Ezekiel Wood were brothers-in-law to Col. Ezra Wood of Upton, the father of Mrs. Col. Fletcher of Northbridge, and Mrs. Frederic Taft of Uxbridge. Mr. Wheelock is unable to give the name of the father of Josiah Wood, but my opinion is, he was a brother of Col. Ezra Wood above named. From Mr. Wheelock, I learn further, that Josiah Wood was a Universalist ; that he had frequently heard him announce at the old meeting-house in Uxbridge, that a Universalist meeting would be held at - and time and place were mentioned. He also informed me, that David Wood, Solomon Wood and Obadiah Wood, the above named brothers, lived in different towns and that each resided at the end of the road that led to his house. It must be quite a convenience to know that a traveller is coming to see you. This can generally be accomplished by living at the end of the road. The large house, on the old turnpike west of the Pudding street road, was formerly owned by a family by the name of Rist. One of the sons was a bachelor ; one was Thaddeus Rist, the father of Judge Rist, who died in Alabama; and Esbon C. Rist, who died in Uxbridge. The red house, formerly owned by Dea. Bullard, was built by Hatter Ezekiel Wood, so called, who formerly lived a short distance beyond the Daniel Farnum place. '' Hatter" Ezekiel was the son of Ezekiel Wood and a half-brother of the wife of Capt. Emory Wood.

Reuben Wood was not a native of Uxbridge, but came from the State of Vermont. The relationship between his children and the Luke Taft family came by way of their mother. He.

Appendix Xii Ironstone

The Village of Ironstone is situated on Forge Brook in the south part of Uxbridge. The Brook takes its name from the fact, that about one hundred and forty years ago Benjamin Taft erected a forge and dam there, and the dam of the Ironstone Factory pond is but an enlargement of the firstone. <''Forge Brook" is mentioned in the town records of 1734. A few years previous to 1800, (history nor tradition is very clear about the date), there were a saw-mill and trip-hammer shop near the head of Ironstone pond, which was occupied by Caleb Handy. Tradition says he made guns, scythes and other useful articles. In 1813, William Bacon, son of Miles Bacon, who was many years ago the old tavern-keeper at Slatersville, purchased the privilege of Samuel Buxton. Mr. Bacon first put in a spinning frame or two, and spun cotton yarn for the late John Slater of Slatersville, R. I. Mr. Bacon subsequently erected a foundry at this place; and in 1823 and '24 made satinet power-looms ; also, castings for Col. Joseph Ray of Mendon.

Forge Brook has two branches. The south branch has no name, or history, except that Seth Wheclock in 1824 or '25, put up a building there for carding wool into rolls for the neighboring farmers. The other branch is called '¢Goodstone Brook," because the stone upon its margin was good for various purposes. Here, Thomas B. Shove, previous to 1800, erected a blacksmith shop and set up a triphammer, nearly on the site of the shop of the late Daniel H. Aldrich.

Ironstone Factory was built in 1815. It was a company enterprise, the stock being divided into thirty-two shares, without any determined value. Dr. Ezekiel Comstock subscribed for eleven shares; Daniel Jencks ten shares; Joseph Smith one share; Moses Farnum five shares ; William Arnold three shares, and Tillson Aldrich two shares. The three last named stockholders were citizens of Uxbridge. The first cotton yarn both spun and wove in Uxbridge was from this mill. This yarn was woven into cloth at home by the ''fly-shuttle" loom, of which improvement in weaving, David Knight of Smithfield, R. I., was the inventor. This mode of weaving cloth directed the attention of Moses and Darius D. Farnum to manufacturing pursuits. The first superintendent of the mill was Tillson Aldrich. About 1820, William Arnold became the owner of the Ironstone manufacturing property. He increased the water-power by the erection of a reservoir of considerable dimensions ; built two tenement houses and a store; and through his influence a post-office was opened, - John Bradley, of stage-driving fame, bringing and carrying the mails. Mr. Arnold manufactured cotton cloth for several years, and in 1832 the factory was burned. The factory property passed from William Arnold to Samuel Shove ; from Mr. Shove to Jonathan F. Southwick; from Mr. Southwick, one-half to Albert Fairbanks, the other half to | banks and Messinger manufactured Kentucky jeans for some years. After the decease of Mr., Fairbanks, the property passed into the hands of Messinger and Esty. The factory was burned again in 1865, and in 1866, the property was purchased of Messinger and Esty, by Messrs. J. C. Keith and Co., who bought, at the same time, of Jonathan F. Southwick, the mill below. John C. Scott, of Millville, soon purchased of Mr. Keith his share of the property, and Mr. Scott and Stephen H. Benson became the owners of it.

Appendix Xiii

It is well known that Samuel Slater, about 1790, was the first to manufacture cotton goods in this country; but it is not so generally known, that John and Arthur Schofield, who came from England in March, 1798, introduced the manufacture of woolen goods ; an interesting account of which may be found in a Report made in 1871, to the '*' Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry," by Royal C. Taft, of Providence, R. I.

In this report, Mr. Taft takes notice that it was begun in Uxbridge by Daniel Day; but no account of it appears in the very elaborate '' History of American Manufactures from 1608 to 1860," by J. Lander Bishop, A.M., M.D., Philadelphia, 1864. It might reasonably be expected that Mr. Taft would do justice to his native town about a matter of this kind, in which his father and all his relatives have been so actively engaged.

'<In 1809, Daniel Day built his first mill in Uxbridge, Mass., size twenty by forty feet, two stories high, and in the same year put in a carding machine and picker for the purpose of carding rolls for home manufacture. In the spring of 1811, he built an addition to the mill of twentyfive by thirty feet, three stories high, and in July put in a billy and jenny for spinning. In September, he added a hand-loom ; early in 1812, he put in another loom, and dur-

APPENDIX XIII. 133 ing the year added three more, making five looms in all. The same kind of a picker was used as is in use at the present time. It was operated by a picker-string attached to a picker-stick held in the hand, while the harnesses were operated by the feet of the weaver."

By ''the same kind of a picker," etc., is meant the mechanism used by the weaver to throw the shuttle. This '*same kind" might equally well be applied to the picker mentioned in connection with the carding machine, there being no practical difference in the operation of the common wool-picker of to-day and then, but much difference in the mechanical perfection of its construction.

Some three years since, in looking over some old papers of my father's which came into my hands on the decease of my mother, I found a receipt of which the following is a copy:

Ree'd of Jerry Wheelock seventy-five dollars in part payment for the picking and carding machine I have lately built and put in opperation in the shop of Mr. Daniel Day in Uxbridge. ARTEMAS DRYDEN, Jr."

Here we have a glimpse of the beginning of the woolen manufacture in Uxbridge; and, as I believe, of the first woolen carding machine and picker built in Worcester county. Iam inclined to think from Dryden's receipt, and from some papers I have examined in which some account of this machinery would be likely to appear, had its date been as early as 1809, that the date given by Mr. Taft should be 1810, instead of 1809 ; 1810, was the year in which the first mill was built, as I have been informed both by my father and my mother. I prefer to claim the earlier date, but with

In this same year, 1810, as I was told by Charles A. Thwing, now deceased, in a conversation I had with him several years since, the first movement was made towards the manufacturing of cotton goods in Uxbridge. This was first seen in building the works of the '' Uxbridge Cotton Mills" in that year by Mr. Clapp, - Ebenezer, I presume, as I find his name somewhat prominent then in town matters. This statement, if correct, and I have no doubt it is so, as Mr. Thwing was a native of North Uxbridge, and almost always a resident there, as his father was, and was of suflicient age to have some slight recollection of operations so prominent as these must have been - this statement shows the beginning of the cotton and woolen manufacture in this town to be co-eyval.

The billy and spinning jenny were made by Arthur Schofield, of Pittsfield, Mass. Mr. Schofield, with his brother John, built and put into operation a carding machine in Byfield, Mass., in 1793, which was the first one erected in this country.

The '' old billy!" Does any one remember it, and its toproll which would at times come a little too close to the heads of those boys and girls who were always faithful to their work?

As all the weaving at this time was done on hand-looms for some years after the erection of this mill, looms were set up in houses and in shops built for the purpose, till they became almost as common as were the shoe-shops a few years since.

being satinet, the warp was of cotton yarn obtained at the cotton mills. Of course, the yarn used for filling (or the roping when the spinning was done in the shops) was procured at the mills where there were carding machines.

The embargo, and the war with England following, created a demand for manufactured goods which the Yankee nation was not slow to endeavor to supply ; and as a consequence, it suffered for being too eager to make money on the closing of the war and the re-establishment of commercial relations with England.

The next attempt at woolen manufacturing was made by the Rivulet Manufacturing Company, which was incorporated in 1816, although the company was formed and buildings erected in 1814, and the business of manufacturing was begun in the winter of 1814 and'15. The capital paid in was $14,000; the shares were $500 each. It was agreed that no dividend should be paid until the expiration of eight years, a most wise provision to make in this instance. As a matter of fact, no dividend was ever paid; and when the business was closed up, the stockholders received little, if any, more than half the amount paid in and without interest.

Is the question asked, Why was the act of incorporation delayed so long, or why was the company incorporated at all, or what advantage was it to the individual members of the company? When the company entered upon its business, it was found necessary, as it frequently is now, to use process of law to collect accounts for goods sold. To begin a suit required the name of every member of an un-incorporated company to appear in the writ. Any failure in this begin again. In the meantime, the debtor had an opportunity to put his property into the hands of a favored creditor, but an act of incorporation enabled a company to do business by an agent; to sue and be sued; but gave individual corporators no advantages whatever, above what they would have enjoyed as simple corporators. It thus became a simple co-operative association, with power to act by an agent instead of being obliged to act by all the members of the company.

The original members of the company were, Daniel Carpenter, Samuel Read, Ephraim Spring, Alpheus Baylies, John Capron, Jerry Wheelock, Samuel Judson, Joseph H. Perry, Thomas Farnum and Esband Newell. The two lastnamed persons, I think, soon surrendered their shares to the other members of the company. Daniel Carpenter was a merchant, and had been engaged in trade outside of an ordinary country merchant's trade, which well fitted him for the position he was now to assume - that of agent. Samuel Read was a farmer, hotel-keeper, and owner of the privilege on which the mill was to be built. Ephraim Spring was also a farmer, and owner of real estate available for business purposes, besides having a son desirous of becoming a manufacturer in some of its branches. Alpheus Baylies was a farmer with sons who wished to become manufacturers. John Capron was a clothier by trade, cloth-finisher and dyer, whose proposition to the company will appear by-and-by. Jerry Wheelock was a mechanic, and one of the original Daniel Day company, and well acquainted with the construction and operation of machinery, the place of Superintendent. Rev. Samuel Judson, the Congregational minister, was, so far as I know, the only man who might be considered a capitalist. He joined the company for the sake of the profits from his investment, and a poor investment it proved. Joseph H. Perry was a young man who came from Dudley, Mass., and had money enough to take a share in the company and have an opportunity to learn a trade. These men were all of moderate means, of sterling integrity and good business qualifications and intelligence. Surely such men were, and are now, the very men and the only men fit to try the co-éperative principle in business. This was a co-dperative association - nothing more, nothing less.

John Capron came to Uxbridge near the close of the last century. The first mention of his name that I have noticed on the town books, is as one of the committee to superintend the building of the school-houses of 1797. He had acquired the trade of a custom clothier at the Cargill mill in Pomfret, now Putnam, Conn. He purchased the Col. Read estate and water-power, and set up the business of finishing the cloth woven in families in this vicinity. This will

«¢ At an adjourned meeting of the Rivulet Manufacturing Company, holden January 2d, 1815, at Capt. Samuel Read's, I made the following proposition to the meeting in order to join said company, viz., that I would take shares to the amount of $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, or $2,500, and give my note to the company on interest; then to do the dyeing of all the wool and the dressing of all the cloth for the company, at the common price of doing the same, till I had paid for as many shares as they should choose I should take with them, and that all charges for the same should be endorsed on my note at the end of every ninety days from the beginning till the whole be paid; that I should then be entitled to the same value of dyeing and dressing cloth, for which said company are to pay me at the end of every ninety days ; that is to say, that I shall do or cause to be done, in manner as above stated, work to the value of $5,000 in the whole.

Then it was voted unanimously that I should take five shares, being the highest sum I had proposed, and in every respect agreeable to the foregoing proposition.

Artemas Dryden, Jr., made the carding machine and picker for this company; and John and George Carpenter of this town built the billy and jennies, - the first machinery built in this town, unless they had previously built a jenny for Daniel Day. The weaving was all done by hand-looms, and the goods were chiefly satinets, although some broadcloths and cassimeres were made.

Cotton manufacturing kept pace with the woolen; and this same year, 1814, the Ironstone Mill was built, on Ironstone Brook, in the south part of the town, by William Arnold and others. There had been, somewhere on this brook in former years, a forge, and an excellent quality of iron was made from the bog iron-ore found in the vicinity. I have heard Elihu Brown, a blacksmith well qualified to judge, and who carried on the business in Uxbridge thirty years or more, say, that the best iron he ever used came from that forge. This iron-making gave the name to the brook and village. Only a small amount of ore was found

I have made thus far no mention of the finishing of woolen goods, except in the proposition of John Capron, already quoted. This was then, as now, a very important part of the work of manufacturing, and at that time the most of it was done by Mr. Capron. Some goods however, were finished by other persons. I have found among the old papers before mentioned, a bill of Benjamin Craggin of Douglas, against Daniel Day and Company, of September 23d, 1813:

After this time, for a few years, there were no mills erected in this town, but important improvements were made in the construction of machinery.

On the expiration of the contract with John Capron, the Rivulet company proceeded to put in finishing machinery, and among other things a shearing machine with a revolving blade, or cutter, to be driven by power, then a recent invention of William Hovey of Worcester. It would be a great curiosity to see the shears used previous to this invention of Hovey. No one of the present day would have any conception of what it was for, or how it was to be used. I never saw but one pair, and that was when I was quite young. It was not then in use, and I can give

The bobbin winder came into use during this period, by which one person could wind as many bobbins as six or eight could do on the old quill-wheel. The bobbin winder was not long used, for it was soon found that the yarn might as well be spun and run directly upon the bobbin, as to run it upon a cop (as it was called), and then wind it upon the bobbin.

The napping machine came next, much the most important invention then made. Previous to the introduction of this machine, the nap of woolen, and other kinds of cloth, was raised by means of jacks - that is, cards similar in form but smaller and closer set than the hand-cards for carding cotton or wool, that at the present day may sometimes be found. The cloth was stretched tightly on a frame and the operator raised the nap by drawing the card lengthways upon it. This was a hard and slow process, and required much skill and care on the part of the workmen to produce a smooth and equal nap over the piece, without leaving any tender spots in the goods. I should add that teasels were also set in '' hands," as I think they were called, and used in the same manner as the jacks. Some time in the summer of 1819, Luke Baker, from Putney, Vermont, came to my father's with a new machine for doing this work by means of a revolving cylinder, on which the cards or teasels were to be fixed, to be operated by power, the cloth to pass backward and forward under the cylinder, and in contact with the cards, or teasels, and thus by a continuous process raising the nap more rapidly, producing as good a face and with more certainty than could the most skillful workman. My father took a license from Mr. Baker to make and to sell the machines, and immediately entered upon the business of their manufacture and sale. The new machines went into immediate use in most of the mills of the county, and in Rhode Island, where he was authorized to sell them. Who the inventor of this machine was, I never knew; but I think it was probably a ''Yankee notion," as in a letter from Mr. Baker, written in January, 1827, I find the following :

*¢T have lately been acquainted with an Englishman who has worked in England for many years in the business of manufacturing woolen cloth; he informs me that he never saw a napping machine that worked both ways (backward and forward), either with cards or teasels, until he came to this country."

I think this is tolerable evidence that it was a Yankee invention. How unlikely that a Yankee would work all day scratching cloth with the small result gained by the old process! On the contrary, the English workman has always been willing to use the same machine, to do as his father and grandfather have done before him, until fairly forced from it by circumstances over which he has no control.

The next mill built was the Capron mill, thirty-three by sixty feet, and three stories high. I think it must have been built in 1821 (perhaps in 1820), and it went into operation in the winter of 1821 and '22, or the spring of 1822. It was started with one set of cards, made by Artemas Dryden, Jr.; one billy of forty spindles; two jennies of one hundred and twenty spindles each, built by the Messrs. Carpenter ; two cotton spinning-frames of sixtyfour spindles each, with the preparation and a warper afd looms ; - the first satinet power-looms ever built, it has been said. The engineer, in the construction of this mill, was Luke Jillson, of Cumberland, R. I., who was, as I have reason to believe, the planner of the looms, which were built on the premises.

I do not know who built the cotton machinery. In 1824, an addition of a set of cards, built by Dryden; a billy of fifty spindles, and a jenny of a hundred and twenty spindles, built by the Messrs. Carpenter; a jenny of one hundred and fifty spindles, built by Jerry Wheelock ; eight satinet looms, two cotton cards, and two spinning frames of sixty-four spindles each, built by Armsby and Arnold of Woonsocket, R. I., were made. These looms were of an entirely different construction from those built by Jillson, and were used in mills for some twenty-five or thirty years. There was no real difference in the construction of the other machinery used, but the number of spindles in the billy and jenny was increased.

In the autumn of this year, the dams were built for the Luke Taft mill, - now Wheelock's, - and the Uxbridge Woolen, - now W. D. Davis', the West River to the mill of Mr. Day. The next year, 1825, witnessed the erection of the Luke Taft mill, thirtyfour by sixty feet, three stories high; the Uxbridge Woolen mill, thirty-six by eighty feet, three stories high; and an addition to the Day mill, making it forty by forty-five feet, three stories high. Two sets of cards, built by Dryden, were put into the Taft mill, with roping and spinning machinery equivalent, and twenty power satinet looms of the Jillson ten satinet looms by the same makers, in the Day mill, - the cards being already in that mill; and in the Uxbridge Woolen mill, two sets of cards by Dryden; two billies, forty spindles each ; two warp jennies, eighty spindles each ; two filling jennies of a hundred and twenty spindles each, made by Wheelock ; and ten power cassimere looms, made by Paine and Ray. Taft's and Day's mills were started in the winter of 1825, and the Uxbridge Woolen mill late in the autumn of 1826.

In August, 1828, the Uxbridge Woolen mill was burned ; and within a week, a woolen mill was burned in Milford and another in East Douglas. Much alarm was felt by manufacturers at so sudden a destruction of factory property, and in a way they were unprepared to account for. It was a time when the country had become much excited on the subject of duties for the protection of domestic industry. So sudden and unaccountable were these fires, that the opinion was expressed by some, that the English manufacturers had emissaries here who were to burn the woolen mills, recollecting the old threat of the British minister, that '*he would not allow America to make a hob-nail." Of course, there was no occasion for these surmises, as these fires were undoubtedly cases of spontaneous combustion. The Uxbridge Woolen mill was immediately re-built, forty by eighty feet, three stories high, with an attic, and built of brick.

The new machinery placed in this mill shows the progress which had been made in the manufacture of woolen goods. After the original mill was built, and before

[Mr. Wheelock here gives a description of the old and the new methods of carding and spinning, which, if we were giving a history of manufacturing, would find a welcome place: but we reluctantly feel compelled to omit it. - En. ]

The change made from the old to the new methods of carding and spinning, allowed wider carding machines to be used; and nearly all that are now made are double the width of those used under the old régime '¢How so?" you ask. Because no child, eight or ten years old, could take up more than a handful of rolls about two feet long, and hold them so as not to drag on the floor, but by raising the arm so high as to make it very fatiguing ; while to let them drag on the floor would stretch the rolls so as to spoil the evenness of the yarn. So in carding; the work of two hands was done by one ; besides power was saved, as there could be but half the number of bearings to make friction. Again, it would save the work of a man to run the billy, and of three children to piece rolls, who ought not to be in the mills under any circumstances. In the interest of the children then, it was a great and much needed improvement.

There was another improvement that came into use at this time; and it had been used in the Uxbridge Woolen mill about a month, when the mill was burned. I refer to the woolen warper and dresser, by which the process of making and sizing the warps to prepare them for the looms was done by machinery, instead of by hand, as formerly, thereby saving certainly one man's labor.

The carding and spinning machinery in the new woolen mill was made by Washburn and Goddard of Worcester, who, a short time previous to this, had established the business of building woolen machinery. They were men of enterprise and ingenuity, and provided themselves with the best tools and the most desirable patterns for machinery, and they soon did the most of that kind of work, which for many years had been done by Dryden. Joseph Day now doubled his machinery, putting in the Goulding patent ; the carding machines were made by Washburn and Goddard, the spinning jacks by Jerry Wheelock, and the looms by the Messrs. Carpenter.

The disastrous times of 1828 and '29, together with the large investments made in the Blackstone Canal, which proved a wholly unproductive enterprise, caused the failure of the Messrs. Capron. The sons, by means of the assistance of wealthy friends, succeeded in liberating their father from the liabilities he had incurred as the head of the firm of John Capron and Sons, and resumed the business of manufacturing. They changed their machinery to the improved machinery made by Goulding, and were so successful as to warrant them, in 1836, in doubling the size of their mill.

During this decade, the Ironstone Cotton mill was burnt. It was re-built by Jonathan F. Southwick, and put into operation by Albert Fairbanks, Samuel Shove, and Charles A. Messenger, at first on satinets and afterwards on cashmerets, of which they made a superior quality for many years.