USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > West Springfield > Account of the centennial celebration of the town of West Springfield, Mass. : Wednesday, March 25th, 1874 : with the historical address of Thomas E. Vermilye the poem of Mrs. Ellen P. Champion, and other facts and speeches > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 W527b 1148954
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 5646
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/accountofcenten1874bagg_0
0
Joseph Lathrop-
ACCOUNT
OF THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF THE
TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.,
Wednesday, March 25th, 1874,
WITH THE
HISTORICAL ADDRESS OF
THOMAS E. VERMILYE, D. D., LL.D.,
THE POEM OF MRS. ELLEN P. CHAMPION,
AND OTHER FACTS AND SPEECHES.
COMPILED BY J. N. BAGG.
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN. I 874.
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CLARK AN & CO. PRINTERS
SPRINGFIELD
.MASS.
ological - 7.50
dencalor
TO THE
CITIZENS OF WEST SPRINGFIELD,
AND ALL THE
CHILDREN AND RELATIVES, NEAR OR REMOTE,
THIS LITTLE
MEMORIAL
IS DEDICATED.
1148954
P 3184
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INTRODUCTORY.
A CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY is an event in human history too important to pass unnoticed, for very few mortals are privi- leged to bridge its mighty chasm from shore to shore. Lo- calities depending upon individuals for characterization have, in a lesser degree, the same necessities and the same laws. In both, the scenes are frequently changing, the acts often inde- pendent and fragmentary, and the curtain sometimes suddenly falls in the midst of an important action. A century is a great landmark in any local history, and has the same uses to mankind that the guide-board and the mile-stone have to the uncertain traveler.
" Remove not the ancient landmarks which the fathers have set," is the graphic language of inspiration, and it fully accords with the highest human wisdom. This is sufficient evidence that landmarks are needed, and if needed surely they should be heeded.
What better use of a Centennial Anniversary can a town- ship make, than to review its past; to rub off the moss and dusts of time, accumulating on its historic tablets ; and by gathering up the scattered wastes of the way, plant new bound- aries, and take fresh bearings for its further journey. The present owes to the future its legacies of precious and pleasant memories, its royal deeds, its noble examples of self-denial for the public good, its characters of great men, who, in molding communities have made their names illustrious and their lives sublime, and as far as possible its garnered histories.
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INTRODUCTORY.
West Springfield lays no claim to any exclusiveness in these particulars over her 342 sister town and cityships in the Com- monwealth, but as she looks back upon the record of her chil- dren, native and adopted, and including the clergy through the vistas of a century, the spirit of the ancient Roman matron infuses her, as pointing backward she proudly exclaims, "These are my jewels." This, then, is our apology, if one is needed, for the memorial following.
ARDS SPRINGFIELD MS.
THE ANCIENT SCHOOL - HOUSE.
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CENTENNIAL EXERCISES.
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THE first action of the town, in regard to the Centennial, is embodied in the following article in its annual warrant for town meeting, March, 1873 : "To see if the town will take any ac- tion in regard to a Centennial Celebration."
At that meeting it was "Voted that J. N. Bagg, Gideon Wells, and Edward Parsons be a Committee to investigate and report what arrangements are necessary for celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the settlement of the town."
In accordance with their report, in April, 1873, the town voted to raise the sum of $500 to pay such expenses as may occur in the Centennial Celebration, and that Edward Parsons, J. N. Bagg, Julius Day, G. B. Treadwell, Lester Williams, Aaron Bagg, B. W. Colton, Andrew Bartholomew, and Joseph Mer- rick be a Committee to make arrangements for the celebration.
The Committee had their first meeting January 31, 1874, at the residence of Col. Edward Parsons, who, by reason of ill health, was unable to take an active part in the further preparations and ceremonies. The time of holding the Centennial was there fixed for March 25th, and the result of this and subsequent meet- ings was the issue of the following Circular of Invitation :
WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Settled about 1636. Chartered a Parish 1696. Chartered a Town 1774.
The undersigned, a Committee chosen to make arrangements for a Town Centennial Celebration, occurring Wednesday, March 25th, 1874, cordially invite their fellow-citizens, former resi- dents, and all natives of the town, to participate in the public exercises at the new Town Hall, at 10 1-2 o'clock, A. M.
The Historical Address will be by Thos. E. Vermilye, D. D., of New York.
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
Facts, incidents and anecdotes pertaining to the early his- tory of the town and its families, together with portraits of prominent persons and pastors, solicited.
AARON BAGG, JOSEPH MERRICK, Committee.
J. N. BAGG,
J. N. BAGG, Cor. Secretary.
The following Officers and Committees were also appointed :
President of the Day, COL. AARON BAGG.
Vice Presidents,
EDWARD PARSONS,
JAMES P. ELY,
CHARLES ELY,
SAMUEL MORGAN,
LESTER WILLIAMS,
JOHN D. SMITH,
JULIUS DAY,
RICHARD BEEBE,
COTTON ELY, NORMAN DAY,
HORACE S. MILLER,
CHARLES A. ASHLEY,
WILLIAM MELCHER, J. L. WORTHY,
ANDREW BARTHOLOMEW,
GEORGE L. BOWE,
EDWIN H. BALL,
DANIEL PRINCE,
J. C. PARSONS,
DR. CYRUS BELL,
GEORGE B. TREADWELL.
Marshal, WILLIAM C. HATCH.
Assistant Marshals,
NORMAN T. SMITH, ETHAN BROOKS.
The Selectmen-Harvey D. Bagg, Henry A. Sibley and Amos Rus- sell-not only acted as Committee on Finance, but performed various other services where help seemed necessary.
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC .- Joseph Merrick, B. W. Colton, Aaron Bagg, Jr., L. F. Mellen, Dr. H. M. Miller, G. C. Buell,
COMMITTEE ON DECORATIONS .- Theo. Belden, Edson Clark, Mrs. Susan A. Bagg, Dea. Samuel Smith, Mrs. D. H. Baldwin, Richard A Bagg, Charles A. Ashley, W. F. Mosely.
COMMITTEE OF RECEPTION .- Aaron Bagg, George B. Treadwell, Julius Day, Andrew Bartholomew, Harvey D. Bagg, Jas. P. Ely,
.
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Lester Williams, H. A. Sibley, Ethan Brooks, Talcott A. Rogers, Samuel Morgan, Benj. D. Ashley, Justin Ashley, Alvin Sibley, D. H. Baldwin, I. B. Lowell, James E. Champion, N. T. Smith, Reuben Brooks.
COMMITTEE ON COLLATION .- Edward Parsons, Julius Day, Andrew Bartholomew, G. B. Treadwell.
The following was a programme of the day : WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Settled about 1636. Chartered a Parish 1696. Chartered a Town 1774.
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ORDER OF EXERCISES AT THE TOWN CENTENNIAL CELE- BRATION, OCCURRING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH, 1874, ON THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW TOWN HALL.
The Exercises began at 10} o'clock, A. M.
MUSIC BY THE HAYDENVILLE BAND.
I. Voluntary, By the Band.
2. Singing, " Home Sweet Home," By the Choirs.
3. Invocation, Rev. E. N. Pomeroy, Pastor of First Church.
4. Scripture Reading, Rev. L. D. Calkins, Pastor of Park St. Church.
5. Singing, "Let children hear the mighty deeds," Marlow.
6. Address of Welcome, J. N. Bagg.
7. Reply, Samuel L. Parsons.
8. Poem, Mrs. Ellen P. Champion.
9. Music, By the Band.
IO. Historical Address, Thos. E. Vermilye, D. D., LL.D, of New York.
II. Singing, " Shall old acquaintance be forgot?" Auld Lang Syne.
12. Prayer, . Ashbel G. Vermilye, D. D., of Schenectady, N. Y.
13. Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," Old Hundred. 14. Benediction, Dr. T. E. Vermilye.
The following description of the day and assemblage, is from one of the neighboring journals :
West Springfield's Centennial was as perfect as an event ought to be which can occur but once in a hundred years ; as excellent in its own way as the generous bloom of the aloe, shin- ing in the midst of stormy March, amid its forbidding lance- leaves, and induing the century gone and that begun with a fragrant memory. The winds themselves were charmed to 2
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
mildness, yesterday, and breathed from the south to mark the welcome of the occasion. And heartily was that welcome re- sponded to. The old Common was bordered with waiting horses and vehicles, by the hour of opening, and the handsome hall of the new town-house was filled with as fine looking an assem- blage as any old town could gather ; many venerable men and women were there, and the active citizens of to-day seemed not unworthy to wear the honors of their predecessors, whose por- traits, in quaint attire and with a queer family resemblance in their very varied countenances, looked approvingly upon them. The platform was occupied by a distinguished array of men of hoary heads, with now and then an exception, chief among these being our Asiatic townsman, Mr. Laisun.
The new Hall was tastefully festooned and decorated, and from its walls were suspended the following portraits of its former citizens : Rev. John Woodbridge the first minister of 1698, Rev. Joseph Lathrop D. D. the third minister of 1756, Rev. John M. Chapin the twelfth minister of 1872, Justin Ely Ist, and his wife Ruth White of 1739, Justin Ely 2nd, and his wife Lucy Barron of 1772, Heman Ely, Theodore Ely, Theodore W. Ely, Miner Stebbins, Mrs. Sibyl Taylor Bagg, Sewall White, Dr. Reuben Champion, Heman Day, Aaron Ashley, Daniel Ashley, Hosea Bliss, Rev. D. T. Bagg, Hon Samuel Lathrop, Capt. Henry Phelon, and Hosea Day.
The band prefaced the celebrative exercises with the impos- ing strains of Keller's American hymn, and then came the sim- ple melody of "Home, Sweet Home!" sung by the united village choirs. The Invocation by Rev. E. N. Pomeroy, is here given, because it was the first public prayer offered in the new Town Hall, and is in part dedicatory.
INVOCATION.
O thou most high and mighty One, who art from everlasting to everlasting ; who dwellest in immensity ; who hast created this wide universe from nothing ; who hast created us from the dust of the earth, and hast breathed into our nostrils the breath of thine own life that we have become living souls. O thou be- fore whom angels bow and archangels veil their faces, we come
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
before thee now in reverence and humility, and begin these ex- ercises with prayer to thee. .
We thank thee for life, the great boon of existence which hav- ing once given thou dost never recall ; we thank thee that we live in this favored land ; we thank thee for all the social, edu- cational, political and religious privileges that we enjoy ; we thank thee that we are permitted to be here to-day ; we thank thee for this spacious building in which we are assembled.
May we remember that much will be required of them to whom much is given ; may we make a right use of the various gifts of thy kindness ; may we make a proper use of this noble edifice ; may we transmit unimpaired to coming generations the civil and religious liberties, privileges and institutions, which by thy gracious kindness and by the self-sacrificing efforts of our fathers, have been intrusted and transmitted to us.
Be thou with us on this interesting and important occasion. Assist all who shall take part in these exercises. Especially be with thy servant, a former pastor of one of these churches, who is to address us to-day ; and be with all who in time to come shall occupy the positions that we now hold, when the places that now know us shall know us no more forever. Ever may thy word be preached here in its purity. Ever may truth and righteousness prevail here. Ever may civil and religious liberty be enjoyed here ; and may we ever show ourselves to be indeed a people whose God is the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.
The Rev. L. D. Calkins then read portions of the 90th and 105th Psalms, beginning with, " Lord, thou hast been our dwell- ing place in all generations," and was the first Scripture publicly read in the building, after which the old hymn," Let children hear the mighty deeds," was sung with excellent spirit and effect.
The addresses and poem follow in the order of delivery.
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
THE WELCOME BY MR. J. N. BAGG.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- A little more than a year ago, some persons turning over the public records, made the discovery that the town was nearing its centennial birthday. It was thought that the event was of sufficient im- portance to warrant a celebration. The objects contemplated by such a ceremony, were the preservation of loose local his- tories and the cultivation of a becoming reverence for the past and high-toned principle among children and those who are now in active life. Accordingly, on the recommendation of one of our citizens, the town, in April last, appointed a committee of nine to carry out the spirit of this service in which we are about to engage. This, briefly, is the origin of the Centennial Cele- bration. The time was fixed, March 25th, because that was about the time of the first town meeting. The town was incor- porated in February, 1774 ; the first town warrant was issued March 14th ; the first town meeting was held March 23d. A circular was issued about the Ist of February, inviting the former residents and others of the town to participate in this exercise that brings us to the end of the century.
Col. Benjamin Day was the first moderator, the first select- man and the first representative West Springfield ever had, and, considering that he was only 32 years old, I think you will agree with me that he must have been a large pattern of a man. He died in 1808, at the age of 97. His descendants remain with us still, and the portrait of his son Heman, who died in 1837, at the age of 82, adorns yonder wall. That Heman was the man who, in his 21st year, in 1776, shouldered the big elm in Shad Lane, whose circumference to-day is 24} feet, and planted it there. That elm is one of the largest in the State, and for the last 50 years its size and symmetry have been the admira- tion of thousands. The characteristics of Heman Day and his neighbors are shown in the following squib of his time :
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
" What time o'dee ?" says Walter Cooley ;
" Eleven o'clock," says Judah Bagg ;
"Time to repent," says Parson Lathrop ;
" Time enough yet," says Heman Day.
The Day blood, like that of the world-renowned Morgan horse, both of which are partly indigenous to West Springfield, is strong stuff, and has a good deal of iron in it yet. But I leave history to an abler head and hand.
We stand, to-day, on the crest of a century. I am deeply im- pressed with the rarity of the occasion and the solemnity of the hour. We shall never participate in a second centennial service. We are making history, and our own acts link us to the ages. Faith, reverence, good will to man are the emotions becoming us now. We are gathered within these new walls to dedicate them by this service, to God and mankind. This new building fitly represents our new century life. Long may it stand to com- memorate this occasion, and may the uses of education and po- litical liberty, which its founders had in mind in its erection, ever find here a congenial home.
My friends, in the name and behalf of my fellow citizens, and the committee of arrangements, I have been authorized to ex- tend to you all the hand of greeting and the voice of welcome. Let us bear in mind that this is West Springfield's natal day, and that she desires to commemorate the event by this birthday party. All centenarians, by virtue of their age, are entitled to reverence and filial honor. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters ! we are made glad by your presence, to-day. Your return is an evidence that you have not forgotten the old roof-tree, and that the altar fires of home still burn in your hearts. We felt that we should have been recreant to every fraternal sentiment if we did not beckon you to the old homestead and make ready the fatted calf because you are returned safe and sound. I bid you welcome, thrice welcome, to our home and yours.
If I were to particularize, I should address the natives who, after years of absence, find themselves strangers in the place of
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
their birth. Some of you went out single-handed and, like Jacob, come back two bands. We welcome also the natives by mar- riage rite-those who would have been born here if they could, and are not to blame for what they couldn't help! You are the real husband-men and women of the earth. We rejoice that you are guided by silken bonds. We are proud of you for your tractability. We welcome, also, those who lay claim to us by remote ancestry, the children who rejoice in the prefix of great. We welcome those whom the attractions of pleasure and busi- ness have brought among us. To the absent friends, remem- bered and beloved, with us in spirit, we. send hearty greetings.
And now, one and all, welcome, doubly welcome, " The heart feels most when the lips move not." We welcome you to the homes of your childhood, to the altars of your God, to the graves of your kindred. As you meet and recognize each other, may the sentiments of honor and principle dignify and ennoble you. Grand old West Springfield, may you ever be the joy and pride of your sons and daughters !
THE REPLY BY MR. SAMUEL L. PARSONS.
MR. PRESIDENT, FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS :- In the name and on behalf of the natives and former residents of West Springfield, I tender you our most hearty thanks for your kind invitation to return and unite with you in commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. The beautiful address of welcome just pronounced is cheering evidence that you still consider that we have some rights here that you feel bound to respect, and although we may have formally transferred our titles to other hands, yet our very souls still yearn after the flesh-pots of other days. While we may have found delights in other fields, still the sweets of the old pasture have as yet found no rivals.
From twenty to forty years ago, we transferred to your care, in trust, the interests of this, our beloved home, and there are
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
numerous questions that naturally enough rise in the minds of these returning pilgrims, in regard to the use that has been made of these trusts; a few of these questions I wish to pro- pound to you :
First, we left in your keeping a noble, and for this land, ancient town, stretching entirely across the county, kissing the feet of old Tom, on the north, and gathering strength as she marched fifteen miles to grate the Nutmeg on the south, four very considerable villages, viz. : West Springfield, Ireland, Aga- wam and Feeding Hills were her boast. Tell me, do the screams Feed of that noble bird, that so appropriately crowns this beautiful Hil edifice, still call your sons from these extremes ? Rumor an- swers, " No." We are told that Ireland has been deprived of her ancient glory by a sad alliance with a fellow who has dared to degrade her by placing upon her neck, a yoke with a Hol prefixed to it, and who holds her in perpetual bondage.
Agawam and Feeding Hills have likewise acted the part of prodigal sons, and are feeding upon the husks of their own gathering, and so, sir, as we come to look over the ancient pas- ture grounds, and search for the occupants of other days, we feel a little sad to find the old town shorn of her upper and nether glory, and so many strange flocks feeding in her pas- tures. Is this, I ask, keeping faith with the once lords of the soil ?
We left in your keeping beautiful and wide-spread fields, in this southern vicinity, that you have allowed to be covered over with shops and dwellings, and other evidences of thrift and growth, and have even allowed bands of iron to be stretched across this ancient domain-binding it to the outside world who care little for our comforts or individual rights. Is this, I ask, ac- cording to the fathers ? We left to your keeping the old Com- mon where unobstructed and free as the air we breathed, we roamed and played at our pleasure ; where the general training and cattle-shows were the delights of our youth, and even of
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
our manhood. We return to find that you have aped city no- tions, and have enclosed these memorable grounds, and have christened it a beautiful Park. Are such things, I ask, in keep- ing with the notions of former generations ?
I have a very joyous recollection of the many very large families, having from eight to twelve children, who occupied these old mansions. I wonder whether there are such families here in these later days. Even down to 1845, the Massachusetts Gazetteer said, West Springfield contains 1,030 boys and girls between the ages of four and sixteen years ; only thirty-two towns in the State exceeded that number. She also had twenty-five public schools, and 756 voters ; how do these figures compare with the facts of to-day ?
If, for one moment, I turn your thoughts to a personal mat- ter, I feel quite sure I shall receive your sympathy, for it will come home to other hearts than mine ; other large and inter- esting families have passed through a similar experience. When I look across this beautiful Park for the old house, where the prints of my youthful feet were imbedded in the very floors and stepping stones, and find that old Time and the Vandals have been at work, and my eyes may never again look upon the rooms where in infancy I was rocked to sleep in loving arms ; when I call the names of father, mother, and twelve brothers and sisters, and then comes back to me the feeble answer of but one who has maintained the integrity of the old homestead, it seems to me as though the sweets of the time-honored vil- lage were largely extracted, and that the power that bound the soul to its early associations is rapidly loosening its grasp. But neither these feet of mine, nor the feet of those who have re- turned with me to-day have ever forgotten the oft-trodden path- way. Neither from my memory nor from the memories of those who have made the pilgrimage with me, have the experi- ences of our youth faded away. True, as we enter yonder gathering place of the dead, who were the honored sires and
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CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
matrons of our childhood, we find more familiar names than we find within these dwellings, and so, in recognizing these facts, we are constrained to admit that changes are taking place- time flies, the enemy of life is busy at his work, the sickle flashes even for us.
I have the faintest recollection of the old church and school-house that stood in the middle of the Common opposite this edifice, but I have a vivid memory of going with my tin pail to gather whortleberries, just east of where the old church stood.
I well remember, sir, how noted West Springfield was for her fat cattle ; her farmers were as proud of them as they now are of their bank stocks.
I would not, if I could, forget the happy evenings spent in corn-huskings, apple-parings, and blind-man's-buff, with the adjuncts of cake, cheese, apples and kisses ; nor the school- hours, and sleigh-rides-precious memories ! Buried realities, for which there is no resurrection !
Some years since there was published a letter from Rev. John Pendleton of Springfield, to Mr. Amos Allen of West Springfield of which the following is a copy :
SPRINGFIELD, July 6, 1787.
MR. AMOS ALLEN :
HONORED SIR :- My kind love to thee and thy wife and dear family, hoping these lines will find you well.
Dear Sir, I know you love to do good, Pray Sir, I intend to cut my grass next Wednesday, if fair ; if not, next day, and as we are to make our wants known, if you would be so kind as to let any friends know of the same, and they would come and cut my grass down for me, I hope I should be thankful and obliged to them for the same. Four or five will do it, with what I expect from this side of the river. And pray be so kind the next day after they come and cut my grass, for you and Miss Allen, Deakon Homeston and his wife, Deakon Rogers and his wife, Mr. Lizer and his wife, to come over and see my
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WEST SPRINGFIELD
wife and I, and show me a little to stack my hay, for I am in hopes you and my friends will come and see me oftener than you have done, so then your horses may have some to eat. Dear sir farewell. Yours in love,
JOHN PENDLETON.
But my friends, I have taken enough of your time in dwell- ing upon the past. As much as we love it, we are prepared to proclaim to the world, that to-day is the best day the world has ever seen. The past century has opened new avenues to the future. We may no longer dwell upon the buried past. New life and activity is being infused into the world ; new ideas are to be encouraged ; new victories are to be won. Let us buckle on the armor, for the contest before us. At the opening of the century we commemorate, some six million people inhabited this land; to-day forty millions boastfully flaunt the stars and stripes. Then we paid tribute to another nation ; to-day, after two sanguinary wars, that nation pays tribute to us. Then one or two months were necessary to cross the ocean under sails, to the Fatherland. Now in 1873, seven hundred magnificent steamers left the port of New York and crossed the ocean, in an average of twelve days. The same steamers brought to these shores 270,000 emigrants to people our lands. In fifteen years, from 1855 to 1869, 2,300,000 emigrants landed in New York.
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