Worcester City (part 32 of 58)

Chapter Lxv Rei,Igious Societies

The Congregational Church. - As we have seen in the beginning, the town as such provided for Gospel ordinances, and for a place of public worship, employing the preacher and building the meetinghouse. For these purposes of religion, all the citizens were taxed, save those who belonged to other denominations than the standing order, which was Congregationalist. These by law were exempt from this taxation if they confessedly belonged to some other religious body and made their contributions to its support. In this town were Quakers, Baptists and a few Universalists to be thus relieved. The town employed Rev. Aaron Bliss for some two years before the church was formed. Rev. Mr. Crane gathered the church which was organized June 6, 1782. There were now two bodies having to do with religious matters, - the town and the church. The church took the initiative as to the calling and settling a pastor. The town was asked to concur, and it was responsible for his support. Soon a third body appears, "The Congregational Society," which is first mentioned in 1784. Yet it is so far identified with the town that in the warrant for town-meeting in 1784 the fifth article is "To see if the Congregational Soeic/y wiW choose a committee to settle with John Adams and Major Batcheller for Boarding Mr. Crane and the Council, when Mr. Crane was ordained,'' and in 1787, " To see if the Town will choose a collector to collect ministerial money, and also a Treasurer to receive the same, and for said Treasurer to be accountable to the Congregational Society as the Town Treasurers are or may be to the town, and the town chose such a collector."

The town slowly finished the meeting-house, selling " pew spots," or rights to build pews, first on the sides and then in the centre of the house, building a gallery, and some years after finishing the stalls to the same. In 1801 $60 were votfd for last bills for finishing the inside of the house, which had just been accomplished. The repair of the house still came upon the town. But in their last action in reference to it, in 1808, the warrant for town-meeting has an article to see if the town will vote "to shingle the meetinghouse for what they have used it to do town business in."

From this it is manifest that the town does not now feel it is sole owner of the house, but is under obligation to another body for its use, and the same is shown by the vote on this ariicle, which is " to shingle the meeting-house by the society" and yet at the next meeting they appoint Paul Whitin, Marvil Taft and Thos. Goldthwait a committee to inspect the work. This is the last mention of the town's doing anything to repair or control the meeting-house.

For more than thirty years the town had had the care and control of the meeting-house. During these years it is called in the warrant for town-meetings: " The Town Meeting- House," or " The Meeting-House in Northbridge." But in 1819 the language is changed to " The Congregational Meeting House." Four years before this it had ceased to be town property. In March, 1814, " John Crane and others " pray the town to be incorporated as a religious society. Their petition was "passed over." In the next meeting it was not noticed. Now John Crane and thirty-one others petitioned the General Court to be incorporated as a religious society in Northbridge'. Their request was granted. They are spoken of as " members of the Congregational Society in Northbridge." But now they are incorporated as such, August 27, 1814, and they became liable to pay all taxes voted by the society and responsible for the support of the minister, and the members can be released from the obligation only as they furnish a certificate that they have joined some other religious society. Still must all belong to some religious society and help in its support. This continued until the amendment of the Constitution, in 1833, when the towns were relieved from all responsibility for the support of ministers, and citizens from the liability to be taxed for religious purposes, and all connection between church and state at last ceased.

The Congregational Society was invested by the act of incorporation with the meeting-house property, and was authorized to hold other property. We find no action of the town acknowledging this incorporation or the transfer of the property, but the town takes no action after March, 1814, as to ministerial support or of control of the meeting hou>e. It considers itself a tenant of the society, and obtains permission from the society to put up a hearse-house in the " burying-ground." Soon after the incorporation of the society an effort was made to raise a fund for the support of the minister, as was said in the preamble of the subscription : " To abolish forever ministerial taxes in this town, and to establish a fund for the support of a learned Congregational, Calvinistic Ministry in Northbridge, the subscribers promise to pay ; " $2475 was subscribed, in sums from $20 to $500, but in 1816 it was voted to return the sums already paid in, and a committee was appointed to devise some other way of raising the fund. This was never done, and most withdrew their contributions. But Mr. Paul Whitin, Sr., left his in the hands of the society, and this, increased by interest, enabled the society, in 1867, to purchase the parsonage now owned and used by it. The society at once assumed all ministerial charges, .and taxed the property of the members. But this did not satisfy all, and for several years the pews were taxed to raise part of the funds needed. From 1838 to 1846 the salary was raised by subscription ; from 1846 to 1850 property was taxed ; then there was a return to subscription ; and now, as

Early in 1835 the society, haying determined to have a new meeting-house, and having purchased the land for it, voted to move and repair the old meetinghouse, if it was deemed worth moving. But not being deemed worth removal, it was soon taken down. The first Sabbath of May, in the same year, Dr. Crane preached his last sermon in the old house. The records of the parish show no vote to build the new meeting-house, but February 5, 1836, they voted to convey the land and the new house to the deacons of the church, and they direct their committee to convey their thanks to Mr. Orra Taft for the bell he had given them. Now the old New England custom of ringing the bell for Sabbath services, for tolling the years of the dead, and for marking the hours of noon is begun. It was also voted to have the footstoves filled at the stoves in the meeting-house.

The parish was as reluctant as the church to allow any of its members to leave for the formation of a new parish in Whitinsville, in every instance where a petition for this was presented, either passing it or voting not to grant it. But when the separation took place they did not lose heart. They went on in their work of maintaining the ordinances of religion at the Centre. In 1832, soon after the resignation of Dr. Crane, Rev. Samuel H. Fletcher was called and installed, March 14th. He was dismissed in March, 1834. Rev. Charles Forbush was installed June 4, 1834. He continued pastor until his death, June 9, 1838. Rev. Lewis Pennell was installed April 3, 1839,and dismissed April 11, 1842. Rev. William Bates was ordained and installed November 5, 1845, and dismissed November 23, 1857. Mr. Bates was the last installed pastor. The church has since been supplied by Eevs. Messrs. George B. Safford, Hiram Day, Sylvester Hine, Calvin Terry, D. W. Richardson, W. H. Haslewood, Thomas L. Norton, James Wells, J. T. Crumrine, R. M. Burr and J. H. Childs. Rev. Mr. Childs is the present acting pa.stor, who also has the charge of the Rockdale Church. In 1877 this parish united with the parish in Rockdale in the support of the minister, who has since had the care <)f both parishes, residing at the Centre.

The church gathered by Rev. Mr. Crane, in 1782, of eight members (five from the church in Uxbridge, three from the church in Upton), received five on confession the same day, thus beginning their separate life. As was customary, there were no " Articles of faith," it being understood that all accepted the " Catechism of the Westminster Assembly " as the standard of belief. They entered into covenant with God and each other. In this covenant there is a consecration of themselves to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and a giving of themselves to each other to walk together as a rightly-ordered Congregational Church, to maintain all Gospel ordinances ancj watch over each other, - a consecration to woik against all ungodliness in the world, to maintain secret and family worship, to train their households in a Christian manner ; especially catechising them in the family, instructing, exhorting and commanding them to attend the more public catechising and instruction of those meetings which may be appointed for that end. The articles of faith were adopted probably April 1, 1814, hut were not recorded. There is evidence that church discipline was not a mere name, as we have record of discipline for watering cider, for deceiving in trading for a horse ; and tlie church recognized its own duty to repair a wrong done a member, in making confession to one whom it felt it had misjudged. For the first few years, like all the churches of the period, it received but few additions - only eighteen for twenty-six years. But it has known its times of enlargement, as in 1808, 1820 and especially in 1831, when fifty-four additions were made ; and the removal of so many, to form the village church did not take as many members as had been added in this year. It had, January 1, 1888, one hundred and six members.

The Village Congregational Church in Whitinsville. - During the latter part of Dr. Crane's ministry it had been common to hold meetings in the school-house in this neighborhood Sabbath evenings, at which he and other ministers occasionally preached. The feeling that more was needed led to the formation of a Sabbath-school in 1833, having two sessions each Sabbath.

The conviction that a church should be formed, and regular Sabbath services maintained, becoming fixed, several members of the first church sought dismission from it for this purpose. This being denied, five gentlemen, not members of this church, were requested to call a council " to advise on the question whether it is expedient to estab!i>h a church and society in said village of Souih Northbridge." The council met April 17, 1834, and advised that it was expedient that a church should be formed and Gospel ordinances established. In 1833 " The Chapel " had been built and had been dedicated to religious uses early in 1831. Regular preaching was now provided from Rev. Caleb B. Elliot, of Millbury, and afterwards from Rev. William Whittlesey, of New Britain, Conn. The society was formed June 20, 1834. The members of the first church desiring to form the new church, still failing to obtain letters of dismission, called by their committee a council to be held July 31st, "to carry out, if it should be thought best, the recommendation of the previous council." By this council the church was constituted, consisting of thirty-three members. Seven more were received by letter from the first church August 26th, and became ideatified with the church in its beginning. Rev. Michael Burdett was soon called, and was installed April 15, 1835. He was dismissed April 29, 1841, after a pastorate of six years. Rev. Louis F. Clark was ordained and installed pastor June 1,

1842, and continued his labors here as pastor until his death, October 3, 1870, - a man greatly beloved and greatly useful. Rev. John R. Thurston was installed April 20, 1871, and continues pastor.

The Congregational Church in Rockdale. - There were no regular public religious services in this village until after P. Whitin & Sons purchased the property in 1856. They finished a hall over the store and dedicated it to religious worship. In the fall of 1861 Rev. E. F. Williams, of Uxbridge, was employed, and labored there somewhat more than a year. His work was blessed by a revival, and there was some thought of forming a church. When Mr. Williams left. Rev. Mr. Harding, of Boston, was engaged to supply, and he preached there for some years, though not residing there for pastoral service. From November 1, 1871, to December 1, 1872, Rev. J. C. Halliday preached and resided there. For some time after this there was not regular preaching, bat the Sabbathschool was maintained, and the pastor at Whitinsville preached there occasionally. In 1877 the people united with the parish at Northbridge Centre in the support of a pastor and since that time regular Sabbath services have been maintained. It had long been felt that a church organization was needed for the best religious result and plans had several times been made for forming one, but they had not been carried out. December 30, 1879, a council was called and a church of fifteen members was formed, which has since grown to thirty-nine, January 1, 1888. This church, with the church on the Hill, has Rev. James H. Childs as pastor.

The Quakers. - We have seen ' that early in the last century a few families of Quakers moved up .the Blackstone Valley in what is now Northbridge, and they experienced difficuliy from their unwillingness to serve in the French and Indian War. They had the same difficulty after the town was incorporated during the Revolutionary struggle. By colonial statute, passed in May, 1776, among those exempted from the necessity of military service are " those persons who had, befo'e the nineteenth day of April, one thousand seven hundred aiid seventy-five, been by law deemed to be of the denomination of Christians called Quakers." It appears from the State archives that one Thomas Eddy, who had become a Quaker in 1777, was allowed exemption on petition of the town, by the Colonial Council, July 27, 1778. Said Eddy had been sent to the garrison at Rutland, but had refused to do duty on the ground that he was a Quaker. January, 1779, the selectmen of the town, having doubts whether the town had a right to assess the Quakers for their part of the tax of two hundred pounds laid upon tlie town " to pay men who had been, or had hired men, to go into tlie army," send a petition to the " Honorable Council and house of Representatives " that they would solve their doubt " and make it certain whether we have a Right to tax said Quakers," Thus scrupulously were their rights regarded. We have uo record of what answer was given to this petition, but as later we find frequent mention of a " Quaker Tax," we learn that it was felt that they must in some way contribute to the defence of the country.

Before the town was incorporated the first meetinghouse was built by the Quakers. On petition of Samuel Aldrich, for the building of a meeting-house, a committee was appointed at the Smithfield Monthly Meeting of Friends, November 28, 1765, " to judge whether there was need of one." This committee reporting favorably, a committee, consisting of Samuel Aldrich, Moses Aldrich and Moses Farnam, Jr., " was appointed to oversee the building of said house."

" Twelfth Month, 1776, the Building Committee exhibited an account of the Cost of Building the Uxbridge (now Northbridge) Meeting-house, amounting to £70 16«. Id. lawful money, which is accepted." Forty pounds of this money was contributed for this purpose by Rachel Thayer, of Mendon. We see it is ten years after the committee is appointed to oversee the building of the house before the final account of cost is rendered, and we do not know when it was first occupied, but probably before the " Town's Meetinghouse." The first mention of this meeting-house is in the town-meeting of March, 1778, when it was "voted to warn town-meetings by notifications to Be posted at Capt. Baldwin's Mill, Ye Quaker meetinghouse, and ye Town meeting-house in Northbridge." This became the custom ever after. This meetinghouse stood about one-fourth of a mile south of the present house, on the east side of the road. Respecting the present meeting-house the following items are furnished : " At an Uxbridge Monthly Meeting in 1804, Nathaniel ^Idrich, Richard Mowry, Elisha Arnold and others were appointed to exchange lots and contract for building the present meeting-house in Northbridge. They reported in the Third Month, same year, that they had done so. The new house to be built for $650 and the old house. The new one was built that year." Saml. Aldrich was one of the contractors for building it. In this house the Friends have worshipped God for more than four-score years. They have met each week, and the spirit has moved to words of exhortation, as to the faith and the life. In recent years their numbers have diminished, but their meetings are maintained with the instruction of the young in the Sabbath-school. In May of each year Quarterly Meeting is held here. There has been special interest in temperance the past few years.

The meeting in Northbridge was a part of the Smithfield Monthly Meeting till Seventh Month, 1783, when the several meetings held in Uxbridge, Northbridge, Richmond, N. H., and Leicester were set off and formed a separate Monthly Meeting under the name of the Uxbridge Monthly, which continues until the present time. We have no record of the residence in the town of a minister approved by the meeting, and the ministry has been by those belonging to the meeting but residing usually in Uxbridge. Mrs. Salome C. Wheeler, who is an approved minister, residing in Uxbridge, usually ministers at the Northbridge Meeting-house.

Baptists in Northbridge. - From the following certificates it is manifest that there was early in the history of Northbridge an acknowledged body of Baptists, having a " society," if not a church organization :

We, the Subscrihera, being chosen a committee by the Society of People called Anti-pedo Baptist, we (who?) met together for religious worship on the Lord's day, in Northbridge, to exhibit a list of the names of such persons as belong to said society or congregation ; Do certify that Timothy Winter, Nathaniel Cooper, Jan., John Cooper, David Dunn, Jonathan Bassett, Barnabas Aldrich, William Rawson, Joseph Hill, Nathaniel Cooper, do belong to the said congregation, and that they do frequently, and nsiyilly, when able, attend with us in our meetings for Religious Worship, on the Lord's Day, and we do thereby believe are, with respect to the Ordinance of Baptism, of the same religious sentiments with us.

From this we infer that thus early in the history of the town these men, wishing to be relieved from paying the town tax for the support of the Congregational minister, and building the meeting-house, obtained this relief by these certificates.

John Cooper, an ordained Baptist elder, was for many years the preacher, preaching frequently until near the time of his death, in 1818. His brother Nathaniel also preached occasionally. "The Baptists had their meetings in private houses, mostly in those of the preachers."

In April, 1787, it was voted that the warrant for town-meeting be put, "one at the place where the Baptist meet for publick worship," from which it is manifest that they early had a place of usual meeting, probably the house of " Elder John Cooper," near the Cooper grave-yard. Jesse White, the blacksmith, was deacon.

In 1793 Whitney speaks of ten families of Baptists, " at present destitute of any settled teacher." Yet there was a Baptist society as late as 1812, for Abner Cooper and John Cooper, "committee,"' certify that "Phineas Taft, of the town of Uxbridge, is a member of the religious society in the town of Northbridge called the Northbridge Baptist Society." After the death of Elder John Cooper they did not have preaching regularly. Mr. Sawyer, and after him Mr. Rufus Bennett, preached occasionally, but soon all public services ceased, and the society has had no existence for many years. The few of this persuasion in the town have identified themselves with the Baptist societies of Farnamsville, or North Uxbridge, or with tlie Congregationalist or Methodist Churches in the town.

The Methodist Church in Whitinsville. - The first Metliodist services in the town were held in the house of Rufus Bennett, near the Quaker Meetinghouse, early in 1828. Miss Rebecca Bradford, of Providence, R. I., a school-teacher, secured the preaching of the first sermon by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Osgood, in this house. "As a result of this and other meetings, a revival of religion followed, in which a number were converted. Among them were Amasa Benson, Amos White and Lyman Aldrich, who became pillars in the church. Mr. Bennett, who had been connected with the Baptist Church of Upton, joined them, and became a local preacher among them.

" The meetings were held in private houses, in the school-house near the Quaker Meeting-house, and in the stone school-house at Plummer's Corner, and the Lord's Supper celebrated in Captain Amos White's new barn a number of times.

"At the session of the New England Conference, which met at Lynn July 23, LS28, Bishop Elijah Hedding presiding, 'Northbridge Circuit' was organized. It was in the New London District, Edward Hyde, Presiding Elder. Will- J. Lovejoy and Joseph Iveson were the preachers."

During most of the years until 1850 preachers were appointed for this circuit, and religious services were maintained. Two camp-meetings and several grove-meetings were held on the Benson farm. But it was not in this part of the town that Methodism was to have its permanent and central place. The village of Whitinsville had been and was still growing and giving promise for the future, and here was the Methodist Church to find its home. The first Methodist preaching here was secured by Mr. Charles Taylor. The preacher was Rev. Joseph W. Lewis, of Webster. He was assisted by Chas. W. Ainsworth, of Millbury. The services were held in the hall just erected on Railroad Avenue, which became the place of worship for many years. This was early in 1850. April 24th of the same year, at the session of the New England Conference in Boston, Bishop Thomas A. Morris presiding, " Whitinsville took its place in the list of appointments. It was included in the Worcester District, J. Hascall, Presiding Elder ; H. P. Andrews, preacher." " June 23, 1850, Dr. Hascall organized the Quarterly Conference" here. Since that day the church has maintained regular worship, and had constant preaching. They remained in the hall where they began for twenty-five years. October 22, 1875, the new meeting-house was dedicated. In 1882 a troublesome debt was removed, with the generous help of friends in the place. It was a happy day, October 22d,when they held their meeting-house and parsonage free of all encumbrance. The church has grown with the village, and now numbers ninetyone members. The preachers have been : 1850-51, H. P. Andrews ; 1852, Cyrus L. Eastman ; 1853, Jonathan L. Esty ; 1854, Jonathan D. Bridge (during this year a colleciion of $6.50 was reported " to assist fugitive slaves"); 1855, it was united with East Douglas; 18.56-57, Wm. P. Blackmer; 1858-59, Geo. H. Mansfield; 1860, Nath. A. Soule; 1801-62, William Merrill; 1863-64, Abraham M. Osgood; 1865-67, William A. Braman ; 1868, Robert G. Adams; 1869, D. D. Hudson; 1871-73, Emory A. Howard (during this pastorate, the Spring estate was purchased, with the house which has since been the parsonage, and the ground for the new meeting-house); 1874-75, William Merrill (during this pastorate the meetinghouse was completed and dedicated); 1876-77, Edward A. Manning; 1878, J. W. Fenn; 1879-80, Seth C. Gary; 1881-83, Lyman D. Bragg (during this pastorate the debt on the property was paid); 1884-86, James Mudge ; 1887, E. Stuart Best.

The United Presbyterian Church. - For some years previous to 1871 there had been an increasing number of United Presbyterians in Whitinsville- They had brought from their homes in the north of Ireland and Scotland a strong aflection for their own faith and worship. They had worshipped occasionally and " communicated " with the United Presbyterian Church in Wilkinsonville. Some had united with this church. But they felt they must have for themselves and their children more regular Sabbath services, and early in 1871 they began such services with Rev. Mr. Cres«well as minister, and soon a " congregation " was formed and became connected with the Boston Presbytery. Worship was held at first in Smith's Hall and subsequently in "The Chapel" formerly used by the Congregational Church. Here they continued uutil they went into their new meeting-house, save during an interval of about seven months, when, owing to internal difficulties, the congregation was disbanded for a brief time. It was reorganized December 16, 1874. In 1881 a meetinghouse was built on Cottage Street, in the erection of which, friends in the village greatly assisted them. It was dedicated February .22, 1882. In 1888 a parsonage was built on the same lot with the meetinghouse. The preachers have been Rev. Robert Harkness, January 21, 1873, to April 22, 187-1. For three years it was supplied by various ministers. Rev. J. L. Thompson was installed June 11, 1878. He was released April 11, 1882. Rev. J. Crawford McKay, installed April 24, 1883; resigned in July, 1884. It was supplied by Presbytery with various preachers, among 'them Rev. J. R. McAllister from January, 1880, to July, 1887.

manufacturing in the recent years has brought many of foreign birth into the town for labor. In 1875 there were one thousand three hundred and six who were born in Ireland or Canada ; most of these were of the Catholic faith. They have always belonged to the parish of Uxbridge and been under the care of the Priest resident there. As their numbers increased, it was felt that they should have a church in this town, and Rev. Dennis O'Keefe purchased the land for one in 1868. His successor. Rev. Dennis Morau, built the church. The first service was on Christmas, 1870. Rev. Henry L. Robinson became pastor in 1871 and remains such. He is assisted by Father Langier, who especially ministers to the French, who are the larger part of those of the Catholic faith. The church was moved to its present site on Church Street, and enlarged and a basement added in 1883.

Chapter Lxvi Schools And Library

Immediately on the incorporation of the district, attention was given to the interests of education. At the second town-meeting, September 21, 1772, a committee was appointed to " Squadron " the district for school purposes. In November, the same year, they report their work making seven " Squadrons,'' some of which were very small. In 1785 the second and third were united, making six, and in 1793 the fifth and sixth were united, making five squadrons. But this last union, putting Adam's Corner, Northbridge Hill and what is now Whitinsville into one squadron, proved unsatisfactory, and in 1790 James Fletcher and others, in what is now Whitinsville, received permission to be a district by themselves, and to build their own school-house and not to be taxed for the building of any other school-house. The next year a similar privilege was granted to the families in the vicinity of the Quaker Meeting-House, on the same conditions. The same year five families at Riverdale were made a district. In 1802 another district was founded, including the families at Prentice's Corner and on the northeast side of the meadow. In 1832 we find eight districts, which continued, with occasional changes of families near the border lines, until the district system was abolished and the town system adopted in 1867.

At the first the schools were kept in private houses and in the meeting-house. There is evidence that a school-house stood on the hill on the east side of the road, north of the burying-ground. But it does not seem to have been in use at the time of the incorporation of the district. It is not until 1791 that the building of school-houses was agitated. That year an article was put into the warrant to see if the town would build a house in each district; but it was passed over in the meeting. In 1795 it was voted to build a house in each district, and a committee was appointed for the purpose. But the next year the article to grant and raise money to build schoolhouses in the town of Northbridge was dismissed, from which it is manifest the work was not yet begun. And at the next meeting, the same year, they refused to appoint a committee to set the school-houses in each district. It is evident that the dissatisfaction with the new squadrons had something to do with this delay, as the same year James Fletcher and five others were made a new squadron if they would build their own school-house, and the next year the same action was taken for six families near the Quaker Meeting-House. At the meeting in June, 1796, a committee was appointed to instruct the committees appointed the previous year to build school-houses and to order them to set them in the most convenient place and to say how big each school-house shall be. From the absence of any further reference to schoolhouses in the records and from the recollections of persons recently living, we judge that the schoolhouses were built in most of the districts soon after this, as on the Hill in 1797. Yet it is manifest that not in all, very soon, as in 1807 a vote is passed " to allow district No. 7 to build a school-house if they please," and as late as 1810 there is a petition from certain families to be set back to the " Winter district" until suitable school-houses have been built in the districts to which they had been assigned. The whole town was taxed for building these houses, those of two districts being exempted who were to build their own houses. Also the lands of non-resident owners were taxed for the same purpose.

The school-houses then erected sufficed until the district system was abandoned in 1867, except that another had to be erected to meet the demands of the increased population of Whitinsville, and it had to be twice enlarged until it had six rooms. After the adoption of the town system new houses were built for all the schools, save at Adam's Corner, where the house was thoroughly repaired. A new two-story house was built in Whitinsville in 1869, and enlarged for two more schools in 1872. In 1878 another large school-house was built in Whitinsville for four schools ; and now measures are being taken to erect a large brick school-house in the centre of this village for the high and grammar schools and for primary schools, thus providing twelve schoolrooms in Whitinsville.

Until 1865, the town had had only the district schools, including all grades, and in Whitinsville the grades of Primary, Intermediate and Grammar. In the annual report of that year, the committee pleaded earnestly for a High School, which the State laws required of every town having five hundred families, this town having five hundred and fifty ; and a vote was passed to establish a High School. This was done at once, and the school was located in Whitinsville, and has been maintained ever since, doing good work and accomplishing all that could be reasonably expected, giving those who are unable to go out of town for education the opportunity to pursue their studies several years longer than formerly. The committee the same year urged the lengthening the terms of school, which had heretofore been only six months, with a private school kept in some of the districts. Their recommendation was adopted the next year, and since that time the schools have been kept between nine and ten months.

In the beginning the care of the schools devolved on tlie selectmen. In 1799 an article was put in the warrant for the March meeting, "To see if the town will choose a committy to regulate the school districts," but it was voted " not to choose a school committy.'' But in 1805 it was voted "to choose a school committee of five ; " the change was not acceptable, and a committee was not chosen again until 1810, and from 1813 to 1819 none were chosen. From 1820 the school committee has been chosen every year. In 1826 "it was voted to allow Dr. Crane fifty cents each visit and to visit each winterschool twice." At the same meeting a school committee of eight was chosen, one for each district. The next year "it was voted to comply with the requisitions of the law in choosing a school committee," and three were chosen, and it was " voted each District be allowed to choose their own prudential committeemen, agreeable to usual custom." The innovation of the previous year, in having the prudential committee of the districts chosen by the town, was not acceptable. But the next year, 1828, the town again chose the prudential committees of the districts and continued to do so until 1862, when the choice reverted to the districts again, where it remained until the district system was abolished in 1867. In 1828, Mr. Adolphus Spring and Dr. Crane were a visiting committee to supplement the work of the prudential committee. Dr. Crane received twelve dollars for his visits. From this time for several years the town's committee are spoken of as " visitors." Previous to 1858 the whole committee was chosen each year ; this made possible, and sometimes actual, an entire change of persons in the board in a single year, and might bring in a board none of whose members had had any experience in the care of schools. This brevity and uncertainty of tenure was unfriendly to the adoption and carrying out any plans of school-work which extended over years, and was a hinderance to that progress which was needed. In 1858 the plan was changed, and each member now serves three years, and two new ones are chosen each year, and thus there is a continuity of service, and the benefit of experience is secured. There has been for many years an earnest endeavor to increase the efficiency of the schools. A new and powerful impulse was received in this progress about 1847. In 1843 the committee, of which Rev. Lewis F. Clark was chairman, made a very plain report as to the deficiencies in the schools and in the school-houses, and calling for progress. Their report was printed, and it was evidently pondered ; we see a slow increase in appropriations for several years, until 1847, when a very large increase of almost fifty per cent, was made, and since this time there has been great advance, and the town has been ready for any expense needed for the success of the schools. In 1843 the town was very near the lowest in the State for the amount appropriated per scholar, there being but forty-three out of three hundred and seven that raised less ; now there are but sixty-nine that raise more. In 1852 the appropriation was $2.96 per each child of school age; now it is $11.20. As a result of this interest and these efforts the schools are doing good work, for which every parent and every citizen may be thankful. Much of this gain has been due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Rouse R. Clarke, who was first chosen a member of the committee in 1852, and served the town almost without interruption until his death, February 2, 1888. For many years he was acting superintendent, though unwilling to be called such. He brought to the work great love for the cause of education, a high estimate of its importance, a large measure of common sense, a friendliness to new ideas, with an unwillingness to undervalue the old methods, and great faithfulness in the care of the schools. When the new school-house was completed on Cross Street, in Whitinsville, the following vote passed unanimously in the town-meeting April 7, 1879 : " Resolved, that in recognition of the longcontinued and eminent services of Dr. R. R. Clarke on the Board of School Committees, his constant and zealous efforts to advance the interests of our schools, whereby they have been raised to the present high standard, it is hereby ordered that the new schoolhouse on Cross Street shall be designated and known as the ' Clarke School,' " and the following resolutions were passed at the town-meeting, April 2, 1888, after his decease :

Heeolved, Tlmt we, the citizens. of Northbridge, desire to place upon the record our high appreciation of the services of the late Dr. liouse K. Clarke, in behalf of our public schools.

For almost thirty yeara his best thought and most earnest efforts were devoted to their interests. - During all this time it was his greatest ambition to do all in his power. Believing that the stability and freedom of our civil and religious institutions depend upon the education and morality of the people, he entered upon bis Jife-work wilh a sincere desire to serve his geuoratioD by doing what he could to advance the interests of education in our midst.

For all these years he has si)ared no expense of time or effort to accomplish this. We believe the present success of our schools is largely due to bis untiring devotion to their welfare. We cannot express too strongly our high appreciation of his valuable services and the deep sorrow we fed for our great loss.

Rt^solved, That the clerk be directed to enter these resolutions upon the Records of the Town, and forward a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

The Whitinsville Social Library. - At a meeting of the citizens of Whitinsville, held December 10, 1844, to take into consideration the eslablishment of a Social Library, P. Whitin, Esq., was called to the chair. It was stated that the sum of one hundred dollars was left as a legacy, by Miss Sarah Fletcher, to be appropriated to such a Library whenever it should be thought best to establish one; and that this sum, with the interest on the same, was now available. Voted that we consider it expedient to establish such a Library at the present time. Voted, To choose a committee of three to draft a constitution, and present it at a future meeting. L. F. Clark, Horace Annsby and Leander Gorton were appointed on this committee.

The constitution presented by this committee, with some amendments, was adopted December 17th, and the society was organized under the name of " The Whitinsville Social Library." Signatures were obtained to the constitution, and December 24th the officers were chosen with Rev. L. F. Clark president.

By February, 1845, eighty-six subscribers had become members of the association by payment of one dollar as initiation fee and signing the constitution, which imposed an annual assessment of one dollar. Two hundred and fifty books had been purchased, and arrangements made for loaning them. This is the origin of the Social Library.

The association hecame incorporated April 14, 1858, under the provisions of the forty-first chapter of the Revised Statutes of Massachusetts.

The library was for many years kept in " the chapel" of the Congregational Society, and was used by subscribers, and a few others, as the teachers, to whom its privileges were extended by the association. But when better and permanent accommodations were provided in the Memorial Building, in 187(3, it was determined to offer its privileges to all the inhabitants of the town on certain conditions, and the following vote was passed by the association :

To make tbe Library free to the Inhabitants of the Town of Northbridge, sul'ject to such Rulea and Regnlationa as the Association or Corporation may adopt, upon condition that the Town shall annually appropriate and pay to the treasurer of the Corporation for the maintainauce and support of said Library a sum not less than Three Ilundred Dollars. The Library ceasing to be free to the inhabitants of said town when the Town ceases to make the above mentioned annual appropriation for its maintainance and support.

The town accepted the proposition of the association at its annual meeting in March, and has since made annual appropriations for the support of the library. The needed changes in the constitution and by-laws were made, and the library is still under the control of the association, of which any citizen of Northbridge may become a member by payment of one dollar annually, or a life member by payment of ten dollars, and signing the constitution. At the

Rev. L. F. Clark was re-elected president every year but two, until his death, in 1870. Dr. R. R. Clarke was chosen to succeed him, and re-elected annually until his death, in 1888, when Geo. A. Annsby was chosen, and is now president. From the small beginning with two hundred and fifty volumes, the library has grown apace, and, as we learn from the annual report made February 13, 1888, contains 4,507 volumes. The number who took books the last year was 418, and the number of volumes circulated was 6,875.

Chapter Lxvii

While the early settlers were agriculturists, the necessity of mills for sawing their lumber and for grinding their grain soon led to the building of mills for this purpose, as the abundant watei-prtrftegps on the Blackstoneand Mumford Rivers gave them ample opportunity for doing. Samuel Terry erected a sawmill at "Ye Falls," on the Mumford River, at what is now Whitinsville, in 1727 or 1728. Some time before 1740 Woodland Thompson built a saw-mill on "Oil Brook," a small stream running into the Blackstone, on the west side, a little south of Riverdale. In 1764, James Nutting, Sr., sold " two grist-mills and a sawmill " at what is now Riverdale. Having purchased the property in 1753, without mention in the deed of dam or mills, we infer he built the dam and the mills, thus first making use of the privilege, and building the first grist-mill in the town. Some time between 1805 and 1814 the privilege at what is now Rockdale was first put to use, and a saw and grist-mill were built by John and Jesse Eddy.

But these elementary manufactures were not those which were to grow and build up the town. The manufactures which were to employ its citizens in great numbers, and bring to them comfort and wealth, were those of iron, cotton, wool and leather.

Iron Manufactures. - The very early development of the manufactures of iron in this town was doubtless due to the existence of iron ore within its limits. September 16, 1700, Mendon (then including Northbridge) voted " that noe person shall carry any mine or iron ore out of or from the Town Common, upon penalty of twenty .shillings a load, the one-half to the informer, the other half to the use of the towue." At a meeting October 14th, the same year, Samuel Thayer was permitted to carry away the " ore that had been digged," " provided sd Thayer paid twenty shillings in money to Capt. Chapin for the town's use ;" and a reward was voted to the informer.

March 3, 1712, the town reaffirmed the vote forbidding to carry away ore from the "Town Common," but said, " as for any yt was in Impropriated Lands, they might Repair to the owners." This ore was in the Uxbridge part of the town. The location of the "Iron Worlds" at "ye Falls of Mum ford's River" was due to the power which "ye Falls" afforded, to the abundance of wood for charcoal for smelting, and to the evident expectation of finding ore near at hand. The man who established the works here was Samuel Terry (clerk), of Barrington, Mass. He purchased four hundred and eighty-eight acres of land, with the water privilege at "ye Falls," and "all the mines or minerals" thereto belonging, for £488, equal to £162 in gold, in 1727.

This reference to " mines or minerals " is doubtless to " Mineral Hill, so called," which we find mentioned in deeds of a later date. The next year Terry sold all the la-nds and a saw-mill and "Iron Works" to Hugh Hall, of Boston, for £700, equal to £206 in gold. As there was no mention of " Iron Works " in his deed of purchase, we must infer he had built them, and had prepared to manufacture iron. Hall sold the property to Gershom Keyes (trader), of Boston, for £920, equal to £212 in gold, in 1732. The next year Keyes sold all the land and the saw-mill and onehalf of the " Iron Works" to Jonathan Bacon (gent), of Bedford, for £1600, equal to £368 in gold. The increase in price would indicate that Keys had improved the " Iron Works." He reserved one-half of the works, with all its privileges, and we infer he soon bought back Bacon's half interest, as he afterwards sold all the " Iron Works " and thirty acres of land belonging thereto, and from the fact that Bacon's name does not appear in any subsequent deed of the works. Keyes sold one-half of the " Iron Works " to Joseph Scott (braiser), of Boston, for £300, equal to £62 in gold, in 173.'j, and one-half to Samuel Grant (upholder), of Boston, in 1736, for £300, equal to £61 in gold. These owners, Grant & Scott, evidently rebuilt the " Iron Works," as they are .spoken of in the next deed as "lately built," with three fireplaces and one hammer. They are subsequently called the " Forge or Refinery." Grant sold his interest the same year (1736) to John Merritt (merchant), of Boston, for £808 14s. 3d., equal to £168 in gold. In the deed an "ore yard" is mentioned. Soon Merrilt bought out Saott's interest for £870, equal to £170 in gold. The deed is dated 1740, but we infer that he had bought it before this, for he leased the property in 1739 to Thomas & Nicholas Baylies (iron-masters), of Uxbridge, for twenty-one years, for £34 lawful money of Great Britain per year. Lawful money was then worth four and one-half times as much as paper. The inventory of the works is gicen, and it is described as all furnished and suitable to make pigmetal into bar iron. This is the first mention of the product. It was for many years called Baylies' Refinery ; but it was still held by Merritt after Baylies' lease expired in 1760. Before 1765 Merritt, now of Providence, leased the " Iron Works " to John Heseltine, of Uxbridge. Merritt held the property until his death. It was sold September 16, 1771, by John Overing, the executor of Mr. Merritt's will, to Col. Ezra Wood, of Upton, for £450, now equal to gold, as specie payment had been resumed. .lames Fletcher, who married Col. Wood's daughter December 24, 1771, now occupied the property and carried on the " works." The old works were situated about twenty rods below the bridge, on the south side of the river, the water for the power being conveyed in a ditch from the dam, which was about one hundred feet west of the present dam next to the bridge. About this time the works were removed to a building on the south side of the river, close to the present dam, which was built at that time. The new works went by the name of " The Forge." It was also called " Fletcher's Forge," and it had the reputation of early and hard work. In 1794 Col. Wood sold two-thirds of the "Iron Forge and Refinery " to James Fletcher, and one-third to Paul Whitin. Mr. Whitin had married Mr. Fletcher's daughter, Bet.sy, in 1793.

They continued to manufacture "bar-iron" from scrap-iron until 1812 or 1813. Mr. Whitin did not work in " The Forge." He was a blacksmith, and had a shop on the north side of the river, at the opposite end of the dam from "The Forge." He at first did only the work of an ordinary blacksmith, but he soon determined to engage in the specially of making hoes and scythes. Hiring a man who understood the art of tempering and other processes in the manufacture, he himself soon became expert in them, and in a few years his business became profitable. During the suspension of trade with England, caused by the embargo of 1807-09, a large demand arose for certain agricultural tools, which had been previously imported from England. One of these, in the manufacture of which Mr. Whitin was one of the first to engage, was the large hoe used by the negroes at the South. He had three forges, a trip-hammer and a grindstone operated by power. Mr. Whitin continued this business until his death, in 1831, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. Blauy years before his death he engaged in cotton manufacture. His second son (John C, born 1807) worked in the mill from his ninth year, when not in school, at first in the picker-room. When about twelve he was placed in the machine-room of the company, and for the next three years worked on repairs, thereby serving in some measure an apprenticeship to the business which he followed for life.

In the year 1826 Col. Paul Whitin formed a partnership with his two elder sons (Paul, Jr., and John C), for the manufacture of cotton goods. They built the brick mill now standing on the site of "The Forge," on the south side of the river, having a capacity of fifteen hundred spindles. In this firm Mr. John C. Whitin had the superintendence of the mill and the repair of the machinery. He had early been impressed with the imperfection of the machinery used, especially of that used in picking the cotton, and in 1830 he directed his eflbrts to its improvement. With two lathes, not worth more than fifteen dollars each, and with an occasional job done in a neighbor's shop, he, with his two assistants, completed the first picker in about a year. Having so far perfected the picker, he applied for a patent and secured it in 1832. Meanwliile the new firm, which had been formed on the death of Paul Whitin, Sr., - consisting of Mrs. Paul Whilin, Sr., Paul Whitin, John C. Whitin and Charles P. Whitin, - had purchased the mill of "The Old Northbridge Manufacturing Co."

The picker Mr. John C. Whitin had made had attracted the attention of other manufacturers, and the firm determined to make them for sale, using as a shop the picker-house of the mill just purchased, a building thirty-two by forty feet. Machinery and tools were set up in it and put in operation. They were crude as compared with what are now used ; yet with the improved devices of Mr. Whitin, pickers or lappers were produced so superior to those previously in use that from 1834, when the first machine was sold, the demand steadily increased. For many years most of the pickers in use throughout the country were made at these works.

Mr. Whitin was encouraged to build other machinery in the same line. The list has been increased from time to time, so as to include cards, cardgrinders, doublers, railway heads, drawing-frames, ring-frames, spoolers, warpers, dressers, looms, &c. ; indeed, all the machinery used in tlie cotton-mill, except roving machinery, mules and slashers, is now made here. * To accommodate this rapidly-increasing business, the original shop, the "Picker-house," was enlarged and sew buildings were erected. In 1847 "The New Shop'' was built, three hundred and sis by one hundred and two feet, two stories with basement, on the north side of the river.

This year Mr. James F. Whitin, the youngest son of Colonel Paul Whitin, was admitted to the firm. In 1860 Mr. John C. Whitin purchased the " Holyoke Muchine Works " on his own account, which he retained until 1864, giving it much of his time for supervision. During his engagement in Holyoke, Mr. Chas. P. Whitin had the charge of the machineshop.

In 1864 the firm of P. Whitin & Sons was dissolved and the business of the firm was divided. In this division Mr. John C. Whitin took the manufacturing of machinery, which had in thirty years grown from one picker a month from the old " Picker House," to the production of hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of a large variety of machinery, Irom the large shop of 1847 and its adjuncts. On coming into his separate proprietorship, Mr. John C. Whitin erected a new shop parallel with the shop of 1847, north of it, four hundred and seventy-five by seventy feet, three stories, with basement. The increasing business has compelled the erection of a large foundry, which has been twice enlarged ; of a large blacksmith shop, and in 1883 of a large shop on the south side of the river, three hundred and eighty-six by eighty-six feet, three stories high, so that now there are in all nearly eleven acres of floor all connected, and devoted to the various departments of the manufacture. In place of two men helping Mr. Whitin, the force employed now is over eight hundred, and the improved machine tools render the work of each man equal to that of three men using the old-time tools.

Mr. Whitin secured patents on the Picker or Lapper in 1833 ; on the Union Card in 1862. These proved useful to manufacturers and brought considerable profit to the inventor. These inventions bore no comparison, however, in intrinsic value with the many improvements in tools and implements for the working of metals and the simi)lifying of existing methods. As long as he continued in active management of the shop he took the deepest interest in all improvement in tools. The last to which he gave special attention was the machine for drilling spinning-frame rails, which has proved such a success. It was with him a principle not to seek the protection and profit of a patent for any tool he was to use himself. He felt that the gain in his own work was all the profit he should desire.

In 1870 the business, which h.ad been during the six previous years in the sole proprietorship of Mr. John C. Whitin, was organized into a joint stock corporation, under the name of " The Whitin Machine Works," - John C. Whitin, President ; Josiah Lasell, Treasurer ; and Gustavus E. Taft, Superintendent. Mr. Lasell was son-in-law to Mr. Whitin and had been in his employ since 1860.

On Mr. Whitin's death, April 22, 1882, Mr. Lasell liecame president and treasurer. January 1, 1886, his son-in-law, G. Marston Whitin, became treasurer. On the death of Mr. Lasell, March 15, 1886, his oldest son, Chester W. Lasell, was made president. On the death of Mr. Taft, June 24, 1888, his oldest son, Cyrus A. Taft, was made agent. During all these changes in officers of the corporation the butiness has gone on with continued success.

Thus for one hundred and sixty-one years has the manufacture of iron been maintained in this place, first as the manufacture of iron from the ore, then as the manufacture of bar-iron from pig-metal and scrap-iron, then as the manufacture of hoes and scythes, and now for nearly sixty years in the manufacture of cotton machinery, beginning with a single machine and now including almost every kind of cotton machinery. For more than one hundred and sixteen years one family has been in ownership and charge of the works. For nearly one hundred years Mr. Paul Whitin, Sr., and his sons have operated

The Whitinsville Spinning Ring Co. - In 1872, Charles E. Trowbridge, master mechanic of the Whitinsville Cotton-Mill, and Arthur F. Whitin,who was then employed in the repair shop, perfected and patented special tools for making rings for spinning and twisting. They began the manufacture of rings in 1873, under the firm-name of the " Whitinsville Spinning Ring Co." By their improved methods and tools superior work is secured, and a great saving of labor is effected. One man can produce a perfect ring in two operations, after the forging, while with the old methods the ring passed through several hands, and numerous operations, and the ring would not be of such uniform excellence of finish.

The company began the manufacture of rings for the cotton-mills of Whitinsville and vicinity, but the fame of their superiority quickly spread and arrangements had to be made for increased production. The rings have Ijeen sent all over the country, and many have been exported. The business has increased sixfold since 1878, but its growth has been a natural one; no traveling agents have been employed. Arthur F. Whitin is treasurer, Chas. E. Trowbridge is agent, and George E. Trowbridge is superintendent.

Mr. Trowbridge has secured a number of patents on rings and ring-holders, and has recently patented a new process of producing a metallic ring, which effects a great saving of travelers, on new rings, and a much better yarn is produced by the consequent saving of breakage. The company began the manufacture of the double adjustable ring in 188(5, and now produces all varieties of rings known to the trade. The work began in the repair-shop of the mill. In 1884, needing more room, it was moved to the "old cotton-mill" building of 1826, on the south side of the stream, and occupied the basement and the first story. In 1887 an enlargement of twenty by sixty-five feet was made, and a new building erected, with a furnace chimney, for hardening and annealing. Twenty-five men are employed.

While the manufacturers in iron at what is now Whitinsville are the oldest in the town and have been the most successful, they have not been the only ones.

At Northbridge Centre a foundry was in operation as early as 1790, situated opposite the Dr. Robinson place, on the west side of the road, some thirty rods south of the present meeting-house. Hollow-ware and sad-irons were cast here. The business was carried on by a man named Lothrop.

The same premises were afterwards occupied by Frebun White for the manufacture of axes, employing two hands besides himself. The axes were carried to Providence and sold to the South. This was from 1812 to 1820. Capt. Amos White made "custom axes'' in a shop near his home; ''afterwards he manufactured to a considerable extent for the trade boot and shoe edge tools, hammers, &c., &c., until his death, in 1853, a part of the time, in company with Dr. Starkweather, doing the work at Riverdale, on the east side of the river. But that business failing, he removed to his home shop and manufactured for a time alone and then with his son Luke, and last with his son-in-law. Orison W. Brigham.

The stone part of the present cotton-mill at Riverdale was built 1852 by Sylvanus Holbrook for Harvey Waters for the manufacture of scythes by machinery which he had invented. These were the first scythes made by machinery in the world. Mr. Waters also made bayonets by machinery during the war of 1861-65. He continued the business here until 1865.

Cotton Manufactures. - In 1808 " the cotton factory fever" struck this town, and in 1809 Col. Paul Whitin erected a cotton-mill at the upper dam, which was about three hundred feet east of the present dam of the Whitin Machine Works. Col. James Fletcher contributed the water privilege as his share in the enterprise. After the mill was erected Mr. Whitin organized a company, of which he was the principal stock-holder, for the manufacture of cotton goods, styled "The Northbridge Cotton Manufacturing Company." The act of incorporation is later, being dated June 9, 1814. This was the third cottonmill erected in the Blackstone Valley above Pawtucket, the mill of Almy Brown and the Slaters at Slatersville and the original mill of the present Blackstone Co., at Blackstone (then South Mendon), preceding it by two years. The manufacturing consisted in breaking, carding and spinning. The raw material, having some seeds and much dirt mixed with it, was put out to families to have the seed and dirt removed. The "pickers" had not yet been introduced. Some families took a bale, some half a bale, and others less. For this work four to six cents a pound was paid. The yarn was also put out to families to be woven by hand, the weaver receiving eight cents per yard for weaving No. 16 yarn, which was the grade made at that time. The weaving was done in this manner for six or eight years, after which power looms were introduced. The original Northbridge Mill was of wood and had a capacity of fifteen hundred spindles. Paul Whitin, Jr., then ten years of age, commenced work in this factory on the day of its starting, tending a breaking machine. The mill was operated several years with small returns. It was rented for two years to Gladdiug & Cady. It was sold in 1824 to William & Thomas Buflbm. It was bought in 1829 by Samuel Shove, who operated it until 1831.

In 1815 Col. Whitin, not content with what he was doing in the Northbridge Cotton Manufacturing Company, entered into partnership with Col. James Fletcher, his father-in-law, and Mr. Fletcher's two sons, under the firm-name of Whitin & Fletcher, and they fitted up the " Old Forge" building, on the south side of the river, for a cotton-mill of three hundred spindle capacity for the manufacture of yarns. This mill was operated until 1826, when Mr. Whitin, who had owned an interest of one-half, now purchased the other half of the Fletchers, and formed a new partnership with his own sons, Paul, Jr., and John C, under the name of P. Whitin & Sons, for the manufacture of cotton goods. Paul Whitin, Jr., was at this time twenty-six years of age. His previous training, save what he had as a boy working in the mill, had been mercantile, and in the business of the new firm he took charge of the mercantile and financial department.

John C, then nineteen years old, had had his training in the mill and in the machine-room of the Northbridge Cotton Company, and was thus prepared for his part in the new firm, the management of the mechanical and manufacturing department. Mr. Paul Whitin, Sr., only invested capital and had no personal care or responsibility in the management of the business. The company erected a new mill of 1,500 spindles on the site of the "Old Forge'' mill. This mill was of brick, thirty-two by sixty feet, two stories, with attic room and basement, and was used for its original purpose until 1845.

Soon after the erection of this mill, cotton manufacture was begun in another part of the town and continued for some years. In 1830, Sylvanus Holbrook built a mill on the east side of the river at what is now Eiverdale, and fitted it with cotton machinery and began to make sheetings. The next year he built at the "upper village," now Rockdale, "The Cotton Mill" north of the old woolen-mill, and began the manufacture of sheetings and drillings. In 1836 one-third of the looms were put upon print cloths. In 1837, having discontinued the manufacture of satinets, Mr. Holbrook put cotton machinery into the woolen-mill and he made Kentucky jeans until the mill was burned, in 1839 or '40. He rebuilt the mill and filled it with cotton machinery and manufactured cotton goods.

In 1846, the north or "Cotton Mill" was burned. Mr. Holbrook repaired the walls and floors, but never provided it with machinery. In 1851 fire destroyed all the factory buildings but this and a large number of dwellings. This closed all manufacturing in this village until the property was bought by the Messrs. Whitin in 1856. We now return to Whitinsville.

In 1831, Colonel Paul Whitin having died, the firm was re-organized, Mrs. Paul Whitin, Sr., and her sons, Paul, John C. and Charles P. being the partners. Charles P. Whitin had attained his majority the previous year. He had been employed in the office of the old firm. In the new firm Mr. Paul Whitin retained the financial and mercantile departments, Mr. Charles P. Whitin took charge of the cotton manufacturing and Mr. John C. Whitin took charge of the new department, the manufacture of cottou machinery. The old Northbridge Cotton Manufacturing Company's mill was bought and put in operation, and continued in operation until 1861. In 1845 the stone mill was built, with a capacity of seven thousand five hundred spindles.

In 1847 James F. Whitin, the youngest son of Colonel Paul Whitin, was admitted to the firm. He had, for many years, had charge of the books of the concern. In 1849 the firm bought up the capital stock of the Uxbridge Cotton Mill of ten thousand spindle capacity at North Uxbridge. They operated it until the firm was dissolved in 1864. In 1856, having purchased the property in Rockdale, they built the Rockdale Cotton Mill, with a capacity of ten thousand spindles. About 1857, they bought the stone cottonmill, in East Douglass, of about eight thousand spindle capacity, and operated it until the war.

In 1864, the firm of P. Whitin & Sons, manufacturers of cotton goods and of cotton machinery, was dissolved and the business was divided. The cotton manufacturing, which had increased from one thousand five hundred spindles to thirty thousand, was retained by Mr. Paul Whitin taking the mill in Rockdale and the property at Riverdale, which P. Whitin & Sons had purchased some yeais before; by Mr. Charles P. Whitin taking the mill in Whitinsville. and Mr. James F. Whitin taking the mill in North Uxbridge. Mr. John C. Whitin took the manufacturing of cotton machinery.

At this time The Paul Whitin Manufacturing Co. was formed, with Mr. Paul Whitin as president, and his son, Charles E. Whitin, as treasurer and agent. To the Rockdale Mill this company soon added the mill at Riverdale, putting a brick addition to the stone building which had been occupied by Mr. Harvey Waters for the manufacture of scythes and bayonets, and filling it with cotton machinery, making it a mill of seven thousand spindles in capacity. The company still operates both mills, making sheetings.

In 1884, on the death of Mr. Paul Whitin, Mr. Charles E. Whitin became president, and remains such, and Mr. Harry T. Whitin, his eldest son, became agent.

Mr. Charles P. Whitin enlarged the stone mill at Whitinsville in 1865, making its capacity thirteen thousand six hundred spindles. In 1866 he united his two elder sons, Edward and William H., with him in the business under the name of "The Whitinsville Cotton Mill." The same year he, with his brother, James F. Whitin, built "The Linwood Mill," of fifteen thousand spindle capacity, under the name of "The Whitin Brothers." Since the death of Mr. Charles P. Whitin. the business has been carried on by the sons under the same firmname, the youngest son, Mr. Arthur F. Whitin, having been added to the firm in 1881.

WooLEX Manufacturers. - We have seen that the privilege at what is now Riverdale was first improved by Jas. Nutting before 1764. In July of that year he sold the property to Hezekiah Hall, of Uxbridge. He sold it the same year, October 4th, to Edward Hall, of Uxbridge. We are unable to trace all the changes, but in March, 1780, Ezra Wood sold the land, " together with a grist mill, and saw mill and mill dam, and all the other buildings on the same," to Henry Dunn. The property descended by will to his sons David and Henry. About 1817, they built the " cloth mill," and began the woolen manufactures of the town. They took wool from the farmers and carded it. Then the farmers spun and wove it and carried it back to the mill, where it was pulled, colored and t-heared.

The Dunn brothers fitted up a mill which Sylvanus Holbrook hired, but soon left it, having purch.ased the property at the upper village, now Rockdale. Osmus Taft now hired their mill and operated it in 1822 and '23. Then the Messrs. Dunn took the mill and manufactured satinets. But they becoming embarrassed, Deacon Solomon Nelson, a relative, and a Mr. Benson, from Enfield, Conn., took the busine.s8 and carried it on. Not being successful, the business came into the hands of Sylvanus Holbrook about 1829, probably by failure to redeem the property from mortgage given to him in 1826. Mr. Holbrook rented the old mill to the younger Dunn for the manufacture of woolen hat bodies.

All thei-e buildings were on the east side of the river. January 16, 1776, John Eddy, from Smithfield, Rhode Island, bought the property at the " upper village," now Rockdale, of Thomas Emerson. Some time before 1814 a dam was built, and a saw and grist-mill erected. May 30, 1814, Mr. Eddy and his son Jesse sold the dam and buildings, and sixtenths c)f three acres and eighty-two rods of land, one-tenth each to certain grantees: Antipas Earle, Silas Earle and Timothy Earle, of Leicester, Levi Lincoln and Daniel Waldo, of Worcester, and Amasa Roberts, of Northbridge. The other four-tenths were to lie in common with the six-tenths - that is, twotenths to Jesse Eddy and two-tenths to William Hendricks, all for the formation of a copartnership for the manufacturing of "woolen and cotton goods, or any other business mutually agreed upon." June 14th, the same year, these gentlemen became incorporated as the " Northbridge Cloth Company," and as individuals, conveyed the property to this new company, January 25, 1815, and the company began the manufacture of satinets, and continued it until 1819. March 2d, of this year, the company sold its property at auction. It was purchased by Esek Pitts, of Mendon, gentleman; Samuel Pitts, of Mendon, clothier; John Farnam of Grafton, clothier, and Jesse Eddy, of Northbridge, yeoman, who continued the Inisiness. December 17, 1821, John Farnam and Samuel Willis, having become owners of the fourth part bought by Mr. Pitts, deeded to Sylvanus Holbrook, a brother-in-law of Mr. Farnam, three-fourths of the property, Mr. Holbrook to take possession April 1, 1822. October 11, 1822, Jesse Eddy sold his fourth part to Mr. Holbrook, and he now became sole owner. The mill, which had before been called " Eddy's Mill," was now called " Holbrook's." Mr. Holbrook enlarged the old mill, and continued to manufacture satinets. The weaving was all done by hand until 1823, when power-looms were introduced. Broadcloth was also made by Mr. Holbrook, woven by hand on four looms, each two yards wide. Of this article it is said, " it was made of the very best stock, and was really tine and nice." Themanufacture of broadcloth was discontinued about 1831. The woolen-mill was a three-set mill. The manufacture of satinets was continued until 1837, after which no woolen goods were manufactured in the town. The textile manufactures of the town were to be of cotton alone.

Manufactures of Leather. - Among the primitive industries of the town was that of the shoemaker. He was soon followed by the tanner and currier, to prepare the material for his art.

Benjamin Basset, John Adams, Benjamin Farrar, Simeon Bassett, Alfred Huse and Daniel Adams were long remembered as of the traveling fraternity of shoemakers, who carried their " kit " from house to house and shod the families for the season. But they were not to continue travelers, nor were they to be content to supply the home dem.and. As early as 1810 Cheney Taft began the manufacture of the first " sale " work in the town. He made what were called " nigger shoes," in the summer, and went South to sell them in the winter. Others soon followed, and rooms were fitted up in the houses and little shops were built near the homes for the new manufacture. Between 1810 and 1820 eleven individuals were engaged in the business; between 1820 and 1830, twelve (some of these worked alone, others employed one or more hands) ; between 183:) and 1840, sixteen individuals and four firms ; between 1840 and 1850, thirteen individuals and two firms; between I860 and 1860, six individuals and two firms ; between 1860 and 1870, two firms ; between 1870 to December, 1877, three firms. But while the individuals carrying on the business diminished, the number of persons engaged in the work did not diminish - the individuals were employed by the firms. The largest number of persons employed was when but one firm was conducting the business, and emi>loying sixty-six hands in the shop and ninety-four outside. Usually more men were working at their homes and in shops near them than at the large shop or factory, taking the cut work and returning the finished product.

Among the principal firms were those of J. & Z. Bachelor, Fuller, Bachelor & Co., Joel Bachelor, Jr., John M. Slocomb, A. & M. L. Taft, Bachelor &

Adams, A. Taft & Son, Bachelor & Allard, Allard & Adams, Newell, Daniels & Co., A. & A. B. Keith & Co. This last firm built the large four-story factory near the summit of the hill (still standing) in 1867, and introduced all the improvements in machinery. This firm, being changed to A. B. Keith & Co., continued business until May of 1873. In July of the same year James Tucker & Co. took the factory and continued the business until December, 1S77. Of the "factory" Deacon Joel Bachelor, who began the business in 1827 and had continued it for forty years, alone and associated with others, took the charge from the first, and continued in charge as long as it was in operation. Since 1877, the factory has been closed. But few are now working at the business, being employed by firms in other towns. Many have moved away, and many have sought other employments. Thus this industry, which employed so many, in shops and at their homes, for so many years, has almost entirely ceased. The volume of this business was considerable. In 1837 600 pairs of boots and 63,500 pairs of shoes were made, valued at !?50,000, and niuety-flve persons were engaged in the business.

In 1871, while only one hundred and six,ty persons were employed by the one factory, yet by the aid of machinery 17,280 pairs of shoes and 95,520 jxaira of boots, valued at $338,480, were made, being more than six times the product of 1837, with less than twice the number of workmen - each one, thanks to machinery, accomplishing more than three times as much as the workman of 1837, and in one month all the workmen averaged $51.50 for the month's wages. This business was largely done at the Centre, and that part of the town has suffered severely from its extinction.

This large development of the shoe business naturally encouraged the business of tanning and currying, and quite a number, as Joseph Congdon, Charles & Derby Bigelow, Robinson & Rice, Jere Robinson, Edward Proctor and Moses Walradt pursued the business with success, some as late as 1868. After this time only leather prepared elsewhere was used.

The Gra^tite Indcstry. - From the first, granite for home use has been quarried in the town, and as mills and store-houses have been built of stone, the business has been quite large. Mr. Hasen O. Bean was the first to export granite, using the Blackstone Canal in the years 1827 and 1828.

Mr. John Donegan began operations at what has since been known as Plummer's Quarry, in 1854, employing some twenty men, and continued work for two years. At this time Mr. Israel Plummer began to operate the quarry, and continued the business for many years under the name of the " Plummer Granite Company," employing as many as seventy-five men during the season. In 1872 Mr. Henry S. Taft took the business and continued it until 1884, employing about the same number of men, shipping each year some five hundred car-loads of granite of ten tons

In 1865 Mr. George Blanchard began operations at a quarry one-half mile southwest of Whitiusville, and has continued them to this date, employing from fifteen to forty-five men.

In 1870 Samuel Fowler & Son began operation on the east side of the Blackstone, about one-half mile below Rockdale, at a ledge which had early in the history of the town received the name of " Shining Rocks." The business is still continued by the son, Mr. Samuel Fowler, who employs from fifty to seventy-five men.

The Whitinsville National Bank was established in 1865, as a bank of deposit and discount, with one hundred thousand dollars capital, with Mr. Paul Whitin president and Mr. H. A. Goodell cashier. Mr. Whiliu continued president until his death, in 1884. He was succeeeded by Mr. Charles P. Whitin, who held the office until his death, in 1887, when Mr. James F. Whitin was made president, and still holds .the office.

. The Whitixsvili.e Savings Bank was established in 1874, with Mr. John C. Whitin president and Mr. H. A. Goodell treasurer. On Mr. Whitin's death, in IsSS, Mr, Charles P. Whitin became president; at his death Mr. James F. Whitin was chosen to the office, which he still fills. November 1, 1888, there were 1238 depositors in this bank, and the total of their depo-its was $389,895.77. It is probable that nearly, if not quite, as large deposits are held by citizens of the town in saving banks in other towns.

Chapter Lxviii

The briefest sketch of a town's history should include some notice of the men who have especially contributed to its development. Of these a few will now be noticed.

Colonel Paul Whitin, or Whiting, a.s the u&me was originally, who laid the more recent foundations of the business which now exists in the village that received his name, " was born in Roxbury, in that part of the town near Dedham, December 3, 1767. He was the son of Sarah and Nathaniel (Draper) Whiting. His father died when he was a child. His mother was married in 1770 to James Prentice," who lived at what is now known as " Prentice's Corner," in this town. When quite young he was apprenticed to Jesse White, of this town, to learn the blacksmith's trade. His advantages for education were exceedingly limited; his whole attendance at school did not probably exceed six months. Few men have ever entered upon business life with less encouraging prospects. When he closed his apprenticeship his health was poor and continued so for some years. He had no pecuniary means of his own and no relations to whom he could look for aid. But he had what was better - an honest purpose to do according to his ability. He struggled with and overcame difficulties to which most would have yielded. By perseverance and a diligent improvement of those intervals of labor that many young men spend in idleness, he acquired a good knowledge of those branches of study necessary for the successful prosecution of business. He was eminently a self-educated man. A book for aiding him in acquiring a correct use of language was always by him. He was as familiar with this as with the tools of his shop. When he was twenty-eight years of age he was chosen town clerk, and he was chosen to this office thirteen successive years. He was often elected to other town offices. He was regarded as an excellent military officer. He was for several years justice of the peace. He was repeatedly urged to allow himself to be chosen as Representative to the Legislature, but this he invariably refused on the ground that it would require a sacrifice iu his business, that he could not then afford to make. To show his habits of industry, it may be proper to mention that it was his custom to redeem, by extra labor, all the time that he spent in military duties or public business.

Colonel Whitin was a lover of good order in society, and could never endure those practices that were an infringement upon it, or that wore calculated to present a dangerous example to tlie young. He attached great importance to the institutions of the Gospel, and was prompt to aid in maintaining them. The Sabbath he regarded as a holy day, and any violations of it he hesitated not to class with other gross immoralities. Though he never made a public profession of religion, he was regarded by those best acquainted with his religious feelings as a true Christian. He died on the 8lh of February, 1831, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

Mr. Whitin married Betsey Fletcher, the daughter of Colonel James Fletcher, of this place, December 3, 1793. She was, during Colonel Whitin's life, a most efficient helper in the work he did for the community and the world. She survived him thirtyseven years, and was, until near the time of her death, a member of the firm of P. Whitin & Sons,

Paul Whitin, Jr., the second son of Colonel Paul and Betsey (Fletcher) Whitin, was born February 5, 1800. His childhood and youth were most of them spent hei'e. He attended the district school for the few months of the year it was kept. When about twelve he spent some time with an uncle in Amsterdam, N. Y., and attended school. He also had iwo terms at Leicester Academy. From his tenth year when not in school he worked in the cotton-mill and on the farm. At the age of eighteen he went to Boston in the dry-goods store of James Brewer. At twenty-one he formed a partnership with a fellow-clerk, and opened a dry-goods store on Maiden Lane, in New York, under the name of Lee & Whitin. In 1826 he returned home, and, with his father and younger brother, John C. Whitin, formed the firm of P. Whitin & Sons. He took charge of the mercantile department, having the charge of the store, of buying the supplies of the mill and selling the product. For this his training had fitted him. He retained the same department in the firm as reorganized after the death of Paul Whitin, Sr., in 1831, until its dissolution in

1864, a period of thirty-eight years. He conducted it with ability and thoroughness, and thus contributed an important element to the success of the business of the firm. After the firm was dissolved he continued in the manufacture of cotton goods, being president of the Paul Whitin Manufacturing Company, with mills at Rockdale and Riverdale, until his death. Though never robust of body, his regular habits and his attention to the laws of health enabled him to accomplish a large amount of business and to preserve life to a good old age in the full posse-^sion of his faculties. He always took a deep interest in town and public affiiirs; was early called to town offices. He was elected to tbe Legislature in 1837, and to the Senate in 1849. His perfect integrity and his sound judgment won the confidence of all men, and he was sought for many places of trust, which he filled till very late in life. He was chosen director of the Blackstone Bank at Uxbridge October 6, 1828, and remained a director until he was chosen president October 6, 1845, which office he filled until

1865, when he resigned to become president of the National Bank in Whitinsville. This last office he retained until his death in 1884, thus completing fifty-six years of important connection with these banks. He was a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company from 1838, and attended a meeting only the day before his death ; also a director of the Worcester Manufacturers' Mutual from 1860. He was a director in the Providence and Worcester Railroad from its organization until two years before his death, when he resigned his position. He was for many years an active member and trustee of the Worcester County Agricultural and Horticultural

Societies. He always took a deep interest in all branches of agriculture and especially in horticulture, and did much to advance them in the vicinity. Though called to so many trusts, he neglected none. His fidelity to them was as great as to his own personal concerns. He united with the Congregiitional Church at the Centre in 1820. He was very active in the formation of the Village Church in Whitinsville, and was always true to his covenant of love to and interest in it, and ever faithful in attendance upon and support of its ordinances. He was a just man who feared God, a man of decided religious convicti(jns and of deep feeling, though of few words as to his personal experiences. By his life and deeds he was ever a power for good in the community. Retiring in usual health on the eve of February 7, 1884, he fell asleep to wake in eternal life.

Mr. Whitin married Sarah R. Chapin, of Uxbridge, August 21, 1S22. She was ever a most efficient helper to him in all good. Four children survived him, - Hon. Charles E. Whitin, who continues the business ; Mr. Henry Whitin, for many years a commission merchant in New York ; Mrs. Sarah Orvis, of Manchester, Vt.; and Miss Anna L. Whitin, at home.

John Crane Whitin, the fourth son of Colonel Paul and Betsey (Fletcher) Whitin, was born March 1, 1807. Until he was fifteen years of age he attended the school of the district during the usual summer and winter terms. The rest of each year, after he was nine years old, he was employed in the cotton-mill, working at first in the picker-room. When twelve he was placed in the repair-room, and worked here three years, the only apprenticeship to his life-work. Early in 1822 he went to New York, to be in the dry goods store of his elder brother Paul, Jr., and remained there until the latter part of 1825, when he returned home to form with his father and his brother Paul, Jr., the firm of P. Whitin & Sons, for the manufacture of cotton goods. He took charge of the manufacturing and mechanical departments of the business. He was soon diverted to the manufacture of cotton machinery, to which he devoted himself exclusively, making it his life's work. What he did in this has been spoken of sufficiently in the chapter on " Manufactures."

He was endowed with great energy, was full of enterprise, and yet sufficiently conservative for safety. He had capacity for very hard work ; he had, to an eminent degree, common sense in mechanics; he was quick to see what would work in a machine, and could construct it entirely in his mind before he made a pattern. This saved him from the failures so many mechanics have when they come to put their ideas into wood and iron. He never made a pattern which was not used enough to pay for it - a fact which is true of very few men who made thousands, as he did. He was called to various offices of trust - men learned to lojk on him as one in whom they could confide implicitly. At the time of his death he was a director of the National Bank, Whitinsville, president of the Whitinsville Savings Bank, and director of the Providence and Worcester Railroad. He had been Representative to the General Court, and was Presidential elector in 1876.

Mr. Whitin became a decided Christian in early manhood, and united with the church at Northbridge Centre December 4, 1831. He was one of the original members of the church in Whitinsville, and was chosen one of its deacons in the beginning, in 1834, and retained the office until his death, though for some years relieved from active service. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school for twenty-five years. He was always in his place of service, and always ready to do his part in maintaining the ordinances of religion. He had a deep and intelligent interest in the varied benevolent causes of the day, which led to steady and large contributions to advance them. He was reticent as to his own feelings, but clear and decided in his views, and always ready to act up to his convictions. His religious vows were as sacred as his business promises.

Mr. Whitin married, May 30, 1831, Miss Catharine H. Leland, of Sutton, by whom he had several children, one of whom, a daughter, the wife of Josiah Lasell, survived him. Mrs. Catharine Whitin died January 31, 1873. She was a woman of remarkable grace and beauty of character. Mr. Whitin married, January 20, 1876, Miss Sarah Elizabeth Pratt, of Hopkinton, who survives him. Their only child, John C, died in infancy.

For years Mr. Whitin had contended with a rheumatic aft'ection which had rendered him liable to sudden death, but, conscious of his readiness for that event, he ever kept busied as his strength allowed in the care of his estate and in works of benefaction. After a brief confinement to the house, the messenger came at midnight, April 22, 1882, without an instant's warning, but did not find him unprepared, for he had lived in the fear and the service of the King who called him.

Charles Pinckney Whitin, the fifth son of Colonel Paul and Betsey (Fletcher) Whitin, was born August 6, 1809. His education was obtained in the schools of the town and in the academy at Leicester. It was such that at the age of sixteen he taught school acceptably in the stone school-house near Plummer's Corner. He early worked in the cotton-mill in which his father was interested, and here learned the rudiments of the art of cotton manufacture, in which he afterwards became so proficient. He continued with his father and brothers until his twenty-first year when he went to Willimantic to fit up and take charge of a cotton-mill. Having been called home by his father's last sickness, he ever after remained in his native town, and became identified with and most active in its growth and prosperity. The same year, 1831, he became an active member of the firm of P.

Whitin & Sons, which had beea formed in 1826, and in which he had had an interest from the first, and which was reorganized on the death of Colonel Paul Whitin. He had charge of the cotton manufacturing department, and in this he became an expert and an authority. He superintended the erection of the stone mill in Whitinsville in 1845, the enlargement of the North Uxbridge mill in 1847 and 1848, and the erection of the mill at Rockdale in 1856 and 1857. He had great interest in the improvement of the waterpower of the Mumford River, devising and building the reservoirs and dams, which have increased its steadiness and reliability so much.

Whenever his brother, John C. Whitin, who had charge of the machine shop, was absent, the care and responsibility of this devolved upon him, and he had the practical charge of the shop from April, 1860, to January, 1864, while his brother was engaged at Holyoke. When the firm of P. Whitin & Sons was dissolved, January 1, 1864, Mr. Whitin took the cottonmills in Whitinsville and East Douglas, and carried on the business of cotton manufacture in his own name, having associated his sons with him. In 1865 he built the mill at Linwood, with his brother, James F. Whitin, and in 1881 he purchased the mill in Saundersville.

In all his business life he was eminently a practical man, quick to discern what should be done and prompt to do it. He was thorough and faithful, so that all he did was well done. He was untiring in industry, aud though not physically rugged, especially in his younger year..", he had great power of endurance. He was also a man of most excellent judgment. In his special department of cotton manufacture, it may be doubted if he had a superior, and his judgment was often sought by others. He was ob.«ervant and careful of all details, conservative of what had done well in the i^ast, yet quick to see a real improvement and ready to adopt it. He was safely progressive as well as careful, aud therefore successful in business.

He was reared in a Christian home, and early yielded to religious influences, aud united with the church at Northbridge Centre on his eleventh birthday, August 6, 1820, and for sixty-five years he honored his profes->ion by a consistent Christian youth and manhood. He was identified with the church in Whitinsville from the first, in 1834, and ever gladly did much for its prosperity by personal effort and generous contribution. He was deeply and intelligently interested in the great missionary and benevolent agencies of our day, and was always a steady and liberal contributor to them.

He was thoughtful of the needs and interests of others, and ever ready to minister to their comfort and pleasure in many ways, often doing it iu ways unknown to the recipients of his bounty. He loved to be an unknown and unthanked benefactor. He was especially fond of children, and always had a kind

He united to a remarkable degree strength and tenderness, firmness and gentleness, vigor and delicacy. He was widely loved as well as respected. As a citizen he was ever studious of the best interests of the town and the State, and was ever ready to do his part to promote them. But he was never desirous of office, rather shunning publicity of service. He was selectman in 1852, and Representative of the district in 1859. At the time of his decease he was director of the Douglas Axe Company, and president of the Whitinsville National and Savings Bank. His great work was done in this home community, and it was well done. He was confined to the house but a few days, and fell asleep without pain to wake in life, August 29, 1887. A true man and a devout Christian.

Mr. Whitin married Miss Sarah J. Halliday October 21, 1834, who survived him with four sons, three of whom, Edward, William H. and Arthur F., were associated with him in business, and who still continue it. His son Lewis F. is in the commission business in New York. The only daughter, Helen L., married George L. Gibbs, of this place. She died on May 9, 1885.