184 20 4978 Book Bound document, typically consisting of 25 or more pages. Generally does not include stapled items. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Paper Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 20.3 x 24.8 x 2.5 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2005a-096 Description An account of the resource Leather bound record book "Secretary's Report Book - Women's Benevolent Society, First Congregatiioal Church starting June 1959 ending July 1973. Frontispiece - Picture of church in late 1950s. Abstract A summary of the resource. Church - Organization, Report, W.B.S., Secretary's Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Town Hall Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2005-07-15 Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2007-04-29 Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Box 24d Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 20.3 x 24.8 x 2.5 cm (8 x 9.8 x 1 in) Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. bfs/swu Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1959-06/1973-07 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Worthington Historical Society Date Modified Date on which the resource was changed. 2012-10-05 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Type The nature or genre of the resource Document Title A name given to the resource Secretary's Book - Women's Benevolent Society 1959-1973 Subject The topic of the resource Churches https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/a204f644c39cdaf41cfe043218a01efc.pdf 56affe6be0219e4a9cc6aaa494c38241 PDF Text Text �LIBRARY OF THE "^ ^ MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SO ^ 74 - W93R5 — '\^ �0,KA.H^yH %. ����HISTORY OP THE Town of "Worthington, FBOM Its FIRST SETTLEMENT TO 1874. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.: CLARK W. BRYAN & COMPANY, PRINTERS 1874. �i7^ �SECULAR HISTORY Town of "Worthington, FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO By JAMES "No liistory C. 1854. RICE. can present us with the whole truth; but those are the best histories, which whole."— Macaulay. exhibit such parts of the truth, as most nearly produce the effect of the ��TO THK OLD PEOPLE OF WORTHINGTON, THIS HI8TOKICAL PAMPHLET IS MOST BBSPEOTFULLY WITH EARNEST WISHES FOR THEIR HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY, BY THE AUTHOR. ��PREFACE Feeling that the unrecorded history of one's native town, like the unmarked graves of parents, evidences both of a proper respect and a following chapters, tives less filial gratitude, the want we commenced the more from a sense of duty than from mo- worthy of regard. To this sense of duty was soon added the virtue of necessity, which so often causes a person to hazard that before the public eye which no motives otherwise could have induced, and no ambition could have prompted. Taking advantage, therefore, of the recollection of the living and the records of the dead, we place before the people of Worthington a history of their town, asking imperfections, and its errors, that charity of criticism which a thoughtful consideration of the vantages under which Worthington, July it many was written, lO^A, 1853. for its brevity, its difficulties and disad- will naturally suggest. ��SECULAR HISTORY. CHAPTER L THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN. On the 2d of June, 1762, plantations of land were by order of the General Court, nine sold at public auction in Boston. These plantations embraced the townships of Cummington and Plainfield, Windsor, Partridgefield (now called Peru and Hinsdale) and Worthington, on the Green Mountains, together with ^ve other towns, situated in different parts of the " Plantation ]^o. 3," which extended at that time, on State. the east, as far as the north branch of the Westfield river, was purchased by Col. Worthington, of Springfield, and Maj. BarIn honor of the former nard, of Deerfield, for about Xl,500. gentleman, who liberally induced the early settlers to occupy the land, by the erection of a church and a grist-mill, at his own expense, together with a generous assignment of minisand school lots for the use of the town, the plantation was called Worthington. The larger part of the first inhabitants of the town came from Connecticut, and the middle and eastern counties of this State; among whom was I^athan Leonard, who resided where his grandson, Mr. Alonson Leonterial ard, now and Samuel Clapp, who resided in a log house, of ground now occupied by what is called the lives; near the lot Woodbridge place ; ]N'athaniel Daniels, who built the first frame house in town, nearly opposite to the dwelling of Mr. Tilson Bartlett; Nahum Eager, wdio resided near the place 2 �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 10 where Mr. Nathaniel Eager now lives, and who was the first town in the Provincial Congress, held at Cambridge; Doctor Moses Morse, whose house stood on a spot of ground between the dwellings of Mr. Ames Burr and Medad Ames, now marked by a butternut tree John Kinne, who lived on the place now owned by Mr. Jotham Clark; Ebenezer Leonard, who resided on the place now occupied by the dwelling-house of Mr. Ames Burr Thomas Clemmons, who lived where Mr. Jonathan Burr now resides; Benjamin Biglow, who resided in a house situated north and east ol what is now called the Jonah Brewster farm Thomas Kinne, who lived on the above named farm, and from whom the brook, near that place, took its name; John AYatts, who resided a few rods east of the first church that was built in town Ephraim Wheeler, who resided near the spot of ground now occupied by the house of Mr. Harrington Mr. Collamore, who lived nearly opposite to Mr. Wheeler's Alexander Miller, who resided on the " Bufiington place," and who was the first innholder in town Joseph Marsh, who lived on the place now owned by Mr. Franklin Burr; Amos Frink, whose house was situated on " Cold-street;" Abner Dwelly, whose residence was situated on the east side of the road which leads from Capt. Clark's to the church; Jeremiah Kinne, who resided where Mr. Calvin Tower now lives; Stephen and Davis Converse, who resided on the "Elijah Higgins place;" Phinehas Herrick, who resided near where Mr. Amasa Briggs now lives; Joseph Pettingell, and Joshua Phillips, who lived opposite to him, resided on the north side of the road, passing by Mr. John Colt's; Gersham Bandall, who resided where Mr. Jonarepresentative of the ; ; ; ; ; ; ; now resides Daniel Gates, who lived near the place of Abner Dwelly Asa Cotrell, who resided on the place now owned by Capt. Pandall Asa Burton, whose house stood where that of Mr. Dwight Perry now stands Zephaniah Hatch, who lived on the place now owned by Mr. I^oah Hatch i^athan Branch, who occupied the place where Mr. Morgan Hall resides; John Buck, whose house stood on the than Prentice ; ; ; ; ; occupied by that of Capt. Eing; Timothy Meech, Wm. Colt's place; Samuel Crosby, who lived where Col. Stone now lives; Daniel Morse and Daniel Morse, Jr., who resided on the faims_now owned by Mr. ground who lately resided on Mr. �; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 11 Azariah Parsons and Mr. Silas Marble John Skiff, who lived on the spot of ground now occupied by the dwellinghouse of Mr. Horace Cole James Benjamin, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Ira Johnson Beriah Curtis, whose dwelling stood near the ground now occupied by the house of Mr. Alden Curtis Jonathan Prentice, who lived on the " Cushman place;" Samuel Morse, who resided near the ground now occupied by the dwelling of Capt. James Bisbee James Wybourn and Israel Iloton, who lived nearly opposite to each other, on the road which passes, on the north, the house of Mr. John Adams, near the plot of ground now called "The Vineyard;" Col. Ebenezer Webber, who owned the place now called the Widow Cole farm Samuel, Robert and Amos Ba}^ who resided on the spot of ground now occupied by the dwelling-house of Mr. Elijah Brury Joseph and Isaac Follett, who lived where Mr. Abraham Brake now resides Stephen Fitch, who resided nearly opposite to the dwelling now owned by Capt. Cyrus Robinson Ezra Cleaveland, who lived on the south side of the road in a house situated in an angle of a lot, north of the dwelling now occupied by Mr. Harvey Bewey Samuel Buck, who owned the farm, and erected the house in the year of 1T80, now occupied by Mr. Silas Robinson Edmund Pettingell, who resided on the farm now owned by Mr. Wm. Cole James and John Kelly, whose house was situated where that of Capt. Kelly now stands Isaac Her; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; rick, in who resided a short distance south of the school-house, Mr. Alden tridge, Curtis' district; Joseph Prentice, who lived on now owned by Mr. Alpheus Prentice John Parwhose house stood nearly one hundred rods north of the place Wm. ; Leonard's, on the west side of the road Seth Sylvester, who lived a short distance south of the dwelling-house lately owned by Capt. Ring Amos Leonard, who owned the Mr. ; ; farm now occupied by Mr. Amos Cole Elijah Gardner, whose house stood nearly west of Ring's factory; Joseph Bewey, who lived in a house west of the "Buffington Grove " (the land where it stood is now owned by Mr. Horace Cole) Luke Boney and Bavid Brunson, who lived in a house that formerly stood in Capt. Buck's orchard they were the first millers who came into town Asa Spaulding, who owned the farm now owned by Capt. Jeremiah Phillips Hezekiah Maheuren, ; ; — ; ; �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 12 now owned by Col. "Wm.Eice; John Howard, who occupied the place now owned by Mr. Merrick Cole; Thomas Hall, who lived west of Col. Oren Stone's, who resided east of a grove Wm. Meech on the farm formerly owned by Mr. ner, who resided opposite to the dwelling-house ; Joseph Gard- now occupied by Mr. Morris Parsons; Miner Oliver and Capt. Constant Webster, who lived near where Mr. Hiram Bartlett now lives ; Joseph Geer, who resided where the late Mr. William Parish lived Samuel Tower, whose house stood a few rods west of old church, by Mr. Watts' Nathaniel Collins, who resided the a short distance south of the house of Mr. Isaac Herrick, mentioned above Eeuben Adams, who owned the second sawmill and the second grist-mill built in town, which were situated near Pingville John Drury, who lived on what is now Mathew Finton, whose house stood called the Drury place a few rods east of the spot of ground now occupied by the dwelling-house of Mr. Granville B. Hall; James Bemis, who resided on the place now known as " The Widow Granger farm ;" Moses Buck, who resided with Mr. John Buck, spoken of before Thomas Buck, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr. John Coit; Samuel Petiugell, whose house stood on a lot now owned by Mr. William Cole, and nearly south-east of Mr. I^athaniel Eager's residence Noah Morse, who resided on the farm now owned by Mr. Milton Adams Nehemiah Proughty, whose house stood on the ground now occupied by that of Mr. Ezekiel Tower Seth Porter, who lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Jacob Porter Stephen Howard, whose house stood near the spot of ground now occupied by that of Mr. William H. Bates Mr. Hickbey, who lived in the south part of the town, near where the Methodist church now stands Elihu Tinker, who resided where the late Mr. John Tinker lived. In addition to the above-named persons, there were living in ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; town, at or near the time of viduals, certain its settlement, the following indi- whose places of residence we have been unable : Wm. Burr, Jonas Bellows, Jonathan Eames, Mr. WiLKiNS, Thomas Butler, Simeon Lee, Samuel Taylor, Samuel Clay, to as- �— TOWN OF WOKTHINGTON. 13 Mr. EiCE, Nathan Morgan, Mr.' Ford, Lewis Church, John Ross, James Tomson, Lewis Porter, Moses Porter, Samuel Wilcox, EuFus Stone, Moses Ashley, Joseph French, Samuel Converse, Joseph Lee, Alexander Chillson. , It seems, from the large number of the first that the settlement of the town was rapid from ment; and, from the town record, it its inhabitants, commence- also appears, that the population steadily increased for a number of years, so that, before the close of the last century, there were more persons living in town than at the present time. early inhabitants of Worthington were men whose charwere formed in that severe school of discipline, where the patient and cheerful endurance of hardships and trials was taught to be a virtue. Commencing their manhood at a time when the whole energy and valor of the New England Colonies were demanded to resist the encroachments of the French and their Indian allies, they became brave and resoWithout the privileges of schools and seminaries lute men. deprived of the advantages of an early education— possessing but the Bible and the spelling-book, they yet excelled the present generation in that practical learning which unites pruThey dence with resolution and wisdom with goodness. were men of strong minds, acute discernment and unerring judgment. When they arose to speak on any subject, in The acters church or town meeting, they expressed themselves with the Well acquainted with the greatest firmness and perspicuity. affairs of the colonies, they hesitated to act upon none of the various questions brought before the town. While they warned their town meetings, in his Majesty's name, they discussed our relations with Great Britain with unhesitating boldness. They voted that they would keep ''good regulations under his Majesty's reign," but at the same time they voted a supply of powder and balls for the use of political the town. In liberally raising money for defraying the exin the number of men they promptly penses of the army — �— SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 14 sent to the war, and cheerfully supported during paigns its cam- — in the amount of clothing with which they generously — supplied the wants of the soldiers they were unrivaled by any town on the mountains. Feeling a want of that educa- which circumstances had denied to them, they took the found schools, and to raise money to defray their expense. Believing in the doctrine of the same tion, earliest opportunity to religion, they, like their descendants, with nimity, always steadily commendable una- and zeal o,u sly supported the preaching Such are some of the peculiar traits that marked the characters of the first settlers of this town. Leav- of the gospel. ing a climate much milder than that of the mountains to which they had removed arriving here, as many of them did, — at the commeucement of one of our severe winters, with their wives and their children, after a journey of ten and twelve days on horseback, guided only by the marks on the trees was often the deprived of nearly all of those comcase, upon the ground forts and luxuries of life, in which their eastern homes had commenced to abound— procuring their food from the forest and their water from the brooks without chairs, without tables, without anything, save a small quantity of food, brought sleeping in log houses, hastily prepared, or, as — — — with them for their present subsistence did the first inhabitants of the town, eighty-nine years ago, commence the settlement of Worthington. CHAPTER II. INCORPOIIATION OF THE TOWN, ROADS, ETC. During the session of the Provincial Congress of Massawas passed for " creating the 'New chusetts, in 1768, a bill Plantation, called l^umber Three, in the county of Hamp- The limits town by the name of Worthington." of the town, as recognized by this bill, extended at that time from the Partridgefield line on the west to the north branch of the Westfield river on the east while the northern and southern boundaries were defined nearly the same as they reshire, into a ; �; TOWN OF WORTHTNGTON. main 15 In purscance of this act of Congress, the General Court to call a meeting of the inhabitants of this town, issued the following warrant: "These are, therefore, in his Majesty's name, to require you, ITathan Leonard, to notify and warn the inhabitants of Worthington, tbat they assemble together at the house of Alexander Miller, innholder in said town, on the first Monday in August next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, then and there in public meeting to choose all such officers, as towns within tb^s province are impowercd and enabled by law to choose in the month of March annually. Hereof, you Nathan may not fail. Given under my at the present day. lion. Israel Williams, hand and seal, at who had been empowered by Hatfield in Hampshire county, this eleventh day of July, in the eighth year of his Majestie's reign, anno Domini 1769.* IsEAEL "Williams, Jus. Pads.'' By virtue of the above warrant, the freeholders and other town met at the inn of Alexander Miller, on Monday, the first day of August, and chose Captain Nathan Leonard, Moderator Mr. Nahum Eager, Town Clerk Captain Nathaniel Daniels, Captain Nathan Leonard, and Mr. John Kinne, Selectmen; Mx. Benjamin Biglow and Mr. Thomas Kinne, Wardens; Mr. Thomas Clemmons, Constable and-Leather Sealer; Mr. Samuel Clapp and Dr. Moses Morse, Surveyors of Highways Mr. Nahum Eager and Mr. Ephraim Wheeler, Fence Viewers; Mr. John Watts, Tithingman. inhabitants of the ; ; chosen by the town. At a subseand Ebenezer Webber were choErink Amos sen Deer-reeves. The business of the town, for the first two These were the quent meeting, years after its first officers incorporation, consisted principally in survey- ing and laying out roads. Among the first of the roads that were thus surveyed by the town, was one which, in the fertile imaginations of the selectmen, was called " The direct road through Worthington to Boston and Albany." This road was laid out, so as to connect with the Chesterfield road, at the " Gate," and, running west, to lead by the farms now owned by Mr. Harrington and * This date is doubtless wrong, since the eiglitli year of liis Majesty's reign would have taken place in 1768, having commenced on the 25th of October, 1760. �; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 16 reached the " Buffington place," where stood, From this place, it at that time, the inu of Alexander Miller. was laid out directly north, till it passed the house of Mr. Tilson Bartlett, and then it was continued north and west, passing through a part of Peru and Windsor, till it intersected a road which led more directly to Pittsfield. Subsequently this road was changed, so as to lead directly to the inn of Capt. This change was I^athaniel Daniels from '' The Corners." Mr. Drury, till it the town, so as to prevent any travel by the house of Alexander Miller, who favored the cause of Great Britain, and to secure the same to Capt. E'athaniel Daniels, who was a zealous patriot. In after years, " to make the road more straight and direct," the town laid it out over what is now called Snake The second road of importance which the town surHill. veyed led from Cummington to Chester. This road extended through Cold-street, and passed the inn of Captain Daniels and the Buffington place, till it intersected a road near where Mr. Alden Curtis now lives and from there crossed directly to Middle river, where it continued on the banks of that stream till it reached Chester. During these two years, the town laid out and surveyed twelve cross-roads, all of which, except two, have become obsolete, as it regards travel. On the 17th of April, 1770, the town voted to raise "£45 for repairing the highways, and to pay for men's labor on the road, 3s per day, for that of a yoke of oxen. Is and 6d, for use of a plow, 8d." Previous to the year 1768, there was scarcely a road in town all journeys, at that time, were performed over To go to trails, or paths marked by cut or girdled trees. Northampton and back, w^ithout infringing on the sacredness of either of the Sabbaths that bound the week, was considered by the farmers as a recommendation for the speed and endurA journey to Boston, or to Albany, ance of their horses. was prefaced by the prayers of the church, and the safe return of the individual who hazarded it, was the cause of thanksgiving and public rejoicing. Quilting, at that time, as now, was one of the practical amusements of the ladies in town but the preparations which preceded a quilting party were much more extensive than at present, on account of the distance from which the inhabitants lived from each other, and made by ; ; the almost impassable state of the roads or paths. To attend �: : TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 17 a " quilting " at the more distant parts of the town, as it was the practice then, was an absence from home of no less than three clays the first of which was spent in going, the second A in quilting, and the third was consumed in returning. mother, before starting on one of these expeditions, was obliged and if she to bake a sufl3.cient supply for the family at home was so fortunate, or unfortunate, as to have the care of an infant, she was under the necessity of putting it out with the ; ; neighbors, to be nursed, The town, through till she should return. commenced in 1769 to publish The following is copied from among its clerk, the bans of matrimony. the earliest recorded " These may certify to whom it may concern that the bands of matrimony have been published as the law directs between John Leonard of Preston in the Colony of Connecticut and County of New London and Sarah Pierce of Worthington. Nahum Eager, Attest Town WoRTHiNGTON April QtJi Clerk. 1770." Preceding the action which the town took in regard to the Revolutionary War, it chose a committee, in accordance with an act of the General Court, for the Massachusetts Bay, to prevent oppression and monopoly, in consequence of the effect of the non-importation act. This committee fixed the following prices to labor, and all the articles of merchandise bought and sold town in : £. Men's labor At in time of harvest and haying, per day, other seasons in the In the fall Women's summer, and winter, labor, Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, " " 2 " " 2 per week, 3 per bush., " " " " 6 " Peas, s. 3 " 6 6 " " Oats, " " 1 Spanish potatoes, " " 1 Wool, per pound, " *' Grass fed beef, " " Stall Pork, 3 8 4 White beans, Flax, d. 3 8 2 1 " " 2-2 " " 3-2 " " 3-3 �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 18 £. 8 Stockings, good wool, Shoes, calf skin, 3 " 2-3 3 " " " 140 " English hay out of the field in summer, per ton, of the stack in winter, ' of the barn in spring, 1 " by the hogshead, 4 " " 110 " " 1 per 00 15 14 per bush., Salt, Rum 6 10 Horse keeping for twenty-four hours, N. E. " 6 per yard, Flannel, Out Out 2 4 Pork, barrels containing eleven score per bbl " " " twelve Beef, Ox 8 00 00 6 cloth, d. 50 " " Butter, Tow s. per pound Cheese, 00 4 10 gall., " single gallon, 5 " single quart, 1 60 60 West India rum, by hogshead, " " 7 8 by single gallon, Sugar, by hogshead, " by single pound, " " 8 6 per hundred, 3 4 90 CHAPTER III THE PART WHICH THE TOWN TOOK IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF THE NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF 1812. Nearly a year before the first battles of the Eevolution at Lexington and Concord, the inhabitants of this tow^n were taking an earnest interest in regard to the political relations of the colonies with Great Britain. In the spring of 1774, the upon Massachusetts, which the payment of a duty upon British government, in a spirit of revenge and especially on Boston, for the determined spirit with the town had refused to submit to tea, passed a bill, by which the citizens of Boston were denied the privilege of landing or shipping goods. into effect, the To carry this bill government of Great Britain took possession The intelligence of these proceedings aroused the inhabitants of this town to the greatest degree of excitement, and called out the following preamble and warof the port of Boston. rant " Whereas a number of the inhabitants of Worthington �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 19 have desired a town meeting to be warned, for the purpose of taking into consideration the alarming circumstances of the times, in regard to the trade and commerce of the town of Boston, and the towns of America in general to the constable of the town of Worthington, greeting in his Majesty's name. You are hereby required forthwith to warn all the inhabitants of the town of Worthington, that they meet at the Meeting-house, in said town, on Tuesday the 28th day of June, 1774, at two of the clock in the afternoon, then and Firstly, to choose a there to act on the following articles moderator secondly, to hear the letters read sent from the committee of correspondence at Boston thirdly, to say in what, since you would be understood in favor of the inhabifourthly, to say if you will do anything for tants of Boston the relief or encouragement of the town of Boston." Pursuant to the above w^arrant, the town met, and chose Capt. Ebenezer Leonard as Chairman, and ]^athan Leonard, Nahum Eager, Nathaniel Daniels, Thomas Kinne and Moses Morse, a committee of correspondence. This committee of correspondence immediately communicated with the committee of safety at Boston, promising the zealous co-operation of the town for their encouragement, and all the means in their — : ; ; ; power for their relief. The threatening state of affairs, and the earnest correspondence of the committee of safety at Boston, caused the selectmen, a few weeks after the tioned meeting, to issue a warrant, calling upon habitants of the town who were soldiers, and above men- all of the in- all who were obliged to keep arms, to assemble at the meeting-house for the purpose of choosing military officers. On the opening of the campaign of 1777,* a number of the young men of the town, without arms or ammunition, offered The to join the army of Washington, at Morristown, N. J. town, thereupon, voted that " The selectmen shall be empowered to draw powder and arms, for any person or persons that shall apply for the same, and to send money to purchase the * The action of the inhabitants of the town, during the following years, from 1774 war, has no record. The probable reason for this omission, for so long a period, is the fact, that in the early campaigns, most of the soldiers from the mountain towns voluntarily joined the army and no record but that of to 1777, in regard to the ; town business, has been preserved. �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 20 same, agreeable to a resolve of the General Assembly of this State ;" at the same time, the town voted that a petition should be presented to the General Assembly, to have a store of blankets, to draw out of, when needed upon an emergency, In 1778, the want of shoes and clothing in the upon the sympathy and patriotism of the State Worthington generously reof Massachusetts, for its relief. sponded to a part of this demand, by raising X120 for the suffering soldiers. On the 3d of JSTovember, 1779, the town voted to raise £600, as a tax, to pay for twelve blankets, and bounfor the town. arni}^ called ties for The number the soldiers last raised. of soldiers that the town raised this year was twelve, six to serve six months, and the remainder twelve months. On the 3d of June, 1780, the town voted .£200 as a bounty to each soldier, and three pounds per month in addition, valuing the Continental money wheat at five shillings, rye at three shillings, and corn at two shillings and sixpence per bushel. In July, 1780, the town voted that each of the soldiers raised by the town should have X150 as bounty, to be paid to them in two months from During this year, the cavalry became so rethe above date. duced in the army, that Congress was obliged to call upon the in States for a supply of horses. The requisition of the State of Massachusetts, upon the town of Worthington, was for so great a number of horses, that the town was obliged to pass the following resolve: "Voted, that the town will give security on the town, if they can not provide the horses sent for, at the stated price." The wants of the army, at the close of the campaign of 1779, again aroused the sympathies of the country for its relief. Early in the spring of 1780, the General Assembly for the bill, requiring each town to by tax, a certain amount for the purchase of clothing for the army. In accordance with this act the town voted to raise £2,130 for supplying the army with the clothing required. State of Massachusetts passed a raise, During the same * Bills of credit millions of dollars. issued. By the were At first town raised £5,000,'^ to supply, in issued by Congress, in June, 1775, to the amount of two the expiration of eighteen months, twenty millions had been year 1780, the amount in circulation was two hundred millions. At bills began to depreciate, and continued was limited by Congress, in 1780. an early period, these culation year, the to do so till their cir- �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 21 part, the army with beef, as required by an act of the General Assembly, passed on the 25th of September, 1780. In May, 1781, a committee from Congress visited the army, and became more thoroughly acquainted with its distress and destitution. They reported to Congress, soon afterwards, the situation of the army, in the following words, viz mouths : " That the army was it seldom had more than six and was, on several occasions, for sundry successive days, without meat; that the medical department had neither sugar, tea, coflee, chocolate, wine nor spirituous liquors of any kind; and that every department of the army was without money, and had not even the shadow unpaid for iive ; that days' provisions in advance, of credit left." What eflect this report had on the inhabitants of this town, may be seen in their patriotic action. Daring this year, the town raised fifteen men to serve in the Continental army, for three years, granting each one forty shillings advance pay, and four pounds per month, and also sent four thousand weight of beef to supply, in part, the wants of the army. The trials and hardships which the majority of the families in town endured, during the war, will scarcely be credited by the present generation. Happy in the freedom which had been won, and joyful at the return of peace, too seldom did the mothers and sisters of the soldiers who went from this town recite their sufferings to their descendants, for us at the present day fully to understand, and appreciate their selfdenials and sacrifices. The females of man}^ families worked on the farms of their husbands and brothers, during the greater part of their absence in the war. Many ploughed their own lauds, sowed their grain, and planted and hoed their corn during the spring; in the summer and fall gathered their hay and harvests in the winter months fed and took care of the cattle in the barns, drove them to the brooks for water, and oftentimes yoked their oxen, and went to the woods to cut the fuel necessary for their use. So few of the male inhabitants, at this period, did patriotism leave in town, that at no time during the interval between the years of 1779 and 1782, were there above ten or twelve men, out of over seventy families living in town, who attended church on the Sabbath. At length, the destitution of the families of those persons who had ; �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 22 joined the army, became so great, that on the 10th of October,. 1777, the General Court of Massachusetts was obliged to pass a bill, by which each town was required " to appoint a committee to supply the families of the soldiers who were engaged Pursuin the Continental army with the necessaries of life." ant to this act, the town of Worthiugton appointed Jonathan Brewster, Moses Porter and William Burr, as a committee to take care of the families of the soldiers, while engaged in service. The following is a list of the names of those soldiers, as far who served in the RevoThat the list falls much below the actual number who joined the army, there can be but little doubt, since many persons sent their hired men to the war, whose names as it has been able to be ascertained, lutionary war. are not now known Samuel Dewey, Barnabas Clapp, Jeremiah Kinne, Samuel Cole, Lemuel Clapp, Daniel Goodman, Isaac Clapp, Gershom Brown, John Howard, David Woods, Samuel Follett,* Stephen Clapp, Gershom Randall, Samuel Buffington, Nathaniel Daniels, Jr., killed. Jonas Leonard, John Daniels, Samuel Daniels, Asa Dan. Daniels, Samuel Petingell, Ephraim Parish, Timothy Meech, Elisha Brewster,t Richard Briggs, do. Cottrell, Nicholas Cottrell, , who is still living in this town, was born on the 23d of Novemtown of Attleborough, Bristol county, Mass. He joined the army when he was in his eighteenth year, where he remained fifteen months, serving in the regiment commanded by Col. Reed at the battle of Bunker Hill. He came into this town before the close of the war, in 1781, where he has resided ever since. His first vote was cast for Gen. Washington, for President of the United States, when he was thirty-two years of age ; his last for Gen. Scott, when he was ninety* Samuel Follett, ber, 1757, in the six. t Elisha Brewster was born in Preston, Conn., on the 25th of February, 1755, where he resided until the commencement of the Revolutionary war. He early enlisted as a volunteer into a regiment of light dragoons, for and during the war, and served to its close, as an oflScer of the same, during the period of seven years and months. His regiment was exercised in cavalry tactics by Count Pulaski, the distinguished six �TOWN OF WOllTHINGTON. 23 Eoger Benjamin, Thomas Buck, Asa Benjamin, John Stone, I^ahum Eager, Asa Jackson, Lott Drake, Sylvanus Parsons, Jonathan Ring, Eufus Marsh, Joseph Marsh, Jr., Joshua Morse. Israel Burr, Moses Buck, Samuel Kingman, Alexander Kingman, Soldiers of 1812. Comviissioned Officers. William Ward, Non- Commissioned Thomas William Rice. Officers and Privates, James Hatch, Hall, Joseph Starkweather, N'ehemiah Tinker, Alfred Brown, John Cushing, Henry Warner, Timothy Parsons, David Parsons, Luther Bartlett, Ezekiel Tower, Barnabas An able, Perkins Fitch, Milton Brewster, William Brewster, Rufus Taylor, Obadiah Tower, Elijah Burr, Richard Briggs, Joseph Daily, Harvey Metcalf, Daniel Parish, Poland disciplinarian, who first introduced cavalry tactics in this country. After the close of the war, he served as Captain of cavalry and Brigade Quarter-master. At the time of Shay's Insurrection, he volunteered his services to General Shepard, at Springfield, and was appointed one of his aids, on that memorable occasion. Subsequently, he was employed by Government to take the oaths of the insurgents for their allegiance to the He Commonwealth. held various offices of trust in town, and was chosen to represent its interests Joined to the great exposure and suflTering which he experienced in the army, was a slender constitution, which, in the latter period of his life, so enfeebled his health, that he was unable to take an active part in in the General Court, in 1806. the affairs While of the town. in the army, he experienced many hard fought battles, always charging into the very midst of the contest, with an impetuosity and courage which no pru- dence could restrain. He was a fine looking officer, and in daring and horsemanAs a civilian, he retained that dignity and ship no one excelled him in the array. courtesy which so often mark the officers of the army, and always bore with him, in the intercourse with his fellow-men, that affiibility and gentlemanly feeling, which He died on so eminently characterized his younger brother, Mr. Jonah Brewster. the 25th of September, 1833. �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 24 CHAPTER lY. CHURCHES, PUBLIC LANDS, ETC. The original proprietors of the town, to encourage the rapid settlement of the plantation, erected a church, in the year of 1764, near the spot of ground occupied by the house of the late Mr. John Watts. The immediate district surrounding few the church, at this time, was an unbroken wiklerness. A years subsequent to the above date, the inhabitants of the town assembled together, and agreed, " that every male person living and upwards, should spend one day in cutting and clearing away the forest about the meeting-house." The church was but partially finished, internally, by Mr. Worthington, but it appears that the town worshiped in it, nevertheless, with all of its inconveniences, till the year of 1780, when it was remodeled, but not entirely Previous to the time stated above, the church had finished. no pulpit, but a temporary stage erected in its stead. The seats for the congregation were composed of benches, made from boards nailed to movable supports. The aged part of the congregation, brought chairs with them, for their own ease and comfort during the service. On the 29th of March, 1780, the town voted to build a pulpit, two deacons' seats, four seats on each side of the broad aisle, and also to lay the gallery fioor and stairs. The remaining pew locations were That the pews drawn by lot, on the following conditions " should be finished at a stated time, and that each one should finish the back, up to the gallery girt." In May, 1791, the unfinished state of the church, inside, aroused the public spirit, and called together the inhabitants of the town, when " Voted, to have the they passed the following resolutions Meeting-house taken down moved erected, and every way finished, by the 1st day of December, in the year 1792, and that the whole expense, accruing therefrom, shall be paid by the inhabitants of the town, by the first day of December, aforesaid, in the following articles, viz one-fourth part to be in the plantation, of sixteen years of age : : — — : paid in cash, and the remainder to be paid in good neat cattle, At a subor Indian corn, or rye, or flax, or beef, or pork." �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 25 sequent meeting, the town voted to have all the pews in the meeting-house, sold at public auction to the highest bidder. The amount which these pews sold, was .£601. 8s, lawful new church was built, those persons who for pews in the old church, were entitled to have the amount deducted which they had advanced, in purchasing the pews in the new building. This church occupied part of the ground now lying between the store of Messrs. Sidney Brewster & Son, and the dwelling-house of Mr. S. IT. Parmoney. had paid for When the ish. In the year of 1825, after a controversy too lengthy to be recorded, the town voted to build the church which is worshiped in at the present time. Churches of The Methodist the Methodist Societies. southern extremity of the town, in the year of 1828, erected a church by subscription, which was worshiped in for twenty years. In the year of 1848, society at the a plan was drawn of a small but neat and beautiful church, from which the model pews were sold to defray the expense of building. The new church accordingly was erected, and dedicated in the following year. In 1848, a new society of the Methodist denomination was formed in the west part of the town. By the liberality of a few individuals, the church in which religious service is now regularly performed was erected. The church was dedicated in the j^ear of 1849. Public Lands. purchase of this plantation. Col. Worthington made the town a donation of nearly 1200 acres of land. This land was divided into twelve sections, and was situated Six of these sections were in different parts of the town. The called ministerial lots, and the remainder school lots. object of this donation was to supply the town with the preaching of the gospel, and to defray the expenses of the town schools by the rent of these lands. However generous the gift, and noble the motives which prompted it, the town for a long time realized little or nothing from them, since they remained uncleared and uncultivated. Four of these Soon after the 4 �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 26 were leased a few years after the incorporation of the The remaining eight were rented in 1780. The following is a report of the committee appointed to dis- Jots town. pose of the lots WoRTHiNGTON, December We, the subscribers, being a committee, chosen 18th, 1780. by the town of Worthing- ton to dispose of the ministerial and school land belonging to said town, have given leases the terra of nine To to the following persons of the land hundred and ninetj-nine years, E. "Williams, the school lot viz above mentioned, for ; No. 125 for the sura of ten bushels and four-fifths of good wheat, yearly. £. To Daniel Chapman school lot " " To Joseph Marsh " To Joseph Brown " To Edmund Petingell Jun, Min'l " " To Timothy Meech To Samuel Buck east half " To Asham Fanning west half" " To Levi Flint " Taken " 160 No. 175 " 123 No. 190 100 No. lot 57 ", 75 " 18 " No. No. s. d. .57 No. 223 for 90 55 No. 18 " 55 No. 91 " 66 10 obligations of the above cited persons. JOHN KINNE, STEPHEN FITCH, JONATHAN BREWSTER, Common ) Town } Commit- ) tee. Schools. The subject of education early engaged the attention of the town, and received steadily the support and encouragement of the law. Considering the district school-house as an insurance building, where the morals and the virtue of the community were exempted from all hazard, by the corruption which arises from ignorance, the town at once, after its incorporation, paid its premiums from its scanty means, and received its policy, which will run out only with eternity. The pecuniary embarrassments experienced by the inhabitants of the town at its first settlement, and the active and liberal part which they took in the war with Great Britain soon after, furnishes them with a silent apology for the limited allowances which at first were granted for the maintenance of common schools. When we remember that, for the first four years, the expenses of the town, though amounting to only forty pounds, were obliged to be defrayed with borrowed money when we consider that ; �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 27 want of hard money, were obliged to be paid in produce when we contemplate the extreme low price of all kinds of labor, we are rather surprised at what the town done for the support of common schools, than at what, in their necessity, they were prevented from doing. On the 19th of March, 17T1, the town voted to raise ten pounds, silver money, for the support of common schools. After the close of the war, this sum was increased, at first to twenty till at lengtn, before the pounds, and afterwards to thirty close of the last century, it amounted to sixty pounds annually. At the present time, and for the last ten years, the town has appropriated a medial sum of over $1400, including teachers' board and fuel, for the support of common schools annually. In 1772, the town was divided into five districts. The limits of these districts, changing from time to time as the population increased, which, together with the addition of new ones, makes it difiicult to trace their boundaries with any accuracy. In the year of 1833, the town voted to choose a committee of ten persons, one from each district, to re-divide the town into districts. This committee reported an additional the State taxes, from the ; ; with some alterations in the limits of the old ones. district, The first school-house, composed of logs, was erected in 1773, now occupied by the dwelling house of Mr. At the present time, eighty years from the near the ground John Adams. above date, there are ten district school-houses in town. The Academy. Ilium fuit.* CHAPTER y. THE MINISTRY. The town, for the first seven years after its settlement, was supplied with the preaching of the Gospel by ministers from the neighboring towns, who were paid for their services by * When the Romans looked back with pride at one moment to the glory of Troy, and at the next with grief to its destruction by the Greeks, under the com- �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 28 voluntary contributions. On the 3d of April, 1771, the town voted " to have the Rev. Jonathan Huntington for their minister." At the same time, the town voted to raise forty pounds for his support in the ministry, and to raise four pounds each amounted to sixty pounds, which, after that time, him annually. Subsequently, the town voted to raise fifty pounds by subscription for Mr. Huntington, and to be paid in wheat at six sixty pounds for his yearly support year, was till it to be paid to ; rye at four shillings, corn at three shillings per shillings, bushel, and other necessaries of .life at their market value. having arisen in regard to the manner of maintaining Mr. Huntington, and a few individuals refusing to contribute for his support, the selectmen of the town issued, on the 31st of March, 1777, the following preamble and war''Whereas, when Mr. Huntington settled with us in rant: the ministry in this town, he told us he would have no straightning for rates, and would have no money, raised in and notwithstanding the town did unanimously that way Some dissatisfaction ; agree to support Mr. Huntington by tax, or liberality, as by the vote of said town, it will appear and sundry of the in; habitants refuse or neglect to pay their proportion of agree- — ment, or covenant, or contract These are therefore to warn of the inhabitants, who have a right to vote, by a late vote of this town, to meet together on Tuesday, the 8th day of April, next, at two of the clock in the afternoon, at the Meeting house in said town, then and there to act on the following all articles " In the town will shift their former method of supporting Mr. Huntington in the second place, if so voted, then, to consider what way or method to come into, upon consideration." To this dissatisfaction on the part of a few individuals, Mr. Huntington magnanimously replied to the town in the followfirst place, to see if the ; ing *' letter : Whereas, when I was mand settled, in this town, in the work of the ministry, of Nestor, Achilles, two Ajaxes, and other Grecian princes, they were — accustomed to exclaim, in the bitterness of their feelings, Ilium fuit Troy was. A commentator upon these words of Virgil remarks, that, " it was a custom among the Romans, when they would intimate the destruction of anything which reflected glory upon their nation, to say fuit, so asioshun sounds that were shocking , and accounted of bad omen. �; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 29 on the 26th of June, in the year of our Lord 1771, I made known and sentiments to the people, when cipals the ministry my trary to ; and likewise before and my and principal ever since, support of the G-ospel to their made with me my power of that *' ter my ordination, that was con- it hand, to in that way and ; since Gos- has been it that the civil law has nothing to do with the still is, paying their proportion of the covenant, which they support in the Gospel way, because I have make it in the the town pay all of the arrearages and interest behind, and so, that they shall have more than their proportion to pay is for my for prin- and, whereas, there arises some uneasiness in some ; minds, with regard — after principals to ever have the civil law take place, to support the and that I would have no money raised pel, my accepted their call to the work of I which reason some refuse Therefore to remove my principals, if possible, of the church and people town, of to pay all diflBculties that — more lay in such minds, fully for the glory of ordained among them even to the present day heirs never will nor shall bring the ministry so long as thermore it is my God to minis- these are therefore to give a full discharge to the I might require of them by the all that and God, and the peace in ; civil law, since I have been and furthermore I nor any action against the town His providence shall continue for my my service in me here and ; fur- design and desire, that notwithstanding I give this lawful much holden to them to much holden to support me a discharge to the town, that I look upon myself as serve them as before and that the town is as Gospel way. Jonathan Huntington. To the Selectmen and town of Worthington The town, " at the next meeting, unanimously voted to sup- port the Rev. Jonathan Huntington by a free contribution of pounds a year, to be paid to him quarterly. the 20th of May, 1788, the Eev. Josiah Spaulding was invited by the town to settle with them in the work of the ministry. His salary, during the first year of his ministry, was one hundred pounds. The reply to this invitation of the town by Mr. Spaulding, has no record. On the 6th of August, 1794, the town voted unanimously to give the Rev. Jonathan L. Pomeroy a call to settle in the work of the ministry, and also voted to give him for the first year, as a salary, one hundred and eighty pounds, lawful money, and ever after that, as long as he should continue in the work of the ministry, one hundred and ten pounds, together with sixty On �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 30 thirty cords of fire is Mr. Pomeroy's reply : •*To the Church and people of Worthington, > } *' " The Brethren and Friends, which I have received from you call The following wood, to be paid annually. to settle in the work of the ministry in this town, I have attentively and prayfully considered, and have concluded to accept, — —The my advice of friends — the apparent harmony among this people a consideration of the division, which in the opinion of many of you, as it has been manifested -to me would probably take place, all these things have operated should you employ a number of candidates The liberality of the powerfully with me to bring me to this determination. — — town, considering the sums which have usually been paid to ministers in this part of the country, I readily acknowledge to be great and the generosity ; of individuals, I also recognize with gratitude as a testimony of esteem for me, and good wishes my brage my and should you. may —What um- occasion, I can- in the there this article. for be exhibited before it by any thing contained itual this society. considerable objections of knowledge, respecting minds of and happiness of any consequence hav^ come —No — Should be uneasiness your advantage, many — my continuance among you cannot be not determine. to for the peace unwillingness to comply with former customs —With it is too late, I shall not view myself in this answer, to make bound a permanent settlement with the warmest wishes for your lasting union and prosperity, spir- and temporal, I am Gentlemen unfeiguedly your friend and obedient serv't Jonathan Law. Pomeroy. Worthington, Oct. 14th, 1794," On the 5th of November, 1833, the town voted to give the Rev. Henry Adams a call to settle in the ministry with the Congregational Society of Worthington, and to offer him the sum of six hundred dollars made the following answer to the " To the Congregational Church and Society in Worthington, me : ) to settle Brethren and Friends, with you in the ministry, has been com- me by your committee. In answer no sufficient reasons, why I should not comply municated see invitation to town ) •' " Your Mr. Adams for his yearly salary. to voted myself to the spiritual benefit of my to I would say, that I it, with it. fellow men, — I have long de- and considering the �— I TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. why not I my feeling, manifested in favor of unanimity of 31 ^ remaining with you, I see not be as useful here in the cause, to which I have devoted may myself, as in any other field of labor. — I confess that my mind instinctively shrinks from the responsibilities of a Christian minister, and well my He any confidence, is will sustain me. doubt That sufficient for also which is — With me His will give in the invitation of the society, as a every reasonable purposes, and said in reference to the the prayer that it may, if I trust in God, that guidance, I answer your letter in the afiSrmative. spirit, be dissolved, coincides entirely with ject. He Relying upon Him, that and the comforting aid of His The sum mentioned But thing like self-confidence. Your servant means of support, no is therefore satisfactory. manner, in which our connection may my own God would is feelings in reference to the sub- bless my efibrts am your benefit I for in the ministry H. Adams." On his labors, ciety Adams, on account of some time obliged him to cease from addressed the following letter to the church and so- the 20tb of September, 1838, Mr. health, ill which had for : " To the Congregational Church and Society in Worthington, ) ) " Beloved Brethren and Friends, ** seemed It has my be to tion of the views, in duty, no longer to delay making a communica- which ray mind has been in reference to the prospect of your minister. —The fact my ought not to time, and now I cannot say that I think there shall be able to do — This to occupy me my my my my intention of rangements place. my ter that expec- till the present to hope, that I for to require, some other person which we hold to my each other. — As the circum- giving the six months' notice leaving, which was the basis of our connection, you are for obtaining as Hoping my Accordingly, I would hereby request you to join with place. in dissolving the relation, will therefor say that labors, any reason and make room stances of the case prevents the necessity of of is being the case, your interest seems station, fixed, labors, as any period of time not remote, have been continually diminishing since ceasing from it. my be concealed from you that tations of being able to preach within that I should retire from some time becoming for being able to resume again at liberty to soon as you may succeed, — proceed immediately to make ar- may be an in that individual, to supply you may soon find a man my af- God's own heart, and that you may enjoy uninterrupted temporal and spiritual prosperity. I remain most aflfectionately Yours, EIenry Adams." �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 32 On the 10th of November, 1838, the town voted to give the Rev. John H. Bisbee, the present pastor of the church, an invitation to settle over the Congregational Society as its minister; voted also, if he accepts, to give him six hundred dollars annually as his salary, so long as he shall continue to be minThe following is a copy of ister and pastor of said society. Mr. Bisbee's reply •' To the in Church and Society Worthington, > ( •' Brethren and Friends, " Having received from you, through your Committee, an invitation to settle with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry, I hereby inform you, that after invitation. able in due deliberation, and prayer, I consider it my duty to accept said I will therefore be in readiness to unite with you, making Wishing you the necessary arrangements, preparatory to grace, my when desir- installation. mercy and peace, I remain Yours &c., J. CHAPTER H. BiSBEE." YI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEN WHO HAVE RESIDED IN THE TOWN. Doctor MosES Morse was educated bridge, in England, at the University of and subsequently practiced Cam- his profession, and surgeon, in the hospitals of Liverpool and London. From the commencement of the Eevolutionary war, he appears, by the town records, to have inclined in his prejudices towards the cause of Great Britain, and to have shown himself to have been as notorious as a tory as he was eminent as a physician. By shrewdness and tact, he influenced the town to pass a vote, in 1774, making the ^tsTon-importation act in regard to tea, which the town a few years before had covenanted to maintain, null and void. In 1777, his talents procured him a seat in the General Court, where he re- as physician �TOWN OF WORTHINQTON. 33 mained but a short time, having been recalled and censured, on account of his flagrant toryism, by the following resolution, passed by the town on the 14th of January, 1777 " Voted that Doctor Moses Morse, for his misconduct in refusing to act in behalf of the town, relative to a petition, and saying that he would oppose it with all of his might, directly contrary to the vote of this town, ought not, in justice to the cause for which we are now contending with Great Britain, sit any longer as a Representative in the General Court for this town." This petition was a request made by the town to the Massachusetts Legislature, to have its unimproved land taxed, to as: defraying the expenses of the war. In spite of the ill-will and prejudice which his conduct at this time occasioned, he subsequently was appointed by the sist in town to act on important committees, on account of his eminent talents and ability. In character, he appears to have been an antipathetic, dogmatical person, whose afiections and sympathies differed en- tirely from those of his neighbors, and whose desire always to be classed in the ranks of those who opposed their cause, robbed him of that respect and esteem which his abilities otherwise would have won. He died near the close of the last century, in His body was borne tionary soldiers, The a fit of apoplexy. grave on the shoulders of Revoluduring most of his life he had opposed. to the whom which he was carried burst open on the shoulders of his neighbors before they reached the grave, which was nearly a mile from his residence, causing the corpse to roll upon the ground, and manifesting, as one of the soldier bearers quaintly expressed it, that " habitual contrariness which was so characteristic of him." coffin in Ezra Starkwether, who was born on the 15th of Decemwas the eldest of nine sons, ber, 1754, in Stonington, Conn., four of whom early try, and the commencement enlisted in the service of their coun- lost their lives in the Revolutionary struggle. had just entered of the war, the subject of this notice, his profession as Near who physician in the town of Preston, Conn., abandoned his practice and immediately joined the army, which at that time was stationed at Crown 5 �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 34 At the expiration of six months his health failed him, and he was obliged to leave the army, for which he had so zealously and patriotically relinquished a lucrative practice. Upon leaving the army, he returned to Preston and resumed his profession, where he remained until near the year 1785, when he removed to this town. To the worth of Ezra Starkwether, his adopted town have borne ample testimony. He represented the town as a member of the Legislature during six years, and gained for himself Point. as a legislator that respect which. talent, joined with integrity, He was so often wins. a member of the Senate from 1803 to 1813, inclusive, and also in 1815-16 and 1817. was chosen by the town as a member In 1820, he of the State Convention, held at Boston, for the purpose of revising the Constitution of the Commonwealth. Although he was honored during so many successive years with the emoluments of office, yet his pacific and controlling character was felt, if possible, more in the church than in general society. He was the great pacificator in the difficulties of the church, and the great compromiser in the dissensions of the town. His words fell on the angry elements of discord as "oil upon troubled waters." He listened with attention and respect to the arguments and claims of both parties in controversy, and decided between the right and the wrong with a just and unprejudiced arbitration. He was position, easy and facetious in conversation, affable in his dis- and courteous in his manners. He died on the 27th of July, 1834. Jonathan Brewster, Jr., the subject of this notice, was born in IN'ovember, 1759, in the town of Preston, New London county. Conn. Starting in life at the close of one war, and at the commencement of a controversy which led to a second, he had the advantage of both of those periods of existence, when the fresh recollection of patriotic devotion and self-sacrifice in the past, and the hopes of usefulness and dis- tinction in the future, tend to human nature and produce characters. He had awaken men the better impulses of of firm and unchangeable the advantage, too, with a father ardently �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 35 inclined to the cause of the colonies, and an elder brother enin the war, of becoming familiar with all the details of gaged his country's dispute with which was to end Great Britain, and of the conflict it. How far a family interest in the struggle for our lN"ational Independence,^and in the twelve years' conflict of words which preceded it, how far a domestic sympathy in the wants and dangers of an army struggling for freedom, tended to produce and form a class of men of strong and resolute minds, let that difference answer which so plainly exists at this day between the present generation and the two that have preceded it. Of — this family hearth-stone interest in our political controversy with Great Britain, the subject of this sketch early partook. He read in the family newspaper with earnestness those eloquent debates in Congress which we now calmly peruse in history, and became, while a boy, thoroughly acquainted with all those details of a great political debate which necessarily imparts vigor and energy to the mind. Thus he became, in after life, an invaluable man to the town, representing its interests with a fearlessness and success which no other man at that time could have commanded. In the spring of 1777, when he was in his eighteenth year, he removed with his father, Deacon Jonathan Brewster, to this tical Soon after his age had entitled him to take a pracpart in the business of the town, he was chosen to fill town. the most important offices in its gift. Having a good com- mand of language, and being a sound reasoner, he was often appointed by the town to advocate their cause in differences with other towns. Before the Board of County Commissioners he presented the interests of the town seldom without success. In town meetings, as chairman, he presided with As a public speaker, though impuland sometimes passionate, he was never listened to without attention and respect. At seven different times he represented the town in the General Court, where he was respected for his ability, and often honored by being appointed as chairman upon important committees. He belonged to the Board of Selectmen during a number of years, and held important town trusts till confidence and dignity. sive, near the time of his death. �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 36 In character, he was firm and unchangeable. He expressed his opinions hastily, confidently, and perhaps sometimes dogmatically ; hut no man in town ever weighed a subject more manifold bearings more man of strong predjudices, when scrutinizingly, than he. once he had examined a subject and taken his position in regard to it, no motives could influence, no arguments perAs a husband, he was kind suade him to relinquish it. and affectionate as a father, he was a thorough disciplinarian He died in austere, yet mingling kindness, with austerity. February, 1841, loved by the poor for his kindness, and reaccurately, or viewed it in all of its A ; — spected by the rich for his integrity. AzARiAH Parsons was born in the town of Northampton, He removed to this town at a period of its The soldiers of history, the most cheerless and uninviting. the war, worn out with service, and without money, were returning to their families, who could welcome them with nothing but indigence and want. The treasury of the town, too, where the poor and destitute were authorized to find protecin the year 1761. tion against the sufferings of cold and hunger, had long been drained by the expenses of the war. At this time, 1782, most fortunately for the pecuniary interests of the town, AzariaK Parsons, the most charitable and individual history of He was a man who its humane man known in the early citizens, settled in this place. earnestly sympathized with the poor in and it was as natural for him to give to them There was a huthe half of his goods as it was for Zaccheus. manity in his nature, which was ever opening to the poor an avenue to his heart, and which was calling continually to the suffering and destitute to take shelter under the wings of his benevolence. Charity with him was considered a duty and the more cheerfully it was performed, the greater recompense he thought he should receive from that kind Being, who is a friend to the friendless. Thus he visited, during his whole life, the families of the poor in town, sought out their wants and promptly relieved them of their destitution. He died on the 25th of May, 1846, and received as a recompense for hia temporal charity the eternal benefaction of Him '^who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." their suffering, ; �TOWN or WORTHINGTON. 37 Closely following the early settlers of this town upon the life, was a generation of men who not only inherited stage of of that individual firmness and self-reliance, which so eminently characterized their fathers, but also added to their hereditary excellencies, that refinement of character, which is gained all by the privileges and opportunities of a more liberal educaAs the branches of the banyan tree, which bend to the tion. ground and take new root, grow up as strong as the parent stock, and whose timber, from the fineness of the grain, atthe same time is better adapted to the wants of man so the second generation of the inhabitants of this town grew up as strong in character as the first, yet with minds more refined, and with manners more polished. While the influences and the nature of the controversy which preceded it, of the war, exercised all of the intellectual faculties, and stimulated all of ; the energies of the soul, causing so many of the early settlers of the town to become valuable and controlling men, the tory of this war, told as it was around the his- fireside at evening, and the investigation of those elementary principles of society and government which grew out of it, formed a class of individuals to succeed them, no less useful or influential. What the long series of sufferings and trials which the new settlement endured, and the hardships of a protracted war accomplished in forming the resolute characters of such men as JSTathaniel Daniels, Nahum Eager, IsTathan Leonard and the elder Brewster, the history of the same and the practical knowledge derived from it, necessarily inspiring the noblest principles and awakening the highest energies, did to create that class of dignified men, of which the subject of this biographical sketch stood prominent. William Ward was born in the adjoining town of Cummington, on the eighteenth of May, 1781. His father dying when he was quite young, he removed to this town when he was but fourteen years of age, and entered the store of Mr. William Gove as clerk. His strict attention to business, and the faithful performance of his duties, won for him at an early At the age of age, the implicit confidence of his employer. seventeen, the entire business of the store was entrusted to his care; and it was at this time, while he was purchasing �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 38 goods for in Boston, that his ability him of such men Ames, Josiah Quincy, and other disit was his fortune to meet with, business called him to the city. as Fisher tinguished gentlemen, when and engaging manners gained a passport into the best society, and the acquaintance his whom In 1805, he formed a matrimonial connection with Miss Elizabeth Gove, of Connecticut, daughter of Mr. William Gove, of an ancient and respectable family of that State. This lady, of whose virtues and exemplary piety, it were impossible to speak in terms of exaggeration, was, for a period of little short of half a century the cherished and affectionate partner of his she robbed life. life of By her kindness and amiable disposition, many of its cares and perplexities, and strewed his path through this world with the proofs of tion. The companion of his youth and affec- manhood was comfort of his declining years, and to the close of the evidence of his warmest regard and affection. life the enjoyed To her vir- which signalize the and adorn with grace, and tues, she united those endearing qualities fulfillment of all the social duties, fill with enjoyment, the tender relations of domestic life. Soon after his marriage, he removed to "' The Corners," and commenced business in his own name, which he continued with little or no intermission until within a few years of his death. As trust a public man, he held during his and distinction. At life various offices of five different times, he represented the interests of the town, in the General Court of the Com- In 1826, he was chosen to fill a vacancy in the Senate, occasioned by the death of the Hon. Elihu Lyman. He accepted this office at the time of his election, but on account of his business, he did not take his seat in that body. Subsequently, he was chosen a member of the Senate for Hampshire county, which office he held during the years of 1836 and 1837. He also held, by the appointment of the State, a prominent place among that body of distinguished men, who were called to alter and amend the legislative enactments of the Commonwealth. As an officer of the United States Government, he was post-master for the town during eleven dif- monwealth. ferent administrations. In 1851, the town with a commendable gratitude for his �TOWN OF WORTH INGTON. 39 past services, and a unanimity of sentiment which will always be honored him with the highest office office, probably with more just pride than any honor which during his life had ever been conHe felt as if it was to be, as it proved, the ferred upon him. last public testimony borne by his towns-people to his character. No man ever left his neighbors and friends with a recollected with pleasure, He in its gift. accepted this deeper sense of gratitude, or a higher appreciation of their confidence, than Col. Ward did, after his election as rep- resentative in 1851. To the the pleasant recollection of this confidence, happy anticipations of company was added a retreat to Holyoke, where, in the of a beloved wife and affectionate daughter, he could whenever fatigued with the cares of legislative business. These fond anticipations never were realized. His wife was taken sick near the last of November, and died on the 14th of retire December following. He followed her corpse to his residence in this town, but his heart never left her. He died on Satur- day, the 20th of December, 1851. Ward was one of those men, whose death creates a vacancy, so impressive, that it robs language of all of its powers of eulogy, and renders panegyric tame and profitless to those who knew him well. With the turf scarcely green upon his grave to the young, who had the honor of his personal acquaintance, and in whose behalf he always manifested the warmest interest to the middle aged, who sought with confidence his advice, and to the old man, who looked upon him no commendation of his life and services, can be as a friend compared to that personal knowledge of his character, which was gained while he was in life but to those who know less of the character of Col. Ward than his neighbors and townsmen, and to those, who in aftertime, shall desire to look back with pride upon their native town, a record of some of his prominent qualities will not be entirely in vain. The character of CoL Ward was formed at an early period Leaving his home when he was only fourteen of his life. years of age, and entering soon after into the active and responsible duties of a mercantile business, he was taught before he had reached the threshold of manhood, that lesson of self reliance, which germinates and quickens to growth all Col. — — — ; �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 40 4 Having naturally a retentive memory, and a fondness for history, he commenced early in life to collect and treasure up in the storehouse of his mind, those facts and records of events, which in after life, became the sources of that unlimited information which he possessed. He had an ardent passion for the details of events, and those minute particulars ot affairs passing around, him, which other men scarcely notice and never retain. Thus he knew the name and age of every child the genealogy of nearly every family in town, and the individual history of its members. To this power of gathering and retaining the particulars of events, his mind joined the faculty of generalizing these deHence tails and arranging them into their respective classes. correctly upon any judging so subject of faculty arose his which was brought before him, and of giving advice so judithe latent energies of the mind. — ciously to those who sought it. was particularly interesting and instructHaving an inexhaustible fund of information, no subject ive. could be started, either in Church or State history, about which he could not relate something which would interest the most inattentive and phlegmatic listener. His literary taste was more refined than most men of his time and circumHe read with delight the gorgeous imagery, and stances. eloquent descriptions contained in the works of Burke, and perused with no less pleasure, the vigorous and terse letters of Junius. He was familiar with the writings of Shakspeare, and read with an appreciating sense the epic poems of Milton. As a public speaker he was indifferent, and it was seldom that he ventured to speak upon any subject before an audience but as a writer, some of his reports, made while he was a member of the Senate, bear the marks of great perspicuity in diction and vigor in style. He was conservative, as it regards his political opinions, but upon many subjects, the inquiring nature of his mind In conversation, he ; often betrayed his thinofs, often led radicalism. him to To know the cause of all examine new theories in science and relio-ion, and this habit of examination often caused him to view the exposition of any modern phenomena, whether physical or moral, with more leniency than he otherwise would have done. �: TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 41 As a citizen, he was entertaining and hospitable; as a neighbor, obliging and courteous; as a friend, he was especially kind to the young. The vacancy which his death occasioned, extended not only through the neighborhood where he resided, and the town in which he lived, but to the heart of every one who had had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and the honor of his friendship. The death of Col. Ward occasioned the following remarks, which were made in the Massachusetts Legislature, near the commencement of the session of 1852 : Mr. Hopkins, of Northampton, arose and said Mr. Speaker the death of : becomes It my painful duty to announce to this Hon. William Ward, of Worthington, a member House elect of this body. William Ward was born on the 18th of May, 1781, and died at his resi- dence, in Worthington, on the 20th of December, 1851, in the 71st year He of his age. was bred and continued through He was more life a merchant, with par- common man. He was an extensive reader, possessed of a retentive memory, and kept himself tial attention to farming interests. There were few men well informed of current events. knowledge of public affairs, With a mind well his. than a in the country of nations and governments, was whose superior to stored and cultivated beyond most others in like situations, he became a friend, associate, and desirable and honorable com- panion of many of the most distinguished men of his time in the western part of the State. The public have borne testimony to his worth. He first represented the in this House in the years 1816 and 1817, and afterThe county of Hampshire honored him wards in the years 1831 and 1835. town of Worthington with the trust of Senator in the years him by calling him 1836 and 1837. on the committee to serve The State honored for revising the statutes of the Commonwealth. For — forty-six years of his life he held the office of post-master tribute to his integrity, and a singular indication of the esteem was held by and He his all classes in a just which he parties. was a friend whose counsel and decision were extensively sought own and neighboring towns, and community which must long be His wife died but in life, left in a vacancy in the and lamented. commenced He its was then in health ; but ere work with the husband and were permitted, almost hand pass the valley of the shadow of death. 6 death has six days before him. she was laid in the grave, death They were united felt his in also. hand, to �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 42 But, sir, there is one circumstance wbich, more than the event in peculiar impressiveness to all others, gives a Had relation to us. its he been spared to take his seat here, the duty would have devolved on him of ing the its House But, organization. own welcome in and presiding over order, to that sir, hand which seemed destined you occupy, to the chair That voice which seemed destined Our is hushed is amid other scenes and in death. to offer the first official your is greeting to us We no more. There in other duties. to grasp cold in a snow-clad grave. lies friend, our senior, is call- through the preliminaries of it all, He are here. but a step between us and our friend, between our position and duties here, and our position and May duties there. This notice, friend, and due sir, the thought, sir, chasten and hallow I have felt was due to the also to us, that we should our all memory acts. of our departed properly note and improve the ad- monitions of Providence. Having thus announced Hon. William Ward, I move, the death of sir, what order the House should take that a committee be appointed to report thereon. Mr. Kellogg, of Pittsfield, in seconding the motion, spoke as follows Mr. Speaker Ward was almost : and I I second the motion, as well known Hampshire; and the public there add that Colonel desire to in Berkshire as in his will, am I own county of sure, cheerfully concur with the gentleman, in ascribing to the deceased the elevated character that have heard. His life He the region where he lived. rior natural possessed, as the gentleman has said, supe- endowments, a highly cultivated general ment unusually sound and discriminating the strictest integrity all of who knew him we was, indeed, one of great usefulness to the people of ; ; all his and he has been, through intelligence, a judg- conduct was directed by his whole life, hailed by or felt his influence, as a chief counselor in all the affairs life. I sincerely sympathize with his children and relatives under their sudden and severe bereavement ; and I sympathize, also, with the people of ington and the neighboring region, character ; and allow me to providence of God, Colonel who have lost so great Worth- and patriarchal a say, furthermore, that I deplore that, in the Ward could not join us in the public duties of the session, where he would certainly have commanded the same universal esteem from his associates that he used to eujoy amongst our predecessors, and where he would have amply justified, before our eyes, the eulogy that the gentleman from Northampton has paid to his character and services. The motion was adopted, and Messrs. Hopkins of Northampton, Kellogg of Pittsfield, Lincoln of Boston, Fay of �: TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 43 Southboro, and Allen of Tisbury, were appointed on the comand they reported the following mittee, Resolved, That the House of Representatives has learned with grief of the decease of the Hon. William Ward, a member elect of this body from the town of Worthington. Resolved, That the tegrity, House bears and the eminent public sible of the loss which it cordial testimony to the worth, the in- services of the deceased, and is deeply sen- has sustained in being thus deprived of his coun- sels. Resolved, That the House deeply sympathizes with the family and friends of the deceased in their bereavement. Resolved, That copies of the foregoing resolves be transmitted to the family and friends of the deceased, and to the selectmen of the town of Worthington. Resolved, That as a further testimony of respect for the deceased, the These memory of the House do now adjourn. resolutions were unanimously adopted, and accordingly the House adjourned. A list of the Representatives of the town of Worthington to the Congress, and to the General Court of the State of Provincial Massachusetts, with the year in ivhich they ivere chosen by the town, affixed to their respective names, Moses Mokse, Agent to Provincial Congress, 17T3. Moses Morse, Representative to General Court, 1777. Kahum Eager, Representative Provincial to Congress, 1774. J^AHUM Eager, Representative to General Court, 1781, 1783, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1794, 1796, 1797. E"athan Leonard, Representative to General Court, 1775. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Representative to General Court, 1778, 1779, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1793, 1795. Hon. Ezra Starkwether, Representative to General Court, 1788, 1798, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803. Mathew Warner, Representative to General Court, 1799. to General Court, Jonathan Woodbridge, Representative 1804, 1805, 1807. Elisha Brewster, Representative to General Court, 1806. Jonathan Brewster, Jr., Representative to General Court, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1813, 1819, 1831. �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 44 Samuel Howe, Eepresentative to General Court, 1812. JosiAH Mills, Eepresentative to General Court, 1814, 1815, 1822, 1829, 1835. Hon. Wm. Ward, Eepresentative General Court, 1816, to 1817, 1831, 1834, 1851. Trowbridge Ward, Representative to General Court, 1820, 1821. Jonah Brewster, Eepresentative to General Court, 1823, 1832, 1833. to General Court, 1836, Eansloe Daniels, Eepresentative 1845. Chancey B. Eising, Eepresentative to General Court, 1838, 1840. James Benton, Eepresentative to General Court, 1839. Ames Burr, Eepresentative to General Court, 1841, 1842. Ethan C. Eing, Eepresentative General Court, 1843, to 1844. Elisha H. Brewster, Eepresentative to General Court, 1847, 1852. Elbridge Hazen, Eepresentative to General Court, 1848. Ethan Barnes, Eepresentative to General Court, 1849, 1850. A list of the Selectmen of the town, from its incorporation to the present time, Ebenezer Leonard, Nathan Leonard, Nathaniel Daniels, John Kinne. 1769. Thomas Kinne, Moses Morse, Samuel Clapp. 1770. Nathan Leonard, Nathaniel Daniels, Nahum Eager. 1776. 1771. Joseph Marsh, 1779. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Moses Porter, 1768. John Kinne, Alexander Miller. 1772. Ebenezer Leonard, Joseph Marsh, Alexander Miller. 1773. Nathaniel Daniels, Nahum Eager, Thomas Kinne. 1774. Nahum Eager, Nathaniel Daniels, John Kinne. 1775. Nathaniel Daniels, Jonathan Prentice, Jeremiah Kinne. Thomas Kinne, 1777. Moses Morse. Nathan Leonard, Thomas Kinne, Joseph Marsh. 1778. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Timothy Meech, John Skiff. "Wilham Burr. 1780. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Moses Porter, Joshua Phillips, Nathaniel Daniels, Zephaniah Hatch. 1781. Nahum Eager, John Kinne, Jonathan Prentice. 1782. Nahum Eager, Samuel Woods, Stephen Fitch. 1783. John Watts, �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 1783. Stephen Fitch, 1808. Jonathan Brewster, Jr., Samuel Woods. Nahum 1784. Eager, Dea. Jonathan Brewster, John Kinne. Nahura Eager, Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Job Marsh. Nahum Eager, Dea. Jonathan Brewster, John Kinne. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Nathan Branch, Ezra Leonard. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, John Kinne, Ezra Leonard. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Mathew Warner, 1785. 1786. 1787. 1788. 1789, 1790. Thadeus Chapin. ' 1791, 1792. \ Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Mathew Warner, i ' Nathan Branch. 1793. Jonathan Woodbridge, Rufus Marsh, Israel Burr. 1794. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Nahum Eager, Mathew Warner. 1795. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Mathew Warner, Jonathan Woodbridge. 1796. Dea. Jonathan Brewster, Rufus Marsh, Nathan Branch. Rufus Marsh, 1797, 1798. ^ Elisha Brewster, 1 Samuel Cook. 1809 { ism' ^^^^' ^ ( 1811 1812, 1816. Cyprean Parish. 1817. Ezra Starkwether, Cyprean Parish, Azariah Parsons. 1818. Trowbridge Ward, Joseph Marsh, 1819, 1820. James Kelley. Jonah Brewster, Josiah Mills, Roger Benjamin. Jonah Brewster, Trowbridge Ward, William Eager. 1823. Jonah Brewster, William Eager, John Stone, Jr. Jonah Brewster, 1824, John Stone, Jr., 1825. Timothy Austin. 1826. Jonah Brewster, John Stone, Jr., Joseph Bardwell. Jonah Brewster, 1827 John Stone, Jr., 1821, 1822. 1828 :| 1830. Ezra Leonard. 1800. Ezra Leonard, Samuel Cook, Joseph Marsh. 1801. Samuel Cook, Jonathan Brewster, Gorham Cottrell. Ansel Burr, Lathrop Reed. Jonah Brewster, Ansel Burr, Jeremiah Phillips. 1831, Josiah Mills, Jr., Jr. Samuel Cook, Jonathan Brewster, Jr., Jonathan Woodbridge. 1808. Jonathan Brewster, Jr., Jonathan Woodbridge, Nathan Hazen. 1804. Jonathan Woodbridge, Roger Benjamin, 1802. 1805. Josiah Mills. Jonathan Brewster, Josiah Mills, 1829: William Coit, Samuel Cook, Adams, Trowbridge Ward, John Stone. Jonathan Brewster, John Stone, 1813 :! Roger Benjamin. 1814 Ezra Starkwether, Azariah Parsons, 1815; 1799. Elisha Brewster, Eliashib 45 Ansel Burr, Jeremiah Phillips. Clement Burr, 1832, Jeremiah Phillips, 1833. Luther Granger. 1834. Ransloe Daniels, Ames 1835 1836 ^1 Burr, Azariah Parsons. 1837. C. B. Rising, Elijah Curtis. Jeremiah Roger Benjamin, Ames Elijah Curtis, Azariah Parsons. 1806. Ezra Leonard, Cyrus Stowell, Trowbridge Ward. 1807. Ezra Leonard, Trowbridge Ward, John Stone. , Oren Stone. James Benton, Elkanah Ring, Phillips, Burr. 1838. Ransloe Daniels, Ames Burr, Elkanah Ring. 1839. Norman Allen, Luther Granger, James Bisbee. 1840. Ransloe Daniels, Elkanah Ring, Jr. Jr., �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 46 1840. Russell Bartlett. Daniels, ( Ransloe ^Q.^ {^;i' ^^^'^- Ames Burr, Russell Bartlett. 1843. Ransloe Daniels, } ( Elkanah Ring, Russell Bartlett, 1844. Russell Bartlett, John Adams, Elbridge Hazen. 1845. John Adams, Elbridge Hazen, 1846. A list 1847, 1848. 1849 1850 1851 Oren Stone. Russell Bartlett, Milton Brewster, Ethan Barnes. 1852. Elisha H. Brewster, Jotham Clark, James Bisbee. 1853, Jotham Clark, James Bisbee, Oren Stone. John Adams, of the Professional Elbridge Hazen, Tilson Bartlett. Elbridge Hazen, Azariah Parsons, William H. Bates. men who have Worthington, resided in the town of �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON, ox 47 ��ECCLESIASTICAL History of Worthington, FROM THE FIKST SETTLEMENT OF THE TO JULY By the rev. J. 1, 1853. H. BISBEE. TOWN ��DEDICATION. TO THE Congregational Clinrcli in Wortliington, THIS BRIEF RECORD OF THE PAST IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY WITH THE FERVENT PRATER THAT ALL ITS MEMBERS MAY BE RICH IN FAITH AND FRUITFUL IN aOOD WORKS, i5^V THE ^VUTHOR. ��: ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOET. The first settlers of Worthington had been reared under Like most I^ew Englanders, the influence of the gospel. they had been trained to " fear God and keep his commandments," and sacredly to regard Divine institutions and ordiTo these they were strongly attached, not only from principle, but by the force of education also. When they sought their home in the mountain wilderness, they took their religion with them, and not only made early and ample provision for the support of public worship, but as soon as practicable adopted measures for the full enjoyment of all gospel Like wise Christian men, they correctly judged ordinances. that both their temporal and eternal well-being demanded the institutions of religion, and that if they would lay a broad and firm foundation for the prosperity and true elevation of themnances. selves and their posterity to the latest generation, they must do it in Christianity, Though poor in the things of this world, they could not afford to live without the privileges of the gospel, by means of which they might become rich in faith. As soon, therefore, as a sufficient number of professors of religion had become permanently established in the place to warrant it, measures were taken to gather them into one body, or branch of the visible church of Christ. A church was organized April 1st, A. D. 1771, composed of the following individuals, viz Thomas Kinne, Ebenezer Leonard, Grace Buck, Sarah Pettengil, JSTathaniel Daniels, Sibil Holton, Thomas Clemans, Meribah Converse, Ephraim Wheeler, Sarah Huntington, �54 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE Jonathan Huntington, �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. was manifestly 55 aim to build a church " upon the foundaof the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ himself tion their being the chief corner-stone." Having organized a church, they immediately sought a pastor to labor among them, and be over them in the Lord. They correctly judged that their spiritual interests would be best promoted by a settled permanent ministry. Their first pastor was Eev. Jonathan Huntington, who was ordained to the work of the ministry and settled over them, June 26, A. D. 1771. He was a native of Windham, Conn., and belonged to one of the most distinguished families in that State. The names of his father and brothers stand high in the records of the How or where Mr. Huntington was educated, does known, however, that he first entered the medical profession, in which he evidently became somewhat eminent. For what particular reason he changed his profession is not now apparent. From what may now be past. not now appear. It is learned respecting him, very evident that he was by na- it is man of deep-toned piety, and irreproachable Christian character. As might naturally be expected of such a man, he won the confidence and secured the esteem and affection of the church and ture peculiarly mild and amiable, and by grace, a people. He was removed by the age of 48 years. As he death, March lived beloved 11, A. D. 1781, by all at who knew and devout men carried him to his was made over him. Under the ministry of Mr. Huntington, the church was gen- him, so, when he died, burial, great lamentation erally prosperous. The additions, however, for the years were few, and those mostly by letter. year of his And though life, fifty- three no record is first nine In 1780, the last were received into the church. of any special awakening, or left general outpouring of the Spirit, yet the increase of profes- shows that such a season was enjoyed. After the death of Mr. Huntington, the church remained several successive years without a pastor. Dififerent individuals sors plainly were employed to preach, some of whom were invited to settle, Under this course of procedure the church did not prosper, and religion evidently very much declined, as is frequently, if not usually the case where an unsettled and fluctuating ministry is employed. but declined the invitation. �ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE 56 The second pastor He was of the church was Eev. Josiah Spalding. a native of Plainfield, Conn., and was educated at Yale College. He had been previously settled at Uxbridge, Mass. Being dismissed from his charge there, he came to Worthington, where he was duly installed, August 21, A. D. Many became dissat1788. He remained but a short time. isfied with him, in consequence of which he was dismissed in He was subsequently settled in Buckland, Franklin 1794. county, where he remained until the time of his death. He was, evidently, somewhat eccentric, though a man of He published a valuable, and full ordinary powers of mind. somewhat popular octavo volume, entitled, " Universalism confounds and destroys itself." Some of his sermons also apThere was, evidently, great excitement peared in print. Several meetings of the church were held before any definite action was taken. At length a committee was appointed, and charges were preferred against The most important of these may be sumthe minister. A change of religious marily expressed as follows, viz doctrine; immorality in practice, and delinquency in duty. Either of these three charges, if sustained, would, according to Congregational principles and usages, have worked a for- respecting his dismission. : feiture of his ministerial standing. The charge of neglect, related to visiting the sick, and the people in general fraud ; ; was falsehood and that of immorality, but in what particular doctrine he was thought to have An changed, does not appear from the record. ecclesiastical council was at length called to investigate these charges, and give advice. tained. The The result was that not one of them was susand his council endorsed both his sentiments character, and bore honorable testimony in favor of his piety. They recommended him, as an example of meekness, fidelity We find no fault charity. Their language, further, is Mr. Spalding which should operate as a reason for the dissolution of his pastoral relation; nevertheless, there is such a large number of the church and town so dissatisfied with him and : " in as their minister, that it is him to continue here." Though several were not for the interest of religion for received to the church, under the ministry of Mr. Spalding, still the number was small, No �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 57 general religious interest appears to have been awakened, and no special season of revival enjoyed. The was Rev. Jonathan L. Pometown His father was a clergyman and pastor of Fairfield, Conn. of the church in that place, where he died in the meridian of life. Mr. Pomeroy was thus early in life left without a father; and for some reason, his mother, who had charge roy. third pastor of the church He was born in the parish of Greenfield, in the of his education, did not send him to college. He received and theological education under the instruction of Eev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., who was subsequently President of Yale College. Dr. Dwight was, at that time, pastor of the church, and- preceptor of an academy at G-reenfield. But, though without the advantages of a college, Mr. Pomeroy was still a ripe scholar, particularly in the languages. He read Latin and Greek fluently, and was almost as familiar with the French as with his mother tongue. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by Yale College. He was ordained, and settled over the church in Worthington, J^ovember 26, A. D. 1794, where he remained until 1832, a period of thirty-eight years. And though at the time of his settlement, a portion of the people were not satisfied with him, and even laid before the ordaining council a formal proboth his classical test against their procedure, still the conclusively shows that he length of his pastorate must have soon secured, and tained, the confidence of the people generally. was, at his own urgent re- In 1832, he request, honorably dismissed. He soon removed to Feeding Hills, a parish in West Springfield, where he lived mostly in retirement until his death, which ocHis age was sixty-seven years. curred June 4, 1836. He possessed a valuable property, most of which he bequeathed He published a volume of practical to benevolent societies. sermons, several of which were preached on special occasions. after Some other writings of his may also be found in print. He was a man of more than ordinary powers of mind. His perception was quick, his penetration keen, and his memory was uncommonly retentive. The man who met him in intel- found him with his armor on, and ready for use. On account of some bodily infirmities, real or imaginary, his habits of study, during some of the last years lectual contest, usually �58 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE his preaching was mainly extemlife, were not rigid and often rather desultory. From his personal appearance, the stranger would think him cold, distant and austere. But they who knew him best, and most frequently partook of his liberal hospitality, found him social, affable, and exceedingly warm-hearted. In religious sentiment, he was strictly evangelical, and dealt with error and errorists with great He regarded plainness, and sometimes with peculiar severity. himself as " set for the defence of the gospel," and would make no compromise with what he regarded as error, or with of his ; pore, who preached it. He possessed an uncommon share of He was not often, if ever, moral courage and firmness. known to shrink from what he honestly believed his duty. Under the ministry of Mr. Pomeroy, the church was genEevivals were erally prosperous, and religion flourishing. frequent, and some of them extensive and powerful. Some of these demand more than a passing notice. In 1798, a work of special grace commenced, which continued until the following year. As the fruit of this refreshing, fifty-four were admitted to the church some of whom still remain, thougl nearly all have long since ''fallen asleep." Another season of refreshing was enjoyed in 1808. God appears to have shaken the whole place at that time, and The power of the Holy Ghost seems to sifted the people. have been almost as signally displayed as on the memorable day of Pentecost. The following is an extract from an entry, made in the church records, at the time, by Mr. Pomeroy "Be it forever remembered to the glory of all conquering grace, that after a long, dark and stupid time, thirty-six persons having before made a public relation of their religious experience in the meeting-house, united with this church on the first day of May, 1808." These were, however, but the During that year, one hundred first-fruits of that revival. and thirteen were received to the church. In 1819 was another season of special mercy. In the langlorious season of the grace of guage of Mr. Pomeroy " God began here about the time of the State Fast." That work was also very general. All parts of the town, if not all One hundred individuals were admitfamilies shared in it. during that year. ted to the church those ; : : A �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. * 59 The church was blessed with another revival in the year This was neither so powerful nor so general as some of the preceding. Thirty-two were admitted to the church as the fruit of it. Besides these remarkable seasons of general religious interest, there were many others, the same in kind, though less 1827. in extent and power. Additions were made to the church Probably one-foarth or one-third nearly or quite every year. of all received into communion, were gathered in when there was no general awakening. This would indicate a healthy state of morals and religion generally. The preceding statement of facts is sufficient, and even more than sufficient, to correct one of the gross misrepresentations which has been made, and extensively circulated, in relation to Mr. Pomeroy. It has been said, and extensively published, and is believed by many, especially in some of the neighboring towns, to this day, that he was opposed to revivals of religion, and that few, if any, were enjoyed under his ministry. The records They show, to of the past set this matter in its true light. a demonstration, that the church, during his was peculiarly blessed with such seasons, probably far beyond that of any other church in the vicinity. And the entries, which he made upon the records at different times, clearly show that his whole heart was engaged in the work of promoting them. It is true that, in the latter part of his ministry, he did oppastorate, pose the introduction of certain novelties, technically called '''New Measures," for the promotion of revivals of religion. He regarded them as innovations, and pernicious in their In this opinion he was not alone. eflects. Probably a majority of the pastors of Congregational churches in Massachusetts, agreed with him then, and no doubt a still greater number would now, after having seen the results so clearly manifested. The fourth pastor of the church was Rev. He was settled December on account of the is 25, 1833, Henry Adams and was dismissed loss of his health. As he is still in 1838, living, it unnecessary to speak minutely of him. Suffice it to say, is a native of Worthington. He received his classical that he �ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE 60 education at Amherst College, and his theological at Andover Seminary. Since his removal from "VVorthington, he has regained his health, and resumed the labors of the ministry. He has been settled in Bolton and Berlin, in "Worcester county. During his pastorate, the church was in a state of general health and prosperity. Additions were made to it In 1837, more than usual religious interest was manThe Spirit descended like the gently refreshing dew, as the fruit of which, nineteen were received to the church yearly. ifested. by profession. Eev. John H. Bisbee, the present pastor of the church, was He was born in the town of settled in December, 1838. Chesterfield but his parents being members of the church in Worthington, he w^as baptized by Eev. Mr. Pomeroy, and brought up under his ministry. He was graduated at Union ; College, and received his theological education in part at Auburn, N. Y., and the remainder under the instruction of Rev. Mr. Chapin, then pastor of the church in Westhampton. Mr. Bisbee was first settled in the adjoining town of MidSince dlefield, where he labored in the ministry five years. been Additions have been made to it, by profession, every year except one. Special seasons of grace have also been enjoyed. In the fall of 1842, a revival of religion commenced, which continued through the following winter and spring as the result of which, forty-eight were rehis settlement in Worthington, the church has generally in a prosperous condition. ; Another similar season began about the commencement of 1850, which continued nearly through the whole year. The Spirit came not as the mighty rushing wind, but as the still small voice, speaking ceived into the church, by profession. in whispers to the soul. As the fruit of this revival, forty- nine were received into the church. Besides those gathered awakening, others, though in smaller numbers, have been added at other seasons. Under the ministry of the present pastor, including some few received by letter, more than two hundred have been admitted to the church. The whole number received since its organization, And yet, notwithstanding is not far from nine hundred. these numerous accessions, so frequent have been the removals by death and dismission, that only two hundred and in times of general �: TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. twenty-six members remain at 61 the present time, July 1st, 1853. The following persons have held the office of deacon in this church, viz Nathan Leonard, Joseph Marsh, Joshua Phillips, Eufus Marsh, Ebenezer Mies, Jonathan Brewster, Ezra Leonard, Asahel Prentice, Azariah Parsons, Charles Starkweather, Daniel Pierce, Normand Asa Marble, Lyman Allen, White, Schuyler R. Wilbur. Of the five pastors of this church, and of the fifteen deacons, only four. only two It may now survive supposed that an equally large proportion of the private bers of the church have *' fallen ; reasonably be asleep," as of its mem- officers. Thus " one generation passeth away, and another generation Cometh." There was but one church organization in the town of Worthington, and but one congregation of worshipers on the Sabbath, until 1828. During that year, a Methodist Episco- pal church was formed in the south-eastern part of the town. A congregation was gathered, composed of individuals resid- Worthington, Chesterfield, Norwich and Chester. Public worship was established, and a plain, substantial meeting in ing-house erected. They were, for several years, supplied with preachers from the Conference. More recently they have changed their organization and connection. The church They manage their own affairs, prois now called Wesleyan. cure and contract with their own ministers. Within a few years past, they have abandoned their first house of worship, as inadequate to their wants, and with commendable liberality, have erected a more beautiful, elegant and commodious one. God has often visited this church in precious seasons of revival have been enjoyed audit merc}^ is believed that many souls have been gathered into the fold ^ ; ; of Christ. In 1848, a Methodist Episcopal church was formed in the �ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE 62 north-western part of the town, and soon after a plain, comwas erected. This church is con- fortable house of worship nected with the Troy Conference, from which it is supported with preachers. Some seasons of special religious interest have also been enjoyed there. The congregation is gathered mainly from Worthington and Peru. The history of the past, though extending to a single town or church only, as well as that which embraces nations and empires, illustrates the providence and grace of God. He who reads it, and does not see the. Divine hand in the persons who have been raised up, in the events that have taken place, and the scenes which have been exhibited, must be blind to some of its most prominent and expressive features; and must hence lose more than half the benefit, if not an equal share of the pleasure, of its perusal. Emphatically it is true that "God is in history." In the brief narrative which has now been given. He is too manifest to be unseen, and the impress of His hand is too legibly inscribed on the record to be May the reader here see and acknowledge God, and erased. learn lessons of heavenly wisdom from the past. As he stands among the graves, and treads upon the dust of his ancestors, may he be incited, by the record of their actions and character, to emulate their virtues, and to perform similar deeds of patriotism, philanthropy, benevolence and religion. This brief history gives us impressive lessons of instruction life, the uncertainty of earthly world, and the rapidity with mutability of the the good, upon the shortness of human Yet, be it remembered, that the length of life should be measured, rather by the amount and " That character of its deeds, than by the number of its years. which its scenes change. end;" and that life is which runs to waste. A with the eagle among the stars, is more valuable life is long which answers short, however numerous short flight life's its great years, than a long race with the reptile in the dust. Happy he, who while passing through the changing scenes of earth, becomes by the power of Divine grace, thoroughly prepared for his own last great change, and fitted to awake from the slumbers of the grave in the likeness of God. �CONTIE"UATIO]^ Ecclesiastical History of Worthington, From 1853 BY REV. to 1874. J, H. BISBE3E. ��Continuation of the Ecclesiastical History. Rev. J. H, Bisbee remained pastor of the Congregational church until March 13, 1867, a period of more than twentyeight years, when, at his own request, he was dismissed. At the same time he received and accepted a call to the pastorate of the Second Congregational church in the neighboring town of Huntington, where he still remains (1874). During his ministry in Worthington, about three hundred persons were A received to the church. large majority of these were ad- mitted on profession of their faith. The ordinance of baptism was administered to two hundred and forty-eight adults and infants. Until the year 1865, the business of the Congregational society was done under the town warrant, as in the days of the were managed by the officers of the it was deemed advisable to bring about a separation. A meeting was accordingly called for that purpose, by due form of law, and a separate organization was formed in accordance with the Revised Statutes. In the Spring of 1867 the church and parish unitedly invited David He accepted the invitation, S. Morgan to settle with them. and was accordingly ordained and installed the 26th day of June following. When called to this place, he was residing at Andover, Mass. He received his classical and theological education at several different places. His name appears on fathers. town. All But its affairs at that time the catalogue of Union College, Schenectady, in the class of 1861, but he appears not to have graduated there. torate continued nearly two years, advisable, on the part of the church nection should be dissolved. May 26, 1869. Soon 9 after this He when and it His pas- was considered parish, that the con- was, therefore, dismissed he went West, where he has �ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE QQ since preached in several different places. worthy occurred during his pastorate. IS'othing note- Six individuals were baptized, and Rve were admitted to the church. During the year 1870, the interior of the church edifice, which had remained unaltered forty-five years, was completely reconstructed. Its original arrangement was seen to be antique and uncouth. It was neither as convenient nor comfortable, nor tasteful as the house of the Lord always ought to be. It was not in harmony with the spirit of the age. It was, hence, Avisely and judiciously transformed to modern style and good taste. This change was made at the expense of several thousand dollars a sum equal to about two-thirds the original The house was rededicated to the worcost of the building. ship of God, with appropriate religious exercises, August 3, Addresses were made by Eev. J. H. Bisbee former 1870. pastor, Eev. G. W. Heacock, D. D., of Buffalo, I^. Y., and Eev. E. Taylor, D. D., of Binghamton, ]^. Y. On the same day, Eev. Joseph F. Gaylord, who had supplied the pulpit nearly a year, and who had received and accepted a call to He was a native of ]^orfolk. settle, was installed pastor. Conn., and a graduate of Yale College, in the class of 1863. He took his theological course at Union Seminary, N. Y. general revival His pastorate, though brief, was successful. of religion was experienced in 1870-71, as the results of which The whole number forty-foar were received to the church. admitted during his pastorate, was sixty-four. Twenty-four persons were baptized. In 1873 he resigned his charge, and accepted a call to the Congregational church in Manistee, Mich., where he now is (1874). He was dismissed April 1, — A 1873. May 24, 1871, the church had its appropriate religious exercises. centennial celebration with A historical discourse was delivered by the pastor, followed by short addresses from several other clergymen present, after which the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered. Previously to that time, no change had been made in the These documents articles of faith, or covenant of the church. had remained one hundred years unaltered. The foundation laid by the fathers was considered too firm to be moved. Since that time, the creed and covenant have both been re- �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 67 and a new church manual, has been adopted. This however, was not designed to introduce any change in fundamental doctrine, but the rather to express the truths set forth more briefly, and in more modern language. This church has thus manifestly been distinguished for its stability. It has not been blown about by every wind of doctrine. vised, revision, Though tolerant of others, it has still kept its own faith firmly. While other churches in the vicinity, have been disturbed by diverse and strange doctrines, and been rent by discord, this has remained united, and held on the even tenor of its way. It has had its seasons of prosperity, and its days of trial. But in all its various conditions it has continued one body, with " one Lord, one faith, and one baptism." God grant that it may thus continue, and that all its members from generation to generation may '' keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Jonathan Brewster was chosen deacon of this church September 15, 1867. He is a lineal descendant of one of the same name who held that oflice in the early history of the church. Lafayette Stevens was chosen deacon, December 28, 1870. Thus is the promise fulfilled to this church "instead of thy fathers shall be thy children." The church at South Worthington, after having retained connection with the Wesley an s for a series of years, has at length been reunited with the J^ew England conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. It has, hence, for a few years past, been supplied with preachers from that body. The following ministers have recently been stationed there, its w^ho have acceptably performed the duties of their wit: Kev. Messrs. E. B. Morgan, L. A. Bosworth, don, H. Martin, Wm. Adams, W. office, to W. Gor- Since the return to the conference, this church has increased in numbers ]Sr. J. Cole. and general prosperity. Some seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed there. One of the most extensive and powerful of these, was in 1873, when a large number professedly commenced a new life. This church has proved a power for good in that section of the town. The social, moral, and religious character and interests of the people, have been greatly improved thereby. May this good influence continue until all shall go on unto perfection. �ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF WORTHINGTON. 68 lu conclusion it is proper to remark that in this town there has never been an}^ marked sectarian strife. Though there have always been diversities of religious views and practices, the prevailing sentiment has continually been that every one had a right to his own to the dictates of his opinion, and to worship own God according conscience, accountable alone to While each has claimed he has cheerfully conceded it to others. The result of this has been manifest harmony of feeling and May this unity of spirit be preaction throughout the town. served unto the end. him who is Lord of the conscience. this right for himself, �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE Town of Worthington From 1853 to 1874, WAR RECORD OF THE TOWN FROM 1861 TO 1865, AND OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF 1868. RECORD THE GIVING THE BY C. K. BK,E^SVSTER« ��DEDICATION Decoration Day, May, 1874. When the ISTation pays her heroes, when its floral tributes to the graves of silver-tongued raen throughout this fair land, echo their brave deeds, and review their history, I pay humble tribute. words. 'Tis a 'Tis not of flowers. frail hours from recorded facts. 'Tis not of eloquent wreath, woven in historic I inscribe my it to the my leisure memory of John Jay Bisbee, schoolmate, neighbor, friend, whose j^oung life went out upon his country's altar, and the brave soldiers who went forth honored dead criticism of from Worthington — and my commit it — never to the care, to return — the and charitable fellow towns-people. AUTHOR. ��PREFACE, " The age when Albany, is brance.* it Times change, and we change with them." was a great undertaking to a thing of the past To-day but a is it ; make a journey to Boston or a by-gone fact worthy of record and trifling to affair make such remem- a journey, and could the fathers of that day be told that a citizen of Worthington could start out upon a Monday morning, and witness the sunset from the " Golden City" of San Francisco, upon the following Saturday, with as time as then was used to go to Boston and return macy concocted in European capitols, this side of the Atlantic, within ; little effort and or that matters of diplo- would be analyzed and considered on twenty-four hours j or that the doings of our highest executive, legislative and judicial tribunals at our national capitol over this broad land upon the succeeding day, would be habitually read all they would look upon with incredulous astonishment. it by her constant changes has been making been So, while nature history, science has by no means idle. Nations agitated by civil war have been overturned and overturned until long-cherished principles and institutions derogatory to the best interests of humanity have been buried in the past. Millions of people bound ons of ignorance and superstition, worse than of iron bars, have been in pris- lifted into an atmosphere of freedom and progression, bringing forth new national hopes, and promising a much grander destiny. '^The battle of the giants," so called-in which Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, in 1858, so ably defended and expounded the princi- ples of the two political parties of che nation, the one clamoring for the perpetuation of slavery, with the government at his back and persistently denouncing it as a great ; the other boldly moral wrong, and a stumbling- block to our national prosperity, in which the principal features discussed were the "Missouri Compromise," "Squatter Sovereignty," "Kansas Lecompton Constitution," and " Bred Scott decision," was but the precursor of the greater battle of 1860, when the nation joined issue, and the two char- * See Eice's History. 10 �PREFACE. 74 acters political standard-bearers of the antagonistic par- mentioned were tbe A ties. political was the revolution The power result. of governmental machinery and patronage was changed from the pro-slavery to the anti-slavAll the ingenuity, sophistry and magnanimity that Lincoln and ery party. his compeers could conceive and spirit of appointed Ruin," that boomed forth Southern States. offer, was not "Southern Chivalry." sufficient to assuage the dis- The "watchword" " Rule or Sumter, was reverberated at Fort all through the Blood was up, and blood alone could quench the Four years burned with intensest fury. of national hope and promise which shook the nation from center ; chairs and soldiers' graves all over this land testify of the blood-tinged Grand Four clouds, lighting order from testify and hope broke asunder and peace from war. chaos, Democratic government received a new were achieved. results But they it. to cir- Vacant cumference, holding in fearful suspense the subjects of the land. not in vain, for at length the rainbow of peace that fire war overcast the sky of desolating million slaves were freed from a degrading bondage. birth. The nation again cemented with the best blood of the land upon broader principles of freedom In this great strife, Worthington would not have been true and humanity. to herself, or the history of her fathers, To make a record of the soldiers brave lives sacrificed in the cause been the principal incentive The first ; had she not acted well her who went ; the work of the Author. formal action by the town was taken 1861, when part. from among us the treasure freely handed forth, has to this brief the town voted "to forth at a town-meeting, May 20, authorize the Selectmen to borrow such as may be necessary to assist volunteers and their families when it is wanted, to any amount not exceeding two thousand dollars." x\t a town-meeting, the town voted 'Ho raise twelve August 4, 1862. sums of money — hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid to the ten volunteers called for from the town, being one hundred and twenty-five dollars each." — The town voted one hundred nine months' pay 1862. — The town voted "that September " to raise by tax a August 28, 1862. 1, to borrow hundred a sufficient sura to dollars, until sum sufficient to dollars each." volunteers, the the Treasurer be authorized pay each of the nine months' volunteers one such time as the tax money be collected." The town voted " to authorize the Treasurer to September 29, 1862. — borrow one thousand dollars to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each of the three years' volunteers." ' September 28, 1863. —The town voted "to pay its proportion of the tax apportioned and assessed, to reimburse sums paid as bounties to volunteers, agreeable to the 9th Section of the 218th Chapter of the acts of the Legislature of 1863." September 12, 1864. —The town voted " to raise one hundred and twenty- �PKEFAOE. five dollars as bounty for each volunteer to 75 be obtained on the quota of the town, under the last call of the President." May 22, 1865. —The town voted " that the Treasurer be authorized and directed to borrow on the credit of the town, the and sixty-three dollars for the purpose of sum of sixty-five hundred refunding the several sums contrib- uted by individuals, or suras that were obtained in any other way which have been paid and applied for the purpose of the town of Worthington, agreeable April 25, 1865." to filling the several quotas of an act of the Legislature approved, ��OF SOLDIERS LIST WHO ENLISTED FROM WORTHINGTON TO SERVE IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION, WITH THE COMPANY AND REGIMENT TO WHICH THEY BELONGED. Charles Adams, Company D, 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, May discharged 26, 1863, for disability Regiment Cavalry, and served Martin Sherman, Company 1, ; afterwards enlisted in the 4th until the close of the war. 15th Regiment, (deserted November, 1863.) Abel C. Kenney, Sergeant Company A, 27th Regiment, died date of death unknown. shire, Ga., while a prisoner in Black- ; W. Ward, William September 6, ] 862, Sergeant for disability ; Company A, 27th Regiment, discharged enlisted again as Sergeant in Company C, 5 2d Regiment, and served his term of enlistment. Edmund T. Drake, Corporal Company A, 27th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Frank Quinn, Corporal Company A, 27th Regiment, drowned January 1, 1862, atNewbern, N. C. Edgar C. Brewster, Company A, 27th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. Robert Canfield, Company A, 27th Regiment, died October 23, 1863, at Washington, D. C. Matthew C. Clair, Company A, 27th Regiment, served his term of enlist- ment. Samuel J. Dunning, Company A, 27th Regiment, at the battle of Brainard E. Taylor, at Danville, killed March 14, 1862, Newbern, N. C. Company A, 27th Regiment, died April 17, 1865, Ga. James F. Thayer, Company A, 27th Regiment, died July 23, 1864, Anderson ville, at Ga. William B. Watts, Company A, 27th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. Ansel Adams, Company K, 27th Regiment, discharged April 5, 1862, �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 78 for disability, afterwards enlisted in Company K, 46th Regiment, and served his term of enlistment. Edward P. Meacham, Company K, 27th Regiment, died October 20, 1864, at Millen, Ga. Company K, 27th Regiment, Miles G. Smith, discharged May 3, 1862, for disability. Company Isaac L. Percival, The only man F, 3 2d Regiment. He was from Worthington, that entered the service. drafted mustered in July 20, 1863, and served with his Regiment until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. George A. Robinson, Sergeant Company I, 34th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Company Russell Bartlett, term of 34th Regiment, served his I, enlist- ment. Edward Meacham, Corporal Company B, 34th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Sereno G. Gloyd, Company K, 34th Regiment, October died 1864, at 5, Winchester, Va. Company D, 34th Regiment, Franklin Myers, at died February 28, 1865, Annapolis, Md. Ezra P. Cowles, Sergeant Company D, 37th Regiment, killed April 9, 1865, at the battle of Sailor's Creek, Ya. Doras Company D, 37th Regiment, Collier, Downesville, died October 21, 1862, at Md. John J. Bisbee, Company H, 42d Regiment, died October 30, 1864, at Alexandria, Va. The only one in his company who did not survive the time of enlistment. Russell H. Conwell, Captain term of enlistment ; Company F, 46th Regiment, served his afterwards captain in the 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery. William C. Higgins, Corporal Company F, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Daniel N. Cole, in Company F, 46th Regiment, re-enlisted 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery, died July 29, 1865, Seth Cole, Company F, 46th Regiment, served Charles H. Conwell, May 30, 1868, at Smithville, N. C. his term of enlistment. Company F, 46th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. June 27, 1863, at Jotham Drake, Company F, 46th Regiment, died June 10, 1863, Newbern, N. C. at Isaac C. Drake, Company F, 46th Regiment, died Newbern, N. C. Edwin Dodge, Company F, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Jonathan S. Higgins, Company F, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. Elisha C. Tower, 1st Lieutenant Company K, 79 Regiment, served his 46tli term of enlistment. Charles D. Hollis, Sergeant Company K, 46tli Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Cyrus M. Parsons, Sergeant Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Alfred Kilbourn, Corporal Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Castanus Brown, Corporal Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Edwin N. Company K, 46th Regiment, re-enlisted jMay Heavy Artillery, (but never mustered in). Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlist- Carr, Corporal 30, 1863, in 2d Regiment Davis Bartlett, ment. Henry Benton, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Levi J. Olds, Company K, 46th Regiment, re-enlisted June 1, 1863, in 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. Levi Blackman, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlist- ment. Ezra M. Brackett, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlist- ment. Uriah Brown, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his Henry W. Burke, Company K, 46th Regiment, served term of enlistment. his term of enlist- ment. James K. Burr, Company K, 46th Regiment, March 15, 1863, died at Newborn, N. C. William Cody, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlistment. Emerson B. Cushman, Company K, 46th Regiment, discharged June 23, 1863, for disability. Timothy Donahue, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. John M. Kelly, Company K, 46th Regiment, discharged May 80, 1863, for disability. John D. Pease, Company K, 46th Regiment, served term of his enlist- ment. Dwight L. Prentice, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. Charles L. Randall, at Company K, 46th Regiment, died June 23, 1863, Newbern, N. C. Hiram Russell, Company K, 46th Regiment, died June 30, 1863, at Beaufort, N. C. Jerome Smith, Company K, 46th Regiment, discharged June 23, 1863, for disability. �SECULAR HISTORY OF WORTHINGTON. 80 James Starkweather, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. ''^Anson F. Stevens, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of en- listment. George Thayer, Company K, 46th Regiment, served his term of enlist- ment. Lyman in J. Tower, Company K, 46th Regiment, re-enlisted June 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery, (but never mustered John Wright, Company K, 46th Regiment, served ]Siote.— The lOtli, IStli, 27tli, 32d, 34tli the war. The 42d Regiment 1, 1863, in). his term of enlistment. and 3Tth Regiments enlisted for three years or during hundred days. The 46th and 52d Regiments enlisted for one enlisted for nine months. *May 2, 1865.—Anson F. Stevens was commissioned by Gov. John A. Andrew, as First Lieutenant of the Company in Military-Company District No. 230, of the State Militia. He was subsequently promoted to a Captaincy, and commissioned June 4, 1867, by Gov. Alex. H. Bullock, as Captain of the 78th Unattached Company of Infantry, in the 1st Brigade and 1st Division of State Militia. �OF SOLDIERS LIST WHO WERE ACCREDITED TO OTHER WHOSE HOMES HAD BEEN IN WORTHINGTON, AND WHOSE REMAINS LIE BURIED IN OUR ENLISTED FEOM, AND PLACES, CEMETERIES. Clarance p. Hewitt, Company H, 27th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, served his term of enlistment, died July 22, 1865, from disease con- tracted in the army. John C. Adams, Quartermaster Sergeant, 86th Illinois Regiment, died at Nashville, Tenn., February 19, 1863. Wm. W. Adams, Company I, 61st Regiment New York Volunteers, died at Alexandria, Va., December 26, 1861. John Q. Ring, Company D, 2d Regiment Heavy Artillery, MassachuVolunteers, died March 13, 1864, at Beaufort, N. C. setts According to the report furnished eighty-six men Massachusetts in the made by for the civil the Selectmen in 1866, Gen. Schouler, war. war, says, ' ' Worthington Worthington in his filled its history of quota upon every call made by the President, and at the end of the war had a surplus of nine over and above dred and two men." demands it must have furnished about one hunThe discrepancy must occur in this way, that the all ; Selectmen counted those who actually entered the service the town — to the credit of the Adjutant General the enlistments, substitutes, re-enlistments, and those who were drafted and paid commutation money. The amount raised by the town, agreeable to vote of May 22, 1865, to pay the war expenses, was $6,563.00. The amount paid as State and 1865, was $4,398.42. 11 Aid during the years 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 �A LIST OF THE SELECTMEN AND PHYSICIANS OF THE TOWN FROM TO 1853 1874. SELECTMEN. 1854 —Jotham Clarke, Wra. H. Bates, Ethan C. Ring, James Bisbee.* 1855— Wm. H. Bates, Wm. Cole, John N. Benton. 1856— Wm. Cole, John N. Benton, E. C. Porter. 1857 —John N. 1858— A. 1859— A. D. Perry, A. B. Curtis, Wm. A. Bates. Wm. Starkweather. D. Perry, A. B. Curtis, Wm. Benton, John Adams, Starkweather. —Horace Wm. A. Bates, Russell 1861 — Horace Wm. A. Russell 1862 — John Adams, Charles F. Aaron 1863 — John Adams, Oren A. B. 1864 —John Adams, Oren A. B. 1865 — John Adams, Oren M. A. 1866 — John Adams, Oren M. A. 1867 — John Adams, Robinson, M. A. 1860 Cole, Bates, Cole, Cole, Stone, F. J. 1868— Wra. 1869— Wm. 1870— Wm. 1871— Wm. 1872 1873 — — Bartlctt. Bartlett. Stevens. Curtis. Stone, Curtis. Stone, Bates. Stone. Bates. Bates. Cole, F. J. Robinson, E. C. Porter. Cole, F. J. Robinson, E. C. Porter. Edwin S. Burr, Alfred Kilbourn. Edwin S. Burr, Alfred Kilbourn. A. D Perry, M. A. Bates, Jonathan Brewster. A. D. Perry, M. A. Bates, Jonathan Brewster. Cole, Cole, *At the annual town meeting, Marcli 6, 1854, Jotham Clarke was chosen first Selectman. 27th he died. James Bisbee was chosen to fill the vacancy at the adjourned meeting, April 3d, when the following resolution was unanimously adopted: " Eesolved, That in view of the recent and unexpected death of Capt. Jotham Clarke, the esteemed Chairman of our Board of Selectmen, the town hereby express their sense of the loss they have thereby sustained, and tender to his bereaved family their sincere sympathy." March �: TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 83 PHYSICIANS. Dr. Abner M. Dr. Erastus C. Coy, Smith, Dr. Chester M. Barton, Dr. Arthur G. Pierce, Dr. James D. Seymour. The Representatives to General Court, previous to 1857, were elected from the town under the provisions of the 12th Article of Amendments to the Constitution of the State, adopted in the year 1836. The following Representatives were chosen under said provisions Abner M. Smith 1853, in Granville B. Hall in 1854, John Adams In 1857 an number Amendment to 1856. in the Constitution was adopted, limiting the of Representatives in the State to two hundred and portioned to the several counties according to their relative by voters, the counties to be divided sentative districts. County Commissioners the be ap- of legal into repre- Worthington, with Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield and Middlefield, comprised Wm. forty, to number Hampshire County Representative H. Bates was chosen in 1857 Rev. J. H. Bisbee was chosen Marcus A. Bates was chosen in in No. 3. District to represent the District. 1863 1868 to represent the District. to represent the District. Since the formation of this District, the County has been redistricted, and this District established as No. 2, with the addition of the Elisha *^ Hampshire County Representative town of Chesterfield. H. Brewster was chosen in 1871 to the District State Senate from the Berkshire and Hampshire" Senatorial District. Elisha H. Brewster was chosen in 1873 to the Governor's Council from the 8th Councilor District, embracing the Counties of Hampshire, and Berkshire. Population of Worthington in 1850, 1134. Population of Worthington in 1855, 1112. Population of Worthington in 1860, 1046. Population of Worthington in 1865, 925. Population of Worthington in 1870, 860. Hampden �BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GETST. JA.M:ES C. James C. Rice was born RICE. in Worthington, in the year He 1828. was ed- During ucated at Yale College, where he graduated in the class of 1854. his college course he wrote a Secular History of Worthington, which he in- the town, scribed to the old people of Upon record and history. — work valuable a Natchez, Miss., giving such spare moments as he had at study of the law, having decided to make New York wick, Esq., in in the courts of the State of his profession when of the Union. He New York the Not long City. New after, was made first call He office of to practice there devoting himself to for volunteers to defend the flag immediately offered himself as a private in one of the regiments, but so rapidly were the ranks then filling up, that the regiment was found to have a surplus of men, and he was transferred known the 39th N. Y. S. V., as the " Garibaldi Guards." He commission as First Lieutenant, and was appointed Adjutant of splendid regiment. discipline did not began took The regiment was among this, then its friends. Insubordination soon the men, and on one occasion Lieutenant Rice such a determined and courageous stand, as to successfully quell a moted For his gallant to a captaincy. With of " Bull Run." battle this Y^'ork The Regiment. conduct on this occasion he was pro- regiment Captain Rice was engaged Soon Colonel by Governor Morgan of New to received a early in the field, but from lack of meet the expectation of to manifest itself formidable mutiny. first to the returned Theodore Sedg- he was admitted He was York. command this his profession. North the following year, and entered the to the as a matter of leaving college he took charge of a seminary at after, New he was in the appointed Lieutenant- York, and transferred to the 44th following reply to a speech attending a sword presentation soon after his appointment as Lieutenant-Colonel, will show the spirit with which he entered upon the active and earnest service which termi- nated with his life. '' In the sentiments which you have so eloquently and �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 85 feelingly expressed in regard to the war, I fully concur. I have long down from His confidently believed that God, looking and eternal throne of upon the American people from the formation of our Government, after a long and faithful trial, that justice and right would justice and despairing, down trodden ever be done to the by the North or the South, slave, either has taken their emancipation upon Himself. at last I believe that God's Divine purpose, having used the wrath of the South war, to cause that wrath to praise Him by is it commence to this And the freedom of every slave. I also confidently believe that this war, under his Providence, will be made ended by God just severe enough only when we and that it will be North and South, shall see and realize Be assured Divine object. this this object, to effect as individuals, both ' There ' Rough hew them is a Divinity that shapes our ends, Bearing no unkind or ungenerous time determined to defend my we as spirit will.' towards the South, but at the same country to the last, on this Divinity, in con- ducting the war to a happy and glorious peace, I alone rely." Soon after, he was promoted to the command through the fighting of the seven days' At campaign of 1862. and so gallantly and of the regiment, and led Richmond, battles before it the in the battle of Gettysburg he had charge of a brigade, skillfully led his command as to receive, upon the recom- mendation of Generals Meade, Hooker and Butterfield, a Brigadier-General's commission from President Lincoln, dating from the day of the battle of Gettysburg. mand After his appointment as General, he was assigned the com- of a brigade, and had a part in all the battles of the Potomac," till the desperate day's fight at Spottsylvania, Ya. gaged in in Army ^' of the fatal bullet closed his earthly career at the close of It is recorded that While twenty battles, always ready to lead where duty called. camp near Culpepper, Va., at a religious meeting of the addressed them in the following patriotic and stirring words : a he was en- soldiers, " he You have been told how the soldiers of the Union are thought of at the North, how they are cared for, loved, looked up You know how to. in your own homes a soldier of the Eevolution was reverenced, because he fought in the great battles which first gave us liberty, but enduring than theirs. When this your reward war is over, will be greater be received with shouts and hosannas and tears of joy and cherished as man never was before you and children's children, in ; you cestors many ; you think we if we will honored Your children, make it their proudest You will the greatest in the land will be proud to say, served in the great war," and of us must, do will be the world. to the latest generation, will boast that their fathers fought in this great and holy war. families in the land and more and you go home, you '' found My an- die on the field of battle, as shall be forgotten ? Ah, don't believe �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE S6 it When ! war the over, be sure every smallest ioeident of is every. be traced, will name history its be recorded, every brave deed will be will searched out, and for a century to come your your trials, sufferings, your constancy and bravery, will be a chosen theme of the most finished scholars, No and the greatest writers our country produces. the vigilance of that multitude of busy writers who act of ours will escape every State and will, in every town, search out our names and the story of our services, to known to the which will nation, call Ah, soldiers of a greater revolution. war Our reward ! will may and that our countrymen us, General Rice New York magnitude and present, City, of to the foe," Many " The scene before us beyond the bier of all speech. a true, brave, Adams, we needs no and the cause of who now ion. his lies Christian country. God and our patriot is solemn and sub- country is in Six years since, in this and of Christ partook this altar Upon eloquent the very the death is ; of this occa- devotion to the Who eloquent emblem and a Christian, than be walking His remains were conveyed Seymour to Albany. would of our nationality, a alive, a supporter of this wicked rebellion against the best government the world ever saw issued by Governor church, commun- and was married, The circumstances ; discharge Redeemer his that identical spot he Self-sacrifice is eloquent not rather be in that coffin, covered with the true It of faith in full an honored grave. sion in themselves are eloquent. cause of were the tribute then who died soldier, column, here confessed to was imposing It From interpreter. Eighteen months since he stood before now, on his way Madison Square at the extract these words going forth with only a sky of blue and gold. lies Turn have become historic in Solemn and sublime because we bend over of his duty, at the head of his he Tuesday, words, " last the hero of Fort Sumpter, Major General Dis, and Brigadier-General Hays. lime will love distinguished military officers among whom were General Anderson, uttered by the pastor, Rev. Dr. his troops, His in Virginia. which he was a member. character. God such lives that His funeral was attended song and biography. in a proud thing to fight in this live be proud of us." May 10, 1864, in the series of battles me over and let me die with my face Church, in is wounded while leading mortally fell it Let us be great. make them us fathers of a redeemed country, the ? " The following general order was : General Head-Quaeteks, State of New York, Albany, May I announce with pain the loss of Gen. 14, James C. Rice. 1864. ) f Young, brave, ardent, enthusiastic, he engaged in the support of the flag of his country, and in the suppression of the rebellion as a duty against the constitutional authorities demanding the devotion of body and soul and the willing sacrifice �— ; ;; ; ; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. of Ever life. mand, and faithful to his trust, 87 he was the gallant leader of his com- upon the in the midst of a brilliant career, he fell battle-field, leaving to his companions in arms, to his friends and his country, a character As of unsullied Christian patriotism. mark a memory, of respect for his the National Flag will be displayed at half-mast on the Capitol, and the arsenals of the State, on Monday upon all the 16th inst. Horatio Seymour, Governor and Commander-in-Chief. J. I. Johnson, A. A. A. G. General Rice was buried at The body was borne from the by an imposing der command members Albany, Jilay 16, 1864, with military honors. State Capitol to the receiving vault, followed New York procession, consisting of the 25th Regiment, un- of Colonel Church, Governor Seymour and staff in uniform, Common of the Council, prominent citizens, and personal friends After the usual formalities attending a military burial, an of the deceased. impressive address was delivered, closing with the following lines written and pronounced by Rev. Dr. Palmer : — thy weary task done —thy country—thou hast served them well true glory — glory bravely won " Rest, soldier rest is ! Thy God Thine On is lips men unborn of thy name shall dwell. Kest, patriot- Christian! thou hast early died, But days are measured best by noble deeds Brief though thy course, thy To those of manly form Rest, Thy On ! ! repose, still Our Martyr Live whom name thou hast allied the world, admiring, reads. eternal love shall keep till breaks the final stays not here dawn —he knew no sleep live on Fame's bright scroll, heroic friend Thy memory, now, we to her record give To earth thy dust our thoughts to Heaven ; His was a live remember and conflicts sadly, he spoke of the —how his face told his gray hairs bespoke the Worthington his last visit to how ; '* ! Some who read singularly brilliant, active and useful. life of exposure, and the excitement of battle fearful scenes : ascend, Where, with the immortals, thou dost ever these pages will ; Death's dark shadow burst a cloudless morn. through which he passed; how earnestly, yet' war and its issues, as though the shadows of his des- tiny were then flitting across his vision. New York proudly claims him among her honored him with a just pride buried his ancestors dead. ; We, too, claim here he was born and reared ; here is ; here lie the work of his �; SECULAR HISTORY OF WORTHINGTON. 88 but his greatest work was his ; march was the march of a hero ; he hand, telling the history of our fathers country's ; his death a nation's loss has halted to rest, and bivouacked " Soldier, rest ! ; his for eternity. thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking Dream of battle-fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking." �WORTHINGTON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, -A.TJGHJSX 20tli, 1868, The year 1868 brought round the the town's history. The citizens first began centennial cycle of to bestir themselves unanimity and enterprise to give the day a fitting Accordingly an organization was effected, committees appointed, money raised, and work commenced to accomplish the desired result. A corresponding committee sent invitations to the sons and daughters of Worthington, scattered all over the country, to gather and fraternize at this celebration. The work was entered upon with such heartiness and zeal that a most complete success was achieved. It was from the first determined to have everything free. This was no slight undertaking, for it was expected that several thousand persons would be in attendance, and to feed and provide for such a gathering was a task never before attempted in this region. Yet it was successfully accomplished, and all were satisfied, and the citizens of the town received from all present most hearty thanks and praises. The weather, however, was bad. During the morning, the clouds were of a threatening character; the people, notwithstanding, began to assemble, and from nine to eleven o'clock the roads in all directions were crowded with teams. The people gathered on the common, near the church, where it was estimated that from five to six thousand were assembled. The first exercise of the day was the appearance on the common of a four-horse wagon, carrying twelve young ladies, with celebration. dressed in white, 12 representing the twelve school districts �: SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 90 of the town. They bore banners inscribed, " Our native good as new." ''To the memory of our forefathers." Next came a company of "Rough and Ready," some on horses, and some on foot, bearing a banner inscribed, "Woman's rights one hundred years ago, ballot box and breeches." They halted in front of the Town Hall, where one of their number, Mr. Z. H. Hancock, sung the song entitled, " The good old days of Adam and Eve," which called forth three hearty cheers. There was considerable delay in organizing the procession, and it did not get under motion until an hour after the appointed time it first moved northward from the church across the common, then southward to the other end of the common, the "Florence Brass Band," and "Bryant's Martial Band," heading the procession, under the direction of Capt. Wm. Starkweather, chief marshal of the day, and his town, century a old, but as ; — assistants. The procession, a full half-mile in length, after completing the prescribed route, brought up under a spacious bower erected south of the church, where six long tables were spread, capable of seating seventeen hundred persons at once. These tables were loaded with the choicest provisions that the citizens of Worthington could bring, and presented a most tempting appearance. At this time the rain began to fall, and it was for some time uncertain whether it was best to proceed at once with the address, according to the programme, or to The latter course was eat the dinner and make sure of that. determined upon, partly because it was seen to be best, but more because it was seen to be useless to attempt to satisfy such a crowd with historical facts, when the more palatable collation, furnished by the good ladies of the tow^n, was so provokingly set before them. So, after the Divine blessing was invoked, by Rev. David S. Morgan, pastor of the CongregaThe tables furnished an tional church, the dinner was eaten. abundance, and no one had to go away hungry. The dinner " Old Hunover, the brass band gave some excellent music dred" was sung by the entire audience, under the lead of ; Rev. Mr. Gordon, pastor of the Methodist church at South Worthington, offered prayer; then E. H. Brewster, president of the day, pronounced the following ad- Professor Bartlett dress of welcome ; �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 91 ADDRESS OF WELCOME. The histories of towns, like the histories of nations, have marked eras. One hundred years ago, the citizens of their Worthington were living under a monarchial government, with a provincial congress to make their laws. To-day, we are living under a republican form of government, with the make our rule of acOne century has passed away since the town of Worthington was incorporated, and we have assembled here to-day to to wait upon the old century out, and the new century in The same period of time has link the past with the future. representatives of a sovereign people to tion. ; elapsed since our ancestors organized this town, and privilege at this time to commemorate their acts, and it is our to can- In the name, and in behalf of the citizens of the town of Worthington, we welcome you back to this your native town. Especially in behalf of the ladies of Worthington, we welcome you to our homes. We welcome you to these your native hills. We welcome you to the hospitalities of the town, and to the festivities of this occasion. We tender to you, one and all, our kind greetings and earnest salutations. We see around us here to-day, the emblem of our nationality. While we are canvassing the reminiscences of the past, let us not forget the flag of our country. That flag was baptized with the best blood of the soldiers of the army of the Revolution, and with the best blood of the soldiers of the war of the Rebellion. ITow if the present generation, and the generations that may come after us shall prove as true and faithful to that ensign of American liberty, as our ancestors were true and faithful to it, as our soldiers were true and faithful to it, then we may confidently hope that other centennial celebraMay the tions may be had down to the latest posterity. sown in the hearts of this of fraternal union be seeds people to-day, that may unite us in one common purpose, to build up a record of the town more enduring than marble monuments. vass its history. Contrary to the hopes of all, the rain increased, and it was deemed useless to proceed further with the outdoor exercises, and so an adjournment to the church was carried. The church, though the largest in this section of country, was in- �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 92 capable of accommodating but a small portion of the multiAfter filling it to its utmost capacity, the following tude. Historical Address, by Rev. J. H. Bisbee, of Huntington, for twenty-eight years pastor of the Congregational church at "Worthington, was delivered. HISTORICAL ADDRESS. and proper that we should sometimes pause in the career of life, and review the past. History is but the record of God's dealings with men, and their conduct under his government. This is true, not only of the world as a whole, but equally of each portion of it, however small as the whole is but the sum of all its parts. Hence the children of Israel were charged to remember all the way which the Lord their God had led them. We are called to-day to review, not the history of the world, but the record of a single township and It is fit ; ; here, not the history of Our tury. though our all may But narrow, and our range limited. circle is thus fiight past time, but that of a single cen- not be as lofty as our if field were it may still, for this hour, be as pleasant and profitable. The township of Worthington was originally called Planta- wider, tion No. On 3. the second day of June, 1762, auction in Boston, to quently it Aaron Willard, for it was sold X1860. at Subse- passed into the possession of Col. John Worthingand Major Barnard, of Deerfield. At ton, of Springfield, what date, or for what consideration, this transfer was made, does not now appear. At that time it was, in territory, much more extensive than at present. When it was incorporated as a town, it extended from what is now Cummington, on the north, to Murrayfield, Partridgefield, now now Chester, on the south, and from Peru, on the west, to the north branch of the Westfield river on the east, according to J. C. Rice's hisThis embraced a portion of the territory now called tory. When the present boundary on the east Chesterfield. West was formed, I have not been able to learn. In 1783, the town of Middlefield was incorporated. was composed of the corners of several other towns. This It em- braced the south-west corner of Worthington, the north-west corner of Murrayfield, the north-east corner of Becket, the �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 93 south side of Partridgefield, a part of Washington, and a piece of land called Prescott's Grant. originally extended to it cornered on Becket. what is One now Thus Worthington Middleiield Center, where or two lots, from the north-east corner of Chester, were at some time annexed to Worthington, which accounts for the projection which we find on the map below South Worthington. The reason for this annexation was that it was more convenient for the residents on this territory to attend church, and do business in Worthington, than in Chester. The records of the town do not inform us when the first was made here. It is evident, however, that a few families came as early as 1764. The first settlers were mainly from the central and eastern parts of Massachusetts, and from the State of Connecticut. Prominent among them were E"athan Leonard, N'athaniel Daniels, ^N'ahum Eager, Dr. Moses Morse, John Kinne, John Watts, Thomas Clemmons, James Bemis and others. (A more complete list may be found in .settlement Rice's History of Worthington, also in Holland's History of Western Massachusetts.) The first night which Nathaniel Daniels and family spent in town, they camped in the woods on the easterly slope of the hill, a little east of the present residence of Merrick Cole. One of the children said he thought the mosquitoes would devour him. The settlement of the town, immediately after its commencement, appears to have been rapid. The population continued to increase for the half-century. Since then it has gradually diminished. In 1768, this territory was incorporated into a town, and called Worthington, in honor of Col. John Worthington, of Springfield, one of its proprietors, whose liberality towards the in- first habitants was manifested by erecting for them, at his own expense, a meeting-house, and a grist-mill, and in assigning generous made lots of land for ministerial and school purposes. He the town a donation of twelve hundred acres of land. This was divided into twelve sections. One-half of these were called ministerial lots, the other half school lots. The object of the donor was to aid the town in the support of educational and religious institutions. The Act of Incorporation was passed June 30, 1768. The first town-meeting was held August 1, 1768, under the following warrant: �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 94 "Hampshire ss. To Kathan Leonard, of Wortliington, in Pursuant to an the county of Hampshire aforesaid, yeoman: act of this Province for erecting the new Plantation, called 'No. 3, in the county of tiampshire, into a town by the name of Worthiugton, and investing the inhabitants of said town with all the powers, and privileges, and immunities that other towns within the Province enjoy also empowering Israel ; Williams, Esq., to issue his w^arrant directed to some principal inhabitant of said town, requiring him to call a meeting of said inhabitants, in order to choose such officers, as by law, towns are empowered to choose, in the month of March annuThese are therefore in his Majesty's name, to require ally. you, the said E'athan, to notify and warn the inhabitants of Worthington, that they assemble together at the house of Alexander Miller, innholder in said town, on the first Mon- day in August next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, then and there in said meeting, to choose all such officers as towns within this Province are empowered and enabled by law to choose, in the month of March annually. Hereof, you nor they may not fail. Given under my hand and seal, at Hatfield, in said county, this eleventh day of July, in the eighth year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domini, 176S. ISRAEL WILLIAMS, Justice of the Peace." In accordance with this warrant, the first town-meeting was held at the house of Alexander Miller, long known as the Buffington place, now owned and occupied by Levi Blackmeeting, Nahum Eager was chosen Town Leonard, Capt. JsTathaniel Daniels, and Kathan Clerk; Capt, Thomas Clemchosen Selectmen were Mr. John Kinne, Samuel Clapp, Dr. mons, Constable and Leather Sealer; Moses Morse, Surveyors of Highway Nahum Eager and Ephraim Wheeler, Fence Viewers, and John Watts, Tithingman. Several succeeding town-meetings were held at the same place. The first grist-mill in town, was on or near the spot where A. Stevens & Son, now manufacture sieve rims and plant proIt was built by the proprietors of the town, to induce tectors. As this was then an unbroken forest, settlers to come in. man. At that ; ; �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 95 men found their way from house to house by marked trees. Much of the business of the town, in its earliest years, conIn doing the grist-mill was one of the grand radiating points, and sisted in the laying of roads in different directions. this, In 1770, the town voted to raise <£45 and to pay for men's labor on the road three shillings per day for the labor of a yoke of oxen, one shilling and sixpence for use of a plow, eightpence. The lirst saw-mill in town was situated somewhere below was usually mentioned. for repairing the highways, ; ; Mr. Eager's meadow. a limited scale, Other machinery of different kinds, on was subsequently introduced. has always been the leading business of the town. Agriculture For many wool-growing was the main branch of this. Every pasture was filled with flocks. The owners counted them by hundreds, and sometimes by thousands. This was, however, at a comparatively recent date. The farmers have generally produced the necessaries of life, or their equivalent, for themselves, and a little surplus for others. In the early history of the town, flax and wool were considered essential products of every family. The cloth commonl}^ worn, both by males and years, females, was, in the literal sense of the term, domestic. family had the great and and the quilling-wheel. Each spinning-wheel, the hand-loom These were the household musical little instruments of that day, on which the mothers and daughters melodeon and piano. And though the sound thereof was not always as soft and smooth as more modern music, it was deemed quite as essential to domestic prosperity. Carding machines and clothiers' shops were early introduced. One of the first clothier's shops was on the small stream a little west of Mr. Hewett's present residence. The wives and daughters spun and wove the cloth. The plain linen was either bleached by them on the grass, or made up brown, and left for time and use to whiten, while a nicer fancy article constituted the beautiful aprons of blue and white, checked six by four, and worn by our grandmothers. The woolen, when woven, was sent to the clothier to be dressed or fulled, pressed and colored, unless it had been previously dyed. Brick were manufactured, on a limited scale, on or near the farm where John H. Coit lived and died. Mr. Buck, then living on that place, was engaged in this business. Tanneries practiced, instead of the �; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 96 were located in different parts of tlie town. in liberal quantities. The manufacture Potash was made of hats, caps, nails, saddles, harnesses, chairs, cider brandy, curtains, children's wagons, cabs and sleds, joiners' tools, sleighs, boots, shoes, bedsteads, screws, sieve rims, plant protectors, and various other things " too numerous to mention," has at different times been carried on here. For many years, and until the days of railroads, the great thoroughfare from Boston to Albany, was There was a constant flow of travel through this town. Stages, private coaches, white-topped through the place. emigrant wagons and other vehicles were constantly passing. To accommodate the public, there were at one time five taverns in town, viz: One at the " Corners," one where J. H. Campbell now resides, one where Merrick Cole lives, one where E. H. Brewster resides, and one at West Worthington, on the place where James Benton lives. post-office was established here much earlier than in any of the neighboring towns. For many years it was the only one between Northampton and Pittsfield. All the towns in the vicinity came here for their mail. Col. William Ward, who it is thought was the first postmaster in the place, received his appointment in 1804, under the administration of Thomas Jefferson, and held the office nearly all the time for In civil, poforty-six years, when he was removed by death. A town presents a fair record yea, more. It presents a record of which its citizens may well be proud. In 1770, a meeting was called, as stated in the warrant, ''to see if the town will choose a man to represent them in the Great and General Court, to be held at Cambridge." Voted not to send. In 1774, the British Parliament passed the Boston port bill, '' by which the port of Boston was forbidden to land, discharge, load and ship goods, wares, and merchandise." "A second bill was soon after passed, litical, and military affairs, this essentially altering the charter of the Colony," together with other offensive Acts. When the news of this port bill reached Boston, a Committee of Correspondence, appointed for that purpose, sent letters to the various towns and plantations in the Commonwealth. In response to this letter, a town-meeting was forthwith called, which was held on the 28th day of June. A Committee of Correspondence was chosen, and �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 97 though the meeting adjourned from time to time, near this it was voted to raise £15, lawful money, to provide a town stock of powder, balls, flints, etc. Other appropriations were made from time to time, as deemed necessary. The same year a convention, composed of ninety men, met at Salem, thence adjourned to Concord, where John Hancock-was chosen President. After this they adjourned to Cambridge, where was drawn up a plan for the immediate defence of the province. This town was represented in that assembly, by l^ahum Eager, Esq., for which the town voted to pay him <£5, lawful money. About this time, those liable to bear arms were called together, and military ofiicers were chosen. The patriotic feeling of nearly all was aroused, and the most intense excitement prevailed. Though the action of the town in military matters has no record from 1774 to 1777, we learn from other sources, that Worthington and Ashfield raised seventyone minute men, who marched to Cambridge, on the Lexington alarm, under Capt. Ebenezer Webber, of Worthington, with Samuel Allen, and Samuel Bartlett, of Ashfield, as lieu" From this time throughout the war, Worthington tenants. was actually drained of its resources in men and means, in aid of the devolution. In 1780, a requisition, made upon the town for horses, found them without the requisite number. Even then they voted to give the security of the town for the price of the horses if they could be found elsewhere." The number of men furnished, and the amount of money raised for the war, clearly show that this town was one of the foremost in proportion to its means, in supporting the cause of the KevoluFor a more minute detail of their action, in that crisis, tion. and of the number and names of those who served in the war of date the Revolution, see Rice's History of the town. men were The' women and encouraged their husbands, brothers and sons, to defend their country, while they cheerfully took care of business affairs, both in-doors and out yet here, as well as elsewhere, was something of the Tory spirit. But the town was prompt and severe in rebuking it. When it was found that Doctor Morse, their representative, sided with Britain, it was promptly voted that he should not represent the town in General Court any longer. And when Alexander Miller,, the inn-keeper, was as well as the ; 13 fired with patriotic feelings, �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 98 found to be a Tory, they altered the road, so that the travel should not pass his house, and gave the custom to Captain Daniels, a loyal man, who lived near where Tillson Bartlett now does. In the war of 1812, this town, it is believed furnished its full share of men and means. Some few of those who were called to fight the battles of their country, in that feather-bed Governor Strong, greater portion have fallen asleep. under paign, still cam- remain, though the not necessary that I should speak in detail of the furnished, and of the amount of money exand save our nation, in the time of her peril defend pended to These things are too in the great rebellion, lately subdued. It is number of men fresh in the memory and awaken too no town, Massachusetts, probably suffered more in this to need recital here, many painful emotions. of size, in its war than In in civil men It is sufficient to say, that this. and political life, this town has never been wanting of intelligence, ability and influence. Among those, whose influence was felt in the counsels may be named Moses Morse, I^ahum Commonwealth, of the Eager, Nathan Leonard, Dea. Jonathan Brewster and Hon. Ezra Starkweather. Later on the list we find .Jonathan Woodbridge, Elisha Brewster, Jonathan Brew^ster, Jr., Samuel Howe, Josiah Mills, Hon. William Ward, Trowbridge Ward and Jonah Brewster. Still later are others whom it is not needful to name. Others might perhaps also be mentioned of equal ability, who were not made so prominent in public life. The subject of education early interested the minds of the They rightly judged as to the importance first settlers here. and youth. For this, therefore, they made children of this to In 1771, three suitable provision at the commencement. years after the incorporation of the town, it was voted to raise £10 for the support of schools. In 1772 the same amount was raised, the town was divided into ^ve districts, and the money was equally distributed among them. This sum may in its earlier history, appear to us small, yet considering the number of inhabitants, the scarcity of means, and the value of money at that day, it may be considered liberal. Here was laid the foundation for the education, and general intelligence of the town. �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. The sum annually appropriated 99 common for the support of schools has, since that day, been increased from time to time, it amounts to $1,800 or the income of funds, the remainder until at present (including board,) Some $1,900. is of this voluntarily raised. The districts. first located near where school has been the is The town is now divided into twelve school-house was built of logs, and was John Adams now lives. The common main home reliance for the education of the children and youth of this place. In 1837, however, an Seminary, was incorporated academy, called the Mountain where now stands the H. Cole & Son. This by tuition fees alone. But other seminaries, liberally endowed with funds, were soon after built, furnishing stronger attractions for the young, and the Mountain Seminary finally became extinct. Its first teachers were Alender O. Clapp, and Mary Strong. Subsequently T. A Hall, E. A. Hubbard, J. H. Temple, and others were successively at the head of the institution, assisted by such individuals as they needed. Though this academy was sustained but few years, it accomplished a great deal for the cause of education in this place, and in the adjacent towns. It introduced improvements in the methods of teaching, and by raising up a better qualified class of teachers, it elevated built near store of flourished for a few years, supported the standard of education in the pulse was thus given which believed will continue to be The first is common still felt felt for schools. in the town, many An im- and it is years yet to come. settlers of this town w^ere reared under the influ- ence of the gospel. They were trained to fear God and keep his Sabbaths, and reverence his sanctuary, and maintain divine institutions and ordinances. They were attached to these things from principle as well as by the influence of education. Hence, when they sought a home mountain in the wilderness, they brought their religion with them. was early made and the full enjoyment of provision for the all Liberal support of public worship, gospel ordinances. Thus they laid in Christianity a broad, firm foundation for the prosperity and true elevation of themselves and their posterity here and As an incident illustrating their regard for the Sabbath, there is a tradition respecting one man who was short of provision. His residence was on the their well-being hereafter. �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 100 hill above A. P. Drury's. One Sabbath morning a noble deer presented himself before the door of his hut. He was strongly tempted to shoot him to obtain a supply of provision, but he remembered the Sabbath day and let him The next morn- go. ing the animal appeared again in the same place, when the man killed him and thus obtained a supply of meat. He In 1769, the year trusted in the Lord, and verily he was fed. was passed, a meeting was called town would support preaching. Voted, to do it. Where their religious meetings were held at this early period does not distinctly appear. A church of thirty members was organized April 1st, 1771. They aimed to build this "on the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ While in general himself being the chief corner stone." Westminster Confession they declared their approbation of the of Faith and Catechism, as for the substance of it, agreeable after the act of incorporation to see if the to their belief in the same time discarded ula or discipline. the Word of God doctrines of Christianity, they at the all servile Their is bondage to any human form- own language is : " We agree that a sufficient rule as well for the practice and discipline of the church as the doctrine of faith; and that human compositions on the subject of church discipline are to be used only as helps and means for the better underWithout casting any reflections standing of God's Word." upon other denominations or forms of church government and discipline, they very modestly said: "In general it is our opinion that what is called the Congregational form of church government and discipline is in the main agreeable to the Word of God." The creed adopted at that time has remained unaltered to the present day. The first meeting-house was located near where Lyman G. Granger's house now stands. The cemetery was in the rear of the church. When this house was erected does not appear from the town records. The obvious reason for this, no doubt, is that it was not built by the town. From the most reliable information on this point, it appears that the frame was put up and partially or wholly covered by the proprietors of the town to encourage a more rapid settlement of the place. According to Rice's History it was built four years before the incorporation of the town. Others have given it a later date. After the act of in- �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 101 corporation, one or more meetings were called to see if the town would clear a spot for it or around it. A town meeting was held in it, November, 1770. Probably it was not ready It remained in an unfor use much, if any, before that time. finished state for several years, though used for pubHc worship and the transaction of town business. The pulpit was but a temporary stage. The seats for the congregation were rude benches made of boards with the hard side up, and no cushThose wanting something more comfortable brought ions. their own chairs. In 1780 it was voted that the town build a pulpit, two deacons' seats, four seats on each side of the broad aisle, lay the gallery floor and build stairs, and " that the pew spots be drawn by the highest in the list, they being obliged to build the same by such time as shall be set by the town, and finish the back up to the gallery girt, each against his own pew." In 1788 the question of removing the meeting-house began to be agitated. Several meetings were held for the discussion of this subject. In 1791 it was voted to remove it to land then owned by Zachari Hanchett, just in rear of the present store of E. H. Brewster & Son. It was removed in 1792 and every way finished at the expense of the town. It was also voted that ISTahum Eager, John Watts and others, have the liberty to set up a steeple to the meeting-house. This liberty, however, they appear not to have used. Subsequently the pews were sold at auction to the highest bidder for ^601 85. This continued to be the only place of worship for nearly the whole town until 1825, when, after a conflict of almost unequalled severity, lasting some ten or twelve years, the present ediflce was erected. Over that conflict let the curtain fall. ''Let not the light shine upon it; let darkness stain it, and a cloud dwell upon it." was made for warming the old church until a it was abandoned. The people entered it on cold, stormy dsijs in Winter, brushed oft' the snow, and quietly took their seats for a sitting of one or two hours. The old ladies had foot-stoves for their comfort which were sometimes passed around the pew for the benefit of others. The frequent and loud knocking together of boots towards the close of a long sermon, sometimes gave unmistakable signs of a desire for a close. Still, when it was proposed to introduce N^o provision short time before �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 102 was decided opposition to the measure. It was regarded as an innovation on a time-honored practice. There was a report that the first Sabbath after the stoves were set up, though there was no fire in them, some of the congregation, not aware of the fact, imagined themselves so overcome with the intense heat that they fainted. Such magic power had stoves there cold iron stoves. At a later date a Methodist Episcopal church was formed at South Worthington, and in 1828 a house of worship was erected there. In 1849 this house .was abandoned and a more beautiful and commodious edifice erected, in which that church They have generally been supplied with now worship. preachers from the 'New England Conference, except a few years when they were connected with the true Wesleyans. In 1848 a Methodist Society was formed at West Worthington. This was connected with the Troy Conference, by which it was supplied with preachers. This organization was of short duration. Their house of worship has been abandoned for several years. On the third day of April, 1771, the town invited Rev. Jonathan Huntington, of Windham, Ct., to become their minister voted to maintain him by a tax; to give him <£40 the first year, and to increase it four pounds yearly until it reached the sum of sixty pounds, which is thereafter Mr. Huntington accepted the invitato be his stated salary. tion, and was ordained and installed accordingly, June 26th, 1771. His place of residence was where R. M. Wright now ; lives. As some method of question subsequently arose respecting the raising his salary, it was, after much discussion, voted in 1778 to do it by a free contribution once in eight months. In 1779 the town voted to give Mr. Huntington sixty pounds, to be paid in wheat at six shillings a bushel, rye at four shillings, corn at three shillings, and other necessaries of life, agreeable to said articles expressed. Mr. Huntington He was and belonged to one of the most Without the advantages distinguished families of that State. medicine and became collegiate education, he first studied of a somewhat distinguished as a physician. Why he changed his From what may now be profession is not now apparent. learned of him, it is evident that he was, by nature, peculiarly died March a native of 11th, 1781, in the 48th year of his age. Windham, Ct., �: TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 103 mild and amiable, and by grace, a man of deep-toned piety and irreproachable Christian character. Hence, as might be expected, he won the confidence and secured the esteem and After the death of Mr. afi^ection of the church and the town. Huntington the town was some time without a settled minister. In 1781 it was voted to Still they kept up public worship. employ Rev. Mr. Barker five Sabbaths, for which he was to receive six pounds hard money, and Mrs. Huntington was to receive two hard dollars a week for his board and house-keeping. Rev. Israel HoUey, Mr. Israel Day, a Mr. Warren and Enoch Whipple were successively invited to settle here in the ministry, but they severally gave a negative answer. In 1788 Rev. Josiah Spaulding, of Ilxbridge, Mass., received and accepted a call to settle here with XlOO settlement and £75 annual salary. He was a native of Plainfield, Ct., and was educated at Yale College. He was installed August 21st, 1788. His pasMany of the people became dissatisfied torate was short. in consequence of which he was dismissed in 1794. with him, He was subsequently settled in Buckland, Franklin county, where he remained until his death. He was evidently somewhat eccentric, though a man of full ordinary power of mind. This was admitted by his cotemporaries, and is fully shown by his published writings. There was evidently great excitement here respecting his dismission. Many meetings were held, and finally charges were preferred against him, which may be summarily expressed as follows, viz. a change in religious doctrine, immorality in practice, and delinquency in duty. Either of these charges, if sustained, would, according to Congregational usage, have worked a forfeiture of his office and ministerial standing. The matter was referred to an ecclesiastical council and the result was that not one of these charges was sustained. His sentiments and character and fidelity in duty, were fully endorsed by the council. They recommended him as an example of meekness, fidelity and charity. They said '' We find no fault in Mr. Spaulding which should operate as a reason for the dissolution of the pastoral relation." But such was the state of feeling among the people that they ad: vised his dismission. The same year cepted a 1794, Jonathan L. call to settle here, Pomeroy received and ac- with j£180 settlement, and .£110 and �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 104 He was the son of a clergythirty cords of wood annual salary. man, and was born in the parish of Greenfield, in the town of He had not a collegiFairfield, where his father was pastor. ate education, but received both his classical and theological instruction from Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., the successor of his father in the ministry, afterwards president of Yale ColHe read Latin lege. Still, Mr. Pomeroy was a ripe scholar. and Greek fiuently, and was almost as familiar with French He was settled here JS'ovember as with his mother tongue. There was, on the part of a portion of the people, 26, 1794. such opposition to his settlement, that a formal protest was laid before the ordaining council, He was cient to stop proceedings. who did not settled deem it suffi- and soon overcame that opposition, and secured the confidence of the people gen- In 1832, after a pastorate of thirty-eight years, he own urgent request, honorably dismissed. He subremoved to Feeding Hills, where he died June 4, sequently 1836, at the age of 67 years. His valuable property was mainly bequeathed to benevolent objects. He was a man of superior mental power, his perception was quick, his penetraHe published tion keen, and his memory peculiarly retentive. several sermons delivered on different occasions. erally. was, at his In 1833, Rev. Henry Adams was settled here in the minisand remained until 1838, when he was dismissed on ac- try, count of ill health. The same year Rev. mained at his H. Bisbee was until 1867, a little own request, he was ordained and named J. are still installed here more than twenty-eight and re- when Morgan years, was dismissed, and Rev. D. S. As the three last not necessary to speak minutely of installed as his successor. living, it is them. I have dwelt thus long on these ecclesiastical matters, from the fact that this is a part of the history of the town. From its incorporation to the year 1865, the business of the Congregational Society was done under the town warrant, and the In law officers of the town were the officers of the parish. the parish was the town in its parochial capacity. In 1865, a separation was effected, and the parish was organized in ac- cordance with the Revised Statutes. It is proper to say, for the honor of God, that this place has been signally blessed �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 105 Such seasons have been frequent, with revivals of religion. Among the most remarkable of these powerful, and extensive. may be named the years 1794-9, when fifty were united to the church, the year 1808, when one hundred and seasons, thirteen were received, 1819 to the church, when 1827 when when one hundred were admitted thirty-two were gathered in, 1842-3 forty-eight were received on profession, 1850 when forty- nine were received. Besides these powerful general revivals, there have been many seasons of gentle refreshing, when the There have also been sevSpirit has descended as the dew. eral such blessed seasons at South Worthington, in connection with the Methodist church, of nutely. which I cannot speak mi- A Sabbath school was gathered here, just ago. It was held at 5 o'clock Ames Burr's, and fifty years p. m., at the school-house near was conducted mainly by two young ladies of well-known piety and benevolence. The following persons have practiced law in this place, viz Joseph Lyman, Jonathan Woodbridge, Samuel Howe, Elisha Mack, Daniel Parish, and C. B. Rising. The medical men have been more numerous. It seems to have been a great place for doctors, as the following list will show. M. Morse, E. Starkweather, Marsh, Brewster, Porter, two Hollands, Case, Spear, E. Pierce, Meekins, D. Pierce, H. Starkweather, Bois, Wheeler, Colt, Brown, Church, Prevost, Lyman, Knowlton, Freeland, Smith, A. G. Pierce, Coy, and : some others. Among the educated professional men, born or bred here, be named, Azariah Clark, who graduated at Williams College in 1805. He settled in the ministry at Canaan, N. Y. Benjamin Mills graduated at Williams College in 1814. He studied law and practiced in Illinois. He died at Pittsfield, may Mass., in 1841. Henry Wilbur received tled in the ministry at a private education. He was Wendell, Mass., from 1817 to set- 1822. He prepared a reference Bible, and published some other books. In his later years, he taught and lectured on astron- omy. Joseph M. Brewster graduated He at Yale College in 1822. where he died in 1833. Williams College in 1822. Stud- settled in the ministry in Peru, Daniel Parish graduated at 14 �SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 106 iecl law, and practiced in Worthington, and other places. He has recently died. Jonathan E. Woodbridge graduated at Williams College, in 1822, was tutor in has been settled in several college, places in the ministry, and is now a teacher at Auburndale.- George Woodbridge graduated at West Point, was for a time in the army, afterwards entered the ministry, and preached at Richmond, Ya. John Starkweather graduated at Yale College in 1825, and entered the ministry. Orsamus Tinker graduated at Williams College in 182T. entered the ministry, and died at Ashby, Mass., in 1838. Consider Parish graduated at Williams College in 1828, and has been a teacher and preacher at the South. Alonzo Clark graduated at Williams College in 1828, and studied medicine. He is now professor of pathology and practical medicine, and resides in 'New York. J. H. Bisbee graduated at Union College in 1831, and is He now in the ministry. Daniel Branch graduated at Union College in 1832, and has been a teacher in Ohio and school commissioner in Illinois. A. Huntington Clapp graduated at Yale College, and is now secretary of the A. H. M. Society, ^ew York. Franklin D. Austin graduated at Union College in 1845, is now in the ministry. Henry A. Austin and Samuel and J. Austin graduated at Union College in 1847, and are both in the ministry. Corydon Higgins graduated at Williams College in 1849, and is now preaching. Charles H. Gardner was educated at Williams College, and is now New York. Williams College, and a teacher and preacher in James K. Mills graduated at is now a lawyer. W. Harmon Mies was educated under Professor Agassiz, of Cambridge. He Yale College in 1854. when he enlisted in the army, and for bravery and noble daring was raised to the office of Brigadier General, and was killed in the It was he who said, " Let me die battle of the Wilderness. James C. Rice graduated practiced law in E'ew York at until the late war, �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. with my face to the foe." He was 107 a noble specimea of a Christian soldier. Henry E. Daniels was educated law, and is now at Williams College, studied dead. To these might be added a long list of professional men, whose place of education I cannot state. Among these may be named Ira and Ebenezer Daniels, Dr. Tinker, Franklin Everett, Hon. Samuel A. Kingman, judge in the supreme court of Kansas, A. D. Kingman and two Marbles, who went to Kentucky, with others too numerous to mention. In addition to these, many business men might be named, who have been successful in their different departments, some of whom have risen to eminence in civil and political life, and have filled the mayor's chair in some of our great cities, or taken their seat in our national congress. Among these may be named Aaron Among Clark, Gideon Lee, A. P. Stone, and F. Kellog'S*. the fatal casualties of the place, the following may In 1806 William Adams was mortally wounded In 1817 a child was killed at Mr. Bardwell's by swallowing a bean. In 1820 Gains Kowe was killed in a well by the falling of a bucket on his head. It was nearly in front of the house where James Bisbee now lives. In 1821 Thomas a Corsican was killed by falling under the wheel of a loaded cart in front of E. H. Brewster's residence. In 1822 Dexter, aged nine years, a son of Daniel Branch, was killed by the kick of a horse. In 1830 Josiah Mills, Jr., was be mentioned : in a bark-mill. — — thrown from a horse and quence of which he died. was fractured, in conseIra Prentice was drowned in 1832 in attempting to cross the stream between his house and i^orth Chester in the night. Marcus Brown was killed in a barkmill in 184-. A boy by the name of Meacham was killed in 18 by the falling of a cart body. Chester Bartlett was killed by the caving in of a sand bank in 1853. A son of William Higgins accidentally shot himself in 1854. Amos Cole, a citizen of this town, was thrown from his sleigh and mortally wounded in 1864, while passing from Hinsdale to Dalton. Cornelia Brown, Mrs. Beals and Miss Beals were drowned in Spencer Parish's mill-pond in 1863. Wm. Tower was thrown from a wagon and instantly killed near Mr. Stevens' mill in — 1865. his skull �; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 108 Of suicides: A traveler the old turnpike in hung himself many years ago near West Worthington, not far from the tan- nery formerly owned by Clark & Bardwell. April 14th, 1813, a Mr. Chamberlain, of Boston, shot himself at Mills' Hotel. He came in the stage the night previous. I have thus glanced at the record of some few of the prominent incidents in this place for the last century. Time will This brief review suggests nunot permit me to enlarge. and awakens many tender emotions. It reminds us of the brevity of human life and the transitory nature of its pleasures and pains, its hopes and fears. Our Where are they who first climbed fathers, where are they ? these rugged hills and felled the forests, and as pioneers in this mountain wilderness, laid the foundation for an intelligent, moral, Christian community? All have passed away. I can now seem to see some of these venerable men, dignified in form and mien and hardy in appearance, as in my boyhood I saw them walk these streets and take their seats in the old church with its square pews; or, as they gathered in groups under the shade of the old birch tree in front of the church during the intermission on the Sabbath, to give and receive merous reflections, friendly salutations. But they have passed away. May their mantle rest on their descendants to the latest generation. What great and marked changes One hundred years past have taken place during that time. Three generations have successively acted their part on the theatre of life. The Wilderness has become a fruitful field and we reap our daily bread from the dust of our ancestors. One hundred years ago town meetings in Massachusetts were called in the name of His Majesty. Our nation, then a colony of Great Britain, has since thrown off its yoke, asserted its independence, and taken rank with the most distinguished nations of the globe. And in crushing the late gigantic rebellion, which had plotted the overthrow of this best of human governments, at such immense expense of blood and treasure, our nation has shown its ability and its determination to maintain and defend civil liberty and human rights. It has expanded in territory until it is washed on both sides by the waves of the ocean. It has increased in population until, of a handful, we have become a great people. Kevolutions have been experienced in other countries also ! �TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 109 kingdoms and thrones have been shaken and overturned; kings and emperors have been crowned, deposed, exiled or slain statesmen have come and gone orators and poets have arisen and charmed the world with their eloquence and verse, and their tongues have been palsied and their music hushed. Wonderful improvements have been made in the arts and ; ; sciences, and in the application of scientific principles to the life. Modes of traveling and of the communicathought have been entirely revolutionized. Railroads, steamboats and telegraphs have been constructed and brought All these things show that the into use during this time. world moves, and some of them indicate that it moves fast. These changes in the past show what may be anticipated in business of tion of the future. we may In what has been, see, as in a glass, Change is indelibly written on to be. The next century will, undoubtedly, be as as the past. Who will then roam these all is these pleasant fields and gather here to of the second century ? They what things earthly. changes and cultivate fruitful in hills and hear the tale unborn. This vast tell are yet all have pillowed they leave behind them an influence for good, and thus, though dead, still speak for humanity, for truth, for righteousness and for God. assembly, gathered here to-day, will then May their heads in the grave. Following the Historical Address, the choir sung with fine following Centennial Ode, written and read by C. M. effect the Parsons, a citizen of the town. ODE. Come one and all, both great and small, Now let your hearts o'erflow, And joyous sing, with merry ring, " One hundred years ago." Chorus.—" One hundred So The let years," one hundred cheers, the cannon roar ; gala-day of earthly stay. High let our anthems soar. Welcome, ye friends ! from hills From city and from plain To meet us here, all hearts to and ; cheer. Thrice welcome back again. glens. �— ; SECULAR HISTORY OF WORTHINGTON. 110 Those valiant sires, whose altar fires, Burned first in Worthington Peace to their dust, let us be just, As every When faithful son. years have passed, and With those who we are classed are gone before, Children shall raise their tuneful lays, As Let it parents did of yore. be said of Who all the dead. graced this " festal throng," Long years to come, a century They sing sublimest song. done, Then followed speeches by William Cullen Bryant, the venknown poet, who for two years studied Rev. Mr. Woodlaw with Judge Howe in Worthington erable and world-wide ; bridge, of Boston, a son of Jonathan Woodbridge, a lawyer in Worthington; Dr. T. K. De Wolf, of Chester; W. W. Ward, of Greenfield and John Kice, of Milwaukee Rev. Mr. Bisbee responded to a sentiment in honor of General James C. Rice. The speeches were all appropriate and interesting, and happily received. In conclusion, Mr. Bisbee, in behalf of the guests and the people from the surrounding region who had shared the hospi; ; moved a vote of thanks for the feast proa hearty and unanimous aye. with vided, and it was carried If the programme of the committee had been carried out talities of the town, would have been more speaking, but the and not only disarranged and shortened the as arranged there rain interfered, literary exercises, but prevented a large portion of the multi- tude from listening to what was said. In the street in front of the church was erected a triumphal arch of evergreens bearing in large figures the years 1768 1868. A large brass field-piece, brought from Springfield, gave out during the day 100 guns, one for each year of the completed century. �— — ; - OF THE TOWN.] [THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS RECEIVED FROM A NATIVE AN HUNDRED YEARS AGO. BY PROF. FRANKLIN EVERETT, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. O, IS there not a dignity, Commanding and sublime, In the silent, onward march of years, Those chroniclers of time ! Big with the Of A men, fates of living nations, and of spheres part of God's immensity, Measured by earthly years The ; ! cycles of eternity. Transcend these minds of ours we count ; Its minutes are the years, Our centuries, its hours. Eternity's revolving course No human thought can span time ; Its little fractions are the A That's measured off to man. century is a portion, which ISIo human mind can A portion Is reach ; only of that time measured off to each. clock has struck a century, Conceive it ye who can The clock has struck a century The ; Of Worthington and man. No human recollection through That century can go, 'Tis lost ; or it is history; you know. Its history is the town you see. Where all seems growing old, Its latter part Or else, in wasting, sculptured lines, On crumbling marble told. �— ; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 112 These marbles And of those tell acted in their day who Filled here their place in active And passed from life lived ; life, away. Come, go with me, and let ns trace The now closed century back, But how Our utmost stretch of mind Can span but half its track. We'll call on memory, where we can ! ; Let memory do its best. We've records, and we've monuments ; Tradition claims the rest. The grandsires of our grey-haired men Were then the yeomen bold. Our grey-haired men can recollect The tales their grandsires told So we've the means and let us take ; A retrospective view Head backward on the track of Time, And trace the century through. ; Through memory, tradition, and The tomes of history I've gone through time, a century back; Come, take your stand with me, On Bashan's swelling height That's Worthington A , I am ; jHBBt J /kt^! scarce unbroken forest spread. On every side below, Through which, with ever stealthy tread, The wolf or panther steals That little opening, wreathed in smoke, The settler's home reveals. Here he has pitched his future home, And begun to clear his lands And receding forests show the work Of strong and manly hands. ; ; Few are his thoughts, and few his And few his doubts and fears. His aspirations are joys — a home For his declining years, Content for simple life and bread, Along through life to plod And fearing but the Indian, and The anger of his God. ; Stern in his labor; stern in prayer, And stern to child and wife, ; �— —— ; ; ; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. He, scarcely smiling, moves along His plodding course of life. He never chats, or romps, or plays, With wife, or girls, or boys His presence, as he nears the house, Hushes hilarious noise, ; For know — his Puritanic creed death on mirth and play Was Had made it the business To labor and to pray. Few ; life are the numbers, such as he, Who constitute A hardy few, And A of his the town ; with brawny arms. faces seared and brown ; noble few, of sturdy forms, Laboring and sincere, Are centered round the modest church. Far in the distance, there That church and its successor both ; Long since have passed away, And given place to the fairer one The town can boast to-day. Those men who broke the forest, where We proudly meet this year. Were the grandsires of the grey-haired men, Who now are gathered here. and they long have slept Their children, too, are dead They're sleeping and there's scarce a stone They're sleeping ; ; To mark ; — their final bed. 'Tis little of those ancient ones We're now allowed to know. But such was all of Worthington An hundred years ago. The town had then no history Its history then begun But Massachusetts had a name, Her status had been won. Her character was fixed and known, Her history centuries old Her virtues and her daring deeds. ; Old chronicles had Come, And 15 told. us step a century back, standing there we'll see let 113 �— — ; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 114 The changes, be they good or ill, That mark her history. They'll plainly show that olden scenes And thoughts have passed away, That the Massachusetts of that time, Does not exist to-day. Her hills the same her streams the same The same her honest fame But little else remains unchanged Except her cherished name. And even the hills are not the same They lack the towering tree Her streams have dwindled and the name No more begins with " TAe." Her character, though noting still The stock from which it sprung, ; ; ; ; ; ; Is not the character she bore "When Worthington was young. But whether changed for good or ill, 'Tis not for bards to say Some proudly boast her wondrous growth Some mourn her sad decay. The judgment in the case will be When we the changes scan, Just as we deem the proper state v And destiny of Is't best that In man : he should spend his years all simplicity ? Or should he And live strive for fame and wealth in luxury ? Whether he most belongs to Time Or to Eternity, The Bard presumes not to decide Where wise ones disagree, 'Tis his to That all draw the picture the change may so see. In sketchy pictures will he strive Some little light to throw manners, customs, scenes and A century ago. On And first, we'll The home men look upon the house in years of old : 'Twas built as a protection from The storm and winter's cold, But more for shelter from the rain, Than either warmth or show ; — ; �; — ; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 115 'Twas open to the searching winds, And to the driven snow. — They feared not these they lived 'mong woods, And knew the power of fire. As fiercer raged the howling storm. They piled the hearth-stone higher, 'Till all aglow, the crannied room : Was And, brilliant, light and warm circled 'round the fire, they bid Defiance to the storm. — Those kitchen fires my memory leads Back to an olden time. When the sturdy farmer's kitchen fire Was a thing almost sublime. An ample space — ten feet or more. Deep bayed, was on one side O'er which a spacious chimney rose An opening deep and wide Within was heaped a pile of wood ; The Ijalf a cord or more, For warmth, and light, and comfort to The family ranged before. Here, in one corner sat the sire, At the other sat the dame. The rest the half a circle made Around the genial flame. And still we speak of hearth and home, And the circle 'round the hearth, And make that hearth the emblem of The sweetest joys They had no stoves of earth. ; the house was cold. On the hearth they built their fires And 'round the hearth all loved ones sat ; There centered each desire. There sat the father and his boys, Their hard day's work was done Not so with mother and the girls :— They mended, knit, or spun. ; The father read his Bible, or " Saint's Rest," or " Baxter's Call," The boys conned 'Till o'er the they could say Catechism it all. The father spoke with solemn Of the Devil or of God, look, *^ �; ; ; — ; ; ; : SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 116 And ever kept within his reach The awe-inspiring rod, For you must know, the rule was then Maintained alone by fear And youthful ebullitions met A box upon the ear if 'twas Sunday, nought atoned Such disrespect to God, But the solemn application of Or, The ever-present rod. Parent was then an awful name. As well each child must know For children did not rule the house An hundred years ago. ; Life was a simple thing Who to those by Fancy and fashion did not rule Independence was their joy. They raised the grain on which they fed They made the cloth they wore They sought for comfort and they tried To add unto their store. They little knew of stock or trade Thought not of sudden gains But sought to reach their honest ends By labors and by pains. No foreign luxuries they knew. lived in years gone ; ; ; ; No foreign fashions sought. They dressed for comfort^ not display And made instead of bought. The matrons' and the maidens' pride Was But not silks from foreign lands. dyed and spun, flannel, carded, And woven by their hands. Four yards of that composed the dress Of the fairest of the town Each had her decent dress for home. And her newer Sunday gown. Guiltless of shoes, at home, abroad, The bright-eyed maiden trod Shoes were alone for winter months : And the sacred house of God. To make That these clothes, tho' few they were, all might neat appear, with the women in the house, The great work of the year. Was �; ; ; ; ; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 117 In the winter, while the older boys Were working with The the axe, father bent his sturdy form To break and swingle flax. The mother spun the hackled flax, The daughter spun the tow Their finest clothes were made at home, And bleached as white as snow. The work on When flax must all be done the snows have disappeared ; For the work on wool is to commence Soon as the sheep are sheared. That was carded, and spun, and woven, and dyed. And fitted with needle and shears For a homespun race were the women and men Who lived in the far gone years. If simple their dress, as simple their A kitchen, — perhaps homes a spare room. In the kitchen were seen a couple of beds, A two wheels and a loom, and pots, a skillet and pan, A crane and its system of hooks. Some benches and stools, or home-made chairs, table, Some A kettles Bible and a couple of books. With these and content they had ample store, What cared they for cabinet ware ? They were things unknown in those simple homes, Those years of labor and care. They worked for a living they'd no money to spend ; On For a luxuries, fashion, or pride. living they trusted in And trusting in God they God and themselves. died. Now our pleasure and our boast Are our means of locomotion But of buggies, steam or flying cars, They had not the slightest notion. God gave them /ee«,— they prized their And prized their self-reliance feet. ; With these the maidens went to church The storm and wind's defiance. rains, and driving storms For them had no alarms, The mothers walked three miles to church, With their babies in their arms. For man and woman, maid and youth, They all knew how to walk Cold sleety ; �;; ! ; ! SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 118 That art they'd practiced, even before They first began to talk, And then it was their honest A pleasant rural sight When pride, had a horse, that horse If they the Sabbath None ever thought it to ride. was, morn had come to spend the ; day In idle rest at home. Their shoes had all been greased before. Breakfast and morning prayers were o'er, All had put on their best attire, They'd covered up the morning fire, The horse was saddled at the door, A sober horse was he; For well he knew his Sunday work. Was to carry two or three The pillion then was the woman's pride, For behind her lord she could cosily ride, And display, as she rode, her lovliest charm. Her love for her lord, and the babe on her arm. This, too, was the way the lover would ride, When A he carried the maiden he sought as his bride. few of you gray-beards remember the day, When the last of the pillions were passing away And how you have stood by the temple of God, And seen the grave horse deposit its load, The stout burly farmer, his fair buxom wife, Besides what he carried of juvenile horse, if they could one afibrd. They rode on a If not, they had A journey was From what life. which bless the Lord feet, for a difierent thing, to-day it is ; A toilsome, and soul-wearying drag, A tedious, lingering way, Two hundred How miles long that What triumph Who ! O way fearful thought will last man, had passed, to the daring o'er that space Such journey was a thing, a man Scarce ventured on again A noted Was era in his life. the year he went to Maine. With firm resolve, the time is The journey must be made, set, I �—— TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. The congregation ask H9 for them, Protecting care and aid, The neighbors meet, wish them God With many a fervent prayer, Our hero mounts his sturdy horse, speed, His wife the dappled mare. voice, they bid " good-bye," Start on their toilsome way And jog along, at gentle trot, With choking ; Full thirty miles a day. O, for the peaceful, good old times, Sighed for so oft in modern rhymes. Yet these show not the character, But feebly they portray The men who occupied the State, A century to-day. These show their simple style of life. And by them we are brought To see the change in outward things, A century has wrought. But there's an inner life, a thought Which concentrates the soul. Around which all those things revolve. Which make up life's great whole. Our fathers had their inner life; Religion in the soul, And all combined to render The center of the whole. With solemn step, and mien that sedate. Their daily round they trod. Because they An felt and realized. ever-present God. With them No to waver from penance could atone that thought, ; life's great business was to live For God, and God alone. This made them stern, stern to themselves, Their And stern at duty's call. Stern with heretic doubters, and Austere and stern to all. For them it seemed the darkening That closed the skies was riven, veil �;; ; SECULAR HISTORY OF THE 120 And before their ever-present sight Were God, and hell, and heaven. They saw Infinite The co-equal, struggling powers, good and evil blest incarnate And the unincarnate Devil. They looked beyond And felt this mortal life, 'twas theirs to dwell For eternal ages with Or They ; Son of God, their God, in surging flames of hell felt the human soul was All was corrupt within; vile, . That aught not linked with Christ or God, Was deep and damning sin That earthly joys, and earthly loves, Were but temptations, given To lure poor pilgrims from the road, The narrow road to heaven. What were to them the trifling things. Met with or suffered here ? They'd hell and heaven both full in view, And they worshiped God with fear Fear, for they felt they never knew Whether God would frown or smile. So sinful were their wicked hearts. And wicked thoughts the while Fear, lest when the eternal Judge, ; ; Should the Book of Life unroll. They should not be of those, who find Their names upon the scroll; That scroll, on which ere time began, The elect were all enrolled Fear, for their final doom, unknown While here on earth they stay; Doom, that can only be revealed At the great, the Judgment Day. Centering around that one great thought. Was inner and outer life ; To conquer Was self, and live for Christ, the daily, constant strife. This gave to them their measured step. And the countenance they wore ; This gave to them their firm resolve. And the characters they bore. Theirs was no religion, which Was by assent received ; �; ; TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. But the stern faith, that they professed, Their inmost souls believed. Then was the church a sacred Sunday a sacred day, And then and there all place, people met. In holy courts to pray. In pulpit stood their reverend guide, A sounding-board o'erhead ; He felt, while standing there, 'twas his To break to them the heavenly bread. The congregation in the pews Devoutly thought it so, For religion was a vital thing A century ago. The people met ; the lame, the old. All found an open door The body seats Were open and ; galleries to the poor. They met as sinners, standing in The presence of their Lord The rich and beggar, side by side. Were listening to the word. ; Their looks were solemn, and their step Was reverent and slow ; For and people all believed. hundred years ago. priest An No man of fashion or of state Was the reverend pastor then, He felt his was the holy work To guide the souls of men ; That in the wilderness of life, 'Twas his to smite the rock, And to the gushing fount of life To lead his fainting flock To guide them to the gardens, where The fruits immortal grow For the pastor was a guide and power, A century ago. With reverent He step, on Sabbath morn, trod the central aisle 16 ; 121 �— ; ' - ! SECULAR HISTOKY OF THE 122 None greeted, as he passed along, Their pastor with a smile. Hushed was each breath each look was awe ; As the sacred aisle he trod They followed with a reverent The holy man of God. ; look Ordained to point to joys divine, Or herald wrath and wo, To them he was God's messenger, An hundred years ago. Thus filled with solemn fear of God, Their souls subdued to awe. They bowed to God, and God alone, And reverenced his law. Humbly before His throne they stood. Through Jesus seeking aid That throne was veiled in wrath divine They trembled while they prayed. For, sinful, vile, in Adam ; cursed. They dared not there appear But, shielded by the Crucified, They humbly ventured near. With beating hearts, they prayed Would smile upon his Son ; that God ; And pardon for that Son's dear sake, The deeds that they had done. Depraved in body, mind, and soul ; Conceived and born in sin. They did not dare appeal to God, Or hope How his smile to win. They had no hope God could they dare ? From a wrathful, vengeful ; Their hope was mediatorial grace Was They In ; — Jesus, and his blood. they worshiped, and they prayed undoubting faith lived full, ; ; Faith was their guiding star in life. Their anchorage in death. Such was the inner life ; — the In years a century gone life ; New England's structure, —rising Had this for its corner-stone. But the Bard To the will come back,—fi-om friends of his youth, high,— antiquity, down and his dear native town �— TOWN OF WORTHINGTON. 123 — To the scenes of the present the gathering here, Where Worthington's sons and daughters appear, Each other And to greet — old loves to renew the scenes of their childhood again to review. A thousand fond memories are clustering round Each rock, each house, and each acre of ground But 'tis sad, when we think of the years that have How many, we loved, now sleep with the dead. But my greeting to all. A century more : Will find us all passed to Eternity's shore. When Eternity's clock tells the century done, May we stand, unabashed, by the Deity's throne. sped. �������� Book Bound document, typically consisting of 25 or more pages. Generally does not include stapled items. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book - Bound Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1874 Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1874 (1853) Description An account of the resource This book was written by James C. Rice, and dates from 1874, and formerly owned by Alfred Kilbourn and Mrs. Harry L. Bates. Book in deteriorated condition. Leather bound. Taken by Diane Brenner on 10/09/2007. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm (9 x 6 x 0.5 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 45-008 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 42 Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Florence Bates Title A name given to the resource Secular History of the Town of Worthington from the First Settlement to 1874 Type The nature or genre of the resource Book Subject The topic of the resource Manuscript, typed document Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Clark W Bryan and Company, Printers; Springfield, MA Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2020-11-11 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - other unspecified Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource UMASS/Amherst (Massachusetts Agricultural College) Language A language of the resource English Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Text Any textual data included in the document. Semi-centennial of Worthington. <i>Daily Hampshire Gazette</i> Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Clipping Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 51.4 x 38.1 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2006a-101 Description An account of the resource Reprint of Hampshire Gazette, July 12, 1826. Contains article on 'semi-centennial of Worthington' on July 4. Found in Sturbridge in 1981. Abstract A summary of the resource. Newsprint - Semi Centennial of Worthington Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Elizabeth Payne Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2007-03-25 Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Box 67 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 51.4 x 38.1 cm (20.2 x 15 in) Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. swu Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1826-07-12 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Worthington Historical Society Date Modified Date on which the resource was changed. 2012-12-05 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Type The nature or genre of the resource Document Title A name given to the resource Semi-centennial of Worthington Subject The topic of the resource Historic Event https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/d894517c658f4feb571c88ff07756a8b.tif 9d0bc27d059ed4dd60298faad54c7409 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2025-033 Title A name given to the resource Sepia photo of Mollison Worthington-Williamsburg mail stage in winter Subject The topic of the resource Businesses and Stores Description An account of the resource Sepia photograph showing Mollison mail stage that ran between Worthington and Williamburg, shows sled used during winter. Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1922 or 1923 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Unknown Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2025-02-20 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 4d Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - other unspecified Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. db/jd https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/c6c25be83a8b3828a595842ea22e7791.tif 6ad2e85fa436a8db0313eb6ad3f80d92 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/e7c767a9ad1b6c30f9d0ce3ef4be828c.jpg f7134385c3b8be60452444ed7008fa50 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/e41d7e3d29b1922b73594748b2db83fe.jpg 8d10a987ad9d03f3281356f41c5cd6f1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Conwell family materials Title A name given to the resource Conwell family materials Description An account of the resource Materials related to the family of Russell H. Conwell Physical Object Physical objects other than books, documents, photographs &c. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-04-29, 2025-10-02 Description An account of the resource Two sermons. 'Seek Ye First' given by R.H. Conwell at the Baptist Temple, 1918 taken from 'The Temple Review' Also booklet, from "The Temple Pulpit", "Reminded, [Communion Sermon]," 1925. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 26.4 x 17.1 cm (10.4 x 6.8 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 260/C/#378 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 24g, Box 36c Title A name given to the resource Sermons by Russell H. Conwell Type The nature or genre of the resource Book Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1918-09-21 Subject The topic of the resource Churches Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Russell H. Conwell Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available The Temple Pulput, Vol. 1, No. 17 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant US - Other Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. db/jd Book Bound document, typically consisting of 25 or more pages. Generally does not include stapled items. Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 11.4 x 18.4 x 2.5 cm Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book - Sewn Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2005a-088 Description An account of the resource "Sermons upon various subjects and occasions. By Jonathan L Pomeroy, Minister of Worthington." Printed by Hiram Ferry, Northampton 1826. Leather bound marbleized cover Abstract A summary of the resource. Church - Reverend Pomeroy's Sermons Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived First Congregational Church Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2005-07-15 Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). 2007-04-29 Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Box 24a Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 11.4 x 18.4 x 2.5 cm (4.5 x 7.2 x 1 in) Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. bfs/swu Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1826 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Worthington Historical Society Date Modified Date on which the resource was changed. 2012-10-05 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Type The nature or genre of the resource Book Title A name given to the resource Sermons upon various subjects and occasions. By Jonathan L Pomeroy, Minister of Worthington. Subject The topic of the resource Churches https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/4c0bd995d0bcdd8fb740bbaabb4575f9.tif dce615e9c14eb2cdef6f0c472735d861 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-07-11 Description An account of the resource Black and white to sepia tone photograph of 7 unidentified children in costume (Indian head-dresses) playing under apple tree on side of dirt track. Wagon in background. Children are 7-10 years old. Photo mounted on designed board. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 7.9 x 10.8 cm (3.1 x 4.2 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 45-007c Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 03a Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Florence Bates Title A name given to the resource Seven Unidentified Children https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/c7397c4d020880ec70cf8c29f7d71693.tif dbe8c1dd58a7e6d61159938546ae13b1 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-07-11 Description An account of the resource Black and white to sepia tone photograph of 7 unidentified children in costume (Indian head-dresses) playing under apple tree on side of dirt track. Wagon in background. Children are 7-10 years old. Photo mounted on designed board. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 7.9 x 10.8 cm (3.1 x 4.2 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 45-007d Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 03a Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Florence Bates Title A name given to the resource Seven Unidentified Children https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/831f6efb9eba88dda92c8c65ffadcd8b.pdf efc79bd354bde57ddf542bc8ac65b080 PDF Text Text � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Still Image - Black and White Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 15.2 x 21.6 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Black and white photographs of Conwell Academy and blacksmith shop, early spring, car in driveway, paved road. Franklyn W Hitchcock photo. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 15.2 x 21.6 cm (6 x 8.5 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ph51m Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 04c Title A name given to the resource Sevenars - Conwell Academy and Blacksmith Shop Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Subject The topic of the resource Schools Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-07-11 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Still Image - Black and White Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 8.9 x 12.7 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Conwell Academy (Sevenars), Blacksmith shop and Freeman House. Taken in March of unknown year. Franklyn W Hitchcock photo Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 8.9 x 12.7 cm (3.5 x 5 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ph51n Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 04c Title A name given to the resource Sevenars - Conwell Academy, Blacksmith Shop and Freeman House Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Subject The topic of the resource Businesses and Stores Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-07-11 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/858bffac5ef3d8154349f017df61f705.pdf b872037b25938e3a6757223858b435f0 PDF Text Text ���� Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Document - Multiple Sheets Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 8.5" x 11" Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2024-110 Title A name given to the resource Sevenars 25th Anniversary Brochure Subject The topic of the resource Recreation Description An account of the resource Sevenars brochure outlining season, performers, contributors, plus photos. Includes photo of Hilltown Choral Society for pre-season concert. Worthington participants include: (front) Director Sandra Epperly, (front row) Beverly Bowman, Grant Bowman, Jerry Wood, Dorothy Nelson, Helene Magargal. (middle row) Janet Dimock, Barbara Sweeney, Horace "Beevo" Bartlett,. (back row) Brad Fisk, David Locke, Ronald Woodland. Summer program: Schrade Family, Giverny, The Eroica Trio, The Boccherini Ensemble, Jeffrey Lastrapes and Rorianne Schrade, Robelyn Schrade and David James, Robert Schrade. Type The nature or genre of the resource Document Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Scanned image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sevenars Concerts, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Sevenars Concerts, Inc. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2024-07-29 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Electronic Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - South Worthington Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. JMD 2024-07-29 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/8d9f8e42925a89ccda990c7c1b0fcc5a.tif 4c6d23b0c5247bc9de68287910ab9f6d Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Still Image - Black and White Postcard Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 8.9 x 14 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2018-067 Title A name given to the resource Sevenars Building, South Worthington Subject The topic of the resource Schools Description An account of the resource Black and white lithograph postcard, white border, not mailed. Shows the Sevenars building (formerly the Conwell Academy) in South Worthington. On back: "Photographed by David N. Fisk" WHS has duplicates of this postcard Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 8.9 x 14.0 cm (3.5 x 5.5 in) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource David N. Fisk Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1985 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Diane Brenner Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2018-10-29 Date Created Date of creation of the resource. ca. 1990? Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - South Worthington Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. db - item created 10/29/2019 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 09 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Still Image - Black and White Photograph Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image. 12.7 x 16.7 cm Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Black and white photo taken by Randy Schrade, cut from Sevenars Program. (This building is formerly Conwell Academy) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 12.7 x 16.7 cm (5 x 6.6 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ph51o Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 04c Title A name given to the resource Sevenars Concert Hall (Conwell Academy) Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Subject The topic of the resource Schools Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2007-07-11 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/49e75d90fe1d7fca9ae8091333dd95e9.pdf 008785a5191590c19b2dd054f3b2be3b PDF Text Text � https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/2bf09bfdac8a14048712f5be8cb0cca5.pdf 4ce7e34131d78ae7b294e67481be61db PDF Text Text � https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/7dc45528b7e9440b699b1a5616c4ef13.pdf beea04174afedba4cce2004ee0ea97a9 PDF Text Text � https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/bcb8b984f34a0e6858e65cba0466f352.pdf 336d55c817921314c4dd2a3f7b956709 PDF Text Text � https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/456518386f76445f5b02351bc556870d.pdf f757ef4e7d435805caba86b2f5623602 PDF Text Text � https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/9d5ea97ddf5e7a8f38d0a15c565a3c5e.tif bfdd4d1e9cda847f8e283e8ae6d1a1d6 https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/d14218fdded9590ff40bfd8fd06fb4e0.tif 048985e93e901e401b904ade329613ee https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/2319650851cd6d6c657ac1ed1e467e01.tif 66c53432684dc2d39201e9396a0f399e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2024-132 Title A name given to the resource Sevenars programs Subject The topic of the resource Recreation Description An account of the resource Three programs/advertising brochures from Sevenars Concerts/Music Festival, 1976 and 1980. Held at the Academy of Music in South Worthington Type The nature or genre of the resource Document Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource bifold 8-1/2x11" each Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sevenars Music Festival Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1976 and 1980, 2012 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Sevenars Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2024-09-19, 2026-01-28 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 29 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - South Worthington Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. jd/db https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/e9954d060a86fc9c6e870483b8297991.tif f8d033ee8ee449ad481d06df97fe41bc Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2008-03-08 Description An account of the resource Sexton House - Black and white photograph of Stony Brook Cottage, Uncle George Kilbourn, 85 years old (Dorothy's grandfather), now the cottage between Michael A. McAnulty's and Pete Packard's. (a.k.a. Sexton's) Used to be down by the brook in back of McAnulty's. George Kilbourn standing in front of porch. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 7.6 x 11.4 cm (3 x 4.5 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ph27-009i Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 01 Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Bartlett Family Title A name given to the resource Sexton House (Summer Cottage or Stony Brook Cottage) https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/179379f3ed209c158e1a0d7889d7bcaf.tif 121c66d582dd383b09a7fb6de2218e97 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Has Part A related resource that is included either physically or logically in the described resource. Box 01 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2004-513 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1920s Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.4 x 11.4 cm (2.5 x 4.5 in) Description An account of the resource Summer cottage of Frank and Alice Sexton, moved from original location near the brook. It was for sale in summer 2006, owned by estate of Jacqueline Schuman. Currently (2021) owned by John Strucker who renovated the house extensively over the summer of 2021 adding a basement. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Helen Magargal Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. bfs Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2008-03-08 Title A name given to the resource Sexton Summer Home Subject The topic of the resource Houses and Barns Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/48b66ccba2a63d0385a8d031f57d9c91.tif 55fcb833d05209a9128ebc36d7f0625a Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2008-03-08 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of landscape shot showing the Sexton Summer Cottage, possibly before the move from the river to Buffington Hill Road. Note on back reads: 'West side of house, tent house, stable, hay stacks and hen house. Kitchen in rear of house and well between that and tent.' Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 5.1 x 7.9 cm (2 x 3.1 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 45-007d Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 04d Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Florence Bates Title A name given to the resource Sexton Summer Cottage Subject The topic of the resource Houses and Barns Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Paper Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2008-03-08 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph with man standing in front of summer cottage. Identified on the back as Strong Brook Cottage 'Uncle George Kilbourn, 85 years old (Dorothy's grandfather - presumably the one standing in the photograph). In addition, it reads 'Now the cottage between McAnulty's and Pete Packard's on Buffington Hill Road. Used to be down by the brook behind McAnulty's house' (a.k.a. Sexton's Summer Cottage). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 7 x 9.5 cm (2.8 x 3.8 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 27-009i Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 01 Provenance A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource. Bartlett Family Title A name given to the resource Sexton's Summer Cottage - Schuman House https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/3d47b290285b30c995fa38d5f23f6b72.tif cba4b96ae0c970ede134a5799840ddf3 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Original Format If the image is of an object, state the type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Still Image - Black and White Photograph Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2018-061 Title A name given to the resource Sharon Prentice Guy in front of Frankie's Café Subject The topic of the resource People Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph showing Sharon Parish Guy in front of Frankie's Cafe on Parish Road. Ca. 1965. Newest car in lot is a 1965 Chevy Malibu thus the picture post-dates October 1964. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital copy of paper original Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1965 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Deen Nugent (sister), Kate Ewald Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2018-10-08 Date Created Date of creation of the resource. ca. 1960 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Digital archive Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Electronic Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Worthington - West Worthington Mediator An entity that mediates access to the resource and for whom the resource is intended or useful. In an educational context, a mediator might be a parent, teacher, teaching assistant, or care-giver. db - item created 10/8/2018 Type The nature or genre of the resource Still Image https://worthingtonhistoricalsociety.org/omeka/files/original/8dbb2fcdf2677c16af25c4f77ee152d5.tif c482ca63b78e5d8e6342d3c8e420bde5 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Date Available Date (often a range) that the resource became or will become available. 2008-03-09 Description An account of the resource Sepia tone photograph post card of former Chapman place identified by Cullen S. Packard, before renovation in the 1940s. Building is painted white. Also known as the Four Corners Farm (the only building in the National Historic Register for Worthington). Currently (2006) the home and inn of Joseph and Debi Shaw. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 8.9 x 14 cm (3.5 x 5.5 in) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ph102ak Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Box 09 Title A name given to the resource Shaw Residence (Worthington Inn) - 'Four Corner's Farm'