USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Gazetteer of Hampshire County, Mass., 1654-1887 > Part 30
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CHURCHES.
The Congregational church of Goshen was organized December 21, 1780, the foundation, indeed, of the town itself, which was incorporated some months later. This, it will be remembered, was the usual order in these mat- ters, the general court from the earliest period in the history of the state, never allowing the incorporation of a town till the formation, or " some good proceeding" was had toward the formation of a church within the limits of the proposed town.
For seven years no pastor was settled, though many were called. When a minister was needed for special occasions in the absence of a supply, as in cases of discipline, admitting new members, administering the ordinances, the pastors from the neighboring towns on invitation, kindly assisted. In
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one case this seems to have led to trouble as indicated by the following vote, passed November 2, 1786 :-
" Then attended to a remonstrance which the Rev. Timothy Allen of Chesterfield, sent in against this church, for desiring him to assist in admit- ting a person into our church which he supposes was not a fit member. Voted to choose a committee of two of the Brethren to answer in behalf of the church the above remonstrance."
Chose Oliver Taylor and Thomas Brown. There may have been two sides to the story, but how it was finally disposed of the records do not say. We suspect, however, that the Chesterfield pastor did not consider that turning out a bad member was equivalent to receiving a bad one, and so was not conciliated, for in the latter part of the same month, the church wanted his assistance in excommunicating a member whom they considered bad, but he declined, and Rev. Mr. Bascom was invited to take his place.
Rev. Samuel Whitman, of Ashley, a native of Bridgewater, was finally in- stalled as the first pastor of the. church, January 10, 1788. Rev. Mr. Allen was moderator of the council, offered prayer and preached the sermon. Rev. Joseph Strong, of Williamsburg, gave the charge.and Rev. James Briggs, of Cummington, offered the closing prayer.
The church at this time had about fifty members. It had chosen one year previous two deacons, Oliver Taylor and Artemas. They were strong men and no church could have better material from which to select their leading officials. Among them were William Hallock and his two sons, Jeremiah and Moses, Nehemiah May, Ebenezer Putney, Joseph, Christopher and Lem- uel Banister, Farnum White, Justin Parsons and Dr. Benjamin Burgess.
The church was early alive to the work of missions and a missionary soci- ety was formed for promoting the cause. One result of this is seen in the number of young men, natives, or sometime resident here, who engaged in missionary work. Among them was Rev. Levi Parsons, son of Deacon Jus- tin, who was one of the first two missionaries from the United States to Pal- estine. Rev. Horatio Bardwell, D. D., missionary to Bombay and afterwards agent of the American board, of whom his biographer said, "The key to his entire life and character is found in his consecration to the work of missions." Rev. Ralph Cushman went to Kentucky as a home missionary, and was after- wards appointed general secretary of the American Home Mission Society for the Western States. Calvin Cushman, Elijah Bardwell, brother of Rev. Ho- ratio, together with Mr. John Smith, went out as missionaries with their fam- ilies, to the Choctaws in Mississippi in 1820. Miss Electa May, daughter of Nehemiah, married Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, the missionary, and accompanied the Choctaws across the Mississippi to their new home. Sarah Bardwell, sis- ter of Rev. Horatio, married Rev. James Richards and went as a missionary to Ceylon. Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer Putney, was the wife of John Smith, and went with him to the Choctaw mission. Alvan Stone, in the early history of Illinois, went out to that state and engaged in active work as a
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home missionary till removed by an early death. Jeremiah Hallock and his brother Moses, both long in the field and efficient laborers-Jeremiah forty years at Canton, Conn .; Moses a still longer term in Plainfield, father of Rev. William A. Hallock, the long time secretary of the American Tract Society in New York, and Girard Hallock, of the Journal of Commerce. It is said that Rev. Moses Hallock fitted more men for the ministry than any other man of his time, and that they were so well fitted for college that his own sons were educated by the college without charge. Then follows Rev. Justin Parsons, one of a large family that came from Northampton, a man of energy, good judgment, honored by the town and church with the highest offices in their gift, turning his attention to the ministry when more than fifty years of age, preaching more than forty years, building a church for his people at his own expense, helping Lane seminary in its early struggles for existence, giving a son to labor and die as a missionary in Palestine, having a daughter who mar- ried a clergyman-the parents of our new United States Minister to France, Hon. Levi Parsons Morton, of New York. Justin Parsons had also two brothers who lived here and finally became preachers-Rev. Silas and Rev. Benjamin Parsons. Silas also had a son Erastus, born here probably, became a preacher and labored with remarkable success during a short but active life. Rev. Rufus Cushman, brother of Rev. Ralph, was twenty two years pastor of a church in Fair Haven, Vt., was a man full of good words, faithful and be- loved. His son, Rufus Cushman, D. D., thirty-four years in the ministry, died a few years since in Manchester, Vt .. And many others might be men- tioned.
The pastors of the church who succeeded Mr. Whitman, many of whom like him had each their share in the work of fitting and inspiring some one or more of this large number of men and women for their noble work, were Rev. Joel Wright, Henry B. Holmes, John C. Thompson, Royal Reed, Robert Crossett, Thomas H. Rood, Sidney Holman, H. M. Rogers, Townsend Walker, George Juchan, D. B. Lord, and the present pastor, Rev. J. E. M. Wright, son of one of the worthy daughters of Goshen.
The society now has eighty-two members; their church building will com- fortably accommodate 300 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $3,000.00. The church has a fund of $5,000.00, known as the " Mrs. Mary Williams fund," which turns in an annual income of $250.00.
The Second Advent Society was organized by its first pastor, Elder Henry Pratt, in 1851. About forty members canie into the society, some of them from adjoining towns. The church building was erected in 1878. It is a small affair, capable of accommodating 125 persons, and cost $600.00. The society now has thirty members.
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TOWN OF GRANBY.
G RANBY* is one of the smallest towns in the county. To one stand- ing on Mt. Holyoke, looking northward, the old town of Hadley, lying on the east bank of the Connecticut river, presents a very beautiful picture, scenery as lovely as any to be found in the state ; fertile fields, lux- uriant orchards, broad and productive farms, with fine buildings, indicative of thrift and comfort. Then, to the beholder looking southward and south- easterly, her two lovely daughters, South Hadley and Granby, present an equally comely appearance-beautiful farms, with acres of woodland inter- spersed, fruitful orchards, commodious barns, and comfortable houses, which are the homes of an intelligent, independent and cultured people.
The town of Granby lies east of South Hadley, west of Belchertown, south of Amherst, and is bounded on the south by Ludlow and Chicopee. It was incorporated as a separate town June 11, 1768, before which time it was reckoned a part of the precinct of South Hadley, which became a town in 1775. Efforts were made from time to time, though without success, to unite the two as one town.
Early Settlement .- The first grant of land south of the mountain by the mother town to Thomas Selden was made in 1675. Others were made soon after, some of which appear to have become void; for it was a half century later that the first permanent settlement was begun.
In 1727 twenty-one men settled south of the mountain, four of them in Granby. The latter were Ebenezer Taylor, John Smith, Ephraim Nash and John Lane. During the next four years their number was increased by five, the new neighbors being Timothy Nash, Joseph Nash, William Dickinson, Jr., Nehemiah Dickinson and Thomas Taylor. Six others were added dur- ing the next nine years, viz. : Stephen Warner, Sr., James Smith, Noah Ferry, Samuel Moody, John Moody and Hezekiah Smith. From 1740 to 1750 there were twelve additions, viz .: William Eastman, Aaron Nash, Phinehas Smith, Ist, Seth Clark, Noah Clark, John Preston, Experience Smith, Eleazar Nash, Martin Nash, Hezekiah Smith, Jr., Jonathan Selden and Samuel Dickinson. Of these, Seth and Noah Clark came from North- ampton.
After 1750 the increase was much more rapid, and at the time Granby was incorporated as a town the population numbered about four hundred. This was forty years after the first settlement was made, and a hundred and nine after the settlement of the mother town. The population at different periods has been as follows : 1776, 491 ; 1790, 596 ; 1800, 786 ; 1810, 850; 1820, 1,066 ; 1830. 1,064; 1840, 971; 1850, 1,104; 1855, 1,001; 1860, 907; 1865, 908 ; 1870, 863 ; 1875, 812 ; 1880, 753.
Organization .- The Second Parish of South Hadley was incorporated as the township of Granby, June 11, 1768. The first town officers were Nathan Smith, clerk, who served until 1781, and was succeeded by Phinehas Smith,
* Prepared by Pliny S. Boyd.
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Jr. ; and selectmen, Aaron Nash, Samuel Moody, John Moody, Waitstill Dickinson and Stephen Warner, Jr., who served one year and were succeeded by an entirely new board, namely, Phinehas Smith, Eleazer Nash, Jacob Taylor and Eleazer Warner. It was not thought best to change the entire board the next year, for Aaron Nash appears again, the other members being Benjamin Eastman, Thomas Hovey Moody, Asaph Stebbins and Sam- uel Vinton. The fourth year, Asahel Smith and Israel Clark were new mem- bers, the other three, Phinehas Smith, Eleazer Nash and John Moody, having served before.
Not until the town was nine years old did it have again an entirely new board of selectmen ; but in 1777 the records give, as having been chosen to this office, Reuben Moody, Ebenezer Bartlett, Aaron Ayres, Joseph Lane and Joseph Dickinson. But not another such complete revolution has occurred since. In 1826 the board was reduced to three in number, but every year one or more has been chosen who had served before.
It was the custom from the first, though not a uniform custom, to choose three of the selectmen to serve as assessors. The person chosen town clerk was elected to serve also as treasurer.
The other officers chosen at the first meeting were Asahel Smith, consta- ble ; Samuel Warner, sealer of leather; Benjamin Eastman, sealer of meas- ures, packer and clerk of the market, who was continued in this office twenty- four years, and was succeeded by Perez Cook; Eleazer Warner, Seth Clark and Joseph Montague, surveyors of highways ; Samuel Elmer and Reuben Moody, wardens; David Barton and Samuel Warner, tithingmen ; Israel Clark and John Ayres, deer-reeves ; and Jonathan Selden, James Preston and William Negus, hog-reeves.
Deer-reeves were chosen up to the year 1793, and hog-reeves up to a much later date. All the town officers were sworn to a faithful discharge of the duties of their office. The town has, from the first, been highly favored in being able to call to its service men of intelligence, ability and integrity, to fill the various official trusts to be administered. A full list of all the town officers would make a long chapter ; we venture only to mention a few names prominent among them, some of whom have rendered signal service to the town in various official positions. The order of mention is alphabetical, rather than chronological : Aaron Ayres, John Ayres, Rodney Ayres, Samuel Ayres, C. C. Aldrich, E. J. Aldrich, David Barton, James M. Barton, J. H. Barton, William D. Barton, William Belcher, William Carver, Orlando Cha- pin, Philo Chapin, Daniel Church, Samuel Clark, Noah Clark, Israel Clark, Israel Clark, Jr., Jotham Clark, Charles F. Clark, Spencer Clark, Perez Cook, Jr., S. M. Cook, Waitstill Dickinson, Eli Dickinson, Joseph Dickinson, Henry A. Dickinson, Abner M. Dickinson, William B. Dickinson, Benjamin Eastman, William Eastman, Reuben R. Eastman, Luther Ferry, Lucius Ferry, Charles Ferry, Charles S. Ferry, W. W. Ferry, Harry W. Gridley, Elijah Kent, Monroe Keith, Chester Kellogg, Samuel Moody, John Moody,
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Simeon Moody, Reuben Moody, Enos Moody, Gideon Moody, Augustus Moody, Eli Moody, Albert Moody, Aaron Nash, Lorenzo S. Nash, Asa Pease, John Preston, Jeriel Preston, Dexter Preston, William J. Patrick, Nathan Smith, Phinehas Smith, David Smith, Medad Smith, Enos Smith, Aaron Smith, Chester Smith, Samuel Smith, Dr. Cyrus B. Smith, S. C. Smith, Will- iam A. Smith, Simeon C. Stebbins, Levi Taylor, Willard Taylor, Francis E. Taylor, Frederick Taylor, Sylvester H. Taylor, Willard A. Taylor, John Tilley, Dr. Samuel Vinton, Stephen Warner, Jr., Eli Warner, Park Warner, E. D. Witt, Andrew White and A. S. White.
Educational .- In matters of educational interest Granby has held a place in the front ranks from the first. At the first town meeting after the organ- ization it was voted to raise twenty pounds " for schooling," and that it be expended in "hiring schoolmasters." The amount was increased from time to time till it amounted to $1,500.00 annually, and more recently to $1,800 .- oo. For a great many years it was the custom of the town to make an ap- propriation for the encouragement of singing, and a committee was chosen at town-meeting to see that the money was judiciously expended.
In the early days the parents exercised large liberty with reference to what school they would patronize. And in 1789 it was "voted that any man shall have liberty to go to what District to a school he pleases, provided he shall make it appear to the committee that it is reasonable." It was then voted that the committee chosen should be elected to " divide the school money," although it appears that the duties of the committee were consider- ably more extensive. For a good many years it was customary to choose a general committee of the school, and then in addition a separate committee for each district. At present a committee of three has the entire charge of the schools of the town, one being elected each year. The present able and efficient committee consists of S. M. Cook, Willard A. Taylor and C. E. Hunt. The schools maintained are seven district schools, one conjointly with the town of Ludlow, and the high school.
Public Bequests-The town has received some valuable gifts, the first of which was a lot for the meeting-house, given by Samuel Moody in 1762, of which the deed was given by his sons in 1769. The same day James Smith gave a lot of one acre by deed, " in consideration of the respect and affec- tion he bore for and towards the people of the town of Granby, for accom- modating them with a convenient place for burying the dead."
In 1821 John Montague gave to the first parish "three acres of land to serve as the location of a meeting-house and a common." Twenty-four years later his son, Joseph Montague, gave for the purpose of enlarging the common an addition of two acres and a half. In 1886 Dexter Taylor gave to be maintained as a public park, or used for a public library building, the lot south of the common, opposite his home.
Military .- The history of the town in military affairs, like that in civil affairs, is such as to reflect great honor upon the people. It has been marked
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by great prudence, vigilance and determination, by genuine independence and patriotism. Nothing was undertaken througli strife or vainglory, but for the liberties and rights of the people. It was voted in 1774 that the town should be represented by Mr. Phinehas Smith " at the Provincial Congress to be holden at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October, to hear, con- sider and determine, on all such matters and causes as shall then be thought necessary in this critical, dark and distressing day."
On May 20, 1776, it was voted that "the Selectmen purchase a drum and fife for the use of the Training Band of this town." And on the 20th of June, the same year, it was voted that "we of this town will support the independence of the American Colonies with our lives and fortunes, Pro- vided the American Congress shall declare these Colonies Independent of the Kingdom of Great Brittain."
During the dark and bloody days of that period it was the custom to choose every year a committee of correspondence, direction and protection. At one meeting it was "voted to give Martin Nash 400 dolers to serve during the Present war for this town." And later it was " Voted to give Robert Owens the sum of two hundred Dolers for past services, and as an encouragement for him to serve for this Town during the present war."
In 1781 it was "voted to raise ten thousand pounds to procure beef for the continental army." It was voted that the pay of the soldiers should be in silver or gold, and Continental money or grain at certain specified rates. Great forethought was taken to secure to the people the liberties for which the war was carried on. A committee of nine men was chosen to examine the form of constitution proposed, and to report their opinion concerning the business contained therein ; and after their report the town voted to accept the constitution with such amendments as the committee suggested.
Town meetings were held with great frequency for the consideration of the public business. For the year 1781 the records report the doings of thirty-five meetings of the town.
The spirit of the people is shown in the vote that "The Town of Granby will use all means in their Power to render the intentions of the Gen'l Court of this State effectual Touching all things expressed in an act entitled an act to Prevent Monopoly and Oppression, &c."
The people did not hesitate to call their officers to account when they thought there was occasion for it ; nor to warn out of town any whose pres- ence seemed likely to interfere with the general and public welfare. There independence was matched by their courage ; and their courage was tempered with prudence.
It is told of Levi Taylor, who at the age of sixteen joined the army of the Revolution, that when he left his home his mother said to him, “ Levi, never let me hear of your being a coward." That determined spirit of the mother's found expression in the heroic services of noble sons, and is cherished and honored by an appreciative posterity.
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Three generations later the same courage and patriotism were illustrated in the enlistment of a great-grandson, Joseph Knight Taylor, in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion, who, counting not his life too dear if only his country could live, gave himself a sacrifice, to die a patriot, and to live in memory a hero. He died in 1864, only 24 years of age. On his monument in the Granby cemetery, may be seen the expressive epitaph: "Sweet after battle is the tired soldier's rest."
The history of the town gathers luster also from the record of Capt. Will- iam B. Clark, in the war of the Rebellion. Of him it was said by one who knew him well, Surgeon Pease, also a son of Granby who served in the war, that "he was always perfectly cool and brave, and always led his men into action." "Few have had a better record; none could have had a more honorable death." It was said of him by a brother captain, "I have ever found him the same under all circumstances, -a kind, generous, noble- hearted, brave and Christian man. He combined the two qualities of bravery and prudence in a remarkable degree." In noble service he lost his life, struck down in battle, a hero and patriot, the true son of an honorable an- cestry. Others, animated by the same spirit, shared their perils, but lived to enjoy the privileges and blessings they had saved to their country.
They went bravely to battle, some to sup with death and some to share the joys of victory. Their deeds have lent brightness to the annals of their coun- try, and the muse of history has graven their names upon her enduring page. They were, George N. Fletcher, Samuel A. Chapin, Eliot P. Ferry, Lucien E. Robinson, Charles Bachelor, Frederick Bachelor, Edwin Smith, Andrew J. Converse, Danforth L. Converse, Lemuel Warner, Orlando Wilson, Cyrus B. Smith (surgeon), William Bartlett, William F. Pease, Robert M. Smith, Chapin Warner, Loren E. Goldthwait, Alexander P. Cook, William H. Cook, Michael O'Neil, George S Stebbins, Dwight A. Barrett, Frederick P. Converse. Charles A. Rhodes, Hiram Tilley, Charles W. Fletcher, John Warner, Malcolm Bridgman, Asaph P. Barton, Charles H. Bates, David Casey, Samuel B. Dick- inson, Francis H. Gardner, Charles W. Hunter, Edwin N. Hunt, Dwight C. Morgan, Dwight Preston, Samuel C. Smith, William A. Smith, Charles Spooner, Sylvester H. Taylor, John Tilley, Frank H. Stearns, Charles H. Church.
While they were at the front, the home-guard of patriots sustained them honorably by vote, sympathy, material aid and kindly ministries. The record of the town during the war is a patriotic one. At the outset, "the sum of a thousand dollars was voted to pay the soldiers while drilling, and for the sup- port for the space of a year thereafter, of the families of such as should lose their lives in the contest." And action in keeping with this beginning was maintained throughout the contest.
It may be added in a final word, that as in the war for independence and the war for union and liberty, the town can boast of an honorable record, so in all the great reformatory movements her people have shown a real devotion
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to the best interests of humanity. In wealth of character the town is as rich as in natural beauty and attractiveness. In this she is almost unrivaled, showing a great variety of hill and dale, mountain and meadow, upland and lowland, field and forest, rich in flowers and foliage, the fitting ornamentation of a land flowing with milk and honey, a land well suited to be the home of patriots and heroes, worthy citizens of a Paradise regained.
Notes Biographical .- David Church, son of Josiah, was born in South Had- ley, and made the first settlement upon the farm now owned by Monroe Keith, and resided in Granby the larger part of his life. He married Rachel Moody, daughter of John Moody, one of the early settlers. She bore him five children, David, Jonathan, Nadoiah, Benjamin and Rachel. David married Lucy Scranton, who bore him nine children, namely, Lois, John, Rufus, Allen, Ruel, Augustin, Mary, David and Marilla, all of whom except Ruel and three daughters are living, and three, John, Rufus and Augustin, in Granby.
Noah Ferry was born 1712, and lived on the farm now owned by Charles Kellogg. He married Experience Allis, and both are buried in the cemetery at Granby. They reared four children, Noah, Charles, Daniel and Rebecca. Noah, Jr., was born in this town October 18, 1748, married Hannah, daugh- ter of Joseph Montague, and reared ten children. Capt. Luther Ferry was born in Granby, and reared nine children, viz .: Lucius, Luther, Addison, Ed- win, Alvin, Susannah, Lois, Azuba and Julia.
Elihu Clark, son of Israel, and a descendant of Lieut. William Clark, was born December 7, 1785, married Roxa Ayres, and had born to him six chil- dren, viz .: Clinton, who was a graduate of Amherst college, Climena, Sarah E., Spencer and Mercer. Spencer married Aurilla, adopted daughter of Alvan Davis, of Royalston, Mass., and lived on the farm now owned by Mrs. Clark, until his death, which occurred may 14, 1883, aged sixty-four years. He had born to him one son, William S., who is attending Yale college.
John Giddings was one of the early settlers of this town, and settled on the farm now owned by Angeline Kellogg. His son James was born in this town, and his children were as follows: Mary, Daniel, Sally, Patty, John, Joseph and Huldah. The last mentioned married Calvin Shaw, of Belcher- town, who was a sea captain, and died at Savannah, June 10, 1812. They had one child, Calvin, who resides in this town.
Jonathan Burnet came to Granby, from Long Island, about 1770, and pur- chased the farm now owned by Nelson Smith. He married Mehetable Dick- inson, and had born to him seven children. Bela, son of Jonathan, married twice, first Clarissa Warner, who bore him three children, all deceased, and second, Sally (Johnson) Alden, and had two children, only one of whom is living, Salena, the wife of Nelson Smith.
Dolphin D. Chapin, son of Dormer, who was a son of Capt. Phineas, and a lineal descendant of Dea. Samuel Chapin who came from Wales and settled in Roxbury about 1635, was born in 1810, married Achsah M., daughter of Amos Ferry of this town, and in 1842 moved on to the place where he now
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