USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Shelburne > History and tradition of Shelburne, Massachusetts > Part 2
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As her family started for church that Sunday morn- ing, Dorcas stood in the doorway and watched the travellers cross the clearing and disappear into the woods. After finishing the necessary work, she gath- ered her four small children about her and told them Bible stories; then, kneeling on the kitchen floor, she prayed for her family and her descendants in all com- ing generations. Next, taking Simeon and baby Moses in her lap, she sang the good church hymns until Moses was asleep and Simeon's eyes were heavy. She tucked the two little ones into bed and told the other two to be very quiet and not go near the fire. Pick- ing up the water buckets, she went to the spring a short distance from the house. After filling the buckets with the sparkling spring water, she turned and looked about her.
The log house stood in a small clearing surrounded by dense woods. At one side was the corn field, next
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a large garden, a patch of oats, and another of rye. They had not forgotten the flax, as the family must be clothed as well as fed. All this represented a tre- mendous amount of toil by the whole family.
Dorcas lingered by the spring for a few minutes, picking late wild flowers and pondering the age-old question : What shall my hungry family have for supper ?
There was not a particle of meat in the house and she knew they would be ravenously hungry. Dorcas always took all her problems to the Heavenly Father ; so she prayed: "Dear God, if we cannot have what we want, make us content with what we have."
Raising her eyes, she saw a large bear coming from the woods at the farther side of the clearing. She dropped her buckets and rushed for the house, where, trembling with fear, she sank to the rude bench by the fireplace. If the bear should find the cornfield, he would keep coming until there was no corn left for the family, or worse yet, he might attack Ebenezer and the children when they returned in the evening. It would not be safe for the children to go out of the house if a bear was nearby.
Dorcas arose and opened the door a crack. She could not look from the window, as it was oiled paper and impossible to see through. The bear was coming toward the house. Something must be done quickly. She took the gun from the pegs where it was kept, told the children to keep away from the
fire (her children were brought up to mind), and opened the door, carefully closing it behind her. As Dorcas stepped into the clearing, the bear came towards her, evidently wondering what this strange creature might be. She stood for a moment asking God to guide her eye and hand, and then went bravely for- ward. When she thought the distance right, she paused, took careful aim between the bear's eyes, and fired. The bear gave an awful shriek and dropped to the ground.
Dorcas turned and fled to the house as fast as she could go, closing the door behind her. She sank to the floor, strength and courage gone. She lay there until the children's cries roused her. She comforted them, put wood on the fire, and cautiously opened the door. The bear lay where he had fallen. He must be dead. She wondered what to do next. Her mind was soon made up. Taking the axe and a big knife, she went to the bear and chopped out a large chunk of meat and carried it to the house. The sun had just reached the noon mark by the door.
What a glad surprise it must have been for Ebenezer when he pulled the latchstring and opened the door that night to smell the savory meat that had been roasting over the fire with the potatoes and other vegetables cooked in the big iron pot!
It was a happy family that gathered around the board to partake of the bountiful supper Dorcas had prepared for them. - F.G.L.
EXCERPTS FROM TOWN MEETING RECORDS
MAY 11, 1769: Chose Stephen Kellogg and John Wells and Samuel Wilson to be a Committee to appoint a place where the Log Meeting House must be set and to see that the Meeting House is built, and that every man does his Equal part or pays his money to building a Round Log Meeting House this spring.
NOVEMBER 13, 1770 (First School) : "It was put to vote to see if the place would have four month schooling, and it past in the fermitive." - "Voted in John Taylor and James Taft, Watson Freeman and Robert Wilson to be a Committee to divide the place into four parts and to have a School kept in each quarter one month."
JUNE 24, 1776: Article 2: "To see if the District will solemnly engage with their lives and fortunes to stand by the Congress if they should declare us Inde- pendent of the Kingdom of Great Britain." VOTED, that this Town will stand by the Honourable Conti- nental Congress with their lives and fortunes if they Honors think it expedient to declare us Independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain for the Safety of our Rights and Privileges.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1778: "Then voted that the man that will git the Reverend Mr. Hubbards wood
the cheapest shall have the advantage of giting of it." Then it was put up at the lowest bidder and it was struck off to Mr. Newton Ransom at six pounds five shilling.
MARCH 15, 1779: "Then voted to chose a Com- mittee of nine men to view the banks of Deerfield River to see if they think there can be a bridge or Fordway built to accomodate those men that live the South side of Deerfield River."
JUNE 9, 1779: Then voted to choose a Committee of three men to send a petition to the General Court in the behalf of the Town to see if they will grant us Liberty of a Lottery to build a bridge over Deer- field River from Shelburne to Conway. (No action by General Court recorded.)
FEBRUARY 7, 1780: Put to vote to see if the Town will choose an agent to represent them in the Gen- eral Court the next session on account of their being overburdened with Taxes and it passed in the affirma- tive. Then voted in Doctor Long to be the above agent. (No action by General Court recorded.)
FEBRUARY 24, 1780: "Agreeable to the vote of the Town of Shelburne at a meeting held in December 13, 1779, we have divided the Town in proper Dis- tricts for Schools as near as we can as follows, viz :
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1st - The Northwest School
2nd - The People on the Southside of Deerfield River
3rd The West District
4th The Center School
5th The Northeast School
6th - The East School
7th - The South School
8th --- The Middle School on Charlemont Road." Voted to accept the above on April 24, 1780 - Mar- tin Severance, John Wells, John Boyd, Ebenezer Bordwell, Thomas Drury, Salvenus Allen and Aaron Skinner.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1780: For the Honbl. John Hancock, Esq. 45 votes ( First Governor of Massachusetts)
OCTOBER 11, 1784: Put to vote to see if the Town will chose one or more delegates to attend the Meet- ing of Delegates of the Towns of the North Part of this County - Then voted to have Edgar Ashley, Col. Wells and Aaron Skinner for the above delegates to attend at Mr. David Hoits, Innholder in Deerfield on Tuesday, 12th day of October instant. Then voted it is the opinion of this Town to have this County of Hampshire divided into two counties. Then voted it is the opinion of this Town that the above Delegates with the delegates of the other Towns shall petition the General Court for the division of the County for the several reasons following: viz, The Great distance from the Courts in the County - The largness of the County which will necessarily cause a multiplicity of business - the distance from the Registry, the Treas- urer, and Court of Probate.
AUGUST 11, 1785: Then voted that Mr. Hubbard's wife shall be seated in the Pew the west side of the pulpit and if the Committee think necessary they may seat others with her.
FEBRUARY 2, 1786: Voted that this Town will provide a Konkshell for the purpose of Notifying the People to Attend Publick worship on the Sabbath. Voted to have a man sound the above Konk.
MARCH 19, 1787: To see what Method the Town will agree to warn Town Meetings in. Voted, that the Town Meetings shall be warned by setting up a Notification in Wrighting, Excepting some special occasions.
DECEMBER 11, 1787: Put to vote to see if the Town will allow Zeeb Taylor Thirty Pounds for keeping Rhoda Hart till she is eighteen years of age and it past in the negative. Then voted that the sup- porting of Rhoda Hart shall be put up at Vendue at the lowest bidder, under the following restrictions : viz: That the man who bids it off shall give her schooling as is common for children her age: likewise to cloth her during her service till she is 18 years old as is common for girls of her age and circumstances: also with a decent suit of apparel at her arriving at the age of eighteen years old: The selectmen of the
Town to determine respecting the place of her service.
"This may certify that the line was drawn between Coleraine and Shelburne on the 29th day of May 1788 and the Corners runned by us - beginning at the Northeast corner of Shelburne on Colraine South line running from thence to a White oak stub and a heap of stones at the Northeast corner of Shelburne. George Patterson, Jonathan Wilson,
Selectmen of Colrain John Burdick, Alexander Thompson, Asa Childs, Selectmen of Shelburne"
SEPTEMBER 22, 1794: Voted to choose a Committee to survey the Town of Shelburne.
"DOINGS OF MARCH MEETING 1797": Put to vote to see if the Town will give a bounty on Crows killed in the Town and it passed in the Affirmative, then voted to give eight cents for each crow head killed within one year, then voted the heads of crows killed be destroyed in presence of one of the Selectmen.
MARCH 5, 1798: Put to vote to see if the Town will give leave to put up a Pest House to be under the direction of the Selectmen and appoint a Com- mittee for that purpose, and it passed in the affirma- tive.
DECEMBER +, 1798: Put to vote to see if the Town will concur with the Church and give Mr. Theophilus Packard a call to the need of the Ministry in this Town and it passed in the affirmative.
JANUARY 7, 1805: To hear a letter from George Holbrook from Brookfield concerning his casting a bell for this Town and act thereon as they think proper. Voted to apply to George Holbrook for a Bell for the Meeting House according to his proposals directed to John Long, Esq. Voted to set the Widow Bates and children for Boarding at the Lowest bidder and for that purpose adjourned to Landlord Skinner's and after various bids the Widow Bates was struck off to Deacon Smith at Eighty two cents per week, Laura, her Daughter to Reuben Nims at 10 cents - her grand child to Reuben Bardwell at fortythree cents per Week.
MAY 6, 1805: We have searched records and other papers and find nothing to guide us in the mat- ter, therefore we have surveyed and Laid out said Burying Ground as follows: Beginning at Stake and Stones by an apple tree at the Southwest Corner of the burying ground running North 10° 30m East 27 Rods thence East 15'S 12 Rods 17 Links thence South 10 Degrees West 12 links then East 21 degrees then East 21 degrees south 8 rods thence South 37° West 26 rods 21 Links then West 14º North 10 Rods 12 Links.
Moses Hawks, Reuben Nims, Parker Dole, Aaron Skinner, Committee
APRIL 4, 1807: Voted to ring the Bell Sundays, at Lecture days - tolled at Funerals - to be rung at Town Meetings, the price for ringing the Bell to be at the discretion of the Selectmen.
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1838: Voted that all persons shall be prohibited from riding, or driving a horse faster than a walk across the Bridge at Shelburne Falls, between Shel- burne and Buckland, and to annex a penalty of one dollar for any breach thereof. agreeable to the Statute in such case made and provided.
Attest: Ira W. Barnard, Town Clerk
MAY 7, 1849: Voted to accept of the report of their Committee for building a School House, so far as relates to the plan of the house. Voted to leave it with the Selectmen of the Town to decide on a place of location of said house, and that the Clerk notify the Selectmen of the same.
MAY 2, 1855: Chapter 262 - An Act to establish a Fire District for the village of Shelburne, Be it enacted. as follows:
Section 1: The inhabitants of the village of Shel- burne Falls, situate in the towns of Buckland and Shelburne, in the county of Franklin, including so much of the territory of the town of Buckland as lies within the present limits of school district number nine, resident in said territory, and qualified to vote in town affairs in their respective towns, at a meeting thereof held for that purpose, and called as herein- after provided, may establish a fire department for said territory or district, the officers of which shall have charge of, and be responsible for, all the engines and apparatus for the extinguishment of fires within said district, in the same manner as the firewards and enginemen of towns now are.
(Sections 2-7 set forth officers to be elected, assess- ment of taxes, rules, regulations etc.)
NOVEMBER 6, 1855: To see if the Town, for burial purposes, will give to its inhabitants, permission to use a certain lot of land, near the village of Shelburne Falls, and known as the Arms Cemetery Lot.
JULY 24, 1862: To see what action the Town will take to encourage enlistments into the United States service, in response to the recent call of the Governor of the Commonwealth. (Voted, by taking yeas and nays to pay each of the twenty-two volunteers, required of this Town, one hundred and twenty-five dollars each.) 112 men resolved "That we who have answered affirmitively on the vote to pay a bounty to volunteers, do hereby pledge ourselves to the Select- men of Shelburne that we will pay to them or their order. our respective proportions of the sum of $2.750, as in our proportion to our respective taxable property or estates and number of polls to be determined in the same manner as other town taxes are assessed."
SEPTEMBER 26. 1863: Militia list shows 60 men in the Service.
MARCH 4, 1867: Voted, that the Selectmen of Shelburne be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding two thousand dollars for the erection of a suitable monument to the memory of the brave men of Shelburne and Buckland who have fallen in the late struggle for freedom and that the matter of a
monument to the Soldiers who have fallen during the rebellion be referred back to the Committee - Major Wm. B. Streeter, Z. W. Field and D. O. Fisk with instructions to make further investigation, perfect a plan of a monument recommend a site for the same and report to the Town at a future meeting.
MARCH 2, 1868: To see if the Town will vote to petition the Legislature to incorporate a new Town, comprising portions of the Towns of Shelburne, Buck- land and Charlemont or to unite the towns of Shel- burne and Buckland in one corporation to be called "Shelburne Falls." Voted: To pass over the article.
SEPTEMBER 26. 1868: Resolved, that the Monu- ment be located on the grounds of the Baptist Society north of the church, provided that said society make the best title which they are able to give - also voted the thanks of the Town to Nathaniel Lamson for a donation of two hundred dollars, the proceeds of which should be applied to keeping in repair the monu- ment grounds and fence, and also to accept his bond for the fulfillment of the obligation.
NOVEMBER 3, 1868: Voted that a sum of money not exceeding eight hundred dollars be appropriated by the Town for the purpose of building a lock-up and Hearse house and that a committee be chosen by the Town to expend the money as they may think best.
The 1869 Flood occurred on OCTOBER 4, 1869.
OCTOBER 13, 1869: Town Meeting called to see what measures shall be adopted to rebuild the Shel- burne Falls Bridge and the North River Bridge and make all necessary repairs to highways and bridges in said Town. Voted to authorize the Selectmen to borrow money to repair damages caused by the recent flood, and to defray current expenses.
FEBRUARY 19, 1877: To see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to make agreeable arrangements with the Trustees of the Arms Academy, for education of such children of the Town as have satisfactorily completed the course of instruction in the Grammar School.
MARCH 3. 1879: Adoption of Truancy Laws of Commonwealth: "All children between the ages of seven and fifteen, residing in said Town, and who may be found wandering about the street or public places of said Town, having no lawful occupation or busi- ness not attending school, and growing up in ignorance, shall be committed to the Lock-Up for confinement, instruction and discipline."
FEBRUARY 25, 1882: To see whether the Town will by its vote or otherwise, ask the Legislature to extend to women who are citizens the right to hold Town Offices and to vote in town affairs on the same terms as male citizens. Voted : To petition Legislature of Commonwealth to enact such laws as will enable women to vote in town and municipal elections.
MARCH 3, 1884: To see if the Town will vote to move the Soldiers Monument from its present loca- tion to a lot reserved for it in the Arms Cemetery
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and raise money for same. (Cost of grading and mov- ing, $90.63)
MARCH 7, 1892: To see if the Town will accept of the provisions of Section 3-4-5 of Chapter 347 of the Acts of the General Court for the year 1890, entitled "An act to promote the establishment of Free Public Libraries." Voted: to raise the sum of $50 annually for the support of Public Library At Shel- burne Center.
MARCH 7, 1892: To see if the Town will vote to raise or borrow for the construction of a System of Sewerage as presented by the Committee. Voted : to accept the Selectmen's report in regard to construct- ing a system of sewerage in Shelburne, and that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money not exceeding $3,000, and not pay more than four percent interest for the construction of said sewerage system. Also voted, that every person who shall use the main drain or common sewer which is to be laid in Shelburne Falls, in any manner, shall pay for the permanent privilege to his estate such reasonable sum as the Selectmen shall determine.
MARCH 7, 1892: Voted, to accept the provisions of Chapter +31 of the Acts of 1888 relating to the employment of Superintendent of Schools, and to unite with Colraine and Buckland in employing a School Superintendent.
FEBRUARY 3, 1894: To see if the Town will vote to accept of the provisions of Chapter 386 of the Acts of 1890 in regard to election of town officers. Voted, not to accept the Australian Ballot law. (This was again voted on Tuesday, July 17, 1894, and it was voted to accept Chapter 386, which is the election of town officers by Australian ballot.)
APRIL 3, 1896: To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to grant a Franchise to the Shelburne Falls & Coleraine Street Railway Company, as petitioned for. Agreement signed May 29, 1896 by D. R. Bardwell and D. W. Temple, Selectmen of Shelburne ; and W. H. Ashley, F. L. Davenport, May Hartlon, Chas. A. March, Herbert Newell, Edwin Baker, C. L. Field, Directors of Shelburne Falls and Coleraine Street Railway Company.
MARCH 1, 1897: To see if the Town will vote to build a Memorial Hall on land located between Wood's Block and Vice's Block in the village of Shel- burne Falls, provided said land, free from all incum- brances, shall be deeded to the Town by the owner or owners thereof, without any compensation or con- sideration other than this, that the town shall obligate itself to furnish free of charge to the organization of Grand Army men, composed of veterans of the war of 1861-1865, and known as Ozro Miller Post, suit- able rooms in said hall to be used by said organiza- tion and its auxiliary bodies for the exercise and pro- motion of the principles on which the order was founded, viz, fraternity, charity, and loyalty, so long as the order shall have an existence in the town of Shelburne, and no longer. (Voted to appropriate
$15,000 for cost of same.) To see if the Town will vote to build a public library building at Shelburne Center, and raise money for the same. Voted: to appropriate $3,000 for cost of same.
APRIL 12, 1900: Ordinance, to grant to the Heath Telephone Co., their successors and assigns, the right to construct, operate and maintain an independent telephone exchange and appurtenances in the Town of Shelburne in the County of Franklin, and State of Massachusetts.
NOVEMBER 1911: Petition of Connecticut River Transmission Company to transmit and distribute elec- tricity, and in accordance with said authority it desires to construct transmission lines for transmission of high and low tension electric current across the public ways in Town of Shelburne.
NOVEMBER 3, 1914: To see if the Town will vote to accept the Pratt Memorial Library Building, the munificent gift of Mr. Francis R. Pratt by deed of August 14, 1914. Voted : "A vote of appreciation and gratitude: Considering the fact that Francis R. Pratt, August 14 of this year, conveyed by deed to the Town of Shelburne the Pratt Memorial Library Building, the cost of which exceeded thirty thousand dollars, we, citizens and voters of Shelburne in town meeting assembled, do hereby express by a rising vote our appreciation of and gratitude for the princely gift, and assure Mr. Pratt that it is our purpose to give this building, the pride of our Town, the care and atten- tion its great value deserves."
JUNE 19, 1916: To see if the Town will vote to accept the following offer of the Trustees of Arms Academy: "The Trustees will build an additional building according to the plans and specifications of their architect, W. B. Reid of Holyoke, and mortgage its property so far as may be necessary for the purpose : provided the Town of Shelburne will lease the prop- erty for ten years at an annual rental of $3000. The entire management of the school, including collection of tuitions to be turned over to the Shelburne School Committee." Voted : To accept the above offer made by the Trustees of Arms Academy.
MAY 1, 1917: Tea House License: This is to certify that the Board of Selectmen hereby grant a Tea House License to Miss Alice Brown, at 46 South Maple Street in said Shelburne until May 1, 1918, and at that place only. This license is issued in con- formity with the authority granted to the Selectmen of town by Chapter 23 of the Acts of 1917, and expires on the 30th day of April 1918, unless sooner revoked for violation of the laws of the Commonwealth respecting the licensing of Tea Houses.
E. J. Halligan, L. E. Bird, A. L. Peck, Selectmen of Shelburne
APRIL 18, 1918: To see if the Town will appro- priate $250 for the celebration of its One Hundred and Fiftieth anniversary, or take action relative thereto. Voted : to pass over this article.
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AUGUST 23, 1919: To see if the Town will vote to hold a celebration for the return of its Soldiers and Sailors, and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relating thereto. Voted: To hold celebra- tion for the return of the Soldiers and Sailors and to appropriate the sum of $400 for same. It was voted to instruct the Selectmen to appoint a committee of five to have charge of said Celebration, and on motion of Mr. Ward it was voted to admit Colrain should they desire a joint celebration.
JANUARY 18, 1924: (Petition ) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1500 for purchase and development of land for a community athletic field at Shelburne Center. Voted: To appro- priate $1500.
JULY 14, 1925: Voted, thereby raised and appro- priated the sum of $9000, for the purpose of diverting the whole or portion of the waters of Mechanic Street Brook, so called, the present course of which is a nuisance and injurious to public health.
DECEMBER 17, 1928: To see what action the Town will take in regard to repairing Memorial Hall. (Fire) Voted: To restore the building substantially according to a sketch prepared by Eldridge.
AUGUST 5, 1929: Voted : To appropriate $10,000, for furnishing and heating Memorial Hall, five thou- sand to be taken from the treasury, and five thousand to be raised according to Article 3.
JANUARY 18, 1932: ( Petition) To see what action the Town will take about building a new consolidated school to take the place of the district schools. Voted : That the Selectmen and School Committee investigate and report about building a new consolidated school.
APRIL 20, 1933: Mr. Purdue of the committee moved "That the town appropriate the sum of $14,000 to purchase land, build and equip a three-room school building at Shelburne Center to replace the Shelburne Center School Building, said building to be built according to plans and specifications furnished by Arthur F. Eldridge and approved by the special com- mittee appointed for that purpose." A ballot was taken resulting as follows 203 Yes, 116 No (not being the two-thirds vote required by law the motion was lost.)
MAY 22, 1933: Above article again voted and approved.
OCTOBER 1, 1935: That, for the purpose of con- structing and equipping a one-story gymnasium, and to enable the Town to secure the benefits of the Emer- gency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, there be raised and appropriated the sum of $37,500; that $5,000 contributed by the Trustees of Arms Academy be accepted and applied to meet said appropriation, that a gift of land from Mrs. Fannie D. Field as a site for said gymnasium be accepted for the purpose, and the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the sum of $15,000, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, under authority of and in accordance with
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