HISTORICAL.

ORIGINAL.

History of the County of Worcester.

INTRODUCTION.

THE County of Worcester, in Massachusetts, from its local situation, its physical, political, and moral advantages, the extent of its territory and population, and the number and variety of its institutions, has become a section of our wide spread republic of no inconsiderable importance. An inquiry into the early history of this territory is often a subject of deep interest. To collect and preserve what can be known of our aboriginal inhabitants, of the origin, progress, and present state of our numerous corporations, it is conceived, would not only gratify a laudable curiosity, but might be of essential service by enabling the coming generations to ascertain many facts important to the relative rights of those Corporations, and of the individuals composing them. A knowledge of the division and subdivision of our towns, for example, is, often-times, absolutely necessary in determining the proper place of settlement of those unfortunate persons whom we always have with us. And the history of our land titles is perpetually involved by reference to the names of Rivers, Hills, and various objects, derived from the Indians, and other sources, the meaning of which is little known to the present generation.

With a view of furnishing materials for a complete and minute history of the County, and of its several towns, it is proposed to occupy a portion of the pages of this Magazine, with such facts and documents as we shall from time to time be enabled to collect.

The subjects of our researches may be classified under the following brief summary.

I. Such facts as relate to the Indians, formerly inhabiting this section of the country: As:—

1. The names and histories of the several tribes, the location of their villages, the appellations given by them to the rivers, mountains and other places, their numbers, their languages, superstitions, laws and customs, so far as the same can be ascertained. 2. The grants made by them to the original Proprietors. 3. Facts relating to their monuments, implements and other relics.

4. Any particulars of their migrations to or from this part of the country.

II. The Settlement of the several Towns.

1. Of the Colonial and Provincial Grants confirmatory of the Indian Deeds to the Proprietors.

2. The formation of plantations and towns within this County, and facts illustrative of their progress.

3. The labors, exploits, and sufferings of the Inhabitants in their warfare with the Indians and French.

4. The history of the exertions made in the Revolutionary contest, the doings of Committees, the quotas of soldiers, and the acts relating to the struggle for Independence.

III. The Ecclesiastical History of the Towns.

1. The origin and formation of Churches, their progress and present condition.

2. The settlement and succession of Pastors; the compensation allowed for their services, &c.

IV. Biographical Notices and Anecdotes of Men who have been distinguished in our Annals.

V. A view of the Statistics of the County; exhibiting at different periods;

1. The population and ratable polls.

2. Amount of taxable property.

3. Annual expenditures of the several towns for the support of the poor-of schools-of highways-and of public worship.

4. State of the various Manufactures; numbers of Manufactories and of persons employed therein; amount of capital and articles produced.

5. Meteorological observations, bills of mortality, and history of diseases at different periods.

6. State of public education, exhibiting the numbers of schools, academies and other institutions for instruction, with the numbers of children and scholars therein.

VI. Descriptions of remarkable scenery, of mountains, hills, and

caverns, accounts of the sources and courses of streams, the divisions and boundaries of towns, and such other interesting particulars of topographical information as can be collected.

It is not expected, that we shall be able to reduce into regular and cultivated fields, the whole of this spacious forest; nor that the subjects will be treated in the precise order here enumerated. But the various topics must, from necessity, be taken up, laid aside, and resumed, as materials may present themselves for our purpose. Regard, however, will be had to method, as far as practicable; and

it is hoped, that a well digested Index at the close, will enable the reader easily to refer to those subjects he may wish to investigate.. By prosecuting our publications periodically, an opportunity will be offered for correcting any errors the work may contain.

It will be obvious, that much of the evidence of the foregoing facts is already lost by the lapse of time. Much rests only in the recollection of our aged citizens, and like them is silently passing

from our view. Much was left scattered in confused and undigested series, and broken masses of public records, belonging to our Churches, Towns, and Proprietaries-in the piles of pamphlets, newspapers, and manuscripts. Many of these have already fallen victims to the wasting elements, to insects, and to the more gradual but sure destroyer, time. To accomplish our objects in their full extent, all of these relics, within our reach should be critically examined and carefully collated. Even our burying grounds, the sacred inclosures, where the venerable "forefathers of our hamlets sleep," should not pass unnoticed. The fading inscriptions of their monuments should be retraced with faithful diligence. Without all the zeal of "Old Mortality," we believe, that beneath the mosses and the weeds that now conceal them, much may be discovered to rescue from forgetfulness the memorials of the men, who here laid the foundations of civilized society, and whose labors contributed to the growth of our rising State.

The early division of our territory into townships of a convenient extent, and the powers of Government, delegated to these Corporations, form a distinguishing feature in our civil polity. This mode of distributing civil powers is peculiar to New England; it was here first introduced, and the result of the experiment has tested its utility. To trace these Societies from their infancy to their present flourishing State, can neither be uninteresting nor useless to our inhabitants. A view of the population, resources, and property, at different periods, would necessarily lead to such inquiries, as would develope the causes of their prosperity and decline.

Our ecclesiastical history shows something more than a dry chronological detail. The citizens of many of our towns have been noted for their independence and zeal upon subjects connected with their religious rights. The progress of intellectual improvement and of civil liberty has been closely allied to this branch of our history. Our venerable predecessor, the Rev. Mr. Whitney, in his. useful history of the County of Worcester, has been applauded for the reserve and delicacy of that part of his work, which relates to

Church History. Being a cotemporary, and, perhaps, often-times, allied with most of the actors in those interesting scenes, he wisely forebore to narrate with much minuteness, many of the facts connected with those discussions: controversies that for many years, disturbed the tranquillity of our Churches, and the peace of our most valued citizens. Inasmuch as these dissensions were personal or involved individual character, silence undoubtedly was proper, but when principles were involved, or important rights settled, it is of consequence to succeeding generations to be made acquainted with the facts. It was the remark of a distinguished Historian, that "all truths of public utility should doubtless be revealed," but that this maxim admitted of this exception, "Acquaint posterity with nothing but what is worthy of posterity." Under this restriction, we shall endeavor to present to our readers, such evidence upon this head, as may come to our knowledge.

A liberal and enlightened community need not be reminded, that to attain our objects, many difficulties must be encountered, much time and attention will be required, and that comparatively little can be effected, without the cordial co-operation of all who have the means of information in their hands.

Nor need we be informed of the effects of the reception of our labors, upon a numerous class of our fellow citizens. Much that will be deemed of consequence by some, will be rejected with disdain by others, as trifling and unimportant. That our work will be universally popular we have not promised ourselves. "A few wild blunders and risible absurdities, from which such a work was never free, may, for a time, furnish folly with laughter, and harden ignorance into contempt."

66

"Every author," says the renowned lexicographer of the last century, may aspire to praise, but the historian who confines his researches to a particular district of country, can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense, has as yet been granted to few." Relying, however, upon the patronage of an intelligent and opulent community, in full possession of the great inheritance transmitted them from an illustrious ancestry, we shall go forward to our work with zeal and perseverance.

G.

·

DESTRUCTION OF WYOMING.

WYOMING is a small territory, situated in the state of Pennsylvania, in what is now called the county of Luzerne. It originally embraced eight townships, each five miles square, lying on both banks of the east branch of the Susquehanna. It was peopled by a colony from Connecticut, who obtained it by purchase from the Indians.

In the beginning of the year 1778, the frontier settlements in the states of New York and Pennsylvania took alarm at the suspicious conduct of the savages. It had been at all times the policy of the Continental government to secure their neutrality, if it failed to unite them in the war against England. Presents and promises, however, of British agents in Canada, totally frustrated the politic aims of the American Congress. The Indians, eager for hostilities, lent a willing ear to the exaggerated statements of their advisers. Many of the Mohawks, Senecas, Onondagas and Cayugas, had already raised the war whoop and were preparing the scalping knife and tomahawk to commence their merciless depredations upon the frontier inhabitants. Numbers of the tory refugees, both from New York and Pennsylvania, had fled from the settlements and united themselves to the red men of the forest. Exasperated by the loss of property, and indignant at the opposition of the partizans of liberty, the tories exerted themselves to the utmost to incite the savages to the work of pillage and death. The intimate acquaintance they possessed with the geography of the country, and the defenceless and unprotected condition of the back settlements, facilitated the execution of their diabolical purposes.

The unhappy spot, the first to feel the weight of their resentment, was the peaceful and quiet establishment at Wyoming. Situated on the fertile banks of the Susquehanna, the riches of its soil, the mildness of the climate, and the happiness of its flourishing population, had long been the subjects of admiration. Emigrating from a district distinguished for piety, patriotism, and industry, they retained those habits of life, and religious and political principles, distinguished traits in the independent and unyielding character of the yeomanry of New England. Accustomed to the pursuits of agriculture, and cultivating a soil luxuriantly fertile, they acknowledged no distinctions, except such as originated in virtue, and enjoyed a happy mediocrity, neither enervated by luxury, nor debased by poverty. Strangers to the excesses of older communities, the settlement of Wyoming presented a picture of happiness