USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > West Brookfield > Historical discourse : delivered at West Brookfield, Mass., Nov. 27, 1828, on the day of the annual Thanksgiving > Part 1
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ic 74.402 379f 774676
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01105 9083
AN
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE,
DELIVERED AT
WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS., NOV. 27, 1828.
ON THE DAY OF THE ANNUAL THANKSGIVING.
BY JOSEPH I. FOOT.
WITH Capt. Thomas Wheeler's Narrative,
NOW ANNEXED, AND ADDITIONAL NOTICES OF OCCURRENCES IS THE TOWN, SINCE THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THE DISCOURSE.
" Inasmuch as this town is of ancient date, and, compared with most of the Towns in this County, even with the shire Town itself, is like an elder mat- ron amidst a group of youngerly Females; and inasmuch as it has been famous for Indian inhabitants, Indian wars and Indian barbarities, I have for a considerable time felt a strong inclination and desire to search into its history-to find out its origin-the difficulties and hardships of its first Eng- lish Inhabitants, its gradual increase and progressive improvements."
REV. DR. FISKE'S HIST. SERM. 1775.
WEST BROOKFIELD: PUBLISHED BY MERRIAM & COOKE. 1843.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
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1774676
1
Foot, Joseph Ives, 1796-1840.
F 84414 .4 An historical discourse, delivered at West Brookfield, Mass., Nov. 27, 1828, on the day of the annual thanksgiv- ing. By Joseph I. Foot. With Capt. Thomas Wheeler's narrative, now annexed, and additional notices of occur- rences in the town, since the first publication of the dis- course ... West Brookfield, Merriam & Cooke, 1S43. 96 p. 20cm
First published in 1828.
(Continued on next-eare-)
1-11677 Revised
71710
DHELF CARC
40000€
NOTICE
TO THE PRESENT EDITION.
MR. FOOT's Historical Discourse was the result of much inquiry, and laborious research of the Records of the Town of Brookfield, and other documents relating to its settlement and later history. It comprises a great variety of important facts, which no other publication so fully embodies; and which it is believed cannot fail to be interesting to every class of readers. It well deserves a place in every Family Library in the Town. It has a special claim to the at- tention of the rising generation ; of those particularly who are descendants of the early settlers ; and of all who are curious to know the character and enterprise, the disasters and sufferings of the first English inhabitants; and the subsequent establishment and growth of the Town.
The Discourse was first published in 1828; and was then very favorably received. The Edition was soon exhausted. Since which, for years past, although often inquired for, not a single copy was to be obtained at any Book Store.
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NOTICE TO THE PRESENT EDITION.
And, now, with difficulty could an entire copy be found in the place, from which to make a reprint.
These considerations have induced the original Publishers to issue a new Edition ; with such addition to the Notes, as subsequent events and further investigation render proper and necessary.
It is particularly desirable that CAPT. WHEELER'S NARRATIVE of the breaking up of the first settlement should be annexed to the present Edition; as it was written immediately after the destruction of the Town, by one that shared in all the perils of the disaster; and as it was originally intended by the Author to publish it with the Discourse, had it been received in season.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
PSALM 145:4.
ONE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER AND SHALL DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS.
To perpetuate a knowledge of the dealings of God with us is equally the dictate of patriotism and religion. No one, who loves his country, can medi- tate on the favors which have been poured upon her, without desiring, that they may be accurately told to future generations. No one, who loves the Lord, can think on his kind care and ever watchful protec- tion without feeling, that his interpositions should be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance. Under the combined influence of these feelings, a venerable monarch of Israel said, " Give ear, O my people, to my law, incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us, we will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord and his strength and his wonderful works, that he hath done ; that the generation to come might know
1*
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
them, even the children, that should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."*
But whilst national blessings ought to be grateful- ly remembered, it is equally important, that particular not be forgotten. Perhaps no other historical facts are capable of exciting in us so deep an interest, as those which respect our own ancestors and the place of our residence. It is, then, desirable to trace their history from their first settlement in this place to the present time, to know their trials, and sufferings, to call to mind early interpositions for their protection, and to tell to the rising generation the story of the toils, which they endured ; of the miseries to which they were exposed ; and of the peculiar favors which they received at the hand of the Lord.
This place was originally the residence of Indians. These ponds and brooks and hills and plains were cal- culated to attract the attention of the sons of the for- est, and to supply them with the necessaries of life. Here they kindled their fires and pursued their game. The earliest notice, which I have found of them is dat- ed in 1648. At this time they were divided into sever- al small and independant factions, called the Quaboag Indians and governed by Quacunquasit and other Sachems.f Their residence for the most part was west and north of Wickaboag pond, extending up
* Ps. Ixxviii. t See Appendix, A.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
the borders of the stream far into New Braintree. This was the " chief seat"* of the Nipmuct Indians, a tribe occupying the territory between the Connecti- cut river and the eastern line of Worcester county, and extending southward nearly twenty miles into the state of Connecticut.
In 1660 several inhabitants of Ipswich obtained a grant of land in this place of six miles square on the condition, that they should have twenty families resi- dent here within three years, an able minister settled within the said term and provision made for his future support. #
At what time the English settlement began is un- certain. Some have supposed, that " small begin- nings were made here" previously to the grant.§ From the conditions of this article it is probable, that the place began to be occupied by English residents as early as the year 1660.|| The first inhabitants came into the bosom of an extensive wilderness. Marlborough was the nearest settlement on the east ; Springfield and Northampton on the west. Thus remote from those, who would assist them in an hour of trial, and relying on the arm of the Almighty for protection, they began to remove the forest and cultivate the soil. They lived in harmony with the natives by whom they were thickly surrounded, and
* Hubbard Ind. Wars, p. 111.
t Sometimes written Nipmug and also Nipnet.
# See Appendix, B. § Dr. Fiske.
Il The earliest English settlement in the county of Worcester was at Lan- caster in 1643; the next at Brookfield probably in 1660; the third at Mendon in 1667.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
on the 10th of November 1665, fairly purchased the land of Shattoocquis, who claimed to be " the sole and proper owner."* The inhabitants gradually in- creased, and in October 1673, were incorporated as a town, which was called Brook field.t
Previously to 1675, a part of the Nipmuc Indians had been controlled chiefly by Philip. In this year he extended his influence over the whole. And when this sagacious and patriotic king saw the English gradually and rapidly extend their settlements over the land, and daily increase in numbers and in power ; he knew, that if they were suffered to advance with- out restraint, they would soon cover the face of the country and exclude the heirs of the soil from the fields, the hunting grounds and the graves of their fathers. Under the influence of these gloomy pros- pects his undaunted mind conceived the plan of ex- terminating the English, or driving them from the country.# He infused his spirit into all the natives over whom he had influence. On the 14th of July§ 1675, some of the Nipmucs in the neighborhood of Philip's territory murdered four or five of the inhabit- ants of Mendon. This is said to have been the first injury ever committed by the Indians against the English of the ancient colony of Massachusetts. Messengers were immediately sent by the government to ascertain the disposition of the Nipmucs, and in- dications of their inclination to join the confederacy
* See Appendix C. t See Appendix D. # See Appendix E. § Old Style. This must be remembered in each date previous to 1752.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
for the destruction of the English were discovered. The Indians, however, professed a desire to remain at peace ; and the 2d of August was appointed as a day for making a treaty .*
Such was the condition of the first inhabitants of this place at the beginning of the most formidable- contest, that New England ever sustained. They were few. The number of families probably did not exceed twenty. Nearly 30 miles distant from any English settlement, and from any individual, who would give them protection, they were surrounded by treacherous and powerful and merciless enemies. They confidently expected, that on the arrival of the appointed day articles of stipulation would be mutu- ally adopted and inviolably observed. A place for the meeting of the contracting parties was agreed upon.t Captain Hutchinson, who had been appoint- ed by the governor and council to form the treaty, arrived with twenty horsemen. On the second of August some of the principal inhabitants accompa- nied them, unarmed, to the hill near the north end of Wickaboag pond, where they had promised to meet , the Indians, but the latter had not arrived. They advanced up the valley towards the "principal ren- dezvous" of the Nativest, and as they were passing between a steep hill on one side and a swamp on the other, they were assailed by the Indians, eight of the company were killed and three mortally wounded. Amongst the latter was Capt. Hutchinson. Those
* See Appendix, E. 2. t See Appendix, F. # See Appendix, G.
£
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
who survived, returned by a circuitous route to the town, because they were informed by friendly Indians in their company, that according to the custom of savage warfare, the path in which they had come would be found thickly lined by enemies ready to cut off those, who escaped the fury of the onset. The inhabitants collected into one house .* This they fortified in the best manner, which the emergency of the case would permit. The Indians rushed in upon the town and set fire to most of the buildings. Sud- denly about twenty houses with their barns were con- sumed. They next assailed the fortified house. In addition to an almost constant discharge of balls against it during nearly three days, numerous attempts were made to set it on fire. At length they loaded a cart with hemp, flax, and other combustible matter, and having joined together several long poles, they attached them to the cart and endeavored to propel it against the fortification. But a signal and timely and almost incredible dispensation of Providence de- livered our ancestors from sudden death. A cloud arose and the rain descended so violently as to ex .- tinguish the fire.t At length Major Willard, who had been sent westward from Lancaster on some other expedition, learned the condition of the inhabit- ants, and with 48 horsemen hastened to their relief. The Indian sentinels fired their " alarm guns," but they were not heard by those, who were investing
* See Appendix, H.
t Hubbard, Mather, Hutchinson.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
the fortification. Late at night on the 4th of August he arrived. Even the cattle seemed to rejoice at his coming, and to hail him as their deliverer. " In their fright at the conflagration of the buildings and the firing and war whoops of the Indians these poor ani- mals" hastened to the troop " for protection and fol- lowed them till they arrived at the besieged house." The noise of the cattle led the Indians to suppose, that the number of men, who had newly arrived, was. very great. They therefore set fire immediately to the meeting house and to the only other house and barn, which they had reserved and hastened away.
As soon as the distress of the inhabitants became known, soldiers arrived from all quarters. A compa- ny under Captain Watts from Hartford, "a band under Lieutenant Cooper of Springfield, and others from the county of Essex under Captains La- throp* and Beerst and in conjunction marched as far as Meminimesset, but found no trace of the Indians. The reason of their sudden departure, was their de- feat on the night of the 4th of August and the arri- val of Philipt on the evening of the 5th, who per- suaded them to join him in an expediton against the towns on the Connecticut. Most of the troops pro-
* Captain Lathrop and his company of 70 young men, " the flower of Es- sex," fell into an ambushment of Indians at a brook in South Deerfield, now called Bloody Brook, and excepting seven or eight, were suddenly destroyed on the 18th of September, 1675.
t Early in the month of September, Captain Beers was sent from Hadley to convey provisions to a garrison in Northfield. At a distance of about two miles from the garrison he was attacked by a large body of Indians. Of the 36 men, who formed his company twenty were slain, amongst whom was the Captain. See Hoyt's History of Indian Wars.
# See Appendix I.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
ceeded to Hadley, for the purpose of protecting the infant settlements in that neighborhood. " A garri- son was maintained here till winter when the Court ordered the people away."* Two of the principal Indians who devised and directed the attack on this place were afterwards apprehended, tried for a violation of their agreement with the English and their assault on Captain Hutchinson, and were executed in Boston on the 26th of September, 1676. These were Sam, Sachem of Weshakim, (Lancaster) and Neatump, Sachem of Quaboag (Brookfield. )+
It was a long time before the inhabitants dared to return. They were reluctant again to expose them- selves to the fury of their enemies. Their farms re- mained uncultivated, and their dwellings a ruin. Af- ter ten or twelve years a few of the dispersed came back and began to re-settle the town. Others join- ed them. In 1692 the inhabitants were sufficiently numerous to petition the General Court for the ap- pointment of a committee " as formerly to direct and regulate the settlement of the plantation and the af- fairs thereof." Their request was granted and a committee appointed.| Various measures were now adopted by the people for mutual protection and de- fence;§ but owing to the frequent incursions of the Indians and to the numerous injuries and murders committed by them, the progress of the settlement was slow.
* Dr. Fiske. t Hubbard Indian Wars, pp. 111 & 202. Neatump, proba- bly the same as Mawtamps in Appendix, I.
W See Appendix, L.
# See Appendix, J. § See Appendix M.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 13
Of the events which occurred from 1692 to 1710 little is now known. The inhabitants were, how- ever, constantly exposed to attacks from the hostile parties that roved around them. Many individuals were cruelly murdered. Some were carried into captivity,* yet the town was not abandoned. Amidst all these discouragements the population gradually increased.
Previously to the dispersion of the inhabitants in 1675, a meeting house had been built, and public worship regularly attended. Though from the gen- eral customs of the " first settlers in New England," we may be inclined to believe, that a church was gath- ered, and a minister ordained, yet we have no evi- dence, that either was done. No records of that period have come down to us; and though an ob- scure tradition remains respecting a church and a " settled minister," I cannot find sufficient grounds to warrant us in regarding it as true. Tradition also relates, that Mr. Thomas James preached the first ser- mon in this town.t Previously to 1713, a Mr. Smitht had been employed here as a minister. In 1715, Mr Elmer,§ who had been for some time "carrying on the work of the ministry" here, and partly supported by the General Court, || left the town, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Thomas Cheney. In November of
* See Appendix N. t Reverend Thomas James a native of England, Min- ister of Charlestown, Mass. and afterwards a Missionary at East Hampton, L. I. # Possibly Reverend Joseph Smith, Harvard University 1696.
§ Reverend Daniel Elmer. He was graduated at Yale College 1713. Il See Appendix O. .
2
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
the same year the inhabitants agreed to build a meet- ing house .* The committee appointed by the Leg- islature " to regulate the settlement of the plantation" ordered, that it should " be set up and erected" on the spot where the first meeting house stood.
. Thus forty years after their first sanctuary had been consumed by fire, our ancestors gathered strength to build another house for the worship of Jehovah .. On the 5th of April, 1716, Mr. Cheney was invited to become their minister.f And on the 16th of October 1717, this Church was organized, and Mr. Cheney was solemnly constituted its Pastor.#
Soon after this event, the committee of supervision reported to the General Court, that after " various disappointments by war and otherwise," the people " by the good providence of God" are increased to nearly fifty families, have almost completed a very convenient meeting house, have settled a church, and ordained an orthodox and learned minister. The committee, therefore, requested to be released from any further supervision of the inhabitants, and propos- ed, that they be invested with all the privileges of a town. §
. After this time nothing occurred to hinder the pros- Derity of the place, and the population rapidly in-
* See Appendix P. t See Appendix Q.
# The discourse preached on this occasion was printed, and is entitled, " The duty of GOSPEL MINISTERS to preserve a PEOPLE from COR- RUPTION, set forth in a sermon, preached at Brookfield, October 16, 1717, being the day wherein the Church was gathered, and Mr. THOMAS CHE- NEY was ordained Pastor, By SOLOMON STODDARD, A. M. and Pastor of Northampton." § Appendix R.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
creased. In the year 1741, the south western corner of Brookfield, with parts of other towns, was in- corporated and called Western.
In 1748, the inhabitants of the north eastern part of the town obtained a permission to become a distinct society* and were incorporated by the General Court as the second parish in Brookfield, March 29th 1750. This parish became a Town in 1812, and received the name of North Brookfield.
A division soon arose in the first parish respecting the location of the meeting house. As it had become necessary to erect a new one, the inhabitants of the present First Parish desired that it should be built either on the spot where we are now assembled, or in the place where the first and second stood. Those of the present South Parish were determined, that it should be located where their meeting house now stands. The controversy was warm and even vio- lent ; at length they separated, and Nov. 8, 1754, a third parish was incorporated.
Since this period a Methodist Society has been collected in the north western part of the First Par- ish. There have also been formed in the Third Par- ish a Baptist, a Universalist, a Methodist and an Evan- gelical Society. Thus exclusive of a large part of Western and small portions of New Braintree and Ware, the ancient town of Brookfield is divided into two distinct towns, eight religious societies, and in 1820 contained 3387 inhabitants. At the same cen-
* See Appendix S.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
sus the population of Brookfield was 2292. It is gradually increasing. The inhabitants have generally felt a deep interest in public measures and occasionally exhibited specimens of ardent and generous patriot- ism .* The means of common education are univer- sally enjoyed, and several of our youth have received the advantages of public literary Institutions.t Of these some have been distinguished in their respective professions.
Having now drawn an outline of our history, I will go back and relate some of the dispensations of God with this church. Its first pastort died on the 11th of December 1747. About this time a con- siderable number of our members were dismissed to constitute the church in Western. He was succeed- ed by Reverend Elisha Harding, § who was ordained September 13th, 1749, and dismissed May 8th, 1755. In this period another portion of our members were regularly dismissed, formed into a distinct ecclesias- tical body, and denominated the second church in Brookfield. Soon after his dismission a fourth por- tion of our members obtained letters of dismission and recommendation, and were constituted the third Church. Thus from this church three distinct con- gregational churches have been formed. Mr. Hard- ing was succeeded by Reverend Joseph Parsons. || He was ordained November 23d, 1757, and died January 17, 1771. Reverend Ephraim Ward1 was
* See Appendix T.
t See Appendix U.
§ See Appendix V 2.
Il See Appendix V 3.
# See Appendix V. T See Appendix V 4.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
ordained October 23, 1771, and died February 9th 1818. Reverend Eliakim Phelps* was ordained as colleague with Mr. Ward, October 23d, 1816, and dismissed October 25th, 1826. On the same day I was installed as your pastor.t
The Reverend Eli Forbes, D. D.# was ordained pastor of the second church June 3d, 1752 and was dismissed March 1st, 1775. Reverend Joseph Ap- pletong was ordained October 30, 1776, and died July 25, 1795. Reverend Thomas Snell, || D. D. was ordained June 27, 1798.
+
The Reverend Nathan Fiske, I D. D. was ordain- ed pastor of the third church May 24th, 1758, and died November 24th, 1799. He was succeeded by the Reverend Micah Stone ** who was ordained March 11th, 1801. His civil contract with the so- ciety was dissolved in April, 1827. He remains pas- tor of the Church. This is now connected with a new Society denominated " The Evangelical Society in South Brookfield."
Reverend George R. Noyestt was ordained Octo- ber 31st, 1827. Though a majority of the society voted for his settlement, only two male members of the church adhered to the Parish.
Reverend Laban Thurberit was ordained over the Baptist Society in 1801 and closed his ministry in 1805.
* See Appendix V 5. t See Appendix V 6.
§ See Appendix W. 2.
Il See Appendix W. 3.
** See Appendix X 2. tt See Appendix Y.
# See Appendix W. T See Appendix X. ## See Appendix Z.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
Reverend John Chase* was ordained pastor of the Church June 9th 1818.
Thus I have given you an account of the origin of this Church and have shewn, that from small begin- nings it has increased and " broke forth on every side." It was early planted by the hand of the Al- mighty. It has taken deep root and widely extend- ed its branches. Of those pastors, who have finished their mortal career we may freely speak.
And with devout thankfulness we acknowledge, that they were " Scribes well instructed." They believed and taught the existence of God, the Fath- er, Son and Holy Spirit. They regarded the Scrip- tures as a divine revelation of the character of God, and of the character, duty, and destiny of man. They believed, and taught that men are alienated from God, and constantly inclined to iniquity ; that the " Word was God ;" that he " became flesh," suffered and died a " sin offering" for us ; that the Holy Spirit con- vinces men of sin, and causes them to become " new creatures," that repentance and faith are necessary to salvation, that there will be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust ; a judgment, and an eternity of happiness and misery. These truths formed the outline of their system, guided their opinions, and gave shape to their characters. Hence they did not hesitate to declare the whole counsel of God. This they presented to the understandings of their hearers and urged it home upon their consciences and hearts.
* See Appendix Z.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
They did not fear to lift up their voice and cry aloud and warn men of their danger. They were friends of God and of revivals. They were adorers of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and were it possible for some of them in their cold habitations to hear the misstate- ments, which modern liberality has made respecting them ; O were it possible for them to hear these mis- statements and to know how the influence of their re- spected memory is used to promote the cause of error : then might we expect, that their venerated forms would break forth from their graves and repeat the truths, which once fell from their lips.
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