The History of Petersham, Massachusetts
Copyright 1948
Mabel Cook Coolidge
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Above, page 67.
Page 74: The Cheese Factory was built by a corporation in 1862 and used as such until 1874. It was purchased by Zina Blackmer in 1883 and used as a roller skating rink for two years. It was moved on rolls in 1885 to the rear of the Unitarian Church and used for a blacksmith shop, Cook's cash grocery store, and two comfortable tenements. It was removed by William Simes about 1925 to its present location as Broderick's Store.
Page 164: In 1817 Jonas Howe opened a store on the north side of his house with Ruel Farrar as partner and a few years later, Cyrus and Welcome Wadsworth, was the firm name of the store near the Library building. In 1842 Jonas How sold the plot of land for the new Unitarian Church and the Howe and Farrar Store was moved to the south side of West Street, later known as the Red House, belonging to the Simes property.
Page 169: In 1883, the heirs of David C. Paige sold the cheese factory building to Zina Blackmer who transformed it into a skating rink 70 ft. by 32 ft. The new Bell School-house was built in 1886. In 1889 the new hay scales were installed. George West of Salem purchased the Silas Hildreth place on Sunset Lane, Robert Willson purchased the Capt. Joseph Brown place, and in 1886 Wm. Simes bought the Benj. Howe place on the west side of the Common, ever since which time their families have been welcome summer visitors in our town. In 1884 came Andrew P. Johnson, a Swedish cabinet maker of much ability, and for forty years he worked as contractor and builder. Late that same year came John F. Barnes and family from Gardner, filling a much needed place in town as landlord of the village inn. His enterprise and hospitality along with the efficiency of his good wife will long be remembered in connection with his popular May dances and Side Hunt suppers. In 1887, James J. Higginson of New York purchased the Zuri Stone place, since which time his family has held a prominent place in the summer colony.
Page 238: In 1903, by the division of parishes Petersham was transferred to the Athol area and the newly appointed pastor at Athol, Rev. Jas. J. Howard took charge with the assistance of a curate. From then on the services were held every two weeks the whole year. Father Howard was a native of Brookfield and had a real knowledge of the ways and means in a town of this type and Petersham was friendly to him.
Under his efficient leadership it was decided to build a chapel which was started in May, 1914. (Constructed by F. P. Morey of
Springfield, Mass.) The land, given by Mrs. Jas. J. Higginson of New York, a summer resident, is the site of the Burrage House occupied last by Leason Ward and his family. Contributions were received from all the community irrespective of creed and many substantial ones from former parishioners and friends. Among these we find the names of Mrs. Josephine Dickman, Miss Sally Cochran, William Simes family. Misses Furness, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. E. Eaton, Miss Emily Potter, Miss Brooks, Mrs. F. H. Lee, Mr. E. C. Dexter, Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey, the Misses Hodges, Prof, and Mrs. R. W. Wilson, Mr. George West, James McManus, every family belonging to the parish and many more not mentioned here. Yearly, the generosity of most of these same friends helped the parish materially. Mr. Woolsey brought the chapel bell from France and gave it among other gifts. The chapel was completed and dedicated August 30, 1914. It was most fitting that it should be called St. Peter's Church since it stands at the edge of the, ''Ham of Peter" (St. Peter's town).
Page 305: Broderick, Daniel, store on West Street. Moved by William Simes to its present site from the rear of the Unitarian Church. Built for a cheese factory on the site of Louis I. Nelson's house about 1863.
Moved to its site in the rear of the church by Zina H. Blackmer, 1885, where it was used as a skating rink a few years.
Page 315, continued "Houses:"Simes, Fannie N. and Olive (West Road Inn) ; Adelphia Stone. Built by Jairus Stone, 1850.
Simes, William (heirs), 1887; Benjamin Howe, 1867; Jonas Howe, 1816; Joel Negus, 1811; Moses Brown, 1803; Dr. Richard P.
Bridge, 1786. Built by William Peckham, 1768.
