William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

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[681] on the common, in the centre of the town, to the memory of the soldiers of Sterling who had died in the military service during the Rebellion. It was dedicated June 17th, 1867, when an address was made by Rev. Dr. Putnam, of Roxbury.

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Sturbridge

Incorporated June 24, 1738. Population in 1860, 2,245; in 1865, 1,993. Valuation in 1860, $840,096; in 1865, $864,875.

The selectmen in 1861 were Elisha Southwick, Nathaniel Plimpton, Pennel Plimpton; in 1862, Nathaniel Upham, Emory L. Bates, Lorenzo Plimpton; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Emory L. Bates, Elisha Southwick, Eliakim Chamberlain.

The town-clerk in 1861 and 1862 was Samuel H. Hobbs; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Henry Haynes. The town-treasurer in 1861 was Samuel H. Hobbs; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, Elisha Southwick.

1861. The first legal town-meeting to act upon matters relating to the war was held on the 15th of May, which dissolved without acting upon any of the war matters named in the warrant. Another meeting was held on the 15th of June, at which one thousand dollars were appropriated for aid to the families of volunteers. November 5th, Voted, to pay State aid to soldiers' families as provided by law.

1862. August 11th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow twenty-one hundred dollars, and the selectmen to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who enlists for three years and is credited to the quota of Sturbridge. August 28th, The same bounty was authorized to be paid to men who enlist for nine months; and Elisha Southwick, John W. Draper, James M. Belknap, Emerson Johnson, and Henry Haynes, Jr,, were appointed to borrow money and to pay the bounties.

1863. January 26th, The treasurer was authorized to borrow three thousand dollars to pay bounties.

1864. May 21st, The bounty to volunteers for three years service was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and remained unchanged until the end of the war.

Sturbridge must have furnished two hundred and thirty-five men, as it had a surplus of seven over and above all demands