WORTHINGTON
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,
AUGUST 20th, 1868.
THE year 1868 brought round the first centennial cycle of
the town's history. The citizens began to bestir themselves
with unanimity and enterprise to give the day a fitting
celebration. Accordingly an organization was effected, com-
mittees appointed, money raised, and work commenced to
accomplish the desired result. A corresponding committee
sent invitations to the sons and daughters of Worthington,
scattered all over the country, to gather and fraternize at this
celebration. The work was entered upon with such hearti-
ness and zeal that a most complete success was achieved. It
was from the first determined to have everything free. This
was no slight undertaking, for it was expected that several
thousand persons would be in attendance, and to feed and
provide for such a gathering was a task never before attempted
in this region. Yet it was successfully accomplished, and all
were satisfied, and the citizens of the town received from all
present most hearty thanks and praises. The weather, how-
ever, was bad. During the morning, the clouds were of a
threatening character; the people, notwithstanding, began to
assemble, and from nine to eleven o'clock the roads in all di-
rections were crowded with teams. The people gathered on
the common, near the church, where it was estimated that
from five to six thousand were assembled.
The first exercise of the day was the appearance on the
common of a four.horse wagon, carrying twelve young ladies,
dressed in white, representing the twelve school districts
of the town. They bore banners inscribed, "Our native
town, a century old, but as good as new." "To the
memory of our forefathers." Next came a company of
"Rough and Ready," some on horses, and some on foot,
bearing a banner inscribed, "Woman's rights one hundred
years ago, ballot box and breeches." They halted in front
of the Town Hall, where one of their number, Mr. Z. H.
Hancock, sung the song entitled, " The good old days of
Adam and Eve," which called forth three hearty cheers.
There was considerable delay in organizing the procession,
and it did not get under motion until an hour after the
appointed time; it first moved northward from the church
across the common, then southward to the other end of the
common,-the "Florence Brass Band," and "Bryant's Mar-
tial Band," heading the procession, under the direction of
Capt. Wm. Starkweather, chief marshal of the day, and his
assistants. The procession, a full half-mile in length, after
completing the prescribed route, brought up under a spacious
bower erected south of the church, where six long tables were
spread, capable of seating seventeen hundred persons at once.
These tables were loaded with the choicest provisions that the
citizens of Worthington could bring, and presented a most
tempting appearance. At this time the rain began to fall, and
it was for some time uncertain whether it was best to proceed
at once with the address, according to the programme, or to
eat the dinner and make sure of that. The latter course was
determined upon, partly because it was seen to be best, but
more because it was seen to be useless to attempt to satisfy
such a crowd with historical facts, when the more palatable
collation, furnished by the good ladies of the town, was so pro-
vokingly set before them. So, after the Divine blessing was
invoked, by Rev. David S. Morgan, pastor of the Congrega-
tional church, the dinner was eaten. The tables furnished an
abundance, and no one had to go away hungry. The dinner
over, the brass band gave some excellent music; "Old Hun-
dred" was sung by the entire audience, under the lead of
Professor Bartlett;Rev. Mr. Gordon, pastor of the Methodist
church at South Worthington, offered prayer; then F. H.
Brewster, president of the day, pronounced the following ad-
dress of welcome:
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The histories of towns, like the histories of nations, have
their marked eras. One hundred years ago, the citizens of
Worthingtdn were living under a monarchial government,
with a provincial congress to make their laws. To-day, we
are living under a republican form of government, with the
representatives of a sovereign people to make our rule of ac-
tion. One century has passed away since the town of Wor-
thington was incorporated, and we have assembled here to-day
to wait upon the old century out, and the new century in; to
link the past with the future. The same period of time has
elapsed since our ancestors organized this town, and it is our
privilege at this time to commemorate their acts, and to can-
vass its history. In the name, and in behalf of the citizens of
the town of Worthington, we welcome you back to this your
native town. Especially in behalf of the ladies of Worthing-
ton, we welcome you to our homes. We welcome you to
these your native hills. We welcome you to the hospitalities
of the town, and to the festivities of this occasion. We tender
to you, one and all, our kind greetings and earnest salutations.
We see around us here to-day, the emblem of our nationality.
While we are canvassing the reminiscences of the past, let us
not forget the flag of our country. That flag was baptized
with the best blood of the soldiers of the army of the Revolu-
tion, and with the best blood of the soldiers of the war of the
Rebellion. Now if the present generation, and the genera-
tions that may come after us shall prove as true and faithful
to that ensign of American liberty, as our ancestors were true
and faithful to it, as our soldiers were true and faithful to it,
then we may confidently hope that other centennial celebra-
tions may be had down to the latest posterity. May the
seeds of fraternal union be sown in the hearts of this people
to-day, that may unite us in one common purpose, to build up
a record of the town more enduring than marble monuments.
Contrary to the hopes of all, the rain increased, and it was
deemed useless to proceed further with the outdoor exercises,
and so an adjournment to the church was carried. The
church, though the largest in this section of country, was in-
capable of accommodating but a small portion of the multi-
tude. After filling it to its utmost capacity, the following
Historical Address, by Rev. J. H. Bisbee, of Huntington, for
twenty-eight years pastor of the Congregational church at
Worthington, was delivered.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
It is fit and proper that we should sometimes pause in the
career of life, and review the past. History is but the record
of God's dealings with men, and their conduct under his gov-
ernment. This is true, not only of the world as a whole, but
equally of each portion of it, however small; as the whole is
but the sum of all its parts. Hence the children of Israel were
charged to remember all the way which the Lord their God
had led them. We are called to-day to review, not the his-
tory of the world, but the record of a single township; and
here, not the history of all past time, but that of a single cen-
tury. Our circle is thus narrow, and our range limited. But
though our flight may not be as lofty as if our field were
wider, it may still, for this hour, be as pleasant and profitable.
The township of Worthington was originally called Planta-
tion No.8. On the second day of June, 1762, it was sold at
auction in Boston, to Aaron Willard, for £1860. Subse-
quently it passed into the possession of Col. John Worthing-
ton, of Springfield, and Major Barnard, of Deerfield. At
what date, or for what consideration, this transfer was made,
does not now appear. At that time it was, in territory, much
more extensive than at present. When it was incorporated
as a town, it extended from what is now Cummington, on the
north, to Murrayfield, now Chester, on the south, and from
Partridgefield, now Peru, on the west, to the north branch of
the Westfield river on the east, according to J. C. Rice's his-
tory. This embraced a portion of the territory now called
West Chesterfield. When the present boundary on the east
was formed, I have not been able to learn.
In 1783, the town of Middlefield was incorporated. This
was composed of the corners of several other towns. It em-
braced the south-west corner of Worthington, the north-west
corner of Murrayfield, the north-east corner of Becket, the
south side of Partridgefleld, a part 'of Washington, and a
piece of land called Prescott's Grant. Thus Worthington
onginally extended to what is now Middlefield Center, where
it cornered on Becket. One or two lots, from the north-east
corner of Chester, were at some time annexed to Worthington,
which accounts for the projection which we find on the map
below South Worthington. The reason for this annexation
was that it was more convenient for the residents on this terri-
tory to attend church, and do business in Worthington, than
in Chester.
The records of the town do not inform us when the first
settlement was made here. It is evident, however, that a few
families came as early as 1764. The first settlers were mainly
from the central and eastern parts of Massachusetts, and from
the State of Connecticut. Prominent among them were Na-
than Leonard, Nathaniel Daniels, Nahum Eager, Dr. Moses
Morse, John Kinne, John Watts, Thomas Clemmons, James
Bemis and others. (A more complete list may be found in
Rice's History of Worthington, also in Holland's History of
Western Massachusetts.) The. first night which Nathaniel
Daniels and family spent in town, they camped in the woods
on the easterly slope of the hill, a little east of the present res-
idence of Merrick Cole. One of the children said he thought
the mosquitoes would devour him. The settlement of the
town, immediately after its commencement, appears to have
been rapid. The population continued to increase for the
first half-century. Since then it has gradually diminished.
In 1768, this territory was incorporated into a town, and called
Worthington, in honor of Col. John Worthington, of Spring-
field, one of its proprietors, whose liberality towards the in-
habitants was manifested by erecting for them, at his own
expense, a meeting-house, and a grist-mill, and in assigning
generous lots of land for ministerial and school purposes. He
made the town a donation of twelve hundred acres of land.
This was divided into twelve sections. One-half of these were
called ministerial lots, the other half school lots. The object
of the donor was to aid the town in the support of educational
and religious institutions. The Act of Incorporation was
passed June 30, 1768. The first town-meeting was held Au-
gust 1, 1768, under the following warrant:
"Hamshire ss. To Nathan Leonard, of Worthington, in
the county of Hampshire aforesaid, yeoman: Pursuant to an
act of this Province for erecting the new Plantation, called
No.3, in the county of Hampshire, into a town by the name
of Worthington, and investing the inhabitants of said town
with all the powers, and privileges, and immunities that other
towns within the Province enjoy; also empowering Israel
Williams, Esq., to issue his warrant directed to some princi-
pal inhabitant of said town, requiring him to call a meeting of
said inhabitants, in order to choose such officers, as by law,
towns are empowered to choose, in the month of March annu-
ally. These are therefore in his Majesty's name, to require
you, the said Nathan, to notify and warn the inhabitants of
Worthington, that they assemble together at the house of
Alexander Miller, innholder in said town, on the first Mon-
day in August next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon, then
and there in said meeting, to choose all such officers as towns
within this Province are empowered and enabled by law to
choose, in the month of March annually. Hereof, you nor
they may not fail. Given under my hand and seal, at Hat-
field, in said county, this eleventh day of July, in the eighth
year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domini, 1768.
ISRAEL WILLIAMS,
Justice of the Peace."
In accordance with this warrant, the first town-meeting was
held at the house of Alexander Miller, long known as the
Buffington place, now owned and occupied by Levi Black-
man. At that meeting, Nahum Eager was chosen Town
Clerk; Capt. Nathan Leonard, Capt. Nathaniel Daniels, and
Mr. John Kinne, were chosen Selectmen; Thomas Clem-
mons, Constable and Leather Sealer; Samuel Clapp, Dr.
Moses Morse, Surveyors of Highway; Nahum Eager and Eph
raim Wheeler, Fence Viewers, and John Watts, Tithing-
man. Several succeeding town-meetings were held at the
same place.
The first grist-mill in town, was on or near the spot where
A. Stevens & Son, now manufacture sieve rims and plant pro-
tectors. It was built by the proprietors of the town, to induce
settlers to come in. As this was then an unbroken forest,
men found their way from house to house by marked trees.
Much of the business of the town, in its earliest years, con-
sisted in the laying of roads in different directions. In doing
this, the grist-mill was one of the grand radiating points, and
was usually mentioned. In 1770, the town voted to raise £45
for repairing the highways, and to pay for men's labor on the
road three shillings per day; for the labor of a yoke of oxen,
one shilling and sixpence; for use of a plow, eigbtpence.
The first saw-mill in town was situated somewhere below
Mr. Eager's meadow. Other machinery of different kinds, on
a limited scale, was subsequently introduced. Agriculture
has always been the leading business of the town. For many
years, wool-growing was the main branch of this. Every pas-
ture was filled with flocks. The owners counted them by
hundreds, and sometimes by thousands. This was, however,
at a comparatively recent date. The farmers have generally
produced the necessaries of life, or their equivalent, for them-
selves, and a little surplus for others. In the early history of
the town, flax and wool were considered essential products of
every family. The cloth commonly worn, both by males aud
females, was, in the literal sense of the term, domestic. Each
family had the great and little spinning-wheel, the hand-loom
and the quilling-whee1. These were the household musical
instruments of that day, on which the mothers and daughters
practiced, instead of the melodeon and piano. And though
the sound thereof was not always as soft and smooth as more
modern music, it was deemed quite as essential to domestic
prosperity. Carding machines and clothiers' shops were early
introduced. One of the first clothier's shops was on the small
stream a little west of Mr. Hewett's present residence. The
wives and daughters spun and wove the cloth. The plain linen
was either bleached by them on the grass, or made up brown,
and left for time and use to whiten, while a nicer fancy
article constituted the beautiful aprons of blue and white,
checked six by four, and worn by our grandmothers. The
woolen, when woven, was sent to the clothier to be dressed or
fulled, pressed and colored, unless it had been previously dyed.
Brick were manufactured, on a: limited scale, on or near the
farm where John H. Coit lived and died. Mr. Buck, then
living on that place, was engaged in this business. Tanneries
were located in different parts of the town. Potash was made
in liberal quantities. The manufacture of hats, caps, nails,
saddles, harnesses, chairs, cider brandy, curtains, children's
wagons, cabs and sleds, joiners' tools, sleighs, boots, shoes,
bedsteads, screws, sieve rims, plant protectors, and various
other things "too numerous to mention," has at different times
been carried on here. For many years, and until the days of
railroads, the great thoroughfare from Boston to Albany, was
through this town. There was a constant flow of travel
through the place. Stages, private coaches, white-topped
emigrant wagons and other vehicles were constantly passing.
To accommodate the public, there were at one time five tav-
erns in town, viz: One at the "Corners," one where J. H.
Campbell now resides, one where Merrick Cole lives, one
where F. H. Brewster resides, and one at West Worthington,
on the place where James Benton lives.
A post-office was estabhshed here much earlier than in any
of the neighboring towns. For many years it was the only
one between Northampton and Pittsfield. All the towns in
the vicinity came here for their mail. Col. William Ward,
who it is thought was the first postmaster in the place, re-
ceived his appointment in 1804, under the administration of
Thomas Jefferson, and held the office nearly all the time for
forty-six years, when he was removed by death. In civil, po-
litical, and military affairs, this town presents a fair record;
yea, more. It presen'ts a record of which its citizens may well
be proud. In 1770, a meeting was called,'as stated in the
warrant, "to see if the town will choose a man to represent
them in the Great and General Court, to be held at Cam-
bridge." Voted not to send. In 1774, the British Parliament
passed the Boston port bill, "by which the port of Boston
was forbidden to land, discharge, load and ship goods, wares,
and merchandise." "A second bill was soon after passed,
essentially altering the charter of the Colony," together with
other offensive Acts. When the news of this port bill reached
Boston, a Committee of Correspondence, appointed for that
purpose, sent letters to the various towns and plantations in
the Commonwealth. In response to this letter, a town-meet-
ing was forthwith called, which was held on the 28th day of
June. A Committee of Correspondence was chosen, and
though the meeting adjourned from time to time, near this
date it was voted to raise £15, lawful money, to provide a
town stock of powder, balls, flints, etc. Other appropriations
were made from time to time, as deemed necessary. The
same year a convention, composed of ninety men, met at Sa-
1cm, thence adjourned to Concord, where John Hancock was
chosen President. After this they adjourned to Cambndge
where was drawn up a plan for the immediate defence of the
province. This town was represented in that assembly, by Na-
hum Eager, Esq., for which the town voted to pay him £5, law-
ful money. About this time, those liable to bear arms were
called together, and military officers were chosen. The patri-
otic feeling of nearly all was aroused, and the most intense
excitement prevailed. Though the action of the town in mil-
itary matters has no record from 1774 to 1777, we learn from
other sources, that Worthington and Ashfield raised seventy-
one minute men, who marched to Cambridge, on the Lexing-
tori alarm, under Capt. Ehenezer Webber, of Worthington.
with SamueT Allen, and Samuel Bartlett, of Ashfield, as lieu.
tenants. "From this time throughout the war, Worthington
was actually drained of its resources in men and means, in aid
of the Revolution. In 1780, a requisition, made upon the town
for horses, found them without the requisite number. Even
then they voted to give the security of the town for the price
of the horses if they could be found elsewhere." The number
of men furnished, arid the amount of money raised for the
war, clearly show that this town was one of the foremost in
proportion to its means, in supporting the cause of the Revolu-
tion. For a more minute detail of their action, in that crisis.
and of the number and names of those who served in the war of
the Revolution, see Rice's History of the town. The women
as well as the men were fired with patriotic feelings, and
encouraged their husbands, brothers and sons, to defend their
country, while they cheerfully took care of business affairs.
both in-doors and out; yet here, as well as elsewhere, was
something of the Tory spirit. But the town was prompt and
severe in rebuking it. When it was found that Doctor Morse.
their representative, sided with Britain, it was promptly voted
that he should not represent the town in General Court any
longer. And when Alexander Miller, the inn-keeper, was
found to be a Tory, they altered the road, so that the travel
should not pass his house, and gave the custom to Captain
Daniels, a loyal man, who lived near where Tilison Bartlett
now does.
In the war of 1812, this town, it is believed furnished its full
share of men and means. Some few of those who were called
to fight the battles of their country, in that feather-bed cam-
paign, under Governor Strong, still remain, though the
greater portion have fallen asleep.
It is not necessary that I should speak in detail of the
number of men furnished, and of the amount of money ex-
pended to defend and save our nation, in the time of her peril
in the great rebellion, lately subdued. These things are too
fresh in the memory to need recital here, and awaken too
many painful emotions. It is sufficient to say, that no town,
of its size, in Massachusetts, probably suffered more in this
war than this.
In civil and political life, this town has never been wanting
in men of intelligence, ability and influence. Among those,
in its earlier history, whose influence was felt in the counsels
of the Commonwealth, may be named Moses Morse, Nahum
Eager, Nathan Leonard, Dea. Jonathan Brewster and Hon.
Ezra Starkweather. Later on the list we find Jonathan
Woodbridge, Elisha Brewster, Jonathan Brewster, Jr., Samuel
Howe, Josiah Mills, Hon. William Ward, Trowbridge Ward
and Jonah Brewster. Still later are others whom it is not
needful to name. Others might perhaps also be mentioned of
equal ability, who were not made so prominent in public life.
The subject of education early interested the minds of the
first settlers here. They rightly judged as to the importance
of this to children and youth. For this, therefore, they made
suitable provision at the commencement. In 1771, three
years after the incorporation of the town, it was voted to raise
£10 for the support of schools. In 1772 the same amount
was raised, the town was divided into five districts, and the
money was equally distributed among them. This sum may
appear to us small, yet considering the number of inhabi-
tants, the scarcity of means, and the value of money at that
day, it may be considered liberal. Here was laid the founda-
tion for the education, and general intelligence of the town.
The sum annually appropriated for the support of common
schools has, since that day, been increased from time to time,
until at present (including board,) it amounts to $1,800 or
$1,900. Some of this is the income of funds, the remainder
is voluntarily raised. The town is now divided into twelve
districts. The first school-house was built of logs, and was
located near where John Adams now lives. The common
school has been the main home reliance for the education of
the children and youth of this place. In 1837, however, an
incorporated academy, called the Mountain Seminary, was
built near where now stands the store of H. Cole & Son. This
flourished for a few years, supported by tuition fees alone.
But other seminaries, liberally endowed with funds, were soon
after built, furnishing stronger attractions for the young, and
the Mountain Seminary finally became extinct. Its first
teachers were Alender 0. Clapp, and Mary Strong. Subse-
quently T. A Hall, F. A. Hubbard, J. H. Temple, and others
were successively at the head of the institution, assisted by
such individuals as they needed. Though this academy was
sustained but few years, it accomplished a great deal for the
cause of education in this place, and in the adjacent towns.
It introduced improvements in the methods of teaching, and
by raising up a better qualified class of teachers, it elevated
the standard of education in the common schools. An im-
pulse was thus given which is still felt in the town, and it is
believed will continue to be felt for many years yet to come.
The first settlers of this town were reared under the influ-
ence of the gospel. They were trained to fear God and keep
his Sabbaths, and reverence his sanctuary, and maintain di-
vine institutions and ordinances. They were attached to
these things from principle as well as by the influence of edu-
cation. Hence, when they sought a home in the mountain
wilderness, they brought their religion with them. Liberal
provision was early made for the support of public worship,
and the full enjoyment of all gospel ordinances. Thus they
laid in Christianity a broad, firm foundation for the prosperity
and true elevation of themselves and their posterity here and
their well-being hereafter. As an incident illustrating their
regard for the Sabbath, there is a tradition respecting one
man who was short of provision. His residence was on the
hill above A. P. Drury's. One Sabbath morning a noble deer
presented himself before the door of his hut. He was strongly
tempted to shoot him to obtain a supply of provision, but he
remembered the Sabbath day and let him go. The next morn-
ing the animal appeared again in the same place, when the
man killed him and thus obtained a supply of meat. He
trusted in the Lord, and verily he was fed. In 1769, the year
after the act of incorporation was passed, a meeting was called
to see if the town would support preaching. Voted, to do it.
Where their religious meetings were held at this early period
does not distinctly appear. A church of thirty members was
organized , April 1st 1771. They aimed to build this "on the
foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone." While in general
they declared their approbation of the Westminster Confession
of Faith and Catechism, as for the substance of it, agreeable
to their belief in the doctrines of Christianity, they at the
same time discarded all servile bondage to any human form-
ula or discipline. Their own language is: "We agree that
the Word of God is a sufficient rule as well for the practice
and discipline of the church as the doctrine of faith; and
that human compositions on the subject of church discipline
are to be used only as helps and means for the better under-
standing of God's Word." Without casting any reflections
upon other denominations or forms of church government and
discipline, they very modestly said: "In general it is our
opinion that what is called the Congregational form of church
government and discipline is in the main agreeable to the
Word of God." The creed adopted at that time has remained
unaltered to the present day. The first meeting-house was
located near where Lyman G. Granger's house now stands.
The cemetery was in the rear of the church. When this
house was erected does not appear from the town records.
The obvious reason for this, no doubt, is that it was not built
by the town. From the most reliable information on this
point, it appears that the frame was put up and partially or
wholly covered by the proprietors of the town to encourage a
more rapid settlement of the place. According to Rice's His-
tory it was built four years before the incorporation of the
town. Others have given it a later date. After the act of in-
corporation, one or more meetings were called to see if the
town would clear a spot for it or around it. A town meeting
was held in it, November, 1770. Probably it was not ready
for use much, if any, before that time. It remained in an un-
finished state for several years, though used for public worship
and the transaction of town business. The pulpit was but a
temporary stage. The seats for the congregation were rude
benches made of boards with the hard side up, and no cush-
ions. Those wanting something more comfortable brought
their own chairs. In 1780 it was voted that the town build a
pulpit, two deacons' seats, four seats on each side of the broad
aisle, lay the gallery floor and build stairs, and "that the pew
spots he drawn by the highest in the list, they being obliged
to build the same by such time as shall be set by the town,
and finish the back up to the gallery girt, each against his own
pew." In 1788 the question of removing the meeting-house
began to be agitated. Several meetings were held for the dis-
cussion of this subject. In 1791 it was voted to remove it to
land then owned by Zachari Hanchett,just in rear of the pres.
ent store of F. H. Brewster & Son. It was removed in 1792
and every way finished at the expense of the town. It was
also voted that Nahum Eager, John Watts and others, have
the liberty to set up a steeple to the meeting-house. This
liberty, however, they appear not to have used. Subsequently
the pews were sold at auction to the highest bidder for £601
8s. This continued to be the only place of worship for nearly
the whole town until 1825, when, after a conflict of almost
unequalled severity, lasting some ten or twelve years, the pres-
ent edifice was erected. Over that conflict let the curtain fall.
"Let not the light shine upon it; let darkness stain it, and a
cloud dwell upon it."
No provision was made for warming the old church until a
short time before it was abandoned. The people entered it
on cold, stormy days in Winter, brushed off the snow, and
quietly took their seats for a sitting of one or two hours. The
old ladies had foot-stoves for their comfort which were some-
times passed around the pew for the benefit of others. The
frequent and loud knocking together of boots towards the
close of a long sermon, sometimes gave unmistakable signs of
a desire for a close. Still, when it was proposed to introduce
stoves there was decided opposition to the measure. It was
regarded as an innovation on a time-honored practice. There
was a report that the first Sabbath after the stoves were set up,
though there was no fire in them, some of the congregation,
not aware of the fact, imagined themselves so overcome with
the intense heat that they fainted. Such magic power had
cold iron stoves.
At a later date a Methodist Episcopal church was formed at
South Worthington, and in 1828 a house of worship was
erected there. In 1849 this house was abandoned and a more
beautiful and commodion's edifice erected, in which that church
now worship. They have generally been supplied with
preachers from the New England Conference, except a few
years when they were connected with the true Weslcyans.
In 1848 a Methodist Society was formed at West Worthington.
This was connected with the Troy Conference, by which it
was supplied with preachers. This organization was of short
duration. Their house of worship has been abandoned for
several years. On the third day of April, 1771, the town in-
vited Rev. Jonathan Huntington, of Windham, Ct., to be-
come their minister; voted to maintain him by a tax; to give
him £40 the first year, and to increase it four pounds yearly
until it reached the sum of sixty pounds, which is thereafter
to be his stated salary. Mr. Huntington accepted the invita-
tion, and was ordained and installed accordingly, June 26th,
1771. His place of residence was where R. M. Wright now
lives. As some question subsequently arose respecting the
method of raising his salary, it was, after much discussion,
voted in 1778 to do it by a free contribution once in eight
months. In 1779 the town voted to give Mr. Huntington
sixty pounds, to be paid in wheat at six shillings a bushel, rye
at four shillings, corn at three shillings, and other necessaries
of life,. agreeable to said articles expressed. Mr. Huntington
died March 11th, 1781, in the 48th year of his age. He was
a native of Windham, Ct., and belonged to one of the most
distinguished families of that State. Without the advantages
of a collegiate education, he first studied medicine and became
somewhat distinguished as a physician. Why he changed his
profession is not now apparent. From what may now be
learned of him, it is evident that he was, by nature, peculiarly
mild and amiable, and by grace, a man of deep4oned piety
and irreproachable Christian character. Hence, as might be
expected, he won the confidence and secured the esteem and
affection of the church and the town. After the death of Mr.
Huntington the town was some time without a settled minister.
StUl they kept up public worship. In 1781 it was voted to
employ Rev. Mr. Barker five Sabbaths, for which he was to re-
ceive six pounds hard money, and Mrs. Huntington was to re-
ceive two hard dollars a week for his board and house-keeping.
Rev. Israel Holley, Mr. Israel Day, a Mr. Warren and Enoch
Whipple were successively invited to settle here in the minis-
try, but they severally gave a negative answer. In 1788 Rev.
Josiah Spaulding, of Uxbridge, Mass., received and accepted
a call to settle here with £100 settlement and £75 annual Sal-
ary. He was a native of Plainfield, Ct., and was educated at
Yale College. He was installed August 21st, 1788. His pas-
torate was short. Many of the people became dissatisfied
with him, in consequence of which he was dismissed in 1794.
He was subsequently settled in Buckland, Franklin county,
where he remained until his death. He was evidently some-
what eccentric, though a man of full ordinary power of mind.
This was admitted by his cotemporaries, and is fully shown
by his published writings. There was evidently great excite-
ment here respecting his dismission. Many meetings were
held, and finally charges were preferred against him, which may
be summarily expressed as follows, viz.: a change in religious
doctrine, immorality in practice, and delinquency in duty.
Either of these charges, if sustained, would, according to Con-
gregational usage, have worked a forfeiture of his office and
ministerial standing. The matter was referred to an ecclesiasti-
cal council and the result was that not one of these charges was
sustained. His sentiments and character and fidelity in duty,
were fully endorsed by the council. They recommended him
as an example of meekness, fidelity and charity. They said:
"We find no fault in Mr. Spaulding which should operate as
a reason for the dissolution of the pastoral relation." But
such was the state of feeling among the people that they ad-
vised his dismission.
The same year 1794, Jonathan L. Pomeroy received and ac-
cepted a call to settle here, with £180 settlement, and £110 and
thirty cords of wood annual salary. He was the son of a clergy-
man, and was horn in the parish of Greenfleld, in the town of
Fairfield, where his father was pastor. He had not a collegi-
ate education, but received both his classical and theological
instruction from Rev. Timothy Dwight, D. D., the successor
of his father in the ministry, afterwards president of Yale Col-
lege. Still, Mr. Pomeroy was a ripe scholar. He read Latin
and Greek fluently, and was almost as familiar with French
as with his mother tongue. He was settled here November
26, 1794. There was, on the part of a portion of the people,
such opposition to his settlement, that a formal protest was
laid before the ordaining council, who did not deem it suffi-
cient to stop proceedings. He was settled and soon overcame
that opposition, and secured the confidence of the people gen-
erally. In 1832, after a pastorate of thirty-eight years, he
was, at his own urgent request, honorably dismissed. He sub-
sequently removed to Feeding Hills, where he died June 4,
1836, at the age of 67 years. His valuable property was
mainly bequeathed to benevolent objects. He was a man of
superior mental power, his perception was quick, his penetra-
tion keen, and his memory peculiarly retentive. He published
several sermons delivered on different occasions.
In 1833, Rev. Henry Adams was settled here in the minis-
try, and remained until 1838, when he was dismissed on ac-
count of ill health.
The same year Rev. J. H. Bisbee was installed here and re-
mained until 1867, a little more than twenty-eight years, when
at his own request, he was dismissed, and Rev. D. S. Morgan
was ordained and installed as his successor. As the three last
named are still living, it is not necessary to speak minutely of
them.
I have dwelt thus long on these ecclesiastical matters, from
the fact that this is a part of the history of the town. From
its incorporation to the year 1865, the business of the Congre-
gational Society was done under the town warrant, and the
officers of the town were the officers of the parish. In law
the parish was the town in its parochial capacity. In 1865, a
separation was effected, and the parish was organized in ac-
cordance with the Revised Statutes. It is proper to say, for
the honor of God, that this place has been signally blessed
with rcvivals of religion. Such seasons have been frequent,
powerful, and extensive. Among the most remarkable of these
seasons, may be named the years 1794-9, when fifty were
united to the church, the year 1808, when one hundred and
thirteen were received, 1819 when one hundred were admitted
to the church, 1827 when thirty-two were gathered in, 1842-3
when forty-eight were received on profession, 1850 when forty-
nine were received. Besides these powerful general revivals,
there have been many seasons of gentle refreshing, when the
Spirit has descended as the dew. There have also been sev-
eral such blessed seasons at South Worthington, in connec-
tion with the Methodist church, of which I cannot speak mi-
nutely. A Sabbath school was gathered here, just fifty years
ago. It was held at 5 o'clock p. rn., at the school-house near
Ames Burr's, and was conducted mainly by two young ladies
of well-known piety and benevolence.
The following persons have practiced law in this place, viz:
Joseph Lyman, Jonathan Woodbridge, Samuel Howe, Elisha
Mack, Daniel Parish, and C. B. Rising.
The medical men have been more numerous. It seems to
have been a great place for doctors, as the following list will
show. M. Morse, F. Starkweather, Marsh, Brewster, Porter,
two Hollands, Case, Spear, F. Pierce, Meekins, D. Pierce, H.
Starkweather, Bois, Wheeler, Colt, Brown, Church, Prevost,
Lyman, Knowlton, Freeland, Smith, A. G. Pierce, Coy, and
some others.
Among the educated professional men, born or bred here,
may be named, Azariah Clark, who graduated at Williams
College in 1805. He settled in the ministry at Canaan, N. Y.
Benjamin Mills graduated at Williams College in 1814. He
studied law and practiced in Illinois. He died at Pittsfield,
Mass., in 1841.
Henry Wilbur received a private education. He was set-
tled in the ministry at Wendell, Mass., from 1817 to 1822.
He prepared a reference Bible, and published some other
books. In his later years, he taught and lectured on astron-
omy.
Joseph M. Brewster graduated at Yale College in 1822.
He settled in the ministry in Peru, where he died in 1833.
Daniel Parish graduated at Williams College in 1822. Stud-
ied law, and practiced in Worthington, and other places. He
has recently died.
Jonathan F. Woodbridge graduated at Williams College,
in 1822, was tutor in college, has been settled in several
places in the ministry, and is now a teacher at Auburndale.
George Woodbridge graduated at West Point, was for a
time in the army, afterwards entered the ministry, and preached
at Richmond, Va.
John Starkweather graduated at Yale College in 1825, and
entered the ministry.
Orsamus Tinker graduated at Williams College in 1827.
He entered the ministry, and died at Ashby, Mass., in 1838.
Consider Parish graduated at Williams College in 1828, and
has been a teacher and preacher at the South.
Alonzo Clark graduated at Williams College in 1828, and
studied medicine. He is now professor of pathology and
practical medicine, and resides in New York.
J. H. Bisbee graduated at Union College in 1831, and is
now in the ministry.
Daniel Branch graduated at Union College in 1832 and has
been a teacher in Ohio and school commissioner in Illinois.
A. Huntington Clapp graduated at Yale College, and is now
secretary of the A. H. M. Society, New York.
Franklin D. Austin graduated at Union College in 1845,
and is now in the ministry.
Henry A. Austin and Samuel J. Austin graduated at Union
College in 1847, and are both in the ministry.
Corydon Higgins graduated at Williams College in 1849,
and is now preaching.
Charles H. Gardner was educated at Williams CoUege, and
is now a teacher and preacher in New York.
James K. Mills graduated at Williams College, and is now
a lawyer.
W. Harmon Niles was educated under Professor Agassiz,
of Cambridge.
James C. Rice graduated at Yale College in 1854. He
practiced law in New York until the late war, when he en-
listed in the army, and for bravery and noble daring was
raised to the office of Brigadier General, and was killed in the
battle of the Wilderness. It was he who said, " Let me die
with my face to the foe." He was a noble specimen of a
Christian soldier.
Henry F. Daniels was educated at Williams College, studied
law, and is now dead.
To these might be added a long ]ist of professional men,
whose place of education I cannot state. Among these may
be named Ira and Ehenezer Daniels, Dr. Tinker, Franklin
Everett, Hon. Samuel A. Kiugman, judge in the supreme
court of Kansas, A. B. Kiugman and two Marbles, who went
to Kentucky, with others too numerous to mention. In addi-
tion to these, many business men might be named, who have
been successful in their different departments, some of whom
have risen to eminence in civil arid political life, and have
filled the mayor's chair in some of our great cities, or taken
their seat in our national congress. Among these may be
named Aaron Clark, Gideon Lee, A. P. Stone, and F. Kellogg.
Among the fatal casualties of the place, the following may
be mentioned: In 1806 William Adams was mortally wounded
in a bark-mill. In 1817 a child was killed at Mr. Bardwell's
by swallowing a bean. In 1820 Gaius Rowe was killed in a
well by the falling of a bucket on his head. It was nearly in
front of the house where James Bisbee now lives. In 1821
Thomas--a Corsican-was killed by falling under the wheel
of a loaded cart in front of F. H. Brewster's residence. In
1822 Dexter, aged nine years, a son of Daniel Branch, was
killed by the kick of a horse. In 1830 Josiah Mills, Jr., was
thrown from a horse and his skull was fractured, in conse-
quence of which he died. Ira Prentice was drowned in 1832
in attempting to cross the stream between his house and North
Chester in the night. Marcus Brown was killed in a bark-
mill in 184-'. A boy by the name of Meacham was killed in
18- by the falling of a cart body. Chester Bartlett was killed
by the caving in of a sand bank in 1853. A son of William
Higgins accidentally shot himself in 1854. Amos Cole, a cit-
izen of this town, was thrown from his sleigh and mortally
wounded in 1864, while passing from IIinsdale to Dalton.
Cornelia Brown, Mrs. Beals and Miss Beals were drowned in
Spencer Parish's mill-pond in 1863. Wm. Tower was thrown
from a wagon and instantly killed near Mr. Stevens' mill in
1865.
Of suicides: A traveler hung himself many years ago near
the old turnpike in West Worthington, not far from the tan-
nery formerly owned by Clark & Bardwell. April 14th, 1813,
a Mr. Chamberlain, of Boston, shot himself at Mills' Hotel.
He came in the stage the night previous.
I have thus glanced at the record of some few of the prom-
inent incidents in this place for the last century. Time will
not permit me to enlarge. This brief review suggests no
merous reflections, and awakens many tender emotions, It
reminds us of the brevity of human life and the transitory
nature of its pleasures and pains, its hopes and fears. Our
fathers, where are they? Where are they who first climbed
these rugged hills and felled the forests, and as pioneers in
this mountain wilderness, laid the foundation for an intelli-
gent, moral, Christian community? All have passed away.
I can now seem to see some of these venerable men, dignified
in form and mien and hardy in appearance, as in my boyhood
I saw them walk these streets and take their seats in the old
church with its square pews; or, as they gathered in groups
under the shade of the old birch tree in front of the church
during the intermission on the Sabbath, to give and receive
friendly salutations. But they have passed away. May their
mantle rest on their descendants to the latest generation.
One hundred years past! What great and marked changes
have taken place dnring that time. Three generations have
successively acted their part on the theatre of life. The Wil-
derness has become a fruitful field and we reap our daily bread
from the dust of our ancestors. One houdred years ago town
meetings in Massachusetts were called in the name of His
Majesty. Our nation, then a colony of Great Britain, has
since thrown off its yoke, asserted its independence, and taken
rank with the most distinguished nations of the globe. And
in crushing the late gigantic rebellion, which had plotted the
overthrow of this best of human governments, at such immense
expense of blood and treasure, our nation has shown its ahility
and its determination to maintain and defend civil liberty and
human rights. It has expanded in territory until it is washed
on both sides by the waves of the ocean. It has increased in
population until, of a handful, we have become a great people.
Revolutions have been experienced in other countries also;
kingdoms and thrones have been shaken and overturned;
kings and emperors have been crowned, deposed, exiled or
slain; statesmen have come and gone; orators and poets have
arisen and charmed the world with their eloquence and verse,
and their tongues have been palsied and their music hushed.
Wonderfel improyements have been made in the arts and
sciences, and in the application of scientific principles to the
business of life. Modes of traveling and of the communica-
tion of thought have been entirely revolutionized. Railroads,
steamboats and telegraphs have been constructed and brought
into use during this time. All these things show that the
world moves, and some of them indicate that it moves fast.
These changes in the past show what may be anticipated in
the future. In what has been, we may see, as in a glass, what
is to be. Change is indelibly written on all things earthly.
The next century will, nndoubtedly, be as fruitful in changes
as the past. Who will then roam these hills and cultivate
these pleasant fields and gather here to tell and hear the tale
of the second century? They are yet unborn. This vast
assembly, gathered here to-day, will then all have pillowed
their heads in the grave. May they leave behind them an in-
fluence for good, and thus, though dead, still speak for hu-
manity, for truth, for righteousness and for God.
Following the Historical Address, the choir sung with fine
effect the following Centennial Ode, written and read by C. M.
Parsons, a citizen of the town.
ODE.
Come one and all, both great and small,
Now let your hearts o'erflow,
And joyous sing, with merry ring,
"One hundred years ago."
CHORUS.-" One hundred years," one hundred cheers,
So let the cannon roar;
The gala-day of earthly stay,
High let our anthems soar.
Welcome, ye friends from hills and glens,
From city and from plain;
To meet us here, all hearts to cheer,
Thrice welcome back again.
Those valiant sires, whose altar fires,
Burned first in Worthington;
Peace to their dust, let us be just,
As every faithful son.
When years have passed, and we are classed
With those who are gone hefore,
Children shall raise their tuneful lays,
As parents did of yore.
Let it be said of all the dead,
Who graced this "festal throng,"
Long years to come, a century done,
They sing sublimest song.
Then followed speeches by William Cullen Bryant, the ven-
erable and world-wide known poet, who for two years studied
law with Judge Howe in Worthington; Rev. Mr. Wood-
bridge, of Boston, a son of Jonathan Woodbridge, a lawyer
in Worthington; Dr. T. K. Dc Wolf, of Chester; W. W.
Ward, of Greenfield; and John Rice, of Milwaukee ; Rev.
Mr. Bisbee responded to a sentiment in honor of General
James C. Rice. The speeches were all appropriate and inter-
esting, and happily received.
In conclusion, Mr. Bisbee, in behalf of the guests and the
people from the surrounding region who had shared the hospi-
talities of the town, moved a vote of thanks for the feast pro-
vided, and it was carried with a hearty and unanimous aye.
If the programme of the committee had been carried out
as arranged there would have been more speaking, but the
rain interfered, and not only disarranged and shortened the
literary exercises, but prevented a large portion of the multi-
tude from listening to what was said.
In the street in front of the church was erected a triumphal
arch of evergreens bearing in large figures the years 1768-
1868.
A large brass field-piece, brought from Springfield, gave out
dnring the day 100 guns, one for each year of the completed
century.