To Indian Corn 30 bushels ;^3 12 Ditto Rye ;i^i. 16
2 wheat 8/
To 4 bus"^ Barly at 2/3 : 9
To a Cart & wheels Irons Excepted
Total
Sam" Wright
robert maklem
Moses How
£
s d
6.
0.
!o.
0.
2.
0.
0.
15.0
5-
0.
8.
0.
I.
0.
0.
18.0
3-
10.
2.
10.
o. 13.4
I.
0.
6
0.
I.
15-
I.
6
I.
0.
3-
4-
0.
6.
0.
13-
6
5. 13.0
I24-I9-IO
Presented in Probate Court, September 13, 1725.
The widow, Isabella Clark, administered on the estate (John
Crawford of Rutland and Jona. Stanhope of Sudbury, bondsmen).
There were seven children : John, Hannah, Anna, Isabella, Jane
aged 17, Adam aged 14, and Elizabeth aged 4. The widow
died before February 3, 1726-7. The real estate, valued at
^108., including house and 15 acres of lot No. 14 on Meeting
House Hill (South by Country road. North & East by Highway),
was set off to the eldest son, John, in June, 1727. Among the
79
names appearing on these papers are Moses How, glazier, John
Crawford, blacksmith, Robert Lotherage, Andrew Macklam and
Malkem Hendry.
APPENDIX K.
Samuel Wright was born in Sudbury, x'\pril 9, 1670, a son of
Edward and Hannah Wright. His wife was Mary, daughter of
Cyprian Stevens. He early became one of the proprietors of
Rutland, and was one of the committee appointed by them to
manage its affairs ; and, as one of the first to settle in the town he
became familiar with its history, and assumed a conspicuous
position, being moderator at the first town meeting, in June, 1722,
and serving subsequently as town clerk, selectman, assessor, etc.
He was also one of the deacons of the church, and for twenty
years was evidently the principal man of Rutland. Upon the in-
corporation of the County of Worcester, in 1731, he was commis-
sioned one of its Justices of the Peace.
Many of the records of the proprietors and of the town were
written by him, and one can scarcely examine the papers con-
nected with any Rutland estate previous to 1739 without finding
the writing or the name of Mr. Wright.
As early as 1722 he was in the service of the Province, having
command of the military scouts guarding the towns and watching
for the Indians, and, until the peace of 1726, he was busily em-
ployed in similar duties. His letters and journals appearing in
these pages comprise about all that is known of his military career.
His death occurred at Rutland, January 15, 1739-40, and his
large estate was left by will to his son William, and daughters,
Hannah Rice, Dorothy Phelps, Mary Willard, Abigail Willard and
Isabel Frink. A portion of the house in which he lived in Rut-
land was standing a few years since.
8o
The next meeting was held Tuesday evening,
May 5th.
Present : Messrs. Crane, T. A. Dickinson, Wall,
Wesby, Maynard, C. Jillson, Jackson, Estey, Sim-
mons, Tolman, Lyford, Cutler, Staples, Paine, J. A.
Smith, Hubbard, Gould, Stedman and Abbot, mem-
bers (19); and 10 visitors. — 29.
Dr. William T. Souther and Mr. John I. Souther
were elected to membership in the Society.
The Librarian reported 396 contributions for the
month.
Mr. Caleb A. Wall read a valuable paper upon
"The Old Center School House, and its relation to
the early school days of Worcester."*
This was followed by remarks upon the subject
from Messrs. Tolman, Simmons, Paine and Estey ;
and Mr. Albert S. Brown, a visitor.
The President, Mr. Crane, read a paper entitled
"Early Colonial Settlements on the North Atlantic
Coast." This paper had special reference to New
Hampshire settlements. f
The meeting was then adjourned.
* Printed in the lVo7-cestcr Daily Spy.
t Previously read before the Sons and Daughters of New Hampshire, and
printed in the Memoirs of that society.
8i
Monthly meeting, Tuesday evening, June 2nd.
Present : Messrs. Crane, C. Jillson, Rice, Wesby,
Edwards, Estey, Simmons, Meriam, Maynard, T. A.
Dickinson, Seagrave, Staples, H. M. Smith, Gould,
Wall, Sumner, Abbot, and Brooks of Princeton — 18.
211 donations for the month were reported by
the Librarian. He also read letters concerning the
Downes Collection, recently received, which com-
prised 400 bound volumes, 600 almanacs, 200 mis-
cellaneous papers, 10 New England Primers, and a
collection of toy books printed by Isaiah Thomas.
Remarks upon the value of the collection were
made by Judge Jillson and Mr. Rice.
On motion of Mr. H. M. Smith a committee of
five was appointed by the President to arrange for
the i\nnual Excursion and Field Day of the Society.
The gentlemen designated were (Mr. Smith de-
clining to serve): Daniel Seagrave, F. P. Rice, P. A.
Lee, George Sumner and Herbert Wesby. On
motion the President was by vote made a member
of the Committee.
Hon. Clark Jillson read a Memorial of the late
Dr. Harvey Dwight Jillson, a member of the Society
some years deceased.
On motion of Mr. Staples it was voted to invite
Senator Hoar to read a paper before the Society.
The meeting was then adjourned.
82
SEVENTH ANNUAL FIELD DAY
OF
THE WORCESTER SOCIETY OF ANTIQUITY
TO THE
HISTORIC TOWN OF MENDON,
June 17, 1885.
This year the Society were ahnost unanimous in their choice in
selecting " Old Mendum " as the locality to pass their Annual Field
Day. Accordingly a Committee of Arrangements, consisting of
Daniel Seagrave, Franklin P. Rice, Pardon A. Lee, George Sumner
and Herbert Wesby (the President, Mr. E. B. Crane, being added
by vote), was appointed at the June meeting to carry out the
wishes of the Society, and selected the historic June 1 7th as the
time for its observance. The morning was a Httle inauspicious on
account of rain, but before the party left the cars at Millville the
sun shone, and the remainder of the day was sunny and fair, and
all that could be desired.
The following gentlemen composed the party : Rev. Carlton A.
Staples of Lexington, Francis E. Blake of Boston, Judge Adin
Thayer, Sheriff A. B. R. Sprague, Superintendent of Schools A. P.
Marble, President E. B. Crane, Albert Tolman, J. L. Estey, Geo.
Maynard, H. W. Hubbard, C. S. Chapin, R. O'Flynn, Thos. A.
Dickinson, R. N. Meriam, Lieut. F. G. Hyde of Oxford, John
Brooks of Princeton, J. A. Smith, A. K. Gould, W. F. Abbot, A. E.
Peck, C. A. Wall {Worres/t-r S/v), C. B. Knight, W. H. Bartlett,
P. A. Lee, Daniel Seagrave, H. M. Smith, H. H. Chamberlin,
Joseph Lovell, B. A. Leonard of Southbridge, E. W. Shumway
( IVorcesier Gazette) and F. P. Rice.
83
Leaving Worcester on the lo a. m. Providence train for Mill-
ville, omnibuses were taken for Mendon, passing by various points
of liistoric interest. The first halt made was at the birthplace of Hon.
Adin Thayer, where his grandfather, Caleb Thayer, first settled ;
and the next was at the old Chestnut Hill Meeting House, built in
1769, and here all alighted and a stop was made for half an hour,
the old edifice in the meantime being examined and commented
upon. By request. Rev. C. A. Staples gave a brief address from
the high pulpit, in reference to matters connected with the history
of the ancient structure. The only change of note made in it since
its construction was the substitution, in 1869, just one hundred
years after its erection, of several pews of more modern style in
place of some of the original square box pews. The timbers are
of oak, and the gallery long seats are of solid oak plank. Refer-
ence was made to some of the first preachers in the house. Rev.
Benjamin Balch, Rev. Caleb Alexander, Rev. Preserved Smith,
Rev. Samuel Doggett and others, all but the first named alternating
with their services at the First Church in Mendon. Afterwards
the pulpit was supplied by ministers of different churches and va-
rious denominations ; preachers of all shades of theological opinion
have spoken here, from the Shaker to, and including, the Mormon.*
"For m.any years there has been no preaching in it except in the
summer season, from the difficulty of warming the building. Until
the year 1845, when the territory, including Chestnut Hill Parish,
then known as the South Parish of Mendon, was incorporated as
the town of Blackstone, Mendon town meetings were held in it.
Rev. Adin Ballou gave the address at the centennial celebration
of this old meeting house, Oct. 6th, 1869. After the remarks of
Rev. Mr. Staples, Old Hundred was sung by an extemporized
choir in the gallery, Henry M. Smith of Worcester, leader, and
Stephen Legg of Blackstone, the veteran violinist, played his
favorite instrument.
The old cemetery near the church was then visited, after which
the party proceeded on the route, the next halt being at Wigwam
* Ezra Benson, a prominent Salt Lake Mormon, once spoke in this church
in exposition of his peculiar belief. He was a native of Mendon.
84
Hill, the heights of which were explored, and the stone foundation
of the old observatory formerly standing upon it noticed. This
old tower was torn down about fifteen years ago. It was built by
Thompson Taft, father of the Thompson Taft now owning the
premises, the estate being formerly owned by the latter's grand-
father, Nathaniel Taft, who built the house at the foot of the hill.
This is on the Mendon side of the town line. From the top of
this hill twelve of the surrounding towns can be seen.
Among the old homesteads next passed by was that of Abraham
Staples of the third generation, great-grandfather of Rev. Carlton
A. Staples, an honorary member of the Society, who was born
there, and went to school and taught school in the neighboring
school house. Close by is the birthplace of Rev. Mr. Staples's
cousin, Judge Hamilton B. Staples. Soon after came Nipmuck
pond, opposite which is the site of the setdement of the first Rob-
ert Taft, in 1680, afterwards the Col. William Crowne place, now
owned by Luther Taft. Col. Crowne was the first town clerk of
Mendon. Next was noticed the birthplace of Mrs. Huston, the
founder of the Taft Public Library at Mendon. Just before reach-
ing the central village of Mendon was noticed the elegant mansion
of Mr. Darling, formerly owned and occupied by Hon. Jonathan
Russell, Member of Congress, Minister Plenipotentiary to Sweden,
and one of the Commissioners to sign the treaty of peace with
Great Britain at Ghent in 18 14, his associates being John Quincy
Adams, Albert Gallatin, Henry Clay and James A. Bayard.
At Mendon Town Hall the visitors were met and welcomed by
the Selectmen of the Town, and by Dr. John G. Metcalf, Rev.
Adin Ballou and others. Before dinner the Taft Public Library
was visited, and other places of historic interest. At 1.30 p. m.
dinner was partaken of, the tables being set in the Town Hall, and
the divine blessing was asked by Rev. Mr. Staples. After dinner,
which was a bountiful one, the company was called to order by
Mr. Daniel Seagrave, Chairman of the Committee of Arrange-
ments, who introduced Mr. E. B. Crane, President of the Society.
Mr. Crane responded by explaining the objects of the visit to
carry out the aims of the organization in the collection of facts of
85
important historical interest. He concluded by reading a letter
from Hon. Clark Jillson, a former President of the Society, regret-
ing his inability to be present.
Gustavus B. Williams, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Select-
men of Mendon, was then introduced, and welcomed the visitors
to the town, highly commending the objects of their organization.
Remarks followed by Dr. John G. Metcalf and Rev. Adin Ballou,
both octogenarians and Honorary Members of the Society ; Judge
Adin Thayer, Rev. Carlton A. Staples, Sheriff A. B. R. Sprague,
and Superintendent A. P. Marble, all of them of a genial, social
and enlivening character, appropriate to the occasion. Judge
Thayer was especially at home in his relation of humorous inci-
dents connected with the past in the old town, particularly in his
reference to Joel Sullivan, the old fiddler, and closing with a hu-
morous poem, "The Hunter and the Witch."
After leaving the hall the visiting of places of historic note was
continued. Among these places were the old cemetery, where are
the remains of the first ministers, Rev. Joseph Dorr and Rev. Jo-
seph Willard, and many of the early settlers ; the site of the first
meeting house, nearly opposite the old tavern estate ; the old
Samuel Dexter place, where Mrs. Jackson previously lived, who
was killed by her negro servant, Jeffrey, in 1745, the hanging of
the latter on Worcester Common being one of the first executions
in the county ;* and next to the above, the Daniel Thurber place,
where Mrs. Puffer and sons were killed by the Indians during King
Philip's war ; also the house where A. W. Gaskill now resides,
which was the birthplace of Abraham Redwood, founder of the
Redwood Public Library of Newport, R. I. Before leaving, the
thanks of the visitors were cordially expressed to the selectmen
and citizens of Mendon for their courtesy and hospitality.
The route from Mendon to Uxbridge in return was by the reg-
ularly traveled road, on the west side of Nipmuck pond, of which
a full view was had. On arrival at Uxbridge a half-hour was passed
* See Judge Clark Jillson's forthcoming work : "The Death Penalty in
Worcester County."'
86
in visiting the cemetery, common, and other localities of interest.
The party returned by the train, reaching Worcester at 6.15 p. m.,
after an exceedingly pleasant and enjoyable day. Among the relics
brought home was one of the old doors of the original pews in the
Chestnut Hill Meeting House, built in 1 769 ; an Indian stone
pestle, fourteen inches long and three inches thick, presented to
the Society by Caleb S. Taft ; and several interesting historical
papers, the gift of David Adams.
This excursion proved to be one of the most interesting and
enjoyable that the members of the Society have ever taken ; and
this field day passed in old historic Mendon will be long and
pleasantly remembered by those who shared its pleasures and en-
joyments.
The next regular meeting of the Society was held
on the evening of Tuesday, July 7.
Present : Messrs. Crane, T. A. Dickinson, Rice,
Meriam, Estey, C. R. Johnson, Stedman, Hubbard,
Rich, Wall, Cook, Lyford, Maynard, Seagrave,
Edwards, Chandler, and Abbot. — 17.
Ray Greene Huling, of Fitchburg, was elected a
corresponding member ; and Myron E. Barrows, of
Worcester, and Daniel B. Hubbard, of Grafton,
were admitted as active members.
The Secretary read a letter from Hon. George F.
Hoar accepting the invitation to read a paper before
the Society, and stating that he would endeavor to
fulfill the engagement sometime within a few months.
S7
The Librarian reported 12 volumes, 90 pamphlets,
10 papers, 3 pictures, and 7 articles for the Museum,
as the accessions for the month.
The President read a letter from William Sumner
Barton, Esq., accompanying a large framed photo-
graph of the Chandler- Barton Mansion, which he
presented to the Society. Thanks were voted for
the gift.
Mr. Seagrave made a report in behalf of the
Committee of Arrangements for the Mendon Ex-
cursion ; and on his motion the thanks of the Society
were given to the Selectmen and Ladies of Mendon
for their attention and hospitality.
The President spoke of the value and interest of
some historical papers and ancient manuscripts
presented to the Society by David Adams of Men-
don.
The subject of Indian Soapstone Manufactories
was then introduced by the Librarian, Mr. Dickin-
son, who spoke at some length of the ancient soap-
stone quarries in New England, and particularly of
the one at Millbury. Remarks folllowed by Messrs.
Johnson, Crane, and Dr. Chandler.
Mr. Rice said that he had the authority of Miss
Helen M. Knowlton for the statement that her
father, the late Hon. John S. C. Knowlton, was the
88
author of the series of papers pubHshed in the
Worcester Palladium under the title of "Carl's
Tour in Main Street." Some assistance in the col-
lection of the material was probably given by Mr.
Clarendon Wheelock.
Mr. Seagrave spoke in high praise of Mr. Claren-
don Wheelock's knowledge and ability, and said
there were good reasons for the supposition that he
was the author of the articles alluded to.
The meeting was then adjourned.
VISIT TO MILLBURY.
Within the past year attention has been drawn to the locality in
Millbury known as "Soapstone Hill" in consequence of the dis-
covery there of several fine and perfect specimens of Indian steatite
pots or cooking dishes. The matter was brought to the notice of
the Society early in the year by Mr. T. A. Dickinson ; and at the
July meeting, having visited and explored the region a few days
before, finding many eviciences of aboriginal workmanship, some
of which, in the shape of broken and unfinished soapstone utensils,
he had brought away with him and now exhibited to the meeting,
he expressed the opinion that the discovery was an important one,
and said that the Society would do well to visit the locality. Presi-
dent Crane, who had examined the ground, concurred in this view,
and, a few days later, arrangements were made to carry it into effect.
Saturday afternoon, July 25th, was the time selected for the
trip. As many of the members of the Society were absent from
the city at this season, a general response to the President's invita-
89
tion was not expected, and only a small number appeared. The
following persons constituted the party : President Crane, Hon.
Clark Jillson, Rufus N. Meriam, Thomas A. Dickinson, Daniel
Seagrave, Herbert Wesby, Franklin P. Rice, Horatio L. Miller,
and Messrs. French of the Gazette and Cummings of the Spy.
These gentlemen enjoyed the roomy convenience of a four-horse
omnibus, demonstrating the old adage : "The more the merrier,
the less the better fare." Leaving the Rooms of the Society at
half-past one, the regularly traveled road was taken through Quin-
sigamond Village to Millbury, and after an hour's ride the party
arrived at their destination. At Millbury they were joined by Dr.
George C. Webber and Mr. Charles A. Moore.
Soapstone Hill, also called Bancroft Hill, is situated in Braman-
ville, in the southerly part of the town of Millbury, and is an ele-
vation of considerable prominence, ledgy in character, with large
boulders on the surface. Just down from the summit is a cave or
large fissure in the rock, and here it is supposed that the soap-
stone used by the Indians in the manufacture of their rude utensils
was obtained. The hill is in the very heart of the old Nipmuck
country, and was admirably adapted to the requirements of an
Indian village. It is high enoug"h to command a fine view of a
wide stretch of country upon all sides. It stands in the center of
a system of ponds, rivers and brooks, which furnished the Indians
unlimited fishing grounds. The strata of rock between which the
soapstone is found lie at an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, and
boldly crop out along the brow of the southerly side of the hill,
forming an excellent shelter for wigwams pitched upon the narrow
plateau just below. From the summit could be seen watch-fires
burning on VVachusett, or upon hills in all directions for a long dis-
tance. It was probably a favorite abiding place of the Nipmucks
for many years.
President Crane had obtained permission from the owner of the
premises to make such investigation as might be necessary to de-
termine the character and value of the evidences of Indian occu-
pation ; and he had provided sundry iron bars, picks and shovels
with the intention of thoroughly probing the surface, and bringing
90
forth such secrets as it might disclose. But the hopes of the party
in this direction were suddenly overset by the appearance of the
daughter of the owner, who had left her employment in the mill
close by, and who now interposed her authority against any dis-
turbance of the soil by pick and shovel. It appeared that rumors
of the sale of two or three soapstone dishes found on the hill and
in the vicinity, and of an interest in, and demand for, such articles
among archaeologists, had raised visions in the minds of the family
of untold wealth lying among the boulders ; and the barren old
hilltop had now assumed, in their eyes, a value never before con-
templated, and was to be guarded with the utmost vigilance against
intruders.
After some expostulation the young woman allowed the party
to visit the quarry and make a surface search for specimens. Many
fragments and partially wrought utensils were scattered about, and
other evidences were found which satisfied the visitors that the
place had been extensively used by the Indians as a manufactory
for their rude vessels of soapstone. After half an hour spent in
examining the hill and quarry, the representative of the owner,
who had jealously watched proceedings, informed the party that
they had been there long enough, and she desired them not to
stand upon the order of their going, but to go at once. The
members of The Worcester Society of Antiquity were at first
disposed to resent this peremptory dismissal, it not being in ac-
cordance with the punctihous ceremonial usually observed by such
bodies ; and the case was laid before Judge Jillson for a legal
opinion. Unfortunately the Judge's decision was reserved, and,
under the circumstances, deeming discretion the better part, the
visitors, somewhat crestfallen, withdrew just over the border of the
estate ; and taking refuge in the porch of an unoccupied house,
listened to the reading of a paper on Indian Soapstone Dishes by
Mr. Dic5kinson. The following is a brief abstract :
Pots or vessels made of soapstone, bearing evidences of con-
siderable antiquity, have been found throughout the New England
States. In the Amherst College collection are several well-pre-
served specimens which were found in the town of Brookfield,
91
Massachusetts ; and in the museum of The Worcester Society of
Antiquity we have one from the same locality, which was dug up
several years ago on the old Gilbert farm, near the site of the In-
dian fort. A very good specimen was found by two Worcester
gentlemen last November near the head of Lake Quinsigamond.
The color of this is somewhat changed by heat, and it bears evi-
dence of having been exposed for a considerable time to the action
of water.
It is probable that many of the surface exposures of steatite or
soapstone were worked by the Indians, but the actual existence
of such a working place in New England has been known but a
few years. This was discovered near Providence, Rhode Island,
in 1878 ; and it appears to have been an extensive manufactory
of soapstone dishes or pots.
This quarry is on land owned by Mr. H. N. Angell of Providence,
known as the "Big Elm Tree Farm." It is situated just north of
the Killingly Pike, in the town of Johnson. The excavation had
been covered by an accumulation of soil, and it was only after this
had been removed that the true character of the place was revealed.
Vast quantities of chips were found, and many fragments of pots,
as well as a large number of roughly pointed stones of harder ma-
terial, which were evidently used as chisels for working out the
utensils. Similar implements were to be found about the Millbury
qu.arry.
The pots or dishes discovered were of the type found in New
England, and very similar to those obtained in other parts of the
country. Most of them are oval in form, and are furnished with
handles or ear-like projections at each end. These dishes were
not used for pounding and grinding the maize or other food, as
many suppose, but for baking and cooking, and heating water.
The paper discussed somewhat minutely the details of the man-
ufacture of these utensils, and the varieties of implements used by
the workers of tliese (juarries. Reference was made to the widely
separated localities where the pots were made, particularly to the
Washington, D. C. and the California quarries ; also to the dis-
tribution of the pots in remote parts, a suggestion of barter among
92
the tribes. Inquiry was ventured as to the character of the people
who made these utensils : Were they the Indians known to Euro-
peans, or an earlier race ? In closing Mr. Dickinson acknowledged
his indebtedness to the monographs of Paul Schumacher, F. W.
Putnam, and E. R. Reynolds, for materials used in his paper.
At the close of the reading of the paper, the party reentered
the omnibus and started on their return to Worcester. A brief
stop was made to view the collections of the Millbury Natural
History Society, where Dr. Webber exhibited some fine soapstone