USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > West Springfield > Historical discourse delivered at West Springfield : December 2, 1824, the day of the annual thanksgiving > Part 6
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22. Levi Brooks, son of Levi Brooks, was graduated at Yale College in 1815, and is settled as a physician in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
23. Augustus Lyman Chapin, son of Moses A. Chapin, was graduated at Yale College in 1817, and studied the profession of Theology. Ile is now a licensed preacher, and resides in the state of New-York.
24. Richard Beebe, son of Richard Beebe, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1824.
William M. Lathrop, son of the Hon. Samuel Lathrop, is now a member of Yale College ; and Alonzo Chapin, son of Moses A. Chapin, is a member of the collegiate institution at Amherst.
The following is a list of those, who have been graduated from the north parish.
1. * Sewall Chapin, son of Elisha Chapin, was born in 1754, and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1779. He studied the profession of Theology, and afterwards engaged in the instruction of
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'an academy in the western part of Virginia, where he died, in the year 1787, in the 33d year of his age.
2. * Heman Ball, D. D. son of Charles Ball, was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791 ; was ordained at Rutland, Vermont, February 1, 1797 ; was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Union College in 1816, and died December 17, 1821, aged 57. He was highly respected for his talents and virtues, and exerted an extensive influence in the church.
3. Walter Chapin, A. M. son of Martin Chapin, was graduated in 1803 at Middlebury College, where he was afterwards tutor. He was constituted minister of the first congregational society in the north parish of Woodstock, Vermont, April 25, 1810.
4. Harvey Ball, son of Charles Ball Esquire, was graduated at Middlebury College in 1818, and is settled as a lawyer in Georgia.
5. Lucas Morgan, son of Lucas Morgan Esquire, was graduated at Williams College in 1819, and is settled as a lawyer at Waterloo, New-York.
6. John Calvin Morgan, son of Erastus Morgan, was graduated at Williams College in 1820, and is now a candidate for the ministry.
Earl Dunham, son of Doctor Jolm T. Dunham, is now a member of Union College.
The following are those, who have been graduated from Agawam.
1. * Daniel Bedortha, son of Stephen Bedortha, was graduated at Brown University in 1814, studied the profession of law, and died in Maryland, August 1819, aged 28.
2. Reuben Stedman Hazen, son of Frederick Hazen, was gradu- ated at Yale College in 1818, and was settled in the ministry, over the parishes of Agawam and Feeding Hills, October 17, 1821.
U.
The second article of the covenant into which the first settlers of Springfield entered, is as follows :- " Our town shall be composed of 40 families, or if we should think meet after to alter our purpose, yet not to exceed the number of 50 families, rich and poor." Another article is, that no man but William Pynchon, should " have above
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10 acres for his house lot." It is difficult to ascertain how much they intended to include in Springfield, though it is probable that, for some time, they had no very definite limits. It appears that Westfield, Suffield, Somers and part of Enfield were, in some indefi- nite way, very early considered part of the original town ; but the present towns of West Springfield, Long Meadow, Wilbraham and Ludlow remained part of Springfield, for a considerable period, after its limits were well defined. It was well said by the Reverend Mr. Breck, in his century sermon, in reference to the surprising increase of the town, " The first settlers, were they now upon earth, might, with propriety, adopt the language of Jacob, and say, with our staves passed we through this wilderness, and now we are become not two, but seven bands."
As the plan of the preceding discourse has led me to a view of the early history of what is now the town of Springfield, in connec- tion with this town, I have thought it might render the narrative a little more complete, and perhaps gratify the curiosity of some, to add some of the most important facts connected with the subsequent history of the present town of Springfield, and of those towns, which have grown out of the original tract, which, for many years, bore that name. Most of the facts, which are stated, relate to the ecclesiastical history, and have either been collected from the records of the respective towns, or have been obligingly furnished me by some respectable inhabitants.
SPRINGFIELD, FIRST PARISH.
In May 1734, about six months after the death of Mr. Brewer, the parish applied to Mr. Robert Breck, to preach with reference to settlement. On the 15th of August following, he received an invitation to become their minister ; but he not being satisfied with the proposals of the parish, and they not being disposed to accede to his, the treaty, for that time, was closed, and Mr. Breck left them. He, however, afterwards, returned, by their invitation, and on the 24th of April 1735, they renewed their call, though the conditions of it seem not to have been changed. He gave an affirmative answer, and was ordained January 26, 1736, being in
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the 23d year of his age. The ordaining council consisted of the Reverend Messrs. William Cooper, William Welsteed and Samuel Mather of Boston, Reverend William Cooke of Sudbury, Reverend William Williams* of Hatfield, Reverend Isaac Chauncy of Hadley, Reverend Ebenezer Devotion of Suffield, and Reverend William Rand of Sunderland. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Cooper, from Matthew xiii. 3. It was published.
The call and settlement of Mr. Breck were the occasion of one of the most violent controversies, which have ever distracted this part of the church. The allegations against him related principally to his religious sentiments, though it is not easy to see how they could have been maintained, in consistency with his printed creed.t His ordination was warnily opposed by a majority of the ministers of this county, as well as by a considerable number of the parish ; and even during the session of the council, which was to have ordained him, he was arrested by a civil officer, and carried to Connecticut, "to answer to such things as should be objected to him." In consequence of the extreme agitation, which prevailed in the town and neighbourhood, the council thought it not expedient to proceed, at that time, to his ordination, and deferred it to a subsequent period. The controversy was the occasion of, at least, three pamphlets ; two, by the association of the county, and one, by the ordaining council ; all of which are written with great spirit, and shew that the church sustained a prodigious convulsion. Mr. Breck, however, by his uncommon prudence, gradually gained the favour both of his opposing brethren and parishioners ; and it was not many years, before the congregation became united under his ministry, and his brethren in the neighbourhood received him into their fellowship.
'The Reverend Robert Breck was the great-grandson of Edward Breck, who came from England and settled in Dorchester. He was the grandson of Captain John Breck of Dorchester, and was the son
* Reverend Mr. Williams was written to as one of the council, but he seems not to have been present at the ordination.
t See Reverend Mr. Breck's confession of faith appended to the sermon preached at his ordination.
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of the Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough. The father was born at Dorchester, December 7, 1682 ; was graduated at Harvard College in 1700 ; was ordained at Marlborough, October 25, 1704 ; was married to Miss Elizabeth Wainwright of Haverhill in September 1707, and died January 6, 1731, in the 19th year of his age. He was highly respected as a minister, and was distinguished by his knowledge of the Hebrew language. Mrs. Breck, his widow, died June 8, 1736. They had six children, of whom Robert was the third. He was born July 25, 1713 ; was graduated at Harvard College in 1730; and was married to Miss Eunice Brewer, daughter of the Reverend Daniel Brewer, April 28, 1736. They had four children. After the death of Mrs. Breck, he was married, Novem- ber 16, 1773, to Mrs. Helena Dorr, widow of the Reverend Edward Dorr of Hartford. He died of consumption April 23, 1784, in the 71st year of his age, and in the 49th of his ministry. Doctor Lathrop preached his funeral sermon from 2d Timothy, iv. 6, 7, 8. It was printed.
The following is a list of Mr. Breck's publications.
1. The duty of ministers not only to establish their hearers in a well grounded belief of the christian religion, but to exhort them that believe, carefully to maintain good works : Represented in a sermon preached at the church in Brattle-street, Boston, May 29, 1748.
2. Past dispensations of providence called to mind : A sermon preached at Springfield, on the day, which completed a century from the burning of the town by the Indians. 1775.
3. A sermon preached at Amherst, at the funeral of the Reverend David Parsons. 1781.
4. A sermon preached at Long Meadow, at the funeral of the Rev- erend Stephen Williams D. D. 1782.
5. A sermon preached at Amherst, at the ordination of the Reverend David Parsons. 1782.
In the list of convention preachers, Mr. Breck's name is in italics, to denote that his sermon was published. But as I can find no other evidence of the fact, I conclude it must have been a -mistake.
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In 1747, the parish voted to build a new meeting house, within 15 feet of the one, which was then standing. They first voted to build with brick, but afterwards determined that it should be of wood. It was to be "60 feet in length, 46 in width, and 26 in height between the joints, with a steeple proportionable to the said house." It was not actually built, till 1749.
In July succeeding the death of the Reverend Mr. Breck, Mr. Bezaleel Howard* of Bridgewater, then a tutor in the University at Cambridge, commenced preaching at Springfield, as a candidate for settlement. In November following, he received a call, and on the 27th of April 1785, was set apart to the work of the ministry. The ordination sermon was preached by the Reverend Timothy Hilliard of Cambridge, from Titus ii. 15, and was published. Doctor Howard continued his labours with acceptance, till September 1803, when a feeble state of health obliged him to retire from his active duties. After waiting about two years, in the hope that his health might be restored, it was mutually agreed that a dissolution of the union between hin and his people should take place, whenever the parish should unite in the settlement of another minister. Accord- ingly, the resignation of his charge was read on the day of the ordination of his successor ; and the grateful and affectionate regards of his people followed him to retired life.
Doctor Howard published, during his ministry, the following sermons :-
1. A sermon preached at Westmoreland, New Hampshire, at the ordination of the Reverend Allen Pratt. 1790.
2. A sermon preached at Ludlow, at the ordination of the Reverend Antipas Steward. 1793.
3. A sermon preached at Norwich, at the ordination of the Reverend Benjamin R. Woodbridge. 1799.
Doctor Howard still lives, and in 1824, was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University at Cambridge.
The Reverend Samuel Osgoodt of Fryburg, Maine, was ordained, successor to the Reverend Doctor Iloward, January 25, 1809.
* He was graduated at Harvard College in 1781.
f He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1805.
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The sermon was preached by the Reverend Doctor Harris of Dorchester, from 1 Timothy iv. 16. It was published. The church under the care of Mr. Osgood, consists of about 350 members, being considerably the largest within the limits of the county.
In 1818 and 19, the parish erected a spacious and elegant house for public worship, a few rods west of the spot, which was occupied by the former one. It was dedicated August 18, 1819. Sermon by the Reverend Mr. Osgood.
There is within the limits of this parish a Baptist church, which was formed May 13, 1811. The Reverend Allen Hough* was constituted its first pastor July 31, 1822. Ile was dismissed from the pastoral office August 26, 1823 ; and afterwards became pastor of a church in West Boylston, where he died August 16, 1824, aged 33 years. The church in Springfield is now statedly supplied with preaching, by Mr. Joseph Hough, a licentiate from Bozrah, Connecticut.
There is also a Methodist society here, which was formed in the year 1797, and consisted originally of about 20 members. About 1802, it had become so far diminished by deaths and removals, that it was forsaken by the circuit preachers, and for several years, was only occasionally visited by the local preachers in the vicinity. In July 1815, the church was re-organized by the Reverend William Marsh. It then consisted of 11 members, and was connected with the Tolland circuit. In 1820, this society built a small house for publick worship. In June 1823, the Reverend John WV. Hardy was appointed to this station, and has continued his labours here to the present time. The church now consists of 125 members.
The average annual number of deaths in the first parish, during the 48 years, which were occupied by the ministry of Mr. Breck, was nearly 12; during the 24 years of Doctor Howard's ministry, it was about 18; and during the 16 years since the settlement of Mr. Osgood, it has been a little more than 36. The population in this parish, has, for some years, been rapidly increasing.
* Ile was graduated at Brown University.
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THIRD PARISH.
In January 1820, a number of persons belonging principally to the first parish in Springfield, were incorporated as the second society in the first parish ; and by a subsequent act, the style was changed to that of the third parish in Springfield. In October preceding, a church was formed, consisting of about 30 members ; and in the same year, an elegant meeting house was erected, at the expense of Jonathan Dwight Esquire, and presented to the society. It was dedicated January 5, 1820. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Dan Huntington of Hadley. On the 12th of October following, the Reverend William Bourne Oliver Peabody* of Exeter, New Hampshire, was constituted pastor of the church. The Reverend Doctor Ware of Harvard University preached on the occasion, from 1 Corinthians xiii. 9. The sermon was published.
LONG MEADOW.
The Indian name of that part of the original town of Springheld, now called Long Meadow, was Masacksick. It is not known exactly, at what period the settlement there commenced, but probably as early as 1644. Among the earliest settlers were Benjamin Cooley, George Colton, known in the records by the name of quarter master Colton, and John Keep. These persons were the ancestors of all the families of their respective names, in this part of the country.
The original settlement in what is now Long Meadow, began in the meadow near the bank of the river. In 1703, there was a petition from the inhabitants to the town, that on account of the danger which they were in from floods, and some other inconven- iences attending their situation, they might be permitted to move out of the general field, and build on the hill about half a mile east from the river. This petition was granted ; and the town voted to give them " the land from Pecowsic brook to Enfield bounds, and from the hill eastward of Long Meadow, half a mile farther eastward into the woods."
* He was graduated at Harvard College in 1816.
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Long Meadow was incorporated as a distinct precinct, February 17, 1713, when there were a little less than 40 families. In April 1714, they voted " to proceed in building a meeting house ; and that the said house should be built 38 feet square, if the timber already gotten would allow it ; or if the timber should be too scant, to make it something less." The house seems to have been completed in the early part of 1716. In March 1715, they voted to give Mr. Stephen Williams a call to be their minister, and subsequently, to give him 200 pounds settlement, and 55 pounds salary for five years, and then to increase it by the addition of 5 pounds a year, till it should be 70 pounds. Mr. Williams accepted their proposals, and was ordained October 17, 1716. The council was composed of the following ministers :- Reverend John Williams of Deerfield, Reverend William Williams of Hatfield, Reverend Solomon Stoddard of Northampton, Reverend Edward Taylor of Westfield, Reverend Messrs. Daniel Brewer and John Woodbridge of Springfield. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Williams of IIatfield, from Matthew ix. 38. It was printed.
Reverend Stephen Williams was the great-grandson of Robert Williams, who came from Norwich in England, and settled at an early period in Roxbury. He was the grandson of Samuel Williams, a son of Robert ; and a son of the Reverend John Williams of Deerfield, who was born at Roxbury December 10, 1664; was educated at Harvard College, by the assistance of his maternal grandfather (Park,) and was graduated in 1683; was ordained at Deerfield May 1686, and was married to Miss Eunice Mather, only daughter of the Reverend Eleazar Mather of Northampton, and grand-daughter of the Reverend Mr. Warham of Windsor. They had ten children, of whom Stephen was the fourth. Reverend John Williams and his family, except the eldest son, were taken captive by the French and Indians, February 29, 1704. His two youngest children were killed, on the day in which they were taken, and his wife, on the day following. He was carried to Canada with five of his children. His son Stephen was redeemed and arrived at Boston, November 21, 1705. The father arrived just one year afterwards. One of his children only remained in Canada, and she was married
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to an Indian, had a family, and died an aged woman. Reverend John Williams was afterwards married to Miss Abigail Allen of Windsor, a cousin of his former wife. They had five children. IIc was seized with a fit of apoplexy, on the night of the Sthi of June, and died, on the morning of the 12tli, 1729, aged 65 years. Ilis second wife died July 1754.
Reverend Stephen Williams, D. D. was born May 14, 1693. After his return from captivity, he became a member of Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1713 ; engaged in a school at Hadley for a year, and came to Long Meadow, November 4, 1714, to preach as a candidate. He was married July 3, 1718, to Miss Abigail Davenport, daughter of the Reverend Jolm Davenport of Stamford, Connecticut. They had eight children, three of whom were settled in the ministry :- viz. Reverend Stephen Williams, who was ordained at Woodstock, Connecticut, November 1747, and died April 20, 1795 ; Reverend Warham Williams, who was ordained at Northford, Connecticut, June 13, 1750, and died April 1788 ; and the Reverend Natlian Williams, D. D. who was ordained at Tolland, Connecticut, April 30, 1760, and still survives at the advanced age of about 90. The wife of Doctor Stephen Williams died August 26, 1766, after which he was married to Mrs. Sarah Burt. He served as chaplain in three campaigns. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 1773. He dicd greatly lamented June 10, 1782, in thic 90th year of his age, and the 66th of his ministry. A sermon was preached at liis funeral, by the Reverend Mr. Breck, from 2 Kings ii. 9, 10, 11, 12. The only publication of Doctor Williams was a sermon at the ordination of Reverend John Keep, at Sheffield, in 1772.
In January 1766, the parish voted to build a new meeting house of brick ; but at a subsequent meeting, voted that it should be of wood, and of the following dimensions :- viz. 56 feet in length, 42 feet in width, and the posts to support the galleries, 25 feet ; the steeple to be 14 feet square and 54 feet in height. The house was not actually completed, till 1769.
After the death of Doctor Williams, the parish remained destitute of a settled minister, till December 7, 1785, when the vacancy was
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filled by the settlement of the Reverend Richard Salter Storrs. The sermon at his ordination was preached by his father, minister of Southold, Long Island, from 2 Timothy ii. 1. It was published.
Reverend R. S. Storrs was the son of the Reverend Jolin Storrs, and was born at Mansfield, August 30, 1763. He was carly adopted into the family of the Reverend Richard Salter, D. D. of Mansfield, and under his tuition, was prepared for liis collegiate course, and was graduated at Yale College in 1783. IIe was married, October 12, 1785, to Miss Sarah Williston, daughter of the Reverend Noah Williston of West Haven ; and after her death in 1798, to Miss Sarah Williams, grand-daughter of his predecessor. He had ten children, two of whom are settled in the ministry. Mr. Storrs fulfilled the duties of his office, with much fidelity and reputation, till October 3, 1819, when his labours were suddenly terminated by death. Ilis funeral sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Osgood of Springfield, from 1 Corinthians xv. 57. Mr. Storrs published a sermon at the ordination of the Reverend Stephen Williams, at Fitz William, New Hampshire, in 1800 .*
After an interval of little more than three years, the Reverend Baxter Dickinsont of Amherst, was called, with great unanimity, to settle as the successor of Mr. Storrs. He was ordained March 5, 1823. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Perkins of Amherst, from 1 Timothy iv. 15. The church under the care of Mr. Dickinson consists of about 250 members. The average annual number of deaths in the town, during the ministry of Mr. Storrs, was between 9 and 10. For the last 10 years, it has been a little more than 10.
There is, in the cast part of Long Meadow, a Baptist church under the pastoral care of the Reverend George B. Atwell, who was ordained September 11, 1822. It has never had any other settled minister. It consists, at present, of 69 members.
Long Meadow was incorporated as a town in 1783.
* For a more particular account of the Reverend Mr. Storrs, see a sketch of his character in the Christian Spectator, vol. 2. pp. 54, 55, 56.
+ IIe was graduated at Yale College in 1817.
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WILBRAHAM.
'The first settlement in that part of the original town of Springfield, now called Wilbraham, was in 1731. In May of that year, Nathan- iel Hitchcock removed from the centre of the town, and built a house on the spot, which is now occupied by the house of Doctor Samuel F. Merrick. He, with his family, lived there one year alone. In 1732, Noah Alvord, with his family, removed thither ; and in 1733, Daniel Warner and four others, with their families, were there also. From that period, there was a gradual increase, till 17-11, when the number of families amounted to 24. In May of that year, the parish was incorporated, by the name of the 4th parish in Springfield ; but it usually went by the name of Springfield Mountains, till 1763, when it was incorporated as a town, and received its present name. It had not, however, the privilege of sending a representative to the general court, till the adoption of the new constitution in 1780. In 1741, the Reverend Noah Merrick was unanimously called to the work of the ministry in this parish, and was ordained on the 24th of June, of that year. The ordaining service was to have been performed under a large oak tree which stood near the spot now occupied by the house of William Knight Esquire ; but as the morning proved rainy, they assembled in a barn now belonging to Mrs. Warriner, and there attended the ordaining solemnities. Previous to the ordination, there were in the place six male church members ;- viz. Nathaniel Warriner and David Merrick, who were soon after chosen deacons ; Moses Burt, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Stephen Stebbins and Samuel Stebbins. The council convened to organize the church, determined (on what ground I have not been able to learn) that no number less than seven could constitute a church of Christ; and were, therefore, brought to a stand in their proceedings. At length, David Warriner appeared, and stated that he had wished, for some time, to make a profession of religion, and had waited only for the ordination of a minister. He being admitted to the number, tho council were relieved from their difficulty, and proceeded to forin the church upon the same confession of faith and covenant, which are still used in the north! parish. During the first ten years from the original settlement, but
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one person died, viz. a child of Daniel Warner. Its remains were carried to Springfield for burial. But in May 1741, Elizabeth Cockerel, the sister of Samuel Warner's wife, died, and was buried on the spot, which is now used as a burying place in the north parisli.
Reverend Noah Merrick was the grandson of Thomas Merrick, who came from Wales to Roxbury, about 1630, and thence to Springfield in 1636 ; and was the youngest son of James Merrick, who was a native of West Springfield, and married Miss Saralı Ilitchcock. Ile was married in October 1744, to Mrs. Abigail Brainard, widow of the Reverend Mr. Brainard of Eastbury, Con- necticut, and daughter of the Reverend Phineas Fisk of Haddam. He had seven children, five of whom survived him. His oldest son was drowned, while a member of Harvard College in 1762. Reverend Mr. Merrick died much lamented, December 22, 1776, in the 66th year of his age, and the 36th of his ministry. The sermon at his funeral was preached by the Reverend Mr. Breck of Springfield, from 2 Corinthians iv. 7. It was preached on a subsequent funeral occasion,* and published. The widow of Mr. Merrick died September 1807, in the 90th year of her age.
The first meeting house in Wilbraham was built in 1748. It stood 30 rods south of the spot now occupied by the house of Deacon Chiliab Merrick, formerly the residence of his father, the Reverend Noah Merrick. It was removed to the place where it now stands, and repaired in 1793.
In 1783 the town was divided into two parishes. By the act of division, the meeting house became the property of the north parish, and the ministry land belonging to the town, was equally divided between the two parishes. The Reverend Joseph Willard,+ son of the Reverend Doctor Willard of Stafford, Connecticut, became the minister of the north parish, May 23, 1787. The sermon at his ordination was preached by his father. He was dismissed from his charge February 11th, 1794. A sermon was preached on the occasion by the Reverend Doctor Lathrop from Phillippians i. 12,
* At the funeral of the Reverend David Parsons of Amherst.
t Ile was graduated at Harvard College in 1784.
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and was published. Mr. Willard has since been the pastor of a church in Lancaster, New Hampshire.
The vacancy occasioned by the removal of Mr. Willard was supplied August 16, 1797, by the settlement of the Reverend Ezra Witter,* of Lisbon, Connecticut. The sermon at his ordination was preached by the Reverend Doctor Lee of Lisbon. Mr. Witter was dismissed May 31, 1814, and has since been engaged in the instruction of an academy in Tennessee.
The Reverend Ebenezer Brownt of Brimfield, was ordained successor of Mr. Witter, March 3, 1819. The ordination sermon was preached by the Reverend Mr. Bartlett of East Windsor, Con- necticut, from Galatians i. 8.
The church under the care of Mr. Brown consists of 114 members. The average annual number of deaths, in the north parish, for the last ten years, is about 14.
The meeting house in the south parish was erected in 1784. The Reverend Moses Warren,¿ a native of Upton, was ordained in September 1788. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Reverend Elisha Fish of Windsor, Massachusetts, from Malachi ii. 7.
The present number of communicants in the church under the care of Mr. Warren, is about 150. The average number of deaths in the parish, during his ministry, is about 12.
Beside the two congregational churches in Wilbraham, there is a methodist church in the north parish, and a baptist church, most of of the members of which belong to the south. The latter is under the pastoral care of the Reverend Alvin Bennett, and consists, at present, of 141 members.
LUDLOW.
The settlement of that part of the original town of Springfield, now called Ludlow, commenced about the year 1750. The names of some of the earliest families, were Colton, Hitchcock, Miller and
* He was graduated at Yale College in 1793.
f Graduated at Yale College in 1813.
# Graduated at Harvard College in 1784.
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Sikes. They went from what is, at present, the town of Springfield. Ludlow was incorporated as a town, February 1774. A meeting house was built in 1784, and a congregational church was formed in 1789. The Reverend Antipas Steward, the first minister of Ludlow, was ordained November 27, 1793. IIe continued there nearly ten years, and was dismissed in the early part of 1803. At that time, he retired from the ministry, and resided at Belchertown, till the close of his life, He died March 15, 1814, in the 81st year of his age.
Mr. Steward was a native of Marlborough, and was born January 9, 1734. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1760, where lie was, for many years, a resident graduate. He was twice married, but survived all his family, unless it were one child settled in the state of New York. Though not a popular preacher, he is repre- sented as having been a sensible man and a good scholar. He is said to have devoted himself, with much success, to the study of the Hebrew and other ancient languages.
After the dismission of Mr. Steward, the town remained without a settled minister, till December 8, 1819, when the vacancy was supplied by the settlement of the Reverend Ebenezer B. Wright* of Westhampton. The sermon at his ordination was preached by the Reverend Enoch Hale of Westhampton, from 1 Timothy iii. 1.
The church now under the care of Mr. Wright, consists of 108 members. The mean annual number of deaths in the town, for the last five years, has been about 13.
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From the preceding statement it appears, that within the tract which constituted the town of Springfield, for many years after our fathers covenanted that their town should be composed of not more than 50 families, there are no less than 20 religious societies, and 11 of the congregational order. There are 9 settled congregational, and 5 baptist, ministers. The methodist societies, of which there are three, are all statedly supplied with preaching. Within the same limits, there are probably considerably more than 2000 families.
* He was graduated at Williams College in 1814
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The census in 1820, was as follows :
Springfield
3914
West Springfield 3246
Wilbraham
1979
Ludlow
1246
Long Meadow
1171
11,556, total.
Since the preceding discourse was committed to the press, I have discovered a slight crrour on the 50th page, which I avail myself of this opportunity to correct. It is there stated that the last of the ministry land belonging to the first parish in West Springfield was sold in 1821. It appears that this is not the case; and that one lot, commonly called the " House meadow lot" still remains unsold.
I have also ascertained that the Reverend Samuel Hopkins of this place, was the sixth son of John Hopkins of Waterbury, Connecticut, and was born Decem- ber 27, 1693. John Hopkins was the son of Stephen Hopkins, who is supposed to have resided at Farmington.
F 84497.84
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