Ray Wilkinson, Class of 1938, chosen to be honored on the Ashby Alumni Association's "Wall of Fame", along with his deceased brother, Richard.

June 26, 2010 - The Ashby Annual Alumni Association Meeting was held on Saturday, June 26, at the Ashby Square and Compass Club Hall on Erickson Road.

A wonderful annual event, it brings together, from all parts of the country, those students who went to school at the Lyman School, now Town Hall, before the Ashby Elementary School was built and until the last class of grade 12 was graduated, in 1971. The Alumni Association was started in 1935 or 1936, according to its current secretary, John Mikkola. Every year a scholarship is awarded to the Ashby graduate of North Middlesex Regional High School with the highest academic average. Also, a number of years ago, the Irene Salminen Scholarship was established with a gift from her, and an Ashby graduating student is also the recipient of that award.

Each year, the alumni of the 50th year class are honored, this year, the Class of 1960.

The members of the class of 1960 were: Katherine McMurray Bartlett, Franklin Gooley, Jr., Michael J. Hjelm, Evelyn Lappi, W. William Pernaa, Nancy Elliott Rogers, Penny Heini Thomasson, William Boudreau, Peter Collins, Lee Thatcher, Donna Hopkins Howland, Judith Lepisto Mikkola, Phyllis Bedard Ricci, Karl Saila, Lola Mikkola Zielinski, Cora Boutillier, Charles Flinkstrom, Christine Hartz (deceased), Gerald Johnson, Dianne Green Mitchell, Cynthia Ritcey (deceased) and Donald Sennott (deceased).

The meeting was opened by President of the Association, John D'Angelillo, who gave the welcome and provided the "entertainment" part of the program for the evening. John gave a talk on the "Clocks of Ashby" highlighting the very first clockmakers of Ashby, and the surrounding areas. We have included a copy of his talk and history at the end of this article.

Each year, the Ashby "Wall of Fame" honors an Ashby School graduate, or in this case, graduates, who contributed much of themselves to the town, country and their community. The "wall" is located on the second floor of Town Hall in the restored classroom, and is open to the public during Town Hall hours. This year brothers, Richard and Raymond Wilkinson were honored, and a brief biography of each follows:

Ashby High School Alumni Wall of Fame 2010

This year we are honoring two brothers, Richard and Raymond Wilkinson. The Wilkinson family name goes back at least four generations in the town of Ashby. All the previous generations were dedicated to hard work and devoted to their country, town, and family. This devotion and dedication has continued in Raymond and his late brother, Richard.

Richard Arthur Wilkinson: Born - February, 4th 1917, Died - December, 21st, 1975, Father - Howard M., Mother - M. Caroline Hamblim

Sadly, Richard died at the young age of 58 yrs. With the exception of the years Richard spent in the service of his country, he lived in the town of Ashby. Born and raised in a town with deep Wilkinson roots. His youth was spent like many young boys, the 1st World War was ending, and the future looked bright. The roaring 20’s were in full swing the depression was still on the distant horizon, automobiles were just barely making a scene on the snowy, muddy or dusty roads of Ashby depending the time of year. Richard had an older brother to look up to and a younger brother to look out for. Life in Ashby couldn’t have been better, he had chores to do and school work to attend to before play time could be enjoyed. But like any enterprising young lad of the times you could always make a game out of the most difficult tasks, whether it be feeding the chickens or cleaning the barn; if he could trick his younger brother into doing some of the work, all the better. But he’d best not get caught, or he’d have his and his brother’s chores to do. Being the middle brother you had to develop keen wit to keep from being blamed for too many of the tricks that were pulled on your brothers. He would help his dad, Howard, with the task of winding the town clock every Saturday, no matter what the weather.

Richard attended Ashby school system, all 12 grades in the “new” Lyman School. Richard was a very good student, always trying to be better or as good as his older brother, Harold. Richard loved school and loved music. He first learned the piano and then the saxophone. Richard graduated from Ashby High in 1935 as the salutatorian of the class, an honor he shared with Ina Kalava. After High School, Richard went on to further his education in the field of engineering. What school of higher education is unknown at this time? After college it is unknown what he did in the years before WWII.

At the start of the war, Richard joined the Army. After boot camp Richard was deployed on one of the hospital ships that was sent to the war zone in Europe. Once a hospital ship disembarked from the shores of the USA it rarely returned until the conflict ended.

After the war Richard returned to Ashby to continue where he and so many veterans had left off. He married the love of his life, Gladys Broome, and settled into joys and tribulations of married life in the town of Ashby. He went to work in Fitchburg for the architectural company of Lieneck and Hayes, starting as draftsmen and working his way up to chief design engineer. Most of his projects were large buildings, schools and churches. He continued in that position until his untimely death.

During his working years he found time to be on many town committees for the next 16 years. He served on the finance committee, planning board, school committee, and school building committee. He served as the school committee’s chairman a few terms. In the position as chairman he was able to hand out the high school diplomas at his daughter’s graduation. A moment of much joy and pride was shared by both. He also found time to play saxophone in the Ashby Band for almost 30 years, and served as their treasurer as his father had done before him.

Every Saturday, rain or snow, he would walk or drive to the center of town and wind the town clock as his father and he had done before.

In the late 40’s, with the help of his father and brothers, he built his house at 548 Main Street. Because of his love of hockey and the outdoors in the winter, he built a hockey rink in his yard to be enjoyed by family and friends. Many a ruff and tumble game was played during the day or under the lights. After the games, you would retreat to the porch for hot chocolate and pop corn. His daughter, Sherry and many a neighborhood child learned to skate on that rink.

During the winter months, he could be seen pulling his daughter and nephew on a toboggan behind his snowmobile. It was on this snowmobile that he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Richard will be remembered as a dedicated and devoted worker, town official and band member. He is lovingly remembered as a loving father, husband, and neighbor. He had a very kind face, a loving smile and a generous kind heart

The members of the Ashby High School Alumni proudly induct Richard Arthur Wilkinson on to our Wall of Fame this 26th day of June 2010

Raymond Hall Wilkinson: Born- March, 31st 1920, Father - Howard M., Mother - M. Caroline Hamblim

Raymond was born, raised and lived in the family homestead for 90 years!

Raymond is the youngest of three boys; he looked up to his older brothers. He like his brothers had chores to do and studies to keep up. His mother was a school teacher and she would see that the boy’s studies were tended to. Raymond was more into sports then his brother Richard, playing basketball and baseball in high school. Playing basketball in the old town hall was no easy task, backboards flat against the wall and a one pipe wood fired furnace belching hot air in the middle of the floor. Many a player would have a grid mark brand if they fell against the grate at mid court.

After graduation Raymond worked for his father in the building trade. He started at sub ground level at the end of a shovel, digging trenches for footing and foundations. Then the task of building forms for foundations. After the forms were in place you hand mixed the cement. You wheeled it to the top of the forms in an iron wheeled wheel barrel and dumped it in hoping to get most of it into the forms. This is where Raymond learned about hard work and what it meant to hear from his dad, “a job well done”!

With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Raymond and his home town friend, Luther Hayes went off to join the Marine Corps. They headed for “Tent City, NC” later to become part of Camp Lejeune, NC. After entering the gates of the camp he never saw Luther until after boot camp. After boot camp he was sent to Norfolk VA. via a troop train where he boarded the troop ship the USS Wakefield. Heading for parts unknown, word was received that the ship was headed to the Panama Canal. After exiting the canal they were escorted for a while by several PT Boats for protection from enemy submarines. Out into Pacific Ocean the troop ship embarked for an unknown destination. After days at sea, word was received that there would be pulling into Wellington, New Zealand for a respite and more training. Their stay in New Zealand was short lived and a pre dawn landing on the island of Guadalcanal was in the works. After the west end of the island was secured it was learned that the Japanese were building an airbase. Upon reaching the airbase it was discovered the Japanese had abandoned it for some reason, but had left a lot of their equipment behind. The Marines, with none of their own equipment, were able to secure and rebuild the airport in 3 days, 3 planes were able land on the runway and deliver much needed supplies. While on the island the troops had to endure a constant daily bombardment from enemy aircraft. During this period most of the Marines on the island came down with malaria. All the ill troops were evacuated off the island and sent to Hospitals in Australia or New Zealand.

After an Honorable discharge from the Corps, Raymond returned to Ashby and his family. One of his early jobs was driving school bus for Ned Piper. His next employment was with state of Massachusetts with State Park system at Willard Brook, Raymond dutifully held this job for 36 years, retiring in 1984. It was during his working years that he got involved in the betterment of the town of Ashby. Raymond and a group of WWII veterans met in the old town hall to organize the VFW. It was Raymond’s suggestion that the organization should be for all the men and women that joined the military to defend their country whether they were on enemy shores or not. It was decided that the Holmes, Bennett, and Curran Legion Post be formed. Raymond has been a Legion charter member for over 60 years. During his years as a charter member he held many positions in the organization, bar chairman for 20 years, and post commander for 1 term.

Raymond was a member of the Ashby Fire Department for 17 years helping to build the annual bonfire, kind of funny that firemen would build bonfires. The annual 4th of July celebration has always been an Ashby tradition for over 40 years. He was also a member of the park and recreation department for 6 years. During those years the first little league baseball field was built. It was with Raymond’s construction talent and experience that the concession stands at Allan Field were built. Raymond has had a lot of experience working on buildings at Allen field. The hurricane of 38 had taken the grandstand and turned it on its roof. With the help of a strong rope and the bumper of his car the building was up righted and placed back on its foundation.

The position that Raymond is most proud of is his years on the cemetery department. Raymond would work tirelessly making sure that all 3 cemeteries were well maintained and a place of beauty and respect for all the mortal souls that rest there.

One of Raymond’s hobbies was the care, training and racing of harness horses. A hobby he continued for over 16 years.

Raymond and his wife Penny still reside in the Wilkinson family home on Nourse Road.

It is with a great deal of honor, love and respect, that we the members of the Ashby Alumni, honor you Raymond and induct you along side your brother this 26th day of June, 2010.

Let us all stand and honor Raymond Hall Wilkinson!! Semper Fi, Raymond.

Ashby Tall Clocks by John D'Angillilo

The manufacturing of tall clocks began in Ashby in the late 18th century. There were two families that became renowned as makers of clocks in Ashby, the Edwards and the Willard’s.

Let’s just think for a moment of how would a person tell time in Ashby in the 1700’s? The first meeting house was a new building and the town clock was not installed in the steeple as of yet. Your only means would be by the sun, an hour glass or just an educated guess. If the sun was just coming up it was time to get up. If you were hungry it was time to eat. If you were sleepy it was time to go to bed. If you were wealthy you might own a British made tall clock. Being a true patriot you might not want to own anything British for fear of being called a Tory or a sympathizer.

Before the start of the revolutionary war, Boston was the hub of political freedoms as well as commerce, industry and manufacturing. Some clock makers moved west to the out laying towns, one such person was Jonas Fitch of Pepperell, others were the Edwards brothers, Abraham and Calvin and the Willard brothers Philander and Alexander.

The Edwards moved from Concord to Ashby sometime in 1777, the Willard’s from Concord to Ashburnham some time in 1768. Whether the two families knew each other, one could only guess. Abraham and Calvin were both born in Concord 1761 and 1763, Philander and Alexander were born in Ashburnham 1772 and 1774 respectively. Philander and Alexander were third cousins of the famous clock making Willard’s, Benjamin, Aaron, Simon and Ephraim of Grafton and Roxbury, MA.

Abraham Edwards was a maker of pewter buttons, and a person knowledgeable in the metallurgical trade. It is said that after he took a clock apart he wanted to make clocks. It is believed he apprenticed under Jonas Fitch of Pepperell for a short time. Abraham was a very intelligent man with many skills, able to understand the workings of clocks. He also understood that clocks made of wooden works were cheaper then clocks made of brass. The northern Middlesex and Worcester counties were ideal for manufacturing, plenty of water power to run machinery, the abundant supply of timber and wood. It is believed that the Edwards had a water powered mill on the Valley Road for the preparation of stock for the manufacture of clocks. Most of the tall clock cases were made by local cabinet makers and woodworkers using locally harvested wood, pine, cherry, ash, maple and juniper.

Alexander Tarbell Willard moved to Ashby from Ashburnham in 1801 and for many years was an enterprising and influential citizen. He was postmaster and Town Clerk for more then 25 years. He became widely known for the manufacturing of tall clocks and other entrepreneurial endeavors. He was a backer of the turnpike that went from the New Hampshire line to Townsend. Alex. Married Tila Oaks of Cohasset, she was employed as an Ashby school teacher. It has been recorded that she painted some of the dials of the wooden tall clocks.

His brother Philander moved from Ashburnham to Ashby in 1825 to work in the clock trade along side his brother. Both Willard’s were very inventive and had high mechanical aptitudes being involved in many different projects, a musical clock, tower clocks, old fashioned theodolites or compasses, Gunter chains, scales, timers, seraphones,(a forerunner of the reed organ), rifles and the repair of watches.

Alexander Willard built his first building in Ashby in 1801 it was about 20x30 ft. and a single story. This building was used as a dwelling place while the main house was being built. After the main house was occupied the former building was taken over for the clock trade. These buildings were located on Main St. where the Ashby Stock Farm now stands.

Thank you to the Delaney Clock shop and their assistance and loan of the items on display, and to the Ashby Historical Society for some of the information and copies written articles.