Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-06


sheets of a new descriptive and statistical work,
about to be published by him, upon the Black
stone Valley.
Quins5ga mOnd Village.
This is one of the most delightfully."- situated
villages in the Valley of the Blackstone, and an
important suburb of the City of Worcester, 1t
is two miles south Of the town, with which it has
frequent intercourse by the means of two excel
lent lines of stages. relocation is exceedingly
pleasant for residence, and highly favorable for
the extensive Manufacturing business established
here 1t is here the Blackstone first assumes the
Importance of Mill Stream, and as it gides
proudly onward, through the rich intervals and
along ats darkly shaded banks, adds very much to
the beauty of the scenery. The surrounding
| hills, rich in traditional lore, afford beautiful
variety of landscape scenery, and picturesque
views, that will charm the most fastidious lover
of the beautiful in nature. On the north, Saga
tabsco gracefully shuts out from view the busy
town, on which, from the summit, you look down
with wonder and admiration On the west. Pack
achoag rises majestically, and with its FERTILE ac"
clivous fields stretches far away southwark, while
to the east the beautiful, thickly wooded Nipnet,
modestly springing up. shuts out the rich pros
pact beyond The gentle activities of these hills
afford elegant sites for embelished country Seats
suburban villas, and pleasant healthy residences
But the excellence of manufacturing village
docs not wholly consist in the beauty OF Its stu
alton, or the loneliness of its scenery. There are
external circumstances in every village-some-
thing in the appearance of the people the dwell
lngs the school house, the little children, and
the dogs, even-that either makes or mars its
beauty and excellence, and affords pretty sure
index to the character of the proprietor, and the
prosperity and happiness of the operatives
Quinsgamond, in every point OF yiew' mas
highly respectable, interesting and beautiful APP
pearance.
I he water privilege of Qunsigamond is the first
one on the Blackstone river whose principal ti1o-
utaries-the Halfway River and Mill Brook, min
Gle their waters, short distance above, and con-
sttute this valuable stream. Here was erected
the first corn mill in Worcester, which, for many
years. was the only one of the kind Tor many
miles around. As early as 1894, Isaiah Thomas
built paper mill at this place. which stood on
the west side of the road, near the present dam.
This mill employed large numbered operatives
and added much to the Importance of the town.
| SSAAO
American paper in the market, and became justly
celebrated throughout the country. Subsequent
w. this mill and the adjoining property was
leased, and finally purchased, by Elijah Burbank,
who continued paper making at this place until
1884, when it was purchased by the Quinsiga'
mond Paper Company, and the manufacture OF
paper was continued here till 1916, at which time
Messrs. Ichabod and Charles Washbrrn pur-
chased the privilege and estate. Cotton Batting,
Sickles, and perhaps some other implements were
made in this village. at different periods, when
owned by Mr. Burbank, and in some of these
works we believe he was interested None of
these operations were very successful, and they
were continued but short time
For many years. the ''old paper mill" of
Quinsigamond was a favorite landmark with the
traveller along the Blackstone and there are very
many now living and scattered all over theworld,
who not only remember the old mill as it stood
years ago, but, that, for long period of their
lives the only fine aohite writing paper with which
they were familiar, bore the imprint of Elijah
Burbank.
/ There are within the limits of Quinsgamond
District, some forty to fifty dwelling houses and
population of about five hundred Here are
several large and very excellent farms. In the
-.l.s.l-rrr,.-- the village is the Lincoln farm
past year, has been owned in the Lincoln family
twas once the favorite residence of Levi Lincoln
Sen, and was long known as the elegant and hos
pitable home of the late Col. John W. Lincoln
who for many years actively devoted himself Il
its improvement and establishment. 1t is in higl
repute among the agriculturists of Worceste
County. There is an extensive and valuabl
quarry of handsome light granite, FOR rather, va
riegated gneiss,l on this farm, but it is not work
ed at present. This quarry IS owned by Governo
] Lincoln. This beautiful estate was recently pur
chased of VIM. S. Lincoln, Esq, by the Messrs
Washburns, for 100000, and by them has bee
very appropriately named " Lincoln Wood" TIL
Messrs. Perry have very productive and valua
Bile farm in the southerly part of the village
From the earliest settlement of Worcester, III
beautiful rich interval and warm plain lands o
Quinsigamond have been esteemed of the highes
value. For all agricultural and horticultural pun
poses, these lands are susceptible of the very high
est Improvement.
There is an excellent public school in this VII
lage, and the inhabitants have long been distir
BulshSu iOl tAS ilte4eob tue9 nave ldktu III
education of their children, and for their effort
to promote the usefulness of their school, fc
which they have frequently received honorabl
mention" at the hands of the School Committee
The school ediice is handsome two story brio
building, finished and furnished in the most al
proved style, and surrounded by pleasant an
commodons yard, which is properly enclosed, ian
planted with the necessary shade and ornan{ent
al trees. This is of the largest suburba
schools in the city.
In the south part of the village, on the rive
road to Providence, about twenty-five years age
the Messrs. Perry built small grist mill, whic
has proved the foundation of one of the most va
liable and extensive -four and grain mills on tn
Blackstone. 1t contains three run of stones tw
bolts, and one cracker, and is capable Of grindin
about two thousand five hundred bushels of wheG
and other grain per week. There is also saw
mill and plastermll, attached, all Of which al
doing an extensive business. This property wa
purchased of the Mcssrs. Perry, in 1855, by lie
Sprague & Co.. who have since made many in
portant improvements in the premises.
The passenger trains on the railroad do not, d
present; stop at Quinsigamond, but we understan
it is in contemplation by the Messrs. Washburr
to erect at some convenient site in the village o
the line Of the track, the necessary buildings 70
a depot, the railroad company having signife
their willingness to establish regular static