Captain Jeremiah Colgrove was born in Rhode Island in 1756. He learned the trade of a blacksmith. He was drafted into the Revolutionary army at the age of 21, where he served for two or three years as a minuteman or coast guard. Nearly all this time he was employed as an armorer or gunsmith. His father and three brothers were in some hard fights at Newport, and he burned to be in the thickest of the fray, but duty forbad. He never knew the meaning of the word “fear.” Many stories are related of his iron nerve and presence of mind in times of extreme danger. He was about six feet tall, finely proportioned, athletic, nimble and ready to lead off in any emergency. He employed a great number of men, and some of them were absolute giants. He never asked any one to do more work than himself. His word of command was “come on” not “go on,” but his personal bearing and the expression of his eves were in themselves commanding. He was quick in decision prompt, persevering and thorough in action. Captain Colgrove emigrated to Charlton, Worcester county in 1784, following his trade as a blacksmith there for ten years. He made a visit to this town in 1793, was struck with its immense water power and moved here in the following year. His business enterprises for several years have already been mentioned; his foresight and keen practical judgment were of more service in developing the resources of the town than in enriching himself. That he “could see farther into a millstone” than many around him is proven by a remark often made to his wife, who sometimes repined at the frowning mountains and the rough, uncultivated appearance of the country. “Ah,” he would say, “don’t fret, this will be a city yet; such water power wasn’t made for nothing.” Captain Colgrove gained his military title prior to 1800, and held it until in 1806. His son received the same commission. He was a justice of the peace for more than twenty years, and was a terror to evil-doers. He held several petty town offices, and might have held more but for his unpopular political sentiments. He was an ardent, outspoken Federalist, while the town was very strongly Democratic, giving a majority of over 100 in some 250 votes. He performed the hazardous duty of challenger at the polls and was a great tactician, or “wire-puller” as it would now be called. He could fathom all the designs of his opponents, and his council and aid were continually sought by the Federalists of this county. His natural penetration and fertility of mind more than supplied the lack of early education. He was, in short, one of nature’s truest noblemen, a sincere Christian, though not a church member; spotless in moral character and integrity, of frank hospitality and great benevolence to the sick and unfortunate. He gave them his personal attention and substantial aid no matter how pressing his private business. In time of trouble his political enemies (he had no other) would go to him soon than to many of their own partizans, for he was trusty, sympathizing, a man of his word in all things and a whole souled friend.

About the year 1802 a colored woman, who had fled from slavery in the state of New York, came to this village closely pursued by some kidnappers from Hoosick or that vicinity. She was directed to Captain Colgrove, whose warm sympathy with misfortune, ready for faculty for circumventing rascals, great physical strength and unshrinking courage made him conspicuous. She ran to his door crying: “For God’s sake save me!” Her under lip was torn and a large wound was bleeding on the side of her face. Her pursuers were in sight and rapidly approaching, over Furnace hill. Captain Colgrove took the poor creature by the hand, led her quickly though his house, across his garden and into the grist mill, then standing where now stands the mill of M. D. & A. W. Hodge. He ordered the mill to be stopped and told his faithful miller, Captain Ray, not to allow the gate to be hoisted by anybody till further orders, He then secreted the panting fugitive in the water wheel, which was a kind of undershot. Returning to his house, the kidnappers soon came there and demanded that he should give up the negro woman, whom they had seen enter there