History of the town of Holland, Massachusetts, Part 1

Author: Lovering, Martin, 1853-; Chase, Ursula N. MacFarland, 1842-
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Rutland, Vt., The Tuttle company
Number of Pages: 818


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holland > History of the town of Holland, Massachusetts > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49


UMASS/AMHERST 312066015561768


DATE DUE


UNIVERSITY LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT AMHERST


F 74 H705 L 9


٠


Ru Martin Lovering


HISTORY


OF THE


TOWN OF HOLLAND


MASSACHUSETTS BY


REV. MARTIN LOVERING


RUTLAND, VERMONT THE TUTTLE COMPANY, PUBLISHERS The Marble City Press 1915


975 M382 HIL


.


To the memory of Hannah ( Bailey ) Lovejoy of Andover, Mass., born Dec. 13, 1776, died Dec. 23, 1875, the author's grand- mother, at whose knee when a boy he sat many an hour, listening to stories, not only to those having the savor of Life unto life, but also to those of the time when the nation was young, and to the customs of the times of yore, to the mode and training of home life that makes for peace, this volume is affectionately inscribed,


Scotland, Ct., May 1, 1915.


7.50


OCT 22 1956


PREFACE.


He who would write the history of a town must have not only the historic insight but an abounding sympathy for its peo- ple. He should be a lover of humanity and enter as completely as possible into the civil and social life of the people, deeming nothing too trivial for notice if it only brings to the reader more clearly the life of the town as it really was in the period covered. As it is the history of a small region it will necessarily be local, yet its local color may add greatly to its historic interest and charm if it be properly used. Men in town and domestic life where they are known intimately by their neighbors, and take their places in the shifting panorama of town life during a period of nearly one hundred and fifty years, "having their entrances and their exits," form a picture that has eharm to it for the student of human life, and especially so when some of them were pioneers and the first white men to settle in the region, the picture seems like the changing portraiture of life as it is frequently put upon the stage.


Now and then one runs across an item in the town records that bears upon state or national history and not a matter for town deliberation at all. Yet the action taken reveals the local feeling upon the questions at issue, and may reflect a state of feeling nation-wide, although the vote may seem to be ridiculous- ly cut out of place now. But such, votes impress one with a sense of our democratic institutions and show vividly how they are the outgrowth of public sentiment and feeling and are ser- vants of the public will. What the state owes to its small towns like Holland is a matter hard to estimate, but that the town has borne a brave and honorable part in the development of the state and nation, her history affords ample proof.


S


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


The present work is a product of spare hours employed for relaxation and diversion from pastoral duties. Its possibility was suggested through historieal research rendered necessary in the preparation of an historical address delivered Aug. 25, 1912, in the Congregational Church of Holland. That a work of this kind should be free from all errors is too much to be expected. That they shall be as few as possible has been the author's wish and aim, and to that end he has spent many an hour weighing conflicting evidence. That the work will prove equally satisfactory to all its readers is not to be expected. He has selected such material as seemed to him to be important and available and he hopes that nothing vitally important in the town's history has been omitted. Tradition has not been ignored, but it has not been allowed to set aside, or contradiet, recorded facts. Until a better history of the town be produced, he hopes the present work will find a place upon the shelves of all interested in local history.


Many of the valuable faets of Holland's history are already lost. But to prevent more being lost is the compiler's excuse for undertaking such a work. Children of Holland families are now seattered about all over the Union, and bearing an honor- able part in state and national life. It emphasizes the value of the small town in the building of a nation, with free institutions for the development of a noble Christian manhood and woman- hood. The land the pioneers settled was a howling wilderness (hints of this fact are found in the family records) and under the sway of England, the mother country, which required toil and courage to subdue. They left it a free land to their children, which time proves to be a howling success, to which faet reeent events in Europe give emphasis.


The author will feel that his work has accomplished much if it creates interest in local history and leads to something better. He has consulted the state archives freely, and wishes to acknowledge his obligations to the custodian thereof, the


9


PREFACE


Honorable James J. Tracey and his assistants, for aid rendered in getting at facts of early history, as also to the state Librarian and his corps of assistants. He wishes also to express his appre- ciation of the kindly aid and suggestions of the residents of the town who have contributed to its success. Of these the aid of Mrs. Ursula MacF. Allen Chase, in the genealogies, has been very helpful. Also Mrs. Ellen M. Webber, whose work in genealogies has been helpful and whose acquaintance with local tradition and history has been inspiring. Mr. T. J. S. Parsons and Mr. Dwight E. Webber and wife have given aid in the way of tradition and local customs that always enter into town life and give it interest and character. Mr. Harry E. Back's "Sources of the Quinnebaug River" we have freely quoted and found valuable. We have also used freely "Evert's His- tory of the Connecticut Valley" and Copeland's "History of Hampden County."


Scotland, Conn., May 1, 1915.


MARTIN LOVERING.


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


Map of town, the Inscription; the preface.


CHAPTER I.


21


Early history and general description-Boundaries- Ponds, etc.


CHAPTER II. .


35


Sources of history-First settlers-Difference between town and district-Causes for incorporation of new districts-Petition of inhabitants of southeast part of Brimfield to be made a district-The act of incorpora- tion of South Brimfield-Church organized-Efforts to build a church-Petition to General Court relating thereto-Petition of the opposite faction-The church built north of David Bugbee's tavern-Also the church begun between Grandy Hill and Rattlesnake Mt .- Petition of Joseph Blodgett et alii-Petition of James Lawrence and John Moulton-Act creating the East and the West parishes-Joseph Blodgett et alii agree- ment with the Baptists-The Stamp Act, and David Anderson's tax warrant-Court of Justice and Honor -General Act by which So. Brimfield became a town Aug. 23, 1775-Tax list of the East Parish, So. Brim- field and board of assessors for year 1782-List of Selectmen of So. Brimfield 1762-1783.


CHAPTER III.


Petition to divide So. Brimfield-Certificates of General Timothy Danielson and Capt. Nehemiah May-East Parish made a district July 5, 1783-Act of Incorpora- tion. The name Holland-First town warrant and the first town meeting-Second town meeting Sept. 8, 1783, and division into school districts-Wardens and tith- ingmen-Later customs ..


68


11


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER IV. .


Trouble over So. Meadow road-Shay's Insurrection. -Conventions at Hatfield and Hadley and the delegates -Jethro Story-Perambulations of town bounds- Assessment roll 1798-Constables' birth-The Embar- go Act and the Boston petition-Division of Hamp- shire County-Alliance with France-Petition about deeds-Voted not to send a representative 1837-Com- mittee to preserve good order-The causeway-Efforts for a Town Hall-Southbridge and Palmer R. R .- Holland's care of her poor-Pounds-Cemeteries.


CHAPTER V. . 108


Roads of Holland, Map-South Meadow Road 1731- Road from Nehemiah May's to Benjamin Perrin's, 1759 -South Meadow Road as a factor in settling the region -Trouble over the road, 1783-1795-Holland takes one mile, two hundred and ten rods-The stone monuments set up 1829-The Hartford and Worcester turnpike, 1803-For other roads, see map of Holland with prob- able date of construction.


CHAPTER VI. .


118


Manufactures of Holland-Source of the Quinnebaug and its remarkable power-E. G. Fuller's mill-Joseph Belknap's mill-Eliphalet Janes' et alii, and now Alexander's mill site-Harvey Janes-Paddock's forge and mill-Frizell's mill :- Hamilton Reservoir,-Ste- vens mill ;- Storage Dam ( ?)-Grist mill-Butterworth batting mill : his saw and gristmill and silk mill-Wick- ing mill-Storage Dam-Munger's mill-Marcy's mill -Morris mill-Hiram Wallis' mill-Gardner Wallis mill-Tan yard-Brickmaking-Pottery-Powder Mill.


CHAPTER VII. 128


Stores of Holland-Mr. Brown's store-Col. Alfred Lyon's-Isaac Partridge, Chase and Ward-Others- Willard Weld and Son-Taverns-David Bugbee's,


82


b


12


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


Alfred Lyon's, Isaac Partridge's, Hollowell Perrin's, David Marcy's, Elisha Kinney's and Holland Inn- Holland mail service-Postmasters-R. F. D.


CHAPTER VIII. 138


The schools of Holland-Discussion of facilities for schooling prior to 1783-Division into four school dis- tricts, and school sites with a list of the patrons. School improvements 1803-Three districts and their bound- aries-The four districts restored-School law changed -School Consolidation-School superintendents- School registers for 1847-48-School now in the town hall-Town Hall, how obtained-Baptist meeting house a gift.


CHAPTER IX. .


Holland Public Library-Subscription Library-Vote to accept of provisions of State Library Commission and secure state fund-First Librarian-Vote to build a public library April, 1911-Committee on plans- Mr. J. R. Coolidge, architect-Plans presented to town for acceptance July 31, 1911-Building committee- The money voted-Soliciting committee-Total cost- Dedication Aug. 24, 1912-Addresses, see "Old Home Day" sermon preached Aug. 25, 1912, in State Library, Boston, Mass.


CHAPTER X. 176


Holland Congregational Church-Formation-Benja- min Couchelin-Rev. Ezra Reeve-Confession of Faith -The Covenant and subscribers to it-Items from Jason-Morse's Annals of Brimfield Church-Addi- tions made to the church roll (adults) 1781-1817-A snake story-Right of church to require confession- Suit by Baptists-The church moved on to the plain, 1793, as result of effort to repair it-Sundry votes relat- ing thereto-Old church torn down, 1839-The town Common, as a training field-Vote to accept of the treaty with Great Britain-Paying Col. Lyon-Tax


158


13


CONTENTS.


list for 1793-Vote about a singing school; a Lottery- Request of pastor Reeve-Committee to assist chosen -Pastor Reeve ill, 1812-Supply committee-Efforts of Baptists and their success-Death of pastor Reeve, Apr. 28, 1818-Council of ministers-Committee to raise a fund-The appeal ; the subscribers; the amount raised-Rev. Enoch Burt called, and agreement with So. Brimfield, 1820-Parsonage built 1822-Parsonage well -- Cistern-Rev. Enoch Burt dismissed-Efforts at union with Baptists, 1827-Rev. Jas. Sandford; admis- sions-New church erected 1835-Sale of pews-Form of a deed-Clocks, Noon and Curfew bells-Church burned Apr. 3, 1858-Baptists offer to sell for $200- Vote to build Apr. 10, 1858-List of church members Feb. 3, 1842-Sale of pews with plan of church-List of pastors-Biographical sketch of each-List of ·dea- cons-Biographies.


CHAPTER XI. . 248


Holland Baptist Church organized 1817-Articles of organization-List of subscribers-List of Baptists with date of declaration or admission-Forms of declaration -Quotation from Evert's "History of Connecticut Valley"-Petition of 1831 and the subscribers-Rev. Joseph Glazier-See Glazier Genealogy-Rev. Wash- ington Munger, ordained 1832-Left 1839-Other pas- torates-List of Baptist Pastors-Holland Methodist Church started 1859 in the unused Baptist church- Rev. John Carpenter, pastor.


CHAPTER XII. 260


Vital statistics-Intentions and marriages-Births- Deaths.


CHAPTER XIII. 295


War-Introductory to French and Indian War-Rea- sons for giving same in the history of Holland-Cap- tains in French and Indian War who commanded Brim- field soldiers-Brimfield soldiers in that war-Intro-


14


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


ductory matter relating to the Revolutionary War- Captains in the Revolutionary war whose companies contained So. Brimfield men-List of South Brimfield men in the Revolution-List of Revolutionary soldiers from South Brimfield, whose homes were in the part that became Holland 1783-The war of 1812-List of men-Military Drill-The war with Mexico-Militia list of 1846-The Civil War-Militia list for year 1861 Abraham Lincoln-List of Holland men with their mil- itary record-Address of J. Brainerd Hall-War with Spain, 1898.


CHAPTER XIV. 352 .


Town officers.


CHAPTER XV.


376


Holland's physicians with biographical sketches.


CHAPTER XVI.


. 382


Biographical.


CHAPTER XVII.


. 421


Genealogies of the following families :-


Allen


Butterworth Glazier


Ainsworth


Carpenter


Goodell


Anderson


Church


Gould


Back


Clark


Horton


Badger


Colburn


Howlett


Ballard


Curtis [see Lilley]


Janes


Belknap


Cram


Kinney


Bennett


Davison


Lilley


Bishop


Dean


Lynn


Blodgett


De Estrees


Lyon


Bugbee


Fletcher


May


Brown


Frizell


Marcy


Burnett


Fuller


McFarland


·


.MFIELD


BRIMFIELD


Band


184


OK


3


1/1/


6 @


®


08


6


1799


Road


1839


1808


0-


lea


1808


a


18/79


Lum


WALES


South


1847


9081


1797 ========


1!


1809


025


KO


370


Williams Hill


16891


A


Chão


1808


1913


07/


06


M


. 6


Hattesnake


6.70


Brook


Meadow


South


0 1828


47g


77


Reservoi


1786


89


1803


0


Wallace Hill


1892


Great Kall, MAS or Howlot MA.


0 117


® 1/6


9€


Needham ME.


98


0115


Hamilton


1795


652


105


1847


100


101


112


103


=


191 @


1620


=


CONNECTICUT


UNION, CT.


11


Blake


STURBRIDGE


@ 45


060


1802


WALES


373


189


0


==


17


WALES


O


1848


Wa


graham


09


Allen Hill


@


1799


02


Blodgettis Mt.


Hill


Latte


420


41@


12


or


sidq


40€


0zł


Pagorog


0.59


24


ON


798


VA A


09


126 130


1799


god's Hill


1849


1803


66 ®


0 118


1789


15


CONTENTS.


McIntire


Rosebrooks


Underwood


Moore


Sherman


Upham


Munger


Smalledge


Vinton


Partridge


Stevens


Wallis


Perrin


Switzer


Webber


Reeve


Thompson Weld


Towne


CONCLUDING REMARKS. 747


EXPLANATIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE MAP.


Abandoned roads and bridle paths are marked thus :


House sites with house now gone thus :


House sites with house still standing thus: .


Mill dams are marked with Roman numerals :


I. etc.


Roads now in use are marked thus :


Public buildings if gone are marked thus :


Public buildings or grounds now in use : Houses close to the town line are marked : a etc.


1 Joseph Blodgett, Sr. John Polley.


2 John Anderson. David Anderson.


21 Jonas Blodgett. Elijah Blodgett. 3 Jeremiah Sherman.


31 Caleb Blodgett.


4 Albert Rice.


ɔ̄ David Wallis, Sr.


6 Dea. David Wallis.


7 William A. Robbins


S Archibald Graham.


81 James Fuller ( ?)


9 Nehemiah Allen. Abel Allen. Col. Ezra Allen.


10 Eliphalet Janes. Ichabod Goodell. John Polley. E. Morse.


11 Kimball Webber. Louis Shumway.


12 Henry Webber. Nath'l Alexander.


121 Rev. John Carpenter's Store.


13 Tenement house for E. G. Fuller's mill.


14 Rinaldo Webber. Later a tenement house.


15 John Carpenter's store.


16 James A. Lynn.


16


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


17 Abijah Pierce.


18 John Webber. Edward Blodgett. Dr. E. J. Hitehcock.


19 Dea. Benjamin F. Wilson, Edwin Damon, Fred Blod- gett.


20 Zebinah Fletcher, Henry J. Switzer, Ernest Bennett.


21 John Belknap, John Weaver, Geo. L. Webber, Wm. Horton.


211 Timothy Anderson.


22 Joseph Blodgett, Jr., Solomon Blodgett, Mr. Gaudette.


23 Moses Clark, Lurvey Clark.


24 Henry Webber, Reuben Webber, R. A. Bennett, Bax- ter C. Bennett.


25 Unknown.


26 Ernest A. Bickford's summer cottage, the N. W. school house remodelled.


.27 Elijah Janes ( ?)


28 Israel Janes, F. L. Burley, John F. Hebard.


29 Linger Longer


30 Oak Lodge


Summer cottages.


31 Lake View


32 John Webber, Dea. Sherebiah Ballard, Willard Wood, W. A. Webber.


33 Trenance, Erastus, Albert, Charles Webber.


34 Dea. Samuel Webber, Ezra Webber, Dwight E. Webber.


35 Dea. Samnel Webber, Jr. ( ?), Harris Cutler, Alvin Goodell, Wm. Morse.


36 John Ballard, Abner Blodgett, Mr. Warrington.


37 James Frizell.


38 Summer cottage of O. L. Howlett.


39 William Frizell, Dea. F. B. Blodgett.


40 C. B. Drake, Ebenezer Darling.


41 John Butterworth.


42 Asahel Pierce, Betsy Humes.


43 Hiram Towne.


44 Willard Weld's store, post office. Ruel Williams.


45 John Paddoek.


46 Freeland Wallis (new house), Warren A. Wallis.


47 Freeland Wallis (old house).


17


EXPLANATION OF MAP


48 Calvin Frizell


49 Eli Kendrick.


50 Alvin Goodell.


51 Alfred Lyon, Benjamin Church, Willard Weld, Alon- zo Mason.


52 Mrs. John Carpenter.


53 Washington Munger. The Baptist parsonage.


54 Andrew Webber, Mrs. Henry Brown.


55 Lucinda Wood, Francis Wight, Louisa M. Howlett. 56 Isaac Church, Charles Roper, A. F. Blodgett.


57


Sewall Glazier, Edward Blodgett, F. E. Kinney.


58 Rev. Ezra Reeve, James Webber, Silas Fletcher.


59 Benjamin Reeve.


60 Wyles Williams, Edward Wakefield.


61 Edward Blodgett, Otis Williams.


62 Amasa DeWolf, Freeland Lynn, Mrs. Bradean.


63 David Bugbee, Dr. David B. Dean, William Lilley.


64 John Webber ( ?)


65 Joseph Bruce, Renben Stevens, L. C. Howlett.


66 Antipas Bruce.


67 Hollowell Perrin, David Marcy.


68 Isaac Foster, Jonathan Blanchard, Isaac Partridge.


681 Dr. Seth Smith.


69 Ephraim Bond.


70 Benjamin Perrin, Asarael Perrin, Neh. Underwood.


71 John Perrin ( ?), Ambrose Perrin.


72 Smith.


73 Lemuel Chandler.


74 Amasa DeWolf, Sr., John Hinds.


75 Benjamin Beal.


76 Rockwell.


77 John Nelson, Dr. Nathan Burnap, James Marcy.


78 Elisha Marcy, E. W. Marcy.


79 Thomas Nally, Lewis M. Howlett.


80 Toll House, Freeland Lynn, Michael Flannigan.


81 Olney Brown.


S2 Henry Haradon, Fred Rice, Erwin Bennett.


83 Ruel Williams.


84 James Walker, Levi Steward.


85 John C. Butterworth.


(2)


18


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


86 Dwight E. Butterworth.


87 George Harradon.


88 John Munger, Simeon Munger, Benjamin Parsons.


89 John Smalladge.


90 Robert Henry.


91 Carlos Bond.


92 Thomas Dorral.


93 James Marcy, Loring Marcy.


94 Amos Fletcher.


95 Mrs. Eli Damon.


96 Levi Smith, Thomas Williams.


97 Darius Hinds.


98 Edward B. Knapp, Sylvester Howlett.


99 Ephraim Colburn.


100 Hayes, Lemuel Colburn.


101 Benjamin Smith.


102 Benjamin Franklin, Perry Burley.


103 Gardner Wallis, William Harris, Chas. Wells.


104 Rinaldo Wallis, Nancy Wallis.


105 Dr. Thomas Wallis.


1051 Bradley Webber.


106 Zuriel May.


1061 Alanson Wallis.


107 Grosvenor May.


108 Capt. Nehemiah May, Neh. May, Jr., Judah Back.


109 John C. Butterworth ( ?), Hiram Wallis.


110 Leonard M. Morris.


111 Ebenezer Morris.


112 Perley Dunton.


113 Nehemiah May, Jr. ( ?), Merrick Vinton.


114 Rufus May, Smith Adams, Loring C. Howlett.


115 Mark Stacy, Albert Butterworth.


1151 Reuben Allen ( ?).


116 Old house site.


117 Calvin Glazier, Chas. Sands, Clarence Vinton.


1.18 Chandler Webber.


119 Ebenezer Stone.


120 Ichabod Goodell, Nathan Badger, Truman Davis.


121 Gershom Rosebrooks.


19


EXPLANATION OF MAP


122 Unknown, but probably the Ames homestead.


123 Widow Eunice Halladay.


124 Dr. Daniel Mason, Henry Vinton.


125 Asa Dana, Asa Kimball.


126 E. G. Fuller, A. G. Childs, Thos. Kelley.


127 E. G. Fuller, C. B. Drake.


128 William Belknap. Old house site.


Mill Dams.


I Dam for Elbridge G. Fuller's mill.


II Joseph Belknap's mill. Eliphalet Janes.


III Alvin and Harvey Janes.


IV James Paddock, foundry and blacksmith shop.


V Calvin Frizell, Henry Wood, Rev. John Carpenter.


VI Hamilton Reservoir Dam.


VII Stevens' mill.


VIII A storage dam probably.


IX Grist mill ( ?).


Y Cotton batting. J. C. Butterworth.


XI Saw and grist mill. J. C. Butterworth.


XII Silk mill. Candle wicking.


XIII Butterworth storage dam.


XIV The Munger mill.


XV The Marcy mill. Uriah Marcy.


XVI Ebenezer Morris' mill.


XVII John C. Butterworth. Hiram Wallis.


XVIII William Eaton, Gardner Wallis, and Col. Sessions. 1


Public Buildings and Grounds.


A Baptist meeting house. Town Hall since 1870.


B Public Library.


C Congregational Church Parsonage.


D Congregational Church.


E Pound.


E1 The first Pound.


F Cemetery.


G Hotel


.


H Site of Congregational Church erected 1764.


20


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


I Site of Northeast school house.


J Site of Northeast school house built 1847.


K Site of Fuller Factory.


L Northwest school site (1800).


M The later site, now E. J. Bickford's summer cottage.


N Southwest school site (1800).


0 The later site.


P The Southeast school site.


Q The Congregational Church site 1793-1835.


R The Sholes Cemetery.


S Munger and Marey Cemetery.


Non-residents but closely identified with Holland people.


a William Wallis. See perambulation of, 1789, page-


b William Lumbard and later gate house.


€ Jeremiah Sholes. Felix Bouvier.


d Mr. Snow.


℮ Munger.


f Fleteher.


g Benjamin Needham.


h Dea. Nathaniel Munger. Jas. Henry Walker.


i Unknown.


j Site of church begun 1764, by the west faction ( ?).


k Mr. Thompson.


1 Site where Washington Munger lived, who became pas- tor of Holland Baptist Church.


m Capt. Joseph Browning.


CHAPTER I


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HOLLAND.


The small town known as Holland is situated in the south- eastern corner of what is now Hampden County, but it formed a part of Hampshire County until the division Feb. 28, 1812. It is bounded on the north by Brimfield, on the east by Stur- bridge, on the south by Union, Conn., and on the west by Wales. Originally it was the southeast corner of Brimfield and some of the settlers obtained their grants of the same propietary owners as did the settlers of Brimfield. The others bought of the Winthrop heirs. The town is in the form of a quadrilateral, the east and west lines extend north and south, while the north and south boundaries extend approximately east and west. The area of the town is about four miles square, giving an area of approximately sixteen square miles. It appears from the history of Brimfield that "the settlement of Brimfield was greatly hindered by the large extent and un- certain tenure of land claimed by the Winthrop heirs, lawful heirs of Gov. John Winthrop." Gov. Winthrop had secured a deed of land ten miles round about the Black Lead mine situated in Sturbridge near the eastern boundary of Holland. We give a copy of this Indian Deed given by two Nipmuck Indians.


Liber W. Folio 54.


County Records.


This is to Testifye to whom it may concern that I, Webomscom and Nodowahunt, For and in consideration of Sundry Goods I have received do give to John Winthrop ten miles round about the Hills where the mine is, that's called Black Lead, and for Mr. Winthrop's enjoyment of it we bind ourselves and Heirs forever to the free performance of the premises, to which I set my hand this present Day and Date, Sealed and Delivered


22


THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.


in the presence of us, 8th day of 8th month 1644. The Mark X of Webomscom and (SEAL) The Mark X of Nodowahunt and (SEAL) Witness the mark X of Sundaeh.


Thomas King Stephen Day Riehard Smith


Received 24th of June 1752, and recorded from the original. By Edward Pynehon Registrar. (See Miss Larned's History of Windham County, Vol. I, page 16. We think that she had not seen a copy of this deed.)


FORM OF THE ORIGINAL SURVEY


- COPY OF -


A PLAN OF 10240 A OF LAND


CONVEYED BY THE FOREGOING DEED TO GOV JOHN WINTHROP JOHN CHANDLER, SURVEYOR 1723


大介


LEAD MINE


23


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HOLLAND


*It comprised parts of Brimfield, Holland, Wales, Stur- bridge, Southbridge in Mass., and of Woodstock, Union and Stafford in Conn. This would make a part of those towns a part of Massachusetts. Judging from subsequent history of the claim, it consisted of about ten square miles round about the lead mine. The region was called Tantuisque by the In- dians. John Winthrop did nothing with the land. When Brimfield came to be settled, the settlers encroached upon land claimed by the Winthrop heirs for by the orginal plan the land extended northwesterly and included the land on which Brimfield centre now stands. This led the Winthrop heirs, led by the son, Waitstill Winthrop, to petition the General Court for redress of grievances. The matter was adjusted by laying out an equivalent of the Winthrop heirs' claim in the form of a square, four miles on a side,the old form was very irregular. We give the report of the surveyor and his assis- tants to the General Court.


"Pursuant to an order of the General Assembly of the 7th day of June 1728 we have reformed the survey of 10,240 A. of land at Tantuisque or the black lead mines, being the contents of four miles square belonging to the heirs of the late Hon. Major General Winthrop deceased, and have laid it out in a square figure, including said mine as the subsequent map shows. The pricked line AB was the last bounds of Brimfield, new grant. The survey as now made extends westward one mile and a half into said grant, viz. the dark line cd. It bounds south on the colony line, west on Brimfield; north, partly on Brimfield and partly on province land and east on province land; and as we judge is a full equivalent for his former survey."


SAMUEL THAXTER THOMAS TILESTONE JOHN CHANDLER JR.


The dotted line ab coincides with the east boundary of Hol-


*See Miss Larned's History of Windham County, Vol. I., pages 487-495, for discussion of boundary dispute between Massachusetts and Conn- ecticut.


24




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.