USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Gazetteer of Hampshire County, Mass., 1654-1887 > Part 49
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Jonathan Judd, Jr., received a liberal education, having graduated at Yale college at twenty-one years of age. For two or three years he was the in- structor of a grammar school in Hatfield. The first store in Southampton was opened by him, in 1769. The records of the town, while he was town clerk, are models of neatness and accuracy. He was moderately successful in business, and at his death his estate was estimated at $14,000.00. He was succeeded in business by his nephew, Asa Judd. Since 1769 the mercantile business has been conducted here without interruption by some member of the family, the present representative being A. G. Judd.
Sylvester Judd removed to Westhampton. His son, Sylvester, in 1822 became the editor and proprietor of the Hampshire Gazette, which he con- ducted with much ability for thirteen years. After his retirement from the 28*
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Gazette, he spent three or four years in arranging in volumes the public pa- pers and documents in the state house at Hartford, Conn. His tastes and inclinations were in the direction of historical and geneological researches, in which pursuit he has rendered invaluable service to the people of Hampshire county. His son Sylvester, the third of the name, graduated at Yale college in 1836, and became the pastor of the Unitarian church at Augusta, Me. His intuitions were lofty, elevating and ennobling, and his whole nature was eloquent with generous and magnanimous emotions and impulses. He was a man of genius, as well as of learning. as the story of " Margaret " fully attests.
Frederick Judd remained in Southampton and resided during a part of his life where Harris Nimocks now lives. He was a representative to the general court, selectman of the town and a magistrate of the commonwealth. He accumulated a handsome property, and was a citizen of character and in- fluence in the community. Jonathan Judd, Jr., was town clerk ten years ; Jonathan N. Judd, son of Asa Judd, sixteen years; and Frederick E. Judd, a grandson, ten years and the present incumbent of the office.
Rev. Vinson Gould was a native of Sharon, Conn., and was settled as the colleague of Mr. Judd in August, ISor, and dismissed in January, 1832, after ·a pastorate of thirty-one years. This gentleman was distinguished for his love of learning, and the schools of the town under his supervision and guid- ance attained to a high degree of excellence. It was owing to his encourage- ment more than to any other cause that so many young men in Southamp- ton were induced to obtain a liberal education and embrace the clerical pro- fession. He married Mindwell Woodbridge, daughter of Doctor Woodbridge. His son, David Gould, became a lawyer and practiced his profession in New York. One daughter, Mary, married Rev. A. W. McClure, and another. Mindwell, married Rev. John Patton, and resides in Delaware. After his dismissal, Mr. Gould was engaged for a while in teaching.
Elias Lyman was one of the original thirty who settled in the town, and was the descendant in the fifth degree of Richard Lyman, of High Ongar, Essex, England. His mother's name was Mindwell Sheldon. The name of Mindwell, used probably for its peculiar significance by the fathers, was a popular one for a long time in this region, and is, moreover, an euphoneous one. Caleb Strong, one of the most illustrious of the sons of Massachusetts, and one of the first senators in the congress of the United States, and gov- ernor of the commonwealth in a season of intense public excitement, was a nephew of Elias Lyman. He came to Southampton before he was eighteen . years of age, and located in the west part of the precinct, being the first set- tler in that neighborhood, though Samuel Burt soon followed him. Eleven years afterward he left his forest home, traveled to Boston, and joined the army under General William Pepperell, for the capture of Louisburg, a strongly fortified town on the east side of the island of Cape Breton. He returned uninjured, and thereafter engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agricul-
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ture. Though in the decline of life he actively participated in the struggle for independence, and was elected a member of the provincial congress that met at Concord. He was a man of exemplary character, and filled many positions of trust and responsibility. Two of his sons were pioneers in the settlement of Chester. His daughter Eunice married Lemuel Pomeroy, and from her are descended the Pomeroy family of Pittsfield, long noted for busi- ness enterprise and wealth.
Col. Samuel Lyman, grandson of Elias Lyman, was a resident of South- ampton for many years, and like his ancestor, filled many important civil po- sitions in the town. He was a man of strong convictions and great firmness of character. Stephen Lyman, son of Colonel Lyman, besides attending to his farming and merchandise business, is also station agent of the Northamp- ton & New Haven railroad. He has represented the town in the lower branch of the legislature, and at present is one of the deacons of the Congregational church. The honors and duties of the diaconate seem to seek this branch of the Lyman family. He is the fourth in lineal succession who has filled the office, the line of descent being Elias, Stephen, Samuel, Stephen. His daughter Harriet married Rev. William R. Stocking, who was for some time engaged in missionary labors in the neighborhood of Urumiah, in northwest- ern Persia. She died two or three years after her marriage, of cholera, in the valley of the Tigris, whither she had accompanied her husband on a visit. In all respects she was an estimable and accomplished young lady. Charles B. Lyman, another son, occupies the homestead, and is at present one of the selectmen of the town. He is an intelligent and progressive farmer. and makes a specialty of purchasing certain kinds of supplies for the Springfield market, a business he has followed for many years.
Isaac Parsons removed to Southampton from Northampton, in 1775. He was a descendant in the fifth degree of Cornet Joseph Parsons, who came to New England in the same year, and probably in the same ship that brought Henry Vane and Hugh Peters. He was one of the original settlers of Spring- field, and his name is attached as a witness to the deed by which the Indians conveyed the territory comprised within the limits of the township to the English. Eighteen years afterwards he was one of the company that founded Northampton and organized the "Old Church." Isaac Parsons became the proprietor of what was denominated in the old maps of the precinct the "third square mile," situated in the extreme northwest corner of Southampton. This large tract remained nearly intact for one hundred years, and has never passed entirely ftom the control of the family. He married Mindwell King, of Northampton. Isaac Parsons, son of the preceding and second of the name, was born in 1790. His preparatory studies were pursued under the instruction of the Rev. Moses Hallock, of Plainfield, who was somewhat noted for fitting young men for college. He graduated from Yale, received theo- logical instruction at Andover, and preached for a short time in Worcester and also in Northampton. He was finally settled over the Congregational
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church in East Haddam, Conn., and there he remained until his death. He was a man of scholarly attainments, more than average mental endowments, and a perspicuous and vigorous writer. His only son, Rev. Henry M. Par- sons, was the colleague of Dr. Osgood, of the First church, in Springfield. Another son, Theodore Parsons, born in 1781, remained upon the homestead, the "third square mile." He was a careful, prudent and industrious man. Sensible of the benefits which would inure to his children by affording them greater educational advantages than could be obtained in Southampton, he removed temporarily to Northampton, where they were instruced in the higher branches of learning. His son Theodore entered Yale college, but died in his junior year. Mr. Parsons died in 1854, leaving a good estate. His son, Isaac Parsons, the representative of the family, has resided for the last few years in the village, and the town has no worthier citizen. Of excellent abil- ities and well educated, he has often been selected to fill positions of honor and responsibility, the duties of which he has discharged intelligently and creditably. He has often been chairman of the board of selectmen, the guid- ing mind in the school committee for nearly thirty years, and in 1866 a rep- resentative in the legislature from the first district of Hampshire county.
Samuel Edwards, in 1753, removed to this town from Northampton, and purchased the farm of Thomas Porter. He was a teacher during the winter season for about forty years, and the chair which he occupied while engaged in that .vocation is still preserved by the family, as well as a gun which he carried in the wars against the French and Indians. This gun was also carried by his son Elisha in the Revolutionary war, and by his grandson Elisha in the war of 1812. Elisha Edwards, commonly known as Colonel Edwards, grandson of Samuel Edwards, was among the prominent men who have lived and died in Southampton. He was an intelligent man, prudent and conscientious in speech, and especially careful not to wound the sensibil- ities of any members of the community by ill-timed or hasty expressions. In early life he manifested more than ordinary interest in public affairs and was repeatedly made the recipient of the public confidence and favor. Seven times he represented the town in the legislature, was often one of the board of selectmen and a member of the last constitutional convention of Massachu- setts. His sou, Elisha A. Edwards, was a captain in the 3Ist regiment, Mas- sachusetts Volunteers, and was with General Butler in Louisiana. He has been one of the county commissioners for the county of Hampshire eighteen years, during most of the time chairman of the board, and was recently elected for another term of three years. Charles L. Edwards, another son, entered the military service soon after the commencement of the civil war as lieutenant in Company D, 37th regiment, was promoted to the rank of captain and then to that of major. He was in the army of the Potomac and partici_ pated in all the great battles in which that army was engaged. He now resides in Kansas. The third son, George K. Edwards, was also in the army with the rank of lieutenant. His regiment was mostly employed in Virginia
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and about the defences of Washington. He resides upon the paternal home- stead and is noted for his enterprise in agricultural matters. Rev. Bela B. Edwards, grandson of Deacon Samuel Edwards, graduated from Amherst col- lege in 1824, and adapted the ministerial profession. He was distinguished for his scholastic attainments and became widely known as a professor in the Andover Theological seminary, and as editor of various denominational peri- odicals. His mental habits were systematic and methodical, his love of learn- ing intense, and his industry unwearied. In purely literary acquirements it may be said, without injustice to any, that he excelled all the other sons of Southampton. His labors were immense and he died at the meridian of his fame and in the full possession of his intellectual powers at the age of forty- nine years. Luther Edwards, second son of Deacon Samuel Edwards, settled about a mile west of the village. It is a tradition of the family that in the division of the paternal estate he received more acres of land than his brother Elisha, because a larger proportion of his share was hilly or mountainous. He was a prosperous and respected citizen, and served the town as selectman and member of the legislature. He married Clarissa, daughter of Rev. Jon- athan Judd, and their daughter, Clarissa, became the wife of Major Harvey Kirkland, for many years register of deeds for Hampshire county. Luther Edwards, Jr., who succeeded to the homestead, was a man of vigorous men- tal powers, fixed opinions and strong convictions. He was studious in his habits and devoted his leisure moments to the perusal of works which tended to enlarge and improve the understanding. Au anxious seeker after truth, he would unhesitatingly follow its teachings wheresoever it might lead regard- less of personal consequences. It is said of him that at the advent of the temperance reformation he derived a considerable part of his income from a distillery. After examining the subject with his usual care, he came to the conclusion that the reform was a beneficial one to individuals and society, and that he would distill no more spirituous liquors. But he would not sell the equipment of the distillery to others to do what his conscience told him was wrong. The establishment was suffered to decay. He was a member of the legislature when the construction of the New Haven and Northampton canal was agitated. His excellent judgment clearly dis- cerned that the enterprise would prove a disastrous failure-as it did- and he refused to countenance or promote the plans of its projectors. This adherence to the dictates of duty cost him his seat in the legis- lature, as he was defeated at the next election by a canal man. His son, Rev. Henry L. Edwards, graduated at Amherst college in 1847, studied theology at the Andover seminary, and for several years was the pastor of churches at South Abington and North Middleborough, but now resides in Northampton.
Noah Clarke came from Northampton, and settled in the west part of the town, on the banks of the Manhan river, at the foot of Montgomery moun- tain. The farm at the close of his life comprised about four hundred acres
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of land, which was inherited mainly by his son, the late Strong Clarke, who occupied the homestead nearly to the close of his life. Strong Clarke was in many respects a notable man. In his life he practiced the virtues of pru- dence and frugality, tempered with a judicious and well-directed charity. One of his prominent characteristics was his innate modesty and diffidence. He was in manner kind and sympathetic, and these qualities were exerted invariably to subdue and convince as well as to disarm and obliterate hos- tility and enmity. An admirable man in all the relations of life. His merits were appreciated by his townsmen, and he was twice elected to the legisla- ture at a time when, owing to the multiplicity of parties, no other man, probably, could have obtained a majority in the constituency. His eldest son, Joseph S. Clarke, is a prominent citizen of Westfield ; and the youngest, Jairus E. Clarke, is at the present time high sheriff of the county of Hamp- shire.
William S. Rogers was a useful and influential citizen, and served the town in various capacities. Was town clerk two years, a selectman fifteen years, and a representative in the general court three years.
Zeno E. Coleman, a son of Zeno and grandson of Samuel, was born on the oid Coleman homestead, November 17, 1812, one of a family of eleven children. He married Aldula E. Babcock, of Franklin, Portage county, Ohio, September 13, 1838. Their children were Perry M., Henry E., Sum- ner O., Dwight D., Catharine E., Eugene A. and Sylvester P., four of whom, Henry E., Sumner O., Dwight D. and Sylvester P., are living. Mr. Coleman died April 8, 1882. He held the office of selectman several years, and in 1863-64 was chairman of the board, assisting materially in filling the town's quota. Perry M., their oldest son, was the first to enlist from the town, April 25, 1861, going out with Co. C., 10th Mass. Vols., and was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862. His body was the only one of the Southampton boys that was brought home for burial. Zeno's widow now resides with her son, Dwight, on road 25.
Flavel K. Sheldon, a son of Capt. Silas, and descendant of Israel, was born on the present Benson farm, December 12, 1831. When about seven - teen years of age his parents moved to the farm he now occupies, the old Vincon Gould farm, at the village. On August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 37th Mass. Vols., as a private. In the spring of 1865 he re-enlisted, and was mustered out of service in July following. He was promoted on four different occasions, being mustered out as Ist lieutenant. Mr. Sheldon mar- ried Eunice C. Clapp, June 3, 1852, who bore him two children, Robert F. and Frank C., both of whom are living. Mrs. Sheldon died July 18, 1861, and for his second wife Mr. Sheldon married Adella S. Brown, daughter of Joseph Brown, of Westhampton. Their only child, Grace A., was born July 1, 1870. Mr. Sheldon was elected a state representative in 1884-85, from the Ist Hampshire district, and has held the office of vice-president of the Three-county Agricultural Society four years.
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Alvan W. Chapman graduated from Amherst College in 1830, and adopted the medical profession. Eventually he removed to Florida and settled at Apalachicola, and was in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice at the out- break of the rebellion. Being a northern man and entertaining strong union sentiments, he soon found his position one of embarrassment and even dan- ger. Constantly menaced with the hostility of the more violent part of the community, he often found it necessary, to preserve his personal liberty, to pass the night in a boat among the numerous islands in the lagoon below the town. But he never could be induced to recognize the southern confederacy or render it any aid or comfort. When the rebellion was suppressed and the state reconstructed, he received the appointment of judge of probate for the county of Franklin, and discharged the duties of the office to the gene- ral satisfaction of the people. A few years afterwards he was commissioned by the general government to describe and clasify the plants, shrubs and trees of South Florida, and, making extensive explorations for the purpose, performed the work assigned him in an exhaustive and admiable manner. Although a modest and diffident man, averse to all notoriety, his fame as a sci- entist has extended beyond the limits of the United States, and he has been for many years an esteemed correspondent of scientific societies in Europe. A man of learning and of many acquirements in his special department, he is now passing the remnent of his life in retirement at Apalachicola.
Edson Hannum is one of the prominent citizens of Southampton. Always noted for his studious habits he may be ranked among men of more than the average intelligence. In the various reforms which have agitated society and the nation during the last half century, he has taken a deep interest. Especi- ally was this true in regard to the anti-slavery cause, and so strong were his convictions on this subject that he severed his connection with the political party with which he had acted, and joined the party of freedom. Essentially progressive in the tendencies of his mind, he has always advocated such measures as seemed, in his judgment, just and proper, and designed to promote the greatest good of the greatest number. He has been often elected by the people to civil positions, and in 1864 was an active and efficient member of the legislature. Mr. Hannum was born on the old Han- num farm, May 26, 1815, and still resides there. He married Rosette Shad- man, of Manchester, Conn., May 10, 1837, who bore him five children, four of whom, Ellen J., Frederick M., Hattie B. and Frank E., are living.
Lewis Hannum, son of Quartus, and brother of Edson, was born here March 26, 1817, on the old Hannum farm. He resided there until 1856, and sold it in 1861 to the present proprietor. In 1866 he remowed to the village and built the house he now occupies. He married Nancy Robinson, April 4, 1839, and has one son, Melvin L., living in Brooklyn, and engaged in the furniture business in New York city.
Asahel Birge, commonly known as "Squire Birge," came from Connecti- cut, and during his whole life was a conspicuous figure in the affairs of the
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town, filling, at various times, the offices of town clerk, selectman, justice of the peace and representative in the legislature. He was the first person in the town to be inoculated for the small-pox. His son, Edward Birge, after a successful business career in Troy, has returned to the homestead to spend the residue of his life, and a grandson, Edward, is a professor in a western college.
Henry S. Sheldon is a son of Simeon Sheldon, was mainly instrumental in organizing the Methodist society, and is a person of note in the old town. He was first elected one of the selectmen in the second year of the civil war and continued in office until the rebellion was subdued. After an interval of a few years he was again elected and officiated as chairman of the board. In 1879 he was chosen a member of the general court.
Lyman C. Tiffany is a native of the town, and like Mr. Sheldon, was one of the selectmen in war times, and rendered the town efficient service in that trying and exacting period of its history. He has filled the office recently with great acceptance to the people. During several years he was town clerk. In 1861, when quite a young man, he was elected to the legislature, and proved an intelligent and capable representative. Mr. Tiffany is one of the most respected citizens of Southampton, and is distinguished for great clear- ness and accuracy of judgment. In this quality of the mind he is excelled by none, and is in every respect a useful and valuable member of society. For several years past he has been engaged in the whip manufacture, an in- dustry in which, owing to judicious and careful management, he has been quite successful.
Sardis Chapman is an aged citizen, a brother of Dr. Alvan W. Chapman, now retired from business in the enjoyment of a competency acquired by in- dustry during the active years of his life. Progressive in his ideas, he has been the consistent advocate of such reforms as seemed in his judgment beneficial to mankind. He is quite an antiquarian, and in geneological mat- ters is an authority that may be relied upon with perfect safety.
Samuel B. Quigley was born in Chester, Hampden county, was educated in the schools of Fairfield, Conn., and in a printing office ; studied two years in the law offices of Hon. William G. Bates, of Westfield, and Messrs. Wells, Davis & Alvord, of Greenfield, but has followed through life the vocations of printer, teacher and farmer. Came to Southampton in 1861, and was one of the representatives in the legislature for the First Hampshire district in the years 1871 and 1872. He has been connected at different periods of his life as a writer with several newspapers, his first contributions to the press having been made when he was only sixteen years of age.
Dea. David B. Phelps, a native of Northampton, was for many years a resi- dent of this town. In all matters of a public nature, bothi secular and re- ligious, he manifested much interest, and was conspicuous for his advocacy of the temperance reform and the extension of the suffrage to women. He
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enlisted in the 52d regiment, and was a faithful soldier in the campaigns in Louisiana. In his death, a few years since, society lost a valuable member.
Deacon Timothy P. Bates, an intelligent citizen, has filled various town offices with credit, and has long been a deacon of the Congregational church, to whose welfare he devotes much time and attention.
Lemuel Pomeroy, one of the old-time worthies, lived on the Pomeroy homestead on the east side of White Loofe hill. It was on the old road from Northampton to Westfield, and was long known as the Pomeroy tavern. This family was included among the early settlers, and has produced some enterprising and capable men. Lemuel Pomeroy was one of the selectmen nine years, and a member of the general court ten or twelve years. In fact, during the active period of his life, but little business was transacted by the town in which he did not participate, and frequently control. Members of this family became noted in Berkshire county for their success in various manufacturing enterprises, and a descendant of this Southampton Pomeroy became the wife of the late General William Francis Bartlett.
Josiah A. Gridley was born in 1802, in Southington, Conn., but lived during his whole life, with the exception of the first two years, in Southamp- ton. He attended the Pittsfield Medical college, and having a natural apti- tude for therapeutics, embraced the medical profession and became a physi- cian of the eclectic school. He was successful in his labors and secured a large and lucrative practice, which he retained until the infirmaties of age compelled him to relinquish it. Dr. Gridley was much more than an ordin- ary man, and analyzed all questions that came under his consideration with much mental acuteness. In the gift of language he was never excelled by any resident of the town, and was endowed with rare natural eloquence. As a talker and conversationalist he had few superiors. Of an inquiring and in- vestigating mind, he was always a seeker after truth, and was never deterred from the pursuit from any apprehension that popular opinion would regard it with disfavor. A prominent attribute of his character was his moral cour- age. An earnest opponent of slavery he was early identified with the party of freedom and gave it a zealous support. The same may be said of the temperance cause with which he warmly sympathized.
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