In Deed

When I began my forays into the wide world around me, I would look for places with interesting names or histories. There is a trail guide of places around the City of Worcester that I stumbled upon and one of the trails was called "God's Acre or Deed Rock". Now if that isn't a title to rope you in. 

These ten acres have an interesting history. It seems a man by the name of Solomon Parsons decided he wanted to deed this land to God in perpetuity in 1840. Solomon became a "Millerite", or Second Adventist, a religious group who believed the world was going to end in 1843. It appears they were wrong, but Solomon bought this land and deeded it to God as a sanctuary for all time. He also built a temple on the site where he would hold retreats and prayer meetings, etc. (Another history here) He also had the entire deed inscribed on a rock on the property, all 215 words. All I read said it was still there and still readable. I had to see for myself. 

It took me two tries to find it, not that it is all that difficult to find, it is really quite simple once you know where to look, but the first time there was a light coating of snow covering the ground hiding it. I also didn't research the rock until after the first trip so I had no idea what it looked like. I also didn't have a very accurate map. After walking a mile or so across fairly rugged and slippery terrain, I came maybe five feet from it, but since it was covered with snow I didn't see it. I also came into the area in a different way than I should have. The best access is from Swan Ave, and Deed Rock is maybe 100 feet from there. There is even a sign for it. Just a word of caution, Swan Ave and the roads around it are, well, let me explain it like this. I used to tow cars in some of the small, rural towns in western Massachusetts. There were many dirt roads. These were superhighways compared to many of the roads in the city of Worcester. 

There are three interesting things to see right in this area, although the whole area is worth exploring. The first is obviously Deed Rock itself. Yes, it exists, and yes, for the most part, it can still be read. There are some areas that are worn, but after 150 years or so of weathering, you'd be worn to. You can still see how the rock itself was split to make a flat surface big enough for the seed. The section that was removed is still right where it was left. 

Next is "Solomon's Temple". This is a little more difficult to find and I am not 100% certain I found it. The problem is there are no pictures or drawings of it, and the only two descriptions I have found are completely different from each other. It was also made almost completely of wood, and because Solomon was a strict vegetarian, he would not use any part of an animal for anything, the mortar he used had no horsehair in it, which means it didn't hold up well. I did manage to find what I believe were the foundation stones for the temple. 

The third interesting thing to see in this area are the ruins of a place called the "Hermitage". This is another place with a fascinating history, including whether or not the person who built this forest retreat actually owned the land. 

There are three ruins from the Hermitage still visible. There is the foundation of the house, built in the late 1800s. It was a rather large house and must have been something to see.  The foundation from the barn is also still here. 

Unfortunately, both of these have been used as dumps for years. And there is also one of two fish ponds remaining on the property. I looked several times for the second but there is no trace. A place called "Rattlesnake Ridge" is right behind the property and it is my guess that a rock slide covered the remains of the second fish pond.

I have hiked most of this area, God's Acre, Fowler Brook and Gorge, and the Tetasett Ridge, and there are other relics to be found as well, including the ruins of one, possibly three mills, an old livestock pen, and a colonial rock "bridge". There is also a pretty nice view of the city from the top of the ridge. It is well worth the trip, just be ready to climb. 

There is also another location worth looking at involving the same family. The elder Parson, Solomon's dad had a cider mill with some beautiful foundations remaining there. You can find the location on the HikeWorcester guide I linked to above.

This area is another example of the wonderful job several groups in Worcester are doing to preserve their history. It also shows that there is history right in your own backyard, you just need to take the time to go look for it.

Here is a link to my YouTube video of my hike in search of Deed Rock Deed Rock and the Temple of ?