USA > Massachusetts > Historical collections, being a general collection of interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c., relating to the history and antiquities of every town in Massachusetts, with geographical descriptions > Part 36
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This is a small agricultural town. Population, 497. Distance, 12 miles from Springfield, 12 from Northampton, and 100 from Boston. In 1837, there were 1,189 merino and 279 other kinds of sheep ; the average weight of their fleece was two and three fourths pounds ; value of wool produced, $2,220 35.
PALMER.
THIS place was originally settled by emigrants from the north of Ireland; many of whose descendants remain in the place. The records of the church and those of the town are scanty and defec- tive. The town was incorporated in 1752. A church was probably organized here in 1730 or 1731, three years after the town was settled. Rev. John Harvey, who was ordained by the Londonder- ry presbytery, was settled here in 1734, and was dismissed in 1748. He was succeeded by Rev. Robert Burns, in 1753. Mr. Burns was succeeded by Rev. Moses Baldwin, who was installed in 1761 ; he resigned in 1811, and died in 1813, aged 81. His successors have been Rev. Simeon Colton, settled in 1811; Rev. Henry H. F. Sweet, in 1825; Rev. Joseph K. Ware, in 1827; and Rev. Samuel Backus, installed in 1832. Till the settlement of Mr. Colton, this church was Scotch Presbyterian.
This town is well situated for agriculture, between the forks made by Ware river with the Chicopee on the south, and the Swift river on the north. It is fast rising into importance as a manufacturing town. In the central part of the town there is a
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little village of about a dozen dwelling-houses and a Congregational church. The village of Three Rivers is on the Chicopee, at the western extremity of the town, nearly three miles from the center ; this is a factory village, consisting of about 20 dwelling-houses and a Baptist church. There is another village now erecting, about one mile from the center, called Thorndike village. In each of these villages there is a large cotton mill. In 1837, there were 2 cotton mills, 11,020 spindles ; 1,020,000 yards of cotton goods man- ufactured, valued at $102,000 ; males employed, 100; females, 200. One woollen mill, with 2 sets of machinery ; 68,000 yards of cloth were manufactured, valued at $54,000. The value of boots and shoes manufactured was $8,956; value of scythes manufactured, $10,000; palm-leaf hats, $2,500. Population, 1,810. Distance, 16 miles from Springfield, 23 from Northampton, 7 to Ware village, 9 to Wilbraham, 31 to Worcester, and 71 from Boston.
RUSSELL.
THIS town was incorporated in 1792. It was formerly a part of Westfield, and was called the New-addition. The first settlers in this town were two brothers by the name of Barber, and a Mr. Grey. They lived upon the road leading from Westfield to Bland- ford, by Sackett's, and up the mountain, then called Glasgow mountain. A Congregational church was organized here in 1800, by Rev. Joseph Badger. 'The Congregationalists own a small well- finished meeting-house in connection with the Methodists. There is a small cotton mill in this town. Population, 475. Distance, 14 miles from Springfield and 100 from Boston.
SOUTHWICK.
THIS town was formerly a part of Westfield ; it was incorporated as a distinct town in 1779. Samuel Fowler appears to have been the first settler within the limits of this town. About 1734, he located himself in the north part, then called Poverty, so called probably from the lightness of the soil in this section of Southwick. A Congregational church was organized in this place in 1773; the first settled minister was ordained the same year. His successor, Rev. Isaac Clinton, was ordained in 1788. Rev. Dudley D. Rossiter, the next minister, was ordained in 1816, but preached but a very few times on account of ill health. Rev. Calvin Foote, his succes- sor, was ordained in 1820. Rev. Elbridge G. Howe was installed here in 1831, and Rev. Thomas Fletcher in 1838. The first meet- ing-house was erected about one mile south of the village; it was burnt in 1823; a new one was erected in 1824. A Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1824, in the south part of the
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town. A Baptist church was erected in the central village about 1822.
The village in the central part of the town consists of about 25 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 1 Congregational and 1 Baptist, and an academy. Mr. Richard Dickinson, who died in this town in 1824, appropriated $17,000 in his will for the benefit of the schools. A sum not exceeding one half goes to the support of a grammar- school, and the remainder to the district schools. The interest only is appropriated. The grammar-school has been commenced, and is free to the youth of Southwick. This place is 11 miles from Springfield, 5 from Westfield, 6 from E. Granville, 22 from Hart- ford, Con., and 108 from Boston. Population, 1,291. In 1837, the value of powder manufactured in this place was $32,725; hands employed, 13; capital invested $17,300; value of cigars manufac- tured, $6,350 ; hands employed, 10; capital invested, $1,000; value of whips manufactured, $5,400; value of whip-lashes, $3,850; males employed, 5 ; females, 16; capital invested, $1,000. The New Ha- ven and Northampton canal passes through this town, and com- municates with several large ponds in the south-eastern section.
It will be perceived, in all correct maps of Connecticut, that a tract of land, about two miles in length and breadth, on the west- ern boundary of this town, projects into what would seem ought to belong to Connecticut. This tract has been left to the jurisdic- tion of Massachusetts since the year 1800. It appears that the bounds of Springfield and Windsor were not defined with much accuracy in this section ; the bounds at the north-west point of the projection, however, appear to have been clearly defined. The western bounds of Springfield, in which part of Suffield was in- cluded, were supposed, but erroneously, to extend to this point. A Mr. Moore, living on the tract in question, was knowing to the facts in the case. Having received a warning to a militia training, he refused to appear, denying that he was within the jurisdiction of Connecticut. The case was carried to the general assembly of Connecticut, who, upon an examination of the facts in the case, were obliged to leave this tract to the jurisdiction of Massachu- setts.
" The south line of Massachusetts, according to charter, runs west from a point three miles south of the most southerly branch of Charles river, and every part of it; and the north line of Connecticut is the south line of Massachusetts. When Mr. Pyn- chon settled Springfield, and the first plantations were made in Connecticut, in 1635, it was not known whether the territory would fall within the limits of Massachusetts or not. But Mr. Pynchon at first considered himself as belonging to the jurisdiction of the Connecticut plantations. In 1642, Massachusetts employed two surveyors, Woodward and Saffery, to run the line between the colonies. These pretended to as- certain the south line on Charles river, and then, sailing round and going up the Con- necticut, they attempted to fix the line there, in the same latitude. But either through inattention or the use of bad instruments, they determined the line to fall in Windsor, many miles south of the true line. Connecticut was dissatisfied with the determination of Woodward and Saffery, and made repeated proposals to Massachusetts for a mutual adjustment of the controversy, which were ineffectual. In 1694, a committee appoint- ed by Connecticut run the line, and found the former survey very erroneous. In this situation, the inhabitants of Suffield and Enfield, who settled under the claims and jurisdiction of Massachusetts, continued to encroach upon Windsor and Simsbury, which excited warm animosities. In the year 1700, further attempts were made to
Drawn by J. W. Barber-Engraved by S. E. Brown, Boston. CENTRAL PART OF PITTSFIELD MASS.
This view shows the appearance of the Common, as seen from near the western side. The Congregational Church is the first building, with a spire, on the left ; the next the Town-House; the next eastward is the Episcopal Church ; the other buildings near are connected with the Medical Institution. The ancient elm, one hundred and twenty-six feet in height, is seen rising in the central part of the Common.
1
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procure an amicable settlement of the dispute ; the line was run by commissioners of both colonies, in 1702, and found to fall far north of the former line ; but Massachusetts disagreed to their report. In 1708, Connecticut appointed commissioners with full powers to run the line, and establish the boundary ; and resolved, that unless Massa- chusetts would unite to complete the business, they would apply to the crown. Mas -. sachusetts did not agree at once to the proposal of Connecticut ; but in 1713, commis- sioners were appointed on the part of both colonies, who came to an agreement on the 13th of July. On running the line it was found to fall north of Enfield, Suffield, and Woodstock, which of course came within the jurisdiction of Connecticut. As an equi- valent for the land which had been taken from Connecticut by encroachments, Massa- chusetts granted a tract of land in the western part of that colony, which, in 1716, was sold for two thousand two hundred and seventy-four dollars, which sum was applied to the use of Yale college. This agreement, however, was not considered as conclusive and satisfactory ; nor was the boundary between the two states definitely settled till May, 1804."*
The following inscriptions are from monuments in the grave- yard in this place :
In memory of the Rev. Abel Forward. His talents & learning were great. Formed to benefit & instruct mankind, he was a pulpit orator, A pious & benevolent divine, a wise and prudent councillor & skilful Guide, & believing & teaching the Religion of Jesus, died in faith & hope, Jany. ye 15th, 1786, in ye 38 year of his age and 13th of his ministry.
Flere et meminiffe relictum est.
In memory of Mrs. Keturah, wife of ye Revd. Abel Forward, who died Jan. 16th, in her 23d year, a sincere christian.
How lov'd, how valu'd once, avails thee not, To whom related, or by whom begot ;
A heap of Dust alone remains of thee, Tis all thou art ! & all the proud shall be. Grace was in all her steps, Heaven in her Eye, In every gesture dignity & love.
Sunt Lacrymæ rerum et mentum mortalia targunt.
Keturah Sophia, daughter of the Rev. Abel & Mrs. Keturah Forward, died Apr. 18th, 1775, aged 3 months.
O welcome tears, a tribute due, to mother & daughter too.
Whose ashes lie mingled as one, beneath the limits of this stone.
Pulsanti aperietur. Life how short, Eternity how long !
In memory of Isaac Coit, Esq., an eminent physician, who died 25th April, 1813, aged 58.
Reflection long shall hover o'er his Urn, And faithful friendship boast the power to mourn ; Peace to his shade ! while truth shall paint the rest, Lamented most by those who knew him best.
SPRINGFIELD.
WILLIAM PYNCHON, Esq. may be considered as the father of this town. He was one of the patentees in the colony charter, and was appointed a magistrate and assistant in 1629, in England, when the governor and officers were appointed. He came from England
* Webster's History of United States.
37
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with Governor Winthrop, and began the settlement of Roxbury in 1630. In May, 1635, Mr. Pynchon and the inhabitants of Roxbury had the leave of the general court to remove to any place they should think proper, provided that they continued under the juris- diction of Massachusetts, and would not prejudice any other plan- tation. The fertility of the land upon Connecticut river having become known, Mr. Pynchon, Henry Smith, Jehu Burr, and proba- bly some others, came to this place in 1635, called Agawam, and began to build a house on the west side of the river, on the Aga- wam, in the meadow, called from that fact House-meadow. The Indians who were friendly informed them that the house would be exposed to the flood; they accordingly abandoned it, and built another house on the east side of the river, probably on the lot afterwards owned by Mr. Pynchon, and still possessed by his de- scendants. It is supposed that they returned to Roxbury in the fall. In the spring of the next year, (1636,) Mr. Pynchon, with a number of other persons with their families, removed from Roxbury and came to this place. The settlers made an agreement, the ori- ginal of which is preserved in the town records, consisting of fifteen articles. The first provides for the settlement of a minister; the second limits the number of families to forty, and not to exceed fifty. The other articles provide for the rule and mode of division, and defraying the expenses of the settlement. The agreement was subscribed by only eight persons, though it appears that twelve were concerned. Those who subscribed were William Pynchon, Mat- thew Mitchell, Henry Smith, Jehu Burr, William Blake, Edmund Wood, Thomas Ufford, and John Cabell. Jehu Burr and Thomas Ufford made their marks. The other four who were united with them were Thomas Woodford, John Reader, Samuel Butterfield, and James Wood.
In making the settlement, the most general course was to "allow each settler a house-lot on the west side of what is now Main street, 8 rods wide from the street to the river; a like width in the mea- dow, in front of his house, to the foot of the hill; and a wood-lot of the same breadth, extending at first eighty, and afterwards to an hundred rods, nearly to the top of the hill; and, when practi- cable, an allotment in the interval on the west side of the river, of the same width, as near as might be directly against his lot." The first settlers here, as well as those at Hartford, Windsor, and Weth- ersfield in Connecticut, came on under the license and the pro- fessed authority and protection of Massachusetts, but they were at such a distance from the towns on the Bay as to be obliged, principally, to rely on themselves. Agawam was, at first, united with the other towns below on the river. It appears by the Con- necticut records that at a court holden at Hartford, Nov. 1636, Mr. Pynchon was present with the other magistrates. It appears that in 1637 Agawam was assessed with the towns in Connecticut, to furnish its quota of troops, and pay a portion of the expense of the Pequot war. This place, however, did not long continue united with Connecticut. On February 14, 1638, the inhabitants,
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believing themselves to be within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, came into a voluntary agreement, and appointed Mr. Pynchon a magistrate with extensive powers, and directed the proper course of proceeding, till they should receive orders from Massachusetts.
In 1640, by a vote of the town, its name was changed from Aga- wam to Springfield. Hubbard, in his General History, states that the name was given out of regard to Mr. Pynchon, who had his mansion in a town of that name, near Chelmsford, in Essex, before he came to this country. "Whatever be the origin, it is peculiarly appropriate. It is very rare that a place so abundantly watered with rivers, brooks, streams, and springs can be found." Much uncertainty has existed with regard to the precise date of the in- corporation of the town. There is good reason to believe, however, that it was in 1641. The limits of the town, by various purchases from the natives and grants from the legislature, became very ex- tensive, embracing a tract nearly twenty-five miles square. This territory included the towns of Westfield, Suffield, and a great part of Southwick, and the whole of West Springfield, on the west side of the river, and the towns of Springfield, Enfield, Somers, Wil- braham, Ludlow, and Longmeadow, on the east side. Extensive as this territory was, the most of it was obtained by fair purchase from the Indians.
The following is a list of the inhabitants of Springfield from 1636 to 1664.
William Pynchon, Henry Smith,
Rowland Stebbins, Thomas Stebbins,
Thomas Rieve,
William Brooks,
Wid. Margaret Bliss, Simon Beamon,
William Blake,
Samuel Wright,
Nathaniel Bliss,
Samuel Terry, John Lamb,
Edmund Wood, Thomas Ufford, John Cabel, Matthew Mitchell,
Richard Sikes,
Thomas Tomson, Richard Exell, William Branch, Griffith Jones,
Benjamin Mun, John Stewart, Thomas Bancroft,
Samuel Butterfield, James Wood, John Reader,
John Deeble, Samuel Chapin, Morgan Johns, Thomas Cooper, James Bridgman,
Reice Bedortha, Hugh Parsons,
Richard Maund,
Thomas Woodford, John Seale,
John Dobie, Roger Pritchard, Francis Ball, John Harmon,
Lawrence Bliss, Samuel Bliss,
Tahan Grant,
Rev. George Moxon, William Vaughan,
John Bliss,
Nathaniel Ely,
Thomas Mirrick, John Leonard, Robert Ashley,
Anthony Dorchester, Samuel Ely, John Keep, Edward Foster,
John Woodcock, John Allin, John Burt, Henry Gregory,
Thomas Day, John Riley, John Henryson,
Samuel Hubbard,
Elizur Holyoke, William Warriner, Henry Burt,
William Jess, Miles Morgan, Abraham Mundon, Francis Pepper, John Burrhall, Benjamin Cooley, John Matthews, George Colton, Joseph Parsons, John Clarke, James Osborne,
John Lamb, Samuel Marshfield, John Dumbleton, Jonathan Taylor, Rowland Thomas, Thomas Miller, Benjamin Parsons, Obadiah Miller, Abel Wright, Hugh Dudley,
Thomas Gilbert, Simon Sacket, Richard Fellowes,
Rev. Peletiah Glover,
Richard Everitt, Thomas Horton,
Thomas Noble,
Alexander Edwards, John Lombard,
John Scarlet, George Langton,
Thomas Sewall,
William Hunter, John Scott.
The town increaced rapidly and extended in every direction, till an event took place, which at the first seemed calculated to check it. Mr. Pynchon, in 1650, fell under the censure of the general court for having published a work entitled "The Meritorious Price of Man's Redemption," in opposition to the general opinions respect-
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ing the nature of the atonement. He was left out of the magis- tracy, and cited to appear before the court, and laid under heavy bonds. The next year Mr. Pynchon, in a letter addressed to the general court, retracted his sentiments. The censure of him was suspended, but he was so much dissatisfied that he went to England, and Mr. Moxon with him. Whether he approved of Mr. Pyn- chon's book is not known. Mr. Pynchon did not take his family, but Mr. Moxon did. Neither of them ever returned. Mr. Pynchon was a man of distinction, of a pious disposition of mind, and of respectable talents; and appears to have had the confidence of the town, while he remained. His son-in-law Henry Smith, one of the principal men in Springfield, also removed with his family to England. The absence of Mr. Pynchon was made up in his son John Pynchon, who remained here. "He was a man of uncommon talents, and admirably adapted to his situation." Deacon Samuel Chapin and Elizur Holyoke were leading men in the town.
Pynchon House, Springfield, erected about 1660.
For forty years after the commencement of the settlement, the in- habitants lived in peace with the Indians. Occasionally complaints were made of the misconduct of the Indians. They were, when complaints were substantiated, obliged to do right by their neigh- bors. On the other hand, it is evident, that whenever any of the Indians were wronged by the whites, they had speedy justice done them. But when Philip's war broke out, in June, 1675, there was a general alarm. What fortified places there were in the town, does not certainly appear. The old brick house, built by John Pynchon, Esq., before the year 1660, was used as a fort. The above engraving is copied from a drawing of this house as it ap- peared in 1784. It was taken down a few years since.
There is reason to believe that there was one or two more forts south of the meeting-house. It has also been said that the south part of the town was palisadoed. The Indians who were this side of the river had their principal settlement on Long Hill, where they had a fort. During the night of the 3d or 4th of October, three
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hundred of Philip's warriors were received into the fort and there concealed by the Springfield Indians. Toto, a Windsor Indian, was informed of a plot to burn the town and massacre the inhabitants. This he communicated to the people of Windsor, who, without delay, sent an express to Springfield to give the alarm. This at first occasioned great consternation ; and the people betook them- selves to the forts, and took such measures for security as they could upon the emergency. The Springfield Indians, however, appeared as usual, professed cordial friendship, and in a great de- gree quieted the fears and alarms of the English. The Rev. Mr. Glover, who with others had retired to the fort, and had removed his library and some of his valuable effects to Mr. Pynchon's, upon finding all to be quiet, and nothing to be heard or seen of an enemy, moved back his library to his own house. The Indians lay per- fectly still and concealed. Some of the English, however, were not satisfied; and in the morning of October 5th, Lieutenant Tho- mas Cooper and Thomas Miller went out as scouts, to examine and explore the fort and Indian settlement. While advancing towards it, they were both fired upon and killed. Mr. Cooper, being very athletic and vigorous, got into one of the forts before he expired. An assault upon the town immediately followed. Three men and one woman were killed, including the two above named. About thirty dwelling-houses and twenty-five barns were destroyed. The mills and house of correction, or jail, were also burnt ; but the old meeting-house was preserved. The Indians retreated before they had completed the work of destruction. At the time of the attack Major Pynchon and Capt. Appleton were at Hadley ; they hurried on with the utmost speed to the relief of Springfield; but the In- dians had withdrawn with their plunder before they arrived. The following is extracted from Capt. Appleton's official account of the attack, &c., dated Oct. 12, 1675. He was at Hadley when he wrote.
" As to the state of poor desolate Springfield, to whose relief we came (though with a march that had put our men into a most violent sweat, and was more than they could well bear,) too late. Their condition is indeed most afflicted, there being about 33 houses and 25 barns burnt, and about fifteen houses left unburnt. The people are full of fear, and staggering in their thoughts as to their keeping or leaving of the place. They whose houses and provisions are consumed incline to leave the place, as think- ing they can better labor for a living in places of less danger, than where they now are. Hence they seem unwilling to stay, except they might freely share in the corn and provision which is remaining and preserved by the sword. I cannot but think it conducive to the public, and for ought I see to the private interest, that the place should be kept ; there being corn and provision enough and to spare, for the suste- nance of the persons, whose number is considerable, and cannot be maintained else- where without more than almost any place can afford to their relief. The worth of the place is also considerable, and the holding of it will give encouragement and help to others, and the quitting of it great discouragement and hazard of our passage from one place to another, it being so great distance from Hadley to any other town on this side of the river. I have in regard of the present distress of the poor people adven- tured to leave Capt. Sill there to be ordered by the honored major till further order. . . In the account of Springfield houses, we only presented the number of them on the east side of the river and that in the town plat, for in all, on the west side and in the outskirts on the east side, there are about sixty houses standing and much corn in and about them." [In another letter, dated Oct. 17, 1675, Capt. Appleton says,] "By a letter received from Major Pynchon, I am informed of an old Indian squaw taken at Springfield, who tells that the Indians who burnt that town lodged about six miles of the town. Some men went forth, found twenty-four fires, and some
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plunder. She saith there came of the enemy 270, that the enemy are in all about 600. The place where they keep is at Coassitt, as it is supposed, about 56 miles above Hadley."
Springfield is the shire town for Hampden county, and one of the most important inland towns in New England, being the center of a large inland and river commerce, and is also the site of the largest armory in the United States. A considerable part of the village is on a single street, two miles in length. There is a court-house, jail, 2 banks, (the Springfield and Chicopee Banks,) several printing-offices, and 6 churches, 3, Congregational, 1 of which is Unitarian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist. There are many elegant private residences in this place, particularly on the elevated ground which rises eastward from the court-house. Distance, 17 miles from Northampton, 48 from Worcester, 27 from Hartford, Con., 87 from Boston, and 363 from Washington.
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