Wrentham Town (part 3 of 3)

The business of manufacturing boots was carried | on here at various times, a considerable amount being done in that line, giving employment to a good number of men. The firms of Pond, Cook & Co. and Aldrich, Cook & Proctor were conspicuous in this line of business. It has now ceased altogether for some years, not being able to make headway against the sharp competition which other towns put forth.

something each in his own line to employ himself and give employment to others. In the first-named business, it being estimated by one conversant with the

The manufacture of cotton and woolen fabrics, of straw goods, of jewelry, and of other things by waterpower or by steam-power began long after the occurrence of the facts narrated in the early portion of this history. been prosecuted always, and in former days a con-

In an old house not now inhabited, but yet standing near the station of the New York and New England Railroad Company at West Wrentham, known formerly as the Heaton place, Nathaniel Heaton Occasionally an old book has been seen purporting to have been printed there by him. His brother Benjamin, who graduated at Brown University in 1790, published a spelling-book and a preceptor which are supposed to have been printed by Nathaniel. Silas Metcalf, Hsq., one of our oldest citizens, who has always lived in the westerly part of the town, well remembers the fact that printing was done in the Heaton house, and that he used to go there when a boy for books. Nathaniel removed (at what date is not now known) to Smithfield, R. J., and thus terminated the printing business in Wrentham.

Prior to 1815 all mail-matter for Wrentham Centre and also for Franklin was brought from the Druce tavern, so called, upon the turnpike, - Norfolk and Bristol. About that year a post-office was established in the village of Wrentham, and David Fisher, Esq., the landlord of the ' Roebuck" tavern, was appointed postmaster.

It has not been ascertained that there was any mail-carrier employed by the government to supply Wrentham and Franklin from this solitary post-office People went to that distant tavern for their mail-matter. Capt. Charles W. Farrington, now one of our oldest citizens, was often sent there when a boy for letters and newspapers, as he informed the writer. And he further says that the good people who came this way from the neighborhood of the office would bring along such letters and newspapers as belonged here, and on Sundays Maj.

Massachusetts

people displayed and the hardships they bore during the long conflict of the colonies with the mothercountry. that many of the inhabitants engaged. It is known that some went to the forts in the harbor and to other places perhaps considered most exposed. These were probably drafted or ordered out for short terms of service. As all the muster-rolls of the officers and men who served in the second war with Great Britain are at Washington, it cannot be shown what service was performed unless with great labor and expense.

But one eminent man we know went from this town as a surgeon and served throughout the war as such, - Dr. James Mann.'! He was born in Wrentham, and was the son of David Mann, who was a son of Pelatiah, who was a son of the Rev. Samuel Mann. He was born in 1758, graduated at Harvard University in 1776, and received the degree of M.D. at his A/ma Mater, and also at Brown University and at Yale College. He was a practicing physician in his native town at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted as a surgeon in the army of the United States, and, it is understood, was on the Niagara frontier in 1814, and in the performance of his duty as a surgeon at the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and continued in the service for many years after the end of the war. He died in 1832

The Civil War. - In regard to this conflict we are not left so much in the dark. existed and traces of its effects encounter us on every side. no contest on this side of the Atlantic ever was honored with so many histories, or ever had such full and careful records. Indeed, it is a matter of some difficulty to know what to select out of the great mass for a history like this. It would be impossible for the writer to describe the spirit

1In Drake's it is stated that Dr. Mann was three years a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and in 1812 was hospital surgeon of the United staff

What was true of other towns in Massachusetts was _ undoubtedly true of Wrentham. It is not the place here to give a history of the several regiments and that has But it falls within the plan of this sketch to relate the action of the town regarding the war of 1861. Sumter was fired upon on the 15th of April, 1861. Soon afterwards, viz., on May 6, 1861, a town-meeting was held at the old vestry of the centre meeting-house (so called), which was very fully attended. At this meeting, after warm and patriotic utterances, a preamble and resolutions were passed. 'The first resolution was as follows, viz. :

" Resolved, By the legal voters of the town of Wrentham, in town-meeting assembled, that the sum of ten thousand dollars be and the same hereby is granted for the support, encouragement, and relief of those of our fellow-townsmen who have gone and of those who may hereafter go into the service of the United States as soldiers, and of their families.

"Second. That the money thus appropriated be expended by the selectmen, to be assisted by a committee of three, if necessary, of whom the treasurer shall be one.

"Third. That each volunteer shall receive from the town while in active service an amount sufficient, with the government pay, to make his monthly pay twenty-five dollars; and the further sum of one dollar a week be paid to the wife and for each child under fifteen years of age, and one dollar a day for

"Fourth. To provide suitable uniforms, and all necessary equipments and clothing not provided by the government, to each citizen of Wrentham who shall enlist in the military service.

"TWifth. That the treasurer be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town such sums of money as shall be ordered by the selectmen, not exceeding ten thousand dollars."

After this meeting the citizens held a number of impromptu meetings in different parts of the town, which were enlivened by music and patriotic songs, and by occasional speeches. Volunteers began to come forward, and soon a company was under drill upon the common. This company was joined with others, and organized as the Kighteenth Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, and soon were away in

1806 for a dissertation on dysentery, and subsequently received another prize fora medical dissertation. He also, in 1816, published " Medical Sketches of the Campaigns of 1812, 1813, and 1814, with Observations on Military Hospitals and Flying Hospitals Attached to a Moving Army."

In March, 1862, the agen committee made a re- And in July, 1862, the town voted that the selectmen be authorized to pay a bounty of one hunport.

dred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist for three years, and be credited to the quota of the town ; also that the treasurer be authorized to borrow money to pay said bounties; and the clergymen, selectmen, all good citizens are earnestly solicited to encourand stimulate, by public meetings and otherwise, the prompt enlistment of the requisite number of crushed, and peace and prosperity soon smile upon our common country. Aug. 28, 1862, the selectmen having paid the sum of one hundred dollars to each volunteer in addition to the bounty voted by the town in July, the town at this meeting ratified that proceeding, and voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for nine months, and be credited to the quota of the town on or before the second day of September next. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money. On December 8th the vote restricting the time for enlistment was reconsidered, and the doings of the selectmen and treasurer were approved.

At the March meeting in 1864 the town voted that payment of State aid should be continued. In April it was voted to raise by direct taxation eight thousand dollars for recruiting purposes, and to refund to citizens money which they had contributed for the encouragement of recruiting.

In August the bounty to each voluuteer for three years' service who should thereafter enlist and be credited to the quota of the town was one hundred and twenty-five dollars. to borrow money to pay the same.

In January, 1865, the same bounty was voted, and it was also voted to pay the recruiting officers of the town two dollars a day and ten cents a mile for travel while they have been, or shall be, engaged in procuring volunteers for the town.

by a report of the adjutant-general, "of seventeen over and above all demands." 'Ten were commissioned officers. The whole amount of money, exclusive of State aid, expended by the town on account of the war was $31,531.23.

In 1870 Wrentham again lost a part of its territory A new town was incorporated by the name of Norfolk, taking from Wrentham seven thousand one hundred acres, eight voters, and property valued at three hundred and fiftyseven thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars. This was done with the assent of the old town.

By a colonial census made in 1776 the population of Wrentham was 2879. In 1790, after the setting off of Franklin and also of a part of the town of Foxborough, the population was 1767.

In 1790 the number of houses was two hundred and forty-three ; the number of families was two hundred and seventy-eight ; the number of free white males sixteen years of age and upwards was four hundred and seventy-one; the number of free white females, nine hundred and seven ; number of free white males under sixteen years, three hundred and eightyseven; the number of all other persons was two.

In 1800 Wrentham was the third town in the county in population, being exceeded by Roxbury and Dorchester only ; and in 1810 and in 1820 it held the same relative rank.

The fourth meeting-house erected near the spot occupied by its predecessors was dedicated in September, 1834. The old church building at West Wrentham gave way some time afterwards to a convenient house for religious purposes erected by the Baptist denomination at Sheldonville. A house for religious the site of the old Baptist meeting-house at West Wrentham. Congregational society connected with the main building. the gift of Braman Hawes, Hsq., a native of Wren- tham, and is denominated " The Hawes Chapel." The Roman Catholics have also a chapel for their religious uses, and there is also a chapel at Plainville under the The Episcopalians a few years since established a church and venient building in Wrentham Village, for the accommodation of the high school and a grammar and a primary school. It was also provided with a spacious the meeting-house in which, and in its predecessors, it had held its town-meetings for more than one hundred and fifty years. School-houses have also been built at Sheldonville, Plainville, and at West Wrentham within recent periods, and the accommodations

'Twice since the incorporation of the town the events above related have been commemorated, - once in 1773 by the century sermon, so called, of the Rev.

dress of the late Judge Wilkinson. The sermon was delivered Oct. 26, 1773, and " printed at the earnest request of the hearers for the preservation of ancient things to future posterity."

In the second case, notwithstanding the day was very stormy, a large audience gathered in the meeting-house which succeeded that one in which Mr.

dred years before. The interesting event had induced a good number of people from other towns and places to brave the violence of the storm. One of these, Professor George P. Fisher, of Yale College, a native of Wrentham, participated in the exercises. The address was delivered from short notes and was not published.

June, 1849. on that occasion he reviewed the events of his ministry of fifty years, incidentally speaking of events in the history of the town. together with an appendix prepared by Mr. Fisk's colleague, the Rev. Horace James, giving an account of the celebration. One passage is quoted : " The day of jubilee arrived. The weather was delightful. The church was filled to its utmost capacity. A multitude of the sons of Wrentham, and many connected with them by marriage or other agreeable associations, were gathered in their childhood's home to do honor to him

Conclusion. - In concluding the " Annals of Wrentham," the writer would say he has followed the course adopted by him in the preparation of some historical sketches, published in a newspaper in 1873, namely, he has let the records, from which the early history is mainly derived, tell their own story, with only such change of form as to make them narrative, and such comments as seemed needed for explanation. Judge Wilkinson, in his address, pursued a similar course, taking his facts chiefly from the same sources, so far as he proceeded, but covering much less ground than

The Rev. Dr. Blake, in his historical address at Franklin, June 12, 1878, also has given from the same sources so much of the ancient history of Wrentham as was needed to introduce the history of Franklin, whose centennial was celebrated on that day.

Biographical Sketches Hon. Josiah Jones Fiske

Josiah J. Fiske was born in Sturbridge, Mass., Nov. 28, 1785. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Watertown, and came from Weybread, County of Suffolk, England, in 1642. As early as the eighth year of the reign of King John (A.D. 1208) we find the name of Daniel Fisc, of Laxfield, appended to a royal grant which confirmed a deed of land in Digniveton Park, made to the men of Laxfield by the Duke of Lorraine. This grant is in the public Simon Fiske held land in Laxfield early in the fifteenth century, and was lord of the manor of Stodhaugh.

There are in several churches monumental tablets and brasses bearing the arms of the family, which seems to have been prominent in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. Col. F. S. Fiske, of Boston, has in his possession an interesting copy of the '" Confirmation of Arms and Grant of Crest from College of Arms, London," issued to the Fiske family in 1635. Nathan Fiske was the first American ancestor, and from him the line of descent to the subject of our sketch is as follows: Nathan' (born Jan. 23, 1671), Henry' (born

Jan. 24, 1707), David' (born Dec. 17, 1759), Josiah J.,5 the son of David and Eleanor (Jones) Fiske. Hon. Josiah J. Fiske was graduated at Brown University, where he was a classmate and friend | of William L. Marcy, sometime Governor of New | short time preceptor of an academy in Maine; but he soon determined upon the law as a profession, and studied first in the office of the late Nathaniel Searle, LL.D., of Providence, and afterwards with Timothy Bigelow, Esq., of Boston.

Mr. Fiske developed marked ability as a lawyer, and soon found himself in the enjoyment of an extensive practice. His office at Wrentham became a favorite resort for students ; perhaps few lawyers, unconnected with the law schools, have superintended the legal instruction of a greater number of young | men. 'To strong powers of logic and analysis, Mr. Fiske added both quickness of perception and readiness in expression; he had an energy of character, a perseverance in carrying out his plans, which no obstacles could discourage ; and if he had continued to devote himself exclusively to the law, there can be little - doubt that he would have ranked among the most eminent in that profession. But he lived in the time when the great manufacturing interests of New England were just being founded. larly foreseeing their importance, he was tempted to devote to them much of his own energy, and during the latter years of his life his attention was given to manufactures almost exclusively. His own enterprises were located in his native town, Sturbridge, and the now flourishing vil- | lage of Fiskdale commemorates hisname. He laid the foundation of the Sturbridge cotton manufactures ; his first mill was built in that town as early as 1827, and in 1834 he built another larger mill, containing ten thousand spindles and two hundred looms.

strong in character and influence, © strong in mind and judgment, with that enterprise | and public spirit which seeks not selfish ends alone, but labors for the good of all. He found his work to | do in the world, and, doing it well, found also work for others. In public affairs he was prominent; pos- - sessing the well-won confidence of his fellow-townsmen, he was often chosen to positions of honor and trust. State senator from 1823 to 1826, inclusive, he was in 1831 a member of the Governor's Council. He was appointed upon the first Board of Railroad - Commissioners created by the State, and, of many > minor positions, was aide-de-camp to Maj.-Gen. Crane | from 1823 to 1827, a member of the Grand Lodge |

Like most active men, Mr. Fiske was in advance of the general thought and sentiment of his time. Subsequent developments have proved the wisdom of many of his views for the improvement of the towns of Wrentham and Sturbridge which may then have been deemed unwise or impracticable. In his manners he was always kindly and genial, and this virtue was above all conspicuous in his home life. His wife,

Wrentham, and Jerusha Ware. He died Aug. 15, 1838, at Sturbridge, the place of his birth. Two of Mr. Fiske's brothers were also graduates of

Wrentham several years, but finally settled in Detroit, where he died in 1871, and Calvin Park, a physician, who spent nearly all his life in Sturbridge, and died

Fiske, Josiah J. and George Jenckes were well known as members of the Boston firm of James M. Beebe & Co., contributing largely, by their skill and energy in the management of the business, to the great success of that firm. Josiah died unmarried in 1850. George died at Nice, in France, in 1868, leaving a widow, Frances Lathrop, the daughter of James M. Beebe, a son, George Stanley, born in Paris in 1867, and a daughter, Esther Lathrop, born at Nice in 1868. JosEpH Norton, the eldest son, and Elizabeth Stanley are the only surviving children of Josiah J. Fiske. Joseph Norton Fiske was born in Wrentham, March 4, 1814, and received his early education at Day's Academy. He had at first intended to take a collegiate course, but developed a strong inclination for mercantile pursuits, and in 1833 entered the count- he remained five years, and then became the confidential clerk of George B. Blake & Co. In 1841 he engaged in business for himself, but from 1844 to 1846 was obliged by ill health to remain inactive. - Mr. Fiske then became a member of the Boston Brokers' Board, and opened a banking-house on State Street. Though he began with a small capital, his

Continuing in it for twenty-four years without intermission, Mr. Fiske retired in 1870, and passed three years traveling in Europe with his wife. Since then his time has been gccupied in the care of his own estate and various trusts. He married, in 1849, Charlotte Matilda Morse, daughter of Dr. Elijah Morse, of Mount Vernon, Me., and grand-daughter of Dr. Jacob Corey, of Sturbridge.

J. T. Bacon

Joseph T. Bacon was born May 21,1818. He is the son of George and Avis B. (Fales) Bacon, and grandson of Kbenezer Bacon, one of the prominent He spirited and possessed of sterling qualities, was looked upon as a leader in opinion and enterprise by his fellow-townsmen. Ebenezer, was one of the early settlers of Attleborough.

Joseph T. Bacon, being the son of a farmer in moderate circumstances, had no special advantages afforded him for obtaining an education further than the public schools of his town offered.

At thirteen years of age he was placed to learn a trade with Robinson & Co., button manufacturers, and remained with this firm until he was eighteen, when, in copartuership with his brother Ebenezer, he engaged in the manufacture of jewelry at Robinson- | moved to West Attleborough, where he formed a copartnership with Lewis Holmes for the manfacture of jewelry, and the firm continued, under the firm-name the firm moved to Plainville. Their first factory at Plainville was a small affair, truly, compared with their present large establishment, but they were successful, and gradually, but surely, built up a trade About 1847, Mr. Mason withdrew, In 1850, Mr. Bacon met with serious loss by fire; his factory was burned, About 1850, Mr. Bacon formed a copartnership with Messrs. Draper and Tifft.

The factory was rebuilt and the business resumed under the firm-name of Draper, Tifft & Bacon. John Tifft died in 1851, and Francis L. Tifft, his son, took his place as soon as he became of age. Josiah Draper retired, and his interest was continued by his son, the prosecution of the business chiefly in the hands of the younger partners. They now do a business of about two hundred thousand dollars per annum, employing about one hundred and twenty-five hands. They make stock plate goods, chiefly ladies' ware.

Mr. Bacon is a liberal Republican in politics, but will not accept office of any kind. He shrinks instinctively from everything savoring of notoriety. He married Emeline M., daughter of Harland Hodges, of Maine. 'To them were born three children, - Harland G. (who is in business with his father), Charles B. (who was a brilliant, promising young man, but died in his seventeenth year), and a daughter, Maria (who died at the age of five years).

James Danielson Lincoln

James Danielson Lincoln was born in Brimfield, Hamden Co., Mass., March 30, 1823. His father, Dr. Asa Lincoln, was a native of Taunton, and his mother, Sarah (Danielson) Lincoln, was a native of Brimfield. his mother died, leaving a family of ten children. After her death he went to live with Fisher Thayer, an uncle by marriage, residing at what was then called " River End," in the eastern part of Franklin. Here his boyhood was spent, doing chores about the house and attending school from twelve to fourteen weeks each year. When he was seventeen years of age the family removed to Wrentham. His uncle was a manufacturer of thread, and young Lincoln had He attended Day's Academy two terms, not neglecting, however, his duties.in the shop. In 1850 he left Wrentham and obtained a position in New York, in the boot- and shoe-store of Howard Mann, where he remained

_ by Mr. John Tifft, of Draper, Tifft & Bacon, to connect himself with that firm as salesman, offering him either a small salary or one-quarter interest in the business.

Not wishing to connect himself with the proprietorship of a business of which he knew nothing, he chose the salary, with the stipulation that he should desire. He went with this firm in March, 1851, and the following June Mr. Tifft, who had charge of the business in New York, died, leaving the entire business of selling the goods to Lincoln. When Francis L., son of John Tifft, became of age, a change took place in the firm. He and Frank 8. Draper, son of ness, Mr. Lincoln was admitted as a partner, and the | firm took its old name of Draper, Tifft & Co., Mr. J. | T. Bacon and Mr. J. D. Lincoln being the " Co." From that time to the present, through the various | changes of the firm, - Lincoln, Tifft & Bacon, Lincoln, | Tift & Co., and nowas Lincoln, Bacon & Co., - he has continued to be a partner. Messrs. Lincoln and Bacon now leave most of the | active business to the younger members of the firm. In 1880 he married Eliza Taylor Melcher, of La- | conia, N. H. He has a pleasant home in Plainville, where they now reside.

Mr. Lincoln, as a business man, has been successful and honorable, and in his intercourse is affable, courteous, and gentlemanly, im- | pressing all with whom he comes in contact with the kindliness of his nature and the honesty of his motives.

William Sherburne

William Sherburne was born March 30, 1802, in | Cumberland, R. I. He is the son of William and | Sarah (Lovett) Sherburne, and grandson of Benjamin Sherburne. This Benjamin had a large family | of children. William, his son, was born Dec. 25, 1760, and died Sept. 15, 1846, in his eighty-sixth year. His wife (Sarah Lovett) lived to be aged ninety-one years. Their children were Lucy, deceased (Mrs. Darius Cook); Amey, deceased (died unmarried) ; Henry, deceased ; Nancy, deceased (Mrs. | Silas Metcalf); Sally, deceased (Mrs. George Gilmon); Eleanor, deceased; William; George, deceased ; Eliza, deceased (Mrs. Bradbury C. Hill); Cornelia, deceased (Mrs. L. Tourtellott) ; and James.

His father was a blacksmith, and | young Sherburne had to work in shop and on farm at the age when he should have been at school. He, however, laid the foundation for a_ strong and healthy physique. At twenty-two years of age he hired out at two shillings per day to work on the farm which he now owns, and where was born the woman who afterwards became his wife. This was Lydia Jenks, daughter of Luke and Roby (Arnold) Jenks. They were married April 16, 1828. Their children were Roby M., Eliza E., Alice J. (deceased), William J. (deceased), Alice A. (deceased), Marion L. Immediately upon his marriage Mr. Sherburne hired a farm and began farming for himself. Through persevering industry and prudent | management he prospered, and about 1860 he purchased the farm on which he now resides. He has | his father having removed here when William was a mere lad. In his younger days he did military duty nine years as a member of the Franklin Artillery Company. Mrs. Sherburne died July 16, 1876.

Rhodes Sheldon

the war of the Revolution he made shoes for the colonial soldiers. He wasa strong advocate of liberty, and from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the day of his death he advocated the abolition of slavery.