Worcester City (part 45 of 58)

This park was the generous gift of Judge Luther Hill. Mr. Hill is a native of Spencer, and has been a public man in the town since he was twenty-five years of age. He was born November 22, 1825, and in 1845 he was appointed postmaster, which office he held eight years, was a deputy sheriff three years, and has been a justice of the peace and quorum, notary public and trial justice for many years. While holding the latter office, he has tried more than six thousand criminal cases and, although not a lawyer by profession, has never spared money or pains to become well-posted in matters of law. He has held many town offices, was chairman of the Board of Selectmen twelve years, and moderator of the town-meetings thirty years. He has been actively prominent in all public improvements, such as new streets, public buildings, railroad, sewers, water and gas works. He is president of the latter company. Mr. Hill is a man of strong likes and dislikes, of temperate habits and a Republican in politics.

Lawyers. - In 1813, Bradford Summer opened a law office in Spencer, but remained a few weeks only. Subsequently he became quite a prominent and successful lawyer in Boston. John Davis, afterwards Governor, was established here in 1815 for a short time. He was succeeded by William S. Andrews in 1816, and he by Daniel Knight in 1817.

Napoleon B. Smith was located here in 1852 and William T. Harlow in 1854. The latter practiced his profession until the breaking out of the late Eebellion, when he was appointed captain of a company of volunteers and he, with it, joined the 21st Mas-achusetts Regiment. Soon after his return from the war he was appointed assistant clerk of the Superior Court for the county, which office he still holds. Albert W. Curtis opened a law office in 1874 and is in practice here at the present time. There are also Lawyers Jerry R. Kane, D. J. Cowen and C. S. Dodge, lu the early history of the towu John Bisco, Esq., was a magistrate, and later on James Draper, Esq., and for more than a quarter of a century Luther Hill, Esq., has held that position.

Men of Note. - Spencer has produced but few men that have become distinguished, socially, politically, or otherwise, outside our own State. The bent and training of her sons has been decidedly of a businci^s nature, and in this school they have become business men that have given her, and themselves, an honorable and extended record. She has, however, sent out two men, whose genius as inventors has been recognized and appreciated far and wide. One made for himself a world-wide reputation.

William Howe, the inventor of the " truss wooden bridge," was born in Spencer, May 12, 1803, and the system designed and made practical by him was the safest and most reliable of any in use in his day. It was not confined to bridges alone, but was extensively used in the construction of roofs to large buildings, depots and other like structures. These wooden bridges and other structures had their day, serving their purpose admirably, and reflected great credit upon the genius which conceived them, but are now superseded by devices in iron, although the principle of the "truss" is still retained. Mr. Howe early became a resident of Springfield, where he died.

Elias Howe, Jr., nephew of William Howe, was born in Spencer, July 9, 1819, and his invention has not only made him eminently great throughout the civilized world, but the principles embodied in the sewing-machine conceived by him, live, at the present time, without a rival.

His early years were passed upon the farm and in the mill, and later on in machine shops at Lowell and Boston. At twenty-five years of age he developed his invention and in 1845 completed his first machine. For ten years he was involved in expensive law-suits, but he eventually substantiated his claims to the patents involved, and from this time was able to enjoy the rich fruits of his genius. Beside the plaster bust of this inventor, the museum contains an oil painting of the old home of the " Howe family."

Museum. - Previous to 1874 certain individuals had private collections of natural curiosities, historical relics and sundry mementoes of the early history of the town. At a town-meeting in March of that year, they asked the town to accept these collections and hold them in trust for a public museum, which was done, and a board of trustees was appointed to have charge of them. They occupy an ante-room fitted up for the purpose in the basement of the Library Building, and comprise a large collection of Indian relics and many souvenirs of the Revolution and late Rebel" lion, also a bust of Elias Howe, the inventor of sewingmachine.

Infectious Diseases. - Excepting the years 1841, 1853 and 1874, the town has not been visited by any sweeping contagious or other diseases that have given the inhabitants real cause for alarm. In 1777, 1836 and 1849 small-pox prevailed to some extent, and resulted in one death in each of these years. In 1853 the same disease appeared in the central part of the village, causing some anxiety on the part of the neighborhood and town authorities. There were several cases of varioloid, with one case of small-pox which resulted fatally. In 1874 this malady again reappeared, and 'for a time promised to be of a very serious nature. The selectmen, however, took active measures to prevent its spreading, by isolating the cases that were past removal and establishing a " pesthouse " for new ones, or exposures. This building was located two and one-half miles south of the Centre, and was owned by Ira E. Lackey. These vigorous precautions were effectual, and the disease, with One exception, was confined to this hospital. The sub- ' jects were mostly from the French population, and the six deaths re-vulting were persons of this nationality. The town expended on account of this sickness the sum of 13722.21.

In 1778, 1792, 1795 and 1802 dysentery and scarlet fever prevailed, and several families were deeply afflicted, in the loss of children, by their ravages. In the summer and fall of 1841 the former disease caused consternation in the immediate vicinity ofthe village, the fatality amounting to forty deaths, viz., thirty-two children and eight adults. A protracted drouth of four months was the attributed cause. October 1st a freezing storm of rain and snow set in, and from this time no new cases appeared, and the old ones were convalescent.

In 1860 the pleuro-pneumonia, so prevalent throughout New England, received the closest attention of the town authorities. The regulations ofthe General Court " to prevent the spread of the cattle disease " were strictly enforced by them. Some cattle were killed, and hay, grain and other food was destroyed by their order.

JosiAii Green. - It has been said that " Josiah Green was the founder of the wholesale peg boot manufacturing interests in this country," but whether this be true or not, he certainly has a reasonable claim to being one of the foremost in this branch of the boot industry. He was born of humble parentage, in the town of Leicester, August 9, 1792. His early education was necessarily limited, as in the economy of the family the children's time was an indispensable factor in their support, and they could not take advantage, even ofthe short allowance of the schooling in those days. The greater part of his early life was occupied upon the farm, but in the fall of 1811 he and his elder brother undertook the manufacture of sewed shoes as a business hazard. They began with a capital of five dollars and forty cents, in the house of John Hubbard, a near neighbor, and their mother raised and spun the flax and made the thread used in the manufacture of their work. The leather used for the goods was the splits and remnants of card leather, such as was used by the card manufacturers of Leicester. This was taken to the leather dresser, one Abel Chapman, of Leicester, oiled, blacked and finished ready for use. Their product, during the winter, was a "one-horse load," or about two hundred and thirty pairs, and in early spring these were taken to Boston by Josiah, to be disposed of. This was a large amount of goods to be offered upon the market at one time, and only one party, an auctioneer, was found willing to undertake the sale of them. He purchased six pairs at two dollars and thirty cents per pair, with the privilege of the lot, if the venture should prore a success. It was satisfactory, and he took the balance. Receiving the money for them, Mr. Green purchased leather to make up another lot, and returned home. The second " load " was completed and sold with satisfactory results. In 1814 they made a " two-horse load," designed for the Albany market, but these were sold to some army speculators before reaching Albany, at two dollars and twenty-seven cents per pair. Two years later tlie broth«r3 found they had accumulated three thousand dollar.s, and the elder proposed that they retire from business and purchase, each, a farm. The partnership was dissolved, and Nathaniel removed to Maine and invested his money in land, but Josiah continued in the manufacture of boots. This year, 1816, he came to Spencer, and on the 4th of September, married Tamer, daughter of Robert Watson, of Leicester. He had just purchased the farm, which was later on owned and occupied by the late Samuel Adams, using one room in the dwelling-house as his shop. This was his first year for making pegged boots, and for a while all the pegs he used-were made by himself, with the aid of a common shoe knife. The plan of disposing of his goods now was a novel one. It was to take them around the country in a one or two-horse wagon, to sell or return when called for, and on his next trip collect for what had been sold, and if the arrangement had been mutually satisfactory, they would assoj-t up the sizes of those unsold and continue the relations. These "sale boots" were denounced in the strongest terms by the village and traveling shoemaker. October 13, 1820, his wife died, and October 2, 1821, he married Sybil, daughter of Deacon Reuben Underwood, of Spencer, and by this marriage they reared a family of eight children. In

1831 he purchased the homestead upon which he resided until his death, December 28, 1876, and the room in the old mansion now used as a parlor was his work-shop until 1834. This year he built and occupied a small factory opposite his dwelling, on the Great Post Road. It was enlarged at two different times to accommodate an increasing business. His boots had a wide reputation and were extensively known as "Green's boots." He was alone in his business until 1852, when his son, Henry R., and son-inlaw, Emory Shumwaj', were admitted as partners. The latter left the concern in 1856, and was succeeded by Edward, Mr. Green's youngest son. He retired from the firm in 1865, and his interest was purchased by his brother, Jonas U. Green. In 1866 Mr. Green, Sr., retired from the business, leaving his interest to Josiah, Jr., who remained in the firm until his death, in 1886. Jonas U. disposed of his interest in the concern in 1877. In 1887 Henry R. retired, and since then the business has been conducted by Charles H., son of Henry R., and Austin F. Southwick, son-in-law of Josiah, Jr. In 1874 a new factory, four stories high, was erected connecting with the old one to the west of it, and over the main entrance to the new building is the old sign, " Josiah Green's, Boot Manufactory. Established in 1812."

Mr. Green was emphatically a self-made man, and, for the days in which he was in active business life, possessed more than ordinary ability. As an old school man he was among the foremost in his line of trade, and noted lor vigor, indomitable perseverance and an iron will. His careful and judicious management enabled him to pass through the several notable seasons of depression and disastrous failures in the business community, commencing with 1837, prepared at any time to meet all his liabilities with one hundred cents on every dollar of his indebtedness. For more than a half-century he was closely identified with the business interests, growth and prosperity of Spencer, and it was a source of gratification, in his declining years, to feel that he had been instrumental in bringing about such a grand result. "Learning the trade" in those days meant a thorough knowledge of the business in all its details, and many of his workmen left his employ to engage in the business on their own account. According to the laws of trade, some were a success and some a failure, and of the former class the most successful of his apprentices were Charles E. Denny and Asa T. Jones.

Boots and Shoe.s. - The business upon which the town has relied for its growth and support is the manufacture of boots and shoes, although of late years the business of the wire manufactories and also the manufacture of woolen and satinet goods have contributed largely towards the success of the town. Prior to 1872 the manufacture of leather goods was distinctively boots, but since that date shoes have been added, until at the present time they occupy a prominent position in this traffic. Charles Watson was the first to commence in this business. He begao in 1809, but his enterprise was not a success financially, and was therefore temporarily abandoned. Josiah Green and his brother were the next to venture in it, and for a full history of the rise and progress of their undertaking, see biography of Josiah Green. In 1820 Isaac Prouty began making boots as a custom boot-maker, and the further history of the firm of Isaac Prouty & Co. will be found under the life sketches of Isaac Prouty and Charles N., his son. From 1835 to 1842 several new firms started out in the business, but the " hard times" of 1837 and other causes, later, proved disastrous to them. In 1838 Charles E. Denny started the business in a small building which stood west of and adjoining ihe premises of Horace A. Grout.

Mr. Denny afterwards built a boot-shop on the lot now knowu as the " Guilford place," corner of Main and Linden Streets. In 1850 this building was moved to the present Cherry Street, between Maple and Linden Streets, and converted into a dwelling. He then built what is now a part of the David Prouty factory, and this year he formed a partnership with John G. Prouty, as Charles E. Denny & Co. In 1852 David Prouty was admitted to the firm, the style remaining the same. (See biography of David Prouty for the continuation of the business in this factory until Mr. Prouty retired from it, in 1876.) From 1880 until the present time the business has been carried on by Bemis & Allen.

In 1844 the firm of L. & 0. Warren occupied the basement of the Universalist Church, corner of Main and Wall Streets, on the site of the factory of E. E. Kent & Co., for the manufacture of boots. Three years later they disposed of this business to Jeremiah Grout, J. L. Bush and G. F. Grout, who continued it iu the same place until 1850. This firm then purchased the carpenter-shop owned and occupied by Temple & Livermore, for joiners' work, and also by William Bush, Jr., for carriage-making and repairing. This shop stood upon the site of the present boot factory of Bacon, Kent & Co. After enlarging the same, they moved their works into it.

In 1865 the Messrs. Grout retired from the business and Mr. Bush continued alone for two years, when H. A. Grout became a partner, under the firmname of Bush & Grout. December 21, 1875, this building was destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt and occupied by them until 1880, when they disposed of the property to Prouty & Bacon, and this factory has been occupied by the firm of Bacon, Kent & Co. to the present time.

In 1850 Charles Watson, Jr., Dexter and Lorenzo Bemis began the manufacture of boots in the basement vacated by Grout, Bush & Co., and while there they erected a boot-shop upon the site of the " Drury factory," which, at that date, was the largest building used for this purpose in the town. During 1857 this firm dissolved, and in 1858 Charles & George Wat- son commenced the business again in the same factory, and continued it until 1864, when they dissolved partnership. Charles Watson remained alone until 186(), at which time he retired on account of failing health.

George Watson purchased the building erected by Howland & Merritt in 1836 for a clothing manufactory and af(erward3 used as a store, and made suitable additions and changes for a boot factory. He formed a partnership with J. Edward Bacon, and they began the manufacture of boots here in 1865 as George Watson & Co. Mr. Watson died in 1866, and Mr. Bacon continued the business until 1867, when he, in company with I. Rich Kent, of Calais, Vt., purchased the property, and carried on the business under the firm-name of Kent & Bacon until the decease of Mr. Kent, in 1875.

In 1871, '72 and '73 this firm, in connection with H. G. Lamb, of Charlton, Mass., manufactured women's, misses' and children's shoes in a small building, next door (east) to this factory. In 1876 Mr. Bacon entered the firm of Bush & Grout, under the firm-name of J. E. Bacon & Co., and remained with them one year. In 1878 he returned to his old factory, and took as a partner Van R. Kent, the style of the firm being J. E. Bacon, and they continued in business until 1881. This factory remained unoccupied until 1885, when A. B. Bacon and Emory F. Sibley formed a co-partnership and began the manufacture of boots in it. December 6, 1886, this building and contents were destroyed by tire, and was a total loss. (For the rise and progress of the business of Asa T. Jones and E. Jones & Co., see biography of Erastus Jones.)

In 1850 a building was erected upon, or near the site of B. C. Dustin & Son's bakery, Wall Street, by Cheney Hatch, of Leicester, for a boot manufactory, and was used for this purpose by William L. Powers and George D. Hatch, under the firm-name of Powers & Hatch. After three years of unsuccessful labor, they retired from the business. In 1857 George H. Livermore and D. A. Drury formed a partnership, known as Livermore & Drury, and commenced the same business in this building.

In 1860 they purchased the Universalist Church property, fitting it up into a boot factory, and moved their works into it. They remained here, however, but one year, closing up their business in 1861. Manufacturing was carried on one year, in the Powers & Hatch building, by Prouty, Bigelow & Co.

In 1867 D. A. Drury and Frank E. Dunton entered into partnership under the style of D. A. Drury & Co., and started the boot business in the factory of the late Charles Watson, and this firm continued to manufacture here until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1874. Mr. Drury erected a new building, and for six years following his partners were Christopher Prince, Theodore Green and Walter Eldredge. He enlarged the factory and works twice during this time, and for the last two years of his manufacturing he was alone in the business. The building was unoccupied until 1886, when, during the labor troubles of that year, a co-operative boot and shoe company was organized and used it as their manufactory for four months, after which they moved to smaller quarters on Cherry Street, between Mechanics and Maple Streets. In August, 1888, at a meeting of the stockholders it was voted to clo?e up the business and " dispose of it to the best advantage." This year the " Drury building" was purchased by Bacon & Sibley, and this firm are carrying on the boot business in it at the present time.

In 1867 Dexter Bullard, John Boyden and Isaac Prouty & Co. became partners in the business, under the firm-name of Bullard & Boyden, and they occupied the factory built by the latter parties in 1856. In 1869 J. W. Temple purchased the interest of Isaac Prouty & Co., and the style of the firm was changed to Bullard, Boyden & Co. In 1876 Mr. Boyden retired and the concern became Bullard & Temple. In 1883 Mr. Temple retired from the business and a new firm was formed by Mr. Bullard, F. G. Mullet and F. A. Rice, under the firm-name of D. Bnllard & Co., and this concern continues the same at the present time.

In 1863 the boot firm of Shumway, Temple & Co., of Warren, Mass., moved their works to Spencer, and into the Livermore & Drury factory, which had been purchased by Mr. Shumway. This concern manufactured here for two years, when Mr. Temple left the firm. It was continued by E. Shumway & Son nearly two years longer, when the business was closed up, and in 1868 the property was sold to Edward E. Kent. Mr. Kent formed a business connection with David Prouty & Co., under the style of Proutys & Kent, and they carried on the manufacturing of boots from 1868 to 1874, at which time the Proutys' interest ceased and was purchased by Charles N. Myriek, and the firm-name changed to E. E. Kent & Co. Mr. Myriek remained a partner two years, when he retired on account of ill health, since which time Mr. Kent has been sole owner and proprietor. There are, then, eight boot and shoe manufacturing establishments in the town at the present time.

Number of Business Fiems. - The number of private firms in Spencer in 1885 was eighty-three and one corporation with a capital stock of $75,000. The capital invested in these establishments, including plant, was $1,580,794.

Isaac Peouty. - No family name in Spencer is so common and none embraces so great a number of people as that of Prouty. The family sprung from one Richard Prouty, wlio resided in Scituate, Mass., in 1667. Isaac Prouty is the fourth generation from Richard, and is the subject of this sketch.

He was born December 9, 1798, and was the founder of the well-known boot manufactory of Isaac Prouty & Co. In 1820 his occupation was making boots to order, from measure, in a small room in his own dwelling-house in North Spencer, so called. Little by little his work increased until he found it necessary to employ help to meet the demands of " the trade,'' and soon was forced to build a small one and a half story building in which he could extend the facilities for manufacturing. This building, together with a barn and other store-houses, subserved his purpose until 1855. He had subsequently purchased the homestead of Rev. Levi Packard in " the village," and this year he caused a factory to be erected upon the westerly part of this lot, and in 185G occupied it for his business and the dwelling for his residence.

This factory, for those days, was a spacious one, being thirty by sixty feet, with three stories and a basement. The system and management was now thoroughly reorganized, and a partnership formed with two of his sons, Lewis W. and George P., under the firm-name of Isaac Prouty & Co. With the aid of machinery, which they now added, they were, in a great measure, able to supplant hand labor most advantageously.

This was really the first aggressive step taken by Mr. Prouty, looking towards an extension of business, and the success which in the following six years attended the undertaking proved the wisdom of it. His aim was now to build up and develop a large manufacturing enterprise, and in this effort he was heartily seconded by Lewis W., who had become superintendent and business manager under his father's direction.

In 1862 it became necessary to increase the factory capacity, and for this purpose they purchased the " Mason property " and erected a building forty-two by one hundred and four feet, five stories with basement, adding an engine and boiler to run the works by power. The old firm moved into this factory in January, 1864, and Charles N., a younger son, was admitted to the firm, the firm-name remaining the same. By these improvements and with the addition of valuable room and machinery adapted to power, the concern made a radical change both in mode and facility of doing business. Mr. Prouty was early convinced that machinery was eventually to be an important fiictor in cheapening the cost of manufactured goods, and also in enabling the manufacturer to produce a greater quantity in a given time, and he was foremost to introduce such machines as promised good work and quick results. He lived to see their enterprise outgrow these accommodations and to plan for a further enlargement of the factory of one hundred and thirty by forty-two feet, with new engine, boilers, etc. But while in the midst Jof these improvements he

Mr. Prouty was noted as a careful and shrewd business man, giving his individual attention to his entire business, watching closely every detail, and scanning as closely the economy of the various departments in their use of stock and other materials. He thoroughly believed in the old maxim, " economy is wealth," and to practice it was one of the important distinguishing features of his business life, and was a strong corner-stone to that structure. Success, which he in his life planned with much care. He was one of the most unpretending of men, and to an unfamiliar observer was indifferent to what was transpiring around him, but in matters of business, or socially, he was quick of hearing and keen of vision, and it was a matter of trifling importance that escaped either. His customs and habits were those of the New Englander of an earlier date, and he persistently ignored the conventionality of the people during the latter days of his life. He clung tenaciously to the social and domestic habits formed in early life, but in his business he was decidedly modern and progressive. He was a tireless worker, and this characteristic was prominent from the commencement of his business enterprise. He died at the age of seventy-three years, but remained vigorous and attentive to the demands of business up to the beginning of his last sickness.

Charles N. Prouty was born October 6, 1842, and he remained at the homestead until he reached the age of seventeen years. At this age he was employed as clerk in the country store of Grout, Prouty & Co., and the experience gained there, in a year's service, by contact with the people and matters pertaining to business, he regards as the first and valuable step in his business education. From eighteen to twenty years of age he attended school at Wilbraham, Mass., and at the close of his last school year returned home, and was admitted a partner in the firm of Isaac Prouty & Co. Four years previous to the death of his father and brother, early in 1872, he acted as general superintendent of the labor department of this manufactory, employing the help and having the charge of the manufacturing interests generally.

The death of these two business members of the firm following so closely upon each other were events of extraordinary importance to the surviving members, and how to meet the situation and overcome it was their first care and thought. Unexpected responsibilities, with new cares and burdens, were suddenly thrust upon them, but they must, if possible, show themselves equal to the emergency. It is true that each had ably filled a position in the prosecution of the business thus far, but to the knowledge of the markets, for buying and selling, the financial management and the relationship be-

They at once reorganized the concern, and it consisted of George P., Charles N. and Jason AV., a younger brother, and they still retained the old firmname of Isaac Prouty & Co. Each entered upon his duties full of confidence and hope, and each took a position in the management of the business where he thought he could best promote the interests of the concern. Many of the important details were assumed by George P. and Jason W., while by common consent the general management fell to the lot of Charles N. Under the circumstances this was a difficult task for him to perform, but as time passed on, and he became more familiar with the new duties, he gave evidence, by his management, that he was abundantly able to assume the trust so suddenly imposed upon him.

The business received a fresh impetus under this new order, and in a short period of time it became necessary to increase the facilities, by additions and extensions, in both buildings and motive-power. These have been made from time to time, until at present the building contaihing the boot and shoe departments measures 457 feet in lebglh by 42 feet in width, and is five stories high, with basement. There are also two large brick store-houses, for leather and manufactured -^goods, and still another one of brick, used for [be manufacture * of boot and shoe boxes, lasts, etc. - ^ . -

The main building 'is" divided inlo fire-proof s'ections, and the whole establishment provided with the latest improvements as safeguards against fire.. It is lighted by the incandescent' electric light, and the motive-power for the whole works is supplied by a 250 horse-power engine, and four 100 horse-power boilers. In 1872 this concern turned out 20,000 cases of boots, valued at $500,000, and in 1886 the value of the boots and shoes combined was more than $2,000,000.

Erastus Jones. - Erastus Jones was born September 11, 1825. His father. Dr. Asa Jones, was a native of Charlton, Mass., where he studied medicine, and, in 1811, began his practice in Spencer. Here he became a physician of considerable note. Asa, his oldest son, commenced the manufacture of boots in Spencer in 1841, in the chambers of the " Livermore House," corner of Main and North Streets. Four years later he moved these works to his factory situated upon the site of the residence of AsaT. Jones, son of the elder member of this firm. Erastus, the younger son, and subject of this sketch, spent several years in his brother's employ, learning the trade and the details of the business. In 1846 he was made a partner, under the firm-name of A. T. & E. Jones. Although he had hardly attained his majority when he took upon himself these duties and responsibilities, yet his early business training and habits of industry were an assurance of his future success.

This partnership continued until 1862, when Asa T. retired from the business, and the style of the firm was changed to E. Jones & Co., by the admission of Hezekiah P. Starr as partner, and, in 1871, Frank E. Dunton was admitted, without change in the firmname. In 1860 the rapid increase of business caused a demand for more room, and the present factory of E. Jones & Co. was erected. Several important additions have been made to this building from time to time. January 1, 1886, Mr. Starr retired from the concern.

Mr. Jones is a man of marked characteristics, in both his business and private life, and his kind and generous disposition, through long years of intercourse, has endeared him to his business associates and numerous employes. They have found him to be a man of few words, but yet enough to convey an unmistakable meaning, although spoken in an unobtrusive way. He is quiet to a fault, if that be possible; nevertheless, there is an energy in this quietness which has made his business life a success, and in a more private way has established for him a wellmerited reputation for shrewdness and sagacity. Beinga man of few words, subjects under his consideration have always been carefully weighed and his opinion given only after the most mature deliberation. His honiur as a business man has never been doubted, and, as a private citizen, he commands the respect of all.

He is president of the Spencer National Bank, and for many years has been treasurer of the town.' He - has been Representative to the General Court, and in various' ways has occupied positions of honor and trust. His life, from the beginning of his business career, has been one of untiring industry, and, with few exceptions, he has given it his daily care and management. This fidelity has returned to him a handsome fortune, from which many an honest, needy object has found pecuniary relief. Subscriptions, gifts and donations have been bestowed without number, although the public have had little or no knowledge of these numerous benefactions. His motto most emphatically is, - " Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

Cotton and Woolen Industries. - "Clearing up " a spot to build a log-house or other rude structure for a place to live, then planting and gathering in his crops was the Jirsf business of the pioneer; next came the indispensable grist and saw-mills, and when the housewife began the manufacture of "homespun," the fulling-mill became a necessity also. The former were located upon small streams in various parts of the town, while the latter, two in number, were

The first record of these fulling-millh is in 1791, although they were probably established at a much earlier date. One, at a later date, was owned by William Sumner and one by Willard Kice. This year - 1791 - the property and industries of the t<jwn were made returnable by law to the Secretary of State, and was as follows, viz. : Whole number of dwellings and other buildings, 186; 6 grist and (i saw mills, 2 fulling and all other mills and 1 pot and pearl-ash works.

In 1811 the number of buildings remaine'l the game, but one "Tan House" and one " other mill" was added. This " other mill " was probably the one built in 1810 and known as the "Green Factory," and this was the first businessenterpriseof any magnitude started in the town. This was built for the manufacture of wwjien goods and was owned and operated for several yearn by .labez Howe, Isaac .Jenks and Willard Rice. In 182o this became the property of Willard and Horace Rice, and was run as the Spencer Woolen Company. From this period until 18H7, when it was destroyed by fire, the ownership was fluctuating, but it was owned and run principally by Reuben Whittemore, Amoi' Brown and Augustus Rider.

Ojnnected with this mill was another one standing upon the site of the present " Upham and Sagendorph Mill." This was originally a "trip-hammer" shop, for the working of iron in some form, but was con- Terted into a wvden-mill about the time the " upper" one was built, and this was known as the " lower mill." The pr'xluct of these two " four set" mill", containing thirteen looms, for the year ending April 1, 18-37, was thirty-four thousand yards of woolen '-''ith, valued at eighty-seven tbousaod dollare.

i he " upper " property lay in ruins until 1840, it was purchase^! by Alonzo Temple, and he erected a sUme taat/irw upon it. In 1841 Silas Eldridge bfjught this property and i'lTtatA a co-partnership with hisbrother N'athaniel and William Henshaw under the firm-name of Silas Eldridge & Oj., for the manufacture of cotton cloth and satinet war[>s.

In 184o Xathaniel Eldridge left the firm, and in 1849 Silas Eldridge retired from it and active business. The busineiiB was continued by Mr. Henshaw until 18-52, when the factory was again burncL In 18o7 Mr. Henshaw built a grain and griist'aiill in its plaice, and he, together with Jame^ Capen an partner, occupied the premises until 1870, when Mr. Henshaw retired. The business on this property has remained the same up to the present time, but with changes in maoagerg and ownership.

In 184-3 Thomajs H. Shorey purchased the property of the " lower mill" from Whittemore &, Brown, and in 1844 he formed a partnership with*Henry J. Lyman ' - the manufiicture of satinet goods, but in 184-5 Mr, rev purchased the interest of the latt«T, and the iivia diEMlved. In 1^46 this mill wag operated by

Baker, Sibley & Co. ; in 1847 and '48 by Baker & Bellows, and from that time until I8l!0 by Mr. Shorey. In 1860 and 1867 tbe work was carried on by I'eel & Meyerg, and from 18*58 U) 1871 by Joseph Peel. During these years the machinery wag employed in tbe manufacture of satinets. It was now in a dilapidated comiition, and standing until 187-0, became almoHt a ruin. This year the privilege was purchasfs*! by Upham & Sagendorph, and Uiey erected a three-get mill upon tbe site for the manufacture of fine woolen goods and fancy cassi meres. Jan. 1, 1880, Oe^rge I'.

I lyadd purchascl the inU^rest of Mr. Sagendorph in this property, and it was run by I'pham & I^add until - he partnership was dissolved by the death of the

' A short distance below this mill, and gtanding upon the game gtreara, was a partial ruin of one of the earlier grigt-millg. In 18.32 a new building wag erected near tbe old one by Am'/s Brown, and used as a grist and flouring-mill until 1841, when the property wag gold to Samuel O. lifted, of Brookfield, and chi verted

' 184-5, when it was close"! up, and in 184*; the privil<:^e and property wag purchase'l by Henry J. Lyman. The two original mills were moved away and used for dwelling and store-house, and Mr. Lyman built a twoget mill upon the old location, taking Mr. Upham a« a partner in the business. For a further hisU^ry of thii mill, gee biography of William Upham until his decease, after which this property pagse*! intf* the hands

! In 184'J Edward Smith, of North Brookfield, Ma»»., formerly in the employ of Samuel d. R*ed, built what was afterwards known a«the " Draper Mill," in which he attempted the manufacture of cotUjn battg and wicking in a very small way, but the business was not a success. Thi» building wag then occupied by L. J. Knowleg and Warren H. Sibley, under the firm-

' name of Kuowles <Sc Sibley, and they carried on the manufacture of cotton warps in it until 1849, when they closed up their business here and transferred their workg to Warren, Masg. In 18.5'^ .Eli J. Whittemore leased it for a term of three

, years for a manufactory of carriage-wheeU and spokes, and December 1-0, 18-52, the building wag considerably damaged by fire. In 18-54 it wag again changed to a galioet mill, and ag such was run one year by Wm. Stanley and George C Holden. From 18-5-5 10 1868 Mr. Stanley was iatere-sted in the mill, operating it at

. times ID oonoection with Mr. Upham, and then again on big own ajisoount. lo 1849 Mr. Upbau became aceoclated with Hugh Kelley in this property, and it was thereafter known as the Spencer W'xden Company. At the death of Mr. Upham, Mr. Ladd

When Nathaniel Eldridge left the concern of Silas Eldridge & Co., in 1845, he went to what is now called " Westville," made a water privilege, and built a mill for the manufacture of satinet warps. He continued in this mill until 1854, at which time he was obliged to close up his affairs. This property, after remaining idle for some time, was purcha.sed by W. G. Fay, G. B, Dewing and John Gilman, of East Brookfield, and this company manufactured denims and balmoral skirts for a season, when Mr. Gilman bought the interests of Fay and Dewing, changing the works to denims and batting. In 1871 he sold the mill and privilege to Upbam & Stanley, and they changed the machinery for the manufacture of satinets. This relation between these parties remained until Mr. Upham's death. These several mills contain eleven sets of machinery and one hundred and one looms. They are run under the direct management of Mr. Ladd, he being the sole owner of the "Valley Mill," and one-half owner in the remaining three. The production aggregates one hundred thousand yards of fine cassimeres per month.

Hon. William Upham. - William Upham was born in Brimfield, Mass., February 27, 1825. His parents were William and Nancy Smith Upham, and the father died when William, Jr., was but two and one-half years old. When four years of age, he was taken by a kind friend of the family. Deacon Jacob Bishop, with whom he lived, receiving the care and love of a son, working on the farm and receiving the benefit of the district school until sixteen years of age. Later he attended school at Warren Academy, and until twenty years of age he spent the fall and winter months at school or in teaching.

He came to Spencer in 1845, and entered the employ of his brother-in-law, Henry J. Lyman, as a common mill-hand. In 1846 he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Lyman, in the manufacture of satinet goods in a small way. In 1853 he purchased Mr. Lyman's interest in the business, and continued it, enlarging the capacity of the mill from time to time until 1S65. He then disposed of the property and business to E. D. Thayer, of Worcester, to engage in an enterprise in Boston ; but in 1868 he returned to Spencer, and leased the mill but recently sold, for a term of three years, at the expiration of which he re-purchased it. This was known as the "Valley Mill," and in 1874 George P. Ladd became one-half owner in this property. For several years Mr. Upham had more or less business connection with William Stanley in what was known as the "Draper Mill;" but in 1868 he formed a partnership with Hugh Kelley in this mill, which was thereafter known as the "Spencer Woolen Company." Two years later he associated himself again with Mr. Stanley, and they purchased the " Westville" property, replacing the cotton with woolen machinery, and commenced the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1876 he entered into partnership with Noah Sagendorph, and they erected the mill known as the "Upham & Sagendorph Mill," and their business relations continued uniil 1880, when Mr. Sagendorph withdrew from the firm, and was succeeded by Mr. Ladd. At the time of his death Mr. Upham was the head and general manager of these several mills. The product of the "one-set" mill in 1845 was about five thousand yards of goods per month, while in 1880, under his judicious management, the production of the above mills reached a total of one hundred thousand yards monthly.

Mr. Upham enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him, and when the citizens honored him with any office in their gift, they felt that the duties of that position would be faithfully and conscientiously performed. He was elected to town office in 1858, and from that date he served the town in most of ita important offices. Two years he represented this district in the General Court, and one year was a member of the Senate. He was elected to a seat in the Executive Council, serving the first year with Governor Alexander H. Rice, and the second with Governor Thomas Talbot. He filled these positions with credit to his constituency and honor to himself. He always took a deep interest in the political affairs of the town or Stale, and would never countenance dishoTiorable means to reach a desired end. He was fortunate in the position he occupied with his employes, as he was scrupulously exact in his treatment of them, never giving offense, but, on the contrary, manifesting at all times the kindest regard for their welfare. This friendly interest, on his part, was the natural overflow of a sympathetic nature, and he easily won their confidence and affection. As a citizen, he gave liberally of time and money to such local enterprises or improvements as would promote the best interests of the town ; and as a neighbor, his words of cheer and encouragement were not without a potent influence.

His temperance principles and habits were formed in early youth, and through all his life he was a consistent and energetic worker in the cause. He was thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the prohibitory liquor law and favored a rigid and impartial enforcement of it. Being a member of the Congregational Church, he took a deep and active interest in its welfare, and gave generously towards its support: His benevolence, in church or out, was a distinguishing feature of his character. Mr. Upham was a member of the Raymond California excursionists who left the East in May, 1882, for San Francisco and surroundings, and at a re-union of the party at the Palace Hotel* on the eve of their departure for home, June 13th, he was stricken with apoplexy and died on the morning of the 14th, at the age of fiftyseven years, three months and dseventeen days. Mr.

Some years previou.s to 1825 (there is now no way of fi.xing the precise date) a small mill for the manufacture of linseed oil was located a few rods below the T. J. Bemis prist-mill. One Gardner Washburn was accidentally killed while employed there, by being "caught by a rope which was used in raising the press-beam." In 18.3.3, or earlier, this property was owned and occupied by Willard Kice, and he changed the location of the works by removing the dam and buildings farther "down stream," making what is known as the privilege of the " Livermore Box Manufitctory." Later on, this oil-mill was converted into a woolen factory, with one set of machinery, and from 1837 to 1839 'the works were run ,by Chapin & Prouty. Near the close of the latter year it was partially destroyed by fire.

In 1841 Danforlh Burgees bought the property, repaired the buildings, and fitted them for the manufacture of cotton wadding and batting, and, with the excejition of the years 1846, '47 and '48, in which Dexter and Lorenzo Bemis were partners with Mr. Burgess, he owned and operated these works alone, until 1851. In 1853 Winthrop Livermore started the business of manufacturing boot, cloth and other boxes at " Howe's Mills," two and a half miles south from the post-ofEce, introducing machinery to do the work usually performed by hand. He remained here until 18G0, when he moved "to town," and became owner of the above privilege, erecting new and suitable buildings for the better accommodation of his increasing works. He was identified with this industry until his death, after which his son, Warren J. succeeded to it. The latter continued to carry on the business here until 1886, when he moved the machinery in these works to a brick building on the premises of Isaac Prouty & Co., and carries on the business there at the present time. The old works are unoccupied. The largest yearly production of Mr. Livermore's works was 100,000 boxes, consuming 2,000,000 feet of lumber.

One of the first saw-mills erected in the town was known as " Howe's Mill," and was situated two and a half miles southerly from the village. The working of lumber has been carried on there until the present time. The location of the miU, however, has been changed and also the ownership, but it has never passed out of the possession of the Howe family. Ebenezer Howe is the present owner and proprietor. He has been engaged in the manufacture of cloth, boot and shoe boxes for twenty-five years or more, and has produced 30,000 annually, using nearly 750,000 feet of himber.

Manufacture of Leather. - Tanning and currying was an enterprise commenced in the early part of the present century and carried on by Ebenezer Mason. These works were located upon the site of the " Hey wood block." Mr. Mason was succeeded by

Thomas Pierce, who occupied them from 1825 to 1832, then Pierce & Barnes from 1833 to 1834 and Barnes & Muzzy in 1835. Following them, some years later, was Joseph W. Morse and .Tosephus Muzzy, under the firm-name of Morse & Muzzy. Their shop was located at the corner of Lake and Powers Streets, and was owned by the former. They carried on the business here until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1858. In 1859 a new one was erected, and the works were again operated by Mr. Mor.se until his decease, in 1860. In 1802 Edward E. Kent leased the establishment for one year, and in 1863 purchased it, carrying on the same business until 1864, when he turned it into a boot- factory. It was, after this date, operated by Mr. Kent, then by Kent & R. S. Watson, and lastly by Mr. Watson alone, until his death, in 1875. The building was then converted into a tenement-house, and is now known as " Condrick's block."

In 1851 Edward Proctor began currying rough leather in a shop near his present residence, and continued the business until 1868. In 1864 Isaac Prouty & Co. erected a building for this enterprise on North Street, which was run about two years, when it was closed up and the building moved away and tliis was made into a dwelling.

Boot and Shoe Heeh. - In 1865 a Mr. Rice started a small business in the manufacture of heels for women's, misses' and children's shoes. About this time William A. Barr, of Spencer, made eight dollars' worth of these goods, and taking them to Lynn realized sixty' dollars for the lot. He returned home, and on October 1st of this year bought Mr. Rice out and continued the business, which, under his management, has proved to be a prosperous one. On October 1, 1883, he took his son into partnership, and the firm has been, since that date, William A. Barr & Son. They have a manufactory now, sixty by forty, three stories high, well eijuipped with rollers, presses and all the latest improved machinery, with steam-power for the business, and employ fifty girls in the works. Their sales have reached seventy thousand dollars annually. In connection with this business they have oil extracting work-i, and the sales of "chip and naphtha grease " have reached twelve thousand dollars annually.

Wire Works. - From a very small beginning, the wire industry has grown to be an important enterprise in the town. At the commencement of the War of 1812 with England, the importation of wire ceased, and "Yankee ingenuity" was called into requisition. The card-factories of Leicester promised to be a market for the article, and being convenient and near at hand, the genius of some of the citizens of Spencer was exercised with very favorable results. The first experiment in this line was by Windsor Hatch and Charles Wat«on, about 1812, at the house of Jacob Watson (later known as the Warner Livermore house), and the wire was drawn from two tubs by hand. This was a small seed from which a larger plant was to spring in the future. About this same date Elliot Prouty began the business below what is now the " Sugden lower mill," but it was not until 1820 that wiredrawing became an industry, and then, only in a small way. Mr. Russell Prouty commenced it this year, in connection with his brother Elliot, and they were followed by Foster & Eoswell Bisco, and in 1847 Myrick & Sugden succeeded the Bisco's. Below, on the same stream, was the small works of Eli Hatch, in 1830, and in 1840 this mill passed into the hands of David Prouty, and in 1840 he sold the same to Liberty Prouty. Mr. Prouty's sons, Jonas R. and Joel E., succeeded him, and they built up a large and prosperous business after a labor of about twenty years.

In 1876 this concern was consolidated with that of Myrick & Sugden, and made a stock company, called the Spencer Wire Company. In 1837 the total product of four wire-mills was 1 9 tons, valued at !5!lO,000 ; in 184-5 two wire-mills, 32,000 pounds, value $8000; and in 1888 the product of the consolidation was 1200 tons, valued at .f lGit,000.

ScYTHKS, Hoes and Cutlery. - Joel Wright came to Spencer in 1809 and began the manufacture of scythes, and in 1812 Ziba Eaton came to work in his manufactory for him. The latter purchased the works of Mr. Wright, continuing the scythe business and, a little later on, adding hoes and cutlery. These works were situated near the '' Wright hous»," northeast from the "Upper Wire Village.'' Mr. Wright soon after started the manufacture of hoes and cutlery. Eli Putnam was early connected with this business. These works were closed about 1S53. In 1837 eighteen hundred scythes were manufactured, valued at $1200, and in 184.5 two thousand and forty scythes, at a value of $1530. In 1850 carriage-springs were manufactured in one of these shops by Sibley & Belcher.

Powder. - The manufacture of powder was one of the early industries of the town, and was first carried on by Isaac & Lemuel Smith, from 1812 to 1815; by the latter from 1815 to 1824; by Smith & Walton Livermore from 1824 to 1831 ; and by Livermore & Lewis Bemis to 1835. For two years Mr. Bemis carried on the works alone, and from 1838 to 1851 his partner in the business was Edward Hall, the firm being Bemis & Hall. In 1837 there were manufactured at the two mills 162,500 pounds of powder, valued at $14,.500; in 1845 one mill produced 132,500 pounds, valued at $15,000; and in 18()5 the production was valued at $12,500. But little, if anything, was done at this business after this latter date. During the year 1840 two mills blew up, killing three persons, and in 1853 another explosion took place, in which five men lost their lives.

Centennial. - The centennial of our national history was appropriately observed by a grand display of various organizations in the town, on parade ; an address by Hon. George H. Loring, and a public dinner.

By-Laws. - Previous to 1875 by-laws had been adopted by the town at various times, but on the 2d of November of this year a full code, I'egulating the town, was accepted in town-meeting, and on the 8th following were approved by the Superior Court. Additional ones were made and approved in 1887 concerning dogs, and minor alterations were made in them in 1881.

Salaries. - The number of salaried persons employed during the year ending June 3, 1885, was nineteen, and the amount of salaries paid was $16,969.

Wages. - The total amount of wages paid in the business establishments for the year ending as above was .$694,908, and the average number of days of actual running time worked in sixty of them was three hundred and seven.

Growth. - In the census of 1880 there were thirteen cities and towns in the State which presented most striking instances of growth, independent of annexation. Upon this list Spencer stood third, and her rate of gain was eighty-eight and a fraction per cent.

Old Customs. - One of the oldest customs of the town was to allow the swine, horses and cattle of the inhabitants " to run at large, yoked and ringed as the law directs'' Strangers' cattle were charged two shillings eighteen pence per head, and shtep one shilling, "to run on the Common."

In 1757 it became a question how the voters should be notified of the town-meetings, and it was decided that "in the future they be warned by the constable going from house to house;" and at a later meeting, by vote of the town, they were allowed " to keep on their hats while in meeting," if they pleased to do so.

In 1759 the ministerial and school lands were sold, the former bringing £100 14s. or $357.67, and the latter £130 IGs. lOrf. or $436.14. On the 6th of May, 1822, the.-iC moneys were divided and loaned as follows, viz. : To Jerfmiah Watson, $183.00 ; to Nathan White, $152.87; and, being the ministerial fund, these amounts were made payable to the Congregational Society. Of the school fund $113.33 was loaned to Joseph Prouty ; $93 33 to E-tate of Elisha Prouty ; $165.28 to Chark-s Watson, and $64.41 to John Muzzy.

In 1794 the General Court ordered a survey of the town to be made, and the work was let out to the lowest bidder. John Sumner, being the lowest, was made chief, at 5a. 6d. per day, and Levi and Zerub-

New Braintree

Small Industrie.';. - Braiding palm leaf bats and labor upon hand cards were about the only industries that furnished employment for the women and children in the early part of this century, by which they were able to earn a little " spending money " for extra occasions. Hand cards were manufactured in Leicester from 1758, and until machinery superseded the nimble fingers, the setting of card teeth by hand constituted the " small work " of many families in Spencer. This was especially children's work, and no " time off" could be had by either boy or girl until the " stent " at card-setting had been performed.

Braiding the palm leaf was more of an indu.*try,and was " farmed out " to the workers of straw in the fame manner as were the cards. The number of palm leaf hats manufactured in Spencer in 1837 was twentynine thousand eight hundred, valued at seven thousand dollars.

Old Landmarks. - Of the twenty-five buildings (e.xclusive of barns) located upon the Great Post Road between Brookfield and Leicester lines in 1800, eight were standing in 1888, six of them but little, if any, changed from their original appearance and condition outwardly. These are the Pope Mansion, Mason House, Emerson Shepherd's, Aaron Watson's, Edward Proctor's and Israel Taft's. There are two off of the great road, on Ash Street, viz., Alford Wilson's and the old house of Thos. B. Clark.

Chapter Lxxxvi By George K. Tufts

Introductory. - New Braintree is nearly in shape of an isosceles triangle, with sides of six miles and base of nine, nearly in the centre of' the State, bounded by Oakham and Barre on its northeast side and Hirdwick, from which it is separated by Ware River on its northwest side, and by Brookfield and North Brookfield on its . base or south line. It contains 191 square miles. The surface is uneven and hilly. Its highest elevation is " Tufts Hill," in the eastern part, 1179 feet above sea level. It was made up of the territory of three towns - " Braintree Grant," a tract of 6000 acres, lying between Rutland and Brookfield, designated by the triangle C B A on the annexed plan ; all that part of Lambstown (Hardwick) east of Ware River marked DEB, and about 1200 acres from the north part of Brookfield, south of line O M. That part, 400 acres north of Ware River, C D X, was annexed to

Hardwick in 1814. N is the common land, in the centre of which the church stands. A, point of intersection with Spencer, Oakham, North Brookfield ; E, with Ware and Brookfield. A tract of 320 acres, lying the whole length of line AM, and omitted by error in original survey, was afterwards given to John Quincy, Speaker of the House, and assigned to New Braintree.

Before its settlement fires made in the woods had destroyed almost its entire growth of wood and timber ; so it was feared there would not be a sufficient supply for the settlers, but Whitney writes, 1796, that " through their care and prudence there had, within a few years, sprung up fine growths of wood." At that time there were two hills of note - "Mohawk," probably "Tufts" Hill, and "Rattlesnake's Rocks," in the west part, a name that has passed away with its occupants. A plain extends across the west part, at the extreme south end of which, on land of W. & E. Pepper, is the narrow pass referred to by Capt. Wheeler in his " narrative," where, on his way under Capt. Hutchinson, with twenty men, to treat with Philip, August 2, 1675, he was surprised by the Indians, and eleven killed or mortally wounded. "Meminimisset was the name given by the Indians to the low lands at the upper end of this plain, once a hideous swamp." Here w.is formerly an Indian town of considerable importance and a military stronghold, the headquarters and chief place of rendezvous of the Indians when Brookfield was destroyed. Here Mrs. Howard, taken captive at Lancaster in 1679, was brought' with two children, and one died. On the hill rising east from the plain is a small stone monument, resembling a tomahawk, which tradition affirms marks its grave. The town is well watered with springs and brooks. At the base of Tufts Hill, on its north and west sides, are the sources of the two brooks which, afterwards meeting at "Webb's" Pond and flowing snuthe.ist and west under the name of Sucker Brook> supply the water " privileges " at Wait's Corner and " Pepper's Mills," and empty inio Quaboag Pond. The first saw-mill erected in Brookfield, in 1709, was in that part of it afterward set off and forming a part of New Braintree, and located just above the bridge, east of '' Pepper's Pond." A company of nine, headed by Thomas Barnes, received a grant of forty acres for their encouragement to build the mill. This privilege was afterwards used for a malt-mill.

Pepper's Mills were used as a blacksmith forge and trip-hammer. The first mill erected by an inhabitant of "Braintree Grant" was at ivhat is now "Webb's Pond." Daniel Mathews, Jr., of Southboro', a millwright, bought the privilege in 17-19, and erected a .saw-mill soon after. His house was on site of present residence of J. T. Webb. The general appearance of the town is attractive. Whitney writes of it, " Excellent for grass and good roads. Its homes are neat and commodious." It has surely gained in these attractive features since 1795, and added, on miles of road, lines of shade trees of maple, ash and elm. It has many really fine residences, especially that of Mr. Francis Shaw. The first road built in town was in 1730, from the "Old Furnace," by Pepper's Mills to Brookfield.

Braintree Grant. - In 1666 the freeholders and other inhabitants of Braintree, in town-meeting, passed the following resolution: " Whereas, much of the best and most available arable surface is held by non-residents and citizens of Boston as a matter of speculation and by others in large farms, that it is a source of great inconvenience to the permanent inhabitants of the town, as they in their poverty are not able to pay the high rents asked, nor the necessary expenses of the town ; therefore. Resolved : To petition the General Court for an additional grant of land." In answer to this petition the court, in consideration of the reasons therein expressed, judged meet to grant 'hem "sixe thousand acres of land in some place, limited to one place, not prejudicing any plantation or particular grant." In 1670 Braintree selected a tract lying between Braintree and Plymouth, which was not confirmed by the court. No further action was taken until 1679, when Braintree again petitioned the court that "since the Lord out of his rich grace had made them lords of the heathen land" (referring to their victory over Philii)) "they might have an opportunity to have ratified the former grant." In answer to this petition, October, 1679, the court allowed the petitioners "to lay out their sixe thousand acres of land in any vacant place within the Court's jurisdiction." Here the matter rested for thirty-four years, until June, 1713, when Braintree chose a committee to ascertain if the former grant had "lapsed," and if not, to find and lay out the six thousand acres granted in 1666, and do what is needful to be done in

The treasurer was evidently never called upon to pay the money, for in June, 1714, we find Colonel Edmond Quincy, in behalf of Braintree, petitioning the court for the api)ointmeni of a surveyor to lay out the land. The petition was granted and a surveyor, Samuel Jones, Jr., appointed.

December 17, 1715, in the House of Eepresentatives it was ordered that " a Plot of six thousand acres of land, lying in angle between Brookfield and Rutland, be accepted, and land confirmed to Braintree as by plan annexed, in fulfillment of original grant." This six thousand acres was nearly in form of a rightangled triangle, with right angle B at a point just southeast of the present residence of Alfred Boyden ; the upper acute angle C included the farm recently occupied by Colonel Joseph Robinson in Hardwick. The perpendicular B C of the triangle is identical with the west line of our present common, while the base A B extended to 0 would be identical with the present boundary between lands now owned by Mr. J. B. Fobes and Mrs. S. W. Peckham. For twelve years after the "Braintree Grant" was confirmed, it was a constant source of contention in Braintree town-meetings. A vote to sell it would be passed at one meeting, only to be reconsidered and reversed at the next, and sometimes the same meeting, and vice versa. No rule of division of the land could be agreed upon. A question arose as to the ownership, whether it belonged to the town in its corporate capacity, or to its inhabitants in 1666 (the time of the original grant) and their posterity, or the inhabitants of 1715, when the grant was confirmed, and we find the town on record at difterent times as in favor of each of these views. Finally, in 1727, a vote was passed that, to promote peace, the land be divided as equally as possible between the two precincts of Brainlree, to be henceforth managed, improved and further divided or disposed of as each should decide, from henceforth and forever. Here " Braintree Grant " disappears from Braintree records, and does not again reappear until 1749, when it appeals to the General Court, to be admitted into the sisterhood of towns.

For some years portions of the " Grant " were used for pasturing of stock during the summer season by residents of Braintree, and hence came the title of " Braintree Farms." It seems reasonable to suppose that previous to 1738 it was extensively settled, as the inhabitants in Lambstown, east of Ware River, petitioned the General Court in that year to be annexed to the " Grant" without success.

March 20, 1749, George Shaw, James Robinson, John Wilson, James Thompson, Jona Cobleigh, John Blair, Jacob Nichols, Jona. Higgins, William Baxter, Edward Euggles, John Barr, Roger Sprague, Abram Joslyn and Andrew Shaw (total, fourteen), all occupants of Braintree Farms, with John Peacock, Joseph

Little, Eleazer Warner, Beriah Hawes, James and Edward Blair, David and James Woods, Matthew Barr, Josiah Benet, Samuel Steele, David Ayres, Phineas Warner, William Anderson, Israel Day, Samuel Ware, Hugh Barnes and Wareham Warner (total, eighteen), from Hardwick, east of Ware River, and Joseph and Jacob Pepper, and Joseph Pepper, Jr., Moses and Obed. Abbot, David and Solomon Gilbert, Joseph and Sarah Barnes, Thomas Hammond, Eben. Spooner and Roger Haskell (twelve), from the north part of Brookfield, met and chose their " wellbeloved and faithful " friend, James Thompson, to convey their petition to the proprietors of the land known as " Braintree Farms," that inasmuch as the petitioners make a body large enough to support the gospel, and were a long way off from any preaching, and for the interest of said proprietors, they would unite with them in a petition to the General Court to be set off as a separate district.

May 31, 1749, James Thompson, in behalf of said petitioners, memorialized the Governor, Council and House that, being of sufhcient ability to make a town or district, being of one mind and having obtained the full consent of the non-resident proprietors, humbly prayed their excellencies and honorables to consider the premises and order therein as they should deem best.

The names of the non-resident proprietors were, Thomas Hovey, Nathan Goodell, John Weeks, Joseph Tidd, Wm. Wheeler, Edmond Quincy, Wm. Torrey, Thomas Cutler, .Joseph and Thomas Crosby, Richard Faxon, Moses Belcher, David Rawson, Josiah Ruggles, Samuel Paine and Eben Adams.

March 6, 1749, Hardwick in town-meeting opposed this petition, and August 11th chose an agent to present their reasons for it to the General Court ; but October Sth, of the same year, voted its " willingness" to the annexation. In June, 1749, a counterpetition, signed by James Craig, Samuel Crawford, Alex. Bothel and others from the west wing of Rutland (now Oakham), and Adam Homes and Robert Hunter, from Braintree Farms, was presented to the court praying that inasmuch as the two tracts of land aforesaid laid in a commodious form for a township, being about five miles square, capable of a sufficient number of settlements to support a minister, and neither could ever be accommodated for public worship as it was or by annexation to any town, that ihey might be set off as a separate township. On both these petitions the court ordered the usual notices served on all jjarties interested to appear at its next sitting and show cause, if any existed, why they should not be granted. The proprietors of Rutland warmly favored the plan.

In August following a committee, consisting of James Minot and John Otis, with three others added by the House in December, was appointed to take the several petitions into consideration and report. December 9th this committee reported that the west wing of Rutland and Braintree Farms ought to be set off with their inhabitants into a separate district, with all powers then conferred upon towns except the right of representation in the General Court. This report the Council accepted and sent down to the House for concurrence; but that body refused to concur and ordered the several petitions and the report upon them back to. the committee for further consideration. January 3, 1750, the same committee agiin reported to the Council that after another careful review of the situation they saw no reason to change their opinion, but reaffirm.ed their former one, and further recommended that the petitioners for a union of Braintree Farms and portions of Hardwick and Brookfield be dismissed. This report was also accepted by the Council and sent to the House for concurrence, but the House again refused to concur and referred the whole matter to the next General Court To this the Council agreed. It is well to state here that the religions preferences of the petitioners had much to do with their choice of their future townsmen ; those desiring a union of the west wing with the Farms being Presbyterians, while the petitioners for a union of the Farms with portions of Brookfield and Hardwick were nearly all Congregationalists.

The latter party, defeated twice in the Council and as many times victorious in the House now went to work with renewed zeal and vigor. March 22, 1750, they again sent a petition to the Council, desiring a speedy answer by the sending of a committee to view the lands designated unless it saw fit to grant the petition without such viewing. To this the Council replied by the appointment, April 20th, of another committee of which Samuel Watts was chairman and who were instructed to repair to the land, view it and report in following May.

To this committee the inhabitants of the Farms presented the following reasons against a union with West Wing : let. The quality of the land in the West Wing was so inferior to that in the Farms it could not pay its share of the common expenses. 2d. They hoped the Court would not impose upon their consciences by forcing them to unite with a society differing so much in religious views; that the boast had already been made by some of their neighbors of the Wing that they would soon have a Presbyterian minister over them. 3d. A union with a part of Hardwick was much more desirable, because they were better able to pay common charges and were wellagreed to unite. The inhabitants of Hardwick, east of Ware River, informed the committee that, having been annexed to Hardwick for want of a better place, they were not essential to its support ; that in the location of Hardwick meeting-house no regard was paid to their interests, as it was understood they would at some future time be annexed to the Farms.

termed it, of its neighbors of the Farms to benefit themselves at the expense of Brookfield, giving as a reason fur tlie delay of its protest that it had never been officially notified of the petitions. The full protest of Brookfield, for which there is no space here, gives credit to the adroitness of its author, and was without doubt the cause of the subsequent action of the Council, to whom it was referred.

The committee, appointed April 20th, reported June 14th that the tract of land known as Braintree Farms, that part of Hardwick east of Ware Eiver, and seven families in Brookfield, with their estates, viz. : Joseph Pepper, Moses Abbott, David and Jona. Gilbert, Sarah Barnes, Eben. Spooner and Joseph Pepper, Jr., be erected into a distinct and separate precinct, and invested with all powers and privileges accorded other precincts. The same day the Council refused to accept this report, and ordered the petitioners to be dismissed and sent it to the House for concurrence. The House refused to concur and oi'dered that the report be and hereby is accepted, and then sent it back to the Council for concurrence. The Council referred it to the next General Court, but after pigeon-holing it for three months, reconsidered its action and ordered it accepted. Here the fight ended. What reasons or persons, if any, influenced the Council to decide uniformly against the popular voice, as expressed in the petition and uniform action of the House, is a matter of conjecture. It is noted in this connection that all but eight of the origin.al petitioners for a union of West Wing with the Farms their request for that union three weeks before the report of the committee, recommending that union, was made.

First Doings. - June 13, 1751, the court issued the final order constituting the precinct and appoint' ing Eleazer Warner to call the first meeting. Agreed to by Council and signed by Lieutenant-Governor. The powers conferred included all rights of towns except that of representation in General Court. Nor did the precinct become a town until 1776, when it became so by a general law of the province. The name of New Braintree was given to the precinct the next April. A space of one hundred and ten years intervened between the date of the original grant and its incorporation. There were at this time forty-five families in town. The first meeting for the choice of officers was held March 13, 1751, at the house of David Ayers (on the site of the present residence of Francis Shaw). Officers chosen : Eleazer Warner, moderator ; David Woods, town clerk ; Eleazer Warner, David Gilburt and Cornelius Cannon, selectmen and assessors ; James Woods, treasurer; James Thompson, constable; James Blair, tything-man. Two of these had already taken part in the organization of Hardwick, 1739 - Cannon as its first town clerk, and War ner as chairman of its first Board of Selectmen.

Church Buildings. - At the next meeting, March 25th, voted " to find the centre of the tract of land already laid off in this district, and that it be the prefix! spot for a meeting-house." This vote was rescinded at a later meeting, and a deed of another piece of land for the meeting-house was accepted, but no record exists of the deed or by whom given. Ten pounds were appropriated for preaching, and a committee chosen "to procure a preacher as soon as conveniently he could be had."

October 4th the town finding it difficult, by reason of smallness of its numbers and straitness of its circum- A stances, to secure sufficient support for a minister, pe- titioned the General Court for authority to lay a tax of twopence per acre on all lands, improved or otherwise, in the district. The court granted them one-half the gum asked for for three years. This tax amounted to J fifty pounds, and was the sum annually paid the min- 5 ister for twenty-five years. The next step was the erection of a meeting-house. A vote was passed in November to procure the material the coming winter. Robert Hunter was chairman of the building commit- j tee. January 1, 1752, voted " To build a house 40 by I 50 feet and 20 feet between joints," "to be enclosed and clay-boarded." The price of labor per day in winter in its erection was one shilling fourpeuce. It was not ready for occupany until July, 1753, and then but little better than a barn. For fourteen years it was minus lath and plaster. It faced the west on site of present building, and for twenty years nothing was erected to shield the worshippers, when the doors were opened, from the cold blasts that swept thirty miles in a straight line unimpeded. Our forefathers must have valued highly Gospel privileges to sit four hours each Sabbath in a room the natural temperature of which was at zero, with nothing but their own breaths and a kw foot-stoves to warm them. In 1772 porches were added at the east and west ends. It is said that one winter the cold was so intense that the snow on the south side of the meeting-house roof never melted a drop for six weeks in succession. For a long time there was no belfry, and the bell hung by itself on the Common. The house was colored a dingy yellow. The fore-doors on the south side were double. There was a single door at each end. The broad aisle led directly from the fore-doors to the pulpit on the north side and the deacons' seat in front. The main floor, for a space of ten feet in from the walls on all sides and ends, was assigned for the pew ground. This was divided into twenty-one lots, appraised at three to seven pounds each, old tenor, according to its dignity (location), and assigned by a special committee, appointed by the town, to twenty-one free- holders, according to their ability to pay, age and in- fluence in the community. James Blair had the first choice. The bounty money received from sale of pew-ground was used to build a "decent" pulpit, deacons' seat and a "suitable body of seats." In addition to the bounty, each purchaser of pew-ground must build his own pew and ceil the walls against it. The seats in the body of the house were plain benches occupied by the other members of the district, seated annually by a special committee who were governed in their duty by the same law as that which assigned the pewground, viz.: the relative standing in the community of the attendant. A feeling of uneasiness arising in the pit that the pews had got their privileges too cheap, an " indifferent committee was selected from Brookfield and Hardwick to fix the bounty."

On the two ends and south side were galleries, the west half occupied by men and the east half by women. Young men must receive special permission to occupy these seats. Five shillings annually were allowed the sexton, James Thompson, for sweeping the house and shutting the doors. As the town grew in numbers and wealth the pews encroached upon the pit, the pit becoming better able to build pews. Every available foot of ground on main floor and in galleries, and even in the porches, was used for pews. From 1790 to 1800 the town had the largest population of any time in its history, and the old house was not only too small, but unsuited to the improved tastes and pockets of the people. The erection of a pew house was begun in 1800 and completed in 1802. The frame is the same as that of the present structure. Henry Penniman gave three hundred dollars to buy a new bell, and his son, Henry, and son-in-law, Joseph Bowman gave two hundred dollars to buy a new town clock. In 1806 Henry Penniman, Jr., asked and obtained leave of the town to place an organ in the new church. The value of this addition in church worship seems not to have been appreciated by all, for one deacon was heard to remark that he'd " rather hear the filing of his old saw than that noise." In this building no alterations were made until 1846, when it was lowered six feet and entirely remodeled, with town-hall and vestry below ; dedicated October 26, 1846, the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Rev. John Flske, D.D. A new organ was bought at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. In 1877 house repaired at a cost of six hundred dollars, of which three hundred dollars was contributed by Edward Fiske, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Although one of the first acts of the new district was the selection of a committee to provide a preacher, two years passed and none of the many candidates beard were sufiiciently acceptable to be called. Discouraged, the district appointed February 23, 1753, a day of fasting and prayer for divine help, and invited the neighboring ministers to take charge of the services. In July, voted to hear Rev. Benjamin Kuggles, of Middleton, on condition that he be dismissed from the pastorate he then held. In this they were both shrewd and honorable. Mr. Kuggles came, was liked, and invited to preach longer. Five of the neighboring ministers were consulted as to the advisability of settling him, and invited to preach a lecture to the people Jan. 23d. Feb. 4th, a call was extended to Mr. Ruggles. The settlement given him was thirty pounds, and annual salary fifty pounds.

This call Mr. Ruggles accepted, " sensible in a measure of the difficulty of the calling, but relying upon the sincerity and fidelity of the people." He was installed April 17, 1754. To the council installing him was referred by the district a petition of several of its members for the free use of the meeting-house two Sabbaths yearly that the sacrament might be administered in the Presbyterian way by one of their order. The council decided that though w^illing to promote union and communion between the sects, yet, considering the circumstances and fearing the consequences, they did not deem it wise to grant it.

Of Mr. Ruggles a successor writes that he was "a man of average ability and sincere piety, and his relations to the people were entirely harmonious and productive of great blessing." To this end he contributed more than his share. A letter from him to the town, when the matter of a colleague and his proportionate salary was under consideration, reveals some of his trials and the spirit in which he bore them. He writes "My salary has never been paid when due. Not only for one year, but for the twenty years I have been here it has been six and seven months overdue, so that I have been straightened for money to buy the necessaries of life, and often obliged to borrow so small a sum as half a dollar of the Treasurer (Dea. James Woods), who, out of his own money, would give me a dollar, or if I asked one dollar he would give me two. Every town around, altho' poorer than this town, has paid their minister more. In those days," he adds, " I kept these things much to myself, careful that neither by word or deed it might get abroad to the discredit of the town." His name heads the long roll of the Brookfield Association of Ministers, of which he was one of the original five founders when it was organized, June 22, 1757. Mr. Ruggles was sole mini.ster twenty-four years and associate senior pastor six years, until his death, January 6, 1784. The whole period of his ministry was fifty-nine years.

After a period of five months on probation, in July, 1778, Rev. Daniel Foster received a call from church and town to become associate minister with Mr. Ruggles, with one thousand pounds settlement and sixtysix pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence annual salary, and thirty cords of wood eight feet long at his door, the salary to be regulated by the following standard, i. e., rye at four shillings and Indian corn at two shillings eight pence per bushel. Mr. Foster accepted the call, " relying upon their generosity as to Temporals while he ministered to them in Spirituals." October 28th was set apart for the ordination. Seventeen churches were invited. Committees were chosen to carry the letters missive, to prop the meeting-house and to keep the doors and reserved seat^. In his examination by the council Mr. Foster differed in a measure in his theological views from the majority of its members, but it was finally voted satisfactory and the ordination proceeded. He was born September 1, 1750; ordained October 28, 1778. Januar)' 2S, 1779, married Miss Betsey Reed, of Western. February 17, 1779, bought of Eev. Benjamin Kuggles the premises now occupied by Mr. Frank Gaffney for .12350.

His ministry continued until his death, September 1, 1795. Mr. Foster was a man of much personal magnetism, especially popular with the young men, who, at his decease, out of respect wore a badge of mourning on their left arms for thirty days. He was fluent and often extravagant in speech. A good dinner appeared to be more to his liljing than spiritual penance. He was an unbeliever in creeds. Soon after his settlement some of the church-members avowed their belief in his denial of some of the fundamental truths of the Gospel and presented their grievances at a church-meeting. The church sustained its pastor. Several attempts, among them -an appeal to the Association, were made to reconcile the differences. In most cases they seem to have been successful. One or two, however, joined the Baptists, two absented themselves from church and rode every Sabbath to Rutland for conscience' sake.

Rev. John Fiske, D. D., writes that he seems to have overcome opposition and ultimately won the affections of his people. His death was the occasion for many popular expressions of grief; all the ministers in the association were invited. Tlie town paid all the bills and had printed the funeral sermon. After Mr. Foster's decease the town was without a minister more than a year. August 15, 1796, a unanimous call from church and town was given Rev. John Fiske, with a settlement of two hundred and thirty pounds, and an annual salary of ninety-five pounds. He was installed October 26th. Rev. Dr. Lyman, of Hatfield, preached the sermon, afterwards published. The installation services occupied two days and closed with a ball on the evening of the second day, in which all that could, joined.

Rev. John Fiske was born at Warwick, October 26, 1770. Fitted for college partly with his pastor and partly with his brother, Moses ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1791 ; studied theology with Dr. Lyman, of Hatfield ; licensed to preach and ordained to the ministry at Hadley, May 6, 1794; labored for a season in Northern New York ; attacked with fever and ague and returned to Massachusetts ; preached a while at Milford and North Brookfield. Overtures to settle at both places were made him, which he declined; received degree of D.D. in 1844 from Amherst College, of which he was one of the founders and long a trustee - published a spelling-book in 1807; "Fast Day Sermon," in 1812; "Dedicatory and Semi-centennial discourse," in 1846; was chosen first president of the Brookfield Auxiliary Foreign Missionary Society 1824, and held that office twenty years. During his ministry of fifty-eight years in New Braintree he was called to one hundred and twenty-one councils and attended one hundred and fifteen. As Dr. Fiske's pastorate covered a period of marked changes and great contrasts in not only the social customs, but also the moral and religious sentiments and practices of the people of this town and all New England as well, a glimpse at the state of society at the close of the eighteenth century through his eyes may be of interest: "There were really two classes of ministers as to theological doc- J trines and the methods the gospel reveals whereby " sinners are to obtain an interest in Christ, altho' no division had taken place nor had it entered into any one's heart to conceive of it. There was then no Unitarian ism in this Association, but the character of Christ was not frequently brought into view in preaching. While some of the older ministers were sound in the faith and preached the doctrines of grace with consistency and earnestness, others had become comparatively lax, and were disposed to avoid in their preaching what they esteemed doubtful points and things not well understood nor received by the people. There were great objections to metaphysical subtilties. The character of the preaching was defective as to doctrine and pungency. The great day of labor of the minister was the Sabbath. It was expected of him that he deliver two sermons on the Sabbath and administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper once in two months, except in winter, when it was the cause of much sufl'ering. No custom existed of holding an evening or third service. He was wont to exchange one-fourth to one-third of the time and to go and come to the place of exchange the same day - such arduous labors were generally thought to require the sujtaining power of comforting cordials and the best dinner that could be provided between services and were always furnished without grudge or measure. He was often called upon to preach a service to an aged person unable to attend church at his own home. On the records of the Association, which he was expected to attend three times yearly, no allusion was to be found to seasons of prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the churches, for no such seasons were held. Nothing was said concerning the state of religion in them. No question proposed for discussion was selected on account of its relation to the spiritual condition of the people, or aim at the conversion of sinners or edification of believers. Formalism reigned. No multiplied meetings or visitations; no efforts to publish the gospel at home or abroad or difluse knowledge by lectures, conferences, Sabbath-schools, Bible classes or anniversaries.

"Of the church it might be said 'Like people, like priest.' If the minister did little, the church would do less, and be less concerned for its own or others' salvation. In some of the churches there had been revivals of religion, but in most of them there never had been any, nor were they expected, and in some not desired. No efforts were made to obtain them, - no weekly prayer-meeting. There were no young people in the church by profession of faith. Their membership was neither expected nor sought after. It was held in the estimation of sober people that when persons entered into family relations and became parents, they should join the church and have their children baptized, but in one-third of the churcires the latter was performed and the former neglc'ited. Religion among professors and others alike was seldom a topic of conversation. There were many social gatherings and festivities and much storytelling, but little said or done to promote godliness. There were some godly persons in church who were waiting and praying for better times, but their number was so few that they found their cross too great to venture forth against the strong current of public sentiment. The people at large were apparently (but only apparently) more religious than now. Every person, except a few obstinate Baptists and occasionally an emigrant from Rhode Island, all of whom were looked upon as pestilent fellows, paid a tax in proportion to his worth in support of the Congregational ministry ; exemption from this tax was no more thought of than exemption from support of Government. Both were paid on same principle, viz. : from necessity laid on them by the strong arm of the law. There was one advantage in this custom. Every inhabitant had a right to such services of his minister as he might need. ' There was no stealing of preaching or begging of prayers.' There was much ignorance of the nature of personal religion. Infidelity prevailed. Paine's ' Age of Reason ' was widely circulated and had many believers. The Bible was almost a proscribed book, but little read in families by youth. Morals were much vitiated. There was much lewdness in language and action ; much Sabbath-breaking. The great roads were filled with teams on their way to and from market, and with droves of cattle, sheep and swine.