USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Historical address, delivered at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Wilbraham, June 15, 1863 > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Anson L. Brewer, attorney.
Lewis Knight, attorney.
Hon. Thomas E. Merrick, Judge of the Supreme Court, New Orleans.
Daniel S. Brewer, attorney, St. Francisville, La.
William M. Merrick, draughtsman, Mil. Sec., Alexandria, Va.
EDUCATED LADIES AND TEACHERS.
Susan Brewer, Preceptress of the Wesleyan Academy 1328-9, and Principal of Tuscumbia, Tuscaloosa, and Washington Female Colleges.
Lucinda Stebbins .*
Jennette M. Brewer, Grad. Wesleyan Academy, 1848.
Lucy A. Merrill, 6. 1849.
Mary F. Mowry, 1856.
Elizabeth Moulton, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1856; teacher in the Academy, 1858.
Sarah E. Morgan, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1858.
Susan E. Bushnell, 66 1858.
Lucretia Noble, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1857 ; teacher in Boston.
Susan J. Parker, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1860 ; preceptress.
Emma E. Wright, 6 . 1860; teacher.
Mary G. Deane, 1862.
Lydia A. Sessions; Holyoke Sem .. 1856; teacher in the same insti- tution 1856-9, then Principal of Lake Erie Female Seminary at Paines- ville, Ohio, where she still teaches.
Harriet E. Sessions, Mt. Holyoke Seminary, 1856 ; teacher there. ! Sarah Bebee, 1856 ; teacher in Monson Academy.
Ellen P. Bowers, Mt. Holyoke Seminary, 1858; teacher there.
35
274
Miscellaneous.
TOWN CLERKS OF WILBRAHAM.
1741-55, David Merrick, Prec't Clerk.
|1827,
Luther Brewer, Town Clerk.
1756-63, Isaac Brewer,
1828,
John McCray, 6.
1763-73,
Ezra Barker,
Town Clerk.
1829-36, Sylvanns Stebbins,
1773-78,
James Warriner,
1837-38,
Luther Brewer,
1779-80,
Noah Warriner, 66
1839,
1840-41,
John M. Merrick, ..
1785-86,
Pliny Merrick,
١١
1846-47,
Roderick S. Merrick,
1791-92, John Buckland,
1793, Daniel Dana,
1793-1805, Robert Sessions,
1851-52, Luther B. Bliss,
1805-10, Philip Morgan,
1810-11,
Augustus Sisson,
1855,
Roderick Burt,
1811-12,
Abel Bliss,
1856,
Ralph Glover, ..
1812-14,
Philip Morgan,
1857-58,
William P. Spelman, 6
1814-20,
Moses Burt,
1869-60,
II. Bridgman Brewer, . .
1820-24, Calvin Stebbins,
1861, IToward Staunton,
1824-25, Luther Brewer,
1862,
James Staunton,
06
1826,
William Wood,
1863,
John M. Merrick,
REPRESENTATIVES FROM WILBRAHAM TO THE GENERAL COURT AT BOSTON.
The following is a list of the Representatives sent to the General Court from 1786 to 1863. From 1763 till the Revolutionary War, the town voted with Springfield for Representatives : -
1786-88, Phineas Stebbins.
1789-92, None.
1793-94, John Bliss.
1795, Nonc.
1796-1803, John Bliss.
1804, None.
1805, Phineas Stebbins.
1806, Nonc.
1807, Wm. Rindge and Solomon Wright.
I808, Nonc.
1809, William Rindge and Angus- tus Sisson.
1810, Angustus Sisson and Wal- ter Stebbins.
1811, Walter Stebbins and Abel Bliss, Jr.
None.
1812, 1813, Win. Clark and Joseph La- throp.
1814-15, Robert Sessions and Joseph Lathrop.
1816, Robert Sessions and Moses Bnrt.
1817, Robert Sessions and William Wood.
1818-19, None.
1820, Abel Bliss. 1821-23, Nonc. 1824, Abel Bliss. 1825, Voted not to send. 1826, Abel Bliss and Dudley B. Post. 1827, Abel Bliss and Robert Sessions. 1828, Luther Brewer.
1829, Luther Brewer and Jacob B. Mer- rick. 1830, William S. Burt and Jacob B. Merrick. 1831, Moses Burt and Wm. S. Burt. 1832, Abraham Avery and Wm. S. Bnrt. (And I believe this was the year that Abel Bliss was elected to the Senate.) 1833, Stephen Stebbins.
1834, Abraham Avery and Stephen Steb- bins.
1835, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight. 1836, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight. 1837, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Wood. 1838, Jesse W. Rice, M.D., and William V. Sessions.
1839, Stephen Stebbins. 1840, John Newell. 1841, Marcus Cady, M.D. 1842, John Carpenter.
Luther B. Bliss, ..
1781-85,
James Warriner, 60
1842,
John McCray, ..
1786-90, Samuel F. Merrick,
1848-49,
Solomon C. Spelman, ..
1850,
Jesse W. Rice, 66
1853-54,
llorace M. Sessions,
275
1843, Samuel Beebe.
1853, Philip P. Potter.
1844, Voted not to send.
1854, Jolm W. Langdon.
1845, No choice.
1855. John Baldwin.
1846, Voted not to send.
1856, John B. Morris.
1847, John Smith.
1857, Roderick Burt, Dist. No. 3.
1848, None elected.
1858, Rep. from Longmeadow,
1849, No choice; two meetings for the purpose.
1859, Wm. P. Spelman,
1860, Rep. from Longmeadow, 66
1861, Joseph McGregory,
1850, Roderick S. Merrick, second meet- ing. 1851, S. C. Spelman.
1862, Rep. from Longmeadow,
1852, No choice.
THE WOODLAND DELL CEMETERY.
This is very pleasantly located, near and east of the village, in the North Parish. The grounds now occupied by this association, containing ten and a half acres, were first purchased by R. R. Wright, H. Budy Brewer and J. M. Merrick, at the cost of eleven hundred dollars.
The association was organized under the General Statutes, February 12, 1858.
A board of trustees, nine in number, are chosen annually, who have the care of the property.
The first burial in these grounds was Mrs. Louisa W. Wright, the wife of R. R. Wright, who died December 26, 1851.
The number of burials to November 20, 1863, is fifty-nine. The num- ber by removal from other localities is forty-three ; total, one hundred and two.
The officers are R. R. Wright, president ; Albert Smith, vice-president ; and J. M. Merrick, clerk and treasurer.
LIST OF PHYSICIANS.
Jolin Stearns,
Luther Brewer,
Daniel Ufford,
Gordon Percival,
Jacob Lyman,
Edwin McCray,
Samuel F. Merrick,
Elisha Ladd,
Marcus Cady,
Judah Bliss,
Gideon Kibbe,
Bottom.
Abiah Southworth,
Jesse W. Rice,
Converse Butler,
John Goodale,
LIST OF LAWYERS.
William Knight, Asa Olmstead, Otis Noreross.
The two latter were in town only a few years, about thirty or forty years ago. I believe there has been no lawyer in town for some years.
1863, Walter Ilitchcock, 66
276
EARLY TAVERN ON BAY ROAD. RICHARD FELLOWS'S PETITION.
That the General Court at Boston grant him Two Hundred Acres of upland & Meadow to be laid to George Cotton & Benj. Cooley, on Chicopee River, (now corner of Monson), to be Rate free under the following condition : Build a House suitable to entertain travallers man & Beast with lodging & food with Beer Wine & strong liquors provided they Build within one Year & Maintain & Entertain travellers for Seven Years.
The Court granted their request October 23, 1657.
MAPS AND PAINTINGS OF WILBRAHAM SCENERY.
There are two maps of Wilbraham in the State archives. The one pro -. tracted on a scale ten parts to an inch, each of which parts represents twenty rods. It is dated May 29, 1795; James Shaw and Robert Sessions, Committee. It is drawn with pen and ink. There is a straight line west of the mountains, from Chicopee River to Somers, to represent the west road ; another on the north end to represent the " Great Road ; " another through the mountain in the South Parish, and bearing sontheast, to the corner of the town. A crinkled line represents the Seantic and Chicopee Rivers, and Twelve-mile Brook. A rough figure of a house represents Caleb Stebbins's mill, the North and South Parish Meeting-houses, and Burt's and Leach's mills. A long oval represents the North Mountain. from the Seantie to the Chicopee; a short one, truncated at the south end, the South Mountain. Five ovals or circles represent as many ponds or swamps on the west side of the town. The "elbows " had not been annexed when this map was projected, and are omitted. The other map was projected by A. Bliss about forty years ago, from a survey ordered by the State. It is shaded with different colors to represent different soils and forests, and is withal a pretty ambitious work. Monson map, the work of the same surveyor, shows the same tinted glories. The dimensions of the town, according to Bliss's survey, are as follows : West line, begin- ning at Chicopee River, south two and one-half degrees east, 1,478 rods be- tween Springfield and Wilbraham ; and south three and one-half degrees east, 1,234 rods between Longmeadow and Wilbraham ; in all, 2,712 rods on the west side.
The south line on Connecticut measures 1,420 rods.
The east line, north one and one-half degrees west, 2,626 rods between Monson and Wilbraham ; north one and one-sixth degree west, 704 rods between Palmer and Wilbraham ; east line, in all, 3,330 rods.
The older map gives the dimensions as follows : -
277
Commencing at Chicopee River, as before, south three degrees east, four miles to the corner of Longmeadow ; then south the same point three miles on Longmeadow to Connecticut. Then cast seven degrees south on Connecticut line, four miles and one-half to Monson Corner. Then north three degrees west, 2,250 rods to the Post Road, being a corner of Mon- son and Palmer. Then on the same point on the west line of Palmer, 320 rods. Then west three degrees south, on land belonging to Spring- field, 240 rods to Chicopee River. Then follow the river to the place of starting. It seems that the " elbows " carried the east line of the town 384 rods further north than it went before they were annexed.
PAINTINGS OF THE SCENERY IN WILBRAHAM.
I am most happy to report that the beautiful scenery of Wilbraham has found an artist and a patron. I have seen and been charmed by the two paintings described below, in an article taken from the Zion's Herald, Feb). 10, 1864. They are all that the critic describes them to be. I have also scen two others, just finished, of equal, if not greater, beauty. One is an autumn scene, taken from a little lower down the mountain than the first two were, and looking out over the plains to the Western Mountains. The foliage is admirably tinted, and the autumnal haze lies on the distant plains and mountains. The other is taken from the north end of Nine-mile Pond, the view being toward the south, the mountains forming the distant background of the picture. The execution is most admirable.
" Wilbraham has many lovers of her scenery no less than of her school ; but she has hitherto found no way of revealing her beauties to other eyes than those that have been fastened upon her. But she need lament her lot no longer. Two paintings, at Williams & Everett's gallery, in this city, proclaim her beauty to every eye. They were painted for Abraham Avery, of Boston, by Mr. Bricher, a young artist of great promise, and, judging from these works, of great achieve- ment. The views are taken from a spot well-known to every Wilbraham student, - at the head of the upper grove that contains 'the pulpit,' on the road winding up the mountain, behind the church. It is across the street from the little red cot- tage of the Goody Blake, of that neighborhood, whose ' hut was on the cold hill- side.' On the left of the picture are these favorite woods, the scene of many a prayer-meeting, oratorical explosion, lounging, reading, or musing solitaries, or of the law-breaking trysts of love's young dream. The trees are superbly painted, being full of rich color and shade. One could almost transport himself thither, they are so life-like and enchanting. But the eye must not linger in their gothic greenness, nor dwell too long upon the truthfully-rough fields under the feet or on the little old cottage aforesaid, snugly tucked away in the hillside in the opposite corner. More familiar scenes below allure it. There creeps the street, its few houses sprinkled among the many trees, like white flowers blossoming on a green river. No stiller in the picture than in the fact is the pleasant old road. With pre-Raphael-
278
ite faithfulness the artist puts upon it no living creature, though he might have painted the aged gray postman with his aged gray horse, and still had it void of life, so ghostly is that sole animator of the seemingly-deserted village. The im- mense and not inartistic pile of the boarding-house, most inartistic though it be in location, is partially hidden by the projecting woods behind the Academy hill, which grove prevents the sight of the Academy buildings.
" Beyond lie the plains, patched with herbage, ploughed fields, trees and houses, and flecked with the shade and sunshine of a midsummer day. A lover of nature could gaze on it for hours without weariness, a lover of Wilbraham with ever- increasing pleasure.
" The companion picture gives ns the northwestern view from the same spot. The foreground is fictitious, in order to avoid repetition, though the rock in the left-hand corner is a veritable copy of the boulder perched upon the hill back of the house of J. Wesley Bliss, Esq. The woods in the foreground are more beauti- ful, if possible, than those in the first picture. The outlook is true to the fact. The broad champaign, beautifully toned and varied, and relieved of its flatness, gathers to the gorge between Mounts Holyoke and Tom. These mountains are perfect, even to the bits of houses that mar their summits. Through the opening is scen Northampton. The mountains rise behind her, and conclude the scene.
" We understand that others are on the easel, representing the Nine-mile Pond, Glen, etc. The paintings attract much attention, and have been highly commended in the Transcript and the Gazette. We hope they and their forthcoming kindred will be engraved. The first, at least, should be, as many a child of the Old Wes- leyan will wish it, on his walls. The thanks of all her ten thousand children, more or less, will assuredly be given to the munificence of the gentleman who ordered the works, as well as to the artist who executed them."
fragments.
I have gathered from various sources the following facts and traditions, which may be of interest to the curious in such matters. They are mostly obtained from the papers left by Calvin Stebbins and John Bliss, Esqs.
AGRICULTURE. - The first potatoes were brought to town by Dea. Na- thaniel Warriner, about 1754, or about twenty-three years after the town was settled. There was but a peck of them. Broom-corn was first raised by Thomas Jones or Joshua Leonard. At a later period, Paul Langdon and Calvin and Sylvanus Stebbins raised it in considerable quantities and manufactured it into brooms. Plaster of Paris, or gypsum, was first brought from West Springfield by Gad Lamb, about 1776. Calvin Stebbins brought the first plough with iron mould-board into town ; and, if I mistake not, Daniel Isham used the first cast-iron plough some forty years ago. Hops were cultivated about thirty years ago, by Calvin Steb-
(
279
bins. The mulberry fever raged thirty years ago, much to the pecuniary damage of many speculators. Grafted fruit took the place, at about the same time, of the old varieties or cider apples. Flax ceased to be culti- vated at the same time. Hemp was raised by a few farmers in the war of 1812.
PISCATORY. - It was considered disreputable in early times for farmers to go after shad. They were said by their neighbors to be "out of pork." Hence, persons, going for shad, went in the morning before their neighbors were up, and did not return till they were in bed. Salmon were so abun- dant, and farmers were so unwilling to take them, that the fishermen required that so many pounds of salmon should be taken for every dozen of shad. About twenty-five years ago bull-heads or horn-pouts made their appearance in the Scantic, and the trout all disappeared, much to the mortification of the anglers. A few years ago the " pout " disappeared, and the " trout " returned. There was a furor ran through the country a few years ago of obtaining pearls from fresh-water clams. Some of respectable size and value were found in the clams in the Scantic.
BUILDINGS .- The first wood-house was built by Oliver Bliss, 1786. Log houses were occupied till nearly 1800.
CONVEYANCES .- Lieut. Paul Langdon brought the first wagon into town. In 1784 there were but two two-horse wagons, and five two-horse sleighs. In 1804 Jesse or Pliny Bliss introduced a one-horse wagon. First buffalo robe brought from Montreal, 1805; cost $5.00.
INVENTIONS, -Lewis Langdon invented a machine for turning cider- mill screws ; Walter Burt, shears for cutting the nap of cloth. Edwin Chaffee, a native of this town, invented the use of India-rubber prepara- tions for cloth. Probably this is the most important invention made by any of the natives of the town.
VERMIN. - David Chapin brought the first rat to the town in a sack of wool from Rhode Island, and permitted it to live. Hence, rats in Wil- braham.
STOCK. - Capt. Charles Sessions introduced Merino sheep, and had a large flock. Capt. Joseph Lathrop and sons introduced Saxon sheep, and kept a flock of several hundred. Improvement was not made in cattle till a later date. The breed of swine received earlier attention.
NAMES OF PLACES, MOUNTAINS, BROOKS, ETC. - The North Village long since outgrew its name of " Sodom ; " and the South Parish that of
280
"Pokcham ; " and the South Village that of " the city." The Goat Rocks were so called as being the favorite resort of William King's goats, one of which got entangled there, and was found dead. These roeks are a ledge about thirty-feet perpendicular, at the south end of the North Moun- tains. Rocky Dunder was many years ago the name of the region south of Burt's mill. Pole Bridge Brook was so called from the bridge first built over it ; it was also called Beaver Brook, because the beavers had built a dam in it ; Twelve-mile Brook, because twelve miles from Spring- field ; Nine-mile Pond, because nine miles from Springfield ; Rattlesnake Peak, because a rattlesnake was killed there; Wigwam Hill, from the Indian squaw's wigwam near it; Stony Hill, because it was stony ; Peggy's Dipping Hole, because Peggy, in her desire to attend upon the means of grace furnished at Springfield, ventured, in her pilgrimage thither, to cross some recently-frozen ice. and went through into the water ; Steep Pitch, because years ago the turn in the road toward the South Village from the late Col. John McCray's, was very steep and narrow.
THE LEGEND OF KIBBE'S SHIRT. - An alarm was once raised in Wil- braham that the Indians were coming. It was on this wise : One Kibbe went into the woods on Sunday, to get his cow, and, not having the fear of either God or the law before his eyes, he took with him his gun in case he should meet any game. Not long after he left home, the report of two guns was heard, and Kibbe came running back in great apparent trepida- tion, saying that he had been fired at by two Indians, and that there were more lurking in the woods. The whole country was alarmed, and the woods were scoured in search of the " salvages." None were found, nor were any traces of them discovered. Suspicion began to be excited that all was not right with Kibbe. A more particular examination of his shirt was instituted. He declared that he received one shot in his breast, and when he turned to run, another shot took him in his back. Lo, it was even so ; a bullet-hole was made through his shirt before ; another through his shirt behind. But alas for Kibbe's veracity, not for his comfort, there was no hole into or through his body, where the bullet went ! He saw he was caught, and made confession that seeing game, he was tempted to fire ; that he at once bethought himself that he was exposed to prosecution for violating the Sabbath, and took off his shirt and fired through it, to make his neighbors believe that the Indians had attacked him. So originated and ended the only alarm of an attack upon Wilbraham.
281
Gpitapys of some of the Carly Settlers.
H W
Dyed IN
MAY 26
1751 E. 16
Hannah Warner, daughter of Samuel Warner, and Mary his wife.
M W
WIFe OF
c W Dyed IUN 6 1754 47 E
Mary Warner. " C." is used for S. - Samuel Warner.
Mrs Miriam ye wife of Mr Ezra Barker. who Died May 26 1754. Aged 22 years
alfo of her ftilborn daughr by her side
Thine Anger turns our Frame to Dust By one Offence to The. Adam and all his Sons have lost there Imortality
Here lies the Body of Mrs Mary Brewer late wife of Mr Ifaac Brewer who Died May ye 20th A.D. 1759. Aged 43 years & 2 months. they were married April 22 1736 & lived together 23 years & 1 month
36
282
Here lies ye Body of Mr. Timothy Mirick son of lieut Thomas & Mrs Marry Mirrick 1 who died Agut 7th 1761 in ye 23rd year of his age
He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down He fleeth also as a shadow And comith not
Here Lies the Body of Dea" David Mirick who Died Nov" ye 30th 1757 in ye 59th Year of his Age
It if Sown in diShonour It is raised in glory.
Bitten by rattlesnake.
Here lies the Body of Mr Noah Alvord he Died Sept ye 1st 1763 in ye 63rd year of his Age
Death is a Debt that is natur's Du which I have Paid & fo must you.
In Memory of Thankfull Experience ye Daughtr of Mr Moses & Mrs Hannah Colton Who Died May ye ist 1775 in ye 16 year of her age.
283
In Memory of Mr Moses ColtoN who Died of the Small Pox Februa ry ye 24 th AD I 777. In ye 53 year of his Age.
Here lies the Body of Lieut Jesse Warner who died Fe bruary ye 20th AD 1784 In ye 46th year of his Age
The fweet Re membrance of ye Juft : Shall flourifh tho. they fleep in DUST.
IN MEMORY OF MR NATHANIEL BLISS who Died Nov 5 AD : 1782 in ye 41th year of his Age
Mark the parfect man & behold the upright for the end of that man is prace
ALAS the brittle clay in ye morn of life Aged 15 DiEd Lois Bliss Dau ghter of Mr Oli ver & Mrs KA thaRine Bliss August 30th 1786 youth blooming learn your mortal state how frail your life how short ye Date.
284
In Memory of
Deacon Nathaniel Warriner
who died Jan,"y 10: 1780 In Hif 77th year
He difcharged a variety of important offices with integrity. He held out the arm of charity to the indigent He prized the Gofpel and was not unmindful of the cause of Christ in his dying moments (a generouf legacy was bequeathed by him for the Support of the ministry and Schools in this town)
He was a lover of peace a friend to Zion his morals unblemished his piety undifembled. He lived beloved, and died lamented
In hif laft ficknefs a placid cerenity o'er spread his countenance, his evidences for heaven were clear and satisfactory he bid a cordial welcome to the mefsenger of death and fweetly fell afleep in Jefus
Mark the perfect man and behold the upright For the end of that man is peace
285
In memory of En& Abel Blifs who Died Apl ye 30 A : D 1762 in ye 54th year of his Age
All go unto one Place all are of the dust and all turn to dust again
Here lies ye Body of Mr Samuel Warner who died at Lebanon Sept 10 A : D I 787. in the 75 year of his age
In memory of Mr Isaact Brewer who died May 19th AD 1788 in the 75 th year of his Age
286
SOUTH PARISI BURYING-GROUND.
The first burial in the grave-yard of the South Parish was Lydia, a child of John Bliss, Esq., March 29, 1755
In Memory of Mrs Sarah wife of Mr John Langdon who died July 22ª 175'5 Aged 21 years.
In Memory of Mr Stephen Stebbins
who died
Feb. 26. 1768 in his 57 year.
In memory of L' Paul Langdon who died Dec. 3rd 1761 In ye 69th Year of his Age
In Memory of M™ John Firmin . who departed this life JanTy 2Ist 1802
In the 89th year of his age.
287
Sacred to the memory of Mr Ezekiel Russel
who died Jan'y 3ª
1802
Aged 80 years.
In Memory of Mr Isaac Morris who died
June 2 1805
in the 57 year of his age.
F
In Memory of
Mr David Burt
who departed this life July 6th 1809 in the 73ª year
of his age.
In Memory of
MI Comfort Chaffee
Who Died
June
4
th 18II
Aged 74 years
288
In Memory of
Capt. Steward Beebe who died
June 13 1824 ÆE. 72.
Rev.
Moses Warren
Died Feb. 19th 1829 Aged 71
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
BURYING-GROUND AT THE FOUR CORNERS.
The first person buried in the East Burying-Ground was a Shaw. But he had no gravestone, as there were woods there, also a public road passing through.
In Memory of Mr. Caleb Stebbins
who died
Feb. 22nd, 1796,
Aged 86 years.
In memory of
Caleb Stebbins, jun.
who died
March 28th, 1787,
Aged 46 years.
289
Dr. Russell's Speech in reply to Dr. Stebbins.
Dr. Russell was sick the day of the celebration, and though able to be at the table was hardly able to speak, and was compelled to leave it once. After I had finished my speech, Dr. Russell could not reply, but wrote out what he would have said, and sent it for publication. When the excess of matter on hand was discovered, I commenced omitting, and as this speech was not delivered, omitted it; but since the town have so generously cheered me onward, I have obtained Dr. Russell's consent to insert it, though out of place.
MR. PRESIDENT : I did not intend to occupy the attention of this assembly another moment. I rise again, simply to say to you, sir, to these neighbors and fellow-townsmen, and to my able, learned, and eloquent friend, - the orator of the day,-that I take the responsibility to which he has referred. I will not go around, pass by, blink, or shun it in any form. I take it; I take every part and parcel of it. Nay, I take the whole responsibility which he has just told you rests on my shoulders.
And I will say further, sir, I have no alarming apprehensions that our good fos- ter-mother, the town of Wilbraham, will send either my friend the orator or my- self to dance anywhere within its precinets for our peccadillos.
I think, sir, that any service that he or I might attempt to perform to Terpsi- chore, or be compelled to perform in honor of that graceful goddess, would not only not draw a smile of approval from any of the "Sacred Nine," but be so essentially ludicrous, that the town will take good care that its soil may never be marked by any such "light, fantastic tocs," as ours.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.