USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Blandford > Address delivered before the Literary Association, Blandford, Mass., Sept. 21, 1850, upon the history of that town > Part 2
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and arrangement which is not to be found in any other town in the county-if in the State. It was a method
and clear of and from any lawful Claims, Demands, and Incum- brances, whatsoever. And Lastly the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells, have Remised, Released and Quit-claimed, and each of them by these presents, Doth Remise, Release and forever quit-claim unto the said John Faye, his heirs and assigns, all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Property, Portion, Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Brinley, and Francis Wells and every of them of in and to the aforesaid THIRTEEN * Lotts and Every part thereof herein before mentioned to be allotted, assigned and appointed by these presents to him the said John Faye, his heirs and assigns in severalty for his before mentioned Part or share of the aforesaid Tract of Land and Premises.
En auftness whereof, the above named Parties to these presents have hereunto Interchangeably set their hands and Seals the day and year first above written.
CHRISTOPHER JACOB LAWTON, [Seal.] FRANCIS BRINLEY, [ Seal.] FRANCIS WELLS, [Seal.] JOHN FAYE, [ Seal.]
Upon the back of the Parchment we find the following :
WORCESTER, SS. Leicester, March 30, 1737.
The within named Christopher Jacob Lawton, Francis Brinley, Francis Wells, Esqrs. and Mr. John Faye, personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county aforesaid, and severally acknowledged the within written instrument by them executed to be their free act and Deed.
JOHN CHANDLER, JUNR.
Signed, Sealed and delivered In presence of us, JOSEPH HEATH, JOHN HUSTON, JOHN CHANDLER, JunT.
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well adapted to make certain the limits, preserve the boundaries, and secure the property of land-holders and purchasers. To this cause more than any other may be attributed that harmony which has so generally pre- vailed among the owners of land in this town. Few questions of disputed title have arisen to create disturb- ance and jealousy in the minds of the inhabitants ; questions which have been the source of so much bitter controversy and expensive litigation in many other places.
In 1741 the town was incorporated by the name of Blandford ; previous to that period it had borne the name of Glasgow.
The inhabitants of the city of Glasgow promised the citizens of this town, that if they would continue its former name they would present a church-bell to them. It was the design of the people that it should bear the name of Glasgow. Therefore they petitioned the General Court for that name. But William Shirley, who had been appointed Governor of the province of Mas- sachusetts Bay under the Crown of Great Britain, had just arrived from England in a ship bearing the name of Blandford. In honor of said ship, he chose to have the new town which applied for an act of incorporation called by its name. Hence the name of Blandford instead of Glasgow was given to this town This alteration would not have been made, it is supposed, had not the survey of Gen. Newbury embraced more territory than was originally intended. Hence by the gain of the proprietors the people lost the promised bell.
These early inhabitants were so poor that they were compelled to solicit many favors from the proprietors
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of the town. They frequently petitioned the Colonial Legislature for grants of money and remission of taxes. This being a frontier settlement the court patiently listened to their prayers, and cheerfully imparted the solicited boon. At one time forty bushels of salt were given to the town to be distributed among the inhabit- ants.
In 1755 a special favor granted by the Court is noticed upon their records, and acknowledged in the following terms :
"By virtue of a petition put into the Great and General Court of Boston by the Rev. Mr. Morton in behalf of this town, the Honorable Court was pleased to grant us one swivel gun as an alarm gun, with one quarter barrel of powder and one bag of bullets for the same, and also one hundred flints for the use of the town, which we have received and paid charges on the same, from Boston to this town, which is two pounds and sixteen shillings old tenor, to Captain Houston."
In 1758, owing to the embarrassing circumstances of the first settlers, the General Court discharged them from the obligation of furnishing their quota of men for the public service. In the spring of 1749, the Indians began to make encroachments upon the white settlers of the town, and all the families but four fled to the neigh- boring towns ; some to Westfield, others to Windsor, Suffield, Simsbury, and Wethersfield, Conn. A portion of them returned the following autumn, the remainder the next spring. At an early period three forts were erected ; the first upon a lot now owned by Elijah Knox, another upon a lot now owned by Col. Justin Wilson, and the third upon the farm now owned by John Gibbs.
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At night all the families were collected into these forts. This state of things continued for the space of a year ; and even long after that, on the least alarm, the inhab- itants fled at dead of night from their own dwellings to seek refuge in these fortifications. How imminent and trying their situation ! They seldom repaired to the field to their daily toil without taking fire-arms and plac- ing a sentinel to keep guard while the others labored. Nor did they deem it safe to meet on the Sabbath for religious worship unarmed. These fears and dangers were incident to all the American settlements. The Indians, being the original and rightful occupants of the soil, were unwilling to relinquish their titles and the graves of their ancestors. Hence the frequent Indian wars which proved such a scourge to the colonies. However, the inhabitants of the mountains were less exposed to their depredations than those of the valley.
The banks of the great rivers were the common resort of the savages, while the mountains, abounding in deer and wild turkeys, served as an occasional hunting- ground.
The first person buried here was laid near the center School house, beneath a large chestnut tree ; and if we are correctly informed, he bore the name of Gibbs. In 1742 a regular burial ground was laid out, in the south part of the ten-acre lot granted them by the proprietors.
Previous to clearing the ground, the inhabitants held a town-meeting, and voted the day and the precise hour of the day for the commencement of the work. Every male inhabitant who refused to appear and engage in the work at that time was to pay a penalty of six
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shillings. The lot then selected now constitutes the burial ground.
For many years after the settlement of the town, our most wealthy farmers cut only sufficient hay to winter a cow and a few sheep. Those who kept horses were obliged to have them wintered in Westfield. Such persons, when they wished to obtain grinding, were first compelled to go to Westfield for the horse then back home to obtain the grain, and then return to the mill at Westfield, and again home and then back with the horse; making on the return a distance of sixty miles for one grist of meal. Many are the instances when they carried their grain and returned with their meal on foot, thus performing a journey with a load upon their back of more than twenty miles. Some families, con- sidering the distance, fatigue, and time it required in going to and from mill, used to pound the corn in mortars.
The inhabitants who first settled at the center of the town obtained most of their hay for many years from North Blandford, where we are informed were two beaver dams ; one stood where the factory dam now stands, and the other near the sawmill of Mr. Orrin Sennet. These were demolished, and the grass sprang up and grew luxuriantly.
The method of harvesting this hay was curious. Tradition sinforms us that the laborers - especially Israel Gibbs - used a straight stick, which answered a three-fold purpose, viz : as snath, rake, and fork ; and it was so bungling that it was then, and even now anything that is coarse, is called "Gibbsey." A cow was taken to the meadow, fastened to a tree, and fed with the hay
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while they labored there. The milk afforded them a healthful and nutritious beverage. From the circum- stance of their harvesting hay at this place, they gave it the name of " North Meadow ;" a name it has borne ever since.
In surveying the town into five hundred acre lots, a triangular strip was left, which was thence called by the name of the "Gore."
Some twenty years after the settlement of the town, a grist mill was erected upon the stream and farm now owned by Levi Sizer, known as " Bunnell's Mills." This was a convenience and gratification to the inhabi- tants. The next year after the construction of the grist mill dam, u salmon weighing thirteen pounds was taken in the pond. He must have ascended the stream, and in en- tering the pond must have scaled the dam in a sheet of water, which descended nearly ten feet perpendicularly.
'The civil affairs of the town advanced as fast as could be expected in a situation so secluded, and where the inhabitants were devoted to agricultural pursuits. It appears from the records that our ancestors were deep- ly interested in the political questions that agitated the country at that early date.
The taxes, arbitrarily imposed upon the colonies by the Crown of England, constituted the principal grievance, and were regarded by the people of this town, in com- mon with the entire country, as unjust and cruel ; and they were prompt in selecting delegates in 1775, to at- tend conventions at Concord, Watertown, and Boston, hoping to obtain a redress of these grievances. The persons chosen to meet those particular assemblies were William Boies, William Carnahan, and William Knox.
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When our national independence was declared, and the people rushed to arms against the mother country, some of our ancestors demurred and boldly avowed their loyalty to the King. Hence committees of safety were appointed, and several persons were forbidden to pass beyond the boundaries of their own farms. But it appears that these men occasioned the town but little trouble. The town defrayed its proportion of the expense incurred in the war, and furnished its quo- ta of soldiers. In the memorable "76," though poor in purse, and at the same time taxed to the utmost of its ability to sustain the war, this town vol- untarily selected a committee of enterprising men to collect money for those who would enlist as soldiers for the northern companies. In 1778 the town raised £106, and placed it in the hands of the selectmen, to furnish clothing for the soldiers. Also committees of safety, inspection, and correspondence were chosen, who were vigilant in watching the movements of the enemy, hoping to be ready for any emergency. In 1779 new troubles and difficulties arose among our first settlers. The money used for a circulating medium lost its value, and ceased to be the true representative of property. Indeed, there was no confidence in the paper money then issued by the Continental Congress. It was diffi- cult to obtain credit, and certainly dangerous to give it. These embarrassing circumstances only stimulated them to value liberty the more.
About this time Justus Ashmun was chosen dele- gate to attend a convention at Concord, to deliberate upon this subject, and to prevent, if possible, the further depreciation of the currency. The town raised and
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assessed six hundred and eighty-two pounds of the ex- isting currency for military bounty, also to meet a de- mand brought against the town for blankets which were provided for those soldiers who were employed in the service upon the Hudson river. Most of the military stores used in the West during the Revolution were transported from Boston through this town. The roads were then so bad that twenty yoke of oxen and eighty men were required to convey a mortar over our hills on its way to West Point.
When the news reached this town that Burgoyne was marching from Canada down the Hudson, many of our fathers shouldered their muskets and proceeded to meet him. Isaac Gibbs received the intelligence at sunset, and during the evening moulded three or four hundred bullets, and was ready in the morning to mount his horse and repair to the scene of action.
He, together with others, arrived at Bennington just after the victory in that celebrated battle had turned in our favor. The fresh troops that had collect- ed from the surrounding country were stationed as guards of the provisions that had been captured, while the regular soldiers, weary from hard fighting, enjoyed a season of repose. The prisoners taken at this battle were marched on their way to Boston through this town.
While here a severe snow storm occurred, which ne- cesstated them to go into quarters, and occasioned them much suffering. They were quartered upon the town street, in houses, barns, and whatsoever could shield them from the severity of the weather.
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The snow however soon dissolved, and gave them the opportunity to resume their march .*
"It was amidst the scene of the revolution, in 1779 and 'S0, that the constitution of Massachusetts was formed by a convention summoned for that purpose." Wm. Boies was chosen delegate to that convention. When the constitution had been prepared and was pre- sented to the town for their acceptance, the inhabitants seemed to have mistaken their duty as well as their power. Instead of accepting or rejecting it, or parti- cular parts of it, they chose a committee of eleven persons to revise and acquaint themselves with the new constitution, and report their opinion at a future meet- ing. The committee made their report with sundry amendments of their own, and the inhabitants voted to accept of the new constitution on condition that those amendments should be adopted. The vote stands thus : Yeas, 28; Nays, 1 ; Neutral, 13.
The constitution received the approval of a majority
* An incident occurred at the battle of Bennington, as I am in- formed by Mr. John Collester, an esteemed citizen and pensioner of the U. S., which, though unnoticed by any history of the revolution I have read, seems worthy of note. The prisoners were quartered in a church for the night, and placed under the care of seven ser- geants, upon whom Mr. Collester was requested to keep a vigilant eye. About the middle of the night a crash was heard, and the soldiers rushed to the windows, when the guards were commanded to fire upon them. Seven were killed and restored. But morning opened a new revelation. The galleries of the church being weak- ened by the multitude of their occupants, had fallen, and crushed some and frightened others. Our aged and venerable townsman, on learning this fact, regretted the part he had acted, although in the discharge of his duty.
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of the citizens of the commonwealth, and the inhabit- ants of the town acquiesced in its adoption, though it went into operation without the addition of their amendments. The story is briefly told, and yet it speaks volumes of praise for the memory of those whose names we bear, who sacrificed, and suffered, and bled for the freedom of their country and the altars of their God. Simple in their manners, unostentatious in their lives, they did not hesitate when the public duty called them to action, but met the crisis like resolute and decided men, and proved themselves the unwaver- ing friends of their country, and the ever wakeful guar- dians of her freedom. With them, liberty was not what it too often now is - a watchword to rally a party. It was in them a sober, constant principle, engaging the heart, binding the conscience, and influencing the life.
About 1791 Mr. Gibbs, father of Martin and Linus Gibbs, purchased and brought into town the first single wagon used here. The neighbors regarded it as a curiosity, and their horses as he drove to church the first Sabbath, being affrighted, fled with as much pre- cipitation as they doan our own day at the sight of the steam engine. It was a matter so strange to the peo- ple, that they actually proposed to call a town meeting to prohibit the use of wagons.
Previous to this time, heavy burdens were transported upon the backs of horses. A man, his wife, and two or three children would mount a single horse to attend church or to make a visit. The ladies of those days were great equestrians. It was a common occurrence for them to ride on horseback from Blandford to Wes- tern (now Warren), a distance of forty miles, in a day.
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When a number of young ladies rode in company, they enjoyed much pleasure in trying the swiftness of their steeds.
The expenses of the revolutionary war, and the de- preciation of the general currency, reduced almost to pennry many of the inhabitants ; and during a long period after the war, our agriculturists obtained but little cash for their produce. They cleared their lands and prepared the way for the future prosperity of the town. Peas, beans, flax and flax seed, were the princi- pal articles of product. These articles were ordinarily transported to Hartford and exchanged for salt, various groceries, and such other goods as they needed.
'The clothes worn in those times were principally of home manufacture. Not more than sixty years since, one of our first settlers was married in a white linen dress of her own manufacture.
About the year 1807, Amos M. Collins took up his residence in this town. He was a merchant of consid- erable wealth from Connecticut. His removal to this place makes an era in the history of the town. Pre- vious to his arrival, the farmers had been devoted to the cultivation of grain and wool. The soil and local- ity seemed very unpropitious for this purpose, and Mr. Collins induced many of them to cease the cultivation of these articles and devote their lands to the produc- tion of butter and cheese. He asserted this to be a plan that would make them rich - proposed to purchase the cows and sell them to the farmers, and receive his pay in cheese. This proposal was accepted by many, and he proceeded to New York and purchased a large drove, which was distributed among the inhabitants.
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But they were ignorant of the noble art of making good cheese. What could be done ? Why, this town re- former passes from house to house on each succeeding morning and imparts to the good house wives all the needful instructions on this point. They soon caught the idea and produced cheese that would have dis- graced no market. This change of occupation pro- duced a mighty influence upon the wealth of the town. Previously, as we have stated, the people were poor- had little to take to market that demanded cash. Now the tables were turned ; from being a town depressed by penury it hasbecome the richest upon the mountains.
During the nine years that Mr. Collins resided among us, he amassed wealth, * and it is supposed he enriched the town, at the least calculation, one hundred thousand dollars. He has since become a citizen, and a few years ago the Mayor, of the city of Hartford. Shrewd- ness and benevolence were prominent traits of that gentleman's character.
The facts we have just narrated furnish abundant evidence of the existence of the formerquality. The latter may be attested by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance ; an interesting evidence of it is also exhibited in the fact, that, subsequent to his leaving town he subscribed one hundred dollars to erect a new church. Nor ought we to omit to notice a frequent although homely saying among the farmers, viz : that " Mr. Collins was the making of this town." No higher eulogy than this need be coveted.
The name of Orrin Sage ought to find a prominent
* $25,000 as we are informed by his book keeper.
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place in this connection. He was the successor of Mr. Collins, and well supplied his place as one of the most successful merchants in Blandford. For more than thirty years he was extensively engaged in buying cheese. In this business he gave general satisfaction ; " the pay was sure." He always paid the market price for that article of merchandise. Individuals from time to time desiring to obtain a large price, transported their cheese to the neighboring towns and disposed of it, but with frequent, and at times extensive losses. Mr. Sage was withal a benevolent man. Ile cherished a sincere desire for the general prosperity of the people. By his enterprise and economy he amassed a large property, and in time of distress the inhabitants found in him a true friend and benefactor ; and we might well affirm, for many years he was " the Bank" of Blandford. The high standing he took in the moral enterprises of the day has obtained for him many warm and lasting friends. About two years since Mr. Sage removed to Ware, and is now President of the Hampshire Manu- facturers' Bank. We are informed that he has lately made a donation of one thousand dollars to the Con- gregational Society of our town.
EDUCATION.
As may be supposed, the town was not favored with many educational privileges during the early part of its history. The habits of the people, too, were inimical to education. Only a few possessed an interest in the sub- ject ; but these few accomplished what they could. Those parents who were interested in education, for many
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years taught their own children. The first action of the town upon the subject of schools, as appears by the records, was in September, 1756 :
" Voted, To grant three pounds to Be Layed out to Hyre a school-master. Said school to Begin the 17th of Feb'y at such places as the committee may direct."
The first regular school in the town was taught by James Carter, a sea-captain, in the house of Robert Black. Mr. Black's house was preferred to any other because it had two rooms in it. For several years after, the schools were kept in dwelling-houses, and continued only two months in the year.
In 1758, " Voted, That the five pounds Given to us By the Honorable Corte and two pound more to Be applied for the use of schooling."
1759 was the first year a school was taught by a female, as appears by the records. "Granted six pound for schooling this year. Voted, Chosen Israel Gibbs, James Mountgomery, William Michel to Be committee to Iliar a School Deame, and to Dispurs the money Granted by the town to Defra the charges of the schooling, and to employ a school master when they think it will be Best for the town for this year."
In 1760 £10. were appropriated for schooling. In 1762 the town was divided into three school districts, and a vote passed at town meeting to build three school houses. One of these was erected in the pine grove near the house of George Cline, the second one near the residence of Henry Wilson, and the third near the place where Mr. Stanton Clark now lives. After the erection of these houses the people made rapid progress in education. A teacher was now employed
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for three months in a year ; one month for each district. This was only eighty-eight years ago. How great the change since ! We pass from these times to a later period. In 1802 the town was divided into thirteen school districts. The same number now existing.
During the year 1805 Widow Jane Taggart be- queathed to school district number three twelve hun- dred dollars, to be expended for purposes of education within that district.
In 1808 the inhabitants obtained from the Legisla- ture an act of incorporation and more ample power, by which they were enabled to manage the fund.
In March 1833 an additional act passed the Legisla- ture, constituting the freeholders of the district the trustees of the fund. This fund was put at interest, and the amount is now twenty-five hundred dollars ; a fine sum to enable the district to prosecute its educa- tional projects. With these moneys it surpasses any district in town in the facilities for a good education. We regret to be compelled to state here that a pro- longed and expensive litigation has grown out of this noble bequest. What might else have proved a refresh- ing remembrance has become a subject of fiery discord. By the aid of this fund, the inhabitants of the district have been able to maintain a select school for twenty years, from three to six months eachyear. This school is at present under the instruction of Mr. Henry B. Lewis, a skillful and experienced teacher. A select school has also been sustained at the center of the town a portion of the time for several years.
The following is a list of the students we have furnished for the colleges :
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Eli Boise, son of Deacon Samuel Boise, entered Yale College in 1783, and died before he finished his educa- tion. He was the first young man who went to college from this town.
William Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., graduated at Williams College in 1801. He studied divinity with Rev. Doctor Bacchus, of Somers, Connecticut, settled in Tinmouth, Vermont, afterwards removed to Water- town, Ohio, and died in 1823.
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