USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lee > Lee : the centennial celebration and centennial history of the town of Lee, Mass. > 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
Go 974.402 L512h 1142227
ML
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02961 5009
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/leecentennialcel1777hyde
drin 5 Charles A Childs To his
Grand Mother
April 5/86
Alan. Hyde, D. D. Pastor of The Church in Lee
Maps:
LEE
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,
AND
Centennial History
OF THE
TOWN OF LEE, MASS.
1722-1877
COMPILED BY REV. C. M. HYDE, D. D., AND ALEXANDER HYDE.
GC
974,402
LE12h
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS .: CLARK W. BRYAN & COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1878.
CONTENTS.
PART I. 1142227
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. PAGE.
Introductory-High School Reunion-Mr. Rice's address-Prof. Bar- low's address-Mrs. Frissell's poem-Miss Holder's hymn-Reunion dinner and speeches-Alumni association, 3
CENTENNIAL DAY.
Mr. Garfield's greeting-Mr. Canning's ode-Mr. Taylor's address of welcome-Response of Mr. Hyde-Miss Holder's anthem -- Mr. Chamberlin's historical address-Mr. Palmer's poem-At and after the dinner-Mr. Babcock's poem-Incidents of the day-Mr. Foote's letter-List of visitors,
39
PART II. HISTORY OF LEE.
Prefatory note -Topographical description-Early settlements in Berkshire-Indian occupants-Hoplands-Hartwood-The Grants ; Williams, Larrabees, Glass-works - Incorporation - Gen. Lee- First settlers-Organization-Revolutionary period-Shays' rebel- lion-War of 1812-Development of manufactures-War of seces- sion -37th regiment-49th regiment-Incidents of the war- Changes in business-Memorial Hall-Social life in early days- Social life in middle of century, 107
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Congregational Church-Church edifices-Congregational parish -- Church at South Lee-Methodist Church-African Church-Bap- tist Church-St. George's Church-St. Mary's Church, 206
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Common schools-Lee Academy-High School-Grammar School- Hopland School Corporation, 252
ADMINISTRATIVE.
Roads and bridges-Repairing highways-Turnpikes-Pittsfield and Stockbridge railroad-Lee and New Haven railroad-Lee and Hud- son railroad-Town poor-Cemetery-Fire district, .
261
.
iv
CONTENTS.
INDUSTRIAL. PAGE.
Early industries-Paper manufacturers -- Samuel Church-W. W. & C. Laflin-John Nye & Co .- Whyte & Hulbert-J. & L. Church- Platner & Smith-Smith Paper Co .- Owen & Hurlbut-Hurlbut Paper Co .- Harrison Garfield & Benton Brothers-Chaffee & Ham- blin-E. & S. May and S. S. Rogers-P. C. Baird-James Gillmor, 275
OTHER INDUSTRIES.
Rag-Engines-Water-Wheels-Marble-Lumber-Coal -Markets- Merchants-Mechanics-Public houses, . 301
PROFESSIONAL.
Lawyers-Physicians, 321
POST-MASTERS. 329
ASSOCIATIONS.
Society for Promotion of Good Morals-First town Library-Lee Bank-Savings Bank-Young Men's Association-Cornet Band and Band Association-Fern Cliff Association-Library Associa- tion-Farmers' Club-Free Masons -Hibernians,
330
OFFICIAL AND STATISTICAL.
List of town officers, representatives, etc .- State senators-County commissioners-Justices of Police Court-Roll of honor-Popula- lation, property and products-Conclusion, · 337
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D.,
Frontispiece.
High School,
6
Residence of Harrison Garfield, .
40
Residence of William Taylor,
43
Residence of Wellington Smith,
81
Residence of Alexander Hyde,
93
Memorial Hall,
183
Residence of Dewitt S. Smith, ·
195
Rev. Nahum Gale, D. D.,
219
First Church-built in 1780,
226
Second Church -- built in 1800,
230
Congregational Church,
236
Methodist Church,
241
Baptist Church, ·
245
St. George's Church (Episcopal),
251
St. Mary's Church (Catholic),
291
Columbia Mill of Smith Paper Company,
296
Residence of F. S. Gross, .
304
Residence of Dr. C. C. Holcombe,
329
Residence of John Stallman,
342
249
Residence of Elizur Smith,
293
Paper Mill of Hurlbut Paper Company,
PART I. The Centennial Celebration.
THE LEE CENTENNIAL.
THE idea of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the incorporation of Lee, so far as is known, originated with the late Rev. Nahum Gale, D. D., pastor of the Congregational church, who said, with his characteristic humor, to the editor of The Gleaner, " In 1877 occurs the Centennial of Lee, and you must blow for it." The editor obeyed the injunction of his pastor, and the subject was duly ventilated in the village paper. As this is an era of Centennials, it was not difficult to create a public sentiment in favor of this local celebration, though, we are sorry to add, the author of the idea did not live to participate in the social Reunion of the town of Lee, which he had anticipated with so much pleasure, and of which, had his life been spared, he would have been the soul. It is due to Doctor Gale to say, that the enterprise was carried through substantially in the man- ner in which he blocked it out, when he first made the suggestion.
At the annual town meeting held in Lee, April 3, 1876, the following vote was passed on the article in the warrant : " To see what action the town will take with reference to the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town." "Voted, that the town celebrate its Centennial in an appropriate manner, and that a Committee of Thirteen be appointed to make all necessary arrangements to carry this vote into effect." In accordance with this vote, a Committee of Three was
4
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
named by the chair, to select the Centennial Committee. This Nominating Committee reported the following names :
HARRISON GARFIELD, CHARLES BRADLEY, EDWIN STURGES,
E. S. MAY, NATHAN GIBBS,
H. C. HURLBUT,
HENRY SMITH,
JOHN BRANNING,
S. S. MAY,
ELIZUR SMITH,
ALEXANDER HYDE,
A. G. HULBERT,
WILLIAM TAYLOR.
This report was duly accepted and adopted.
The Centennial Committee was subsequently organized by the selection of Harrison Garfield as Chairman, Nathan Gibbs, Secretary, and J. L. Kilbon, Treasurer. As the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town occurred late in the season, (October 18,) it was voted that the celebration take place Thursday, Septem- ber 13, and a Sub-committee, consisting of Harrison Garfield, Alexander Hyde and William Taylor, was ap- pointed to select a suitable person to deliver the histor- ical address on the occasion, and prepare a history of the town for publication. This committee made choice of Rev. Charles M. Hyde, D. D., of Haverhill, Mass., as the orator and historian, who accepted the appointment, and soon commenced his investigations of the history of the town. Doctor Hyde had covered, more or less perfectly, over three hundred pages of historical notes, when he was appointed, early in 1877, by the A. B. C. F. M., President of the Pacific Theological Institute at Honolulu. The acceptance of this appointment necessitated his leaving the country, and the committee selected Hon. Franklin Chamberlin, of Hartford, Conn., as Cen- tennial orator, and Alexander Hyde of Lee, to complete the history of the town, and superintend its publication. Both these gentlemen accepted and fulfilled their ap- pointments.
At the annual town meeting held April 2, 1877, there
5
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
was an article in the warrant, asking an appropriation for the expenses of celebrating the Centennial of the town, and the action on the article was as follows : Voted, "To raise and appropriate eight hundred dollars for printing and publishing the history of the town, and the expenses connected therewith." As the law did not authorize the assessment of a tax for the necessary inci- dental expenses of the Centennial Celebration, the com- mittee decided to defray these personally, the chairman offering to advance the funds. We are happy to add that all bills were promptly paid by Mr. Garfield, and that the subscription for his reimbursement, on the part of the committee and others, was cheerful and generous.
A circular was issued by the committee, March 1, 1877, giving notice of the celebration, and inviting all former residents of the town and their descendants to be present. A thousand copies of this circular were struck off, and they were scattered widely but hurriedly, not as systematically as they should have been, as the com- mittee relied upon the community to send them to rela- tions and former neighbors. By this mode of dissemination some old residents received several invitations, and others none. All however were invited to the Reunion, by a standing advertisement in the columns of the Lee Gleaner, and if any were neglected it was through in- advertence.
Sub-committees on music, hospitality, etc., were duly appointed, and all worked with a will, the community co-operating cheerfully and liberally to make the occa- sion a success. The Lee Cornet Band and the Congre- gational choir, volunteered their services, and labored indefatigably to make the music worthy of the Centen- nial Celebration, in which they succeeded to such a de- gree that compliments flowed from all mouths, and to the Band a complimentary donation of fifty dollars was
6
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
presented by three of the committee, Messrs. E. Smith, H. Garfield and W. Taylor.
The caterers for the occasion, Messrs. Hall and Whip- ple, of Young's Hotel, Boston, deserve honorable mention. Their bill of fare was unexceptionable, and the tent, table, and all the appointments were fully up to contract. Every thing was done neatly and in order, and if every one did not have his fill of fat things, the blame could not be laid to the caterers, who were guaranteed pay for only four hundred plates; but they calculated for six hundred guests, and actually provided for nearly seven hundred. The committee did not venture to guarantee a larger number, as the public were slow in securing din- ner tickets. The young gentlemen and ladies of the town volunteered as waiters at the tables, and, dressed uniformly with white aprons and simple but tasteful caps, they did themselves and the town great credit : " The post of service is the post of honor," was a favorite maxim of their late pastor, Dr. Gale, which they well illustrated.
THE HIGH SCHOOL REUNION.
Prefacing the Centennial proper, and so intimately con- nected with it, that the history of the one is incomplete without some short account of the other, was the Reunion of the former teachers and pupils of the Lee High School, and its predecessor, the Lee Academy. This occurred Wednesday, September 12, and the trysting place very properly selected for it, was Fern Cliff, a rocky, well- wooded eminence, at the base of which stands the High School building. The view from the plateau on the summit of this cliff, is one of the finest of the many fine views in Lee and vicinity, and a comfortable carriage road, thanks to the present proprietor, Thomas Heaphy, makes access to it very easy.
M.BRADLEY2CO
'C.P. CUTTING "PHOTO.
HIGH SCHOOL.
7
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The idea of this Reunion in connection with the Cen- tennial was first suggested by one of the many distin- guished alumni of the school, Prof. E. H. Barlow, of Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, in a letter published in The Gleaner. The suggestion was received with appro- bation by all the graduates and by the community gen- erally. A meeting of the ex-members and friends of the High School was called, at which C. B. Bullard, S. V. Halsey, Mrs. A. C. Sparks and Miss M. R. Hyde, were appointed a Committee to make arrangements for the Reunion. Mr. Bullard was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Halsey, Secretary of this Committee, and Sub-committees were selected from other resident graduates. A circular was sent to every former member of the Academy and High School whose address could be ascertained, and the responses were so prompt and numerous as to encourage energetic preparations. Prof. E. H. Barlow was very naturally selected as the orator of the day, and Mrs. M. M. Frissell of Kingston, N. Y., and Dr. W. Hall of Brookfield, Mass., were asked to prepare poems for the occasion.
The cordial co-operation of citizens generally in this Reunion, showed the high estimation in which our princi- pal literary institution is held, and a just appreciation of the great service it has done this community. Too much cannot be said in its praise, for it has enabled parents to educate their children at home, who could not afford to send them abroad, and the hundreds of its graduates who are scattered all over the land, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and who are most uniformly making their mark in the world, testify to the capacity, fidelity, and high moral tone of the instructors. As the history of this Academy and High School, is the history of one of our most important institutions, and is so well told in Pro- fessor Barlow's address, that no apology is necessary for
8
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
incorporating his complete address in this Centennial Book.
Abner Rice, the accomplished Principal of the High School since 1862, was the fitting person to preside over the reunion, and the able manner in which this duty was performed, gave satisfaction to all. The platform, on which were seated the president of the day, the orator, the former teachers of the School, the clergy and others, was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and a large audience of old and present pupils and citi- zens, testified to the high estimation in which this insti- tution is held. The music was furnished by a select choir, composed of former pupils at the head of whom was John Delaney, and the manner in which the music was rendered, showed skill and thorough training. It may as well be said right here, that singing has ever been a prominent exercise in the Lee High School, and under the present Principal a piano has been provided for the school, and increased attention has been paid to the cul- ture of music.
Promptly at 11 o'clock, Mr. Rice called the assembly to order, when prayer was offered by President Andrews of Marietta College, the first teacher of the Lee Aca- demy.
MR. RICE'S ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Teachers and Alumni of the Lee Academy and High School :
This is the day of our Jubilee; we meet as the members of one great family. We have a history reaching back over a period of forty years, and yet this, so far as I am informed, is our first family gath- ering. I have no doubt that many of us are surprised to find, to how large and to how respectably-looking a family we belong. After having been so long and widely separated, we may find ourselves to- day in the embarrassing predicament of the school-boy, who knew his letters by sight, but could not call them by name. Some of us may not even recognize the faces of our long-absent brothers and sisters.
9
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
The place that our Committee have selected for this meeting is the very one, I am sure, that you all would have chosen. What is there so intimately associated in your minds with your school-days in Lee as the " Old Ledge ? " What other spot could awaken so many memories of the past ? If we could give these rocks and trees a tongue, how would the story that they would tell of other days, thrill all our hearts !
Many of you are familiar with the circumstances in which this Re- union had its origin. For weeks and months, our Centennial Celebra- tion has been one of the topics of special interest to the people of Lee. While the preparations for this was going forward, it was suggested that there could be no fitter time for a reunion of the former members of the Academy and High School. This suggestion met with a ready and hearty response. The sentiment expressed by some, was that the contemplated celebration could hardly be complete without it. Cir- culars were to be sent abroad inviting the absent sons and daughters of Lee to the home of their childhood, to review together the history of the town, and to renew and strengthen the friendships of other days; and on such an occasion, the friendships of school-days, among the firmest and pleasantest of our lives, should not be ignored.
Besides, the influence of this institution, during the forty years of its existence, in shaping the character of this community, has been of sufficient importance to receive some formal recognition. While our citizens may point with pride to what they have achieved in the de- partment of manufactures and other industrial interests, they need not be ashamed of what they have accomplished through their Academy and High School, in giving to the world a nobler product-men and women-the only true mission of every institution of learning. It was believed that such a reunion would not end in a series of holiday festivities, but that it would serve the higher purpose of impressing this truth more deeply on our minds, of furnishing us with new incentives to labor, and of awakening in us higher aspirations. There is danger, too, that in this material age we forget how intimately the real prosperity of any people is connected with their educational ad- vantages, and where may we expect that the claims of education will find advocates, if not among those who have shared these advantages ?
But you are not here to listen to any words of mine; I have a single task to perform. It becomes my very pleasant duty to extend to all of you who have come back to your Berkshire home to share in these festivities, a cordial welcome.
To you, once instructors in this Institution, I may offer my con- gratulations also, at witnessing the spectacle before you. There can
2
10
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
be few occasions in the life of a teacher, as I believe, so replete with genuine satisfaction, as when he sees, in some tangible form, the result of his work. The seed that he sows is often of slow growth ; there are few that understand better than he what it is to labor and to wait. It is your fortune to see to-day, as the fruit of work long since performed, the principles then inculcated, embodied in character. What richer trophy, what more enduring monument can you desire ? Although some of you have been called to higher departments of educa- tional work, it is with no feelings of indifference, I am sure, that you review the work which you accomplished here. Besides the satisfac- tion which arises from a consciousness of fidelity in the discharge of duty, you have the additional gratification of meeting many here, now engaged in the active duties of life, who have a truer apprecia- tion of your efforts for them in years past than they could have then. On their behalf especially I may welcome you to this Reunion, and from the kind words of you, so often on their lips, I can assure you that your presence here is, at once, an inspiration and a benediction.
During the forty years of this school's history, there has been a constant tide of emigration among its graduates. Many of the young men have sought and found more promising fields of labor. They are now occupying places of responsibility and trust in the homes of their adoption. While they are winning life's prizes for themselves, they are, at the same time, reflecting honor on their native town and on the institution where they received, perhaps, the first impulse in their upward career. We rejoice to see so many of this class with us to-day. Gentlemen, we may well be proud of what you have achieved for yourselves and of what you have done for us. You are welcome here to-day.
Many of the young women, too, who have gone out from this School, have found greater attractions elsewhere, and so we have seen them, one after another, leave the old homestead, some of them for higher institutions of learning, some of them as teachers, more still to the responsible position that woman occupies in the household, all of them to the vacant places that are waiting for them to fill. For these we have a special greeting. Without their presence to grace this assem- bly, this would not deserve the name of a Jubilee. It is no figure of speech to say that without them, the charm and the poetry of this oc- casion would be wanting. I may be permitted here to add my testi- mony to the value of their refining and elevating influence in the school as well as in the family and in social life. It will not be con- sidered invidious for me to say to these ladies present, "We have for you the most cordial welcome of all."
1 1093 22061 500
11
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
I hardly need to say to these resident graduates-to those of you whose lot it has been, following either your own inclinations or the call of duty, to remain at home, "to abide by the stuff"-that this occasion is very largely yours. I occupy the place that I do at your bidding ; these words of welcome that have been spoken are yours as well as mine.
How closely you have become identified with the institution we rep- resent to-day, how much of influence, of personal effort, and of mate- rial aid you have contributed to the advancement of all that pertains to the best interests of this community, you do not expect, indeed you would hardly allow me to rehearse in this presence. It is, however, but just that I should say, wherever plans are to be devised, or meas- ures adopted for the promotion of the public weal, you always find a welcome.
Accept then-one and all-the greeting we bring you to-day, teachers, alumni, patrons and friends.
I have only to say, that I believe that this Reunion will not be simply an occasion to be enjoyed to-day, but one on which we shall look back with satisfaction and delight, and that we shall receive from it an inspiration that will make us better men and women.
PROFESSOR BARLOW'S ADDRESS.
" Historic truth," says the imperial biographer of Cæsar, " ought to be no less sacred than religion." To-day, historic truth is all about us. The air is not more redolent with the sweet and satisfying odors of ripening grain and luscious fruit, than it is fragrant with the mem- ories of other days,-memories which come like a flood as we gather in these familiar places. The opening Autumnal month, with its fulfilment of Summer's promise, fitly symbolizes the joy, which, in the fruition of our hopes we are permitted to know this day. All human speech is feeble in the presence of such a tide of recollections as must bear sway in minds of many now before me. It would seem more fitting that the silence should be unbroken, in order that the golden eloquence of memory, as it is busy with the past, might be the only guide and interpreter of the thoughts of the hour.
But we are met to rehearse the lessons of days "lang syne." Some of us stand here after an absence of forty years, others of a quarter of a century, very many for the first time since they left these scenes of early and delightful instruction and association. I fancy the tones of yonder bell, never fell on the ears of pupils more ready to respond to its call than they did to-day. When the summons came that
12
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
school "would begin again " for us, we made haste to be ready, and we have quickened our pace that none of us should be tardy at the roll-call. We meet, the largest number of pupils and of teachers that ever assembled at the opening of a term. Indeed, for the first time, the old house is too small. We come to register our names, to claim our membership, to relate the story of our vacation to see what les- sons shall be assigned us for the coming years, to pledge our fidelity to our work, and to be assured of the sympathy of our teachers and of each other.
Since school "was out " for us, we have had varied experiences. Along the highways and the by-ways, we have enjoyed many a play, and have met not a few rough tumbles and some serious falls and bruises. Ah, how these experiences of life have sobered and steadied, and sometimes startled us. I suspect that meeker pupils never came together than are here met. With our arrogance all beaten out of us, we are willing to confess that indeed we know little. But we miss the faces of some whom we expected to see. A part of these send kindly greetings, and assure us that their hearts are with us. But the other part are forever dismissed from earthly association. They have gone by scores, to enter that school where all sit, to learn, at the feet of Him who was meek and lowly in heart. It is a happy thought that their training here was such a preparation as to gain them abundant entrance there.
Let us fix our eyes On the glorious skies, Like them, let us watch and pray, Till we all shall go From the school below To the school of endless day.
We are come like children who return to the family hearthstone for a Thanksgiving reunion. Those of us who went out early, will be glad to hear that the time of our absence has been a time of prosperity and joy. Those who went out later as well as those who still remain under the roof-tree, will like to learn the story of the early days. We will all rejoice in the performance of the past and the promise of the future. What has been done is an earnest of still better things. If we shall succeed in rekindling the flame of early love and devotion, and in adding fresh fuel, thus keeping bright the altar fires of our Penates and Lares, we shall carry hence renewed zeal in all the labor and service of our daily lives, and shall foster the purpose for which this institution was founded,-the cause of sound learning, the
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.