' S / J •••: 118 .I'.s u it v\ Wiiirn i: Ki mi BkOB H '-' ■' : m r 1-1 Thb Wood Family i '-'•*• Ironstone IfAXUVAOTOBIll [PTIOS "i OzBEIIX • \tr. Mi'Min K> "l i in I •:::•. • . VI. CONTENTS. Tin.; Taft Family 170 The Public Schools 175 Select Schools and Academies 189 The Libraries in Uxbridge 197 Banks in Uxbridge 202 The Burying-Grounds 204 List of Soldiers in the War against the Rebellion . . . 208 Mrs. Margaret L. Bennett 213 CORRIGENDA. h from the top from the bottom of page- <>mit t aft and nipply 106, note i" Appendix. With \\ hat i- here said of the place of worship used l>> the 1 • ompare \\ hal i« -:ii'l of ilii« hall, "ii ; raph Inn one <>n the p 110, line 10th from 1 1 »■ - bottom \;i«r home, place :i comma, Milium:: the M mi 1 16, line ttli from the bottom of I i from the bottom ol the fourth name from the top, in the ii r-t column, should read, PREFA< l T\ the winter of 1863-4, Mr. Chapin was invited to deliver a lecture in Oxbridge, in the coarse riven for tin- benefit of tin- First Congregational Church. Il<- Belected 1 1 1 * - early history of the town, in which he took great interest, for his subject, and collected bo much valuable material in relating it, that boi f the public- spirited citizens felt it i<> be very desirable that 1 1 1 » * information thus obtained Bhould be preserved in ;t per- manent form, and requested him, some four years since, to lt i \ « • them his manuscript for publication. He consented, but wished io render it more valuable by the addition <>!' various details equally worthy of record, which would have made his lecture t«»» Long for delivery, and others that have since come to hi- knowledge. Bis illness and subsequent death prevented him from preparing the work for the press : and in the Bpring of l>7:> it was intrusted to me, and was immediately entered upon as :i sacred trust. The address as originally delivered, the aotes which Judge Chapin was engaged in preparing, and the titl<- page Ik- had written, are now presented t<> those specially interested in the matters here spoken of. I have endeavored, by carefully studying the add] to enter int«> the spirit in which it was written, .• m « 1 in this way to complete the aotes that were left, — ome <>i' them, •J X PKEFACE. in the nature of the case, in a very fragmentary state. I have lidded information about some matters not touched upon by Mr. Chapin, and I wish I could have done much more ; but the knowledge of some things very interesting to the town, as for instance a list of the men from Oxbridge who served in the armies of the Revolution, it was impossible to procure. Some of the information here given it has been difficult to obtain ; and my acknowledgments are here made to the several gentlemen who have assisted me : but my thanks are especially due to Charles A. Wheelock and Jonathan F. Southwick. Those who read this address will please remember that it is not a history of the town of Uxbridge they are reading, but memorabilia, and if its history should ever be written, I have no doubt the writer will duly appreciate the labor here expended. Much later information than that here given, and naturally finding a place in a history of the town, is, for obvious reasons, omitted. I recommend that with this address, the address of Judge Alphonso Taft, given at the Taft gathering in Uxbridge, August 12th, 1874, be also read. Judge Chapin always retained a warm attachment, not only to his native town, Upton, but to the people of Oxbridge, where he began his professional life. His name I know is, and long may it be, a cherished and house- hold word among them. RUSHTON D. BURR. May, 1881. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Henri Chapen was born in Upton, Mass., Ma) L3th, 1811. His parents possessed small means and !i«' had n<» early advantages beyond those common!) enjoyed by .-ill tli" 90ns of \'\v England. By the sudden death of his father, when he was fourteen years old, he was thrown :ilm<»-t wholly upon bis own resources, and decided t<> learn the carpen- ter's trade, bu1 became convinced after a i'<\\ months trial, tli.it lie had neither the Datura] aptitude oor the inclination for tli.it avocation. He now determined to apply himself to stud) and began at once to tit for college. He was grad- uated .it Brown University in \^'-'>~>. !!<■ then taught school in hi- oative town, afterwards studied I .- 1 \\ with the late Emor) Washburn and :it Cambridge, and on his admission to the bar in 1838 began to practice in Uxbridge. In 1846, In- removed to Worcester and became a partner of the late Rejoice Newton. Hi- practice at the bar was large and successful. He was distinguished for industry, faithfulness and accuracy in professional business, and lii- competent knowledge of the law, with his simple, direct and per- suasive style of address, gave him great success in tli«' trial of causes. In 1858, the courts of Probate and Insolvency, up to that time distinct, were united, :m preside over the new court. His appointment gave great satisfaction :it the time and an experience twenty years onl) served i" confirm it- wisdom. During th.it period, probably . more than half the estates in Worcester xii BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH/ County passed under his jurisdiction, in one or the other side of his court, and he was brought into official relations with a larger number of persons in all conditions of life, than any other public officer of the county. His patience, fidelity and impartiality have been universally admitted, and his suavity of manner — the natural expression of a kindly heart — gave him a strong hold upon the affection as well as the respect and confidence of the people of the county. Though his political opinions were strongly held and expressed freely, in public and in private speech, Judge Chapin had little taste for political life. He represented the town of Uxbridge in the General Court of 1845, and was nominated for Congress in 1856 by the republican conven- tion, but declined the honor. He was elected mayor of AVorcester in 1849, and again in 1850, declining a third nomination, but accepted the office again in December, 1870, when he was chosen by the council to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Blake, but declined to be a candidate for the full term, and retired after a few months service, as soon as a successor could be provided by a popular election. He was chosen delegate to the constitutional convention in 1853. In 1848, he was appointed by Governor Briggs Commissioner of Insolvency ; and in 1855, by Governor Gardner, commissioner under the "personal liberty law" of Massachusetts, designed for the protection of persons charged with being fugitive slaves. He was for many years a member of the State Board of Education and for fifteen years one of the Trustees of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital. His capacity for business caused his services to be required in connection with several institutions of the city. He was for many years president of the People's Fire Insurance Company, a director of the City National Bank, and viee- president of the AVoreestcr County Institution for Savings. He served as a director of the Providence and Worcester railroad about thirty years. BI< IOH \ilil< \I. BKETI li. Mil Judge Chapin's active benevolence found scope in many directions. 1 1 « - was always read} t<> t' hi- heart, tin' trust that In- inspired in all who came in contact with him. Another kind of service that was often required of him, and seldom declined, was public speaking on nil kinds <>t' ions. Ill- good nature, wit, ami an unfailing store of anecdotes, told with remarkable spirit and humor, ina.li' his impromptu speeches always acceptable. During tin- days of the anti-slavery agitation he spoke frequently ami effect- ively in behalf of the free-soil ami republican panic-: but after hi- acceptance <>t" a judicial office he thought it unbecoming t" take a conspicuous part in political control ersies. Three years before hi- death, he received the < i77, hut he continued t«» XIV BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. attend to the duties of his office, and perhaps longer than was prudent. He died Sunday afternoon, October 13th, 1878. After the services at the house, public services were held in the Church of the Unity, October 16th. The church was tilled by the representatives of the various bodies with which Judge Chapin had been associated, and by those who from far and near came to pay his memory their heartfelt respect. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Blanchard, and Rev. Mr. Shippen, a fori nor pastor, and secretary of the American Unitarian Association. Mr. Chapin married October 8th, 1839, Sarah, daughter of Joseph Thayer, Esq., of Uxbridge. Mrs. Chapin died April 30th, 1869. Their only child, a son, died at the age of seven years and ten months. In 1871, May 23d, he married Louisa, a sister of his former wife, who, with their daughter, six years of age, survives him. The limits of this sketch of the life and character of Judge Chapin, necessarily prevent the insertion of the beautiful and honorable tributes paid to him by the City Government of Worcester and the American Antiquarian Society, at meetings held for this purpose, after his death. And for the same reason we are compelled to omit the equally appreciative resolutions passed by the Alumni of Brown University at their annual meeting; by the Worces- ter County Conference of Unitarian Churches; by the Boards of various Corporations; and by the Representa- tives of the Educational and Charitable Institutions in whose behalf Mr. Chapin had so long and so faithfully served, gratifying as it would be to introduce them all; but it seems specially becoming thai as the law was the chosen pursuit of his life, and so dear to him, that the slightest aspersion, cast, even in jest, upon the honor of the profes- sion, was always more indignantly repelled than any personal attack, a place should be found for the resolutions BI4 IOB si'iin \l. -M i< M. w j»:i". ,| < ». i«.Im r 7th, 1879, i»\ the Worcester Count} Bar at the first session of the Supreme Court, held after his decease. // /, Tli.it in the death of Henry Chapin, the Worces- ter Count) Bar realizes the loss of one of its members, who while engaged in the practice of his profession brought t<> it- duties the Better elements of an exalted professional probity and fidelity. Genial by nature, courteous and considerate in his intercourse with men, earnest in hi- devotion t<> the Bide he espoused, faithful t<» the interests of his clients, con- scientious in his relations with the courts, at times eloquent in his addresses and always painstaking in the preparation ami presentation <>f his cause, w iili a mind well balanced and abundant self-control, he furnished in his professional life tin- model "t" an admirable law) er. Mi- simple tastes, cordial manners and well cultivated mind enabled him to win a ><>i'liii^r faith in the people and an especial confidence in the character and stability of the people of Worcester. In his inaugural address as Mayor in L871, he said, •• < >u r power is in our nun.'* He graced informal occasions with wit and eloquence, and in public exigencies bis bee and tongue were m power in promoting the welfare of the people. He was bj nature admirably fitted t<> till the office and perform the duties as Judge of the Probate Court. His patience was untiring, his sympathy unsimulated, his taste and strong common sense sufficed him in emergencies. The urbanity, courtesy, modest) :uitlif ••' faithful servant and ;i generous benefactor. \\ e regard the lit'- of I [enry < Ihapin as one of usefulness, honor and success. He was a bright example to youth, :i XVI BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. pleasant companion to those of riper years, a useful citizen and a true man in the relations of social, professional and domestic life. Resolved, That the sympathy of the members of the Bar be extended to our deceased brother's family, and that these resolutions be presented to the Supreme Judicial Court and the Probate Court of said County with the request that they be entered upon the records. Mr. Justice Morton in receiving the resolutions referred to his association with Judge Chapin, when they were in col- lege together in 1835, speaking of the deceased as a promi- nent member of the literary society, that he then became interested in him and had watched his future life. He said he could with entire cordiality and intelligence endorse every word of the resolutions. Judge Chapin's record as a Judge of Probate extended farther than his own county and his example was felt throughout the State. It is seldom that you see on a bench three such gentlemen as those which the Probate Court of this county can boast. The examples of Barton, Thomas and Chapin will long be remembered. The resolutions were then ordered to be entered upon the records of the Court. A 1) I) i: ESS. A pigi 1:1. of speech, often appropriate and exp ive, represents one as being onl of his element; and many ;i man often realizes in his own experience the truth of the expression. In an when lecturing has become a kind of profession and men cultivate themselves for it with all the appli- ances which eloquence and literature can furnish, he who rashly enters the field is liable to learn that he had better never have made the attempt, and is apt t<» retire from it a wiser and perhaps a sadder man. I do not come before you in the capacity of a lecturer. In answer to invitations, t<> Bay the Least, «» freely with the persona] pronoun of the first person singular. There are times in a man's life, when he has a right 18 ADDRESS. to speak in the first or second person, and about himself or anybody else, as best suits his pleasure, or convenience. For instance, when one is holding sweet converse with parents, brothers, sisters, or friends, the rules of criticism are not apt to be applied very relentlessly, and he is allowed to say pretty much what he pleases, to talk as much and as long as he pleases, and to dress his ideas in the garb which suits them best. With this feeling, I come hither to-night, trusting that you will allow me to present to you the thoughts which have occurred to me upon subjects local in their character and have no special attraction for any person who does not feel a deep interest in the character and history of the town of Uxbridge. It would be far more easy to give you an hour filled with general ideas upon some of the popular and exciting subjects of the day; to talk about this gigantic rebellion, and the best method of putting it down, to discuss some of the questions which fill the hearts of the men and women of this generation, but I shall avoid them all. My apology is this: when I reflect upon the last twenty-five years, and call to mind those with whom it has been my lot to hold pleasant intercourse, it is a source of deep regret that I have not treasured up, and put into some tangible form, many facts of a local and interesting character, now forever buried in the dark ocean of the past. If by the crude and VDDI 19 desultory effort of this evening, I can make any reparation for past neglect, or pay any pari of the debt of gratitude I owe to this section of the county, the labor <>r preparation will nol have been Bpenl in vain. 1 need not say to you, thai this town combines much natural beauty of ■cenery and was once a fair specimen of a New England fanning town. The younger Bezaleel Taft used to Bay, " 1 do nol place l >ridge in the first class of fanning towns in the county, bul it stands among the firsl of the second class." The territory now included within the limits of Uxbridge and Nbrthbridge was originally a pari of Mendon, and was Bet off from the parenl town June l!7th. 17J7, under the name ofUxbridge.* This part of Mendon was called by the Indian- who early inhabited it Wacantug.f It is -aid, these [ndians had Indian teachers among them t<> instruct them in the principals of the Christian religion. The first town meeting of Oxbridge was held July 25th, L727, one hundred and thirty-six years lasl July. The members <•! the firsl board of Imeuwi e Robert Taft, Ebenezer Read,Wood- iii-IiiIh r Ol 20 ADDRESS. land Thompson and Joseph White. The first town clerk was Edmund Rawson. The town remained in the form in which it was originally organized, until Northbridge was set off as a separate town in the year 1772. The fact that these two towns were originally one municipality explains the reason why, until a period comparatively recent, their annual March meetings were held upon different days of the week, one being held on Monday and the other on Wednesday. Those who had been in the habit of meeting together on this occasion, talking politics, swapping oxen, drinking flip, or doing something more useful, by mutual consent made this convenient and satisfactory arrangement, in order to enable them to continue the same, or similar acts of kindness and good neighborhood. It is interesting to examine the early records of the town, and observe the prevalence of certain names which seem to have come down like heir- looms from generation to generation. For instance, take the name of Taft. I have had the curiosity to observe casually how often this name appears in the list of town officers. In 1741, 1742 and 1743, it appears six times in the list of town officers for each year, and in the year 1775 it appears sixteen times. One is reminded of the old story of the stranger in Uxbridge, who, meeting a gentleman whom he had never seen before, exclaimed, " How \M-I.1 - L'l ;uv \oii Mr. Taft ? n "How address you by thai nam* ." The town clerks of this town have been: — Edmund Rawson, IT'JT — 176 John Sibley, 1753 — 1767. Moses Taft, 1767—1766. John Sibley, 17<>*1— 177:;. - Simeon Wneelock, Jr., 177i) — 1777. - I. Read, 1777— 177-. B< zaleel Taft, L778— 1782. Josiah Read, L782— 1783. I;, zaleel Taft, 1783—1784. Aaron Taft, Jr., L784— 1799. Frederic Taft, L799— 180*. John Capron, 1801—1821. Daniel Carpenter, L821— 1844. Amariah Taft, L844— 1855. vTiliam \V. Thayer, 1866—1866. Henry Capron, 1856 — the presenl time.* Ton will observe that generally the town has adopted a wise course in reference to numerous •II' • ii i l< rh for i \\ IHTfl. ■Ik] H n. n h< > ln'I'l- il Urn . 22 ADDRESS. and successive elections of the same town clerk, and in this way has secured far more uniformity and accuracy in the town records, than would have resulted from more frequent changes in the record- ing officer of the town. The people of the town, according to the early records, had an eye to their own interests and were quite distinct and emphatic in their expressions in regard to them. They had their own views of matters and things, and stated them quite unequivo- cally. Soon after the separation from Mendon, we find their loyalty to the parent town illustrated by the following vote: — " Voted, About Worcester's being a sheir town, that unless MendoD be made a sheir town as Worcester, to hold half y' county courts at, they had rather remain as now, in the county of Suffolk." When I first read the record of this vote, I was struck with the statement, implying that Uxbridge was once a part of the county of Suffolk. Upon exa mi nation I find, that down to the time of the creation of Worcester county, this territory was embraced within the limits of the county of Suffolk. From the tenor of the vote, we may naturally infer that the question of a new county was discussed as early as 1728, and the people of Uxbridge thought lit to express their opinion in the form already stated. kDDBl The wli<»ic territory of Massachusetts In L643 was divided into four countii I being the eastern, Middlesex in the middle, Suffolk in the southern and (<)ld) Norfolk in the northern part. Hampshire county was created in 1662. K county, embracing all of Old Norfolk which bad n«>t been Bel off i" Nev< Hampshire, was created in Plymouth, Barnstable and Bristol counties i ated in L685. Wnen the islands "1* Nan- tucket and Martha's Vineyard were transferred from N<\\ fork to Massachusetts, they constituted Dukes county, from which Nantucket was set off as a separate county in 1695. Worcester county was created in 1730, just two years after the vote referred to. Berkshire in 1761, Hampden in 1811, and Franklin in L812. For nearly one hundred years after its organiza- tion, [Jxbridge remained simply an agricultural town w'nh the usual amount of such mechanical business as was carried on in the rural towns of N«\\ England. Winn we examine its records and traditions, we find manj of the same proceedings which were con n in towns of similar character and |><>«.'iti<>ii during that period. The location of roads, the building of bridges, the care ■>{' the schools, tli*- Bupport of the | r, and the thousand- and-one municipal matters, either more or less important, were voted upon and acted upon from 24 ADDRESS. year to year, in a manner that fills one with a feel- ing of deep respect for the care and fidelity with which the men of that day performed their muni- cipal duties, and with a feeling of wonder and astonishment at the cheapness and economy with which they carried them on. In 1728, they allowed Mr. Solomon "Wood, for services as town treasurer one year, five shillings, and at the same time allowed Lieut. Joseph Taft seven shillings for a barrel of cider. Truly, apples must have been scarce in 1728 in the territory of Wacantug. In 1735, the town voted to raise twenty pounds to defray the town expenses this year. In 1731, Mr. Edmund Rawson was allowed twenty pounds for keeping school six months and boarding himself. In 1731, the town sold their stock of ammunition to help defray town expenses. In the same year it was voted, that " We will make choice of a man to go on y e town's behalf to see about letting y e fish come up y e great river in case other towns should send to Providence to joyn with them in agreeing to have y e fish let up y e great river at Jenckes falls." From the year 1775, during the revolutionary war, we find that the fires of patriotism burned here brightly and steadily. Although they voted that inoculation for the small-pox should not be set u]) in Oxbridge, the people showed, not only LDDRE88. 25 thai they were not afraid of Great Britain, but that thej were willing to contribute their lull Bhare i"w ardfl the prosecutioD of the \\ ar« At the meeting In May, 1 T "7 « *» , in the spring previous i" tin- declaration of independence, an article of which the following is a copj was a apon: "To Bee if the town will vote if the honora- ble Congress Bhould, for the safety of the United State- colonies, declare themselves independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, whether that they will solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to Bupport them in the measure.' 1 Have yon any question how they voted? Of course they voted in the affirmative. This is not all. In L778, the town voted "to pay one quarter more than the County rate for 1777." and although an attempt was made at a subsequent meeting to defeat it. or rescind it, the attempt Bignally failed. In the same the town voted to raise a committee to procure clothing for the soldiers, and a man to carry it to them. This, you will bear in mind, took place long before any public conveyance was established in this vicinity, and when a journey to and from different sections of the country, was a formidable undertaking in labor and endurance. Prices having been much increased by reason of the war, the town also voted "to pay one-half of the minister's salary in products and labor at the same prices 26 ADDRESS. at which they were furnished at the time of his settlement." What a splendid arrangement it would be now for a minister, or any one else, who is dependent upon a salary, if a similar spirit of liberality could be exercised towards him, at a time when coal is fourteen dollars a ton, and all the other necessaries of life are proportionally as expensive. A word to the wise is of course sufficient. In the early histories of the towns of New Eng- land, we are struck with the attention which was given to the matter of public worship. The people of this town were of the old puritan stock, and the puritans, whether sincere or not, were always marked by their care for the institutions of religion. One of the earliest votes of the new town in 1727, was that they would maintain public preaching by way of rate, and " would build a meeting house forty feet in length, thirty-five feet in breadth and nineteen feet between joynts." In 1752 it was voted to pay £18 to Mr. "Webb for his salary, and see whether he has been honorably maintained according to the agreement with him. In 1773 immediately after Korthbridge was set off, the town voted to remove the old meeting-house, if it could be, and that the new one be set in the same place. If I am not mistaken, what is spoken of as the old meeting-house was the one which stood upon the ADDRESS. 27 common until after the year 1830, and was the one where all sorts of meetings from time to time were held. If any one here has any curiosity to know more of the common and the location of that meeting-house, which stood upon the hill near where Mr. Hayward's house is situated, he will find under vote of May 11th, 1797, a copy of an agree- ment signed by Bezaleel Taft, John Capron, Silas Rawson and Robert G. Tillinghast, selectmen of Uxbridge, and John Capron, Elihu Brown and Samuel Willard, parties adjoining the common, fixing the several lines and boundaries of the same.* He will also find annexed thereto a plan of the common, which is quite curious and interest- ing. The lines and their bearings are given, there is a drawing of the meeting-house, the house for- merly occupied by Dr. Samuel Willard with its gambrel roof, a building which I suppose to be the old hotel, the horse-sheds, the house formerly occu- pied by Elihu BroAvn, now Mr. Jepherson's, and the old school-house. In addition to these, is a draw- ing (not a photograph) of the surveyor with his instrument. I scarcely recognize the features, but my opinion is that the surveyor was Frederic Taft. * The following vote, with date of March 5th, 1794, appeal's : " Voted to choose a committee to see all the incumbrances removed off the common, thai lies about the town's meeting-house." Nicholas Baylies, Asa Thayer and Samuel Taft were chosen a committee for the purpose. 28 ADDRESS. Compare that sketch taken in 1797, with Uxbridge as it is in 1864, and you will be able to form a pretty clear idea of the growth of this village within the last seventy years. As a fact tending to show the manners and customs of men with a puritan education, at the time of the raising of the first meeting-house in Uxbridge, in 1730, it became the duty of an appropriate committee to purchase fifteen gallons of rum. One can hardly help asking himself, what raisings wouldn't there be now, if there should be procured and distributed on such an occasion fifteen gallons of what we call rum at the present day. It is probably true, that if the quality of the liquors of that time had been as poor as it is now, and raisings had been characterized by the purchase and distribution of such material, there would at the present time have existed few descendants of the men of 1730 to listen to any S23eaker upon an occasion like this. The first settled minister in Uxbridge was the Rev. Nathan Webb. He was settled February 3d, 1731. He died March 16th, 1772, after a ministry of over forty years and in the same year in which Northbridge was set off as a separate town. All that can be learned about him tends to the conviction, that he was a faithful preacher, an earnest, true-hearted man, and that he exerted a ADDRESS. beneficial influence npon the minds and hear! the people. I have in nn possession one of his written sermons which shows deep religious feeling, ! Bense, clearness of style, and tends to convince me that he was i Bound thinker and good writer. He was a man of good temper and genial humor. He used t«» tell, with much merriment, the follow- ing anecdote. A couple came t<» him t<» be married. Having tied the knot, he was inquired of bj the happy groom aboul hi- terms. Mi - . Webb told him that he generally lefl the compensation t«> the parties. The bridegroom handed him four coppers, and with hi- bride left the house of the parson. Mr. W'lhl) enjoyed it bo much that In- could not keep it t<> himself, ami the story reached the ears of the generous party. Meeting Mi'. Webb, he told him if In- was not satisfied, he would make him satisfied, and handed him another copper. Mi - . \\ i Mi always said he was satisfied. The second settled minister was the Rev. Heze- kiah Chapman, who was settled January 27th, 177 I. and was dismissed April 5th, L781. In L778, Mr. Chapman asked for a dismission, bul the t<>\\n 1 to pay one-half of hi- -alary in any of the produce of their farms al tin- price which was current for tin 1 Bame articles at the time of his settlement in tin' ministry of the town, or, in labor at the price which labor was worth at the same 30 ADDRESS. time. In April, 1781, we find the entries of which the following is a copy: — " At a meeting of the church in Uxbridge, April 5th, 1781. Whereas, the liev. Hezekiah Chapman, the pastor of this church, some time since signified to us his desire of a dis- mission from his pastoral relation to this church and congre- gation on account of the languishing state of his health. The church having maturely considered the reason he was pleased to assign for his dismission, and previously consulted with the congregation, voted unanimously, that a dismission be granted Mr. Chapman agreeable to his request." Mr. Chapman's reply is as follows: — ' ' Mr. Chapman being dismissed from his ministerial rela- tion to the church in Uxbridge, feels himself in justice bound to declare, that they have treated him with tenderness and respect, and that it is with reluctance that he leaves them. The care of his health, which for years has been languishing, obliges him to leave such worthy and valuable friends. He wishes them prosperity, and shall never cease to rejoice in their welfare." The real reason for Mr. Chapman's leaving does not appear in the foregoing copies. It is a sad fact, that the real cause of his leaving Uxbridge was intemperance. After his dismission, he left the town and his wife remained for some time alone. She was obliged to sell sundry articles of household furniture to procure the necessaries of life, and some of the furniture, after a lapse of seventy-five years, may be seen in this town in a good state of preservation. The third settled minister was the Rev. Josiah Spaulding, who was settled September 11th, 1783, \M>l:l - 31 ami was dismissed ( I r 27th, 1787. It baa been written and printed, t hat both Mr. Chapman and Mr. Spaulding were dismissed •«• on account of the peculiarity <>l" their religions sentiments than from any other cause. In m_\ opinion this state- ment Lb n»»t a correct one, about one of them at least. Mr. Spaulding was unmarried. He was distinguished by a remarkable fondness for the Proverbs of Solomon. In the Bible which he was in the habit <>(' reading, the Book of Proverbs Boiled and worn, that one could readily discern the locality of his favorite reading by the appearance of the well thumbed pages, that were subjected to his frequent perusal. It appears that in 1787, a vote of the town was passed and sent to Mr. Spaulding, advising him to ask a dismission, and the action of the church and an ecclesiastical council is contained in a certain rote of which the f<»ll<>\\ ing is a copy: — •• Uxbridge, Sept. 10th, 1787. A.t a Chh. meeting regu- larly warned :it the Meetinghouse: After reading a \<>n> -•Hi to our Rev. Pastor from this Town, or Congregational Society, in which he was advised t « » ask a dismission from nd after some conversation, the question being put t<> see it' this < Ihh. will join « itli their Pastor in calling a mutual Council of Pastors and Churches t<> advise upon the expe- diency of his being dismissed or not — The \ *ed in the affirmath e. I . again, that n<>tliinL r ahall be laid before the Council except what ia first laid before the Chh. and their voice had upon it. it' tlir\ see fit, and that 1 I days before the <'<'iin«il Bit." 32 ADDRESS. (In Council.) The Church gave the Rev. Mr. Spaulding the following recommendation : — " Whereas, Rev. Mr. Josiah Spaulding is dismissed from us as to his pastoral relation, and as he has requested a dis- mission from his membership from this Chh. and a recom- mendation to the communition and fellowship of the Chh. of Christ wherever God in his providence shall call him : this is therefore a testimony that he is a brother in good and regular standing ; and in consequence of his request, we do dismiss him from particular membership in this Chh. and do recommend him to the Chh. of Christ, wherever God in his providence shall call him, as a brother in good and regular standing. This vote passed y e Presence of the Council and was signed by the Moderator at the request of the Chh. AMARIAH FEOST, Moderator." (In the result.) ' ' The Council feel it incumbent on them to declare that they view Mr. Spaulding's christian character in a fair and amiable light, and cannot but hope Christ will still use him as an instrument of spreading his Gospel, and promoting his cause in the world. And accordingly we recommend him as a preacher of the Gospel." Mr. Spaulding was afterwards settled in Worth- ington, Mass. It would be pleasant to know the reason why the town saw fit to pass the vote referred to, but I have not been able to ascertain any of the facts relating to the same.* * AfiiT the dismissal of Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Samuel Mead preached for some time in Oxbridge, and in December 1791, the town voted "to concur with the church in giving Mr. .Mead a call to be settled over them in the ministry," also, •• Yoi in £100 as an encouragement to settle, and £90 per annum salary." No answer appears on the records to the foregoing votes. IDDRESS. The fourth settled minister was th< B Samuel Judson, who was settled October 17th, L792, and dismissed in L832. In the language of the epitaph upon his tombstone, M He was for forty years the faithful and beloved pastor of the church of Christ in Oxbridge, where, after a life of purity and benevolence, he died in the faith and hope of the gospel, NTov. Llth, A. D. L832, aged 65." I find that he was born in Woodbury, Conn., December 7th, 1767. Be married Miss Sally Bartletf of Salt-in, M.i\ 28th, 17'.»7. II- was a man <>!' remark- able conscientiousness, rare good nature, much native common sense, and during his long ministry he retained the love and confidence of the people of his charge.* M •. .itiii-'>n wai unanimous, and w mied by the : Judxon £300, proi Ided b •half i" !>• paid in one >• :ir from tli-' time be i- ordained, the other half I dination, •••. r> . n • >iir iiiini-i'T." In relation to 1 1 » • ■ in f the Firwt - ty, the - ..ii the record, Apr I ! iii the I tow ii*- i ■■ii-. nt f>>r their being ..f tli. ir | Mini' nt they shall i I f"r and Nupjrai i for t'-w n-m ken down for the purpo«c ><( bu church in I buret) "f • nry I - 34 ADDRESS. At the dismissal of Mr. Judson, the elements of religious opinion came to an open rupture, and those who had united under his ministrations, formed themselves into separate societies, according to mixed motives of personal feelings, or religious principles, and the two houses for religious wor- ship, which now stand upon opposite sides of the common were erected, and the members of the two societies, who unitedly paid Mr. Judson a salary of $400 a year, settled the Rev. David A. Grosvenor, at a salary of $ 600, and the Rev. Samuel Clarke, at a salary of $600 ; and from that time to the present both societies have been reasonably prosperous: and after the first few years following the separa- tion, with few exceptions, the most kindly feeling has prevailed between the members of the different societies. I do not propose to follow the histories of these two religious societies since the time of their separation, but knowing as I did both Mr. Grosvenor and Mr. Clarke, under circumstances which furnished good opportunities for forming an impartial judgment, I am free to say, they were both true and earnest exponents of their different views of theology; both were men of more than ordinary talent, good citizens, good friends, and, as was thoroughly repaired iu 1864, at a cost of about §4,500; and again in 1878, at a cost of some $4,000. The house of the Evangelical Congregational Society was built the same year, 1833, and dedicated in the autumn. It was repaired some seventeen years ago and much improved. 4DDBJ 18. it appeared to me, sincere Christians and honest men. Rev. Samuel Clarke, the bod of Ninian Clarke of Scotch ancestry, "an extraordinary man, of large sympathies, a noble spirit and trusted by every one," was born in N<-\\ Boston, N. EL, April i'l>t, L791. He fitted forcollege with the Rev. Mr. Beede of Wilton, and was graduated at Dartmouth Col- in tin' class of L812. II«- studied theology with Dr. Channing, and was ordained at Princeton in Worcester County, June 18th, HIT. He married Miss Sarah Wigglesworth, of Newburyport, Sep- tember, L819. On January 9th, L833, he was installed over the First Congregational Society in [Jzbridge, and his connection was not severed during his life. He died in Worcester, Saturday morning, November 19th, 1859, and was buried at Oxbridge on Tuesday, November 22d. The ser- vices at the meeting-house of the First Congri tional Society were as follows: reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Ferryj remarks bj Rev. M jsrs. Hill of Worcester, Boyden <>!* Woonsocket and Ball of Upton; and a prayer 1>\ Rev. Mr. Shippen of Worcester. The services were appro- priate ami impressive. The funeral was attended by a large concourse of people of tin- various religious ieties. The business of the village was sus- pended, the Btores were closed; and, although the 36 ADDRESS. day was stormy, the whole community seemed to wish to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of a good man and truly Christian minister. It was well remarked by one of the company at the grave, "There lies a man who was more beloved than any other man in the town of Uxbridge." When a good man passes away, it is well to review his life, and learn the true qualities of his character. The ministry of Mr. Clarke extended over a period of forty-two years ; fifteen of which were passed in Princeton, and twenty-seven in Uxbridge. It having been the privilege of the writer, during a portion of the time, to listen to the religious exercises of Mr. Clarke from week to week, to meet him almost daily in the intercourse of life, to confer with him in scenes of joy and sorrow, to witness his spirit under circumstances of peculiar trial and anxiety, he feels at liberty to offer his grateful tribute to his memory. There existed in him a beauty and consistency of character rarely witnessed. He was a true friend. To all who knew him his presence seemed a benediction. But, in the familiar intercourse of life, we were often surprised by the gushing out of emotions and sympathies, which a stranger, who had only witnessed the calm dignity of his deportment, would scarcely have expected. A man of rare modesty, great self- denial, imperturbable good nature, excellent gifts, ADDKJ 98. large culture and unflinching fidelity t«> duty, he wtiii iii and <>ut before u- during twenty-seven years; and, eloquent and appropriate as were his religious exercises, hie life was one of the riches! legacies which he bequeathed t<> win us to a higher life, bj the living power of a purr Christian exam- ple. Blest during the greater portion of lii- minis- terial life with ilif companionship of a wife of rare mplishments, combined with large common - and devoted Christian principles, he always found his home a happ) one, where he ever met ready Bympathy, kind words, and heart] co-operation. No ni.iii in ilit- community fulfilled his dun more faith- fully. The poor, the Bick and the anfortunate always found in him a friend; and his labors in the cause of education and good order are held in grateful remembrance. Although he was far from robust, and exhibited for a number of years symptoms of declining health, hi- religious exer* -criiicd to increase in excellence from year to year, and the genuine beauty <>l' his character became more and more apparent. Qe labored faithfully until a Sunday in the July preceding his death, w hen, in the performance of his usual duties, exhausted nature gave way, and he fell to the floor of his pulpit in a tainting condition. Feeling thai lii- work was done, -it in a letter resigning hie and requesl the Society to accept his resignation, — a request 38 ADDRESS. which, to their honor, they promptly declined ; not only voting to supply the pulpit, but to continue the salary of Mr. Clarke. From that time, although the seal of coming death was on his brow, it brought no terrors and the kindly voice and beaming smile seemed to speak of a heaven within. Again he met his church at the communion table, distributed to them the symbols, and, in language which those who heard him can never forget, he commended them to God, committed all to His hands, and bade them farewell with the hope, that, if it was God's will, they might meet again this side of the grave, but be fully prepared for whatever in God's providence was in store for him. Another meeting in life was not vouchsafed to them. While the tones of his parting farewell seemed yet to linger in our ears, we were startled by the an- nouncement that the beloved and faithful pastor had quietly dropped to sleep "like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."* There has long been a society of Friends, or Quakers, in this town; but their faith has been so internal and undemonstrative, that there is but little on an occasion like this to say of them. We all know that this denomination of Christians early Appendix I. for an account of the successors to Rev. Mr. Clarke ami Kr\. Mr. Grosvenor. ADDRESS. adopted firm ami decided views upon the g questions of slavery, intemperance and the prevail- ing evils of Bociety; bnl their style of enforcing their views has been bo quiet and unobtrusive, that we hard!? realize thai many of these questions, which seem to some of as bo new, are, to the mem- - of this denomination, as old as the plain bonnet and the straight collared coat: and these questions have been ><> well considered by them, that their opinions about them Beem to them as natural and as much a thins of course as the air they breathe. There is a Baptist Bocietyin the north part of the town, but it- historj is bo moaern that I leave it with the statement of the Tact of it- existence, although it would be pleasant to refer to Borne of its preachers and to it- more prominent and influential members, among whom was the late Dea. David D. Payne.* Within a few years past you have found estab- lished here a Roman Catholic Church] but of this y<»u must know bo much more than I. that I content myself with the mere recognition of a circumstance whirh would have Beemed bo Btrangef twenty years With these remarks I leave the ecclesiastical history of the town,} and refer to some other events in its history . odix II., Baptist Church. - ndlx III., Roman < Church. I >< ■ Appcndl c IV., Mel ireh. 40 ADDRESS. In the month of November, 1789, Gen. George Washington, then President of the United States, passed a night in Uxbridge, at a tavern, kept, in his language, by " one Taft." I need not tell you where what was then the tavern, is now situated,* nor who occupies it. I need not express the hope that the building may long be spared as an object of patriot- ism in trust. From Hartford, General Washington wrote on the eighth of November, 1789, on his way home, the following letter to "Mr. Taft, near Uxbridge, Massachusetts " : — i i gir : — Being informed that you have given my name to one of your sons, and called another after Mrs. Washington's family, and being moreover much pleased with the modest and innocent looks of your two daughters, Patty and Polly, I do, for these reasons, send each of these girls a piece of chintz ; and to Patty, who bears the name of Mrs. Washing- ton, and who waited upon us more than Polly did, I send five guineas with which she may buy herself any little orna- ments she may want, or she may dispose of them in any other manner more agreeable to herself. As I do not give these things with a view to have it talked of, or even to its being known, the less there is said about the matter, the better you will please me ; but that I may be sure the chintz and money have got safe to hand, let Patty, who, I dare say, is equal to it, write me a line informing me thereof, directed to < The President of the United States, New York.' I wish you and your family well, and am your humble servant." There is a circumstance, related to me by a ven- erable clergyman a few weeks since, which may be interesting to you. General Washington called at *The house now occupied by Mr. Warner Taft. The daughter Polly, men- tioned in the letter, married Joseph H. Perry, of Milford. IDDU1 II the house of Col. Ammidown in Mendon, whom he had known in the Revolutionary Army, but not finding him al home, passed <>n bis wa) to Uxbridg< . Soon niter he had retired, Col. Ammidown, accom- panied by lii-. daughter, arrived, l>"tli being verj anxious to see the President. To the Burprise of his attendants, he arose and, attired in hi-> dressing- gown, had ;i verj pleasanl interview with his <>ld friend and the daughter. At the close of the inter- view, Baid the General to Miss Ammidown, "Allow me i" ask vou one question; you have come b good ways to Bee an <>ld man, h<»\\ far would you have gone i" Bee a j oung one?" Col. Samuel Cragin was a Boldier in the <»ld French war, was present at the rapture of Quebec, ami was a captain in the war «>f the Revolution. II< once kept a hotel in the house m»w occupied 1>\ Mr. Charles E. S< aprave, and afterwards in the large gambrel-roofed bouse, known as the John Capron house. This house was built 1»\ Col. Set h 1 1 d, who once owned the most of the real estate in tlii-> village. The oft-asserted claim of Reed Par- sons to a title in the cninnn.ii had its origin in some w a\ connected with the ownership of Col. Seth Reed. The first Btore in Uxbridge waskept bj George Southwick in the Bouth part of the town; and the Becond, bj a Mr. Russell in a building opposite to what was formerly known as the John Seagrave 42 ADDRESS. place, and was afterwards owned and occupied by Daniel Seagrave. As an illustration of the change in the places, and modes of doing business in this town, permit me to refer you to one spot, about which but few young people know anything. On the old road to Slatersville, you may observe a cluster of wood-colored buildings of small dimensions that now bear the marks of neglect, and you may wonder what should have caused them to be erected. The truth is, this comparatively deserted spot was once among the most active and business-like localities of Uxbridge. Here Esek Fitts carried on the busi- ness of manufacturing hats, with numerous journey- men and apprentices; Royal Southwick, tanning and currying; Enoch Aldrich, coopering; Parley Brown and Mason Buffington, shoe-making; and here George Southwick did the most extensive business in the store-keeping line which in those days was carried on in this section of the county, and manufactured large quantities of potash which he exported to England, besides keeping a circulating library for the neighborhood. The change in the lines of travel and the use of rivers for manufac- turing purposes, changed the places of trade and of business, and grass now grows where once everything was alive with the bustle of trade and industry. Allow me in this connection to relate an incident somewhat characteristic of the times. A \l»l>l : person Known as "Old Croney," had paid a l»ill t<» Geor S mthwick, and after he had arrived at his home, he found, or there was Bhown to him upon the bill, a large Dumber of " ditt< He told Dr. Samuel Willard, who was rather fond <>l" fun, thai he had had no dittoes, and the Doctor told him he had better go back and have the bill corrected. Cronej called upon George Southwick and Btated his grievance. Said George, u Whosenl you here?P SaidCroney, - Dr. Will.-ml." •• Well^said G •• you i«'ll Dr. Sam. Willard thai In- is a <1 n fool and \ on are a ditto! " The firsl distillery in town was established by ( Jol. I taniel Tillinghast, upon whal has recentlj been known as the Royal Thayer place. II«' manufac- tured mall in the building on the corner of the old road, which was afterwards converted into a resi- dence l>\ Mr. John Seagrave. The second distiller} was owned by Thaddeus Taft, and was located upon what i- now the farm of Mr. John S. Taft. Thej manufactured gin and cider brandy. In the year L820, the remains of the distillery of Col. Tillinghasl were visible upon the Royal Thayer place, and the | > 1 1 • » • — showed a form of construction which gave the observer a verj \ a man of the name of Steele. A; thai time, there was no mail from Providence t" \\ "cester. It is said thai the firsl ride through the Blackstone valley \\ :i - made by William Blackstone mi the back of a boll. Professor Gammell has playfully remarked, that this was the origin of the term, " BuHgine." Sometime between fifty and -i\i\ years ago, the first mail from Providence i" Worcester was carried bv Aimer Cooper, who resided in Northbridge. He used to •_:'" t<> Provi- dence "ii one Worcester ami return t<> his home in Northbridge on the third day. He traveled at first «'ii horseback, next in a one-horse gig, and finally in a two-horse vehicle, and carried passen- gers, who used frequently i" stop at hi- house over night. It i- said that he carried hi- oats with him, an«l -topped by the roadside t-» feed hi- horses. It is to be feared that Ne^i England passengers the present day might be somewhat impatient with this kind of locomotion. Tlie first stage upon tin- route 9 iblished bj • •tie Henry Richardson in 1812. He drove through from Pros idence t«» Worcester in one da\ . and back the next. Although h<- succeeded in depriving Mi-. < >perofhis passengers, he tailed in hi- enterprise. Mr. Cooper continued t<» carry the mail until another line ..!' Btages was established, when the 46 ADDRESS. stages proved too strong for him, and he retired from the field. It would be pleasant to recall the times when staging was at its full tide through Uxbridge, when such men as John Bradlee held the ribbons, before the time when the railroads had ruined the business; to tell of the social scenes of a long day's ride with the pleasantest people in the world, of the handsomest women and the jolliest men; to describe how Luther Spring used to wel- come the drivers, and mix the toddy, and get up a dinner which was a dinner; and how the drivers would blow their bugle blasts, and come dashing up to the door as though the whole rebel army was in hot pursuit; but there is no time on this occasion to indulge in any such luxury, and we must hasten to speak of other subjects. I shall say nothing of the later members of the legal profession in this town; but I feel at liberty to say, that the town was fortunate in the character of the lawyers who early settled here. The members of the profession who have practiced here, so far as I can learn, have been Nathan Tyler, Benjamin Adams, Bezaleel Taft, Jr., George "Wheaton, Joseph Thayer, Francis Deane, Henry Chapin, Lucius B. Boynton, George S. Taft, and George W. Hobbs.* A lawyer of average ability in a *We add to the above list, Frederic B. Deane and Judge A. A. Putnam. Francis Deane and his >oii, Frederic 15. Deane, now reside in Worcester. AM'i count r \ town, •••■in do much For i he g 1 or evil, the credit or