William Andrew MARCY
William A. Marcy, Paralyzed 78 Years, Dies and Southbridge is to Have $200,000 Church

SOUTHBRIDGE, Oct. 25 - William Andrew Marcy, on of the oldest and wealthiest residents of Southbridge and the last of a prominent family in this part of the country, died at 4 o'clock this morning at his Main street home, aged 79 years, 5 months and 22 days.

Attacked by infantile paralysis when hardly a year old, Mr. Marcy was one of the wonders of medical science, living not only to manhood, but to old age, and his death finally resulted from old age and brights disease.

Mr. Marcy was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jedediah Marcy, and a direct descendant of one of the first families to come to this part of the United States to settle.

He was born in the old house at the top of Main-street hill, opposite the Methodist church, lived there all his life, and death claimed him there this morning. He was named for his father's brother William Larned Marcy, who was later one of the prominent governors of New York. The family also produced many men during the past century who were conspicuous in the political history of Massachusetts.

When hardly a year old, infantile paralysis paritally disabled him, his left arm and leg suffering most. That not a patient in 1000 suffering from such an attack survives to manhood is testimony of the physicians, but Mr. Marcy was the exception, and what he lacked in physical attainments was made up by his mental qualities. He was a great reader and a student of history and literature, and a remarkable memory made him invaluable to those who were searching facts in the history of Southbridge for the last 70 years.

The greatest trial of his life acme a few years ago when, cataracts forming on his eyes, made it impossible for him to read his beloved books.

The malady of his infancy left Mr. Macy in time so that he was able to walk with a peculiar gait, dragging his left foot. His left hand and arm, also affected, were withered.

Mr. Marcy never married. He made his home with his parents. At the death of his father in 1877, he inherited a life interest in the homestead and sufficient property to make him independent. A frugal man, with few wants, he was able to increase his wealth until it is estimated by those familiar with his circumstances at $200,000 to $300,000, most of it in savings banks in New England.

Miss Rhoda Vinton, who was in the family before the death of Mr. Marcy's parents, has remained with and cared for him constantly up to this death this morning.

Mr. Marcy is survived by one brother, John Marcy, 85 years of age, who has made his home in the West for years; also a niece, Mrs. Ellen Bartholomew, a daughter of his sister, Mrs. Esther H. (Marcy) Trow. Mrs. Bartholomew is the widow of the late Judge Andrew J. Bartholomew, and lives in Southbridge.

By the death of Mr. Marcy this morning, the old Marcy homestead will pass out of the family and will probably become the site of a handsome church edifice that will be the property of Notre Dame parish.

Situated on the pinnacle of one of the hills of Southbridge, the site attracted the attention of early settlers, and the Marcy family acquired it. For generations the family has had its home there, and the present homestead building dates back more than a century.

The homestead property include the big piece of land at the top of the hill that covers the east corner bounded by Main and Marcy streets.

For a public park or the site for a public building there is now location equal to it in the town, even leaving out its historical interests, as the homestead of an old family and the birthplace of many prominent men.

At the death of Mr. Marcy's father, in 1877, Mr. Marcy was given a life interest only, in the homestead, the other heir acquiring the title, and John Marcy, now living in the West, bought out the others, so that at the death of William, the property would revert to him wholly. About 15 years ago, a deal was arranged with John Marcy, by which the Notre Dame parish would acquire the property, subject tot he life-interest of William Marcy.

Rev. George F. Brochu was then at the head of Notre Dame parish. Fr. Brochu labored in that position 35 years.

As he saw Notre Dame grow from a small beginning to be one of the largest and wealthiest parishes in New England, it became his life ambition to see a church built that should be worthy of the parish, and the town. For that purpose he worked early and late, and denied himself much in order that the fund for such a building might grow, and that he could not live to see his ambition realized, was regretted by every one of his parish.

Fr. Brochu realized that the Marcy homestead was the one place in all of Southbridge for his church, and he was finally able to acquire it, conditionally.

Notre Dame parish continued to grow in numbers until the present church was entirely inadequate and even with the audience divided, could not accommodate all who came to some services.

With the parish free from debt and the church fund approximating $200,000, Fr. Brochu was anxious to see his hopes realized and a liberal annuity was offered William A. Marcy, to relinquish his life tenantship of the homestead, but without avail. He refused to part with his old home, and when Fr. Brochu's death came, five years ago, his hopes for a magnificent church had not been realized.

Fr. Brochu was succeeded by Rev. Louis O. Triganne, and Fr. Triganne and the members of Notre Dame parish have continued the work laid out by Fr. Brochu. The fund has continued to grow until now the parish is in shape to put up a church that will be a credit to the parish and the community, and which, in the minds of the people will ever be a reminder of the priest who first planned such a structure.

While neither the leaders of Notre Dame nor the relatives of Mr. Marcy consider this a fitting time to discuss the disposition of the homestead, or the plans for a church building, they admit that the church will probably be built soon.

Mrs. Bartholomew said today: -
"Notre Dame secured the property, subject to my uncle's life tenantship, and a church will probably be built there on the homestead soon.

"It would be an ideal spot for a public building of some kind, and on account of its historical interest also, I should have liked to see it given to the town, but I disposed of my interest in the homestad to my other uncle (John), and he afterward made the deal by which the homestead will go to Notre Dame parish for a church."

The property is assessed at nearly $10,000.

The funeral of Mr. Marcy will probably be Tuesday afternoon.


Worcester Telegram
Worcester, Massachusetts
October 26, 1908

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