USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Historical address, delivered at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Wilbraham, June 15, 1863 > Part 13
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" On Springfield mountains there did dwell A likely youth was known full well."
This was " lined off" according to the old style, and sung in Old Hundred by the audience, the old men and women joining with a gusto that would have been creditable in their grandchildren. The next speaker was Rev. Dr. Russell, of East Randolph, who made a few touching and beautiful remarks, revealing the grave side of the picture. Then came Rev. Horatio Stebbins, of Portland, Maine, nud he spoke long and well, calling up reminiscences of the time when he went to church in a building, which, in an architectural point of view, was a cross between a Greek temple and a Yankee barn. A score of humorous and pathetic incidents were carelessly and admirably strung together, and with telling effeet. The speaker,
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in closing, alluded, in stirring words, to the duty of the honr, and urged all who heard him to stand nobly for the right. Rev. Dr. Stebbins of Woburn was last called upon, and while the target of several sharpshooters, proved his ability to return the true metal, and make a capital dinner-table speechi, as well as an elabo- rate oration. At a late hour the assemblage adjourned to June 15, 1963.
And thus passed a bright and happy day to the natives of Wilbraham. Green be it ever in their memory !
The following letter from the Hon. George Merrick, grandson of the Rev. Noah Merrick, explains the cause of his absence from the celebra- tion : -
SOUTII GLASTENBURY, Nov. 13, 1863.
DEAR SIR : In answer to yours of the 10th, I would say that I intended to have been present at the celebration, but was prevented by an unfortunate mistake (in the date of the letter of invitation). Being the grandson of Noah Merrick, so intimately connected with the early history of the town, my absence would other- wise be inexcusable.
I should have been pleased to have met my former townsmen, many of whom were the descendants, and all the successors of those few sturdy emigrants, the founders of this beautiful town. How gratifying it is to know they would not even assume a name till they had laid broad and deep the foundation of their religious and educational institutions ! We know little of their trials and hardships, -of how many of what we call necessaries and conveniences they denied themselves that they might enjoy the ordinances of God's house. Ilow interesting the occa- sion of the assemblage of that little band of six or seven church-members under an oak, to set apart one of their number to administer to them in holy things. In common with other towns of New England, these pilgrims introduced a new phase in civilization, in the system of free schools which they established, which now are the pride and glory of our land. They had no conception of the consequences of their work, -that while they were providing for their wants, they formed the nucleus of a mighty republic, destined to be bounded only by oceans. Is not the hand of Providence plainly discernible in these primitive oper- ations of our fathers ? These glorious fruits of their labor they have transmitted, as a rich legacy, to us, in trust for us to cherish, and in like manner to leave unim- paired to those that come after us. The themes growing out of our centennial cel- ebration are exciting ; but without indulging further thoughts, I offer these as the only tribute in my power to that interesting occasion.
Very truly yours, &c.,
GEORGE MERRICK.
REV. RUFUS P. STEBBINS, D. D.
193
A. p. 19.
EVIDENCE OF THE RELINQUISHIMENT OF THE CLAIM OF THIE IN. DIANS TO THE TERRITORY WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS, FOUND IN THIE OFFICE OF REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
An evidence of the purchase of lands at Freshwater River, taking in the med- owes on both sides the River, as also from the lands from the five mile pond East- ward to ye mountaines & so northward to Chickuppe River, being purchases fro ye Indians Wequangan Wawapaw & Wequampo : by & for ye Town of Spring- fild.
These presents testify that the Indian called Wequangan, formerly called Wru- therna & the Indian called Wawapaw formerly called Noiapompolan in considera- tion of the Sume of One Hundred & twenty fathom of Wampam to them in hand paid, And that the Indian called Wequompo in consideration of sixty fathom of Wampam to him in hand paid have given granted bargained & sold, And by these pesents Doe fully clearly & absolutely give, grante bargain & sel vnto Elizur Holyoke, George Coulton Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester, for the vse & behoofe of the Town of Springfield certaine tracts of Land Vpland Med- owes and Swamps hereafter mentioned & described. That is to say, the said We- quangan & Wawapaw first acknowledging that their Ancestors Did sel vnto Mr William Pynchon late of Springfield, for the yse & bchoofe of the said Town of Springfield a good Portion or tracts of Lands lying on the East side of the River Quinceticut (& by the said River) that is to say, by the River, along from the lower end of the (medow, called by the Indians Massacksie & by the English called the) Long meadow vp to Chickuppe River. Aud in breadth Eastward for al that Length about as far from the River Quinecticat, as the five mile pond weh lyes by the Bay path ; Concerning weh Tract of Land the said Wequangan & Wawapaw Doe for themselves & their Successors, for the vse & behoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield, forever quit al right Title Interest Claime & Demand in & to al the said Tract of Land before described. And the Tract of Land weh the said We- quangan & Wawapaw Do hereby Sel as aforesaid Lyeth partly by & adjoineth to the South end & East side of the Tract of Land above described ( wch they acknowledg was sold to the said Mr William Pynchon as aforcsaid) That is to say, All the Lands, weh lic wthin the bounds hereafter mentioned. And therefore the South bounds thereof, is the Riveret called by the Indians Asnuntuel (& by the English Called ffreshwater River, or ffreshwater brooke) & soc from the mouth of that Riveret vizt. from Connectient or Quinceitient Rivr the bounds Runs up the said Riveret to the medows thereypon & from thenee vp the said Riveret, the bounds takes in al the medows on both sides of ffreshwater River or brookes that Run Jnto it to the vpland on the Southierly side of such medows : & at the Place where Freshwater River or ffreshwater brooke turns Northerly, the South bounds extend Eastward to the Riveret called Scantuck, vizt. the place by the fals, where the path that leades to Pequit or Moheage goes over that Riveret & fro thence the sd River Scantneke is the General bounds of the Lands contained in this Purchase, vizt. vp to the Place where the said River or Riveret Scantuck comes down from the Mountaines, yet Al the medows on both sides of Scantuck River, are likewise contained in the Purchase, And from the Place where Scantuck River comes down
25
194
fro the mountaines, the foot of the mountaines is the Easterly bounds, vp as far Northerly til it meet with the Lands purchased of the said Weqnompo: & the West bounds or border are the Lands formerly sold to mr William Pynchon late of Springfield as aforesd And the said Wequangan & Wawapaw Doc for y"selves & their successo's to the vse and behoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield for Ever quit al claime to & al right title & Interest in any of Lands abovementioned & hereby sold, & which are contained wthin the bounds abovementioned. Except liberty of fishing & hunting, which they Reserve to themselves, yet not to daminify the English thereby. At weh tract of Lands weh are Contained wthin the bonnds above mentioned, together wth al the profit and comoditys thereupon or therevnto belonging, the said Eliznr Holyoke, George Conlton, Benjamin Cooley Samnel Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the vse & behoofe service & imployment of the Towne of Springfield (& not otherwise) are to have hold & Enjoy ymselves & their heires for Ever wthont let, trouble or molestation from the sd Weqnangan Wa- wapaw or any other : And the tract of Land hereby sold by Wequompo are such as are contained wthin the bounds & limits hereafter mentioned & Described, That is to say, The South bounds thereof are the lands before mentioned, sold by We- quangan & Wawapaw; And Eastward the Foot of the mountaines are the bounds thereof ; & Northerly Chickuppe River is the bounds thereof; And the Westerly bounds thereof are the lands above mentioned form'ly sold to Mr William Pynchon as aforesaid. At weh Tract of Land soc bounded & described together wth all the profits & comoditys therevpon or therevnto belonging the said Elizur Holyoke, George Conlton, Benjamin Cooley, Samnel Marshfield, & Anthony Dor- chester for the vse & behoofe, service & Employmt of the Towne of Springfield, & not otherwise, are to have hold & enjoy for themselves & their heires for Ever, wthout let trouble or molestation from the said Indian called Wequompo, or any other :. And the said Wegnompo Doth for himselfe & his successors for the vse, behoofe & benefit of the Inhabitants of Springfield for Ever quit al claim to & al his right, Title & Interest in any of the Lands above mentioned to be sold & weh are Contained within the bounds above expressed : Except liberty of Fishing & Hunting wch he reserveth : And it is the intent of these prsents That ye sd Elizur Holyoke George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & An- thony Dorchester themselves and their heires for ever by virtue of these Presents are not to have any benefit or Priviledge in the Lands, otherwise than as they are or shal be Inhabitants of the Town of Springfield or otherwise, then in General in & wth the Town, or otherwise then they have legal Right therein, or may be granted by the Town, for that the Lands sold by the Indians above named, are so sold for & to ye onely vse & behoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield & to be wholy at their disposnre.
-
Febr 4th. 1678. Being desired at a Town meeting in Springfield to declare what I know concerning the Purchase of the Lands abovesaid; I doc declare and attest as followeth viz: That
The Indians above named, viz. Weqnangan & Wawapaw & Wecombo the true & proper owners of al the Lands above mentioned Did sel and by sale forever passe away al the Land above mentioned to Mr Elizur Holyoke, Geo. Colton, Benja. Cooly, Saml Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the vse & behoofe of the Town
195
of Springfield : The bargain being made in my prsence, and as I remember It was in the yeer 1674 or thereabouts ; I was often wth ym in Treaty about it, wch at last came to a conclusion, to be as abovementioned, the payment also for the Lands as above exp'ssed, passing through my hands to the Indians, which they Gladly accepted, & did willingly own the sale to me after this Deed was Drawne, they comeing particularly one at a tyme to me to subscribe it, when I told them they must come altogether, the want of which was the onely obstruction, for they often severaly acknowledged the sale, & this writing to be according to their mind, and meaning. Also testifying their Readines to come altogether & sub- scribe, wych as they promised, so doubtles they would have done but that the Indian Warre happening in the year 1675, They wth other Jndians were drove away, before which time they made the above expressd Sale, And I do declare they did come personally & owne & acknowledg the conveighance & sale of the Land above mentioned, as above exprssed.
This then done & by ye Indians Wequangan & Wawapaw & Wecombo owned & acknowledged Before me
JOIIN PYNCHON, Assistant.
This entred these Records for the County of Hampshire July 12th 1679 as Attest
JOHN HOLYOKE, Recorder.
I regret that I have not been able to find the original deed conveying the land east of the line indicated by this deed. There are many tradi- tions respecting the claim of a blind Indian to the territory of the town, and of some compensation made to him to liquidate it. I can find no suf- ficient evidence to render the tradition reliable as a fact. I have come to distrust traditions.
The following is a copy of the vote of the town of Springfield by which the land of the " Outward Commons " was allotted. The copy from which I print was made a century after the vote was passed : -
FEB'Y 3d, 1684. (1685 as we reckon).
Att a General Town Meeting.
Further forasmuch as the additional bounds or Grant of Lands to this Town by the Honord Genrl Cort. May last 1684, was & is to the present Inhabitants & proprietors of Springfield their Heirs & assigns forever, Many of whom are desirous of & moving for their Share in sd lands, upon weh wth other Considerations In- ducing, It was at this Meeting Voted & Concluded that the Eastern line or bound of the plantatation of Springfield being run & Stated from Hladley Town bound on the North to Enfield Town bound on the South, Then all the land from the sd Eastern line for four miles westward toward the sd Springfield from both the Northern & Southern bounds is hereby Granted & agreed to be laid out in Proprietys to Each prsent Inhabitant & proprietor his Heirs & assigns forever his due propor- tion, & also the lands on the west Side of the Great River from John Riley's Brook Northward to Northampton bounds, & to Westfield bounds westward. Also the
196
land from the head of the Brook beyond Thomas Coopers that runs into three mile Brook unto Southfield Southward & unto Westfield westward be alike dis- tributed to Each Inhabitant & proprietor their Heirs & assigns forever; & in special it was Voted that three hundred acres at the least be granted to the Minis- try on the East side the River out of the land hereby first Voted to be laid out as aforesd, & that one hundred & fifty acres be to the School out of the same & that the ministry & the School have their proportions in the lands on the west side of the Great River. As also that or Reverend Teacher Mr. Pelatialı Glover have his proportion in the Lands hereby agreed to be laid out on both Sides of the Great River. It was further Voted & agreed that the lands on the East bounds of the Town Shall be laid out in three Divisions & that the lands on the west side the gr't River shall be laid out in two divisions to Each man his proportions. It was also Voted that these divisions to each man shall be by Casting of lotts, & that division by Casting lots, be by as many lots or Casting of lots as there be divisions. It was further Voted that the first lot begin on the Northerly part of the land to be divided ; also it was further Voted that these divisions be by Estates and poles, & that the poles be Esteemed in the Rate at twelve pounds pr pole & that all Male Children under age be Valued as ratcable polls viz. 12.€ pr pole. It was further Voted & Concluded that these Lands when divided while Common or Unfenced shall be Common or free to all the Inhabitants for Grass, herbage & Timber & free from Rates till Improved & then Rated only as Improved, & that Jno. Holyoke draw a list of Estates & poles of the Inhabitants for the Measurer.
The following is a copy of the allotment, made from the records of the town of Springfield. There was one division, - the first, - lying wholly in the present town of Ludlow, north of this second division, which was mostly in what is now the town of Wilbraham.
A LIST OF THE LOTTS IN THE SECOND OR MIDDLE DIVISION OF THE OUT- WARD COMMONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE GREAT RIVER IN SPRINGFIELD ARE AS FOLLOWS, VIZ. :-
No.
Rods. Ft. In. No. 31 Revd. Mr. Glover.
Rods. Fl. In.
1 Samuel Marshfield
18
2
2 Collo. Pynchon.
133
13
9
33 Thomas Muller.
8
4
G
3 David Thiow
1
5
33 Lazarus Miller.
6
4 John Warner ...
11
1
34 Nathaniel Patchard.
8
1
5 Samuel Stebbins
9
11
35 Henry Gilbert.
4
6 James Stephenson
1
4
I 36 Samu-l Bliss. Junr
10
11
7 Benjamin Knowlton
5
37 Thomas Taylor
1
10
3
8 Joseph Stebbins
9 Obadiah Miller, Junr.
G
7
10
41 Thomas Gilbert
5
4
12 Jonathan Burt, Juni
5
42 Obadiah Cooley, S-nr.
20
5
13 Widow Bedortha
4 10
43 James Warriner, Senr. 4 44 Daniel Cooley
13
9
5
15 John Burt, Senr ...
5
4
10
45 Nathaniel Munn.
16 James Petty
1
46 Peter Swink ...
47 Samuel Bliss, Senr.
18
18 James Munn
1 12
5
48 John Bliss
18
19 Joseph Ely
1
5
49 Samuel Miller
5
20 Widow Sikes, Senr ..
7
10
51 Nathaniel Sikes, Senr.
4
22 Joseph Cooley
5
11
52 Goodwite Foster's Estate.
5
8
1
23 Jonathan Morgau
5
1
53 Edward Stebbins. 54 llenry Chapin
5
4
24 Jonathan Taylor's Estate
5
. .
55 Samuel Jones
9
G
27 John Colton.
1
5
. .
57 St. Abel Wright
10
14 4
28 John Lamb
58 Wido. Parsons
G
8
29 John Miller
5
50 John Scott
7
9 12
7
su School Lot. 18
9
.. GU Widow Beamon
8
13
. .
26 Henry Rogers
8
56 Joseph Bedortha
19
14
25 John Ilolyoke ..
20
4
..
38 Ministry lott
4
1
11
39 Vietory Sikes 40 Thomas Stebbins
5
G
10 Ebenezer Jones ..
11 Eliakim Cooley
8
14 Increase Sikes, Junr ..
10
17 Quartermaster Colton
50 Nicholas Rust
7
:
21 John Stewart.
21
8
197
No.
Rods. Ft. In. 1 No.
Rods. Ft. In.
GI John Clarke
2
13
11
!1 Joseph Thomas ..
9
5
62 Thomas Sweatmin
95 Samuel Bliss, 5d ..
6: John Clark's E tate
C
11
9
96 John Dorchester
22
Gt John Dumbleton
11
4
97 Joseph Leonard
65 Joseph Ashley
¢
15
3
99 Wido. Munn
2
67 John Kheop's Estate
G
5
.
101 Wido. Riley
4
13
9
50 David Lumbard
x
1
11 103 Benjamin Stebbins, Seur.
5
4
IC
71 John Withers
1
5
. .
1114 James Do chester, Senr.
11
1
5
:
105 Japhet Chapin
23
1
74 John Norton
8
3
8
107 Thomas Jones ..
1
10
11
76 Edward Foster.
9
1
100 John Harmon
0
13
77 Samuel Bedortha
4
14
110 Rowland Thomas
78 Simnel Oshorn
1
15
G
lil William Brooks.
in
13
3
81 Isaar Colton.
19
3
114 Chiles Ferry, Senr.
10
11
82 David Morg mn
=
4
IIG Miles Morgan.
10
1
10
81 James O,burn
2
5
10
118 Richard Wait ...
1
5
cc :
87 John Bagg's Children
6
2
5
120 John Crowfoot
3
83 James Barker
5
4
.
121 Nathaniel Bliss, Senr.
9
10
80 Joseph Crowfoot s Estate ..
7
14
122 Samuel Ball
4
4
91 Capt. Thomas Colton
10
19
8 1.4 James Taylor, Senr.
G
92 Samuel Ely, Senr.
7
125 Ephraim Colton, Senr.
15
10
8
93 Isaac Morgan
..
13
1
A LIST OF THE LOTTS OF THE OUTWARD COMMONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF TIIE GREAT RIVER IN SPRINGFIELD, ARE AS FOLLOWS, VIZ. THIRD DIVI- SION : -
No.
Rods. Ft. In.
Rods. Ft. In
I Thomas Taylor
1
5
52 Peter Swink ..
0
13
4
3 Jonathan Mo gan
5
10
I 533 Samme] Bliss. 3d
1
4 Widow Beamen
12
..
54 Nicholas Rust
7
5 Obadiah Cooley, Senr.
5
S 55 Sammel Miller
5
10
11 --
7 Japhet Chapin.
5
4 10
58 Isane Morgan
..
13
1
9 John Warner.
3
8
7
3
61 Philip Mattoon ..
5
IL 5
12 Victory Sik's
11
1
(2 John Keep's Estate
19
9
15 Rev. Mr. Glover
2]
S
Gi Joseph Ely.
4
9
17 S. Abel Wright
16
4
G7 David Lombard .
8
1
7
9
68 Thomas Day, Senr.
1
4
1
20 Joseph Cooley
5 14
70 James Petty.
4 10
13
8
22 Jolin Norton ..
S
4
73 Isaae Colton
1:
3
3
24 Deacon Burt.
12
7
74 John Leonard.
14
8
26 Joseph Bedortha
4
..
77 John Withers ..
5 1
G
29 Jonathan Ashley
14
11
79 Widow Riley
4
13
10
31 Joseph Marks
82 Samuel Bedortha
4
14
33 Thomas Swetman
2
10
..
84 Daniel Cooley.
13
5
35 John Bliss,
IS
. .
85 John Bages Children.
1
7
3
38 Lazarus Miller
39 Samuel Elv, Senr.
11
7
10
90 Dea. Benj. Parsons
41 Widow Bedortha.
1
4
91 Edward Foster
23
4
42 Samuel Ball ..
43 Simuel Mirshfield
18
G
03 Seret. Iliteheock
1
44 John Lamb
17 10
11
95 Nathaniel Bliss
5
10
47 lohn Harmon .
48 Joseph Ashley
14
4
08 Widow Sikes
1
5
49 Tuercase Sikes, Senr. 10
8
..
4 100 Jonathan Ball
11
13 . .
1
10
69 James Stephenson
21 Jonathan Taylor's Estate
5
11
71 Capt. Thomas Colton
..
72 John Clark's Estate
25 Ebenezer Jones.
10
75 John Dorchester
7
3
27 Nathaniel Pritchard
1
11
78 Ehakim Cooley
II
30 Ensn. Cooley's Estate ..
10
80 Henry Rogers.
0
8
8
32 Benjamin Cooley
83 Thomas Mi.ler
4
G
34 James Osburn
5
.)
36 Joseph Stebbins
. .
>7 George Colton
4
..
$9 John Miller
4
. .
45 Samuel Terry
46 Thomas Merrick, Senr.
18 9
15
97 Richard Wait
1
5
..
99 James Munn
50 John Barber 11 . .
5
69 St. John Whitcheock
G
3
73 Daniel Beamon
1
5
106 Thomas Merrick, Senr.
18
75 Thomas Dav, Senr.
3
5
10% Samuel Owen
9
G
8
79 Jonathan Ball.
13 G
113 Josiah Leonard
10
10
7
6
115 Wido. Horton
2
8: John Barber
..
117 Deacn. Jona. Buit
855 Ensn. Cooley Estate
G
4
119 Thomas Cooper.
18
7
8
10 Deaen. Benja. Parsons.
123 Nathaniel Burt. Senr.
14 9
13
8 Benjamin Stebb ns, Senr.
1
GD James Dorchester, Senr.
. .
11 Thomas Cooper
I ..
9
63 Widow Horton
14 John Crowfoot
64 Ministry Lolt
37 1
4 5
16 Samuel Jones
13
66 Nathaniel Sikes, Sen.
5
19 Mies Morgan.
. .
3
23 Thomas Gilbert.
76 James Taylor, Senr.
1
28 Edward Stebbins
5
G 1
8I Col. Pynchon
133 15
37 Obadiah Miller, Senr.
S
88 Ilenty Gilbert
40 John Stewart.
1
9 Nathaniel Burt, Senr.
91 Thomas Jones
8 10
06 John Burt. Senr.
13 11
7
Br David Morgan
59 Benjamin Knowlton. 5
10 Nathaniel Munn
13 Wm. Brooks
56 Charles Ferry, Senr.
6 Joseph Thomas
1
No. 51 I.t. llitehcock.
7
281
4
66 Obadiah Miller, Jonr
100 Benjamin Cooley
63 Philip Mattoon
11
93 banke Ilitcheock, Senr.
10
4 102 Abel Leonard
72 Joseph Marks
80 Samuel Ferry, Senr.
112 Benjamin Leonard
8: Jonathan Ashlev
2 David Throw
18 John Scott
G
86 Samuel Osburn
14
198
No.
Rods. Ft. In. 1 No.
Rods. Ft. In.
101 Samuel Owen
9
G
114 School Lott
18
9
..
102 Josiah Leonard.
10
115 Widow Mann
2
10
..
103 Samuel Stebbins.
9
=
116 Simuel Bliss, Juor ..
10 14
6
104 Samuel Bliss Senr.
18
3
0 117 Daniel Beanion ..
1
5
105 Abel Leonard
106 Jimes Barker ..
5
4
119 Mr. Holyoke
20
4
107 Widow Parsons
10
6
120 Rowland Thomas.
12
108 Thomas Stebbins
5
10
G 121 John Colton
1
5
109 James Warriner, Senr ..
20)
8 | 122 John Clarke.
110 Ephraim Colton, Seur.
15
8: 12 Joseph Crowfoot's Estate
14
Ill Benjamin Leonard
10
13
124 John Dumbleton
4
3
112 Henry Chapin
| 125 Obadiah Miller, Junr ....
5
3
113 Good" Foster's Estate
5
S 1
NOTES ON THE ABOVE SCHEDULE OF ALLOTMENTS .- The south lot of the Second Division was hounded by the south line of Dea. Moses Burt's farm. On the south of this lot, No. 125, was the overplus land of Di- vision Second, eighty-two rods wide, then commenced lot No. 1, of the Third Division. I have not been able to locate all the present farms on these lots, as I did not know the width of all the farms. I will, however, give such a clew to their location that their owners will easily be able to determine their original lots. Com- inence on the south line of Dea. Burt's farm, and reckon north. It will be seen by the Schedule that the lot of Ephraim Colton, Sen. is the south lot. 125th, and is 15, 10, 8, in width. Count no th till any particular farm is reached by adding the width of the lots and comparing them with the width of the farms. John M. Mer- rick's farm ineindes most of lots 105, 106. 107. The first road to Stony Hill, which crossed the street not far from the present Boarding llonse, was on the north side of 96. The farm of John Wesley Bliss includes 59-73; Mr. Jones's, 56-58: Mr. Merrill's, 48-55; Mr. Bliss's, 43-47; Mrs. John Bliss's, 39-42; Mr. Warren Col- lins's, 38, the north ministry lo !; Mr. Baldwin's, 31-37: Mr. Collins's, 22-30, or to Chicopee River. These es- timates are only approximately correct, as I do not know the exart width of these farms.
The south boundary of the Third Division was in John W. Langdon's farm: the rest of his farm is on the overplus land. John W. Langdon's farm includes lots 121-125: Mr. Chaffee's, 1'5-1:0, Ralph S. and Sila- Cha- pin's, 110-114, including the south school lot; Mr. Pease's, 108-110: Mr. ---. 105-107: Mr. Rockwood's, 102-104; Mr. --- 8-101: Mr. Stebbins's, 82->8, on the north side of which is one of Surveyor New bury's boundary stones: Mr. Isham's ond Mr. West's, 81. - this is Col. Pynchon's lot: Mr. Shepherd's, 75-80; Mr. Moseley's, 74- 75: Mr. Leach's, 65-73: Mr. Ses-ion's 59-61, including the south ministry It: Mr. Stel bats's, 53-58: Mr. Pease's, 49-54: Mr. Iliteheock's, 44-48: Mr. Cro-s's, 43-32. These, like the other locations, are only approximations. All the farms named are on the main road, west of the mountains. Persons living in other parts of the town, who are dne east or west of the farms named, will be on the same lots.
B. p. 26. INDIAN NAME OF WILBRAHAM.
I find that traditions differ respecting the Indian name of the town. Dr. Merrick, in his MS. address, delivered 1831, and which was deposited with the town clerk, says it was " Manscorus," - if I have correctly de- ciphered the very illegible word in the address, - which he says is sup- posed to mean " Mountains." This is far from true. The Indian word for mountain is " Wachush," hence " Wachusett," the High Mountain, in Worcester County, and Massachusetts, the name of the State. The IIon. George Merrick, of East Glastonbury, Conn., son of Dr. Merrick, writes me that the Indian name was " Minnechang," meaning " Berry Land." I have adopted the latter as being probably correct.
The following dates of the time the settlers came here, before the Pre- cinet was incorporated, are obtained mostly from Clark [Samuel] War- ner's record of births and deaths. It can be considered as only approxi- mately accurate, as a birth may not have occurred until sometime after settlement, or may have taken place in Springfield Street, as we know was sometimes the case, where better accommodations could be furnished the sick : -
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