USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Blandford > Address delivered before the Literary Association, Blandford, Mass., Sept. 21, 1850, upon the history of that town > Part 3
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Joseph Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., graduated at Williams College in 1807. Studied law and located in Greenwich, New York ..
Patrick Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Sen., graduated at Williams College in 1808. He is now a lawyer in Westfield. Granville' claims him " by adoption," we claim him by birth and early education.
Artemas Boies, son of David Boies, Esq., gradu- ated at Williams College in 1816. He was pastor of a church in Charleston, South Carolina, for a few years, afterwards at South Hadley, Boston, and New London, Connecticut. He died at the latter place in 1844.
Gardner Hayden, son of Joel Hayden, graduated at Williams College in 1816. He is now a settled minister in Brunswick, New York.
J. Hooker Ashmun, son of Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., graduated at Williams College in 1813. Read law in Northampton, afterwards became professor in the law school at Harvard University, and died in 1833.
Hon. George Ashmun, son of Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., was a native of this town, removed to Northamp- ton when four years of age, graduated at Yale College in 1823. Is now a lawyer of the firm of
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Chapman, Ashmun, and Norton, in Springfield, and Representative to Congress from the sixth district.
Lester Lloyd, son of John Lloyd, graduated at Williams College in 1814. He studied law in this town, and is now practicing in Ohio.
Lucius Smith, son of Asa Smith, graduated at Wil- liams College in 1817. Ile read law in this town - practiced for several years in his profession in Ohio, and died in 1840.
Horace Smith, son of Asa Smith, graduated at Wil- liams College in 1819. He read law in Worthington, and soon after died in that town.
Asa Blair, son of Captain Asa Blair, graduated at Yale College in 1810. Ile was settled a few years in the ministry at Kent, Conn , afterwards removed to Georgetown, S. C., and died some twenty years since.
Harper Boies, son of William Boies, graduated at Williams College in 1825. Studied divinity and settled in Harpersfield, New York.
John P. Boies, son of William Boies, graduated at Union College, Schenectady, read law in this town for several years - practiced in the lower Courts in Illinois, and is now Judge of a Circuit Court.
Augustus Collins, son of David Collins, graduated at Williams College in 1825. Ile went South, engaged in teaching, and died about 1830.
Aratus Knox, son of Eli Knox, entered Washington College, Ilartford, Connecticut, in 1825 ; died a short time previous to completing the course.
Russell A. Wilson, son of Andrew Wilson, graduated at Union College in 1823, at twenty years of age. He commenced the study of law with L. Ogden,
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Esq., in Catskill, New York, and finished with H. Jones, Esq., of Stockbridge - located in this town, and died in 1838.
Eli W. Lloyd, son of James Lloyd, 2d, was a member of the senior class in Union College, and died in Ohio in 1834, aged 22.
Samuel Knox, son of General Alanson Knox, grad- uated at Williams College in 1833; read law with his father in this town, is now a lawyer in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Custing Eels, son of Joseph Eels, graduated at Williams College in 1830, studied divinity with Rev. Doctor Cooley, of Granville, and is now a missionary among the Indians in Oregon.
Simeon Shurtleff, son of Amasa Shurtleff, graduated at Amherst College in 1834. He is now a successful physician in Westfield.
Chauncey Hall, son of Dr. Eli Hall, graduated at Amherst College, in 1835, is now practicing medicine in Northampton.
Edwin Hall, son of Doctor Eli Hall, graduated at Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1837, and is now a settled minister in Guilford, Connecticut.
Tyrrill Blair, son of Doctor N. Blair, graduated at Williams College, and is now a settled minister in Durham, New York.
D. P. Robinson, son of Zelotes Robinson, graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, in 1841. He is now engaged in the mercantile business in this town.
James R. Boise, son of Enos Boise, Esq., gradu- ated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island,
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in 1844. He is now a Professor of "the Greek Language and Literature," in that University.
Franklin O. Blair, son of Linus Blair, graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, in 1848. He is now principal of the Springfield Wes- leyan Seminary, at Springfield, Vermont.
James C. Hinsdale, son of Rev. Charles J. IIinsdale, graduated at Yale College in 1848. He is now read- ing law in Springfield.
Patrick R. Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Esq., graduated at Williamstown in 1843. Ile is now a successful lawyer in Chicopee.
Fisher A. Boies, son of Reuben Boies, Esq., graduated at Williams College in 1849. Ile is now reading law.
Daniel Butler, son of Captain Henry Butler, received a liberal education, and is now a Congregational min- ister in Connecticut.
Henry Smith Atwater, son of Russell Atwater, received a liberal education, and is now an Episcopal minister in Otis.
We should not overlook the few female students which our town has produced, viz :
Catharine Wright, daughter of Doctor S. P. Wright, graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1842.
Celia Wright, daughter of Doctor S. P. Wright, graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1846. She married the Rev. Mr. Strong, and went as a missionary to the Choctaw Indians in December 1846, and died in 1850. Her remains were brought to this town by her bereaved husband, and interred in the family ground.
Sarah Hinsdale, daughter of Rev. Charles J. Hins-
1786188
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dale, graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1846.
Mary Pease, daughter of Deacon Eli Pease, gradu- ated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1846.
Mary P. Boies, daughter of Reuben Boies, Esq., graduated at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1850.
Our town has not been deficient in talent. Some superior men have issued from her bosom, who had not the advantages of a collegiate education. Eli P. Aslı- mun was the first lawyer who took up his residence in the town. As an advocate he was uot inferior to any in the counties of Hampden and Hampshire. Mr. Aslımun subsequently represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate. George Ashmun, our present representative in Congress, a man of decided wit and practical talent, was born among us.
General Alanson Knox, son of Elijah Knox, read law with Eli P. Ashmun, Esq., and was his successor in the practice of law in this town. He now resides in Ohio.
Reuben Knox, son of Elijah Knox - a skillful phy- sician, practiced for several years in North Carolina, and is now engaged in his profession in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Joseph Knox, son of Elijah Knox, read law with General Alanson Knox, and is now counselor-at-law in Rock Island, Illinois.
William Blair, son of Asa Blair, is now a lawyer in Westfield.
Phineas Blair, son of Rufus Blair, read law, located in Boston, and died in 1848.
David Scott, son of John Scott, read law in this
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town, located in Pennsylvania, and some ten years since was appointed Judge of a Circuit Court.
George Scott, son of John Scott, is a lawyer, who lias held stations of trust in Towanda, Pennsylvania.
David Scott, son of Benjamin Scott, is a physician now practicing in Pennsylvania.
Anson Boies, son of Samuel Boies, was a physician located in Chester. Now dead.
Eli and Levi, sons of Samuel Boies, are physicians ; one of them settled in Homer, the other in Brookfield, New York.
Thomas Baird, son of Aaron Baird, read law in this town, and settled in Ohio.
Eli and Otis, sons of David Boies, are physicians ; the former is now practicing in Huntington, the latter in Lime, Ohio.
Albert Boies, son of David Boies, for several years practiced law in Whitehall, New York, and died in 1840.
William Baird, son of Aaron Baird, studied medicine with Doctor S. P. Wright, located in Deerfield, and died in 1838.
Chester W. Freeland, son of James Freeland, is a physician, and is located in Becket.
Edward Hatch, son of Linus Hatch, completed the study of medicine with Doctor Bryant in 1846. He is now a physician in Meriden, Connecticut.
Lewis J. Blair, son of Charles Blair, qualified him- self for the practice of medicine -located in Spring- field, Ohio, and died in September, 1849.
Lester, son of George Noble, studied Dentistry with Doctor Keep of Boston, and made the notable set of teeth by which the body of the late Doctor Parkman
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was identified. He was a prominent witness in the case, Commonwealth vs. Professor John W. Webster, and is a superior Dentist.
Samuel S. Rogers, son of Joseph Rogers, is a physi- cian, now in California.
Noah S. Bartlett, son of Delano Bartlett, is a Dentist and Physician, and is now practicing in Chester Village.
Stanley Lucas, son of -- Lueas, is a dentist and physician, now engaged in the practice of the same at Chester Factories.
Roswell, son of Giles Tracy, a young man of the first order of talents, studied Medicine in Northampton, and while there, assisted in dissecting the bodies of Daily and Halligan. He went South and died soon after he commenced practice.
Some years since, the Rev. Doetor Cooley, of Granville, remarked to E. Boies, Esq., that he did not know of any town on these mountains, which had raised up and educated so many great and good men as Blandford. We desire no higher eulogy.
Since the year eighteen hundred the town has appro- priated twenty seven thousand dollars for educational purposes ; an average of five hundred and fifty dollars per year. Seven hundred dollars has been appropriated the present year, and we hope the time will soon come when the town will appropriate, at least, two-thirds as much as the inhabitants now pay out for the noxious weed tobacco ; * which is, as nearly as we can ascer- tain, about fifteen hundred dollars per year.
* Probably there is more money paid out for this article than is raised for the support of the Gospel.
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The cultivation of the intellect and moral sentiments of the youth is of vast importance. Parents cannot possibly bequeath a more valuable legacy to their children .. Certain it is, this century will stamp upon the next its character. Every generation forms the reputation of the succeeding one.
It is true our town has done much, perhaps more than any town on these " Heaven Kissing Hills," for the rising generation. But she is abundantly able to do more; and when the question shall again come up in our town meetings to raise one thousand dollars for the support of the schools, we hope some of our wealthy farmers, who have their thousands at interest, will not hang back, while others are struggling to assist the youth in ascending the hill of science. We should remember that we are transacting business for another generation, which is soon to take our places in society. A greater good cannot be conferred upon those who are to succeed us, than that they be thoroughly fitted and qualified for the duties of life.
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS.
* " Most of the first settlers organized into a church under the Presbyterian form and usages, before they left Hopkinton. Their attention was early and earn- estly directed to the establishment of the gospel ministry
* P. Boise's Address.
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in this place. They seemed to feel as if their pros- perity and well-being depended upon this object. The measures taken for hiring and ordaining ministers were transacted in town meetings, and, as appears from the journal of proceedings, formed a greater portion of the business of the meetings. It was the only purpose for which they seemed willing to raise money and pay taxes. The church, as an independent body, gave the invitation to the ministers, and transacted the business necessary for their ordination, while the town acting in a parochial character, gave advice and direction to the church.
The presbyterian mode of government was contin- ued until the year 1801. In the month of September, of this year, the church finding it 'inconvenient to practice according to the Presbyterian plan .of gov- ernment,' adopted a new and separate form of govern- ment, viz : the congregational."
The Rev. Mr. Keep gives the following description of the first meeting-house erected in this town : -
" The original proprietors of the town entered into covenant with the first settlers, to set up a frame of a meeting house, and to cover the outside, and put in glass windows. This they were to do for the people, besides giving them ten acres of land in the center, for a common, and one hundred sixty-acre lots. The frame of the meeting house was set up in 1740. The men who assisted in raising it were most of them from Westfield and Suffield. The frame stood one year, the sport of winds and tempests, before it was covered. The boards which were used for the covering were brought from Southampton and Westfield. But the glass windows
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were not supplied until after a lapse of more than twelve years. Thirteen years the people met in the house for worship without any floor in it, excepting some loose boards, the earth, and the rock upon which it stood. Their seats were blocks, boards, and movable benches. A plain box, instead of a pulpit, was used for the accom- modation of the preachers. The first floor was laid in 1753, four years after the ordination of their second minister. In 1759 they " Voted, To build a pulpit, to make a pew for the minister, and to build seats in the body of the house, upon the ground floor." This was a great effort as it was carried into effect. It was next allowed to individuals who felt disposed, to occupy either side of the house with pews, if they would make them at their own expense, and finish them by the end of the year, and build up the walls to the girts. In 1760 it was voted to lay the floor in the front gallery. The next year the gallery timbers on the sides were put up, and the stairs built. In 1781 it was voted to take up the seats in the body of the house, except two next to the pulpit, and to fill up the ground floor with pews. In the following year the two side galleries were made by taking the seats from below, and the walls ceiled, up to the girts. In 1686 the house (forty six years from the raising of the frame) was plastered. The steeple was built by subscription. In 1789 the town voted to give the subscribers liberty to erect a steeple, but refused to appropriate any thing in aid of it.
The year following the town agreed to purchase a bell. In 1791 measures were taken to put on a new covering and to paint the same. In 1794 the timbers under the gallery were covered, and in the Autumn
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of 1805, a few days previous to my ordination, the posts and some other timbers were cased, etc. Such is a brief history of this house for religious worship, and all must allow, considering the manner in which it was built, that its appearance is quite as good as could be expected. We may look around these walls and say, -" Sixty and five years was this house in the process of building." But we cannot add, - " Its glory corresponds with the use for which it was de- signed," or " the circumstances of the people for whose accommodation it was erected." Nor can we say, - " Lord, we offer the first and the best."
Mr. Keep also says, that "previous to 1775 the method of singing had been for all who felt disposed to join their voices, while the clerk or deacon read the line of the psalmns as they were sung. To this method some were so attached as to plead a wounded con- science when any change was proposed." The lead- ers of church music were chosen at town meetings, and were under the implied, if not expressed direction, to conduct the singing in the " good old way." A modern chorister may smile at the following vote, passed as late as 1771. The question was raised whether the singing should be carried on with the beat ? - it was voted in the negative.
Caleb Taylor, of Westfield was the first singing- master who taught bere; and when he named the tune and sang with the beat, many were so grieved at the indecency of the method, that they actually left the meeting-house. I have always noticed that the main- tenance of good singing in religious assemblies is attended with many difficulties. Old people are sure 4
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to object to any change. The youth are often incon- stant, and money is very grudgingly appropriated for that purpose. From early youth I have been con- versant with this subject, and I say, unhesitatingly, that churches and religious societies are criminated by neglect of singing. Every congregation should make provision for the support of singing, as well as for the ministry, or for a comfortable house to worship in.
This church has been favored with talented preach- ers, who have exerted a salutary influence. Look at the graduating list of our colleges. Notice the num- ber which have gone forth to preach " Christ and him crucified " from this town. The following are the names of the pastors who have been settled over this society.
Rev. William MeClenathan settled, 1744
." Mr. Morton 1749
Joseph Patrick 1772
Joseph Badger
1787
John Keep ،، 1805
Dorus Clark .. 1823
Charles J. Ilinsdale 1836
Blandford took the lead in this region by erecting a new house for religious worship. This church edifice which was built in 1822, has been an honor to the town, and is spoken of ubroad as being the noblest on the mountains.
In regard to the Episcopalian Church, we have not been able to learn much of its early hisiory. We are informed, however, that about the year 1790, the Rev. Mr. Badger asked for a disinission from the Presbyterian Church, but was refused by his church
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and society. This placed Mr. Badger* in a dilemma from which it required no little stratagem to extricate himself. To succeed in his wishes, it is said he com- menced preaching with great power and efficiency the doctrine of unconditional election. This caused a division in the congregation. The disaffected portion separated from the other, and established a new church after the form of the Church of England. This church sustained preaching a part of the time, until about the year 1830 At this time the church erected an Episcopal church edifice. The institutions of the church were sustained for about fifteen years. They have a snug fund, the object of which is to sustain the ministry.
In the year 1826 a Baptist church was organized, consisting of about forty members. The following year the Rev. Charles A. Turner was ordained, and preached here for several years. During his ministra- tion numbers were added by baptism and profession to the church. There are several worthy families who have sustained preaching a part of the time until the past year. We are informed their number is now thirty-five.
Within the last few years two vigorous and flour- ishing Methodist Episcopal societies have sprung up ; the one at North Blandford, the other at Blandford Center.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church erected their church edifice in North Blandford in 1845. The Rev. Mr. Bigelow, then their stationed minister, is
* Mr. Badger succeeded in his enterprise.
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entitled to much credit for his activity, prudence, and wisdom in uniting the people to build a house of worship. In the years 1846 and 1847 the Rev. Mr. Braman was stationed here. His labors much in- creased the congregation. In the years 1848 and 1849 the pastoral labors of the Rev. Mr. Sherman were highly appreciated by the church and congregation. The Rev. Mr. Wood is the present minister. Mr. Wood has already (although he has been with us but a short time) manifested a deep interest in the cause of popular education, and is evidently one of those men who perceive the importance of beginning at the foundation of society to exert a moulding influence. This church gives great promise of doing extensive good. Hitherto its influence has been salutary, and we trust still more numerous and healthful influences will emanate from it.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Center has been quite prosperous since its organization. The names of D. P. Robinson, Esq., and Rev. N. E. Cob- leigh, may be appropriately noticed in this place as persons who accomplished much for the society in its infancy. Much praise is due the Rev. Mr. Cobleigh, who toiled and sacrificed to organize a society, and to erect a place of worship, in the years 1846 and 1847. About this time there was a transfer of many members from the first Methodist Episcopal Church to the second. In the years 1847 and 1848 the Rev. Mr. Ward was stationed over this church. In the years 1849 and 1850 their present pastor, the Rev. Mr. Chapin, has been more vigilant than any of his prede- cessors in looking after the interests of this church.
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A Methodist Episcopal society of great antiquity exists in the south part of the town, known as " Beach Hill." A portion of the congregation is collected, however, from the adjoining town of Granville. In the view of Methodists, many precious memories clus- ter about that society. There their fathers assembled and worshipped God. There the young received many of the most salutary instructions ; and there, too, many were brought from darkness into light, and made children of God.
We ought here to notice that an annual conference was held there more than half a century ago, the only one ever held upon these mountains. Some of our peo- ple attend a Methodist Episcopal Church at Chester Village, which, however, stands in Blandford. In all, not less than $1,000 is annually raised for the support of preaching.
A
ROADS.
THE first settlers of this portion of the State must have had romantic notions ; for it appears they were in the habit of building their roads over the highest hills, it being so much nearer, we suppose, to go over a hill than around it, - so much easier for horses, and so much more agreeable to travel upon, especially in winter. We are informed that when the first road was made from Springfield, west, the pioneers who laid it out traveled to the top of the first hill, then started for
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the highest peak of the next, and so on, until they arrived at Albany. And what is still more remarkable, they endeavored to locate their meeting-honses as near heaven as possible, - placing them on the summit of the highest hills.
A road was laid out from Springfield to Great Bar- rington, which passed through the south part of this town, soon after its settlement. We obtained a copy of a grant, from the State Records, of 300 acres of land to a Mr. Pixley, who was to " have, occupy, and own said land," if he fulfilled the following conditions, viz. : - " Provided that the said Pixley shall erect a public house upon the mountains, half way between Springfield and Great Barrington ; and that the said house shall be forty feet long, twenty-five feet wide, and nine feet posts, &c., &c. ; and that the said Mr. Pixley shall provide wholesome food for travelers, hay and grain for horses, at the usual prices, &c., &c."
'Tradition informs us that that house was erected on the farm now owned by Almon J. Lloyd, and that for several years it had no floor nor chimney. A fire was constantly kept upon the ground in the center ; logs eight and ten feet long were drawn in by a horse and rolled upon the log heap fire ! the smoke passing out through a hole in the roof. This location was favor- able to Mr. Pixley, on account of a large meadow which for years had been covered by water in conse- quence of a " beaver dam." By removing this dam, grass grew in abundance, and was easily obtained. The meadow is now owned by James L. Shepard.
Roads in those days were hardly worthy of the name, and in fact were nearly impassable. It is said
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that two men sank down and expired on their way to Great Barrington. For many years the only way of transporting heavy merchandize was upon a dray. In 1795 a mnil route from Springfield to Kinderhook, New York, passed through this town. In 1806 a mail route was established from this town to Hartford. Enos Boise, Esq., was contractor until 1828. Since then, his son, Watson E. Boise, has been contractor.
When stages first passed through Blandford, from Springfield to Albany, they passed along over the town street, by the house of Capt. Lester E. Gibbs. And perhaps it will not be boasting for us to state, that for six miles on this road, there are better farms than on any other road for the same distance upon the mountains. In 1829 a turnpike was laid out through the poorest part of the town. Strangers passing over this road form an unfavorable opinion of our soil and enterprise. Soon after the completion of the road, an honest Shaker came along and called upon a black- smith, and remarked that he supposed it was necessary to sharpen the noses of sheep with steel to enable them to pick grass from among the rocks and stones. Stages ran (where it was level) upon this road, and carried the mail until the Western Rail Road went into operation.
Since the year 1800 the town has appropriated $53,560 for the building of roads and repairs of highways.
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LIST OF POSTMASTERS.
BLANDFORD.
Appointed.
Appointed.
Timothy Hatch, 1795
Luther Laflin, 1832
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