History of Fitchburg Part 36 Rufus Torrey 1st printing 1836

(The Revolutionary War is still hot.)

But the troubles above enmuerated, were not all that this
town had to contend with during the struggle for
Independence.  The Small Pox, -- that pestilential and
terrible disease now happily disarmed of its terrors -- was
then considered one of the most dreadful maladies that ever
afflicted the human family.  This disease made its
appearance here in 1776, and spread an alarm far and near.
Vaccination, or innoculation for the kine pox, as a
preventive for the small pox, was then unknown in this
country.  The only means then known to prevent the ravages
of this fatal disease, was innoculation for the small pox.
The disease, even then, was sometimes fatal, and equally
infectious as when taken in the natural way.  It was
necessary, therefore, that a place remote from the
habitations of men should be selected, where they who
attempted to avert the fatality of the small pox by
innoculation for the same disease, might repair during the
period of sickness.

Dr. Thaddeus McCarty, a physician of this town, in
connection with Dr.  Isreal Atherton, a distinguished
physician of Lancaster, established a hospital for this
purpose, on Buck hill, so called, in the rear of Philip F.
Cowdin's dwelling house, in the year 1776.  (I could not
find Mr. Cowdin's house on our 1764 map of Fitchburg.  Does
anyone know Buck Hill?  Ken) To this place the people of
this and the neighboring towns repaired, and had the small
pox by innoculation.  Notwithstanding all precautions,
several died here; and instead of being carried to the
grave-yards of their respective town, they were buried on
the hill on which they died.  This was owing to a foolish
notion then prevalent, that if these remains should ever be
disturbed, they would communicate the dreaded disease to any
one that might come in contact with them.  Of the large
number of patients who were here, it is not known that more
than five died.  If any should take the trouble to visit the
place, they may find in the skirts of the wood a single
grave, the headstone of which bears this inscription: --
"Josiah Fairbands, of Lancaster, died March 12th 1777."

Dr. McCarty, it appears, labored incessantly to alleviate
the pains of those who were suffering under this loathsome
disorder, and to allay the fears of those who were well.
For his exertions in this praiseworthy cause, the good
people of the town showed their gratitude by propagating a
report that either he of his friends introduced the disease
into the place for the purpose of giving him a good
business.

Dr. Thaddeus McCarty was a son of Rev. Thaddeus McCarty, of
Worcester, and came into this town, in 1772 or '03.  He was
then a young man, and the first physician who resided in
this place.  He married a daughter of Capt. Thomas Cowdin,
and lived in the house now occupied by one or more families
of color, in the Old City.  He was a man of good education,
and reputed to have been skilful in his profession.  So long
as he remained in the town, he had great influence in public
affairs.  He removed from this town to Worcester in 1781.
Remaining there a short time, he went to Keene, N.H.,
commenced business as a trader there, and in a few years
died.  His only child, a daughter, is the wife of John
Stiles, a wealthy citizen of Worcester.

The first store opened in this town, was kept by Deacon
Ephraim Kimball.  This took place about the year 1772.  The
store was in a part of his dwelling house, which stood where
the Stone Factory now stands.  After trading here several
years, he commenced purchasing real estate, and lived on
several farms which he successively bought.  In 1794, he, in
connection with Jonas Marshall, (as has been mentioned in
another place) built a dam and a saw-mill where the red, or
Rollstone Factory now is.  In 1797, he built the house where
Daniel Tuttle now lives, and there he spent the remainder of
his days.

Joseph Fox, Esq. came into this town from Littleton, in
1772, and occupied a part of the "Boutelle" house.  He was a
shoe-maker by trade, and plied himself to his calling for
some little time in his dwelling house.  He commenced
trading by bringing goods in his saddle-bags from Boston,
and retailing them from his shoemaker's bench.  Soon after
this he opened the red store which consititued one in the
block of old buildings which stood between the main road and
the Stone Factory.  He was a man of great influence in the
town, and died a few years since, after having acquired a
large property.

About this time, William Hitchborn came from Boston, and
built one of the houses in the block above mentioned.  He
was a hatter by trade, and a Justice of the Peace.  In 1781,
he was one of three persons licensed by the selectmen to
sell tea.  He appears not to have attracted much notice till
it was understood that he was about to procure a commission
in the Peace, which in those days was a most important
circumstance.  An urgent remonstrace, headed by Dea. David
Goodridge, and signed by a large number of citizens was sent
to Fountain of Honor, protesting earnestly against the
appointment.  But a brother of Hitchborn then living in
Boston, was too powerful, and the esquireship was obtained,
despite the remonstrance.  Hitchborn soon became very poor,
sold his establishment to Joseph Fox and returned to Boston.

It now appears that the "Old City," as it is now called, was
the distinguished part of the town -- having the
meeting-house, the tavern, the stores, the doctor, the
hatter, and the miller, all within its precincts.

(to be continued)

Return to Fitchburg High School Athletics, Competitions & Memories