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''Our County and Its People''

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"©ur Countp anli Uts people"

A History of
HAMPDEN COUNTY
Massachusetts
Cditot'
Alfred Minot Copeland

The Century Memorial^ublishi'ng Company
.  II 902

Copyrighted 1902
BY
Alfred Minot Copeland

To
WILLIAM WHITING
ONE OF HOLYOKE'S MOST
HONORED CITIZENS
This volume is respe ct fully
2Dtbicateti

Contents

OPIAPTER I
THE CITY OP HOLYOKB— Early History, Settlement and Devel
opment — Town Organization and Civil List — Municipal History
— City Civil List — The Pire Department — City Water Works —
The Public Parks — Educational Institutions — The Public
Library — The City Hospital — Young Men's Christian Associa
tion — Holyoke Street Railway Company — Banking and Finan
cial Institutions — Industrial Holyoke — The Business Men's
Association — Cemeteries — Ecclesiastical History — The French
People of Holyoke  1
CHAPTER II
TOWN OP PALMER  123
CHAPTER III
TOWN OF WILBRAHAM  165
CHAPTER IV
TOWN OF SOUTHWICK  196
CHAPTER V
TOWN OP WEST SPRINGFIELD  210
CHAPTER VI
TOWN OP GRANVILLE  247
CHAPTER VII
TOWN OP MONSON  266
CHAPTER VIII
TOWN OP LUDLOW  312

xii CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
TOWN OP MONTGOMERY  335
CHAPTER X
TOWN OF CHESTER.  348
CHAPTER XI
TOWN OF HOLLAND  394
CHAPTER XII
TOWN OP LONGMEADOW  410
CHAPTER XIII
TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW  429
CHAPTER XIV
TOWN OP RUSSiBLL  438
CHAPTER XV
TOWN OP TOLLAND  453
CHAPTER XVI
TOWN OF WALES  463
CHAPTER XVII
CITY OP CHICOPEE  482
CHAPTER XVIII
TOWN OF AGAWAM  523
CHAPTER XIX
TOWN OP HAMPDEN  542

Illustrations

The Old Blackbird Tree ... 4
Old Holyoke House . 8
The Old Holyoke Dam . . ... 13
City Hall, Holyoke . . .15
William B. C. Pearsons, Portrait . . 18
"The Stretch," Springd ale Driving Park 33
High School, Holyoke .... 35
South Chestnut Street School, Holyoke . , 38
City Hospital, Holyoke . 50
The Almshouse, Holyoke . ... 53
High Street, Holyoke . 56
Old Crafts' Tavern . . 69
Third Level Canal . . 76
Joseph C. Parsons, Portrait . . 79
Old First Congregational Church, Holyoke , 87
Convent of Notre Dame, Holyoke . . 104
Sacred Heart Convent and Parochial School, Holyoke . 107
Washington Elm, Palmer . . 124
Historic Pine Tree, Palmer . 135
Site of First Ordination, Palmer 131
Deacon Brainerd House, Palmer 138
Frink Tavern, Palmer . . 143
The Village Common, Three Rivers . 145
Three Rivers — Baptist Church . . 146
Bondsville School Building . . . 147
Palmer Business Blocks ... 148
ViEvsr OF Main Street, Palmer Village . . . . 149
Joshua Shaw^ House, Palmer . . .151
Baptist Church, from the Depot, Palmer Village . . IdS
Washington Tavern, North Wilbraham . 167

XIV

ILL USTEA TIONS

Old House Built by Lieut. Mirick, Wilbraham .
An Old-Fashioned House Front ....
Old Academy, Fisk and Binney Halls, Wilbraham
Rich Hall and Principal's Residence, Wilbraham
The Warriner Homestead, Wilbraham .
The Old Tavern, North Wilbraham
Nine-Mile Pond, North Wilbraham
On Southwick Street
Congregational Church, Southvpick
The Old Street, West Springfield .
The Old Tavern Stand, West Springfield
A Valley View, Mittineague .
Main Street School
School Building .
Old Church on Orthodox Hill
Town Hall and Park Congregational Church
School Building, Mittineague .
Granville Corners— Baptist Church
The Church on Granville Hill
Universalist Church, Granville Corners
House Built by David Hyde, Monson
Residence of Thomas Styles, Monson
A View in South Monson .
Congregational Church, Monson
Memorial Town Hall, Monson .
Lyon Memorial Library, Monson
Old Monson Academy .
Monson Academy
Holmes Gymnasium, Monson
Monson Academy (General View)
The Library, Monson (Side View)
Hospital for Epileptics, Monson
Flynt Fountain, Monson
Cushman Fountain, Monson
Soldiers' Monument, Monson
The Road to Wales, South Monson
Ludlow Reservoir
Soldiers' Monument, Ludlow
Old-Fashioned Ludlow Mansion

170 177185 186187191
193306
309
313383383385
336343
344 346353360
263369373
277381383
385388
289291293
395 397301307
309311313
331833

ILLUSTRATIONS xv
Hubbard Memorial Library, Ludlow . . . . 337
Ludlow Hotel and Street View  . 339
Old Richard Falley Homestead, Montgomery . . 840
Montgomery . . .... 345
Old Bridge, Chester ... . . . 351
Congregational Church, Chester Centre . . .365
Duty Underwood, Portrait . . 373
A Birds-eye View, Chester ... . . . 379
Early Winter View in Chester . . . 381
Holland Pond ..... . 396
Holland Church . . ... . 406
LONGMEADOW Town Hall .... .431
Old Colton Place, Longmeadow , . 433
First Congregational Church, Longmeadow . 437
A Stone Quarry, East Longmeadow . . 430
The Center — East Longmeadow- . . 434
Old Mill on Blandford Road, Russell . , . 443
High Bridge, Fairfield . . 448
Methodist Church, Russell . . . 450
Tolland Center . . . . 46I
The Village Fountain, Wales . . . . 473
Wales — A Street View .  474
The Street near the Methodist Church, Wales . 480
Old Chapin Homestead, Chicopee Street . . . 483
Historic House in Johnny Cake Hollow, Chicopee Falls 488
The Dam — Chicopee Falls . . . . . 499
A View of Chicopee in 1856 .... . . 502
Old High School — Chicopee Falls  . 508
A Chicopee Falls School Building . . 509
New High School, Chicopee ... ... 510
City Hall— Chicopee .... . . 512
Chicopee Street . . . . . . 514
Old Universalist Church, Chicopee . . 519
Old House, South Agawam . . . 530
School Building, Feeding Hills . . 532
Feeding Hills Street ... 537
The Stream in the Valley, Hampden . . . 548
Congregational Church, Hampden  554
Baptist Church, Hampden . . . . . 555

CHAPTER I
THE CITY OP HOLYOKB AND THE FACTORS IN ITS HISTORY
For a period of almost a century after the Pynchon colony
was planted at Springfield, there was little attempt at founding
other permanent settlements within the boundaries of the mother
town. Two principal causes retarded settlement in these out
ward common lands ; first, the original policy of the founders for
many years opposed promiscuous granting of lands to all comers
and none were admitted to the benefits of the proprietary unless
"approbated" by the committe charged with the duty of invest-
gating the "worthiness" of applicants for membership in the
colony. Thus many pioneers who came into the valley region,
rather than submit to the exactions of the proprietors, sought
homes and lands among the less restricted settlements at West-
field, Hadley and Northampton ; and thus it was that these other
localities enjoyed more rapid growth than Springfield during the
first three-quarters of a century following the establishment of
the colony on the bank of the Connecticut in 1636.
The second and more serious obstacle to settlement and de
velopment of the outward commons west of the river was the hos
tility of natives, who, smarting under the treatment and methods
of Captain Mason of the Connecticut colony (a policy
directly opposite to that pursued by the more conciliatory
Pynchon) were never afterward friendly with the whites; and
while for many years there were no acts of violence on the part
of the Indians, they were not trusted and every settlement had its
fort for protection against their attacks. It is safe to assert that
previous to King Philip 's war there was no permanent white set
tlement within the limits of what now is Holyoke, and probably
1-3 ( 1 )

OVB COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
none previous to about 1725 ; and even then, according to well
established local tradition, the settlers betook themselves at night
to the protection of a fortified house, the exact location of which
no chronicler of Holyoke historj' has made known to us.
It may be stated, also, that from the time of the Pequot war
(1637) to the close of the American revolution (1783) the settlers
in the Connecticut valley knew little of the blessings of peace,
and that during that long period of nearly a century and a half
the settlements and habitations of the whites were all too fre
quently the objects of Indian attack. This long series of wars
is the subject of special mention in an earlier volume of this work,
hence need not be treated here. In the same connection, also,
the reader will learn something of the character, habits and cus
toms of the race which preceded the pioneer white man in the
valley regions, yet there is little that is rich or interesting in the
Indian history of this locality.
Evidences of the aboriginal occupation have been discovered
in various localities of the city, and within comparatively recent
years Indian burial places have been found within its corporate
limits. It is thought, however, that this locality was not
more than a favorite fishing and hunting resort for the Nono-
tucks, whose principal village was on the site of Northampton,
or of the Woronocos of Westfield, or of the Agawams who cent
uries ago dwelt on the banks of the river further south. These,
however, were allied branches of a single parent tribe, and while
for years they prof essed friendship for the whites. King Philip's
influence made them their most relentless and merciless foes.
During the latter part of the seventeenth century, notwith
standing all the annoyances caused by Indian depredations,
there arose a clamor for a survey and distribution of the lands
held by the proprietors of the town of Springfield, and so well
known was the attitude of the proprietors that at last it was in
timated that unless an allotment of the outward common lands
was made, the general court would pass an act of forfeiture to
the cro-wn. This was intended to refer particularly to
the land east of the Connecticut, where settlements might be
made with safety, but west of the river there was no attempt at
( 2 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
permanent occupancy until several years later. The first divi
sion of lands on the west side was made in 1707, when the avail
able tracts were subdivided into plots of ten acres each and were
apportioned by lot to the male inhabitants of the age of twenty-
one or more years, the whole number of whom at that time was
seventy-three persons. In 1696, according to authenticated rec
ords, there were only thirty-two families living in Springfield
west of the Connecticut, a territory which extended from the
south line of Northampton to the north line of the province of
Connecticut, and included the present site of Holyoke and the
towns of West Springfield and Agawam.
No authority extant informs us when the lands comprising
our city were first granted, or enlightens us on the important
questions of pioneership and early settlement. On account of the
troublesome conditions which existed throughout the first hun
dred years of Springfield's history it is safe to assume that there
were no permanent white settlers within our present limits earlier
than 1725. West Springfield was set off as a town in 1774, and.
the Third parish (otherwise known as the North parish, and also
as "Ireland" parish) was an ecclesiastical division of the new
town, so established in 1786.
Tradition also says that the region most frequently called
"Ireland parish"— now Holyoke— vras first settled soon after
1730, and that in 1745 only six families were living on its terri
tory. One of these was Benjamin Ball, a descendant of Francis
Ball, the latter a settler in Springfield in 1643. Another settler
of about the same time was one Riley, a son of Ireland, who loc
ated in the south part of the parish, on the stream named for him
"Riley brook," which name is preserved to the present day,
while the stream itself near its mouth marks the boundary be
tween Holyoke and West Springfield. Whence Riley came or
when he departed no authority states, yei his settlement here
stimulated similar action on the part of others of his nationality
until in point of numbers the worthy sons of Erin outstripped
all others and won for the locality the generally accepted name of
Ireland parish. Capt. John Miller, a patriot of the early wars,
is recalled as among the first settlers on what now is Northamp
ton street.
( 3 )

' The Old Blackbird Tree "

One of the few surviving monarchs of the forest. This unique specimen stands about a mile southwest of the City Hall m
Holyoke, near what is familiarly known as the Horace Brown place

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
In laler years settlements increased with the development
of the resources of the region, and about the period of the revolu
tion we find such names as Capt. Joseph Morgan, Lieut. Charles
Ball, Amos Allen, Capt. Joseph Day, Joel Day, Deacon Josiah
Rogers, Titus Tuttle, Lucus Morgan and Jonathan Birchard
among the more conspicuous figures in local history. To this
number we may add the names of Joseph Rogers, Timothy
Clough, Jonathan Clough, John Miller, Glover Street, Nathan
Stephens, Peresh Hitchcopk, Asahel Chapin, Jedediah Day, Caleb
Humeston, Benjamin Basset, Joseph Ely, Austin Goodyear, all
of whom were settled in the parish and engaged in agricultural
and kindred pursuits previous to the beginning of the last
century. During the next twenty-five years the acquisition of new
settlers and the succession of sons to the estates of their sires
changed again the personnel of the parish inhabitants, and the
year 1830 gives such additional names as John, Jason and Henry
Ludington, Israel and William Perkins, Ephraim Barker, War
ren and Edmund Banks, Elisha Winchell, Thomas Howard,
Ichabod Howe, Hezekiah Griswold, Jesse Cushman , Nathan
Morse, Luke Parsons, Elisha Ashley, David Bassett, Samuel
Hadley, William Jarvis, William Atkins, Isaac Allen , James
Meacham, John Felt, Justus Clapp, Caleb Humeston, Aaron
Moore, Miles Dickerman, Harvey Wright, Lyman Goodyear, Noah
Wolcott, Job Bryant, Joseph Morgan, Abraham Ives, Plin Jones,
Eleazer Day, Sylvester Munger, Ebenezer Alvord, Joseph Ely,
John Chapin, Warren Chapin, John D. Ely, Joshua Allen,
Nathan Parks, Joel Newell, Amasa Ainsworth, John Frink,
Henry Robertson, Ebenezer and Titus Ingraham, Herman and
Michael Fuller (colored men and tradesmen), Moses and Pelatiah
Ely, Alexander Day, Hiram and Ebenezer Jones, Roger Williams,
Frederick Day, Horace Wilcox, Luke and Elijah Hitchcock, John
Dunham, Seth Bliss,Amos Allen, Day Powers, Charles Ball,
Joshua, John, Frederick and George Street, Cyrus Frink, Henry
Tuttle, Horace Atkins, Roswell Morgan, Jeremiah Sperry, Her-
vey Chapin, Hiram Morgan, Caleb Street, Caleb Hill, Orrin
Street, Justus Eaton, Eli Robinson, Francis Ball, Bishop Allen,
Rev. Lucy A. Milton, has recently resigned.
( 5 )

ova COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Stephen Hayes, Russel, Job and Willard Ely, Clark Pomeroy,
Enoch Ely, Eliakim Danks, David Wood, William Boyd, Henry
Archibald and others whose names are lost vdth the lapse of
years. These were the factors in the history of Ireland parish
during the quarter of a century immediately preceding the incor
poration of the town of Holyoke, and some of their descendants
are now numbered among the constantly changing and ever in
creasing population of our modern industrial city.
Throughout all years preceding the period of which w^e write
these worthy settlers and their ancestors were engaged in the
peaceful arts of agriculture, and some of them, more venturesome
than their fellows, had attempted some manufactures. In 1825
the parish could boast a saw mill, a grist mill, a tannery, a cement
works, a cloth mill, a tavern (Chester Crafts, proprietor), and a
distillery. At the same time two ferries were maintained across
the Connecticut, one in the south part and the other farther up
the river, just below the lower falls. Having ready access to the
east side the entire people of the parish vievs'ed vrith considerable
interest the diversion of the waters of Chicopee river for manu
facturing purposes and also took due cognizance of the industries
then recently established on the east bank of the Connecticut near
the ferry landing; but in the course of another score of years
they were both surprised and gratified to witness the construction
of a dam across the river and the diversion of the waters for
manufacturing purposes on their own side, although the wise
acres declared that the feat was impossible of accomplishment,
just as the Springfield prophets derided the early attempts to
build a bridge across the "Great Stream." In each case the
doubters were doomed to ultimate disappointment, and when the
dam and canals at last were completed the parish took upon itself
new life and energy, and soon thereafter acquired a new and
more substantial municipal character.
With the beginning of the work of the construction of the
dam and canals, a new, or rather a rapid growth of an old, ele
ment of population developed in the North parish. Day work
men were in demand and to supply the want large numbers of
laborers, chiefly Irishmen, came to the locality and settled them-
( 6 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
selves in the vicinity of the works. This gave rise to distin
guishing names for certain neighborhoods, hence we have the
"Irish village," near the dam and canal sites, while the "Baptist
village ' ' was a name applied to the vicinity of the Baptist church,
a locality now known as ' ' Elmwood. ' ' In later years, a ' ' French
village" sprung into existence, but this was after the first mills
were put in operation and the skilled operatives from the Can-
adas appeared in the young town.
TOWN ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST
In the incorporation of the town of Holyoke the usual order
in such proceedings appears to have been reversed. Generally
when it was proposed to create a new town the subject was dis
cussed in town meetings in the mother jurisdiction and the senti
ment of the inhabitants was ascertained by vote ; but in this in
stance the subject of a division of the territory of West Springfield
is not mentioned in the town records, and if there was indeed any
opposition to the proposed new town the clerk's books give us no
information concerning it. The first mention of a new town in
the West Springfield records is that of an April meeting in 1850,
when the selectmen were authorized to sell the "Town pauper
farm and the hospital at Holyoke at auction, if agreeable to the
town of Holyoke." Later on a committee of West Springfield
men was chosen to meet a similar body from the new jurisdiction
and settle the affairs in which both towns were interested.
The incorporation of the Hadley Falls company, and the
great work of constructing the dam across the river and the sys
tem of water power canals in the old North parish, led to the in
corporation of the town of Holyoke, and accomplished that end
in less than two years after the charter was granted to the com
pany. Under the law the consent of the ULOther town was not
pre-requisite to the new creation, and the necessity of a new civil
division of the county, including the territory of the previously
known Ireland parish, was too apparent to admit of opposition,
hence the independent and progressive people had direct re
course to the legislature, with the result of the passage of "An
act to establish the town of Holyoke," which was approved and
became a law March 14, 1850.
( 7 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The franiers of the act, with commendable public spirited-
ness, named their new town Holyoke, and thus paid another
tribute of respect, to the memory of one of the most worthy pio
neers of the Connecticut valley. Long before this the name had
been given to one of the towering mountain peaks away to the
northward of the new town, and in allusion to the mountain the

The Old Holyoke House— 1867
name was afterward used to designate the now famous institution
of learning.
The pioneer who first brought this honorable name to the val
ley countiy was Elizur Holyoke, a native of Tamworth, War
wickshire, England, who came to New England during the early
years of the colony. He reached Springfield in 1640 and died
there in 1676. He was chosen deputy to the general court six
times; was ten terms selectman in Springfield; was town clerk

(

8

)

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
first in 1656 and held that office continuously from 1661 to his
death in 1676. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the
plantation and subsequent town, was one of the pillars of the
First church of Christ in Springfield, a man whose walk in daily
life had an influence for good among his townsmen. The story
of the naming of Mount Holyoke in allusion to him is an oft-
told tale of early times, while the mountain itself gives name to
Mount Holyoke college, situated on its foot-hills. Deacon Hol
yoke married Mary, the daughter of William Pynchon, and to
them were born eight children.
Population.— In 1840 West Springfield contained 3,626 in
habitants, and in 1850 the number was 2,979. Thus, assuming
a uniform growth for the entire township, the mother town sur
rendered less than 647 of its stable population to the new juris
diction. However, in 1850 Holyoke 's population was 3,245, and
since that time the increase in number of inhabitants has been
constant, as may be seen by reference to the census reports, viz. :
1855, 4,639; 1860, 4,997; 1865, 5,648; 1870, 10,733; 1875, 16,260;
1880, 21,915; 1885, 27,895; 1890, 35,637; 1895, 40,322; 1900,
45,712. Glancing over the census reports relating to towns and
cities in New England, and comparing their growth with that
of our industrial city, the latter is found in the very front rank ;
and this remarkable prosperity, growth and development is
ehiefly due to one first great cause — the construction and opera
tion of the water power system inaugurated by the Hadley Palls
company and enlarged and made more perfect by the successor
•corporation, the Holyoke Water Power company. In a public ad
dress delivered by Edward Everett about the time of the com
pletion of the first dam, that distinguished statesman and orator
declared that Holyoke would some time have a population of
50,000 inhabitants ; but it is doubtful if the orator himself then
believed that population would be attained in the first decade of
the twentieth century.
In accordance with the provisions of the act of incorporation
Hervey Chapin, justice of the peace, issued his warrant, directed
"to Chester Crafts, ' ' a principal inhabitant of the town, ' ' requir-
( 9 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ing him to notify the (lualified voters to assemble in tovm meet
ing in the school house on Chestnut street, on March 22, 1850,
and proceed with the election of town officers. This was done,
and on the day mentioned, under the moderatorship of C. B.
Rising, the first town officers of Holyoke were duly elected.
The succession of principal town officers, selectmen, assessors,
town clerks and treasurers, from 1850 to 1873 is as follows :
Selectm.en : 1850, Payette Smith, Alexander Day, Hervey
Chapin. 1851— Alexander Day, Joseph M. Morrison, Amos Allen.
1852— Hervey Chapin, Daniel Bowdoin, Albert Graves.
1853— Austin Ely, Chester Crafts, Edwin H. Ball.
1854— Edwin H. Ball, Hervey Chapin, Asa 0. Colby.
1855— Edwin H. BaU, Nathaniel W. Quinn, George C. Lyon.
1856— Russell Gilmore, Edmund Whitaker, Alfred White.
1857— Edmund Whitaker, Chester Crafts, Henry Wheeler.
1858— Edmund Whitaker, Edwin H. Ball, Asa 0. Colby.
1859— Edwin H. Ball, Joel Russell, Daniel E. Kingsley.
1860— Joel Russell, Austin Ely, Sheldon H. Walker.
1861-Joel Russell, Sheldon H. Walker, A. C. Slater.
1862-63— William B. C. Pearsons, Rufus Mosher, Chester
Crafts. 1864— Edmund Whitaker, Edwin H. Ball, Robert S.
Howard. 1865— Porter Underwood, Edwin H. Ball, John C. Newton.
1866— Edwin Chase, Chester Crafts, Joel Russell (de
clined). 1867— Chester Crafts, Edwin Chase, Timothy Merrick.
1868— George C. Ewing, Chester Crafts, Allen Higginbot-
tom. 1869— Allen Higginbottom, William A. Judd, Charles A.
Corser. 1870— William A. Judd, Charles A. Corser, Allen Higgin
bottom. 1871— Allen Higginbottom, William A. Judd, Rufus
Mosher. 1872— William A. Judd, John Delaney, Rufus Mosher.
( 10 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1873— William A. Judd, John O'Donnell, Ezra H. Flagg.
Assessors.— 1850— Nathaniel Thorp, George C. Ewing, Ab-
ner Miller. 1851— Jared P. Searles, Willard Ely, Lewis P. Bosworth.
1852— Ballard Pettingill, Solomon B. Davis, Henry Chapin.
1853— Sydenham Street, Cryus Frink, Samuel Flynn.
1854— Sydenham Street, Timothy 0. Jones, William Mel-
cher. 1855— Isaac Osgood, Russell Gilmore, J. E. Morrill.
1856-7— William B. C. Pearsons, Joseph Murray, Ezra H.
Flagg. 1858— William B. C. Pearsons, Samuel B. AUyn, Joseph
Murray. 1859— William B. C. Pearsons, Samuel B. Allyn, Pelatiah
Ely. 1860-1— Ezra H. Flagg, WiUiam B. C. Pearsons, Hervey
Chapin. 1862— Joseph Murray, Daniel E. Kingsbury, C. B. Wolcott.
1863— Joseph Murray, C. B. Wolcott, Ezra H. Flagg.
1864— Ezra H. Flagg, Henry J. Chapin, Henry A. Pratt.
1865— Joseph Murray, C. B. Wolcott, J. E. Morrill.
1866— Joseph Murray, J. E. Morrill, Edwin Perkins.
1867— Joseph Murray, J. T. Prescott, Hervey Chapin.
1868— Joseph Murray, D. E. Kingsbury, Hervey Chapin.
1869— D. E. Kingsbury, Geo. Thayer, Hervey Chapin.
1870— S. A. Hooker, Amos Andrews, Joseph Murray.
1871— Amos Andrews, D. B. Kingsbury, H. A. Pratt.
1872— Amos Andrews, P. B. Flanders, James Doyle.
1873 — Amos Andrews, Joseph Murray, James Doyle.
Town CZerfcs.^- LucienMorton,1850;John M.Cavis, 1851-2;
Gustavus Snow, 1852-65; Ezra H. Plagg, 1866-67; William S.
Loomis, 1868-73.
Treasurers. — John M. Chapin, 1850; Henry S. Babbitt,
1851-52 ; office consolidated with town clerk from 1853 to 1868 ;
Robert B. Johnson, 1868-71 ; Charles W. Ranlet, 1872-73.
^From 1850 to 1853 the offices of town clerk and treasurer were separate ;
then were consolidated from 1853 to 1868, when again an incumbent was elected
to each.
( 11 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
In 1847, three years previous to the incorporation of the
town, the locality in which the Hadley Falls company was just
beginning operations contained a grist mill, a cotton or cloth
mill, one small shop and fourteen dwelling houses. The inhab
itants here, like those owning the more elevated lands to the
westward of the river, were chiefly engaged in agricultural pur
suits, although on the higher areas, especially along the old
"county road," a little country village had gradually come
into existence; and the locality about thal> time could boast a
tavern of modest appearance, but of wide fame, two stores, a
sash, blind and planing mill, two physicians, a shoemaker, tailor,
wheelwright, painter, blacksmith, a school house and two
churches— Congregational and Baptist.
A few years later, after the failure of the first dam and the
construction of its more substantial successor, business inter
ests began to gravitate toward the lands of the water power com
pany, and the new village soon gained precedence over and
superseded the old. From that time Holyoke dates its most
progressive history. The constant increase in population and
commerce led to the establishment of new institutions, and
called for a form of government not attainable under the town
ship character. Therefore, in 1873, when the town's population
was increased to nearly 14,000 inhabitants, recourse again was
had to the legislature with result in the passage of "An act to
establish the city of Holyoke." The act was approved by the
governor April 7, 1873, and was accepted by the citizens May 29,
1873, by a vote of 377 yeas to 17 nays.
Under the charter the administration of the fiscal, pruden
tial and municipal affairs of the city became vested in a mayor,
a council of seven members, called the board of aldermen, and a
council of twenty-one members, called the common council, all
to be elected by the people. The charter also made provision
for the election of a city clerk and city treasurer, and for the
election by the qualified voters, or the appointment by the mayor
or city council, of such other officers as the proper adiministration
of municipal affairs from time to time should require.
( 12 )

The old "Holyoke Dam" across Connecticut River
The Carew Mills and South Hadley are seen on the right, on the Hampshire county side

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The original city charter was sufficient for its time, but with
the rapid increase in population and commercial interests of
later years, special, amendatory and supplemental acts became
necessary. In 1896 the charter was radically revised, and by
the, act of May 27 of that year the administrative affairs, except
those of the public schools, were vested in an executive depart
ment consisting of a mayor and a board of aldermen, the latter
composed of fourteen members elected at large, and one member
from each ward in the city. Under the provisions of this act
and the ordinances adopted by the municipal legislative body,
the affairs of the city are now administered.
Within the corporate limits established in 1873, and since
continued, the city of Holyoke has an area of 16.35 square miles
of land ; river front, 7.06 miles ; greatest north and south meas
urement, 4.75 miles ; greatest east and west measurement, 5.12
miles; county roads, 35.25 miles; accepted streets, 41.57 miles;
unaccepted streets, 16.01 miles; paved streets, 6.50 miles; sewers,
32.37 miles ; streets watered, 42.21 miles ; fire alarm wires, 72
miles ; street lights, 289 ; park areas, 23.71 acres ; dwelling houses,
4,571 ; number of voters, 6,864 ; number of polls, 11,653 ; popu
lation, June 1, 1900 (United States census), 45,712; popula- ,
tion. May 1, 1900 (school census), 47,612; public schools en
rollment (day), 6,287; public schools enrollment (night), 905;
parochial schools enrollment, 3,655 ; school houses, 29 ; churches,
20; engine houses, 7; fire alarm boxes, 112; valuation. May 1,
1901, $39,951,930 (real estate, .$29,658,610; personal, $10,293,-
320). The erection of a town hall was suggested in 1870', four
years before the city government was organized, but the struc
ture in fact was built by the city; hence the name city hall.
The building is a splendid specimen of modern architecture, rep
resenting several years of work and an expenditure of nearly
$300,000. It was finally completed under the supervision of a
specially constituted building committee, chosen in 1874, and
composed of William Grover, Timothy Merrick, John C. Newton,
James Doyle and Charles W. Ranlet.
The special acts relating to the town and city may be enum
erated as follows :
( 14 )

City Hall, Holyoke

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Act of 1869, approved June 12— "An act to incorporate the
Holyoke and Westfield railroad company," authorizing the town
and certain manufacturing corporations to purchase and hold
stock in such railroad company.
Act of 1870, approved April 22— "An act in relation to a
public library in Holyoke"; incorporating the Holyoke public
library. Act of 1871, approved April 8— "An act to establish the
police court of Holyoke."
Act of 1872, approved March 7— "An act to supply the
town of Holyoke with pure water."
Act of 1874, approved May 7— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to issue bonds for the purpose of funding its
debts ; ' ' authorizing an issue of bonds for $300,000, the creation
of a sinking fund and the appointment of three commissioners
of the sinking fund.
Act of 1881, approved March 30— "An act to establish the
office of clerk of the police court of Holyoke. ' '
Act of 1882, approved April 12— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to construct a common sewer and provide for
the payment of the cost of the same."
Act of 1886, approved April 29— "An act to exempt the city
of Holyoke from the provisions of Sec. 1, Chap. 312 of the Acts
of 1885, relative to the limit of municipal debt and the rate of
taxation in cities. ' '
Act of 1887, approved May 25— "An act authorizing the
city of Holyoke to make a new division of the wards of said city."
Act of 1888, approved May 10— "An act to provide for re
building the bridge across the Connecticut river between Hol
yoke and South Hadley;" additional act April 5, 1889.
Act of 1888, approved May 22— "An act to fix the tenure of
office of the members of the police force of the city of Holyoke. ' '
Act of 1889, approved May 21— "An act to authorize the
county commissioners of the county of Hampden to lay out a
highway and construct a bridge across the Connecticut river be
tween Holyoke and Chicopee."
Act of 1890, approved March 28— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to issue notes, bonds or scrij) for the purpose of
( 1'^' )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
refunding certain bonds, and to sell certain railroad stock now
owned by it, the proceeds of which are to pay said notes, bonds
or scrip." Act of 1890, approved May 23— "An act authorizing the
city council to establish a fire department."
Act of 1891, approved April 17— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to incur indebtedness beyond the limit fixed by
law ; ' ' additional act passed April 20 and June 30, 1894, April 6,
1895, and Feb. 18, 1897.
Act of 1896, approved May 19— "An act to authorize the
city of Holyoke to increase its water supply. ' '
The charter act of 1873 was passed by the house March 28,
by the senate April 4, and on April 7 received the executive
approval. The officers elected at the town meeting in that year
were continued in their respective offices until the organization
of the city government in January, 1874. The first charter
election was held in December, 1873.
MUNICIPAL CIVlIj LIST.
Maiyors.— William B. C. Pearsons, 1874-76 ; Roswell P.
Crafts, 1877; William Whiting, 1878-79; William' Ruddy, 1880;
F. P. Goodall, 1881; Roswell P. Crafts, 1882^83; James E.
Delaney, 1884-85; James J. O'Connor, 1886-87; James E. De
laney, 1888; Jeremiah F. Sullivan, 1889-90; Michael J. Griffin,
1891 ; Jeremiah F. Sullivan, 1892 ; Dennie L. Farr, 1893 ; Mar-
ciene H. Whitcomb, 1894 ; Henry A. Chase, 1895 ; James J. Cur
ran, 1896; George H. Smith, 1897; Michael Connors, 1898;
Arthur B. Chapin, 1899-1902.
City Clerks.— IE!!. A. Ramsay, 1874-76; James E. Delaney,
1877-82; Michael J. Griffin, 1883-90; Thomas D. O'Brien, 1891-
94; Edward A. Kane, 1895— April 24, 1901; John F. Sheehan,
April 30, 1901-1902 (now in office).
City Treasurers.— Ch&Tles W. Ranlet, 1874; William Whit
ing, 1875-76 ; Charles W. Ranlet, 1877-78 ; James R. Howes, 1879 ;
Charles W. Ranlet, 1880-84 ; E. L. Munn, 1885 ; Oscar Ely, 1886 ;
Edwin L. Munn, 1887-89; Dennie L. Farr, 1890-92; Pierre Bon-
vouloir, 1893-1902 (now in office).
3-3 ( 17 )

WiUiam B. C. Pearsons

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Aldermen.^— ISli, William Grover, Henry A. Chase, Aug.
Stursburg, John H. Wright, John O'Donnell, G. W. Prentiss, J.
F. Allyn. 1875— William Grover, Henry A. Chase, Matthew Walsh,
John H. Wright, Edward 0 'Connor, G. W. Prentiss, J. F. Allyn.
1876— William Ruddy, C. B. Harris, H. Springborn, S. J.
Donoghue, Maurice Lynch, C. H. Heywood, J. F. Allyn.
1877— M. J. Tehan, G. H. Smith, A. Stursberg, S. J. Dono
ghue, D. H. Donoghue, C. H. Heywood, G. P. Ellison.
1878— Thomas S. Grover, C. B. Harris (died March 11 and
G. H. Smith chosen), A. Stursberg (resigned and James Staf
ford chosen), Chas. D. Colson, D. E. Sullivan, G. P. Ellison.
1879— William Ruddy, Fordyce R. Norton, Henry Winkler,
Charles D. Colson, D. E. Sullivan, William Skinner, William S.
Perkins. 1880— John D. Walsh, Fordyce R. Norton, Henry Winkler,
James Casey, John O'Donnell, Charles A. Corser, William S.
Perkins. 1881— Casper Ranger, Fred Morrison, P. J. Sheridan,
Thomas Dillon, D. J. Landers, E. A. Whiting, R. Winchester.
1882— Casper Ranger, Isaac Tirrell, C. R. Heubler, Thomas
Dillon, John O'Donnell, William A. Chase, W. T. Dean.
1883 — Casper Ranger, Isaac Tirrell, John T. Lynch, Thomas
Dillon, John 0 'Donnell, Charles A. Corser, W. T. Dean.
1884— James Greeley, Isaac Tirrell, John T. Lynch, John
Dillon, E. O'Connor, Elias P. Ford, C. C. Hastings.
1885— William Reardon, Thomas H. Sears, J. K. McCar
thy, John J. Prew, R. P. Donoghue, Eli J. Brocket, John B.
Clark. 1886— J. J. Sheridan, Francis J. Curley, James J. Curran,
John J. Prew, R. P. Donoghue, William E. Syms, John E. Clark.
1887— William H. Hess, James W. Toole, Henry Winkler,
John Dillon, James F. Cleary, William E. Syms, John Hildreth.
1888— L. F. Hayward, jr., J. W. Toole, Henry Winkler (re
signed June 27 and M. Manning chosen), John Dillon, H. E.
McElwain, C. L. Newcomb, John Hildreth.
^Aldermen are mentioned in the order of ward numbers.
( 19 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1889-John C. SuUivan, William B. Buckley, George Spa-
mer, Thomas J. Carmody, Richard Shea, Dennie L. Farr, E. L.
Squier. 1890— M. P. Conway, J. Beauehemin, George Spamer, N. J.
Baker, A. Higginbottom, C. D. Colson, E. L. Squier.
1891— M. P. Conway, T. J. Kennedy, Michael Connors, R.
P. Donoghue, J. J. Callanan, J. P. Prescott, F. C. Steele.
1892— William Haney, Antoine Marcotte, Michael Connors,
T. J. Dillon, J. J. Callanan, M. J. Laporte, R. B. Holmes.
1894— T. J. Lynch, Fred St. Martin, M. Connor, P. W.
Shea, R. S. Burns, James A. Allyn, R. B. Holmes.
1895— Timothy J. Lynch, Fred St. Martin, R. H. Dietz,
Thomas J. Lynch, Richard S. Burns, John Wall, George H.
Lynds. 1896— Timothy J. Lynch, Fred Gervais, Adam Leining, Pat
rick W. Shea, Jeremiah J. Linehan, Elbert Goss, Frank Feather.
1897— At large for two years, Henry A. CoUings, Patrick
F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French, Adam Leining, Hugh Mc
Lean, Daniel Proulx, Homer J. Stratton ; for one year. Saline J.
Benoit, Archibald Ferguson, sr., Morris Hicks, William J. Ryan,
George A. Savoy, James H. Staples, Peter J. Westphal; by
wards, Timothy J. Lynch, Fred Gervais, Frank Feather, Pat
rick J. O'Connor, Jeremiah J. Linehan, Elbert Goss, Charles P.
Randall. 1898 — At large for two years, Joseph Beaudry, jr., William
D. Bunnell, Edward L. Cassidy, J. Joseph Doran, Archibald
Ferguson, sr., William J. Ryan, Peter J. Westphal ; for one yeai,
Henry A. CoUings, Patrick F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French,
Adam Leining, Hugh McLean, Daniel Proulx, Homer J. Strat
ton; by wards, Timothy J. Lynch, Samuel Migneault, Frank
Feather, James S. Lacey, Michael J. Doyle, Elbert J. Goss,
James H. Wylie, jr.
1899— At large for two years, P. F. Douoghue, Arthur M.
French, Adam Leining, Joseph A. Morin, William McCorkin-
dale, Hugh McLean, Edwin L. Squier; for one year, Joseph A.
Beaudry, jr., William D. Bunnell; Edward L. Cassidy, J. Joseph
Doran, Archibald Ferguson, sr., William J. Ryan, Peter J. West-
( 20 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
phal; by wards, T. J. Lynch, Samuel Migneault, Moritz E.
Ruther, Joseph A. O'Donnell, Michael J. Doyle, William G.
Beaudro, Frank B. Towne.
1900— At large for two years, J. Joseph Doran, Jeremiah
J. Farrell, John K. Judd, Adelar^ M. Potvin, John Stalker,
Frank C. Webber, Marciene H. Whitcomb ; for one year, Patrick
F. Donoghue, Arthur M. French, Adam Leining, Joseph A.
Marin, William McCorkindale, Hugh McLean, Edwin L. Squier ;
by wards, John P. McTigue, Arthur R. Vincent, Herbert C.
Clark, Florence Donoghue, Michael J. Doyle, William G. Beau
dro, Frank B. Towne.
1901— At large for two years, William G. Beaudro, Edward
F. Dowd, William 0. Ducharme, John J. Finn, Charles S. Hem
ingway, James M. Kennedy, William McCorkindale; for one
year, J. Joseph Doran, Jeremiah J. Farrell, John K. Judd, Ade-
lard M. Potvin, John Stalker, Frank C. Webber, Marciene H.
Whitcomb ; by wards, Dennis 0 'Leary, Eugene Laramay, John
R. Allen, Florence Donoghue, Michael J. Doyle, John C. Carlin,
Frank B. Towne.
1902— At large for two years, George Bamett, Jeremiah J.
Farrell, George P. Noonan, Adelard M. Potvin, John D. Ryan,
John Stalker, Prank C. Webber ; for one year, William G. Beau
dro, Edward F. Dowd, William 0. Ducharme, John J. Finn,
Charles S. Hemingway, James M. Kennedy, William McCork
indale; by wards, Dennis 0 'Leary, Eugene Laramay, Leon W.
Bliss, Alexander O'Brien, Eugene F. Kane, John G. Reardon,
Thomas W. HoUey.
Common CouncUmen. — 1874, ward 1, Curtis Moore, James
Ruddy, William Ruddy; ward 2, G. W. Burditt, C. B. Harris,
S. F. Stebbins; ward 3, Martin Lawler, F. Kreimendahl, Mat
thew Walsh; ward 4, W. D. Higgins, H. G. Pierce, A. C. Pratt;
ward 5, Maurice Lynch, John O'Connell, J. A. SuUivan; ward
6, John Delaney, C. H. Heywood, Timothy Merrick; ward 7, R.
M. Fairfield, H. A. Pratt, Reuben Winchester.
1875— Ward 1, John Moore, James Ruddy, William Ruddy;
ward 2, C. B. Harris, Fred Morrison, G. H. Smith; ward 3, Rich
ard Gilday, P. Kreimendahl, Henry Winkler ; ward 4, S. J. Don-
( 31 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
oghue, Peter McKeon, E. A. Newton ; ward 5, B. F. Bigelow, D.
H. Donoghue, J. R. Donoghue; ward 6, John Delaney, C. H.
Heywood, Timothy Merrick; ward 7, Horace Brown, Chester
Strong, Reuben Winchester.
1876— Ward 1, James Barnes, John Moore, A. B. Tower;
ward 2, Chalmers Chapin, G. H. Smith, E. Whitaker; ward 3,
Joseph Mellor, J. N. Thayer, J. S. Webber; ward 4, C. D. Col
son, Daniel Ford, V. J. O'ConneU; ward 5, B. F. Bigelow, Mi
chael Downing, D. M. Manning ; ward 6, A. D. Barker, J. E. De
laney, J. H. Newton; ward 7, H. C. Ewing, S. T. Lyman, Reu
ben Winchester. 1877— Ward 1, John Ford, Richard Patte, C. 0. Warner;
ward 2, Chalmers Chapin, P. P. Goodall, Isaac Tirrell; ward 3,
A. G. Rideout, James Stafford, J. N. Thayer; ward 4, C. D. Col
son, Michael Lynch, M. M. Mitivier; ward 5, Michael Cleary,
Stephen Maloney, D. E. SuUivan ; ward 6, E. W. Chapin, E. A.
Ramsey, Porter Underwood ; ward 7, John Merrick, Edwin Per
kins, John Street.
1878-Ward 1, T. L. Keough, J. W. Moore, W. E. Syms;
ward 2, P. P. Goodall, F. Morrison, Isaac Tirrell ; ward 3, A. G.
Rideout, James Stafford, E. F. SuUivan; ward 4, James P.
Casey, T. J. Ryan, Didace Saint-Marie ; ward 5, Stephen Maloney,
E. O'Connor, Thomas Pendergast ; ward 6, Henry C. Cady, J. S.
McElwain, Levi Perkins ; ward 7, John Merrick, Edwin Perkins,
John Street.
1879— Ward 1, G. C. Ainslie, James Greeley, John D.
Walsh; ward 2, John E. Bronson, John B. Hart, Franklin P.
Goodall ; ward 3, John L. Martin, P. J. Sheridan, M. J. Ryan ;
ward 4, Victor Guyott, Peter McKeon, T. J. Ryan; ward 5,
Thomas Dillon, Michael Downing, John O'Donnell; ward 6, H.
C. Cady, J. S. McElwain, Levi Perkins; ward 7, Berijah H. Kag-
win, Origen H. Merrick, Marden W. Prentiss.
1880— Ward 1, John Ford, James Greeley, Casper Ranger;
ward 2, John E. Bronson, John B. Hart, George W. Maher; ward
3, John L. Martin, Patrick J. Sheridan, John McDonald ; ward 4,
Pierre Bonvouloir, Cornelius D. Geran, Timothy J. Ryan; ward
5, Michael Cleary, Michael Downing, Timothy Haley; ward 6,
( 22 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Charles B. Davis, Hervey K. Hawes, Edwin A. Whiting; ward
7, Berijah H. Kagwin, Origen H. Merrick, John B. Munn.
1881— Ward 1, Michael Collins, James Greeley, Samuel S.
Chapman; ward 2, Royal C. Dickinson, Sumner T. Miller,
Dwight 0. Judd; ward 3, Herbert Hicks, Lyman F. Thorpe,
Charles R. Heubler ; ward 4, George Hart, Cornelius D. Geran,
Dennis E. Herbert; ward 5, James S. Lee, John F. Shea, Thomas
Pendergast; ward 6, Amos Andrews, Hervey K. Hawes, Henry
H. Smith; ward 7, Charles C. Hastings, Lyman B. Moore, John
B. Munn. 1882 — Ward 1, William Brennan, James Spillane, William
H. Jess; ward 2, E. R. Pierce, Joseph Beauehemin, George W.
Richards; ward 3, S. K. McCarthy, D. DriscoU, W. E. Keefe;
ward 4, Dennis E. Herbert, P. J. O'Connor, J. J. Prew; ward 5,
Maurice Lynch, Thomas Pendergast, Michael 0 'Keefe; ward 6,
Amos Andrews, H. H. Smith, Joseph A. Snell; ward 7, C. C.
Hastings, L. L. Hooker, A. N. Ricker.
1883 -Ward 1, William H. Jess, John M. Sheridan, M. C.
Browne ; ward 2, Pierre Benoit, George W. Richards, C. 0. War
ner ; ward 3, J. K. McCarthy, D. W. DriscoU, Peter J. Westphal ;
ward 4, D. E. Herbert, Frank S. Lynch, J. J. Prew ; ward 5, P.
J. Landers, John O'Connell, William Sullivan; ward 6, Joseph
A. SneU, C. P. Lyman, E. P. Ford ; ward 7, C. C. Hastings, D. H.
Ives, A. N. Ricker.
1884— Ward 1, John Moore, M. F. Sullivan, W. A. Casey ;
ward 2, George W. Richards, Didace Sainte-Marie, Thomas H.
Sears; M'ard 3, John Lowcock, John Jack, Blaise Borlen; ward
4, William Sullivan (died and succeeded by Matthew Doherty),
Thomas 0 'Donnell, Amede P. Gingras ; ward 5, R. P. Donoghue,
Thomas J. Carmody, Michael Manning; ward 6, Charles P. Ly
man, Eli L. Brockett, John J. Reardon ; ward 7, Frank L. Buck,
Robert T. Prentiss, Samuel M. Gilmore.
1885— Ward 1, John J. Sheridan, WiUiam J. Casey, J. G.
McCarthy ; ward 2, John C. Smith, George W. Richards, M. F.
Doyle; ward 3, Blaise Borlen, Charles Brueck, James F. Cana-
van ; ward 4, Thomas 0 'DonneU, P. F. Carmody, Matthew Do
herty; ward 5, T. J. Carmody, James S. Lee, T. J. Fitzgerald;
( 2.3 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ward 6, Andrew Buchanan, C. H. Whiting, John L. Burlingame;
ward 7, John K. Judd, S. B. Allyn, S. M. GUmore (resigned),
George W. Doane.
1886— Ward 1, J. C. Keough, WiUiam A. Casey, J. G. Mc
Carthy; ward 2, James H. Fitzsimmons, Edward Donahue, J.
W. Toole; ward 3, Bruno Ezold, J. T. Cunningham, Peter J.
Westphal; ward 4, J. H. SuUivan; M. F. Manning, Matthew Do
herty; ward 5, J. F. Cleary, J. J. Casey, T. F. Greaney; ward 6,
Andrew Buchanan, Charles H. Whiting, Charles L. Newcomb;
ward 7, John K. Judd, George W. Doane, Aruthur M. Cain.
1887— Ward 1, J. C. Keough, D. J. Sullivan, B. J. Lynch;
ward 2, Edward Donahue, T. J. Gibson, Nazaire BeUveau; ward
3, J. F. Canavan, John P. Hanley, Charles W. Bleumer; ward 4,
Maurice Sullivan, Thomas Connor, Louis S. Paquette; ward 5,
J. J. Casey, M. J. Lavelle, John Dillon; ward 6, Charles L. New
comb, Henry B. McElwain, J. Sanford Webber ; ward 7, A. M.
Cain, G. L. Thorpe, Richard C. KUduff.
1888— Ward 1, D. J. Sullivan, J. J. Keough, John Blasius;
ward 2, T. J. Gibson, W. P. Buckley, Nazaire BeUveau ; ward 3,
J. P. Canavan, J. P. Hanley, Clyde C. Kelly; ward 4, John B.
Laroche, M. J. Lavelle, Dennis Herbert; ward 5, Thomas Con
nor, Dennie L. Farr, Justin D. Perkins; ward 6, Charles L.
Allyn, Lucius Ely, Prank A. Rivers ; ward 7, George L. Thorpe,
John Longway, jr., George V. Osgood.
1889— Ward 1, J. J. Keough, J. A. Peltier, T. H. Breen;
ward 2, J. A. Murray, F. St. Martin, Thomas J. Kennedy; ward
3, J. F. Canavan, Onesime Viens, John J. Taylor ; ward 4, P. A.
Brennan, Napoleon Aubertin, Eugene Shea; ward 5, Thomas
Connor, J. J. Callanan, J. W. Doran ; ward 6, Lucius Ely, C. L.
Allyn, James L. Davis; ward 7, Frederick C. Steele, Roland T.
Oakes, George V. Osgood.
1890— Ward 1, WiUiam Brockway, Joseph A. Peltier, M. J.
Sullivan; ward 2, T. J. Kennedy, J. A. Murray, C. 0 'Leary;
ward 3, Herman Heinritz, John J. Taylor, Onesime Viens ; ward
4, Patrick Brennan, John J. Prentiss, Eugene Shea; ward 5, Jo
seph Bardwell, Thomas Connor, Charles McCollister; ward 6,
Lucius Ely, Stephen B. Gifford, Medric J. Laporte ; ward 7, Ro
land T. Oakes, George T. Osgood, Frederick C. Steele.
34 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1891— Ward 1, WiUiam Brockway, John H. Ryan, M. J.
SuUivan; ward 2, John Black, A. B. C. De Launay, C. 0 'Leary;
ward 3, Max C. Burkhardt, Ulrick Perrault, Albert C. Renner ;
ward 4, Napoleon Aubertin, T. J. Dillon, Eugene Shea; ward 5,
John E. Burke, Richard A. Doran, D. J. O'Connell; ward 6, M.
J. Laporte, Stephen B. Gifford, John B. Miller ; ward 7, Law
rence J. Fortier, Charles McColUster, Henry D. Williams.
1892— Ward 1, Joseph Herbert, H. L. Mohan, John H.
Rjan; ward 2, John Black, Joseph Blair, Fred Daze; ward 3,
Max G. Burkhardt, Ulrick Perrault, Paul Schubach; ward 4,
Frank 0. Blanchette, Eugene Shea, Daniel P. Sullivan; ward 5,
William L. Bishop, P. H. Brennan, WiUiam B. Miles; ward 6,
Fred H. Gilpatrick, George B. Pickup, Frank C. Webber; ward
7, Lawrence H. Fortier, Charles H. McCollister, Henry D. Wil
liams. 1893 — Ward 1, Patrick Gear, Joseph Herbert, David H.
Toole; ward 2, Joseph C. Blair, T. J. Kennedy, Cyril T. La-
brecque ; ward 3, Max Bretschneider, Victor S. Laplante, Ernest
R. Tauscher; ward 4, Thomas Fitzgerald, P. J. O'Connor, D. P.
Sullivan ; ward 5, S. J. Benoit, J. L. Connor, J. J. Linehan ; ward
6, F. H. Gilpatrick, John Naylor, Frank C. Webber; ward 7,
Azro A. Coburn, Edwin B. Evans, Charles M. Hartzell.
1894— Ward 1, Octave Perrault, David H. Toole (resigned),
John Daly, James WaU ; ward 2, Fred Gervais, Fred A. Monat,
P. H. Prendiville; ward 3, Max Bretschneider, Victor S. La
plante, Ernest R. Tauscher ; ward 4, Frank Fitzgerald, Thomas
Fitzgerald, Anthyme S. Menard ; ward 5, S. J. Benoit, J. L. Con
nor, J. J. Linehan; ward 6, Elbert Goss, Frederick N. Ricker,
Edward N. White; ward 7, Azro A. Coburn, Edwin B. Evans,
Charles M. Hartzell.
1895— Ward 1, Edward D. Bunyan, P. P. Flynn, Dennis
0 'Leary; ward 2, Fred Gervais, Fred A. Monat, P. H. Prendi-
viUe; ward 3, J. H. Donoghue, Victor S. Laplante, W. J. Ma-
honey ; ward 4, John J. Mclntee, John P. Sullivan, John F. Sulli
van ; ward 5, Edmund H. Alger, John L. Connor, J. J. Linehan ;
ward 6, Edwin M. Chase, Elbert Goss, Caleb J. Humeston ; ward
7, Conrad V. Hein, Charles P. RandaU, William 0. White.
( 25 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1896— Ward 1, E. D. Bunyan, P. F. Flynn, Dennis
0 'Leary; ward 2, Joseph Beaudry, jr., Henry P. Cunningham,
P. H. Prendiville ; ward 3, J. H. Connor, WilUam J. Mahoney,
P. W. O'Rourke; ward 4, William J. DiUon, John J. Mclntee,
John J. Riley; ward 5, E. H. Alger, Edward J. Keomey. Wil
liam O'Connell; ward 6, WilUam D. BunneU, Thomas H. Kear
ney, Henry Reed ; ward 7, James CoUingwood, Charles Randall,
Homer J. Stratton.
Presidents of Board of Aldermen.— Michael Connors, 1893;
Rufus B. Holmes, 1894; Henry A. Chase, 1895; Timothy J.
Lynch, 1896; Arthur M. French, 1897; Hugh McLean, 1898;
Arthur M. French, 1899-1900 ; Michael J. Doyle, 1901 ; James
M. Kennedy, 1902.
Presidents of Common Council.— G. H. Heywood, 1874-75;
G. H. Smith, 1876 ; C. D. Colson, 1877 ; F. P. Goodall, 1878 ; John
O'Donnell, 1879; James Greeley, 1880; Hervey K. Hawes, 1881;
Amos Andrews, 1882 ; C. 0. Warner, 1883 ; Roger P. Donoghue,
1884 ; Thomas J. Carmody, 1885 ; John K. Judd, 1886 ; James C.
Keough, 1887; Michael J. Lavelle, 1888; J. J. Callahan, 1889;
Thomas Connor, 1890 ; Thomas J. Dillon, 1891 ; Henry D. Wil-
Hams, 1892; John L. Connor, 1893-95; Patrick H. PrendivUle,
1896. City Auditors.— 'Edwin A. Ramsey, 1874-76; James E. De
laney, 1877-82; M. J. Griffin, 1883-90; Thomas D. O'Brien,
1891-95 ; Daniel W. Kenney, 1896-1902.
City Messengers.— J. H. Clifford, 1874-76; J. R. Howes,
1877-79 ; Charles M. Hackett, 1880-83 ; WilUam T. Walsh, 1884-
1902. City Engineers.— Thomas W. Mann, 1874; E. T. Davis,
1875 ; Thomas W. Mann, 1876-80 ; A. B. Tower, 1881-83 ; Emory
A. EUsworth, 1884-85 ; T. W. Mann, 1886 ; Emory A. Ellsworth,
1887-89 ; Edward Walther, 1890-95 ; John J. Kirkpatrick, 1896-
1898; James L. Tighe, 1899-1902.
City Solicitors.— Edward W. Chapin, 1874-75; H. K.
Hawes, 1876-78 ; H. L. Sherman, 1879 ; S. W. Dougherty, 1880
WilUam H. Brooks, 1881-83; Terrence B. O'Donnell, 1S84-90
Christopher T. Callahan, 1891; WiUiam Hamilton, 1892-94
( 26 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Christopher T. CaUahan, 1895 ; Arthur B. Chapin, 1896 ; Wil
liam Hamilton, 1897; Christopher T. Callahan, 1898; Addison
L. Greene, 1899 ; Nathan P. Avery, 1900-02.
City Physicians.— Dv. Charles 0. Carpenter, 1874-76 ; Dr.
G. W. Davis, 1877; Dr. A. F. Reed, 1878; Dr. J. J. O'Connor,
1879-84; Dr. D. F. Donoghue, 1885-91; Dr. Stephen A. Ma
honey, 1892-94 ; Dr. John F. Buckley, 1895-97 ; Dr. John J. Mc-
Cabe, 1898-99; Dr. George C. Robert, 1900-01; Dr. Joseph A.
Marin, 1902.
Assessors of Taxes. — Amos Andrews, James E. Delaney,
John E. Chase, 1874 ; Amos Andrews, James E. Delaney, Joseph
Murray, 1875 ; Amos Andrews, J. F. Sullivan, Joseph Murray,
1876-79 ; Joseph Murray, J. F. SuUivan, J. H. Eraser, 1880-82 ;
Joseph Murray, J. F. Sullivan, S. E. Gates, 1883-85; V.
J. 0 'DonneU, J. F. Sullivan, S. E. Gates, 1886 ; Jeremiah F.
Sullivan, Seymour E. Gates, Didace Sainte-Marie, 1887-88;
James J. Dowd, S. E. Gates, Didace Sainte-Marie, 1889-91 ; Sey
mour E. Gates, James J. Dowd, John B. Laroche, 1892; S. E.
Gates, James J. Dowd, Joseph St. Martin, 1893-94; James J.
Dowd, Joseph St. Martin, Joseph J. KeUey, 1895-99 ; Dwight 0.
Judd, Joseph St. Martin, Joseph J. Kelley, 1900-02.
City Marshals.- {Galled chief of police prior to 1894), Wil
Uam G. Ham, 1874 ; Almado Davis, 1875 ; WilUam G. Ham, 1876 ;
D. E. Kingsbury, 1877 ; William G. Ham, 1878-81 ; Sumner T.
MiUer, 1882-83 ; James Dougherty, 1884-85 ; Marciene H. Whit
comb, 1886-90; Sumner T. Miller, 1891; Valentine J. O'Donnell,
1892; S. T. MiUer, 1893; George H. Twaddle, 1894-95; S. T.
Miller, 1896 ; M. H. Whitcomb, 1897 ; Edward J. Gorman, 1898 ;
J. Sidney Wright, 1899-1902.
Board of Public Wor/cs.— Michael F. Walsh, chairman, Oren
D. Allen, Gilbert Potvin, jr., 1897-1902.
THE FIEE DEPARTMENT
Previous to the incorporation of the Hadley Falls company
the inhabitants of Ireland parish had no approved appliance for
extinguishing fires in the town; and, indeed, there appears to
have been little need for a fire organization of any kind in this
( 27 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
quiet agricultural region. However, with the beginning of op
erations by the Hadley Falls company the managers purchased
a hand engine of the Button type, which soon acquired the local
designation of "piano machine," and which also was a famous
fire fighting apparatus in the "New City," as Holyoke originally
was called.
In December, 1850, the town first took action in relation to
the establishment of a fire department within the limits of
school district No. 1, and at a regular meeting the old "First
Fire district" was organized; and it was continued until 1872.
In 1855 the town voted to pay the expenses of the fire depart
ment and appropriated the sum of $336 for maintenance. Small
as this amount was, it was sufficient for the time and provided
all that was then required to keep the three companies— Hol
yoke Engine Co. No. 1, Mechanics Engine Co. No. 2, and Mt. Tom
Hose Co. — then comprising the department. In the latter part
of 1857 and the early part of 1858 the board of engineers, in
whom was vested the management of the department, approved
the following named persons as firemen : WaUace Warner, Ru
fus Mosher, E. D. Shelley, Homer M. Crafts, Dominick Crosson,
G. Marsh, S. C. Crouch, John R. CUfford, John R. Baker, J. C.
Morrison, V. M. Dowd, Benjamin Roberts, E. W. Loomis, 0. A.
Henry, Isaac Cook, John Prouty, Mowry Prouty, H. K. Bean,
John Doyle, A. 0. Kenney, Robert Mitchell, B. F. McKinster,
Lester Newell, E. Whitaker, C. H. Roby, T. C. Page, John C.
Smith, Thomas H. Kelt, J. A. Cleveland.
In 1861 the first hook and ladder company was organized,
and during the next ten years the department was materially
increased, both in membership and in improved apparatus. In
1870 the annual report of Chief Crafts showed three engine
houses and six companies, the latter being as follows : Reliance
(No. 1) Steam Pire Engine Co., 25 members; ReUef (No. 2)
Steam Fire Engine Co., 25 members; Emerald Engine Co., 60
members ; Mt. Tom Hose Co., 30 members ; Mt. Holyoke Hose Co.,
25 members; Hook and Ladder Co., 30 members. The company
last mentioned soon afterward was given the name of Rescue
H. & L. Co. No. 1.
( 28 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Under section thirty of the original city charter the city
council was authorized to establish a fire department and to
make such regulations concerning its pay^ conduct and govern
ment as from time to time should be deemed expedient; also,
to establish fire limits in the city. At the same time the inhab
itants of any previously existing fire district were authorized to
dissolve the district and dispose of any or all of its apparatus.
With the adoption of this act the history of the present fire de
partment had its beginning. In 1874 there were six companies
in the department, two steam engines, three hose companies and
one hook and ladder truck.
The act of May 23, 1890, authorized the city council to es
tablish, regulate and govern the department through the agency
of a board of fire commissioners, to comprise three members ap
pointed by the mayor. Thus was established the board by which
the affairs of the fire department in a great measure was freed
from the political influences which in the earlier years had seri
ously interfered with its efficiency. Under the recommendations
of the commissioners the city has made liberal appropriations for
the maintenance and extension of the department, and to-day
the latter is regarded as one of the most thoroughly equipped
and efficient bodies of its kind in the state.
The permanent force of the department consists of seventy-
one men and eleven fully equipped companies. There are in use
six steam fire engines, two chemical engines, six two-horse hose
wagons, one combination chemical and hose wagon and three
hook and ladder trucks. The annual expense of the department
is about $70,000. The estimated value of the six engine houses
in the city is more than $100,000.
The succession of chief engineers of the Holyoke fire de
partment is as follows:
Chief Engineers.— 'R. G. Marsh, 1851; Daniel Bowdoin,
1852-53 ; Thomas H. Kelt, 1854 ; WiUiam B. C. Pearsons, 1855-
1858 ; Jones S.. Davis, 1859- 60 ; WilUam B. C. Pearsons, 1861-62 ;
WiUiam H. Dickinson, 1863-64; L. P. Bosworth, 1865-67; Ros
weU P. Crafts, 1868-69; 0. S. Tuttle, 1870; RosweU P. Crafts,
1871; Richard Pattee, 1872-73; Benjamin F. MuUin, 1874-75;
( 29 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
John D. Hardy, 1876-78 ; Benjamin F. MuUin, 1879 ; E. P. Ford,
1880; B. F. Bigelow, 1881-84; John T. Lynch, 1885-1902.
Fire Commissioner s."^ — Richard Shea, Jeremiah J. Callanan,
John Hildreth, Charles L. Newcomb, Val. Moquin, Roger P. Don
oghue, John J. Sheridan, 1891-92 ; John J. SulUvan, vice Sheri
dan, 1893 ; Charles L. Newcomb, James J. Curran, Val. Moquin,
appointed 1894; Charles L. Newcomb, Val. Moquin, Dennis J.
Landers, 1895-96 ; Charles L. Newcomb, Dennis J. Landers, 1897 ;
Charles L. Newcomb, M. J. Laporte, 1898-99 ; Charles L. New
comb, Daniel Proulx, Frank L. Buck, 1900 ; Charles L. Newcomb,
Daniel Proulx, Dennis J. Landers, 1901-1902.
CITY WATEE WORKS
As a part of its gigantic scheme of development and public
improvement during the three years immediately preceding the
year 1850, the Hadley Falls company constructed a reservoir on
the elevated land about seventy-five rods from the river and from
that point laid main and distributing pipes through the business
and residence portions of the "New City," which the company,
through its enterprise, had brought into active existence. Water
was pumped from the river into the reservoir and was carried
thence throughout the little village by gravity pressure.
This was the only system of water supply for Holyoke from
October 18, 1849, when the reservoir was first fiUed, until 1872,
when the growth of the town necessitated the estabUshment of a
larger and better plant. On March 7, 1872, the legislature
passed "An act to supply the town of Holyoke with pure water,"
which act was accepted by the inhabitants March 21, 1872. The
act authorized the town to establish its own water works and to
regulate its use for fire, steam, domestic and other purposes, with
authority to take and hold the entire waters of Ashley's and
Wright's ponds. For the purpose of constructing the works the
town was authorized to issue bonds to the amount of $250,000.
The act also created the board of water commissioners, to
comprise the town treasurer, ex-officio, and six persons to be
lAt first seven commissionei-s were appointed, but as the board was found to
be unwieldy the number was reduced to three.
( 30 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
elected by the inhabitants. This act, however, was amended by
the city charter, and it was then provided that the board should
comprise three persons to be elected by the city council. In con
formity Avith the provisions of this act the board of water com
missioners has been continued to the present time.
In 1884 a supplemental act authorized the commissioners to
increase the water supply by taking the waters of Whiting
Street brook ; and in 1896 the legislature authorized the board to
utilize for the same purpose the waters of Tucker and Manhan
brooks in the town of Southampton.
The work of construction on the original plant was begun
in 1872 and was finished in 1873, but the work of extension of
the system has been carried forward year after year to the pres
ent time. One of the annual reports of the board of commis
sioners, in referring to the supply system, says: "Source of
supply — two contiguous natural lakes, three and one-half miles
from the city, two mountain streams and storage reservoir, and
the southwest branch of Manhan river; intake reservoir at
Southampton. ' '
The net cost of the water supply system to date aggregates
nearly $1,250,000. The city's bonded indebtedness on account
of the works is $300,000. The works produce an annual income
of about $85,000, and the surplus over the expense of mainte
nance is chiefly used for extension purposes. The total length
of distribution pipes is over eighty-one miles ; number of public
hydrants in use, 524; estimated average daily consumption of
water, 4,750,000 gallons.
The personnel of the board of water commissioners from
1872 is as follows :
Water Commissioners.— 'William B. C. Pearsons, March 21,
1872-February 2, 1874 ; John Delaney, March 21, 1872-February
2, 1874 ; John E. Chase, March 21, 1872-resigned March, 1873 ;
Dennis Higgins, March 21, 1872-Pebruary 2, 1874 ; Joel RusseU,
March 21, 1872-February 2, 1874; Joseph P. Buckland, March
21, 1872-February 2, 1874 ; L. P. Bosworth, March 18, 1873-Feb-
ruary 2, 1874; C. W. Ranlet, ex-officio, town treasurer. (The
foregoing were elected by the town). Joseph P. Buckland, Den-
( 31 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
nis Higgins, February 2, 1874-January 2, 1876 ; James G. Smith,
February 2, 1874-died July 10, 1878 ; J. A. SulUvan, February
25, 1876- January 6, 1891; James P. Allyn, February 5, 1877-
January 4, 1886; C. H. Heywood, July 16, 1878-January 11,
1880 ; Timothy Merrick, January 11, 1881-January 4, 1887 ; Mau
rice Lynch, January 4, 1886-January 5, 1892; James E. De
laney, January 4, 1887-January 7, 1887 ; Moses Newton, January
18, 1887-January 2, 1893; James J. Curran, January 6, 1891-
February 4, 1896 ; Martin P. Conway, January 5, 1892-January
3, 1898 ; Charles D. Colson, January 2, 1893-February 1, 1900 ;
John J. Sullivan, January 27, 1896-now in office; Thomas F.
Greaney, January 3, 1898-1901 ; Joseph A. Skinner, February 1,
1900-now in office; Maurice Lynch, 1901; Arthur M. French,
January, 1901-now in office. Water commissioners, 1902, John
J. Sullivan, chairman ; Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer ; Arthur M.
Freneh, secretary.
Superintendents.— -Moses Stevens, 1874-1881; John D.
Hardy, 1881-now in office.
Registrars.— E. M. Bolton, 1874-76; E. P. Clark, 1876-93;
J. C. SuUivan, 1893-1900 ; Albert E. Pickup, 1900-now in office.
THE PARK DEPARTMENT
The founders of Holyoke, nearly all of whom were of New
England birth, proved true to the early custom of their region
when they laid out and established a comfortable park tract near
the central part of their town more than half a century ago.
That Avhich now is known as Hampden park is the
result of this early thoughtfulness on the part of our
immediate ancestors, although many of those who were instru
mental in building up the town were chiefly interested in the
advantages hoped to be derived from the operations of the
water power company. At a later date the Holyoke Water
Power company generously donated a tract of land for use as a
public park, and at intervals in subsequent years still other park
tracts have been acquired by the city by purchase and also
through the gift of public spirited citizens. In this manner
Holyoke has become possessed of six park tracts, none of them
( 32 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
of large area, but in the aggregate amounting to 23.71 acres of
land. To these lands there should be added the famous Moun
tain park, 900 acres in extent, the property of the Mt. Tom
railroad company, which is for the free use and benefit of the
public. It is maintained at the expense of the company, and
while not within the jurisdiction of the city it nevertheless is
one of the most beautful and popular resorts in all New England.
The public parks of the city are known, respectively, as
Hampden, Elmwood, Cononchet (given by the Holyoke Water

"The Stretch"
Springdale Driving Park, South Holyoke, a popular race track in Hampden County

Power company^), Germania, Hamilton and Prospect parks,
and are under the immediate control of the board of park com
missioners. The annual appropriation for maintenance is about
$5,500. In 1882 the legislature passed an act authorizing towns
and cities to lay out public parks within their limits, yet Holyoke
appears not to have availed itself of the provisions of the act
^As a matter of fact the city is indebted to the company for Hampden, Ger
mania, Elmwood and Prospect parks, as well as for Cononchet.

3-3

( 33 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
until about two years afterward. Previous to that time the con
trol of the parks was vested in the city council and one of the
committees of that body, and during that period the public
pleasure grounds received little more than indifferent attention ;
but under the board of park commissioners proper attention has
been given to this element of municipal life, although the appro
priations generally have been small in amount.
The appended list shows the personnel of the first board of
park commissioners, with the names of subsequent appointees as
vacancies occurred :
Park Commissioners. — William Grover, John O'Donnell,
James Ramage, Robert B. Johnson, Maurice Lynch, 1884 ; John
J. Prew, 1885; John J. Nugent, 1886; George Spamer, Wilbert
T. Dean, 1888 ; George H. Smith, Charles R. Heubler, WiUiam
S. Loomis, 1889 ; Thomas F. Greaney, 1890 ; Thomas J. Gibson,
James Barnes, 1892; Timothy Merrick, 1893; Mederic J. La
porte, 1894 ; Daniel H. Newton, 1895 ; Antoine Marcotte, Charles
G. Mackintosh, 1900 ; James F. Burns, 1901 ; Antoine Marcotte,
James F. Burns, John McNairn, Charles E. Mackintosh, Max
Otto Driekorn (fuU board), 1902.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
From such meagre records as have been preserved it is diffi
cult to determine just when the mother town' of Springfield first
made provision for the support of a school in that part of its do
main which afterward acquired the name of Ireland parish, but
which now comprises the city of Holyoke. It is known, however,
that for more than a quarter of a century previous to the incor
poration of West Springfield a school was maintained in the lo-
eality indicated, and that the settlers themselves secured the loca
tion and caused the erection of the first school house.
When West Springfield was set off as a separate town
(1774) the authorities gave more earnest attention to the edu
cational welfare of the youth and soon divided the territory into
districts, providing one school in the so-called Ireland parish,
the latter then comprising district No. 15. The earUest school
record dates from 1802, and for several years furnishes only
( 34 )

High School, Holyoke

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
meagre information regarding the number and location of the
schools of that period or of the persons who were identified with
their management. This, however, is unimportant in our pres
ent chapter, for the history of education in Holyoke really be
gins with the creation of the town, in 1850. Indeed, for several
years previous to incorporation there had been independent ac
tion on the part of the inhabitants for the benefit of the schools
in the parish, and as early as 1808 an excellent school, the Rand
seminary, was established for the purpose of affording the youth
of the parish better educational advantages than the common
schools could provide.
The seminary was established through the efforts of Rev.
Thomas Rand, one of the founders and the first pastor of the
Baptist society in the parish; and while Elder Rand's' co-work
ers in the seminary enterprise were chiefly of his own religious
followers, the institution itself was not intended to be a denomi
national school, but rather for the welfare of all the townsfolk
who could avail themselves of its benefits. Deacon Perez Hitch
cock, Caleb Humeston, Austin Goodyear, Noah Wolcott and
David Bassett are remembered as Elder Rand's principal sup
porters in establishing the seminary, yet others of the townsmen
gave substantial aid to the institution during its early history.
The founder was its head and its guiding spirit for twenty-four
years, and upon his removal from the locality, the building was
taken down and re-erected at a more central point in the par
ish, and no longer was a distinctive institution of the Baptist
colony. In its new location the building was occupied in part
as a district school and in part as a seminary.
FoUoAving Elder Rand, William Gamwell taught in the
"seminary, and in allusion to him it took the name of "Gamwell's
school." In later years the teachers were frequently changed,
for with the increasing efficiency of the public school system the
old tuition institution lost its prestige in the town; and with
the establishment of the first high school in Holyoke, in 1852,
the career of the seminary was ended. However, during the pe
riod of its history under Elder Rand, and his successor, Mr.
Gamwell, the seminary was a flourishing institution of learning
{ 36 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
in the region, and many of the foremost men of the town of half
a century ago acquired their early business training within its
comfortable walls.
In 1850 the town of West Springfield comprised twenty-
four school districts, and when in that year Holyoke was set
off eight of these districts were mthin the new jurisdiction, and
also two-fifths of the total school population. In that year the
school census showed Holyoke to contain 537 children between
the ages of five and fifteen years, and for the instruction of such
of them as then attended school the town voted an appropria
tion of $1,800. The first annual report of the school committee
showed a division of the town into nine districts and the mainte
nance of thirteen schools, \iz. -. Dist. 1, five schools, 339 chil
dren of school age; No. 2, one school, 66 children; No. 3, two
schools, 43 children ; No. 4, one school, 16 children ; No. 5, one
school, 25 children; No. 6, one school, 16 children; No. 7, one
school, 20 children ; No. 8, having no school, 12 children ; No. 9,
one school, and children enumerated with district No. 2.
The first twenty years after the incorporation of the town
constituted the formative period of the present admirable school
system of the city; and indeed the work of formation was con
tinued under the charter until after the completion of the new
high school building. In the summer of 1852 a high school .was
established in district No. 1, and Stephen Holman was appointed
its first principal. In 1855 this district contained eight schools,
three primary and three introductory (which now would be
termed intermediate schools), one grammar school and one high
school. A new high school building was erected in 1862 and
cost $8,500. In 1863 the first graduating exercises were held,
and on that occasion six young ladies were awarded diplomas.
This pioneer class comprised Alice Emerson, Sara C. Grover, H.
Emogene Heywood, Agnes M. Kelt, Emma J. Loomis and Alice
A. Wild. In 1864 the schools were first given names suited to the
localities in which they were respectively situated. Thus, in
that year we note the names of the Sargent street school, the
E-wingville school, the North school (Ireland), the Middle school
( 37 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
(Baptist viUage), the South school ( near Alexander Day's), the
West street school, and the Rock Valley school. A few of these
names have been retained, but with the rapid increase of the
city's population and the consequent growth and out-spreading
of all interests new names have been chosen for school designa
tions. Prom 1860 to 1863 the work of supervising the schools de
volved upon the school committee, comprised of three promi
nent citizens who were wUUng to devote their time and energies
to the work of building up the educational system of the town ;
and frequently for several years a majority of the board was

South Chestnut Street School
comprised of clergymen, who were supposed to understand the
needs of the schools far better than the average citizen. In
1863 the first superintendent of schools was chosen in compliance
with a state law, and from that time to the date of the city
charter, a period of eleven years, there were eight incumbents
of the superintendency. The succession is as follows :
Superintendents.— JoseTph P. Buckland, 1863-64; Rev.
Simeon Miller, 1865 ; Oscar Ely, 1866 ; Dr. L. P. Humeston (for
a few months), 1867; George C. Ewing, 1867-68; S. H. Walker,
1869-70 ; Rev. L. A. Fish, 1871 ; George R. Chase, 1872 ; Louis
H. Marvel, 1873. ( 38 )

- THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The succession of principals of the high school from 1852
to 1874 is as follows : Stephen Holman, succeeded by Mr.
Brown, 1852 ; J. I. Ira Adams, 1853-56 ; Rev. Emory Wright,
succeeded by Joseph P. Buckland, 1857 ; Nathan R. Morse, suc
ceeded by Joseph P. Buckland, 1858 ; Joseph P. Buckland, 1859-
62; Thomas B. StockweU, 1863; F. D. Douglass, 1863-64; Wil
Uam R. Baldwin, 1865-67; Edward P. Jackson, 1868-69; George
W. Edwards, 1870-73.
The town school committee from 1850 to 1874 was com
prised as follows : Dr. E. M. Snow, Rev. Asahel Chapin, Rev.
Simeon Miller, 1850 ; Rev. Asahel Chapin, Dr. A. B. Clark, 1851 ;
Rev. Asahel Chapin, Rev. Mark Carpenter, Rev. Simeon Miller,
1852 ; Rev. Simeon MiUer, Rev. Mark Carpenter, WUUam B. C.
Pearsons, 1853 ; Mark Carpenter, James W. Ford, Gustavus
Snow, 1854 ; Rev. James French, Rev. Simeon Miller, James K.
Mills, 1855 ; Simeon Miller, Rev. J. B. R. Walker, Stephen Hol
man, 1856; Simeon MiUer, G. W. Gorham, Stephen Holman,
1857; WiUiam B. C. Pearsons (3 years), Simeon Miller (2
years), Charles H. Spring (1 year), 1858^; Lester Newell, 1859;
Simeon MiUer, I860; J. Lasell, 1861; Dr. E. G. Pierce, 1862;
Simeon Miller, Stephen Holman (for 3 years), Joseph P. Buck-
land, John E. Chase (for 2 years), Edwin H. Ball (for 1 year),
1863; Rev. A. M. AveriU, Oscar Ely, 1864; Henry A. Chase,
Frank D. Douglass, 1865 ; John E. Chase, Rev. L. R. Eastman,
Simeon Miller, 1866; L. P. S. Humeston, James H. Newton,
1867; WiUiam Whiting, George C. Ewing, Robert B. Johnson,
1868: Simeon MiUer, J. S. Webber, 1869; George H. Thayer,
Charles H. Lyman (3 years), J. L. A. Fish (2 years), T. B.
Flanders (1 year), 1870; Edward W. Chapin, R. S. Howard,
1871 ; Ezra Flagg, Charles W. Ranlet, 1872 ; Dr. N. B. Chase,
Adam Leining, 1873.
Under the charter the educational interests of the city re
ceived greater care than was possible under the town systeni of
government with its numerous embarrassments, and from that
time the work of permanent building up and progress dates its
^At this meeting the members were first chosen for terms longer than one
year. For later years the succession shows who was elected at each town
meeting. ( 39 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
history. The good accomplished by the school committee of
earUer years served as the foundation of stiU further improve
ment by the new board of education, while the superintendents
were enabled to devote themselves entirely to the work of the
schools. The constant growth of the city, at times increasing
in population almost one hundred per cent, in a single decade,
necessitated frequent enlargement of existing buildings and the
erection of others to meet the requirements of the people, and
all of the consequent expenditure of moneys was generously
sanctioned by the taxpayers upon the presentations of the school
committee. A detailed statement of the construction of new
school houses from time to time is not essential to our narrative,
yet at no time in the history of the city has there been shown a
tendency to subordinate educational interests to other depart
ments of municipal life. True, there have been times in which
certain desired improvements have been delayed, but the work
of education has progressed steadily, keeping even step with
the march of advancement in other directions. In the accom
plishment of this great work the school committees have labored
earnestly and unselfishly, and the people have patiently borne
the burden of expense ; and as the result of this combined effort
Holyoke at the beginning of the twentieth century can boast as
many and as good schools as any similar city in New England.
While the taxpayers and the school committee have been
perhaps the chief factors in accomplishing the results noted
above, one of the principal auxiliaries in their work has been
found in the excellent superintendency and the admirable work
of the corps of teachers. Glancing over the list of superintend
ents under the charter, the entire number has been but four
persons, while the prineipalship of the high school has had only
four incumbents during the same period of almost thirty years.
Mr. Marvel was superintendent from 1874 to 1878, and during
his term in office accomplished much good work in school or
ganization. He was succeeded by Mr. Kirtland, during whose
long period of service in the superintendency the greatest strides
in the history of education in the city were made. While he
was in office the general population of the city increased more
( 40 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
than twofold, and in the same time nearly all the old school
buildings were enlarged or replaced with new ones, and still
others entirely new were added to the number. The beginning
of the new high school building was one of the grandest results
accomplished during his time, and for several years previous
to its construction he had labored earnestly to secure that insti
tution for the city. The structure was finished in 1898, and is
regarded as one of the most complete and modern buildings of
its kind in New England. The more recent acquisitions to the
school properties of the city are the Highland grammar and the
Springdale and Elmwood buildings, all modern and model
structures. According to the latest published report of the superin
tendent of schools, the city has a total school population (five to
fifteen years) of 9,479 children, with an average membership in
all schools of nearly 5,500 pupils. The total revenue of the
school department for purposes of maintenance is about $180,-
000. The estimated value of public school property in the city
is about $1,000,000. The number of public schools is nineteen;
of parochial and private schools, seven. The latter are made the
subject of special mention in another chapter.
Under the provisions of the city charter adopted in 1873,
the school committee comprised the mayor, ex-officio, and- nine
members, citizens, chosen two at large and one from each of the
seven wards. The mayor was the presiding officer of the board.
Under the revised charter of 1896, which became operative in
1897, the board was continued as under the old charter, except
that the mayor, while allowed to be present and to participate
in the discussions of the committee in its meetings, was denied
the privilege of a vote. He retained, however, in his official ca
pacity, the power of approval or veto of orders and resolutions
which involved the expenditure of money, except those fixing
salaries. The school committee was made (and still is) original
judge of "the expediency or necessity of having additional or
improved accommodations for any public school within the
limits of the city."
The succession of principals of the high school, superintend
ents and school committees since 1874 is as follows:
( 41 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Principals.— Ghavles S. Hemingway, 1874-85; WilUam E.
Judd, 1886-97 ; Charles H. Keyes, 1898-99 ; W. C. Akers, 1900-02
(now serving).
Superintendents— ljom.& H. Marvel, 1874-77; Edwin L.
Kirtland, 1878-96; Preston W. Search, 1897-99; Louis P. Nash,
1900-02 (now in office).
School Committee— IQl^, A. Leining and Edward W.
Chapin, at large ; John W. Dower, ward 1 ; Fred Morrison, ward
2 ; H. Springborn, ward 3 ; Peter McKeon, ward 4 ; D. E. Sulli
van, ward 5 ; J. G. Mackintosh, ward 6 ; S. H. Walker, ward 7.
1875— A. Leining and M. M. Mitivier, at large; John
Dower,^ Fred Morrison, E. Springborn, Dr. L. M. Tuttle, John
Doyle, J. G. Mackintosh, S. H. Walker.
1876— Dr. L. M. Tuttle and Dr. M. M. Mitivier, at large,-:
John A. Dower, Fred Morrison, H. Springborn, William Kelly,.
John Doyle, J. G. Machintosh, S. H. Walker.
1877— M. M. Mitivier and George C. Ewing, at large; Wil
liam Ruddy, Fred Morrison, A. Stursberg, William Kelly, John.
Doyle, J. G. Mackintosh, S. H. Walker.
1878 — George C. Ewing and John Doyle, at large; William'
Ruddy, Fred Morrison, A. Stursberg, William Kelly, D. F. Don
oghue, J. G. Mackintosh, Embury P. Clark.
1879— George C. Ewing and John Doyle, at large; William
Ruddy, Fred Morrison, Patrick Herbert, AVilliam Kelly, Daniel
M. Manning, Edward W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1880 — L. M. Tuttle and John Doyle, at large; James.
Barnes, Fred Morrison, James Buffington, William KeUy, D. M.
Manning, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1881— L. M. Tuttle and George H. Smith, at large ; James.
Barnes, Fred Morrison, James Buffington, William Kelly, D. M..
Manning, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1882— George H. Smith and L. M. Tuttle, at large; James-.
Barnes, T. L. Curran, James Buffington, M. M. Mitivier, D. M.
Manning, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1883— George H. Smith and George C. Ewing, at large;:
'Members are mentioned in the order of ward numbers.
( 43 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
William Grover, T. L. Curran, James Buffington, M. M. Miti
vier D. P, Donoghue, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1884— George H. Smith and George C. Ewing, at large;
William Grover, T. L. Curran, Henry Winkler, M. M. Mitivier,
D. P. Donoghue, E. W. Chapin, E. P. Clark.
1885— George H. Smith and George C. Ewing, at large ;
William Grover, Chalmers Chapin, Henry Winkler, James Tier
ney, D. F. Donoghue, John J. Reardon, E. P. Clark.
1886 — George H. Smith and Simeon Brooks, at large ; John
W. Mullin, Chalmers Chapin, Henry Winkler, James Tierney,
D. F. Donoghue, John J. Reardon, E. P. Clark.
1887— Joseph W. Moore and Pierre Bonvouloir, jr., at
large; J. W. Mullin, Chalmers Chapin, Henry Winkler, James
Tierney, D. P. Donoghue, John J. Reardon, E. P. Clark.
1888-89— Joseph W. Moore and Pierre Bonvouloir, jr., at"
large; William J. Dower, Lawrence O'Neill, Lebrecht G. Hein
ritz, Thomas J. Carmody, Augustine W. Esleeck, G. H. Smith,
E. P. Clark.
1890— Pierre Bonvouloir, jr., and Rebuen C. Winchester, at
large; William J. Dower, Lawrence O'Neill, L. G. Heinritz, T.
J. Carmody, Lyman M. Tuttle, G. H. Smith, E. P. Clark.
1891— Pierre Bonvouloir, jr., and R. C. Winchester, at
large; W. J. Dower, Terrence Curran, L. G. Heinritz, William
Kelly, L. M. Tuttle, George H. Smith, E. P. Clark.
1892— R. C. Winchester and Thomas Conner, at large ; Wil
liam A. Moore, T. L. Curran, Louis Priederich, William Kelly,
Dr. L. M. Tuttle, George H. Smith, Aug. W. Esleeck.
1893— WilUam Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. Moore, T. L. Curran, Louis Priederich, William Kelly, Dr.
L. M. Tuttle, George H. Smith, Aug. W. Esleeck.
1894— William Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large ; W..
A. Moore, Odilon Z. E. Charest, Louis Priederich, Thomas J.
Dillon, Dr. L. M. Tuttle, George H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1895— WiUiam Reardon and Thomas Conner, at large ; W..
A. Moore, 0. Z. E. Charest, Herman Heinritz, T. J. Dillon, L,
M. Tuttle, A. W. Esleeck. ( 43 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1S96— MiUon P. Druce and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. Moore, O. Z. E. Charest, Herman Heinritz, T. J. Dillon, Dan
iel P. Donoghue, G. H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1897— Milton P. Druce and Thomas Conner, at large; W.
A. Moore, 0. Z. E. Charest, Herman Heinritz, Thomas J. Lynch,
D. F. Donoghue, Edward N. White, A. W. Esleeck.
1898— Thomas J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large;
Joseph B.. Walsh, 0. Z. E. Charest, George P. EUison, T. J.
Lynch, D. F. Donoghue, E. N. White, A. W. Esleeck.
1899— T. J. Carmody and WiUiam Reardon, at large; J. B.
Walsh, 0. Z. E. Charest, George P. EUison, T. J. Lynch, Thomas
J. Lynch, E. N. White, A. W. Esleeck.
1900— T. J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large; J. B.
Walsh, 0. Z. E. Charest, T. J. Lynch, Thomas J. Lynch, George
H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1901— T. J. Carmody and William Reardon, at large; Ed
ward F. Cary, 0. Z. E. Charest, G. P. Ellison, T. J. Lynch, G.
H. Smith, A. W. Esleeck.
1902— William Reardon and Robert T. Prentiss, at large;
Edward F. Cary, Odilon Z. E. Charest, George P. EUison,
Thomas J. Lynch, Dennis F. Cleary, George H. Smith, Marciene
H. Whitcomb. HOLYOKB PUBLIC LIBRARY.
During the summer and fall of 1869 a njumber of leading cit
izens of Holyoke discussed the subject of organizing an associa
tion for the establishment and maintenance of a public library in
the city, and as the natural outgrowth of the sentiment expressed
on every hand a public meeting was held January 12, 1870, in
the hall of No. 1 engine house. Judge Buckland was elected
chairman and Henry A. Chase secretary of the meeting, and
after an earnest presentation of the needs of the city in regard
to the library project, it was voted to "establish a public library
in Holyoke," and also it was voted to appoint a committee of
eleven persons to prepare and report a constitution and by-laws
for the government of the association. The committee charged
Avith this work comprised Rev. J. L. R. Trask, Moses Newton,
( 44 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Henry A. Chase, George W. Prentiss, William Whiting,' J. S.
Webber, Chas. H. Lyman, Oscar Ely, E. P. Jackson, Joseph P.
Buckland and William B. C. Pearsons. At the same time a
committee of ten persons was appointed to solicit funds with
which to carry into effect the objects of the association. This
committee comprised Rev. J. L. R. Trask, J. S. Webber, Moses
Newton, Timothy Merrick, Judge Buckland, Oscar Ely, George
H. Clark, Charles B. Prescott, William S. Loomis and Chalmers
Chapin. At a meeting held January 18, it was voted to adopt the
name of "Holyoke Public Library," and also to petition the
general court for an act of incorporation. On January 24 a
proposition was received from the Parsons Paper company in
which the company offered to furnish land and erect a library
building, of the value of $20,000, provided a like sum be raised
by subscription for the purchase of books and fixtures. Upon
the receipt of this offer a special committee (William Whiting,
Judge Buckland and Henry A. Chase) was appointed to canvass
the town for subscriptions to the fund, but at the end of a
month the committee reported that pledges to the total amount
of $11,000 had been secured, and that it was doubtful if more
than $2,000 additional could be raised. Then a conference with
the Parsons Paper company was held, but -without material re
sults, upon which the former finance committee was instructed
to resume its canvass on the original basis.
On April 22, 1870, an act of the legislature incorporated
the Holyoke Public Library, for the "formation and mainte
nance of a public library and museum, ' ' and authorized the as
sociation to hold real and personal estate to the amount of $100,-
000. The act also provided that the management and control
of the property be vested in a board of directors, not less than
five in number, to be elected by the corporation; and that "so
long as said corporation shall allow the inhabitg.nts of the town
of Holyoke free access to its library at all reasonable hours, said
town may appropriate and pay annually for the expense of
maintenance a sum not exceding one dollar for each of its rat
able polls." (This provision subsequently was modified.)
( 45 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The first meeting after the act was approved was held May
16, 1870, at which time these officers were elected : President,
WilUam Whiting; vice-presidents, John E. Chase, Edwin Cha^e,
George C. Ewing; treasurer and clerk of the corporation, Henry
A. Chase ; directors, WiUiam B. C. Pearsons, J. S. Webber, J. S.
McElwain, William Grover and William S. Loomis.
The organization of the association having been completed,
and the finance committee, previously mentioned, having secured
a considerable sum of money in addition to the $1,000 appro
priated by the to-wn, the library began its career with every as
surance of future prosperity, occupyingupper rooms in the school
building on Appleton street for several years. In the interior
.arrangement of the city hall certain apartments were designed
for library occupancy, and at the annual meeting in 1875 it was
voted to remove the books and fixtures to the new location, al
though some time passed before the removal was actually ac
complished. During the first few years of its history the library was
maintained by the annual contributions of the members, the
receipts from honorary and Ufe memberships, and the some
what meagre appropriations by the town. At first the appro
priations were $1,000 annually, but after a time the amount
- dropped to $500. In 1883 the amount was increased to $1,000,
and about that time it was suggested that the library be made ab
solutely free. This was done in 1886, and for the next year the
• city voted $2,000 for maintenance. Later on the amount was
gradually increased, first to $2,500, then to $2,750, and event
ually (1893) to $3,000, which sum has since been appropriated
annually. For the current year of 1902 the appropriation is
$6,000. In 1888 the mayor and the president of the common
council were made ex-officio members of the board of directors,
and thus the library became a quasi municipal institution.
Soon after 1895 the friends of the library begani to discuss
the project of an independent building, and on frequent oc
casions the directoi-s did effective work in that direction. The
-subject, however, was one of discussion only until the spring of
1899, when the Holyoke Water Power company gave to the as-
( 46 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
sociation the entire square bounded by Maple, Chestnut, Cabot
and Essex streets for the purpose of having erected thereon a
library building — a structure suited to the requirements of the
constantly growing city. In the same year the association voted
to apply to the general court for permission to hold real estate
to the amount of $500,000, instead of $100,000, as prescribed in
the original act of incorporation. This was accomplished, and
in the same year the number of directors was increased to thir
teen members. By diligent effort the directors secured pledges
to the amount of $75,000 for a building fund, and this was
afterward increased by further contributions. The building
committee under whose immediate and constant supervision the
work of construction was done comprised William Whiting,
James H. Newton, Joseph A. Skinner, Charles W. Rider, N. H.
Whitten, J. S. Webber, Joseph Metcalf, E. P. Bagg and J. S.
McElwain; architect, James A. Clough; contractor, P. H. Dib
ble. The library building is one of the most complete and or
namental structures in the city, and all persons who were iden
tified with its construction, in whatever capacity, are entitled to
the lasting gratitude of the people. A large share of the credit
for the splendid work accomplished is due to the board of direc
tors, who from first to last labored earnestly in its behalf. In
deed, from the time the institution was founded, more than
thirty years ago, the directors in office have been its most faith
ful friends and earnest advocates. They have been chosen from
among the best business and professional men of the city, and
have given unselfishly both of their time and means for the
public good.
The library building is of light pressed brick with Indiana
sandstone trimmings. Its entire cost was nearly $100,000. In
its construction the future growth of the city has been contem
plated, yet at this time the catalogue shows more than 20,000
volumes of books on the shelves. The buUding was finished and
ready for occupancy February 1, 1902.
The officers and directors of the association since 1870 have
been as follows: ( 47 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Presidents— yjilliara. Whiting, 1870-1902.
Vice-Presidents— 3 ohn E. Chase, Edwin Chase, George C.
Ewing, 1870-71; Edwin Chase, James H. Newton, WilUam B.
C. Pearsons, 1872 ; Edwin Chase, WiUiam B. C. Pearsons, An
derson Allyn, 1873-77 ; WilUam B. C. Pearsons, Rev. J. L. R.
Trask, Edwin Chase, 1878-82 ; WilUam B. C. Pearsons, Edward
W. Chapin, WilUam S. Loomis, 1883-92; Edward W. Chapin,
WilUam S. Loomis, J. S. McElwain, 1893-1902.
Treasurers— 'S.emry A. Chase, 1870-1900; H. M. Chase,
1901-2. Secretaries— Henvj A. Chase, 1870-1900; Frank G. Will-
cox, 1901-2.
Directors— 'William B. C. Pearsons, J. S. Webber, J. S.
McElwain, WiUiam Grover, WiUiam S. Loomis, 1870-71; Wil
Uam Grover, Joseph P. Buckland, J. S. McElwain, J. S. Webber,
William S. Loomis, 1872; William Grover, Joseph P. Buckland,
James H. Newton, J. S. McElwain, WiUiam S. Loomis, 1873-79 ;
William S. Loomis, J. S. McElwain, James H. Newton, WiUiam
Grover, Edward W. Chapin, 1880-82 ; J. S. McElwain, WiUiam
Grover, James H. Ne-wton, A. L. Shumway, H. L. Sherman,
1883-84; J. S. McElwain, James H. Newton, H. L. Sherman,
E. C. Taft, James E. Delaney, 1885 ; J. S. McElwain, James H.
Newton, E. C. Taft, H. L. Sherman, Oscar Ely, 1886-92 ; H. L.
Sherman, E. C. Taft, J. H. Newton, Oscar Ely, WiUiam H.
Heywood, 1893-97 ; H. L. Sherman, James H. Newton, Oscar
Ely, WiUiam H. Heywood, Thomas W. Mann, 1898 ; James H.
Newton, Oscar Ely, WilUam H. Heywood, J. S. Webber, E. P.
Bagg, N. H. AVhitten, C. A. Corser, H. B. Lawrence, J. A. Sul
livan, Joseph Metcalf, William Skinner, C. W. Rider, James
Ramage, 1899 ; James H. Newton, William H. HeyTVOod, E. P.
Bagg, C. A. Corser, J. A. Sullivan, William Skinner, J. S. Web
ber, N. H. Whitten, H. B. Lawrence, Joseph Metcalf, C. W.
Rider, James Ramage, A. W. Esleeck, 1900 ; E. P. Bagg, William
H. Heywood, C. A. Corser, J. A. Sullivan, William Skinner, J.
S. Webber, N. H. Whitten, H. B. Lawrence, Joseph Metcalf, C.
W. Rider, James Ramage, A. W. Esleeck, George W. Prentiss,
1901-2. ( 48 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Librarians— Sarah G. Ely, 1870- Aug. 6, 1900; Frank G.
Willcox, Aug. 6, 1900— now in office.
THE HOLYOKE CITY HOSPITAL.
Previous to the incorporation of the association our city
was without a hospital of any kind, except that patients were
admitted for hospital treatment to one of the departments of
the city almshouse, where they were cared for at the public ex
pense. In April, 1891, at a gathering at the residence of William
Whiting, the need of a modern hospital in Holyoke was dis
cussed, and at a subsequent meeting a subscription was started
and a plan of work was laid out; and it was thought advisable
to request two representative women to assist in the work of
securing subscriptions. Mrs. WiUiam Whiting and Mrs. E. C.
Taft were chosen and "their work was nobly done," says the
¦first annual report of the hospital association.
On May 23, 1891, the Holyoke City hospital was incor
porated in conformity with the statutes. The incorporators
were William Skinner, Joseph A. Skinner, J. G. Mackintosh,
James H. Newton, George W. Prentiss, Edward P. Bagg, Wil
liam Whiting, William P. Whiting, E. C. Taft, Timothy Mer
rick, Lemuel Sears, James Ramage, L. M. Tuttle, N. H. Whit
ten, Joseph Metcalf and Edward W. Chapin. About the same
time the organization of the Hospital Aid association, composed
entirely of women, gave added interest to the work in hand.
The object of the association is to furnish the hospital, to as
sist in its maintenance in such manner as is deemed most suit
able, and generally to perform any charitable work in connec
tion with the hospital. In this connection it may be said that
the aid association has fully accomplished all its aims and pur
poses. With funds secured through members the hospital
building has been well and comfortably furnished, and in ad
dition thereto a reserve fund is kept on hand for the benefit of
persons who require hospital treatment, yet who have not the
means to avail themselves of its privileges.
In due season the subscription committee completed their
work, and with the proceeds, amounting to the splendid sum of
4-3 ( 49 )

a,
too
a
o

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
more than $50,000, land was purchased (20 acres) and hospital
buildings were erected at a total cost of $52,600. The work of
construction was completed and the hospital was formally ded
icated on Saturday, June 10, 1893. It is one of the few pubUc
institutions which is maintained without expense to the city,
and it is entirely nonsectarian in character. Patients are ex
pected to pay for board and treatment, yet if they are not able
to do so the aid association gives its help in the discretion of its
managing officers.
Since its incorporation the officers of the hospital associa
tion have been as follows :
Presidents— ^ilY\am Skinner, 1893-99; WiUiam Whiting,
1900-02. Vice-Presidents— 'William Whiting, 1893-99; James Ram
age, 1900-02.
Treasurers— 3 . A. Skinner, 1893-99; WiUiam F. Whiting,
1900-02. Clerk— B. F. Towne, 1893-1902.
Superintendents— li. M. Tuttle, M. D., 1893-96 ; Charles 0.
Carpenter, M. D., 1897-1901.
Stewards— 'William H. Jewett, 1893-98, and 1901-2 (now
in office). Matrons (after 1894 this office became known as superin
tendent of nurses)— Helen M. Hall, 1893-94; Miss C. E. Tower,
1895-98 ; Miss M. L. Daniels, 1899 ; LiUian 0. West, 1900-02
The hospital aid association numbers 300 members. The
present officers are as follows: President, Mrs. William Whit
ing; vice-presidents, Mrs. William Skinner, Mrs. C. H. Hey
wood; secretary, Mrs. F. D. Heywood; treasurer, Mrs. Joseph
Metcalf; directors, Mrs. J. L. Burlingame, Mrs. J. E. Clark,
Mrs. James Cowan, Mrs. J. M. Dunham, Mrs. Oscar Ely, Mrs.
A. W. Esleeck, Mrs. H. M. Farr, Mrs. C. L. Frink, Mrs. F. D.
Heywood, Mrs. C. W. Johnson, Mrs. J. G. Mackintosh, Mrs. Jo
seph Metcalf, Mrs. P. B. Miner, Mrs. D. H. Newton, Mrs. C. B.
Prescott, Mrs. C. W. Ranlet, Mrs. E. A. Reed, Mrs. P. A.
Streeter, Mrs. B. S. Waters, xVIrs. S. R. Whiting.
In treating of the hospital institutions of our city some
brief mention of the almshouse and the hospital in connection
( 51 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
therewith is necessary. This is one of the oldest of our public
charities, and in its history antedates the town itself, for it was
founded while the territory formed a part of the mother town of
West Springfield. In April, 1850, the latter town voted to
direct the selectmen to sell the "pauper farm and the hospital
at Holyoke, at auction," if agreeable to the inhabitants of the
new jurisdiction. It was then that Holyoke established its own
infirmary and town hospital, and since that time has given con
siderate attention to the care and comfort of indigent and af
flicted persons. The annual expense of the "City Farm hos
pital ' ' approximates $2,500, and the institution is under the care
of the overseers of the poor.

The Almshouse
In the same connection, also, mention may be made of the
House of Providence hospital, another worthy charity of the
city, and one of the dependencies of the Catholic church, main
tained in connection with the Father Harkins home for infirm
and aged persons. The hospital was opened in 1894, and is
chiefly supported by the society known as the "Ladies of
Charity." YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
This splendid institution originally was known as the ' ' Hol
yoke y. M. C. A.," and was so designated in the agreement for
permanent organization at the time of incorporation, April 28,
1886. The corporators were Alfred T. Guyott, James P. Cowan,
George P. Rice, Prank B. Towne, John H. Skinner, A. Judson
( 52 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Rand, Martin L. Griffin, James H. Wylie, jr., H. M. Kendall,
Dwight 0. Judd, George L. Thorpe, C. R. Adams, Dwight God-
dard, Thomas R. Humeston and William A. Aiken.
The association was formally organized, constitution and
by-laws were adopted, and the first officers and directors were
elected, June 15, 1886. For a few years the association occu
pied rented rooms on High street, and on June 19, 1889, a com
mittee was chosen to purchase property at the corner of High
and Appleton streets. In the following fall, a sufficient fund
having been acquired, a building committee was chosen, under
the direction of which plans for the present T. M. C. A. build
ing were prepared and adopted. The work of construction was
begun in 1891, and the comer-stone was laid April 23, 1892.
The structure was completed and occupied in 1893. The land
cost $40,000 and the building cost about $88,000.
The association now numbers 675 members, and is regarded
as one of the most worthy and useful institutions of our city.
Since its organization the officers of the association have been
as follows: James H. Wylie, jr., president; Charles R. Adams,
vice-president; H. M. Kendall, treasurer; Dwight 0. Judd, re
cording secretary, June-October, 1886. James H. Wylie, jr.,
president; Charles R. Adams, -dee-president; Howard M. Ken
dall, treasurer; Dwight O. Judd, recording secretary, 1886-87.
James H. Wylie, jr., president ; Chas. R. Adams, vice-president ;
Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer; Lewis E. Bellows, recording sec
retary, 1887-88. James H. Wylie, jr., president; Charles R.
Adams, vice-president; Joseph A. Skinner, treasurer; J.
A. Skinner, recording secretary, 1888-93. A. W. Esleeck,
president; John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler,
treasurer; L. E. Bellows, rec. sec, 1893-94; A. W. Esleeck, pres
ident; John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler, treasurer;
F. B. Towne, rec. sec, 1894-97. Joseph A. Skinner, president;
John Hildreth, vice-president; T. H. Fowler, treasurer; F. B.
Towne, rec sec, 1897-1900. C. W. Rider, president; John Hil
dreth, vice-president ; F. B. Towne, treasurer ; J. H. WyUe, jr.,
rec. sec; R. P. Kaighn, general secretary, 1900-01. C. W.
Rider, president; John Hildreth, vice-president; P. B. Towne,
( 53 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
treasurer; J. H. WyUe, jr., rec. sec; E. G. Randall, gen. sec,
1901-02. Directors, 1902— John Stalker, George L. Thorpe, C.
S. Hemingway, E. P. Bagg, A. W. Esleeck, Joseph A. Skinner,
S. H. Whitten, A. J. Rand, Edward W. Chapin, Henry A.
Chase, William Morrison, T. H. Fowler.
HOLYOKE street RAILWAY COMPANY
The charter of the Holyoke Street Railway company bears
date June 11, 1884. The incorporators were William A. Chase,
Charles B. Prescott, Jeremiah A. Sullivan, Franklin P. Goodall,
George H. Smith, William S. Loomis, George E. Dudley, Wat
son Ely, Simeon G. Gaylord, Henry E. Gaylord, William H.
Gaylord, John Gaylord, Patrick J. Harkins, George P. Ellison,
William H. Brooks, WiUard Ely, W. D. Nichols, Helen D. Pen
dleton, Anthony White, Julia D. Patten, Hiram Smith, James
M. Barton, Thomas C. Page, George G. Hitchcock, Mrs. George
G. Hitchcock, Orrin Garvin, William Grover, Elwin D. New
comb, William E. Syms, John K. Judd, Mary Ann Alvord,
' ' and others, " as is expressed in the charter.
Although the persons mentioned were the guiding spirits
of the enterprise and were convinced that a line of street rail
way, operated with horse power, between South Hadley Falls
and South Holyoke would benefit all commercial interests in the
city, and also would prove a profitable investment for stock
holders, it is doubtful if any of them who were actively identi
fied with the enterprise in its inception ever believed that their
first line of street railway would develope into the splendid sys
tem of the present day. This result has indeed been accom
plished, although under a new management the company has'
achieved its greatest success.
The first board of directors comprised William A. Chase,
Charles B. Prescott, Dr. George H. Smith, FrankUn P. Goodall,
George E. Dudley, Jeremiah A. Sullivan, William S. Loomis,
Simeon 6. Gaylord and Hiram Smith. The officers were Wil
liam A. Chase, president; C. Payette Smith, treasurer; H. M.
Smith, superintendent; and William H. Brooks, clerk of the
corporation. ( 54 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The line of road authorized to be built and operated under
the provisions of the charter, began at the corner of Main and
South streets in South Holyoke, and extended thence to North
Main street in South Hadley Falls, a distance of 10,872 feet.
At this time it was the purpose of the company to build a loop
around the Boston & Main R. R. station in Holyoke, a distance
of 900 feet, but this part of the proposed line was abandoned.
The line from South Hadley Palls to the comer of Main and
Dwight streets was opened September 24, 1884, and the entire
road to South Holyoke was opened for traffic October 15 of the
same year.
The first extension of the original line was made in 1886,
when a road was built from the junction of Main and Dwight
streets through Dwight, High and Appleton streets to Beech
street. This extension was opened June 24, 1886. Later on in
the same year the line was extended from Beech street to the
corner of Pleasant and Lincoln streets, on the highlands, and
was opened November 20. Still later the line was extended to
the comer of Northampton and Lincoln streets, and from the
latter point was extended through Northampton street to Moun
tain park, and opened for traffic to that now famous resort July
7, 1895. The further extension to Mt. Tom Junction on the
Northampton road (about 3 miles) was opened October 20, 1900.
At the Junction the local road met the lines built by the North
ampton Street Railway company, and thereby Holyoke was
given direct "trolley" connection with the county seat of Hamp
shire county, and also with Easthampton by convenient change
of cars at the junction.
The Elmwood line, extending from High and Appleton
streets through High, Cabot, Maple and South streets. Brown
avenue. Laurel and Northampton streets to a point near the
Baptist church in Elmwood, was opened August 9, 1891.
The Oakdale line, the first original electric line in the city
system, extending from the corner of Maple and Sargeant to
Northampton street, was opened June 19, 1892.
The original line of road through Main street was extended
from the old South Holyoke terminus to Springdale, August 7,
( 55 )

<J1 SO
s

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1892, and from the latter point south to Riley brook (where it
met the line from Springfield) July 22, 1895; and thus Holyoke
and Springfield were united by an excellent electric railway on
which regular ten-minute service is maintained during eleven
hours, with fifteen-minute service five and a half hours, and with
limited service throughout the night.
The Chicopee Palls line, extending from the corner of Main
and Cabot streets (although the cars start from the city hall) to
Chicopee Falls, a distance of about four miles, was opened
August 13, 1895 ; and at the Palls the line connects with the Chic
opee Falls lines of the Springfield street railway system.
The South Hadley Palls line, that part of the original road
which had its eastern terminus at the corner of Bridge and Main
streets, was extended from the point mentioned to the center of
the town of South Hadley (about 3 miles) and was opened for
traffic May 31, 1896.
The extension from the city hall through High, Hampden,
Washington and Lincoln streets to the corner of Pleasant and
Lincoln streets, was opened October 1, 1897.
The extension from the junction of Meadow and Chicopee
streets, in Willimansett, to the end of the covered bridge over
Chicopee river (a distance of about 3 miles) was opened Decem
ber 1, 1897.
The now known Hospital line, an extension of the Oakdale
line to the corner of Northampton and Cherry streets, was
opened in 1900.
Thus has the Holyoke Street Railway company, through its
managing officers, developed its road from a single line extend
ing from South Holyoke to South Hadley Falls, to one of the
most complete systems of street railway of which any city in
New England can boast. Previous to 1891 the lines were
operated Avith horse power, but on August 9 of that year all cars
were running with electric motor power; and aU subsequently
constructed lines or extensions were put into operation with
motors. The company under its original organization operated its
lines without material change, with not better than indifferent
( 57 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
financial results, until 1888, when the management passed into
other hands. Mr. Chase then was superseded in the presidency
by Levi Perkins, and at the same time Mr. Smith was succeeded
as treasurer by William S. Loomis, who also was elected to the
equally important office of manager. In 1896 Mr. Loomis was
elected president of the company and has held the office, as well
as that of general manager, to the present time ; and a sense of
duty impells the writer to remark that in a great measure the
success and popularity of the Holyoke system of electric street
railways has been due to the efforts of the president and general
manager, and the hearty co-operation accorded him by his as
sociate directors and officers.
On August 9, 1891, the system was equipped and operated
with electric motor cars. The power-house was built in the
same year and now, with recent enlargements, is capable of fur-
' nishing 4,000 horse power. The original capital of the com
pany was $25,000, but the constant extension of its lines of road
has necessitated frequent increases in the issue of stock, until
the present capital is $700,000, added to which is $335,000 in
bonds, constituting an aggregate capital of $1,335,000. The
company operates about forty miles of road, with a minimum
number of about twenty-five cars constantly in motion (during
the summer season as many as seventy cars are in service), and
is one of the large employers of labor in a city famous for its
wage-earning population.
The Holyoke Street Railway company is the lessee of the
line of road owned by the Mt. Tom Railroad company, the latter
a corporation with a capital of $100,000, and comprising in its
board of directors several officers and directors of the Holyoke
company. The Mt. Tom Railroad company began operations
June 17, 1897, and the lease, which runs for twenty-five years,
bears date June 1, 1897. The splendid work accomplished by
the Mt. Tom company in beautifying Mountain park and erect
ing a commodious summer house on the highest peak of Mt. Tom
range, is certainly deserving of at least passing mention in this
chapter, although both park and mountain are beyond the limits
* of Hampden county. ^
{ 58 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The present officers of the Holyoke Street Railway company
are : William S. Loomis, president and general manager ; Wil
liam R. Hill, secretary and treasurer (chosen secretary to suc
ceed Mr. Brooks in 1892, and chosen treasurer to succeed Mr.
Loomis in 1896) ; William S. Loomis, William R. Hill, Jeremiah
F. Sullivan, John G. Mackintosh, John Olmsted, Frederick H.
Harris and Newrie D. Winter, directors.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Pre-vious to 1851 each manufacturer and merchant in the
Ireland parish was his own banker, and not infrequently in the
early history of the to-wn it was the custom of some one of the
larger business men to act as banker for his neighbors. This
custom, however, did not prevail for any considerable time, and
as soon as the Hadley Falls company was put into active oper
ation interested proprietors took steps toward the organization
of a regular banking house under the laws of the state. The
result was the incorporation of the Hadley Falls bank, -with an
original capital stock of $100,000, and it was named in allusion
to the water power company (then operating the canal system),
through whose influence the banking corporation was brought
into existence. The bank was organized May 24, 1851, and in
1853 it became desirable to increase the capital stock to $200,000.
The first board of directors comprised John Ross, N. D.
Perry, Cyrus Frink, J. Miller, R. G. Marsh, Whiting Street, A.
D. Chapin and William Melcher, some of whom at the time were
not residents in the town of Holyoke. Mr. Street declined a
place on the board of directors, and Chester Crafts was elected
in his stead. The first officers were C. B. Rising, president, and
J. R. Warriner, cashier. This pioneer banking institution en
joyed a prosperous existence for nearly fourteen years, and sur
vived the water power company in allusion to which it was
named; and even the collapse and ultimate failure of the im
provement company had no serious effect upon the solidity of
the financial institution.
The Hadley Falls National Bank.— In 1865 the stockholders
and directors of the Hadley Falls bank determined to reorgan-
( 59 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ize their institution in conformity with the provisions of the na
tional bank act. At the time it was suggested that the name be
changed to the First National bank of Holyoke, but it was soon
determined to retain the name of the old pioner institution,
which had weathered the financial storm of 1857 and the conse
quent failure of the Hadley PaUs company. Therefore, the re
organized concern took the name of Hadley Falls National bank,
being No. 1246 in the numerical order of banks established under
the act of congress of 1863. The first officers of the new bank
were C. W. Ranlet, president, and Hubbell P. Terry, cashier.
Prom the time of the reorganization (April 3, 1865)' to the
present day, the Hadley Palls National bank has held an en
viable position among the successful financial institutions of this
state ; never has passed a dividend ; never has met with serious
losses, and on a capital of $200,000 has paid dividends aggrega
ting $726,000. Its total net earnings since the reorganization
amount to the sum of $867,312. In business circles the policy
of the Hadley Falls National bank has sometimes been regarded
as conservative, yet results have shown a policy liberal enough
to gain the entire confidence of the community of manufacturers
and have given it a standing for safety and solidity which cer
tainly are enviable and a source of gratification to stockholders
and directors.
Mr. Ranlet was the first president of the reorganized bank,
and was the active spirit in its management until January 15,
1900, when he was succeeded by Mr. Prescott. Mr. Terry be
came cashier of the old Hadley Palls bank in 1864 ; was chosen
to the same office upon reorganization, and still serves in that
capacity ; and in a good measure the success which has followed
the bank through all later years of its history has been due to
his ever consistent business methods and excellent judgment.
Still another factor for good in the history of the bank, as well
as in the history of many other institutions of the city, was the
late William Skin-oer. He served as director for twenty-seven
years, and as vice-president for twelve years. He died Feb. 28,
1902. According to the latest published statement of its condition
the Hadley Falls National bank has resources amounting to
( 60 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
$636,029.98 ; a surplus fund of $100,000 ; an undivided profit ac
count of $47,790.08 ; and a deposit account of over $235,000.
Since the original incorporation in 1851 the succession of
presidents is as follows : C. B. Rising, Rufus D. Woods, A. D.
Chapin, Charles W. Ranlet and Charles B. Prescott. During
the same period the cashiers have been J. R. Warriner, Charles
W. Ranlett and Hubbell P. Terry. The present directors are
Charles W. Ranlet, William Skinner (deceased, vacancy not
filled), Charles B. Prescott, Philander Moore, Ernest Lovering,
Robert Ranlet, John H. Preston and Hubbell P. Terry.
The Holyoke National Bank, No. 1939, was organized in
1872, its doors being opened for business Feb. 8 of that year,
with William Whiting, president; Robert B. Johnson, vice-
president, and F. S. Bacon, cashier. The first directors were
William Whiting, Robert B. Johnson, George C. Ewing, J. G.
Mackintosh, Joel Russell, Levi Perkins and George W. Prentiss.
The bank began business with an original capital of $150,000,
but in the course of a year the amount was increased to $200,000.
At the time the Holyoke National began business there
was only one other regular commercial bank in the town, al
though the population was about 12,000 inhabitants, and the
mercantile district had extended up D-vnght street to High
street. The incorporators and directors were among the leading
manufacturers of the region, hence any institution founded un
der their influence and support could hardly fail of success;
and success certainly has marked the financial career of this
bank throughout the entire period of its history, and particu
larly during the last twenty years.
In proof of this statement let us turn to the report of the
condition of the bank in 1881 and compare certain of its figures
-with those shown in the report of Feb. 25, 1902. In the year
first mentioned the aggregate resources of the bank amounted to
a Uttle more than $776,000, including $200,000 capital. The
surplus fund then was $28,500, with an undi-dded profit account
of $15,534.63. The aggregate of individual deposits subject to
check was $307,692.45, and of certificate deposits subject to de
mand, $24,058.64. As shown by the report of Feb. 25, 1902,
( 61 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the total resources of the bank amount to $1,324,973.38, with a
surplus of $100,000 and an undivided profit account of $49,-
274.46. The deposit account, subject to check, exceeds $746,-
000, and the demand certificate account is more than $51,400.
Assuredly these figures indicate that this has been a successful
institution and that its progress has been steady and permanent ;
and justice impels us to state that in banking and other business
circles in the Connecticut valley the Holyoke National is re
garded as one of the safest and most progressive financial con
cerns in the region. The bank never has passed a dividend,
never has had its surplus nor capital impaired by any disaster,
and has paid an average annual dividend of 9 per cent, for
seventeen years.
Mr. Whiting was president of the bank from its organiza
tion until 1887, when he was succeeded by George W. Prentiss.
The latter was followed in 1892 by Charles H. Heywood, who
continued in office until his death in April, 1896. Robert B.
Johnson succeeded Mr. Heywood and was president until his
death, Nov. 1, 1899, when George W. Prentiss was elected. The
present president, George C. Gill, was elected in January, 1901.
In the cashiership the changes have been less frequent. Mr.
Bacon was followed by Charles B. Fish, and the latter by W. G.
Simons. The present cashier, William G. Twing, began his ser
vice in December, 1879, and for more than twenty-two years has
been the active financial manager of the affairs of the bank.
The present officers and directors of the bank are as fol
lows: George C. Gill, president; Robert Russell, vice-president;
William G. Twing, cashier; George C. Gill, A. A. Coburn, D. H.
Ives, Robert Russell, Charles E. Ball, James N. Thayer and Wil
Uam G. Twing, directors.
The City National Bank (No. 2430) of Holyoke was incor
porated August 22, 1879, -ivith an original capital of $200,000.
The first board of directors comprised a number of the promi
nent business men of our own city, and others from adjoining
towns. They were Joseph C. Parsons, John S. McElwain, Jo
seph Carew, Joel S. Webber, Timothy Merrick, James H. Newton,
Charles B. Prescott, Edward C. Taft, Frederick H. Harris, Nehe-
( 62 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
miah A. Leonard, Emory Meekins, Fred Harris, Aaron Bagg,
Henry A. Gould and Hiram Smith. The first officers were Joseph
C. Parsons, president, and Ed-win L. Munn, cashier.
The City National bank began its business career at a single
desk in rooms on Dwight street, then (and still) occupied by the
Mechanics ' Savings bank, but within the next ten years new and
especially fitted quarters became necessary by reason of the busi
ness the bank was then doing. Indeed, in 1888 the bank was
virtually reorganized and the capital was increased to $500,000,
and when the new quarters at No. 26 Dwight street were occu
pied the City National became known as the best and most con
veniently located banking house in Holyoke and as one of the
best equipped financial institutions in Western Massachusetts.
In its business policy since reorganization the bank has gained
a reputation equal to that of any financial concern in Hampden
county, and has become widely known on account of safe busi
ness methods and liberality in dealing with customers and de
positors. The result is that this bank carries the largest deposit
account of any commercial banking house in Holyoke. The lat
est statement shows total deposits subject to check of over $779,-
000, and certificate accounts amounting to more than $20,000.
The surplus is $100,000 ; undivided profits, $23,607.61.
Mr. Parsons was president of the bank until his death, in
1886, and was succeeded by Charles B. Prescott, who continued
in office until 1889. In January of that year Timothy Merrick
was elected and served until his death, in 1894, when William
Skinner, jr., was chosen his successor. In January, 1897, C. Fay
ette Smith was elected president and since that time has been
the active manager of the bank's business affairs. His prede
cessors in the presidency generally were men whose other im
portant business enterprises demanded much of their attention,
and while nominally and in fact presidents of the bank, the
duties of the management devolved upon the cashier. Mr. Smith
acquired his practical business training in the Hadley Palls Na
tional bank and was made cashier of the City National in 1884,
hence under his management the reorganization above referred
to was effected. As cashier Mr. Munn was succeeded by Mr.
( 63 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Smith in 1884, and upon the election of the latter to the presi
dency, January, 1897, Alvin P. Hitchcock was chosen cashier.
The present directors of the bank are John S. McElwain,
Joel S. Webber, Lemuel Sears, Edward P. Bagg, Claudius W.
Rider, Timothy H. Fowler, Arthur B. Chapin, C. Fayette Smith
and Henry E. Gaylord.
The Home National Bank (No. 3128) of Holyoke was or
ganized February 5, 1884, -with $250,000 capital, and in the com
paratively brief period of its business career has attained a posi
tion among the first banking houses in Western Massachusetts.
It was the first bank in Holyoke to place safety deposit boxes in
its vaults, and also set the example in the city in elegant office
equipment and absolute safety against possible attacks of safe-
breakers. The first board of directors comprised James H. Newton,
Edwin L. Munn, Anderson Allen, Daniel H. Ne-wton, John De
laney, Moses Newton, John C. Newton, James Ramage, George
A. Clark, Joel S. Webber, Herman Stursburg, jr., Edward C.
Rogers, Josephus Crafts, Frederick Taylor and George W. Mil
lar. The first officers were James H. Newton, president, and
Edwin L. Munn, cashier.
Few changes have been made in the personnel of the offi
ciary of the Home National bank during the eighteen years of
its successful business career. Mr. Newton, the first president,
is still in that position. Mr. Munn was cashier from the date of
organization until January, 1892, when he was succeeded by
Fred F. Partridge, the present cashier and active manager of the
bank, and who, in the capacity of teller, took the first deposit
offered when the bank opened its doors for business in 1884.
For three years previous to that time he was an employee in the
City National bank.
The latest published report of the condition of the Home
National bank shows a capital of $250,000, a surplus of $50,000,
undivided profits, $42,815.69, and deposits, subject to check,
amounting to $589,794.45; demand certificates, $21,160.57; ag
gregate resources, $1,008,598.68. In itself this statement is am
ple evidence of the solidity of the bank, and also is evidence of
confidence in its management on the part of our business men.
( 64 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The present directors of the Home National are James H.
Newton, John Tilley, James Ramage, William Jolly, James S.
Newton, George A. Clark, J. A. Sullivan, Oren D. Allyn, Sey
mour E. Gates, Lewis M. Gaylord and Fred P. Partridge.
The Park National Bank (No. 4703) of Holyoke was organ
ized February 20, 1892, with $100,000 capital, by Edwin L.
Munn, its first and present president, who was the principal or
ganizer of the City National bank in 1879, and also of the Home
National bank in 1884, he having been the first cashier of each
of these institutions. The first directors of the Park National
were Josephus Crafts, Edwin L. Munn, William P. Whiting, M.
M. Belding, James T. Abbe, WilUam H. Brooks and H. D. Brad-
burn. The first cashier, George W. Parker, formerly teller in
the Home National bank, still serves as cashier of the Park Na
tional. This bank, the youngest of our city's financial institutions,
shows a healthful condition throughout the period of its his
tory. It has a surplus of $50,000 and an undivided profit account
of more than $3,500. Its deposit account aggregates more than
$266,000, including time certificate deposits. The present di
rectors are Edwin L. Munn, AVilliam H. Brooks, George A. Munn,
Stephen A. Mahoney and George W. Parker.
The Holyoke Savings Bank, the oldest institution of its kind
in the city, was incorporated February 21, 1855, by Jones S.
Davis, Jonas Kendall, C. W. Blanchard, Albert Graves, Cyrus
Frink, Thomas H. Kelt, Charles W. Ranlet, H. Hutchins, James
K. Mills, R. G. Marsh, Warren Chapin, Gustavus Snow, Asa 0.
Colby and John C. Parsons and their associates. The first meet
ing of incorporators was held March 29, 1855, when Cyrus Frink
was elected president; Otis Holmes, C. W. Blanchard and Jones
S. Davis, vice-presidents ; James K. Mills, secretary. Mr. Snow
was appointed treasurer in April, 1856.
Prom the time of organization to the present the Holyoke
Savings bank has been an important factor for good in the his
tory of our city, and its managing officers always have been men
of high character and unquestioned integrity. In the office of
president Mr. Frink was succeeded in 1860 by Joel RusseU, and
5-3 ( 65 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the latter, in turn, in 1884, by George W. Prentiss, the present
incumbent. For several months in 1859-60 D. D. Crombie served
as president. Mr. Snow served only one year as treasurer,
1855-6, and then was succeeded by Robert B. Johnson, during
whose incumbency of the office the bank enjoyed a continuous
and healthful growth. When he was appointed in 1866 the
total desposit account aggregated $77,000, while the total assets
amounted to $81,000, and the semi-annual dividends amounted
to $1,300. The last dividend paid during his treasurership was
$70,000, nearly the amount of deposit account in 1866. Now
the depositors in the bank number about 11,000 persons, and the
total assets amount to more than $4,552,000, the Interest bearing
deposit account being more than $4,280,000. Mr. Johnson died
November 1, 1899, and was succeeded by his son, Charles W.
Johnson, the present treasurer of the bank.
The present officers and trustees of the bank are as follows:
George W. Prentiss, president; William Whiting, Robert Rus
sell, W. A. Prentiss, vice-presidents; Charles W. Johnson, treas
urer; A. G. Magna, secretary; M. H. Whitcomb, L. A. Taber,
James A. Clough, Thomas A. Dillon, J. F. Sullivan, M. W. Pren
tiss, G. C. GiU, F. E. Nourse, F. A. Whiting, H. 0. Hastings,
WiUiam S. Loomis, C. H. Prentiss, James E. Delaney, D. H. Ives
and W. S. Perkins, trustees.
The Mechanics' Savings Bank was incorporated March 12,
1872, by Roswell P. Crafts, Timothy Merrick, James H. Newton,
Henry A. Chase, Augustus Stursberg, John Delaney, Stephen
Holman and their associates. The first officers and trustees were
James H. Newton, president; Timothy Merrick, John Delaney,
Roswell P. Crafts, vice-presidents ; C. B. Prescott, treasurer ; Ed
ward W. Chapin, secretary.
The bank began business May 20, 1872, and from that time
it has been recognized as one of the safe and substantial financial
institutions of our city. Its affairs of management always have
been in prudent hands and it is looked upon as one of the per
manent savings banks of the county. The present depositors
number about five thousand persons, and the deposits aggregate
more than $1,567,000. During its history about fifteen thousand
( 66 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
accounts have been opened. At the present time the total assets
exceed $1,677,945.
The presidents of the bank have been James H. Newton,
Timothy Merrick and Lemuel Sears, the latter having been
elected in May, 1894. Mr. Prescott has been treasurer through
out the entire period of the bank's history.
The present officers and trustees are as follows: Lemuel
Sears, president; Roswell P. Crafts, J. S. Webber, George H.
Smith, vice-presidents; Charles B. Prescott, treasurer; Edward
W. Chapin, secretary; Lemuel Sears, Roswell P. Crafts, J. S.
Webber, George H. Smith, E. W. Chapin, J. S. McElwain,
James Connor, C. W. Rider, E. P. Bagg, Hubbell P. Terry, A.
W. Esleeck, Cornelius 0 'Leary, William H. Heywood, George
P. Fowler, H. E. Gaylord, Arthur B. Chapin, trustees.
The Peoples' Savings Bank was incorporated March 19,
1885, by Anderson Allen, Moses Newton, James E. Delaney,
Frederick Taylor, James Ramage, John E. Clark, John Tilley
and their associates, for the purpose of carrying on a savings
bank business in Holyoke in conformity -with the laws of the
state. The first officers were William Skinner, president; An
derson Allen, John E. Clark, James Ramage, vice-presidents;
¦John J. Reardon, secretary; Frank H. Chamberlin, treasurer;
J. C. Hubbard, George A. Clark, J. J. O'Connor, James H. New
ton, Moses Newton, H. J. Frink, George H. HiUs, John K. Judd,
R. H. Seymour, John TUley, D. H. Newton and H. K. Bird, jr.,
trustees. Mr. Skinner was president of the bank until August 1, 1901,
when he resigned and was succeeded by Mr. TiUey. Prank H.
Chamberlain was appointed treasurer when the bank began
business and has served in that capacity to the present time.
The Peoples' Savings bank has total assets of more than
$1,166,000; deposit accounts aggregating over $1,220,000, and
about 3,500 depositors. Its affairs are prudently managed and
the institution has an enviable standing in the business com
munity. The present officers are John Tilley, president ; James Ram-
.age and John E. Clark, vice-presidents; A. L. Green, secretary;
( 67 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Frank H. Chamberlin, treasurer; John Tilley, James Ramage,
John E. Clark, J. C. Hubbard, J. A. Sullivan, A. L. Green, H. J.
Frink, 0. D. Allyn, D. H. Newton, J. D. Hardy, George A.
Clark, Moses Newton, J. K. Judd, J. N. Hubbard, L. M. Gaylord
and Seymour E. Gates, trustees.
Co-operative Banks. — In addition to the regular commercial
and savings banks mentioned on preceding pages, some brief
aUusion may properly be made to the two co-operative banks of
the city, neither of which are banks of deposit, yet enjoy certain
powers given to institutions of that character and are under the
supervision of the banking department of the commonwealth.
Both are corporations of value in the business history of the city
and are worthy of the public patronage.
The Holyoke Co-operative Bank was chartered July 24,
1880, and began business August 25 following, with an author
ized capital of $1,000,000. The officers of this bank in 1901 are
as follows : Charles L. Newcomb, president ; Thomas W. Doyle,
vice-president; D-wight 0. Judd, secretary and treasurer;
Thomas W. Doyle, James S. Lassiter, W. H. BuUard, S. B. Win
chester, Thomas J. Tierney, J. H. Montgomery, John Hildreth,!
James Parfitt, jr., Thomas D. O'Brien and Frank J. Phelps, di
rectors. The City Co-operative Bank was organized July 1, 1889,
chartered July 16, and began business July 23, 1889 ; authorized
capital, $1,000,000. This bank was chartered by and always has
been conducted in the especial interest of the French people of
Holyoke. It is a safe, substantial concern, capably officered, and
is worthy of the patronage of all who would avail themselves of
its benefits. The officers for 1901 are Daniel Proulx, president;
Joseph L. Laporte, vice-president; Pierre Bonvouloir, secretary
and treasurer ; A. F. Gingras, John St. John, Leon Laporte, Val.
Moquin, 0. E. Genest, S. J. Bonvouloir, A. J. N. Desmarais, L. T.
"R'^aulieu and Joseph Masse, directors.
INDUSTRIAL HOLYOKE
The city of Holyoke owes its Avonderful progress and pros
perity during the last half century to the numerous manufactur-
( 68 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
ing establishments which have been built up along the line of
the system of artificial water courses constructed by the Hadley
Palls company and its successor corporation, the Holyoke Water
Power company; and we may further say with equal truth that
both Holyoke and the manufacturing concerns owe their exist
ence to the construction and operation of the company's system.
Previous to the preliminary purchases of land by Gfeorge C.
Ewing in 1846 and 1847 the locality now included within the

Crafts' Tavern

manufacturing district was hardly more than an agricultural
region, with a few scattered factories of not more than ordinary
importance along the river bank, while on the eleven hundred
acre tract which comprised the company's ultimate purchase
there were probably not more than a dozen or fifteen dwelling
houses, occupied chiefly by farmers and the few employees of
the mills. At that time the viUage settlement was situated on
( 69 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the Northampton road (now the street of that name), where also
was located the Ireland parish postoffice, one or two stores, as
many small shops and the hotel, the latter under Landlord
Crafts being perhaps the chief center of attraction in the to-wn ;
and not even the commendable enterprise of the original Hadley
Falls company had the effect to draw away the denizens of the
settlement and locate them in the vicinity of the primitive wing
dam and its little canal, which marked the first advance in
Holyoke 's industrial history.
The first Hadley Falls company was incorporated March
10, 1827, by John Chapin, Stephen Chapin, Warren Chapin and
Alfred Smith, who were authorized by an act of the legislature
to construct a wing dam on the river for the purpose of divert
ing the waters for manufacture of cotton and woolen goods,
grain, wood, iron and other metals, in the town of West Spring
field ; and, further, the company was authorized to hold real and
personal estate not exceeding the total value of $36,000. (In
1832 the amount was increased to $80,000).' This was the real
beginning of Holyoke 's industrial history and development. The
company, in accordance -with its plans, caused the wing dam to
be constructed not far from the site of the present old wooden
dam, and extended it diagonally out into and up the river a suffi
cient distance to turn the waters into the little canal or raceway
which the proprietors had built. Then the mills were erected, the
grist mill, the sawmill, the cotton and woolen mill, and also the
furnace for various manufactures of iron. One of theseold struc
tures is still standing and forms a part of the extensive works so
long kno-wn as the Parsons Paper company 's mill. In the course
of time many of the rights of the pioneer company were trans
ferred to the concern Avhich immediately preceded the second
Hadley Falls company, then were conveyed to that corporation
and ultimately became part of the franchise and property of the
Holyoke Water Power company.
Soon after 1845, when manufacturing capitalists were cast
ing about for favorable locations for mill sites, the lower falls
and rapids between South Hadley and West Springfield at
tracted considerable attention on account of the unusual natural
( 70 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
advantages offered by a fall in the river of sixty feet in a dis
tance of less than a mile and one-half ; but at this point on the
east side several mills were in operation with others of less note
on the west side, the former being fairly successful and the latter
in an uncertain condition of prosperity. It was then, in 1846,
that George C. Ewing came to the locality as member and repre
sentative of the firm of Fairbanks & Co., of New York, and cer
tain New England capitalists, and began acquiring mill and
property rights, having in contemplation the construction of a
dam across the river and a system of water power canals on the
level lands on the west side. In March, 1847, the enterprising
agent secured deeds conveying to his principals thirty-seven
acres of land, and also secured the rights and franchises of the
old Hadley Falls company.
About this time, it is said, a change was made in the char
acter of the purchasing company and an incorporation act was
secured for the proprietors, the capital being $4,000,000. Offi
cers were chosen and Mr. Ewing still retained his former position
as land agent. Early in January, 1848, the Fairbanks interest
was withdrawn from the concern, Mr. Ewing resigned and was
succeeded by A. C. Rising, and in April following the company
was succeeded by the Hadley Falls company.
The Hadley Falls company was incorporated by an act of
the legislature, approved April 28, 1848, naming as corporators
Thomas H. Perkins, George W. Lyman, Edmund Dwight and
their associates, who were authorized to construct and maintain
a dam across Connecticut river and one or more locks and canals
in connection with said dam ; to create water power for manu
facturing purposes, and to hold real estate of the value of not
more than $500,000, exclusive of improvements. The authorized
capital of the company was $4,000,000.
Following the incorporation and organization, the company
became legally possessed of the property rights and franchises of
its predecessor, and then, through its managing officers and land
agents, purchased additional lands to the aggregate of 1,100
acres for the purpose of carrying into effect the grand system of
water power development outlined by its engineers and pro-
( 71 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
moters. The work of constructing the dam was begun at once,
and was carried forward with such vigor that on November 19,
1848, the structure was finished and the gates were closed that
the basin might be fiUed with water. In every part the work
apparently had been weU done, yet the engineers evidently had
miscalculated the immensity of pressure upon the dam, and
about the middle of the afternoon of the same day it gave way
and was swept do-wn the river, a huge wreck on a mighty, rush
ing tide. The dam had cost the company $75,000, but its loss had not
the effect to dishearten the investors in the enterprise, while the
wise heads who from the outset had declared that the undertak
ing was impossible of successful accomplishment found tem
porary relief and gratification in their oft-repeated "I told you
so." However, without unnecessary delay the company again
set to work and built a new and stronger dam, at an expense of
$150,000, and on October 22, 1849, the basin again was filled with
water; this time with entirely satisfactory results, for the old
structure still stands. It was materially strengthened in 1869-70
by the construction of a powerful supporting "apron," and with
subsequent incidental repairs answered every requirement of
the company until 1900, when the present massive stone dam was
completed. But in addition to building two dams and constructing an
efficient system of water power canals for manufacturing pur
poses, the Hadley Falls company performed other good works,
notably that in establishing a water supply for the "New City"
and laying main and service pipes throughout the settled portion
of the village. This was done in 1848 and the two years next
following, and from that time until 1882 the Holyoke water sup
ply for fire and domestic purposes was received from the com
pany's reservoir on the elevated lands about seventy- five rods
from the end of the dam. However, notwithstanding the ulti
mate success of the company's efforts in accomplishing all that
was undertaken during the early years of its history, it was
doomed to an unfortunate and premature end ; not through mis
management or miscalculation as to power rights to be leased,
( 72 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
but rather to the financial depression which swept over the coun
try in 1857 and left in its wake the ruins of thousands of busi
ness enterprises. Yielding, therefore, to the inevitable, the com
pany became insolvent and its affairs were placed in the hands
of receivers. Then was organized a new company — the Holyoke
Water Power company— the corporation which has been a chief
controlling factor in establishing Holyoke 's reputation as one of
the leading industrial cities of the whole country.
The Holyoke Water Power company was incorporated by a
special act of the legislature, approved January 31, 1859, with
$60,000 capital (increased to $1,200,000 by act of March 1, 1889),
by William Appleton, George W. Lyman, Francis Bacon, Augus
tus H. Piske and their associates, "for the purpose of upholding
and maintaining the dam across the Connecticut river con
structed by the Hadley Falls company, and one or more locks and
canals in connection -with said dam. ' '
Upon the organization of the company it superseded in all
respects the Hadley Falls company and was subrogated to all
the rights, powers and privileges of the latter under its charter.
Like the predecessor company the new organization was and still
is to all intents and purposes a foreign corporation, its stock be
ing owned largely by non-resident investors, but in the course of
time about one-twelfth of the stock has come into the ownership
of citizens of Holyoke, while a greater number of shares are
owned in Springfield ; but despite the fact that the corporation
cannot be regarded as local, its managing officers and directors
always have shown a considerate regard for local interests and
almost every worthy cause has found in it a liberal benefactor.
At least one church society of each of six or more denominations
has been given land for a house of worship and at least six park
sites have likewise been donated to the public use through the
generosity of the directors, while the land on which stands our
splendid library building was a voluntary gift from the same
source. Every canal bridge in the city, -with possibly two ex
ceptions, was originally built by this company or its predecessor.
At the same time the company has been ever mindful of its
own interests and of its lessee mill proprietors and their inter-
( 73 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ests. The original system of canals was ample for the time of the
Hadley Falls company, but under the new management the water
ways have been extended and on occasion -widened and deepened
to meet the ever increasing demand for power rights and pri-vi-
leges. It is not considered within the proper scope of our chap
ter to detail at length the numerous changes made in the canal
system during the o-wnership of the company, and it will suffice
to state that the power furnished always has been ample for the
demands of the time, and none of the lessees have had cause for
complaint at the hands of the lessor.
About 1868 the dam was found to leak in places as a result
of age and the constant action of the water, and to remedy the
defects and give added strength to the structure a considerable
outlay of money was made in building an ' ' apron. ' ' Again, in
1895, the company having been highly prosperous in preceding
years, it was deemed wise to construct a new dam of sufficient
height and strength to meet the requirements of the mill owners
for years to come. Accordingly, in that year the present solid
masonry dam was begun and the work was completed January
3, 1900 ; and as a result the Holyoke Water Power company now
has one of the largest and most substantial structures of its kind
in the world. The dam itself, with immediate appurtenances,
contains 50,000 yards of solid masonry, is thirty feet in height,
97.95 feet above tide water at Saybrook, and was built at an ex
pense to the company of $530,000. It is located about one hun
dred feet below the old dam of 1849, and between them the bed
of the river is gradually, yet surely, filling -wdth earth deposits ;
and when this shall have been accomplished by the action of the
water alone the new massive stone dam -will stand for ages in
vulnerable against the pressure from above.
During the period of its history, few residents of Holyoke
have been directly connected with the management of the com
pany's business. James M. Sickman has been in the company's
employment for nearly thirty years, in the capacity of civil en
gineer and also as land agent. As engineer he succeeded William
A. Chase, who became treasurer of the company. Edward S.
Waters, the present treasurer, has been in the office in this city
about fifteen years. ( 74 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
By an act of the legislature, passed and approved March 3,
1873, the Holyoke Water Power company was authorized to man
ufacture gas and sell the same to the city for illuminating pur
poses; and at a later date the company installed machinery and
established an electric lighting plant both for illuminating and
power purposes.
The complete system of canals established by the company
in carrying forward its great enterprise during the last forty-
five years is almost too well understood by every Hampden
county citizen to require a detailed description in this chapter.
On the South H-adley side of the river (where the company ac
quired ownership by purchase of the stock of the "Proprietors
of Locks and Canals on Connecticut River," this action having
been confirmed by the legislature, February 18, 1884), the water
is fed into a short canal to supply power to several large fac
tories, and the balance of the river 's flow is admitted into a more
elaborate canal system on the Holyoke side through thirteen gate
ways, which are operated by a water wheel set in the tower at the
end of the dam.
A contemporary writer, in describing the canal system on
the Holyoke side of the river, says: "At the inshore end of the
bulkhead is a stone lock for the passage of boats. The receiving
canal is 1,013 feet long, 140 feet wide at the bottom and four feet
-wider at the surface, is stoned on either side, as is nearly the en
tire system, forming a right angle with the dam and running
from it nearly southeast. From its eastern end the waters are
turned, in a southwesterly direction, into the upper level canal
which, fifteen feet deep, continues a mile and a quarter in a
straight line, at first as wide as the supply canal, but narro-wing
at the rate of one foot in width for every 100 feet in length, and
ending with a width of 80 feet. Parallel with this canal, and of
like dimensions, distant 400 feet easterly, and 24 feet lower, runs
the second level canal,^ into which fall the waters of the former,
after flowing through the mills and moving their machinery. ' '
"From the north end of this waste-water canal its waters
^The second level canal is also fed directly from the supply canal in case the
draft of water from the upper level is not suflicient to operate the mills on the
second level.
( 75 )

The Third Level and the Riverside Paper Co.'s Mill

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
are carried into another canal which runs easterly and at length
southerly, following the contour of the river, and ultimately
flowing into the third level canal projected from the south end
pf the second level canal first named, thus forming a canal border
about two miles long, whose waste waters, after ser-vice in the
riparian mills, fall into the Connecticut. Fortunately, in the
topographical features of the adjacent lands, this magnificent
water system was wisely supplemented by a system of streets
running parallel with and at right angles to the adjacent canals,
with only such modifications of the plan as the changes in direc
tion of the riparian canal rendered necessary. The upper and
second level canals traversing the busiest portion of the city are
crossed by streets at intervals of 1,000 feet, while half-way be
tween each two of these streets are others -without bridges. The
large territory embraced within the boundaries of the water sys
tem is practically a level plain, but from the upper level canal
westward the ground rises rapidly, attaining nearly its greatest
average height about 830 feet from the center of the first level
canal. ' '
During the period of their history the water power com
panies have disposed of much of the land comprising their ex
tensive purchases (to which reference has been made) and espe
cially such portions thereof as were not adjacent to the canal
system. In such cases the fee in the land was conveyed, but
along the canals, on tracts which can be utilized for manufactur
ing purposes, the conveyances are in the nature of perpetual
leases, with reversion to the company on non-fulfillment by the
lessee of the conditions of the lease. The lessor furnishes land
and guaranteed water power for which an annual rental is paid.
Mill powers are granted for moderate consideration, and are far
less expensive to proprietors than steam power for operating
machinery. The responsibility for failure in water power rests
upon the company, and thus relieved of hazard in this respect
and being provided with ample power for all manufacturing pur
poses, Holyoke industrial enterprises have been able to compete
with those of the larger commercial centers and still hold an
advantage in their own favor. ( 77 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Having referred at length to the history of the water power
companies and also to the great works accomplished by them dur
ing the last half century, it is proper that something be said con
cerning the grand results achieved in the establishment of indus
trial enterprises along these now famous artificial canals, all of
which have been combined to make Holyoke one of the greatest
manufacturing cities of the land. In this connection, however,
it may be stated that not all the manufacturing concerns which
are located within the company's purchase take mill power from
the canals, the exceptions being noted about as foUo-ws: The
Dean Steam Pump Co., the United States Envelope Co. (formerly
the Holyoke Envelope Co.), the National Blank Book Co., the
Smith & White Mfg. Co., the American Pad and Paper Co., the
Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Co., the Holyoke Thread Co.,
the Merrick Lumber Co., the Casper Ranger Lumber Yard and
Planing Mill, the Conn. Valley Lumber Co., and possibly others.
According to accepted authority the first manufactory on the
line of the canals was that founded in 1853 by J. C. Parsons and
others, and which in allusion to him became known as the Par
sons Paper company. In the years immediately following 1853
other proprietors began to come to the locality, and having be
come satisfied that the water power canal system had passed the
experimental stage and become an assured success, they opened
negotiations and almost invariably secured leases. In 1854 the
Lyman mills were founded, and eventually became one of the
largest cotton manufacturing concerns in aU New England.
However, having recourse to a record of Holyoke industries com
piled from the water power company's books, the writer is en
abled to furnish a reasonably correct list of the manufacturing
companies^ started on the canals, noting them in chronological
order, with some brief data relating to the date of incorporation,
capital stock and occasional allusion to the personnel of the man
agement :
The Parsons Paper Co., inc. 1853 ; capital, $360,000 ; E. P.
'The manufacturers of Holyoke by a fair majority of numbers have expressed
a desire that their industries be not " written up " in this chapter, hence the writer
has deferred to the wishes of the proprietors in making: only a brief and necessary
allusion to each establishment.
( 78 )

Joseph C. Parsons

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Bagg, agent and treasurer; Charles P. Randall, secretary. The
Lyman MiUs, est. January 1, 1854 ; capital, $1,470,000 ; Theophi-
lus Parsons, treas. ; Ernest Lovering, agent ; Chas. Merriam, su
perintendent. The Holyoke Paper Co., est. 1857 ; nominal capi
tal, $500,000. Prentiss Wire Mill, est. 1857 (now George W.
Prentiss & Co.). Holyoke Machine Co., org. 1862; capital, .$300,-
000 ; N. H. Whitten, pres. ; Chas. R. Holman, treas. ; H. J. Frink,
gen. mgr. Hadley Thread Co., est. 1863 ; capital, $600,000 (now
Imown as Hadley Co.). Beebe, Webber & Co., est. 1863; mfrs.
of woolen goods. Merrick Thread Co., est. 1865 ; capital, $750,-
000. Whiting Paper Co., org. 1865 ; nominal capital, $300,000 ;
Wm. Whiting, pres.; Wm. F. Whiting, treas. and agent; S. R.
WTiiting, sec'y. Germania Woolen Mill (known as Germania
Mills), org. 1865; capital, $150,000; Herman Stursberg, pres.;
Wm. Stursberg, treas. ; Wm. Mauer, sec. and mgr. Riverside
Paper Co., org. 1866; capital, $500,000. FrankUn Paper Co.,
org. 1866 ; nominal capital, $60,000 ; James Ramage, pres. ; John
Ramage, vice-pres. ; Chas. W. Ramage, treas. Valley Paper Co.,
org. 1866; capital, $200,000; Geo. P. Fowler, pres.; Chas. B.
Prescott, treas. ; T. Henry Spencer, asst. treas. ; Alfred H. Mor
ton, supt. Henry Seymour Cutlery Co., org. 1869 ; capital, $25,-
000. Holyoke Warp Co., org. 1869; capital, $60,000; J. L. Bur
lingame, treas. Springfield Blanket Co., org. 1870 ; capital,
$150,000. Crocker Paper Co. (Crocker Mfg. Co.), org. 1871 ; cap
ital $300,000. Massasoit Paper Co., org. 1872 ; capital, $300,000.
Beebe & Holbrook Co., org. 1872 ; mfrs. of paper. Excelsior Pa
per Co., org. 1873 ; A. W. Hoffman, George H. Smith, James L.
Hodge, proprietors. Newton Paper Co., org. 1873 ; capital, $72,-
000 ; Moses Newton, pres. ; James Ramage, -vice-pres. ; Geo. H,
Clark, treas. Farr Alpaca Co., org. 1873; capital, $400,000
Edward W. Chapin, pres. ; Joseph Metcalf, treas. Massachu
setts Screw Co., org. 1873 ; capital, $50,000 ; D. H. Newton, pres.
James S. Ne-wton, treas. Connor Bros.' Woolen MiU, est. 1874
mfrs. of coat, cloak and dress goods. WiUiam Skinner Silk Mill
(now Wm. Skinner Mfg. Co.), est. 1874; inc. 1889 ; capital, $100,-
000. National Blank Book Co'., org. 1875; capital, $150,000;
Wm. Whiting, pres. ; F. B. To-wne, treas. Albion Paper Co., org.
( 80 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1878 ; capital, $60,000. Wauregan Paper Co., org. 1879. Dean
Steam Pump Co., org. 1879 ; capital, $300,000. Chemical Paper
Co., org. 1880; capital, $250,000; James H. Newton, pres.;
James W. Kirkham, vice-pres.; Moses Newton, treas.; E. B.
Fiske, sec'y. Nonotuck Paper Co., org. 1880; capital, $155,000.
Holyoke Envelope Co. (now United States Envelope Co.), org.
1880. Whitmore Mfg. Co., org. 1881; capital, $75,000; Wm.
Whiting, pres.; F. D. Heywood, treas. Coburn TroUey Track
Co., inc. 1888; capital, $100,000; Lemuel Cobum, pres.; A. A.
Coburn, treas. American Pad and Paper Co., inc. 1888; capi
tal, $75,000 ; Geo. M. Holbrook, pres. ; Thos. W. HoUey, treas. ;
G. W. Brainerd, sec'y. D. Mackintosh & Sons Co., inc. 1888 ; cap
ital, $100,000; Donald Mackintosh, pres.; John G. Mackintosh,
treas. ; Chas. E. Mackintosh, agt. Connecticut River Paper Co.,
org. 1888 ; capital, $200,000. McCallum Constable Hosiery Co.,
org. 1888. Parsons Paper Co. No. 2, org. 1888 ; capital, $300,000.
Powers Paper Co., org. 1889. Holyoke Hydrant and Iron Works,
org. 1890 ; capital, $60,000. Chadwick Plush Co., org. 1891. Nor
man Paper Co., org. 1891; capital, $300,000. George C. Gill
Paper Co., inc. 1891 (successor to Winona Paper Co.) ; capital,
$100,000. Hampden Glazed Paper and Card Co., inc. 1891 ; capi
tal, $56,000 ; George R. Dickinson Paper Co., org. 1892 ; capital,
$150,000. Ford Bit Co., inc. 1892 ; capital, $21,900; N. H. Whit
ten, pres. ; R. C. Winchester, treas. ; 0. D. Allyn, mgr. Goetz
Silk Mfg. Co., inc. 1893 ; capital, $35,000 ; David Goetz, pres. ;
Samuel McQuaid, treas.; S. A. Mahoney, sec'y.
In connection with that which is stated in preceding para
graphs it is proper to mention the fact that the Parsons Paper
MiU No. 1, the Crocker Mfg. Co., the Albion Paper Co., the
Nonotuck Paper Co., the George C. Gill Paper Co., the Norman
Paper Co., the Riverside Paper Co., the Conn. River Paper Co.,
the Holyoke Paper Co., the Linden Paper Co., the George R.
Dickinson Paper Co., the Beebe & Holbrook Co., the Massasoit
Paper Mfg. Co. and the Wauregan Paper Co. are now absorbed
by the vast corporation known as the American Writing Paper
Co. ; and also that the Merrick Thread Co. and the Hadley Co.
are in like manner absorbed by the American Thread Co. It is

6-3

( 81 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
not the purpose of these greater corporations— commonly called
"trusts"— to close any of the factories, but rather to systematize
and regulate their operation, and thus reduce the cost of placing
their product on the market.
In addition to the corporations engaged in industrial pur
suits which are already mentioned', we may with propriety note
the names of still other companies and proprietors likewise en
gaged, all of whom have been contributing factors, past or pres
ent, in the prosperity of our city. Among the stock companies
there may be noted the Baker- Vawter Co., incorporated 1895;
capital, $200,000; manufacturers of loose leaf books; the Barlow
Mfg. Co., inc. 1895 (J. S. AVebber, prest., and Lewis E. Bellows,
treas. and mgr. ) , mfrs. of nickel and brass display fixtures ; the
Buchanan & Bolt Wire Co., incorporated 1897 (capital $50,000) ;
the Conn. Valley Lumber Co., incorporated 1898 (capital $500,-
000) ; the Ely Lumber Co., incorporated 1898 (capital $40,000) ;
the Essex Paper Co., inc. 1895 ; the Eureka Ruling and Binding
Co., inc. 1890 ; the Goddard Machine Co., inc. 1899 ; the Holyoke
AutomobUe Co., inc. 1900; the Holyoke Bar Co., inc. 1889; the
Holyoke Belting Co., inc. 1891 (capital $40,000) ; the Holyoke
Plush Co., inc. 1899, and succeeding the Chadwick Plush Co.;
the Holyoke Thread Co., inc. 1900 ; Lynch Bros, 's Brick Co., inc.
1896; the Merrick Lumber Co., inc. 1884 (capital $75,000) ; the
Smith & White Mfg. Co., inc. 1891 (capital $50,000) ; the Xylite
Lubricating Co., inc. 1897.
And still further we may mention other proprietors, among
them the Coglan Steam Boiler Works ; the City foundry ; J. & W.
Jolly Machine shops; B. F. Perkins & Son, machinists; Charles
Koegel & Son, machinists ; the Westphal Machine Co. ; the Nov
elty Machine Co.; the Harmon & Derichs Architectural Iron
Works; Walsh's Holyoke Steam Boiler Works; Higgins & Co.,
brass founders ; the Holyoke Broom Co. and the H. E. Smith Co.,
broom mfrs. ; the Holyoke Lead Pipe Co. ; the White Paper Box
Co. ; John T. P. MacDonneU , the Sinclair Mfg. Co. ; the Smith
Tablet Co., and the Whiting Street Ruling and Stationery Co.,
mfrs. of paper pads and tablets ; the Taylor- Atkins Paper Co. ;
the Chase & Cooledge Co.; the Holyoke Trunk Mfg. Co., and
( 82 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
others perhaps equally worthy of mention, but whose names can
not now be recalled. These manufacturers, with those who pre
ceded them in earlier years, have been all-important factors in
the industrial history of our city.
It has been estimated that quite one-third of Holyoke 's pop
ulation is employed in the mills and factories of the city ; that the
aggregate nominal capital of the producing corporations exceeds
$12,000,000, and that the monthly pay roUs aggregate more
than $600,000 in all branches of manufacture. The carry
ing trade is chiefly done by the Boston and Maine and the Hol
yoke and Westfield railroads, and in facilitating the loading of
goods for shipment these companies have laid branch tracks to
the works of nearly all the large manufacturing companies.
HOLYOKE BUSINESS MEN 'S ASSOCIATION
Section two of the by-laws of the association reads as fol
lows: "The objects of this association are for the purpose of
promoting the interests of the mercantile and manufacturing
business of Holyoke, to advance and elevate the commercial in
terest and business connections of our merchants, and to broaden
and strengthen business relations among them, and by all legiti
mate means work unitedly for the material prosperity of our
city." The association referred to in the preceding paragraph cer
tainly has been loyal to the above declaration of purpose, and
for the flve years of its history has proven itself one of the best
and most useful institutions of our city, and one whose aims al
ways have been for the public welfare, free from any favor or
prejudice. An association of the same character previously had
existed for several years, but for some unexplained cause its af
fairs were not prosperous, hence, in 1897, it was succeeded by the
organization of which we write. The present body has a total
membership of about 200 business men.
The Holyoke Business Men's association was formed Janu
ary 22, 1897, at a meeting of citizens held in the G. A. R. hall,
and from that time it has been a controlling factor for good in
local history. Its affairs and management are vested in a board
( 83 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of directors, at first comprising six members and the officers, but
later increased to twelve members. The first board of directors
comprised Albert Steiger, W. J. Mills, John Tilley, Thomas J.
Carmody, Otho R. Brown, Marciene H. Whitcomb and the officers
for 1897-8. The succession of officers of the association is as follows :
1897-8— M. P. Conway, president; Alexander McAuslan
vice-president ; A. E. Dickinson, treasurer ; E. P. Ford, secretary.
1898-9— James J. Curran, president; Alexander McAuslan,
vice-president; Otho R. Brown, treasurer; Thomas F. McCabe,
secretary. 1899-1900— James J. Curran, president; WilUam J. Mills,
vice-president; Otho R. Brown, treasurer; Thomas Stansfield,
secretary. 1900-1901— Marciene H. Whitcomb, president; WilUam J.
Mills, vice-president; G. E. Russell, treasurer; Thomas Stans
field, secretary.
1901-02— M. H. Whitcomb, president; John Tilley, vice-
president; G. B. Russell, treasurer; Thomas Stansfield, secretary.
Officers for 1902.— M. H. Whitcomb, president; John Tilley,
¦vice-president ; G. E. Russell, treasurer ; Thomas Stansfield, sec
retary; M. J. Laporte, Casper Ranger, M. P. Conway, Albert
Steiger, H. A. CoUings, Thomas J. Carmody, Alexander McAus
lan, J. J. Curran, J. J. Sullivan, Hugh McLean, A.. Davis, M. J.
Bowler, directors. CEMETERIES
In the early history of Ireland parish many of the settlers
whose households were invaded by the hand of death carried the
bodies for burial to the old churchyard ground in the mother
parish in West Springfield. After the Third parish had become
well peopled the settlers set apart "God's acre" in their o-wn
community, and thus about the year 1749 the old Third parish
burial ground was laid out and was dedicated to the public use.
At a later period it appears to have passed into the control of the
First Baptist society, and so remained until about 1855, when the
land was conveyed to the town. In 1882 its custody was as
sumed by the Third Parish Burial Ground association, but in the
( 84 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
meantime other cemeteries had been opened, hence interments in
the old grounds became less frequent in after years.
Forestdale Cemetery. — At a town meeting held in October,
1860, the inhabitants of Holyoke voted an appropriation of
$1,500 for the purchase of a tract of land to be used for burial
purposes. On November 1 of the same year a number of promi
nent citizens incorporated and organized Forestdale Ceme
tery association, the officers and trustees of which were as fol
lows: Jones S. Davis, president; Porter Underwood, secretary
and treasurer ; Jones S. Davis, Porter Underwood, J. M. Whitten,
Henry Wheeler, Edwin H. Ball, S. Stewart Chase, S. J. Weston,
Austin Ely, Asa 0. Colby, S. H. Walker, trustees; Robert B.
Johnson and Chester Crafts, auditors.
This association, with frequent changes in the personnel of
its board of officers and trustees, has continued to the present
time. The grounds purchased comprised a little less than
twenty-five acres. The work of laying out the tract was begun in
the early part of 1862, and on June 22 the cemetery was dedi
cated with formal ceremony, the leading participants in the
services being Prof. Voss of Amherst college, George C. Ewing,
on behalf of the trustees, and Rev. Roswell Foster.
The present officers of the association are Henry A. Chase,
president ; Charles W. Johnson, secretary and treasurer ; Henry
A. Chase, William S. Loomis, L. P. Heyward, W. H. Abbott,
Dwight 0. Judd, C. E. Ball, H. B. Lawrence, A. L. Shumway,
William H. Heywood and Henry 0. Hastings, trustees; L. F.
Heyward and W. G. Twing, auditors; W. S. Loomis, superin
tendent; P. G. Bartlett, sexton.
St. Jerome's Cemetery (Roman CathoUc) was purchased and
laid out for burial purposes in 1864. It comprises twelve acres
of land on St. Jerome avenue and adjoins Forestdale cemetery.
The French Roman Catholic Cemetery, four acres in extent,
situated on what is known as Granby plains, was opened in 1875.
This tract is outside the city limits, yet the cemetery, to all in
tents and purposes, is a local institution.
Cavalry Cemetery, on Northampton street (south) adjoin
ing the old Baptist burial ground, is another institution of the
( 85 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Catholic church, and was consecrated March 20, 1882, by Rt.
Rev. Bishop O'Reilly. The grounds, fourteen acres in extent,
were laid out under the supervision of A. B. Tower, civil engi
neer. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
All that is most precious in our modern civilization is pre
served to a community by its churches, or at least by the re
ligious life that is fostered by its churches, if WiUiam M. Evarts
spoke truth when he said "One might as well expect our land
to keep its climate, its fertility, its salubrity, and its beauty, were
the globe loosened from the hand -which holds it in its orbit, as
•to count upon the preservation of the delights for a people cast
loose from religion."
Although Holyoke is so like a western city in its rapid
growth and in the free, democratic character of its people, it still
possesses all the distinctive characteristics of a New England
community. One of these is the fact, so frequently recognized
in this part of the country, that the society of the place is divided
pretty closely on church lines. To be sure, there are many clubs
and associations and other organizations for social and benevo
lent purposes, in which no church lines are drawn or thought of,
but outside of these there is a strong tendency to let the ac
quaintanceships formed at church and church gatherings suffice
for all purposes.
This condition of things is helped by the fact that nearly
all the people are busy workers in one field or another, and the
further fact that there is no exclusive, aristocratic set in society.
The richest people are unostentatious and democratic in the best
sense. The only church in Holyoke that has passed its hundredth
birthday is the First Congregational, or the Church on the Hill,
as it is called. This society celebrated its centennial in 1899,
while the First Baptist comes but four years later.
The peculiar manner in which the town was settled causes
the unusual phenomenon of finding both the First Congrega
tional and the First Baptist churches situated quite outside of
the center of the city. Both of these churches were organized
( 86 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
when the territory was only a farming country and part of the
town of M^'est Springfield. Afterwards, when the water power
of the Connecticut began to be developed, the center of popula
tion changed to the river banks, and as the town grew it de
manded a Second Congregational and a Second Baptist church.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The first religious society to be organized within the borders
of the present city of Holyoke was first called the ' ' Third Church

The old First Congregational Church
of West Springfield," or popularly the church in "Ireland
Parish," until it finally became the First Congregational church
of Holyoke. It was on the fourth day of December, 1799, that the fol-
lomng eleven persons banded themselves together to form this
church of Jesus Christ : Joseph Rogers, Jonathan Clough, Amos
Allen, John MiUer, Titus Morgan, Glover Street, Timothy
Clough, Experience Morgan, Lucas Morgan, Betsy Morgan,
Nathan Stephens. ( 87 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The first deacons were Joseph Rogers and Amos Allen, and
the first year five neAV members were received. On account of a
division of sentiment in the parish the church had no pastor of
their own for twenty-nine years. The first church building
erected was situated about one-half mile south of the present site
of the First Baptist church. This Avas built about 1792 and
was used by the Congregationalists and Baptists jointly. It was
moved north in 1796 to what is now the Alexander Day place,
and was extensively repaired in 1812, never having been prop
erly finished before.
Rev. Thomas Rand, a Baptist, filled the pastor 's place for both
denominations for nearly twenty-five years, until, in 1826, the
two societies felt strong enough to separate, the Congregation
alists numbering about eighty members. The Baptists withdrew
and left their brethren in possession of the church building. In
1828 Rev. Stephen Hayes came to labor in the parish and re
mained five years, and though he was not installed, he filled the
place as first Congi-egational minister in Holyoke. On the tenth
of December, 1834, a new meeting house, costing $1,700, was
dedicated, and on the same day Rev. Hervey Smith was installed
as the first settled pastor. It is an interesting fact that the min
ister himself weIs the largest contributor toward the cost of the
church. He continued in the pastorate for eight years and re
signed in 1841 on account of ill health, never taking another
church, although he lived tiU 1877.
The next pastor Avas Rev. Gideon Dana of South Amherst.
Mr. Dana was installed February 24, 1841, and after a stormy
and unfortunate pastorate of only three years he resigned in
March, 1844. Mr. Dana died in 1872. He was followed in the
office of pastor by Simeon Miller, a man Avho is still recalled and
loved by all the older members of the church. Mr. Miller came
direct from the Andover seminary, and after preaching one year
he was ordained and installed May 7, 1846, and continued in the
office until February 9, 1870. In 1844 the church was enabled
to terminate its connection Avith the Home Missionary society, on
account of the growth of the population at the settlement near
the river, but when, in 1849, the Second Congregational church
( 88 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
was organized in the more thickly settled part of the town, the
first church suffered some loss, so that at the close of Mr. Miller's
pastorate the membership was twenty per cent, smaller than at
its beginning. On Mr. Miller's retirement Rev. Charles E.
Cooledge served the church until October, 1872, but was not in
stalled. Rev. Theodore L. Day was ordained and installed De
cember 18, 1872, but served as pastor only a year and a half.
Then Rev. Charles L. Walker acted as pastor for about two years,
and now followed a period of scA^ere trial, during which time the
pulpit was supplied for brief periods by a number of men.
Among these were Professor J. H. Saw3^er, Rev. S. W. Clark,
and Rev. S. J. Mundy. In 1882 a call was given to Rev. E. N.
Munroe, and he was installed May 31, of that year, his pastorate
extending only tAvo years. The council which dismissed Mr.
Munroe took advantage of the situation, known to exist, and
gave the church the following advice : ' ' The ministers and del
egates from the sister churches respectfully urge the First
church of Holyoke to consider the probable advantage to the
cause of religion that Avould follow, of abandoning any bequests
that might hinder them in such action were they entirely to re
organize this church and parish, and transplant themselves
nearer their city's groAA'th. We do fully believe that by such a
step great gain Avould come, both to the life of this church and
to the spiritual interest of the residents in this locality."
This advice caused the question to be agitated, but it was
three years before anything definite was done in regard to mov
ing nearer to the center of population. On February 15, 1887, a
committee AA'as appointed to procure plans for a new meeting
house, and soon after a lot was purchased on the corner of
Pleasant and Hampden streets. A chapel Avas built and dedi
cated December 16, 1887, and occupied for more than six years.
Rev. Henry Hyde AA'as called to the pastorate in 1885, be
ginning his duties the first of June and serAdng the church three
years. This covered the time of the removal and was thus an
eventual period. Mr. Hyde's successor was Rev. George W.
Winch, the present efficient pastor, Avho Avas installed September
1, 1888. ( 89 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In 1892 the church had become so large that the chapel was
much too small, and the work of erecting the main structure was
entered on and pushed so rapidly that the house was dedicated
April 11, 1894. It is uoaa' one of the principal public buildings
in that section of the city, and the society is in a most flourishing
condition. THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This church AA-as organized May 24, 1849, by the following
eighteen persons : William S. BosAA^orth, Laura Ann Johnson,
Lucius Morton, Harvey King, Nancy C. Morton, Sarah B. King,
Elbridge G. Pierce, Isaac Osgood, Charles N. Ingalls, Hannah
Thorndike, Hannah A. Ingalls, Ambrose Snow, Julia A. Gid-
dings, Mary Snow, Dianna M. Quint, Glark G. Pease, William
J. Johnson, Margarette Watson.
The first pastor was Rev. Asa C. Pierce, who was installed
September 20, 1849. Mr. Pierce is described by one of his con
gregation as the best man he ever saw, but on account of im
paired health he was obliged to resign his position in 1851.
During the first months the society worshiped in the school house
near the first level canal, but soon moved to the large brick school
house on Chestnut street. In November, 1850, another move
was made to Perkins hall, on High street, afterward known as
Exchange hall. After the resignation of Mr. Pierce the church
remained nearly two years without a settled pastor, but during
this time the people were braA'e enough to set to work to build
a house of Avorship. The site chosen was the northeast corner
of High and Dwight streets, the most central location that could
be selected, and the church then built remained a prominent
landmark of the city many years. The corner-stone AA-as laid
September 1, 1852, and the house was dedicated July 27, 1853.
During the time of its building the society called a ne^\ pastor,
and Rev. Richard Knight was installed April 20, 1853. The new
house of worship cost twelve thousand dollars ; its dimensions •
Avere 63 by 102 feet ; the height of the spire, 176 feet ; it Avould
accommodate 800 in the main room and 300 in the chapel. The
local paper claims that it was one of the finest churches in
Western Massachusetts. This building continued to be the
( 90 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
church home of this society until 1885, and many people now
living remember it Avith interest and pride. Mr. Knight re
signed the pastorate March 29, 1855, and on November 8, of the
same year. Rev. James B. R. Walker was installed in his place.
In 1857 the church had increased to only sixty-nine mem
bers, but in 1858, a year memorable for religious activity
throughout the land, eighty-seven additions were made. In
the report of the annual meeting of the church, in January,
1863, it is announced that "nine of the members of the church
have gone to the war."
Mr. Walker resigned February 7, 1864, and was succeeded
by Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, jr., who was installed August 30,
1865. Mr. Eastman and all the subsequent pastors are still liv
ing. In 1866 a ncAV organ was purchased at a cost of $3,000, and
the pastor was especially active in raising the money for it.
After only two years' service Mr. Eastman resigned to the
regret of all, to accept a call to Somerville, and on December 4,
1867, Rev. John L. R. Trask was ordained and installed pastor,
having just graduated from the Andover Theological seminary.
During this pastorate, which lasted fifteen years, the church had
a steady growth, the number added in 1870 being ninety- two, and
in 1879 seventy-seven were admitted. The membership in
creased during Dr. Trash's service from 163 to 405. In the fall
of 1881 it was voted to secure plans for a nevr church, and the
work of raising funds was begun with great zeal. Dr. Trask was
very active in this and other labors connected A^^th the church,
but was obliged by ill health to give up work and take a year's
rest. Not having fully recovered by the following fall, he re
signed November 23, 1882, to the great sorrow of the church and
society. Dr. Trask is now the well-known pastor of Memorial
church, Springfield.
On March 19, 1883, a caU was extended to Rev. M. W.
Stryker, of Ithaca, N. Y., who is now Dr. Stryker, president of
Hamilton college. Dr. Stryker was installed May 17, 1883, and
filled the office of pastor for two years, when he accepted a call
to the Fourth Presbyterian church ol Chicago.
An important move was made when the society bought a
lot on the corner of High and Appleton streets for a new house
( 91 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Avorship. The old site A\'as too small for a new church and
was, moreover, too near the center of business, but the society
should have gone aAvay from High street, since the new location,
where stands the present church, is, to-day, surrounded with the
noise and bustle incident to the busiest street in the city. The
ncAV church vA'as dedicated January 29, 1885, the cost of land,
building, organ and furniture being $104,000.
After the resignation of Dr. Stryker the church secured the
services of Rev. William H. Hubbard, of Concord, N. H., but
after serving a year without being settled. Dr. Hubbard decided
to accept a call to the First Presbyterian church of Auburn,
N. Y., Avhere he is still laboring. The present efficient and well
beloved pastor. Dr. Edward A. Reed, was called November 5,
1886, and was instaUed December 28 of the same year. Dr.
Reed was formerly pastor of the First church in Springfield,
and also of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed church of New York.
An important department of the activities of the Second
Congregational church is the Avork in South Holyoke, long knOAUTi
as Grace chapel. This was started as a Sunday school as early
as 1879, by the young men of Mr. J. S. McElwain 's class. A
building was erected on Main street and good missionary work
was done in it for ten years, mainly for the children. But in
1891 preacliirjg services on Sunday were begun, and next year
Rev. A. W. Iic^mington was engaged as pastor. The work grev
under Mr. Remington and he was mainly instrumental in secur
ing funds for the erection of a small church building on the
corner of Cabot and Race streets. Here the work is still pros
pering. Mr. Remington resigned in 1898 and was succeeded by
Franklin P. Reinhold, who has also recently resigned to take a
church in Windsor Locks, Conn. For many years Mr. Joseph
A. Skinner was superintendent of Grace Sunday school and
was very instrumental in furthering the movement.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
On the fifth of October, 1803, a council met at the house of
Caleb Humeston, in what was then a part of West Springfield,
and advised the organization of the First Baptist church with
( 92 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
the f oUoAving among the membership : Thomas Rand, Caleb
Humeston, Peresh Hitchcock, Benjamin Bassett, Asahel Chapin,
Jedediah Day, Joseph Ely, Sarah Humeston, Anna Hitchcock
and Bede Gill. Thomas Rand, one of the members, became the
first pastor and proved a faithful one. The meetings were held
in the little house on lower Northampton street, which the Bap
tists and Congregationalists had for some time occupied jointly.
Mr. Rand's pastorate lasted twenty-five years, a period of
much interest to the infant church. In connection with his
preaching he carried on a farm, and when the academy was
built he taught every day during the school season. Several of
his pupils became very useful men, among them being Rev.
Justin Perkins, D. D., missionary in Persia; Rev. Hazen Howard,
missionary in Burmah; Rev. Asahel Chapin, and Rev. DAvight
Ives, for thirty years pastor in Suffield, Conn.
The membership of the church at first increased slowly,
at the end of twelve years the number being sixty-three. Then
in 1816 there was a great revival which brought in seventy-three
new members, and another revival in 1826 added sixty-three
more. Soon after the latter year of increase the two denominations,
which had been worshiping all this time in the same house,
separated, and each built a new church. The Baptists' erected
theirs on the site of their present church.
After the close of Mr. Rand's quarter century of service
there foUoAved a number of short pastorates, some longer than
others, but as a rule uneventful except that the church was
gradually gaining in strength. These are the names of the pas
tors and their terms of service: Rev. Elder Taggart and Rev.
David Pease labored as supplies for a short time; Rev. Henry-
Archibald, 1830-1832; Rev. Ira Hall (after he and several others
had suppUed), 1835-1838; Rev. Horace D. Doolittle, 1838-1842
Rev. WiUiam L. Brown, 1842-1846 ; Rev. Joel Kenny, 1846-1847
Rev. Asahel Chapin, 1847-1850 ; Rev. Mark Carpenter, 1850-1858
Rev. George W. Gorham, 1859-1862 ; Rev. J. H. Kent, 1864-1866
Rev. J. L. A. Fisli, 1868-1871 ; Rev. W. H. Evans, 1871-1879.
In June, 1850, the pastor. Rev. Asahel Chapin, and fifteen
other members were dismissed to assist in forming the Second
( 93 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
church in the growing settlement of Ireland Depot, so-called,
near the riA^er.
The present church edifice was built in 1880, and on the first
Sunday of the following year began the successful pastorate of
Rev. E. M. Bartlett. The church grew with the growth of the
city and Mr. Bartlett left it in a flourishing condition when he
resigned in June, 1892. The beginning of the following year
brought the present pastor, Rev. M. A. Willcox, D. D., who is a
ripe scholar and one of the most universally popular ministers
Holyoke ever had. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
We have seen in the history just preceding that, in the year
1849, a number of persons were dismissed from the First Baptist
church for the purpose of forming a new society in the growing
settlement of Ireland Depot. These, Avith others, to the number
of forty-tAvo in all, organized the Second Baptist church, June
24, of that year, which has since far surpassed the mother society,
on account ot the rapid groAvth of population about the new
center. The first place of worship was Gallaudet & Terry's
hall, corner of High and Lyman streets, and the first pastor was
Rev. Asahel Chapin, who was one of those coining out of the
First church. Prominent in the new organization was' Deacon
Edwin Chase, for many years an honored citizen and father of
the present postmaster of Holyoke.
On account of business depression the gain in membership
Avas at first so slow that at the end of two years the church
numbered only three more than when it was organized. This
was occasioned by removals, because in the meantime there had
been twenty-five additions.
In 1852 Rev. Mr. Chapin resigned' and, nine months later.
Rev. James French became the pastor. Under his charge the
society prospered so that they began to think of building a
church, and on November 23, 1855, the lecture room of the new
structure was ready for occupancy. The next month Mr. French
closed his term of service and was succeeded by Rev. George
W. Gorham, who remained with the church for nearly three
years. The last year of this period there was a revival which
( 94 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
added thirty-nine persons to the membership. Mr. Gorham re
signed in 1859 to go to the First Baptist, and Rev. A. J. Bing
ham followed him, remaining but one year. The next to take
charge of the church Avas Rev. C. H. Rowe, who remained less
than a year.
On July 2, 1862, Rev. A. M. Averill was installed pastor,
and in the next year the church edifice AA'as burned to the ground,
less than flve years after its completion. The second day after
the fire a new building committee was appointed, and their work
so promptly done that in a year and a half a larger and more
convenient church was ready for use.
Mr. Averill resigned in December, 1867, and after an in
terregnum of a little more than a year, a call was accepted by
Rev. Edwin Burnham, whose preaching and work were so ef
fective that during the nine months of his stay sixty-one
members AA'cre added to the church by baptism.
Rev. Dr. R. J. Adams came next and his pastorate proved
to be a long and eventful one. In the year 1870 there was a
notable revival, lasting into the next year. In thirteen months
108 persons were baptized, and dtiring the first four and a half
years of Dr. Adams's pastorate 262 were added to the church.
In 1871 the society built a parsonage on the comer of Appleton
and Chestnut streets, but a more important event was the change
in location for the church itself, from the noisy, crowded site
near the railroad to the quiet locality of the residence district on
the hill. In 1882 a lot was bought at the corner of Appleton and
Chestnut streets and the present beautiful and commodious edi
fice was dedicated October 20, 1885, Rev. Dr. A. J. Gordon of
Boston preaching the sermon. The ruling spirit in this building
enterprise Avas the pastor himself, but very soon after the church
was opened for use Dr. Adams presented his resignation and in
sisted on leaving against the urgently expressed wishes of his
people that he should remain Avith them.
In September of the same year Rev. C. H. Kimball began
his pastorate and continued in service three years. He was suc
ceeded by Rev. J. W. T. Boothe, D. D., of Wilmington, Del., who
was installed on New Year's day, 1890. Dr. Boothe proved to be
( 95 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
a strong man and Avas influential far beyond the bounds of his
parish. Dr. Boothe resigned January 1, 1899, and was followed by
Rev. Charles B. Turner, who came in February, 1899, and held
office until his melancholy death, August 5, 1900.
The present pastor, Rev. Jolm S. Lyon, began his duties
January 1, 1901, and from all that appears the church has every
reason to expect a long and eminently successful pastorate.
During the pastorate of Mr. Kimball this church was instru
mental in building a chapel just across the river in the village
of Willimansett, and during the same period the Ward One
mission was established.
The latter was first started in 18S8, in the vestry of the old
Baptist church on Main street, beginning as a Sunday school Avith
97 members. Soon a Wednesday evening prayer meeting was
begun, and in 1899 a new chapel was built for the work on the
comer of Mosher and West streets. The money came largely
Irom the young people's efforts and the building is therefore
now well known by the name of Christian Endeavor chapel.
The pastors engaged directly in this work have been Rev.
G. E. Nichols, Rev. F. F. Thayer, Rev. James Nobbs, Rev. H. H.
Hallowell and Rev. Louis J. Bamberg, the last named being now
in charge. ^
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Methodists were late in starting in Holyoke, but they have
now two large congregations.
In 1853, Rev. Thomas Marcy, who was superintendent of
schools in Northampton at the time, began holding services' in
Ijyceum hall on High street, and in May of that year a society
was formed with twenty members. In the fall the church was
moved into Galladet & Terry's hall and remained there till 1857,
moving then into Chapin hall, where they continued until the
vestiy of their church was ready in 1869. Mr. Marcy preached a
year and was followed by Rev. Rodney Gage, who also remained
one year. Rev. Philander Wallingford succeeded for another
year and Rev. M. E. Wright for two years. During the latter 's
pastorate so many removed from the city that the condition of
( 96 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
this society Avas brought very low. Indeed, it came to the point
where Mr. Wright adAdsed that the church should be disbanded
and the members unite with other churches. A few accepted the
latter part of the advice, but the majority clung to their organ
ization and proved in the end that there Avas plenty of room for
a Methodist church in Holyoke.
Help came to them in their need, for Rev. Martin Chapin of
Florence offered to preach for them without charge, and did so
for two years, very acceptably, too. Courage returned and Avith
it financial strength enough to pay a regular salary. From this
time the growth Avas steady and sure.
The further list of pastors Avith their terms of service is as
follows :
Rev. Nathaniel Fellows, 1860, 1861 ; Rev. WiUiam J. Ham-
bleton, 1862 ; Rev. William D. Bridge, 1863 ; Rev. John Peter
son, 1864, 1865, 1866 ; Rev. Samuel Roy, 1867 ; Rev. I. B. Bige
low, 1868-1870 ; Rev. I. J. Abbott, 1871-1872 ; Rev. W. N. Rich
ardson, 1873-1875 ; ; Rev. C. A. MerriU, 1876, 1877 ; Rev. Will
iam Gordon, 1878, 1879; Rev. E. A. Titus, 1880-1882; Rev. E.
P. King, 1883-1885 ; Rev. G. C. Osgood, 1886.
The church on the comer of Main and Appleton streets was
begun during Mr. Peterson 's pastorate, in 1865, but the work lan
guished until the officers of the church sent a request to the con
ference for a "Man who could build a church whether he could
preach or not." In response to this petition Rev. I. B. Bigelow
was sent and he proved to be not only the man for that work,
but a good pastor besides. The Avails of the church were soon
seen to be rising and the building AA-as dedicated in March, 1870.
Sixteen years after this, when Mr. Osgood had become pastor,
only a year after the Second Baptists had dedicated their new
church on Appleton street, the Methodists found the people all
moving up the hill district, and the same question the Baptists
had grappled Avith began to trouble them. Once begun the agi
tation would not be kept down, and the end of the matter was
that a lot was bought and a church edifice begun on the corner
of Appleton and Elm streets, only one short square from the new
church of the Baptists. This was an unfortunate choice of a
7-3 ( 97 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
site, because two squares east is the Second Congregational and
one square north of that the Episcopal church, while only a little
farther to the south is the Presbyterian church. Nevertheless
the Methodists were well pleased to be so near the center of popu
lation and they soon completed a handsome and convenient
church edifice in the summer of 1890. The land, building and
furnishings cost $42,000.
Mr. Osgood was appointed to another church in April, 1891,
and the pastors since that date are Rev. W. E. Knox, 1891 to
1896, Rev. W. B. Fisk, 1896 to 1898, and Rev. H. L. Wriston, who
came in April, 1898, and is still in service.
THE HIGHLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. E. p. King, pastor of the First Methodist church,
started a mission on the Highlands in 1885. A lot was bought
and a chapel built so expeditiously that the house was dedicated
in March, 1886. A Sunday school of 80 members Avas organized
and preaching services were held by Mr. King and after him Mr.
Osgood. In March, 1889, a separate society was formed and Rev.
Wilson S. Fritch became the first pastor. The new church is in
a section of the city which has had a rapid growth and its pros
perity has been continuous. Rev. 0. R. Miller, the present pas
tor, has made his influence felt in the community by aggressive
temperance work. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The first steps toward organizing a Presbyterian church in
Holyoke were taken May 7, 1886, when the Presbyterian board
of home missions sent their Ncav England field secretary. Rev.
Dr. J. W. Sanderson, to look over the ground. He met a few
persons who gave him to understand that there were a good many
Presbyterians in the other churches, Scotch to great extent, who
would delight to have a church of their own where they would
be more at home.
The outlook was encouraging enough to induce the board to
send a licentiate from the Hartford Theological seminary, named
William Gardner, to spend the summer in Holyoke and gather a
congregation if possible. The first service was held May 16 in
( 98 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
the Y. M. C. A. reading room on Suffolk street, the audience
numbering 49 in the the morning and 63 in the evening. Soon
the Y. M. C. A. moved to the Women 's Union Temperance build
ing on High street and there the Presbyterians held their meet
ings for seven weeks, but removed to the Foresters ncAv hall on
July 25.
In response to a request by 148 petitioners the Boston pres
bytery granted permission for the organization of the First
Presbyterian church of Holyoke, and the formal business Avas
transacted Thursday evening, August 26, 1886. Barak Wilson
and George P. Bill, M. D,. were installed as ruling elders and
William Scott and Alexander Paul as deacons.
The first pastor was Rev. J. M. Craig, who entered upon his
duties the last Sunday in October of the same year. Mr. Craig
soon saw the desirability of having a permanent place of AVorship
and began agitating the question of building a church. A com
mittee of fifteen was appointed, with the pastor as chairman, and
the work was soon in progress.
Mr. Craig was very active and efficient in raising the neces
sary money and in superintending the construction of the build
ing, doing much more in the latter direction than a minister of
a parish usually undertakes. In all his labor he was conspicu
ously assisted from beginning to end by his faithful senior elder,
Mr. Wilson. The house was dedicated March 5, 1889.
Mr. Craig remained two years after the new church Avas
opened and then Rev. Mr. Augier supplied the pulpit until May
18, 1892, which was the day when Rev. G. A. Wilson began his
duties as pastor. Mr. Wilson was a young man who put a good
deal of enthusiasm into his work and the church grew under his
care. He resigned in September, 1899, and the present pastor.
Rev. Alvin R. Pennell, entered on his duties December 1, 1899.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
An Episcopal parish under the name of Trinity church was
established in Holyoke as early as 1849, of which Rev. Henry W.
Adams was rector. But the population was small and the finan
cial support so meagre that the effort was abandoned, not to be
( 99 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
renewed again until 1863. In that year, acting on the advice of
Bishop Eastburn, steps were once more taken to form a parish.
This time the name of St. Paul's church was selected and the
organization was effected October 12, 1863. The next December
the first rector. Rev. James Kidder, Avas called. Jones S. Davis,
one of the vestrymen, gave the society the use of a chapel and
parsonage on Maple street, and this chapel was occupied for two
years. Mr. Kidder resigned in 1864 to go to another parish and Rev.
0. H. Dutton succeeded him. Mr. Dutton was a popular rector.
That he was a good orator is shoAvn by the fact that he was
selected from the clergymen of the town to preach the memorial
sermon on the death of President Lincoln.
At the annual parish meeting in 1865 a committee was ap
pointed "to procure plans and obtain subscriptions for a
church. ' ' They selected a lot on the corner of Suffolk and Maple
streets, where the church now stands, but nothing further seems
to have been done until the next spring, when building opera
tions begun and the comer-stone was laid July 5, 1866.
In the meantime the society had removed from the chapel
to a pleasant room in the Lyman mills, and Mr. Dutton had re
signed to be succeeded by Rev. Mr. Holbrook. The latter re
mained sixteen months and was followed by Rev. Dr. Peet, who
came from New York city and held the office four years and
eight months. During Dr. Peet's term of service in 1868 the
church edifice was completed, the first sermon in it being
preached by Bishop Lee of Iowa. Dr. Peet's work did not end
here, however, for he undertook the task of raising money to
clear the incumbrance on the church. He was entirely successful
in this and proved himself, also, in many other directions one of
the best and most useful clergymen the city ever had. During
his stay the number of communicants was nearly doubled. In
March, 1872, Rev. John Leech was engaged for six months, at
the end of which period Rev. Charles H. Lester became rector.
and remained three years. This was a successful pastorate, the
number of communicants increasing from 80 to 160.
Rev. William P. Tucker became rector in May, 1876, and
( 100 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Avas succeeded, the next year, by Rev. Amos Skeele, who held of
fice until" April, 1881.
Three months later Rev. H. L. Foote began his ministry and
for eight years served the parish very acceptably and was a use
ful and highly respected man in the community. At the very
beginning of his term he raised money to pay off the indebted
ness on the church and then enough more to build a handsome
rectory on a lot just south of the church on Maple street.
In 1887 a gallery was put into the church to increase the
seating capacity and at the Easter meeting in 1888 a building
fund was started for the erection of a new church, the necessity
for which was clearly foreseen. When Mr. Foote resigned, in
May, 1889, the church membership numbered 300.
In .September of that year Rev. J. C. Wellwood accepted a
call to the parish and filled the office of rector seven years. He
was followed by Rev. George S. Sinclair, who remained from
April, 1897, to November, 1899. After that Rev. C. W. McCuUy
served as rector in charge for a few months, and on the first of
October, 1900, the present rector. Rev. H. Morrill, entered on his
work. THE UNITARIAN CHURCH
An effort was made to form a Unitarian society in Holyoke
in 1857, but failed after a trial of a few months. The present
church was incorporated June 27, 1874, Avhen the constitution
was signed by 55 persons. Rev. W. S. Heywood became the first
pastor, the call being given September 21, 1874. Services were
first held in Parsons hall and afterwards in St. Jerome hall, on
Maple street. In 1875 the water power company, foUoAving their
custom with so many of the other denominations, gave the Uni
tarians a lot of land on Maple street, and the society took imme
diate steps toward building a house of worship, the chapel being
completed in the spring of 1876.
Mr. Heywood resigned February 2, 1883, and in June Rev.
Granville Pierce was called and remained as pastor for three
years. His successor was Rev. James W. Carney, who was or
dained and installed January 11, 1887. In the summer of 1889
a large addition was built to the church, which more than doub
led its capacity.
( 101 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Carney was a young man who was liked by his church
and made many friends, also, outside of it, but after a dozen
years of preaching he decided to try something else. Accord
ingly, he resigned the office of pastor and took up the study of
laAV, remaining in the city until he was admitted to the bar.
He was succeeded in the Unitarian pulpit by Rev. T. E.
Chappell, a bright and active man, who remained' with the society
two years. Rev. A. G. Singsen, the present pastor, began his
duties September 1, 1901.
THE FRENCH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
This society was organized July 2, 1886, the mission from
which it sprung having been started two years earlier by Rev.
Mr. Cote, general missionary for Massachusetts of the French
Congregational Avork. The first pastor Avas Rev. J. L. Morin, but
before the first year had passed he had a call to a larger parish
in Lowell and resigned the Holyoke charge. In September, 1887,
Rev. Samuel Vernier was called to the pastorate and remained
about a year. After that the pulpit was filled for short periods
by Rev. J. A. Vernon and Rev. Mr. Ameron, president of the
French college at Springfield. On June 30, 1899, Rev. I. P. Bru-
neault was called and installed December 3.
The services of this society were at first held in Grace
chapel, then in Parsons hall, and, since 1885, in the chapel of
the Second Congregational church.
The pastors have been as follows :
Rev. T. G. A. Cote, December, 1884, to June, 1885 ; Rev. J.
Morin, June, 1885, to October, 1886 ; Rev. P. S. Vernier, Rev. M.
Vernon and Rev. Mr. Provost served the people until Rev. I. P.
Bruneault came, in October, 1889. Mr. Bruneault resigned in
April, 1893. Rev. C. H. Vessot came next, November 1, 1893,
and remained till April, 1901, when the present pastor, Rev. Mr.
Lobs began his duties with the church.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
As early as 1866 German services were started in a school
house in South Holyoke and the next year a house of worship was
( 102 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
erected at a cost of $5,000. This was mainly due to the efforts of
the first pastor. Rev. Mr. Frankel.
The second pastor was Rev. Mr. Schwartz, who remained
five years. The next was Rev. Mr. Buchler, a Lutheran, the oth
ers having been Presbyterians. Mr. Buchler built a parsonage at
the rear of the church and held office four years, being followed
by Rev. Mr. Muelde, and, six months later, by another Rev. Mr.
Schwartz, a brother of the former pastor of that name. This
pastorate lasted three years, and the next one, that of Rev. Mr.
Hanle, fourteen years.
All this time there had been no legally organized church,
but toward the close of Mr. Hanle 's ministry a society was
formed, the exact date being September 3, 1888. Soon after this
Mr. Hanle resigned and in December of the same year the so
ciety called Rev. August Brunn, who is still holding the office
of pastor. GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH
This society was organized October 16, 1892, and in 1894
built and dedicated a substantial and beautiful church on a
sightly location at the corner of Sargeant and Elm streets. The
first pastor was Rev. Albert Buchles, who served for four years.
After his resignation Rev. H. Van Haagen served as pastor for
a year, and in 1897 the present pastor, Rev. Dr. Jacob Weber,
was settled. THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF HOLYOKE
St. Jerome's Parish
The Catholic church is strong in Holyoke, stronger than in
most New England cities of the size. When the Avater power of
the Connecticut began to be developed by the building of the
dam, large numbers of Irishmen came to do the work, and they
have kept coming ever since in generous proportions, when com
pared with other nationalities. There are a great many French
Catholics, also, in the city.
Ireland Depot was the first name of the city's center, and
here the first mass, it is reported, Avas said under a tree by a
Father Bartholomew Connor from Ireland, some time before
( 103 )

Convent of Notre Dame

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
1847. For several years the people were attended once in five
weeks by priests from Chicopee, but in 1856 Rev. Jeremiah
¦O'Callaghan was settled as the first resident pastor. His people
gathered in Exchange hall, on High street, but he soon began to
plan St. Jerome's church and pushed the enterprise so energeti
cally that the beautiful edifice Avas finished in 1860 and dedicated
by Bishop Fitzpatrick.
Father O'Callaghan died the next year and his body Avas
laid to rest under the eastern wall of the church.
Father James F. Sullivan was pastor for five years and
then, in 1866, came Rev. P. J. Harkins, who still holds' the office
at the age of seventy years.
Father Harkins has been a man of ability and power in the
community and has built up his parish wonderfully. He has
seen the number of Catholics in Holyoke increase from 900 to
more than 25,000 and has witnessed the erection of four more
Catholic churches, besides numerous other large buildings for
the various needs of the people. He has made St. Jerome's the
most complete parish in the Springfield diocese and he himself is
the most eminent priest west of the Connecticut.
The building operations in connection with the church, in
which Father Harkins has been engaged, make a remarkable ex
hibit. They are as follows : The convent for the Sisters of Notre
Dame, cost $18,000 ; church in South Hadley FaUs, $15,000 ; the
Catholic institute for parish work and a school for boys, $40,000 ;
Sacred Heart church ; the school for girls facing the park ; re
building St. Jerome's church at a cost of $50,000; the convent
home of the Sisters of Providence, cost $20,000 ; a chapel on the
west side of the church, cost $20,000. He also gave as a per
sonal gift the "Harkins Home" for aged women. It cost him
$20,000. He has had more than any other person to do with the
orphanage for girls at Ingleside and the new Providence hos
pital on Dwight street.
The following have served as curates in this parish, their
terms varying from one to six years : Rev. James Tracy, Rev. T.
Hannigan, Rev. F. J. Lynch, Rev. Charles McManus, Rev.
Francis Brennan, Rev. Thomas Smyth, Rev. P. B. Phelan, Rev.
( 105 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
C. J. Cronin, Rev. John E. Garrity, Rev. David Moyes, Rev. J. I.
O'Reilly, Rev. R. F. Walsh, Rev. L. Derwin, Rev. L. E. Steb
bins, Rev. James McKeon, Rev. W. T. Jennings, Rev. John R.
Murphy, Rev. W. J. Harty, Rev. W. J. Powers, Rev. John Crowe,
Rev. George Fitzgerald, Rev. W. Hart, Rev. Garvin, Rev. Pat
rick Hofey, Rev. A. A. Dwyer, Rev. J. J. Donnelly, Rev. Richard
Healey, Rev. Daniel Sheehan, Rev. C. M. Magee, Rev. A. D.
O'MaUey, Rev. John C. Ivers.
PARISH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
It is estimated 'that there are in Holyoke more than 15,000
people of Canadian birth or descent and the parish of the Pre
cious Blood was the first one to be organized in the diocese among
the French-Canadians. It was formed in 1869 by Father A. B.
Duf resne, AA^ho built a frame church on Park street that year.
Among the first French families in the town were the Prews,
the Benoits and the Terriens. Previous to 1860 John Proulx
(Prew) brought doAvn forty-five French people from Canada for
the Lyman mills. They came in tAA'O large wagons, and in the
company was one who became a noted missionary to the Indians,
Father John St. Onge.
In connection Avith this parish occurred the saddest tragedy
in the history of Holyoke. On a May evening, in 1874, while
the church was filled with people, some lace was blown against a
lighted candle and almost immediately the whole interior was in
flames. A panic ensued and seventy-two lives were lost, many
others being saved by the bravery of some Irish boys who were
playing ball in the vicinity. Prominent among these was John J.
Lynch, Avho is now chief of the flre department of the city, and
who was, at the time, hailed as a hero all over the country.
The afflicted parish had the courage to begin the erection of
another and better house of Avorship, and it was dedicated in
1878. It AviU seat 1,100 persons and cost $78,000.
In 1887 Father Dufresne died and was buried in the church
yard, where the congregation have built a fine monument to
him. He was succeeded by Father H. 0. Landry, who died after
three years of service. ( 106 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
The present pastor. Rev. Charles Crevier, came in 1890, and
four years afterward he opened a large school for boys, which
he had built at a cost of $28,000. He also built a parochial
residence at an outlay of $30,000. There are 6,000 persons in the
Precious Blood church. The assistants are Rev. H. Desrochers
and Rev. W. A. Hickey. SACRED HEART PARISH
This parish was set off from St. Jerome's in 1878, Father
Harkins having bought a large lot on South Maple street and

Sacred Heart Convent and Parochial School
begun a church in 1876. Father James F. Sheehan came from
Pittsfield to be the first pastor, but after completing the presby
tery his already feeble health failed entirely and he died in 1880.
His successor AA^as the present pastor. Father P. B. Phelan, who
came from West Springfield.
Father Phelan was obliged to take care of a debt on the-
parish of $40,000, but he managed so avcU that he was soon able
to begin work again on the church and had it finished and fur
nished to double its original capacity Iavo years later.

( 107

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In 1897 he raised a spire on the church and put in a chime
of ten bells, the first in the city. The day the bells were blessed
Bishop Beaven made Father Phelan a permanent rector, mak
ing Holyoke the first city in the diocese to have tAvo permanent
rectors. Father Harkins and Father Phelan.
The curates of this parish have been Rev. M. E. Purcell, Rev.
P. H. Gallen, Rev. W. J. Dower, Rev. John P. Leonard, Rev. P. J.
Griffin and Rev. J. P. McCaughan.
HOLY ROSARY PARISH
The English-speaking Catholics increased so fast that in
1886 the bishop set off another parish from St. Jerome's in the
eastern part of the city and placed it in charge of Father M. J.
Howard. The name of Holy Rosary was given to the new parish,
and for about two years services were held in the large brick
church of the Second Baptist society, which had moved to the
hiU. It is astonishing with what rapidity all these Catholic
parishes provided themselves with commodious and handsome
houses of worship. Probably Holyoke shows as many examples
of this miracle of thrift as any place in the country.
In two and a half years after the parish of the Holy Rosary
was formed a new church was erected and the basement, ready
for ser-vice, was dedicated.
Holyoke has another distinction in furnishing for the dio
cese its ncAv bishop on the death of Bishop 0 'Reilly.
Father Howard died in 1888 and Rev. Dr. Thomas D.
Beaven of Spencer was called to be pastor of Holy Rosary, and
in October, 1892, the pope made him bishop of Springfield. As
pastor he was succeeded by Dr. F. McGrath, who is still in ser
vice. The curates have been Rev. J. J. Howard, Rev. John J. Con-
lin, Rev. WilUam Ryan, Rev. J. F. Griffin and Rev. M. T. Burke.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH
The increase of the French Canadian population Avas so
great that still another parish became necessary. This was set
( 108 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
off in 1890 in the north section of the city and named as above.
Rev. C. E. Brunault, A\'ho still remains, was made the first pastor
and services were begun in Temperance hall, on Maple street.
In 1891, the very next year, a fine large building was completed,
on the corner of Maple and Prospect streets, which serves as
church, school and convent. The structure occupies the most con
spicuous site in the thickly settled portion of the city, overlook
ing the dam and the broad SAveep of the river for nearly twenty
miles of its length.
Besides this building the parish owns a commodious presby
tery and other buildings. Father Brunault was formerly assist
ant to Father Dufresne in South Holyoke and was afterwards
pastor in Gardner for three years. He is especially gifted as a
musician and directs the literary and musical organizations of
his parish. Father Brunault 's curates have been Rev. W. L. Alexander,
Rev. N. St. Cyr and Rev. L. Geoffrey.
MATER DOLOROSA — THE CHURCH OF THE POLES
Rev. Anthony M. Sikorski Avas made, by Bishop Beaven, the
first resident pastor of the Polish people in 1896, Father Cha-
lupka of Chicopee having cared for them previously. Services
are held in the basement of the Church of the Holy Rosary, but
Father Sikorski hopes they Avill have a church of their oaatu soon.
The people are poor, nearly all of them AA'orking in the Lyman
cotton mills, but if we may judge from the history of the other
Catholic parishes it will not be many years before Holyoke has a
Polish church edifice.
Father Sikorski Avas bom in Russian Poland, studied at
Warsaw and was ordained in 1875.
THE FRENCH PEOPLE OP HOLYOKE
It is said with evident truth that fully one-third of our city's
population is comprised of French-Canadians and persons of
French descent, and further, that among the number are many
men of means and influence and of moral worth and integrity;
men who have been and still are controlling factors for good in
( 109 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
-the business, political, professional and social history of our in
dustrial city.
In the early history of Holyoke we discover that the town it
self was incorporated soon after the Hadley Falls company had
completed the second dam across the Connecticut and had suc
cessfully diverted the waters of that magnificent river for manu
facturing purposes. There were those who doubted the ultimate
.success of the water power company, and when the canal system
in fact was established and extensive mills had been built, there
Avas found a shortage in mill hands and operatives. The news of
this somewhat unusual condition of things soon spread abroad,
especially in the regions of the Connecticut valley in this state
and Vermont, and soon was extended into the provinces of Can
ada on the north.
About this time five French families came to Holyoke and
constituted the pioneer element of French population in the
town. The heads of these families were Narcisse Francoeur,
Nicholas Proulx, Casal Viens, Purmence Hamel and Charles
Provost, of whom only the last two are now living. From among
this number the Lyman mills company selected Mr. Proulx to
return to Canada and arrange for the importation of a consider-
.-able number of people of his OAvn nationality, chiefly laborers and
mill hands, skilled workmen when possible, but strong, indus
trious men were always desirable. For five years Mr. Proulx
was engaged in transporting workmen and their families from
the province to Holyoke and during that time he is said to have
brought here at least five hundred persons ; and to him perhaps
more than to any other one man belongs the honor of ha-ving peo
pled our town in its early history Avith a thrifty and industrious
- class of inhabitants.
At the time of their immigration these families were poor in
purse, but fortunately were possessed of strong physical consti
tutions and commendable ambitions. They knew little of Eng
lish and still less of American customs, hence frequently were
made the victims of designing persons and overbearing masters.
They readily adapted themselves, however, to the new conditions
..and soon became recognized among the more intelligent classes
( 110 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
of our region. Originally it was their purpose to remain in the
town only long enough to earn and save money sufficient to estab-
Ush themselves in business in Canada or to relieve unfortunate
relatives left behind them, yet of the great number of persons
who came here during the first twenty-five years of our town's
history few, indeed, returned permanently to their native homes.
The coming and success of one family had its influence upon
others and after Mr. Proulx had completed his service with the
company no further personal application was necessary to induce
settlements by the French from the Canadas. All who came
easily found employment, although for a time their pay was ex
ceedingly small, but as they became skilled in their respective
lines of work wages were increased and to-day many substantial
fortunes are the result of early struggles and hardships.
When the French settlement in Holyoke had become suffi-
cietly strong a church Avas established, then a school, and vrith
the constant increase of later years other societies and institu
tions were founded for the especial benefit of French residents.
At first this people attended services in St. Jerome's church, later
occupied a rented hall on High street, and, finally, in 1869, built
a mission chapel on the site Avhere now stands Father Crevier 's
residence, at the comer of Park and Cabot streets. About two
years later this chapel was burned during service and sixty-three
persons perished in the flames, while fourteen others subse
quently died from injuries received on that awful occasion. The
disaster occurred on Corpus Christi day, during vesper services,
when a lighted candle set fire to the altar decorations, and in
spite of every effort to subdue the little blaze the flames spread
with such terrible rapidity that every life in that body of devout
worshippers was placed in jeopardy ; and then, when the congre
gation was endeavoring to escape from the doomed structure the
single stairway at the entrance gave way and many lives were
lost in the fall. We hesitate to dwell further upon the dreadful
recital, for the events of that awful day are all too fresh in the
memory of all our people. It was the most serious disaster in
Holyoke history and never can be forgotten.
After the fire the French people worshipped in convenient
halls until the completion of the Church of the Precious Blood,
( 111 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in 1876. Rev. Father Dufrense Avas its flrst pastor. He died in
1886, and was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Father Landry,
Avho died in 1890. His successor was Rev. Father Charles Cre
vier, the present pastor of the church. During Father Landry's
time the Precious Blood parish was divided and the ncAV parish
then organized was placed in charge of Rev. Father Bruneault.
The first services Avere held in the St. Jerome temperance hall,
but soon afterward the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Avas erected on Prospect street. Both of these parishes now have
splendidly equipped schools.
The aim of the French parochial schools of Holyoke is to
furnish not merely "book learning," but to give special attention
to the forming of character in the interest of good citizenship.
In these schools the discipline is a little more severe than in the
public schools, but results appear to justify the course pursued.
The parochial school pupil, in addition to the subjects taught in
the public schools, must acquire a thorough understanding of
French and also of his religion. He is taught etiquette and de
portment, and the traditional French politeness is plainly visible
in his actions, so that a graduate of our French parochial schools,
in addition to having acquired learning necessary for entrance
to our high school, has as thorough knowledge of French as of
English, and has the further advantage of personal acquaintance
and association Avith persons who have abandoned worldly pleas^
ures to devote all their energies to the one purpose of giving their
pupils the broadest kind of education.
The first French society in Holyoke was that knoAvn as St.
Jean Baptiste, organized in 1872, still existing and full of useful
ness. Tavo years ago it became allied to the Union St. Jean Bap
tiste d'Amerique, which consists of all the French societies of
New England. Edward Cadieux of this city is the organizer of
this federation and its supreme president. The other French so
cieties in the city, mentioned in the order of organization, are:
L 'Union Canadienne (founded by Joseph Beauehemin), La
Ligue du Sacre Coeur, Cour Mont Royal des Forestiers, Les Ar
tisans, Heptasophs, Le Cercle Rochambeau, Le Club de Naturali
zation, the Club Guilmant, besides musical organizations, literary
clubs and other societies of less note.
( 113 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
In 1889 several influential French citizens of Holyoke, under
the leadership of Pierre Bonvouloir (noAV city treasurer), organ
ized the City Co-operative bank, an institution in the nature of
a co-operative loan association and one which has been of the
greatest good to all persons who have availed themselves of its
membership and which also has acquired a high standing in or
ganizations of its special class in Massachusetts.
The first French newspaper in Holyoke was "Le Defen-
seur, ' ' which was published weekly. ' ' L 'Annexioniste, ' ' a daily
paper, next followed, and was continued for a time with indiffer
ent financial results to its founders. At the present time the only
French paper published in the city is "La Presse," a semi-
weekly, under capable editorial management.
Reliable census statistics indicate that one-third of our city's
population is composed of French persons and their direct de
scendants, and among the number is included some of the best
and most public spirited of our entire citizenship. Glancing over
the pages of our municipal, mercantile and industrial history, it
will be seen that French names abound, AA'hich indicates that the
little colony of that people who came to the locality nearly half
a century ago found a ready Avelcome among our native toAvns-
people and soon became factors of commanding importance in
the later industrial city; and through all succeeding years the
more recent comers and as well the American-bom sons and
daughters of French parents have been earnest and zealous in
doing whatever might tend to personal advancement and the pub
lic welfare. In the churches, the schools, the various professions,
the business and industrial departments of municipal life, in
politics and in social and home circles French influence has cast
its light always for good.
Having thus traced in a brief and general Avay something
of the beginning and subsequent history of French life in Hol
yoke, it is proper in the same connection that allusion be made to
some of the characters in accomplished results during the period
of which we write.
Nicholas Proulx, AA^ho may be regarded as one of the founders
of the French colony in Holyoke, came from St. Ours, Canada,
8-3 ( 113 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in 1856. Soon afterward he entered the service of the Lyman
mills company and for the next five years devoted much of his
time to transporting Avorkmen and their families from Canada
to this town, thus furnishing hundreds of employees to the mills
of this locality. After he left the company's service he gave his
attention to mercantile pursuits, dealing in coal and wood for
several years, and still later engaging in other business enter
prises, always with a fair measure of success. He accumulated
a comfortable fortune and likewise gained the respect of our peo
ple in general. He died in June, 1888, in his seventy-third year.
He had five daughters and three sons, the latter now living in
the city and being among its progressive business men. They
are George J., John J. and Joseph N. Prew. The older genera
tions of this family always adhered to their correct surname
Proulx, but later generations have Angelicized the name into
Prew. The name Prew, spoken in English, is identical with
Proulx, spoken in French.
Furmence Hamel came to Holyoke from St. Paul, Canada,
in 1860, with a family of eight sons and two daughters. Al
though he had been a school teacher in Canada he began life here
as an employee in the Lyman mills, and later on worked for John
Newton, a prominent mill proprietor. Still later he was for
twenty-three years in the service of the Connecticut River rail
road company, and noAV retired from active business pursuits,
at the age of eighty-four years, he is an authority on all events
of local history during the last forty years, his fund of anecdote
being interesting and almost inexhaustable.
Charles Provost, now living in that delightful portion of our
city known as the Highlands, first came to Holyoke in 1868, hav
ing, to use his OAvn words, "more children than dollars"; but
Mr. Provost's subsequent business life is only another splendid
example of what industry and perseverance will accomplish even
in the face of adversity, for notwithstanding the vicissitudes of
earlier years in the city, he now is possessed of a competency, the
result of his own personal effort. At first Mr. Provost was em
ployed as laborer by the water power company, and subsequently
learned the carpenter trade, becoming a practical builder in all
( 114 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
joiner work. In 1874, in company Avith Gilbert Potvin, he built
a large block in ward one, and during his long residence here he
also has carried on large real estate operations.
Thus might these reminiscences of early life among the
French colonists in Holyoke be continued almost indefinitely, but
the foregoing narrative must suffice for present purposes. How
ever, before closing our chapter, it is proper that brief mention
be made of some of the representative French citizens of Holyoke
of the present day ; men who are factors in city history and who
by their efforts have contributed toward the conditions of pro-
gressiveness Avhich now prevail in our constantly groAving mu
nicipality. Henry E. Chaput, M. D., was born December 29, 1869, in St.
Hyacinthe, P. Q., a son of Narcisse Joseph and Eloise (Guitte)
Chaput. He acquired his elementary education in St. Hya
cinthe, and pursued his medical studies in Laval college, Mont
real, taking his degree there in the spring of 1894. In Decem
ber, 1898, he came to Holyoke, where he since has engaged in
successful practice of his profession. He is secretary of the
French medical association, physician to Jeanne d'Arc Circle,
and has been president of the association of students of the uni
versity from which he was graduated. In October, 1895, he mar
ried Jane, daughter of A. D. Girard, of St. John, P. Q. They
have three children— Girard, Sylvia and Jane.
Odilon Z. E. Charest was born June 1, 1857, in Three Rivers,
Canada, a son of Elzear and Arlena (Suite) Charest. He came
to this city in 1878 and found employment Avith the Holyoke Fur
niture company, where he remained ten years and then went into
mercantile business with M. Sainte-Marie, establishing what noAV
is one of the leading houses of our city. Mr. Charest is now serv
ing his third term as member of the school committee, and in
many other ways has been earnestly identified wit the best inter
ests of the city. In 1886 he married Mary Jane Robert, by whom
he has five children — Leonise, Antoinette, Arthur, George and
Romeo. Felix J. Cloutier, M. D., was born March 15, 1864, in Na-
pierville, Canada, son of Siffroid and Oylmpia (Gautier) Clou-
( 115 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
tier. His father Avas born in St. Anne, P. Q., and died in Decem
ber, 1900. His mother Avas a native of L'Acadie, Canada. Dr.
Cloutier was educated in the schools of Napierville, in the classi
cal department of the College of St. Therese L 'Assumption and
St. Sulpice seminary in Montreal. He pursued his medical
studies in and was graduated from the Queen's university at
Kingston, Canada. He came to Holyoke in 1889, where he has
since resided and engaged in successful practice. In 1895 Dr.
Cloutier married Emily R. Robert.
Jacques L. Demers Avas born April 23, 1833, in Montreal,
Canada, son of Louis and Mary (Burrill) Demers. His father
Avas a native of Montreal and his mother of Three Rivers, Can
ada. Both are deceased. Jacques was educated in the schools
of Montreal and after completing his early education he studied
portrait painting. In 1883 he came to Holyoke and established
his present portrait and photographic business. In 1858 Mr.
Demers married Louise Reel of Montreal. They have five chil
dren—Louis, Hormisdas, Wilfred, Marie Louise and Angelina
Demers. Valere Ducharme AA'as born in St. Guillaume, Canada, Sep
tember 29, 1864, son of Hyacinthe and Sophie Ducharme. His
father came to Holyoke in 1879. His mother died in this city in
1896. Valere Avas educated in Canada, and there also learned
the grocery and meat business. He came to Holyoke with his
father, and in 1886 opened his present grocery store and meat
market in partnership with E. D. Durocher. In 1889 he pur
chased his partner's interest and since has conducted the busi
ness alone. In 1892 he married Corinne Lecault of Verchere,
Canada. They have four children— Clement, Camille, Oliver
and Romuld Ducharme.
Alfred D. Durocher Avas born January 30, 1864, at Famham,
Canada, son of Pierre (a native of Longueil, Canada, and a
butcher by trade), and Esther (Berard) of Marieville, Canada.
Both of his parents are dead. Alfred was educated at Famham
college, and after completing his course he learned the meat and
grocery business. He came to Holyoke in 1880 and established
his present business in 1882, on Cabot street, Avhere he still is lo-
( 116 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
cated in one of the finest stores in the city. He also deals in real
estate. He is a member of the auditing committee of the West-
field railroad and of St. Jean Baptiste society. In 1885 Mr. Du
rocher married Georgene Dame of St. Cesaire, Canada. They
have five children — Alfred, Ernest, Aurore, Emil and Ermand
Durocher. John E. Pessant was bom in Canada, Ontario, in 1867 and
was educated in the schools there. He learned the profession of
pharmacist in Guelph, Canada, and came to Holyoke in 1893,
where he commenced his present business. Mr. Pessant is a mem
ber of the Odd Fellows.
Orphir E. Genest, attorney and counsellor at law, was born
July 31, 1860, in Three Rivers, Canada, son of C. B. Genest, also
an attorney. Orphir Avas educated at the seminary in Three Riv
ers and was admitted to the bar March 15, 1882. Immediately
after his admission he began practice. He Avas a member of the
board of registrars five years and AA^as appointed probation offi
cer in 1896, which latter office he since has held. He has been
interested in politics to considerable extent. He is attorney for
the City Co-operative bank, having been one of its organizers.
• Leon J. Laporte was born February 15, 1847, in Lavaltrie,
P. Q., son of Leon Jeremie and Plavi (Martineau) Laporte. Leon,
, the father, came to Holyoke in June, 1868, with his wife and
seven children, named as foUoAVS: Cordelia, Georgiana (de
ceased), Danilda (deceased), Celina, Leon J., Leon and Medric J.
Cordelia is now the Avif e of Maxime Parenteau of Springfield ;
Leon J. is druggist ; Leon is engaged in carpet cleaning and fur
niture moving, and Celina is organist in the Precious Blood
church, which position she has filled for twenty-five years. Leon
Jeremie (the father) was engaged in the trucking business. He
died in 1874. His wife is still living in Holyoke.
Joseph Masse was bom April 2, 1866, in St. Bruno, Canada,
son of Solomon and Philomene (Peltier) Masse. Joseph was
educated in district school and came to Holyoke in 1885, where
he was employed in a grocery store. In 1890 he opened a store
on his OAvn account and five years later added meats to his gro
cery stock. He has been a member of the republican city com-
( 117 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
mittee for five years ; is a member of the Improved Order of Red
Men, the Foresters of America, the C. M. B. A., the Union Fra
ternal league, St. Jean Baptiste society and L 'Union Nat. Fran-
caise. In 1889 he married Mary S. Bibeau of St. Julie, Somerset,
Canada. They have two children— Joseph L. Armand and Lodo-
hiska Loretta— and also an adopted child, Edgar Brunelle.
Anthyme S. Menard, M. D., was born December 31, 1863, in
St. Cesaire, P. Q., son of Charles and Zoe (Monty) Menard.
Charles Menard came to Holyoke in 1865, and was actively prom
inent in securing a French priest in the city. He is still living
in the city ; his wife died in 1897. Dr. Menard obtained his early
education in St. Cesaire and his medical degree from the Univer
sity of Vermont in 1888. He is a post-graduate of the Post-
Graduate Medical college. New York, and has studied his spe
cialty on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat under Profs.
Abadie and DeWecker of Paris, France. In 1894 he represented
the fourth ward of Holyoke in the city council. He engaged in
his present drug business in 1891. In 1888 he married Osia M.,
daughter of Dr. C. W. Gelineau. Dr. and Mrs. Menard have
three children— Claudio, Cozette and Alice. Dr. Menard has
traveled through both American and European continents and is
a musician of ability.
Val. Moquin was born August 3, 1855, in Saint Urbain, Can
ada, son of Joseph and Priscilla (La Fountain) Moquin. His
father came to Holyoke in 1866 and carried on a grocery and
provision store. He died in 1890. His mother was a native of
St. John Baptist, Canada, and died in 1864. Val. Moquin has re
sided in Holyoke since 1868, and during this period of more than
thirty years he has been actively engaged in business, in which
he has been very successful. He has identified himself with the
progress of the city in many ways. He early saw the future
greatness of Holyoke, and by judicious investments has become
one of our largest real estate owners. In French social circles he
is prominent and influential, and is the best known man of our
French-speaking population. He has given substantial aid to
some of our best public institutions and is a director in the
French Co-operative bank and also in the Peoples' and Holyoke
( 118 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
Savings banks. He has been a member of the St. Jean Baptiste
society since he cametoHolyoke and has held many offices in that
organization. He received an appointment from Mayor Griffin
as member of the old fire commission and was asked by Msyor
Farr, as a special favor, to serve on the new commission. To
this he assented only upon condition that he be assigned a short
term. Francis X. Patoel, M. D., was born September 3, 1845, in
Joliette, Canada, a son of Theodore and Sophrenie (Pannlton)
Patoel, both of whom are now dead. Francis obtained his early
education in the schools of Joliette and pursued medical studies
at the University of Victoria, Montreal, P. Q., from which he
was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1869. He came to
Holyoke in 1873, where he since has practiced his profession.
He has served on the board of health two years. In 1871 he
married Marie Louise Ducondu. They have two children —
Alexander, a druggist, and George, a jeweler.
Adelard M. Potvin was born October 27, 1869, in St. Ours,
Canada, son of Louis and Sophia (Proulx) Potvin. His parents
came to Holyoke in 1871, and are both dead. Adelard acquired
his early education in the schools of Holyoke and began his busi
ness career in a men's furnishing store. He started his present
furnishing and hat store in 1890 and has since conducted it Avith
gratifying success. He is a republican and has served on the
board of aldermen and also as alderman at large for the years
1899, 1900, 1901 and 1902, and made an excellent run for
representative in 1901, being defeated by less than 200 votes in a
democratic stronghold, the 7th Hampden representative district.
In 1889 he married Elodie VaUn of Pittsfield, Mass. They have
two children — Lillian A. and Lena E. Potvin.
George J. Prew, son of the late Nicholas and Sophia (God
dard) Prew, and was born in West Springfield, March 15, 1855.
Nicholas Prew (originally spelled Proulx) was a native of St.
Ours, Canada (which township was settled by his great-grand
father, Francis, who came from France) and came with his Avife
and five children, to live permanently in Holyoke, on February
3, 1858. The events of his business life are more fully narrated
( 119 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
on a preceding page. He died June 29, 1888, and his wife died
May 27, 1870. They left eight chUdren, as follows : Sophia, Mrs.
A. C. LaAvrence, Mrs. Damas Chabot, Mrs. J. G. McCarthy, John
J. (contractor and brick manufacturer), George J. (clothier),
Lina (Avho was burned to death August 19, 1859), and Joseph
N. Prew. George J. Prew married Cordelia Perry, daughter of
Isaac Perry. Their children are Hattie M. and George J.
John J. Prew, a Avell-known and successful contractor and
manufacturer of brick in this city, is a son of the late Nicholas
and Sophia (Goddard) Prew, of whom mention is made in a pre
ceding paragraph. John J. Prew has spent his entire business
life in Holyoke and has taken an active interest in all that has
pertained to the general Avelfare of the city, as well as his oaati
personal affairs. He has been successful and has deserved suc
cess, and to-day he is regarded as one of our leading citizens. His
wife, whom he married June 13, 1875, was Mary M. Laperre of
Beloud, Canada. They have one daughter, Lina M., now the
wife of George A. Savoy of Holyoke.
Joseph N. PrcAV, formerly a merchant, but now a dealer in
real estate, and withal one of Holyoke 's enterprising business
men, was born in Canada, April 15, 1844, and came to this city
with his parents previous to 1860, his father, Nicholas Prew (or
Proulx), having been one of the pioneers of the first French col
ony in this locality, as is fully narrated in an earlier paragraph.
Joseph N. Prew has passed the best portion of his life in our
city and he himself has taken an active part in promoting its wel
fare and growth. For about eighteen years he was engaged in
the picture trade, but in 1877 turned his attention to real estate
business. On May 20, 1872, Mr. PrcAv married Matilda Marse-
seault, who died in 1895. In June, 1897, he married Carrie Lyon
Vincent of Springfield.
Henry Proulx was born in Holyoke January 17, 1874, son
of Daniel and Caroline (Laporte) Proulx. Daniel Proulx is a
native of Canada and came to Holyoke in 1865, where he opened
a harness shop, which he conducted for twenty-five years. He
was alderman at large for two years and is now fire commissioner.
Henry Proulx was educated in the schools of Holyoke. After
( 120 )

THE CITY OF HOLYOKE
leaving school he learned the shoe business, and in 1898 engaged
therein as a partner Avith Antoine Marcotte. In 1900 he pur
chased his partner's interest and is now conducting the business
alone. In 1898 he married Eva Lareviere of Sorel, Canada.
Prank A. Rivers was born in St. Albans, Vt., February 13,
1854, son of Alexander and Matilda Rivers, both of whom now
are dead. Alexander also was a native of St. Albans and for
many years was roadmaster of the St. Albans division of the
Central Vermont railroad. Frank Avas educated in the schools
of Vermont. After leaving school he learned the millwright
trade and came to Holyoke in 1862, AA'here he worked as journey
man until 1882, and then started his present contracting busi
ness. For the past two years he has been a member of the firm
of Rivers & Young, contractors. He served one year in the Hol
yoke common council and is now alderman for the ward of Chico
pee. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the For
esters of America. He married, first, Julia Tart, who died in
1880, leaving two children, EdAvard and Julia, the latter the Avife
of David H. Young. In 1883 he married Julia Lague, who has
borne him one child, Reah B. Rivers.
Clovis Robert Avas born February 22, 1838, in St. Cesaire,
P. Q. He came to Fair Haven, Conn., when he was sixteen years
old, where he learned brickmaking; at eighteen he began learn
ing the blacksmith's trade and at the age of twenty-one he went
to San Francisco, Cal., where he carried on blacksmithing seven
years. Returning to his native town he married, at the age of
thirty-one, Malvina Archambault, a native of Abbotsford, Can
ada. In 1872 he came to Holyoke and for a few years worked
at his trade and later engaged in real estate business. He has
been agent for the Holyoke and Westfield road two terms. Mr.
and Mrs. Robert have three children— George C, who received
the degree of M. D. at McGill university, P. Q., and is now city
physician; Albert N., also a physician, a graduate of Bellevue
medical college. New York, and now practicing at Volcano, Cal.,
and Emily, wife of Dr. P. J. Cloutier of Holyoke.
Charles V. Roy was bom February 8, 1866, at St. Alexander,
P. Q., a son of George T. Roy. He came to Holyoke in 1884, and
( 131 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
engaged in the shoe business, which he since has' followed, being
until recently a member of the firm of Roy & Laramay, which
war. formed in 1893, but now is dissolved. Mr. Roy has served
tAA'o terms as a member of the board of registrars, and is a mem
ber of the Improved Order of Red Men. In 1892 he married
Luella Coon of Saugerties, N. Y. They have five children-
Charles, Vivian, Irene, Ruth and Winifred Roy.
John St. John was bom January 14, 1847, in Beloeil, Can
ada, a son of G. B. and Lucie St. John, both natives of Beloeil,
now deceased. John was educated in the schools of Canada, and
after finishing his schooling learned the brickmaking trade and
later the carpenter's trade. He has been a contractor and builder
in Holyoke since 1882, and is one of the largest operators in this
business in the city. In 1874 he was married to Malvina Per
rault, a native of Canada. They have had four children, of
AV'hom but one survives.
Arthur R. Vincent was bom January 9, 1863, in St. Guill
aume, P. Q., son of Isaac and Marie (Desrosiers) Vincent. Isaac
Vincent came to Springfield in 1877 and died in that city in
1892. His wife was from Berthier, P. Q., and is now living in
Holyoke. Arthur R. Vincent was educated in the schools of
Sorel, after which he learned the drug business. He opened his
present store in this city in 1891 and has since conducted it with
gratifying success. He was elected alderman in 1900 and served
one year. He is a member of the Foresters of .America, St.
Jeane Baptiste society and the Sorel conclave, C. M. B. A. On
October 7, 1896, Mr. Vincent married Bernadette Chapdelaine,
by Avhom he has one son, Paul Vincent.

( 132 )

CHAPTER II
THE TOWN OF PALMER
BY OEEIN PEER ALLEN
Topography. — Palmer is located in the extreme northeast
corner of Hampden county. As viewed on the map it presents
very irregular outlines, and contains about 20,000 acres. It is
bounded on the north by Belchertown and Ware; on the east
by Warren and Brimfield ; on the south by Monson ; on the west
by Wilbraham and Belchertown. Its surface is much broken by
hills dominated by Mount Pottaquattuck, which attains an alti
tude of about 1,000 feet in the northern part of the town, from
which an extensive view is gained of the Berkshire terraces in
the west and of Monadnock in the north. Some of the lesser
elevations are known as Baptist hill, south of Three Rivers;
Thompson's Mountain in the west part of the town, and King's
Mountain west of the Old Center. The Quabaug river is the
dividing line betAveen the town and Warren, Brimfield and
Monson; Swift river courses on the extreme western border,
while Ware river passes nearly through the center; these three
streams unite at the village of Three Rivers and form the Chi
copee river, which, after a rapid transit of about a mile, enters
Wilbraham. Each of these streams furnishes abundant power,
much of which has been made available. The following brooks
have their source within the town limits and flow into the Qua
baug, Ariz.: Pottaquattuck, Salisbury, Kings and Dumplin;
Cedar Swamp brook flows into Ware river. All these streams are
attractive resorts for sportsmen because of the trout which lurk
in their pools. The natural ponds are Glassford's, on the plain
near the junction of Ware and Swift rivers, which has no visible
( 133 )

The "Washington Elm
The Washineton BIm, one of Palmer's historic landmarks, associated with which are many interestinff revolntinn».,^ +™.i-
tions. Here under the proteotine branches of the elm Gen. Washxns-ton is said to haT-eit^,™^ t ? revolutionary tradl-
iJroiiEht from the nearby to-s-em. asning-ion IS said to haT-e stopped to partake of the eood cheer

THE TOWN OF PALMER
outlet; CravA^f ord 's, near BondviUe, and the two Pottaquattuck
ponds, the larger of Avhich is now knoAvn as Forest Lake, which
has been converted into a noted summer resort.
The scA'cral rivers find their Avay through narrow vaUeys
which afford but spare margin for meadows, the only extensive
plain lands being found between Three Rivers and BondviUe.
At the time of the advent of the first settlers the country
was covered Avith dense forests of pine, Avhich have largely given
place to oak and chestnut. The silva and flora of Palmer are

Historic Pine Tree — Palmer

extensive and interesting, made possible by the varying condi
tion of soil from the rich meadows, to the hidden swamps, and
the dry hillsides. The writer has collected and identified 140
specimens of trees and shrubs native in Palmer, which embrace
nearly all the varieties found in the state, with the exception of
those found only in maratime localities. He has also identified
more than three hundred specimens of the flora of the town,
which is far from exhaustive. The town takes reasonable pride
in the preservation of two trees which connect colonial times
( 135 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Avith the present. One is known far and wide as the Washington
Elm, standing beside the highway on the original Maj. Aaron
Graves farm, beneath whose grateful shade Gen. Washington
sought a few moments for rest and refreshment on that torrid
30th day of June, 1775, while on his way to take command at
Cambridge. The other tree is the notable pine standing in the
yard of Ridge's Pood factory, which has a girth of seventeen
feet and is over a hundred feet in height. It must have been
a vigorous sapling when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and
still preserves its vitaUty. It won its title to fame one hundred
and' fifty years ago, when one Sunday as Thomas King, a son of
the first settler, Avas on his Avay to church, he espied a large bear
in its branches, which he brought down by his trusty gun. He
gave as an excuse for this seeming desecration of the Sabbath
that the bear was a menace both to the flocks and the families of
the neighborhood, and ought to be killed even on the Lord's Day
as a matter of protection, which excuse was favorably accepted
by the elders of the church.
Indian Remains. — It is said but one Indian family remained
at the coming of the first white settler, whose wigwam stood not
far from the present Burleigh bridge. The finding of arrow
heads, pestles, mortars, ceremonial stones and other relics give
abundant evidence of the former presence of the red man in
nearly every part of the town. One Indian trail passed from
Warren through the present village of Palmer, another through
the north part of the town, and still another came past the Pot
taquattuck ponds, thence across the plain lately known as the
George Brown farm, past the present village of Three Rivers
and on to Ludlow. The falls at Three Rivers was a favorite re
sort for the Indians when the salmon came up the stream, and
afforded them a time of general festivity; Pottaquattuck pond
was also another locality much frequented by them for fishing
purposes. Although Indians often passed through our confines
after its settlement by white men, no harm was ever experienced
on their account, notAAdthstanding that rumors were often rife of
their dire intentions during the last French and Indian war
which raged in other quarters. ( 136 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
Tradition has it that in order to meet this rumored invasion
a rude stockade Avas erected on a commanding knoll located on
the George Brown farm, near the Indian trail, but the enemy
did not materialize, so the people were left in peace, and the
siglii and rumor of Indians gradually faded away.
The First Settler.— John King was the first white settler of
Palmer. He was born in England in 1681, and came to Boston
in his young manhood, AA^here he married Sarah Allen ; John, his
eldest son, was born in Boston in 1715. In the spring of 1716 he
came Avith his wife and child into the houseless wUdemess to
enter upon the strenuous life of a pioneer. Attracted no doubt
by the open lands on the plain where the present village of Pal
mer stands, he erected a rude log cabin a few rods south of the
present residence of Mrs. Maria Lawrence, and cultivated the
first land on the present Church street. He remained but a short
time at his first stopping place, but removed half a mile east to
the present TenneyviUe, where he built a more substantial log
house just west of the present Cooley house, where he spent the
remainder of his days and where eleven of his twelve children
¦were born.
John King and his sons became useful and honored members
of the new township. John, Sr., died April — , 1744; Sarah, his
wife, died Jan. 1, 1762. No descendant bearing the name of the
first settler now remains in town, although there are many in the
female line still living here. Several years elapsed before King
was joined by other settlers, but before 1732 many accessions
had been made, largely of Scotch-Irish descent, with numbers
from the river towns and other localities. Many of these settlers
had been induced to take grants of land from the Joshua Lamb
Co., which claimed jurisdiction over the territory now known as
Palmer ; but it was found on examination that their Indian deed
covered no part of said territory, Avhich fact caused no little
trouble to the settlers; so in 1732 fifty-six of the settlers inter
ested in the matter sent an humble petition to the General Court
praying to be relieved of the perplexing difficulty in which they
were placed. The prayer of the petitioners was finaUy brought to
a favorable conclusion by the able efforts of Steward Southgate,
( 137 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
one of the leading and best informed men of the plantation. This
turn of affairs Avas reached through the mutual understanding
of the settlers and the General Court that the claims of Lamb &
Company be disallowed. Nov. 24, 1732, the Court appointed Col.
John Alden and Mr. Samuel Bradford, with such as the Honor
able Board might appoint as a committee to view the lands of
the petitioners and report at the next session of the court.
On November 28, 1732, Ebenezer Burrell, Esq., was joined in
the affair. The committee appointed by the General Court visited the
plantation in due time and faithfully discharged the duty in
volved. Report of the Committee.— After giving a detailed account
of the boundaries of the plantation the report continues: "We
find the greater part of ye sd Land to be Pine Land, High Hills
and IjOw Valleys; the hills very poor and mean, the valleys
pretty good. We also find that the said Tract of Land lies in a
Broken form, and is much Discommoded by Farms claimed by
Particular Grants from this Court, which have taken up the
best of ye land. We also find that the Circumstances of ye Peti
tioners & Settlers and their Settlements are Different and much
Intricate and Perplexed; some of them having entered and
Setled Avithout Regulation, and Interfered and Incroached upon
other men's Pitches & Improvements. And in many instances
too several Setlers claim one and ye same spot under different
pleas and pretences of Right; some having Lots laid out; Some
partly laid; and others only Pitched, interfering one with an
other as aforesaid.
"We would further inform this Honorable Court that we
have taken great pains and care to Inspect & Inquire into every
Particular circumstance relating to ye said Tract of Land, and
find it needful to prevent further Charge & Difficulty, to Report
Particularly, as FoUoavs, viz. That Ave find there are entered &
setled and about setling on the said Tract of Land the Number
of Eighty Persons, the most whereof are families who have built
Houses and made considerable Improvements ; and are now and
have constantly for more than three years past Been Supplied
( 138 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
with a Minister to preach the Word of God unto them ; who has
been Supported by a free Contribution. We also find that about
forty eight of the above number were Introduced or Led on or
Incouraged to Setle and make Improvements by Joshua Lamb,
Esq., & Company, and their committee Avho Claimed the Said
Tract of Land by virtue of an Indian Purchase, And the most of
the Number had actually contracted with them for certain Par
cels thereof, and received Deed of Conveyance and Order from
them for leying out their Lotts and have had ye most of them
laid out accordingly. We are therefore humbly of the opinion.
That the severall Persons & Families hereafter named, that were
So admitted and setled under and by the said Claimers; Have
their severall & respective Lots hereafter mentioned Ratified &
Confirmed to them, their Heirs and Assigns, in such proportion
and under such Restrictions, Limitations & Conditions as follow
and are hereafter mentioned." The committee then give in de
tail the description of the lots of land which they recommend to
be divided among the forty-eight settlers. Then they go on to
say: "Furthermore Ave find. That the foUoAving named Persons
to the Number of thirty-one. Having presumed to enter on the
Province Land in Said Tract Avithout any leave or order from
this Court, or under any Pretence of Mistake or Admission from
the Claimers; yet they having most of them made considerable
Improvements and expended the chief of their Small Fortunes;
and having paid their proper proportion for the support of the
Ministry among them; That to remove them off would reduce
them to extreme Poverty. We are therefore humbly of ye opin
ion, that it may not be Inconsistent Avith ye Honor of the Prov
ence, and yet a sufficient Discountenence to such Presumptuous
Settlements; If there be granted to each of them a single lot.
Including their Improvements, upon such conditions as are here
after mentioned. ' ' Here follows a detailed account of divisions
recommended to each of the following settlers : Jethro Ames,
James Breckenridge, WidoAA'^ Andrew Bailey, John Brooks, Jo
seph Brooks, Peter Backus, Widow Nathaniel Blanchard, John
Beamon, Mathew Brown, George Booth, John Combs, Joseph
ChadAvick, Abel Curtice, Obadiah Cooley, Obadiah Cooley, Jr.,
9-3 ( 129 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Jonathan Chapin, Thomas Chapin, WilUam Crawford, Lieut.
Samuel Doolittle, James Dorchester, James Dorchester, Jr., Na
thaniel Dewey, Robert Dunlap, Daniel Fuller. Samuel Frost,
Robert Farrell, Thomas Farrand, Andrew Farrand, Joseph
Fleming, Humphrey Gardner, Elisha Hall, John Henderson,
Rev. John Harvey, Thomas Hill, Thomas Jennings, John King,
John King, Jr., John Kilburn, Benjamin Kilburn, Samuel Kil-
burn, Daniel Kilburn, James Lamberton, Thomas Little, James
Lamont, James McElwain, Timothy McElwain, Bernard Mac-
nett, James McClellan, James Macquiston, Ebenezer Mirick,
John Moor, James Moor, Andrew Mackee, Isaac Magoon, Isaac
Magoon, Jr., Thomas McClanathan, Samuel Nevens, Robert
Nevens, David Nevins, Benjamin Parsons, John Paterson, Wil
liam Paterson, Duncan Quinton, Andrew Rutherford, William
Scott, John Scott, Samuel Shaw, William Shaw, William Sloan,
Stuard Southgate, James Shearer, Patrick Smith, James Ste
phens, Robert Stanford, John Thomson, Robert Thomson, Alex
ander Tackels, Jeremiah Olmstead, Elijah Vose, Joseph Wright,
Joseph Wright, Jr.
The committee also recommended that ' ' the aforesaid Setlers
& Grantees Do erect & build a suitable House for Public Wor
ship, and setle a Minister within two years." The report of the
committee Avas presented to the General Court June 21, 1733, and
promptly accepted the same day and approved on the following
day by the Governor, J. Belcher. The status of the settlers hav
ing been satisfactorily arranged, they immediately set about the
establishment of a district government. The first legal meeting
Avas held August 7, 1733, with William Pynchon of Springfield
for moderator and Steward Southgate as clerk. The most im
portant committee chosen consisted of Lieut. Samuel Doolittle,
Samuel Shaw, Joseph Wright, Jr., John King, and Timothy
McElwain, who were authorized to lay out necessary roads, lo
cate a lot of one hundred acres for the first settled minister, also
one for the use of the ministry and one for a school. Nearly all
the ancient roads of the town were laid out at this time, being
simple bridle paths at first, Avhich changed into better highways
as changed conditions demanded. ( 130 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Settling the First Minister.-'H.&Ying laid out the highways,
located the public lots and surveyed the lands of the first pro
prietors, the next important matter to be attended to was the
settling of a minister, for the pioneers of Palmer were a deeply
religious people. As Rev. John Harvey ha,d preached acceptably
for them during three years, it Avas arranged to give him a set
tlement at a salary of £80 per year. The ordination services
were held June 5th, 1734, under the spreading branches of a
great oak tree on Mr. Harvey's lot, now known as the farm of
Charles Forsman, about one mile east of the Old Center. Mr.
Harvey was ordained according to Presbyterian usages. The
Rev. Mr. Thompson of Londonderry, N. H., preached the sermon
and Rev. John Moorhead of Boston gave the charge. One other
Presbyterian minister was present as well as Rev. Isaac Chauncey
of Hadley, a Congregational clergyman. Thus under the leafy
branches of this oak was the first minister of the new settlement
set apart for their spiritual Avelfare. For these simple people the
service Avas doubtless as impressive and as lasting in its effects
as though it had been performed in the dim light of cathedral
aisles, aided by the solemn tones of the deep-voiced organ. This
leafy temple, the great Avhite oak, stood for nearly a century as
the reminder of the eventful day, and doubtless might be flour
ishing now if the owner had had any respect or sentiment for
the historic past.
The First Meeting House. — Thelocationof themeeting house
proved a knotty problem for the Avidely scattered parishioners.
Among the several favored sites was the scene of the ordination ;
the flnal decision was left to the draAving by lot, the Rev. Mr.
Harvey officiating after solemn prayer, by which means the lo
cation was flxed at what has since been known as the Old Center,
which proved a wise choice. The first meeting house was a plain
structure indeed, measuring 30x36 feet, and one story high. It
was without ceiling or plastering and furnished no means for
Avarmth in the cold season. The only external ornament was the
singular emblematical design placed in the gable over the front
entrance, peculiar, it is said, to the Scotch Presbyterians. This
house was first occupied in November, 1735, and for more than
( 132 )

THE TO'WN OF PALMER
three score years continued to be the Shiloh of Palmer, around
which revolved the religious and political life of the town, and
where the momentous matters of church and state were discussed
and decided.
The French and Indian W ar, 17 44-17 49 .—V aimer was settled
so late that she escaped the terrors which desolated Brookfield
and the Connecticut valley. But during the years 1744-1749,
though outside the disturbed circle, she furnished her share of
men to aid the menaced towns. Capt. Jabez Olmstead served
in the expedition against Louisbourg in 1745. Timothy Brown
was made a captive by the Indians May 5, 1746, and taken to
Canada, while bearing important dispatches, and held there
about fifteen months. Samuel Allen was mustered into service
May 1, 1748, and posted at Port Pelham. These Palmer men
were posted at Fort Dummer in August, 1748, viz. : Obadiah
Cooley, Andrew Cowee, John Blair, Peter Blackmer and James
Paterson. The Plantation Organized as a Totym.- Closely following
the recognition of their rights as a Plantation the inhabitants of
the Elbows began to clamor for a town organization, but owing
to the non-payment of a tax due the colonial government, they
failed in their efforts. Finally in 1752, after seven petitions had
been sent in and the tax had been paid, the Plantation was or
ganized into a district having all the privileges of a town, save
that of sending a representative to the General Court. This act
was signed January 30, 1752, by Lieutenant-Governor, also
acting Governor, Spencer Phips. The petitioners had signified
a desire to have the town called Kingstown, in honor of the first
settler, but because a town had already been organized by the
name of Kingstown, Lieutenant-Governor Phips inserted the
name Palmer in honor of his friend, Thomas Palmer, Esq., who
had recently died in Scotland, so the name of the town was
purely an accidental one. For many years the official name of
the Plantation had been ' ' The Elbows, ' ' so named, no doubt, on
account of the numerous bends in the Quabaug river, which en
circles a considerable portion of the town. The plantation had
also been called Kingsfield, KingstoAvn and New Marlborough.
( 133 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
By a careful estimate, based on the first census talcen in 1765,
Palmer had at the time of its organization about 360 inhabitants,
including one negro, and he a slave OAvned by William Scott;
about 75 families, 60 houses, mostly constructed of logs ; the en
tire valuation of the town Avas about $3,000. It contained one
small church, Quintin's and Thomson's taverns at the Old
Center, King 's tavern, Avhere Cross 's block now stands in Palmer
village, and Shaw's tavern on the present L. E. Moore place near
the old Bay Path. There was a saw and grist mill Avhere Thorn-
dike is located, a saw and grist mill at Pottaquattuck Pond, and
a grist mill at the present location of Bondsville; and there were
tAvo blacksmith shops. These mills and shops constituted the
entire public industries of the toAvn. There were no stores, no
post-office, and no schools. There were no carriages; the roads
Avere poorly constructed cartways, and locomotion was either on
horseback or in carts drawn by oxen. Everything was con
ducted in the most primitive and economical manner. The
people Avere thrifty and industrious and made the most of their
limited means ; the Avomen had brought the spinning wheel from
the old country and Avere adepts in the manufacture of linen,
which found a ready sale in the river towns after supplying
household needs.
The Last French and Indian War, 17 54-1763. Soon after
its organization as a toAvn, Palmer was called upon to furnish its
proportion of men to meet the exigencies of another war be-
tAveen the mother country and Prance. The citizens responded
AA'ith alacrity, and out of its sparse population furnished no less
than 76 men during the continuance of the Avar, as shown by
the f oUoAA'ing list : Samuel Allen, Daniel Allen, Isaac Aplin,
David Bratten, Stephen Blackmer, John Blackmer, Simeon
Brooks, Francis Breckenridge, David BrcAver, Jesse Beers, Wil
liam Carlyle, Abner Chapin, Stephen Crawfoot, Moses Cooley,
Luke Chapin, Joel Camp, Jonathan Chapin, John Davis, Thomas
Dunham, David English, Samuel Frost, Timothy Farrell, Josiah
Farrell, Isaac Farrell, William Fleming, Thomas Ferrand, Jr.,
William Geary, John Hill, Thomas Hill, Thomas Henderson,
Stephen Hatch, Benjamin Hutchinson, Nathaniel Hews, John
( 134 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
King, Jonathan King, Benjamin King, William King, David
King, John Lamberton, Samuel Lemon, John Lemon, Robert
McMaster, Joshua McMaster, James McMighill, James McNitt,
Thomas McClanathan, James Moor, John Moor, Jr., William
Man, James Man, William MitcheU, John Millard, Isaac Magoon,
Aaron Nelson, James Nelson, William Nelson, Samuel Paterson,
Moses Paterson, Joseph Paterson, John Reeky, Samuel Smith,
Hugh Smith, John Sloan, David Shaw, William Shaw, Matthew
Spencer, Moses Scott, Elnathan Samson, Hugh Tackels, Capt.
John Thomson, James Taylor, Benjamin Thomson, Henry Web
ber, Sylvanus Walker, Jesse Warner.
Spirit of Seventy-six. Like other New England communi
ties the yeomanry of Palmer simply had a breathing period be
tween the close of the last French and Indian war and the open
ing of the Revolution. In view of the coming conflict it was
fortunate that they had become somewhat disciplined in the
ways of Avar that they might be fitted for the sterner conflict.
The blood of the Covenanter and the Puritan flowed not amiss
in the veins of Palmer 's sons ; it stirred them to action and made
them alert at the sound of the very first note of warning. They
Avere keenly cognizant of the oppressive measures adopted by
the mother country to retard progress and keep her colonies in
abject submission. As early as March 1, 1768, the town voted in
full meeting :
"Whereas, the excessive use of foreign superfluities is one
great cause of the present distressed state of this country, in
general ; and the happiness of the communities depends upon in
dustry, economy and good morals ; and this District taking into
serious consideration the great decay of trade and scarcity of
money, the heavy debt contracted in the last war, which still re
mains on the people ; and the great difficulties to which by these
measures they are reduced;— Therefore, voted unanimously, that
this District Avill use their utmost endeavors and enforce their
endeavors by example in suppressing extravagance. Idleness and
Vice, and promoting Industry, economy and good manners, and
in order to prevent the unnecessary exportation of money of
which the continent has of late been so much drained, it is
( 135 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
therefore voted, that this District Avill by all prudent means en
deavor to discountenance the use of foreign superfluities, and
encourage the manufactures of the AA^hole continent in general,
and of this Province in Particular."
Six years later at an adjourned toAA'u meeting held Septem
ber 26, 1774, it Avas voted that David Spear go to the general
congress of delegates from the AA'hole Province, to meet at Con
cord the second Tuesday in October next. "Voted that William
Scott pay or deliver seventy four pounds of powder, one hun
dred and tAventy six pounds of lead into the town stock, in full
discharge of the amount of said stock in his hands.". "Voted,
that there be provided four half -barrels of powder, four hundred
of lead, and one hundred dozen of flints, for a town stock, and
the money to pay for the same be taken from the money on in
terest ; and that William Scott, Joshua Shaw and Phineas Mixer
be a committee to purchase and pay for the same. ' '
In accordance Avith the recommendation of the Provincial
Congress vA^hich met at Cambridge in October, 1774, Palmer en
rolled and drilled a company of minute men. The news of the
engagement at Lexington reached Palmer on the evening of the
same day, and on the foUoAving morning a company of 44 men
AA'cre equipped and started for the scene of danger, with Capt.
David Spear at their head. Prom this time on till the close of
the war Palmer never proved tardy or lacking in zeal for the
cause of freedom.
Palmer Assumes Full Toum Bights.— The Massachusetts
House of Representatives on May 10, 1776, resolved that each
toAvn in the Colony ought in full meeting Avarned for that pur
pose, to instruct its representative relative to the attitude of the
inhabitants, should Congress declare them independent of Great
Britain. In compliance Avith the recommendation of the General
Court, Palmer elected its first representative as a town. May
23, 1776, in the person of Capt. David Spear. The instructions
given him first dAvelt upon the oppressive measures of the
mother country, and closed Avith the following patriotic senti
ments :
"We do Direct the Representative of this Town to lay these
absolutely Necessary for the safety of the United Colonies, to
( 136 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
be Independent from Great Britain & Declare themselves In-
tirely a Separate State, as we can see no alternative but Inevita
ble ruin, or Independence. But as there is a General Congress of
the United Colonies, composed of Honorable, wise and good men,
who sit at the Head of affairs, consulting measures which will
be most for the Safety and Prosperity of the whole ; & have the
means of Intelligence and Information in their hands, we submit
the whole affair to their wise Consideration & Determination. —
And if they shall unite in a Separation from Great Britain, we
do unanimously determine & declare we will support them with
our Lives and Fortunes!
"We do Direct the Representative of this Town to lay these
vote before the Honorable General Assembly of this Colony, to
Enable them to communicate our Sentiments to the Honorable
Continental C ongr ess . "
These instructions show of Avhat stuff the men of Palmer
AA'ere made, and they fully exemplified during the course of the
v/ar the sentiments therein expressed. From this time on Pal
mer was recognized as having full toAvn rights. It is a notable
fact that this Declaration of Independence by Palmer antedates
by two weeks the immortal document of the Continental Con
gress, and breathes the same lofty spirit of patriotism and purity
of devotion. The Passing of Burgoyne's 3Ien. — Palmer was so far re
moved from the scene of active Avar that its highways never
echoed to the tread of marshaled f oemen but once, and then they
passed as prisoners, not invaders. Burgoyne's hirelings, the Hes
sians, to the number of 2,431 men, besides camp followers, in
cluding Gen. Reidesel and his cultured Avife to whom we are
largely indebted for a graphic account of the journey from Al
bany to Boston. This motley array of prisoners in the care of a
Yankee guard encamped for the night November 1, 1777, on the
farm lately OAvned by Dea. Brainerd, while the General and wife
no doubt found comfortable quarters at the then Walker tavern,
Avhich still remains. Gen. Burgoyne and his English prisoners,
under the escort of Col. Elisha Porter, passed about the same
time through the north part of the town, and are said .to have
( 137 )

Pe9,Qon Brainerd Hpuse. 1760-1900

THE TOWN OF PALMER
encamped for a night on the present farm of Charles R. Shaw.
One of the Hessian soldiers died at the Brainerd farm and was
buried in the Palmer cemetery, where his grave is still pointed
out. Census of Palmer, 1776-1777.— There were 727 inhabitants
in tOAvn in 1776. The following item Ave glean from the town
records: "A return of the Number of Males from sixteen years
old and upwards AA'hich breathed on the First Day of January
in the ToAvn of Palmer in the year 1777. No. of men belonging
to the Training List 94, No. of men belonging to the Alarm List
35, No. of Decrepid Persons AA'ho are rendered incapable of
service thereby 46, No. of men incapable of service by reason of
old age and other infirmities 9, No. of Negroes 3. Total 187."
NotAvithstanding her limited means and sparse population, the
tOAvn nobly responded to the call for men and means, and fur
nished 165 men during the war.
Revolutionary Soldiers.— The following list made up from
all available sources is as perfect as can be given from present
information. It is possible that a fcAV names have been lost be
cause of the imperfect way in which some of the records were
kept. While a limited number of the men enlisted for the war,
a larger number enlisted several times each for shorter service
as the special demand required : Joseph Abbott, Sergt. Zebadiah
.Abbott, John Adams, James Averill, Jun., Ephraim Avery,
Joseph Bacon, Simeon Bacon, Moses Barker, Simeon Barrange,
Aaron Bartlett, Thomas Bartlett, John Bartlett, Woodbridge
Belcher, Eleazur Bishop, Seth Bishop, Sergt. Stephen Blackmer,
Thomas Blackmer, Jonathan Blunt, Henry Bliss, DaArid Brattan,
Francis Breckenridge, Benjamin Brooks, Sergt. Andrew Brown,
John Brown, Lieut. Jonathan Brown, Obadiah Brown, Robert
Brown, WUliam Brown, Col. David Brewer, John Bruster, Sergt.
Samuel Buel, Robert Burns, John Carley, James CarUsle, John
CarUsle, WiUiam CarUsle, Robert Carpenter, Shadrach Chapin,
Elisha Cleveland, Nathaniel Coburn, Capt. Isaac Colton, Abner
Cooley, Asher Cooley, Jonathan Cooley, Israel Conant, John
Crawfoot, Joseph CraAvfoot, Stephen Crawfoot, James Cum-
mings, Solomon Cummings, John Cutler, John Denney, Daniel
( 139 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Dodge, John Douglas, Jesse Elwell, Corp. John English, Bar
nabas Evens, Isaac Ferrell, Lamuel Fisher, David Fleming, John
Gardner, John Gibson, William Gibson, Pelatiah Goldsmith,
Capt. Aaron Graves, Gideon Graves, Moses Graves, Simeon
Graves, Amos Grey, John Hackett, Thomas Hamilton, Samuel
Hancock, Sergt. John Harris, Sergt. Luke Hitchcock, Benjamin
Hooker, Daniel Hopkins, William Hopkins, Samuel Hubbard,
Lieut. Robert Hunter, Primar Jackall, Adonijah Jones, Ebenezer
Jones, Lieut. David King, John King, Gideon King, James Lam
berton, John Lamberton, Moses Lammon, Francis Lemon,
Norris Lindsey, Luther Loomis, Sergt. Israel Loomis, Peter
Lovejoy, David McClintoch, Joseph McClintoch, William
McClanathan, Sergt. Samuel McClanathan, Thomas McCla
nathan, Corp. John McElwain, John A. McElwain, Roger
McElAvain, Hugh McMaster, Isaac McMaster, Capt, John McMas
ter, Joshua McMaster, Lieut. Robert McMaster, John McMichel,
Capt. Joseph McNaU, WiUiam McNall, Isaac Merritt, Capt.
Phineas Mixer, Pelatiah Morgan, Gibson Morgan, John Moore,
John Moore, Jonathan Moore, Judah Moore, James Murray,
Aaron Nelson, Lieut. Daniel Parsons, Joshua Parsons, Lebbeus
Paine, Thomas Riddle, William Roach, Elias Rogers, Jonas
Rogers, Nathaniel Rogers, Daniel Royee, David Shaw, Corp.
Erwin Shaw, James Shaw, John Shaw, Corp. Joseph Shaw,
Lieut. Joshua Shaw, William Shaw, John Shearer, Joseph
Shearer, Reuben Shearer, William Shearer, Thomas Shearer,
Corp. James Sherman, William Sloan, Abner Smith, James
Smith, John Smith, John Allen Smith, Joseph Smith, Capt.
David Spear, Lieut. David Spear, Adam Stephenson, Alexander
Tackels, Henry Thomson, Rufus Thomson, Josiah Tinney, Moses
Tinney, Jonathan Tyler, Elijah Walton, James. Walker, Capt.
Sylvanus Walker, Obadiah Ward, Urijah Ward, Peleg Watson,
Joel Willey, Ezekiel Woodworth.
Post Bellum Days.— At the close of the struggle for liberty
the surviving patriots Avho had gone forth from Palmer to serve
their country came back to their former homes to engage in the
peaceful avocations of farming, for as yet little else had found
encouragement in town. In 1787 when several adjoining com-
( 140 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
munities became disaffected and rose in rebellion under the
leadedship of Capt. Shays, little sympathy was shown the cause
in Palmer, yet Shays made this town the rendezvous for his
insurgents on the 22d of January, and on the 23d came to take
the command to lead them to Springfield 1,000 strong. But his
plans Avere discovered by the alertness of Maj. Aaron Graves of
Palmer, who informed the State officials, and Shays marched to
his defeat before Springfield by a force ready to receive him,
and the rebellion subsided.
The New Meeting House. — In the olden days the erection of
a new place of worship was a matter of the utmost importance
to a country toAvn like Palmer, which supported but one church.
The first meeting house erected in 1735 had become unfitted for
use, so after much planning and discussion a new structure Avas
built near the site of the first house at a cost of about $3,000 and
dedicated October 21, 1798; when the tower was added to the
structure in 1807 a bell was presented to the town as a gift by
Aaron Merrick. A circumstance connected with this bell is little
known to the present generation. In 1809, when the meeting
house was repainted, it chanced by some mishap that a por
tion of the beU was disfigured by paint, and in order to have it
present a uniform appearance, it AA'as entirely covered with a
coat of paint, when it was found the bell would not give forth
any desirable sound. The bell was taken down and the paint
burned off ; some critical person present thinking the bell seemed
to lack in weight, had the matter tested and found his suspicions
correct. The matter being made public it was soon found that
nearly all the bells in the surrounding towns also lacked in
weight, which had been cast by a bell founder in Brookfield. The
guilty party being apprised of the state of affairs, fled the State
not to return, his frauds having been extensive.
Turnpikes. — The first turnpike in Massachusetts running
through the towns of Warren and Palmer was the harbinger of
modern progress in Palmer. This Avas the great stage route from
Boston to Springfield and New York, and continued till the open
ing of the Western railroad in 1839. Another turnpike was
opened in 1804, running from Stafford to Petersham ; both these
( 141 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
roads ran through the Old Center, and were the cause of many
air castles being built by real estate owners living in that little
hamlet, which, alas, were never to materialize. The stages came
and went each day, the farmers tilled their acres and the to-wn
plodded on without further progress. In 1820 the population
was 1,197, the valuation was but $9,092.77; real progress was
delayed till the advent of the mills, to which coming the villages
of Three RiA^ers, Thorndike and Bondsville owe their existence
and the toAvn a large share of its prosperity.
Industries. — The early industries existed for the needs of
the town and were limited in their products. The first sawmiU
was erected at Pottaquattuck Pond in 1730, and a gristmiU was
put up by Steward Southgate near the other miU in 1737-8.
The first gristmill was built at the lower part of the present
Thorndike in 1736 by Robert Farrell and Thomas Harmon. In
1757 a sawmill was added to the same dam. James Shearer built
a sawmill on CeUar Swamp brook as early as 1740, which was
in operation till 1790; this was on the Josiah Gates farm. It
is probable that Hugh Moor built a grist and sawmill on the
Chicopee river, a mile below Three Rivers, about 1775; these
mills were purchased in 1788 by Gideon Graves and operated
by him till 1825, and soon went to decay after that date. There
was a sawmill on Dumplin brook as early as 1800. A wool card
ing and cloth mill was conducted by B. S. Cummings in the
Shoreley district as early as 1790. There was a fulling mill at
Pottaquattuck Pond in 1795. Capt. Patrick Watson had a tan
nery on the Ware river near Whipple 's Station as early as 1766.
William Mason began the same business in 1790 just beyond
Blanchardville and conducted it there for many years. As a
matter of course blacksmithing was an early and necessary in
dustry, beginning with John Aplin in 1733. In 1772 Capt.
Timothy Brainerd added the making of axes and scythes to the
trade of blacksmithing.
The Villages and Their Industries. — The Old Center was
the only village in Palmer for a hundred years. The first settlers
were Duncan Quinton, John Moores, James Lamberton and
William Crawford. Their first dwellings were rude log cabins
( 143 )

H

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
erected about 1725. Here in 1733 Quinton opened the first ordi
nary in toAvn, and two years later the first humble church was
built. In 1737 John Thompson came here and put up a second
ordinary which soon became a popular resort.
Aplin Smith had come in 1733 ; additional houses came
sloAvly ; the school house Avas not located there till 1764. William
Tupper probably had the first store there about 1790, succeeded
by Hamilton & Upham and a little later by Col. Hamilton, who
had the only store till 1824, when T. R. Knight added another.
The inauguration of the first turnpike in Massachusetts from
Warren through the Old Center to Wilbraham in 1796, and an
other from Stafford to Athol in 1804 revived hopes for this little
hamlet Avhich were never to be realized but for a brief period.
In 1796 the famous Frink tavern, which stiU remains, was built
on the site of the old Quinton house and became one of the most
noted hostelries between Boston and Springfield. In 1800 Asa
AVard built another tavern opposite the Frink house. In 1805
the first post-office was established at the Center Avith Col. Hamil
ton as postmaster. Anson Moody was the first physician to estab
lish a practice at the Center, followed by Dr. Aaron King from
1824 to 1861. The only lawyer of the Center was James Steb
bins, a graduate of Williams in 1807 ; he came in 1813 and
remained till 1835. The opening of the Western railroad in 1839
proved the turning point for the prospects of the Center. In a
few years it lost its stores, its hotels were closed, its church re
moved, and even many of its houses. It is now a quiet hamlet.
The villages of Three Rivers, Thorndike and BondviUe have
been erected and chiefly maintained by the mills established in
their several localities.
Three Rivers is located at the junction of the Quabaug, Ware
and Swift rivers. Prior to 1825 the territory now occupied by
the village Avas farm land, much of it covered by pine timber.
The dam was built in 1825 and a mill erected soon after by the
Three Rivers Manufacturing Company. Hall J. Kelley was a
leading factor in carrying out the plans of the enterprise, but
this company failed and Avas succeeded by the Palmer Co., Octo
ber 17, 1831, which brought the Avork to completion through the
( 144 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
efforts of J. S. Wright and Joseph Brown. This mill was burnt
in 1863 and rebuilt in 1873. This mill is one of the important
industries of the town. The village contains about 2,000 inhabit
ants with the usual complement of churches, schools and stores.
Tho7~ndike.— This village is located in a valley at the falls
on the Ware river. Its territory was originally settled by the
Farrells, McElwains and Quintons ; as early as 1736 a grist mill,
the first in town, was put in at the lower falls, and later a saw

The Village Common, Three Rivers
mill was added near the same locality, which was continued till
about 1795. About 1797 (Soodman put up a grist and saw mill
just below the present upper mill ; two years later the property
passed to Capt. Charles Cargill, who added a clothier's mill.
Soon after 1825 Aaron Blanchard bought the property and en
larged the mill AA'here different industries were conducted.
Samuel Henry made windmills for some years and here Josiah
Leland made the first ax handles by machinery. Prior to 1837

10-3

( 145 )

Q

THE TOWN OF PALMER
there were but fcAV dAvelling houses here ; the site of the present
lower mill Avas devoted to the growth of brush. The prosperity
of the place dates from the formation of the Thorndike Company,
March 14, 1836. The lower mill Avas built in 1837 and the upper
mill in 1845, displacing the Blanchard factory which was taken
down. J. B. Merrick was the successful agent of the mills for
many years. The village derived its name from Israel Thorn
dike, one of the original founders of the company. The village

1ft ^SIW""*^

Bondsville School Building

has churches, schools and a variety of stores; its population is
about 1,700.
Bondsville.— This village is located on Swift river. James
and Samuel Lamont were the first who attempted to utilize the
poAver here by putting in a gristmill in 1749. In 1795 Darling
and Boyden built a sawmill, and succeeding them several minor
industries Avere carried on. The present Boston Duck Company
was formed February 15, 1845, and the mill completed in 1849.
The village Avas named in honor of Emelius Bond, an early resi-
( 147 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
dent and leading business man of the community. The viUage
has a population of about 1,600; has several churches, schools
and stores. Palmer. — This village resulted from the building of the
Western Railroad in 1839 ; prior to that date the territory now
occupied by the village Avas divided among the farms of Col.
Cyrus Knox, Elisha Converse, John Watson and Capt. A. N.
Dewey, with about half a dozen farm houses scattered along the

, _N,-ByBi(tfijf—«^»I5!Sl''V?^

Palmer business blocks
highAvay. When the station Avas located here the possibilities of
the place were soon recognized and a number of business men
located here, among whom were Mr. McGilvery, John Ward,
Franklin Morgan, Chester Strong and others. The McGilvery
Co. very quickly inaugurated a thriving mercantile business;
three hotels, the Nassawano, Converse and Western Railroad,
later the Antique, were speedily built, and the village began
its progress along the Unes of healthy groAvth. To-day it con
tains a population of 2,000, has four churches, graded and a high
( 148 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
schools, numerous stores, a National and a Savings bank, is the
seat of the Eastern Hampden district court with a resident judge,
is the home of the Eastern Hampden Agricultural society and
has an enterprising newspaper, the Palmer Journal, established
half a century ago. The Flynt Construction company is located
here, from which point all their extensive business is conducted.
The industries of this portion of the toAvn are the Palmer Carpet

Looking up Main Street — Palmer Village

company, the Holden Woolen mill, the Wright & Gallon Wire
works and the iron foundry.
Blanchardville.— This important water power on the Qua
baug river was first utilized by Solomon Slater, who came from
Rhode Island about 1790, built a mill on the Palmer side of the
stream, and fitted it with machinery of his own invention for the
manufacture of cloth. He remained but a few years and his mill
was changed to a grist mill. In 1805 Capt. David Hyde had
both grist and sawmills here. In 1818 they were owned by
( 149 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
EUsha Converse and in 1830 by Rufus Bugbee. In 1824 Maj.
John B. Blanchard located here and began the manufacture of
scythes, which he continued till 1840, when the business passed
to his sons, Alonzo V., William J., John D. and Franklin, who
Avere very successful and had a wide sale for their product. They
also engaged extensively in the making of plow and shovel
handles, ox bows and wheel rims, continuing the business for
many years. This power is now owned and used by the Central
Massachusetts Electric Company.
Colonial Houses.— A few houses remain as object lessons of
the times when Palmer lived under the rule of George HI. A
portion of the present Charles R. Shaw house was built by Wil
liam Patterson about 1745. The Seva Brown house, east of Mt.
Pottaquattuck, Avas built in 1750, i. e., the ell part, by Dr. Wm.
McClanathan, and. the two-story part in 1770 by his son Samuel.
The Rev. Moses BaldAvin house in Palmer village was built by
him about 1767. The Joshua Shaw house was built by ShaAV
about 1762, near the scene of the first ordination. The Dr. Jabez
Lamb house Avas built about 1770. The Deacon Brainerd house
Avas built by Samuel Frost about 1760, with a front of two stories,
and in the rear of one. The front remains unchanged, but the
rear has been raised a story to correspond. This house was a
tavern in the revolution, and where Gen. Reidesel, his wife and
officers were entertained while his soldier prisoners were en
camped about the house in 1777. The oldest portion of the
Charles P. Smith house was built by the first owner, Robert
Smith, about 1750, the front part by his son, Robert, Jr., in 1793.
The farm has been in the Smith family for four generations and
is now owned by Charles P. Smith.
Early Taverns.— In the days before the existence of the
daily newspapers the tavern was the principal rendezvous for
the exchange of news and opinions, so in Palmer from the first
the landlord was one of the leading men of the town whose in
fluences were wielded in a marked degree. The most noted early
taverns in town were Quinton 's, Thompson's, and Frink 's at the
Old Center ;Maj. Aaron Graves's, the first and second Scott,
and SedgAA'ick 's, near Shearer's Corner, and the King Tavern
( 150 )

3
O
w cS
CB cS
j4 COO
1-5

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
on site of the present Cross block in Palmer village, and the
Captain Walker tavern, later the Brainerd house. The later
and present houses of note are the Nassawano, the Converse and
the Weeks. Chtirches.— The first church— Presbyterian, later Congrega
tional — was organized about 1730, and had its location at the
Old Center till. 1848, when it was removed to Thorndike. The
Second Congregational Church was organized April 1, 1847,
composed of members dismissed from the first church and others,
and located in the then new village of Palmer. The First Bap
tist Church began to crystallize as early as 1818, but was not or
ganized till November 16, 1825. The permanent church edifice
was erected in Three Rivers in 1832. The Second Baptist Church
organized in the village of Palmer August 8, 1852. The nucleus
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Palmer was formed in
1833 by a class of ten persons in Three Rivers, but it was not till
June 16, 1857, that the church had a more permanent home,
when its church edifice was dedicated at Pour Corners. In 1885
the society united with the church at Bondsville, which had been
formed in 1866. A Union Evangelical church was organized at
Three Rivers April 27, 1876, which still continues its successful
AVork. The Advent Christian Church was organized in the vil
lage of Palmer in 1874.
Second Baptist Church.— This church was organized August
8, 1852, and Avas incorporated by a special act of the Legislature
May 2, 1887. It is located in Palmer village. It was formed
Avith a list of twenty members formerly of the Three Rivers
Church, but residents of Palmer viUage. A house of worship was
dedicated in March, 1854. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel A.
Collins, Jr., Avho Avas recognized in September, 1852.
St. Paul's Universalist Church was organized May 28, 1876,
by Rev. A. J. Patterson, D. D., with a membership of twenty-
one. The house of worship, the finest in town, built of Monson
granite, was dedicated May 12, 1880. Rev. Charles H. Eaton
was the first pastor and resigned after a successful pastorate of
four years to become the pastor of Dr. Chapin 's church in New
York city. ( 153 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
Roman Catholic Churches.— Prior to 1850 but few families
of the Roman Catholic faith had settled in Palmer, so that the
visits of priests for their instruction were infrequent, but in
1854 their number had increased to the extent that it was deemed
advisable to purchase the church at the Old Center, which was
dedicated for their use the foUoAving year and continued to be
their place of assembly till 1876, when it Avas vacated to occupy
the new church at Thorndike, established through the efforts of

Looking toward the Baptist Church from the depot — Palmer Village

Father Lynch. In 1878 St. Thomas Church Avas established in
Palmer village, and has been a flourishing society under the able
leadership of its various priests. A French Catholic church was
established at Three Rivers in 1880, for whom a fine church was
erected in 1884. St. Bartholomew 's ^ Church was organized at
Bondsville in 1879, and a house was erected for its worship. It
has been under the charge of Father McKearny since its organ
ization. St. Anne's Mission for French people was organized
at BondsAdUe in 1889. ( 153 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Schools.— ^eeanse of the poverty of the people during the
preliminary years of settlement no public schools were estab
lished in toAvn prior to 1752 ; the limited instruction gathered by
the young people during that period was obtained at home or
in the families of the better informed, of which class there were
notable examples. In 1752 the town was divided into four dis
tricts, and the sum of £10 14s. 4d. was raised for the support of
the schools for the ensuing year. One teacher was employed to
give instruction in rotation, or about tAvo months in each section.
As no school houses Avere built before 1767 the schools were held
in private houses as convenience dictated. Soon after the above
date, however, school houses were erected in the five divisions,
the house at the Center being completed in 1782. The school
houses of those days were very plain structures devoid of orna
ment or comfort, with a huge fireplace at one end opposite the
teacher's desk, Avith slabs for seats and rough boards for forms,
and it is to be feared that the instruction was as crude as the
environments. From this humble beginning the schools of
Palmer have steadily progressed till they have attained a position
second to few in the state, when the ability of the teachers and
the up-to-date appointments of the buildings are considered. A
high school has been maintained since 1851, but students were
not graduated till 1877, since which time the graduates number
219 : of this number 29 have become college graduates, 19 have
taken partial courses of college study, 6 are graduates' of nor
mal schools, 7 have taken partial courses in normal study, 5 are
graduates of business colleges, 8 have taken post-graduate semi
nary studies, 16 are now in college and 4 in business colleges.
The graduates who have chosen professions are divided as fol
lows : Teachers 62, clergymen 2, lawyers 4, physicians 4, anayUt-
ical chemist 1, librarian 1, music teachers 2, dentists 2. A graded
school is located in each of the four villages, each divided into
nine grades. There are also five ungraded district schools. In
1900-1901 there were 1,300 children enrolled, under the charge
of 35 teachers. The amount expended for schools in same time
was $21,579.65. Young Men's Library Association was organized December
2, 1878, and incorporated under the general laws of the state.
( 154 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
The corporate members were Rev. Charles H. Eaton, 0. P. Allen,
Dr. W. H. Stowe, C. B. Fiske, S. H. Hellyat, S. S. Taft, W. A.
Lincoln, S. W. French, W. C. Dewey, C. W. Johnson. The
library was started by a subscription of $715 for the purchase
of books. Since the first year the library has been largely main
tained by an annual appropriation by the town. For several
yours, hoAvever, after its organization, rooms for its use were
furnished free through the generosity of Mr. M. W. French. In
1890 a few citizens, recognizing the pressing needs of the library,
raised $3,000 by subscription and bought a site for a memorial
building, which was erected by the town at a cost of $20,000, and
dedicated to the use of the library and the post of the G. A. R.,
April 29, 1891, with an address by Rev. Charles H. Eaton of
NcAV York. The library noAV contains about 6,000 volumes.
Societies.— Palmer is noted for its numerous societies, some
of them of long standing. Of the Masonic branches, Thomas
Lodge was constituted 1796 ; Hampden R. A. Chapter organized
1864; Washington Council, R. and S. M., organized 1873, with
¦ the auxiliary Revere Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Of
the other societies may be mentioned the Palmer Historical So
ciety, organized May 6, 1899, with these officers: President, J.
C. Wing; secretary and treasurer, H. C. Strong; vice-president.
Rev. P. B. Harrison ; curator, 0. P. Allen. This society has done
valuable Avork in preserving many historical papers and relics
connected Avith the town. The I. 0. of 0. P., Good Cheer Re-
bekah Lodge, the Knights of Malta, Knights of Columbus, the
Red Men, Eastern Hampden Agricultural Society, incorporated
1856; St. Mary's Total Abstinence Society, Royal Arcanum,
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, A. 0. U. W., Foresters
of America, Kings' Daughters, Women's Tuesday Club, Once a
Week Club, L. L. Mirrick Post, G. A. R. ; ReUef Corps, Cyrus
W. Cross Camp, S. of V.; Palmer Business and Social Club,
Societe de Secours Mutuels.
Cemeteries.— The oldest cemetery is located in the village of
Palmer and was set apart by the first settlers, probably in 1729,
on the occasion of the death of several children, one of them
being Moses, the son of John King, the first settler. . The oldest
( 155 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
headstone having an inscription bears date of May 22, 1732.
Additions have been made to the grounds at different periods,
which now contain about fifteen acres. The cemetery at the Old
Center was laid out in 1735, and doubtless the first one buried
there was Lieut. Samuel Doolittle, on July 18, 1736. A large
number of the early settlers are buried here, but it is used but
little at present. A small cemetery was laid out at Three Rivers
in 1837, and another at Four Corners in 1851. The Catholic
Cemetery, near the Old Center, was laid out in 1863, and the
French Catholic Cemetery, near Three Rivers, in 1879. The
Palmer Cemetery Association was organized June 18, 1888, for
the purpose of caring for the cemetery grounds in the Palmer
village, and has been the means of greatly improving the same.
In 1898 the toAvn elected three cemetery commissioners, who have
the charge of the Protestant cemeteries of the town.
War of the Rebellion.— YiMring the civil war the patriotic
spirit of the revolutionary fathers was revived and Palmer
promptly met the various calls and furnished 197 men for the
service, to whose valiant deeds the Memorial hall has been
erected to commemorate. The names of her soldiers have been
engraved on marble tablets and placed in the building.
Some Prominent Men of the Past. — Among those most active
in shaping the affairs of the town in its early days were the
elder William Scott, SteAvard Southgate, Barnard McNitt, John
King, Lieut. Samuel Doolittle, and Duncan Quinton. In the
years following the Smiths, Ferrells, McElwains, McClanathans,
Shearers. In the revolutionary period we shall ever remember
the service of Capt. David Spear, who led the immortal band of
forty-four men the day foU owing the Lexington alarm to the
relief of their compatriots. Robert Hunter, Lieut. WilUam
Scott, Jr., Maj. Aaron Graves, Col. Sylvanus WaU?er, Capt.
David Shaw, Rev. Moses Baldwin, whose pastoral service of fifty
years was a bright memory in the darkest period of the town's
history, 1762 to 1812. The numerous descendants of John King,
the first settler, honored their ancestor 's name in town for more
than one hundred and fifty years. One of them, Henry King,
removed to Pennsylvania and became a member of congress.
( 156 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
Later came Col. Amos Hamilton, Asa Ward, John Ward, Aaron
Merrick, Maj. Frank Morgan, John B. Blanchard and sons Wil
liam, Alonzo, John and Franklin; the Converses, Col. Cyrus
Knox, Capt. Jesse and Col. Isaac King, Dr. Aaron King, Joseph
Brown, J. B. Merrick, E. B. Gates, G. M. Fiske and EUjah Mur-
doek. This list can be greatly extended by referring to the names
found in the list of town officers further on. It would be in
vidious to select the names of those noAV living who are well
worthy of a place here. They can well wait for a future his
torian to place them on record.
Clerks of the Elbows Plantation, 1733-1752: Steward
Southgate, 1733-1739 ; David Shaw, 1739 ; John Thompson, 1740,
1741; John ApUn, 1742, 1746; WiUiam Scott, Jr., 1746-1750;
Samuel Shaw, Jr., 1750-1752.
Clerks of the District and Town of Palmer: David Shaw,
1752-1753-1754; Barnard McNitt, 1755-1761; Thomas King,
1762-1770 ; Robert Hunter, Jr., 1771-1786 ; WilUam Scott, Esq.,
1787 : Robert Hunter, 1788 ; John Allen Smith, 1789-1804 ; Amos
Hamilton, 1805-1813 ; James Stebbins, 1814 ; TheophUus Knight,
1815-1817 ; John Frink, 1818-1828 ; TheophUus H. Knight, 1829-
1835; Amos Hamilton, 1836-1840; Horatio G. Hale, 1841 ; Gamaliel
Collins, 1842; John Ward, 1843-1847; WiUiam J. Blanchard,
1848 ; Theophilus H. Knight, 1849-1852 ; Ebenezer Brown, 1853-
1856 ; James K. ChUd, 1857 ; WiUiam N. Packard, 1858 ; Daniel
Granger, 1859-1863; Joseph H. Blair, 1864; Lyman Dimock,
1865-1867; James B. Shaw, 1868-1901.
Selectmen: 1752, Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, John Thompson,
Thomas McClanathan, John Aplin; 1753, Seth Shaw, Thomas Mc
Clanathan, Robert Rogers, Dunkin Quinton, James Smith, John
Thompson, John ApUn ; 1754, Barnard McNitt, Hugh McMaster,
James Breckinridge, William McClanathan, Robert FarreU, Jr. ;
1755, James Breckinridge, John Thompson, Barnard McNitt,
Robert Hunter, James Smith, Seth Shaw ; 1756, James Breckin
ridge, Dunkin Quinton, Robert Rogers, Thomas King, Timothy
McElwain, Samuel Shaw ; 1757, Timothy McElwain, John Thom
son, Jonathan Chapin, Seth Shaw, James Smith; 1758, John
Thomson, Seth Shaw, Timothy McElwain, Jonathan Chapin,
( 157 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Samuel Shaw, Jr.; 1759, John Thomson, Seth Shaw, Timothy
McElAvain, John Smith, John King; 1760, John Thomson, Wil
liam Scott, Timothy McElwain, Seth Shaw, John King; 1761,
John Thomson, WilUam Scott, Seth Shaw, Timothy McElwain,
John King; 1762, John Thomson, Seth Shaw, John King, Tim
othy McElwain, WiUiam McClanathan; 1763, WiUiam Scott,
James Breckinridge, Seth Shaw, John Smith, Robert Rogers;
1764, James Breckinridge, Robert Rogers, Seth Shaw, William
McClanathan, John Smith; 1765, William Scott, Seth Shaw,
Robert Rogers; 1766, William Scott, Robert Rogers, Seth Shaw;
1767, Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, WilUam Scott, WilUam Mc
Clanathan, Samuel Shaw ; 1768, Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, Wil
liam Scott, Samuel Shaw, William McClanathan; 1769, Lieut.
William Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, Sr., Samuel
ShaAV, WilUam McClanathan ; 1770, Lieut. WilUam Scott, Dea
con Seth Shaw, Elder Robert Rogers, Elder William McClana
than, David Spear ; 1771, Lieut. W^illiam Scott, Phineas Mixter,
John McMaster ; 1772, Lieut. WUliam Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw,
Phineas Mixter, John McMaster, David Spear; 1773, David
Spear, Lieut. William Scott, John McMaster, Robert Brown,
Robert Ferrell; 1774, Lieut. William Scott, David Spear, John
McMaster, Robert Ferrell, Robert Brown; 1775, Lieut. WiUiam
Scott, Capt. David Spear, Robert Ferrell, Robert Brown, Lieut.
Joshua Shaw; 1776, Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw,
James Smith, Thomas King, Capt. Aaron Graves; 1777, Phineas
Mixter, Deacon John McMaster, Deacon John Smith, Robert
Ferrell, Lieut. Ebenezer Jones ; 1778, Capt. DaAdd Spear, Deacon
Thomas King, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Capt. David Spear, Aaron
Graves, Samuel McClanathan; 1779, Capt. David Spear, Lieut.
Joshua Shaw, Capt. Aaron Graves, Robert Hunter, Lieut. Robert
McMaster ; 1780, Robert Ferrell, Joshua McMaster, Deacon John
Smith, John Quinton, Samuel Shaw; 1781, John McMaster, John
Quinton, Samuel Shaw, John Rogers, Samuel Cummings; 1782,
Capt. David Spear, Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Breckenridge,
John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson ; 1783, Capt. David Spear,
Maj Aaron Graves, Francis Breckenridge, John Thomson, Lieut.
John King; 1784, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King,
( 158 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
Francis Breckenridge, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson;
1785, Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Breckenridge, James Thom
son, Lieut. David King, Capt. Patrick Watson; 1786, Maj.
Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Francis Breckenridge, John
Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson; 1787, Capt. David Spear,
Dwight Ward, Lieut. John Hamilton, Jesse King, Lieut. Thomas
McClanathan; 1788, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King,
Lieut. Thomas McClanathan, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Wat
son; 1789, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Lieut. Thomas
McClanathan, John Thomson, Capt. David Shaw; 1790, Lieut.
David King, Maj. Aaron Graves, Capt. David Shaw, Lieut.
Thomas McClanathan, Lieut. James Smith; 1791, Aaron Mer
rick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw; 1792, Aaron
Merrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw ; 1793, Aaron
Merrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Col. David Shaw, Capt. Thomas
McClanathan, Lieut. John King; 1794, Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut.
David King, Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Deacon
¦Samuel McClanathan; 1795, Lieut. David King, Maj. Aaron
Graves, Capt. David Spear, Deacon Samuel McClanathan, Dea
con Joshua Shaw; 1796, Alpheus Converse, Gordon Sedgwick,
Ebenezer Webber, Thomas Hill, Jesse King ; 1797, Alpheus Con
verse, Gordon Sedgwick, Ebenezer Webber, Jesse King, Joseph
¦Smith; 1798, Aaron Merrick, Samuel McClanathan, Timothy
Brainerd, Clark McMaster, Solomon Shaw ; 1799, Aaron Merrick,
¦Gordon SedgAvick, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Lieut. James Smith,
Dr. Jonathan Shearer; 1800, Dr. Jonathan Shearer, Lieut. John
Hamilton, Theophilus Knight, Isaac Warren, Daniel Shearer;
1801, Deacon Gordon Sedgwick, Lieut. James Smith, Timothy
Brainerd, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Theophilus Knight; 1802,
Aaron Merrick, Capt. Thomas McClanathan, Capt. Jesse King,
Lieut. WiUiam Spear, Daniel Shearer; 1803, Aaron Merrick,
Esq., Capt. Thomas McClanathan, Deacon Gordon Sedgwick,
Capt. Jesse King, Daniel Shearer; 1804, Capt. Alpheus Con
verse, Capt. Jesse King, John A. Smith, Isaac Ferrell, Solomon
Shaw; 1805, Capt. Jesse King, Ens. Daniel Shearer, Solomon
ShaAA', Isaac Ferrell, Jacob Converse, Jr. ; 1807, Aaron Merrick,
lEsq., Gordon Sedgwick, Alpheus Converse, Isaac Ferrell, Solo-
( 159 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
mon Shaw; 1808, Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark
McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d; 1809, Jesse King,
Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John
King, 3d; 1810, Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark
McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d ; 1811, Capt. Jesse
King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton,
John King, 3d; 1812, Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Asa
Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel ShaAV; 1813, Jesse King, Theophilus
Knight, Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw; 1814, Alpheus
Converse, Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw, Isaac Ferrell;
1815, Jesse King, Asa Ward, John McMaster, Benjamin Cum
mings, Philip Lamb ; 1816, Col. Amos Hamilton, Solomon Shaw,
Wilson Foster, John Smith, John Shaw ; 1817, Col. Amos Hamil
ton, Solomon Shaw, Wilson Foster, John Smith, John Shaw;
1818, James Stebbins, Esq., Asa Ward, Robert Smith, Joseph
Lee, Elijah Hills; 1819, James Stebbins, Asa Ward, Robert
Smith, Joseph Lee, Jr., Elijah Hills ; 1820, James Stebbins, Wil
son Foster, Joseph Lee, Jr. ; 1821, Col. Amos Hamilton, Asa
Ward, Calvin White ; 1822, Col. Amos Hamilton, Clark McMas
ter, Daniel King; 1823, Col. Amos Hamilton, Capt. Daniel King,
Capt. Jonathan Moore ; 1824, Col. Amos Hamilton, Joseph Lee,
Jr., Noah Stimson; 1825, James Stebbins, Esq., Asa Ward,
Zadock Cooley, Reuben Shaw, Elias Turner; 1826, John Frink,
Lebbeus Chapin, Calvin Ward, Cyrus Knox, John Sedgwick,
1827, John Frink, Calvin Ward, Cyrus Knox, John Sedgwick,
John B. Blanchard ; 1828, Col. Amos Hamilton, Sylvester Parks,
Robert Hitchcock, Jonathan Moore, Jr., Isaac King ; 1829, Capt.
Sylvester Parks, Robert Hitchcock, Col. Isaac King, Emelius
Bond, Truman Smith ; 1830, John Frink, Joseph Lee, Jr., Cyrus
Knox; 1831, John Sedgwick, Capt. Timothy Ferrell, Truman
Smith; 1832, Col. Cyrus Knox, Capt. Truman Smith, Clark Mc
Master; 1833, Elisha Converse, Jr., Leonard Davis, Alonzo V.
Blanchard; 1834, Col. Cyrus Knox, Joseph Brown, 2d, Leonard
Davis; 1835, Col. Cyrus Knox, Clark McMaster, John Ward;
1836, John Ward, Abel Calkin, Marble K. FerreU, Ralph Green,
WiUiam J. Blanchard; 1837, John Ward, Abel Calkin, Marble
K. Ferrell, Ralph Green, WiUiam J. Blanchard; 1838, John
( 160 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
AVard, William J. Blanchard, David S. Paine, Pliny Cooley,
PMletus W. Burnett ; 1839, John Ward, PUny Cooley, EUphalet
Hancock, Royal Buffington, A. V. Blanchard; 1840, Sylvester
Parks, John Gammell, Royal Buffington; 1841, John Gammell,
A. V. Blanchard, P. W. Burnett, Gilbert Barker, Merrick Cooley ;
1842, A. V. Blanchard, Asa Shumway, Moses Barnes; 1843, A.
V. Blanchard, Asa Shumway, P. W. Burnett, Abner Allen, Jr.,
Jedediah A. Paine; 1844, Abel Calkins, Abner Allen, Jr., James
Gammell, Benjamin Davis, John D. Blanchard; 1845, James
Gammell, Marble K. Ferrell, J. D. Blanchard, Gilbert Barker,
Absalom C. Peck ; 1847, Keyes Foster, Isaac King, W. J. Blan-
chard, Rufus Brown, Sylvester Parks; 1848, Sylvester Parks,
Isaac King, K. Poster, Joseph C. Burgess, Horace Hunn; 1849,
A. V. Blanchard, M. K. FerreU, Perry Hastings, Enos Calkins,
Cyrus Knox ; 1850, A. V. Blanchard, Cyrus Knox, M. K. Ferrell,
Enos Calkins, Rozel Hastings ; 1851 , Cyrus Knox, A. V. Blanch
ard, M. K. Ferrell; 1852, A. V. Blanchard, Enos Calkins, George
Moores; 1853, John A. Squires, Enos Calkins; 1854, Gilbert
Barker, George Moores, J. A. Squires; 1855, Horace Hunn,
Nathan Howard, David Knox ; 1856, Horace Hunn, Nathan How
ard, David Knox ; 1857, Horace Hunn, George Moores, Solomon
R. Lawrence; 1858, Hunn, Moores and Lawrence; 1859, S. R.
Lawrence, Geo. Moores, James S. Loomis; 1860, Geo. Moores, J.
S. Loomis, Gilbert Barker ; 1861, Geo. Moores, J. S. Loomis, Abel
Webber ; 1862, J. S. Loomis, A. Webber, Nathan Howard ; 1863,
A. Webber, E. B. Gates, Parker W. Webster ; 1864, same board ;
1865, Enos Calldns, E. B. Gates, George Moores; 1866, E.
Calkins, Geo. Moores, J. E. Crane; 1867, same board; 1868, W.
W. Cross, J. E. Crane, P. W. Webster; 1869, J. S. Loomis, E. G.
Murdock, P. W. Webster; 1870-1871-1872, same board; 1873, B.
G. Murdock, P. W. Webster, T. D. Potter; 1874, Ebenezer
Brown, 0. B. Smith, J. 0. Hamilton; 1875, J. 0. Hamilton, Enos
Calkins, E. B. Gates; 1876, J. 0. Hamilton, E. Calkins, Geo.
Moores : 1877, James 0. Hamilton, P. W. Webster, Joseph Keri-
gan ; 1878, 0. B. Smith, Henry P. Holden, Joseph Kerigam ; 1879,
Albert H. WilUs, F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan; 1880, F. A.
Packard, Joseph Kerigan, Charles E. Dewey; 1881, E. G. Mur-
11-3 ( 161 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
dock, Henry G. Loomis, Henry McMaster; 1882, same board;
1883, H. G. Loomis, Elbridge G. Hastings, J. Kerigan; 1884, H.
G. Loomis, J. Kerigan, Davis B. Bishop; 1885, Chas. D. Hol
brook, Charles L. Holden, Joseph Kerigan; 1886, J. Kerigan,
Samuel H. Hellyat, Capt. H. E. W. Clark; 1887, H. E. W.
Clark, Daniel F. Holden, Joseph Kerigan; 1888, D. L. Holden,
William H. Brainerd, Joseph Kerigan; 1889, W. H. Brainerd,
Michael J. Dillon, Joseph L. Holbrook; 1890, H. P. Marcy,
M. J. DiUon, W. H. Brainerd; 1891, W. H. Brainerd,
Chas. E. Getchell, John P. Twiss; 1892, same board; 1893, H. P.
Holden, C. E. GetcheU, J. P. Twiss; 1894, same board; 1895, J.
F. Twiss, Chas. T. Brainerd, Geo. M. Atkins ; 1896, same board ;
1897, same board; 1898, M. J. Dillon, Chas. L. Holden, G. M.
Atkins; 1899, M. J. DiUon, Chas. L. Holden, Chas. T. Brainerd;
1900, Geo. M. Atkins, C. H. Hobbs, John F. Twiss; 1901, John F.
TAviss, C. H. Hobbs.
Physicians. — The records fail to disclose the name of a resi
dent physician prior to 1764, when Dr. Jabez Lamb settled in
toAvn and practiced his art. As Dr. John Sherman settled in
Brimfield before 1730, he was probably called by Palmer people
when in need of his services. Calvin Scott, a college graduate,
followed, 1778-1800; Benjamin Trask, 1779; Jonathan Shearer,
1794-1828 ; Nathan Cummings, 1799 ; Anson Moody, 1819 ; J. N.
Hastings, 1820; Aaron King, 1824-1861; Marcus M. Shearer,
1826-1854; Amasa Davis, 1839-1869; Reuben Barron; 1843-1858;
J. B. Thomas, 1845-1880 ; George W. Burke, 1845-1850 ; Andrew
J. White, 1846-1850; WilUam Holbrook, 1848-1901; E. E.
Wilder, 1853; WilUam Blair, 1854; N. Barnes, 1854-1859; Por
ter Davis, 1820-1824 ; A. M. Higgins, 1856-1867 ; George N. Nich
ols ,1857 ; G. F. Forbes, 1857 ; Samuel Shaw, 1857 ; F. W. Calkins,
1860-1864; J. W. Comins, 1861-1865; B. R. Johnson, 1862; E.
B. Lyon, 1863-1865 ; Isaac Manning, 1863-1865 ; Silas Ruggles',
1866-1889; J. K. Warren, 1870-1882; W. H. Stowe, 1876-1895;
H. A. Smith, 1878 to present time; W. B. Holbrook, 1879-1882;
John Rand, J. B. Hyland, G. H. Wilkins, 1882 to the present
time; B. Sirois, 1884 and 1892; M. H. Davis, 1886-1890; J. J.
Flynn, 1886-1891 ; John Wilbur, 1887-1895 ; A. 0. Squares, 1889-
( 163 )

THE TOWN OF PALMER
1891 ; W. H. BUss, 1891-1899 ; J. A. Dorval, 1891-1893 ; H. M.
Auger, 1891-1893; J. C. Boulay, 1893-1900; J. H. Desmaris,
1893-1894; L. H. Hendee, 1894-1901; J. P. Schneider, 1895 to
the present ; G. Laf ontaine, 1896-1899 ; S. 0. MiUer, 1900 ; Geo.
J. Hebert, 1900 ; Chas. H. Giroux, 1900, T. C. Dorval, 1900 ; J.
H. Miller, 1901. There were a few others whose stay was short.
Lawyers.— 'William. Scott, Jr., was the first resident lawyer
of Palmer, grad. H. U. 1771. He studied with Lawyer Pynchon
of Springfield some time, and was then appointed justice of the
peace for Palmer in 1774. He had an extensive legal business
till 1793, AA^hen he removed from town. Daniel Shearer, 1800-
1820; James Stebbins, W. C, 1807; practiced in Palmer from
1813 for many years ; Calvin Torry, 1841-1858 ; S. T. Spaulding,
A. C, 1839, a short time after 1844 ; B. B. Whittemore, H. U.,
1839, from 1844, a short time; Samuel Plemming, H. U., from
1847 to 1850 ; M. Barlow, 1852, for a short time ; Fred T. Wal
lace, 1848-1854; James G. Allen, 1853-1878, and judge of the
Eastern Hampden Court from 1872-1878 ; Daniel Granger, 1857-
1861 ; Joseph H. Blair, 1862-1865 ; Chas. L. Gardner, 1867-1897 ;
H. P. Barlow, 1870-1871 ; J. W. Cochran, 1870 ; Stephen S. Taft,
H. U., 1870, from 1872 to 1895; A. R. Barker, 1879; H. C.
Strong ,A. C, 1875, and H. U., from 1879 tiU his death, 1900 ;
Thos. K. Kenefick, H. U. 1877, from 1879 to present time, W.
W. Leach, Tufts C, 1880, from 1883 to present time, now judge
Eastern Hampden Court ; A. R. Fitch, Iowa State U., 1833, from
1888 to present time, clerk of the Eastern Hampden Court since
1896 ; Richard F. Twiss, A. C, 1896, from 1897 tiU his death,
1899; David F. Dillon, Tufts C, 1896, Mich. U., 1899, from
1899 to present time; Ernest E. Hobson, Maine U., 1900, from
1900 to present time. Of the foregoing Messrs, Scott, Shearer,
Fleming, Strong, Twiss, DiUon and Hobson were natives of
Palmer. Representatives to the General Court. — Capt. David Spear,
1776 ; Lieut. WilUam Scott, 1777 ; voted not to send, 1778 ; Capt.
David Spear, 1779 ; voted not to send, 1780, 1781 ; Capt. David
Spear, 1782, 1783, 1784; WilUam Scott, 1785; Capt. David
( 163 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Spear, 1786; Capt. David Shaw, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791,
1792; Col, David Shaw, 1793; Capt. Thomas McClanathan,
1794 ; Capt. David Spear, 1795 ; Lieut. David King, 1796 ; Lieut
James Smith, 1797 ; Isaac Warren, 1798 ; Aaron Merrick, 1799 ;
Lieut. James Smith, 1800, 1801, 1802; Aaron Merrick, 1803,
1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808 ; Capt. Jesse King, 1809, 1810, 1811,
1812; Capt. Alpheus Converse, 1813, 1814; Capt. Jesse King,
1815; Col. Amos Hamilton, 1816, 1817; James Stebbins, 1818;
voted not to send, 1819 ; James Stebbins, 1820 ; Clark McMaster,
1821, 1822 ; voted not to send, 1823 ; John Frink, 1824 ; voted
not to send, 1825; Asa Ward, 1826; voted not to send, 1827;
Capt. Daniel King, 1828; John Sedgwick, 1829; Col. Cyrus
Knox, 1830 ; Joseph Lee, 1831, 1832 ; Capt. Daniel King, 1833 ;
Robert Hitchcock, 1834 ; Col. Cyrus Knox, 1835 ; Emelius Bond
and Alonzo V. Blanchard, 1836 ; Sylvester Parks and John
Ward, 1837 ; Marble K. FerreU and Abel Calkins, 1838 ; James
Gammell and William J. Blanchard, 1839; Franklin Morgan
and Asa Shumway, 1840; Olney Goff, 1841; John Ward, 1842;
Abel Calkins, 1843 ; Gilbert Barker, 1844 ; Alonzo V. Blanchard,
1845 ; Lambert AUen, 1846 ; Alonzo V. Blanchard, 1847 ; Calvin
Torrey and Jacob B. Merrick, 1848; Jacob B. Merrick, 1849;
John D. Blanchard, 1850; Joseph Brown, Jr., 1851; Amos C.
Billings, 1852; Enos Calkins, 1853; Gilbert Barker, 1854; Elijah
G. Murdock, 1855; Capt. Alonzo N. Dewey, 1856; Sylvanus G.
Shaw, 1857; Solomon A. Fay, 1858; Henry Seism, 1859; John
Clough, 1860 ; Solomon R. Lawrence, 1861 ; Stephen G. Newton,
1862 ; James S. Loomis, 1863 ; Col. Jacob Stever, 1864 ; David
Knox, 1865 ; Ephraim B. Gates, 1866 ; James G. Allen, 1867. Fol
lowing the last date above. Palmer, as a part of a Representative
District, has furnished these representatives from her own town :
Rev. Joseph Vaill, D. D., 1869, who died in office, and Lyman
Dimock was chosen to fill the vacancy; Ebenezer Brown, 1871;
James B. Shaw, 1872 ; Charles L. Gardner, 1875, 1876 ; Timothy
D. Potter, 1878; Joseph P. Holbrook, 1880; Dr. WiUiam Hol
brook, 1882; Oren B. Smith, 1884; Stephen S. Taft, 1886, 1887;
WiUiam W. Leach, 1889 ; Horace Saunders, 1890 ; Capt. H. E.
W. Clark, 1891, 1892 ; Henry G. Loomis, 1893 ; Thomas W. Kene
fick, 1895, 1896, 1897; Elbridge G. Hastings, 1901.
( 164 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
Palmer of To-cZaj/.- According to the census of 1900 Palmer
contains 7,801 inhabitants ; its valuation is $2,819,837. The vil
lage of Palmer is the center of a street car system which connects
it with the other three villages of the town, with Monson and
Ware, with Wilbraham, Ludlow and Springfield. Each of its
four villages has railroad connections, post-offices and express
offices, schools and churches. Its mills are prosperous and in full
operation. It has a beautiful summer resort at Forest Lake —
the Pottaquattuck of Indian times — which yearly grows in
popular favor and attracts visitors from far and near. The
town contains a great variety of scenery, contributed by its three
rivers, its four viUages, its green robed valleys and hills and
rivers, its four villages, its green-robed valleys and hills and
its quite retreats of sylvan shade where one wearied with
turmoil of busy streets can retire and find perfect rest and
peace in communion with nature. The easy access which the
town commands from all points attracts many visitors who wish
to enjoy a day of rural life.

CHAPTER III
THE TOWN OF AVILBRAHAM
On the eastern and western borders of the territory com
prising the original town of Springfield were strips of land
Avhich, for many years after the colony was planted at Agawam,
Avere unoccupied, and while within the limits of the town there
was no attempt at their improvement or allotment among the
persons comprising the Pynchon proprietary. The lands border
ing on the Connecticut, on both sides, were known as the "plain
lands", and lying next east and west were the strips knoAvn as
the "inner commons". Outside of the latter, on the borders of
the town lay the "outward commons", the strip on the east
side under the latter designation including nearly all that now
comprises Wilbraham. ( 165 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Owing to the strict requirements laid upon all settlers on
the plantation at Springfield, together with the constantly in
creasing suspicion of unfriendliness on the part of the Indians
of the region, there was little attempt at settlement outside the
plain lands on the river, while the inner common lands were
developed only for such purposes as did not require a residence
there on the part of the owner. The outward common on the
east side of the town comprised much mountainous and barren
land and Avas regarded as of little value for farming purposes,
while vast areas were stripped of their natural forest growths,
having been burned into that condition by former Indian oc
cupants. Inasmuch as these outward common lands on the east side
of the mother town were of little real value, the proprietors had
made no division of them, and because of this fact Governor
Edmund Andros threatened to confiscate them and forfeit the
charter of the Pynchon colony. Then the proprietors took action,
and caused a survey and allotment to be made, diAdding the lands
among one hundred and twenty-three owners, according to the
polls, and reserving a ministry and also a school lot. This action
saved the lands to the town, but the division was of no other real
value at the time. A regular survey was made in 1729, and a
more systematic division Avas made in 1740, among about 400
owners; and a third allotment was made in 1754, among 544
persons. These surveys and divisions, however, were not made
to the satisfaction of the inhabitants, and through a little system
of political maneuvering the Pynchon interests secured the most
desirable tracts.
Settlement.— The settlement of Wilbraham did not result
directly from the first allotment of the lands among the pro
prietors, and it was not until about forty-five years afterward
that the pioneer white man came into the region. In the early
summer of 1730 Nathaniel Hitchcock left the settlement at
Springfield and came to the outward common on the east. He
built a cabin, cleared a small tract of about two acres, sowed a
field with wheat, and then, after having made his proposed new
home as comfortable as possible, returned to Springfield for the
( 166 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
winter. In May of the next year he brought hither his young
wife and made the first permanent settlement in what now is
Wilbraham, nine miles distant from the seat of the mother
colony. Here the family lived alone until the following year,
when Noah Alvord came and settled near the pioneer's land.
In 1733 Daniel Warner came, and in 1734 Nathaniel Warriner
located and made the fourth settler. In the early history of
Springfield these men had taken an active part in passing events,
the surname Warriner having an especial prominence in the
town.

The Washington Tavern, North Wilbraham
The progress of settlement was indeed rapid during the first
ten years after the coming of the pioneer, and among the many
who came to this portion of the outward commons previous to
1741 (the year in which the inhabitants here were established
as the fourth precinct of Springfield), there may be recalled the
names of Moses Burt, Samuel Warner, Samuel Stebbins, David
Merrick, John Jones, Abel Bliss, Daniel Lamb, Thomas Merrick,
David Warriner, Isaac BrcAver, David Chapin, Moses Bartlett,
Nathaniel Bliss, Aaron and Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Warriner,
Cornelius Webb, Henry Wright, Benjamin Wight, Joseph Sikes,
Thomas Glover, all of whom are believed to have come out into
( 167 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
this eastern region from the principal settlement at Springfield,
and nearly all of whom were descended from the earliest settlers
in the plantation on the east bank of the Connecticut.
, If the reader will turn to the early history of Springfield
there will be found mention of each of the surnames above given
and it Avill also be seen that these first settlers in Wilbraham
Avere descended from ancestors who came into the Connecticut
valley almost a century before the outposts of civilization were
planted among the rugged hills of the old fourth precinct— that
which we now caU Wilbraham. And, if local tradition be true,
these settlers were of the same hardy stock, of the same deter
mined character, and of the same devout religious spirit as were
those who founded the plantation on the Connecticut a century
before. All these settlers were located in that part which now
forms Wilbraham, and there seems not to have been any develop
ment in the region southward until several years later. However,
among the others who came into the fourth precinct soon after
it was established as such we may mention the names of Jonathan
Ely, Caleb Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell, Philip Lyon, Benoni At-
chinson and Ezra Barker.
In our allusion to the pioneers and the early settlement of
the town we have added little to the mere mention of the names
of the settlers; and this for the reason that Wilbraham is furnished
with an extended and carefully prepared historical record,
Avhich treats both of events of early life and times and of
genealogy to a considerable extent. In this respect the town is
fortunately provided, and the writer. Dr. Stebbins, seems to
have thoroughly covered the entire subject of local history. It
is not that the present writer regards these things as of minor
importance that he does not mention them here in detail, but
rather that the earlier record is so complete and reliable that
there is no present necessity to republish the family genealogies
of the toAvn.
Notwithstanding the rugged character of the land surface
in this part of the mother town, no less than twenty-six settlers
established themselves here between the years 1731 and 1741.
Their domestic wants were few and were easily supplied, but
( 168 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
that which caused the greatest inconvenience to their families
was the distance from the established church, hence the early
formed desire to be set off as a separate parish or precinct. As
early as January, 1739, the inhabitants of Springfield in town
meeting granted to "the people of the mountains" preaching
services for ten Sabbaths at 20 shillings per Sabbath; and in
March, 1740, the Longmeadow parish accorded like privileges
to the people of the outward commons east of their own precinct,
or to that part of Wilbraham which now is Hampden.
This favor, however, did not satisfy the full desire of the
inhabitants and on May 7, 1740, they addressed a petition to
the general court and commissioned Thomas Merrick, 2d, and
Abel Bliss to represent them before that body in an application
to be set off as a separate precinct, that they nught be enabled
to settle a minister and build a meeting house, and thus "main
tain the gospel" among themselves. This formal petition was
signed by 24 of the inhabitants, which, with the names of Thomas
Merrick, 2d, and Abel Bliss, represented all the settlers on the
outward commons at that time. The signers were Joseph Sikes,
Daniel Lamb, Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Wight, Henry Wright,
Thomas Glover, Cornelius Webb, Daniel Warner, Moses Bartlett,
Noah Alvord, Samuel Stebbins, jun., David Chapin, jun., David
Merrick, David Warriner, David Jones, Isaac Brewer, Samuel
Warner, 2d, Aaron Parsons, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Nathaniel
Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss, 2d, Benjamin Warriner, Samuel
Bartlett and Moses Burt.
Agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners, on January 6,
1741, an act of the general court of the colony established the
"Fourth Precinct of Springfield", including within its boun
daries substantially the territory of the present towns of Wil
braham and Hampden, and vesting the inhabitants thereof Avith
all the powers, privileges and immunities, and subject to the
obligations, of other precincts. The first meeting of inhabitants
for the selection of precinct officers was held at the house of
David "Mirick" (Merrick), March 12, 1741, at which time
WiUiam Pynchon, magistrate, Avas chosen moderator to conduct
the meeting. The following precinct officers were then chosen :
( 169 )

Old liouse built by Lieutenant Mirick
Ou 8pringfifia Moiuitain, in 1761

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
David Merrick, clerk; Thomas Merrick, 2d, Isaac Brewer,
Nathaniel Warriner, committee of the precinct (the duties of
the committee were similar to those of the selectmen of towns) ;
Isaac Brewer, treasurer; David Merrick, Thomas Merrick, 2d,
Samuel Stebbins, assessors; Nathaniel Warriner, collector.
This condition of corporate existence was continued until
June 15, 1763, when the precinct became a town with all the
powers and privileges of such. Under the precinct or parish
organization the corporate privileges were limited and that char
acter was assumed chiefly for the administration of the religious
affairs of the community, which at that time were regarded of
greater importance, even in town regulation, than the civil
rights and duties of the inhabitants. However, within less than
ten years after the incorporation of the precinct, having more
than the necessary forty families within its borders, there arose
a demand for full town privileges ; but this suggestion was op
posed by the authorities of the mother tqwn on the ground that
the precinct still needed the protection and support of the older
jurisdiction, while in fact the latter was only reluctant to become
separated from the flourishing little colony which had been
established on the outward commons. Thus it was that our toAvn
of Wilbraham retained its precinct character for fully fifteen
years after it was entitled to toAA'n privileges. The inhabitants
here time and again appealed to the general court for full
separation, but unsuccessfully, as Springfield had greater influ
ence with the legislative poAver.
At length, however, after three several attempts to establish
a district during the year 1762, the town of Springfield at a
meeting held May 17, 1763, voted to grant the prayer of the
petitioners of the fourth precinct; and agreeably thereto, on
June 15, the general court passed "An act for incorporating
the Fourth parish of Springfield in the county of Hampshire,
into a separate town by the name of Wilbraham". The terri
tory of the tovm, according to the act, comprised the region
previously known as the Fourth parish in Springfield, with the
addition of half a mile west from the west line of the parish,
and from the "Chicobee" (Chicopee) river on the north to the
line of the town of Somers (Conn.) on the south.
( 171 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The new creation was granted all the powers and privileges
of other towns in the province ; except that of electing a separate
representative to the general court. In this selection the town
joined with Springfield until 1786, when it was accorded full
town powers. During the period of parish character, the com
mittee of the precinct for each year was as follows :
Committee of the Precinct.— 174:1, Thomas Merrick, Isaac
Brewer, Nathaniel Warriner; 1742, Daniel Warner, Nathaniel
Hitchcock, Moses Burt; 1743, Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel
Warriner, Moses Burt; 1744, Thomas Merrick; Nathaniel Bliss,
David Jones; 1745, Nathaniel Warriner, John Jones, Stephen
Stebbins; 1746, Nathaniel Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss, Moses
Burt; 1747, John Jones, Daniel Warner, John Hitchcock; 1748,
Thomas Merrick, John Hitchcock, Nathaniel Bliss; 1749, Nath
aniel Warriner, Daniel Warner, Simeon Willard; 1750, Nath
aniel Bliss, Daniel Cadwell, Aaron Stebbins; 1751, Thomas
Merrick, James Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss; 1752, John Hitch
cock, jun., Caleb Stebbins, Thomas Merrick; 1753, John Hitch
cock, jun., Daniel Warner, Ezra Barker ; 1754, John Hitchcock,
jun., James Warriner, jun., Daniel Warner; 1755, Moses Burt,
Isaac Brewer, James Warriner, jun. ; 1756, Daniel Cadwell,
James Warriner, Daniel Warner; 1757, Moses Burt, Daniel
CadweU, Daniel Warner; 1758, Moses Burt, Daniel CadweU,
James Warriner; 1759-61, Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner,
jun., Daniel Warner ; 1762, Ezra Barker, Daniel CadweU, Daniel
Warner ; 1763, Ezra Barker, Phineas Newton, Daniel Warner.
During the same period the clerks of the precinct were
David Merrick, 1741-55, and Isaac Brewer, 1756-63.
Town Organization. — The incorporating act directed John
Worthington to issue his warrant for the flrst town meeting in
AVilbraham, and to fix the date and place holding the same. In
pursuance thereof the inhabitants met at the "town meeting
house", chose Lieut. Thomas Merrick moderator, Ezra Barker,
town clerk, and then adjourned to aUow the latter to proceed to
Springfield and take the required oath of office, for there was
no magistrate in the Fourth parish at that time. On the follow
ing day the electors reassembled and chose a full board of town
( 173 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
officers. The succession of selectmen and town clerks from 1764
to 1901 is as follows :
Selectmen.— n6i-67 , Thomas Merrick, Nathaniel Warriner,
Stephen Stebbins; 1768, Nathaniel Warriner, Thomas Merrick,
John Bliss; 1769, Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner, Nathaniel
Warriner, William King, John Bliss ; 1770, Nathaniel Warriner,
William King, John Bliss, Caleb Stebbins, James Warriner;
1771-75, Nathaniel Warriner, James Warriner, John BUss;
1776-77, James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss; 1778,
James Warriner, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Daniel Cadwell,
Eleazer Smith; 1779, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, Eleazer
Smith ; 1780, John Hitchcock, John Bliss, James Warriner ; 1781,
John Hitchcock, James Warriner, Abner Chapin; 1782, David
Burt, Zebulon Chapin, Abner Chapin ; 1783-84, James Warriner,
Phineas Stebbins, John Stearns; 1785, John Stearns, Phineas
Stebbins, Gideon Burt ; 1786, Gideon Burt, David Burt, Phineas
Stebbins; 1787-88, Gideon Burt, Phineas Stebbins, Noah Steb
bins; 1789, Oliver Bliss, Robert Sessions, Phineas Stebbins;
1790-91, James Shaw, Robert Sessions, Gideon Burt; 1792,
Gideon Burt, James Shaw, Noah Stebbins; 1793, Robert Ses
sions, James ShaAV, Gideon Burt; 1794, John Hitchcock, James
Shaw, Robert Sessions; 1795, James Shaw, Phineas Stebbins,
Robert Sessions; 1796-97, James ShaAV, Gideon Burt, Robert
Sessions; 1798, Phineas Stebbins, Joseph Lathrop, Robert Ses
sions; 1799, Gideon Burt, James Shaw, Steward Beebe; 1800,
Levi Bliss, Steward Beebe, William Brewer; 1801, Timothy
Burt, Levi Bliss, StcAvard Beebe; 1802, Levi Bliss, Steward
Beebe, Robert Sessions ; 1803, William Brewer, Robert Sessions,
Steward Beebe ; 1804, William Rindge, Robert Sessions, Steward
Beebe; 1805, WiUiam BrcAA^er, William Rindge, Joel Lyman;
1806, William Rindge, Joel Lyman, Solomon Wright ; 1807, Joel
Lyman, Augustus Sisson, Solomon AVright; 1808, Robert Ses
sions, William Rindge, Augustus Sisson; 1809, Robert Sessions,
William Rindge, William Clark ; 1810, Augustus Sisson, Walter
Stebbins, Nathan Alden; 1811, Abel Bliss, Augustus Sisson,
Nathan Alden; 1812, Joseph Lathrop, William Clark, Moses
Burt; 1813-16, Joseph Lathrop, Moses Burt, Daniel Shaw;
( 173 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1817-18, Daniel Isham, Moses Burt, Chester Sexton ; 1819, Abel
Bliss, jun., Enoch Crocker, WiUiam Wood; 1820-22; Abel Bliss,
jun., WiUiam Wood, Enoch Crocker; 1823, William Wood,
Enoch Crocker, William Clark; 1824, Abraham Avery, Dudley
D. Post, Nathan Alden ; 1825, Abraham Avery, Dudley D. Post,
Thomas Glover; 1826, David Stebbins, Noah Merrick, John
McCray, jun.; 1827-28, David Stebbins, Jonathan Ely, John
McCray ; 1829, Calvin Stebbins, Comfort Chaffee, Daniel Isham ;
1830, Calvin Stebbins, John Carpenter, Jacob B. Merrick; 1831,
John Carpenter, Joseph Morris, Abraham Avery; 1832, John
Carpenter, Luther Brewer, Beriah Smith; 1833, Luther Brewer,
Beriah Smith, Pliny Merrick ; 1834, Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel
Pease, Seth Moulton ; 1835-36, Stephen Stebbins, Walter Steb-
gins, Pliny Merrick; 1837, Stephen Stebbins, John McCray,
Jonathan Burt; 1838, Stephen Stebbins, WiUiam V. Sessions,
Jesse W. Rice; 1839, Stephen Stebbins, John Carpenter,
Timothy Brewer; 1840, Abraham Avery, Jesse W. Rice, Aaron
Warner; 1841, Abraham Avery, Samuel B. Stebbins, Jonathan
Burt; 1842-43, Samuel Beebe, Luther B. Bliss, Roderick Mer
rick ; 1844, Philip P. Potter, Aaron Goodwell, John Smith ; 1845,
William V. Sessions, John V. Morris, Jonathan Burt ; 1846, John
McCray, Shubal Pease, Peter Knowlton; 1847, John G. Perrin,
Pliny Merrick, Shubal Pease; 1848-49, Samuel Beebe, Luther
B. BUss, Seth Knowlton ; 1850, John G. Perrin, PUny Merrick,
Hiram Hendrick; 1851, Samuel Beebe, Joel M. Lyman, Robert
A. Sessions; 1852, Samuel Beebe, Robert A. Sessions, John M.
Merrick; 1853, PhiUp P. Potter, Aaron Goodwell, James M.
Brewer; 1854, John W. Langdon, Porter Cross, H. B. Brewer;
1855, Joseph Mix Gregory, Sullivan U. Staunton, Eleazer
Scripter; 1856, Eleazer Scripter, Sullivan U. Staunton, Benja
min Butler; 1857, John Baldwin, Samuel Warner, Henry Burt;
1858, John Baldwin, Henry Burt, Samuel Beebe ; 1859, Samuel
Beebe, John Baldwin, WilUam P. Chaffee; 1860, Samuel Beebe,
PhiUp P. Potter, WiUiam P. Chaffee; 1861, PhiUp P. Potter,
William V. Sessions, Horace Clark ; 1862, Horace Clark, Marcus
Beebe, Hiram Hendricks; 1863, Horace Clark, Porter Cross,
Walter Hitchcock; 1864, John Baldwin, Horace Clark, Sumner
( 174 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
Smith ; 1865-66, John Baldwin, Sumner Smith, William R. Ses
sions; 1867, Francis J. Warner, Abner C. Burley, WiUiam H.
Lyman; 1868, Francis J. Warner, William H. Lyman, John W.
Langdon; 1869, Porter Cross, John W. Langdon, Lyman G.
Kellogg; 1870, John Ormsby, William R. Sessions, Francis E.
Clark; 1871-72, WiUiam R. Sessions, Ira G. Potter, Francis E.
Clark; 1873, Francis E. Clark, William R. Sessions, Albert
Bedurtha; 1874, Francis E. Clark, WilUam H. Warren, Albert
Bedurtha; 1875, M. P. Beebe, Sullivan U. Staunton, Erasmus
B. Gates; 1876, Marcus F. Beebe, Francis E. Clark, Albert
Bedurtha; 1877, Francis E. Clark, WilUam R. Sessions, F. W.
Dickinson; 1878, William R. Sessions, Francis E. Clark, F. W.
Dickinson; 1879, Francis E. Clark, Ira G. Potter, Marcus F.
Beebe; 1880, Francis E. Clark, Marcus F. Beebe, PhiUp Potter;
1881, Marcus F. Beebe, PhUip P. Potter, A. J. Blanchard ; 1882,
Marcus P. Beebe, A. J. Blanchard, Hiram Danks ; 1884, M. P.
Beebe, Hiram Danks, P. P. Potter; 1885, M. F. Beebe, Henry
Clark, E. H. Cutler; 1886, M. F. Beebe, Henry Clark, P. P.
Potter; 1887, Henry Cutler, Henry Clark, P. P. Potter; 1888-89, '
Henry Cutler, P. P. Potter, Anson C. Brewer; 1890, W. P.
Morgan, Jason Butler, C. B. Stacy ; 1891, W. F. Morgan, Jason
Butler, J. L. Rice ; 1892-95, W. P. Morgan, Henry Clark, Jesse
L. Rice; 1896, Henry Clark, Jesse L. Rice, B. M. Scott; 1897,
E. M. Scott, Alvin Chilson, F. W. Green; 1898-1901, Jason
Butler, Henry Clark, F. W. Green.
Town Clerks.— Ezra Barker, 1763-73; James Warriner,
1773-78; Noah Warriner, 1779-80; James Warriner, 1781-85;
Pliny Merrick, 1785-86; Samuel S. Merrick, 1786-90; John
Buckland, 1791-92; Daniel Dana, 1793; Robert Sessions, 1793-
1805; PhiUp Morgan, 1805-10; Augustus Sisson, 1810-11; Abel
Bliss, 1811-12; Philip Morgan, 1812-14; Moses Burt, 1814-20;
Calvin Stebbins, 1820-24; Luther Brewer, 1824-25; WilUam
Wood, 1826 ; Luther Brewer, 1826-27 ; John McCray, 1828 ; Syl
vanus Stebbins, 1829-36; Luther Brewer, 1837-38; Luther B.
Bliss, 1839; John M. Merrick, 1840-41; John McCray, 1842;
Roderick S. Merrick, 1843-47; Solomon C. Spellman, 1848-49;
Jesse W. Rice, 1850 ; Luther B. Bliss, 1851-52 ; Horace M. Ses-
( 175 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
sions, 1853-54; Roderick Burt, 1855; Ralph Glover, 1856;
WiUiam P. Spellman, 1857-58; H. Bridgman Brewer, 1859-60;
Howard Staunton, 1861 ; James Staunton, 1862 ; John M. Mer
rick, 1863-64; Gilbert Rockwood, 1865-66; Francis B. Clark,
1867-68; Sullivan U. Staunton, 1869-70; Robert R. Wright,
jun., 1871; Chauncey C. Peck, 1872; WilUam P. Spellman,
1873-74; Erasmus B. Gates, 1875-79; Charles E. Stacey, 1880-85;
W. B. Stone, 1886-89; Henry Cutler, 1890; Charles B. Stacey,
1891-97 ; Prank A. Puller, 1898-1901.
In one of the earlier chapters of this work the reader wiU
find the names of Wilbraham 's representatives in the general
court, and also the names of those who have been elected to the
senate since the creation of Hampden county in 1812. But
previous to that time this town was represented in the lower
house of the legislature by some of the strongest men in aU the
region, and in the present connection a mention of their names
is appropriate. John Bliss represented the town in 1773, 1793-4,
1796-1803 ; Phineas Stebbins, 1786-88 and 1805 ; WilUam Rindge
and Solomon Wright, 1807; William Rindge and Augustus
Sisson, 1809; Augustus Sisson and Walter Stebbins, 1810;
Walter Stebbins and Abel Bliss, jun., in 1811.
From all that is stated, in preceding paragraphs, it must
be seen that the settlement and development of the lands in
Wilbraham was rapidly accomplished. This is true especially
of that part of the town now known as Wilbraham, while in the
southern portion, originally known as the south parish, later as
South Wilbraham andi now Hampden, there were no white in
habitants previous to 1741. On the separate organization of the
town, the inhabitants first gave attention to the establishment of
schools, the laying out of highways and the opening of new lands
to attract settlers. From 1741 to 1764 the number of settlers
was greatly increased, and during that period and the score of
years immediately foUowing, many new families were added to
the town's population. Glancing over the records of the middle
period of Wilbraham history, we discover such names as Stephen
Stebbins, Aaron Stebbins, Lewis Langdon (builder of the first
saw mill in 1750), Abner Chapin (from the old Chicopee family
( 176 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
of Chapins and a descendant of Deacon Samuel Chapin, the
Puritan, Avhose statue in bronze adorns the library park in
Springfield), Capt. Paul Langdon (who brought the first four-
Avheeled vehicle into the town), William King, William Stacey
(whose descendants in later years have been prominent figures
in local history), Moses Stebbins, Comfort Chaffee, Henry
Badger, Isaac Morris, Benjamin Skinner, Jabez Hendrick,
Daniel Carpenter, Ezekiel RusseU, Rowland Crocker, Jonathan

Wilbraham — An old-fashioned house front

Ely, Caleb Stebbins, Rowland Crocker, Daniel Cadwell, Joseph
Sikes, Philip Lyon, Benoni Atchinson, Ezra Barker and others
Avhose names are now forgotten, but aU of whom were once
conspicuous figures in the events of early history in this inter
esting part of the county. The southern portion of the town
was settled between 1741 and 1760, and in 1782 the locality was
established as the south parish. In later years Avhen parishes
Avere no longer distinguishing features of history this locality

13-3

( 177 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
took the name of South Wilbraham and was so known until the
division of the town and the incorporation of Hampden in 1878.
Having thus referred at length to the early settlement of the
town at large, and having at the same time traced something of
its civil history, the following statistics from the census reports
wiU furnish an idea of the actual growth of the locality of which
Ave write. In 1776, at the time of the colonial census, Wilbraham
Avas found to contain 1,057 inhabitants. Subsequent changes in
population may be noted as follows : 1790, 1,555 ; 1800, 1,743
1810, 1,776; 1820, 1,979; 1830, 2,034; 1840, 1,864; 1850, 2,127
1855, 2,032 ; 1860, 2,081 ; 1865, 2,111 ; 1870, 2,330 ; 1875, 2,576:
1880, 1,628; 1885, 1,724; 1890, 1,814; 1895, 1,740; 1900, 1,595.
Military ffisiorj/.- Settlementinthefourth parish of Spring
field was begun during the period of the long continued French
and English wars, but at a time when the powers were not en
gaged in actual contest, but were strengthening their armies in
America pending the final struggle. When the strife was at its
height the people of this precinct were attempting to secure a
separation from the mother town, and the non-success which
attended their efforts was probably in part due to the demands
made upon Springfield for men and means necessary to defend
the frontier of Hampshire county against the Indians who in
fested the region. In another chapter of this work the events
of that period are recorded in detail and the part taken by
Hampshire county soldiery is fully narrated. Among the in
habitants of the parish who entered and took part in the wars
there may be mentioned the names of Capt. Samuel Day, Lieut.
Thomas Merrick, Ensign Abel Bliss, John Langdon, Timothy
Wright, Philip Lyon, WiUiam King, Jr., Paul Langdon, Daniel
Cadwell, Isaac Colton, Aaron Bliss, Benjamin Warriner, Aaron
Alvord, Samuel Warner, Benjamin Wright, Aaron Warriner,
Stephen Bliss, Jesse Warner, Aaron Parsons, Benoni Atchinson,
Thomas Dunham, Moses Bartlett, Samuel Warner, Sr., Paul
Hitchcock, Samuel Warner, Jr., and Moses Warriner.
However, it was during the revolutionary war that the town
first established a military record, although the martial spirit of
its people antedated that period by many years. Indeed, among
( 178 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
the settlers here were many persons whose ancestors had taken
part in the early Indian troubles, and some of whom served in
the memorable King Philip's war. In the years immediately
preceding the outbreak of the revolution this town had taken
such action as was necessary for the common defence; the able-
bodied young men Avere enrolled among the militia, and the
company of minutemen was ready to march when the call was
made. In July, 1774, settlers Daniel Cadwell, William King,
Moses Stebbins, Eleazer Smith, John Stearns, John Bliss and
Ezra Barker were appointed a committee to express by resolu
tion the sentiment of the town in regard to the oppressions of
the mother country, and in October following Nathaniel War
riner, Sergt. Daniel Cadwell, Lieut. William King, Maj. John
Bliss and Eleazer Smith were appointed a committee of corre
spondence and inspection. Maj. Bliss represented the town in
the famous Northampton convention, and also was chosen a
delegate to the provincial congress held at Concord. The non-
consumption pledge, by Avhich the inhabitants declared their
aversion to all British importations, was signed by 124 persons
in this toAvn alone, thus indicating a thoroughly loyal American
spirit throughout the region. There were a fcAV, however, who
were inclined to favor the mother country, but the spirit of
toryism was suppressed by the greater zeal of the patriotic
Americans, and after Col. John Worthington withdrew from the
public gaze there was little manifestation of disloyalty in Wilbra
ham. Moses Bliss, too, was well known as a British sympathizer
during the early part of the war, and with such influence to
sway them it was only natural that toryism should at first find
a following in the town. (The Moses Bliss referred to just above
was a lawyer of considerable prominence in Springfield.)
On the occasion of the "Lexington alarm," which really
was the beginning of the revolution, Capt. James Warriner
marched his company of minutemen to the vicinity of Boston
and there served about ten days. This company was comprised
as follows: Capt. James Warriner, Lieut. William King, Ser
geants Enos Stebbins, Thomas King, Aaron Alvord, and Privates
Eleazer Smith, Samuel Day, Joshua Chaffee, Samuel Merrick,
( 179 )

• OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Asa Chaffee, Isaac Morris, Moses Colton, ChUiab Merrick,
Jonathan Cooley, Isaac Dunham, Ezekiel Russell, Reuben
Thayer, Benjamin Farnham, Comfort Chaffee, Jesse Warner,
Jesse Carpenter, Joshua Jones, Rowland Crocker, Darius
Chaffee, Ebenezer Cadwell, Joshua Eddy, Enos Clark, Ezekiel
Wright, Calvin Stebbins, Thomas Coleman, Gideon Burt, Abel
King, Charles Brewer, Benjamin Colton, John Stearns.
Capt. Paul Langdon 's company was raised chiefly in Wil
braham and partially in other towns in this part of the county.
The company roll foUows : Paul Langdon, captain ; Daniel Cad-
Avell, first lieutenant; Noah Warriner, John Langdon, Philip
Lyon, sergeants; Aaron Stebbins, Othneil Hitchcock, corporals;
Charles Perry, drummer; Abner Warriner, fifer; and privates,
Daniel Carpenter, Aaron CadweU, Jonathan Sikes (served at
Quebec), Seth Clark, Abner Chapin, Nathan Sikes, Moses Sim
mons, Phanuel Warner (served at Quebec), John Langdon, 2d,
Ichabod Parker, Cyprian Wright, Ezekiel Beebe, Lathrop FuUer,
Solomon Cooley, John Johnson, Joseph Jennings (the last six
from Ludlow), Daniel Sweetland (from Somers, Conn., served
at Quebec), Daniel Simmons, Charles Cooley (Ludlow), Simon
Stacey, John W. Chaffee, Ephraim Wright, Josiah Sweetland
(from Somers, served at Quebec), John Davis, Reuben Shayler,
Nathaniel Mighets, Ephraim Dunham, Joseph Dunham, William
Clark (Belchertown), Edward Cotton (Ludlow), Moses Ells
worth (East Windsor), Ephraim Wright, Benjamin Chubb
(died), Moses Rood, Eli Beebe, Simeon Bates.
The following is the pay roll of Capt. Daniel CadweU 's com
pany of Col. Danielson's regiment, for service at Ticonderoga
from December 5, 1776, to April 2, 1777 (180 miles travel, 7
pounds 7 shillings bounty, 99 days' service, wages 60 shillings
per month): Daniel Cadwell, captain; Daniel Parsons, first
lieutenant; Robert McMaster, second lieutenant; John Colton,
John McElwain and Stephen Wright, sergeants; Medad Steb
bins, Abner Warner, Aaron Colton and Joseph Colton, corporals ;
Judah Moore, drummer; William Colton, fifer; Joseph Abbott,
Luther Bliss, Ebenezer Beebe, Steward Beebe, Zadock Beebe,
Jesse Carpenter, Asa Chaffee, Amos Chaffee, John Hancock,
( 180 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
Jabez Hancock, John Hitchcock, Isaac Morris, Moses Stebbins,
James ShaAV, Samuel Warner, Daniel Chapin, Judah Chapin,
Jesse Lamphere, John Stebbins, Perez Hitchcock, privates.
One of the most notable companies raised in the town was
that commanded by Capt. James Shaw, attached to Col. Charles
Pynchon 's regiment, and served in Vermont and New York, at
Bennington and in the vicinity of Saratoga, from September 24
to October 18, 1777. The personnel of the company was as fol
lows: James Shaw, captain; Oliver King, Israel Chapin, Noah
Stebbins and Ebenezer Colton, lieutenants; Joseph Sexton,
Charles Ferry, Gad Lamb, Gains Brewer, sergeants; Josiah
Cooley, Aaron ChanweU, Abner Chapin, Medad Stebbins, cor
porals ; Calvin Stebbins, fifer ; Gordon Percival, Samuel F. Mer
rick, Edward Colton, Jonathan Leach, Jonathan Merrick, Luther
Hitchcock, Benjamin Howard, Solomon Loomis, George Cooley,
Nathaniel Warner, David Bliss, Asa Jones, Solomon Warriner,
Phineas ¦ Hitchcock, Comfort Chaffee, Timothy Worthington,
Daniel Sweetland, Solomon Lathrop, Jabez Cooley, David Wood,
John Chaterton, Luther Cooley, Reuben Warriner, John Colton,
Lemuel Whitney, Elijah Parsons, Judah Ely, John Langdon,
Edward Morris, Jesse Lamphere, Aaron Stebbins, Judah Willey,
Isaac Morris, David White, Matthew Keep, Asa Simonds, Aaron
Howard, Zadock Stebbins, privates.
Among the other men of Wilbraham Avho rendered service
in the field at some time during the period of the war there may
be mentioned the names Levi Bannister (of Wilborougham), a
fifer in Capt. Henry's company. Col. Brewer's regiment, and
Avho afterward entered the continental army for three years;
Daniel Colton, private in Capt. Colton 's company; Luther King,
fifer; and Paul Newton and Solomon King, privates in the same
company. The Wilbraham contingent of men drafted for nine
months' service at Kingston comprised Lewis Langdon, John
Calkins, Moses Albert, John Russell, John Huntley, Joseph Cutt
(a negro) and Zadock Benton. Samuel Calkins and Jonathan
PoUey were later additions to the Kingston troops.
The six months' men in the continental serAdce in 1780 from
Wilbraham were David Allen, Daniel Mason, John James Sikes,
( 181 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Reuben Abbott, Ethan Smith, Seth Warner, Ebenezer Thomas,
Gad Warriner, John White, Isaiah Chaffee, Titus Ammidown
(Amadon), Henry Wright, John Orcutt, Joseph Bumstead,
Zenas Cone, Gains Stebbins, Stephen Simons, Kittridge Davis,
Emmons Lillie. Jonas Banton, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Samuel
Lyon, John Raymond, Asa Woodworth, Peleg Burdick, and
Phineas Mason are credited to Wilbraham for the continental
army. The following men served under command of Capt. John
Carpenter: Nathan Ainsworth, Jotham Carpenter, Chester
Morris, John Amidon, Isaiah Chaffee, Philip Lyon, Josiah Lang
don, Reuben Carpenter, James Richardson, Johnson Richardson.
The following served in Capt. Abel King's company, Col. Ash
ley's regiment: Jesse Elwell, EUphalet Hodges, Jabez Percival,
Johnson Richardson, John White, Francis West. In Capt.
Woodbridge 's company we find the names of Caesar Merrick
(negro). Gains Stebbins and Oliver Sexton. In Capt. Joseph
Browning 's company were Asa Hill and John Thwing. In Capt.
Reuben Munn's company were Daniel Bliss, sergeant; Zadock
Stebbins, corporal; Joseph Bumsted, drummer; James Eddy,
John Russell, Peleg Burdick, Aaron Hitchcock and Gamalial
Dunham, privates. Israel Conant was a private in Capt.
Cooper's company. Col. Bradford's regiment.
The following men of Wilbraham laid down their lives
either on the field of battle or died from causes originating from
the severities of a soldier's life: Benjamin Chubb, 1775; Solo
mon King, 1775; Nathaniel Miles, Phanuel Warner, George
Merrick, Aaron BUss, all of the army of Canada, 1776; Joseph
Morris, Benjamin Russell, Ticonderoga, 1776; Josiah Wright,
Joshua Leach, 1776; Malam Dunham, Roxbury 1776; Joseph
Butler, 1776; Daniel Warriner, Albany, 1777; Capt. Daniel
Cadwell, Sergt. Joseph Abbott, northern army, 1777; Samuel
Lyon, 1778 ; Moses Simmons, White Plains, 1780 ; John Chaffee,
Luther Ainsworth, near Little FaUs, 1780 ; Isaac Skinner, kUled
by Indians, 1780. In all twenty men of this town were lost
during the Avar, four being killed in battle and sixteen dying
from exposure or disease. ( 183 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
FoUoAving closely upon the revolution with all its distressing
events and hardships for the people of our town, thei'e came
Avhat is known in history as Shays' rebellion, in which a few
misguided Wilbraham men are said to have taken part with the
insurgent forces. On the other side the town was better repre
sented, and in Gen. Shepard's army were many loyal sons of
the town. It is said that there were nine members of the Chaffee
family who answered at the roll call of men who stood in defense
of the law, the courts and the public welfare among Gen.
Shepard's troops.
During the war of 1812-15 the excitement of the period was
largely due to the division of sentiment among the inhabitants,
and in this town the federal or peace party advocates were in
the majority. This commonwealth generaUy did not furnish
many troops for the service, yet in old Wilbraham we have the
names of a few men who fought against the British in that con
test. These men were Ralph Bennett, Stephen Cadwell, Joel M.
Lyman, Eleazer Hitchcock, Robert Sessions, Phineas Burr and
Solomon Jones.
NotAvithstanding the long era of peace and plenty which
followed the second war v/ith Great Britain, the martial spirit
of old Wilbraham had not entirely died away when Moultrie's
guns proclaimed civil war in the United States. It was then
that the loyal sons of the town revived the warlike spirit which
long had laid dormant, and as its result it is found that Wilbra
ham sent into the service almost 200 men who served with the
land forces, while more than 30 others are credited to the toAvn
in the naval service. In 1860 the town contained 2,081 in
habitants, from which we see that fully ten per cent of the entire
population entered the army. All of them, however, did not
return, and to-day some of them are stiU sleeping on southern
battlefields; and the memory of their brave deeds is kept alive
by the beautiful monument which adorns the little village of
Wilbraham in the central part of the town.
Educational. — The inhabitants of Wilbraham have long
been known as a progressive people, and even from the days of
early settlement have given especial attention to the educational
( 183 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
welfare of their youth. Indeed, one of the principal reasons
why the people of the Fourth precinct of Springfield sought a
separation from the mother town was that the spiritual and
educational interests of the people might have better attention.
In 1737 the voters of Springfield allowed the sum of 3 pounds
for support of a school in this parish, and in 1740 the amount
was increased to 6 pounds. Soon after 1750 a school house was
built in Avhat now is the village, and in 1775 the territory of the
town comprised ten school districts. Ezra Barker, the old town
clerk, is remembered as one of the early schoolmasters, while
other instructors of the youth after methods of their day were
Moses Enos, Gorham Stebbins, Anson L. Brewer, Ralph Glover,
Elder Bennett, Mary Newell, Laura Bennett, and others.
The groAvth of school interests has ever been in keeping with
the advances in other directions, and at the present time Wil
braham is as well provided in this respect as any town in the
the county. According to the present disposition of school in
terests the town comprises eleven districts, has eleven public
schools and eleven teachers are employed annuaUy. There are in
the town about 275 children of school age, and the town raises by
tax annually for school purposes about $3,900, added to which
is the local share of the state school money, amounting to about
$460. The total expense of the schools for each year is about
$4,925. The present school committee comprises Jason Butler,
chairman; H. G. Webber and Ethelbert Bliss; superintendents,
Mary L. Poland, Mary L. WiUiams and Sidney Greenwood.
Wesley an Academy.— The institution which above all others
has been a factor for good in the history of the town for the last
three-quarters of a century is the Wesleyan academy, a school
of high character and wide repute, and directly connected with
the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The history of this famous institution frequently has been writ
ten and widely published, and only recently was made the sub
ject of a comprehensive volume of several hundred pages. In
regard to the history of the academy the annual catalogue for
1900-1901 says :
' ' The Wesleyan Academy was opened on September 1, 1817,
at Newmarket, N. H. An act of incorporation was obtained
( 184 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
from the Massachusetts legislature in 1824, and the academy
removed to Wilbraham. At its opening here, November 8, 1825,
there were eight students present the first day, thirty-five during
the term.
"While first founded by a group of Methodist preachers, and
always noted for its strong religious character, it has granted no
sectarian privileges, but has always been open to all earnest
young men and young Avomen. On its removal to Wilbraham
leading citizens of both local churches liberally subscribed for
its endowment, and it numbers among its distinguished alumni
and friends devout believers of varied forms of Christian faith. ' '

Old Academy, Fisk and Binney Halls
"Over 17,000 different persons have been students within
its walls. Some 900 have prepared for college, and as many
more have gone directly to teaching, or to professional studies.
At least one-third of its students have been young women.
"By some very generous donations it has recovered from
several severe losses, and acquired a property amounting to
$290,000. Among its many benefactors have been Amos Binney
of Boston and WiUiam Rice of Springfield, early and enthusiastic
advocates of learning in New England Methodism; Isaac Rich
and Jacob Sleeper of Boston, afterward founders of Boston Uni-
( 185 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
versity; and Horace Smith of Springfield, manufacturer and
phUanthropist. Gifts amounting to more than $25,000 were
received in the year that ended June, 1900. ' '
The act incorporating the "trustees of Wesleyan Academy"
was passed February 7, 1824, and Amos Binney, Abel BUss,
Abraham Avery, Calvin Brewer, Enoch Mudge, Wilbur Fisk,
John Lindsey, Joshua Crowell and WilUam Rice comprised the
body corporate of the institution. On land donated by William
Rice, with a fund collected by agents Avho travelled through the

'-~//J!7"/'"' 'f^^fj^

Rich Hall and Principal's Residence
conference for that purpose, the old academy building was
erected. A farm of 60 acres — one-half of the old Warriner
homestead— was purchased and the old farm house was re
modeled for a boarding house. The principal's house was built
in 1827; a separate boarding house for young women Avas built
in 1838 ; Fisk HaU was built in 1851, and Binney HaU in 1854.
The new principal's residence was erected in 1856. Rich Hall
was built in 1860-61, and the Smith Memorial gymnasium, the
most recent acquisition to the building group, was erected in
1896 at a cost of $45,000. ( 186 )

The Warriner Homestead, Wilbraham
Built 1793

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The academy property and all its various structures are
admirably situated and give to the pleasant little hamlet of
Wilbraham the appearance of a typical New England college
town. For three-quarters of a century the institution has been
the chief factor in local history and has been productive of much
good in general educational circles.
During the period of its history the presidents of the
academy corporation, in succession, have been as follows: Col.
Amos Binney, Rev. John W. Hardy, Abel BUss, George M. Hyde,
.WiUiam Rice, Rev. Phineas Crandell, Rev. Amos Binney, Rev.
Edward Otheman, A. M., Amos B. Merrill, Rev. Erastus 0.
Haven, D. D., Rev. Edward Otheman, A. M., Horace Smith,
Rev. Edward Otheman, A. M., Amos B. Merrill, Edward F.
Porter, Rev. EdAvard Otheman, A. M., Edward F. Porter,
Thomas P. Richardson, WiUiam Rice, D. D., Rev. Charles F.
Rice, D. D.
The principals have been as follows: Rev. Wilbur Fisk,
D. D., 1825-31 ; W. McK. Bangs, A. M., 1831-32 ; John Foster,
A. M., 1832-34; David Potter, D. D., 1834-41; Charies Adams,
D. D., 1841-45 ; Robert Allyn, D. D., 1845-48 ; Miner Raymond,
D. D., 1848-64; Edward Cook, D. D., 1864-74 ; Nathaniel Fellows,
A. M., 1874-79; George M. Steele, D. D., 1879-92; William Rice
Newhall, D. D., 1892-1901, the present principal.
Churches.— The early history of the established church and
that of the town were so closely interwoven that each was a part
of the other. Indeed, the old Fourth parish — the original name
of Wilbraham — was set off that the inhabitants of this moun
tainous region might have the benefits of religious worship with
out the necessity of traveling ten long miles to the mother church
at Springfield ; and as early as 1739 the settlers here were granted
the privilege of preaching services a portion of each year. This
was the real foundation of the Congregational church in this
town. When the parish was established in 1741, Rev. Noah
Merrick was employed as the leader of the spiritual body of this
settlement, but the question of location of the meeting house
appears to have given rise to much discussion, and not until
1747 was the site harmoniously settled. In the same year the
( 188 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
structure Avas built in the locality known as Wigwam hill, but
in 1782, upon the creation of the South parish, substantially
comprising what now is Hampden, the building was removed
to a more central point in the North parish, or what afterward
became the village of Wilbraham. It was occupied for many
years, and at length, during the early years of the last century,
Avas replaced with another larger and more suitable edifice. The
latter was burned in June, 1877, upon which the present comfort
able house of worship was built.
Although the history of the mother church in Wilbraham,
especially during the first fifty years of its existence, was accom
panied with many viscissitudes, it never lost its identity or or
ganization. It was supported at the general expense of the
town for many years, and when persons of other denominations
declined to pay the tax assessed to maintain the mother society,
troubles followed, and for a time the very life of the old institu
tion was threatened. The difficulties at length were adjusted
and the society was reorganized on a more equitable basis. The
pastors, in succession, of the old church have been Rev. Noah
Merrick, called and settled in 1741, and died 1776 ; Joshua
Willard, 1787-93; Ezra Witter, 1797-1814; Ebenezer Brown,
1818-27; John Hyde, 1828-31; Israel G. Rose, 1832-35; John
Bowers, 1837-56; John P. Skeele, 1858-64; Alexander D. StoweU,
1865-67; and Rev. Martin S. Howard, whose pastoral service in
Wilbraham was begun October 29, 1868.
Methodism began to develop in the South parish of Wil
braham as early as 1790, and very soon extended to and found
root in the North parish through the missionary labors of
Methodist preachers on the Hartford circuit who visited this
region, Lemuel Smith being the first of this denomination to
preach in the North precinct. Soon afterward a class was
formed and included Abel and Silas Bliss, Charles Brewer and
the wife of Solomon Warriner. In 1793 a meeting house was
begun, but the work of construction Avas not finally completed
until 1814. The corporation and society of the church was
formally organized in August, 1832, and in 1835 a new and more
commodious house of worship Avas erected and dedicated.
( 189 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
For three-quarters of a century this church in Wilbraham
has enjoyed a continuous and healthful growth, and in connec
tion with Wesleyan academy it is looked upon as one of the
influential denominational institutions of the town. In 1870 the
society erected the new stone memorial edifice, at a cost of more
than $30,000. In point of membership the church is one of the
strongest in eastern Hampden county, and under the pastoral
care of Rev. Dr. W. H. Thomas it ranks with the most influential
ecclesiastical bodies of the region.
In the eastern part of the town, in the locality generaUy
known as East Wilbraham, or Glendale, a M. B. chapel was built
soon after 1870.
Grace Union Church is an institution of North Wilbra
ham, and although the edifice Avas built with the contributions of
members of various denominations, and is entitled to be occupied
by each of them, the church is usually called Congregational.
Rev. Vernon H. Doming has charge of the services here.
A Roman Catholic mission was established in North Wil
braham in 1891. It is known as "St. Cecilia's" and is attended
from Palmer.
A Baptist society was formed in the north part of the town
as early as 1765, and for about three-quarters of a century after-
Avard was one of the recognized institutions of the locality. The
society was followed by more formal church organization in
1768, and in 1770 Rev. Seth Clark became pastor of the Uttle
flock. In 1779 a house of worship was built ; in 1800 the mem
bership exceeded 200 persons, yet within the next twenty years
the society itself passed out of existence. In 1833 the meeting
house was destroyed by fire.
Villages and Hamlets.— In this town several localities have
distinguishing names, and each in a way has its own institutions,
yet there are but two recognized villages haAdng commercial
standing and post-office accommodations. These are Wilbraham
and North Wilbraham, about two miles apart and connected by
one of the most delightful highways that any town in Hampden
county can boast.
Wilbraham, formerly known as the Centre, the locality
Avhere settled the pioneers of the town, dates back in its history
( 190 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
more than a century and a half, and notwithstanding the fact
that there is located one of the most famous educational institu
tions of the county, the permanent population of the viUage
proper has not at any time exceeded 450 persons. As a trading
center Wilbraham owes its continued prosperity to the presence
of Wesleyan academy, otherwise North Wilbraham, on the rail
road line, must have outstripped the older village. For many
years at least one good store has been kept at Wilbraham, and

The Old Tavern— North Wilbraham
among the old merchants there may be recalled the names of
Roderick Burt, Robert R. Wright and George W. Ely. The
present merchants are George W. Ely, Frank A. Gurney and
Charles N. Mowry. A post-office was established here in 1821,
and William Knight was the first postmaster. The present in
cumbent of the office is Frank A. Gurney.
North Wilbraham is a post-office and way station on the line
of the Boston & Albany railroad, yet its commercial importance
must he shared with the station named Collins, on the line of
( 191 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the Athol branch road. Indeed, the entire "north settlement
might appropriately be called Collins, in allusion to and honor
of Warren Collins and others of that family name who have been
such prominent figures in the history of the town for the last half
century. The Collins store, Avhich burned in the fall of 1900,
was one of the most extensive country stores in the county.
At one time this part of the town was called ' ' Sodom, ' ' but
along about 1846 or '47, Avhen a post-office was established here.
North WUbraham became the accepted designation, and at the
same time Warren Collins became postmaster, holding the office
until 1878. The present incumbent of the office is John W.
BaldAvin. The merchants here are Prank A. Fuller, general
dealer, and James Egan, druggist.
As a manufacturing town Wilbraham enjoyed little promi
nence previous to 1865, although a grist mill and a number of
saAV mills Avere in operation long before that time. There also
v/ere the old carding and fulling mills which produced cloth for
domestic purposes chiefly, and also a tannery, the latter owned
and ruii by Thomas and Henry HoAvard. Abraham Avery once
had a small tanning establishment in the town. Among the
other old industries of this north part of the town we may men
tion the Ellis Mills at Butlerville, a mile east of North Wilbra
ham, and on the site Avhere Benjamin Butler many years ago
operated a saw mill for Dr. Marcus Shearer; hence the name
Butlerville, once Avell known in tOAA'n annals. The Ellis Mills
Avere kept in operation about 1868, and DAvight W. and Stillman
Ellis Avere the chief promoters of the enterprise, being extensive
manufacturers of cassimeres. The name of Gates & Nelson, a
substantial firm years ago, also is to be mentioned in the same
connection. The Collins Manufacturing company for many years has
been a leading concern in North Wilbraham history. It was
incorporated in 1872 as the Collins Paper company, with
$200,000 capital, a large share of AA'hich once was furnished from
Amherst college funds. In 1876 the name was changed to
Collins Manufacturing company, as since known, and the
capital Avas increased to $300,000. The company, with frequent
( 193 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
changes in stock ownership and business control, has since been
in active operation, and its works comprise the principal indus
trial enterprise of Eastern Hampden county. The plant now
forms a part of the Whiting system of paper interests.
The Cutler Mills, with a ten-carload daily capacity of
ground feed and grain, comprise another valuable manufactur
ing enterprise of North Wilbrahm. The plant began operations
in the early part of 1877, and has continued uninterruptedly to
the present time.

Nine-Mile Pond — North Wilbraham
This brief retrospect wiU give the reader an idea of the past
history of one of the best outlying towns of Hampden county,
for Wilbraham long has been regarded as one of the most sub
stantial civil divisions of the county. It has produced and sent
into public life some of the best sons of pioneer stock, and from
its rugged hills there have come some of the strongest men who
have been chosen to public office in Hampden history. A glance

13 3

( 193 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
at the earlier pages of this chapter will disclose the names of
those who have represented the town in various official capacities,
both at home and in the legislature, and in another chapter there
may be found a list of those who have been sent to the repre
sentative halls of the state since the creation of Hampden county.
But, regardless of political prominence, there are many names
in Wilbraham history that are worthy of passing mention in
these pages. We refer to such men as Abel Bliss, who once was
a candidate for the lieutenant-governorship on the old-time
abolition ticket; Deacon and Capt. Moses Burt, a worthy man
in town and church affairs, and whose military title came from
his connection vdth the "floodwood" militia of years ago; John
M. Merrick, a farmer, man of substance, justice of the peace, and
an influential citizen; Samuel Merrick, representative of an old
substantial family and himself a successful farmer; Roderick
S. Merrick ,prominent in the church and a strong representative
in the legislature; Roderick Burt, son of Moses Burt, a farmer
and for years in business with Robert R. Wright; Robert R.
Wright, son of Robert, an early settler, and for nearly forty
years a merchant in the town (Robert R. Wright, Jr., went West
in 1872 and now is mayor of the city of Denver, Col.) ; Dr.
Luther Brewer, physician, and a strong man in the legislature;
Dr. Gideon Kibbe and Dr. Jesse W. Rice, both of whom were
prominent figures in tovirn history in their time ; Deacon Horace
Clark, a good, substantial farmer, and whose sons are among
the best men of the town to-day ; Joel M. Lyman, farmer ; Wil
Uam Brewer, who raised a large family, and brother of Dr.
Brewer, previously mentioned; Timothy Brewer, farmer; John
Brewer; John Bliss, once a prominent figure in town affairs;
Solomon Wright, son of Solomon, who came to the town about
the time of the revolution and who died in 1843 ; John Baldwin,
a conspicuous personage in the north part of the town for many
years ; Warren Collins, the first station agent at North Wilbra
ham; W. Levi Collins, the merchant and prominent business
man, who died in February, 1901 ; and still others whose names
are equally worthy of mention could our list be extended ia-
definitely. ( 194 )

THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
However, in closing our chapter, let us note some of the
chief figures in Wilbraham 's history of the present day. First,
there are three excellent selectmen, upon whom devolves the
additional duties of overseers of the poor and who also constitute
the board of health. They are Jason Butler, Henry Clark and
Fred W. Green. The other town officers are Frank A. Fuller,
toAvn clerk and treasurer; Frank A. Gurney, auditor; Walter
M. Green, collector; Lee W. Rice, Clarence P. BoUes, George L.
Rindge, assessors; Fred W. Green, superintendent of streets;
H. W. Cutler, Frank A. Gurney, Minnie M. Morgan, trustees
Wilbraham Public library ; Minnie M. Morgan, librarian ;
Francis B. Clark, Henry M. Bliss, Jason Butler, Henry I. Edson
and Chauncey E. Peck, justices of the peace.
The more prominent business men of the town are the mer
chants, George W. Ely, Frank A. Fuller, Frank A. Gurney and
Charles N. Mowry, aU general stores; James Egan, druggist;
John W. Baldwin, Erastus B. Gates and Wm. H. McGuire, coal
dealers; Drs. Arthur L. Damon, James M. Foster and Horace
G. Webber, physicians and surgeons ; Fred W. Green, proprietor
of stage line; Anson Soule, saw miller. To the forgoing list
there may be added the names of Jesse L. Rice, Henry H. Bur-
bank, Henry Bliss, Ethelbert Bliss (the extensive peach grower),
Ira G. Potter (large land owner and one of the town's most
representative men), Charles C. Beebe, Rev. M. S. Howard (for
more than 30 years pastor of the Congregational church). Rev.
Dr. W. H. Thomas (pastor of the Memorial M. E. church),
Chauncey B. Peck (the wheelwright and one of the best in
formed men of the town), Myron Brewer (son of the late Dr.
Luther Brewer), W. E. Reddington (superintendent of the
paper mill at North Wilbraham), H. W. Cutler, J. M. Perry,
John and Joseph Baldwin and many others whose names are
not mentioned, but all of whom are the active factors in Wil
braham history.

( 195 )

CHAPTER IV
THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
On the south border of Hampden county, in the second tier
of towns west of the Connecticut, is situated one of the most
irregularly outlined civil divisions of the region, about one-sixth
of its entire territory being bounded on three sides by Connecti
cut land. In the early history of these two Ncav England com
monwealths, it appears that no satisfactory boundary line could
be agreed upon in this locality, and as late as 1800 the difference
was still unsettled ; and when finaUy adjusted it seems somewhat
strange that the line dividing the states could not have been
made a right line. However, that which was Connecticut's loss
Avas Hampshire county's gain, for about six square miles of
Southwick lands lay south of the general state line. Originally
this disputed area extended to the east line of Southwick, but
when a compromise was effected each state took half of the tract,
and this action was satisfactory to the inhabitants.
Settlement.— Originally this region Was part of the mother
town of Westfield, and its early settlement was accomplished dur
ing the two-score years following 1730. Tradition says that Sam
uel Fowler was the pioneer, and that in 1734 he settled in the
northern part of the town, in a locality commonly designated
"Poverty," because the land there was supposed to be barren
and unfit for cultivation. But that happened nearly two cen
turies ago, and subsequent events have shown the lands here
generally are as fertile as elsewhere in the county outside the
river valleys; and it is evident that Samuel Fowler prospered
in the locality, for a long line of thrifty descendants have come
from the old pioneer, and among them have been some of the
best men of Southwick in later years.
( 196 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
Old records and documents disclose the fact that settlement
in this part of Westfield Avas accomplished rapidly after the
lands were opened for sale, and in the next few years after the
coming of the pioneer we find these settlers on the land: Silas
and Abner and David Fowler, Gideon Stiles, Noah Loomis,
Ephraim Griffin, Matthew Laflin, Israel Perkins, William Moore,
John Kent, George Granger, David Nelson, James Smith, Joseph
Moore, John Campbell, John Berry, Moses Root, Phineas South
well, Eph. Chamberlain, Stephen Sexton, Phineas Perkins,
Thomas Hough, Isaac Coit, David Ives, Brigham Brown, Shubal
Stiles, Doras Stiles, Sampson French, Joseph and Abner For
ward, Holcomb Granger, John Rockwell, Enos Foot, Solomon
Stevens and Job Langdon. Many of the grandchildren of these
first settlers have aged and died, yet glancing over the lists of
the townsmen we discover that many of the old surnames are
still known here, and some of them are represented by men of
influence and worth. To mention them all according to their
merit and prominence would require a volume, hence we must
be content with the reproduction of the names of pioneers and
early settlers, and in later pages the names of their descendants
will appear as they have been identified with the history of the
town. In 1770 Southwick was granted a district organization and
in 1775 was given full town powers. The early officers evidently
believed in keeping a complete list of the male inhabitants (in
which respect it was an exceptional town, for only in two others
have similar lists been discovered) and in 1781, according to
records found in the clerk's office, the male inhabitants, subject
to military duty and "poll rates" were as follows: David
Hastings, Thomas Hanchet, David Nelson, Amos Noble, Gideon
Stiles, Benj. Rising, jun., George Sexton, Stephen Sexton,
Solomon Munsell, William Campbell, Samuel and Amos John
son, Moses and Israel Hays (Hayes), James Campbell, Daniel
Wait, John Woodbury, John Pierce, John Pierce, jun., Moses
Noble, Matthew Laflin, Joseph Moore, Israel Perkins, Phineas
Perkins, Benj. Loomis, jun., Enos Loomis, Elijah Hough, James
Smith, WiUiam Moore, John Bishop, Moses Mitchell, Jonathan
( 197 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Wilcox, Bldad Graves, Samuel Johnson, jun., Benj. Rising, Silas,
Abner and David Fowler, Stephen Russell, Titus Bigelow,
Phineas Southwell, Benj. Loomis, Nehemiah and Israel Loomis,
Abraham Page, Abraham Page, jun., Hezekiah Jones, Joseph
Barber, Roger and Gideon Root, Jonathan Tillotson, Josiah,
Ezra and John Kent, Gad Allen, Elijah Blackman, Martin
Holcomb, William Mather, Zur. Root, William Miller, Joshua
Bottom, Samuel Haynes, John Wilcox, Trustum Story, John
Story, Jacob Cook, Isaac Fowler, Abner Rising, Joseph Hyde,
jun., Pliny Sacket, Noah Loomis, Noah Loomis, jun., Shem
Loomis, Moses Olds, Samuel Olds, Moses AUen, Moses Root,
Samuel Kellogg, Jesse Sacket, Jared Bush, Josiah Kellogg,
Amasa and David Ives, Thomas Hough, John Berry, Thomas
and John Campbell, Amos Rising, Solomon Stephens, Nathaniel
Gilbert, Silas Stephens, Freegrace Norton, Isaac Gilbert, Daniel
Lee, Bldad Norton, George Granger, George Granger, jun., Levi
and Eldred Palmer, Gad Dewey, Simon Wetherbee, Sampson
French, Philip Hayes and Daniel Griffin.
Many of these residents of Southwick in 1781 were not life
long citizens of the town, and Avhile a large proportion of the
surnames mentioned are not now known in local annals, a num
ber of the present generation of inhabitants can trace their
ancestry to one or more of those whose names are recorded above.
Organizaiion.—'H.&wing within the brief space of about
thirty years acquired necessary number of families and inhabit
ants, including among them some of the strongest men of the
mother town, it was only natural that this people should petition
the general court for a separation from Westfield, for they were
indeed remotely located from the seat of town government and
were entitled to the consideration asked. The act conferred dis
trict powers on the new jurisdiction and authorized the election
of all local officers except a separate representative to the general
court. The provisions of the act were carried out and a fuU
board of district officers was elected annually from 1770 (the
act Avas passed November 7) to 1775, but, unfortunately, the
records during the period of the district character are not to be
found, and it is possible that they were so imperfectly kept as
( 198 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
to be of little value, hence many facts of historic interest are
thereby denied us.
On August 23, 1775, Southwick was made a town by general
act, and thereupon took its place among the civil divisions of
Hampshire county. Prom this time the records are faithfully
kept and well preserved considering their age and service. Prom
1775 to 1901 the offices of selectman and town clerk have been
filled as follows :
Selectmen.— mb, Gideon Stiles, Noah Loomis, Silas Fow
ler; 1776, Gideon Stiles, Silas Fowler, Abner Fowler, Noah
Loomis, Matthew Laflin; 1777, Noah Loomis, Gideon Stiles,
Abner Fowler, Ephraim Griffin, Israel Perkins; 1778, Noah
Loomis, Gideon Stiles, Matthew Laflin, John Kent, Abner Fow
ler; 1779-80, WilUam Moore, David Nelson, George Granger;
1781, Abner PoAA'ler, James Smith, John Cainpbell; 1782, Silas
Fowler, John Kent, Matthew Laflin, Noah Loomis, Thomas Camp-
beU; 1783, Matthew Laflin, Joseph Moore, John Kent; 1784,
John Kent, John Barry, James Smith; 1785, Silas Fowler, Mat
thew Laflin, Moses Root, John Kent, Thomas Campbell; 1786,
James Smith, Thomas Campbell, Phineas Southwell, Stephen
Sexton, Ephraim Chamberlain; 1787, Phineas Perkins, Noah
Loomis, Thomas Hough, Brigham Brown, Joseph Moore; 1788,
Phineas Southwell, George Granger, Silas Fowler, Isaac Coit,
Phineas Perkins; 1789, Thomas CampbeU, Isaac Coit, Phineas
Southwell, Ephraim Chamberlain, David Ives; 1790, Ephraim
Chamberlain, Thomas Campbell, Samuel Fowler ; 1791, Thomas
Campbell, Samuel Fowler, Shubael Stiles ; 1792, Sampson French,
Samuel Fowler, Shubael Stiles, Phineas Southwell, Phineas
Perkins; 1793, Samuel Fowler, Shubael Stiles, Samuel French;
1794, Doras Stiles, Samuel Fowler, David Fowler ; 1795, Thomas
Campbell, Samuel Fowler, David Fowler ; 1796, Samuel Fowler,
Doras Stiles, Thomas Campbell, Holcomb Granger, Joseph For
ward; 1797, Thomas Campbell, Joseph Forward, Samuel Fow
ler; 1798; Joseph Forward, Job Langdon, Solomon Stephens;
1799-1800, Job Langdon, Samuel Fowler, Joseph Forward; 1801,
Shubael Stiles, Enos Root, Joseph Forward ; 1802, Samuel Fow
ler, Doras StUes, Brigham Brown; 1803, David Fowler, Oliver
( 199 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Utley, Ham Loomis ; 1804, Matthew Laflin, Reuben Moore, Moses
Hayes ; 1805, Shubael Stiles, Reuben Moore, Thomas CampbeU ;
1806, Shubael Stiles, Roger Moore, Joseph Forward; 1807,
Shubael Stiles, Joseph Forward, Oliver Utley; 1808-9, Shubael
Stiles, Jos. Forward, Samuel FoAvler; 1810, Samuel Fowler,
Richard Dickinson, Oliver Moore; 1811, Shubael Stiles, Oliver
Smith, Reuben Moore; 1812, Reuben Moore, Solomon Smith,
Samuel Fowler ; 1813, Doras Stiles, Samuel Fowler, Elijah Hol
comb; 1814, Joseph Forward, Elijah Holcomb, Ephraim Booth;
1815, Richard Dickinson, Reuben Moore, Gideon Stiles; 1816,
Richard Dickinson, Gideon Stiles, Amasa Holcomb; 1817-18,
Gideon Stiles, Amasa Holcomb, Heman Laflin; 1819, Amasa
Holcomb, William Hosmer, Job Langdon; 1820, Gideon Stiles,
Heman Laflin, Almon Gillett; 1821, Gideon Stiles, John Mills,
Almon Gillett; 1822, Gideon Stiles, Almon Gillett, Joseph M.
Forward ; 1823, John Mills, Joseph M. Forward, EU L. Moore ;
1824, Jos. M. Forward, Eli L. Moore, Abraham Rising, jun.;
1825, Eli L. Moore, Abraham Rising, jun., Warren Byington;
1826, Warren Byington, Gideon StUes, Thaddeus Foot; 1827,
Abraham Rising, jun., Zebina Mason, Almon GiUett; 1828,
Abraham Rising, jun., Zebina Mason, Jubal Byington; 1829,
Uzal Rockwell, Gideon Root, Elisha Steer, jun. ; 1830, Robert
Forward, Warren Byington, Abraham Rising, jun.; 1831-32,
John Mills, Robert Forward, Elisha Steer, jun.; 1833, Joseph
M. ForAvard, Uzal RockweU, EUsha Steer; 1834, Elisha Steer,
Gideon Stiles, Robert Forward; 1835, Robert Forward, Gideon
Stiles, Samuel S. Fowler; 1836, Gideon Stiles, Solomon Green,
EUsha Steer ; 1837, Joseph M. Forward, Sardis GiUett, Samuel
S. Fowler; 1838, Sardis Gillett, Almon H. Baker, Samuel S.
Fowler; 1839, Almon H. Baker, Abraham Rising, jun., Elisha
Booth; 1840, Abraham Rising, jun., Elisha Booth, Josiah S.
Knowles ; 1841, Elisha Booth, Josiah S. Knowles, Carmi Shurt-
leff; 1842-43, Gideon Stiles, Abraham Rising, Carmi Shurtleff;
1844, Abraham Rising, EU L. Moore, Chandler Holcomb ; 1845,
Chandler Holcomb, Samuel Webb, Tarsus N. Fowler; 1846,
Samuel Webb, Heaton Granger, P. W. Stevens; 1847, P. W.
Stevens, Daniel W. King, Moses White; 1848, Moses White, P.
( 200 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
W .Stevens , Calvin Cannon ; 1849, Oliver Root, Joseph M. For
ward, Calvin Cannon ; 1850, Oliver Root, P. W. Stevens, Samuel
KeUogg; 1851, Theron Rockwell, Baston T- Rising, P. W.
Stevens; 1852, Theron Rockwell, Elisha Steer, Oliver Root; 1853,
Oliver Root, B. B. Loomis, Theron Warner; 1854, Theron War
ner, B. B. Loomis, WiUiam R. Brown; 1855, Joseph W. Rock
well, A. J. Marvin, Uzal Rockwell; 1856, Thomas Cooley, Uzal
Rockwell, A., J. Marvin; 1857, Theron Rockwell, Tarsus N.
PoAvler, H. H. Hosmer ; 1858, Carmi Shurtleff, Alvin Rising, C.
K. Lambson; 1859, Carmi Shurtleff', C. K. Lambson, Gideon A.
Stiles; 1860, Gideon A. Stiles, M. M. Steer, WilUam Strain; 1861,
Carmi Shurtleff, Abraham Rising, Luther Fowler; 1862-63, A.
J. Marvin, A. P. Webb, A. P. Easton; 1864, A. P. Baston, E. C.
Vining, Moses White ; 1865-66, A. P. Easton, N. S. Noble, A. J.
Forward ; 1867, M. A. Moore, N. S. Noble, A. J. Forward ; 1868,
M. A. Moore, Calvin Cannon, Raner Rising; 1869, M. A. Moore,
Calvin Cannon, Lucien Bacon; 1870, M. A. Moore, 0. A.
Granger, Marcus Phelps; 1871, 0. A. Granger, A. P. Easton,
Andrevi' White; 1872-73, 0. A. Granger, E. A. Steer, W. D.
Arnold; 1874, W. D. Arnold, J. L. Black; W. W. Easton; 1875-
78, A. J. Forward, J. L. Black, Edwin Gilbert; 1879, A. J.
Forward, Dvright H. HoUister, Charles J. GiUett; 1880, Dwight
H. HoUister, John Mason, Calvin S. Miller; 1881, Dwight H.
HoUister, Calvin S. MiUer, Andrew AVhite; 1882, Calvin S.
Miller, Andrew White, John Mason; 1883, John Mason, Calvin
S. MiUer, Homer Noble; 1884, Homer Noble, Dwight H. Hol-
lister, LleweUyn S. Wetherbee; 1885, Dwight H. HoUister,
Llewellyn S. Wetherbee, WiUiam F. Fletcher; 1886, Wm. P.
Fletcher, L. S. Wetherbee, Calvin S. Miller; 1887, L. S. Wether
bee, D. H. HoUister, Chas. J. Root; 1888, L. S. Wetherbee, D.
H. HoUister, Chas. W. Noble; 1889, D. H. HoUister, Chas. W.
Noble, F. M. Arnold; 1890, Chas. W. Noble, F. M. Arnold, L. S.
Wetherbee; 1891, F. M. Arnold, L. S. Wetherbee, John Mason;
1892, L. S. Wetherbee, John Mason, Homer Noble; 1893, D. H.
HoUister, L. S. Wetherbee, Chas. W. Noble; 1894-95, John
Mason, George Doherty, Charles H. Saunders; 1896-98, Chas.
W. Noble, George Doherty, Emerson C. Dibble; 1899-1900,
( 301 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
George Doherty, Charles W. Noble, Birney G. Holcomb; 1901,
Birney G. Holcomb, Charles Phelps, George Doherty.
Toivn Clerks.— Ahner Fowler, 1775-78; William Moore,
1779-80; Isaac Coit, 1781-87; Thomas Hough, 1788; Samuel
Fowler, 1789-1801; Enos Foot, 1802; Samuel Fowler, 1803;
Enos Foot, 1804-10 ; Job Langdon, 1811-12 ; Joseph M. Forward,
1813-17; John Mills, 1818; Ephraim Booth, 1819-22; Levi W.
Humphrey, 1823; Robert Forward, 1824; Levi W. Humphrey,
1825-28 ; Edwin Foot, 1829 ; Joseph M. Forward, 1830-31 ; Har
rison Foot, 1832-33; Phineas W. Stevens, 1834-36; James
Stevens, 1837-44; Carmi Shurtleff', 1845; Joseph M. Forward,
1846-51; A. J. Forward, 1852-54; Joseph E. White, 1855; P.
W. Stevens, 1856 ; Joseph E. White, 1857 ; Seymour L. Granger,
1858-60; C. J. Root, 1861-65; Luther Fowler, 1866-67; B. G.
Palmer, 1868 ; Orrin A. Granger, 1869-70 ; WilUam W. Phelps,
1871; H. E. AAT-ebb, 1872-74; EdAvin Shurtleff, 1875-76; WiUiam
Strain, 1877; WiUiam F. Fletcher, 1878-81; Charles A. Reed,
1882-83; EdAvard GiUett, 1884; Frank A. Osborne, 1885-88;
George Brace, 1889-97; J. Spencer White, 1898-1900; Dr. F.
Knight Porter, 1901.
Town Officers, 1901.— Birney G. Holcomb, Charles Phelps,
George Doherty, selectmen, assessors, overseers of the poor and
board of health ; Dr. F. Knight Porter, town clerk ; Dwight H.
HoUister, William W. Phelps, auditors ; Llewellyn S. Wetherbee,
treasurer and collector; Lathrop Welcome, highway commis
sioner; William F. Fletcher, Amasa Holcomb, Calvin S. Miller,
cemetery commissioners; William L. Babb, chief of police;
Monroe G. Spring, Solomon C. Warren, James E. Ames, school
committee; J. Ellis Ames, principal of high school; John R.
Boyle, Amasa Holcomb, George Phelps, trustees of free public
library ; H. B. Harding, librarian ; Dr. P. Knight Porter, justice
of the peace.
From first to last Southwick has furnished to the county
an interesting and valuable historical record. It was settled
during the prevalence of the French and Indian wars, Avas.
brought into incomplete existence just before the outbreak of
the revolution and vA^as made full in its organization in the year
( 202 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
in which that .struggle was begun. One of the first acts after the
election of town officers was a vote to raise a company of twenty-
five minutemen, and Jonathan Hare Avas sent as delegate to the
provincial congress. The committee of safety appointed in
January, 1776, comprised Noah Loomis, Silas Fowler, William
Moore, John Kent, Deacon Morton, Solomon Stephens and
Ephraim Griffin. In this year the town declared in favor of
independence, and offered a bounty of 30 shillings each for nine
men to enlist in the expedition against Canada. Later on the
bounty was increased to fifteen pounds and eventually to thirty
pounds to keep the quota full when enlistments were hard to
secure. Glancing over the records of revolutionary services we find
that Southwick answered the call to arms upon the first news of
the Lexington alarm, Avith its company of minutemen, whose
names, so far as can now be ascertained, were Silas Fowler,
George Granger, John Kent, Jesse Dunham, Elijah Hough,
Jonathan Hayes, John Campbell, Roger Root, Zenas Graves,
Samuel Olds, Israel Loomis, Stephen Russell, Moses Campbell,
Thomas Campbell, Ezekiel Graves, Levi Bradley, John Steven
son (probably Stevens), Israel Hayes, Amos Loomis, Noah
Loomis, Silas Stephens, Elijah Harmon, William Campbell,
James Nelson, Amos Ives. These men served some eight and
others sixteen days under the first call, and all were privates.
Nearly all of these patriot forefathers were at once enrolled
as members of a better organized company and on the 21st of
April, 1775, set out for Roxbury, where they arrived April 29,
and were assigned to the regiment under Col. Danielson, with
Lieiit.-Col. Shepard, of Westfield, second in command. The per
sonnel of this company was as follows :
Captain, Silas Fowler; lieutenant, George Granger; ensign,
John Kent; sergeants, Levi Dunham, Elijah Hough, Jonathan
Hayes; corporals, John Campbell, Amos Ives, William Camp
bell ; fifer, Zenas Graves ; privates, Israel Loomis, John Stephen
son, Noah Loomis, Israel Hayes, Silas Stephens, Elijah Harmon,
Ezekiel Graves, Moses Campbell, Amos Loomis, Roger Root,
Thomas Campbell, Samuel Olds, Levi Bradley, J^mes Nelson,
( 203 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Stephen Russell. Of these men 14 were in service 21 days, and
11 were in service 11 days, under the first call. Later on many
re-enlisted and served at various periods of the war and others
entered the continental army and gave efficient services during
the dark period of the war. It is unfortunate that the rolls of
revolutionary soldiers are not complete, for it is known that the
men of Southwick acquitted themselves with honor on many
battlefields, and the names of all of them are worthy of especial
mention in the pages of history.
In 1780 the town voted not to have Capt. Fowler make a
draft of soldiers for the continental army, and at the same time
a committee was chosen to enquire into the action of the general
court, the belief being that the legislative body had not the au
thority to enforce the draft. Soon afterward, however, the town
voted to pay a bounty of $1,000 (continental bills) to each of
three men who should enter the army; and in 1781 Southwick
had nine soldiers in the regular army, having offered $1,000
bounty for enlistments and 20 shillings per month pay. These
extreme measures completely drained the treasury and also in
volved the town in a heavy debt, which the next generation was
called upon to pay. With this legacy of indebtedness upon them
it is not to be wondered at that Daniel Shays had a sympathetic
foUoAAang in Southwick, although the records make no dis
closures as to Avhat persons actually joined the insurgent host.
In Southwick during the war of 1812-15 there appears to
have been a more loyal support of the American side of the ques
tion at issue than was shown in many other towns in the county.
In the Northampton convention and the frequent other assem
blages to voice a protest against the prosecution of the war this
town did not send a delegate, and it is believed that the sentiment
here was one of general loyalty to the cause against Great
Britain; but of course there was a small federal contingent in
the town who opposed Avar and favored peace.
During the war a regiment of infantry was raised in the
south part of the county and was placed under command of Col.
Enos Foot of Southwick. These troops marched for Boston
about the middle of October, 1814, and spent about forty days
( 204 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
in camp at Dorchester, this being the extent of their service
during what AA-as locally called "Governor Strong's war." The
strength of the town contingent of men in this event is not
known, yet among the Southwick soldiers who took part in the
active struggle were Abraham Rising, Robert Forward, David
Noble, Elisha Steer, Benj. Lounsberry and Leonard Smith.
In the war of 1861-5 this town is credited with having sent
into service a total of 110 men, whereas in fact the number was
near 125 men in all branches of the serAdce. These were scat
tered through the several regiments recruited in Hampden
county, notably the 27th, 34th and 46th regiments of infantry,
and the 2d regiment of cavalry.
Southwick always has been known as an agricultural town,
and many foundations of substantial fortunes have been laid by
persevering effort on the part of thrifty husbandmen in that
direction and in the special growth of tobacco. If the reader
will glance over the succession of selectmen it may be seen that
more than one hundred names of well-to-do farmers are there
mentioned, whose first and only source of income was the old
home farm. During the first half of the last century the best
results in this field of labor Avere achieved, but the last half
century has not been without its successes. In this time thrifty
farmers have not only acquired a competency, but have also been
active factors in the civil history of the town. We refer to such
men as James Black, a farmer and an influential citizen ; Edvrin
Gilbert, who Avith other interests owned a saw and grist mill;
John Boyle, farmer, contractor and miller; Amos Bason, long
time a selectman; Thaddeus Foot and Gen. Joseph Forward,
who were for years identified with local interests; Deacon
Horace Noble, farmer; also Sardis, Creighton and Seth Gillett,
Quartius Black, Charles Bingham, Matthew Field, Robert For
ward, "Uncle Sol." Smith, Tuttle Webb and Oliver Root. This
Ust might be extended by the addition of other equally worthy
names, but the above will suffice to show something of the char
acter and quality of the factors in town history during the last
half century.
If it be permissible that we speak briefly of some of the
prominent farmers, producers and men of business of the present
( 205 )

On Southwick Street

THE TOWN OP SOUTHWICK
time, naturally we should feel called upon to mention the names
of such men as Calvin S. Miller, former representative and
leading republican ; EdAvin C. Hills, substantial farmer ; Birney
G. Holcomb, Charles H. Phelps and George Doherty, farmers
and present selectmen ; William F. Fletcher, miller, grain dealer
and cemetery commissioner; Frank W. Noble and H. L. Miller,
tobacco buyers; Charles A. Reed, merchant and postmaster;
Henry R. Barnes, wagon maker ; Frederick M. Arnold, a factor
in democratic politics; John R. Boyle, retired farmer; Dwight
H. Halsted, farmer ; Dr. F. Knight Porter, physician, town clerk
and justice of the peace; L. S. Wetherbee, treasurer and col
lector : Amasa Holcomb, Joseph M. and A. J. Forward, William
Boyle, and others.
Southwick attained its maximum population in 1830, since
which time there has been a gradual though not serious decrease
in number of inhabitants. At the time of the colonial census
in 1776 the town had 841 inhabitants, and at the time of the first
regular federal census in 1790, the number was exactly the same.
The subsequent changes, as shown by the census reports, may
be noted as follows: 1790, 841; 1800, 867; 1810, 1,229; 1820,
1,255; 1830, 1,355; 1840, 1,214; 1850, 1,120; 1855, 1,130; 1860,
1,188; 1865, 1,155; 1870, 1,100; 1875, 1,114; 1880, 1,104; 1885,
982; 1890, 944; 1895, 961; 1900, 1,040.
Schools.— In 1775, when the town's population was more
than 800, there was voted for school maintenance the sum of
15 pounds. In 1777 the amount was increased to 25 pounds. At
the beginning of the twentieth century the town annually ap
propriates about $1,300, receives more than $450 from the gen
eral school fund, and expends for schools more than $1,900 each
year. In 1781 the toAvn was divided into five school districts.
Now there are nine districts, with ten schools, district No. 1,
which includes the pretty little hamlet of Southwick, having a
public school of ordinary grade and the Dickinson high or gram
mar school, the latter having been so named in honor of Richard
Dickinson, who bequeathed to the town about $16,000. One-half
of the income of this fund was provided to be devoted to the
support of the grammar school and its free enjoyment by pupils
living in the town. Subsequent changes in the school laws have
( 207 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
necessitated corresponding changes in the system of operation
of this school, yet the benefits are derived from the fund to the
advantage of the townspeople. The Southwick schools employ
ten teachers. The school census shows about 200 children be
tween the ages of five and fifteen years.
Southwick Village.— This pretty little hamlet, the only trad
ing center of any importance in the town, is located near the
geographical center, and on the line of the Northampton branch
of the N. Y., N. H. & H. railroad. Where is now the village site
was once the lands of the Fowlers, and one of that family as
early as 1780 opened a tavern here, and in the same building kept
a small stock of goods. This established the center of trade in
the town, and in later years the village was built up in the
vicinity. The old meeting house originally was located about a
mile south, and in 1781 a new edifice was erected at the
' ' Centre", as the place was then known.
For many years the institutions of the village have com
prised the Congregational and Baptist churches, the public
school and the high school. There has been maintained, too, a
comfortable public house and two good stores. The population
of the village proper is hardly more than 200 persons. The
present interests comprise the general stores of Charles A. Reed
and P. W. Healy ; the grist mill of Wm. F. Fletcher, located at
the station; the wagon shop of H. R. Barnes, and the hotel of
which William Sherman is proprietor.
This locality for many years has been noted for its staple
tobacco product, and the annual visits of the buyers and specu
lators constitute an event in local history. Still, the town has
its own dealers as well as growers, H. Z. Miller and Frank W.
Noble; and also has cigar making establishments of R. B. Camp
beU and C. J. Gillett.
The Congregational church of Southwick, dates its history
to the year 1773, and appears to have been less dependent upon
the town than many of the churches whose organization ante
dated the revolution. Still, in Southwick, the town did give
material support to the mother church. The first pastor was
Rev. Abel ForAvard, 1773 to 1786, and the second was Rev. Isaac
( 208 )

THE TOWN OF SOUTHWICK
Clinton, 1788 to 1807. The first house of worship was built
about a mile south of the Centre, and it is believed that the old
structure was not completed before the erection of the new meet
ing house at the village. The latter was built in 1783, and from
that time the Congregational church has been the leading eccles
iastical body of the town. In 1824, during the pastorate of
Rev. Calvin Foote, the church edifice was burned, and in its
stead the present house of worship was erected in 1825. It is
in a good state of preservation and is, perhaps, the most preten-

Southwick — Congregational Church
tious building in the town. In membership the church is not
strong, yet in attendance at services the congregations are large.
This church is under the pastoral care of Rev. L. S. Crawford.
Previous to the revolution a number of Baptist families
had settled in Southwick, and soon afterward endeavored to
estabhsh meetings of their denomination ; and they sought to be
excused from paying "rates" for the support of the recognized
church, but without success for several years. Finally they
were granted "sittings" in the meeting house and were obliged

14-3

( 309 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
to accept this concession, yet they attended services at the church
of their own faith in Suffield. In 1805, they organized a society
and church and called Elder Niles to be their pastor. A house
of worship was built in 1822, at Southwick viUage, and from
that year the church has enjoyed a healthful existence. The
present pastor is Rev. Thomas Terry.
Among the settlers who came into the town after 1800, were
several whose families were members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and while they held informal class meetings and occa
sional services, they did not have sufficient strength to organize
a society and church until 1816, when Rev. David Miller was ap
pointed to minister to their spiritual wants. In 1825 the society
became possessed of the meeting house at Gillett 's Corners,
which has since been the seat of the church. At this time the
pulpit of this church is supplied by Rev. J. H. Stoney.

CHAPTER V
THE TOWN OP WEST SPRINGFIELD
A noticeable fact in connection with the history of West
Springfield is that the town previous to 1810 contained a greater
population and in many other respects was regarded as being'
superior of the mother town on the east side of the river. Some
writers of local history have asserted that the town always has
been the specially favored child of Springfield. This may have
been true to the extent that the settlers on the east side of the
Connecticut Avere Avell aware that the richest lands of the entire
valley region lay opposite the plantation of Springfield, and as
such they were sought to be kept a part of the mother town ; but
there is much in the early history of West Springfield which
shows that as far back as 1695 the inhabitants on the east side
Avere not pleased with the idea of having a separate parish on
the west side, and for the next three-quarters of a century, until
( 310 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
West Springfield was made a separate town, there was decided
opposition to every measure proposed for the especial benefit
of the territory and people west of the river ; and it was due to a
combination of circumstances that West Springfield was created
in 1774. Still, West Springfield as the offspring of the mother town
never was a wayward child, as has been intimated, but on the
contrary was for years the mainstay and support of the
parent body. The people here sought a division of the parish
because the public interests demanded such action. Their 's was
the larger and more populous territory, and when special inter
ests were at stake, town meetings were held across the river.
However, the present writer would not have it understood that
there ever was serious rivalry between the towns, for as a matter
of fact since the territory was divided West Springfield has been
looked upon as a valuable auxiliary to the mother town, consti
tuting an important elepaent of the ' ' Greater Springfield ' ' ; and
to-day West Springfleld capital adds materially to the commercial
prominence of the county seat. It combines the three valuable
elments of being a residence town, an agricultural town and a
manufacturing town.
Within the limits of the original territory of West Spring
field, William Pynchon and his associates planted their colony
in 1636. The proprietor himself had visited the locality and
selected a site for the house to be occupied by his company. The
structure was built by John Cable and John Woodcock, but upon
being told by the Indians that the lands were subject to overflow
from the river, the colonists removed to the east side and founded
their settlement on the site of Springfleld. In 1653 the proprie
tors made an allotment of lands on the west side of the river,
and thereafter similar divisions of remaining lands were made
until all these rich acres were disposed of. They were not oc
cupied at once, but for many years were cultivated as meadow
and pasture lands and also for the production of various crops.
Occasionally one of the settlers would establish his domicile here,
but the inhabitants were few and much scattered until after the
end of King Philip's war. Soon after 1653 the proprietors
( 311 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
granted house-lots on the west side, chiefly below Westfield
(sometimes called Agawam) river, and several others in the north
part, which was then known as the Chicopee plain. Among
those to whom house-lots were granted about the time referred
to there may be recalled the names of Anthony Dorchester,
Francis Pepper, Samuel Terry, Hugh Dumbleton, Miles Morgan,
John Stewart, Simon Sackett and Obadiah Miller, some of whom
were prominent characters in the early history of the town in
later years. Thomas Cooper and Abel Leonard are known to
have settled in the Agawam district as early as 1660, and from
that year to the time of the division of the lands into ten-acre
lots in 1707, the settlers gradually crossed over from the east
side and made homes for their families on the rich bottom lands
of West Springfield.
In 1695 there were thirty-two families and more than two
hundred persons on the territory. They considered themselves
sufficiently numerous and able to support a minister independent
of the old society in Springfield, and accordingly presented their
petition to the general court, praying for the establishment of a
second parish, for, as the petition recites, they were at great
inconA'enience in being compelled to cross the great' river to at
tend public worship. Several years previous to this a division of
the parish had been asked for on the same grounds, but the re
quest was not granted, and in order to remove the inconvenience
complained of a ferry across the river was established for public
accommodation. However, in 1695, a division of the territory
was again asked, and on May 29, 1696, an act of the general
court established the second parish and authorized the employ
ment of a minister.
From this time the parish increased rapidly in population
while the lands were developed into fine farms. In 1707 it was
determined to divide the unsold lands among the townsmen and
it was provided that each male person who had completed his
twenty-first year should share in the apportionment. The several
localities then Avere given distinguishing names, such as the
Agawam district, including substantially the town now so called ;
the Street district, now West Springfield; and the Chicopee
( 312 )

The Old Street

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
plains, meaning the territory noAV the northern part of West
Springfield and also the town and city of Holyoke. At that
time, according to early parish records, the beneficiaries under
this division numbered 73 persons, and among them were several
of the pioneers of the parish.
Those who shared in this division of the lands, and who may
be regarded as the proprietors of the second parish at that time,
were as follows: Jose (Joseph) Ely, sen., Jose Ely, jun., Wm.
Macrany, James Barcker, Jose Barcker, Samuel Barcker, Oliver
Barcker (evidently this surname correctly spelled is Barker),
John Bag (Bagg, a surname always well represented in the
town), Jonathan Bag, Benja. Leonard, Jno. Leonard, John Day,
James Taller, sen. (Taylor), James Taller, jun., Jonathan Tailer,
Samuel Tailer, EdAvard Foster, John Miller, Samuel Miller,
sen., Nathaniel Morgan, Samuel Frost, Nathaniel Sykes, Pela
Jones, John Peley, Samuel Warriner, Ebenezer Day, Christian
Vanhorn, Charles Ferry, Samuel Day, Samuel Ely, Jonathan
Fowler, Mr. Woodbridge, Ebenezer Miller, Joseph Bodortha,
sen. (correctly spelled Bodurtha), Samuel Bodortha, sen.,
Samuel Bodortha, jun., Ebenezer Jones, sen., Ebenezer Jones,
jun., Josiah Leonard, Lest (probably Lebbeus) Ball, Samuel
Ball, Henry Rogers, John Rogers, Nathaniel Dumbleton, William
Scott, James Merrick, John Killam, sen., John Killam, jun.,
Benj. Smith, Wm. Smith, Jose (probably Joseph) Leonard, sen.,
Samuel Leonard, Jose Leonard, jun., Samuel Cooper, Samuel
Kent, Gershom Hail, sen. (probably Hall is more accurate).
Deacon Barber, Thomas Barber, Nath. Bancroft, Jose Hodge,
Isaac Frost, James Stevenson, sen., James Stevenson, jun.,
Jonathan Worthington, Samuel Miller, jun., Thomas Macrany,
Joseph Bodortha, jun., Francis Ball, John Ely, Samuel Ferry.
Few indeed of these surnames are known in West Spring
field history at the present time, yet hundreds of residents in
the county may be able to, trace their ancestry to one or more
of them. It cannot be claimed that the foregoing list represents
the pioneers of our town, for pioneership on the west side of the
river was almost coextensive with planting the colony at Spring
field in 1636. The house meadows and pasture lands had few
( 314 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
residents earlier than King Philip 's war, and during that period
and also that of other early Indian wars, the ov^rners of these lands
cultivated them but maintained their residences on the east side,
within the protection of old Port Pynchon and the stockades con
structed by the settlers for security against savage attacks. It
will be remembered that beginning with the Pequot war there
was more or less apprehension among the settlers regarding the
professed friendship of the Indians in this locality. On the west
side of the Connecticut were the tracts which the savages culti
vated and after they had parted with their title to the lands they
continued their occupancy, often to the annoyance of the whites.
Mr. Pynchon held them in subjection through pacific treatment,
but after his departure from Springfield there was no strong
restraining influence over them by any of his successors in au
thority. When Springfleld Avas attacked and burned in 1675
the inhabitants living on the west side betook themselves to the
protection of the forts in the settlement, and when aid came for
the besieged settlers the soldiers who appeared on the west bank
of the river had no boats to carry them across to relieve the
distressed people.
Prom the time of creating the Second parish to the incor
poration of the town of West Springfield, the territory west of
the river comprised the three localities or districts known as
Agawam, the Street and the Chicopee plains; and after the
organization of the town the boundaries remained substantially
unchanged until Holyoke was set off in 1850, followed by Aga
wam in 1855. During the years following the establishment of
the Second parish, there was a steady increase in population on
the west side of the river, notwithstanding the fact that the in
habitants there knew little of the blessings of peace. This period
of strife, or rather defensive life against Indian depredations,
began in earnest with King Philip's war and continued with
more or less activity until the last echoes of Shays' rebellion
had died away. During this hundred years the region was not
subject to more frequent attack than other localities, yet the
people here were without defenses of any kind, hence the women
and children were constantly in a state of alarm, all of which
{ 315 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
had the effect to retard settlement. Still, the parish grew steadily,
and as early as 1756, just when the last French and EngUsh
war was beginning, the worthy parishioners were making an
effort to incorporate their territory into a town.
Organization and Civil History.— Boon after 1750, at a time
AA'hen the inhabitants of Springfield were about equally divided
by the Connecticut river, public convenience and individual
interests of those who lived on the west side demanded a division
of the territory and the creation of a new town in that region.
To this proposition the people on the east side set up a deter
mined opposition. They then had a majority of the town officers,
and being the shire village of Hampshire county naturally many
influential persons were living there and in a great measure con
trolled public sentiment. It was not at any time assumed that
the division Avould not beneflt the people on the west side, but
rather the chief ground of opposition came from the fact that
the mother town Avas reluctant to part with so extensive and
important a part of her lands.
At first, if local tradition be reliable, the people on the west
side submitted to the will of east side influence and made no
further efforts in the direction of a separation until 1756, when
the subject was rencAved with more earnestness. The town meet
ings in earlier years had been held on the east side and nearly
all the officers were selected from the inhabitants there. The
moneys raised for town improvements Avere expended largely
in the village of Springfield and regions adjoining, yet the west
siders were constantly taxed on account of these things and
received small part of the benefits. This condition of affairs was
made the subject of special action at a meeting of the inhabitants
of the Second parish held July 15, 1756, and it was then deter
mined to apply to the general court for an act incorporating the
parish Avith full town powers and privileges. At the same time
a committee comprising Capt. Benjamin Day, Doctor John
Vanhorne, Capt. Joseph Miller and Josiah Day was appointed
to see that the desire of the inhabitants was carried into effect.
With this meeting the real contest between the east and
west sides was begun, and the records indicate that some feeling
( 316 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
actually entered into the controversy. So long as town meetings
were held on the east side the voters of that locality outnumbered
those who were compelled to cross the river, hence no substantial
gain was made by the Second parish during the first few years
of the struggle for a division. In the meantime some concessions
were made; a reasonable share of the public appropriations was
expended on the west side and occasionally town meetings were
assembled there, but the end most earnestly sought was not
attained and nothing short of that would satisfy the people of
the Second parish. As years passed public feeling again was
revived and at the annual town meeting in 1773 the matter came
before the voters in an attempt to settle existing differences. To
this end an adjourned meeting was held March 25 in the meet
ing house of the Second parish. On that occasion it was ' ' voted
to choose a committee to consider the present state of the town,
the disputes and animosities that subsist between the several
parts, the matters that lie before this meeting to be acted upon,
and the unhappy embarrassments that attend the same, and to
project some method to remove them, and to report at this time".
The committee comprised Col. John Worthington, Moses
Bliss, Deacon Daniel Harris, Deacon Nathaniel Ely (2d), Moses
Field, John Hale, Col. Benjamin Day, Deacon Jonathan White,
Lieut. John Morgan, Lieut. Benjamin Leonard, Asaph Leonard,
Abraham Burbank, Joseph Ely, Deacon Edward Chapin and
Ensign Phineas Chapin. Through its efforts this committee
(which comprised a number of the most influential and respected
men of Springfield) settled several of the minor questions in
dispute, but its members were forced to the conclusion that
satisfactory division of the territory could best be made by "an
indifferent and judicious committee of disinterested persons in
the neighboring towns, ' ' who should ' ' repair to this town to view
the situation of its parts, to consider its circumstances, and to
judge at large thereon what division and on what terms and
conditions shall be made thereof," etc., "to the end that the
town may be divided in such manner as may in all respects be
best" The report of the committee was accepted by the town, and
it was voted that William WiUiams, Erastus Wolcott and Joseph
( 317 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Root be a committee to visit the town, "view the situation of
its parts, to consider its circumstances, ' ' etc., and to report the
same. In due season the worthy commissioners did fully ex
amine the premises and render a report of their proceedings and
determination, but upon submitting the question of its accept
ance by the town a negative vote prevailed and the proposition
Avas rejected.About this time other localities than the Second parish were
asking for acts of incorporation and as a consequence the mother
town found itself besieged with petitions for a division of its
territory, and it probably was the conflict of these several inter
ests that led to the rejection of the report of the disinterested
commissioners. The desired end not being gained through this
means the aft'ected parishes applied themselves to the legislature
with petitions for a division of Springfield by the direct action
of the general court. In December, 1773, the town voted to
appoint agents to make answers to the general court regarding
the several petitions in question, and selected Col.> Benjamin
Day, Lieut. Benjamin Leonard and Nathaniel Ely as its repre
sentatives before that body. At the same time also a committee
was chosen to prepare instructions for the guidance of the
agents. These commissioners were Dr. Charles Pynchon, Justin
Ely, John Hale, Jonathan White, Benjamin Ely and Abraham
Burbank. On June 20, 1774, the town voted to accept the report
of the convention and ratified the action of the commissioners,
and on February 23 the general court passed ' ' an act for divid
ing the township of Springfield and erecting the western part
thereof into a separate town by the name of West Springfield,"
the effective portion of which act reads as follows :
"Whereas, by reason of the great extent of the township of
Springfield, the remote settlements, disputes, controversies and
different interests of the inhabitants thereof, the difficulty and
often the impracticability of the assembly in town meetings for
elections and other necessary purposes by reason of the great
river Connecticut almost equally dissecting the township, it is
necessary that there be a division thereof."
"Beit enacted, by the governor, council and house of repre
sentatives : That that part of the township of Springfield lying
( 318 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
on the west side of Connecticut river, and the inhabitants thereof,
be constituted and erected into a different town by the name of
West Springfield, and be invested with all the powers, privileges
and immunities Avhich by the laws of this province towns have
and enjoy."
This act created a new town according to the desires of its
inhabitants, but it contained a provision that exempted from
taxation for parish purposes all the lands known as the "Great
and General Field," comprising all the territory between the
ferry over the Connecticut at the so-called upper wharf and
the river called Agawam. This reservation included much of
the most desirable lands in what now is West Springfield, Mit
tineague and Merrick, which were chiefly owned by inhabitants
east of the river; men of influence and property who prevailed
upon the legislature to exempt them from taxation for the sup
port of the ministry in the Second parish. The inhabitants of
the new jurisdiction promptly represented their new grievance
to the general court, but Avithout satisfactory result, and the
lands thus exempted were not chargeable for the support of the
church in West Springfield, and thus the Springfield people
retaliated upon the west siders for their attempt to remove the
seat of government of the town from the east to the west side of
the river.
. Within its original boundaries as established by the act of
1774 the new town of AVest Springfield comprised an extensive
territory on the west side of Connecticut river, stretching away
from the foot of old Mt. Tom on the north to the Connecticut
state Une on the south, a distance of about twenty-five miles,
and extending west from the river an average distance of more
than six miles. It comprised the richest lands of the mother
toAAm, and its farming areas were eagerly sought by the early
settlers just as they have been sought in all subsequent years.
The town retained its original territory for more than three-
quarters of a century, and during that period it ranked as one
of the most important civil divisions of the county, and as an
agricultural town it stood first in the region. In the latter re
spect its prestige never has been lost, and to-day the ownership
( 319 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of a farm in the fertile bottom lands bordering on the Connecti
cut river is the natural equivalent of a competency. Within
the last quarter of a century the central portion of the town
has become a desirable residence locality for Springfleld business
juen, thrifty railroad employees and others in other avocations
in life, whose acquisition has been for the general good. In
certain localities manufacturing establishments of importance
have gained a permanent foothold, and by furnishing employ-
jnent to hundreds of wage earners all local interests are promoted
and are maintained in a healthful condition.
Although two parishes were the early and direct outgrowth
of the Second parish, there Avas no nearer territorial division of
the town until March 14, 1850, Avhen the northern portion com
monly knoAvn as the "Ireland parish" was set off and constituted
a town by the name of Holyoke, which noAV is a splendid indus
trial city, the name and fame of which is known throughout the
whole land. In the same manner, on May 17, 1855, the southern
part of West Springfield, long before refen-ed to in local history
as the parish of Agawam, within the bounds of which the
Pynchon colony intended to found their plantation, was separ
ated from the mother town and was caUed by the old Indian
name of Agawam. Thus the year 1855 found the town to con
tain only about one-third of its original territory and hardly
jnore than one-half the number of inhabitants it could boast
fifteen years before.
Having thus traced the civil history of the town, it is proper
in the present connection to furnish the names of persons who
have been identified with that history in the capacities of select
men and toAvn clerks, and also the representatives in the general
court from the organization of the town to the creation of Hamp
den county in 1812 ; the representatives in subsequent years will
he found in the county civil lists.
Selectmen.— mi, Col. Benjamin Day, Deacon Jonathan
^^'^lite, Col. Benjamin Ely, Deacon John Leonard, Lieut. Benja
min Leonard; 1775, Col. Benj. Ely, Deacon John Leonard, Lieut
Benj. Leonard, Dr. Chauncey Brewer, Justin Ely; 1776, Deacon
Reuben Leonard, Capt. Joseph Morgan, EUphalet Leonard;
( 230 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
1777, Reuben Leonard, EUphalet Leonard, Charles Ball; 1778,,
Reuben Leonard, Abraham Burbank, Col. Benj. Ely; 1779, Benj^
Day, Jonathan White, Reuben Leonard, Abraham Burbank,.
Benj. Ely; 1780, Benjamin Stebbins, Capt. Levi Ely, Lieut..
Enoch Cooper, Capt. Joseph Ely, Abraham Burbank; 1781,,
Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Day, Abraham Burbank, Benj. Steb
bins, Enoch Cooper, Joseph Ely, Aaron White; 1782, Jonathan
White, Benj. Ely, Abraham Burbank, Benj. Stebbins, EnocK
Cooper; 1783, Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, Capt. John
AVilliston, Russell Leonard, Lucius Morgan; 1784, Benj. Day,
Benj. Ely, Eliphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John Williston;.
1785, EUphalet Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John WilUston; 1786,
Benj. Ely, Eliphalet Leonard, Abraham Burbank, Benj. Steb
bins, John Williston; 1787, Capt. Joseph Morgan, Eliphalet
Leonard, Benj. Stebbins, John Williston, Russell Leonard; 1788,.
Benj. Ely, John Williston, Joseph White, Samuel Phelps,
Reuben Leonard, Jr. ; 1789-91, John WilUston, Reuben Leonard^
Jr. ; 1792, John WiUiston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Joseph White ;.
1793, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman Day; 1794,.
Col. Benj. Ely, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman
Day; 1795, Capt. Joseph Morgan, John Williston, Reuben Leon
ard, Jr., Heman Day; 1796, Joseph Morgan, John Williston,
Reuben Leonard, Jr., Samuel Phelps, Heman Day ; 1797, Joseph
Morgan, John Williston, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman Day,
Gad Warriner; 1798, Joseph Morgan, Heman Day, Major Gad
Warriner, Lieut. Ruggles Kent, Elias Leonard; 1799, Joseph
Morgan, Gad Warriner, Ruggles Kent, Elias Leonard, Horace
White, Justin Granger ; 1800, Heman Day, Gad Warriner, Lieut.
Benj. Ashley, Robert Ely, Dr. Timothy Horton, Justin Leonard;.
1801, Heman Day, Benj. Ashley, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton,
Justin Leonard; 1802, Heman Day, Robert Ely, Col. Samuel
Flower, Timothy Horton; 1803, Heman Day, Robert Ely,.
Timothy Horton, Pliny White, Samuel Flower; 1804, Heman
Day, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton, PUny White, Maj. and CoL
David Morley ; 1805, Heman Day, Robert Ely, Timothy Horton,.
PUny White, David Morley ; 1806, Heman Day, Timothy Horton,.
PUny White, Robert Ely, David Morley; 1807, Robert Ely,
( 321 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Timothy Horton, Pliny White, David Morley, Jonathan Smith,
Jr. ; 1808, Timothy Horton, David Morley, Jonathan Smith, Jr.,
Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg ; 1809, Elias Leonard, Timothy Hor
ton, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg; 1810,
Timothy Horton, Jona. Smith, Jr., Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg;
1811-12, Elias Leonard, Timothy Horton, Jonathan Smith, Jr.,
Aaron Bagg, Luther Frink; 1813, Timothy Horton, Jonathan
Smith, Jr., Aaron Bagg, Luther Frink, Horace Flower; 181.4,
Timothy Horton, Aaron Bagg, Horace Flower, James Kent,
Peres Hitchcock; 1815, Elias Leonard, Timothy Horton, Aaron
Bagg, James Kent, Peres Hitchcock; 1816-17, Elias Leonard,
Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent ; 1818-
21, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent,
Alfred Flower; 1822, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Alfred
PloAver, Ruggles Kent, Jonathan Parsons ; 1823, Timothy Hor
ton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent, Alfred Flower;
1824, Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Aaron Bagg, James Kent,
Alfred Flower ; 1825, Luke Parsons, James Kent, Alfred Flower,
David Hastings, Hosea Day ; 1826, Luke Parsons, Alfred Flower,
David Hastings, Hosea Day, Caleb Rice; 1827, Luke Parsons,
Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis Warriner ; 1828,
Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis Warriner, War
ren Chapin ; 1829, Hosea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis
Warriner, Warren Chapin; 1830, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower,
Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard, Henry Ely; 1831, James Kent,
Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard, Henry Ely, Josiah Johnson; 1832,
James Kent, Linus Bagg, Benj. Leonard, Henry Ely, Josiah
Johnson ; 1833, Linus Bagg, Benjamin Leonard, Josiah Johnson,
Charles Ball, Jr., Edward Parsons ; 1834, Spencer Flower, Linus
Bagg, Charles BaU, Jr., Samuel Noble; 1835, Spencer Flower,
Linus Bagg, Henry Ely, Edward Parsons, Samuel Noble ; 1836,
Linus Bagg, Henry Ely, Samuel Noble, Lester WiUiams, Silas
Dewey; 1837, Col. Aaron Bagg, Josiah Johnson, Samuel Noble,
Lester WiUiams, Silas DcAvey, Willard Ely; 1838, Col. Aaron
Bagg, Josiah Johnson, Lester Williams, Willard Ely, Lyman
Whitman ; 1839, Aaron Bagg, Lester WiUiams, SUas Dewey,
WiUard Ely, Lyman Whitman, Calvin Wheeler; 1840, Aaron
( 322 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
Bagg, Lester Williams, Silas Dewey, Willard Ely, Lyman Whit
man, Ebenezer B. Pelton; 1841, Aaron Bagg, Lester Williams,
Silas Dewey, Willard Ely, Lyman Whitman ; 1842, Aaron Bagg,
Spencer Flower, Lester WiUiams, Silas Dewey, Lyman Whit
man, Cyrus Frink; 1843, Aaron Bagg, Spencer Flower, Lester
Williams, Silas Dewey, Cyrus Frink, Newbury Norton; 1844,
Aaron Bagg, Josiah Johnson, Lester Williams, Asa Clark, Lucien
M. Ufford; 1845, EdAvard Parsons, Newbury Norton, Isaac
Roberts, Russell Gilmore, Homer Ely; 1846, Edward Parsons,
Newbury Norton, Isaac Roberts, Russell Gilmore, Homer Ely;
1847, Edward Parsons, Newbury Norton, Isaac Roberts, Russell
¦Gilmore, Homer Ely; 1848, Aaron Bagg, Edward Parsons, Au
gustine Ludington, Cyrus Prink, Herrick Brooks, Wm. S. Bowe,
Enoch Leonard, Nehemiah D. Perry, Samuel Flower, Harvey
Bliss; 1849, Edward Parsons, Lester Hamlin, Ralph Adams,
Jonathan 0. Mosely, Harvey Chapin, Daniel G. White; 1850,
Edward Parsons, Jonathan O. Mosely, Daniel G. White,
Jonathan W. Preeland ; 1851-53, Edward Parsons, Wm. S. Bowe,
Jonathan O. 'Mosely, Daniel G. White, Jonathan W. Preeland,
Samuel Smith; 1854, Edward Parsons, Aaron Bagg, Wm. S.
Bowe, Lester Hamlin, L. S. Brown, George B. Beebe; 1855,
Edward Parsons, Samuel Smith, S. L. Griggs, Orson Swetland,
James T. Smith, Orrin Root; 1856, Aaron Bagg, Edward Par
sons, Jonathan 0. Mosely, James P. Ely ; 1857, Aaron Bagg, Ed
ward Parsons, Jonathan 0. Mosely, James P. Ely; 1858-59, S.
B. Day, Riley Smith, Ashley Loomis; 1860, Edward Parsons,
James P. Ely, Riley Smith, Ashley Loomis; 1861-62, Nathan
Loomis, Alvin Sibley, Prank F. Smith; 1863, Aaron Bagg,
Charles C. Smith, Lucius DwinneU; 1864-65, Albert D. Bagg, C.
W. Hoisington, Aaron L. Hayes ; 1866, Albert D. Bagg, Aaron L.
Hayes, William L. Srnith; 1867, Aaron L. Hayes, William Smith,
Harvey D. Bagg; 1868-69, Harvey D. Bagg, Charles White,
Henry A. .Sibley ; 1870-73, Harvey D, Bagg, Henry A. Sibley,
Amos Russell; 1874, Alvin Sibley, Harvey D. Bagg, Amos Rus-"
sell ; 1875, Henry A. Sibley, John 0. Moseley, Russell H. Pepper ;
1876, Harvey D. Bagg, John 0. Moseley, Ebenezer S. Flower;
1877, Harvey D. Bagg, Henry A. Sibley, William Chapman;
( 223 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1878, Wm. Chapman, Harvey D. Bagg, John 0. Moseley; 1879,
Wm. Chapman, Amos Russell, Aaron Bagg; 1880, Wm. Chap
man, Aaron Bagg, Alexander- Grant ; 1881-82, Harvey D. Bagg,
Alexander Grant, Rufus Ames; 1883, Amos Russell, Henry A.
Sibley, Harvey D. Bagg; 1884-85, Harvey D, Bagg, Ebenezer S.
FloAver, Talcott A. Rogers ; 1886-88, Ebenezer S. Flower, Talcott
A. Rogers, James F. Hayes; 1889, James P. Hayes, Daniel P.
Melcher, L. V. B. Cook; 1890, Daniel F. Melcher, James F.
Hayes, Amos Russell ; 1891-92, Harrison Loomis, Amos Russell,
Talcott A. Rogers ; 1893, Harrison Loomis, Amos Russell, James
M. Justin; 1894, James IM. Justin, Harrison Loomis, Henry E.
Schmuck; 1895, Harrison Loomis, Henry E. Schmuck, Talcott
A. Rogers ; 1896, Harrison Loomis, John 0. Moseley, Talcott A.
Rogers; 1897, Talcott A. Rogers, Henry E. Schmuck, Dexter E.
TiUey; 1898, Charles D. Famsworth, Henry E. Schmuck, Dexter
B. TiUey ; 1899-1901, Harrison Loomis, Charles D. Famsworth,
Michael F. Burke.
Assessors.^ — Henry A. Sibley, L. V. B. Cook, Harrison
Loomis, 1898 ; Harrison Loomis, 1899 ; Lycurgus V. B. Cook,
1900; Henry A. Sibley, 1901.
Town Clerks.— 'Dr. John Vanhorne, 1774; Dr. Chauncey
Brewer, 1775-80; Justin Ely, 1781; Aaron White, 1782-95;
Samuel Lathrop, 1796-98; Seth Lathrop, 1799; Aaron White,
1800-12; Reuben Champion, Jr., 1813-21; Caleb Rice 1822-34;
Reuben Champion, Jr., 1835-42 ; Michael Marsh, 1843-47 ; EdAvin
F. Perkins, clerk pro tempore, 1847 ; Enoch N. Smith, 1848-53 ;
Charles White, 1854 ; Lewis Leonard, 1855 ; Charles White, 1856-
62 ; Edward Parsons, 1863 ; John M. Harmon, 1864-78 ; George
N. Gilbert, 1879 ; John M. Harmon, 1880-89 ; EUsha P. Barthol-
mew, 1890; Fred H. Sibley, 1891— now in office.
Representatives to General Court.— Gol. Benj. Day, 1774,.
'78: Major and Col. Benj. Ely, 1775, 1778-80, 1782, 1785, 1788-
89; Deacon Jonathan White, 1776-77, 1779, 1787; Justin Ely,
1777, 1780-85, 1790-97 ; EUphalet Leonard, 1777 ; Abraham Bur
bank, 1780-81, 1783-84; Capt. John WiUiston, 1786-89; Jonathan
Smith, Jr., 1794-96, 1798-1811, 1814-19; Jere Stebbins, 1804,
'Previous to 1898 the selectmen performed the duties of assessors.
( 224 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
1808; Heman Day, 1805; Maj. Gad Warriner, 1805, 1809, 1814-
15 ; Col. Samuel Flower, 1806, 1810 ; Lieut. Charles BaU, 1806,
1808, 1809, 1811-12, 1815-16, 1820, 1827; Dr. Timothy Horton,
1807, 1810, 1811; Luke Parsons, 1807, 1810, 1813-14, 1822-23;
Maj. Jesse Mclntire, 1808; EUas Leonard, 1809, 1811, 1813;
Capt. John Porter, 1812-13; James Kent, 1812-13, 1827; Horace
Flower, 1812. For later town representatives see county civil
Ust. Town Officers, 1901'.— Harrison Loomis, Charles D. Fams
worth, Michael F. Burke, selectmen; Fred H. Sibley, toivn clerk
and treasurer; Harrison Loomis, Lycurgus V. B. Cook, H. A.
Sibley, assessors; Aaron Bagg, J. C. Worcester, auditors; Dr.
P. J. Flagg, H. A. Downey, M. D., S. A. Bragg (agt.), board of
health; J. J. Lysaght (chm.), Frank P. Sargent, Arthur A.
Sibley, H. E. Schmuck, J. P. Gaffney, A. F. Royce, school com
mittee; W. S. Bagg, Daniel G. White, Emma L. Bragg, trustees
public library; Fred H. Sibley, Henry L. Norton, Henry C.
Bliss, W. S. McCartney, Ethan Brooks, justices of the peace.
As an important integral part of the mother town of
Springfield the region called West Springfield was the scene of
many events of historic interest, to which allusion is made in the
general chapters of this work. During the days of the pajrish
character, which covered a period of nearly a century, the inhab
itants laid the foundation for the toAvn itself, and when the act
of incorporation went into effect, many of the institutions of the
jurisdiction were already established. In accordance Avith a
general New England custom an ample park was laid out and
decorated with thrifty trees, a church society was formed and at
least one good town school was regularly supported at the public
expense. In the year immediately preceding the organization of the
town the authorities had formed and equipped two companies
of minutemen who were regularly drilled in military tactics on
the common, or green, as the park land was first known. There
fore, in April, 1775, when the news of the British attack on Lex
ington reached the west side of the river, this loyal people quickly
prepared for duty and sent its companies on the march to
15-3 ( 225 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Boston. The records of West Springfield soldiery throughout
the period of the revolution are somewhat imperfect, yet the
personnel of its companies of minutemen have been preserved.
We know that these companies were prepared for service when
their aid was needed, and we also know that on April 20, 1775,
both troops started for the scene of action.
Capt. Chapin 's company was made up as follows : Captain,
Enoch Chapin; first lieutenant, Samuel Flower; second lieut
enant, Luke Day; sergeants, Abiathar Robinson, Joseph AVhite,
Joel Leonard, William Kendall, Jacob Day; corporals, Samuel
Dumbleton, Timothy Leonard, Daniel White, John Kellum, Pela
tiah Bliss; fifers, Jared Smith, Andrew Goss; privates, Joshua
Guile, Thomas Francis, Oliver Dewey, Abel Chapin, Thomas
Green, John Inglesbee, Joshua Chapman, Thomas Trescott,
Vinton Leonard, Mishock Remington, Edward Ely, Ebenezer
Inglesbee, Enoch Ely, Gideon Jones, Chauncey Taylor, Roger
Miller, David Rogers, Joseph Young, Gideon Morgan, Oliver
Bagg, John Rockwell, John Burger, Abel Cooley, Dan Taylor,
Lewis Ely, Timothy Day, Samuel Cooper, Benjamin Stebbins,
Judah Bagg, Derrick Van Home, David Merrick, Nathaniel
King, Simeon Smith, Jesse Morgan, Joseph Copley, Joel Day,
Benjamin Loomis, Jonathan Smith.
Major Colton 's company of West Springfield minutemen
Avas comprised as follows: Major Andrew Colton, captain com
manding ; first lieutenant, Gideon Burt ; second lieutenant, Wal
ter Pynchon ; sergeants, Aaron Steele, William White ; corporals,
Ambrose Collins, Luther Hitchcock; fifers, William Cotton,
David Chapin; drummer, Lewis Chapin; sentinels, Jeduthan
Sanderson, Israel Chapin, Samuel Gridley, Alexander Bliss,
Aaron Parsons, jun., Aaron Ferry, Gad Horton, Samuel BUss,
James Nash, Abel Hancock, jun., George Wright, jun., Matthew
Langdon, jun., Peter Colton, John Stedman; privates, Abner
Russell, Abel Cooley, John Warner, jun., Justin Smith, Samuel
Edson, Patrick Nugent, Benjamin Parsons, John IngersoU, Cal
vin BUss, Henry Stiles, Luther Colton, Abner Cooley, Samuel
Parsons, Noah Bliss, Joseph King, Caleb Cooley, jun., Zadock
Bliss, Ebenezer Romerill, James Taylor, Spencer Merrick, Syl
vanus Hall, Moses Bliss, Joseph Parsons.
( 226 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
It may be stated that the foregoing roster contains the
names of a few who were members of the companies but who in
fact did not then live within the boundaries of the town; and
in like manner it also may be said that the roster by no means
represents the contribution of West Springfield to the service
during the revolution. The service of these companies at the
time of the Lexington outbreak was comparatively short, and on
their return home the men quite generally re-enlisted, and
served for various periods in several localities during the war.
Some of them found their way into the ranks of the continental
army, and on one occasion Capt. Levi Ely's company of West
Springfield men was a part of Col. Brown's Berkshire regiment
in service in the Mohawk valley in the province of New York,
taking part in the disastrous affair at Stone Arabia, where
both Col. Brown and Capt. Ely were slain by the merciless savage
horde set upon them by the British. We find, also, that West
Springfield men participated in the other movements in New
York in the expeditions against Ticonderoga and the Canadas.
They gave excellent service to their country and some of them
laid doAvn their lives on the battlefield. The town's record
throughout the war was commendable and the burden of debt
created in providing for bounties, ammunition and supplies was
cheerfuUy borne and paid by the survivors of the struggle and
their descendants.
Tradition says that during the revolution the common— now
the park— in West Springfield was the temporary camping
ground of two British armies ; that Gen. Amherst and his strong
force of 7,000 men were encamped there for two days and nights,
resting Avhile enroute to Canada (this statement must be taken
with liberal grain of allowance) ; and that later, in the early fall
of 1777, Gen. Burgoyne's captive army was temporarily en
camped here while enroute to Boston. It may have been true
that a part of Burgoyne's was halted in the town, and it
also may have been true that a number of his soldiers were so
favorably impressed with the locality that they renounced alleg
iance to the British arms and thereafter dwelt among the Amer
ican inhabitants of the vicinity. That the Hessian general,
( 327 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Riedesel, Avas the guest here of the venerable Rev. Dr. Lathrop
we may not question, and that the acquisition to the town of such
surnames as Miller, Isensee, Vanganeer, Hartunk, Worthy, Pol
lock, Salter, Stackman, Ewing, Hilliam, came from the captive
Britons, we are not disposed to controvert. The extensive con-
mon lands bordering on the river was the rendezvous of troops
on various occasions, and in the course of a few years after the
close of the war the park tract was the appointed training
ground of another force of men who sought to overthrow the
authority of the state government, to abolish the courts, and to
administer the laws according to their own ill-conceived notions
of justice and right.
The insurrectionary movement known as Shays' rebellion
was not confined to the demonstrations in West Springfield, al
though one of the leaders of the insurgent forces, Luke Day,
and a numerous following came from among the inhabitants of
the toAvn. And it cannot be claimed that followers of either
Shays or Day were more numerous here than in several other
toAvns, but it happened that the malcontents rendezvoused and
were drilled by Day on the common, near the old tavern, a repre
sentation of which appears in this work. Locally and generally
the period was one of great excitement, and except for the timely
and determined action of Gen. Shepard's militia, the combined
forces of Shays and Day might have captured the arms and
military stores of the government deposited in Springfield. For
several days previous to the so-caUed battle. Day's followers had
spread a feeling of panic among the quiet inhabitants of our
town and by petty oft'enses against good order many families had
been driven from their homes. In all Capt. Day's force num
bered about 400 men and boys, aU fairly well armed and drilled.
Shays had sent a messenger across to Day informing the latter
that he should join in an attack upon the armory on January
25, 1787, but Day's reply to the effect that he could not be ready
until the next day did not reach its destination ; therefore when
the attack in fact was begun Day's men were not at hand but
were held in check by the militia on guard at the crossing place.
After Shays' ignominious defeat Gen. Shepard sent a strong
( 328 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
detachment against Day's horde and quickly drove them from
the town. Nearly all the people in anticipation of a determined
conflict at arms had fled toward Tatham and Amostown, but
Day's horde showed no disposition to give battle and fled up the
river on the first approach of the militia. This was the end of
Shays ' rebeUion so far as it related to our town, and after the ex
citement of the occasion was passed nearly aU the insurgents re
turned to their homes and submitted quietly to the laws of the
commonwealth. This eventful struggle is made the subject of
extended mention in an earlier chapter in this work, hence needs
no greater detail in this place.
After the end of this unfortunate affair, which (except for
the feAV shots fired by Gen. Shepard's militia on the occasion
referred to) was an almost bloodless war, then came an era of
peace and progress previously unknown in local annals, and
during the next two-score years the population of the town was
nearly doubled. Indeed, in 1790, West Springfield contained 2,367
inhabitants, while the shire town across the river had only 1,574
inhabitants. At that time our own town, in point of population
arid value of lands, surpassed any other civil division in what
became Hampden county ; and this prestige and supremacy were
maintained until after Springfield became the seat of justice of
the ncAv county of Hampden, in 1812. However, let us turn to
the statistics of the census reports and note the actual fluctuations
in population from the time of the colonial census in 1776 to
the close of the nineteenth century: 1776, 1,744; 1790, 2,367
1800, 2,835 ; 1810, 3,109 ; 1820, 3,246 ; 1830, 3,270 ; 1840, 3,626
1850, 2,979; 1855, 2,090; 1860, 2,105; 1865, 2,100; 1870, 2,606
187-5, 3,739; 1880, 4,149; 1885, 4,448; 1890, 5,077; 1895, 6,125
1900, 7,105.
Prom this it may be seen that the growth of the town from
the year of its incorporation has been constant and healthful.
The incorporation of Holyoke in 1850 took from the mother town
about one-third of its territory and 3,245 inhabitants; and the
creation of Agawam in 1855 took another third of West Spring
field's original territory and 1543 more of its population.
During the period of the war of 1812-15, which in this
locality was a political struggle rather than a contest at arms,
( 229 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the town made little history, yet the occasion was one of much
warm discussion between the advocates of peace at any cost and
those who favored another conflict with Great Britain. The town
records for this period furnish little of more than ordinary inter
est, but it is understood that in West Springfield there was more
genuine loyalty to the American side of the contention than was
exhibited in many other towns in the county. And it does not
appear that this town openly declared in favor of the peace
party, but that the delegates to the famous Northampton conven
tion— Pelatiah Bliss and Timothy Burbank— were only the
representatives of a faction in the division of public sentiment.
It is known that several West Springfield men were members of
Major Jacob Bliss' brigade that set out for Boston in October,
1814, and were participants in what was known as Gov. Stone's
war, yet we have not to record any losses of serious consequence
during that struggle of a few weeks.
It was perhaps during that memorable period of American
history knoAvn as the war of 1861-65 that this town achieved its
greatest military record, for, as the story of the struggle is told
in another chapter. West Springfield contributed liberally both
of men and money for the maintenance of the federal union
and the honor of the national flag. During the war the town
is credited with having furnished for the several arms of the
service an aggregate of two hundred men, who were divided
among the regiments recruited in the county and vicinity. This
was fully ten per centum of the town's population in 1860, but
of all who entered the service the entire number did not return
home at the end of the war • and to-day many loyal sons of the
town are buried in southern graves. Others who returned died
at home and are resting in the town cemeteries, and their mem
ory is preserved with the recurrence of each Memorial day and
the splendid monument erected in the graveyard near the old
church on the hill. The history of the several regiments in which
were West Springfield men will be found in an earlier chapter
of this work, hence further allusion to their service in this place
is unnecessary. As constituted within its present boundaries. West Spring
field contains an area of about 11,000 acres of land and an aggre-
( 330 )

I I I I I II

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
gate population of 7,105 persons. Altogether, the town is
fortunately situated and has perhaps less barren lands than
many other towns bordering on the Connecticut ; and at the same
time there is found here an unusual proportion of rich farming
land, the equal of which no other town in this county can boast.
The town's lands are sub-divided into districts, not by pro
cess of established authority but by the custom of the people for
convenient designation. During the early years of the century
just passed a bridge was built across the river connecting this
town with the mother town on the east side. In the course of a
few years a little hamlet was established on the West Springfield
side and when the place had gained sufficient business impor
tance to Avarrant the location of a post-office there, the latter
Avas given the name of Merrick, in allusion to one of the promi
nent factors in its history. Although without definite bounda
ries Merrick is a busy locality and contains the extensive works
,of the Springfield Glazed Paper company, incorporated in 1873
and capitalized at $100,000. This locality also has other impor
tant business interests and several institutions, the latter of
which Avill be mentioned in their proper place.
In the southern central part of the town, on what properly
is the Agawam part of Westfield river, but which is usually
called Agawam river, about one and one-half miles from the
Connecticut, is a busy locality, known as Mittineague, which
originally was spelled Mittineaque. In the early history of the
region this was a favorite resorting place for the Indian in
habitants, who found an abundant supply of fish in the stream
while the neighboring forests furnished them with flesh and fur-
bearing animals. From time out of mind this locality was
valued by the whites on account of its natural water power
advantages, but when the town began to assume a position of
importance as a manufacturing district a substantial dam was
constructed across the stream at Mittineague falls. This was
done in 1840, and at the same time several factories were built.
In 1848 the Agawam Canal company built an extensive cotton
mill and since that time the hamlet has been noted for its manu
facturing enterprises. To follow the ownership of each succes-
( 331 )

'The Old Tavern Stand'

A West Springfleld memory;^ one of the few hostelries for which it is not claimed that
Gen. Washington ever was entertained within its walls. It was, however, a rendez
vous for the self-styled Patriots who took part in Shays' RebeUion, and on the
common in front of the tavern Luke Day, one of Shays' followers, assembled and
drilled his troops. The magnificent elm tree, shown on the right of the tavern,
now shadows a dwelling house

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
sive factory is not deemed important in this chapter, but those
of greatest importance at this time may be noted as the Agawam
Paper Co. (built 1869), the Mittineague Paper Co., the South-
worth Co., and the Worthy Paper Co., each an industry of prom
inence and an extensive employer of labor, thus working for the
good of the Avhole town and its people. The population of Mit
tineague is about one-third of that of the town, and all of its
interests and institutions are progressive and permanent.
The region commonly known as Tatham occupies the ele
vated lands bordering on Westfield. It is a farming locality

A Valley View — Mittineague
several miles distant from Springfleld, yet brought directly in
communication therewith through an admirable electric railway
system. Tatham is well peopled with thrifty farmers and is in
all respects a desirable portion of the town. Amostown is a
locality near the geographical center of the town, an agricultural
district, and Ashleyville is a similar region in the northern part,
bordering on the Connecticut. Its name is derived from one of
its early prominent families. In this vicinity in years passed
various business enterprises have been established and operated
with moderate success, and while some minor interests are still
( 233 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
there the region is chiefly peopled with farmers and market
gardners. Among the several thickly settled and specially designated
localities of the town, that generally known as West Springfield
enjoys the greatest historic interest and in many respects is the
most desirable as a place of residence. Here, on the bank of
the river and extending therefrom westward a considerable dis
tance, our worthy forefathers in the town thoughtfully laid
out the spacious park and established the seat of town business,
the first church and the school house on that and adjoining
lands; and in making provision for ample roadAvays they also
laid out Park and Elm streets in unusual width and planted
them on both sides with thrifty trees. For many years the care
and preservation of these highways entailed considerable labor
and expense, but now every resident of the town commends the
action of the early settlers and points with pride to the many
evidences of ancestral thrift.
As a business center West Springfield never has claimed
especial prominence, yet from the days of the parish to the
present time at least one good store has been kept there. As
early as 1802 a post-office was established, with Jere Stebbins
as postmaster in charge. He was followed by Benjamin Steb
bins, Miner Stebbins, Elias Winchell, Henry Cooley, Edward
Southworth, M. M. Tallmadge, Michael Walsh, Lester WiUiams
and Dr. P. LeB. Stickney, in the order named, all serving prior
to 1850. The first town hall was built in 1820, and the second,
the present building occupied for that purpose, and also in part
for the high school and fire department uses, was erected in 1873,
at a cost of more than $38,000. Occasional additions to the
building have been made necessary by the constant increase of
the town's population.
Schools.— The school system of West Springfield antedates
the history of the town itself by more than a century, and had
its beginning previous to the incorporation of the parish. On
this branch of local history the records give us only uncertain
light, for tradition says that a school was opened on the west
side of the river several years before the Second parish was
( 334 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
established. As early as 1654 school lands on Chicopee plains
were set off and for many years the avails thereof were applied
to school support. As settlement increased school houses were
opened in several localities, but it was not until after the adop
tion of state laAvs relating to education that a regular system
was put in operation in the town.
Previous to 1774 the schools Avere supported by the mother
tovm of Springfield and while the authorities thereof made some
provision for the maintenance of schools west of the river, it was

Main Street School

not the generous support given them by the new town of later
years. Beginning with 1704 the records of Springfield make
frequent reference to the school west of "the great river," and
in 1706, in answer to a petition from the inhabitants of the
Second parish, it was voted to have a school house built under
the supervision of Deacon Parsons, Samuel Day and Samuel
Ely. In 1708 it was voted that the selectmen provide the ' ' west
side inhabitants" with a "meet person to teach children to read
( 235 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and write. ' ' In 1711 the selectmen engaged Benjamin Colton to
"keepe the school," and agreed to pay him 20 pounds for one-
half years' teaching. In 1713 Nathaniel Downing was employed
as teacher for the "terme of halfe a yeare" at the price of 15
pounds, the Avorthy teacher being aUowed a "fortnight time in
said halfe yeare for his harvest and getting in his hay." In
1721 John Hooker was employed as teacher, foUowed by John
Woodbridge in 1726, Samuel Ely and John Ashley in 1731, John
Ely in 1734, and Nathaniel Atchison in 1735.
Authorities do not agree as to the time of buUding the first
toAA'n school house, and it is said that none in fact was built for

School building
actual school purposes earlier than 1737. However this may
have been is unimportant, but it is known that the recognized
school of the parish was a substantial wooden building, two
stories high and stood on the common. The records indicate that
it was erected in 1752, and West Springfield tradition has it
that it was occupied for school purposes many years— even to
the time when high schools became established by general law,
and that this building was occupied as such an institution.
When West Springfield became a separate town the authori
ties established a new system of schools, and in later years, as
( 236 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
the population continued to. increase, the territory was divided
into convenient districts. In the center district a new school
house was built in 1818 on the site where now stands the town
hall. It was a brick structure, containing three rooms for pupils
on the first floor, while the floor above was occupied for town
purposes. The old building was removed in 1873 and gave way
to the present town hall and high school. At the time it was
believed that the new structure would answer the required pur
pose for at least half a century, but instead thereof the rapid
growth of the town has necessitated various enlargements; and
notwithstanding the considerable addition made in 1901 there is
no surplus room.
The present admirable school system of the town dates its
history from the early years of the century just ended, and
especially to the year 1827, when the election of "school com
mittees" superseded the older method of managing the public
schools. Originally the question first to be considered was the
cost of maintenance, but under the new arrangement the chief
object has been the elevation of the standard of the schools,
while the expense of maintenance was a secondary consideration.
This change came in the nature of radical reform and met with
some criticism, but the benefits of the new system were so easily
discernable that determined opposition soon subsided. Then,
in the selection of school committees the townspeople have ex
ercised wise discrimination and men of known business capacity
have been chosen to fill that office. The result has been in estab
lishing an educational system which is not excelled by any
similarly situated toAvn in the entire region and one that places
the local schools on the same elevated plane with those of Spring
field, Westfield and Holyoke. The work of a competent corps
of teachers, under careful superintendence, has been a factor
in accomplished results, while the cordial support given by the
taxpayers to the endeavors of committees and teachers and su
perintendents has .worked advantageously in making for our
schools the wide reputation they now enjoy. And in commenting
on the splendid results accomplished in our high school during
the last ten or fifteen years, some allusion must be made to the
( 237 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
services of John C. Worcester, under whose prineipalship and
largely through whose personal endeavors the present standard
of excellence has been attained.
A century ago the town annually voted a few hundred
dollars for the support of its schools; in the last current year
there was paid for salaries of teachers and superintendent the
gross sum of $23,011.16, and for all school expenses the sum of
$31,327.43. StiU, in 1900 the population of the town was a Uttle
more than double the number in 1800. The schools of the town
in addition to the high school are located and knoAvn as Mit
tineague (two buildings). Park street. Main street. Meadow
street. Bridge street, Riverdale, Ashleyville, Prospect hill, Amos
town and Tatham.
Glancing over the town records and school reports it is
found that these persons have served in the capacity of members
of the school committee : Rev. Reuben S. Hazen, 1827-32, 34-35,
37-38 ; Dr. G. White, 1827-30, 35-36, 38 ; Samuel Lathrop, 1827-
29 ; Henry Ely, 1828-30 ; Horace Palmer, 1827-28 ; Thomas Bar
rett, 1827-29 ; Rev. Wm. B. Sprague, 1827 ; Rev. Thomas Rand,
1827; Justin Ely, 1829; Hezekiah Griswold, 1830-33; Dr.
Reuben Chaimpion, 1830-31; Norman T. Leonard, 1829-30;
Solomon Lathrop, 1830, 1832-35 ; Rev. Thos. E. Vermilye, 1831-
34; Rev. Hervey Smith, 1831-39 ; Rev. Henry Archibald, 1831-32;
Rev. Jno. W. McDonald, 1833 ; Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, 1834-
35; Rev. John H. Hunter, 1836; Rev. Jonathan L. Pomeroy,
1836; Rev. P. Brockett, 1836; EUsha Eldridge, 1837; Aaron
Day, 1837-38; Rev. Calvin Foote, 1837-38; Rev. A. A. Wood,
1839, 41-45; Dr. Reuben Champion, 1839, 1846-48; William
Taylor, 1839; Palmer Gallup, 1839-43; Aaron Bagg, 1840;
Horace D. DooUttle, 1840-41; WiUiam Gamwell, 1842; Rev.
WUUam L. Brown, 1843-45; Rev. Gideon Dana, 1844; Rev.
Dillon WiUiams, 1844-45 ; Rev. Lester Lewis, 1846 ; Rev, Thos.
Rand, 1846-47; Josiah Johnson, 1847-48; Rev. Ralph Perry,
1848-55; Rev. Simeon Miller, 1848; Daniel G. White, , 1848-56 ;
Rev. Asahel Chapin, 1848-49; Dr. P. LeB. Stickney, 1849-51;
Rev. Henry M. Field, 1852 ; Dr. Cyrus Bell, 1851-53 ; Dr. Nath
aniel Downes, 1853, 1856-57; Rev. Henry Cooley, 1854; Rev.
( 238 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
S. D. Ward, 1854-55; Rev. Theron H. Hawkes, 1855-59; Rev.
B. Scott, 1855; S. D. Warriner, 1855; Lewis H. Taylor, 1855;
E. Clark, 1855; Amzi Allen, 1857, 1860-62; John B. Taylor,
1858; Riley Smith, 1858; James NcAvton Bagg, 1860-61, 69-70,
72-73 ; Nathan Loomis, 1861-63 ; Eden B. Foster, D, D., 1862-64 ;
Rev. Henry M. Powers, 1862-65; Daniel P. Melcher, 1864-65,
1869 ; Ethan Brooks, 1864-67, 1871, 1892-93 ; Rev. Moody Har
rington, 1864; Rev. J. S. Batchelder, 1865-66; Rev. Perkins K.
Clark, 1866-68; Daniel P. Morrill, 1866-69; Norman T. Smith,
1868-70, 1872-74; Dr. Herbert C. Belden, 1870; Emerson Geer,
1871-74, 77; Gideon Wells, 1871; Sarah Isabel Cooley, 1872-74;
Angeline Brooks, 1872; Charles E. Merrick, 1872-76; James F.
Hayes, 1878-92 ; L. F. Mellen, 1879 ; Henry P. Miller, 1880, 1883 ;
Addison H. Smith, 1881, 1886-88; Lester WiUiams, 1882-85;
Thomas 0 'Keefe, 1884; Urbane H. Flagg, 1886-88; EdAvin
Smith, 1889, 1892-94; F. M. Robbins, 1890; Henry C. Bliss, 1891;
Charies McKernon, 1892-94 ; Arthur A. Sibley, 1892-96 ; Edward
F. Ely, 1892; George H. Lucas, 1894-97; Frank P. Sargent,
1894-97, 1900; Clarence E. Smith, 1894; Addison H. Smith,
1895-98; E .P. Bragg, 1895-98; John J. Lysaght, 1899; A. F.
Royce, 1900; Henry E. Schmuck, 1901; J. P. Gaffney, 1901.
School Committee, 1901. — John J. Lysaght, chm., Frank P. Sar
gent, Arthur A. Sibley, Henry E. Schmuck, J. P. Gaffney, A.
P. Royce. The Library.— The first public library in West Springfield
was established through the efforts of the parish minister, Rev.
Dr. Lathrop, in 1775, with about 40 subscribers to the fund.
The books are said to have been carried around from house to
house in a large basket and patrons were permitted to select from
the total number of less than 60 volumes which comprised the
coUection. This library was kept in existence until about 1807,
when the books were divided among the owners. About 1810 a
second library association was formed and was continued until
about 1840. During the later years of its operation the books
were kept in the town hall, and from this our present public
library has evolved.
In itself the present library is the outgrowth of individual
enterprise in 1855, but after a brief period the books were
( 239 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
turned over to the town for free distribution, subject to the sole
condition that there be annuaUy appropriated the sum of $50
for new books. This condition always has been more than com
plied with, and in recent years the institution has received
generous support from our taxpayers. The library is under the
immediate charge of a board of trustees, chosen by the people.
On the shelves are now about 6,000 volumes of well selected
books. The board of trustees at this time comprises W. S. Bagg,
Daniel G. White and Emma L. Bragg ; Ubrarian, D. G. White.
The Fire Department.— More than half a century ago a fire
company for protection purposes was formed in the town, yet
the regularly organized fire department is an institution of quite
recent origin. In fact the West Springfield fire department is
a comparatively strong and very creditable organization and
has no resemblance whatever to the department that existed here
more than fifteen years ago. West Springfield, as a toAvn, is
known generally throughout New England as a fertile agricul
tural district, a desirable residence locality, as a Avell ordered
township in all respects, with some claims to importance as a
manufacturing region; and in such toAvns casual observers are
not prepared to discover all the appointments and elements of
municipalities which in fact are found here.
West Springfield's fire department apparatus comprises
two hook and ladder trucks, one horse hose wagon, one four-
wheeled hose cart, two two-wheeled hose reels, one reverse reel,
and one double-tank chemical combination wagon. The depart
ment also has all other apparatus necessary to a Avell regulated
municipality, a good supply of serviceable hose, and an exceUent
system of fire alarm boxes and signals distributed over its terri
tory. For the operation of the apparatus and department equip
ment the tovA'ii has four hose and two hook and ladder companies,
known and located, respectively, as follows: Hose 1, Merrick;
Hose 2, Riverdale volunteer company ; Hose 3, Center ; Hose 4,
Mittineague ; Hook and Ladder 1, Merrick ; Hook and Ladder 2,
Mittineague. The department officers are (1901) Walter L.
Smith, chief and superintendent of fire alarm system ; Oscar T.
Roloff, Manuel M. Custer and A. C. Lewis, assistant engineers;
{ 240 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
CUfford C. Haynes, clerk of board; Edward T. Fitch, Watson
PhilMps, LcAvis A. Hubbard, E. C. Orcutt, Talcott A. Rogers,
J. H. Lombra and B. Schladenhauffen, fire wardens.
The Water Supply.— Prewions to 1893 the water supply of
West Springfield, other than that obtained from private wells,
was furnished by the West Springfield Aqueduct company, a
private corporation originaUy organized in 1855, whose facili
ties for a general distribution of water for domestic and fire
protection purposes was limited and not whoUy satisfactory to
the public. In June, 1892, the town voted to take possession of
the works, and in July, 1893, the water board presented its first
annual report. From that time the members of the board have
labored earnestly and with excellent results in solving the
problem of furnishing an adequate water supply to all parts of
the town. In accomplishing this many obstinate points were
required to be overcome, but to-day the town rejoices in an
abundant supply of good wholesome water. Pumping, gravity
and stand-pipe systems are employed and are operated at con
siderable expense, yet the desired end has been secured. The
work of completion and extension is carried forward each year
under careful supervision, but under existing conditions a state
ment showing the actual cost and value of the system is not
necessary in this place. The town paid the aqueduct company
about $65,000 for its plant and franchises. The board of com
missioners is comprised of T. J. Sullivan, George N. Norris and
C. M. Woodward. ECCLESIASTICAL
The First Congregational Church.— In November, 1696,
the inhabitants on the west side of Connecticut river, numbering
thirty-two families received from the general court permission
to "procure and settle a learned orthodox minister to dispense
the Word of God unto those that dwell there," and for that
purpose the region now included within the towns of Agawam,
Holyoke and West Springfield were constituted the Second
parish in Springfield. In June, 1698, "The First Church in
West Springfield" was organized, and Rev. John Woodbridge
Avas installed pastor.

16-3

( 341 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Thus Avas established the mother church in our town, from
which there have been organized in later years at least two
early parishes and several churches. The first meeting house
Avas built in 1702, and stood near the center of the park about
ten rods south of the town hall. It is described as "an unique
structure, 42 feet square on the ground and 92 feet high. ' ' There
Avere three roofs, each succeeding story being smaller than the
one preceding it. Until 1743 the people assembled for worship
at the call of the drum, but in that year a bell was procured.

The old Church on Orthodox Hill

which having been broken two or three times and recast, was
transferred to the present house of worship on the hill.
The second— the present— house of worship was erected in
1801-2, and was dedicated June 20 of the latter year. The old
edifice has frequently been repaired and extensively remodeled,
yet it preserves much of its original appearance; and notwith
standing its age of a full hundred years, it is a substantial and
attractive structure to-day. It stands on elevated grounds and
( 242 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
its tall spire and clean Avhite outline may be seen from points
distant several miles in nearly every direction. Yet our fore
fathers in the town found themselves in a little dispute regard
ing the site on which the meeting house was to be built, and it
was only Avhen John Ashley came forward with a donation of
1,100 pounds for "the support of the ministry" on condition
that he should be permitted to designate the building site that
matter Avas amicably settled. An organ Avas first placed in the
church in 1855; in 1860 the waUs were frescoed, and in 1882
the entire interior was radically remodeled. At the present time
the membership numbers 126 persons, but we must remember
that within the vast territory Avhere this once was the only
church there are noAV a dozen of various denominations, while
within two miles from the old edifice are two Congregational
churches, both directly formed from this as the mother society.
Since 1877 the First church has not had an installed pastor,
yet the pulpit has at all times been acceptably supplied. The
pastors from 1698 to 1877 were as foUoAVS: John Woodbridge,
June, 1698, died June, 1718; Samuel Hopkins, June 1, 1720,
died October 5, 1755 ; Joseph Lathrop, D. D., August 25, 1756,
died December 31, 1820; Wm. B. Sprague, D. D., August 25,
1819-July, 1829 ; Thos. E. Vermilye, LL. D., May 6, 1830-AprU
29, 1835 ; John H. Hunter, August 24, 1835-Pebruary 16, 1837 ;
A. A. Wood, D. D., December 19, 1838- August 28, 1849 ; H. M.
Field, D. D., January 29, 1851-November 14, 1854 ; T. H. Hawks,
D. D., March 7, 1855-March 31, 1861; E. B. Poster, D. D., Octo
ber, 1861-April, 1866 ; H. M. Grout, D. D., July, 1867-January,
1871; John M. Chapin, June, 1872, died October, 1872; E. N.
Pomeroy, November, 1873-March, 1877. Ministers acting as
pastors but not installed : H. B. Blake, October, 1877-June, 1879 ;
Charles H. Abbott, June, 1879-AprU, 1883; Wm. A. Thomas,
August, 1883, three years ; Prof. C. Beardsley, about two years ;
George R. HcAvitt, two years ; Sidney K. B. Perkins, six years ;
George W. Love, February, 1900, now serving as pastor.
The Mittineague Congregational church was organized in
1850, at a time when the mother church was without a pastoral
head. During the eleven years in which Rev. Mr. Wood was
( 343 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
pastor there were more than 200 additions to the old church
membership, and a considerable part of this number were resi
dents in the vicinity of Mittineague. This little village then
Avas beginning to attract some attention and the establishment
of a new church there was deemed advisable. In 1852 the meet
ing house of the Methodists was removed from its original site
to Mittineague and became the church home of the new Congre
gational society. The building was destroyed by fire February
22, 1879, and was very soon afterward replaced with the present

Town Hall and Park Congregational Church

edifice. During this period of its history the pastors of the
church were Revs. Henry Powers, Perkins K. Clark, H. M.
Holden and John B. Hurlbut. From the time of its organization
in 1850 the church has steadily increased in strength and in
fluence, and now has the largest membership of any Congrega
tional church in the town, the present number being 227. The
pastor is Rev. Alfred M. Spangler; clerk of church, Eugene H.
Shepherd; superintendent of Sunday school, F. 0. Scott; Sun
day school membership, 185. ( 344 )

THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD
The Park Street Congregational church was organized in
1871, when, at the close of the pastorate of Rev. Henry M. Grout
in the mother church, seventy-two members withdrew and estab
lished the third Congregational society in the town. The with
drawing members were largely persons of influence and means,
and by acquisition of other members the whole body caused to
be erected the large church edifice on Park street, one of the
most substantial and imposing public buildings in the town. It
was built in 1872, and cost nearly $40,000. This church has a
total membership of 171 persons, and is under the pastoral care
of Rev. William H. Webb ; clerk of church, Ethan Brooks ; su
perintendent of Sunday school, Harry L. Brown ; Sunday school
membership, 160.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception in West Spring
field was the outgrowth of the missionary labors of Father
GaUagher, who began saying mass in the town as early as 1861,
and the Sunday school work inaugurated and carried on by
John O'Brien, then an employee of one of the paper mills but
now Rev. Father O'Brien. Mr. Melcher, then superintendent
in the mill, encouraged the work, and on a lot donated for that
purpose the Immaculate Conception church Avas built during
the summer of 1878. It was dedicated November 3 of the same
year. West Springfield was made a parish in 1877, and Father
Phelan was appointed resident pastor. He was succeeded by
Father 0 'Keefe and the latter by Father Moyer.
St. Thomas' church at Mittineague was buUt in 1869 by
Father Healy, pastor of St. Michael's in Springfield, and for
many years was under the care of Father 0 'Keefe and his
assistants. The property here has been materiaUy increased in
value and the influence and work of the church also has been
greatly extended. St. Thomas' is now under the charge of Rev.
Father Griffin.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of West Springfield,
located in Merrick, was organized May 14, 1876, but Methodism
in the town dates back more than three-quarters of a century,
and regular services of the church have been held here for more
than sixty years. A house of worship was built on Elm street in
1843, and was removed to Mittineague in 1852 and became the
( 245 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
home of the Second Congregational society. In 1872 Trinity
M. E. church of Springfield planted a new mission on the west
side of the river and held services in the school house and also
in Centennial hall until the erection of the new house of worship
on Main street in 1878. Rev. W. E. Knox was the first pastor
in charge. This church now numbers 105 members, and is under
the pastoral care of Rev. F. M. Estes.
The Mittineague M. E. church is of more recent organiza
tion and the result of the rapid outspreading of Methodist in
fluence in the town. The church has a membership of 100 per
sons, and is under the care of Rev. H. G. Buckingham, pastor.

The school building — Mittineague
The West Springfield Baptist church, an offshoot from the
State Street Baptist church in Springfield, was organized as a
mission Bible school in 1870, and as a church October 10, 1876.
The chapel, now the church edifice, was erected in 1872. The
first pastor was Rev. 0. D. Thomas. The only Baptist church
in the town, naturally its membership is quite strong while the
attendance at services is in all respects gratifying. During the
period of its history seven pastors have served this church. Rev.
Hugh J. Jenner, the last pastor, was called in May, 1895, and
severed his connection Avith the society in October, 1901.
( 346 )

THE TOWN OP GRANVILLE
Cemeteries. — The original burying ground west of the river
antedates the organization of the town, and also the parish which
preceded it, by many years, and to-day our best informed citi
zens have no more than traditional knowledge of its laying out
for burial purposes. It was in use during the early years of the
eighteenth century, but after the opening of the next century
no interments Avere made there. It is located on what now is
Church street, but evidences of its existence are fast passing
away. The old Town Hall cemetery is said to have been laid out
about 1780, and that Solomon Lathrop was the fij-st person buried
there (1787). This burial tract is located between the town hall
and the Park street church.
The Meeting House Hill cemetery, a part of the property
of the First church parish, once comprised a part of the Benja
min Stebbins farm, and was laid out for burial purposes previous
to the erection of the meeting house in 1800. This is the recog
nized cemetery of the town at the present time, and within its
limits is located the handsome monument erected in memory of
soldiers of the 10th Mass. regiment of infantry.

CHAPTER VI
THE TO'WN OF GRANVILLE
In the southwest part of Hampden county, bordering on the
state of Connecticut and about twelve miles west of the river of
the same name, is located the town of Granville, one of the most
independent and interesting civil divisions of Hampden county,
and one which has furnished to professional, public and business
life in this and other states as great a proportion of its honored
sons as any jurisdiction in the great Connecticut valley. Tradi
tion and record inform us that the entire region hereabouts was
once OAvned and in possession of an Indian chieftain, named
Toto, who was on terms of friendship with the whites and was
( 247 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
willing to part with his lands for the mere compensation of a
gun and sixteen gaudy brass buttons.
So far as the chroniclers of Indian history give us any light
on the subject, the original Toto was a friendly red man who
dwelt in the vicinity of Windsor, in Connecticut, where during
the period of King Philip's war he was a servant in the family
of one of the white settlers; that just before the burning of
Springfield in 1675, Toto imformed his master that King Phil
ip 's Avarriors were concealed within, the Indian fort, which stood
on Pecowsic brook, and that they were awaiting a favorable op
portunity to attack, plunder and burn the toAvn, which they did
on the next day. The subsequent history of Toto is unknown
to us, and it may be that he possessed himself of this remote
region of country, became its recognized owner, and that he
parted with his title for the consideration mentioned. The
present writer has no theory on this subject, yet it seems doubtful
whether the friendly Toto of 1675 could have occupied the terri
tory of Granville half a century later and then sold his hill
domain to the adventurous white man. Still, Granville has for
more than a century been noted for the remarkable longevity of
its inhabitants, and one authority states that between 1760 and
1810 one person in every thirty attained the age of ninety years.
The person to Avhom Toto sold his possessions was James
Cornish, who soon disposed of a certain share of his estate to
William Fuller, and both in turn, sold in 1713 to Atherton
Mather, the latter the grantor party to the Bedford company
of proprietors, the founders of the plantation of Bedford, the
actual developers of the land. This purchase was made in 1715,
and was confirmed by the general court in 1739. However, feel
ing secure under their title, the proprietary offered their lands
for sale, and in 1736 settlement was begun by Samuel Bancroft,
who in that year moved from Springfield with his family and
Avas the pioneer of the town. Bancroft himself had only one
son, Jonathan, but before the close of an hundred years of the
town 's history the descendants of Samuel in the town numbered
nearly one hundred persons. Jonathan's sons were Lemuel,
Ethan and Samuel, from whom have come nearly aU the later
Bancrofts in Granville history. ( 348 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
The proprietors evidently acted promptly in disposing of
their lands, and sold to settlers and speculators in tracts varying
in size, according to their means. And they appeared to have
interested a considerable number of inhabitants of Connecticut,
for very soon after pioneer Bancroft located here there came a
goodly colony from Durham and settled on the plantation lands.
In a letter written by Rev. Timothy Cooley, of honored memory,
to Rev. W. C. Fowler we find a list of the members of the Durham
colony, viz. : Ezra, Ebenezer and Amos Baldwin ; John, John,
jun., Jacob, Nathaniel and David Bates; Noah, Dan, Phineas
and Timothy Robinson; David, Aaron and Ebenezer Curtis;
Samuel, Aaron and Enoch Coe; John Seward (doubtful),
Stephen Hitchcock, Isaac Bartlett, David Parsons, Roswell
Graves and Benjamin Barnes.
Among the descendants of these settlers were several men
who in later years achieved prominence in professional and
pubUc life. The list is an honorable one and is well worthy of
reproduction in this place. Elijah Bates, who for many years
ranked with the foremost men of the county, was the son of
Nathaniel Bates. William Gelston Bates, the noted lawyer and
the historian of the Hampden bar, was the son of Elijah and
the grandson of Nathaniel Bates. Isaac Chapman Bates, Hamp
den county's only representative who ever attained to a seat in
the senate of the United States, was a son of Col. Jacob Bates.
Charles P. Bates, an attorney at law, was a son of Nathaniel
Bates. Edward B. Gillett, for several years district attorney
for the western district, and one of the ablest lawyers of Massa
chusetts in his time, was a grandson of Col. Jacob Bates; and
Frederick GiUett, representative in congress at this time, is the
son of the late Edward B. GiUett. David B. Curtis died in the
service during the war of 1812-15. Rev. John Seward was a son
of settler John Seward. Rev. Harry Coe was a grandson of
Samuel Coe. Rev. David L. Coe also was a grandson of Samuel
Coe. Gurdon S. Stebbins was a grandson of John Bates. Rev.
Truman BaldAvin was" a son, and Rev. Benson Baldwin was a
grandson of Amos Baldwin. Rev. Chas. P. Robinson died at
St. Charles, at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi
( 249 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
rivers. Anson V. Parsons, former judge of the courts in Penn
sylvania, was a grandson of David Parsons.
Gathering information from various reliable sources, it is
learned that among the first settlers in Granville, in addition to
those of the Durham colony, there may also be mentioned Daniel
Cooley, William Cooley (father of Rev. Timothy M. Cooley),
Jonathan Rose, Samuel Gillett, Thomas Spelman, John Root,
Ephraim Manson, Phineas Pratt and Thomas Brown. A little
later there came Jabez Dunham, Peter Gibbons, Jonathan Church
and Asa Seymour, each of whom was closely identified with the
early history of the town, and many of whose descendants are
still here. Jonathan Rose attained the remarkable age of 103
years, and then perished in the flames of his burning buildings.
His three sons were Sharon, Daniel and Timothy, the latter an
old revolutionary patriot, and subsequently the founder of the
colony of Granville, in Ohio, an offshoot from the mother town
Granville in Massachusetts. Still other early settlers Avhose
names should be mentioned in these annals were Levi Parsons,
David Clark, Ezra Marvin, Josiah Hatch, Luke Hitchcock, Oliver
Phelps, Josiah Harvey, Lieut. Samuel Bancroft (of revolution
ary fame), Nathan Barlow, John Hamilton, Isaac Chapman,
Enos Seaward, John Bartlett and others.
Col. Jacob Bates was a lieutenant in the army during the
revolution and later acquired the title of colonel. He served
under Gen. Washington and was of the brave party that crossed
the Delaware in the attack on Princeton. Col. Timothy Robinson
was a justice of the peace, representative in the general court,
deacon in the church, and for many years a "father of thie
town." In the time of Shays' rebellion he and a company of
the "court party" while on their way to Springfield were met
by a party of the mob, and, after a skirmish near the "great
rock" in Granville, were made prisoners. The next day was
Sunday and in prison the good deacon talked and prayed with
his captors with such earnestness that they were converted, and
on the following Monday all marched together to Springfleld.
Oliver Phelps, an early settler here, was a man of strong char
acter and excellent business qualities. He was the principal
( 250 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
promoter of the historic Phelps and Gorham proprietary that
purchased from Massachusetts the pre-emption right of all that
region of New York state which lay west of Seneca lake, this
vast tract having fallen to this commonwealth as a result of the
historic Hartford convention of 1786.
According to the historical sermon delivered by Rev. Dr.
Cooley on the occasion of the Granville jubilee in 1845, the first
house in the middle parish (long known as Middle Granville)
was built by David Rose, who appears to have been the pioneer
of that locality. The other early settlers there were John Bates,
David Clark, and the Robinson, the Parsons, the Curtis, the Coe
and the BaldAvin families. In the west parish (now Tolland)
the first settlers were James Barlow, Samuel Hubbard, Moses
Goff, Titus Fowler, David Fowler, Robert Hamilton, Thomas
Hamilton and James Hamilton.
The proprietors of the Bedford plantation lived chiefly in
Boston and that vicinity, and of their entire number Samuel
Gillett alone became an actual settler on the lands. The planta
tion originally was called Bedford, but as a town of that name
then existed in the state a change was made as soon as the new
territory was recognized by the general court. Nearly all the
settlers were of English parentage, some of them direct descend
ants of the noted Plymouth colony ; but of whatever nationality
or creed, they were a hardy people, well prepared to face and
overcoirie the hardships of pioneer life in a new region. Having
provided a shelter for their families and prepared the land for
crops, their first care Avas for the establishment of a church and
then of a school for the education of their youth. Indeed, this
same thoughtful consideration seems to have characterized all
later generations of inhabitants in Granville, as the town long
has been noted for the attainments and high character of the
men it has sent into professional and public life. Other towns
having greater population, more ample educational and commer
cial faciUties, perhaps may furnish a longer list, but among them
all, in proportion to population and natural advantages, Gran
ville holds a conspicuous position for the moral and mental worth
of its native sons. ( 351 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A contemporary writer has said: "Mother Granville, sterile
and barren as she is, is not without merits. The good old lady
has sent a name abroad, and she has a fair claim to a seat,
although a Ioav and humble one, in the temple of fame. She has
produced a prolific progeny, and I may say, an honorable and a
patriotic one ; none more so. They may justly be said to possess
the spirit of enterprise as well as the blood of their fathers.
The sons of Granville are scattered abroad, and are found in
every station and every situation in life. Many of them are in
the learned professions, adorning the pulpit, the bar, and the

Granville Corners — Baptist Church
bench of justice. No matter how exalted the station, they are
adequate to its dignity. They are neither idle nor dull. Their
A'iews are not bounded by plain nor distance. They are on the
shores of the Atlantic and the Pacific. ' '
Civil History. In 1754 the plantation of Bedford had ac
quired a considerable population, and its great extent of terri
tory then was comparatively well settied. Previous to this time
there was no township organization and such authority as was
necessary in the region was exercised by the proprietors' agents
( 252 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
and the civil officers of Hampshire county. Soon after 1750 the
inhabitants began discussing measures for a separate organiza
tion, and on January 25, 1754, the general court entertained an
application and granted the district a limited incorporation —
limited only in that the district was not given a representative
in the legislature. Even this restriction was set aside August 23,
1775, and thereafter Granville became a toAvn with full corporate
powers. The territory then included all that is now Granville
and Tolland, the latter having been set off in 1810.
When GranviUe was established as a district a full board
of town officers, except representative, was chosen and from that
time its civil record has been continuous. Unfortunately, how
ever, the town records from 1830 to 1859 have not been carefully
preserved, hence much that is of interest in the civil history of
the town during that period is lost. From such records as are
in existence the following list of selectmen and town clerks has
been taken :
Selectmen: 1754, Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, David
Rose; 1755, Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman;
1756, Samuel Church, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman; 1757,
Phineas Pratt, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman; 1758, Luke
Hitchcock, Samuel Bancroft, John Spelman; 1759-60, Luke
Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt, John Hitchcock ; 1761, Timothy Robin
son, Luke Hitchcock, EUakim Stow ; 1762-64, Timothy Robinson,
Luke Hitchcock, John Rose; 1765, Timothy Robinson, Luke
Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt; 1766, Timothy Robinson, Joseph
Miller, Phineas Pratt ; 1767, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock,
Phineas Pratt; 1768, Justis Rose, Luke Hitchcock, Phineas
Pratt; 1769, Benjamin Old, Stephen Hitchcock, Phineas Pratt;
1770-72, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock, Nathan Barlow;
1773-76, Timothy Robinson, Luke Hitchcock, Samuel Bancroft;
1777, WiUiam Cooley, Timothy Robinson, Titus Fowler, Nathan
Barlow, Samuel Coe ; 1778, Timothy Robinson, WilUam Cooley,
Titus Fowler, Joel Bancroft, Samuel ThraU; 1779, Timothy
Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, William Cooley, Dan
Robinson ; 1780, Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler,
Wm. Cooley, Josiah Harvey; 1781, Timothy Robinson, Oliver
( 253 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Phelps, Titus FoAvler, Richard Dickinson, Josiah Harvey; 1782,
Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, Richard Dick
inson, David Parsons; 1783, Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps,
Titus FoAvler, WiUiam Cooley, Jacob Bates; 1784, Timothy
Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates; 1785, Timothy Robinson, Oliver Phelps, Titus Fowler,
Clark Cooley, Jacob Bates; 1786-87, Timothy Robinson, Oliver
Phelps, Thomas Hamilton, Clark Cooley, Jacob Bates; 1788-90,
Dr. Josiah Harvey, James Hamilton, Lemuel Bancroft, Clark
Cooley, Amos Baldwin; 1791-93, Dr. Josiah Harvey, Timothy
Robinson, Titus Fowler, Clark Cooley, Ezra Marvin; 1794, no
record; 1795, Dr. Josiah Harvey, Timothy Robinson, Abraham
Granger, Clark Cooley, Ezra Marvin; 1796, Dr. Josiah Harvey,
Enoch Bancroft, Abraham Granger, David Curtis, Stephen Spel
man; 1797, Dr. Josiah Harvey, Jacob Bates, Abraham Granger,
Titus FoAAder, Ezra Marvin ; 1798, Ezra Marvin, David Robinson,
Titus Fowler, Jacob Bates, William Cooley ; 1799, Ezra Marvin,
Jacob Bates, Titus Fowler, William Cooley, David Curtis; 1800,
Israel Parsons, David Robinson, Thomas Hamilton, Asa Seymour,
Seth Parsons; 1801, Israel Parsons, David Robinson, Thomas
Hamilton, Seth Parsons, Perez Marshall, jr. ; ,1802, Asa Sey
mour, David Curtis, Abraham Granger, Timothy Rose, John
Phelps ; 1803, Asa Seymour, Jacob Bates, Titus Fowler, Timothy
Rose, Abraham Granger; 1804, Israel Parsons, David Curtis,
Titus Fowler, John Phelps, James Coe; 1805, Israel Parsons,
John Phelps, Abraham Granger; 1806, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates, Abraham Granger; 1807, Israel Parsons, Joel Robinson,
Abraham Granger; 1808, Amos Root, Joel Robinson, Abraham
Granger ; 1809, Israel Parsons, John Phelps, Wm. Twining, 2d. ;
1810, Asa Seymour, David Curtis, Wm. Twining, James Coe,
Joel Parsons; 1811, Asa Seymour, Joel Parsons, James Barlow;
1812, Asa Seymour, Hezekiah Robinson, Lyman Baldwin; 1813,
Israel Parsons, Hezekiah Robinson, Elihu Stow; 1814, James
Barlow, Hezekiah Robinson, Perry Babcock; 1815, James Bar
low, Perry Babcock, Joel Root, Lyman Baldwin, Stephen Spel
man; 1816, Lyman Baldwin, Joel Root, Isaac Miller, James
Cooley, John Robinson; 1817, Israel Parsons, Joel Root, John
( 354 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
Selden, Lyman Baldwin, Dudley Humphrey; 1818, Patrick
Boies, Joel Root, Hezekiah Robinson, B. Barlow, Jr., Nathan
Parsons ; 1819, John Selden, Hezekiah Robinson, James Barlow
1820, Francis Stebbins, James Barlow, Hezekiah Robinson
1821, Francis Stebbins, James Barlow, Jonathan B. Bancroft
1822, Francis Stebbins, Bela^ Bancroft, Denison Parsons ; 1823,
James Barlow, Denison Parsons, William Marvin ; 1824, Denison
Parsons, William Marvin, Benjamin Barnes, Jr. ; 1825, Denison
Parsons, Joel Root, Stephen Spelman ; 1826, Hezekiah Robinson,
Joel Root, Nathan Parsons; 1827, Stephen Spelman, Hezekiah
Robinson, James Barlow; 1828, Hezekiah Robinson, James Bar
low, Nathan Parsons ; 1829, James Cooley, Noah Cooley, Jonathan
B. Bancroft; 1830, Noah Cooley, Elijah Seymour, Vincent Hol
comb; 1831-1858, records missing; 1859, 0. Z. Hugens, Jas. H.
Andrews, James P. Cooley; 1860, D. M. Wheeler, 0. Z. Hugens,
Jas. H. Andrews ; 1861, Edmund Barlow, D. M. Wheeler, Edward
Holcomb ; 1862, John D. Bifley, Wm. WeUs, James W. Spelman ;
1863, Jas. W. Spelman, R. H. Barlow, Daniel H. Drake ; 1864,
D. M. Wheeler, Franklin Robinson, D. H. Drake ; 1865, R. H.
Barlow, Silas Noble, James W. Spelman; 1866, W. W. Baron,
D. H. Drake, L. B. Marks ; 1867, James W. Spelman, Edwin Sey
mour, James H. Andrews ; 1868, James W. Johnson, Edwin Sey
mour, Nelson Goddard; 1869, E. H. Seymour, James 0. Rose,
James W. Johnson; 1870, E. H. Seymour, S. 0. Brocker, Francis
Clark; 1871, Rufus Smith, James H. Seymour, William Clark;
1872, Rufus Smith, Wm. C. Clark, B. L. Brown; 1873, Wm. C.
Clark, E. H. Seymour, James W. Johnson ; 1874, Wm. C. Clark,
Orville Carpenter, G. W. Territt; 1875, Orville Carpenter, M. J.
Rose, Rufus Smith; 1876, Orville Carpenter, M. J. Rose, L. B.
Marks; 1877-78, MUes J. Rose, E. L. Brown, WiUiam E. Barnes;
1879-80, J. C. Carpenter, E. L. Brown, WilUam B. Barnes ; 1881,
J. C. Carpenter, Milo Miller, Wm. E. Barnes; 1882, J. C. Car
penter, James H. Seymour, M. C. Pender; 1883, J. C. Carpenter,
M. C. Pender, D. A. Clark; 1884-85, J. C. Carpenter, M. C.
Pender, M. V. Stow; 1886-88, J. C. Carpenter, M. C. Pender,
E. P. Roberts; 1889-90, Samuel B. Root, Wm. E. Barnes, E. F.
Roberts: 1891, B. H. Seymour, AV. B. Barnes, W. H. Spelman;
( 255 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1892, B. H. Seymour, J. C. Carpenter, Chas. D. Treat; 1893-94,
E. H. Seymour, W. E. Barnes, M. J. Rose; 1895, B. H. Seymour,
W. B. Barnes, C. W. Ia'cs; 1896, E. H. Seymour, B. P. Sullivan,
C. W. Ives; 1897-98, E. H. Seymour, B. P. SuUivan, Joseph
Welch; 1899, E. H. Seymour, C. L. Stow, Joseph Welch; 1900,
E. P. SulUvan, C. L. Stow, Joseph Welch; 1901, L. F. Henry,
W. S. Pomeroy, Joseph Welch.
Town Clerks: Jonathan Church, 1754; Joseph Clark,
1755-56; Timothy Robinson, 1757-76; Joel Banaroft, 1777;
Oliver Phelps, 1778-86 ; David Robinson, 1787-96 ; John Phelps,
1797-99; Israel Parsons, 1800-01; John Phelps, 1802-3; Israel
Parsons, 1803 ; John Phelps, 1804-7 ; Thaddeus Squier, 1808-9 ;
John Phelps, 1810-11; James Cooley, 1811; John Phelps,
1812-13 ; Joel Parsons, 1814 ; James Cooley, 1815 ; Patrick Boies,
1816; James Cooley, 1817; Patrick Boies, 1818; James Cooley,
1S19 ; Patrick Boies, 1820 ; James Cooley, 1821 ; Patrick Boies,
1822; James Cooley, 1823; Vincent Holcomb, 1824; James
Cooley, 1825; Vincent Holcomb, 1826; James Cooley, 1827;
Patrick Boies, 1828; EUjah Seymour, 1829; Patrick Boies, 1830;
no record from 1830 to 1859; Chapin F. Brown, 1859; W. L.
Boies, 1860 ; Ralph S. Brown, 1861 ; Lyman W. Shepard, 1862 ;
Ralph S. Brown, 1863; Lyman W. Shepard, 1864; Ralph S.
Brown, 1865 ; Lyman W. Shepard, 1866 ; J. M. Gibbons, 1867-71 ;
Ralph S. Brown, 1872-74 ; J. M. Gibbons, 1875 ; Ralph S. Brown,
1876-77; J. M. Gibbons, 1878-89; J. Sweet, 1890; B. E. Smith,
1891-1900; F. N. Gibbons, 1901.
Town Officers, 1901: Joseph Welch (chm.), LaAvrence F.
Henry, William S. Pomeroy, selectmen, assessors, overseers of
the poor, and board of health ; Fred N. Gibbons, town clerk and
treasurer; Charles A. Clark, Ralph G. Hires, auditors; Charles
H. Treat, collector; Roswell 0. Rowley, Chas. A. Sheets, consta
bles; Clinton L. Stow, superintendent of streets; Miles J. Rose,
J. W. Phelon, E. H. Seymour, Joseph Welch, justices of the
peace; Silas B. Root (chm.), Ralph B. Cooley, Wm. S. Pomeroy,
trustees of Granville public library ; B. F. Hurlburt, librarian.
At the time of the colonial census in 1776, hardly more than
tAvo score years after the first settlements were made in this part
( 256 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
of old Hampshire county, it was found that the whole number
of inhabitants on the plantation was 1,126, the district then
standing fifth in population among the towns comprising the
county. During the next fifteen years the population increased
rapidly, and in 1790 Granville contained four hundred more
inhabitants than Springfield, although its territory was less in
extent. The maximum population in this town was reached in
1800, the number of inhabitants then being a little more than
2,300. After Tolland Avas taken off the mother town retained its
comparative numerical strength until about 1830, since which
time the tide of settlement has gradually turned toward the
commercial centers, and to-day Granville has 500 less population
than in 1810, although during that time there has not been any
reduction in its area. However, without an attempt to explain
the reasons for this decrease, let us have recourse to the census
reports and discover the fluctuations in population of the town
since the colonial census of 1776, viz. : In 1776 the number of
inhabitants was 1,126; 1790, 1,979; 1800, 2,309; 1810, 1,504
1820, 1,643; 1830, 1,649; 1840, 1,414; 1850, 1,305; 1860, 1,385
1865, 1,367; 1870, 1,293; 1875, 1,240; 1880, 1,205; 1885, 1,193
1890, 1,061 ; 1895, 1,005 ; 1900, 1,050.
From the period of its earliest settlement GranviUe has had
an interesting history. As an early settled region its inhabitants
Avere almost AvhoUy from the eastern localities of the province of
Massachusetts Bay and the large colonies of Connecticut, hence
they were accustomed to the hardships incident to pioneer life
and also prepared to withstand the depredations of the un
friendly Indians who frequently infested the region. Fortu
nately, however, we have not to record any savage attacks upon
the settlers in this peaceful locality, although during the closing
years of the French wars the frontier was constantly harrassed
by marauding bands of warriors who plundered and burned
wherever chance presented an opportunity. But Avithin a very
few years after the echoes of the last French and English war
had died away the town was thrown into a state of excitement
on account of the alarming difficulties between the mother
country and her American colonies.
17-3 ( 257 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In the struggle for independence Granville played an active
part in the advocacy of American freedom and in sending the
strongest element of its population to bear arms in that great
cause. The mounted courier who rode into Springfleld with the
news of the attack on Lexington, also warned the minutemen of
Granville, and on the 29th of April, 1775, Capt. Lebbeus Ball's
company marched from the town for Boston. This was a notable
band of strong young men who had previously organized them
selves into a militia company for just such an emergency. The
whole town, too, was truly loyal, and by way of encouragement
voted a small bounty to each man who would enlist for service
against the British. The call to arms met with ready response,
and throughout the long period of the war Granville 's record for
patriotism was as honorable as that of any town in the entire re
gion. Having recourse to an old record, a roster of Capt. Ball's
company of minutemen has been found," and may be regarded
as reasonably accurate. A few of the men returned to their
homes after a fcAv days' service, but the majority were regularly
enlisted and served as occasion required, some in the provincial
regiments and others in the continental army.
Capt. Ball's company comprised these men: Lebbeus Ball,
captain ; Lemuel Bancroft, first lieutenant; Jesse Munson, second
lieutenant; John Stiles, Benj. Stow, Elijah Stiles, Joel Bancroft,
sergeants; Ebenezer Smith, Jacob Bates, John Cornwell,
Jonathan Forbes, corporals; Merrick Hitchcock, fifer; John
Wright, Asher Granger, Ebenezer Curtis, Linus Bates, Lemuel
Haynes, David Rose, Reuben Hickox, Ebenezer Gould, Elijah
Rose, Ebenezer Barlow, Gad Rose, Peter Gibbons, Jesse Miller,
Amos Clark, Albert Black, Russell Rose, Fenner Foster, Daniel
Rose, Seth Granger, Israel Coe, Daniel Cooley, John Bancroft,
George Hubbard, Abner Barlow, Eber Spelman, Richard Brown,
Ephraim Munson, Jonathan Rose, Stephen Wright, Jeremiah
Griswold, Abner Rose, privates.
Mr. Holland's history of Western Massachusetts says that
Capt. Ball's company comprised 60 men, nearly all of whom
were residents of the town. In 1776 a delegate was sent to the
Northampton convention, and in the same year a second company
( 358 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
from the town, of 73 men, formed a part of the 5th regiment of
state troops commanded by Col. Moseley of Westfield. The
officers of this company were Wm. Cooley, captain; Edmund
Barlow, first lieutenant ; Samuel Bancroft, Jr., second lieutenant ;
Richard Dickinson, Joel Strong, Samuel Williams, sergeants;
Joel Bancroft, clerk; Samuel Stiles, drummer; Timothy Spel
man, fifer; John Cooley, Thomas Gillett, James Coe, corporals.
One record says that fourteen Granville men laid down their lives
in the service during the war, and mentions Isaac Chapman, who
fell at Ticonderoga ; Deacon Luke Hitchcock, who died en route
home and was buried in Springfield; Enos Howe and John
Bartlett. In the old cemetery in West Granville there are buried
these old revolutionary patriots: Linus Bates, Jonathan Corn-
well, Enoch Coe, Seth Coe, Jacob Baldwin, Titus Hubbard, Ezra
Baldwin, Israel Canfield, David Bates, Col. Timothy Robinson,
Col. Seth Parsons, Capt. Dan Robinson, Capt. Benj. Barnes,
Lieut. John Tibballs, Capt. Aaron Coe, Alexander Stewart, Jesse
Hall, Lemuel Haynes, Amos Baldwin, Samuel Baldwin.
Many present residents in Granville and hundreds of others
who have gone therefrom to other localities can trace their an
cestry to some of these old heroes of the revolution. Following
the period of the war the townspeople returned to the peaceful
arts of agriculture and trade, and while the disturbed conditions
which arose through the rebellious action of Shays' insurgent
horde had its effect upon the town, we are not aware that any
Granville citizens took sides Avith the riotous element, but they
did lend assistance to suppress it. In the troublous period just
preceding the war of 1812-15 the town showed decided leanings
toward federalism, and sent a delegate (David Curtis) to the
"peace" convention at Northampton. From that time to the war
of 1861-5 no untoward event marred the progress of local affairs
and peace and prosperity prevailed on every hand. During the
Avar last mentioned this town furnished about 125 men for the
service, nearly all of whom were attached to the infantry and
artillery regiments to which the county contributed.
One of the most notable events in the history of the town
Avas the semi-centennial festival— the GranAdlle jubilee— which
( 259 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
was celebrated August 27, 1845, in commemoration of the fiftieth
year of the pastorate of Rev. Timothy M. Cooley of the First
Church of Christ in Granville. The exercises of the occasion
Avere continued two days, and comprised addresses, reading of
especially written poems, and a powerful historical sermon by
the venerable Dr. Cooley himself. Strictly, the celebration was
an affair of the church, yet it resolved itself into a general jubilee
gathering in which all the townspeople took an earnest part,
Avhile hundreds came from other localities. When the services
were ended the assemblage adjourned to meet again half a cen
tury later, and accordingly, on August 28, 1895, the church and

The church on Granville Hill

people enjoyed another jubilee festival, although few indeed
of the participants in the first event were then present.
The foregoing brief allusion to the jubilee ceremonies
naturally suggests a like reference to the history of the church
in Granville, which in fact antedates the creation of the town
and reaches back to the days of the Bedford plantation. "The
First Church of Christ" in Granville was formed in 1744, as a
result of the preaching of Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards,
which Avas the means of a revival known as the ' ' Great Awaken
ing." The first pastor. Rev. Moses Tuttle, was ordained and
settled in 1747, and the erection of the first church edifice was
largely due to his efforts, the structure standing on the next hiU
( 260 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
west of the present site. The edifice now in use by the society
was built in 1802, and was thoroughly repaired in 1890. Mr.
Tuttle was succeeded in the pastorate in 1756 by Rev. Jedediah
Smith, who retired in 1776. Dr. Cooley became pastor in 1795
and ministered to the spiritual wants of the inhabitants until
1854, a period of fifty-nine years. For more than 150 years the
church has been an institution for good in the history of the
town, and during all that time its record has been continuous.
On its membership rolls is found the names of hundreds of
persons who were weU known in local annals, biit at the present
day the number of members does not exceed 75. The pastor at
this time is Rev. Gilbert A. Curtis.
A second Congregational society in Granville was formed in
Ihe middle parish in 1781, and took the name of West Granville
church upon the separation of Tolland from the mother toAvn.
Indeed the church societies in what now is West Granville also
in Tolland were offshoots from the parent society to which refer
ence has been made. In 1786 the West parish settled its first
pastor. Rev. Aaron Booge, and in 1788 a meeting house was
erected. The society has since maintained a healthful existence,
although it has not been self-supporting at all times.
The Baptist church in Granville, the seat of the society
being at Granville Corners, was organized by dissentients from
the mother Congregational society, and dates its history from
1791. Previous to that year the constituent members were
known as "Separatists." A house of worship was erected in
1800 and the society has ahvays enjoyed a continuous existence
and comparatively healthful condition in respect to numerical
strength. The church is now under the pastoral care of Rev.
Benj. F. Hurlburt.
A Universalist society was formed at GranviUe Corners in
1863, and a church edifice was built the same year. Numerically
the society never has been strong and during the last quarter of
a century only occasional meetings have been held.
In matters pertaining to the educational welfare of its youth,
this town has long held an enviable reputation among the civil
divisions of the country; but owing to the absence of early
( 361 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
records, little is known concerning the earliest schools, and only
tradition, with the positive knowledge that the town has reared,
educated and sent out into professional and public life many
strong men, is the basis of the inference that the old-time schools
of Granville must have been of high character to produce such
results. The old academic school at West Granville was a known
factor in this work for many years, but long ago that once
famous institution gave way to the improved free school system
inaugurated under the state legislative enactments.
According to the present disposition of school interests the
town is divided into eight districts, and a good school is main
tained in each. There are now in the town about 220 children
between the ages of five and fifteen years, for whose instruction
eight teachers are annually employed. The town raises by an
nual tax approximately $2,800, and shares in the pubUc school
fund about $550. The amount annually expended for school
purposes is about $3,550. The school committee at this time
comprises Alice M. Carpenter (chm.), Joseph Welch and Benj.
F. Hurlburt. During the period of its history there have been established
within the limits of the town several small villages and hamlets,
for the purposes of trade, manufacture and public assemblages.
They are known as Granville Corners, East Granville and West
Granville. Originally Tolland was called West Granville, while
the present hamlet, so-called, was designated the Middle parish.
West Granville in local history is a place of little impor
tance, having no considerable industries and only one store. It
is, however, a convenient trading center, and Joseph Welch,
general merchant, supplies the entire locality with all which the
townsmen must needs purchase. He also is the postmaster, one
of the selectmen, and withal one of the prominent men of the
Avest part of the town. Here, too, is the West Granville Congre
gational church, the remnant of the Dickinson library (kept in
the meeting house gallery), the old academy building (now used
by the Avomen's sewing circle and for other public purposes),
and about twenty dweUings. The district school stands on a
hill just outside the hamlet proper.
( 362 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
Granville, the oldest of the three villages of the town, and
sometimes called East Granville, the seat of town business, is a
hamlet of perhaps 200 inhabitants. Its institutions comprise
the town hall, the church, the district school and the postoffice.
It has mercantile interests and a few shops of minor consequence,
and its inhabitants are thrifty and progressive.
Granville Corners is the business hamlet of the town and for
many years has enjoyed a certain prominence in the industry
founded away back in 1854 by Silas Noble and James P. Cooley,

GranviUe Corners — Universalist Church

manufacturers of drums, novelties and specialties; and the old
firm name still stands and is exceedingly well known in com
mercial circles.
Inasmuch as the villages of Granville are without defined
boundaries, in speaking of present business interests it is hardly
necessary to give the precise location of each of them ; but sum
marizing this element of the town's history these interests may
be noted about as follows : George L. Oysler, E. M. Pomeroy and
Joseph Welch are the tOAvn's auctioneers; Geo. L. Oysler and
( 263 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
G. A. Barnes are the blacksmiths ; Charles Roberts, of the Center,
the boot and shoemaker; J. M. Gibbons and Wm. S. Pomeroy,
merchants at the Center, and Joseph Welch in the West village ;
H. B. Dickinson, proprietor of grist mill, one of the few remain
ing in the county ; Columbus Wilcox, proprietor Granville house ;
E. B. Holcomb, machinist; Herbert G. RockweU, physician and
surgeon ; B. F. Gibbons, postmaster at Granville ; C. A. Clark &
Co., printers; Charles B. Thompson, proAdsion dealer; N. M.
Frisbie and C. W. Ives, proprietors of saw mills, both in West
Granville; Holcomb Bros., manufacturers of scAving machine
supplies ; M. V. Stow, proprietor of shingle mill ; Noble & Cooley,
toy and novelty manufacturers; J. M. Gibbons, undertaker; M.
V. Stowe, proprietor of shingle miU.
Before closing this chapter it is proper to furnish the names
of Granville's representatives to the general court previous to
the creation of Hampden county ; the representatives after 1812
will be found in an earlier chapter. The succession follows:
1775, Timothy Robinson, Nathan BarloAV; 1776, none; 1777,
Timothy Robinson, Nathan Barlow; 1778, none; 1779, Oliver
Phelps, Timothy Robinson ; 1780, Oliver Phelps, Josiah Harvey ;
1781, Timothy Robinson; 1782, none; 1783, Timothy Robinson;
1784, none; 1785, Timothy Robinson; 1786, WilUam Cooley;
1787, Timothy Robinson, Titus Fowler; 1788, Samuel ThraU,
John Hamilton; 1789, Clark Cooley; 1790, Timothy Robinson,
James Hamilton; 1791, Thomas Burbank, James Hamilton;
1792-3, Timothy Robinson; 1794, David Robinson, Titus
Fowler; 1795, Enoch Bancroft, David Robinson; 1796, none;
1797, David Robinson, Ezra Marvin ; 1798, Ezra Marvin, Jacob
Bates ; 1799, John Phelps, James Hamilton ; 1800, Israel Parsons,
David Robinson ; 1801, Israel Parsons, Thomas Hamilton ; 1802,
Israel Parsons, John Phelps ; 1803, Israel Parsons, Titus Fowler ;
1804-05, Israel Parsons, John Phelps; 1806, Abraham Granger;
1807, Enoch Bancroft, Abraham Granger ; 1808-09, Israel Par
sons, John Phelps ; 1810, Israel Parsons, William Twining ; 1811,
none ; 1812, Asa Seymour, John Phelps.
A perusal of the pages of this chapter will disclose the fact
that Granville not only has made an interesting history, but has
( 364 )

THE TOWN OF GRANVILLE
furnished some of the best men of the county who have been
called into public station during the last hundred years.
Glancing back over the last half century of our town's history
the names of a few men suggest themselves and are worthy of
passing mention ; such men as the late Rev. Timothy M. Cooley,
Reuben Noble, Captain Joseph Parsons, Marshall V. Stow,
George W. Terrill, Carlos Gibbons, Emery Barnes, William
Bacon, Timothy Clark, Dr. Johnson, Arden Seymour, Oliver
Rose, Frank Peebles, Ralph S. Brown, James P. Cooley, Silas
Noble, J. Murray Gibbons, Edgar Holcomb, "Squire" James
Cooley and Martin K. Bates, none of whom are now living, but
each of whom in his day was a contributing factor for good in
local annals.
In the same manner it is proper to mention the names of a
few of Granville's prominent men of the present day, and in
this connection present the names of B. J. Roberts, Edgar B. and
E. G. Holcomb (the manufacturers and machinists), Dr. H. G.
Rockwell, Joseph Welch, Benjamin F. Gibbons, Charles B.
Thompson, Franklin A. Robinson (an extensive farmer in West
Granville), John 0. Roberts, Ralph B. Cooley, Orville R. Noble
(the drum and toy manufacturer), Austin T. Phelon (a pros
perous farmer), William S. Pomeroy, Cyrus W. Ives (the saAv
mill proprietor), James 0. Rose (successful farmer), Milo E.
Seymour, Charles H. Tyron, Edwin N. Henry, Lorenzo H. Noble
(retired farmer), M. T. Gibbons (retired farmer), William M.
Beckwith (substantial farmer and man of influence in the town).

( 265 )

CHAPTER VII
THE TOWN OF MONSON
BY DR. GEORGE E. FULLER
Monson, an integral part of Brimfield till 1760, is situated
85 miles southwest of Boston and 15 miles east of Springfield,
and is bounded on the north by Palmer, east by Brimfield, south
by Stafford and west by Wilbraham. It is in its largest dimen
sions about 6 miles from east to west, 9 miles from north to south,
contains about 54 square miles of land and has a population of
3,402; according to the census of 1900.^
The village of Monson, looking from the south, is a swaUow-
tailed triangle, the apex to the south and the swallow-tails to
the north, the one extending to the northwest to and beyond the
W. N. Flynt granite quarries, and the other to the northeast
through the north factory village. The village is walled about
by the east and west hills and on the north by the rock-house
ledges. Monson has the reputation given it by those who have
traveUed extensively of being the town par excellence, with its
beautiful soldiers' monument, its granite library and granite
memorial town hall, its churches, its residences and its well
trimmed lawns and its hill sides rich in the green verdure of
summer and richest sun-hued tints of autumn.
Monson was named in honor of the president of the British
board of trade by his friend Thomas Pownall, who was governor
of Massachusetts when the town was incorporated a district in
1760. The first house erected within its limits Avas built by
Richard Fellows in 1657 or 8, on the north side of the Bay path,
'This census was taken when our industries were largely paralyzed and to-day
we have an increase of at least 500 persons.
( 266 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
the east side of Chicopee brook and on the south line of the farm
now occupied by William E. Fay.
This was the first house built between Springfield and
Brookfield and was used as a tavern. Its position was well
chosen as it Avas on hard land at the only spot between the North
factory and the Quaboag (then called Chicopee river), at which
the banks of Chicopee brook could be approached from both east
and west on hard land.
This grant was made on petition of Richard Fellows by the
general court at Boston, October 23, 1657. The petitioner
"humbly desiring the honored court to grant him 200 acres of
upland and meadow to be laid out to him at Chicopee river by
George Colton and Benjamin Cooley. That the said land and
stake be rent free, promising and engaging in consideration
thereof to build a house there for the entertainment of travellers,
both for house room for horse and man and some lodgings and
provisions for both, with beere, wine and strong liquors". The
general court deemed it meete and wise to grant his request,
providing the petitioner build an house within one year, and
maintain the same for seven years ; both to entertain and accom
modate strangers. Fellows probably built his tavern during this
or the following year. His stay was short, for from fear of the
Indians he within a year or tAvo abandoned it, burying its tools,
Avhich were plowed up 80 years lated by Capt. James Merrick.
Fellows came from and returned to Springfield and died in
Hadley in 1663. FeUows, although he did not fulfil the condi
tions, retained possession of his grant and Avas allowed to dispose
of it to Gov. Hutchinson. The title then lay dormant for 75
years, when it was confirmed by the general court held at Salem,
June 22, 1733, to Edward Hutchinson and Mary Wolcott. They
sold, March 30, 1738, for £800, to Daniel and John Wood of New
bury. John Wood took the easterly and Daniel the westerly half ;
but January 11, 1768, John purchased the westerly half of his
brother. John Wood died in 1796 and his daughter, Mrs. Eliza
beth Taylor, inherited the AA'hole Fellows tract. Mrs. Taylor
sold, in 1815, the eastern half to Joel Norcross, who in 1818
disposed of it to Rufus Fay, Sr., and it is now in the possession
of his grandson, Wm. E. Fay. ( 267 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The first permanent settler of Monson was Robert Olds, who
located about 1715 south of and adjoining the Fellows grant.
He Avas born in Suffield, Conn., and came to Monson from Spring
field. Under date of April 17, 1722, he gave a mortgage on his
100 acre farm to Wm. Pynchon of Springfield. Capt. James
Merrick purchased a part of this farm in 1734 and the remainder
in 1736. Capt. Merrick and his sons, James, Aaron and Gideon,
are said to have served in the French and Indian wars. Capt.
James was a grandson of Thomas Merrick, one of the first settlers
of Springfield. He was born January 1, 1698, and died in 1790,
at the venerable age of 92 years. Capt. Merrick was one of the
first selectmen of Monson and continued in office five years. He
was an important factor in our early history as several of his
descendants have been in later years. It is probable that the
house in which C. M. Foley now resides was built by Capt. James
Merrick nearly a century and a half ago. Another old house
in Monson is that now occupied by John L. Borgeson, originally
built by Capt David Hitchcock as early as 1734; also the house
now occupied by Nelson Skinner, built by Freeborn Moulton and
in the "ell" part of which it is said Moulton kept the first store
in Monsoii ; also the Bates house, so-called, now owned by Henry
Rindge and built by David Hyde; also the Norcross house, so-
called, built in the old colonial style by WiUiam Norcross and
now used as tenement and boarding house.
The general court, June 20, 1701, appointed Col. John
Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, James Warriner, David Morgan
and Joseph Stebbins to lay out a new township 8 miles square
on the east boundary of Springfield. In the fall of that year
they thrice visited the locality before they could decide where to
lay the town plot. East hill, then called Chicopee hill, and later
Grout hill, was chosen within the limits of the present town of
Monson and a road 4 rods wide laid from the Connecticut line to
the Grout school house. Thirteen grants were made on this road
prior to December 31, 1701. There is noAV an old cellar hole on
this road which is said to have been intended for the meeting
house. These grants all lapsed, the conditions not having been
fulfilled probably owing to the uncertainty caused by the French
( 268 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and Indian wars. Brimfield was granted June 16, 1772, an ex
tension of 3 miles to the east and the town plot was changed to
l^ower hill in that town. Brimfield became a town by act of the
general court December 24, 1731, and of the 84 proprietors to
whom allotments were made, 10 were located within the limits of
the present town of Monson. The names of the original settlers
and the location of their grants, as far as known, were as follows :
Robert Olds, the present C. M. Foley farm; David Killam, the
site of the Massachusetts Epileptic hospital; Benjamin Munn,

House built by William Norcross about 1775
Now owned by S. P. Cushman Sons & Co., Monson
the farm of Edson M. Walker; Obediah Cooley, the farm of
Joseph Carpenter; Ezra King, the farm of Wm. Holdridge;
Samuel King, the farm of J. M. Craw, whose wife is a lineal de
scendant of Samuel King; John Keep, the farm of Daniel Car
penter; John Atcherson, the farm of Omar B. Bradway;
Marke Ferry, an abandoned farm north of Wm. Beebe 's; and
Samuel Kilburn, whose location we have been unable to establish.
At the time of Monson 's incorporation as a district, April
25, 1760, there were forty-nine families located within its limits.
( 270 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
The names of many of the original corporators have been familiar
to the present generation. Such names are Blodgett, Bliss,
Colton, Ferry, Homer, Hitchcock, King, Keep, Merrick, Munn,
Moulton, Stebbins, Shaw, Warner and Woods.
The first district meeting was called by a warrant issued by
Capt. John Sherman, who was the physician, school teacher, town
clerk and justice of the peace of Brimfield.^ This meeting was
warned by constable Samuel King and was held at his house,
which was situated near the present residence of James M. Craw.
The original warrant vAdth the indorsement of service is safely
preserved in the archives of Monson. There is no record of this
or any meeting held prior to March 16, 1762. As a district the
inhabitants had all the rights of a town save only they must
unite with the mother town in the choice of representative.
The first town meeting of which records are preserved was
that of 1762, and was held at a tavern kept by Richard Bishop,
located a little west of the present residence of S. Fred Cushman.
At a subsequent meeting in the same year a committee was ap
pointed to procure land on which to set the meeting house and
have charge of raising it. The same year Rev. Abishai Sabin
was settled as pastor. It thus appears that Monson 's earliest
citizens deemed it their first duty to erect a church and settle a
minister. They builded their little commonwealth on the sure
foundations which have given the religion of Puritan New Eng
land such an influence in the formation of the states of the great
West. Revolutionary Incidents. On June 23, 1774, the town voted
v/ith certain reservations to sign the non-importation covenant
mth Boston, and on September 5 voted £14 to provide a stock of
ammunition. October 3, 1774, Dea. Abel Goodell was chosen delegate to
the Provincial congress to be held at Concord. December 29,
1774, the tovm approved of the choice of Freeborn Moulton as
captain, Nathaniel Sikes as lieutenant and David Hitchcock as
ensign. These officers were authorized to make up a quota of
'We have seen his ledger in which he made his medical charges. The writing
is like copper plate as plain as print.
( 371 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
minutemen. Thus it will be seen that Monson was ready to do
its part in case there should be war with the mother country, and
when the war of revolution came the town spread on its records
a copy of the declaration of independence.
Monson became a town with full powers in 1776, and Dea.
Abijah Newell was elected the flrst representative. June 24,
1776, the toAvn voted unanimously in favor of independence.
May 23, 1777, the town voted 20 pounds bounty to men enlisting
in the continental army. November 17, 1777, Capt. Joshua Shaw,
Capt. Reuben Munn, Lieut. Reuben Hoar, Lieut. Simon Keep,
Lieut. James Stebbins, Lieut. Jonathan Chapin and Lieut.
Jonathan Coye were appointed a committee to settie with the
continental soldiers. This indicates that commissioned officers
Avere numerous in town. A search of the old records indicates
that nearly if not quite all the able-bodied men of Monson, in
cluding the minister and the doctor, were at one time or another
in the fleld for independence.
A letter addressed by Benjamin Munn, Abel Goodell and
Noah Sabin to Samuel Adams and Joseph Warren, under date
April 5, 1775, says, among other things : "We send a testimonial
of our firm adherence to the great cause, in which everything
dear to us is embarked. We profess a ready cheerfulness to
shed our blood to oppose tyranny and oppression. We have 80
fellows in this district, a great part of which are disciplined and
ready marksmen. I dare be bold to say that, at about 30 rods
distant, they Avould pick off tories as fast as so many hawks
would pick frogs from a frog pond. ' '
Bounties were voted several times subsequently. June 26,
1778, the town voted £420 to pay the nine months' soldiers, and
in the same year, September 1, the town voted £19 to pay for
blankets for continental soldiers and also to pay for clothing car
ried to Philadelphia by Benjamin Munn. Several similar votes
are recorded paying various bounties and caring for the families
of soldiers while away on duty.
The men who laid the foundations of Monson in the last half
of the 18th century belonged to a sturdy, heroic race. They
wrought with all their might whether in church, war, town or
( 272 )

Residence of Thomas Styles, Monson, Mass.

The house Nvliere Plirel>e Brown lived wljen she wrote the hynni, "I Love to Steal Awhile Aw.iy."
The bouse was huilt liy  Sahin

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
on the farm. There was an untold amount of work to be done
in establishing a new town. There was a church, school houses
and homes to be built, forests to be subdued, saw and grist mills
to be erected and numberless roads to be laid out and built. The
records show that 73 roads Avere laid out, accepted and built
during the first 40 years of the town 's history ; and when we add
to this the cost in blood, treasure and time expended in the con
stantly recurring wars of the period Ave are lost in wonder and
admiration of the men who, ever invincible, conquered all their
foes and gave to us the priceless treasure of civil and religious
liberty. Large families Avere characteristic of the period. Fami
lies of 10 or 12 or more children were not uncommon.
During the revolution small pox became very prevalent and
inoculation AAdth it Avas resorted to. Under proper care and pre
cautions only a small percentage of deaths occurred. May 18,.
1778, Monson voted to .set up " Enockeulation " for the small pox
under proper restrictions by the selectmen.
The purchasing power of continental currency grew less and
less as the war progressed, and on March 21, 1780, the town
voted £9 per day for work on the highAvays to September 1, and
£6 per day the rest of the year. The names of Munn, King,
Wood, Hoar, Merrick, Shaw, Keep, Blodgett, Newton, Colton,
Stebbins, Stacy, Norcross and Flynt appear frequently in the
old records and they have representatives still Avith us,' worthy
scions of their worthy sires.
By the records of Monson it appears that money was first
expressed in dollars and cents in 1795. Prior to that date it
was pounds, shillings and pence. Committee after committee
was appointed to seat and do various things to the old meeting
house till 1797, when a committee was appointed to draw plans
and devise means to build a new one. This old church was
rectangular, about 20 feet high, without chimney or steeple,
lighted by a single row of small windows. The second church
was dedicated November 16, 1803.
Town meetings were called in "His Majesties" name until
March 16, 1776. On May 21, 1776, the caU was "in observance
of colony writ", and on June 17, 1776, "by resolve of the general
( 374 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
court", and on February 18, 1777, by "power vested in the gen
eral court", and from September 1, 1777, "in the name of the
government by the people" till December 11, 1780. Since that
time they have been called in the name of the ' ' Commonwealth
of Massachusetts". In 1798 Freeborn Moulton and sixty others were set off as
the first Baptist church of Monson. A meeting house was built
in the west part of the town on the Hampden road, and flourished
for many years, but it fell into a decline and the house was
burned in 1856. The 19th century was ushered in by prepara
tions to build a new meeting house. All denominations were to
AVorship in it, each furnishing a supply in proportion to the
amount reaUzed from its members in the sale of the pews. Bach
was to have the right to attend without "extortion of money"
to support another denomination. The pews were sold at auc
tion and brought from 11 to 161 dollars each, and the total was
$4,264. In the new church the young women were to sit on the
east and the young men on the west side of the gallery.
At a toAvn meeting held July 9, 1812, the town voted unani
mously in the negative after a discussion of the war known
as that of 1812, and appointed a committee to prepare resolves.
These were prepared and accepted, deprecating the war with
Great Britain, and the town also voted against an alliance with
Prance. It was also voted to choose an agent to represent the
tovm in convention to be held in Northampton, and Deodatus
Dutton, Esq., was chosen as such agent.
The first half of the nineteenth century was for Monson, as
for the country in general, an era of recuperation. The forests
Avere largely subdued and the lands brought under subjection to
the plow. The descendants of the first settlers, strong and hardy,
active in mind and body, sought for other employment than
that of tilling the soil. Utilizing the streams for power to card
and spin and weave and for the various manufactures of steel,
iron and wood, they found means close at hand for their active
minds. Chicopee river and Twelve Mile brook in Monson became
thickly studded Avith saAV, grist, clover, carding, cotton and
woolen mills. The iron, axe, lead pipe, spectacle and silk worm
( 375 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
industries were tried but only for a time. David Hannum made
axes at the North factory. Lead pipe Avas made by Timothy
Packard, Sr., at a point a little east of Conant 's grist mill. He
sold out to Mason Moulton who continued the manufacture to
1824. Lead pipe was made by running the lead in sheets, cutting
to proper width and moulding on an iron rod six feet long; the
long joint was then soldered. Noah Sabin and Reuben Hoar
made linseed oil as late as 1808 on the site of D. W. Ellis & Sons'
mill. On the site of the New mill, so called, on the east side of
the stream, Asa White had a grist mill till 1845, and on the west
side Avas a small building for the manufacture of bar iron from
scrap iron and bog iron mined near Cato 's pool in Silver street
Joseph and Jeremiah Bumpstead operated the iron industry.
There were clover mills on both Chicopee and Twelve Mile brook.
Roswell and Gideon Merrick had a saw and grist mill at the north
factory, which Avas taken down in 1816 and replaced in 1820 by
the frame mill still standing. This mill was owned and operated
by Witherell & Co. for the manufacture of cottons. Later on
the east side of the stream a stone mill was built and operated
successively by Dea. Andrew Porter, Albert Norcross, Jared
Beebe and Heery Bros, till burned in 1894. As early as 1800 Asa
Gates had a carding and finishing mill on the site of the present
S. F. Cushman & Sons' woolen mill. Gates did carding and
finished the home-spun cloth for the farmers. Gates sold in 1816 ;
to the Monson Woolen Manufacturing Co. The plant next
passed to the Hampden Cotton Manufacturing Co. In 1824
Horatio Lyon and others acquired the property under the name
of the Monson Woolen Manufacturing Co. In 1870 Mr. Lyon
became the sole owner and upon retiring from business in 1877
he sold out to S. F. Cushman.
Roswell Merrick as early as 1808 had a tannery and was
succeeded by Stephen Tobey and his son Clinton. This industry,
Avhich had been yery successful, was closed in 1870.
The Hampden Cotton company in 1813 erected the mill
noAV owned and operated by Heritage & Hurst. This company
in 1829 built a mill on the site where now stands the mill D. W.
Ellis & Son. Two mills have been burned on this site, one in
( 376 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
1839 and one in 1869. Joseph L. Reynolds built the branch miU
in 1837. He took into partnership Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., and
they disposed of it to the Hampden Cotton Co., and when that
company dissolved, it Avas purchased by C. AV. Holmes & Sons.
The mill next passed to Holmes & Ellis, then to C. W. Holmes,
Jr., then to S. P. Cushman & Sons, and in December, 1901, Avas
by them sold to Leonard R. Rosenberg.
On the site of the South StraAv shop, Joseph L. Reynolds in
1857 erected a mill Avhich a fcAv months later Avas burned. He

A view in South Monson

then rebuilt but never put in machinery, but the building became
the nucleus of the straAV goods manufacturing operated by Gage
& Reynolds, and later by R. M. Reynolds. In the settlement of
his estate it Avas recently acquired by Fred E. Langewald, who
equipped it for the manufacture of Avorsted goods.
The AA'oolen mill at present owned and operated by EUis,
Rieketts & Co. Avas originally built by Joseph L. Reynolds in
1860 and '61, It Avas burned in 1867, rebuilt in 1870 and sub
stantially enlarged by its present OAvners in 1901. The plant is
( 277 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
now up to date in every respect for the manufacture of the
finest woolens.
The Monson granite quarries OAA^ned and operated by the W.
N. Flynt Granite Co. were first opened by the U. S. government
about 1809 to obtain stone for use in building the U. S. armory
at Springfield. The government having obtained its supply the
quarries remained unworked till 1825, when they came into the
possession of Rufus Flynt, who began operations with a gang of
flve men. Under the management of Wm. N. Flynt and W. K.
Flynt and more recently of the W. N. Flynt Granite Co., the
industry has grown rapidly and is now one of the most important
of its kind of Monson, giving employment to nearly 500 men and
sending its granite hewn and unhewn far and wide. Perhaps
the industry which has done as much if not more tO built up and
make Monson prosperous is the straw and felt goods factory now
owned and operated byHeiman & Lichten of New York. This was
begun by Charles H. Merrick and Rufus Fay in 1838. Under
their management it grew rapidly, furnishing not only employ
ment for a large number of men and women in the factory, but
also sending out its Avork into the families of Monson and the
surrounding towns. This latter feature has been largely dropped
and most of the work is now done in the factory. This industry
gives work nearly the year round, on straw in the colder and
felt in the Avarmer season.
War of 1S61-5. The first gun fired at Fort Sumter, April
12, 1861, aroused the patriotism and indignation of the people
of Monson as well as that of the whole loyal North. Patriotic
meetings were held and enlistments began at once. A tOAvn
meeting was called April 27, and on May 3 it was voted ' ' That
all the residents of Monson who enlist into the U. S. service,
shall have their support and that of their families while driUing
and preparing for active service from the funds of the town, and
when called into active service, shall have a good outfit and ten
dollars per month and their families sufficient support during
such service". The sum of $5,000 was voted to carry the vote
into effect under- a committee consisting of Hiram Nevyton,
Rufus F. Fay, Rice S. Munn, Sherman Converse, B. W. Sholes,
( 378 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
B. C. Robinson and J. B. Williams. At a later meeting it was
voted to replace this committee by the board of selectmen, of
whom Daniel G. Potter was chairman. At a special town meet
ing held May 3 Joseph L. Reynolds offered a resolution which
was unanimously adopted, "That the people of this town are
unanimous for upholding, supporting and defending the United
States government and to that end are ready to respond to the
legally constituted authorities of Massachusetts and the United
States in the performance of every loyal and patriotic duty".
August 18, 1862, a bounty of one hundred dollars was offered
by the town to soldiers enlisting on its quota, and November 4
it Avas increased to one hundred and fifty dollars. From the list
of 229 subject to military duty we learn that there were already
in the service from Monson 84 men, or a little more than one-
third of the able-bodied men of the town. From time to time
additional bounties were offered, and these not proving sufficient
to induce men to enlist to fill the quotas, a draft was resorted to
by the government. The draft proved very unpopular and the
selectmen were authorized (June 30, 1864,) to procure an agent
to enlist or buy men to fill this and subsequent quotas.
As near as can be ascertained, Monson furnished 280 men
for the service and at its close had to its credit 18 men over am.
above its quotas as called, for by the state and national govern
ments. Three of the above, viz. : Capt. S. C. Warriner, 36th Mass.
Vols., Capt. George H. Howe, 57th Mass. Vols., killed at the
explosion of Burnside's mine July 30, 1864, and Lieut. George
L. Dixon, second lieutenant 46th Mass. Vols., were officers.
Monson raised, appropriated and expended for her soldiers
and their families the sum of $30,408.36 during the war, exclu
sive of state aid, which was refunded.
In 1864 there was a deficiency in the treasury, owing to the
extraordinary demands upon it to meet the war expenses and
seven of Monson 's heavy tax-payers advanced the necessary
funds. November 9, 1865, the town voted to reimburse these
individuals. During the war Monson was generous to its soldiers and
their families, and since has appropriated all the money the
( 279 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
veterems have asked for and when the memorial town hall was
built, provided excellent quarters for Marcus Keep post of the
G. A. R.
There Avas no occasion for the town to take action during
the Spanish- American war of 1898, as there were patriotic young
men more than sufficient ready and willing to enlist. Monson
has been well represented by her sons both in the Cuban and
Philippine campaigns.
During the latter part of the civil war and the years im
mediately succeeding Monson enjoyed an era of unexampled "
prosperity. The laborer, the farmer, the merchant and the man- '
ufacturer all reaped a bountiful harvest. It is true that gold
sold as high as 2.65 or even higher; flour 18 or 20 doUars a
barrel; meal 2.65 per hundred weight; sugar 3 lbs. for a dollar;
cottons 60 cents a yard; labor $2.25 per day, and other things
in proportion ; yet prudent persons with the limited demands of
the time were able to have a goodly margin for profit.
Incidents. October 4, 1869, Monson was visited by the most
remarkable flood in its history. It had rained quite steadily for
tAvo days, and on the third day in the afternoon it seemed as if
the flood gates of the heavens had given away. Every bridge
and every dam on the stream was washed away; the roads were
badly gullied and many of them impassable. One mill was one-
third undermined and another partially so. The factories and
houses on the banks of the stream had their basements and cellars
flooded. The meadows were flooded and wreckage of wood,
timber, boards and pig-stys were floating on the surface. This
flood damaged the town between sixty and seventy thousand
dollars, making no reckoning of individual losses.
As the dark day of May 13, 1780, was long remembered, so
will that of September 6, 1881. On this date the sun rose as a
great ball of fire and by 7 :30 a. m. was entirely obscured. The
sky had a ghastly appearance, vegetation had the appearance of
thick coat of green paint. The peculiar light caused in many
people a strained feeling through the temples, attended vnth
more or less pain. Some complained of faintness and a few
actually swooned. Lights were needed by 10 :30 a. m. and before
( 280 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
noon the factories, stores and private houses were Ughted up as
at night. The flames of a kerosene lamp had a pecuUar bluish,
brimstone look. The white dress of a little girl appeared to have
a sulphurous hue. Bells sounded unusually loud. The baro
meter at noon was 29.80, the thermometer 76° and the hygrometer
indicated 92 per cent, of moisture. Fowls walked around in a
dazed way and then went to roost. Dew feU at midday, red
flowers seemed of a salmon color. About 1 :30 p. m. it began to

Congregational Church and Soldiers' Monument
grow Ughter and continued to do so tiU at evening the smoke
had all cleared away.
The faU of 1883 was remarkable for its brilUant sun glows
as the sun was setting, and on August 10, at about 2 o'clock
p. m., tAvo distinct shocks of an earthquake were felt; the vibra
tion was from west to east and sufficient to open doors.
July 4, 1884, wiU be remembered as the red letter day of
Monson. The occasion was the dedication of the beautiful

( 281 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
soldiers' monument, erected by Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., to com
memorate the patriotism and valor of the soldiers of Monson,
Avho on land and sea upheld the cause of national unity, 1861-
1865. The monument stands 46 feet high and is surmounted by
a granite soldier at parade rest. Its cost Avas $6,500. On either
side are patriotic inscriptions and the monument is intended
not only to honor the brave volunteers of the civil AA'ar, but also
to be an object lesson in patriotic love of country to the coming
generations. Governor Joshua L. Chamberlain, of Maine, delivered the
address. Gov. George D. Robinson and staff, department com-

Monson — The Memorial Town Hall
mander John D. Billings and staff. Battery B of Worcester and
two companies 2d Mass. infantry, also the Grand Army posts of
Western, Mass., were present, as well as the people of Monson
and large delegations from all the surrounding towns. A
monstrous tent was imported from Boston and more than 3,000
persons sat down to a repast within it. The cost of the day was
about $2,500, and was paid from a subscription fund raised by
the citizens of Monson. Dr. G. B. Fuller was president of the
day and A. A. Gage was grand marshal.
( 282 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
The Memorial Town Hall. The annual town meeting of 1884
was unusually important as a proposition was made at that time
by R. M. Reynolds to donate to the town a very desirable site for a
memorial town hall, and also with his brother Theodore to donate
to the town $5,000 each to the building fund. His father, Joseph
L. Reynolds, also offered a like sum for the same object ; the only
conditions being that the town erect the building of granite or
other indestructable material and appropriate not less than
$20,000 for its construction. The proposition was accepted and
R. M. Reynolds, Cyrus W. Holmes, Jr., S. P. Cushman, Dr. G.
E. Puller, A. D. Ellis, J. C. Aldrich and A. A. Gage were ap
pointed a committee to secure plans and erect the building. It
was stipulated that the building should be of granite and one
which would be a credit to the town and an honor to the patriot
soldiers in whose memory it was designed to built. On November
4, 1884, the town voted an additional $5,000 to complete and
furnish the structure. The first town meeting was held in the
finished building August 15, 1885, when the report of the build
ing committee was accepted and a vote of thanks extended to
them and to the contractors, the Flynt building and construction
company. Water Supply. The toAvn (February 10, 1894,) appointed
a committee to examine into the matter of water supply for fire
and domestic purposes. On May 17 of the same year the town
accepted the report of the committee and also the special act of
the legislature, entitled an act to supply the town of Monson
with water.
On May 31, A. D. Norcross, E. F. Morris and R. M. Rey
nolds were elected water commissioners and the town voted to
issue bonds in the sum of $65,000 to meet the necessary cost of
constructing the system. Work was begun at once and was com
pleted early in the following year. The gravity system was
adopted, and in quantity and quality every requirement has been
fulfiUed. An electric street railway was opened to Monson and the
first car was run over the road January 16, 1900. The connec
tion between Palmer and Indian Orchard was completed in the
( 283 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
early fall of 1901. The steam railroad from Palmer south
through Monson was constructed and opened for traffic in 1850.
The first half of the 19th century produced the men and the
business enterprises which in later years made Monson the
leading town of Hampden county, in proportion to its popula
tion, in the number of its men of large means. The ample
fortunes accumulated and estates left by Horatio Lyon, Joseph
L. Reynolds, the Holmes (Cyrus W. Sr., and Jr.), Solomon P.
Cushman and Dwight W. Ellis sufficiently attest the truth of
this statement. The financial reverses of 1837, '57, '77 and '93
gave ample opportunity to test the material of which Monson 's
manufacturers Avere made. The generosity and public-spirited-
ness of such men as these has added materially to the prosperity
and welfare of the town and has made possible the Lyon Memo
rial library building with its 8,000 volumes and $40,000 endow
ment fund, the soldiers' monument erected by Cyrus W. Holmes,
Sr. ; the memorial town haU, so largely aided in construction by
the Reynolds; the Congregational and Universalist churches,
aided, respectively, by Horatio Lyon and D. W. Ellis ; the park
and memorial fountain, by Wm. N. Flynt, and a second memo
rial fountain by Solomon P. Cushman.
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS, 1861 AND 1901.
1861, school appropriation, $1,800; 1901, school appropria
tion $12,307.
1861, number of polls, 636 ; 1901, number of polls, 1,082.
1861, value personal estate, $329,000; 1901, value personal
estate, $501,711.
1861, value real estate, $690,000; 1901, value real estate,
$1,258,300. 1861, tax rate per $1,000 was $6.09 ; 1901, tax rate per $1,000
was $14.20. 1861, number of houses, 413 ; 1901, number of houses, 699.
1861, number of horses, 307 ; 1901, number of horses, 488.
1861, number of cows, 725 ; 1901; number of cows, 893.
1861, number of sheep, 590 ;1901, number of sheep, 27.
In 1861 the following persons and firms paid more than $50
taxes: David N. Coburn, $62.25; Wm. N. Flynt, $57.34; Warren
( 384 )

Lyon Memorial Library

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Fuller, $90; Cyrus W. Holmes, Sr., $65.49; Monson Woolen
Mfg. Co., $121.50 ; Dea. A. W. Porter, $60.33 ; Monson & Brim
field Mfg. Co., $91.39; Hampden Cotton Mfg. Co., $209.71;
Joseph L. Reynolds, $175.20.
In 1901 the following persons and firms paid more than
$150 in taxes: Cushman 's Home mill, $849; Branch miU, $231;
S. Fred Cushman, $156; Hattie Cushman, $175; A. D. EUis,
$349; Dr. F. W. Ellis, .$301; D. W. Ellis & Sons, $961; Mrs.
Wm. N. Flynt, $177; W. N. Flynt Granite Co., $760, Dr. G. E.
Fuller, $185; Esther Holmes, $1,116; Heritage & Hirst, $482;
Heiman & Lichten, $378; Monson Savings Bank, $248; Morris
& Hyde, trustees, $177 ; H. D. Moulton, $215 ; Mark Noble, $191 ;
estate Theo. Reynolds, $1,235 ; Joseph Reynolds, $153.
Educational. The first record of an appropriation for
school purposes in Monson, appears in the records of a "Des-
trict" meeting held March 19, 1765, as follows: "Voted to raise
Ten Pounds for Schooling." At the same meeting it was voted
that Lieut. Thomas Stebbins and others be a committee "to
divide the Destrict for Schooling. ' '
At a meeting held October 29 of the same year it Avas
"Voted that every Destrict Provide there own Schooling."
At a meeting held August 24, 1767, an appropriation of
£15 was made for the support of schools. In 1768 this was in
creased to £20. The records of the meeting held in 1768 state
that "a motion to new regulate the districts," and another "to
choose a committee seasonably to provide schoolmasters for the
several divisions or districts in 'Ye' Monson" were "voted in
the negative. ' '
In 1770, £25 were voted for the support of schools.
In 1771, the effort "to new settle the school districts" was
successful, and a committee consisting of Joseph Colton and
others divided the town into nine districts. For several years
the appropriations were only from £25 to £35. At times the
portion of money belonging to a district was given to a certain
person to be " schooled out. ' ' A number of such votes appear in
the records. During the revolutionary war the appropriation went up
to £100, but in 1791 it dropped to £60. This fluctuation was
( 286 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
due to the Ioav value of paper money during the war. About
the beginning of the nineteenth century the toAvn regularly ap
propriated about $500 for schools, and also made an effort to go
beyond the requirements of the state in regard to education.
This effort resulted in the establishing of Monson academy.
For many years the name of the Rev. Alfred Ely is closely
identified with school work. He examined the teachers, visited
the schools and introduced the reading of the bible and the
study of the catechism into the schools. For all this work he
received no compensation whatever. Later on Rev. Charles
Hammond, LL. D., did much for the schools. His work is seen
chiefly in the abolishing of the old district system. Rev. James
Tufts took up the Avork where Mr. Hammond laid it down, and
for over forty years he labored untiringly for the improvement
of the school system. His last efforts Avere towards forming a
superintendency district. This work was accomplished in a
district formed by the union of Monson with Brimfield.
Monson Academy, one of the time-honored institutions of
this part of the state and one in which the town justiy takes
great pride, was founded June 21, 1804. The act of incorpora
tion, secured by eager and whole-souled men from Monson and
eight neighboring towns, was passed by the general court on
that date, and on the 23d of October, 1806, an academy build
ing, erected by the generous citizens of the town, was formally
dedicated. In the following November the academy began its
active career with 21 pupils.
Massachusetts was the flrst state to aid schools in the work
of fitting candidates for college. From the sale of public lands
in the district of Maine she granted endowments to academies
already planted in every county of the state and gave to some
liberal grants of land in Maine. It seemed fitting to establish
another institution of learning in the territory that lay between
Westfield academy and Leicester academy, the latter being in
Worcester county. The toAA^n of Brimfield, with a population
of 1,200, and Monson, with 1,300, entered into a spirited contest
for the honor. The choice fell on Monson, together with a gift
from the state legislature of a half-toAvnship of land in Maine.
( 287 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Of individuals named in the act and considered as founders,
there were fifteen, the list being headed by Rev. John Willard
of Stafford, Conn. One name, that of Abner Brown, a repre
sentative to the general court, should be remembered for his
zeal and efficient agency in securing the act from the legislature.
Against tremendous opposition in that body he guided the bill
with great shrewdness and wisdom.

The Old Academy

The general purpose of the founders was to establish a
school where students should secure "as good an education as
the best schools in the largest towns would be likely to provide."
The specific aim was to fit young men for college. The citizens
of the town, enthusiastic in the purpose of reserving the aid
granted by the state absolutely for the running expenses of the
school, subscribed $4,000 for the building and the preparation
of the ground. The people had good reason to be proud of their
( 288 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
seminary for at that day it was surpassed in spaciousness and
finish by no other edifice erected for learning in Western Massa
chusetts. The first president of the corporation was Rev. Dr. John
Willard of Stafford, Conn., a graduate of Harvard in 1751, and
a brother of the president of that college. Dr. Simeon Colton,
a graduate of Yale, 1806, was the first principal. He served for
one year, but' afterAvards returned and was principal for nine
successive years.

Monson Academy
A charity fund, to aid candidates for the ministry, was
estabUshed in 1825, chiefly through the exertions of Dr. Alfred
Ely, pastor of the Congregational church in Monson. Among
other staunch benefactors of the institution in many ways stand
pre-eminent the names of Joel Norcross, Rufus Flynt, Timothy
Packard, Amos Norcross, Deacon Royal Merrick and Deacon
Haskell.

19-3

( 289 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The institution has had a long line of able teachers, many of
them having become distinguished here and in other schools.
Among others of prominence there may be specially mentioned
Richard S. Storrs, Jr., Rev. James Tufts and Rev. Charles
Hammond. Of pupils who have attended the academy much
might be said for they number more than 7,000. More than
600 entered college and of these more than 200 became clergy
men. Many missionaries have gone from the institution to all
parts of the world. In 1829 there came to Monson two students
from Greece, one of whom became the famed Professor Sophocles.
China and Japan have often been represented at Monson.
In 1847 three Chinese boys entered the academy. Yung Wing,
trained in Monson, died possessed of international reputation
as an educator. The late Henry Barnard, one of America's
greatest authorities on educational matters, also was a student
at the academy.
The buildings are new and stand in a prominent location
in the town. The present academy building was erected through
the liberality of many of the alumni and other friends. A
total of more than $20,000 was raised by popular .subscription
under the efforts of William N. Flynt, an indefatigable worker
for the institution.
In 1887 the Trustees secured a large building, formerly
owned by Dr. Hammond, for a dormitory and boarding haU.
This building, now named Hammond hall, had previously been
refitted for a boys' private school. In 1899, through the gen
erosity of Esther R. Holmes, there was built for the academy
a spacious and very serviceable gymnasium. It is called the
Holmes gymnasium in memory of the donor's father, Cyrus W.
Holmes, Jr.
At present, besides the principal, there are seven instructors
in the academy. The board of trustees consists of fifteen mem
bers as follows :
Edward F. Morris, Monson; Marcus P. Knowlton, LL. D.,
Springfield ; Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River ; Prof. WiUiam
L. Cowles, Amherst ; Frederick W. EUis, M. D., Monson ; Henry
A. King, Springfield ; Rev. Franklin S. Hatch, Monson ; Wilson
( 390 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
M. Tucker, Monson; WilUam H. HaU, A. M., West Hartford,
Conn.; Berlin W. Soule, Monson; Rev. Charles A. Dinsmore,
South Boston; Lyman C. Flynt, Monson; Arthur D. Norcross,
Monson; Thaddeus L. Cushman, Monson; James H. Tufts,
Ph. D., Chicago, lU.
Three of the above mentioned trustees, Edward F. Morris,
Frederick W. Ellis, M. D., and Wilson N. Tucker, constitute the
prudential committee, a committee entrusted with the immediate
direction of affairs in the academy. The office of treasurer is
held by Thaddeus L. Cushman.

Holmes' Gymnasium, Monson
The subscriptions for the first academy building, erected in
1806, were given wholly by residents of Monson, amounting to
$3,330. The funds from the sale of the half-township in Maine
amounted to about $10,000. The educational or charity fund
for ministerial candidates aggregated $6,238. At the present
time it amounts to more than $11,000. The library fund, orig
inally of $500, the joint donation of Rufus Flynt, and Timothy
( 391 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Packard, given at first for prizes, but later appropriated by the
donors for a library, now amounts to $1,100. The Persian
scholarship of $2,000 was the bequest of Rev. James Merrick,
missionary to Persia, and now amounts to more than $4,300.
The income may be given to one or divided between two members
of the senior class. There are three prizes open to the competi
tion of students. One arises from the income of the Dewey
fund of $500 established by Mrs. Hadassah Dewey and provides
$20 each year for excellence in declamation, the amount to be

Monson Academy

divided equally between tAvo students, a boy and a girl. Another
prize is created from the income from a fund of $500 established
by the class of 1882, to be presented to the senior student who
shall write the best English essay. A prize of $15 for the
greatest progress made in algebra, was founded in 1901 by Dr.
Hassett, of Lee.
Postoffice. The Monson postoffice was established June 24,
1814, and became a third class presidential office in December,
1874, a money order office in 1871 and an international money
( 292 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
order office in July, 1881. For nearly 65 years the office was
located at various places along North Main street, but in 1879 it
Avas moved into Central block on Main street. This building
Avas burned November 12, 1893, and aU of the office property,
with the exception of a few records, Avas destroyed. The office
Avas then placed in the Bank block, on the comer of Main and
Washington streets, its present location.
Since the office was organized the postmasters have been as
follows :
Artemus Wiswell, June 24, 1814; Rufus Flynt, July 29,
1816 ; Edwin Norcross, January 28, 1836 ; Wm, N, Packard, May
25, 1841 ; Austin FuUer, August 22, 1845 ; Lucius B. TruesdeU,
April 10, 1847 ; Foster Pepper, February 17, 1849 ; Timothy P.
Packard, January 3, 1850 ; Foster Pepper, July 7, 1853 ; Joshua
Tracy, June 26, 1858; Elmer B. Miles, June 21, 1861; Daniel
G. Potter, September 28, 1866 ; Myron D. Porter, April 8, 1869 ;
Edwin E. ToAvne, June 22, 1869; Rice S. Munn, December 22,
1873 ; Arthur D. Norcross, November 13, 1880 ; G. W. Farring-
ton. May 25, 1886 ; John P. Herlihy, Jr., August 12, 1895 ; Geo.
H. Seympur, January 3, 1900.
The Fire Department was organized May 2, 1887, and since
that time on frequent occasions has demonstrated its efficiency
and usefulness as an element of municipal life. At first the
apparatus comprised two chemical engines and one hose wagon ;
the equipment in 1901 comprises tAVO chemical engines, one hook
and ladder truck, three hose carriages, and one ' ' hand tub ' ', an
hundred years old, yet stiU serviceable. In connection with the
water supply system and its twenty-one fire hydrants and a
pressure of 140 pounds to the square inch the local department
appears well prepared for any emergency. The officers are
David B. Needham, chief engineer; Lyman C. Flynt, 1st assist
ant, and E. P. Donovan, 2d assistant and clerk.
The Water Works. By an act of the legislature, passed
April 21, 1894, the town of Monson was authorized to supply
itself with water for domestic purposes and fire protection and
to issue bonds to pay for the same. On May 17 of the same year
the town accepted the act and proceeded to choose three water
( 293 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
commissioners and appropriated sixty-five thousand dollars to
build the works. A. D. Norcross, E. F. Morris and R. M. Rey
nolds Avere the first commissioners.
The Avater supply is obtained from a ground well 80 feet in
diameter and 25 feet deep, situated about two miles east of the
village and at an elevation of 322 feet above Main street. High
pressure and ample supply of very pure water were obtained.
Much care was exercised in the construction of the system and
the best of materials and fixtures were used. Bonds to the
amount of $59,000 were issued to cover the cost of construction.
The total length of mains at the present time is about 12 miles;
service taps, 200 ; fire hydrants, 91.
Libraries. The first library formed in Monson, of which
records have been preserved, was that called the Social Library
company, organized January 1, 1796. This library was kept in
the house of Jonathan Torrey, AA'ho was the librarian and one
of the prime movers in the enterprise. Squire Torrey lived in
the southwest part of the town in a house since burned, but
which was located on the road between the residences of Zina
Harris and Henry Bradway. The library was owned by thirty-
one persons. The names of Torrey, Goodwin, Ellis, FuUer,
Cady, Bennett, Pease, Osborn, Shaw, Butler, Firmin, Bedortha
and Orcutt appear as right OAvners in the library, and if Ave
judge by the titles of the 235 volumes in their catalogue they were
sound in theology and possessed of cultivated literary tastes.
Here are a few titles: Josephus, 4 vols.; Burgh's Dignity of
Human Nature ; Blair 's Sermons, 2 vols. ; Cases of Conscience ;
Edward's History of the Reformation; Harvey's Meditations;
Afflicted Man's Companion; Zion's Pilgrim; Henry on Prayer;
American Biography. This library after 56 years of service
Avas divided among the rightful owners in 1852. The constitu
tion, by-laws and catalogues of the old library were presented
to the Monson free library and R. R. association by Wm. G.
Button, the grandson of Squire Torrey.
The second library formed in Monson was named "The
Augmenting Social Library association ' ' and was located in the
center of the toAvn. It was organized in August, 1800, and was
( 294 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
a joint stock association, at first with twelve but later eighteen
proprietors. Rufus Flynt was the librarian and Dr. Ede
Whitaker, Capt. Gad Colton, Joel Norcross, Stephen Morton
and Col. Abner Brown were shareholders.
The next library in town was the academy library, known
as the Flynt and Packard library in honor of the men who gave
$500 each as a permanent fund, the income to be expended in
the purchase of books. This library was organized about 1835
and was and is for the benefit of Monson academy. There was

Lyon Memorial Library
also an agricultural library in town owned by the farmers who
contributed five dollars each for the purchase of books. This
consisted of 84 volumes.
The first movement in town to establish a free library was
made March 27, 1877, when Dr. G. E. Fuller, A. A. Gage, Charles
Fowler, R. S. Munn, S. F. Cushman, Charles H. Merrick, C. W.
Holmes, Jr., W. K. Flynt, Charles Hammond, LL. D., E. F.
Morris, W. J. McElwain, Geo. H. Newton, Rev. C. B. Sumner,
Prank E. Morris, Rev. James Tufts and B. A. Day, associated
( 295 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
themselves together for the purpose of forming a free library
for the town of Monson. There were numerous meetings and
consultations as to the best course to adopt, and as a result it
was decided to obtain a charter, Avhich was done March 1, 1878.
Officers were elected and a library was opened with 753 volumes.
Of these two hundred and five were purchased with the town
appropriation; two hundred and six were contributed by the
Book club; eighty-four were contributed by the Farmers' agri
cultural library, and two hundred and fifty-eight were obtained
as the result of a canvass of the village. The library was opened
free to the public, June 17, 1878.
The beautiful Memorial library building, the generous gift
of Mrs. Carrie R. Dale in memory of her father, the late Horatio
Lyon, was erected in 1881-2 at a cost of $35,000, and was dedi
cated March 28, 1882, with impressive ceremonies. When com
pleted the institution was endowed with a permanent fund of
$20,000, given for that purpose by Mrs. Lyon; and this fund
has been since increased by a bequest of $10,000 in the wiU of
Sophia B. Holmes, and an equal sum from the estate of Nancy
M. Lyon. The present permanent fund aggregates $40,000, from
which, with $300 annually appropriated by the town, the trustees
of the library have ample means for the maintenance and in
crease of one of the noblest institutions of the town. On the
shelves of the library are more than 7,600 volumes or books.
The officers of the association are Dr. George B. Fuller,
president; E. F. Morris, vice-president; T. L. Cushman, treas
urer; F. E. Morris, secretary; Nellie A. Squier, librarian. The
board of directors comprises B. A. Day, Dr. C. W. Jackson, Dr.
F. W. Ellis, Lyman C. Flynt and Arthur D. Norcross.
Hospital for Epileptics. The Massachusetts Hospital for
epileptics was established by an act of the legislature in 1895.
The buildings were erected on the site of the state primary school
at Monson, for the accommodation of about 100 men and the
same number of women. In 1899 and 1900 further buildings
were constructed so that the total number treated is about 400.
These buildings are on the cottage plan, separated by a number
of hundred feet from each other and yet not too far apart to be
served by a central heating plant.
( 296 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
The buildings for the accommodation of patients are all
brick except two cottages which are old buildings remodeled.
One of these cottages is on a distant hill about a mile from the
main institution and is, of course, separated from the common
supply of heat and water. It is, hoAvever, beautifully located
and will serve as a nucleus for a farm or colony group, while
the question of water supply and drainage can be conveniently
handled. In the main group the water supply is abundant and
of the very best quaUty, giving a pressure of 100 pounds at the
boiler-house.

The State Hospital for Epileptics

It is estimated that there are at least 1,200 institution cases
available when accommodation can be provided for them. About
one-half of all the cases will be classed as insane, while the larger
portion of the other half are practically insane a large part of
the year. It is the plan to provide congenial surroundings and
hope-inspiring treatment for such other cases of epileptics as
may apply for admission. It is known that there are several
hundred such cases as these, very many of them now without
satisfactory homes. ( 297 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A boot and shoe manufactory is worked to advantage with
the patients' labor. A large portion of all the footwear is here
made, and all cobbling is done in this shop. A large workroom
covering an area of 6,000 square feet and serving the double
purpose of industrial room and assembly room, is also provided.
The patients are housed largely in dormitories caring for from
3 to 25 persons in a room.
A convenient infirmary has been built in which 20 men and
20 women are provided for in four distinct wards. There is also
a medical center comprising a dispensary, laboratory, and oper
ating room in the same building. A diet kitchen and accom
modations for photography and electrical treatment are also
furnished. Two large rooms in the basement are given up to
hydrotherapeutic treatment.
Monson National Bank. The Monson bank was incorporated
under the state law March 28, 1854, Avith a capital of $150,000,
and was reorganized under the national banking act, August 25,
1864, being the first national bank in the county east of Spring
field. Austin Fuller, Albert Norcross and William N. Flynt
Avere the original incorporators. On April 10, 1854, WiUiam N.
Flynt was elected president, and on the 21st of the same month
Jonathan R. Flynt, of ToUand, Conn., was elected cashier. The
first board of directors was as follows: Horatio Lyon, Joseph
L. Reynolds, John W. Foster, Jacob B. Merrick, Cyrus W.
Holmes, William N. Flynt and Warren Fuller.
William N. Flynt served as president until October, 1859,
at which time Jonathan R. Flynt was elected to fill that office,
and Edward C. Robinson was elected cashier. Jonathan R.
Flynt died July 31, 1860, and on August 13 of the same year
Jacob B. Merrick was elected president to fill the vacancy caused
by his death. October 21, 1861, John Wyles, of Brimfield, was
elected president, and served in that capacity until January,
1871, when Cyrus W. Holmes succeeded him. Mr. Holmes ac
ceptably filled the position until his death April 20, 1891, having
served as president for twenty years. On May 4, 1891, Rice M.
Reynolds was elected president, and held the office until his
death April 3, 1898. On April 20, 1898, Solomon P. Cushman
( 298 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
was elected president, and served until his death. May 26, 1900.
On June 3, 1900, Dr. George E. Fuller was elected president,
and noAV serves in that capacity.
On March 1, 1864, B. C. Robinson resigned as cashier, and
on March 30 EdAvard F. Morris was elected to fill the vacancy,
and is the present cashier of the bank.
The present board of directors is as follows: Edward F.
Morris, George E. Fuller, Lyman C. Flynt, Frank E. Morris,
Arthur D, Norcross, Edward D. Cushman and Charles W. King.
This institution has always been managed in a conservative
way, and has been very successful. The opportunities for large
profits in a town the size of Monson are few, and while the de
posits in this institution have always been small, the stockholders
have had no reason to be dissatisfied with their holdings. For a
long term of years the bank paid a semi-annual dividend of 5%,
and for a still further term 4% semi-annually, besides the stock
holders taxes, making the dividend net. Since 1897 the divi
dends have been at the rate of 3% net semi-annually. The bank
now has a capital of $150,000 and a surplus of about $87,000.
Monson Savings Bank. The date of incorporation of the
Monson Savings bank AA^as March 29, 1872. The bank opened
its doors for business June 1, 1872.
The incorporators were William N. Flynt, Cyrus W.
Holmes, Jr., Timothy P. Packard, Charles H. Merrick, Alfred
Norcross, Rice M. Reynolds, Rice S. Munn, Edwin E. Towne,
Rufus P. Fay and Daniel G. Potter. On May 8, 1872, the fol
lowing were added as members of the corporation: Dwight W.
Ellis, Edward P. Morris, Solomon F. Cushman, Jacob L. Brad-
Avay, Charles Carpenter and Rodolphus Homer. Of the original
incorporators there are but two survivors, Edwin E. Towne and
Edward F, Morris.
The first board of trustees comprised C. W. Holmes, Jr.,
Alfred Norcross, S. F. Cushman, R. M. Reynolds, D. W. EUis,
R. F. Fay and E. E. Towne.
On May 4, 1872, Charles H. Merrick Avas elected president.
Edward P. Morris was elected treasurer on May 20, 1872.
Mr. Merrick served as president until May, 1885, when R.
S. Munn was chosen his successor. Mr. Munn served until his
( 299 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
death February 15, 1890. On May 7, 1890, C. W. Holmes, Jr.,
Avas elected president, and held the office until his death in May,
1891. On May 6, 1891, S. F. Cushman was elected to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Holmes, and served until
May 31, 1893, at which time Edward F. Morris was elected
president. He is stUl in office. On May 31, 1893, Frank E.
Morris was elected as treasurer, and now holds the office.
The present board of trustees is as follows : Edward F.
Morris, Frank E. Morris, Arthur D. Norcross, Lyman C. Flynt,
George H. Foskit, PerUn W. Soule, Fred W. EUis, Edward D.
Cushman, Carlos M. Gage, Wesley A. Squier, Rufus P. Cush
man, Rufus Fay and George C. Flynt.
The bank has grown constantly since its organization and
has paid its depositors interest in regular semi-annual dividends
of from seven to four per cent, per annum; has always been
prosperous, never met with any serious reverses, and is an insti
tution of which Monson has reason to be proud.
The deposits are now $1,193,000, and the surplus over
$90,000. In 1892-3 a new building was erected, and the same was
occupied the first day of June, 1893, on the twenty-first anni
versary of the opening of the institution.
MANUFACTURES
The W. N. Flynt Granite Company. The quarries owned by
this company are situated on a hill one mile north of Monson
village and cover an area of 300 acres. The working face is
1,000 feet long and parts are 40 feet high. The stone is of two
distinct shades, light and dark, and free from iron. The quarry
Avas first opened by the U. S. government to obtain stone for the
armory in Springfield. Rufus Flynt acquired it in 1824 and
was succeeded by his son, Wm. N. Flynt, in 1836. There is a
spur track 2 miles long connecting the quarry with the Central
Vermont railroad. The shipments of stone in the present year
have amounted to 75,000 tons, valued at $200,000. For eight
months of the year the company employs from 400 to 500 men
and the pay roll for the same time was $110,000. The firm name
( 300 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
since 1884 has been the W. N. Flynt Granite Co. The flrm was
then composed of Wm. N. Flynt, and his four sons, Wm. K.,
Rufus, Lyman C. and Geo. C. Flynt, of whom only the last two
now survive. The present officers are Lyman C. Flynt, presi
dent; George C. Flynt, superintendent and treasurer, and M.
F. Moore, general manager.
D. W. Ellis & Son. This business was established in 1873
by D. W. EUis, who erected the present mill building. The

Flynt Fountain
mill, has been in continuous operation since that year, and has
four sets of machinery and gives employment to about 75 men,
with an annual pay roll of $25,000.
Ladies' cloakings and dress goods have been the product
for the past few years. About 120,00(7 yards of 6-4 goods were
manufactured in 1900, in which about 350,000 pounds of grease
wool was used. The firm is composed of A. D. Ellis and W. J.
Rieketts' estate.

( 301 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Ellis, Rieketts & Co. The property of this firm was pur
chased by D. W. EUis & Son of the Reynolds estate in November,
1900, and is employed in the manufacture of ladies' cloakings
and dress goods. It is a 5 set mill and gives employment to about
85 hands. The firm name is EUis, Rieketts & Co., and is com
posed of A. D. EUis, W. J. Rieketts' estate and A. B. Shaw.
The S. F. Cushman & Sons Woolen Mill. The site this mill
now occupies was used as early as 1800 by Asa Gates for a card
ing and finishing mill and was one of the earliest wool carding
industries started in this country. On March 6, 1816, he deeded
the property to the Monson Woolen Mfg. Co. and it was changed
into a tAvo-set woolen mill. The property Avas deeded a fcAV
years later to the Hampden Cotton Mfg. Co., and on September
3, 1824, it was deeded to Horatio Lyon, Joel Norcross, John
Wyles, and Charles Fay. They again incorporated the Monson
Woolen Mfg. Co. on November 29, 1825. On September 30, 1870,
the property was sold to Horatio Lyon. On November 30, 1877,
the business passed into the hands of S. P. Cushman. The
property at the present time is OAvned by his sons, R. P., S. P.,
T. L. and R. H. Cushman, who conduct the business under the
firm name of S. F. Cushman & Sons. The mill has been twice
destroyed by fire. The present building is of brick and was
erected in 1886. It contains 5 sets of modern machinery. The
mill has made in years past broadcloth, satinets, cassimeres, and
doeskins. At present the mill employs about 85 operatives
(about evenly divided between men and women) with an annual
pay roll of $40,000. The present manufactures are kerseys and
cloakings. Heimann & Lichten, straw goods and felt hat manufactur
ers. This firm consists of Julius Heimann and M. C. Lichten,
who purchased the plant in August, 1890. They are the succes
sors of Merrick, Fay & Co., who established the straw goods
industry here in 1841. The present owners have enlarged the
factory to nearly double its former capacity. The straw goods
are manufactured in the colder and the felt goods in the warmer
part of the year. They employ from 250 to 350 men and women,
about two-thirds of the employees being women. The gross
( 302 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
value of the annual output is about $500,000. The cost of the
raw material used each year is about $260,000, and consists of
straw braids imported from China, Japan, Italy and Germany,
and felt of domestic manufacture. The annual pay roll is more
than $125,000.
Heritage & Hirst, woolen manufacturers. The firm consists
of Charles Heritage and Edwin Hirst, and they operate what is
called the "Old Cotton," built in 1814 by the Hampden Cotton
Manufacturing company. This mill was enlarged by the addi
tion of a weave shed with 40 broad looms, by R. M. & Theodore
Reynolds. It has been used as a woolen mill since 1846, and
Avas acquired in 1901 by its present owners. The firm employs
110 operatives, two-thirds men and one-third women. The an
nual pay roll is $45,000, and the production 260,000 yards. The
mUl has 5 sets of cards and 42 broad looms.
Fred A. Langewald, manufacturer of worsteds. Mr. Lange-
Avald was a former superintendent of the woolen mills of R. M.
& Theodore Reynolds, and when in the settlement of their estates
the several mills were sold, he purchased the straw goods factory
and has converted it into a worsted mill. He already has twelve
broad looms in place. His machinery is all new and up to date,
and with his thorough knowledge of the business and personal
supervision his success is assured. He expects to employ about
forty operatives divided nearly equally between the sexes.
The Branch Mill, Leonard R. Rosenberg, proprietor. This
mill, erected by Joseph L. Reynolds in 1837, has recently been
purchased by Mr. Rosenberg, of Wales, who will operate it for
the manufacture of friezes, meltons and repellants. Employ
ment will be given to about 60 wage earners in the proportion
of two-thirds men and one-third women. The estimated produc
tion is 200,000 yards per annum, and the annual pay roll $22,000.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
The Congregational church was organized June 23, 1762,
with a membership of twenty-four ; most of whom were received
by letter from the church at Brimfield. Previous to the organiza
tion services were held at the homes of the people. Shortly after
( 303 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the incorporation of the town, by order of the general court,
a tax of a penny an acre was laid on all the land of the town
for the purpose of erecting a meeting house. The site selected
for the building was on an elevation a little southwest of the
present church edifice.
The same council which assisted in the organization and
dedication of the church also ordained and installed as pastor
Mr. Abishai Sabin, then a recent graduate of Yale college.
On November 16, 1803, in the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Ives,
the second meeting house was dedicated, the former house having
become unsuitable for services. This house was built on the
same site, at a cost of three thousand dollars, all of which was
raised by voluntary subscriptions with the exception of three
hundred dollars AA'hich was given by the town.
This meeting house was used for services for sixty-eight
years. It was then sold and removed, and the present com
modious and attractive building was erected, and dedicated
June 18, 1873. The cost of the house and furnishings was about
forty thousand dollars. A total of 1,593 persons have been re
ceived into church membership since its organization. The close
affiliation of the church and the academy has naturally drawn
within its fellowship students representing many foreign coun
tries. It has sent forth as christian workers and missionaries a
notable company of men and women, among them Rev. James
L. Merrick, eleven years a missionary in Persia; Rev. Gilbert
Rockway, a missionary to the Indians; Rev. Samuel Robbins
Brown, D. D., a devoted missionary for many years in China
and Japan. Many others might be mentioned who have conse
crated their lives to missionary work at home and abroad. A
former pastor. Rev. F. S. Hatch is at present -a field secretary
under the auspices of the Young People's Society of Christian
endeavor in India. In 1820 the Sabbath school was organized
and seven years later the Ladies' prajdng circle was formed.
The following is a list of the ministers since the organiza
tion of the church, and the date of the installation of each:
Rev. Abishai Sabin, June 23, 1763; Rev. Jesse Ives, June 23,
1772 ; Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., December 17, 1806 ; Hiev. Samuel
( 304 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
C. Bartlett, D. D., August 2, 1843 ; Rev. Charles B. Kittredge,
October 21, 1846 ; Rev. Theron G. Colton, March 28, 1855 ; Rev.
Charles B. Sumner, January 2, 1868; Rev. E. Hoyt Byington,
D. D., June 23, 1880 ; Rev. F. S. Hatch, November 30, 1887 ; Rev.
N. MiUer Pratt, May 29, 1901.
The life of the church has always been active and vigorous,
and during the pastorates of Dr. Ely and his immediate succes
sors the church occupied a commanding position among the
churches of the denomination in Western Massachusetts.
Methodist Episcopal Church. The introduction of Meth
odism into Monson was made in the summer of 1825. Horace
Moulton and two other students at Monson academy, held meet
ings at the north and south viUages, and in the fall at the center
village. In November, 1825, Rev. Joel W. McKee, stationed on
the Brookfield circuit, came to Monson and organized a class.
This was the first organization of Methodism in town. Horace
Moulton, a Methodist who afterwards joined New England con
ference, Avas made class leader, and he put all his strength and
influence into the Avork. The rallying point was the Methodist
chapel at South Monson, built in 1826. The chapel was 20x40
feet in size and cost $500. It was primitive in fashion, being
unfinished, and having only rough benches for seats. It was
dedicated free of debt.
In 1847-8 a new era began, for the church under the pastor 's
leadership secured a more permanent hold on the community.
The desire for a new meeting house was being agitated, and in
1849, (Rev. Mr. Olds, pastor,) the structure was built, where it
now stands, and was dedicated in October, 1850. It Avas enlarged
to its present size in 1860.
For more than fifty years this edifice has served as the place
of worship and church home for the Methodists of Monson.
Many are the names of those who have gone out from the church
to do noble work in life, among them being Rev. Horace Moul
ton, Mosely Dwight, Sela Stocking, W. A. Broman, J. W. Dad-
mun, M. Vinton, Francis Ward, K. D. Nettleton, Albert Squier,
Henry Rogers and Henry Ward.
The pastors have been as f oUows : Joel W. McKee, 1825-26 ;
I. Jennison, 1827-28 ; Horace Moulton,' 1830-31 ; Enoch Bradly,
30-3 ( 305 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1832; Ebenezer F. Newell, 1833; Amasa Taylor, 1834; Horace
Moulton and Geo. Green, 1835; Otis Wilder and J. 0. Dean,
1836; Joseph W. Lewis, 1837-38; Charles Virgin, 1839; Wm.
Gordon, 1840: Thomas Giles, 1841; David Sherman, 1842; H.
S. Shedd, 1843; R. P. Buffington, 1844; Spencer Tilerton, 1845;
Wm. A. Clapp and Elder Bennett, 1846 ; Elder Bennett, 1847 ;
James Billings, 1848; W. B. Olds, 1849-50; John 'SR. Dadmun,
1851-52 ; Chas. Noble and John Paulson, 1853 ; John Paulson,
1854; David K. MerriU, 1855-56; Silas Hiper, 1857; Thomas
TreadweU, 1858-59 ; A. 0. HamiUon, 1860-61 ; Frederick Wood,
1862-63; Hiram SatchAvell, 1864-65; R. H. Howard, 1866-68;
Chas. K. True, 1869 ; W. J. Pomfret, 1870-72 ; Wm. Silverthome,
1873-74; 0. W. Adams, 1875-76; Henry Lumniis, 1877-78; Chas.
A. Merrill, 1879-81 ; B. S. Best, 1882-83 ; A. Dight, 1884-86 ; John
W. Emerson, 1887-88 ; T. C. Martin, 1889-91 ; Wm. H. Marble,
1892-96; A. R. Nichols, 1897-99; A. W. L. Nelson, 1900, the
present pastor.
St. Patrick's Church, Roman Catholic. The first mass in
Monson Avas said September 8, 1850, by Father Dougherty, and
from that time occasional services Avere held until Father Healy
became pastor at Ware, the parish of which included the Monson
mission. Father Healy built St. Patrick's in 1863, and Bishop
Williams dedicated the church in April, 1864. In 1878 Monson
Avas made a separate parish with Rev. Jeremiah McCarthy as
pastor. He Avas succeeded in 1881 by Father James H. Kelley,
and in 1885 the latter Avas foUowed by Father John P. Lee.
Rev. Thomas 0 'Keefe, the present pastor, was appointed to the
parish in November, 1894.
First Universalist Parish. The first Universalist services
were held in Central block in 1882, by Rev. W. A. Start, then ,
state superintendent of churches, and thereafter he came, or
sent a minister, on alternate Sundays. A Universalist social
circle Avas organized at the residence of HarloAV Chapin on
October 5, 1882. Of this society men AA'ere made honorary mem
bers, and the present ladies ' circle is an outgroAvth of the original
organization. On November 24, 1882, a meeting Avas held to
organize- the First Universalist parish, and Rev. Albert Ham-
( 306 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
matt was the first pastor, beginning his ministry in the early
spring of 1883 and continuing to the summer of 1885. The
Sunday school was organized informally May 20, 1883. Charles
G. King, A. A. Babbitt and W. L. Rieketts have been superin
tendents. On Sunday, May 4, 1884, the pastor received into
church fellowship forty-six persons and the first communion
service A\'as held in the evening of that same day. Rev. G. V.
Maxham, of Stafford, Conn., and Rev. E. A. Perry, of Palmer,
Mass., assisting in this service. The church organization Avas

W':t<if y. -^-^

Cushman Fountain
perfected January 13, 1886. Rev. Donald Frazer was pastor
from November, 1885, to April, 1887. He was succeeded by
Rev. Ira A. Priest, Avho had charge from September, 1887, to
April, 1889. During his ministry the church building Avas begun.
It is a fine granite structure and stands at the corner of Main
and Lincoln streets. It cost $26,000. D. W. EUis offered to and
did give a dollar for every dollar the parish might raise toward
the building. The edifice Avas dedicated Tuesday, December 3,

( 307 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1889, a dedicatory hymn, being written for the occasion by Rev.
G. V. Maxham. The sermon was delivered by Rev. G. L. Perin,
of Boston. Rev. Lee H. Fisher Avas in pastoral charge from
September, 1889, to April, 1891. Rev. Harry Blackford was
called to the pastorate in March, 1892, and began his work in
the parish in July following. A local Young People's Christian
union was organized October 26, 1892. A junior union was
formed just before Mr. Blackford closed his pastorate January
31, 1899. Rev. Charles C. Conner was called in the same year.
D. W. EUis, who died February 6, 1899, made an $18,000
bequest and also devised the parsonage property to the society.
Theodore Reynolds, who died March 29, 1900, left $5,000 to the
society. Cemeteries of Monson. The cemeteries of Monson are
under the care of a board of cemetery commissioners consisting
of three members, one of which is elected annually to serve for
three years. The revenue to pay the running expenses is de
rived from three sources: annual town appropriation, income
from the permanent fund which now is $6,912 and the charge
to lot owners for yearly care.
The first cemetery was laid out and accepted by the town
May 13, 1762. It consisted of tAvo acres of land which was to
include the grave of Capt. Hitchcock's daughter. It was located
west of Joseph Hitchcock's land and east of the present Pearl
street. The first man buried therein Avas Capt. David Hitch
cock and his interment was prior to August 16 of the same year.
Cemeteries were early located in Butler, Moulton Hill, Grout,
Gage and Colton Hollow districts, and all are still in use. There
is a small cemetery on the east side of Main street opposite of
the Lyon residence which is not open to the public. On the west
side of Main street, opposite Ralph Clifford's residence, is a
public cemetery laid out in 1780.
The cemetery now in use in the center of the town was laid
out in 1842 and with later additions now extends from MiU to
Thompson street and from North Main nearly to Mechanic street.
It contains about 9 acres of land. The first interment in this
cemetery was that of a child of Dr. Alvin Smith and the
( 308 )

Soldiers' Monument, Monson

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
second that of Benjamin Fuller, these both in 1842. This
cemetery has been enlarged four times, once to the west and
thrice to the east. The last and most important addition was
that to the east, known as the Thompson addition. This wiU
now soon be in use. The grounds have been graded, the roads
made and the ground plotted and laid out in lots and only waits
for the landscape artist to place the boundary pins of the several
lots. It is approached from North Main street through a beauti
ful granite arch which was erected and presented to the town
as was also the retaining walls on the east and south by Mrs.
Harlan Page of Germantown, Pa.
On the west side of Pearl street arid opposite the first ceme
tery of Monson the Catholics have established their cemetery,
and they have introduced water and the past season have done
much to make it attractive. The cemetery commissioners are
Dr. G. E. Puller, Carlos L. Peck and Frank B. Morris.
TOWN CIVIL IjIST
Selectmen. The office of selectman in Monson has been held
by these persons : James Merrick, Samuel King, Joshua Shaw,
Francis Sikes, Joseph Colton, Joseph Craft, Jabez Keep, Aaron
Merrick, Freeborn Moulton, Nathaniel Sikes, Nicholas Graves,
Noah Sabin, Simeon Keep, Abijah Newell, Benj. Munn, Abel
Goodell, Jonathan Chapin, Reuben Munn, Thomas Anderson,
Richard Bishop, David Hyde, Joshua Fuller, Abner Brown,
Caleb Keep, Gad Colton,, Asa Gates, Israel Bennett, David L.
Shields, Asa White, Richard Gardner, Jeremy Munn, Royal
Merrick, Absalom Shaw, Benj. Fuller, Stephen Warriner, Ede.
Whittaker, Stephen Newton, Abijah Newton, Jesse Ives, Job
Puffer, Abraham Haskell, Luther Carter, Simeon Colton, Joel
Norcross, Henry G. Cady, Jonathan Torrey, John Hoar, Simeon
Keep, Jr., Rice Munn, Abner Bennett, Abel Calkins, Austin
Fuller, Charles P. Fay, Welcome Converse, Abial Dean, Walter
Smith, Watson Merrick, Charles Carpenter, Jr., David H.
Childs, Obed M. Ward, John P. Cady, Lucius F. Newton, Carlton
Squier, Stephen Tobey, Eldridge PhiUips, Wm. Puffer, Joseph
L. Reynolds, Hiram Newton, Alden Blodgett, Arial Rogers, War-
( 310 )

THE TOWN OF MONSON
ren Fuller, Phillip Gage, Esbon White, Rice S. Munn, Cyrus
TruesdeU, .Dwight King, Albert M. PhiUips, Rufus M. Pease,
Daniel G. Potter, Rufus F. Fay, Welcome Converse, Jr., Daniel
G. Green, Daniel Foskit, Marcus P. Beebe, Wm. H. Bradway,
Albert Norcross, Gideon Pay, John NcAvton, Daniel Carpenter,
Eleazer Walker, E. W. Sholes, Nelson F. Rogers, Joseph B.
Poster, Calvin S. Pease, C. C. Tobey, Horace Squier, Joshua
Tracy, Austin King, Alanson N. Chaft'ee, Alfred Norcross, Rice
M. Reynolds, Charles Fowler, Carlos L. Peck, Solomon P. Cush-

The road to Wales — South Monson
The old Ormsby house

man, Rufus Flynt, Alvin A. Gage, George L. Topliffe, Frank
H. King, George H. Newton, Wm. J. Rieketts, John Leahy,
Arthur D. Norcross, Capt. G. H. Foskit, Ralph Clifford, Wm.
H. Bugbee, Orrin C. McCray, Herbert M. Smith and Horace
D. Moulton. Toivn Clerks. Samuel King, Joseph Craft, Aaron Merrick,
Reuben Munn, Jose Merrick, Abel Goodell, Daniel Jaynes, David
Hyde, Ephraim Allen, Asa Gates, Daniel L. Shields, Ede. Whit-
( 311 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
taker, Deodatus Dutton, Oliver McKinstry, Hiram Newton,
Henry Cady, Albert Norcross, Wm. N. Packard, Daniel D.
Moody, Austin Fuller, Nelson F. Rogers, George F. Morris,
Edward F. Morris, E. B. MUes, George H. Newton, B. B. Towne,
Alvin A. Gage, Carlos M. Gage and Carlos L. Peck.
Representatives to the General Court. Abel Goodell, 1781
to 1784; 1788, 1798 and 1809; Reuben Munn, 1785, 1787, 1792
and 3 ; Joshua Shaw, 1787, 1789 and 1791 ; David Hyde, 1791
and 3 ; Caleb Keep, 1796 ; Abner Brown, 1810 and 11 ; Absalom
Shaw, 1810 ; Dr. Ede Whittaker, 1811 and 12, and Stephen War
riner, 1812. For representatives in later years see county civil
Ust.

CHAPTER VIII
THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The town of Ludlow lies on the north Une of Hampden
county, and was originally a portion of the Springfield grant.
It is bounded on the north by the towns of Granby and Belcher
town, in Hampshire county, east by Belchertown, south by Wil
braham and Springfield, from which it is separated by the Chico
pee river, and west by Chicopee. The southern line is very
irregular, being formed by the Chicopee river, but the east and
north lines are straight, as is the western with the exception of
a single break or "jog" of about one-fourth mile in the division
line between Ludlow and Chicopee. In area the town covers
about twenty-eight squares miles, or 17,280 acres.
The surface of the town is comparatively level or rolling,
with some hiUy sections, though nowhere attaining to high alti
tudes. The most prominent elevations are those in the northern
portion of the town, known as "Facing HiU". Some distance
to the south is an isolated hiU known as "Jefferson's Peak";
while "Minnechaug Mountain" rises in the southeastern quarter
of the town. Several small ponds are scattered in different local
ities, and the town also contains the principal reservoir from
( 312 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
which is drawn the water supply for the city of Springfield. This
reservoir, located in what Avas formerly known as Cherry Valley,
Avas constructed in 1873-4, and covers 445 acres, with a marginal
area of 350 acres more. Three natural streams. Broad brook,
Jabish brook and Higher brook, have been diverted to feed this
body of Avater, in addition to the large natural water shed.
Another natural feature of interest is a peninsula of several
acres formed by an abrupt bend of the Chicopee river, below the
falls of Wallamanumps. This peninsula is about eighty feet
in height, and is largely composed of red sandstone, much of
Avhich has been quarried for commercial uses, though enough
still remains to show the original ruggedness of the promontory.
This is one of the numerous rocky heights in the country known
as ' ' Indian Leap, ' ' from some tradition connected with the local
ity . A party of Indians, driven by their enemies into this re
treat, and finding all means of escape cut off, are said to have
sprung from the high rocks into the raging river below, where
they Avere dashed to death in a moment. It was certainly here
that the King Philip 's warriors bivouacked, some six hundred in
number, on the night of their retreat after burning Springfield
in 1675, as the remains of twenty-four campfires and some of the
plunder taken from the looted settlement were found there next
day by the pursuers.
Doubtless the Ludlow territory was famiUar ground to the
aboriginal tribes, as many evidences of their occupation have
been discovered within the town limits from time to time, while
the entire region along the Chicopee river was a favorite hunting
ground of the red men, even after the white settlements had
reached importance in the neighboring regions. Their name
for a large part of Ludlow and neighboring regions, "Minne
chaug", or berry-land, indicates their familiarity with the
natural products of the locality. Tradition also attaches a tragic
incident to one of the precipices at Facing hills, where a white
woman who had been captured at one of the settlements not far
away was cruelly put to death to give the Indians better oppor
tunity to escape their pursuers.
The first steps toward the settlement of any portion of what
is now Ludlow Avere taken in 1685, when it was felt that there
( 314 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
was danger of the undivided lands, or "outward commons", as
they were called, being restored to the English crown. Reserva
tions were made for the ministry and for schools, after which
the Ludlow territory was divided among nineteen proprietors,
none of whom made any settlement upon the lands thus received.
In fact, it Avas not until about 1750, more than sixty years later,
that any of the Springfield people ventured so far in that direc
tion into what was then little better than a wilderness. The
families of Aaron Colton, James Sheldon, Shem Chapin, and
Benjamin Sikes were the flrst to settle in the territory north of
the Chicopee river east of what is now Chicopee. They were
from Springfield, and Captain Joseph Miller of West Springfleld
followed them in 1751. It is recorded that his friends mourned
him as one dead, and that a funeral sermon was preached on
account of the removal of his family to so remote and vrild a
place. Ebenezer Barber joined the colony in 1756, and Jona
than Lumbard the following year; but no other settlers seem to
have ventured into the territory for ten years.
After that time, however, the development was compara
tively rapid, so that in 1774 we find the settlement Avith a popula
tion of some 200 petitioning for an independent organization.
This petition was received by the royal governor, Thomas
Hutchinson, and referred to the general court, by whom the
petition was granted. An act was passed in February of that
year, and approved by the governor on the 28th of the month,
setting apart that portion of the township of Springfield known
as "Stony HiU", and creating it a separate district under the
name of Ludlow, with all the powers and privileges pertaining
to towns in the province with the exception of sending a repre
sentative to the general assembly. It was ten years later before
the new town reached the dignity of a representative all its own.
The boundaries of the district were thus officially defined:
"Southerly on Chicabee river; east on the east line of said
Springfield and the west line of Belchertown; northerly on the
north line of said Springfield, or partly on BelchertoAvn and
partly on Granby, and extending westward so far as to include
aU that part of the outward commons, so called, that lies in the
( 315 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
northeast corner of the township of Springfield, and extending
also in a line parallel with the west line of said outward com
mons one mile and three-quarters farther west, into the inward
commons, so called, in said Springfleld, north of Chicabee river".
Provision was also made for including the farms of Zachariah
Warner, senior and junior, Oliver Chapin and Ezekiel Squires,
at ' ' the mill privilege. ' '
For the flrst meeting of the legal voters of the new district
a warrant was issued by "the Honorable John Worthington,"
directed "to some principal inhabitant," instructing them to
gather at the house of Abner Hitchcock. The meeting convened
there March 16, 1774, and Moses Bliss of Springfield was chosen
moderator, after which the following Ludlow men where elected
as the first officers of the new town: Clerk, Benajah Willey;
selectmen, Aaron Ferry, Abner Sikes and Joseph MiUer;
wardens, Joshua Fuller and Jacob Kendall; assessors, Joseph
Jones, John Hubbard, Jr., and Joseph Hitchcock; constables,
John Sikes and Jacob Cooley; treasurer, Joseph Miller; sur
veyors, Beriah Jennings, Joel Willey and Noah Bowker, tithing-
men, James Chapin and Oliver Chapin; fence- viewers, Israel
Warriner and Isaac Brewer; hog-reeves, Isaac Warriner and
Ezra Parsons; deer-reeves, Ezekiel Squires, Aaron Colton and
Jonathan Lombard.
The full list of selectmen and town clerks from the organiza
tion of the town to the present time, and of the representatives
to the "Great and General Court" to 1812, when the district
system was adopted, is as follows :
Selectmen.— m4:-5, Aaron Perry, Abner Sikes, Joseph
Miller; 1776, Joseph MUler, Joseph Hitchcock, Joshua FuUer;
1777, Joseph Hitchcock, John Hubbard, Jr., Benajah WiUey;
1778, no record; 1779, John Hubbard, Jr., Jonathan Bartlett,
John Sikes ; 1780, Moses WUder, Timothy Keyes, Jeremiah But
ton; 1781, Joseph MiUer, Joshua FuUer, Jonathan Bartlett,
James Kendall, Isaac Brewer; 1782, Jonathan Bartlett, Joel
Nash, Israel Warriner ; 1783, Joel Nash, Israel Warriner, James
KcndaU; 1784, Joel Nash, Israel Warriner, Abner Sikes; 1785,
Abner Sikes, James Kendall, Samuel Arnold; 1786, Abner Sikes,
( 316 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
Israel Warriner, David Lyon ; 1787, Abner Sikes, Isaac Brewer,
Joseph Miller; 1788, Abner Sikes, Israel Warriner, Joel Nash;
1789, Abner Sikes, Israel Warriner, Joel Nash; 1790, Abner
Sikes, Israel Warriner, Jonathan Burr; 1791, Abner Sikes,
J'lnathan Burr, David Lyon; 1792, Abner Sikes, Jonathan Burr,
Joseph Miller, Samuel Frost, Francis Percival; 1793, Abner
Sikes, Francis Percival, John Sikes; 1794, Francis Percival,
Aaron Colton, Samuel Frost; 1795, Aaron Colton, Ephraim
Chapin, Benjamin Sikes, Jr.; 1796, Aaron Colton, Benjamin
Sikes, Jr., Pliny Sikes ; 1797, Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Francis Per
cival, Joseph Miller, Jr. ; 1798, Timothy Keyes, Jonathan Burr,
Samuel Frost, Eli Putnam, Ephraim Chapin; 1799, Jonathan
Burr, Samuel Frost, Benjamin Sikes, Jr. ; 1800, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Samuel Frost; 1801-2, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Joseph Munger; 1803, Jonathan Burr,
Benjamin Sikes, Jr., Sherwood Beebe; 1804, Sherwood Beebe,
Job Pease, Timothy Nash; 1805-7, Sherwood Beebe, Timothy
Nash, Jonathan Sikes; 1808, Timothy Nash, Jonathan Sikes,
Gad Lyon; 1809, Timothy Nash, Ezekiel FuUer, Gates WiUey;
1810, 'Timothy Nash, Gates WiUey, Joseph Miller ; 1811, Timothy
Nash, Gates Willey, Joshua Fuller; 1812, Benjamin Sikes, Sher
wood Beebe, Gad Lyon; 1813, Timothy Nash, Joshua Fuller,
Daniel Sprague; 1814, Timothy Nash, Joshua FuUer, Daniel
Sprague; 1815, Timothy Nash, Joshua Fuller, Titus Hub
bard; 1816, Gates Willey, Nathaniel Lyon, James Sheldon;
1817, Gates WiUey, Ashbel Burr, Joshua FuUer; 1818, Gates
WiUey, Ashbel Burr, John Dorman ; 1819-22, Ashbel Burr, John
Dorman, Timothy Nash ; 1823, Ashbel Burr, John Dorman, Elias
Frost; 1824-5, Ashbel Burr, John Dorman, Asahel Rood; 1826,
EUas Frost, Gordon B. MiUer, Theodore Sikes; 1827-9, Ashbel
Burr, Theodore Sikes, Asahel Rood ; 1830, John Dorman, Gordon
B. Miller, Elam Wright ; 1831, John Dorman, Gordon B. Miller,
Ashbel Burr; 1832, Gordon B. MiUer, John Town, Jr., John
Gates; 1833-4, Ashbel Burr, Chester Sikes, William Ray; 1835,
Chester Sikes, WiUiam Ray, John Gates; 1836-8, EUas Frost,
John Gates, Waterman FuUer; 1839, William Ray, Chester
Sikes, Dan Hubbard; 1840, William Ray, Chester Sikes, Dan
( 317 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Hubbard; 1841, Chester Sikes, Dan Hubbard, Daniel King;
1842, WilUam Ray, John Gates, Artemas H. Whitney; 1843,
WilUam Ray, Artemas H. Whitney, Edmund W. Fuller; 1844,
WiUiam Ray, Artemas H. Whitney, Edmund W. Fuller; 1845,
WilUam Ray, Artemas H. Whitney, John MiUer; 1846, EUjah
Plumley, John Miller, David Lyon; 1847, John MiUer, David
Lyon, Chester Sikes; 1848, Alva Sikes, Elisha T. Parsons, Jerre
MiUer ; 1849, Alva Sikes, Elisha T. Parsons, Jerre MiUer ; 1850-
52, Jerre MiUer, Artemas H. Whitney, Henry FuUer; 1853,
William Ray, AA^'illis Keyes, EUjah Plumley ; 1854, Elijah Plum-
ley, Homer Lyon, Aaron Davis; 1855, John Miller, Dan Hub
bard, Aaron Davis; 1856, Artemas H. Whitney, John Miller,
Seth J. Bennett; 1857, Artemas H. Whitney, John MiUer,
Simeon Jones ; 1858, Artemas H. Whitney, Simeon Jones, Elijah
G. Fuller; 1859, Artemas H. Whitney, Benjamin Sikes, Gilbert
Fuller; 1859, Artimas H. Whitney, Benjamin Sikes, Gilbert
Fuller; 1860, Benjamin Sikes, William Ray, Roderick Collins;
1861, Benjamin Sikes, Roderick Collins, Dan Hubbard; 1862-3,
Benjamin Sikes, Roderick Collins, Gilbert E. Fuller; 1864,
Artemas H. Whitney, Jacob S. Baton, Francis F. McLean ; 1865,
Jacob S. Baton, Francis F. McLean, Henry Charles; 1866,
Francis F. McLean, John P. Hubbard, Samuel White; 1867,
John P. Hubbard, Samuel White, Eli M. Smith ; 1868-9, Samuel
White, EU M. Smith, Benjamin Sikes ; 1870-72, Samuel White,
Gilbert E. Puller, Reuben Sikes ; 1873, Samuel White, John Ray,
Chauncey L. Buell ; 1874-5, Samuel White, John Ray, David C.
Jones; 1876-7, John Ray, David C. Jones, Ambrose Clough;
1878, David C. Jones, Ambrose Clough, Edward E. Fuller;
1879-80, Edward B. FuUer, George R. Clark, Jackson Cady;
1881, George R. Clark, David Joy, Jacob S. Baton; 1882-5,
Benjamin F. Burr, Charles F. Grosvenor, Franklin Bramble;
1886-8, Edward B. Fuller, James M. White, George D. Green;
1889-91, Benjamin P. Burr, Austin F. Nash, Frank A. Towne;
1892-8, Edward B. FuUer, John W. Hubbard, Frank A. Towne;
1899-1901, Edward E. Fuller, John W. Hubbard, Frederick L.
Burr. Town Clerks.— mi-b, Benajah WiUey; 1776-9, Jeremiah
Dutton; 1780-82, Aaron J, MiUer; 1783-5, Samuel Arnold; 1786,
( 318 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
Elisha Fuller; 1787, Solomon L. Fuller; 1788, Samuel Arnold;
1789-92, John Jennings ; 1793, Plynn Sikes ; 1794-6, John Jen
nings; 1797, Plynn Sikes; 1798-9, John Jennings; 1800-08, In
crease Sikes; 1809-29, Ely Fuller; 1830, Theodore Sikes; 1831,
Ely Fuller ; 1832, Washington B. Alden ; 1833-5, Theodore Sikes
1836-8, Washington B. Alden; 1839-41, Theodore Sikes; 1842
Samuel S. Bucklin; 1843-5, Dennis KnoAvlton; 1846-54, John P
Hubbard; 1855, George Booth; 1856-61, John P. Hubbard
1862-3, Albert Puller; 1864, John P. Hubbard; 1865, George E
Root; 1866-78, Benjamin P. Burr; 1879-88, Warren D. FuUer
1889-1901, Alfred H. Bartlett.
Kepresentatives.—n84:-5, Capt. Joseph Miller; 1787, John
Jennings; 1800, EUsha Puller; 1801-2, Aaron J. Miller; 1806,
Gad Lyon; 1807, Increase Sikes; 1808, Gad Lyon; 1809, John
Jennings; 1810, Gad Lyon; 1811, Sherwood Beebe; 1812, Ely
Fuller. The full list of town officers for the year 1901 is as follows :
Town clerk, Alfred H. Bartlett; selectmen, overseers of the poor
and board of health, Edward E. Fuller, Benjamin P. Burr, John
W. Hubbard ; auditors, Charles S. Browning, Charles W. Gowen ;
treasurer and collector, Alfred H. Bartlett; assessors, George D.
Green, Arthur D. King, Charles P. Jones; constables. Hall E.
Storer, Albert Wilson, David Trombley; highway surveyor,
Henry A. Munsing; cemetery commissioners, Robert Kyle,
Edward E. Fuller, Benjamin P. Burr; school committee, Albert
H. Halford, Charles B. Bennett, Irene T. Jones, Charles N.
Wrightington ; superintendent of schools, Mary L. Poland of
Springfield, Mass.
The patriotic sentiment of the town has been strong and
uncompromising in all important epochs of the country's history
since the birth of the nation in 1775. In fact, at the time Ludlow
was organized as an independent district, the coming of the
terrible revolutionary struggle Avas already casting its shadow
before, and filling the minds of the people with apprehension.
During the year of organization— 1774— Capt. Joseph Miller
was selected to represent the infant community in the councils
of the province, which Avere held in conventions at Concord,
( 319 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Salem, Cambridge and Watertown. There can be no question
of the firmness and earnestness of his position in advocacy of
those great principles which eventually gave to the world a new
and powerful nation. In the long and exhausting warfare which
followed, .the town responded nobly to all demands, whether for
the furnishing of soldiers or the contribution of material aid
for the support and comfort of those in the field. When the
war closed, it appeared that one in every seven of the inhabitants
of Ludlow had served in the Continental armies, the imperish
able roll of honor comprising the following names :
Ichabod Barker, Ezekiel Beebe, Caesar Begory, Noadiah
Burr, Reuben Burt, Joel Chapin, Charles Chorley, Aaron Colton,
Solomon Cooley, Edward Cotton, Oliver Dutton, Ezekiel FuUer,
Lothrop Fuller, Jabez Goodale, Joseph Hitchcock, Joseph Jen
nings, John Johnson, David Lombard, Jonathan Lombard, Dr.
Aaron J. Miller, George Miller, Jr., Leonard Miller, David Paine,
Tyrus Pratt, Samuel Scranton, Thomas Temple, Moses Wilder,
Cyprian Wright.
In the Shays rebellion which occurred in the unsettled
period between the close of the revolutionary war and the adop
tion of the federal constitution, the sentiment of Ludlow, in
common with that in other towns in the vicinity, was divided,
and recruits were furnished to both parties, in perhaps nearly
equal numbers. The column of insurgents which demonstrated
against Springfield, receiving the fire of the government soldiers,
made its advance and retreat through Ludlow, and one man
from that town— Isaiah Call— was killed in South Hadley by a
stray shot from a house which the soldiers were passing.
In the war of 1812-15, Ludlow, unlike many of the New
England toAvns, does not appeared to have entered any protest,
but furnished its quota of soldiers Avith unquestioning loyalty,
thirteen men from the town having been enrolled, these being
their names :
Henry Acres, Gideon Cotton, Samuel Gates, Chester Ken
dall, Amos Root, Charles F. Wood, Benjamin Ainsworth, Lemuel
Gardiner, John Howard, Reuben Parsons, Veranus Shattuck,
Gordon B. Wood, Harvey Wood. ( 320 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The Mexican war, which drew but very lightly from New
England, took one man— Joseph Rood— from Ludlow, and he
Avas reported wounded in one of the engagements in which he
participated. The war of the rebeUion, 1861-5, found strong and brave
hearts in Ludlow, and there was no faltering during the four
years of terrible war and sacrifice. Out of a population of 1,200,
the town furnished 120 soldiers ; probably quite as large a pro
portion of the adult males as entered the service in the revolu-

Soldiers' Monument — Ludlow

tionary war, of twice as great duration. Of the 120 men from
Ludlow in the union armies, sixteen gave their lives— a percent
age considerably above the average. In addition to furnishing
more than its quota of soldiers, the town met all the financial
requirements of the period with unfaltering devotion. As early
as April, 1861, a vote was taken in town meeting appropriating
$2,000 as a bounty fund for the promotion of enlistments, and
in August, 1862, a bounty of $100 each was voted to the men

31-3

( 321 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
who enlisted upon the town's quota at that time. This spirit
of liberality continued during the war, and the people of the
town did their full part in connection Avith all measures for the
relief and care of needy soldiers and the families of those absent
in their country's service. After the close of the war measures
were taken for the erection of an appropriate monument in
memory of the town's fallen heroes and a chaste memorial of
Monson granite, located near the Congregational church at
Ludlow Center, was dedicated with appropriate exercises during
the summer of 1867. The total cost of the monument was $1,025,
and it still stands as a fitting embodiment of the patriotic spirit
of those trying days.
The early settlers of Ludlow were almost entirely farmers,
and there are indications and traditions that the native Indians,
or perhaps other and earlier residents, of whom we have not even
the legacy of tradition, gave some attention to cultivation of the
soil. The remains of rude implements of stone, probably designed
for agricultural or domestic use, have been frequently found
Avithin the town limits, and it is certain that both before and
after the settlement of Springfield by white men the present town
of Ludlow was a favorite resort for the red men. While its
forests abounded with game, it is probable that the more fertile
bits of land along the Chicopee river were rudely tiUed by the
aborigines. Probably attention was drawn to the location
through reports of the Indian operations along the river ; but the
early settlers did not find an exceptionally rich field ; as is shown
by the familiar name of "Stony Hill," doubtless first applied
to a distinct elevation, but later adopted to indicate the entire
settlement, and in that sense used until the organization of a
separate town.
It is recorded of some of these settlers that, while they held
title to extensive tracts of land, they were still regarded as poor
men, and in fact were obliged to practice a rigid exercise of
economy in order to secure an adequate living from their acres.
And this has largely been the fortune of their descendants and
others who have since relied upon agriculture alone— the re- .
quirements have been plenty of hard work, careful management
( 322 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
and thrift, in order that satisfactory returns might be secured
from the soil. Yet there is no doubt that the qualities thus en
gendered proved in many instances a more valuable heritage to
the sons of the town's founders than would have been any legacy
of great wealth. Into the broad field of the world's strife these
men went with an equipment of energy, industry and frugality
which enabled them to meet and overcome obstacles, and win a
victor's reward. At the present time there is much more en
couragement for the Ludlow farmer, owing to the nearness of
village and city markets to which his produce can be profitably
delivered.

Old fashioned Ludlow Mansion
As in the case of most other towns of that period, the first
manufacturing establishments were those devoted to wood work
ing—generally saw mills of rude construction and limited
capacity. Several of these were estabUshed in different parts
of the town, where a water privilege could be secured at a
minimum of labor and expense. Soon after 1800, Rufus Calkins
conducted a chair shop on Higher brook, and whUe the quantity
of his product was not large, its quality is shown in the fact that
chairs made by him are still treasured in the town in collections
( 333 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of antique furniture. He also did a limited amount of spinning
of flax and wool, both of which were produced on the farms of
the town. Alden 's sash and blind shop on Broad brook was for
a time one of the noted manufacturing industries of the tovm.
Later it turned out rakes and other agricultural implements.
Tar and potash were produced at various places in the town at
different times, and much more widely interesting were the
Ludlow glass Avorks, a mile north of the Center, where green
glass, in bottles and other forms, was made for some few years.
Two or three small manufactories of woolen goods were in opera
tions in different parts of the toAvn, and had considerable local
reputation. Ludlow City also, at one time, boasted a distiUery.
At the falls of Wallamanumps, destined to eclipse aU other
privileges in the town, business did not begin in earnest until
the year 1800 or a little later. Previous to this time a dam had
'been constructed there, and probably something in the way of a
saw miU had been run there, but near the close of the eighteenth
century only one man lived in aU that section. Attracted by
the water power, Abner Putnam came from the eastern part of
the state and erected a shop for the manufacture of scythes.
The business proved successful, the goods made won a high repu
tation, and the industry was continued for some ten years or
more. In 1812 the rights at Wallamanumps were sold by Syl
vester Moody, Abner Putnam and Levi Pease to Benjamin
Jencks of Smithfleld, R. I., who, with Washington Jencks, Joseph
Bucklin, George Wilkinson and Stephen H. Smith, organized the
Springfleld Manufacturing company in 1814. Mr. Smith soon
disposed of his interest to Samuel Slater, who later became so
widely known as a manufacturer of cotton goods. The company
at one time owned no less than 1,200 acres of land, and the set
tlement which at once sprung up was knoAvn as JencksAdlle— a
name retained by that portion of the town for much more than
half a century.
The business was begun in a modest way in a wooden build
ing on the site of the later mills, but consisted only of the
preparation of warps and yarns, which Avere woven into cloth on
hand looms by the families round about. The formal organiza-
( 324 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
tion of the company did not take place until 1821, when work
was begun on the stone buildings designed as a permanent plant.
The first, 103 by 36 feet, was completed in 1822, and looms were
put in operation the next year. In 1826 another mill building,
forty feet west of the first, was erected. This was somewhat
larger, being 40 by 115 feet. Both of the mills were carefully
built, and were considered model structures. It is interesting to
know that the machinery was made in the mills, the lower stories
being used as machine shops. The company manufactured cotton
goods only, the product being principally sheetings. In 1833
the factories Avere enlarged by an extension to the eastward, and
eleven years later the space betAveen the two buildings was
closed in, making a continuous mill about 325 feet in length.
Meantime, in 1840 a building had been erected at the "upper
privilege," which was for six years devoted to the manufacture
of gun barrels for the United States government. At the end of
that time it was changed to a cotton mill. As showing the custom
of the times, it may be mentioned that each of these buildings
and additions, when completed, was dedicated with religious
exercises. Thus far the company had apparently been prosperous, its
business had grown to large proportions, and it enjoyed the con
fidence of the community in a marked degree. The toAvnspeople
were glad to loan their money to the corporation, and there was
no hesitation in the acceptance of notes Avhen the company pre
ferred to pay in that way rather than in cash. It was a sad
disaster to the town, therefore, when in 1848 the Springfleld
Manufacturing company was declared insolvent and went out
of business. The property passed into the hands of Wood & Mer
ritt, a New York city firm, by whom it was managed until 1856.
It was for a number of years leased to George H. Deane, by whom
the stone mills were fitted up for the manufacture of jute goods,
while the building at the upper privilege Avas used for the manu
facture of Avadding. At the expiration of the lease Mr. Deane
purchased the property and organized the LudloAv Mills com
pany. The present Ludlow Manufacturing company was organ
ized in 1868, and for thirty-three years has carried on the manu-
( 325 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
facture of jute goods, tAvine, bagging, etc., with unvarying
success. The business of the company, in a large measure, has been
the life of the town during these years. With the development
of the industry new mills have been built from time to time, what
is known as Mill No. 4, having been erected in 1878. It was ten
years later that No. 5 mill was built, in 1888 ; but since that time
great and frequent additions have been made to the company's
plant. No. 6 mill was built in 1889, and two years later the
original No. 2 mill was razed and a fine brick structure was
erected in its place. In the fall of 1894 work was begun on Mill
No. 7, knoAvn as ' ' the new shop, ' ' and in 1895 the remaining stone
mill No. 1, was replaced with a modern brick building. No. 8
mill was built in 1901, giving the company a fine plant of eignt
brick mill buildings, modern in construction, fitted with improved
machinery, and forming altogether a very complete and expen
sive establishment. These buildings are supplemented by an
office building, well appointed, constructed in 1900. In June
of the same year work was begun on a fine dam across the Chico
pee river at Red Bridge, which was completed sixteen months
later, giving the company a fine addition to its water power.
This dam is 300 feet in length, and rises to a height of 47 feet
above the bed of the river.
But while the company has been thus prospering and enlarg
ing its capacity, it has not been indifferent to the higher welfare
of the community nestling in the vicinity of its factories, as wiU
be evidenced by a brief resume of the important measures with
which it has been identifled. One of the first movements to
attract attention was that for the establishment of an orphan
boys' school, in 1881. About the same time, or even earlier, two
or three extra rooms in the company's buildings were fitted up
and set apart for school purposes, until such time as a school
house should be built; this result being attained in 1882, when
"the Ludlow Manufacturing company" school house was erected,
giving temporary accommodation to the children of "Jencks-
viUe." In 1885 a music teacher was proAdded for the village
schools; in 1886 a sewing-school was established, and 1887 a
( 326 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
cooking school. The latter movement is being supplemented at
the present time by the preparation of beautiful and convenient
rooms, provided with a competent instructor, where lectures on
hygiene and a cooking-school will be maintained for the benefit
of the women employed by the company, as well as of others
interested in the subject matter.
In 1888 a savings bank Avas incorporated in the interest of
the employes of the company's mills primarily, though not
exclusively for their beneflt. This bank is open daily as well as

Hubbard Memorial Library

two evenings each week, and has at present approximately
$125,000 in deposits. George D. Green is the president, and
George A, Birnie, treasurer.
A Masonic Hall was built in 1892.
The Hubbard Memorial Library building delightfuUy
situated at the junction of North and East streets, opposite the
company's office, is one of the toAvn's most attractive structures.
It was erected in 1889, and in the spring of the following
year was presented to the town by the widow and children
( 327 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Charles T. Hubbard, for many years the treasurer and guiding
spirit of the Ludlow Manufacturing company. The movement
of which this flne building of brick and red sandstones is the
logical outcome was inaugurated by the company in 1881, under
the direction of Mr. Hubbard, when a small library, with reading
room and social room in connection, was opened in ' ' the old Tav
ern house, ' ' for the benefit of the employes. At its beginning the
library consisted of about 400 volumes while the reading room
boasted a half-dozen magazines. Now, in its elegant new home,
the library consists of about 5,000 well-selected volumes, while
the reading room is supplied with aU the leading and popular
magazines of the day.
The Ludlow Manufacturing company is capitalized at
$750,000, and the officers (1901) are as follows: President, R. H.
Weld ; treasurer, Charles W. Hubbard ; selling agent, Cranmore
N. Wallace, all of Boston. John E. Stevens of Ludlow is the
company's resident agent. '
The Ludlow Cordage company, a separate branch of the
business, was incorporated in 1893 Avith a capital stock of
$100,000, and is officered by Edward Brooks as president, and
Cranmore N. Wallace as treasurer and selling agent, the offices
being at Boston. The product of the company is manila and
binders' twine.
During the eighteenth century the organization of a new
town or independent district meant the establishment of an
orthodox church as the flrst indispensable feature of town life—
if the church had not preceded the independence of the munic
ipality, as was often the case. The history of Ludlow forms no
exception to the general rule, and we flnd that the first action
taken in town (then district) meeting, after that of organization,
was the appointment of a committee "to hire Mr. Pelatiah
Chapin. ' ' Mr. Chapin was a preacher, and the committee were
successful in engaging his services. Such meetings as were held
must for some years have been conducted at the houses of the
settlers. At the same time a committee was appointed to locate
the center of the town, in order that the site might be set apart
for the erection of a church. Here began the series of discourag-
( 328 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ing experiences which for some decades were to make the religious
life of the town anything but a pleasant and successful experi
ence. The committee Avas unable to carry out its task and was
discharged by vote of the town. A second committee, comprising
some of the original members, was more successful ; but the exact
center of the town, when located, is said to have occupied a
swamp, rendering it unvailable for the desired purpose. The
location was accordingly varied sufficiently to give a desirable
site. The village which subsequently grew up about the chosen
spot has very appropriately retained to the present time the
name of Ludlow Center.
During the war of the revolution there was little opportunity
to engage in even so laudable an undertaking as the building of
a meeting-house ; but after the close of the war in 1783, we find
the town voting on the 23d of October that ' ' the building commit
tee procure a sufficient quantity of rum for raising the meeting
house frame." In a little less than a year the structure was
sufficiently advanced to shelter a town meeting, but it was a rude
affair, with only rough boards on the sides, and without floors,
doors or windows. It appears to have been as late as 1797 before
these deficiencies were fully supplied. The house as finally com
pleted was used until 1840, Avhen a second church was built, but
was destroyed by fire in 1859. During the latter year the present
church ediflce was erected, supplemented a little later by the neat
chapel standing nearly opposite.
But if the matter of securing a suitable building languished
in the early years of the toAvn, the settling of satisfactory pastors
was an even more difficult problem. No permanent settlement
was made until 1793, though several clergymen "supplied"
during the time, the records showing such serAdce by Rev. Pelatiah
Chapin, Rev. Mr. Davenport, Rev. M. Hutchings, Rev. David
Haskell (called to become regular pastor but decUned), Rev.
Stephen Fuller, Rev. Allen Pratt. Rev. William Stone, and Rev.
Aaron Woodward. On June 1, 1793, the town voted to call Rev.
Antipas Steward, a graduate of Harvard, and in November fol-
lowinghewas ordained as the flrst settied pastor of the toAvn. His
compensation Avas flxed at £60 and thirty cords of wood annually.
( 330 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
The pastorate was continued for ten years, but it Avas not suc
cessful, serious dissensions marking its later portion. Mr. Stew
ard was dissmissed in 1803, and then followed sixteen years of
unsettied condition. During much of this time clergymen from
other denominations occupied the pulpit. Rev. Laban Thurber,
a Baptist, supplied the church during 1805 and 1806, and Rev.
Abner Phelps in 1808. Then came two Methodist clergymen-
Rev. Elijah Hedding, a presiding elder, in 1811, and Rev. Alex
ander McLean from 1813 to 1816. Denominational interests
then asserted themselves, and the subsequent pastors have been
of the Congregational faith, their names and periods of service
having been as follows: Rev. Ebenezer Burt Wright, 1819-35;
Rev. David R. Austin, associate and fuU pastor, 1833-35; Rev.
Alonzo Sanderson, 1839-43 ; Rev. Jeremy W. Tuck, 1843-59 ; Rev.
Warren Mayo, 1860-62; Rev. Chester Bridgman, 1864-6; Rev.
Chester L. Cushman, 1866-74 ; Rev. Samuel V. McDuffee. 1875-
82; Rev. Myron P. Dickey, 1883-92; Rev. EdAvard P. Allen,
1893-4; Rev. Everett D. Francis, 1895, the present pastor.
From the fact that Methodist clergymen supplied the pulpit
of the only church in the town for several years during the early
part of the ninteenth century, it will readily be inferred that
some of the leading men of the town were identified with that
faith. As early as 1793 the beginnings of Methodism were
planted among the settlers. Prior to that time George Pickering
and George Roberts, itinerant Methodist preachers, had visited
the town, and in the year named Samuel Frost, familiarly caUed
"Master Frost," opened his house for the preaching of the then
new religion. Nathaniel Chapin, Uriah Clough, and Joel Far-
num were the first to respond, and in 1795 "riders" from Wil
braham gave stated supply, which continued for some year?.
Among the treasured names of this period are those of Menzies
Rayner, Lemuel Smith, Zadoc Priest, Daniel Ostrander and
Laban Clark. In 1802 Rev. Henry Fames established a "class"
at Samuel Frost's, with DaAdd Orcutt as class-leader. Rev.
Augustin Jocelyn, the next circuit rider, made Sunday appoint
ments for Ludlow, and gave much of his time there. Thus the
faith was spread, gradually, until 1828, when through the efforts
( 331 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D., then principal of Wesleyan academy
at Wilbraham, a church building 40 by 50 feet was erected and
dedicated. The structure was remodeled in 1858, and with minor
improvements in later years it still does service for the denomina
tion in whose interests it was erected. The building is located
near the Congregational bhurch at the "Center," and it is
pleasing to learn that the best of feeling has existed between the
two bodies each extending courtesies to the other as occasion
rendered possible such expressions of Christian regard. The full
list of regular pastors of the Methodist church is as follows : Rev.
Wilbur Fisk, 1826 ; Rev. Isaac Jennison, 1827 ; Rev. Aaron Wait,
1829 ; Rev. Samuel Davis, 1830-31 ; Rev. Salmon HuU, 1832 ; Rev.
Paul Townsend, 1833 ; Rev. Charles D. Rogers, 1834; Rev. Amasa
Taylor, 1835; Rev. Philo Hawks, 1836-7; Rev. Charles Virgin,
1838; Rev. James Nichols, 1839-40; Rev. WilUam Campbell,
1841 ; Rev. John W. Dadmun, 1841-2 ; Rev. WiUiam A. Clapp,
1843; Rev. WiUiam Fleming, 1844; Rev. Asa Barnes, 1845;
Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1846; Rev. Luther B. Clark, 1847; Rev.
John CaldweU, 1848-9; Rev. Moses Stoddard, 1850-51; Rev.
James W. Mowry, 1852-3 ; Rev. Kinsman Atkinson, 1854-5 ; Rev.
Nathan A. Soule, 1856 ; Rev. Franklin Fisk, 1857-8 ; Rev. George
Prentice, 1859-60 ; Rev. WUUam G. Leonard, 1861 ; Rev. Daniel
K. Banister, 1862-3; Rev. WilUam J. Pomphret, 1864-6; Rev.
Levin A. Bosworth, 1867-8; Rev. Jonas M. Clark, 1869; Rev.
John W. Lee, 1870; Rev. John W. Merrill, D. D., 1871-2; Rev.
Alfred Noon, 1873-4; Rev. N. H. Martin, 1875-7; Rev. Charles
H. Vinton, 1878-9; Rev. Alfred C. Godfrey, 1879-80; Rev. W.
H. Adams, 1881-3; Rev. Daniel Atkins, 1884-6; Rev. WiUiam
Ferguson, 1887-8; Rev. W. H. Adams, 1889-90; Rev. G. W.
Simonson, 1893-4; Rev. N. M. Caton, 1897-8; Rev. F. H.
Wheeler, 1899-1900 ; Rev. E. B. Marshall, 1901.
The Methodists appear to have been first in taking an in
terest in religious matters at JencksAdlle, and their itinerants
visited the factory viUage as early as 1828. Rev. Mr. Foster,
principal of the academy at Wilbraham, was probably the first
preacher. In 1831 a considerable revival occurred, and services
were held in a room fitted up for the purpose in one of the fac-
( 332 )

THE TOWN OF LUDLOW
tory buildings. These were continued with more or less regu
larity for several years, until 1841, when Rev. B. F. Lombard
became pastor of the little parish, continuing during the follow
ing year. In 1845 efforts were made to secure the erection of
a church, and the foUoAving year the present building was
completed and dedicated. It was designed for the joint use of
Methodists and Congregationalists; but a question of privileges
arising soon after, the Methodists withdrew and a little later
erected a building for themselves. The Congregationalists also
organized a church and settled a pastor, and the two societies
were just getting into working condition when the failure of
the manufacturing company in 1848 broke all plans for that
community. Both houses of worship were soon closed, and the
little Methodist church, heavily mortgaged, was sold for a nomi
nal sum and removed to Warren, where it was remodeled and
again went into service as "a Methodist meeting-house." In
1857 Wilbraham academy again came to the rescue in the
person of one of its students, W. H. Daniels, who conducted a
successful revival, and Methodist pastors were assigned to the
parish until 1863. Four years of inertia then followed, when a
union church was organized, which has since that time been
suppUed with clergymen representing both denominations, the
Ust of those who have served as pastors at the AdUage from the
first religious organization being as follows, the letter indicating
the preacher's denomination: Rev. B. F. Lombard (M.), 1841-2;
Rev. Daniel E. Chapin (M.), 1846; Rev. David Sherman (M.),
1847; Rev. Z. A. Mudge (M.), 1848; Rev. WiUiam HaU (C),
1848; Rev. W. H. Daniels (M.), 1857; Rev. David K. MerriU
(M.), 1858; Rev. L. R. S. Brewster (M.), 1859; Rev. George E.
Chapman (M.), 1860-61; Rev. John Noon (M.), 1862; Rev. J. A,
Kibbe (M.), 1863; Rev. A. Gardner (C), 1868; Rev. H. E;
Crocker (M.), 1872; Rev. J. A. DeForest (M.), 1873; Rev.
Timothy Lyman (C), 1874; Rev. C. L. Cushman (C), 1878-9;
Rev. John P. Coyle (C), 1882-5; Rev. Edward P. Day (C),
1886-90; Rev. Abram J. Quick (C), 1891-6; Rev. WilUam A.
Thomas (C), 1897-9. For the last two years the pastorate has
been vacant. ( 333 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In the way of societies— fraternal, beneflcial and social—
the town has enjoyed its full share. For most of the time during
the past half-century an efficient temperance organization has
existed in Ludlow, reflecting the earnest and continued senti
ment of the community, which has ever been in the direction
of sobriety and right living. The Sons of Temperance, Good
Templars, and other orders have thus had representation.
Among the present societies of the town the following, with
the officers for 1901, may be mentioned: Ludlow Grange, No.
179, Patrons of Husbandry, organized in 1889. Master, C. B
Bennett; lecturer, Mrs. Bertha Taylor; secretary, Mrs. Lizzie
C. Chapman. Court Indian Leap, No. 58, Foresters of America,
organized in 1891. Chief ranger, John Duffy ; treasurer, James
Patterson; recording secretary, Robert Stuart. Romona Circl^
No. 277, Companions of the Forest, organized in 1895. Chief,
Miss Theresa Coyne; treasurer, Miss Sadie White. Brigham
Lodge, A. F. and A. M., instituted in 1892. W. M., Albert H
Halford; secretary, George Elphinstone; treasurer, Walter
Bennet. Burns Social Club.— President, George Bliphinstone ;
secretary, James R. Sterling ; treasurer, James D. Wilson. Lud
low Athletic and Recreation Association, incorporated in 1896.
President, Robert Kyle; secretary, George Elphinstone; treas
urer, James Patterson.
In an unpretentious but efficient way the town has from
the first given attention to the education of its children. The
first mention of a school appropriation is made in the midst of
the revolutionary war period, when the sum of £400 was voted;
but in the inflated currency of that time it is doubtful if this
nominaUy large sum accomplished as much as the £20 which
was voted a few years later. In 1800 the amount appropriated
was $133. Nine years previous a committee to locate and build
school houses had been entrusted with £90 for that purpose,
while the general direction of the schools remained in the hands
of the selectmen until 1794, when a more satisfactory arrange
ment—that of a committee from each school district— was
adopted. As early as 1822 the division of the town into nine
school districts had been completed, and the lines thus estab-
( 334 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
lished largely exist to the present time, the town having voted,
under the option allowed by the act of the legislature establish
ing the grade system of schools in Massachusetts, to continue
the districts. That is still done in most parts of the town, but
at Ludlow village (formerly Jencksville) a fine eight-room
building has recently been erected, at a cost of $23,000, dedicated
September 3, 1901, in which the high school and the union
grammar school are quartered. The high school is under the
direction of Frederic F. Smith as principal with Miss Flora B.
Townsend as assistant. The grammar school is instructed by
Miss Addie Cole as principal, with seven assistant teachers. The
six district schools are each in charge of a single teacher.
In area the present town of Ludlow comprises 28.2 square
miles. Its population in 1850, as given by the United States
census, numbered 1,186, and for two decades showed a slight
loss, being 1,174 in 1860, and 1,136 in 1870. In 1880 it had
increased to 1,526, in 1890 to 1,939, and in 1900 to 3,536— the
large increase of the last decade being chiefly due to the pros
perity and extension of business of the town's chief industry,
the Ludlow Manufacturing company.

CHAPTER IX
THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
On the northern border of Hampden county, among the
rocky, rugged foothills of the eastern range of the Berkshire
hills, is one of the smallest yet in some respects one of the most
interesting civil divisions of the region. Soon after the close
of the last French and English war, when it was safe for an
adventurous pioneer to leave the well protected settlements of
the larger towns, Ephraim Avery and his family removed from
the thickly populated portion of the flourishing town of West-
field and made his way up into the hill regions to the westward
( 335 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and there established a home not far from the towering heights
of old Mt. Tekoa. In the course of a feAv more months and
during the years 1767 and '68, other settlers came to the locality,
where the lands were cheap and yet were fertile and productive,
and there made comfortable farm homes for themselves, their
children and their descendants.
By the frequent arrival of other families in the Adcinity a
settlement was built up in the space of a few years, and the
locality soon became knoAvn as the "New Addition" to Westfield,
the mother town, whence came nearly all these first settlers.
After the total number of families here had increased to perhaps
fifty or more, and after these had become united in the common
bonds of friendship and mutual interest, they naturally sought
to establish a new town in this part of old Hampshire county,
for they were at considerable inconvenience in being compeUed
to travel eight miles to Westfield to transact business, to vote
at elections, and to attend to other necessary affairs which might
be done nearer home. At that time, as now, eight and ten miles
of travel in itself was of little importance to the hardy settier,
but between Westfield and the central part of the New Addition
settlement the traveled roads were rough and there had been
little attempt at improvement in any of the intervening country ;
and besides, the site of the settlement was elevated several
hundred feet above the Westfield village level and the journey
up into the mountainous country was attended with many in
conveniences and some danger during the frozen seasons of the
year. In 1780, having these things in mind and having increased
their new settlement so that it numbered something like 400 in
habitants, the people here, with the sanction and assistance of
those at Westfield, besought the general court, praying that they
be set off and incorporated as a new town of the county. The
legislative records on this subject read as follows: "Whereas
the inhabitants of the northerly part of Westfield, called the
New Addition, on the east side of Westfield river, and the south
westerly part of Southampton, viz. : fifth mile square, sixth mile
square, and the one-half square mile adjoining the said sixth
( 336 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
mile square, and the southerly corner of Norwich, beginning
at the Moose Meadow corner 800 rods on the Southampton west
line; thence a straight line to Rock House comer, so caUed, to
the corner of the abovesaid New Addition, have represented to
this court the great difficulties and inconvenience they labor
under in their present situation, and have earnestly requested
that they be incorporated into a town;" Be it enacted, etc.
"That the northerly part of Westfield, called the New Addition,
on the east side of Westfield river, and the southerly part of
Southampton, and the southerly corner of Norwich," etc. (here
foUows a particular description of the territory), "be, and the
same is, hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Mont
gomery." Thus was the town established during the darkest years of
the revolution, but the necessary work of organization and
election was hardly finished before the freemen began devising
means for the common defense. Already several of the sturdy
young men of the town were in the army, and to encourage stiU
further enlistments it was voted to pay a bounty of four pounds
for all vt^ho would serve for one month, and three pounds, five
shiUings for each month thereafter. While some of the towns
were not unanimous in their support of the cause for which the
Americans were contending, the spirit of disloyalty never was
shoAvn in the little struggling settlement in the upper valley
of Westfield river ; and in 1812, when the spirit of federalism
pervaded the entire region of Western Massachusetts the resolu
tions favoring the sentiments of the Northampton convention
and its purpose were in accord with the action of nearly all the
toAvns comprising the then new county of Hampden.
Let us return, however, to an earlier period of the town's
history and briefly note the names and something of the lives
of the settlers who laid the foundations of this loyal old town,
whose organization antedated that of the county by more than
two-score years. Some doubt exists as to the exact year in which
pioneer Ephraim Avery first ventured up into the mountainous
regions surrounding old Mt. Tekoa, but common belief places the
date of his coming somewhere between 1765 and 1767. He was
22-3 ( 337 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the head of a large family of children, not one of whom now
lives to tell the tale of early life in the town. His sons were
William, Abel, Samuel, Rainsford and Ephraim, and besides he
had two daughters. In later years the family became scattered
in other localities, but the surname is still represented here by
thrifty descendants of the worthy pioneer.
Captain Sylvester Squier, whose name is not unknown in
connection with the early military history of the town, was
another of the first settlers, and is believed to have come here
previous to 1767. He, too, had a goodly family, although we have
no present record of the names of his children. Abial Squier
was one of the first selectment of the town of 1780, and vrith
Noble Squier of later years served in that capacity a long time.
By marriage the daughters of Capt. Squier lost their surnames,
yet the direct descendants of the pioneer are still in this part of
the county. Oliver Clark settied here in 1766 or '67 and was one of the
flrst to foUoAV the pioneer into the region. He lived to a good
old age, and was a man much respected in the town although his
life was devoted to personal concerns rather than public affairs.
The sons of Oliver Clark were Oliver, James, Hawley, Simon,
Pharez, Elijah and Elisha, and the daughters were Ruth and
Olive. By the marriage of these children the Clark surname
became numerous in Montgomery and always stood for' integrity
and worth.
Another pioneer head of a worthy family was David AUyn,
who settled here probably in 1767, and some representative of
whose family name in each succeeding generation has been
prominently identifled with Montgomery history, and also with
its best interests in business pursuits. Pioneer Allyn raised to
maturity a large family of seven sons and six daughters. The
sons were Jabez, David, Joseph, Ansel, James, Albert and
Albro Allyn. Daniel Barrett, another settler of about the same
time, also was the head of a large family in Montgomery, yet
the surname is not now represented here. His sons were
Moses, Samuel, Benjamin, Daniel, Marcus, Lysander and EUsha,
the first three of AA'hom died in the town, while the others joined
the tide of westAvard emigration years ago.
( 338 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
The Parks surname has been known in Montgomery history
ever since the days of first settlement ; and almost every genera
tion of the descendants of Aaron Parks, including the pioneer
himself, has served the town in one or more public offices.
Aaron Parks was married three times. His sons were Moses
and Orrin, neither of whom died in the town, but both of whom
left families, and from them have descended many of the Parks 's,
noAV so numerous in the Avestern towns of the county.
Another old and prominent family name in Montgomery
history is that of Moore, the pioneer being Joel Moore, an indus
trious and fairly successful man, yet not a conspicuous figure
in public affairs. Joel, Jr., Guy and Dorus Moore were sons
of Joel, the pioneer, and the descendants of these are now nu
merous in Hampden county. Throughout all generations of the
family from the pioneer to the present factors in county Ufe,
the Moores have been noted for their industry and integrity.
Abial Pettis was still another of the earliest settlers in the
New Addition, and although the descendants of Abial are still
numerous in this section of the county, recollections of the pio
neer himself are not easily obtainable. Allen Pettis, one of his
sons, lived in Montgomery and attained a good old age. Abial
jun., died in the town but left no children. Philander, son of
the pioneer, died in the west.
Among the other early settlers of Montgomery, some of whom
have been of the first comers, but of whom no accurate data are
obtainable, there may be recalled the names of John Kagwin,
Elijah Pitcher (one of the first selectmen and a prominent
person in town affairs), John French, Jacob Fellows, Zadock
Bosworth, Nathaniel Wattles, Daniel Barret, Richard Falley
(who was selectman in 1784, and Avho also was a prominent char
acter in early town history.^ His daughter was grandmother
of former president Grover Cleveland. The Falley surname
is not now represented in the town), Amos Maynard, Truman
'Richard Falley owned and lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Le Valley,
the artist, and carried on a gun shop in which he made muslcets lor the Amer
ican soldiers in the revolutionary war, and also in the war of 1812-15. The
foundations of the oid shop are stiii to be seen in a ravine near Mr. Le Valley's
residence. — Ed.
( 339 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
Mallory, Isaac Palmer, Isaac Chapman, Jacob Andrews, Martin
Root, Oliver Rice, Edward Taylor, Jonathan Herrick, Levi
Adams, Isaac Wilbarn, and others perhaps equally worthy of
mention, but whose names are forgotten with lapse of years.
With settlement thus permanently established by sturdy
New Englanders from the eastern colonies of the province, and
with the subsequent acquisition to their number by others of
the same stock, it is not surprising that the liberty-loving people
should petition the general court for an act of incorporation;
and when that end was attained it was fitting that the new
jurisdiction should be named in allusion to one of America's
bravest revolutionary patriots. Gen. Richard Montgomery, who
was killed in battle before the walls of Quebec in 1775.
In a preceding paragraph the act creating the town is re
ferred to at some length. On February 25, 1792, Montgomery
surrendered a small portion of its territory to the town of Rus
seU, and on March 6 of the same year parts of Norwich and
Southampton were annexed to Montgomery. The organization
was accomplished with little ceremony, and the flrst meeting for
the election of officers was held at the house of Zadock Bosworth
on December 14, 1780. At that time all the offices were flUed
and some provision was made for the support of public schools.
The church society then was an institution of the town and was
for three years afterward a controlling factor in its government.
Selectmen.— IISQ, Oliver Clark, Abial Squier, Elijah
Pitcher; 1781, Abial Squier, EUjah Pitcher John French; 1782,
Abial Squier, Jacob Fellows, Nathaniel Wattles; 1783, Aaron
Parks, Sylvester Squier, Daniel Barret; 1784, Richard Falley,
Sylvester Squier, Aaron Parks; 1785, Isaac Wilbarn, Daniel
Barret, Amos Maynard ; 1786, Jacob Andrus, Martin Root, Tru
man Mallory; 1787, Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Amos
Maynard; 1788, Aaron Parks, Noble Squier, David Crow; 1789,
Isaac Palmer, Jr., Noble Squier, James Clark; 1790, Isaac
Palmer, Jr., Amos Maynard, Samuel Wright, Jr.; 1791, Isaac
Chapman, Abner Rice, Jr., Noble Squier; 1792, Daniel Barret,
Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks; 1793, Jonathan Herrick, Noble
Squier, Gardner Squier; 1794, Edward Taylor, Daniel Barret,
( 341 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Amos Maynard; 1795, Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Levi
Adams; 1796, Sylvester Squier, Isaac Chapman, Martin Root;
1797, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks, Levi Adams ; 1798, Edward
Taylor, Amos Maynard, Daniel Barret; 1799, Aaron Parks,
Elisha Hutchinson, Sylvester Squier; 1800, Sylvester Squier,
Zadock BosAVorth, Daniel Barret; 1801, Aaron Parks, Amos
Maynard, Daniel Barret ; 1802-3, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks,
Daniel Barret; 1804, Aaron Parks, Richard Falley, Sylvester
Squier; 1805, Samuel Avery, Richard Falley, Sylvester Squier;
1806-8, Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, Samuel Avery; 1809,
Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, David R. Cooley; 1810-11,
Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, James Wright; 1812, Aaron
Parks, Joseph Green, James L. Adair ; 1813, Aaron Parks, Tru
man Mallory, Abner Chapman; 1814, Edward Taylor, Moses
Hatch, David Crowley; 1815-17, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks,
Moses Hatch; 1818, Moses Hatch, Aaron Parks, Gameliel King;
1819, Edward Taylor, John Crow, Orrin Parks ; 1820, Wm. Crow,
Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks; 1821, Edward Taylor, Orrin
Parks, Pliny Moore; 1822, Moses Parks, Flavius Moore, Wm.
Crow; 1823, Edward Taylor, PUny Moore, Orrin Parks; 1824,
Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John Crow ; 1825-26, Moses Parks,
John Crow, Orrin Parks ; 1827-28, Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks,
Ijucius Wright; 1829, Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin
Parks; 1830-31, Orrin Parks, John Crow, Ransom Clark; 1832,
Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin Parks; 1833, Edward
Taylor, Moses Parks, Wm. Squier; 1834, Orrin Parks, Wm.
Squier, John Camp; 1835, Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John
Camp; 1836, Orrin Parks, Noah Sheldon, EUsha Avery; 1837-
38, Orrin Parks, Ransom Clark, Nathan Hutchinson; 1839,
Moses Parks, Elisha Avery, Wm. Squier; 1840, Orrin Parks,
Wm. Squier, Sheldon Brownson; 1841, Moses Parks, Noah
Sheldon, Nathan Hutchinson ; 1842, Orrin Parks, Isaac Brown-
son, Wm. Squier; 1843, Ransom Clark, Wm. Squier, EUsha P.
Parks; 1844, Ransom Clark, EUsha P. Parks, Norman Chapman;
1845, Ransom Clark, Sheldon Brownson, Edward Taylor ; 1846-
47, EUsha Avery, Wm. Squier, Aaron P. Parks; 1848, Amos
W. Wheeler, Ransom Clark, Norman Chapman ; 1849, Aaron P.
( 342 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
Parks, Ransom Clark, Hiram Bartholmew; 1850, Wm. Squier,
EUsha P. Parks, N. P. Bartholmew; 1851, EUsha P. Parks,
HoUey Clark, N. P. Bartholmew; 1852, Edward M. Taylor,
Aaron P. Parks, S. Moore; 1853, Wm. Squier, Isaac Brownson,
Zenas Clark; 1854, Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyn, Nelson Clark;
1855, Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyn, A. A. Moore ; 1856, A. A. Moore,
Nelson Hutchinson, B, H. Kagwin; 1857, Wm. Squier, HoUey
Clark, A. A. Moore ; 1858, Aaron P. Parks, L. T. Allyn, Henry
S. Stiles ; 1859, Wm. Squier, Chelsea Upson, Francis W. Clark ;
1860, A. A. Moore, John Hutchinson, Chelsea Upson; 1861, A.
A. Moore, Horace F. Moore, Henry S. Stiles ; 1862, Wm. Squier,
Aaron P. Parks, Gilbert Squier ; 1863, Wm. Squier, A. A. Moore,
Orlando W. AxteU ; 1864, Edwin S. Snow, Horace F. Moore, R.
W. Clark ; 1865, Aaron P. Parks, R. W. Clark, Horace F. Moore ;
1866-67, A. A. Moore,' H. K. AxteU, 0. A. Moore; 1868, R. W.
Clark, Wm. Squier, Lewis T. AUyn; 1869, R. W. Clark, Henry
S. Stiles, Chelsea Upson; 1870, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles,
Ransom E. Clark; 1871, E. W. Pettis, R. W. Clark, Ransom E.
Clark; 1872, R. E. Clark, Henry S.' Stiles, Wm. H. Avery; 1873,
R. E. Clark, Lewis T. Allyn, Ezra Wright; 1874-75, R. E. Clark,
Henry S. StUes, Chelsea Upson; 1876, Lewis T. Allyn, F. W.
Clark, A. A. Moore; 1877, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles, G. L.
Moore ; 1878, Lewis T. Allyn, F. W. Clark, H. F. Moore ; 1879-
81, R. W. Clark, Henry S. Stiles, G. L. Moore; 1882, R. W.
Clark, H. K. AxteU, H. C. Kelso ; 1883, R. W. Clark, H. S. Stiles,
H. C. Kelso ; 1884-86, G. L. Moore, Ezra Wright, L. 0. Moore ;
1887-89, R. W. Clark, L. 0. Moore, G. L. Moore; 1890, L. 0.
Moore, Ezra Wright, A. G. Weight; 1891-94, L. 0. Moore, R.
W. Clark, G. L. Moore; 1895-99, L. 0. Moore, R. W. Clark, A.
D. Avery; 1900, L. 0. Moore, A. D. Avery, A. J. HaU;, 1901,
L. 0. Moore, D. L. AUyn, 0. E. Moore.
Town Clerks.— ^te^hen Hurlbut, 1780-83; Daniel Barrett,
1783-97; James Searle, 1798; Daniel Barrett, 1799-1805; James
Wright, 1805-9; James L. Adair, 1809-16; Elisha Chapman,
1816-19 ; Moses Hatch, 1819-20 ; Orrin Parks, 1821 ; Samuel Bar
rett, 1822-23; Orrin Parks, 1824-53; N. S. Moore, 1853-58; Wm.
Squier, 1858-60; Aaron P. Parks, 1860-62; L. T. Allyn, 1863;
( 343 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Horace Bartholmew, 1864; Aaron P. Parks, 1865-68; L. T.
AUyn, 1868-72 ; A. A. Moore, 1872-78 ; R. B. Clark, 1879 ; Horace
Bartholmew, 1880-81; A. A. Moore, 1882; H. S. Stiles, 1883-86;
F. W. Clark, 1887-88; H. S. Stiles, 1889; A. A. Moore, 1890;
L. T. Allyn, 1891-92 ; D. L. Allyn, 1893-98 ; A. D. Avery, 1899-
1901. Town Officers, 1901.— It. 0. Moore, 0. B. Moore, D. L.
Allyn, selectmen; A. D. Avery, town clerk; A. J. Hall, auditor;
D. L. Allyn, treasurer ; C. H. Clapp, collector ; C. H. Clapp and
C. A. WiUiams, constables; M. E. Camp, D. L. Allyn, H. C.
Kelso, cemetery commissioners ; Lucien 0. Moore, justice of the
peace; C. A. WilUams, chief of poUce. The selectmen act as
assessors, overseers of the poor and town board of health.
Among the towns of Hampden county Montgomery always
has enjoyed an exceUent standing and has furnished to the
higher offices of public life in the region some of the best men
chosen to those positions. A glance at the above Ust of selectmen
Avill show the quality of material from which the town officers
have been selected, and a perusal of the general county civil list
will disclose that this town has furnished some strong representa
tives to the general court of the commonwealth. Yet it is some
what surprising that in 1900 Montgomery had less than half the
number of inhabitants who dwelt in the town one hundred years
ago. The causes of this remarkable decrease are too well known
to need discussion in this chapter, and a comparison of census
statistics Avith other towns will show that the loss in population
here has been no greater than in other similarly conditioned
divisions of the county.
From the earliest years of its history Montgomery has been
an agricultural town^; the quality of its land is good and fair
production is assured under persevering effort on the part of
the farmer. But the town happens to be located at a remote
distance from the best markets and never has had the direct
beneflts of a railroad. Its lands are elevated several hundred
feet above the valley in Westfield, and a fair proportion of its
'About 1837 there were 1468 sheep In the town, producing $2,220.35 worth
of wool, — EJd. ( 344 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
entire area is covered with excellent timber of various kinds.
Lumbering has always been carried on and occasionally wood
working establishments have been operated in the town.
The population of the town at various periods is shown by
the foUoAving extracts from the federal and state census reports :
1790, 449; 1800, 560; 1810, 595; 1820, 604; 1830, 579; 1840,
740; 1850, 393; 1855, 413; 1860, 371; 1865, 353; 1870, 318; 1875,
304; 1880, 303; 1885, 278; 1890, 266; 1895, 275; 1900, 273.
Notwithstanding the fact that Montgomery has been an
incorporated town almost a century and a half, it never has
had a village or trading center of any considerable note. The
little hamlet which has been made to serve that purpose is

Montgomery
situated near the center of the town and comprises about a
dozen dwellings and a few small shops, the Congregational
church, the library and a public school. This locality, and
indeed the entire town, is made the summer home of many per
sons who seek to escape the oppressive atmosphere of the cities
and find rest and quiet in the more pleasant and healthful hiU
regions of this substantial old town.
It would be difficult, if not quite impossible, to furnish a
reliable Ust of all the persons who have engaged in industrial
pursuits, other than farming, in the town. Many of the best
farmers raise general crops, yet dairy farming is perhaps the
( 345 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
chief occupation of the inhabitants. In connection with this
pursuit there has been maintained for years several creameries,
located according to the convenience of the people of the several
sections. At this time these creameries are conducted by A.
D. Avery, John Camp, Samuel W. Coe, B. A. Chapman and
C. M. Hayden. The axe helve factory is under the present pro
prietorship of C. A. Williams, who also acts as the peace officer
of the town. The cider makers are S. S. Avery and J. E. Camp;
cattle dealers, D. L. Allyn and C. S. Allyn; carpenter, H. C.
Kelso; wheelwright and general jobber, S. W. WiUiston; post
mistress, Mrs. A. E. Pittsinger; justice of the peace, Lucien 0.
Moore ; painter, Clifford Williston ; proprietor of stage Une, W.
B. Cushman; librarian, Mrs. D. L. Allyn; library committee,
Mrs. A. D. Avery, D. S. Moore, Mrs. H. C. Kelso.
The town always has maintained a public school system
according to the requirements of the law and of a standard
equal to that of any other town of like situation with this.
When formally organized in 1780 ample provision was made for
the support of a school, and as the several localities became
settled the territory was divided into districts and a school was
provided for each. The maximum number, both of schools and
pupils, was reached between 1830 and 1840, since which time
they have been reduced in number as the population has de
creased. At the present time five schools are maintained, but
the attendance is smaU in each, the total number of children
of school age in the town being only 47. Under the present
arrangement pupils entitled to attend an academic school are
sent to Westfield. Montgomery is one of four towns in Hamp
den county which have no superintendent of common schools.*
The present school committee comprises D. L. Allyn, chairman;
C. H. Clapp and C. M. Hayden.
In the early history of the town the affairs of the church
and of town itself Avere conducted almost as a single body, and
public maintenance of religious worship was a recognized cus
tom from the time the settlement was begun until about three
'Since this was written the town has joined with Russell, Blandford and Hunt
ington in employing a Superintendent of Schools,
( 346 )

THE TOWN OF MONTGOMERY
years after the incorporating act of 1783. Previous to 1780 the
church in Westfield governed the ecclesiastical history of the
New Addition. On the organization of the town the inhabitants
discussed the question of providing for regular services, and
in December following appropriated six pounds for the support
of "preaching in the town." In 1783 Rev. John Ballentine was
engaged to preach at the price of two dollars for each Sabbath's
service for twenty weeks. The flrst services were held in the
houses of the inhabitants, and in 1788 the subject of a meeting
house was discussed. In 1797 the flrst church edifice was built,
and was succeeded by the present structure erected in 1848.
During the period of its history, the Congregational church in
Montgomery has experienced a varied condition of existence,
at times being in a healthful state and as often decreasing in
numbers until it was not self-supporting. Now the pulpit is
supplied from Huntington by Rev. W. L. Hendrick.
Methodism gained a foothold in the town along about 1825
or '30 and increased so rapidly that in the course of the next
twenty years a house of worship was erected at the center.
Thereafter regular services were held during the warm months
of each year, but finally the town's population became so les
sened that the society could not maintain a separate existence.
In the same manner and at about the same time the Second
Adventists planted a society of their church in Montgomery,
and occupied the Congregational house of Avorship at the Center.
This society has since maintained an existence, although its
members are few in number. At the present time its people are
under the ministerial care of Rev. G. L. Teeple, of Huntington.
For many years Montgomery has been noted for the in
tegrity and worth of its citizens, and in glancing over the rec
ords of the county we find that some of the best public officers
have been chosen .from this town; and in local affairs we also
observe that the positions of trust have nearly always been filled
by men of acknowledged worth and high character. Elisha
Clark, who now is bordering on 90 years of life, began here a
poor man and eventually became one of the largest land owners
in the town. F. W. Clark, also a prosperous farmer, has been
( 347 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
an active factor in public affairs; has been town clerk, select
man, justice of the peace, and representative to the general
court. 0. A. Moore is a successful farmer and likewise has
gained celebrity as a veteran boarding-house keeper. W. W,
Avery is more than 80 years old and for about 25 years drove
the mail and passenger stage.
Among the other prominent factors in the past and present
history of the town we may mention the names of R. D. Avery,
E. A. Chapman, S. W. Coe, E. C. Clark, aU substantial farmers;
A. D. Avery, town clerk and farmer; S. B. WiUiston, carpenter
and blacksmith; C. H. Clapp, for several years constable and
collector of taxes; J. J. LaValley, the artist of vride repute;
George Avery, farmer and capitalist; H. C. Kelso, carpenter
and joiner; E. S. Allyn, farmer and extensive cattle dealer;
D. L. Allyn, farmer, dealer in live stock and conspicuous figure
in toAvn and church affairs ; L. 0. Moore, farmer, justice of the
peace, master of the grange, and who has held the office of
selectman longer than any previous incumbent in that position.

CHAPTER X
THE TOWN OF CHESTER
BY A. M. COPELAND
The town of Chester, formerly called Murrayfield, is located
in the extreme northwest corner of Hampden county. It is
bounded south by Blandford— the only tovm in Hampden
county that it touches; west by Becket; northwest by Middle-
field; north by Worthington; east by Huntington. Chester
and Huntington and nearly half of Montgomery and the south
east corner of Middlefield were all originally in the town of
Murrayfield. Murrayfield was one of several tovmships that
had been laid out and knovm only by number— this one being
known as "township No. 9." Three rivers flowed through this
( 348 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
township, and their united waters flowing together near the
northeast corner, and within the limits of Blandford, forrhed
from that point the Westfleld river. The three rivers were
always knoAvn as Westfleld river branches, and the vicinity of
their convergence Avas sometimes known by the name "Westfield
River Branches, ' ' which name was sometimes used in conveying
real estate located at this place. These rivers were knoAvn as
west, middle and east branches. The west branch enters
Chester from Middlefield, flowing in a nearly southerly direction
as far as the village of Chester— for many years known as
Chester Factories- and thence it flows in a course south of east
to and through the south part of Huntington to the point where
it unites with the east branch, and Westfield river proper be
gins. The middle branch enters Chester near the boundary line
between Middlefield and Worthington and, flowing in a south
easterly direction through Chester, enters the town of Hunting
ton and finally empties into the East branch, which is the largest
of the three branches, and flows through the entire length of
Huntington from north to south. These rivers flow through V
shaped gorges, the remains of what were at one time deep can
yons. The sides of these gorges are very steep; so that roads
from the rivers to the highland are practicable only through
the ravines where flow the numerous brooks from the highlands
to the rivers. The highways of Chester, except those traversing
the plateau, are in the bottom of the gorges and ravines; and
these are the most important highways of the town. The' west
branch is spanned by five bridges between Middlefield and
Huntington ; and the middle branch is spanned by four bridges.
The highAvays along these two rivers afford delightful drives in
summer and autunm. The scenery is wonderfully wild and
picturesque at any season. Some of the most delightful walks
and drives the writer has ever enjoyed have been along these
river roads in the winter time. Numerous brooks, having their
rise 1,000 feet or more higher than the beds of these rivers, flow
with great rapidity through wild ravines and mingle their
waters with those of Westfield river branches. And it is through
these ravines that the inhabitants of the high lands make their
( 349 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ways to the vaUeys both from Chester Centre and from Bland
ford, over roads for the most part of fairly good grades; jour
neys over which in summer and in autumn are wonderfully
delightful. Chester Centre— or Chester Hill, as it is sometimes caUed—
formerly an important village, is about twenty-five miles from
Springfleld. The only natural pond in Chester is located near
the summit of Round Top, the highest land in Hampden county,
it being 1,797 feet above sea level. Of the more important
brooks, the principal one is Walker's brook, which rises near
the centre of Becket, flows in an easterly direction and enters
the west branch at the village of Chester. This brook affords
valuable water power for several industries, the most important
of which is the Emery mill.
Abbott brook rises in the northerly part of the town about
1,600 feet above sea level, and enters the west branch about 1%
miles beloAV Chester Factories. Shortly before the breaking out
of the civil Avar the county commissioners laid out a road of very
easy grade from the river to Chester Centre on the line of this
brook; but unfortunately, owing to the burdens of the tovm
growing out of the civil war, the road was not built.
Another somewhat important stream is Sanderson brook,
rising in Blandford at an altitude of about 1,600 feet, and flow
ing north through a very picturesque ravine, enters the west
branch about 3 miles below Chester Factories. It was formerly
a famous flshing brook; as was Roaring brook, rising in Bland
ford and entering west branch about 2 miles below Sanderson
brook. Cook brook enters the west branch about 1^^ miles westerly
from Huntington village. It rises in the northerly part of
Chester at an altitude of about 1,500 feet and flows south. The
first saw mill built in the town was located on this brook a short
distance south of the church at Chester Centre. This also was
a famous trout brook, and in his boyhood the writer spent many
delightful hours on its banks.
Flowing into middle branch are Winchell brook. Day's
brook, rising in the northerly part of the tovni about 1,500 feet
( 350 )

o I
bB

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
about sea level and flowing southeasterly, entering middle
branch at Dayville, Kinney brook, rising in Worthington, and
flowing southeasterly and entering middle branch at Dayville.
The road from Huntington village— formerly Chester vil
lage—to Chester Centre and on to Middlefield, on the Une of
Cook brook, was an important highway in the early history of
the town when traveling was by stage coaches, and the tran
sportation of merchandise was by horses and wagons— a time
when the mountain farmer could sell all his farm produced right
at the village of Chester Centre. Another important highway,
branching off from the road to Becket, leads to Blandford. The
road to Becket was part of an old turnpike known as the Becket
Turnpike, incorporated about the beginning of the nineteenth
century. There are several villages in Chester that will be particu
larly described later on. At present they will be referred to
simply as pertaining to the geographical features of the town.
The most northerly one is North Chester, located on middle
branch. Lower down this river are Dayville and Littleville.
Huntington village was formerly included in Chester and known
by the name Chester Village. Seven miles up the west branch
is the village of Chester, formerly called Chester Factories.
Chester Centre is the oldest of the villages.
The topographical and geological features are exceedingly
interesting. The sides of the ravines rise abruptly to heights
above sea level varying from about 1,200 feet to 1,500 feet with
occasional points reaching to 1,600 feet and higher, and these
ravines are as numerous as are the rivers and the important
brooks. At the altitude of 1,200 to 1,300 feet is an open country
forming a part of the great Western Massachusetts plateau,
Avhich was planed down and carved into its present form, by
glacial action in the Ice Age. The prevailing rock is mica slate,
the strata of which are tilled to a nearly vertical position, the
strike being north and south. There are some valuable minerals
in Chester, the most important of which is emery. This sub
ject is so Avell treated in the chapter of the Geology of Hampden
county, that nothing further need be said here.
( 352 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Chester has always been considered a good agricultural
town. The land, although rocky and stony, is very strong and
fertile, maturing all the ordinary crops usually grown in New
England. All the hardier fruits, particularly apples, grow
abundantly, and especially is this true in the vicinity of Chester
Centre and in other localities on the plateau. Peaches, plums,
and grapes are successfully grown and with profit. The land
in the valley, bordering the rivers and known as interval land,
is easily tilled and responds generously to faithful cultivation,
but it lacks the strength and staying qualities of the plateau
land. Formerly cattle and sheep raising was very profitable.
But since the days of the stage coach these enterprises have
dwindled, especially since the rapid opening of the Great West.
But of late attention is being given to the hill towns of Hamp
den and the other counties of Western Massachusetts, and it
is hoped that their future will be brighter than their present.
The soil of Chester is also fertile in the growth of forests, all
the valuable woods and timber of New England growing lux
uriantly. The sound of the saw in numerous miUs on the rivers
and brooks rang out cheerily in days gone by, and even now no
year passes when lumbering is not carried on in some parts of
the town. Settlement and Early History of the Toww.— OriginaUy
Chester Avas part of township No. 9, which belonged to the gov
ernment, and was estimated to contain 32,200 acres of land, out
of which were carved a part of Middlefield at the northwest
corner, the toAvn of Norwich, now Huntington, and part of
Montgomery, leaving Chester of nearly its present form and
size. In 1736 a grant of 4,800 acres in the extreme south corner
of No. 9 was made by the government to David Ingersole of
Westfield in exchange for lands in Berkshire county wanted for
the Stockbridge Indians. For the same purpose a grant of 2,000
acres in the east part of the township, and now included in the
town of Huntington, was made to Joseph Green and Isaac
Walker of Boston in 1739, in exchange for land in Berkshire
county. In 1737, on petition of Rev. Stephen WiUiams of
Springfield, a grant of 700 acres was laid out to the heirs of
, 23-3 ( 353 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Rev. John Williams, formerly of Deerfield, and was known as
the Williams grant. This tract was at the southeast of Green
and Walker grant, and is included in the town of Huntington.
In the south part of No. 9, and adjoining the Blandford line,
a grant of 250 acres was made to John Bolton, who had already
settied in Blandford. This was known as Bolton grant and it
includes the larger part of the present village of Huntington,
formerly known as Chester ViUage. Subject to these grants,
on June 2, 1762, by order of the general court, ten townships
in the western part of Massachusetts, including No. 9, were sold
at public auction. No. 9 was sold for £1,500 and came into the
possession of John Chandler and Timothy Paine, both of Wor
cester, John Murray of Rutland, and Abijah Willard of Lan
caster. They did not at once receive an absolute title in fee of
No. 9, but took it subject to conditions which they subsequently
fulfilled. What the conditions Avere appears in the conditions
imposed by them upon the settlers and will appear later.
Prior to the sale of June 2, 1762, nineteen settlers with their
families had taken possession of tracts of land within the limits
of No. 9, and had settled upon them. The names of these persons
were David Bolton, James Bolton, James Clark, Abraham Plem
ming, Zebulon Fuller, David Gilmore, Moses Hale, WiUiam
Mann, Ebenezer Meacham, William Miller, Moses Moss, Israel
Rose, David Scott, Ebenezer Webber and Jonathan Hart Web
ber, They had settled in the southeasterly part, but west of
Ingersole 's grant. Some of them were there as early as 1760,
and probably in violation of law and without right. In the
autumn of 1762 the proprietors of No. 9 employed Eldad Taylor
and Charles Baker, two surveyors residing in Westfield, who
surveyed and laid out the first division of lots consisting of 120
lots of 108 acres each, in the central part of the township and
comprising what is now known as Chester Centre. The first
meeting of the proprietors was held at the inn of WiUiam Lyman
in Northampton, January 5, 1763, and they proceeded to or
ganize and arrange for admitting settlers to the lots surveyed
as above stated. The conditions of settlement were as follows:
"That each one Avithin the space of three years commencing
( 354 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
from the first of June last build a dwelling house on their lot
of the following dimensions, viz. : Twenty-four feet long,
eighteen feet wide, and seven feet stud, and have seven acres
of land well cleared and fenced and brought to English grass
or plowed, and actually settle with family on the same and con
tinue such family thereon for the space of six years, and shall
also within three years from this time settle a Protestant min
ister of the Gospel there and pay one-sixth part of the charge
thereof, and that each settler have 100 acres of land as an in-
couragement, and that they give bond to the treasurer of said
proprietors in the sum of fifty pounds conditioned to perform
the conditions, and upon their complying and performing said
conditions the said lots be confirmed to them, their heirs and
assigns forever".
They admitted the following named persons as settlers:
David Bolton, Robert Blair, Absolom Blair, John Boyes, John
Brown, James Black, James Clark, Glass Cochran, John Crooks,
John Crawford, William Campbell, jr., William English, An
drew English, Samuel Elder, James Fairman, Abraham Plem
ming, John Gilmore, David Gilmore, Alexander Gordon, John
Hannum, Jesse Johnson, Thomas Kennedy, William Kennedy,
Paul Kingston, John Lyman, John Laccore, Elias Lyman, Ben
jamin Matthews, John Mclntire, Nathan Mann, William Mann,
Thomas Morcton, Gideon Matthews, William Moore, Thomas
Mclntire, Asa Noble, Thomas Noble, jr., Israel Rose, Nathan
Rose, John Scott, jr., David Scott, John Smith, Abner Smith,
•John Woods, Ebenezer Webber, Levi Woods and Jonathan Hart
Webber. Only thirteen of the nineteen settlers found on the land by
the proprietors were permitted to draw lots; and of these only
seven were permitted to hold 1.00 acres where they had begun
improvements. Six only were permitted to draw lots with the
•other settlers; the wishes of the others to remain on the lands
where they had begun improvements, were disregarded by the
proprietors. The remaining six, James Bolton, Zebulen FuUer,
Moses Hale, Ebenezer Meacham, William Miller and Moses Moss,
were neither permitted to keep their lands nor to draw with
( 355 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
others. Fuller, Meacham and Miller remained and purchased
farms. The other three went elsewhere.
Of these settlers the Boltons, John Crooks, John Scott, jr.,
and Glass Cochran, came from Blandford ; Andrew and William
EngUsh and probably the Gilmores came from Pelham. The
Lymans Avere Northampton men and never settled in No. 9.
But Elias Lyman gave his lot to his two sons, Stephen and
Timothy, who packing their worldly efffects into a chest and
carrying it betAveen them, one hand grasping a handle of the
chest and the other an axe, came on foot to the highlands of No.
9. John Boyes, John Woods, and probably James Black and
Levi Woods came from Rutland. John Wood came from Lancas
ter, Jesse Johnson and John Hannum came from Southampton,
and Abner and John Smith came from Northampton. Tradition
has it that John Smith was a man of wonderful physical strength
and endurance; and that he Avent from Northampton to No. 9
on foot, carrying on his back a five-pail iron kettle.
Gideon Matthews came from Torrington, Conn., but his son,
Benjamin Matthews, never settled in the new town. Israel and
Nathan Rose came from Granville. The Nobles were Westfield
men; they never settled in No. 9, and so forfeited the lots set
out to them. Ebenezer Meacham came from Enfield, Conn.
Of the other people who came to No. 9, Timothy Smith came
from Wallingford, Conn., and purchased 500 acres of land, that
took in the southerly part of Goss Hill, for which he paid £225.
Malcolm Henry came from Oakham. Nathaniel Welles and
Ebenezer King came from Westfield and settled near the east
branch and Avithin the limits of Ingersole 's grant.
A minister lot containing 100 acres was laid out, and a plot
of "eight acres for a meeting-house place, training field and
burying place ' ' Avas laid out on the southerly side. The present
meeting house at Chester Centre stands on this eight-acre lot.
A meeting-house was erected here a few rods south of the pres
ent church. It was 45 feet long by 40 feet wide ; the posts were
20 feet high. The frame was set up and boarded and shingled
and the doors put in by the proprietors ; such being one of condi
tion imposed upon them at the time of their purchase. Several
( 356 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
years passed before the inhabitants were able to fully complete
the structure. The building was used not only as a place for
religious meeting, but the town meetings were also held there.
At first it was used only in the warmer season of the year. In
winter religious meetings were held and preaching listened to
in private houses or at the tavern, as was most convenient. The
meeting-house Avas not fully completed until about 1773.
The proprietors named the township Murrayfield, and it was
incorporated under that name the 31st of October, 1765. The
proprietors Avere dissatisfied with their purchase, and their dis
content found expression in a memorial to the general court
in December, 1763, in which they complained that the township
was uneven and mountainous, and described it as "divided into
three parts by three very rapid, rocky rivers; the banks of
which rivers are so steep and rocky that it is almost impossible
to pass from one side of said river to the other." They com
plained that about 7,500 acres of the best land had been taken
up in former grants and by a pond covering about 500 acres;
also, that they found nineteen settlements begun upon the best
of the land, and that they had not the poAver to turn them off,
and that if they had the power it would be attended with great
trouble and expense, and so they were obliged to give them 100
acres of land each where they had begun to settle ; that the only
place they could find to lay out the town plot was upon a very
high mountain, and that it would always be extremely difficult
to get to it, and that they must necessarily expend great sums of
money in making roads over mountains and in building expen
sive bridges over the three rapid rivers. Wherefore they prayed
that a part of the sum paid by them for the township be re
funded, or else that they be recompensed by the grant of a piece
of province land near to or adjoining the township, either in
Hampshire or Berkshire counties, "to enable them to make roads
and bridges in said township." Their request was granted by
giving them 1,200 acres of unappropriated land in Hampshire
county in the vicinity of the present town of Cummington. As
a matter of fact this was a fraud. The proprietors never built
any public roads within the limits of Murrayfield, nor any bridge
( 357 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
over either of the "three very rapid, rocky rivers" mentioned
in their petition. The representations of the proprietors were
untrue, touching the difficulty in crossing the rivers; for there
were many places on all the streams where fordways were safe
and easy except in times of high water. The conduct of the
proprietors is well set forth in a memorial to the general court
in 1779, praying for the building of a bridge over the east
branch. The memorial set forth the substance of the petition
of the proprietors which resulted in the aforesaid grant of 1,200
acres and of the fact that the proprietors neither before nor after
said grant built any roads or bridges, and of the fact that they
went over to the enemy when the revolutionary war broke out,
and of their treatment of the town and its inhabitants in other
respects and concluded as follows : ' ' Therefore we pray your
Honors that some method may be devised that a bridge may be
built across said river and its branches either by said grant of
land which the proprietors got granted to them for services they
never did, or out of their estates, or any other way your honors
in your wisdom shall see fit. ' ' Notice of the petition was given
to Timothy Paine, the only proprietor who remained loyal to
his country. The first town meeting was called by Eldad Taylor of
Westfield as nominated in the act of incorporation, to be held
at the house of Malcom Henry, a tavern, and was held March
11, 1766, and the officers chosen were as foUows: Town clerk
and treasurer, Malcom Henry ; selectmen and assessors, Timothy
Smith, John Smith and Malcom Henry; surveyors of highways,
Thomas Kennedy, Gideon Matthews, Nathan Mann, WilUam
Miller and DaAdd Bolton ; tithingmen, Samuel Elder and James
Clark; wardens, Israel Rose and William Mann; surveyors of
timber and lumber, Abraham Flemming and Isaac Mixer ; fence
viewers, Ebenezer Meachum and Ebenezer Webber; sealer of
weights and measures, Jonathan Wait; hog-reeves, Ebenezer
King and Stephen Lyman; deer-reeves, Alexander Gordon and
Samuel Webb.
No appropriation of money was voted at this time, and
probably for the reason that the proprietors Avere under obliga-
( 358 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
tion to lay out and build highways and bridges. But the town
did vote "that swine shaU run at large from the middle of Sep
tember to the middle of May foUowing." The law required
that swine running at large should be yoked or ringed in the
nose. The yoke was required to be the full length of the swine 's
neck and half as much below the neck, and the sole or bottom of
the yoke to be three times as long as the breadth or thickness
of the swine 's neck.
The following year the selectmen got into a controversy
touching the valuation list of which two different ones were pro
posed, and Avhich resulted in holding two opposition town meet
ings and choosing two sets of town officers; and the inhabitants
finally had to appeal to the general court to help them out of the
mess ; which was not fully accomplished until the spring of 1768,
when the f oUoving town officers were chosen : Town clerk, John
Smith; selectmen and assessors, Caleb Forbes, Timothy Smith
and WilUam Miller; constables, Stephen Lyman and Ebenezer
Webber; tithingmen, Israel Rose and Gideon Matthews; sur
veyors of highways, Isaac Mixer, Peter Williams, William Moore,
James Fairman, James Clark, Jonathan Hart Webber and
Samuel Ellis; fence viewers, Ebenezer Meacham and John Lac
core ; sealer of leather, Isaac Mixer ; surveyor of timber and
lumber, Bigatt Eggleston; deer-reeves, Ebenezer King and
Samuel Fairman; hog-reeves, Nathan Rose and Jonathan Hart
Webber; wardens, John Smith and Reuben Woolworth. At a
meeting of the toAvn held in June, £20 Avas appropriated for
preaching and £40 for ordinary town expenses. The valuation
list at this time showed 68 taxpayers. There were 76 polls,
32 horses, 50 oxen, 74 cows, 123 sheep, 40 swine. The amount
of money assessed for taxation was £83 to six different persons,
the largest sum being £58, and the least £2.
The first action of the town touching school was in 1769 by
raising £12 for the support of schools; which amount was the
sum voted the two following years.
At this time no person was qualified to vote in town affairs
unless taxed for £20 or more. In 1770 there were but 49 quali
fied voters. ( 359 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
At the annual meeting in 1771, Dr. David Shepard, who
came into the town in 1769, was chosen town clerk, and con
tinued in this office for many successive years. His residence
was in the vicinity of the meeting-house, and in very cold
Aveather the town meetings after the choice of a moderator some
times adjourned to his house and there finished the business of
the meeting. It is to the faithfulness of Dr. Shepard as town
clerk that we are indebted for the records of the earliest births,
deaths and marriages in the town.
About this time a controversy arose between the people at
the centre of the town and those of the east part concerning the
places where religious meetings and preaching should be held.
The people in the east part had about eight miles to travel to
reach Chester Centre, which they felt to be a hardship. This
difference was compromised temporarily by an agreement that
preaching should be had at the meeting-house two-thirds of the
time, and one-third of the time at Isaac Mixer's inn, located on
the east branch of Westfleld river near the present Norwich
bridge. This arrangement was for three years ; and as the peo
ple at Chester Centre and vicinity refused to renew it, the inhab
itants in the eastern part of the town appealed to the general
court and obtained a division of the town. In June, 1773, the
east part was set off and incorporated as the district of Norwich.
From this date we deal only with so much of Murrayfield as is
now comprised in the town of Chester. The particulars of aU
these proceedings are fully related in the writer's history of
Murrayfleld. After the division of the town there were left in the remain
ing part of Murrayfleld, 74 taxpayers, and the total valuation
was £2,178, and 19 shillings. August 16, 1773, a town meeting
was held and many articles acted upon ; but we will concern our
selves only with that providing for the election of new officers
to flU the vacancies left by the division. William CampbeU was
chosen assessor ; Caleb Bascom, sealer of weights and measures ;
Bigott Eggleston, sealer of timber and lumber. So it appears
that the more important offices of the town were held by citizens
of the middle and western parts of Murrayfleld, which was one
cause of the discontent of the east part.
( 360 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Representatives to the General Court, in what way they
served the town, and how they were paid was probably similar
to the practice of other towns at that time. An account of how
it was done in this town cannot but be of general interest. When
the east part of Murrayfield was set off into a separate district,
it was invested with all the privileges of other towns, with the
exception that it was not permitted to enjoy a separate repre
sentation in the general court; but in that respect was to act
with Murrayfield in the selection of a common representative.
In July, 1775, the inhabitants of Murrayfield voted to send
one representative to the general court. It was also
voted "that the representative be paid in work or grain
for his own time and horses." Lieut. Enoch Shepard
was the first representative chosen. The town also "chose
for a committee to give instructions to the representa
tive, Deac. John Kirkland, Lieut. David Scott, Ensign
Stephen Lyman, Deac. Samuel Matthews and Capt. Abner
Smith". In May, 1779, the town voted "that the town wiU be
obliged to pay Capt. Enoch Shepard his expenses for his travel
and attendance on the General Court, he giving his time and
allowing the town his fees." In 1780, Timothy Lyman was
chosen representative, and John Kelso, Enoch Shepard, James
Hamilton and Alexander Gordon Avere chosen a committee "to
instruct the representative and order him when to go to Boston. ' '
In 1782 Jesse Johnson was chosen representative, and the town
passed the following vote : "Voted to choose a committee of five
to give Deac. Johnson instructions how to conduct at Boston
with regard to the business of the town and when to go, and not
to tarry upon other public business."
Valuation Lists of the Town During the War.— The aggre
gate valuation amounted in 1775 to £1,605;, in 1777, £38,819; in
1780, £4,915 ; in 1781, £4,924. In 1776 Abner Smith was rated
at 119 pounds and 15 shillings and was much the wealthiest man
in town ; but in 1781 his rating was but 31 pounds and 6 shill
ings. Yet he was relatively the wealthiest man in town. It
appears that the collection of taxes was very difficult during this
period, not because of unwillingness to pay, but because of the
( 261 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
difficulty in obtaining money enough in view of the depreciated
currency. Until the time of the passage of the act, February 21,
1783, changing the name from Murrayfield to Chester, little of
historical interest transpired other than such as pertained to the
war No town in the commonwealth did its duty more faithfully
or more courageously than Murrayfield. In 1774, when events
were rapidly tending to a struggle with the mother country,
"Capt. David Shepard, Deacon Jesse Johnson, Lieut. Malcom
Henry, Deacon Samuel Matthews and Lieut. James Clark" were
chosen to act on behalf of the town as a committee of corre
spondence, at a town meeting held July 25, 1774. It was voted
unanimously not to "purchase, buy, or consume any goods or
wares that shall be imported from Great Britain after the last
of August next ensuing, until the meeting of the General Con
gress at Philadelphia." Also that "we Avill comply with what
measures the General Congress shall agree upon at their meeting
in Philadelphia, in next September."
At a tOAA'n meeting held June 17, 1776, "To see if the in
habitants will sign an agreement or oath that the General Court
have sent out to see who are the friends to liberty and their
country and who are not;" also "to see if the town as a body
are willing to have the thirteen united colonies declared an in
dependent state from Great Britain if the Continental and
General Courts shall judge best, and to pass any vote respecting
the same as the town shall judge best and prudent;" it was
voted "to sign an agreement or oath sent out from the General
Court;" also "that it is the mind of this town that the Con
tinental Congress declare independence from Great Britain, to
a man, in a full meeting. ' '
In the matter of raising money for soldiers and war charges,
and in furnishing clothing for soldiers, and in helping the fami
lies of soldiers, the toAvn of Murrayfield did its very utmost. In
1.780 the town raised £5,000 to purchase beef for the army. In
July, 1781, the town voted to raise, a sum of money sufficient to
purchase 3,044 pounds of beef, to be assessed upon the inhabit
ants, non-residents, and absentees of Murrayfield at the current
prices". All the original proprietors of the town, except
( 362 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Timothy Paine, adhered to the cause of Great Britain, and their
property rights in the town were confiscated without mercy.
Finally, at a town meeting held August 26, 1782, to see about
raising more beef, the town laid down in the furrow— it had
done its utmost.
The demands upon Murrayfield in the matter of furnishing
men and things for the war was not unlike those made upon all
other towns in the county; but the town was poor— that is to
say— the people were poor, but extremely patriotic. The space
here aUotted will not warrant a more detailed account of all that
the town did, such as the writer has given in his history of
Murrayfield, published in 1892.
Chester.— As early as 1775 the question of changing the
name of the town, because of confusion growing out of the fact
that there was another town in Hampshire county called Myri-
field, became a prominent matter. Several names were sug
gested: "Mount Asaph," "Mountfair" and "Fairfield" were
proposed; but finally the name Chester was agreed upon, and
the change was authorized by the general court, as stated before,
February 21, 1783. At the March meeting there were elected
the last list of officers for the town of Murrayfield, and the first
for the town of Chester: Town clerk, David Shepard; selectmen
and assessors, John Blair, William Campbell and Timothy
Lyman; treasurer, Stephen Lyman; constables, Benjamin Con
verse for the south end of the town and Timothy Smith for the
north end; tithing men, Gideon Matthews and Andrew Henry;
wardens, Reuben Woolworth, Samuel Moore, David Shepard,
James Hamilton; surveyors of highways, Joseph Abbott, jr.,
Edward Wright, jr., Thomas Smith, James Core, William Foot,
Samuel Moore, Captain Alexander, John Clark and Robert
Smith; fence viewers, James Moore and Robert Smith; hog-
reeves, Jonathan Waite, jr., William Smith and Jonathan
Draper; sealer of weights and measures, William Stone; sealer
of lumber. Deacon Matthews; pound keeper, William Foot;
sealer of leather, Isaac Bissell. Eighty pounds AA'ere raised for
repairs of highways, and three shillings flxed as the price of a
day's work. ( 363 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Villages.— There sprang up in Chester five different vil
lages; and a history of them is substantially a history of the
toAvn. The oldest of these villages is Chester Centre, located
near the centre of the town on the plateau and about 1,300 feet
above sea level. It was in this village and vicinity that the
authorized settlement of Murrayfield began, and its centre was
the meeting-house. The land in this vicinity was very produc
tive; although the usual difficulties of clearing such land and
bringing it into fit condition for tilling confronted the early
settlers, Avho came with but little money, but with strong bodies,
Avilling hands and stout hearts; and they bravely met the hard
ships of pioneer life. Here they made their homes and reared
their families. They were, nearly all of them, farmers. Although
their hardships were many and their advantages few, they never
wavered in their devotion to their country, their zeal for the
church, or in their determination to better their conditions
materially and spiritually. They raised on their farms pretty
much everything they ate, and made at home, with the spinning
wheel and loom and other appliances, nearly everything they
wore as clothing. SaAV mills were located in various parts of
the toAA'n. A grist mill was located at what is now Littleville.
In Chester Centre taverns and stores were established with
success worthy of reinark. During the early part of the nine
teenth century, until the full opening of railroad communication
betAveen Boston and Albany, about 1842, one of the stage routes
betAveen Boston and Albany was through Chester Centre ; it was
also one of the routes for freight transportation, in which in
dustry a large number of horses and wagons were engaged; and
along the route at distance of four or five miles apart were
humble hostelries for the accommodation of teamsters and their
teams. It Avould go without saying that large quantities of hay
and grain and other products of the farms found a ready market
at home. And in disposing of the products of the dairy, and '
the wool from their sheep the farmers on Chester hill had a fair
chance Avith the rest of the country; and they were prosperous,
and many acquired Avealth. At this period the town was pop
ulous, containing in 1826 a population of 1,526. But when the
( 364 )

o

o

ola a

O
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
railroad came and changed the route of travel and of transporta
tion of merchandise, Chester Centre was made to halt ; and from
that time on it gradually declined. Its downward course was
accelerated by the civil Avar, until to-day it has no store, nor any
other evidence of its former prosperity— only the meeting-house
(that in the thirties often had a congregation of 300 to 400, but
now a mere handful), the school house and the cemetery.
The most interesting historical feature of Chester Centre
is the meeting-house and what it stood for. As stated before,
the burden of building it and of organizing the church, was with
the proprietors. After erecting the frame and putting on a
roof and covering the sides and flooring it, the proprietors left
the settlers to struggle through the task of completing the edifice.
No action of the town touching this subject appears to have been
taken until 1768, after the reorganization of the town. At the
flrst meeting called by the newly elected board of selectmen to
be holden at the public meeting-house on June 28, the 3d article
of the warrant was ' ' For the town to vote, if they think proper,
a suitable sum of money for them to pay for pxeaching, and also
to choose a minister for supplying the pulpit." It was voted
to raise £20 for preaching that year; and "that the preaching
this year should not be all at the meeting-house." A committee
was chosen ' ' to apply to the Rev. Mr. Teed, Mr. Hooker at South
and Northampton, and the Rev. Mr. Ballentine of Westfield for
advice." Preaching during the winter months was held at
private houses, for the reason that the meeting-house was in so
unfinished a condition as not to be a suitable place. The window
places during cold weather were boarded up for want of glass
windows. And it Avas only from time to time and Uttle at a time
for several years, that the work of completing the meeting-house
went on to the finish.
The first minister settled over this church was the Rev.
Aaron Bascom. After the town had voted to call Mr. Bascom,
there came the question of organizing the church. The Scotch
element was large, and they preferred the Presbyterian form of
church government, while the English element preferred the
congregational form. But this difference was settled by com-
{ 366 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
promise to the satisfaction of every one, and the church was
duly organized on the 20th of December, 1769, and on the same
day Mr. Bascom was ordained. Mr. Bascom was a native of
Warren, and a graduate of Harvard university. He died in
1814 at the age of 68 years, and in the 45th year of his ministry.
The history of Mr. Bascom 's ministry in Chester is full of inter
esting events, but vve have not space to go into them. The next
minister settled over this church appears to have been the Rev.
Samuel Emmerson, ordained February 1, 1815. Mr. Bmmerson
did not enjoy good health, and was dismissed, December 10, 1817.
He was a graduate of Williams college. His successor was Rev.
Rufus Pomeroy, a native of Southampton, and a graduate of
Williams college. He was installed over the church at Chester
Centre November 20, 1819, and dismissed June 27, 1827. Rev.
Saul Clark, a graduate of Williams college, was installed as Mr.
Pomeroy 's successor November 11, 1829, and was dismissed in
1833. The next minister was Rev. Alanson Alvord, settled
November 18, 1834, and dismissed February 7, 1838. Rev. S.
W. Edson preached here for about three years after the dis
missal of Mr. Alvord. Rev. Francis E. Warriner was settled in
October, 1841, and dismissed June 22, 1847. Rev. David S.
Breed was settled July 4, 1853, and dismissed November 23, 1855.
Rev. Hugh Gibson was settled April 28, 1856, and dismissed
June 11, 1860. Francis E. Warriner was settled November 6,
1860, and dismissed May 7, 1866. Rev. Henry A. Dickinson was
settled March 17, 1867, and dismissed March 1, 1877. Rev.
Loring B. Marsh was settled March 5, 1877, and dismissed March
20, 1883. Rev. Charles Morgan was settled August 5, 1883, and
dismissed October 1, 1888. Rev. Hiram L. Howard was settled
June 16, 1889, and dismissed January 13, 1890. Rev. W. C.
Hawthorne was settled August 23, 1891, and dismissed July 16,
1892. Rev. Edward C. Haynes was settled July 1, 1893, and
dismissed July 2, 1899. Rev. Thomas W. Davison was settled
January 29, 1900, and dismissed April 3, 1901. Rev. William
M. Weeks was settled May 26, 1901.
Early in the 19th century this church was the victim of a
severe personal controversy, which extended to the formation of
( 367 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
opposing parties. It arose from a personal difference between
the pastor. Rev. Mr. Bascom, and Dr. Martin Phelps, one of the
prominent members of the church. Out of this feud is said to
have grown the Baptist church enterprise, organized in 1811.
Dr. Phelps, either voluntarily or by compulsion, withdrew from
the Congregational church, and with others joined in the forma
tion of a Baptist church, which was incorporated by an act of
the legislature dated February 26, 1811. The incorporators were
Samuel Bell, Daniel Bigelow, Joseph A. Rust, Samuel Russell,
Harvey Bodurtha, Daniel Smith, John Stephens, James Wilcox,
James Nooney, William Nooney, Grove Winchell, Noah Ellis,
Samuel Ormsby, Daniel Sizer, Jonathan Webber, jun., Hiram
Moore, Lewis Wright, Elisha Wilcox, Elisha Wilcox, jun., Asa
Wilcox, Samuel Bell, jun., Aaron Eggleston, William Quigley,
jun., James Briggs, Nathaniel GoodweU, William Henry, Abner
Masters, Cephus Stow, Samuel Wait, Andrew Henry, Weeden
Stanton, Samuel White, John Stevens, William Wyth, Boswell
Moore, Jonathan Melvin, David Mann, Silas Griffin, Nathan
Seward, Roger Gibson, Samuel Sampson, Edmund Gilmore,
Martin Culver, Hezekiah Elsworth, Eli Johnson, William Sizer,
jun., James Elder, Azael French, Ezekiel Suire (Squire?),
Zadock Ingorls, James Campbell, 2d, Jere Bodurthse, Horace
Sizer, Asher Stanton, Salathiel Judd, George Nye, Asa Ayers,
Stephen Dewey, John Dewey, Salah Day, Joshua Stevens, Mar
tin Phelps, Moses Warner, George Stewart, John Warner, Jod
Seward, Abner Smith, Othniel Belden, Alven Campbell, Ira
Day, Seth Phelps, Artemas Elder, David Wells, John C. BeU,
James Bell, 2d, William Hamilton, Nathaniel Coomes, Samuel
Otis, Seth Wait, Pharez Clark, John Hunter, James IngaUs,
Elijah Muck, Jacob Day, James Gilmore, Charles Culver, Aaron
Hunter, Joab Smith, Jona,than Wait, Sylvester Belden, James
Flemming, Joseph Shoats and Matthew Campbell, "together
AA'ith such others as have or may hereafter associate with them
and their successors, with their families, polls and estates, be,
and they are hereby incorporated into a religious society by the
name of The Baptist and Independent Society in Chester."
The people above named were from all the different parts
of Chester. Elder Grant became the first minister. Elder Ab-
( 368 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
bott Avas his successor, and held the pastoral office for several
years. The next regular pastor was Rev. Silas Kingsley, a native
of Becket, whose ministration continued for about 25 years. In
1852 the church numbered 33 members.
Physicians.— 'Dr. DaAdd Shepard was the first physician who
settled in Chester. He came about 1770, while the town was
called Murrayfield. He was a man of much influence in the
town. He married Lucinda Mather, and several children were
born to them.
At a town meeting held in April, 1778, it was voted that
"Capt. (Dr.) Shepard may have his family inoculated in his
house if he will give good obligations for his good behavior,"
and that he ' ' may let others of this town as long as the first day
of May and no longer, if there is room for them." In May
following the town voted "that any person may have liberty
to have the small-pox by inoculation in the fall at proper places
as the town shall judge best. ' '
Dr. Shepard was chosen town clerk in 1771, and at the
March meeting, 1783, he was chosen town clerk of Chester, at
its first town meeting. It is indicative of his importance in town
that after the meeting-house had been repaired, reseated and
redignified in 1785, the pew he occupied was No. 1, in dignity 1st.
Dr. WilUam Holland began practice at Chester Centre
during the lifetime of Dr. Shepard, but did not remain long.
Dr. Martin Phelps came to Chester about 1785 and remained
until his death at 82 years of age in 1838. He was a man of
much influence in town. He and Rev. Mr. Bascom got into a
controversy over politics, which resulted in Dr. Phelps' with
drawal from the Congregational church. He lent his aid to the
establishing of a Baptist church about 1812. He represented
the tovsm of Chester for several years in the legislature. Pro
fessionally he stood high in the community and with medical
men. Dr. Phelps was succeeded by Dr. Anson Boies. He was the
physician of Chester for a number of years. He died in 1820.
He was married tAvice, both wives being daughters of Rev. Mr.
Bascom. 24-3 ( 369 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Dr. Emmons succeeded Dr. Boies, and, after residing sev
eral years in Chester, he went to WilUamstown and became
Prof. Emmons.
Dr. Asahel Parmenter studied medicine with Dr. Boies and
remained in Chester a short time.
Dr. T. K. DeWolf established himself at Chester Centre in
1832 and remained there until his death, November 2, 1890, at
the age of 90. He was an able man and stood high in his pro- ,
fession not only with the public but with his professional
brethren. He was married twice. By his first marriage he had
two sons, one of whom Avas a lawyer of unusual ability, and the
other. Dr. Oscar C. DeWolf, a weU known physician, and at one
time the health commissioner of Chicago. There was also by
this marriage a daughter, Sarah, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke
seminary, who after teaching a few years became the wife of
Dr. Harlow Gamwell, late of Westfield. He had two sons by his
second marriage.
Dr. Joseph C. Abbott was in Chester Centre for a time while
Dr. DeWolf was in practice there.
The only lawyer who ever located at Chester Centre was
Asahel Wright, a graduate of Williams college, in 1803. He
married a daughter of Rev. Aaron Bascom. His professional
business was small, but he was highly esteemed as a useful man
in the affairs of the town and society. His death, which occurred
in 1830, at the age of 48 years, was felt as a loss to the people.
North Chester.— About two and one-half miles directiy
north from Chester Centre is a small village on the middle
branch of Westfield river, knoAvn at the present time as
North Chester, where in the early part of the nine
teenth century Thomas F. Plunkett established himself in the
business of manufacturing cotton goods. He also kept a store
at this place, and from him it was called Plunkettville, by which
name it was known for many years. At some time John J. Cook
became associated with him in business at North Chester, and
after a time became sole proprietor of the cotton mills, and was
manufacturing brown sheetings as late as 1840. He also carried

( 370 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
on the manufacture of slat-curtains for windows, the principal
market for which was Hartford, Conn. Mr. Cook employed at
one time about 40 persons, and turned out annually about
350,000 yards of cotton fabric valued at about $27,800. Shortly
after 1840 this manufacturing interest began to feel the disad
vantage of being seven miles from a railroad. The cotton factory
stood idle for many years, and its former glory is but tradition.
A post-office is still maintained at this village.
Dayville. — About two miles down the river from North
Chester is the hamlet called Dayville. There was a saw mill here,
and the Days carried on a prosperous business of manufacturing
shoe-pegs. But that has passed away, and the plant is now used
for other purposes. At the present time a saw mill and a man
ufactory of wintergreen essence are doing thriving business.
Littleville.— About a mile below Dayville on the middle
branch is a hamlet known as Littleville. At this place the first
grist mill in the town was established by Jonathan Clapp prior
to 1765, and on October 30, 1765, he conveyed the property to
Jonathan Wait. A saw mill was also established. A tannery
was established here by Prescott & Sherman and maintained
several years until they sold it to Benjamin Little, who had
worked for them a number of years. Little carried on the tan
nery successfully for several years, turning off 20 tons of sole
leather annuaUy. He also carried on a saw mill producing
500,000 feet of lumber annually. He also manufactured a great
quantity of bedsteads.
Littleville has a post-office and has usually maintained a
country store. The meeting-house, now in possession of the
Baptists, was built by CongregationaUsts, and was subsequently
maintained as a union church. It was built about 1845. The
early preachers were Rev. D. N. Merritt, Rev. I. J. DeVoe, Rev.
Daniel Foster, Rev. Mr. Conklin.
Chester Village.— The Falleys came to Chester before the
close of the 18th century and settled within what was knoAvn
as Bolton grant in the southeast corner of Chester where the
towns of Chester, Norwich and Blandford met. They established
a store and a hotel, and the place was known as Falley 's X
( 371 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Roads. Richard Falley 's name appears on the valuation list of
Murrayfield in the year 1782. Before 1810 Daniel FaUey and
Jesse Farnham carried on a country store under the style of
Falley and Farnham. The first tavern was kept in the small
house under the hill on the north side of the road leading to
Blandford. The Falleys subsequently built the tavern more
recently known as the Collins" tavern, on the spot now occupied
by the ' ' Parks House ' '. They also had a potash factory a short
distance westerly from the present Baptist meeting-house.
Early in the 19th century there was a hat factory carried
on by a man named Woolworth. Daniel Granger, well known
here for many years, learned the business of hat making of Mr.
Woohvorth, and at one time carried on the business himself.
There was a carding mill about a mile west of the village
on the north bank of the west branch of Westfield river. There
was a saw mill owned by Edward Pitcher, and near it a tannery
owned and carried on by Eliphalet Williams. These were
located about half way between the present woolen mill and the
dam. Mr. Woolworth owned and carried on a tannery nearly
opposite Mr. Williams' tannery on the north side of the river.
Tanning business in this vicinity was profitable in the first half
of the 19th century, and there were many tanneries in Chester
and other toAA'ns in this part of the state, and they consumed
great quantity of hemlock bark, until its scarcity put an end to
the business. William Lindsey became a partner in business
with Mr'. Woolworth, and after a few years was sole proprietor,
and he continued the business until about 1830. Shortly after
this time he built a hotel on the Blandford side of the line
between that town and Chester. At this time the place was
knovra by the name of Chester Village, although the post-office
continued to be called Falley 's X Roads, and the mail bags were
so marked as late as the 40 's and after the name Chester Village
applied to both the village and the post-office.
Some time about 1820 William Wade and Daniel Collins
established a cotton mill at Chester Village which was in operar
tion as late as 1836; but it was given up about 1840, and the
property sold to Melvin Copeland in 1842. From that date the
property was used for other purposes as will appear later on.
( 372 )

Duty Underwood
A familiar character in Chester history

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Wade established a store at the intersection of the road
to Blandford with the main highAvay from Chester to Westfield.
As late as 1842 this store was carried on by T. S. Wade, who
was also the first station agent at Chester Village for the "West
ern railroad". He was succeeded both as station agent and as
storekeeper by Edward Jessup, who left Chester Village in 1843.
Daniel Fry succeeded him as station agent.
The viUage blacksmith was Elijah Rice, one of the many
unique characters in Chester, the picture of one of whom, Duty
Underwood, graces this page.
About 1% miles west of Chester viUage where the road turns
off toward Chester Centre, was a small tavern built by Pearly
Cook, and he was the landlord. In the upper story of this tavern
Avas a Masonic lodge room, which was maintained until the anti-
Masonic excitement.
Prior to 1835 the people of this village were obliged to travel
several miles to attend church. September 1, 1835, Daniel Col
lins, Leonard Williams, Lewis Collins, Daniel Collins, jr., Horace
Taylor, WilUam Lindsey, William Leonard, Henry E. Bigelow,
Pearly Cook, Hugh Kelso, Daniel Lewis, Daniel L. Champlin,
Martin Phelps, jr., Abel Babcock, jr., Levi Ellsworth, David
P. Tinker, Nathan Ellsworth, Duty Underwood, Jonathan Nye,
Asa Wilcox, Ira Lindsey, Daniel Granger, Nathan W. Robins,
Reuben L. Bromley, Cyrus Culver, Heman Lindsey, John Sisk,
Camden H. Babcock, William Culver, Naham StoweU, Andrew
Johnson, Gilbert S. Lewis, Gilbert Collins, and E. T. and T. S.
Wade, people residing some in Chester village, some in Norwich,
some in Blandford, and others in various localities in Chester,
subscribed the aggregate sum of $1,050 for the purpose of build
ing a meeting-house; agreeing "That AA'hen a sufficient amount
of funds shall be subscribed each subscriber shall designate to
what society his subscription shall belong ; and whatever society
shall subscribe the greatest amount, then said house shall be
called by that name and be occupied by said society so subscrib
ing at any time they may choose ; but it shall at all times when
not so occupied be open and free to any Christian denomination
for the performance of public Avorship." The meeting-house
( 374 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Avas finished late in the autumn of 1836. The conditions that
Avere to determine to which denomination the control of the
meeting-house should come, were fulfilled by the Methodists. It
does not appear that any regular clergyman was employed, nor
does it appear what clergymen preached there, until about 1842
or 1843, AA'hen a young Methodist clergyman of the name of
Braman officiated as the regular preacher. Rev. Mr. Merrill,
also Rev. J. Marcey, in the years 1847-8, preached there. About
1846 Mr. Cook preached Sundays and practiced dentistry during
the week. In 1843 a number of people belonging to the Congregational
denomination came to Chester village, and soon there came a
demand for a Congregational clergyman. A compromise was
effected which gave the pulpit of the Congregationalists every
alternate Sunday and to the Methodists the other alternate Sun
days. This did not last long. The Methodists insisted upon
their absolute control. And in 1848 the Congregationalists or
ganized a society by themselves and built a church. Rev.
Perkins K. Clark Avas the first minister settled over the new
church. Mr. Clark left about 1850 and was succeeded by Rev.
Mr. Eggleston, who in a year or two was succeeded by Rev.
Townsend Walker.
Physicians.— 'Dr. Leonard Williams was, probably, the first
physician located at Chester village.
Dr. Martin Phelps, who died in 1838 at the age of 80, spent
the last years of his life a short distance west of the village.
Dr. James Holland practiced in Chester village for a short
time before settling in Westfleld.
Dr. Charles Holland practiced in Chester AdUage from about
1840 to about 1850.
Dr. Crossett was in practice in the village several years until
his death. Dr. Noah S. Bartiett was in practice at the time the village
Avas set off into the town of Norwich.
Lawyers. — The first lawyer known to live in Chester village
Avas Samuel Johnson, as remarkable an individual in many ways
as old Dr. Johnson himself. He has been described as a "large,
( 375 )

OUR COUNi'Y AND ITS PEOPLE
good-looking man of over six feet in height and more than two
hundred pounds avoirdupois, erect in form and dignified in his
carriage, stately and formal in his address, deep-toned and
deliberate in his utterances, impressing a beholder with the
belief that he possessed all the wisdom that he pretended to have,
and perhaps something more." He was as unique in dress as
in person. About 1850 Homer Clark was in practice for a few years.
While Mr. Clark was in the village, Daniel Granger opened an
office and was the village lawyer at the time the name was
changed to Huntington.
Mantofacturing. — In 1842 Melvin Copeland, who had car
ried on the business of plane making for several years in Hart
ford, where he had become a man of influence not only in business
and in politics, but also in church relations, being a deacon in
Dr. Hawes' church, and at one time the editor of a newspaper
called "The American Protector", came to Chester Village and
purchased the old cotton factory, and transferred his business
from Hartford to Chester. He was induced to this move not
only by reason of the excellent water ppwer and building well
adapted to his business, but as well because an abundance of
excellent beech timber grew in this vicinity, and he was also in
fluenced by his love for country life to which this wonderfully
picturesque place strongly appealed. He brought with him ten
or twelve of his old workmen, and for several years he did a
prosperous business.
In 1843, his brother, Alfred Copeland, came from Colum
bus, Ohio, and established the business of manufacturing bed
steads and also general wood- turning; and for several years
he did a prosperous business, employing about a dozen workmen.
This business occupied the first floor of the old cotton factory.
Soon after the Copelands had became well established in
business, two brothers, Warner Hannum and Harvey Hannum,
who had been manufacturers of axes for a long time on Norwich
Hill, so called, moved their business to Chester Village and
purchased of Melvin Copeland an interest in the miU privilege
and erected an axe factory near by and did a thriving business.
( 376 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
James G. Allen established a shop for the making and re
pairing of wagons about 1845, and a Mr. Hinkley came from
Florence shortly after and started a blacksmith shop in company
with Francis AxteU from the same place. After a short time
Hinkley sold out to AxteU and went elsewhere.
A year or tAvo afterward, Benjamin P. Whipple came from
Florence and started the manufacture of doors, window-sash
and window-blinds in the second story of the ax factory.
About this time a paper mill was established in Russell,
about one and a half miles from Chester Village, by Burbank
and Pales, which was a great help to the store-keepers in the
village. Roland S. Bartlett, a practical basket-maker, in company
with Daniel Copeland, a brother of Melvin and Alfred, started
a basket factory on the east branch, and continued business until
Mr. Copeland 's death; after which Mr. Bartlett established a
factory in company with L. B. Williams, who subsequently re
moved the business to Northampton.
Then were three common country stores: The old Wade
store was carried on by Lyman Dimock and Harvey Hannum,
under the style of Dimock and Hannum; the old Falley store
came into the possession of Daniel Collins, jun., and Jabin B.
Williams, under the style of Collins and Williams, about 1840,
and later the business became J. B. Williams and son, and then
WiUiams and Clark; and about 1845, a store was built on the
east side of the river at the end of the bridge, and the firm was
Munson Clark, and later Charles Munson.
About 1847, Samuel T. Lyman set up a stove store in con
nection AA'ith a tin-shop.
Chester A. Dewey, who came from Hartford, Conn., opened
a boot and shoe store.
The village tailors were N. Samuels, who did a paying
business; and about 1845, William S. Tinker opened a tailor's
shop and continued in the business until after the village was set
off to Norwich.
Chester Village was a business center for a large territory,
reaching not only into Chester, but into Norwich and Worth-
( 377 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ington and Chesterfleld and Montgomery and Blandford and
Russell, chiefly because of its convenient railroad shipping
facilities. During the time from about 1843 to the time of the civil
war, there were in this village, considering its population, an un
usual number of men of more than ordinary ability, potential fac
tors in the social, religious, and intellectual life of the place, as
well as in its business prosperity. It must be remembered that
this village was on the border of Blandford and at the southeast
comer of Chester and the southwest corner of Norwich ; that the
voting population was distributed between these three towns;
that the school house Avas in the centre of the village, and the
money for the support of schools came from three different towns.
This proved more or less embarrassing to the inhabitants, and
about 1850 effort was made to establish a new town by taking ter
ritory from these different towns. This was bitterly opposed by
the towns of Chester and Norwich. After two or three ineffectual
efforts before the legislature, they finaUy asked that the territory
including the village be annexed to Norwich. By an act of the
legislature. May 25, 1853, parts of Blandford and Chester were
annexed to Norwich, and the name was changed from Norwich to
Huntington, March 9, 1855. From the time of this annexation
Chester village became a part of the county of Hampshire, and
the name Chester village a thing of the past.
Chester Factories. — The AdUage knoAvn as Chester Factories,
noAV the village of Chester, is located in the southwesterly part
of the toAvn. This part of the town was not much settled until
after the revolutionary war. The village received its name from
a glass factory incorporated in 1814. The incorporators of the
"Chester Glass Company" were Jesse Famam, Harvey Cham
pion, John Dewey, Charles Douglass, Thomas Mather, David
King, Lester King, Benjamin Hastings and others. This enter
prise did not survive long after the close of the war with Great
Britain. The first mills operated at Chester Factories were saw
mills and grist mills. Tanning business was carried on success
fully for many years ; the first one is said to have been put in
operation in the early part of the 19th century by Spencer Clark,
( 378 )

J3o

<

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
who after operating it a few years sold out to Col. Edwards of
Northampton, and later it came into the hands of Edmund
Hubbard, and it was in the Hubbard family for many years.
The Hubbards were succeeded by Loring and Leach. Loring
and Leach were succeeded by Nelson and Rice. George D. Hap-
good was associated in the business with Loring and Rice and at
last became the owner, carrying on the business under the name
of George D. Hapgood & Son until it was finally given up. The
plant is now used by the Emery Co. as a part of its works. The
tanning business was closed out several years ago-
In the early part of the 19th century before the "Western
Railroad," so called, was built, Isaac Stevens established a
tavern, which later became the property of Col. Henry, who
enlarged the building, and about 1840 sold out to Joseph Lazell,
who kept the hotel for many years. It is now owned by William
H. Day.
The first store established in Chester Factories was started
by William Shepard and Hiram Barber, who carried on business
under the name of Shepard & Barber. About 1840 David
Cannon bought out Barber's interest, and the firm became
Shepard & Cannon, and subsequently David Cannon became sole
owner for a short time, when he took in a partner and the firm
became Cannon & Heath ; but finally the store passed into the
possession of Timothy Keefe, who carried on the business suc
cessfully for many years, and it is now carried on by his son,
James Keefe.
The main river, west branch of Westfield river, and the
many brooks that flow down the mountains and into it at and
in the vicinity of Chester Factories, the most important of which.
Walker brook, floAvs from a southwesterly direction and enters
the main river in the village, afford abundant water power.
Many saw miUs were started in the early part of the 19th century
on these streams, even before the railroad Avas built, and several
other kinds of business were started besides the tannery. Tim
othy Fay made pocket-combs of wood, which were in common
use in those days; nearly every man and boy carried a pair of
pocket-combs. These combs were also made by Edwin WUcox,
( 380 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
who also made bedsteads and had a saw mill as a part of his
establishment, and also made cardboards.
A man named Willcutt had a turning shop and made bob
bins. Another named Willcutt manufactured padlocks.
Erastus Fay owned and operated a saw mill on Walker
brook. Col. Samuel Henry established a grist mill on Walker
brook early in the 1 9th century. He was succeeded in the busi
ness by Henry D. Wilcox, and later the mill was owned and
operated by Bradford W. Palmer, and it is now carried on by
William GamAvell.
The tannery was located on the same brook, as was also the
sa«" mill and bedstead factory of William Fay. Another bed
stead factory was located on the main river and carried on by
Timothy Keefe. The hillsides and the mountains in the vicinity
of Chester Factories are heavily Avooded with maple, beech, birch
and other timber suitable for the industries above named; and
the building of the railroad gave new impulse to all kinds of
business in this vicinity.
The extension of the railroad that had been opened from
Boston to Springfleld Avas called the Western railroad. The
grading of this road was put under contract in 1838. The run
ning of cars from Springfield to Chester Factories was begun
May 24, 1841, and thence to the summit at Washington the fol
lowing September. The heavy part of the grade to the summit
begins at Chester Factories, and it necessitates keeping addi
tional locomotives to help trains up to the summit, and this neces
sitates an engine house and additional help to operate them.
Chester Factories was the half-Avay station between Springfield
and Pittsfield. All trains stopped here, and in many respbcts
it is one of the important stations on the road. For many years
there was but a single track. For many years a refreshment
table Avas kept at the station, and all trains stopped long enough
for passengers to lunch.
About the time the railroad began operation L. M. and A. C.
Root built a store near the railroad station and did a successful
business. The store is noAv carried on by George Pease.
At the present time there are about half a dozen stores in
Chester Factories, besides a drug store. The village is a business
( 382 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
centre for parts of Chester, Middlefield, Becket, Blandford and
Otis. In Dr. Edward Hitchcock's report of the geology of Massa
chusetts, published in 1841, he states, on page 194, that ' ' In the
western part of Chester, near the bed of serpentine and soapstone
already described, not far from the Western Railroad, are sev
eral beds of magnetic oxide of iron." Dr. Herman S. Lucas,
who came to Chester Factories and began the practice of his
profession in 1844, became interested in mineralogy. It is alto
gether probable that he was familiar with Dr. Hitchcock 's report
and with the statement above quoted referring to magnetic iron
in Chester. Dr. Lucas discovered this vein about 1850, or per
haps earlier, and specimens of it were on exhibition at the rail
road station at Chester Factories. Specimens of it were sent to
the iron furnaces at Stockbridge and Lenox, but it failed to work
as iron ore. About 1863 Dr. Lucas and his brother, John E.
Lucas, in company with Henry D. Wilcox, attempted to work
it in a blast furnace, but the experiment Avas unsuccessful. Soon
after this the property passed into the hands of a Boston com
pany represented by John B. Taft, and in which Dr. Lucas was
interested. It was while in the hands of this company that this
vein of supposed magnetic iron Avas discovered to be emery. I
quote from Prof. Emerson's Geology of Old Hampshire County
the following: "The credit of the discovery and its first an
nouncement belongs to D. C. T. Jackson. I remember how
.Prof. Shepard, when taking my college class through the cabinets
in 1865, stopped at the old state geological collection made by
President Hitchcock during his survey of Massachusetts, and
took down the specimen of magnetite collected from the Chester
bed and pointed out to us the emery which it contained, to show
us how near Dr. Hitchcock had been to numbering this among his
many discoveries." This quotation is deemed necessary to cor
rect a general impression prevailing in Chester and vicinity that
Dr. Lucas made the discovery that this vein was emery. Dr.
Jackson's discovery gave rise to the emery mining, and in 1868
the Hampden Emery company was formed, in which Dr. Lucas,
S. A. Bartholomew and Dr. Jackson were interested. A fcAV
( 383 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
years later this company made a conveyance to the Chester
Iron company, afterwards the Chester Emery company, a
stock company controlled by James T. Ames of Chicopee. Out
of this conveyance and the conduct of the old company touch
ing a vein further west, which it claimed and persisted in work
ing, arose a lawsuit, the result of which was that the vein came
into the hands of the Chester company and was worked by it,
extensive buildings being erected and expensive machinery pur
chased. In 1879 thirty-five men were employed and 210 tons
of emery were produced, valued at $20,000.
After the death of Mr. Ames the whole property, said to
have cost $80,000, was purchased by Dr. Lucas for $12,000.
The doctor continued the business in his own name, using
Turkish emery, until May 1, 1878, when Nathan Harwood was
associated with him, and they continued in business for several
years. Lucas and Harwood have both died recently. But the
emery works are still a leading industry in Chester.
The Avorking of granite obtained in the town of Becket and
transported to Chester Factories over a spur railroad recently
put in, is another important industry.
Another industry is the grinding of quartz for use in the
manufacture of porcelain.
Churches in Chester Factories. — The Second Congregational
church in Chester is located in Chester Factories, and was or
ganized in November in the year 1844, and the meeting-house
Avas built under arrangement similar to that under which the
meeting-house was built at Chester Village. The Congregational
pastors have been Rev. Hubbard Beebe, from 1844 to 1846 ; Rev.
Perkins K. Clark, from May, 1846, to May, 1849 ; Rev. D. Wil
liams, from May, 1849, to May, 1850 ; Rev. John C. Strong, from
May, 1850, to August, 1853 ; Rev. D. D. Osgood, 1853 ; Rev. Hugh
Gibson, 5 months in 1855 ; Rev. Z. Whitmore, from 1856 to April,
1863; Rev. Selah MerriU, from May, 1863, to March, 1864; Rev.
John Mills, from April, 1864, to June, 1864 ; Rev. Selah Merrill,
from June, 1864, to September, 1864; Rev. John Mills, from
October, 1864, to June, 1865; Rev. Edward A. Smith, from
July, 1865, to May, 1874 ; Rev. Cyrus B. Whitcomb, from August,
( 384 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
1874, to August, 1875 ; Rev. Charles H. Hamlin, from February,
1876, to 1879 ; Rev. Samuel W. Clark, from 1879 to April, 1880 ;
Rev. Alvin E. Todd, from October, 1880, to December, 1885;
Rev. Preston Barr, 1886 to 1887 ; Rev. Richard Scoles, from
March, 1888, to July, 1893; Rev. Thomas D. Murphy, from
November, 1893, to his death in 1901 ; Rev. WiUiam S. Walker,
July, 1901.
"In 1800 and 1801, Methodist classes were formed in
Chester numbering nearly 100 members, under the labors of
Ebenezer Washburn and Billy Hibbard, who preached at the
house of Capt. Alexander, about two miles south of Chester
Factories. The region was then embraced in 'Old GrauAdlle
Circuit', and in 1802, other preachers were on the circuit, but
after this the classes gradually declined, and there was no preach
ing for several years. From 1819 to 1842 Rev. Messrs. Andrew
McCune, Samuel Bighing, John Nixon, Jefferson HaskeU, Eras
tus Otis, Leslie, Estin, Mayo, Shepard, Nichols, Hawks, Moulton,
Lewis, Cushman, Niles and Shedd were on the circuit. At the
latter date the people of Chester Factories were generally Bap
tists. In 1843 Rev. A. A. Farr became the pastor at that village,
and the church was transferred to the Troy conference. The
same year a union church edifice was built, the same edifice now
occupied by the Second Congregational church, and the town
joined in the building for the purpose of using the basement for
a school house, and it is still used for that purpose. And while
the Methodist society was in occupation of this building. Rev.
Messrs. Kinsman, Atkinson, S. Mattison and A. C. Hand were
the preachers. The accommodation becoming too small, the
Methodists built a church by themselves, which was finished and
dedicated in 1847, the church, in the meantime, having gone
back into the New England conference. About the time of the
building of the house, the Wesleyans and Baptists ceased to have
preaching. The succession of pastors foUovring Mr. Hadd is
Rev. J. B. Bigelow, 1845 ; Rev. A. S. Flagg, 1846 ; Rev. I. Marcy,
1847 and 1848 : Rev. Farris Wilson, 1849 ; Rev, Mr. Woodbury,
1850; Rev. G. E. Chapman, 1851-52; Rev. B. S. Best, 1853; Rev.
C. Wait, 1854-55 ; Rev. C. W^ Merryfield, 1856 ; Rev. John Cad-
35-3 ( 385 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
weU, 1857; Rev. John Noon, 1858; Rev. F. Fisk, 1859-60; Rev.
B. D. Winslow, 1861 ; Rev. L. N. Clark, 1862 ; Rev. George Hewes,
1863; Rev. William D. Bridge, 1864; Rev. B. J. Moore, 1865-66;
Rev. J. F. Bassett, 1867 ; Rev. J. W. Fenn, 1868 ; Rev. WilUam
Gordon, 1869-70-71 ; Rev. L. A. Bosworth, 1872-73 ; Rev. B. Bur-
lingham, 1874-75; Rev. J. B. Bigelow, 1876-77; Rev. A. R.
Nichols, 1878; Rev. F. M. MiUer, 1879; Rev. John Galbraith,
1880-81; Rev. P. George, 1882; Rev. WilUam P. Blackmer,
1883-84; Rev. C. H. Walters, 1885-86; Rev. S. A. Bragg, 1887-88;
Rev. B. P. Kingsley, 1889-90-91 ; Rev. W. H. Dockham, 1892-93 ;
Rev. Robert Smith, 1894-95; Rev. A. Beal, 1896; Rev. J. A.
Betcher, 1897-98-99; Rev. T. J. Judge, 1900-1901.
In February, 1854, at the time of an intense excitement on
the subject of temperance with a crusade against Uquor sellers,
the Methodist meeting-house was blown up with powder in
revenge for the part taken by leading members of the Methodist
church. The building was repaired so as to be reopened on the
6th of the following August. At that time the church member
ship Avas about fifty.
Burial Places.— The first was at Chester Centre within the
8-acre plat laid out "for a meeting-house place, training field
and burial place. ' ' The first meeting-house was erected in 1767,
and the burial ground was established when the first grave was
made, and that Avas the grave of Abigail, wife of John Smith,
who died August 12, 1767. This cemetery has been in constant
use from that day to this. Within a few years past it has been
greatly improved and is in excellent condition. There is one at
North Chester, one at Littleville, one between Dayville and
Littleville, one near the Bromley place on the road from Norwich
Bridge to Chester Centre, one in the Ingalls neighborhood, the
Bell family burial lot, the old cemetery at Chester Factories,
still in use, and the Pine Hill cemetery recently established.
Schools.— There are nine school houses in the town, one
at the Centre, one at North Chester, one at Littleville, one in
the Bromley neighborhood, one north of Chester Centre, one
in the Ingalls neighborhood, one at the Mica Mills on the river
road from Huntington to Chester Factories, one at Round Top,
and two at Chester Factories. ( 386 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
The public schools have always been well looked after in
Chester. Expenditures for schools during the past year amounted
to about $6,600.
There is a public library at Chester Factories containing
2,634 volumes. The trustees are Timothy Keefe and Frank Fay.
The village of Chester Factories is equipped with a good
water service, and with an electric light service.
There are two hotels, the old hotel now kept by William H.
Day, and the White hotel near the railroad station, kept by
WiUiam R. White.
iawj/ers.— Marshall Wilcox, when a young man and located
in Otis, had an office in Chester and spent a portion of each
week here. He was succeeded by Henry D. Filley, a son of Lester
Pilley of Otis, one of the well known lawyers of Berkshire
county. Franklin D. Richards Avas there several years in the fifties.
He was succeeded by Edward H. Lathrop, who came to Chester
about 1861.
Clayton D. Smith, a native of Chester, has been located at
Chester Factories several years.
Physicians. — Dr. Heman S. Lucas settled in Chester as a
practicing physician in 1844. Since that date the following
named physicians have practiced in Chester Factories : Dr. Hill,
Dr. Brewster, Dr. Fay, Dr. Fiske, Dr. Couch, Dr. Howe.
The physicians now in practice are Dr. Howard E. Wilson,
Dr. Oscar J. Shepardson and Dr. Markham.
In Barber's "Historical Collection of Massachusetts", pub
lished in 1839, is the following touching Chester: "Population,
1,290. In 1837 there were 2 cotton mills ; cotton spindles, 1,690 ;
cotton goods manufactured, 225,000 yards ; value, $22,075 ; males
¦employed, 13 ; females, 22. There were 1,055 Saxony sheep,
2,495 merino, and 170 of other kinds of sheep; average weight
of fleece, 2 and three-fourth pounds; value of wool produced,
$5,817.38; capital invested, $11,347. There were 3 tanneries;
hides tanned, 33,500; value of leather tanned and curried,
$10,900; the value of window blinds manufactured, $15,000;
males employed, 14; females, twenty-six".
( 387 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Population.-ln 1776, 405; 1790, 1,119; 1800, 1,542; 1810,
1,534; 1.820, 1,526; 1830, 1,407; 1840, 1,632; 1850, 1,521; 1860,
1,314; 1870, 1,256; 1875, 1,396; 1880, 1,473; 1885, 1,318; 1890,
1,295 ; 1895, 1,429 ; 1900, 1,450.
CIVIL LIST OF CHESTEE
Representatives to the General Court.— 1715, Enoch
Shepard ; 1780, Timothy Lyman ; 1782, Jesse Johnson.
February 21, 1783, the name of the town was changed from
Murrayfield to Chester, and the representatives elected after
that until 1812 were : Reuben Hatton, Elijah Blackman, John
N. Parmenter. Selectmen Prior to the Division of Murrayfield. — 1766-67,
Timothy Smith, John Smith, Malcom Henry ; 1768, Caleb Fobes,
Timothy Smith, WiUiam Miller ; 1769, Ebenezer Meacham, James
Hamilton, Abner Smith; 1770, John Kirtland, Timothy Smith,
David Scott; 1771, Timothy Smith, Samuel Matthews, Edward
Wright; 1772, Malcom Henry, David Shepard, John Kirtland;
1773, Malcom Henry, John Kirtland, David Shepard, Abner
Smith. Town Clerks.— 1766, Malcom Henry; 1768, John Smith;
1771-4, David Shepard. The act setting off the district of Nor
wich was passed June 29, 1773, and on the 16th of August fol
lowing a town meeting was held in Murrayfield, at which
A'acancies in town offices caused by such division of the town were
tUled, and the board of selectmen for the remainder of the year
stood thus : Malcom Henry, David Shepard, Abner Smith, Wm.
Campbell; 1774-75, Jesse Johnson, James Hamilton, David
Shepard; 1776, David Shepard, James Hamilton, Timothy Ly
man ; 1777, Enoch Shepard, James Hamilton, Timothy Lyman ;
1778, Timothy Lyman, James Hamilton, John Blair ; 1779, Jesse
Johnson, Timothy Lyman, John Blair; 1780, Timothy Smith,
John Blair, Jesse Johnson; 1781, John Kelso, Saniuel Jones,
Samuel Bell ; 1782, John Blair, William Campbell, Jabez Tracy.
After the Name was Changed from Murrayfield to Chester.
—1783, John Blair, WiUiam CampbeU, Timothy Lyman; 1784,
Timothy Lyman, John N. Parmenter, WiUiam Stone; 1785,
( 388 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
William Campbell, Timothy Lyman, Gershom Rust; 1786, Elijah
Blackman, Timothy Lyman, Noadiah Seaward; 1787-88, James
Hamilton, Nathan Wright, William Sizer ; 1789, Timothy Lyman,
James Hamilton, John Elder ; 1790-91, David Shepard, Timothy
Lyman, John N. Parmenter; 1792, Timothy Lyman, Ephraim
Miller, John N. Parmenter ; 1793, John N. Parmenter, Timothy
Lyman, Eleazer Wales; 1794, Timothy Lyman, Abraham Day,
John N. Parmenter; 1795, David Shepard, Timothy Lyman,
Abraham Day; 1796, John N. Parmenter, Timothy Lyman,
Jason Wright; 1797, David Shepard, Ozias French, Ephraim
MiUer; 1798, Juda Willey, Elisha Wilcox, David Shepard,
Zadock Ingall, William Toogood; 1799, Samuel BeU, Jason
Wright, Juda WiUey; 1800-4, Asa Slayton, WiUiam Elder,
Simon C. Holland; 1805, William Elder, Sylvester Emmons;
1806, Asa Slayton, Jacob Day, Samuel BeU ; 1807, Samuel BeU,
Seth Phelps, Silas Freeman; 1808, Samuel Bell, Sylvester Em
mons, Silas Freeman, jr., Silas Kingsley, Daniel Smith; 1809,
Sylvester Emmons, John N. Parmenter, William Wade; 1810,
Sylvester Emmons, John N. Parmenter, William Taylor; 1811,
Sylvester Emmons, William Taylor, Horace Smith; 1812, Syl
vester Emmons, William Taylor, Horace Smith; 1813, William
Taylor, Horace Smith, WilUam Wade; 1814 WilUam Taylor,
Horace Smith, William Wade; 1815, Samuel Bell, John Ellis,
Samuel White; 1816, Samuel Bell, John Ellis, Ebenezer Whip
ple ; 1817, Samuel White, James Nooney, jr., Asa Wilcox ; 1818,
Samuel White, James Nooney, jr., Asa Wilcox; 1819, Sylvester
Emmons, Asa Wilcox, James Nooney, jr. ; 1820, Sylvester Em
mons, Asa Wilcox, Sylvester Belden ; 1821, Asa Wilcox, Sylvester
Belden, Isaac Whipple; 1822, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney,
jr., Charles Collins; 1823, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney, jr.,
Charles Collins ; 1824, Isaac Whipple, James Nooney, jr., Charles
Collins ; 1825, Charles Collins, Samuel B. Stebbins, John Hamil
ton; 1826, Charles Collins, John Taylor, James Elder; 1827,
James Elder, Timothy Lyman, Forbes Kyle ; 1828, Forbes Kyle,
Moses GamAveU, William Henry; 1829, Moses Gamwell, Samuel
B. Stebbins, Norid Elder ; 1830, WiUiam Shepard, LcAvis ColUns,
WiUiam Henry; 1831, William Henry, John Hamilton, Jonas
( 389 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Parmenter; 1832, Jonas Parmenter, Hector Campbell, WiUiam
Shepard ; 1833, Jonas Parmenter, Hector CampbeU, Otis Taylor ;
1834, Jonas Parmenter, Hector Campbell, Otis Taylor; 1835,
Jonas Parmenter, Hector Campbell, Otis Taylor; 1836, Samuel
Bell, Hector Campbell, Thomas F. Plunkett; (Plunkett moved
out of toAA'n and Jonas Parmenter succeeded.) 1837, William
Shepard, Samuel Bell, Isaac Stevens; 1838, Samuel Bell, Isaac
Stevens, William Moore; 1839, Isaac Stevens, WiUiam Moore,
Reuben L. Bromley; 1840, Forbes Kyle, Reuben L. Bromley,
Samuel Henry ; 1841, Jotham Clark, Samuel Henry, Adam Ham
ilton; 1842, Jonas Parmenter, Cheney Ingall, Camden H. Bab
cock; 1843, Cheney Ingall, Benjamin Little, Rufus Tinker; 1844,
Samuel Bell, Jonas Parmenter, Eli Knox; 1845, Jabin B. Wil
liams, Forbes Kyle, Joshua Bemis; 1846, David Smith, Camden
H. Babcock, Leverett Knox; 1847, Cheney Ingall, Daniel Fry,
Edwin Wilcox ; 1848, Daniel Fry, David Cannon, David Smith ;
1849-50, Daniel Fry, David Cannon, David Smith, Jonas Par
menter, Ely Wilcox ; 1851-55, Abner Sampson, John Bemis, Ely
Howe, Samuel Stebbins, David Smith, Alvan Rude, Henry
Dewey, Adam Hamilton; 1856, Albert B. Wright, B. B. East
man, Silas P. Searl; 1857, David Smith, 0. W. Gibbs, Joshua
Bemis; 1858, David Smith, Charles W. Knox, Joshua Bemis;
1859, David Smith, Charles W. Knox, John Carrington; 1860,
David Smith, Joshua Bemis, Samuel Stebbins; 1861-62, Charles
W. Knox, Joseph C. Kelso, B. D. Ormsby; 1863, E. D. Ormsby,
Charles W. Knox, Alfred S. Foot; 1864, Charles W. Knox,
Alfred S. Foot, Joseph Kelso ; 1865, Charles W. Knox, George
C. WilUams, B. B. Eastman ; 1866-7, Charles W. Knox, Charles
M. BeU, George Taylor; 1868, Charles W. Knox, Charles M.
BeU, Amos S. Cone ; 1869, Charles M. BeU, Amos S. Cone, Ely
Wilcox; 1870, Charles W. Knox, David Smith, Joshua Bemis;
1871, Henry D. WUcox, David Smith, Amos S. Cone; 1872,
Charles W. Knox, Charles M. Bell, Amos S. Cone; 1873, James
King, E. F. Pease, Amos S. Cone; 1874, Charles W. Knox,
Charles M. Bell, Amos S. Cone; 1875-6, Charles W. Knox,
Alpheus Willcutt, Amos S. Cone; 1877-8, Charles M. BeU,
Alpheus WiUcutt, J. H. Fiske ; 1879, Charles H. Warner, George
( 390 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
H. Hapgood, Jason H. Fiske; 1880, Charles H. Knox, Charles
M. Bell, Stephen W. Moore; 1881, James A. Jones, Alpheus
WiUcutt, Amos S. Cone ; 1882, Charles H. Knox, Alpheus WiU
cutt, Amos S. Cone; 1883, Charles H. Knox, Alfred S. Foot,
Joshua W. Bemis ; 1884-5-6, Charles H. Knox, Alfred S. Foot,
Joshua W. Bemis ; 1887, Charles H. Knox, Moses Clark, Joshua
W. Bemis; 1888, Charles H. Knox, Moses Clark, Joshua W.
Bemis ; 1889, Major A. Snow, Moses Clark, Clarence M. Woods ;
1890-1, Major A. SnoAV, Moses Clark, Joshua W. Bemis; 1892,
Moses Clark, Major A. Snow, Clarence M. Woods; 1893, Major
A. Snow, Clarence M. Woods, Edward L. Higgins ; 1894, Clayton
D. Smith, Clarence M. Woods, Edward L. Higgins; 1895-6,
George H. Hapgood, Edward L. Higgins, Clarence M. Woods;
1897, George H. Hapgood, Clarence M. Woods, Charles Z. Ingall ;
1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, George H. Hapgood, Clarence M. Woods,
Charles Z. Ingall.
Toiun Clerks After Division of the Toww.— 1774-7, Samuel
Matthews; 1777-98, David Shepard; 1798-1806, Gideon Mat
thews, jr.; 1806, Sylvester Emmons; 1807-9, Martin Phelps;
1809 to 1815, Anson Boise; 1816, Samuel Phelps; 1817, WiUiam
Henry; 1818, Isaiah L. Baker; 1819 to 1825, WiUiam Henry;
1826-27-28, Ashael Wright; 1829-30-31, Hector CampbeU; 1832-
33-34-35-36, Forbes Kyle; 1837-38-39-40, Otis Taylor; 1841,
David B. Tinker; 1842, Otis Taylor; 1843, George Whitney;
1844, Otis Taylor; 1845, George Whitney; 1846, Otis Taylor;
1847-48, Aurelius C. Root; 1849, Henry D. FiUey, who died and
AA'as succeeded by Aurelius C. Root; 1850 to '52, Otis Taylor;
1853, John B. Elder; 1854, Camden H. Babcock; 1855, John B.
Elder; 1856, Charles W. Knox; 1857, Franklin D. Richards;
1858, Otis Taylor; 1859-60, Camden H. Babcock; 1861-2, Chris
topher C. CampbeU; 1863 to 1871, Timothy Keefe; 1872 to 1902,
George N. Cone.
The list of Chester men who served in the civil war, so far
as can be ascertained, is as follows: Samuel L. Atwood, 31st
Mass.; Joseph S. Bemis, 34th Mass.; Edward D. Bemis, 62d
N. Y. ; Edson D. Bemis, 31st Mass. ; Watson Carr, 27th Mass. ;
Eli Carter, 36th N. Y. ; Wilman W. Clark, 31st Mass. ; Andrew
( 391 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Crow, 10th Mass.; Frank J. ChUds, 10th Mass.; Franklin W.
Dewey, 10th Mass.; Oscar D. DeWolf, surg., 1st Mass. Cav. ;
D. Albert Fairfield, 34th Mass.; George Garland, 10th Mass.;
Peter E. Herbert, 10th Mass.; George W. Howe, 10th Mass.;
Luke Ilavey, 31st Mass.; Martin Kennedy, 22d Mass.; WilUam
Meacham, 10th Mass.; Michael McGratty, 34th Mass.; Dwight
Mallison, 37th Mass.; Elijah Meacham, 34th Mass.; Edwin 0.
Messenger, 10th Mass. ; Lester H. Quigley, 27th Mass. ; Charles
Pay, 46th Mass.; Edward E. Quigley, 31st Mass.; George F.
Smith, 31st Mass.; Henry Talmage, 31st Mass.; George W.
TrueU, 27th Mass. ; Henry Town, 99th N. Y. ; Henry H. Weeks,
27th Mass. ; E. D. Winslow, chaplain, 19th Mass. ; George Riley,
unknoAvn; Zachariah Longley, 10th Mass.; Samuel Ladd, 27th
Mass.; Henry Robinson, 27th Mass.; Charles H. Smith, 27th
Mass.; Henry Raftis, 27th Mass.; Harrison Moore, 41st Ohio;
Dennis Coffin, 46th Mass. ; Joshua W. Bemis, 46th Mass. ; Oliver
C. Burr, 46th Mass. ; Cyrus L. Belden, 46th Mass. ; Lanson P.
Carter, 46th Mass.; Joseph Chartier, 46th Mass.; Henry E.
Dimock, 46th Mass. ; WilUam C. Dunham, 46th Mass. ; Edward
Dewey, 46th Mass. ; William K. Jackson, 46th Mass. ; James
Keefe, 46th Mass. ; Francis Otis, 46th Mass. ; Albert H. Sander
son, 46th Mass.; Charles F. Smith, 46th Mass.; George W.
Wright, 46th Mass. W. H. Waterman, D. B. Richmond, Edward
Fitzgerald, Samuel Pease, Daniel Dowd, Joseph Whipple,
Thomas Connors, James Scanlin, Horatio Holmes, John Moore
and William M. Wright who died in Andersonville prison.
Soldiers of the Revolutionary War. — The town of Chester,
then Murrayfield, was staunchly loyal to the cause of Independ
ence as has been shown in an early part of this history. The
minutemen Avho marched to Cambridge from Murrayfield in Col.
Seth Pomeroy 's regiment in April, 1775, were DaAdd Shepard,
James Clark, Gershom Rust, John Mclntire, Russell Dewey,
George Williams, Nathan Wright, Benjamin Wright, John Blair,
Asa Gould, Benjamin Eggleston, James Geer, Archelus Ander
son. The men who enlisted and went in Col. DaAdd Brewster's
regiment, 9th Continental, April 24, 1775, were Capt. Malcom
Henry, Sergeant William French, William Spencer Smith,
( 392 )

THE TOWN OF CHESTER
Joseph Henry, William Foot, John Elder and Ezekiel Snow,
and they were discharged the following October. John Laccore,
David Blair, George Black, William Moore, Thomas Elder and
Thomas Smith were in service a short time. In 1776 David
Bolton, William Smith and Eli Woolworth went into service in
Col. Dike's regiment. October 21, 1776, the men named below
joined Col. John Mosley's regiment and marched to Mount In
dependence under command of Lieut. Col. Timothy Robertson:
Enoch Shepard, captain; William Campbell, lieutenant; Ger
shom Rust, John Mclntire, Nathan Wright, sergeants; John
Elder, corporal; Edward Wright, fifer, and the foUowing
privates: Alexander Partridge, James Bentley, Ebenezer Free
man, Allen Geer, Thomas Elder, William Elder, Ebenezer
Stowe, John Smith, Lemuel Laccore, Abner Smith and Jonathan
Wait. Their term of service was 28 days.
March 1, 1777, Jehiel Eggleston and James Fobes enlisted
for three years or during the war. Patrick King enlisted Decem
ber 19, 1778 ; EUjah Brewer enUsted in July, 1780 ; Joseph Win
ter, Francis Thomas and Ebenezer Smith enlisted July 19, 1779,
for nine months. John Thompson was drafted and went into
Col. Mosley's regiment. In 1780, John Carlile, WiUiam Carlile,
Alexander McCuUen, WiUiam Harris, Timothy Smith, Jesse
Wright, Elijah Brewer, James Moore, Daniel Babcock, Abra
ham Converse, Isaac Converse, Jude Jones, Samuel Woolworth,
Nathan Matthews, Nathaniel Babcock and Primus Hill served
for six months. Another list of six months men are Joseph
Gilbert, Patrick King, Leonard Pigue, Noah Wilson, Moses Barr,
John Carlile, William CarUle, Alexander McCuUen, Joseph Win
ter, Timothy Smith, Jesse Wright and William Harris. Justin
Rust, Samuel Rust, Quartus Rust, Edward Taylor, Archelus
Anderson, Elijah Stanton, Alexander Mecla, John Curtis, EUjah
Brown, enlisted in 1781.

( 393 )

CHAPTER XI
THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
In 1731 a considerable tract of land on the eastern border of
Hampshire county, on which settlement had been made during
the twenty-five years preceding that time, was made a provisional
jurisdiction by the name of Brimfield. This territory was in
corporated as a town in 1731, and as settlement afterward in
creased the creation of other districts became necessary. In 1762
the south half of Brimfield, as then constituted, was formed into
a district by the name of South Brimfleld, and in 1766 this south
ern region was itself divided into east and west parishes. On
August 23, 1775, these parishes were incorporated into a town
by the name of South Brimfield, and thereupon became a civil
division of the county.
But it appears that the creation of the town soon gave rise
to many inconveniences on account of the situation of the lands,
and the Avelfare of the inhabitants demanded another division
of the new territory. This was accomplished in 1783, when, on
July 5, the general court passed "An act to incorporate the east
parish of South Brimfield into a district by the name of Hol
land," the effective portion of which act reads as follows:
"Whereas the inhabitants of the east parish in the said South
Brimfleld have represented to this court the many inconveniences
they labor under, arising from their connection with said South
Brimfield; for remedy thereof,
"Be it enacted," etc., "That all the lands and inhabitants
of South Brimfield aforesaid lying and being on the east side of
the county road leading from Brimfield to Union, in the state of
Connecticut, called and known as the South Meadow road there,
( 394 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
be and is hereby incorporated into a separate district by the
name of Holland, and invested with all the powers, privileges
and immunities that districts in this commonwealth are entittled
to according to law, or do or may enjoy." The act also directed
Abner Morgan, justice of the peace, to issue his warrant to some
principal person in the new district for the purpose of assem
bling the inhabitants in meeting for the election of officers.
Under the law the district was to all intents and purposes a town,
except that it was not entitled to a separate representative in the
general court ; and this right vs'as not granted until May 1, 1836.
Geographically, Holland occupies the extreme southeast cor
ner of the county ; being bounded on the east by Worcester coun
ty and on the south by the Connecticut line. The central part of
the town is 69 miles distant from Boston, 28 miles from Spring
field, and 12 miles from Palmer. Although its inhabitants are
allied to the people of the adjoining towns in Hampden county,
their associations are largely with those of Sturbridge on the east
and Union on the south. These are the natural and most con
venient trading places; for Holland is remotely situated from
Springfleld and other county markets, and communication with
them is attended with many inconveniences. This situation
always has worked adversely to Holland interests, as a Hampden
town, and while various remedies have been suggested to relieve
existing conditions none has been carried into effect, and the
toAvnsmen, consulting their personal interests, naturally turn to
the localities east and south of them.
Settlement.— The early settlement of Holland was accom
plished while the territory formed a part of the mother town of
Brimfleld, and when the latter was divided that which now
constitutes this tovm contained nearly 300 inhabitants. However,
in treating of this interesting portion of the town's history, it is
difficult to separate Holland from Brimfleld, for much that might
be said of the latter naturally applies to the former. But it
may be said, without fear of contradiction, that for more than
a century HoUand has been regarded as one of the most inde
pendent jurisdictions of the county, and from the period of its
earliest occupancy its people have been noted for their truly
( 396 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
democratic customs in domestic life. This is to their honor, for
here the people ever have struggled against difficulties and have
not received the recognition nor advantages to which they were by
right entitled. Still the town has prospered and its inhabitants
by personal eff!ort have established and maintained institutions
Nvorthy of larger towns.
According to recognized authority, the pioneer of Holland
Avas Joseph Blodgett, one of the original proprietors and for

Holland Pond

many years one of its foremost men. When the proprietors made
a division of their lands, Mr. Blodgett drew lot No. 67. This
drawing was confirmed by the general court in 1732, yet the
pioneer probably had established himself in the town as early
as 1725. In later years he took an active interest in local affairs,
fllling several important offices, and he was equally earnest in his
endeavors in behalf of the church. He was a surveyor as well
as farmer and the records make frequent reference to his work.
( 396 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
His house was on the South Meadow road which led from Brim
field to Union, and which divides the towns of Holland and
Wales. Pioneer Blodgett had several sons, one of whom, Jonas,
was the last surveyor and clerk of the proprietors of Brimfleld.
He died in 1839 at the advanced age of 95 years. He was per
haps more conspicuous in town affairs than his father, and was
one of the first board of selectmen, serving several years in that
office. The family name Blodgett has always been represented
in the town by men of character and integrity, and some of them
have been chosen to places of trust and responsibility.
When the pioneer led the advance of civilized white settle
ment into this then remote part of Hampshire county, his action
was regarded as hazardous because of the dangers which were
supposed to attend life in the wild and almost unknown regions
of old Brimfield. But within a short time after Joseph Blodgett
had built his cabin and prepared a little tract of land for culti
vation, other settlers began to come and occupy their lots, and in
the course of two or three years a little settlement had sprung
up. Among the comers of this period there may be mentioned
the names of John Webber, Ebenezer Wallis, Enoch Hides, John
Pishop, Jonathan and Robert Brown, nearly all of whom brought
families and shared with the pioneer the vicissitudes of life in a
new and unsettled region. These men were of sturdy New Eng
land stock, some of them descendants of Puritan ancestors, and
the dangers and hardships of life in a wilderness region had few
terrors for them. The surnames of many of these first settlers
are still preserved in the tOAvn, and a glance at the records Avill
show that some of them have attained to positions of importance
in local history.
Continuing our narrative still further, mention may be
made of the names of Henry and Trenance Webber, who came
to Holland from Rhode Island about 1730, and who were descend
ants of Henry Webber. They and their descendants in later
generations have been active factors in the history of the town.
Among others of that surname there may be recalled Frank
Webber, Rinaldo Webber, Samuel Webber, Adolphus Webber,
Loring Webber, William A. Webber, Ezra Webber and Dwight
( 397 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
E. Webber, each of whom did his full share in building up the
town and establishing a prosperous condition of affairs for his
own family, thus contributing to the general welfare of all the
town's people.
Since the earliest settiement the Wallis family has been
favorably knoAvn in Holland history. Ebenezer seems to have
been the pioneer, and DaAdd came about 1755. He was from
Woodstock, Connecticut, a blacksmith by trade and a farmer by
subsequent occupation. Among his children were several sons,
the names of Thomas, Jonathan, William and John being remem
bered as of the number. Jonathan adopted the trade of his
father, and Thomas became a physician, one of the first in Hol
land and a man of influence in the community. WilUam and
John Wallis were farmers. In the family of the pioneer Wallis
was a grandson, David by name, a son of David, jun., the latter
never having settled in this town. This younger David was a
soldier in the revolution, and after the war he married Persis
Rosebrook who bore him ten children. Like the Webbers, the
Wallis family have been prolific in Holland and their work has
been for good in all generations of their descendants.
Of the other early settlers in Holland whose names have been
mentioned little is known, and it is probable that some of them
soon left for homes in some other locality. James Marcy located
here about 1767, and was a farmer. Among his children were
several sons and daughters, the names of James, Jr., Elisha,
David, Job, Sarah and Betsey being recalled at this late day.
Most of these children grew up and married in the town and
were contributing factors in its best history. Benjamin Perrin
was an early settler about a mile south of the Centre. His sons
were John, Cyril and Hallowell Perrin. John married a daugh
ter of Ichabod Goodell, also an early settler, and had thirteen
children. Later on he removed to Monson. Hallowell Perrin
was a farmer and tavern keeper, and a man of prominence in
early days. He, too, raised a large family, but the surname is
no longer known in Holland. Ichabod Goodell (the year of his
settlement here is not known) was a conspicuous figure in early
Holland history. He married into the Webber family and had
( 398 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
four children, Huldah, Polly, Persis and Jabez. The son eventu
ally emigrated to New York state, where he taught school, and
through his excellent business capacity he acquired a fortune.
He never forgot his old home and in his will left $500 to the town.
Eliphalet Janes, the first clerk of the new district formed in
1783, was a farmer and OAA'ner of a saw and grist mill, but when
and whence he came is not known. In the same connection there
may be recalled the names of William Belknap, an early farmer
and upright townsman; Asa David, who filled several offices in
the town and was especially prominent in matters pertaining to
the church. He also taught school and engaged in farming until
1793, when he removed from the toAvn, Reuben Stevens was a
farmer and also a cloth dresser, and a useful man among the
early settlers.
Capt. Nehemiah May, another early and prominent settler,
was an officer in the revolutionary service and a man of much
influence in local town and church matters. He settled in the
south part of fhe town about 1764. Ebenezer Morris, the town
blacksmith, and it is said he was an excellent workman in his
time, married a daughter of Capt. May. Jonathan Cram is
remembered as a man of influence and as a successful farmer.
Joseph Bruce, who settled on the afterward knoAvn Hewlett farm,
v/as regarded as one of the most eccentric characters in early
HoUand history, yet he was a man of worth notwithstanding his
pecularities. John Policy was another early settler whose name
is frequently recalled as one of the town worthies more then a
century ago, and whose farm home lay on the old South Meadow
road between the east and west parishes. Gershom Rosebrook
was a farmer and lived east of the reservoir. His family name
was long preserved in the tovm.
In addition to those already mentioned among the early
settiers, we may stiU further recall James Frizzell, Humphrey
Cram, Jacob, Benjamin, Edward and Samuel Webber, John
Rosebrook, William and Asa Belknap, Jonathan Wallis, John
and James Anderson, Alfred Lyon, Daniel Burnett, Asa Dana,
John Brown, Jonathan Ballard and Eleazer Moore, all of whom
were conspicuous figures in town affairs about the time of the
( 399 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
division of Brimfield and the creation, of the new districts out
of its southern territory.
Those whose names are mentioned in preceding paragraphs
laid the foundation for the subsequent growth of the town. They
bore the hardships of life attendant upon the pioneership and
early settlement, but notwithstanding all the disadvantages un
der which they struggled they builded well, and permanent bene
fits thereby accrued to their descendants and all others who after
ward came to dwell in the region. There was something in
the character and quality of the lands to attract settlement, and
a comparison of records discloses that Holland in the early years
of its history grew as rapidly in population as any of the adjoin
ing towns. Indeed, in 1790 the town had more than double its
present population, the number of inhabitants then being 428
as against 169 in 1900. This loss has not been through any fault
of the people and is attributable to the same causes which have
worked a like decrease in population in all towns situated as is
this; and that, the tendency of later generations of young men
and women to abandon the farms for the pleasures of life in the
commercial centers.
The various fluctuations of population in Holland are seen
in the following extracts from the census reports: In 1790 the
inhabitants numbered 428 ; 1800, 445 ; 1810, 420 ; 1820, 453 ; 1830,
453 ; 1840, 423 ; 1850, 449 ; 1860, 419 ; 1865, 368 ; 1870, 344 ; 1875,
334; 1880, 302; 1885, 229; 1890, 201; 1895, 199; 1900, 169.
Civil History. —The early civil history of Holland is narrated
on preceding pages and it is stated how South Brimfield was
created and the east and west parishes of the latter eventuaUy
were made separate and distinct towns. The creation of the dis
trict of Holland in 1783 Avas necessary for the convenience of its
inhabitants and Avhile not then accorded full tovm powers the
civil organization was made complete in that year. The act of the
legislature directed Abner Morgan, justice, to issue his warrant
to some principal person in the district proposed td be incor
porated, and Joseph Bruce was selected for that purpose. The
first tovm meeting in pursuance of the warrant was held July 24,
1783, on which occasion Mr. Bruce acted as moderator. Capt.
( 400 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
Nehemiah May, Joseph Blodgett and Alfred Lyon were chosen
selectmen, and Eliphalet Janes, town clerk. A full board of
officers were chosen and then Holland began making civil history.
The succession of selectmen is as follows :
Selectmen.— nS'S, Nehemiah May, Joseph Blodgett, Alfred
Lyon; 1784, William Belknap, Daniel Burnet, Jonathan Cram;
1785, Jonas Blodgett, Daniel Burnet, Nehemiah May; 1786,
Joseph Bruce, Daniel Burnet, William Belknap ; 1787, Jonas
Blodgett, Asa Dana, Wm. Belknap; 1788, David Wallis, Asa
Dana, Wm. Belknap ; 1789, David Wallis, Asa Dana, John
PoUey ; 1790, Wm. Belknap, Alfred Lyon, John Brown ; 1791-93,
Wm. Belknap, Asa Dana, David Wallis; 1794, Alfred Lyon,
Ichabod Goodell, David WaUis ; 1795, Alfred Lyon, Wm. Belk
nap, David Wallis; 1796, Joseph Bruce, John PoUey, Halowell
Perrin ; 1797-8, David WalUs, John Policy, Wm. Belknap ; 1799,
David Wallis, Gershom Rosebrook, Rinaldo Webber; 1800, Wm.
Belknap, Ichabod Goodell, Rinaldo Webber ; 1801, David Wallis,
Ichabod Goodell, Jonathan Ballard; 1802, David Fay, Ichabod
Goodell, Ebenezer Morris; 1803, Jacob Thompson, Ichabod
Goodell, Ebenezer Morris; 1804, Jacob Thompson, Ichabod
Goodell, Rinaldo Webber; 1805, Jacob Thompson, John PoUey,
David WalUs ; 1806-07, Zerial May, John PoUey, David WalUs ;
1808, Ebenezer Morris, Ezra AUen, Ezra Webber ; 1809, Ebene
zer Morris, Jacob Thompson, Samuel Webber ; 1810, David Wal
lis, John Weaver, Ezra Webber ; 1811, Edward Blodgett, James
A. Lynn, Wm. Putnam ; 1812, Edward Blodgett, James A. Lynn,
Reuben Stevens ; 1813, Edward Blodgett, Ezra Webber, Leonard
Morris; 1814, Cyril Perrin, James A. Lynn, Edward Blodgett;
1815, John Weaver, David Wallis,, Ezra Allen ; 1816, John Weaver,
Ezra Webber, Edward Blodgett; 1817, Benj. Church, Preeland
WaUis, John WaUis; 1818, Samuel Webber, Preeland WaUis,
Reuben Stevens; 1819-20, Samuel Webber, Elbridge G. FuUer,
David B. Dean ; 1821, Samuel Webber, Preeland WalUs, David
B, Dean; 1822, Benj. Church, Preeland WalUs, David B. Dean;
1823, Isaac Partridge, Preeland WalUs, John WaUis; 1824-25,
David B. Dean, Preeland WaUis, Benj. Church; 1826, Adolphus
Webber, Preeland Wallis, Loring Webber ; 1827, Reuben Stevens,
26-3 ( 401 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
David B. Dean, Loring Webber; 1828, Leonard M. Morris, John
WalUs, Baxter Wood ; 1829-31, Preeland WalUs, David B. Dean,
Willard Weld ; 1832, Adolphus Webber, Loring Webber, WiUard
Weld; 1833, WiUard Weld, Adolphus Webber, Elbridge G.
Fuller ; 1834, Preeland Wallis, Adolphus Webber, Lyman Gould ;
1835, Preeland WaUis, Willard Webber, David B. Dean; 1836,
Preeland Wallis, Lyman Gould, Gilbert Rosebrook; 1837, Wil
lard Weld, Horace WalUs, Isaac W. Wood; 1838, WUlard Weld,
Horace Wallis, Preeland WalUs; 1839, Willard Weld, Levans
McFarlin, Preeland Wallis; 1840, Adolphus Webber, Horace
Wallis, Grosvernor May; 1841, Adolphus Webber, David, B.
Dean, Warren A. Wallis ; 1842, Preeland Wallis, David B. Dean,
Harrison Allen; 1843, Adolphus Webber, Willard Weld, Uriah
P. Marcy; 1844, David B. Dean, Adolphus Webber, Harrison
Allen; 1845, Preeland Wallis, Nehemiah Underwood, Eleazer
Moore ; 1846, William A. Webber, Nehemiah Underwood, Harri
son AUen ; 1847, John WalUs, Stephen C. Weld, John B. Gould
1848-49, WiUiam A. Webber, Warren A. WalUs, WilUam FrizeU
1850, Nehemiah UnderAvood, Uriah P. Marcy, John P. Gould
1851, Benj. F. Wilson, Alvin GoodeU, John WalUs ; 1852, Elea
zer Moore, Warren A. Wallis, John Wallis ; 1853, Wm. A. Web
ber, Nehemiah Underwood, Roswell A. Blodgett ; 1854, Nehemiah
Underwood, William A. Webber, Uriah P. Marcy; 1855, Alvin
Goodell, Eleazer Moore, George L. Webber; 1856-57, Wm. A.
Webber, Warren A. WalUs, Clement B. Drake; 1858, Wm. A.
Webber,, Harrison Allen, Wm. H. Harris ; 1859, Warren A. Wal
lis ; Geo. L. Webber, Eleazer Moore ; 1860, Ferdinand L. Burley,
Clement B. Drake, Wm. A. Harris ; 1861, Ferdinand L. Burley,
Wm. A. Webber, Warren A. WalUs ; 1862, Ferd. L. Burley, Geo.
L. Webber, Warren A. WalUs ; 1863, Wm. A. Webber, Horace
WaUis, R. A. Blodgett; 1864, Ferd. L. Burley, Uriah P. Marcy,
J. Ballard; 1865, Wm. A. Webber, Clement B. Drake, J. A.
Webber; 1866-70, Wm. A. Webber, Clement B. Drake, Uriah P.
Marcy; 1871-72, Freeman B. Blodgett, Harrison Allen, Uriah
P. Marcy; 1873, Clement B. Drake, P. B. Blodgett, Wm. S.
WaUis ; 1874, WilUam A. Webber, Freeman B. Blodgett, R. A.
Blodgett; 1875, Wm. A. Webber, F. B. Blodgett, Wm. S. Wallis;
( ^02 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
1876, Uriah P. Marcy, F. B. Blodgett, Frank Wight; 1877-78,
Wm. A. Webber, Freeman B. Blodgett, Henry Vinton; 1879,
George L. Webber, Henry Vinton, Francis Wight; 1880, George
L. Webber, Francis Wight, A. L. Roper ; 1881, George L. Webber,
Freeman B. Blodgett, A. L. Roper; 1882, Francis Wight, P. B.
Blodgett, A. L. Roper; 1883, Francis Wight, Wm. L. Webber,
R. A. Blodgett; 1884, Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, A. L.
Roper; 1885, Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, Henry Vinton;
1886, R. A. Blodgett, A. L. Roper, George L. Webber; 1887,
George L. Webber, Wm. S. WaUis, Freeman B. Blodgett; 1888-
89, George L. Webber, Wm. S. Wallis, P. B. Blodgett; 1890,
Francis Wight, R. A. Blodgett, Wm. S. WaUis ; 1891-2, Francis
Wight, Wm. S. Wallis, Freeman B. Blodgett; 1893, George L.
Webber, John S. Glazier, H. E. Wallis; 1894, Geo. L. Webber,
H. E. Wallis, Francis Wight; 1895, P. B. Blodgett, Francis
Wight, Wm. S. WalUs; 1896, P. B. Blodgett, Wm. A. Webber,
B. C. Bennett; 1897, P. B. Blodgett, D. B. Butterworth, B. C.
Bennett; 1898, F. B. Blodgett, A. P. Blodgett, D. E. Butter-
Avorth; 1899, F. B. Blodgett, L. M. Howlett, H. E. Vinton; 1900,
A. P. Blodgett, L. M. Howlett, C. A. Webber; 1901, L. M. How
lett, C. A. Webber, Francis Wight.
The succession of the town clerks is as foUoAvs: Eliphalet
Janes, 1783-86 ; WiUiam Belknap, 1786-89 ; David WaUis, 1789 ;
WilUam Belknap, 1790-94; Asa Dana, 1794-98; Jonathan Bal
lard, 1798-1803 ; David Wallis 1803 ; Ezra Webber, 1804-9 ; James
A. Lyon, 1809; Ezra Webber, 1810; James A. Lyon, 1811-13;
Reuben Stevens, 1814 ; Preeland WalUs, 1815-19 ; David B. Dean,
1819-23 ; Luther Brown, 1823 ; David B. Dean, 1824 ; Preeland
WalUs, 1825-27; John WaUis 1828; Samuel FrizeU, 1829-33;
Preeland WalUs, 1833-36; Elbridge Puller, 1836; John Dixon,
1837 ; John WaUis, 1838-41 ; John Dixon, 1841-42 ; WiUiam A.
WalUs, 1842-46 ; Warren A. Wallis, 1846 ; WilUam A. Robbins, '
1847-53; Warren A. Wallis, 1854-55; Freeman B. Blodgett,
1855-62; Francis Wight, 1862-65; Prank E. Kinney, 1865-73;
Freeman B. Blodgett, 1873; Frank E. Kinney, 1874-89; Wm.
L. Webber, 1890-1900 ; Arthur F. Blodgett, 1901— now in office.
The present town officers are as follows : L. M. Howlett, C.
A. Webber, Francis Wight, selectmen ; Arthur P. Blodgett, town
( 403 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
clerk; Lewis D. Durant, auditor; Arthur F. Blodgett, treasurer;
Carl F. Howlett, collector; P. B. Blodgett (chm.), Henry E.
Vinton, Charles A. Webber, assessors ; overseers of the poor, the
selectmen; constables, Oliver L. Howlett, Arthur F. Blodgett;
cemetery commissioner. Freeman B. Blodgett; board of health,
the selectmen; chief of police, Oliver L. HoAAdett; justice of the
peace, William L. Webber.
Holland was so named in allusion to Charles James Fox,
Lord Holland, a member of the British parliament during the
revolution and one of the feAV earnest champions of American
rights in that body.
From the earliest years of its history this has been an agri
cultural toAA'n. The land surface is rolling and in "places is quite
hilly, yet there are few areas which are unfit for cultivation.
Under proper tillage the farms (and the town abounds in good
ones) yield well and through intelligent effort many husband
men have acquired a competency. The hill lands produce abund
ant crops of grass and afford excellent pasturage. During the
stage coach era the people prospered and farmers found a
ready market for the product of their lands. The old South
Meadow road then was a thoroughfare of great importance and
travelers Avere passing daily through the town; but when the
railroads compelled the stages to cease operations that which for
years had been of the greatest beneflt to the people was taken
away. In the dispensation of public improvement enterprises
Holland never was favored Avith a railroad, and being remotely
located from the county seat its inhabitants have turned to other
commercial centers for conveniences of trades.
But notwithstanding the disadvantage of situation, Hol
land previous to about a quarter of a century ago was quite ,a
busy town, and in its little trading center considerable business
was carried on. Let us briefly refer to some of these old-time
interests. As early as 1785 a store was opened by a Mr. Brown
(probably Robert or John). A little later Alfred Lyon kept
a stock of goods and a tavern near the reservoir dam. Still later
Isaac Partridge had a store about half a mile south of the Centre.
Among other and subsequent merchants there may be recalled
( 404 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
the names of Chase & Ward, Luther Brown, Dr. Josiah Converse,
Sewell Glazier, Clement B. Drake, Elisha Kinney, Willard Weld,
Orlando Anderson, Lynn & Co., Jonathan Sikes, John Carpen
ter and others. These stores, particularly those in existence
between 1810 and 1850, did a thriving business, but Avhen much
of the trade was attracted to other localities they naturally de
clined until Holland people found themselves under the necessity
of traveling outside for needed household supplies.
In 1784 the toAvn licensed David Bugbee to keep tavern,
and from that time a hotel generally has been maintained here.
Alfred Lyon kept public house in connection with his store near
the reservoir. About 1812 David Marcy built the Holland hotel
and kept the same about two years. The later proprietors were
John Webber, Mr. Bridgeman, Allen Tiffany, Mr. Harris, Luther
Brown, E. G. FuUer, Baxter Wood, Mr. Benson, Elisha Kinney
and Frank E. Kinney, about in the order mentioned. The flrst
resident physician was Dr. Thomas Wallis, who in later years
was followed by Drs. Seth Smith, Ichabod Hyde, David B. Dean,
Joshua Richardson, Chileab B. Merrick, Josiah Converse and
Abial Bottom, the latter, however, having removed to Wilbra
ham and practiced from that town. The present physician of
HoUand is Dr. Josiah G. Willis.
From what has been stated in preceding paragraphs it must
be seen that at one time Holland had important business interests
and as a producing town it held a place of prominence in the
county. About 1803 Josiah Hobbs started a tannery in the south
west corner of the toAvn and carried on business with fair success
for many years. In 1828 Jedediah Healey succeeded to the
property and continued its operation several more years. After-
Avard the building was converted into a dwelling house, and there
George Haradon made boots and shoes. About the beginning of
the last century two men named Paddock, father and son, the
latter named John, started a furnace about half a mile below
the reservoir dam and began the manufacture of iron from ore
mined in the vicinity. Another similar industry for a time was
conducted in the town and was located where afterward stood
the Fuller cotton factory. Still another old interest was the
( 405 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
factory for the manufacture of cut nails, which was operated
several years beginning about 1830. About the year last men
tioned Elbridge G. Fuller built a mill and carried on a cotton
cloth works on the road leading from Holland to East Brimfield.
In its day this was an important industry in the town, but about
1855 the buildings were destroyed by flre and were not replaced.
About the same time (1830) John C. Butterworth began the
manufacture of cotton batting in a building erected for that pur
pose. Leander Bradd afterward succeeded to the business and
continued it several years. In the same building Mr. Fuller
made candle wicking, but about 1854 this old factory was burned.

Holland Church

Holland village, where is located the post-office, also the
other business places of the town, is a small hamlet of a dozen
or more dwellings and a like number of small shops, but not
at any time has the place contained more than one hundred in
habitants. Here, too, is the seat of town business, the clerk's
office, the public school, the Holland library and the Congrega
tional church. Previous to 1860 it was a village of much local
prominence, but with the constant decrease in population its
interests have likcAvise declined. The present interests of the
( 406 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
town may be noted substantially as follows : Freeman B. Blod
gett, boot and shoe maker and mason; A. J. Bagley and Anson
Williams, carpenters ; John D. Barney, cider mill ; D. E. Butter
worth, saw and grist mill ; the Holland hotel ; William L. Webber,
justice of the peace and postmaster; D. E. Webber, painter; Dr.
Josiah G. Willis, physician and surgeon; the Holland public
library, Mrs. C. F. Howlett, librarian, and Francis Wright,
Oliver L. Howlett and Freeman B. Blodgett, trustees.
The town has but one public school, with an average yearly
attendance of about 15 pupils. According to the latest published
report, Holland has 88 children between the ages of 5 and 15
years, for whose instruction one teacher is employed eight
months in the year: In the last year the amount raised by town
tax for the support of the school was $225; expense of super
vision was $25 ; expense for books and supplies, $32.22. The
toAvn 's share of the school fund is about $455, and the local fund,
the income from which can be used for school maintenance, is
$222.22. The school committee for the present year comprises
Arthur F. Blodgett (chm.), Charles A. Webber and Francis
Wight. In 1783 the toAvn comprised four school districts and for
many years thereafter four schools were maintained. In 1800
the districts were reduced to three, and were so continued until
the decreasing population of the town generally necessitated a
still further reduction in the districts. Under the present dis
position of school interests, Avith a scattered population of less
than 200 persons a transportation system is employed in convey
ing children to and from school. Holland is one of the tovms
in Hampden county which is not under the supervision of a
school superintendent.
Long before Holland became a town and even while its
territory formed a part of South Brimfield the inhabitants, ever
mindful of their spiritual welfare, established a society for
regilious worship and supported the same at the expense of the
town. For several years services were held in the dwellings of
devout members of the flock, and Rev. Mr. Conehelin acted as
their spiritual guide. Then a meeting house was built, the first
( 407 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in the region, and stood on the South MeadoAV road, not far from
the foot of Rattlesnake mountain. This edifice served the needs
of the worshipers for many years, and was followed by a second
house of worship which stood near the center of the town and
was a more pretentious structure than its predecessor. This
building, however, was removed to Connecticut and was replaced
with the meeting house which was burned in 1858. The present
church edifice Avas erected in 1859.
The church itself was organized in 1765, with three consti
tuent members, and in later years it grew in strength and in
fluence until it became self-supporting and was regarded as one
of the permanent institutions of the entire region. The first
pastor was Rev. Ezra Reeves, whose ministry here continued
from 1765 to 1818, when he died. He was followed by Rev.
Enoch Burt and the latter, in turn, by Rev. James Sanford, who
filled the pastorate from 1827 to 1843. In later years the pas
torate frequently has been vacant and the pulpit has been sup
plied by various ministers of the church; but the society never
has lost its identity, although the decrease in population in the
toAvn has made serious inroads on the membership. At the
present time, and for the last five years. Rev. Josiah G. Willis
has been pastor. The congregations generaUy are far greater
than the number of communicants in the church. Among the
earliest deacons there may be recalled the names of Moses Lyon,
Humphrey Crowe, James FrizeU, S. Ballard, David Wallis and
Samuel Webber, nearly all of whom were chosen previous to
1800. In the early years of the last century several Baptist fami
lies made homes in the town, and naturally soon sought to estab
lish a church of their denomination. The society was formed
June 6, 1817, and on the more formal church organization twenty
persons became constituent members. Samuel Webber and
Walter Lyon were the first deacons. The first pastor was Rev.
Joseph Glazier, followed by Rev. Washington Munger. For a
time the church was reasonably prosperous, but soon after 1840
it began to decline and before 1850 had passed out of existence.
The meeting house was built in 1819-20, and was afterward
transferred to the town. ( 408 )

THE TOWN OF HOLLAND
In treating of the early history of Holland considerable
attention has been given to recollections of the pioneers, with
frequent allusion to their children and descendants who were
figures in toAvn life a century ago. But there have been other
factors in local history who are deserving of at least a passing
mention. We refer to men who were the real factors in Holland
history during the last quarter of a century, many of whom
served in official capacities, but aU contributing factors in the
most interesting history of the locality. In this connection we
may recall the names of Elisha and Frank B. Kinney, hotel
proprietors one after the other; Warren A. Wallis, Stephen
Agard, William A. Webber, James A. Webber, Uriah P. Marcy,
Orrin W. Brown, Edward Blodgett, Lewis C. Howlett, Henry
Vinton, R. A. Blodgett and George L. Webber, all of whom were
thrifty farmers, many of them descendants of pioneer stock,
and aU upright citizens whose example is worthy of emulation.
In the same category we may also include T. D. Butterworth,
the saw and grist miller, and Rev. John Carpenter, the former
pastor of the church and the spiritual advisor of the town's
people. Among the present day factors in Holland history we may
mention the names of Freeman B. Blodgett, Edward R. Morse,
Henry E. Vinton, WiUiam L. Webber, H. H. Bradeau, Henry
J. Switzer, Edwin P. Damon, B. C. Bennett and Richmond
Young, all farmers and successful men; D. B. Webber, the
painter ; 0. W. Williams, the mechanic ; WiUiam Lilley, the mail
carrier; Andrew J. Bagley, the carpenter; Oliver L. Howlett,
the lumberman, and Rev. Josiah G. Willis, the clergyman and
pastor of the Congregational church. These are a few of the
more prominent men of Holland of to-day, they who are the real
figures in its history.

( 409 )

CHAPTER XII
THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
The history of the town of Longmeadow must in most of its
essential features include that which pertains to the present
town of Bast Longmeadow, so recently set off from the parent
municipality, no line of demarkation being practicable up to
the time of the official separation of the two portions of the
original town.
As originally incorporated the town of Longmeadow con
sisted of a strip of territory about seven miles in length from
east to west and of about half that breadth, from north to south,
set off from the town of Springfield. It was bounded north by
Springfield, west by the Connecticut river separating it from the
town of Agawam, south by the state line of Connecticut, and
east by that portion of the town of Wilbraham which was in 1878
incorporated as the town of Hampden. The area of Long
meadow was originally a little less than twenty-five square miles,
or 16,000 acres.
The name of the town was derived from the long, fertile
plain bordering the east margin of the Connecticut river, which
in the early days of the settlement was spoken of as "the long
meadow." This plain or meadow is nearly a mile in width,
practically level, very rich in soil, but so slightly raised aboye
the river level as to be in danger of overflow in time of high
water. To the eastward rises a plateau some sixty or eighty feet
higher than the meadow, along which, from north to south, runs
the principal street of the town. Still to the eastward comes a
stretch of more broken land, of little agricultural value, which
has been allowed to remain in forest or largely unimproved;
while the eastern portion, now embraced in the town of East
( 410

THE TOWN OP LONGMEADOW
Longmeadow, somewhat diversified and slightly hilly, presents
a fair degree of fertility. Here, also, are located the extensive
red sandstone quarries to which the eastern village has in large
measure been indebted for its business interest and material
prosperity. Within this limited area there is, therefore, a wide
range of physical characteristics and qualities, from almost
absolute steriUty in the middle section to geological wealth and
productive farming lands on the east, and to the extremely rich
and fertile bottom lands on the west.
It was natural that ' ' the long meadow, ' ' situated but a few
miles below the settlement at Springfield, early attracted the
attention of the pioneers. Its soil was rich, and easily cultivated ;
they had few utensils for working the land, and those few were
crude and simple. The "teeming acres" invited, and the set
tlers responded. As early as 1644, within eight years after the
first settlements at Springfield, three families — those of Benja
min Cooley, "Quartermaster" George Colton and John Keep-
decided to locate on the long meadow. Others followed, and the
little colony grew apace, although its interests and relations in
matters of religion and civil government remained with the
parent colony.
Thirty years had passed in this manner, when the outbreak
of King Philip's war in 1675 rendered the position of these
isolated settlers one of great peril. A large part of Springfield
Avas burned, and all the region northward was flUed with desola
tion and with mourning for those slain by the treacherous
savages. All through the winter which foUowed the inhabitants
of the meadow remained in their homes, knowing that bands of
hostile Indians were lurking in the neighborhood. They dared
not even make the journey necessary to attend church in Spring
field—a deprivation so keenly felt that on the 26th of March,
1676, no hostilities having occurred for a considerable time, a
party of eighteen men, women and children, accompanied by a
small guard of armed men, set out to attend public worship. As
they reached Pecowsic brook a band of hostile Indians burst
upon them, killed John Keep, his wife and infant child, wounded
some others, and took a few members of the party away captives.
( 411 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Keep Avas one of the original settlers on the meadow, and
was a leader in the community, being one of the selectmen of
Springfield. Fortunately for the little settlement, it escaped
further disaster of this nature, the war being carried on to the
northward and in the eastern portions of the province.
With all of the advantages, it soon became apparent that the
meadow was not adapted to permanent habitation, owing to the
danger and annoyance accompanying the annual rise of the
river. In seasons of high water the lands were frequently in
undated, and in the year 1695 a flood of unusual height drove
the families from their homes, most of them seeking shelter in
Springfield proper. In 1703 they petitioned for permission to
remove from the meadow to the higher ground lying to the east,
and this petition was granted, the town voting to give for this
purpose "the land from Pecowsic brook to Enfleld bounds, and
from the hill eastward of Long meadow half a mile further east
ward into the woods. ' ' Upon the territory thus ceded the present
main street of Longmeadow was laid out, land was assigned to
the settlers, and preparations were made for the removal. This
did not take place, however, until 1709, when all of the families
moved to the new allotment, nearly at the same time.
Up to this time, and for a few years longer, the dwellers in
LongmeadoAV had regarded themselves as merely an outpost of
the town and parish of Springfield, and for another seventy
years no movement looking toward an independent incorpora
tion was attempted; but for the purposes of public worship,
then esteemed so important a duty, the distance of the village
from the parent settlement was regarded as too great, and in
1713 a petition was presented to the general court at Boston for
incorporation as a parish or precinct. This action was approved,
and Longmeadow became the Third parish of Springfield, the
preamble to the act of incorporation reading thus: "Province
of the Massachusetts Bay : At a session of the Great and Gen
eral Court or Assembly, held at Boston, February 10, 1713, it
being represented that the petitioners, inhabitants of that part
of the town of Springfield commonly called Longmeadow
(although not fully up to the number of forty families) is of
{ 412 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
good and sufficient ability to maintain a minister, and sometimes
cannot, with any convenience, attend the public worship at the
meeting-house that now is in said town, by reason of the great
distance from it: Ordered that the prayer of the petition be
granted; with the provision, however, that in due season the
petitioners should provide themselves with ' a learned and ortho
dox minister, and agree to raise and pay the sum of £50, at
least, annually, for his support."
The inhabitants of the new precinct were further required
to "pay to the maintenance of the ministry in the other part of
the toAvn as formerly until they are provided with a learned
orthodox minister", and the bounds of the Longmeadow parish
were thus described: "To be bounded northerly by a line to
be drawn from the mouth of PecoAVsic brook, so caUed, where it
faUs into Connecticut river, to the province 's land, parallel to the
line of the southern bounds of the said town of Springfield,
westerly by Connecticut river, southerly by the town of Enfield,
and easterly by the province's land."
The erection of a suitable house of worship and the settle
ment of a minister became at once the important work of the
new parish, and the existing records shoAV that steps were taken
to at once carry out the conditions of the incorporation. On the
26th of April, 1714, it was voted in a precinct meeting: "To
proceed in building of a meeting-house, and to accomplish it so
far as to raise, shingle and clapboard the same by the first day
of January next ensuing. ' ' It was also voted ' ' that the meeting
house should be built thirty-eight feet square if the timber that
is already gotten Avill allow it ; or, if this timber be too scant, to
make it something less." The committee appointed to "provide
workmen and materials to carry on the AVork" consisted of
Nathaniel Burt, Jr., Samuel Keep, Thomas Hale, Thomas Colton,
Jr., and Samuel Stebbins.
At a meeting held on the 11th of October of that year—
"Honored Col. Pynchon being chosen moderator for said meet
ing, and for all such meetings when present among us"— it was
voted that the committee "should proceed to provide for and
to lay the floor, and do some part of the walling and to set up
( 413 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the doors and other necessaries of the meeting-house for our
meeting in it. ' ' The building was not completed until near the
close of the year 1716, though earlier used as a place of worship.
About this time an agreement was made ' ' with Margaret Cooley
to sweep the meeting-house for one year from this date, and to
give her seventeen shillings if there be no work done in the
meeting-house; for eighteen shillings if there be any consider
able." During 1744, after some sixteen years of discussion, a
bell was procured for the church. For several years, earUer in
the history of the precinct it appears that the worshipers had
been summoned at the proper time by the beating of a drum.
The flrst pastorate of this church was in every way a notable
one. The church interests were considered of the first importance
in the community ; it was for' their furtherance that the precinct
had been created, and the pastor called to minister to the inhabit
ants must of necessity become a central figure among them. It
uas voted at a meeting held September 30, 1714, to call a minis
ter, and the committee entrusted with this delicate duty were
cautioned "in the first place to take advice of the Elders in
order to procure one suitable for us." The call was extended
to Rev. Stephen Williams, a son of Rev. John Williams of Deer
field, by vote of the parish, March 7, 1715 ; but the fact that his
ordination did not occur until October 17 of the following year
shows that important measures were then carried through with
care and deliberation. The ordination was not only an impor
tant event in the community, but it brought together a most
notable assemblage of reverend gentlemen from the region com
prising the line of settlements in the Connecticut river valley
of Massachusetts. The ordaining council consisted of Rev. Wil
liam Williams of Hatfield, who preached the ordaining sermon.
Rev. John Williams, father of the minister ordained. Rev. Solo
mon Stoddard of Northampton, Rev. Edward Taylor of West-
field, and Rev. Daniel Brewer and Rev. John Woodbridge of
Springfleld— the latter being the flrst pastor of the parish on
the west side of the river, in what is now West Springfield.
Rev. Mr. Williams preached his first sermon at Longmeadow
as a candidate November 4, 1714, when but a few months over
( 414 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
twenty-one years of age, but he had already passed through
varied and in some cases thrilling experiences. During ' ' Queen
Anne's war", early in 1704, when eleven years of age, he was
captured, with his father's entire family, at the taking of Deer
field by the Indians, and was taken to Canada, where he was held
a prisoner for more than two years. Graduating from Harvard
college in 1713, he taught school in Hadley for a year before
entering the ministry. His pastorate was probably the longest
on record, continuing unbroken until his death, June 10, 1782,
in the ninetieth year of his age, and the sixty-sixth year of his
ministry. During this time he was thrice appointed a chaplain
in the colonial armies, serving with the same fidelity which
marked his position among the members. of his beloved parish.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was bestowed upon him, most
worthily, by Dartmouth college in 1773.
It is interesting to note, bearing in mind the limited mem
bership of the parish, the liberal provision made for their pastor.
It was voted to allow him £200 as a settlement fund, £50 a year
to be paid for four years, with an annual salary of £55 for flve
years, to be after that increased at the rate of £5 a year "for
ten years if his necessity calls for it, and then to pay him half
his rate in grain at current money price." In many instances'
special sums were voted him on account of sickness in his family
or other causes, such as the high price of provisions; while the
pastor, on the other hand, appears to have given releases in cases
where the parish found it difficult to meet the full measure of
their obligations.
A touching experience in his life occurred in the early sum
mer of 1761, when his sister Eunice, four years his junior,
visited him. She had been taken captive at Deerfleld with the
rest of the family, but remained in Canada when the others
returned to Massachusetts. All efforts for her redemption failed
and she became in habit and disposition an Indian, forgetting
her native language, and marrying an Indian chief who adopted
the name of Williams. When on this visit the party, consisting
of the sister, her husband, a daughter and others, reached Long
meadow, they encamped in Indian style in the orchard near the
( 415 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
parsonage, but were unable to carry on any conversation until
an interpreter could be secured from Sunderland. Then for a
few days the brother and sister communed; but nothing could
induce the woman to forsake her adopted people, or renounce
the Roman Catholic religion which she had embraced.
The pastorate of Mr. Williams covered nearly all of the
revolutionary war period, and the stress to which the people
\vere subjected by the depreciation of the continental currency
IS shoAvn by the fact that for the year 1780 it was voted to make
his salary £4,500. As a part of this amount was paid in grain,
the prices at which this was reckoned will throw much light upon
the situation. Indian com was rated at $38 a bushel, wheat was
$84, pease the same, and barley $50.
A movement for elevating the precinct to the dignity of an
independent township was agitated as early as 1741, and a com
mittee was appointed to consider and report on the desirability
of the proposed change ; but their report, adverse to the proposi
tion, was accepted by the precinct, and the matter rested for
thirty years. In 1772, however, the subject was again taken up,
more earnestly, and petitions were presented to the tovm of
Springfleld and to the great and general court, looking to that
end while the members of the parish several times expressed in
their meetings the desire for a separate incorporation. On the
17th of January, 1774, Springfield voted its consent to the pro
posed separation, under certain conditions, the precinct accepted
the conditions, and a committee was appointed to present the
request of the parish to the legislature ; but the long and terrible
war for independence of the colonies was at hand, and during its
stress all thought of a separate town government for Long
meadow seems to have been held in abeyance. On the 23d of
August, 1781, another vote was taken to determine AA'hether the
parish still desired a separation, and was ' ' passed in the affirma
tive. ' ' A little more than two years later, on the 13th of October,
1783, the great and general court passed the act of incorpora
tion, Longmeadow being thus the flrst town in the state, and
perhaps in the country, incorporated after the formal acknowl
edgment of the independence of the colonies. The bounds of
( 416 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
the town were identical with those of the parish, except that on
the east the town of Wilbraham had been incorporated, and
formed the boundary in that direction. The name of "Long
meadow," which had been adopted for the settlement and for
the precinct, Avas continued for the toAA'n, and has remained un
changed to the present time, although the subject of a different
name has occasionally been agitated, and a change of name has
twice been voted in town meeting. In 1812 the name of
"Lisbon" was thus adopted, but the movement in its favor came
to naught through another town in the state already bearing that
name; in 1825 "South Springfield" received the popular vote,
but the action was reconsidered two weeks later.
The first town meeting was held November 13, 1783, under
a warrant issued by John Bliss of Wilbraham, justice of the
peace. The moderator was Col. Gideon Burt, and the following
principal officers Avere chosen : Town clerk, Jonathan Hale, Jr., ;
treasurer, Nathaniel Ely; selectmen, DaAdd Burt, Moses Field
and Jonathan Burt; assessors, Gideon Burt, Moses Field and
Jonathan Burt, 2d. The principal officers of precinct and town,
from 1714 to the present year, and representatives to the great
and general court down to 1812, are as follows :
Committee of the Precinct. — 1714, Col. John Pynchon, Capt.
Thomas Colton, Joseph Cooley, Nathaniel Burt, George Colton;
1715, Col. John Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, Nathaniel
Burt, Jr., Samuel Keep, George Colton; 1716, Col. John Pyn
chon, Sergt. Joseph Cooley, Corp. Nathaniel Burt, Samuel Keep,
Thomas BUss, 2d; 1717, Col. John Pynchon, Thomas Colton,
Nathaniel Bliss, Ephraim Colton, Jos. Cooley ; 1718-19, Ephraim
Colton, Joseph Cooley, Thomas BUss, 2d; 1720, Joseph Cooley,
Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins; 1721, Ephraim Colton, Thomas
Hale, Samuel Stebbins; 1722, Ephraim Colton, Ensign Keep,
Samuel Stebbins ; 1723, Thomas Bliss, 2d, Samuel Stebbins, Sam
uel Cooley ; 1724, Samuel Keep, Samuel Stebbins, Thomas Bliss,
3d; 1725, Nathaniel BUss, Jr., EUakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely;
1726, Eliakim Ely, Nathaniel Bliss, Jr., Thomas Hale; 1727-8,
Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Nash, George Colton; 1729, Thomas
Colton, Eliakim Cooley, Jonathan Ely; 1730, Nathaniel BUss,
37-3 (417 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Jr., William Stebbins, Samuel Cooley; 1731, Thomas Bliss, 2d,
Thomas Bliss, 3d, Ebenezer Colton ; 1732, Samuel Cooley, Thomas
Bliss, 3d, Timothy Nash ; 1733, Thomas BUss, 2d, Nathaniel Bliss,
Jr., Thomas Colton; 1734, Samuel Colton, Samuel Cooley, Timo
thy Nash ; 1735, Ebenezer Bliss, 1st, John Colton, John Cooley ;
1736, Ephraim Colton, Thomas Colton, Ensign Stebbins; 1737,
Timothy Nash, Samuel Cooley, John Burt, 2d; 1738, Thomas
Field, Thomas Colton, Simon Colton ; 1739, John Cooley, Thomas
Bliss, David Burt, 2d ; 1740, Jonathan Stebbins, Ephraim Colton,
John Colton; 1741, Isaac Colton, Nathaniel Bliss, John Cooley;
1742, Henry Walcott, Nathan Burt, Jr., John Colton; 1743,
Samuel Cooley, Joshua Field, Isaac Colton; 1744, William Steb
bins, Ephraim Colton, Jr., Samuel Keep, Jr. ; 1745, Ephraim
Colton, John Colton, Jonathan Stebbins; 1746, Nathaniel Burt,
Jr., Simon Colton, David Burt, 2d ; 1747-9, Simon Colton, David
Burt, 2d, Nathaniel Burt, Jr. ; 1750, Simon Colton, David Burt,
2d, Nathaniel Ely ; 1751, Nathaniel Burt, Simon Colton, Nathan
iel Ely; 1752-3, Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Josiah Cooley, David Burt,
2d; 1754, Josiah Cooley, Nathaniel Ely, 2d, Aaron Colton; 1755,
Moses Field, Nathaniel Ely, Aaron Colton ; 1756, George Colton,
Simon Colton, David Burt ; 1757, Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale,
David Burt; 1758, Moses Field, Matthew Keep, Josiah Cooley;
1759, Richard Woolworth, Eleazer Smith, Nathaniel Ely; 1760,
Josiah Cooley, Jonathan Hale, Eleazer Smith; 1761, Nehemiah
Stebbins, David Burt, Noah Hale; 1762, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d,
Josiah Cooley, Abner Bliss ; 1763, Aaron Colton, Jonathan Hale,
Moses Field; 1764, Nehemiah Stebbins, Simon Colton, Eleazer
Smith; 1765, Moses Field, Ebenezer BUss, 2d, David Burt, 3d;
1766, Samuel WiUiams, Eleazer Smith, Nehemiah Stebbins;
1767, Simeon CoUon, Nathaniel Ely, Moses Field; 1768, Nehe
miah Stebbins, Aaron Colton, David Burt, 3d; 1769, Ebenezer
Bliss, 3d, David Burt, 3d, Nehemiah Stebbins ; 1770-71, Samuel
Williams, Ebenezer Bliss, 3d, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1172, Samuel
Williams, Aaron Colton, Nathaniel Burt; 1773, Jonathan Hale,
Jr., Samuel WiUiams, David Burt, 3d ; 1774, Richard Woolworth,
Samuel Colton, Aaron Colton ; 1775, Jonathan Hale, Jr., Ebene
zer Bliss, 3d, Aaron Bliss ; 1776, Nathaniel Burt, Caleb Cooley,
( 418 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
Elijah Burt, Silas Hale, Stephen Keep; 1777, Samuel Colton,
Nathaniel Burt, Richard Woolworth, Ephraim Brown, Jonathan
Burt, 2d; 1778, Nathaniel Burt, David Burt, EUjah Burt; 1779,
Samuel Williams, Henry Colton, Silas Hale, Nathaniel Ely,
Ebenezer Colton ; 1780, Samuel Keep, Nathaniel Burt, Nathaniel
Ely, Jr., Jonathan Burt, 2d, Josiah Cooley; 1781, Nathaniel
Burt, Elijah Burt, Israel Colton, Josiah Colton, Jonathan Hale,
Jr. ; 1782, Jonathan Hale, Jr., Josiah Cooley, SUas Hale, Azariah
Woolworth, Abner Colton; 1783, Festus Colton, Josiah Cooley,
Samuel Keep, Elijah Burt, Abner Hale.
Selectmen.— 17^'S-4:, David Burt, Moses Field, Jonathan
Burt ; 1785-6, Moses Field, Jonathan Burt, Samuel Keep ; 1787-8,
Moses Field, William Stebbins, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1789, Jona
than Burt, Jabez Colton, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1790, Jabez Col
ton, Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr. ; 1791-3, Hezekiah Hale,
Jonathan Burt, Nathaniel Ely, 2d; 1794-6, Jonathan Burt, 2d,
Hezekiah Hale, Gideon Burt, vice Jonathan Burt, deceased;
1797-9, Hezekiah Hale, Elijah Burt, Nathaniel Ely, Jr. ; 1800-01,
Hezekiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Gideon Burt; 1802-3, Heze
kiah Hale, Joseph W. Cooley, Nathaniel Ely; 1804-6, Joseph W.
Cooley, Calvin Burt, Ethan Ely; 1807-12, Alexander Field,
Ethan Ely, Joseph W. Cooley ; 1813-14, Alexander Field, Ethan
Ely, Stephen Taylor ; 1815, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph
W. Cooley; 1816, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Seth Taylor;
1817, Ethan Ely, Alexander Field, Joseph W. Cooley; 1818,
Joseph W. Cooley, Ethan Ely, David Booth; 1819, Joseph W.
Cooley, OUver Dwight, Ethan Ely; 1820, Ethan Ely, Oliver
Dwight, Elijah Colton ; 1821, Oliver Dwight, OUver Bliss, EUjah
Colton; 1822-3, OUver Dwight, Oliver BUss, Alexander Field;
1824, Seth Taylor, Elijah Colton, Joseph W. Cooley; 1825, Seth
Taylor, EUjah Colton, WilUam White ; 1826-9, Herman Newell,
Burgess Salsbury, Joseph Ashley; 1830, Elijah Colton, Ethan
Taylor, Stephen Ashley; 1831, Stephen Ashley, Burgess Sals
bury, Elijah Colton; 1832, Elijah Colton, Burgess Salsbury,
WiUiam White ; 1833-4, Burgess Salsbury, Gad 0. Bliss, Oliver
Dwight; 1835-6, Burgess Salsbury, Gad 0. Bliss, Lorin Burt;
1837, Burgess Salsbury, Gad 0. Bliss, BUjah Colton ; 1838, Gad
( 419 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
0. Bliss, BUjah Colton, Ethan Taylor; 1839, OUver Dwight,
Gad 0. BUss, WUUs Phelps ; 1840, Gad 0. BUss, Simeon NeweU,
Stephen Ashley; 1841, Gad 0. Bliss, Simeon Newell, Willis
Phelps ; 1842, Simeon Newell, Willis Phelps, Joseph McGregory ;
1843, Lorin Burt, Dimond Colton, Joseph McGregory; 1844,
Lorin Burt, Joseph McGregory, Simeon Newell; 1845-6, Simeon
Newell, Lorin Burt, Daniel Burbank; 1847-8, Alford Cooley,
Warren Billings, Simeon Newell; 1849-50, Alford Cooley, War
ren BiUings, Oliver Dwight ; 1851, Alford Cooley, Elias Coomes,
Randolph Stebbins; 1852-3, Alford Cooley, Stephen T. Colton,
Randolph Stebbins ; 1854, Randolph Stebbins, Stephen T. Colton,
WiUiam Higley; 1855, Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor,
Sumner W. Gates; 1856-7, Stephen T. Colton, Alfred Taylor,
Lucius C. Burt; 1858-9, Stephen T. Colton, WiUiam Burt,
Lucius C. Burt; 1860-62, Stephen T. Colton, David Lathrop,
Abel H. Calkins; 1863-5, Stephen T. Colton, David Lathrop,
Horace HiUs ; 1866, Stephen T. Colton, Charles S. Newell, Geo.
W. Gould; 1867, Stephen T. Colton, Charies S. Newell, Randolph
Stebbins; 1868, George W. Gould, Charies S. NeweU, Abel H.
Calkins; 1869-70, Charles S. NeweU, George W. Gould, Ralph
P. Markham; 1871-3, Charles S. NeweU, John C. Porter, Edwin
Endicott; 1874, Charles S. NeweU, Edwin Endicott, Abel H.
Calkins ; 1875, Chas. S. Newell, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Cal
kins ; 1876, Charles S. NeweU, Edward P. Tabor, Edwin Endi
cott; 1877, Charles S. NeweU, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins;
1878-79, Charles S. NeweU, Edward P. Tabor, David Lathrop ;
1880-82, Charies S. NeweU, Edward P. Tabor, Abel H. Calkins;
1883, John C. Porter, John A. McKinstry, Henry HaU; 1884-9,
John A. McKinstry, Henry HaU, John C. Porter; 1890-91,
Henry HaU, John C. Porter, Frank B. AUen; 1892, Henry HaU,
John C. Porter, Edward P. Tabor ; 1893, Prank B. AUen, John
C. Porter, George B. Robinson; 1894, Frank B. Allen, WUUam
C. Pease, Charles S. Newell ; 1895, Frank B. AUen, Charles S.
NeweU, John A. McKinstry; 1896, Charles S. Newell, John A.
McKinstry, Charles S. Gates; 1897-8, Charles S. Gates, Frank
B. AUen, Thomas D. Watters; 1899-1900, Charies S. NeweU,
Charles A. Birnie, Walter Bliss; 1901, Edward S. Brewer,
Thomas D. Watters, Harry G. Webster.
( 420 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
Precinct Clerks.— 1716, Jonathan Ely; 1717, Samuel Steb
bins; 1718-51, Jonathan Ely; 1751-75, Jonathan Stebbins;
1775-83, Jonathan Hale, Jr.
Town Clerks.— 1783-91, Jonathan Hale, Jr. ; 1791-3, Daniel
Stebbins; 1793-1813, Jabez Colton; 1813-20, Chester Woolworth;
1820-51, WiUiam White; 1851-3, David Booth; 1853, Dimond
Chandler; 1854-6, Henry J. Crooks; 1856, James L. Pratt;
1857-89, Oliver Wolcott; 1889-94, Fred W. Lathrop; 1894,
WilUam B. MedUcott ; 1895-1901, WiUiam F. Emerson.
Representatives. — 1784, Nathaniel Ely; 1785-6, Gideon
Burt; 1787, Elihu Colton; 1788-9, WilUam Stebbins; 1791-2,
Jabez Colton ; 1794-5, Gideon Burt ; 1800, Hezekiah Hale ; 1801,

Longmeadow Town Hall
Gideon Burt; 1802-3, Nathaniel Ely; 1804, Hezekiah Hale; 1805-
12, Ethan Ely.
State Senators.— 1856, Gad 0. Bliss; 1863, Thomas L.
Chapman. Members of State Constitutional Convention.— 1820, Calvin
Burt; 1853, Gad 0. Bliss.
The full Ust of town officers for the year 1901 is as follows :
Town clerk, treasurer and agent of board of health, WiUiam F.
Emerson; selectmen, assessors, overseers of poor and board of
health, Edward S. Brewer, Thomas D. Watters, Harry G. Web
ster; auditor, WilUam M. WiUard; coUector, Charles S. AUen;
( 421 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
constables, William P. Sullivan, James Ward ; highway sur
veyor, Charles P. Ward ; water commissioners, Charles A. Birnie,
Thomas D. Watters, Walter Bliss, William F. Emerson, clerk;
cemetery commissioners, William F. Emerson, Charles S. Allen,
Edward P. Tabor; park commissioners, William C. Pease,
William S. Bacon, Gottlieb A. Baer; sinking fund com
missioners, William C. Pease, Charles S. Allen, Thomas P.
Cordis; chief of fire department, Thomas D. Watters; school
committee, Levere C. Pay, Mrs. Lucy J. Smith, William B.
MedUcott ; superintendent of schools, Mary L. Poland of Spring
field ; principal of grammar school, Lucia B. Carver ; trustees of
public library, Edward P. Hayes, Mrs. Charles S. Gates (libra
rian), Mrs. Lucy J. Smith.
There is abundant evidence that in the days of warfare and
peril Avhich tried the American colonies so severely, during much
of the first part of the eighteenth century, the inhabitants of
Longmeadow bore their part in a brave and creditable manner.
Unfortunately no separate records were kept for the parish, and
the men from the southern precinct merely stood to the credit
of Springfield. It is possible, however, to name a trio of officers
who served with distinction. Rev. Stephen Wi^piams, the first
pastor of the church, was three times commissioiied as chaplain
in the colonial armies, and there can be no (^oubt of the quality
of the service which he rendered. The tombstone of Capt. Isaac
Colton, who died in 1757, in his fifty-seventh year, bears record
that he "had a military genius, commanded a company at Louis-
burg in 1742 ; was respected and useful at home ; was a man of
prayer. ' ' Similar testimony is borne by the stone which marks
the grave of Lieut. Nathaniel Burt, "who was slain at the mem
orable battle near Lake George, September 8, 1755, when his
colonel and other brave officers fell, yet a signal victory was
obtained over the enemy." The record adds that he was "a
deacon of this church, an exemplary christian, a man of public
spirit, and a good soldier, m'cU beloved at home and in the army.
A concern for pure religion caused his going into the military
service. He died in his forty-fifth year." Other military titles
borne by Longmeadow men during this period were doubtless
won by faithful service in the field.
( 422 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
The precinct still remained a portion of Springfield during
the revolution, although aspiring to become a town, so that its
military history is in general inseparable from that of the parent
municipality. There is preserved, however, the muster roU of
the "Longmeadow minute men" Avho marched away for service
April 21, 1775, on receiving report of the battle of Lexington
two days before. This promptness of action well illustrates the
spirit of the times and of the community, though the company
Avas but small, comprising only twenty-three officers and en
listed men, as follows :

The Old Colton Place
First Lieutenant (acting Captain) David Burt; Second
Lieutenant Jonathan Hale; Sergeants Ebenezer Colton and
Samuel Keep ; Corporals Nathaniel Ely and Josiah Cooley ; Abner
Colton, Oliver King, John Colton, Nehemiah RumriU, Ebenezer
Bliss, 2d, Thomas Stebbins, Aaron Bliss, Samuel Morgan, Samuel
Smith, James Parker, David White, Gad Lamb, John Ackley,
Ebenezer Stebbins, Elijah Burt, Samuel Burt, Richard Wool-
worth. ( 423 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Before the close of the long struggle most of the able-bodied
men of the parish had drawn sword or shouldered musket
in the cause of liberty, and the people had borne their share of
the burdens incident to the strife. Their joy at the final outcome
Avas proportioned to the stress which they had borne during the
years of trial.
There was a sharp division of sentiment in the town regard
ing the Shays rebellion, and the leader of that movement had a
considerable following, although it is probable that a majority
were in favor of the government. Like most New Englanders,
they had no sympathy with the Avar of 1812, and did not hesitate
to put themselves on record by votes condemning many of the
measures thought necessary by the federal government. Some
men Avere drafted from the town, however, and the names of
Levi E. Taylor and Sabin Burt are recorded as having been thus
distinguished. When the war closed and peace had been declared,
the inhabitants gave free expression to their joy, ringing the
church bell with such vigor that it was cracked and ruined, neces
sitating the appropriation of a considerable sum for the pur
chase of a new bell.
In the war of the rebellion, 1861-5, however, the sentiment
of the town was strongly loyal. Like every other town in the
county, Longmeadow furnished more than its quota under the
various calls for troops during the four years' continuance of
the war, besides making generous provision for the care of volun
teers ' families and other incidental expenses of the war.
As the motive which originally impeUed its settlers was
agricultural, pastoral pursuits have held the first place in the
activities of the residents of the town, especially in that section
now knoAvn as Longmeadow. In fact, the plan of the settlement
was such as to preclude any other idea than that of an agricul
tural community, with such simple allied industries as were
necessary for the comfort and convenience of the people. The
broad village street, twenty rods in width, converted from a
sandy waste into a vista of greenness and beauty, the generous
allotment of the central lands, running far back from the street,
the air of repose and quiet which has survived with so little im-
( 424 )

THE TOWN OF LONGMEADOW
pairment through nearly two centuries of development, with
the wide meadows extending to the river on one side and to the
forest on the other, combine to form an embodiment of well-
preserved pioneer wisdom, embodied in a permanent community
in a measure seldom met, even in the earlier New England set
tlements. With the exception of the saAv mills, grist mills and black
smith shops naturally pertaining to the early settlements, the
manufacturing interests of Longmeadow have never been ex
tensive, or very important. The first of any consequence appears
to have been the manufacture of gold spectacles and gold and
silver thimbles, which was begun by Dimond Chandler about
1838, and carried on for some ten years, when he sold out to
Colton & HoUister. Various other parties have since carried
on the business in a moderate way, but it is now extinct. After
disposing of this industry Mr. Chandler started in 1848 the
manufacture of buttons, presently taking in as partners Nelson
C. Newell and his brother, Samuel R. Newell. Within eight
or ten years the industry had grown so that employment was
given to some forty or fifty hands, when it was removed to
Springfield, Avhere it is still carried on. At the mouth of Pe
cowsic brook some manufacturing has been done, a small pistol
factory being at one time operated there. Later a papier-mache
plant turned out pails, basins, globes and various other articles,
but the business did not long continue.
While the central thought in the incorporation of Long
meadow parish Avas that of religious worship accessible to the
dwellers in the settlement, the important matter of education
was not overlooked or neglected. No sooner had a church been
provided than the matter of a school house was taken no, and
a structure for that purpose was soon erected on the village
green to the north of the church. This served the needs of the
community until 1791, AA'hen a brick building of peculiar design
was erected somewhat further south on the green, where it re
mained until destroyed by flre in 1851. The appropriations for
school purposes during the precinct period were made by the
town of Springfield in common with those for the other schools
( 425 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in the town limits; but there is no doubt that the children of
LongmeadoAV received their share of the appropriations in the
provisions made for that part of the town. In 1784, the year
following the incorporation of Longmeadow as a separate munic
ipality, the school appropriation was £40, and the amount in
creased yearly with the growth and development of the town.
New districts were created and provided with school houses, as
the need became apparent. From the early town records it
appears that in several cases the buildings were constructed by
the inhabitants of the district, at their own expense, the cost
being afterward reimbursed by the town. From that time to
the present, the needs of the town schools have been generously
met; and though no educational institutions of wide scope have
been founded within the town limits, that the needs of the town
children have been well considered is amply attested by the
quality of citizenship produced.
The early history of the First Congregational church has
already been told in the story of the precinct period, neither of
Avhich can be dissociated from the other during the long period
covered by the ministry of Rev. Dr. Williams. His death oc
curred June 10, 1782, and before the settlement of his successor
important events occurred in the history of the community and
of the nation. The war of the revolution ended in 1783 by
recognition of the independence of the colonies, and in the
autumn of that year the precinct became a town. For more
than three years the church was without a settled pastor, though
its pulpit Avas doubtless supplied during this interval. But on
the 17th of December, 1785, Rev. Richard Salter Storrs, who
had graduated from Yale college in 1783, was ordained as the
successor of Rev. Dr. WiUiams. His was an able and successful
pastorate, and continued until terminated by his sudden death,
October 3, 1819. It will be observed that the two pastorates of
these ministers extended over one hundred and three years in
the history of the parish and toA\'n, and represented more than
a hundred years of actual service. Probably this is a record
unequaled in the history of the country for two successive pas
torates. The succeeding pastors Avere Rev. Baxter Dickinson,
( 426 )

The First Congreg.'»tional Churcli at L.

lOng-moailow, of which Rev. .John Haniiusj wa.s pastor forty-twr
ajiii tlie par.sonagre on the left ol the church editice

.years. The chapel is seen r»ii the right

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
from 1823 to 1829, Rev. Jonathan B. Condit, from 1831 to 1835,
Rev. Hubbard Beebe, 1837 to 1843, and Rev. Samuel Wolcott,
1843 to 1847.
In 1850 began another pastorate of notable length. Rev.
John Wheeler Harding being installed on the flrst of January,
and ministering to the people of his church and parish with
great ability, fidelity and acceptance until 1891. With the pos
sible exception of Rev. Mr. Beebe, all of these pastors received
the degree of D. D. Rev. Stephen G. Barnes, Lit. D., was the
pastor from 1892 until 1901, and the present incumbent. Rev.
Henry Lincoln Bailey, began his pastorate October 1, 1901.
In the original plan of the settlement the church building
formed the center of the village of Longmeadow, standing on
the green which occupied the central portion of the wide street,
an honor in Avhich only the school house was permitted to share.
A new building, just north of the original structure, was erected
in 1767-8, and was used until 1828, when it was extensively re
modeled and improved. Nearly a half-century later another
change was made when the building was removed from the
central site which it had occupied thus far and placed upon that
portioa of the burial ground grant abutting upon the street. This
location was directly east of the original church site, a lot in
the center of the village having been assigned for burial pur
poses. Placed upon the new site, the church was again thor
oughly remodeled, within and without, and thus, new in detail
but bearing still the sacred associations of nearly a century and
a half of worship, "the old church" stands in the heart of the
village, "the westering sun" casting the shadow of its spire over
the accumulated graves of nearly two centuries.
St. Mary's Catholic church is the outgrowth of a mission
which may be said to have been established in October, 1870,
when mass was said for the flrst time in the history of the tovm
in what is still the church building, and had formerly been a
spectacle factory. The officiating priest was Rev. Patrick Healy,
then acting pastor of the Catholic church in Springfield. For
thirteen years monthly service was held in this manner, until,
in 1883, the Catholic churches in both of the Longmeadows
( 428 )

THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
I
were made missions of St. William's church in Mittineague. In
1894 they were created a parish. Both have been continuously
under the care of the same pastor, the list of incumbents being
given under the heading of East Longmeadow.
A moderate-sized public library of 2,250 weU-selected books
was established in 1895, and is under the charge of a board of
trustees chosen by the town.
The population of the town as reported by the national
census of 1850 was 1,252 ; in 1860 it had increased to 1,376 ; but
in 1870 showed a slight falling off, to 1,342. The figures for
1880 were 1,401, and the next decade witnessed a remarkable
growth, bringing the total up to 2,183 for 1890. The setting off
of East Longmeadow in 1894 brought the population of the old
town down to 620, as shown by the state census of 1895; but
the national census of 1900 showed an increase to 811. The
present area of the town is 11.2 square miles, a little more than
one-half of the original territory having been set off as East
Longmeadow.

CHAPTER XIII
THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
The territory comprised within the limits of the present
town of East Longmeadow is more diversifled than that of the
mother town, from which the separation has so lately taken place.
In the eastern portion hills of moderate elevation are frequent,
several of these containing valuable quarries of red sandstone,
of great extent. In most other portions the soil is fairly fertile,
and compensates well the intelligent labors of the husbandman.
The meadows and orchards are attractive, and the grazing lands
are desirable, the whole region being especially adapted to dairy
ing purposes, which have always held prominent place in the
town's economy.
After the early settlements began to take form, this region
was known as "Inward Commons," it being a portion of the
( 429 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
large territory included in the Springfield grant, and was used
in common, if it can be said to have been used at all. In fact,
in the early days it Avas emphatically "a land unknown," being
heavily covered by forest and abounding in game, deer, bears
and wildcats. Feathered game, including wild turkeys, was also
abundant. Gradually, now and then a daring pioneer penetrated
the wilderness, secured a grant of land, and cleared a home site.
The records of such settlements are extremely meagre. The
first settlers from Longmeadow Street appear to have been

An East Longmeadow Quarry
Jonathan Burt and his brother Elijah, with Silas Hale ; but they
do not appear to have located on "the Commons" until about
1740. The distribution of these lands among the people of
Springfield, some time previous, made easy the development of
this portion of the Longmeadow parish. This distribution was
brought about by the acts of Edmund Andros, who in
1686 had been appointed by the crown as "Governor of New
England," in sequestering undivided land or "Commons" con-
( 430 )

THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
nected with some of the settlements. Through fear that this
course might be pursued in the case of Springfield, and that
through the revocation of the colony's charter, then threatened,
the lands might revert to the crown, the commons were laid out
in sections and Avere equitably allotted in regular form to the
several families then resident in the toAvnship. These remote
holdings, however, were generally held of little value, and the
enterprising young man who desired to "lay out a farm" could
easily do so through the purchase of a fcAV adjoining sections, or
by exchange vAdth other proprietors.
It Avas in this Avay that the settlement of this portion of
Longmeadow was principally developed, and the connection
between the two sections of the parish and town long remained
close and friendly. Intermarriages Avere common, and the old
church on the village green remained for many years the Mecca
to which the residents of the eastern portion turned their steps
on the Sabbath, traversing, on foot and by all the means of con
veyance then knoAvn to their civilization, the miles of forest
which separated, and in a measure still separates, the two com
munities. Until about 1820 the town meetings were held at West
Longmeadow, as the original village came to be familiarly called ;
but at that time the groAving population and important interests
of the East village led to an arrangement by which the annual
meetings were held alternately in the two sections. In 1882 a
commodious town hall was provided for the use of the East
Longmeadow meetings, occupying the upper story of a new
school building, very properly constructed of stone from the
village quarries.
Meantime, with the lapse of years there had developed the
want of harmony inevitable from the diversity of interests and
the geographical separation of the two viUages. The commer
cial relations of each section were with the city of Springfield,
with which each had independent connection by railroad and
other lines of travel, while the Iavo portions of the town remained
almost as effectuaUy divided as they had been from the days of
original settlement. Under these conditions separate town gov-
( 431 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ernments were the logical outcome, and after years of discussion
and preliminary work the separation was made by the state leg
islature of 1894, the act to take effect on July 1 of that year.
The act, which was approved May 19, 1894, thus describes the
boundary line between the two towns: "Beginning at a stone
monument on the boundary line between the town of Long
meadoAV and the city of Springfield, at a point where said
boundary line intersects the westerly line of White street, and
running thence south five degrees east to a stone monument on
the Connecticut state line, and at an angle in said state line,
which monument is located about seventy-five rods west of the
point AA'here the west branch of PreshAvater brook crosses said
Connecticut state line."
At the election of officers which foUoAved, these were chosen
for the remainder of the then current year : Clerk and treasurer,
0. Louis Wolcott; selectmen, George B. Robinson, John P.
Whitaker, Edward S. EUis. At the election of 1895 Mr. Wolcott
was again chosen town clerk, while William H. Hall, John L.
Davis and Ethan Hancock were made selectmen, and at each suc
ceeding election up to the present year (1901) they have been
re-elected. In 1901 Arthur G. Crane was elected town clerk,
succeeding Mr. Wolcott. The fuU board of town officers for that
year follows: Town clerk and treasurer, Arthur G. Chase:
selectmen, assessors, overseers of the poor, board of health and
fence viewers, William H. Hall, John L. Davis, Ethan Hitch
cock; auditors, Frank H. Whitaker, Frank A. Crane; collector,
Arthur Geldard; constables, Henry Hellin, Billings Cooley;
special police, Frank A. Champlin, Herman Tower; cattle in
spector, John L. Davis; highAvay surveyor, Asher Markham;
school committee, Charles H. Bugbee, 0. Louis Wolcott, Ethan
Hancock ; superintendent of schools, Mary L. Poland of Spring
field; trustees of public library, 0. Louis Wolcott, David D.
Durantaye, Mrs. 0. C. Hunn ; librarian, Mrs. Lucy Coomes.
While the old church on Longmeadow Street remained for
sixty years the place of worship of all the people of the tovm,
a diversity of religious belief began to manifest itself in East
Longmeadow about the first of the nineteenth century. In the
( 432 )

THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
southeastern corner of the town there resided at the time men
tioned several families with Baptist views, and that portion of
the town was familiarly referred to as "Baptist Settlement."
These people for a long time worshiped with their Connecticut
neighbors in Enfield, but in 1807 they petitioned the Baptist
church of that place and the Congregational church of Long
meadow for permission that ' ' Elder George Atwell officiate with
them as a preacher of divinity one-half of the time. ' ' This peti
tion was granted, and religious services were held there until
1818, as a branch of the Enfield church, when on the 23d of
June the First Baptist church of East Longmeadow was estab
lished with appropriate exercises. The First Baptist society
had been organized January 13, 1816, and was incorporated
February 8, 1819. It was discontinued as an incorporated body
March 31, 1873. The several pastors of the church, with the
year of settlement or ordination, have been as follows: Rev.
George B. AtweU, 1821-5; Rev. John M. Hunt, 1835-40; Rev.
Moses J. Kelly, 1842; Rev. P. L. Bachelor, 1843; Rev. Mr.
Parrar, 1846; Rev. N. W. Minor, 1848; Rev. Nicholas Branch,
1853; Rev. A. S. Lovell, 1858; Rev. Levi H. Wakeman, 1862;
Rev. T. 0. Judd, 1867 ; Rev. H. G. Gage, 1873 ; Rev. WiUiam S.
PhiUips, 1875; Rev. 0. R. Hunt, 1877; Rev. L. H. Copeland,
1882 ; Rev. P. B. Joy, 1887 ; Rev. N, D. Parsons, 1888 ; Rev. R.
S. MitcheU, 1891; Rev. Ward Fisher, 1897; Rev. W. L. GUes,
1897; Rev. Robert H. Carey, 1899, the present pastor. The
house of worship occupied by this church is located near the
southeastern corner of the town, in what has long been familiarly
known as "Baptist District." It Avas built about 1830, but has
since been remodeled, and under the efforts of the present pastor
has been again thoroughly renovated. The church is now in a
prosperous condition.
After worshipping with the parent church at Longmeadow
viUage for almost ninety years, the CongregationaUsts of East
Longmeadow began about 1825 to consider the matter of a church
in their own viUage, and on the 16th of June, 1827, the society
was incorporated under the name of "Proprietors of the Meeting
House of the Third Religious Society in LongmeadoAv. " The
28-3 ( 433 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
title Avas changed to ' ' Third Religious Society in LongmeadoAV, ' '
in 1830, and in 1895 to "First Congregational Society of East
Longmeadow." The church Avas organized on the 22d of April,
1829, as the Second Congregational church in LongmeadoAV, the
name being changed in 1895 to "First Congregational Church
of East LongmeadoAV. ' ' A house of worship was erected on the
hill overlooking the village, at a cost of $3,500, in 1828, and was
dedicated in November of that year. In 1859 the structure was
moved down the hill into the village and extensively remodeled,
forming the present church building. The former site Avas

"The Center" — East Longmeadow

adopted for a parsonage. The first pastor installed was Rev.
Calvin Foot, who was installed April 15, 1831, and dismissed
July 8, 1835. His successors have been: Rev. Martyn Tupper,
1835-49; Rev. WiUiam E. Dixon, 1852-4; Rev. Joshua R. Brown,
installed December 13, 1854, died September 7, 1858; Rev.
Alfred B. Peabody, 1860-67; Rev. Alfred I. Dutton, 1869-85;
Rev. Robert C. Bell, 1885-92; Rev. Albert D. Smith, 1892-6; Rev.
John A. Hughes, 1896-7 ; Rev. Harry C. McKnight, 1898-1901.
A Methodist Episcopal church was organized in June, 1853,
Rev. David K. Merrill being the preacher in charge. In the same
( 434 )

THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
year a church building Avas erected and dedicated, and is still
in use, having been thoroughly renovated in 1880. A parsonage
was erected in 1860, and it is worthy of mention that all the
church property is free from debt. Apart from supplies by
notable clergymen from Wesleyan academy at Wilbraham and
residents of Springfield, the pastors have been as follows: Rev.
David K. Merrill, 1853-4; Rev. Rodney Gage, 1855-6; Rev. Jonas
M. Clark, 1856-7 ; Rev. RandaU MitcheU, 1860-2 ; Rev. Thomas C.
Pratt, 1862-4 ; Rev. WilUam Rice, 1864-6 ; Rev. Henry T. Eddy,
settled in April, 1866, died in September of that year; Rev.
GuUford D. Brown, 1866-8 ; Rev. Joseph Candlin, 1868-71 ; Rev.
J. W. Lee, 1871-2; Rev. WilUam Wignall, 1872-4; Rev. N. F.
Stevens, 1874-5 ; Rev. John CadAvell, settled in April, 1875, died
in January, 1876; Rev. Joseph Scott, 1876-8; Rev. Jacob W.
Price, 1878-9 ; Rev. Ichabod Marcy, 1879-82 ; Rev. I. H. Gaylord,
1882-4; Rev. W. M. Hubbard, 1886-8; Rev. I. H. Gaylord, 1888-
90; Rev. Isaac S. Yerkes, 1890-93; Rev. W. H. Adams, 1893-5;
Rev. E. C. Bridgham, 1895-8 ; Rev. W. T. Hale, 1898-1900 ; Rev.
WaUace T. Miller, 1900.
The Roman Catholics of East Longmeadow began holding
meetings in the town hall about 1883, and built a modest church
in 1887, with a seating capacity of 300. In 1895 the house which
had formerly been the Congregational parsonage, with two acres
of land, was purchased for a parish house, and was fitted up
for occupation as such. Until 1894 the church, known as St.
Michael's, was, like that at West Longmeadow, a mission of St.
WilUam 's church at Mittineague; but in the year named the two
churches in LongmeadoAv were formed into an independent
parish, and so continue at the present time. The pastors in
charge have been as follows : Rev. Patrick Healy (monthly mass
at West Longmeadow only), 1870-83; Rev. E. Pelletier, 1883-5;
Rev. J. E. Campeau, 1885-8 ; Rev. J. H. A. Biron, 1888-90 ; Rev.
Frederick Bonneville, 1890-93; Rev. Humphrey Wren, 1893;
Rev. Anthony Dwyer (the first resident pastor), 1894-1900;
Rev. John P. Hackett, 1900, now in charge.
The East LongmeadoAV public library was established in
the winter of 1896-7, and now contains about 1,200 volumes,
( 435 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
with some 450 patrons. The expense of running the institution
is met by an annual appropriation from the town, while some
assistance in the way of furnishing books is received from the
state library commission, and by the contribution of friends.
The direction of the library is in the hands of a board of three
trustees and a librarian, AA'hose names appear in the list of town
officers. Apart from its agricultural interests. East Longmeadow
owes its development principally to its valuable quarries of red
sandstone, which have' given to the town a wide fame. This
stone underlies a considerable portion of the town, and has been
quarried from the time of the early settlements. At first the
stone was considered common property, and up to the beginning
of the nineteenth century the party Avho discovered "a ledge"
was considered to hold first title to work the same, even though
located upon the land of another. But for the past 100 years
the several quarries have, under the law, been held and operated
by the owners of the land, or under lease from them. The stone
has been shipped to all parts of the country, and has been used
in many public buildings and other works. Much of it has been
used in the United States armory buildings at Springfield, and
from these quarries was taken the stone for the foundation of
the formidable iron fence which incloses the armory grounds.
In early times it was used for gravestones, and is still employed
to some extent in monumental AVork. Wider use obtains, how
ever, as a material for public buildings and fine private resi
dences, many of which, in all sections of the country, have been
constructed from the product of these quarries. Among such
buildings may be mentioned the Pierce building, Estey Organ
company's building. Youth's Companion building, new Trinity
church, and residences of Oliver Ames and C. A. Whittier, at
Boston; Harvard university gymnasium. Law School building
and Sever hall, Cambridge ; Vanderbilt hall, Walch hall, Phelps
memorial, Osborne memorial and Bi-Centennial building at Yale
college. New Haven, Conn.; Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Teachers'
college. Union League club house, St. James' Episcopal church.
Holy Trinity church, St. Agnes' church, Berkeley lyceum and
( 436 )

THE TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
New York Athletic club building. New York city; Brooklyn
Eagle building, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Crouse memorial building,
Syracuse, N. Y. ; the library, dormitory and Commencement hall
at Princeton university, N. J. ; the office buildings of the New
England and New York Life Insurance companies at Kansas
City, Mo.; New York Life Insurance company's building at
Omaha, Neb. ; Howard Memorial library, New Orleans, La. ; and
the Ames memorial monument in Wyoming, not to mention a
multitude of other well laiown structures.
The color of the stone varies in the different quarries, con
sisting of sandstone, the Kibbe red, so called, and light brown
stone. Some of the quarries have been operated for a hundred
years, in a systematic way, and even longer than that, in a hap
hazard manner prior to the definite establishment of property
rights in the stone. The more widely known of the quarries are
the Taylor, Salisbury, McGregory, Billings, Kibbe, Pine Kibbe,
Worcester and Maynard. The largest industry is carried on
by the Norcross Brownstone company, organized early in 1901,
succeeding to the business which had for twenty-seven years
been conducted by the firm of Norcross Brothers. They employ
more than a hundred hands, and have a fine new plant beside
the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad
for sawing and dressing stone for the trade. A large business
is also done by the firm of James & Marra, with offices at Spring
field, who employ an average of seventy-five men, and have a
yearly output of about 12,000 tons of high-grade stone. Ap
parently the supply is inexhaustible, and the business gives
promise of still increasing magnitude.
The area of the town is 13.4 square miles, and its population
at the time of division, as shown by the state census of 1895, was
1,591; but in 1900 the national census showed a falling off to
1,187.

( 437 )

CHAPTER XIV
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
On February 26, 1792, in response to a petition from a
number of inhabitants in that part of the tovA'ns of Westfield and
Montgomery Avhich lay south of the main branch of Westfield
river, the legislature passed an act creating a new town in
Hampshire county, naming the jurisdiction Russell. Tradition
says that the name AA'as given in honor of a prominent citizen
of Boston, who Avas closely associated with public events, and
Avho, in consideration of the honor thus bestowed upon him,
promised to donate to the first church society of the new toAvn
a bell for use in calling the settlers to worship.
The incorporation of another town in this part of the county
seems to have been a necessity, for the settlers here were at
much inconvenience in transacting business of a public nature
at the seats of Westfield and Montgomery; therefore the general
court conferred on the inhabitants full town powers, including
authority to elect a representative to the legislature. This was
not a favor but a right to which the settlers were entitled, for
their number on the territory set off aggregated about 400 per
sons. Were the town records perfect an interesting narrative
might be made setting forth the names of nearly all the heads
of families Avho constituted the flrst settlers, but in Russell, as
in many other of the old towns vA'hose history dates back more
than a century, the people had greater regard for the comfort
and well-being of their families than for the formalities of strict
attention to public records. This remark, however, must not
be taken as a reflection upon our forefathers in Russell, for in
fcAv toAA'ns are the records found complete.
( 438 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
Tradition informs us that Russell was settled largely by
people from AVestfield, and that originally they came to the
country Avest of the Connecticut from the eastern portions of
Massachusetts and also from the Connecticut colonies. A few
of them traced their ancestry to the time of the Puritans, while
the majority Avere descended from the sturdy New Englanders
Avho came into the new world at a later date, and finding the
eastern plantations thickly settled, naturally turned to the more
remote localities where lands were cheaper. At the time this
upper valley of Westfield river had become knoAvn and some
attempt at settlement had been made. After a few families had
located here the region took the name of "New Addition", the
same as Avas applied to Montgomery, and Avas so known until
the incorporation of the toAvn in 1792.
It is claimed that the pioneers of Russell were two brothers
named Barber, and a Mr. Gray, who located and made the first
improvement on Avhat was known as Glasgow mountain, but
whence they came, how long they remained, no past chronicler
of Russell history furnishes us any clear light. But following
them closely there came to this vicinity a band of sturdy settlers
Avho cleared the lands and opened the way for later arrivals.
They came chiefly from Westfield and among them were men
and families of Scotch-Irish birth and parentage, strong, deter
mined men and women who were resolved to make for themselves
comfortable homes in the new locality.
Having recourse to old records and various accounts relat
ing to early life in this vicinity, we are able to reproduce these
names as representing substantially the earliest settlers in Rus
sell: Isaac Palmer, Elias Parks, Levi Bishop, John Mallory,
Ozias Finney, Isaac Bronson, John Hawley, Abraham Bradley,
Dr. Stebbins, Titus Doolittle, Daniel Mallory, Andrew Mallory,
Samuel Williams, Thomas Field, Jacob Loomis, Robert Hazard,
Able Tuttle, Newman Bishop, Benjamin Todd, Stephen Hughes,
Silas Noble, Benjamin Atwater, Joel AtAvater, Richard Russell,
Samuel Chapman, Seth Gridley and Jesse Newton. And there
Avere others, probably as early in their settlement as any who
are mentioned, but through the lapse of a century their names
have been forgotten. ( 439 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The surname Palmer has long been known in RusseU his
tory, both in town affairs and also in the substantial development
of the land. Isaac Palmer left four sons. Squire, Loren, Elijah
and Reuben, whose descendants are yet in the town and county.
A glance at the civil records will show how the representatives of
this surname have been prominently identified with Russell his
tory. The surname Mallory had at least three representatives
among the early settlers, and from them sprung a considerable
number of descendants, although the pioneers are gone and the
later-day generations have become scattered through other
localities. The Parks family through all generations from the time of
Elias, the pioneer, who is believed to have settled here about
the time of the revolutionary war, have been conspicuously
identified with the civil and social history of the town. Elias
Parks was selectman in 1810, and one of the family name now
holds that office, and is, as well, engaged in industrial pursuits.
Nelson D. Parks was county commissioner from 1858 to 1864.
Levi Bishop had five sons — David, Aaron, James, Charles and
Levi, jun.,— from whom have come the later men of the tovm
bearing that name. Robert Hazard left no descendants. Isaac
Bronson had several sons, among them being AUen, John and
Harvey, but the surname now is not numerously represented in
Russell. Titus Doolittle, himself a quiet, earnest plodder along
life 's path, was not specially active in public affairs, yet he pro
vided weU for his family. One son attained a seat on the bench
of the courts in Vermont, and another entered the legal profes
sion in this state, practicing in Hampshire county.
The Bishops, descendants of Newman Bishop, at one time
were numerous in the town, and Newman, junior, attained nearly
his hundredth year. The pioneer Bishop left three sons, Jere
miah, Alva and Newman, jun., whose descendants are now
scattered through western Hampden county. Samuel Williams
had five sons, all of whom, save one, removed to other localities.
Jacob Loomis had six sons, Jacob, Hubbard, Josiah, Caleb,
Lyman and Solomon. Abel Tuttle had four sons, Abel, Lyman,
Almon and Daniel, through whom the family name has been
( 440 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
perpetuated in the county. Stephen Hughes had four sons,
John, Stephen, Henry and John (2d), none of whom left chU
dren. Benjamin Atwater left children, among them being
Harris, Titus and Noah. Benjamin Todd, one of the pioneers
of the toAvn, Avas an old revolutionary patriot and served with
Gen. Israel Putnam. He had four sons and three daughters,
but the family name now has few representatives in the county.
Silas Noble AA'as a worthy settler, a man of influence in early
Russell history and one whose surname has always maintained
a high standing in western Hampden county. Silas' sons Avere
Silas, jun., Roland, Reuben, Albert and Seth; and he also had
three daughters. Richard Russell was the worthy head of a large
family, there being flve sons — Thomas, Simeon, Almon, Abel and
Yale, the descendants of some of whom are yet in the county.
Joel Atwater 's family was quite large but now has few repre
sentatives in this locality.
Samuel Chapman, who is mentioned among the early settlers
in Russell, was father of the late Chief Justice Reuben Atwater
Chapman, of the Supreme ju'^icial court. Judge Chapman was
born in Russell and attained a higher position in public life
than any other of our townsmen. A more extended reference
to his life and career will be found in an earlier chapter of this
work. Jesse Newton, of whom incidental mention has been
made, was another of the prominent early settlers here. He
had three sons— Elias, Ezra and Robert. This surname now
has few representatives in this part of the county.
Present citizens of Russell will recall many of these old
family names and perhaps a majority of those of the present
generation of factors in the town's history can trace their an
cestry to one or more of the settlers whose names are recorded
on preceding pages. The claim is not made that the list is
complete, or is as full as it should be, but in Russell the en
quirer after events of early history encounters a number of
adverse conditions, and few indeed are the instances in which
reliable information can be secured relative to the year in which
settlement Avas begun by the pioneers. In the early history of
Westfield frequent allusion to these settlers wUl be found, for
( 441 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Avhat noAv is Russell originally Avas largely within the limits of
that toAA'n.
It must be seen, however, that settlement in this locality
did not begin much earlier than the closing years of the last
French Avars, and when once undertaken the number of settiers
increased so rapidly that the creation of a new town became
necessary. At the time of the first federal census the inhabitants
here Avere enumerated as residents in Westfield and Montgomery,
but in 1800 the number of persons living in Russell was 431.
The subsequent growth and ultimate decline in population in
the town, as shoAvn by the census reports, has been as follows
1810, 422; 1820, 491; 1830, 507; 1840, 555; 1850, 521; 1855, 677
1860, 605 ; 1865, 618 ; 1870, 635 ; 1875, 643 ; 1880, 823 ; 1885, 847
1890, 879; 1895, 846; 1900, 793.
Prom this it is seen that the maximum population was at
tained in 1890, since which time the total decrease has been less
than 200, a somcAA'hat remarkable fact when the town is placed
in comparison with others in the county. This indicates a
healthful condition of affairs at all periods of the town's history,
and particularly during the last twenty-five years. In fact there
are few abandoned or neglected farms in Russell, while within
the boundaries of the town are at least three manufacturing
interests of importance. Skirting the town on its northeast side
is the Boston and Albany railroad, the operation of which has
benefitted all local interests. Previous to the construction of the
road Russell was a station of some consequence on the route of
the Eighth turnpike corporation, which extended from West-
field into the tovm and thence to Falley 's store in Blandford.
One of the first highAvays laid out in this locality was that
opened during the early years of the revolution and led west
from Springfield through Westfleld, entering the southeast
corner of Russell in the neighborhood of Glasgow mountain, the
latter more recently called Little Tekoa.
In connection Avith the settlement, growth and civil history
of Russell we find no events of great importance. For more
than a century the 8,340 acres of land comprising the tovm have
been devoted chiefly to agriculture. The town has many excel-
(442 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE •
lent farming areas and the hill tops generally afford excellent
pasturage for cattle. Lumbering, too, has been a leading pur
suit for many years, the numerous streams furnishing abundant
water power for operating saw mills, while the railroad affords
ready access to profitable markets.
Whatever there is of revolutionary history in the town is
narrated in the general chapters, and during the war of 1812-15
the sentiment existing among the inhabitants here was in accord
with that in nearly all other toAvns in the county. John Car
rington and Lyman Holmes are credited with having entered
the service from Russell during that struggle, and in the war
of 1861-5 more than fifty men enlisted from the town.
Civil History.— Eor several years previous to the incorpora
tion of the town the inhabitants of this part of Westfield and
Montgomery suffered many inconveniences by reason of their
remote situation from the seat of town business, and for remedy
thereof they petitioned the general court with result in the pas
sage of the act of February 25, 1792, creating the new town of
RusseU. Soon afterward a warrant was issued for the first
meeting for the election of officers, and thereupon the various
positions were properly filled. However, no record is found to
show who were the officers for the first year. Beginning Avith
1793 the succession of selectmen and town clerks is as follows :
Selectmen.— 1793, Samuel Williams, Nehemiah Carter,
Lovewell Thomas; 1794, Isaac Palmer, Joseph MitcheU, Titus
Doolittle ; 1795, Isaac Palmer, Joseph MitcheU, Silas Noble ; 1796,
Joseph Mitchell, Reuben Parks, Samuel WiUiams ; 1797, Samuel
WiUiams, Joseph MitcheU, Lovewell Thomas ; 1798-1800, Samuel
WilUams, Reuben Parks, SUas Noble; 1801-02, Samuel WilUams,
Jacob Loomis, WUUam Stancleft; 1803, Jacob Loomis, Levi
Bishop, Isaac Palmer; 1804, SUas DooUttle, Levi Bishop,
Stephen Hughes; 1805, Stephen Hughes, Isaac Palmer, Silas
Noble; 1806, Thomas Day, Silas Noble, Stephen Hughes; 1807,
Stephen Hughes, Jacob Loomis, EUas Parks ; 1808, Dudley WU-
liams, Abel Tuttle, John Gould; 1809, Daniel Sherman, EUas
Parks, Henry Parks ; 1810, Stephen Hughes, EUas Parks, Daniel
Sherman; 1811, Stephen Hughes, Levi Bishop, Titus DooUttie;
( 444 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
1812, EUas Parks, Enoch Stiles, James C. Carter; 1813, EUas
Parks, Daniel Sherman, Moses Allen; 1814, Levi Bishop, John
Gould, jun., Dudley Williams ; 1815, John Gould, James C. Car
ter, Elias Parks; 1816, Elias Parks, Dudley Williams, Roland
Parks; 1817, Stephen Hughes, John Gould, Jeremiah Bishop;
1818, Jacob Loomis, Levi Bishop, Roland Parks; 1819, Roland
Parks, Henry Parks, Jeremiah Bishop ; 1820-25, Roland Parks,
John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun.; 1826, Roland Parks, Abel
Tuttie, jun., Reuben Bradley; 1827, John Gould, Abel Tuttie,
jun., Roland Parks; 1828-29, Zachariah Dickinson, Reuben
Bradley, George Williams ; 1830, John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun.,
Roland Parks; 1831-32, John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun., Linus
Dickinson; 1833, Chauncey W. Morse, James Bishop, Benjamin
Bennett; 1834, Chauncey W. Morse, Justin Loomis, Benjamin
Bennett; 1835, John Gould, Abel Tuttle, jun., Benj. Bennett;
1836, Benjamin Bennett, Jeremiah Bishop, Justin Loomis ; 1837,
Chauncey W. Morse, Albert Noble, Jeremiah Bishop ; 1838, John
Gould, Benjamin Bennett, James Bishop; 1839, Roland Parks,
Justin Loomis, Noah Atwater; 1840, Roland Parks, Benj. Ben
nett, William D. Mallory ; 1841, Charles Tinker, James Loomis,
Jabez Clark; 1842, Roland Parks, Daniel Pry, Benjamin Ben
nett; 1843, Daniel Fry, John Dickinson, Benj. Bennett; 1844,
Roland Parks, John Dickinson, Allen Bronson; 1845, Benj.
Bennett, Bradford W. Palmer, Jules Bedortha; 1846; Benj.
Bennett, Nelson D. Parks, Lyman Parks; 1847, Bradford W.
Palmer, Newman Bishop, Nelson D. Parks ; 1848, Roland Parks,
Newman Bishop, Nelson D. Parks; 1849, Roland Parks, Justin
E. Loomis, WiUiam W. Cosby; 1850, Newman Bishop, jun.,
MarshaU N. Fales, Lucius P. Bishop; 1851, Nelson D. Parks,
Bradford W. Palmer, Henry K. Loomis; 1852, Bradford W.
Palmer, David Parks, WiUiam L. Dickinson ; 1853, WiUiam W.
Cosby, Noah Atwater, Lucius P. Bishop ; 1854, Newman Bishop,
jun., Bradford W. Palmer, WilUam L. Dickinson ; 1855, Simeon
MaUory, Sheldon Bronson, Stanton S. Clark; 1856, Simeon Mal
lory, Benj. Bennett, Joseph Osborn; 1857, Newman Bishop, A.
J. Bradley, Horace Parks ; 1858, Newman Bishop, A. J, Bradley,
Stanton S. Clark; 1859, Roland Parks, Benj. Bennett, Dexter
( 445 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Parks; 1860, Nelson D. Parks, WilUam Holmes, F. H. Bishop;
1861, Nelson D. Parks, Henry A. Gould, Edwin A. Russell;
1862, Nelson D. Parks, AUen J. MaUory, Horace Heath; 1863,
Nelson D. Parks, Dexter Parks, EdAvin A. Russell ; 1864, Roland
Parks, Dexter Parks, DAAdght S. Bronson; 1865, Roland Parks,
EdAA'in A. Russell, William Pomeroy; 1866-67, Nelson D. Parks,
Simeon Mallory, Lyman Shurtleff; 1868, Nelson D. Parks,
Simeon Mallory, A. H. Lcaa-Is; 1869, Nelson D. Parks, Simeon
]\Iallory, WiUiam Holmes ; 1870, Simeon Mallory, Horace Parks,
William Holmes; 1871, Horace Parks, William Holmes, Marvin
Wright; 1872-73, Horace Parks, WiUiam Holmes, Robert
Pitcher; lS74, Horace Parks, Roland Parks, Wilbur 0. MerriU;
1875, Horace Parks, George T. Bryant, Leonard P. Palmer;
1876, Horace Parks, P. E. Bushnell, WiUiam Holmes; 1877,
Horace Parks, F. E. BushneU, Roland Parks; 1878, P. E. Busli-
neU, Dexter Parks, L. B. Palmer; 1879-80, Horace Parks, Wil
liam Holmes, Robert Pitcher; 1881, Horace Parks, Marvin
Wright, Leonard P. Palmer; 1882, Horace Parks, William
Holmes, Albert L. Quance; 1883, Arthur S. Parks, Albert L.
Quance, Marvin Wright; 1884, Arthur S. Parks, John H. Fen-
ton, Bradford W. Palmer; 1885, Arthur S. Parks, Jarvis W.
Gibbs, WiUiam Holmes; 1886, Henry S. Eldridge, Albert L.
Quance, George H. Alien; 1887, Eugene D. Parks, Prank Gur
ney, George H. Allen ; 1888, Eugene D. Parks, Albert L. Quance,
George H. Alien; 1889, Jarvis W. Gibbs, Albert L. Quance,
George H. Allen; 1890, Horace Parks, Albert L. Quance, Wil
liam Holmes; 1891, E. I. Webster, Albert L. Quance, George H.
Mortimore; 1892, Albert L. Quance, George H. Mortimore, Wil
liam Holmes ; 1893-94, Albert L. Quance, George H. Mortimore,
Robert L. Parks; 1895, Albert L. Quance, Robert L. Parks,
William Holmes; 1896, Albert L. Quance, Theodore H. Clark,
Wm. Holmes; 1897-98, Albert L. Quance, Homer B. Fletcher,
George H. Allen; 1899, Albert L. Quance, John J. Brennan,
Homer B. Fletcher; 1900, Albert L. Quance, John J. Brennan,
Eugene D. Parks; 1901, Eugene D. Parks, John J. Brennan,
George H. Allen.
Town Clerks.— 'Robert Hazzard, 1793-96; Joseph Mitchell,
1797; Robert Hazzard, 1798; Levi Chapman, 1799-1805; Isaac
( 446 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
Palmer, 1806-10 ; Dudley WiUiams, 1811 ; Isaac Palmer, 1812-17 ;
Dudley WilUams, 1818-19 ; Isaac Palmer, 1820-25 ; Reuben Brad
ley, 1826 ; Reuben Palmer, 1827-30 ; Linus Dickinson, 1831-32 ;
Jeremiah Bishop, 1833; John Dickinson, 1834-36; Zachariah
Dickinson, 1837-38; James Bishop, 1839-40; John Dickinson,
1841-42; Wm. D. Mallory, 1843-44; Roland Parks, 1845-46;
Lucius P. Bishop, 1847-48; Nelson D. Parks, 1849-50; Justin E.
Loomis, 1851-52; H. L. Gridley, 1853; J. W. Gibbs, 1854; Joseph
Gridley, 1855-57; J. W. Gibbs, 1858; Horace Parks, 1859-60;
Roland Parks, 1861-64; Joseph Hutchinson, 1865; Nelson D.
Parks, 1866; HoAveU Parks, 1867-69; S. F. Root, 1870; R. W.
Parks, 1871; Henry L. Goodrich, 1872; J. B. Smith, 1873; E. E.
Gibbs, 1874 ; George T. Bryant, 1875 ; Henry L. Goodrich, 1876-
81 ; Arthur S. Parks, 1882 ; Henry L. Goodrich, 1883 ; Arthur S.
Parks, 1884; Frank Gurney, 1885-88; J. Henry Spencer, 1889-
92 ; Samuel C. Warner, 1893 ; Eugene D. Parks, 1894-95 ; Homer
B. Fletcher, 1896 ; Eugene D. Parks, 1897-1901.
Town Officers, 1901.— E. D. Parks, George H. AUen, John J.
Brennan, selectmen, overseers of the poor, assessors and board
of health; E. D. Parks, toAvn clerk; R. L. Parks, H. C. Parsons,
auditors; Horace E. Clapp, treasurer and collector; S. S. Shurt
leff, highway surveyor; W. S. Lincoln, Wm. Pomeroy, cemetery
commissioners; Milton S. Thompson, John J. Galvin, Arthur
Scott, school committee; Mrs. A. W. Goodrich, librarian; A. W.
Goodrich, John H. Bigger, J. B. Tucker, trustees of Russell free
public library; A. E. Abbott, T. H. Clark, Eugene D. Parks,
Robert L. Parks, justices of the peace.
Villages and Hamlets.— PreVions to the construction of the
Boston and Albany railroad the only trading place in the town
was at Russell, which was more frequently called the Centre.
Since the toAA'n was founded a store has been kept here, and since
the railroad Avas opened a hotel has been in operation. When
the road was built the thoughtful residents along the street lead
ing from the station to the center of the hamlet set out trees on
both sides, for at that time there were indications that Russell
would be a village of considerable importance. This hope was
only partially realized, but in the course of time the main street
( 447 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
became one of the most beautifully shaded thoroughfares in the
county, and is so regarded to-day. For many years the place has
been well provided with business interests, yet it is doubtful if
these were ever more substantial than at the present time, unless
we except the period during which Russell was a station on the
line of the old turnpike road leading east and west across the
state. A few of the older residents, contemporaries of such men
as Horace Parks and Joseph Gridley, will recall this old yet
enjoyable period of our history, but the recollections of our pres-

High Bridge — Fairfield

ent middle-aged men date generally from the opening of the
railroad and the building of a depot at Russell. Mr. Parks was
station agent here forty-two years, and his son now holds that
position. The principal business interests of Russell at the present
day comprise the stores kept by T. H. Clark and Henry B.
Martin, both of which are well-stocked general establishments;
the attractive and well-appointed hotel kept by John Chaplin;
the usual number of small shops found in all country villages,
( 448 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
and the brick and tile works, the latter an industry of much
importance in the locality. The Blandford brick and tile works
has been a local interest for twelve or fifteen years, but originally
Avas located in the town of Blandford, from Avhence comes the
greater part of the raw material now used. The works are
operated with Worcester capital, employ local wage earners, and
under the capable management of W. S. Lincoln comprise one of
the best business concerns of the town.
Fairfield is the name of a small hamlet on Westfield river,
about two and one-half miles below RusseU Centre, in a locality
formerly knoAvn as Salmon Palls. This place flrst gained promi
nence about twenty-flve years ago, when the Jessup & Laflin
Paper company built works and began the manufacture of paper
on an extensive scale. The company has since been in successful
operation, although changes have been made in its management,
and it noAV is known as the Woronoco Paper company. The
other business interests in this locality comprise the hotel (in a
delightful situation and a most popular resort for hunting, fish
ing and outing parties) kept by Alfred Cosby, and the large
general store owned by J. T. Beede, who also is postmaster.
The Chapin & Gould paper mills are located up the river
toward Huntington, about two miles above Russell village, and
have been one of the principal industries of the town since 1858.
The plant here is owned and operated with Springfield capital
and employs local workmen chiefly.
In addition to these interests there are several others of less
note which may be mentioned without regard to special location.
They are the charcoal works of the Richmond Iron company ; the
glove and shirt Avorks, of which W. B. Shelley is manager ; the
grist and saw mills of Alfred Keeler ; the lumbering interests of
E. D. Parks & Co., and the saw mill of A. B. Pendleton. In the
town John Flack is blacksmith; Frank Hathaway, provision and
fish dealer ; S. L. Bronson, hay and feed dealer, and George H.
Mortimer, provision dealer.
Churches.— The ecclesiastical history of Russell has been
uneventful, and of the various societies which from time to time
have found a lodgement in the town only two have miantained a
29^ ( 449 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
permanent existence. The Baptists, an offshoot from the church
at Westfleld, appear to have been flrst on the ground and planted
their society here in 1786, under the name of the First Baptist
church of Russell. A house of worship was built in 1792, but
about 1810 the society dissolved, only to be re-established in
1816, with Elder Asa Todd as pastor. The old meeting house
Avas burned in 1820 and Avas replaced with a new one in 1826.
The present edifice was erected in 1853. The present pastor of
this church is Rev. John H. Bigger.
A Congregational society and church were organized in
Rnssell in November, 1800, by Rev. Joseph Badger, but after

Methodist Church — Russell
about thirty years of struggle against adversity in various forms
it passed out of active existence and its members affiliated with
the Baptist and Methodist societies. About 1820 the Congrega
tional and Methodist societies built a union meeting house, but
the structure Avas torn down in 1830.
The Methodist Episcopal society came into life in the town
about 1818 and maintained a varied existence thereafter for
many years. When the Congregational society dissolved it
gained added strength, but had no regular house of worship
between 1830 and 1869, when the church edifice at the Centre
was erected. Since that time it has groAvn in strength and
( 450 )

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL
influence, and now ranks with the best of its denomination in
any of the outlying towns. The present pastor is Rev. E. H.
Weyant. Schools. — Little can or need be said of the general system
of education employed in this town. It always has been in con
formity with the broad and liberal scheme prescribed by the
state laws, and in excellence is in full keeping with that employed
in other towns. The records give us little light on the subject
of early schools, yet it is known that one of the first measures
adopted by the new town was a vote to maintain schools in each
of the established districts. The latter have been changed from
time to time, as occasion required, the number being increased
or reduced according to the population of the town; but at no
time has there been a tendency to lower the standard of effi
ciency. As now disposed, the toAvn comprises eight school districts,
and for school maintenance about $2,200 are annually raised by
local tax. The town's share in the school funds is about $495
each year. Eight schools are supported and eight teachers are
employed. The school census shows about 140 children between
5 and 15 years of age. The annual school expenses aggregate
about $2,500.
During the more than a century of its history, Russell has
produced many strong and influential men, and has sent to\he
legislature, and elsewhere in public station, some of the best
material the county has ever furnished. The late Chief Justice
Chapman Avas born and spent his young life in Russell, and was
perhaps the most distinguished of the toAvn's contribution to
high office. Among the other notable men of the town there may
be recalled the names of "Squire" NcAvman Bishop, son of
Newman Bishop, Sr., a revolutionary patriot; Benjamin Bennett,
a substantial farmer years ago on Russell mountain in the
south part of the town; Abel and Thomas Russell and Noah
Atwater, all old-time prosperous farmers; Robert Parks, son of
EUas Parks, the pioneer, and father of Horace Parks, the latter
now one of Russell's oldest citizens ; Roland Parks, the old select
man ; Nelson I>. Parks, who died in Huntington, was for several
( 451 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
years county commissioner, at one time was revenue collector,
and was for several years justice, many cases being tried before
him ; William Pomeroy, who died in 1901 ; Jarvis Gibbs, merchant
at Russell more than twenty-five years; John Gould, one of the
foremost men of the town in his time, and who died in the west;
Reuben Palmer, Linus Dickinson, Simeon Mallory, John Dickin
son, all prominent local characters in their time ; WiUiam Crosby,
who built the now known Horace Parks residence; Justin
Loomis, a man of means and business capacity ; Lyman Bradley,
father of former Sheriff A. M. Bradley; James Bishop, a sub
stantial farmer on Russell mountain, and others whose names are
now lost.
In like manner it is proper to refer briefly to some of the
principal factors in RusseU history at the present time, and in
this connection we may mention the names of such men as Albert
L. Quance, who had charge of the work of construction of the
admirable state road between Fairfield and Russell; Horace
Parks, a veteran in pubUc affairs in the town and now one of its
oldest citizens ; Robert L. Parks, the station agent' and usual
moderator in town meetings; J. T. Beede, the merchant at
Fairfield; Alfred Cosby, the landlord at Fairfield; W. S. Lin
coln, superintendent of the brick and tile works; Eugene D.
Parks, town clerk and thorough business man; Sidney P.
Shurtleff, former surveyor of highways ; T. H. Clark, the Russell
merchant and postmaster; G. H. Allen, farmer near Fairfield;
S. F. Stephens, substantial farmer; William Mortimer, an en
terprising and successful farmer and cattle dealer; M. S.
Thompson, chairman of the school committee; Henry GrifSn,
the railroad ' ' section boss ' ' ; Joseph Gridley, one of the oldest
men in the town, and a native ; Henry G. Mortimer, farmer and
cattle dealer. Still other names might be added to this Ust, but
none that are here mentioned should be taken away.

( 452 )

CHAPTER XV
THE TOA¥N OP TOLLAND
In 1754 the colonial government of Massachusetts Bay estab
lished the old plantation of Bedford as the district of Granville,
and in 1775 the general court conferred on the jurisdiction fuU
town powers. Under these names and vrith an extensive terri
tory the early settlement of the region was accomplished, and so
rapidly did the planters from the east possess themselves of the
high and fertile lands of the locality that the territory was
divided into parishes for the convenience of the inhabitants and
took the names, respectively, of East, Middle (or Centre) and
West parish.
On June 14, 1810, at a time when the West parish contained
almost 800 inhabitants, the legislature passed an act to divide
the town of Granville, which act reads in part as follows: Be
it enacted, &c., ' ' That the West parish in Granville, in the county
of Hampshire, as known by its present bounds, be and hereby is
incorporated and established as a separate town by the name of
Tolland, with all the poAvers and privileges, and subject to all
the requisitions of other towns, according to the constitution and
laws of this commonwealth."
Tolland occupies a position in the extreme southwest corner
of Hampden county, the Connecticut state line bounding the
town on the south, while on the west lies Berkshire county.
Throughout this entire region the land surface is broken by
irregular ranges of hUls, some of which have an altitude varying
from 1,200 to 1,500 feet above tide water. Indeed, it is said that
ToUand, vAdth the possible exception of Chester, has some of the
highest elevations in the county, but notwithstanding the rugged
character of its surface the town has few areas of land unfit for
( 453 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
cultivation, and the hills furnish an abundance of gracing lands
and also produce a superior quality of hay and grain. More
remotely distant from the county seat than any other town, and
having no streams of sufficient size to raft logs or' lumber to
market, Tolland still has large tracts of forest lands, some of
which have not been touched by the woodman 's axe.
Settlement.— ^W[iile this part of Hampshire county was
knoAvn as the plantation of Bedford, its settlement was begun
by pioneers from the east, while a few of the Durham colony who
settled the Middle parish of Granville gradually found their way
over into the hill regions of the West parish. No reliable record
is found to inform us who was the pioneer of the town, and the
present generation of inhabitants have no traditions on this sub
ject. Still, it is known that some time about the year 1750 a
number of families came to the locality, purchased lands and
made settlements. Of this number there is handed down to us
the name of Jabez Rogers, a worthy man and the progenitor of
a large family of ten sons and tAvo daughters. These children
were Leonard, Jabez, Samuel, Nathaniel, Asa, Percy, Russell,
Martin, Dwyer, John, Lucy and Sarah, from whom, by their
marriages in subsequent years, has sprung a considerable pro
portion of the town's population.
Thomas Twining was another of the first settlers, and was
the pioneer of that Avell known family of the town in all later
years, Avho haA'e been such prominent factors in local history.
The sons of Thomas Avere William and Stephen, and he also had
three daughters. One of the latter married Joseph Wolcott, of
Sandisfield ; another married Chauncey Fowler and lived and
died in Tolland ; and the third married a Mr. Gorham and settled
in the west. Elijah Twining, brother of Thomas, also was an
early settler, if not one of the first colony. His eight children
were William, Eleazer, Ruth, Lewis, Judah, Timothy, Susan and
Lois, from whom have descended some of the best families of
Tolland, although not all of them spent their lives here.
Titus Fowler was one of the first settlers and also was one
of the foremost men in the original colony. In his family were
six children, John, Chauncey, Titus, Eliza, Catharine and Han-
( 454 )

THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
nah, a portion of AA'hom always lived in the town, but others, and
some of the descendants of nearly all of them, settled in other
parts of the country. Ebenezer Harding, also of the first colony
and a most Avorthy man, Avas one of the few flrst colonists of
whom little is noAV known. He left children and his surname
ahvays has been preserved in the town. Marvin Moore was still
another settler of whom little is recalled in the way of personal
remembrance. David Slocum's descendants are stiU active
factors in Tolland history, and they have just pride in their
family ancestry, for if local tradition is reliable the pioneer
Slocum was a man of influence in the affairs of the west parish.
In the family of Pierce Marshall, another of the original sixteen
settlers, Avere flve sons. Pierce, George, Samuel, Dudley and
Gains, and the descendants of some of them are still living in the
tOAvn. James Hamilton, Avhose family name has been known in all
succeeding years, Avas another of the earliest settlers in the old
west parish. His sons were John, Robert, Thomas, Henry,
James and Samuel, nearly all of Avhom in turn raised families,
although few indeed are now in Tolland to represent them.
The Granger surname is better represented, and by some of the
best stock in the town, for George W. Granger, grandson of the
pioneer of the family, AA'as for many years one of Tolland's best
men, and for years was chairman of the selectmen. The pioneer
was Abraham Granger, a good, Avorthy man, much respected by
his felloAv toAvnsmen. In his family were two sons and three
daughters, the former being Launcelot and George W. Granger.
John Manchester, who came here in 1750 vrith the first colony, is
not directly represented in the present generation of the town's
people, his children having settled in other localities, some in
Connecticut and others in the far West. Pioneer Manchester's
sons were William, John, Shadrach and Samuel. Of his daugh
ters, one married and spent her life in the town, but the others
removed to new localities in the west many years ago.
Among the other original colonists of the west parish there
may be recalled the names of Samuel Hubbard, James Barlow,
Moses Gough, David Fowler, and also John, Robert and Thomas
( 455 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Hamilton, who were groAvn sons of James Hamilton and came
with their father at the time the colony was planted in or about
1750. These, so far as present records and obtainable informa
tion tend to show, were the flrst settlers in the west parish of
Granville, a part of the old plantation of Bedford, and now
known as the town of ToUand. It was full three-score years
after their settlement was made that Tolland became a town, and
many of the founders never lived to see the change in jurisdic
tion. They came about the middle of the eighteenth century to
a rugged wilderness country, drawn by the ever restless spirit of
emigration which infected all the eastern colonies about that
time; but the principal inducement which attracted them was
the cheapness of the lands offered by the proprietors of the
Bedford plantation. Following them came others, some from
the eastern towns of Massachusetts and others from the shore
country of Connecticut, and notwithstanding the disadvantages
under which they labored and the multitude of hardships of life
in the new locality, their work was well done, and they, the first
settlers of Tolland, contributed a full share in establishing the
mother town as one of the most populous and important civil
divisions of old Hampshire county. This is no idle boast, for it
is a fact that in 1790 the town of Granville contained 1,979 in
habitants, while Springfield, including what now is Chicopee,
had 1,574 inhabitants. In 1800 Granville had 2,309 inhabitants,
and the present county seat of Hampden had 2,312 inhabitants.
VTien Tolland was set off from Granville in 1810 the new
town took from the mother territory more than one-third of her
lands and a like proportion of the population; from which we
may properly infer that the old west parish was as well settled
and developed as any portion of the original town. At that
time the territory comprising Tolland had attained its greatest
population, and in all later years, with few exceptions, the
number of inhabitants has steadily decreased. However, let us
have recourse to the statistics of the census and note the changes
in the town's population : 1810, 798 ; 1820, 692 ; 1830, 723 ; 1840,
627; 1850, 594; 1860, 596; 1865, 511; 1870, 509; 1875, 452; 1880,
452 ; 1885, 422 ; 1890, 303 ; 1895, 309 ; 1900, 275.
( 456 )

THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
In accordance with the provisions of the incorporating act,
one of the magistrates of Granville issued his warrant for the
first town meeting in the new jurisdiction, and thereupon the
organization was made complete. A full board of officers was
elected, and from that time the records, except those of births,
marriages and deaths, have been carefully preserved. Having
recourse to the clerk's books, we are able to furnish a complete
list of the selectmen and town clerks from the organization of
the town to the present time.
Selectmen.— 1810, James Hamilton, Perez Marshall, William
Twining; 1811, James Hamilton, Jabez Wright, John W. Bab
cock; 1812, John W. Babcock, HuU Slocum, Caleb Birt; 1813,
James Hamilton, Perez Marshall, jun., Hull Slocum; 1814, Perez
Marshall, Nathan Hall, William Twining, 1st; 1815, James
Hamilton, Merrin Moore, Eleazer Slocum; 1816, Capt. Allen
Bidwell, Henry Hamilton, jun., Eleazer Slocum; 1817, Capt.
Allen Bidwell, Warren Gates, Abraham Granger; 1818, Perez
Marshall, Selah Butler, Warren Gatf s ; 1819, Abraham Granger,
Charles Remington, Samuel Hamilton; 1820, Samuel Hamilton,
Abraham Granger, William Twining, 2d; 1821, John Hull,
Walter Babcock, Josiah Remington ; 1822-23, Josiah Remington,
Joel Humphrey, John Rogers; 1824, Josiah Remington, Joel
Humphrey, Archibald Wright ; 1825, Archibald Wright, Samuel
Hamilton, AUen BidvA'ell; 1826, Samuel Hamilton, Archibald
Wright, William Twining, 2d; 1827, Samuel Hamilton, Noah
Shepard, Warren Gates ; 1828, Josiah Remington, Israel Carrier,
George W. Granger; 1829, Josiah Remington, George W. Gran
ger, Walter W. Babcock; 1830, Samuel Hamilton, Eleazer Slo
cum, Alanson Hubbard; 1831, Leonard Cowles, Launcelot
Granger, Samuel HaU; 1832, Launcelot Granger, Leonard
Cowles, Arch. Wright; 1833, same as 1832; 1834, George W.
Granger, Lyman Twining, Loyal Humphrey; 1835, Lyman
Twining, Leonard Cowles, Chester Chapman; 1836, Chester
Chapman, Oliver E. Slocum, Arial Frost; 1837, Leonard Cowles,
Lyman Twining, George W. Granger; 1838, Lyman Twining,
WilUam B. Barnes, Lester Marshall; 1839, WilUam E. Barnes,
HuU T. Slocum, Alonzo Marshall; 1840, George W. Granger,
( 457 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
James Hunt, Bennett Palmer ; 1841, George W. Granger, Leon
ard CoAvles, William C. Nye; 1842, Leonard Cowles, Wm. E.
Barnes, Lyman Twining; 1843, Leonard Cowles, Launcelot
Granger, Stiles Slocum ; 1844, George W. Granger, William Nye,
Franklin Harvey; 1845, George W. Granger, Oliver E. Slocum,
Chester Chapman; 1846, Wm. E. Barnes, Lyman Twining, Perez
M. Fowler; 1847, Lucien Hotchkiss, Shadrack Manchester,
Alonzo MiUer; 1848, Lucien Hotchkiss, George W. Granger,
Oliver E. Slocum; 1849, Lucien Hotchkiss, N. E. Slocum, Hiram
C. Brown; 1850, William E. Barnes, Noah B. Nye, Nathan E.
Slocum; 1851, Daniel Spring, Noah B. Nye, Edward L. Tinker;
1852, George W. Granger, Oliver E. Slocum, Fowler T. Moore;
1853, Fowler T. Moore, Leonard Cowles, William Tinker; 1854,
Fowler T. Moore, Oliver B. Slocum, Amos L. Hull ; 1855, George
W. Granger, Noah B. Nye, Lyman Twining; 1856,Lyman Twin
ing, Noah B. Nye, Edward L. Tinker; 1857, Rufus Smith, Lyman
TAA'ining, PhUander F. Twining; 1858, Philander F. Twining,
Hiram C. Brown, Samuel Hamilton, jun. ; 1859, Philander P.
Twining, Samuel Hamilton, jun., Daniel Spring; 1860, Philan
der F. Twining, Samuel Hamilton, George W. Granger; 1861,
Philander F. Hamilton, Daniel Spring, Edward L. Tinker, jun. ;
1862, Hiram C. Brown, Lyman Twining, George W. Granger;
1863-64, Philander F. 'Twining, Lyman Twining, George W.
Granger; 1865, George W. Granger, Philander F. Twining,
Nathan E. Slocum; 1866, George W. Granger, Philander P.
Twining, Samuel C. Marshall; 1867, George W. Granger, Noah
B. Nye, Nelson B. Twining; 1868, George W. Granger, N. B.
Twining, Samuel C. MarshaU; 1869, N. B. Twining, Samuel C.
Marshall, Charles N. Marshall ; 1870-71, LaFayette Granger,
Julius P. HaU, George L. MarshaU ; 1872-73, Nelson B. Twining,
George L. Marshall, F. S. Hale; 1874, Geo. W. Granger, Samuel
C. MarshaU, W. F. Hale; 1875, Fowler F. Moore, Samuel C.
MarshaU, E. D. Larkin; 1876-77, George W. Granger, Nelson
B. Twining, WelUngton Hale ; 1878, George L. Marshall, JuUus
P. Hall, Fowler P. Moore; 1879, George W. Granger, Wellington
F. Hale, Oliver E. Slocum, jun. ; 1880, Oliver B. Slocum, jun:,
Erastus D. Larkin, FrankUn H. Pratt ; 1881, Oliver E. Slocum,
( 458 )

THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
jun., Orrison E. Snow, Franklin H. Pratt ; 1882, WelUngton P.
Hale, Erastus D. Larkin, Charles N. MarshaU; 1883, Oliver E.
Slocum, jun., Orrison B. Snow, Chas. N. MarshaU ; 1884, Oliver
E. Slocum, jun,, Wellington F. Hale, Franklin H. Pratt; 1885,
Oliver E. Slocum, Wellington F. Hale, Erastus D. Larkin ; 1886,
Oliver E. Slocum, Wellington P. Hale, Watson I. Hale; 1887,
AVellington F. Hale, Erastus D. Larkin, Frank R. Moore ; 1888,
Wellington F. Hale, Prank R. Moore, Erastus D. Larkin ; 1889,
same as 1888; 1890, Wellington P. Hale, Samuel C. Tiffany,
Marshall MiUer; 1891, Wellington F. Hale, Prank R. Moore,
Watson I. Hale ; 1892, Wellington F. Hale, Samuel C. Tiffany,
GUes H. Farnham; 1893-95, Oliver E. Slocum, Samuel C. Tif
fany, Eugene M. Moore; 1896, Giles H. Farnham, Eugene M.
Moore, Luke R, -Moore; 1897, Oliver E. Slocum, Wellington F.
Hale, Erastus D. Larkin; 1898, Charles N. Marshall, Eugene
M. Moore, John M. Hayes; 1899, Oliver E. Slocum, Wellington
P. Hale, Frank B. Deming; 1900-1901, Oliver E. Slocum, John
R. Rogers, Prank B. Deming.
Town Clerks. — Henry Hamilton, jun., 1810-14; Samuel
Hamilton, 1815-16; Henry Hamilton, 1817-18; Allen BidweU,
1819-20 ; Henry HamUton, 1821-26 ; John Rogers, 1827 ; Henry
Hamilton, 1828-29 ; Edward L. Tinker, 1830-32 ; Alanson Hub
bard, 1833-34 ; Joseph D. Slocum, 1835 ; Leonard Cowles, 1836 ;
Roger Harrison, 1837-41 ; Alfred Webber, 1842-44 ; Rufus Smith,
1845-49 ; William W. Harrison, 1850-55 ; Samuel Hamilton, jun.,
1855-60; Rufus Smith, 1861; Samuel Hamilton, 1862; WiUiam
H. Harrison, 1863-73 ; F. R. Moore, 1873-76 ; Homer P. Twining,
1876-79; Wilbert Munn, 1880-1901.
The town officers of Tolland for the year 1901 are as follows :
Oliver E. Slocum, John R. Rogers, Frank B. Deming, selectmen,
assessors, overseers of the poor and board of health; Wilbert
Munn, town clerk, continuously since 1880 ; Philip L. C. Slocum,
auditor; Wilbert Munn, treasurer; John R. Rogers, Irving G.
Chapel, collectors; P. B. Deming, highway commissioner; Irving
G. Chapel, constable ; Wilbert Munn, justice of the peace.
For a century and a half Tolland has been an agricultural
toAvn, and in response to patient endeavor on the part of hus-
( 459 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
bandmen its lands have been made to yield exceedingly weU
considering the generaUy hiUy character of the region. Cattle
and dairy products are the chief staples, yet in hay and grain
good annual crops are harvested. Many years ago an attempt
was made to groAv tobacco in the town, and while the effort Avas
not a failure it did not meet with the success which was hoped
for. In many other ways the people have been progressive and
enterprising, and have been strenuous in their endeavors to main
tain the town's population despite the wide-spread inclination
of the younger element to abandon the home farms (where at
least a comfortable living Avas assured) for the greater pleasures
and less arduous work of occupations in the cities, and large
villages. This great exodus of strong young manhood from the
rural localities began about twenty-flve years ago, and has been
kept up to the present day ; and as its result almost every out
lying town in the counties of this state (and many other states
as well) has thereby lost much of the best element of its popula
tion. The theory is a mistaken one, the principle is wrong, the
results are disastrous, yet the desire for city life and its alluring
pleasures seems too strong to resist, hence the old home farms
Avhere our forefathers dwelt and were comfortable must suffer
neglect and consequent loss in value.
Tolland never has been noted for its manufactures and
while lumbering operations always have been carried on with
more or less perseverance the distance to profltable markets has
precluded the possibility of extensive efforts in that direction.
Previous to about twenty years ago a small tannery was oper
ated on Farmington river by Albert Hull, and a furniture
factory was for a time carried on in the north part of the town
by Charles N. Marshall, who now is engaged in business as a
lumberman. Something more than thirty years ago the people
here became thoroughly interested in a railroad enterprise, which
was promised by an incorporated company, but through some
cause the project was abandoned, greatly to the discouragement
of all the townsfolk. The chief industries of the town at the
present time are the saw and shingle mills owned by H. B. Dem
ing, C. W. Ives, Abner Johnson, W. N. Rowley, C. B. Soule and
( 460 )

THE TOWN OF TOLLAND
H. W. Soule ; the cider mUls of A. H. Case and C. H. Moody, and
the lumbering operations .of Mr. Marshall.
The pleasant little hamlet called Tolland, originally known
as West Granville, occupies a central position in the town, and
is sixteen miles distant southwest from Westfield by stage route.
It has no mercantile interests of consequence, the inhabitants
trading almost whoUy in adjoining towns. The few interests
centered here, or having an existence in Tolland, are the black
smith shop of Wilbert Munn, who also is the town clerk and a
justice of the peace; the post-office (Alice A. Harrison, post-

Tolland Center

mistress), and the shoe shops of N. 0. Chaffee, J. C. Hodges
and P. H. Pratt. The institutions are the free town library
(Wilbert Munn, librarian, and Oliver B. Slocum, E. M. Moore
and L. R. Moore, trustees) ; the public school (Oliver B. Slocum,
chairman; Mrs. T. G. Chapel and John R. Rogers, school com
mittee) ; and the Congregational church.
The Congregational church of ToUand dates its history from
1795, when a few of the scattered inhabitants gathered together
and organized a society in the third or west parish of GranviUe.
( 461 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
In the course of a year or two the little flock succeeded in build
ing a meeting house and all the inhabitants of the parish gath
ered within the edifice every Sabbath day for public worship.
Rev. Roger Harrison was the first pastor here, installed as such
in 1798 and continuing his connection with the society until
1822. The church never was strong in numbers and has not been
able to support a resident pastor at all times, hence West Gran
ville and Tolland were united under one pastorate. The present
church edifice was erected in 1842. The present pastor is Rev.
Gilbert A. Curtiss. The membership numbers 32 persons. A
Baptist society Avas .formed in the "south quarter" (a distin
guishing name) of the town about 1830, but it never gained suffi
cient strength to erect a house of worship or to maintain a
permanent existence.
The public school arrangement of Tolland was made while
the town constituted the west parish of Granville, therefore
when this town was set off the work of redistricting was the
most important duty that devolved upon the school committee.
The records for this period of the town's history are imperfect,
and we have no definite knowledge of what was done in regard
to the schools prior to 1849. Under the present disposition of
school interests in the town the territory comprises five districts,
each with a school house, Avhile according to the last published
report of the committee the number of children of school age in
the town is but 68. Five teachers are employed annually. The
town has no superintendent of schools, the duties of that office
being performed by the school committee whose names are given
in a preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages of remote location and
the absence of large commercial enterprises, Tolland has pro
duced many men of strength and integrity of character. This
element of progressive population has not been conflned to the
early generations of the town's people, but during the last half
century there have been many earnest factors in domestic and
public life in the toAvn. In this connection there may be recalled
the names of such men as the late G. W. Granger, Alonzo Miller,
Daniel Spring, Alonzo Marshall, George L. Marshall, Oliver E.
( 462 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
Slocum, E. D. Slocum, E. D. Moore, P. F. TAvining, N. B. Twin
ing, H. C. Brown, Samuel Hamilton, N. B. Slocum, Henry
Hamilton, Edward L. Tinker and Fowler P. Moore, nearly all
of Avhom were born in Tolland, some of them descendants of
pioneer stock, and all men of excellent character and moral
worth, an honor to any toAvn. And among the men of the present
day there are many whose names are worthy of mention in these
pages; such men as 0. B. Slocum, farmer; Wilbert Munn,
mechanic, town clerk and justice of the peace; H. W. Soule,
lumberman ; J. R. Rogers, farmer and selectman ; Giles Farnham,
mechanic; J. D. Hall, farmer; F. B. Twining, farmer and lum
berman; F. H. Pratt, farmer; M. S. and H. H. Marshall, farmers ;
0. E. Slocum, farmer; E. M. BroAvn, farmer; C. B. Soule, lum
berman, and F. S. Hale, farmer.

CHAPTER XVI
THE TOWN OF WALES
A little more than a century and three-quarters ago, there
was a large territory lying east of the town of Springfield which
was described as "common land," a part of the public domain
under the crown and subject to the immediate authority of the
royal governor of the Massachusetts Bay. Sometime during the
early part of the eighteenth century a number of adventurous
whites had established themselves in various portions of this
tract, and the locality being found desirable for colonization, it
soon passed under the proprietary ownership, resulting in the
formation of a plantation adjoining Springfield and auxiliary
thereto. The plantation was established in 1722, and in less than ten
years afterward the territory was incorporated into a town by
the name of Brimfield. During the next thirty years a large
part of the available lands were well settled by people who came
( 463 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
from the eastern settlements, while the old tovA'n of Springfield
furnished a fair contingent of the rapidly increasing population.
In 1742 a part of the plantation on the east was set off to form
Western, and in 1760 another portion on the west side was in
corporated as a district and called Monson. In 1762 the remain
ing territory was divided and the south half was called the
district of South Brimfield. On February 21, 1766, the latter
district was divided into Bast and West parishes, the old South
Meadow road leading from Brimfield south into Connecticut
being the boundary line between them. August 23, 1775, the
district of South Brimfield was made a town by a general act,
and, July 5, 1783, the former East parish was made a district
by the name of Holland. After this separation all the remaining
part of South Brimfield was continued under that designation
until February 20, 1828, when its name was changed to Wales.
Settlement in old Brimfield is believed to have begun soon
after 1700, and probably a ciuarter of a century passed before
an adventurous pioneer made a permanent location in the South
Brimfield region. Over in Holland there was no attempt at
occupation and improvement until after 1730, but in what is
now Wales Anthony Needham and John BuUen chose their lots,
built their cabins, and brought their families in 1726 or '27. If
local tradition is reliable pioneer Needham was a man of much
determination and the worthy leader of the vanguard of civiliza
tion in the town. He is said to have had eleven children, and
one of his sons. Captain Anthony Needham, rendered excellent
service during the revolution. He was the first representative
of South Brimfleld in the general court. The pioneer himself
died in 1763. Pioneer BuUen spent his life in the town, but in
later years his descendants became widely scattered. In the
drawing of lots under the proprietory Needham secured "Lott
29", and BuUen "Lott 28", the former just west of what is
sometimes called Wales pond, and the latter adjoining it.
If other settlers came into the town about the time that
pioneers Needham and BuUen located here there is no present
record of the fact. The belief is that the pioneers were on their
lands something more than a year before other settlers began
( 464 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
to arrive, although the proprietors Avere constantly sending pros
pectors into the region Avith a view to settlement. Some of
these remained here and bought land, but others came and soon
departed. At this late date, nearly two centuries after the events
took place, it is difficult to determine accurately who were the
earliest settlers in the south half of the old mother town of Brim
field. However, having access to town records, old papers and
other documents, we are able to recall the names of many of the
early settlers in what now is Wales. In these researches we find
the names of Munger, whose earliest representatives in this
locality Avere Nathaniel, Elnathan, Samuel and Joseph Munger,
names afterward weU known and highly respected in the civil
and social history of the town. This family in Wales annals
dates from about 1728. Then there was Rev. Ebenezer Moulton
and his brothers Samuel and John, Avho came here in 1728.
Elder Moulton founded a Baptist society here in 1736, and served
as captain in the French and English war in 1755. These fami
lies came to Brimfield from Salem and probably were accom
panied by other settlers whose names cannot be recalled.
In glancing over old records we find the surnames of Hovey,
Jordon, Johnson, Morgan, Collins, Shaw (Seth and Joshua),
Gardner (Humphrey Gardner removed from Palmer to South
Brimfield as early as 1736), Captain Trustrum Davis (a settler
here in 1732 and an officer in the French wars), Thomas Green
(1737), Robert Green (1748), Wm. Carpenter (1740), Ichabod
and Joel Rogers (representatives of a family of much prominence
in the later history of Wales. Joel Rogers represented the town
in the general court in 1797, and was in many respects one of the
foremost men in the town in his time), William Pelton (an Irish
man and probably the pioneer of his nationality in Wales),
Shubael Dimmick (settled here about 1750 and erected one of
the first saAV mills in the locality), Capt. Daniel Winchester
(came from Roxbury previous to 1760, and was an influential
personage in town affairs, a delegate to the provincial congress
in Salem in 1774, representative in the general court, and in
business Ufe a store-keeper in South Brimfleld), Capt. Asa Fisk
(who came from Hampton, Conn,, in 1762, and conducted a
30 3 ( 465 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
tavern as well as a large farm), Oliver Wales (who came into
the toAvn in 1766 from Union, in Connecticut), Elijah Wales
(brother of Oliver), Rev. James Mellen (the second pastor of
the Baptist church, and whose settlement here dated 1765), Rev.
Elijah Coddington (who followed Elder Mellen in the pastorate),
Asa Houghton (settled here 1779, represented the town in 1784
and died 1829).
In addition to those mentioned in preceding paragraphs,
and who perhaps were the most prominent men of the toAvn in
their time, we may recall still other early settlers whose names
are equally worthy of notice, although their work consisted in
developing the resources of the region rather than in public
service. We now make especial reference to such characters in
local annals as James C. Royce (AA'hose surname is still known
in Wales), Darius Munger, John Munger, Nehemiah May (a
conspicuous character in Holland history). Dr. James LaAvrence
(the pioneer physician), Humphrey Crane, Thomas Bond,
Jonathan Crane, Abel Allen, Joseph Gardner, David Needham,
Samuel Shaw, Josiah Gardner, Benjamin Winchester, and others
AA'hose names have been lost Avith the lapse of years, all of whom
were factors in history previous to the beginning of the nine
teenth century and many of whom Avere the ancestors of residents
in the town at the opening of the twentieth century. Indeed,
for more than one hundred years this town, whether knovA'n as
South Brimfield or Wales, has been noted for the substantial
character of its inhabitants, and glancing backAvard through the
last century Ave discover that it has furnished its full quota of
strong men who have been contributing factors in the civil' and
political history of Hampden county.
In many respects the early settlers in South Brimfield were
an independent and courageous people, and the action of the
proprietors of the lands, and also that of the government of the
mother town, was not wholly agreeable to them. Therefore they
caused the division of the territory and the creation of their
own town, then comprising the East and West parishes. And
even later there was something in the administration of affairs
in the new jurisdiction which Avas not suited to their condition
( 466 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
and situation in life, hence, on September 5, 1774, it was voted
to "choose twelve men as a court of justice and honor to deter
mine all controversies" that might afterward arise in the dis
trict. This domestic judicial body comprised Capt. Nehemiah
May, Jacob Howe, Nathaniel Munger, Asa Fisk, Anthony Need
ham, Daniel Winchester, Thomas Parker, Jonathan Wallis,
Benjamin Blodgett, Edward Webber, Abel Allen and Joel
Rogers, six numbers being selected from the inhabitants of each
parish. The "court", however, was of brief duration, for in
1783 the East parish became a separate district and elected its
own officers, except the representative. One of the objects of
this court of tAvelve members was the equable administration of
town affairs and the fair division of offices between the parishes.
In 1774 the East parish sought a division of the territory on
account of many inconveniences to which they were put, and
again in 1779 the measure was advocated. In 1783 their en
deavors Avere rcAvarded, the separation Avas granted, but there
after for many years the toAvns of Holland and Wales united
in electing a single representative to the legislature.
Previous to the organization of Hampden county (1812)
Ihe following representatives of the joint district were elected
from Wales: Anthony Needham, 1775; David BuUen, 1780;
Asa Houghton, 1784 ; Daniel Winchester, 1785 and '87 ; Darius
Munger, 1786 and '90, 1794-95 ; Asa Fisk, 1788-89 ; Joel Rogers,
1797; Oliver Wales, 1800-01; Josiah Gardner, 1804; John
Munger, 1805 ; Royal Wales, 1810-11. In the Hampden civil Ust
in another part of this work may be found the subsequent repre
sentatives from Wales.
In speaking of the prominent characters in South Brimfield
and Wales history it may be noted that in the provincial con
gress convened at Salem in 1774, this town was represented by
Capt. Daniel Winchester. In the Cambridge convention in 1779
to adopt a constitution for the commonwealth, the town was
represented by WiUiam Carpenter. In the Hatfield convention
in April, 1781, and the Hadley convention in February, 1782,
to devise means for the common defense and maintenance of
troops then in the field, the town was represented by delegate
( 467 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Joel Rogers. In the county convention held at Hatfield, August
22, and at Hadley, November 7, 1786, and also at the state con
vention at Boston in January, 1788, to devise means to relieve
the extremities of the people caused by the war, this town Avas
represented by Asa Fisk. In the peace party convention held
in Northampton, July 14, 1812, this town, a majority of whose
people were decidedly of federalistic tendencies, sent Darius
Munger as its delegate.
Civil History.— The organization of the town in pursuance
of the act of the legislature, the detail of which is set forth in
an earlier paragraph, Avas accomplished with little difficulty.
The act authorized justice of the peace Josiah Dwight to issue
his warrant to some principal inhabitant (Jonathan Burk) of
the new district, and to assemble the townsmen at the house of
settler John Bishop for the purpose of electing officers. The
meeting was held October 5, and Humphrey Crane acted as
moderator. The succession of selectmen and town clerks follows :
Selectmen.— 1762-65, Humphrey Needham, Humphrey
Crane, Anthony Needham, Nehemiah May, John Moulton ; 1766,
Joseph Blodgett, Anthony Needham, John Moulton, James Law
rence, Samuel Munger ; 1767, Joseph Blodgett, James Lawrence,
Humphrey Needham ; 1768, Humphrey Crane, Humphrey Need
ham, Dr. James LaAvrence; 1769, Humphrey Crane, Joseph
Blodgett, jun., Edward Webber ; 1770, Humphrey Crane, Joseph
Blodgett, jun., Anthony Needham ; 1771, Asa Fisk, Joseph Blod
gett, jun., Nehemiah May; 1772, Anthony Needham, Daniel
Winchester, Nehemiah May ; 1773, Anthony Needham, Asa Fisk,
Nehemiah May; 1774, Anthony Needham, Daniel Winchester,
Humphrey Crane; 1775, Anthony Needham, Asa Fisk, Hum
phrey Crane; 1776, Humphrey Crane, Daniel Winchester,
Anthony Needham, Joseph Munger, Edward Webber; 1777,
Daniel Winchester, Nehemiah May, Jonathan Wallis; 1778,
Nehemiah May, Sherebiah BaUard, Benj. Blodgett; 1779, ,
Thomas Bond, Darius Munger, William Belknap, Abner Need
ham, Joseph Needham; 1780, Jonas Blodgett, Wm. Belknap,
Darius Munger, Jonathan Crane, Joseph Needham ; 1781, Jonas
Blodgett, Wm. Belknap, Darius Munger, Alfred Lynn, Joseph
( 468 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
Needham; 1782, Joel Rogers, Wm. Belknap, Abner Needham,
Abel AUen, Joseph Munger ; 1783, Joel Rogers, Wm. Belknap,
Joseph Needham, Abel Allen, Darius Munger; 1784, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Joseph Needham; 1785, Samuel Winches
ter, Darius Munger, Asa Houghton; 1786, Joel Rogers, Darius
Munger, David Needham; 1787, Joel Rogers, Darius Munger,
Daniel Munger ; 1788, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk, Daniel Winchester ;
1789, Joel Rogers, Asa Pisk, Darius Munger; 1790-92, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk; 1793, David Needham, Joel
Rogers, Daniel Munger ; 1794, John Munger, Joel Rogers, Daniel
Munger ; 1795, John Munger, Joel Rogers, Darius Munger ; 1796,
Darius Munger, Joseph Gardner, John Munger, David Needham,
Samuel Shaw; 1797-98, Darius Munger, Josiah Gardner, John
Munger ; 1799, Nathan Wight, OUver Wales ; 1800, John Munger,
Nathan Wight, Benj. Winchester; 1801, David Needham,
Stephen Needham, Asa Fisk, jun., Asa Houghton, John ShaAV;
1802, John Munger, Nathan Wight, John Shaw; 1803, Darius
Munger, Joel Rogers, Asa Fisk; 1804, Darius Munger, John
Munger, Oliver Wales; 1805, Darius Munger, Cyrus Munger,
Stephen Needham ; 1806-10, John Munger, Cyrus Munger,
Stephen Needham ; 1811, Asa Fisk, jun., James L. Wales, John
Shaw; 1812, Jesse Moulton, Charles Gardner, Cyrus Munger;
1813, Jesse Moulton, Amasa Munger, Stephen Needham; 1814,
Jesse Moulton, Timothy Penton, James W. Needham ; 1815, Jesse
Moulton, Timothy Fenton, James L. Wales ; 1816, Charles Gard
ner, Timothy Fenton, Alvin Needham; 1817, Alvin Needham,
Timothy Fenton, Alfred Needham; 1818-20, Alvin Needham,
John Smith, Alfred Needham; 1821, James L. Wales, Francis
Miller, Alfred Needham ; 1822, James L. Wales, Alvin Needham,
John Smith ; 1823, James L. Wales, John Smith, Alfred Need
ham; 1824, James L. Wales, Alfred Needham, Orrin Wales;
1825, Alvin Needham, John Smith, William Thompson; 1826,
James L. Wales, John Smith, Wm. Thompson; 1827, Alfred
Needham, John Smith, James Babcock; 1828, James L. Wales,
John Smith, Alfred Needham; 1829-30, James L. Wales, John
Smith, Francis MiUer; 1831, John Smith, Charles Gardner,
James Babcock; 1832, John Smith, Whitman Munger, James
( 469 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Babcock; 1833, John Smith, Whitman Munger, Alfred Need
ham ; 1834, James L. Wales, Charles Gardner, Alfred Needham ;
1835, John Smith, Aaron Shaw, Alfred Needham ; 1836, Charles
Gardner, Aaron Shaw, Oliver Wales; 1837, James L. Wales,
Absalom Gardner, Elijah C. Babcock; 1838, James C. Royce,
Absalom Gardner, Whitman Munger; 1839, James C. Royce,
Absalom Gardner, John White ; 1840, Absalom Gardner, James
C. Royce, Ames Walbridge, John White; 1841, Absalom Gard
ner, Ferdinand L. Burley, Nathan Palmer ; 1842, Luther Parker,
Horace Gardner, Nathan Palmer; 1843, Absalom Gardner, Fer
dinand L. Burley, Ames Walbridge ; 1844, Horace Gardner, Wm.
Thompson, Ames Walbridge; 1845, Absalom Gardner, L. B.
Wight, Alvan Andrews; 1846, Leonard P. Wight, James C.
Royce, Eseck Luther; 1847, Leonard P. Wight, James C.
Royce, A. A. Needham; 1848, Absalom Gardner, Horace Gard
ner, C. D. Brown ; 1849, Absalom Gardner, N. H. StoweU, C. D.
Brown; 1850, Absalom Gardner, N. H. StoweU, James
C. Royce; 1851, Absalom Gardner, Warren Shaw, Silas Perry;
1852, Alfred Needham, Alvin Andrews, Arbey Squier; 1853,
Absalom Gardner, David B. Needham, Bli Gardner; 1854, Ab
salom Gardner, David B. Needham, Ferd. L. Burley; 1855,
Absalom Gardner, Adams Stewart, Samuel B. Pel-ry; 1856, Ab
salom Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Warren Shaw ; 1857-58, Absalom
Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Samuel L. Moulton; 1859, Warren
ShaAV, Wm. L. Needham, S. V. R. Smith; 1860, Warren Shaw,
Friend C. Smith, Warren Needham ; 1861, Warren Shaw, S. V.
R. Smith, William L. Needham; 1862, Absalom Gardner, Eden
D. Shaw, S. V. R. Smith; 1863-64, Absalom Gardner, C. D.
BroAvn, Warren Shaw; 1865, Julius M. Lyon, J. C. Burley, P.
C. Smith; 1866, Ferd. C. Burley, C. D. Brown, S. B. Perry;
1867, Ferd. L. Burley, C. D. Brown, J. M. Lyon ; 1868-69 ; Ferd.
L. Burley, Warren Needham, David P. Parker; 1870, Ferd. L.
Burley, Warren Needham, A. B. Johnson; 1871, J. M. Lyon,
Wm. L. Needham, P. L. Coburn ; 1872, Absalom Gardner, War
ren Needham, F. L. Coburn ; 1873-74, Ferd. L. Burley, WiUiam
L. Needham, P. L. Cobum; 1875, Ferd. L. Burley, Wm. L.
Needham, George 0. Henry; 1876, F. C. Smith, Geo. 0. Henry,
( 470 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
A. B. Johnson; 1877, Frank A. Royce, G. H. Needham, A. B.
Johnson ; 1878, George H. Needham, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson ;
1879, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson, F. S. Gardner; 1880, Warren
ShaAV, David Shaw, W. L. Needham; 1881, P. L. Burley, F. M.
Royce, W. L. Needham ; 1882, R. L. Boynton, W. L. Needham,
P. W. Moore; 1883, A. B. Johnson, J. M. Lyon, F. A. Royce;
1884, P. A. Royce, A. B. Johnson, Nathan Green; 1885, F. A.
Royce, C. C. Smith, J. C. Burley; 1886, P. A. Royce, C. C.
Smith, W. Royce; 1887, W. Royce, R. L. Boynton, David Shaw;
1888, J. M. Lyon, F. A. Royce, David Shaw; 1889, J. M. Lyon,
LeRoy Squier, H. A. McFarland; 1890, 0. P. Royce, LeRoy
Squier, H. A. McFarland; 1891-92, 0. P. Royce, W. E. Need
ham, Nathan Green; 1893-95, 0. P. Royce, W. E. Needham, W.
A. Lyon; 1896, 0. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon, J. C. Burley; 1897-99,
0. P. Royce, G. M. Stewart, J. H. Loudon ; 1900, J. H. Loudon,
P. M. Royce, A. A. Hubbard ; 1901, 0. P. Royce, J. H. Loudon,
A. A. Hubbard.
Toivn Clerks.— Capt. Joseph Blodgett, 1762-63; Humphrey
Crane, 1764; Jeremiah Needham, 1765; Joseph Blodgett, 1766-
67 ; Humphrey Crane, 1768 ; Joseph Blodgett, 1769-74 ; Joseph
Needham, 1775-76; Abner Needham, 1777-80; David BuUen,
1781-84; Abner Needham, 1785-86; Darius Munger, 1787; Abner
Needham, 1788-90 ; Oliver Wales, 1791-1803 ; EUjah Coddington,
1804-05 ; James Smith, 1806-7 ; Jesse Moulton, 1808-14 ; Wm. W.
Thompson, 1815 ; Alfred Needham, 1816-33 ; BUjah C. Babcock,
1834 ; Aaron Shaw, 1835-36 ; James C. Royce, 1837-39 ; Leonard
B. Wight, 1840-42 ; Nathan D. Wight, 1843 ; Absalom Gardner,
1844; Austin L. Rogers, 1845-47; Naham H. StoweU, 1848-50;
Ferdinand L. Burley, 1851-54; George H. Needham, 1855; Joel
H. Rogers, 1856-59; George S. Rogers, 1860-73; Herbert H.
Haradon, 1874-75; George S. Rogers, 1876; Frank L. Smith,
1877; Herbert H. Haradon, 1878; Ozro P. Royce, 1879-88; A.
A. Hubbard, 1889 ; Ozro P. Royce, 1890-1901.
Toivn Officers, 1901.— Ozro P. Royce, A. A. Hubbard,
Joseph A. Loudon, selectmen, overseers of the poor and board
of health; Ozro P. Royce, town clerk; B. S. Baker, C. G. Need
ham, auditors; WiUis Chamberlain, treasurer; T. J. Hynes, col-
( 471 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
lector; W. E. Needham, Wm. Peck, W. W. Eager, assessors;
LeRoy Squier, C. G. Thompson, constables; Ozro P. Royce,
George M. Stewart, Herbert A. McFarland, justices of the peace ;
Dr. E. F. Ross, Anna Thompson, Mrs. Wm. McKinnon, trustees
AVales public library; Willis Chamberlain, librarian.
Wales for many years has been noted for the substantial
character of its inhabitants and also for the stability of its
institutions and population. Generally speaking, it is an agri
cultural town, with just enough of industrial enterprise to

The Village Fountain

employ the surplus labor element of the locality. Lumbering
for many years has been an established occupation for several
of the townsmen. In 1776, when the colonial census was taken.
South Brimfield (including what now is Holland) contained 850
inhabitants. The later changes in population, as shown by
census statistics, have been as follows: 1790, 606; 1800, 774;
1810, 645; 1820, 683; 1830, 665; 1840, 686; 1850, 711; 1855, 713;
1860, 677; 1865, 696; 1870, 831; 1875, 1,020; 1880, 1,030; 1885,
853 ; 1890, 700 ; 1895, 783 ; 1900, 773.
( 472 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
From this it is seen that Wales, unlike many of the outlying
towns of the county, attained its greatest population in 1880, a
time when other civil divisions in the region were rapidly de
creasing in number of inhabitants with a corresponding decline
in local interests; but fortunately for Wales, the lands which
comprise its 10,000 acres area are of a superior quality and
yield well in response to the persevering efforts of the husband
man. Moreover, the people always have been loyal to their
tOAvn, taking especial interest in maintaining the fertility of the
soil and guarding carefully the welfare of their youth. This is ,
known as one of the progressive towns, with fixed and permanent
institutions, and notwithstanding the decrease in population of
the last twenty years, few of the established interests have been
abandoned. This spirit of loyalty to the toAvn is not of recent origin,
but dates back to the days of early settlement, and in subsequent
years its manifestations have been frequent. Between 1754 and
1763 a number of the townsmen enlisted under the American
flag and took part in the closing wars with France. During the
revolution a patriotic spirit was displayed in old South Brim
field, and on the call to arms no town made a more generous re
sponse Avith troops, arms and supplies, also with provision for
the payment of bounties to encourage enlistments to the full
extent of the town 's quota.
Through the assistance of Leon H. Thompson, the writer is
able to furnish a reasonably complete list of the men of South
Brimfield (Wales) who served during the revolution, viz.:
Daniel Giles, Joseph Gardner, Charles Gardner, Amos Green,
Aaron Green, Ames Walbridge, Anthony Needham, Stephen
Needham, David Needham, Paul Stewart, WilUam Carpenter,
Malachi Nichols, Capt. Daniel Winchester, Hezekiah Fisk, Asa
Pisk, David Davis, Samuel Davis, Robert Andrews, Ludim
Andrews, Ezekiel WilUs, Cyrus Munger and Ebenezer Moulton.
Othniel Brovra, who entered the naval serAdce, was a native of
Rhode Island, but lived and died in this town. Isaiah Blood,
who enUsted from Charlton, Mass., also is buried here. Nehemiah
Needham, a soldier of the French and Indian Avar, was a private
( 473 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
under Capt. Ebenezer Moulton in the expedition to Crown Point
in 1755. During Shays' rebellion there Avas much local interest in
occurring events, and tradition says that the prevailing discon
tent was felt in the locality. During the Avar of 1812-15 public
sentiment favored the federal or peace party, and whatever
there Avas of feeling in the town at the time, it was quietly settled
in tavern discussions, Avhere the worthies were accustomed to
congregate and debate serious questions. In the war of 1861-5

Wales, on the street

the toAvn furnished more than sixty men for the several com
panies recruited in part in this locality, while a number of Wales
enlistments were in Connecticut regiments.
Wales Village.— In accordance Avith an old custom of our
earliest Nbav England ancestors, the first settlers in South Brim
fleld established their trading center along the principal thor
oughfare leading through the tOAvn. From the days of pioneer
ship to the present, the village called Wales has comprised the
almost continuous row of dAvellings, stores and other structures
( 474 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
incident to such municipalities, scattered along the main road
leading from Brimfield to Stafford, Connecticut, being more than
a mile in length, although the population here has not any time
exceeded 400 persons. "The Street" is an interesting locality
in the history of the town, although as a business center it did
not attract attention until after 1825. In this vicinity the
pioneers settled, and here also the first store, tavern and meeting
house were established, some of them considerably more than a
century ago.
Wales is believed to have been a post station about 1800, and
it is said that Oliver Wales was the flrst postmaster. He Avas
foUoAved by Daniel Green, James C. Royce, Leonard B. Wight,
Joel H. Rogers, Absalom Gardner, Philip SnoM' and Warren
Shaw, about in the order mentioned. The flrst physician was
Dr. James Lawrence, who practiced from 1746 to 1778. Then
followed Dr. Dudley Wade, 1779-83 ; Dr. Abel Sherman, 1883-86 ;
Dr. Jeremiah Round, 1881-89 ; Dr. David Young, 1790, and later
a storekeeper ; Dr. Ferdinand Lethbridge, 1805-11 ; Dr. Thad
deus Fairbanks, 1811-15 ; Dr. Daniel Tiffany, 1812-22 ; Dr. Aaron
Shaw, 1813-45 ; Dr. John Smith, 1815-67. However, this element
of the town 's history is treated in another chapter.
Neither record nor tradition gives us any definite informa
tion as to the early business interests in Wales, yet it is under
stood that the people were provided with the necessaries of life
within their own town, for the south half of old Brimfield was
settled by an independent and self-supporting class of men. It
is known that a store and tavern were established here previous
to 1795, and while a public house has not been maintained con
tinuously, there has not been a time within the last hundred
years when Wales was Avithout at least one good store. Twenty-
five years ago the toAvn had four large general stores, but that
was when six Avoolen factories were in full operation, as well as
a box shop and a silk mill. At that time, too, Wales had more
than 1,000 inhabitants and enjoyed especial prominence as a
manufacturing center.
In the early years of the century just passed there Avas some
small attempt at manufacturing, Avagons and occasionally car-
( 475 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
riages, farm tools and various articles of wearing apparel, chiefly
hats, being the main products. Between 1830 and 1842 the
manufacture of boots and shoes Avas an established industry, the
product for the business year of 1836-7 being valued at more
than $27,000. For the year ending March 31, 1854, a total of
40,000 pairs of boots and shoes was made in the town, and in
the next year the product amounted to more than 33,000 pairs,
valued at $27,735. The men engaged in this special manu
facture were Jonathan G. Royce, George H. Needham, Dwight
W. Ellis, Erasmus D. Shaw and Chauncey D. Brewer. A glance
at the early settlement history in another part of this chapter
will disclose that several of these once prominent manufacturers
were descendants from pioneer stock, and therefore it may be
inferred that the boot and shoe industry of former years was
originated in the town and was not an importation, although it
was the means of a considerable addition to the town's popula
tion. About 1847, at a time AA'hen boot and shoemaking was com
paratively quiet, Harlan G. Dunham began the manufacture of
cotton batting on Mill brook in a building which for several
years previously had been occupied for various purposes. In
1855 William P. Osborn started a wicking factory, but not meet
ing with hoped-for results, Osborn & Needham in 1857 turned
the works into a plow handle and farm implement shop. A
shingle mill was added in 1858 and a saw mill in 1860. Mr.
Osborn having sold his interest in the works, Wm. H. Lane suc
ceeded Mr. Needham in 1863, and in 1865 the plant and power
passed into the hands of Elijah Shaw, who perhaps more than
any other single person was identified with the. industrial his
tory of the town. Shawville was so named in allusion to him.
For many years the town enjoyed especial prominence in
the manufacture of cloths of various grades, satinets, doeskins
and cassimeres being the leading products. Several of the fac
tories were located in the upper end of the village, Shawville, as
best known in local designation. Among these interests were
the works of the Shaw Mfg. Co., first started in 1847 and en
larged twice in the course of the next ten years. The once well
( 476 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
known "Dell MiU", the largest building in the town, was erected
in 1860-61 by Elijah and Aaron Shaw, and was used for the
manufacture of woolen cloths. The building was burned in
1870, and in 1873 a large flouring mill Avas built on the site. The
"Eden Shaw" mill was built at the upper village, near the Dell
mill, in 1864-5 by Eden D. and Aaron Shaw, and produced doe
skins from 1866 to 1869, and later made cloths of various kinds.
In the same locality also the "Heagan" mill was built and put
into operation in 1865-6 by Elijah Shaw, and turned out a
superior grade of cassimeres. The "Valley mill", also in this
vicinity, originally Avas a saw mill and box factory, and in 1872
was converted into a cloth mill under the proprietorship of
Elijah Shaw. Later on the building Avas leased to Samuel
Hodgson. When the business of cloth manufacture was at its height
in the town, about 350 workmen were regularly employed, but
when there came the general tendency of manufacturing interests
to center in the large cities, the greater industries of Wales
gradually declined, and those who had been connected with their
operation found employment elscAvhere. At the present time
Wales has two cloth mills in operation, owned respectively by
J. H. Loudon and H. E. Shaw.
Almost a century and one-half ago, in 1752, settler Phineas
Durkee started a small tannery and established an industry
which was maintained in the town until quite recently. Later
proprietors in the same business were Robert Durkee, Robert
AndrcAvs, Aaron Winchester, John Sabin and Zeno Parrington,
the latter having conducted the tannery longer than any of his
predecessors. Zeno Farrington, Jr., started an extensive tan
nery in 1853, and at times finished as many as 3,000 sides of
leather and calf skins each year. Among the other proprietors
Avhose names are to be mentioned in connection with the old-time
industries of the town were Bela Tiffany, Oliver Wales and
Hiram Watkins, who in 1828 and 1829 erected buildings for
the manufacture of woolen cloths ; and among those who in later
years were directly concerned in the enterprise were R. P. Wales
and John W. Bliss. The plant last mentioned was burned in
( 477 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1837, but Avas rebuilt two years later by John W. Bliss, Royal
and James L. Wales. In 1840 this concern was resolved into
the "Wales Manufacturing Company", and satinets were added
to the products of the works. In 1865 the mill was sold to the
Rogers Bros. (Joel H., LaFayette and Clinton Rogers), who, in
turn, sold out to the Shaw Mfg. Co. (the latter having been
incorporated in 1848), large producers of cassimeres and doe
skin cloths of superior grade. The first mill (built in 1847)
operated by the Shaw Mfg. Co. was located near the center of
the village. In the course of time these industries began to lose some
thing of their prestige, and as the tendency toward the large
manufacturing centers gradually increased, the local concerns
suffered a loss of business. StiU, in Wales cassimeres are yet
produced by the proprietors whose names have been noted. In
addition to these interests the village has a soap and candle
factory, of which Boynton & Williams are proprietors, and a
saw mill owned by E. L. Needham. The other business interests
here may be noted as follows: Frank Town, carriage maker
and blacksmith; Herbert A. McFarland, auctioneer; Merrick
Converse, boots and shoes; E. & E. Lanphear, notions; Willis
Chamberlain & Co., Frederick M. Royce and Ozro P. Royce,
general merchants; Peter Gaudette, proprietor Wales hotel; J.
C. Burley, insurance agent; E. L. Needham, lumber manufac
turer and dealer; E. B. Lanphear, postmaster; Dr. Ellsworth F.
Ross, physician and surgeon; John Royce, provision dealer; A.
F. Fisher, stoves and tinware; C. G. Thompson, undertaker;
George Dimmick, proprietor of stage line; B. Belding, Peter
Gaudette, W. G. Parker, stable keepers.
Churches.— The ecclesiastical history of Wales during the
last century has been interesting, and the town has been the
abiding place of as many denominations as any other similar
civil division of the county can boast; yet among the several
societies organized from time to time only two can show an un
broken record of continued, healthful existence.
In the early history of the town the settlers appear to have
comprised both Congregationalists and Baptists, the latter per-
( 478 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
haps prevailing in point of numbers. The mother church natur
ally was Congregational and was established in Brimfield, and
when the town was divided the district set off organized its own
church. In 1763 the town voted to build a meeting house, and
also voted to hire Ezra Reave to preach to the settlers. But it
appears that soon after this time certain disturbances entered
into the councils of the society and resulted in the formation of
the East and West parishes. The meeting house itself was par
tially completed, but later on after the parish division it was
torn down and removed from the toAA'n. This was virtually the
end of the Congregational church in Wales, and those of the
settlers who preferred that denomination joined with the society
in the East parish. In 1819 an effort Avas made to re-establish
the church, but the attempt was only partially successful.
The devout Baptist worshippers of this part of old Brimfleld
organized themselves into a society and built a meeting house
about 1760. Originally these settlers were Congregationalists,
but separated from the mother church and styled themselves
Anabaptists as early as 1734. They gained strength and in 1736
formed their society, Avith Ebenezer Moulton as spiritual guide
and minister. Settlers Joseph Hovey and Benjamin Johnson
were the flrst deacons. Soon after this dissentions worked ad
versely and caused a division in the church, but in 1771 a reor
ganization was effected and the society became established on a
permanent basis. In 1760 a meeting house was erected and was
occupied until 1802, when it Avas removed and gave way to a
larger union edifice, the latter provided for occupancy by the
Baptists, Universalists and Congregationalists. In 1773 Elder
Elijah Coddington— "Father" Coddington— was installed as
pastor and continued in that relation fifty-three years. FoUoav-
ing him the early pastors in succession were Revs. Joshua
Eveleth, 1826-29; John M. Hunt, 1829-30; Tubal Wakefield,
1834-36; George Mixter, 1836-42; Warren Cooper, 1842-43;
Volney Church, 1843-48 ; and in later years Samuel R. AUard,
Henry H. Hazelton, Sylvester Barrows, Asa A. Robinson, Wil
liam S. Phillips, Moses Curtis, Justin Aldrich, Lyman Partridge,
Edwin J. Stevens, Charles A. Cook, John Shepardson and others
( 479 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of still more recent date. The present pastor is Rev. Walter
Persey, under whose care the church is in a healthful condition,
with a present membership of nearly 150 persons.
Universalism in Wales dates almost from the years of early
settlement, although it was not until about 1780 that the first
society was formed in the town. This church never has been
strong in the locality, and the frequent attempts to establish a
permanent organization have not met with marked success.
Soon after 1820 an earnest attempt was made to found a Chris
tian society and church in Wales, but without permanent results.
A society of Adventists was informally organized soon after

The street near the Methodist Church
1840, but as a religious body it attracted little attention among
the townspeople. Methodism in Wales dates its history from the year 1830,
when the first society of that church was formed here, and was
placed under the pastoral care of Rev. Horace Moulton, . From
that time the church has been progressive and has extended its
influence and work throughout the region. The house of wor
ship was built in 1832 and has been occasionaUy repaired and
remodeled. The present pastor is Rev. George L. Camp.
The first burial ground in what now is Wales was laid out
in pursuance of a vote of the town of Brimfield, September 5,
( 480 )

THE TOWN OF WALES
1732, and included one and one-half acres of land on the south
east side of the South pond. The second burial ground, located
north of the pond, was donated to the town April 2, 1792, by
Anthony Needham. In 1813 more land was added to the plot
by the town, and for more than half a century this was the
recognized cemetery of the region. The "New Burying Ground"
was laid out in 1841. In addition to these cemetery tracts
mention may be made of that located on Shaw hill, in the upper
part of the village, which was donated to the public by JuUus
M. Lyon, and of the Walker burial plot in the southwest part of
the town. Schools.— As early as 1766 the town made provision for the
maintenance of a school and the establishment of a district in
charge of a prudential committee, and in 1772 a grammar school
was started in compliance A^dth the colonial laws. In 1799 the
town was divided into four districts, which number has been
maintained for more than a century. Including the grammar
school, Wales now has six schools, and for their support raises
annually by tax more than $1,500. The town receives from the
public school fund about $560 yearly, while the total expense of
maintenance is about $1,700. The school census shows a total
of 155 children of school age in the town, for whose instruction
six teachers are employed.
The town school committee comprises H. A. McFarland,
chairman ; J. H. Loudon and H. E. ShaAV ; superintendent, Albert
Robinson ; principal of the grammar school, William T. Jack.
During the period of its history Wales has produced many
strong, substantial and influential men, the benefits of whose life
work have been felt beyond the borders of the town itself. In
this honorable Ust let us place the names of those who are no
longer living but whose records are stiU proudly referred to in
local annals. We refer to such men as the late Absalom Gard
ner, Royal P. Wales, Dr. John Smith, Luther Parker, J. H.
Rogers, J. G. Royce, J. C. Royce, Joel Rogers, Elijah Shaw, J.
M. Lyon, Warren Shaw, F. L. Burley, Jonathan Needham and
Adam Stewart. This list might be enlarged, but the above will
suffice. And if asked Who are the leading men of the town to-
31-3 ( 481 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
day, the ansAA'er would be : H. E. ShaAv, Joseph H. Loudon, A.
A. Hubbard, G. S. Rogers, WilUs Chamberlain, P. M. Royce,
E. L. Needham, J. C. Burley, H. A. McFarland, W. B. Needham,
Dr. B. L. Ross, T. J. Hynes, G. M. StcAvart, W. W. Eager, 0. P.
Royce, and perhaps a few names might be added to this list.

CHAPTER XVII
THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
The geographical position of the city of Chicopee is near
the center of the northern line of Hampden county. Its terri
tory is bounded on the north by the towns of South Hadley and
Granby in the county of Hampshire, east by the town of LudloAV,
Hampden county, south by the city of Springfleld, and west by
the town of West Springfield and the city of Holyoke, from
Avhich it is separated by the Connecticut river. The territorial
area amounts to 25.7 square miles, or about 16,000 acres, and
the surface is either nearly level or slightly rolling. In some
sections the bluffs overlooking the streams rise to the dignity of
low ranges of hills. The Chicopee river, which enters near the
southeastern angle, divides the territory into two unequal por
tions, running diagonally to the Connecticut river, into which it
empties. In its passage through the city limits this river has a
fall of seventy feet, furnishing valuable poAver, which has been
utilized at Chicopee FaUs and Chjcopee Center for the impor
tant manufacturing industries which have been the principal
factors in the city's development.
Originally the territory now comprising the city of Chicopee
formed a part of the town of Springfleld, and so continued under
the names of Cabot or Cabotville, Chicopee FaUs or Factory
Village, and Chicopee Street, until created a separate town by
act of the Massachusetts legislature in 1848. Settlements began
on the Chicopee river, however, within a very few years after the
( 482 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
settlement of Springfield proper, probably not later than the
year 1640. The first of the settlers were probably Henry Chapin
and his brother Japhet, sons of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who
came to Springfield in 1642, and Avhose statue by St. Gaudens
stands in one of the parks in that city. The first contract for a
deed of land in this territory was executed March 9, 1659, by
John Pynchon of Springfield, avIio covenanted to convey "to
Henry Chapin 200 acres of land on ye Chickkuppy river, to run
fro ye hills on ye east side to the Great river (Connecticut) on
ye west, and on the south it is to be bounded by and join to the
Chickkuppy river,— only one tAventy-five acres, or thirty, being

The Old Chapin Homestead, Chicopee Street
by Chickkuppy river, about the place which shall be judged best
for a warehouse, is to be taken out and excepted out of the
parcel ; yet so as to be 200 acres is to be made up there together.
Also, Henry is to have half of ye upper Island, which is to be as
equally divided as can be, and also he is to have five acres of
mowable meadow at the lower end of the mixmeadow. " For
this sizable tract of land the grantee was to make payment in
wheat, in four annual installments, at the current prices, the
amount of the purchase price being twenty pounds sterling. The
land thus conveyed seems to have comprised a considerable por
tion of what has been and still is known as Chicopee Street, but
( 483 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mr. Chapin built his house on the south side of the river— per
haps for the sake of more convenience in reaching the strong
houses at Springfield in case of Indian troubles.
In fact, the natives had by this time become troublesome,
and more or less open hostilities existed for many years. About
the same time a settlement was made at Skipmuck, some distance
above Chicopee Palls, where a few families located, but were
often obliged to take refuge in the old fort at Springfield. Dur
ing this period of general peril a part of Springfield was burned,
and there were massacres and battles further up the Connecticut
river ; but the settlers along the Chicopee did not suffer seriously,
though the men were constantly under arms, even in making
their Avay through the wilderness to attend public worship, while
the women were also trained in the use of weapons. The com
parative immunity of these isolated families is the more notable
from the fact that the region bordering the Chicopee river had
been a favorite resort for the red men, as is attested by the dis
covery of Indian relics there within comparatively recent years.
Japhet Chapin settled further to the north, near the Wil
limansett end of Chicopee Street, where a large tract of land had
been secured by his father, his coming to the locality being a
little later than that of his brother. The two brothers became
the fathers of eight sons, who lived to an average of eighty years,
and these eight in turn were the fathers of eighty-seven children,
most of whom were sons, so that the Chapin family became very
numerous and influential in the affairs of this portion of Spring
field. Many of their descendants are still residents of Chicopee,
Avhile others have carried the name with high honor to various
portions of the country.
Cultivation of the land on the south side of Chicopee river,
near the junction of that stream with the Connecticut, is said to
have begun as early as 1645, fourteen years prcAdous to the sale
of land to Henry Chapin, but no highway connecting the section
with Springfield appears to have been established until 1665. In
January of that year Nathaniel Ely and Rowland Thomas, who
had secured a grant of land on the south side of the Chicopee
river the previous summer, were appointed to lay out a suitable
( 484 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
highway leading from a practicable ford of the Chicopee river
to Springfield, and thus giving connection with the settlers on
the north side of the river. Their report, which was accepted
by the Springfield selectmen February 5, 1665, thus described
the route of their choice: "We do conceive that the common
way over Chiccupee river should go above the Islands about 20
rod, where the Indians common wading place was formerly, or
a little higher, and so from thence to run up the river on this side
ye river about 20 rod or more, and then to turn off in the vacant
ground betwixt Rowland Thomas and Nathal Ely's land into
the Pine Plain, and so to the town. This highway to be in
breadth from Chicupee river to the brow of the hiU, which is
7 or 8 rod, and where it turns off from the river, there to be 20
rod broad." "The Indians' common wading place" here men
tioned was near the site of the present mills of the Dwight
Manufacturing company, and the route of the "highway" thus
laid out has remained practically unchanged to the present day.
At the mouth of the Chicopee river and in that vicinity fish
were abundant, especially shad and salmon in their season, and
tradition preserves some remarkable "fish stories," Avith a
stronger presumption of foundation on fact than usually
attaches to similar narratives. It is certain that the rivers fur
nished the early settlers of the entire Connecticut valley with a
generous and important portion of their food supply. From the
early records it appears, however, that the fishing privileges were
regarded as town rights, and were granted in the form of per
mits or licenses to the residents. But it is not probable that
heavy penalties were attached to those who indulged without the
formality of a license. In the early part of the eighteenth
century fish were still so abundant and cheap that at the river
salmon were sold for six pence each, and shad for one-half a
penny. The original deeds and grants of land were sometimes de
cidedly indefinite as to "metes and bounds," but they were
ratified by the town, either in town meeting, by action of the
selectmen, or of a committee especially appointed for the pur
pose, so that very few disputes required settlement by the courts.
( 485 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Originally the land had been bought from the Indians in a man
ner and at a price entirely satisfactory to them, so that peace
existed until the outbreak of King Philip 's war. Even then the
only serious trouble occurred at Skipmuck, where two soldiers,
Aaron Parsons and Berijah Hubbard, were killed, as was also
one child. A few others were wounded and one or two persons
were made prisoners.
The settlement of Avhat is now the village of Willimansett
did not begin until 1720, when a house was built there by Land
lord Abel Chapin of Chicopee Street. Many years passed before
any further settlements were made there, but by the time of
the revolution houses had been built by Collins Brown, Eleazer
Wright, Gillis Prink and Rev. John Pendleton, a Baptist min
ister. After the independence of the colonies had been secured
other houses were built from time to time, and gradually the
village grcAV up.
The military record of Chicopee previous to the war of the
rebellion is embodied in that of the town of Springfield, but there
is abundant evidence that in all the trials through VA^hich the
colonies passed in the early wars, and until the independence of
the colonies had been secured, the sons of Chicopee bore well and
honorably their part. L^^nfortunately, the full list of those who
served in the various wars is not available. In the French and
Indian Avar the several villages of the present city furnished
quite a number of officers and enlisted men, including Captain
(afterward Colonel) Abel Chapin, Ensign Moses Chapin, who
Avas taken prisoner at the battle of Lake George in 1757 ; Edward
Chapin, clerk of Captain Hitchcock's company, and Caleb
Chapin, AA'ho Avas killed at Lake George. All of these were from
Chicopee Street, The same locality may also claim credit for
the brave Captain Elisha Chapin, who shortly before this time
removed from Chicopee Street to the northwestern portion of
the state. In 1754 he was commanding officer of Fort Massachu
setts, on the Hoosac river, and July 17, 1756, while working in
the fields, was captured by the Indians, taken near to the fort,
and tortured to death in the sight of his family, who had sought
the protection of the fort, which the savages had vainly attacked.
( 486 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
When the struggle of the colonies with the mother country
broke out at Lexington, messengers were sent to the settlements
on the Connecticut for soldiers, and sixty-two men from Spring
field responded on the moment, of whom Chicopee furnished
Jacob Chapin, Israel Chapin, Phinehas Chapin, Eleazar Chapin,
Jr., Solomon Chapin, Joseph Chapin, Jr., Gad Horton, John
Stedman, and Phinehas Stedman. In a company which marched
to Ticonderoga later in the war under Captain Abel Chapin
were Moses Bliss, Benoni Chapin, Ezekiel Chapin, Zerah Chapin,
Ebenezer Burbank, Eleazar Wright, Thomas Frink, and Collins
Brown. In a regiment commanded by Colonel Woodbridge,
Captain Ephraim Chapin led a company, in which were Paul
Chapin, Japhet Chapin, Seth Chapin, David Chapin, George
Chapin, Jacob Chapin, John Frink and Ebenezer Jones.
The terrible depression following the close of the revolu
tionary war brought on the Shays rebellion, which for a time
threatened serious trouble for the government of Massachusetts,
though happily but little blood was shed and no serious results
followed, the insurgents realizing the rashness and hopelessness
of their position, and scattering to their homes after the first
passage of arms at Springfield. During the brief life of the
insurrection, Chicopee was headquarters for one company of the
rebellious force, who, in lieu of barracks, took possession of the
covered bridge which had been built across the Chicopee river
some nine years before. Learning of the defeat of their com
rades on Armory hill in Springfield, they dispersed in all direc
tions without the formality of a " muster out. ' '
For many years Chicopee Street remained the most import
ant of the villages. Its lands were the most desirable for farming
purposes, its residents were prosperous, and its general charac
teristics were attractive. There were located the AdUage tavern,
stores and post-office, with such shops and small manufactories
as naturally developed to meet the needs of the people. But
this prestige gradually gave Avay as the fine water powers on
the Chicopee river were utilized, and the villages of Cabotville
(Chicopee) and Chicopee Factory (Chicopee Falls) increased
in population and in social and commercial importance. With
( 487 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
this growth there very naturally came the desire for independent
government, which strengthened as the years went by and the
material interests of the Chicopee end of the town became larger
and more prosperous, and in a measure less directly connected
with those of Springfield proper.
By 1845 the total population of Springfield had grown to
some 18,000, nearly 8,000 of whom belonged to the Chicopee
section. The Chicopeeans were anxious for a separate town gov
ernment—the southern portion of the town desired a city
charter with the territorial limits unbroken. Neither faction

Historic House in "Johnny Cake Hollow," Chicopee Falls
was able to secure its wishes through the medium of the town
meeting, and much bitterness of feeling was the result. The
question of division was one of the important articles in the
town meeting of 1848, and was decided in the negative by a vote
of about three to two— representing closely the voting strength
of the two sections. But the matter was taken up by the legisla
ture, and an act incorporating the town was passed on the 25th
of April of that year. The boundary line between the two towns
was thus described in the act of incorporation :
( 488 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Beginning at a stone monument by two oak trees standing
together on the bank of Connecticut river near to and northerly
of the house of Edwin Spooner, and running thence westerly
by a line at right angles with the river to the easterly line of
West Springfield, thence returning to said stone monument and
running thence northeasterly a straight line to a stone monument
standing on the southerly bank of Chicopee river at or near the
westerly extremity of "Birchem Bend" of said river so called,
thence the same course to the thread of said Chicopee river, and
thence easterly by the thread of said river to a point opposite
the southeast corner of the town of Ludlow, and thence to the
said corner of Ludlow.
The new town government was organized at a meeting held
at Cabot hall in Chicopee May 17, 1848, and this list of officers
was chosen :
Selectmen, Sylvanus Adams, Harmon Rowley, Ezekiel
Blake, Amos W. StockweU, Adolphus G. Parker; assessors, Syl
vester Allen, Amaziah BuUens, Harmon Rowley; school com
mittee. Rev. Jonah G. Warren, Rev. Bli B. Clark, Rev. Robert
Kellen; overseers of the poor, Clark Albro, Andrew Hubbard,
Phineas Stedman; surveyors of highways, Jacob P. Brown,
Sidney Chapin, Joseph B. McCune; pound keeper, Almon Nel
son ; constables, Sylvester Churchill, William Wheeler, Benjamin
F. Willard, WilUam L. Bemis, John C. Bartiett, Simeon B.
Fairbank, George Mosman, Amory Doolittle, Alfred Warriner,
Luther Pierce, Andrew Hubbard, William R. Kentfield; meas
urers of wood and bark, Madison B. Willey, Benjamin B. Bal
lard, Sylvester Allen, Clossen Pendleton, Phineas Stedman,
Bmilus E. Albro, George S. Taylor, John E. Carpenter, Andrew
Hubbard, Varnum N. Taylor, Otis Chapman, EUjah P. Kimball,
Nathaniel Cutler, Amaziah BuUens ; sealers of leather, Adolphus
G. Parker, Joseph W. Hitchcock, Andrew Hubbard; board of
health, Clark Albro, Andrew Hubbard, Phineas Stedman, Dr.
John R. Wilbur, Dr. Daniel K. Pearson ; fence viewers, Lysander
Chapin, Caleb S. Chapin, Edward S. Robinson, Orrin Fuller,
Lyman Van Horn; Norman Day; surveyors of lumber, Veranus
Chapin, Benjamin Parsons, Sylvester Allen, Joseph Clough,
( 489 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Richard Johnson, Francis Moore, Norman Chapin; sealer of
Aveights and measures, William G. Bliss ; fleld drivers, Oliver F.
Pinney, Varnum N. Taylor, Samuel P. Clough, Frederick A.
Barber, Ebenezer Bartlett, Levi Chapin, Titus Chapin, Benning
Leavitt, James Wells, Ezra H. Corning, Benjamin B. Belcher,
Royal Wyatt, Abel Chapin, Luke W. Kimball, Jonathan C.
Bowker, Henry Moore, Aloristan Wait, Robinson Brock ; tithing
men, Charles P. Collins, Horatio Colton, Levi C. Skeele, Alex
ander H. Childs, Sylvanus Adams, James Kervin, Patrick
Gorman, Luther Streeter, Davis Dunham, David M. Butterfield,
Cyrus Spaulding, Benjamin H. Ellis, Lemuel H. Brigham, Cyril
A. Southworth, James L. Sikes, Lucius E. Ladd, William Mc-
Dermott, Ralph White, Josiah Osgood, Lester Dickinson, William
Blake, Harvey Robinson; committee on school district bounda
ries, John Wells, EdAvard Renney, Phineas Stedman.
The act of incorporation provided for the distribution of
the surplus revenue between Chicopee and Springfleld in the
proportion of 37 per cent to the former and 63 per cent to the
mother toAvn, which would indicate the comparative taxable
valuation of the two sections. The population, however, was
more evenly divided, the national census of 1850 showing 8,291
inhabitants in Chicopee, against 11,766 in Springfleld. In 1860
—doubtless owing to the hard times of 1857, which seriously
affected manufacturing interests — the census figures for Chi
copee fell to 7,261; but in 1870— notwithstanding the stress of
the civil war— they had increased to 9,607, and the subsequent
reports have been as follows : 1880, 11,286 ; 1890, 14,050 ; 1900,
19,167. The assessed valuation of the city at the latter date was
approximately $10,000,000. Prior to 1890 the census reports had
shown a population entitling to a city charter, and during that
year the necessary steps were taken for changing the form of
government. Elections Avere held in December, and on January
1, 1891, the city AA'as duly inaugurated, with George S. Taylor
as the first mayor. Until 1897 the form of government closely
resembled that of Springfield, consisting of a board of aldermen
comprising one member from each of the seven Avards of the
city, and a common council of two members from each ward. In
( 490 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
1897 a new charter was adopted, which, in connection with some
minor changes, vested the legislative power in a single body of
seventeen aldermen— one from each ward and ten "at large,"
five of whom are elected annually for two years. The incum
bents of the principal offices, from the creation of the town to
the present time, under both forms of government, have been
as follows : TOWN GOVERNMENT
Selectmen.— 18^8, Sylvanus Adams, Harmon Rowley,
Ezekiel Blake, Amos W. StockweU, Adolphus G. Parker; 1849,
Sylvanus Adams, Orange Chapin, Bildad B. Belcher, Ezekiel
Blake, John Wells; 1850, John Wells, Nathaniel Cutier, GUes
S. Chapin, Bildad B. Belcher, Lucius B. Ladd; 1851, Charles
R. Ladd, Giles S. Chapin, George S. Taylor ; 1852, Charles R.
Ladd, George S. Taylor, Abner B. Abbey, John Herrick, Mar
shall Pease; 1853, George S. Taylor, Benning Leavitt, Abner
B. Abbey, John Herrick, Marshall Pease ; 1854, Nathaniel Cutler,
Benning Leavitt, Timothy W. Carter, Austin Chapin, John H.
Smith; 1855, Titus Chapin, John E. Marsh, Caleb S. Chapin,
William E. West ; 1856, Otis Chapman, Andrew Hubbard, David
F. Randall, John A. Denison; 1857, Otis Chapman, Benning
Leavitt, Sidney Chapin, Andrew Hubbard, William H. H. Con
ner; 1858, Otis Chapman, Giles S. Chapin, John E. Marsh,
Thomas A. Denison, J. Henry Churchill; 1859, Otis Chapman,
John E. Marsh, Thomas A. Denison, J. Henry Churchill; 1860,
Otis Chapman, J. Henry Churchill, Theodore Williams, Lucas
B. Chapin, Thomas A. Denison; 1861, Otis Chapman, Lucas B.
Chapin, Daniel Knapp, William Thayer, Silas Mosman; 1862,
Otis Chapman, Lucas B. Chapin, Daniel Knapp, William
Thayer, SUas Mosman; 1863, Otis Chapman, Lucas B. Chapin,
Daniel Knapp, Edgar T. Paige, Silas Mosman; 1864, Sylvester
Adams, Phineas Cadwell, WiUiam R. Kentfield, Henry S. Her
rick, Geoj-ge H. Knapp; .1865, George H. Knapp, Henry S.
Herrick, Russell S. Furney, Simon G. Southworth, Charles S.
Stiles; 1866, WiUiam R. Kentfield, RusseU S. Furney, Simon
G. Southworth, MUo A. Taylor, Benjamin H. Stedman; 1867,
William R. Kentfield, Milo A. Taylor, Simon G. Southworth,
( 491 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Benjamin H. Stedman, Bailey West ; 1868, WiUiam R. Kentfield,
Milo A. Taylor, Simon G. Southworth, Benjamin H. Stedman,
Bailey West; 1869, WiUiam R. Kentfield, Simon G. Southworth,
Josiah B. FuUer, WilUam Blake, MarshaU Pease ; 1870, Thomas
A. Denison, Josiah B. Fuller, Marshall Pease, Edgar T. Paige,
James E. Taylor ; 1871, Josiah B. Fuller, Marshall Pease, Edgar
T. Paige, Erasmus Stebbins, John R. Wilbur; 1872, Josiah B.
Fuller, Marshall Pease, Edgar T. Paige, John R. Wilbur, Henry
H. Harris ; 1873, C. M. Kendall, MarshaU Pease, S. D. Stoddard,
John R. Wilbur, Henry H. Harris ; 1874, C. M. KendaU, Mar
shaU Pease, S. D. Stoddard, John R. Wilbur, Patrick Rourke;
1875, C. M. KendaU, John R. Wilbur, Giles S. Chapin, George
M. Morton, Patrick Rourke; 1876, John R. Wilbur, GUes S.
Chapin, George M. Morton, Patrick Rourke, Warren S. Bragg;
1877, John R. Wilbur, Edgar T. Paige, Patrick Rourke, Warren
S. Bragg, WilUam White; 1878, WilUam R. Kentfield, Silas
Mosman, Edgar T. Paige, Terrence Hogan, William White; 1879,
Silas Mosman, George M. Morton, Terrence Hogan, WiUiam
White, Norris R. Wood; 1880, Silas Mosman, Michael Dunn,
Terrence Hogan, William White, Norris R. Wood; 1881, Silas
Mosman, Jonathan R. Whittemore, Terrence Hogan, Amos W.
Page, Charles E. Crehore; 1882, Terrence Hogan, Simeon A.
Jacobs, Norris R. Wood, Amos W. Page, Charles E. Crehore;
1883, Amos W. Page, Simeon A. Jacobs, Norris R. Wood, Patrick
Rourke, Charles E. Crehore; 1884, Amos W. Page, James J.
Regan, George W. Gibson, Prank H. Morton, Charles E. Cre
hore; 1885, Emerson Gaylord, George W. Gibson, Amos W.
Page, Dennis Murphy, Morris R. Wood ; 1886, Emerson Gaylord,
George W. Gibson, Nelson Whittier, Locero J. Gibbs, Norris R.
Wood; 1887, Emerson Gaylord, George W. Gibson, Charles A.
Bryant, Locero J. Gibbs, Daniel Dunn ; 1888, Emerson Gaylord,
George W. Gibson, Charles A. Bryant, George A. Edgerton,
Norris R. Wood; 1889, Emerson Gaylord, Norris R. Wood,
George W. Gibson, WilUam White, Ansel F. Wildes; 1890,
Emerson Gaylord, Norris R. Wood, George W. Gibson, George
D. Eldredge, Ansel F. WUdes.
Town Clerk and Treasurer.— 'William L. Bemis, 1848-54;
( 492 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Jonathan R. Childs, 1854-6; Moses W. Chapin, 1856-7; Lester
Dickinson, 1857-82 ; John D. White, 1882-'^0.
CITY GOVERNMENT
ilfaj/ors.- George S. Taylor, 1891; WilUam W. McClench,
1892; Henry H. Harris, 1893; WiUiam M. E. Mellen, 1894;
Andrew Gale, 1895 ; Alexander Grant, 1896 ; George D. Eldridge,
1897-8 ; Dennis Murphy, 1899-1900 ; James H. Loomis, 1901.
City Clerk and Treasurer.— 3 ohn D. White, 1891-1901.
Aldermen.— 1891— 'Ward 1, WilUam M. E. Mellen; 2, Fred
erick B. Doten; 3, Irving H. Elmer (president) ; 4, Prank H.
Morton ; 5, WilUam 0. Kentfield ; 6, Henry F. Moriarty ; 7, Mar
shaU J. Bannister. 1892— Ward 1, WilUam M. B. MeUen
(president); 2, Frederick B. Doten; 3, Irving H. Elmer; 4,
George E. Carter; 5, Andrew Gale; 6, Henry F. Moriarty; 7,
MarshaU J. Bannister. 1893— Ward 1, Michael C. ColUns ; 2,
Alexander Grant ; 3, Irving H. Elmer ; 4, Justin P. Woodworth ;
5, Andrew Gale (president) ; 6, Peter C. Garrity; 7, E. Ashwell
BardweU. 1894— Ward 1, Edward A. Rourke; 2, Charles A.
Wilson; 3, Charles M. Bixby; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanborn (presi
dent) ; 5, George W. D. Lyon; 6, Thomas J. Bowen; 7, Robert
E. Alben. 1895— Ward 1, John J. Hogan; 2, Fred M. Gilbert;
3, Charles M. Bixby; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanborn (president); 5,
George W. D. Lyon; 6, Thomas J. DiUon; 7, Edward S. Day.
1896-Ward 1, John J. Hogan; 2, Fred M. Gilbert (president) ;
3, Frank P. Ludwig; 4, Francis M. Bennitt; 5, Charles A.
Bogardus ; 6, Thomas J. DiUon ; 7, Edward S. Day. 1897— Ward
1, John J. Hogan (president) ; 2, Zachary T. Damon; 3, Alfred
L. Chapin ; 4, Luther White ; 5, Charles A. Bogardus ; 6, Thomas
J. DUlon; 7, Edward S. Day. 1898— Ward 1, Edward O'Con
neU; 2, Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Edward A. White; 4, Woodman
S. Page ; 5, Eugene F. Russell ; 6, James A. 0 'Rourke ; 7, Jasper
S. Harris ; at large, Frank X. Deroin, Omer Guimond, Amos 0.
Kinney, William F. O'Neil, James 0. Stone, Patrick J. Griffin,
Richard F. RUey, WUfred St. Amour, Albert E. Taylor, Luther
White (president). 1899— Ward 1, Edward O'ConneU; 2,
Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Edward A. White; 4, Oliver E. Smith;
( 493 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
5, Winfield S. Davis; 6, James A. O'Rourke; 7, Edward Breck;
at large, Frank X. Deroin, Omer Guimond, Amos 0. Kinney,
William F. O'Neil, James 0. Stone, Patrick J. Griffin, Charles
F. McDevitt, Locero J. Gibbs, Albert E. Taylor, Luther White
(president). 1900— Ward 1, Michael F. Walsh; 2, Amos 0.
Kinney; 3, Frank L. Simpson; 4, Duffield Miles; 5, Frank E.
Smith ; 6, Michael J. Dillon ; 7, Frank A. Rivers ; at large, Frank
X. Deroin, Omer Guimond, Fred M. Gilbert, James F. O'Brien,
Charles I. Scripture, Patrick J. Griffin, Charles F. McDevitt,
Locero J. Gibbs, Albert E. Taylor, Luther White (president).
1901— Ward 1, Michael P. Walsh; 2, Charies R. Price; 3, Prank
L. Simpson; 4, Charles J. Seaver; 5, Frank B. Smith; 6, Michael
J. Dillon ; 7, Frank A. Rivers ; at large, Frank X. Deroin, Omer
Guimond, Fred M. Gilbert, James F. O'Brien, Charles I. Scrip
ture, Frank 0. Cook, John J. Reddy, Locero J. Gibbs (presi
dent), Peter C. Garrity, Adolph Nantais.
Common Council. — 1891 — Ward 1, Michael C. Collins,
Patrick P-. Cronin; 2, Charles B. Wells, Chester H. Ballard
(president) ; 3, James C. Buckley, Henry S. Herrick; 4, George
E. Carter, Henry H. Harris; 5, George W. D. Lyon, H. Smith
Newell ; 6, John M. Ash, John J. Whalen ; 7, Jasper S. Harris,
Herbert B. Burnham. 1892— Ward 1, Michael C. Collins,
Patrick F. Cronin; 2, William D. Manchester, Chester H. Bal
lard (president); 3, James C. Buckley, William F. Hall; 4,
Lorenzo D. Sanborn, Henry H. Harris ; 5, Fred L. Hinkley,' H.
Smith Newell; 6, John M. Ash, John J. Whalen; 7, Hiram J.
Young, Herbert B. Burnham. 1893— Ward 1, Edward O'Con
nell, Dennis B. Sullivan; 2, William P. Hadley, Charles Wilson;
3, Abijah Hastings, Henry Lilley; 4, Lorenzo D. Sanborn (presi
dent), Luther White ; 5, Fred L. Hinkley, William H. Hamilton;
6 ,WilUam H. Trumbull, Patrick Welch ; 7, Edward Breck, James
0. Stone. 1894— Ward 1, Edward O'ConneU, Dennis E. Sulli
van ; 2, William P. Hadley, Fred M. Gilbert ; 3, Abijah Hastings,
Alfred L. Chapin; 4, Merrick L. Fuller, Luther White (presi
dent) ; 5, J. Napoleon L'Amoureux, Eugene F. Russell; 6,
Eugene H. McCarthy, John T. Moriarty; 7, Nathan W. Loveland,
David McKay. 1895— Ward 1, Michael J. Foley, Dennis E.
( 494 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Sullivan; 2, Zachary T. Damon, John H. Gregg; 3, Frank P.
Ludwig, Abijah Hastings; 4, Albert E. Taylor, Luther White
(president); 5, J. Napoleon L'Amoureux, Zebina E. Leonard;
6, Daniel J. DriscoU, Eugene H. McCarthy ; 7, Samuel Beaulieu,
Eugene Legare. 1896— Ward 1, Michael J. McLane, Eugene A.
Sullivan; 2, Zachary T. Damon, John H. Gregg; 3, George J.
Morse, Abijah Hastings; 4, Woodman S. Page, Luther White
(president) ; 5, H. Gordon Forbes, Leon Petit, Jr.; 6, Daniel J.
DriscoU, James A. 0 'Rourke ; 7, William R. Weaver, Nathan W.
Loveland. 1897— Ward 1, Cornelius J. O'Brien, Edward 0.
Wood; 2, Herbert S. Martin, Clarence J. Wetsel; 3, Abijah
Hastings, George J. Morse ; 4, Frederick W. Heathcote, Worden
S. Page (president); 5, Leon Petit, Jr., Albert E. Taylor; 6,
Thomas F. Mahoney, James A. 0 'Rourke ; 7, Alexander Finlay-
son, William R. Weaver.
Assessors.— 1891-6, DAvight L. Shaw, James Flint, Patrick
Rourke ; 1897-9, James Flint, Patrick Rourke, Paschal J. NeweU ;
1900, James Flint, Patrick Rourke, Louis Beauregard; 1901,
Patrick J. Enright, Patrick Rourke, Louis Beauregard.
Overseers of Z-'oor.— 1891-2, Norris R. Wood, Dennis Mur
phy, WiUiam F. Smith; 1893, E, Ashley BardweU, Dennis
Murphy, Wilbur F. Smith; 1894-5, Norris R. Wood, Dennis
Murphy, Wilbur P. Smith; 1896, James PUnt, Dennis Murphy,
Wilbur F. Smith; 1897-8, Wilbur F. Smith, Dennis Murphy,
Lorenzo D. Sanborn ; 1899, Dwight M. Cook, Wilbur P. Smith,
Jeremiah Kirby; 1900-1901, Wilbur F. Smith, Dwight M. Cook,
Charles J. O'Brien.
City Physician.— 1891, Francis P. Parker; 1892-3, Charles
H. Prindle; 1894, Michael H. Lynch; 1895, Prank X. Deroin;
1896, Samuel B. Fletcher; 1897, H. Gordon Forbes.
City Engincer.—1891-1901, Frank P. Cobb.
City Solicitor.— 1892, George M. Stearns; 1893-1901, Lora-
nus E. Hitchcock.
Chief of Police.— 1891-3, John B. Conner; 1894, George
McQueen; 1895, WilUam Blake; 1896-7, John E. Conner; 1898
(titie changed to Marshal of Police), John E. Conner; 1899,
John J. Hogan; 1900, Richard P. RUey; 1901, Charles P.
Kendall. ( 495 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Superintendent of Streets.— 1891-2, Edward W. O'Brien;
1893-6, Charles E. Crehore; 1897-8, Maurice Kennedy; 1899-
1900, Edward W. O'Brien; 1901, Maurice Kennedy.
License Commissioners.— 1896-7, Fred L. Hinkley, Dennis
G. Canty, Henry H. Harris; 1898-9, James B. Higgins, Dennis
Canty, Henry H. Harris ; 1900, Frederick J. Chapin, Frederick
M. Nichols, Eugene M. SulUvan; 1901, Frederick J. Chapin,
Patrick P. Murphy, Joseph T. Lodge.
The four years of civil war from 1861 to 1865 severely
tested the resources and patriotism of the town, but neither was
found wanting. The population of Chicopee at that time was
something under 8,000, and the military quota was small in
proportion, owing to the large number of women employed in
the cotton mills and similar manufacturing industries. But the
town heroicaUy responded to every call, and when recruiting
stopped in 1865 had furnished forty-eight more men than were
due as its quota under all the calls which had been made. The
quality of its soldiers was excellent, showing that the martial
spirit of the fathers, which had helped in former days to make
the enviable record of Springfield, dwelt strong in the hearts
of the sons. In material ways the devotion of the people was
even more strikingly shown. Generous contributions were made
for the assistance of sick, Avounded and needy soldiers, and at
the close of the war a fund of some $10,000 was stiU on hand
for this most noble charity. By wise forethought this surplus
Avas formed into a fund, the income of which might be applied
to the relief of needy veterans and their dependent ones, and
for that object it is still available, carrying gladness and cheer
to many a home which otherwise must find relief through a less
gracious charity.
Agricultural pursuits have never been of great importance
to Chicopee in a commercial sense, though the fertile lands in
the Chicopee Street section have given good returns for the
husbandma,n, and to this fact was due the early development of
that region. ElseAvhere vrithin the present city limits the soil is
mostly of little value for tillage purposes.
The manufacturing interests of Chicopee naturally had
their beginning on Chicopee Street and were of the simple sort
( 496 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
common to most of the early settlements. A saAV mill was built
near the south end of the Street in 1791, and a blacksmith shop
Avas established a little later. Boot and shoe making was car
ried on to some extent for outside trade in the early part of the
nineteenth century, Otis Skeele being the first manufacturer.
He established a shop at Willimansett after having carried on
the business on Chicopee Street, and some time later he' was
succeeded by A. G. Parker. Both of these establishments mar
keted boots and shoes in Hartford and New York. In 1853 Mr.
Parker took his son, Josiah A. Parker, into partnership, and the
business was removed to Chicopee Center a little later, where
it was carried on until about 1885. Brick making was also a
profitable industry, Giles S. Chapin being the pioneer and fur
nishing brick for many of the factories and other buildings at
Chicopee Center, as the village there developed. The making
of friction matches was started in 1835 by Chapin & Phillips,
their establishment being the first of the kind in the country
and perhaps in the world. The business grew to considerable
proportions, and at least twenty people were employed at one
time. The industry passed into other hands after a few years
and was finally removed from the town. Broom making was
also for a considerable time one of the active interests of the
place. The Willimansett Manufacturing company was organ
ized in 1831 for the making of machine cards and small hard
ware, principally carpenters' tools. Previous to this time all
such articles had been imported, and were very costly. This
company developed a business which at one time employed a
hundred men and did much to make a name for American hard-
Avare. Bemis & Sheffield were the agents, and after a time
removed the industry to Springfield, where it is still continued
under the name of the Bemis & Call Hardware and Tool com
pany. The excellent water power, easily available, at the falls of
the Chicopee river, early attracted the attention of manufac
turers, and gave to the locality the name of Chicopee Factory
Village, by which it was long known. Metals, wood and metal
in combination, and cotton goods have formed the principal
32-3 ( 497 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
lines of product, and in these a large variety of articles have
been turned out. Iron manufacture was the first industry to
demand attention, and as early as 1786 land and water power
Avere leased in perpetuity to James Byers and William Smith
of Springfield, on the condition that they should within tAvo
years erect iron works for the manufacture of hollow ware. The
ore was taken from a lean vein a short distance above the dam
on the same side of the river. The property was sold to Benja
min Belcher, Abijah Witherell and William Witherell, in 1801,
and four years later Mr. Belcher bought the interests of his
partners and continued the business of iron founding until his
death in 1833. His three sons, Benjamin B., John W., and Bildad
B., carried on the business until 1846, when John W. Belcher be
came sole proprietor, and began the manufacture of agricultural
implements. During the next thirty years the firm name under-'
went several changes, Jonathan R. and John R. Whittemore
being members of the firm from 1851 to 1875, and George L.
Squier from 1852 to 1857. In 1875 the firm name, was changed
to B. & J. W. Belcher and so continued until June 1, 1889, when
the business of the flrm Avas discontinued.
The Belcher & Taylor Agricultural Tool company is the
outgrowth of an enterprise established by Mr. Bildad B. Belcher ;
after his withdrawal from the business inherited from his
father. With two others he erected works on the south side ®f
the river, in 1852, became sole OAvner in 1854, and was burned
out in 1860. The works were re-established on the north side of
the river, and in 1863 Mr. George S. Taylor became a partner
under the flrm name of Belcher & Taylor. During November,
1864, the business was incorporated under the present title, with
Mr. Belcher as president and Mr. Taylor as treasurer. The latter
has continued in office to the present time, but there have been
several changes in the presidency, John Wells, Elijah Blake and
E. 0. Carter having been among the incumbents. The capital
stock is $50,000, and the present board of officers consists of
AVilliam P. McFarland, president; George S. Taylor, agent and
treasurer; Frederick N. WithereU, secretary; Andrew Gale,
superintendent. f 498 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
The Chicopee Manufacturing company AA'as incorporated in
1822, as the Boston and Springfield Manufacturing company,
Avith a capital stock of $500,000. The local parties in interest
Avere the brothers Jonathan and Edmund Dwight, who pur
chased of Benjamin Belcher the entire Avater power and land
at the Palls, the title to the Avater poAver still remaining vested
in the corporation Avhich they organized, in connection with
Boston capitalists. The dam, canal and mills Avere begun the
foUoAving year, and by 1826 three mill buildings and a bleachery
had been completed. In 1828 the corporate name Avas changed

A View of the Dam— Chicopee Falls
to the present designation, and as the business developed the
capitalization was gradually increased until it is now $1,000,000.
The product of the mills has been principally cotton flannels and
sheetings, and an average of more than 1,000 hands are em
ployed. The present officers of the corporation are: President,
E. B. Beebe; treasurer, G. A. Silsbee, both of Boston; agent,
Henry A. Bailey.
The Massachusetts Arms company was organized in 1850
with a capital stock of $70,000 for the manufacture of firearms
( 499 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and machinery, and under the agency of Mr. T. W. Carter
began the making of revolvers. After a time this was decided
to be an infringement of the Colt patents, and the company
took up the manufacture of other weapons, being engaged dur
ing the war period from 1861 to 1865 in turning out Maynard
breech-loaders for the use of the United States cavalry. After
the close of the A\'ar the business was purchased by Mr. Carter,
and was carried on by him until sold to the Lamb Knitting-
Machine Manufacturing company in 1876.
The J. Stevens Arms and Tool company was incorporated
in 1886 with a capital stock of $40,000, to continue the business
established in 1864 by J. Stevens & Co., in the manufacture of
the Stevens breech-loading arms and various small tools and
appliances. The present board of officers consists of Irving
Page, president and treasurer, and G. B. Page, secretary.
The Lamb Knitting Machine company was incorporated in
1867 Avith a capital stock of $100,000; was reincorporated in
1893 as the Lamb Manufacturing company, with a capital of
$500,000; and again reincorporated in 1900 Avith a capital of
$40,000. During the first period Mr. Timothy W. Carter was
the president; during the second organization, when the manu
facture of bicycle and other goods was carried on, Mr. A. G.
Spalding was president. The present board of officers consists
of Robert Russell, president; Frank D. Howard, treasurer and
manager. A principal part of the business of the corporation
has been the manufacturing of knitting machines under the
patents of I. W. Lamb.
The Overman Wheel company, with a capitalization of
$250,000, Avas organized in 1882 by A. H. Overman, at Chicopee,
and a few years later built extensive shops at Chicopee Palls,
where the manufacture of the Victor bicycle was carried on for
a dozen years, on a very large scale. The company went out of
business about 1897.
With numerous minor enterprises, these have been the cen
tral industries of the village of Chicopee Falls during the
century of its existence. Most of them have been of a character
to require the service of intelligent and capable workmen, and
( 500 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
the standard of the population has been well maintained, socially,
morally and intellectually.
Manufacturing at Chicopee Center, then CabotviUe, began
about 1810, AA'hen William, Levi and Joseph Chapin erected a
small mill into which were put tAVO carding machines and two
spinning frames. These proprietors purchased cotton at eleven or
twelve cents a pound which they carded and spun. It was woven
into cloth on the hand looms which were then to be found in
many houses, and the cloth thus produced sold at thirty-five to
forty cents a yard. Even the simplest of cotton fabrics were at
that time decided luxuries. Another mill of similar character
seems to have been operated for a short time by a Mr. Pinney,
but the introduction of machinery into cotton manufacturing
soon drove establishments of this kind out of business.
The Dwight Manufacturing company is the direct successor
of the first manufactory established at Cabotville. In 1830 the
water power there, then known as the "lower privilege,"
was owned by the Chicopee Manufacturing company, who had
recently begun operations at the Falls ; but in 1831 the Spring
field Canal company, largely composed of stockholders in the
Chicopee, organized with a capital of $90,000 and bought the
interests of the parent company at Cabotville. John Chase was
chosen as agent for the ncAV corporation, and entered upon his
duties with great energy and ability. During 1832 a dam was
built across the Chicopee river and the canal for carrying water
to the proposed mills was constructed, as well as a small machine
shop for building machinery to be used in cotton manufacture.
Sites and power privileges were sold to various corporations and
firms as required. The Cabot Manufacturing company was the
first on the ground, being organized in 1832 with a capital stock
of $400,000, for making cotton goods. Their first mill was put
in operation in the summer of 1834, and another mill in the year
foUoAving. In 1836 and again in 1839 the capital stock was
increased $50,000, making a capitalization of a half-million.
The Perkins mills was incorporated in 1836 with a capital stock
of $400,000, built their first mill that year and another the year
foUovring, their capital stock being Ukewise twice increased by
( 501 )

.IS'**'

v..

r- «

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
$50,000. In 1852, by an act of the legislature, these companies
were consolidated under the name of the Perkins mills. Mean
time the Dwight Manufacturing company had been incorporated
in 1841 with a capital stock of $500,000, which in 1843 was in
creased to $700,000. Their first mill had already been built by the
canal company, but another was added soon after the incor
poration, and a third in 1844. In 1856 the Perkins mills and
the Dwight company were consolidated, retaining the name of
the latter, and the seven large mills passed under one management.
The company is noAV capitalized at $1,200,000, and the officers
are :. President, T. Jefferson Coolidge; treasurer, J. Howard
Nichols, both of Boston ; agent, Louis Aumann.
The Ames Manufacturing company was incorporated in
1834 with a capital stock of $30,000. It was named for N. P.
Ames, an edge-tool manufacturer who came from Chelmsford,
Mass., to Chicopee Falls in 1829, with his sons, N. P. Ames, Jr.,
and James T. Ames. In 1831 they began the manufacture of
swords for the United States government, in A\'hich industry
they at once took a high rank. In 1834 the works were removed
to Cabotville and the corporation formed, and two years later
they began the manufacture of bronze cannon, for which they
became equally famous. In 1841 the property of the Chicopee
Falls company was bought and the works were removed to that
village, the capital stock being increased to $75,000; but four
years later the property of the Springfield Canal company was
bought and the business returned to Cabotville, with an increase
in the capital to $200,000. Prior to the war period the company
had in successful operation an iron foundry, turning heavy cast
ings,, machinery, and the like, as avcU as a plated ware depart
ment, in addition to the manufacture of swords and cannon.
During the war of the rebellion its government work occupied
the energies of the company, and in the succeeding years much
attention was given to the production of high grade bronze
work for monuments, memorial- tablets, and the like. In 1881
the Ames Sword company was organized with a capital of
$150,000 for carrying on the business of sword manufacture and
sale; the present officers of the company being: President, John
( 503 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
D. Bryant; treasurer, Gamaliel Bradford, both of Boston;
superintendent, Charles A. Buckley. The business of brass
founding is now owned and conducted by James C. Buckley,
under the name of the Ames Foundries.
The Gaylord Manufacturing company was formed in 1863,
at the height of the civil war, with Emerson Gaylord as president,
for the purpose of manufacturing military equipments of leather.
The manufacture of cabinet locks was added, and at the close
of the war, when the demand for military goods fell off, the
buisness of tiie Chicopee Malleable Iron company was bought
and incorporated. About 1875 the manufacture of swords was
taken up, and carried on for several years with great success,
special attention being given to fine goods for society use and
presentation purposes. Later on the business was discontinued
and the company dissolved.
Of the later incorporated industries, now in business, the
following may be regarded as the more important: Overman
Automobile company, manufactures of automobiles; incor
porated, 1900; capital stock, $250,000. President A. H. Over
man ; treasurer, William R. Warren ; secretary, D. E. Rianhard.
Olmsted & Tuttle company, dealers in cotton waste and manu
facturers of mattresses, comfortables, etc.; business established
in 1840, incorporated 1888 ; capital $100,000. Frank B. Tuttie,
president, treasurer and secretary. Fisk Rubber company,
manufacturers of rubber tires for bicycles, carriages and
automobiles; incorporated in 1898; capital $33,000. Harry G.
Fisk, secretary and treasurer. Metric Granule and Tablet com
pany, chemists; incorporated 1896; capital $20,000. President,
C. W. Jordan; treasurer and manager. Dr. Edward D. "Chapman.
The Taylor, Bramley company, manufacturers of knit goods;
incorporated 1898 ; capital $20,000. President, H. Lee Mallory,
Brooklyn, N. Y.,; secretary and treasurer, Albert B. Taylor.
Chicopee Palls Wheel company, manufacturers of bicycles;
incorporated 1888; capital stock $12,000. President, H. S.
Boyd, vice-president, Francis M. Bennitt; treasurer and man
ager, C. C. Abbey. Burtworth Carpet company, manufacturers
of carpets ; incorporated 1893 ; capital stock $10,000. President,
( 504 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
George W. Kimball, Springfield; treasurer, F. B. Strickland.
The S. Blaisdell, jr., company, dealers in cotton and waste;
incorporated 1893; capital stock $5,000. President and treas
urer, C. M. Blaisdell; vice-president and secretary, G. A. Blais-
deU. The Coburn Trolley Track Manufacturing company, incor
porated in 1888 with a capital stock of $150,000, formerly doing
business in Holyoke, removed to the Willimansett district of
Chicopee in 1900, having purchased convenient grounds adjoin
ing the railroad tracks and erected a fine suite of buildings for
the carrying on its business.
The matter of lighting the manufacturing establishments
early became an important one, and in 1849 a gas company was
organized at the Center, the four leading companies uniting to
furnish the capital. After the absorption of the other cotton
manufacturing companies by the Dwight, the ownership of the
gas works rested with that company, and provision was made
for supplying factories, stores, offices and dwellings Avith gaslight.
But in 1897 a movement was made which resulted in the forma
tion and incorporation of a new company, known as the Chicopee
Gas Light company, with a capital stock of $92,500. The officers
are: President, Richard S. Storrs of Ncav York; treasurer, Frank
S. Butterworth ; vice-president and clerk, Luther White ; superin
tendent, Charles H. Nutting.
The electric Ughting plant is owned by the city, and is under
the charge of a manager appointed by the mayor, George E.
Stebbins being the present incumbent.
The first general water supply was brought to the then
village of Cabotville in 1845 through pipes laid from the higher
ground to the south of the village by Charles W. McClaUan and
R. E. Bemis. Springs and wells furnished the source of supply,
and this simple system was found adequate for thirty years, it
having near the end of that period become the property of
Mr. McClaUan, foUowing the death of Mr. Bemis. In
1876 arrangements Avere made to increase the supply by taking
the flow of certain pure-Avater brooks just east of the Chicopee
line, Avithin the Umits of Springfield. In the following year a
( 505 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
company Avith a capital stock of $50,000 was organized as the
Chicopee Water company, with Mr. McClaUan as president, and
a system of pipes was laid for supplying manufacturers, resi
dents, and the fire service. The supply thus secured, which was
furnished by gravitation, proved adequate until 1886, when a
pumping station AA'as erected at the junction of South and
Springfield streets. In 1892 steps were taken for the inaugura
tion of an adequate water service for the entire city, to be
operated under the direction of a board of water commissioners,
and this innovation was carried through during that and the
foUoAving years. The property of the Chicopee Water company
Avas secured by the city, to avoid any conflict of interests, and a
supply more suitable in volume and in quality was secured by
damming Cooley and Morton brooks, within the city limits, an
adequate system of mains and pipes being laid. A wrought-iron
stand-pipe sixty feet in height and with a capacity of more than
a million gallons was erected on Keating 's hill, and first-class
pumping engines of liberal capacity were also installed. The
property of the Willimansett Water company, organized in
1892, was likwise purchased by the city, thus bringing the entire
water-supply system of the city under a single management.
The board of A^'ater commissioners for 1901 consists of Patrick
Rourke, chairman, Frank H. Morton and Andrew Gale. George
E. Carter is superintendent.
The banking interests of the city of Chicopee are embodied
in one national bank Avith moderate capitalization and two
savings banks— one of the latter located at the Center and the
other at the Palls. All of these are in good condition, and the
amount of savings on deposit speaks well for the thrifty charac
ter of the Avorking men and women of the city. This trait is still
more strongly shoAvn by the fact that much of the financial
business of Chicopee is done with Springfield institutions, owing
to the size and strength of the latter and the proximity of the
tAVO cities. The First National bank of Chicopee was chartered under
Massachusetts state laAvs as "Cabot Bank," January 24, 1845,
and organized on the first of March of that year Avith John
( 506 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Chase as president and Gilbert Walker as cashier. The capital
stock was fixed at $150,000, and has remained unchanged to the
present time. It Avas reorganized as a national bank, under the
present title, in 1865. The bank's surplus noAv amounts to
$78,400, and the present board of officers comprises: President,
Joseph A. Carter; cashier, Frederick B. Doten; directors,
Thomas C. Page, James L. Pease, Frederick B. Doten, Joseph A.
Carter, Luther White, John B. Wood, Irving H. Page.
The Chicopee Savings bank was organized in 1854. Jerome
Wells was the flrst president, and served for twenty years, being
succeeded by George D. Robinson in 1874, and by Emerson Gay
lord in 1878. With all of these Henry H. Harris served as
treasurer. The bank has now in round numbers $1,100,000 in
deposits, representing the accounts of 2,400 depositors, being
an average of nearly $460 each. The officers are: President,
John B. Wood; vice-presidents, Joseph A. Carter, Frederick B.
Doten, Albert J. Jenks, George A. Edgerton; secretary, Luther
White; treasurer, Russell L. Scott.
It was not untU March 20, 1875, that the Chicopee Falls
Savings bank was incorporated, on the petition of forty-one
prominent citizens of that village. Josiah W. Osgood was chosen
the first president, with George S. Taylor, Thomas C. Page and
William J. Sawin as vice-presidents, Edgar T. Paige as secretary,
and Andrew P. Chapin as treasurer. The bank now has de
posits of about $619,000. The present board of officers com
prises: President, George S. Taylor; vice-presidents, Thomas C.
Page, William P. McFarland, Andrew Gale ; clerk and treasurer,
Henry .J. Boyd.
While the early history of educational matters within the
limits of the present city is very meager, it is evident that but
little attention Avas given to the establishing of public schools
until after the commencement of the nineteenth century, and
even during the flrst quarter of that century the educational
interests of the common people seem to have received but little
consideration. In 1812 two school districts AA'ere laid out by
the Springfield toAA'n authorities, and Avere designated as No. 3
and No. 5. The latter included the settlement of Skipmuck,
( 507 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
and there a school house was built about this time, twenty by
thirty feet in size, having two small windows for lighting pur
poses, and a large stone fireplace for warming the room in winter.
A board attached to the wall at an angle and faced by a rude
bench on which the scholars sat served as desk for the older
pupils, while the younger children sat on similar benches in the
middle of the room, AA'ithout the desk attachment.
With the construction of the large manufacturing plants
came more practical measures for schooling, whose importance
was fully realized by the manufacturers. In fact, we find some

Old High School — Chicopee Falls
of the. noted men of the community of later years giving their
services as teachers during the early portion of the manufactur
ing development. Among the men who thus served appear the
names of John W. Belcher, Ezekiel Adams, BUdad B. Belcher,
BUhu Adams, Samuel Alvord, and a little later George D. Rob
inson. In the fall of 1845 the Boston and Springfield Manufac
turing company build a brick school house on Church street at
Chicopee Falls, which they presented to the district. It was
originally of one story, but another was added a little later,
giving a seating capacity of 150. This was near the site now
( 508 )

THE CITY OP CHICOPEE
occupied by the Church street grammar school, originally
erected twenty years later. A little later a school house was
built on the north side of the river at the FaUs for the use of
the children of district No. 3, which was torn down and replaced
by a brick building in 1846. This in turn gave place to the
commodious building now in use in that portion of the city.
The first building at Cabotville, or Chicopee Center, was erected
about the same time as that at Skipmuck, and was of a similar

A Chicopee Falls School Building

type, though somewhat superior. In 1834 a brick building was
erected on School street at a cost of $2,000, and in 1842 one for
the higher departments, and afterward used for the Center high
school, was completed. In 1846 brick buddings were erected at
Willimansett and on Chicopee street.
The flrst town school report was made in 1849, the year
following the separation of Chicopee from Springfield. It
showed eight school districts with tAventy schools, ten of which
( 509 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Avere at Chicopee Center and four at the Falls. District No. 8,
however, had but one scholar, and that one attended school in
Granby. Thirty-three teachers were employed, eight of whom
were men, their average monthly salaries being $37.35, and that
of the Avomen teachers $14.20. The number of children of school
age— four to sixteen — in the town was 1,698, and the average
attendance in summer 942, in Avinter, 1,076. The growth of a
half century, as indicated by the 1900 school report, shows an
interesting development. There are now fourteen school build
ings in use in the city, including the high school building erected

The New High School
in 1890 on Front street, midway between the Center and the
Falls, and the Belcher building on East street. Falls, completed
and occupied in 1900. The school census of 1899 showed 3,072
pupils between flve and fifteen years of age, and the enrollment
of the public schools (parochial schools not included) was 2,392.
Sixty-five teachers Avere employed, and the total amount ex
pended for the support of the schools, not including repairs,
amounted to $50,000 in round numbers. The estimated value
of the school property was $220,000. Evening schools were also
( 510 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
held in each of the principal sections of the city, at which the
enrollment included 471 names.
The Chicopee City library, noAv a most creditable institu
tion, had its origin in the Cabot institute, a literary club, incor
porated in 1846. With funds secured from the several corpora
tions and from appreciative individuals, the institute Avas able
during the seven years of its existence to accumulate a library
of about 900 volumes. In 1853 it was voted to donate this
collection to the town, provided the town wOuld agree for ten
years to appropriate annually $100 for new books and to meet
the incidental expenses of the library. The offer was accepted
and the provisions were carried out in good faith. At the ex
piration of the ten years the supervision of the library Avas
vested in a committee to be chosen annuaUy by the selectmen.
Under the city government the affairs of the institution are
entrusted to a board of three trustees, one of whom is elected
annually by the aldermen to serve for three years. On the
completion of the toAvn hall the library Avas transferred to a
room therein set apart for the purpose ; and on the 7th of April,
1884, it was made free to the residents of Chicopee, a nominal fee
of fifty cents having been previously charged for the privilege
of enjoying its advantages. In 1891, the city hall accommoda
tions having been outgrown, a lot next to the city hall, with a
brick dwelling upon it, was bought as a library site, the house
being remodeled to meet the purposes of a library building until
such time as the city should be able to -provide a more adequate
structure. The annual appropriation is $3,200 ; there are now in
round numbers 21,000 volumes in the library, and branches have
been established at Chicopee Falls and Willimansett for the
benefit of residents in those sections. Miss Anne A. Smith is
librarian, with four assistants.
Chicopee has never been a successful field for local news
papers, and though having a population of practically 20,000,
no paper is now published within its limits. This fact is, of
course, largely due to the proximity of Springfield, and the
thoroughness with which the field is covered by the excellent
journals of that city. Several newspaper enterprises have been
( 511 )

City Hall — Chicopee

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
inaugurated, some of which have been maintained by earnest
effort for respectable periods. The flrst was the Cabotville
Chronicle and Chicopee FaUs Advertiser, established in January,
1840, by Thomas D. Blossom. It was leased in 1844 by John L.
Hall and 0. Butterfleld, who changed the name to the Mechanics'
Offering, but Avas soon taken back by Mr. Blossom, who continued
the publication until the spring of 1846. A new paper by the
same name was shortly after started, and with several changes
in ownership and management was continued until 1850, the
name being changed to the Cabotville Mirror and later to the
Springfield Mirror. The Chicopee Telegraph was published by
J. C. Stoever & Co. from 1846 to 1853, and the Chicopee Weekly
Journal, which appeared soon after the suspension of the
Telegraph, was continued, under various owners, until 1862. In
the early part of 1896, McPhee & Shattuck established the
Chicopee Herald, first as a weekly and after a few months as a
daily ,and continued its publication until the autumn of 1898,
when the enterprise was discontinued.
The First Congi-egational Church.— The Chicopee settlers
attended reUgious worship at Springfield, except when occa
sional services were held at the houses of some of their number,
for many years. In 1749, as the precinct had attained a popula
tion of forty voters, they began to consider the matter of a
separate religious parish; but the Springfield members were
reluctant to grant the request of the Chicopee residents, and re
fused the petition Avhen it was presented. The following year,
1750, a petition was sent to the general court at Boston, Japhet
Chapin going down in October of that year to urge the cause
of his people. The First parish at Springfield sent a committee
in opposition. After hearing both sides the general court re
ported favorably upon the application and the parish was organ
ized, as the Fifth or North parish of Springfield, consisting of
the territory now covered by Chicopee Street, Willimansett,
Holyoke and part of Chicopee Center. Measures were at once
taken for the building of a meeting house 42 by 33 feet in size,
the work Avas done by volunteers from the parish. The frame
was raised June 5, 1751, and religious services were held Sun-
33-8 ( 513 )

OVB COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
day, July 21, of that year, although the building Avas far from
completion. In October, 17.51, measures were taken to settle a pastor,
and Rev. .John ilelvinstry Avas engaged ' ' to preach to us for a
quarter of a year." At the end of that time it Avas voted to
settle the candidate as a permanent pastor, and September 24,
1752, he Avas ordained to the position, Avhich he held for sixty-one
years, although doing active pastoral duty for only thirty years.
Rev. J\Ir. McKinstry died in 1813, but there had been no regular
religious services in the parish for thirty years preceding his

Chicopee Street
death, and it was not until April 28, 1S24, that another pastor
Avas ordained and installed in the person of Rev. Alexander
Phcenix. One of the conditions of his settlement Avas the repair
ing of the old nieetinff liouse or the buildini;' of a iieAV one. The
latter measure Avas decided upon; the structure Avas erected in
1825 and dedicated January 4, 1826. IMr. Phcenix 's pastorate
continued until iK^r,, and the subsequent pastors have been:
Ebenezer B. Wright, l.s:5,5-!) ; Eli B. Clark, 1839-75; WiUiam E.
Dickinson, LS7(i-.S7 : Rev. Collins (i. Burnham, 1888-1901.

( 514

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
The Second Congregational church was organized July 3,
1830, as the First Congregational church of Chicopee Factory
Village, Rev. George Nichols as a missionary being the first
preacher. A society was organized October 11, 1832, Avith many
of the substantial men of the place as members, and the church
building was erected the following year, on the site now occupied
at the corner of Church and Court streets. The structure was
rebuilt in 1859, a spire being added and vestry rooms provided
in the basement. The first settled pastor was Rev. Dorus Clark,
who was installed March 4, 1835, and served for flve years. His
successors have been: Rev. Ebenezer P. Rogers, 1840-43; Rev.
Frederick A. Barton, 1843-6 ; Rev. Stephen S. U. Greeley, 1846-
,51; Rev. WilUam Wright, 1852-4; Rev. Richard B. Thurston,
1855-8; Rev. Frederic Alvord, 1858-61; Rev. RosweU Foster,
1863-7 ; Rev. Joshua T. Tucker, 1868-77 ; Rev. Samuel J. Austin,
1677-83 ; Rev. Rufus P. Hibbard, 1886-8 ; Rev. WiUiam G. Poor,
1889-93 ; Rev. H. G. Pillsbury, 1895, yet in service.
The Third Congregational church is situated at Chicopee
Center, and was organized with but eighteen members, October
16, 1834. The society was formed March 2, 1835. The erection
of a church building was begun in 1836, the structure being
completed and dedicated the following year. It is recorded that
one influential member of the society, Nathan P. Ames, con
tributed $5,000 toward this building, which must have been
much the larger part of its cost. This structure was used for
over thirty years, until 1868, when it was taken down and re
placed by a new building, dedicated February 15, 1870, occupy
ing the same site. The first pastor. Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, was
instaUed April 26, 1837, and served until January 22, 1850.
His successors in the pastorate have been: Rev. George H.
Oviatt, 1850-55; Rev. L. H. Cone, 1857-67; Rev. Edwin B.
Palmer, 1869-75; Rev. WilUam L. Gaylord, 1875-82; Rev.
Charles S. Murkland, 1884-6 ; Rev. Burton W. Lockhart, 1889-
93 ¦ Rev. Charles Pease, 1895-8 ; Rev. Herbert P. Woodin, 1899,
the present pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church, Chicopee Falls, was proba
bly the first religious body organized at that village, though its
( 515 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
records are incomplete during its flrst half -century of existence.
As early as 1822 a body of worshipers of that faith organized
and held meetings— first at the house of one of their number, and
later in a brick school house on Church street. A modest house
of worship was erected at the corner of Broadway and East
street about 1829. A larger church was built on the same site
in 1841 and dedicated the following year, and is stiU in use,
having since been remodeled and greatly improved. The pastors,
so far as their names and terms of service can be defimitely
traced, have been as follows: Rev. E. Otis, 1833-5; Rev. A.
Tailor, 1835-6; Rev. Ebenezer Blake, 1836-8; Rev. Pardon T.
Kennedy, 1838-9; Rev. L. W. Blood, 1839-40; Rev. Windsor
Ward, 1840-41 ; Rev. Thomas Morey, 1841-2 ; Rev. Philo Hawkes,
1842-3; Rev. Freeman Nutting, 1843-5; Rev. David Sherman
1845-7 ; Rev. Robert KeUen, 1847-9 ; Rev. James Porter, 1849-50
Rev. Windsor Ward, 1850-51; Rev. Charies Noble, 1851-3; Rev.
David H. Sherman, 1853-5; Rev. Benjamin F. Green, 1855-7
Rev. John W. Lee, 1857-8 ; Rev. Albert D. Vail, 1858-60 ; Rev,
Rodney Gage, 1860-61 ; Rev. J. Oramel Peck, 1861-3 ; Rev. J. S
Thomas, 1863-5 ; Rev. J. H. Mansfield, 1866-7 ; Rev. C. T. John
son, 1867-8; Rev. B. W. Virgin, 1868-70; Rev. 0. W. Adams,
1870-72; Rev. Fayette Nichols, 1872-5; Rev. C. P. Ely, 1875-6
Rev. Albert C. Manson, 1876-9; Rev. David S. Cole, 1879-82
Rev. L. W. Staples, 1882-5; Rev. George H. Cheney, 1885-8
Rev. Garrett Beekman, 1888-91 ; Rev. Arthur W. TerriU, 1891-2
Rev. N. B. Piske, 1892-5; Rev. William C. Townsend, 1895-8
Rev. Austin H. Herrick, 1898-1901.
The Central Methodist Episcopal church was organized in
August, 1838, Avith but eighteen members. The house of worship
on the east side of Perkins street, near School, was erected the
following year, and six years later was enlarged. The present
name has been in use since 1882, the church, from its location,
being previous to that time known as the Perkins Street Meth
odist Episcopal church. The first pastor was Rev. Edmund S.
Potter, from 1838 to 1840, and his successors. have been: Rev.
Mosely Dwight, 1840-42; Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1842-3; Rev.
Benjamin F. Lambert, 1843-4; Rev. Daniel F. Bannister, 1844-6;
( 516 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
Rev. Loranus CroweU, 1846-8 ; Rev. James Porter, 1848-50 ; Rev.
Lorenzo R. Thayer, 1850-52; Rev. WilUam Rice, Jr., 1852-4;
Rev. WilUam H. Hatch, 1854-5; Rev. J. C. Cromack, 1855-7;
Rev. Justin S. Barrows, 1857-9 ; Rev. Isaac Smith, 1859-60 ; Rev.
John C. Smith, 1860-62; Rev. Pliny Wood, 1862-4; Rev. J. C.
Hanaford, 1864-7; Rev. E. A. Manning, 1867-70; Rev. Daniel
Richards, 1870-73 ; Rev. Pliny Wood, 1873 (preached one month,
went to Europe for his health and died in Munich) ; Rev. J. A.
Bartlett, 1873-4; Rev. Justin S. Barrows, 1874-6; Rev. Edward
S. Best, 1876-9; Rev. Albert Gould, 1879-82; Rev. Austin H.
Herrick, 1882-5 ; Rev. Charles H. Hanaford, 1885-8 ; Rev. George
H. Clark, 1888-93; Rev. Charles M. Hall, 1893-5; Rev. George
P. Durgin, 1895-6; Rev. R. E. Bisbee, 1896-9; Rev. WilUam A.
Wood, 1899, the present incumbent.
The First Baptist church and society were organized at
Chicopee Falls, November 28, 1828, with but seventeen members,
and for three years the society was served by various preachers,
no regular pastor being engaged. A house of worship was erected
in 1832, being removed to Market street in 1850, where it was
enlarged and much improved. A new church was built in 1877,
at the corner of Belcher and Springfield streets, at a cost of
$16,000, and was dedicated in February, 1878. The settled
pastors have been: Rev. Moses Curtis, 1833-5; Rev. Joseph M.
Graves, 1835-8; Rev. Robert P. Ellis, 1838-45; Rev. Rufus K.
BeUamy, 1848-82 ; Rev. James P. Hunter, 1883-6 ; Rev. Isaac H.
Gilbert, 1887-9: Rev. L. L. Hobbs, 1890-94; Rev. Darius H.
Stoddard, 1894-9; Rev. Norman North Bishop, 1900, present
pastor. The Central Baptist church, originally known as the Third
Baptist church of Springfield, was organized at Chicopee Center,
then known as Cabotville, July, 15, 1835, with twenty-one mem
bers. The brick church now occupied, at the corner of School
and Cabot streets, was erected in 1838, and was dedicated
February 7, 1839. The first pastor, during the. period when
the parish was without a church building, was Rev. Pierpont
Brockett, from 1836 to 1838. Rev. Jonah G. Warren was in
stalled at the dedication of the church, and served with much
C 51-7 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
success for ten years, to February 11, 1849. The succeeding
pastors have been : Rev. Benajah Cook, 1849-50 ; Rev. C. BiUings
Smith, 1851-2; Rev. Warren Lincoln, 1853-7; Rev. George E.
How, 1857-62 ; Rev. M. L. Bickf ord, 1863-6 ; Rev. A. M. Higgins,
1867-70; Rev. G. R. Darron, 1870-71; Rev. A. DeP. Palmer,
1872-4; Rev. G. W. Puller, 1877-80; Rev. George W. Davis,
1882-9; Rev. Thomas DeGruchy, 1890-93; Rev. Clifton K.
Flanders, 1895-8 ; Rev. Eben C. Stover, 1898, novv in charge.
Grace Episcopal church was organized April 6, 1846, and
the first church building Avas erected on Cabot street, near
School, in 1848, and was consecrated in May of that year. It
was partially burned in 1872, and was not rebuilt until 1885,
when the present structure at the corner of Springfield and
Pleasant streets was erected. The parish has been much of the
time without a settled rector, those who have served, with the
exception of unimportant periods of supply, having been as
follows: Rev. -Charles Fisher, 1846; Rev. Andrew Croswell,
1847-9; Rev. Caleb Dow, 1849; Rev. E. P. Remington, 1849-51
Rev. Edward Jessup, 1853-4; Rev. WilUam H. Munroe, 1856
Rev. Andrew Croswell, 1857-8; Rev. W. B. Colburn, 1860-62
Rev. M. A. Johnson, 1866-7; Rev. E. E. Atkinson, 1888-9; Rev.
Newton Black, 1895, now in charge.
The Unitarian church was organized November 21, 1841, the
society having been formed during the preceding March. A
brick church building was erected the following year, and oc
cupied until 1893, when the present house of worship on Grape
street and Fairview avenue was dedicated. The pastors have
been : Rev. Charles A. Farley, 1841 ; Rev. John A. Buckingham,
1842-3; Rev. Crawford Nightingale, 1845-51; Rev. Ephraim
Nute, Jr., 1851-5 ; Rev. Samuel Pettes, Jr., 1855-60 ; Rev. Samuel
C. Beane, 1862-4; Rev. John W. Hudson, 1865-6; Rev. Calvin
Stebbins, 1866-9; Rev. Robert R. McLeod, 1870-71; Rev. I. F.
Porter, 1872-82 ; Rev. C. W. Heiser, 1882-6 ; Rev. Edwin F. Hay-
ward, 1888-9;. Rev. Solon Lauer, 1891; Rev. Cary F. Abbott,
1893-7 ; Rev. WilUam W. Peck, 1897, now in charge.
A Universalist society was organized February 27, 1835,
and preaching services were held regularly, though a church was
( 518 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
not formed until October 20, 1840. The church building was
erected on the south side of Market square in 1836, being dedi
cated in October of that year. It was built by a Mechanics'
association, the title being afterward secured by the Universal
ists. Services were suspended in 1883, and the church property
was sold a little later. These were the pastors during the exist
ence of the church : Rev. Charles Spear, 1835-6 ; Rev. W. H.
Pernald, 1836-8 ; Rev. A. A. Folsom, 18S8-44 ; Rev. George W.
Gage, 1844-5 ; Rev. Samuel Bennett, 1845-6 ; Rev. Zenas Thomp
son, 1846-8 ; Rev. W. R. G. Mellen, 1848-51 ; Rev. Uriah Clark,

Old Universalis! Church

1851-2 ; Rev. Avery Denison, 1853 ; Rev. C. H. Webster, 1853-5 ;
Rev. J. K. Karcher, 1855-6; Rev. B. V. Stevenson, 1857-68; Rev.
Clarence Fowler, 1868-9 ; Rev. John E. Davenport, 1870-72 ; Rev.
Theodore L. Dean, 1872-4 ; Rev. J. Riley Johnson, 1874-6 ; Rev.
J. H. Weeks, 1877-80 ; Rev. G. W. Pierce, 1882-3.
The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus is the direct outcome
of the early Roman Catholic labors in the Chicopee section.
Father James Fitton conducted the first services as early as 1831,
Avhen his congregation consisted of thirty people in a population
of something over two thousand. In that year the work of build-
( 519 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ing a dam across Chicopee river and digging the canals for
utilization of the water power was begun, and brought to the
scene numerous laborers of the Catholic faith. For some years
services were held from time to time in the homes of the people
or in other available places, until a congregation was organized
in 1838, and placed in the care of Rev. John Brady of Hartford,
Conn. In 1839 a building site was secured on Pleasant street,
the corner-stone of a church was laid the foUowing year, and
the interests of the parish were committed to Rev. John D.
Brady, who came from Salem, Mass. It was not until Septem
ber 29, 1843, that the church, a brick structure, was ready for
dedication as St. Matthew's church. In 1845 Rev. Bernard
O'Cavanagh became assistant to Father Brady, and the two
priests cared for the religious interests of all the Catholics in
the four western counties of the state. Father Brady died in
1847, and Avas succeeded for two years by Rev. James Strain.
Rev. William Blenkinsop Avas the pastor from 1849 to 1864,
during which time, to meet the needs of his growing congrega
tion, he built a large church on the opposite side of the street.
This was dedicated May 29, 1859, under the present name. Rev.
Patrick Healy was the pastor from 1864 until his death in
January, 1889. In 1867 he built the convent of the Sacred Heart
of Mary and established parochial schools for the parish. In
1881 the boys' school and the monastery for the Brothers were
built. Father Healy was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Henry L. Robin
son, who served as pastor until his death in 1894, when Rev.
John J. McCoy, the present incumbent, assumed the rectorship.
St. Patrick's church at Chicopee Falls had its beginning in
a Sunday school established there about 1850 by Rev. James
Strain, then pastor at Chicopee. This continued until 1870,
when Rev. Patrick Stone, assistant pastor at Chicopee, under
took the task of securing for the worshipers at the Palls a church
of their own. The funds Avere raised, the edifice was built, and
on the 15th of December, 1872, was dedicated under the above
name. A parish rectory, now the convent home for the Sisters
of St. Joseph, was built during the same year. Father Stone
was made pastor, and still holds the position, after practically
( 520 )

THE CITY OF CHICOPEE
thirty years of service. The assistants have been : Rev. Michael
J. Murphy, 1874-84; Rev. Martin Murphy, 1884-6; Rev. James
McLaughlin, 1886-9; Rev. Richard Healy, 1889-93; Rev. John
J. 0 'Malley, assigned January 1, 1894, is the present incumbent.
In 1880 a site was bought on Columbia street, on which were
built, in 1881, a new rectory and the parish schools. In 1890,
in connection with other important improvements on the parish
property, the church was greatly enlarged, and in 1897 it was
furnished with a $4,000 organ.
The Church of the Assumption at Chicopee is the religious
home of the French-speaking Catholics of the city of Canadian
origin or parentage. Until 1885 it was a mission, having been
served first by Father Dufresne of Holyoke, then by Father
Landry of Indian Orchard. Its first resident pastor was Rev.
Everest PeUetier, who was appointed in 1885 and served until
his death in May, 1893. Under his pastorate the parish pros
pered and grew materially, and a frame church of moderate
capacity was built. The original parish chapel built by Father
Landry was converted into a comfortable rectory. His successor
Avas Rev. Frederick Bonneville, the present pastor, who has re
modeled and greatly improved the parish church and other
buildings. St. Stanislaus' church at Chicopee was organized for the
benefit of the Poles, who began coming to the city in 1880. In
1890 Rev. Francis S. Chalupka of Webster was entrusted by
Bishop O'Reilly with the task of organizing a PoUsh congrega
tion. Work on a church building was begun in 1891, but it was
not imtil October, 1895, that the structure was dedicated. In
February of that year Father Chalupka settled at Chicopee as
resident pastor, and thenceforth regular services were held, al
though the unfinished building had been in use for a considerable
time for the reUgious purposes of the parish. Schools were
established in 1897, and in 1898 the parish property was en
larged by the purchase of twelve house lots adjoining the church
site. Father Chalupka still remains in charge of the pastoral
work, and his assistants have been: Rev. John Conlin, 1892-3;
Rev. James Cruse, 1895-6 ; and Rev. Venceslaus Lenz, the present
assistant. ( 521 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
St. Joachim's church at Chicopee Falls was organized for
the beneflt of the French-speaking Catholics of that village, in
1893, by Rev. Alexis Delphos, acting under authority of Bishop
Beaven, who recognized the necessity of giving those people more
immediate church interests than they Avere able to enjoy through
the Church of the Assumption. The organization was promptly
effected, and a church structure was erected, which was dedicated
November 18, 1894. The DeStelle homestead was purchased in
1895, and the family mansion thereon has been adopted as the
parish presbytery. In 1895 Rev. Emile St. Onge came from
Worcester as assistant pastor, and remained some four years.
The Catholic church at Willimansett and chapel at Alden-
ville are the results of efforts put forth by Rev. John J. McCoy
of Chicopee in the autumn of 1894, assisted by Father Delphos—
the former organizing the English-speaking and the latter the
French-speaking people. A little hall was hired on Olivine street,
Willimansett, fitted up as a chapel, and designated Notre Dame
des Victoires, where the first mass in the village was said on
Christmas morning of 1894 by Father McCoy. From that time
regular services Avere held until September, 1897, when Rev.
Hormisdas Hamelin was made resident pastor. During the
following year he built a brick church on Chicopee Street at
Willimansett and a frame chapel at Aldenville, both of which
Avere dedicated by Bishop Beaven October 30, 1898. The church
is now known as the Church of the Nativity. Father Hamelin 's
curates have been Rev. Peter Higgins and Rev. Michael Walsh.

( 522 )

CHAPTER XVIII
THE TOWN OP AGAWAM
The town of Agawam lies on the south line of Hampden
county, west of the Connecticut river and south of the Agawam.
Being bounded on two sides by rivers and on the west by the
towns of Westfleld and Southwick, its outlines are decidedly
irregular except on the south, where the state line gives a direct
course. The total area comprises a fraction less than twenty-
five square miles. Its extent from north to south and from east
to west is nearly equal, so that, notwithstanding its irregularity
of outline, the town presents geographically a compact and well-
defined section. The broad flow of the Connecticut on the east
separates it from the town of Longmeadow, and for a very short
distance from the city of Springfield ; the winding course of the
Agawam gives equally positive definition of the northern line,
where Agawam is separated from the parent town of West
Springfield so uncompromisingly that the village of Mittineague,
Avhich lies on both sides of the river, belongs in part to each of
the towns. On the west the division runs on or near the summit
of the extensive trap-rock range. ,
This range gives the highest elevation of the town, Proven's
hill rising to a height of 665 feet above the normal level of the
Connecticut river. Other hills of somewhat inferior altitude
are within the limits of the town, Mount Pisgah and Liswell hill
being located near the village of Feeding Hills, with Buck hill
further toward the Connecticut Une. In the northwestern por
tion of the town, along the Agawam, the scenery is rugged and
picturesque, the str'eam for much of the distance making its way
through and around the base of compact hill ranges. Approach
ing the Connecticut river, the contour softens into broad and
( 523 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
fertile meadows, so low in portions that the grounds are liable
to extensive overflow at time of high water in the rivers.
Although it may justly claim to have been among the
earliest settled plantations of Western Massachusetts, Agawam
did not become an independent town until 1855 — less than a
half-century ago; so that its exclusive history is a brief one.
For more than a century it Avas a portion of the town of
Springfield, until in 1774 all that part of the town lying west
of the Connecticut Avas created a separate town by action of the
legislature, not at all against the Avishes of its residents. This
made Agawam, as the region had long been designated, a part
of the toAA'n of West Springfleld ; a relationship which continued
for more than eighty years, until the incorporation as a separate
toAvn, May 17, 1855.
Yet Agawam may properly be considered the mother of
Springfleld plantation. Within its present borders the first
settlement or location was made in the spring or summer of
1635. At that time certain parties located at Roxbury and other
settlements in the vicinity of Boston having petitioned for
permission to settle on ' ' the great river, ' ' as the Connecticut was
familiarly known, and their petition having been granted under
condition that they remain within the jurisdiction of the Prov
ince of Massachusetts Bay, exploring parties were sent out to
choose suitable locations. Some of these selected the site of
Hartford and other points now within the state of Connecticut,
while two of their number, Messrs. Woodcock and Cable, con
tinued north until they reached the confluence of the Connecticut
and Agawam rivers. Probably they ascended "the great river"
on its western side until their further progress was barred by the
Agawam, and being impressed by the fertile meadows among
Avhich they found themselves and which had been cultivated to
some extent by the Indians, they flxed upon that spot as the site
for their proposed town. At any rate, they built a rude house,
which was occupied for some months. But being warned by
the Indians that the lands here were liable to inundation, the
site was abandoned, and when the settlement was made the fol-
lovring year it was upon the higher ground on the east side of the
( 524 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
river. But the name of "Agawam" was transferred to the new
site, and the entire grant, twenty-flve miles square, was known
by that name until in honor of William Pynchon its designation
was changed in 1640 to "Springfield"— the name of Mr. Pyn
chon 's home in England. But the -territory now constituting
the town of Agawam retained its original appellation as a local
name, and very properly adopted it on being incorporated as a
town. The Agawam territory was probably designated as a part
of the "outward commons" of Springfield very soon after the
settlement. In 1638 it Avas voted that it should be lawful for
any Springfield man to put over horse, cows, or younger cattle
on the other side of the river until the first of November, and
the name of "Feeding Hills" village doubtless comes from the
use thus made of the unoccupied lands. But it was twenty-five
years after the visit of Woodcock and Cable before a permanent
settlement was made south of the AgaAvam river. In that year
grants were made to Thomas Cooper, Abel Leonard, and Thomas
Merrick. The lands thus granted, and those later acquired by
Messrs. Cooper and Merrick, Avere sold to Abram Burbank, from
Suffield, Conn., in 1764 ; but the Leonard family has always been
a strong and influential one in Agawam. Gradually the number
of settlers increased, and the religious interests of the community
largely molded those of municipal nature. The separation into
religious parishes, generally speaking, prepared the way for the
more complete separation involved in the setting off of new towns
from the parent territory. The uuAvieldy area of Springfield
invited early division, and town after town was created, as the
population increased and local interests demanded local adminis
tration. In 1773 the great and general court took the matter of
further division into their hands, and set off all the remaining
region west of the Connecticut as the tOAA'n of West Springfield.
This included the present territory of Holyoke, , West Spring
field and Agawam, extending from the Connecticut state line to
the present south Une of Hampshire county, an area of sixty
square miles. This arrangement remained unchanged for more
than seventy-flve years, untU 1850, when "Ireland Parish" was
incorporated as the town of Holyoke.
( 525 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A little later the people of AgaAvam, now considerably over
1,000 in number, also aspired for an independent government,
and on May 17, 1855, the Massachusetts legislature passed an
act for the incorporation of the town of Agawam, to comprise
"all that part of the town of West Springfield which lies southr
erly of the line commencing at the north mouth of the Agawam
river, so called, and running westerly by the course and center
of said river to the town line of Westfleld." The flrst town
meeting was held June 12, 1855, under a warrant addressed by
Samuel Flower, justice of the peace, to Levris L. Whitman, and
was held at the Methodist church. Alfred Flower was chosen
clerk and treasurer, and Orson Swetland, James S. Smith, and
Ralph Adams selectmen, assessors, and overseers of the poor.
The full list of the incumbents of these offices from the date of
incorporation to 1901 has been as follows :
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.— 1855,
Orson Swetland, James S. Smith, Ralph Adams; 1856, Ralph
Adams, Samuel Flower, Grosvenor Marcy; 1857, Ralph Adams,
Justus R. Cooley, Samuel Flower; 1858, Ralph Adams, William
Roberts, Grosvenor Marcy; 1859, Ralph Adams, Charles Colton,
Horace E. Roberts; 1860-61, Charles Colton, Isaac Roberts,
Josiah Johnson; 1862, Charles Colton, Frederick A. Johnson,
Joseph Bedortha^ ; 1863, Joseph Bedortha, John 6. Preeland,
Joseph L. Smith ; 1864, Joseph Bedortha, Joseph L. Smith, Gros
venor Marcy; 1865, Joseph Bedortha, John G. Preeland, Elijah
D. Allen ; 1866-7, J. Henry Churchill, Jaflies H. Ferre, Edward
K. Bodurtha; 1868, J. Henry Churchill, Asa Clark, Oscar A.
Parks; 1869, J. Henry Churchill, Oscar A. Parks, Edward K.
Bodurtha; 1870, J. Henry Churchill, Oscar A. Parks, Joseph
Bedortha; 1871, Joseph Bedortha, Jonathan W. Preeland Luke
C. Sheldon; 1872, J. Henry Churchill, Frederick N. Leonard,
Luke C. Sheldon; 1873, J. Henry Churchill, Reuben Dewitt,
Joseph V. Walcott; 1874, J. Henry Churchill, Ralph Adams,
'Frequently in this chapter, and also in various other chapters of this work,
writers have spelled this surname Bedortha and occasionally Bodortha, thus follow
ing the example of early Springfleld and West Springfield town clerks. The name
properly spelled is Bodurtha, and has been known in our county history for two
and a half centuries.
( 626 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
Seth N. Bennett ; 1875, J. Henry ChurchUl, Byron C. Roberts,
Edward K. Bodurtha; 1876, J. Henry Churchill, Lewis L. Whit
man, EdAvin Leonard, 2d; 1877, J. Henry Churchill, Lewis L.
Whitman, Frederick N. Leonard; 1878, Lewis L. Whitman, J.
Henry Churchill, Edwin Leonard, 2d ; 1879, Lewis L. Whitman,
Oscar A, Parks, Edwin Leonard, 2d ; 1880, EdAvard K. Bodurtha,
Edwin Leonard, 2d, J. Henry Churchill ; 1881, Edwin Leonard,
2d, Edward K. Bodurtha, Charles C. Wright; 1882-5, Edward
K. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, J. Henry ChurchiU; 1886-8,
Edward K. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, William H. Granger ;
1889-90, Henry E. Bodurtha, James P. Barry, Edwin Leonard,
2d; 1891-2, James P. Barry, Alson W. Allen, Edwin Leonard,
2d; 1893, James F. Barry, Willis C. Campbell, Edwin Leonard,
2d; 1894, James P. Barry, Albert H. Brown, WiUis C. CampbeU;
1895, Henry E. Bodurtha, Albert H. Brown, James F. Barry;
1896, Henry E. Bodurtha, Edwin Leonard, 2d, R. Mather Taylor;
1897-9, Henry E. Bodurtha, R. Mather Taylor, John H. Reed;
1900, Henry E. Bodurtha, John H. Reed, James P. Barry.
Town Clerk and Treasurer.— 1855, Alfred Flower; 1856,
Ashbel Sykes; 1857, Joel J. Bailey; 1858, Ashbel Sykes; 1859,
Josiah Johnson; 1860-64, Ashbel Sykes; 1865, Charles C .Wright;
1866-67, Samuel Flower; 1868-87, Stephen H. Bodurtha; 1888-
1901, Dr. Judson W. Hastings.
For the year 1901 the full list of town officers is as follows :
Town clerk and treasurer. Dr. Judson W. Hastings; selectmen,
assessors, overseers of the poor and board of health, Henry E.
Bodurtha, James P. Barry, John H. Reed; auditors, Fred A.
Sykes, John G. Preeland; collectors, Munroe HayA\'ard, Dennis
M. Crowley, Daniel W. CorvAdn; constables, James M. Bean,
WiUis C. Campbell, Elmer E. Mclntire, Frank J. Pomeroy,
Albert H. Brown, Amos Gosselin, Monroe HayAvard, WiUiam H.
ToAver, Albert E. Worthington; highway surveyors, Willis C.
Campbell, Horace B. Worden, Daniel L. White ; trustees Whiting
Street fund, Seth N. Bennett, Oscar A. Parks; cemetery com
missioners, Robert Ely, Jr., Seth N. Bennett ; sinking fund com
missioners, WilUam H. Granger, Edward K. Bodurtha, Oscar A.
Parks ; school committee, Charles P. Davis, William H. Granger,
( 527 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
J. Arsene Roy, Fred A. Worthington ; superintendent of schools,
Francis S. Brick ; library trustees, Ralph Perry, S. Newell Smith,
Henry L. Tower ; librarian, Emma P. Pyne.
The record of the toM'n for patriotic action is every way
creditable and worthy its New England environment. In
the revolutionary war, the district sent from its few scattered
families a worthy representation on the quota of Springfield.
The only experience of the town as a corporation during a serious
war period was in connection with the rebellion, which came
upon the country almost before the people of Agawam had accus
tomed themselves to the routine of local self-government. But
the response was no less earnest and efficient. With a popula
tion not varying much from 1,700 souls of all ages and condi
tions, the toA^'n sent 172 men to the war, or fully one-tenth of its
population. Of this number twenty-two gave their Uves, either
in battle or from disease, a percentage of almost 13, and con
siderably higher than the average death loss of all the troops
from the state. The number furnished to the Union armies was
ten in excess of all calls during the war. The amount of money
expended by the town reached nearly $23,000, exclusive of state
aid. The women of the community were in no sense less devoted
than their husbands and brothers to the great cause of national
unity. A soldiers' relief society was formed in October, 1861,
and until the close of the struggle weekly meetings were held at
which lint, bandages, underclothing and various useful articles
for the soldiers were made and sent to the front ; while the society
also contributed about $1,000 in money for the same noble cause.
Argriculture has ever been the principal industry of Aga
Avam. The soil is fertile, especially in the extensive meadows
bordering the Connecticut river, and yields generously the grains,
vegetables and fruits adapted to the climate. Dairying
is also pursued quite extensively, the various farm products
finding ready sale in Springfield markets. As a result most of
the farmers are prosperous, the evidences of which are shovm
in their well-kept buildings and attractive fields. This pros
perity is generously distributed. There are few large farms;
none extremely large. Most of the holdings are of moderate
( 528 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
extent, and in consequence utilized to the best advantage by their
owners, so that in the more fertile portions of the town there is
A'ery little "unimproved" land.
In this connection it may be noted that the only organized
society in the town, at present, is a prosperous grange of the
Patrons of Husbandry, knoAvn as Agawam grange. No. 151,
of which H. Preston Worden is master, Mrs. Carrie L. Hayward,
secretary, and Miss Nellie Campbell, treasurer.
The manufacturing interests of Agawam began, as in so
many other early settlements, with the primitive saw mill — a
necessity in every community which sought to pass the "log-
house" stage of its development. In 1665 a grant was made
unto Samuel Mashfield, Thomas Noble, Thomas Miller and Elizur
Holyoke, AA'hich in addition to permission for "ye setting up of
a saw mill on a brook below Ensign Cooper's farm, over Agawam
river," conveyed forty acres of land, "where they shall choose
it, near the place where the mill shall stand, not prejudicing any
of ye inhabitants' property on the highway," also "thirty acres
of meadow within two or three miles of ye place, where they shall
find it most convenient for their use; . . . and they are
not to be restrained of the liberty of the commons for all sorts of
timber for their use for saAving or otherwise." This was cer
tainly generous encouragement for the "infant industry," and
there seems no doubt that the mill was built and put in operation
by the first of April, 1666, as required by the terms of the grant.
Other saw mills, grist mills, blacksmith shops, with one or two
brick yards probably comprised the range of the district's manu
facturing interests for the first century and a half after the
original ferants were made.
During or about the year 1810 the first steps were taken for
the manufacture of both cotton and woolen goods in a small way.
In the former, one Thomas Belden of Hartford associated him
self with four Agawam men— Amos Ambrose, Jonathan Worth
ington, John Norman, and Elijah Porter— and built a small mill
on the power formerly occupied by a saw mill in the south part
of the town, near the mouth of Three-mUe brook. As was then
much the custom, the yam was spun at the mill and sent out
34-3 ( 529 )

c4

0o

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
among the women of the vicinity to be woven on hand looms.
The business was continued intermittently, but not with marked
success, until 1825, when the mill was closed. It was reopened
in 1832 by Leonard & Parmenter, then woolen manufacturers
at Agawam Center, by whom it was run for two years more,
when the plant was abandoned and the business removed. This
is said to have been the first cotton mill of any description started
in Western Massachusetts.
The flrst woolen manufactory in Agawam was a small mill
for carding and fulling, built very soon after the cotton mill, by
Justus and Calvin Bedortha. The proprietors did custom work
only until the breaking out of the war of 1812, when they took up
the manufacture of broadcloths ; but the business declined after
the close of the war, when the importation of foreign-made goods
was resumed. In 1840, after several changes had been made in
the proprietorship, Norton, Bedortha & Co., became the owners,
rebuilt and enlarged the mill, and made a success of custom work.
Fifteen years later— May 12, 1857— the present Agawam com
pany was organized, with a capital stock of $10,000. Stockinet
manufacture was taken up, and proved extremely successful
during the civil war. In 1875 the original wooden mill was
supplemented by a fine brick building. The capital stock is now
$50,000, and the company is officered by Samuel Pyne, president
and agent ; Fred A. Sykes, treasurer.
About 1840 Lyman Whitman took up the manufacture of
wall paper, occupying the old cotton mill building, and continued
in the industry for some ten years. In 1872 the Worthy Paper
company was organized and built a high-grade paper mill at
Mittineague, using power obtained from the Agawam river. For
thirty years this mill has maintained a first-class reputation for
the best quality of Unen and ledger papers. While the nominal
eapitaUzation has remained unchanged, the buddings have been
enlarged from time to time, and improved machinery has been
substituted Avhenever available, so that the capacity has been
materially enlarged. Charles Southworth is the president, and
Edgar S. Bliss, treasurer and manager.
The business of gin and whiskey manufacture carried on by
the H. Porter company, with Edson W. Lindsey as manager,
( 531 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
originated more than a century ago, when B. Porter established
a plant on or near the present site in the south part of the town,
and began the industry of distilling peppermint. Later the
product was changed to potato AA'hiskey, while for very many
years the name of the town was a household word through the
extensive use of "Agawam gin."
The matter of education has always received practical atten
tion in Agawam, the money and care of the residents having been
given ungrudgingly for the promotion of schools, satisfactory in
number and of the best quality. The educational work has, how-

School Building — Feeding Hills

ever, been confined to the district and graded schools, no high
school or academic institution having been organized in the toAvn.
An important step in relation to school buildings was taken in
1874, when as the result of some controversy over the location
of a tOAA'n hall it was voted to erect buildings for the accomoda
tion of the higher school' grades at Agawam Center and at
Feeding Hills, each to have a large hall in the upper story for
the accommodation of town meetings and other public gather
ings. These Avere completed during the following year, and more
( 532 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
recently a handsome brick school building has been erected at
Mittineague, so that the scholars in all portions of the town have
good accommodations in these central buildings and the un
graded schools conveniently located in the more sparsely settled
sections. Some fifteen teachers are employed, under the direc
tion of a superintendent and the school committee of the town.
A free public library was organized in 1890, and has now
over 2,000 volumes of well-selected books. The advantages of
the library are free to all residents of the town over twelve years
of age, and a weekly delivery of books is made at the three prin
cipal villages, giving equal facilities to all inhabitants.
For forty years after the first grants Avere made to settlers
in the Agawam district, the people there residing were obliged
to cross both the Agawam and the Connecticut rivers in order to
attend church; and, there being neither bridges nor adequate
boats, we must admire the strength of the religious spirit which
kept these people faithfid to their principles. The dangers
encountered are well illustrated by the accident to the Bedortha
family, three of whose members— Reice, John, and the wife of
Joseph — were droAvned in the Connecticut in 1683 by the over
turning of the boat. One has but to recall this incident with
the tragic deaths of Longmeadow settlers a few years earlier,
also on their way to the Springfield church, to realize something
of the meaning of religious fidelity in those early days.
In 1695 the thirty-two families residing west of the Connecti
cut river, numbering more than 200 members, took steps to
secure recognition as a separate parish, and in 1698 a church was
formed in what later became the town of West Springfield.
With this the Agawam families affiliated, on account of its con
venience, and with it they remained identified until 1757, when
the territory now comprising the town of Agawam was set off as
the sixth parish of Springfield. This parish at that time com
prised about seventy five f amiUes. The inhabitants were called
together in precinct meeting February 2, 1758, and after electing
Capt. Samuel Mirick as moderator and Moses Leonard as clerk,
voted to raise £17 "in order to have the gospel preached among
lis here." About a year later it was voted to build a meeting
( 533 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
house "in the center of the present inhabitants, or as near as
may be, ' ' and a committee Avas appointed to determine the loca
tion. In January, 1760, it was voted to build " at ye head of the
first branch beyond Ensign Reuben Leonard's"— a location now
pointed out at a fork of the roads on the edge of the' plain be
tween Agawam and Feeding Hills villages. The meeting house
Avas erected in the same year, and so far completed that it could
be used for holding services. The church was organized on the
lOtli of November, 1762, and a week later Rev. Sylvanus Gris
wold was ordained and installed as the first pastor of the Sixth
church of Springfield. In 1774, when the town of West Spring
field was created, the title was changed to the Second church of
West Springfield. The church was organized with nine members
in addition to the pastor-elect,— Samuel Merrick, Joseph
Bodurtha, Benjamin Leonard, John Leonard, Reuben Leonard,
Abel Leonard, Joseph Selden, Joseph Flower, and Jonathan
Bodurtha. Twenty others united by letter on the 28th of the
same month, some of the number being Baptists, each denomina
tion agreeing to respect the convictions of the other regarding
baptism, and other points of difference in belief and customs.
The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Griswold extended over fifty-
seven years until his death in 1819, and covered a variety of
experiences in connection with the church work. Although his
salary was small, being about $225 a year, with use of a tract of
forty acres of land, the stress of the revolutionary war made its
payment difficult, and it is recorded that the pastor released his
people from their obligations to him. But other difficulties and
perplexities arose, among which it is probable that a want of
harmony betwen the sections was a factor, so that about the year
1800 the precinct was again divided. Feeding Hills and Agawam
proper being made separate parishes. The former retained the
original name and the church building, which was taken down,
removed to the village and re-erected, but was left in an
unfinished state for twenty years. This stucture, by the way,
had a A'aried experience. For the first ten years it was used by
the mixed congregation of Congregationalists and Baptists, and
after the organization of a separate Baptist church the two
( 534 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
bodies jointly used the same house of worship. In 1802 a
Methodist society was organized, and they also used the same
building. It was neatly iinished in 1821, and the joint
occupancy continued until the Congregationalists withdrew in
1834 and built their present house of worship, which was en
larged in 1857, and has since undergone considerable change.
In 1855, at the incorporation of the town the church name was
changed to "First Congregational Church of Agawam."
Following the death of Rev. Mr. GrisAvold, the church was
Avithout a pastor until 1821, when Rev. Reuben Ha.zen was or
dained, and for nine years served the Feeding Hills church as
well as that at AgaAvam, dividing his time in the pastoral work,
and preaching in the two pulpits on alternate Sabbaths. He
resigned the pastorate at Feeding Hills in 1830 to devote himself
to the Agawam parish. His successors at the First church have
been : Rev. Harvey Smith, August 11, 1830, to June, 1833 ; Rev.
Horatio J. Lombard, June 8, 1834, to 1836 ; Rev. Calvin Foote,
December 21, 1836, to September 23, 1839 ; Rev. DiUon WiUiams,
June 30, 1841, to May 28, 1848 ; Rev. Stephen D. Ward, October,
1853, untU his death, June 11, 1858 ; Rev. M. Harrington, 1859-
60 ; Rev. WilUam M. Birchard, 1860-63 ; Rev. Lewis Grout, May
14, 1864, to October 1, 1865 ; Rev. Charles S. Sylvester, May 13,
1866, to April, 1879 ; Rev. A. W. Field, 1879-82 ; Rev. Thomas
M. Price, 1883-6 ; Rev. Jasper P. Harvey, 1887-9 ; Rev. Egbert
N. Munroe, 1889-90 ; Rev. Frank L. Garfield, the present pastor,
settled in 1892.
The Second Congregational church of Agawam, more com
monly ca,lled the Agawam Congregational church, was created
by the division of the parish during or about the year 1800, but
it was not for almost twenty years that a church was organized at
Agawam Center. Directly after the separation, however, the
Agawam people procured the frame of a meeting house from a
society at Suffield, Conn., which was erected on the common, and
was adopted as a parish house, money being voted by the parish
for its completion. It was some three years, however, before its
dedication, after which it Avas used under mutual agreement by
Baptists and CongregationaUsts, the latter having a society,
( 535 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
though without a church organization. Matters ran along until
1819, when Capt. Timothy Allyn, Calvin Bedortha, and
Ebenezer Wyman, members of the First church in West Spring
field, requested dismissal and that they might be organized into
a church in Agawam. A council was held at the house of Capt.
Allyn on the flrst day of September, to consider and act upon the
matter. Rev. Richard S. Storrs of Longmeadow was the moder
ator. It appears from the records of this conference that not only
was the Second church organized, but at the same time the church
at Feeding Hills, which had become too much reduced in member
ship to maintain a minister, was reorganized, identical articles
of faith and covenant being adopted by the two bodies, to the
end that one pastor might be engaged to minister alternately to
the two churches. This plan was consummated in 1821, after
nearly two years of temporary pastoral supply, when Rev Reu
ben S. Hazen was settled as pastor of the two churches, being
paid $250 annually by the Agawam church, and $190 by that at
Feeding Hills. This joint pastorate continued until 1830, when
Rev. Mr. Hazen resigned the Feeding Hills charge to give all of
his strength and energy to the people at Agawam, where he
labored faithfully until May 17, 1843, when he was dismissed.
The second pastor of the church. Rev. Ralph Perry, who
came from Manchester, Conn., was ordained and installed Jan
uary 3, 1844. His health failing, he was dismissed in 1846, but
on recovery he was again installed near the close of the following
year, and served the church faithfully and most acceptably, until
August 26, 1874, when a severe accident sustained at a railroad
crosing in Springfield rendered him for a long time helpless. He
resigned in the spring of 1875, and was succeeded by Rev.
George H. Pratt of Glastonbury, Conn., who was invited October
1, 1875, to supply the church, and was settled a year later. His
pastorate was succcessful, but was terminated in 1879. For the
next twelve years no pastor was formally settled, but the
officiating clergymen were Rev. Allen Hazen, D. D., February
1, 1880, to April 1, 1882 ; Rev. Edward E. Lamb, from December,
1882, until his death, July 21, 1883 ; Rev. Charles L. Tomblen,
from April 1, 1884, to May 1, 1887 ; and Rev. F. M. Sprague,
( 536 )

o

ffl -3

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
from May, 1887, to October, 1891. Notwithstanding the
informality of these pastorates, ninety-three members were
added to the church during the twelve years. The present pastor.
Rev. Walter Rice, was called December 27, 1891, and was in
stalled February 3, 1892. During his pastorate sixty-five per
sons have joined the church, and its membership is now 177.
The church building was fitted with a belfry and steeple in
1833, and was removed to its present site in 1845, being
remodeled two years later. A chapel was built in 1868, and the
main building was again remodeled, to its present form, in 1875.
The First Baptist church was organized in 1790 by certain
persons of that faith who for that purpose withdrew from the
First Baptist church at Westfield, by a letter dated January 9,
of that year. Eleven persons subscribed to the covenant at the
orgianization of the church, January 26, 1790— John Porter,
Stephen Bodurtha, Jonathan Purchase, Earl Bancroft, Margaret
Purchase, Molly Worthington, Mary Porter, Martha Purchase,
Abigail Palmer, Eleanor Bodurtha, Roxana Bancroft. It
appears that earlier in the history of the community a smaU and
weak Baptist society and church had been organized, but both
had long before ceased to exist, and the only positive records re
garding the matter show that Rev. Edward Upham was pastor
from 1740 to about 1749. On the 4th of March, 1790, the new
church extended a call to Rev. Jesse Wightman, a licentiate of
the First Baptist church of Groton, Conn., to become the pastor,
and on the 29th of September of that year he was duly ordained.
The pastorate continued until his death, September 7, 1817. So
devoted was Mr. Wightman to the work of his life that long after
he became unable to stand at the desk he was assisted to the pul
pit, where, sitting, he would "address the assembled audience
in the most fervent manner. ' ' A serious dissension in the church
regarding the subject of singing occurred in 1814, and threat
ened the life of the church itself. Many withdrew, and obser
vance of the communion was suspended for several months.
Through the earnest efforts of the pastor the trouble was finally
arranged, and an era of good feeling which began in 1815
induced a strong revival in the community.
( 538 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
FoUoAving the death of Rev. Mr. Wightman came a period of
depression, and no pastor was settled until 1823, although the
pulpit seems to have been supplied most of the time, Rev. John
Grant, Rev. David Wright, Rev. B, M. Hill and others officiating.
Rev. Thomas Barrett of Sharon, Mass., Avas called to the pastor
ate in 1823, accepted, and served faithfully for nearly seven
years until his resignation in 1829. During this time a remark
able religious revival took place, and with it a revival in the pros
pects of the church and society. In 1826 an old member of the
church, Asa Button, died and left a house and several acres of
land as a parsonage, of which Mr. Barrett, at his request, took im
mediate possession. Soon after the subject of a meeting house
began to be agitated. For ten years meetings were held at the
houses of members or at school houses, and afterward the Bap
tists held an interest in the parish house, which was also occupied
by the Congregationalists. In February, 1830, it was voted to
erect a building of their own, their interest in the parish house
being disposed of to the Congregationalists for $600. The com
pleted structure was dedicated October 20 of the same year. Rev.
Gustavus Davis, D. D., of Hartford, Conn., preaching the ser
mon. A series of brief pastorates followed, these being the
names of the incumbents : Rev. Erastus Andrews, 1830-31 ; Rev.
John W. McDonald, 1831-5; Rev. Pierpont Brockett, 1835-6;
Rev. Matthew Batchelder, 1837-40; Rev. WiUiam A. Smith, 1840-
41 ; Rev. Lester Lewis, 1841-6 ; Rev. John Cook, 1847 ; Rev. Asa
A. Robinson, 1848-52 ; Rev. Thomas DowUng, 1852-4 ; Rev. Ad
dison Parker, 1855-64, when he died; Rev. George Colesworthy,
1865-9 ; Rev. B. P. Bond, 1870-73 ; Rev. A. H. Simons, 1874-83 ;
Rev. H. M. Heywood, 1884-9 ; Rev. S. A. Read, 1889-1899. Rev.
Frederic S. Boody is the present pastor. The location of the
parsonage was changed about the year 1865, when the old par
sonage was sold and the house purchased by Rev. Mr. Parker
during his pastorate, located near the church, was taken in its
stead. In 1883 the church buUding was extensively repaired and
improved ; and as an illustration of the spirit of Christian fellow
ship between the denominations, it may be mentioned that dur
ing the repairs the Baptists were offered and accepted the use
( 539 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
of the Congregational church, and when the repaired church
was reopened with appropriate services, both congregations
united in the exercises.
A Methodist Episcopal church was established at Feeding
Hills as early as 1802, but the first forty years of its existence
were uneventful, and no records have been preserved. The
preaching during this time was doubtless principally by circuit
riders and casual supply. The church was reorganized in 1844,
and in 1851 a small, plain church building was erected. With
some improvements this served until 1900, when a small but neat
church building was completed and dedicated. In 1840 the New
England Methodist Episcopal conference built a small church in
the south part of the town, where services were held for a few
years Avith some regularity by Rev. David Taylor, a Ucentiate
who lived in the vicinity. No church was organized in that por
tion of the town. The pastors who have been regularly assigned
to Methodist pulpits in what is now the town of Agawam, so far
as can be ascertained, (serving other parishes also in some cases,)
is as follows : Rev. Amasa Taylor, 1836-7 ; Rev. William Taylor,
1838-9; Rev. Asa Niles, 1840; Rev. John CadweU, 1841; Rev.
David L. Winslow and Rev. Albert A. Cook, 1842 ; Rev. WiUiam
Fleming, 1843; Rev. Homer Clark, 1844; Rev. George W.
Greene, 1845; Rev. Ephraim Scott, 1846; Rev. George W.
Greene, 1847-50 ; Rev. W. A. Clapp, 1850 ; Rev. Ephraim Scott,
1851-2 ; Rev. George W. Greene, 1852-3 ; Rev. John Moore, 1853 ;
Rev. D. Todd, 1854; Rev. R. Mitchell, 1855; Rev. Daniel Wait,
3856-7; Rev. John Cadwell, 1858; Rev. John Moore, 1859; Rev.
Osman W. Adams, 1861 ; Rev. N. J. Merrill, 1868 ; Rev. J. H.
Lord, 1871; Rev. N. J. MerriU, 1873-4; Rev. A. Caldwell, 1875;
Rev. Jonathan Neal, 1878-80 ; Rev. S. L. Rodgers, 1881-2 ; Rev.
P. T. George, 1883-4; Rev. H. W. Adams, 1885-6; Rev. A. C.
Godfrey, 1887-8; Rev. William Ferguson, 1889; Rev. S. L.
Rodgers, 1890-91; Rev. Charles Nicklin, 1892-4; Rev. H. G.
Buckingham, 1900-01.
St. AVilliam's Roman Catholic church, located in the Aga
Avam portion of the village of Mittineague, affords religious
privileges for the French-speaking Catholic people of the
locality. The first steps toward the formation of a congregation
( 540 )

THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
there Avere taken March 6, 1873, when vesper service was held by
Rev. Louis Gagnier of Springfield. Later a fine building site
was secured, 150 by 175 feet in size, on which, in 1876, the
church of St. William was erected. Until 1883 Father Gagnier
conducted this branch as a mission of St. Joseph's church of
Springfield ; but at that time it was erected into the dignity of a
parish, with the churches in Longmeadow and Bast Longmeadow
as missions. Rev. B. Pelletier was the first resident pastor, serv
ing until his promotion to a pastorate in Chicopee in 1885. He
was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Campeau, under whom a house was
bou.ght on Front street as a parish presbytery. Rev. J. H. A.
Biron succeeded to the pastorate in 1888, and died in 1890.
During the last year of his incumbency Revs. J. 0. Sylvian and
J. C. AUard served as his assistants. Rev. Frederick Bonneville
was his successor, rendering good service from 1890 to 1893 when
promoted to a larger parish in Chicopee. Rev. Humphrey Wren,
vrith Rev. P. J. Hackett as assistant, served for six months to
January 1, 1894, when Rev. Joseph M. A. Genest, the present
incumbent, was transferred from Southbridge to take charge of
the parish. He at once set about the improvement of the parish
property, and organized a parochial school of some fifty mem
bers, for which school-rooms were provided in the basement of
the church. Agawam is one of the few agricultural towns in the state
showing a steady growth in valuation and population during the
past half century. At the time of incorporation it had in round
numbers 1,500 inhabitants. According to the national census
reports the number had increased to 1,698 in 1860, to 2,001 in
1870, to 2,216 in 1880, 2,352 in 1890, and to 2,536 in 1900.

( 541

CHAPTER XIX
THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
Almost a hundred years after the colony at Springfleld was
founded settlements were first made on that part of the town
lands which were known as the ' ' outward commons, ' ' oh the east.
Nearly half a century before settlement was begun the proprie
tors of the mother town had been compelled to survey and allot
the common lands on the east, under penalty of forfeiture to
the crown; and while the town thus saved the title no attempt
at improvement was made until 1730, when Nathaniel Hitch
cock of Springfield became the pioneer of what now is Wilbraham
and Hampden. In 1741 the north part of this territory was set off as the
' ' Fourth Precinct of Springfield, ' ' not having the character and
full powers of a town jurisdiction, but as a parish settiement for
the separate maintenance of religious worship, for the good
people here had truly represented that they were at. great in
convenience in being compelled to journey ten long miles to
worship in the meeting house at the old mother settlement in
Springfield. At that time there had been no permanent settle
ment in what now is Hampden, but very soon afterward im
provements began to extend southward toward the Connecticut
line. In 1763 Wilbraham took another advance step in civil
history and was set off from Springfield with full town powers,
except in the election of a separate representative to the general
court. Both tradition and authenticated records inform us that in
1741 Stephen Stebbins left his former home in Longmeadow and
established himself and family on the north bank of the Scantic,
Avithin what now is Hampden. Following closely afterward there
( 542 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
came others, all settling along the same stream, on both sides,
and in the course of a few more years a scattered yet well defined
colony was established here. Rev. Edward A. Chase in a pub
lished historical address gives us reliable information concerning
the first settlers in Hampden, hence we have recourse to his
writings. According to Mr. Chase, pioneer Stebbins located where
Mortimer Pease now (1885) lives, while Aaron Stebbins, brother
of the pioneer, settled north of him, "just north of the red
school house." Paul Langdon, who brought the first four-

Hampden — the stream in the valley

wheeled wagon into the town, settled south of Stephen Stebbins
on the farm occupied in 1885 by Edward Bartlett. This farm
was "overplus land," and was secured by Langdon through the
aid of Mr. Pynchon. Abner Chapin came from Chicopee and
settled on the south side of the Scantic. Levris Langdon, son of
Paul, built the first saw miU in 1750. WUliam King settled on
the land where now stands the Congregational church. The
prehiises afterward passed into the hands of Robert Sessions.
William Stacy settled on the mountain south of the Scantic,
( 543 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Avhere Albert Lee now (1885) lives. Moses Stebbins, Comfort
Chaffee, Jabez Hendrick, Daniel Carpenter, Henry Badger,
Isaac Morris, Rowland Crocker, Benjamin Skinner and Ezekiel
Russell also were among the early settlers in the South parish,
and were located on the hills and in the valleys bordering on the
river. Robert Sessions, the pioneer head of one of the most
prominent families of South Wilbraham in later years, settied in
the toAvn in 1781.
Within a quarter of a century after the pioneer led the way
for civilized white settlement in this part of the mother town,
we find a flourishing colony had sprung up ; lands were cleared
and many fine farms had been opened for cultivation. Then
the settlers sought to establish regular religious services in their
oAvn community, but their first application to be set off and
established as a separate parish met with the same fate as did
the petitions of Wilbraham to Springfleld in earlier years. In
1765 the inhabitants of the new settlement asked for money to
pay for the services of a minister during the next winter, but
the request Avas refused. In 1767 they sought to have preaching
among them at their own cost, but in this also they were unsuc
cessful. In 1772, Asa Chaffee, son of Joseph, on behalf of the in
habitants of the south part of Wilbraham, presented a petition
asking that his people be set off as a separate town; but this
request, too, was denied, and it was not until 1778, after several
unsuccessful attempts, that the toAA'n voted to establish the South
parish. However, in 1780 this vote was reconsidered, and the
next year the inhabitants sought relief at the hands of the gen
eral court. In the meantime the people of the north part had
become more considerate of the interests of their townsmen in the
south locality, and in December, 1781, voted to appoint a com
mittee from out of the town to consider the method of dividing
the territory into parishes. This committee comprised John
Hale, Luke Bliss and William Pynchon, junior, whose report,
dated Springfield, February 21, 1782, in part said :
"It is the united opinion of the committee and which they
conceive Avill best accommodate the inhabitants of the several
( 644 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
parts of the toAvn, that it be divided into two parishes, by the
name of the North and South Parishes, by a line coinciding with
the south line of the lot whereon Nathaniel Bliss, deceased, lived,
from the Avestward bound of said town to the Monson line:—
(with this exception) that the inhabitants of said town living
on the west from the top of the mountain to the south side of
Lieut. Thomas Merrick's lot to the westward bounds of said
town, wdth their estates, be annexed to the North parish, and
that the inhabitants living east from the top of the mountain
from the south side of said Bliss' lot north to the south side of
the lot originally laid out to Jonathan Taylor's estate to Monson
line, be annexed to the South parish, with their estates," etc.,
reserving to the inhabitants along the boundary the privilege of
selecting the parish to which they would prefer to belong and
pay "rates."In accordance with this division, an act of the general court,
passed June 20, 1782, created the North and South parishes of
Wilbraham, making Thomas Merrick and his lands a part of the
North parish, and David Wood, Jesse Carpenter and Jonah Beebe
and their lands a part of the South parish; and also providing
that John Bliss, Esq., issue his warrant to some principal in
habitants in each parish warning them to meet and choose such
officers as "may be necessary to manage the affairs of the said
parishes. ' '
The purpose of the new parish creation was the spiritual
welfare of the people in the south part of Wilbraham, that they
might establish and maintain a separate church and such local
government as they were authorized to set up was for the espe
cial object of building a house of worship and paying the ex
pense of a minister, rather than the conduct of civil affairs in
the precinct. The early history of the parish was part and
parcel with the history of the church, and was continued as long
as the custom prevailed of supporting reUgious worship at the
public or parish expense. During the latter part of the
eighteenth century the South parish had become well settled
with people whose religious belief and form of worship was not
in accord with the doctrine of the precinct church, and the estab-
35-3 ( 545 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
lishment of other societies led to the ultimate abandonment of
the system of public support of the "orthodox" church, hence
the gradual decline in authority of the ' ' committee of the parish ' '
and other officers who were from time to time chosen to adminis
ter its affairs. After the separation of church and civil govern
ments in the North and South parishes, both societies supported
themselves as church bodies are now maintained, and thereafter
the name South parish was changed and became South Wilbra
ham. It was so known until March 28, 1878, when the territory
of the South parish, South Wilbraham, was regularly incor
porated into a town by the name of Hampden.
The old South parish records serve to throw some light on
the early history of the region, and likewise furnish us the names
of many settlers in addition to those previously mentioned, yet
for further detail of early life and reminiscences in this locality,
the reader may have recourse to the history of Wilbraham, the
mother town, for there was no complete separation until within
a comparatively recent date. The flrst treasurer in the South
parish was Colonel John Bliss, who served from 1782 to 1784,
when he was succeeded by David Burt. The records also give us
the names of Capt. Paul Langdon and Lieut. Samuel Sexton,
who served during the revolution and there gained their military
titles, as also did Col. Bliss. Prom the same source we obtain
the names of Enoch Burt, Moses Stebbins, junior. Deacon John
Hitchcock, and Elizur Tillotson, junior, the latter one of the
earliest tavern keepers in the South parish, and whose application
for license in 1807 Avas refused on the ground that his public
house Avas not a beneflt to the public. The remonstrance against
Mr. Tillotson 's petition for a license was signed by John Bliss,
Robert Sessions, Confort Chaffee, jun., William Clark, Enos
Clark, Jonathan Flynt, Levi Flynt, Joseph Morris, Edward
Morris, David Burt, Noah Sexton, William Clark, Asa Ipham,
Samuel Sexton, Walter Shaw, Jared Case, William Wood,
Lemuel Jones, Charles Sessions and Nathaniel B. Chaffee.
During the period of the last French and English wars, and
also during the revolution, Hampden under its original name
gained an enviable prominence, and by reference to the chapter
( 546 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
relating to Wilbraham, there may be found the names of those
of the South parish who took part in those memorable contests.
Robert Sessions, who came into the town in 1781, was one of the
famous ' ' Boston Tea Party, ' ' and is entitled to mention in these
pages. Moreover, he was the progenitor of one of the most
prominent families in the town, and one whose representatives
in all subsequent generations have been active factors for good
in the civil, ecclesiastical and industrial history of the town.
From all which is stated on preceding pages it must be seen
that settlement in the South parish was accomplished rapidly
after the beginning was made by pioneer Stebbins and his fol
lowers. Indeed, it is a matter of unwritten history, yet worthy
of mention, that the lands of the South parish Avere found to be
more fertile and accessible and equally desirable for farming
purposes as those of the North parish, and, moreover, the south
ern region did not appear to have been subject to the unequal
and questionable subdivision of lands AA'hich embarrassed the
settlers on the first allotted tracts of the outward commons. The
land surface here is broken with high hills, in localities approach
ing the magnitude of mountains, yet, comparatively, there is
little waste land; and fcAv indeed are the areas which are unfit
for cultivation. Organization and Civil History. — In the early part of this
chapter the writer has traced something of the civil history of
the old South parish in connection with the general events of
settlement and growth. As has been stated, the imperfect and
limited parish organization was effected in 1782, which, although
sufficient for the time, gave no rights to its inhabitants outside
of church government, and even had the effect to prejudice the
parish in the distribution of civil offices in the town at large.
However, after the disappearance of the parish character and
the rise of South Wilbraham, the latter region furnished the
mother town some of the best material ever called into office in
the jurisdiction, and also sent into public life some of the
strongest men the county has produced ; and to-day the sons and
descendants of South Wilbraham and Hampden are found
among the foremost professional and business men of the county
seat, as well as in many other commercial centers.
( 547 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The act of the legislature creating the town was passed
March 28, 1878. The new jurisdiction comprised, substantiaUy,
all which previously had been known as South Wilbraham,
originally the old South parish. The flrst town meeting was
held April 8, 1878, and was warned by S. C. SpeUman, justice
of the peace. William R. Sessions was chosen moderator, and
the foUovring officers were elected : William R. Sessions, Freeman
W. Dickinson, Patrick B. Wall, selectmen; Sumner Smith, town
clerk and treasurer; S. M. Stanton, Andrew Beebe, John W.
Isham, assessors ; A. B. Newell, John N. Isham, Moses H. Warner,
school committee.
The succession of selectmen and town clerks is as follows :
Selectmen.— 1878-80, William R. Sessions, Freeman W.
Dickinson, Patrick E. Wall ; 1881, Decius Beebe, Prank S. Smith,
Solomon C. Spellman; 1882, William R. Sessions, Decius Beebe,
Andrew Beebe; 1883-4, Decius Beebe, Andrew Beebe, Lyman
Smith ; 1885-6, Decius Beebe, Dr. George T. Ballard, Charles H.
Burleigh; 1887, WiUiam R. Sessions, E. H. Temple, WilUam
Leach; 1888, Decius Beebe, George T. Ballard, Charles H.
Burleigh ; 1889, George T. BaUard, David R. McCray, John N.
Isham ; 1890, George T. Ballard, David R. McCray, Charles H.
Burleigh; 1891, Sumner Smith, S. P. Chapin, John Kenworthy;
1892, George T. Ballard, Charles H. Burleigh, John Bartlett;
1893, George T. BaUard, Charles H. Burleigh, Alpheus Peck;
1894, Mortimer Pease, Charles H. Burleigh, N. M. Carew ; 1895-
97, Mortimer Pease, Sumner Smith, N. M. Carew ; 1898-99,
Mortimer Pease, N. M. Carew, WiUiam J. Sessions ; 1900, C. N.
Whitaker, N. M. Carew, WiUiam S. Hunt; 1901, George T.
Ballard, N. M. CarcA^', WiUiam S. Hunt.
Toivn Clerks.— ^nmner Smith, 1878-89; John Q. Adams,
1890-92; J. W. Mulroney, 1893; John Q. Adams, 1894-98;
William M. Pease, 1899, resigned December 10, 1900, and John
Q. Adams appointed to fill the vacancy; John Q. Adams, 1901—
now in office.
Town Officers, 1901.— Dr. George T. Ballard (chairman).
Nelson M. Carew, William S, Hunt, selectmen, overseers of the
poor and board of health; John Q. Adams, town clerk and
( 648 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
treasurer ; George A. Chapin, auditor ; Charles I. Burleigh, John
J. Flynn, George C. Butterworth, assessors; WilUam Leach,
Erwin H. Temple, Ernest W. Howlett, highway commissioners;
Calvin Stebbins, Lyman Smith, John N. Isham, cemetery com
missioners; Moses H. Warren, D. Lincoln McCray, school com
mittee; Alonzo B. Newell, Mrs. Charles C. Chaffee, Stella Day,
trustees Hampden free public library; Mrs. John Q. Adams,
librarian ;Bpaphro A, Day, Sumner Smith, justices of the peace.
The census reports show the fluctuations of population in
Hampden as follows: 1880, 958; 1885, 868; 1890, 831; 1895,
743 ; 1900, 782.
Much of the interesting early history of Hampden was
made while the toAvn formed a part of Wilbraham, yet it is a fact
that the little offshoot settlement down in the south part of the
older jurisdiction, located mainly on Scantic brook and border
ing on the Connecticut line, from the early years of the century
to the time of the division in 1878, was the most busy, progres
sive and prosperous portion of the whole region; and much
surprise often has been expressed that Hampden's people did
not earlier procure an act of incorporation.
Since the days of pioneership, Hampden has been known
as an agricultural town, producing weU in answer to the proper
and persistent efforts of the husbandman. Agricultural prod
ucts generally, vAdth few special crops, are raised, yet for a time
tobacco was grown here Avith fair success.
Villages and Hamlets. — When the inhabitants of this local
ity in old Wilbraham were granted a parish district, and after
they had established their meeting house in the most central
part of the settlement, their trading center became known as
South Wilbraham ; and it was so called until after the creation of
the new toAvn, when the name was changed to Hampden. The
church was the first institution to be established, then the school,
and afterward various business interests and a post-office. The
latter was opened about 1826, Dudley B. Post being the first
postmaster, followed in later years by Samuel Beebe, Solomon C.
Spellman, William Spellman, Horton Hendrick and Staunton
M. Sullivan, in the order mentioned. The present postmaster,
( 549 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Mathias Casey, was appointed during the Cleveland administra
tion and has since been continued in office, he being a faithful
public servant, performing his duties to the entire satisfaction
of the tOAvnspeople.
South Wilbraham first began to attract attention as a
manufacturing center soon after 1840, when Sumner Sessions, a
man of means, influence and public spirit, erected the first woolen
mill and leased it to Bradford & Scripter, but long before this
time the locality enjoyed a certain moderate prominence as a
producing center. Let us refer briefly to some of these old-time
interests. According to recognized authority, Lewis Langdon,
in 1772, built a saw mill on the Scantic, about a quarter of a
mile beloAV the site of the Hampden woolen mills, and a few years
later started a grist mill further down the brook. Subsequent
owners of similar industries were Benanuel Leach, David Burt,
and also a Mr. Wright, that of the latter being on the middle
branch. Early in the last century, a Mr. Bacon came over from
Brimfield and built a grist mill on the site of the Hampden
woolen mill, but soon sold out to Christopher Langdon. Later
OAvners of this mill and privilege Avere Jacob Wood, Hubbard
Arnold and William Mosely, the latter adding a saw mill to the
enterprise. The buildings were eventuaUy burned and a wrap
ping paper mill was erected on the site.
Another early saw mill proprietor was Charles Sessions,
whose plant was located where afterward was built the Lacou-
sic woolen mills. Caleb Stebbins, David Burt and Milton Burt
also were owners of grist or saw mills, the latter at one time
having both. Then, there were the old-time fulling, cloth and
carding mills which once did a flourishing business on the Scan
tic. One of the earliest of these was that run many years ago
by Walter Burt, and another was that of Jonathan Flint, Avhich
stood just below the village bridge. Beriah Smith and his
brothers bought out Flint and carried on an extensive business
in cloth dressing. A short distance below the Smith works one
Roper at one time had a clover cleaning mill, and in connection
thercAvith made chains for farm use. Paul Langdon and
William King, both of whom were conspicuous figures in early
( 550 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
South Wilbraham history, at one time conducted potasheries in
the tOAvn. Daniel and Joseph Chaffee and a Mr. West appear
to have been the early tanners in this locality when such indus
tries could be carried on with a fair degree of success ; and much
of their product was sold to the shoe factories which once gave
Wales a special prominence in the county.
In speaking of the old-time business interests some mention
must be made of the once famous plow works which Marcus
Beebe established along during the 'fifties. Through his brothers
(all of Avhom were sons of "Squire" Beebe) who were in business
in the southern states, ;Mr. Beebe found a profltable market in
that region, and for several years before the war of 1861-5 he
carried on an extensive Avorks here. The war, however, cut off
his market and soon afterward the business was discontinued.
Sometime before this paper making was an industry of consider
able importance in the town, but all traces of the works now have
disappeared and the proprietors are almost forgotten.
As we have stated, in 1843 Sumner Sessions built the first
Avoolen mill in the town, and rented it to Bradford & Scripter,
who began manufacturing in 1844, with one set of machinery
and turning out a good quality of satinets. Levi Bradford 's
connection with the concern was brief and on his retirement in
1847, the plant Avas operated by Luther E. Sage, William V.
Sessions and Samuel Beebe, as partners, and they, in turn, were
succeeded by the flrm of Scripter, Sage & Co. Under them the
capacity of the works was increased and tweeds, cassimeres and
doeskins Avere added to the output. In 1856 the business passed
under control of the South Wilbraham Manufacturing Co.,
incorporated with $200,000 capital, and thereafter the output
Avas further increased. Later on the Lacousic Woolen Mill
company succeeded the corporate company, and the business
Avas conducted by Charles Parsons, Avho failed, then by BroAvn
& Chapman, and still later by Hinsdale Smith under the imme
diate control of his son. The works were burned about eight
or ten years ago.
Next in order among large factories was the so-called Hamp
den woolen miUs, started by Eleazer Scripter in 1858, as the
( 551 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Ravine mill. The property afterward passed to Luther Sage, who
did a heavy business throughout the Avar, and who in 1867 or '68
built a much larger factory. Later on the plant was carried on
by outside proprietors, nearly all having indifferent success until
the present management acquired control. It now is rented to
various parties and is operated as the Hampden Mills company.
About 1865 the Scantic Woolen Mill company, in which
Luther Sage was the moving spirit, erected a building and
engaged in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres for a period of
ten years. In 1875 Judson Leonard became proprietor, conti-
ued business and ultimately failed, and then was succeeded by
Kenworthy Bros. Still later the plant came to the present pro
prietor, John Kenworthy, who operates it with success as a yarn,
blanket and cloth mills. In connection with the woolen indus
tries of earlier years, Mortimer Pease for some time operated a
mill in preparing for re-carding the waste material of the larger
factories. Although the village has had at least one good store for
almost a century, the names of the earliest proprietors are not
accurately recalled by our old residents. Going back flfty or
sixty years ago, Solomon C. and William R. SpeUman Avere
tradesmen in the village and carried a large business. In later
years in mercantile pursuits there may be recalled the names of
Shaw and Chapman, John C. Vinica, Russell Day & Co., C. I.
Burleigh & Co., Mr. Fuller, Sumner Smith, Eldridge Vinica,
Mc Carty Bros., Mrs. Barnes and A. P. Ballard.
The present business interests may be noted about as
follows: D. P. PoAvers, blacksmith; Bernard Woodruff, boot and
shoe maker ; Frank Crocker, carpenter ; Edward Hitchcock, cider
maker; Edward P. Lyons, coal dealer; C. C. Chaffee, flour and
grain dealer ; Drs. George T. Ballard and H. Warner, physicians ;
Mathias Casey and Sumner Smith, general merchants; M. P.
Carmody, grist and saw mills; Mrs. E. G. Vinica and J. Ryan,
grocers ; Mrs. P. C. Allen, propr., Allen house ; Mrs. D, C. West,
propr., Hampden inn ; W. S. Hunt, provision dealer ; J. A. Ames,
stoves and tinwares; John Q. Adams, wheelwright; the Hamp
den Mills Co., and John Kenworthy, woolen goods manufacturers.
( 552 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
Schools.— In the early history of this part of Wilbraham we
learn that little real attention was given to the estabUshment of
pubUc schools, except as the inhabitants of the South parish
made provision for the instruction of their youth after their
church was permanently founded. When the South parish was
created the subject of schools received more attention and the
territory was made to constitute districts under the general town
system. Tradition, with some meagre records, inform us that
among the settlers here were several persons who taught early
schools, among the number being Moses and Stephen Stebbins,
Samuel Beebe, Samuel Henry, Marcus Cady, Sally Wilcox, Bet
sey Sessions, Lydia Ames and others whose names at this time
are not recalled.
When Hampden was incorporated as a separate town, the
territory was divided into four districts, and ample provision
was made for the maintenance of a school in each. In subse
quent years the districts were occasionally remodeled, and now
the town has flve districts with a good school in each. Accord
ing to the recent school census Hampden has 88 children between
the ages of 5 and 15 years, and for their instruction flve teachers
are employed. There is annually raised by tax in the town the
sum of about $1,400 for the schools; about $185 are expended
in carrying pupils to and from school, and the total amount paid
each year for all school purposes is about $1,800. Hampden
receives annually nearly $500 of the public school moneys.
Soon after 1840 a number of pubUc spirited men in this part
of Wilbraham perfected a plan for the establishment of a school
of higher grade than that attained under the town system, and
to that end they devoted their energies until old Hampden acad
emy was founded in 1844. The moneys necessary for this insti
tution were raised by popular subscription and almost wholly
within what now is Hampden. The school was opened with
George Brooks in charge and soon found favor with the towns
folk, drawing pupils from the North Wilbraham locality and
also from adjoining towns on the east and west. In the course
of time, however, the increasing efficiency of the public schools,
with grammar and high schools as provided for by law, worked
( 553 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
adversely to the interests of the private institution and led to
its abandonment; but it survived many others of its class and
was maintained, until Avithin a comparatively recent period. The
instuctors following principal Brooks were E. J. Howe, Charles
Marsh, Mr. Bliss, Alonzo B. Newell and perhaps others.
Churches. — The Congegational church— the mother church
—in South Wilbraham and Hampden, had its inception in the
primitive meetings held at the houses of the settlers in this part
of the town soon after the pioneers entered into the region. In
the course of a few more years the inhabitants sOught to establish
regular preaching services, but the people of the northern local-

3»^
Congregational Church, Hampden

ity Avould not consent to a separation from the old church. At
last in 1782 the South parish was duly constituted, and imme
diately thereafter an informal society for worship was formed;
a plain, rough meeting house was erected in 1783, and in 1785
the church organization was perfected. For the next three years
the church had no settled pastor, the flrst regular incumbent of
that office having been Rev. Moses Warren, whose service began
September 3, 1788, at which time there were 62 communicating
members. Mr. Warren's connection with the pastorate contin
ued until his death, February 19, 1829, and constituted a mem-
( 554 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
orable period in the history of the church. The later pastors
were Lucius W. Clark, installed December 9, 1829; James A.
Hazen, January 30, 1839; Hubbard Beebe, AprU 19, 1848; E.
S. Skinner, May 19, 1853; James C. Houghton, 1855; John
WhitehiU, 1861; Edward B. Chamberiain, 1868; E. V. Root,
1876 ; EdAvard A. Chase, May 28, 1884. Mr. Chase was the au
thorized historian of the church and delivered the address at the
centennial celebration, November 18, 1885. The address has
recently been pubUshed and widely circulated througliout the
toAvn, hence a more detailed narrative history of the old South

Baptist Church
parish church is unnecessary in this chapter. In the history of
the town and locality the church has always exercised an in
fluence for good, has furnished strength to other religious so
cieties, and yet has retained a substantial membership. In 1834
the old meeting house Avas removed from its original location to
the present site, and in the winter of 1868-9 the edifice was
thoroughly remodeled at a cost of $3,000. Later material re
pairs were made in 1883.
The Methodist Episcopal church and society in South Wil
braham and Hampden dates its history from the year 1830, when
( 555 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
the class was resolved into an organized religious body, with a
considerable membership drawn largely from the mother Con
gregational church and to a less extent from the Methodist ele
ment of population which then had become settled in the locality.
Soon afterward a house of worship was erected, and from that
time Methodism has been a controlling factor in the religious
history of the town. The local church has a large membership
and is constantly increasing in strength and usefulness. The
present pastor is Rev. A. W. Baird.
A Baptist society and church was organized in South Wil
braham in 1855, and drew its original membership from the
church of the same denomination in Monson, which about that
time was dissolved. A house of worship was erected and from
that time the history of the new church has been continuous and
progressive. The present pastor is Rev. John Cameron.
The two cemeteries of Hampden were laid out, respectively,
in 1755 and 1876, the older being located about a quarter of a
mile from the center of the tOAvn, and comprising between two
and three acres of land. The new cemetery is just outside the
village proper, on the Stafford road. Both are under charge of
town cemetery commissioners.
Past and Present. — During the period of its history. South
Wilbraham and Hampden have produced a full quota of men
of brains and substance. In our reminiscences of pioneer days
in the South parish allusion is made to the men who prepared
the way, for the subsequent prosperity of the town in
all branches of domestic life, and it is our purpose now to
mention the names of other townsmen, who during the last half
century have been prominent factors in accomplishing results,
but none of whom are now living.
First there may be recalled William Vyne Sessions, farmer,
manufacturer, many years justice of the peace, representative
to the general court, and county commissioner one term. Sumner
Sessions, brother of William V., was one of the foremost men
of his day, liberal and public spirited, builder of the first woolen
mill that brought large business interests to the town: a farmer
and owner of saw mill and other enterprises. "Squire" Beebe
( 556 )

THE TOWN OF HAMPDEN
Avas the local laAvyer, the legal advisor of the townspeople;
himself not specially prominent in Hampden county legal
circles, but the father of several sons who achieved fame either
here or in other localities. Junius Beebe, the eldest son, went to
Ohio and became wealthy; Lucius became a southern cotton
dealer and gained a fortune ; Decius and Cyrus Ukewise attained
prominence, the former dying in Hampden; Marcus was the
plow manufacturer, of whom mention has been made. Eleazer
Scripter Avas one of the founders of the woolen industry here,
a trial justice and man of affairs in the town for years. Luther
E. Sage was another conspicuous figure in manufacturing circle,
himself the builder of a large woolen mill and a valuable factor
in town history.
Solomon C. Spellman Avas an early merchant, a prominent
old-time democrat, trial justice and justice of the peace, town
representative, deputy sheriff and at one time special county
commissioner. He eventually removed to Springfield, but died
in Hampden. Charles C. Spellman, now of the Springfield bar,
is a son of the late Solomon C. Spellman. William P. Spellman,
brother of Solomon C, and his partner in business, was for many
years a prominent character in local history; was frequently
elected to town office and represented the town in the legislature.
He was a whig of the Fillmore stripe. Abner C. Burleigh came
into the town from Monson and began his career as a farm hand,
but later on he became a prosperous man and thrifty farmer.
Sullivan U. Stanton Avas a prominent farmer and took an active
part in toAA'n affairs; was postmaster, town clerk, assessor and
selectmen. P. K. Lathrop was a stable-keeper here years ago, and also
was a factor in local politics previous to his removal to Spring
field. Ralph S. and Silas W. Chapin are remembered as sub
stantial farmers and model citizens of quiet life and habits,
rather than as active figures in town affairs. John W. Langdon
—"Deacon" Langdon, as best knovA'n— was specially prominent
in the church and moderately so in public matters. He once
represented the town as the successful candidate of the know-
nothing party. Carson K. Cone Avas a successful farmer. Walter
' ( 557 )

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Hitchcock was a farmer, school commissioner, assessor and town
representative. Mention also is due to Levi Hitchcock, who died in Spring
field; Isaac W. Leach, a successful man who accumulated a large
property; John R. West, carpenter and contractor, builder of
two of the large mill structures; James Stanton, carpenter, who
removed to Minnesota; Beriah and Levi Smith, the former a
farmer and the latter a cloth dresser and proprietor of a carding
machine; Robert Sessions, junior, farmer, founder of the Meth
odist Bpispocal church in the town, and father of H. M. and
Robert 0. Sessions, of Brookfield; James L. Purman; Deacon
John B. Morris, brother of Oliver B. Morris of Springfield, a
man of information and influence, a whig and later an ardent
republican; Drs. Marcius Cady and Abial Bottom, practicing
physicians here and men of note in the town; Loren Stacy, a
well-to-do farmer; A. 0. Thresher, Avho built kilns and made
charcoal here for the Hazard Powder company.
Among the more prominent characters in Hampden history
to-day, Ave may mention the names of Sumner Smith, the mer
chant, Avho came to the mills here in the capacity of superintend
ent; Lyman Smith, an excellent citizen and prominent man;
Mortimer Pease, whose name Ave have frequently noted; Dr.
BaUard, present chairman of the boai'd of selectmen and for
years one of its members ; Moses H. Warren ; Lucius A. Burleigh,
farmer; Charles H. and Charles I. Burleigh; E. H. Temple;
Nelson M. Carew, eight years selectman; John N. Isham, a
prominent and successful farmer; William J. Sessions, one of
the largest taxpayers in the toAvn, son of William R. Sessions,
the latter a native of this town, now residing in Springfield, and
for twelve years secretary of the state board of agriculture;
William Leach, the highway commissioner; David R. McCray,
a prominent farmer and former selectman; Patrick B. Wall,
once first selectman and a manufacturer; F. W. Dickinson, one
of the first board of selectmen in 1878 ; John Bartlett, a success
ful farmer and the only remaining tobacco groAver in the town;
Matthias Casey, merchant and postmaster; John Kenworthy,
the manufacturer and former selectman; John Q, Adams, town
¦clerk, and many others. ( 558 )

ATTENDIX

And they assembled all the congregation together, and they
declared their pedigrees, after their families by the home of their
fathers. — numbers 1:18.

Now when William had come into Yarrow he sent forth
men into all his domains to gather into one volume the names
of all those in the land, showing their kinship among them
selves, their intermarriages, dates covering births and deaths,
and times of those given in wedlock. This did he not alone for
himself and his own day and period, but that posterity might
know of a certainty concerning those who had gone before them.
And the list made a noble and goodly array in a bulky volume.
— Hume's History of England.

Appendix

Willard, Justice, Springfleld, Mass,, was
the sixth in descent from Major Simon
AA"iIIard, who was born at Horsmondon,
England, in 1605, came to America in 1684,
and was one of the founders ol Concord,
Mass. He was a member of the Massachu
setts general court, and commander of >a
regiment of colonial troops In the early
Indian wars. The line of descent is as fol
lows : (1) Major Simon AVillard, (2) Jon
athan, (3) Jonathan, (4) Daniel, (5) Ruel.
(6) Justice. Justice Willard was born iu
Greenfield, Mass., April 5, 1790, son of
Ruel and Margaret (daughter of Samuel
AVells, of Greenfield, Mass.) Willard. He
was educated at New Salem academy and
at Dartmouth college, from the latter of
which he was graduated iu 1811. He read
law at Albany, N. Y., and Greenfield, Mass.,
and after admission to the bar began prac
tice ol his profession at Springfleld, Mass..
In 1814. He was collector of internal rev
enue after the war of 1812-15, publisher
and editor of the Hampden Patriot about
flve years, member of the general court in
1823, and of the state senate in 1825 ;
served as register of probate from 1827 to
1850, was actuary of the Sprin.gfleld JIu-
tiial Fire Insurance Co.. and was au active
p.irlicipant in the promotion and building
of the Western railroad and was a member
of the fiift board ot directors thereof. In
his public and private life lie bore an un
sullied reputation, and was one of the
prominent factors in the upbuilding and
development of the city of Springfleld, In
1819 he was married to Sally Lyman Bry
ant, daughter of Capt. John Bryant, of
Springfleld. Their family of children num
bered nine — two sons and seven daughters
— of whom the following are now living :
Charlotte Willard, of Springfleld ; Mason
AVillard of Longmeadow ; and Lt. Col. Wells
Willard, of the United States army. Mr.
Willard died in Springfleld, Aja-il 11, 1S64.
Rice, John Lovell, Springfleld, Mass.,
was born in Weathersfleld, Vt., February 1,
.1840, son of Lysander Mason and Clarinda
Whitmore (Upham) Eice. He was educated

in the common schools of his native town
and at Kimball union academy, Meriden,
N. H. He has been twice married ; flrst, to
Marion Virginia Chellis, of Cornish, N. H.,
ou January 8, 1867 ; she died October 30,
1873, without issue. He was married, sec
ond, to Clara Elizabeth Galplu, of Spring
fleld, Mass., October 2, 1879. Their chil
dren are Allen Galpin Rice, born July 20,
1880 ; Elizabeth Banks Rice, born September
10, 1881 ; and Ellen Birnie Rice, born
April 11, 1883. John L. Rice is the ninth
in descent from Edmund Eice (1), who was
bom in Barkhamstead, England, in 1594.
He came to America and settled in Sud
bury, Mass., in 1638, sharing in the original
division of land in that town. A wife and
seven children accompanied him from Bug-
land. Four of their children were born
later. His residence iu Sudbury was on
the easterly side of Sudbury river, in the
southerly part of what is now Waylaud.
He was a selectman in 1644, and also in
subsequent years ; deacon of the church in
1648 and one of thirteen to petition the
General Court for a new plantation, which
petition was granted and the plantation
incorporated as Marlborough, whither he
removed iu 1660, sharing in the flrst divis
ion of lands in that town. His English
wife, Tamazine, died in Sudbury, June 13,
1654. On March 1, 16.j3, he married Mer-
cie, widow of Thomas Brigham, of Cam
bridge, Mass., the progenitor of the New
England Brighams. He died in Marlbor
ough, May 3, 1663, and was buried at Sud
bury ; his widow, Mercie, married William
Hunt, of Marlborough, in 1664, and died
December 28, 1693. Edward Eice (2), sec
ond son of Edmund, was born in England
in 1619, and died in Marlborough, Mass.,
August 15, 1712. Daniel Rice (3), third
son of Edward, was born November 8, 1665,
in Sudbury, Mass., and died In Marlborough,
Mass., December 8, 1721, Daniel Rice 2d
(4), first son of Daniel, was born in Marl
borough, Mass,,, June 3, 1684, and died in
Shrewsbury, Mass., iu 1733. Jabez Rice
(5), sixth son of Daniel 2d, was born April

36-3

( 561 )

APPENDIX

7, 1727 ; no record of his death, but it oc
curred later than 1782, Stephen Rice (6),
fourth son of Jabez, was born in Marlbor
ough, Mass., June 8, 1762, and died in
Reading, Vt. (whither he removed in 1786),
July 12, 1802. Haven Rice (7), flrst son
of Stephen, was born in Petersham, Mass.,
October 25, 1786, and died in West Wind
sor, Vt., February 6, 1868. Lysander Mason
Eice (8), flrst son of Haven, was born in
Eeading, Vt,, November 11, 1812, and is
still living in Springfleld, Mass., to which
place he came in 1889, on the death of his
wife in Weathersfleld, Vt., September 26,
1889, the only one of the ancestors who
ever lived in Hampden county. On the
maternal side, John L. Eice is descended
from John Upham (1), who was born in
Somersetshire, England, iu 1596 ; sailed
March 20, 1635, with his wife and three
children, from Weymouth, England, and
settled in Weymouth, Mass,, where he was
"admitted a freeman" September 2, 1635.
In 1648 he removed to Maiden, Mass., where
he died February 25, 1681. He was many
times a member of the General Court, and
a commissioner to treat with the Indians.
He was an active pioneer in the settlement
of Weymouth, Maiden, and Worcester. He
was married in England to Elizabeth Webb
about 1627 ; she died about 1670, and in
August, 1671, he married Catharine Hol
land, one of the original settlers of Wey
mouth. No record exists of her death.
Phineas Upham (2), third son of John, was
born in Weymouth, Mass., in 1636, and died
in Boston, in October, 1676, of wounds re
ceived at the storming of Fort Canonicus,
in the King Philip war, where he was a
lieutenant in the Massachusetts forces.
John Upham (3), third son of Phineas, was
born in Maiden, Mass., December 9, 1666,
and died there June 9, 1733. Ezekiel Up
ham (4), third sou of John, was born in
Maiden, Mass., in 1700, and died in Stur
bridge, Mass., April 21, 1783 ; he was a
captain in the provincial army in the
French and Indian war, 1755-61. Asa Up
ham (5), third son of Ezekiel, was born in
sturbridge, Mass., May 18, 1736, and died
in Weathersfleld, Vt., September 13, 1828,
whither he had removed at the close of the
French and Indian war in 1763. Asa Up
ham 2d (6), second son of Asa, was born
in Sturbridge, Mass., November 26, 1771,
.and died in Weathersfleld, Vt., July 24,

1858. He was the maternal grandfather of
John L. Eice. John Lovell Eice, after leav
ing school, was engaged as a clerk in a
store in Cornish, N. H., until 1861, when he
enlisted as a private in the 2d N. H. Vols.,
was appointed captain of a company in the
16th Eegiment on November 4, 1862, and on
September 20, 1863, was promoted to colo
nel of the 75th U. S. Colored Infantry. He
was severely wounded, being shot through
the lungs at the flrst Bull Eun battle, and
was reported dead ; funeral ceremonies were
held at his home, and he was deeply
mourned, the meanwhile he was suffering
in Libby prison until January 3, 1862. In
December of the latter year he was ordered
to Louisiana, sharing in many ot the ardu
ous campaigns in that State, including the
siege of Port Hudson. He returned in
January, 1867, and took up his residence in
Springfleld, Mass., where he has since lived.
After being engaged in business for six
years, he served two years as inspector of
customs in Boston, devoting his spare time
to reading law and was admitted to the bar
on April 24, 1876, and has been in practice
in Springfield since. He has held many
positions of honor and responsibility and
has been active and prominent in the afEairs
of the Grand Army of the Eepubllc and the
Military Order of the Loyal Legion.
Galbkaith, Sayward, p. 0. Springfield,
Mass., son of Frederick W. and Abbie (Say-
ward) Galbraith, was bom in Benecia, Cal
ifornia, March 6, 1870. He came to Hamp
den county with his mother and three
brothers in November, 1884. On May 23,
1894, he married Esther Frances Towne.
One child has been born of this union,
Helen, on June 9, 1897. Mr. Galbraith's
flrst American ancestor was Jonas Clark,
the famous elder of Cambridge church,
where the records show him to have been
in 1642. He married July 30, 1650, and
died iu 1699, aged eighty years. Jonas' son
Thomas was born in 1652, and died in
1704. He was made second minister of
Chelmsford, Mass., October 17, 1676. The
records state :- "Mr. Thomas Clark, minis
ter, being seven weeks iu the army at Nar-
ragansett and officiating at the request of
the commander-in-chief during that time,
the (General) Court judgeth it meet to
grant him six pounds money to be paid by
the Treasurer." Thomas was graduated
from Harvard in 1670. By his wife, Mary,-

( 563 )

APPENDIX

who died in 1700, he had four children :
Jonas, Thomas 2d, Elizabeth and Lucy.
Thomas 2d had a sou, Thomijs 3d, who mar
ried Lydia Fletcher, and they had twelve
children ; Thomas 3d, died June 9, 1823,
aged eighty years. Oliver, one of Thomas
3d's children, married Anna Huse, of Meth-
uen. She died In 1815, leaving four
daughters, the second of whom, Elizabeth,
born in 1810, married John S. Sayward,
born in Newburyport in 1805, of Bangor,
Me. Abbie, daughter of John S. and Eliz
abeth Sayward, was born at Bangor, Me.,
In 1845, married April 16, 1867, to Fred
eric W. Galbraith, at Augusta, Me. Their
children are four : Sayward, born March
¦6, 1870, at Benecia, California ; Frederic
W., jr., born May 6, 1874, at Watertown,
Mass. ; John Sayward, born September 22,
1875, at Boxford, Mass. ; Archibald V.,
born September 29, 1877, at Boxford, Mass.
Feissell, George Newton, p. o. Hol-
joke, Mass., was born in Peru, Berkshire
county, March 26, 1847, son of Emerson
,Scott and Sarah A. (Granger) Frissell.
He came to Holyoke in 1888 as manager
for the J. S. Carr baking company, in whose
employ he remained until May 1, 1892,
when he engaged with Glenville C. Frissell,
.as manager in his baking and ice cream
manufacturing business. In this position
he remained until July 1, 1901, when, with
William E. Frasier, he purchased the en
tire interest of Glenville C. Frissell and the
new flrm is doing a very satisfactory busi
ness. In 1873 Mr. Frissell married Ella
A. Boutwell of Northampton, Mass. They
iave three children, Ethel Louise, Laurence
Emerson and Bessie Irene Frissell. Ethel
Louise, on October 5, 1897, married J. Wil
liam Carlson, of Arlington, New Jersey.
Bates, Everett Alanson, M. D. p. u. ,
Springfleld, Mass., was born in Danielson-
ville( now Danielson), Conn., September 14,
1860. He is descended from Clement Bates
and Anna, his wife, who, both at the age of
forty years, embarked at London for New
England, April 6, 1635, in the ship "Eliz
abeth," and settled in Hingham, Jlass., in
September, 1635. His ancient dwelling
liouse was later known as the "Anchor
Tavern." The ancestors of Clement can
be traced back flve generations to 1485, in
Lydd, Parish of All Hallows, England, the
name then being Bate. Clement died in
Hingham, September 17, 1671, aged seven

ty-six years. His brothers, Edward settled
at AVey mouth, Mass., and James at Dor
chester, Mass. Ou the maternal side he is
descended from William and Abigail Car
penter, who settled in Rehoboth iu 1638,
and whose ancestry in England is trace
able back to 1300. Everett Alanson Bates
was graduated from Vale in 1886 with the
degree of A. B., and received his degree of
M. D. at the Harvard Medical school. On
July 25, 1900, he was married to Ellen
Euth Bowen. They have one child, Eliza
beth Bates, born May 30, 1901. Dr. Bates
settled iu Springfleld, March 28, 1892.
Chapin, William Horace, p. o. Spring
fleld, Mass., is a direct descendant of Dea
con Samuel Chapin (see the Chapin Gene
alogy for complete details.) William
Horace Chapin married flrst. Miss Fannie
L. stebbins, daughter of the late John B.
Stebbins, of Hampden county. They were
the parents of one daughter, Frances A. ;
he married, second. Miss Grace F. Ordway,
of Arlington, Massachusetts, by whom he
has had one son, Samuel Burnham.
Meekins, Emory (deceased), was born
November 1, 1837, in Conway, Mass., son
of Truman and Polly (Packard) Meekins.
Until he was fourteen years of age he lived
in Conway, attending school and doing a
boy's work ou the farm. At that time his
parents removed to Greenfield, Mass., where
he completed his schooling, and at the age
of seventeen entered the general store of T.
D. Eoot, in Greenfield, where he remained
until 1860, undergoing the hard appren
ticeship of a clerk in a country store, but
showing such aptitude and business ability
that he was constantly promoted and won
the confidence and esteem of his employer.
January 1, 1860, he removed to Springfleld
and was employed iu the store of A. P.
Williams, and later in that of Tinkham &
Co. While in the employ of the latter
firm he enlisted in Co. A, 46th Eegiment
Mass. Vols., and served a year in the field,
returning to his clerkship with Tinkham &
Co., with whom he was soon taken into
partnership ; which connection existed until
March 15, 1875, when he formed a part
nership with A. A, Packard — laying the
foundation of the later prominent and well-
known mercantile house of Meekins, Pack
ard & Wheat. Mr. Meekins was a member
of the board of trustees of the Springfleld
Institution for Savings, and a director iu

( 563 )

APPENDIX

the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. ; also a mem
ber of the E. K. Wilcox Grand Army Post
and of the Nayasset and Winthrop clubs.
He was deeply interested in religious work
in connection with the South church, and
was a trustworthy friend and upright citi
zen, unostentatiously charitable and quietly
but interestedly active in all measures tend
ing to the public good. Mr. Meekins was
married October 1, 1867, to Sarah L., daugh
ter of Joseph Clark and Lucretia Colton
Parsons, who survives him, with one daugh
ter, Grace Parsons Meekins. Mr. Meekins
died May 19, 1900.
Dickinson, Feancke Walden, p. o.
Springfield, Mass., was born iu Springfleld,
April 19, 1849, son of Elijah Walden
and Mary Abbott (Crossett) Dickinson.
His father was a native of Hadley, Mass.,
and his mother of Northampton, Mass. ;
they came to Springfleld in 1840. Francke
W. Dickinson was educated iu the public
and private schools of Springfleld, and is
well known as a funeral director. On Jan
uary 16, 1873, he was married to Katie
May Allgood. They have had three children
as follows : Emma Allgood, died at the
age of ten years ; Ethel May, now wife of
Edward AA'. Beattie, jr. ; and Henry Walden
Dickinson, who died at the age of twenty
years. Mr. Dickinson has been a member
of the common council three years and its
president one year, president of the board
of trade one year, and is past grand regent
of the grand council, Eoyal Arcanum,
of Massachusetts. He is an ex-president of
the New England Undertakers' association,
of the Massachusetts Undertalsers' associa-
association. Kirkham, Guy, p. o. Springfleld, Mass.,
was born in Springfleld, Mass., Nov. 14,
1864, son of William and Harriet (daughter
of Charles Merriam) Kirkham, William
Kirkham was a native of Newington, Conn,,
where the family were among the pioneers.
He learned the jeweler's trade and came to
Springfleld about 1848, where he was a
leading jeweler until his death in 1871.
Guy Kh'kham attended the public schools
of Springfleld and St. Paul's school. Con
cord, N. H,, and took the three-years' course
in architecture at the Massachusetts Insti
tute of Technology, Boston, 1883-6. From
1886 to 1888 he was in the office of Gilbert
& Taylor, architects, St. Paul, Minn., and
from 1888 to 1890 in the ofllce of Eenwick,

Aspinwall & Eussell, architects. New York ;
all men of marked ability, eminent in their
profession. In 1890 he came to Springfleld
and was for a time in the office of Gardner,
Pyne & Gardner. In 1890-91 he went to
Europe to prosecute his studies in Paris,
Eome and Florence, and in 1892 returned
to Springfield and .established his present
practice. He was the architect of Wesleyan
academy gymnasium at Wilbraham, the
Home for the Friendless building on William
street, the Home for Aged Women, Chestnut
street, the William street public school, the
Smith & Wesson offices, and numerous pri
vate residences. In 1892 he married Grace
Freeman, daughter of George Dwight, jr.
They have one son, Philip Leffingweil, and
two daughters, Dorothy Dwight and Har
riet Merriam.
Marsh, Daniel J., of Springfield, was
the son of Michael Marsh (born in Hart
ford, 1790, died in West Springfleld, in
1847), who in 1840 came up the Connecti
cut river from Hartford with his family
and effects in a flatboat and settled in West
Springfleld. In 1846 he was elected town
clerk and served in that capacity until his
death. His wife, whom he married, Janu
ary 28, 1828, was Catherine Allyn, daughter
of Col. Job Allyn, and a descendant in the
sixth generation of Matthew Allyn, of Hart
ford. Tracing his ancestry still farther,
Daniel J. Marsh is descended from John
Marsh (born in 1618, died iu 1688), who
emigrated from Brauktry (now Braiutree),
Esses county, England, in the early part
of the seventeenth century and settled in
New England. He subsequently removed
to Hartford with Gov. John Webster and
Rev. Thomas Hooker. He married Anne,
daughter of Gov. Webster, in 1642. Mich
ael Marsh was the son of John and Susan
Buuce, the son of Capt. Hezekiah and Chris
tian Edwards, the son of Capt. John and
Elizabeth Pitkius, the sou of John and
Sarah Lyman, the son of John, the latter
the immigrant and ancestor of the family in
America. Harriet M. Gay, wife of Daniel
Jay Marsh, is a daughter of Noah D. Gay
and Mary Pomeroy Gay, the former being
a descendant in the sixth generation of
John Gay, who settled in Dedham in 1630.
The children of Daniel Jay and Harriet
(Gay) Marsh are Henry Daniel (born
March 6, 1865, married, March 16, 1896,
Anna F. Lillis, born August 22, 1873, died

( 564 )

APPENDIX

April 28, 1898 ; children, John Atherton and
Harriet Pomeroy Marsh), and Oliver Allyn
(bom October 15, 1866, married Anna E.
Dwight ; children, Elsie Dwight, Allyn Jay
and Caroline Marsh).
Daniel J. Marsh, treasurer of the Spring
fleld Five Cents Savings bank of Spring-
field, was born at Hartford, Conn., July
27th, 1837, in the year of the great finan
cial panic. He completed his education at
the AVilbraham academy. He started bus
iness as a druggist clerk and afterward
was bookkeeper iu a dry-goods store. In
1856 he went to St. Louis, where for three
years he was clerk and assistant paymaster
of the Northern Missouri railroad. He ran
the first passenger train as conductor from
St. Charles to St. Louis. After the com
pletion of these two roads he returned to
Springfleld to take a position in the Five
Cents Savings bank, where he has remained
ever since, being elected treasurer in 1859.
Soon after the civil war broke out, Mr.
Marsh started a drill club which sent many
officers into the field. In 1862 this club
voted to enlist for nine months as Co. A,
46th Eeg. M. V. M. Mr. Marsh was ap
pointed orderly sergeant and later lieuten
ant on staff duty. The regiment was sent
to North Carolina, with headquarters at
Newburn, where he was aid-de-camp and
assistant adjutant general to Gen. Horace
C. Lee. He also served on the staffs of
Gen. John A. Dix and Gen. John G. Foster.
On the breaking up of the brigade by orders
from AVashington, he was sent to North
Carolina with directions to take all the
convalescents from the different hospitals,
in all about 1,500 men, to their northern
homes. On his return after eleven mouths'
service, he resumed his old place iu the
bank. Mr. Marsh has served as a director
of the Second National bank, from which
position he resigned in 1891, and also as
councilman in the city government in 1875.
He was appointed on the park commission
iu 1885, and has been president of the com
mission since 1886 ; and upon him has prac
tically devolved the burden of the develop
ing of Forest park, which has few equals
in the country. He was treasurer of Hamp
den Park association in 1870-1875 inclusive,
during which period some of its most suc
cessful meetings were held. He is also a
member of the Nayasset club. Loyal legion
and the Wilcox Post, G. A. E.

Barney, Everett Hosmer, is a native of
Saxouville (Framingham), Mass., born De
cember 7, 1835, son of Jarius S. and Har
riet (Hosmer) Barney. On his father's
side he is a descendant in the seventh gen
eration of Jacob Barney, who settled in the
Salem colony in 1634 ; and on the maternal
side he is a descendant in the seventh gen
eration of James Hosmer, immigrant (son
of Stephen and Dorothy), born in Hawk-
hurst, Kent county .England, in 1605, came
to America in 1034, and died in Concord,
in 1685. Thus, on both sides Mr. Barney
is descended from some of the oldest and
best New England stock, and while he him
self appears to have been the pioneer of his
family in our own Hampden county, his
business -life and his unselfish devotion to
all the institutions and public interests of
our city have given him an extended ac
quaintance throughtout the region.
Brewster, Henky M., p. o. Springfleld,
was born at Northampton, Mass., January
21, 1841. His father was Jonathan Brew
ster, born at AA'orthingtou, Mass., and his
mother was Clarissa Allen, born at North
ampton. He is in direct line from Elder
William Brewster, of Mayflower fame. Ou
July 18, 1861, Mr. Brewster enlisted iu the
57th N. Y. Vols., was wounded at
Fredericksburg, A'a., December 11, 1862 ;
promoted to second lieutenant, flrst
lieutenant, captain, brevet major, and
resigned August 1, 1865. In 1884 he
was elected au alderman in Springfleld.
He is president and treasurer of E.
Stebbins Mfg. Co. and treasurer of Mil-
lett Core Oven Co., both of Bright-
wood, Mass. Mr. Brewster came to Hamp
den county in 1878, July 18, At North
ampton, Mass,, January 21, 1864, he was
married to Clementine S. Tanner, and they
have the following children : Emma Louise.
born in Washington, D. C, March 15, 1865,
died in New York, July 9, 1866 ; Harry
Vincent, born iu New York, August 7. 1867.
died in Springfleld, January 24, 1893 ; Min
nie Emma, born in New York, January 31,
1870, married Edniund P. Marsh, April 8,
1896, to whom was born one son, Brewster.
December 29, 1896 ; Frank Edgar, born in
Haydenville, Mass., November 12, 1871, died
in Springfleld, Septemb.er 6, 1893.
Morgan, Newton, D, D. S., p. o. Sprlng-
fleld.is descended on his paternal side from
Miles Jlorgan, the first settler of that fam-

( 565 )

APPENDIX
ily in Hampden county. Nathan Morgan, this sketch, was married July 16, 1873, to
another ancestor, was a soldier in the Eev- Anna J. Stebbins. Their children have been
olutionary army. On the maternal side, Mr. as follows : AValter H,, born December 25,
Morgan is descended from Benjamin Cooley 1873 ; Harry Leroy, born December 9, 1880.
and Abel Cooley, the former having been and died August 15, 1883 ; and Natalie,
one of the early immigrants to America born April 19, 1885.
and who died iu 1684 ; the latter having Bragg, Frederick A., D. D. S., p. u.
been a first lieutenant in the Revolutionary Springfield, was born in Milford, Mass.,
army. Newton Morgan was born in West October 13, 1852, and was educated at th.»
Springfleld, Mass., on the tweuty-flfth of Dean Academy, Franklin, Mass.. and for
October, 1840 ; was educated in the public thirty years has been one of the leading
schools and later iu the Springfleld English dentists of Hampden county. He married,
and Classical Institute and the Academy at flrst, Ida E. Dudley, of which union two
AVestfleld. He is a graduate of the Phil- children were born : M.ibel E.. wife of
adelphia Dental College, ciass of 1868-69. Arthur Green, of Westfield, and Dr. Henrv
On June 23, 1870, Mr. Morgan married AVillard, of Boston; and married, second,
Esther J. Loomis, of Westfleld, and they Annie S. Reed. Of this branch of the
have the following children : Mabel Anita, Brogg faniily, Ariel was the first to cou!e
born January 19, 1873 ; and Harold Loomis, to America, having settled iu AVrenth.am,
born December 4, 1873. Mr. Morgan resides Mass., in 1 650. Frederick A. Bragg's great-
at 7 Lincoln street. grandfather was a private in the battle of
Clark, James H., p. o. Springfleld, Mass., Bunker Hill, where he was killed. His
was born in New Hartford, Conn., on the grandfather was Col. Arial Bragg, who was
third of December, 1848. His father was a member of the flrst board of selectmen of
Lewis, a blacksmith, born at Farmington, the town of Milford, Mass. His father
Conn., on the second of October, 1814 ; he manufactured shoes iu Milford, having con-
enlisted in Co. H, 104th Begt. N. Y. Vols, on tinned the business established by Col. Arial
ou the thirteenth of February, 1862, and Bragg in 1790, which business was success-
was honorably discharged March 13, 1803. fully conducted by the father and son for
Lewis Clark's wife, the mother of James over one hundred years. Dr. Bragg is a
H,,was descended from Governor Webster, brother of Judge Henry AV. Bragg of Boston,
of Connecticut. The other dirett Clark an- Estabeook, George Rowland, p. o.
cestors in America were James, a black- Springfleld, was born at Hubbardston, Mass.,
smith, the father of Lewis, born at Walling- October 9, 1859. He was educated iu the
ford. Conn., 1768, died at Sand Lake, N. Y., Worcester public schools and the Worcester
January 12, 1863 ; James Ward, a black- Institute of Technology, graduating from
smith, father of James, born at Walling- the latter institution in 1877. May 10,
ford. Conn., 1765, died at Sand Lake, N. Y., 1866, Mr. Estabrook married Mary Louise
March 7, 1841, was a soldier in the Con- Warren. They have had two children ;
necticut Continental Army and received a Euth, bom in 1887, died in infancy, aged
pension ; Daniel, a sea captain, the father six months ; and Louise Warren, born in
of James Ward, was born at Wallingford, 1889. Mr. Estabrook settled in Hampden
Conn.,February 7, 1712, and died in the county in 1878, and has lived at 34 Avon
same place August 17, 1774 ; Ebenezer, a Place since 1892.
farmer, father of Daniel, was born in New Chapin, Edward Pliny, p. o. Spring-
Haven, Conn., November 29, 1651, and died fleld, is a lineal descendant of Samuel
at Wallingford, April 30, 1721, having been Chapin, who took the freemen's oath in
one of the first settiers of Wallingford ; Boston, June 2, 1641, and came to what is
James, father of Ebenezer, was the flrst now Hampden county in 1642. He died
American settler of the Clark family. He November 11, 1675, His wife, Cisily, died
signed the "Fundamental Agreement" at February 8, 1683, These descendants then
the flrst settlement of New Haven and had followed : Japhet, born 1642, died 1712 ;
his "home lot" in the "suburbs quarter," on John, born May 14, 1674, died January 1,
the further side of ihe creek. This James 1759 ; Stephen, born May 29, 1718 ; Pliny,
came from England, and was probably born bom July, 1764, died June 2, 1810 ; Pliny,
in Welles. James H. Clark, the subject of born May 12, 1810, died May 13, 1881 ; Bd-
( 566 )

APPENDIX

ward Pliny, our subject, born in Chicopee,
then Springfield, October 7, 1839. He was
educated in the public schools, married
Edna Harriet Kibbe on the sixth of June,
1866. To this union have been born the fol
lowing children : Emily Harriet, born April
17, 1867 ; James Edward, born October 30,
1869 ; Ida Pearl, bom July 11, 1873, and
Horace Kibbe, born November 7, 1875.
Bush, Gilbert Alden, Springfleld, Mass.,
was born iu Enfield, Conn., June 7, 1819,
son of Eufus Bush, jr. and his wife Sally
(Allin) Bush. He is descended from Jona
than (1), born in 1650, died in 1739 in
Enfleld, Conn. Jonathan (2), born in 1681
in Springfleld, Mass., died in 1746 in En
field, Conn. Aaron (3), born iu 1717 In
Enfleld, and died there in 1805. Eufus, sr.,
(4) born in Enfield iu 1754, and died there
in 1840. Eufus, jr. (5), born in Enfield in
1784, died iu Springfield in 1862. Gilbert
Alden (6), born in Enfield in 1819. Jona
than, the flrst ancestor of whom there is
record, came to Springfleld in 1678, where
he took the oath of allegiance the same
yeai' ; iu 1680 he emigrated to Enfleld,
Conn., becoming one of its earliest perma
nent settlers. All his children, except the
oldest son, were born there. Eufus Bush,
sr., great-grandson of the flrst Jonathan,
was a soldier during the Eevolutionary
war — 1775 to 1778 — serving about two
years in all, and received a pension from
the United States government. His wife,
Huldah Alden, was a great-great-great-
granddaughter of John and Priscilla Alden,
of Mayflower fame ; therefore, the descend
ants of Eufus Bush, sr., are also direct
descendants of "John and Priscilla." Gil
bert Alden Bush received a common school
education and is a gunsmith by trade. He
was married on April 16, 1847, to Euphra
sia M. Cooper, of Springfleld. Their chil
dren are Florence E., unmarried, and M.
Alice, married, with no children.
EOADSTEAND, ALICE MAUDE (Noble), p. O.
Springfield, Mass., was born in Westfleld,
Mass., February 20, 1861. Her parents
were Henry S. and Augusta W. (Brooks)
Noble. On December 31, 1885, she was
married to Charies J. Eoadstrand. Her
brother, Harris Wells Noble, of Feeding
Hills, Mass., was born at West Suffield,
Conn., January 26, 1870, and was married
to Emma Nelson on October 8, 1891. Their
children are Walter Anthony Noble, born

May 27, 1892, at Spokane, Wash., and Fay
Albert Noble, born January 9, 1894, at
West Suffield, Conn. Among the early set
tlers to whom Mrs. Eoadstrand can trace
her ancestry on both sides are the follow
ing : Christopher Avery and his only son,
James, came to America in 1630 and in
1649 James became a resident of New
London, Conn. In 1656 he built a house
in what is at present Groton, Conn., and
was known as Captain James Avery of
Groton. He was born in 1620 in England
and was married on November 10, 1643, to
Joanna Greenslade — Eobert Allyn, born in
1608, came to Salem, Mass., in 1637, and re
moved to New London, Conn., iu 1651, and
a few years later to Allyn's Point, now Led-
yard. Conn. ; his wife's name cannot be
recalled ; he died in 1683. Thomas Noble,
of Boston, removed to Springfleld in 1653,
an early settler of Westfleld. He was mar
ried November 1, 1660, to Hannah Warri
ner, born August 17, 1643, iu Springfleld,
Mass. Thomas, died January 20, 1704.
Peter Brooks, bom in Upton, Mass., June
23, 1803, removed to Westfleld, Mass., about
1850 ; married November 29, 1827, to Emily
F. Woodward. He died at Westfleld, Octo
ber 19, 1872.
Shipley, Joseph Lucien, p. o. Spring
field, Mass., was bom in Londonderry, N.
H., March 31, 1836, son of John and grand
son of Amos Shipley. John Shipley was a
native of Londonderry, N. H., born April
10, 1809, and his wife was a daughter of
Capt. Joseph Dickey, a soldier iu the war
of 1812, and of Scotch-Irish descent. John
Shipley was a farmer and carpenter, was
a prominent man in his town, holding many
offices, and serving two terms in the legis
lature. He died iu January, 1875, and his
wife on April 10, 1886. Joseph L. Ship
ley attended the common schools, and was
prepared for college at Kimball Academy,
Meriden, N. H. ; he was graduated from
Yale in 1861, with an excellent record. For
two years he was principal of Bacon Acad
emy, at Colchester, Conn., and in 1863,
came to Springfleld as night editor of the
Eepublican. After three years' service on
this paper in this department, he went to
the Boston Journal, where three years was
spent ou the editorial staff of that paper.
After a year as managing editor of the
Eepublican at Scranton, Pa,, and two years
as editor and half owner of the Register

( 567 )

APPENDIX

and Chronicle of Allentowwn, Pa., early iu
1872, he went to Taunton, Mass., to assume
the management of the Gazette, to remain
only till August of the same year, when he
accepted a call to take au editorial position
on the Union at Springfleld, which connec
tion existed for the next twenty years. In
1881 he became editor and chief owner, and
through his previous and subsequent man
agement the Union became one of the lead
ing journals in the state. In 1892, owing
to failing health, he was forced to dispose
of his interests in the Union. In the fall
of 1893, having regained his health in a
measure, he was elected to the legislature
and re-elected in 1894, He died suddenly
from heart disease on December 17, 1894,
while at home in Springfleld, Mr. Shipley
was for many years an active member and
for some time one of the deacons of the
First church, a member and vice-president
of the Connecticut Valley Congregational
club, and state delegate to the Congrega
tional council in 1886 ; he was a member of
the Winthrop club and of The club, an
organization composed of a limited number
of literary men, and was a director of the
Massasoit Paper Manufacturing Co. of Hol
yoke. Mr. Shipley was married on October
4, 1864, to Margaret H., daughter of Capt.
Hiram Weeks, of Colchester, Conn.
Bailey, Petee Shaepe, p. u. Springfleld,
Mass., was born in New York city. May 31,
1841, a son of William E. and Jane
(Sharpe) Bailey. He is descended from
Benoni Bailey (1), who was born iu Bethel,
Conn., 1697, and died at the age of ninety-
six. Samuel Bailey (2), a lieutenant in
the 16th Eegiment of Connecticut in 1776.
Noah Starr Bailey (3), born in Norwalk,
Conn., in 1790. William E. Bailey (4),
born in Norwalk, Conn., October 31, 1817.
Peter S. Bailey (5). His mother's ances
tors were among the first settlers of Brook
lyn, N. Y, Peter Sharpe Bailey was edu
cated in the public schools of Brooklyn,
N. Y,, and at New Britain (Conn.), high
school. In September, 1861, he was ap
pointed first lieutenant iu the 27th Mass.
Infantry and was discharged as captain in
January, 1865. On October 1, 1863, he was
married to Lavina L. Johnson, of Na,shua,
N. H., who died December 12, 1880. On
June 6, 1883, he was married to Ida F.
Shapleigh, who was born iu Great Falls,
N. H,, June 9, 1859, They have one son.

George William Bailey, born in Springfleld,
May 21, 1884. Mr. Bailey came to Spring
fleld in 1858 and has been treasurer and
secretary of the Hampden Savings bank
for thirty-two years. He is a member of the
military order of the Loyal Legion U. S.,
E. K. Wilcox Post No, 16, G. A. E., was
commander of Springfleld commandery.
Knights Templar four years, and is an hon
orary member of Hampden lodge, F. &
A. M.
Dunbar, Nahum (deceased), wa^ born in
North Bridgewater, Plymouth county, Mass.,
iu March, 1806, son of Ebenezer and Ee-
becca (Copeland) Dunbar. Nahum Dunbar
was descended from Eobert Dunbar, who
came to America soon after the battle ol
Dunbar, where he fought against the forces
of Cromwell, and, according to tradition,
sought safety here. He had a son James,
who took up land in North Bridgewater,
and the farm upon which Nahum Dunbar
was born is a part of the land which had
been held in the family name until a few
years ago, when Emily Dunbar, who inher
ited it, married a Mr. Thomson, thus ex
tinguishing the Dunbar name from its own
ership. Through his mother, Eebecca
Copeland, Nahum was a lineal descendant
of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, and
of John Winslow and Mary Chilton, all of
whom came to America on the Mayflower.
Ebenezer Dunbar, father of Nahum, when
a boy of eighteen years, enlisted in the
continental army when the Lexington
alarm reached Bridgewater, and fought in
several of the battles of the revolution.
Col. Lemuel Dunbar, au uncle of Ebenezer,
was commissioned commander of ail the
forces in Massachusetts Bay during the
French and Indian war, as is shown by a
parliamentary commission in possession of
the family. Nahum Dunbar was educated
in Bridgewater and Boston, whence he re
moved to Springfleld and engaged in the
pattern-making business with Philos Tyler,
later selling out his share of the trade, but
still continuing in charge of the pattern-
making department of the American Ma
chine works. In March, 1836, Mr. Dunbar
was married to Eoxana Davis, and their
children were as follows : Mary Austin and
William Frederick, who both died in in
fancy ; Mary Louise Dunbar, Edward Mor
ris Dunbar, who was a physician in Hart
ford, Conn., and died in 1876 ; Elizabeth

( 568 )

APPENDIX.

Anna Dunbar, who was flrst married to
William S. Jewett, an artist, who died in
1872, and in 1877 she was married to J.
Howard Smith, of California ; and Arthur
Herbert, who died In Forquay, England, in
1872. Downey, Charles John, M. D., p. o.
Springfleld, Mass., was born in Granville,
Mass., March 23. 1869, son ot John F. and
Catherine (Loftus) Downey. John F. Dow
ney was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in
1832, and came to America in 1846. De
cember 25, 1862, he was married in AVest
fleld to Catherine Loftus, who was born in
County Clare, Ireland, in 1835, and came
to America in 1851. Dr. Charles J. Dow
ney was educated in the public schools of
Granville, a private high school, and was
graduated from the Westfleld State Normal
school and from the University of Ver
mont. Swazey, Walter W., D. D, S., p. o.
Springfield, Mass., was born in Springfield
in 1850, son of George W. Swazey,
M. D., a native of Exeter, N. H.,
and Sarah B. Allen, his wife, a native
of Bath, Me. Dr. George W. Swazey was
the flrst and for many years the only
homoeopathic physician in this part of the
state, coming to Springfield from Newbury
port, Mass., where he previously practiced,
in 1844. Dr. Walter AV. Swazey is a den
tist, a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental
college, and has practiced in Springfleld
since 1873. In 1877 he was married to
Lydia P. Winne, of Albany, N. Y. Their
children are Genevra W., and Walter W.,
jr., both born in Springfleld,
Dexter, Henrietta (Wilcox), p. o.
Springfleld, Mass., was born in Springfleld,
daughter of Philip and Ezra Parma-
lee Wilcox. Philip AA'ilcox was a native of
Berlin, Conn., and came to Springfleld in
1820. He was descended from Daniel Wil
cox, one of the founders of Berlin in 1636.
Mrs. Eliza Parmalee Wilcox was born in
Middletown, Conn., and was descended
from Jehu Burr, who came with William
Pynchon to Springfleld in 1636. Jehu Burr
was one of the three signers of the original
deed of Springfield, but soon after coming
here was appointed tax collector for the
king, for the Connecticut valley, and moved
to Danbury, Conn. ; thence to Fairfield,
Conn. Aaron Burr, flrst president of Prince
ton college, and Aaron Burr, vice-president

of the United States, were descendants of
Jehu. Henrietta Wilcox was educated in
public and boarding schools and was mar
ried to Jenness K. Dexter on October 6,
1875. Their children are Ernest Jenness,
Philip AA'ilcox and Courtlaud AA'ilcox Dexter.
Warren, William Chapin, p. o. Spring
fleld, Mass., w.is born iu AA'ardsboro, Vt.,
September 24, 1839, son of Dr. John Parker
and Lucy Maynard (Wheelock) Warren.
Dr. John P. Warren and his wife were both
natives of Wardsboro ; he was born August
21, 1793, and she September 29, 1798. The
doctor was a. well-known and successful
physician in southern Vermont for many
years ; he died in Brattleboro, Vt., Septem
ber 14, 1878. William Chapin Warren was
educated in the district school and at Mon
son academy, and is a wholesale dealer in
flour and produce. He was married on
September 18, 1867, to Louise Towne Fitts.
They have had seven children, four of
whom are now living, viz. : Eobert Fitts
AA^arren, Katharine Louise (Mrs. James P.
Clark), Clifford Parker and Emily Ward.
Mrs. Louise T. Warren is a daughter of
Lewis L. and Emily (Ward) Fitts. Mr.
Fitts was born in Charlton, Mass., Decem
ber 5, 1813. He was educated in the dis
trict school and learned the carpenter's
trade, and later that of stair builder and
being for many years the only stair builder
in Western Massachusetts. He settled in
Springfleld in 1841, and in 1842 was married
to Emily Ward, of Charlton. They lived
in a house he built on William street until
the land was required for the William street
school house in 1900, when he removed to
Pearl street, where he died July 20, 1901.
At the time of his death he was one of the
oldest residents of the city.
Eoberts, John W., p. o. Springfleld,
Mass., was born iu Pharsalia, Chenango
county, N. Y., October 31, 1862. With his
widowed mother, Mrs. Huldah T. Eoberts,
born in Fenner, N. Y., March 1, 1836, he
came to Hampden county in April, 1877,
and to Springfield in October, 1879. He
was educated in the common schools of
New York and Massachusetts and later at
tended the Coleman Business college, in
Newark, N. J. On January 4, 1888, he
was married to Susie L. Alexander. They
have one child, Arthur C. Eoberts, bom
January 21, 1890.

( 569 )

APPENDIX

Buckland, Harlheigh HeAth, Spring
field, Mass., was born at Bast Windsor.
Conn.. October 25, 1805, son of Capt.
Erastus and Sarah (Heath) Buckland.
He was educated at AA'ashington (now
Trinity) college, from which he was
graduated in 1831, and attended Yale
Law school in 1832 and 1833. He
practiced his profession a number of
years in Springfleld, but on account of ill
health was obliged to practically abandon
active practice. On November 5, 1834, he
was married to Sophia Moseley, youngest
daughter of Nathaniel Moseley, of Spring
field. They purchased a delightfully siu-
ated home on North Main street, just north
of Seventh street. They had five children,
two of whom died in infancy ; the other
three being Edward Harlheigh Buckland,
Almanzor Ames Buckland and Anne Sophia
Buckland. Harlheigh Heath Buckland
died August 23, 1846, and his wife Sophia
on September 10, 1897. Edward Harlheigh
Buckland, the oldest son, was graduated
from Philadelphia Dental college, February
28, 18-85, and the Jledical Chirurgical col
lege, April 16, 1891. He settled iu Phila
delphia in the practice of dentistry. He
was married to Florence P. Byers, eldest
daughter of Col. Charles P. and Bmeline
(Cox) Byers, November 2, 1869. They had
three children, two of whom died in infan
cy, and the eldest, Florence Cora, died
February 21, 1S95. Almanzor Ames Buck-
land, the younger son of H, H. and Sophia,
was associated with his brother Edward H.
in the jewelry business in Springfleld pre
vious to the latter studying dentistry. The
business was given- up on account of the
failing health of Almanzor and Edward's
change of business. Their store in the
building of the Springfleld Institution for
Savings will be remembered by many, be
cause of the sidewalk clock they erected in
front thereof. Almanzor died November 27,
1893, at his home, on State street. Anne
Sophia Buckland resides at the homestead,
where her mother livBd and died, 731 State
street. Harlheigh H. Buckland was de
scended from William Buckland, of English
descent (1), who resided in East Hartford,
Conn., and was buried September 1, 1679.
William Buckland (2), born about 1628,
and wife Elizabeth. They lived in Windsor,
Conn., where he died May 13, 1681. Wil
liam Buckland (3), born 1650, and Eliza

beth Hills. Jonathan Buckland, born about
1716 in Ellington, Conn., (4) and Sybil
Burnham. Alexander Buckland (5), born
in Ellington, Conn., in 1737, and Sarah
Smith, of Nev/ Haven, Conn., born in 173S.
Capt. Erastus Buckland (6), bom in East
Windsor, Conn., April 2, 1773 (or 1774),
and Sarah Heath, born in East Windsor,
Conn., April 19, 1775. Sarah Heath Buck-
land was descended from John Osborn, of
East AA'indsor, Conn., and Ann Oldage, his
wife ; he was of Welsh origin, and died iu
1086, Sarah's father, Stephen Heath, born
in England May 25, 1750, died May 19,
1810, East Windsor, Conn. Sophia Moseley
Buckland, wife of H. H. Buckland, was a
direct descendant of John Alden (1) and
Priscilla, daughter of William Mullens, all
coming on the Mayflower to Plymouth in
1620, as follows: Ruth Alden (2), third
daughter of John and Priscilla, born about
1631, married John Bass, of Braiutree (now
Quincy). Sarah Bass (3), born January
29, 1672, married Ephraim Thayer. Ruth
Thayer (4), born April 1,- 1704, married
John Capen. Sarah Capen (5), born July
21, 1725, married Nathaniel Moseley, Aug
ust 11, -1742, and settled in Pomfret, Conn.
Nathaniel Moseley, jr. (6), bom December
22, 1743, married Rosaniia -Alwortli, Sep
tember 29, 1768. Nathaniel Moseley (7),
son of Nathaniel, jr., born June 20, 1771,
married Electa Buckland, July 14, 1796.
Sophia Moseley (8), ninth child and young
est daughter, married H. H. Buckland.
The Jloseley line is as follows : John Mose
ley (1) came from England in 1620 and
settled at Dorchester ; first wife, Elizabeth,
second. Cicely. Thomas Moseley (2), bom
about 1636, married Mary Lawrence. Ebe
nezer Moseley (3), born September 4, 1673,
married, first, Elizabeth Trescott, second,
Hannah Weeks. Nathaniel (4), born De
cember 1, 1715, married Sarah Capen.
Nathaniel (5), born December 22, 1743,
married Eosanna Al worth. Nathaniel (6),
born June 20, 1771. married Electa Buck-
land. Sophia (7), born March 19, 1815,
married Harlheigh H. Buckland. The only
living descendants at the present time are
Edward Harlheigh Buckland, D. D. S., of
Philadelphia, and A. Sophia Buckland, 731
State street, Springfleld, Mass.
Tobey, Frank George, p. o. Springfleld,
Mass., son of George and Lucina (Stod
dard) Tobey, was born at the family homeo

( 570 )

APPENDIX

stead on State street, the fifteenth of Jan
uary, 1847. On the tweuty-flrst of January,
1875, he married Ednah D. Parker, of
Exeter, N. H., and they have had the fol
lowing children : Mary Lucina, born Jan
uary 21, 1877, died March 12, 1886 ; Hath-
orne Parker, born December 5, 1879, died
January 23, 1884. The flrst Tobey to settle
in America was Thomas, who came to this
country in 1635. Thomas married Martha
Knott, of Sandwich, Mass., in 1650. An
other prominent ancestor was Capt. Prince
Tobey, born at New Bedford, Mass., June
7, 1741, and died July 7, 1810. On the
fifth of January, 1765, he married Jane
Delano, a great-great-granddaughter of
Philip De la Noye, a French protestant who
joined the English at Leyden and arrived
at Plymouth iu the Fortune on August 9,
1621. Capt. Prince Tobey settled at Con
way, Mass. The flrst Tobey to settle in
Hampden county was Elisha, born February
22, 1779, iu Conway, Mass., and died June
29, 1840, at Springfield. He was the son
of Capt. Prince Tobey. On the twelfth of
August, 1812, Jonathan Smith, jr., first high
sheriff of Hampden county, appointed Elisha
Tobey deputy sheriff. Elisha was a promi
nent Mason, was first junior warden of
Hampden lodge, 1818, and secretary of the
Morning Star Eoyal Arch chapter. He first
married a Mrs. Gambier, of Philadelphia.
and of this union were born two sons and
three daughters. His second wife was Miss
Sophia Ferre, granddaughter of Enoch
Chapin, of Springfield. She was born in
1788, and died in Springfield, August 24,
1859. Of this union there were six sons
and four daughters born. His fifteen chil
dren were Joseph, born March 12, 1802 ;
Jane, born February 4, 1804 ; Margaret,
born December 12, 1808 ; Mary, born Feb
ruary 22, 1810 ; Henry, bom March 31,
1813 ; Sophia Chapin, born April 19, 1815 ;
Elizabeth Goddard, born July 12, 1817. War
ren Delano, born January 24, 1819 ; George,
the father of the subject of this sketch,
born November 17, 1820, at Springfleld, and
died December 21, 1898, at Blandford,
Mass. ; Josiah, born September 4, 1822 ;
Elisha, jr., born January 26, 1826 ; Sarah,
born September 18, 1827, and died Septem
ber 30, same year ; Sarah Eliza, born Octo
ber 27, 1828 ; Edward Everett, born Octo
ber 17, 1832, and William.

Deane, Wallace H., M. D., p. o. Spring
field, Mass., was born iu Canaan, Conn.,
May 24, 1853, and was educated at Yale
college. He flrst settled in Hampden coun
ty iu 1877, at Blandford, where he re
mained eighteen years. In December, 1895,
he removed to Springfleld, where he now
resides, at 265 Union street. On his
father's side he is descended from the
Deanes who came from Germany and set
tled in Canaan, Conn., in 1780. Dr.
Deaue's mother was Mary Church, whose
ancestors came to Boston from England
shortly after the Pilgrim colony was
founded. One of the most prominent of
her ancestors was Capt, Benjamin Church,
who was one of the most important Eng
lish officers in King Philip's war, having
brought the contest to a successful issue.
Capt. Church lived near Boston and was
a leader iu the stirring events of colonial
days. Commodore Perry — the hero of
"Perry's Victory on Lake Brie" was a de
scendant of the Churches. The commo
dore's mother was a Church, and a sister
to Dr. Deane's great-grandfather Church.
He (Perry) it was who sent the famous
message to General Harrison, viz., "We
have met the enemy and they are ours,"
Dr, Deane's great-grandfather Church was
iu the French and Indian war and also
fought through the Revolutionary war.
His Grandfather Church fought iu the war
of 1812-15.
NOETON, Heney L., p, o. Springfleld,
Mass., was born April 1, 1871, in the town
of Canaan, Conn., son of John and Sarah
A. (Jones) Norton. John Norton was a
native of Great Barrington, Mass., where
he was connected with mining interests.
He removed to West Springfleld in 1871,
and became identifled with railroad inter
ests. Henry L. Norton was educated in
the public schools and studied practical en
gineering under William H. Burrell. For
fourteen years he devoted his attention to
bridge building, and in 1897 organized the
flrm of Collins & Norton, contracting engin
eers and bridge builders. He is a member
of the American society of civil engineers.
In 1879 he married Emma Prances, daugh
ter of Lyman L. Kimball, of Revere.
Bemis, Sumnee A., p. o. Springfield,
Mass., was bom in Putney, Vt., August 9,
1832, His father was a contractor and
builder, and married Amanda Carlin. Sum-

( 571 )

APPENDIX

ner was educated in the common schools
and learned the cabinet maker's trade. In
1851 he came ts Springfield and engaged
iu cabinet making, which business he soon
disposed of, and then was employed for
twelve years iu the U. S. armory. In 1883
he received a patent on a car box, for the
manufacture and sale of which he organ
ized the Bemis Car Box Co., of which he
is the president. Mr. Bemis is also presi
dent of the Munder Electrical works and
of the J. H. Rogers Carriage Co. In 1872
he married Ella M. Chase.
Phillips, Lewis, p. u. Springfield, Mass.,
was born in West Springfield, November 21,
1825, a son of Elijah (a native of the same
town) and Mary (Smith) Phillips, and
grandson of Thompson Phillips, the latter
also a native of the town. For three gen
erations the family have been prosperous
farmers in West Springfield. Lewis Phil
lips was educated in the Westfield Nor
mal school and, following in the footsteps
of his ancestors, he afterward engaged in
farming, having lived ou his present farm
over forty years. He also deals in real es
tate to a limited extent. Mr. Phillips is a
member of the Hampden lodge, P. & A. M.
of Spring-field ; of the Springfleld council,
E. & S. Al., and of Morning Star chapter, E.
A. M. He has been married twice ; flrst,
to Lucinda Payne of Cavendish, Vt., who
died leaving one son, Milton L., now of
West Springfleld ; and second, he married
Maria D. AA'atson of Blandford, who bore
him two children, Watson L., and Hattie L.,
the latter now the wife of John J. Eeed,
of Boston.
Dunning, James Gaedneh, attorney and
counsellor at law, residing and practicing
In Springfleld, is a native of Bath, Maine,
born May 25, 1857, and is a descendant
of the Maine family of Dunnings, who for
many years have been familiar characters
in the history of that state. The ancestor
of the family was Andrew Dunning, born
in Ashburton, Devonshire, England, in 1664,
and who immigrated to America with his
family in 1718, settling on Maquoit bay,
town of Brunswick, District of Maine,
where he was a personage of influence and
of acknowledged integrity and uprightness
of character. In religious faith and pref
erence he was a devout Presbyterian. James
G, Dunning acquired his early education in
the Bath schools, graduated from the high

school iu 1874, and for the next four years
was a teacher iu the public schools of that
city. He then took up the study of law
and was graduated from the law department
of Boston university in 1880. He came ^
to the Hampden bar in 1881, and since that
time has been engaged in active practice in
Springfleld. He was a member of the school
committee six years. Ou June 5, 1884, Mr.
Dunning married Sadie L. Potter, of Bath.
The children of this marriage are Harold
G. Dunning, born May 17, 1885, and Ray
P. Dunning, born December 12, 1888.
Weiser, Walter Eupeet, M. D., physician
and surgeon, of Springfleld, is a native of
York, Pa., born June 13, 1870. He is of
German extraction and is descended from
Conrad Weiser, who settled in Pennsyl
vania in the seventeenth century. Dr.
Weiser acquired his elementary education
in the York public schools, graduating at
the high school in that city in 1885. He
graduated from the Philadelphia College
of Pharmacy (Ph. G.) in 1889, and from
the University of Pennsylvania (M. D.) in
1892. Two years later he came to Spring
fleld and since has been actively identified
with the practice of medicine in that city
and its vicinity. On September 8, 1896,
Dr. Weiser married Hattie L. Lamson, by
whom he has one son. Prank Hale Weiser,
born August 30, 1897.
Belding, Elijah, of the flrm of Mcin
tosh & Co., of Springfleld, whose ancestor
in America was Stephen Belding, was born
in Northfleld, Mass., April 18, 1847. His
elementary and business education- were ac
quired in Powers institute, Bem-ardston,
the Brattleboro (Vermont) high school and
Eastman's Business college, Poughkeepsie,
N. Y. Mr. Belding came to Springfleld in
March, 1868, and since that year has been
identifled with the business and mercantile
history of the city. On June 14, 1870, he
married Harriet B. Overhiser. Their chil
dren are John Eastman Belding, born Oc
tober 16, 1872, and Everett Elijah Belding,
born February 15, 1879.
Ireland, Oscar Brown, p. o. Springfleld,
was born in New York city October 28,
1840. He was educated in New York pri
vate and public schools and the then free
academy, now the College of the City of
New York. On December 11, 1877, Mr.
Ireland married Jeannie Gordon, and they
have one son, Gordon, born December 23,

( 572 )

APPENDIX

1880, in Springfleld. Mr. Ireland settled
in Hampden county in 1872. Thomas Ire
land, the flrst of this family in America,
was in 1644 one of the original settiers of
Hempstead, Queens county, New York.
Harris, Daniel Lester, was born in
Providence, R. 1., February 6, 1818, son
ol Allen and Hart (Lester) Harris and a
descendant in the eighth generation ol
Thomas Harris, a native of England, who
came to America with his brother William
in 1631 and settled in Salem. He left the
Salem colony with Roger AA'illiams and his
company and settled in Providence, R. I.,
where he was a man of consequence in the
afEairs of the new plantation, and where,
also, for many generations his descendants
continued to reside. Indeed, all the an
cestors of Daniel L. Harris were Rhode
Islanders, and he alone was the pioneer
ol his family in Hampden county, having
settled in Springfleld in 1843. Five years
later he purchased the house and property
at the corner of Pearl and Chestnut streets,
where his family ever since have lived. Mr.
Harris died July 11, 1879. He was edu
cated in the academy in Plaiufleld, Conn.,
and also in Wesleyan university in Middle-
town, graduating at the latter institution
August 23, 1837. On May 25, 1843, at
Albany, N. Y., he married Harriet Octavia
Corson, of Cauastota, N. Y. Of this mar
riage eleven children were born, viz : Ed
gar Lester, died aged 2 years ; twin daugh
ters, died iu infancy ; Corinne Lester, Har
riet Buckingham, Azariah Boody, Sarah
Jeannie, Eliza Johnson, Ambia Corson,
Henrietta Clark and Cornelia Hawkins Har
ris. Shattuck, Edwin White, flrst became a
factor in Springfleld history in 1859, in
which year he returned from a journey
in the western states. Since that time he
has been closely identified with Spring
field's growth and development, first as
practical carpenter and joiner, and subse
quently and chiefly as builder and con
tractor. Mr. Shattuck is a native of Am
herst, born August 12, 1834, and a descend
ant in the seventh generation of William
Shattuck, who was born iu England about
1621 or 1622 and died in Watertown, Mass.,
August 14, 1672. Edwin Shattuck's father
was born in Deerfield in 1786 and removed
thence to Amherst in 1833, and he died in
that town in 1851. He married, first, Olive

P. Turner (died October 4, 1828), by whom
he had five children, all now dead. His sec
ond wife was Tirza Porter (died September
24, 1857), who bore him three children;
Olive, Edwin AVhite and Ellen Maria Shat
tuck. Of these Edwin White Shattuck
alone survives. He was reared and edu
cated in Amherst, but was put to work
early in lite to help maintain his widowed
mother and care for the home farm. He
learned the carpenter's trade and became a
thorough workman, all of which was for
his personal advantage when he assumed
the more hazardous responsibilities of con
tracting and building. Mr. Shattuck has
twice married, flrst, Betsey E. Kimball, of
Enfield, and second, Sarah Lavinia Bug
bee, of Belchertown, The late Edward Por
ter Shattuck was the only child of the flrst
marriage. He was born May 31, 1861, and
died February 13, 1877. The children of
the second marriage were Emma Eliza, Hat
tie Almira (wife of E. F. Leonard), Ger
trude Sarah and Grace Anna( twins) Shat
tuck. Caldwell, AA'inpoed Newman, was born
in Springfleld, July 26, 1857, only child of
Charles Edmund and Melissa Samantha
Morgan Caldwell. On his father's side he
is descended from John Caldwell (born
1624, died 1692), who settled in the Massa
chusetts colony about 1640, and on his
mother's side he is descended from Allies
Morgan, who settled in Springfleld in 1656,
and whose statue in bronze is one of the
chief adornments of court square. Win-
ford Newman Caldwell married. May 22,
1883, Fannie Louise Houston. Their chil
dren are Ruth Houston Caldwell, born July
2, 1889, and Charles Morgan Caldwell, born
August 1, 1894.
The Rumeill Family. — Among the
early settlers of Enfleld, Conn., when that
region was a part of Alassachusetts, was
Simon Rumrill, from whom has descended
that branch of the family whose representa
tives have flgured so prominently in Spring
fleld and Hampden county history- Ac
cording to established record, the name or
iginally was spelled Romril, the ancestors
having been of Norman origin, and among
the early Huguenot immigrants to the Salem
and Roxbury colonies were persons of that
name. In Enfleld, Simon appears to have
been among the colonists and there in 1650
he married Sarah Primin. The date of the

( 573 )

APPENDIX

settlement in Springfleld of the flrst Rum
rill is now unknown, but it was before the
time of Alexander Rumrill, who was a flgure
in early Springfleld history. He married
one of the numerous family of the sur
name Bliss, and his wife was twin sister to
the mother of the late John B. Stebbins.
In early days the Rumrills were farmers,
and fourteen of them are credited with
patriotic service in the revolution, and
eleven others with service during the war
of 1812-15. Ebenezer and Nehemiah Rum
rill are mentioned among the ratable inhab
itants of the town iu 1774. The collateral
branches of the family are much scattered,
but all trace their ancestry to Simon Rum
rill of Enfleld. Some of them held offices
of responsibility in colonial times, and in
all generations of Hampshire and Hampden
history since the revolution the surname
Rumrill has been known iu civil and busi
ness life. The late James G. Rumrill was
a prominent flgure in Springfleld history.
He married Rebecca Pierce. James A. Rum
rill is a son of this marriage.
Smith, William Howard, — Among the
Smiths who came to New England in 1630,
was a family of four brothers and one sis
ter — Christopher, Simon, Joseph, William,
and Mary, who removed to Hartford, Conn.,
soon after their arrival. William married
Elizabeth Staudley of Hartford, August,
1644, and they settled in Farmington, Conn.,
where William died in January, 1670, leav
ing nine children. His sixth child, Benja
min, was born in Farmington in 1658, and
after his marriage to Euth Loomis of West-
field, he removed to that precinct. On the
seventh of September, 1688, he purchased
of John Pynchon, of Springfleld, several
tracts of laud in West Springfleld, at a
place called Pauquetuck, and after a year
or two, built a house which he occupied
with his family. He died iu 1738, at the
age of eighty years. He had eight children.
Jonathan, the seventh child, was born 1697,
married and built a house just east of Pau
quetuck brook and died there Feb. 9, 1772.
He had seven children. David, his second
child, married Margaret Day and they had
six children. He occupied a house and
land near his father. One of the children,
David, jr., born in 1757, married Naomi
Howard, born at Sturbridge, Mass., April
23, 1767. David, jr., with his father,
fought in the revolutionary war. A letter

written by the son to the father and dated
Schenectady, N. Y., August, 1780, speaks of
"his company being ordered to join Col,
Col. Brown's regiment at Stone Arabia,
where the Indians are making havoc." He
lived after his marriage at the ancestral
home in Pauquetuck and died there July 21,
1814, his wife having died previously. He
had four children, Harvey, David, Marvin
and Naomi. After his death the children
lived with relatives. The son David was
bom March 19, 1803 ; was apprenticed to
Capt. Fowler of Feeding Hills at the age of
sixteen, to learn the wagon making busi
ness. David came to Springfleld in 1826
and started the carriage making business on
South Main street, now the corner of Main
and Park streets. He married Harriet
Griffin of Granby, Conn. (Copper hill dis
trict), May 20, 1828. She was born at
Granby, August 24, 1801, and died in
Springfleld, March 5, 1870. Three children
were born to them : Harriet, born Septem
ber 25, 1829, died in infancy ; William How
ard, born November 24, 1832, and Mary
Jane, born February 9, 1836, died March 10,
1854. William Howard Smith was edu
cated in the public schools and at Wilbra
ham academy, and entered the employ of
his father in 1849. He was admitted to
partnership in 1856, succeeding to the bus
iness in 1873, and he still continues it at
the same place. David Smith died in
Springfleld, April 9, 1875. William married
Martha Young Trafton, daughter of Eev.
Mark Trafton, May 5, 1858, in this city.
She was born at East Pittston, Me., March
29, 1837. One child, Minnie Lee Smith,
was born to them, October 5, 1859 ; the
wife died November 16, 1862. Minnie Lee
Smith married Norman Norton Fowler of
Springfleld, October 9, 1889. He was born
at Agawam, October 24, 1857. Four chil
dren have been born to them : Constance,
born December 25, 1890 ; William Smith,
born July 18, 1892 ; Eoger Wood, bom May
22, 1895, and Mark Trafton, born August 2,
1899, died June 17, 1900.
Beeck, Dr. Theodoee Feelinghuysen,
of Springfleld, state medical examiner, sur-'
geon for the Boston and Albany railroad
company, is a native of Phelps, Ontario
county, N. Y., born July 29, 1844, son of
the late Dr. William Oilman and Mary Van
Deventer Breck, his father having been for
many years one of Springfleld's leading phy-

( 574 )

APPENDIX

sicians and surgeons, and whose professional
life is noted at length in the medical chap
ter of this work. Dr. Theodore P. Breck
acquired his elementary education in Willis
ton seminary, and graduated at Harvard
medical college in 1866. He also studied
medicine two and one-half years in Europe,
and the greater portion of his professional
life has been passed in Springfleld. During
the war of 1861-5, he was with the union
army iu the capacity of surgeon and was
stationed at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Vir
ginia. On April 18, 1872, he married Helen
Cordelia Townsend, of Boston, of which
marriage two children have been born ;
Helen Townsend Breck, born March 13,
1873, and William Gilman Breck, born June
22, 1877, On his father's side Dr. Breck
is a descendant of Edward Breck, a man of
distinction, born in Lancaster, England,
about 1595. He married iu England in
1617 and emigrated from Ashtou-on-Lyme
with a band of Puritans to the Massachu
setts colony in 1635, sailing in the ship
"James" from Bristol, Bug., to Boston, in
company with Rev. Richard Mather and
others. He settled iu Dorchester and joined
the church there in 1636, and he appears,
also, to have prospered in his efforts in life,
having built and owned one of the flrst
grist mills, and also became the owner of
more than one house besides his property in
Lancaster, Bug. He was an officer of the
town in 1642, 1645 and 1646, and he died
November 2, 1662. Eobert Breck, great-
great-great-graudfather of Dr. Theodore F.
Breck, was graduated at Harvard college in
1700, and is mentioned as having been a
man of great learning and such a master of
languages that frequently at family prayers
he would read in English a chapter from
the Hebrew bible. His son, Samuel Breck,
great-great-grandfather of Dr. Breck, grad
uated at Harvard in 1742. He became an
eminent physician and was one of the
founders of the Episcopal church in Great
Barrington in 1762. Dr. Breck's great-
great-great uncle on his mother's side was
Nathaniel Whitaker (a Presbyterian min
ister), who was sent to England to collect
funds for a school, which resulted in the
establishment of Dartmouth college. A
painting of Mr. Whittaker hangs in the
picture gallery of the college. Mr. Whit
aker was born at Huntington, L. I., 1730,
and died at Hsimpton, Va., 1795,

Weston, Geoegb Dake, M. D., of Spring
fleld, is a native of old historic Windsor,
A'ermont, boru August 9, 1860. He ac
quired his early education in the Windsor
public schools and in the scientific depart
ment ol Dartmouth college, where he grad
uated with the degree of "B. S." in 1884.
He then entered the medical department of
the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel
phia, and was graduated with the degree of
M. D. in 1887. Subsequently he had fifteen
months service in Philadelphia hospitals,
and became a resident medical practitioner
in Springfield in 1892. On July 30, 1901,
Dr. Weston married Alice M. Haskell, ol
Springfield, formerly of Ascutneyville, Ver
mont, Royce, Chaeles Andeew, p, o. Spring
field, was born in Barre, Vt, in 1852. He
received a common school education and
moved to Springfleld in 1879. His wife
was E. Elizabeth, daughter of John Bran-
ning of Lee, Jlass. Their children are :
Helen Elizabeth, born iu 1882 ; Mary Edith,
born in 1885 ; John Branning, born in 1887 ;
Robert Andrew, born in 1890 ; and Kather-
ine, born iu 1894. Of this family, the flrst
Royce in America was Eobert, who came
from England to Boston in 1630. He was
disarmed as an adherent of Anne Hutchin
son, returned to England in 1639, and flve
years later again made his appearance in
Boston, where he was afterward constable
and member of assembly. Eobert's son,
Jonathan, settled iu New Loudon, Conn.,
where he was one of the flrst and largest
landholders. He married Deborah, daugh
ter of Hugh Calkins. The second Jonathan,
son of the flrst, removed to Lyme, Conn.,
where he married Ruth Beckwith. Next in
line was Nehemiah, who moved to Marlow,
N. H., and married Abigail, daughter of
Jean St. Augustine, a prominent Huguenot.
Nehemiah's sou, Samuel, was born in Mar-
low iu 1740, and died in 1802. He married
Rebecca Beckwith and served as volunteer
in the revolution. Andrew, the son of
Samuel, was born in 1765, died iu 1832.
He moved to Royalton, Vt., and married
Lorena Beckwith. The next and seventh
in line was Andrew, bom in 1805, and died
in 1864. Andrew's wife was Lucina Cooley,
whose mother's family name was Morgan.
The Morgan family moved from Hartford,
Vt., to Hampden county, and the records
show that Lucina Cooley's mother was a

( 575 )

APPENDIX

member of First church, but other details
are not given. Andrew Eoyce became a
prominent Congregational clergyman and
served in A'ermont from 1835 to 1864. Sev
enteen years of that time he was pastor at
Barre and founded the well known academy
at that place.
Allis, Dextee Hurlbut, D. D. S., of
Springfleld, was born in Hatfleld, August 10,
1867. He acquired his early education in
the Springfleld grammar and high schools
and his professional education in the Phila
delphia Dental. college, where he was grad
uated in 1888. Dr. Allis' ancestor who flrst
settled iu what now is Hampden county,
was John Searle, a native of Warwick, Eng.,
born about 1610, and who emigrated to
America with the Puritans. He came soon
afterward, it is said, to the Pynchon plant
ation at Springfleld, although Elizur Hoi-
yoke's record does not mention his name
among the town residents in 1664. He
was, however, one of our early settlers and
his farm lands extended from Cypress street
to the Massasoit house, as now known.
Tracing back to the period of early colonial
history, we learn that Dr. Allis is a descend
ant of Dr. Thomas Hastings, born in Water-
town (Conn.), in 1652; removed to Hatfleld
(Mass.), about 1675 and died in 1712. He
was the flrst physician- of Hatfleld. Anoth
er ancestor, William Allis, from an early
Puritan family, was born in Braiutree iu
1640. Another ancestor, Benjamin Wait,
was born about 1646 and married in 1670.
His wife and children were made captives
by the Indians during King Philip's war
and were taken to Canada, from whence
he rescued them only after great effort
and danger. He himself was killed by the
Indians in 1701, just at the beginning of
Queen Anne's war.
Bacon, Geoege Albert, attorney at law,
residing in Springfleld, is a native of Brim
fleld, born August 27, 1869. He acquired
his elementary education in the public
schools of Northampton (Mass.) and Hins
dale (N. H.), and afterward was a student
in the aeademic department of Boston uni
versity, and still later in the law school of
the same institution, where he graduted in
1895. He became a member of the Hamp
den bar the same year. On January 22,
1902, Mr. Bacon married Mabel Maria Sedg
wick, a native of Adams, Mass. George A.
Bacon is the son of Albert S. and Cynthia

(Leonard) Bacon, his father being a son
of George Bacon, late of Brimfleld, and his
mother a daughter of William Leonard, late
of Worthington. The ancestor of the fam
ily in Hampden county was James Bacon,
who removed from Dudley to Brimfleld at
and early and now unknown date, but soon
after his marriage (March 3, 1760) with
Martha Jewell. James was a great-great
grandfather of George A. Bacon, and was a
soldier in the American army during the
revolution. Bond, George Eaynolds, is a native of
Springfleld, boru November 10, 1855, and
has spent his business life in the city. He
married, June 17, 1890, Anna Mumford
Dakin (granddaughter of Col. Augustus G.
Hazard, of Enfield, Conn.), who died Octo
ber 9, 1897. Their children are Arthur
Hazard Bond, born September 13, 1891 ;
Fanny Hazard Bond, born May 2, 1893 ; and
George Eaynolds Bond, jr., born January 6,
1896. Mr. Bond's earliest ancestor In
Hampden county was Thomas Bond (born
September 17, 1777, died January 6, 1852 ;
married Jemima Halloway Bush, of Boyls-
ton), who removed from West Brookfield to
Springfleld in 1825, and was engaged in
mercantile pursuits. The common ancestor
of the family in America was William Bond,
who came from England and settled in
Watertown, Mass., about 1650. George
Taylor Bond, father of George E. Bond, was
born Jan. 22, 1817, and died Nov. 17, 1886 ;
married June 1, 1854, Anna Lyman Dodd
(of Burlington, A't.), born Nov. 28, 1827,
and died Oct. 29, 1864.
Clapp, Frederick Oliver, a resident of
Springfleld since 1871, is a native of Hins
dale, Berkshire county, born October 22,
1852. He was educated in the public schools
of Hinsdale and Pittsfield, after which he
started out to make his own way in life.
He was married October 16, 1877, with
Emma Prost, by whom he has two chil
dren ; Edwin Oliver Clapp, born April 14,
1883, and Marion Emma Clapp, born June
14, 1893. Ou the paternal side Mr. Clapp
is a descendant of old New England stock,
his ancestor having been Thomas Clapp,
born iu Dorchester, England, in 1597, and
who emigrated to, America and settled in
the Dorchester colony in 1633. He died
April 20, 1684, aged almost ninety years. '
¦The Clapp surname always has been well

( 576 )

APPENDIX

represented throughout the New England'
states by men of acknowledged understand
ing and worth.
Avery, Henry, whose residence in Spring
field dates from the year 1843, and who by
occupation among our people during the
period of his active life was a tailor and
clothier, was born in Griswold, Conn., De
cember 20, 1818, and was educated in the
public schools of his native town. Later
on he engaged in business pursuits and as a
tailor by trade he came to Springfield in
1845. In 1847 (September 13) he married
Sarah H. Taylor, and in 1897 the golden
anniversary of his wedding was appropri
ately celebrated. John Avery, father of
Henry, also was a native of Griswold, born
November 23, 1780, and in the war of 1812-
15 he served as captain of a company in the
defense of Stonington and Groton, although
those towns were not attacked. John
Avery (3d), grandfather of Henry, was
bom December 14, 1755, and was appointed
by the Connecticut general assembly as one
of the committee to furnish arms for the
state troops during the revolution. The
Avery ancestor in America was Christopher
Avery, who emigrated from England inl630
and settled in Boston or Gloucester. His
son James came with him and was the fath
er of the Averys who settled in New Lon
don in 1651, and were afterward closely
identified with the history, civil and eccle
siastical, of that town. James received a
grant of land in Groton iu 1656, and built
his house there, the latter having been suc
cessively occupied by his descendants until
1894, when the old structure was burned.
Sessions, William E. — The Sessions
family. According to tradition the flrst
Sessions to settle in America was Samuel
Sessions, who came to Boston with Gov,
Dudley. After a short residence in Rox
bury, he settled in Andover, where Alexan
der Sessions, the flrst of our ancestors of
whom we have record, was born in 1645.
He married, AprO 24, 1672, Eliza SpofEard
and died February 26, 1687. His son, Na
thaniel, was born August 8, 1681, and died
in 1771. He settled in Pomfret, Conn., and
was the flrst person that drove a team from
Pomfret to Providence, opening a road for
sixteen miles of the route through heavily
wooded forest. He carried back to Pom
fret the flrst load of West India goods taken
to that town. After he was eighty years of

age. finding his sight failing, he committed
to memory the New Testament, the Psalms
and many portions of the Old Testament.
He became totally blind before his death.
Ills son Amasa, ws born in Pomfret in 1720 ;
married Hannah Miller, of Rehoboth, Mass.,
and was captain with Putnam in the old
French war. His son, Robert, moved to
South AA'ilbraham (now the town of Hamp
den;, Hampden county, in 1781. Eobert
Session, just mentioned, was the flrst of the
Sessions family to settle in Hampden coun
ty. He purchased and moved on to the
Sessions homestead in South Wilbraham,
now town ol Hampden, in 1781 ; he was
born in Pomfret, March 13, 1752, married
Anna Ruggles of Pomfret, April 16, 1778,
and died on his farm, September 27, 1836,
aged eighty-four years and seven months.
His wile died November 22, 1838. Robert
Sessions lived in Boston when a young
man and was one of the party that threw
the tea overboard in Boston harbor, De
cember 13, 1773. An account of the affir
written by him appears in the historical
narrative, "Tea Leaves," printed in 1884,
Boston being at the time occupied by Brit
ish soldiers, he was obliged to flee the city
and he returned to Pomfret. He turned
out with his neighbor. Gen. Putnam, at the
"Lexington Alarm" and was afterward paid
for the same length of time as was Putnam.
He afterwards served as lieutenant with
Connecticut troops in the revolutionary
army. Four of his brothers, Amasa, John,
Nathaniel and Samuel, also served in the
revolutionary army. His wife, Anna Rug
gles, had three brothers in the revolutionary
army : Benjamin, Samuel and Edward Rug
gles. Eobert Sessions and his wife had
thirteen children : Betsy and Ch.arles (born
in Pomfret), Eobert, George, Nancy, Celina
(mother of the Newell brothers of Spring
fleld), E'rancis, Horace, Martha Phips, Han
nah Miller, Sumner, Nabby and William
Vyne ; twelve of the thirteen lived to ma
ture years. Eobert and Horace served in
the army in the war of 1812. Eobert Ses
sions was a prominent citizen of his town,
serving it as moderator, town clerk, treas
urer and selectman many times, and also
as representative iu the legislature three
terms. He was appointed justice of the
peace soon after he became a citizen of the
state and held the office until his death.
His son, William V., his grandson, William

37-8

( 577 )

APPENDIX

E,, and his great-grandson, AA'illiam J,, his
successors in the ownership of the home
stead in Hampden, have each by appoint
ment of the governor, held the office of
justice of the peace. His son, AVilUam
Vyne, his immediate successor ou the farm,
was born in South Wilbraham, September
14, 1801 ; married Lydia Ames, November
24, 1829, and died April 9, 1897, aged
nluety-flve years ; his wife Lydia, died July
3, 1893, aged niuety-tbree years. Their
children were Nancy Euggles, born August
10, 1830, died March 8, 1843 ; Lydia Ames,
born December 28, 1833, married Eev. W.
W. Woodworth ; William Eobert, born De
cember 3, 1835 ; Helen Victoria, born March
4, 1838, died March 4, 1843. William Vyne
Sessions spent his long life on the home
stead and was prominent in town affairs,
often serving as selectman and assessor.
He represented the town in the legislature
one term and was county commissioner for
three years. He helped to start the flrst
factory in the town for the manufacture of
woolen goods, and thus was an important
factor in the growth of the town. His
daughter, Lydia A., was educated at Mt.
Holyoke and was the flrst principal of Lake
Erie EVmaie seminary at Paiuesville, Ohio,
the pioneer institution of that section for
the higher education of women, William
Eobert Sessions was born in South Wilbra
ham (now Hampden), December 3, 1835,
and was educated in the common and select
schools ol South Wilbraham. He married
first, Elsie W. Cunningham, March 11, 1856,
who died July 29, 1869 ; he married second,
Lucy E. Cunningham, October 26, 1870, who
died January 10, 1887 ; he married third,
Clara Markham, August 22, 1888, who died
February 13, 1900 ; he married fourth,
Lydia Ellen Toombs, AprU 11, 1901. The
•children of William R. and Elsie W. Ses
sions were Elsie Mary, born September 7,
1857 ; William Joseph, born December 18,
1859 ; Helen Lydia, born September 2, 1861,
died May 21, 1883 ; Lucy Maria, born Aug
ust 4, 1865 ; Mortimer Walker, born Decem
ber 2, 1867, died Mary 17, 1872. All were
born in South Wilbraham. Elsie Mary,
married Jonas Coolidge Hills, of Hartford,
Conn., April 23, 1896 ; William Joseph mar
ried Mary B. Anderson, of Lawrence, Mc-
Henry county, 111., February 8, 1887. Their
children were Helen Lydia, born in Bene
dict, S. Dak., October 22, 1888, died March

29, 1889 ; Mina Anderson, born in Benedict,
S. Dak,, March 11, 1890 ; William Vyne,
born in Benedict, April 29, 1892, died May
28, 1892 ; AA'illiam A'yne, born iu Hampden
Jlass., November 19, 1896, and Robert Lee,
born in Hampden, June 3, 1899, died Feb
ruary 16, 1900. Lucy Maria married Silas
Ives Wallace, of Clinton, Mass., September
1, 1886. Their children are Earle Sessions,
born in Clinton, July 29, 1887 ; Sylvia Per
ry, born September 24, 1896. WUliam Eob
ert Sessions served as sergeant in Co. 1,
46th Mass. infantry, iu the war of 1861-5 ;
was taken prisoner and sent to Libby
prison ; served his town many terms a^
moderator, selectman, also as assessor and
school committee ; was appointed justice of
the peace by the governor ; was representa
tive iu the legislature in 1868 ; state sena
tor, flrst Hampden district, 1884 and 1885 ;
member of Massachusetts state board of
agriculture from 1879 to the present time ;
trustee of Massachusetts agricultural col
lege from 1885 to the present time ; secre
tary of the Massachusetts state board of
agriculture, 1887 to 1899 ; member of Wil
cox Post, G. A. E. He lived on the Sessions
homestead in South Wilbraham (Hampden)
and farmed the ancestral acres until May
1, 1899, when his son, William J. Sessions,
succeeded to this occupancy and ownership.
The latter had spent twelve years in South
Dakota, where he had served his township
in various offices and represented the coun
ty of Sanborn in the state legislature for
two years. Eeturning to his native town
in 1896, he was soon called to serve as
selectman and has held that office most of
the time since. Governor Crane appointed
him justice of the peace in 1902.
Haynes, Lincoln Calvin, p. o. Spring
fleld, was born in Southbridge, Mass., April
9, 1865 ; was educated iu the Springfleld
public schools and was married September
12, 1899, to Mary Burr Cook. Of this
union two children were boru : Harriet,
born June 16, 1900, and Eachel, born De
cember 25, 1901. Mr. Haynes has lived in
Hampden county since 1867. One of the
flrst American ancestors of the Haynes
family was Walter, who was born in Sut
ton, Mandevllle, Wiltshire, England, 1583,
and came to America in 1638. He located
flrst at Watertown and lived there until
Sudbury was settled, when he became one
of the original proprietors. It was there

( 578 )

APPENDIX

he was made a freeman in 1640. He was a
representative in 1641, 1644, 1648 and 1651,
and for ten years was a Sudbury selectman.
His wife's name ws Elizabeth. He died
February 14, 1665. John Haynes, son of
Walter, was bora in England in 1621, came
to America in 1637, one year before his
father and settled in Watertown. He re
moved to Sudbury after his father had set
tled there. He was made a freeman in
1646, and was elected representative in
1668. In 1666, 1690 and 1691 he served as
selectman. He was, in 1668, one of a com
mittee to erect a new meeting house. Octo
ber 14, 1642, he married Dorothy, daughter
of Peter Noyes. On his mother's side, Mr.
Haynes' flrst American ancestor was Joshua
Bacheller, who was born in England, mar
ried there and came from Kent to America,
with his brother Joseph, in 1636. Another
prominent ancestor was Sergt. John Bachel
ler, son of Joshua. John was born in Eng
land, and died in Reading, Mass., Jlarch 3,
1676. Previous to moving to Eeading he
resided in AVatertown, where he was a pro
prietor, also a selectman (1636-37), and
admitted a freeman in that place. May 13,
1640. Soon afterward he moved to Ded
ham, 1650, and was a sele.ctman from 1657
to 1664. Dr. AVilliam Bacheller, another
ancestor, also gained distinction as the
leading surgeon at the battle of Lexington.
He continued with the continental troops
until November 30. 1777, when he was hon
orably discharged. Lincoln Calvin Haynes'
flrst Hampden county ancestors were Jos
eph Haynes and James Bacheller. The
former was born in 1687 and died March 6,
1775. His wife was Jlary Gates. He was
one of the original proprietors of Brimfleld,
about 1721. James Bacheller was born in
Haverhill, Mass., May 23, 1807 ; married
Clarinda Walker, September 7, 1835, died
June 21, 1892, He moved from Southbridge
to Brimfield in April, 1874, Lincoln Calvin
Haynes' parents were Calvin Bugbee, born
in 1833, and died in 1875, and Mary Bach
eller Haynes, born in 1836. The other chil
dren of these parents were James Everett,
born in 1862, and Clara Belle, bom in 1863.
The Allyn Family. — Eobert Allyn was
at Salem, Mass., in 1637 ; a member ol the
church in 1642 ; came to New Loudon,
Conn., in 1651 ; received large grants of
land, one being on the east side of the
river in what is now Ledyard. This is still

called "Allyn Point," and was six miles
below Norwich, Conn., opposite the Mohegan
fields and in full view of the ancient fort of
Uncas. John Allyn, son Oi Eobert Allyn,
was baptized at Salem, Jlass,, May 22, 1642,
and inherited Allyn Point ; was a man of
prominence ; assistant to the flrst county
court (New Loudon, Conn,) in 1666; pre
siding at the court in 1671, and died 1709,
leaving one son, Eobert Allyn, born Sept. — ,
1671. This son, Eobert, inherited Allyn
Point ; had eleven children. One of the
sons, James, was born E'eb, 29, 1699-1700,
at Allyn Point, New London. Conn. James
had twelve children, among whom was
David Allyn, born Oct. 23, 1759, in what
was then Groton, Conn., but is novv Led
yard. David Allyn was a corporal, enlisted
May 6, 1775, in Captain Thomas Knowlton's
company, 3d regiment, under General Israel
Putnam, 1773, marched to camps formed
around Boston ; stationed during the seige
in Putnam's center division at Cambridge.
In the latter part of the 18th century David
removed to Montgomery, Mass., riding a
horse from Groton to Montgomery, and car
rying his son David on the horse iu front of
him. This David had thirteen children.
He applied for a pension January 1, 1833,
at which time he was residing at Montgom
ery. The pension was allowed for nine
months' actual service as a private ; three
months and sixteen days service as a cor
poral, and flve months and flfteen days ser
vice as a sergeant in Connecticut troops,
revolutionary war. His sou, David, was
born in Groton, July 29, 1791, and died at
Montgomery in 1860. He married Johanna
Barrett. They had twelve children, among
whom was Samuel Barrett Allyn, born
August 31, 1821, iu Montgomery, and died
in Holyoke March 27, 1900. Samuel moved
to Holyoke in 1847, and was identifled with
the flrst beginning of the town ; a "meat
man" and real estate dealer, and for a time
was identifled with the Holyoke paper com
pany. He had two children, Eobert Arthur
Allyn and Mary Kathprine Allyn. Eobert
Arthur Allyn, 225 High street, Holyoke,
Mass., born November 23, 1869, at Holyoke,
Mass., was educated at Holyoke public
schools and Amherst college, where he was
graduated in 1892 ; studied law in Westfield
and Holyoke, and admitted to the bar in
1894 ; appointed special justice Holyoke
police court, June 13, 1900, by Governor

( 579 )

APPENDIX

Crane. He married Elizabeth Eockwell
Cooley of AVestfield, Jlass.,' Jan, 1, 1895.
They have two children, Helen Elizabeth
Allyn, born November 28, 1895, and Cath
erine Merrill Allyn, born October 28, 1899.
Porter, Miss Charlotte W. — John Por
ter was one ol the founders and patriots of
the colony ol Massachusetts Bay about
1630. The records in England give his
descent in the sixteenth generation from
AA'illiam de la Grande, a Norman knight,
who came with the army of the Norman
duke at the conquest, A. D., 1066, and that
acquired lands at or near Kenilworth, in
AA'arwickshire. His son Eaiph became
"Grand Porteur" to Henry 1, A. D. 1120-
1140, from which he derived the name
Porter. In 1637, John Porter, with Eose,
his wife, and his seven children, joined the
settlement at Windsor, Conn. He was made
constable, then a high and responsible office,
and, as appears by his will, was a man of
considerable substance. Samuel Porter, son
of John and Eose Porter, was one of the
original settlers of Hadley in 1659, and one
of the forty-seven proprietors of an allot
ment on the broad west street of that his
toric town. His son, Hon. Samuel Porter
of Hadley, a representative to the general
court, an extensive trader with England
and judge and sheriff of the county, "left to
his family an immense estate of £10,000."
His son, Eleazer Porter of Hadley, married
a granddaughter of William Pitkin, one of
the founders of Hartford, and attorney
general of the state. Sarah, daughter of
Eleazer, married Eev. Samuel Hopkins, D.
D. Hon. Eleazer Porter of Hadley, son of
Eleazer, graduated from Yale college in
1748, was a justice of the peace and judge
of probate. He married Susanna Edwards,
daughter of the Eev. Dr. Jonathan Ed
wards of Northampton, president of Prince
ton university. Dr. AVilliam Porter, son of
Eleazer and Susanna Edwards Porter, was a
physician and trader in Hadley. He mar
ried Charlotte AVilliams, daughter of Hon.
AA'illiam Williams of Dalton and grand
daughter of Col. Israel AVilliams of Hat
fleld, a distinguished officer in the French
and Indian wars ol 1744-55. Charlotte
AVilliams was descended in the sixth gene
ration from Eobert AAilliams, who came from
Wales to Eoxbury in 1638, and Robert Ash
ley, who came to Springfleld in 1639. Eu
nice Williams of Deerfleld, the "unredeemed

captive" of the Indians (French and Indian
wars, 1704), was of this same family and
was the great-grandmother of the Eev. Ele
azer Williams, of Green Bay, Wis., the re
puted Dauphin, Louis XVll of Prance. So
was also the Hon. AVilliam Williams of Con
necticut, one of the signers of the declara
tion of independence. James Bayard Por
ter, sou of Dr. AVilliam and Charlotte Will
iams Porter, was a merchant in Hadley, jus
tice of the peace and trustee and treasurer
of Hopkins academy. He married Susan
na Parsons, daughter of Ebenezer and
Eunice Clarke Parsons of Hadley. Ebene
zer Parsons was descended in the filth gen
eration from Joseph Parsons of Devonshire,
England, who settled iu Springfleld in 1636.
Eunice Clarke was the daughter of Captain
Samuel Clarke of Northampton. The chil
dren of James B. Porter and Susanna Par
sons Porter are Edward Clarke, born in
Hadley, December 3, 1836, educated in Hop
kins academy, Hadley, and Yale college,
graduating from Yale, class poet, 1858.
He delivered the poem at the bi-centenuial
celebration in Hadley, June 8, 1859 ; mar
ried Julia Foster, Oct. 10, 1866, daughter
of Dr. John H. Foster of Chicago, 111. ; was
rector of St. James' church, Chicago, and
St. Luke's, Eacine, Wis. He died at Ea-
cine, January 8, 1876 ; buried in Eose Hill
cemetery, Chicago. Charlotte Williams Por
ter, born in Hadley, October 6, 1840, edu
cated in Hopkins academy and Miss Porter's
school, Farmington, Conn. ; principal of The
Elms, home, day and music school for girls,
Hadley. This school was removed to
Springfleld in 1881 and continues as "The
Elms," home, day, college preparatory and
music school for girls. High street and In
graham avenue. William Parsons Porter,
born in Hadley, March 9, 1844 ; graduated
from Hopkins academy ; merchant in Had
ley until 1880, when he removed to Spring
fleld and became a partner with L. Z. Cutler
(Cutler & Porter) ; is trustee and treasurer
of Hopkins academy, Hadley, and director
of Second National bank, Springfield ; mar
ried, April 28, 1886, Mary Bartlett, daugh
ter of the late Asahel H. Bartlett, New
York city, and Minerva Miller, daughter of
Captain John Miller of Ludlow. (Their
children : James Bartlett, born and died
Pebi-uary 4, 1887 ; William Bartlett, born
September 10, 1888, died February 19, 1889;
Edward Maurice, bom March 23, 1891.)

( 580 )

APPENDIX

Haines, Ch.vki.ks Bobbins, p. o. Spring
fleld, Mass., is a direct descendant of AA'al-
ter Haynes, an Englishman who came to
America in the ship Confidence, and settled
at Sudbury. Jlass. Charles K, was born at
Billerica. Jlass., ou the 17th of April, 1836,
His parents were Lyman and Caroline Hunt
Haynes, both of Sudbury,
Stickney, Dr. Peter LeBeeton, Spring
fleld, Jlass., was the only son of Capt,
David and Elizabeth LeBreton Stickney,
born in Newburyport, Jlay 9, 1814, In
his boyhood lie attended public and private
schools iu that city. He became a stu
dent at Bradford Academy in 1832, leav
lug there for Phillips Academy at Andover
in 1834. and completing his preparation
for college there. He entered Dartmouth
college in 1833 and graduated in 1839. He
took high rank in college and was a mem
ber of the Phi Beta Kappa, an honor so
ciety. After leaving Dartmouth, he en
tered Jefferson Jledical College in Phila
delphia, and graduated with high honors
in 1842. After graduation he was made
house physician of the Blockley Hospital
of that city, where he remained three
years. In 1845 he moved to West Spring
fleld, where he practiced until 1831, and
while there he served as postmaster and
was a member of the school board. He left
West Springfleld in 1851 and moved to
Terre Haute, Ind. Owing to ill health
he came back east in 1853 and went tc
East AA'indsor, Conn., where he remained
till 1854, when he removed to Chicopee,
Jlass,, resuming the practice ol medicine,
and spent there the most active years of
his professional life. AVhile in Chicopee
he became a member of the school commit
tee and was instrumental in introducing
the graded system of schools. For thirteen
years he was a valued member and chair
man of the school board. He was active
iu town affairs, and attended town meet
ings regularly, and bore his part of the
public burdens. During the war he was
a medical examiner for the United States
government, and was placed on duty in
Springfleld. He came to Springfield in
1870 and engaged in active work until
October, 1886. He gathered about him
the friends made in his residence at West
Springfield and Chicopee, and had one of
the largest and widest practices of any
physician in the city. He was city and

county pliysician, and also for some time
president of the Hampden district medical
society. He also had the distinguished
honor of being the orator of the Jlassachu-
setts Jledlcal Society on the occasion ol
tlie visit of Emperor Dom Pedro of Brazil,
who was made au honorary member of the
society. In 1845 Dr. Peter Le Breton
Stickney was married to iliss Jlary Ehea
of Philadelphia, Pa, He died November
5, 1887, leaving a widow and three chil
dren. Haynes, Clifford C, p. o. Springfleld,
Mass.. was bom iu Billerica, Jlass., August
10, 1839, His father, Cyrus H. Haynes,
was a native of the same place, born July
8, 1833. In 1832 he came to Springfield
and engaged in the clothing business, which
he still follows ; he married Harriet C,
daughter of Caleb S. Brown of Billerica,
Jlass. ; they had seven children, five now liv
ing : N.ithaniel L., Phillip L., Caleb Sum
ner. Otis Brown, and Clifford C. Clifford
C. Haynes received his education in the
schools of Billerica and the Springfield
schools. After leaving school he entered
the 'Third National Bank of Springfleld as
a clerk and worked his way up to teller,
which position he has held for the last
twenty years. Mr. Haynes was a member
of the board of fire engineers of AVest
Springfleld and for ten years was treasurer
of the Jlemorial Society of Springfleld, re
signing January 1, 1901. On September 30,
1885. he married Esther Jl., daughter of
John B'ield, a native of Hatfield, Jlass., who
was killed iu the battle ol the Wilderness
on Jlay 6. 1864. To Jlr. and Jlrs. Haynes
were born four children : AA'alter L., Eob
ert P.. Ruth, and Doris
Smith, John JIackbnzie, Springfield,
Mass., former senior partner in the firm of
Smith & JIurray, and for more than thirty
years one of the leading business men of
Springfield, was bom in Dumfriesshire,
Scotland. Sept. 24, 1841, and died in
Springfield Dec. 12, 1898. His early life
was spent in his native land, where he ac
quired a good elementary education and also
laid the foundation for his subsequent suc
cessful career iu a thorough business train
ing in a wholesale house in Glasgow. He
came to America in 1860, locating in Bos
ton, and was employed by the old dry goods
house of George Turnbuli & Co., remaining
with that firm five years. In 1863 he re-

( 581 )

APPENDIX

moved to Springfield, formed a partnership
with A. B. Forbes (Forbes & Smith), and
succeeded to the business formerly con
ducted by John T. Rockwood. In 1874, in
partnership with A. B. Wallace, Jlr. Smith
established a branch store in Pittsfield, and
in the same year also he became a member
of the large Boston dry goods flrm of
Churchill & Watson. He then severed his
connection with the Springfleld and Pitts-
fleld houses and for the next flve years de
voted his energies to Boston interests, for
three years as member of the flrm of
Churchill, Gilchrist, Smith & Co., and for
two years as head of the successor house of
Smith & Watson. In 1879 Jlr. Smith re
turned to Springfleld, where he had main
tained a residence during the five years men
tioned, and became senior partner iu the
flrm of Smith & Murray, whose house is still
known in business circles as one of the
largest and best stocked establishments of
its kind in the entire Connecticut valley re
gion. After his return to Springfleld Mr.
Smith devoted himself to his own personal
interests, and at the same time became au
active factor for good in the industrial and
flnancial history of the city. He also held
a prominent standing in Masonic and club
circles, and as a citizen he always was held
in high esteem. His wife, whom he mar
ried iu 1867, was Adelaide Gabrille Phelps,
daughter of the late Charles Phelps, of
Springfleld. Charles Phelps was a native
of Jlassachusetts, born August 5, 1800, and
became a resident of Springfleld in 1840,
after a journey around the world. He pur
chased a large portion of the land in what
is now known as the "hill district," includ
ing "Ingersoll's Grove," and all the land
between JIagazine street and the "dry
bridge," besides certain portions on the
other side of St. James avenue. He was
married on February 12, 1834, to Prances
Antoinette Amblaird, a native of Bordeaux,
Prance. They had one son and two daugh
ters, Joseph Richard Eichard Van Zant, Jo
sephine Antoinette, and Adelaide Gabrielle.
He died August 25, 1872.
Pynchon, James Holland, p. o. Spring
fleld, was born in Springfleld, on the 2d day
of August, 1858, the son of Joseph Charles
and Julia Mather Clapp Pynchon. The
father was a direct descendant of William
Pynchon, who settled in Springfield in 1636;
and the mother was the daughter of John

and Eliza Clapp, of Leicester, Jlass. James
Holland Pynchon married JIabel C. Edgerly
on the 12th day of January, 1899. , ,
Wright. George L., p. o. Springfield,
Mass., the sou of Solomon and Hepzibah
Eussell Wright, was born in Wilbraham,
now Hampden, on the 5th of April, 1815,
He married Caroline Eogers of Springfield
and they were the parents of two children,
Caroline A. and George L., jr.
Bare, Edwi.n Clifford, p. o. Springfield,
Mass., has lived in Springfield continuous
ly since 1858, with exception of two years
spent iu Jlontana. 1862 to 1864. He was
the oldest of seven children of Sumner and
Susan Eobinson Barr, of New Braiutree,
Massachusetts, and was born on the 31st
of May, 1829. His mother was originally
of Boston, Jlr. Barr married, flrst, Ade
line Field Stone, and they were the parents
ot flve children: George E, (deceased),
AA'alter S. (deceased), Edgar E., Jesse O.
(deceased), and Emma I. He married
second, Jlinerva Emeretta Arthur, and they
liave one son, Walter Sumner. Mr. Barr
has three sisters living iu Hampden coun
ty, Jlassachusetts : Jlrs, Kate Wilkinson,
Jlrs. Addison Brown, both of Springfleld,
and Mrs. Jane Stoddard, of Chicopee.
Hastings, Heebeet Ashton, p. o.
Springfield, Mass,, sou of Samuel and El
vira Hastings, was born in Amherst on the
3d of November, 1850. His father was
also boi'u in Amherst, and his mother, who
was the daughter of Israel Cooley. was
born in Sunderland. Jlr. Hastings mar
ried Louise Maria Eeyuolds, of Springfield.
Seelye, Ealph Holland, M. D., p. o.
Springfleld, Jlass, was born in Springfleld,
Jlay 10, 1863, the sou of L. Clark Seelye,
president of Smith College, and Henrietta
Chapin Seelye. On his mother's side he is
a direct descendant of Deacon Chapin. He
graduated at Amherst. 1886 ; Harvard
Medical College 1889. November 14. 1895,
he married Grace Allen Blodgett, and to
them have been born two children, Barbara
and Rebecca.
Reynolds. Howard Stephen, p. u.
Springfleld, Mass., was born in Spring
fleld, September 5, 1855, the son of George ' '
Reynolds, born in Southbridge, Massachu
setts, and Harriet Angeline Colton Rey
nolds, boru in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Howard Stephen Eeyuolds was married to

( 5 82

APPENDIX

Maria Josephine Davis, of Springfleld, ou
August 21, 1877, and they have one son,
George Harold Harold.
Kirkham, James AA'ilson, p. o. Spring
field, Jlass., the son of James and Prances
Kirkham, was born in Springfleld on the
8th ol April, 1850, He was graduated
from Y'ale in 1872. Jlr, Kirliham married
Fannie C. Barri, of Cambridge, and they
are the parents of one son, AA'illiam Barri,
now n student at Yale. J. Stuart Kirk
ham, a cousin of James W., is also 'a resi
dent of Springfield.
JIargerum, Claudius C, p. o. Spring
field, Mass., was born in Suffield, Connecti
cut, March 29, 1844, and came to Spring
fleld in 1875. Ou January 20, 1867, he
married Elizabeth Holmes, ol Suffield,
Connecticut. His father was Edwin Grey
Margerum, of Pennsylvania, and his
mother Eebecca Ann Eossell, of New Jer
sey. Henry JIargerum, Bucks county,
Pennsylvania, who. with other friends,
emigrated from Wiltshire, England, in
1682, was the flrst American ancestor of
the JIargerum family. Edwin F., a brother
of Claudius C, is also a resident of Hamp
den county. The flrst Margerum in Spring
fleld was George S„ who died in 1863,
Hale. David, p. o. Springfleld, Mass., was
boru at Ballykelly, County Down, Ireland,
on the 10th day ol April, 1864, He ac
quired his education at three well known
institutions ; Banbridge academy, Belfast
model school, and at Wilbraham academy,
and settled in Hampden county in October,
1881. On the 18th of September, 1889, Jlr.
Hale was married to Myrta M. Sanderson.
They have three children : Jlarion Theda,
born September 5, 1890 ; Clarence William,
boru November 7, 1892 ; and James, born
July 27, 1893,
Birnie, Charles A., p. o. Longmeadow,
Mass., was born in Becket, Jlarch 13, 1844,
a son of William and Sarah L. (Perkins)
Birnie. William Birnie was a native of
Scotland and came to America when a
young man. He was employed on the work
of construction of the B, & M, E. E, and
lived in Springfleld from 1832 until his
death, in 1889, Charles A, Birnie was edu
cated in the Springfleld schools, and in
1862 enlisted in Co,A. 46th regiment of in
fantry. He was discharged at the end of
nine months. He -then began the study of
law and was admitted to the bar in Spring

fleld. He practiced for seven years in
Leavenworth, Kan., and in 1873 removed to
.New York, where he lived ten years (at one
time being assistant district attorney), and
in 1883 came to Springfleld, Mr. Birnie
now is assistant secretary and one of the
directors of the Springfield Fire and Marine
Insurance company. In 1889 he came to
Longmeadow and purchased the farm prop
erty on which he has since lived. He
served as selectman of the town for two
years. On December 23, 1872, Jlr. Birnie
married Susan G. AA'right of Newburg, N. Y.
Two children were born of this marriage :
Alexander O. Birnie, born November 21,
1875, and Gabriel G. Birnie, born January
31, 1877. Jlr, Birnie was at one time
chairman of the liberal republican state
committee, and also has been president of
the Hampden county agricultural society.
Bush, Austin Ballou, a native and life
long resident of Hampden county, was born
in Willimansett, December 21, 1829. At
that time AA'illimausett formed a part of the
town of Springfield, but in 1848 was set off
to Chicopee. In his youth Austin B. Bush
attended the old State street school, then
under teachers Sanford Lawton and Ariel
Parish, and afterward completed his early
education in the Clinton (N. Y.) Liberal
institute — two years, Eev. T. J. Sawyer,
principal; the Norwich (Vt.) Military
academy — one year, Capt. Alden Partridge,
principal. Both of these teachers were
famous educators half a century and more
ago. On January 11, 1854, Mr. Bush mar
ried Susan P., daughter of David and Ee
becca Millard. His second wife, whom he
married February 15, 1892, was Persis
Crawford Prosser. His children, both by
the flrst marriage, were James A., born No
vember 12, 1834, died December 19, 1854 ;
and Harry Dean, bom April 2, 1837. The
ancestors of this branch ot the Bush fam
ily in America were Samuel, flrst, and Jon
athan Bush, who immigrated to this coun
try probably about 1640 and settled at
Enfleld, Conn. They were "approbated" as
members ol the colony there and Jonathan
had permission to build, December 26, 1678.
On November 2, 1685, Jonathan assisted in
locating the boundary line between Enfield
and Springfield, Eufus Bush, son of Eufus
and direct descendant of the immigrant an
cestor, was the pioneer ol the family in
Hampden county, and his children, of whom

( 583 )

APPENDIX
there were eleven, were born within the born March 14, 1875, died October 24, 1881.
limits of what now is this county. They Jlr. Potter was educated in Wilbraham
were Rufus Allen. David A.. Almira, Ada- academy. In 1866 he built a saw and plan-
line, Amanda, Henry Harrison, Clarinda, ing mill in Bondsville and with his father
Gilbert, Sarah, Orville and Emily A. Bush, engaged in the lumber business. His pres-
PoTTBE, Timothy D. — Philip Potter, jr., ent partner is Rufus L. Bond. , Mr. Potter
(7), son of Philip (6), appears to have been is president of the Hampden Lumber com-
the pioneer in Hampden county of that pany, and treasurer of the A. C. Dutton
branch of his family of which we write. Lumber Co. He has held various offices in
The ancestor of this family in America was the town ot Palmer and represented his
Nathaniel Potter, who came from England district in the legislature in 1878. He be-
to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, previous to came a resident in Springfleld in 1889.
1636, and died in 1644. His wile was Hancock Joseph Claek, p. o. Spring-
Dorothy Potter, survived him many years, fleld. traces his ancestry in America back
and died in 1696. Following the line of to Nathaniel Hancock, who, with his wife
direct descent from Nathaniel and his wife Joan, lived in Cambridge, Jlass., as early
to Philip, jr., we flnd these names as the as 1634. The children of these flrst Amer-
male heads of families in each succeeding lean settlers were Jlary, bom November 3,
generation: Nathaniel, 2d (2), Nathaniel, 1634; Sarah, bom Jlarch 3, 1636; Nathau-
3d (.^), AA'illiam (4), David (5), Philip (6), iel, born December 18, 1638; Elizabeth,
Philip, jr. (7), the latter being in the sev- born Jlarch 1. 1641; John, bom April 8,
euth generation from the ancestor. He 1642 ; Solomon, born about 1643 ; Lydia,
was born in Ashlord, Conn., February 14, born April 5, 1643, and Thomas Hadley,
1782, and died December 31, 1847, having born 1650, The latter son, John, was the
settled iu Wilbraham in 1824, and in 1844 first Hancock to settle in Hampden county.
removed to Charlton, iMass., where he died. November 19. 1713. he married Anna.
His wife was Hannah Preston, whom he daughter of John and Hannah AVebb, Their
married May 12, 1808, 01 their children son. John, born Jlay 20, 1717, married,
Philip Preston Potter was bom iu Connec- first, Jlary Kilborn ou November 22, 1744,
ticut July 6, 1811, and died in Springfleld, and second, Abigail Terry, on July 11,
January 14, 1901. He married. May 24, 1754. 01 this union was born Gideon, in
1836, Bethiah B. Walker, by whom he had 1765, who married Eunice Green. August 9,
children, all born in Wilbraham, viz. . Tim- 1795. Next iu line was John, born Jlarch
othy D., born April 12, 1840; William W., 30, 1801. and who married Celina Cooley.
born July 12, 1842, married May 21, 1873, John and Celina (Cooley) Hancock were the
Isabella A. Strickland ; Abigail B., born parents of our subject, Joseph Clark Han-
October 30, 1844. married April 8, 1863, cock, who was boru Jlay 10. 1825. and on
Moses A. Maynard : Almeuia M., born Aug- Jlay 9, 1854. was married to Jlary Jane,
ust 18, 1846, married September 7, 1876, daughter of Salter Storrs and Sally Smith
George H. Hastings ; Philip H., born August Stebbins of Longmeadow. Their children
30, 1851, married September 17, 1873, Clara are : Elvie Josephine, morn Jlay 8. 1855 ;
M, Murdock. Philip P. Potter was a man Abbe Jane, born November 13, 1858, died
of substance iu Wilbraham and by reason April 24, 1872 ; Arthur Clark, born Decem-
of his connection with the militia of former ber 23. 1862. died October. 29, 1881 : Hattie
days he was called Captain Potter and held Jlarion, born August 8. 1866 ; Frederick
a commission indicating that rank. He was Otis, born Jlay 27, 1868. and Charles
selectman several terms and represented his Joseph, born September 10, 1875.
town in the legislature in 1853, Timothy Sheeman, Phineas A. — Philip Sherman
Dimock Potter (9), son of Philip P., mar- was born at Dedham. Essex county. Kng-
ried, flrst, November 19, 1866, Larene E. laud. February 5. 1610. Going back from
Howe, who died 1870. and second, April 6, him four generations to Thoma= Shermnn,
1871, Laura A, Atwood, who died 1883, and the earliest now known member of the
third. Leora A,' Albro. His children, both Sherman family, it is recorded that he was
born of his second marriage, are Charles bom in tlie early years of the reign of
Samuel, born March 24, 1872. married June Henry A'll,. the flrst Tudor monarch, who
1, 1898, Jennie E. Parrrish ; and Rena B., ascended the throne in 1485. The Sher-

( 584 )

APPENDIX

man family is of Teutonic or Germnnic
origin and was transferred to the vicinity
-of London, England, during the Anglo-
Saxon immigration 430-580 A. D, Thomas
Sherman is the ancestor of many noted
, descendants in the American branches ol
the family, the most famous of whom, per
haps, are the late Gen. William TecumseU
Sherman and Senator John Sherman. Philip
.Sherman came to this country iu 1633. set
tling in a short time at Roxbury, Mass, He
married soon afterwards Sarah Odding.
Several years later he removed to Rhode
Island, owing to his espousal on the popu
lar side in the Ann Hutchison troubles.
This plantation he and others purchased
from the Indians, upon the advice of Roger
Williams, and when the regular government
was established at Portsmouth, in 1630. he
was chosen flrst secretary of the colony of
Rhode Island and held that position for
four years. During King Pliilip's war he
was of great service to the colony as a
-counsellor and a person of intelligence.
Philip Sherman died in 1687 at Portsmouth,
leaving an extensive estate in lands situ-
jited in Portsmouth. Narragansett, Pouegan-
sett, AA'esterly, R. 1.. and Dartmouth. Bris
tol county, Jlass. Phineas A. Sherman is
-descended from Edmoud Sherman, son of
Philip, and is the flrst of his family to
settle in Hampden county. He came to
Springfleld in 1861 and since 1876 has re-
¦sided in West Springfleld ; present occupa
tion, contractor and builder. Phineas Au
gustus Sherman, son of Eev. John S. Sher
man, a Methodist clergyman (on his mater
nal side Phineas A. Sherman is a descend
ant of Peregrine White, the flrst child of the
Pilgrims of Plymouth), was born iu Roch
ester, Bristol county. Jlass.. August 23,
1841. He graduated from the Baltimore
-College of Dental Surgery in 1885. receiv
ing the degree of D. D. S. He married,
February 7, 1872, Frances Beckwith Lyman,
daughter ol Moses Lyman of Springfleld,
of an old and prominent Hampshire county
family. Their children are Charles
Phineas Sherman, lawyer, of New Haven,
Conn., born in West Springfleld. June 8,
1874. graduated from Yale college in 1896.
receiving the degree ol B. A., graduated
from Yale law school in 1898. receiving the
degree of LL.B., graduated from Yale uni
versity in 1899, receiving the degree of
doctor of civil law. Their second son.

Frederic Lyman Sherman, was born in
West Springfield. January 17. 1878, was a
member of the class of 1892, Jlassachusetts
Institute of Technology, Boston, and was
studying for the degree of civil engineer at
the time of his death, November 16, 1900.
Ball, Lewis J., was boru in Agawam,
August 18, 1858. tlie son of Jleshach W.
and Ann C. (Judson) Ball, and the eldest
of their four children. Lewis was reared
and educated in Agawam and removed
thence to Springfleld. He married (Sep
tember 23. 1883) Gertrude Adams, of West
Derby. A't.. by whom he has one child, Ray
mond Adams Ball, born July 26. 1887. 'rhe
ancestor of the Ball family so frequently
mentioned in Hampden county history was
Francis Ball, one of six sous of AA'illiam
Ball, of AVlltshire, England, who came to
America on tlie ship Planter and landed iu
Boston in 1033, Francis settled in wliat
now is West Springfield in 1640 and mar
ried Abigail Burt, Their children were
Jonathan. 1st. born 1643. and Samuel, born
1647. the former being the first white male
child born iu AA'est Springfield. He event
ually became a man of consequence in the
town and was a captain of militia, a post
of great honor. Jonathan's children were
Abigail, Thomas (born 1676), Samuel (born
1680), Jonathan. 2d (born 1883). Francis
(born 1687), Benjamin (born 1689) and
Joseph (born 1693.) Jonathan Ball, 2d,
held a major's commission in tlie French
and Indian wars, but on returning from
Boston to Springfield in the line of duty,
he was stricken with small pox and died
March 7, 1760. aged thirty years. Benjamin
Ball, son of Jonathan (1st), resided ou the
family estate iu West Springfield. His
children were Moses. Noah, Charles, Ben
jamin and Abigail. Jloses Ball, sou ot
Benjamin, married Lucy King, and their
children were Abigail, Lucy, Sarah. Ben
jamin. JIartin. Eli. Jouatlian and Moses.
Eli, who was best known as Capt. Eli Ball,
was born in 1764 and died iu 1844. His
children were Norman, bom 1788 ; Eli. jr.,
born 1789, died 1849 ; Lucy, born 1793,
married William Dewey ; Benjamin, born
1793 ; Francis, boru 1797 ; Cynthia, born
1791 ; Elizabeth, born 1799 ; William, born
1801 ; Desire, born 1804. married Palmer
Gallup ; JIargaret born 1806 ; Cynthia 2d,
bora 1808 ; Adaline. born 1809 : Seymour,
born 1812. and Samuel, bom 1814. Nor-

( 585 )

APPENDIX

man Ball, son of Capt. Eli. married Betsy
AA'arriner, October 26, 1814. She was born
April 9, 1790, and died September 14, 1859.
Norman died November 30, 1862. Their
children were Alfred Leonard, boru Septem
ber 11, 1815, died April 29. 1902 ; Cynthia,
born February 23, 1817, died June 8, 1902 ;
Elizabeth, bom January 31, 1819, died
January 3, 1899 ; Norman, jr., born Sep
tember 16, 1821, died February 20, 1902 ;
Meshach AV., born July 6, 1825 ; Lucy Jane,
born December 1, 1829. Alfred Leonard
Ball never married. Cynthia married, De
cember, 1843, William C. Clark, and their
children were AA'illie, born November 8,
1843, died June 27, 1852 ; Ida E., born
Jlarch 26, 1832, died September 17, 1898.
Elizabeth Ball married Dexter AA'inter, but
had no children. Norman Ball, jr., mar
ried, November 13, 1849, Julia A. Merrill,
who died August, 1890, and he married, sec
ond, December 23, 1896, Jlrs. Nancy B.
Hull. Jleshach W. Ball married. January
28, 1837, Ann C. Judson ,who bore him
these children : Lewis J., born August 18,
1838 ; Bessie A., born June 22, 1862 ; Nor
man A., born Jlay 3, 1864, died Jlay 28,
1872 ; Jlay J., born July 31, 1870 ; Lucy
Jane, married J. C. Hastings of Suffield.
Copeland, Alferd JIinot, His first an
cestor in this country was Lawrence Cope
land, who in 1631 married Lydia Townsend.
Their son AA'illiam married widow Jlary
AA'ebb, granddaughter of John Alden. Their
son Jonathan married Betty Snell. daugh
ter of Thomas Snell of Bridgewater. Their
son Daniel, bom iu 1741, married Susannah
Ames, daughter of Joseph Ames of West
Bridgewater. Their sou Daniel, boru iu
1767. married Abigail Shaw, daughter of
Gideon Shaw of Raynham, and their son,
Alfred, born 1801, married Emma Augusta
Howd, daughter of Whitehead Howd of
New Hartford, Conn. They were the pa
rents of Alfred JIinot, who was born July
3, 1830, in Hartford, Conn. He came to
Chester in Hampden county with his pa
rents in June 1843. He was admitted to
practice law at the Hampden county bar,
in December, 1855, and located in Hunting
ton (formerly Chester Village). He mar
ried, December 1857, Emyra A. Bigelow. a
native of Chester, and daughter of Henry
E. Bigelow, Their children are Alfred B.
Copeland, now of Russell, a farmer, and
Jlay, wife of John C. Kemater of Spring

field. Judge Copeland came to Spring
fleld to live in 1872.
Bardwell, Feedeeick Augustus, man
ager of the Western Union telegraph office
in Springfleld since March 1, 1897. was
boru in Shelburne Falls, Mass., May 1,
1861. He acquired his education in the
public schools and also in the old Franklin
academy. Subsequently he became a prac
tical telegrapher and in 1878 began his
career as an operator in his native town.
He remained in that capacity for a year,
going thence to Troy, N. Y., for a short
time, and from thence to North Adams,
Jlass., having been promoted to the posi
tion of train dispatcher for the old Troy &
Greenfleld railroad, when it was under the
management of the state of Massachusetts.
When the state relinquished the manage
ment of the road in 1887 he was called to
the main office of the Pitchburg rairoad at
Boston, serving in the capacity of train
dispatcher and chief clerk to the superin
tendent of telegraph until 1897, when he-
was called to the management of the West
ern Union telegraph company's office in
Springfleld. On October 20, 1883, Mr.
Bardwell married Annie Amanda, daughter
of Darwin P. Ware, of Shelburne Palls.
Their children are Earl Darwin, born De
cember 6, 1884, in North Adams and died
in infancy ; Gladys Genevieve, bom August-
7, 1890, in Boston, and Leland Frederick,
bom August 21, 1892. in Boston. Mr.
Bardwell's ancestor (who in fact was the
ancestor of nearly if not quite all of the-
Bard-wells in New England) in America was
Robert Bardwell, an Englishman, a hatter's
apprentice, who left London in 1667 and'
settled iu Deerfleld. Jlass. A few years
later, during the disastrous King Philip's
war, he was a soldier with the colonial
troops and toolt part in the historic "swamp
fight" against the Narragansett Indians.
On December 19, 1675, he was commis
sioned sergeant under Capt. Turner and
was stationed at Hatfield with twenty-four
men. He also took part in the battle at
Turner's Falls and otherwise was au active-
spirit in defending the frontier settlements
during that unfortunate strife. After the-
war he set up a hatter's shop in Hatfield
and he died in 1726. On November 29,
1 676, he married Jlary, daughter of William.
Gull. She died November 12, 1726. They
had eleven children ; Ebenezer, Mary, John,.

( 586 )

APPENDIX

Samuel, John (2d), Elizabeth, Thomas,
Hester, Sarah, Thankful and Abigail.
Kendeick, Edmund P. — Ex-JIayor Ken-
drick, of Springfleld, is a native of Lebanon,
N. H., bora February 1, 1849. He is a
graduate of Brown university law school,
and came to the Hampden bar in 1876. On
April 9, 1885, he married Clara A. Holmes,
by whom he has one son, Raymond Holmes
Kendrick, boru February 23, 1887. On his
father's side Jlr. Kendrick is descended
from George Kendrick, a native of A'ork-
shire, England, who came to America and
arrived in Boston, probably Feb. 5, 1632,
on the same ship with Roger Williams. He
married his wife Jane probably in England,
and he lived in Plymouth, Scituate, Boston
and Rehoboth. He was a volunteer in- the
Pequot war and also in King Philip's war.
From this immigrant ancestor the descent
comes through his eldest son John, who
was born in Boston in 1637, married, Nov.
12, 1637. Lydia Cheney, and lived in Ips
wich until his death in 1702.
Kibbe, Chaeles Payne, who was well
known in medical circles in Springfleld from
1842 to the time of his death iu 1835, was
a descendant in the ninth generation of
Edward and Deborah Kibbe, who lived in
Exeter, Eng., in 1611. Their son Edward
with his wife, Mary Partridge, came to New
England in 1640 and lived in Boston.
Elisha, their third son, lived in Salem, and
thence moved to Enfleld, Conn., iu 1682.
and was one of the founders and largest
land owners of that town. Edward,
Elisha's second son. with three other men
and their families, made the flrst permanent
settlement at Somers, Conn., iu 1713. Such,
in brief, was the ancestral record of Dr.
Kibbe, and it will be seen that he was
descended from substantial old New Eng
land stock. His young life was spent ou
his father's farm in Tolland. Conn., and at
the age of 17 years he attended Wilbraham
academy. His medical education was ac
quired in the Philadelphia Medical college,
and after graduation he practiced medicine
and surgery in Springfleld. He gained a
high standing in medical and social circles,
and was one of the flrst physicians to de
clare against the old-time practice of
"blood letting."
Munn, James Clark, of Springfleld,
whose literary work has won for him a
standing in the ranks of American authors.

is a native of old Southington, Conn., born.
May 11, 1848, and was given a good com
mon school and academic education. He
married (Sept, 1882,) Jlary B. Hill of Mer
iden, Conn., and came to Springfield to live
in 1890. On his father's side Jlr. JIuun is
descended from Holland ancestry, the pion
eer iu America having settled in Herkimer,
N. Y., in the historic Jlohawk valley about
1740. James' great-grandfather, David-
Jlunn, was born in Herkimer in 1732 and
died in 1833. He was a soldier of the
revolution and drew a pension alter the
war. His son Deodatus was born iu 1788-
and died iu 1858. Deodatus' son, also
named Deodatus, lather of James, was born
December 16, 1816, and died iu 1870. He-
settled iu Southington, and married Eliza
Ann Clark, daughter of Joseph T. Clark, a
soldier of the war of 1812-13. On the-
Clark side the ancestor was Jason Clark,
who came from England about 1660 and
settled in Farmington, Conn. Cyrus Clark,
grandson of Joseph, settled in Southing
ton about 1740. Joseph T. Clark, son of
Cyrus, was maternal grandfather of James
Clark Munn. He was born about 1780 and
died in 1868.
RoBSON, Stuaet Mill, attorney at law,
is a native of Springfield, born December
20, 1873. He was educated in the city
schools and became a member of the Hamp
den bar in 1897. On January 1, 1900, Mr^
Robson married Grace A. Stearns.
Noel. Chaeles Gideon, p. o. Springfleld,
Mass. was born in Champlaiu, New York,
February 1, 1851, a son ot Edward and So
phia Noel. Edward Noel was in the-
Patriot war in Canada and came to the
United States iu 1837. Charles Gideon
Noel married Mary Stebbins ou the first
day of January, 1873. They are the pa
rents of seven children : Charles, Maria
Louisa, Henry, Henrietta, Lilly, Irene, and
Ruth Noel. Jlr. Noel has lived in Spring
fleld for thirty years, and is one of the dep
uty sheriffs of the county seat.
Butler, Jason, p. o. North Wilbra
ham. Mass., was born January 1, 1847,
a son of Colonel Benjamin and Hannah
B. (Cross) Butler, whose children were-
Phllip M., Julia A., Ellen M., Henry C,
Perlin S., Lyman D., James M., Jason,
Royal D., Hannah B.. and three who died
in infancy. Jason Butler was educated
in the common schools of Wilbraham, Wil-

( 587 )

APPENDIX

braham Academy and the State Normal
School in AVestfleld. AA'hen nineteen years
of age he began teaching, which he fol
lowed for eleven terms ; he learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed for
nine years, and in 1880 entered the em
ploy of Cutler & Co., of Wilbraham, as
clerk and later as bookkeeper and cashier.
In 1887 he entered the employ of P. P.
Marcy of Palmer and after three years re
turned to Cutler & Co. as master mechanic.
In 1871 Jlr. Butler married Sarah Cor
nelia, daughter of Aldis and Sarah (Paine)
Perrin : they have one adopted son, Les
ter E. Butler. Jlr. Butler is now serv
ing as chairman of the board of select
men ; has been school committeeman for
twenty one years and iu 1803 was elected
to represent his district in the Legisla
ture ; he received a commission from Gov
ernor Oliver Ames in January, 1887, as
justice of peace, which office he still holds.
Scott, E.iel Jl., p. u. North Wilbraham,
Mass,, was born in JIansfield, Conn.,
March 3, 1830. a son of Hugh M. and
JIaria (Dimock) Scott. Hugh M. was a
native of Hampton, Conn., and came to
South Hadley Palls, Jlass., in 1867, where
lor twenty-flve years he was employed in
the Carew Jlills. Earl M. received his
•education in the schools of Salem, and af
ter leaving school enlisted in the U. S.
navy, and on his discharge engaged in
paper making ; he came to Wilbraham in
1887 and eng.iged with the Collins Mfg.
'Co. Mr. Scott has served as assessor
flve years, selectman two years and dep
uty sheriff under Jlr. Clark for six years.
In 1872 he married Irene Grant, of South
Hadley, who bore him ten children : Her
bert A., JIabel A.. Emma L., Sidney S.,
Addie, Ina M., and Albert P., and three
¦deceased. Seavee, Allyn M., p. o. North Wilbra
ham, Mass., May 13, 1871, a son of Allyn
Delos, a native of Ludlow and Ella M.
(Benedict) Seaver. Allyn Delos died
October 22, 1893, and his widow March
18, 1895. Allyn M. attended the common
schools and was educated musically in the
Wilbraham Academy. In 1896 Jlr. Seaver
married Lilian Bennett.
BUTLEE, James K., p. o. North Wilbra
ham, Mass., was born in Wilbraham, Mass.,
March 18, 1845, a son of Benjamin Butler,

a native of Monson, and Hannah A'. Cross,
his wife. James K. was educated in the
schools of his native town and has always
followed farming. He has served his
town as assessor lor one year and as con
stable, and in 1898 was appointed notary
public. In 1867 Mr. Butler married El
vira Jlaxwell, of Monson, who bore him
one son, James A. In 1870 he married
Laura E. Hovey, of Monson, by whom he
has two children, Albert H. H. and
Blanche B.
Richaeds, James, p. o. Wilbraham,
Jlass., was born in Cummington, Mass.,
June 20, 1835, a son of Darius and Dorcas
(Westcott) Richards, and received a com
mon school education. Since leaving
school he has been engaged in farming,
purchasing his present farm over thirty
years ago. On Jlarch 14, 1863, Jlr. Rich
ards married Mary E. Herrick ; they have
three children : E. Louise, Louis H., and
Jl. Allena.
Green, Henry JI., p. o. North Wilbra
ham, Jlass., was born on the Green home
stead in AA'ilbraham, Mass., February 16,
1867, a son of Walter M., and Julia (But
ler) Green, and was educated in the schools
of his native place. After leaving school
he engaged as freight agent and baggage
master with the B. & A. E. E. at North
Wilbraham. In 1888 Mr Green married
Lora Jl. Eindge, of Wilbraham, who has
borne him one son, George Milo Green.
Mr. Green is a member of Palmer Lodge
No 190. Odd Fellows.
King, Arthur D., p. o. North Wilbra
ham, Mass., was born in Ludlow, Mass.,
May 13, 1843, a son of Marvin and Eunice
B. (Alden) King. His father is a native
of Somers, Conn., and is now living in
Ludlow, where he has been for seventy-
three years ; his wife died in 1875. Ar
thur D. was educated in the schools of his
native town and in September, 1861,
joined Co. 1, 27th Mass. Eegiment, and
was discharged in 1863. He was in the
mines of Colorado for three years and con
ducted a meat market in Wilbraham three
years ; he was a representative to the Gen
eral Court in 1898 and has served as as
sessor for seventeen years. In 1870 Mr.
King married Lucy J. Brewer, daughter of
Daniel Brewer, of Ludlow ; they have one
son, Howard Arthur.

( 588 )

APPENDIX

Egan, James, p. o. Nortli AA'ilbraham, Doherty, George, p. o. Southwick,
Mass., was bora in Ludlow, Jlass., Febru- Jlass, was bora in Ireland, February 2,
ary 6, 1853, a son of Jlichael Egan, who 1846, a son of Patrick and Rebecca
came to America from Ireland in 1850 and (Wilke) Doherty, who were the parents of
settled in Ludlow, and Katherine Dempsy, thirteen children : James, George, Pat-
his wife. James was educated in the rick, Samuel, Charles, Rebecca, Robert,
schools of Ludlow and New York city and Maria, AA'illiam, Sarah, John, Jane and
after leaving school learned the druggist Jlary Ann. George Doherty was edu-
trade ; he purchased his present business cated in Ireland and America, coming to
of W. B. Stone, with whom he had been this country in 1866. After coming to
connected flfteen years. Jlr. Egan has America he worked on a farm for four
been registrar for seven years and clerk years and then purchased a farm for him-
at the elections for years. In Jlay, 1886, sell in Southampton ; iu 1872, he moved
he married Mary E. Foley, of Three Rivers, to AA'estfleld, where he followed farming
Mass. ; they have two children, Catherine and trucking ; in 1877 he moved to the
C. and Martha, both at home. town of Southwick, where he has since re-
EOGEKS, John E., p. o, Tolland, Mass., sided and carries on general farming, mak-
was bom April 15, 1867, a sou of Eussell ing a specialty of tobacco raising. On
Skinner and Orpha Eogers, whose children April 3, 1871, Jlr. Doherty married Nellie
were Mary, wife of Eugene Moore and il., daughter of Thomas and Miranda
John R. John R. Eogers received a com- (Damon) Rude; two children were born
mon school education and was associated of this marriage : Effle J., wife of Cooley
with his father until his father's death, A. Griffin, and James W. Jlr. Doherty is
when he took charge of the farm and car- active in town and county affairs and at
ried on general farming, making a specialty the present time is serving his eighth
of stock raising and dairying. October year as one of the selectmen of the town
24, 1891, Mr. Rogers married Jlinnie of Southwick, having been chairman sev-
Belle, a daughter of Truman and Belle eral years : he is actively interested in edu-
Peebles ; they have four children : Belle, catioual work and is a liberal contributor
Truman, Wesley and Howard. Jlr. Rog- to the different churches.
ers is interested in all public affairs and Boyle, William, p. o. Southwick, Jlass.,
is now serving his third term as selectman was born in Russell, July 4, 1832, a son
and has held nearly all ol the town offices, of John and Betsey (Stevens) Boyle. John
He is an active worker iu the Congrega- Boyle was born in Ireland and came to this
tional church, is one of the deacons and country when a boy. He was employed
its treasurer. on the railroad the most of his life ana
Munn, Wilbert, p. o. Tolland, Jlass., accumulated au estate of considerable
was bork in the town of Tolland, June 1, value, consisting of a large tract of land,
1849 a son of Dennis L. and Sarah JIunn, saw and grist mill. William Boyle was
whose children were Harriet, Loren M., educated in the schools of Bast Hampton
Henry L. Wilbert, Josephine and Rosauna. .and his life has been mostly spent m agri-
Dennis L was a son of Thomas and Lucy cultural pursuits. In 1851 Mr. Boyle
Alunn and followed farming and black- married Cornelia Vlets, who died in 1888,
smithing AVilbert Jlunn. the subject, leaving two daughters: Elizabeth, wife ot
was associated with his father until the William S. Saunders .ind Catherine Isa-
latter's death in 1890, since which time he belle, wife of Chester L. Galpin, In 1891
has carried on the farm work and black- he married, second, S, Lizzie Brace. Jlr.
smithing alone. Jlarch 13, 1883, Jlr. Boyle has been active in town and county
Munn married Ellen, daughter ot Edwin affairs and has held several of the offices
and Ellen (Bentley) Rowley, who bore in the gift of his townspeople, but his chief
him two children; Mildred and Ethel, interest is in the charge of his estate.
Mr Munn is active in town and county Jlrs. Boyle is a member of *e Just Con-
affairs and has served as clerk and treas- gregational Church of Spnngfleld _
urer since 1880 The family are sup- Parks, Eugene D., p. o. Russell, Jlass.,
uier «"i^^^^*;«';;^ ^j ^^^ Congregational was bom January IJ. ^S^^^jon at llov-

•porting Church.

ace an

d Ellen Jl, (Lewis) Parks, who had

( 589 )

APPENDIX

Ihree children : Arthur S.. Eugene D. and
Eobert L. Horace Parks was born in
Russell, Jlarch 10, 1821, a son of Robert
and Sally (Shurtliff) Parks and grandson
of Elias and Lydia (Lindsey) Parks. The
Lindseys were of English descent and flrst
-settled in this country in the town of
Montgomery. Horace Parks was in the
employ of the B. & A. R. R. for about
forty-eight years, commencing as foreman
on a gravel train, and for thirty-eight years
was agent for the B. & A. R. R. at Rus-
.sell. He was prominent in local affairs
and held most of the town offices. He
was chairman of the board of selectmen
for thirteen years and was also postmas
ter for many years. His wife, Ellen M.,
was a daughter of Hon. Horatio Gates
Lewis, who was of AA'elsh ancestry and
settled in Blandford about 1820. Mr.
Lewis was a member of the Legislature
and also commanded a company in the war
-of 1812 and was major in the State
jnilitia ; he died at sixty-seven years of age.
Eugene D. Parks received a common
.-.school education with two years at West
fleld High School, and when nineteen years
of age formed a co-partnership in the gen
eral mercantile business under the firm
name of H. Parks & Son ; flve years later
his brother Robert L. was admitted to the
flrm and the flrm was then known as B. D.
Parks & Co., which copartnership contin
ued for three years. At that time Eugene
D. entered the employ of the railroad com
pany for three years, then became man
ager of the AA'oronoco stock farm for two
years, since which time he has been en
gaged in the lumber, charcoal, wood and
real estate business On October 20. 1888,
he married Lizzie Belle (deceased), daugh
ter of Alexander and Lizzie S. (Russell)
Lewis, who bore him one son, Frederick E.
On October 10. 1894, M'-. Parks married
Minnie B., daughter of Marvin and Mary
(Parks) Wright; they have two children,
Warren W. and Leah. Mr. Parks is a
public spirited man ; has served as school
committeeman, overseer of the poor, town
clerk and at the present time is chairman
and clerk of the board of selectmen. He
is a membei; of the Improved Order of Red
Men and Huntington Lodge of Masons.
Lincoln, AA'illi.im S., p. u. Russell,
Mass., was born in Brunswick, Me., May
:23, 1868, a son of Nathaniel Curtis and

Mary Elizabeth (Reed) Lincoln, who were
the parents of six children. William S.
Lincoln was educated in the schools of his
town, and when sixteen years of age en
tered a retail store as clerk ; when twenty-
one years of age he entered a wholesale
shoe business in Boston and in 1892 came
to Eussell, where he has since been em
ployed by the Blandford Brick & Tile Co.
as superintendent. On June 5, 1895, Mr.
Lincoln married Mary, daughter of Jarvis
AA'. and Olive C. (Parks) Gibbs; they have
two children : Olive Eeed and Donald
Curtis. Mr. Lincoln's mother was a cousin
of Hon. Thomas Reed of Maine. His
father and forefathers were seafaring peo
ple. Stevens, Solomon P., p. o. Westfleld,
Mass., was born in Southwick, February 2,
1851, a son of AA'illiam H. and Mary
(Eeed) Stevens, who were the parents of
eight children : William R., Mary C,
Nancy A , Charles A., Solomon P.,
Flora J., James L. and Nellie P.
Solomon P. received a common school
education and helped at home on the
farm until twenty-one years of age. when
he engaged as a farm laborer and later
worked in the whip factory at AA'estfield.
Here he was employed for three years,
then spent one year in Canada, and iu
1878 settled in the town of Russell, where
he now has a farm of 550 acres. AA'hen
twenty-seven years of age Jlr. Stevens
married Ellen Coulen ; seven children were
born of this marriage : Jlarie. Nellie, Net
tie May, AA'illiam H„ Howard A„ George
Jl. and Frank C. Mr. Stevens is a mem
ber of AA'oronoco Tribe of Improved Red
Men No. 19. of Eussell, and the subordi
nate Grange of Blandford No. 24.
Clark, Theodore Hor-ace, p. o. Russell,
Mass., was born in the town of Russell,
September 9, 1865, a sou of Chester AV. and
Alice (Parks) Clark, and received a com
mon school education. He was associated
with E. D. Parks & Co. as clerk in a gen
eral mercantile business ; also with Loren
S. Boynton, and later engaged in the meat
business for himself, which he sold out in
1890 and started the general mercantile
business he is now engaged in. October
7, 1891, Mr. Clark married Georgie, daugh
ter of Archibold and Elizabeth E. Gilmore ;
they have one daughter, Helen G. Mr,
Clark has always taken an active interest

( 590 )

APPENDIX

iu town and county affairs ; was selectman
one term ; town treasurer three years ;
justice of the peace ; chairman of the Re
publican town committee and at the pres
ent time is serving as postmaster, having
been appointed June 1, 1897. He is a
member of Huntington Lodge, P. & A. Jl.,
of Huntington, and AA'oronoco Tribe of Red
Men of Russell No. 19, of which he is a
charter member.
Allen, George H., p. o. Pairfleld, Mass.,
was bora in Dalton, Berkshire county.
Mass, September 9, 1844, a son of Henry
M. and Electa (Davis) Allen, one of four
children : Fidelia, wife of James Gorham
(deceased), Caroline, wife of Dr. W. W.
Loomis, George H. and Edward A. George
H. attended the public schools in Dalton
and when flfteen years of age was em
ployed by Mr. Gordon Parish of Hinsdale
and through Ills own efforts attained his
advanced education by working overtime
in taking care of the academy. He re
mained with Mr. Parish flve years and
tlien moved to Huntington, where he en
tered the bedstead factory as a carver and
turner ; he came to the town of Russell in
1880 and in 1884 moved on to the farm
where he now resides, which contains 250
acres. On November 23, 1870, Mr. Allen
married Julia, daughter of John Jlc-
Derby, who bore him three children :
George H., jr., Merrick Edward, who died
when flfteen months old, and one who died
in infancy. Jlr. Allen married second,
December 5, 1883, Ellen Jl. Pendleton. He
has taken an active part in local affairs ;
has served as selectman six terms ; is a
member of Huntington Lodge, P. & A. Jl.,
and Evening Star Chapter of Westfleld.
Parks, Robert L., p. o. Russell, Jlass.,
was born August 5, 1864, and educated iu
the common schools. He was associated
in the grocery business with his father and
brother until twenty-one years ol age,
when he entered the employ of the B. & A.
R. R. at Russell ; in 1888 he went to Fair
field and in 1890 returned to Russell,
where he worked under his father until
1898, when he was appointed station
agent, which position he resigned in Octo
ber, 1901, to become general agent for the
New York Life Insurance Co. He was
postmaster under Cleveland at Fairfield ;
was selectman two years, and at the pres
ent, time is town auditor. He was in

strumental in securing the building of the
State road from Huntington to Westfleld,
it being the first State road built in this
part of the state. July 16, 1888, he mar
ried JIargaret E., daughter of Thomas and
Catherine (Corbett) Leamy ; they have one
son, Eobert Lewis Parks. Jlr. Parks and
his family are supporting members of the
church, and he is a charter member of
Woronoco Tribe of Improved Order of Eed
Men No. 19, of which he has been sachem,
and collector of wampum ; has been presi
dent of the AA'oronoco Building Association
since its formation ; is a member of the
Connecticut Valley Highway Association,
Blandford and Pomona Grange, and North
ern Massachusetts P. S. Association.
Waid, Charles L., p. o. Palmer, Mass.,
was born in Ludlow, Mass., January 24,
1875, a son of Hiram and Louisa (Hanson)
AA'aid, His father was a farmer and rail
road man, acting as assistant superintend
ent of the Onondaga & Lake Shore Eail-
road. Charles L. was educated iu the
schools of Palmer and then accepted a
position as clerk in the Palmer Savings
Bank, being elected treasurer ol the bank
after eight years' service as clerk. Jlr.
AA'aid is a. member of Thomas Lodge of
Jlasons. On September 12, 1900, Mr.
Waid married Catherine L., daughter of T.
W. and Mary L. Comstock, ol New York
city. Kelly, Jeremiah J., p. o. Thorndike,
Mass., was born in the town of Palmer,
Mass., February 6, 1864, a son of Jere
miah and Ellen (Murphy) Kelly. His
father was a native of Ireland and a
^tone mason by trade ; he died April 30,
1889 ; Mrs. Kelley is still living with her
son, Jeremiah J, was educated in the
schools of his town and learned the
moulder's trade, which he followed for
three years. He was next engaged as a
clerk for E. J. Kelly and was with him
until he engaged in his present business iu
1893. Jlr. Kelly is a member of the
Knights of Columbus and St. Mary's Cath
olic Church ; also a member of the Hamp
den Musicians' Protective Union and flrst
violinist ot the Marine Orchestra of
Thorndike. Clark, Capt. Hiram E. W., p. u. Palmer,
Mass., was born at New Salem, Mass.,
April 15, 1835, a son of Samuel and Dia-
dama Clark. When ten years of age his

( 591 )

APPENDIX

parents moved to Nauvoo, 111., and in 1848
to California, the journey taking two
years. Shortly after their arrival Cap
tain Clark went to sea and cruised among
the islands of the southern Pacific for
about two years. Eeturning to California
in January, 1863, he enlisted in the Cali
fornia Battalion, 2d Jlass. Cavalry. He
served in this regiment as first sergeant
and second lieutenant until March, 1864,
when he received his commission as cap
tain in the 3th Jlass. cavalry. After
Lee's surrender the regiment was sent to
Eio Grande, Texas. Captain Clark was
mustered out of service December 1, 1863,
and then settled in Thorndike, where he
has since lived, associating himself iu the
meat and provision business under the
style of C. W. Hastings & Co. In 1874
the senior member of the firm died and
the present firm of Clark & Hastings was
formed ; they have branch stores in 'Thorn
dike and Bondsville. Capt. Clark is one
ot the charter members of the L. L. Jler-
rick Grand Army Post : is a Republican in
politics ; represented his district in the
House of Representatives in 1891 and
1892 ; was postmaster from 1870 to 1883 ;
is a member of Thomas Lodge, Hampden
Chapter, AA'ashington Council, Springfield
Commandery of Masons and the Royal
Arcanum. In January, 1863, Mr. Clark
married Carrie J. Puller of 'Thorndike,
Mass. Pour children have been born to
them, viz. : Charles H., born December 11,
1866, resides in New York ; Henry C,
bora October 26, 1868, died September 10,
1874 ; Farley G.. born July 21, 1871, re
sides in New York ; and Genevra P., born
September 3, 1873, at home
AA'alker, Fred E.. p. o. 'rhorndike. Jlass.,
was born iu Thorndike, Jlass., August
20, 1862, a son of E. J. and Mary
A. (Keith) Walker. E. J. Walker died
in 1876 and his widow is still living. Fred
E. Walker was educated in the schools of
his town, ivnd after leaving school was em
ployed in the mill for about six years. In
1889 he engaged in the meat business with
Prank JIayette under tlie flrm name of
JIayette & AValker ; in 1893 Jlr. JIayette
sold out to Jlr. Kelley and the firm has
since been known as Walker & Kelley, On
February 2, 1882, Jlr, AA'alker married
Annie JIalloy ; they have three children :
Charles E,. Edwin Jl , .ind Fred E., jr.

Smith, Homer A.. M. D„ p. o. Bonds
ville, Jlass., December 31, 1844, a son of
Alvan and Abbie G. (Homer) Smith. His
father was a native of Palmer and a phy
sician, graduating from Harvard in 1836 ;
he died August 16, 1882. Homer A. was
graduated from the College of Pharmacy
in Philadelphia in 1868 and from the Uni
versity of New York in 1877, He has
served on the school board of his town
seven years and on the board of health.
He came to Palmer in November, 1879,
where he has since lived. He is a member
of the Congregational church.
Hastings, Elbridge G., p. o. Palmer,
Jlass., was boru in Palmer, Mass.,
July 21, 1840, a son of Eozel and
Phebe (White) Hastings, and was edu
cated in the schools of Palmer and Wilbra
ham Academy. His flrst business engage
ment was in the lumber business in Johns-
burg, N. Y., and in 1862 he enlisted in
Co. H, 46th Jlass. Eegiment, and was dis
charged in 1863. He was in battles at
Kinston, AVhitehall, Goldsboro, N. C, and
was then taken ill and discharged from
the hospital. After he was discharged
he came to Palmer and settled on his farm.
In 1878 he engaged in business under the
flrm name of C. W. Hastings & Co., and is
now doing a wholesale business in the firm
of Clark & Hastings. Air, Hastings is a
member of the G. A.. E., Thomas Lodge of
Jlasons, and has served his town as select
man for one year and the First Hampden
District as representative. On March 28,
1872, he married Lizzie A., daughter of
George Peters, of Ware, Jlass. , they have
three children living : Blanche M., Calvin
AV., and Phebe D.
Emery, B. Frank, p. o. Thorndike,
Mass., was born in Kennebunk, JIalne, De
cember 17. 1862. a son of Isaac M. ana
Sarah (Huff) Emery, and was educated in
the schools of his town. He learned the
machinist's trade, which he followed four
years, and in 1S86 came to Palmer and
purchased his present place. Mr. Emery
is a member of the Sons of Veterans and
the Baptist church. On March 28, 1883,
he married Sarah J. Whipple ; they have
three children : Perley Jlunroe, B. Prank,
jr.. and Jlay AVhipple. Mrs. Emery's
mother was a daughter of Chester Hast
ings and was born on the old homesteiid.

( 592

Index

Adams, Dr. Nathan, Vol. 1, 372
Agawam bridge. Vol. 1, 170 ; Encampment,
490 ; flrst settlement at, 33 ; Indians, 24.
— Name of plantation changed to -Spring
field, Vol. 2, 11.— Town of. Vol. 3, 523;
location and natural features, 523 ; the
mother town of Springfleld, 524 ; flrst
settlement in Connecticut valley, 524 ;
the flrst house built, 524 ; settlement re
moved to Springfield, 525 ; permanent set
tlement established, 525 ; the town incor
porated, 526 ; list of selectmen, 526 ; town
clerks, 527 ; military history, 528 ; re
sources of the town, 528 ; manufacturing
development, 529 ; the town grange, 529 ;
educational interests, 532 ; the library,
533 ; founding a church, 533 ; the Sixth
church of Springfleld, 534 ; two parishes
formed, 534 ; First Congregational church,
535 ; Second Congregational church, 535 ;
First Baptist church, 538 ; Methodist
Episcopal church, 540 ; St. William's
church, 540 ; census statistics, 541
Agricultural Society, Blandford, Vol. 2, 517
Agriculture in Hampdem Co., Vol. 1, 499
Aix-la-Chapelle, treaty of, Vol. 1, 63
Almshouse, The, Springfleld, Vol. 2, 160. —
Holyoke, Vol. 3, 52
American Papeterie Co., The, Vol, 2, 270
Ames, N. E. Vol. 1, 395. — Col. Galen, Vol,
2, 192 ; Manufacturing Co., 262
Amity Lodge, Vol. 1, 488
Amostown, in West Springfleld, Vol. 3, 233
Anderson, Dr. J. J., Vol. 1, 408
Appleton, Dr. John, Vol. 1, 348
Aqueduct Company, the Springfleld, Vol. 2,
156
Armory buildings burned. Vol. 2, 56
Art Building, The, Vol. 2, 180
Ashmun George, Vol. 1, 316
Assurance Cos., the Mutual Fire, Vol. 2, 241
Atheneum, The, ol Westfield, Vol. 2, 431
Attorneys, list of. Vol. 1, 304, 331
Atwater, Eev. Noah, Vol. 2, 401

Aubert, discoveries of. Vol. 1, 14
Auditors, Vol. 1, 124
Bagg, Dr. J. L., Vol. 1, 376
Baker, Dr. M. B., Vol. 1, 343
Banks, the Springfleld, Vol. 2, 222; the
Second National, 223 ; the Chicopee, 223 ;
the Chicopee National, 224 ; the Agawam
National, 225 ; the Western, 226 ; the
John Hancock National, 227; the Third
National, 230 ; the Pynchon National,
228 ; the First National, 229 ; the Third
National, 231 ; the Chapin National, 231 ;
the City National, 233; the Springfleld
National, 234 ; the Springfield Safe De
posit and Trust Co., 234 ; the Hampden
Trust Co., 235 ; the Springfield Institu
tion for Savings, 236; the Hampden Sav
ings, 239 ; the Springfield Five Cents
Savings, 240. — Hadley Palls National,
Vol. 3, 59 ; Holyoke National, 61 ; City
National, Holyoke, 62 ; Home National,
Holyoke, 64 ; Park National, Holyoke, 65 ;
Holyoke Savings, 65 ; Mechanics' Savings,
66; People's Savings, 67; Holyoke Co
operative, 68 ; City Co-operative, 68 ; the
Monson National, 298 ; the Monson Sav
ings, 299 ; First National, Chicopee, 506 ;
Chicopee Savings, 507 ; Chicopee Fails
Savings, 507
Bar Association, The Hampden, Vol. 1, 336
Barnes James, Brev. Maj.-Gen., Vol. 1, 223
Barney & Berry Skate Works, The, Vol. 2,
270
Bartholmew, Dr. S. B., Vol. 1, 409
Bates, Isaac C, Vol. 1, 314 ; Wm. G., 320
Bay Path, account of, Vol. 1, 154; Lodge,
489
Bay State Weekly Courier, Vol. 1, 428. —
Corset Co., The, Vol. 2, 273
Beach, Erasmus D., Vol. 1, 320
Belcher Lodge, Vol. 1, 474
Belden, D. Chauncey, Vol. 1, 352 ; Dr.
Sam'l W., 343

38-8

( 593 )

INDEX

BeU, Dr. Cyrus, Vol. 1, 376
Bemis, Dr. David, Vol. 1, 343
Bench and Bar, The Hampden, Vol. 1, 293
Bible Normal College, Vol. 2, 142
Blanchardville, village of. Vol. 3, 149
Blandford, fort built in. Vol. 1, 62; min
eral deposits of, 5. — Town of. Vol. 2,
482 ; natural features, 482 ; equivalent
lands, 484 ; land purchases and grants,
485 ; early settlement, 486 ; the original
proprietors, 486 ; the Lawton deed, 488 ;
the flrst church founders, 491 ; the Pixley
grant, 500 ; highways and turnpikes, 500 ;
during the revolution, 497 ; the flrst grist
mill, 496 ; poverty of the settlers, 495 ;
partitioning the lands, 494 ; incidents of
settlement, 492 ; the flrst town name,
491 ; North Blandiford village, 502 ; the
M. B. church at the North village, 504 ;
village, 504 ; prominent men of, 504 ; the
first meeting-house, 507 ; churches of,
510 ; population, 514 ; burial places, 514 ;
schools of the town, 515 ; the Union
agricultural and horticultural society,
517 ; list ol selectmen, 519 ; list ol town
clerks, 523 ; early town representatives,
523 ; civil war list, 524
Bliss, Dr. Oliver, Vol. 1, 344 ; George, 314 ;
Jonathan, 314 ; Silas, 394
Board of Trade, the Springfleld, Vol. 2, 217
Bond, Ephraim W., Vol. 1, 324
Bondsville, village. Vol. 3, 147
Boston and Albany Eailroad, Vol. 1, 181
Boston and Maine EailToad, Vol. 1, 183
Boston and Springfleld Manufacturing Co.,
Vol. 2, 261
Boston Stone, History of. Vol. 1, 154
Boston Tea Party, Vol. 1, 71
Bowen, Dr. Charles H., Vol. 1, 377
Bowles, Dr. Stephen W., Vol. 1, 375
Breck, Dr. William G., Vol. 1, 370. — Eev.
Eobert, controversy concerning. Vol. 2, 80
Brewer, Dr. Chauncey, Vol. 1, 344. — Eev.
Daniel, death ol. Vol. 2, 30
Brewster, Dr. Joseph W., Vol. 1, 346
Bridges, Vol. 1, 164 ; Agawam, 170 ; Chico
pee, 170 ; Holyoke and South Hadley
Falls, 171 ; South End, history of, 171 ;
the North End, history of, 171; Willi
mansett, 173
Bridgman, Dr. William, Vol. 1, 344
Brigham Lodge, Vol. 1, 474
Brimfleld, town of. Vol. 2, 456; natural
features, 456 ; flrst settlers, 457 ; land-
grants, 458 ; the flrst town meeting, 460 ;
list of selectmen, 462 ; list ot town clerks.

468 ; list of representatives, 468 ; the
French and Indian wars, 469 ; the Crown
Point expedition, 470 ; expedition against
Canada, 470 ; during the revolution, 471 ;
list of revolutionary soldiers, 473 ; inci
dents of Shays' rebellion, 474 ; during the
war of 1812-15, 474 ; the war of 1861-65,
475 ; resources of the town, 476 ; early
manufactures, 477 ; educational history,
478 ; the first meeting-house, 480 ; area
and population, 481
British aggression. Vol. 1, 70 ; generals,
character ol, 67
Bronson, Dr. Henry, Vol. 1, 351
Brookfield burned. Vol. 1, 45
Brown, Timothy M., Vol. 1, 329. — John, the
abolitionist, citizen of Springfield, Vol. 2,
64
Bull, Rev. Nehemiah, Vol. 2, 401
Bunker Hill, battle of. Vol. 1, 77
Business Men's Association, Holyoke, Vol,
3, 83
Byers, James, jr.. Vol. 2, 189
Cabotville Mirror, Vol. 1, 461 ; Chronicle
and Chicopee Falls Advertiser, 461 '
Calhoun, William B., Vol. 1, 320
Campaign ol 1754, Vol. 1, 64
Canals, Vol. 1, 173. — The Holyoke water
Power Co., Vol. 3, 75
Cape Ann, settlement at. Vol. 1, 30
Canton Chapin, Vol. 1, 491 ; Springfleld,
492 ; Holyoke, 499
Carter, Dr. Charles D., Vol. 1, 410
Cartier, Jacques, voyages and discoveries by.
Vol. 1, 15
Carver, Gov. John, death of. Vol. 1, 29
Cemeteries, ol Springfleld, Vol. 2, 196 ; the
Springfleld, 197 ; St. Benedict's, 199 ; St.
Michael's, Springfleld, 200 ; Maplewood,
Springfleld, 201 ; Oak Grove, Springfleld,
200. — Holyoke, Vol. 3, 84 ; Forestdale,
Holyoke, S5 ; St. Jerome's, Holyoke, 85 ;
Calvary, Holyoke, 85
Central High School, Springfleld, Vol. 2, 127
Champion, Dr. Reuben, Vol. 1, 344
Champlain, Samuel, discoverer, Vol. 1, 15 ;
invasions by, 15
Chapin, Dr. Alonzo, Vol. 1, 344. — Abijah,
Vol. 2, 192 ; Col. Harvey, 191 ; Dea, Sam
uel, the Puritan, 13 ; Dea. Samuel, death
of, 26 ; Ed'ward P., 193
Chapman, Dr. Thos. L., Vol. 1, 371 ; Eeuben
A., 306.— Valve Co., Vol. 2, 265
Chaput, Dr. Henry B., Vol. 3, 115
Charest, Odilon Z. E., Vol, 3, 115

( 594 )

INDEX

Cheney Bigelow Wire Works, The, Vol. 2,
272
Chester, emery deposits in. Vol. 1, 5 ;
Chronicle, The, 453. — Town of. Vol. 3,
348 ; description and boundaries, 348 ;
natural features, 349 ; the locality of the
Centre, 350 ; early settlement, 353 ; the
land grants, 353 ; names ol settlers, 355 ;
drawing lots, 355 ; the minister lot, 356 ;
flrst named Murrayfleld, 357 ; first town
meeting, 358 ; events of early town his
tory, 359 ; dividing the territory, 360 ;
early representatives, 361 ; during the
revolution, 361 ; raising men and money,
362 ; changing the town- name, 363 ; flrst
officers under new name, 363 ; villages
and hamlets, 364 ; meeting-house at the
Centre, 366 ; the flrst minister, 366 ; min
isters and pastors, 367 ; the Baptist soci
ety, 368 ; physicians of, 369 ; North Ches
ter village, 370 ; Dayville village, 371 ;
Littleville village, 371 ; village, 371 ; the
village meeting-house, 374 ; village physi
cians, 375 ; village lawyers, 375 ; manu
facturing interests, 376 ; Chester Factories
village, 378 ; mercantile and manufactur
ing, 378 ; churches in Chester Factories,
384 ; burial places, 386 ; schools, 386 ;
lawyers at Factories village, 387 ; physi
cians at the Factories, 387 ; census sta
tistics, 388 ; town civil list, 388 ; select
men of Murrayfleld, 388 ; town clerks of
Murrayfleld, 388 ; list of Chester select
men, 388 ; town clerks of Chester, 391 ;
civil war lists, 391 ; soldiers of the revo
lution, 392
Chicopee Bridge, Vol. 1, 170 ; Telegraph,
461 ; The Press of, 461 ; Weekly Journal,
461 ; Lodge, 472 ; Lodge, 497. — Set off
from Springfleld, Vol. 2, 81. — Town of.
Vol. 3, 482 ; geographical and topograph
ical, 482 ; beginning of settlement, 482 ;
the flrst land contract, 483 ; settlement
as Skipmuck, 484 ; improvements south of
the river, 484; flshing- in Chicopee river,
485 ; settiement in Willimansett, 486 ;
troubles with the Indians, 486 ; revolu
tionary history, 487 ; the Shays rebellion,
487 ; the "Street," 487 ; discussions prior
to the division of Springfield, 488 ; the new
town organized, 489 ; the first officers,
489 ; census statistics, 490 ; town civil
list, 491 ; list of selectmen, 491 ; clerks
and treasurers, 492 ; city civil list, 493 ;
mayors, 493 ; aldermen, 493 ; common
councilman, 494 ; assessors, 495 ; over

seers of the poor, 495 ; city physicians,
495 ; city engineer, 495 ; city solicitors,
495 ; chiefs of police, 495 ; superintendents
of streets, 496 ; license commissioners,
496 ; war of 1865-5, 496 ; beginning of
industrial development, 496 ; the water
power of Chicopee river, 497 ; early man
ufactures, 497 ; ; the Willimansett Manu
facturing Co., 497 ; the Belcher & Taylor
Agricultural Tool Co., 498 ; the Chicopee
Manufacturing Co., 499 ; the Massachu
setts Arms Co., 499 ; the Lamb Knitting
Machine Co., 500 ; the J. Stevens Arms
and Tool Co., 500 ; the Overman Wheel
Co., 500 ; industries of Cabotville, 501 ;
the Dwight Manufacturing Co., 501 ; the
Ames Manufacturing Co., 503 ; the Gay
lord Manufacturing Co., 504 ; present
manufactures, 504 ; the Chicopee Gas
Light Co., 505 ; the water supply, 505 ;
banking and financial history, 506 ; the
First National bank, 506 ; the Chicopee
Savings bank, 507 ; educational institu
tions, 507 ; the first town school report,
509 ; the library, 511 ; the city press, 511 ;
church history, 513 ; First Congregational
church, 513 ; the Second Congregational
church, 515 ; the Third Congregational
church, 515 ; the M. E. church, 515 ; Cen
tral SI. E. church, 516 ; the Fii-st Baptist
church, 517 ; Central Baptist church, 517 ;
Grace Episcopal church, 518 ; Unitarian
church, 518 ; Universalist society, 518 ;
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 519 ;
St. Patrick's church, 520 ; Church of the
Assumption, 521 ; St. Stanislaus' church,
521 ; St. Joachim's church, 522 ; Church
of the Nativity, 522
Church, Dr. Jefferson, Vol. 1, 350. — Moses,
Vol. 2, 186
City Hall, built in Springfield, Vol. 2, 65 ;
Library Association, 172
City of Chicopee, Vol. 3, 482 ; Holyoke, 1. —
Springfield, Vol. 2, 1
Civil List. Vol. 1, 124
Clary Eobert E., Brev. Brig.-Gen., Vol. 1,
223
Clerks of Court, list of. Vol. 1, 151 ; of the
House, 149
Cloutier, Dr. Felix J., Vol. 3, 115
Clune, John H., Vol. 2, 195
College, The Bible Normal, Vol. 2, 142 ; The
French-American, 142
Collins, Amos M., developer ol Blandford,
Vol. 2, 499
Colonists and Indians, first battle. Vol. 1. 40

( 595 )

INDEX
Colony of Connecticut, troubles with, Vol. Deerfleld attacked. Vol. 1, 46 ; plundered
1, 35 and burned, 59
Compact for government of Pilgrims, Vol. Demers, Jacques L., Vol. 3, 116
1, 29 Democrat, 'The Independent, Vol. 1, 426
Connecticut Elver Navigation, Vol. 1, 188 Democratic Herald, Vol. 1, 445
Connecticut troops garrison northern towns. Dental Profession, The, Vol. 1, 390
Vol. 1, 51 Derby, Dr. Pardon H., Vol. 1, 407
Connecticut Valley Farmer, Vol. 1, 433 ; De Soto Lodge, Vol. 1, 487
region claimed by Dutch, 16 ; becomes Dewey, Justin, Vol. 1, 311
known to the English colonists, 31 ; ex- DeWolf, Dr. Tbad. K., Vol. 1, 365
plored by Plymouth colonists, 32 ; first Dickinson high school. Vol. 3, 207
visited by Dorchester colonists, 32 ; In- Die Biene, Vol. 1, 459
dians, treachery of, 45 ; Indians, allied to Discoveries in America, early European,
King Philip, 45 ; towns urged to concen- Vol. 1, 14
trate inhabitants, 54. — Historical Society, District Attorneys, list ol, Vol. 1, 150
Vol. 2, 215 District Court of Eastern Hampden, justices
Converse, Alonzo, authority on flsheries, of, Vol. 1, 150 ; of Western Hampden,
Vol. 1, 196 justices of, 150
Cooper, Lieut., death of. Vol. 1, 47 District Courts, Vol. 1, 300
Corporations, turnpike. Vol. 1, 154 Dodge, Dr. J. N., Vol, 1, 408
Correction, House of, built, Vol. 1, 112 Domestic Journal, The, Vol. 1, 442
Counties formed. Vol. 1, 37 Ducharme, Valere, Vol. 3, 116
County congresses assembled, Vol. 1, 76 ; Dunbar, James E., Vol. 1, 312
Seat, removed to Northampton, 114 ; Jail, Durocher, Alfred D., Vol. 3, 116
and house of correction, 121, 123 ; Com- Dutch hostilities. Vol. 1, 18 ; power, over-
missioners, list of, 151 ; Treasurers, list throw of, 18 ; sell guns and rum to In-
of, 151 dians, 26 ; Point, fort built, 32
Court, clerks of. Vol. 1, 151 ; Common Dwight, William, Brig.-Gen., Vol. 1, 224. —
Pleas, Justices of, 149 ; House, the flrst, Company, The, Vol. 2, 263
location ol, 114 ; House, the second, loca
tion of, 117 ; House, present building Eastern Star Lodge, Vol. 1, 495
erected, 121 ; Insolvency, Judges of, 149 ; East Longmeadow, Vol. 3, 429 ; physical
Probate, Judges of, 149 ; Probate and features, 429 ; a part of inward commons.
Insolvency, Judges of, 149 ; of Sessions, 429 ; relation to mother town, 430 ; divls-
Justices ol, 149 ; Superior, Justices of, ion of the old town, 431 ; flrst town elec-
149 ; Supreme Judicial, Justices of, 149 ; tion, 432 ; church history, 432 ; the Firat
Square, dpnors to fund for, 119 Congregational church, 433 ; the Jl. B.
Cowan, Dr. A. B., Vol. 1, 405 church, 434 ; St. Michael's church, 435 ;
Courts established. Vol. 1, 111 ; Supreme the public library, 435 ; the stone quar-
Judicial, established, 294 ; Superior, es- ries, 436 ; census statistics, 437
tablished, 296 ; Pol-ice, established, 299 ; Education in- Hampden County, Vol, 1, 232.
District, established, 300 ; General Ses- — In Springfleld, Vol. 2, 113
sions of the Peace, established, 301 Edwards, Oliver, Brev. Maj.-Gen., Vol. 1,
Cross, Dr. Cyrus W., Vol. 1, 405 225
Cummins, David, Vol. 1, 310 Eighteenth Infantry, Vol. 1, 204
Custom House, Springfleld, Vol. 2, 195 Eighth Infantry, Vol. 1, 216
Ely, Nathaniel, licensed to keep ordinary.
Daily Argus, The, Vol. 1, 432 ; Democrat, Vol. 2, 24
The, 441 ; News, The, 438 ; Eepublican, English settlements. Vol. 1, 17 ; and French
The, Springfleld, 428 rivalries, 18 ; colonization and settle-
Day, Capt. Luke, insurgent leader. Vol. 1, ments by, 27 ; possessions in America
94 ; proclamation of, 97 ; sketch of, 99 divided by King James I, 27 ; Dissenters,
Davis, Dr. George W., Vol. 1, 374. — Rev. flnd refuge in Holland, 28
Emerson, flrst settled pastor. Vol. 2, 403 European powers, rival claims of. Vol. 1, 17
Dayville, village. Vol. 3, 371 Evening Globe, The, Vol. 1, 459 ; Telegram,
Deeds, registers of, Vol. 1, 151 459 ; Star Chapter, 476

( 696 )

INDEX

Pairfleld village. Vol. 3, 449
Falley's X Roads, Vol. 3, 371
Father Rasie's war. Vol. 1, 61
Federal Spy, The, Vol. '1, 420
Ferries, Vol. 1, 161
Pessant, John B., Vol. 3, 117
Flre Department, Springfleld, Vol. 2, 145
First Plymouth company, fate of. Vol. 1, 27
Fishing Rights, Vol. 1, 196
Fitch, Dr. W. L., Vol. 1, 344
Flagg, Dr. U. H., Vol. 1, 377
Flint, Dr. Joseph H., Vol. 1, 347
Forbes, Dr. George P., Vol. 1, 387
Forest Park, A'ol. 2, 164 ; acquisition of
lauds for, 168 ; extent of, 169
Port Pynchon torn down. Vol. 2, 63
Ports built on the frontier. Vol. 1, 62
Forty-Second Infantry. Vol. 1, 217
Forty-Sixth Infantry, A'ol. 1, 213
Fowler, Landlord, house of. Vol. 2, 371
Franklin Library Association, Vol. 2, 170
Free Masonry, history of. Vol. 1, 464
French-American Citizen, The, Vol. 1, 442.
— College, Vol. 2, 142
French, influence of, among the Indians,
Vol. 1, 20 ; and Ifidian depredations in
Connecticut valley. 59 ; and English wars,
62 ; dominion, end of, in America, 68. —
people, Holyoke, Vol. 3, 109
Frost, Dr. George, Vol. 1, 343 ; Dr. Joshua,
343
Gage, Gen., occupies Boston, Vol. 1, 71
Gamwell, Dr. Harlow, Vol. 1, 372. — William,
school of. Vol. 3, 36
Gas Light Co., the Springfleld, Vol. 2, 267
Genest, Ophir B., Vol. 3, 117
Geology ol Hampden county. Vol. 1, 1-13
Gillett, Edward B., Vol. 1, 322
Gleuwood Lodge, Vol. 1, 498
Glover, Eev. Pelatiah, library burned. Vol.
1, 49. — Settled as minister. Vol. 2, 15
Good Cheer Lodge, A'ol. 1, 496
Good Housekeeping, The, Vol. 1, 441
Gould, Dr. Joseph, Vol. 1, 404
Governors, Vol. 1, 124
Granville, town of. Vol. 3, 247 ; land pur
chased from Indians, 248 ; the flrst set
tler, 248 ; the Bedford company, 248 ;
early prominent men, 249 ; incident of
Col. Bates, 250 ; the flrst house in the
middle parish, 251 ; character of early
settlers, 251 ; civil history, 252 ; town
organization, 253 ; list of selectmen, 253 ;
town clerks, 256 ; census statistics, 257 ;
during the revolution, 258 ; the town

minutemen, 258; the jubilee celebration,
239 ; the First Church of Christ, 260 ; the
Second Congregational church, 261 ; the
Baptist church, 261 ; the Universalist
society, 261 ; villages ot the town, 262 ;
schools, 261 ; village of GranviUe, 263 ;
village of Granville Corners, 263 ; busi
ness interests, 264 ; some prominent
townsmen, 265
Gray Lock, the Indian chief. Vol. 1, 62
Hadley Falls National bank. Vol. 3, 59 ;
Company, 70
Halle, WUliam H., VoL.l, 327
Hamel, Furmence, Vol. 3, 114
Hamilton, Dr. E. H., Vol. 1, 377
Hampden County, geology of. Vol. 1, 1 ;
map of, 107 ; act creating, 115 ; Education
iu, 232
Hampden Eailroad, Vol. 1, 186 ; Federalist,
425 ; Journal, 425 ; Patriot, 425 ; Post,
426 ; Whig, 426 ; Intelligencer, 427 ;
Statesman, 427 ; Washingtomian, 427 ;
Register, 442 ; Freeman, The, 455 ; Lodge,
F. & A. M., 470 ; Lodge, I. O. O. P., 485.^
Jlechanics' Association, Vol. 2, 170 ;
Brewery, proprietors of, 262 ; Watch Co.,
The, 269 ; Paint and Chemical Co., The,
271
Hampden, town of, Vol. 3, 542 ; a part ol
"outward commons," 542 ; fourth pre
cinct of Springfleld, 542 ; the pioneer set
tler, 542 ; account of early settlement,
543 ; petition for new parish, 544 ; the
South parish of Wilbraham, 545 ; setting
up the meeting-house, 345 ; the parish
becomes South Wilbraham, 546 ; old par
ish records, 546 ; town organization, 547 ;
list of selectmen, 548 ; town clerks, 548 ;
census statistics, 549 ; villages and ham
lets, 549 ; manufactures of Hampden vil
lage, 550 ; old-time interests, 551 ; prom
inent men in village history, 551 ; present
business interests, 552 ; school history of,
553 ; the old Hampden academy, 553 ;
church history, 554 ; the Congregational
church, 554 ; the M. E. church, 535 ; the
Baptist society, 556 ; reminiscences, "past
and present," 556 prominent men of the
town, 556
Hampshire and Berkshire Chronicle, Vol. 1,
420 ; and Hampden Canal, 174 ; Chronicle,
The, 419 ; County, political situation, 69 ;
County, troops furnished, 77, 79 ; County,
situation in, after the revolution, 81 ;
County, organization of, 109 ; County,

( 697 )

INDEX

division of, 115 ; County, Courts estab
lished, 303 ; County officers killed, 566 ;
Federalist, 420 ; Herald and Weekly Ad
vertiser, 419
Hartford and Springfleld Railroad, Vol. 1,
181 ; Dutch fort at, 17
Hatfleld, convention at. Vol. 1, 89
Hawkins Iron Works, The R. P., Vol. 2, 270
Herald of Life, The, Vol. 1, 441
High School, the flrst in Springfleld, Vol. 2,
116
High Schools established. Vol. 1, 243
Hitchcock Free academy. Vol. 2, 478
HoUand, town of. Vol. 3, 394; a part of
South Brimfleld, 394 ; the Bast parish,
394 ; town boundaries, 395 ; early settle
ment, 395 ; reminiscences of early life,
397 ; census statistics, 400 ; civil history,
400 ; list of selectmen, 401 ; town clerks,
403- ; resources of the town, 404 ; deriva
tion of town name, 404 ; Holland village,
406 ; the town school, 407 ; church his
tory, 407 ; some prominent men, 409
Holland, Dr. Eugene, Vol. 1, 350 ; Dr.
Homer, 350 ; Dr. James, 347 ; Dr. James,
jr., 350 ; Dr. William, 350 ; Dr. Virgil,
350
Holland's summary of results of King Phil
ip's war. Vol. 1, 50
Holyoke, city of. Vol. 3, 1 ; the region pre
vious to settlement, 1 ; traces ol Indian
occupancy, 2 ; division- of the common
lands, 3 ; the Third parish set off, 3 ; the
flrst settlers, 3 ; acquisitionsi to the set
tlement, 5 ; early manufactures, 6 ; fer
ries across the Connecticut, 6 ; the Irish
village, 7 ; the Baptist village, 7 ; town
organization, 7 ; the town name, 8 ; refer
ence to Elizur Holyoke, 8 ; census statis
tics, 9 ; causes of early growth, 9 ; the
flrst town meeting, 9 ; list of selectmen,
10 ; town clerks, 11 ; town treasurers, 11 ;
founding the city, 12 ; the act of incor
poration, 12 ; municipal statistics, 14 ; the
city hall, 14 ; special acts relating to the
city, 14 ; municipal civil list, 17 ; succes
sion of mayors, 17 ; city clerks, 17 ; city
treasurers, 17 ; list of aldermen, 19 ; com
mon councilmen, 21 ; presidents of board
of aldermen, 26 ; presidents of common
council, 26 ; city auditors, 26 ; city mes^
sengers, 26 ; city engineers, 26 ; city solic
itors, 26 ; city physicians, 27 ; assessors
of taxes, 27 ; city marshals, 27 ; board ol
public works, 27 ; the fire department, 27 ;

the first fire district, 28 ; fire commission
established, 29 ; chief engineers, 29 ; fire
commissioners, 30 ; city water supply, 30 ;
the first water works company, 30 ; city
water commission established, 30 ; water
commissioners, 31 ; superintendents ot
water works, 32 ; water registrars, 32 ;
the public parks, 32 ; park commissioners,
34 ; educational institutions, 34 ; Rand's
seminary, 3-6 ; WiUiam Gamwell's school,
36 ; the first town schools, 37 ; the first
graduating class, 37 ; the flrst high school,
37 ; town school superintendents, 38 ;
early school principals, 39 ; town school
committees, 39 ; the modern school sys--
tem, 39 ; statistics of the city schools, 41 ;
city school principals, 42 ; city school
superintendents, 42 ; city school commit
tees, 42 ; the public library, 44 ; flrst li
brary officers, 46 ; library appropriations,
46 ; the new library building, 46 ; library
officers, 48 ; the city hospital, 49 ; hospi
tal incorporators, 49 ; hospital aid asso
ciation, 49 ; officers of the hospital, 51 ;
aid association officers, 51 ; the alms
house, 52 ; House of Providence hospital,
52 ; the Y. M. C. A., 32 ; street railway
company, 54 ; Mt. Tom railroad Co., 58 ;
flnancial institutions, 59 ; industrial his
tory, 68 ; the Hadley FaUs Co., 70 ; the
wing dam built, 70 ; the first dam, 72 ;
the dam carried away, 72 ; the second
dam, 72 ; the water power Co., 73 ; the
present dam, 74 ; the canal system, 75 ;
record of industries, 78 ; business men's
association, 83 ; cemeteries, 84 ; church
history, 66 ; the First Congregational
church, 87 ; the Second Congregational
church, 90 ; First Baptist church, 92 ;
Second Baptist church, 94 ; First M. E.
church, 96 ; Highlands M. E. church, 98 ;
Presbyterian church, 98 ; St. Paul's
church, 99 ; Unitarian church, 101 ;
French Congregational church, 102 ; Ger
man Evangelical Lutheran church, 102 ;
German Reformed church, 103 ; St.
Jerome's church, 103 ; parish of the Pre
cious Blood, 106 ; Sacred Heart church,
107 ; Holy Rosary church, 108 ; Our Lady
of 'Perpetual Help church, 108 ; the Polish
church, 109 ; The French Population, 109
Holyoke and So. Hadley Palls bridge, his
tory of. Vol. 1, 171 ; and Westfield rail
road, 187 ; Capt., saves English troops
from destruction, 55 ; Council, 447. — Eli
zur, death of. Vol. 2, 26. — Lodge, Vol. 1,

( 598 )

INDEX

497 ; The Press of, 455 ; Transcript, 458 ;
AA'eekly Mirror, 456
Home for Aged Women, Vol. 2, 210 ; lor
Friendless Women and Children, 209
Homestead, The, Vol. 1, 439
Homoeopathy, Vol. 1, 381
Hooker, Dr. George, Vol. 1, 346 ; Dr. John,
369
Hospitals, Hampden Homceopathic, Vol. 2,
206.— Holyoke city, Vol. 3, 49.— House ol
Jlercy, Vol. 2, 206 ; King's Daughters and
Sons, 208 ; Springfield, 202
House of Representatives, members of. Vol.
1, 127
Hudson, Henry, discoveries by. Vol. 1, 16 ;
river, discovery of, 16
Humphreys, Dr. Levi W., Vol. 1, 347
Hurlbut, Dr. C. S., Vol. 1, 398; Dr. J. S.,
411
Hutchins, James E., Vol. 2, 188
Hyde Louis C, Vol. 2, 195
Indian Orchard Canal Co., Vol. 2, 263
Indians, Abenaquis create trouble. Vol. 1,
61 ; Agawams at Springfleld, 24 ; Con
necticut valley, 21 ; effect of Champlain's
policy, 22 ; habits and characteristics of,
21 ; Massacres at Windsor, 24 ; of New
England, origin of, 22 ; Nonotucks at
Hadley and Northampton, 24 ; Pocom-
tucks at Deerfleld, 24 ; Pynchon's influ
ence among, 25 ; Quaboags at Brookfield,
24 ; Squakheags at Northfield, 24 ; Woro-
nokes at Westfleld, 24. — Lands of, sold to
Pynchon, Vol. 2, 3 ; of Westfleld, 339
Industrial House Charities, the. Vol. 2, 212
Insolvency, Eegisters of. Vol. 1, 150
Institution for Savings, the Springfield, Vol.
2, 236
Insurance Companies, Vol. 2, 241 ; Massa
chusetts JIutual Life, 246; Springfield
Fire and Marine, 243
Internal Improvements, Vol. 1, 152
International Y. M. C. A. training school.
Vol. 2, 141
Iroquois country, invaded by Champlain,
Vol. 1, 15
Jamestown, Va., settled by English, Vol. 1,
17
Jesuits, influence of, among the Indians,
Vol. 1, 20
Jones, Dr. Bela B., Vol. 1, 346
Keep, John, and family killed. Vol. 1, 53
Keyes, Erasmus D., Maj.-Gen., Vol. 1, 225

Kibbe, Dr. Gideon, Vol. 1, 345
King, Dr. Aaron, Vol. 1, 345
King Philip, invades the Connecticut Val
ley, Vol. 1, 46 ; surprises Hatfleld, 51 ;
driven from Connecticut Valley, 55
King Philip's war. Vol. 1, 45 ; death, 56
King William's war. Vol. 1, 58 '
Kingsbury, Dr. Samuel, Vol. 1, 345
Kirkham, Ralph W., Brev. Brig.-Gen., Vol.
1, 226
Knapp, Rev. Isaac, the last town minister,
Vol. 2, 403
Knowlton, Marcus Perrin, Vol. 1, 309
Knox, Alanson, Vol. 1, 316
Kossuth, Louis, visits Springfleld, Vol. 2,
64
Lathrop, Dr. Seth, Vol. 1, 345 ; Samuel, 314
Laporte, Leon J., Vol. 3, 117
LaPresse, The, Vol. 1, 460
Lawton, Dr. Sanford, Vol. 1, 376
Lee, Horace C, Brev. Brig.-Gen., Vol. 1,
229. — Vol. 2, 193
LeGro, Dr. David, Vol. 1, 408
Leonard, Nehemiah A., Vol. 1, 325
Lexington alarm. Vol. 1, 74 ; battle of, 74
Libraries, city library association. Vol. 2,
172 ; Franklin library association, 170 ;
George Bliss-' gift for, 175 ; Hampden me
chanics' association, 170 ; the Springfleld,
170 ; Young men's institute, 171
Library, Holyoke public. Vol. 3, 44
Lieutenant-Governors, Vol. 1, 124
Littleville, village. Vol. 3, 371
Lombard, Daniel, Vol. 2, 189
Long, Dr. John, Vol. 1, 347
Longmeadow sandstone. Vol. 1, 8 ; settlers
attacked, 53. — Town of. Vol. 3, 410;
location and name, 410 ; natural features,
410 ; the massacre of 1675, 411 ; the
Third parish of Springfleld, 412 ; building
the meeting-house, 413 ; the flrst minister,
414 ; movement for new town, 416 ; the
town incorporated, 417 ; committee of
the precinct, 417 ; list of selectmen, 419 ;
precinct and town clerks, 421 ; town rep
resentatives, 421 ; state senators, 421 ;
during the Indian wars, 422 ; revolution
ary history, 423 ; during Shays' rebellion,
424 ; war of 1812-15, 424 ; the civil war,
424 ; industries, 425 ; church history, 425 ;
the First Congregational church, 426 ; St.
Mary's church, 428 ; census statistics,
429
Loring, Dr. W. L., Vol. 1, 351

( 599 )

INDEX

Lottery, for bridge at Springfleld, Vol. 1,
168
Louisburg, Springfleld men killed at. Vol. 2, 33
Lucy Webb Hayes Lodge, Vol. 1, 493
Ludlow Manufacturing Co., The, Vol. 2, 268
Ludlow, town of. Vol. 3, 312 ; description
and natural features, 312 ; beginning of
settlement, 314 ; Incorporation and bound
aries, 315 ; the first town meeting, 316 ;
list ol selectmen, 316 ; town clerks, 318 ;
town representatives, 319 ; during the
revolution, 319 ; continental army sol
diers, 320; war ol 1812-15, 320; Shays'
rebellion, 320 ; war of the rebellion, 321 ;
early occupations, 322 ; industrial devel
opment, 324 ; the savings bank, 327 ; the
memorial library, 327 ; the town minister,
328 ; locating the center village, 328 ;
early ministers, 330 ; the church pastors,
331 ; the M. B. church, 331 ; the M. B.
church at Jencksville, 332 ; town socie
ties, 334 ; educational interests, 334 ; cen
sus statistics, 335
MacDuffie, The, school for girls. Vol. 2, 140
Maplewood cemetery. Vol. 2, 201
Massachusetts Gazette and General Adver
tiser, Vol. 1, 418. — Hospital for epileptics.
Vol. 3, 269. — Mutual Life Insurance Co.,
The, Vol. 2, 246. — Organizes army to
crush King Philip, Vol. 1, 52
Massasoit befriends the Pilgrims, Vol. 1, 29
Massasoit's loyalty. Vol. 1, 44
Masse, Joseph, Vol. 3, 117
Mather, Dr. Samuel, Vol. 1, 348
Maxfield, Dr. George A., Vol. 1, 406
Maynard. Elisha Burr, Vol. 1, 312
Medical Association, Eastern Hampden,
Vol. 1, 377; Club, The Springfield, 380;
profession, the, 338 ; Society, Hampden
District, 359 ; Society, The Homeopathic,
381
Medlicott-JIorgan Co., The, Vol. 2, 272
Menard, Dr. Anthyme S., Vol. 3, 118
Merchant, Dr. Harry A., Vol. 1, 377
Merrick, village of. Vol. 3, 231
Militia force organized. Vol. 1, 44
Miller, Dr. H. M., Vol. 1, 404 ; Thomas,
killed, 47
Mills, John, Vol. 1, 318
Milton Bradley Co., The, Vol. 2, 272
Minutemen march to Boston, Vol. 1, 75
Missionaries of New England, Vol. 1, 21
Mittineague, village of. A'ol. 3, 231
Mohawk Indians friendly to English, Vol.
1, 65

Monson, granite deposits in. Vol. 1, 7 ;
lodge, 496. — Town ol. Vol. 3, 266 ; de
scription and natural features, 266 ; the
flrst house, 266 ; the Fellows land grant,
267 ; the flrst settlers, 268 ; laying out the
township, 268 ; the district incorporated,
270 ; the flrst district meeting, 271 ; revo
lutionary incidents, 271 ; full town pow
ers granted, 272 ; an era of prosperity,
275 ; early industries, 276 ; war of 1861-5,
278 ; incidents iu town history, 280 ; the
flood of 1869, 280 ; the "dark day," 280 ;
dedicating the soldiers' monument, 282 ;
the memorial town hall, 283 ; the water
supply, 283 ; comparative statistics, 284 ;
educational history, 286 ; the academy,
287 ; the postoffice, 292 ; the fire depart
ment, 293 ; the water works, 293 ; town
libraries, 294 ; the Lyon memorial library,
296 ; hospital for epileptics, 296 ; the
Monson National bank, 298 ; the savings
bank, 299 ; manufacturing interests, 300 ;
ecclesiastical history, 303 ; cemeteries,
308 ; town civil list, 310 ; list ot select
men, 310 ; town clerks, 311 ; list of rep
resentatives, 312
Montgomery, town of. Vol. 3, 335 ; the New
Addition, 335 ; early settlement, 336 ; in
corporating the town, 336 ; early military
history, 337 ; the early settlers, 337 ;
town organization, 341 ; list of selectmen,
341 ; town clerks, 343 ; census statistics,
345 ; the trading center, 345 ; the town
schools, 346 ; church history, 346 ; some
prominent men, 347
Moquin, Val., Vol. 3, 118
Morgan, Albert, Vol. 2, 189. — Dr. Newton,
Vol. 1, 410.— Envelope Co., The, Vol. 2,
269 ; Miles, becomes a settler, 13
Morning Star Chapter, Vol. 1, 475 ; Lodge,
492
Morris, George B., Vol. 1, 322; Henry, 310;
Oliver B., 316
Moseley, Capt. William, house of. Vol. 2, 371
Moxon, Rev. George, called as minister. Vol.
2, 10 ; returns to England, 21
Mount Holyoke Chapter, Vol. 1, 476 ; Rail
road, 184
Mt. Tom Railroad Co., Vol. 3, 58
Mountain Park, Vol. 3, 33
Murrayfield, old town of. Vol. 3, 357
Mutual Fire Assurance Co., The, Vol. 2, 241
Narragansetts, alliance with English, Vol.
1, 39
National Needle Co., The, Vol. 2, 270

( 600 )

INDEX

NeweU Bros. Manufacturing Co., The, Vol
2, 271
New England Rundschau, Vol. 1, 459
^'New France," discovered by Verrazzani,
Vol. 1, 14
New Haven and Northampton Canal Co.,
Vol. 1, 174
New Netherlands, named, A'ol. 1, 16
Newport, Dr. E. C, Vol. 1, 387
Newspapers of Hampden County, Vol. 1, 416
Newton Lodge, Vol. 1, 474
New York, New Haven and Hartford Rail
road, Vol. 1, 183
Noble, Dr. Lester, Vol. 1, 399
Nonotuck Indians, Vol. 1, 24
Normal Schools, the flrst. Vol. 1, 242
Northampton and Springfleld Railroad, Vol.
1, 183 ; and Westfleld Railroad, 187 ;
Convention at, 102 ; court broken up at,
89
North Blandford, village of. Vol. 2, 502
North Chester, village. Vol. 3, 370
North End bridge. Vol. 1, 171
Northfleld, attack upon, Vol. 1, 46
Oak Grove Cemetery, Vol. 2, 200
O'Brien, Dr. James B., Vol. 1, 409
O'Connor, Dr. James J., Vol. 1, 375
Odd Fellowship, Vol. 1, 483
Old Toil Bridge, history of. Vol. 1, 164
O'Neill, Dr. John P., Vol. 1, 410
-Owen, Dr. Varillas, Vol. 1, 373
Palmer, The Press of. Vol. 1, 463 ; Sentinel,
The, 463 ; Times, The, 463 ; Herald, The,
464; Citizen, The, 464
Palmer, town of. Vol. 3, 123 ; topography,
123 ; Indian remains, 126 ; the flrst set
tler, 127 ; petition for a town, 127 ; re
port of the committee, 128 ; land division
recommended, 129 ; report on meeting
house, 130 ; settling the minister, 132 ;
the first meeting-house, 132 ; French and
Indian war, 133 ; plantation organized as
a town, 133 ; the last French and Indian
wars, 134 ; during the revolution, 135 ;
full town rights assumed, 136 ; Bur
goyne's captive army in the town, 137 ;
colonial census, 139 ; revolutionary sol
diers, 139 ; post-bellum days, 140 ; the
new meeting-house, 141 ; turnpikes and
highways, 141 ; early industries, 142 ;
villages and their industries, 142 ; village
of Three Rivers, 144 ; village of Thorn
dike, 145 ; village of Bondsville, 147 ;
Palmer village, 148 ; village of Blanchard

ville, 149 ; colonial houses, 150 ; early
taverns, 150 ; church history, 132 ; Second
Baptist church, 152 ; St. Paul's Univer
salist church, 152 ; Catholic churches,
133 ; schools, 154 ; Young Men's Library
Association, 154 ; societies, 155 ; cemeter
ies, 155 ; war ot the rebellion, 156'; some
prominent men, 156 ; clerks of the El
bows plantation, 157 ; district and town
clerks, 157 ; list of selectmen, 137 ; list
of physicians, 162 ; lawyers, 163 ; repre
sentatives, 163 ; the town to-day, 165
Parks, the Holyoke, Vol. 3, 32. — The Spring
field, A'ol. 2, 161
Parochial Schools, Springfield, Vol. 2, 140
Parsons Tavern, The. A'ol. 2, 42
Patoel, Dr. Francis X., Vol. 3, 119
Pequot war. Vol. 1, 39
Pequots annihilated, Vol. 1, 40
Perkins, Cyrus, A'ol. 1, 393 ; Jacob, jr., 392
Phillips, Col. Henry M., Vol. 2, 195 ; Man-
ulacturiug Co., The, 272
Pilgrims, lauding of, at Plymouth, Vol. 1,
29 ; sail from Southampton, 28
Pitkin. Rev. Paul H., school. Vol. 2, 140
Plantations established. Vol. 1, 41
Plymouth Colony, government of trans
ferred to New En-gland, Vol. 1, 30 ; Rock,
colony planted at, 17
Police Court established. Vol. 1, 299 ; Chico
pee, justices of, 150 ; Holyoke, justices of,
130 ; Springfield, justices of, 150
Population of the colonies. Vol. 1, 62
Porter, Dr. Jesse, Vol. 1, 401
Postoffice building, when erected. Vol. 2,
195 ; Springfleld, 184
Potvin, Adelard M., Vol. 3, 119
Presidents of Senate, Vol. 1, 125
Press, The, A'ol. 1. 416
Prew, George J., Vol. 3, 119 ; John J., 120 ;
Joseph N., 120
Probate and Insolvency, Eegisters of. Vol. 1,
149
Probate, Eegisters of, 149
Proulx, Henry, Vol. 3, 120 ; Nicholas, 113
Provost, Charles, Vol. 3, 114
Pynchon Company petitions for permission
to settle new plantation. Vol. 1, 33 ; Dr.
Charles, 342 ; Dr. Joseph, 342. — John,
succeeds to authority in the town. Vol.
2, 10 ; Maj. John, becomes commander ol
militia. Vol. 2, 27. — Major John, defense
of Springfleld, Vol. 1, 49 ; Major John,
his great loss, 50 ; planters return to
Massachusetts jurisdiction, 34. — William,
Vol. 2, 6 ; accused of speculation, 9 ; and

( 601 )

INDEX

family return to England, 5 ; deposed as
magistrate, 9 ; his book and its conse
quences, 9 ; his book burned by order of
the magistrates, 9. — Purchases land from
Indians, Vol. 1, 25. — Trades in grain with
Indians, Vol. 2, 8
Quaker troubles in Westfleld, Vol. 2, 356
Queen Anne's War, Vol. 1, 59
RaUroads, Vol. 1, 175 ; Amherst and Belch
ertown, 185 ; Boston and Albany, 181 ;
Boston and Maine, 183 ; Hartford and
Springfleld Co., 181 ; Holyoke and West-
field, 187 ; Indian Orchard, 185 ; Mt. Hol
yoke, 184 ; New London, Willimantic and
Palmer, 184 ; New York, New Haven and
Hartford, 183 ; Northampton and Spring-
field, 183 ; Northampton- and Westfield,
187 ; Springfleld and Athol, 187 ; Spring
fleld and Farmington A'alley, 187 ; Spring
fleld and Longmeadow, 185 ; The Hamp
den, 186 ; The Western, 178 ; Ware River,
186
Rand, Dr. J. P., Vol. 1, 386 ; Dr. N. W.,
385. — Elder, founds seminary. Vol. 3, 36
Eebellion, war of. Vol. 1, 198
Regiment 3d Heavy Art., Vol. 1, 217; 8th
Inf., 216 ; 10th Inf.. 201 ; 18th Inf., 204 ;
21st Inf., 205; 27th Inf., 205; 30th (un
attached Co.) Heavy Art., 218 ; 31st Inf.,
208 ; 34th Inf., 210 ; 36th Inf., 211 ; 37th
Inf., 212 ; 42d Inf., 217 ; 46th Inf., 213
Eenslow, Dr. Jl. B., Vol. 1, 407
Representatives in Congress, Vol. 1, 124
Revolution, war of. Vol. 1, 69
Rice, Caleb, Vol. 1, 318.— John L., Vol. 2,
195
Elver Navigation, Vol. 1, 188
Elvers, Prank A., Vol. 3, 121
Robert, Clovis, Vol. 3, 121
Robinson, George D., Vol. 1, 329
Roy, Charles V.. Vol. 3, 121
Russell, town of. Vol. 3, 438 ; necessity for
incorporation, 438 ; settiers petition for
new town, 438 ; record of pioneers, 439 ;
early settlement, 439 ; census statistics,
442 ; stable population iu the town, 442 ;
turnpike and railroads, 442 ; civil history,
444 ; list of selectmen, 444 ; town clerks,
446 ; villages and hamlets, 447 ; the Cen
tre village, 448 ; business interests, 448 ;
Pairfleld village, 449 ; industries of the
town, 449 ; church history, 449 ; the Con
gregational church, 450 ; the M. E.

church, 450 ; schools, 451 ; some promi
nent men, 451
Sacred Heart School, Vol. 2, 140
Sale Deposit and Trust Co., the Springfleld,
Vol. 2, 234
Salmon Palls, how named. Vol. 1, 195
Samoset Lodge, Vol. 1, 496
Savings Banks, the Five Cents, Vol. 2, 240 ;
the Hampden, 239
Sawin, Dr. William J., Vol. 1, 375
Saybrook Fort, Vol. 2, 323
Scholar's Journal, Vol. 1, 446
Schools (of Springfield), Vol. 2, 113; Cen
tral high, 127 ; The Elms, 139 ; Parochial,
140 ; The MacDuffie, 140 ; International
Y. M. C. A. training, 141 ; The Spring
field Business, 144
Science Building, The, Vol. 2, 182
Searle, Dr. Flavius, Vol. 1, 396
Secretary of Commonwealth, Vol. 1, 124
Seeger, Dr. Edward, Vol. 1, 351
Selectmen, list ol in Springfield, Vol. 2, 68
Senators, list of. Vol. 1, 125 ; in Congress,
124
Sessions, William Vyne, Vol. 3, 556
Shad Fisheries, Vol. 1, 194
Shaw, Dr. Samuel, Vol. 1, 387
Shays, Daniel, the insurgent leader. Vol. 1,
90 ; Rebellion, the, 86
Shearer, Dr. Jonathan, Vol. 1, 345
Sheldon, Dr. AVilliam, Vol. 1, 346
Shepard, Gen. William, commands Massa-
chusett's troops during Shays' rebellion,
A'ol. 1, 94 ; report of attack on U. S.
armory, 96.— Sketch of. Vol. 2, 414
Sheriffs, list of. Vol. 1, 151
Shurtleff, William S., Vol. 1, 325
Skipmuck, in Chicopee, Vol. 3, 484
Smith, Dr. Alvin, Vol. 1, 376 ; Dr. David P.,
373; Dr. James M., Vol. 1, 367. — Henry,
departs from the town. Vol. 2, 10 ; suc
ceeds Pynchon as head of the plantation,
9
Soldier's Rest, The, Vol. 1, 229
Sons of Liberty, the. Vol. 1, 70
Soule, Augustus Lord, Vol. 1, 309
South Brimfield, Vol, 3, 394
South End Bridge, history of. Vol. 1, 171
Southwick, Vol. 3, 196 ; early settlement,
196 ; the district organization, 197 ; rata
ble polls, 1781, 197 ; town organization,
198 ; list of selectment, 199 ; town clerks,
202 ; the early wars, 202 ; during the rev
olution, 203 ; the war ol 1812-15, 205 ;
during the rebellion, 205 ; some prominent

( 602 )

INDEX

men, 206 ; census statistics, 207 ; school
interests, 207 ; the village settlement,
208 ; the Congregational church, 208 ;
the Baptist church, 209 ; the M. E.
church, 210
South Wilbraham, village. Vol. 3, 550
Speakers of the House, Vol. 1, 148
Spellman, Solomon C, Vol. 3, 557
Springfleld, plantation forms alliance with
Connecticut, Vol. 1, 34 ; attacked and
burned, 47 ; troops, attack Indians, 55 ;
settlements attacked, 60 ; troops, attacked
by Indians, 63 ; troops, garrison Ft. Shir
ley, 63 ; a point of operations, 76 ; cannon
manufactured at, 76 ; and Athol Railroad,
187 ; Republican, The, 425 ; Gazette, 427 ;
Daily Eepublican, 428 ; Union, The, 435 ;
Council, 476 ; Commandery, 477 ; Encamp
ment. 491. — City of. Vol. 2, 1 ; flrst colo
nists of, 2 ; flrst house, 2 ; plantation es
tablished at Agawam, 2 ; the founders'
covenant, 3 ; lands purchased from In
dians, 3 ; new colonists arrive, 4 ; allot
ment ol the lands, 4 ; house lots laid out,
5 ; Pynchon returns to England, 5 ; Henry
Smith succeeds Pynchon as leader, 9 ;
George Moxon called as minister, 10 ; new
settlers arrive, 10 ; name changed- to,
from Agawam, 11 ; the flrst negro settler,
15 ; list ol Inhabitants in, 17 ; new towns
set off, 19 ; permanency of the town
doubtful, 20 ; second allotment of lands,
20 ; flrst annual town meeting, 20 ; trou
bles with Connecticut towns, 20 ; the first
meeting-house, 22 ; Port Pynchon built,
22 ; first tavern built, 24 ; house of cor
rection built, 24 ; Indian animosities, 24 ;
burning of, by the Indians, 25 ; list ol
settlers killed, 25 ; discouragement ol
inhabitants, 25 ; settlers advised to re
move to eastern colonies, 25 ; militia com
pany formed, 27 ; settlers take oath ol
allegiance, 27 ; taxable inhabitants of, 32 ;
men killed at Louisburg, 33 ; ratable polls
in. 37 ; events of the revolution, 39 ; min
utemen and militia companies, 40 ; Gen.
Washington visits the town, 42 ; Parsons
tavern in, 42 ; demands upon the town
during revolution, 44 ; town becomes mil
itary depot, 46 ; cannon made in the
town, 46 ; town made rendezvous for
troops, 46 ; first newspaper established,
46 ; Longmeadow set off, 47 ; county seat
removed to Northampton, 48 ; situation
in, at beginning of 19th century, 48 ; early
business interests, 49 ; town again be

comes a county seat, 51 ; rivalries over lo
cation of county buildings, 52 ; Court Square
laid out, 54 ; institutions established, 55 ;
early merchants of, 56 ; Justice WUlard's
prophecy, 62 ; the railroad agitation, 62 ;
the bi-centennlal celebration, 63 ; the
town becomes a city, 64 ; City hall built,
63 ; celebration of 250th anniversary, 65 ;
census statistics, 68 ; list of selectmen,
68 ; town clerks of, 79 ; municipal his
tory, 80 ; discussions regarding Chicopee
district, 80 ; Chicopee set off, 81 ; act in
corporating the city, 82 ; wards estab
lished, 83 ; flrst city election, 83 ; end ol
town government, 84 ; municipal civil
Ust, 83 ; mayors of, 85 ; city clerks, 86 ;
city treasurers, 86 ; aldermen, 86 ; com
mon councilmen, 86 ; presidents ol com
mon council, 108 ; assessors, 109 ; over
seers ol the poor, 110 ; city physicians,
111 ; city engineers, 112 ; superintendents
of almshouse, 112 ; city solicitors, 112 ;
superintendents of streets, 112 ; city mar
shals, 112 ; license commissioners, 112 ;
city messengers, 113 ; educational chap
ter, 113 ; early school methods, 113 ;
school precincts formed, 114 ; flrst high
school, 116 ; flrst superintendent of
schools, 117 ; flrst high school principal,
117 ; high school re-established, 118 ; old
school committee, 120 ; school organiza
tion under the charter, 121 ; superintend
ents of schools, 124 ; the Central high
school, 127 ; high school principals, 129 ;
high school statistics, 130 ; later school
committees, 131 ; high school population,
expenditures and enrollment, 136 ; de
scription of school property, 137 ; private
schools, -138 ; parochial schools, 140 ; In
ternational Y. M. C. A. training school,
141 ; the Bible normal college, 142 ; the
French-American college, 142 ; Business
school, 144 ; the flre department, 145 ;
the flre club, 146 ; flre commissioners ap
pointed, 152 ; chief engineers fire depart
ment, 154 ; flre commissioners, 154 ; the
water s-uppiy, 155 ; the Aqueduct com
pany, 156 ; water commissioners appoint
ed, 157 ; water department statistics, 159 ;
water commissioners of, 159 ; the alms
house, 160 ; the city parks, 161 ; Forest
park, 164 ; park commission organized,
164 ; park appropriations, 169 ; park com
missioners, 169 ; libraries, 170 ; library
site donated, 175; library endowment
fund, 179 ; city appropriations for library,

( 603 )

INDEX

179 ; the art building, 180 ; officers library
association, 182 ; the library corps, 183 ;
the postoffice, 184 ; free postal delivery
established. 193 ; the custom house and
postoffice, 195 ; cemeteries, 196 ; the flrst
burial ground, 196 ; second parish grave
yard, 197 ; hospitals of, 202 ; home for
friendless women and children, 209 ;
home for aged women, 210 ; the board of
trade, 217 ; banking and financial institu
tions, 221 ; insurance companies- of, 241 ;
Pire and Marine Insurance Co., The, 243 ;
The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
Co., 246 ; the Street railway system, 249 ;
Mercantile and Manufacturing interests,
255 ; Manufacturing Co., 262 ; Satinet Co.,
265 ; Congregational churches, 281 ; Meth
odist Episcopal churches, 291 ; Baptist
churches, 296 ; Unitarian church, 302 ;
Protestant Episcopal churches, 305 ; Uni
versalist churches, 307 ; Eoman Catholic
churches, 308 ; Evangelical churches, 313
State Normal School (Westfield), Vol. 1,
264 ; opening of, 274 ; principals of, 290
Steamboats, Connecticut River, Vol. 1, 191
Stearns, George M., Vol. 1, 322
Stebbins John M., Vol. 1, 327
Stickney, Dr. H. G., Vol. 1, 375; Dr. P.
LeB., 369
St John, John. Vol. 3, 122
St. John's Lodge, Vol. 1, 497
St Joseph's school. Vol. 2, 141
St. Michael's Hall school. Vol. 2, 140
Street Railways, Springfield, Vol. 2, 249. —
Holyoke, Vol. 3, 54
StockweU, Dr. C. S., Vol. 1, 412
Stoddard, Col. John, commands Hampshire
county regiment. Vol. 1, 63
Stone, Dr. John, Vol. 1, 346
Stowe, William, Vol. 2, 192
Swan, Dr. James, Vol. 1, 351
Swazey, Dr. George W., Vol 1, 283
Swinck, Peter, the flrst negro settler. Vol.
2, 15
Sylvan Lodge, Vol. 1, 470

The Elms, boarding school, Vol. 2, 139
The French instigate Indians against the
EngUsh settlements. Vol. 1, 58
Third Heavy Artillery, Vol. 1, 217
Thirty-first Infantry, Vol. 1, 208
Thirty-fourth Infantry, Vol. 1, 210
Thirty-seventh Infantry, A'ol. 1, 212
Thirty-Sixth Infantry, Vol. 1, 211
Thomas Lodge, Vol. 1, 467
Thorndike, village. Vol. 3, 145
Three rivers, village. Vol. 3, 144
Tolland, town of. Vol. 3, 453 ; part of Bed
ford plantation, 453 ; the West parish of
Granville, 453 ; the town incorporated,
453 ; location and natural features,' 453 ;
early settlement, 454 ; early town life,
456 ; census statistics, 456 ; list of select
men, 457 ; town clerks, 459 ; resources ol
the town, 460 ; villages and hamlets, 461 ;
the Congregational church, 461 ; the town
schools, 462 ; some prominent men, 462
Town of Agawam, Vol. 3, 523. — Blandford,
history of. Vol. 2, 482 ; Brimfield, history
of, 456.— Chester, Vol. 3, 348 ; East Long
meadow, 429 ; Granville, 247 ; Hampden,
542 ; Holland, 394 ; Longmeadow, 410 ;
Ludlow, 312 ; Monson, 266 ; Montgomery,
335 ; Palmer, 123 ; Russell, 438 ; South
wick, 196; Tolland, 453; Wales, 463.—
Westfield, history ol. Vol. 2, 317. — West
Springfleld, Vol. 3. 210; Wilbraham, 165
Tracy, Dr. W. J., Vol. 1, 376
Transcript, The Holyoke, Vol. 1, 458
Treasurers and Receivers-General, Vol. 1,
124
Treaty of Paris, Vol. 1, 81 ; Ryswick, 59
Trial Justices, appointment of authorized.
Vol. 1, 298
Trust Co., The Hampden, A'ol. 2, 235
Tuliy, Dr. William, Vol. 1, 352
Turner, Captain, death of. Vol. 1, 55
Turnpikes, Vol. 1, 154
Tuscarora Encampment, Vol. 1, 498
Twenty-First Infantry, Vol. 1, 205
Twenty-Seventh Infantry, Vol. 1, 205

Tatham, in West Springfleld, Vol. 3, 233
Taylor, Dr. Levi C, Vol. 1, 406.— Edward,
minister at Westfleld, Vol. 2, 393 ; Eldad,
sketch of, 417 ; & Tapley Manufacturing
Co.. The, 272
Tekoa Lodge, Vol. 1, 495
Temple, Masonic, Vol. 1, 482
Tenth Inlautry, Vol. 1, 201
The Talisman, Vol. 1, 445
The Bench, Vol. 1, 306

United States Armory, Vol. 1, 83 ; attack
upon by Shays' forces, 96
Ufford, Dr. Edward G., Vol. 1, 346
Unity Chapter, Vol. 1, 476
VaUle, Dr. Henry R., Vol. 1, 367
Valley Echo, The, Vol. 1, 453
Vanhorn, Dr. John, Vol. 1, 344
Vincent, Arthur R., Vol. 3, 122
Vose, Henry, Vol. 1, 311

( 604 )

INDEX

Wales, town of. Vol. 3, 463; part of the
common lands, 463; early jurisdictional
history, 463 ; early settlement, 464 ; char
acter of the townspeople, 466 ; the "court
of justice and honor," 467 ; early town
representatives, 467 ; during the revolu
tion, 467 ; civil history, 468 ; list of select
men, 468 ; town clerks, 471 ; census statis
tics, 472 ; during the revolution, 473 ;
war ol 1812-15, 474 ; the viUage, 474 ;
some early postmasters, 475 ; business in
terests on "the street," 475 ; old-time
manufactures, 476 ; the Shaw interests,
476 ; present business interests, 478 ;
church history, 478 ; town school inter
ests, 481 ; factors in town history, 481
Walker, George, Vol. 1, 324
Waltham Watch Co., The, Vol. 2, 269
War of 1812-15, events of. Vol. 1, 100 ; po
litical situation preceding, 101 ; of 1861-5,
198
Warren, Dr. J. K., Vol. 1, 387
Warriner, Col. Solomon, Vol. 2, 191
Washington Council, Vol. 1, 477. — Gen.,
visits Springfield, Vol. 2, 42
Wason Manufacturing Co., The, Vol. 2, 266
Water Commissioners, Springfield, Vol. 2,
159
Water Power Co., The Holyoke, Vol. 3, 73.
— Springfleld, Vol. 2, 267
Water Works, Holyoke, Vol. 3, 30
Waterman, Dr. James H., Vol. 1, 374
Weekly Mirror, The Holyoke, Vol. 1, 456
Weld, Ezra, Vol. 2, 188
Wells, Gideon, Vol. 1, 328 ; John, 308
Western Hampden Times, Vol. 1, 451 ; rail
road corporation, history of, 175
West Granville, village of. Vol. 3, 262
Westfleld Advertiser, Vol. 1, 451 ; attacked
by Indians, 52 ; Journal, 445 ; Lodge, 495 ;
News Letter, 448 ; Register, 444 ; Specta
tor, 446 ; Standard, 446 ; State Normal
School, 264 ; Times and News^Letter, 452.
— Town of. Vol. 2, 317 ; physiography,
317 ; beginning of settlement, 322 ; trou
bles with Connecticut, 322 ; the flrst set
tlers, 324 ; forests and glades, 325 ; divis
ion of lands, 327; town organization,
330 ; the flrst town center, 335 ; defenses
against Indians, 335 ; advantages of vil
lage settlements, 337 ; relation to the
Indians, 339 ; militia organized, 340 ;
during King Philip's war, 343 ; settlers
refuse to remove to Springfleld, 344 ;
heroism of the settlers, 350 ; inhabitants

ordered to settle together, 354 ; the Qua
ker troubles, 356 ; early highways, 357 ;
the early French and English wars, 363 ;
the Doctor Ashley house, 366 ; early hab
its and customs, 368 ; home life of the
settlers, 368 ; the Moseley house, 371 ;
early meeting-houses, 384 ; seating the
settlers, 386 ; the town ministers, 393 ;
minister Edward Taylor, 393 ; extracts
from Minister Taylor's diary, 394 ; the
new meeting-house, 401 ; the last town
minister, 403 ; the Congregational church
established, 403 ; the Second Congrega
tional church, 405 ; during the revolution,
405 ; list of revolutionary soldiers, 407 ;
Shays' rebellion in the town, 413 ; educa
tion in the town, 420 ; the academy
founded, 423 ; the high school, 429 ; the
athenuem, 431 ; churches of, 432 ; the
First Congregational church, 432 ; the
Second Congregational church, 433 ; Meth
odist churchesi of, 434 ; the Universalist
church, 435 ; the Episcopal church, 435 ;
St. Mary's church, 436 ; industrial history,
438 ; paper manufactures, 441 ; banking
history, 442 ; charitable institutions, 444 ;
list ol selectmen, 444 ; list of town clerks,
454 ; town representatives, 455
West Springfleld, town of. Vol. 3, 210 ; loca
tion and early history, 210 ; relation to
Springfleld, 211 ; early settlement, 212 ;
apportionment of lands, 212 ; the second
parish formed, 212 ; beneflciaries of the
land division, 214 ; during King Philip's
war, 215 ; organization and civil history,
216; controversy with Springfleld, 216;
committees appointed, 217 ; act creating
the town, 218 ; the original territory,
219 ; Holyoke and Agawam set off, 220 ;
list of selectmen, 220 ; list of assessors,
224 ; town clerks, 224 ; Ust of reprsenta-
tives, 224 ; during the revolution, 225 ;
companies of minutemen, 226 ; incidents
of the war, 227 ; during Shays' rebellion,
228 ; Luke Day's army, 228 ; census sta
tistics, 229 ; war .of 1812-15, 229 ; war of
the rebellion, 230 ; the industries of the
town, 231 ; villages of the town, 231 ; the
educational system, 234 ; the school com
mittees, 238 ; the public library, 239 ;
the fire department, 240 ; the water sup
ply, 241 ; church history, 241 ; cemeteries,
247
Wheeler, Dr. Calvin, Vol. 1, 351
Whip manufactures of Westfield, Vol. 2, 438
AVhite George H., Vol. 1, 395

( 605 )

INDEX

Wilbraham, town ol. Vol. 3, 165 ; develop
ment of the outward commons, 165 ; pro
prietors threatened' with lorfeiture, 166 ;
early settlement, 166 ; character of the
pioneers, 167 ; attempts at organizing a
parish, 169 ; the fourth precinct of
Springfield, 169 ; the precinct becomes a
town, 171 ; precinct committees, 172 ;
town organization, 172 ; list of selectmen,
173 ; town clerks, 175 ; the early settlers,
176 ; census statistics, 178 ; military his-
toiT, 178 ; during the revolution, 179 ;
war of 1812-15, 183; in the rebellion,
183 ; school interests, 183 ; Wesleyan
academy, 184 ; church history, 188 ; Con
gregational church, 188 ; the M. E.
church, 189 ; Grace Union church, 190 ;
the Baptist society, 190 ; villages and
hamlets, 190 ; North Wilbraham, 191 ;
some prominent men, 193
Wilkins, Dr. G. H., Vol. 1, 387
Willard, Justice, Vol. 1, 318

Williams, Col. Ephraim, Vol. 1, 65 ; Col.
Israel, ol Hatfield, Vol. 1, 65 ; Dr. Leon
ard, Vol. 1, 346. — Rev. Stephen, an inci
dent. Vol. 3, 415
Willimansett bridge. Vol. 1, 173. — Settle
ments in. Vol. 3, 486
Windsor, stockade built at. Vol. 1, 32
Witchcraft in Springfield, Vol. 2, 21
Woods, Dr. J. U., Vol. 1, 387
Woolworth, Dr. Isaac, Vol. 1, 402
Woronoco Advertiser, Vol. 1, 451. — Com
mittee, Vol. 2, 326. — Indians, Vol. 1, 24;
Lodge, 494 ; Palladium, 446. — Street rail
way Co., Vol. 2, 444
Worthington, John, Vol. 1, 313 ; Vol. 2, 34
Wright, Dr. Lucius, Vol. 1, 346
York, Duke ol, grants to. Vol. 1, 18
Young Men's Christian Association, Hol
yoke, Vol. 3, 52. — Springfleld, Vol. 2, 212
Young Men's Institute, Vol. 2, 171

( 606 )

Appendix

Alien, George H., 591
Allis, Dexter Hurlbut, D. D. S., 576
Allyn Family, 579
Avery, Henry, 377
Bacon, George Albert, 576
Bailey, Peter Sharpe, 568
Ball, Lewis J., 585
Bardwell, Frederick Augustus, 586
Barney, Everett Hosmer, 565
Barr, Bdwini Clifford, 582
Bates, Dr. Everett Alanson, 563
Belding, Elijah, 572
Bemis, Sumner A., 571
Bond, George Raynolds, 576
Boyle, William, 589
Bragg, Frederick A., D. D. S., 566
Breck, Dr. Theodore Frelinghuysen, 574
Brewster, Heni-y, 565
Buckland, Harlheigh Heath, 570
Bush, Gilbert Alden, 567
Butler, James K., 588
Butler, Jason, 587
Caldlwell, Winford Newman, 573
Chapin, Edward Pliny, 566
Chapin, William Horace, 563
Clapp, Frederick Oliver, 576
Clark, Hiram E. W., Capt., 591
Clark, James H., 566
Clark, Theodore Horace, 590
Copeland', Alfred Minot, 586
Deane, Dr. Wallace H., 571
Dexter, Henrietta (Wilcox), 569
Dickinson, Francke AA'alden, 564
Boherty, George, 589
Downey, Dr. Charles John, 569
Dunbar, Nahum, 568
Dunning, James Gardner, 572
Egan, James, 589
Emery, B. Frank, 592
Estabrook, George Rowland, 566

Frissell, George Newton, 563
Galbraith, Sayward, 362
Green, Henry M., 588
Hale, David, 583
Hancock, Joseph Clark, 584
Harris, Daniel Lester, 573
Hastings, Elbridge G., 592
Hastings, Herbert Ashton, 582
Haynes, Charles Robbins, 581
Haynes, Clifford C, 581
Haynes, Lincoln Calvin, 578
Ireland. Oscar Brown, 572
Kelly, Jeremiah J., 591
Kendrick, Edmund P., 587
Kibbe, Charles Payne, 587
King, Arthur D., 588
Kirkham, Guy, 564
Kirkham, James Wilson, 583
Lincoln, William S., 590
Margerum, Claudius C, 583
Marsh, Daniel J., 564
Meekins, Emory. 563
Morgan, Newton, D. D. S., 565
Munn, James Clark. 587
Munn, Wilbert, 589
Noel, Charles Gideon, 587
Norton, Henry L., 571
Parks, Eugene D., 589
Parks, Robert L., 591
Phillips, Lewis, 572
Porter, Charlotte W.. 580
Potter, Timothy D., 584
Pynchon, James Holland, 582
Reynolds, Howard Stephen, 582
Rice, John Lovell, 561

( 607 )

APPENDIX

Richards, James, 588
Eoadstrand, Alice Maud, 567
Eoberts-, John W., 369
Robson, Stuart Mill, 587
iiogers, John E., 589
Eoyce, Charles Andrew, 575
Eumrill Family, 573
Scott, Earl M., 588
Seaver, Allyn M., 588
Seelye, Dr. Ealph Holland, 582
Sessions, William R., 577
Shattuck, Edwin White, 573
Shipley, Joseph Lucien, 567
Smith, Homer A., M. D., 592

Smith, John Mackenzie, 581
Smith, William Howard, 574
Stevens, Solomon P., 590
Stickney, Dr. Peter LeBreton, 581
Swazey, Walter W., D. D. S., 569
Tobey, Frank George, 570
AVaid, Charles L., 591
Walker, Fred B., 592
Warren, William Chapin, 569
Weiser, Dr. Walter Rupert, 572
Weston, Dr. George Dake, 575
Willard, Justice, 561
Wright, George L., 582

( 008 )

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