NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08190357 1
/
HO UC^TGAj
REV. WM. A. HOUGHTON.
HISTORY
TOWN OF BERLIN,
WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.,
FROM 1784 TO 1895.
By WILLIAM A. IIOUGIITOX.
WORCESTER, MASS.:
F. S. Blanchard & Co!, Printers, 154 Front Street.
1895.
tff.
J
HE NEV ■
■JBLIC LIBRARY
v -
ASTOR, LENOX AND
DEN FOUNDATIONS.
1906 L
TO
THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS
OF THE
TOWN OF BERLIN,
WHETHER AT HOME OR ABROAD, WHO RETAIN AN
INHERENT LOVE FOR THE PLACE
OF THEIR BIRTH,
AND TO ALL OTHERS WHO BY KIXSHIP OR
RESIDENCE STILL HAVE AN INTEREST
Si
IN THE TOWN,
o
THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
k
Rev. Geo. F. Pkatt. E. C. Shattuck.
Hon. Wm. Bassett.
P. B. Southwick, Eso^. Miss Phebe Holder.
PREFACE.
In presenting this volume to the public, it becomes
the duty of the committee who have had the work of
completing and publishing the "History of Berlin,"
which was begun by the Rev. Wm. A. Houghton
about the year 1885, briefly to relate the circum-
stances attending the publishing of this work. The
work of Mr. Houghton, in the first place, consisted
of collecting the family records of the early settlers
of the town. In this he spent much time and labor,
but as time went on, his interest in the work increased
until he resolved to combine with the ancient records
those of modern times, embracing all the families
now living here, and also to combine in the work a
brief history of the town. The distinguishing feat-
ure of his work was evidently to be genealogical
rather than historical, and the whole when com-
pleted was to be about one-half the size of this
volume. He labored alone, without proffered as-
sistance or assurance of reward, until 1889, when
the town took the matter up and chose a committee
of two, consisting of William Bassett and E. C. Shat-
tuck, to assist Mr. Houghton in his work, but the
committee in this case were merely honorary mem-
bers, never having performed any service during the
lifetime of Mr. Houghton.
After the death of Mr. Houghton, the town took
further action and chose the Rev. George F. Pratt,
vi PREFACE.
Pliny B. Southwick and Phebe A. Holder to be
added to the committee already chosen. We were
fortunate in securing the manuscripts before the
burning- of his house, but his portraits, sufficient in
number for the book, were lost in the conflagration,
together with the excellent steel plate from which
they were made. The manuscripts, as they came
into the hands of the committee, required more than
ordinary assiduity and patient research in order to
understand what was written, and this mav be
reasonably attributed in a large degree to the pe-
culiar chirography of the writer, as also to the
numerous erasures and interlineations of the text.
The only solution of the difficulty seemed to be, in
consequence of the many additions necessarily to be
made in order to embrace more topics of interest,
to rewrite the entire work, preserving at the same
time, as near as practicable, the arrangement and
form of expression as he left them. Now, after
more than two years of labor and anxiety, the com-
mittee in charge of the work present to the town
this volume, hoping that sufficient material has been
gathered up and preserved to warrant the expense
incurred in publishing the " History of the Town of
Berlin," by Rev. William A. Houghton.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Allen, Mr. and Mrs. C. K.
B — Group
B — Group
Babcock, Josiah
Bailey, Francis P.
Balance Rock .
Barnes, Geo. H., house
Bartlett, Amory Adam. Esq
Bassett, Daniel H. .
Bassett, Wm., house
Belmont House
Bennett, A. F.
Berry, Thos. C.
Bickford, J. C.
Bride, Josiah
Bruce, Geo. H., house
Bullard House
C — Group
Carter, Chandler
Carter, S. R. .
Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis
Carter, Mary W.
Carter, Sanderson, house
Centre Yilllage
Durston, Rev. A. F.
F — Group
Felton, Henry O.
<;. A. R., Tost 54 . 18S, 190
Gott, Dr. Lemuel . . 366
L.
l';iL;e.
247
25O
254
252
265
47
279
286
289
296
98
432
279
290
305
3d
3>4
3i6
3*9
322
247
319
324
1 1 1
548
337
346
Page.
Gott, Mrs. Lemuel, and house 368
Green, Mr. and Mrs. Ed-
ward F. . . . 370
H — Group . . . 371
Hartshorn, Dr. Edward . 373
Hartshorn, Mrs. Edward . 374
Hartshorn, Wm. H. . 376
Hartshorn, Wm. H., house 378
Hartshorn, E. H. . . 549
Hastings, Mrs. C. S. . 380
Hastings, Ruthven . . 380
Hastings, Leslie . . 380
Hastings, Arthur . . 550
Hastings, Arthur, house . 552
Hastings, R. S., store . 194
Ilebard, Ella A. . . 432
Holt, Mrs. Meriam . 562
Houghton, Mrs. W. A. . 448
Howe, Wm. A. . ' . 398
Howe, S. H. . . 397
Jackson, Henry . . 435
Johnson, A. J. . . 401
Jones Inn ... 98
Keyes, Chas. G. . . 40 r
Larkin, J. F., house . . 417
Longley, A. W. . . 401
M — Group . . . 423
Map of Lancaster . . 8
Map of Berlin ... 58
Maynard, Mrs. Lucinda B. 432
II. LUSTRA I [( >NS.
Maeting-house (old)
Meeting-house, ground plan
Methodist Ministers
Methodist Church
Moore, Joseph
Moore, John A.
Morse, Lyman
Newton, Win,
Orthodox Church
Orthodox Ministers, Dea
cons, Superintendents,
Osgood, John O.
Parker Shoe Shop (big)
Parker Shoe Shop, present
Parker, John H.
Peters, Mrs. Luther
Pollard, Thos.
Powder House
Priest, Jo. and the Wid.
Priest, Luther and the Sow
R— Group
Rand, Rev. Francis A.
Rand, Mr. and Mrs. Mer
rick R.
Rice, Nathan .
Rice, Capt. Seth
S — Group
Sawyer, Stephen
Sawyer, Josiah E.
1 1 1
112
132
129
435
432
556
441
69
124,125
445
90
91
562
448
401
98
457
457
463
464
463
463
463
47i
558
487
Sawyer, Frank L.
Sawyer, Edwin
Sawyer, Mrs. Edwin
Sawyer, E. Irving
Sawyer, Mrs. E. Irving
Sawyer, Chas. M., house .
Sawyer, Deacon Josiah's Leap 48
School-house (East) . 101
Sleeping Rock . . 48
Soldiers Deceased 152, 154, 156, 158
Soldiers Living 162, 164, 166
Stone House . . . 269
Page.
491
489
490
557
558
369
Store, R. S. Hastings'
Street in Centre
Street in Carterville
Town Hall
Unitarian Church
Unitarian Ministers .
W — Group
W. C. T. U. .
Wheeler, Henry A. .
Wheeler, Erastus S.
Wheeler, Samuel, house
and greenhouses
Wheeler, Lewis B., house
Wheeler, Daniel, house
White, Perry H.
Whitcomb, Myron L.
Women's Relief Corps
Women's Relief Corps 152
194
45
46
194
127
128
5"
234
525
562
524
98
53i
562
151
154
History of Berlin.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
We do not dignify our endeavor as a History of
Berlin. A recent American author defines his at-
tempt as a "History of the People of the United
States." It is the people who make most that goes
for history. Our town has no town life till the close
of the Revolutionary war. Accustomed as we are
to the thrilling experiences of Lancaster and Marl-
boro, the first thing some will look for will be our
relation to matters before we had a town life at all.
Only as connected territorily with Lancaster had the
families of Berlin any experience with the Indians.
The several wars between England and France,
which involved the colonies, affected us only as citi-
zens of Lancaster, or later, of Bolton. This does not,
of course, affect our ancestral connecton with the
trying events of those days. Had our territory never
been divided, we should have been one in town rela-
tionship from King Philip and the Lancaster massa-
cre to the surrender of Burgoyne and Cornwallis.
What I have endeavored to show in these mat-
ters is the relation of the inhabitants of Berlin ter-
ritory to the events which have made up our 230
years of associated life, 1654-1884. Six families
2 HISTORY OF THE
of the fifty-five original proprietors of Lancaster
have been represented in Berlin descendants. In this
out relative number exceeds, I think, that of Bolton.
We have the names Houghton, Sawyer, Fairbanks,
Moore, Kerley and Gates. Of later settlers we have
Bailey, Bennett, Butler, Carter, Hudson and Priest.
Another list, of course, on the Marlboro side. To
find the origin of these families and somewhat of
their history, has been my purpose. I came to look
upon the effort as a sacred duty. Noting from
year to year the death of our most aged inhabitants,
who alone had any personal knowledge of our earliest
townsmen and townswomen, myself hastening on, who
perhaps had the best opportunity to preserve their
recollections and obtain the testimony of others, my
seniors and equals in age, I appreciated somewhat
the statement of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, most
eminent in American genealogy and historical re-
search, in which he said: "To know nothing of our
ancestry, or whence we came, to have no reverence
for the precious memories of the past, or interest in
those who are to succeed us, is to ignore the ele-
ments and influences that have made us what we
are."
It had never occurred to me to attempt the writing
of a history of my native town before our centennial
in 1884. I had, indeed, gathered items and data to
a very limited extent, only thinking they might be
of service to some one who should be called upon or
self-moved to undertake the work. Even our cen-
tennial did not of itself bring me to any determina-
tion of the kind. The motion of Hon. William Bas-
sett in town meeting, that we observe our centennial
TOWN OF BERLIN.
by celebration, including a historical address by my-
self, I freely accepted. That study opened the gen-
eral subject in a new light; even of an obligation, as
a native citizen, for most of my life, to gather to-
gether and to put on permanent record such histori-
cal data of our early and later families as are yet ob-
tainable, in order that the living may appreciate their
indebtedness to their ancestry, and that the coming
generations may know something of us when we have
passed away. It is a reproach to our modern civil-
ization that we may go into many a respectable
family and not be able to obtain even the name of
the great grand parent on either side, sometimes
not even the grand parents. We have been too busy
with the present and too anxious for the future to
ask what our forefathers did for us, and these estates,
which we drive by daily, perhaps held in "fee sim-
ple," how many can tell their origin? I confess-to
the greatly increased enjoyment in traversing my
native town, to "know the line of ownership and occu-
pancy; to know the roots, virtually, of almost every
estate in town. How much more to recall the own-
ers and toilers thereon.
But the very field we wished to explore, family
history, is painfully barren of records. But for the
700 baptisms of children, the task of a history of
Berlin families would have been hopeless. The
old "Half-way Covenant" was a blessing to Ber-
lin, historically at least. The record of marriages is
imperfect, of deaths, doubly so. Of such as we
have, many were hunted up by some town clerk.
Cemetery records include not more than half who
have been buried. In 1831 Rev. R. F. Walcut made
HISTORY OF THE
a complete record of all inscriptions in the old ceme-
tery. This has been a great help. Rev. D. R. Lam-
son continued a record of deaths and marriages down
to 1 840. Dea. John Bartlett, who had been clerk of
the Unitarian Church, continued it till the parishes
were reunited in 1 844.
Not till 1850 did registration laws compel town
officers to keep public records of births, deaths and
marriages as now. We have a painful gap in the
decade 1840-50.
For help and helpers I am much indebted to Mar-
vin's "Lancaster,'* Hudson's "Marlboro," and, unex-
pectedly, to Ward's "Shrewsbury." Hon. Henry S.
Nourse's "Annals of Lancaster" has been of very
much help. My associates also of the Centennial
Committee have contributed aid in very many par-
ticulars. Mr. Albert Babcock, many years town
clerk, "posted" me in many particulars. I am much
indebted to very many of our "oldest inhabi-
tants."
On the Sawyer families, Mr. Amory Carter, now
of Worcester and blind by powder blast, has wrought
an extensive work. He has communicated freely.
Of others not of the committee, Mrs. Lewis Carter,
born 1800, now in good possession of her mental
powers, has given many points not otherwise obtain-
able. Miss Katy Bride has been abundantly help-
ful. Mrs. Oliver Fosgate has contributed valuable
reminiscences. Miss Catherine Larkin and Miss
Sybil Brigham had already given me useful facts.
Mr. Abraham Bigelow, now of Northboro, should
have been appointed genealogist of Berlin years ago.
To Mr. Artemas Barnes and sisters I am also much in-
TOWN OF BERLIN.
debted. Mr. Cyrus Felton of Marlboro has gener-
ously aided me, in the Bailey and Jones families
especially.
School histories have given to the present genera-
tion a moderate knowledge of the origin of our
colonies, our states, and our government. When and
where do we fall into the great tide of events which
have made us a part of the mightiest nation on earth,
and the only really Republican government ? I must
assume the antecedent historic facts without elucida-
tion. We find ourselves in possession of our homes,
which constitute a township. What was its origin?
Our fathers, who were they? The locality is perma-
nent. Our ancestors have lived and wrought for us
and passed on. A few of the sixth and seventh gen-
erations remain. A few of these, only a few, can
trace their ancestral line more than three genera-
tions. Recent investigations have wrought very
helpfully in that line. Some few are able to trace
their lineage to first immigrants. A smaller number
go back into generations antedating the Pilgrims.
I have only sought to reach, by personal investiga-
tions, the head of each family at the date of arrival
here. The Massachusetts Genealogical and Historical
Society, Somerset street, Boston, have agencies abroad
connecting American families with their ancestry
across the ocean, — not to get great "estates," but to
know the stock from which they sprung. Our Hast-
ings families can show an ancestry as old as Alfred
the Great, founder of English civilization. Lots of
"peerages" they have held. Three now seem to be
lying about, "with scarcely an heir," says the histo-
rian, "to bear the title." They have a better history
6 HISTORY OF THE
here than "peerages" would give them. The ballot,
or a farm, is worth more than a peerage.
HISTORY WHILE OF LANCASTER — 1653-I738.
The history of Berlin would be incomplete and
unsatisfactory if the more important events which
transpired while the town was a part of old Lancas-
ter should be omitted. The primeval causes which
led to the settlement of the mother town, together
with the events which followed, are essential factors
in presenting a clear view of the town from the be-
ginning. While it is not our intention to republish
matters having no special connection with our town,
it becomes our duty to briefly relate the principal
events and occurrences which preceded our munic-
ipal life, which had at least an indirect effect in
shaping the development of this territory. Of the
proprietors and early settlers of Lancaster, six of
them, or their descendants, became settlers in what
is now the present town of Berlin. To any who
may desire a more extended account of early Lan-
caster, Marvin's " History " and Nourse's "Annals"
of Lancaster will give the desired information. The
town of Lancaster was the earliest in settlement
and in town grant in Worcester county. What led
to the settlement of the town at the early date of
1643 was the trading adventure made by Thomas
King of Watertown and Henry Symonds of Bos-
ton, by invitation of Sholan, chief of the Nashaway
tribe of Indians, whose headquarters were near the
Washacum lake, in Sterling. Their trading, or
trucking, post was established on the eastern slope
of George hill, not far distant from the north branch
TOWN OF BERLIN. 7
of the river. The traffic consisted in the exchange
of furs and peltries for cloths, hardware and trinkets.
This place was quite distant from other settlements,
the nearest being Sudbury, fifteen miles distant. Its
isolated position was such that immediate succor
could not readily be obtained in case of an Indian
outbreak. The natives were friendly, and not very
numerous in the immediate vicinity. Their num-
bers may have been depleted by diseases, as had
tribes nearer the coast, or by wars with other tribes.
Hence it may be seen that this valley of the Nash-
away, with its rich and extensive meadows already
bearing grass in abundance for cattle, was an invit-
ing field for the enterprising pioneer, who began to
feel straitened for room in the older towns. This
trucking house became the/ nucleus around which
settlements began. The tract of land bought of
Sholan was ten miles north and south and eight
miles east and west, and the consideration was
twelve pounds. King and Symonds both died
within about a year, and consequently their rights
in the Nashaway Company fell into other hands.
John Prescott of Watertown became the owner of
the trucking house lot 1647. He was a man of
great energy and enterprise, and was really the
founder of the town of Lancaster. Associated with
him in the new settlement was Thomas Sawyer,
who married his daughter Mary; also John Hough-
ton, John Moore, Jonas Fairbanks, William Kerley
and Stephen Gates. The descendants of these men
were among the first settlers on our territory. The
Nashaway plantation was incorporated as the town
of Lancaster 1653, but the survey of the township
HISTORY OF THE
was delayed till 1659 (Noyes' survey), when it was
found by the surveyor that Marlboro had scooped in
the valley of the Assabet, which, by the terms of
the grant, belonged to Lancaster. Marlboro, al-
though later in settlement, was earlier in the field
with surveyor, and carved out such as best pleased
them.
In surveying the east line of Lancaster, running
from the northeast corner southerly, the northwest
corner of Marlboro was struck near the Daniel Strat-
ton place in Hudson, and thence diverging westerly
with the Marlboro line to a point near South Berlin.
By the cutting off of this slice the south line was
about six and a-half miles in length. The effect of
this eventually was the irregular line on our eastern
border we have to-day, whereas if the eastern line of
Lancaster had been run straight through, as per
grant, the whole of Robin hill would naturally have
come within our limits.
The most notable events which occurred in the
mother town while Berlin territory was part of her
domain, were the massacres and destruction caused
by the Indian wars. The first of these was King
Philip's war, which began 1675, and closed the next
year with the death of Philip and the defeat of his
savage allies. It is not necessary to detail all the
events of King Philip's war. It is sufficient for the
purposes of this work to present what happened to
Lancaster in consequence of this outbreak. Lancaster
had been settled more than thirty years, and had at-
tained the proportions of a considerable town. Peace-
ful relations had been maintained with the neighbor-
ing tribe. Sholan was dead, and Sagamore Sam, alias
1653 - i 21 83
N
Noyf.S' SU Rv e y.i659
TOWN OF BERLIN.
Shoshanim, reigned in his place. The Indians were
less friendly than at first, but no immediate rupture
was entertained as probable before hostilities were
commenced by the southern tribes in the summer,
1675. In the meantime Philip, or his emissaries,
had succeeded in enlisting a number of the more
northern tribes in his confederacy, and among them
were the Nashaways, with Sagamore Sam and
Monoco, alias Maliompe (One-eyed John), of the
Nipmucks, at Brookfield. The first bloody raid
on Lancaster was made August 16, 1675, by Monoco,
with the Nashaways and other Indians. Eight per-
sons were killed and their bodies mangled in a most
horrible and barbarous manner. As a precautionary
measure of safety, soon after, five of their houses
were fortified, being furnished with a stockade or
flankers. The work on these garrisons, as they
were called, was incomplete when one of the most
bloody tragedies of Indian warfare ever known in
the province occurred on the tenth day of February,
1676, in the almost entire destruction of Old Lan-
caster. This has sometimes been called the " Row-
landson massacre," from the fact that the Rev.
Joseph Rowlandson was at the time minister there,
and that his wife Mary and three children were
carried into captivity, and that after her ransom
and return she wrote a book, giving- a vivid and
thrilling account of her captivity and life among the
Indians, which had an extensive circulation. After
the defeat of Philip with the Narragansetts the
December previous, 500 of his warriors united with
the Nashaways, Nipmucks and other tribes for the
destruction of the frontier settlements. The plan of
IO HISTORY OF THE
the attack was made undoubtedly by Sagamore Sam
and Monoco (One-eyed John), chiefs of the Nash-
aways and Nipmucks. The assault was made at
sunrise in five places. The people were nearly all
in the fortified houses. The greatest slaughter was
at the Rowlandson mansion, which was burned, and
nearly all the inmates were either killed or carried
away captives. Nearly all the houses were burned,
except the garrisoned ones. The total number of
casualties appear to have been fifty-five. Of these,
twenty were carried into captivity, most of whom
were afterwards ransomed. Soon after this direful
event the town was abandoned, and all the remain-
ing houses, except the meeting-house and two on
Wataquodock hill, were burned soon after by In-
dians prowling in the vicinity. Among the family
names of those who suffered in this massacre we
note those of Jonas Fairbank, William Kerley and
Thomas Sawyer, whose descendants became first
settlers on our territory.
At the close of King Philip's war, 1676, the Nash-
away tribe was broken up. Numbers joined the
Penacooks, Mohawks and other northern and west-
ern tribes. The chiefs, Sagamore Sam, alias Sho-
shanim, and One-eyed John, alias Monoco, having sur-
rendered to the authorities, were hanged in Boston,
September 26, 1676, their wives and children sent to
the Bermudas and sold as slaves. The great con-
spirator and ringleader, King Philip, disheartened
by his failures and deserted by his former friends
and allies, retired to Mount Hope, the home of
Philip, near Swansea, R. I., and was hunted down
and killed by one of his own tribe. This ended King
TOWN OF BERLIN. I I
Philip's war, the most bloody tragedy recorded in the
history of New England.
RESETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN.
After the lapse of three or four years, former resi-
dents and settlers began to return and build up the
waste places. By the provisions of law they had to
begin anew in the organization of the town, the
same as if no grant had before been made. Appli-
cation was made to the General Court for a new
charter, which was granted. The returned refugees
and the other settlers constituted seventeen or eight-
een families. Among these was John Prescott, the
foremost man in the first settlement, and again the
prime leader in the second. He died December — ,
1 68 1. This famous man, so renowned in the early
history of Lancaster, was one of the ancestors of all
the Sawyers of Berlin. Among the new-comers was
Samuel Carter, the ancestral head of the Berlin Car-
ters. These, together with John Houghton, the
town clerk in the new regime, and also the Moore
and Fairbank families, have been largely repre-
sented in Berlin.
KING WILLIAM'S WAR.
The English and French colonies in America
became involved in war by reason of the war be-
tween England and France during the reign of Wil-
liam and Mary, lasting from 1689 to 1697, and this
was followed by a succession of three other Indian
and French wars, ending in 1763. As early as 1608
the French had made a permanent settlement in
HISTORY OF THE
Canada, hence at the beginning of this war, they
had been there nearly a century and occupied a
large portion of lower Canada. They, unlike the
English, assimilated with the Indians, intermarried
with them, gained their friendship and good will,
and consequently their, adherence as allies.
The object of the French ostensibly was to gain a
firmer foothold in America: by driving away the
English colonists, whose settlements were mostly
confined to the seaboard, and convert what is now
the United States into New France; — how they suc-
ceeded, the history of this and subsequent French
and Indian wars will tell. In pursuance of this
design, the northern tribes, led in part by French
officers, made frequent raids on the more exposed
and isolated English settlements. Lancaster was
visited by a small band of these savages July 18,
1692, but the town was well fortified, having eight
garrisons scattered in different parts of the town.
The family of Peter Joslin was surprised; five
were killed and three were captured and carried
away. About five years after, Sept. 11, 1697, the
town was again attacked, with more serious and
disastrous consequences. The garrisons had been
increased and strengthened. The people were not
apprehensive of danger and they were taken by sur-
prise. Men were in the fields or in their houses and
the garrison gates were left open. The result of
this bloody raid and massacre was that nineteen
were killed and eight carried into captivity, some of
whom were afterwards ransomed and returned to
their homes. Among the slain were a number of the
Hudson and Fairbank families, whose descendants
TOWN OF BERLIN1.
'3
settled in our town. This war closed 1697 and was
soon followed by another, known as
QUEEN ANNE'S WAR — I.7.O4.
In the summer of 1704 a large force of French
and Indians under Monsieur Boocore attacked
Northampton, but as the place was well fortified,
they gave up the contest. A part returned to Can-
ada. About 400 turned eastward and made an
onslaught on Lancaster. In this attack, which
began early in the morning of July 3 1 , the enemy
was repulsed with considerable loss. Reinforce-
ments having arrived from Marlboro during the day,
the town was saved from other loss than the burn-
ing of a number of dwellings and the meeting-house.
One Lancaster man and three soldiers were killed in
the affray. The next visit of the Indians with hos-
tile intent was Oct. 15, 1705, when Thomas Sawyer,
Jr., his son Elias and John Bigelow of Marlboro
were in Thomas Sawyer, Jr.'s, saw-mill near the
Deer's horn and were taken captive and carried
away to Canada. (For further particulars, see arti-
cle, "Thomas Sawyer," in the genealogical part of
this work.) With this brief -epitome of tragic
events, we close this recital of assaults and brutali-
ties inflicted on the early settlers of Lancaster. The
peace of Utrecht, 171 3, brought the war to a close,
and the people in their homes were undisturbed by
the French and Indians to any very great extent
afterwards; but in subsequent wars with tribes
north and east, some of our men were participants,
and among these was Jabez Fairbanks, the famous
Indian scout, whose particular service is more fully
14 HISTORY OF THE
shown in Marvin's " History "and Nourse's "Annals,"
and brief mention may be found in this work under
the head of Fairbanks families.
Having briefly sketehed the principal historical
events which occurred while our territory was a part
of the mother town and in which the ancestors of
some of the first settlers of our town took an active
part, we propose now to take a glance backward and
see what progress had been made in the settlement
of this township at the time we were disannexed
from Lancaster and became a part of Bolton. At
this time Lancaster had been incorporated eighty-
five years and had passed through a series of tragic
events incident to Indian warfare, which have be-
come matters of general history, and with the recital
of these in the foregoing pages and the addition of
the names of the brief number of those who were
settlers here prior to 1738, the time of the excision
from the old town of Lancaster, we close the account,
leaving all other matters, civil and religious, pertain-
ing to any of our citizens when they were of the
mother town, to the records of the same made in the
" History " and " Annals " of the old township. It may
appear at first sight singular that so long a period
should have elapsed with so few settlements, but it
must be remembered that land was plenty and men
were few, and that Indian wars were of frequent oc-
currence during the entire period.
In that part of the town originally a part of Lancas-
ter, we find only the following names of settlers here
prior to 1738, and only two or three here before 1723,
and these were John Houghton, 3d, on the Ephraim
Goddard farm, and Jabez Fairbanks, Jr., on the old
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 5
Fairbanks place at the' corner, and John Moore on
the John M. Kelley place.* The others on the list
were: James Butler (on the John Collins place),
Samuel Moore (on the Stone house farm), Hezekiah
Gibbs (on F. A. Woodward's), Francis McFadin (on
P. A. Randall's), Ephraim Fairbanks (on corner by J.
D. Southwick's), Isaac Moore, Sr., (on Wm. W.
Wheeler's), Wilson Pratt, father of Abijah, (on Daniel
Wheeler place), Andrew McElwain (on the Samuel
Spofford farm), Philip Larkin (in Larkindale), Philip
Brookins (on Jarvis Wheeler's), Daniel Bruce (on Ira
Brown place), James Fife (on Jonas Carter's), Robert
Fosgate (on the Gates farms), Joseph Priest (on the
Rufus R. Wheeler old place).
The exact time they moved on these places cannot
be accurately determined at this time. The deeds
are chiefly our guides in this matter.
Now we must part with Old Lancaster and become
an integral part of Bolton. The first move made for
the separation was a petition from persons living in
the east part of Lancaster, presented to the town at
a meeting held May 16, 1733. The prayer of the
petitioners was as follows: "Setting forth the many
hardships and difficulties which we for these many
years have undergone in getting to the public wor-
ship of God, and in a peculiar manner in the winter
season, these are, therefore, to request of you that
you put it into your next warrant to see whether the
town will set off all the inhabitants on the east side
the river to be a separate town or precinct, begin-
ning at Shrewsbury line and so down said river till
* It is quite uncertain whether Jabez Fairbanks or John Moore lived on these
places at that time. — Cow.
1 6 HISTORY OF THE
you come to Harvard line, excepting the interval lots
of land on the east side of said river." Signed by
Josiah Wheeler, William Pollard, Joshua Moore,
Jabez Fairbanks, Jona. Moore, William Keyes, John
Whitney, Jeremiah Holman, Nathaniel Holman,Thos.
Whitney and William Sawyer. The prayer of the
petitioners in this case was not granted at this time,
but a second petition for the same object, signed by
John Moore and others, presented to the town March,
1 735—6, prevailed, and Bolton went before the Gen-
eral Court with the benediction of the old mother
town. The act of incorporation was passed on the
24th of June, 1738. The church was formed in Bol-
ton Nov. 4, 1 74 1, when the Rev. Thomas Goss was
ordained their first pastor. k It will be noted that none
of the names on the first petition, except possibly
Jabez Fairbanks, were of Berlin territory.
In passing from one environment to that of another,
it may be well to pause and view the situation. It
will be seen that not much progress had been made
in the settlement of this territory while a part of Lan-
caster, and these were mostly in the north part, and
hence nearer church and town house. It may be safe-
ly assumed that the entire population at this time
would not much exceed fifty, including women and
children, as most of the settlers were young men just
starting in life, with no families other than wife and
one or two children. After this date (1738) settle-
ments herein progressed very rapidly, and all the
available land was taken up and occupied while this
territory was a part of Bolton. No serious apprehen-
sions were entertained at this time of future Indian
raids or massacres by tribes of the old Bay State, but
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 7
the more distant ones near the Canadian border made
frequent forays into the more exposed settlements
for some years later, or till the close of the old
French and Indian war. Settlements, too, had ex-
tended in every direction, so that this was no longer
a frontier town, needing block houses and garrisons
to protect the people. It will be seen that many of
the descendants of the first settlers while of Lancas-
ter have disappeared. Only the Fosgates and Lar-
kins hold the ancestral lands.
The first settlements made in Berlin were evidently
on that part taken from Marlboro, which comprised at
the time of annexation, 1784, three farms, now four,
namely, the Nathaniel Wheeler and the Aaron Morse
farms, both of which constituted at that time the
homestead of Silas Kerley ; the farm of Elisha
Bassett was David Taylor's and Job Spofford's, and
the Newsome place was John Brigham's, — but these
were not the first settlers on these lands. Silas
Kerley was preceded by Job, Sr., and Henry Kerley,
Jr.; Taylor and Spofford by Samuel Jones, Sr., and
Solomon Keyes, and possibly others; John Brigham
by Joel Brigham and Joseph Rice. This Joseph Rice
married Mercey Kerley, daughter of Henry, Jr., and
was probably the first settler on the place about
1 710. This valley of the Assabet, presenting as
it undoubtedly did an inviting field for the pio-
neer, was the first taken up. Comparatively few
settlements had been made on the Lancaster ter-
ritory prior to 1738, the time Bolton, including main-
ly this township, was disannexed from the old mother
town. We count but two or three places where settle-
ments may have been made previous to 1723, when
1 8 HISTORY OF THE
Benjamin Bailey, Si\, was tax collector for Lancas-
ter of all then living south of the old Bay road
through Bolton. Of these we may name in the south
part the Ephraim Goddard farm, first settled by John
Houghton, 3d. He sold to Benj. Bailey, Sr., 17 18,
On Bailey's tax list appear the names of Jabez Fair-
banks (?), who was the father of our Esquire Ephraim
and lived on the Fairbanks place, and possibly one
John Moore was on the John M. Kelley place at
this date, but there is no positive proof of the fact.*
As no recorded evidence at hand indicates that
these latter named places were settled before John
Houghton, 3d, settled on the Ephraim Goddard farm,
the conclusion is that aside from the strip taken from
Marlboro, the Goddard farm and the Fairbanks place
were the first settled. The dates of the settlement
of most of the families will be found in the genea-
logical part of this work under the respective family
names.
ABOUT INDIANS.
No tribe of Indians that we know of ever had their
headquarters here. No 4 records extant nor Indian
relics point to the fact of any permanent lodgment
within what is now Berlin territory. That Gates
pond or "Kequasagansett" lake, as it may have been
called, may have been a favorite resort for fishing, is
quite probable. The few Indian relics found in the
vicinity of the pond indicate only temporary sojourn.
Clamshell pond, just beyond our limits in Clinton,
abound in these antiquities more abundantly. The
JLarkin brothers in the immediate vicinity have a
* John Moore owned the land, but may not have lived there.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
19
large collection of Indian weapons and tools gathered
from the shores of this pond. Clamshell, as also
Gates pond, was nearly in a direct line between the
Ockoocangansetts at Marlboro and the Nashaways
at Washacum, hence the trail leading from one place
to the other would necessarily pass through this town
and by these ponds. Any thrilling experiences of
those who settled on our territory with the Massa-
chusetts Indians must antedate the time we were dis-
annexed from the old town of Lancaster, but some
minor things of slight importance have been handed
down by tradition, showing that Indians have been
here, — one of which that Indians took up their abode
occasionally for the night in the cavity of a certain
rock, since called "Sleeping rock," situated by the
wayside on the Hudson road between the house of
Capt. Silas Sawyer and that of George Bruce.
Another tradition is Dea. Josiah Sawyer's famous
leap and escape from an Indian in ambush, illustra-
tions of which will hereinafter be inserted.
Adieu, old town, with all thy glory,
With all thy contentions and strife;
We've told but a bit of thy story,
Of thy early municipal life.
For years to come, our life must run,
With Sawyers, Moores and Houghton;
And before our real life's begun,
We must be a part of Bolton.
HISTORY OK IHE
CHAPTER II.
HISTORY WHILE OF BOLTON, I 738, I 784 — THE FRENCH
AND INDIAN WAR.
The second period of the history and development
of this territory began in 1738 and continued until
1 784, during which time we were an integral part of
Bolton, hence in the narration of events of this period
we propose only to relate such occurrences as had
special relation to those living here at the time, leav.
ing the annals of Bolton to be told by the future his-
torian of that town.
Nearly the first action taken by any town after its
settlement and incorporation is the matter pertaining
to roads and schools, but these had been attended to
in a measure by the mother town before we had or-
ganic life, and will be treated on more particularly
under the head of those topics.
The two more important events in which quite a
number of the citizens on this territory participated
were the French and Indian war and the War of the
Revolution. The former of these will be first con-
sidered. This war commenced in 1755 and was a re-
newal of the contest for supremacy in North America
between the French and English colonists. The
English settlements at this time were confined to
states bordering on the Atlantic, extending as far
south as Virginia and the Carolinas, while the French
TOWN OF BERLIN. . 2 1
had settlements and a line of forts extending from
the mouth of the St. Lawrence by the Great Lakes
and the Mississippi to New Orleans. These fortifi-
cations were made expressly for the purpose of pre-
venting the further extension of the English settle-
ments into the interior of the continent. Had the
French been successful in this contest, it may reason-
ably be supposed that this country would have been
in a much worse condition than Canada is in to-day,
on account of its colonial condition and lack of en-
terprise, but thanks to the heroic men of that gener-
ation, impelled by the highest impulses of patriotism
and unwavering devotion to their country's future
welfare, they compelled the French to abandon their
claim to a large portion of North America over which
they claimed jurisdiction, on the ground of discovery
and prior right. Some of our men were in the ex-
peditions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point,
and some were also in the attack on Quebec in 1759,
when the army of General Wolfe vanquished the
army of General Montcalm on the plains of Abra-
ham, which battle was decisive, and by the treaty of
1763 all the French possessions in North America
were given up to the English. It is but a just
tribute to the memory of the brave men that a record
should be made of their heroic deeds, which were
initiatory steps that led finally to the Revolution and
the independence and union of these states. Among
the Bolton soldiers in the French and Indian war
who lived on Berlin territory, we find the names of
Nathaniel Hastings, Nathaniel Hastings, Jr., Benja-
min Houghton, Joseph Priest, John Pollard, Wil-
liam Pollard, Jabez Beers, John McBride, Peter Lar-
2 2 HISTORY OF THE
kin, Edmund Larkin, William Larkin, Mathias Lar-
kin, Abraham Bruce, Robert Fosgate and Joshua
Johnson. The close of this war caused universal re-
joicings in the English colonies; shoutings, bon-
fires, songs and prayers ascended to heaven every-
where. It was the death struggle between Protes-
tantism and popery in America as to territorial pos-
sessions.
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
As our territory was an integral part of Bolton up
to the close of the Revolutionary war, we are neces-
sarily precluded from relating ony official acts of the
town of Berlin before it had municipal life, but we
may, and justice demands it, that we put on record
the individual acts of the fathers in the struggle for
independence. It is not our purpose to go into special
details of this war or outline the more important
TOWN OF BERLIN.
23
events connected therewith, known to all our citizens,
but it is our intention and purpose to record, at least,
the names of all that lived on this territory, whose
patriotic and personal services contributed to the es-
tablishment of liberty and independence ; also some
resolutions of general interest prior to the war passed
by Bolton, which clearly reflect the doings of the
fathers relative to the causes of the war. The events
which preceded the breaking out of hostilities were
such as to cause every patriot, and especially every
minute man, to be in readiness at a moment's warn-
ing. Tradition has it "that Land'ord Jones," whose
inn was in Berlin Centre, had a gun prepared to give
warning of any approaching crisis demanding imme-
diate attention. On the morning of the 19th of
April, 1775, a courier arrived at Jones' Inn with the
news that the British troops were marching towards
Concord. Soon boom went Jones' gun; the sound
caught the ears of William Babcock, who lived on
the place now owned by Joseph Turner. Leaving
his tools in the field, he, with gun and knapsack, has-
tened to the scene of sanguinary strife, to Concord
and Lexington. Judge Samuel Baker, Silas Carley,
and Joseph Rice of Marlboro territory, Samuel
Spofford, Sr., of Berlin and probably some others
were soon on the road to the same destination.
Certain acts recorded in the Bolton records prior
to the war, indicative of the spirit of the times and
showing the intense zeal and patriotism of the peo-
ple of the town, in which citizens on our territory
took a conspicuous part, are well worthy of mention.
The first matter was a protest against the use of tea
and other British goods. A committee appointed at
24 HISTORY OF THE
a previous meeting reported the subject matter for
action at a town meeting- held May 21, 1770. The
records stand as follows: "Taking into serious con-
M1NUTE MAN.
sideration the present unhappy situation of our pub-
lic affairs at this critical juncture of the times,"
passed the following votes, viz. :
"That we highly approve of the conduct of the merchants
of the town of Boston respecting the non-importation of
British goods, and that we will none of us on any pretence
whatsoever purchase one single article (except in cases of
absolute necessity) of any merchant or trader that has im-
ported goods contrary to the agreement of the merchants of
the said town of Boston, and that we shall esteem such pur-
chasers as enemies to this country and not fit to be employed
in any business of importance, and that we will abstain from
the use of all foreign teas ourselves, and that we will not suf-
fer it to be used in our families until the whole of the late
revenue acts are repealed, and that we will use our utmost en-
deavors to promote industry, frugality and our own manufac-
tures amongst ourselves, as judging it the most likely means
TOWN OF BERLIN. 25
to save our country from slavery and to leave a lasting inher-
itance to our posterity."
"Voted unanimously."
The Selectmen at this time were: Joshua John-
son, Ephraim Fairbank, Silas Bailey, Jonas Hough-
ton and Nathaniel Longley. It will be noted that all
of these except the last were of Berlin territory.
List of soldiers in the Revolutionary war who were
at the time residents of Berlin territory as found in
the Bolton records and elsewhere:
The foremost in military service was John Hud-
son, the grandfather of Hon. Charles Hudson, who,
together with his eight sons, were in the army at one
time and another during the war. In continuing the
list we find the names of Bruce — Benjamin, Daniel,
Timothy; McBride — James, John, Thomas; Bailey —
Colonel vSilas, Lieutenant Timothy, Benjamin, Bar-
nabas; Johnson — Captain Edward, Joshua, Eleazer,
Nathan; Larkin — Mathias, John, John, Jr., Ephraim,
Edmond, Peter; Baker — Samuel, Samuel, Jr., Ed-
ward ; Meriam — Amos, Jonathan ; Uriah Moore, Ben-
jamin Nourse, Nathan Barber, Fortunatus Barnes,
Samuel Jones, Jr., Nathan Jones, Jabez Fairbanks,
James Fife, Jr., Elijah Foster, Nathaniel Hastings,
Silas Howe, Silas Houghton, Hezekiah Gibbs, Jr.,
Abijah Pratt, John Pollard, Thomas Pollard, Joseph
Priest, Job Spofford, David Rice, Samuel Rice, Rob-
ert Fosgate.
Lieutenant Timothy Bailey, who lived at the time
on the place now owned by Merrick Felton, joined
the army in the year 1777 at Newport, R. I., and
there died the same year. The monument and statue
representing "Hope" in the old cemetery, erected to
2 6 HISTORY OF THE
his memory by Artemas Barnes, Esq., is a fitting
memento of his patriotic service and sacrifice.
The close of the Revolutionary war substantially
closed our connection with Bolton. The treaty of
peace was signed 1783. We were born into munici-
pal life the year after, and for the next twenty-
eight years was known as the District of Berlin.
We had been associated with Lancaster eighty-five
years and with Bolton forty-six years. These periods
embraced the early Indian wars, King Philip's and
other Indian raids, the French and Indian war and
the War of the Revolution. Henceforward Berlin
alone must bear the responsibility of all official ac-
tion, whether in the War of 1 8 1 2 or the War of the
Rebellion. In the latter the town may well be proud
for the valor and patriotism exhibited by her citizens.
TORIES.
Very few Tories were here during the Revolution.
Tradition holds that one Jabez Beers, who lived in
1767 on the hill south of Merrick Felton's, was a
Tory, as also were the Duffords of the same hill ; but
as Beers was in the French and Indian war and prob-
ably did good service for us in that war, his fault in
this should be charitably considered.
There was rapid advancement made in the settle-
ment of our territory while we were of Bolton. The
population increased four-fold during this period.
Nearly all the available land suitable for farms was
taken up. We had been set off as the South Parish
in 1778, and had a meeting-house before we were in-
vested with town rights. The heads of those fami-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 27
lies who have made the most enduring- record in
town and numerically have exceeded all others, came in
while we were of Bolton. Prominent among these were
the Babcocks, Barneses, Bruces, Carters, Johnsons,
Sawyers and Wheelers. Having attained that period
of growth and development which gave assurance of
increased prosperity by a separate organic life, Ber-
lin joyfully bid adieu to the mother town, whose fos-
tering care and maternal solicitude were duly appre-
ciated and acknowledged, and set up housekeeping
for herself by assuming the responsibilities and dis-
charging the duties of one of the numerous munici-
palities which constitute the Commonwealth of Mas-
sachusetts.
28 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER III.
BERLIN A DISTRICT, 1 784.
The history of Berlin embraces a period of brief
duration when compared with the older towns of the
Commonwealth. In fact those who saw the dawn of
its organic life have but just passed away, and yet
the town can claim a respectable antiquity in com-
parison with our more flourishing neighbors on our
eastern and western borders. The town has been
known as the "State of Berlin" by those of its imme-
diate vicinity, and the designation is not wholly ir-
relevant, inasmuch as the people here have mani-
fested during the entire history of its municipal life
a stability and an adherence to certain fixed and defi-
nite principles worthy of special commendation, and
as states are less liable to geographical changes
than towns, so Berlin has been less fluctuating and
changeable internally and externally than most towns
of greater pretensions. The inhabitants have been
from first to last very largely of Puritanic stock, and
it is quite probable that the descendants of these
will continue the dominant class in the immediate
future. The casual observer will readily perceive
that this is a town remarkably free from class dis-
tinctions. No aristocracy of blood or wealth, no high,
no low, all as near on a common level as it is seem-
ingly possible for a people to be, making this little
TOWN OF BFRLIN. • 29
township a model commonwealth, where, if any-
where, equality, fraternity and true contentment
abide, — elements essential to the perpetuity of a true
democracy and a free republic.
While it is true that few descendants of the first
settlers still retain the ancestral lands or live in town,
it is a gratifying fact that their places have been
filled by citizens who are a credit to the community
in which they live, and the town may not really have
lost in the transitions which have taken place. We
note but two farms in the family name which have
continued from the time we were a part of Lancaster,
the Fosgates and the Larkins ; comparatively few of
the descendants remain of those who settled here
while we were a part of Bolton, 1738 to 1 784. There
are still in town some of the posterity of those who
were here before we were a district, namely : Wil-
liam Babcock, David Southwick, James Brewer,
James Goddard, Samuel Jones, Jonathan WTheeler,
Barnabas Maynard, Josiah Sawyer, Joel Fosgate,
Fortunatus Barnes, Thomas Pollard (the Carter and
Samuel Spofford families, also the Larkins, came in
soon after). Of these the Wheeler name outnumbers
all the others at the present time, with fair prospect
of continuance. Many emigrated early and found
homes in other states and became prominent citizens
in their several localities, and this was a necessity in
a town of moderate dimensions without mechanical
industries or other appliances for manual labor. The
emigration about the year 1800, led by the Jones
and Tenneys, to Marlboro, N. H., depleted the town
of its surplus of inhabitants to a considerable extent,
and quite a number of the descendants of these still
30 HISTORY OF THE
remain in that vicinity. Berlin contributed a fair
proportion of settlers to other states, notably to
Maine and Vermont. All these removals and changes
so far as known will appear in the genealogical part
of this work.
THE NAME OF THE TOWN.
There was some controversy at the time of the in-
corporation of this district as to the name of the new
town. They decided at first to call it "Norrage," but
wisely concluded after due deliberation to name it
Berlin, after the capital of Germany. There is a
town of this name in nearly every state in the Union.
It was frequently pronounced Barlin by the older in-
habitants. The true English pronunciation is Ber-
lin, accent on the first syllable, and not Berleen, as
pronounced in Germany. It may be presumed that
the word pronounced Norrage was spelled Nor-
wich.
The initiatory step which led to the formation of
the district of Berlin was the previous set-off and in.
corporation of the South Parish of Bolton, 1778.
The new meeting-house became a centre for the as-
sembling of the people, and it soon became evident
and desirable that the town affairs should be attended
to with like conveniences, as were the matters per-
taining to the church. The territory embraced with-
in the parish was of sufficient dimensions to consti-
tute a snug and compact town. Moved by these con-
siderations, the people of Bolton gracefully yielded
to the request of the South Parish for an act of in-
corporation, and joined in a petition to the General
TOWN OF BERLIN. 3 1
Court for that purpose. The prayer of the petition-
ers was granted, as also was the petition of certain
citizens in Marlboro in the Assabet valley to be an-
nexed to the new district. The change in the North--
boro line was made some years later, as was also our
line on the west by the annexation of the Larkin
farm. The number of families in the district at that
time was about eighty, and among the citizens dis-
annexed from the mother town was quite a number
of large experience in public affairs and well qualified
to transact the ordinary business of a town, and
amongst these were Ephraim Fairbanks, Esq., Judge
Samuel Barker and Joshua Johnson and others, men
of special mark and influence in the community.
It is not intended in this work to publish the town
records, or make very copious extracts from the
acts and doings of the inhabitants as recorded . of
town meetings, believing that the history would be
slightly enhanced in value by copying the dry details
found in the records, and would in no wise compen-
sate for the extra expense incurred. All matters of
general interest will be culled from the town records
and other sources of information and arranged in
topics, so far as may be found practicable. We in-
sert the act of incorporation of the district and the
organization effected in accordance with the act, to-
gether with the town officers chosen at the first town
meeting, regarding these as matters of special inter-
est to all, and containing desirable information in rela-
tion to our town with its boundaries at the begin-
ning of its municipal life. It will be noted that the
only changes in town lines since the act of incorpo-
ration were the annexation of the farm of Peter Lar-
$2 HISTORY OF THE
kin on the west, 1 790, and a piece of land from North-
boro, near Parks' mills, 1 806. A copy of the map of
the town made by Nathaniel Longley, Esq., and
Jonathan Meriam, is herein exhibited.
The first town meeting- was held in the meeting-
house then recently erected and continued to be there
held till 1826.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
/// the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred
and Eighty-four.
An act to incorporate the South Parish of the town of Bol-
ton, together with David Taylor, Silas Carley, Job Spofford
and John Brigham, inhabitants of Marlborough, with their
estates, into a district by the name of Berlin.
Whereas, it appears on representation to this Court that it
would be productive of public good and to the benefit and
satisfaction of the inhabitants and proprietors of the South
Parish in the town of Bolton and the above-named inhab-
itants of the town of Marlborough, should they be incorpo-
rated into a distinct district, and that all persons immediately
concerned are agreeing thereto :
Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by author-
ity of the same, that the lands hereafter described and in-
cluded within the following boundaries with the inhabitants
thereof, be and hereby are incorporated into a district by the
name of Berlin. Beginning at a rock, a corner between the
towns of Marlborough, Northborough and Bolton, and run-
ning on Northborough line two miles and one-half and forty-
four rods to a stake and stones, a corner between Lancaster
and Bolton ; thence northwardly on Lancaster original line,
three miles and one-half and sixty-two rods to a stake and
TOWN OF BERLIN.
stones ; thence east thirty-seven degrees south, three miles
and forty rods to a heap of stones on Marlborough town line ;
thence west thirty-one degrees south, on the said Marlborough
line to a stump and stones, a monument on Bolton line ;
thence south thirty degrees east, thirty-seven rods to heap of
stones ; thence east thirty-one degrees south, twenty-one rods
to a stump and stones ; thence south thirty-two degrees east,
forty-two rods to a heap of stones ; thence south forty de-
grees west, forty-six rods to a black oak ; thence west twenty
degrees north, twenty-eight rods to a heap of stones ; thence
west forty-one degrees south, sixty-eight rods to a heap of
stones ; thence east four degrees south, thirty-six rods to a
red oak by the river ; thence south twenty degrees east, forty-
nine rods to a heap of stones ; thence twenty-two rods by a
town way ; thence twenty rods by said way ; thence angling
six rods ; thence south seventeen degrees west, twenty-four
rods ; thence south forty-four degrees east, thirteen rods to a
heap of stones ; thence west twenty-seven degrees south, fifty-
six rods to a heap of stones ; thence north eight degrees
west, forty-eight degrees to a heap of stones ; thence west
forty rods to a heap of stones ; thence west thirty-five de-
grees south, fifty-nine rods ; thence south thirty-one degrees
west, sixteen rods to a red oak. a corner of Joseph Howe's
land ; thence south twenty-eight degrees west, eighteen rods
to a white oak ; thence south twenty-nine degrees west, thirty
rods to a heap of stones on the east side of the river ; thence
thirty rods on the said river to a heap of stones ; thence
twelve rods by the said river to a swamp oak ; thence south
forty degrees west, 1 1 6 rods to a pine stump ; thence west
twenty-eight degrees north, seventy-eight rods to a heap of
stones; thence west thirty degrees south, twenty-eight rods to
a stake and stones by Joel Brigham's meadow ; thence north
thirty degrees west, 146 rods to the bounds first mentioned,
and the said district of Berlin shall be and hereby is invested
with all the privileges and immunities of any district within the
Commonwealth.
4
34 HISTORY OF THE
Sec. 2. Provided always and be it further enacted by the
authority aforesaid, that the said district of Berlin shall be sub-
jected to pay their proportionable part of all public debts
owing by the town of Bolton at the time of passing this act, ac-
cording to the present taxable property of the town of Bolton
and the district of Berlin, exclusive of that part of the said
district of Berlin which before the passing of this act was part
of the town of Marlborough.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that the said district of Berlin shall be at their propor-
tionable part of the expense of supporting the poor belonging
to the said town of Bolton previous to the passing of this act,
to be apportioned in like manner as is expressed in the fore-
going proviso ; and any poor which in time to come may be
turned on the said town of Bolton or shall be received and
supported by that town or by the said district, in whichsoever
such poor had their local situation.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that said district of Berlin shall have good right to claim
and receive one equal third part of all public stock of arms
and ammunition belonging before the passing of this act to
the town of Bolton.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that the said district of Berlin may join with the town of
Bolton in the choice of a representative, which representative
may be an inhabitant of the town of Bolton or of the district
of Berlin, and shall be paid by the town of Bolton and the dis-
trict of Berlin in the same proportions as they pay other pub-
lic charges, and the Selectmen of Bolton shall annually, at the
Ubual time for issuing a warrant for notifying the voters to as-
semble for coming to the choice of a representative, issue
their warrant directed to some constable or constables of the
district of Berlin, to warn the voters of the said district to as-
semble with the said town of Bolton for that purpose.
Sec. 6. And be it further enarted by the authority afore-
said, that the inhabitants and proprietors of land which, before
TOWN OF BERLIN.
35
the enacting hereof, belonged to that part of the district of
Berlin which was part of the town of Marlborough, shall be
holden to pay all taxes already assessed on them by the town
of Marlborough ; anything in this act to the contrary notwith-
standing.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that Samuel Baker, Esq., is hereby authorized to issue
his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant of the dis-
trict of Berlin, requiring him to notify the inhabitants of the
said district qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to assem-
ble at such time and place as he therein shall direct, to choose
all such officers as districts within this Commonwealth are di-
rected and required by law to choose in the month of March
annually, and the said district of Berlin shall be considered as
belonging to the county of Worcester, and the easterly boun-
daries thereof shall be the boundaries between the counties of
Middlesex and Worcester.
This act passed March 16, 1784.
The first action taken after the act of incorporation was the
issuing by Samuel Baker, Esq., his warrant for a meeting of
the legal voters for the purpose of choosing district officers, as
follows :
Worcester, ss.
To Fortunatus Barnes, a principal inhabitant of the district
of Berlin. Greeting.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you
are hereby authorized and required to warn the freeholders
and other inhabitants of the said district, qualified by law to
vote in town or district affairs, to meet at the meeting-house
in the said Berlin, on Monday, the twelfth day of April in-
stant, at one of the clock in the afternoon of the said day.
Firstly. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
Secondly. To choose all such officers as districts are by law
empowered to choose in the month of March annually, and have
36 HISTORY OF THE
this warrant with a certificate of your doings thereon at the
time and place of said meeting.
Given under my hand and seal this fifth day of April, in the
year of our Lord, 1784, and in the eighth of the independ-
ence of the United States of America. Samuel Baker,
A Justice of the Peace, specially authorized by the law in-
corporating the aforesaid district to issue his warrant for the
purpose aforesaid.
Worcester, ss.
April ye 12th, 1784.
These may certify that in obedience to the within warrant, I
have notified and warned the inhabitants of the district of Ber-
lin to meet at time and place and for the ends and purposes
within mentioned, by order of the Honorable Samuel Baker,
Esq. Fortunatus Barnes.
In observance of the foregoing warrant, dated April 5 th,
1784, the inhabitants of the district of Berlin met at the meet-
ing-house in said district on the twelfth day of April, 1784,
and proceeded as follows, viz. :
First. Chose the Hon. Samuel Baker, Esq., moderator for
this meeting on the second article ; chose Jonathan Meriam
district clerk. Sworn.
Selectmen : Lieutenant James Goddard, Mr. John Temple,
Jonathan Meriam, Mr. William Sawyer, Captain Barnabas
Maynard.
Assessors: Mr. David Taylor, Jonathan Meriam and Lieu-
tenant Henry Powers ; all sworn.
Constable: Joel Fosgate ; sworn.
Treasurer: Lieutenant Timothy Jones ; sworn.
Then voted to choose the other officers by hand vote ex-
cept the wardens.
At adjourned meeting April 27 chose :
Wardens ^ Samuel Jones and Fortunatus Barnes.
Fence Viewer : Jesse Jewett.
Fire Warden: John Bruce.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 37
Highway Surveyors: Mr. Nathan Jones, Ephraim Fair-
banks, Levi Meriam, Captain Barnabas Maynard ; all sworn.
Tithingmen : Messrs. Robert Fife and Ebenezer Woorster ;
both sworn.
Hog Reavers : Messrs. Abel Baker, Jonathan Baker ; both
sworn.
Culler of Hoops and Slaves : Mr. Thomas McBride ; sworn.
Surveyor of Boards and Shingles : Mr. Jonathan Jones;
sworn.
Sealer of Leather : Mr. John Temple ; sworn.
Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator.
Then voted to adjourn this meeting unto Thursday, the
twenty-ninth day of April instant, to meet at four o'clock in
the alternoon, and said meeting is adjourned accordingly.
Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator.
April 29, 1784, Four O'clock p. m.
The inhabitants of Berlin met according to adjournment at
the meeting-house in said Berlin and proceeded as follows,
viz., on the second article again taken up :
Chose Wardens : Messrs. Samuel Jones, Fortunatus Barnes ;
sworn.
Fetice Viewer: Mr. Jesse Jewett.
Fire Ward: Mr. John Bruce.
Then voted to choose another constable for this district.
Then chose Mr. Thomas Pollard for said constable.
Then voted to adjourn this meeting to the 27th day of May
next to meet at this place at five o'clock in the afternoon, and
said meeting is adjourned accordingly.
Attest : Samuel Baker, Moderator.
Berlin, May 27th, 1784, Five O'clock p. m.
The inhabitants of the district of Berlin met (according to
adjournment) at the meeting-house in said Berlin and pro-
ceeded as follows, viz., the former moderator not being present :
First chose Mr. David Taylor moderator pro temporary.
Then the question was put whether the district will accept
38 HISTORY OF THE
at this place Mr. Moses Goddard as a constable in the room of
Mr. Thomas Pollard, and it passed in the negative.
Secondly, the question was put whether the district will ac-
cept Mr. Nathan Jones as a constable in the room of Mr.
Thomas Pollard, and it passed in the affirmative, the said
Nathan Jones engaging that he will take no advantage by way
of excusing himself from serving constable for himself when it
shall be his turn.
Then voted to adjourn this meeting until the first Monday
in June next to meet at this place at five o'clock in the after-
noon, and said meeting is adjourned accordingly.
Attest : David Taylor, Moderator.
Berlin, June 7 th, 1784. The inhabitants of said Berlin met
according to adjournment at the meeting-house in said dis-
trict and voted to dissolve this meeting, and said meeting is
dissolved accordingly.
Attest : David Taylor, Moderator.
Thus ends the first town meeting held on the 1 2th
of April, 1784, and continued by adjournment to
June 7th, 1784, called under a warrant issued by
Hon. Samuel Baker, Esq., for the purpose of choosing
officers for the year ensuing. The Selectmen chosen
at the aforesaid meeting on the 12th of April, issue
their warrant on the 1 4th of that month for a meet-
ing April 29th, for the purpose of making grants of
money for various purposes and for the transaction
of other district business.
The meeting held April 29th, 1784, was mainly
for the purpose of raising money to defray town
charges. The appropriations were as follows:
Granted £45 (about $150) for repair of highways,
to be worked out at 3s. a day for a man, is. 6d. for
a yoke of oxen and 9d. for a cart, and eight hours
TOWN OF BERLIN. 39
a day's work. At a subsequent meeting granted
£66, 13s. 4d. for Rev. Reuben Puffer's salary (equal
to $222.22), and £5, 14s. for twenty cords of wood
(about $19). Granted for schooling £20, and for the
support of the poor £24, and to glaze the meeting-
house £$.
The currency at this time was in pounds, shillings
and pence. A pound was $3.33^, a shilling i6§
cents, nine pence 1 2\ cents, and 4^ pence 6^ cents.
Silver coins representing all these were in circula-
tion, except the pound. The above grants were evi-
dently made in what was called the new emission
money, not the old Continental, which had become
nearly worthless, as the following extract from the
records show, May 27, 1784:
"Voted, to abate Timothy Bruce's rates to Jotham
Maynard, Jr., a former collector for the South
Parish in Bolton, which sums are as follows, viz.:
Of old Continental money, £25, 9s. Of new emis-
sion money, £0, 9s. 3d.," or a reduction of about
fifty to one.
OLD CONTINENTAL MONEY.
In continuing the history of the town, we propose
to cull from the records such matters as appear to
be of more general interest, under the head of
"Gleanings from the Annals," and arrange in topics
the more important events, so far as practicable.
The town officers will be classified in separate lists
for convenience, embracing the entire period of its
organic life. We see that the town was well on its
course at the close of its first year. The machine
was in good working order, competent men were at
40
HISTORY OF THE
the head, and care had been taken to provide for the
more pressing wants of the community; for high-
ways, for schools, for the minister and for the poor,
ample provision was made. No appropriations seem
to have been made for the services of town officers;
probably these were rendered gratis, the honor hav-
ing been considered a sufficient remuneration. It is
worthy of note that six town meetings were held
during the year 1784. From this it may reasonably
iSK
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SIX SPANISH MILLED
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OLD CONTINENTAL MONEY.
be inferred that the fathers hugely enjoyed their
newly acquired rights. Having given a brief synopsis
of the doings in 1784, we now proceed to relate
some of the more important occurrences in 1785.
The first of these matters attended to was the schools.
The boundaries of the town required new adjust-
ments, hence at the March meeting of this year they
chose a committee to divide the town into school
squadrons. At the April meeting the report of the
committee was accepted, and bv that report the town
TOWN OF BERLIN. 4 1
was divided into four school squadrons, viz., north,
south, east and west. The following list contains
the names of the heads of families in Berlin at that
time, together with the places of residence :
NORTH DISTRICT.
Samuel ' Baker (stone house), William Bryant
(southwest of Richard Wheeler's), Sam'l Baker, Jr. (?),
Enoch Southwick (John Collins), Edward Baker (?),
Jotham Maynard, Jr., (old site north of Frank Bab-
cock's), Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs and Hezekiah, Jr., (F. A.
Woodward), Amos Meriam (Richard Wheeler's), Pe-
ter Crossman (John M. Kelley), David Southwick and
Stephen Sweat (P. A. Randall), Ephraim Fairbanks
(on corner), Isaac Moore (Edward L. Wheeler), Amos
Allen (northwest of Thomas Berry), James Brewer
(northeast of Captain Samuel Spofford), John Tem-
ple (north of James Brewer's), Moses Goddard ( Ful-
ler house), Abijah Pratt and Jonathan Green (Daniel
Wheeler place) ; one Samuel Gamwell lived south-
east of Captain Spofford's, hence "Gamble hill;"
Andrew MacElwain lived previously on the James
Brewer place.
SOUTH DISTRICT.
Reuben Puffer' (W. A. Houghton), Samuel Jones,
Jr. (Willis Rice), Timothy Jones (Christopher
Wheeler), Asa Witt (old shop on same), Jonathan
Jones (south of Addison Keyes), Stephen Bailey
(Ira Jones), Benjamin Bailey (M. M. Goddard), Ben-
jamin Nourse (E. C. Shattuck), Nathan Johnson (C.
S. Hastings), Eleazer Johnson (Willard Wheeler),
Joshua Johnson (A. B. Allen), Barnabas Maynard
42 HISTORY OF THE
(F. C. Lasselle), Joseph Priest (Rufus Wheeler's old
place), John and William Brigham (west of New-
some's in George W. Tyler's land), David Taylor and
Job Spofford (Elisha Bassett), Silas Carley (Aaron
Morse), Ebenezer Woorster (Elias L. Wheeler), Jona-
than Wheeler and Jonathan, Jr., (C. A. Otterson),
Holman Priest (J. J. Randall).
EAST DISTRICT.
Samuel Jones (tavern), Asa Bride (the old Bride
place), Stephen Wheeler (Mrs. George Farwell),
Solomon Jones (south of Reed Tyler), Ebenezer Bai-
ley (southwest side of Sawyer hill), Aholiab Sawyer
(lived near last), John Bruce (George H. Bruce), Ste-
phen Coolidge (F. H. Crossman), Josiah Gaskill (E.
F. Green), Benjamin Baker (Ira Brown), Joseph
Howe (on north edge of pond), Joel Fosgate (George
W. and Reuben), Daniel Goodnow (near the pond),
Thomas Bride (L. W. Brewer), Josiah . Sawyer (W.
G. Bruce), William Sawyer (Reed Tyler), Nathan
Jones (south end of Sawyer hill), Elijah Foster.
WEST DISTRICT.
vSilas Bailey and Silas, Jr. (Edward Flagg), Barna-
bas Bailey (W. B. Morse), Solomon Bowker (on
Joseph Priest premises), Silas Wood and Martha
Bailey, widow of Lieutenant Timothy (Merrick Fel-
ton), James Goddard (Henry J. Sawyer), Phineas
Howe (Silas Greenlief), Fortunatus Barnes (W. A.
Brown), John Hudson (Ball hill), Jesse Jewett (Clar-
ence Spofford), William Babcock (Joseph Turner),
Nathan Barker (opposite Levi Babcock's), Nathan
Eager (one-half Barber house), Henry Powers (C. B.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 43
Rathbtirn), Levi Meriam (hotel), Robert Fife (Jonas
Carter), Obadiah Wheeler (Silas Mills), Nathaniel
Hastings (next to Clinton line), Thomas Pollard
(John Moran), Silas Houghton (lived later opposite
George W. Howard's), Cyrus Houghton (late Mer-
rick Sargent). The Larkins were yet of Lancaster.
April 4, 1785. "Voted, that each squadron have liberty to
provide a suitable place for their school as they think best for
the present."
November 4. "Voted to sell the old school-houses. One
of these stood in the corner near Edward Flagg's."
THE JURY BOXES ACCEPTED MAY 26, 1 785.
The jury boxes as accepted stand as follows, viz. :
The jury box for the Court of Common Pleas —
Amos Allen, Solomon Bowker, Silas Bailey, Jr., Ste-
phen Bailey, Robert Fife, Joel Fosgate, Nathaniel
Hastings, Cyrus Houghton, Samuel Jones, Samuel
Jones, Jr., Nathan Jones, Amos Johnson, Jesse Jew-
ett, Jonathan Meriam, Levi Meriam, Isaac Moore,
Jotham Maynard, Jr., Barnabas Maynard, Henry
Powers, Thomas Pollard, Josiah Sawyer, Jr., Job
SpofTord, John Temple, Ebenezer Worcester. The
box for the Superior Court — Eleazer Johnson, James
Goddard, David Taylor, Phineas How, Abijah Pratt,
Fortunatus Barnes, Timothy Jones, Joshua Johnson.
TOWN POUND AND STOCKS, 1 78 5.
At a meeting held May 26, 1785, voted "that this
district will build themselves a pound;" also voted
"that this district will provide themselves stocks."
"Voted, that said pound be built of stone." Novem-
44
HISTORY OF THE
ber 4, 1785, "voted to allow Samuel Jones twelve
shillings for land the pound is built upon and con-
veniency to pass in and out of the gate." This pound
was built near where Dr. Gotts' barn now stands,
and the stocks were erected near the meeting-house.
This pound served the wants of the town for forty-
eight years. In 1833 the new pound (the one now
in use) was built on land of Jonathan D.. Meriam,
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TOWN OF BERLIN. 45
near "Pulpit rocks" (the steep rocky eminence just
north). The stocks and probably a whipping post,
as they usually went together, were demolished long
before the new pound was made. Cost of pound,
stocks and land, £g, 9s. 3d.
November 4, 1785. Voted to fence the front of the burial
field with stone wall four feet high, and "middling handsome."
Col. Silas Bailey, Mr. Eleazer Johnson and Levi Meriam, com-
mittee.
BERLIN TERRITORIALLY.
The town of Berlin is situated on the eastern bor-
der of Worcester county, adjoining Middlesex county
on the east, and is bounded north by Bolton, east
by Hudson and Marlboro, south by Northboro, and
west by Boylston and Clinton. It is thirty-three
miles west of Boston and fourteen northeast from
Worcester. Its extreme length, from north to south,
is about three and three-quarters miles, and its
breadth, from east to west, four and a half miles, con-
taining about thirteen square miles. The town is
mainly on the southern slope of the Wataquodock
hills in Bolton, spurs of which, extending south into
Berlin, are known as Barnes' hill in the west, Baker
and Wheeler in the north, and Sawyer hill in the
east. These are of moderate elevation and suitable
for cultivation on their summits. In the central and
southern parts, lying between these hills, is a broad
plain extending southward into Northboro, rendering
this portion of the town well sheltered and protected
from storms and blizzards.
The main water course in town is the Assabet
river on its eastern border, and into this nearly the
46 HISTORY OF THE
entire drainage of the town is conveyed by North
brook, one branch of which rises in the northwest
part, near Bolton depot, and another in Rack meadow,
with a branch from Clamshell pond in Clinton. They
unite at West Berlin and form a stream of sufficient
volume to operate two mills in the west and one in
the south part of the town. Such is the configura-
tion of the land that the water within about a mile
of the Nashua river is conveyed easterly into the
Assabet and thence into the Concord river, hence
the surface inclines in a gentle descent to the south
and east.
There is only one natural pond within the limits
of the town, known as Gates pond. This, or a place
near by, was called by the Indians Kequasagansett,
and lies at the eastern base of Sawyer hill. This
is now the water supply for the town of Hudson.
This beautiful lake of pure, cold, crystal water, fed by
springs, is the favorite resort of pleasure seekers and
picnic parties in the summer season ; the eastern
shore is studded with cottages and houses for enter-
tainment. On the western acclivity is Lake Side,
so named by Madam Rudersdoff, the famous singer,
who lived there a few years ago.
The highest elevation is Mt. Pisgah, a continua-
tion of Wataquodock range, in the southwest part
of the town. Fine and extensive views are here
obtained of Wachusett mountain and the valley of
the Nashua on the west, and of the Marlboro hills
and valley of the Assabet on the east. Near the
centre of the town is a rocky eminence of consider,
able height, called Powder-house hill. From this
point charming views of the central plain, reach ing
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BALANCE ROCK, WHEELER HILL.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 47
to Northboro and beyond, may be obtained. This
huge pile of rocks, from its ruggedness and elevation,
serves the double purpose of both protecting the cen-
tre village from the northern blasts and relieving the
eye from the sameness of view of the adjoining plain.
There are three villages in town : the Centre, in-
cluding Carterville also; West and South Berlin, in
each of which there are a post office and store. The
town is distinctively agricultural, and the great
variety of soils within its borders renders the town well
adapted to horticulture and mixed farming. The
hills and uplands are rocky and have a deep black soil
suitable for grazing. The central plain and valleys
are comparatively free from stones ; the soil, a sandy
loam, adapted to the growth of cereals. The geologi-
cal sur\*ey of the town was made by the state. The
basic rock is undoubtedly gneiss. Granite of fair
quality for posts and underpinning is found on
Barnes' hill, and rocks, more laminated and border-
ing on the slate formation, are found near the Gentre.
In the building of the Central Massachusetts Rail-
road, a graphite quarry was opened in the west part,
near Snake hill, but of inferior quality. On the sur-
rounding hills are numeroiis boulders, and on
Powder-house hill there is one apparently of the lime-
.stone formation. The nearest of the same kind
known is at the Bolton lime-kilns, four miles distant.
Pulpit rock, a huge pile, may be seen near the town
pound. The well-known boulder on the ascent to
Wheeler hill is shown herein. The basic rock is
mostly gneiss — mica schist, which abound in the
northwest part, many rocks which contain oride of
iron.
HISTORY OF THE
SLEEPING ROCK.
The rock south of the Hudson road, between Capt.
Silas Sawyer's and George H. Bruce's, has been
known as Sleeping rock from the early times,
so named in some of the first deeds. The origin
of the name appears to have been from the fact
that Indians occasionally used it as a shelter and
to sleep under, — two were known so to do, says tra-
dition. A shelving part has probably fallen over
since that time. This rock was a corner of the
original Gates farm. The place was called by the
Indians the same as the name of the pond, Kequasa-
gansett.
FOREST TREES AND ABANDONED FARMS.
The forest trees are substantially of the same
varieties found in the adjoining towns, the prevailing
types being oak, chestnut, pine and walnut ; the hem-
lock and rock maple are rarely found, and the beech is
still more scarce, as nearly all of the first growth dis-
appeared years ago. The acreage given up to the
growth of wood has increased within the last few
years, but this is the result of leaving old pastures to
grow up rather than from the abandonment of farms.
Abandoned farms are few in number in comparison
with most towns. Three or four, in out-of-the-way
places, are all that may be counted.
PREPARING FOR A WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
The town voted August 18, 1794:
"That soldiers that shall engage and be ready at a minute's
warning, agreeable to orders of the commanderdn-chief of this
Sleeping Hoi k.
Deacon Josiah Sawyer's Famous I.eai
TOWN OF BERLIN.
49
Commonwealth, shall have their wages made up by this dis-
trict to forty shillings per month for all the time they shall be
actually engaged in the service by virtue of said orders, and
shall have one dollar to each man, bounty, before they muster by
themselves, and another before they march to the place of
rendezvous, in case they should be called for."
As it happened there was no war with Great
Britain. The town saved the pay and bounty. This
is the first mention of the use of the dollar in our
records.
TO RATIFY THE TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN, 1 796.
Soon after the French Revolution, 1792, our com-
mercial and other interests suffered severely by reason
of the British orders in council, on account of which
American vessels trading with France or its depend-
encies were seized by British cruisers and our
seamen impressed into the British service, and
also because of other unjustifiable measures the
government of Great Britain pursued towards
this country. Washington was president at the
time and the matters in controversy were settled
by treaty, and consequently the threatened war
was averted. The part taken by Berlin was to
choose a committee to prepare a memorial to
representatives of the Congress, namely: "That
it is the wish of this district that the treaty with
Great Britain (concluded Nov. 19, 1794) may be car-
ried into honorable effect." Chose Dr. Puffer chair-
man of committee.
Also voted, "that the said memorial when drafted
be forwarded to the Hon. D wight Foster, Esq., with
all convenient speed. We find no record of this
50 HISTORY OF THE
memorial, which probably was drawn up by Dr.
Puffer, and was highly commendatory of the course
pursued by Washington in the settlement of the
vexatious matters in controversy. The treaty was
finally ratified by the Senate and the course of the
administration sustained. The trouble grew out of
the war between Great Britain and France. Public
opinion was divided on the course to be pursued.
One party more favorable to France was in favor of
a declaration of war against Great Britain, the other
party, at the head of which was Washington, was de-
sirous of settling the matters in controversy without
recourse to arms. This was about the beginning of
drawing party lines in this country. Later one party
assumed the name of Republican under the head of
Thomas Jefferson, the other of Federal under Alex-
ander Hamilton.
shays' rebellion.
The district had barely completed its organization
and the affairs of the town were progressing smooth-
ly, when an element of discord confronted the peo-
ple. It was a test of loyalty to the government.
There was a diversity of opinion here, as elsewhere,
as to the best method of redressing political griev-
ances, whether by the shotgun or by the ballot. The
result of the insurrection of 1 786 settled the ques-
tion.
A brief statement of the main facts pertaining to
what is known in history as Shays' Rebellion, would
seem to be a necessary preface to the presention of
the part taken by Berlin in that unhappy contro-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 I
versy. The country was in a deplorable, unsettled
condition for several years after the Revolutionary
war. The resources of the nation had been heavily
drawn on to carry on the war. The currency had be-
come depreciated ; Continental scrip was nearly worth-
less; it took a barrel of it to pay for a bushel of
corn. The people as a consequence felt compara-
tively poor, but the debts they had necessarily con-
tracted were not lessened, and payment was vigor-
ously demanded and enforced by legal process through
the courts of law. The sheriffs were busy with their
writs and executions issued by the courts without
clemency or consideration, as many of the insurgents
in this contest believed ; the state taxes were particu-
larly heavy and burdensome, and the General Court
was complained of for not relieving the grievances of
the people ; in fact it was a time of general depression
and' unrest. Under these circumstances the more
bold and audacious of the malcontents conceived the
idea of forcibly resisting the authorities and abolish
(as seemed to them) the obnoxious courts, which
were regarded as mills, whose fees had grown to be
excessive and exorbitant. The rebellious element
was confined mostly to towns in the interior of the
state, and various conventions had been held at dif-
ferent limes and places for the redress of grievances
from the close of the Revolutionary war to 1786. It
appears by record that our town was somewhat
mixed up in this affair, as Berlin' sent William
Sawyer as a delegate to the convention at Paxton
held on the last Tuesday of September, 1786, at
the house of Mr. Snow, innholder, and also at the
Worcester convention, for which service the town
52 HISTORY OF THE
paid him £ i , ios. 6d. for seven days' time and ex-
penses. It may reasonably be inferred that some
Berlin men were in the insurgent ranks. No record-
ed report of Mr. Sawyer is found, but a letter from
the town of Boston was read, which had a quieting
effect. The vote of the town for governor was changed
this year from James Bowdoin to John Hancock.
The latter was supposed to be more in sympathy with
the rebellious elements. The result of the agitation
in convention and otherwise was the concentration
of the bellicose elements into a mobocratic army,
headed by one Daniel Shays, who had been a captain
in the Revolutionary service. Our space does not
admit for an extended account of this rebellion,
which lasted only a few months in the latter part of
1786 and the winter of 1787. The insurgents to the
number of nearly 1,000 met at Worcester Dec. 5,
1786, and prevented for the time being the sitting
of the court. The same manoeuvre was repeated at
Springfield the 26th of the same month. The rebels
finally resolved to seize the arsenal at Springfield
and help themselves to arms and ammunition. The
attack was made on the 25th of January, 1787, and
proved to be a Waterloo defeat to the insurgents,
who retreated northerly and were followed by General
Lincoln with the government troops, and the last of
them were finally scattered and dispersed in the
vicinity of Pelham and Petersham. In closing, it is
but just to say that Judge Baker was a tower of
strength for the maintenance of law and order,
and by his influence the town was kept from
more serious entanglement in this unhappy con-
flict.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 53
DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL MONEY WANTED BY THE
FRIENDS.
March 9, 1789. "The question was put whether the dis-
trict will allow Obadiah Wheeler, Jonathan Wheeler, Stephen
Wheeler, Enoch Southwick, David Southwick, Thomas Holder
and Thomas Watson to have their school money and lay it out
for schooling amongst themselves ; it passed in the negative.'
Voted, that if Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., takes the
constable's oath he shall be exempted from collecting-
ministerial taxes. Jonathan was probably conscien-
tiously scrupulous about either paying or collecting
such taxes.
ADMIT PETER LARKIN.
February 3, 1790. "Voted that Peter Larkin with his fam-
ily and interests be received to and incorporated with the dis-
trict of Berlin, agreeable to his request and the vote of the
town of Lancaster."
An act to set off Peter Larkin with his family and
estate from the town of Lancaster to the district of
Berlin :
Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives, in General Court assembled and by authority of
the same, that Peter Larkin of Lancaster, in the county of
Worcester, with his family and estate be and hereby are set off
from the said town of Lancaster and annexed to the district of
Berlin, in said county of Worcester, and shall hereafter be
considered as part of the same, there to do duty and receive
privileges as the other inhabitants of the said district.
Sec 2. Provided, nevertheless, that said Peter Larkin shall
be held to pay his proportion of all such state and county
taxes as shall be laid by the Legislature upon said town of Lan-
54 HISTORY OF THE
caster, before the settlement of another valuation, the passing
of this act notwithstanding.
This act passed February 8, 1791. ,
1795-
The district of Berlin was surveyed by Jonathan
Meriam and Nathaniel Longley and a plan sent to
the state, assisted by Job Spofford, Ephraim Howe,
Samuel Baker, Levi Meriam, Captain Samuel Jones
and Peter Larkin.
GLEANINGS FROM THE ANNALS, 1 797.
The militia of the district organized this year,
granted ^"40 to defray necessary charges, including
cost of ammunition for the soldiers.
April 3, 1797, voted that the Selectmen provide a
sufficient quantity of powder, balls and flints, legally,
to equip the militia of this district.
1798.
April 2d the question of dividing Worcester coun-
ty was submitted to the voters, and the result was
thirty-four voted against the measure and none for it.
1799.
April 1. Granted £80 to be worked out on new
county road, beginning at Lancaster line and work
towards the meeting-house.
Voted, that the tax on dogs be for the support of
the poor.
1 800.
April 7. Voted to petition the Court of Sessions
for an allowance of $500 to enable said district to
TOWN OF BERLIN. 55
make and pay for said road. Amos Johnson and
James R. Parks, the committee, reported September
15 th and the town voted not to accept their report,
which probably was adverse to the prayer of the
petitioners. December 29th, "chose Jonathan Mer-
iam, Levi Meriam and John Larkin a committee
to signify to the representatives of Bolton and
Berlin the wish of this district that the proposed
turnpike road, especially from Sudbury causeway to
Waltham, should be opposed with all his influence."
The reason for this action does not appear.
1802.
Town grants first made in Federal money.
Repaired the house bought for accommodation of
the poor (see article, "House for the Poor").
1803.
April 4. Voted, "that the Friends or Quakers
shall have their proportion of school money, pro-
vided they lay out said money in this district under
the discretion of the School Committee."
1804.
Granted $30 for a singing school.
Voted, that the soldiers' uniform hats be paid for
by this district and in care of the Selectmen.
HEARSE AND HEARSE HOUSE, 1805.
March 4. Granted $100 to provide a hearse and
build a hearse house. Chose Levi Meriam, Solomon
Howe and Henry Powers, committee.
1806.
A part of Northboro annexed to Berlin.
56 HISTORY OF 1HE
January 6. Voted, to instruct our representative
to use his influence in favor of the petition of James
R. Parks for the setting of all his land in Berlin.
The prayer of the petitioner was granted, as appears
by an act of the General Court passed February 1 5 th,
1806. Before this date the mills in the south part
and most of the pond were in Northboro.
CHANGE OF THE NORTHBORO LINE, 1806.
"An act to set off part of the town of Northborough and annex
the same to the district of Berlin, and to set off part of said dis-
trict of Berlin and annex the same to the said town of North-
borough.
"Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives in General Court assembled and by the authority
of the same, that all the lands and buildings thereon, lying
northerly of the line herein described, belonging to the town
of Northborough, in the county of Worcester, be and hereby are
set off from the said town of Northborough and annexed to the dis-
trict of Berlin, in same county of Worcester, and that all the
land lying southerly of said line belonging to the said dis-
trict of Berlin, be and hereby is set off from said district of
Berlin and annexed to the said town of Northborough, viz. : Said
line beginning at a stake and stones on the line between Marl-
borough and said Berlin, twenty-four rods from the northwest
corner of said Marlborough ; thence north thirty- three degrees,
west 226 rods to a stake and stones on the line between said
Northborough and said district of Berlin. Passed February 15,
1806."
Sec. 2. About taxation omitted.
1807.
January 19. Voted $500 to repair Rev. Mr. Puf-
fer's house. Assessed on those liable to the minis-
terial tax.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 5 7
WELL ON THE COMMON.
September 2. "Voted, that Mr. Solomon Howe
have liberty to dig a well on the Common." This is
the well in front of the Town House.
1808.
April 25. Dr. Puffer a missionary.
"Agreed with Dr. Puffer that his salary should be
$222.22, to begin March 1, 1809, andcontinue at that
rate while gone on a missionary service." This serv-
ice was in the state of Maine.
1809.
February 6. Voted, to petition the Legislature to
interpose for relief, etc. (See article, "War of 18 12.")
Voted $30 for a singing school.-
1810.
March 5. Chose Daniel Brigham, Stephen Bailey
and Dexter Fay to attend to the inoculation of cow
pox. October 8, voted, to procure fifty-four knap-
sacks for the soldiers belonging to this district.
1811.
June 3. Voted, to petition to the General Court
to be incorporated into a town. Chose Stephen Bai-
ley, James R. Parks and Solomon Howe to be the
agents. Voted, to instruct said agents to request
Hon. Silas Holman, Esq., and our representatives to
use their influence to forward said incorporation.
58 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER IV.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
THE DISTRICT MADE A TOWN, l8l2.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the Year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and
Twelve.
An act to incorporate the district of Berlin into the town of
Berlin.
Section i . Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
vf the same : That the district of Berlin, in the county of
Worcester, be and hereby is incorporated into a town by the
name of Berlin, subject to the like duties and requirements,
vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities which
other towns do or may enjoy, agreeably to the Constitution and
laws of the Commonwealth.
Sec. 2. Be it. further enacted, that either of the justices of
the peace for the county of Worcester be and he is hereby au-
thorized to issue a warrant directed to a freeholder, an inhabi-
tant of the said town of Berlin, requiring him to notify and
warn the freeholders and other legal voters thereof, to meet at
such convenient time and place as shall be appointed in said
warrant, for the choice of such officers as towns are by law re-
quired to choose and appoint at their annual town meetings,
February 6th.
Recorded March n, 18 12.
Dexter Fay, Town Clerk.
MAP OF BERLIN, 18'
TOWN OF BERLIN. 59
Agreeably to the act of incorporation, Levi Mer-
iam, Esq., issued his warrant to Ephraim Babcock to
notify and warn the inhabitants qualified to vote, to
meet at their meeting-house on the second day of
March at one o'clock P. m., for the choice of town
officers.
didn't want the town larger.
An article in a warrant issued March 23d, 1812,
was:
"To see if the town will receive a certain number of the in-
habitants of the town of Lancaster, that is, following Boylston
line from Mr. John Larkin's to Lancaster river, running with
the river fourteen rods below the bridge by Mr. John Goss',
then to Bolton line with the inhabitants thereon, and act any-
thing relative thereto that may be thought proper."
The vote taken on the above was :
"That it is not expedient to have said inhabitants with lands
annexed to the town of Berlin."
The reason for rejecting this application does not
appear, but it may be because it would change the
centre to some point more westwardly.
First representative to the General Court was Cap-
tain Henry Powers, chosen May 4th, 181 2, and was
chosen seven other times until 1830.
war oe 18 1 2.
The general sentiment of the town in relation to
the prosecution of the war against Great Britain,
18 1 2-1 5, was evidently in unison with that of most
of the towns in this Commonwealth. While they
opposed the policy of the administration, they were
ready to support the government by personal service
whenever called upon to defend the state from foreign
60 HISTORY OF THE
invasion. The very brief records found of the doings
of the town pertaining to this war indicate a degree
of lukewarmship quite in contrast with the patriotic
zeal manifested in the War of the Rebellion. During
this period the town voted nearly unanimously for
Governor Caleb Strong, although he resolutely re-
fused to comply with the orders of the secretary of
war to furnish 10,000 men as the quota of Massa-
chusetts, but instead proposed to organize the militia
and have them ready on call for the defense of the
state if invaded by the enemy. In this proceeding
the governor was evidently in error in thus attempt-
ing to establish the supremacy of the state over that
of the general government — a doctrine afterwards
followed by the southern states in acts of nullifica-
tion and secession under the plea of "states' rights."
The vote for governor in 1 8 1 2 was : For Honorable
Caleb Strong, Esq., ninety-five votes; for His Excel-
lency Elbridge Gerry, Esq., two votes. Gerry was
known to be in favor of prosecuting the war.
The town as early as 1 808 took action against the
enforcement of the embargo, and again at a meeting
held February 6, 1809, "voted to petition the Legis-
lature of this state to interpose for our constitutional
relief against the late arbitrary and unjust violations
of the rights of the people;" chose Barnabas May-
nard, James R. Parks and Amos Johnson, commit-
tee, to draft the petition. After hearing the petition
read, "voted unanimously to send it to the Legislature
of the state."
At a town meeting held July 4, 1 8 1 2, a still stronger
opposition to the prosecution of the war appears from
the records.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 6 1
The article on which the action was taken reads
thus:
"To take into consideration the present alarming situation
of our public affairs and act anything relative thereto that may
be thought proper."
"Voted the following resolutions unanimously :
"That circumstanced as this country is with respect to the
principal belligerents, we cannot but deem it improper and
hazardous to resign our neutral position and involve ourselves
in measures which, if we escape without loss of independence
and our dearest rights, must of necessity inflict a lasting wound
on our national prosperity. That we view with deep emotions
of grief and even horror the participation of the government in
a war unexampled in the annals of civil society. A war under-
taken, not in defense, but for the extirpation of the rights of
man, which has long deluged Europe in blood and threatens
destruction to the remaining liberties of the world. That al-
though we hold ourselves in readiness to expend our lives and
property for our beloved country when called to its just de-
fense against foreign aggression, yet it is with extreme reluc-
tance that we are compelled to take up arms in a contest which,
after the best information we have been able to obtain, is, in
our deliberate judgment, unnecessary, impolitic and unjust.
That such is the unhappy situation in which we are placed,
that success in this war in our opinion would be the greatest
misfortune that could happen to our country, by weakening the
resistance of Britain to the overwhelming power of France, and
thereby leaving us no alternative but that of submitting without
a struggle to the will of the conqueror ; that the shedding of
human blood (at all times an awful consideration and never to
be resorted to but in the failure of every means of considera-
tion) will in the present case, we fear, enhance our national
guilt and draw down upon us the righteous vengeance of
heaven. That while we utterly detest and will discountenance
all combinations against lawful authority, we will not fail to co-
62 HISTORY OF THE
operate and unite with other towns in all lawful and constitutional
methods to bring the war we so highly deprecate to a speedy
and effectual termination."
"Voted unanimously that the foregoing be adopted as being
the sense of the inhabitants of this town."
The records are silent as to the author of these
resolutions. No committee was appointed to draft
them and no person is named as having presented
them. The resolutions are certainly clothed with
vigorous language. It is quite possible that Dr.
Puffer may have been the author. No one can fail
to note that the principal reason assigned for the op-
position to the war was that Britain might be so
weakened by the war as to be unable to resist the
overwhelming power of France, or in other words,
our fathers here of 1 8 1 2 were fearful and apprehen-
sive that Napoleon Bonaparte, then emperor of
France, if not checked in his conquering career by
the power of Great Britain, would, like Alexander the
Great, seek other worlds to conquer. With Europe
at his feet, it was thought quite probable that he
would attempt to recover at least so much of America
as was lost to France fifty years before, and conse-
quently the liberties of our country would be crushed
under the tread of his hostile legions, but this dread
apprehension was unreal. The empire of Napoleon
was then tottering on the brink of ruin, and soon fell
to rise no more.
The rolls of the militia are wanting; not to be
found in the state archives at Boston. With these
at hand we would be glad to present the names of
those who stood ready at their country's call. We
can only premise that a goodly number enlisted in
TOWN OF BERLIN. 63
the army or navy and did good service, as their
fathers did in the War of the Revolution. At a town
meeting held on the 5th of April, 18 13, voted "to
allow the soldiers one-quarter of a pound of powder
in addition to what the law gives them."
War was declared June 18, 1812, and intelligence
of the same reached Boston five days later, and, as
the General Court was then in session, the governor
at once communicated it to the representatives of the
people. Immediately the House prepared an address,
which was adopted by a vote of nearly two to one, re-
gretting the event and expressing their opinion of its
impolicy and inexpediency. The action of the Senate
was directly opposite, and that body adopted and pub-
lished an address approving the war and declaring
it, in their opinion, just and necessary. The fore-
going resolutions, passed by the town, contain
substantially the sentiments expressed by the House
in their address, and these were in accordance with
the views of a large majority of the people of the
state. The political party opposed to the war was
known at that time as the Federal party, and those
in favor of prosecuting the war as the Democratic or
Republican. The former of these received its death
blow by the Hartford Convention, an assembly of
Federalists convened at Hartford, Ct, Dec. 15, 18 14,
to oppose the further prosecution of the war. The
Convention was accused of treasonable designs by
their opponents. However this may have been, the
war party became popular with the people through-
out the country. The war was brought to a suc-
cessful close by the treaty of Ghent, Dec. 24, 18 14.
The battle of New Orleans was fought Jan. 8, 181 5,
64 HISTORY OF THE
fifteen days after the treaty was signed. No sub-
marine wire connected the two continents at that
time. The victory at New Orleans, the crowning
event, was everywhere applauded, and the Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts, by a handsome majority,
passed a vote of thanks to General Jackson and his
brave associates for their defense of that place. The
following lines, composed by the poet, Silas Ballou,
are a part of a patriotic song published soon after
the close of the war, and extensively circulated
throughout the country at that time, and have oc-
casionally appeared in the papers since :
What wonders did brave Jackson do,
When aided by high Heaven !
Their leader and four thousand slew,
And lost but only seven;
Some interposing angel's hand
Repelled their vile intrusion —
The remnant of their broken band
Fled off in sad confusion.
They passed through numerous trying scenes,
In most of them defeated;
Their grand defeat at New Orleans
The bloody scene completed.
Soon after this sweet peace arrived,
Our armies were disbanded;
Our scattered foes who had survived
The war, were home commanded.
What has our infant country gained
By fighting that old nation?
Our liberties we have maintained,
And raised our reputation.
We've gained the freedom of the seas,
Our seamen are released,
Our mariners trade where they please,
Impressments, too, have ceased.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 65
Now, in ourselves we can confide;
Abroad we are respected;
We've checked the rage of British pride,
Their haughtiness corrected.
First, to the God of wondrous power,
Be thanks and adoration;
Next, Madison, the wondrous flower
And jewel of our nation.
Next, Congress 'does our thanks demand,
To them our thanks we tender;
Our heroes, next, by sea and land,
To them our thanks we render.
Let us be just, in union live,
Then who will dare invade us?
If any should, our God will give
His angels charge to aid us.
THE POWDER HOUSE BUILT.
At a town meeting held March 7, 18 14, "voted to
build a powder house." "Then voted to choose a
committee of three persons to build said house, and
chose Captain Henry Powers, Deacon Stephen Bai-
ley, Captain Solomon Howe."
TITHINGMEN, 1815.
Who were tithingmen ? And what were they for?
These questions may be asked without creating any
wonder or surprise. They long ago disappeared from
the list of officers annually chosen, but why needed
then and not now? They suddenly disappeared in
1 84 1, and haven't shown their heads since. Was it
possible they were infected with the Millerite craze,
which raged about this time, thinking their services
might not be longer needed, the great conflagration
being so near at hand, or was it found that they
were practically of no use whatever? The latter
6
66
HISTORY OF THE
theory is probably correct. Their principal duties
were to keep order on the Sabbath, and especially
to have an eye on roguish boys and sleepy heads at
church. With long poles they were required to rap
the craniums of such of the world's people (but more
especially those of the younger ones) who were not
paying due attention to the tenth, eleventh and
twelfthly of the second sermon. The town usually
had three ; but occasionally six, when whistles and
jewsharps were plenty.
PASSED USEFULNESS.
GLEANINGS FROM THE ANNALS — MORE TITHINGMEN
NEEDED, 1815.
Chose John Larkin, Alvan Sawyer and Silas Moss-
man in addition to Theophilus Nourse and Joseph
Howe, already chosen.
1816.
Voted to give Captain Ephraim Howe leave to
build two tombs in the burying ground.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 67
Voted to remove the hearse house to land given
by Hollis Johnson at the corner of the burying
ground.
18 16 is remembered by the older inhabitants as an
exceptionally cold year. No corn ripened in New-
England, and to add to the discomforts of the people
here, many suffered losses from the September gale,
or great tornado, as it was more generally called.
Many of the best timber lots in town were leveled
writh the ground. Nathan Johnson's wood lot was
swept down. Many others in the line of the hurri-
cane sustained severe losses in buildings and timber
destroyed.
1817.
Voted to give certain persons leave to build stables
on the Common, by agreeing with the Selectmen
where said stables shall stand.
December 22. Voted to adjourn the meeting to
Solomon Howe's Inn. The reason was probably "to
warm up."
DIVISION OF THE SCHOOL MONEY, 1 8 1 8.
May 4. "Voted to let the Friends in Berlin have
their part of money which they pay for schooling
and hire a master of their denomination and lay it
out in any school-house in said Berlin, to be a free
school."
1819.
February 8. Chose Ephraim Babcock as their
agent to act against the Friends drawing their
school money and carrying it to Bolton.
68 HISTORY OF THE
March i . Voted the Selectmen as a committee to
settle with Solomon Howe on account of the late
property left the town by Joseph Priest.
April 5. Granted $40 for a singing school and
chose Thomas Brigham, Jr., Ephraim Goddard and
William Sawyer a committee to lay out the money.
1820.
March 6. Accepted a plan of the Common made
by Nathaniel Longley, Esq.
May 1 . Voted to sell a piece of land to Shepherd
and Dwight, near the west school-house, to build on.
October 16. Voted to send Captain Amos Sawyer
a delegate to the convention for the purpose of re-
vising or altering the Constitution.
1821.
April 9. The votes cast in favor of fourteen arti-
cles of amendment to the Constitution as made by
the convention of November 15, 1820, and before the
time for action, was 1 23 in the aggregate in favor and
1,020 against, or an average of nearly eight in favor
of each article and nearly seventy-three against.
1823.
March 3. Granted by vote $50 in addition for a
reading and writing school, probably the first select
school in town, — where kept? In the Bullard house,
probably.
June 3. Voted to petition the General Court to
pass an act to enable the town to assess a tax on the
pews for the repair of their meeting-house ; chose
Captain Amos Sawyer agent.
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TOWN OF BERLIN. 69
September 9. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Ephraim
Babcock and William Jones to prepare for repairing
their meeting-house.
Voted said committee to prepare the underpinning
stones this fall and set them next winter.
1824.
April 5. Voted "to sell the town house and land
where the Widow Bruce lives." (See article, "House
for the Poor.")
NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
September 7. The first mention of the movement
for the building of a new meeting-house was at this
date. The question was whether they would build
a new meeting-house or repair the old one. They
voted to repair, but at a meeting held November 1
they tried the question again, and the result was
thirty-four in favor of building and thirty-four against.
At a meeting held December 8, 1824, they voted to
build a new meeting-house, but at the adjourned
meeting April 4, 1825, the above vote was modified:
"Provided they can build said house for $4,000 above
the underpinning stones."
NEW MEETING-HOUSE, 1 825.
June 27. Voted to set the new meeting-house on
or near where the old one now stands.
The committee chosen to appraise the old pews
was: Colonel Jotham Bush, Lovat Peters, Esq., and
Silas Felton, Esq. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Hollis
Johnson and Joseph Parks a Building Committee, and
nine others to act as counsel to the committee.
70 HISTORY OF THE
Report of the committee chosen to present a plan :
May 2. "Berlin, June 27, 1825. To the inhabitants of the
town of Berlin in public town meeting assembled : Your com-
mittee appointed at a previous meeting to prepare a plan for a
contemplated new meeting-house now present you with a
plan, the dimensions and construction to be as follows, viz. :
Fifty feet long and forty-seven feet wide, exclusive of the projec-
tion, the pulpit to be at one end of the house, with three pews
on the lower floor, the pews to be eight and one-half feet long
and three feet wide. The aisles to be three in number, the
broad aisle to be five feet wide, the others to be three feet, and
to be by the wall of the house, instead of having wall pews.
Our reasons for having no wall pews are three :
"First. That in our opinion there will be a greater circula-
tion of air through the house than if part of the congregation
were sitting close by the windows.
"Second. That not so many of the assembly will sit under
the galleries, which is generally considered not so agreeable as
otherwise.
"Third. That the hearers will all sit facing the speaker. The
galleries to be eight or nine feet wide and at the projection to
be built over it for the accommodation of the choir of singers,
the projection to be seven feet wide ; also that there be a well
proportioned cupola, etc. This we respectfully submit to you,
gentlemen, for your consideration, wishing that so solemn a
transaction as the building a house for the worship of God may
be conducted with prudence, wisdom and harmony." Major
Oliver Sawyer, Dexter Fay, Joseph Parks, Ephraim Babcock,
Edward Johnson, Amos Sawyer and Jonathan D. Meriam, Com-
mittee.
1826.
March 16. "Voted that D. D. R. Puffer preach
at the different school-houses the present season."
"Then voted that the town meetings be held at the
house of Solomon Howe the ensuing season."
TOWN OF BERLIN. 7 1
August 28. Chose Oliver Sawyer, Hollis John-
son and Joseph Parks a committee to purchase a bell
and prepare apparatus to hang the bell.
November 3. The report of the Building Commit-
tee accepted. Whole cost of the house, $4,516.52.
Among the items which make up the above accounts
was $98 for "entertainment" at the raising of the
meeting-house. The house was dedicated Novem-
ber 15, 1826.
RETURN THANKS, 1 826.
December 4. Voted the thanks of the town to
Mr. Levi Meriam and Mrs. Nancy Babcock of Boston
for their generous offer of a furnace for the meeting-
house, i,
1827.
March 5. Granted $400 to pay for the bell.
STRUGGLE FOR A SCHOOL IN THE CENTRE.
May, 1827. A petition was sent to the General
Court by residents in the middle of the town for a
school-house in the Centre. The town chose Daniel
Wheeler to oppose it. He made a map of the town
showing the location of every house. The petition-
ers had leave to withdraw.
December 10. The following bill was laid before
the town and acted on as follows: "To give the peti-
tioners the privilege of drawing one-fifth part of the
school money that is granted and expended in said
town till said town shall agree to build a school-house
for the convenience of the petitioners and other in-
habitants of said town to expend said money in, on
condition the petitioners will withdraw their petition
72 HISTORY OF THE
and provide a place free of expense to said town and
make it known to the Selectmen annually on or be-
fore the day of holding- their annual March meeting."
Votes taken on the bill by yeas and nays as fol-
lows: Yeas 29, nays 45.
WHERE TOWN MEETINGS WERE HELD, 1 828.
March 3. The town meetings for 1826-7 had been
held at the house of Solomon Howe. The March
meeting, 1828, was held at Samuel Spofford's hall,
and it was there voted the town meetings be held at
the school-houses in rotation; first at the south
house. This continued till 1831, when the town
house on the Common was built.
NEW COUNTY.
April 7, 1828. At south school-house; "required
to bring in their votes by yeas and nays to the Se-
lectmen by ballot for or against the formation of a
new county from the following towns, viz. : Royal-
ston, Winchendon, Athol, Templeton, Gardner,
Westminster, Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Leominster,
Lunenburg, Princeton, Hubbardston, Phillipston,
Lancaster, Bolton and Harvard from the county of
Worcester, and the towns of Groton, Shirley, Pep-
perell, Ashby and Townsend from the county of Mid-
dlesex, as prayed for in the petition of Ivers Jewett
and others." "There were fifty-seven votes brought
in by ballot against the formation of said county"
and none for.
THE OLD TOWN HOUSE, 1830.
May 27. "Voted to build a town house to do pub-
lic business in." Chose Ephraim Babcock, Timothy
TOWN OF BERLIN. 73
Bailey and Jonathan D. Meriam, committee. Di-
mensions 28x33, posts twelve feet, cost $500. The
house was first used for a town meeting October 24,
1831.
THE TOWN AND CHURCH DIVIDED, 1838.
After the death of Dr. Puffer, 1829, the question
of his successor was agitated for some time, but
finally the town made choice of Rev. Robert F. Wal-
cott. The church protested against the action of the
town ; nearly all the members seceded, chose another
minister and built a new meeting-house. (See arti-
cle on " Ecclesiastical Affairs.")
1832.
November 17. "Voted that the Congregational
Society be set off as a parish."
CHANGE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SYSTEM, 1 83 5.
March 7. Voted to sell the old school-houses and
the proceeds appropriated for schooling in each of
the five districts.
The bell on the meeting-house having been broken,
the town voted to pay for recasting the same.
"The committee reported the west school-house is
too small."
March 30.* "Voted that Mr. Josiah Bride have the
use of the town house to keep school in."
1836.
April 18. The town relinquished all right and in-
terest in and to the meeting-house and all right to
the bell and other appurtenances connected with said
house, but an article relating to the meeting-house
Common they voted to pass over.
74 HISTORY OF THE
The year 1837 is remembered as one of financial
distress throughout the country. Bankruptcy and
ruin prevailed to an alarming extent, caused largely
by over-speculation in wild-cat money. Similar dis-
asters have overtaken the country nearly every twen-
ty years since.
TOWN CENSUS.
The census of Berlin was taken by the Assessors
May 1, 1837. Number of inhabitants, 724.
SURPLUS REVENUE, 1840.
The town voted " that their proportion of the
surplus revenue be brought into town, taking it from
the hands of the state treasurer." Voted not to
divide the money according to population, but to loan
it on real estate security. The money was used later
for building the Clinton and other roads.
LAWSUIT, BERLIN AGAINST BOLTON, 1 843.
October 23. Previous to date the town had been
engaged, as plaintiff or defendant, in eight or more
lawsuits, mostly pauper cases, but none assumed the
importance of this, which was carried to the Supreme
Court on points of law. Berlin brought an action
against Bolton to recover expenses incurred for the
support of Timothy Brooks Wheeler and his wife,
paupers, whose settlement was alleged to be in Bol-
ton. At the trial, in the Court of Common Pleas,
before Wells, C. J., the only point in dispute was the
settlement of the paupers. It was admitted by the
defendants that Timothy B. Wheeler formerly had
his settlement in Bolton, and that it still continued
there, unless he had acquired one in Berlin. It was
TOWN OF BERLIN. 75
agreed that said Wheeler had resided in Berlin ever
since the year 1826, and no taxes had been there
assessed to or paid by him. But the defendants
contended that, notwithstanding the omissions of the
Assessors of Berlin, he had acquired a settlement
there ; and they offered evidence to prove that during
more than five years, in ten successive years, said
Wheeler was possessed of real and personal estate,
and that the omission of said Assessors to tax him
was not on account of his age, infirmity or poverty,
or through mistake, but in order to prevent his ac-
quiring a settlement in Berlin. The judge ruled
that said evidence was inadmissible, and rejected it.
A verdict was thereupon rendered for the plaintiffs,
and defendants alleged exceptions to said ruling.
The case was carried to the Supreme Court on the
exceptions, and the ruling of Judge Wells was sus-
tained and Bolton lost the case.
This Timothy Brooks Wheeler lived at Stone's
corner, in the house later owned by Isaac Stone.
The Assessors omitted to tax him, apprehending that
he might become a pauper and the town have him
to support. The agents on the part of the town to
conduct the suit were Lewis Carter and Captain
Samuel Spofford, and their lawyers were Rejoice
Newton and B. F. Thomas. The attorney for the
defendant was F. H. Dewey.
THE TOWN FURNISHED COFFINS.
A very singular proceeding on the part of the town
occurred in 1 843, in voting " that a contract be made
with some person or persons to furnish coffins for
the dead, at a price to be paid by the town not ex-
76 HISTORY OF THE
ceeding $2.50 each for persons above the age of fif-
teen years, and $1.50 each for persons below that
age." In 1859 it was voted that the town furnish all
its inhabitants with coffins who will accept of such
as the town will furnish, and none should cost over
$4.50, and later voted to pay $5. Voted, also, the
services of the sexton be paid by the town. The
practice of paying as above was abandoned a few
years later.
The year 1843 was one of great religious excite-
ment in many parts of the country, on account of a
supposed catastrophe which was about to occur.
Many in various places had espoused the doctrines
of one William Miller of Vermont, who predicted,
from prophetic ciphering, that the world would come
to an end this year and that Christ would reappear.
Some citizens in this vicinity were affected with this
mania. The day was fixed, the ascension robes pre-
pared, and, at the appointed time, the believers as-
sembled on a high hill, robed in their saintly regalia,
to ascend to mansions in the skies, but, after waiting
all day long to hear the trumpet blow, they retired to
their several terrestrial abodes, wondering, no doubt,
why it was that the Lord had delayed His coming.
One man, a native of this town, gave his farm to a
man for his support up to the appointed time, reason-
ing that it would be of no use to him after his eleva-
tion to a seat on high.
OWNERSHIP OF THE COMMON AND REMOVING TREES,
1846.
The question of the ownership of the Common was
raised this year and a committee was chosen " to
TOWN OF BERLIN. 77
ascertain the rights of any in the Common." The
town and the parish both laid claim to it. So sure
was the town of its being the rightful owner that
they voted " that the persons who set out trees on
the town's Common remove the same free from ex-
pense to the town," and chose a committee to fix the
bounds of the Common, Esquire J. D. Meriam chair-
man. The sequel of this tree business was that
during a night soon after the above action, most of
the trees were sawed off near the ground. Luther
Babcock, of Berlin, was convicted of the crime and
served a term in jail for the offense. One other tree
of larger dimensions, near the Common, was con-
sidered a public nuisance by Esquire Meriam, and he
removed it. For this act he was subjected to ex-
pense and costs in defending himself, which was re-
funded to him by the town, as appears by the follow-
ing, March 1, 1847: "Voted to instruct the Select-
men to indemnify Jona. D. Meriam, by giving him an
order on the treasurer for his expenses and trouble
in defending himself from a suit brought against him
from the state, for removing a tree from the county
road near the meeting house Common." The young
trees now on the Common were set out 1 88 1 . The
contention about the ownership of the Common was
finally settled 1868, by a decision of Judge Mellen,
substantially in favor of the parish.
ROADS.
Berlin has ever been noted for the excellency of
its roads. The main thoroughfares, when well
trodden, present a hard, smooth surface like unto
adamant. This is due larofelv to the material used.
78 HISTORY OF THE
In various parts of the town are found gravel beds,
the material of which, mixed with loam, forms a
concrete not readily affected by frost or rain. It will
be noted by the observer that most of the roads run
in a northerly and southerly direction, owing, in part,
to the fact that the hills, valleys and water courses
extend the same way, and owing, also, to the fact
that most of the very first settlements were made
from the north, from Lancaster and Bolton, hence
roads were extended into this territory as settlements
were made and extended further south as farms were
taken up. The earliest of these was the road in the
northwest part from Lancaster, where some of the
Houghtons settled. Soon after, the road by Rich-
ard Wheeler's was laid out, and the road over
Wheeler hill, by Isaac Moore's. Again, about the
same time, the Hog swamp road, on to Sawyer hill,
but not over it, together with the road into the Holder
neighborhood, was built. In 1795, as appears by the
map made at that time, the main thoroughfare
through town was the road over W neeler hill and
Barnes' hill by the meeting-house. None of these, or
any others known, were built before about 1720, but
four or five families were in town at that time, includ-
ing those on the Assabet belonging to Marlboro. Not
many settlements antedate the separation from Lan-
caster, 1738, hence the demand for roads was limited
to the wants of very few. After the excision from
Lancaster, and while a part of Bolton, the bulk of
our territory was settled and nearly all of the old
roads were built during this period, and these were
made where people were obliged to travel, — to go to
mill, to go to meeting, to go to the County Court at
TOWN OF BERLIN. 79
Worcester and to the General Court at Boston, the
latter being the market place, then as now, for their
products. To meet their milling necessities, they
must needs first have roads to Lancaster and then to
Feltonville, before Goddard's and Pollard's mills
were built. The old Boylston road was the way
most used to Worcester. To go to Boston, they
connected with the old Bay road through Hog
swamp, by Avery Newton's and " Spectacle hill," or
else the road by the Holder and Brigham's bridge
to Marlboro (bridge built 1699). The Car-lys, and
others in the south part, went by way of Robbin
hill to Marlboro, and thence Sudbury and Boston.
Our space does not admit of an extended record of
the roads laid out before we became a town, nor
shall we trespass on the time of the reader in pre-
senting all the dry details of laying out, altering, ex-
tending and discontinuing most of the roads since
that date, but brief mention will be made of the
more important thoroughfares laid out by the Com-
missioners and Selectmen from time to time. The
road south of Rufus Wheeler's was laid out 1784,
as also were the roads north and northeast of Francis
Babcock's, to take the place of other old roads.
In 1 798 the old county road was laid out, extend-
ing from "Beaman's bridge to Berlin meeting-
house." The same was extended eastward to Stone's
corner. The mail stage ran over this road from
Barre to Boston.
In 1 80 1 the old Boylston road by the James God-
dard place was built, or changed in location in some
parts. From this date onward, for some years, no
important roads were laid out or changes made.
So HISTORY OF THE
exCept that we note that certain bridle ways were
converted into open ways. For instance, the road
from Sanderson Carter's to Henry Powers' was
opened 1837, also the Asa Bride bridle way in 1853,
and some short pieces made.
In 1 84 1 the road from the Aaron Morse farm to
Hudson was laid out in place of the older way.
In 1 843 the road from Calvin Smith's (Newsome's)
to Northboro line, was laid out, diverting the travel
from the old road by the Hal. Bailey place.
In 1 8 5 1 the road from West Berlin to Clinton was
completed.
In 1852 the road from Oliver Fosgate's to New
Worcester was made, and extended to the depot in
1868.
In 1853 the road from South Berlin, by Wheeler's
mills, was built.
In 1 868-9 the straight road from the south part,
and also the Jones road (so called), both leading to
the depot, were made.
In 1869 the Barnes' hill road was laid out from the
bridge to near L. Bruce's.
In 1 87 1 the way west of Carterville to the hotel
was built by the Massachusetts Central Railroad
Company, in place of the old road north of the rail-
road ; also, at same time, the railroad company built
a road extending west of the hotel to the Rand
place, including a part of the old county road.
In 1 88 1 the straight road on the south side of the
railroad, extending from the hotel to the Rand place,
was built by the railroad company. This was made
to avoid two crossings of the railroad. The road
from L. W. Brewer's to M. R. Tyler's was built 1885.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 8 1
We have thirty-nine miles and forty-seven rods of
roads in town, with an annual appropriation of about
$1,000 for repairs. No other roads are apparently
needed for many years to come, unless some electric
road courses our streets, necessitating a change of
location at certain points.
BRIDGES.
The iron bridge over the Assabet, east of the Aaron
Morse place, was built 1888.
Of those over North brook three are of stone, the
rest are plank.
HOUSE FOR THE POOR.
In 1802 the town bought of Samuel Spofford a
small one-story house and about one-half acre of
land " for the accommodation of poor persons." This
was the only house at the time in Carterville. The
town sold it in 1 825 to Joel Gage, a tanner. Later the
house was remodeled and enlarged by Samuel M.
Fuller. This house was on land originally of An-
drew McElwain. Moses Goddard and others lived
there awhile, previously.
THE TOWN FARM.
The farm formerly known as the Meriam farm,
later called the Ellis place, was bought by the town
in 1855 at auction. The same was sold by the town,
in lots, 1857, reserving about six acres for a new
cemetery. This was sold later, as the ground was
found to be too wet for burial purposes. Cost of
farm April 1, 1855, $3,605; sold April 1, 1857, for
$5,025.31 ; 6 acres unsold; leaving a surplus of
$1,203.50, plus 6 acres, after paying interest, taxes, etc.
5 2 HISTORY OF THE
ROAD BOUNDS, 1850.
The bounds of the roads throughout the town
were renewed this year. The survey was made by
Levi Bigelow, Jr., Esq., who lived at the time on
the Elisha Bassett farm.
1852.
Hon. Henry Wilson of Natick was chosen by this
town a delegate to the Convention for the Revision
of the Constitution of this state. He resigned, and
Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell was chosen in his stead, May
27, 1853.
RAILROADS, AGRICULTURAL BRANCH, 1 868.
The first railroad to penetrate the town was the
Agricultural Branch, which began running its regu-
lar passenger cars July 2, 1866. This road had run
up to Northboro for seven years, but was extended
to Pratt's Junction at this time. The depot at the
west part was then established and Silas R. Carter
had charge of the same. This corporation was
merged into the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Rail-
road Company, and after other changes passed into
the hands of the Old Colony Railroad Company, and
now is controlled by the New York, New Haven &
Hartford Company.
The central station on this road was located at the
Captain Paul Brigham place, 1868. There was con-
siderable contention between the Centre and south
part in relation to the location of this depot. The
Centre contended for the corner near Martin Flagg's,
while the south part were in favor of the Brigham
TOWN OF BERLIN. 83
place. The latter was finally selected as the better
point for the accommodation of both villages and all
the people.
MASSACHUSETTS CENTRAL.
About two years after the completion of the Agri-
cultural Branch road, 1866, the subject of building
the Massachusetts Central railroad was agitated and
discussed here in town with much earnestness and
enthusiasm. Although the town was quite well ac-
commodated with railroad facilities, having one rail-
road running through the town north and south, and
of easy access also to the Fitchburg road by the old
stage line to Hudson, yet many thought that the in-
crease of railroads would necessitate an increase of
business and prosperity to the town, hence the sub-
ject matter was early brought before the town, and
at the November meeting, 1868, "it was voted that
the Selectmen be a committee on the part of the
town to petition the General Court in behalf of this
town in aid of the petition of Edward Denny and
others," who were the original petitioners for this
road. Subsequently the town was asked to take
stock in the road to the amount of five per cent, of
its valuation, the limit fixed by law, and at a meet-
ing held November 27, 1869, they voted to subscribe
for 200 shares of stock, amounting to $20,000. The
vote for taking the stock stood: Yeas 37, nays 22.
This road* in the beginning met with various re-
verses, failed before completion, went into the hands
of a receiver, was reorganized in new charter as the
Central Massachusetts Railroad Company, was sub-
sequently leased to the Lowell Railroad Company,.
S4 HISTORY OF THE
and now is operated by the Boston & Maine and is
apparently doing a thriving business, and may be re-
garded as one of the trunk lines out of Boston. It
began running passenger trains December 19,
1881.
STAGE COACH AND POST OFFICES, 1 828.
An era in Berlin was the establishment of a stage
line from Barre to Boston and a Berlin post office.
Up to 1826 Berlin letters came to Bolton, newspa-
pers came by the market man from Boston or post
rider from Worcester once a week. In the War of
181 2-1 5 and the days of Napoleon, our market man,
Hugh Bruce, would bring the weekly paper of
"Esquire Howe," and many a farmer and cooper
would gather to hear the news. The newspaper was
opened first of all and often read aloud on the spot.
In every country store were adjusted on the sides and
on the posts tape lines nailed up for posting letters.
There they waited for some passer-by to take them
along. For Worcester a man from Berlin going to
Northboro would take it so far. It was then on the
"great road" and would soon reach its destination.
Every store and bar-room became a distributing post
office. Why, there was no post office system, even
in England, when our fathers came over ! Lancaster
had none till Berlin was eleven years old. Levi
Pease of Shrewsbury, a mile this side of the town
between the Ward and Wyman mansions, started
the first stage in America. It ran between Boston,
Worcester, Hartford and New York, carrying the
mail. Pease soon operated as mail distributer
throughout New England. He died 1824. In 1794
TOWN OF BERLIN. 85
the boys and some fathers went several miles to see
the first four-horse stage go down from Worcester to
Boston on the great road through Shrewsbury,
Northboro and on. So here the excitement was
considerable when "'Squire Meriam,"a leading force
here, with Colonel Pope and George E. Manson of
Feltonville, started our Berlin stage. It broke Mer-
iam down financially ; all suffered loss, but a great
public good was effected. We got a post office May
2, 1828 ; so did Feltonville. J. D. Meriam was post-
master here ; practically William A. Howe. Then
letter postage was 6£, 12^, 18J and 25 cents. All
letters to one town or city were done up in one pack-,
age. Each single letter to any one town was also
done up by itself, with the schedule "paid" or "un-
paid;" this must be registered before sending, and
every letter received must be entered in like manner.
It was mine to serve as substitute postmaster at
times, so I know somewhat. This stage line subsided
in 1837 to three trips a week between Berlin and Bos-
ton, under charge of Amos Sawyer, Jr. In 1849 Mr-
Sawyer began express on the Fitchburg railroad, via
South Acton, six times a week. He had succeeded
Merrick Houghton as Berlin market man, who had
succeeded Hugh Bruce, the first. In all, up to 1865,
at his death, Mr. Sawyer had compassed an amount
in miles that would have carried him ten times
around the globe. John G. Peters was the successor
of Mr. Sawyer in the express business, and lastly
Warren Howe continued to run the old Berlin coach
till February, 1894. The following lines, composed
by Phebe A. Holder, are a fit conclusion to the end
of the running of that familiar old coach : —
HISTORY OF THE
THE BERLIN COACH.
"Alas, but it can live again only in memory! Alas, for the days that
are gone !"
The shades of night were falling fast,
As through the streets of Berlin passed
A youth who drove through snow and ice,
The Coach with the old-time device,
The old Stage Coach.
His brow is sad, no sunny glow
Lights up the well-known features now,
And like a bell in tolling rung
All dismally from faltering tongue.
"The last old Coach."
In happy homes, he'd seen the lights
Of household fires gleam warm and bright.
Above, through clouds the dimmer moon shone,
And from his lips escaped a groan.
"Good bye, old Coach."
Some traveler's unknowing haste
To take the Coach, no time to waste.
No Coach, no driver, horses none,
Their ancient occupation gone,
With old Stage Coach.
"Seek now some other way," he cried,
"No more with me in stage you ride."
That was the driver's last good night,
As he departed from our sight,
With good old Coach.
"Its course is run, its errand done."
No more we hear at set of sun
The rattling wheels, through life we've heard,
That have with joy my child heart stirred,
The old Stage Coach.
No more with baggage loaded down,
The passengers haste to our town.
No more the children in the street
Run for a ride, with nimble feet,
On old Stage Coach.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 87
"In summer's heat and winter's cold,"
The old Stage Coach would we behold,
True as the sun along its way
At early morn and twilight grey,
The faithful Coach.
And O what joy our hearts would fill;
E'en now I feel the old-time thrill,
When at our door the Coach would stop,
A looked-for friend with us to drop.
The good old Coach !
Such chill oppressive in the air,
Such sense of goneness everywhere;
Like loss of friend, like funeral day,
The passing of the Coach away,
The dear old Coach.
Thus all things change, thus pass the old,
New times our wondering eyes behold;
But still amid the changes wrought,
We give to the regretful thought,
O dear old Coach !
And as the days still onward glide,
And in electric cars we ride,
We'll keep, old Stage Coach, true to thee,
A place in tender memory,
Dear Berlin Coach !
Phebe A. Holder.
Berlin, February 3, 1894, last trip.
The post office at West Berlin was established
soon after the opening of the Boston, Clinton &
Fitchburg railroad (Old Colony) May 13, 1868.
Silas R. Carter was appointed postmaster, and still
holds the position.
The post office at South Berlin was established
March 3, 1891, and Charles B. Maynard was ap-
pointed postmaster. He was succeeded by H. Er-
nest Lasselle, April 21, 1891, who still holds the
position.
65 HISTORY OF THE
LIST OF POSTMASTERS AT THE CENTRE.
Jonathan D. Meriam, May 2, 1828.
William A. Howe, February 11, 1831.
James E. Woods, February 27, 1839.
Haman Hunt, June 4, 1839.
Dexter B.Saunders, October 24, 1844.
Joel Bullard, November 4, 1846.
Rufus S. Hastings, November 22, 1848.
Amory A. Bartlett, May 25, 1874.
Ezra S. Moore, June 6, 1881.
Christopher White, March 6, 1891.
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE.
Farming ever "has been the leading industry of the
town, but since the advent of railroads into the town,
more attention has been paid to horticulture and
mixed farming. The nearness of large manufactur-
ing villages in the vicinity has stimulated truck
farming to a considerable extent. Formerly the hop
culture was the leading cash product of the farm.
This continued to pay quite well from 1800 to 1820.
In one year about 6,000 pounds were raised, but
times changed and the good times of hop pickers
came to grief. Among the "bubbles" which burst
in Berlin was the morns multicaulis speculation about
1840-5. This was the raising a kind of mul-
berry tree for feeding silk worms. Agriculture here
took a new departure about 185 5 : a farmers' club was
formed, discussions held, essays read, fairs insti-
tuted, new methods adopted, and the result was that
earlier and lighter products were raised. Milk mak-
ing for the Boston market has been a leading busi-
ness since 1866, when the first railroad came into
TOWN OF BERLIN. 89
town. Of late a number have engaged in hot-house
culture for raising early vegetables and flowers, car-
nation pinks taking the lead. Willis Rice was the
first to introduce this industry. The south part of
the town is largely engaged in raising asparagus ;
considerable income is derived from this product.
Berlin is said to be second only to Concord in the
amount raised of this vegetable in the state. Lewis
B. Wheeler and some others make a specialty of
raising bulbous roots (gladiolus) for the New York
and other markets. Grape culture was profitable a
few years ago, but now the business has gone up on
account of the low price of western fruit in our mar-
kets. The same is true of other products formerly
remunerative, now driven to the wall by western
competition, notably beef and pork, and hence farm-
ers have to adapt themselves to new conditions and
raise more small fruits, etc., which will not bear long
transportation. The town stands fairly well in com-
parison with the early times in the amount of prod-
ucts raised. In 1792 the number of families was
less than 100. There were 350 acres tilled, thirty
yoke of oxen, 100 cows and 4,500 pounds of pork
raised. As given in to the Assessors, Samuel Brig-
ham had twelve tons of hay on twelve acres of fresh
meadow, Stephen Bailey had twelve tons on eight-
een acres, Joel Fosgate ten on ten acres, David Tay-
lor had sixteen tons on eighteen acres, Nathan John-
son had sixteen on twenty, Silas Bailey had twenty
on twenty. At this early date and for fifty years af-
ter, the farmers raised nearly all the grain they con-
sumed, fed none to their stock except to beef cattle,
used some for fattening pork and the bulk for the
■90 HISTORY OF THE
household. No tuberculosis then. How now? Most
of the farmers at first marketed their own products,
but later marketmen came around and gathered up
the surplus, which consisted of beef, pork, veal, poul-
try, eggs and butter. The returns from these kept
the frugal farmer in a thriving condition. If his in-
come was small, his outgoes were likewise so.
There are in town about half a dozen silos. The
owners claim that it is a paying investment, and that
the corn ensilage fed to milch cows has produced
desirable results.
SHOE SHOPS.
THE BIG PARKER SHOE SHOP.
On the site of the Methodist Church once stood the
large shoe shop, the pride of the town in the manufac-
turing industries. The building was built by a com-
pany of the citizens of the town in 1868. The di-
mensions were 30 x 100 feet, four stories. It was oc-
cupied first by Bickford, Klenart & Co., later by
Charles F. Parker & Co., and finally by John H.
Parker. The shop was burned February 18, 1882.
Loss (shop and machinery), $20,000.
THE PRESENT PARKER SHOE SHOP.
This is the shop on the Clinton road, owned by
John H. Parker, and was originally Dr. Hartshorn's
laboratory, moved to this spot and enlarged.
Mr. Parker is doing a brisk business in shoes,
boots, Arctic socks, etc. The principal line of work
is putting leather soles to rubber boots, for which he
owns the patent and has the exclusive right to man-
urn ifeh JTTJ
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PRESENT PARKER SHOE SHOP.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 9 1
ufacture. These boots are shipped to all parts of the
United States, including Alaska; also largely to
Europe.
OTHER SHOE MANUFACTURERS.
Previous to the building of the large shoe shop,
there had been a number of others for the manufac-
ture of boots and shoes and numerous others scat-
tered in various parts of the town for the bottoming
of shoes. Among the manufacturers we note the fol-
lowing :
Grassie & Hartshorn manufactured boots about
1850-55.
Elisha T. Wheeler made shoes in a shop near his
house (the Otterson place) 1850-60.
Dea. George W. Sawyer and Silas Houghton
manufactured children's shoes in the building now
Isaac Holbrook's house, about 1850.
Eli Sawyer, Jr., and William T. Babcock, 2d,
manufactured shoes in the present John H. Parker
shop, 1874.
CUSTOM SHOEMAKERS.
Stephen S. Southwick, Josiah Barnard, Oliver
Barnard, Silas Fairbanks were custom shoemakers.
Amory A. Bartlett manufactured shoes in the Acad-
emy building, 1862-67.
Maynard & Whitney did quite an extensive busi-
ness in the manufacture of shoes in the south part,
1855-60.
E. C. Shattuck manufactured shoes in the .shop
connected with his house, 185 5-1 865.
George Henry Maynard erected a shop of respect-
able dimensions near his former residence and car-
92 HISTORY OF THE
ried on the business of making shoes for a short time,
about 1860-70.
Brigham & Stone were engaged in manufacturing
shoes in Carterville about 1858.
Lewis H. Barnard was a manufacturer of shoes
in Carterville. He bought out James N. Fry of Bol-
ton about 1840. Shop was over John Merrill's store.
Pliny B. Southwick and Josiah Moore bought out
L. H. Barnard, 1848, and continued the business till
1852.
BOTTOMERS.
Previous to the war and before the large estab-
lishments were erected, the town was dotted with
small shops for bottoming, nearly every other house
having one. Only the larger and more important
will be noted.
Israel Sawyer did an extensive business in this
line in the shop now standing on the old place.
Henry H. Bliss employed a number of hands.
Captain A. A. Powers had a shop in Carterville.
Jonathan F. Wheeler was in the business for
awhile.
Lyman Morse had a shop, in which he did a large
business till the time of his death.
Edwin Sawyer had a shop near his house.
James M. Hastings has a shop, in which he has
worked till recently.
The Cartwright brothers (Thomas and N. H.)
have been in the business many years. N. H. is
still in.
Marcus M. Goddard, one of the older and more
continuous ones for thirty years or more, is still peg-
ging away.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 93
Edward P. Hastings is now and has been for many-
years the largest operator in this line of any in town ;
has a large number of hands and uses water power
at the South Part mills.
Henry D. Coburn was a shoe bottomer 1840 to
i860.
John A. Merrill had a shop in Carterville 1856 and
another 1864. Employed from ten to fifteen hands.
Silas R. Carter had a shop (the present West Part
depot) about 1860-65.
BLACKSMITHS.
In the early time there were numerous black-
smiths in various parts of the town. The first of
these we have any account of was Joseph Priest, Sr.,
who settled on the old place now owned by Rufus
R. Wheeler, 1733. The next in point of time was
Samuel Rice, son of David, who had a shop in the
middle of the town on the spot where A. A. Bart-
lett's house now stands ; was probably there about
1750. He sold to James Goddard 1778. Silas Moss-
man was there 18 13, Nathaniel Wilder 18 18, and
finally Joel Bullard continued in occupancy from
about 1 83 1 to 1850. Amos Meriam was a black-
smith where Richard Wheeler lives, 1 765 . Formerly
there was a blacksmith shop on the Dea. Job Spof-
ford place. David Taylor lived with his brother-in-
law, Spofford, at the time, 1780 to 1795, and both
may have worked at the business. In the north part
Marmaduke Southwick had a shop on the David
Southwick farm. Daniel Wheeler had a shop near
his house. Formerly there was a shop in the west
part. It stood near the railroad crossing by the
94 HISTORY OF THE
bridge, and was occupied successively by Simeon
Bowman, Daniel Holbrook, Riley Smith.
A blacksmith shop once stood near the present
residence of Rufus R. Wheeler. In 1788 Cotton
Newton lived on the place, later Simeon Bowman
about 1800, and still later John Wallis about 1830.
Riley Smith, after working a short time in the
shop at the west part, removed to Carterville about
1845. Here he continued until 1875 and was suc-
ceeded by Samuel M. Haynes in ownership. Haynes,
not being a smith, hired men to do the work. The
shop was burned. In 1883 it was rebuilt, and since has
been let to various parties. The present occupant
is John H. Keating, a man well esteemed and a good
workman.
Tilson W. Barker had a blacksmith shop in the
south part, near John Q. Maynard's house, 1850.
In 1 867 it was burned.
The shop on the Dea. Peters place was built by
William A. Howe.
Theodore Guertin built his shop on the road to
the Old Colony depot in 1877.
COOPERS.
In the early time this was an inviting field for
coopers. The abundant supply of oak and chestnut
here afforded abundant material for barrels and
casks for the Boston market, and shops for the mak-
ing of these were once nearly as numerous as in later
times were the shoe shops. We find the craft named
among the Bruces, Bigelows, Houghtons, Pollards,
Sawyers, and many others. It was no mean trade ; it
took a good mechanic to make a good barrel. Hor-
ace Biofelow was the last of the race. ,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 95
CARPENTERS.
Peter Larkin, Luther Priest, Amory Sawyer, Ed-
ward Johnson, Curtis Carter, Silas Sawyer, Hartwell
Sawyer, Josiah E. Sawyer, Abram Babcock, A. W.
Longley, Amory Carter, Daniel H. Carter, Thomas
» Pollard, Amory Pollard, Addison Keyes, Eli Sawyer,
Jr., Jabez Goddard, Willard M. Wheeler, D. P. Hart-
well, E. C. Shattuck, William G. Hapgood, John
Hapgood, Levi Babcock, Francis Babcock, Ebenezer
Dailey.
MILLS AND MILL OWNERS.
The first mill built in town was the saw-mill of
Philip Larkin, built on the brook west of George H.
Barnes', about 1735. Parts of the old dam still re-
main.
The mills at the south part were built by William
Goddard, the ancestor of the Berlin Goddards, about
1760. This was the most expensive mill in town, on
account of the long dam.
The first mill at the west part was built by John
Butler 1750. He sold to John Pollard about 1756.
It stood some rods above the railroad bridge. Was
later rebuilt below the bridge, the present site, by
Aaron Pollard. The upper mill was built by Thomas
Pollard for his son Stephen. He lived on the Moran
place.
Some small shops built at various times in differ-
ent parts have disappeared, namely, the Conantshop
for the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, which
stood on the Coburn brook, below the road to the west
part.
96 HISTORY OF THE
Amory Carter had a shop for like purpose on
the brook below Algernon Cartwright's. Peregrine
Wheeler had a shingle mill on the outlet to Gates'
pond, just north of Elias Wheeler's, as also on the
same stream Amory Sawyer on the present Nathan-
iel Wheeler place had a shop for the making of sash
and blinds.
Amos Meriam had a grist-mill just south of his
house (Richard Wheeler's). John Wheeler had
some mills partly completed at New Worcester (so-
called) about 1850.
MILLWRIGHTS.
Josiah Conant and his son Benjamin F. were both
excellent millwrights, and had a shop on the Coburn
brook. The same is now M. Burke's barn. Willard
M. Wheeler is another good millwright and inventor
of water wheels.
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Ziba Keyes was a thorough workman at the craft,
and had a shop at the west part. The building now is
near the town pound. His sons, Henry F. and John
G. Keyes, now of Clinton, had formerly a shop on
the Clinton road, near the present Parker shoe shop.
Lewis J. Jewett was a maker of vehicles in Carter-
ville, 1860-70.
MASONS.
Josiah Wilson was probably the first in town,
1 7 5 2-70. Later Luther Carter worked at the trade ;
was the inventor of plastered houses on the outside.
Thomas Pollard and Amory Carter worked at the
TOWN OF BERLIN.
97
business occasionally. At the present time we have
Alonzo F. Green and Adin B. Allen.
WIRE DRAWING.
This industry was carried on by Caleb Houghton
and Joel Dakin in the northwest part of the town
about 1810. The shop was on the brook back of
Houghton's house.
TANNING.*
Just west of Carterville was once a tannery of
moderate dimensions.
POTASH.
Samuel Jones, Jr., had a potash kiln in 1795 on
the lower corner of the Hudson and Nbrthboro roads.
COMB MAKING.
John Wheeler manufactured combs on the present
Thomas Berry place. The first shop was burned about
1828. He built another, which finally was moved
and converted into a house for Mrs. Melissa Merrill.
WOOL CARDING.
This industry was carried on by Stephen Shepherd
at the upper mill at the west part about 1830.
PATENT MEDICINE AND EXTRACTS.
Dr. E. Hartshorn established the business here
about 1855. Removed the business to Boston 1872,
where it is still carried on by his son, William H.
HAT MANUFACTORY.
Tyler & Martin made hat bodies at upper mill,
west part, 1834.
*This tannery appears to have been built and occupied early in the century by
Aaron Barnes. He was succeeded in 1S24 by Daniel and John Gage, brothers, and
they by Rockwood & Brightman, 1S30, and later Reuben Gates and some others
were engaged in the business. The leather was of hemlock and oak tannage,
and was largely for the retail trade. A little pond is indicated by the part of the
dam still remaining- above the works.
9 8 HISTORY OF THE
INNS AND INNKEEPERS.
Samuel Jones, Jr., known as Land-'ord Jones, was
the first innkeeper in town. His house stood on the
north side of the Hudson road, facing the road to
Northboro, built 1 749. He died 1 797 and his real
estate was sold to Solomon Howe of Marlboro 1 804.
Howe bought the Bullard house 1803, which had
previously been owned by John Dexter and John and
Moses Pollard. . He kept tavern here until he built a
tavern and store building, where Dea. Peters' house
now stands. The business was continued here by
William A. Howe, James E. Woods, Haman Hunt,
Dexter B. Saunders and R. S. Hastings until 1852,
when the building was moved to its present location.
The house now owned by P. B. Southwickin Carter-
ville, built by Luther Carter about 1830, was for a
few years used for an inn.
The Belmont House, which stood on the site of the
present Unitarian parsonage, was occupied for hotel
purposes from 1868 to September, 1883, when it was
burned. This was originally built by Solomon Hough-
ton 1820, and was occupied by Dr. Griggs. Later
was enlarged by Josiah Bride for a boarding house
for his scholars, and lastly converted into a hotel.
The occupants were: John Draper, Calvin Carter,
Fred Wheelock, W. A. Webber and James McFarland.
The house recently known as the Berlin Hotel was
formerly known as the Esquire Meriam place ; later was
called the Ellis place and town farm. Was prob-
ably built by Levi Meriam, Sr., about 1780. Was
converted into a hotel 1885 by Peter O'Toole of Clin-
ton. Has had various proprietors ; part of the time
unoccupied.
BELMONT HOUSE.
THE OLD DANIEL WHEELER HOUSE.
?r*n
SAM JONES' INN, 1749.
POWDER HOUSE, 1814.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 99
STORES AND STOREKEEPERS.
The first store of which we have any account was
kept in the old Bullard house. Solomon Howe had
a store there about 1802. He was preceded by John
Dexter and he by John and Moses Pollard. John
Pollard was the first in town. The next store was
on the site of Dea. Peters' house, which was moved
to its present location (Mrs. R. S. Hastings) 1852.
This, in the different locations, has been kept by
Solomon Howe, his son William A., James E.
Woods, Haman Hunt, Dexter B. Saunders, R. S.
Hastings, Riley Smith, E. S. Moore, and Christopher
S. White, the present proprietor. This was a place
of considerable trade before Marlboro, Hudson and
Clinton grew to such large proportions and absorbed
so much of the trade. It is reported on good au-
thority that in the early times sixty hogsheads of
rum were sold in town yearly.
In summer's heat and in winter's cold,
Like a charm it worked, as I am told;
Ten gallons oft I've heard them say
Was often used to get the hay.
Excuse we must these men of toil,
Who redeemed for us this rugged soil,
Who from early morn till late at night
Dug and delved with all their might.
The next store in point of time was one at the
west part. The town voted 1820 to sell a piece of
land to Stephen Shepherd and Timothy Dwight.
This was the site of the house of George H. Felton,
a part of the school yard, and was erected for pur-
pose of store and dwelling. Stephen Shepherd and
Dwight and Stephen Moore were traders here until
HISTORY OF THE
1826, and were succeeded by Waldo Winter till 1830,
and he was followed by Josephus Wilder, Levi Goss,
George Woods and Minot Hastings, and finally by
John F. Newton. The present West Berlin depot
was built for a store and formerly stood where the
flagman's house now is. It was built by Daniel
Barnes on land claimed by Aaron Pollard. The
claim was contested in suit at law.
Into this new building John F. Newton moved
from the old and was succeeded by C. C. Carter, who
moved back again, and he finally was followed by
Riley Smith for a few months. Silas R. Carter is
the present storekeeper at the west part, in the build-
ing built by himself about 1870.
The store in Carterville was built by Luther Car-
ter 1846, and was occupied first by Ezra S. Moore,
then by Samuel M. Fuller till 1875, and finally by
John A. Merrill, who has occupied the premises since.
Thomas Pollard was in company with Moore about
1856.
In the south part there was a grocery store kept
by John A. Goddard in the house now owned by Ed-
ward P. Hastings about 1854. In 1858-9 William
Bassett kept for sale groceries in the old Parks house.
In 1 860 the building known as the Union Store was
built on the corner nearby James Hastings'. It was
used as a Protective Union store a few years and
then converted into a shoe shop, and was finally
burned. On the opposite corner the Hastings Bros.
(Ruthven and Arthur) built the store now standing
there. They continued in occupancy until 1890,
when they sold to Laselle & Walter, the present pro-
prietors.
THE
NEW YORK
ft&JBLIC LIBRARY
THE OLD EAST SCHOOL-HOUSE, 1792.
TOWN OF BERLIN. IOl
EDUCATIONAL.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSKS.
The excision of our territory from Bolton, 1784,
necessitated a new arrangement of the schools,
hence nearly the first work of the district, 1785, was
to divide the inhabitants into four squadrons for
school purposes. The old school-houses, under the
new order of things, were illy located for the con-
venience of the people. Besides, they were of cheap
construction and in a dilapidated condition at this
time, and were soon sold, and new houses of better
style and convenience were built by the town, or
district, as it then was called. The exact location
of the old houses, built when we were of Bolton, are
unknown; one stood near Edward Flagg's. In 1792
the town built four new school-houses, one in each
squadron — north, south, east and west. There was
no school in the centre of the town until 1835, when
a fifth district was formed, after a prolonged struggle
and much wrangling in town meetings. The four
new school-houses were built after one model — the
typical old red school-house of New England. The
dimensions were 18x22, and were located, as ap-
pears by record, thus : One at a stake and stones near
William Pollard's house, another at stake and stones
near Nathan Johnson's house, another at a stake and
stones near John Brace's house, and the other at a
stake and stones between Esquire Fairbank's and
David Southwick's, on Jona. Meriam's land. The
town grant for building was about £170, or about
$850. The house near John Brace's, in the east
district, was enlarged, some years after, eight feet
102 HISTORY OF THE
in length. It stood longer than any of the others
on the original spot, and was burned by an incendi-
ary in the summer of 1894.
RESIDENTTS IN EACH DISTRICT, MARCH 20, 1 835. EAST.
Levi Sawyer, Amory Wetherbee, Josiah Sawyer,
George W. Sawyer, Rufus Howard, Asa Sawyer,
Silas Sawyer, 2d, Thomas Sawyer, Asa Bride, Jarvis
Wheeler, Sewall Bruce, Sylvanus Bruce, Abram
Bigelow, Jonas Hale, Amory Carter, Silas Sawyer,
Abram Sawyer, Oliver Sawyer, Lewis Sawyer, Hor-
ace Bigelow, Ira Brigham, Moses Dudley, Samuel
S. Dudley, Henry Brown, Daniel Holder, Thomas
Holder, John Holder, Luke Fosgate, Joel Fosgate,
Rhoda Bigelow, Sarah Holder, Amity Wheeler,
Meriam Wheeler. Only two now living.
SOUTH.
Timothy Jones, Paltiah Jones, Ephraim Goddard
(Levi Wheeler's estate), Levi Wheeler, Jesse Wheeler,
Stephen Wheeler, Rufus Priest, Ephraim Hastings,
Sawyer Hastings, Zenas Johnson, George W. May-
nard, Joseph Park, Russell Park, Anne Johnson,
Anna Park, Calvin Smith, Calvin Smith, Jr., Job
Spofford, Benjamin F. Spofford, Amos Sawyer,
George Brigham, Amory Holman, Dexter Fay, Pere-
grine Wheeler, Maverick Johnson, Lewis Barnard.
None now living.
WEST.
Stephen Pollard, Ephraim Babcock, Jr., Thomas
Brigham, Jonah Houghton, Ephraim Babcock, Reu-
ben Hastings, Oliver Moore, Elijah Edson, William
Bartlett, Ira Sawyer, William Babcock, 2d, Solomon
TOWN OF BERLIN. IO3
Greene, Abram Babcock, Lewis Carter, Alvin Bab-
cock, Albert Babcock, John Larkin, John F. Larkin,
James E. Wood, Ziba Keyes, Rufus Carter, Danforth
Carter, Luke Whitcomb, William Barnes, Josiah
Babcock, Daniel Holbrook, Oliver H. Barnard,
Leonard Hartwell, William Fife, Jr., Thomas Hil-
dreth, Ephraim Howe, Ephraim Howe, Jr., Benjamin
Whitcomb, Leander Pierce, Oliver Stone, Ebenezer
S. Sawtelle, Hannah Jewett. Two now living-.
NORTH.
Luther Carter, Daniel Carter (tan yard and build-
ings), Daniel Bartlett, Samuel and Emerson Spofford,
John Wheeler, Daniel Wheeler, Jacob Goddard,
Joseph Moore, Roswell Bliss, Amos Wheeler, Lewis
I. Bass, Alonzo Wood, Stephen S. South wick, Oliver
Young, Sanderson Carter, Ivory Carter, William
Babcock, Levi Bartlett, John Powers, Henry Powers,
Rufus Sawyer, Edwin Bothrick, Alden Sawyer. None
now living-.
Ira Carter, William Sawyer, Micah R. Ball, Oliver
Fosgate, Silas Houghton, Josiah Bride, William A.
Howe, David R. Lamson, Jonathan D. Meriam,
Lewis H. Johnson, John L. S. Thompson, Ebenezer
vS. Clarke, Josiah Conant, Amos Sawyer, Jr., Joel
Bullard, Hollis Johnson, Jonathan Bartlett, Silas
Fairbank, William A. Sawyer, Philo M. Ellis, John
Bartlett, Ira Brigham, James Goddard, Jr., William
Jones, Levi Bruce, James Goddard, Jacob Felton,
Jesse Wood, Benjamin Cofran, Simeon Bowman,
Francis Balch, Timothy Bailey, Benjamin F. Bailey,
Silas Bailey, David Keyes, Abel Sawyer, Josiah Ben-
104 HISTORY OF THE
nett, John F. Newton, Paul Brigham, Azubah Brig-
ham, Sibel Brigham, Levi Houghton, Henry H. Bliss,
Susan and Amelia Johnson. All gone but one.
WFST SCHOOL-HOUSE.
In 1836 the west district built a new brick school-
house. It stood at the railroad crossing by the road to
Moran's. The north district built a school-house on
the east side of the road about 1830.
The first school-house in the centre district was
built in 1836, was used twenty years, then sold, and
is now the house of Joseph Staples.
These six houses, including the brick one in the
west and the new one at the north, subserved the
uses of the town from the time of their erection to
1857, when the present houses were built. The pres-
ent east school-house originally stood on the site of
Frank H. Grossman's house; was moved 1881 to
accommodate families nearer Hudson. The new
houses were built on the most improved models, and
were considered the best patterns of excellence and
convenience then known. The houses first built
were the north and south. Both cost $2,785 ; the
east cost $1,360.25 ; the centre, $1,500.40; the west,
$1,358.45.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
About 1875 the increase in the number of scholars
in the centre district so increased as to necessitate
additional school accommodations. The want was
supplied by utilizing "Barnes' hall," so-called, for
the purpose, and the more advanced j from all the
districts attended this. The high school closed
1879. The school district system, which had been in
TOWN OF BERLIN. IO5
■existence since 1836, was abolished by vote of town
April 1, 1856.
THE BERLIN ACADEMY.
The founder of the Berlin Academy was Josiah
Bride, a self-educated man, who never had a day's
.schooling in academy or college, but attended Marl-
boro high school. He began teaching classes in
the old Town House about 1835. With commend-
able energy and perseverance in study, he became
proficient in the higher branches of an English edu-
cation and was well mentally equipped to dis-
charge the duties of principal of his academy. In 1 843
he came in possession of the Evangelical Society's
meeting-house and changed the same for school
purposes. In connection with this he enlarged the
Dr. Griggs house and converted it into a large
boarding house, which stood where the Unitarian
parsonage now stands ; was later used for a hotel and
finally burned. The academy continued in success-
ful operation till about 1857. The last two or three
yrears it was under the management of Rev. Gardner
Rice.
THE BERLIN ACADEMICAL BOARDING SCHOOL.
For a quarter of a century the " Academy " was
the pride and glory of the townspeople. It had
patrons from nearly every state in the Union, and
also several from the Cuban isles. As nearly all
these young people were from families of culture,
and by the testimony of the assistant teacher, re-
cently given, " came with a desire to learn," the
intellectual and moral stimulus to the residents of
the town was very noticeable. Nearly all the young
106 HISTORY OF THE
people of the town were day pupils for longer or
shorter periods, and to them, as to those from abroad,
the influences of the faithful teaching received in
Berlin has been lifelong.
" I know that I am a better woman for being under such
instruction and within the circle of such influence."
" I have never ceased to be grateful for the kindly and
wise interest manifested for me while a pupil in Mr. Bride's
school. The instruction, the influence in various ways, has
been a benediction to my whole life."
Such testimony received from members of the
school might be multiplied indefinitely.
While we are glad that all can now enjoy the
benefits of free high schools, we believe that for the
full development of the mental, moral and physical
man and woman, no institution has done more than
the well managed co-educational home schools that
were the pride of New England half a century ago.
The academy grew from a small and modest be-
ginning— the school founded by Josiah Bride in 1832
or '33, in response to the wishes of parents whose
children had been under his teaching in the district
schools of South Berlin and Robin hill in Marl-
boro. Thus solicited, he consented to open a
private school in a room of Madam Puffer's house,
on condition that each child bring a chair and stand
or table for his or her own use, as he had no desks
and dared not risk the necessanr outlay to procure
them, for fear the venture would fail. But the
school grew and flourished, and in March, 1835, the
town voted " to let Josiah Bride have the Town
House to keep school in."
TOWN OF BERLIN. IO7
The number of pupils increased, and in 1843 Mr.
Bride bought the building erected for the Orthodox
Church, refitted as a school room, enlarged his
boarding house, etc.
At this time Miss Martha Chamberlain, a former
pupil, was his efficient assistant, both in the house
management and in the school room, although in a
letter received only a few weeks before her death
(Feb., 1895), she says: "Mine was the doing of the
little things with thought and care for the welfare
of those around me, and hardly worthy to be called
assistance." All who received that care bear heart-
felt testimony to its value, and bless the Providence
that placed them under the influence of a seemingly
perfect life.
Although the matter of co-education added some-
what to the difficulty of management, it was a
cardinal point of excellence with Mr. Bride, who was
a lifelong believer in woman's right to all that is
good in every department of life. His methods of
discipline were often original and uniformly suc-
cessful.
At one time a worthy lad and lass, who were
members of the school, evinced a liking for each
other, which did not escape the keen eyes of the
principal. The lad roomed alone in the extreme
end of the L of the boarding house ; in this room
was a large and cozy wardrobe. The favored lass
sometimes, in the late evening hours, called at her
friend's room. The principal had a peculiar method
of clearing his throat, known as " Mr. Bride's hem,"
and some who read this will distinctly hear it again
on the mental acoustics. One night, slowly ap-
Io8 HISTORY OF THE
proaching the room of the lad, he repeatedly gave
the familiar hem. This to the lovers' hearts was a
danger signal, and the lass was quickly shut in the
wardrobe. A gentle tap was heard at the door ; the
principal was ushered in, and, seating himself beside
his pupil, in his most instructive manner made clear
to him his difficult problems in geometry, his ob-
scure translations in Latin, interlarding his assistance
with entertaining story or moral lesson. The clock
struck eleven, twelve, and one, apparently unnoticed
by the teacher ; then came the hour of two, which
fell on his ear in evident surprise. With an apology
for detaining his pupil so long, he stepped to the
wardrobe and opened the door, saying as he did so,
in his blandest tones, " Miss , it is time for you
to go to your room now." Thus ended the discipline
and the wooing in that room. In similar original
and quaint ways he ruled a realm as difficult
sometimes to manage as a kingdom.
Mr. Bride's labors did not end with his teaching.
For many years, on the Town School Committee,
he labored for the highest good of the public schools.
As superintendent of the Orthodox Sunday school,
he gave much time to the interests represented
there. A constant attendant upon the worship of
the sanctuary, his advent at the head of his family
procession, numbering thirty or more, was watched
for by the audience as an important event. There
was in town no more liberal contributor to every
cause calculated to promote the welfare of the com-
munity. He was not only the enthusiastic teacher,
but the public-spirited citizen and the warm-hearted
friend. His memory is fragrant with good.
TOWN OF BERLIN. IO9
SCHOOL FUNDS — PRIEST AND YOUNG MONEY.
We have two funds, known as the Priest and
Young money, the interest of which may be appro-
priated for schooling. The former, given by Joseph
Priest, Jr., 1S17, amounts to $520, and the latter, by
Miss Nancy Young, 1859, $1,500. At a town meet-
ing held March 4, 1861, the following resolves were
passed in recognition of the generous gift of Miss
Young :
Resolved, By the citizens of Berlin, in town meeting assembled,
that we gratefully acknowledge the free and generous bequest
of Miss Nancy Young, lately deceased, by which she has se-
cured to the town, for the benefit of common school education,
the sum of fifteen hundred dollars.
Resolved, That we cherish with deep regard the memory of
the friend of our youth, and that we inculcate a like remem-
brance of her name on the part of the rising generation.
Resolved, That the foregoing be transcribed by the town
clerk upon the public records as a standing memento of the
deceased benefactress of the town.
SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Dexter Fay, Jr. Wilder Sawyer.
Jacob Moore. Humphrey Sawyer.
Daniel Wheeler. P. B. Southwick.
Albert Babcock. Ira O. Carter.
Daniel Holder. Jonathan F. Wheeler.
Asa Sawyer. Silas Greenleaf.
Barnabas Fay. Addison G. Smith.
George A. Cotting. E. C. Shattuck.
Josiah Bride. Amory A. Bartlett.
Lewis Sawyer. Amasa A. Whitcomb-
Oliver Barrett Sawyer. Lemuel Gott, Jr.
Josiah Sawyer, 3d. Charles Keyes.
Winthrop Bailey. Hattie Sawyer.
HISTORY OF THE
Abbie Sawyer.
Mary J. Keyes.
Mary J. Smith.
Ellen L. Keyes.
Abigail Wilder.
Sarah Sawyer (Mrs. L. Carter)
Hannah Powers.
Lucy Elizabeth Howe.
Harriet Fay.
Sarah Fay.
Lucy F. Sawyer.
Sophia R. Sawyer.
Zilpah E. Fay.
Lois Wheeler.
Mary A. Bassett.
Olive Boyce.
Emma Boyce.
Ellen Hastings.
Mary E. Felton.
Mary E. Gott.
Phebe A. Holder.
Mary H. Holder.
Olive C. Wheeler.
Lucy H. Wheeler.
Sarah Smith Sawyer.
Florence M. Bassett.
Sarah Arissa Sawyer.
Lizzie E. Merrill.
Nellie Reed.
Harriet Susan Fay.
Minnie E. Fay.
Cora Belle Holbrook.
Ada Berry.
Clara L. Shattuck.
M. Isabelle C. Shattuck.
Grace W. Stetson.
Alice M. Rathbun.
Lois H. Wheeler.
Nellie Maynard.
Lilla Newsome.
Hope Rice.
Emma A. Flagg.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
THE SOUTH PARISH AND THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE,
1778 TO 183O.
The inhabitants of the south part of Bolton, in
1778, moved by a common impulse, which was
hastened undoubtedly by the ferment and rupture
in the Bolton Church, known since as the Goss and
W alley controversy, petitioned the General Court
to be incorporated into a new parish. The distance
of many members, from four to six miles, from the
Bolton Church was a sufficient reason for asking for
better church accommodations. The prayer of the
^ai
THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
CENTRE VILLAGE FROM RICE'S HILL.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I I I
petitioners was granted by an act passed April 1 3 th,
1778, and Samuel Baker, Esq., is empowered to issue
his warrant to some principal inhabitant to call a
meeting for permanent organization. Samuel Baker
issues his warrant to Samuel Jones, innholder. At
his house the inhabitants are summoned to meet
April 7, 1779. On that spot our town was virtually
born. Samuel Jones' tavern stood fronting the
Northboro road, on the north side of the road to
Hudson. Samuel Baker was chosen Moderator ;
Jonathan Meriam, Clerk; James Goddard, Abijah
Pratt and Joshua Johnson, Parish Committee ; Jon-
athan Meriam, Timothy Jones and William Sawyer,
Jr., Assessors. One week later the parish took
measures for building a meeting-house, and voted to
locate it on the Little hill on the north side of the
road that leads from Samuel Jones' house to Samuel
Rice's shop in the crotch of the roads. There was no
Common then. The road to Bolton turned by our
present Town House. It was a blacksmith's shop and
stood where A. A. Bartlett's house now is and was
previously owned by David Rice, one of the first
settlers near the middle of the town. The Little
hill was considerably in front of the present church edi-
fice. Esquire Meriam could not persuade the Build-
ing Committee of the new church to set it so high
as it now stands. He conspired with William A.
Howe, and in the night they secretly lifted the stand-
ards one full foot. Look at the Common and the
height of the underpinning of the church, and you
will see what became of that " Little hill." The
frame of the first meeting-house was raised June 16,
1779, by aid, as usual, of "rum," " cider " and " spike
112 HISTORY OF THE
poles." It was twelve years in building, and there
was voted from time to time hundreds and thousands
in the depreciated currency of the times to build that
humble house of prayer. The Building Committee
were Jonathan Meriam, Fortunatus Barnes, James
Goddard, St., Timothy Jones, William Sawyer,
Second Committee: Jacob Moore, Barnabas May-
nard, Henry Powers, William Babcock.
In the meantime " candidates " were heard — Revs.
M. Stearns, Foster and Edmunds. November 14,
1780, voted to hear Mr. Reuben Puffer. March 12,
1 78 1, Mr. Puffer was "called." No objections.
" Ordination to be out of the -meeting-house if the
weather permit." The ordination took place Nov.
26, 1 78 1, under an oak tree easterly of the meeting-
house, all the old folks say. Certainly there is some-
thing inspiring in the faith and labors of the fathers,
under the depression and uncertainties of war, to press
forward in their circumstances, not to say poverty,
to establish the ordinances of religion. The council
for ordination consisted of the churches in Sudbury,
East Sudbury, Westboro, Shrewsbury, Northboro,
Lancaster, Bolton and Stow. Rev. Mr. Bigelow of
Sudbury, Mr. Puffer's pastor, preached the sermon.
Mr. Puffer's presence and ministry seemed to be quite
helpful to his struggling parish. No church meet-
ing was called for nearly two years. He certainly
grew in the esteem of Berlin people and all the
region ; every congregation was pleased to see him
ascend the pulpit steps. It was not a day for entic-
ing away favorite ministers, but it was understood
that he had favorable overtures. His sermons were
not especially arousing, but solemnly impressive. In
TOWN OF BERLIN. II3
1803 he preached the annual sermon before the
governor and Legislature. An anecdote concerning
him was published in print in the Lancaster "Two
Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary." The writer of
this is responsible for its appearance in type. He
gave it verbally that morning to the speaker, who
gave it in response for Berlin in the after-dinner
speeches. Judge Brigham of Westboro had pro-
cured the appointment of Mr. Puffer to the service.
His son-in-law, E. M. Phillips, Esq., of Westboro,
gave the anecdote to the writer personally. Accord-
ing to custom, Mr. Puffer had all parts of his service
written, even the prayer. In offering it he lost his
bearings ; he tried to regain his ground, but only
stumbled ; the suspense was awful. A fellow mem-
ber gave Judge Brigham a nudge, whispering, "That
is your minister, is it ? " The disconcerted minister
had the courage to desert his written prayer and to
throw himself into the occasion, and the suspense of
the assembly quickly gave way to rapt attention and
delight. His own people, better than any other who
did not hear him on this occasion, could tell what
the effect was. He lifted his learned and dignified
audience to exalted views of their position and duties
to the state and to God. The prayer ended, Judge
Brigham returned the nudge of his neighbor, re-
sponding, " That is my minister." Berlin ever had
great satisfaction in Dr. Puffer abroad. His church
records show that he ranked with foremost ministers
in councils, far and near, on difficult cases. To this
day friends and dissentients as to religious tenets
revere the " man of God." His face, his features
and form and manner are fast passing out of re-
9
114 HISTORY OF THE
membrance. "Shall we know each other there?"
Not even a profile remains, much less the tones of
his voice and impressive pulpit services ; — a few of
the venerables yet talk it over understandingly.
Some yet live who have seen him and can readily
believe what has been related. But the most vivid
impression which we septuagenarians have of the
man is that of his pulpit devotions. Daniel ? Solo-
mon ? Elijah ? No, Bethel and Jacob. As with
awe he lifted his face heavenward and bowed
again his whole body in reverence, incense from
the altar above seemed to pervade the assembly, —
Heaven seemed bending, earth to rise,
All seemed floating in upper skies.
Dr. Puffer delivered the Dudlean lecture at Har-
vard College 1808. His pecuniary circumstances
being made known, his address was published and
sold among the students, rich men's sons subscribing
largely to increase the income. They also gave him
a good new suit of clothes. (Rev. Dr. Allen.)
The great ecclesiastical rupture, or schism, in the
churches, between Unitarians and Trinitarians, was
pressing upon this quiet town, before steps were
taken for a new house of worship. Yet it was inti-
mated the new church would have a new order of
things (when he should resign or cease from his
labors), but no tongue moved against the minister.
The pastor foresaw more than the people expressed.
He hardly expected to escape the rupture in his life-
time, but he lived to dedicate the new church, 1826,
and to preach and pray there till near his death,
April 9, 1829, at the age of seventy-three years.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 115
At a town meeting held at the east school-house,
May 5, 1828, the Selectmen were chosen a com-
mittee " to consult Doct. Puffer concerning his
exchanges." The intention, undoubtedly, was to
ascertain his position in relation to the new de-
parture. The report of the committee [was made
at a town meeting held at the north school-house,
Nov. 3, 1828, and the same was the reply of Dr.
Puffer to a request for him to exchange with neigh-
boring Unitarian ministers. Report : —
To the inhabitants of Berlin in town meeting assembled Nov. J,
1 8 28 :
" Brethren and Friends : — Having been notified by the
Selectmen of the vote of the town last May, relative to my
future exchanges, I beg leave, respectfully, to state that pre-
vious to the measures for calling the town meeting, I had no
knowledge of the existence of any uneasiness on the subject of
exchanges. From Sabbath to Sabbath I meet a full house and
a very attentive audience, and if ever a special blessing has at-
tended my labors among you, it was during the past season.
Judge, then, of the surprise when I heard for the first time that a
general uneasiness was prevailing, and that the subject of it was
preparing to be laid before the town.
"Respecting my future exchanges, I can very cheerfully sub-
mit the question to candid decision if a minister between
seventy and eighty years of age is a fit subject of the vote of
last May. Aside from other considerations, such are my in-
firmities, known only to a few of you, as render it improper for
me to give any pledge in the case. It is well known that up to
the present year I have uniformly maintained a free and liberal
intercourse with all the ministers in the vicinity. For the future
I can only say that while I sustain the highly responsible office
of a gospel minister, the few exchanges I make, if able to make
any, shall be regulated according to my deliberate judgment, in
a manner the best calculated to promote your spiritual inter-
Il6 HISTORY OF THE
ests. My Christian friends, it is now almost fifty years since
by the unanimous invitation of the parents and grandparents of
the present generation I became the minister of this place, and
then received a solemn charge and gave a solemn promise to
preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus in its distinguishing
truths and doctrines. These truths and doctrines I have en-
deavored faithfully to preach, and can it now be expected in
my old age that I should preach another gospel or give coun-
tenance to different causes? You will certainly not say that
this can reasonably be expected or required of me, as in so doing
I should risk my own soul and the souls of those who hear me.
Far be it from me willingly to offend a single individual. So far
as consistent with duty I wish to please all, but great is my re-
sponsibility, and I may not, I dare not, for the sake of pleasing
men, displease God. As my first sermon was preached in this
place, it is my desire that my ministerial life may close here, but
I wish not to be a useless burden. It may be that my minis-
tering can be no longer profitable, and if so, I have no desire
for its continuance. My heart's desire and prayer for you has
been, and is, that pure religion may prosper and flourish in this
place. To promote an object so truly valuable, I will not de-
cline any reasonable sacrifice if the cause of religion so require
and I can by resigning the ministerial office facilitate the settle-
ment of a faithful servant of Christ here, one who shall not
shun to declare all the counsel of God and who willingly will
spend and be spent for your sakes, I shall esteem it one of the
happiest events of my life. Nothing better can I ask of you
than that the gospel of Christ may never cease to be preached
to you in its purity, simplicity and power, but this is a subject
which demands the most deliberate and prayerful considera-
tion before a step of this nature is taken. Let it be our united
fervent supplication that nothing may be done inconsistent with
the interests of Zion and the salvation of immortal souls ; so
prays your aged and affectionate minister,
"Reuben Puffer."
November meeting, 1828.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I I 7
No other move appears to have been made by the
parish or church in the matter of exchanges, and Dr.
Puffer was undoubtedly free from the importunities
of committees on this subject during the remainder
of his life. With the death of Dr. Puffer closes the
first period of the ecclesiastical history of Berlin, ex-
tending from 1778 to 1829, a time of great tranquil-
lity and peace in the church, free from theological
disputes and religious animosities.
THE SECOND PERIOD.
Soon after the death of Dr. Puffer the subject of
his successor began to be agitated in earnest. The
town, which was the parish at this time, was largely
in favor of the new school of theology, while the
church was nearly unanimous for the old school.
The church made the first move towards settling a
new minister, as will appear from the following com-
munication to the town May 24, 1829: —
THE CHURCH'S REQUEST OF THE TOWN.
To the inhabitants of the town of Berlin in town meeting
assembled :
Gentlemen : — At a meeting of the church of Berlin on
the 2 2d instant at the house of Mrs. Puffer, they proceeded
as follows : Voted unanimously that in our opinion the Rev.
Moses B. Church is a man of sound piety, good talents, and
preaches the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ the same as our
deceased pastor preached, and that we wish he may continue
amongst us longer as a candidate, if agreeable to the town.
Voted unanimously that the above be communicated to the
town when assembled in town meeting.
Job Spofford, Moderator of the Church.
A true copy attest : Dexter Fay, Church Clerk.
Berlin, August 22, 1829.
Il8 HISTORY OF THE
At a town meeting held August 24, 1829 : "Then voted not
to grant the request of the church." "Then voted to choose
a new committee." "Then chose the following persons :
Jonathan D. Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim
Babcock, John Bartlett."
January 4, 1S30, at East School-house.
Article 2d. To see if the Congregational Society of Berlin
will give Mr. Robert F. Walcott an invitation to become their
pastor. If so, on what terms they will agree to settle him, or
act anything relative to further supplying the pulpit in the
meeting-house. On the above article voted by yeas and nays,
sixty in the affirmative and twenty-eight in the negative.
An invitation to the church of Berlin, January, 1830 :
To the members of the Church of Christ in Berlin, who are
inhabitants of the town of Berlin:
VVe, the subscribers, appointed at a town meeting on
Monday last as a committee to invite you to unite with
the town in the settlement of Mr. Robert Folger Walcott
as our Christian minister, if he shall accept our invita-
tion, we embrace the earliest opportunity to communicate this
invitation, while we are happy thus to invite you in behalf of
our fellow-citizens. We assure you it will afford us sincere per-
sonal gratification to receive from you an affirmative answer,
and that we may hope to know from joyful experience how
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in
unity. We ask as a favor that we may receive your answer on
or before Thursday, the 14th instant, at 2 o'clock p. m., either
in writing or by delegation. We shall be in session at the
house of Solomon Howe, Esq., Berlin, January 7, 1830.
JONATHAN D. MERIAM,
WILLIAM BARNES,
JOSIAH CONANT,
JOHN BARTLETT,
Committee.
TOWN OF BERLIN. Iig
Voted to choose a Committee of Nine to agree on some
price to offer Mr. Walcott as a salary and report at this meet-
ing. Then chose the following persons, viz. : Jonathan D.
Meriam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, John Bartlett, Amos
Sawyer, Timothy Bailey, Silas Sawyer, William Babcock.
After hearing the report of the committee, "voted to give
Mr. Walcott $400 as an annual salary." If there should be a
separation desired by the Congregational Society or by the Rev.
Mr. Walcott, it can be obtained by giving four months' notice.
"Then voted to choose a committee of five to inform Mr.
Walcott of the proceedings of the town at this meeting and to
invite Mr. Walcott to settle with us in the ministry ; also to
have him give an answer previous to adjournment of this meet-
ing. Then chose the following persons : Jonathan D. Mer-
iam, William Barnes, Josiah Conant, Ephraim Babcock, John
Bartlett.
"Then voted that this committee wait on the church and in-
vite them to unite with us in the settlement of Mr. Walcott,
and to obtain an answer before the adjournment of this meet-
ing. Then adjourned to meet at the north school-house the
18th instant."
THE CHURCH'S ANSWER TO THE TOWN.
At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Berlin on Monday
the 7th instant, voted unanimously to make the following com-
munication to the Parochial Committee of the town :
Gentlemen : We received a communication from you con-
taining an invitation to unite with you in the settlement of Mr.
Robert F. Walcott, in which a wish also was expressed that we
might dwell together in unity. We can assure you if we know
our own hearts that your desire to live together in unity is not
greater than ours. Unity is the bond of peace. There is not
anything on earth but what we would give up to preserve unity
with all our brethren, but the religion of our Lord Jesus
Christ — our religion — we hold too dear to part with, and we
feel assured th.it should we disregard the solemn covenant
120 HISTORY OF THE
which we have made with our God, and attempt to bring down
the standard of religion so low that there was nothing in it to
which the natural heart could not assent, we should give up
that on which all our hopes of heaven depend, and should go
to the judgment seat of Christ, charged with the blood of
souls, and our children rise up in judgment against us and con-
demn us. We deeply deplore the present unhappy division
amongst us respecting the settlement of a minister, and would
cheerfully unite with the town if we could consistently. But we
believe it to be our indispensable duty to maintain and support
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, being the same which
Christ Himself, the Apostles and the Pilgrim fathers preached,
and which has been preached in this town for forty-eight years.
In looking over the sermon delivered at the dedication
of our meeting house, we find and take the liberty to
insert the following sentences verbatim : "If some of the doc-
trines of the gospel are suppressed and others so modified as
not to militate with the feelings of the corrupt heart, no good
is to be expected. Repentance, faith and holiness with every
moral and social virtue are matter of initiation in the Christian
tabernacle and compose no inconsiderable portion of its
duties, but these must not exclude the fundamental truths of
the gospel. No doubt it is your wish that this house may be
to you the gate of heaven. That it may be so, let it be your
care that the doctrine of salvation by faith in the blood of
Christ and His regenerating spirit be the basis of its ministra-
tions. If ever the time shall come, which heaven forbid, when
this doctrine shall cease to be taught here, when it shall be
supplanted by a lax theology which sinks the gospel nearly
down to a level with natural religion, you will have lost sight
of the object for which this house is consecrated ; but sooner
let the stone cry out of the wall and the beam out of the tim-
bers answer it, than the honor of the Redeemer and the purity
of His gospel shall cease to be maintained here." In our
Thanksgiving sermon of 1828 is the following remark:
"When persons can conscientiously say that they are not fed
TOWN OF BERLIN. 121
with the bread of eternal life and that hunger for more spiritual
food, let them enjoy the liberty of going where it is to be ob-
tained, but from lower motives separations are not justified."
We think our views of the subject harmonize with the gen-
eral sentiment of the Bible, one passage of which we will quote,
2d Epistle of John, 9th, ioth and nth verses: "Whosoever
transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not
God : he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath
both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and
bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor
bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is
partaker of evil deeds." In view of the above remarks and of
the solemn account we must render at the judgment seat of
Christ, we are constrained to say that in our humble opinion
Mr. Robert F. Walcott does not preach the gospel of Christ ; we
respect him as a man and a citizen, but can not receive him as
our minister. We wish just to say further that the manner in
which Mr. Walcott has been called to the gospel ministry is
new and unexampled. It has been the custom for many ages
for the church first to give the invitation and for the town to
concur if they see fit.
It is very desirable that the church and society should be
united, but there is no account in the Bible of bishops, elders,
or ministers being set over towns or parishes, but over churches.
May God in the plenitude of His mercy unite our hearts in
Christ, and that peace and harmony which have characterized
this place be restored and enjoyed for many years to come.
Job Spofford, Moderator.
A true copy attest : Dexter Fay, Church Clerk.
Berlin, January n, 1830.
TOWN MEETING JANUARY 1 8, 1830.
First. Read Mr. Walcott's answer to the town.
Second. Read the answer from the church to the town.
Then voted to choose a committee to make arrangements
for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Walcott ; chose the following
122 HISTORY OF THE
persons : Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq., Amos Sawyer, William
Barnes, Ephraim Babcock, Silas Sawyer, Josiah Conant, Job
Spofford, James Goddard, John Bartlett.
Then voted that this committee designate the churches in
behalf of the town that shall be invited to take a part in the
ordination. They designated the following churches and were
accepted :
Dr. Bancroft, C. of Worcester ; Dr. Thayer, C. of Lancas-
ter ; Rev. Mr. Allen, C. of Bolton ; Rev. Mr. Bucklin, C. of
Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Alden, C. of Marlboro ; Rev. Mr. Allen,
C. of Northboro ; Rev. Mr. Russell, C. of Boylston.
They then voted that Mr. Walcott be ordained on Wednes-
day, the ioth day of February, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty.
The action of the town in settling Mr. Walcott
caused a secession of a large part of the church, leav-
ine but one male member, Sanderson Carter, and
three females constituting the church to occupy the
new meeting-house thereafter, as the First Congre-
gational Society of Berlin. The seceders formed a
new organization named the Evangelical Congrega-
tional Society of Berlin. They built in 1830 a new
meeting-house of moderate dimensions, which was
afterwards known as the Berlin Academy, the princi-
pal of which was Josiah Bride. This house was con-
veyed by deed from Dexter Fay and Amory Sawyer
to the Evangelical Congregational Society of Berlin,
March 25, 1831. Consideration $1,300. "It was for
the worship of the Triune God and the promotion of
evangelical principles."
The grantees named as members of this society
were: James Goddard, Oliver Sawyer, Luke Fos-
gate, Isaac Temple, Job Spofford, John Larkin, Jacob
Goddard, Joseph Parks, Levi Sawyer, Samuel Spof-
TOWN OF BERLIN. \2$
ford, Merrick Houghton, Joseph Moore, John F. Lar-
kin, Samuel Griggs, Phebe Puffer, Reuben Hastings,
Ephraim Goddarcl, Thomas Holder, Josiah Bride,
Jonah Houghton, Josiah Sawyer, Mendell G. Fos-
gate, Almira Puffer, Lucy Fosgate, Jonas Houghton,
John Wheeler and Augustus Bigelow of Berlin ; also
Benjamin Rice, Isaac Davis, Edward B. Ball, Lewis
Fay and Alvan Ball of Northboro ; also Ebenezer
Ball of Worcester and Willard Brigfham of Marlboro.
The history of the First Congregational Society is
briefly told, while the seceders, or Evangelical Society,
which eventually became in fact and in name the First
Congregational Parish and Society, requires more ex-
tended space. The first of these organizations named
which held the old meeting-house first, requires our
attention. The Rev. Mr. Walcott was from Nan-
tucket, of a prominent family and a graduate of Har-
vard ; was a cultured and scholarly man. He con-
tinued in the pastorate with good acceptance until
he resigned, November, 1833. He was succeeded by
Rev. David R. Lampson, who continued here from
1833 to 1839. After this latter date the First So-
ciety had no settled minister until 1843, when a union
was made of the two parishes. The principal cause
which contributed to this union of the two parishes
probably was the want of financial support. The
burden was heavy on a few, hence mutual overtures
were made on the part of the two parishes for re-
union. This was effected in the settlement of Rev.
Henry Adams (Orthodox), former pastor of Hillside
Church, Bolton.
The Congregational Church was remodeled in
1859 at an expense of $2,439.90.
124 HISTORY OF THE
DONATIONS TO THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SAB-
BATH SCHOOL TRUST FUNDS.
1866. Mrs. Sarah Robbins, . . $200 00
1874. Miss Sophia R. Sawyer, . . 100 00
1880. Mrs. Almira P. Hastings, . 200 00
1880. Mrs. Lydia Howe Peters, . 500 00
1883. Miss Martha A. Sawyer, . 50 00
1891. Mrs. Rebecca Whitcomb, . 500 00
1 89 1. Mrs. Lucy E. Hartshorn, . 500 00
1892. Mrs. Abra C. Houghton, . 2,000 00
1892. Mr. H. Gates' Sunday school, 1,000 00
1893. Mrs. George A. Cotting, . 1,300 00
The vote of the First Parish (Unitarian) for the
settlement of Mr. Adams was twenty-two in favor
and nine against, hence by this arrangement and the
fact that a number of them "signed off" from the
parish book, the Unitarians lost the control of the
pulpit, and ceased to be distinctly an organized body
until a revival of the dormant elements of this faith
occurred 1 8 7 1 . Mr. Adams was installed October 2 5 ,
1843, and was dismissed 1853. The Evangelical
Congregational, during their sojourn in their new
chapel from 1830 to 1843, were ministered unto by
divers ones. The first was Rev. Abraham C. Bald-
win, a graduate of Bowdoin College and student of
theology under Dr. Lyman Beecher, who preached
the ordination sermon October 26, 1830. In Mr.
Baldwin's ministry of two years, forty-six were added
to the church. He had more than ordinary qualities
as preacher and pastor. Had he been quiet to re-
main, very many have felt that he would have re-
united the town effectively. He was dismissed from
the church in Berlin, October 23, 1832. Both he and
MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE ORTHODOX
CHURCH.
<•
M RS. ul.l y ki< FOSGATE.
ALBEK 1 UABCOCK,
Miss REBECCA WHITCOiVU
JOHN I'.. GOUGH.
CLFRK.
MRS. GEO. A. COTTING.
REV. A. B. CHRISTY.
DEA. II. II. HI. ISS.
\VM. GATES.
REV. II. F. MARKHAM.
MARTHA SAWYER'.
DEA. GEO. W. s.WVVER.
ORTHODOX MINISTERS, DEACONS AND BENEFICIARIES.
LEVI KABCOCK, SUPT. S. S. MRS. L. PETERS. DEA. JOHN F. LARKIN.
DEA. L. PETERS. MISS SOPHIA SAWYER. GEO. A. COTTING.
REV. HENRY HYDE. M R. AND M RS. HORACE HOUGHTON. REV. CHAS. H. WASHBURN.
CHAS. R. RATIIKUN, SUPT. S. S. MISS CATHERINE LARKIN. CHAS. M. SAWYER, SUPT. S. S.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 25.
his wife died in Yonkers, N. Y., 1886. Had no
children. Her maiden name was Foote, of Fairhaven,
Conn. Rev. Michael Burdett, now a retired Presby-
terian clergyman in Philadelphia, succeeded Mr.
Baldwin July 17, 1833, to 1834. He was succeeded
by Rev. Eber S. Clarke of Winchendon, June
21, 1835. Mr. Clarke was dismissed 1837 and set-
tled once more in Richmond, Mass., where he died.
Rev. Robert Carver followed in a successful minis-
try, 1838-42. Settled next in Raynham. Entered
into the Christian commission service, in which he
died. This completes the list of those who ministered
to the Evangelical branch during their sojourn in the
chapel. Mr. Adams continued in the pastorate of
the united societies, known as the First Congrega-
tional, ten years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wil-
liam A. Houghton, who was installed October 26,
1853, and resigned at the termination of twenty-five
years October 26, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev.
Albert Barnes Christy of Greenwich, Conn., a grad-
uate of Andover, and was ordained and installed
July 3, 1879. He gave way to a call to the church
in Conway, 1881. Thence he removed to Ohio and
finally to New Mexico, where he is now stationed.
Rev. Henry Hyde, now of Greenfield, succeeded Mr.
Christy in the same year. Rev. Charles H. Wash-
burn, a graduate of Amherst, was the third succes-
sor to whom Rev. Mr. Houghton has given the right
hand of fellowship and received into the church
at his ordination. He was ordained and installed
December, 1885, dismissed November 2, 1888 ; called
to North Woburn. The church has had no settled
minister since Mr. Washburn left. The pulpit has
126 HISTORY OF THE
been supplied by Rev. H. H. Osgood, Rev. J. W.
Brownville, Rev. J. G. Spencer and Rev. H. F.
Markham, 1894-5.
CENTENNIAL OF THE BERLIN CHURCH, 1 879.
The Congregational Church of Berlin observed its
1 ooth anniversary in a fitting manner on July 4,
1879. The address was delivered by Rev. W. A.
Houghton, and an original hymn written by Miss
Phebe A. Holder was sung by the choir. Our space
herein will not permit the insertion of all the pro-
ceedings on this interesting occasion. Much of the
address was devoted to biographical sketches of the
ministers who have officiated here, which may be
found in the preceding pages; also reference was
made to the Goss and Walley controversy in the
Bolton church, which was largely the cause of the
separation. The seceders, who formed the Berlin
church, were mainly Walleyites, but numbers of the
women who came in afterwards were of the Gossite
faction. Many of the former residents and citizens
of other towns and also neighboring ministers were
present. The historian, Rev. A. P. Marvin, spoke
in response to the sentiment, "Our Grandmother
Lancaster," with good acceptance, as did many others
in response to the toasts offered.
MISS HOLDER'S HYMN.
Amid time's mountain heights,
Crowned with the circling years,
A full and rounded dome,
Our Century appears.
'Neath summer skies
In living green,
With beauty robed
Its form is seen.
— . . . ..-' ■••..l:.v :*■*■•' ' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■■ ■
UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 127
Let silver bells of joy
Ring out with mellow chime,
Upon the fragrant air
Of this sweet summer time;
While hearts responsive
Catch the strain,
And voices sound
The glad refrain.
Within these hallowed courts
Our choral song we raise,
Where saintly fathers stood,
We lift our notes of praise,
To Him who rules
Amid the spheres,
And crowns with love
Earth's passing years.
By loving, patient hands,
One hundred years ago,
These altar fires were raised
That have not ceased to glow;
The incense pure
Of faith and prayer,
Still keeps undimmed
The sacred fire.
May He who bought the Church,
With His own precious blood,
Through all the years to come,
Still keep us near to God;
May Zion here
In light divine,
With holiness
And beauty shine.
THE UNITARIAN SOCIETY AND MEETING-HOUSE.
The society was organized November 27, 1871.
The movement was started by the labors of Rev.
William S. Hayward, then of Hudson, and Rev. I.
F. Waterhouse of Clinton, by holding meetings at
128 HISTORY OF THE
the Town Hall, beginning June 25, 187 1 , alternating
every other Sunday in preaching until October 10,
1872, when George W. Green of Boston was engaged
to supply the pulpit for one year. Mr. Green was
ordained here in the Town Hall November 12, 1872.
He resigned the pastorate July 1, 1873, and was suc-
ceeded by Granville Pierce of Townsend, whose ordi-
nation likewise was in the Town Hall, November 19,
1873. He continued here until October 1, 1876.
The next in succession was Rev. Francis S. Thatcher
of Newton, who began his services December 3,
1876, and continued two years. The services of
Rev. Sheldon C. Clark were secured from April 6,
1879, to the following September. Rev. Cyrus A.
Roys supplied for a few months until the Rev. Wil-
liam C. Litchfield of Scituate was engaged in the
spring of 1880. Mr. Litchfield embraced the period
between June 1, 1880, and January 1, 1882, when he
removed to Athol. From this date until the return
of Mr. Litchfield, April 1, 1884, the society were sup-
plied by Rev. E. P. Gibbs of Hudson, Prof. H. H.
Lincoln of Boston, Rev. Obed Eldridge of Northboro
and some others. Mr. Litchfield supplied after his
return until about May, 1886, when he accepted the
pastorate of a church in Gardner. The next in the
line of succession was Rev. I. F. Porter of Peters-
ham, who began his services May 2, 1887. The in-
terregnum between the two latter pastorates was
filled by various candidates.
Mr. Porter resigned October 20, 1888, and the pul-
pit was supplied by various candidates until January
22, 1890, when the Rev. George F. Pratt of Clinton
was installed and has since continued in the pastorate.
UNITARIAN MINISTERS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
l9«
... ■
KEV. WM. W. LITCHFIELD.
REV. GEO. W. GREEN.
REV. GRANVILLE PIERCE.
REV. I. F. PORTER.
I'ROF. H. II. LINCOLN.
ISRAEL SAWYER, SUPT.
REV. FRANCIS S. THATCHER.
REV. SHELDON C. CLARK.
REV. CYRUS C. ROY'S.
REV. WM. S. HAY'WARD.
REV. GEO. F. PRATT.
REV. I. F. WATEKHOUSE.
METHODIST MEETING HOUSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 29
THE CARTER FUND.
Chandler Carter, moved by a strong desire to put
the society on a sound financial basis, signified to
the society a willingness to donate the sum of
$20,000 in trust, the income of which to be used for
the support of Unitarian preaching. This intention
was carried into effect in a public meeting in the
church May 5, 1887, Prof. H. H. Lincoln making the
principal address and response on the part of the
society.
UNITARIAN MEETING-HOUSE.
The first donation to the society available for the
building of a meeting-house was made by Mary W.
Carter of $1,000.* At a meeting of the society Feb-
ruary 24, 1 88 1, it was voted to build a church. The
records show that at a meeting held March 2, 1881,
Chandler Carter then stated that* he would give the
society $1,000 to help them build a church, provided
they were all united. In addition to this he gave
$136.50 to pay for the pews. The church was built
from a plan furnished by Mr. Nourse, architect of
Worcester, whose father, B. B. Nourse of Westboro,
was a native of this town. The cost of the church,
except the work of grading, etc., given by individ-
uals, was $4,504.43, and was dedicated March 1,
1882, the Rev. Minot J. Savage of Boston preaching
the dedicatory sermon.
METHODIST CHURCH.
About 1855-6 Rev. Gardner Rice, then principal
of the Berlin Academy, began holding prayer and
class meetings, which resulted in the organization of
* See article, Mary W. Carter, in the genealogical part of this work.
10
130 HISTORY OF THE
a Methodist Episcopal Church April, 1856. Mr.
Rice was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. John
Goodwin for two years, and he again for two years
by Rev. W. W. Colburn, and Mr. Nathaniel Stevens
succeeded Mr. Colburn for two years. Rev. B. F.
Whittemore was the successor of Mr. Stevens and
continued in the pastorate six months, and was the
last minister under the first organization, which ap-
parently became extinct 1862, when nearly all the
male members of this church, together with the min-
ister, enlisted and did good service in the War of
the Rebellion. Rev. Mr. Whittemore was appointed
chaplain in the army, and did good service for the
government for some years in the southern states
after the close of the war. Interest in the Methodist
Church remained dormant here until 1880. On the
1 8th of April of thjs year, Rev. W. W. Colburn and
C. H. Hanaford began preaching alternately. Col-
burn preached the first in the Town Hall April 18,
1880, and was followed by Hanaford, and so on until
the September following, when the presiding elder
of the district came September 1 5 to form a church.
The organization was completed and Rev. C. H.
Hanaford took charge of the church for eighteen
months. He was followed by Rev. C. W. Wilder,
who continued in the pastorate six months until
April, 1883, when the Rev. Eratus Burlingham be-
came his successor, and continued two years. He
was followed by Rev. Luther Freeman one year, and
he by Rev. Paul Desjardins two years, Rev. J. W.
Barter two years, Rev. A. J. Hall one year, and Rev.
E. F. Heigh way one year. The Rev. S. K. Smith has
had charge for the last three years (1895).
TOWN OF BERLIN. I31
The meetings at first under the old organization
were held in the hall over Riley Smith's blacksmith
shop, and lastly in the old Town House on the Com-
mon. The meetings under the new organization
were for a time held at the new Town Hall, until the
building of their meeting-house in 1887.
The house was dedicated December 20, 1887, ser-
mon by Rev. William N. Brodbeck ; corner stone laid
June, 1887, sermon by Rev. Dr. George S. Chad-
bourne. The church cost originally $4,000. At the
time of its dedication a debt of only $1,600 remained
unpaid; of this, $600 was raised in 1889 through the
efforts of Rev. J. W. Barter, and the remaining
$1,000 was secured in 1892 during the pastorate of
Rev. S. K. Smith. A grand jubilee service in cele-
bration of its freedom from debt was held January
19, 1893, Rev. Dr. George S. Chadbourne, former
presiding elder, preaching the sermon.
Rev. Gardner Rice was born December 13, 1805, in
Wayland, Mass. His parents dying when he was
quite young, he was bound out to a man by the name
of Devol in Leominster, Mass., where he lived till he
was twenty-one. Being ambitious to secure an edu-
cation, he fitted for college at Wilbraham Academy
and graduated at Wesleyan University, Middletown,
Conn., in 1834. He spent two years at Newton
Theological Seminary, intending to devote his life to
the ministry, but was persuaded to take charge of
the academy at Holliston for a year. Instead of one
year, however, he remained there ten years, and this
determined his life work as a teacher. Having re-
ceived license in the Methodist Church as a local
preacher, for forty years he performed the double
132
HISTORY OF THE
work of teaching and preaching, founding not less
than nine different churches, all of which are now
self-supporting and prosperous. He taught in Ber-
in 1855-56, and was the father of Methodism in this
place. A man of deep devotion, an untiring worker,
his one purpose was to live for God and the good of
his fellowmen. He was married May 25, 1835, to
Miss Sarah Morse of Leominster, Mass. They had
nine children, four of whom are now living. Mr.
Rice died in Shrewsbury, Mass., February 24, 1881.
Rev. William W. Colburn was born July 16, 1834,
at Wilton, Me. When quite young he came to
Massachusetts and worked in the shoe shop at West-
boro. In 1854 he attended school at Wesleyan
Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., where he was con-
verted. He was licensed to exhort at Oakdale in
1858; attended the Biblical Institute at Concord. N.
H. (now Boston Theological Seminary), in 1859-60 ;
preparatory to the ministry, joined the New England
Conference in 1 860, of which he was a member at the
time of his death, which occurred at Waltham, Mass.,
April 13, 1895. He was a man of marked ability,
winning manners, greatly beloved by all, and very
successful in his ministry. In 1871-72 he was chap-
lain of the Massachusetts state prison. He was
married June 28, i860, to Miss Laura A. Chamber-
lain of Clinton, Mass., who is still living. Two chil-
dren are also living — William P. Colburn of New
York city and Mrs. Laura Olmstead of Waltham, Mass.
Mr. Colburn supplied Berlin while a student in 1859,
and was appointed here by the Conference in 1 860.
He also had pastoral supervision of the church in
1880 while stationed at Hudson.
METHODIST MINISTERS.
REV. GARDNER RICE.
REV. CHAS. H. IIANAFOKD.
REV. LUTHER FREEMAN.
REV. JNO. \V. liARTER.
REV. FRANK E. HIGHWA1 .
REV. ALLEN J. HALL.
REV. W. W. COLBURN.
REV. ( HAS. \V. WILDER.
HtV. S. K. SMITH.
REV. l'AUL DESJARDENS.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 33
Rev. Charles H. Hanaford was born in Northfield,
N. H., February 4, 1835, was converted in 185 1, was
licensed to preach in 1859, and joined the New Eng-
land Conference the same year. He has preached
within the bounds of the Conference ever since, hold-
ing- positions of trust and responsibility. At the
present time he is pastor of the Allston M. E. Church,
Boston. He was educated at the New Hampshire
Conference Seminary at Tilton, N. H., and has been
a close student during all his ministerial life. He
was married July 4, 1858, to Miss Jennie A. Nason
of Mason, N. H., whose father was a prominent
member of the New Hampshire Conference. An
only son, Fred A. Hanaford, lives at Clinton, Mass.
Mr. Hanaford was stationed at Berlin in 1882, after
supplying the charge for several months previous.
Rev. Charles W. Wilder was born February 22,
1837, at Granville, Vt. He united with the church
in 1850, was licensed to preach in i860 and joined
the New England Conference in 1865, of which he is
still a member ; at present pastor of the church at
Wollaston, Mass. He was educated at Wesleyan
University, Middletown, Conn., graduating in 1865.
In 1866-67 ne taught in Newbury Seminary, Vt.
In 1868-69 he was professor in, and in 1879-81 princi-
pal of, the Vermont Conference Seminary at Mont-
pelier, Vt. He was married May 5, 1866, to Miss
Jeanette H. Davis of Dudley, Mass. Three children
were born to them, two of whom, Edith H. and
Charles W., are still living. He was for a short time in
the army of the Rebellion, a member of the~6th Mass.
Regiment, Company G. Mr. Wilder was pastor of
the church in Berlin portions of 1882-83, while re-
134 HISTORY OF THE
covering his health. A man of transparent char-
acter, highly esteemed by all, his life has been
marked by devotion to duty and increasing useful-
ness.
Rev. Luther Freeman was born July 1 7, 1 866, at
Essex, Vt. He united with the Methodist Church
in 1878, was licensed to preach in 1883, and joined
the New England Conference in 1 890. He was edu-
cated at Boston University, graduating in 1889. It
was while a student there he supplied the church at
Berlin in 1885. He is at present the popular pastor
of the First Methodist Church at Waltham, Mass.
He was married September 10, 1890, to Miss Bertha
F. Mansfield, daughter of Rev. George Mansfield of
the New England Conference. Mr. Freeman is a
young man of magnetic influence, charming man-
ners, marked ability, and gives promise of a life of
great usefulness in the church.
Rev. Paul Desjardins was born in Bad Axe, Michi-
gan, about the year 1854. His parents were French
Canadians and reside at present in Michigan. Mr
Desjardins studied at the Boston Theological School,
and while there, in 1886-87, supplied the Methodist
Church in Berlin. It was during his pastorate and
through his untiring efforts the church was built.
After leaving here he had charge for some time of a
French mission in New York city. He then re-
turned to Michigan, where he is at present laboring,
a member of the Detroit Conference. Mr. Desjar-
dins was a man of fine presence, much tact and
ability, and greatly devoted to his work.
Rev. John W. Barter was born August 30, 1858,
at vSt. George, Knox county, Maine. He united
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 35
with the Baptist Church at St. George when seven-
teen years of age. He was licensed to preach in the
Methodist Church in 1878 at Heath, Mass., and re-
ceived appointments from the New England Confer-
ence to Heath, Cambridge, Beverly and Berlin. His
educational advantages were limited, but his superior
natural gifts were to a great extent a substitute for
scholastic training, and soon secured for him posi-
tions of responsibility and influence. He was mar-
ried August 30, 1883, to Miss Carrie L. Gleason of
Heath, Mass. They have three children living. Mr.
Barter was pastor of the Methodist Church in Berlin
in 1888-89. At the close of his pastorate here he
retired from the active work of the ministry and en-
gaged in business. He now resides in Berlin, living
near the Centre, and is engaged in the commission
trade.
Rev. Allen J. Hall was born September 8, 1839, at
Williamstown, Mass. He united with the Methodist
Church in 1858, was licensed to preach in 1864 and
joined the New England Conference in 1867, of
which he is still a member, his present pastorate
being at Graniteville, Mass. He was educated at
Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y., and the Biblical Insti-
tute, Concord, N. H. He was married June 18,
1867, to Miss Sarah A. Goodell of Hillsboro, N. H.
Rev. Mr. Hall was pastor of the Methodist Church
in Berlin in 1 890, and by his earnestness and devo-
tion drew many hearts toward him.
Rev. Frank E. Heighway was born in Canton, Ohio,
about the year 1 864. His father when a young man
moved from Thompsonville, Conn., to Ohio, residing
in Canton at the present time. Mr. Heighway was
136 HISTORY OF THE
educated at Mt. Hope Seminary, Ohio, and Boston
University. He supplied the Methodist Church in
Berlin while a student in Boston in 1891. He is at
present stationed in Cleveland, Ohio, a member of
the Cincinnati Conference. A man of positive char-
acteristics, with high ambition and earnest devotion,
his increasing usefulness and prominence are assured.
Rev. Sidney K. Smith was born March 14, 1838,
at Huntington, Long Island, N. Y. At seventeen
years of age he went to New York city to live,
securing a position as custom house clerk in an im-
porting house. He united with the York Street
Methodist Church, Brooklyn, in 1856, was licensed
to preach in 1859, an(^ joined the New York East
Conference in 1865. He was educated at Wilbra-
ham Academy, Wesleyan University, and the
Biblical Institute at Concord, N. H. He was mar-
ried September 14, 1865, to Miss Mary F. Barnard of
Marlboro, Mass. They have five children — three sons
and two daughters. Mr. Smith is still a member of
the New York East Conference, though residing at
Marlboro, Mass. His pastorate in Berlin commenced
April, 1892, and still continues.
THE FRIENDS' SOCIETY.
Quite a respectable and influential number of Ber-
lin families have belonged to the Friends' Society,
whose meeting-house, built 1790, stands just over
the line in Bolton. This meeting constitutes what
is known as the Bolton Monthly Meeting, a branch
of the Smithfield Quarterly Meeting, which holds
one of its sessions yearly the second Thursday in
August at the Bolton meeting-house.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I37
Berlin and Bolton have known better than most
towns the Friends or Quakers in their citizenship ;
both towns would bear cheerful testimony to their
worth. To see the commingling of the descendants
of Cassandra Southwick and the Boston Puritans
fraternizing in religious meetings, public and pri-
vate, with kindliest regards for each other's distinc-
tive views and order of worship, seems to preclude
the possibility of certain historic facts, — just as
fully Puritans as ever and just as fully Quakers as
ever. But many of the Quakers on whom the Puri-
tans' wrath descended were as unlike our worthy
Quaker citizens as were the old Puritans unlike the
Puritans of to-day. Not here can we discuss the
merits of the case, but we rejoice together in the
better knowledge of personal liberty of opinions and
the harmonizing of religious faith.
The Quakers have always had really the most ad-
vanced and mainly correct ideas on liberty as to re-
ligion. Some of the members of the society came in
conflict with the town on account of the ministerial
tax. By law every taxable person was liable to this
tax unless he presented to the Assessors a certificate
that he was a member of some other religious so-
ciety. This, Jonathan Baker neglected or refused to
do, hence he was assessed, and on refusal to pay he
was put in jail. The town finally remitted his four-
teen-shilling tax, and his certificate of Quaker mem-
bership stands on record.
On school matters Obadiah Wheeler was the per-
sistent leader in insisting year after year, and as often
refused, on a division of the school money. That is
our issue to-dav with the Catholics. The Quakers
I38 HISTORY OF THE
finally established a sehool near their meeting-house
in Bolton, to which all the children of Friends' fam-
ilies were sent. This plan of separate sectarian
schools was abandoned as impracticable and unwise,
1870, and a return was made to the common school,
where every American or foreign born child here
should attend and receive the rudiments at least of
a sound secular education. In 1781 the following
members "signed off" or presented their certificate
of membership : Stephen Sweat, Obadiah Wheeler,
Jr., Peter Grossman, Benjamin Baker, David South-
wick, Enoch South wick, Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., Ste-
phen Wheeler, Peregrine Wheeler and William Bry-
ant. Of late a change is apparent in the garb and
language of the Friends, probably in the line of prog-
ress. At the present time members of this society
are not distinguishable from the world's people in
either speech or dress.
OTHER BELIEFS AND NO BELIEFS.
Besides the Orthodox, Unitarians, Methodists and
Friends, there have been, from the early times, some
living here of other beliefs. Notably among these
were some Baptists who attended church in neigh-
boring towns, and of more recent date we find several
respectable families of the Catholic faith who attend
church at Clinton and Hudson. And, again, on dili-
gent inquiry, it may be learned that quite a large
number, proportionately, are, and have been, of the
Spiritualistic faith or belief. They have no organiza-
tion, and of late have rarely held any meetings in
town. Interest in this subject began here about
1850, and meetings were held in various places until
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 39
the breaking out of the war. Since then, less activity
•has been manifested, but faith in the reality of the
manifestations still has a strong- hold in many fam-
ilies. The remaining portion of the population by
some would be called "agnostics;" by others, "the
world's people." They have made no particular
profession of religion orally, but have left their faith
to be known by their works. On close inquiry it
will probably be found that most of these have faith
in the Golden Rule and in the doctrine " that what-
soever ye sow, that shall ye also reap."
COST OF PUBLIC WORSHIP.
The three churches located in town furnish ample
facilities for the entire population to attend meeting.
The Congregational Church was built by the town
for the accommodation of all its inhabitants, when
the population was nearly the same as at present.
The total amount invested in the three meeting-
houses amounts to nearly $15,000, and the yearly
expenditure for the supply of the pulpit and other
society work is probably not less than $3,000, besides
the annual repairs, which amount to no inconsider-
able sum. Taken altogether, the yearly appropri-
ation and the interest on the church property
amount to one-half of the average town taxes, and
"for no other purpose," says Mr. Houghton, "would
the people voluntarily tax themselves for so large an
amount."
The number that attend meeting of any kind bear
no comparison to the sums expended. Less than
one-half, probably, are regular attendants, and the
query arises whether some plan may be devised by
140 HISTORY OF THE
some wise head by which the people can be elevated
to a higher plane, intellectually, morally and spirit-
ually, by a less expenditure of money. Brief exam-
ination discloses the fact that at least $2,000 a year
could be saved in this small town for other bene-
ficial purposes if people were guided less by dogma
and more by reason. Just consider : In one decade
there would be saved $20,000 for objects of the high-
est utility — for a high school, for a magnificent
library and a building for the same of ample
dimensions and of artistic design, and for other
purposes equally beneficial. Could people of small
towns like this disrobe themselves of sectarian prej-
udice, and exercise the same prudence, foresight and
sagacity in this as in the ordinary affairs of life, the
community would soon be elevated to a higher posi-
tion in the scale of being, and advance towards that
higher plane of civilization which has been the ideal
life of the wisest sages of all generations.
MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS — LIST OF BERLIN OFFICERS.
THE OLD MILITIA.
This organization is known on record as the 9th
Company of the 1 st Regiment of Worcester County
Division and attached to the 2d Brigade, the 6th
and 7th Division of the infantry arm of the service.
The following is a list of officers and year of commis-
sion:—
CAPTAINS.
Barnabas May nard, 1787 Samuel Jones, Jr., 1795
Henry Powers, 1788 Job Spofford, 1798
Josiah Sawyer, 1792 Manasseh Fairbank, 1801
142
HISTORY
OF THE
Ephraim Howe,
1803
Theophilus Nourse,
1822
Amos Sawyer,
1805
Benjamin F. Spofford,
1824
Oliver Sawyer ( Pro. ) ,
1809
Paul Brigham,
1826
William Newton,
1812
John Bartlett,
1829
Solomon Howe,
1814
Silas B. Fairbank,
1830
William Barnes,
1816
Franklin Sawyer,
1831
Curtis Howe,
1817
Silas Sawyer,
1837
All of the above-named were promoted from lieutenants or
ensigns to captains, except Captain Barnabas Maynard.
LIEUTENANTS.
The following, not in the above list, served as
lieutenants :
Samuel Baker, Jr.,
1788
Albert Babcock,
1831
Augustus Bigelow,
1805
William Babcock,
1838
Ira Sawyer,
1817
Samuel M. Fuller,
1856
John Powers,
1826
ENSIGNS.
Not named in
above lists
Henry Powers,
1809
Joseph Wilder,
1832
Aaron Barnes, 1822
The company was disbanded July 1, 1S57.
Men enlisted in other organizations and those pro-
moted to higher positions in the service, viz. :
Samuel Spofford, cornet, 1st Regiment of Horse, 1792.
Samuel Spofford, captain, Battalion Cavalry, 1 794.
Caleb Fairbanks, cornet, " " 1798.
Joseph Parks, cornet, Cavalry, 18 10.
Joseph Parks, lieutenant, Cavalry, 181 1.
Joseph Parks, captain, Cavalry, 18 14.
Joseph Parks, major, Cavalry, 181 6.
Joseph Parks, lieutenant colonel, Cavalry, 181 7.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 43
Joseph Parks, colonel, Cavalry, 1818.
Timothy Bailey, lieutenant, Cavalry, 181 2.
Timothy Bailey, captain, Cavalry, 1816.
Jonathan D. Meriam, cornet, Cavalry, 1820.
Jonathan D. Meriam, lieutenant, Cavalry, 1822.
Jonathan D. Meriam, captain, Cavalry, 1824.
Emerson Spofford, cornet, Cavalry, 1826.
INFANTRY.
Silas B. Fairbank, major, 1831.
Silas B. Fairbank, lieutenant colonel, 1832.
Oliver Sawyer, major, 1812.
ARTILLERY.
Oliver Stone; lieutenant, Battalion of Artillery, 1835.
Abram Babcock, lieutenant, Battalion of Artillery, 1837.
BERLIN LIGHT INFANTRY.
This company was formed in the spring of 1852
and is known of record as Company F, 8th Regiment,
5th Brigade and 3d Division, Massachusetts Volun-
teers. The first captain of this company was Lewis
Sawyer, commissioned April 15, 1852, and discharged
Novembers, 1854. The second captain was Chris-
tophers. Hastings, commissioned March 13, 1855,
and resigned January 16, 1857. Captain Hastings
was commissioned second lieutenant April 15, 1852;
Ira Carter, third lieutenant, April 15, 1852; James
N. Johnson, fourth lieutenant, April 15, 1852; James
N. Johnson, second lieutenant, March 13, 1855;
Samuel M. Fuller, third lieutenant, March 13, 1855;
Samuel M. Fuller, second lieutenant, April 30, 1855,
144 HISTORY OF THE
Chauncey P. Hartwell, fourth lieutenant, June 30,
1855 ; Chauncey P. Hartwell, second lieutenant, July
22, 1856; Lewis L. Carter, fourth lieutenant, March
13, 1855; Lewis L. Carter, third lieutenant, April 30,
1855-
This company was disbanded July 1, 1857; since
then there has been no military organization in town.
THE OLD CEMETERY, 1 768.
The land for the old cemetery was given to the
inhabitants of Bolton for a "burying place" by Sam-
uel Jones and David Rice, by deed May 9, 1 768. The
consideration named therein was : "For the love and
good will of the inhabitants of the southerly part of
the town of Bolton, living within the limits which
hath been mentioned for a precinct or district." The
first interment was that of Samuel Jones of Marl-
boro, probably the father of Samuel, the donor, 1 769.
Previous to this burials were made in the Bolton old
cemetery and in burying grounds in the adjoining
towns. Some from nearly all the families of the
first settlers were buried here, except those of the
Society of Friends, of which there was quite a num-
ber who were buried in an old cemetery back of the
Thomas Fry place. Two memorial statues of fine
artistic design and workmanship, erected by Artemas
Barnes, 1876, adorn the grounds: the one to the
memory of Dr. Puffer, representing "Faith ;" the other
to the memory of Lieutenant Timothy Bailey, who
was our only soldier who died in the Revolutionary
war, and represents "Hope." The old cemetery sub-
served the wants of the town for eighty-seven years,
or till 1857, when the new cemetery was laid out.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 45
THE NEW CEMETERY, 1 857.
The first movement made by the town in relation
to a new cemetery was at a town meeting held June
1 1 , 1 849. On motion made by Josiah Babcock, chose
a committee "to ascertain if some suitable place for
a new burial ground can be obtained." Various
places were examined from time to time till April 6,
1857, when the town voted that the Committee on
Burial Ground buy four or more acres at or near
Pine nursery. This committee consisted of Oliver
Fosgate, Edward F. Green, Oliver Smith, Eli Saw-
yer and C. S. Hastings. The land was a part of the
old Levi Wheeler farm, and the committee in their
report to the town say that they "found there a piece
of land that nature has shaped just as it should be,
or just as your committee think it should be, etc.,
of easy access to the road. A part of the lot is
covered with small growing pines." A committee
subsequently chosen reported in favor of the same
location. Brief inspection of this site demonstrates
the wisdom of those who selected this beautiful and
convenient spot for the new cemetery. No town
around can in all respects present so fine a location.
The grounds were laid out in 1857 and the work
completed the following year. The first interment was
that of Joel L. Wheeler, who died in August, 1857.
More pains are taken yearly to keep the cemetery
in good order. The income of the Hunt and Bige-
low funds is applied for that purpose. The tomb
was first placed near the gateway, but was removed
to the present location 1877. The price of lots was
fixed at first at $ 5 , but was changed 1877: ' 'To parties
146 HISTORY OF THE
out of town, $25 ; to those in town, $8 for inside lots
and $5 for outside."
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The first notice the people of the town had that
hostilities had commenced was announced by our
veteran expressman and stage driver, Amos Sawyer.
The thrilling account of the attack on Fort Sumter
' was read from a Boston paper before the coach left
the post office on the evening of April 12, 186 1. It
had been customary for some time for our townsmen
to assemble on arrival of the mail. On this occasion
more than the usual number were present, anxious
to learn if the threatened intention of the rebels had
been carried out.
This news created intense excitement throughout
the town. The people were prepared in a measure
to expect some rash and overt act on the part of our
southern brethren, still they had hopes that return-
ing reason or some fortuitous circumstances might
arise to prevent actual hostilities. The people of the
town were quite well united in opposition to the
plotters of treason, and but few if any rebel sympa-
thizers were in our midst; prudence dictated to
them undoubtedly that safety and security for them-
selves would be best secured by silence and seclusion.
This unity of sentiment was highly favorable to that
military enthusiasm, which was quickened into inten-
sity by the stirring events of April, 1861. The
patriotic sentiment must have vent, must express itself
in words and deeds not to be misunderstood, hence
a meeting was called by the Selectmen at the old
Town House on the Common May 6, 1861, at which
TOWN OK BERLIN. 1 47
it was informally proposed to raise a whole company
in our representative district — Berlin, Bolton and
Harvard, — and that the other towns be invited to
join us. Projects for drilling were perfected. One
said he understood "tick tacs" and could perform
the duties of drill master. It was finally agreed
that the able-bodied should meet and parade on the
Common and then march to Northboro under com-
mand of Captain C. S. Hastings, and show the
Northboreans that the Berlineans were alive and
ready for action, and eager to obtain recruits for the
new company. The programme proposed was carried
out, the march was made, and each man carried a
musket — an old queen's arm or a rifle; the music — a
fife and drum. Such was the effervescence of the
first outburst of patriotic sentiment here at this time,
there would have been no difficulty in enlisting a
whole company perhaps ; not all in town, but a few
outsiders might have been necessary for a full com-
plement, and that, too, without the large bounties
afterwards paid.
The first official action taken by the town for the
suppression of the Rebellion was on the 6th of May,
1 86 1. The Selectmen for that year were: Henry
D. Coburn, Silas Sawyer and George W. Maynard.
At this meeting the sum of $2,000 was appropriated
"for fitting out volunteers for the defense of the
government," and chose the following committee for
the expenditure of the money, viz. : Luther Peters,
Abel W. Longley, Riley Smith, Eli Sawyer and
William Bassett. The following resolutions, pre-
sented by William Bassett, Esq., were read and
adopted :
148 HISTORY OF THE
Resolved, That the time has come for action, resolute, deter-
mined, decided action ; and that liberty imperilled, the laws
defied, the Constitution trampled upon and the old flag trailed
in the dust by traitorous hands, call in tones of thunder to
every patriot to arm and strike a blow at once for liberty and
law, for God and justice.
Resolved, That since governments were instituted among
men, never was there less justification for rebellion than this
which has been brought forth by a conspiracy more wicked
than the world has ever seen, and all who shall give it aid and
comfort by word or deed will be justly deserving the execration
of all good and patriotic citizens.
Resolved, That we cheerfully accept the situation and will
resolutely stand on our country's defense, and in proportion
to our means and numbers will contribute of the same to the
support of the government, until the old flag shall wave over
the whole land as the emblem of equality, liberty and law.
The above action of the town was in response to
the first call of the president for troops, made imme-
diately after the fall of Fort Sumter, April 15, 1861,
which was for 75,000 to serve for three months, and
also to the second call, made May 3d, for 42,000 addi-
tional volunteers, to serve for three years, or during
the war.
The enlistment fever subsided in a measure when
it was learned from Washington that no more volun-
teers were needed, and that William H. Seward,
secretary of state, and others in high authority
expressed the opinion that the Rebellion would
collapse within three months, but the battle of Bull
Rull changed all of this. The magnitude of the
contest was more apparent as time went on, until all
could see that it was a life and death struggle for
union and libertv.
TOWN' OF BERLIN. 1 49
It appears by the report of the committee before
named, made at the November meeting, 1 8 6 1 , "that
they had paid thirty-four men $8 each." The enlist-
ments to this date were mostly in the 13 th, 15 th,
2 2d and 25 th Mass. Vols. None of our soldiers were
in the first battle of Bull Run.
July 25, 1862. "Voted to pay the sum of $100 to
each volunteer who may enlist in the service of the
country to constitute the quota for the town of
Berlin for three years' service."
August 23. "Voted to pay $100 to each volunteer
required to fill the quota for the 300,000 volunteers
for nine months' service, called for by the president
of the United States, the $100 to be paid when they
shall be mustered into the service of the United
States. A committee of five was chosen to obtain
the names of all persons engaged in the war, includ-
ing names, ages, occupation."
November 4. "Voted that the Selectmen be
instructed to contract with Adams Express Company
to convey the bodies of those soldiers from this town
who may die or be killed in battle, who may be
delivered at their office, and the Selectmen furnish
the express company with a list of names of the
soldiers in service from this town."
November 3, 1863. "Voted to comply with the
provision of section 9 of the act for reimbursement
of bounties paid by towns to volunteers."
April 2, 1864. "Voted that the town appropriate
$ 1 2 5 to pay each volunteer who may enlist in the
service of the United States as a part of the quota of
this town, or a like amount for recruiting purposes
to fill the quota of this town."
150 HISTORY OF THE
August 3. "Voted to pay the bounty in gold or
its equivalent."
June 9, 1 866. Soldiers' monument proposed.
The following committee was chosen to take the
matter into consideration and report at a future
meeting: Rev. W. A. Houghton, William Bas-
sett, Israel Sawyer, Riley Smith, A. W. Longley.
The committee reported in favor of a memorial
hall instead of a monument, which report was
accepted, and the same was built in connection
with and as a part of the Town Hall building, and
both were dedicated at the same time, March 2,
1870. The memorial address was by Rev. William
A. Houghton, and was printed in pamphlet with the
other exercises on that occasion. This address was
largely devoted to a personal history of those who
died during the war and a brief sketch of the sur-
vivors. A fuller record of Berlin soldiers will
hereafter appear in these pages, derived from the
adjutant general's office and other sources.
The following is an extract from Adjutant General
Schouler's history, "Massachusetts in the Rebellion" :
"Berlin furnished 130 men for the war, which was a surplus
of nine over and above all demands ; three were commissioned
officers. The whole amount of money appropriated and
expended by the town on account of the war, exclusive of
state aid, was $14,013.22.
"The amount of money raised and expended by the town
during the war for state aid to soldiers' families and repaid by
the Commonwealth was as follows: In 1861, $296.25 ; in
1862, $1,773.32; in 1863, $2,883.05; in 1864, $3,589.30;
in 1865, $2,691.44. Total amount, $11,233.36.
"The ladies of Berlin formed a soldiers' aid society, and did
soldiers' work for the Sanitary Commission. They also col-
WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS.
MRS. Ltd. II. ANDREWS.
M RS. I K AM [S BAB( C>< K.
M RS. |. II. CROSSMAN.
\IK^. SARAH STRATTON.
Mrs. H. C. SAWYER.
MRS. PHILO BRUCE.
MRS. S. E. ANDREWS.
MRS. J. <C- MAYNARD.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 15I
lected over $700 to purchase material to be made into under-
clothing, socks and other garments for the soldiers. They
met often, the average attendance being about sixty. The
articles furnished were generally sent to the soldiers through
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions."
THE PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS — MASSA-
CHUSETTS' QUOTAS — MEN FURNISHED.
President's call. Mass. Men furnished.
[861.
April 15, 3 months, 75,000 1,560 3,736 3 months
May 3, 6 mos., 1,2,3 yrs. 500,000 34,868 32,177 3 years
Congress approved Aug. 6, July 22, 25.
1S62.
July 2, 3 years, 300,000 19,080 16,519 3 years
August 4, 9 months, 300000 19,080 16,685 9 months
1863.
June 15, 6 months, 103 6 months
October 17, 3 years, 500,000 26,597 17,711 3 years
1S64.
February 1, 3 years, men paid commutation 3,703 3 years
March 14, 3 years, 200,000 10,639 x7>332 3 years
March 14, men paid commutation
Apr. 23 to July 18, must'd in 100 days, 4,000
Julv 18, 500,000 21,965
December 19, 300,000 1,306
Massachusetts' quota, 139,095 ; furnished, 146,730.
WAR MEETINGS.
Prior to 1864 the voluntary enlistments had been
sufficient to nearly fill all quotas called for, but the
later calls of the president for 500,000 and 300,000
during this year necessitated going into the market for
1,615
3 years
6,809
100 days
6,990
1 year
108
2 years
4,641
3 years
1,535
1 year
43
2 years
2,349
3 years
2
4 years
152 HISTORY OF THE
recruits. Home enlistments had ceased, and all had
gone who could well leave their families or had an
inclination to enter the service, hence Berlin, like most
other towns, had to buy recruits by paying large
bounties. Meetings were frequently held at the old
Town House on the Common to devise ways and
means to fill the quotas and escape the draft. Per-
sons liable to the draft contributed $50 each to the
general fund to pay the bounties required in filling
the last calls of the president.
The last enlistments of citizens of special note was
on January 5, 1864, of Tyler Paine, John Robins,
George E. Maynard, Oliver P. Wheeler and Rufus
R. Wheeler (enlisted, but Rufus didn't go). This
was a "time that tried men's souls," and men's pockets
as well of those that staid at home. The last quotas
were filled through Boston agencies in Washington,
mostly of discharged soldiers of other states. After
filling the last calls the enrolled militia felt an inex-
pressible sense of relief in the belief that the
beginning of the end had come, for the backbone of
the Rebellion had been broken at Gettysburg and
Vicksburg, and General Grant was in command of
the armies.
THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE.
Captain " C. S. Hastings," a name for years as
familiar in Berlin as the name of the town, properly
heads the death roll of our deceased soldiers.
Christopher Sawyer Hastings, son of Ephraim and
Achsah Hastings, was born in Lancaster, now Clin-
ton, in 1 8 1 4. Moses was the name by which he was
called till he became of age, when he changed it to
DECEASED SOLDIERS.
CHARLES C. WRIGHT.
JAMES BARRY.
THOMAS F. RATHBUN.
WILLIAM II. COBUKN,
CAPT. C. S. HASTINGS.
EDWIN BIGKLOW.
I. FRANK CARTER.
LEMUEL GOTT, [K.
JAMES M. BULLARD.
WOMEN'S RELIEF CORPS.
M lis. s. i . CHAM r.i- KLIN.
Mll\ OLIVE CARTJ K. MRS. O. K. I I'llAM.
\IK^. AM'iin 1. MAYNARD MRS. JESSIE SNOW JOHNSON.
\I Us, EMMA 111 NTING.
\1 RS. ALBERT BAB< Oi K.
MRS. [OHN ROSE.
MRS. GEO. II. BRUCE.
MRS. 1-KED. MILLER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 53
-Christopher. His childhood and youth were spent
in Boylston, whither his parents removed. At
twenty-one years he came to Berlin, his father hav-
ing purchased the Nathan Johnson estate. In 1 840
he settled himself in the family state with Miss
Cordelia Bigelow of Marlboro, on the homestead
which he so much adorned in various improvements.
He was a citizen in the true sense, active and enter-
prising-— a man of cheerful social habits, and public-
spirited as a townsman. His fellow-citizens be-
stowed upon him important trusts, which he ever
met with fidelity. At the opening of the war his
age exempted him from military service. His offer-
ing was voluntary. True, he had much at stake,
with others. But he had no doubt of the final issue,
yet he would not withhold his own personal service.
He enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt, Mass. Vols., and
entered into the service as captain, September, 1862.
The regiment was about Harper's Ferry awhile, and
the upper Potomac ; then at Fredericksburg, and
under fire in that battle, but not engaged. Their
next service was in the southwestern department.
Capt. Hastings was with his regiment in the siege
of Vicksburg, and three days in the engagement at
Jackson. Here he sickened, and was left behind the
regiment, on its return to Kentucky. He recovered,
and wrote his last letter at Memphis, returning to
his regiment. Was taken sick again, and died at
Mound City, 111., September 8th, 1863, at forty-nine
years of age.
Thomas F. Rathburn, son of Solomon H. and
Hannah Rathburn, was born in Bolton 1841. Rath-
burn made the first regular enlistment of our soldiers,
154 HISTORY OF THE
though he did not go on that enlistment. July 4th,
1 86 1, he was enrolled in Co. F, 13th Regt, Mass.
Vols. The early service of the regiment was tedious
in marches. On the upper Potomac, on picket duty,
he contracted a fever, of which he died at Win-
chester, March 14th, 1862, at twenty years of age.
His remains, the first of our death harvest in the
war, were sent home in charge of his fellow soldier,
Corporal S. M. Haynes, and were buried in our own
cemetery.
Charles H. Maynard, son of Charles H. and
Priscilla Maynard (Mrs. Reuben Babcock), was born
in Stow April nth, 1835. Resident here at the
outbreak (5f the war, he was among the first to enlist
for our defense. He joined Co. E, 13th Regt., Mass.
Vols., in July, 1861. He zealously followed the
fortunes of this brave regiment in all its perils and
hard service of movements and battles, till the
memorable day of Gettysburg, when he was taken
prisoner. Exchanged, he declined in health, and
died in the service of the invalid corps, at Douglas
Hospital, Washington, D. C, January 24th, 1864,
at twenty-eight years of age. His grave is in our
own cemetery.
Alonzo F. Howe, son of Lyman and Rebecca
Howe, was born in Marlboro March 24th, 1831.
Just before the 'war he raised here his domestic
sanctuary, and gathered his little family around him.
He enlisted in Co. H, 29th Regt, Mass. Vols.,
December 23d, 1861. He was unable, much of the
time, to do field duty, but was with his regiment at
the siege of Vicksburg. Returning, he was taken
sick on the way, and died at Camp Denison, Cin-
DECEASED SOLDIERS.
IIOLLIS L. JOHNSON.
EZRA BARTLETT.
J. N. P. JOHNSON.
CHARLES D. STAKKEY.
WILLIAM FLORENCE.
SILAS E. OODDARD.
GEORGE II. BOWERS
SAMUEL A. SNOW.
N. M. ALLEN.
\1 US. W. T. BABCOCK.
MRS. JOS. STAPLES.
MRS. JOHN A. MERRILL.
ISS URSULA B. STEVENS.
MRS. CHAS. II. BI.ISS.
MRS. s. II. MERRILL.
M US. BENJ. S. WALKER.
MRS. JOHN L. DAY.
MRS. J. M. DEWEY.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 55
cinnati, September 7th, 1863, aged thirty-two years.
His remains were brought to this place for burial.
Silas F. Jillson (misnamed Gilsom on tablet),
son of Wheaton C. and Eliza B. Jillson, was born in
Richmond, N. H., May 24th, 1836. Living in this
town at the opening of the war, he readily enlisted
for the town in Co. I, 25th Regt., Mass. Vols., October
20th, 1 86 1. Jillson was the first of our soldiers to
receive a wound, — this at Roanoke Island. He re-
enlisted and continued in the service through the war,
but died at Charlotte, N. C, July 14th, 1865, aged
twenty-nine years. He received a second wound in
the summer of 1864.
Silas E. Goddard, son of Ephraim and Sophia
Goddard, was born in Berlin March 24th, 1832. A
retiring, modest youth, a dutiful son, of infirm health,
he nevertheless was urgent to go at the call of his
country ; he enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass.
Vols. Was in the Vicksburg campaign, but sunk
in sickness on return to Kentucky, and died at
Camp Nelson September 10th, 1863, at twenty-one
years of age. His letters were full of courage,
though comrades affirm that he was often really un-
able to do duty.
George Ira Carter, son of Ira and Hannah
Carter, was born in Berlin. He enlisted August 6th,
1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols. Among the
youngest of all our soldier boys, he followed closely
the service of his regiment, and was in all its
engagements. Was wounded at Poplar Spring
Church, Va., being shot through the left lung; was
taken prisoner, and died at Petersburg September
30th, 1864, twenty years old. It is related of him
156 HISTORY OF THE
that in battle, the regiment being under fire, he re-
fused to lie down at orders, but stood till the word
of " charge " was given, when he tossed his gun in
air and caught it as he plunged with the rest into
the deadly strife.
Hollis L. Johnson, son of Lewis H. and Mary
Johnson, was born in Berlin June 7th, 1838. Spent
most of his youth among us. Enlisted in Co. F,
13th Regt., Mass. Vols., 1862. He was in constant
service till his death, which occurred at the second
battle of Bull Run, August 30th, 1862. A long and
painful suspense hung over his parents and friends
as to his lot in that battle. Up to this point he had
kept up frequent correspondence with the family at
home.
Thomas Hastings, son of Reuben and Hannah
Hastings, born in Berlin January 24th, 18 18.
Married Elizabeth T. Houghton of Bolton, in which
town he resided some years. Enlisted in Co. C, 1 5 th
Regt., Mass. Vols. He went through the Peninsular
campaign, and was through the battle of Antietam,
from which only fifteen of the company came out.
A ball passing through both his legs above the knee,
he was left upon the field. He succeeded in reach-
ing an old barn with others, where they remained
four days, helping each other as they could, when
they were removed to Campbell Hospital, Phila-
delphia. Chronic diarrhoea having set in, he died
October 23d, 1862, at forty-four years of age.
Nathan B. Garfield was born in Shrewsbury.
His youth was spent partly in Amherst, N. H. He
came to this place from Marlboro, a diffident and
retiring young man, the last of all, we should have
DECEASED SOLDIERS.
EDWIN 11. UK II.
GEORGE E. MAYNARD.
WILLIAM II. link rON.
GEORGE I. i A KTER.
AUGUSTUS L.HASTINGS.
TYLER PAINE.
HOMER E. STONE.
s. F. JILLSON.
GEORGE C. WHEELER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 157
said, to make a soldier. But none was more ready
at duty's call for any conflict. Repeatedly rejected
for bodily frailty, his spirit burned to serve his
country. Was finally accepted in Co. I, 25th Regt.,.
Mass. Vols., July, 1862. Garfield served his regi-
ment mainly in the hospital. Yet nothing but the
field would satisfy his zeal. The field he took, and
on the field he fell at Bermuda Hundred, Va., May
1 6th, 1864, aged twenty-nine years. He was tenderly
buried by his fellow soldier, Eli Sawyer, Jr., of this
town.
William H. Coburn, son of Henry D. and
Hannah Coburn, was born in Berlin, 1841. Very
thoughtfully, and with parental consent, he enlisted
in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols., August 6th, 1862.
From the battle of Fredericksburg he accompanied
the regiment to the siege of Vicksburg ; was taken
sick after the battle of Jackson, and was brought to
Portsmouth Grove Hospital, R. I. Was again on
duty in the battle of the Wilderness, in which he
was wounded in a charge on the enemy's works
May 6th, 1862. The wound was in the thigh. After
many removals, with great suffering, he was brought
to Campbell Hospital, Washington, where he died
September 18th, 1862, aged twenty-one years. He
had the great consolation of his brother's attendance
in his last days.
James H. Barry was born in Nova Scotia 1844.
Spent his youth under the fatherly care of Henry
D. Coburn of this town. He eagerly enlisted in Co.
I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols., July, 1862. Barry was
in the battles of the regiment at Fredericksburg,
Vicksburg, Jackson, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania^
158 HISTORY OF THE
North Anna, Cold Harbor, and was instantly killed
on picket duty, in front of Petersburg, July 1 st,
1864, the ball passing through his right arm and
body. He exclaimed, "My God, my God!" and
ceased to breathe. His fellow soldier, Ansel wSnow,
assisted in his proper burial beside the Norfolk &
Petersburg railroad. Aged twenty years.
Samuel A. Snow, adopted son of Ansel Snow of
Berlin, was born in Milford, son of Samuel A. and
Susan Salsbury, 1845. Enlisted in Co. I, 25th Regt,
Mass. Vols., October 14th, 1861, and followed closely
the service of his regiment. Was in battle at Roa-
noke Island, Newbern, Kingston, Whitehall, Golds-
boro, Port Walthall, Arrowfield Church, N. C. Re-
enlisted as veteran when the regiment came to
Virginia, and was taken prisoner at Drury's Bluff
May 27th, 1864. He endured the cruelties of Libby
and Andersonville until October, when he was taken
to Savannah, thence to Florence, S. C, where he
died December 1st at the age of nineteen. Such
was the soldier life of a timid, retiring boy, hardly
known among us, only as a pupil in our schools.
George H. Bowers was born in Boston. Came
to this town a stranger, with his family, two years
before the war. Enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass.
Vols., September, 1862. Died of disease at Coving-
ton, Ky., September 30th, 1863, aged thirty-six
years. Particulars of his death unknown.
Edwin J. Bigelow, .son of Horace and Almina
Bigelow, early enlisted in service of his countrv, in
Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass., Vols., but was discharged
on account of ill health. Re-enlisted 1864 in 61st
Regt., Mass. Vols., and was killed in making a
DECEASED SOLDIERS.
AN-.KI. [.. SNO W.
JOHN ROBBINS.
LEWIS F. HOWE.
JAMES 1 . RATHBU]
'■l>\\ VRD II. IUK r.SHOKN .
W. I. STETSON.
REUBEN A DERB1 .
ALONZO P. HOWE.
CHARLES II. SNOW.
CHARLES II. MAYNARJ
N. B. GARFIELD.
I
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 59
charge on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg,
Va., April 2d, 1865 ; aged twenty years.
Rufus H. Williams, son of Rtifus and Sarah
Williams, born in Bolton 1843, was n°t liable to
military duty, but was urgent to go, and enlisted in
Co. I, 25th Regt, Mass. Vols., 1861. Died of dis-
ease at Georgetown, D. C, April 4th, 1862, at the
age of nineteen years.
Henry P. Rich, son of James and Sally Rich,
was born in Northboro 1845. Enlisted 1864 in Co.
D, 4th Battalion Heavy Artillery, at Fort Independ-
ence, where he died of disease August iith, 1865, at
the age of twenty years.
Tyler Paine, born in Smithfield, R. I., had been
a citizen of Berlin some years. At enlistment he
had four motherless children. He nevertheless gave
himself to his country in her need. Enlisted in Co.
B, 3d Mass. Cavalry. The regiment was in the Red
River expedition, from which, on return to New
Orleans, Mr. Paine died of disease, June 15 th, 1864,
aged forty years. Enlisted January 5th, 1864.
Homer E. Stone, son of Isaac and Martha Stone,
was born in Berlin June 24th, 1843. The health of
his parents kept him awhile from enlistment. He
finally joined the 4th Regt., Mass. Cavalry, Co. E,
September, 1863. His frequent letters are full of
patriotism and affection. " I know," he says, " the
cause I am in is right, as sure as there is a God."
" I am reconciled to my lot." He remitted many
drawings of his own, representing forts and scenery
about the James. His service was short. In June,
1 864, he contracted disease of which he died July
24th, near Petersburg, aged twenty-one years.
l6o HISTORY OF THE
Lafayette Warden was born in Illinois. Name
of parents unascertained. His home among us was
principally with Mr. Harvey D. Carter. Was mus-
tered into service in Co. C, 15th Regt., Mass. Vols.
Died of wounds at Washington, D. C, June 15th,
1864, aged twenty-two years. He attained to the
rank of first duty sergeant.
Watson Wilson, son of James and Persis Wil-
son. Enlisted in Co. I, 36th Regt., Mass. Vols.,
August 27th, 1862. Died of wounds received at
Cold Harbor June 3d, 1864. Was in all the battles
of the regiment.
Charles D. Starkey, son of Anthony S. and
Martha Starkey, was born in Berlin July 18th, 1838.
He spent his youth among us. His health was not
firm, but he enlisted in 1862 in Co. I, 5 th Regt., Mass.
Vols., for nine months' service. He was in the
several engagements of his regiment in North Caro-
lina, but sickened and died at Newbern May 26th,
1863, aged twenty-five years. His comrades testify
to his voluntary over-exertions, by which sickness
was induced.
Lemuel Gott, Jr., son of Dr. Lemuel and Mary
Gott, born in Rockport, Cape Ann, February 20th,
1 840, came to this town with his father's family in
1855. He graduated at the Normal School, West-
field, in 1 862 ; afterwards was principal of the high
school in Danville, 111. In the midst of great use-
fulness, sickness compelled him to resign. Recover-
ing, he was eager for the field. As a trial of strength
he enlisted in Co. I, 5th Regt., Mass. Vols., for one
hundred days' service. Suffering a sunstroke,his health
failed, fever set in, and he died in the hospital at
TOWN OF BERLIN'. I 6 I
Baltimore August 29th, 1864, attended by his
father. His grave is with us. He was twenty-four
years of age, an only son and brother, of great
promise to friends and society.
DIED AFTER DISCHARGE, BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.
J. P. N. JOHNSON, more familiarly known as Pills-
bury Johnson, son of Edward and Annie Johnson,
was born in Berlin 1824. He enlisted in Co. F, 13th
Regt., Mass. Vols., and was in much of its service
till the winter of 1862-3. After some service at
Columbia Hospital, Georgetown, D. C, he was dis-
charged from the army February 3d, 1863, on ac-
count of ill health. Returning home he declined
gradually, and died May 2th, 1864, aged forty years.
William Florence, son of Daniel G. and Mary
Florence, born in Marlboro, enlisted in Co. I, 36th
Regt., Mass. Vols., 1862. Was honorably discharged
for ill health in February, 1863, at Newport News.
He gradually declined and died in Berlin May 5 th,
1863, aged twenty-three years.
Ezra Baktlett, son of William and Sarah Bart-
lett, born in Berlin, enlisted for the one hundred
days' service in the summer of 1864. At Indian-
apolis, Ind., on guard of rebel prisoners, he con-
tracted fever, of which he died at Camp Carrington,
( ictober 16th, aged nineteen years.
George E. Hartwell enlisted September, 1862,
in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols. Was discharged
by surgeon's certificate, and died in Hudson Feb-
ruary 15th, 1863. The Hudson Encampment have
erected a tablet over his grave.
1 62 HISTORY OF THE
SOLDIERS WHO SURVIVED THE WAR.
MEMBERS OF THE 1 3TH REGIMENT.
Edward Barnard, son of Edward and Margaret,
born in Boston. Enlisted June, 1861, Co. F, 13 th
Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate Feb. 6th,
1863. Died in Berlin July 16th, 1889, at Francis
Babcock's, and was buried in our cemetery by Post
54-
SamItbl E. Fuller, son of Samuel M. and Cath-
erine, born in Sunderland. Enlisted July 16th,
1 86 1, in Co. F, 13th Regt. Discharged by expiration
of term of service August 1, 1864. Was taken
prisoner June, 1863; confined in Libby prison. Sub-
sequently was field nurse in hospital. Residence,
Clinton.
James B. Fuller, son of Samuel M. and Catherine,
born in Berlin. Enlisted in Co. F, 13th Regt., as a
musician. Residence, Boston.
Augustus Harper, son of James and Judith, born
in Roxbury. Enlisted July 16th, 1861, in Co. F,
13 th Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate
January 7th, 1863.
Austin Gill, son of Peter and Bridget, born in
Worcester. Enlisted July 30, 1861, in Co. F, 13th
Regt. Discharged at expiration of term of service.
Wounded in foot at battle of Petersburg.
Charles A. Howe, born in Leominster. Enlisted
June, 1862, in Co. F, 13th Regt. Discharged by
surgeon's certificate July 7th, 1863. Residence,
Hudson.
Samuel M. Haynes, son of Emory and Anna,
born in Wayland. Enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. F,
LIVING SOLDIERS.
DAVID B. WHITCOMB.
WIl.l.AKIi G. BRUCE.
SOLON WHEELER.
i has. | . STAPLES.
A. MILTON STAPLES
JOS. W. MERRILL.
II \ RRISON T. BABCOCK.
OSCAR W. MOLT.
SPENCER C. CHAMBERLIN.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 63
13th Regt., on the quota of Bolton. Discharged
June 6th, 1863. Re-enlisted December, 1863, in Co.
B, 59th Regt. Wounded in side at Poplar Grove
September 30th, 1864; same day in left leg, which
was amputated below the knee. Discharged July,
1865, at Dale Hospital, Worcester. Residence, Hud-
son.
Sewell H. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H.,
born in Hampden, Me. Enlisted on quota of Marl-
boro July 1 6th, 1 86 1, in Co. F, 13 th Regt.
Discharged by surgeon's certificate February 16,
1863 ; was taken prisoner at 2d Bull Run.
Elliot A. Rich, son of James and Sally, born in
Northboro. Enlisted July 16th, 1861, in Co. F, 13 th
Regt. Discharged by surgeon's certificate January
9th, 1863.
Edwin H. Rich, son of James and Sally, born in
Northboro. Enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. F, 13 th
Regt. Wounded at second battle of Bull Run in
the leg ; at Gettysburg in the wrist.
Charles H. Roundy, enlisted July, 1861, in Co.
F, 13 th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of
service. Son of Alvin Roundy, born in Boston ; his
mother was Mrs. Enoch Chamberlin, who died in
the west part in 1880. Residence, El Paso, Texas.
Francis B. Russell, son of Samuel of Wayland.
Enlisted July, i86i,inCo. I, 13th Regt. Discharged
February 8th, 1862, for deafness. Residence un-
known. Died in Hudson.
Zoheth B. Woodbury, son of Israel of Bolton.
Enlisted on the quota of Marlboro July 16th, 1861,
in Co. F, 13th Regt., at the age of nineteen years.
Discharged August 1st, 1864. Participated in the
164 HISTORY OF THE
following engagements: Thoroughfare Gap, second
Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsyl-
vania; is partially deaf from cannon explosion; was
promoted to sergeant. Was taken prisoner at Gettys-
burg July 1st, 1863. Residence, Berlin.
Joseph M. Sawtell, son of Ebenezer S. Sawtell
of Berlin, enlisted in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols.,
and was mustered in July 16, 1861. First service
was drilling and guard duty for nine months; then
service in the Shenandoah valley. Was in the
second battle of Bull Run ; also in the battles of
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg. Chan-
cellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, and in all the minor engagements of
the regiment during its term of service. He was
promoted to sergeant July 1st, 1864, but retained the
post of color-bearer to the time of discharge. Present
residence, West Brookfield.
MEMBERS OF THE 25TH REGIMENT.
Eli Sawyer, Jr., son of Eli and Azuba, born
August 9, 1837, in Berlin. Enlisted as musician
October, 1861, in Co. I, 25 th Regt. Discharged
October 20, 1864, by expiration of term of service.
Was with the regiment in its various expeditions
and engagements. Residence, Westboro.
David S. Sawyer, son of David and Lavinia, born
in Leominster. Enlisted October 1st, 1861, in Co.
I, 25th Regt. Discharged October 20th, 1864, by
expiration of term of service. Died in Berlin.
Daniel B. Snow, son of Ansel L. and Catherine
L., born in Nantucket July 3d, 1837. Enlisted
LIVING SOLDIERS.
* «C
■^
V
L
f*
) .
^gM
j^^^i
%f£*
S. E. 11 I.I.KK
DANIEL B. SNOW
IIEM<\ BROW \.
III..NK\ MO RAN.
OLIVER P. WIIEh 1 EH
<;eo. l. iiowe.
CHARLES II. BLISS.
AUSTIN GILL.
\ T. MAYNARD,
JOSIAH BRIDE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 65
September 21st, 1861, in Co. K, 25th Regt. Dis-
charged October 20th, 1864, by expiration of term
of service. Was in the battles of Roanoke Island,
Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Rocky
Hock Creek, siege of Petersburg. Present residence,
Hyannis, Mass.
Charles H. Snow, son of Charles and Lucy
(Wheeler) Snow, born in Billerica. Enlisted October,
1 86 1, in Co. I, 25th Regt. Discharged October,
1864, by expiration of term of service. Continued
with the regiment in its various movements and
engagements. After the war he went to Oregon,
but returned to Berlin, where he spent a few years.
He died suddenly in Shrewsbury while working for
Herbert Cook, March 31,1 894.
Darling S. Wheeler, son of Levi of Richmond,
N. H., born October 31, 1844. Enlisted while work-
ing for Jonas Sawyer, September, 1861, in Co. I,
25 th Regt. Discharged October, 1864, by expiration
of term of service. Was with the regiment in nearly
all its engagements. Since the war he settled in
Minnesota, where he still resides.
Solon Wheeler, son of Oliver P. and Harriet,
born in Keene, N. H. Enlisted November, 1861, in
Co. I, 25th Regt. Re-enlisted December, 1863.
Discharged by expiration of whole term of service.
Residence, Bolton.
MEMBERS OF THE 2 2D REGIMENT.
John Q. Maynard, son of Winsor and Cynthia,
born in Marlboro October 22d, 1837. Enlisted
August 28, 1 86 1, in Co. D, 22d Regt. Discharged
I 66 HISTORY OF THE
September 13th. 1864, by expiration of term of serv-
ice. Was stationed at Hall's Hill, Va. ; transferred
to Fortress Monroe; was at the siege of Yorktown.
His regiment was the first to enter the place. Was
in the battles of Hanover Court House, Malvern Hill
and the second battle of Bull Run, — not actively-
engaged; at the battle of Antietam, not actively
eneaeed ; was wounded in the left foot at Fredericks-
burg December 13th, 1862; was finally transferred to
the Veteran Reserve Corps November 15th, 1863.
Residence, Berlin.
Frederick Miller, son of Philip and McLean,
born in Baden, Germany. Enlisted September 6th,
1 86 1, in Co. D, 2 2d Regt. Was discharged at Bos-
ton September 5, 1864, by expiration of term of
service. Was promoted to sergeant, and was with
the regiment during all their engagements, and was
wounded in the arm at the battle of Laurel Hill,
May 8th, 1864. It is thought by some of his com-
rades that he performed more hard service than any
of our soldiers. Residence, Berlin.
Henry Moran, enlisted August, 1861, in Co. D,
22d Regt. Deserted December 13, 1862. Re-enlisted
in 1 st Connecticut Regt. of Cavalry and served
through the war and was honorably discharged.
Residence, Soldiers' Home, Conn.
Augustus M. Staples, son of Joseph and Sarah,
born in Oxford, Me. Enlisted September 6th, 1861,
in Co. D, 22d Regt. Discharged January 26th,
1865, by expiration of term of service. Was taken
prisoner; was in Libby and Andersonville prison
eleven months, and endured great hardship. Resi-
dence, Boston.
LIVING SOLDIERS.
to
OI.IVhK SAWYER.
ELI SAWYER.
FRANK E. BROWN
HENRY R. HOLDER.
~ 4
i II \ u l.ls RENNER.
GEO. A. ELLIS.
FRANK PAGE.
JOSEPH A. SAWTELLE.
JOSIAII CROSBY.
WEBSTER WARNER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 67
MEMBERS OF THE 29TH REGIMENT.
Joseph Staples, son of David and Elizabeth, born
in Portland, Me. Enlisted December, 1861, in Co.
H, 29th Regt. Discharged February, 1864, by sur-
geon's certificate. Detailed for service in hospital.
Residence, Berlin.
George C. Wheeler, son of Levi and Olive, born
in Berlin. Enlisted as teamster December, 1861, in
Co. H, 29th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term
of service. Died in Worcester.
ENLISTED IN VARIOUS REGIMENTS.
Thomas Kerby, son of John and Ann, born in
Nova Scotia. Enlisted October, 1861, in Co. H,
26th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of
service. Residence unknown.
5 3D REGIMENT FOR NINE MONTHS.
Rev. Benjamin F. Whittemore, born in Virginia,
age 38. Was the Methodist minister here 1862.
He enlisted as chaplain of the 53d Regt. Was
mustered out September 2d, 1863. (See article,
"Methodist Ministers.")
Samuel E. Andrews, son of James of Boylston.
Enlisted on the quota of that town September 2d,
1862, in Co. K, 53d Regt., for nine months. Dis-
charged September 2d, 1863. Was with General
Banks' expedition up Red river; was in the battle of
Fort Bisland and the siege of Port Hudson, which
lasted forty-three days, from May 27 th to July 9th,
1863. The company was detailed as division pio-
neers March 10th, 1863, and was transferred to the
19th Army Corps the 6th of April following as
!68 HISTORY OF THE
pioneers, and continued the same during the
remainder of the service. Residence, Berlin.
George H. Andrews, son of James of Boylston
and brother of Samuel E. They were both in the
same company and regiment and performed the
same service. Was on the quota of Boylston. Since
the war they have resided in this town. Residence,
Berlin.
NINE MONTHS MEN — 5TH REGIMENT.
Francis Babcock, son of Ephraim and Mary,
'born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20th, 1862, in Co.
I, 5 th Regt., for nine months. Discharged July 2d,
1863, by expiration of term of service. Was in the
following engagements-: Rawl's Mills, Kingston,
Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Blount's Mills.
Harrison T. Babcock, son of Josiahand Betsey,
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I,
5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration
of term of service. Was with the regiment in en-
gagements at Williamstown, Tarboro, Kingston,
Whitehall, Goldsboro. At the last place mentioned
was wounded in the leg, from which injury he did
not recover during his term of service.
William T. Babcock, 2d, son of Albert and
Mary B, born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, [862.
Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of term of
service. Was with the regiment in engagements at
Williamstown, Tarboro, Kingston, Whitehall, Golds-
boro, Washington, N. C. Re-enlisted for one hundred
days.
Charles H. Bliss, son of Henry H. and Maria,
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 69
5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration
of term of service. Was with the regiment in its
various engagements.
Willard G. Bruce, son of Sylvanus and Hannah,
born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician August 20,
1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863,
by expiration of term of service, at Camp Lander,
Wenham, Mass. Was stationed at Newbern, N. C,
and vent in the various expeditions of the regi-
ment in North Carolina.
James M. Bullard, son of Joel and Judith, born
in Berlin. -Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5th
Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of
term of service. Continued with the regiment
during its service in North Carolina. Was in the
battles at Williamstown, Tarboro, Whitehall, Kin^s-
ton and Goldsboro. Removed to Worcester after the
war, and there died.
George A. Ellis, son of Philo and Charlotte,
born in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I,
5 th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration
of term of service. Participated in nearly all the
engagements of the regiment. Was taken sick at
the " Old Red Hou.se" (so called), and returned by
ambulance twenty miles to camp.
Henrv R. Holder, son of John and Caroline,
born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician August 20,
1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863,
by expiration of term of service.
Augustus L. Hastings, son of Reuben, Jr., and
Caroline, born in Lancaster. Enlisted August 20,
1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863,
by expiration of term of service. Was in the follow-
17O HISTORY OF THE
ing engagements : Williamstown, Tarboro, Kings-
ton, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Deep Gully, Washington,
Gun Swamp, Cove Creek, Sandy Ridge, Wilkinson's
Point.
John A. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H.,
born in Frankfort, Me. Enlisted August 20, 1862,
in Co I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by
expiration of term of service. The regiment was
in the 18 th Army Corps in North Carolina. Was
with the regiment on expeditions in November and
December, 1 862 ; March, April, May and June, 1 863 ;
marching about 400 miles. Was in nine skirmishes
and battles, which, by order of Commanding General
John G. Foster, are inscribed on the regimental flag.
Rufus C. Sawyer, son of Rufus and Seraph, born
in Berlin. Enlisted August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5th
Regt. Discharged July 2d, 1863, by expiration of
term of service. Was in the battles of Kingston,
Whitehall and Goldsboro, N. C, and in other engage-
ments of less importance. Residence, Hudson, Mass.
David B. Whitcomb, son of Eliphalet and Har-
riet, born in New Ipswich, N. H. Enlisted Septem-
ber, 1862, Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d,
1863, by expiration of term of service. Re-enlisted
for 100 days.
Frank W. Paige, son of Jacob and Mehitabel,
born in South Boston March 19th, 1844. Enlisted
at Berlin August 20, 1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt.
Discharged April 16th, 1863, by surgeon's certificate
of disability, at Newbern, N. C.
Again enlisted in Co. D, 6th Regt., V. R. C, August
14th, 1863, and was with his regiment at the battle
of Bailey's Cross Roads, Va., and at Early's raid on
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 7 1
the city of Washington, D. C, in July, 1864. In
September of that year his regiment was sent west
to Ohio, with headquarters at Johnson's island, to
assist in breaking up the orders known as " The
Knights of the Golden Circle" and "The Order of
the Sons of Liberty." About dark on the 2d of
November, while Sergeant Paige and four men of
his detachment were conveying two prisoners from
St. Mary's to Lima, and when about two miles from
Waupaukeneta, they were fired upon from the road-
side by "bush-whackers." At the first volley the
two prisoners and four guards were instantly killed,
and all the horses were struck. The horse the ser-
geant rode, on being struck, began to rear and
plunge ; the sergeant cleared his feet from the stir-
rups and jumped for the opposite side of the
road. While in mid-air another volley was fired, one
.shot of which took effect, striking the hip joint,
glancing inward and upward, and finally lodged in
the abdominal cavity. In falling, he landed between
two dead trees that lay nearly parallel to the road.
There he lay while the whackers were hunting for
him ; after a while two of them came and sat down
on the log behind which he lay wounded. Some of
the detachment who were left behind at St. Mary's,
having heard the firing, started down the road on
the gallop. When the sergeant first heard them
coming, he quietly drew his revolver, and said,
" Hands up ; if you move you are both dead men."
The whackers, not knowing where the voice came
from, were taken so by surprise that their hands were
thrown up in token of surrender. In this position
they remained until the detachment came to where
172 HISTORY OF THE
the dead men and the horses lay in the road, and
not seeing Paige among the number, called to him.
He had just strength enough left to tell them where
to find him when he fainted. The two prisoners
taken by the sergeant, together with nine others
who were captured the next morning, were tried by
" drum-head court martial," found guilty of murder,
and were executed about noon. For this little piece
of work the sergeant was given a medal of honor
by Congress. He was discharged for gun-shot
wounds June 30th, 1866.
Again enlisted in Co. B, 43d N. Y. Infantry, Jan-
uary 9th, 1867, and was transferred to Co. B, 6th X.
Y. Cavalry, March 28, 1867. Detailed as clerk at
General Meade's headquarters April 27th, 1867, and
was discharged February 18th, 1879.
Again enlisted February 19, 1879, in the general
service, U. S. A. Assigned to Co. C, 7th N. Y. In-
fantry, and detailed as clerk at General P. H. Sheri-
dan's headquarters at Chicago, 111. Was finally
discharged March 18th, 1881, at the city of Wash-
ington, D. C, to enable him to accept a clerkship in
the War Department, with a record of seven wounds
and over twenty-two years' service. He finally re-
signed his clerkship in the War Department April
30th, 1894, completely broken down in health, the
result of wounds. Total length of service in military
and civil capacity was thirty-three years.
George W. Howe, son of Isaac and Rebecca,
born in Leominster. Enlisted September, 1862, in
Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2, 1863, by ex-
piration of term of service. Was in the service with
the regiment in North Carolina.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 73
Lewis T. Howe, son of Ephraim Howe, Jr., and
Susan, born in Berlin. Enlisted as musician Septem-
ber, 1862, in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged July 2d,
[863, by expiration of term of service. Re-enlisted
December, 1864, in Captain Scott's Light Battery.
Discharged June 27, 1865.
MEMBERS OF THE MASS. 3D CAVALRY.
George E. Maynard, son of George W. and
Sophia, born in Berlin. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in
Co. B, 3d Cavalry. Discharged by expiration of
term of service. Was in the Louisiana campaign,
and in General Banks' expedition, up Red river.
Was killed in a cyclone at Empire Prairie, Mo.,
June, 1880.
Jmi]* Robbins, son of Jonathan of Stow, born
July 8, 1828. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in Co. B,
3d Cavalry. Discharged May 30, 1865, by surgeon's
certificate at Dale Hospital, Worcester. Was in the
Louisiana campaign and in the expedition up Red
river. Lost ,his horse and soon after taken sick.
Was transferred to Fort Hamilton and thence to
Worcester. After the war he settled in Stow. He
died suddenly in Hudson February 12, 1894.
Oliver P. Wheeler, son of Joseph and Betsey,
born in Swanzey, N. H. Enlisted January 5, 1864, in
Co. B, 3d Cavalry. Discharged November, 1865,
by surgeon's certificate. Injured in spine at the
battle of Sabine Cross Roads, La., by a fall of his
horse, April 8th, 1864. Was in Banks' campaign up
Red river. He is still an invalid. Present resi-
dence, Hmdson.
I 74 HISTORY OF THE
John L. Day, son of Isaac of Southboro, born in
the town of Hill, N. H., April 10, 1843. Enlisted
first February 7th, 1862, in Co. C, U. S. Infantry.
Was in the Peninsular campaign and at the siege of
Yorktown. Was discharged for disability December
5, 1862. Re-enlisted December 19, 1863, in Co. D,
3d Mass. Cavalry. Was in Banks' Red river cam-
paign and in the Shenandoah valley under Sheridan.
Was at the grand review in Washington. Was
mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Septem-
ber 28, 1865. Was one of five brothers, all in the
army at the same time, but not in the same regiment.
John L. Day was in the following battles and en-
gagements : Henderson Hill, La., Natchitoches,
Welch's Hill, Pleasant Hill, Sabine Cross Roads,
.Cane River, Muddy Bayou, Red River Crossing,
Governor Moore's Plantation, Bayou de Glase, Yel-
low Bayou. Was transferred to the army of the
Potomac and in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's
Hill and Cedar Creek. Since the war he has resided
mostly in Berlin.
ENLISTED IN VARIOUS REGIMENTS.
William B. Campbell, born in Lovell, Conn.
Enlisted June, 1861, in Co. B, nth Regt. Dis-
charged by expiration of term of service. His was
the first enlistment and service on the same of any
in town. Thomas F. Rathburn was the first to en-
list, but not the first in service. Residence un-
known.
Levi H. Holder, son of Daniel and Harriet, born
in Berlin. Enlisted September 25, 1861, in Co. K,
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 75
27th Regt. Missing May 9, 1864. Left the regi-
ment in mental aberration.
Wood J. Burgess, who resided in Groton at the
time, enlisted in Co. B, 6th Regt., and was mustered
in April 22, 1861 ; was wounded in Baltimore April
19, 1 86 1, when his regiment was attacked by a mob
while passing through that city. Present residence,
Berlin, and member of Post 54. Discharged August
2, 1861.
MEMBERS OF 36TH REGIMENT.
Nathan M. Allen, son of Nathan and Harriet,
born in Pittsfield, Vt. Enlisted August 13th, 1862,
in Co. I, 36th Regt. Transferred to V. R. C. July,
1864, to Portsmouth Grove, R. I., and discharged
September, 1865, by expiration of term of service.
Was detailed most of the time while with the regi-
ment as cook. He died May 20th, 1886, aged 55
years.
George F. Fletcher, son of Ariel K. and Hannah,
born in Boston. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in Co.
I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special
order No. 22. Was in the battles of Fredericksburg,
Vicksburg, Jackson, Campbell Station, Blue Springs,
siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
Hanover, North Anna, Cold Harbor and siege of
Petersburg. At the latter place was wounded in
the hand. Residence, East Brookfield.
Oscar W. Holt, son of Warren E. and Miranda,,
born in Iowa City, Iowa. Enlisted August, 1862, in
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special
order No. 22. He was living in town at the time of
I 76 HISTORY OF THE
enlistment. Was with the regiment in its several
campaigns. Residence, Hudson, Mass.
William H. HokTON, son of David and Melinda,
born in Dorchester. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special
order No. 22. Died.
Amory T. Maynard, son of Winsor and Cynthia,
born in Bolton December 27th, 1842. Enlisted
August 6th, 1862, in Co. I, 36th Regt. Promoted
to corporal October 18th, 1862 ; to sergeant December
1st, 1863. Discharged November nth, 1864, by
reason of disability. Was in the battle of Freder-
icksburg, Va., A^icksburg, Jackson, Blue Springs,
Campbell Station, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness,
North Anna, where he was taken with sunstroke and
sent to Campbell Hospital. Residence, Marlboro.
William H. King, adopted son of Nathaniel
King, born in Lynn. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in
Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special
order No. 22. Was detailed for special service in
the Ambulance Corps. Was with the regiment in its
various movements in Virginia, Mississippi and
Tennessee. After the war he settled in Worcester.
He naturally had a real military instinct and address.
Died in California.
Joseph E. Kimball, enlisted August 6th, 1862, in
Co. I, 36th Regt. Was detailed as teamster.
John F. Martin, son of Patrick and Mary, born
in Utica, N. Y. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in Co.
I, 36th Regt. Discharged by expiration of term of
service. He is reported to have been a good soldier,
and participated in nearly all the engagements of the
reeiment. Died in New York citv.
TOWN OF BERLIN. , ., _
Israel F. Carter, son of Ivory and Olive, born
m Berlin. Enlisted August, 1862, in Co. I 36th
Regt. Discharged June, 1865, by special order No
22, series 1 865. Was in the following engagements -
Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Campbell Sta-
tion Blue Springs, siege of Knoxville, Wilderness
At the latter he was wounded in left breast, and at
the siege of Petersburg the drum of his ear was
ruptured by the concussion of the cannonading He
died in the Insane -Asylum at Worcester February
19th, 1893, aged 54 years.
Harvey J. Chase, son of Lorenzo and Judith
born in Haverhill, N. H. Enlisted August 6th'
1862, m Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June, 1865'
by expiration of term of service. He is reported to
have served faithfully, during the service. Was
living m Berlin at the time of enlistment. Residence
unknown.
John F. Crossman, an adopted son of John W
Grossman, born in Bolton. Enlisted August 6th'
.862, ,n Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged March, ,865'
by specal order No. 77, on surgeons certificate.'
Residence, Berlin.
Spencer C. Chamberlin, son of Spencer C. and
Lucnda F., born in Thetford, Vt. Enlisted August
6th ,62, ,„ Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged Mac
'86 by specal order No. 22. Was detailed as
clerk during the last part of the service. Promoted
to corporal. Residence, New Bedford
Oliver Sawver, son of Ira and Abigail, born ,„
Berhn May 27th ,83a Enlisted as musician August
■2th, 862 m Co. I, 36th Regt. Discharged June
8th, 1 865, by special order No. 22. Was in the
178 HISTORY OF THE
battles of Fredericksburg, Jackson, Campbell Station,
siege of Knoxville, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Han-
over, Cold Harbor and siege of Petersburg. Residence,
Hudson, Mass.
Ansel L. Snow, son of Ansel L. and Dorcas L.,
born in Nantucket. Enlisted August 6th, 1862, in
Co. I, 36th Regt. Promoted corporal August, 1862.
Discharged June, 1865, by special order No. 22.
Was left sick when the regiment went west, and was
detailed as clerk in hospital at Washington. On
return of the regiment rejoined the same. Was in
the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Hanover,
North Anna, Cold Harbor and siege of Petersburg.
He died in Berlin June 18th, 1874, at 43 years.
Warren I. Stetson, son of William of Marlboro,
enlisted July 16, 1861, in Co. I, 13th Regt. Was
promoted to first sergeant ; was wounded in the
forehead by a piece of shell at the battle of Spottsyl-
vania. Died in Berlin Mar. 19, 1887.
MASSACHUSETl'S HEAVY ARTILLERY.
The first battalion in which our soldiers served
was stationed at Fort Independence and Fort Warren,
Boston harbor.
Austin Kerby, son of John and Ann, born in
Worcester. Enlisted April, 1862, in the 1st Bat-
talion, Co. D, Heavy Artillery. Discharged Septem-
ber, 1 865, by expiration of term of service. Residence
unknown.
Joseph C. Badger, enlisted December, 1863, in
1 st Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery.
Discharged September, 1865, by expiration of term
of service. Residence unknown.
TOWN OF BERLIN. I 79
Joseph W. Merrill, son of John D. and Mary H.
Enlisted December, 1863, in 1st Battalion, Co. D,
Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged September,
1865, by expiration of term of service. Residence,
Maynard, Mass.
James F. Rathburn, son of Solomon and Hannah,
born in Berlin. Enlisted December, 1863, in 1st
Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged
September, 1865, by expiration of term of serv-
ice. •
Charles F. Staples, son of Joseph and Sarah,
born in Portland, Me. Enlisted December, 1863, in
1 st Battalion, Co. D, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Dis-
charged September, 1865, by expiration of term of
service. Residence, Leominster.
Philo Bruce, son of Sewell and Eunice, born in
Berlin. Enlisted September, 1864, for one year in
Co. C, Mass. Heavy Artillery. Discharged May,
1865, by expiration of term of service. Was in
service at Newbern, N. C. Detailed for transporting
wood and lumber. Was sick in Foster General
Hospital December, 1864. Residence, Berlin.
ENLISTED FOR ONE HUNDRED DAYS — SERVICE IN AND AROUND
BALTIMORE.
William T. Babcock, 2D, son of Albert and Mary
B., born in Berlin. Enlisted July 19th, 1864, in Co.
I, 5th Regt. Discharged November 16th, 1864, by
expiration of term of service. Stationed with the
company in and about Baltimore. Headquarters at
Federal hill.
Charles A. Bartlett, son of Amory A. and
Jane, born in Berlin. Enlisted July 16th, 1864, in
HISTORY OF THE
Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by
expiration of term of service.
[OSIAH W. Bride, son of Amos and Hannah, born
in Berlin. Enlisted July 16th, 1864, in Co. I, 5th
Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expiration
of term of service.
Willard G. Bruce, son of Sylvanus and Hannah,
born in Berlin. Enlisted July 8th, 1864, in Co. I,
5 th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expira-
tion, of term of service. Was stationed at Federal
hill, Baltimore.
Edward H. Hartshorn, son of Dr. Edward and
Elizabeth, born in Berlin. Enlisted July 16th, 1864,
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by
expiration of term of service. Died in Berlin January
8th, 1887.
Augustus L. Hastings, son of Reuben, Jn, and
Caroline, born in Lancaster. Enlisted July, 1 864, in
Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by
expiration of term of service.
George L. Howe, son of Lyman and Rebecca,
born in Marlboro. Enlisted July, 1864, in Co. I, 5th
Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expiration
of 'term of service.
William H. Tenney, enlisted July, 1864, in Co. I,
5 th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by expira-
tion of term of service.
David B. Whitcomb, son of Eliphalet and Harriet,
born in New Ipswich, N. H. Enlisted July, 1864,
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by
expiration of term of service.
Henry E. Brown, son of Ira and Amelia H., born
November 21st, 1846, in Berlin. Enlisted July 8th,
TOWN OF BERLIN. l8l
[864, in Co. I, 5 th Regt. Discharged by expiration
of term of service November 16th, 1864. Re-enlisted
December 7th, 1864, in Captain Henry D. Scott's
company, 16th Light Battery. Discharged June
27th, 1865.
Frank E. Brown, son of Ira and Amelia H., born
May 6th, 1848,111 Berlin. Enlisted July 8th, 1864,
in Co. I, 5th Regt. Discharged November, 1864, by
expiration of term of service.
IN THE NAVAL SERVICE.
Benjamin S. Walker, a native of Loudon, N.
H., but now a citizen of this town. (See Genealogy.)
Was in the naval service. Enlisted September 27th,
1 St. 1, for three years. Served first on the Brandy-
wine. Was transferred to the frigate Congress and
was on board of that ill-fated vessel when she was
run into and sunk by the rebel cruiser Merrimac ; he
had a thrilling experience and a most wonderful
escape from injury during this engagement. He
served next on the Roanoke, and from her was sent
to the Naval . Hospital, N. Y., with typhoid fever.
After recovery he went aboard the iron-clad monitor
Montauk, and joined the fleet of monitors at Fortress
Monroe, bound for Port Royal, S. C. Among these
was the Little Monitor, so-called, which pelted and
disabled the Merrimac, but was finally lost in a gale
off Cape Hatteras, which was so furious as to have
sent seemingly the whole fleet to the bottom. Was
engaged in the siege of Charleston until the 25 th
day of April, 1863, when he was discharged. Again
he entered the naval service in July, 1863, and was
1 82 HISTORY OF THE
for the remainder of the war engaged in the coast
survey. He was not on the quota of Berlin.
John A. Riley, since changed to John A. Ray,
was a blacksmith in South Berlin in 1861. He
enlisted on our quota in 1861 in the naval service.
Discharged 1865 by expiration of term of service.
OTHER RECRUITS PAID LARGE BOUNTIES.
Veteran Rese>7>e Corps.
David C. Ritenour, enlisted May 1st, 1864, in
V. R. C.
Charles Keisner, enlisted May 3d, 1864, in V.
R. C.
George Odell, enlisted May 12th, 1864, in V.
R. C.
George Kasilex, enlisted May 5th, 1864, in V.
R. C.
Ephraim W. Howard, enlisted May 5th, 1864, in
V. R. C.
Lewis Cassidy, enlisted May 5th, 1864, in V. R. C.
David R. Brown, enlisted September 15th, 1864,
in V. R. C.
Mass. Cavalry.
William Wilson, enlisted November 7th, 1864,
in 5 th Regt., Cavalry.
Henry Gray, enlisted November 9th, 1864. in 1st
Regt., Cavalry.
Heavy Artillery.
George Off, enlisted November 2d, 1864. in 1st
Regt., Mass. Heavy Artillery.
Thomas Sullivan, enlisted November 1st, 1864,
in 3d Regt., Mass. Heavy Artillery.
J. W. Morrill, enlisted October 26th, 1864, in 3d
Regt., Mass. Heavy Artillery.
TOWN OF BERLIN. i$?
John A. Thompson, enlisted September ioth,
1 864, in 2d U. S. Heavy Artillery.
George Fisher, enlisted September 12th, 1864, in
2d U. S. Heavy Artillery.
Charles Jones, enlisted September 20th, 1864. in
1 st U. S. Heavy Artillery.
Perry Smith, enlisted September 2d, 1864, in 1st
U. S. Heavy Artillery.
Charles Hearsii, enlisted May 4th, 1864.
Roger Loughlin, enlisted May 3d, 1864.
Simon Lent, enlisted September 8th, 1864, in 1st
Regt., U. S. Infantry.
Charles M. Lovejoy, enlisted October 27th, 1864,
in 1 st Regt, Mass. Vols.
Marvin J. Day, enlisted October 26th, 1864, in
4th Mass. Battery.
George Monroe, enlisted November 2d, 1864, in
2d Mass. Infantry.
Roger Murphy, enlisted May 30th, 1864.
Jared S. Stone, enlisted May 20th, 1864.
Charles F. Johnson.
John M. Smith.
Reuben A. Derby, enlisted September, 1864.
1864.
Enrolled militia, May, 1864. Those having dis-
abilities are marked *
A»e- Age.
Allen, Sumner D., 21 Babcock, Francis, 31
Andrews, Samuel E.,* 25 Babcock, John D., lq
Babcock, William I.,* 35 Ball, Jonas T.,* 31
Babcock, Levi,* 24 Bassett, William,* 44
Babcock, George A., 19 Bartlett, Amory A., 42
Babcock, William T.,* 31 Bartlett, Charles A., 18
Babcock, William T., 2d,* 23 Barnes, George H., 32
184
HIS TORN' OF THE
Age.
Age.
Bennett, John F.,*
35
Fosgate, George W.,*
40
Benway, John,*
32
Fosgate, Reuben P.,*
37
Berry, Thomas C.,*
29
Flagg, Edward W.,
4i
Bigelow, Elijah,
43
Gallagher, John, alien,
35
Bigelow, Edwin, dis.,
20
Garroty, James, alien,
33
Bruce, George H.,
26
Goddard, Marcus M.,
24
Bruce, Willard G.,
24
Green, Edward F.,*
42
Bruce, Lorenzo,*
43
Gott, Lemuel, Jr.,*
24
Bride, Daniel M.,*
24
Gurtain, Theodore,
21
Bride, Josiah W.,
18
Gill, Michael, alien,
3°
Bullard, James M.,
27
Hale, Thomas,*
39
Burke, Michael, alien,
32
Hartwell, Chauncey P.,*
42
Bliss, Charles H.,*
24
Hartwell, Daniel P.,*
29
Bullard, Chas., alien,
28
Hartshorn, Levi,
36
Carter, Lewis L.,*
42
Hartshorn, Edward H.,*
21
Carter, Silas R.,*
35
Hartshorn, William H.,
18
Carter, Jonas H.,*
23
Hastings, Rufus S.,*
38
Cartwright, Thomas, alien.
■ 24
Hastings, Samuel H., s. s,
, 34
Cartwright, N. H.,
20
Hastings, James M.,
25
Coburn, Joseph L.,*
24
Hastings, Timothy F.,*
27
Crossman, Frank H.,
l9
Hastings, Ruthven,
21
Crosby, George L.,*
3r
Harper, Augustus,*
26
Eastman, Timothy M.,
25
Harper, James,
27
Ellis, George A.,
20
Howe, Samuel,
36
Fay, Nahum W.,*
43
Howe, George L.,
20
Fay, James R.,*
40
Holder, Henry R.,
28
Fay, Henry D.,
18
Holbrook, Isaac, s. s.,
26
Frye, William H.,*
36
Howard, George W.,*
44
Frye, George F.,*
32
Hastings, Augustus L.,
2 1
Frye, David A .,*
24
Jones, Solomon,*
40
Frye, Abram,*
22
Jones, Silas E.,
26
Felton, Merrick,
40
Johnson, George E.,*
3°
Fletcher, Charles E.,
24
Johnson, Andrew J.,*
28
Faulkner, George A.,*
29
Jenkins, William,*
40
Forbes, John W.,*
37
Kelley, John M.,*
29
TOWN' OF HER I IN.
I85
Keyes, Addison,*
Kimball, Joseph E.,*
Lawrence, Edward H.,*
Larkin, John F.,*
Larkin, Dana M., s. s.,
Lewis, Jno. B.,
Longley, Abel W.,*
Maynard, George H.,
Merrill, Seth W.,
Merrill, Jno. A.,
Merrill, Sewall H.,*
Merrill, George W.,
Moore, Marshall,
Moore, Samuel W.,*
Moore, Josiah,
Morse, Winslow B.,
Morse, Emory,*
Morse, Walter,
Morse, Lyman, s. s.,
Miller, William,*
McCarty, Florence, alien,
Nourse, Rufus S ,*
Osgood, Jno. O.,
Peters, Warren S.,
Pollard, Amory,*
Proctor, Joel,*
Rathbun, Charles B ,*
Randall, Paul A ,*
Rand, Merrick R.,
Rich, Elliot,*
R'issell, Frank B., dis. sol.
Riley, John A.,
Sawyer, Edwin,*
Sawyer, Joseph B.,*
Sawyer, Rufus C.,
Age.
Age.
37
Sawyer, William G., s. s.,
3°
37
Sawyer, William H.,
18
32
Sawyer, Amory B.,
42
37
Sawyer, Henry J.,
22
35
Sawyer, Edward N.,*
20
29
Sawyer, J. Henry,
18
40
Sawyer, Ira J.,
44
25
Sargent, John E.,
21
44
Sargent, Stephen W., drafte
d
36
and rejected,
20
25
Southwick, Jona. D.,
33
iS
Shattuck, Elijah C.,
43
44
Shattuck, Hartwell,*
29
29
Spofford, James R.,
43
3°
Smith, Riley,
42
40
Smith, Addison G.,*
35
3S
Simonds, James M.,
40
3l
Sibley, Augustus, draftei
1
25
and rejected,
28
3°
Stone, George D.,
30
43
Tenney, William, dis. 21
1
4i
N. H.,
26
30
Wheeler, David B.,
40
18
Wheeler, Nathaniel,
38
42
Wheeler, Robert B.,*
29
44 '
1 Wheeler, Richard M., s. s.,
29
27
Wheeler, Rufus R., enrolle
d
33
and rejected,
39
35
Wheeler, Reuben A.,
41
22
Wheeler, Willard M.,*
39
23
Wheeler Francis A.,*
28
39
Wheeler, Frederick W.,
43
too small,
26
33
Wheeler, Elias L., draftrci
I
31
and rejected,
29
1 86 HISTORY OF THE
Age. Age
Wheeler, Erastus S., 31 Whitcomb, David B., 26
Wheeler, Lewis B., 26 Woodbury, George, dis.
Wheeler, George F., 44 13th Regt., 27
Wheeler, Edward L., Wolcott, David K., 26
Wheeler, Alfred C., Vinal, Charles F., 29
Whitcomb, Amasa A., 32
Number enrolled, 158 ; number elaimed to be in-
valids, 66 ; aliens, 7 ; 6 drafted and sent substitutes,
marked s. s., or paid commutation, $300.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, POST 54.
Post 54, G. A. R., was organized June 23, 1868, by
Comrade Ira B. Goodrich, of Post 9 of Hudson,
with ten charter members, viz. : S. E. Andrews,
Donald Ross, I. F. Carter, E. H. Hartshorn, G. H.
Andrews, William Smith, J. M. Bullard, D. B.
Whitcomb, Frederick Miller and W. T. Babcock, 2d,
taking its number from the fact of its being the fifty-
fourth Post to organize in the Department of Mas-
sachusetts.
Its first commander was William H, Horton. On
September 25th, after much discussion, the Post
adopted the name of John B. Gough, which they
retained until February is*t, 1881, when a committee
was chosen to act in regard to changing its name.
This committee reported the name of Captain C. S.
Hastings, which was adopted. The entire number
of names on the roll is sixty-nine, the greatest num-
ber of members in the Post at any one time be-
ing forty-eight. The present number is nineteen.
They have lost eight of their number by death, and
many more by removal and transfer. The objects
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 87
f( >r which this Post was organized, as set forth in the
rules and regulations of the Grand Army of the
Republic, are:
1. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal
feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines
who united to suppress the late Rebellion, and to perpetuate
the memory and history of the dead.
2. To assist such former comrades in arms as need help
and protection, and to extend needful aid to the widows and
orphans of those who have fallen.
3. To maintain true allegiance to the United States of
America, based upon a paramount respect for, and fidelity to,
its Constitution and laws, to discountenace whatever tends to
weaken loyalty, incites to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or
in any manner impairs the efficiency and permanency of our
free institutions, and to encourage the spread of universal
liberty, equal rights and justice to all men.
It is also worthy of note that no member can in
any manner use this organization as a political in-
strument, and no political discussions are permitted
at any of its meetings. In chapter V, article XII
of the regulations is found this provision.
A relief fund for the assistance of needy soldiers,
sailors and marines, and widows and orphans of
deceased soldiers, sailors and marines, shall be
established by the several posts, and any donations
to this fund shall be held sacred for such purpose.
In accordance with this a fund was duly estab-
lished in our Post. Since its establishment the
Post has expended $530 for the relief of soldiers and
their families. At present they have in their fund
$330. In addition to this they have expended about
1 88 HISTORY OF THE
$300 for the purchase of the pictures of those soldiers
of Berlin who died during and since the war. In
connection with the relief fund, they have been
greatly aided both by the Ladies' Aid Society and
Sons of Veterans.
In 1870 Memorial day was established by the
National Encampment, for the purpose of commem-
orating the deeds and memory of the fallen com-
rades. vSince then, on each 30th of May, they have
tenderly decked their graves with flowers. Their
number has slowly but steadily increased, until on
last Memorial day they decked the graves of twenty-
seven of our soldier dead.
Roster of members of Post 54, G. A. R., Berlin,
Mass., from the time of its organization, June 23,
1868 :—
Frederick Miller, Berlin.
Samuel E. Andrews, Berlin.
George H. Andrews, Berlin.
Donald Ross, removed to Hudson.
E. A. Hartshorn, died Jan. 18, 1887.
W. T. Babcock, Berlin.
James M. Bullard, transferred to Post 10, Worcester; died at
Worcester.
D. B. Whitcomb, removed to Clinton.
I. F. Carter, died at the hospital at Worcester.
William Smith, removed to Brockton.
Joseph Staples, Berlin.
William H. Horton, transferred to Fitchburg ; died at Fitchburg.
O. W. Holt, transferred to Post 9, Hudson.
J. F. Keyes, removed to Clinton.
James F. Rathbun, dead.
A. L. Snow, died June 18, 1874.
J. Q. Maynard, Berlin.
G. A. R., POST 54.
BENJ \MI.N S. WALKER.
JOHN' I.. DAY.
s. E. ANDREWS.
R. C. SAWYER.
JOHN JONES.
JOHN Q_. MAYNAKI).
JOHN II. CROSSMAN.
WILLIAM T. BABCOCK, 2ND.
JOHN ROSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1S9
S. C. Chamberlain, transferred to New Bed for I.
S. E. Fuller, transferred to Post 9, Huds m.
S. M. Haynes, discharged, removed to Hudson
A. T. Maynard, transferred to Post 43, Marlboro.
Joseph E. Kimball, residence unknown.
Waldo Kimmins, residence unknown.
G. F. Fletcher, removed to Barre.
Charles C. Wright, died at Marlboro.
Eli Sawyer, removed to Westboro.
Edward Chamberlain, died May, 1S70, at Oakham.
John F. Rose, Hudson.
N. M. Allen, died at Berlin.
R. C. Sawyer, Hudson.
S. H. Merrill, Berlin.
Francis Babcock, Berlin.
George L. Howe, removed to Marlboro.
John F. Klenart, transferred to Post 43.
John F. Grossman, Berlin.
H. A. Gunnison, removed to Huds m.
S. Foster Goss, removed to Marlboro.
H. E. Graves, residence Bolton.
B. F. Allen, residence unknown.
John A. Merrill, Berlin.
H. H. Bartlett, residence unknown.
G. W. Goodwin, dropped from the rolls, residence unknown.
C. H. Bliss, Berlin.
S. H. Parker, transferred to Post 9.
C. F. Staples, removed to Leominster.
A. M. Staples, removed to Northb >ro.
L. P. Parker, transferred to Post 43.
Charles McDavitt, removed to Lynn.
John L. Bruce, removed to Concord.
George E. Bigelow, residence unknown.
John L. Day, Berlin.
Charles F. Hale, Berlin.
Augustus Harper, Berlin.
190
HIaTORY OF THE
< his K. Upham, Berlin.
Warren I. Stetson, died at Berlin.
A. C. Rivers, removed to Lowell.
John Adams, dead.
Francis Gleason, residence unknown.
E. S. Bryant, dead.
Z. B. Woodbury, Berlin.
John A. Jones, Berlin.
Charles H. Snow, died at Shrewsbury.
James Morra, died at Waltham.
Philo Bruce, Berlin.
Wood J. Burgess, Berlin.
Benjamin S. Wa'ker, Berlin.
Eben S. Daily, residence Berlin.
Number of members .
Number of deaths
Present number .
Amount in relief fund
Amount expended for relief
66
1 2
x9
$33°
530
The following comrades have served as post com-
manders since its organization :
William H. Horton, from June 2, 1868, to Jan., 1S69.
S. C. Chamberlain, from Jan. 8th, 1869, to July, 1S69.
Frederick Miller, from July, 1869, to Jan., 1870.
E. H. Hartshorn, from Jan., 1S70, to Jan., 1S71.
John F. Rose, from Jan., 1871, to Jan., 1S72.
Amory T. Maynard, from Jan., 1S72, to Jan., 1 S 73 .
R. C. Sawyer, from Jan., 1873, t0 Jan«j XS74-
W. '1'. Babcock, from Jan., 1874, to Jan., 1875.
John F. Rose, from Jan., 1875, t0 Jan-> 1876.
VV.irren I. Stetson, from Jan., 1S76, to Jan., 1877.
S C. Chamberlain, from Jan., 1877,10 Jan., 187S.
Cn.irles H. Bliss declined to serve and G. H. Andrews served
in his place, from Jan., 1S7S, to Jan., 1S79.
G. A. R., POST 54.
PHILO BRUCE.
ZOIIETH WOODBURY.
SEWELL H. MERRILL.
FRANCIS BABCOCK.
FREDERICK MILLER.
|N'o. A. MERRILL.
GEO. ir. ANDREWS.
JOSEPH STAPLES.
WOOD | . BURGESS.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 Q I
Lysander P. Parker, from Jan., 1879, to Jan., 18S0.
S. H. Merrill, from Jan., 18S0, to Jan., 18S1.
John L. Bruce, from Jan., 1881, to Jan., 1885.
John A. Merrill, from Jan., 1885, to Jan., 1887.
G. H. Andrews, from Jan., 1SS7, to Jan., 1889.
John L. Day, from Jan., 1889, to Jan., 1892.
William T. Babcock, from Jan., 1892, to Jan., 1893.
John A. Merrill, from Jan., 1893, to Jan., 1895.
"The Grand Army of the Republic as to Post 54
of Berlin is sadly diminishing, but the sons of the
veterans are already organized. May the Grand
Army of the Republic long survive! Our last sur-
vivor of the War of 181 2, many years seated on the
platform on Memorial clay, died in 1886: John D.
Merrill, eighty-eight years. " The above was taken
from Mr. Houghton's history of Berlin in the History
of Worcester County.
SONS OF VETERANS.
The " E. H. Hartshorn Camp, No. 43, Division of
Mass. Sons of Veterans," was organized March 26,
1888, with twelve charter members, all residents of
Berlin, mustered in April 23, 1888, viz.:
Elmer E. Allen, son of Nathan M. Allen, age 26.
Jarries E. Andrews, son of George H. Andrews, age 22.
Arthur K. Andrews, son of Samuel E. Andrews, age 20.
George E. Andrews, son of Samuel E. Andrews, age iS.
Spencer C. Chamberlin, Jr., son of S. C. Chamberlin, age 25.
Forest E. Day, son of John L. Day, age 22.
Lewis E. Day, son of John L. Day, age 20.
Frank E. Knight, son of George \V. Knight, age 21.
Charles L. Knight, son of George \V. Knight, age 18.
192 HISTORY OF THE
Walter E. Merrill, son of John A. Merrill, age iS.
Robert M. Pratt, son of Wheelock Pratt, age 25.
Fred R. H. Stetson, son of Warren I. Stetson, age iS.
Members' who have joined since the organization
of the Camp, viz. :
Mervin N. Burdett, son of George Burdett, age 37.
Christopher S. White, son of Daniel A. White, age 25.
I'M ward F. Saltmarsh, son of Alonzo F. Saltmarsh, age 18.
Eugene Mitchell, son of E. A. Mitchell, age 18.
Christopher Wheeler, son of Oliver P.Wheeler, age 37.
William A. Hartshorn, son of Edward H. Hartshorn, age 18.
Perry H. White, son of Daniel A. White, age 18.
Fred E. Hebard, son of E. A. Hebard, age 18.
Zoheth H. Woodbuiy, son of Zoheth B. Woodbury, age 21.
Officers chosen at date of organization, viz. : Cap-
tain, Robert M. Pratt ; First Lieutenant, James E.
Andrews ; Second Lieutenant, Lewis E. Day ; First
Sergeant, Spencer C. Chamberlin, Jr. ; Second Ser-
geant, Walter E. Merrill; Color Sergeant, George
E. Andrews ; Sergeant of the Guard, F. E. 'Knight ,
Principal Musician, F. E. Day ; Corporal of the
Guard, E. E. Allen ; Picket Guard, A. K. Andrews ;
Camp Guard, C. S. Knight; Camp Council, F. E.
Knight, F. R. H. Stetson and F. E. Day ; Chaplain,
F. R. H. Stetson.
Officers, 1895 : Captain, Walter E. Merrill; First
Lieutenant, George E. Andrews ; Second Lieutenant,
C. S. Knight.
CONSTITUTION OF THE ORDER.
CHAPTER I.
Ai tick I. — Title.
This association shall be known as the " S jns of Veterans of
the United States of America."
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 93
Article II.
Section i. A firm belief and trust in Almighty God and a
realization that under His beneficent guidance the free institu-
tions of our land, consecrated by the services and blood of our
fathers, have been preserved, and the integrity and life of the
nation maintained.
Sec. 2. True allegiance to the government of the United
States of America, based upon a respect for and devotion and
fidelity to its Constitution and laws, manifested by the dis-
countenancing of anything that may tend to weaken loyalty,
incite to insurrection, treason or rebellion, or in any manner
impair the efficiency and permanency of our national Union.
Article III. — Objects.
Section i . To keep green the memories of our fathers and
their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union.
Sec. 2. To aid the members of the Grand Army of the
Republic in the caring for their helpless and disabled veterans ;
to extend aid and protection to their widows and orphans ; to
perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic dead and
proper observance of Memorial day.
Sec. 3. To aid and assist worthy and needy members of
our order.
Sec. 4. To inculcate patriotism and love of country not
only among our membership, but among all the people of our
land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights,
universal liberty and justice to all.
Articles 4 and 5 on organizations, etc., omitted.
GIFT REJECTED, 1 865.
Luther Carter, in his last will and testament, be-
queathed to the town, for the benefit of the poor
widows, fatherless, motherless and orphan children
of Berlin, a certain portion of his estate. The gift
was rejected September 25, 1865.
194 HISTORY OF THE
THE HUDSON CONTROVERSY — NO DIVISION OF THE
TOWN WANTED.
The petitioners of the new town of Hudson pro-
posed to include in the Act of Incorporation a por-
tion of the east part of Berlin. To this the town
demurred, and chose at a meeting held December 5,
1865, a committee, consisting of Dr. Hartshorn,
William Bassett and A. W. Longley, to oppose the
project. As is well known, the committee were
successful and the town remained intact.
THE NEW TOWN HOUSE, 1 869.
The town was greatly in need of better accommo-
dations for the transaction of town business, for
social parties and for public gatherings in general.
The diminutive old Town House on the Common
had subserved the town since 1 8 3 1 , when the wants
and needs of the people were less and more easily
satisfied. Impelled by a common impulse the people
would be content no longer with the old, and resolved
to have a new house more in accord with the progres-
sive spirit of the age. The first movement to this
end was made at the March meeting, 186S, when a
committee was chosen to procure plans and estimates
and report localities, and also for tablets for the
soldiers to be placed in said house: Josiah E.
Sawyer, P. B. Southwick, Israel Sawyer, Samuel H.
Hastings and A. W. ■ Longley. On report of the
committee March 1, 1869, they voted to build
a Town House the present year, the cost not to
exceed $6,500, and chose for a Building Committee
Dr. E. Hartshorn, Silas Sawyer, Daniel Cartwright,
George H. Barnes and Riley Smith. March 20th,
R. S. HASTINGS' STORE.
TOWN HALL.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 1 95
voted that the Town House be located on the lot of
Mr. Artemas Barnes, who had tendered the lot as a
free gift to the town for that purpose. The following
resolutions, presented by William Bassett, were
accepted and adopted, and ordered to be placed upon
the records of the town, and a copy be presented to
Mr. Barnes:
Resolved, That we, the legal voters of Berlin, in town meet-
ing assembled, having under consideration the location for a
new Town House, hereby gratefully accept the site generously
presented to the town by our former townsman, Artemas
Barnes, for the purpose of erecting thereon a Town House,
and we tender to him our thanks for the timely gift
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the records
of the town, that the name of our generous donor, i\rtemas
Barnes, may be held in continued remembrance as a benefactor
of the town.
Resolved, That the town clerk be and hereby is instructed to
present to Mr. Barnes a copy of these resolutions.
The Town House was dedicated March 2, 1870.
The services on the occasion embraced exercises
pertaining to the Town hall and Memorial hall, both
being in the same building. The proceedings on
this occasion were printed in pamphlet, containing
the presentation of the house to the town by the
Building Committee, the acceptance of the same- by
the Selectmen, together with interesting remarks
from others present. The dedicatory address was
delivered by Rev. W. A. Houghton, a large portion
of which was devoted to matters pertaining to our
soldiers in the late war, and hence was called a
memorial address, a copy of which may be found in
the archives of the town, as also in many families
I96 HISTORY OF THE
The cost of the building above the underpinning was
$6,000 ; other expenses, as the fitting of the ground,
foundations, etc., $446.64; making in all, $6,446.64;
the cost of furniture, $952; making entire cost of
building and furniture, $7,398.64.
The following extract from poem by Josiah Bride,
delivered by him on this occasion, is well worthy of
insertion herein.
POEM.
In Doctor Brigham's day we had
Not half as many people;
One little store, just one, no more,
A church without a steeple.
No Town House neat in which to meet,
Discuss each public measure,
And there and then select the men
To execute our pleasure.
In the house of God, however odd,
It seems, were held all meetings,
Where, without noise, the girls and boys
Exchanged their social greetings.
And in the pews all talked of news
Profane and sacred matter.
Where, sitting down, the entire town
Made a tremendous clatter.
In the altar stood our Puffer good,
Though mercury was at zero,
And frozen nose, fingers and toes,
Showed heroine and hero.
But the desire to have a fire,
Might then have raised a question,
Whether the thought were not inbrought
l!y Satan's vile suggestion.
Having thus wandered through the dear old past
With heartfelt gratitude, we now may cast
Our vision forward, and with faith may see
A far more dear, a brighter yet-to-be.
Honor the present as the ancient men,
For now true worth inheres in man as then;
TOWN OF BERLIN. 197
Hence honor to our citizens, that they
Have built the house we dedicate to-day.
All honor to the brain that drew the plan,
All honor to the workmen, every man,
All honor to the man that gave the site,
All honor for sweet harmony, all right.
May heart to heart be bound with stronger ties,
Higher and higher may this people rise,
And, mid diversity of mind, God given,
No more may social bands be rudely riven.
Sadly we consecrate Memorial Hall
In honor of the brave men doomed to fall,
'Mid crash of arms and harsh, wild battle cry,
• Or in the crowded hospital to die.
Imperishable as time be every name,
Let none despoil them of their dear bought fame,
But let the hand to infamy be wed
That mars the laurels of the martyred dead.
ARTEMAS BARNES' PORTRAIT, 1 87 1.
In the spring of 1871 Mr. Artemas Barnes pre-
sented to the town his portrait, painted in oil, to be
hung in the Town Hall. The town took action on
the matter at a meeting held May 2, 1871, and
passed the following vote: "That as citizens of Ber-
lin, in town meeting assembled, we gratefully ac-
knowledge the good will of our former fellow-citizen,
Mr. Artemas Barnes, now of Worcester, in so gener-
ously presenting to his native town the very perfect
portrait of himself, which now adorns our new hall.
In accepting the same, with the most cordial desire
for the donor's length of days and future usefulness
in society, we would assure Mr. Barnes of our high
appreciation of the gift, not only as a work of art,
but as preserving to us and our children a true like-
ness of one bearing a family name which has been
so honorably associated with all the history of Ber-
198 HISTORY OF THE
lin." A copy of the foregoing was sent to Mr.
Barnes, and the following letter is a reply by Mr.
Barnes to the same :
Worcester, May 27, 187 1.
Rev. William A. Houghton :
Dear Sir: — I received your very friendly letter the day it
was written and now answer it. The friendly spirit of your
letter and the willingness of the citizens of the town to receive
my portrait to be hung in your new Town Hall, awakened in
me pleasant recollections. I prize the painting very much as
a work of art and hope it will interest the young in what art
can accomplish, and to the older inhabitants the recollection
of one who has always been a warm friend of the town.
Respectfully yours, etc.,
Artemas Barnes.
resolutions in memoriam.
The following resolutions in memory of Mr.
Artemas Barnes were passed by the town March
5, 1877, presented by Rev. W. A. Houghton:
That we, the legal voters of the town of Berlin, in town
meeting assembled, in the death of our late fellow citizen,
Artemas Barnes, mourn the loss of a friend and benefactor of
the town, who repeatedly manifested his interest in the town
of his nativity, even after his removal from our midst, not only
by his timely benefactions in years gone by, but by his more
recent gifts of highly wrought statues in marble, erected in the
old cemetery in memory of the first minister of the town and
of the first citizen of Berlin, who died for the liberty and inde-
pendence of our country in the Revolutionary war.
Resolved, That while we gratefully accept these testimonials
of his good will to the town, we promise to preserve them as
sacred mementoes of his high regard for religion, education
and patriotism, principles momentous in value, of which we
would deeply impress on those that come after us by a fre-
TOWN OF BERLIN.
[99
quent recurrence to the representation and delineation of those
sterling virtues as personified in the speaking marble, made
such by the highest art of sculpture.
DIVISION OF WORCESTER COUNTY, 1 874.
November 3. The town at this time, as they had
on all former occasions, voted unanimously against
the proposition for the division of Worcester county,
making Fitchburg the shire town of the new county.
Berlin was to remain in the old county, it is true,
but then taxes may have been increased, so thought
the people.
THE MAYNARD LAWSUIT, 1 875.
The only lawsuit the town has had of any account
since the celebrated Timothy Brooks Wheeler case,
grew out of an accident to George Henry Maynard
at West Berlin, where the Mass. Central R. R. Co.
were putting in an abutment to the great bridge.
By advice of counsel, the matter after one trial was
compromised in 1875 with Maynard at a cost of
$1,490. In 1 88 1 the town sued the railroad com-
pany, which was the party in fault, and finally recover-
ed in 1 8 8 7 of the corporation, after paying all expenses,
the sum of nearly $1,900. William Bassett, agent
for the town ; Hon. George F. Hoar, attorney.
FIRE-PROOF SAFES.
The first safe was bought in 1850; cost, $106.29;
the second one in 1873; cost, $375 ; freight, $16.75 ;
total, $39i-75-
200 HISTORY OF THE
gates' pond leased, 1875.
At the April meeting, 1875, the town granted the
petition of E. H. Hartshorn and others for the lease of
Gates' pond for a term of fifteen years for the "culti-
vation of fish." The company organized for the
purpose and stocked the pond with "black bass."
The sequel of the enterprise has shown that the
adventure was not a paying investment.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 4TH OF JULY, I 876.
June 27. The town appropriated $200 for the
Centennial celebration of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. The day was appropriately observed by
speeches, fireworks and illuminations.
TRAMP HOUSE.
The small brick building in . the town pound was
built in 1877 especially for the accommodation of
tramps. The influx of these was so great during
the great depression as to demand additional quarters ;
Building Committee : D. H. Carter, Jonas Sawyer
and Ruthven Hastings.
DECORATION DAY, 1 878.
At the annual meeting March 4 it was voted to
pass over the article concerning decoration services.
At the adjournment of this meeting March 12, the
town passed the following resolution :
Whereas, it is befitting a people to remember with grati-
tude the services of those who have been public benefactors
and made great saciifices for the good of the country; there-
fore
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2GI
Resolved, That we, as citizens of the town of Berlin, will
observe the coming Memorial day in a way befitting the occa-
sion.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The town at the adjournment of the annual meet-
ing, 1878, respectfully invited all town officers to re-
duce their pay for services, in consequence of the
hard times, as appears by the following action :
Whereas, in consequence of the depression of business in
the country generally and the consequent low price of labor
and the industrial products thereof in our town, it is incum-
bent on us to husband our resources that we may pay our debts
and taxes ; therefore
Resolved, That we, the inhabitants of the town of Berlin, in
town meeting assembled, believing the policy of civil service
reform should be applied indiscriminately to all arms of the
service, from the general government down to the lowest pre-
cinct, therefore we would respectfully invite all town officers,
of whatever grade or kind, for the year ensuing to reduce the
pay for their services at least one-fifth from last year's prices.
YELLOW DAY, 1 88 I.
The 7th day of September, 1881, is remembered
as presenting a strange phenomenon in nature. The
atmosphere was changed to a yellow hue, and all
objects assumed an unnatural color. This continued
nearly all day. Some thought the world was coming
to an end. Saloon keepers in some places refused to
minister to their customers, fearing the day of judg-
ment was at hand. The phenomenon is supposed to
have been caused by the smoke of western fires.
202 HISTORY OF THE
THE POWDER HOUSE, 1 882.
The old powder house on the hill back of the Town
Hall, built 1 8 1 4 for the safe storage of ammunition,
was given to the town with the land adjoining by-
deed from Rev. W. A. Houghton, for which opener-
ous gift the town, May 4, 1882, voted that a vote of
thanks be extended to him for his timely and liberal
gift.
THE TOWN CLOCK, 1882.
March 7. The clock on the steeple of the Orthodox
Church was donated to the town by the will of Mrs.
Lydia H. Peters for the use of the inhabitants of the
town, and was accepted by the town as a memorial
of her late brothers, William A. and Solomon H.
Howe.
FIRE APPARATUS, 1 883.
In consequence of the numerous fires which had
occurred in the middle of the town about this time,
the town resolved to procure some apparatus to as-
sist in the extinguishment of fires, and instructed the
Selectmen to purchase hooks, ladders, buckets, and
carriage for transporting the same, in case of fire,
but neglected to provide any supply of water, except
two old mud holes, of no practical use whatever in a
dry time, when fires are quite likely to occur.
STREET LAMPS, 1 883.
Voted to have three in the Centre.
THE TOWN'S CENTENNIAL, 1 884.
At the annual town meeting of this year the town
voted to celebrate its centennial, and chose Rev. W.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 203
A. Houghton, William Bassett, Josiah E. Sawyer,
A. A. Bartlett and P. B. Southwick a committee to
have entire charge of the matter. At a meeting,
August 13, chose in addition to the above commit-
tee: Albert Babcock, Horace Bigelow, William W.
Wheeler, Chandler Carter, Silas Sawyer, Samuel
Wheeler, John D. Merrill, Anthony S. Starkey, E.
S. Sawtelle and AVinsor Maynard. Voted that the
committee do not exceed in expense the sum of $100.
The day of the celebration, September 10, was a
very warm day, and the meeting was held out of
doors. Rev. W. A. Houghton delivered the address.
Ex-Gov. George S. Boutwell, who was our delegate
in 1853 to the Convention for the Revision of the
Constitution, was present and spoke on topics perti-
nent to the occasion. Rev. A. P. Marvin and others
from adjoining towns and former residents of the
town participated in the festivities of the occasion.
As the subject matter of the address may mostly be
found in different parts of this work, a repetition of
the same would be superfluous here.
BERLIN GRANGE — PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY, 1 886.
After several weeks of earnest labor, Dr. Ahaz
Bassett, late of Hudson, secured the names of forty-
two who agreed to become the charter members of
Berlin Grange, No. 134, P. of H. The same was
organized on May 11, 1886, by Arthur A. Brigham
of Marlboro, with Samuel Wheeler, master; P. B.
Southwick, overseer, and H. A. Wheeler, lecturer.
The master's chair has been occupied by Samuel
Wheeler, C. D. Eager, H. A. Wheeler, F. H. Cross-
man and Walter Cartwright. H. A. Wheeler, Mrs.
204 HISTORY OF THE
Addison Keyes, Mrs. L. B. Wheeler, Mrs. S. C.
Chamberlain, Miss Lilla Newsome and Mrs. H. A.
Wheeler have served as lecturers, while the secretary's
post, "the most arduous of all," has been filled by
Mrs. Addison Keyes, Miss A. O. Boyce, Mrs. S. C.
Chamberlain, P. B. Southwick, Mrs. E. Coulson and
Mrs. L. W. Brewer.
The Grange holds semi-monthly meetings on the
first and third Wednesdays, which are well attended.
Whole number of members January i, 1895, 145.
STONE WATERING TROUGH, 1 887.
March 7. Voted thanks to Mr. Joel Proctor of Bol-
ton for the gift of a stone watering trough at the
west part.
THE CHANDLER CARTER DONATION, 1 887.
April 9. A special town meeting was called April
9 to take action in relation to the donation made by
Chandler Carter to the town of $20,000, which was
the amount due the state of Massachusetts on a loan
made to pay for the town's stock in the Massachu-
setts Central Railroad. The town gratefully accepted
the gift by a unanimous vote, and expressed a wish
that a portrait of Mr. Carter might be obtained and
placed on the walls of the Town Hall by the side of
that of Artemas Barnes. Mr. Carter arose in town
meeting and said their desire should be gratified, as
he had an oil painting of himself recently made,
which he was ready to present to the town. The
Selectmen were authorized to receive the portrait,
and the following Tuesday was fixed upon for the
public reception at the Town Hall, when the gift
TOWN OF BERLIN. 205
would be presented and the picture be placed on the
walls of the hall. A committee, consisting of Wil-
liam Bassett, W. A. Houghton and P. B. Southwick,
were chosen to draft resolutions expressive of the
sentiment of the town as follows, passed unani-
mously :
Resolved, That we, the inhabitants of the town of Berlin, in
town meeting assembled, with grateful hearts accept the liberal
donation of $20,000 presented to the town by our generous
townsman, Chandler Carter, and that his name shall ever be
kept in perpetual remembrance as a benefactor of the
town.
Resolved, That the best token of regard we can ever hereaf-
ter manifest for his memory is so to conduct the business of
the town as to be clear of debt, the burden of which is now
lightened by his generosity.
Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to our most
worthy fellow-citizen for the presentation he has this day made
to the town, of his excellent portrait recently painted, and that
the same be hung on the walls of this hall as a reminder to
the town in the transaction of its business, ever to be prudent
and careful that no burdensome debt ever hereafter be con-
tracted, however plausible the pretext.
Resolved; That we recommend that a public reception be
tendered to Mr. Carter for his beneficence, and that the ar-
rangement of the time and place and proceedings be left with
the Selectmen.
Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the records
of the town, and be published in the local papers, and a copy
of them be sent to the donor.
RECEPTION GIVEN TO CHANDLER CARTER, 1 887.
April 12. The town having at the meeting of
April 9 accepted the gift of Mr. Carter, resolved that
2 06 HISTORY OF THE
a public reception should be given to the town's
benefactor on delivery of the donation, and the even-
ing of Tuesday, April 12, at the Town Hall, was
fixed upon as the time and place for the occasion,
and at the same time his portrait was to be hung on
the walls of the hall. This was a memorable occa-
sion, never to be forgotten by those who participated
in the exercises. Our space does not permit of more
than a brief epitome of the exercises, but a full report
may be found in the Berlin Enterprise of April 16,
1887., from which we make some extracts. The
meeting was called to order by Mr. J. D. Tyler, who
acted as master of ceremonies. After making some
opening remarks he called on Rev. W. A. Houghton
to offer prayer. "Following this was a song by the
Choral Union, led by Mr. Sawyer." "To E. F. John-
son, Esq., of Marlboro, attorney for Mr. Carter, was as-
signed the pleasant duty of presenting to the town the
gift of $20,000, which he did in his usual graceful and
dignified manner." "F. A. Woodward, chairman of
the Selectmen, accepted the gift with few and well
chosen words, thanking the giver for his noble gen.
erosity." "Rev. W. A. Houghton was then intro-
duced to the company and occupied the close atten-
tion of the audience while he made the speech of the
evening." "To James T. Joslin, Esq., of Hudson,
was delegated the duty of presenting to the town
the life-size oil painting of Mr. Carter, which was
hung over the platform and covered with white
drapery, and which at the conclusion was unveiled
to the audience, who received it with prolonged ap-
plause." Following this presentation, Mr. Joslin
addressed the citizens of Berlin with some very in-
TOWN OF liERLIN. 207
teresting remarks specially pertinent to the occasion.
In behalf of the town William Bassett in response
said: Be assured, Mr. Chairman, that this portrait
will ever be preserved with reverence and respect
for the original through all generations to the latest
posterity so far as within us lies, and that we are
most thankful for this valuable gift. After singing
by the Choral Union, the following poem, by Miss P.
A. Holder, was read by Mr. Joslin :
Berlin's response
For the Generous Gift of her Son, Chandler Carter.
Well hast thou chosen — wisely —
To see thy good bestowed, —
Thine own right hand to scatter
Its blessings on life's road.
The aureole of silver,
Years to thy head have brought,
Is tinged with golden lustre,
This golden deed hath wrought.
We'll write thy name in brightness
As with a golden pen,
Beside the good Ben Adham's,
Who "loved his fellowmen."
The soul that gives is blessed,
The life made sweet and bright, —
Bearing the loads of others,
Makes our own burdens light.
The Town accepts with gladness,
This timely, generous gift,
Freed from the long borne burden,
Thy hand doth kindly lift.
Onward we go, rejoicing,
Where thou hast safely led,
Praying that dews of blessing,
May fall upon thy head.
208 HISTORY OF THE
And may the richest portion —
The giver's — be thine own,
Return in largest measure,
With joy thy life to crown.
Berlin — thy childhood's cradle,
Receives thy manhood's gifts,
And for the princely offering,
Her head, rejoicing, lifts. .
She'll keep within her annals,
Upon her roll of fame,
Another Son remembered,
Another honored name.
The Son in filial homage,
The Mother comes to greet,
To bring his manhood's tribute,
And lay it at her feet.
As Berlin takes the largess
From hand of generous Son,
She breathes her benediction,
With pride she says, " Well done.''''
And so we twine with gladness,
This laurel in thy crown,
Glad in the light and blessing
With which thy sun goes down.
"Frank H. Pope of the Boston Globe was next in-
troduced, and, after a few preliminary remarks, pro-
ceeded to render a recitation in his own inimitable
and thrilling style, the character of which visibly
affected the audience." The remaining portion of
the time was taken up in brief remarks by citizens
and invited guests. "The collation in the hall be-
low, which followed the exercises, did great credit to
those having this important part of the programme
in charge, the tables being elegantly and beautifully
laid."
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2O9
Thus closed the exercises commemorative of ari
event the most important perhaps in the history of
the town.
ORGAN OR PIANO, 1 888.
March 5. The Selectmen instructed to purchase
an organ or piano to be used in the Town Hall.
PRESENTATION OF REV. WILLIAM A. HOUGHTON'S
PORTRAIT.
November 28, 1890. At a meeting held at this
date, a committee chosen at a former meeting for the
purpose of procuring a portrait of the Rev. William
A. Houghton, reported that they had attended to the
duty assigned them and were ready to deliver the
picture. The report was signed by William Bassett,
E. C. Shattuck and P. B. South wick. Voted "to ac-
cept the report and that they be requested to present
the picture. Mr. Bassett, the chairman of the com-
mittee, in a few well-chosen words presented the
portrait, and Lewis L. Carter of the Board of Select-
men accepted the same in behalf of the town."
"Listened to a response from Mr. Houghton, after
which listened to music from the Berlin Brass
Band." Miss Clara Shattuck read the following
poem by Miss P. A. Holder :
POEM.
REV. WILLIAM A. HOUGHTON.
Read at the Meeting for Presentation of his Picture to the
Town of Berlin, Nov. 28, 1890.
'Tis meet within the afterglow
Of glad Thanksgiving time,
To sing an added song of joy,
And "build the lofty rhyme,"
15
2IO HISTORY OF THE
For one whose true, sweet life has been
A joy to crown our days,
And waken in our loving hearts
A canticle of praise.
So now we sing Doxology,
Our grateful thoughts in metre,
For this glad eventide, to make
Thanksgiving joy still sweeter.
We joy in all the well-spent years,
For duty nobly done,
For earnest work, for sterling worth,
Gold in thy manhood's crown.
The record of the useful life
O'er which we love to look,
Is like one of the grand aniens
From out the Holy Book.
The Town upon her walls will keep
The picture of her Son,
Feeling an honor in the name,
Thy pure, good life has won.'
Living epistles of all time
Are Calebs ever young;
Still helpful to their fellowmen,
The life a "grand, sweet song."
We thank Thee, Father, for the gift
Of such a life to earth,
A life of loving ministry,
That shows Thy glory forth.
A grateful Town here gives to thee
The homage of the heart,
Praying that when the day shall come
Which calls thee to depart,
On all the people still may rest,
Descending from above,
In double portion, peaceful, pure,
The spirit of thy love.
May the rich gifts of Love Divine,
Drop in their fullness down,
And useful days of peace and joy
The added years still crown;
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2 11
The onward way still sweeter grow
With sunset gold made bright,
The Master's presence guide thy steps,
Into the world of light.
After the poem came the following- resolutions,
presented by William Bassett :
Resolved, That the inhabitants of the town of Berlin, in
town meeting assembled, tender to the Rev. William A.
Houghton our most sincere thanks for the excellent life-like
portrait he has this day presented to the town.
Resolved, That we will guard with watchful care this por-
trait, to preserve it from desecration, that it may ever hang
on these walls a lasting reminder of one who, by both pre-
cept and example, has been a promoter of the highest inter-
ests of our citizens and an honor to the town.
Resolved, That this portrait completes the trio — the three
the town has especially delighted to honor, — all natives of the
town, and all of them important contributors to its welfare and
prosperity.
On motion of Charles M. Sawyer the resolutions
were unanimously adopted and entered upon the
records of the town.
HEALTH, LONGEVITY AND ETHICS OF THE TOWN.
The sanitary condition of the town is worthy of
special note. The town nas never been visited with
epidemic or contagious diseases to any great extent,
which fact is due, no doubt, to its excellent drainage
and the purity of its waters. It has no pestilential
swamps within its borders breeding malaria and
typhus. The healthiness of the town is indicated by
the fact that doctors have never found this an in-
viting and remunerative field, and have finally aban-
212 HISTORY OF THE
doned the ground in despair, without hope of ever
getting a living here. The longevity of the people
will bear favorable comparison with those of other
towns ; while we have had none whose age was more
than a century, we have had many nonagenarians
whose ages came near it. A native of the town was
living at the time of this writing, at the age of ninety-
four, born 1 800. The town has been remarkably free
from fatalities caused by lightning. No one that
we have ever heard of has been killed here by the
electric fluid ; no houses or barns have been burned
from this cause. This locality on the whole seems
to have been highly favored by the action of the
elements and forces of nature. The climate, also,
seems to be more genial and agreeable and healthful
than in some other towns in the immediate vicinity,
owing in part to the southeasterly slope of a large
portion of the town, combined with other sanitary
causes. The conclusion reached from the above
facts is obvious, — that Berlin is a good town in which
to live, enjoy life, and take comfort. If any should
question the truth of the above, ask any native Ber-
linean, and he will verify the facts.
The morality of the town will bear favorable com-
parison with other towns. From the first settlement
to the present time the town has been saved from the
record of but few of the more heinous crimes against
society, but few have ever been incarcerated in jail,
and these for minor offenses, and none have been
sentenced to the state prison (except in one case,
— not a Berlin man). One murder case, it is true,
occurred within the limits of the town at the old
Reuben Hastings house, but this is not properly
TOWN OF BERLIN. 213
chargeable to Berlin, as the parties were foreigners
from Clinton, occupying the house at the time. The
underlying cause was rum, which, in fact, is the
potent factor in the commission of nearly all crimes.
(See article, "Livingston.") Few communities prob-
ably are freer from profanity and low vulgarity
than Berlin. It may be premised that the influence
of Dr. Puffer and his successors has been salutary.
The efforts of the leaders of other denominations
have also contributed materially to purify the moral
atmosphere of the town. While not intending to
claim ethical superiority over other communities, we
may justly affirm that we have had no "hardscrabble"
or "den of thieves."
ACCIDENTAL AND VIOLENT DEATHS.
It is presumed that the following list comprises
but a part of those who may from the early settlement
to the present time have died by accident or from
violence. The first of which we have any knowledge
was one John Canouse, a German, a deserter from
Burgoyne's army in 1777; M. Phebe Butler,
He was one of the six that gave the name of Six
Nations to a district in Boylston. He was thrown
from a horse and killed near Bolton depot ; no date.
Nancy (Bride) Bruce, widow of Benjamin Bruce,
was burned to death in the chimney corner while
the family were at church, Thanksgiving day, 1824.
A child of Obadiah McBride, who may have
been living at the time on the William Fry place,
was caught in a window of the old east school-house
by the falling of the sash, and suffocated. She had
returned to the school-house for her books. The
2 14 HISTORY OF THE
door being locked, she gained ingress by the window,
with the result above stated; 1828.
A young man by the name of Converse, a
son-in-law of Samuel Gage, who lived at the time on
the Newsome place, was killed by a cart tongue
falling upon him, 18 19.
Joseph Pollard, son of Luther, was killed when
about eight years old by falling on a corn cutter,
1822.
Henry Powers, Jr., son of Henry, 2d, was stabbed
and killed by one Brooks, at Grafton, 1834.
Through the leniency of the father, who didn't
believe in capital punishment, Brooks only received
a short term of imprisonment.
Eliza Ann (Walker) Rice, wife of Nathan Rice
(who was living at the time of the accident on the
Dea. Oliver Sawyer farm), was thrown from a carriage
while descending the hill north of Willard G. Bruce's
on a Sunday morning on the way to church. She
was accompanied by Miss Sophia Sawyer, who
escaped without serious injury, but Mrs. Rice sur-
vived but a short time after the accident. The
cause of this fatal disaster was that the harness
broke. The horse ran down the hill and upset the
carriage. This occurred October 4, 1863.
Luther Babcock, while picking apples for David
and Abram Fry, October 9, 1878, fell from the tree
on which he was working and received internal
injuries, from which he died soon after.
Dea. John Bartlett was killed by being thrown
from a wagon in descending the hill west of Geo.
H. Barnes', July 6, 1864.
Mrs. Mary A. Livingston, wife of James Livingston,
TOWN OF BERLIN.
215
who had moved from Clinton into the Reuben
Hastings house, was murdered by her husband, Feb.
5, 1883.
Miss Sarah I. Hastings, daughter of R. S. Hastings,
met with a fatal accident November 14, 1893. This
sad and distressing event awakened the sympathies
of the entire community; universal sorrow brooded
over the town ; all felt that it was an irreparable loss
that one so active, useful and capable in many ways
should so suddenly be snatched away. The circum-
stances were these : She was on her way to Clinton
with a livery team, by way of Barnes' hill ; stopped
at George H. Barnes', took in his daughter Lucy and
proceeded on their way. In descending the hill
northerly, the horse became ungovernable and ran at
a furious gait down the incline towards the long
bridge of the Central railroad, on nearing which the
horse turned to the right, upsetting the carriage and
throwing them both out. Sarah struck her head
against the abutment of the bridge; she never
regained consciousness, and lived but a short time.
Her companion escaped without serious injury.
PAUPERS.
At the first town meeting (1784) began a practice,
then common in most towns, of putting up at vendue
the keeping of the poor to the lowest bidder. All
see the liability of the poor to suffer thereby, but
public sentiment would resent abuse no doubt. The
practice was discontinued here fifty or more years
ago. William A. Howe, then but just in his ma-
jority, was, I believe, the first to oppose the practice
in town meeting. The first person named on our
2l6 HISTORY OF THE
record of the poor is Mary Piper. The next year,
voted to allow the account of Joseph Howe, for
bringing Polly Kitty from Bolton to his house, four
shillings, and for cleansing said Polly, four shillings
and ninepence. Polly's board is also allowed at four
shillings per week. The town has never seen fit to
found a pauper establishment. It had, it is true, a
small house for the poor, which would accommodate
only a very small family. (See article, " House for
the Poor.") The town may have had in mind in the
purchase of the Meriam farm the probability of con-
verting it into a farm for the poor, but the paupers
were too few to warrant the expense. In recent
times the poor are well cared for by the Overseers
of the Poor, and placed in good families.
FIRES — BUILDINGS BURNED.
Within twenty years past there have been more
fires in town than in all its prior history. In the
early times we learn of comparatively few. For-
merly people were not so well insured as of late, and
the losses seem to have been proportionately small.
Less the insurance, less the fires. That some of the
fires have had an incendiary origin there is no doubt,
and this element is an important factor in raising the
percentage of insurance, from which we all suffer.
The first in our list of which we know anything
about was the house of Leonard Hartwell, who
lived at the time on the place now owned by Lorenzo
Bruce (next east of George W. Howard's). It was a
house built by Mr. Hartwell, and was burned in the
nighttime. In 183- he erected the present one in
its place.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2 1 7
After the Hartwell fire we learn of no other for
about thirty years. The two-story tenement house
of Capt. C. S. Hastings was burned September, 1 860,
and was replaced by the present one on the same
site. This fire took from hot ashes in a barrel in
an adjoining wood-shed.
The next in point of time was the blacksmith
shop of Albert Peterson in the south part. This
occurred in the night, in the autumn of 1868. The
shop was built by T. W. Barker. Well insured.
The building known as the Grassie & Hartshorn
shop in the Centre, on the Clinton road, was burned
June 17, 1867.
The shoe shop in the south part, built for the
Union Store Co., and owned and operated by one
Budreau of Marlboro, was burned about one o'clock
on night of January 25, 1878. Probably well in-
sured ; no known cause of fire.
The large shoe factory in the middle of the town,
known as the Parker shoe shop, was burned in the
day-time of February 18, 1882. This was not in-
cendiary. It took fire on the roof, and there was no
means here to extinguish it. Help came from Clinton
and Hudson, but too late to save the building.
Henry A. Stone's shop for blacksmithing and
wheelwrighting was burned May 6, 1882. The fire
took, undoubtedly, from natural causes.
Madam Rudersdoff's buildings seemed to have
been marked for a play of the elements. First a new
barn, by her then recently erected, was burned, 1879 ;
and again a strange fatality attended her barns, a
second one in process of completion being blown
down in a furious gale, July 16, 1879, and two men
2l8 HISTORY OF THE
were killed — Jonathan Nourse and Thomas Cheney,
both of Hudson. The present one on the Reed Tyler
place was the third she built. The old mansion built
by Deacon Oliver Sawyer was finally doomed. It went
up in smoke in the night of January 31, 1881, no
one living in it at the time. The cause of the fires
is a query, — no doubt about the blowing down.
The devouring element seems to have made sad
havoc in 1882 and 1883. No less than six fires oc-
curred during this period. The old Joseph Priest
house, more than one hundred years old probably,
and owned by Rufus R. Wheeler, was burned in
the night-time, no one living in it. This old house
was consumed May 13, 1883.
The hotel, which stood on the present site of the
Unitarian parsonage, called the Belmont House, was
burned in the day-time September 26, 1883; Fred
Wheelock, proprietor. Mrs. R. S. Hastings' build-
ings were barely saved from the names. A query
how it caught.
The old blacksmith shop in Carterville, erected by
Riley Smith, then owned by Samuel M. Haynes, was
burned September, 1883.
Horace A. Gunnison's house, just north of the
Oliver Smith place in Carterville, was burned March
18, 1883, the family being absent at the time.
Arad Taylor's house and barn on the Jonathan F.
Wheeler place were reduced to ashes, April 9, 1885.
The parsonage of the Rev. W. A. Houghton, and
it also had been that of Dr. Puffer, was consumed by
the devouring flames May 14, 1894. The house at
the time was occupied by tenants, and the fire took
from sparks from the chimney. This was regarded
TOWN OF BERLIN.
219
as a special calamity, on account of the associations
connected with the place and the prominence of the
house as a village residence.
The typical old red school-house on the Hudson
road, which had been known by the oldest inhabit-
ant from childhood (built 1792), was burned at mid-
night, July, 1 894. The old Joshua Johnson house,
owned by A. B. Allen, was burned, 1886.
BERLIN DOCTORS.
Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs appears first on the list ; was
here some years prior to 1 784, and was probably from
Framingham. Lived on the Fred A. Woodward
place. No other record.
Dr. Benjamin Nourse, son of Deacon David Nourse
of Bolton, from 1784 to 1804.
Dr. Nathaniel Martin, of whom I am unable to
report; 1792.
Dr. Daniel Brigham from Westboro studied with
Dr. James Ball of Northboro. Settled on the Crosby
place, near the Old Colony depot, 1 800 ; removed to
Marlboro 1825.
Dr. Samuel Griggs, born at Saxton's River, Vt,
studied with Dr. Twitchell of Keene, N. H. Was
here from 1824 to 1831. He removed to West
Boylston, thence to Westboro 1843. Died in 1879 at
86 years.
Dr. John L. S. Thompson succeeded Dr. Griggs
from 1831-1840. He removed to Bolton and thence
to Lancaster. Died 1885.
Dr. Edward Hartshorn was the successor of Dr.
Thompson. Practiced here from 1840 to 1854.
2 20 HISTORY OF THE
Dr. Lemuel Gott, the last resident physician in
town, continued in practice from 1854 to 1888, the
time of his death. Some other doctors have had
offices here at brief intervals. At present, Dr. F.
L. Harvey has an office at the Dr. Hartshorn place.
THE BERLIN TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.
The organization of this society dates back to
1855. No organization in town has exhibited greater
vitality during all these years. The interest in the
meetings, as shown by the well-filled houses, is worthy
of special note. The }<Toung people of the town have
generally constituted a large proportion of the audi-
ence, attracted no doubt in part by a desire for social
intercourse as well as to enjoy the music, singing
and lectures. The clergymen of the town have
generally been active in these meetings, and have
gratuitously given their time and labor to the
promotion of the cause of temperance.
The meetings of the society have been latterly
held at the Town Hall on the evening of the third
Sunday in each month. The three religious societies
frequently hold union services. There can be no
question but that these meetings have contributed
largely to the formation of a public sentiment here
in favor of temperance, sobriety and good order in
town.
GOLDEN CROSS.
A branch of the Golden Cross was organized in
Berlin March 19th, 1879, with eleven charter mem-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 22 1
bers, E. H. Hartshorn, noble commander. Whole
number that have belonged since its organization,
forty-six ; the largest number at any time, thirty-six ;
present number, thirty. Five members have died.
We have paid in benefit assessments $11,948, and
the families of those that have died have received
$10,800. The present noble commander is Andrew
J. Johnson.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
In 1888 Mr. Houghton wrote: "Sadly, Berlin has
no public library. Sectional influences have prevented
united action. When we separated from Bolton, a
generous library became a bone of contention. A
division of it was finally effected. The Berlin share,
with additions, was kept alive during the pastorate
of Dr. Puffer. "
Happily this town is no longer open to reproach
as being so exceptional a Massachusetts town as to
be without a public library.
Thanks to a fortunate combination of circumstances,
Berlin now has a small but steadily growing and
highly appreciated public library.
One of the acts of the State Legislature of 1890
was the appointment of a Free Public Library Com-
mission, authorized to assist towns of low assessment
valuation to establish free public libraries. By the
terms of the act the Commission was empowered to
buy and present to such towns $100 worth of books
on certain conditions, such as making satisfactory
provision for the accommodation and care of the
books, an annual appropriation for the support of
the library, etc.
HISTORY OF THE
At the town meeting of March 2d, 1891, the terms
of the legislative act were accepted, and a Board of
Library Trustees elected, which consisted of Rev. G.
F. Pratt, Hon. William Bassett and F. H. Grossman.
To the State Free Public Library Commission our
Trustees were indebted not only for advice as to
further purchase of books and many other particulars,
but also for a manifestation of personal interest.
On the part of individual members of the Commission,
this went as far as the collection of many books from
their friends, which they presented to our library, so
that it was able to start with more than the hundred
dollars' worth of books donated by the state. For
this exhibition of personal interest and zeal for the
good cause in which they were enlisted, Berlin has
occasion to record with gratitude the names of Hon.
Henry S. Nourse and Miss Elizabeth P. Sohier of
the State Free Public Library Commission.
The first appropriation for the library made by the
town was $50.
This has since been increased to an annual appro-
priation of $70.
Berlin Grange was prompt to show its public spirit
in this direction by a gift from its treasury of $26.50,
to be expended for the purchase of a set of Chambers'
Encyclopaedia for the library.
It is but just to the Grange to recognize the fact
that from its members came the first effectual impulse
in town toward securing the library. Next after the
state's donation, the largest and most welcome gift
to the library was that of Mrs. Cordelia S. Hastings,
of $100 in cash. This gift was very opportune,
enabling the infant library at once to assume propor-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 223
tions commensurate with the demands made upon
it at the outset. Other gifts of books and money
have been received from time to time ; notable for its
helpfulness at the time, $10 from Miss H. E. Bigelow
of Marlboro.
In establishing the library the most perplexing
problems met by the Trustees was to find house room
for it. Not without much difficulty did the town
clerk (also a member of the Board of Trustees) con-
trive a suitable lodgment for the library in a corner
of the Selectmen's room in the Town House.
This solves the problem for a time, but only for as
long as the books are few in number and we have no
reading room. Soon some larger space must be
provided, either by an addition to the Town House
or the erection of a separate library building.
It would be hard to devise a nobler benefaction to
the town than a gift, through legacy or otherwise,
for this object.
The work of cataloguing a library in the scientific
manner of to-day requires an expert. Fortunately
this operation and the task of setting the machinery
successfully in motion were rendered comparatively
easy by the quiet assistance of one who had been a
trained and experienced librarian in a larger town —
Mrs. Pratt, wife of one of the Trustees.
On July 11, 1 89 1, the library was first opened to
the public with 190 books on the shelves, and Miss
vSarah I. Hastings in charge as librarian. To-day,
May, 1895, the library has 858 volumes.
For a time the library was open for an hour on
Saturday afternoons and for two hours on Saturday
evenings.
2 24 HISTORY OF THE
For the past year it has been open on Saturday
evenings and every other Wednesday evening. It
is proposed to open it also on Saturday afternoons
again.
After a year's trial had shown the advantages of
a public library, it was suddenly enriched and doubled
in size by the donation of the entire library of 380
volumes belonging to the Union Library Association
of South Berlin.
For some years enterprising citizens of the section
of the town known locally as South Berlin, had
maintained a circulating library for the benefit of
residents of that neighborhood.
Their collection of books was of excellent character,
and made a valuable and timely addition to the
Public Library.
In October of 1893, the library, in common with
the whole community, met a sad loss in the sudden
death of Miss S. I. Hastings, who was thrown from
a carriage while driving. Miss Hastings was a young
lady endowed with many talents and great energy of
character.
On November 18, 1893, Miss Mary M. Babcock
entered upon the duties of librarian, for which she
had received some special training as assistant to
her predecessor.
She has proved a very efficient and popular
librarian, and under her administration the patron-
age of the library has made most gratifying progress.
THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB.
December 27th, 1877, the teachers and School
Committee with several others, by invitation of Miss
TOWN OF BERLIN. 225
Fiske, then teacher of the high school, met and
organized the Shakespeare Club, with Mr. E. C.
Shattuck, president, and Miss Mary Bassett, secre-
tary. The first meeting and several following were
held in the old Town House, standing near the house
of J. E. Sawyer, and occupied by the primary
department of the Centre school. After the first
year the meetings were held at the homes of the
members. During the seventeen years of its exist-
ence, the club has been highly prosperous in the
keeping up of the interest, the harmony prevailing,
and the amount of work accomplished. The club
made choice of the best in the beginning: the
immortal Shakespeare, at whose feet for two years
they sat as willing learners and loath to part company,
has ever been the most frequent guest at their intel-
lectual feasts. Much time was given to the study
of the life and writings of the trio — Longfellow,
Holmes and Whittier, and to the Concord celebrities —
Emerson and Hawthorne ; the life of James Russell
Lowell in his Cambridge home, and the study of .his
writings, with their treasures of wit and wisdom ; Sir
Walter Scott, Milton, Ruskin, Hannah Moore, Mrs.
Browning, Harriet Beecher Stowe ; taking up many
more of the standard English and American authors,
besides the lesser poets and authors, none of whom
have been exhausted, holding within them mines of
wealth yet to be explored by the club. A large
range of subjects, literary and scientific, has been
taken up : the study of precious stones and geologi-
cal formations from specimens collected by the club ;
electricity; architecture; music; travels; history: the
evenings spent in trips to the White mountains,
16
226 HISTORY OF THE
Yellowstone park, up the Hudson, in which the
tourists, real and imaginary, with their delightful
sketches and the aid of maps, stereoscopic views and
specimens, making them real, were full of pleasure
and profit ; the memorable event when the fledgling
poets of the club assayed to use their wings at the
request of the most honorable member. Many papers
and essays were prepared upon the subjects taken up,
some of which have appeared in print, and others
equally worthy still remain in the archives of the
club.
No history of the Shakespeare Club would be com-
plete without some record of its social features,
which were interspersed as recreations from its more
solid work, —
With friendship's golden chain we're bound,
Its brightest links, our social joys.
Among these the cherry parties and other social
gatherings with Mr. and Mrs. Addison Keyes, Mrs.
Keyes being for many years the secretary of the
club ; repeated visits to Hunnewell's gardens ; trips to
the Wachusett mountain ; a day spent in the Bloom-
ingdale nursery, Worcester; — with their delightful
reminiscences and the unique experiences connected
with them, which have become legends in the club ;
the memorable ride to Concord August 17th, 1881,
"Coldest day on record," the oft-quoted remark of
one of the members who came near freezing ; sleigh-
rides long deferred, sleigh-rides shortened by mishaps,
and sleigh-rides most enjoyable were the order of the
winter. For the summer annual picnics with the
pleasant associations of Elm farm, Larkin homestead,
and the Bassett grounds, at which some of the mem-
TOWN OF BERLIN.
227
bers immortalized their names in the club by their
preparation of chowder for the picnic of 1884.
Elves who brewed for us the witch's broth
So fowl and so feline, will live
When other names are long forgot.
The crowning feature of the social gatherings of
the season, was the annual suppers given as surprises
to the gentlemen by the ladies, each season vieing
with the last in making them more delightful and
attractive. Culling-
From out the realm of cuisine art,
Savory viands, sweets delectable,
Salads, jellies, ices, creams delicious,
Choicest fruits from tropic lands,
With nuts to eat and nuts to crack.
For each guest some souvenir
Holding the past in mem'ry's shrine,
The genii their work completed,
Behold a fairy bower,
In which to serve the fair repast,
Where friendly cheer and sparkling thought
Go round the board, where all partake.
The wit and wisdom of the club combining in an
entertainment literary and otherwise, fitting for the
closing up of these annual festivities, our allotted space
is filled and only a bare outline appears,— just a hint
here and there of the good things of the Shakespeare
Club.
The present officers : P. B. Southwick, President ;
Addison Keyes, Vice-President ; Miss Jennie Morse,
vSecretary; the president and vice-president having
held the offices for a number of years.
THE OLD BERLIN LYCEUM AT THE CENTRE.
The first lyceum in town of which we have any
account was held in the old Town House on the
2 28 HISTORY OF THE
Common about 1837. It was a time when the Berlin
Academy was a nourishing institution here, and the
principal, Josiah Bride, took an active interest in the
debates and other exercises of the Lyceum, which
largely contributed to its success. The topics dis-
cussed were such as began about that time to engage
the public attention, especially temperance and anti-
slavery being themes often dwelt on, and public
sentiment here may have been largely moulded by
the free debates and earnest discussions held in the
old Town House. Among the numerous names of
those who took an active part were Daniel Holder,
Amory Carter, Daniel H. Carter, Rev. Eber S.
Clarke, George Ball, A. A. Bartlett, L. L. Carter and
P. B. Southwick. The organization continued only
three or four years, and was succeeded later by the
South Part Lyceum.
THE SOUTH BERLIN LVCEUM.
No organization in town ever more completely
filled a gap in the social and literary institutions of
the period than did the Lyceum as it existed before
and some years subsequent to the war. The one
held at the south part school-house was famous for
the matchless debates and intellectual sparring, which
drew large audiences from all the region around.
The great latitude given to discussion gave opportu-
nity to all to air their individual theories on law,
theology, medicine and political economy. Indeed,
the debates embraced the whole category of subjects
which came within the range of the intellectual sharp-
shooters of the time. The participants in these
forensic exercises were by no means confined to
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2 2Q
persons within our limits, but it may fairly be main-
tained that home talent usually held its own with the
giants from abroad, who contributed in no small
degree to the celebrity and success of the Lyceum.
Among the familiar names of those here who took
an active part were Rev. W. A. Houghton (when
held at the Town Hall), E. C. Shattuck, Solomon
Jones, Nathaniel Wheeler, Lyman Morse, Amasa A.
Whitcomb, William Bassett. Of those from out of
town, A. J. Bigelow, Welcome Cook and Myles
Wood were frequent attendants from Robin hill, and
never to be forgotten were the representatives of
Feltonville — Abram Tyler, Charles Brigham and
Wilbur F. Brigham, Esq., who contributed, whenever
present, largely to the success of the Lyceum.
George Forbes from the East Woods, Boylston, was
interested in the Lyceum, and gave essays and lec-
tures on various topics. The teachers in some of the
schools frequently took an important part in the
exercises. The part taken by the ladies of the town
is worthy of special mention. Continued interest
was largely kept up by their papers and essays, con-
taining pungent hits and sharp criticisms. The
exercises were interspersed with dialogues, declama-
tions and conundrums. The latter finally became
exceedingly attractive to the crowd on account of
the sharp hitting puns contained therein, flying
hither and thither, to the amusement of all. The
Berlin Lyceum may well be counted among the
former educational institutions of the town, and filled
an important place at a time when public entertain-
ments were less numerous than at present. Long
be remembered the South Berlin Lyceum.
23O HISTORY OF THE
Another lyceum was instituted at the north school-
house after the old Lyceum at the Centre was given
up. No record at hand. It is reported to have been
profitable and instructive to the north enders; was
aided by talent from Fryville and elsewhere.
THE FARMERS AND MECHANICS' CLUB.
This club was organized October 10th, 1868, with
D. H. Carter as president and Erastus Wheeler as
secretary. The meetings were held the first winter
in the old Town Hall. In the fall of 1 869 the first
exhibition of stock, fruit and vegetables was held.
Central hall in the Congregational Church was used
for fruit and vegetables. The first attempt at a cattle
show was a success, and so they were continued
annually, the last being held September, 1892. In
the twenty-three exhibitions held a large amount of
money was paid in premiums. The office of president
was held by a number of our farmers. P. B. South wick
was secretary fifteen years.
Notwithstanding our annual exhibitions have been
given up, the club as an organization still continues,
and the officers chosen January, 1895, were the fol-
lowing- : President, P. B. Southwick ; Vice-President,
G. H. Barnes ; Secretary, J. D. Southwick; Treasurer,
Robert B. Wheeler; Executive Committee, J. D.
Southwick, Edward L. Wheeler and L. W. Brewer.
The starting of the Worcester East Agricultural
Society has tended to draw some interest from the
town clubs in the district and prevented the holding
of town shows, — still no injury has resulted to the
farmers of this town.
This club is worthy of special mention in these
TOWN OF BERLIN. 23 I
pages ; it infused the elements of new life into the
agricultural industries of the town, and was largely
instrumental in introducing a higher and more
scientific method of farming. Free discussions, lec-
tures and readings on agricultural subjects, embracing
mechanical appliances and improved machines to
lessen the manual labor of the farmer, were the
subjects which engaged the attention of the club at
the regular monthly meetings. In the summer sea-
son field meetings were held from time to time at
various farms, the culture of- which was supposed to
give new ideas in raising special crops. The annual
"fair or cattle show" was an institution long to be
remembered. It was a gala day for the town. Old
residents and people from the surrounding towns
were present in large numbers. A marked and
interesting feature of the show was the exhibition of
fruits, flowers and artistic work exhibited in the
Town Hall. Dinner was provided for all at a mod-
erate charge ; usually in Central hall, else in a tent
on the Common. After-dinner speeches were always
in order, and all the exercises were enlivened by the
Berlin or some other brass band. A fair and unbiased
estimate of the club would place it with the educa-
tional institutions of the town. It was superseded
practically by the Grange, an institution of greater
vitality and of a larger scope of usefulness. The
club is still alive with promise of future potency
and power.
A BRANCH OF THE HOPEDALE COMMUNITY.
A notable interest was awakened here about 1849
in what was called "The Practical Christian Com-
232 HISTORY OF THE
munion of Berlin, " by the efforts of the Rev. Adin
Ballon of Hopedale and others of the same faith.
Meetings were held in the old Town House, and
occasionally at private houses of interested parties.
As the adherents to the cause here were too few for
effectual work, a number emigrated to Hopedale,
where more enlarged opportunities seemed to be
offered for material and spiritual growth and develop-
ment. Most of those who joined the Hopedale
community returned some years later, wiser, no
doubt, from the experience gained. The principles
and obligations embraced in the constitution, if
practically exemplified in daily life, would indicate a
state of society approximating earthly perfection.
The records of the organization closed March 3,
1850.
CONSTITUTION.
A general association of Practical Christians is hereby con-
stituted, to be called
The Practical Christian Communion.
It consists of all adhering subscribers to the subjoined
"Declaration. "
It is in unity and cooperation with The Practical Christian
Ministry.
Any seven or more members, resident in any locality where
they can more conveniently associate with each other for
religious purposes than with their fellow- members elsewhere,
may organize themselves into a local Communion, with all the
rights, powers and privileges necessary to their edification as a
distinct branch of this general Communion.
Such local branches of The Practical Christian Communion
shall hold regular monthly meetings for the special discipline
and improvement of all the members in practical Christian
TOWN OF BERLIN. 233
excellence, and for the transaction of such business as may
properly demand their consideration.
Every such local Communion shall open a book of records,
with this Constitution to be subscribed by all its members, and
shall register therein such statistics, events and proceedings as
may be deemed worthy of historic preservation.
Every such local Communion shall be competent to establish
for itself any rule or regulation necessary to its edification, good
order and efficiency in promoting the common cause of
practical Christianity ; provided that the same be not incom-
patible with the general harmony under this Constitution.
The internal discipline of this Communion shall always be
in conformity with the precept of Christ, recorded in the
fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth verses of the eighteenth
chapter of Matthew.
Declaration.
I believe in the religion of Jesus Christ as He taught and
exemplified it, according to the Scriptures of the New Testa-
ment. I acknowledge myself a bounden subject of all its
moral obligations. Especially do I hold myself bound by its
holy requirements never, under any pretext whatsoever, to
kill, assault, beat, torture, enslave, rob, oppress, persecute,
corrupt, slander, revile, injure, envy or hate any human being —
even my worst enemy ; never, in any manner, to violate the
dictates of pure chastity ; never to take or administer an oath ;
never to manufacture, buy, sell, deal out or use any intoxicating
liquor as a beverage; never to serve in the army, navy or militia
of any nation, state or chieftain ; never to bring an action at
law, hold office, vote, join a legal posse, petition a legislature,
or ask governmental interposition in any case involving a final
authorized resort to physical violence ; never to indulge self-will,
bigotry, love of preeminence, covetousness, deceit, profanity,
idleness, or an unruly tongue ; never to participate in lotteries,
games of chance, betting or pernicious amusements ; never to
resent reproof, or justify myself in a known wrong ; never to aid,
234 HISTORY OF THE
abet, or approve others in anything sinful ; but, through divine
assistance, always to recommend and promote, with my entire
influence, the holiness and happiness of all mankind.
And, trusting that the work of spiritual regeneration has
effectually commenced in my heart, by the exercise of sincere
repentance toward God and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, I
will earnestly endeavor to live a true life, according to the
foregoing acknowledgment of duty ; to walk in unity with all
my fellow disciples of this Communion wherever I may have
intercourse with them ; to contribute liberally of my temporal
goods towards the prevention of poverty, ignorance and vice,
and for the dissemination of practical Christianity ; and to
cooperate cordially in establishing local Practical Christian
Communities, so constituted as to harmonize the interests and
obligations of the members, without destroying their proper
individual freedom, enterprise and responsibility.
Names.
Leonard Hartwell, Pliny B. Southwick,
Abigail Hartwell, Addison G. Smith,
Daniel H. Carter, Edwin Sawyer,
Lucy H. Carter, Emily P. Sawyer,
Mary J. Hartwell, John A. Merrill,
Israel Sawyer, Josiah Moore,
Louisa Sawyer, Ellen L. Moore.
woman's christian temperance union.
The Berlin W. C. T. U. was organized Oct. 27,
1879, by Mrs. Emma Molloy, with twenty-nine mem-
bers. It early endeavored to secure the enforcement
•of the law against illegal liquor selling, obtaining
over two hundred signatures to a petition to the
Selectmen for that purpose ; and in years when the
town officers have been faithful in this regard, the
WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
MRS. L. W. BREWER.
M'RS. KRED'K MILLER.
MRS. A. PARMENTER.
MISS MARY KEYES.
MRS. HENRY A. WHEELER.
MRS. SILAS SAWYER.
MISS CLARA L. SHATTUCK.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 235
W. C. T. U. members have stood by them with
prayers and encouragement.
Union temperance concerts by the different Sun-
day schools were inaugurated by the Union, and have
been successfully held for years. At one time, when
the Total Abstinence Society became so disabled as
to be threatened with dissolution, it was revived by
the work of a W. C. T. U. committee in providing
attractive programmes for the meetings. Three
times children's societies have been started by the
Union ; twenty-four lectures have been given under
its auspices ; children's picnics have been arranged ;
mass meetings and gospel temperance meetings have
been held ; lunch has been furnished and literature
circulated at cattle shows. Bouquets have been sent
to hospitals and prisons, and to the sick in town, and
temperance literature has likewise been distributed
at home and abroad. Various temperance petitions
have been circulated. Delegates have been sent to
twenty conventions — county, state and national.
The Union now has twenty members, and is doing
good work in the following departments : Sunday
school, evangelistic, Loyal Temperance Legion,
scientific temperance instruction, press, flower mis-
sion, railroad and good literature.
We wage our peaceful war for God, and home,
and native land.
THE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN FLAG STOLEN.
In the fall of 1868, after the nomination of Grant
and Colfax, a flag was purchased, and on a Saturday
afternoon there was a flag raising. It was suspended
across the street from the oak tree on land of John
236 HISTORY OF THE
F. Bennett to the Parker shoe shop opposite. A
very enjoyable time was had and the citizens retired
to their beds feeling happy, thinking, no doubt, that
a duty had been performed, but an early riser on
Sunday morning was surprised to find that the rope
had been cut at the shop, and was lying across the
street and the flag stolen. The news spread through
the town like wildfire, and the excitement that Sun-
day far surpassed anything that had ever happened
before or since. Search was continued all day, and
the services at the church were slimly attended. A
paper was circulated, and never was money more
freely paid than for the purchase of another flag.
One was procured much larger and much more
expensive than the one stolen. Arrangements were
made for another rally on the next Saturday after-
noon. The papers reported the affair and the people
came from far and near. The crowd that gathered
exceeded the first rally as much as the new flag
exceeded the old one. The new flag was suspended
from a rope extending from the Parker shop to a
flagstaff on the opposite side of the road. The
emblem of liberty was flung to the breeze amid the
shouts and hurrahs of the enthusiastic multitude.
Watch was kept nights till after the election, but the
flag was not molested. The stolen flag was found
hidden in a stone wall some two years later, but was
nearly ruined.
BERLIN STATISTICS.
POPULATION AND VALUATION.
1790
512 l8lO
591
1800
590 l820
625
TOWN OF
BERLIN
237
1830
692
187O
1016
1840
763
188O
987
1850
866
I89O
884
i86o
1 106
Val.
I/84,
$396,170
Val.
1884,
492,317
it
I87O,
423,547
"
1890,
5I9'7I 1
(i ■
1875-
483,909
it
1894,
486,801
it
I880,
495,996
From the above it will be seen that the town has
made an increase in its population of 372 from 1790
to 1890, 100 years. Our greatest number was in
i860, of 1 106, when the town was filled with small
shops. The decrease since is attributable to the con-
centration of the shoe business in large establishments
using improved machinery.
The valuation increased from 1784 to 1884 $96,147;
it reached its maximum in 1890 of $519,711. As
taken from the Assessors' books of 1 894, the number
of male polls was 251; female, 7 (right to vote on
school matters); dwelling houses, 231; horses, 271 ;
cows, 555; sheep, 28; neat cattle, other than cows,
72; swine, 94; acres of land assessed, 7,642!. The
most marked change in the stock on farms has been
the substitution of horses for oxen in farm work ; but
three or four yoke of oxen are now kept in town.
Sheep husbandry and pork fattening have of late
decreased in volume.
PARISH, PRECINCT AND TOWN OFFICERS, I 7 78- I 895.
Moderators.
Samuel Baker, 1778, '84, '88. Jacob Moore, 1781.
Ephraim Fairbank, 1779, '83. Fortunatus Barnes, 1782.
James Goddard, 1780/86, '87. DavidTaylor,i785,'89,'9i,'93.
238
HISTORY OF THE
Barnabas Maynard, 1790, '92,
'94-96, '98, '99, 1801, '02,
'06, '08, '09.
Stephen Bailey, 1797, 1800,
'03, '11-13-
James R. Park, 1804, '07.
Jonathan Meriam, 1806.
Solomon Howe, 18 10.
Henry Powers, 18 14, '15.
Oliver Sawyer, 1816-29.
Asa Sawyer, 1830-46, '4S,
William Jones, 1847.
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1849, '5°-
Amos Sawyer, 1852-58.
Lewis L. Carter, 1859-61.
William Bassett, 1862.
Amory A. Bartlett, 1863-66,
'79-81, '85 '90.
Abel W. Longley, 1867-69,
'72, '74, '75. '77-
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1870, '71,
'73, '76.
Leslie Hastings, 1878.
Edward H. Hartshorn, 1882-
84, '86.
James D. Tyler, 1887, '88,
'89.
H. A. Wheeler, 1891, '92, '93,
Town Clerks.
Jonathan Meriam, 177S-85, Oliver B. Sawyer, 1S46.
89-99, 1800-04.
John Temple, 1786-88.
Stephen Bailey, 1805-07.
Dexter Fay, 1808-15.
Amos Sawyer, 18 16.
Solomon Howe, 1817-26.
Josiah Conant, 1 82 7-31.
Wm. A. Howe, 1S32-37.
Lewis Sawyer, 1838-45, '50-55,
John F. Newton, 1847-49.
Otis L. Larkin, 1856.
Albert Babcock, 1857, '58,
'74-82.
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1859-73.
Frank H. Crossman, 18S3-88,
'89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94;
'95-
Selectmen.
James Goddard, 1778-80, Jonathan Meriam, 1779-83,
'82-84, 1S17. '85, '87, '89-94, '98, '99,
Abijah Pratt, 1778. 1817.
Joshua Johnson, 1778, '79, William Sawyer, 1780, '85,
'81, '88, '89. '87, '99, 1800.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 239-
William Sawyer, Jr., 17S1, Solomon Howe, 1S07-11.
'82. Oliver Sawyer, 1807- 11, '17-
Josiah Sawyer (3d), 1783, 22, '28, '29, '33, '34.
'90, '92, '94, '97. Silas Houghton (2d), 180S-
Samuel Baker, Jr., 1788-94. 10, '20.
John Temple, 1785, '86, '88. Amos Sawyer, 1809-11, '17-
Barnabas Maynard, 1785, '86. 19.
Henry Powers, 1785, '86, '88- Ephraim Babcock, 1S13-16,.
92> '94, '99> 1800, '01, '18, '19, '23-26, '28-33.
'14-16. Adam Bartlett, 1S13-16
Timothy Jones, 1787. Wm. Jones, 1814-16, '20-22,.
Josiah Sawyer, Jr., 178S, '89, '24.
'91, '99, 1800. Silas Sawyer, 1815, '16.
Amos Johnson, 1790, 1807, William Barnes, 1S17-19, '24,.
'08. '25.
Levi Meriam, 1791-9S, 1S01. Hollis Johnson, 1820-22, '28-
Stephen Bailey, 1795-98, 30, '^^, '34-
1812-14. Timothy Bailey, 1820-22.
Samuel Jones, 1 795, '96, '98. Joseph Park, 1S23-27, '33-35,
Samuel Spofford, 1795, '96. '42, '43.
Job Spofford, 1795, '97' '9$- Luke Fosgate, 1823-26.
Ephraim Howe, 1796. Benjamin F. Spofford, 1S23-
Joel Fosgate, 1797. 27, '33-35, '42, '43-
Nathan Johnson, 1799-1S01. Peltiah Jones, 1825, '26.
Jonathan Meriam, 1S00, '17- Welcome Barnes, 1826.
19, '21-23. John Bartlett, 1827, '31, '32,
James R. Park, 180106, '12, '37, '^S.
'13. Edward Johnson, 1827.
Caleb Fairbank, 1802-04. Ira Sawyer, 1827.
Ephraim Howe, 1S02-06. Luther Carter, 1S27, '28.
James Goddard, Jr., 1802 07, Levi Wheeler, 1S28-30.
'12. Wm. Babcock, 1830-32.
Alvah Sawyer, 1802-06, '12, x\bram Sawyer, 1831, '32.
'13. Lewis Carter, 1S31, '32, '35^
David Barnes, 1805, '06, '12. '36, '41, '49, '50
Dexter Fay, 1S07-11. Timothy Jones, 1S32.
240
HISTORY OF THE
Thomas Brigham, 1833-35.
Paul Brigham, 1836, '37, '48.
Samuel Spofford, 1836-38, '41.
Ephraim Babcock, Jr., 1S3S,
'39, '49, '5°-
Asa Bride, 1839.
Jonas Hale, 1839.
Wm. Jones, 1840, '41.
Daniel Bartlett, 1S40, '44-47.
Oliver Fosgate, 1842, '58.
John F. Larkin, 1842, '43.
Peregrine Wheeler, 1S43.
Silas Sawyer, 1844-48, '51-
53- '59-6r-
Jonas Robbins, 1844, '45.
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1846, '47^
'49, '5°-
Seth Rice, 1848.
Silas Houghton, 1851, '54.
Lewis L. Carter, 185 1-5 3, '66-
72, '77-85, '9°-
Abram Bigelow, 1852.
Hartwell Sawyer, 1853.
Jonas Sawyer, 1854, '63-65.
Elisha M. Whitney, 1854.
Oliver Smith, 1855.
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1855, '56.
Ezra S. Moore, 1855, '56.
George W. Maynard, 1856,
Asa Sawyer, 1857.
Josiah Babcock, 1S57.
Christophers. Hastings, 1S57.
Henry D. Coburn, 1858-61,
'69, '70.
George H. Barnes, 185 8.
Luther Peters, 1862.
Abel W. Longley, 1862, '63.
Riley Smith, 1863.
Wm. Bassett, 1864-69/73-76.
Israel Sawyer, 1S64-68.
Lyman Morse, 1870-72, '88,
'89, '90.
Edwin Sawyer, 1871-73.
Robert B. Wheeler, 1873-86,
'90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95.
Frederick Miller, 1874-76.
Winslow B. Morse, 1877.
Arthur Hastings, 1884, '91.
Fred. A. Woodard, 1885-87.
John Q. Maynard, 1S86, '87.
James D. Tyler, 1887, '88, '89.
Samuel Wheeler, 1888, '89,
V, '92, '95-
Ruthven Hastings, 1878-83.
Levi Babcock, 1892.
S. Rolla Carter, 1893, '94.
D. P. Hartwell, 1893, '94.
James E. Andrews, 1895.
'59-62.
Assessors.
Jonathan Meriam, 1778-85, Jonathan Jones, 1781-83.
'89-1804. David Taylor, 1784, '85.
Timothy Jones, 1778-80. Henry Powers, 1784, '90-
William Sawyer, Jr., 1778-83, 1803.
'89-94. Barnabas Maynard, 1788, '89.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
24I
Amos Allen, 1785.
Josiah Sawyer, Jr., 1785-87.
John Temple, 1786-8S.
James Goddard, 1786, '87.
Stephen Bailey, 1 795-1802,
'04.
David Barnes, 1803, '04.
James Goddard, Jr., 1805.
Amos Johnson, 1S06, '07.
Dexter Fay, 1806-0S, '28.
Solomon Howe, 1S06-12, '14,
'16, '21-24.
Wm. Newton, 1808, '09, '13,
'14.
Alvan Sawyer, 1S09-11.
Ephraim Babcock, 1S10, '11,
'21-24.
Amos Sawyer, 18 12, '13, '15-
20, '22-27.
Silas Houghton, 181 2- 14.
Jonathan D. Meriam, 1815-
J9» '31, '32> '40.
Stephen Pollard, 1815.
Ira Sawyer, 1816-18, '25, '26.
Oliver Sawyer, 1S19.
Thomas Brigham, 1827-37.
Theophilus Nourse, 1820.
Daniel Holder, 1S25-27.
Samuel Spoffonl, 1828, '^t,,
'34, '36-38.
Asa Sawyer, 1829-33, '39-42,
'48, '49, '57-
Peltiah Jones, 1829, '30.
Benjamin F. Spofford, 1833-
33.
Benjamin Cofran, 1835.
Jonas Hale, 1838, '39.
Eli Sawyer, 1839.
Daniel Bartlett, 1840, '41.
Peregrine Wheeler, 1 841 43.
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1842-46.
Oliver Fosgate, 1843, '5°> '51-
Wm. Jones, 1844-47.
Oliver Moore, 1S44-46.
ChristopherS. Hastings, 1847.
Ira H. M. Brown, 1847.
Levi Bigelow, 184S-50.
Solomon Jones, 1848, '49, '57.
Seth Rice, 1850, '52.
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1851.
Albert Babcock, 1851/53, '56.
Josiah E. Sawyer, 1852, '53.
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1852,
'54, '55> '6o-
Jonas Sawyer, 1853.
Lewis L. Carter, 1854, '60,
'61, '65, '73, '76.
Thomas Pollard, 1854.
Tyler Paine, 1855.
Willard Southwick, 1855, '59
Riley Smith, 1856.
Henry D. Coburn, 1856.
Samuel H. Wheeler, 1857,
'58, '60-62, '67-69.
Edward VV. Flagg, 185S.
Winslow B. Morse, 1858, '62.
Josiah Sawyer, 1S59, '63-75.
Riley Smith, 1859.
Willard Southwick, 1859.
Wm. Bassett, 1S60, '61, '72,
'78-82.
Nahum \V. Fay, 1S62.
242
HISTORY OF THE
Albert Babcock, 1S63-70.
Oliver Fosgate, 1S63.
Amory A. Bartlett, 1S64.
Henry D. Coburn, 1866.
Abel W. Longley, 1870.
Silas Sawyer, 1S70-73.
Josiah Moore, 1871-72.
Arthur Hastings, 1873-76,
'86.
Wm. Tho. Babcock (2d),
1874.
Jonas H. Carter, 1875.
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1876.
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1877.
Israel Sawyer, 1877-81.
Geo. W. Fosgate, 1878-81.
Paul A. Randall, 1882.
Ruthven Hastings, 18S2-85.
John A. Merrill, 1883-87.
Henry A. Wheeler, 1883-88.
Robert B. Wheeler, 1887.
Charles M. Sawyer, 1888, '89,
'90, '91, '92.
Walter E. Brown, 1888.
Willis Rice, 1889, '90, '91,
'93, '94, '95-
A. J. Johnson, 1889, '90, '91,
'92> '93-
Adin B. Allen, 1892, '93, '94,
'95-
John E. Moran, 1894, '95.
Treasurers and Collectors.
Samuel Jones, 177S-82.
Ephraim Fairbank, 1783-87.
William Sawyer, 1788, '93,
'94.
Stephen Bailey, 1789-92, '95.
Barnabas Maynard, 1896-98.
Amos Johnson, 1799-1804.
Levi Meriam, 1805-11.
Solomon Howe, 1812-22.
Jonathan D. Meriam, 1823-
27.
Samuel Spofford, 1828-30,
'33, '45-
Peltiah Jones, 183 1, '^2.
Wm. A. Howe, 1834.
Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1S35-37.
Oliver Fosgate, 1S38, '39.
George W. Babcock, 1840,
'41.
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1842-44.
Ira Jones, 1846-48.
Solomon Jones, 1849.
ChristopherS. Hastings, 1850-
63-
Elisha M. Whitney, 1864, '65.
Edward H. Hartshorn, 1866-
7*-
Josiah Moore, 1872, '76-87.
Ruthven Hastings, 1873-75,
'88, '89, '90, '91.
Arthur Hastings, 1892, '93,
'94, '95-
TOWN OF BERLIN.
243
Constables.
Joel Fosgate, 1784.
William Babcock, 1785.
Jonathan Meriam, 1786.
Nathan Johnson, 1787.
James Goddard, Jr., 1788.
Jonathan Wheeler, 1789.
Barnabas Maynard, 1790.
Levi Meriam, 1 79 1 .
Silas Bailey, Jr., 1792.
Samuel Spofford, 1793, 1809,
'32> '33> '45-
Samuel Jones, 1794.
Nathaniel Hastings, 1795.
John Larkin, 1796-99, 1800,
'10, 'n.
Amasa Holt, 1S01-4, '07.
Solomon Howe, 1808.
William Newton, 1805.
James Goddard, Jr., 1806.
Stephen Pollard, 181 2, '14-16.
Joseph Moore, 1813.
Asa Sawyer, 1817-22.
Barnabas Brigham, 1823-24.
Luther Carter, 1825-27.
John Bartlett, 1828-33.
Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1834-37.
Oliver Fosgate, 1838-40.
Josiah Bride, 1841-42.
R. S. Hastings, 1843-46.
Silas Houghton, 1850-53.
Thomas Pollard, 1S54.
A. A. Bartlett, 1855, '85.
William G. Hapgood, 1856.
Samuel M. Fuller, 1857, '64-
68.
John F. Bennett, 1857.
Geo. Q. Sawyer, 1858.
Andrew A. Powers, 1859-61.
Josiah Moore, 1862-63.
Frederick D. Kallom, 1863-
64.
William H. Frye, 1865.
Samuel E. Fuller, i869-72?
'74, '75-
George H. Andrews, 1872,
'78, '79, 'Si.
John L. Bruce, 1873-79, '82-
84.
Henry D. Coburn, 1873.
Thomas Hale, 1S76.
Warren S. Howe, 1877.
Charles B. Bancroft, 1886.
Leonard W. Brewer, 1887-89.
Appleton D. Parmenter, 1887.
John O. Osgood, 1888, '90-
94-
George W. Knight, 1891.
Benj. S. Walker, 1892-94.
Arthur L. Brewer, 1895.
Henry A. Wheeler, 1895.
L. L. Carter, 1854.
School Committee.
R. F. Walcott, 1832, ' t>t). Asa Sawyer, 1832, '36-38/40,
A. C. Baldwin, 1832. '41, '46.
244
HISTORY OF THE
Wm. A. Howe, 1832-34.
Wm. Sawyer (2d), 1832.
Horace Bailey, 1833, '35.
Willard Howe, 1833.
Michael Burdett, 1834.
Josiah Bride, 1S34-39, '52-55.
S. G. A. Tyler, 1834.
Josephus Wilder, 1834.
David R. Lamson, 1835-39.
Eber S. Clarke, 1S35-37.
J. L. S. Thompson, 1835-37.
Robert Carver, 1S3S-39.
Albert Babcock, 1838, '71,
'73-
John F. Larkin, 1839/44/45-
Lewis Sawyer, 1839, '49, '50.
Wm. Jones, 1840.
G. W. A. Babcock, 1840.
Edward Hartshorn, 1841-44,
'52-55> '64, '67.
Dexter Fay, 1841, '42.
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1843-45.
Henry Adams, 1844-48, '52.
Solomon Jones, 1844, '46, '51.
Jonathan F. Wheeler, 1844-
Seth Rice, 1845.
Edwin A. Larkin, 1846.
Ira H. Brown, 1847.
Representatives to
Henry Powers, 181 2.
Incorporation of the town.
Henry Powers, 181 3- 16,
'20, '22, '25-27/29 ; 1817,
voted not to send ; '18,
voted the same.
Levi Bigelow, 1848-50.
Silas S. Greenleaf, 1851.
Addison G. Smith, 185 1.
Elijah C. Shattuck, 1856, '57,
'59, '69, '76-83, '89.
Charles G. Keyes, 1856.
Wm. A. Houghton, 1853-58,
'60-66/70, '73, '80, '83/86.
Gardner Rice, 1857.
Lemuel Gott, 1858, '62.
Wm. Bassett, 1858, '62, '65,
'68, '71, '78. "
Ira O. Carter, 1861.
Daniel H. Carter, 1871.
Ansel L. Snow, 1872.
Miss Mary Bassett, 1875.
Mrs. Sarah H. Sawyer, 1875.
Pliny B. Southwick, 1876/77.
Miss Mary J. Keyes, 1881.
Mrs. Addison Keyes, 1885-88.
Amasa A. Whitcomb, 1884.
Henry W. Hastings, 1887-90.
Henry A. Wheeler, 1890
(1 year vacancy), 1891
(3 years), 1S94.
Geo. F. Pratt, 1 89 1 (2 years) ;
(Hastings resigned), 1S93.
Mrs. Isaac F. Parmenter, 1892,
'95-
General Court.
Amos Sawyer, 1819, '23, '24.
Jonathan D. Meriam, 1828,
'30-32, '^6, '38.
Joseph Park, 1833, '34, '3 7,
'39-
Ira Sawyer, 1835.
TOWN OF BE RUN.
245
Wm. Jones, 1840; '41
'42, did not send.
Oliver B. Sawyer, 1843.
Seth Rice, 1846.
Amos Sawyer, Jr., 1849, '5°-
Lewis Sawyer, 1851, '52.
Lyman Morse, 1889.
Arthur Hastings, 1893.
Representatives of the Fifth Worcester County District.
Edward H. Hartshorn, 1869.
Samuel Haynes, 1873.
John C. Bickford, 1874.
E. C. Shattuck, 1875.
George W. Maynard, 1859.
Lewis L. Carter, 1879.
Rev. Henry Hyde, 1884.
Dr. Edward Hartshorn, 1862.
Abel VV. Longley, 1865.
Senators.
Hon. Samuel Baker, 1780-94; Hon. William Bassett, 1864
less two years.
Justices of the Peace from 1778 to 18Q5.
Hon. Samuel Baker.
Ephraim Fairbank.
Amos Johnson.
Levi Meriam.
Solomon Howe.
Jonathan D. Meriam.
Thomas Brigham.
Asa Sawyer.
Amos Sawyer.
Wm. A. Howe.
Josiah Babcock.
Lewis Sawyer.
Albert Babcock.
Josiah E. Sawyer.
Wm. Bassett.
Pliny B. Southwick.
Amory A. Bartlett.
Samuel M. Haynes.
Abel VV. Longley.
James D. Tyler.
Ruthven Hastings.
Arthur Hastings.
246 HISTORY OF THE
CHAPTER V.
GENEALOGICAL.
The committee in charge of preparing the manu-
script for the press have followed the form and
arrangement of families as left by Mr. Houghton as
nearly as possible, making only such additions and
corrections as would make the work more clear and
comprehensive to the reader.
The limits of the work do not permit the insertion
of every name who may have lived in town, but only
such families as may have resided here long enough
to have become identified with the town either by
residence or official relation. Some may have been
omitted which should properly appear herein, and
other names appear which might with propriety
have been left out, but no invidious distinction has
actuated the compilers in this regard. The abbre-
viations are comparatively few, and it is believed will
be readily understood by the reader. In some of the
families with numerous branches the pedigree is
indicated by the numerals 1, 2, 3, etc.; in the others
by b., born; d., died; s. or dau., son or daughter;
rem., removed; res. stands for residence, resides, or
resident.
That mistakes in dates will appear is more than
probable, as the material from which they have been
Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Allen, p. 247.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis L. Carter.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 247
taken has been often veiled in partial obscurity.
We ask for a charitable judgment of the work, which
has cost immense labor from first to last in its com-
pilation.
ADAMS.
Rev. Henry Adams, son of Chester Adams, president
of Charlestown Bank, m. Sophia Field, b. in London
Jan. 15, 1800. She was sister to Elizabeth, the
mother of George B. Grasse of Bolton. They were
cousins to Macadam, the originator of macadamized
roads. He was a graduate of Amherst College and
Andover Theological Institute. Was some years
pastor in Worthington ; next at "Hillside Church,"
Bolton, originated by Hon. S. V. S. Wilder. Mr.
Wilder, after his return from France, attended church
mostly in Berlin till Hillside was organized, 1827,
and dissolved 1843. Mr. Adams settled here the
same year. Mr. Adams was later pastor in Peoria,
111. ; afterwards took orders in the Episcopal church ;
had charge in Akron, O., and in New Jersey. He
d. with his dau., Elizabeth, in Wichita, Kan., 1881,
a. 88 years. His wife died at Elgin, 111., Jan. 10,
1885, with son Henry W. Had Elizabeth, Sarah,
Henry W. and Chester. He was succeeded here by
Rev. W. A. Houghton.
ALLEN.
Charles K. Allen, b. in Reading, s. of John A.
Allen, who was born in Salem 18 13. Charles K. m.
Harriet B. Pratt May 9, 1876. Came to Berlin 1893,
res. on the Lyman Morse farm. Had Henry M., b.
. 248 HISTORY OF THE
Oct. 26, 1883, d. May 27, 1893 ; Florence B., b. Nov.
12, 1886; Arthur B., b. Oct. 5, 1889; Walter J., b.
Oct. 19, 1 89 1 ; Charlotte, b. Jan. 8, 1894.
Amos Allen, m. Mary, dau. of Abijah Pratt. In 1 788
Pratt bought "the farm where Amos Allen now
lives," across the swale southwest of the Daniel
Wheeler house ; old cellar visible. Jonathan Greene,
resident on the hill, also m. a dau. of Pratt. No
other record.
Nathan M. Allen, s. of Nathan and Harriet, b. in
Pittsfield, Vt, 1829, m. Lovisa, dau. of William Bab-
cock, 2d, Feb. 21, 1850. Settled on the place next
north of Duncan McPherson's. The town opened a
road for him a few years ago. He was three years
in the army; was much incapacitated by the service.
He d. May 20, 1886, at 57 years; wife d. Oct. 29,
1890. Had William N., b. 1850; Isaac E., b. Sept.
21, 1853; Joseph A., b. Aug. 17, 1855; Mary H., b.
Aug. 16, 1857, m. George Davis of Worcester, who
d. same year; m., 2d, Charles Davis, 1882; Charles
S., b. Nov. 9, 1859; and Elmer E.,b. Feb. 6, 1862, who
retains the homestead, and m. Mary S. Barnes, dau.
of Millen Barnes, June 29, 1892 ; they have had
Walter M., b. July 12, 1893.
Adin B. Allen, from West Springfield, b. Nov. 10,
1852, m. Jennie E. Clapp Feb. 14, 1879. Lives in
south part on the old Joshua Johnson farm. The old
house was burned in 1 886. He built the new one now
on the premises. By trade a mason. Had Harry E., b.
April 24, 1 88 1 ; Howard R., b. Jan. 9, 1883; Abbie
S., b. April 14, 1886; May A., b. July 12, 1888;
Dwight Adin, b. Sept. 25, 1894.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 24g
AMES.
George IV. Ames, from Cambridge, m. Caroline,
dart, of Peltiah Jones, May 20, 1838. She d. Dec.
5, 1873; m., 2d, Emily, dau. of Ephraim Babcock, Jr.,
June 17, 1874; she d. Nov. 25, 1875; m., 3d, Lucy
E. (Babcock) Eager, dau. of Josiah Babcock, June
28, 1876; he died July 29, 1882. His widow still
occupies his place on the road from the Centre to
the Old Colon)7 depot.
ANDREWS.
The Andrews of this town are a branch of the
Boylston family of Andrews, who appear to have
been descendants of one Robert Andrews, who set-
tled in Ipswich in 1635. His great grandson, Robert,
was the head of the Boylston families and d. 1789.
James Andrews, s. of Robert of Boylston and a
descendant of the first Robert, m. Persis, dau. of
Samuel Kendall of Boylston. He was a grocer in
Worcester, and d. there in 1 8 5 1 . Had two sons,
Samuel Elliot, b. Feb. n, 1839, and George H., b.
Nov. 22, 1840. They came here early in life and
learned the shoemakers' trade.
Samuel Elliot Andrews, s. of James, m., Jan. 30, 1864,
Mary A. Barnard, dau. of Winsor Barnard of Boylston.
Has a pleasant residence facing the Common, next
east of the Town Hall. Was a soldier in the late war
in the Louisiana campaign. Had Cora A., b. April
15, 1866, d. May 4, same year; Arthur K., b. May
19, 1867; George E., b. Feb. 14, 1870.
George H. Andrews, s. of James, m. Adeliza J., dau. of
Rufus Howard, Sept. 7, 1 862. He resides in Carterville.
250 HISTORY OF THE
Was a soldier in the campaign with his brother.
Had James E., b. Sept. 12, 1865; Cora E., b. Aug.
12, 1874, d. Oct. 15, 1875; Nettie E., b. March 26,
1876.
James E. Andrews, s. of George H., m. Flora M.,
dau. of William T. Babcock, 2d, June 10, 1885.
She d. Nov. 21, 1892. He is foreman of Par-
ker's shoe factory. Had William H., b. Sept. 4, 1885.
George E. Andrews, s. of Samuel E., m. Susie L.,
dau. of Daniel P. Hartwell, Aug. 5, 1894. Is a shoe,
maker and lives with his father.
BABCOCK.
The families of this name in Berlin are descendants
of David: Babcock, who was in Dorchester 1640, d.
1 67 1. He, by wife Mary, had eleven children. /The
second was Benjamin, who had by his wife Hannah
Daniels, m. 1674, seven children; the second son
was William, b. 1684, m. Lucy of Marlboro
in 1 7 10. He had by Lucy (one son only on record),
William, b. 1 7 1 1 , and this William settled in the
west part of Northboro, on the place since owned by
Asa and David Mahan. His wife was Lydia .
Had three sons — William, Reuben and Jonas. Wil-
liam, Sr., died in Chesterfield 1801 or 1802. The two
younger sons, Reuben and Jonas, settled probably
on the ancestral lands : Reuben on the Lowell Hol-
brook place and Jonas on the Stone farm. William,
the oldest, came to Berlin and settled on the place
now owned by Joseph Turner.
William Babcock, s. of William of Northboro, m.
Sibyl, dau. of Aaron Green of Northboro. Had
•H
MRS. PAUL lilili. II A.M.
ELIMIA BASSETT.
EVERETT II. BAILEY.
FREDERICK S. BAILEY.
MKS. ELIJAH HK.KI.OW.
Ml(s. JOHN F. BENNETT.
IRANI IS W. BAILEY.
ELIJAH BIGELOW.
GEORGE II. BARNES.
JOHN F. BENNETT.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 25 r
Azubah, b. Oct. 15, 1764, m. Thomas Brigham;
Abraham, b. June 9, 1770, settled in Boston; his
dau., Nancy, m. Chandler Carter; his s., George
Abram, built the house now owned by Edward
Flagg; Ephraim, b. March 22, 1772; Wheeler, b.
April 4, 1774, d. Oct. 4, 1778; Sibyl, b. Sept. 13,
1776, m. John Howe; William, b. April 29, 1780;
Peter, b. Sept. 9, 1782, m. Betsey Wilder; hed. 1837,
and she m., 2d, Levi Bar tlett ; Lucy, b. June 29, 1785,
m. Ephraim Fairbanks, 3d. Wife, Sibyl, d. June 23,
1790, at 46. He m., 2d, Hephzibah (Bush), widow of
Robert Fife; she d. July 30, 1826, a. 72 ; he d. Dec. 31,
1820, a. 79. At the signal guns April 19, 1775, he
left his work in the field and hastened to Lexington.
Ephraim Babcock", William1 of Berlin, m. May 4,
1793, Eunice Sawyer, dau. of Josiah, Jr. Their
homestead was that of Ephraim Larkin, now Duncan
McPherson's. Had Josiah, b. Jan. 9, 1795; Ephraim
and Eunice, twins, b. June 9, 1798; Eunice d. 1803;
Abraham, b. May 20, 1S02, d. Sept. 14, 1803;
William, b. Aug. 12, 1S04; Abraham, b. May 20,
1806; Alvin, b. Nov. 21, 1808; Curtis, b. Oct. 9,
1 8 10, d. Nov. 7, 1830; Lois Moore, b. Sept. 10, 18 12,
m., Sept. 10, 1834, Oliver Stone of Clinton; Harriet,
b. Nov. 10, 18 14, m., Oct. 16, 1835, William, son of
Ira Sawyer; Eunice, b. March 30, 18 17, m. Josiah E.
Sawyer. Ephraim, Sr., d. Feb. 15, 1852, at 81 years,
in a house built by his son, William, near the O. C.
R. R. water tank, West Berlin. Eunice, his widow,
d. March 10, 1863, at 88 years, with her dau., Mrs.
Josiah E. Sawyer.
William Babcock", William1 of Berlin, m. Hannah,
dau. of Uriah Moore of Princeton. He settled on
2$ 2 HISTORY OF THE
the farm now owned by Richard. M. Wheeler; he
bought the place of Jonathan Merriam 1 8 1 8. Had
Luther, b. July 3, 1808, d. Oct. 9, 1878, unm. ; Albert,
b. Sept. 10, 1 8 10; Abigail, b. Aug. 26, 18 12, d. Jan.
5, 1834; Edwin, b. March 8, 181 5, d. Nov. 2, 1825;
Sarah, b. March 1, 1817, d. April n, 1839; Jonathan,
b. July 25, 1 8 19; William Thomas, b. Feb. 20, 1822 ;
Lovisa, b. Aug. 28, 1824, m. Nathan M. Allen. He
d. Sept. 14, 1 86 1, at 81 years; she d. Jan. 7, 1845.
Josiah Babcock', Ephrainr, William1, m. Betsey
Bowman, dau. of Simeon, April 4, 1820; res. in West
Berlin, where his son, Levi, now lives. Had Eunice
Alma, b. Feb. 9, 1822, m. Curtis, son of Daniel
Carter, Jr., Nov. 24, 1842, res., Kennedy, N. Y. ;
Aaron B., b. Aug. 28, 1823, m. Mercey K. Sparrow
Sept., 1849, res-> Boston; she d. May 14, 1886; m.,
2d, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens; Elnor M., b. Oct. 13,
1825, d. Dec. 5, 1826; Lucy B., b. Aug. 17, 1827, d.
May 4, 1829; William Ira, b. July 21, 1829; Curtis,
b. Feb. 5, 1831, d. March, 1894, res., Rockland, Mass. ;
Lucy Ellen, b. Dec. 28, 1832, m. Augustus Eager of
Westminster; they had Charles D. and William
S.; Augustus d. 1871; she m., 2d, George W. Ames
of Berlin; Josiah G., b. Jan. 12, 1835, m. Abbie M.
Burgess, res., Clinton; Dexter, b. Feb. 15, 1837, d.
July 1, i860; Levi, b. March 28, 1839; Harrison
Tyler, b. April 17, 1841, m. Adelaide Hix, res., Green-
field; Ann Maria, b. Nov. 18, 1843 ; George Abraham,
b. Dec. 21, 1845. Josiah d. Dec. 4, 1859, at 64 years ;
wid. Betsey, d. Mar. 5, 1889, at 85 years.
Abraham BabcocF, Ephraim2, William1, m. Patience
Fife June 6, 1830; was a carpenter; lived in Marl-
boro, Worcester, and other places ; had res. in West
JOSIAH BABCOCK.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 255
Berlin. His wife, Patience, d. Oct. 9, 1857; had no
child; m., 2d, Sabra Wood, widow of William Wood
of Marlboro ; by her had Waldo S., b. Nov. 13, i860.
Abraham d. May 3, 1874.
Alvin Babcock?, Ephraim2, William1, m. Hannah
Wood of Bolton 1830, res., Bolton, Boylston, Lancas-
ter and Clinton. Had Hannah Amanda, who m.
George Colbnrn of Boylston, now Clinton. Their child,
Alvin, d. May 12, 1845, aged 10 years; Alvin, Sr., d.
April 7, 1880.
Ephraim Babcock\ Jr., Ephraim2, William1, m. Mary
Ann, dau. of Francis Barnard of Marlboro and grand-
dau. of Robert Barnard, who m., 2d, the widow of
Benjamin Bailey 1729. This Robert was connected
with the mills at Hudson. Ephraim lived on the
place now owned by his son, Francis, and before
owned by Luther Pollard. Had Waldo, b. July 20,
1828, d. Sept. 7, 1S31; Elizabeth B., b. Sept. 21,
1830, m. Joel L. Wheeler, m., 2d, Ebenezer Dailev ;
Francis, b. July 18, 1832; Emily, b. 1839, m. George
W. Ames; Augusta A., b. 1841, m., June 23, 1871,
Waldo Brigham of Hudson; John D., b. Sept. 30,
1844. Ephraim d. Jan. 18, 1864; his widow is still
living, March, 1895.
William Babcock?, Ephraim2, William1, m. Catherine
Hastings of Boylston. Had no children; he d. in
Lancaster; he built the house opposite L. L. Carter's,
West Berlin.
William Ira Babcock\ Josiah3, Ephraim2, AVilliam1,
m. Ellen, dau. of W llliam Jones.- Settled in Clinton;
is a wheelwrigfht.
-2 54 HISTORY OF THE
Levi Babeock\ Josiah3, Ephrainr, William1, m. Maria
C. Felton, dau. of Henry O., Jan. 30, 1869. He
lives in the west part on the place before occupied
by his father; is a carpenter and part owner of the
Pollard mills. Had by Maria C, Ethel May, b.
April 11, 1877; Irving L., b. Jan. 24, 1882. Wife,
Maria C, d. Aug. 14, 1885; m., .2d, Addie L., June
27, 1888, sister to Maria C.
Fraiu~is Babcock\ Ephraim3, Ephrainr, William1, m.
Jennie E. (Miller) Bigelow of Holliston Nov. 15,
1 87 1. He continues on the homestead of his father,
the Luther Pollard place ; he was a soldier in the late
war; they have one child, C. Edith, b. March 13, 1876.
John Davis Babcoek\ Ephraim3, Ephraim'", William1,
m. Ella S., dau. of Chauncey P. Hartwell Apr. 30,
1870. He is a carpenter and resides in Westboro ;
they have had five children, of which three are living.
Albert Babcock\ William2, William1, m. Mary B.,
dau. of Thomas Sawyer, May 7, 1836. He settled
on the homestead of his uncle, Ephraim, where
McPherson now lives; he taught school when a
young man and was town clerk many years; he
removed to the Riley Smith house in Carterville
1873 ; his wife, Mary B., d. Nov. 19, 1892; rem. to
Hudson Feb., 1884, and lived with his dau., Sarah A.
Had Edwin, b. Aug. 6, 1838, m. Irene, dau. of Dea.
Luther Peters, Jan. 5, 1864, removed to Worcester;
William Thomas, b. Oct. 18, 1840; Sarah A., born
July 24, 1850, m. George M. Shattuck; he died; m.,
2d, Joseph Stratton, Jan. 8, 1879.
Jonathan BabeoeF, William2, William1, m. Susan
(Cutting), wid. of Oliver Moore. He occupied his
WILLIAM BARNES.
MRS. SYLVANUS BRUCE.
SYLVANUS BRUCE.
AKTKMAS BARNES.
PAUL BRIGHAM.
I.. W. BREWER.
CAPT. WM. BARNES.
MRS. WILLIAM HARN'K!
IKA H. BROWN.
EDWARD BLISS.
TOWN" OF BERLIN. 255
father's house until 1857, when he removed to Barre,
Mass., where he died 1888.
William Thomas Babcock, William", William1, m.
Eliza Maynard, dau. of Mrs. Priscilla (Maynard) Bab-
cock, Nov. 7, 1850. He settled on the farm formerly
owned by Luther Carter in the north part of the town.
Had Hannah, b. July 6, 1854, m. Frank Davis, res.,
Hubbardston: Frank E., b. Aug. 11, 1861 ; Mary A.,
b. March 20, 1857, m. Charles Walcott, she d. 1880 ;
Josephine, b. March 20, 1864. m. Warren Clifton
Pierce of Northboro; Herbert, b. Jan. 20, 1859, <*.
1864; Charles W., b. Nov. 1, 1865; Sarah J., b.
March 19, 1867, m. William R. Fraser; Abbie S., b.
March 12, 1870, m. Wilfred March, res., AVestboro.
Wife, Eliza, d. Nov. 3, 1872.
William Thomas Babcock, s. of Albert, m. Harriet
M., dau. of Hartwell Sawyer, Nov. 19, 1865. He lives
in the Centre on the Clinton road, house built by Levi
Hartshorn. Had Flora M., b. July 1 7, 1 866, m. James
E. Andrews; Alice E., b. July 3. 1870; Mary M., b.
June 29, 1874; Efhe M., b. April 7, 1872, d. June
30, 1872, at 3 mos. He is a shoemaker and was a
soldier in the late war.
Reuben Babcock, s. of Reuben of Northboro and
Hannah Goddard, m., 1822, Sarah Bond of Marlboro.
He lived on the John Collins place in northwest part
of the town 1840-50. Their children were Elisha, d.
1824; Charles D., d. in California; James W., d. in
California; Sarah R., m. Ezra Crocker, lives in South
Wellfleet, Mass., her husband died in the army.
Reuben's wife, Sarah, d. 1842; m., 2d, Mrs. Grace
(Kelley) Young, mother of Nancy, Oliver and John
256 HISTORY OF THE
M. Young. Wife, Grace, d. 1843; m-> 3d, Mrs,
Priscilla (Hawes) Maynard of Stow Oct. 3, 1843;
had by her, Martha A., b. March 30, 1845; she now
lives in Berlin Centre in a house built by herself and
her half sister, Josephine. Priscilla had by her former
husband, Eliza A. Maynard, Charles H. Maynard,
George J. Maynard, who lives in Minneapolis, and
Josephine Maynard, b. July 8, 1840, d. May 16, 1891 ;
Charles H. was in the Berlin quota in the army, was
taken prisoner at Gettysburg, was exchanged, and d.
in the Invalid Corps, 1 864, in Washington ; Reuben
d. Dec. 9, 1870, at 83; hiswid. d. May 18, i88i,at8i.
BAILEY.
In the earlier settlement of this part of Lancaster
the Bailey family occupied a prominent position.
They became large land owners, and were influential
and respected in this section of the town. Benjamin,
the first on our territory and the head of the family
here, moved from Marlboro here about 1722. He
was probably a grandson of Rev. Thomas Bailey and
son of John of Scituate. Rev. Thomas was a brother
of Rev. John Bailey of Watertown and Boston, and
was b. in Lancashire, Eng., 1644, and was assistant
to Rev. Samuel Willard at the Old South in Boston,
1692.
Benjamin Bailey, b. 1682, m. Deborah, dau. of
Eleazer Howe of the John Howe line, Marlboro. He
settled on the place now owned by Marcus M. God-
dard, which he bought of John Houghton, 3d, 1718;
1 20 acres "lying upon or near a brook called the
Great brook, not far from the southeast corner of
Lancaster, and is the land on which the said John
TOWN OF BERLIN. 257
has built and now liveth, the house near a little
brook, 120 rods from the Great brook." He was a
constable and tax collector in Lancaster 1.723. Had
by Deborah, Benjamin, b. 171 3; Barnabas, b. 171 5;
Benoni, b. 1 7 1 7. Wife, Deborah, d. 1 7 1 8 ; m., 2d, Eliza-
beth, dau. of Daniel Howe, of the Abraham Howe
line, and had by her Daniel (no record of date);
Elizabeth, m. Josiah Wheeler, s. of John, Sr., and
settled in Boylston; Silas and Timothy, the latter
probably d. unm. He d. 1726, age 44; his wid. m.
Robert Barnard of Marlboro (owner of the Hudson
mills) 1729.
Benjamin Bailey1, Benjamin1, m. Sibella, dau. of
James Howe of Westboro, April 4, 1738. He occu-
pied the homestead (the M. M. Goddard place); he
largely added to his acres until his domain extended
from the Johnson land on the south to what is now
Carterville and including a part of Powder House
hill on the north, and from the Israel Sawyer place
on the east to Merrick Felton's on the west. He d.
Feb. 14, 1790; his wid. d. Oct. 4, 1803. Had Israel,
b. vSept. 8, 1 741 ; Deborah, b. Aug. 5, 1743; Joseph,
b. Sept. 8, 1745 ; these three by Bolton records d. in
same Sept., nth, 17th and 29th; Benjamin, b. Aug.
29, 1747; Ebenezer, b. July 1, 1749; Desire, b. May 5,
1 75 1 , m., 1 768, Jonathan Moore, Jr. ; Stephen, b. Sept.
29> 1753; Sibella, b. Jan. 19, 1756, m. Dr. Benjamin
Nourse; she d. 1797; Catherine, b. 1758, m., 1799, Dr.
Benjamin Nourse. Tradition holds that two of the
sons never married. Ebenezer held land west of
Sawyer hill, called in will, 1790, "the Sawyer place
and buildings."
258 HISTORY OF THE
Benotii Bailey*, Benjamin.1 He owned land north
of his bro., Barnabas ; also land in Stow. (No rec.)
Barnabas Bailey", Benjamin1, m. Elizabeth, dau. of
Samuel Stephens of Marlboro, July 21, 1748. He
lived on the place recently owned by Winslow B.
Morse. Their son-in-law, Jacob Moore, built the
Dr. Brigham house, just above, retained probably
by Barnabas, as Asenath gave it to her daughter,
Seraphina, who m. Josiah Crossby ; Jacob Moore set-
tled in vSearsmont, N. H. Had Elizabeth, b. April
2, 1749; m. Jacob Moore, s. of Isaac, Sr. ; Mary, b.
Feb. 13, 1 75 1 , m. Richardson ; Phebe, b. June
13, 1754, m. Peter Richardson of Grafton; Asenath,
b. Aug. 12, 1760, m. Samuel Brigham. Barnabas
d. May 23, 1790; his wid. d. April 25, 1813.
Col. Silas Bailey", Benjamin1, m. Lucy, dau. of
Jedediah Brigham of Marlboro. He settled on the
place now owned by Edward Flagg. Had Timothy,
b. Feb. 9, 1749; Bertha, b. Oct. 4, 1752; Silas, b.
July 22, 1756; Lucy, b. Jan. 6, 1759, m. Jabez Fair-
banks, who was grandfather to Col. Silas B. Fair-
banks, lately of Hudson; Amherst, b. Jan. 27, 1761 ;
Calvin, b. Jan. 2, 1763. Wife, Lucy, d. May 14,
1778, aged 52 years; he m., 2d, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rice),
wid. of Capt. Paul Brigham of Marlboro ; wife, Eliza-
beth, d. (no rec); m., 3d, Catherine, dau. of Eleazer
Howe of Marlboro. Col. Silas was a plucky patroit ;
though entangled in the Shays embroglio, he squarely
refused to be impaneled on the jury should a certain
judge preside. He d. Oct. 30, 1793, at 70 years ;
Catherine, wid.. d. April 16. 181 1, at 74 years.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 259
Lieut. Timothy Bailey*, Col. Silas2, Benjamin1, m.
Martha, dau. of Luther (?) Barnard. Had Bethia, b.
1775, m. Jesse Wood; Jedediah, b. 1777; Levi, b.
1778. Lieut. Timothy lived on the Merrick Felton
place ; he was early in the American army, and his
early promotion shows his soldierly qualities ; he left
his home in 1777 for Rhode Island; he d. at New-
port the same year; all records fail us as to his
particular service or manner of death. Artemas
Barnes, Esq., erected in 1876 the monument in
the old cemetery, which commemorates his patriot-
ism.
Silas Bailey, Col. Silas2, Benjamin1, m. Levina
Bartlett of Northboro. He settled just over the line
in Northboro on the place of E. Warren Pierce,
where William Goddard, the miller, lived before.
Had Timothy, b. Aug. 2, 1780; Silas, b. June 8,
1782; Holloway, b. May 18, 1784; Calvin, b. Feb.,
1786; Betsey, b. 1789, d. same year; Levina, b. July
18, 1790, m. Martin Houghton of Bolton; Lewis, b.
Jan. 4, 1792. All these, except Timothy, were bap-
tized in Berlin. He d. Oct. 23, 1840; wife d. Oct.
12, 1840.
Amherst Bailey'*, Col. Silas2, Benjamin1, m. Lydia.
dau. of Fortunatus Barnes, March 28, 1785. He
succeeded to the homestead, now the Edward Flagg
place. Had Lucy, b. Feb. 18, 1787,01. Peter Larkin,
2d, d. in Holliston; William, b. Aug. 15, 1789^.
num., 1834; vSilas, b. Feb. 28, 1796, d. 1797; Persis, b.
1793, m. Leonard Carter of Boylston March 9, 18 17;
Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1799, m. Benjamin Gould of Bos-
260 HISTORY OF THE
ton, d. in Lancaster; Calvin, b. Jan. 10, 1S01, d.
unm., 1833; Hannah, b. Jan. 7, 1804, m. Simeon
Bowman of Lancaster and Clinton ; Zilpah, b. Nov.
6, 1806, m. Arad Newton of Philadelphia; Lncinda,
b. Aug. 25, 1 8 10, m. George Stratton of Lancaster.
Amherst d. Nov. 9, 1830; wid., Lydia, d. Dec. 14,
1844.
Dea. Stephen Bailey*, Benjamin2, Benjamin1, m.
Sally, dau. of Dr. Samuel Crosby of Shrewsbury.
Dr. Crosby was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war.
Dea. Stephen's homestead was the present residence
of Ira Jones, of 86 acres; he was chosen deacon 1807.
Had Clarissa, b. March 10, 1779, m. Jedediah Bailey,
she d. in Pelham April 24, 1838, buried in Ware; an
infant son d. March 13, 1781 ; Algernon Sidney, b.
May 11, 1782, d. in preparation for the ministry,
1808; Winthrop, b. May 7, 1784. Eusebia, b.
June n, 1787, m. Jonas Sawyer, d. at Pelham
Feb. 27, 1821; Sally, b. Feb. 9, 1789, d. Sept. 22,
1789; Emma, b. Oct. 27, 1790, m. Esquire Asa
Sawyer; Horace, b. April 23, 1793, m. Elizabeth
Whitney of Westboro, where he lived, except a few
years in Berlin, on t,he place now owned by Robert
Newsome; s., Alfred, d. here 1831 ; he d. March 24,
1870 ; had also Frederick, who lives in Brooklyn, N.
Y., and Alvina W., m. George E. Fisher of West-
boro; his wid. d. 1893; Myra, b. Nov. 15, 1795, m.
John Tyler of North Brookfield 1821, she d. Nov.
21, 1868; Stephen, b. April 19, 1798, m. Olive Ham-
ilton of North Brookfield, he d. March 27, 1861 ; had
Joseph E., b. March 12, 1823, d. Nov., 1894, at Spring-
field; Caroline H., b. Jan. 2, 1825, m. Enos King
TOWN OF BERLIN. 26 I
of Hopkinton; Adelaide H., b. March 18, 1827, m.
Joseph B. Knox of Worcester. Dea. Stephen's wife,
Sally, d. Oct. 13, 1812 ; hem., 2d, a cousin of his first
wife, wid. of Rev. Mr. Dudley; he d. Feb. 12, 181 5.
Holloway Bailey\ Silas3, Silas2, Benjamin1, m. Lucy,
dau. of Benjamin Sawyer of Bolton. They had three
sons. In the oldest the venerable patronymic reap-
pears "Benjamin," and perhaps ancestral ministerial
bias; he graduated at Harvard College' 1854; has
been pastor in Portland, Marblehead and Maiden ;
he m., 1864, Emily F. Sampson. They have Salina
W., Henry H. and Benjamin P.; two others have d.
S. Henry, the second s. of Holloway, responded to his
country's call in the late war; was captain of Com-
pany G in the 36th Regiment; he was killed by a
musket ball in the head at Spottsylvania, May 12,
1864. John, the third s., m. a dau. of Judge
Dewey of Williamstown ; res. in Newton; holds
the clerkship of the estate of Hon. Mr. Roach of
New Bedford. Thus the last representatives of
this once numerous and influential family have
disappeared from us and this vicinity; may the
stock revive. He d. Feb. 12, 1872; wife Lucy d.
Feb. 9, 1 86 1. He m. 2d, Richardson; d.
1877.
JcdcdiaJiBailcf, Lieut. Timothy3, Silas2, Benjamin1,
m. Clarissa, dau. of Dea. Stephen Bailey, April 17,
1800. Lived on the Merrick Felton place; the
family moved to A thol about 1824. Had Eliza, b.
1801, d. 1806; Clarissa, b. Dec. 22, 1802, d. 1805;
Sally Crosby, b. May 17, 1805; Clarissa, bap. 1807;
262 HISTORY OF THE
Eusebia, b. 1809; Sophy Spooner, b. 18 12 ; Algernon
Sidney, b. 18 16.
Dea. Timothy Bailey', Silas3, Silas2, Benjamin1, m.
Sarah Whitney of Westboro 1806. He lived on the
place now owned by Rufus R. Wheeler; the house
was burned a few years ago. Had Benjamin F., b.
Jan. 29, 1807, he m., Dec. 31, 1831, Sarah B. Whit-
ney of Worcester, where he has since resided ; Sarah
E., b. Jan. 25, 1809, d. Jan. 27, 1837; Silas, b. Oct.
13, 1 8 1 1 , lives in Princeton ; George L., b. Dec. 18,
18 1 7, m. Cox of Hudson. Dea. Timothy d.
Sept. 3, 1837; wife d. April 11, 1840.
At the request of Everett H. Bailey, Esq., of St.
Paul, Minn., a descendant of the Rev. Winthrop
Bailey, who was a son of Dea. Stephen Bailey of this
town, we insert herein the genealogical record of the
family of the Rev. Winthrop, which certainly will be
of special interest to the members of the Bailey
family scattered abroad, but few of the descendants
of the Bailey family are still within our limits ; they
have sought more enlarged and enticing fields of
usefulness in other localities. They gave character
and standing to our town in its early history, and it
is a gratifying fact to know that the name is still
honored in other communities where they may
reside.
Rev. Thomas Bailey, b. in Lancashire, Eng., 1644.
John Bailey, b. in Scituate, Mass., before 1670, m.
Sarah White Jan. 25, 16725 m., 2d wife, Ruth Clothier,
Dec. 9, 1699.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 263
/. Benjamin Bailey of Berlin, Mass. (moved from
Marlboro 1722), b. 1682, d. 1726; m. Deborah Howe,
dau. of Eleazer Howe, of John Howe line of Marl-
boro; m., second wife, dan. of David Howe of Abram
Howe line.
2. Benjamin Bailey, b. 171 3, d. Feb. 14, 1790, m.
April 4, 1738, Sibella, dan. of James Howe of West-
boro.
Dea. Stephen Bailey, b. Sept. 29, 1753, d. Feb. 12,
18 1 5, m., Feb. 8, 1779, Sarah Crosby, dau. of Dr.
Samuel Crosby of Shrewsbury.
Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b. May 7, 1784. Graduated
at Harvard College 1 807 ; entered a three years'
course at Andover Theological Seminary ; settled in
Brunswick, Me., in 18 10, as minister of the Congre-
gational Church, and was tutor in Bowdoin College
to 1814; m., Jan. 6, 1814, Martha Stanwood, dau.
of Col. William Stanwood of Brunswick; settled
in Pelham, Mass., 18 14; was minister of the Congre
gational Church there until 1823, when he became a
Unitarian and moved to Greenfield, taking charge of
the new Unitarian Church; lived in Deerfield 183 1—
1835 ; was principal of Deerfield Academy ; died there
March 16, 1835. Children: Sarah Crosby, b. in
Pelham April 5, 181 5; Hannah Stanwood, b. in Pel-
ham June 8, 1 8 1 7 ; Martha Grey, b. in Pelham Feb.
19, 1 8 19; Francis Parkman, b. in Pelham Nov. 26,
1820; Elizabeth Lee, b. in Pelham Nov. 21, 1822;
Annie J., b. in Greenfield Feb. 12, 1826; Isabella, b.
in Greenfield Feb. 12, 1828; Mary Duncan, b. in
Deerfield May 23, 183 1.
264 HISTORY OF THE
Sarah Crosby, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b.
April 5, 1 8 1 5 ; m., at Deerfield, Mass., Dec. 4, 1834,
Samuel T. Hallock of Milton, N. Y. ; resided for
many years at Riceville, Pa. Children : Martha
Elizabeth, b. Nov. 6, 1835 ; Winthrop, b. Feb. 2,
1838; Seraphina Joy, b. Nov. 13, 1840, d. Nov. 5,
1850; Sara Isabella, b. April 1, 1843, d. June 9, 1850;
Hannah Stanwood, b. Nov. 26, 1845; Patrick Falco-
ner, b. March 30, 1849; Nicholas Edward, b. Aug.
29, 1852; Nathaniel, b. Feb. 21, 1858, d. Aug. 26,
1858. Mrs. Hallock d. Oct. 12, 1881; Mr. Hallock
d. Sept. 25, 1877.
Martha Elizabeth, m., Aug. 5, 1868, Newton A. T.
Carroll ; reside in Buffalo, N. Y. Children: Theo-
dora May, b. May 8, 1869; Horace Greeley, b. Jan.
12, 1873; Winthrop Thomas, b. Feb. 11, 1877.
Dr. Winthrop Hallock, m., Jan. 20, 1859, Mary Kent
Shew ; reside at Cromwell, Conn. Children : Frank
Kirkwood, b. Aug. 18, i860; Susan Clarke, b. April
21, 1869, m., vSept. 6, 1893, William Couch of Du-
buque, Iowa.
Patrick F. Hallock, m., Oct. 27, 1877, Julia Anna
Barto of Oyster Bay, L. I. Children : Robert Patton,
b. March 1, 1879, d. Sept. 3, 1881 ; Edith, b. Jan. 1,
1882, d. Nov. 2, 1889; Sara Barto, b. Sept. 8, 1884.
Nicholas Edward Hallock, m., May 21, 1878, Phebe
Keith of Rome, N. Y. ; reside at Bradford, Pa.
Children: Annie Constance, b. Feb. 20, 1883, d.
inf.; Charles Samuel, b. April 19, 1884; Florence
Bailey, b. March 15, 1886.
Hannah Stanwood, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey,
b. June 8, i8i7;m., June 26, 1842, at New York,
FRANCIS PARKMAN EAILEY.
TOWN OF BERLIN'. 265
Horatio N. Conant ; lived in Milwaukee, Wis., where
he died Sept. 20, 1859. Children: Ella Stanwood,
b. March 16, 1843, d. Jan. 27, 1847; Ernest, b. March
26, 1847, d. Dec. 20, 1884; Frederick Holland, b.
June 18, 1849, d. Feb. 26, 1854.
Martha Grey, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b.
Feb. 19, 1 8 19; m., at Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 11,
1 845, Rufus W. Pier of Jamestown, N. Y. Children :
William Stanwood, b. July 20, 1846, d. Dec. 27,
1892; Caroline B., b. July 23, 1848 ; Clarence, b. July
15, 185 1, d. inf.; Charles M., b. July 15, 185 1. Mrs.
Pier d. at Pittsburg Dec. 24, 1888; Mr. Pier d. at
Pittsburg Sept. 30, 1893.
William Stanwood Pier, b. July 20, 1846, m., Jan.
4, 1 87 1, Alciphron Moore of Linmore, Pa. Children:
Arthur Stanwood, b. Nov. 9, 1871, d. inf.; Arthur
Stanwood, b. April 21, 1874; Florence, b. Nov. 21,
1876; Roy, b. Oct. 2, 1880; Evelyn, b. Dec. 30, 1882,
d. July 31, 1883 ; Winthrop Bailey, b. June 19, 1886.
Mr. Pier d. at Pittsburg Dec. 27, 1892.
Charles M. Pier, b. July 15, 185 i,m., May 13, 1877,
Anne Elizabeth White. Children : Martha Grey,
b. Feb. 16, 1878; Mary Catherine, b. Aug. 1, 1880,
d. May 5, 1881; Florida, b. Sept. 24, 1883. M.,
2d wife, Ida E.Richardson Dec. 14, 1887. Children
by her: Clifton Willard, b. Jan. 1, 1889, d. Aug.
20, 1892; Albert Floyd, b. Aug. 19, 1890, d. inf. ;
Stanwood Bailey, b. Aug. 4, 1892, d. inf.
Francis Parkman Bailey, s. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey,
b. Nov. 26, 1820. Engaged in business at Utica, N.
Y., 1839; at Dexterville, N. Y., 1840-2; at Milwau-
kee, Wis., 1843 (with H. N. Conant & Co.); moved
2 66 HISTORY OF THE
to Jamestown, N. Y., in 1844, and was associated
with Frank W. Palmer and Ebenezer P. Upham as
proprietors of the Jamestozvn Journal until about 1850;
m., Oct. 12, 1847, Caroline Pier, dau. of Rufus Pier
of Jamestown, N. Y. ; moved to Erie in 1850; was
clerk with Lester, Sennett & Chester (foundry) ; in
1852 was teller and general clerk for the banking
house of Williams & Wright; in October, 1853, was
formed the banking firm of C. B. Wright & Co.,
composed of C. B. Wright, F. P. Bailey, C. E. Gun-
nison, who continued until the latter part of 1858,
when C. B. Wright bought out Bailey and Gunnison
and rented banking rooms to the Bank of Commerce.
F. P. Bailey closing up the affairs of C. B. Wright &
Co. in i860, was formed the banking firm of Vincent,
Bailey & Co., composed of B. B. Vincent, F. P.
Bailey, William Bell, Jr., W. S. Lane and John
Wood, which continued until 1865. In 1864 a
charter was procured for the Marine National Bank
of Erie, of which F. P. Bailey was cashier until his
decease, December 17, 1888. Children: Everett
H., b. April 10, 1850; Katharine, b. , d. inf.
Mrs. Bailey d. July 14, 1859. M., Feb. 7, 1861,
2d wife, Martha Pier, dau. of Norman Pier, Titus-
ville, Pa. Children by her : Francis Winthrop, b.
July 11, 1866; Florence E., b. Feb. 8, 1868.
Everett H. Bailey, b. April 10, 1850, m., June 2,
1874, Jennie L. Jones, dau. of Judge F. A. Jones of
Toledo, O. ; res. at St. Paul, Minn. Have one s.,
Frederick Stanwood, b. Oct. 31, 1880.
Elizabeth Lee, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, b.
Nov. 21, 1822, m. Oct. 20, 1842, Samuel Erastus
TOWN OF BERLIN. 267
Foote of Jamestown, N. Y. Children : Francis
Bailey, b. July 24, 1844, d. Aug. 23, 185 1; Charles
Stan wood, b. March 7, 1847, d. Aug. 15, 1847
Emerson Lee, b. Nov. 25, 1848; Annie Cheney, b
March 10, 185 1 ; Elizabeth, b. Sept. 20, 1854, d. inf.
Mary Isabella, b. July 23, 1856, d. Sept. 26, 1857
Arthur Hoyt, b. July 28, 1858; Emily Kneval, b
Jan. 18, 1862. Samuel Erastus Foote d. at St. Louis
July 7, 1S84.
Emerson Lee Foote, m. June 28, 1887, Julia C.
Chase of St. Louis; res. at Sligo, Mo. Children:
Francis Bailey, b. Nov. 20, 1888; Edward Chase, b.
Oct. 4, 1890; John Alden, b. Sept. 2, 1892.
Arthur Hoyt Foote, m., Nov. 7, 1882, Gertrude E.
McGill, Northeast, Pa.; res. at St. Louis, Mo.
Children: Eleanor Bailey, b. wSept. 21, 1883; Lucy
Dodds, b. Feb. 20, 1885 ; Arthur, b. Oct. 24, 1889, d.
April 12, 1 891; Horace Stanwood, b. Dec. 28, 1891.
Annie Jean, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailey, m.,
June 5, 1843, J. Warren Fletcher of Jamestown, N.
Y. Children : Francis, b. , d. inf. ; Frank
Winthrop, b. Jan. 20, 1849; Belle, b. 185 1, d. Jan. 1,
1857; Charles Bailey, b. July 12, 1856; Sarah Maria,
b. , d. inf. ; Susan, b. , d. inf. Mrs.
Fletcher d. March 3, 1872.
Frank Winthrop Fletcher, m., June 15, 1872, Mary
H. Buck; res. at Minneapolis, Minn. Children:
Harry Bryant, b. April 29, 1875; Annie Jean, b.
, d. inf.; Fred Bailey, b. May 22, 1880; Bessie
Stark, b. Sept. 10, 1882; Cyrus Don, b. July 14,
1885 ; Robert Buck, b. March 9, 1891.
Charles Bailey Fletcher, b. July 12, 1856, m. Kate
268 HISTORY OF THE
E. Cunning-ham, at Centralia, 111., Nov. 27, 1878.
Children: Howard, b. Feb. 12, 1880; Annie Jean,
b. Feb. 22, 1882; Florence Mabel, b. Aug. 8, 1884;
Warren, b. Feb. 2, 1890.
Mary Duncan, dau. of Rev. Winthrop Bailev, b.
May 23, 1831, m., May 15, 1852, Knute Alfred Peter-
son, Milwaukee, Wis. Children: Knute Duncan,
b. May 6, 1854; Mary Elizabeth Kemper, b. Sept. 29,
1857; Alfreda Hallstrom, b. March 4, 1861, d. June
19, 1 86 1 ; Helena Mabel Hallstrom, b. Feb. 26, 1863,
d. Oct. 6, 1 88 1 ; Maude Evangeline, b. Oct. 25, 1865,
d. July 17, 1866; Miriam Grace Birdseye, b. Feb. 1,
1 87 1. Mr. Peterson d. April 9, 1876; Mrs. Peterson
d. July 20, 1886.
Knute Duncan, m., April 22, 1878, Sarah Caroline
Nicholson of Milwaukee. Children : Frank Alfred,
b. March 1, 1879, d. July 23, 1879; Harold Stuart,
b. Aug. 4, 1880; Robert Duncan, b. May 15, 1888, d.
April 13, 1891; Anne Elizabeth, b. July 26, 1890;
George Duncan, b. June 9, 1892.
Everett H. Bailey, s. of Francis P. Bailey and
Catherine Pier, was b. in Jamestown, Chautauqua
Co., N. Y., April 10, 1850. His parents moving to
Erie, Penn., he received his primary schooling at the
Erie Academy. In 1867 he entered Antioch College
at Yellow Springs, Ohio, where he pursued his studies
for three years. In July, 1 87 1 , he went to Minnesota,
entering- the First National Bank of St. Paul as clerk ;
the following autumn went to Winona, Minn., ac-
cepting with Mark Willson, formerly of Sugar Grove,
Penn., a position in the newly organized Second
National Bank of that city. Was appointed cashier
THE OLD STONE HOUSE.
(•JUDGE SAMUEL BAKER'S.)
TOWN OF BERLIN. 269
of that bank in 1872. In the spring of 1873, having
sold his interest in the Winona Bank, he returned to
vSt. Paul, re-entering the First National Bank of St.
Paul as receiving teller ; afterwards paying teller, and
in May, 1880, was elected a director and cashier of
that institution, which position he still retains after
twenty-two years of continuous service in the bank.
Was m., June 2, 1874, to Jennie L. Jones, dau. of
Judge F. A. Jones of Toledo, Ohio. Two children
were born to them : a dau., d. in infancy, and a s.,
Frederick Han wood Bailey, b. Oct. 31, 1880.
JUDGE BAKER FAMILY.
Hon. Samuel Bake?- settled on our territory when
we were a part of Bolton, 1748. His pedigree ap-
pears from any records at hand to be exceedingly
obscure and perplexing, and but for the aid rendered
by Dr. H. P. Walcott of Cambridge, a descendant of
Judge Baker, we should be unable to clear up the
mystery of his birth and parentage. It is evident
that Edward Baker, who came to this country in
1630 and settled in Saugus, now Lynn, on a hill still
known as "Baker's hill," was the ancestor of our
Hon. Samuel Baker, the lineage running down
through son Edward2 to grandson Edward3, b. July
16, 1696, who was one of the first settlers of West-
boro and the father of Samuel of our town. This
Edward3 m. Persis, dau. of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Howe) Brigham, Nov. 22, 1781, and.had ten children,
the oldest of which was Samuel, b. Aug. 27, 1722.
Samuel Baker, s. of Edward of Westboro, m.,
Nov. 24, 1747, Susanna Taintor, b. Dec. 18, 1720,
270 HISTORY OF THE
dau. of vSimeon of Westboro. In 1765 he bought
of John Houghton, 3d, 200 acres or more, with house
in which "he liveth," situated on what since has been
called "Baker's hill." The records indicate another
house on the premises besides John Houghton's.
He probably moved on to this place previous to 1765.
His earliest record here was the birth of his dau.,
Persis, in 1750. He built the large two-storv stone
house on the premises, still in good repair. It is on the
southern slope of the Wataquodock hills, and com.
mands an extensive view of the surrounding country.
This house was built soon after the close of the
Revolutionary war, and the stones for its construc-
tion were quarried on the place. The farm was sold
by the heirs of Judge Baker in 1804 to Adam Bartlett.
Since Bartlett's decease it has been in the hands of
Levi Bartlett and Alden Sawyer, and is now owned
by J. Henry Sawyer. The record of Judge Baker's
public life is honorable. Tradition tells of his hurry-
ing to Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775. He is
known to have been a staunch opposer of the "Shays
rebellion," and was once assaulted on his way home
from court by some rebel sympathizer, but this inci-
dent failed to intimidate him, or dampen his zeal in
the maintenance of good government. He was one
of the seven delegates in the Worcester convention
who voted for the adoption of the Constitution in
1789; was senator for Worcester county from 1780
to 1793, two years excepted; was one of the trustees
of Leicester Academy ; was judge in the Court of
Common Pleas from 1775 to 1795, and was councilor
at his death. Such is the record of this distinguished
TOWN OF BERLIN. 27 I
man, whose name has reflected more honor on the
town than any other in its history. Had by wife,
Susanna: Susanna, b. 174S, m., Nov. 3, 1774, Eli
Harrington of Alstead, N. H. ; Persis, b. Feb. 16,
1750, m. Josiah Sawyer, Jr. ; Samuel, b. July 3, 1753 ;
Edward, b. June 15, 1755; Abel, b. Aug. 8, 1757;
Mary, b. May 5, 1760, m. Jabez Walcott; Betty, b.
March 1, 1763, m. Jabez Fairbanks; he d., she m.,
2d, Eli Harrington, her deceased sister's husband ;
he d., she m., 3d, Thurston of Fitchburg; he
d., and lastly she m. Dea. Isaac Davis of Northboro;
she survived him and d. at the age of 87, and was
buried in Northboro.
Susanna, wife of Judge Baker, d. April 14, 1781.
He m., 2d, April 20, 1786, Mary Bigelow of Worces-
ter ; what her maiden name was does not appear ; she
had a s., Augustus Bigelow, Jr., who lived on the
Sanderson Carter place ; had no children by last wife ;
she survived him and d. in Worcester 1825. Judge
Baker d. May 4, 1795, and was buried in the old
Cemetery here in Berlin beside his first wife. The
inscription on the headstone reads :
Erected in memory of
Samuel Baker, Esq.,
who departed this life
May 4, 1795'
in the 73d year of his age.
A more enduring monument and one worthy of
his name should be erected to perpetuate his memory.
Lieut. Samuel Baker, Jr., s. of Judge Baker, m.
Hannah Bush of Bolton May 25, 1778. He lived in
this vicinity until about 1807, when the family moved
272 HISTORY OF THE
to Templeton, where he d. June22, 1825. Had eleven-
children, b. from 1 78 1 to 1801, namely: Samuel,
Susanna, Artemas, Eli, Joseph, Levi, Jonas, Calvin,
Luther, Hannah, Oliver and Otis. The two last
were graduates of Yale College, in 1829 and 1831 re-
spectively; both d. 1834.
Edward Baker, s. of Judge Samuel, m. Hephzibah
Fairbanks Oct. 13, 1778. He lived in Bolton until
after his father's decease, when he removed to
Waterford, Me. Had seven children, b. from 1781
to 1796, namely/. Sally, Luke, Keria, Edward,
Hepsy, Persis and Betsy.
Abel Baker, the other s. of the judge, m. Polly,
dau. of Phineas Howe, Feb. 19, 1784. They resided
in Bolton until about 1789, when the family removed
to Concord, N. H.; before removal had four children,
namely: Polly, Betsey, John and Marshall; after
removal had seven children, as we learn from Con-
cord records, namely : Abel, Parna, Achsah, Susan,
Samuel, Sophia, Clarissa. This Abel, Jr., s. of Abel
and Polly (Howe) Baker, settled in Henniker, N. H.,
and was the father of Nathaniel B. Baker, who was
governor of New Hampshire in 1856, and was adju-
tant general of Iowa during the late war. He
removed from New Hampshire to Clinton, Iowa, and
d. in Des Moines Sept. 13, 1876. It appears from
Barton's "History of Concord" that Abel, Sr., had a
saw and grist mill, and the saw-mill was the first in
Concord; that his wife was indeed a "helpmate;"
that she handled the grists while he tended the saw-
mill ; could carry three bushels of corn in one bag.
(See Phineas Howe.)
TOWN OF BERLIN.
273
Mary Baker, dau. of Judge Samuel Baker, m.
Jabez Walcott 1 78 1 . Had several children, of whom
Samuel Baker Walcott was the seventh, b. March 7,
1 795 ; he graduated at Harvard College in 18 19 ; filled
many offices of responsibility; was a lawyer by pro-
fession; res., Salem; he d. Dec. 4, 1854. His wife
was Martha, dau. of Hon. Benjamin Pickman, a
prominent citizen of Salem. Of his children, Dr.
H. P. Walcott of Cambridge was the fifth, b. Dec.
^3,1838 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1858;
studied medicine ; spent several years abroad in the
prosecution of his studies ; has been chairman of the
Mass. State Board of Health since 1886; was previ-
ously a member of the State Board of Health, Lunacy
and Charity, from 1880 to 1884; has been president
of the Association of the Local Boards of Health;
was the orator of the Mass. Medical Society in 1879';
delivered the address on medicine at Yale College in
1 893 ; also an address at the opening of the Hygienic
Institute of the University of Pennsylvania in4i892;
has been one of the Board of Overseers of Harvard Col-
lege, and is now one of the Board of Presidents and
Fellows of that institution and a member of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences and also of
the Mass. Historical Society, and for three years he
was president of the Mass. Horticultural Society. A
brother of his, Gen. Charles F. Walcott of Cambridge,
b. Dec. 22, 1836, graduated at Harvard College ^in
1857; studied law; entered the army on thebreaking
out of the war; was captain in the 21st Regt, Mass.
Vols., and was promoted to lieutenant colonel and
colonel of the 61st Regt., and finally was made a
brigadier general, having achieved a most honorable
274 HISTORY OF THE
distinction while in the service. He d., prematurely,
it would seem, in 1887, at the age of 51 years. The
above record of these distinguished men is sufficient
of itself to show the high character and ability of
the descendants of one who was born and matured on
Berlin soil.
Benjamin Baker, from Gloucester, R. L, m., 2d
wife, Dinah Wheeler, May 4, 1787. He was a black-
smith ; he owned and lived on the present Farwell
farm ; first in an old house somewhat back of the
present one ; he sold to Stephen Wheeler, his son-in-
law, and bought of Joseph Howe in 1790 "the place
on which Howe now lives;" sold this to Moses
Coolidge ; the old cellar on the north edge of Gates'
pond marks the house spot; Coolidge sold to Joel
Fosgate in 1795 ; Baker lived last on the Ira Brown
farm, bought of Benjamin Bruce. Had children, b.
from 1758 to 1774: Jonathan; Miriam, m. Stephen
Wheeler; Dinah, m. Ephraim Larkin ; Eliza-
beth; Stephen; Hulda; Hannah, m. James Rich;
Esther, m. William Faulkner; Amity, m. Stephen
Wheeler.
Jonathan Baker, s. of Benjamin, m. Thankful
Wheeler. Had Anna, b. May 13. 1789, m. David
Wheeler of Bolton 1808, father to our David B.
Wheeler. Wife, Thankful, d. He m., 2d, July 18,
1792, Mary, dau. of Benjamin Bruce. They had
Dinah, b. May 11, 1793. He d. April 7, 1798.
Jonathan Baker is our Quaker victim of persecution
a hundred years after the Salem and Boston suf-
ferers.
TOWN OF BERIIN. 275
Stephen Baker, s. of Bejamin, m. Katy Brown 1795,
both of Berlin. He settled on the homestead of his
father, the Brown farm, 1 8 1 5 . No other record.
BALL.
Mic ah R. Ball, s. of Elijah of Boylston, m. Sarah
Lincoln of the Hingham family. In early life Mr.
Ball learned the saddlers' trade of Amasa Holt, who
lived on what was formerly the E. C. Shattuck place ;
was here 1 804-7 ! he moved to Leominster, but re-
turned and built the house owned afterwards by Dr. E.
Hartshorn in 1 834 ; two infant children d. here. Dau.,
Relief, m. Charles Woodbury of Boston; she d. in
1880; William L. of Louisville was killed in the
Mexican war; Sarah m. Obed Rice, lives in Hud-
son; Nancy M., m. Milton Thorn of Salem, N.
H., where she d. ; George S., m. Hannah B. Nourse
of Bolton ; he has been pastor of the Unitarian
Church in Upton since 1849; they have had seven
children. Mark, bro. to George S., d. in Harrisville,
N. Y.
Alvin Ball, s. of Nathan of Northboro, lived in
the Hartwell house in the west part; d. here March
16, 1870, a. 69.
BARBER.
Nathan Barber, probably a s. of Mathew of Shrews-
bury and a descendant of Joseph of Watertown.
bought the mills at the west part, lately owned by
Henry O. Felton, of William Pollard in 1777; this
William bought of his brother, John Pollard, in
276 HISTORY OF THE
1756; his purchase included "the mill place" and a
saw-mill. John had bought the mill of John Butler,
and his house was back of the house where George
Felton now lives. The "Barber house," which stood
opposite Levi Babcock's, was built by William Pollard
in 1760. The first mill, built by Butler was some
distance up the stream, and a long bridge spanned
the stream where the road now runs. He m. Mar-
garet in 1766. Had Lucy, b. May 28, 1788;
she m. Nathan Rice of Northboro; their s., Dennis,
m. Laura, dau. of Amasa Holt of Berlin; their only
s., John Rice, is professor of mathematics in the IT.
S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. Had other
children; some went to Maine and some to Marlboro,
N. H. ; his name appears last on the tax list of
18 1 1.
BARKER.
Tilson IV. Barker, from Bethel, Me., b. Sept. 27,
1 8 18; came to town in 1854; m. Catherine, dau. of
Lyman Howe of Marlboro ; was a blacksmith ; lived
where John Q. Maynard now resides; had a shop
near by; he removed to Bolton. Had George D., b.
in 1849, d. in 1855; Alanson W., b. Sept. 27, 185 1 ;
Ella G., b. Sept. 23, 1854; Herbert D., b. Aug. 15,
1859. Wife d. Dec. 24, 1885, a. 60 yrs.
BARNES.
Fortunatus Barnes, the first of the name here, was
a descendant of Thomas Barnes, who came over in
the vSpeedwell in 1656 and settled in Marlboro.
Abigail Goodnow came with him from England, and
TOWN OF MERLIN. 277
she became his wife a year later. The records do
not say whether they made love on the way. The
line of descent is through John and Jonathan to
Fortunatns, great grandson of Thomas. (A sister of
Fortnnatus m. Solomon Bowker, who once owned
the Joseph Priest place.) Tradition holds that Mr.
Barnes held a claim on our Phineas Howe estate, on
which cattle were kept and fed in racks on "Rack
meadow." (He bought eighty acres of the Howe
farm, eighty acres of the Lancaster proprietors and
1 19 acres of John Hudson, and some more of John
Frv.) This extensive ownership determined the
name of "Barnes hill." South of the present home-
stead was an old house occupied by the Goodnows.
Daniel Goodnow's tax was abated in 1787. Further
on up the hill lived a Dafford family and also a
Foster family. John Hudson was on top of the hill
(he was grandfather of Hon. Charles Hudson). The
Barnes purchase included the most of these. "Barnes
hill" gives a view of Wachusett seldom equaled.
The centennial of the homestead was impressively
observed in 1 866. A generous collation was prepared
by the family under the beautiful arbor of maples
which adorn the home and the town. Hon. Charles
Hudson made an interesting address. Many senti-
ments were offered and responded to by citizens and
guests. These maples were planted by Artemas
Barnes.
Fortunatus Barnes, s. of Jonathan of Marlboro, b.
Sept. 25, 1738, m. Persis Hosmer of Concord Oct.
18, 1764; settled on Barnes hill. Had David, b.
Aug. 27, 1765; Lydia, b. July 20, 1767, m. Amherst
Bailey; Hannah, b. June 20, 1770, m. Ephraim
2 7'^ HISTORY OF THK
Howe; William, b. April 5, 1773; Persis, b. May 5,
1779, m. Silas Priest; m., 2d, Peltiah Jones. He d.
Nov. 9, 1807; wid. d. Sept. 16, 1821.
Capt. William Barnes1, Fortunatus1, m. Hannah
Goddard, dau. of James, Sr., May 28, 1795. He
occupied a part of the homestead where his dau.,
Sarah, has since lived ; he built the house now stand-
ing on the premises. The place now, 1894, is in
possession of William H. Brown. Had Artemas, b.
June 7, 1796; Betsey, b. Dec. 20, 1798, m. Josiah
Cotting; Hannah, b. Sept. 18, 1801, d. Jan. 8, 1864,
unm. ; Lucy, b. Jan. 20, 1804, m. Lowell Holbrook
of Northboro, 1838; Sarah, b. May 5, 1808, retained
the homestead, unm., d. Oct. 3, 1894, at 86; Martha
W.,b. April 11, 181 1, d. Aug. 1, 18 14. He d. Oct.
24, 1853; wid. d. Jan. 6, 1863, at 89; Mrs. Cotting d.
at the homestead Jan. 28, 1883.
David Barnes'1, Fortunatus1, m. Asenath Moore
May 4, 1 790. He lived on a part of the homestead,
the same now owned by George H. Barnes ; built the
old red house now standing on the premises. Had
Welcome, b. Aug. 15, 1793 ; Daniel, b. Jan. 24, 1795;
David, b. Dec. 25, 1800, m. Submit Willard of
Boylston, res. in Barre; Asenath, b. Sept. 13, 1802,
m. Jonathan Fawcett of Northboro; John, b.
Oct. 11, 1805, m. Patience Harlow of Shrewsbury.
He d. May 9, 1837; she d. May 26, 1847.
Welcome Barnes", David'% Fortunatus', m. Hannah
Jewett, dau. of Jesse. He lived on the place now
owned by Alfred C. Derby ; built the brick house
now on the premises. Had no children ; he d.
ii h i iiirris
5i ti! I 1
THOMAS C. BERRY'S HOUSE.
GEORGE H. BARNES' HOUSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 279
Nov. 9, 1830; she m., 2d, Luke Whitcomb of Bolton,
who occupied the homestead several years. Luke's
dau., Mary, m. John B. Gough.
Daniel Barnes, David', Fortunatus1, m. Betsey
Longley of Boylston June 13, 1821. He remained on
the homestead of his father. Had Mary Sophia, b.
June 12, 1822, m. Oliver Carter; Caroline E., b. Aug.
16, 1823, m. Levi L. Flagg of Boylston; Israel L.,
b. May 19, 1825; Angenette, b. Dec. 10, 1826, m.
Levi r3righam of Boylston; James W., b. July 1,
1830, d. Dec. 28, 1830; Rhoena, b. Oct. 21, 1828, m.
Charles Whitcomb of Bolton ; George Henry, b. Dec.
18, 1 831; Harriet J., b. Aug. 10, 1833, m. Samuel H.
Hastings, res., Worcester; James W., b. May 15,1835,
d. 1840; Asenath,b. July 25, 1839,111. John F. Bartlett,
res., Boylston; Martha, b. March 30, 1837; David, b.
Oct. 19, 1843, m. Miranda Parker, res., Shrewsbury;
child, Daniel Webster, b. June 6, 1841, d. May 21,
1848. He d. Nov. 6, 1854; wid. d. Sept. 13, 1881,
at 82 ; she left more than seventy descendants.
Israel L. Barnes', Daniel', David2, Fortunatus1, m.
Mrs. Maria Bates, wid. of Clarendon of Sutton ; res.
on the Ruggles place in the east part of Boylston.
Had Bessie M., b. March 9, 1870; Charles I., b. Nov.
23, 1 871; Daniel H., b. Feb. 22, 1875.
George H. Barnes', Daniel3, David2, Fortunatus1, b.
Sept. 19, 1832; m. Eliza Batcheller May 11, 1859,
dau. of Simeon of Upton. He continues on the
homestead of his father ; built the elegant new house
now on the premises. Had Mary Imogene, b. Oct.
26, i860, d. Dec. 10, 1874; John Henry, b. April 26,
280 HISTORY OF THE
1864; Lucy Sophia, b. Nov. 18, 1865 ; George Daniel,
b. Dec. 25, 1868.
Mellen Barnes, b. in Marlboro Oct., 1809; moved
here from Boylston Oct., 1888; m. Eliza R. McNeil.
Had Laura A., b. April 20, 1835 ; Ellen M., b. Aug.
14, 1839; Harriet A., b. Aug. 19, 1841; Eliza J., b.
May 28, 1843; Sarah A., b. March 3, 1849; Mary S.,
b. April 8, 1857, m. Elmer E. Allen. He d. July
26, 1892; wife d. Nov. 27, 1892.
Artemas Barnes, s. of William, m., April 15,
1822, Nancy Merriam of Leominster, Born:
Martha Washington, Jan. 29, 1823, m., May 6,
1858, George A. Chamberlain of Worcester; Wil-
liam Merriam, Jan. 3, 1825; Betsey Maria, Aug.
25, 1826, m., May, 1848, John C. Tabor of Mont-
pelier, Vt. ; she d. Jan. 1, 1883; Nancy Jane,
Feb. 14, 1828, m., May 5, 1850, William H. Brown
of Princeton; she d. May 26, 1854; Sarah Ellen,
April 15, 1832, m., Oct. 17, 1861, William H. Brown.
Wife, Nancy, d. July 16, 1832. He m., 2d, Alice
Stetson of Boston Sept. 3, 1835, she d. Nov. 16,
1849, in Princeton. He d. in Worcester Feb. 2,
l%77, aged 80. Mr. Barnes, though much away
from Berlin, was a most hearty townsman, earnest in
its religious, social and financial welfare. Personally
he was a devoted New Churchman. He gave the
land for the Town House. Erected, at generous ex-
pense, the beautiful monuments commemorative of
Rev. Dr. Puffer and of Lieut. Timothy Bailey.
"Barnes hall" is commemorative of his name and
generosity. His portrait adorns our Town hall.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 251
Capt. William M. Barnes, s. of Artemas, was a sea cap-
tain ; never resided here, but we counted him as of us.
His active life is indicated above. He was more
than thirty-five years on ocean voyages, and much
of the time in command. Sailed mostly from New
Bedford in the oil trade. He m. Emily F. Cummings
of Nashua and was there settled. They have Anna
F. Barnes. He d. in Nashua, N. H., March 8, 1887.
A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF CAPI'. WILLIAM M. BARNES
[Taken from a Nashua Paper.]
Capt. William M. Barnes, for eight years past a resident of
this city, died at home on Walnut street at four o'clock this
morning. The deceased was a man of so rare and deserving
qualities as to merit more than a passing notice. He was born
in Lancaster, Mass., on the third of January, 1825. His father
was an intelligent farmer of Puritan ancestry. Capt. Barnes in
early boyhood manifested the industrious and scholarly habits
which marked his maturer years, ranking at Leicester Academy
at the head of his class. The day he became of age he left
New Bedford and began a voyage of three years before the
mast on an Arctic whaleship. Gradually gaining the confidence
of his employers, he advanced step by step till he became com-
mander— a position he held for more than twenty-five years.
His voyages were uniformly successful, and his services were
always in demand. It is remarkable that during his long
experience as commander no one of his crew was lost by acci-
dent or disease. He was familiar with most of the islands of
the central and northern Pacific, had sailed through Behring
straits more than thirty times, and coasted along the Arctic
shore of Alaska beyond Point Barrows. By constant study on
shipboard, he had acquired an extensive and accurate knowl-
edge of history and of almost every department of science and
literature.
25 2 HISTORY OF THE
All who have ever known Capt. Barnes will bear witness to
the kindness of his heart and the generosity of his nature. It
is no exaggeration to say that no thoughtless act or word of
his ever caused a moment's pain to others. His courtesy and
sympathy were as spontaneous as the pulsations of his heart.
In April, 1875, he married Emily F., daughter of R.M.Cummings
of this city. More recently he had passed several years in this
city and at his summer home at Asquam lake. One year ago
he took command of a whaleship at San Francisco, and made
the customary voyage to the Arctic ocean. He returned to
this city on the 24th of last November. During this voyage
he suffered much from illness. On reaching home he failed
rapidly from a fatal disease of the heart. During the past few
weeks his sufferings were intense ; his mind was unclouded to
the last. His tender affection for his family — his wife and
only child, a daughter of ten years — was unbounded, and his
lingering thoughts were for their welfare. He passed quietly
away. Two sisters survive him : Mrs. Chamberlin of Worces-
ter, who was with him in his last hours, and Mrs. Brown of
Berlin, Mass.
BARNARD.
Robert Barnard of Andover bought in 1723, of
Jeremiah Barstow, son-in-law of Joseph Howe, 350
acres, including most of the present centre of Hud-
son, dwelling house, housings, corn mill, orcharding,
fencing, etc. The purchase was bounded on several
sides by "common land ;" the house was on the site
of Col. Wood's residence. Mrs. Ephraim Babcock
was of this Barnard family. Elizabeth Barnard, dau..
of Robert, m. Paul Brigham of Marlboro, and was
the mother of our Thomas Brigham, Sr. ; she m., 2d,.
Col. Silas Bailey; Robert m., 1729, Elizabeth Bailey,,
wid. of Benjamin, Sr.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 283.
John Barnard, probably a grandson of Robert, had
a s., John, b. 1760; this John, Jr., m. the wid. of
Lieut. Timothy Bailey, and had a dau., Sally, who
m. Timothy Jones. Another s. of this first named
John, named Josiah, was the father of Oliver and
Lewis H. His wife was Kate Wilder of Lancaster,
m. June 20, 1800. Had Oliver, b. July 3, 1805;
Lewis H., b. March 28, 18 17. He d. Dec. 23, 1831 ;
wid., Kate, d. Nov. 28, 1825. Josiah lived in the
Centre at the corner house of the Clinton road in
1808.
Oliver Barnard, s. of Josiah, m. Mary Ball. Had
Sarah H., b. July 5, 1830; Anna E., b. July 28, 1834 ;
Lewis G., b. Aug. 23, 1836; Charles F., b. Oct. 27,
1838; George H., b. Oct. 5, 1830, d. 1832; Mary J.,
b. Oct. 17, 1 83 1, d. July 2, 1842. He d. Oct. 22,
1840. The family moved to Westboro.
Lewis H. Barnard, bro. of Oliver, m. Hannah Carter,
dau. of Luther. He lived in the Fuller house ; also
Josiah Moore's, in Carterville. Had Henry H.
Lewis H. d. June 19, 185 1 ; wife d. May 16, 185 1.
Henry H. Barnard, s. of Lewis H., m. Lucy Hapgood,.
dau. of Oilman Hapgood of Hudson. Has been
largely engaged in the hotel business, was proprie-
tor of the Mansion House, Greenfield, also had
charge of the hotel at Lake Pleasant, Montague. Is
now in California.
Winsor Barnard, b. in Berlin Dec. 15, 1789, m.
Phebe Severy of Sutton. He settled in Boylston.
Had eleven children, four of whom are now residents
of this town : Benajah, Mrs. E. H. Lawrence, Mrs..
.284 HISTORY OF THE
vS. E. Andrews and Mrs. Annise Lee, wid. of Albeit,
and before wid. of George Tracy. He d. Oct. 29,
1 86 1.
Benajah Barnard, b. Nov. 15, 1817, s. of Winsor,
m. Eliza A. Pratt of Sterling June 23, 1846. Came
to Berlin 1891 ; lives in Carterville; was truckman in
Worcester. Had George W., b. Jan. 23, 1848, d.
March 20, 1848; Hattie E., b. May 10, 1856, d. June
.29, 1873.
BARTLETT.
All persons in this country named Bartlett are
without doubt of Norman ancestry. There is a
large estate at Stopham, Sussex, England, consisting
of about 8,000 acres, which has been in possession
of the Bartletts for hundreds of years. From junior
members of this family came the first settlers on
these American shores. The ancestral mansion was
built in 1 309, and is of stone. Near it stands the
old Norman Church built in the 13th century.
and on the stone floor along the aisles of the church
are marble slabs with inset figures of brass, showing
a regular succession of Bartletts. The first of the
family was Adam, an esquire and knight, and came
into England with William the Conqueror. Both
were granted lands. The origin of the name is un-
known ; being at such a remote period would seem to
prevent an intelligent supposition of its origin.
Jonathan Bartlett of Northboro, s. of Daniel and
grandson of Henry of Marlboro, was the ancestor of
the Bartletts of our town. He was b. Jan. 26, 1725.
His wife was Mary . They had, besides
TOWN OF BERLIN. 285
other children, Adam, b. July 27, 1754, who became
the head of the Berlin families and was a soldier in
the war of the Revolution.
Adam Bartlctt, s. of Jonathan of Northboro,
m., May 28, 1792, Persis, dau. of Jonas Babcock
of Northboro. He lived at first on the Joseph
Priest place in 1790. In 1804 he bought the
Judge Samuel Baker farm (the stone house), where
he lived the remainder of his life. Had Seraph, b.
Oct. 8, 1792, m. Rufus Sawyer; Harriet, b. Jan. 21,
1794, d., 1847, unm. ; John, b. March 4, 1796; Daniel,
b. Nov. 11, 1797; Levi, b. Aug. 1, 1799; Persis, b.
Aug., 1 80 1, m., Oct. 28, 1830, Parker Howe of Boyl-
ston; Miriam, b. Nov. 26, 1804, m., April 19, 1831,
Jotham Holt of Troy, N. H. ; Mary, b. Jan. 10, 1806,
m., April 15, 1834, Lewis H. Johnson; Jonathan, b.
Aug. 7, 1810, res., Charlestown ; William, b.
March 13, 1813, m., 1838, Hannah, dau. of Wil-
liam Ball of Bolton, res., West Troy, N. Y. ;
enlisted past age with his three sons in the
army. He d. on return after two years' service in
1864. Adam d. July 22, 1828. Persis, wid., d. June
1 3, 1 86 1, at 88. Persis Howe d. Oct. 18, 1880.
John Bartlctt, s. of Adam, m. Mary, dau. of Daniel
Carter, April 19, 182 1. He settled on the place now
owned by Mr. Carville ; later removed to Carterville
in the house lately of Albert Babcock ; was a stone
mason ; he was killed by being thrown from a wagon
while descending a hill west of George H. Barnes'
July 6, 1864. Mary, wid., d. Jan. 5, 1878. Had
Amory Adam, b. April 17, 1822; John F., b. April
18, 1830, m. Asenath, dau. of Daniel Barnes, res.,.
Boylston. He d. 1895.
.286 HISTORY OF THE
Daniel Bartlett, s. of Adam, m. Zilpah, dan. of
Sanderson Carter, Nov. 21, 18 19. He settled on the
place now owned by Silas Mills. Had Zilpah M., b.
, m. Hartwell Sawyer. Daniel, d. April 10,
1869. Zilpah, wid., d. July 11, 1882.
Levi Bartlett, s. of Adam, m., 1842, Betsey, wid. of
Peter Babcock, res., the stone house. Her children
by Peter were : Wheeler and Hephzibah. She d. Feb.
17, 1854; hed. Aug. 22, 1875. Hephzibah, m. Thayer
Hastings of Hudson, where they reside.
Jonathan Bartlett,'" Adam", Jonathan1 m. Mary E.
Seaward Apr. 24, 1834. Six children born, one now
living- — Susan E. of Charlestown. Held office in
Charlestown Artillery from 1844 to 185 1 inclusive,
last two years being captain. When about 16 years
of age, 1826, joined Bolton Rifles, doing military
duty till 185 1. Also was one of three men to fire
first salute from top of Bunker Hill monument, con-
cussion being so great as to deprive him of his
hearing, and from that time being quite deaf
through life. He d. Mar., 1890; wife d. July, 1887.
Amory Adam Bartlett, s. of John, m. Sarah Jane,
dau. of Ira Sawyer, res. in Berlin Centre, house west of
the Orthodox Church ; was a shoe manufacturer ; is
now largely engaged in care of the sick. Wife, Sarah
Jane, d. Oct. 6, 1887. Had Charles A., b. April 9, 1 846,
res., Detroit, Mich.; Lewis M., b. March 31, 1857, d.
July 11, 1859; Lester M., b. Aug. 4, i860, m., May
1, 1889, Nettie Louise, dau. of Langdon P. Spooner
■of Natick ; he is a musician; res., Boston.
John Francis Bartlett, s. of John, m. Asenath M.
Barnes, dau. of Daniel, Nov. 9, 1859; res., Boylston;
»foi^
A. A. BARTLETT.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 2S7
occupation, a farmer. Had Frank, b. Sept. 13, i860,
m. Bertha A. Burnham ; Julia A., b. July 18, 1865,
m. Charles E. Cutter; Solon, b. April 13, 1867,
graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute
1889, became a teacher at Lawranceville Academy,
N. J., d. there Feb. 25, 1891 ; John Forrest, b. Apr.
12, 1869, graduated at the aforenamed institute,
1892, now holds a position in the patent office at
Washington, D. C; Nancie B., b. Aug. 29, 1871,
is a trained nurse ; Welcome, b. Aug. 18, 1874, a
farmer ; Chester A., b. Sept 27, 1 880. Four children
d. in infancy. John Francis d. P>b., 1895.
William Bartlett, from Alstead, N. H., m. Betsey
Ball of Bolton ; he settled in the northwest part of
the town, near the Bolton station, the place lately
occupied by his son-in-law, Samuel J. Moore. Had
Elizabeth, m. S. J. Moore; Jonathan, m. Sarah
Bowers; William, b. 1820, d. unm., Oct. 9, 1850.
Wife, Betsey, d. He m., Aug. 9, 1828, Sally B.
Lyndes of Boston. Had by Sally, Henry W., b.
May 25, 1829; Salucia A., b. May 13, 1831, m. David
Florence; she d. June 2, 1857; George A., b. July 2,
1835, m. Mary Hoffman, m., 2d, Leora Parmenter;
Sarah M., b. March 17, 1839, m- George Seaver; he
d., she m., 2d, Oliver P. Wheeler; Joseph F., b. Oct.
8, 1842, a jeweler in Clinton, m. Julia Ladd; Ezra
K., b. July 30, 1845, was a soldier in the late war,
d. Oct. 10, 1864, at Indianapolis, Ind. ; Lewis W., b.
June 21, 185 1, m. Jenny Harris, and lives in Holden.
William Bartlett, d. Jan. 4, 1874, at 80; wife, Sarah,
d. Sept. 13, 1863; death of Betsey not on
record.
288 HISTORY OF THE
i
BARTER.
Rev. James IV. Barter, b. Aug. 30, 1858, from St.
George, Me., m. Carrie L. Gleason of Heath, Mass.,
Aug. 30, 1883 ; educated at Kemp's Hill Academy;
ordained minister in Methodist Church 1887; came
to town 1889. Had Maud A., b. Aug. 28, 1885;
Lila May, b. May 5, 1890, d. April 22, 1891 ; Clifford
H., b. Dec. 11, 1 89 1 ; Marion S., Sept. 12,1893.
BASSETT.
Daniel Basset 7, the father of the two families of the
name here, was a s. of William of Uxbridge and a
descendant of William Bassett, who settled in Lynn
about 1640. Daniel was b. in Uxbridge Dec. 19,
1784; removed with his father to Richmond, N. H.,
when he was nine years old : was a tanner and currier
and carried on that business about thirty years ; had
three sons who grew up and had families, viz.:
Elisha, b. March 11, 181 1; Ahaz, b. Oct. 26, 181 2;
William, b. Oct. 5, 18 19. He with his wife, Susanna,
came to Berlin in 1856 and lived with his s., Elisha;
he d. Sept. 18, 1 861, at 77 yrs. ; she d. Feb. 8, 1862,
aged 75 ; they were members of the Society of Friends.
Elisha Bassett, s. of Daniel, came from Richmond,
N. H., and settled on the Dea. Job Spofford farm May,
1856; m., 1st, Olive B. Stewart 1843, who d. March
18, 1845; m., 2d, Mrs. Maria L. Howland, dau. of
Job Whitcomb of Swanzey, N. H., Nov. 27, 1847;
she had by forrner husband, Ellen M. Howland, who
m. George E. Maynard. He had by Olive B. one
child, Olive S., b. March 7, 1845; by Maria L., had
Daniel H., b. July 9, 1849; Pliny E., b. May 29,
DANIEL H. BASSETT.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 289
1853, and Anna S., b. in Berlin June 28, 1856, m.
James D. Tyler.
William Basset t, s. of Daniel, m. Patience, dau. of
Moses Tyler of Richmond, N. H., Dec. 13, 1846;
carried on the tanning and currying business there
until 1852, when he removed to Worcester, where
he was engaged in trade until he removed to Berlin
in 1857; he bought the Col. Joseph Parks place and
lived there twenty-eight years ; removed to Carter-
ville in 1885 on the place where A. Barnard now
lives, and in 1891 took up his res. in the house built
by Rev. Henry Adams in the Centre. Wife,
Patience, d. June 13, 1880, aged 60 yrs. Had by
her, Mary A., b. July 21, 1848; Laura E., b. Sept. 1,
1850, d. Nov. 10, 1852; Julia Ida, b. Oct. 26, 1854,
m. Charles M. Sawyer; Florence M.,b. April 1, 1858 ;
Helen E., b. Feb. 17, i860, m. Edward F. Fletcher
of Worcester, d. Dec. 16, 1894.
Dan id H. B asset t, s. of Elisha, m. Susan E., dau.
of Winslow B. Morse, May 1, 1883 ; he remained on
the homestead with his father, but d. in early man-
hood Jan. 19, 1886. Had by Susan E., Eugenia L.,
b. Dec. 12, 1883; Fred Elisha, b. April 9, 1885.
Pliny E. Basselt, s. of Elisha, m. Helen Morse of
Framingham ; has been engaged in the shoe busi-
ness ; was clerk for Boyd & Corey a number of years,
and later manufactured shoes in Brockton, where he
now res. ; no children.
BENNETT.
John F. Bennett, b. May 7, 1829, s. of Simeon and
grandson of Asa Bennett of Boylston. Asa was a
large land owner at one time in the vicinity of Saw-
20
29O HISTORY OF THE
yer's mills ; Asa was of one branch of the Lancaster
Bennetts and a son of Josiah; John F. came here
in 1854, and has worked in various shoe shops; he
lives in a house in the Centre, fronting the Common,
opposite the Methodist Church ; m. Caroline L.
Lovell May 5, 1S58; she was b. June 14, 1835.
Had Alfaretta F., b. March 27, 1861 ; Carolyn L., b.
Oct. 6, 1867, m. David C. Hastings Nov. 19, 1890.
Wife, Caroline, d. Nov. 15, 1891.
BENWAY.
JohnBenway, a native of Canada, b. April 1, 1861,
lives in the east part at the Four Corners, near the
George Brigham place. Had George, Henry and
Mary, ages respectively 5, 3, 2.
BERRY.
Thomas C. Berry, b. 1835; came from Poland, Me.,
1852; m. Alvina S., dau. of William W. Wheeler,
May 16, i860, res. on Wheeler hill, in house built by
John Wheeler; is a shoemaker and farmer. Had L.
Ada., b. Jan. 16, 1861 ; Lulu Ann, twin sister, d. Jan.
17, 1861; Lester E., b. Jan. 15, 1863; Adelia L., b.
Dec. 1, 1870; Cora A., b. July 7, 1879.
BICKFORD.
John C. Bickford, s. of Richard of Alton, N. H., b.
Aug. 17, 1836, m. Sarah M., dau. of Adrian Hebard
of Sturbridge, Jan. 16, 1865 ; came to town in 1868;
belonged to the firm of Bickford, Klenart & Co. ; was
foreman with the Parkers till the shop was burned in
j 882 ; since has been in business in Worcester; res.,
JOHN C. BICKFORD.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
291
still here ; was representative to the General Court
in 1875. Had Ernest A., b. Nov. 23, 1872; m.
Alice B. Crossman June 5, 1895. Wife, Sarah M.,
d. Feb. 2, 1890.
Charles J. Bickford, bro. of the above, b. Nov. 24,
1838, m. Jennie Blake of Marlboro. Had Lillian F.,
b. Feb. 20, 1 87 1 ; Charles J., b. June 1, 1872; Harry
A., b. July 12, 1874; Herbert F., b. July 28, 1875.
He d. July, 1892 ; he was a soldier in the late war. of
Co. F, 7th N. H. ; was six months in Libby and
Andersonville prisons; went in with 114 men; came
out with fourteen. They were divorced ; he m.
again, and lived in Worcester at the time of his
death. She m., 2d, Abel Howe of Marlboro.
BIGELOW.
Most of the Bigelow name who have resided here
were descendants of John Bigelow, who settled in
Marlboro about 1695, whose wife was Jerusha Gar-
field of that town, m. June 12, 1696, and was grand-
son of the John Bigelow who settled in Watertown
about 1640. He was the John Bigelow who was
taken captive by the Indians at Lancaster, together
with Thomas and Elias Sawyer, and conveyed to
Canada in 1705. ,For particulars of this captivity
see Thomas Sawyer.)
Christopher Banister Bigelow*, Ivory', Gershom2,
John', of Marlboro, m. Rhoda, dau. of Joseph Gleason
of Marlboro. He settled on a farm in the east part
of Berlin, near the Moses Dudley place ; the build-
ings are now mostly gone. He d. April 7, 1830,
aged 65 ; she d. Aug. 7, 1850, aged 84. Had Betsev!
b. Jan. 21. 1786; Lucy, b. March 10, 1788, m. Luther
292 HISTORY OF THE
Carter; Sarah, b. Feb. 12, 1 791 , m. Thomas Sawyer;
Mary, b. July 26, 1794, m. Ephraim Goddard, d.
1 8 16; Aaron, b. April 29, 1796; Sophia, b. April 5,
1798, m. Ephraim Goddard; Francis, b. March 24,
1800; Persis, b. March 22, 1802, m. Ira Hapgood of
Marlboro; Joel, b. Feb. 26, 1804; Abram, b. June
8, 1806; Ira, b. May 22, 1808; Horace, b. Nov. 29,
1810.
Benjamin Bigcloiv, bro. of Christopher Banister,
lived on the Moses Dudley place; d. in 1829.
Abram Bigelow*, Christopher B4., Ivory3, Ger-
shonr, John1, m. Eliza, dan. of Jonas Sawyer, s. of
Silas, Jan. 24, 1830; he lived on Sawyer hill on the
place now owned and occupied by Jonas Sawyer
until about i860, when he removed to Northboro
with his s., Jonas S., with whom he and his wife
lived some years; they now res. with s., Franklin E.
Had Mary Eusebia, b. March 10, 1831, d. Mav 7,
1834; Jonas S., b. Dec. 26, 1833; Franklin E., b.
Feb. 29, 1836; Joseph Abraham, b. Nov. 13, 1838,
d. Aug. 13, 1863.
Jonas S. Bigclo%v\ Abram', Christopher B.,4 Ivory3,
Gershom2, John1, m. Cleora M., dau. of Joseph Flagg,
res. near Wood's factory in Northboro.
Franklin E. Bigelow*, Abram6, Christopher B4.,
Ivory3, Gershom2, John1, m. Lucilla A. Loomis Sept.
15, 1859, a sister to Mrs. Edward Flagg; removed to
Northboro, where he still res. Wife d. June 7,
1874, aged 32, and also child Nellie d. in 1870, six
mos. old.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 293
Horace Bigelow*, Christopher B4., Ivory3, Gershonr,
John1, m. Almina, dau. of Rufus Sawyer, Oct. 5,
1834; he lived near the Centre school-house on the
Boylston road ; was a cooper by trade. Had Lucinda,
b. Oct. 29, 1 84 1, m. Samuel Stratton of Grafton;
Edwin J., b. Dec. 8, 1844, was three years in the
army, was killed in front of Petersburg April 2, 1865 ;
Eleanor S., b. June 10, 1850, m. Nelson Brusoandhad
one child, Edwin Bigelow; Eleanor, d. Jan. 7, 1873.
Horace d. Nov. 30, 1888; Almina d. Apr. 25, 1890.
Elijah Bigelow, m. Sarah, dau. of Amory Carter,
and wid. of Jonas Hale ; he formerly lived on the
place now owned by Alonzo F. Green; was a shoe-
maker and farmer. She d. June 24, 1885.
Augustus Bigelow, with wife from Worcester, were
on the Sanderson Carter place in 1790- 1800; he was
s. of Judge Baker's 2d wife and of no known connec-
tion with the Marlboro Bigelows. Had Mary, Sally,
Augustus, Job and James ; no other record.
Augustus Bigelow, Jr., m. Hannah, dau. of Samuel
Spofford (s. of Job), March 1 , 1 798 ; she d. and he
m., 2d, Lydia Bride. Had by Hannah seven children.
What became of the family does not appear.
Levi Bigelow, Jr., Esq., s. of Levi- Bigelow, Esq., of
Marlboro, whose pedigree runs back through Ger-
shom, Ivory and Gershom, to John Bigelow of
Marlboro, of Indian captivity fame, m. Abigail,
dau. of Ephraim Hastings, Feb. 4, 1846; he bought
the Dea. Job Spofford farm, the place now owned by
Elisha Bassett; removed to Marlboro in 1856, and
there d. May 5, 1879, aged 58. Wife d. May 1,
294 HISTORY OF THE
1873. He was a surveyor and conveyancer, and did
much public and private business in both of the
towns in which he lived ; was buried in the South
cemetery in the lot with Capt. C. S. Hastings. Had
Martha A., b. Nov. 15, 1846, d. Jan. 6, 1871 ; Han-
nah E., b. Sept., 1848 ; Francis A., b. , 1850, d.
Sept. 25, 1869; Levi L., b. Dec. 4, 1852, d. in in-
fancy. The above-named Hannah E., the only sur-
viving member of the family, is a practicing physician
in Marlboro, whose medical education was completed
in foreign countries. She has verv o-enerouslv oqven
this town $500 in trust for the purpose of keeping
the South cemetery in order.
BLISS.
The father of the Blisses who have lived here was
Gideon Bliss, who m. Mary Woodworth of Wilbra-
ham in 1790. Had twelve children, viz.: Roswell,
b. March 15, 1791 ; Mary and Betsey (twins), Betsey m.
Levi Wheeler, Jr. ; Chloe ; Austin; Gideon; Sylvester;
Catherine, b. Feb. 12, 1802, m. Samuel M. Fuller,
then of Ludlow ; James ; Willard ; Lewis T. ; Henry
Harrison, b. Aug. 12, 181 3. Gideon, Sr., d. here
, aged Si yrs. ; Mary, wid., d. in 1856, aged
86 yrs.
Roswell Bliss, s; of Gideon, in., Oct. 27, 181 5,
Matilda, dau. of Israel Chase of Worcester, and sister
of Anthony Chase of Worcester, treasurer of Worces-
ter county for many years ; he lived in the north part
of the town on the place now owned by Francis
Dewey. Had Lyman C, b. July 5, 18 16, d. Oct. 14,
1873; Minerva F., b. Sept. 10, 18 18, m., Sept. 10,
1846, William Chadwick; he d. May 1, 1850; she d.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 295
vSept. 13, 1856; Edward F., b. July 4, 1821 ; Mary
W., b. July 3, 1823, m., April 19, 1846, Otis Kendall
of Framing-ham, d. March 20, 1857; Jesse E., b. Dec.
3, 1825; Matilda C, b. Nov. 22, 1827; Lydia E., b.
April 19, 1832, d. Feb. 21, 1857. He died April 30,
1869, aged 78 yrs. ; Matilda, wid., d. July 15, 1872,
aged 76 yrs.
Jesse E. Bliss", Roswell1, m. Lucinda M., dau. of
George Maynard, May 3, 1849, res- iri east Pai% near
Hudson.
Edward Bliss, s. of Austin and grands, of Gideon,
m. Zilpah H., dau. of Amory Sawyer; he lived on the
place now occupied by his wid. and son-in-law, Oliver
C. Rice. Had Marie A., b. June 18, 1846, d. Oct. 7,
1 851; Martha Augusta, b. Dec. 9, 1849, m. Oliver
C. Rice; Amory E., b. Nov. 12, 1855, d. March 2,
1867. Edward d. Jan. 7, 1871 ; wid. m. Nathan Rice.
Henry H. Bliss, s. of Gideon, m. Lucy M., dau. of
Amory Sawyer, Sept. 27, 1840; came to his present
place of res. in 1848, a place previously occupied by
Rev. David R. Lamson; occupation shoemaker and
farmer. Had Charles H., b. Aug. 16, 1841. Wife,
Lucy, d. June 19, 1885.
Charles H. Bliss, s. of Henry H., m., Sept. 28, i860,
Martha A., dau. of William Staples of Maine; he is
a shoemaker and lives on his father's place. Had
Lucy E., b. March 14, 1861, m. Frank E. Gammon,
res., Portland, Me.; Mary G., b. Jan. 4, 1863, m.
Arthur F. Sawyer of Bolton, res., Clinton; Maud E.,
b. April 2, 1 87 1, m. Frederick G. Bliss, res., Norwich,
Conn.; Helen A. and Helena A. (twins), b. July 19,
1875.
296 HISTORY OF THE
* BOYCE.
Jacob Boyce, s. of Silas of Richmond, N. H., b. June
27, 1807, m., April 9, 1829, Olive, dau. of Russell
Ballon; she d. Oct. 8, 1843; m., 2d, VilroyA., dau. of
Job Whitcomb of Swanzey, N. H., April 4, 1844; he
was engaged in farming and in the shook business
in Richmond until 1853, when he removed to Troy,
N. H. ; came to Berlin 1871 and settled in the south
part. Wife, Vilrov. d. Oct. 29, 1883; he d. Jan. 29,
1892. Had by Olive, Francis R., b. May 26, 1831,
res. in Keene, N. H., and is the father of Mrs. Arthur
Hastings. Had by ATilroy, Anna O., b. July 23,
1848; Charles E., b. June 22, 1852.
Charles E. Boyce, s. of Jacob, m., July 4, 1877,
Alfreda, dau. of Ahaz Bassett of Hudson, who is a
veterinary surgeon and brother to Elisha and Wil-
liam Bassett; he lives in the south part, where
Samuel Hastings formerly lived ; he is a dealer in
carriages, robes and harnesses.
BOWMAN.
Simeon Bowman, s. of James and Mary (Gashet)
Bowman of Westboro, b. March 3, 1772, m. Betsey
Bartlett, sister to Adam Bartlett, Aug. 21,1 797 ; he
was a blacksmith ; he bought of Cotton Newton the
blacksmith stand and house in 1798 on the place
now owned and occupied by Rufus R. Wheeler.
Had Holloway, b. May 30, 1799, d. young; Simeon,
b. March 18. 1801 ; Betsey, b. April 27, 1803, m.
Josiah Babcock; Jonathan, b. July 28, 1805, res.,
Bolton; Mary, b. 1807, m. Abel Farwell. Wife,
Betsey, d. June 4, 1822. Hem., 2d, Persis Gibson
WILLIAM BASSETT PLACE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 297
■of Hopkinton. Had Persis, b. 1825 ; Martha, b. 1827.
Wife, Persis, d. April 9, 1833. He m., 3d, Mrs.
Phebe Temple ; he d. Nov. 23, 1845.
Simeon Bowman, Jr., m. Hannah, b. Jan. 7, 1804,
dan. of Amherst Bailey, res., South Lancaster and
Clinton. He d. Aug., 1856; wife d. March 1, 1889,
at 85. Had Charles, the hardware dealer in Clinton.
BRUCE.
Daniel Bruce1 m. Bathsheba Bowker Dec. 1, 1732;
he was s. of Roger and grands, of John of Sudbury ;
he d. 1775. Had Ruth, b. May 22, 1733, m.
Gates ; his dau., Hannah, m. Solomon Jones, father
of Peltiah; Abraham, b. Dec. 23, 1735, was in the
expedition against Crown Point in 1755, and was
killed in the fall of Quebec in 1759 ; Lucy, b. Nov. 6,
1737, d. May 8, 1832, unm., at 95 yrs. ; Benjamin, b.
Dec. 24, 1739; John, b. May 9, 1744, our centena-
rian; Betty, b. Jan. 22, 1746, m. John Brown; Mary,
b. Aug. 9, 1748, m. Nathan Jones; Daniel, b. Sept.
21, 1752.
Benjamin Bruce*, Daniel1, m. Nancy, dau. of Alex-
ander McBride, otherwise Naomi or Agnes ; he was
a cooper ; was in the old French and Indian war in
1757 and was a minute man in 1775 and was at the
surrender of Burgoyne in 1777; he settled near his
father on the George Maynard place. Had Maryt b.
April 29, 1769, m. Jonathan Baker; Katy, b. March
6, 1 77 1 : Otis, b. April 17, 1773; Calvin, b. May 2,
1775; Anna, b. Sept. 6, 1777, d. unm.; William, b.
1780; Oliver, b. May 6, 1782; Franklin, b. June 21,
1784, res., Vermont; Amos, b. Oct. 16, 1786. Nancy,
298 HISTORY OF THE
his wid., was burned to death while alone on a Sun-
day, Nov., 1824.
Calvin Bruce2, Benjamin", Daniel1, m. Ruth Priest,
niece of Holman Priest, res., Berlin and Northboro.
Both d. here; he d. Nov. 30, 1857.
John Bruce1, Daniel1, m. Martha Moore Feb. 8,
1770; he settled on the place now owned by his
grandson, George H. Bruce; he was at the battle of
Lexington in 1775. Had Hugh, b. Aug. 5, 1770;
Dorcas, b. April 25, 1772, m. John Brewer Feb. 1,
1810, d. 1852; Nancy, b. June 30, 1774, d. ;
Asenath, b. April 16, 1776, m. Luther Priest; Anna,
b. Sept. 6, 1777; Eunice, b. 1779, m. Asa, s. of Wil-
liam Sawyer, June 19, 1800, res., Ohio; John, Jr., b.
May 15, 1 78 1 ; Nancy, b. 1783, m. Lawrence,
res., Vermont; Parnell, b. May 30, 1788, m. Josiah
Bennett; m., 2d, Solomon Greene; had Josiah, now
of Marlboro, by first husband; wSewell, b. July 15,
1790; Sylvanus, b. Dec. 15, 1792; Sophia, b. April
10, 1795, d. in 1884. He d. Feb. 13, 1843, at the age
of 99 yrs. 9 mos. 1 5 days ; was the oldest of any per-
son who has lived in town ; his death was caused by
a fall ; had prospects before of some years ; his wife d.
Oct. 27, 1835, at 85.
Daniel Br iter, Daniel1, m. Mary Bruce, dau. of Timo-
thv Bruce, Sr., res. in Berlin and Marlboro. This
Timothy's wife was Susanna Joslin; she d. in 1832
at 99 yrs., res., Marlboro. Had Abraham, b. ;
Lydia, b. , m., June 23, 18 16, Timothy Austin
of Marlboro, res., Vermont; Linda Mira, b. in 1798,
m. David Keyes; Lois, b. Oct. 30, 1802, m. Ziba
Keyes ; Sally, m. James Rich, Jr.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 299
Hugh Bruce*, John", Daniel,1 m. Sally, dau. of Jacob
Moore, May 25, 1796. He was onr marketman ;
lived on the Chandler Carter place, old house. Had
Chandler, b. Nov. 9, 1797 ; Roxana, b. Feb. 23, 1800,
d. Aug. 7, 1804; Louise, b. Jan. 12, 1802; Levi, b.
March 7, 1806, res., Clinton, unm. ; Ira, b. Jan. 23,
1808, d. Aug. 4, 1876, res., Neponset, was buried
here; Ezra T., b. Jan. iS, 181 1 ; Sarah Ann, b. Aug.
6, 181 3; John, b. Nov. 20, 18 16. Hugh d. in Boston
Sept. 14, 1 82 1 ; wife d. May 10, 1840.
John Bruce, J?-\, John2, Daniel1, m. Prudence Priest.
Had Eusebia, b. Dec. 29, 1 806, m. William Jones ;
Persis, b. Oct. 11, 1808, d. in 1872 ; Olive M., b. April
4, 1 8 10, m. William Farns worth ; Silas, b. Dec. 11,
181 1, d. in 1880; Ira, b. March 30, 18 14, m. ,
res., West Boylston ; Zilpah, b. March 11, 18 15, m.
Merrick Holt, m., 2d, Knowlton, m., 3d, White.
Sewell Bruce", John", Daniel1, m., Nov. 8, 18 12,
Eunice Bennett, b. March 30, 1786, dau. of Ephraim
and Priscilla Wellington. He d. Nov. 3, 1846; she
d. Feb. 11, 1873. Had Martha M., b. May 24, 1813,
m. Anthony S. Starkey, d. July 7, 1850; Roxana, b.
Dec. 9, 181 5, m. Ebenezer S. Sawtell; Joanna, b. Dec.
11, 18 1 8, m. William H. Horton ; Lorenzo, b. June
5, 1820; Horatio, b. June 23, 1822, res., Hudson;
Simeon, b. Feb. 6, 1824, res., Worcester; Philo, b.
May 1, 1826; Phidelia, b. Sept. 21, 1830, d. in 1832.
Svlvanus Bruce" , John2, Daniel1, m. Hannah Read,
b. in Providence, R. I., 1798; he was a cooper and
farmer and retained the homestead ; built the house
now standing thereon. Had Christiania R., b. Feb.
23, 1824, m. Samuel Mason of Boston; Lyman, b.
.300 HISTORY OF THE
June 31, 1826, d. Aug. 7, 1843; Hannah, b. Nov. 19,
1827, d. March 23, 1834; Leverett W., b. May 11,
1830, d. April 1, 1834; Lewis B., b. May 1, 1833, d.
July 5, 1853; Leverett W., b. April 21, 1835, d. May
9, 1886; Willard G., b. Oct. 19, 1839; George H., b.
Aug. 7, 1837. Sylvanus d. July 30, 1879, at 86 ;
wife, Hannah, d. May 22, 1880, at 82.
Lorenzo Bruce", SewelF, John", Daniel', m. Mary,
dau. of Silas Coolidge, April 19, 1841 ; m., 2d, Nov.
24, 1870, Mary Adeline, wid. of Moses A. Coolidge
and dau. of Manasseh Ball ; he lives in West Berlin
on the Daniel Carter place. Had by first wife, John
L., b. May 23, 1843; Charles A., b. in 1847, d. in
1849; Mary R., b. Dec. 9, 1845, m. Charles Carr Nov.
13, 1880.
Philo Bruce\ SewelF, John'2, Daniel', m. vSarah A.
Muzzey of Needham Sept., 1846; shed. Ma}- 1, 1861.
He m., 2d, Lavina S., dau. of Ariel K. Fletcher,
Dec. 21, 1862. He lives in the west part on the
Ephraim Howe, Jr., place. Had, by Sarah, Edgar
O.. b. May 21, 1847, d. Aug. 3, 185 1 ; Frances Eldora,
b. July 31, 1849, d. July 26, 185 1; George L., b.
Jan. 17, 185 1, res., California; Edgar M., b. Oct. 30,
1853, res., Leominster; Anna C, b. Sept. 27, 1855,
m. Fred F. Boyden of Leominster; Clarence ()., b.
July 19, 1857, res., Nashua, N. H.; W. Oscar, b. Jan.
27, i860, d. Sept. 24, same year. Had by Lavina,
ArolineE.,b. Sept. 12, 1863, m. Joseph H. Walker;
Viola, b. May 3, 1865, m. Frank Powers of Leomin-
ster; Eunice, b. July 10, 1869, m. Oliver D. Derby
Nov. 29, 1 891; Estella E., b. Dec. 20, 1871 ; Fred-
erick H., b. Nov. 2, 1877.
GEORGE H. BRUCE'S HOUSE.
SAMUEL WHEELER'S HOUSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
Leverett W. Bruce*, Sylvanus3, John2, Daniel1, m.
— of Vienna, Me., Jan. 12, 1874; she d. in New
York city; he m., 2d, Emma ; was a
shoe manufacturer, res., Rochester, N. Y. Had
Abbie Mollie, b. Jan. 19, 1876; Pearl, b. Feb. 21,
1 88 1 ; Percy L., b. Jan. 31, 1883. Leverett d. in
Sharpsville, Pa., May 9, 1886.
Willard G. Bruce*, Sylvanus3, John2, Daniel1, m.
Airs. Rachel (Holder) Fry, dau. of Joseph Holder,
Sept. 23, 1867, res. on Sawyer hill, the place settled
by Dea. Josiah Sawyer.
George H. Bruce*, Sylvanus3, John2, Daniel1, m.
Augusta Goddard, dau. of Ephraim, Oct. 4, 1862; he
retains the old Bruce homestead of his grandfather.
Had Lelia G., b. Sept. 2, 1864, m. I. Porter Morse
Oct. 14, 1890; Harry M., b. July 9, 1881, d. July 9,
1 88 1. Wife, Augusta, d. Feb. 20, 1885.
John L. Bruce, s. of Lorenzo, m. Mary Ann, dau. of
Isaac S. vStone. He lived some years in West Berlin
on the Hartwell place; is now an officer in the Re-
formatory prison at Concord; was a soldier in the
late war ; by trade, a shoemaker.
Timothy Bruce, from another branch of the Bruce
family, m. in 1762 Susannah Joslin, who d. in 1832,
aged 99 years ; ,he lived on the left of the Marlboro
road, below Ira Brown's. Had Benjamin, Timothy,
and Sally, who m. Fortunatus Howe.
Timothy Bruce, Jr., m. Matilda Wheeler April 9,
1 78 1. Had Abel, Timothy, Samuel, Eliza, Susan,
Nancy, Carrie, Sophia, Achsah, Rebecca, who m.
Luther Pollard in 1806.
302 HISTORY OF THE
BRIDE OR MACBRIDE.
Alexander Mae Bride was the ancestor of the Bride
family of this town. The Mac was dropped by some of
his descendants as superfluous, and most of the family
have retained only Bride. He came from Ireland in the
early part of last century. His wife's name was Mary.
He settled on the farm recently owned by Florence
McCarty and now owned by Arthur L. Brewer ;
he built the lower part of the house now standing
therein 1748. The original house stood northeast
of the present. They came to Charlestown first and
afterwards removed here. He d. Sept., 1779; no
record of his wife's death. He was a stone mason or
chimney builder. They were original members of
the Berlin church. Had John, b. 1727; Thomas, b.
1739; Thomas, b. 1741; James, b. ; Agnes,
b. 1744, took the name of Nancy, m. Benjamin
Bruce. The Lancaster records give the names of
Alexander and Mary, both d. young.
Thomas Bride", Alexander1, m. Sarah Snow April 19,
1769. He settled first east of Josiah Sawyer's on
the Fosgate land ; later on the present L. W. Brewer
place ; he was a soldier in the old French and Indian
war; was in the expedition against Fort William
Henry in 1757, and again, in 1759, he was at the
fall of Quebec, and during the early part of the
Revolutionary war when the army was near Boston,
he went weekly to Boston with supplies for the Berlin
soldiers. Our non-combatant Quakers were generous
in furnishing "aid and comfort." He d. about 1793.
Had William, b. 1769, m. Susan Bailey, settled in
New York; Prudence, b. 1771, m. in 1791 Rufus
TOWN OF BERLIN.
3°3
Whitcomb of Bolton; Gardner, b. 1775, m. in 1796
Abigail, dau. of John Hastings of Bolton; John,
bap. here in 1787, m. and settled on the present
place of Truman P. Felton, but moved to New York ;
Ruth, bap. in 1790, m. Luther Moore of Bolton;
another dau. m. Farmer, record incomplete.
James Bride*, Alexander1, m. Lydia, dau. of Josiah
Wilson, Dec. 8, 1763. Hence our names of Wilson
and Josiah Wilson Bride. He lived awhile adjoin-
ing Joel Fosgate's, between Gates' pond and our
Hudson road ; he retained the homestead of his father ;
he was with his brother Thomas in the expedition
against Fort William Henry in 1757. He d. 1806.
Had Josiah, b. Sept. 19, 1764; Catherine, b. Feb. 15,
1766, m. Stephen Phelps of Marlboro; Achsah, b.
Nov. 26, 1767, m. Henry Temple of Northboro; Abi-
gail, b. March 31, 1769, m. Stanton Carter, Jr., res.,
Maine; Asa, b. Feb. 8, 1771; Hannah, b. Nov. 25,
1772, m. Henry Brigham of Northboro; Amos, d.
young; Lydia, b. Sept. 22, 1776.
Josiah Bride* , James'2, Alexander1, m. Lydia, dau. of
Noah Howe of Marlboro July 22, 1788; m., 2d,
Susan Eager of Northboro in 183 1. Had Wilson,
b. 1791 ; Calvin, b. 1792; Lydia, b. Nov. 5, 1798, d.
Nov. 3, 1857, m. Augustus Bigelow; Amos, b. Oct.
31, 1800; James, b. 1797, d. 1823; Josiah, b. 1802;
Lucinda, b. July 13, 1808, d. Aug. 6, 1872, m. Curtis
Rice of Northboro. Wilson Bride, s. of Josiah, d. in
Dec, 1863; he removed from town when vouno-
was. m. twice, returned and d. here.
Asa Bridc\ James2, Alexander1, m. Lucy Brown
June 6, 1803. He remained on the old homestead.
304 HISTORY OF THE
He d. Oct. 21, 1809; she d. in 1842. Had Lucy, b.
1804, d. Nov. 3, 1872, unm. ; Asa, b. 1805; Caty,
b. 1806, d. May 12, 1890, unm.
Asa Bride", Asa", James2, Alexander1, occupied the
old Bride homestead, together with his two sisters,
Lticy and Caty, all unm. He was a thrifty farmer,
a man of good judgment, and dealt considerably in
cattle, of which he was a good judge. Had no open
road to town until 1853. After the Hoosac tunnel
was opened, he took a ride on the cars through that
great bore, which was the first by rail he had ever
taken. He d. Aug. 2^, 1872, at 67.
Caty Bride, sister of Asa4, after the death of her
brother and sister in 1872, sold the old farm and
bought the place in Carterville now owned by Rufus
R. Wheeler. She built a barn on the same; not
liking the location she sold and bought the Rev.
Henry Adams place, now occupied by William Bas-
sett in the Centre. By her will she left $2,000 to the
town in trust, the income of which to be expended
for the benefit of poor, deserving women of Berlin
(not paupers), for which gracious gift her memory is
held in kindly regard and esteem by all.
Calvin Bride*, Josiah3, James2, Alexander1, m.
Eager. Lived in Northboro; had no children.
Amos Bride4, Josiah', James2, Alexander1, m. Abi-
gail Smith of Peru and sister to Oliver Smith. He
d. Nov. 13, 1882; she d. April 24, 1864. Had David
M.,b. Jan. 6, 1839; Lydia, b. May 15, 1 84 i,m. William
L. Ward Feb. 19, 1861 ; Lucinda A., b. June 9, 1843,
m. Chaplin , m. 2d, Isaac Ryan, d. Nov. 21,
JOSIAH BRIDE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 305
1893; Josiah Wilson, b. Nov. 29, 1845; William
Amos, b. Sept. 8, 1856, d. Aug. 25, 1857.
Josiah Bride*, Josiah3, James2, Alexander', m. Betsey
(Fosgate) Spofford, wid. He was the founder of the
Berlin Academy, which nourished here under his
supervision from 1833 to 1853. He first began with
a few scholars in the old Town House, but soon
removed to a building built by the Orthodox for a
church, the building next west of A. A. Bartlett's.
He had a large boarding-house, the same afterwards
used for a hotel and was burned a few years ago ; now
the site of the Unitarian parsonage. Mr. Bride was
a self-educated man, "never enjoying the advantages
of high school or academy." He was good in scholar-
ship, and excelled in communicating. He d. Oct. 8,
1886; his wife, Betsey, d. Dec. 22, 1877, aged 88 yrs.
Had Ann Eliza, b. 1826, d. April 11, 1834; Lydia
Jane, b. , m. William A. Wilde April 15,
1852, a book merchant of Boston; they had one son.
David J. M. Bride*, Amos4, Josiah", James2, Alex-
ander1, m. Caroline F. Hale Sept. 27, 1862; he lives
on the Thomas Hale place. Had Lizzie Gertrude,
b. April 25, 1866.
Josiah Wilson Bride'% Amos4, Josiah3, James2, Alex-
ander1, m. Esther Jane, dau. of Josiah Wilson of
Ashburnham, Feb. 26, 1866; present res., Concord,
N. H. He bears the military honor of major.
Obadiah Bride", John2, Alexander1, m. Amity
Aldrich 1 791 . Had Benjamin, Eliza, Phebe, Sarah,
John, Lucy; dau. Eliza, in 1827, in taking her
books from the school-house in the east district
by the window, was caught by the falling sash and
306 HISTORY OF THE
there died. Obadiah lived on the William Fry
place in 1828 ; built the house.
Charles B. Bancroft and wife were residents here,
1885-88; owned the Carvelle place. Was seriously
injured while at work building the new road south
of the Central railroad. He removed to Newton,
from whence he came.
BRIGHAM.
Thomas and Samuel Brigham were the first of the
name on Berlin records. Joel, who lived here awhile,
was not immediately connected with these; he resided
mostly on Ball hill. Another, not within our borders,
but near our line in Boylston, mingling with Berlin
families, was Dr. Samuel Brigham, who m. a sister
of Dr. Stephen Ball, with whom he studied medicine,
and would have had eminence but for an injury
which disabled him. He graduated at Harvard
College in 1799; joined Washington at Cambridge
in 1777, and was at the execution of "Major Andre.
One, John Brigham, was here in 1784; he appears
in Northboro also and was authorized by the town
"to cul out" seven men with him at two shillings
per day to go out towards Cold Harbor "to cil rattle-
snakes." The Thomas and Samuel above-named
were descendants of Thomas Brigham, b. in England
in 1603; came over in 1635. His wife was Mercy
Hurd; they settled in Marlboro, from whom the
numerous families of Brighams hereabouts have
descended. The lineage runs from this first Thomas
through Thomas2, Nathan3, Thomas' and Paul5, the
father of the two brothers who settled here. Be-
TOWN OF BERLIN.
3°7
sides those above-named, David and Willard Brigham
from Marlboro lived a short time here ; Willard was
on the Moses Dudley place about 1800. He had
seven children, one of whom was the Rev. Levi
Brigham, who m. Mary, dau. of Dea. Dexter Fay, and
the Rev. Willard, who was settled in Ashfield.
Thomas Brigham, s. of Paul of Marlboro, m. Azubah
Babcock May 6, 1795; he settled on the Barnabas
Bailey farm, recently owned by Winslow B. Morse.
Had Paul, b. April 12, 1796; Thomas, Jr., b. Oct.
l7, l797', Sibyl, b. May 10, 1799, d. unm. July 4,
1879; Elizabeth, b. May 14, 1805, m. John F. New-
ton, d. in Northboro, had no children ; Azubah, b.
Oct. 4, 1809, d. March 1, 1835, after a long and pain-
ful sickness. He d. March 9, 1821, at 55; wife d.
Oct. 11, 1847, at 83.
Capt. Paul Brigham, s. of Thomas of Berlin, m.
Harriet (Brigham) Phelps of Marlboro, mother of
Mrs. L. L. Carter. They had no children ; he con-
tinued on the old homestead. He d. June 24, 1869,
at 73; she d. Jan. 11, 1892, at 90 yrs. 10 mos. 10
days.
Thomas Brigham, Jr., m. Anna Carter, dau of Daniel,
March 28, 1822; he lived on the farm now owned
by Lewis L. Carter and built the brick house now on
the place. Had Ann Eliza, b. Sept. 12, 1824, m.
Samuel I. Rice of Northboro. He d. in Northboro
June 19, 1855; wid. d. in Berlin Sept. 11, 1876.
Samuel Brigham, s. of Paul of Marlboro, m. Asenath,
dau. of Barnabas Bailey, May 17, 1787; he settled
near his brother, Thomas, on a part of his father-in-
law's place, now owned by William Crosby; by
308 HISTORY OF THE
trade he was a weaver; invented a new shuttle.
Had Betsey, b. Nov. 5, 1787, d. unm. 1841 ; Sera-
phina, b. June 5, 1789, m. Josiah Crosby; Barnabas,
b. March 13, 1 791 , d. Sept., 1855, m. Persis Maynard,
res., Marlboro; Sophia, b. Aug-. 25, 1796, d. 1824,
unm.; Eli, b. Aug. 7, 1799, m. Lucy Crosby, res.,
Pittsburg, N. H. He d. 1832.
Dr. Daniel Brigham of Marlboro, a descendant of
the first Thomas, but of another branch of the Brig-
ham family, m. Anna Monroe; his father, Jonas, lived
on the State Reform School premises; Dr. Daniel
settled in Northboro, and lastly in Berlin in 1800,
res., on the Crosby place. Had Persis Baker, b.
April 26, 1784, d. 1808 ;. Barnabas, b. April 14, 1786,
m. Mary Fife of Bolton and settled in Marlboro;
Daniel, b. Jan. 27, 1788, d. in Northboro; Anna, b.
Aug. 8, 1790, m. Prentice Keyes of NorthDoro; Lois,
b. April 19, 1783, m. Theophilus Nourse of Berlin;
Abraham, b. March 25, 1792, m. Mindwell Brigham
of Northboro. The family removed to Marlboro in
1826. Dr. Brigham d. in 1837 at 77 vrs- > ne was a
soldier of the Revolution.
Willard Brigham, s. of Caleb of Marlboro, m. Betsey,
dau. of Oliver Russell; he d. Aug. 28, 1835 ; he was
probably the first settler on the Moses Dudley place ;
he rem. to Marlboro. Had seven children ; the third
was Levi, b. Oct. 14, 1806, graduate of Williams
College; was a clergyman at Saugus, and m. Mary,
dau. of Dexter Fay.
Joel Brigham, from Ball hill, Northboro, lived in
Carterville about 1857; was the father of Ira and
Abraham ; returned to Northboro.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
309
Ira Brigkam*, Joel1, m. Betsey, dau. of Luther
Carter ; lived at various places ; d. in Northboro.
Francis E. Brigham, b. in Marlboro July 22, 1861,
m. Eva M. Whitney of Ludlow, Vt. ; lives on the
George H. Maynard place. Had Persis E., b. April
11, 1885 ; Alice R., b. Jan. 2, 1887 I Mabel F., b. July
4, 1888; Cora M., b. April 29, 1890.
Abraham Brigham1, Joel1, m. Hannah Stone of
Westboro; came to Berlin in 1852; manufactured
shoes in Carterville with Joseph H. Stone, firm of
Brigham & Stone. Had George, b. Sept. 8, 1841, d.
Jan. 26, 1856, death caused by fright; Marion S., b.
Nov. 25, 1843, m. Charles B. Rathburn July 1, i860;
Anna Louisa, b. March 22, 1845, m. Benjamin F.
Seymour April 18, 1861, res., Ohio; Henrietta D., b.
June 7, 1848, m., June 1, 1868, Edward S. Bryant.
Abraham d. in Chicago Nov. 22, 1857; wid. d. in
Berlin Dec. 26, 1857, age 35.
BREWER.
James Brewer, from Sudbury, m. Deborah, dau. of
Jacob Moore, about 1780; he lived east of the road
just beyond the Capt. Samuel Spofford place; house
spot now visible ; he moved from there in the winter
on a hand-sled ; had a young child which they stowed
among the pots and kettles to move ; they went on
rackets across lots to East woods in Boylston, where
they lived the rest of their lives and died there. Had
James, bap. here 1780; John, b. 1782, d. young;
John, b. 1783, m. Dorcas, dau. of John Bruce; Mary,
b. 1785 ; Thomas, b. 1788 ; Abijah, b. 1792, d. unm.,
was famous as a blaster of rocks; Charity, b. 1793,
310 HISTORY OF THE
m., 1816, Nathan Ball, 2d, of Ball hill ; Mary, b. 1794;
Cyrus, 1 797 ; Eber, b. , m. Lucy Fay, dau. of
Dea. Dexter, and settled in Northboro.
Leonard W. Brewer, s. of Leonard Brewer of Boyl-
ston and grands, of John, who was b. in this town
in 1783, and who m. Dorcas Bruce, m. Harriet J.
Walker Oct. 2, 1866, dau. of Matthias Walker of
Northboro; he came to this town in 1866, bought
the Eli Sawyer place, where he now resides ; has
since bought the Asa Bride farm. Had Nellie
W., b. Aug. 23, 1868, m. George E. Keizer;
Mabel H., b. Dec. 18, 1869, m. Alfred E. Hap-
good of Hudson; Arthur L., b. Dec. 4, 1871 ; Frank
W., b. June 21, 1876; Alfred D., b. Sept. 6, 1878;
Ruth E., b. June 15, 1883.
Arthur L. Brewer, s. of Leonard W., m. Cora E.
Wheeler, dau. of Samuel, Dec. 4, 1891. Had Leon
A., b. June 23, 1893; they live on the Asa Bride
place.
BROOKS.
Jonas Brooks from Concord in 1745 settled in the
north part, west of the Daniel Wheeler farm, still
known as the Brooks place; rem. from town in 1774;
buildings gone long ago.
BROWN.
Henry Brown, b. in wStow April 13, 1780, m., 1805,
Abigail Mossman, dau. of Ezra of Sudbury; he lived
in the east part on a place before owned by Daniel
Bruce and the Bakers, Benjamin and Stephen. Had
Lucinda, b. Dec. 11, 1805, m. George Maynard ;
TOWN OF BERLIN. 3 I I
Louisa, b. 1807, d. young; Henry B., b. April 12,
181 2, d. young; Ira H. M., b. Aug. 24, 18 15. He d.
Oct. 29, 1848, at 68; wid. d. Oct. 19, 1861, at 73.
Ira H. M. Brown*, Henry1, m. Amelia Houghton
of Stow March 21, 1841 ; lived on the homestead of
his father. Had Caroline L., b. Feb. 18, 1844, m.
George W. Jones; Henry E., b. Nov. 21, 1846; Frank
E., b. May 6, 1848, res., Hudson, m. Nellie Hardy
Nov. 20, 1870; Walter E., b. July 29, 1849. He d.
April 27, 1880, at 64.
Henry E. Brown3, Ira H. M.2, Henry1, m. Nellie F.
Nourse Oct. 28, 1870; lives in new house by the
corner. Had Charles, b. Feb. 22, 1873.
Walter E. Brown3, Ira H. M.2, Henry1, m. Clara
Jane Robinson May 28, 1874; he retains the home-
stead. Had Clara, b. July 3, 1875, d. Dec. 30, 1875,
6 mos. old; Lena A., b. Feb. 1, 1884.
William H. Brown, s. of James, m. Nancy J., b.
Feb. 14, 1828, dau. of Artemas Barnes, June 5, 1850.
Had Walter A., b. April 27, 185 1; Arthur H., b.
June 19, 1853. She d. May 26, 1854; m., 2d, Sarah
E., dau. of Artemas Barnes, Oct. 17, 1861; she was
b. April 15, 1832. They moved here from Princeton
Feb. 1, 1883, and occupy the Capt. William Barnes
place.
BRUCE.
The name is Scotch, and historic for patriotism.
They appear in Marlboro about 1 700. John of Sud-
bury was b. probably about 1650. His son, Roger,
and wife, Elizabeth, had ten children. Of sons,
Abijah and Thomas had no family record, Elisha
312 HISTORY OF THE
settled in Worcester, David in Southboro, and Daniel,
our ancestor, in Berlin. In 1731 Daniel bought of
Jonathan Wheeler 1 16 acres, "all in one lot," bounded
west by the Gates farm. Roger settled first in
Southboro, but afterwards moved to the west of the
Assabet, together with his two sons, Benjamin and
John, where they settled. Son, Daniel, settled on
the farm known as the Ira Brown place. No family
has a nobler record for patriotism than the Bruces,
as appears from the services of members of the
family in the old French and Indian war, the war of
the Revolution and the war of the Rebellion. Tradi-
tion has it they are a branch of the celebrated Bruces
of Scotland, of which Robert was king in 1305, but
no records have been found making the connection.
BRYANT.
EdwardS. Bryant 'from Hyde Park, Vt., m. Henrietta
D., dau. of Abraham Brigham, May 28, 1867; lived
awhile on the Merrick Felton place ; rem. to Sullivan,
N. H., 1885; he d. there Aug. 23, 1889; was a soldier
in the late war. Had Edith L. and Eva E., twins,
b. May 19, 1869; Eva E., m. Lester, s. of Rufus
R.Wheeler; George E., b. March 15, 1873; Lil-
lian E., b. Aug. 26, 1877; Carroll W., b. May 28,
1884. The wid. returned here, where she now lives.
BURKE.
Michael Burke, b. in county of Mayo, Ireland, 1835,
m. Catherine Gill Nov. 23, 1855; came to town in
1853 ; he lives on the Clinton road; owns part of the
Jonathan D. Merriam farm ; is a shoemaker and
TOWN OF BERLIN. 313
farmer. Had John T., b. Jan. 20, 1856, res., Marl-
boro; Mary A., b. Dec. 23, 1858, d. 1864; William
M., b. Nov. 4, i860; Austin E., b. Oct. 15, 1862;
Walter M., b. Oct. 15, 1864, res., Haverhill; Agnes
E., b. Sept. 4, 1866; Caty M A., b. June 15, 1869, d.
1872; Rosetta, b. March 15, 1873; Charles H., b.
June 15, 1874.
BUTLER.
James Butler, 3d, s. of James, Jr., of Bolton, and a
■descendant of the Butlers of Woburn, settled on the
Joel Proctor place, now owned by John Collins ; he
bought the noted "cranberry meadow where the
beavers had made a dam," the meadow west of the
road traversed by the Old Colony railroad ; the dam
is now spoiled. He m. Hannah, a dau. of James Wil-
son; had a numerous family and d. 1734. His
successor on the place was his son, Isaac. Simon,
another son, settled west of Clamshell pond. A
number of the Butler family settled in Troy and
Marlboro, N. H. Joseph Butler, the miller for
James Pitts of Clinton, where the Lancaster mills
now stand, was grands, of Isaac and s. of Joseph and
Parna Temple, b. 1794. His house, built in 1820,
still stands southwest of the bridge. John, a s. of
James Butler, sold in 1756 108 acres on the south-
west side of Third Division hill, including the "mill
place" and saw-mill, to John Pollard (record incom-
plete).
Granville Butler, b. March 19, 1824, s. of Joseph of
Bolton, m., May 26, 1845, Julia Barnard, b. Dec. 6,
1826, dau. of Winsor of Boylston; he was overseer
314 HISTORY OF THE
in a factory at West Boylston for a number of years ;
came to Berlin in 1885, and settled on the place
formerly owned by Ansel L. Snow. He d. May 14,
1895, aged 71. Had Charles E., b. April 1, 1849;
Ella E., b. Dec. 15, 1852, d. Dec. 27, 1858; Willie A.,
b. Sept. 22, 1855, d. Jan. 8, 1859; Herbert G., b.
March 4, i860; Wilbur A., b. Dec. 19, 1862; Ernest
L., b. April 7, 1866.
BULLARD.
Joel Bullard, s. of Nathan of Medway, b.
June, 1799, m. Judith, dan. of Ithamer Brig-
ham of Marlboro, b. Oct., 1799; he lived where
his dau., Martha S., now resides, a place of great
antiquity, which had been successively occupied
by John Pollard, Samuel Jones, John Dexter
and Solomon Howe ; he was a blacksmith ; had a
shop where A. A. Bartlett's house now stands. Had
Henry M., b. Aug. 22, 1826, d. May 9, i860;
Jane M. and James M., twins, b. Aug. 23, 1836;
James M. m. Arvilla Hadley, res., Worcester; Mary
C. J., b. July 8, 1834, m. William R. Patch March 5,
1854, res., Fitchburg, d. 1882; Martha S., b. Aug.
15, 1825; Harriet H., b. Sept. 26, 1831, d. Nov. 21,
1875. He d. Nov. 8, 1850, at 56; wid. d. Oct.
21,1 864, at 64 yrs. Nathan Bullard, father to Joel,
d. here May 21, 1846, at 84 yrs. 6 mos.
CALDWELL.
William Caldwell, m. Ada M., dau. of Ariel K.
Fletcher, 1872; was a shoemaker; d. of hydrophobia
from the bite of a mad dog Oct. 9, 1877.
THE BULLARD HOUSE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 315
CANOUSE.
John Canouse lived south of the Bolton station ; was
thrown from his horse and killed at his home ; he was
a deserter from Burgoyne's army ; a native of Ger-
many. He m. Phebe Butler of Bolton in 1780, and
was probably at one time one of the Six Nations
district.
CARTER.
Rev. Thomas Carter, the first of the name in New
England, and claimed to be the progenitor of all here
who bear it, was b. in England in 1610; graduated
at Cambridge College, Eng., about 1635 ; was known
here first as an elder in the church at Dedham, then
in Watertown; he became pastor in Woburn in
1642; his salary was eighty pounds, one-fourth in
silver, the remainder in necessaries of family use;
later twenty cords of wood were added. His wife's
name was Mary Dalton. He d. in office in 1684;
one item of funeral expenses was fourteen gallons of
wine. Had eight children, who scattered widely.
His dau., Mary, m. into the heroic and patriotic
Wyman family of Woburn, represented in Shrews-
bury by the Revolutionary patriot, Ross Wyman.
The first s. was Samuel, b. in Woburn in 1640;
graduated at Harvard College in 1660; he exercised
his gifts in the ministry, but was not designated by
the term " Rev.," because not in the pastorate ; now
all our theologues are recognized as "Rev." A
library valued at fifteen pounds in those times indi-
cates that perhaps he was more given to literature
than to preaching. His father bought him a home
3 l6 HISTORY OF THE
on George hill in Lancaster in 1668. He was "an
•occasional supply" in Lancaster and also in Groton,
where he was called in 1692. He d. in 1693.
Rev, Samuel Cartcr\ s. of Rev. Thomas of Woburn,
m. Eunice Brooks in Woburn; rem. to Lancaster;
had nine children ; one of these, Samuel'2, b. in Lan-
caster Jan. 7, 1678, m. in 1701, Dorothy Wilder;
her mother was Mary Savage, dau. of Thomas, Jr.,
another leading force in the blood of young Lancaster,
and Savage's mother was dau. of John Prescott, — so
we have a quadruple alliance of energy in our Carter
stock. No wonder there was not a bald head in the
late Woburn convention of Carters. Had by wife,
Dorothy, twelve children; one of these, Samuel", b.
1703, m. in 1725 Jemima Houghton, and they had
eleven children ; Stanton, b. Feb. 5, 1738, was the
eighth. He was the head of the Berlin families;
his first residence was in Leominster, where he
gained citizenship. In 1763 he bought land of
Benjamin Houghton on east side of Third Division
hill; in 1770 he bought of Timothy Temple "in south
part of Lancaster.*' This last probably locates him
upon the Central Mass. railroad in Boylston, near the
Berlin line. The homestead is still marked by two
little graves, easterly of Henry C. Hastings' place.
Stanton Carter, s. of Samuel3 of Lancaster, m. Penina,
dau. of Daniel Albert, who lived just across the
Boylston line, May 27, 1762; in his old age he lived
near his s., Daniel, on the H. D. Coburn place; he
went to Maine with his s., Stanton, but returned and
d. here in 1823. Wid. d. June 18, 1825. Had
Daniel, b. Nov. 27, 1762; Sanderson, b. Aug. 17,
MRS. LEWIS CARTE It.
]■ . II. CKOSSMAN.
II. D. COHURN.
IRA O. CARTER.
\II<v. SANDERSON CARTER.
\1 A K I MA CHAMBERLIN.
LEWIS CA R IKK.
DANIEL II. CAR I IK.
MRS. I>. II. CARTER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 317
1764, in Leominster; Jemima, b. May 29, 1766;
Stanton, b. 1768; Mary, b. 1770, m. Levi Wheeler;
Sarah, b. 1773, m. Peregrine Wheeler, moved to
Richmond, N. H. ; Samuel, b. 1776, m. Jennie
Wheeler, settled in Maine.
Daniel Carter1, Stanton', m. Dolly Jones, dau. of
Samuel2; he lived first on the H. D. Coburn place;
then bought the farm where Mr. Carville lives, before
owned by Joshua Johnson, Jr. Had Amory, b. June
14, 1785, infant, d. ; Samuel, b. Oct. 2, 1788,111. Dolly
Merriam, res., Lancaster; Daniel, b. Feb. 1, 1790;
Leonard, b. March 19, 1792; Dolly, b. Feb. 14, 1794,
m. Ira B. Longley of Boylston Sept. 9, 1822, m., 2d,
Stephen Shattuck of Northboro, she d. Feb. 28, 1870;
Lewis, b. July 17, 1796; Anna, b. June 1, 1798, m.
Thomas Brigham, res. in Berlin and Northboro, d.
Sept. 11, 1876; Mary, b. March 29, 1800, m. John
Bartlett; Danforth, b. May 19, 1802; Rufus, b. Feb..
27, 1804,; Sally, b. 1806, d. 1808; Chandler, b. Oct.
7, 1808. Daniel, Sr., d. July 29, 1824; wid. d. Dec.
11, 1853, at 88.
Amory Carter", Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Dec. 1, 1808,
Lucinda, dau. of Capt. Josiah Sawyer ; he succeeded
Nathan Barber as miller at the west part mills : he d.
by fall from barn scaffold Feb. 8, 181 5. His father had
recently deeded to him the grist and saw-mill. Had
Sarah, b. Sept. 21, 1809, m. Jonas Hale, he d., she
m., 2d, Elijah Bigelow; Ira, b. May 6, 181 1 ; Amory,
b. Jan. 23, 1813; Daniel H., b. Feb. 1, 181 5. His
wid. m., 2d, Cummings Moore, she d. March 8, 1875,,
age 85 yrs.
318 HISTORY OF THE
Daniel Carter ', Danief, Stanton1, m., April 8, 1817,
Hannah vStowe of Worcester ; her mother was dau. of
Jotham Maynard ; he lived in the west part on the place
now owned and occupied by Lorenzo Bruce ; he rem. to
Kennedy, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and lived with his
s., Charles Curtis, and there d. Aug. 6, 1879. Wid.
d. 1888. Had Charles Curtis, b. Jan. 23, 18 18, m.
Eunice Alma Babcock, dau. of Josiah, Nov. 24, 1842,
res., Kennedy, N. Y. ; Mary Ann, b. Jan. 31, 1822,
m. Chauncey P. Hartwell ; Sarah H., b. Jan. 13, 1824,
m., Sept. 24, 1846, Samuel I. Howe of Shrewsbury,
she d. 1856 ; Hannah L., b. April 13, 1829, m., Jan.
31, 1852, Oliver B. Wyman of Shrewsbury.
Leonard Carter*, Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Persis Bailey
March 19, 1 8 1 7 ; he settled within Boylston limits.
Had Enoch B., b. Jan. 18, 18 19, res., Wisconsin;
William B., b. Sept. 13, 1822 ; Persis B., b. June 4,
1827. Wife, Persis, d. June 8, 1827. Hem., 2d,
Ann G. Brigham, Oct. 2, 1827. Had by Ann G.,
Leonard, b. March 2, 1830; Jonas B., b. ; Lydia
Ann, b. June 16, 1834, m. Oliver Sawyer; Mary E.,
b. Nov. 4, 1838, m. David B. Whitcomb. He d.
Sept. 18, 1849; wid. m., 2d, Amos Wheeler, Jan. 6,
1852 ; shed, at R. B. Wheeler's.
Lcxvis Carter*, Daniel2, Stanton1, m., April 17, 1821,
Sarah, dau. of Capt. Josiah Sawyer ; he lived in the
west part on the place now occupied by his s., Jonas,
before owned' by James Fife. Had Lewis Lincoln,
b. Nov. 10, 1822; Susan C, b. Jan. 28, 1825, m.
Winslow B. Morse, she d. April 20, 1855 ; Silas R.,
b. vSept. 16, 1828; Sarah E., b. Oct. 18, 1830, m.
Algernon Cartwright ; IraO.,b. Nov. 18, 1832 ; Lucy,
«*^
^v€>^2^^u -G^^2e^^
MARY CARTER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 319
b. Oct. 4, 1834, d. Feb. 16, 1874, unm. ; Eugenia S.,
b. June 25, 1838, m. Winslow B. Morse; Jonas H.,
b. Jan. 23, 1840. He d. Sept. 8, 1878; wife, Sarah,
d. Feb. 27, 1895, and was the oldest person in town
at the time of her death.
DanfortJi Carter'", Daniel2, Stanton1, m., April 3,
1827, Louisa Hastings of Boylston; he lived on the
H. D. Coburn place. Had Elbridge G., b. Jan. 17,
1828, res., Hudson; Nancy H., b. Sept. 4, 1830, m.
Howard M. Campbell of Hudson May 25, 1876;
Dolly E., b. Feb. 3, 1833, d. Jan. 18, 1854; Thomas
Steadman, b. June 25, 1839, m., Sept. 16, 1863, Mary
Leland of Sherborn, res., Hudson. He d. Oct. 8,
1852; wid. d. Oct. 5, 1853.
Rnfus Carter", Daniel', Stanton1, m. Sarah, dau. of
John Goss of Lancaster, May, 1834. Had Mary W.,
b. Jan. 9, 1835, d. Dec. 28, 1876; she bequeathed
$1,000 to the Unitarian Society of Berlin; A deliza,
b. Feb. 13, 1836, d. June 6, 1841; John Gilbert, b.
Jan. 9, 1838, m., in Clinton, Ellen M. Henry. Rufus
d. Nov. 9, 1842, and his wid. m. Eli Sawyer, s. of
Rufus.
Chandler Carter', Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Nancy, dau.
of Abraham Babcock of Boston, April 28, 1839; ^e
lived on the Northboro road, next south of the Dr.
Puffer place. Had Jane Elizabeth, b. April 8, 1840,
m. David Barrett of Concord ; she d. . Wife,
Nancy, d. March 7, 185 1. He m., 2d, Leah H. Lin-
coln of Pembroke, Me.; she d. Aug. 16, 1879, age
57. Both wives d. by like surgical operations of
painful interest. He was a great benefactor to the
town; he gave the town $20,000 to clear it of debt;
320 HISTORY OF THE
he gave in trust $20,000 to the Unitarian Society,
and gave $10,000 to the Children's Mission, to the
children of the destitute of Boston ; his name will be
long remembered with gratitude by the people of Ber-
lin for the great good he did with a portion of his
wealth. He d. Feb. 1, 1891.
Ira Carter*, Amory3, Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Hannah
Jones Aug. 3, 1834; he lived in Boylston and Berlin
at various places; d. on Henry Powers' place. Had
Calvin H., b. March 27, 1837, was in the battle of
Bull Run, was wounded and discharged ; George Ira,
b. June 19, 1847, d. in the army, a prisoner at Peters-
burg, Va., Sept. 30, 1864; Caroline E., b. Oct. 24,
1836, d. young. Ira, Sr., d. Oct. 19, 1859; wid. d.
Nov., 1890.
Amory Carter*, Amory3, Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Persis,
dau. of Benjamin Franklin Spofford, April, 1839; he
first settled where Algernon Cartwright lives ; rem.
to Worcester, but returned and built the house
where Mrs. George Ames lives ; he res. in Worces-
ter with his dau., Persis, at the time of his death ; he
was a natural mechanic and carpenter; built many
houses in Worcester and elsewhere. Had Persis H.
vS., b. Feb. 12, 1840, she m. William H. King. Wife,
Persis, d. Feb. 15, 1840. He m., 2d, Nancy, dau. of
James Davenport of Boylston. Had by her, Fred-
erick, b. 1848, d. Aug. 5, 1862, age 14; Adelaide, m.
Leander Comstock, res., Brooklyn, N. Y. Wife,
Nancy, d. ; he m., 3d, Comfort Quimby ; she d., no
date; he d. Sept., 1892. He was a contractor in
house building; in 1881 he lost his eyesight in blast-
ing a rock; he then devoted his time to a history of
the Sawyers.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
321
Daniel H. Carter*, Amory3, Daniel2, Stanton1, m.
Lucy Ann, dan. of Leonard Hartwell, April 8, 1840;
he settled first in the west part, on the place where
Ebenezer Dailey now lives; rem. to Hopedale in
1 849 ; was one of the early members of the commu-
nity; thence he returned to the homestead of his
mother on Sawyer hill in 1863; went to Athol in
1882; returned and bought the place where he now
lives, in Carterville, in 1884; they have an adopted
dau., Flora Jane, who m. Benjamin S. Walker, who
res. with them.
Oliver Carter', Samuel3, Daniel2, Stanton1, m. Polly
Warner April 30, 1834; he lived on Barnes hill after
he came to Berlin, on the place recently owned by S.
S. Greenlief. Had by Polly, Oliver W., b. April 10,
1836; Sarah F., b. Dec. 6, 1838. Wife, Polly, d.
Feb. 28, 1842; m., 2d, Mary Sophia, dau. of Daniel
Barnes, Feb. 8, 1848. Had by Mary Sophia, Mary
Dilly, m., April 22, 1875, Dennis E. Wheeler of Ber-
lin, res., Leominster; Samuel Marshall, b. March 3,
185 1, m., March 4, 1875, Sarah L., dau. of Silas S.
Greenlief, res., Gardner; Julia B., b. Oct. 31, 1853;,
Everett M., b. March 8, 1858. He d. Jan. 31, 1871 :,;
the family rem. to Lancaster.
William Barnes Carter , Leonard3, Daniel2, Stanton1,,
m. Mary Adella, dau. of Amos Sawyer, Jr., ; he set-
tled in Georgia; wife, Mary, d. during the war; he
returned with children. Had Addie Adella, b. July
1 1, 1 858, m. George M. Southwick; William A., b. Mar..
4. 1 86 1 ; m., 2d, July 12, 1870, Mary A. Fowler of
Springfield; had Horace Choate, b. April 7, 1871..
He now res. in Springfield ; is a music teacher.
32 2 HISTORY OF THE
Lewis L. Carter*, Lewis3, Daniel", Stanton', m., April
5, 1849, Susan E. Phelps of Marlboro and dau. of
Mrs. Paul Brig-ham ; he lives on the Thomas Brig-
ham farm in the west part. Had Sidney Brigham,
b. Sept. 23, 1852; Lewis Paul, b. Jan. 17, 1856;
Cora Isabelle, b. Tune 17, i860, m. Feb. 21
1879, Calvin Hastings of Boylston; two children d.
in infancy.
Silas R. Carter*, Lewis3, Daniel2, Stanton1, m., July
13, 1856, Emily Crowell of Barnard, Vt. ; he is
station agent at the Old Colony railroad at the west
part, and dealer in grain, coal and groceries. Had
Willard Crowell, b. March 8, 1858 ; Eugene Francis
and Eugenia Frances, twins, b. Aug. 12, i86o7
Eugenia F. d. ; Lucy A., b. Aug. 1, 1862, m., Oct. 20,
1 89 1, Albert R. Carter of Leominster; Silas Rolla,
b. April 8, 1868; remains at home with his father.
Ira O. Carter', s. of Lewis3, Daniel', Stanton1, m.
Susan F. Shattuck of Groton March 6, 1 860. Had
two children, d. in infancy. He d. Feb. 13, 1885;
wife d. Oct. 18, 1892. He was substantially a self-made
man. Aside from the meagre advantages of the west
school, he attended Mr. Bride's school one term and
was at the New Ipswich Academy six months ; after,
wards went to Kentucky and was a professor in
Paducah College; came home on the breaking out
of the war; later attended the Harvard Law School
six months, and then engaged in the practice of the
law at Arlington; was judge of the District Court at
the time of his death.
Jonas H. Carter", Lewis3, Daniel'2, Stanton1, m. A 11-
netta L., dau. of Lemuel R. Draper of Hopkinton,
SILAS R. CARTER.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
323
Nov. 30, 1 87 1 ; he remains on the homestead of his
father. Had Lemuel D., b. Oct. 25, 1873; Eva L.,
b. April 6, 1881 ; Lucie H., b. Oct. 7, 1884.
Sidney B. Carter', Lewis L\, Lewis3, Daniel'2, Stan-
ton1, m. J. Etta, dau. of George W. Fosgate, Dec. 25,
1878; he lives in the west part on the Clinton road
in house he built for himself ; he is a carpenter.
Had Ruea E., b. Feb. 16, 1887; George L., b. March
16, 1 89 1 .
Lewis P. Carter, s. of Lewis L., m. Ada E., dau. of
James M. Simonds, July 2, 1881 ; is a machinist, res.,
Worcester. Had L. Herbert, b. Jan. 31, 1885;
Ralph S., b. Dec. 12, 1887, d. Nov. 26, 1889; Irving
E., b. Aug. 22, 1889; Milton P., b. Sept. 4, 1892.
Wife d. 1894.
Willard C. Carter, s. of Silas R., m., Nov. 17, 1880,
Jennie F., dau. of Josiah Moore, res., Clinton; station
agent of Old Colony Railroad.
Eugene F. Carter, s. of Silas R., m., Feb., 1891,
Georgiana, dau. of Theodore Hendricks, res., Nor-
walk, Conn.
Elbridge G. Carter', Danforth3, Daniel", Stanton1,
m., Aug. 4, 1850, Betsey C, dau. of Asa Carter; she
d. Sept. 20, 1850; m., 2d, July 20, 1852, Georgiana,
dau. of George Maynard, res., Hudson. Two chil-
dren: George I., b. Mar. 5, 1854, Leona L., b. May 2,
1850.
Tlwmas Steadman Carter', Danforth\ Daniel", Stan-
ton', m., Sept. 16, 1863, Mary Leland of Sherborn,
res., Hudson.
324
HISTORY OF THE
Sanderson Carter1, Stanton1, m., Nov. 10, 1788,.
Hannah Allen, dau. of Jotham Maynard, 2d; he-
settled on the farm later known as the John M.
Kelley place, the house probably the oldest in town.
Had Luther, b. Jan. 15, 1790; Hannah, b. Feb. 28,
1793, m. Warren Moore; Zilpah, b. July 9, 1798, m.
Daniel Bartlett; Chloe, b. April 12, i8i2,d. Sept. 27,
1873, unm. He was deacon of the old Unitarian
Church; d. Aug. 30, 1841 ; wid. d. July 9, 1859.
LntJicr Carter*, Sanderson2, Stanton1, m., March 24,,
1 8 1 1 , Lucy, dau. of Christopher B. Bigelow ; he set-
tled first on the place now owned by William T.
Babcock, thence rem. to Carterville and was the
founder thereof; was the inventor of plastering:
houses on the outside. Had by wife, Ivory, b. Feb.
29, 18 1 2 ; Betsey, b. March 20, 1814, m. Ira Brigham,
she d. April 12, 1856; Hannah, b. Feb. 17, 1818, m.
Lewis H. Barnard; Persis, b. March 15, 1821, m.
Thomas Pollard; Lucy, b. Oct. 27, 1825, m. Ezra
S. Moore. Wife, Lucy, d. Nov. 27, 1850. Hem.,,
2d, Betsey Andrews, wid. of Asa of Boylston ; he d.
Aug. 8, 1865.
Ivory Carter", Luther1, Sanderson", Stanton1, m.r
Nov. 11, 1833, Olive Smith, sister to Riley Smith
and Mrs. Israel Sawyer; he lived in Carterville,.
where his s., I. F. Carter, has since occupied. Had
Laura E., b. Aug. 22, 1834, m. John A. Merrill,,
d. Aug. 28, 1866; Israel Francis, b. Feb. 6, 1839.
Ivory d. Nov. 6, 1850; Olive, wid., d. Jan. 30, 1887.
Israel Francis Carter", Ivory4, Luther1, Sanderson',
Stanton', m. Susan M. Wood, dau. of Alonzo
Wood of Marlboro; he continued on his father's
REMAINS OF OLDEST HOUSE.
( SANDERSON CARTER PLACE.)
TOWN' OF BERLIN 325
place ; was a soldier in the late war, and was partially
•deaf after his return from service. Had Emma E.,
b. Sept. 16, 1 86 1, m. Charles H. Green Jan. n, 1880,
d. Dec. 4, 1885 ; Laura M., b. March 25, 1870. He
d. Feb. 19," 1893; wife, Susan, d. April 1, 1887.
Stanton Carta-'1, Stanton1, m., April 5, 1797, Chloe
Maynard, sister of the wife of Sanderson Carter ;
settled in Stockton, Me. Had Asa, b. March 10,
J 798. Wife, Chloe, d. 1799; m., 2d, Dec. 10, 1800,
Abigail Bride, dau. of James.
Asa Carter , Stanton", Stanton1, m., Sarah A
Lamphire ; she d., he m., 2d, Eleanor Carlton of
Deer Isle, Me. ; they came thence to Berlin in
1848 with nine daughters. He d. Oct. 3, 1850, at
53 yrs. ; she d. Dec. 19, 1876, at 75 yrs. Children:
Eleanor C, b. Mar. 17, 1824, m., Aug. 16, 1846,
Riley Smith; Susan B., b. Oct. 23, 1825, m., Nov. 28,
1846, Joseph W. Merrill; she d. July 2, i849;Thirza
A., b. Nov. 4, 1827, m. vSeth W. Merrill, 1844; she
d. in Berlin Nov. 4, 1850; Betsey C, b. 1830, m.
Elbridge Carter Aug. 4, 1850; she d. Sept. 20, 1850;
Margaret S., b. Oct. 2, 1833, m., July 25, 1850,
Phineas Stratton ; m., 2d, May 17, 1861, D. W.
"Warner, res., Boylston; Huldah A., b. Dec. 26, 1835,
rn., Jan. 2, 1853, Seth W. Merrill, res., Hudson;
Mary E., b. Feb. 14, 1838, m., May 1, 1856, Charles
T. Vinals; she d. Nov., 1865;' Zilpah M., b.
May 6, 1840, m., March 15, 1857, Gustavus
.Smith; she d. Nov. 23, 1857; Julia Alice, b.
Nov. 26, 1843, m-> Sept. 3, 1862, James G. Ramsdell
of Philadelphia. They have, besides these, a dau.,
Chloe, m. Thomas Lamphire of Lubec, Me. They
326 HISTORY OF THE
had three sons killed in the army ; had also a s., Asa,
in Stockton, Me. ; Jemima, dau. of Stanton, Sr., m.
Levi Ellis of Stockton.
CARTWRIGHT.
Francis James Cartwrig/it, b. Aug. 8, 1787, in Co.
Derby, Eng., m. Mary Barker; came over in 1844;
two sons preceded him, viz.: Daniel, b. Nov. 18,
1815; Algernon, b. March 31, 18 18; Elizabeth, b.
1827, came over with parents, d. May 9, 1874;
Frances J., d. Oct. 7, 1871, at 84 ; wife d. Nov. 20,
1868, at 82; lived last with Algernon.
Daniel CartivrigJtt, s. of James F., m. Salina, dau.
of James Horsley, Co. Derby, Eng., 1838; was a
carpenter; lived in the south part. Had Thomas, b.
July 3, 1839; Nathaniel H., b. Oct. 19, 1841 ; James,
b. Dec. 24, 1843, d. Jan. 12, 1861 ; Charles D., b.
April 29, 1847; Eliza A., b. Sept. 28, 1849, d. Jan.
18, 1869; Lucy E., b. Nov. 19, 1851, m. George L.
Howe; Mary S., b. Sept. 4, 1854, d. July 14, 1856.
He d. Dec. 28, 1890; she d. March 23, 1892.
Algernon Cartwright, s. of James F., m. Sarah E.,
dau. of Lewis Carter, March 31, 1858; a custom
shoemaker; res. on the Hudson road, place before
owned by Smith Dyar. Had Mary, b. July 15,
1859, m. A. F. Pierce June 10, 1879; Sarah E., b.
June 20, 1 86 1, m. Samuel H. Wheeler of Bolton
June 24, 1886; Walter A., b. Sept. 23, 1863, m.
Annie L. Orr of Lynn; James L., b. March 15, 1865,
m. Oct. 1, 1890, Hattie F. Pike, res., Hudson; Annie
S., b. Nov. 27, 1869.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 327
Nathaniel H. Cartwright, s. of Daniel, m. Abbie,
dau. of William George Hapgood, March i, 1865 ; is
a shoemaker, res., South Berlin, house built by Alonzo
F. Howe. Had Cora Belle, b. April 25, 1 866, d. young ;
Fred H., b. March 13, 1867; George Herbert and
Harry Elroy, twins, b. Oct. 19, 1874. The three sons
excel as musicians.
CARVELLE.
Char Its W. Carvelle, s. of Daniel W., b. Feb. 23,
1 85 1, m., July 31, 1869, Margaret F., dau. of Nathan
Stowell, b. June 27, 1848; moved to Berlin in 1877
on the Samuel J. Moore place; in 1887 came to the
old Daniel Carter farm. Had Wesley D., b. June 30,
1873; Laverna C, b. Jan. 27, 1875, d. Dec. 30,
1879; Nathan S., b. Aug. 23, 1879.
CH AMBERLIN.
Spencer C. Chamber I in from Thetford, Vt., m. Hen-
rietta J., dau. of Henry Hastings; was a shoemaker;
was in the service in the late war in Co. I, 36th
Regt. ; rem. to New Bedford, where he still resides.
Had by Henrietta, Ola L., b. April 11, 1859, d. Nov.
4, 1887; Spencer C, b. June 21, 1862; Erwin H., b.
Aug. 29, 1865, m. in 1893, res., New Bedford; Lula
M., b. May 15, 1868, m. and d. in New Bedford.
Wife d. Aug. 12, 1884 ; m., 2d, in New Bedford.
Spencer Carlton Chamber lin, Jr., s. of Spencer C, m.
Minnie E. Fay, dau. of Nahum W., Jan. 26, 1893;
he is our mail carrier and lives in the Centre.
328 HISTORY OF THE
COBURN.
Henry D. Coburn, s. of Leonard Coburn of Lynn
and grands, of Job of Dracut, was b. Aug. 16, 18 14,
m., Nov. 13, 1833, Hannah, dau. of Daniel Sawyer
of Bolton ; he settled on the place now occupied by
his s. Joseph's wid., Mary E. Coburn;. he was a shoe-
maker; had a shop near his house, where he carried
on the business of bottoming shoes. Had by wife,
Hannah, Hannah M., b. March 5, 1835, m. Ansel L.
Snow; vSusanna, b. March 8, 1838, d. young; Joseph
L., b. March 10, 1840; William H., b. Feb. 16, 1842;
enlisted in the army under age, and d. of wounds
received in the battle of the Wilderness. Wife,
Hannah, d. Dec. 19, 1866, age 55 ; he m., 2d, April
27, 1870, Mrs. vSarah H., wid. of Amos Sawyer; an
adopted dau., Izora, d. Oct. 14, 1863, age 17. He d.
in Lynn May 21, 1892.
Joseph L. Coburn, s. of Henry D., m. Mary E., dau.
of George W. Maynard, Oct. 18, i860; he was a shoe-
maker; lived on his father's place; he d. Nov. 26,
1883. Had Cora Mabel, b. Dec. 27, 1864, d. March
3, 1872; William Henry, b. Oct. 5, 1874; Roscoe E.,
b. Jan. 19, 1882.
William Coburn, bro. of Henry D., m. Catherine,
dau. of Daniel Sawyer of Bolton, in 1836; she d.
March 2, 1852, age 36 yrs. ; m., 2d, Ann Maley; she
d. June 5, 1866. He d. March 25, 1876, at 63; lived
at various places.
COLLINS.
John C ollins, b. in Ireland ; worked^several years in
Northboro ; finally settled on the Joel Proctor place
TOWN OF BERLIN. 329
in the northwest part of this town; he d. Oct. 20,
1887; wife, Mary A., d. Aug. 2, 1886. Had James,
b. ; John, b. Aug. 2, 1863.
John Collins, Jr., m. Mary A. McNulty April 22,
1890: he retains the homestead. Had John F., b.
March 27, 1891, d. Aug. 25, 1891 ; James R., b. May
10, 1892; Benjamin H., b. May 26, 1894.
CONANT.
Josiah Conant m. Lucy Harris of Concord; lived in
the Amos Sawyer house ; he was the most thorough
millwright of this region ; he had a shop and water
power on land now owned by Granville Butler. Had
Harriet A., b. Oct. 19, 18 14, d. April 19, 1884, unm. ;
Lucy Ann, b. Oct. 18. 18 16, m. Levi Houghton;
William Franklin, b. Sept. 14, 1818; Mary, b. May
29, 1825, m. Franklin Moore of Monson. He d. June
10, 1848, age 57; wid. d. July 17, 1875, age 86.
William F. Conant, s. of Josiah, m. Mary A. Bur-
dett of Clinton; she d. June 30, 1855; he m., 2d,
Mary Houghton of Bolton; they left one child,
Arthur; he lived on the place now owned by Zoheth
B. Woodbury ; built that house ; he was a good mill-
wright and put in many water wheels. He d. Aug.
21, 1882; Mary, wid., d. in Pawtucket, R. I., 1884.
COOLIDGE.
John Coolidge is counted ancestor of those in this
vicinity; he was in Watertown in 1636.
Moses Coolidge bought house and land of Benjamin
Baker at north end of Gates' pond in 1779; sold to
33© HI>TORY OF THE
Joel Fosgate in 1795; Joseph Howe once owned the
premises ; no other record.
Stephen Coolidge, m., May 31, 1785, Lavina, dau. of
Samuel Jones, Jr. ; he lived on the place now owned
by Frank H. Crossman. Had Luther, b. Jan. 9,.
1786; Caleb, b. Dec. 21, 1787; Sally, b. Sept. 29,
1789; John B., b. Aug. 29, 1791 ; Merrick, b. Jan. 13,
1794. Wife, Lavina, d. ; m., 2d, Betsey Wetherbee
Sept. 1, 18 18.
Caleb Coolidge, s. of Stephen, m. Sophia, dau. of
Martyn Newton of Northboro. Had Albert, b. Jan.
7, 18 18; Henry, b. June 22, 18 19; Merrick, b. April
12, 1821; Amory, b. Oct. 11, 1823. Caleb d. in
Berlin in 1824. The s., Merrick, at two yrs. old
strayed from home at dusk; all the neighbors were
searching the brooks and woods through the night ;
next day hundreds came together; the child was
found at the "Fountains," near present home of N.
M. Allen, about 1 o'clock, with chilled and swollen
limbs, but soon recovered. Albert d. in Worcester
in 1884; Henry went to Michigan, d. in 1893 ; Mer-
rick lived on the Taylor Maynard place in Northboro,
m. Mary Ann Stone Nov. 27, 185 1; he d. Oct. 11,
1888; had three children ; Amory lived in Northboro
was a seaman, d. in 1869.
COTTING.
Josiah Cotting, s. of Dr. Josiah of Southboro and
descendant of Josiah who settled in Roxbury in
1637, m- Betsey, dau. of Capt. William Barnes, in
1820. Had George Augustine, b. 1821 ; Sarah B., b.
1823 ; Ella H., b. 1825 ; both daus. d. young.
[OWN OF BERLIN. 33 r
George A. Cot ting-,2 Josiah,1 m. Jerusha Vose of Sud-
bury ; he settled first just over the line in Boylston,
the first house west of George H. Barnes' ; thence
rem. to Hudson, where he d. in 1892; they were
mostly connected with Berlin : he was a school teacher
in his younger days; was justice of the peace. This
generous descendant has honorably erected a fine
granite monument in our cemetery commemorative
of his ancestry, "Ex it no (//see omnes." Had no chil-
dren.
COULSOX.
/. Edmund Coulson, from Cambridge, Eng., m., April
11, 1893, Carrie P., dau. of Ira Jones; lives on the
Jones homestead. Had Cyril Edmund, b. March 4,
1894.
CROSSMAN.
John W. Crossman, s. of Abishur of Boylston, b. Jan.
9, i8o6,m., May 4, 1837, Evelina Phelps of Lancaster,
b. Nov., 1806; he lived on the place formerly occu-
pied by Stephen Coolidge and now owned bv his s.,
Frank H. Had one child d. in infancy; Frank H.,
b. Jan. 12, 1846.
Frank H. Grossman, s. of John W., m. Lelia M. Farwell
of Fitchburg Jan. 12, 1870, dau. of Abel and Sarah;
he is a machinist; worked some years in Fitchburg;
is our present town clerk. Had Alice B., b. July 29,.
1872, m. Ernest Bickford; Walter I., b. Nov. 5, 1874;
Harrison A., b. Sept. 21, 1876; Agnes B., b. July 1 1,
1882. The parents of wife, Lelia M., both d. here.
John E. Grossman, an adopted s. of John W., b. Apr.
10, 1843, m. Annie M. Evans, dau. of Amos of Clinton ;
332 HISTORY OF THE
he lives on the Hudson road, next beyond T^rank H. ;
was a soldier in the late war of Co. I, 36th Regt.
Had Ernest L., b. May 17, 1870, m., Nov. 30, 1892,
Sarah T. Phillips, res., Hudson ; Charles L., b. Dec.
10, 1873, d. April 10, 1876; Charles E., b. Oct. 18,
1 88 1 ; Cora Bell, b. April 27, 1883; Alia B., b. Dec.
7, 1886.
Peter Grossman and wife, Elizabeth, were Quakers
from Gloucester, R. I., 1785 ; he d. on the Sanderson
Carter place in 1795.
CROSBY.
JosiaJi Crosby, from Scotland, m. Seraphina, dau. of
Samuel Brigham ; lived on the Dr. Daniel Brigham
place ; was a tailor. He d. here Sept. 15,1 866, age
84 yrs. ; she d. in Nashua, N. H., 1870. Had Nancy,
d. young; Josiah Q., b. Feb. 28, 1830, was a soldier
in the late war, lost an arm, is in the treasury depart-
ment, Washington, D. C. ; William H., b. Dec. 26,
1833, lives in Washington, D. C, a proprietor of the
National Hotel.
CHRISTY.
Rev. Albert Barnes Christy, s. of Dea. Moses Christy
of Greenwich, Conn.; ordained here July, 1879; m.,
Sept 6, 1879, Wilhelmina Lindsey of Fairhaven,
Conn. ; he was pastor of the Orthodox Congregational
Church ; was dismissed in 1882 to answer a call to
the church in Conway; later had pastorate of the
Congregational Church, Hudson, Ohio, and now is
settled in New Mexico. Had two children while
here, Bertha and Martha Peters.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 333
CLARKE.
Rev. Ebcr L. Clarke was res. hereabout 1830-40
with family. Julius L. Clarke, late state auditor,
was his s. Julius L. m. Sarah, dau. of Alvin Saw-
yer, May 27, 1840.
CUTTING.
George Cutting, s. of Asa of Templeton, m. Sarepta,
dau. of Cornelius Moore of Lancaster, res. near Bol-
ton depot. Had George H., b. July 26, 1837, m.
Lavinia K., dau. of Capt. Silas Sawyer, res., Lancaster ;
Persis B., b. July 12, 1840; Emily T., b. Dec. 20,
1845; Oliver B., b. Aug. 18, 1848; Hannah L., b.
Feb. 23, 185 1 ; Sarah L., b. June 12, 1853. Shed.
July 20, 1854.
DAKIN.
Joel Dakin, from Sudbury, m., Nov. 30, 1 8 1 5, Betsey
Powers, dau. of Capt. Henry; he was a partner with
Caleb Houghton in the wire drawing business.
DAILEY.
Ebenezer Dailey, b. Oct. 29, 1823, s. of Gideon, m.
Elizabeth (Babcock) Wheeler, dau. of Ephraim Bab-
cock, wid. of Joel L. Wheeler, Nov. 29, 1 860 ; is a
carpenter; lives in the west part on the Winship
place; came here in 1866. Had Cora A., b. Jan. 6,
1862, m. William E. Smith April 21, 1886; Alice, b.
Sept., 1863, m. Sullivan Stevens; Edward E., b.
April 1, 1866; Mary E., b. Jan. 15, 1868, m. Wil-
liam Whitman. Mr. Dailey was in the late war
in Co. F, 13th Regt., Mass. Vols.
334 HISTORY OF THE
DAVIS.
George C. Davis and family res. here about 1870,
he built the house now owned by John Burke, north
of the Central Mass. railroad, northwest of Carter-
ville; had four children; present res., Hudson.
DAY.
John L. Day, s. of Isaac of Southboro, b. April 10,
1843, m. Julia A., dau. of George F. Wheeler, April
5, 1866; came to Berlin in 1869; lives on the place
lately occupied by his father-in-law ; he was out in
service under two enlistments ; is a musician and
barber. Had Forest E., b. Dec. 23, 1866; Lewis E.,
b. July 3, 1869.
Forest E. Day, s. of John L., m., Nov. 27, 1889,
Grace H., dau. of Sewell H. Merrill ; he is a provision
dealer; lives in the Bullard house.
Lewis E. Day, s. of John L., m., Feb. 6, 1890, Alice
P., dau. of Paul A. Randall, res., Fryville, Bolton.
Had Myra A., b. July 22, 1890 ; Lena J., b. 1892.
Milton Day, b. April 7, 1832, s. of Ambrose of
Westfield, m., June 19, 1857, Joanna, dau. of Dea.
John Parker; was a shoemaker and farmer, res. on
vSawyer hill, where Willard G. Bruce now lives. He
d. July i, 1889.
DERBY.
Alfred C. Derby, b. in Randolph, Vt., Aug. 13,
1824, m., May 15, 1856, Charlotte, dau. of Seth
Fisher of Northfield, Mass., b. Feb. 10, 1836; he lived
in vSterling about twelve years ; bought the Welcome
TOWN OF BERLIN.
535
Barnes place in 1874, where he still resides. Had
Lizzie Jane, b. June 6, 1858, m. Clarence E. Spofford;
•Oliver Dexter, b. May 20, 1869, m. Eunice, dau. of
Philo Bruce, Nov. 29, 1S91.
DEWEY.
James M. Dewey, b. July 3 1 , 1826, m. Susan, dau.
of Abel B. Stevens, May 14, 1873; she was b. Feb.
18, 1833. They moved here from Orange Oct. 9, 1884,
and live on the Roswell Bliss place.
DEXTER.
John Dexter, Jr., bought the Bullard house and
store in 1 796 of Moses Pollard ; sold same to Solomon
Howe in 1 803 ; no record of family.
dins more.
Per ley Dinsmore m. Hannah Gold th wait in 1831 rhe
lived on the John Hudson place; later on the William
Fry place.
DUDLEY.
Moses Dudley, s. of Benjamin of Sudbury, b. Nov.
25, 181 1, m. Susan M. Bliss of Walpole, Mass., Dec.
7, 1837; ne lived in the east part on the Willard
Brigham place. Had Elizabeth N., b. May 28, 1839,
d. young; Mary A., b. June 19, 1841, m. John L.
Cashman; Luman B., b. March 9, 1843, d. June 23,
1858; Adelaide E., b. April 4, 1845, m. George W.
Houghton; Martha A., b. June 29, 1847, m- Jan.
26, 1867, Frank Pierce; George A., b. June 9, 1849,
336 HISTORY OF THE
m. Frances A. Goodwin, res., Hudson; Edward H.,.
b. May 23, 1852, d. Jan. 8, 1868. Moses d. April 29,.
1891.
DUGAN.
Michael J. Dugan, from Bolton, b. July 12, 1869, s.
of Thomas, m. Annie O. Malley of Clinton Dec. 25,,
1893 ; he settled on the Silas Greenlief farm in 1892.
Had George Francis, b. Sept. 24, 1894.
DUNN.
Abncr C. Dunn, lived near the Marlboro line,
east of the Lyman Morse place ; the road to his house
was across Joseph Carley's place.
EAGER.
Augustus Eager of Westminster m. Lucy Ellen,,
dau. of Josiah Babcock ; he d. March 24, 1871. Had
Charles D., b. Jan. 27, 1861 ; William S., b. Jan. 28,
1868; wid., Lucy E., m., 2d, George W. Ames, and
s., William S., res. with her; he is a florist and a
raiser of early vegetables ; unm.
Charles D. Eager, s. of Augustus, m. Lilla M., dau..
of Pliny B. wSouthwick, May 14, 1885; has been a
provision dealer here, but now is living in Boston.
Had Harold, b. Sept. 18, 1886, d. July 13, 1887; Mil-
dred, b. April 29, 1889, d. June 23, 1890; Marion, b.
Feb. 16, 1 89 1. Wife d. Feb. 25, 1893.
EGERV.
Nathan Egery m. wSibella, dau. of Dr. Benjamin
Nourse, in 1 797 ; he lived on the Chandler Carter
'
jflr*
..
1 [
Jh, ■ .i^F
y . |
.., i—L...... _
OLIVER FOSGATE.
GEO. W. FOSGATE.
JOHN G. FOSGATE.
MKS. LL'KE FOSGATE.
MERRICK HELTON.
LUKE FOSGATE.
JACOB FELTOX.
MRS. G. \V. FOSGATE.
JOEL H. FOSGATE.
REUBEN P. FOSGATE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 337
place when the old house stood on the premises.
Had Nabby, b. Nov. 13, 1797; Daniel N., b. Nov. 26,
1805 ; no other record.
ELLIS.
Philo M. Ellis and wife, Charlotte, from Boston,
succeeded Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq., on the present
"Berlin Hotel" place; no record of their deaths. Had
George S. Abbott, b. Oct. 16, 1843, m. Amada, dau.
of John Wheeler, res., Leominster; he was a soldier
in the late war on the quota of Berlin. Philo had
two other children, viz., George M. and Mary Jane,
who d. within two days of each other, Feb. 14 and
Feb. 16, 1842.
END.
John Etui, a native of Ireland, came to Berlin in
1856, m. Ellen McCarty in 185 1 ; lived on the Clinton
road, next to the shoe shop. Had Mary C, b. Feb.
26, 1852; Sarah, b. Oct. 25, 1853; Thomas, b. Jan. 4,
1855, d. June 15, 1882; Mary E., b. July 19, 1857;
Ellen L., b. Aug. 8, 1859; Caroline M., b. Sept. 8,
1 86 1 ; Daniel F., b. Oct. 20, 1863 ; Ann J., b. Feb. 7,
1865, d. May 20, 1883. He d. Sept. 8, 1882, at 74.
FAIRBANKS.
Ephraim Fairbanks, who settled on our territory,
was a descendant of Jonas Fairbanks, one of the first
proprietors of Lancaster. This Jonas had a s., Jabez,
b. 1670, who was noted *as an Indian fighter and a
terror to their tribes ; he had good reasons ; his
.338 HISTORY OF THE
father and brother Joshua were killed in the Lancas-
ter massacre of 1676, when Mrs. Rowlandson was
•carried away a captive, and also in 1697, his s->
Jonas, and dau., Grace, together with another bro.,
Jonathan, were killed, hence we may well believe
that Jabez's native energy was terribly urged by his
childhood reminiscences and manhood experiences ;
he settled on the homestead of his father in South
Lancaster. Had a s., Jabez, b. 1694, who was the
father of our Ephraim, b. 1724; this Jabez was prob-
ably the first settler on the Fairbanks place hereafter
described.
Ephraim Fairbanks m. Achsah ; he lived
in the north part of the town ; his house stood at the
corner of the Southwick road with the main road to
Bolton; he was a prominent and an infruentiaj citizen
of the town in all its early history; he d. Nov. 18,
1 799, and was buried in Bolton old cemetery. Had
Thankful, b. Jan. 31,1 746, d. in Berlin unm. ; Mary,
b. Feb. 4, 1748, d. 1765; Achsah, b. March 18, 175 1,
d. young; Ephraim, b. June 28, 1753, m. Prudence
Wilder in 1774; Jabez, b. Nov. 22, 1755; Hephzibah,
b. Feb. 26, 1758 ; Jonathan, b. Feb. 26, 1761 ; Kesiah,
b. April 26, 1763, m. James Goddard, 2d; Manasseh,
b. Dec. 20, 1765; Caleb, b. July 30, 1768, m. Molly,
dau. of Dea. James Goddard, res., Canada.
Ephraim Fairbanks1, Ephraim1, m. Prudence Wilder
Nov. 21, 1774. Had Molly, b. Jan. 7, 1776; Ephraim,
b. June 1 1, 1778 ; no other record.
Epliraim Fairbanks", Ephraim2, Ephraim1, m. Lucy,
dau. of William Babcock, Sr., May 30, 1807. Had
Nancy A., b. Dec. 4, 1808; Charles P., b. April 15,
TOWN OF BERLIN.
339
1810; Sarah M., b. 18 14. The family skipped to
Canada.
Jabez Fairbanks", Ephraim1, m., July 27, 1778, Lucy,
dau. of Col. Silas Bailey; they lived between Leom-
inster and Westminster. Had by Lucy, Lucy and
Silas. This Silas was father to our Col. Silas B.
Fairbanks, who settled in Hudson. Wife, Lucy,
d. ; he m., 2d, Betty, dau. of Judge Samuel Baker;
by her had Jabez and Polly. He d. about 1 794.
Jonathan Fairbanks1, Ephraim1, m. Parna, dau. of
Phineas Howe,- Jan. 12, 1786. Had Jonathan,
Phineas, Achsah and Parnell, twins. Wife d. 1793;
m., 2d, Susannah Koon of Maine in t 795. Had by
Susannah, Cressy, b. Nov. 26, 1 796 ; Sophia, b. Aug.
16, 1779. The family rem. to Marlboro, N. H. By
tradition he became a Methodist preacher.
Manasseh Fairbanks", Ephraim1, m. Abigail, dau. of
Silas Howe, in 1785; he retained the homestead.
Had Polly, b. March 3, 1786, m. Jonathan Hastings
of Boylston ; Abigail, b. Feb. 23, 1788 ; Silas, b. Aug.
16, 1790; Persis, b. July 6, 1793, d. 1837; Tamer, b.
June 5, 1796, m. Joseph Hall of Newton; Manasseh,
b. March 1 1 , 1 799, was a comb-maker and went to sea,
d. here 1866 unm. ; John, b. Aug. 10, 1801, m. Han-
nah Howe in Northboro ; Sally, b. March 1, 1804, m.
Isaiah McClench of Hallowell, Me. He d. March 1 1 ,
1806 ; his wicl. m. Nathaniel Longley, Esq., of Bolton;
she d. 1838 at 82 yrs.
Caleb Fairbanks"', Ephraim1, m. Molly, dau. of Dea.
James Goddard ; he lived in the old house on the
farm of A. C. Derby. Had Ephraim, b. 1 786 ; James,
340 HISTORY OF THE
b. March 17, 1788; Caleb, b. June 3, 1790; Betsey,
b. 1793; jabez, b. 1799; Amos, b. 1802; Oliver, b.
1 804 ; Dexter, b. 1 806 ; Hannah, b. 1 809. The family
rem. to Canada.
Silas Fairbanks*, Manasseh*, Ephraim1, m. Martha
W. Wilder of Boston Oct. 6, 1 8 1 7 ; he was a shoe-
maker; house stood on the site of the old academy.
Had John H., b. April 12, 18 18; Charles H., b. Feb.
19, 1820, d. 1838; Silas L., b. Oct. 8, 1822; Mary E.,
b. April 15, 1826; George H., b. Dec. 29, 1828, m. in
1854 Mary Howe. He d. March 16, 1856; wife d.
in 1840.
Silas Fairbanks", Jabez2, Ephraim1, m. Patty, dau.
of Samuel Jones3. Had Archibald T., b. March 13,
1804; Timothy J., b. June 20, 1805, m., 2d wife,
Mary Ann, dau. of Jonah Houghton, d. in Lancaster
in 1884; Silas B., b. Oct. 9, 1808; Lucy B., b. May 4,
1 8 10; Jonathan, b. Aug. 9, 18 12.
Col. Silas B. Fairbanks', Silas3, Jabez", Ephraim1, m.
Mary, dau. of Stephen Pope, Esq., in 1833; settled
in Hudson ; he was a man of marked military qual-
ities ; was early promoted to the colonelcy ; a prominent
citizen in Berlin and Hudson ; had two sons. None
of Esquire Ephraim Fairbanks' descendants bearing
the family name are now res. in Berlin.
Luke Fairbanks of Northboro m. Harriet, dau. of
Dea. Samuel Seaver; lived awhile on the old Bow-
man place. She d. Oct. 26, 1868; he m., 2d, and
settled in Sterling.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 341
FAGIN.
Fagin lived north of David Southwick's ;
d. of small pox ; house and effects were burned ; he is
probably the same "McFadin" who was first settler
there.
FAR WELL.
George Farwell, b. May 10, 1820, s. of John of
Harvard, m. Mary M., dau. of George Worster;
bought the Jarvis Wheeler farm in 1878, and con-
tinued on the same until his death in Nov. 7, 1889
his wid. still occupies the place. Had Ann E., b
Feb. 28, 1 85 1, m. Gay; Abby M., b. Jan. 22
1853, m. Ivers H. Sawyer; Hannah S., b. June 1
1855; Mary E., b. July 16, 1857; John, b. Aug. 15
1859, was killed on the Central Mass. railroad Aug
10, 1887 ; Sarah A., b. Feb. 8, 1865 ; Amy H., b. March
23, 1869, m., Aug. 9, 1887, Hollis M. Baker.
Abel Farzvellvsx. Mary Bowman. Had Frances W.,
b. June 30, 1828, m. Flagg in Boylston;
also had George ; Frank ; Maria ; Ellen.
FAY.
Only one branch of the Fay stock have been Ber.
linians. John Fay came with relatives to Sudbury
1656, being eight years old. In 1669 ne was in
Marlboro with his wife, Mary; he was in com.
mand of the garrison which included the Kerley
families. He had eight children, two of whom
became mixed with the Shattucks, and David Fay
342
HISTORY OF THE
m. Sarah Larkin in 1699. Deliverance m. Benjamin
Shattuck in 1686. John himself m. Susanna Shat-
tuck for his 2d wife. Gershom Fay, s. of John, m.
Mary Brigham, dau. of John of Sudbury. They
were yet of Marlboro, next of Westboro, and finally
of Northboro, yet never moved, — the towns came to
them. The locality was partially on our west road
to Northboro by way of Samuel I. Rice's. Gershom,
Jr., once lived there. Gershom, Sr., lived southwest
of the homestead of Capt. Lewis Fay. Gershom had
a s., Paul, the father of Nahum and Asa. John
Flavel, s. of Nahum, came to Berlin for his wife,
Charlotte Puffer. Dexter, s. of Nahum, came "to
stay," so he m. Zilpah, dau. of Barnabas Maynard,
who built them the house now owned by Frank
Lasselle.
Dexter Fay, s. of Nahum of Northboro, was b.
Dec. 24, 1780, m. Zilpah, dau. of Barnabas Maynard,
April 10, 1803; he settled on the homestead of his
father-in-law and remained there the rest of his life ;
he was largely engaged for some years in carrying
produce of various kinds to the Boston market ; he
was a deacon of the Orthodox Church from 1 8 1 5 to
1840, and was zealous in the performance of all his
religious duties ; he was afflicted during the last years
of his life with some mental disturbance or a mild
form of insanity. Had Mary, b. Oct. 21, 1 804, m.
Rev. Levi Brigham, a graduate of Williams College
and Andover Theological Seminary, was settled in
Dunstable, Saugus and Troy, N. H., both are now
dead; Barnabas Maynard, b. July 27, 1806, m. Louise
Mills of N. J.; Lucy W., b. Aug. 6, 18 10, m. Eber
Brewer of Northboro, d. there in 1850 ; Harriet New-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 343
ell, b. Aug. 1 2, 1 8 1 3, m. Russell Park, d. in Westboro ;
Sarah M., b. March 15, 181 5, m. Oliver Taylor of
Dunstable, Mass., d. in Dunstable; Dexter W., b.
Feb. 20, 18 1 7, d. June 25, 1843 ; Nahum White, b.
March 15, 1821; James R., b. Feb. 22, 1823; Zilpah
E., b. Feb., 1825, m., Sept. 30, 1855, Rev. William
Grassie, d. in Erie, Pa.
Nahum W. Fay, s. of Dea. Dexter, m. Emily R.
Thompson of Uxbridge Sept. 12, 1844; he and his
bro., James R., continued on the old homestead until
about 1865, when he bought his brother's interest in
the same ; some three years after he sold the place to
Henry M. Flagg and rem. to Northboro; returned to
town about 1875 and bought the Oliver Fosgate
farm, and in 1880 sold the same to his son-in-law,
Willis Rice ; since that time he has lived most of the
time with his s., William E. Had Henry Dexter,
b. June 23, 1845, nas been insane many years;
Walter A., b. March 12, 1848, was a carpenter in
Worcester, where he d. Nov. 23, 1880; Harriet
Susan, b. Feb. 23, 1850, m. WTillis Rice; William E.,
b. Nov. 23, 1853; Minnie E., b. June 29, i860, m. S.
C. Chamberlin, Jr., she had been a teacher in Marl-
boro previous to marriage; George PL, b. July 12,
1862, now in the insane hospital. His wife, Emily
R., d. July 3, 1879; he d. Feb. 12, 1895.
William E. Fay, s. of Nahum W., m. Mary J.
McKenna of Marlboro in 1875 ; he bought the Morse
place (so-called), near the old Fay homestead, and
built the house on the spot where the old one was
burned a few years before; he sold the place in 1892,
and the same is now occupied by George W. Knight.
344 HISTORY OF THE
Had William E.. b. March 10, 1876; Harry N., b.
Sept. 15, 1877; Carlton E., b. May 9, 1879, parted
with his wife some years ago and was divorced from
her in 1892.
James R. Fay, s. of Dea. Dexter, m. Laura B., wid.
of Solomon Jones, Jan. 1, 1867, res. with her in the
southeast part of the town on the Solomon Jones
place.
PETER FAY.
A well-known character in Berlin about fifty years
ago was Peter Fay, a singular specimen of humanity
truly; not a fool in the true sense of that word, but
foolish in some respects. He lacked ability to
properly care for himself, and hence the town had
to provide for his more pressing necessities. He
was yearly put up at public vendue, as was custom-
ary in those times to dispose of paupers. Sometimes
the town received fifty cents a week or more for his
services and sometimes less, but on the whole he
kept the account nearly balanced. He was easily
excited when pestered by boys, as was often the
case, and in his frenzy went for them with a ven-
geance. Was a s. of Patty Foster and of unknown
paternal ancestry. He d. of cancer at John W.
Crossman's April 26, 185 1.
On Peter Fay please now bestow
A kindly thought of care;
He had no portion here below,
His home was anywhere.
Few friends or kindred could he claim,
His sire's name — unknown they say;
Tradition holds the mother's name,
Why did they call him Peter Fay ?
1 1 IWN OP' RERUN.
345
From place to place he roamed around,
To seek his daily bread,
The lowest bidder for him found
A place to lay his head.
Onward with slow and plodding toil
He went his weary way;
A patient workman of the soil
He lived from day to day.
At Crossman's house he passed away
In eighteen fifty-one,
Perchance the real life of Peter Fay
Was then but just begun.
P. J. HOLBROOK.
FELTON.
Jacob Felton, s. of Stephen Felton of Marlboro and
of the sixth generation from Nathaniel Felton, who
settled in Salem in 1633, was b. Nov. 15, 1790, m.
Lucinda Wilkins, dan. of Edward and Sarah Wilkins
of Marlboro, in June, 18 14; he moved to Princeton,
Mass., and carried on the machine carding- business
twelve yrs. ; in 1828 they were living' in Feltonville,
and the next year rem. and settled on the place now
owned by his grands., Truman P. Felton ; he was a bro.
of Silas Felton, Esq., the founder of Feltonville. His
wife, Lucinda, d. May 30, 1865, at 74 yrs.; m., 2d,
Mary Wilkins of Hudson, wid. of Edward Wilkins,
bro. of Mr. Felton's first wife, March, 1868; he lived
with her in Wilkinsonville until her death, May 18,
1875; he later moved back to Berlin, where he d.
Aug. 23, 1883, aged 92 yrs. 9 mos., the oldest man
in town at the time. Had by his wife, Lucinda,
Henry Otis, b. in Marlboro Dec. 12, 18 14; Sylvester,
b. in Princeton Sept. 5, 18 18, d. in Berlin unm. Sept.
27, 185 1 ; Merrick, b. in Princeton Aug. 31, 1823.
346 HISTORY OF THE
Hairy 0. Felton, s. of Jacob, m. in Lunenburg May
7, 1840, Charlotte Phelps; he was a carpenter and
had charge of a saw-mill in Lunenburg several years
and lost a few of his fingers ; some forty years ago he
purchased what was known as Barber's grist and
saw-mills and also as Pollard's mills at West Berlin,
and moved to that place; his wife was instantly
killed June 6, 1891, while crossing the Old Colony
railroad at West Berlin ; he bought the place lately
owned by Rev. Francis Rand, where he and his dau.,
Mary E., did reside. Had by his wife, Charlotte,
Maria C, b. March 23, 1841, m. Levi Babcock, d.
Aug. 14, 1885; Mary E., b. April 21, 1843, nas been
a school teacher of large experience; George H., b.
Aug. 7, 1847; Sarah A., b. April 22, 1850, d. March
2, 1852; Addie L., b. Nov. 6, 1854, m. Levi Babcock.
Henry O., d. March 4, 1895.
George H. Felton, s. of Henry O., m. Sarah Mackey
of Northboro Aug. 3, 1884; he succeeded his father
in the mill business at West Berlin. Had Walter
L., b. Oct. 30, 1884; Gertrude, b. May 8, 1886;
Bertha, b. Sept. 27, 1888; Mabel, b. July 3, 1892.
Merrick Felton, s. of Jacob, m. Elizabeth Page of
Lunenburg ; he is a carpenter ; worked at his trade in
Southboro, Clinton and Lawrence, Mass. ; some
thirty-five years ago he returned to the old home-
stead here in Berlin ; he has now sold the farm to
his s., Truman P., retaining, however, for his own
use, the cottage house and barn and a few acres con-
nected therewith ; he has a house in Fitchburg and
spends a portion of his time there. His wife,
Elizabeth, d. Sept. 30, 1871, aged 47 ; hem., 2d, Mary
HENRY O. FELTON.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 347
B. Priest of Leominster Aug. n, 1872. Had by his
wife, Elizabeth, Charles M., b. Jan. 25, 1850, d. Jan. 27,
same yr. ; Martha E., b. Oct. 14, 1852, m. George H.
Dyer Sept., 1869, was divorced April, 1873; Abbott
S., b. Aug. 14, 1855, res., Fitchburg; Marion A., b.
Aug. 30, 1858; Truman P., b. Jan. 25, 1862, m. Mary
L. Whitcomb, dau. of Amasa A., June 24, 1890;
Lucinda E., b. Oct. 10, 1864. Wife, Mary B., d.
Dec. 18, 1893. Truman P. Felton is a graduate of
the Mass. Agricultural College.
FIFE.
William and James Fife came from Fifeshire, Scot-
land, about 1728; the former settled near Bolton
depot, where Daniel Marsh now lives ; the latter,
James, settled on our territory, the place now owned
by Jonas H. Carter. The Fifes of Scotland were
distinguished for their bravery and heroism in many
a conflict among the Highland clans, and were
connected with some of the most notable and distin-
guished families of the realm of Scotland. The
above-named William, who settled just over the line
in Bolton, has had representatives of his family in
that vicinity to the present time. William E. Fife
of Clinton is of this line.
James Fife, above-named, b. 1720, m. Patience,
dau. of James Butler, who lived on the John Collins
place. He d. June 25, 1779; Patience, his wid., d.
March 3, 18 16, at 90. Had James, b. Nov., 1742, d.
young; Silas, b. Oct. 4, 1743, m. Abigail Houghton
and settled in Monadnock No. 5 ; Molly, b. 1745, m.
Robert Hudson, a refugee from the enrollment of
the king's army in Ireland ; Robert, b. March 1 1 ,
348 HISTORY OF THE
1747, retained the homestead; Relief, b. 1750, m.,
1773, Jonathan Whitcomb, settled in Templeton and
had ten children; Patience, b. 175 1, d. young-;
Susannah, b. 1752, m. Capt. Samuel Woods of Marl-
boro; Patience, b. 1757, m. her cousin, William Fife
of Bolton, in 1786; James, b. 1760, was a soldier in
the Revolution, d. unm. in 1790; Deliverance, b.
1760, m. Israel Maynard; Samuel, b. 1763, d. young;
Sarah, b. 1766, d. 1782, "a sweet girl followed to her
grave by all her schoolmates ;" Martha, b. 1767, m.
James Britain, res., Barre, Vt.
Robert Fife, s. of James, m. Hephzibah Bush of
Marlboro, now Hudson ; succeeded his father on the
homestead. Had Lucy, b. Nov., 1777, d. young;
Hannah, b. July 29, 1778, m. Solomon Moore, res.,
Hillsboro, N. H. ; Lucy, b. May 18, 1780, m. Curtis
Pollard of Bolton; Hephzibah, b. Sept. 30, 1781, m.
Asa Goss of Sterling; Robert, b. Sept. 3, 1783 ; Jesse,
b. Aug. 3, 1785; Sarah, b. 1787, d. 1803. He d.
1787; wid. m., 2d, William Babcock and d. 1826.
Robert and Jesse settled in Florida, Mass.
FLAGG.
Joseph Flagg, s. of Benjamin Flagg, came from Boyl-
ston with family in 1845; he was probably a
descendant of Thomas Flagg, who was in Watertown
in 1643 ; he bought the place where his s., Edward
W., now lives; from thence rem. to the place recently
occupied by Caty Bride in the Centre. His wife was
Martha Hastings of Boylston, a sister of Ephraim
Hastings, the father of Capt. C. S. Hastings. Had
Persis, b. , m. Dana Rice of Northboro;
TOWN OF BERLIN. 349
Levi Lincoln, b. , res., Boylston; Martha, b.
, m. Alexander Grassie Dec. 28, 1853 ; Edward
W., b. June 7, 1822; Ezra A., b. 1826, d. March 19,
1856; Seth A., b. , d. ; George E.; b.
, res., Michigan; Henry Martin, b. Aug. 19,
1830; Cleora M., b. 1834, m. Jonas Bigelow of North-
boro March 17, 1858. He d. Oct. 16, 1877, at 75
yrs. ; wid. d. March 16, 1882, at "jy yrs.
Edward IV. Flagg\ Joseph1, m. Charlotte Loomis
of Southboro Nov. 3, .1859; he lives on the old Silas
Bailey place ; the house was built by George Abram
Babcock of Boston. Had Charles A., b. Aug. 27,
i860, was a merchant in Chicago, d. in Berlin May
16, 1883 ; Ella M., b. Oct. 4, 1866, m. Silas L. Mills
Dec. 24, 1885; Sadie E., b. Feb. 22, 1886; Gertrude
May, a protegee of Mr. Flagg, b. Sept. 19, 188 1.
Henry Martin Flagg"1, Joseph1, m. Auretta A. Jones,
res. on the place formerly owned by George E. John-
son; has been extensively engaged in wood and
lumber. Had Emma, b. June 15, 187-2.
FLETCHER.
Ariel K. Fletcher, s. of Joel of New London, N. H.,
m. Harriet Somes ; had lived in Cambridge ; came to
Berlin in 1855; settled on the place now owned by
Charles W. Carvelle. Had Lavina, b. June 30, 1839,
m. Philo Bruce; Charles E., b. June 17, 1841, m.
Lynda Stanley, res., unknown; George F., b. Aug.
22, 1842, m. Maria Connor May 6, 1875, res., East
Brookfield ; Ann E., b. July 10, 1844, m. Eugene D.
Colby of Boston; Harriet M., b. March 31, 1847, m.
John Adams; Frances E., b. Nov. 11, 1848, m. John
35° HISTORY OF THE
White of Charlestown; Ada M., b. July 4, 1852, m.
William Caldwell, he d. of hydrophobia, she m., 2d,
Charles Sargent. Ariel K. d. Jan. 15, 1879; the
family rem. to Northboro.
FOLEY.
Patrick Foley, a native of Ireland, m. Catherine
Lynch in Marlboro Feb. 17, 1865 ; ne res. at the most
easterly part of the town, near Hudson. Had Mar-
garet A., b. Nov. 18, 1865; Daniel E., b. April 25,
1867; Patrick H., b. Nov. 5, 1869; Michael D., b.
Nov. 2, 1 87 1 ; John F., b. Jan. 22, 1874, d. July 21,
1874; Nellie M., b. Feb. 27, 1876; Jennie J., b. Dec.
6, 1879; Catherine W., b. April 17, 1884.
FOSTER.
Elijah Foster m. Elizabeth Knights ; he is named
in the east school district in 1785. Elizabeth Foster
•of Berlin m. Abel Goulding of Shrewsbury in 1 806 ;
she d. here at Dea. George W. Sawyer's in 1878 ; may
have been of this family. The same family probably
lived on South Barnes hill when the Hudsons were
there. It was reported that the Fosters, seeing their
neighbors, the Hudsons, at work on the Sabbath,
said nothing, presuming they would keep Mon-
day for Sunday, which they did devoutly. The
Fosters had it for a standing joke on the Hudsons.
FOSGATE.
The ancestor of the Fosgate family was John
Fosgate of Charlestown, b. 1636, m. Elizabeth
Leach ; he had a s., Robert, b. 1672, m. Mercy Good-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 35 I
win in 1700, and he a s., Robert, b. 1704, m. Sarah
Howe, who was in Marlboro in 1731 ; he settled on
a place in the east part of Berlin, known as the
Gates farm, where his descendants are now living ;
he was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and in
the expedition against Crown Point. Robert and
Sarah had a large family of children, five sons and
eight daughters, namely : Mary ; Elizabeth ; Ezekiel ;
Patience; Ketina; Joel, b. 175 1 ; Oliver ; Anna ; John,
m. Abigail Jones of Lunenburg in 1761, res., West-
minster; Zibia, m. Solomon Bowker in 1789; Phebe,
m. John Brown in 1 764 ; Asa Nourse, bro. to our
Dr. Nourse, m. a dau. of Robert Fosgate; Jacob, m.
Lois in Marlboro in 1745; Robert gave his
homestead farm to his s., Joel, which was somewhat
encumbered. Joel was feeble in his youth, but be-
came strong and endured immense labor on farm
and in the brick yard at the foot of "Clay Pit hill."
That pond hole on the left as we turn upon the
Fosgate road is artificial. To improve time he
worked nights at coopering ; he was a favorite of his
father ; a good neighbor and a worthy citizen.
Joel Fosgate", Robert3, Robert2, John1, m. Naomi
Gilbert Dec. n, 1777. Had Robert, b. Aug. 15,
1779, m. Hannah, dau. of William Sawyer, res.,
Winchester, N. H., she d. March 13, 1871 ; Mendall,
b. June 13, 1 781; Gilbert, b. Feb. 15, 1783, d. July
25, 1 8 1 1 ; Joel, b. Dec. 18, 1784, d. ; Luke, b.
Aug. 5, 1787; Betsey, b. Jan. 5, 1789, m. Samuel, s.
of Job Spofford, also m., 2d, Josiah Bride; Sally, b.
April 2, 1 79 1, m. Stephen Puffer Sept. 15, 1812, res.,
Sterling and Amherst; Sophia, b. Aug. 4, 1793, m.,
Sept. 28, 181 3, James Maynard of Northboro, she d.
352 HISTORY OF THE
in 1872; Susannah, b. July 28, 1795, m. Moses Brig-
ham of Marlboro March 20, 181 5; Lucy, b. Aug. 16,
1798, m. Thomas Holder. Joel, Sr., d. March 24,
1824, age 73; his wife, Naomi, d. Oct. 1, 1839, at 83.
Luke Fosgate, s. of Joel, m. Mary, dau. of Gershom
Rice of Marlboro, May 21, 181 7; he retained the
homestead ; he settled his four sons on his extensive
domain ; he and his wife finally joined the Shakers
of Harvard and there d. He d. Nov. 26, 1873; she
d. Sept. 28, 1 87 1. Had Joel H., b. March 16, 18 18;
John G., b. Dec. 8, 1820; George W., b. Feb. 25,
1824; Reuben P., b. Dec. 7, 1826; Caroline, b. March
11, 1 83 1, m. Willard M. Wheeler; Mary S., b. Jan.
28, 1833, d. Oct. 9, 1845.
Mendall Fosgate, s. of Joel, m. Sally Spofford, dau.
of Samuel, Sr., Aug. 3, 1801. Had Persis, b. ,
m. Everett of Princeton; Oliver, b. Aug. 8,
1803; Mendall G., b. in Vermont May 16, 1809.
Joel H. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Ruth A. Brigham,
dau. of Aaron of Bridgton, Me., Sept. 5, 1843 ; settled
on part of the old homestead near Gates' pond. Had
Francis O., b. Nov. 11, 1845, m. Emma S. Symmes,
res., Shrewsbury; Emily, b. June 28, 1847, m. Her-
bert A. Cook of Marlboro, res., Shrewsbury; Frederick
A., b. June 17, 1852; Angeline B., b. Oct. 13, 1855,
m. Henry H. Davis of Shrewsbury; Alva Dana, b.
April 23, 1859.
John G. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Martha Rice; he
settled on a part of the old homestead, next to his
bro., Joel; later rem. to Stone's corner, near South
Bolton depot. Had by Martha, Eliza O., b. May 23,
1853, m. Lewis O. Sawyer, res., Hudson; Marshall
TOWN OF BERLIN. 353
A., b. May u, 1856. Wife, Martha, d. July 14,
1856. He m., 2d, Elizabeth T. Heywood Nov. 9,
1857, and by her had Leo E., b. Oct. 2, i860; he is
a fruit merchant in Boston. Wife, Elizabeth, d.
Sept. 21, 1880, at 57.
George W. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Eunice C. Dodge
Oct. 25, 1848; he had a part of the old farm; lived
in the old mansion. Had Mary L„ b. Aug. 5, 1849,
d. June 3, 185 1 ; Julia Etta, b. July 18, 1857, m-
Sidney B. Carter; Lilla F. and Lewis B., twins, b.
July 29, 1863; Nellie N., b. Aug. 23, 1865, m. Ernest
Ross June 20, 1895. George W. d. Dec. 30, 1891.
Reuben P. Fosgate, s. of Luke, m. Sarah D. Loomis
of Southboro June 12, 185 1, res. on the old home-
stead in the old mansion. Had Hattie A., b. July
13, 1856; William L., b. Aug. 5, i860.
Oliver Fosgate, s. of Mendall, m. Lucy, dau. of
Silas Houghton, March, 1832; he lived on the place
now owned by Willis Rice. He d. June 29, 1870;
wid. d. Jan. 20, 1886. Had Charles O., b. June 22,
1 840, m. Nellie Hastings of Concord ; he is a profes-
sional musician, res., formerly Boston, now California.
They had a s., Charles H., b. April 9, 1867, res.,
Boston.
Mendall G. Fosgate, Jr., s. of Mendall, m. Harriet
Parker of Westboro April 19, 1834, res., Westboro
and other places. Had Harriet, Martha and Louise.
He d. in Washington, D. C, Feb. 2, 1885.
Frederick A. Fosgate, s. of Joel H., m. Ella F.
Swan July 11. 188 1; he is the proprietor of the
picnic grounds at Gates' pond; has several cottages
on the eastern shore. Had Ruth E., b. Jan. 6, 1883 ;
354 HISTORY OF THE
Jennie I., b. March 23, 1884; Fred H., b. Feb. 20,
1890.
Alva Dana Fosgate, s. of Joel H., m. Nellie S.
Clarke of Boston March 5, 1882; he lives with his
father.
Marshall A. Fosgate, s. of John G., m. Ella Jacobs,
dan. of George, res., near South Bolton depot, just
in Hudson; is engaged in the wood and lumber
business.
Lewis E. Fosgate, s. of George W., m. Ella G., dau.
of Clifford Walcott, June 9, 1894; lives on the place
formerly owned by his uncle, John G.
FOX.
August F. Fox, b. Jan. 10, 1842, m., Aug. 12, 1869,
Augusta Copar, b. June 19, 1844; came from Saxony,
Germany, 1881 ; lives on the old Bartlett place, near
Bolton depot. Had Mary A., b. Dec. 3, 1869;
Alvina L., b. July 19, 1876; Clara I., b. May 19,
1879; Willie Otto, b. Jan. 26, 1883; Emma R.. b.
Feb. 11, 1888.
FRY.
The Frys of Berlin are a branch of the more
numerous families of the name in Bolton. The
head of these was William, the fifth in descent from
John Fry, who settled in Andover in 1645. This
William settled in Bolton and had a s., John, who
m. Merriam, dau. of Obadiah and Eleanor Wheeler,
June 21, 1762. They had Obadiah, William, Mary,
Merriam, John, Jonathan, James, and Abigail m.
Daniel Wheeler of our town. Wife, Merriam, d.,
TOWN OF BERLIN.
355
and he m., 2d, Rachel Stearns of Uxbridge July 4,
1787, and by her had Thomas, the famous school
teacher of Bolton ; also Anna, m. Ira Aldrich of
Northbridge, and Rachel m. Joseph Holder.
William, the s. of John and Merriam, had a
numerous family, and among these was William,
who settled in Berlin.
William, s. of William and grands, of John of
Bolton, b. July 26, 1800, m. Fanny Fuller of War-
wick, res. on road from George H. Bruce's to Friends'
Meeting House. Had Adaline B., b. May 19, 1827,
d. Nov. 20, 1853 ; William Henry, b. April 19, 1829;
George F., b. vSept. 25, 183 1 ; Sampson W., b. May
19, 1833. Wife, Fanny, d. ; he m., 2d, Sarah Ray of
Stow, and by her had Fanny, b. Sept. 28, 1838, m.
Timothy N. Eastman, he d., she m., 2d, Brigham
Rowe; David A., b. March 23, 1840; Abraham, b.
Nov. 6, 1 841; Sarah, b. July 9, 1843, d. same year.
He d. March 16, 1877, at ?6; wife, Sarah, d. March
12, 1864, at 60.
William Henry Fry, s. of William and Fanny of
Berlin, m. Mary E., dau. of Ephraim Goddard; lived
awhile in the south part, thence rem. to Marlboro,
where he still resides; shoemaker; no children.
Sampson Fry, s. of William ; was a soldier in the
late war; settled in Minnesota.
George F. Fry, bro. of William H., m. Zilpah A.,
dau. of Ephraim Goddard; he lived some years where
Christopher Wheeler now res. ; was a shoemaker.
Had Nellie G., b. 1853, she d. Nov. 11, 1870; Chester
J., b. March 21, 1855, d. in Marlboro in 1894; Charles
356 HISTORY OF THE
A., b. Feb. 15, 1857, d. l^77, while in his academical
studies; George E., b. Dec. 8, 1859; Leslie M., b.
1862. George F. d. 1S70; wife, Zilpah, d. May 13,
1867.
David A. and Abraham Fry, sons of William and
Sarah Ray Fry, continue on the homestead of their
father and keep bachelors' hall.
FULLER.
Samuel M. Fuller, s. of Ely Fuller of Ludlow, Mass.,
b. June 22, 1812, m. Catherine B., dau. of Gideon
Bliss, Nov. 24, 1833; he came to town in 1848 and
lived in the house next south of the Massachusetts
Central depot in Carterville ; he was engaged for
some years in the making of shoes ; he kept the store
in that village for awhile and finally sold out to John
A. Merrill, the present occupant. They had six
children: Catherine, b. Oct. 19, 1835, m. Rufus C.
Sawyer; Elizabeth, b. Feb. 5, 1837, m. Charles H.
Hartwell April 10, 1853, who d. June 27, 1879;
Samuel Ely, b. Feb. 23, 1839, m., May 6, 1868, Julia
M. Bailey, dau. of the 2d wife of George W. Maynard,
she d. some years ago and he now res. in Hudson ;
James B., b. Dec. 8, 1840, m. Anna B. Shilliber Dec.
9, 1876, he resides in Boston and is engaged in mer-
cantile affairs; Mary Jane, b. May 1, 1843, m. Henry
W. Welch Nov. 7, 1863, resides in Clinton; Almy
B., b. July 24, 1846, m. Charles Russell Feb. 1, 1865.
He d. Jan. 3, 1883, aged 76 yrs. ; his wife, Catherine,
d. July 26, 1880, at 70 yrs. Caroline, a sister of
Samuel M. of Ludlow, d. here April 17, 1877, at
74 yrs.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 357
GAGE.
Daniel Gage with family and bro., John, succeeded
Aaron Barnes as tanners ; yard near Carterville, in
1824; followed by Rockwood & Brightman in 1830.
Samuel Gage, bro. of Daniel, settled on the William
Jones place (now Robert Newsome's); his son-in-law,
Converse, was fatally injured and d. there Oct. 5,
1 829, age 19 ; the family left town soon after. Daniel
d. on Ball hill.
GAMBLE.
Samuel Gamble ; his name appears in connection
with the Bolton road over "Gamble hill;" he lived
on the Andrew McElwain place (Samuel Spofford's") ;
he lived also on the Prentice Keyes place in North-
boro.
GIBBS.
Hezekiah Gibbs m., May 24, 1745, Elizabeth,
probably a sister of Abijah Pratt; it seems probable
that he established the present Fred Woodward
homestead; AVilliam Bryant was there in 1784. Had
Sarah, b. 1749; Hezekiah, b. 1752.
Hezekiah Gibbs, Jr., m., March 4, 1775, Miriam
Powers ; he was called Doctor Gibbs ; indications are
that the Boylston family was of this stock. Had
Jonathan, b. 1775 ; Sarah, d. young; Miriam, b. 1778,
m. Samuel Heard in 1797.
GATES.
Not many of the Gates name have lived here for
any great length of time. People have become
358 HISTORY OF THE
familiar with the name from the name of the princi-
pal pond in town which bears this name. It derived
its name from the fact that a tract of land in the
east part, embracing nearly all of Gates' pond, was
owned by the heirs of Stephen Gates, one of the
early proprietors of Lancaster in 1654. His stay in
Lancaster was brief. He d. in Cambridge in 1662
leaving five children — Stephen, Simon, Thomas,
Elizabeth and Mary. Some of these remained in
Lancaster, others settled in Stow and Sudbury. On
the second division of upland in 1 7 1 7, the tract
above named was set off to the estate of Stephen
Gates, and a few years later was sold by his heirs to
Robert Fosgate, Josiah Sawyer and others. We
have no positive proof by record that any of the
posterity of Stephen Gates settled on this territory,
but tradition has it that one Gates lived between
the pond and the Moses Dudley place, and also one
of the name lived north of the Holders. It is of
interest to note the description of the land and the
boundaries thereof, as contained in the original
set-off, namely: "He hath his second division of
upland lying to the of Hog Swamp meadow,
a considerable part of a pond lying within the said
land and bounded on all sides of it by common un-
divided land; a rock called the Sleeping Rock is on
the outside of it, near the northwest corner. The
place where it Lyes by the Indians was called
Kequasagansett, and is laid out to the estate of the
said Stephen Gates for 314 acres."
Mary Gates, dau. of Stephen Gates, Sr., seems to
have been of a decidedly tropical nature ; she very
boldly contradicted the minister in Lancaster in the
TOWN OF r.ERLIN. 359
public assembly on the Sabbath, for which offense
she was reprimanded and fined ; she indignantly shook
off the dust of her feet against them ; moved to Sud-
bury and m. John Maynard, from whom originated
some of the more prominent families of this town.
Kcu be 1 1 Gates, of what family does not appear, m.
Sally Tenney in 1 808 ; he was the occupant of the
tannery west of Carterville in 18 10. Had a s.,
William, b. Sept. 24, 1808, m. Sally Potter of Concord;
he has recently donated to the Orthodox Sabbath
school the sum of $1,000; res., Arlington.
GARRITY.
James Garrity, a native of Ireland, b. Oct. 15, 1833,
m. Bridget E. Mullen; came to Berlin about 1853;
lives on the Clinton road; a shoemaker and laborer.
Had one child b. 1857, d. in infancy ; Mary A., b. Aug.
25, 1859; John T., b. Jan. 26, 1862; Delia E., b.
April 6, 1865, m. John McNiff; James S., b. Dec.
23, 1867; Ellen C, b. Dec. 7, 1870; Agnes E., b.
June 23, 1876.
GILL.
Michael Gi//,h. 1835 in Ireland, m., April 12, 1S54,
Bridget Gill. Had Mary A., b. Jan. 13, 1858, m.
; Meaner, d. Aug. 25, 1891 ; John A., b. April
17, 1859; Michael A., b. May r7> 1862, d. Sept. 14,
1864; Catharine L., b. Feb. 15, 1865; Elizabeth B., b.
May 5, 1868; William J., b. April 15, 1870, d. 1872 ;
Margaret, b. Oct. 15, 1872; Agnes Ellen, b. Jan. 25,
1876; Charles M., b. Dec. 8, 1878 ; Walter F., b. Nov.
30, 1886.
360 HISTORY OF THE
GODDARD.
The Goddards of Berlin are descendants of William
Goddard, who came from London and settled in
Watertown in 1665. The next year his wife and
three children came over and joined him. He had been
a grocer in London ; he lost his household goods by
the great fire, which destroyed a large portion of the
city in 1666. His wife was Elizabeth Miles. He d.
in 1 69 1 and she d. in 1697. Three sons survived
them. One s., Edward, was a schoolmaster and a
justice of the peace, and settled in Framingham ;
this Edward had three sons, who settled in Shrews-
bury, who became prominent citizens of that town.
Josiah, another s. of William and Elizabeth (Miles)
Goddard, retained the Watertown homestead ; he m.
Rachel Davis of Roxbury. Had a s., William, b.
1694, who was the ancestor of the Goddards of this
town. This William m. Keziah Cloyes of Framing-
ham June 26, 1726; he settled on the farm inNorth-
boro, now owned by E. Warren Pierce, but formerly
owned by Holloway Bailey; it contained 234 acres
with dwelling house and barn ; he bought of Edward
Johnson of Woburn forty acres, where the mills are,
in 1744, and other lands until he became a large land
owner. Much land at this time was common. He
built the dam and mills at South Berlin ; began the
work in 1752; the outlay was so great that it nearly
ruined him financially and probably hastened his
death.
William Goddard d. Feb. 19, 1762, age 68 yrs. ; his
wife, Keziah, d. March 10, 1794, age 90 yrs. ; his
grave is in Northboro old cemetery, back of the
TOWN OF BERLIN. 36 1
Unitarian Church; his wid., Keziah, for the affection
she bore to her s., James, "for his great kindness,"
desired burial with him and his family. Had Marv,
b. 1727; Josiah, b. 1729; James, b. 1731 ; Rachel, b.
1732; Solomon, b. 1734; Hannah, b. 1736; Lydia, b.
] 737 ; Jane, b. 1739; John, b. 1740; Moses, b. 1742;
Ruth, b. 1744; Richard, . Mary m. John
Houghton, 3d, and moved to Brattleboro, Vt. ; Josiah
m. Lydia Ball of Northboro and lived on the home
place ; James will come into our record of families ;
Rachel m. Asa Howe of Marlboro; Solomon m.
Thankful Bowers, lived on the farm known as the
Dana Stone place; Hannah m. Collister;
Lydia m. Eliphalet Stone; Jane m. William Barker,
who was the first settler of Marlboro, N. H. This
was the beginning of the Berlin emigration to that
northern Eldorado. Hannah and Lydia with their
husbands followed them; then the Tenneys and
Joneses. John went to Connecticut with his wife,
Lucy Walker. Moses will appear in our record of
families. Ruth tried the Granite State in Henniker
with her husband, Jacob Rice.
Dca. James Goddard, Sr., s. of William of Northboro
and fourth in descent from William of Watertown,
m. Hannah Rice, dau. of Jacob Rice of Northboro;
he settled on the farm now owned by Henry J. Saw-
yer, containing then 157 acres, but was enlarged by
eighty-two acres, embracing a part of the farm now
owned by Charles M. Sawyer; this addition included
a house and barn on the north side of the road,
which were built by Josiah Wilson, and which James,
Jr., and James, 3d, successively occupied, as did also
Rev. Dr. Puffer, until his house was built in 1788.
362 HISTORY OF THE
James Goddard, Sr., was one of the more wealthy
land owners of the town, a man of sterling worth, and
a deacon of the church from 1778 to 1807. Had by
his wife, Hannah, William, b. 1764, m. Anna Moore,
dau. of Isaac, Nov. 27, 1788 (they had Lydia, Lucy
and Josiah); he d. and she m., 2d, Elijah Ball of
Boylston; Hannah, b. Oct. 27, 1761, m. Reuben Bab-
cock of Northboro; she was mother of Reuben, Jr.,
lately deceased here; James, b. April 15, 1763;
Eunice, b. 1765, m. Capt. Samuel Spofford, Sr., m.
2d, Capt.. Henry Powers; Sarah, b. June 8, 1772, m.
Alvin Sawyer, d. at 35 yrs. ; Betsey, b. March 9,
1774, m. William Barnes; Molly, m., Nov. 10, 1785,
Caleb Fairbanks, who built first house on the place,,
now held by A. C. Derby, and earlier owned by Wel-
come Barnes. He d. Jan. 13, 1 8 1 5, aged 84 ; his wife,
Hannah, d. March 21, 1807.
Moses Godaard, s. of William, m. Molly Walker of
Stukely, Canada; he lived at first in Marlboro and
Northboro; rem. to Monadnock, No. 5 (Marlboro,
N. H.), of which he was one of the grantees ; returned
to Berlin and lived in the old Fuller house in Carter-
ville; the family finally rem. from town about 1795.
Had Eber, b. April 5, 1766; Abel, b. Sept. 22, 1767;
(Moses, b. Feb. 23, 1771, and Elijah, b. March 17,
1773, in Monadnock, No. 5); Archelius, b. May 13,
1775; vSilas, b. March 7, 1778; Abraham, b. May 22,
1780; Solomon, b. July 16, 1782; Molly, b. Oct. 30,
1785 ; Lydia, who m. Aaron Greene, not in record.
Ebcr Goddard, s. of Moses, m. Lucy Johnson, sister
to Prudence, wife of Josiah Sawyer. Had Joseph
W., b. 1792, res., Fitchburg; Asa, b. 1796, res.,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 36'
Brattleboro, Vt; Sylvia, b. 1797; Lucy, b. 1800, in
Berlin; Maria, b. 1803, d. 1805; Mary, b. 18 10; Eber,
b. 181 3. Eber or Moses moved the old Town House
for the poor from "Larkin pasture" to "Corner;"
Larkin house just northeast of Samuel Spof-
ford's.
A sad mishap as often told,
Of Deacon G. the story's old ;
To patch the barn was his intent,
But this he did before up he went,
Tied by a rope secure which led
From plow below to leg o'er head.
The Deacon slipped through want of care,
Down came he hanging in mid-air ;
He yelled and screeched — perhaps he swore,
As deacons did some years before.
This hubbub caused the Deacon's wife
To go at once and save his life.
James Goddard, 2d, m. Keziah, dau. of Ephraim
Fairbanks, July 28, 1785; he lived awhile in the
old house built by Josiah Wilson on the farm
owned by C. M. Sawyer, but finally rem. to the
old homestead and there spent the remainder of his
days; he was a shrewd money-getting man; was
always interested in town affairs and a willing sup-
porter of the church. Had by his wife, Keziah,
James, b. Feb. 6, 1786, d. Nov. 4, 1801 ; Betsey, b.
Oct. 6, 1787, d. March 10, 1808 ; William, b. Feb. 22,
1789, d. Jan. 18, 1808, was a student in Leicester
Academy preparatory for the ministry; Jacob, b.
May 6, 1791 ; Ephraim, b. June 19, 1793; Keziah, b.
July 4, 1795, d. 1796; Keziah, b. 1796, d. 1807;
Jabez, b. 1807, d. 181 1; Rebecca, b. Jan. iS, 1801,
m. Theodore Nourse; 2d, m. Calvin Smith; Eusebia,
b. May 5, 1804, m. Calvin Smith in 1828, she d. in
3^4 HISTORY OF THE
1 841; James, 3d, b. March 8, 1806. Of eleven
children six d. young. James, 2d, d. June 19, 1842.
Keziah, his wid., d. in 1848.
James Goddard, 3d, m. Betsey, dau. of Samuel
Spofford, St., Nov. 12, 1824; he settled on the
farm which then belonged to his father, but is
now owned by Charles M. Sawyer; he sold his farm
to Dea. George W. Sawyer, and went to Maine,
leaving his family behind. His wife, Betsey, d. and
he soon after m. again. He d. in Manchester, N. H.
Had by his wife, Betsey, Catherine B. Sawyer, b.
April 5, 1825, d. Nov. 11, 1838; Samuel W. Emerson,
b. March 23, 1827, m., Nov. 3, 1853, Sophia Dwight,
dau. of Myron Lawrence of Belchertown, where he
settled in the practice of law ; Christiana W., b. March
1, 1829, m. Harvey Carter of Marlboro, he d. April
22, 1872, she m., 2d, Brethwaite of Marlboro ;
Lucy, b. March 26, 1831, m. Isaiah H. Beals of West-
boro; James Richardson, b. March 21, 1834, m.
Harriet M. Jennison of Southboro Oct. 18, 1854; he
lived awhile in Southboro and later in Nonantum,
and has held prominent positions and public trusts in
both places; Benjamin F., b. June 12, 1836, d. July
24, i860; Betsey S., b. Dec. 11, 1838, m. Henry E.
Graves of Marlboro; Catherine, b. June 1, 1841, m.,
June 10, 1856, Henry Greenwood of Marlboro; Pliny
M., b. Feb. 13, 1844, m. Mary E. Wood Dec. 7, 1865,
she d. in 1872, he m., 2d, Mary S. Fairbrother;
Virgil, b. Dec. 15, 1846, m. Orilla J. Bemis of South-
boro Nov. 26, 1867. None of the family are now
living in town.
Ephraim Goddard, s. of James, 2d, m. Mary Bige-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 365
low, dan. of Bannister Bigelow, she d. and he m.,
2d, her sister, Sophia, Sept. 28, 18 18 ; he lived at first
on the Dea. George Sawyer place, thence rem. to the
farm now owned by his s., Marcus M. ; he demolished
the old house and erected the one now standing on
the place. Had by his wife, Sophia, Betsey F., b.
March 8, 18 19, d. 1834; William F., b. May 19, 1820,
m. Mary Bryant, he d. March 15, 1874, res., Rock-
bottom; Mary E., b. July 19, 1825, m. William H.
Fry; John A., b. July 11, 1827, m. Augusta Brigham,
dau. of George Brigham of Hudson ; he kept a store
in the south part, where Edward P. Hastings now
lives ; has since resided in Rockbottom, Hudson and
Stow, and now lives in Westboro, was a soldier in
the late war; Alvira, b. Oct. 29, 1829, m. Baxter
Wheeler of Hudson; Jabez F., b. July 22, 1832, m.
Sarah Cotton, has lived in Chattanooga and Nashville,
Tenn., and is now in California; Zilpah, b. Oct. 15,
1835, m. George F. Fry; Marcus Morton (named for
Gov. Morton), b. April 28, 1840, unm., res. on the
father's old place and has always been engaged in
shoemaking; he carries on his farm and "keeps old
bachelor's hall," and is now the only Goddard left
in town; Silas E., b. March 24, 1842, went to the
war and d. in the service ; his name will appear in
the list of soldiers; Augusta V., b. May 22, 1844, m.
George H. Bruce Oci. 4, 1862. Ephraim Goddard
d. June 7, 1 871; his wife, Sophia, d. March, 1890,.
with her dau., Mary E., in Marlboro.
Jacob Goddard, s. of James, 2d, m., April 10, 181 1,
Abigail Morse of Marlboro; she d. Oct. 10, 1S14; he
m., 2d, Mary H. Sawyer of Bolton; he lived at first
366 HISTORY OF THE
on his grandfather, Ephraim Fairbanks', place, in the
north part of the town, near the corner, beyond Mrs.
Merrill's; the buildings are now gone; he afterwards
bought a farm in "Bolton; he became a Millerite;
gave his farm for his support until he should "go up,''
but didn't go at the time fixed upon, so became
destitute in his old age. Had by his wife, Abigail.
William, b. Nov. 19, 181 3, d. in 1834. He d. June
17, 1870; wid. d. .
GOTT.
Dr. Lemuel Gott, s. of John, b. in Gloucester, now
Rockport, Dec. 23, 1808, m., June 22, 1836, Mary, b.
Oct. 7, 181 2, dau. of Levi Shaw of Minot, Isle. ; he
was the sixth in descent from Charles Gott, who set-
tled in Salem in 1628 ; he was educated at Hampton
Academy, N. H., and Bowdoin College, and was a
graduate of the Harvard Medical School and practiced
at the Marine Hospital in Chelsea as a student; he
practiced in Rockport from 1836 to 1854; at the latter
date he rem. to Berlin and went into partnership with
Dr. E. Hartshorn in the manufacture of patent
medicines and familv extracts, and also in medical
practice; they soon dissolved the copartnership, and
he continued as the sole resident physician here to
the time of his death. From early manhood he was
largely interested in all reform movements ; was a
prominent member of the Free Soil party and an
active advocate of temperance, and in town affairs
gave his influence in favor of all measures tending
to the commonweal. Had three children b. in
Rockport: Lemuel, b. Feb. 26, 1840, was a soldier
in the late war, d. Aug. 29, 1864; Mary Elizabeth, b.
LEMUEL GOTT, M. D.
NEWvork
Foundations,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 367
June 12, 1842, m. Frederick Miller; James G., b. Jan.
23. 1S45, d. young'. Dr. Gott d. June 12, 1888; wid.
d. Aug. 13, 1893.
GRASSIE.
Alexander Grassie was a s. of George Grassie, and
bro. of George B. Grassie, late of Bolton. The
family came from Scotland and settled in Bolton in
1843. The mother of Alexander was sister to the
wife of Rev. Henry Adams. He m. Mary M., dau.
of Joseph Flagg, Dec. 28, 1853 ; had William
Alexander, b. Feb. 24, 1855, m. Charlotte Barnes of
Ohio; res., North Dakota. Alexander Grassie was
associated with Levi Hartshorn in the manufacture
of boots and shoes, 1850 to 1856, firm known as
Grassie & Hartshorn. On account of financial
trouble, he left suddenly Jan. 10, 1856, for parts
unknown and has never returned ; his wife, Mary
M., res. in Worcester.
GREENLIEF.
Silas Sawyer Greenlief, b. March 4, 18 14, s. of Moses
and Experience (Sawyer) Greenlief of Bolton, and a
descendant of Edmund, who settled in Newbury in
1635, m., May 30, 1838, Sarah No well of Lancaster;
he first lived on the Daniel Carter farm, the place
now owned by Mr. Carville, but soon rem. to Wafa-
quodock hill in Bolton; returned to town and bought
the Oliver Carter farm, where he continued till his
death, March 22, 1892; wife d. March 10, 1892. Had
Alice E., b. Dec. 26, 1849, m, Lampson;
Sarah L., b. July 4, 1854, m. Samuel M. Cartel-
March 4, 1875. v
368 HISTORY OF THE
GRIGGS.
Dr. Samuel Griggs from Saxon River, Vt, was the
successor of Dr. Daniel Brigham in 1824; lie con-
tinued here in successful practice until 1831, when
he rem. to West Boylston and thence to Westboro
in 1848, where he d. in 1879 at 86 yrs. Hem. Sarah
Bancroft of Rindge, N. H., by whom he had Samuel
M., b. 1822, who became a prominent citizen of
Westboro. Dr. Griggs was a pupil of the renowned
Dr. Twitchell of Keene, N. H.
GREEN.
All of the name in this town are evidently descend-
ants of Aaron Greene, who settled in the northwest
part of the town of Northboro ; the place is still known
as the "Green farm." He had one s. and onedau., who
became citizens of Berlin, viz. : Jonathan and
Sibyl, the latter m. William Babcock, Sr. ; another
s., Nathan, who remained on the home place, was
the father of Peter, who was the father of Edward
F. Green of our town, and another s. of Nathan,
Aaron, who m. Lydia, dau. of Moses Goddard, was
a res. here for many years. Nathan was in battle
of Bunker Hill.
Aaron Green, s. of Nathan and Abigail Williams
Green of Hubbardston, m., Nov. 17, 1793, Lydia, dau..
of Moses Goddard; he resided on the Fuller place in
Carterville at one time. Had Solomon, b. Sept 29,
1794; Lydia, b. Aug. 30, 1798, m. Parker Longley of
Boylston, she d. 1873; Levi, b. Oct. 12, 1801 ; Asa,
b. Nov. 10, 1804, d. 1824, by explosion of some mix-
ture for liquid blacking. William, b. May 17, 1807;
Oliver, b. Nov. 13, 1809; Anna, b. April 12, 1812, m..
M US. I.I- Mill, (.'ill
Dr. Gott's House.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 369
Russell Park, d. early; Lambert, b. April 13, 18 14.
Charles Roscoe, 2d s., rem. to Maine and became
somewhat eminent in the politics of that state;
before leaving his native town he taught private
grammar classes with success. Aaron d. Jan. 1,
1840, at 70 yrs.
Solomon Green, s. of Aaron, m., March 20, 18 17,
Mrs. Parnell (Bruce) Bennett, wid. of Josiah Bennett
of Boylston, res. in an old house where A. B. Saw-
yer's now stands. She had by 1st m., Josiah; by 2d
m., had Dolly, Lydia and George.
Jonathan Green, s. of Aaron of Northboro and bro.
of Nathan, m. dau. of Abijah Pratt; lived here a few
years in the Abijah Pratt house. No other record.
Levi Green, s. of Aaron, m. Achsah, dau. of Jacob
Stone, Nov. 5, 1829; settled in Clinton ; of six children
not one is now living ; he was an enterprising citizen
of the town of his adoption and did much to promote
its highest interests. His wife, Achsah, d. Oct. 1 ,
1843 ; he m., 2d, Lucy Harris of Lunenburg.
Edward F. Green, s. of Peter of Northboro, m.,
March 5, 1848, Louisa A., dau. of Leonard Hartwell;
he lived at first in the west part and built the house
recently owned by Rev. Francis Rand, about 1850;
his present place is the old Holder farm in the east
part. Had Abbie L., b. Nov. 26, 1849, m. J. Henry
Sawyer; Alonzo F., b. Dec. 13, 185 1 ; Chester O., b.
Aug. 23, 1853, res., Westboro; Charles H.,b. Aug. 7,
1855, m. Emma Carter, she d. , res., Marlboro;
John E., b. July 17, 1859, m. - , res., Overbrook,
Kansas; Walter, b. July 8, 1863, d. young; Alice S.,
b. May 4, 1867. Wife, Louisa, d. Feb. 2, 1870; he
370 HISTORY OF THE
m., 2d, March 28, 1871, Mrs. Sarah A. (Menser) Styles
of Boylston, b. Feb. 12, 1835.
Alonzo F. Ureal, s. of Edward F., m. Mary A., dau.
of David A. Fry of Bolton , he is a mason by trade,
and res. on the place formerly owned by Elijah
Bigelow. Had Edith L., b. Dec. 13, 1872; Sarah
M., b. Dec. 4, 1874, d. Jan. 21, 1892: Edward F., b.
Dec. 28, 1876; Fred A., b. Dec. 21, 1878; Blanche
A., b. Oct. 31, 1882; Clifton J., b. April 9, 1885;
Jesse M., b. Jan. 22, 1888; Marion H., b. May 31,
1889.
GUERTIN.
Theodore Gucrtin, s. of Joseph of Fairfield, Vt., m.
Clara Estelle, dau. of Israel Sawyer, Aug. 29, 1868;
he is a blacksmith and wheelwright; house on the
Clinton road on a part of the Esquire Merriam place.
Had Alice, b. 1868, m. Harry Betts ; Edna Z., b.
Sept. 2, 1873 ; Augustus E., b. Oct. 22, 1881.
GUNNISON.
Horace A. Gunnison of Lempster, N. H., m., June
10, 1866, Mrs. Emily (Wheeler) Pierce, dau. of Jona-
than Wheeler, s. of Levi; he built a house in
Carterville, which was burned, just north of the Oliver
Smith place; res., Hudson, and is a shoemaker. Had
Alvin W., b. Feb. 18, 1869; Mary Etta, b. Dec. 18,
1877.
James Hoyt Gunnison, brother of the above, m.
Matilda J., dau. of Samuel H. Hastings, June 17,
1874; he built the house in Carterville, where
Benaj ah Barnard now lives. He d. Aprils, 1880, age
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD F. GREENE.
CHARLES M. SAWYER'S HOUSE.
_J
8Q'
LEONARD HARTWELL.
MRS. ADAM BARTLETT.
THOMAS HOLDER.
an <cu
GEOKGE HOUGHTON.
FREDERICK E. HEBARD.
DANIEL HOLDER.
MKS. L. HARTWELL
SAMUEL HOLDER.
M KS. 1 K A II M'l.olll)
TOWN OF BERLIN. 37 r
33. Had Westley, d. in infancy; Elno, b. Aug. 26,
1875, d. in Grafton. Wid. m., 2d, George H. Hast-
ings, lives in Grafton.
HALE.
Jonas Hale, s. of Ephraim of Stow, m. Sarah, dau. of
Amory Carter, Sr., 1830; he lived on the Dea. Josiah
Sawyer place, now owned by Willard Bruce. Had
Lucinda, b. April 1, 183 1, m. John Robbins ; Abigail
A., b. Dec. 14, 1833, d. Jan. 4, 1840; Henrietta C, b.
April 19, 1836, d. June 18, 1847; Sarah Ann, b.
March 17, 1S42, m. Zoheth B. Woodbury; Jonas E.,
b. Feb. 21, 1846, d. Nov., 1846. He d. April 23,
1846, age 41 ; his wid. m. Elijah Bigelow.
Thomas Hale from Leominster m. Mrs. Eliza Chase
of Marlboro. She by former husband had Caroline,
b. Nov. 15, 1838, m. David Bride; Charles F., b. Dec.
5, 1842; Elizabeth, b. , m. Charles H. But-
trick. He d. Feb. 28, 1891, at 66. She d. Aug. 4,
1895.
Charles F. Hale m. Caroline E. Wyman ; she d. ;
m., 2d, Nov. 9, 1872, Nancy S. Hastings of Boylston;
res., Stetson house in middle of the town. Had R.
Burton, b. July 8, 1876; Charles F., b. Feb. 3, 1880;
George W., b. Sept. 30, 1886; Marion S., b. Aug. 21,
1891.
HAPGOOD.
William G. Hapgood, b. Dec. 2, 18 19, s. of Thomas
of Marlboro, m. Caroline B. Howe, dau. of Lyman;
is a carpenter and built the house in which he now
lives, at South Berlin. Had Caroline Eldora, b.
Nov. 15, 1845, m. John O. Maynard; Abbie A., b.
372 HISTORY OF THE
Jan. 3, 1847, m- N. H. Cartwright; Mary R., b.
June 11, 1850, d. Aug. n, 1858; John W., b. Nov.
29, 1852; Erving E., b. Mar. 21, 1865. Wife d.
March 24, 1889.
HARPER.
Janus B. Harper, b. in England in 1 796, m. Judith
Carter. Came here 1855. He d. May 1 4, 1 860, at 64 ;
she d. Aug. 22, 1870, age 73. Had Augustus, b. Jan.
10, 1840; James H., b. in West Roxbury March 22,
1837 ; Sarah E., b. Dec. 14, 1833, m. Merrick R. Rand.
HART WELL.
Leonard HartwclLh. Aug. 25, 1795, s. of Jonathan
of Leominster, m., Oct. 8, 1 8 18, Abigail, b. May 3, 1797,
dau. of Joel and Lucy Pierce, who d. here. He lived
first at West Boylstdn, where his four oldest children
were b. ; came to West Berlin about 1830; he built a
two-story house, which was burned in 1 8 5 1 , and soon
erected another on the same spot ; rem. to Hopedale
in 1854; returned here in 1864, and d. where D. H.
Carter now lives, June 11, 1870. Wife d. Nov. 21,
1877. Had Harriet Moore, b. Dec. 1, 18 19, m.
Michael Fanning, she d. Jan. 9, 1841, d., also, same
mo., her infant child; Chauncey Pierce, b. May 20,
1 821; Lucy Ann, b. Aug. 3, 1822, m. Daniel H.
Carter; George Emerson, b. May 24, 1824, m. Celia
Clausky April 22, 1849, res. in Westboro; Louisa
Abigail, b. July 2, 1827, m. Edward F. Green; Emily
Pollard, b. June 27, 1829, m. Edwin Sawyer; Charles
Henry, b. Jan. 28, 183 1, m., in 1853, Elizabeth Fuller,
he d. in Clinton; Mary Jane, b. June 5, 1833, m.
Pliny B. South wick; Daniel Pollard, b. May 5, 1835.
:
EDWARD HARTSHORN, M. D.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 373
Chauncey P. Hartwell1, Leonard1, m., Jan. 4, 1844,
Mary Ann, dan. of Daniel Carter; he lived on his
father's old place in the west part; rem. to James-
town, N. Y. Wife d. in 1893. Had Edward, b.
Dec. 8, 1844, d. nnm. ; Ella L., b. March 31, 1848, m.
John D. Babcock; Sarah H., b. Oct. 21, 1854; Hattie
H., b. Sept. 2, 1856; Eugene, b. April 4, 1859; Lewis
E., b. Sept. 2, 1863; Anna L., b. 1865.
Daniel P. HartweW, Leonard1, m., Nov. 5, 1854,
Susan R. Moore, sister of Ezra and Josiah ; he is a
carpenter and lives near the depot in Carterville.
Had by Susan, James A., b. Sept., 1861, res., Cleve-
land, O. Wife, Susan, d. Sept. 17, 1861 ; m., 2d,
Ellen M. Wheeler, dau. of Jonathan, s. of Levi, and
by her had Bertillo L., b. March 31, 1865, m. Grace
E. Smiley, res., Fitchburg; Susan L., b. April 9,
1 87 1, m. George E. Andrews.
HARTLEY.
James B. Hartley, b. in Boston, 18 18, of English
parents ; he returned with them to England and there
remained till 1855, when he came back to America,
m. Abbie Elmira (Wheeler) Merrill Nov. 28, 1868;
he res. with her on Wheeler hill. She d. Feb. 2 1 ,
1895, and he d. Feb. 22, 1895; the funeral of both
was at the same time.
HARTSHORN.
The name is modern in Berlin. Reading seems to
have been the fountain head. Edward Hartshorn
and three bros. located in Amherst, N. H. He had
Levi, Jotham and Lucy. Of these, Levi m. Hannah
374 HISTORY OF THE
Elliot and graduated at Dartmouth College, and was
ordained pastor of trie Congregational Church in
Gloucester. He d. suddenly of fever. Left two
sons, Edward and Samuel ; Samuel d. young. The
wid. settled in Reading. Her s., Edward, walked
back and forth from there to the Medical College of
Harvard University ; graduated there in 1 840 ; he
settled in Berlin the same year, being 23 yrs. of age,
the youngest physician in the county. His mothei
d. here Oct. 18, 1867, aged 78 yrs.
Dr. Edward Hartshorn m. Lucy Elizabeth, dau. of
Solomon Howe, May 13, 1841 ; he lived on the place
now owned by Nellie Sawyer and Mary Keyes ; he
followed his profession till, on account of ill health, he
sold his practice to Dr. Lemuel Gott, and entered
into the manufacture of medicine and flavoring ex-
tracts ; he transferred his business to Boston, and in
1 87 1 rem. with his family to Somerville, his present
res. Had Edward Howe, b. Dec. 16, 1842; William
Henry, b. Sept. 21, 1846. In 1878 he engaged as
foremost in the development of the Golden Cross, a
family protecting fraternity, which has already paid
several millions of dollars to families of deceased
members. He also established the Golden Cross
Journal, a widely circulated and influential paper,
and at the age of yS still conducted it.
Edward H. Hartshorn, s. of Dr. Edward, m. Lucinda
H., adopted dau. of Rev. William A. Houghton, May
28, 1869; he lived with Mr. Houghton and was en-
gaged in business with his father. Had by Lucinda,
Mary Grace, b. Feb. 25, 1871 ; William Addison, b.
Feb. 28, 1874, and Solomon Henry, who d. an infant
MRS. EDWARD HARTSHORN.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 3 75
with its mother, Dec. 26, 1876. He m., 2d, Oct. 7,
1880, Louisa S., dau. of R. S. Hastings, by whom he
had Lucfnda Howe, b. Oct. 8, 1881 ; Ralph E., b.
Oct. 21, 1883; Edward Howe, b. June 8, 1887. He
d. Jan. 8, 1887.
William H. Hartshorn, s. of Dr. Edward, m., May
28, 1869, Ellen A., dau. of James F. Maynard of Clin-
ton : he lives in Somerville and carries on the medicine
and extract business, originally established by his
father in Berlin ; his parents reside with him. Had
Edward H., b. July 13, 1870; James Henry, b. Nov.
1, 1874. In 1895 he purchased the Solomon Howe
estate (his grandfather) and resides upon it during
the summer months.
Levi Hartshorn, s. of Jotham of Amherst, N. H.,
m. Harriet Holman ; he was of the firm of Grassie &
Hartshorn, who manufactured boots in a shop (now
burned) about 1850. He lived in the house built by
Dr. E. Hartshorn, later owned by Fred Miller. Wife
d. Oct. 22, 1864; adopted dau., Agnes, d. March 6,
1 87 1 , at 9 yrs. He returned to Amherst and m. Mrs.
E. (Melindy) Page. Had s., Charles P. He d. Sept.
7, 1872.
HASTINGS.
Four branches of this family of ancient history
have given character to Berlin. It is pleasant to
know that we have some early blood in America
besides the British and Irish. No doubt the Hast-
ings are true Danes. Thomas, b. in England in
1605, and Margaret Cheney of Roxbury are the
progenitors.
376 HISTORY OF THE
Nathaniel Hastings, b. 1738, s. of Nathaniel of
Boylston and of the fourth generation from Thomas,
m. Elizabeth Goodnow and settled in the west part
of Berlin, next to the Clinton line, in 1765 ; he was a
soldier in the French and Indian war in 1755-62, and
also in the Revolutionary service. Had Frances,
settled at the West; Abel, d. in infancy; Parney, m.
Moses Chase of Groton; Nathaniel, settled in Stan-
stead, Canada; Sylvanus, settled in Wardsboro, Vt. ;
Elizabeth, d. in Berlin, age 12 yrs. ; Nahum, b. 1779,
settled in Oakham; Reuben, b. Aug. 5, 1781 ; Benja-
min, b. 1783, m., Dec. 17, 1805, Abigail Hager of
Waltham; he settled in Shirley, d. there, had s.,
Benjamin, now living in Hudson ; Thomas, b. Jan.
8, 1786, d. in Berlin June 12, 18 13, of typhus fever,
two mos. after marriage. Nathaniel, Sr., d. in 1820,
at 82 ; wife d. in 1830 at 87.
Reuben Hastings, s. of Nathaniel, Jr., m., Aug. 1,
1804, Hannah, dau. of Rev. Reuben Puffer; settled
on the homestead of his father. He d. Nov. 1, 1873,
at 92; she d. Sept. 20, 1870, at 84. Had Lucy, b.
May 8, 1805, m. William P. Homer of Boston;
Elizabeth, b. May 4, 1807, m. Alexander S. Randall,
res., Newton; Joel, b. Oct. 9, 1809, res., Marlboro;
Reuben, b. Jan. 27, 1812; Hannah P., b. Dec. 13,
1813, d. Jan. 10, 1816; Anna P., b. April 30, 1815,
m., April 1, 1840, Warren Hunt of Wayland, he d.
at Newton by railroad accident April 30, 1846, no
children; Thomas, b. Jan. 24, 18 18, m. Elizabeth I.
Houghton of Bolton April, 1849, where he settled,
was a soldier in the late war, wounded at Antietam
and d. in hospital at Philadelphia Sept. 24, 1862,
WILLIAM H. HARTSHORN.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 37 7
wife d. May 26, 1 860 (they had two children, viz. :
Alonzo F., b. Jan. 12, 1850, and Mary E., b. Sept.
21, 1852); Nathaniel, b. Oct. 3, 1820, m., Jan. 22,
1843, Ann Elizabeth Packard, granddau. of Rev.
Asa Packard of Marlboro, is a farmer, settled in
Boylston; Sarah P., b. Dec. 26, 1822; Charles H., b.
vSept. 10, 1825, lived on the home place; Oliver P.,
b. Oct. 20, 1828, m. Hannah A. Bryant of Marlboro,
she d. Nov., 1857, he is a clerk in Boston.
Reuben Hastings", Jr., s. of Reuben'2, Nathaniel', m.
Caroline Hall Sept. 15, 1836, res., the old homestead;
he d. July 20, 1864. Had Ellen E., b. Sept. 13,.
1837; Emily A., b. April 17, 1840; Augustus I., b.
Oct. 6, 1842; Stella F., b. Jan. 6, 1846; Charles, b.
Aug. 3, 1848.
Ephraim Hastings, s. of Silas and Hannah (Reed)
Hastings of Boylston, b. Feb. 4, 1783, m. Achsah
Sawyer of Lancaster ; he settled in the east part of
Boylston in the Six Nations district as a farmer, and
continued there until he rem. to the Nathan Johnson
place in South Berlin in 1834. His wife, Achsah, d.
in 1829, by whom he had Christopher Sawyer, b.
Dec. 2, 181 5; Abigail, b. June 11, 18 16, m. Levi
Bigelow, Jr., of Marlboro Feb. 4, 1846 ; also had four
others who d. in infancy. Hem., 2d, Almira, dau. of
Dr. Reuben Puffer. He d. Aug. 23, 1855; wid.r
Almira, d. July 11, 1879.
Christopher Saivycr Hastings, s. of Ephraim, m.
Cordelia, dau. of Levi Bigelow, Sr., of Marlboro, Jan.
1 , 1 840 ; he succeeded his father on the old Johnson
homestead; when the war broke out, although ex-
37& HISTORY OF THE
empt from service by reason of age, he enlisted Aug.
i, 1862; he was promoted to the captaincy of Co. I,
36 Regt, Mass. Vols. ; was at the battle of Freder-
icksburg; went with the Ninth Army Corps to
Vicksburg and shared in the capture of Jackson,
Miss. ; here he had the small-pox ; reco\ ering from
this and on his way to Kentucky he was seized with
malarial fever and d. at Mound City, 111., Sept. 8,
1863; his body was interred at Berlin \ ith military
honors Sept. 16, 1863. Had Ellen, b. June 9, 1841,
m. Daniel A. White of Clinton June 20, 1861 ; Ruth-
ven, b. July 30, 1843; Arthur, b. Dec. 9 1846; Leslie,
b. April 1 5, 1849.
Ruthven Hastings, s. of Christopher S , m. Caroline,
dau. of Aaron Morse, April 18, 1867 ; 1 e remained on
the homestead with his bro., Arthur, in management
■of the farm, and in trade at South Berlin under firm
name of Hastings Bros. He d. March 7, 1893. Had
Eva M., b. Jan. 30, 1868.
Arthur Hastings, s. of Christopher S., m. Emma F.,
dau. of Francis R. Boyce, Aug. 10, 1881; was asso-
ciated with his bro. as above, and representative to
the General Court in 1894. Had Ralph B., b. Dec.
1, 1882, d. young; Florence E., b. Feb. 9, 1886.
Leslie Hastings, s. of Christopher S., m. Mary Grace,
dau. of wSolomon H. Howe of Bolton, March 9, 1882;
he graduated at Harvard College; was admitted to
the bar in Boston, where he practiced law in the
office of his uncle, E. M. Bigelow. Had Ethel, b.
Sept. 20, 1883, d. ; Leslie, b. Oct. 9, 1885. He
d. May 31, 1887, res., Cambridge, where his wid. still
resides.
s^
T H ::
NEW YORK
J8LIC LIBRARY
and TWdffi ,
Foundations.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 3 79
Henry Hastings, b. Dec. 24, 1798, s. of Capt. Henry
Hastings of Northboro, m. Mary Hutchinson of New
Hampshire Dec, 1825; they had seven children, all
of whom were born before he came to Berlin; he
settled in the south part on the place now owned by
Adin B. Allen ; before coming to Berlin he lived in
Boston; was a hotel keeper there, and res. in other
places. Had Mary Ann, b. in Boston March 27,
1827, m. C. C. Thurston of Boston Feb. 8, 1847; she
d. Nov., 1852, leaving two children; Samuel Henry,
b. at Middleboro March 20, 1830; Elizabeth L., b. at
Freetown Sept. 16, 1832, m. William H. Paige of
South Boston ; Susan M., b. at Freetown Dec. 16,
1834, m., Jan., 1854, David B. Jones of South Boston ;
she d. June 8, 1865; Edward P., b. at Northboro
March 20, 1836; James M., b. at Northboro April 6,
1839; Henrietta J., b. Dec. 6, 1843, m- Spencer C.
Chamberlin.
Samuel H. Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m., Jan. 1,
1853, Harriet Jane, dau. of Daniel Barnes; he is a
carpenter ; owned the mills at one time at the south
part; rem. to Grafton; res. now in Worcester. Had
Matilda Jane, b. Sept. 18, 1855, m. J. Hoyt Gunnison;
m., 2d, George H. Hastings of Grafton; Lunette M.,
b. Dec. 24, 1858, m. Robert W. McOrmand of Clin-
ton, had four children ; Leo Lincoln, b. July 1 1 ,
1865, m. Mary S. Nelson, had five children, res.,
Grafton; Herman S., b. Feb. 2, 1873.
Edward P. Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m. Sarah E.,
dau. of Winsor Maynara, April 24, 1865 ; he is a
shoemaker; res. in South Berlin. Had David C, b.
April 13, 1866; Clarence E., b. May 15, 1872; Mary
380 HISTORY OF THE
L., b. Feb. 17, 1874, m. Raymond Coolidge. Wife,
Sarah, d. Sept. 12, 1875; m., 2d, Alvira A. Gardner,
Sept. 13, 1877 ; divorced; had by Alvira, Sarah M., b.
Aug. 8, 1878.
James M. Hastings, s. of Henry, Jr., m., Nov. 20,
1862, Lucy A. Atherton, a protege of Elisha M.
Whitney ; he also is by trade a shoemaker, and res.
in South Berlin; has two sons, viz.:
Henry Whitney Hastings, s. of James M., b. Sept. 5,
1863 ; he graduated at the Boston School of Oratory
and is now teacher of elocution in Moody's school,
near Northfield (Mt. Hermon), m. Annie George of
Delaware.
At he?- ton Hastings, bro. of Henry W., b. Sept. 7,
1868 ; a law student in Boston.
David C. Hastings, s. of Edward P., m. Carolyn L.,
dau. of John F. Bennett, Nov. 19, 1890; is a shoe-
maker; res. with Mr. Bennett.
Rufns Sawyer Hastings, b. Nov. 10, 1825, s. of
Rufus and Isabella (Howe) Hastings of Sterling, m.
Louisa S. Blood of Worcester Jan. 3, 1849; he was
a successor of others in the Howe store at Berlin
Centre. He d. July 5, 1874, at 49. Had George R.,
b. April 15, 1855, d. June 19, 1856; Louisa S., b.
May 9, 1858, m. Edward H. Hartshorn; Sarah I.,
b. Feb. 5, 1869, d. unm. Nov. 14, 1893, by being
thrown from a carriage at West Berlin against an
abutment of the C. M. R. R. bridge.
HA WES.
Saninel Morse Haynes, s. of Emory, b. in Wayland
Feb. 24, 1832, m. Julia A. Houghton, dau. of Stephen,
Mrs. C. S. Hastings.
Ruthven Hastings. Leslie Hastings, Es^
TOWN OF BERLIN. 38 1
in Bolton March 26, 1856 ; he enlisted in Co. F, 13th
Regt., and when his term of service expired he re-en-
listed in Co. F, 59th Regt.; was wounded Sept.
30, 1862, in the battle of Poplar Grove Church,
from the effects of which he lost a leg. The
family came to Berlin in 1862, and a few years
later he bought the Joshua Johnson farm in
South Berlin ; later he purchased the blacksmith
shop and business in Carterville, living in the
Fuller house; in 1883 he removed to Hudson.
Children: Anna, b. Sept. 14, 1857; Olive, b. Dec.
3, 1859; both the children were born in Bolton,
from which town they came to Berlin.
HEBARD.
Everett A. Hebard, from North Brookfield, m. Ella
A., dau. of Frederick Miller Jan. 12, 187 1 ; shoe-
maker. Had Frederick E., b. Sept. 1, 1875.
HOAR.
Two of this name were occupants of a tract of land
northwest of the Sanderson Carter place, about 1 790 ;
the land is still known by that name. Joseph Hoar
m. vSophia Bigelow, dau. of Augustus, Aug. 18,
1790; David Hoar m. Lucy Whitcomb in 1794;
m., 2d, Nancy Moore in 1802; by her had Sanford,
Anna and Eliza.
HOLBROOK.
Isaac Ho/brook, b. Dec. 17, 1837, from Hamden,
Me., m. Persis J., dau. of Capt. John D. Merrill, Nov.
1, 1857; he resides in Carterville, nearly opposite the
blacksmith shop; is a shoemaker and farmer. Had
382 HISTORY OF THE
Cora Belle, b. July 12, 1858, m. Arthur Pierce of
Concord; Grace Lille, b. April 8, i860, m. Walter
Rice of Clinton.
Daniel Holbrook, blacksmith in the west part about
1830-40 ; m. Hannah, wid. of Amasa Holt, Dec. 21,
1828. vShe d. Sept. 8, 1843; he died a short time
before, no date ; res., the old Barber house.
HOLDER.
Daniel Holder, b. about 1720, came directly from
England ; lived in Nantucket in 1 760 ; a shipwright ;
his wife's name was Hannah ; this marriage is on the
records of Nantucket; this is as far back as we can
go. Thomas, his s., b. on the island of Nantucket in
1756, m. Sarah Gaskill of Mendon, now Blackstone,
about 1778 ; he came to Berlin during the last decade
of the last century ; built the house upon the long
known Holder place, now owned by Edward Greene ;
his wife was a preacher among the Friends. He d.
Feb., 1830, aged 75 yrs. ; his wid. d. Nov. 6, 1836,
aged "j J yrs. Their children were: Phebe; Han-
nah; Joseph; David; Daniel, 2d, b. May 19, 1 79 1 ;
Thomas, 2d, b. June 6, 1794; John, b. July 22, 1799;
Phebe m. Silas Coolidge of Bolton, d. 1832; Hannah
d. in Berlin April 20, 1848 ; Joseph and David settled
in Bolton; Joseph d. in 1867; David d. in 1864;
Daniel m. Harriet Hutchins, b. May 13, 1793, of
Concord, N. H., Sept. 15, 18 19; their children
were: Maria, b. June 28, 1820, d. Sept. 18, 1863;
Samuel H., b. Aug. 26, 1821, d. April 24, 1822;
Samuel, 2d, b. March 2, 1823, m. Louisa M. Rice of
Marlboro; Phebe A., b. Nov. 27, 1824; Jane, b. July 30,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 385
1827, m. Charles Bigelow of Hudson ; Mary H., b. July
8, 1833; Levi H., b. Aug. 17, 1837; he was a
musician in the 27th Regt., Mass. Volunteers, d. at
Andersonville. Daniel lost his right arm by acci-
dental discharge of a gun May, 1824; built the house
just north of the homestead, now the home of the
daus., Phebe and Mary. He d. May 18, 1863; his
wid. d. Aug. 4, 1866. Phebe and Mary are graduates
of the Westfield Normal School ; their life-work
teaching; many terms of service both have given in
the schools of Berlin ; the former taught many years
amid the Berkshire hills in the high schools of Lee
and Hinsdale ; delighting in literary pursuits she has
written much, especially poetry, for various periodi-
cals. After closing her work in public schools Mary
taught in the families of Hon. S. H. Howe of Bolton,
Judge Dewey of Worcester, Hon. C. G. Stevens of
Clinton, and Daniel Dewey of Newton. She has an
artist soul, her specialty is in painting — flowers.
Thomas Holder, 2d, m. Lucy Fosgate. Their
children were: Lydia V. B., b. Aug. 3, 1834, m.
Andrew Hubbard of Worcester ; Susan M., b. Dec.
20, 1837, m. Theodore Morse of Cleveland, Ohio;
Sarah G., b. Feb. 5, 1840, m. Edwin Noxon of Buf-
falo, N. Y. Thomas d. Oct. 20, 1856; his wife d..
April 14, 185 1. He lived on the homestead.
John Holder m. Caroline Russell of Springfield,
Mass.; twin sons d. in infancy. Had Henry R., b.
June 9, 1835, res. next east of the old Holder house.
John d. Feb. 6, 1864; his wid. d. in 1881. He had.
rare musical ability ; was a teacher of much note.
Henry R. Holder, s. of John, m. Almira Crosby of
384 HISTORY OF THE
Marlboro, res., East Berlin, in the house built by his
father; was a soldier in the late war; a musician.
Had John H. R., b. Feb. 29, i860; Leslie E., b.
March 19, 1862; Minnie, b. Feb. 13, 1863; Winifred
E., b. Dec. 1, 1864; Herman, b. Dec. 28, 1867; Edith
I., b. April 20, 1870; Elsie, b. Dec. 25, 1875.
HOLMAN.
Amory Holman came from Bolton in 1830, m. Lucy
Whitcomb of Bolton in 1 8 1 1 and settled on the
Merrick Rand place; rem. to the Joshua Johnson
farm, now owned by Adin B. Allen, in 1835. Had
Nathaniel, b. June 14, 181 3; Silas W., b. May 16,
1 8 14, m. Nancy Turner, m., 2d, Anna E. Holman,
he d. Dec. 18, 1855 ; Lucy, b. June 19, 18 16, m.
Capt. Silas Sawyer; Roxana, b. Jan. 21, 1818, d.
Nov. 23, 1846, unm.; Rebecca, b. Oct. 26, 18 19, m.
Edwin Bathrick, d. Apr. 29, 1861 ; Amory, b.' Oct.
24, 1 82 1, m. vSarah J. Farwell, m., 2d, Julia Lee, res.,
Bolton, d. Mar. 28, 1895; Jonas, b. Mar. 24, 1824, d.
May 16, 1843; Mary L., b. Oct. 20, 1826, m. Capt.
Silas Sawyer; Charles, b. Sept. 29, 1828, d. Oct. 11,
1857; Emeline, b. May 25, 1831, m. Jonas H. Brown,
she d. April 22, 1886; Harriet, b. Oct. 18, 1833, m.
Levi Hartshorn, d. Oct. 22, 1864; Franklin, b. Aug-.
30, 1836, m. Martha Bemis, res., Westboro. He d.
Jan. 14, 1847; Lucy, wid., d. Aug. 11, 1878, at 83.
Nathaniel Holman, s. of Amory, m. Mary B., dau.
of Levi Rice of Marlboro. Had Lucinda, b. ,
d. ; Amory, b. , d. ; and'Charles,
lives in Ohio. Was a soldier in the late war. He d.
.Sept. 29, 1880; wife d. in Marlboro.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 385
HOLT.
AmasaHolt m. Nabby, dau. of Dr. Benjamin Nourse,
June 25, 1799 ; the family was first on the Israel Saw-
yer place in gift to Nabby by her grandf., Benjamin
Bailey ; was next on her father's place ; sold same to
Alexander Marsh in 1805, and Marsh sold to Hugh
Bruce in 1808, and last lived on the old Barber place
with his second wife. Wife, Nabby, d. July 7, 1807;
hem., 2d, Hannah Moore April 12, 1 808; he d. Nov. 3,
181 5, at 43; was by trade a saddler. Had Eliza, d.
young ; Laura May, m. Altemont Rice of Northboro ;
Adaline, m. Amory Wetherbee. Had by Hannah,
Erskine, b. 18 10; Eliza, and John T.
Erskine Holt, s. of Amasa, m. Phebe B. Francis of
Holden. Had John M., b. March 4, 1837; George
W., b. Feb. 20, 1840; Phebe Ann, b. ; Ange-
nette, b. Aug. 29, 1 842 ; rem. to West Boylston.
Oscar IV. Holt, from Iowa, s. of Joseph W. and
Miranda (Shattuck) Holt, m. Grace, dau. of Amos
Sawyer; he is a shoemaker and lives in Hudson.
Was a soldier in the late war.
HOUGHTON.
Two Houghtons came to Lancaster in its beginning
in 1652-60. Ralph and John, cousins, were both
eminent in public esteem and in public service. The
family of Ralph mostly disappear on the records
after the Indian massacre in 1676. The families of
this region are almost wholly of the John Houghton
line. John was b. in Lancashire, Eng., about 1620.
His wife's name was Beatrix. Had John, b.
1650; Robert, b. 1658; Jonas, b. 1660; Benja-
386 HISTORY OF THE
min, b. 1 668 ; Mary, Beatrix and Sarah were the
daus. ; his first home was between Clinton and
South- Lancaster on Dean's brook; after the massa-
cre he settled on the Old Common, south of
the road, nearly opposite the present Reform School ;
he possessed a large land estate, situated in
Berlin, Clinton and Bolton, as the territory of old
Lancaster is now divided, and extending- from near
Clamshell pond to the William Fife lands ; thence
southerly, including Baker hill. These lands were
designated in ancient deeds by names which forcibly
remind one of their English origin, such as "Hough-
ton's park," "Rosemary meadow," "Cranberry mead-
ow," "Three Fountains meadow," '•'Little Meadow
plain," "Job's Corner conveniency." I can locate
most of these pieces, but the last named piece stag-
gers me. The Fountains is in the N. M. Allen region ;
"Cranberry meadow" is the northwest corner of Alden
Sawyer's farm, and "Little Meadow plain" joins it
and takes in the upland to near the Bolton depot.
The Beaver dams, named in a deed of Cranberry
meadow, were visible in our day. John, Sr., d. on
the old Common in 1684, and on the division of his
lands his s., John, retained the homestead on the
Common and gave the land for a meeting-house
there; Robert settled on what is now called the
"Acre" in Clinton; Jonas on Vaughn's hill in Bolton,
and Benjamin on Little Meadow plain, south of Bol-
ton depot. Of the next generation I can only locate
Jonathan, s. of John, Jr., on the homestead on the
Common; Benjamin, Jr., on the Little Meadow plain;
Cyrus, s. of Ebenezer and grands, of Robert, just
west of Benjamin, across the Causeway; and John,
TOWN OF BERLIN'. 387
3d, s. of John, Jr., on the Ephraim Goddard farm,
which he sold to Benjamin Bailey in 1 7 1 8 ; John,
3d, d. in 1724; another John Houghton, called John
Tirtius, 3d, sold the place "where he lately dwelt"
to Judge Samuel Baker in 1765. No record of his
lineage, but his wife was Mary Goddard, the dau.
of William Goddard, the miller. They rem. to Brat-
tleboro, Vt., and later to Guilford, where he d. in
1826, aged 10 1 yrs.
Cyrus Houghton, s. of Ebenezer and grands, of
Robert, settled west of Benjamin (who was on the
Merrick Sargent place), just across the Causeway;
he was there in 1785 ; d. in 1786-7. Had a s., Cyrus,
b. 1745, who became a deacon and was known by
that designation.
Dca. Cyrus Houghton, s. of Cyrus, m. Experience Pike
of Framingham; he settled first in the west part on
the place now owned by Silas L. Mills ; sold the same
to Obadiah Wheeler in 1 768 ; he was a moving char-
acter; was in Putney, Vt., where several Berlin peo-
ple settled; in Framingham and in Boylston; in the
latter place was made deacon ; he returned finally to
his old homestead in West Berlin in 1798, after an
absence of thirty years. Had by wife, Experience,
William, d. in youth of hydrophobia; Achsah, bap.
1777, m. Ephraim Barber 1803, also Pelatiah Gibbs
of Livermore, Me.; Eunice, bap. 1777, m., 1807,
Silas Carruth of Northboro ; Caleb, b. 1780. Wife,
Experience, d. ; he m., 2d, Mary Taylor of Boylston
in 1790; she was aunt to Mrs. Job Spofford. Had
by Mary, Jonah, b. 1792. Dea. Cyrus d. June 10,
1834, at 89; Mary, wid., d. May 25, 1838, at 86.
38S HISTORY OF THE
Some of the land comprising this farm at the west
part was bought by his father of Benjamin Wilson
in 1747 (eight acres at Wilson Flagg holes); also of
James Fife, eighteen acres on both sides of the brook
that runs out of Roper's and Sumner's meadows.
Caleb Houghton, s. of Dea. Cyrus, m. Susannah, dau.
of Josiah Sawyer, Jr., Oct. 3, 1803 ; res. in the north-
west part of the town on the Merrick Sargent place ;
was a cooper and was at one time engaged in wire
drawing. Had Cyrus, b. Aug., 1804, m. Eliza A.
Sawin of Gardner, res. in Lancaster and Holliston, in
the latter of which he d. in 1868 ; this Cyrus, 3d, and
Eliza had three sons : Edward, who res. in Lancaster ;
Lucius, who res. in Middleboro; and William A., a
professor in New York City University, also
was five years in the Imperial College, Japan.
Three daus. d. unm. Caleb had, also, Persis, b.
Jan. 4, 1808, m., 1830, John Burdett of Clinton;
both d. in Holliston; they had sons, John M., LeRoy
S., and dau., Louisa; George, b. Jan. 19, 1810, m. in
Kingston, Pa., and d. there in 1845 ; William A., b.
June 2, 1812; Amory, b. 1816, d. 1819. WTife,
Susannah, d. Aug. 23, 18 18. He m., 2d, Jan. 19,
1 8 19, Abigail Merriam, by whom he had Lewis M.,
b. Oct. 23, 1820, m. in Holliston, where he d. in
185 1, and had one s., Charles; Susannah S. and
Abigail M., twins, b. Aug. 15, 1821 ; Susannah d.
Feb. 2, 1847; Abigail m. Ira Sawyer, Jr., she d.
1852. Caleb d. here about ; wid., Abigail,
m., 2d, Elijah Edson and d. in Holliston May 7,
1866 ; interment here.
Jonah Houghton, s. of Dea. Cyrus, m. Zilpah, dau.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 389
of John Howe of Boylston. Had Jonah Taylor, b.
Feb. 24, 1 8 19, d. Dec. 15, 1839, having changed his
name to Henry T. ; Mary Ann, b. April 8, 1820, m.
Houghton of Bolton; he d., she m., 2d, Timo-
thy Fairbanks, he d. ; Amory, b. Sept. 21, 1821, d.
1834; Horace, b. Nov. 9, 1822, m. Abra , by
whom he had Henry and Charles, both d. young;
m., 2d, Hayes, res., Boston, by whom had
Charlotte, b. 1864, d. 1879. Jonah d. 1838; wid.
m. Sawtell of Grafton; he d., she m., 3d,
Wheeler; she d. 1880.
William Addison Houghton, s. of Caleb, and the
seventh gen. from the first John of Lancaster, m.
Mary Grace, dau. of Solomon Howe of Berlin ; he
lived with his parents on the paternal homestead,
never in the hands of any but the Houghtons (save
one mere change), until the death of his father, about
1822; his home afterwards during his minority was
with his guardian, Jonathan D. Meriam, Esq. ; at
twenty-two years he began preparations for college ;
graduated at Yale in 1840, also at Yale Divinity
School in 1843 ! was settled the same year over the
Congregational Church of Northboro, with which he
had united in 1843 ; resigned in 185 1 ; res. in Berlin
in 1852; installed over the Congregational Church in
Berlin Oct. 25, 1853; resigned Oct. 25, 1878, after a
pastorate of twenty-five years. The church in 1887,
by motion of the pastor, Rev. C. H. Washburn, con-
ferred upon him the relation of pastor emeritus. He
was a member of the School Committee nearly all
the time during his pastorate ; took great interest in
the public schools and in all matters pertaining to
education ; he was a prominent figure in the town's
390 HISTORY OF THE
municipal life ; was ever ready to promote all meas-
ures calculated to advance the best interests and
prosperity of the community. The last years of his
life were spent in collecting and collating the material
for this work, which, through failing health, he was
unable fully to complete. He lived on the old Dr.
Puffer homestead, bought in 1857 ; the buildings were
remodeled in 1866. Had an adopted dau., Lucinda
Howe, who m. Edward H. Hartshorn. His wife,
Mary Grace, d. Oct. 16, 1882. He d. of no special
disease, but of debility incident to old age, Sunday,
March 21, 1891. The funeral, which occurred on
the Thursday following, was attended by a very
large concourse of people of all denominations.
Rev. Henry Hyde of Greenfield, but formerly of
Berlin, officiated on the occasion. No one in the
daily life of Berlin has been more missed than
William Addison Houghton.
Jonas Houghton, from Bolton, the 4ourth of the
name Jonas and descendant of John Houghton, Sr.,
of Lancaster, m. Lucy, dau. of Eleazer Johnson of
Berlin. The lineage of this branch of the family
stands-. John, Sr., d. 1684; Jonas, b. 1660, m. Mary
Burbeane of Woburn; Jonas2 b. 16S2, m. Mary Brig-
ham of Marlboro ; Jonas3, b. 1726; Jonas, b. 1750,
m. Lucy Johnson, dau. of Eleazer, and lived with his
father-in-law on the p^ape.now owned by Willard M.
Wheeler. Had Silas, b. 1777 ; no other record.
Silas Houghton, s. of Jonas4, m. Lucy Farnsworth
of New Hampshire March 9, 1 799 ; he succeeded his
father on the Johnson homestead. Had Merrick, b.
Oct. 28, 1799; Emily T., b. Jan. 25, 1801, m.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 39 1
Tilton, res. at the West; Lucy, b. Feb. 28, 1804, m.
Oliver Fosgate; Sabra, b. April 27, 1805, m. Alben
P. Howe, res., Amherst; Jonas, b. March 3, 1808, m
Fanny Eager of Northboro, he settled in the West
Silas, b. Jan. 18, 1810; Levi, b. 1812; Eleazer J., b
Oct. 14, 1 81 8; Amory, b. 1816. Silas, Sr., d. Oct
16, 1820, at 43; wid. m. Benjamin Bailey of Bolton;
she d. Nov. 27, 1826.
Merrick Houghton, s. of Silas, m. Ruth, dau. of
Abram Howe of Marlboro ; his homestead was our pres-
ent Chandler Carter place, bought in 1821 of the wid.
of Nathan Egery; house was built in 1830 of funds
obtained from a lottery, $2,000 ; rem. to Lancaster,
where he d. Had Elihu R., b. Dec. 11, 1820; Ann
Eliza, b. Nov. 13, 1822, m. James Penniman, res.,
Worcester; Silas B., b. Oct. 7, 1824; Edwin H., b.
Dec. 13, 1826; Merrick F., b. Aug. 13, 1828; Ruth
Jane, b. May 15, 1830, m. Rev. Mr. Simson; Jonas
A., b. April o, 1 532, res., i\ew Yonc city, policeman
and detective; Lewis, b. , deaf and dumb, is
professor in Knoxville Asylum, Term. ; Mathew, b. / '>
, res., Long Island; Charles M., b. , res.,
New York city.
Silas Houghton, bro. of Merrick, m. Susan Coflran
of Goshen, N. H., 1834, and dau. of Benjamin, who
came on the Amherst Bailey place in 1831, rem. to
Goshen. Had Mary E., b. Dec. 28, 1837, m. John H.
Sprague; Frank E., b. Oct. 28, 1843, d. in the army
at St. Mary's Church June 24, 1864, was in the 15th
Mass. Regt. ; Joseph C, b. Jan. 3, 1852, m. Abby
Trull of Marlboro. Silas d. in Lancaster July 10,
1882.
392 HISTORY OF THE
Levi Houghton, bro. of the above, m. Patience Har-
low of Shrewsbury. She d. March 15, 1848; he m.,
2d, Lucy Ann, dau. of Josiah Conant. Levi d.
March 20, 185 1 ; wid. res. in Hudson.
Nahum Houghton m., Sept. 26, 1786, Leovitia, dau.
of Joseph Howe and sister to wife of Amos Sawyer,
vSr. ; they rem. to Marlboro, Vt. He d. 1841 at 75 ;
she d. 1843 at 78. The lineage of this Nahum ap-
pears to be down through John, Sr. ; John, Jr. ; John3 ;
Benjamin; Ezra; Nahum, b. 1767; no other record.
Solomon Houghton and wife, Betsey (Pratt), came
here from Boylston in 18 16; bought land opposite
the Congregational Church and built what was the
front part of the hotel ; remained in town four or
five years ; he was a descendant of Robert. Thus
Robert', Joshua2, Solomon3. Had Serena, William
Pratt, Solomon and Richard Baxter; no other record.
The Silas Houghton of West Berlin, just opposite
George Howard's, I cannot place genealogically.
In 1 8 10 he paid Joshua Johnson ten dollars for that
irregular piece of land; the .shape was determined
by a new location of the road east of the Barber
mills. The present well-sweep indicates the house
spot. That he was of the Benjamin line might be
inferred from his occupancy of a slipe (slips) of
meadow. "Slipes," as they were called, came in by
irregular boundaries, — space between defined lots;
squatters took possession. Robert Houghton names
in deed to Cyrus the "slipes" east of the brook, near
the present McPherson place. Later, these slipes
were owned by Capt. Henry Powers and his s., John.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 393
HOWARD.
Timothy Howard, Jr. ( s. of Timothy, who m. Dorcas
Greene and lived in the Fuller house, Carterville), m.
Abigail Temple ; he lived at various places in town.
Had James; Emeline, m. Gardner Jacobs; Rufus, b.
May 18, 1805 ; Lucinda Sophronia and Dexter, d.
young; George W., b. Sept. 27, 18 19. Timothy,
Jr., d. Nov., 1846: Abigail d. Aug., 1842.
Rufus Howard, s. of Timothy, Jr., m. Louisa, dau.
of Oliver Sawyer of Heath ; res. on south road, where
Nelson Larkin now lives. Had Sarah P., b. Jan. 10,
, m. David A. Fry; m., 2d, Joshua Wolcott; she
d. April 3, 1890; Elmira G., b. Feb. 19, 1829, m.
William J. Davenport; Susan B., b. June 14, 1831,
m. Jonathan B. Ray, she d. Dec. 16, 1894; Louisa
S., b. Dec. 20, , m. Samuel N. Marsh; Martha
A., b. Aug. 4, , m. Abel G. Haynes; Mary W.,
b. Oct. 8, , m. Ralph Safford; Adeliza J., b.
March 8, 1842, m. George H. Andrews in 1862;
Augusta M., b. Aug. 21, 1843, m- William Smith.
He d. July 23, 1865 ; wid. d. March 18, 1886.
Hon. William N. Davenport, now mayor of the
city of Marlboro, is a son of the above-named Elmira
G. Howard and William J. Davenport, Esq., of Boyl-
ston.
George IV. Howard, s. of Timothy, Jr., m. Hulda
(Forbes) Sargent, wid. of Curtis Sargent, Dec. 8,
1855 ; he lives in the west part. Had Marshall E., b.
Nov. 24, 1857, m. Etta E. Perkins of Lexington,
Me., Oct. n, 1893; had Elwin W., b. July 12,
1894.
394 HISTORY OF THE
HOWE.
Phineas Howe, b. 1733, s. of Phineas and Abigail
(Bennett) Howe of Marlboro and later of Boylston,
who was a descendant of John Howe, one of the
first settlers in Marlboro, m. Experience, dau. of
William and Experience (Wheeler) Pollard of Bolton ;
he settled on Barnes hill on the farm recently owned
by Silas S. Greenlief. Had nine children b. from
1760 to 1776, namely: Silas, b. April 28, 1760;
Lucretia, b. Oct. 4, 1761, m. Samuel Goss of Bolton;
Polly (Mary), b. Nov. 10, 1763, m. Abel Baker, res.,
Concord, N. H. ; Parna, b. May 24, 1765, m. Jonathan
Fairbanks; Sarah, b. March 1, 1767,1x1. Silas Sawyer;
Phineas, b. March 25, 1769; Experience, b. April,
1 77 1, d. young; Betty, b. April 19, 1773; Abraham,
b. July 24, 1776. His three sons settled in Rumford,
Me., about 1800, while he in his old age rem. to
Concord, N. H., and probably lived with his dau., Polly,
for Bouton's "History of Concord" tells us that our
Phineas Howe was six feet nine inches in height,
and his dau., Polly, Abel's wife, was six feet and
weighed 202 lbs. ; Susan, dau. of Polly, was six feet
two inches. It was reported here in 1825 that a
granddau. of Abel Baker led the Lowell factory girls,.
being the tallest, dressed in white, to greet Gen.
Lafayette in 1824.
Silas Howe, b. 1737, bro. of Phineas of Barnes hill,
m. Abigail, dau. of Isaac Moore, Sr., Feb. 2, 1764;
he was the successor of Phineas on the hill, but
finally rem. to Rumford, Me., about 1800. Had
Silas, b. 1764; Abigail, b. 1766, m. Manasseh Fair-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 395
banks; Ephraim, b. 1767; Levi, b. ; Persis, b.
; Tamer, b. 1779; Abraham, b. 1782.
Silas Howe m., 1780, Silence Moore; from the
records it is not clear whether this Silas is a s. of
Phineas or not. Had Jeremiah N., b. 1781 ; Rebecca
H., b. 1782; Samson, b. 1786, m., 18 12, Betsey Howe
of Boylston ; Experience, b. 1787; Rumford records
add Hannah, b. 1798; Lydia, b. 1802.
Capt. Ephraim Howe, s. of Silas, Sr., m. Hannah,
dau. of Fortunatus Barnes, Nov. 11, 1 790 ; he lived
on the Merrick Felton farm ; later rem. to Northboro.
Had Curtis, b. June 9, 1791, m. Dec. 15, 18 19, Alo-
thena Bartlett of Northboro (their early life was in
Berlin, later in Northboro, where he d. Oct. 22, 1854,
had no children, his wid. d. 1892); Abel, b. Oct.
16, 1795; Lois, b. Nov. 3, 1799, m. Roswell Keyes;
Ephraim and Hannah, twins, b. July 7, 1808; Han-
nah d. young; Zilpah, b. Aug. 17, 1802, m. William
Sawyer, s. of Amos, Sr. ; Lucinda, b. Oct. 16, 1797;
Lucy, b. , m. Whitney of Marlboro.
Capt. Ephraim d. March 28, 1855, at 87; wife d.
June 1, 185 1, at 81.
Ephraim Howe, Jr., m. Susan Jones; he lived on
Philo Bruce's place about 1830; rem. to Northboro.
Had seven children; Lewis T., b. Dec. 15, 1843, is
on. our list of soldiers.
Warren S. Howe, s. of Willard of Marlboro, m. Lucy
S., dau. of Amos Sawyer, Jr., Nov. 24, 1870; she d.
Jan. 29, 1884; m., 2d, Laura Elizabeth, dau. of John
A. Merrill, Jan. 18, 1888. He has been expressman
and drove the daily coach to Hudson. He removed
to Brookline.
396 HISTORY OF THE
Abel Howe, s. of Ephraim, m., Dec. 17, 1817, Betsey
Sawyer ; was living on the old Phineas Howe place
about 1830; rem. to Maine. Had Hannah, m. Fran-
cis Eager of Northboro ; Ellen Gertrude, m. John A.
Lane of Northboro. He d. 1843 in Canton, Me.;
wife d. 1833.
Samuel Howe, from Bolton, m. Mary G. Wheeler,
dau. of Levi, Jr., Nov. 28, 1849; rem- to Marlboro.
Had Ellen M., b. Oct. 23, 1850; Bertha J., b. June
22, 1855; vSumner L., b. Apr. 9, 1859; Henry E., b.
Aug. 6, 1866; Clarence, b. Dec. 22, 1870, d. Aug. 12,
1871.
Alonzo F. Howe, s. of Lyman of Marlboro, m.
Melinda Lawrence of Marlboro ; he settled in the
south part on the place now owned by N. H. Cart-
wright in 1857 and built that house; he was in the
army in the 29th Mass. Vols. ; d. at Camp Dennison,
Cincinnati, Sept. 7, 1863, age 32 ; after his death the
family rem. to Marlboro in 1863. Had Frank D., b.
March 7, 1857; Fred W., b. May 13, 1859, d. young;
Stella G., b. June 7, 1861.
Solomon Hozve came to Berlin in 1803. This con-
catenation of names preceded him genealogically:
John and Mary, Josiah and Mary (Haynes), Josiah
and Mary (Marble), Josiah and Mary (Goodale),
Josiah and Molly (Mary) Adams. He m. Sarah, dau.
of John Stow; her mother was Grace Newton.
The Stows antedated the Howes in Marlboro, but
were less numerous. "'Squire Howe" was a kind of
town official in public affairs; he was innh older,
storekeeper and farmer ; ventured in card manufac-
turing, a losing enterprise. The writer has "used
SOLOMON H. HOWE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 397
up" variously much of the clumsy machinery. My
father, I suppose, furnished the wire in part in his
"wire shop" at the foot of Cranberry meadow,
"Houghton & Dakin;" "drawing wire," it was called.
The Howe tavern on the present William H. Harts-
horn corner was known "on the road" as a dining
place, especially after the Boston and Barre stage
was started and "summer boarders" were known in
Berlin fifty years ago. William Addison, his elder
son, at sixteen bought and sold in the store ; he was
a merchant by instinct ; he had his eye on Boston from
his youth; he reached it in 1837; was wholesale dry
goods dealer; became president of the Elliot Ins..
Co. and of the Elliot Bank ; was mainly instrumental
in their organization ; he was stricken by paralysis
in Oct., 1858.
Solomon Henry Howe was taken from the farm into
partnership with his bro. in 1844 after apprentice-
ship ; later with others, Pierce, Howe & Co. ; later,
Howe, Pierce & Co., bro. of first partner ; the senior
Pierce said Howe was the best salesman in Boston ;
he retired with competence to the old Holman farm
on Wataquodock in 1 86-. The tower there on the
highest land between Wachusett and Boston was
built by him. The long line of evergreens further
south will long be reminders of him. Weary with
the monotony of retirement, he unhappily entered
into complications with the B. C. & F. R. R. (from
the O. C. Northern branch), of which he became
president when it was extended to New Bedford ; he*
was stricken by apoplexy in a public meeting in
Boston. Died Feb., 1879. Hem. in 185 1 Lucinda,
dau. of James Savage of Boston, later of Southboro..
39 8 HISTORY OF THE
His children are : Mary Grace, m. Leslie Hastings ;
James Sullivan, physician in Boston ; Solomon Henry,
merchant in New York city; William Addison, in
Oregon. These brothers have a personal record in
the late "History of Worcester County," but by tem-
porary loss of the manuscript, the record is inserted
in the appendix. '
Solomon Hoive m. May 19, 1802, Sarah Stow.
Had Isabella, b. July 19, 1803, m., March 24, 1822,
Major Rufus Hastings of Sterling; she d. in West-
boro Nov., 1876, he d. there June, 1883; William
Addison, b. July 4, 1806, d. in Berlin Oct. 1,
1863, unm. ; Sarah, b. March 21, 1809, d. June 29,
1826; Lydia, b. Aug. 27, 181 1, m., April 25, 1854,
Capt. Amos C. Leland of Holliston; he d. May, 1855,
she m., Sept. 1, 1857, Dea. Luther Peters; shed.
June 2, 1882; Mary Grace, b. May 12, 181 5, m., May
28, 1844, Rev. William A. Houghton, then of North-
boro; Lucy E., b. May 2, 18 17, m., May 13, 1841,
Dr. Edward Hartshorn ; Solomon Henry, b. Nov. 29,
1822.
HUDSON.
John Hudson, b. 1713, s. of Nathaniel and grands,
of Daniel and (Joanna) Hudson, who settled in Lan-
caster in 1665, m. Elizabeth McAllister of Northboro;
she d. May 16, 1786, age 66; he m., 2d, March 28,
1787, Bertha Wood, who survived him; he settled in
• the southwest part of the town on the hill south of
the Barneses, later known as the Dinsmore place.
Had by Elizabeth, Elisha, m. Susanna Brigham,
rem. to Canada; Elijah, m. Hannah Goodnow, moved
WILLIAM A. HOWE.
William A. Howe, son of Solomon and Sarah Howe, early succeeded to his father's
farm and store, and soon extended the business till it included the trade for miles around.
His ambition soon led him to Boston, where in thedrv goods business he soon amassed
a fortune and won the reputation of a skillful financier. While in the full tide of suc-
cess as president of the Eliot Bank and the Eliot Fire Insurance Co., both of which he
founded,! he was stricken with paralysis and died in Berlin in 1S57. His interment
was at Mt. Auburn. While in health he purposed to build a mansion on the old site,
and removed and refitted the old house on a site opposite the old church.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 399
to Clarendon, Vt; Merriam, m. Jonas Babcock of
Northboro, and was the mother of Mrs. Adam Bart-
lett; Moses, res., Bolton, unm. ; Aaron, was in the
Lexington alarm in 1775; Hannah, d. in Berlin
unm.; Ebenezer, d. in the Revolutionary arm}- ; John,
moved to Oxford, was three years in the army;
Charles, was a three years' man in the Continental
army, and when his time was about expiring he was
accidentally killed by one of our own men: two
scouting parties met in the night time, and one
mistaking the other for the enemy, fired and killed
him and another man. Stephen, b. 1 76 1 , settled in
Marlboro, was three years in the Continental service ;
was the father of Hon. Charles Hudson, the historian
of Marlboro ; Elizabeth, the youngest of the family
of eleven children, m. Levi Fay of Marlboro.
The military record of this family of John Hudson is
certainly remarkable, when we consider that he was
in the expedition against Crown Point in 1755, and
two of his sons also were in the old French and
Indian war, and he and all of his sons were in the
Revolutionary war at some period of its contin-
uance. John Hudson d. in Berlin Aug. 6, 1799, age
86 ; was an original church member in Berlin.
Daniel, the grandf. of John, together with his wife,
Joanna, and two daus. and two grandchildren, were
killed by the Indians in Lancaster in 1697; they
lived on Gibson's hill.
HUNT.
Hainan Hunt, from Sudbury, was the successor of
William A. Howe in the old corner store. Wife,
Harriet, d. here Oct. 10, 1843.
400 HISTORY OF THE
HUNTING.
Martin R. Hunting, from Marlboro, m. , dau.
of Stephen — . Houghton of Bolton; he lived in the
south part in 1858 in the house now of Edward P.
Hastings; was a wheelwright and worked in
Wheeler's mill ; rem. to Gardner. Had a s. Stephen
in the late war, who was killed in a battle near
Petersburg, Va.
Joseph Hunting, from , m. Emma Miller,
sister to Mrs. Frank Babcock. He d. here Nov. 15,
1874, age 34; wid. m. George C. Rathburn.
JACKSON.
Henry Jackson, better known as General Jackson„
a colored man, born a slave in New Jersey, emanci-
pated in middle life, drifted to Berlin about 1844.
Had a wife and children ; lived in the old tan-yard
house in Carterville; the family left him about 1855
(no great loss); he afterwards mainly supported
himself by sawing wood; had quarters in Wm.
Fry's house, until at last he found a home at Tewks-
bury, 1879, an<l there died.
A lowly life — yet Berlin gives
To this humble Afric son
An honored place upon this page
For faithful serving done.
" Honor and fame," we learned in youth,
" From no condition rise;
" Act well your part," in every state,
" There all the honor lies."
JENKINS.
William Jenkins, from Southbridge, m. Joanna
Donovan Oct. 4, 1 864 ; he lived in the east part of
A. W. LONGLEY, p. 423.
A. J. Johnson, p. 406.
Charles G. Keyes, p. 413.
Thos. Pollard, p.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 4OI
the town, near Hudson; was a professional barber;
plied his trade in Hudson. Had William B., b. Oct.
25, i860, m. Abbie M. Reardon Jan. 4, 1886, res.,
Hudson; Richard A., b. July 17, 1863; Abby Ann,
b. Oct. 19, 1865; Mary E., b. July 8, 1867. He d.
Oct. 10, 1894, at 73.
JEWETT.
Jesse Jewett, b. in Pepperell Nov. 17, 1753, was a
descendant of Joseph Jewett, who, together with his
bro., Maximilian, came from Bradford, Eng., and
settled in Rowley in 1639. He m., Dec. 10, 1778,
Hannah, dau. of Joshua Johnson; he settled on the
farm now owned by Clarence E. Spofford. Had
John, b. April 4, 1782, d. 1804; Jesse, b. March 30,
1792; Hannah, b. Sept. 21, 1793, m. Welcome
Barnes; m., 2d, Luke Whitcomb of Bolton; had no
child; she d. in Bolton. He d. Feb. 5, 1829, at 76
yrs. ; Hannah, wid., d. Jan. 26, 1849, aged 94 yrs. 9
mos. 16 days.
Jesse Jewett, Jr., s. of Jesse, m., Dec. 3, 18 16, Myra,
dau. of Dr. Josiah Cotting of Southboro; he lived in
the south part on his grandf., Joshua Johnson's place.
Had Lewis J., b. Jan. 30, 18 18; Laura Ann, b. May
21, 1820, d. Aug. 16, 1 86 1, unm. ; Joshua C, b. April
25, 1822 ; Frederick J., b. Oct. 21, 1826, m. Catherine
B. Felton, res., Marlboro; Gilbert B.,b. Dec. 30, 1828,
d. April 7, 1834; Henry M., b. Nov. 16, 1833, was
colonel of a New Jersey regiment in the late war, was
wounded in sword arm leading his men in battle ; he
holds important civil trusts. Jesse Jewett, Jr., d.
Oct. 8, 1850; Myra, wid., d. Aug. 16, 1863.
n
4-02 HISTORY OF THE
Lewis J.Jcwctt, s. of Jesse, Jr., m. Amity Fish; he
lived in Carterville, house next north of blacksmith
shop ; also res. in Clinton and d. there ; he was by trade
a wheelwright. Had no children, but adopted three,
viz. : Charles Crommett, Lewis Arno and Annie Arno.
JOHNSON.
The Johnson name in Berlin stands for worth and
character. Their origin was decidedly Puritanic.
None stauncher before or after "the landing" than
Edward Johnson of Woburn. He left home, estate
and country for religion's sake. Names in his will
the income of his "mansion" in England for his wife.
Governor Winthrop was a fellow passenger when he
came over in 1630. The governor had his hand on
Johnson ever after for state service. He was an
accomplished surveyor; appointed to supervise the
laying out of Woburn, he took up his abode there.
Was town clerk thirty years, represented the town in
General Court twenty-seven years, was once speaker
pro tern, of the House. He was officially connected
in laying out our own territory in 1650-60. No
doubt he traversed our hills and valleys. I have no
other indication that our Johnson lands were a grant
to him for services, only that siich kind of com-
pensation for such service was common.
The grant to Edward Johnson embraced a large
portion of South Berlin, on which he settled his
three sons, Edward, Eleazer and Joshua, in 1740-50;
he divided his land among them about 1750; was
here as appraiser of Benjamin Bailey's estate in 1726,
together with Job Carly and Samuel Jones ; he sold
TOWN OF BERLIN. 403
forty acres of land to William Goddard, the miller, in
1 744 ; the land included the mill spot.
Capt. Edward Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn
was b. 1 71 5, m. Mary, dau: of James Ball of North-
boro ; he settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. C.
S. Hastings and sons. Had Edward, b. Oct. 21,
1745; Nathan, b. July 19, 1748; Jemima, b. Nov. 25,
1750; Jotham, b. Nov. 20, 1753; Jonas, b. Feb. 4,
1757; Asa, b. April 6, 1759. Capt. Edward d. Oct.
9, 1784; wid. d. July 5, 18 10, at 85.
Joshua Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn, was b.
1 7 16, m. Hannah, dau. of Nathan Ball of Northboro,
June 30, 1 742 ; his farm was the one on which Henry
Hastings formerly lived, now owned by A. B. Allen,
just west of North brook, in South Berlin ; he or his s.,
Joshua, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war ; the
old house on the place was burned a few years ago.
Had Sarah, b. Jan. 4, 1743 ; Joshua, b. Aug. 20, 1745,
d. unm. Jan. 25, 1832; he owned land on the south
of Third Division hill, including the Daniel Carter
farm and "the old plain;" Amos, b. Oct. 31, 1750;
Hannah, b. April 4, 1754, m. Jesse Jewett. Joshua,
Sr., d. June 26, 1784; Hannah, wid., d. Dec. 18,
1810, at 88.
Eleazer Johnson, s. of Edward of Woburn, b. 171 7,
m. Lucy, dau. of Nathan Ball of Northboro ; he set-
tled on the farm since owned by Peregrine Wheeler
and s., Willard M. ; the same house still stands,
renovated and repaired in modern style. Had Lucy,
b. March 10, 1749, m. Jonas Houghton; Lydia, b.
July 3, 1754, m. Abraham Wood of Northboro
March 13, 1773; Elizabeth, b. Oct. 7, 185 1, m.
404 HISTORY OF THE
Ephraim Barnard of Northboro. Eleazer d. July 3,
1 791; he, too, was a Revolutionary soldier. This
Johnson line was represented in Berlin last by Mrs.
Lucy (Houghton) Fosgate, the wid. of Oliver.
Nathan Johnson'', Edward1 of Berlin, m. Beulah, dau.
of Abram Wood of Northboro, Dec. 18, 1781; he
retained the homestead of his father, the Capt. C. S.
Hastings place ; he was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
Had Beulah, b. March 23, 1783, m. David Newton of
Northboro and of Jaffrey, N. H., at that date;
Edward (fifth born in family names), b. May 4,
1785; Zenas, b. May 8, 1787; Susan, b. Sept. 2,
1789, d. unm. Aug. 17, 1872; Amelia, b. Feb. 5,
1793, d. unm. Nov. 27, 1864. Of these two the name
of either was seldom spoken without the other, their
lives were so much united; owned the east end of
the Bullard house ; d. there. He d. Dec. 23, 1832;
wife d. Feb. 24, 1830; she was sister to the mother
of Abram Wood Seaver, late of Northboro.
Edward Johnson* , Nathan2, Edward1, m. Anna, dau.
of James R. Parks, April 20, 1817; he lived in the
house on the corner, where Mrs. John Lasselle now
res. Had Edward J. N. Pillsbury, b. Feb. 15, 18 19;
Charlotte Angelina, b. Oct. 22, 1823, m. Tar-
bell, res., Deny Depot, N. H. He d. Nov. 15, 1829;
Anna, his wid., rem. to Mason, N. H.
Zenas Johnson* , Nathan'2, Edward', m., Feb. 27, 1820,
Serena Shepherd ; he lived in the house before occu-
pied by his bro., Edward. Had Francis, b. Jan. 23,
1826, d. . Wife, Serena, d. June 25, 1831;
he m., 2d, Polly Arnold of Marlboro, by whom he had
TOWN OF BERLIN.
405
George Edward, b. Jan. 4, 1834. Zenas d. Nov. 11,
1850; Polly, his wid., d. Sept. 9, 1856.
Edward J. N. P. Johnson*, Edward3, Nathan2, Ed-
ward1, m. Rebecca A. Harwood of Syracuse, N. Y. ;
in boyhood he lived with his uncle, Joseph Parks ;
he was one of our soldiers in the late war; enlisted in
Co. F, 15th Regt., Mass. Vols.; was discharged Feb.
3, 1863, on account of ill health; d. May 20, 1864, at
45 yrs. Had Mary Adella, m. Edward Whitney, res.,
Derry, N. H. ; Morgeana, m. Eli Sawyer, Jr., res.,
Westboro; Edward, m. Eliza Clements, res., Spring-
field, Mass. ; Lilla, m. Jasper Fairbanks, res., Maiden,
Mass.
George Edward Johnson*, Zenas3, Nathan2, Edward1,
m. Harriet Sargent ; his res. was on the old Boylston
road, just west of North brook, where Henry M.
Flagg now lives ; was a painter and paper hanger.
He d. May 16, 1883; wid. rem. to Marlboro. Had
Mary Susan Amelia, b. March 22, 1855, d. July 16,
1876 (Edward Lamb, her betrothed, d. a few days
later); Elizabeth Arabella, b. Sept. 3, 1856, m. E.
Erving Sawyer, res., Marlboro; Rosa E., b. Oct. 24,
1857, m-> Jan- T5> l879> Winthrop Bailey, res., Hud-
son; she d. Aug. 15, 1880; Lona M., b. Dec. 30, 1867.
Amos Johnson* , Joshua'*', Edward1, m. Elizabeth, dau-
of John Pollard, Jan. 15, 1782; he retained the
homestead of his father. Had only one s., Lewis, b.
March 16, 1783. Wife, Elizabeth, d. May 10, 181 3,
at 50 yrs. ; m., 2d, Maverick (Houghton), wid. of Dr.
Josiah Cotting of Southboro ; Maverick had by Dr.
Cotting, Josiah and Myra. He d. July 13, 1825;
wid., Maverick, d. July 9, 1852, at 84.
406 HISTORY OF THE
Dr. Lewis Johnson*, Amos3, Joshua", Edward1, m.
Sarah Robinson; he settled in Westminster, Vt.,
and their only s. was Dr. Joshua J., who m. Mary,
dau. of Rev. Joseph Allen of Northboro ; practiced
medicine there and also in Keene ; both father and
son were instinctively skillful physicians ; Dr. Joshua
is the last representative by name of the Joshua
Johnson lines. Their only dau. m. Charles Johnson
of Northboro, but not of the Woburn line.
Hoi lis Johnson of Marlboro bought farm and house
built by Samuel Jones3, s. of Land'ord Jones, later
owned by Oliver Fosgate and now by Willis Rice ;
he m. Abigail Oaks of Northboro. Had Mary, b.
Aug. 26, 1 8 10, she d. here about 1830; Abigail, b.
18 1 3, d. here 1837. Wife, Abigail, d. 181 3, he m.,
2d, Eunice Randall of Bolton; she d. 1846, at 69; he
d. in 1858, at 84 yrs. ; both buried in Marlboro; also
Catherine, sister to Hollis.
Lewis H. Johnson, b. April 9, 1805, an adopted s.
of Hollis Johnson, m. Mary, dau. of Adam Bartlett,
April 15, 1834. Had Andrew Jackson, b. Jan. 31,
1836; Hollis Lewis, b. June 7, 1838, was a soldier
in the late war, d. at the second battle of Bull Run
Aug. 30, 1862; Henrietta, b. June 15, 1844, m.
Martin Crowell, res., Hudson. He d. Aug. 11, 1866,
at 61 ; wid., Mary, d. 1886.
Andrew J. Johnson", Lewis H.2, Hollis1, m. Harriet
A., dau. of Israel Woodbury of Bolton; he is by
trade a stone mason, and lives on the Clinton road in
the west part, where his father did. Had Ida May,
b. June 16, 1859, m. George E. Osgood; Eva Leona,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 407
b. Sept. 1 1, 186 1, m. F. Sherman Wheeler. His wife
was confined to the house more than twenty years by
reason of great prostration and sickness ; she d. Jan.
22, 1887.
Laban Johnson, from Holliston, was here about 1800;
lived on the Newsome place ; built the house burned
July 24, 1895 ; no other record.
. \bel Johnson came from Hudson, m. Sarah A.
Taber, res., New Worcester; she had by former hus-
band, Calvin Smith, who res. with the mother. He
d. July 1, 1893, at 76; she m., 2d, Goodyear.
JONES.
Samuel Jones, s. of Samuel of Woburn and grands,
of Josiah of Watertown, was b. 1696; he m., 1722,
Susannah Johnson of Woburn, dau. of Edward,
whose sons settled in the south part of Berlin ; he
bought of Solomon Keyes the farm now owned by
Elisha Bassett, where he d. April 3, 1769, at 73 ; his
wid. d. Sept. 17, 1795, at 95 yrs. 11 mos. and 22
days; he was succeeded on the place by his s.,
Ichabod. Had Samuel, b. 1726; Jonathan, b. 1732,
lived west of the Northboro road, south of A.
Keyes'; Sarah, b. 1734, d. unm. ; Ichabod, b. 1736,
d. of small-pox on home place in 1778; Silas, b.
1738; Timothy, b. 1740, d. 1822; Nathan, b. 1742,
m. Mary, dau. of Benjamin Bruce, lived on the place
where Mrs. Josiah Sawyer now lives; another s.,
Martin Cox, d. 1818; had also Esther, m. David
Taylor in 1756.
Capt. Samuel Jones, Jr., s. of Samuel, m., 1748,
Mehitable, dau. of Joseph Brigham of Marlboro ; in
408 HISTORY OF THE
1748 he bought of Benjamin Bailey 137 acres, which
included within its limits a large part of the central
village of Berlin; he built a tavern, known as "Jones
Inn" in 1 749, on the north side of the Hudson road,
fronting: the road to Northboro; he was known as
"Land'ord" Jones; the small house now standing-
east of the old spot was a part of the old structure ;
he was a man of energy and good judgment, waggish
withal, as sundry anecdotes go to show; he belonged
to the Bolton Church, and was an opposer of Rev.
Mr. Goss in the Goss and Walley controversy ; he is
reported to have prayed in his family "that the Lord
would overturn and overturn till Goss should lose
his case and Walley have his place; "he was assistant
.sheriff at the hanging of Mrs. Spooner at Worcester
July, 1778, for the murder of her husband in Hard-
wick. Tradition has it that he carried his shoes in
his hands to save the wear in walking to Worcester
on this occasion. Had Samuel, b. March 22, 1 7 5 1 ,
d. young; Solomon, b. March 5, 1753, d. young
vSamuel, b. Feb. 14, 1757; Sally, b. 1758, d.
Solomon, b. Aug. 19, 1758, probably a twin to Sally
Levina, b. 1 76 1 , m. Stephen Coolidge. Wife, Mehit-
able, d. 1762; he m., 2d, Dorothy, dau. of John and
Mary (Carter) Whitcomb ; she was fifth generation
from Rev. Thomas Carter of Lancaster. Had Dolly,
1). March 25, 1766, m. Daniel Carter; Silas, b. Feb.
21, 1768. He d. Jan. 23, 1797; wid., Dorothy, d.
April 25, 1818.
Samuel Jones* , s. of Samuel, Jr., m. Martha Fay of
Woburn in 1777 ; he bad a part of his father's farm;
built the house where Willis Rice now lives; he
made churns, pails and buckets ; finally he moved to
TOWN OF BERLIN. 4O9
Marlboro, N. H., and was one of the pioneers to-
gether with the Tenneys in the emigration to that
northern Eldorado. Had Samuel ; William ; Patty,
m. Silas Fairbanks; Betty, m. Jonathan Tenney;
Timothy, b. March 18, 1787; Susannah, m. Archy
Tenney ; Esther, m. Aaron Stowe of Sterling ; Sally,
d. young; Hannah, m. Abel Rugg; Sally, m. Lemuel
Howe of Grafton ; Jonathan, b. . He d. Sept.
22, 181 1 ; wid. d. Oct. 1, 1831.
Timothy Jones, s. of Samuel3, m. Sally Barnard ; he
lived on the Northboro road, the place now owned
by Christopher Wheeler, thence rem. to Marlboro,
Mass. Had Charles, d. young; Charlotte, b. Jan.
1 g, 1809, res., Framingham; Susan, b. July 17, 181 1,
m. Ephraim Howe, Jr.; Hannah, b. July 4, 18 13, m.
Ira Carter; Sarah, b. May 18, 181 5, m. John Hale of
Stow; Timothy, b. July 23, 18 18; Charles, b. May 21,
1820, d. Jan. 9, 1 88 1, unm. ; Lydia, b. March 31,
1823 ; Ann Eliza, b. March 13, 1829. He d. Feb. 7,
1862, age 75.
William Jones, s. of Samuel3, m. Sally Meriam Jan.
30, 1 804 ; lived awhile on the Crosby place, near O. C.
depot; moved to Marlboro, N. H., 1825. Had Nancy,
b. Dec. 3, 1804; Louisa, b. Jan. 31, 1807; Levi, b.
Feb. 28, 1809; Sally M., b. July 15, 181 1 ; Abigail, b.
; Jonathan, b. Aug. 26, 181 7; Hannah D., b.
Feb. 9, 1820; Samuel H., b. March 30, 1822; Joseph
L., b. .
Solomon Jones, s. of Samuel2, m. Hannah Gates ; he
was living in 1785 north of the present Josiah Saw-
yer place. Had Rosamond, b. Oct. 22, 1784, m. and
4IO HISTORY OF THE
d. in Waterford, Me.; Pelatiah, b. March 18, 1787;
Solomon, b. April 27, 1789, m. Molly, dan. of Daniel
Bruce, d. in Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; Timothy, b. Aug.
25, 1 791, m. and d. in Ogdensburg; Lucy, b. Aug.
12, 1797, m. and d. in Auburn, N. Y. ; Jonathan, b.
1802.
Pelatiah Jones, s. of Solomon3, Samuel", Samuel', m.,
May 11, 1 8 1 1 , Persis, dau. of Fortunatus Barnes and
wid. of Silas Priest ; he settled on the Dea. Stephen
Bailey farm, now known as the Ira Jones place. He
d. March 14, 1864; she d. March 2, 1859. Had
Caroline, b. Aug. 2, 18 13, m. George W. Ames of
Cambridge, d. here Dec. 5, 1873; Ira, b. Sept. 2,
181 5; Silas, b. Sept. 16, 1818, went to California
about 1849, returned and d. in Sterling July 4, 1892,
unm; Solomon, b. Apr. 22, 1824.
Ira Jones, s. of Pelatiah, m. Mary E. (Frink) Reed
of Swanzey, N. H. ; he retained the homestead. He
d. Nov. 24, 1 89 1, from injuries received from a fall
in his barn. Had Carrie P., b. April 11, 1869, m. I.
E. Coulson April 11, 1892; Albert R., b. Dec. 22.
1 87 1 ; Frank E., d. young.
Solomon Jones, s. of Pelatiah, m. Laura B., dau. of
Jonathan Wheeler3 of Bolton, March 11,1847. He
settled on the place where his wid., Mrs. James R.
Fay, now res. ; erected the buildings now there.
Had Oscar M., b. Aug. 5, 1848. He d. Oct. 5, 1864;
she m., 2d, James R. Fay.
Oscar M. Jones, s. of Solomon, s. of Pelatiah, m. L.
Ella Kimmins, dau. of Amos of Bolton. Had Laura
Angie, b. April 9, 1882; Harry O., b. Nov. 12, 1883;
TOWN OF BERLIN. 411
Everett S., b. July i, 1886; Hattie B., b. Nov. 22,
1888 ; Sibyl B.\ b. Aug. 12, 1891 ; Florence M., b. Oct-
5, 1893, d. Feb. 3, 1894.
David B. Jones, s. of Samuel C. of South Boston,
m. Susan M., dau. of Henry Hastings, Jan. 1, 1854;
he followed the high seas many years ; was captain's
mate on merchant vessels trading with China and
other foreign countries ; soon after his marriage he quit
the seas and worked in South Berlin at shoemaking
from 1857 to 1 86 1 ; when the war broke out, he be-
came a sutler in the army and was attached to
Hooker's corps. His wife d. June 8, 1865, age 30;
he m., 2d, ; he d. in New York.
John A. Jones, b. in Billerica May 12, 1836; moved
to Bolton first; came to Berlin in 1885 ; m., 2d, July
2, 1 87 1, Carrie Stearns of Bolton; she d. while living
in Bolton; he was a soldier in the late war; now
res. at Stone's Corner ; a dealer in horses and car-
riages.
KERLEY.
The name of this family has been variously spelled
and pronounced as Kerley, Carly, Caly. Job Kerley,
a descendant of William Kerley, an early settler and
proprietor of Lancaster, settled in the valley of the
Assabet on the place recently owned by Aaron
Morse. His father was Henry Kerley, s. of Henry,
who was s. of the aforesaid William. The Kerley
' family was prominent in settlement and proprietor-
ship in both Lancaster and Marlboro. The records
afford scant material, but we gather that Henry, the
father of Job, had a grant of land near the Assabet
412 HISTORY OF THE
in 1728. This may have been the land on which the
Kerleys settled.
Job Kerley m. wSarah , by whom he had Silas,
b. 1734, d. young; Sarah, b. 1739; Silas, b. 1744, m.
Hannah Walker, she d., m., 2d, Mary Wheeler;
Joseph, b. 1752, m. Ruhamah Davis of Stow in 17S1,
he d. 1833, at 80; Job, b. Nov. 28, 1760, m. Christian
Khun and retained the homestead. Tradition holds
that Job, Sr., and wife d. of small-pox and were
buried on the farm. The two brothers of Job, Jr.,
settled near by: Silas on the Nathaniel Wheeler
farm and Joseph east of the river, north of. the road,
near the Marlboro line; no other record of these
brothers. Job d. here in 1836, at 76; wid. d. in 1840,
at 87. They had no children, as appears by record.
Job was the last of the name in town. Joseph is
spoken of as a God-fearing man; would be glad to
add the like of Job. Thus ends the brief record of
our Kerley families, which were quite prominent in
the early settlement of Lancaster and Marlboro.
KEYES.
The Keyes name is modern in Berlin, represented
by David and Ziba and their children. Their re-
motest ancestor was Robert of Watertown in 1633.
Several of the family name settled in Shrewsbury
and Boylston. The Berlin families are of the
Shrewsbury branch, Dea. John Keyes. His s.,
Thomas, m. into the Livermore family of Ball hill.
Thomas, Jr., was father to David and Ziba.
David Keyes, s. of Thomas, Jr., b. April 19, 1794,
m. Linda Mira, dau. of Daniel Bruce ; res. near the
TOWN OF BERLIN. 413
Centre on the Northboro road, before owned by
Luther Priest. Had Addison, b. May 3, 1827, and
also two children d. in infancy. He d. Jan. 29, 1879,
at- 83 ; she d. May 24, 1867, at 69.
Addison Keyes, s. of David, m., June 23, 1870, Mary
Jane Smith of Sudbury, dau. of Levi Smith ;
res., the homestead of his father; built a new
house in place of the old Priest house; he is a
carpenter and cabinet maker.
Ziba Keycs, s. of Thomas, Jr., b. Dec. 9, 1796, m.,
Aug. 19, 1828, Lois, dau. of Daniel Bruce ; he set-
tled in the west part ; built the house where Ebenezer
W. Dailey now res.; was a wheelwright; had a shop
near the crossing of the Old Colony railroad. He
d. Nov. 27, 1850 ; she d. Jan. 24, 1840. Had Mary
J., b. vSept. 23, 1828; Francis, b. Oct. 23, 1830, cl.
Dec. 20, 1830; Charles G., b. Oct. 19, 1831, res., Bos-
ton, is a lawyer, office 28 State street, has been judge
of the Municipal Court; Henry F., b. May 25, 1833,
res., Clinton; John F., b. Feb. 5, 1835, res., Clinton;
Ellen L., b. Nov. 9, 1839, m. William G. Sawyer
Nov. 24, 1869, who d. March 19, 1870. Mary J. and
Ellen L. live at the Dr. Hartshorn place and keep
boarders.
Some singular sorrows have fallen on several
families of this name. A son of Thomas Keyes of
Marlboro, 20 years old, fell with a stick of timber on
his shoulder and was instantly killed. One, Thomas,
b. 1692, was betrothed to Elizabeth Howe of Marl-
boro; she was visiting her sister, Mrs. Joslin, in
Lancaster, when the Indians fell upon the family,
killing several, but carried Miss Howe into captivity.
414 HISTORY OF THE
Thomas resolved never to marry, but the father suc-
ceeded in redeeming the daughter after four sad
years. In 1 698 the happy pair were married ; she
never recovered wholly from the Indian fright.
As you go into Shrewsbury from Northboro, just
east of the tannery on the right, Capt. John Keyes
was building a new house, an old one standing near ;
Capt. Keyes' three sons and two of the carpenters,
sons of Ebenezer Bragg, were sleeping in the new
house, when it took fire and the five young men
perished in the flames.
Robert* Keyes and wife, Martha, were among the
first settlers of Princeton on the eastern slope of
Wachusett. They had a little daughter, who sud-
denly and mysteriously disappeared and no trace of
her was ever found. The long agony of the household
drove the mother into her grave. Now of late years,
since the parental sorrow has been quelled in death,
a confession comes from afar, made by one on his
deathbed, who was once a neighbor, that from re-
sentment to the parents he willfully murdered that
innocent child. This now seems to be the accepted
solution of the standing mystery.
Many characteristics of families are named of far
less merit than mechanical skill. In all this region
a wheel made by the Keyes brothers has its own
seal. Ziba was a master workman in this line, — only
an indication also of the exactness of his upright life.
In mechanical skill should be included also Addison,
s. of David Keyes, in carpentry and cabinet work.
Another Keyes family have had connection with
Berlin families, and some for a short time have lived
here. These were descendants of Solomon Keyes,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 4 I 5
who may have been a brother of the original Thomas,
the head of the other family.
James Keyes, of the fifth gen. from Solomon, settled
in Northboro on the farm now owned by George H.
Murray; known also as the Prentice Keyes place; his
wife was Meriam Babcock. Had Amos, b. Sept. 30,
1785, m. Eunice, dau. of Samuel $pofford, Sr., res.,
Rindge, N. H. ; they had Eliphalet, who worked in
this vicinity some years ago; Prentice, b. March 25,
1787, retained the homestead; Roswell, b. March 23,
1 796, m. Lois Howe of Berlin, went west, returned,
lived in Rindge last ; had Ellen Louisa, m. Josiah
Moore of Berlin, who d. June 2, 1856.
KEATING.
John H. Keating, s. of James F. Keating, b. in
Clinton Jan. 30, 1862, m. Agnes A. Lacey of Clin-
ton ; is a blacksmith and wheelwright at the Riley
Smith shop in Carterville.- Had James F., b. Dec. 1,
1883; Mary Ann, b. June 12, 1885; John D., b. Nov.
10, 1886; Alice, b. July 14, 1889.
KELLEY.
John M. Kclky, from Rockland, Me., m. Althear A.
Stratton of Sudbury; moved on the Sanderson Carter
place about 1870; rem. to Rhode Island in 1888.
Had George, b. ; Roscoe W., d. April 7, 1882,
age 19; Etta A., b. July 20, 1870; Harris M., b. Oct. 17,
' 1873; Everett S. and Erne Isabelle, twins, b. Jan. 10,.
1 88 1 ; Horace H., b. Aug. 12, 1883.
41 6 HISTORY OF THE
KILL AM.
Frederick D. Killam, from Hillsboro, N. H., m.
Sarah, dau. of Levi Wheeler, Sr. ; he settled in South
Berlin and built the house where his s., George W.
now res.; was a shoemaker ; Had Lucretia H., b
March 22, 1842, m. Lorenzo W.Gould of Milford Feb
24, 1 891 ; vSarah W., b. Sept. 5, 1843, m. Milton H
Albee of Marlboro Aug. 25, 1867 ; Mary C, b. Sept
17, 1848, m. Albert S. Wilkins Feb. 23, 1869; Geo
W., b. July 4, 1850. He d. March 12, 1877, at 65
wife d. Aug. 16, 1871.
George W. Kallom, as name is now spelled, s. of
Frederick D., m. Alice M. Wilder from Pembroke,
Me., April 19, 1874, res., homestead in South Berlin;
is a shoemaker. Had Arthur W., b. May 4, 1875;
Frank W., b. April 27, 1879.
KING.
Nathaniel H. King of Lynn m. Mary E. Marshall
Nov. 14, 1 8 19; settled on the old Thomas Holder
farm in 1854; remained on the same till 1875, when
they both d. within sixteen days of each other ; he
d. March 16, 1875, and she d. March 1, 1875. Had
Abigail, b. Aug. 21, 1821, m. Zachariah Graves of
Lynn; Elizabeth, b. Dec. 28, 1823; William S., b.
Feb. 23, 1827, d. young; Sarah H., b. Aug. 31, 1832,
m. Francis A. Wheeler, d. Dec. 24, 1859 ;
Jerusha B., b. June 19, 1834, m. Jonathan D. South-
wick; William H., an adopted s., m. Persis, dau. of
Amory Carter, Jr.
William King, b. Sept. 3, 1824, s. of William King
■of Herkimer, N. Y., m. Catherine Hathaway of
'Troy, N. Y., res. in South Berlin, on the Jacob Boyce
JOHN F. LARKIN PLACE.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
417
place; came here in 1892. Had Nellie F., b. May 5,
1853, m. Charles K. Shepherd; Grace E., b. Sept. 5,
1858, m. Edward S. Taylor.
KNIGHT.
-George IV. Knight, b. in Hampden, Me., Feb. 17 \
1845, m. Lettie A. Whitney Oct. 1, 1867; came to
town 1887; rem. to Northboro in 1892. He d. July
25, 1895. Had Frank E., b. Aug-. 14, 1868, m. Agnes
M., dau. of Edward H. Lawrence, Dec. 3, 1890;
Charles S., b. Nov. 19, 1872; Arthur G., b. Oct. 19,
1875, d. in infancy.
LARKIN.
There is much of tradition about the Larkins, but
great lack of record. Family tradition is that Philip
was one of "three brothers" from Ireland. One set-
tled in eastern Massachusetts, the other in New York.
Edmund Larkin, grands, of Philip, had this version :
That Philip, at the age of 16 years, came over
privately in a vessel from Ireland to escape service
in the British army ; bound himself to the captain to
pay his passage when he could earn it, and this he
did in the service of Rev. John Prentice of Lancas-
ter ; that he found our section of Lancaster favorable
for hunting, trapping, etc., which led him to the
purchase of this tract of land, known lately as
"Larkindale;" and still another theory is that he was
a descendant of one Edmund Larkin of Charlestown
(not probable).
The Larkins, or O'Larkins, of Ireland were an
ancient and glorious family, — once the powerful
potentates of that land. The O'Larkins of Lagenia
28
41 8 HISTORY OF THE
declare their descent from Cahir Moore, king of
Leinster and monarch of Ireland of the Hermonia line.
Our Philip Larkin may have been a distant
descendant of that distinguished family, but no
records at hand confirm the fact ; he was probably
born about 1 700 ; his house at first was on the south
side of Snake hill, and had a saw-mill near by. In
1742, on request of Joshua Houghton, on the Israel
Barnes place a strip of one mile in width was set off
to Boylston. Philip refused to be included in this
set-off and his premises were excluded, leaving the
estate still in Lancaster. His son, Peter, was late
in casting his lot with Berlin in 1792.
Philip Larkin m. Mary . Had John, b.
May 17, 1722; Mathias, b. Jan. 5, 1724; Peter, b. July
29, 1727; William, b. March 13, 1730, d. 18 14, at 84;
Edmund, b. March 11, 1733; no other record of
births. Tradition assigns him a second wife, but in
1 744, in a deed to his s., John, his name stands alone ;
after settling his son's, and closing up his affairs here,
he went to Baltimore (date unknown) and never
returned ; what called him there is unknown ; his
neighbors alleged it was to get his sins pardoned by
the Catholic bishop, the Catholic Church of Balti-
more being the nearest of any at that time ; he prob-
ably d. in Maryland ; his grave and tablet are reported
to have been found by Oscar Wilder, a soldier in the
Union army, at Poolsville, Md., in 1862. There is
no positive proof that he was a Catholic, some of his
children were baptized in Lancaster.
John Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Mary . Had
Peter ; William ; Edmund ; John ; Mary ; his will,
TOWN OF BERLIN. 419
probated in 1755, names the same and wid. Mary.
Peter Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Azubah, dati. of John
"Wheeler of Shrewsbury, N. P. (Boylston); his house
stood opposite the present old Larkin house, south
of the road; he was in the expedition against
Canada in 1758; also at Lexington in 1775. He was
drowned in Washacum pond in 1 8 1 5, at 88 yrs. ; wife,
Azubah, d. 1805, at 74. Had by wife, Azubah,
Betty, b. Dec. 27, 1 75 1 ; -Persis, b. Feb. 18, 1753;
Hezediah, b. Dec. 29, 1755 ; Mary, b. Sept. 27, 1757 ;
Azubah, b. May 24, 1759; John, b. Jan. 27, 1761 ;
Ephraim, b. March 29, 1763; Lucy, b. May 22, 1765,
d. Oct. 4, 1778 ; Lucretia, b. April 4, 1767; Caty, b.
May 22, 1769, d. Oct. 1, 1778; Peter, b. Jan. 8, 1773,
d. Sept. 27, 1778. Three of these children d. within
seven days.
Mathias Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Damaris Sawyer
May 8, 1750 ; the house was west of his bro. Peter's,
near the corner turning to Alfred Larkims. Had
Mathias and probably other children not on record.
Edmund Larkin, s. of Philip, m. Abigail Albert
May 21, 1 760 ; the records are wanting ; the prob-
abilities favor the theory that he had a s., Edmund,
b. 1762, who was the father of our Solomon, b. 1787,
and his elder bro., Peter, b. 1784, who m. Lucy
Bailey ; Sarah Larkin, b. 1 760, who was burned to
death near Alfred Larkin's in 1834; she and her
bro., Benjamin, were children of Edmund, Sr.
Edmund, Jr., rem. to Woodstock, Conn.
HOW HE KILLED A BEAR.
We give place to this short story to illustrate the inherent
traits in certain families for fortitude and courage in emer-
420 HISTORY OF THE
gencies, such as were often exhibited in the early times in
encountering and killing wild animals. The hero of this
incident was of the Larkin family. A young son of Peter
Larkin, say about 1770, was left at home to care for domestic
affairs while the father was away working at his trade of carpen-
ter. In the meantime a bear was discovered regaling himself
on mutton in the immediate vicinity of the house. This boy,
whether John or Ephraim, does not appear, seized the gun
which was near at hand and blazed away at Bruin. The effect
of the shot was unknown until the arrival of the father, when
the bear was found dead on the hill adjoining. For a boy of
ten years this was certainly a brave act.
John Larkin, s. of Peter, m. Sarah Robinson of
Holden June 1, 1786; he retained the homestead of
his father ; was a soldier in the Revolutionary war ;
he d. April 12, 184 1, at 80 yrs. ; she d. Jan. 29, 1843,
at 82 yrs. Had Peter, b. Oct. 16, 1787, d. Aug. 26,
1812; Lucy, b. May 8, 1789, d. March 31, 1815;
Sally, b. May 8, 1791, m. Chaffin of Winchen-
don, she d. May 18, 1820; John Flavel, b. Feb. 15,
1796; Hezediah, b. June 3, 1794, m. Amory Harris of
Lancaster. She d. Jan. 11, 1 820 ; her only s., George,
graduated at Brown University in 183-6, and d. ; her
dau., Harriet, m. Charles Wilder of Lancaster; Cath-
erine, b. Aug. 5, 1798, d. unm. Feb. 12, 1884, at 85;
she was remarkably intelligent in reminiscences, but
has left no records.
Ephraim Larkin*, Peter2, Philip1, m. Dinah, dau. of
Jonathan Baker, Feb. 11, 1784; he established the
homestead later owned by Ephraim Babcock, Albert
Babcock and McPherson ; rem. to Rome, N. Y. Had
John, b. Sept. 14, 1784; Miriam, b. March 6, 1786,
m. Eddy; Ephraim, b. June 10, 17S8; Lucre-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 42 I
tia, b. July 27, 1790, m. David Southwick of North-
bridge, he d. at Jarvis Wheeler's while attending the
Friends' quarterly meeting; Asa G., b. July 3, 1792;
Dinah, b. Sept. 28, 1794; Baker, b. PVb. 18, 1797;
Peter, b. June 9, 1799; Hulda, b. Sept. 3, 1801 ;
Persis, b. Aug. 26, 1806.
John Elaevl Larkin', John3, Peter, Philip', m., Oct.
14, 1822, Cynthia Hayden of Sudbury; he remained
on the homestead where John F. and Sarah now
reside. Had Edwin A., b. March 2, 1824, m. Eliza-
beth Wright of Mason, N. H., res., Townsend, d.
May 23, 1874; Otis L., b. April 9, 1825 ; John Flavel,
Jr., b. March 29, 1827; Dana M., b. June 21, 1829;
Ellen A., b. May 8, 1831, m., Jan. 24, 1856, William,
s. of Seth Rice, res., Shrewsbury; Sarah Cynthia, b.
Dec. 6, 1835; Catherine M., b. Jan. 8, 1843, m.,
March 17, 1872, Nelson Lewis of Hudson. He d.
Jan. 17, 1854; wife, Cynthia, d. Jan. 14, 1847.
Otis L. Larkin, s. of John Flavel, Jr., m. Charlotte
Pierce of Rutland, she d. Oct. 26, 185 1 ; m., 2d, April
7> ^SS' Julia Winship, dau. of Stephen Winship.
Had by Charlotte, Floretta, b. June 12, 1848; m.
Sawyer, m., 2d, A. E. Cole, res. Hudson; Edgar
P., b. May 5, 185 1 ; had by Julia, William, b. Oct.
4, 1855. Otis L. was town clerk in 1856; he d.
Oct. 27, 1856; Julia, wid., d. .
John F. Larkin, Jr., s. of John Flavel, Jr. ; unm. ;
lives with his sister, Sarah C, on the home place;
is a deacon of the Congregational Church.
Dana M. Larkin, s. of John Flavel, Jr., m., Nov. 4,
1868, Lucinda E. (Sargent) Starkey, wid. of Charles
D. Starkey; he lives on the old farm just east of his
42 2 HISTORY OF THE
bro., John F., in -the house built by himself. Had
Otis H., b. June 4, 1869, d. Oct. 24, 1879; Ella E., b.
Nov. 18, 1870, m. Alvin W. Howe, Marlboro ; War-
ren D., b. April 5, 1872; Walter A., b. Aug. 24, 1873;
Etta M.,b. April 24, 1875; Emma C, b. March 2, 1879..
' Edgar P. Larkin, s. of Otis L., m. Ellen, dau. of
Columbus Eames of Northboro, res., Hudson; has
two children.
Nelson H. Larkin, s. of Hiram Larkin of Beekmanr
N. Y., b. June 9, 1837, m. Chloe C. Bryant Nov. 1,
1866; she was b. July 4, 1842; came to Berlin in
1882; peddler, res., Rufus Howard house; he is of
no known connection with the other Larkins.
LIVINGSTON.
James Livingston, from Scotland, m. Mary Ann
vSimpson ; they came from Clinton ; res., Reuben Hast-
ings place; he killed his wife Feb. 5, 1883, age 57; — the
only murder committed within the limits of this town;
he was sentenced to the state prison and d. there. *
LAWRENCE.
Edward H. Lawrence, s. of Ralph Lawrence, b. in
Groton Dec. 22, 1832, m. Lucy M., dau. of Winsor
Barnard, Aug. 18, 1855, res. in Carterville ; he was
formerly engaged in the provision business here.
Had Charles F., b. Jan. 21, 1857, m. Mary, dau. of
Hiram Hardin, April 12, 1881, res.,. Cambridge;
Arthur E., b. April 6, 1864, d. Feb. 25, 1867; Agnes
M., b. Jan. 11, 1868, m. Frank E. Knight.
LASSELLE.
John Lassellc came from Waterville, Me., b. March
* Arad Taylor killed his wife Sept. n, 1S95; this made the second murder.
PROF. FRED. W. MORSE.
GEO. W. MAYNARD.
W. B. MORSE.
CAPT. JOHN D. MERRILL.
LUCINDA MOORE.
EKFIE MERRILL.
WALTER MERRILL.
JOSIAH MOORE.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 423
4, 1824, m. Sarah Noble Jan. 29, 1845 ; settled in the
south part where Winsor Maynard formerly lived, in
1887; d. Nov. 9, 1891. Had William H., b. Oct. 22,
1859; Henry Ernest, b. April 24, 1864.
Frank C. Lasselle, b. in Saco, Me., April 1, 1829,
bro. of John, came from Waterville, Me., in 1887 ; m.,
March 28, 1856, Catherine B. Lamphere, b. May 5,
1834; settled on the Dea. Dexter Fay farm. Had
Edward C, b. May 11, 1857; Paliand, b. Oct. 9,
i860, d. Jan., 1885; Lamphere D., b. Dec. 26, 1862;
John F., b. July 31, 1867, res., Mexico; Jenette
L., b. Jan. 1, 1873; Arthur H., b. Dec. 2, 1878.
H. Ernest Lasselle, s. of John Lasselle, m., Sept. 11,
1885, Eliza Richardson of Belgrade, Me.; came to
Berlin in 1891 ; is a dealer in grain and groceries in
South Berlin, of the firm of Lasselle & Walter. Had
Harold D., b. Nov. 30, 1887 ; John R.,b, July 12, 1892.
LONGLEY.
Abel IV. Longley, b. Oct. 1, 1823, s. of Ira B. and
Dolly (Carter) Longley of Boylston, m. Mary J. Sar-
tell of Pepperell Oct. 13, 1847; came to Berlin in
1857; built the new house now owned by S. R.
Carter ; was representative to the General Court in
1865; d. Aug. 22, 1879; wid. res. in Carterville.
MACCARTY.
Florence MeieCeirty, b. in Ireland Aug. 15, 18 18, m.
Mary Ann Burke, and by her had: Jeremiah, b. in
Bolton Sept. 15, 1853, m. Anna A. Dailey, res., Fitch-
burg. WTife, Ann, d. and he rem. to Berlin about
1855; m., 2d, Margaret Sullivan, by whom he had :
424 HISTORY OF THE
Katie E., b. April 30, 1858, res., Lowell; John, b.
Aug. 3, 1861; Dennis, d. in infancy; James P., b.
Aug. 14, 1867. Florence lived at first when lie came
to Berlin in a house now gone, which stood on the
knoll where the gravel pit now is in Carterville;
later he bought the Asa Bride place, where he d.
Nov. 17, 1882; the family have since sold the place
and live in Carterville.
MACPHERSON.
Duncan MacPherson, b. in Glasgow, Scotland, m
Jenette Mensier. Had, b. in Scotland, Nellie, m
Bartlett of Clinton; James, b. July 10, 1865
Frank, b. ; Duncan, b. in Clinton June 19, 1869
Hugh E.,b. June 6, 1872, m. LillaB. Newsome, Aug
21, 1 895 ; Norman, b. Dec. 24, 1 874. Wife d. Aug. 26,
1 89 1 ; he resides on the place once owned by Albert
Babcock.
MARSH.
Alexander Marsh was an inhabitant here about
1 8 1 6 ; he lived on the south road, the place where E.
C. Shattuck recently res. ; he removed to Shrewsbury
and thence to Worcester, where he d. at the age of
more than 90 yrs. Hon. Henry A. Marsh, the mayor
•of Worcester 1893-4-5, is his s.
MAYNARD.
Jotham Maynard, a descendant of John Maynard,
one of the early settlers of Sudbury, b. 17 14, m.
Abigail Allen 1 740 ; his homestead was at the foot
of the hill north of where Frank C. Lasselle now
lives (the Dexter Fay place) ; he was an original
member of the Berlin Church and d. in 1788. Had
TOWN OF BERLIN. 425
Jotham, b. 1 741 ; Antipas, b. ; Hallam, b.
; Barnabas, b. 1 747 ; Abiel, b. ; Abner,
b. ; Prudence, m. Stow; Keziah, m.
Paul Newton, Jr. ; David and Israel.
Jotham Maynara", Jr., Jotham1, m. Dinah Powers
of Westboro May 19, 1763; he was living north of
the present res. of Francis Babcock in 1784; the old
cellar hole is still visible west of the Lancaster road.
Had Dinah, b. April 10, 1764, m. Joshua Wheeler,
Jr., m., 2d, Asa Rider, she d. in Holliston 1823;
Jotham, b. May 14, 1766, m. Mina Temple, m., 2d,
Thankful Moore, hed.in Dalton 1847 ; Hannah Allen,
m. Sanderson Carter; Persis, b. Feb. 10, 1 77 1 , d.
1775; Chloe, b. Sept. 18, 1773, m. Stanton Carter,
Jr., April 5, 1797, shed, in Berlin 1799; Antipas. b.
April 2j, 1776, m. Sally Rice, res., Keene, N. H. ;
Asa, b. Oct. 6, 1778, d. in Northboro 1830. Wife,
Dinah, d. 1822.
Barnabas Maynard1, Jotham1, m. Mary White; he
settled on the Maynard homestead, the place now
owned by F. C. Lasselle. Had Sally, m. William
Morse, who settled near by ; Zilpah, b. Oct. 22, 1783,
m. Dexter Fay; Betsey, b. 1786, m., 1808, Rev. War-
ren Fa}', settled in Brimfield and Charlestown, both
d. in Northboro. Capt. Barnabas, d. Sept. 23, 1828,
at 81 ; wife d. Sept. 16, 18 14, age 72.
Abner Maynard1, Jotham1, m. Susannah Greene
Oct. 8, 1778. Had Susan, m., 1803, Edward Fuller
of Lancaster ; Abner, b. ; Zipporah, b. ;
no other record.
Israel Maynard'1, Jotham1, m. Deliverance Fife Jan.
426 HISTORY OF THE
20, 1785. Had Dilly, bap. April 30, 1786; family
rem. to Dublin, N. H.
George W. Maynard, whose parents came from
Great Bend, Pa., was b. June 14, 18 io; m. Sophia,
dau. of Ivory Bigelow of Marlboro, Nov., 1832; he
lived in the south part, first in the house owned by
Mrs. John Lasselle, and later where his s., Charles
B., now res.; was a shoe manufacturer; carried on
business with Elisha M. Whitney, under the firm
name of Maynard & Whitney, and did a profitable
business for about ten years before the war. Had
Harriet Jane, b. Aug. 14, 1833, m. John O. Osgood;
Susan Hayden, b. Feb. 27, 1835, m. Charles C. Wright,
who d. 1890; Angeline Maria, b. Aug. 6, 1837, d.
Aug. 21, 1845; George Emerson, b. Aug. 6, 1839;
Mary Elizabeth, b. Feb. 4, 1 842, m. Joseph L. Coburn ;
Adeline Sophia, b. Aug. 17, 1844, d. April 13, 1849;
Charles Bigelow, b. Nov. 24, 1846; John William, b.
June 10, 1849, m- Mary Clarke of Lynn, where he
res.; Frank and Fannie, twins, b. May 22, 1852;
Fannie, d. Feb. 24, 1853; Frank, m. Helen Stevens
and has five children, res., Hudson. Wife, Sophia,
d. June 1, 1852, age 42; he m., 2d, Eunice (Crouch)
Bailey June 16, 1853, by whom he had: Carrie
Lunette, b. Feb. 16, 1857, d. June 28, 1875 ; Cora
Estelle, b. April 15, 1859, d. Jan. 29, 1872. Wife,
Eunice, d. Nov. 21, 1861, age 47 ; he m., 3d, Roxana
J. Upham of Wakefield June, 1864, by whom he had:
Andrew Lincoln, b. March 27, 1865. George W., d.
May 5, 1877, age 66; wid., Roxana, returned to
Wakefield, where she d.
George Emerson Maynard1, George W.1, m., May 21
1 86 1, Ellen Howland, dau. of Mrs. Elisha Bassett
TOWN OF BERLIN. 427
by former husband ; soon after his marriage he rem.
to Empire Prairie, Andrew county, Missouri ; re-
turned to Berlin in 1863; enlisted in the 3d Mass.
Cavalry; was in Gen. Banks' expedition up Red
river; after the war returned to Missouri and there
engaged in successful farming for some years ; he
and his oldest dau., Grace, were killed and his build-
ings demolished in a cyclone which swept over that
section in June, 1880. His wid. and the two remain-
ing children, Nellie and Dan, returned to Berlin
soon after this dreadful disaster ; her res. is in the
west part of the Bride Academy building.
Charles B. Mayuanf, George W'., m. Nellie Frink
of Swanzey, N. H. ; he was engaged in the grocery
business for some years in Wakefield, but returned
here about 1875, and is now engaged in farming and
market gardening on his father's old place in South
Berlin. Had Ernest B., b. Aug. 24, 1872; Lester
R., b. Oct. 1, 1874; Mabel A., b. Oct. 23, 1876.
Ethel F., b. Jan. 4, 1879; Minnie Eunice, b. Aug.
14, 1882; LelandC, b. Aug. 23, 1889.
Winsor Maynard, s. of Taylor Maynard of North-
boro, b. Dec. 28, 1808, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Ivory
Bigelow of Marlboro, Sept. 25, 1832, she d. Nov. 14.
1835, at 23 yrs. ; he m., 2d, Cynthia (Crouch) Whit-
comb Aug. 25, 1836, wid. of Amory Whitcomb of
Bolton and mother of Amasa A. Whitcomb. Had
by Elizabeth, three children, d. young. Winsor lived
in Bolton until 1853, when he rem. to Berlin and
bought the place where Mrs. John Lasselle now res.
Had by Cynthia, John O., b. Oct. 22, 1837; Mary L.,
b. April 6, 1840, d. Sept. 25, 1858; Amory T., b. Dec.
428 HISTORY OF THE
27, 1S42; Sarah E., b. Oct. n, 1847, m. Edward P.
Hastings, she d. Sept. 12, 1875 ; Lunette M., b. Sept.
19, 1849, she d. Jan. 3, 1850. Winsor d. Jan. 12,
1886; Cynthia, d. Aug. 10, 1894.
John O. Maynard, s. of Winsor, m. C. Eldora, dau.
of William G. Hapgood, Sept. 12, 1865; he lives in
the south part in the house built by Tilson W. Bar-
ker; he was a soldier in the late war; was wounded
in the foot at the battle of Fredericksburg. Had Cora
Gertrude, b. Aug. 9, 1867, d. Oct. 25, 1868; Willie,
b. Aug. 5, 1869, d. in infancy; Ernest A., b. April
21, 1872, is a student in the Boston University.
Amory T. Maynard2, Winsor1, m. Lauretta A. Chase
of Fitchburg Oct. 3, 1867; he enlisted in Co. I, 36th
Mass. Vols., and was in the service to the close of
the war. Had Mattie Edith, b. May 8, 1869; Mary
Elsie, b. Oct. 15, 1873; Francis Winsor, b. March 8,
1878, d. young. Wife d. Feb. 18, 1893; he rem. to
Marlboro.
George Maynard of East Berlin, formerly written
George W. ; he was b. in Marlboro, m. Lucinda, dau.
of Henry Brown, June 18, 1829; he was a truckman
in Boston for some years; he settled on the place
recently occupied by his s., George Henry, near the
Ira Brown farm. Had Lucinda M., b. Jan. 22, 1831,
m. Jesse E. Bliss; Hattie A., b. July 26, 1833, m.
Frank Jones Jan. 4, 1852; Georgiana L., b. July 8,
1835, m. Elbridge Carter July 20, 1852; George
Henry, b. Jan. 2, 1839. George (W.) d. Jan. 18,
1865, age 62 yrs.
George Henry Maynard, s. of George, m. Ellen M.
Wesson March 23, i860; he occupied the homestead ;
TOWN OF BERLIN.
429
had a good sized shoe shop on his place and did con-
siderable business for a time ; he sold to Francis E.
Brigham ; he is now proprietor of the Crystal Spring
House on the line between Berlin and Hudson.
Had Ida M., b. Nov. n, 1861, m. William H. San-
born Nov. 18, 1886; Lena G., b. June 7, 1864, m.
Charles Leach; Frederick C, b. March 14, 1866;
Blanche I., b. Nov. 24, 1867; Lulu E., b. Nov. 9,
1873 ; Elmer H., b. Jan. 29, 1877 ; Harry A., b. March
17, 1881.
MERIAM.
Amos Meriam, b. July 15, 171 5, from Lexington,
m., Nov. 9, 1738, Abigail Danforth of that town;
they rem. to Bolton, now Berlin, in 1765 ; he was the
ancestor of the Meriams of this town ; they were a
leading element in our social and civil life of a sren-
eration or more ago; the genealogy of the family
runs back to Joseph, b. in England, d. in Concord in
1641 ; he had a s., Joseph, b. 1630; Joseph, Jr., had
s., John, who was the father of Amos, who settled
here ; the place where he settled is now owned by
Richard M. Wheeler ; the place had before been
owned by Thomas Ball, Benjamin Houghton, and
Eleazer Russell; the old house stood considerably
east of the present one, and the barn still further
across the swale ; the present house was built as ap-
pears from a tile in the chimney-top marked 1775;
a grist-mill utilized the little brook, and the present
meadow west of the road was its reservoir; a black-
smith shop stood back of the house; an old apple
tree, the famous "Leominster Sweeting," near the
old house spot was probably the first of the kind in
43 O HISTORY OF THE
Berlin ; the Meriams brought the fruit from Leom-
inster, where part of the family settled ; William
Babcock succeeded the Meriams on this farm. Had
Amos, b. July 24, 1739, res., Leominster; Jonathan and
Hephzibah, twins, b. May 16, 1 741 ; this Jonathan was
deacon and d. June 5, 1823, unm. ; Hephzibah, d.
young; Hannah, b. Feb. 9, 1744, m. James Townsend,
d. April 7, 1777; Sarah, b. April 20, 1746, m., Oct.
4, 1787, William Lincoln of Leominster; Lucy, b.
Sept. 4, 1748, m. William Whitcomb of Bolton, she
d. Sept. 12, 1773; Levi, b. Feb. 3, 1756; Abigail, b.
March 31, 1758, m., Dec. 13, 1781, Uriah Moore of
Princeton, whose dau., Hannah, m. William Babcock
and came back to the old homestead; Mary and
another, Levi, b. 1748 to 1756. He d. May 5, 1786;
she d. April 17, 181 1, at 89; both buried in Bolton
South cemetery.
LeviMeriam*, Amos', m. Abigail, dau. of William
Fife, June 18, 1778; he settled on the new home-
stead, bought by him of James Goddard, Sr., 1778,
the place where the Berlin Hotel is, just west of
Carterville, containing eighty-four acres, including a
part of Powder House hill and blacksmith shop;
later owned by Mossman, Wilder and Bullard; "roads
and burying place reducted." Had Abigail, b. May
20, 1779, m. Samuel Jones, 3d, res., Marlboro, N.
H., she d. 185 1 ; Levi, b. Aug. 8, 1781, res., Boston,
m. Mary B. Stevens, he d. 1831 ; they had children:
Benjamin ; Charles ; Mary Ann, who m. George Abram
Babcock, and Sarah, who d. in early womanhood. Levi,
Sr., had also: Sally, b. June 12, 1783, m. William
Jones, res., Marlboro, N. H.; Hannah, b. March 18,
1787, m. Joseph Parks, she d. 1825 ; Jonathan Dan-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 43 1
for\h, b. Oct. 8, 1789; Dilly, b. Oct. 8, 1793. m.
Samuel Carter, res., Lancaster; Mirick, b. Aug. 4,
1796, d. 1797. He d. March 19, 181 2; wid. d. Feb.
16, 1832; he was a prominent and much esteemed
citizen, and his death in mid-life was much lamented.
Jonathan D. Meriam*, Esq., Levi2, Amos1, m. Polly
Goss ; he succeeded his father on the homestead west
of Carterville ; took a lively interest in town affairs ;
was especially active in the matter of roads and
bridges ; a stone that would cover a bridge or make
a gate post or a wall abutment enthused him ; his
barnyard wall is worth looking at to-day ; that abut-
ment stone was his pride; there was a "turn-out" of
men and oxen to draw it some quarter of a mile ; a
chain had to be made for the hindermost yoke ; Dea.
Luther Peters wrought it from old scythe backs ; it
was in demand ever after for moving buildings ; his
farm was all walled in. Esq. Jonathan D. was captain
of the cavalry, and with his company was escort of
Gen. Lafayette when entertained at the S. V. S.
Wilder mansion in Bolton in 1825 ; his military life
cost him considerable money ; he was public-spirited
at personal expense ; was a frequent administrator of
estates and guardian of orphans ; besides the writer
of this, thirteen other fatherless children were under
his guardianship at one time. In the loss of his
property with one ward yet under him, he "made
over" various household articles, including his watch,
to save his charge from loss. He was a terror to
naughty boys, in meeting or on the street ; he was
representative to the General* Court in 1827-28; he
kept a diary of his experience ; it is not of much
.account, yet in one point gratifying at least. I
432 HISTORY OF THE
mean occasional aspirations and prayerful utterances
for the divine favor, "Charity hopeth all things."
When the stage line was established from Barre to
Boston, through Berlin, Esq. Meriam was the prin-
cipal investor of Berlin. The coach brought the
post office and Meriam was the first postmaster and
the first driver of the coach, but it proved a losing
business for the proprietors. He was obliged to sell
his homestead to liquidate his indebtedness; he
moved on to the place where Christopher Wheeler
now lives, and there d. soon after.
Nancy Meriam, a protegee of the family, was of the
Leominster branch; she m. Artemas Barnes. The
mother of Esq. Meriam, a most estimable woman as
we personally well know, having been of the same
household, lived with him the remainder of her days.
He d. Nov. 13, 1850; wife Polly d. a few years
after (no date).
MILLER.
Frederick Miller, from Baden, Germany, came to
Berlin in 1844; m. Elizabeth Harrington of South
Boston ; by trade a shoemaker ; was a soldier in the
late war, for three years in the 22d Regt., Mass.
Vols. ; was in the battle of Gettysburg and also of
vSpottsylvania, where he was wounded in the arm ;
his wife, Elizabeth, d. Jan. 1, 1877, age 52; hem.,
2d, Mary Elizabeth, dau. of Dr. Lemuel Gott, Oct.
22, 1893. Had by Elizabeth, Ella A., b. Oct. 10,
185 1 ; George S., b. Nov. 6, 1855 ; Ella A., m. Everett
Hebard Jan. 12, 1871, and by him had: Frederick
E., b. Sept. 1, 1875, who has been brought up by
John A. Moore.
B, in Boston Decs, is4i; m. Annie M.
Bobbins Jan 6, 1S75: res., East Berlin;
came to town iSSS.
LUCINDA B. MAYNARD.
B. Dec. J, 1805.
Ella A. Hebard,
Al.FARETTA F. BENNETT.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 433
Mr. Miller; George S., m. Lefa Carter Dec. 4, 1883,
and lives in Ashland.
William Miller, bro. of Frederick, m. Christina
; he is a shoemaker ; lived here a few years ;
rem. to Hudson. Had William Henry, b. Feb. 21,
1859, d. Sept. 4, 1864, at 5 yrs. ; Frederick E., b. July
12, 1863, d. Sept. 13, 1864, both of diphtheria.
Charles Miller , b. in Warwick, Mass., m. Matilda
Lowe of Lancaster ; was a comb maker ; learned his
trade of Francis Haynes of Bolton; worked for the
Harrises; rem. to the old Dea. James Goddard place
Aug. 14, i860; built the house now on the premises.
He d. Jan. 2, 1875 ; she d. June 2. 1890. Had Eliza-
beth M., b. Nov. 10, 1845, m. Henry J. Sawyer; Mary
L., b. May 13, 1850, m. William H. Workman April
27, 1876; he deserted her and she d. in Hudson May,
1895.
MOORE.
The families of this name who settled in the north
part of this town were a branch of a numerous family
which settled on the eastern slope of the Wataquod-
ock range. The ancestral head appears to have been
John Moore, b. in England about 1600, and was land
proprietor in Lancaster in 1652. His s., John, b. in
Sudbury, where his father had settled, was also a
land proprietor of Lancaster ; his home at first was
on the Nashua, but in 1665 he built a new house
southeast of Wataquodock, and no record indicates
that it was destroyed in the destruction of the town
in 1676; he d. 1702. This John, Jr., had a s., John,
b. 1662, and a s., Jonathan, b. 1669, both of whom
434 HISTORY OF THE
were at various times representatives to the General
Court. Jonathan is supposed to have lived on the
Thomas Fry farm, which was sold by his s., Jona-
than, to John Fry in i 767. Had also a s., Isaac, who
settled on Wheeler hill in Berlin, and he had Isaac,
who succeeded him on the place, and another s.,
Abraham, who lived on the Avery Newton place in
Bolton. ByNourse's "History of Worcester County"
it appears the mills now owned by Otterson, known
formerly as Pollard's mills in Bolton, were built by
Jonathan Moore in 1 7 14, but another account ascribes
their erection to Thomas Sawyer, Jr., and by him
deeded to Amory Pollard for his kindness and
fidelity.
Isaac Moore, s. of Isaac, b. Sept. 9, 1748, m. Mary,
dau. of Capt. Joseph Bigelow of the Marlboro family,
June 28, 1768; the farm embraced the lands now
owned by Robert B. Wheeler and Edward L.
Wheeler ; the house stood west of the road nearly
opposite Edward L.'s, and was probably built by
Isaac, Sr., about 1740. He d. Jan. 5, 1825; she d.
Feb. 23, 1825.
The mother of Isaac was Desire Bailey, dau. of
Benjamin. Dr. Jacob Moore, s. of Jacob, s. of Isaac,
some yet remember was a vigorous schoolmaster, so
some once West Berlin boys can well remember; he
settled in West Boylston, where he d. early, and his
wid. m. Rev. David R. Lampson of Berlin about
1836. We are disinclined to bring to light old
school abuses ; some such were just abominable ; no
doubt some pupils were injured physically. This
Isaac Moore, whose wife was Desire Bailey, was suc-
ceeded on the place by his s., Isaac, b. Sept. 9, 1748.
•*■*..
v$
|oM I'll Moon E AT l>
Peter Fay.
Gen. Jackson. Seep. 401.
TOWN OF BERLIN. *7C
435
Had Anna, b. April 16, 1769, m. William, s. of James
Goddard, Sr. ; he d., she m., 2d, Elijah Ball of
Boylston; Asenath, b. May 3, 1770, m. David Barnes;
Isaae, b. Jan. 12, 1772, res., New Hampshire; Mary,
b. Feb. 8, 1774, m. Abner Bennett 1796; Olive, b.
Jan. 9, 1776, m. Timothy Houghton of Bolton; Solo-
mon, b. Aug. 8, 1777, m. Hannah Fife, res., New
Hampshire; Abigail, b. Aug. 18, 1781, m. Isaac Stone
of Boylston; shed., he m., 2d, her sister, Sarah, b.
May 1, 1784; he was the father of Isaac S. Stone of
Berlin; Nancy, b. Oct. 11, 1785, m. Willard Stone of
Rutland ; Joseph, b. Aug. 14, 1787; Warren, b. Feb.
9- 1/93-
Joseph Moore, s. of Isaac, Jr., m. Sarah Pollard May
23, 1 8 10; he retained the homestead. Had Arissa,
b. June 12, 181 1, m.Josiah Sawyer; Hannah, b. June
21, 1 8 13, m. Harris Badger of Cambridge Aprii 15,
1835; Ezra, b. Feb. 24, 1815, m. Mary Fife, res.,
Ohio. Wife, Sarah, d. Nov. 11, 18 16; he m., 2d,
Betsey Warner, by whom he had : Sarah P., b. 1 8 19 ;
Elizabeth M., b. 1822; Joseph B., b. 1824, father of
Mrs. F. A. Woodward, res., Lancaster; Amory H.,
1826, d. July 11, 1858; Isaac W., b. 1828; Mary J.,
b. 1830; Jerusha K., b. 1831. Wife, Betsey, d. Aug.
25, 1837 : he m., 3d, Mrs. Adaline Stone; he d. Nov.
23, 1854; his wid. d. Dec. 10, 1863.
Warren Moore, s. of Isaac, Jr., m. Hannah, dan. of
Sanderson Carter, Jan. 24, 18 14; he settled on a part
of the homestead, the farm now owned by Robert
B. Wheeler; built that house in 18 17. Had Mary
B., b. May 13, 18 16, d. Oct. 6, 1828; Warren Elbridge,
b. Dec. 31, 18 1 7, m. Abigail Meriam Cutting of
436 HISTORY OF THE
Princeton, res., Northboro, she d. 1865; m., 2d,
Emma Newton of Newfane, Vt., June 29, 1871 ;
Addison M., b. 1824, d. 1825. Wife, Hannah, d.
July 23, 1825; he m., 2d, Mrs. Susan Keyes of
Princeton, by whom he had Lorenzo L., b. Jan. 2,
1820, res., Northboro; Hervey, b. 1826, m. Phebe
Hapgood, res., Marlboro, d. 1888. Warren Moore d.
July 3, 1827 ;wid. m., 3d, Benjamin Rice of North-
boro. Lorenzo L. m. Betsey; shed. 1871; m., 2d,
Mary Leonard; she d. Aug., 1894.
Oliver Moore, s. of Cornelius of Bolton, m. Susan
Cutting of Leominster in 1834; lived on the Caleb
Houghton place, later owned by Merrick Sargent.
Had Samuel W., b. March 7, 1835; Robert P., b.
1836, d. 1856; Susan A., b. Nov. 13, 1840; John M.,
b. Oct. 18, 1842; Mary E., b. Oct. 8, 1844, d. Feb. 17,
1845. He d. July 17, 1848, aged 45 ; Susan, his wid.,
m. Jonathan Babcock and rem. to Barre.
Samuel W. Moore, s. of Oliver, m. Ellen F., dau. of
Capt. Silas Sawyer, Aug. 31, 1856; she d. Oct. 18,
1863; hem., 2d, Harriet F. White, res., Lancaster.
Stephen Moore kept store in what is now the res. of
George H. Felton, about 1822-30.
Lyman Moore, bro. of Stephen, was his partner;
rem. to Lancaster; was deputy sheriff.
Cummins Moore, from Sudbury, m. Lucinda (Saw-
yer) Carter, wid. of Amory Carter, Sr. ; he lived on
her place on Sawyer hill, where Willard G. Bruce
now res. He d. July 9, 1831 ; she d. March 8, 1875.
Samuel J. Moore, s. of John of Sharon, N. H., b.
Sept. 9, 1 8 10, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Bartlett?
TOWN OF BERLIN. 43 7
1839; she d. Jan. 13, 1892; res., near Bolton depot;
no children.
Ezra S. Moore, b. Nov. 29, 18 14, s. of Phineas of
Boylston, m. Lucy, dan. of Luther Carter, April 20,
1843, service by Rev. Isaac Allen of Bolton, the last
he ever performed; he kept store in Carterville in
1844, Bolton in 1861, Hudson in 1871, and lastly in
Berlin Centre in 1879, and was succeeded by the
present incumbent, Christopher S. White; he suc-
ceeded A. A. Bartlett as postmaster in 1881 ; he rem.
to Marlboro in 189 1, and to West Somerville in 1893,
where he d. Feb. 24, 1895. Had Eugene E., b. May
28, 1850, d. young; Lelia H., b. June 6, 1852;
Arthur M., b. July 23, 1856; Grace L., b. Dec. 24.
1863.
Josiah Moore, s. of Phineas of Boylston, m. Ellen
Keyes; he lived in Carterville; was a shoemaker;
kept a livery stable; dealt in wood and lumber; was
a farmer ; was treasurer and collector fourteen years.
Had by Ellen, Abbie E., b. 185 1, d. 1852. Wife, El-
len, d. June 2, 1856, age 24 ; he m., 2d, Fidelia Smith
of Farmington, Me.; by her had:. Nellie F., b. June
29, 1858, d. Dec. 29, i860; Jenny F., b. Feb. 14, i860,
m. Willard C. Carter Nov. 17, 1880; Nettie A., b.
March 21, 1862, m. James T. Learned Dec. 3, 1885.
Josiah d. June 10, 1891.
Marshall C. Moore, from Sudbury, m. Emeline, dau.
of Dr. Williams of Shrewsbury ; her mother m. a
Parmenter of Marlboro; they came to town about
i860; lived on the Esquire Meriam place, where the
Berlin Hotel is ; rem. to the house where Oscar Jones
438 HISTORY OF THE
now lives, on the road from the Centre to the Old
Colony R. R. depot, about 1875. Had Leon W., b.
1848; Annie, b. 1864, d. 1865. A remarkable mor-
tality occurred in this family. The father, Marshall,
d. Jan. 10, 1877, age 56; the s., Leon, d. Jan. 15,
1877, and wife, Emeline, d. Jan. 18, 1877, all of
pneumonia within eight days, and the house was
closed.
MORAN.
Henry Moran, b. 1834, m., May 10, 1871, Almira
Prime of New York; was a soldier in the late
war ; rem. to Marlboro ; no connection with the
other Moran family. Had Goldie M., b. May 30,
1872.
Patrick F. Moran, b. Feb. 2, 1822, at Athlone,
Roscommon Co., Ireland; came to Lancaster, now
Clinton, June, 1846. Mary Gallagher, b. May 10,
1822, at Mountalbut, Roscommon Co., Ireland; came
to Lancaster, now Clinton, Ma*y, 1845; were m. at
Worcester vSept. 21, 1 848 ; came to Berlin, March,
1855. Patrick F. Moran d. April 15, 1884; Mary,
wife, d. Aug. 14, 1877. Had Margaret A., b. Jan.
2, 1850, vSister of Mercy, Pawtucket, R. I.; Peter F.,
b. Jan. 7, 1853, physician in Marlboro, d. Sept. 11,
1889; Martin W., b. Oct. 29, 1854, physician in Bos-
ton; John E., b. May 4, 1856, res. on home place in
Berlin; Daniel P., b. Feb. 25, 1858, res., Franklin,
Mass.; Mary J., b. Feb. 5, i860, m. Thomas F.
Redian of Clinton; Nellie E., b. July 19, 1 861, at
home in Berlin; Thomas H., b. July 1, 1863, dentist
in Boston.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 439
MORSE.
. \aron Morse, christened Aaron Ward Morse, s. of
Winsor and Lucy (Stratton) Morse of Marlboro, was
one of eleven children and was of the sixth genera-
tion from Joseph Morse, who came from Ipswich,
England, in 1634, and was a "proprietor in Water-
town in 1635;" Aaron was b. Oct. 13, 1801, and m.
Abigail, dan. of Bezaleel Hale of Stow, and sister of
Col. Hale, a prominent citizen of Rockbottom.
Mr. Morse was a custom shoemaker and carried on
business several years in Stow ; rem. to Berlin in
1838; bought the Dea. Amos Sawyer place on the
Assabet, where he d. Feb. 16, 1869, age 67; wid. d.
Sept. 23, 1882, at 80. Had Walter, b. April 9, 1833,
res., Hudson; Charles, b. June 25, 183 5, res., Harvard;
Lyman, b. Feb. 24, 1837; George, b. Feb. 12, 1839,
res., Sudbury; Caroline, b. Jan. 21, 1843, m. Ruthven
Hastings.
Lyman Morse, s. of Aaron, m. Emma P., dau. of
Cyrus Mentzer of Northboro, April 4, 1882; he re-
mained on the homestead ; worked at shoemaking
and farming; was on the Board of Selectmen and
was representative to the General Court; had no
children. He d. Feb. 12, 1891 ; wid. m. Dr. Harri-
man of Hudson.
Henry Morse, from Clinton, m. Sarah N. Lawton;
lived on the Katy Larkin place in.1885 ; she d. Dec.
21, 1886, age 64; res., Clinton.
Winslow B. Morse, b. Nov. 15, 1823, s. of Jesse
Morse of Marlboro, m. Susan C, dau. of Lewis Car-
ter, March 31, 1847; she d. April 20, 1855, leaving
no children; he m., 2d, Eugenia S., sister of Susan
44° HISTORY OF THE
C, May i, 1856; he lived in his minority with Capt.
Paul Brigham ; after his marriage he occupied the
Welcome Barnes place; rem. to the Capt. Paul farm
in 1865; sold the same in 1892 and bought the
Edwin Sawyer place in Carterville, which he enlarged
and repaired; was on the Board of Assessors in
1858-62, and selectman in 1877; he d. Aug. 18,
1893. Had Susan C, b. Aug. 31, 1859, m. Daniel
H. Bassett; Lucy S., b. Dec. 20, 1862, d. Aug., 1865 ;
Fred W., b. Dec. 6, 1865 ; Jennie E., b. June 9, 1868,
graduated Northboro high school, has taught school
five years; Sibyl E., b. Sept. 6, 1871, d. May 3,
1873'
Amory C. Morse, bro. of Winslow B., m. Mary S.,
dau. of Capt. Samuel Spofford, July 7, 1847; he lived
on the place owned by his wife, Mary S., a part of
the Capt. Samuel Spofford farm. Had Thirza M., b.
May 1, 1852, d. March 11, 1853; Charles E., b. Aug.
14, 1856, d. Aug. 14, 1 86 1 ; Mary Amanda, b. Dec.
20, 1859. He d. Feb. 14, 1885.
Fred W. Morse, s. of Winslow B., m. Lelia L., dau.
of Daniel A. White of Clinton, Oct. 29, 1891 ; he is a
graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ;
professor of chemistry in the N. H. Agricultural
College and state chemist in the experiment station.
MOSSMAN.
Silas Mossman of Sudbury m. Elizabeth Goodale of
Marlboro. Had Abner, bap. 1 8 1 3 ; David, 1 8 1 6 ;
George, 1 8 1 7. Silas was brother to Mrs. Eli Sawyer ;
the mother d. here Jan. 10, 1839.
"'ft
-#^ ^AfM^fT^
TOWN OF BERLIN. 44 1
NEWSOME.
Robert Newsome, b. in Yorkshire, Eng., Sept. 26,
1823, m. Ann Hall in 1846; by her had an infant, d.
young, and William, b. Feb. 18, 1848, lives in New
York. Wife, Ann, d. in England in 1848; m., 2d,
Mary A. Williams of Lunenburg ; she d. in 1 866 ;
m., 3d, Mary J. Kinders Jjune 21, 1869; by her had:
Lilla, B. b. May 29, 1871, m. Hugh E. MacPherson;
Ida B. Rice, protegee and niece of Mrs. Newsome,
lives with them ; res. in south part, near the corner
of Northboro and Marlboro roads. House and
barn burned July 24, 1895; rem. to the Daniel
Cartwright place.
NEWTON.
Two families of this name lived here in the early
times, both of which by marriage became connected
with some of the more prominent families of the
town. Cotton Newton, the s. of Dea. Paul Newton-
who lived just over the line in Northboro, will first
be considered, and secondly, William Newton, the
grandf. of the late John F. Newton, will claim our
attention.
Cotton Newton, b. Nov. 13* 1759, s. of Dea. Paul
Newton, b. 17 18, was a s. of Josiah, b. 1688, and he
a s. of Moses, b. 1646, whose father was Richard, b.
in England in 1600, and settled in Sudbury, now
Marlboro, in 1640. On account of the connection of
the family of Dea. Paul with Berlin families, we give
space to his family record. His wife's name was
Mary Farrar, and he lived on the place recently
owned bv his grands., Isaac Newton; was a tanner
442 HISTORY OF THE
by trade; had six children: William, b. Dec. 20,
1746, d. May 29, 1758; Moses, b. Dec. 16, 1750, m.,
Jan. 30, 1785, Elizabeth Munroe; Paul, b. Sept. 13,
1754, m., April 2, 1778, Keziah Maynard ; Josiah, b.
July 24, 1757, d. May 9, 1763; Cotton, b. Nov. 13,
1759; Martyn, b. in Northboro May 2, 1767, m.,
Sept. 17, 1 790, Eunice Johnson of Berlin. Dea. Paul
d. May 18, 1797, at j^\ wfd., Mary, d. 18 12, at 80.
Cotton Newton* in., Oct. 25, 1785, Abigail, dau. of
William and Hannah (Barrett) Sawyer of this town ;
the marriage ceremony was performed by Dr. Puffer
at the parsonage ; they both rode the same horse,
she on a pillion behind him ; such was the fashion
in those days ; they lived at first on the Josiah Wil-
son place, then owned by James Goddard, where his
first child, Sabra, was b. ; in 1786 he bought of Silas
Bailey the place where Rufus R. Wheeler now lives ;
his name appears on our records as one of the town
officers in 1795 ; he sold to Simeon Bowman in 1798
and rem. to Marlboro, Vt. ; he was a soldier in the
Revolutionary war in Col. Cushing's regiment, and
was present at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne to
Gen. Gates at Saratoga in 1777; he heard the im-
petuous message which Gen. Gates sent to the
British commander: "If you don't surrender in
fifteen minutes, I'll make your lines as hot as - — ."
Cotton Newton had Sabra, aforenamed, b. here Sept.
2, 1786, m. and settled in Brattleboro, Vt., d. July
30, 1 8 19; William, b. Aug. 17, 1788, was famous as
a school teacher and mathematician, and was repre-
sentative to the Legislature of Vermont; he had a
s., William Sawyer Newton, who is a merchant of
TOWN OF BERLIN. 443
Brattleboro, and has been postmaster and town clerk
there many years. Cotton Newton d. April 8, 1847.
at $7; wife d. Dec. 26, 1852, at 87.
MILITARY SERVICE.
Taken t'rora the rolls of Revolutionary war service : "Cotton
Newton appears with rank of private on muster and pay roll of
Capt. Edmund Brigham's company, Col. Job Cushing's regi-
ment; enlisted Sept. 12, 1777; discharged Nov. 29, 1777 ;
residence, Grafton ; served two mos. eighteen day.?, travel in-
cluded."
Luke Newton, a native of Marlboro, N. H., lived
for some years previous to his death in the house on
the Hudson road, now owned by Mrs. Dvar ; he lived
alone and d. alone Sept. 12, 1859.
Henry Newton, from Fitzwilliam, N. H., a shoe-
maker, unm. ; while working- for Maynard & Whit-
ney d. Oct. 29, 1856, by suicide.
William Newton m., Nov. 15, 1798, Sarah Hoar;
both of Berlin. Had a family of nine children, namely :
Dorinda, Sally, William, Dinah, Anselm, Alvin,
David, vSusan, Amelia, and Benjamin F., who d. while
preparing for practice of law. Of the above-named,
only Alvin and David appear to be connected by
marriage or residence with this town ; Alvin m.
Sarah Whitcomb of Berlin Jan. 7, 1809, and David
m. Beulah Johnson June 18, 1807; David and Beu-
lah had as., John F., b. Feb. 6, 1809, m. Elizabeth
Brigham, sister of Capt. Paul Brigham ; was several
years town clerk here ; kept a store at West Berlin
and finally rem. to Northboro, where he d. It is not
known what connection, if any, this family had with
the other Newton familv.
444 HISTORY OF THE
NOURSE.
Dr. Benjamin Nourse, from Bolton, m. Sibella, dau.
of Benjamin Bailey of Berlin, Nov., 1777; she d. Feb.
20, 1799, and he m., 2d, Kate, sister of Sibella; he
practiced first in New Hampshire ; he settled here on
the place recently occupied by E. C. Shattuck, but
finally rem. to his father-in-law's place, where Marcus
M. Goddard now lives, and there d. Feb. 24, 1804.
Kate, his wid., d. Oct. 14, 18 19. Had by his wife,
Sibella, Sibella, who m. Nathan Egery; Nabby, m.
Amasa Holt; Theophilus, b. April 9, 1787; by his
wife, Kate, had Theodore, b. Oct. 25, 1801.
Thcophilns Nourse m. Lois, dau. of Daniel Brigham,
May 3, 181 5 ; the family rem. to Westboro. Had
Benjamin Bailey, b. March 31, 18 16, m. in West-
boro, has been a prominent man in that town, and
has held many public trusts, has a s., an architect in
Worcester, who gratuitously furnished the plan of
the Unitarian Church ; Jane, m. Charles Rice of
Westboro ; Catherine, m. Stevens of West-
boro, now Marlboro; Lois Brigham, m. Henry W.
Baldwin of Shrewsbury. Capt. Theophilus d. April
24, 1824; his wid. was alive and in good health a few
years ago at the age of 9 1 .
Theodore Nourse m. Rebecca, dau. of James God-
dard, 2d, in 1822; they lived on the old Bailey place,
where Marcus M. now lives. Had Rufus, b. March
9, 1823; James G., b. Jan. 24, 1828, d. April 3, 1834.
Theodore d. June 21, 1866; she m., 2d, Calvin Smith,
by whom she had Angenette, b. Nov. 11, 1843, d.
Nov. 16, 1876; Rebecca d. in Hudson with her
nephew, Stephen Smith.
JOHN O. OSGOOD.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 445
OSGOOD.
John O. Osgood, s. of Daniel Osgood, b. in Bolton
June 12, 1833, m. Harriet Jane, dau. of George W.
Maynard, Aug. 4, 1852; lives in south part; house
erected by himself; a farmer. Had Sophia, b. March
3, 1853, d. Dec. 24, 1853; George E., b. April 27,
1855 ; Emma J., b. Jan. 6, 1858, d. May 4, 1868; John
W., b. June 6, 1873, d. Aug. 23, 1873.
George E. Osgood, s. of John ()., m. Ida May, dau. of
Andrew J. Johnson, June 24, 1877; res., Hudson;
shoemaker and poultry farmer. Had George R., b.
April 17, 1878; Charles E., b. Feb. 20, 1880.
PARMENTER.
Appleton D. Parmenter, s. of Isaac of Sudbury and
a descendant of John Parmenter, one of the early
settlers of Sudbury, came to Berlin with his family
in 1875; he m. Julia Bancroft of Nelson, N. H.,
and lived awhile on the old Parmenter place in Sud-
bury: his present res. is in New Worcester (so-called) (
and is by trade a painter and paper-hanger. Had
Ella R., b. May 1, 1852, m. Edward P. H olden ;
Etta F., b. June 8, 1856, m. Charles D. Mills, res.,
Florida; Emma N., b. March 10, 1858, m. James W.
McLaren, killed by Indians in 1877 in the Custer
massacre; m., 2d, William Allen, he d. 1888; Isaac
F., b. Sept. 14, i860; E. Jennie, b. April 6, 1862,
m. John K. Mills, res., Northboro.
Isaac F. Parmenter, s. of Appleton D., m. Adelaide
R. Cottle of Martha's Vineyard Sept. 28, 1887; lives
in the house he built near New Worcester.
446 HISTORY OF THE
PARKS.
James Russell Parks, s. of James Parks of Holliston
and grands, of Richard Parks of Watertown in 1636,
m. Anna Leland in 1786; he bought the mills at the
south part, together with the farm now owned by
George W. Tyler in 1 790 ; he was one of the suc-
cessors of William Goddard, the miller, who made
the long dam and erected the first mill at the south
part ; the original house stood in the lot southeast of
the present buildings; he was a prominent citizen
and influential in town affairs. Had Joseph, b. Nov.
11, 1787; Anna, b. Oct. 13, 1790, m. Edward John-
son; Charlotta, b. 1794, d. 1796; Pamelia, b. Oct. 3,
1797, m. John Powers. He d. July 13, 181 3, at 53 ;
wid. d. 1828.
Col. Joseph /'arks", James R.1, m. Anna Meriam
Nov. 29, 1807; wife, Anna, d. 1825; he m., 2d, Mrs.
Eliza (Blood) Cole of Bolton; she d. 1842 ; he d. in
Holliston in 1 88 1, at 94; he was the successor of his
father in the mill and farm property and continued
in possession until he sold the mills and farm to Samuel
Williams, about 1844, when he rem. to Holliston; he
was a highly esteemed citizen of the town and his de-
parture was much deplored. Had by Anna, Beulah
Leland, b. Feb. 8, 1808, cl. June 21, 1834; Russell,
b. Aug. 21, 1 8 10; Melissa, b. June 18, 18 12, d. Nov.
28, 185 1 ; Lawson, b. Sept. 2, 181 5, d. 1821.
Russell Parks*, lames'"', James R.1, m. Ann Green
April 16, 1834; he built the house where Elisha M.
Whitney lately lived; worked with his father in the
mills and on the farm ; rem. with his father to Hol-
liston, but lived a part of the time afterwards in
TOWN OF BERLIN". 447
Worcester. Had by wife, Ann, one child, Beulah
Ann, b. March 3, 1835. Wife, Ann, d. 1839; he m.,
2d, Harriet Newell Fay, dan. of Dea. Dexter Fay,
April 2, 1840, and by her had: Harriet Josephine, b.
Aug. 3, 1843; Joseph Russell, b. 1847. Wife, Har-
riet, d. May 21, 1848; m., 3d, a Mrs. Bemis April 4,
1849.
PAINE.
Tyler Paine, s. of Tyler Paine of Smithfield, R. I.,
m. Mary Ann, dau. of Asa Wheeler of Bolton, May
7, 1848; he lived on the farm where Robert New-
some now res., for several years; he finally bought of
Samuel Williams the place where Philo Bruce now
lives, where he continued until after the death of
his wife, which occurred suddenly Oct. 20, 1862; he
enlisted in 1864 in the 3d Regt. of Cavalry, Mass.
Vols., and d. in New Orleans June 15, 1864, age 40.
Had Asa W., b. May 28, 1849; Lewis AY., b. Nov.
17, 1850 ; Abbie Alice, b. Dec. 7, 185 1, m. Clifford
Walcott, res., Hudson; Ruth, V). Sept. 6, 1854,111.
Henry A. Stone, d. March 4, 1883.
PARKER.
Dea. John Parker, b. in Framingham June 16, 1798,
m. Mary Ann Fales of Shrewsbury Sept. 3, 1823 ; he
was s. of John, the sixth in descent from Thomas
Parker, who was one of the first settlers of Reading
in 1638 ; he was the father of Charles F. and John
H. Parker, the shoe manufacturers here, as also the
father of Mrs. Milton Day and Mrs. Sarah L. (Parker)
Sawyer, the noted singer; he lived while here in the
Dr. Hartshorn homestead, then owned by his dau.,
Mrs. Sawyer; he is well remembered here as a man
448 HISTORY OF THE
of sterling integrity and high moral worth. His
wife d. here July 16, 1885 : he d. in Marlboro.
PETERS.
Dea. Luther Peters, s. of George Peters of Felton-
ville, now Hudson, b. April 20, 1806, m. Abigail
Holman of Bolton May 31, 1832; she d. June 4,
1839; m., 2d, Maria Gould April 12, 1848, she d.
Nov. 12, 1855 ; m., 3d, Lydia (Howe) Leland Sept. 1,
1857, she d. June 2, 1882; his father was a black-
smith in Hudson previous to 1800, and Luther con-
tinued the business at the old stand for many years
until he exchanged his estate in Hudson for a farm in
Sterling ; after the death of his second wife, he came to
Berlin and built the splendid house in which he now
resides; is now living with his s., John G., and is at
the date of this writing (Jan. 1, 1895) the oldest man
in town. Had by Abigail, Luther H., b. May 30,
1833, res., Boston: Irene F., b. Feb. 16, 1838, m.
Edwin Babcock; Onslow B., b. May 21, 1839; War-
ren S., b. Oct. 7, 1845, res., Maynard. Had by
Maria, John G., b. May 8, 1850; Edwin R., b. March
30, 1853, d. May 3, 1855. Dea. Peters d. Feb. 27, 1895.
JoJin G. Peters, s. of Luther, unm. ; occupies the
homestead with his father on the site of the old
Solomon Howe store; was the successor of Amos
Sawyer in the express business from Berlin, Hudson
and Maynard to Boston.
PIERCE.
Rev. Granville Pierce, from Townsend, was the
second pastor of the Unitarian Church; m., 2d,
Georgiana H. Damon Dec. 24, 1881.
MRS. W. A. HOUGHTON.
MRS. L. PETERS.
Mary Grace (Howe) Houghton, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Howe, born here
in 1S15, married Rev. W. A. Houghton, then pastorof Northboro Congregational Church,
in 1S44. The older citizens of that town remember her faithful services, as she devoted
her rare talents in everv wa) to aid in all thai ministered to her husband's success in the
ministry. Returning after ten years to her native town, she entered with the same
fidelity in the work oi his twenty five years' pastorate here, till prostrated by paralysis.
she lived in comparative retirement and died in jSSj. Mrs. Houghton purchased
the Dr. Puffer estate, and she built the barn and remodeled the house (since burned),
which were ornaments to the town.
Lydia (Howe) Peters, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Howe, and wife of Deacon
Luther Peters, horn and passing most of her life in Berlin, died hen- in [S82, leaving a
pleasant memory of Christian kindness and beneficence. After the death of her brother,
\\ . A. Howe, she purchased his estate, to carr} out his intentions, and planned and
erected, as ■' a memorial to her brother," the spacious buildings now owned by W. II.
Hartshorn. She bequeathed to the town the clock which now strikes the hours so con
\(inentl\ and agreeably for a grateful people. She also gave five hundred dollars to the
Congregational Church, ot which -lie was many years a devoted member.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 449
POLLARD.
John Pollard,h. 1729, s. of William Pollard and Ex-
perience (Wheeler) Pollard of Bolton and grands, of
Thomas of Billerica, settled in the west part of
Berlin, the homestead just back of George Felton's;
later on the Merrick Rand homestead; he was an
early owner of the Barber mills and land adjoining;
he built the Barber house, which formerly stood
nearly opposite the res. of Levi Babcock; he bought
of John Butler in 1756 151 acres, with mill place and
mill. Thomas, a bro. of John, settled on the present
Moran estate. John m. Elizabeth Williams of Gro-
ton ; they had John, William, Walter, Betsey, Abner,
Amos, Moses, Aaron, Gardner, Mary, Susan ; of these
Moses m., July 22, 1793, Mary, dau. of Elisha Crosby
of Shrewsbury, near Westboro line ; she was cousin
to Mrs. Stephen Bailey ; Moses was lost at sea in his
own ship, returning from a personal visit to the Holy
Land ; their dau. m. Stephen Winship of Boston,
who res. here with his family awhile, as will be
recollected by the older inhabitants ; Aaron rebuilt
the Barber mills in 1822; Gardner was among the
early comb makers of Lancaster ; he lived on "The
Acre," the present res. of George Colburn; his father
d. there in 1 8 1 5 ; his father was at the siege of Fort
William Henry in 1755; his bro. William was also a
soldier in those tedious wars with the French and
their Indian allies ; William, s. of John, lived on the
Merrick Rand estate, and Walter also, and d. there
unm. ; Amos m. Phebe Phelps in 1 790 ; Abner m.
Achsah Phelps in 1789; John Pollard, Jr., m. Polly
Ball, was a trader in the present Bullard house;
45 O HISTORY OF THE
Betsey m. Amos Johnson. In 1791 John and
Elizabeth deeded to s., William, "forty-one acres, on
which I formerly lived;" the mills were sold before;
in 1797 deeded to s., Gardner, the homestead where
he was then living, 120 acres; here he d. ; also his s.,
William, after the death of his wife in Berlin. The
Gardner Pollard family made favorable impression
on society — a large family of worthy daughters and
two sons. Levi settled in Leominster and Seth went
to Chili, S. A. On the earlier records of Lancaster
the Pollards are hardly named. Incidentally, John
and Oliver, sons of Edward, appear as soldiers in an
expedition organized against the marauding Indians
in 1724, towards theKennebec, now Wakefield, N.
H. Lancaster annals give the names of sixty-two at
the killing of "them ten Indians;" John and Oliver
were in the list. Asa, s. of John of Billerica, was the
first killed at Bunker Hill ; his bro., Thaddeus, was
father of Amory Pollard of Pollard's mills, built by
Thomas Sawyer and deeded to Amory for his
fidelity. This was probably Thomas Sawyer, 3d, b.
1790; probably John Pollard, Sr., bought of John
Butler of Billerica, s. of James, 3d, of Bolton, the
southwest section of Third Division hill.
Thomas Pollard, s. of William and Experience
(Wheeler) Pollard and bro. to John of West Berlin,
b. Aug. 1, 1744, m. Deborah Wood of Bolton Dec.
*6, 1773 ; he settled on the farm now owned by John
F. Moran; the old buildings were rem. some years
ago and new ones now replace them. He had three
sons: Calvin, b. Sept. 13, 1774, d. young; Stephen, b.
July 29, 1776; Luther, b. Dec. 18, 1782. Tradition
TOWN OF BERLIN. 45 I
holds that Thomas built the Barnes mill for his s.,
Stephen. He d. Oct. 7, 1827, at 84; she d. Oct. 13,
1837, ^ 87.
Stephen Foliar cP, Thomas", William', m. Betsey
Hastings of Boylston, sister to Ephraim ; he occupied
the homestead of his father. Had Sarah, b. March
29, 1 8 14, m. Erastus Wheeler of Worcester; Abigail,
b. June 10, 1818, d. unm. ; Ezra, b. Nov. 21, 1823,
d. Nov. 5, 1850. He d. May 23, 1853; she d. July
25, 1 8 5 1 .
Luther Pollard*, Thomas2, William1, m. Matilda,
dau. of Timothy Bruce, Jr., Nov. 6, 1806 ; his father
settled him on the farm now owned by Francis Bab-
cock. Had Calvin, b. Dec. 8, 1808, res., Philadelphia;
Rebecca, b. Oct. 28, 18 10; Joseph, b. Jan. 2, 18 14, d.
1822, by falling as he ran upon a corn cutter; Abel,
b. April 6, 18 16, m. Mary A. Knight, res. in Bolton;
Almira, b. Jan. 1, 18 18, m. Kilbourne of
Bolton; Thomas, b. Sept. 25, 1820; Amory, b. May
4, 1822; Luther, b. Aug. 7, 1824, d. in infancy. He
d. ; she d. .
Thomas Pollard', s. of Luther\ m. Persis, dau. of
Luther Carter, Oct. 3, 1841 ; he is by trade a carpenter
and mason, and has been a merchant, res., Hudson.
Had Joseph Marshall, b. 1843, d. Oct. 8, 185 1 ; Her-
bert Asa, b. June, 1848.
Amory Pollard', s. of Luther3, m. Sarah F., dau. of
Capt. John D. Merrill; she m., 2d, Jonathan Ridley;
he is a carpenter and built a number of houses in
Carterville ; is now blind, and consequently unable to
work. Had Oscar A., b. Jan. 13, 1852; Clarence, b.
July 18, 1855.
452 HISTORY OF THE
Aaron Pollard, s. of John, Sr., b. July 14, 1772, m.
Anna Taylor of Harvard Nov. 28, 1798, res., Boston.
Had Anna W., b. Feb. 16, 1799, m. Rand,
(see Rand family); Clarissa W., b. July 23, 1801 ;
Eliza T., b. Feb. 23, 1802, m. Raymond; Mary
W., b. July 4, 1804; Merrick R., b. March 11, 1807;
Sarah A., b. May 3, 1809; David T., b. June 19,
18 1 3 ; Aaron, b. June 10, 18 16; Maria S., b. Feb. 3,
18 19; Martha J. L., b. May 21, 1821, m.
Fenno; Emeline R., b. April 19, 1825, m.
Parkman. Aaron, Sr., d. in Lancaster Jan. 20, 1853,
at 80; wife d. April 2, 1888, at 89.
William Pollard, s. of John, m. ; had no
child; d. at his bro., Gardner's, in 1830.
POWERS.
Capt. Henry Powers, probably a s. of Robert Powers
of Harvard, m. Hannah Moore of Boylston Jan. 2,
1774; he settled on the farm now owned by C. B.
Rathbun; was a prominent man in town affairs;
was Berlin's first representative to the General
Court; served 181 2-1 3-1 4-1 5. Tradition has it that
Capt. Powers was the veritable man whom the fox
deceived by feigning death. Reynard had squeezed
into the sheep fold, gorged himself on lamb and
could not get out; so he was found by the captain
all laid out. The captain tossed him over the fence,
but he came down all right side up, and was off in a
jiffy. He appears to have been a good family dis-
ciplinarian and a strict observer of the ordinances of
the church. His fifteen children were promptly
baptized in due season. Hannah, his wife, d. 1 8 1 2 ;
TOWN OF BERLIN.
453
he m., 2d, Mrs. Eunice, wid. of Capt. Samuel Spof-
ford, in 1 8 14; he and his wife, Eunice, d. in 1825.
Had by Hannah, his wife, Anna, m. Silas Jones ;
Hannah, m. Cornelius Moore of Bolton ; Edward ;
Robert ; Henry ; Polly, d. young ; Polly, m.
Roberts of Kingston ; Moors; Rebecca, d. young;
Betsey, d. young; Prudy; Betsey, b. May 22, 1796,
m. Joel Dakin ; Abijah, b. Nov. 24, 1 798 ; John, b.
Oct. 31, 1800; Rebecca, b. Sept. 10, 1808, m. Amos
Proctor.
Henry Powers, s. of Capt. Henry, m. Elizabeth,
dau. of David South wick, Nov. 10, 1810; he settled
near the old homestead, on what is now called the
Dakin place ; although brought up a strict Congre-
gationalist, he joined the Quakers, to which society
his wife belonged. Had Hannah, b. Sept. 5, 181 1,
d. unm. May 22, 1846; Henry, b. Nov. 28, 18 13, was
fatally wounded by an assault with a knife in the
hands of one Brooks, at Grafton, just at his majority;
Tamzen, b. March 13, 1820, d. Feb. 26, 1845 ; Eliza-
beth, b. May 23, 1826, d. May 4, 1846, age 20; Mary,
b. Feb. 9, 1828, m. Asahel Dakin of Sudbury, where
she still res.
Dea. John Pozvers, s. of Capt. Henry, m. Pamelia,
dau. of James R. Parks, April 10, 1825 ; he retained
the homestead of his father ; he, like his brother, for-
sook the way of his father and veritably became a
John the Baptist ; he rem. to Bolton ; his family were
all reared in Berlin. He d. in Bolton June 20, 1875 5
she d. Aug. 31, 1871. Had Pamelia A., b. Aug. 23,
1826, m. Joel Proctor, she d. July 27, 1890; Edward
L., b. Jan. 3, 1828, d. April 28, 1834; Andrew Apple-
454 HISTORY OF THE
ton, b. Dec. 21, 1829; Aaron R., b. Sept. 23, 1 83 1 ,
m. ; Henry R., b. Aug. 28, 1835, d. Oct. 31,
i860; Joseph L.,b. April 25, 1841, d. Dec. 1, 1841.
PRATT.
There are known to have been ten persons of the
name of Pratt who settled in New England between
1621 and 1650. They were doubtless of the same
family.
From what places in England they came, or who
were their immediate ancestors, or in what ship each
arrived, is uncertain.
The name of Pratt from a very remote period has
been common in England, especially in the more
southern counties.
The family is of Norman descent, and had many
distinguished representatives even before the Con-
quest.
"The family has embraced many noteworthy
members, both in church and state. For example,
Charles Pratt, the son of Sir John Pratt, chief justice
of the Court of King's Bench under George First,
who was born in 171 3, educated at Cambridge,
admitted barrister, distinguished for his professional
knowledge and eloquence, and appointed lord high
chancellor of Great Britain. He sympathized with
the American colonies, and thus incurred the royal
displeasure and was obliged to resign his high office
— his conscience and not his king supreme, — but was
subsequently restored to honor and office."
"The love of liberty and loyalty to truth have been
strong traits in the family from its earliest history."
TOWN OF BERLIN. 455
The pages of the book from which these extracts
have been taken ("A Genealogical Record of Mathew
Pratt of Weymouth," by Rev. Francis G. Pratt, Jr.)
show that "there have not been lacking many in this
country who from the very beginning of its history
have honored their descent, and who have been
honored for their uninterrupted integrity, their un-
usual success in business, their marked intelligence,
their patriotism, and their noble Christian pur-
pose."
About the beginning of August, 1623, a permanent
settlement was made by the Georges Company at
Weymouth, the next after Plymouth in the Mas-
sachusetts Bay territory. Here the records seem to
establish Mathew Pratt among the first settlers, for
he is found among the list of land owners in about
1643, and recognized as "an old resident."
The stock would seem to be very prolific, for his
descendants are numerous, and scattered throughout
the United States. Ninth in the direct male line of
descent from Mathew Pratt stands the subject of
this sketch, Rev. George Franklin Pratt.
His grandfather was Spencer Pratt, M. D., who
practiced medicine in Franklin, Mass.
His father was Hon. Spencer A. Pratt, a graduate
of Brown University, a lawyer, and for many years
judge of the Municipal Court of Bangor, Me.
His mother was Mary R. Gilmore. George Frank-
lin Pratt was born in Bangor, Me., April 5, 1852.
He was fitted for college in the high school, and
graduated from Bowdoin College in the class of
1876.
At intervals of his college studies, he taught a dis-
456 HISTORY OF THE
trict school in Bath, Me., and the free high school,
Orrington, Me. In the fall of 1876 he assumed the
principalship of the free high school in Brewer, Me.,
where he remained two years. He then entered the
General Theological Seminary of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in New York city, graduating in
1881.
At the seminary he was awarded the Seymour
prize (a gold watch) for excellence in extemporaneous
preaching. From 1881 to 1884 he was rector of the
Episcopal Church at Bath, Me.
From 1884 to 1888 he was rector of the Episcopal
Church in Clinton, Mass.
In 1888 he experienced a change in his theological
views and became a Unitarian. In 1889 he was
invited to become pastor of the First Unitarian
Society of Berlin, Mass., and began to preach there.
Jan. 22, 1890, he was installed, Rev. E. E. Hale, D.
D., preaching the installation sermon. Mr. Pratt
has been chairman of the School Committee of the
city of Bath, Me. ; secretary of the School Commitee,
Berlin, Mass., and also scribe of the Worcester
Association of Unitarian Ministers.
He is a member of a number of secret societies,
including the Berlin Grange.
Mr. Pratt married Miss Fannie Dearth Harlow of
Brewer, Me., July 27, 1881. She died of consump-
tion in Brewer July 11, 1884. Their son, Philip
F., died of diphtheria Aug. 11, 1883, aged one
year.
Feb. 18, 1886, he married Miss Fannie Morse
Greene of Clinton, Mass. They have three children :
Charlotte Elizabeth, born in Clinton, Jan. 2, 1887;
-f/>5""""s
Joe Pkiest and the Widow,
.'<?
J s- X
?fe
V-
'V5
9\
V<X
' >'">;£...«'"•
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Luther Priest and the Sow.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 457
Fannie Antoinette, born in Clinton Jan. n, 1889;
Mary Gilmore, born in Berlin May 21, 1892.
The first settler on the farm now owned by F.
Sherman Wheeler was Willson Pratt, the father of
Josiah aifd Abijah Pratt; the latter was in possession
of the premises from 1755 to 1786, when he sold to
Jonathan Wheeler, Jr., and rem. to Boylston. Had
sons, Stephen and Abijah, Jr. ; dau., Mary, m. Amos
Allen, and a dau. m. Jonathan Gieen.
PRIEST.
Joseph Priest, s. of John Priest of Woburn and later
a settler on Bare hill, Lancaster, was b. 1693, m.
Hannah , b. 1684; both buried in our old
cemetery ; the latter the earliest born of any there
buried, it is probable that she was disinterred from
some other cemetery; she d. Aug. 6, 1772, and he d.
Nov. 30, 1 78 1, both arriving at the age of 88 ; he
settled in the southwesterly part of the town, and
the place has since been owned by Enoch Whitcomb,
Solomon Bowker, Adam Bartlett, Timothy Bailey,
and Rufus R. Wheeler, the present owner ; the house
was burned a few years ago; he was a blacksmith,
and one of the first settlers in town about 1733.
Had Gabriel, b. Jan. 17, 1720; Joseph, b. 1732;
Hannah, b. June 22, 1735, m. Enoch Whitcomb.
He was in the expedition against Crown Point in
1757 under Col. Whitcomb of Bolton; record incom-
plete.
Gabriel Priest, probably a s. of Joseph, Sr., had two
sons: Holman, b. Oct. 3, 1745, and Luther, b. Sept.
27, 1772, both of whom settled in Berlin; no other
458 HISTORY OF THE
record of Gabriel here ; not sure as to dates and con-
nection.
Joseph Priesfjr., Joseph1, bought the east part of his
father's farm, consisting of sixty-three acres, in 1773 ;
in conferring the title the father limits the confirma-
tion "to the heirs of his body," so we suppose there
was a reversion, as Joseph, Jr., d. unm., but he sold
ten acres to Simeon Bowman the year the father d. ;
the farm on which this Joseph lived is still known as
the Priest place, and is now owned by Martin Flagg ;
the buildings disappeared years ago.
Among the names that blest the town
Stands Joseph Priest's, of fair renown;
The gift he gave, what good it's done
To you and me and every one,
In Berlin schools who've had a share
In the learning gained here and there.
This first of gifts, by no means least,
The town received from Joseph Priest;
Peculiar gifts in him adhered,
Peculiar speech and garb appeared;
He joked the parson with all grace,
And dared the widow face to face.
He was noticeably expressive in sayings. Dr.
Puffer once used a then common expression in
prayer: "Thou hast found out a way of salvation."
Uncle Joe (as he was called) met the parson and said
to him : "Well done, Puffer! Well done ! Found
out! Found out! The Almighty has found out
something, has He?" Ephraim Babcock on our Mc-
Pherson place was for an open road to his house.
Uncle Joe made him a call one day on foot. "Well,
Ephraim," he said, "I am glad Mr. Puffer prays for
you every Sunday." "How is that?" says Mr. Bab-
TOWN OF BERLIN. 459
cock. "Why, he prays that the uttermost parts of
the earth may have the gospel sent to them." I heard
Luther Priest say of him: "Uncle Joe was almost
blind before he died, but he could see a pistareen
edgewise further than I could hear it thunder." (A
pistareen was a very thin shilling piece, then in com-
mon use.) Many a man is called "stingy" who yet
has the public good in view in his savings. As a
result of his economy, we have the Priest fund of
$500, the income of which has yearly been appro-
priated for schooling. This fund has yielded an
average income of $30 annually for about seventy-five
years, hence the town has received during the time
about $2,200, but the fund, if invested at six per
cent, compound interest, would have been at this
date about $32,000, and this accumulation all within
the lifetime of persons now living.
It is related of Uncle Joe that when his father
would have married a second wife at 80, he went to
dissuade the widow in Marlboro. Persuasion naught
availing, he said to her: "My name is Joe Priest;
I live between two hills in Bolton, and if I ever see
you there, I'll kill you." Whatever her affections for
his father might be, she thought she would not
adopt such a son-in-law. Uncle Joe always wore the
Continental costume— a cocked hat, knee and shoe
buckles. He d. in 18 17. His will was probated
Sept., 18 1 7, Solomon How, exr. The town of Berlin
was made residuary legatee, as appears from the
following extract from his will :
"All the remainder and residue of my estate I give and
bequeath to the town of Berlin, to be kept on good security,
at interest annually, and said interest applied solely for literary
460 HISTORY OF THE
purposes." Amount received from executor, $505.31 ; the
fund stands now. on the books, $520.
Holman Priest, s. of Gabriel, m. Prudence Sawyer of
the Sawyer mills family ; he settled on the farm now
owned by Joseph John Randall and formerly by Reu-
ben A.Wheeler. Had Silas, b. Aug. 6, 1 774 ; Prudence,
b. Oct. 10, 1785, m. John Bruce, Jr., rem. to West
Boylston 1 8 1 3 ; Mrs. George Houghton, my corre-
spondent at West Boylston, is his dau. He d. Jan.
22, 183 1 ; wid. d. April 7, 1854.
Luther Priest, s. of Gabriel, m. Asenath Bruce Aug.
12, 1795 ; he lived on the west side of the Northboro
road, where Addison Keyes now res. ; he was a
carpenter by trade ; Luther loved a joke, though at
his own expense. He need not have told that coming
from Bolton in the evening with his carpenter's tools,
broad-axe and all in hand, a mother sow by the
roadside took after him ; Luther ran ; the sow ran ;
both ran the same way, but the sow ran the faster ;
one by one Luther dropped his tools to aid his speed.
In dire necessity he leaped the wall, on which just
behind him his pursuer rested her forefeet with a
vicious grunt. With a shake of his fist and an
affirmation not to be repeated, the carpenter respond-
ed : "If I had my broad-axe here, I would make two
sows of you." Had Sally, b. Dec. 24, 1795, d. Oct.
8, 1 8 1 5, admitted to the church at her home the same
day; Roxana, d. young; Granville, m., res., Wal-
tham ; Clarendon, d. in infancy ; Minerva, m. Dr.
John Austin of Vermont; Almira, m., May 24, 1829,
William Sawyer, res., Ohio ; had also Lydia, Charles
TOWN OF BERLIN. 46 1
and Sarah. Luther d. by fall on the ice Jan. 12,
1829; his wid. d. 1853; record incomplete.
AbraJiam Priest is named on some of our early-
records ; what connection with the other Priests does
not appear; he moved to Marlboro, N. H. It is
related that he was a famous story teller, and this
among others, that he had been in some place where
junks of wood and iron thrown into a machine would
come out of it ready-made carpenter's hammers.
That was Priestly at least.
Silas Pricsf, Holman1, m. Persis, dau. of Fortuna-
tus Barnes, May 27, 1802; he retained the homestead
of his father. Had Rufus, b. 1803, m. Lydia Brig-
ham, rem. to Sterling, where they d. (also Rufus'
s., Lewis, b. 1831, d. 1865); Ira, b. Sept. 21, 1806, d.
Oct. 10, 1807, and the father, Silas, d. at the same
date; Persis, wid., m. Pelatiah Jones.
PROCTOR.
Joel Proctor, from Vermont, m. Pamelia A., dau.
of Dea. John Powers; she d. July 27, 1890 ; he settled
on the place now owned by John Collins ; rem. to
Bolton.
PRY.
John A. Pry, b. Jan. 9, 1838, m. Anne Gens, b. Oct.
17, 1845 ; came from Clinton in 1889 and settled on
the Merrick Sargent place, near Bolton depot. Had
Anne Dora Louisa, b. Nov. 9, 1864, m. John Hoff-
man ; Mary L., b. Sept. 17, 1868, m. August Lehman;
462 HISTORY OF THE
Amelia G., b. Aug. 15, 1870, m. Henry Kable; John
A., b. vSept. 17, 1872; Henry G., b. July 28, 1877, d.
1882.
PUFFER.
Rev. Reuben Puffer, D. D., from Sudbury, was a
descendant of George Puffer, who settled in Quincy
about 1 640 ; this George had two sons, Mathias and
James; the former of these was the ancestor of
Charles Sumner and also Edward Everett ; James
settled in Braintree and had a s., Jabez, who moved
to Sudbury in 171 2; this Jabez had a s., Jabez, b.
1705, who was the father of the noted divine of
Berlin, hence the lineage runs Reuben5, Jabez4,
Jabez3, James", George1. Rev. Dr. Puffer was the
first minister of the town, ordained Nov. 26, 1781;
he m. Hannah Perry, by whom he had : Sophia, b.
July 1, 1780, m. Edward Baker Ball of Northboro;
Lucy, b. May 7, 1782, m. Nathaniel Goodnow of
West Boylston; Stephen, b. Feb. 17, 1784, m. Sally
Fosgate and rem. to Amherst ; Hannah, b. Oct. 3 1 ,
1785, m. Reuben Hastings; Charlotte, b. Sept. 16,
1787, m. John Flavel Fay of Northboro; Henry, b.
Feb. 15, 1790; Reuben, b. Aug. 3, 1792, d. Sept. 10,
1792; Palmyra (Almira), b. Sept 21, 1793, m.
Ephraim Hastings, she d. July 10, 1879; Charles, b.
Dec. 25, 1795; Oliver, b. Sept. 8, 1797, d. Jan. 20,
1799; Oliver, b. June 5, 1799, m. Phebe Thayer of
Richmond, N. H., where he settled about 1830 as a
wool carder and cloth dresser, he was here at the
dedication of our new Town Hall, d. in New Salem ;
Sarah, b. March 27, 1801, d. Jan. 9, 1822; Mary, b.
* mm
1.
/
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^
V
/^
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■C35
Br
Mil and Mrs. Merrick R. Rand.
Nathan Kick. Cavt. Setii Rice.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 463
May 18, 1803, m. Cyrus Abbot of Barre, m., 2d
Stone of Wrentham. Wife, Hannah, d. Jan.
5, 181 2, at 51 ; he m., 2d, 18 14, Phebe Morse Stowe,
wid. of William Stowe of Marlboro, by whom he had
Phebe M., b. June 14, 1815, d. Oct. 8, 1833; Mrs.
Stowe had by former husband, Truman, Freeman,
William, and Eugenia, who m. Rev. Lyman Gilbert
of West Newton Sept. 28, 1828. Rev. Reuben Puf-
fer d. April 9, 1829, at 73 yrs. ; wid., Phebe, d.
Jan. 12, 1856, aged 84.
RAND.
The families of this name in town are descendants
of one Robert Rand and Alice Sharp, his wife, who
came from England and settled in Charlestown in
1635.
Isaac Rand, of the seventh generation from Robert
and s. of Benjamin, was b. March 6, 1787, m., Oct.
4, 1 8 14, Anna Whitman Pollard, b. Feb. 16, 1799,
dau. of Aaron Pollard and Anna Taylor; he lived in
Roxbury and had four sons: Isaac P., b. Nov. 7,
1816; Luther, b. Dec. 23, 1820, d. Aug. 21, 1828;
Francis A., b. July 30, 1823 ; Merrick Rice, b. July 4,
1827 ; Francis A. and Merrick R. have been res. of
Berlin.
Merrick R. Rand, s. of Isaac Rand of Roxbury, m.,
Oct. 19, 1853, Sarah E., b. Dec. 14, 1834, dau. of
James Harper, res., West Berlin, on the old John
Pollard place. Had Merrick F., b. July 23, 1854;
Carrie E., b. Jan. 4, 1856, m. Charles Danforth; Ida
A., b. May 8, 1858, m. Albert H. Sibley; Delia S., b.
464 HISTORY OF THE
vSept. 24, i860, m. Frederick Cogsill; Gaza F., b.
April 14, 1864; Grace W., b. June 16, 1868.
Rev. Francis A. Rand, bro. of Merrick R., m., Nov.
15, 1859, Rachel R., dau. of John C. and Susan Robb,
of Farmington, Pa., b. Sept. 10, 1837; graduated at
Williams College in 1847; studied for the ministry
and ordained a Presbyterian minister and preached
for some years at various places in Pennsylvania ; he
came to Berlin in 1 867 ; settled in the west part on
the place recently owned by Henry O. Felton. Had
Anna L., b. July 17, 1863; Emma B., b. Dec. 28,
1864; Francis L., b. July 5, 1866; John C, b. April
28, 1868. Wife d. May 22, 1871 ; he d. June 27,
1889. Anne W. (Pollard) Rand, wife of Isaac and
the mother of Merrick R. and Francis A., d. her
with Francis A. April 2, 1888, at 89 yrs.
RANDALL.
Reuben Randall, s. of Reuben of Richmond, N. H.,
and bro. of Joseph of Bolton, m. Sarah Earle of
Leicester; lived on the Isaac Moore farm in 1830-40;
built the house where Edward L. Wheeler lives ;
rem. to Worcester; d. there.
Paul A. Randall, b. July 8, 1830, s. of Joseph of
Bolton, m. Abbie W. Kimmins, dau. of John of
Bolton, June 3, i860; his farm is in the north part
of the town, the place formerly owned by David
Southwick and later by Oliver and Nancy Young ;
has recently built a new house on the premises. Had
Joseph John, b. April 13, 1861; Reuben H., b.
May 9, 1863, d. Feb. 13, 1866; Lucy J., b. Oct. 13,
REV. FRANCIS A. RAND.
HENRY W. HASTINGS.
TOWN OK IIERLIN. 465
1868, m. Charles E. Small; Alice P., b. Sept. 27,
1S70, m. Lewis E. Day; Flora S., b. Aug. 27, 1880.
Joseph John Randall, s. of Paul A., m. Anna Grant
of Clinton Sept. 5, 1882; lie lives on the south side
of Sawver hill, the place once owned by Holman
Priest and later by Reuben A. Wheeler. Had Ethel
E., b. April 16, 1883 ; Charles P., b. March 29, 1884;
Carl II.. b. Nov. 6, 1886; Chester R., b. Nov. 10,
1887; Clifton A., b. Nov. 14, 1889; Joseph John, b.
April 29, 1893, d. March 8, 1894.
RATHBUN.
Solomon H. Rathbun, b. Oct. 19, 1805, came from
Richmond, R. I.; m., Oct. 17, 1835, Hannah M.
Boyden of Leominster; he attended Thomas Fry's
school. Lived in Bolton several years after marriage ;
bought the Sanderson Carter place in 1 846 ; sold that
and bought the John Powers place in 1865. Had
Charles B., b. July 1, 1836; George C, b. Dec. 24,
1837 ; Mary E., b. March 22, 1839, m- Nathan Gee of
Fitchburg, she d. in 1892; Thomas F., b. Feb. 17,
1841, was the first soldier from Berlin to enlist in
1 86 1, d. at Winchester, Va., March 14, 1862 ; James
F., b. Dec. 12, 1842; the three youngest children d.
in infancy, viz. : two John Henrys and one Francis E.
Wife d. May 6, 1850; he m., 2d, Mary Holden May
26, 1852; she d. 1868; he d. March 23, 1871.
Charles B. Rathbun, s. of Solomon H., m. Marion
S., dau. of Abraham Brigham, July 1, i860; settled
on the old Powers homestead on Baker hill. Had
Alice M., b. Oct. 3, 1867, graduated at the Northboro
high school, taught school five years, m., Oct. 3,
466 HISTORY OF THE
1893, Dr. Frank L. Harvey, M. D., of Leominster,
settled in Clinton.
George C. Rathbun, s. of Solomon H., went to Rhode
Island; m. there; returned here and m., 2d, April 12,
1876, Mrs. Emma (Miller) Hunting, sister to wife of
Francis Babcock; she had by her first husband,
Arthur. She d. March 4, 1882; he m., 3d, Jennie
Baker, and res. in Canterbury, Conn.
James F. Rathbun, s. of Solomon H., m. Doll}-
Harris Dec. 12, 1869; rem. to Cochituate; d. Sept. 9,
1874. Had Lillian, b. 1873, d. 1875; Lucy d. in in-
fancy. Wid. d. in Boston in 1877, at 27 yrs.
RICE.
David Rice, s. of Abraham of Framing-ham, was one
of the first settlers near the middle of the town ; res.
where the Berlin Hotel now is ; his father had a deed
of the land in 1744 and conveyed it to his s., David, in
1760 — sixty-three acres; David Rice sold the same
to James Goddard in 1778 — eighty-four acres, and
Goddardsold to Jonathan Meriam. Had s., Stephen.
Asaph Riee once lived north of George H. Bruce's
on west side of the road; his children, when the
parents were away, set fire to the barn to clean out
the rats. It did the job.
How strange, indeed, that Asaph Rice,
So pestered was with rats and mice,
His children thought 'twouli be no harm
To clear them out, to burn the barn.
When from the church the parents came,
The barn was gone, the rats the same.
Ne'er troubled more was Asaph Rice
In that old barn with rats and mice.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 467
The numerous families of this name settled in
Marlboro, Northboro and Shrewsbury, were descend-
ants of Edmund Rice, b. in England in 1594; came
from Barkhamstead to Sudbury in 1639 with wife,
Tamzine, and children; she d. in 1654; hem., 2d,
Mercie, wid. of Thomas Brigham, of whom came
our families after several generations ; he settled in
Marlboro, near "Gates' pond," about 1660, on the old
Boston and Worcester road, and his name stands at
the head of the petition for the Marlboro "grant;"
he had eleven children, and his posterity have been
very numerous in all the above-named towns. He
d. in 1663 and was buried at Sudbury. Edmund, a
grands, of his, who settled in Westboro, had one son
killed and two captured and taken to Canada by the
Indians in 1 704. The two captives remained with the
Indians, married Indian wives and had children by
them. For a more extended account see Hudson's
"History of Marlboro."
The first of the Rice name on the records as a
citizen of Berlin territory was David Rice, whose s.,
Stephen, had a blacksmith shop on the spot where
A. A. Bartlett's house now stands, at the time the
first meeting-house was built. He, or possibly John
Pollard, may have built the original Bullard house.
What became of the family or what connection (if
any) with the Edmund Rice family does not appear.
Capt. SctJi Rice, s. of Samuel of Northboro, b.
May 9, 1794, m. Oct. 2, 1820, Persis, b. Oct. 2, 1799,
dau. of Jonas Bartlett of Northboro; came to Berlin
in 1 842 ; res. on the Holman Priest Tplace and Timo-
thy Bailey farm; was representative to the General
468 HISTORY OF THE
Court in 1S46; rem. to Shrewsbury in 1859, where he
d. Feb. 14, 1865; wid. d. in Berlin Dec. 5, 1880.
HadSeth, b. June 27, 1821 ; William, b. Feb. 27, 1823;
Jonas, b. Feb. 21, 1825; Eliza G., b. July 3, 1827;
Lewis, b. Aug. 6, 1828; Harriet, b. April 2, 1831;
vSilas, b. Aug. 19, 1833; Ellen P., b. June 26, 1835;
Susan, b. Sept. 23, 1837; Samuel S., b. Nov. 4, 1839;
Alary E., b. Oct. 26, 1841.
Nat/tan Rice, from Northboro, b. Aug. n, 18 12, s.
of Nathan of Marlboro and of the Edmund Rice
line, m. Mary Eliza Pearson Oct. 22, 1840; she d. ;
m., 2d, Eliza Ann Walker May 9, 1847; d. Oct. 4,
1863, caused by being thrown from a carriage on
Sawyer hill ; m., 3d, Zilpah H., wid. of Edward
Bliss, June 25, 1871 ; he lived with Sophia Sawyer,
also on his last wife's place; he d. May 12, 1875.
Had by Mary E., Arathusa, b. Nov. 6, 1841, d. Feb.
28, 1845; Mary P., b. April 6, 1843, res., California;
Theodore, b. Oct. 28, 1844, d. April 26, 1881 ; had by
Eliza Ann, Oliver C, b. Sept. 15, 1848 ; George H., b.
Aug. 2, 1852, d. Aug. 8, 1875.
Oliver C. Rice, s. of Nathan, m. Augusta, dau. of
Edward Bliss, Dec. 25, 1870, res. on the Edward
Bliss place ; is a shoemaker and painter. Had Louisa
May, b. April 14, 1874, m. Jerome Warren July
29, 1890, res. in Berlin; Leslie O., b. Dec. 21,
[885.
Willis Rice, b. Aug. 9, 1845, s. of Abel Rice of
Marlboro of the Edmund Rice line, m. Harriet
Susan, dau. of Nahum W. Fay, April 3, 1873 ; came
to town in 1880; res. on the Oliver Fosgate place;
was the first to introduce hot-house culture of earlv
TOWN OF BERLIN. 469
vegetables. Had Emily H., b. Jan. 5, 1874; Effie
G., b. Sept. 3. 1875; Frances E.. b. Feb. 4. 1878;
Lucy F., b. Feb. 13, 1884.
RICH.
James Rich, from Lynn, m. Hannah, dau. of Benja-
min Baker, July 46, 1797 ; he built on the road below
Ira Brown's. Had James, Stephen, Hannah, and
others; record incomplete.
James Rich, Jr., m. Sally, dau. of Daniel Bruce,
1823 ; he lived in Fitchburg and d. there; the family
returned and lived on the place recently owned by
Mrs. James B. Hartley. Had William A., b. 1824;
Maria, m. Dalrymple of Northboro ; George W.,
b. 1825; Jane, m. Piper; Hannah, m.
Brigham, d. ; Louisa, b. 1827; James G., b.
1832, d. 1856; Harriet; Lucy; Edwin; Charles;
Elliott; Henry P., b. 1845, d. in the army, record
in our soldiers' memorial. This record of the family
was gathered in scraps ; no doubt incorrect.
RICHARDSON.
Francis Richardson and wife, Susan, and his bro.,
Peter, came from Newton in 1 867 ; bought the place
where Rufus R. Wheeler now lives. Had Mary, who
m. Alanson Saltmarsh, and they had a s., Edward ;
Mary d. Feb. 13, 1876, age 27. Francis d. Dec. 7,
1876; wid., Susan, d. April 17, 1881; Peter d. at
Edward Flagg's in i:
ROBBINS.
• John Robbins, s. of Jonathan of Stow, b. July 8,
1828; came to Berlin in 1846; m. Lucinda S., dau. of
47° HISTORY OF THE
Jonas Hale, April I, 1850; he bought the old Simeon
Bowman place, where Rufus R. Wheeler now lives;
built the house now on the premises ; was a soldier
in the late war; enlisted in the 3d Mass. Cavalry in
the spring of 1864. His wife, Lucinda S., d. April
4, 1864; m., 2d, Lucie E. Rogers of Stow March 28,
1866; rem. to Stow in 1867; he d. suddenly of heart
disease while in Hudson Feb. 12, 1894. Had by
Lucinda S., five children, four of whom d. in infancy;
George E., b. Nov. 28, i860, is now m. and lives in
Stow; had by Lucie E., Charles H., b. Oct. 30, 1868,
m., res., Hudson; John F., b. Feb. 19, 1870.
Jonas Rabbins, from Acton, m. Sarah Bonner of
Hancock, N. H. ; he settled on 'the place now owned
by Joseph Turner; d. May 8, 1847, by suicide in the
barn ; he was succeeded by Daniel E. Williams, who
hung himself in the same barn. Wid., Sarah, d. at
the Robbins house in the Centre Nov. 23, 1863, at j6,
ROSE.
John F. Rose, b. in Germany 1830; came over
1850; m. Clara E. Smith; has a house in the Centre
on the Clinton road; wife d. Nov. 24, 1876; is a
shoemaker and works in Hudson; was a soldier in
the late war in Co. I, 13th Regt., also in Co. C, 5th
Regt. Had John P., b. in Marlboro Dec. 25, 1857,
m. Lizzie McGrew, lives in Pittsburg, Pa.
RUDERSDOFF.
Madam Rndcrsdoff (Afansficld) was a native of
Russia, b. in one of the lower provinces; educated
THE.
NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
;WandT»deni
EHENEZER S. SAWTELLE.
MRS. STEPHEN s. SOUTHWICK.
DEA. OLIVER SAWYER.
MRS. STEPHEN SAWYER.
O. II. SAWYER.
OLIVER SMITH.
CAPT. LEWIS SAWYER.
MRS. P. II. SOUTHWICK.
CAPT. SILAS SAWYER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 47 I
in Germany ; came to this country at the time of the
great peace jubilee in Boston. For a summer resi-
dence she bought "Lakeside," the place where M.
Reed Tyler now lives; she was singularly unfortunate
in the loss of buildings ; first, a new barn, which was
burned; second, a new barn in place of the one
burned was demolished by a tornado, in which two
were killed and others injured; third, her house,
which had been repaired and enlarged, was burned
in the winter when not occupied, she being in Bos-
ton at the time. She was a very celebrated teacher of
vocal music; had numerous pupils from all parts,
many of whom obtained a national reputation as
singers.
Richard Mansfield, the celebrated actor, is one of
her sons.
She d. in Boston in 1882 and was buried at Mt.
Auburn ; a huge boulder for a monument marks her
grave.
SARGENT.
Curtis Sargent, s. of Stephen, m. Hulda Forbes.
Had Stephen John E., who m. Frances L. Rand Nov.
29, 1877; Warren, b. 1850, d. May 19, 1867; Lucinda
Ella, m. Charles D. Starkey, m., 2d, DanaM. Larkin,
infant d. He d. 1851; wid., Hulda, m. George W.
Howard.
SAWYER.
The Sawyers of Berlin are descendants of Thomas
Sawyer, b. in England in 16 16, who came from Row-
ley, Mass., and settled in Lancaster in 1647; he was a
472 HISTORY OF THE
blacksmith ; his wife was Mary, the dan. of John
Prescott, the head man of early Lancaster; his
homestead was on the present grounds of the
Seventh Day Adventists, between South Lancaster
and Clinton. He d. Sept. 12, 1706, at about 90 yrs.,
leaving ten children ; the oldest of these, Thomas,
Jr., b. 1648, was in the lineage of our Berlin Saw-
yers, and was the one captured by the Indians in
1705. The story of his captivity has given him a
popular fame above all college graduates ; nothing
gave notoriety like exploits with Indians, nor can
the Lancaster experiences be forgotten in any age.
Sawyer's is romantic, though oft repeated. This
Indian raid and capture was during Queen Ann's
war; was nearly thirty years after the Lancaster
massacre (so-called) in King Philip's war in 1676.
The Indians were from Canada ; were the allies of
the French in the contest involving the French and
English colonies in America ; the event occurred on
the 16th of Oct., 1705. This Thomas Sawyer, Jr.,
while at work in his saw-mill, at present "Deer's
Horn," together with his s., Elias, and John Bigelow
of Marlboro, was captured by the Indians and taken
to Canada. A younger bro. of Elias escaped through
a window. Sawyer was a millwright, Bigelow a
carpenter. The French had no saw-mill. Sawyer
saw their opportunity. For their liberty he pro-
posed to the French governor to appropriate the
water of the Chambly river to lumber making. The
governor saw his opportunity, too, but the Indians
did not see it in the same light. They saw in the
vigor of their chief captive the pluck of a good
subject for their devilish torture. The narrative
TOWN OF BERLIN. 473
has it that he was finally tied to a stake ; the French
Catholic priests had gained much influence over the
Indians. A friar was equal to the occasion ; brandish-
ing a key in mid-air he threatened "to unlock
purgatory and thrust them into eternal fires if they
did not release the prisoner." Superstition had its
uses ; they let him go : the mill was built, the first
in all Canada; Thomas Sawyer and Bigelow came
home ; Elias was detained a year longer to run the
mill and instruct others in the art of sawing. No
wonder the Sawyers have had saw-mill "on the
brain." If you can find a saw-mill in all this region
not started or run by a Sawyer, publish it. Some
Sawyer, doubtless, was responsible for this old saw :
Sawyer says of all the saws
He ever saw saw,
He never saw a saw saw,
As Sawyer's saw saws.
As appears by a will of Thomas Sawyer, Jr., put
oh record in 1735, he had four sons, William,
Joseph, Bazalies and Elias, and two daus., Mary,
wife of Joshua Rice of Marlboro, and Hannah, wife
of Jonathan Moore (of Bolton). He bequeathed
twelve pounds to purchase a vessel for the church in
Lancaster. A Bolton tradition holds that he had a
dau. who m. Rev. Nathaniel Whitman of Deerfield ;
if so, she was a dau. probably of his first wife,
Sarah, b. 1671, their only child; she was buried in
Bolton. He d. 1736 and was buried in Lancaster
old cemetery.
William Sawyer, eldest s. of Thomas Sawyer, Jr.,
m., 1700, Hannah, dau. of John Houghton, 2d. Had
Benjamin; Israel; Joseph; William; Josiah ; Uriah;
474 HISTORY OF THE
Aholiab ; Mary, m. Phineas Willard ; Hannah, m.
John Snow; Hephzibah, m. Increase Powers; Thank-
ful, m. Jonathan Fairbanks; Martha, m. Charles
Wilder. His homestead was south of the present
village of Bolton; their garrison assignment near
the Centre was with John Moore, near Fryville; he
had lands in other places; had ioo acres on the west
slope of "Gates hill," now "Sawyer hill," and 120 on
the east slope ; on these his s., Josiah, settled, but
Josiah was not the first Sawyer on the hill ; two>
William Sawyers were here in our early history,
probably the father and bro. of Josiah, and also
Aholiab, who lived on the west slope of Sawyer hill
on land now of Henry H. Bliss; he rem. to Temple-
ton about 1750.
Dca. Josiah Sawyer1^, William', Thomas2, Jr.,
Thomas1, b. 17 14, m. Sarah Fairbanks, dau. of
Jabez Fairbanks of Bolton and granddau. of the
famous Indian fighter and bro. of our Esquire
Ephraim Fairbanks, who lived on Wheeler hill July
28, 1738; the Sawyer stock has ever constituted a
large element in our population and in the church,
all as to permanent residents descendants of Josiah ;
he was an original member and first deacon of the
church ; was a Godly man ; his old Bible . and the
stand on which it was daily opened with care, and
other relics, are sacredly preserved, now in the hands,
of his great grands., Daniel H. Carter.
DEA. JOSIAH SAWYER'S LFAP.
The tradition in the Sawyer family of the remarkable leap
of their ancestor here, Dea. Josiah Sawyer, is undoubtedly
substantially true, and worthy of record.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 475
The story is that Dea. Josiah Sawyer had become the owner
of a tract of land on Sawyer hill about 1735; was living in
Bolton with his father, William, probably ; he was engaged in
clearing up the land and making -preparation for settlement.
While returning home one evening on foot, as was his custom,
in descending the hill just north of the Quaker Meeting-house,,
an Indian, in ambush by the wayside, sprang out with toma-
hawk in hand. Sawyer, being unprepared with defensive
weapons, took to his heels, with the Indian after him. He,
by his agility, outran the savage and reached his home in
safety. By measurement the next day, it was found that one
of the leaps, as the footprints showed, was sixteen feet, the most
extraordinary leap ever known in these parts.
Dea. Josiah had by his wife, Sarah, Josiah, .b.
Nov. 24, 1738, d. young; William, b. March 5, 1740;
Hannah, b. June 25, 1743, m. Curtis of Har-
vard; Rebecca, b. Feb. 15, 1745, m. Wilder
of Putney, Vt. ; Sarah, b. Feb. 6, 1747, m. William
Wilder of Putney, Vt. ; Aholiab, b. 1749; Josiah, b.
Nov. 8, 1752. Wife, Sarah, d. 1762; he m., 2d,
Mary Tooker. The Tookers preceded the Chase
family on "The Acre," now in Clinton. Had by
wife, Mary, Levi, b. Nov. 10, 1764, d. young; Silas,
b. July 5, 1766; Thomas, b. March 9, 1770, d. 1 77 1 .
Josiah served as deacon from 1770 to 1799; he d.
July 3, 1805, at 91 ; wife, Mary, d. March 25, 1799,
at 71.
William Sawyer, s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Hannah,
dau. of Lieut. Oliver and Hannah (Hunt) Barrett of
Bolton, Jan. 10, 1764; the Barrett family has ever
been prominent in Bolton ; he settled on a part of the
old homestead of his father, the present farm of M.
Reed Tyler, recently the estate of Madam Ruders-
476 HISTORY OF THE
doff, and known as "Lakeside." Had by Hannah,
Abigail, b. May 5, 1765, m. Cotton Newton (see
Newton) ; William, b. Feb. 6, 1 767 ; Amos, b. March
17, 1769; Mary, b. Feb. 8, 1771, m., Sept. 26, 1792,
Rufus Howe, both of Berlin, s. of Joseph, of Gates'
pond, res., Marlboro, Vt. ; Oliver, b. April 17, 1774;
Asa, b. Aug'. 2, 1775, was in Jaffrey, N. H., 1803 to
181 7; Uriah, b. May 24, 1778, m., Feb. 2, 1803, Sally
Spofford, res., Jaffrey, N. H., and Ohio; Polly, b.
1780, m. Rufus Howe, he d. in Marlboro, Vt., she
returned; Hannah, b. Jan. 6, 1781, m. Robert Fos-
gate, res., Winchester, N. H., she d. there 1871, at
90 yrs. ; Levi, b. 1784, d. young. He d. Feb. 28,
1822, at 80; she d. Feb. 8, 1830, at 88.
JosiaJi Sawyer, Jr., s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Bathsheba
Moore of Putney, Vt., service by Rev. William God-
dard of Westmoreland Aug. 6, 1770 ; he retained the
homestead of his father; later the place was owned
by his dau., Lucinda, and her s., Daniel H. Carter,
and is now owned and occupied by Willard G. Bruce.
Had by Bathsheba, Alvan, b. Oct. 30, [770; Eunice,
b. Nov. 10, 1774, m. Ephraim Babcock; Bathsheba,
b. May 9, 1778, d. young. Wife, Bathsheba, d.
March 17, 1778; he m., 2d, Persis, dau. of Hon.
Samuel Baker; they had: Susannah, b. Nov. 19,
1 78 1, m. Caleb Houghton; Bathsheba, b. 1784, d.
young. Wife, Persis, d. 1785; he m., 3d, Prudence
Johnson of Leominster Jan. 4, 1786; they had: Ira,
b. Oct. 1, 1787; Lucinda, b. April 20, 1789, m.
Amory Carter, also Cummings Moore ; Rufus, b.
Sept. 22, 1790; George, b. Feb. 6, 1793 ; Asa, b. Sept.
3, 1795; Persis, b. June 18, 1798, m. Loring Howe
T< IWN OF BERLIN.
477
of Marlboro; Sarah, b. July 12, 1800, m. Lewis Car-
ter, she d. Feb. 26, 1895.
Silas Sawyer, s. of Dea. Josiah, m. Sarah, dau. of
Phineas Howe, Jan. 6, 1785; he settled on Sawyer
hill, the place recently owned by his grands., Jonas
Sawyer. Had Thomas, b. June 10, 1785; Jonas, b.
July 1, 1787; Abraham, b. June 26, 1789; Experience,
b. June 1, 1 79 1, m., 18 12, Moses Greenlief of Bolton;
Phineas, b. Feb. 16, 1794, went to Ohio; Mary, b.
1798, m. Samuel Spofford, Jr.; Silas, b. Oct. 1, 1800,
d. 1805. He d. Nov. 9, 1842; wife, Sarah, d. June
26, 1832.
Amos Sawyer*, William", Dea. Josiah', William3,
Thomas", Jr., Thomas', m. Persis, dau. of Joseph
Howe; he settled on the Assabet, on the place re-
cently owned by Aaron Morse; he built the house
now standing- on the place; was deacon of the
Unitarian Church ; late in life he sold his farm and
moved on the place where Christopher Wheeler now
lives. Had Amory, b. July 4, 1793; Lucy, b. Dec.
13, 1794, m. Hollis Eager of Marlboro Nov. 6, 18 16;
William, b. July 30, 1796; Polly, b. Feb. 12, 1798,
m. Benjamin F. Spofford; Betsey, b. Aug. 6, 1799,
m. Abel Howe; Joseph and Franklin, b. Sept. 3,
1 80 1 ; Franklin d. June 26, 1809; Joseph d. July 3,
1809; Amos, b. March 10, 1808; Joseph and Frank-
lin, b. Nov. 3, 1809; Joseph d. Sept. 30, 1825;
Franklin d. Oct. 10, 1847, unm. Dea. Amos d. Oct.
3, 1842; wife d. Sept. 25, 1850.
Dea. Oliver Sawyer? William,2 Dea. Josiah,' m.
Lucy Fairbanks of Northboro; she d. April 22, 1S10,
at 23 yrs. : he m., 2d. Sophia Rice of Northboro; he
478 HISTORY OF THE
succeeded his father on the homestead on Sawyer
hill; he built the house which was burned when
Madam Rudersdoff owned it ; was a highly respected
citizen of the town and was quite often entrusted
with its affairs. Had by wife, Sophia, Lewis, b.
Feb. 2, 1812, d. on the homestead Feb. 8, 1856,
unm. ; Oliver Barrett, b. June 5, 18 16; Lucy Fair-
banks and Sophia Rice, twins, b. Sept. 9, 18 19;
Lucy m. Stephen Sawyer of Worcester Jan. 8, 1845 ;
she d. in Worcester Dec. 29, 1 847 ; Sophia d. on the
homestead Oct. 24, 1873, unm. Dea. Oliver served
in office as deacon of the Congregational Church
from 1830 to 1848; he d. April 15, 1851; wife,
Sophia, d. Sept. 1, 1841.
Amory Sawyer", s. of Dea. Amos3, William", Dea.
Josiah,' m. Lucy, dau. of Alvin Sawyer; he settled
on the Assabet, near his father's, the place now
owned by Nathaniel Wheeler ; built the house now
standing thereon; was a carpenter; was injured by a
fall from a staging on the Chandler Carter house at
the time of its erection in 1831. Had Zilpah H., b.
Jan. 27, 1 8 19, m. Edward Bliss, m., 2d, Nathan
Rice; Amory Bard well, b. Aug. 8, 1821 ; Lucy M.,
b. wSept. 22, 1823, m. Henry H. Bliss; Martha A., b.
Oct. 11, 1827, d. Nov. 24, 1882, unm. He d. Sept.
7, 1 83 1 ; Lucy m., 2d, Moses Greenlief of Bolton;
she d. here May 17, 1878.
William Sawyer*, Dea. Amos", William'-', Dea.
Josiah1, m., Jan. 7, 1821, Zilpah Howe; had no per-
manent res. in Berlin. Had Lucinda H., b. April 1.
1822; Lucy E., b. Jan. 3, 1828. Wife, Zilpah, d. ; he
m., 2d, the divorced wife of Ethan Allen of Worcester,
TOWN OF BERLIN.
479
the pistol maker; he finally went to California and
probably d. there.
Amos Sawyer" ', Dea. Amos3, William2, Dea. Josiah1,
m. Sarah H., dau. of Thomas Sawyer, Dec. 4, 1836;
he lived in Berlin Centre, on the place where his s.,
Chester, and his mother now reside ; he was the
successor of Esquire Jonathan D. Meriam in the
stage and express business (see '-Stage Coach"); he
was a justice of the peace and representative to
the General Court in 1849-50. Children:
Mary Adella, b. Nov. 5, 1837, m., Sept. 6, 1855,
William Barnes Carter, res., Columbus, Ga. ; she d.
there June 8, 1862. Had Addie Adella, William
Amos.
Morgianna Maria, b. Jan. 1, 1S40, m., Aug. 6,
i860, Lorren Arnold, res., Marlboro. Had Indiana
Howe, Cora Belle, Harry Jackson; the mother d.
March 21, 1883.
Joseph Marshall, b. Nov. 8, 1842 ; d. 1843.
Sarah Grace, b. Feb. 18, 1844, m., Feb. 18, 1862,
Oscar Warren Holt, res., Hudson. Had Oscar War-
ren, Leslie Oscar, Ralph Warren.
Augusta Elizabeth, b. Jan. 22, 1846, m., Jan. 1,
1868, Warren S. Peters ; shed. Aug. 2, 1868; no
child.
Frederic Amos, b. July 28, 1848 ; d. Sept. 30, 1851.
Lucy Sophia, b. Aug. 13, 1850, m., Nov. 4, 1870,
Warren S. Howe; she d. Jan. 28, 1S83; one child
d. in infancy.
Lucina Frances, b. May 5, 1852; d. Jan. 15, 1865.
Franklin Amos, b. Sept. 14, 1853; d. March 18,
1856.
480 HISTORY OF THE
Lewis Amos, b. Jan. 19, 1856, m., July 20, 1876,
Lucinda B. Hebard; he d. July 25, 1S80. Had
Winifred B. and Robert Lewis.
Chester Albert, b. Nov. 22, 1857.
Clara Isabel, b. Nov. n, 1858; d. April 15, 1859.
Silas Abel, b. Oct. 15, i860.
The father d. Aug. 15, 1866; Sarah, wid., m. Henry
D. Coburn.
A /van Sawyer*, Josiah", Dea. Josiah' and Bathsheba
Moore, m., Feb. 13, 1794, Sarah, dau. of James God-
dard, Sr. ; he settled on the farm previously owned
by Thomas Bride and now by Leonard W. Brewer.
■Had by Sarah, Lucy, b. March 16, 1795, m. Amory
Sawyer; Zilpah, b. Feb. 3, 1797, d. Oct. 11, 1875,
unm. ; Levi, b. April 7, 1799, d. unm., 1837; Eli, b.
Jan. 7, 1801 ; Alvan, b. Sept. 8, 1803, m- Lucy Bige-
low of Lowell, she d. May 18, 1831, m., 2d, Jerusha
A. Tarleton of Nashua, he d. in Cuba in 1856. Wife,
vSarah Goddard, d. Nov. 14, 1806; m., 2d, Sally New-
ton of Marlboro, 1808, and had by Sally, Josiah, b.
March 25, 18 10; George W., b. Oct. 11, 181 1;
Stephen, b. Feb. 11, 18 13; Sally Newton, b. 181 5,.
m. Julius L., s. of Rev. Eber L. Clarke, res., Wor-
cester and Newton, has been state auditor and
commissioner of insurance; Susan, b. 18 19, m.
Edward L. Brigham of Worcester in 1844, she d.
1871.
George Sawyer*, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Hoar, protegee of Dea. Jonathan Meriam ; the family
rem. to Tennessee and Kentucky.
Ira Sawyer*, Josiah", Dea. Josiah', m. Abigail, dau.
of William Hastings of Bolton; he settled in Bolton
TOWN OF BERLIN. 48 1
just over the line, where his s., Benjamin H., now
lives; he d. Aug. 30, 1861. Had William, b. Oct. 5,
1812; Josiah E., b. Jan. 10, 18 14; Mary Ann, b. Dec!
1, 181 5, m. George W. Sawyer; Hartwell, b. Jan. 6,
18 18; Ira J., b. Dec. 31, 18 19; Charles P., b. March
19, 1822, d. Dec. 26, 185 1 ; Sarah Jane, b. Jan. 18,1824,
m. Amory A. Bartlett; George Q., b. Aug. 26, 1828;'
Oliver, b. May 27,1830; Benjamin H., b. Aug. 7, 1826^
RufusSawyer\ Josiah'2, Dea. Josiah1, m. Seraph, dau.
of Adam Bartlett, June 12, 181 3; he settled on the
Dr. Hezekiah Gibbs farm, now owned by F. A.-
Woodward. Had Alden, b. March 24, 18 14; Almina,
b. July 11, 18 1 5, m. Horace Bigelow; Israel, b. Oct
[2, 1817; Lucinda, b. Aug. 5, 18 19, m. Israel Moore
of Bolton, she d. Oct. 27, 1840; Edwin, b. Sept. 16,
1821; Eli, b. May 22, 1823; Addison, b. April 6,
1825, m. Elizabeth Brigham, res., Reading, d. Mar.
4, 1893 ; Joseph B., b. June 2, 1827, m. Elona Smith,
res., Hadley, d. June 18, 1886; Jonathan Orison, b.
July 26, 1829, m. Alice Currier, res., Lawrence, d.
Apr. 26, 1887; Rufus Curtis, b. Oct. 8, 1832. Rufus,
Sr., d. April 12, 1865; wife d. Dec. 3, 1863. They
celebrated their golden wedding in the room in which
they were m.— the Judge Baker stone mansion— 1 863.
Asa Sazvycr\ Esq., Josiah0, Dea. Josiah1, m., Nov. 3,
1 8 14, Emma, dau. of Dea. Stephen Bailey, who lived
on the Ira Jones place ; Asa lived on the Hudson
road, the residence now of Ebenezer S. Sawtelle, Jr. ;
he was a district school teacher many years ; took a
lively interest in school affairs ; was quite constant
in attendance at school examinations; was justice of
the peace ; did most of the conveyancing in town
482 HISTORY OF THE
and was quite largely employed in probate business ;
was an agent for the Old Worcester County Fire
Insurance Co. ; their golden wedding, held at their
house in 1 864, was very largely attended by relatives
and friends, and was an exceedingly interesting and
pleasant occasion. Had Fanny W., b. July 17, 181 5,
d. Aug. 11, 1830; Winthrop Bailey, b. June 3, 1817,
adopted the name of Winthrop Bailey by leaving off
the Sawyer, commemorative of his uncle, pastor of
the Unitarian Church in Deerfield ; Winthrop was a
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and
settled on Long Island and southeast New York; he
m. , by whom he had Margaret, who m. Rev.
; also Winthrop, who m. Rosa, dau. of George
E. Johnson. Esquire Asa and Emma had also
Theodore Wilder, b. Feb. 14, 18 19, m. Lucinda Rice
of Marlboro, where they res., and d. April, 1869;
Humphrey W., b. Jan. 14, 1822, d., it is supposed, in
California; Emma B., b. Nov. 13, 1826, d. Sept. 4,
1 83 1 ; Henrietta, b. Sept. 3, 1829, d. May 24, 1834.
Esquire Asa d. May 23, 1877; Emma, wid., d. April
6, 1880.
Capt. Lezvis Sawyer' , Dea. Oliver', William", Dea.
Josiah!, remained on the homestead with his father,
and continued there after his father's death with his
sister, Sophia, until his own death, caused by heart
failure, Feb. 8, 1856 ; he was an influential and highly
respected citizen of the town ; was town clerk 1838,
'45, '50, '55; the records made by him show great
neatness, precision and accuracy; he was a justice of
the peace and a representative to the General Court
1851-2, and was a captain of light infantry; was
until.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 483
Oliver Barrett Sawyer', Dea. Oliver", William2, Dea.
Josiah1, m. Angelina, dau. of Henry Baldwin of
Shrewsbury, April 12, 1842; the name, Oliver Bar-
rett, is commemorative of the family of the grandm.,
Hannah Barrett, of Bolton ; he established himself
in business at West Boylston; was a successful
merchant and a man of public affairs in that town ;
he was a representative to the General Court from
this town in 1843; he d. prematurely by overwork
April 15, 1862. Had b. here Henry Oliver, who m.
in West Boylston Flora A. Wetherbee, and they
have Henry, Angie and Cora ; had also Walter Bar-
rett, who m. Louisa Holbrook, and they have Sadie
and Lillian. The business established by the father
has been continued by the sons.
Amory b 'ardwe i 'I Sawycr\ Amory4, Amos1, William2,
Dea. Josiah1, m., Nov. 29, 1849, Lucinda, dau. of
Benjamin Coffran; he settled on the Hudson road;
built the new and elegant house where he now
resides; his wife d. July 3, 185 1 ; he remains unm. ;
his mother continued with him during her last years.
Eli Sawyer', Alvan3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Azuba Mossman of Sudbury 1828 ; he lived awhile at
West Newton, but returned and occupied the home-
stead of his father, the place where L. W. Brewer
now lives ; a short time before he d. he sold his farm
and bought the house where Mrs. Ames now lives, on
the road to the Old Colony depot, where he d. March
10, 1870; his wid. d. Sept. 21, 1884, at 87. Had
Sarah Goddard, b. June 12, 1830, d. Dec. 31, 1865 ;
Amory, b. April 14, 1832, d. June 13, 185 1 ; William
G., b. March 5, 1834, m., Nov. 24, 1869, Ellen L.
484 HISTORY OF THE
Keyes, he d. March 19, 1870 ; Levi, b. Nov. 7, 1835,
d. May 30, 1837 ; Eli, b. Aug. 9, 1837.
Eli Sawyer1 ', Jr., Eli4, Alvan3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1,
m., Jan. 4, 1867, Morgianna, dau. of J. N. P. Johnson
of this town ; he is a carpenter and now res. in West-
boro; he was one of our soldiers in the late war;
served three years in Co. I, 25th Mass. Vols. ; an
honorable record.
Josiah Sawyer*, Alvan3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Arissa, dau. of Joseph Moore ; he lived on the south
slope of Sawyer hill in the brick house where his
widow still res. Had Henry J., b. Dec. 7, 1841;
Edward N., b. March 3, 1844, m., May 16, 1876,
Sarah H., dau. of Greely Dow, settled on Wata-
quodock hill in Bolton, she d. April 10, 1888; they
had Ella D., b. Jan. 10, 1886, Lewis J., stillborn,
May 5, 1887; Sarah Arissa, b. Sept. 5, 1849, m- Elias
L. Wheeler. Josiah d. July 2, 1885.
Dea. George IV. Sawyer*, Alvan3, Josiah2, Dea..
Josiah1, m. Mary Ann, dau. of Ira Sawyer, April 10,
1839 ; he lived until 1857 on the farm now Algernon
Cartwright's, thence rem. to the James Goddard,
Jr., farm, where his s., Charles M., now res. Had
Martha C, b. Aug. 25, 1842, d. Jan. 18, 1844; Mary
E., b. Jan. 3, 1845, d. Jan. 6, 1845; William H., b.
May 22, 1846, d. Sept. 9, 1864; Winthrop G., b.
Nov. 14, 1847, settled in Detroit, Mich.; Martha
Ann, b. May 7, 1850, d. Oct. 12, 1864; Charles
Marshall, b. April 21, 1852. Dea. George W. d.
June 10, 1 88 1 ; wid. d. Jan. 4, 1892.
Stephen Sawyer4, Alvan3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah', m.
Lucy F., dau. of Dea. Oliver Sawyer, Jan. 8, 1845.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 485
Had Lucy F., b. Dec. 29, 1847. Wife d. Dec. 29,
1847; m-> 2d, Mary W. Bigelow of Worcester Dec.
2, 1857; had Mary Sophia, b. Nov. 1, 1858, d.
March 9, 1859; Harriet Louise, b. Sept. 26, 1862,
d. March 19, 1868; Stephen, b. Oct. 29, 1868; Grace
May, b. March 6, 1871.
Thomas Sawyer", Silas", Dea. Josiah1, m. Sarah,
dau. of Christopher Bannister Bigelow, April 16,
1 809 ; he was a cooper and lived in an old house on
the place where his s., Capt. Silas, now res. Had
Silas, b. July 15, 181 1 ; Abel, b. May 20, 181 3 ; Mary
Bigelow, b. Aug. 19, 18 15, m. Albert Babcock ;
Sarah Howe, b. May 18, 18 18, m. Amos Sawyer,
Jr. ; Betsey, b. March 21, i820;m. Elbridge Wheeler
of Hudson; Clarissa, b. April 20, 1822, m. William
P. Keyes; Lucy, b. Feb. 22, 1824, m. James Boyd of
Marlboro. Wife, Sarah, d. Feb. 9, 1833; he m., 2d,
Mrs. Hannah (Lawrence) Warner, she d. May 21,
1849. He d. June 18, 1864.
Jonas Sawyer\ Silas'2, Dea. Josiah1, m. Eusebia,
dau. of Dea. Stephen Bailey, Oct. 22, 1809; he re-
tained the homestead. Had Eliza, b. March 6, 18 10,
m. Abraham Bigelow; Jonas, b. Dec. 10, 181 1;
Sylvia, b. June 2, 18 13, d. July 29, 1837, in Water-
ford, Me.; Sally Howe, b. May 23, 181 5, and Stephen
Bailey, who went to California with the forty-niners,
returned when the Welcome Barnes place was sold,
the proceeds of which went to him, who m. Mrs. Mary
Bruso, a French lady, April 28, 1874, bought the
place where Robert Newsome did live, finally sold
the same and went to California again, where it is
486 HISTORY OF THE
supposed that he d. Eusebia, wife, d. in Pelham
Feb. 27, 1 82 1 ; Jonas, Sr., d. May 1, 1827.
Abraham Sawyer", Silas2, Dea. Josiah1, m. Abigail
Keyes of Northboro ; he lived on his father's place.
Had Davis, b. May 18, 18 17, d. Dec. 5, 1840; Ros-
well, b. Nov. 29, 18 18, d. July 6, 1843; Curtis, b.
Aug. 17, 1820, d. March 4, 185 1 ; Sarah M., b. March
17, 1822, m. Sidney Harris of Clinton, she d. ; James
Keyes, b. Oct. 8, 1824; Harriet, b. Feb. 20, 1829, d.
May 9, 1834. Wife, Abigail, d. Aug. 7, 1830 ; he d.
April 28, 1836, by suicide.
Capt. Silas Sawyer", Thomas', Silas2, Dea. Josiah',
m. Lucy, dau. of Amory Holman, April 16, 1835 ; he
res. on the Hudson road, the place where his father
lived; he built the new house and barn on the
premises ; is a carpenter and stone mason ; has been
the town sexton for more than thirty years, and has
held many offices of trust and responsibility in town
and church. Had by wife, Lucy, Ellen Frances, b.
April 29, 1836, m. Samuel W. Moore, res., West-
boro; Lavinia, b. March 30, 1838, m. George H.
Cutting of Lancaster, who d., leaving two daus.,
Lucy L. and Carrie E., who m. respectively Charles
A. Shoemaker and Charles R. Brown. Wife, Lucy,
d. July 10, 1848; he m., 2d, Mary L., sister of Lucy.
Abel Sawyer", Thomas3, Silas2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Lucy, dau. of John Goss, res., Clinton. Had Frank
G., m. Lilla, dau. of Henry Morse of Clinton. Abel
d. March 16, 1853.
Jonas Sawyer', Jonas3, Silas2, Dea. Josiah', m.
Angelina, dau. of Jonathan Wheeler of Bolton,
JOSTAH E. SAWYER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 487
April 4, i860; he lived in the brick house on Sawyer
hill, where his grandf., Silas, settled. He d. July
21, 1894.
William Sawyer1, Ira3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah', m.
Harriet Babcock, dau. of Josiah, May 19, 183 5; he
rem. to Clinton and d. there.
Josiah E. Sawyer', Ira", Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Eunice, dau. of Ephraim Babcock, Sept. 8, 1840; he
was bv trade a carpenter, and after a sojourn of some
years in Assabet, now Maynard, he returned to this
town and settled in the Centre village; he was a
justice of the peace, and as such did much of the
business pertaining to that office here in town ; he
was town clerk from 1859 to 1873, and was the suc-
cessor of Esquire Asa Sawyer as agent of the Old
Worcester Insurance Co.; he d. May 14, 1890. Had
Abby Theresa, b. March 8, 1843, m. Frank Copeland
of vSterling, res., now Worcester; Frank Loring, b.
Aug. 1 1, 1858.
Frank L. Sawyer, s. of Josiah E., m. Helen Stevens
of Boston 1886; he lives at Jamaica Plain; is clerk
in Boston. Had Frank Loring and Eunice Mary.
Hartwell Sawyer*, Ira3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah', m.
Zilpah, b. Jan. 4, 1823, dau. of Daniel Bartlett, May
3, 1843 ; he is a carpenter and farmer; res. has been
in west part, where his s., Ivers H., now lives. Had
Harriet Maria, b. Aug. 28, 1844, m. William T. Bab-
cock, 2d; Ivers H., b. July 13, 1847. Wife d. Oct.
6, 1888.
Ira J. Sawycr\ Ira3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Abigail M. Houghton. Had Susan Abby Ann, d.
488 HISTORY OF THE
in infancy. Wife, Abigail, d. April 24, 1849; hem.,
2d, Irene Sargent; they had William H., b. 1852
or '53, res., Lancaster, d. .
George Q. Sawyer", Ira3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Marilla Sanderson; he was an auctioneer, res., Hud-
son, where he d> Jan. 10, 1887.
Oliver Sawyer', Ira3, Josiah", Dea. Josiah1, m.
Lydia Ann, dau. of Leonard Carter, Jan. 18, 1854;
she d. April 20, 1877; he m., 2d, Martha B. Bemis
Jan. 1, 1879, res., Hudson. Had Lewis N., b. Feb.
28, 1855; Laura Ann, b. Sept. 2, 1861, d. Sept. 12,
1866; Edgar O., b. June 18, 1869, m. Barbara
Downie, res., Fitchburg; Bertha F., b. Nov. 10, 1874.
Benjamin H. Sawyer", Ira3, Josiah'2, Dea. Josiah1, m.,
Nov. 23, 1 85 1, Sophia P. Rice, res., homestead of
father in Bolton. Had Mary D., b. Oct. 9, 1852;
Arthur F., b. Mar. 15, 1856; Jane M., b. June 14,
1859, d. May 29, 1883; Herbert B., b. Mar. 24, 1871;
Elmer E., b. Sept. 26, 1862, d. July 3, 1889.
A/den Saivyer", Rufus3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah', m.
Persis Gleason of Leominster Nov. 17, 1842; he
lived in the old stone house on the Judge Baker
farm, which had been previously occupied by his
uncle, Levi Bartlett. Had Joseph Henry, b. Sept.
19, 1845; Westley, b. June 9, 1849, d. Oct. 31, 1869;
Charles N., b. Feb. 16, 1852, res., Leominster;
Abbie Persis, b. May 25, 1856, d. Feb. 21, 1870;
Jennie I., b. May 24, 1859. Wife, Persis, d. Sept.
4, 1874, at 57; he d. March 28, 1889, at 76.
Israel Sawyer", Rufus3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Louisa Smith, sister of Riley Smith ; he lived on the
Hudson road, the place once owned by Erskine Holt ;
EDWIN SAWYER.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 489
was a shoemaker ; carried on the bottoming of shoes
in a shop near his house; was on the Board of
Selectmen and Assessors, and was superintendent of
the Unitarian Sunday school. Had Sarah Louisa,
b. April 6, 1843, m. S. Everett Jones of Westboro;
Clara Estelle,b. Sept. 22, 1845, m. Theodore Guertiii;
Adin Augustus, b. Oct. 3, 1854, m. Ellen E., dau. of
Elisha T. Wheeler, res., Clinton; Emily A., b. Oct.
9, 1848. Israel d. Dec. 5, 1881; wid. d. Nov. 19,
1883, at 66.
Edivin Sawyer1, Rufus3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m.
Emily, dau. of Leonard Hartwell; he was a shoe-
maker, and also a farmer in later years ; was on the
Board of Selectmen 1871-73 ; he settled in Carterville,
the place now owned by W. B. Morse. Had Alice
Viola, b. Jan. 10, 185 1, d. May 19, 1867; Edwin
Erving, b. Dec. 8, 1855. He d. Nov. 19, 1891 ; wid.,
Emily, d. March 12, 1892.
Eli Sawyer\ Rufus3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1, m. Sarah
(Goss) Carter, wid. of Rufus Carter, Nov. 27, 1845 ! ne
is a stone mason and res. in Clinton. Had Lucinda
A., b. May 6, 1847; Sarah A., b. Nov. 24, 1851, m.,
Dec. 13, 1892, C. W. Lehnert; Orrin R., b. Feb. 1,
1850, d. Sept. 19, 185 1. Wife, Sarah, d. .
Rufus Curtis Sawyer* Rufus3, Josiah3, Dea. Josiah',
m. Catherine, dau. of Samuel M. Fuller, Oct. 19,
1852 ; he is by trade a shoemaker and his domicile is
in the middle of the town on the Boylston road ; has
been living in Hudson several years, but still retains
his place here. Had Emma, b. May 29, 1853, m.
J. F. Elliot Aug. 12, 1875, she d. Jan. 14, 1884;
Lizzie, b. Aug. 19, 1855, m. Robert Lackey, ;
490 HISTORY OF THE
Samuel R., b. April 3, 1857, m. Ellen, dau. of John
Stone of Northboro, had two children, Elsie and
Herman, res., Dorchester, is clerk in Boston ; James
C, b. July 16, 1 86 1, m. Mabel Rockwell of N. S., m.,
2d., Josie Young of Marlboro, no children, res.,
Marlboro; Lorren E., b. April 1, 1864, m. Lucy Bul-
lard of Millis, had four children, two d., res., Millis ;
Lottie, b. May 1, 1868, d. Jan. 1, 1885.
Henry J. Sazvyer\ Josiah4, Alvan", Josiah2, Dea.
Josiah1, m., March 25, 1866, Elizabeth M., dau. of
Charles Miller, who settled on the Dea. James God-
dard farm in i860; Henry J. now occupies the
premises.
diaries M. Sawyer*, George W.4, Alvan3, Josiah2,
Dea. Josiah1, m. Julia Ida, dau. of William Bassett,
Nov. 19, 1882; he retains the homestead of his
father. Had Florence M., b. April 6, 1884; Hazel
I., b. June 30, 1886; Marjorie L., b. Oct. 21, 1888;
Herman L., b. Dec. 30, 1890; Beatrice G., b. Aug.
30, 1892; William G., b. Feb. 19, 1895.
Winthrop George Sawyer, s. of Geo. W., m. Louise
R. Nicholson Sept. 8, 1875, in Detroit. Had Win-
throp G. Sawyer, b. in Berlin Nov. 14, 1847; Louise
R. Sawyer, b. in Detroit Jan. 15, 1854; Bertha L.
Sawyer, b. in Detroit Sept. 4, 188 1 ; Elvin Wilfred
' Sawyer, b. in Detroit Aug. 21, 1886, d. Nov. 26, 1886,
IversH. Sawyer", Hartwell', Ira', Josiah'"', Dea. Josiah1,
m. Abbie M., dau. of George Farwell, June 14, 1871.
Had Elsie G., b. Dec. 5, 1871, d. July 1, 1892; Ivers
E., b. April 22, 1874; George H., b. May 8, 1876;
Perley B., b. Oct. 1, 1878; Ethel M., b. May 15, 188 1;
MRS. EDWIN SAWYER.
FRANK L. SAWYER.
TOWN OF BERLIN.
491
Hattie W., b. March 21, 1886; Elcia G., b. Aug. 21,
1892.
Lewis N. Sawyer*, Oliver4, Ira3, Josiah2, Dea. Josiah1,
m. Eliza O., dau. of John G. Fosgate, res., Hudson;
L. Agnes, b. Apr. 18, 1878, m. Beatrice, b. June
29, 1883.
Joseph Henry Sawyer*, Alden4, Rufus3, Josiah', Dea.
Josiah1, m., June 13, 1869, Abbie Green, dau. of
Edward F. Green; he succeeds his father on the
Judge Baker farm at the stone house. Had Walter
A., b. June 28, 1880; Carl E., b. March 5, 1882;
Louisa P., b. Feb. 26, 1883; Lucy M., b. Nov. 28,
1887; Ralph H., b. May 5, 1892, d. Aug. 17, 1892.
A. Augustus Sawyer*, Israel4, Rufus3, Josiah2, Dea.
Josiah', m., May 9, 1877, Ellen E., dau. of Elisha T.
Wheeler. Had Louisa E., b. Sept. 17, 1878; Nellie
M., b. May 8, 1882; Ina O., b. May 4, 1886. He d.
Oct. 17, 1893.
Eetwin Erving Sazvyer", Edwin4, Rufus3, Josiah2,
Dea. Josiah1, m. Lizzie Arabella, dau. of George E.
Johnson, Oct. 17, 1877 ; has been connected with the
Herbert Howe Shoe Co. for many years, and been on
the Board of Aldermen of Marlboro. Had one child,
d. young.
Daniel Sawyer of Bolton, and wife, Catherine, both
d. here; she d. Jan. 20, 1862; dau., Betsey, d. Jan.
12, 1862, at 39; other children were: Josiah C, who
m. Fatima, a sister of George W. Maynard, had
Daniel, Josiah, and a dau. whom. Calvin Smith, Jr.;
Hannah, wife of Henry D. Coburn, and Catherine,
wife of William Coburn ; Erastus O. m. Sarah Jane,
dau. of Oliver Smith.
49 2 HISTORY OF THE
SAWTELLE.
Ebenezer S. Sawtelle, b. Sept. 15, 18 10, s. of Zacha-
riah, who was b. in Northboro, m. Roxana, b. Dec.
9, 181 5, dau. of Sewell Bruce, March 5, 1834; settled
next north of George H. Barnes' ; farmer and stone
mason. Had Martha F., b. Dec. 19, 1834, m. Jonas
5. Ball, she d. Nov. 27, 1878, Jonas d. Oct. 5, 1865;
Ebenezer S., b. Dec. 21, 1836, d. vSept. 21, 1 841 ;
Joseph M., b. June 23, 1840; Frances A., b. Oct. 5,
1844, m. Richard M. Wheeler; Ebenezer S., b. Nov
6, 1846; Henry L., b. Sept. 20, 1849. Wife, Roxana,
d. March 27, 1890.
Joseph M. Sawtelle, s. of Ebenezer S., Sr., m. Mary
Jane Hayden; no children; res., West Brookfield ;
was a soldier in the late war.
Ebenezer S. Sawtelle, Jr., m. Harriet A., dau. of
Elisha T. Wheeler, June 20, 1869, res., the Esq. Asa
Sawyer place. Had William H., b. April 13, 1870,
res., Waltham. Wife d. Sept. 22, 1890.
Henry L. Sawtelle, s. of Ebenezer S., Sr., m. Ellen E.
vShaw Oct. 5, 1870; he is station agent at Marlboro
Junction. Had Harry A., d. 1890.
SEVERANCE.
Nathan Severance, b. in Danbury, N. H., Sept. 27,
1850, m. Elizabeth S. Griffith March 3, 1892; came
to Berlin 1892 ; res. on the Capt. Paul Brigham place.
SHATTUCK.
This has been a prominent New England family.
Among the eminent of the name, Lemuel Shattuck
TOWN OF BERLIN.
493
was foremost in local historical researc. He was a
graduate of Harvard and a cultivated scholar. His
"History of Concord," 1855, was among the earliest
of its kind, and gave inspiration to many students of
New England life. He also wrote a genealogy of
the Shattucks. More than any other man, perhaps,
save Marshall P. Wilder, he laid the foundation of
the Historical Society, worthy of his calling.
The earliest family of Shattucks in America was
founded by William, "weaver," of Lancashire (?),
England, b. 1621 ; he was one of the first proprietors,
of Watertown.
Stephen Shattuck\ Jr., Stephen', Samuel4, Samuel",
Samuel', William1, b. in Pepperell Aug. 10, 1785;
his father served three years in the Continental
army; was at Valley Forge in that memorable
winter, and was a pensioner from 18 18; Stephen, Jr.,
lived in Francestown, N. H., North Reading, Marl-
boro, Northboro, Boylston and Berlin, Mass.; m.,
1 8 16, Hannah, dau. of Carter of North
Reading. Had Miranda N., b. Jan. 11, 18 18; Elijah
C, b. Aug. 27, 1820; Hannah A., b. June, 1822;
Stephen A., b. June 12, 1824, m., Jan. 1, 1856,
Harriet, dau. of Capt. Seth Rice, lives in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. Hannah, wife of Stephen, Jr., d. in
Northboro Aug. 8, 1824; he m., 2d, Dolly Longley,
wid. of Ira B. and dau. of Daniel and Dolly Carter.
Both d. in Berlin — he March 24, 1867; she Feb. 28,
1870.
Elijah C. Shattnck ', Stephen6, Stephen5, Samuel4,
Samuel', Samuel2, William1, b. in Marlboro, m. Olive
C, dau. of Levi Wheeler, Sept. 25, 1848. They had
494 HISTORY OF THE
George M., b. Jan. 19, 1850; Miranda Grace, b. July
29, 1858, d. Jan. 6, 1862; Clara L., b. July 9, 1863;
Mary Isabelle C, b. April 19, 1868. He moved to
Berlin in 1852 and was in the shoe business a num-
ber of years ; bought the house built by Mrs. Abram
Babcock, near Chandler Carter's, where he lived
thirty-three years ; he then sold out and moved into
the Fuller house in Carterville, where he now lives.
Hartwcll Shattuck\ s. of Edmund6 of Francestown,
N. H., came to Berlin in 1862, m., Aug. 18, 1863,
Mary E., dau. of Charles and Lucy (Wheeler) Snow.
They had Charles Hartwell, Lucy Lincoln, George
Andrew, who d. in infancy, and Henry Snow. Hart-
well d. Aug. 5, 1873, and Mary d. May 23, 1877, each
at the age of 38 yrs.
George Marsliall SJiattnck*, s. of Elijah C.7,m., May,
1870, Sarah Abbie, dau. of Albert and Mary
(Sawyer) Babcock. Children : Sarah Bigelow and
Pierson Howland. He d. May 20, 1876; his wid. m.
Joseph Stratton and now lives in Hudson.
SHEPHERD.
Stephen Shepherd, trader in part of present resi-
dence of George Felton, m., April 17, 1820, Lucy
Goodnow of West Boylston, where he rem.
Cyrus Shepherd, bro. to above and to first wife of
Zenas Johnson, went as missionary to the Flathead
Indians, Oregon, where he d. after years of labor ;
his wid. returned to Lynn ; Cyrus and sister were
brought up in the family of Solomon Howe ; Cyrus
and W. A. Howe planted the noble elms just west
of the Peters house.
TOWN OK BERLIN. 495
SMALL.
Charles E. Small, b. Feb. 3, 1863, from Gardner,
Me., m. Lucy J. Randall, dau. of Paul A., Nov. 11,
1886 ; lives on her father's place in old house. Had
Ralph B., b. Jan. n, 1889; Myron R., b. July 21,
1890.
SMITH.
Oliver Smith, b. Oct. 3, 1803, s. of David and
grands, of John Smith of Marlboro, m. Selina E.
Hixon April 20, 1826; res. in Carterville; built the
house now owned by the Central R. R. Co. Had
Addison Gilbert, b. July 1, 1829, was a graduate of
Harvard College, class of i860, was a teacher in
high schools, d. Nov. 16, 1874, unm. ; also they had
Sarah Jane, b. May 10, 1836, m., May, 1854, Erastus
-O. Sawyer, s. of Daniel Sawyer from Bolton, he d.,
and Sarah J., his wid., res. in the south part and is
still engaged in teaching. Oliver d. Aug. 22, 1:865 '■>
Selina, his wid., d. Sept. 19, 1871.
Calvin Smith, s. of Calvin and grands, of John
Smith above named, m. Eusebia, dau. of James God-
dard, 2d; she d. Dec. 5, 1841 ; m., 2d, Rebecca, wid.
of Theodore Nourse, and sister of Eusebia ; he lived
in the south part on the Newsome place. Had by
Eusebia, Francena, m. John Johnson ; Calvin, b. Ju^
11, 1833; James G., b. Aug. 13, 1836; Stephen,
b. Dec. 23, 1838. By Rebecca had Angenette, b.
Nov. 11, 1843, d. Nov. 16, 1876 ; Charles, b. 1846, d.
185 1. He d. in Nelson, N. H., Dec. 5, 1883. Rebecca
d. in Hudson Dec. 6, 1879.
David Smith m., Aug. 11, 18 15, Catherine Chace,
sister of Mrs. Roswell Bliss. Children : Richard
496 HISTORY OK THE
R., b. Dec. 7, 18 1 7, m. Julia E. Burrill of Lynn,
who, after his death, m. Pliny B. South wick; David
Anthony; also Anna and Lydia, who retained the
homestead now owned by Sewell Merrill. Mr.
Smith of the Society of Friends was among the
earliest of the town School Committee.
Riley Smith, s. of Asa, b. in Lunenburg, Vt, Aug.
19, 1821, m., Aug. 16, 1846, Eleanor C, dau. of Asa
Carter, who was b. in Berlin May 10, 1798, and d.
here Oct. 3, 1850. Riley was our principal blacksmith
for twenty-five years or more ; he was engaged in trade
at the R. S. Hastings store in 1874-79; rem. to Hud-
son Nov. 26, 1879, and carried on blacksmithing
there till Jan. 20, 1888, the time of his death. Had
Addie C, b. May 8, 1848, m. Austin F. Smith of
Fitchburg Jan. 4, 1871 ; Charles A., b. May 8, 1850,.
d. Oct. 8, 1886; Nellie C, b. Feb. 18, 1868.
SNOW.
Ansel L. Snow, b. in Nantucket, m. Hannah M.,
dau. of Henry D. Coburn, Nov. 28, 1852; he settled
on the place now owned by Granville Butler ; was a
soldier in the late war; a shoemaker. He d. June
18, 1874; wife d. Oct. 27, 1872. Had Irene Estella,
b. Feb. 17, 1854, d. Oct. 19, 1855; Jesse C, b. April
7, 1856, m. Percey Johnson in 1875, she d. July,
1876; Henry Clifton, b. Jan. 16, 1859; Elmer E., b.
Jan. 2, 1862, d. in California unm., Dec. 14, 1887.
Henry C. Snow, s. of Ansel L., m. Annie Cox of N.
S. vShe d. 1887. He d. May 12, 1893. Had Elmer
A., b. Nov. 6, 1886.
TOWN OF BERLIN. 497
SOUTHWICK.
Personal names often suggest much public history.
We have two such connecting us with Salem witch-
craft and the Quaker persecution — Nourse and
Southwick. The foundation head of the American
Southwicks is Lawrence and Cassandra ; they were
bap. in the Salem Church Feb. 24, 1639, about ten
years from the settlement ; they were the first sepa-
ratists from the church some years later in 1656, an
influx of the Quaker sect or followers of George Fox
having arrived. Of all who suffered persecution
these two seem to have been really the most gentle
and Christian-like in their peculiar views and bear-
ings ; they were not of those who suffered death, as
some four others did ; they were banished and d. in
want and suffering on Shelter island. David South-
wick, the first Berlin Southwick, was of the fifth
generation: Lawrence1, Daniel2, Lawrence3, Law-
rence4, David6. It is somewhat singular that two
others of Berlin names so far back as that date are
associated at least with the sufferers. Then, too, as
later, they were mixed by marriage — Gaskill and
Holder; Gaskill was a preacher. Samuel Gaskill in
1662 m. Provided, dau. of Lawrence and Cassandra.
The persecution of the Quakers began about the
time of the founding of Lancaster, witchcraft
persecution later in 1690-95.
We yield the foremost position to the Quakers in
their ideas of the rights of conscience. We are
tolerant, too, of the religious frenzy of those who
certainly seemed to court persecution and martyrdom.
It is small palliation of the cruelties inflicted to show
33
498 HISTORY OF THE
up the small provocations on the part of those who
were condemned to punishment.
David Southwick of the fifth generation, b. March
24, 1754, m., April 16, 1779, Elizabeth Sweet, or
Swett, as sometimes written; he d. April 16, 18 19;
he came to town about 1780 and settled on the place
now owned by Paul A. Randall ; Stephen Sweet,
probably the father of his wife, lived on the same
place with him. Had Tamson, b. March 19, 1780,
m., Feb. 5, 1807, John Hoag, he d. April 10, 1807;
StephenS., b. July 12, 1781; Hulda, b. April 6,
1783, d. Oct. 22, 1800; Hannah, b. Feb. 20, 1785, d.
April 23, 1809; David, Jr., b. Jan. 11, 1787, m. Jan.,
1 809, Polly Coolidge, was killed by powder blast in
the Bolton lime-kilns April 26, 1826; George, b.
April 10, 1789, rem. to Upper Canada about 1818,
d. there; Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, 1791 ; Daniel, b. June
2, 1793, rem. to Upper Canada in 1818; Elisha, b.
March 31, 1795 ; Mary, b.# April 23, 1797, d. Aug. 30,
1797; Mary, b. Oct. 27, 1798, m., Nov. 5, 18 19,
Timothy Varney of Kennebunk, Me. ; Marmaduke,
b. Dec. 23, 1800, d. at Centreville, St. Joseph county,
Mich., March 24, 1870, unm., was a blacksmith and
a very genial man; Ruth, b. May 17, 1804, d. in
Berlin unm.
Stephen S. Southwick, s. of David, m., Oct. 28, 1806,
Mary, dau. of Jonathan Wheeler, Jr. ; he settled
where the wid. of Reuben A. Wheeler now res.
Had Milton, b. July 26, 1807, d. in infancy; Sylvester,
b. Jan. 25, 181 1, d. June 29, 1812; Meriam, b. Oct.
29, 18 1 2, m. Thomas W. Wheeler of Bolton; Pliny,
b. Dec. 5, 18 14, d. July 18, 18 16; Willard, b. April
TOWN OF BERLIN. 499
7, 18 1 7, m., April 5, i860, Sarah C, dau. of Thomas
Fry of Bolton, he d. Feb. 22, 1877 ; Daniel, b. June
18, 1 8 19, d. June 29, 1834; Pliny B., b. Sept. 7,
1821 ; George M., b. June 25, 1824, d. March 5
1846; Stephen H., b. March 9, 1827 ; Jonathan D.,
b. April 29, 1 83 1, m., Nov. 29, 1855, Jerusha, dau.
of Nathaniel King, res. near the homestead of his
father, house built by his bro., Stephen H.
Pliny B. Southwick, s. of Stephen S., m., Oct. 3, 1850,
Mary J., dau. of Leonard and Abigail Hartwell; she
d. April 4, 1867; m., 2d, Feb. 24, 1868, Julia E.
(Burrill) Smith, dau. of Nathaniel Burrill of Lynn;
she d. Jan. 5, 1885, res., Carterville. Had George
Milton, b. Jan. 4, 1857; Lilla Maria, b..,May 19, i860,
m. Charles D. Eager; Mary Susan, b. Aug. 29, 1866,
m. Christopher S. White ; children all b. in Hope-
dale.
Stephen Hanson Southwick, s. of Stephen S., m.
Sophia H. Whitcomb of Bolton ; ,he settled on the
place now owned by his bro., Jonathan D. ; built that
house. Had Edward E., b. July 7, 1853, m. and res.
at Nashua, N. H. ; Chester, b. May 26, 1855, m.
Hattie Ayers of Clinton.
George M. Southwick, s. of Pliny B., m., Jan. 9, 1878,
Addie Adelia, dau. of William B. Carter, res., Marl-
boro. Had Harry B., b. July 28, 1878; Carl A., b.
Nov. 23, 1879, sne d. July 26, 1889.
Elisha Southwick, s. of David, Sr., m. Lydia
Houghton, dau. of Abel of Hudson, b. March 20,
1803; he d. Aug. 13, 1830; she d. Sept. 20, 1852;
rem. to Upper Canada ; returned to Berlin and d.
500 HISTORY OF THE
there Aug. 13, 1830. Had Earl, b. July 23, 1822;
in March, 1837, he changed his name to George
Houghton, res., Hudson; Sarah, b. April 28, 1825,
d. May 6, 1853, m. Rufus Williams Sept. 20, 1841,
one child living; Freeman, b. Dec. 9, 1846; Abel, b.
March 4, 1826, d. Aug. 5, 1847.
Earl Southwick (George Houghton) m., June 10,
1845, Sophia Morse; she d. Nov. 29, 1857; m., 2d,
April 10, 1858, Clarinda Miller; she d. June 9, 1876.
Had Sophia E., b. Oct., 1847, d. Aug. 5, 1864.
Had by Clarinda, Charles M., b. May 3, i860; Willie
A., b. Dec. 10, 1 86 1, d. Dec. 5, 1863; Hattie S., b.
May 21, 1864, d. June 28, 
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