Gazetteer of Berkshire County, Mass., 1725-1885, Part 47

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Gazetteer of Berkshire County, Mass., 1725-1885 > Part 47

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The settlement of West Stockbridge was begun by Joseph Bryant, from Canaan, Conn., who settled near the northeastern part of the town, in 1766. During the latter part of the same year, Col. Elijah Williams located upon the tract he had purchased in 1763, as mentioned above, and the village that sprung up here was known for many years as Williams' Iron Works, the river also receiving its name from Mr. Williams. Between this time and 1774 about forty families settled in the town, among whom were those of Increase Hewins, from Sturbridge ; Elisha Hooper, from Bridgewater ; Lemuel Burg- hardt and Christopher Brazee. from Egremont; John Minkler, from Mount Washington ; Ichabod Miller, from Simsbury ; Samuel Mudge and Elijah Slosson, from Sharon; Josiah Arnold, from East Haddam ; John Deming, from Fort Edward ; Matthew Benedict, from Ridgefield ; and Roderick Messenger and Benjamin Lewis, from Farmington, Conn. These were soon after joined by John Ford and Ambrose Collins, from Farmington ; Amasa and James Spencer, from East Haddam, Conn .; Samuel Boynton, from Grafton, and others, the migration continuing so rapidly that in 1791 the town had 1, 113 inhabitants. Col. Williams opened a store at the village in 1773.

February 23, 1774, the town was incorporated, and July 4th, of the same year, the first town-meeting was held at the house of Christopher Brazee, when the following list of officers were elected: I. Stevens, John I .. Den- ning and Benjamin Culver, selectman and assessors ; Benjamin Lewis, treas- urer; Elijah Stosen, constable; John Deming, Simeon Parmelee, Christo- pher Parks, John M. Kenion, Josiah Arnold and Wilson Minklen, surveyors of highways ; Josiah Arnold, Benjamin Culver and Moses Parmelee, ward- ens ; Elisha Cooper and Roger Woodruff, tythingmen ; Simeon Gillett, Josiah Stevens, Jonas Standish, Nathaniel Dunham and Nathan Baker, hog reeves ; Peter Hull and William Filler, fence viewers ; and Benjamin Lewis, sealer of leather. Grove Pomeroy was the first representative from the town, elected May 4, 1801.

John Rees, among the early ones to locate in West Stockbridge, removed from Egremont, with a large family, in 1768. He reared thirteen children, Rebecca, Ficha, Andrew, Jacob, Isaac, Hannah, Mary, Katie, Caroline John, William, Electa and Abraham, the last three being born in this town. John lived and died on Maple hill, as did also two of his sons, Isaac and Abraham, who owned farms adjoining. Isaac had born to him a fam-

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ily of three sons and four daughters. Isaac M., born in 1799, followed several occupations, such as farming, clothing and brick manufacturing, becoming especially engaged in contracting, and in the purchase and sale of land when people began to settle here, thus becoming a very use- ful man in building up the place. He built the mill now owned by Kniffen & Sons, where he had a carding-mill, and dressed cloth and ground plaster, all the machinery for which was run by water-power. He finally bought the mill now owned by Lawrence Moffatt. He was married to Lucretia Cogs- well, of this place, in 1822, and reared a family of seven children, as follows : Mary A., who married and removed to Albany, but died here; Charles E., who is married and resides in West Stockbridge village, running the mill owned by Lawrence Moffatt ; Catherine, who died at the age of sixteen ; Matilda L., wife of Lawrence Moffatt ; and three who died in infancy. Abra- ham, son of John Rees, bought his farm on Maple Hill of the Indians. He married Polly Stevens, of this town, in 1807, by whom he had five children, Martin, William A., Abraham L., Elizabeth M., and Albert. Martin is in business in this town, William A., is a retired mechanic, also living here.

Amasa Spencer came here from East Haddam, Conn., about 1770, and lo- cated on the farm now owned by Sylvester Spencer, on road 16, where he spent the remainder of his days, dying about 1815. He was twice married, having by his first wife three children, viz. : Brainard, who removed to Aus- terlitz, N. Y., dying there; Amasa, Jr., a merchant in West Stockbridge vil- lage, and who was also postmaster here for many years ; and John, who be- came blind from an accident. He assisted on his father's farm. Amasa mar- ried for his second wife a lady form East Haddam, and reared one child, Syl- vester, who spent most of his life on the homestead, on road 16, reared nine children, and died in West Stockbridge village. Of his children, Hannah C., wife of Julius Moore, resides in the village, and has had three children,-James S., who owns a drug store here, and is also town clerk; Albert, residing here, and Spencer, who died young. James H. Spencer resides on road 16, and has reared a family of three children, Jennie F., Emily and Eddie J., one of whom, Emily, wife of William Curtis, resides in the village. Robert B. reared a fam- ily of four children and resided the greater part of his life on the farm where James H. now lives. Sylvester resides on the homestead, on road 16, and has had eleven children, eight surviving. Irene, wife of Reuben Peel, has two children, and resides on Albany street. Elizabeth, widow of Dr. William H. Richardson, resides here, having two children. Frances M., widow of Matthew Freedley, who died in 1880, resides on road 18. Emily, who mar- ried George Cobb, and has ten children, resides on road 25.

Christopher French, born March 29, 1752, was among those who early lo- cated here, coming from Attleboro, Conn., and locating on the farm now owned by his grandson, Christopher C., on road 31. He became the father of twelve children. His son Christopher 2d lived on road 19, where Thomas Curran now resides, and reared seven children-Alanson, Lydia, Abel B.,

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Margaret, Christopher C., Rachel, and Lois. Alanson died in Iowa; Lydia and Margaret died in this town ; Abel B. resides in Williamsville, on road 3 12. Christopher C. resides in Williamstown on road 31, and has a son Christo- pher ; Rachel lives with Christopher's family ; Lois, wife of John F. Tobey, resides on road 21. Abel B. celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his birth November 28, 1883, and at that time his youngest daughter was married, and it was also the birthday of his eldest daughter.

John Ford, from Farmington, Conn., removed to this town March 19, 1774, just a month previous to the battle of Lexington, when about twenty-two years of age, and located on road 14, upon the farm now owned by James Dewell. He reared a family of eleven children, Vilitta, Thankful, Ambrose, Martin, Lebbeus, Comfort, Nancy, Hannah, John, Lydia and William, by his first wife, none by his second, and died August 5, 1845, at the age of ninety-three. Of these Vilitta, wife of Elisha Barnes, had seven children, viz. : Erastus, who died in New York ; Asahel, who died in Pennsylvania ; Betsey, residing in Illinois ; Elisha, who lived and died in this town; Seth A., who is a farmer and grocer in Williamsville ; Thomas W., a partner in the firm of Platt, Barnes & Co., of Williamsville ; and Nancy, residing in Housatonic. Thankful, sister of Vilitta, resided in New York, where she died. Ambrose and Martin also lived and died in New York. Martin was a judge. He died in Syracuse in 1832. Lebbeus married Lois Ives, of Great Barrington, and resided on the farm now owned by his son Herman, off road 18. He was the father of three children,-Herman who has had four children, and resides off road 18, was a member of the legislature in 1856 ; William, living in the west; and George who removed to Bennington, Vt., about ten years ago, and died there recently. Lebbeus had, by his second wife, one son, Henry T., living in Illinois.

Ephraim Stanton, who early located in this town, immigrated from Connec- ticut, and located on the farm now owned by T. Z. Potter, on road 19, rear- ing a family of ten children, Anna, Jered, Zerubiah, Vashtie, Amy, Sylvanus, Hannah, Melinda, Hiram, and Lydia. Of these, Anna became the wife of Asa Smith, who kept a hotel on road 19, near her father, afterwards removing to Illinois, where she died. Jared resided in Pennsylvania and Ohio, in which latter place he died. Zerubiah, who married Daniel Lock, became a resident of Pennsylvania, where she died. Vashtie, wife of Brainard Spen- cer, lived and died in West Stockbridge Center. Amy, who was the wife of Abijah Smith, of New York, died there. Sylvanus, who married Lurena French, died in Westfield, Mass. Hannah married Rev. Mr. Jenks, a Bap- tist minister of Hudson, N. Y., and died in Brookfield, Mass. Melinda mar- ried Peter French, and resided in Williamsville until her death. Hiram, who lived on road 19, in the house nearest his father, married Mary Flint, by whom he had five children,-Louisa, widow of George Griffith who resides in Williamsville ; Anna E., wife of George W. Fuller, who resides in the house next to the homestead ; William, of Springfield, Mass .; Hiram F. residing

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TOWN OF WEST STOCKBRIDGE.

with his sister Anna E .; and Charles, of Housatonic. Lydia, daughter of Ephraim Stanton, and wife of Andrew Fuarey, has resided on road 19, with her husband, for more than sixty years, and reared a family of six children, -James M. of Pennsylvania ; Juliett, residing in New York ; John, who died at the age of eight, William, who was killed on the railroad, at the age of thirty-three ; Andrew of Illinois, and Charles H., who married Maria Dewell, and resides on Albany street. He is engaged in the lime business in this place.

Lemuel Moffatt came to West Stockbridge when the town was in its youth and located on road 17, upon the farm now owned by Ralph Bissell. He had one daughter, who married Melancton Lewis, and removed to New York. He is represented in town by Lawrence Moffatt his grand-nephew. Lemuel held many offices of trust, and was a justice of the peace.

Timothy Barnes, from Farmington, Conn., came to this town June 8, 1778. He had nine children, Silas, Hannah, Timothy, Sarah, Timothy 2d, Elisha, Seth, Isaac and Marion. Elisha, who resided in Williamsville, married Vilitia Ford, by whom he had a family of seven children, one of whom, Thomas W., a member of the firm of Platt, Barnes & Co., had two children, one of whom Charlie D., died when young. The other, Erwin F., resides in Williamsville, and also is one of the firm of Platt, Barnes & Co. Seth reared two children, a daughter, Ellen, who died at the age of thirty, and William H., who is a civil engineer, residing in Williamsville.

Caleb Boynton came to this town, from Medford, Mass., at an early date, and located on the farm now owned by Allen S. Wheeler, on road 16. He reared ten children, of whom Sumner was killed in the quarry on road 19, which was opened by the Boyntons. This quarry was afterwards owned by Matthew Freedley, and is now in the possession of his wife. Henry B. al- ways resided on road 16. He built the house now owned by George Kniffin, on Main street, and reared a family of eight children. one of whom died in infancy, the others being Frances, Jeanette, Elizabeth, Sarah, Henry, Charles and Theodore. Jeanette died in this town ; Theodore, Charles, Sarah and Frances reside in Hudson, N. Y .; Elizabeth died in California : Henry married Mary Meacham, of Sheffield, and had four daughters and a son. One daughter, Maud, married Samuel M. Arnold and resides on Maple avenue. Henry was a farmer and dealt in marble for many years.

David Bradley, born in 1759, went from Fair Haven, Conn., into the Rev- olutionary war at the age of seventeen, serving seven years. He came to this town soon after its close, and located on a farm on road 16, now owned by his grandson, which place he purchased, in 1791, of Mrs. Martha Sperry, whom he married November 13, 1786. He had ten children. He died July 8, 1844. His son Elihu S. always resided on the homestead, rearing two children, Judson and Luther W. Judson studied medicine in Detroit, Mich., where he is now practicing. He married Ellen M. Kingsley, of Northamp- ton, Mass., who bore him two children. Luther W. succeeded his father

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and grandfather upon the old homestead, on road 16. He married Mary C. Reed, of this town, and has reared five children.

Matthew Boughton was born May 17, 1735, and immigrated to West Stock- bridge, from Connecticut, about 1790, locating on the farm now owned by Lewis Chamberlin, on road 16. He married, January 5, 1757, rearing a family of eight children, David, Abram, Betsey, Azar, Matthew Seymour, Enos, Rachel and Sally. David, Abram, Betsey, and Rachael all sought homes west of Massachusetts. Azar married Catharine, sister of Abraham Rees, who was married three times, moved to Egremont, but died in this town. Matthew S. died at the age of fourteen. Enos settled on the old homestead and married Lefe Brown, rearing seven children, Lefe, Caroline, Mary, Enos, Matthew, Morgan and Julia. He died on the homestead. Of his children Morgan married Elizabeth M. Rees, both now dead ; Sally died in infancy, and Mary, widow of Dewitt Webster, resides in this town, on Albany street.

Nathaniel Leet, from Guilford, Conn., located about 1800, on road 11, upon the farm now owned by H. M Baldwin, and reared eight children, Betsey, Horace, Chauncey, Merinda, Clarinda, Sarah, Edna and Olive. He owned the land now in possession of the Stockbridge Iron Company. His son Chauncey, who resides on road 6, formerly owned the land now in the possession of the Hudson Iron Company.

Nathaniel Wilson, a native of England, removed to Rehoboth, Mass., from there, coming afterwards to this town, having previously resided in Canada, and in Richmond, near the West Stockbridge line. He served in the French war, in Canada, at which time his life is romantically said to have been saved by a spider's web. Being pursued by the Indians he took refuge in a hollow log, which log, when observed the following morning by his pursuers, with a spider's web across the end, was supposed to be vacant, they remarking " No white man there, cause spider's web," and he was unmolested. Nathaniel was twice married, and reared a family of twenty-one children. His youngest son, Rufus, came with his father, at the age of six, to the farm now owned by his son, John G. Wilson, on road 23, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was twice married, having by his first wife five children-Rufus, Jr., Jared, George W., Sophrona, and Emeline, none of whom are now living, and five children by his second marriage -Pluma, residing on Great Barrington ; Jane S., wife of Thomas Reed, who resides on road 21 ; Nancy M., now dead ; John G., who married Eliza A. Smith, and with the exception of a single year has always resided on road 23 ; and Frederick C., residing in Iowa.

Sylvenus Tobey removed from Sharon, Conn., to Alford, coming from that place, in 1812, to West Stockbridge, and locating on the place now owned by his son John F. He became the father of six children, Clemene, Chester, Alma, Selina, John F., and Henry M. Clemene married here, afterwards removing to Westfield, where she died. Chester married here and resided on road 14, but finally removed to Egremont and died there. Alma married here, and removed to Richmond where she died.

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TOWN OF WEST STOCKBRIDGE.

Selina, an invalid, lived and died at home. John F., married Lois C. French, of this town, and has always resided on the homestead. Henry M., removed to New York State, where he died.

George W. Kniffin, born in Rye, N. Y., in 1806, removed to Richmond in 1809, and from that place to North Adams, in 1851, where he had an interest in the Iron Furnace, removing soon after from there to West Stockbridge to locate upon a place which he had exchanged for his interest in the iron works at North Adams. He was elected to the legislature, from Richmond, in 1837 and '48, and in 1857 was elected from West Stockbridge to the legislature as a district representative, being the first one elected after the towns were formed into a district. In 1844 he was appointed justice of the peace, by Gov. Morton, which office he still holds. Mr. Kniffin married Marietta Gaston, of Richmond, in 1830, and has two children, William M. and Charles W. William M., a general merchant, married Eliza Frost, of this town, and resides on Main street. Charles W. married and has had two children, Lottie S. and George E., the latter a resident of West Stockbridge, and who was district representative last year. Charles W. was district representative in 1864.

The West Stockbridge Congregational church, located at West Stockbridge Center, was organized June 4, 1789, with ten members, Rev. Oliver Ayers being the first pastor. The first church building, and the first in town, erected in 1788, did service until 1830, when the present building was erected, containing the frame of the old church, however. It will seat 300 persons and is valued, including grounds, at $2,000.00. The society now has twenty- four members, with Rev. J. Jay Dana, of Alford, pastor.

The Congregational church, located on Main street, in West Stockbridge village, organized December 25, 1833, by a council called by Rev. Nathan Shaw, who had preached a number of years in the old Congregational church. The council consisted of Rev. David Dudley Field, of Stockbridge, Rev. Edwin W. Dwight, of Richmond, and Rev. Cyrus Hudson, of Canaan, N. Y., who met the following delegates : Dea. Joseph Marsh, of Centerville, Dea. Whitney, of Canaan, N. Y., and Dea. Hamlin Gage, of Richmond. Twenty- five members were enrolled in the new society, who, for the first nine years, held their services in the upper story of a building used as a school-house, during which time Rev. Charles E. Lester, officiated as pastor. In 1843 they erected a church building, which did service until May 26, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire. The present building, put in process of erection immedi- ately after the fire, was completed and dedicated February 22, 1882. It will comfortably accomodate 284 persons, and cost $8,000.00, its present value, including grounds, being $10,500.00. The first pastor, after the society moved into the church, was Rev. John Whitney. The fourth pastor was Rev. Nathan Shaw. The society now has eighty-six members, Rev. Walter W. Curtis, pastor.

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TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.

The West Stockbridge Methodist Episcopal church, located at West Stock- bridge village, was organized by Orson Bristol and a Mr. Batterson, with six members, in 1838. They built their church during that year, which will seat 220 persons, and is valued, including grounds and parsonage, at $2,200.00. The society now has forty members, with Rev. William Stevens, pastor.

The Roman Catholic church, located at West Stockbridge village, was organized in 1869, Rev. Michael Carroll being the first pastor, and still holds the position. The church building, of wood, was also erected in 1869, and will comfortably seat about 400 persons. The society owns a neat par- sonage, and the church has about 600 members.

W ILLIAMSTOWN, noted as the seat of Williams college, lies in the- northwestern corner of the county, in lat. 42° 41', and long. 3º 47', bounded north by the State line of Vermont, east by Clarksburg, Adams and North Adams, south by New Ashford and Hancock, and west by the State line of New York. The town was originally called West Hoosac, in contradistinction to East Hoosac, now comprised in the towns of Adams and North Adams. In 1749 a committee consisting of Colonel Partridge, of Hatfield, and Colonel Choate and Captain Nathaniel Dwight, of Belchertown, was appointed to trace and explore the limits of the two towns, and April 6, 1750, this town was ordered to be laid out. It seems that provisons for the settlement were early made, and once commenced were pushed rapidly and successfully. The first meeting of the proprietors, of which there is any record, was held December 5, 1753, the warrant warning the same being issued by William Williams, Esq., of Pittsfield. Alluding to the meeting, the History of Berkshire says : "But the house-lots, so-called, had been laid out in the north part of the town, previous to this meeting. They were laid on both sides of a principal street, fifteen rods in width, and a mile and three- eights in length, reaching from Green river on the east to Hemlock on the west. This street runs over the highest part of these eminences, on the sec- ond, the West college, and on the third, the meeting-house. * * These lots were 120 rods in length, and thirteen and one-half in width upon the street, containing ten acres each." Upon these lots most of the settlements. were made. The town was incorporated June 21, 1765, and named in honor of Col. Ephraim Williams, the founder of Williams college.

The surface of the town is pleasingly diversified and presents a fine aspect. It is surrounded by lofty mountains on almost every side. The Clarksburg mountain rises to a height of 2,272 feet in the northeast; Greylock lifts its head to an altitude of 3,505 feet in the southeast; Berlin mountain in the Taconic range, which forms the western barrier, has an elevation of 2,814 feet ; and the mountains on the north ascend nearly the same distance. The township therefore, occupies, in the main, a beautiful valley enclosed by these lofty, wooded eminences, through which the Hoosac river finds an

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TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.

opening on the east and north, and the two branches of the Green river an entrance on the south. The view of these bold-mountain ramparts from the college buildings in the center is, on every hand, magnificent. The fine scenery in the vicinity of Greylock and the magnificent view the old monarch affords has already been spoken of in the sketches of Adams and North Adams, while the mountain scenery of the other surrounding towns has been spoken of in their respective sketches.

The valley in which the two branches of the Green river meet is rich and beautiful, and the land of the whole town, indeed, is productive and remark- ably well adapted to the growth of the cereals, of timber and to grazing. The underlying rock is Levis limestone, Lauzon schist, and Potsdam sandstone, with here and there a bed of clay and iron ore. Fine specimens of crystal quartz are also found. Near Williamstown village there is a mineral spring, the waters of which remain at a temperature of about 70° throughout the year, and are said to be efficacious in the cure of cutaneous diseases. For the accomodation of those who desire to linger here to enjoy the healthfulness and fine scenery of the town, three fine hotels open their hospitable doors- the Kellogg House, the Mansion House and Greylock Hall.

In 1880 Williamstown had a population of 3,394. In 1883 the town employed five male and fifteen female teaches, and an average monthly sal- ary of $43.89 for males, and $29.36 for females. There were 668 school children in the town, while the entire amount raised for school purposes was $5,200.00.

WILLIAMSTOWN is a post village beautifully located just northeast of the central part of the town. This village is noted throughout the country as the seat of the famous old college that has its site here ; through its quite, shaded streets have strolled many who have been, many who now are, and many who are to be, beacon lights in literature, in art, it politics and in the- ology-for the alumni of old Williams boast of not a few whose talents have placed them in the first ranks of these professions ; for its beauty, too, Will- iamstown is not unnoted, while its local history turns not a single page which is uninteresting, from the planting of the old fort on what is now the public square, to the present time. Of the beauties of this quite college town, one writer speaks as follows, giving a description which is, perhaps, as faithful and happy as can be made :-

" Williamstown has come to rival Stockbridge as the model village of New England. Its appearance from within is peculiar-unique as far as I have knowledge-which comes chiefly from a singular and very artistic unity of ar- rangement. It is in effect a broad peak, of perhaps a mile in length, subdi- vided into shapely plats and wide and unfenced court-yards of verdent turf, with shaded avenues between : and all compassed within a rim of college ed- ifices, churches, hotels, private dwellings and business structures ; while on the moderate elevations to which the ground rises towards the western ex- tremity, a church, two or three college buildings, and a soldiers' monument surmounted by a statue, stand out in bold relief. There are some pieces of exceedingly creditable and pleasing-even of striking-architecture. The

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scrupulous care with which the village society, modelled on the Laurel Hill Association plan, keeps every thing in exact order, as well as the perfection of grass, flower and foliage everywhere maintained, increase the attractiveness of the scene. But the characterizing element is the unity and harmony of plan which seems to embrace at once town and college, and to have its coun- terpart in the life of those who dwell in that charmed circle."

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Gazetteer of Berkshire County, Mass., 1725-1885, Part 47

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office Number of Pages: 972

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 972