Worcester daily spy., 1859-10-15
Ctr ann Genntp SnteIIiaente.
The Early settlers.


the new school house in Tamucl, Thursday
related some Interesting "reminiscences con-
nectcd with the early settlers of that village,
which we have his permission to place upon
record. The first schoolmaster in Tatnuck of
whom any record is preserved was Joshua
Johnson, who taught just previous to the Rev
elation, and was turned out of his office on ac-
count of his tory sympathies. He was follow
ed by John Howe, son of Capt. Joel Howe,
Samuel Thompson, an uncle of Charles A.
( Hamilton, Esq, David Young, who was
wounded in Shay's rebellion, Luther Mills, of
whom tradition says, che was fine scholar,
but thought too much of Latin and the large
boys and girls" Andrew Morton, and several
Others whose fame is of too shadowy A nature
to be accurately defined.
Mr.. Ebenezer Whitney, the father of the
Misses Whltneyfno NOW living on Lincoln street,
anu Oh HasS Hovey, widow of the late VIM.
ILI1sssVey, was one of the early settlers. In the
war of the revolution he fought by the side
and under the command of Col. Timothy
Bigelow, at Valley Forge, at Peekskill, and at
West Point. He saw Major Andre hung, and
heard him refuse hearing prayers at the mo-
ment ofhis execution, if they acere TO be made by
Yankee He was also prominent on the gov
ernment side in the Shay's rebellion.
Peter johnson, strong Whig in the days of
the Revolution, for some physical defect, was
unable to join the army, but did good service
in running balls for the use of those who could
go, and after using up all his own clock weights,
&C., made serious depredations upon the pew
ter plate of his neighbors for the same patriotic
service.
Capt. Joel Howe kept the first tavern in
Tatnuck, at the house now owned by Benja-
min Flagg. He was firm friend to the gov
ernment at the time of Shay's war, and COM
manded the two Worcester companies when
they marched down Main street, and Shay's
men had blocked up the street. He was sue
ceeded as an inn-keeper in this village by Capt.
Joseph Holbrook.
Micah johnson, grandfather Of the present
Micah, and one of the selectmen III 1863, was
was tory of the first water, and was accus-
toned to carry his gun to his field, lest some
of the Wings should insult him. Once Peter
johnson, the staunch old whig mentioned
above, surprised him in the field, seized the
gun, which was left leaning against tree, and
pointing to Micah, exclaimed, "Now I've got
you, you old Tory" Micah quailed and beg
ged for life, which was accordingly granted
him.
Jonathan Gates, father of Asa Gates, was
strong whig, was at the battle of Bunker Hill,
was devoted friend of common schools, and
in the war of 1872, was tenacious of sailors
rights" and free trade, sustained the admins
tration and the war.
| Mr.. Ebenezer Moore, who "still lives"
monument of the old time, was born on the
farm which was his fathers and his grand
fathers, on the 10th of October, 1850. His
grandfather took up the farm about the year
1910, and was one of the pioneers in the early
settlement of the village. He died at the age
of 40 years. His son Samuel was prominent
among his fellow-citizens in his lifetime, and
died at the age of SO years. Ebenezer, the
subject of this notice, attended school in the
first house built for that purpose 80 years ago,
under the tuition of Thaddeus Maccarty, son
of Rev. Mr.. Maccarty, for thirty years
the faithful and much-loved pastor OF the Old
| South church He has been the father of
eleven children, eight sons and three daughters,
nine of whom have preceded him to the grave.
He is still enjoying as good a degree of health
as is consistent with his great age, and has the
promise of some years of unexpended useful
ness yet before him.