USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Plainfield > Topographical description and historical sketch of Plainfield, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, May, 1834 > 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
(Hampshire Co.)
Gc 974.402 P69p
Gc 974.402 P69p 1136502
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
(Hampshire (.)
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01115 1294
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/topographicaldes1834port
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION
AND
HISTORICAL SKETCH
OF
PLAINFIELD,
IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS,
MAY, 1834.
BY JACOB PORTER.
" Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, Land of the mountain and the flood !"-SCOTT.
GREENFIELD. PRINTED BY PRINCE AND ROGERS.
1834.
H
1136502
Gimbrede sc
Doyle p?
Jacob Porter.
2016
١
HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
SITUATION AND EXTENT.
PLAINFIELD is a post township in the north-west corner of Hamp- shire county, Massachusetts, 20 miles north-west of Northampton, and 112 west of Boston. It is about 5 miles long from east to west, and about 4 wide from north to south.
BOUNDARIES.
It is bounded on the north by Hawley, east by Ashfield, both in Franklin county, south by Cummington, west by Windsor and Savoy, both in Berkshire county.
According to a survey taken by Eliphalet Darling, in 1831, by order of the General Court, the particular boundaries are as fol- lows :- Beginning at the north-west corner, by a line running east, 19 degrees south, 1,594 rods=4 miles, 314 rods, which is the boundary between Hawley and Plainfield; thence south, 7 degrees west, 217 rods, thence south, 30 minutes east, 122 rods, thence east, 19 degress, 20 minutes south, 85 rods, thence south, 19 de- grees, 20 minutes west, 401 rods,=1 mile, 81 rods, thence south, 30 minutes east, 517 rods,=1 mile, 197 rods, the boundaries be- tween Ashfield and Plainfield; thence west, 17 degrees south, 195 rods, thence west, 20 degress north, 1,604 rods,=5 miles, 4 rods, the boundaries between Cummington and Plainfield; thence north, 18 degrees east, 927 rods,=2 miles, 287 rods, thence west, 18 degrees north, 166 rods, the boundaries between Windsor and Plainfield; thence north, 18 degrees east, to the corner first men- tioned, 320 rods,=1 mile, the boundary between Savoy and Plain- field. In conformity to a law of the commonwealth, passed March
4
8, 1827, a stone monument, marked with the proper initials, has been erected at every corner.
GEOLOGY.
Two distinct and well characterized strata of rocks traverse this town in a north and south direction. Mica slate extends from Ashfield about two thirds of the distance to Savoy; talcose slate then commences and occupies the remainder of the township. These rocks are beautifully stratified; but the strata, instead of lying in their natural position, are turned up, so that their inclina- tion is perpendicular. Large bloeks of granite, more particularly in the western part of the town, are seen in many places, resting on these strata, often near the summits of the hills. To the geol- ogist these are interesting, as they lead back his mind at once to that mighty rush of waters, probably the general deluge, when they were driven to their present station, and enable him to account for the diluvial scratches observed on the ledges in this and the neighboring towns.
" Talcose slate," says professor Hitchcock in his excellent Re- port on the Geology of Massachusetts, " is, in general, a mere variety of mica slate, talc taking the place of mica, or being super- added to it. Where the talcose slate, however, is most pure, so as in fact to be little else but slaty talc, with more or less quartz, the soil, which its decomposition produces, is decidedly inferior to that resulting from mica slate; and probably this is owing to the large quantity of magnesia, which talc contains.
" Mica slate produces a soil of a medium quality. Some varie- ties of it underlie tracts of superior quality. But the most extensive tract of mica slate in Massachusetts consists of the high and mountainous region west of Connecticut river; so that it is difficult to compare the soil lying over it with that of formations at a lower level. The deep ravines, so common in the mica slate, furnish many fertile, though limited patches of ground; while the mountain sides are very superior for grazing." In the east part of Plainfield, as the same writer elsewhere observes, "the geest is so abundant as to occupy most of the surface, the subjacent rock scarcely appearing."
The principal use of these rocks, besides that of fences, for
5
which they are extensively employed, is for door stones, hearth stones and foundation stones for our buildings. For these purposes they answer well, except that hearth stones commonly crack in the middle, after being exposed to heat. This rock was formerly made into gravestones; but this use of it is now superseded by the intro- duction of the Berkshire marble. With us it has not yet been wrought into whetstones, though the finer varieties answer well for this purpose, and manufactories of the kind have been estab- lished in some of the neighboring towns, particularly Cummington and Norwich. The talcose slate bears the fire much better than mica slate, and is, on this account, sometimes used for jambs.
" In Plainfield and Hawley," says professor Hitchcock, " a variety of talcose slate occurs, in which are disseminated numer- ous crystals of black hornblende. The talc is green, and the quartz white, and the rock admits of a polish. Sometimes the talc almost disappears; and then we have a white base with black crystals imbedded. In short, I feel satisfied that this rock would form a beautiful ornamental stone, if wrought into tables, urns, chimney pieces, and the like. Large blocks of it might be obtained, which would be very firm throughout."
Some varieties of our rocks are remarkably beautiful, and are often noticed by geologists as such. " In truth," says professor Eaton, " there is more beauty in the structure of the rocks of Hawley and Plainfield than of any other place, that I ever visited."
MINERALOGY.
Few towns afford so rich and diversified a mineralogy as this; and it is frequently visited by naturalists from motives of curiosity and science, particularly for the purpose of enriching their cabinets. The following is a list of the principal minerals, so far as they have been hitherto discovered.
Limestone, darkcolored, scintilating and very fetid.
Limpid quartz, sometimes crystalized. Fragments of this variety are frequently picked up in the streets and fields.
Smoky quartz, both crystalized and amorphous. The largest crystal, that has been discovered, is about 3 inches long and 2 broad.
Irised quartz. Its colors, which are generally red, yellow or orange, and very delicate, seem to arise from a thin coat of metallic oxyd on the surface, or in its fissures.
6
Blue quartz, well characterized.
Laminated quartz. It occurs both of the milky and smoky vari- eties.
Kyanite, in small quantities in mica slate. The color is not deep but delicate.
Black tourmaline, common. The crystals are generally small, finely striated, with shining surfaces, and confusedly intermixed. Beautiful specimens of the radiated variety have been found a little east of the meeting house.
Garnets, very abundant in mica slate, also in talcose slate. Several years since, a large mass of limpid quartz was discovered in a wall near the mine of manganese on John Bisbee's land, in which was imbedded a great number of garnets of uncommon beauty, much resembling the precious garnet. Specimens of this singular aggregate were sent to various mineralogists, and it is described by professor Silliman in the fourth volume of the Amer- ican Journal of Science, and by professor Hitchcock in the sixth volume of the same work. The latter describes the garnets as " trapezohedrons, or having at least as many as twenty-four sides ; " and the former says, "They are trapezoidal and rhomboidal ; often translucent and rich in color, and truncated deeply on the solid edges."
Epidote, amorphous and crystalized.
Amianthus, in quartz, found in the pasture of James Loud. Its color is white.
Common hornblende. This occurs well crystalized and com- monly darkcolored.
Fasciculite of Hitchcock. This variety of hornblende is very common here. Its crystals have a very singular and beautiful appearance, resembling bundles of rods tied together near the middle, and thence diverging. An excellent figure of this variety is given by professor Hitchcock in the sixth volume of the Amer- ican Journal of Science.
Common serpentine, in loose masses. This stone, which is of a dark green color and extremely hard, takes a fine polish, and might be manufactured to great advantage into mortars for apothecaries, also into table furniture, such as bowls, plates and the like. For these purposes it would possess unrivalled beauty.
Common chlorite, well characterized.
-
Common clay, from which bricks are manufactured in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants.
Porcelain clay. A quantity, mixed with imperfect crystals of quartz, was thrown up in digging Orrin Tirrill's well.
Sulphur, pulverulent, in the same rock with the cummingtonite.
Sulphuret of iron, very common, particularly in granular quartz, also in serpentine. According to professor Hitchcock, it is found also in limpid quartz.
Magnetic oxyd of iron. Masses have been found near the new leather manufactory, on the west side of the brook, exactly re- sembling the ore from Hawley. It also occurs in well defined octahedral crystals in mica slate and gneiss ; also in small cubic crystals in granular quartz.
Specular oxyd of iron, in small quantities.
Carbonate of iron, beautifully crystalized in rhombs, which are nearly white, have a shining surface, and are frequently curved or undulated.
Black oxyd of manganese. There are two mines of this ore in the south-west part of the town ; one on William Robinson's land, the other on John Bisbee's.
Bisilicate of manganese. This is found at the mine on John Bisbee's land. It is of a light, but very lively rose red color, associated with the gray oxyd; and around both the black oxyd commonly forms an envelope. A specimen of this mineral from Cummington, (where it occurs, perhaps in greater abundance than with us,) was sent by Doctor Torrey of New York to the celebrated chymist, professor Thomson of Glasgow, by whom it was analyzed and described under this name in the third volume of the Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York.
Professor Hitchcock, who visited one of our mines of manganese in 1831, thus describes them in his Report on the Geology of Mas- sachusetts. "Beds of the oxyd of manganese occur in two places in this town,-one a mile west of the center, and the other near the south west corner of the town; and both in talcose slate. Two ores are associated at both these places, the common gray or black oxyd and the silicious oxyd, the gray or black oxyd invest- ing the latter as a black crust, and most probably arising from its decomposition; while the latter, when newly broken, is of a delicate rose red. I suspect the silicious oxyd predominates at
8
these places ; and from these beds probably came, by diluvial action, those numerous rounded masses of silicious oxyd in the vicinity of Cummington meeting house, although a deep valley intervenes, and the distance is three or four miles. An attempt was made, some years ago, to explore one of these beds, under the impression that the ore was iron. But how extensive either of them is, it is difficult to determine, as each seems to consist of a number of small beds,-or rather the ore is interlaminated with the slate. The occurrence of so much silicious oxyd at these locali- ties is very interesting to the mineralogist, because this ore is so rare in Europe."
The same writer observes that " in a metallic state this mineral is of no use; and, indeed, it is reduced to that state with great difficulty. But, in the state of oxyd, it is extensively employed, both to remove color from glass, and to impart colors; also in paint- ing porcelain and glazing pottery, and still more extensively, within a few years, in the manufacture ofthe chloride of lime, now so generally used in bleaching and for disinfection."
Red oxyd of titanium, in small quantities.
Sulphuret of molybdena, in small quantities, in gneiss.
Cummingtonite. Several years since a very curious mineral was discovered at Cummington and at Plainfield, at both which places it occurs in large quantities. Specimens were sent to the most emi- nent mineralogists in the country. After a considerable time had elapsed, it was described by professor Dewey, in the eighth volume of the American Journal of Science, under the name of cumming- tonite, from the place where it was first discovered. " I have given," said he, " this name to a mineral found by Doctor J. Porter in Cummington. It appears to be a variety of epidote. Its color is gray, sometimes with a faint reddish tinge, unless when acted on by the weather, when its color is yellowish. It is in indistinct prisms with oblique seams like zoisite, and in radiated or fascicled masses, which are composed of slender prisms. Luster somewhat shining or pearly. It is nearly as hard as quartz, and sometimes makes a slight impression upon rock crystal. Before the blowpipe it blackens, and a small portion melts, when the heat is very great, into a black slag, which is attracted by the magnet. Its point of fusion seems to be about the same as that of zoisite. After allow- ing for some absorption, the specific gravity may be taken at
9
about 3. 42. It is so peculiar a mineral, that it deserves, even as a variety, a distinct name.
"With quartz and garnets it forms a large mass in Cummington. The cavities in the rock contain pulverulent sulphur of a dirty greenish color, and minute crystals of magnetic oxyd of iron are also found in it."
A delicate variety has since been discovered, in which the crys- tals are much smaller, and the garnets minute, and of a light reddish color. Specimens of this mineral were likewise sent to Doctor Thomson of Glasgow, by whom it was analyzed, and, in Septem- ber, 1828, a communication from him was read before the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, in which it is stated that " cum- mingtonite is undoubtedly a new mineral species, allied to karpho- lite."
In this connection I may observe that a deposit of gold has been discovered at Somerset, Vermont, in the range of talcose slate, that passes through this town; and it may be well for us to search for it here. Professor Hitchcock says expressly, " I know of no place where the formation is so perfectly developed in its character as in Hawley and Plainfield. There is then, surely, as much ground for presuming that gold will be found in Massachu- setts, as there was for predicting its discovery in Vermont." And he mentions the vicinity of the Plainfield beds of manganese as one of the localities where it might be looked for with great probability of success. To those disposed to search for this precious metal I would observe that they will be most likely to find it by looking a little to the south or south-east of the range of talcose slate, as the rush of waters, that tore up our strata, was evidently from the north, or rather the north-west, and of course drove the rocks and earth in an opposite direction.
SURFACE.
This township lies on the eastern side of the Green Mountains. As might be expected, the surface is undulating and, in many parts, rough and broken; less so, however, than that of the adjoin- ing towns. Indeed, the summit of East Hill, on which is the prin- cipal village, may be considered as level through nearly the whole breadth of the town.
2
10
The lover of natural scenery is often gratified with fine views; indeed, from many eminences the pastures and fields may be viewed as a map. Walking in the woods is also extremely delight- ful, especially in the spring; and the writer has enjoyed many a ramble through the grove and over
" The craggy hill, where rocks with wild flowers crowned,
Burst from the shady copse and verdant ground ;
Where sportive nature every form assumes,
And sweetly lavish spreads a thousand blooms."
PONDS AND STREAMS.
There are two ponds, both in the north-west part of the town; the North Pond, which is about a mile long, and about half a mile wide, and the Crooked Pond, so called from its figure. The sce- nery around these ponds is wild, and may, perhaps, be said to partake of the gloomy, for here, for the most part, the forests have never been touched, and nature, in all her wildness,
" Still on her bosom wears the enameled vest,
That bloomed and budded on her infant breast."-PIERPONT. The waters of the North Pond empty into Deerfield river at Charlemont, and thence into the Connecticut at Deerfield, while those of the Crooked Pond empty into the South Pond in Wind- sor, which is the head of one of the branches of Westfield river, and fall into the Connecticut at West Springfield. The North Pond is dotted with islands, and is a favorite place of resort for anglers and parties of pleasure; and both have peculiar attractions to the botanist, as some very rare and interesting aquatic plants are found on the shores, and in the water.
As these ponds are but scantily supplied with fish, I would respectfully suggest to our enterprising young men, particularly such as are fond of angling, the expediency and importance of introducing into them not only the best kinds of fish found elsewhere in our waters, but those, which are generally considered as belong- ing to the sea, such as the herring, salmon, mackerel, cod, haddock and others. That the experiment would not succeed we have no sufficient reason for saying; indeed, it is said that it has succeeded in England and, so far as experiments have been tried, in this country. Whoever should accomplish so benevolent an undertaking,
11
would be considered a public benefactor, and might probably live to see every one's mouth full of the consequences.
There are no large streams in this town. Mill Brook, running from north-west to south-east through the center of the town, is the largest. On this stream there are three sawmills, a corn mill, two cloth manufactories and a tannery. In one of the sawmills there is an apparatus for turning broom handles, and in the corn mill one for turning shoe lasts. An improved machine for turning broom handles, for which a patent is obtained, has been invented by John Bisbee of this place.
There is a smaller stream in the west part of the town, on which is a sawmill; and another in the east, on which is a sawmill and a cloth manufactory. There is another sawmill on a small stream in the north-east corner of the town.
The township is exceedingly well supplied with springs of excel- lent water. To many of the houses it is brought in pipes at a trifling expense. The village a little east of the meeting house is supplied from a spring more than half a mile distant, at an expense of 22 dollars a year. Wooden pipes are the only ones hitherto used.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
The native timber of our forests consists principally of maple, (of which we have four species,) beech, birch, hemloc, spruce, fir and cherry. From the sugar maple large quantities of sugar are manufactured. A variety, called the bird's eye maple, is highly esteemed for cabinet work. Cherry is also much used for the same purpose. Our boards and shingles are generally made of hemloc and spruce. Large quantities of hemloc bark are used for tanning leather. It sells at about 2 dollars, 50 cents a cord.
The price of wood for fuel, standing, is about 20 cents a cord; delivered at one's door, from one dollar to one dollar, 25 cents.
As there is very little underbrush in our woods, our farmers are not troubled with bushes. Fields once cleared remain free from these intruders, so troublesome in the eastern part of the state.
For a list of our native plants the botanist is referred to profes- sor Hitchcock's Catalogue of Plants growing in the Vicinity of Amherst College. A more full and complete account is given by
12
the same gentleman in his Report on the Geology, Mineralogy, Botany and Zoology of Massachusetts.
A collection of the plants, as well as of the minerals found here and in the vicinity, has been made by the writer.
Several years since the practice of setting out that very beau- tiful and useful tree, the sugar maple, by our road sides, was introduced by the writer of this article. Several of our streets are now ornamented in this way; and it is highly desirable that the practice should become general. The mountain ash and locust have also, of late, been transplanted into our dooryards. .
To those desirous of enriching their inclosures with ornamental shrubbery, I would observe that plants might be selected from our woods and swamps, such, for instance, as the different species of kalmia, the common prinos or winter berry, the downyleaved spirea or hardhack, the rosemaryleaved andromeda and the sweet briar or eglantine, which would rival the finest productions of our botanic gardens. To these might be added some of our finest herbaceous plants, such as the swamp lily, the climbing corydalis, the ladies' slipper, the purple sarracenia or forefathers' pitcher and the like. Were such plants as these tastefully arranged and carefully cultivated among us, they would diffuse a charm around our dwellings, and be a source of the purest pleasure.
This township has a good, strong soil, very well adapted for grass. Indian corn, wheat and rye are raised without difficulty, but not in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants. Potatoes and oats of excellent quality are very easily raised. Might not molasses be profitably manufactured here from potatoes?
The apple thrives well; and it is believed that the peach, plum, cherry and grape might be cultivated with proper care. Our wild fruits, such as the strawberry and thimbleberry, might, doubtless, be greatly improved by transplanting them into our gardens. Hor- ticulture, however, has not hitherto received that attention among us, which it so justly merits.
Labor is from 50 cents to a dollar a day.
ROADS.
A county road leading from Ashfield to Savoy passes through the center of the town; and two other county roads pass through
13
parts of the town. Almost the whole town is intersected by roads, as the convenience of the inhabitants requires. These are kept in good repair by an annual tax of about 700 dollars, paid in labor at one dollar a day.
BURIAL GROUNDS.
Several burial grounds have been successively opened in this place. These, it must be confessed, have been too much neglected, and are now in a state, that indicates but little respect to the memory of the dead. In 1808 a new burying ground was opened a little north of the meeting house. This has since been inclosed with a stone fence, and has the appearance of neatness and order. The first person buried here was lieutenant Solomon Shaw, though two of his grandchildren were afterwards taken up and laid by his side. White marble from Lanesborough is generally used for gravestones.
SCHOOLS.
The town is divided into seven school districts. One of them, however, containing but a few scholars, is considered as a half district, and draws its money accordingly. In each of the districts there is a convenient house for the use of the school, that in the east district being of brick, the others of wood.
The length of time, that the schools are taught, varies. As a general estimate, it may be said that each school is taught in the winter about three months by a male instructor, and about as long in the summer by a female. The whole number of scholars, on an average, may be estimated at 350. According to the return of the school committee for 1832, the aggregate time of keeping schools was 18 months by male, and 24 by female teachers; and the whole number of pupils, 360.
These schools are supported by an annual tax of about 350 dollars. This sum, by a vote passed March 12, 1827, is distributed to the different districts in the following proportions; to the center district, 16 dollars; to the others, 10 dollars each, except the west or half district, which has 5 dollars. A select school is frequently taught, generally consisting of both sexes, sometimes of females only.
14
A school for instruction in sacred music is also occasionally taught here at the expense of the town.
The most important school, however, that has ever been taught in this place, was that kept by the first clergyman of the parish. This school was commenced early in the year 1793, and continued without interruption till September, 1824. More than 300 scholars have attended it. Among those, who here received the early part of their education, and have since risen to distinction, are William Cullen Bryant, the poet; James Richards, Jonas King, Pliny Fisk, Levi Parsons and William Richards, foreign missionaries; William Hale Maynard, Jeremiah Humphrey Hallock; James Hayward, late professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard University, and Sylvester Hovey, late professor of the same branches in Amherst College.
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.