The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts;, Part 1

Author: Peck, Chauncey Edwin
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: [Wilbraham? Mass.]
Number of Pages: 494


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, 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


p A vage


டிசை ஆூன்வது


இங்குக்


மீதுநின்று


الدم


.. .


عظام الوجى


. ..


يد مجرة


அவர்களின் சனையர்டு ஐ ம்


M. L.


Gc 974.402 W641p 1128691


GENEALOGY COLLECTION


C LD books, as you will know, are books of the world's youth; and the new books are the fruits of its age.


1


This Book Belongs To


JBNICE


Freeterie B Word Given by CAM B. Wood Dell25. 1925


47576


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01065 9818


1785


1910


125th Anniversary


Christmas Greetings


South Wilbraham parish formed 1782; this building erected 1783; church organized 1785.


THE HISTORY of WILBRAHAM


MASSACHUSETTS


Prepared in Connection with the Celebration of the


One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary


of the


Incorporation of the Town


JUNE 15, 1913 .


By


CHAUNCEY E. PECK


PASTORS


Moses Warren 1788-1829


Lucius W. Clarke


1829-1832


James A. Hazen


1


1 I 1839-1847


Hubbard Beebe


1848-1852


1


I


Edwin Smith Skinner 1853-1855 1 1 1


James C. Houghton 1855-1856 I 1 1 1


John Whitehill 1861-1868


Edward B. Chamberlain


1869-1974


Edward P. Root.


1876-1883


Edward A. Chase


1 1884-1888


George F. Walker


1889-1891


1


I


1 1 1 Martin S. Howard 1894


George W. Solley 1894-1896 1


Milton N. Frantz


1896


1


James B. Sargent.


1 -1897-1900


George J. Newton


1


1


1 -1901


William P. Squires


1902-1903


Charles P. Bliss.


-1903-


1


+


Out of her fold came the BAPTIST CHURCH, in the edge of Monson in 1818, in its present building in 1854; and the METHODIST CHURCH, holding services in 1791, fully organized in 1830. Into her parish has come ST. MARY'S CHURCH, with Mass in Academy Hall in 1869, and a home of her own in 1881.


"There is one body, and one Spirit one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all."


1128691


PREFACE


The fact that the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Wilbraham was approaching, was brought to the attention of the town at the annual meeting held in 1911, by the following article in the warrant:


Art. 17. "To see if the town will take any action in regard to the celebration of its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 1913." Under this article the following votes were passed.


"Voted that the town celebrate the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town."


"Voted that a committee of five be chosen to make all arrangements for the celebration, with power to act, and that they report at the next annual meeting the result of the progress made."


The following committee was chosen:


Chauncey E. Peck, chairman


Charles C. Beebe, Ethelbert Bliss,


Benj. F. Greene,


Miss Evanore O. Beebe.


At a meeting of the Historical Committee, held soon after_ wards, Chauncey E. Peck was chosen historian, and Miss Evanore O. Beebe secretary. At the annual town meeting in 1912, a report of the progress made was given by the chairman, and the town voted to instruct the committee to publish an illustrated history of the town.


Many meetings were held by the Historical Committee, and many sub-committees were appointed to arrange different details of the program for the celebration. All of which were carried out in a manner creditable to those who had arranged them, as will appear from reading the newspaper accounts of the celebration.


The actual day of the signing of the Act of Incorporation was on June 15th, but as that day came on Sunday in 1913, it was decided to begin the three days' celebration on Tuesday, June 17th. The first day's exercises, including the Historical Address, to be held at the centre village, the second day at


iv


PREFACE


North Wilbraham, to include the dedication of the Public Library, and the third day at Glendale, with the unveiling of the Soldiers' Boulder there. All of the exercises were largely attended and were a complete success in every way. The spacious audience room in the M. E. Church was well filled on June 17th, and the exercises occupied a little more than two hours, including singing by the school children of three selec- tions, among which was "The Elegy of the Mountains," begin- ning-


"On Springfield mountains there did dwell A likely youth who was knowne full well."


This was "lined off" according to the old style, by Harold Bolles, and sung to the tune of "Old Hundred."


The Vital Records of Wilbraham-Births, Marriages and Deaths-will soon be printed in a separate volume, and so, none of the genealogies of families are included here.


I have just learned that there is a tin box in the town safe, sealed up and marked, "Not to be opened until June 15th, 1963." I mention it here, so that the future historian may know of its existence.


In the preparation of this historical account of the different events which have happened here, and of the work wrought by our ancestors in the days long past, as well as that which has been accomplished in recent years, I have endeavored to relate the incidents in the order in which they occurred. And, so far as practicable, to complete each account before beginning another. The great amount of time consumed in looking up facts contained in the records of the town, the parishes and the churches, as well as records outside of the town, will account for the time which has passed since the address was delivered.


Only about one-tenth of the "History," as here printed, was delivered in the address.


I place my more than two years' work in your hands, trusting it may meet with your approbation.


CHAUNCEY E. PECK.


Wilbraham, October 1, 1914.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Pages 1 to 24


Introduction. Emigration from England. Journey to Con- necticut River. Deed of Part of Outward Commons, Allotment of, Measuring Width of. Roger Newbury's Survey. Indians.


Pages 24 to 44


First Settlers in Wilbraham. "Clark" Warner Record. First Deaths and Burials. School in Outward Commons. Peggy's Dipping Hole. The Way to Zion by Way of Springfield. Population of, 1741. First Precinct Meeting. Deed of Over- plus Land to Minister, Fixing His Salary, Ordination of.


Pages 46 to 67


First Page of Minister's Record. Location of Meetinghouse. Building Minister's House. The Parson's Rose. Materials for Meetinghouse, First Use of, First Baptism in. First Action to be Set Off as a Town. Meetinghouse Lane.


Pages 68 to 77


Seating of Meetinghouse Recorded 1760. Ministry and School Lots. Trouble in the Church, 1754. First Schoolhouse. "Master" Ezra Barker. Road Laid from Goose Pond to Outward Commons. "World's End Brook." Kilborn's Bridge. Ensign Abel Bliss, House of, Indian Boy at.


Pages 78 to 100


First Settlers in South Part. Lieut. Thomas Merrick. Timothy Mirrick, Bitten by Rattlesnake, Ode on, House of, Epitaph, Place of Burial. Soldiers in French War. Journal of "Clark" Samuel Warner. Second and Third Attempts to be Set Off as a Town. Act of Incorporation. Origin of Name. "Wil-bra-ham, not A-bra-ham." Population of. School Districts.


Pages 101 to 116


Singing in Church. Mr. Merrick's Salary, His Health Fail- ing, Death of, His Account Book, Ancestry of. Mrs. Abigail Merrick. No Settled Minister in North Parish For Eleven Years. Preaching in the South Part Refused. South Parish Set Off. Will of Dea. Nathaniel Warriner. Valuation of Wilbraham in 1771.


Pages 117 to 142


The Revolutionary War, Cause of. Appeal from Merchants of Boston. Non-consumption Report. Tories in Town. "Minute Men." Lexington Alarm. Depreciated Money. Council Refuses to Ordain Samuel Ely as a Minister. The


vi


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Shays' Rebellion. Anecdote about Deacon Warriner House. Journal of Dr. Samuel F. Merrick. Soldiers in Revolutionary War.


Pages 142 to 160


The Green, Petition to Set Off. Library. The Old Hoe-an Epigram. Copy From Papers of John Bliss, Esq. First Church History from 1794. Moving Meetinghouse to Present Location. Meeting of Parish Called to Meet in Methodist Meetinghouse. Sermon of Rev. Joseph Lathrop, D.D. Church Bell Purchased. Fencing Burying Yards.


Pages 160 to 182


"Minister Money." Record from Supreme Court. Parish Loan. Seating of the Meetinghouse, Twenty-seven Children Baptised at One Service. Nine Mile Pond Tragedy, Odes on, Epitaphs of Those Drowned. Lease of Pond by The Town. Bungalows Erected.


Pages 182 to 200


The Marcus Lyon Murder, Account Published in Massa- chusetts Spy of Worcester, Execution of Murderers. First Methodist Society, Charles Brewer, Lease of Land, One Pepper Corn. Bishop Asbury. New England Methodist Conference, Petition for Incorporation, Objections to, Camp Meeting, First Legal Meeting of Society, Bequest of Moses K. Bartlett, Sale of the Old House, Slips Owned by Individuals, One of Them Attached to Pay a Debt. Poem on Old Church.


Pages 201 to 212


Baptist Church at Colton Hollow, Gathering of, Council to Establish, Hear a Complaint, Church Covenant Signed by, Ministers Who Belong to or Attend the Masonic Lodge. Complaint of Oliver Bliss Against Bro. Asa Beebe. Other Complaints. Move to South Wilbraham. Petitions for Incorporation of Other Societies.


Pages 212 to 232


Militia, Training Day. Railroads, First Railroad Station, Moved to Oak Street. First Station at North Wilbraham. Wilbraham Aqueduct Company. Wilbraham Academy, Catalogue for 1836, Location of. Town Loan and Surplus Revenue.


Pages 233 to 260


Millerite Excitement. Doctor Bottom Sees Woman up in Tree. Sermon Preached on "The False Alarm." The Civil War. Troubles in Kansas, Wilbraham Man There, Men Furnished, Money For, Return of the Standards, Personal


vii


TABLE OF CONTENTS


Experiences in, Men in, Men Drafted. Soldiers' Monument, Donor of. Crane Park.


Pages 261 to 276


The Great Washout on B. & A. R. R. in 1869. Business of the Town in 1837. Woolen Mill at South Wilbraham, on Eleven Mile Brook. The Collins Mfg. Co. The Cutler Co. Ludlow Mfg. Co. Tobacco. Cheese Factories. Sheep. Peach Industry. Increase in Valuation of Town in Thirty Years. Items from Massachusetts Register 1814. Items from "Clark" Warner record. Almanac for 1748.


Pages 277 to 284


First Baptist Church, Society Constituted, Ordination of Rev. Seth Clark, Society "Lost its Visibility," Meetinghouse Burned, Location of. The Glendale Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Class Formed, Origin of Name, Meeting- house Erected, Incorporation. Grace Union Church at North Wilbraham, Meetings in Liberty Hall, Society Incorporated. The Christian Union Church. Church of Saint Cecilia.


Pages 285 to 308


The Public Schools, Appropriations From Springfield, First Schoolhouse, Teachers Boarding Around, Private, Districts, Drawing, Singing, Flags, Table of Expenses, Graduating Exercises 1912. List of Representatives. Town Clerks. Physicians. Division of the Town. Memorial Town Hall. Electric Railway. Telephone. California Adventurers. Cap- tain Kidd's Gold. Good Templars. Free Masons. Grange. Farmers Club. Literary Society. Dell Cemetery.


Pages 309 to 340


Slavery. Warner Record. Fragments. Warner Papers, His "Dream." Toll Gate. Wilbraham Turnpike. Strange Accident. Disposal of Poor. Kibbe's Shirt. Presbyterian Saddle. Scenery of Wilbraham. Celebration, Newspaper Accounts of, The Parade, Dinner, Speeches of Guests, Singing, , Address.


Pages 341 to 360


Close of Address. Loan Exhibit. Second Day of Celebra- tion, Dedication of Library, Cantata, Address of Librarian Wilcox, Prof. J. T. Bowne, Rev. Dr. W. R. Newhall, Loan Exhibit. Third Day of Celebration, Boulder Unveiled, Wm. R. Sessions, Dr. Marshall Calkins, Speakers, Anti-Slavery Demon- stration, Exhibition of Antiques. Farms and Homes of Wil- braham.


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


PAGE


Town Crier,


XII


Anniversary Committee,


XIV


Old Boundary Stone,


10


Soapstone Boulder, .


23


Indian Fireplace,


25


First Page of "Clark" Warner Record,


28


First Page of Minister's Record, .


46 49


View From the Mountain,


64


Schoolhouse of the Old Time, Old Merrick House, Present Merrick House, .


80 85


Powder Horn,


141


Schoolhouse on "The Green,"


142


Levi Bliss House,


164 169


First Methodist Meeting House, .


191


Brewer Inn Sign,


192 217


First Station at North Wilbraham,


Academy Rich Hall and Headmaster's House,


218 222 227


Bridge over Chicopee River, .


232


Spencer Carbine and Sabre Hilt, .


251


Soldiers' Monument,


258 260


Foskit Home, .


263


Cutler Company Mill,


267


Peach Orchard,


271


Clover Mowing and Barn,


271


Glendale Church and Cemetery,


280


Grace Union Church,


282


Christian Union Church,


284


Church of Saint Cecilia,


285


School Children, in Costume,


292-293


Grange Hall,


306


Stage Receipt, .


317


View from Mountain, Westerly,


· 326


View from Mountain, Northwesterly, .


. 327


One of the Floats, .


. 333


House of Isaac Brewer, .


73


Congregational Churches, Burned,


Four Collins Family Portraits,


View Across the Campus from Gymnasium,


Train Passing over Trestle after Washout,


.


ix


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


PAGE


One of the Floats,


335


One of the Floats,


338


Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church,


340


Cutler Public Library,


343


Henry Cutler, Portrait, .


345


Unveiling Boulder, .


350


Soldiers' Boulder at Glendale,


350


Dr. Marshall Calkins,


352


Anti-slavery Demonstration,


353


Maplehurst, Interior,


356


Maplehurst, Interior,


357


Selectmen of Wilbraham,


359


Congregational Church, .


361


Rev. Martin S. and Mrs. Howard, The Merrick Elm,


365


Home of Clarence M. Ripley,


366


The "Mile Tree,"


371


Home of Ethelbert Bliss,


375


View of Main Street,


376


Ira G. Potter, .


378


Home of Chauncey E. Peck,


378


Home of Fred W. Green,


380


The Nelson Mowry Homestead,


383


Home of William G. Rogers,


385


Mr. and Mrs. Nathan C. Rice,


388


Mrs. Nancy (Bliss) Rice,


389


Home of Mrs. Sarah (Bliss) Gillet,


390


Old Homestead of Rev. Joseph A. Merrill,


392


Rev. Nathaniel J. Merrill,


393


Home of Annis Merrill,


394


Schoolhouse, District No. 8, .


395


Embryo Pine Forest,


397


Homestead of Francis E. Clark,


398


Schoolhouse, District No. 1,


400


Schoolhouse, District No. 2, "The Pines,"


405 .


The First Bungalow in Wilbraham,


408 .


Schoolhouse, District No. 5, .


409


A Rare Scene, .


411


Home of Mrs. Leola B. Edson,


412


Schoolhouse, District No. 7, .


413


Home of Allyn M. Seaver,


415


.


384


Robert R. Wright,


363


Maplehurst,


354


X


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


PAGE


View Showing One of the Industries in which Mr. Seaver


is interested,


415


Home of H. H. Graves, . 417


"Brookmont," :


418


"The Century Homestead,"


420


The Rindge Oak, 421


Rev. Charles H. Gates, .


422


Wilbraham Woolen Company's Mill,


Homestead of Levi Ruggles Bliss,


Auto Inn, .


Home of Ernest L. Thompson,


430 431


Present Railroad Station at North Wilbraham,


431


Store of Nelson I. Bradway, .


432


Collins Inn,


433


Home of Frank A. Fuller,


434 435 437


Erasmus B. Gates,


437


The Colonel Butler Homestead,


439 440


Jason Butler,


441


Schoolhouse, District No. 6, .


442


Schoolhouse, District No. 4, .


447 .


Home of Luther L. Farr, 451


452


Home of Randolph Beebe,


454


.


Portrait, Town Clerk,


458


Newbury Compass, 459


Memorial Town Hall, As Planned,


460 ·


424 426 427


Home of Mrs. Lizzie (Collins) Warren,


The Baldwin Maple,


Home of Mrs. Harriet (Kent) Gates,


Home of James S. Morgan,


Birthplace of Dr. Marshall Calkins and Dr. David Calkins,


HEAR YE! HEAR YE ! ALL YE GOOD PEOPLE


CHILDREN OF DEAR WILBRAHAM, GATHER HOME, ALL WHO CAN. MOTHER CALLS, "COME YE HERE! THIS IS MY BIRTHDAY YEAR."


1913


"Town Crier, " ANSON SOULE, 6 ft. 3 ins. tall; weight, 240 pounds; age, 83 years.


CHAUNCEY E. PECK.


ETHELBERT BLISS.


1


MISS EVANORE O. BEEBE.


CHARLES C. BEEBE.


BENJAMIN F. GREENE.


ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE.


HISTORICAL ADDRESS


MR. PRESIDENT,


SONS AND DAUGHTERS, DEAR MOTHER SPRINGFIELD,


GOOD DAUGHTER HAMPDEN, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF


WILBRAHAM


"What is there to be seen On the Wilbraham hills of green,


And what do you hear, and is it in your way? I hear my mother call, To her children one and all,


And I see the children coming through all this summer day." 1


We have gathered on this anniversary occasion to recall the distant days of our ancestors. To re-tell the story of their struggles and their triumphs, and to gain such inspiration as we can, to carry on the work which they commenced here, and have now left for us to do. In a general way, to make ourselves better, to make Wilbraham better, and so, help to make the world better.


It is an interesting subject we have to consider, and the fascination of it grows upon one, the longer we study it.


I shall try to tell the story, so far as I can, in the order in which the events happened, and shall quote from the address of Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, delivered here in the old First Church on "Election Day," May, 1831, and from the Stebbins History of 1863.


When we try to realize the great length of time which some portions of the world have been occupied by civilized people, we are astonished at the progress which has been made in this New World, in less than three hundred years. In the year 1630, seventeen ships sailed from England's shore, bringing 1600 passengers, to this, then almost unbroken wilderness.


Those sixteen hundred people were not the first, but they were among the best that ever came. "Among them, John


1 From poem by Mrs. Jennie Tupper Dowe.


2


THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM


Winthrop and his friend, William Pynchon, bringing the Charter of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, both patentees, Winthrop governor, Pynchon assistant. They reinforce the company already there and rapidly increasing; bold, hardy, resolute men; brave, gentle, patient women. They settle in Roxbury, Newton, Dorchester, Watertown." Pynchon had lived in Roxbury scarce a year, when three Indian Sachems came from the valley of the fair Connecticut River. They bring rich furs of beaver, otter, fox, wolf, and mink. They tell of their great river, fertile meadows, the salmon, bass, shad and sturgeon. John Cable and John Woodcock go to explore. They bring back a good report. William Pynchon himself explores. The western fever grows, and while the people of the Bay protest, the boldest spirits, most enterprising, the very elect, prepare to go .- The Roxbury people will follow Pynchon to Agawam. There is romance in those paths. The leave- takings with old neighbors, the Indian trail through dim old woods and boggy meadows, the river fords, the ringing axes, the camp fires under lofty pines or by some gurgling brook, the feebler women borne on litters, the little children lulled to sleep upon their hemlock beds by the soughing of the wind among the tree tops, frightened by the screeching owls, the howling wolves, or the painted Indian. The procession of lowing cattle, the shouting boys, the pack horses, the armed men with trusty match-locks on their shoulders; and at morn and night the wayfarers gather about the pastor while the psalms are read and the prayers are said.


"And they shook the depths of the forest gloom, With their hymns of lofty cheer."


In Dr. Samuel F. Merrick's address, delivered in Wilbraham, May, 1831 (after about 50 words of introduction) he says, "As the first settlement here took place but about twenty years before the speaker was born, and he having conversed famil- iarly with the first settlers, and living here almost eighty years, he has been invited to communicate some of his recollections of past events." Speaking of the journey from Roxbury to


3


THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM


Springfield, Dr. Merrick says, "They accordingly took their march with their wives and their little ones, their flocks and their herds, and all that they had and entered the howling wilderness, where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey and men more savage far than they. And after encountering innu- merable hardships, in three weeks they arrived at their destined place of abode, without being attacked by the savages or any other material injury. They then took up four towns to wit, Weathersfield, Hartford, Windsor and Springfield, the latter from Roxbury."


On the first of May, 1636, 277 years ago, William Pynchon starts with his Roxbury neighbors by the old bay path to Agawam.


Their bulkier goods have already gone by water in John Winthrop's shallop, the Blessing of the Bay. "Learned, gifted, wealthy, devout, every way qualified for leadership, Pynchon becomes the father of Springfield, as he had been the father of Roxbury." "On July 15th, 1636 a treaty of purchase was made with the Indians, the conveyance bearing the names or symbols of thirteen chiefs and sachems. The grantees named were William Pynchon, Henry Smith and Jehu Burr and their associates." About the same time the land easterly from the Connecticut River, for a distance of about five miles, or to Five Mile Pond, (near the present Parker Street) was purchased from the Indians, by William Pynchon and his associates for the inhabitants of Springfield. In, or about 1674, Elizur Holyoke and others purchased from the Indians the land lying easterly of the Pynchon purchase, to the mountains. The following is a copy of the Deed.


Deed of part of the outward commons (in the original copy the letter u is sometimes in shape like the letter v, which error I have not followed) :


"Evidence of the relinquishment of the claim of the Indians to the territory west of the mountains, found in the office of Registry of Deeds of Hampden County.


"An evidence of the purchase of lands at Freshwater River, taking in the medowes on both sides the River, as also from the


4


THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM


lands from the five mile pond Eastward to ye mountains & so northward to Chickuppe River, being purchaes fro ye Indians Wequaugan Wawapaw & Wequampo: by & for ye Town of Springfield.


"These presents testify that the Indian called Wequagan, formerly called Wrutherna & the Indian called Wawapaw formerly called Norapompolom in consideration of the sume of One Hundred & twenty fathom of Wampam to them in hand paid, And that the Indian called Wequompo in consideration of sixty fathom of Wampam to him in hand paid Have given granted bargained & sold, And by these pesents Doe fully clearly & absolutely give, grante bargain & sel unto Elizur Holyoke, George Coulton Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marsh- field & Anthony Dorchester, for the use & behoofe of the Town of Springfield certaine tracts of Land Upland Medowes and Swamps hereafter mentioned & described. That is to say, the said Wequagan & Wawapaw first acknowledging that their Ancestors Did sel unto M' William Pynchon late of Spring- field, for the use & behoofe of the said Town of Springfield a good Portion or tracts of Land lying on the East side of the River Quinecticut (& by the said River) that is to say, by the River, along from the lower end of the (medow, called by the Indians Massacksic & by the English called the) Long meadow up to Chickuppe River. And in breadth Eastward for al that Length about as far from the River Quinecticut, as the five mile pond wch lyes by the Bay path; Concerning wch Tract of Land the said Wequaugan & Wawapaw Doe for themselves & their Successors, for the use & behoofe of the Inhabitants of Spring- field, forever quit al right Title Interest Claime & Demand in & to al the said Tract of Land before described. And the Tract of Land wch the said Wequaugan & Wawapaw Do hereby Sel as aforesaid Lyeth partly by & adjoineth to the South end & East side of the Tract of Land above described (wch they acknowledg was sold to the said M' William Pynchon as afore- said) That is to say, All the Lands wch lie wthin the bounds hereafter mentioned. And therefore the South bounds thereof, is the Riveret called by the Indians Asnuntuel (& by the English Called freshwater River, or freshwater brooke) & soe from the mouth of that Riveret vizt. from Connecticut or Quineciticut Rivr the bounds Runs up the said Riveret to the medows thereupon & from thence up the said Riveret, the bounds take in al the medows on both sides of freshwater River or brookes that Run Into it to the upland on the Southerly side of such medows; & at the Place where Freshwater River or freshwater


5


THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM


brooke turns Northerly, the south bounds extend Eastward to the Riveret called Seantuck, vizt. the place by the fals, where the path that leads to Pequit or Moheage goes over that Riveret & fro thence the sd River Seantucke is the General bounds of the Lands contained in this Purchase, vizt. up to the Place where the said River or Riveret Seantuck comes down from the Mountaines, yet Al the medows on both sides of Seantuck River, are likewise contained in the Purchase, And from the Place where Seantuck River comes down from the mountaines, the foot of the mountaines is the Easterly bounds, up as far Northerly til it meet with the Lands purchased of the said Wequompo: & the West bounds or border are the Lands formerly sold to m' William Pynchon late of Springfield as aforesd And the said Wequagan & Wawapaw Doe for ymselves & their successors to the use and behoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield for Ever quit al claime to & al right title & Interest in any of Lands above mentioned & hereby sold, & which are contained wthin the bounds abovementioned. Except liberty of fishing & hunting, which they Reserve to themselves, yet not to damnify the English thereby. At wch tract of Lands wch are Contained wthin the bounds above mentioned, together wth al the profit and comoditys thereupon or thereunto belong- ing, the said Elizur Holyoke, George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the use & behoofe service & imployment of the Towne of Springfield (& not other- wise) are to have hold & Enjoy ymselves & their heires for Ever wthout let, trouble or molestation from the sd Wequaugan Wawapaw or any other: And the tract of Land hereby sold by Wequompo are such as are contained wthin the bounds & limits hereafter mentioned & Described, That is to say, The South bounds thereof are the lands before mentioned, sold by Wequaugan & Wawapaw; And Eastward the Foot of the mountaines are the bounds thereof; & Northerly Chickuppe River is the bounds thereof; And the Westerly bounds thereof are the lands above mentioned form'ly sold to M' William Pynchon as aforesaid. At wch Tract of Land soe bounded & described together wth all the profits & comoditys thereupon or thereunto belonging the said Elizur Holyoke, George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the use & behoofe, service & Employmt of the Towne of - Springfield & not otherwise, are to have hold & enjoy for them- selves & their heires for Ever, wthout let trouble or molestation from the said Indian called Wequompo, or any other: And the said Wequompo Doth for himselfe & his successo's for the use,




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.