xt7wpz51kg47 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7wpz51kg47/data/mets.xml Historical Records Survey (Mass.) United States. Work Projects Administration. Division of Community Service Programs. Massachusetts Historical Records Survey (Mass.) United States. Work Projects Administration. Division of Community Service Programs. 1941 iii, 117 p.: ill. 28 cm. UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Library Program libraries and the Federal Information Preservation Network. Call Number FW 4.14:M 382/3/no.14/v.11 books  English Boston, Mass.: the Survey  This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Massachusetts Works Progress Administration Publications Public records--Massachusetts--Clinton Archival resources--Massachusetts--Bibliography Archives--Massachusetts--Bibliography Inventory of City and Town Archives of Massachusetts. No. 14, Worcester County, vol. XI, Clinton, 1941 text Inventory of City and Town Archives of Massachusetts. No. 14, Worcester County, vol. XI, Clinton, 1941 1941 1941 2020 true xt7wpz51kg47 section xt7wpz51kg47 INVENTORY OF
TOWN AND CITY ARCHIVES

OF A
MASSACHUSETTS
V

NO.I4.WORCESTER COUNTY
VOL-XIWELINTON

PREPARED BY
THE HISTORICAL RECORDS SURVEY
DIVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION

THE HISTORICAL RECORDS SURVEY
BOSTON. MASS.
1941

 

  

INVENTORY OF CITY AND TOWN ARCHIVES

OF MASSACHUSETTS

No: 14. Worcester Cotnt"

Vol‘ XI. Clinton

Prepared by
The Historical Records Survey
Division of Community Service Programs
Work Projects Administrqtion

The Historical Records Survey
Boston, Massachusetts
1941

 

  

 

 

 
   
  
 
    
  
  
 

 

  

The Historical Records Survey Program

\
‘. .

 

Sargent B. Child
Carl J. Wennerblad

Mary Elizabeth Sanger,

 
 
    
 
 

National Director

State Supervisor of Research and
Records Programs in Massachusetts

State Supervisor of the HistoriCal

4-0

Records Survey in Massachusetts

Division of Community Service Programs

Florence Kerr,
Robert Y. Phillips,
Harold C. Dunney,
George F. Burrows,

WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION

SPONSORS OF THE HIS‘ORICAL RECORDS

Howard 0. Hunter,
John J. McDonough,
Denis W. Delaney,

Frederic W. Cook,

     

Assistant C mmissioner
Regional Supervisor
State Director
Administrative Assistant

Acting Commissioner 1

Regional Director 5

State Administrator . T
_h
n
t

SURVEY PROJECT IN MASSACH‘SETTS
S
a
s

Secretary of the Commonwealth

     
 
   
       
  
  
      
     
  
  
   
   
   
 
  
   
  
  
    
     
   
  
    
     
   
     
    
   
    
   
    
  
 
  
  
  
  
    

PREFACE

This inventory of the town records 1 Clinton is one volume in a
103 Cfidr mg the title Inventory of the Town, and_city Archives 9:
ssachusetts. It is anticipated the arentually in such series will be
listed the records of every governmental unit in the State. Copies of
this volume and of every publication of the Massachusetts Historical
Records Survey are distributed to prominent libraries 01 the nation and
to the larger and more centrally located libraries of Massachusetts.

   

 

 

~—‘ V.

The purpose of the project is survey, preserve and render accessible
historical source materials of all Linds_ TLC work is divided into the 101—
lowing main classifications: Public re 1'"at e manuscripts, church
records, early American imprints, historical portrr “ and newspapers. In
the development of this survey, certain techniques naxc been found practi—
cable, depending on the nature of the subjectm matter, such as the methods

L1_-v

of the inventory, the guide, the calendar, the check 11st and the index.

v‘_v\l .1144, u--

 

 

 

, f cleaning,

the project, often
3, may well be
ribution oi‘ the
orial processes to

. v "on. As a result
gaps and inadequacies - o , ‘-1, Licensistencies rec—

The actual work of gather ng nfo rmation concerniLg historical
materials at their place of storage or custody has in most cases been pre—
‘ by the necessary task of putting records in ord o

refiling, and treat:

 

its workers under verv dil
uture generations

er

This fuanlOH 0
Cult conditio11
—- (1

       

In the field of public records it has been found necessary not only
to sketch briefly the history 01 the county or town and its government
but also to pre eface the inventory of each subordinate office or institution
with an oath, 11s or its development based upon its records or upon
statutory c1 other sources. In the inventories of c1urch records, similarly,
the pre parati ion of the history o1 each cliurch constitutes a task equally
arduous with that of locating ar (1 listing its records. In Massachusetts
two broader w01;s have been u11.1,aken The general historical background,
statutory origin and functioning of county, city, or town offices have
,been studied with a view to providing satisfactory accounts of t as develop—
ment of county and municipal government generally. rlhese latte 1 under—
takings are new happily nearing completion.

 

The inventory of the town archives of Clinton is the first in the
series of such inventories covering the towns of Worcester County. The
CU1ey is indebted to the town 0 ficia ls of Clinton ' their cooperation
and to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Frederick Cook, without whose
sponsorship this project would not be possible,

C

 

Mary Elizabeth Sanger
State Supervisor
historical Records Survey

  

 

    
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
   
  
   
    
  
    

FOREWORD

The Inventory of the Town and Cit] Ar chives of Massachusetts is one

a number of bibliographies of hi storica el mater als prepared throughout

1e United States by workers on the Historical Re rds Survey of the Work
ojects Administration. The publication hereWi' uh weresented, an inventory

0
. J-
L11
Pr -
nf the Archives of Clinton in Worcester County, is volume XI of number 14
. of the Massachusetts series.

Th eHistorical Records Survey Was undertaken in the Winter of 1935— 36
epurpose or providing useiul employment to need; unemployed h.stc

 

out this objective, the project was or -anized to co mp1 ‘ nvento11 es
1 storical materials, particularly t11 e unpublished government doc3m JHLS
is f m'ernment 1nd

ans, hlawyers, teachers, and research and cler cal workers. In carr ying
F

:nd records which are basic in the admini strat
"lich piovide invaluable data for stu dents o‘

      

social hi story The archival guide he t 1
"he 1equirements of daymto— day adminiStr 3 0 c1 , =nd l
the needs or lawyers, business men and other citizens The require facrs
1 rom the pub].ic records for the proper conduCt of their affairs The vol
ume is so designed that it can be used by the historian in “IS researcr
in unprinted sources in the same way he uses library card cat:lrgue

 

for printed sources.

The inventories produced by the Historical Rec*
do more than give merely a list of records—~they at
in the historical background of the county or other Dunit o: gpv
to describe precisely and in detz' .
fernment agencies Whose records they list. 1he county, town and city
1 ventories for the entire country will, When completed, constitute an en~
c clopedia of local government as well :s oibliography of local archives.

  

CTN,“
:e O -

  
 

__ L1:L

 
 

Tie successful conclusion of the work of the Eisrorical Records ntivr
£ en in a single town, would not oe possible Without the support of purl‘r
0 11cials, h'stor ical and legal specialir its, anl many o'her groups in thu

1
community. Their COOpGl ration is grateful 1y acknow

FA

(D

p,

UK)

(11

C11 d

The Survey directed by luther 3. Evans from its inception in Januaiy
_I715 to March l, I940 When he was succeeded by Sargent B. Cr ild formerly
,letional Field Supervisor. It operates as a nation--Wide pro o1ect in the
Iki vision 01 PrOLcssional and Service Proiects o: Wh it ch Mrs. Florelice1{"*

 

 

41""

l '1 {E'CL.L1

 

nmis sion:r, is

 

lowar“ 0. Hunter
Acting Commissioner of Work
Projects Administration

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface..................... ,,,,, .......................i
Foreword.. ................. ...........................iii

 

s .... ..20
Char. of Town Goveinn ...... .22
Governmental Organi:
Governmental Organ .. ....

Records System...
Eousing, Care aid Ac-
Abbrevietions, uymbo

{\3 Z\3 N)
O: OI CR

-.-c....

 

C13
Fl

 

 

II. Town Clork.............. ...... . .......... ..............58
Minutes and Reports; {ital Statistics; Licenses;
Property Records; Miscellene u

III. Registrars of Voters......... ...... ....................

IV. Assessors ....... .. ..... . ........ . .... ........
Valuations and Assessments; Motor Vehicle Excis
Ahatements; Maps; Mi cellaneous

V. Tax Collector ......... .................................47
Committments and Bills; Receipts

VI. Treasurer... ...... .....................................48

VII. Finance Commission ... ................................50

VIII. Town Accountant ......... ..............................,.50

IX. Contributory Retirement................................51

X. Trustees of George H. Weeks Bequests...................51

XI. School Committee..,.......... ........ ..................52

Minutes and Reports; Pupils Records; Financial
Records
XII. Library Trustees .... ........... .......................
XIII. Welfare h5ent............. .......... ..................J
General Aid; Aid to Dependent Children;
Old Age Assistance
AIV. Superintendent of Infirmary. .. _ .. .................57
XV. Soldiers‘Eelief Agent ,...... ..;, .......... .........58

H5- n5
(1] ()3

.....s...

(I)

. (II
(II

(J 1
CI]

 

  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
 
  

XVI.
XVII.

XVIII.
XIX.
XX.

XXII.
.XIII.
XXIV.

XXVI.
YXVII.
XXVIII.
XXIX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.
XXXIV.

XXXVI.
XXXVII.
XXXVIII.
XXXIX.
XL.
XLI.
XIII.
XLIII.
XLIV.
XLV.
XLVI.
XLVII.
ELVIII.
XLIX.

 

WPA Sponsor's Agent ...... ......................
Board of Health. ......... . ...................

Table of

   

..59

Minutes; Communicable Diseases; Vital Statistics;

Licenses and Permits; Miscellaneous

Board of Health Nurse ....... ...................
Health Officer .......... .......................
Bacteriologist ..... . ....... ....................
Town Physician. ..... . ......... .................

InSpector of Animals, Meats and Provisions.....

Inspector of Slaughtering ......... ..............

Inspector of Milk ...... ........................
Inspector of Dairying..........................

Contents

.59

......62
..63

on.-

.63

..63

Inspector of Piumbing..... ........ ............ ......
Dispensary Physician ................ ..........
Sanitary Inspector............ ..... .............. .
Cemetery Trustees ................ ................ .

Minutes, Burial Removals; Lots; Financial

Records

Burial Agent .................. . ........ ..........
Road Commissioners.............................. ..

Minutes and Reports; Financial Records;
Miscellaneous
Water Commissioners..... ...... .................
Minutes and Reports; Operation and Service;
Metei Receids; Financial Records; Abatements;
Maps and Photographs; Miscellaneous

Playground and Recreation Commission............

Fish and Game Warden ......... ..................
Supervisor of Parks..... ...... .................
Planning Board..... ....... . ...... ..............
Constables..... ....... . .......... ..............
Chief of Police.... ................ ............
Fire Engineers ................ . ..... ..........

Dog Officer .......................... ..........
Tree Warden ...................... ..............
Sealers of Veights and Measur s................
Forest Warden .......... ....................
Measurers of Wood and Bark. ..................
Moderator ...... ................................
Town Solicitor ........ . ............ ............
Superintendent of Moth Department..............
Keeper of Lockup ............. ..................

Weighers of Coal and General Merchandise.......

Part C. Defunct Offices

Sinking Fund Commissioners.....................

.64

.69
.69

...... 72

c c
u c c
o n o u

.78

..78

.79
.79

..79

.80

..80

.82
.82
.82
.84

.84

.84

. ..... 85

.85
.85
.86

......86

 its

 

Table of Contents

LI.
LII.
LIII.
LIV.
LV.
LVI.
LVII.

Surveyors of Lumber ................................... 87
Fence Viewers ......................................... 87
Field Drivers ......................................... 88
Liquor Agent .......................................... 88
Tythingmen ............................................ 88
Sealer of Leather ..................................... 88
Pound Keeper .......................................... 89
Appendix
Manuscripts ........................................... 90
Bibliographr .......................................... 95
Index ................................................. 98

Publications of the Historical Records Survey in
Massachusetts

 

  

 

 

     
   
     
       
    

MAP OF
THE TOWN OF

CLINTON
MASSAC HUSEI'TS
WORCESTER CoUNTV

1941
o 1 2 3 4 5'
SCALE IN THOUSAND FEET (i)

LEGEND

" *fi '7 THICKLY POPULATED
‘ w
' ~~~—— TOWN BOUNDARY

l\| uni/:1

  
 
     
 
 
 

. 2' .-
.4 i’Erfl-m ,4wa n

    
 
      
 
 
  

     

 

WVAT‘ONS 4::qu
REFERENCE {7151/ a Q/ Wig;
U631 (SE?16[C§\L$KJ1‘:5V3Q517 .1 11%?! / A»; . m:
ATLJS 9 Pub: .3, \ , ,, \
LT, fikhanasco FhiIaPa \f - .a‘i lb;I§//:1>%* '
I \V " 1 ' , I? I
a _, Q 1. «7401‘

 
 

‘ | I 1 .
1 \\l//// 1,
§\\.\b:;ri,’¢:
"k‘~ ”a.“

  
 

 

 

 

            
   

      
    
  
  
 
   
 
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
 
        

 

(3“ ram
LJ 1 A .J,

   

~ ”("1I'1
.11) 1 11,)

N

E
'>
T
.—J
H
C
a
{-4

PAI

”1,1111" H WWW

.le- J 411141,. 11/11

011.111bon ‘ an indust11a1 tovm
River 15 miles nortiofist

a population .argeiy of 1r:"h
~Nbv1 1 era b sod on centra11za
water powo1 1nd the ingonu1
:uventor of power looms for mak1’
cjothc 'Eho Iw3oent 1:15t01“'
w< mom‘1histor1uu a gcoo ox‘
hu+ to vlorc ester goon“

   

   

depression
better
Joserh E
131-8 113 -

 

   

as the bone of Senator D17;

   

thai 15 most 01

          
      
    
 
    
   

con urv LC=Lrod
1

CECQlDOTS O]

"Coated 3*

   

 

-\wwt- A.” A «'1 ,-- ~~ . ».~r ”AAA \—
15, xé‘t1 ff O1 bfl1o A151 x51: na1

   

 

 

 

-1orated F~b*uary
:ko ana. from

no be confused
Whicn was included
‘*s in 1880

lothor w11rtfi

          

     

 

   
 
 
    
     
     

w1w111n

grant

/1 . 1111(11‘ 2v.1 1" '

goroinafter cite& as
1OS~109

a 301d 931

  

   

A,

f:
(of
9:

    

  

103.101?

  

   

 

    
   
    
    
     
   
   
  
  
      
    
      
    
      
   
    
    
 
     
   
 
  
   
   
  
   
 
  
     
    
     
   
    
  
 
   
   
    
   

First entry p 56 Historical Sketch

on the Eleverhill and Amesbury turnpike, purchased a farm on the east side
of South Main Street and began to make ceibsul Soon all the farmers in
the region began to manu1a tuIc cenfi s as a part—time occupation; the saw—
mills and gristmills of the earlier period were torn down, yielding their
water rights to the new industry. Farnham Plummer of Lancaster invented
machinery that cut down material and labor costs,“ and by 182", of the

15 or 16 smal1 omb—reking si1ops in all of Lancaster 12 were in present
Clinton terr " section was dubbed "Fe'to J tilliie-, and until
the middle 0 t1”;, comb making held a prominent place
among the industries of the recion.

Its eventual success or. textilt
the War of 1812, when David P010

3 manufactur1n§;,heg21 s oitly before
hand and (uncel Plant e1tab11s1el a cotton

 

mill on the site of old gristmi wmills1 This cotton mill, which
still stands on Water Street, is said to have been tn: first in the world
to proouce cotton cloth and r ~i rntirely under the factory system,
for, unlike the scattered s . comb industry, the manuiacture
of textiles, owing to the Li. of machineiy, was cent:ralized from
the beginning.1 As additio ' " was required 101 expansion, other
partners were taken in, on’n bruary 12, 182‘ the c0‘11cne n was in-
corporated as the Lancaster , z»nuiemt1ring Company 5 Ioignend
died in 1850, and in 1856 the prcperty n;s liqxidabed,

The bu:11 ling of tLO defhnct cotton company was then rented y the
Clir ton. Cour :1y, incor a in ’

8, 1858 by Erastus B, Bigelow,

his brother Horatio, c LCLquCtu e 01 cotton, silk, and
woolen goods, and for
his company after the . . 0
hotel of the time, and it was not Olong h
was termed ClintonJi ll L
much of it the proiu at o
Company t _rned out great
when stage coaches were 5
on the pay roll jumped from 70 1
same period the capital of the conpe

$500 ,000. 9 A large machine shop, onnected with the plant, turned out
all the machinery required for ,he production. of coachlace i

ins ch incry 7 Erastus Bigelow named

tel in New Yer; Uity, e popula

fore this section of Lancaster
iipioyinc the latest mechinery,

i_ngenious mind, the Clinton

lace, until the time came

ads. The number of peep ole

400 in .1848; and during the

y was increased from $500,000 to

 

t

 

 

 

 

 

1. me, pp. 165, 164 .1.
2. Joseph Willard, Tooogrephical and Historical SKetcLes g: the lown
oi Lancaster, p. 10
3, 1 1d

"u., p 11. Willard, n1.iting in 1826 states that the industry

 

' 2
then Inplo7ed at least 30 persons; the annual sol
valueo at about $18,000.
4. lbid1, p, 10.

8

es o1 this article were

 

  
  

5. Acts, 1 21, ch 57,

6, Ford, Origin, p. 156.

7. Eggs, 183:, ch. 4.

8. A. P. Marvin, Hist or: 2: viorcester Countv l, 3851
9, Acts, 1845, ch. 19; 1848, ch. 4E:_-—_"4
10.

  
   

Marvin, op. cit”, l, 387; Ford, 3r’gin, pp, 202—228,

  

  

       
    
    
  
    
    
    
  
    
   
   
    
   
  
    
   
  
  
 

Slde .. we nwhfile, on February 5, 78

   

_ 44. tie Lancaster M1113 -s“ became the
5 1n -._1; 'zstH/ of Clinton industry until (“0 no” J Pr o;m1nent in—

   

saw~
filoir

Lted

 

1
corporators were Erastus H1golow and ”he fauwory grounds
gr/eltd b6l acres (new the location . .«, i factories),
:11 tle total cost of the plan; Jas m =' ~ 1‘ ; :~4a ‘ w‘.1ng 't
:10 of the largest 9111 gham mills in " ' ' 1 '
:ws erected: and he re all
”duct wore carried out 7
_ larwest in the country
Wg’loy ed in the fiftlos, tv
are added from time to time;

 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  

 

ont
til
ace

 

 

yees; and

 

 

    
 
   
  
  
 
 
 

OI‘G jjul“ 3017; 101‘ tile Of ‘._ w 7: . "'f‘ 1 ‘: »‘ 7— x ,L, gital stock
acton ' ,Omf an? was inc;.f :sed ‘ '
:1ch
)rld
. erected:
T obtalu
:er U -
W1th stern
'1
and
awed
r
3T”; ‘iners nof

 

1 , OL;CI muu1ojpal

ton: of Cl1nton was incor
corporat1on descr‘be
ell the powers, pr1V1f

 

an“ 1Mrvn‘_
1e ”omnonWEaltl , . 1
of Lancaster taxes already lcrlei

Cl

     

n1 on restleolvely71able for tho supvc3t pf tho1r own peuoers
1n ten equal
Betxng

   

“.jmonts Section 5 gave direot1ous Tor

 

0WD

 

 

try 1 119m .1844 C11 1 H A“ ‘
e 2 lb1§ . sec 5
5 Ford, Qrigin pp :lc 2‘8
4 getsw 184? ch 8?
Mord Q ”

    

(D I‘jl

  
 
   

Appendix; entry 1.

   

5‘0

 
 

C7
*‘3
1 O Q
B
171
(D
O
O
"3
. Q,
U)
a
O
,">
d
L11
”3
”u
:1
4
1 _\
I)
Q
1--
U4

  

    

 

1 was)“; 1

mafia” “human... .11.“. ..

   

First entry o 56 Historical Sketch

   
   
   
 
   
   
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
     
    
   
   
     
  
     
    
 
 
    
   
   
      
  
 
   
   
  
   
   
  
    

and Section 6 stated t-at the act shQle be efiective upon its pass e
The name of the new town was deiived, natural_1y enough, irom its former
appellation by dropping the last syllable of 01:1ntonv11 lle

Upon its incorporation, Clinton received two—thirds of Lancaster'r
population, but only one—fifth of her E wieage. 1 The only public property
it aciuired was 5 cheaply built district schoolhouses. Clinton p1.mptly
proceeded to supply itself with nece5se ry town poss ess io11s. It the first
town meeting, $500 was appropriated for fire— fig liting appaiatus.‘ and on
March 10, 1851, the General Court passed an act establishint a iire de—
partment in the town of Clinton with all tie 11 iviluges and liebi liifl es
contained in a general act "to regulale iire departments" passed in 1859.5
Two weeks after the first town meeting of A 111 1850, a lot off Woodlawn
Street was acquired for a cemetery 4 An almshouse was prL“Q J railroad:&militles and

|-’ *0 Cf. (I)
93 y
{j
d-

 

   

fO‘ H1111$111¥ a
‘ics, " the

1956 space in then
_m_ tone Plush 0: -s Importlng
‘ Jl‘nlal

 

    

lbid « lBQéfi ch
2 VIbid a sec 2
1866.

 

    

 

 

    
   
   
   
  
    
 
     
   
  
   
   
   
    
     
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
  
 
    
   
  

 

 

First entry p 56 istorical Sketch

 

Lancaster Mills plant in 1951, and the American Cereal Food Corporation,
the number of new industries located in old buildings had increased to 12.
They employed 1775 workers, approximately n —third of the hands formerly
employed in those buildings.i

A list of the larger concerns now in up oration in Clinton together
with the number whenever avails ol e, that each employs, follows: Ralph
L. Freundlich Compa 11y (dolls), 400;“3 the Wickwire Spencer Steel Company
(Clinton plant); the Blake Nanuiactur‘ g Company (flashlights and cosmetic
cases), 550; tlie Blackstone Plush Mil s, 200; E. R, Buck Chair Company,
60; Colonial P1ss (bookbinders and publishers). 500; Michel Maksik and
Feldman Inc (fat11er pocketbooks) 530; New England Dis illcrs, 50;
Penn Oil Burner, Inc , and the Standard Products of Clinton Inc, (011
burners), 25.

J

1

>-

}_J 1-4

The rising railroad industry was cuick to see tlie possibilitits in
Clintonyille’s industrial develop ‘ early as 184;, train communica—
tion between Clintonv ille and Na st ablished by the Worcester and
Nashua Railrced,’1 Thereafter, -884, the General Court found it
necessary to enact at 1e st eighteen acvs oiiectly concerned with railroad
transportation to and from Clinton, In 185‘ the ivrrcu-L1a1 Branch Rail—
road was authorized to ezttend its road from liortnb01ough to Sterling,
passing through Clintonqs In 1861 and gain in 1865 it was auth01ized to
alter the location of its ro ' 1 'T

nree years 1L1 ter the name
of the Agricultural Branch s changed to the Bosto on, Clinton and
Fitchburg Railroad Co mp9 ny.

11
9 another company, the llass achusetts
Central Railroad Company was anti 0 to run its t1acl:s 1hrough Clinton.
Undaunted by this competi tio on, the oston, Clinton and Fitchburg Railroad
Compaiy expanded rapidly. is en ng bends in 1869, 9 leasing thel Ian nsfield
and Framingham Railroad Company in 1870.10 extending its tracks to Fitchburg
in 1871,ll and leasing the New Bed lord 1: ilroad Company in 1874,12 In 1877
and again in 1879, the company, now known as the Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg
and New Redford Railroad Company was authorized to issue additional stock, if
but in 1882 it was merged wit1- the Old Colony Railroad Company A series 01
intricate developments, including mergers and name changes, have led to

 
  

a
ton 6

 

1 Clinton Dail ly_ Item, 1951— 57, pea ssi

. Thomas' Registero American Manufacturers, column 5060.
Birectorx 9:? New 139$in 1i17c11_112£a921_11“s:e.~ Pp 84» 85 1051 1291

 

O

03
PO

1

2

5

552, 476, 526

4, Ford, Ori 1pin, p, 574,
5, Acts, 185 02, ch. 178.
6 Ibid , 1861, ch. 57; 1865, ch, 170,
7 Ibid.. 1867, ch. 155.

8, Ipid , 1869, ch. 260,

9 Ibid,, 1869, ch, 299:

0 Ibid , 1870, ch. 90,

1 Ibid,, 1871, ch. 215.

?, Ibid., 1874, ch, 159.

1877, ch. 170; 1879, ch; 140,

            

  

hburg

1877
burg

f',‘

ES 01‘

v.
O
(‘0

 

  
  
    
 
  
     
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
   
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
   

gricai fiketch

( intrnls present amp1.e npan;es*

   

      
  

the New York, NGW’Haven and hartf ostzn con~
bjuqd railroad station is 1cCated on Main Street
Two bus companies are ‘15 in Duc_nb on. The Worcestir Con311_1d;‘ec

  

1 0
inGCtS Clinton with Nozcest; r, and the Lovell bu
véominster at one terminus, and Maynard, ludson an,

   

In 1895 the Fitchbur g and
W1thorized to extend its tracts
t: the Worcester and Clinton 8
y:ars, both companies have cea

The census figures IOI Clin on g
1 town, as well as the changes n '
'catc a decline in 1930 and 1935, «he
*“2bably not be reflected untiE the l

 

      

 

gen for the influx of immi gr rati wa , 1 course,
: e Hlinton Company in 1858 t 0 Lancaster Mills 1 'i, on
e Jany in 1854, and the Clinigo on re ClotL Compan3 It t7e t'
«9 its incorporation, Clinton Jd a population of 5 llB:3 In 1860 tnefl
'nulation was 3 ,859 ‘ In 18'0 the population had increased to 5,422 O

V”o population Virtual l3 dou1l’d during t11e next ttuent
ma1k 01 10,424 in 1890. 6 1900 the “CFALAt cn
.=d at app rcximate1; t tat ‘evel '

   

1—1 q
{d

   

1 it was 13,192; in 1938, it wa
1inkage in 1930 to 12 817, enil i-

‘1 indicate the be3inning of a new

1 .5; .1 - ,

Equally interesuing are the snifts in the nationalit ie
'113 i1mnigration, although as earlyC and constant influx of
sin nanent characteristic of Cl: n '

1, the ioreign—born num:ered 1,405,3f tnese,
207 came from Scotland. 0tncr nationalities traile1, wi

   

 

>0
1

1. Ibid., 1895, ch. 57
8. Ibid., 1900, ch.

 

L C)
’31

 

Massachusetts Secreta
;aclwu etts, 1865 p, 199

    

1—1

, bid.
5: United States Denartxent Of 13128 11111 :- .
ation of the Unit ed States, Inbracin:
Selecteg 552E) and Occnuit111s, I, up.
6. U1 S, Department 01 the InterioI, 1e.grt on the ngulat1_n of _§e
Eggted States gt the Eleventh Census: _;_;3 I, 208.
7. Massachusetts Secretary 01 State, The Qgcennial Census, LCsS, p, l,
8. Ibid.

  

l

 

    
   
 
      
    
      
      

   

   

 
 

9: U. S. 13117112111 of the Census 17‘1‘7"':1?e11’t11 091.1353
‘, Part l, 111, 3,. 1109, All»; In, ”clusuits docrotary c1
Decennial Census, 19 1, pp. 15, 16

   

 

   
  

  
 

 

 

  

1" 1 61.171
Elli; Ullblp‘ ‘0. 36 IiISLOI‘lCai b U1

 

Ten years Eater, of a total
962 who were born in Ireland.
. 1')

 
  
   
  
    
   
 
 
     
   
     
    
    
 
     
     
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

The striking fact about th present (I950) population of Clinton is
not the continued preponderance of persons of Irish origin, but the T180
in immigration from southern Europe. In this respect, Clinton is typicai
of many New England towns. Of a total foreign—born population of 5,519,
about one—third, or l,l69, were hgrn in Ireland. From Italy, however.
there were 459 (closely followed my Gina Ida with 451), and from Poland
there were 380. From Greece along there came 157, almost as many as frcr
England, with its 159 immigrants.

These figures, of course, have great significance for the future of
Clinton, but other statistics probably give a clearer picture of the popu—
lation today. In I950 there were 6,550 nativeeborn persons of foreign
or mixed parentage in Clinton, flbtflt half of the entire population. PT
this number, 2,592 were oi Iiish stock. The next four countries were Tap“
resE‘nted in approximately equal quantities: Poland, 761; Italy, 704;
Canada, 659; and Germany, 609 Again the preponderance of the Irish} and
the beginnings of southern Eu1epcen imrnigration, are cle arly Visible.:

The first residents of Clintonv ille attended services in Lancaster
C:;Ler, 2 or 5 miles away. On occasion, leading citizens or‘inised nei

   

 

LOQd meetings in a brick schoola*use. From LLese meetings grew 1 regular
Congregational Sunday so chool and mission, which, on June lU, 184$ became
formally organized as th e Second EvangeliCal Society in Lancaster rIts

. I)

first home was a chape1 at the criner of Main and Sterling Street; The
chapel was rapidly outgrown, and ; new building on Walnut Street .is dedi—
cated on January I, 1847.6 In 1898 the structure was destroyed by fire,
and the present edifice, erected upon the sex: site, was dedicated on
May 29,1899. Meanwhile, in preparation rer that event, the name 01 the
Seccni ETangelical Church was changeu to the First Evangelical Society ei
Clinton, by an act passed Jar‘ary Bl, l899.7 In 1908 the parish was
abolished, and the church 1ena.:;a the Fii st Congre*eticna1 Clurch in Clint

.1

Roman Catholic pries s care from IW rcester to celebrate Mass as early
as 1845. Four years later a missicn chspe nus erected on Burditt Hill.

On June 27, l886 the present building cf 9t. Tohn's Church, at the corner
of Union and School Streets, was (Id‘eeted. It was then, ind has remained

the largest church in Clinton.

 

 

1. Massachusetts Secretary oi‘ the Commonwealth, Abs tract f the Censu?
pi the Commonwealth of Massachuse ctts, l8:35, p. I27.
2. Census 2: Massachusetts, 1865, pp. 78, 79,

 

 

 

 

5. United States, lureau of the Census, Fifteenth Census 9: the Unite;
Stategz 1950, Part I, III, 1098, 1099.

4. Ibid., pp. llOO, 1101.

5. iurd,lgp. git., I, 76.

6. Ibid.

7. Acts, 1895, ch. 45.

8. Data supplied by the Rev. Nathan Gist, present pastor

9. Hurd. pp. eit., I, 76.

 

     

 

  

    

nd

 

[181‘

ined,

Sensu;

Unite;

historical Sketch

 

p 36

Methodist preaching groups assembled in Clint
but the First Methodist Episcopal Church Wes not a v
october 53 1851 A newly- erec 'ed building on Hiih Street we
christmas Day, 1852 , and subsequently meiodelel three times 1n -936 it
s sold A Smyear building program previously inet" 'c
res ent Religious EducatTC n and ice a1 Gent er Unit on walnut St eeL‘ dedi»

L ed Tanuary 9 1927 1

‘u

nv1lle as ea rly as 1850.
l' anized until
dedicated on

“yr:
.YLL

Districts
1816 On

Clintonville ventisLs, me1nly res
and 11, were visited oy eiders on s
11 24, 184711e Firs L Ba pt1st SocieL3

two years meetings :ere held in the c?

Congregatioralists d The so01et7 then;
e of worship on Wol nut Street in 1349 ‘
m1 nged to the Tirst Ba «ptls, ’ ’
1 was built in 1894, and served
1 'e on January 507 1934 Constractien
1 Cumple Led in 1936

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 

    

 
 
 
   

The Jhurch of the Good Siepfi“‘
held in 18/4 in higelo

the District Cour Room;
on the site of the old

   

 
 

o
1 was not formal

 

ly org”
1 Lis purchased on Chestn
st of ”3.500 was ded

L4

0 and redediceted on 3
s name and proc ee edings were cell.)
1901

 

   

    

 

 

 

e Iiitari ens represent another Rrou
to 1oration 01 Clinton Their
o the First Unitarian Church
I mee