USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Gazetteer of Hampshire County, Mass., 1654-1887 > Part 52
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TOWN OF WARE.
His heirs sold the property to Isaac Magoon, and it then passed to his son Alexander, in 1765. At this time there were a grist-mill and saw-mill here. In 1813, the whole property, comprising the site of the present village, was sold by James Magoon, grandson of Alexander, to Alpheus Demond, for $4,500.00. Mr. Demond came here the same year, built a dam, repaired the saw-mill and grist-mill, and started two carding machines, and the following year built a cotton-mill. But before this was completed he died, and the fac- tory stood unused till 1821, when it was purchased by Holbrook & Dexter, of Boston, for $15,000.00. A company was soon formed, extensive building and repairs begun, and in 1823 the Ware Company was formed, with a capital of $600,000.00. But their plans were too vast and extensive for the times, or at least were ill-advised, for the company never made a dividend.
In 1829 the Hampshire Manufacturing Company was formed, with a cap- ital of $400,000.00, who took all the property of the Ware Company. They went down with the great crash of 1837.
The Otis Company .- In 1839 the Otis Company was organized, with a capital of $350,000.00. They purchased all the property of the Hampshire Manufacturing Company on the north side of the river, and increased their capital to $500,000.00. In June, 1845, the mill built by the Ware Company in 1824 was destroyed by fire. The company immediately began the erection of a new brick mill on the same site, 200 feet long, by fifty feet wide, and five stories high. They also built one the same year, of stone, of the same size, on the falls below. In 1856-57 the old mills on the middle falls were taken down, and a new mill was erected, 200 feet long by fifty-three feet wide, and six stories high. In 1869 an addition of fifty feet in length was made to this mill, making it 250 feet long by fifty-three feet wide. In 1861 the Otis Com- pany, in connection with Mr. Stevens, built a new dam of granite, at the mid- dle falls. In 1864 they removed the looms from the new mill, and, replacing them with knitting-machines, began the manufatory of hoseiry. They have at present on their pay-roll about 1,350 employees in their three mills and various finishing buildings. Two of the mills produce checks and denims, and the largest mill cotton underwear in a great variety of styles. The business is about equally divided between the two departments. In the weaving de- partment there are 20,736 spindles and 660 looms; in the underwear depart- ment 12,016 spindles, and a large plant of knitting machinery. The average annual product is about 8,500,000 yards of checks and denims, 140,000 doz- ens underwear, and 35,000 men's half-hose, consuming about 3,800,000 pounds of cotton, and 180,000 pounds of yarn, purchased from other spin- ners, a part of which is imported.
These mills very rarely run on short time, and the product is generally in good demand. During the past season the company have built a large dye- house for the woolen goods department, and are also building an addition of about 72x52, five stories, to the underwear mill, which, when completed, will make this mill about 350 feet in length. It is expected that these additions
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TOWN OF WARE.
will lead to some increase of product, and consequently the employment of more help. The employees of these mills come principally from about 450 families in the town, for which the company provide tenements for about 129 families. The tenement property is well cared for, particular attention being given to sanitary conditions.
The Palmer mill property, at Three Rivers, is also a part of the plant of the Otis Company. This mill contains 23,040 spindles, and 690 loomns, pro- ducing about 8,000,000 yards of Otis checks, seersuckers and cantons, with about 625 employees.
The product of the company is sold by Messrs. Bliss, Fabyan & Co., Bos- ton, New York and Philadelphia. George T. Fabyan, of Boston, is treasurer of the company. Edwin H. Baker, resident agent, with George E. Tucker, superintendent at Ware, and R. C. Newell, superintendent at Three Rivers.
Charles A. Stevens & Co .- In 1841 George H. Gilbert and Charles A. Stevens came from North Andover, in the eastern part of the state, and pur- chased of the assignees of the Hampshire Company all the property belong- ing to them on the south side of the river, including the water power, land, woolen-mill, and machinery. These gentlemen formed a co-partnership under the name of Gilbert & Stevens, and began the manufacture of broadcloth. In 1846 they built a new mill on the falls below the one they then occupied, and put in four sets of woolen machinery. The mill was five stories high, and eighty feet long by fifty feet wide, and was built of granite taken from a quarry on the road to Warren. In 1844 this firm turned their attention to the manufacture of fine flannels, and so great was their success that their goods not only took the front rank in this country, but at the "World's Fair" held in London, in 1851, they were awarded the highest prize, (a gold medal) over all the competitors of the Old World. In 1851 the firm of Gilbert & Stevens was dissolved, and a division of the property was made, Mr. Gilbert taking the new mill, or, as it was called, the "Granite Mill," and Mr. Ste- vens receiving the old, or "Ware Woolen Mill." Mr. Stevens has made sev- eral additions and improvements to the property. He took his son, Charles E. Stevens, into parnership with him, and they do an extensive business in the manufacture of white and opera flannels and ladies dress goods, employ- ing about 200 hands.
George H. Gilbert Manufacturing Co .- As we have said, in 1851, the Gil- bert & Stevens Co. was dissolved, Mr. Gilbert taking the " new stone mill " and there with six sets of machinery continuing the manufacture of fine white flannels, etc. In 1857 Mr. Lewis N. Gilbert, a nephew, was admitted as a partner, and the firm became George H. Gilbert & Co., which title it retained until an act of the legislature in 1867 gave it its psesent name. In 1860 Messrs. George H. Gilbert & Co. purchased a water power in that portion of the adjoining town of Hardwick, which is now known as Gilbertville, and there erected a brick mill containing eight sets of machinery. In 1867
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TOWN OF WARE.
another mill was added, farther down the stream. Both these stand to-day and have grown to contain together forty sets of machines.
The product of the mills has been varied from time to time to meet the de- mands of trade, and at present consists principally of ladies' dress goods, although the fine white and opera flannels upon which the company obtained its reputation are still made. The corporation has now a capital stock of $600,000.00, forty-seven sets of woolen cards, 30,000 woolen spindles, about 540 broad looms, and the machinery necessary for furnishing the product of the same. The officers are Lewis N. Gilbert, president ; Charles D. Gilbert, treasurer; and J. H. Grenville Gilbert, secretary.
The West Ware Paper Co.'s mill, on road 27, was built by a stock com- pany with a capital of $30,000.00 and with the same officers as now in charge, in 1884. The company have four 1,000-pound engines, one seventy-two- inch Foudrinier. The mill is operated by both steam and water-power, and turns out about twenty-four tons of book, news and roll paper per week, em- ploying thirty-five hands. The officers are S. P. Bailey, of Greenwich, presi- dent, and John B. Warren, treasurer.
R. C. Snow's grist and saw mill, on road 38, was built in 1886, upon the site of one destroyed by fire on January 27, 1886. The site has been in the family about thirty years. The grist-mill has two runs of stones, a large ele- vator, and grinds about two car-loads of grain per week. The saw-mill has a circular saw, planing machine, shingle-mill, etc., and cuts about 500,000 feet of lumber per year.
Jonathan I. Harwood's saw-mill and cider-mill, on road 22, was removed from farther up the stream and re-built by him in 1883. The saw-mill has a circular saw, bench saws, shingle machine, etc., and turns out about 50,000 feet of lumber and 40,000 shingles per year, and the cider-mill turns out about 600 barrels of cider per season.
William L. Brakenridge's saw-mill, on road 35, was built by him in 1874. It has a circular saw and shingle-mill, and saws about 20,000 feet of lumber and 15,000 shingles.
George Eddy's boot and shoe manufactory was established by him in 1873. The factory is located on Eddy street. He employs about thirty- five hands, making a specialty of boys', youths' and children's boots, and men's brogans. He turns out about 3,000 cases per year.
Charles W. Eddy has been located in the printing business at number 60 Main street for over fourteen years. In the spring of 1885 he added a plant for photo-mechanical printing-the art of producing illustrations on a press with printers' ink, giving all the minute detail and gradiation of light and shade seen in the photograph. He has made a specialty of publishing illus- trations of the public buildings and places of interest in different towns, ac- companying them with brief sketches. He has already published fourteen volumes of this kind. This is the only establishment in the county doing this work.
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TOWN OF WARE.
BANKS.
The Ware National Bank .- The Hampshire Manufacturers branch at Ware was incorporated February 26, 1825, with a capital of $100,000.00. At different times it was increased until it reached $350.000.00. Elnathan Jones, of Enfield, was president from 1825 to 1827 ; Joseph Bowman, of New Braintree, from 1827 to 1848 ; Orin Sage, of Ware, from 1848 to 1864. Homer Bartlett was cashier from 1825 to 1332 ; Henry Starkweather from 1832 to 1834 ; William Hyde from 1834 to 1864. This bank was re-organ- ized as the Ware National Bank, December 10, 1864, and again December 10, 1884. It was started with a capital of $350,000.00, which was increased to $400,000.00, and reduced to $300,000.00 in March, 1879. William Hyde was chosen president and still continues in office. Henry Ives was chosen cashier, and resgined in 1867, when William S. Hyde was chosen to the position.
The Ware Savings bank was incorporated by an act of the legislature ap- proved March 5, 1850. William Hyde, Henry Lyon, Charles A. Stevens and associates were the original incorporators. The first meeting of the cor- poration was held in the room over the Ware National bank, June 10, 1850, of which William Hyde was chairman and Charles A. Stevens secretary. The organization was finally perfected at an adjourned meeting by the choice of a board of trustees, of which William Hyde was made president, in which office he has been continued to the present time. Joel Rice was chosen sec- retary and treasurer. Of the first board of trustees William Hyde and Charles A. Stevens still continue in office. Joel Rice held the office of treas- urer until his death, in 1857. Otis Lane was chosen June 1, 1857, as his successor, and continued to hold the office until January, 1886, a period of nearly thirty years, when he was succeeded by the present incunibent, Fred- erick D. Gilmore. The bank has now over $2,000,000.00 deposited with it.
CHURCHES.
The First church in Ware, Congregational, located at the center of the town, was organized May 9, 1751, and was long the only church in the town- ship. It had about forty members at the time of its organization, and Rev. Grindall Rawson was the first pastor. The first church building was erected in 1750, a wooden structure which did service till 1800, when the present building was erected. It will seat about 250 persons and is valued, includ- ing grounds, at about $6,500.00. The society now has 111 members, with Rev. William G. Tuttle, pastor, the twelfth in succession since Mr. Rawson's partorate.
The East Congregational church is located at the village. In 1825; owing to the increase of population here, it was deemed advisable to establish a Congregational society. Accordingly, in April, 1826, a society was organized,
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TOWN OF WESTHAMPTON.
and on April 12th the church was constituted. Rev. Parsons Cook, ordained June 21, 1826, was the first pastor. A church building was also erected that year and is still in use, though it has been several times remodeled and ex- tensively repaired.
The Methodist Episcopal church, located at Ware village, was organized by its first pastor, Rev. Joshua Crowell, in 1825. The church building, erected in 1843, will seat 300 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $8,000.00. The society now has 175 members, with Rev. Elwin Hitchcock, pastor.
The First Unitarian church, located at the village, was organized October 7, 1846, and the first pastor was Rev. George S. Ball. A church building was erected the following year, which was destroyed by fire, together with the town hall, November 6, 1867. The present fine church was built in 1869. The pastor of the society is Rev. B. V. Stevenson.
St. William's Roman Catholic church, located at the village, about 1850, as a missionary enterprise connected with the church at Chicopee Falls. It became a separate parish in 1860, and Rev. P. Haley was the first pastor. The church building was erected in 1855. The parish is now a very large one, with Rev. William Moran, pastor.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic church, located at the village, was organized by its first pastor, Rev. L. G. Gagnier, in 1871. The church building, a brick structure capable of seating 750 persons, was built the same year, and is now valued, including grounds and other property, at $18,000.00. The society consists of about 150 families, with Rev. J. T. Sheehan, pastor.
W ESTHAMPTON* lies in the western-central part of the county, has an area of about twenty-five square miles, and is bounded north by Chesterfield and Williamsburg, east by Northampton and parts of Easthampton and Southampton, south by Southampton and west by Huntington and a small part of Chesterfield. It originally formed a part of Northampton, as did the other two "Hamptons." After the latter were set off, a tract four miles wide in the western part of the old town still re- mained under the name of "The Long Division," which, in 1778, was incor- porated into the present town of Westhampton. This name of Westhampton, however, appears in the Northampton records as early as 1774.
The town is drained to the southeast in a general sense, and mostly by tributaries that unite to form the north branch of the Manhan river. These are Turkey brook, Sodom brook and other streams. In the southwest part of the town, however, are found some small rivulets that, with others flowing from Huntington, form the south branch of the Manhan. In the northeast there are also found the head-waters of Roberts Meadow brook, a stream
#Prepared by Frederick H. Judd.
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TOWN OF WESTHAMPTON.
that finally unites with Mill river at Leeds, in the town of Northampton. The east branch of the Westfield river touches the northwest corner of West- hampton. In the north part of Westhampton, then, these three river sys- teins-the Manhan, the Westfield, and the Mill river-have some of their sources very near each other, the high hills along the Chesterfield line forming the water-shed of the three valleys.
Westhampton may fairly be called a mountainous town. There are several distinct elevations with special names. Along the western side are Canada hill, Spruce hill, Gob hill, Breakneck mountain, and Red-Oak hill. In the center, north of the village, is Tob hill. Southeast of the reservoir is the eminence known as Hanging mountain, and near the middle of the east side of the town is Turkey hill. The names of two of these are evidently derived from the timber upon them, and a third from the number of wild turkeys found there originally, and even within the memory of some now living in town.
Settlement and Growth .- The first settlement in Westhampton was made in the southern part of the town, near the road now leading from Northamp- ton to Huntington. That part of the latter town bordering on Westhampton was then called "Shirkshire," or "New Plantation," and that next beyond " Murrayfield." The people of Northampton wished to communicate with the people of Murrayfield, and so a road was laid out and called the Shirkshire road ; this being essentially the same as that now leading from Northampton to Huntington, varying in the eastern part by taking a more southerly turn and crossing the stream just over the line, several rods lower down, thus reaching "King's Mill," near the site of which the brick paper-mill now stands. This road was simply a path through the woods, indicated by blazed trees. " It was laid out very wide so that travelers on horseback could wind their way among the rocks and trees."
Abner Smith made the first settlement in the town, coming from Connecti- cut to Murrayfield, and thence to Westhampton, about 1762, and locating near the old Enoch Lyman place, near where L. L. Rhodes now resides. He lived here a few years, and built again near the Fisher place, which he sold to Jonathan Fisher, about 1770. This place has remained in the Fisher family to the present day, descending from father to son, from Jonathan to Aaron, to Aaron, Jr., and to Jairus, the present occupant.
The second settlement was made by Ebenezer French, who located near the old tavern-stand of " Landlord" Ephraim Wright, a short distance from the Northampton line, on the Shirkshire road. This place descended to Martin, then to Lewis Wright, and was sold to Edmund Slattery, the present occupant. About 1767 Timothy Pomeroy came from Southampton, bought out Ebenezer French, and set up a tavern, which afterward passed into the hands of Ephraim Wright. This tavern was well patronized by the workmen in the lead mines then operated by the noted Ethan Allen and others.
At this time Nathaniel Strong, of Northampton, owned a large tract of land
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TOWN OF WESTHAMPTON.
south of the Shirkshire road, near where William J. Lyman now lives. On this land was a large sugar orchard, and his boys used to come out yearly to make maple sugar. One of them, Noah Strong, Jr., located here, building about half-way between the Shirkshire road and Mr. Lyman's present resi- dence. Here his son Lemuel was born, being the first child born in the town of Westhampton.
In 1765 Samuel Kingsley, of Southampton, deeded his two sons, Samuel and Joseph, farms on the Shirkshire road. The descendants of Joseph have lived in this town until the present day. His sons, Joseph, Jr., Ezra, Ware- ham and Marvel, all settled in this rown. Joseph, Jr.'s, children were Joseph S., Zenas and Lucy (Mrs Jesse Lyman). Of these, Joseph S. and Zenas lived in Northampton. Edward W., son of Zenas, now lives on the place near the church, occupied at first by Sylvester Judd, Esq., and afterward by Anson Chapman. Mrs. Lyman's children are Mary E. (Mrs. Edward Norton) and William E. Ezra's children were Wealthy (Mrs. J. A. Judd), Orin, removed to Northampton, Miriam (Mrs. Horace Baker), who lived in the place occu- pied by her father, in the south part of the town, Ezra M., who lives in New York city. Ezra was killed by lightning in his house in 1835. The children of Wealthy were Amoret (Mrs. Enoch Lyman), Jane W. (Mrs. Josiah Hooker), of Springfield, Harriet A. (Mrs. A. C. Shepard), who lives near the center of the town, Frederick H., who lives near the church, in the old "Centre school- house," now re-modeled into a store and dwelling-house. Wareham's children are Alvin W., Roland, Almeron and Olive Jane. Alvin and his son William W. live on the place formerly owned by Nathan and Newman Clark, in the north part of the town. The other children of Wareham removed to East- hampton and Northampton. Marvel's children were Samantha (Mrs. J. M. Knight), of Chesterfield, Arlina (Mrs. George N. King), of Iowa, Elmina (Mrs. C. C. King), William M., killed in battle, Mary E., lives in Westfield, a music teacher. George E. Knight, son of Samantha, lives near the center of the town.
In 1768 Captain William Bartlett moved into town and was elected one of the first board of selectmen. He settled near where Captain Jared Bartlett lived so long, and where Samuel Williams now lives. Among his sons were Elihu and Jared. Elihu located further west on the road that leads to Enoch Lyman's old place, and there for many years was the only grist-mill for miles around. This place descended from Elihu to Elihu, Jr., to Christopher C., to O. Warren Bartlett, the present owner. Elihu P., son of Elihu, Jr., lives with his son, Edward A., on the place in the southeast part of the town, where Sylvester Judd and Orin Kingsley formerly lived. Elihu P. married Elsie, daughter of Orin Kingsley. It is said that the daughter of Parson Hale, as well as many other girls, used to come to the old grist-mill spoken of with their grist of corn and rye, on horseback, about the only mode of travel at that time.
In 1767 Jonathan Clark, of Southampton, deeded to his son, Jonathan, Jr., 30*
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a parcel of land in Westhampton, and in 1774 he came here and settled, about a mile west of the church, on the hill. The traces of these buildings are still to be seen. Mr. Clark left his family and joined the army, then at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, from which he returned a confirmed invalid. His son Jonathan, the third, relinquished his desire to complete his education, and, at the request of his parents, remained on the farm. His sons, Dorus and Festus S. both became ministers. Dorus preached, or lived in Blandford, Springfield, Boston and Waltham. He had a deep affection for his native town and visited it yearly if he could do so. At the time of the re-union he presented the Center school, of which he was a member in his boyhood, with funds to be called the "Clark Scholarship Fund," the income of which was to be given "to the best reader and speller in the first class, at the close of the winter term." It has accordingly been awarded up to the present time. Nathan Clark built the place, half a mile north of the church, where Dr. Orcutt afterwards lived and died, and where E. A. Howard now lives. It was in this house that Mr. Hale used to preach, and that the first town- meeting was held. Nathan's son Luther occupied the old place, and Theo- dore, another son, settled on the opposite side of the road, where his son Theodore, and afterward A. G. Jewett, lived. This place is now owned by Orville Flint. Nathan, Jr., settled in the north part of the town, where Alvin W. Kingsley now lives. Theodore married Mercy, daughter of Gideon Clark, and his sons were Theodore and Daniel W. The latter lived near the old place. His children, Emma, (Mrs. Samuel Williams) and Martha, (Mrs. A. K. Chapman), are both residents of this town.
Elijah Norton settled in the town in 1785, at the top of the hill, where Norton's tavern was so long kept, and where C. C. Bartlett now resides. His son Elijah continued the place after his death, and his son Joseph occupied the place at the foot of the hill, where Mrs. Moses Ludden, his daughter, now lives. Joseph's son, Joseph D., now lives in Loudville, near where the "King's mill" of early times stood. His son, Leonard M. Norton, lives with him and the firm of J. D. Morton & Son here, do a good business in wood-turning and manufacturing patent ladders. Elijah Norton, Jr., removed to the Centre, and his son, Benjamin H., continued to keep the tavern. Ben- jamin's son, Charles H., became a clergyman and preached and died in Becket. Edward, another son, kept a hotel in New York state. His son, Charles H., lived not far from where Asa Parsons formerly lived, near the Northampton line. George S., a third son of Benjamin, lived on the old place and sold it to C. C. Bartlett.
Timothy Phelps was one of the first settlers of this town, coming hither from Northampton. Coming out from there in the spring and working through the summer he would return to Northampton to winter. Timothy, his son, built the house on road 28}, now occupied by Strong A. Phelps, his brother, Milton F., and sister, Flora L. He married Lois Wright, of this town, and reared a family of four sons and four daughters. His son Jona-
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TOWN OF WESTHAMPTON.
than succeeded him on the homestead. He married Lydia, daughter of Aaron Fisher, and granddaughter of Maj. Aaron Fisher, one of the first set- tlers of the town. They had a family of four sons and two daughters. The oldest son, Mahlon D., died at the age of nine years ; Jonathan W. enlisted in the late war in the 37th Mass. Vols., in 1864, and in six weeks contracted measles, and died of pneumonia, the effects of that disease, at Washington ; Strong A. and Milton F. are living on the farm occupied by their father and grandfather ; Christiana L. died at the age of twenty-three, after a lingering sickness of three years; Flora L. resides with her brother as above.
Paul Clark settled about 1785, half a mile south of the center. Of his sons, Asher, Gains and Ira remained in town. Asher and Ira lived on the old place, and Gains removed to the southeast part of the town. His son Charles continued on his father's place, where Mrs. Charles Clark now lives.
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