USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 1 > Part 13
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As we have before said. the regiments raised at the east for the sey eral campaigns against Fort Ticonderoga and Canada all passed through Berkshire. Three of them were commanded by Berkshire men. Ticon deroga, a short distance above Crown Point, was occupied and fortified by the French in 1755. From that point until the close of the Revela- tionary war it was recognized by all military authorities as the key of Canada for all invading it from the south. and the key of New England for all hostile forces approaching it from the north. Expedition after expedition was sent against it from New England. The first was under the Earl of Soudan. in 1750, and in this General Joseph Dwight com- manded a regiment and a brigade. Colonel William Williams did service in the same and succeeding campaigns. In January. 1755. Sir William Pepperreli. being about to raise a regiment for Sir William Johnson's expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, offered his old friend a captain's commission in it. but it appeared in the letter that.
GENERAL HISTORY.
as in the Civil war of 1861-5, although military fitness was to a certain extent consistent. the commissions depended very nich upon the power to maise men by money or personal influence. Colonel Williams became contain, and notwithstanding General Pepperell's efforts to procure his promo- tion as he had promised. he remained captain for the three years which the regiment served. The opposition of Sir William Johnson, whom he had offended by his suspicion of the fidelity of the Mohawks and cause quent ill treatment of them, keeping him down. For the same offense. he was imprisoned at Albany by Sir William sander, but he sindiedei himself to the Massachusetts authority. In 1725 he received a colonel's commission from Governor Pownal, and raised a regiment which it cange at Poontoosuck June 5th numbered 906 men. Willy this corps he took part in Abercrombie's unsuccessful expedition against Ticonderoant : aid was in the memorable and sanguinary assault of its works July Aux, Die. of which he wrote a most thrilling and interesting account.
On the 29th of March. 1755. Major Epdiraim Williams, who bad upto that time been in command of Fort Massachusetts and other posts in Hampshire county, was commissioned colonel of one of the regiments to be raised by Massachusetts for Sir William Johnson's expedition The raised a regiment of ten companies, but fell in an ambuscade September 7th. The story of Colonel Ephraim Williams' life, and of the bottle in which he died are of exciting interest and are told in another connection. When Major Ephraim Williams was assigned to the comuniend of the provincial posts of Hampshire in September. 1751, Lieutenant Colonel William Williams accepted the place of commissary, or of saber. for which he appears to have had a predilection, but not muel: business qualification ; but however little was his personal profit, his . Gen .. men's, Soldiers' and Laborers' account" while building Fort Ansone anil his commissary's account for the month of November, both of Which are preserved, offer some enrious illustrations of fort life at that time inthe border. More than nine- tenths of the charges are for spiritnous liquor- in drams, gills, pints and half pints of rum, bowls or half bowl of which. and mugs of flip. Now and then there is a charge for powder. cloth. stockings, handkerchiefs, and once or twice for a half sheet of paper: but no mention is made of tobacco in any form. Persons of the lower rank took their drams, officers reveled in punch. Captain Hintign. com manding the Connectient men, had a special relish for it He was legge when the commissary got a hundred Times for sixty shillings paid Nathaniel Tyler of Boston. On the 2d of November he was happy and gallant enough to order "a mug of flip for Mrs. Percy." and love it charged. On this same day Colonel Commissary Williams charge. .. the wife of Deacon Crofoot, a kiss." It reduces the aroma of this entry to find, by the prosaic record. that the deacon's good wife was at this time sixty-six years old. The red man, the, after his work, come in for his share of the fire water : one indulging in rum to the extent of one gill ; another going as far as a ing, a gill, and a glass Hands were occasion
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
ally rendered tremulous by the draughts dispensed. for we find two or three charges for broken tumblers, but after all, formidable as the charges appear drawn out in long array, it all amounted to extremely moderate drinking. as moderate drinking was accounted for more than a century after that date, and indeed still is by a majority of those who call them- selves moderate drinkers. It could not have averaged for dram drinker a gill a day ; the " aristocratie " bowl bibulists may have gone further.
On the credit side of the account we find that venison was bought for five cents a pound, and wild turkey for a shilling ; they were not on-id- ered luxuries, any more than tront which could be had with little libor in catching. A six hundred and forty pound ox was bought of Sylvanus Piercy at twelve pence per pound. Hezekiah Jones got 900 for a pair. The rations of thirty men for a mouth were estimated at twenty bushels of flour, 420 pounds of pork, 525 pounds of beef, four and a half bushels of peas and twenty-four gallons of rum. The allowance of ment and bread seems to be abundant. Potatoes, like tobacco, were as yet. in the Berkshire valley, a luxury unattainable by the masses. The allowance of rum, less than a gill a day per man, although quite liberal cnonth. would not even, if added to the amount sold by the commissary, have ren dered a man accustomed to its use unfit for duty.
And thus the tedious years of uncertain war wore slowly on from September, 1754, to September, 1759, with little positive advance in the settlement of what is now Berkshire; and yet these were the years which determined its future, and in them the foundations of its future prosperity and glory were well laid.
From enlistment rolls in the archives at Boston it appears that the following enlisted in the French wars from Berkshire county. Most of these were from the town of Sheffield, which was then the most popu lous town in the county. New Marlboro and Stockbridge were also top- resented.
In 1756 : John Pixley, sergeant ; David Watkins, Seth Sheers, Wil- liam King. Aaron Ashley. Moses Olds, Joseph Corbin. Aaron Burt. Jeg miah Butler, Elisha Stoddard. Benjamin Atwell, Jesse Taylor. Charley Walker, corporal ; Matthew Holeum. Drummer, Mathias Mayor. Law- rence Lynch.
In 1757 : Micha Hoskins, David Walker, Oliver Wattson. Elija Wil liams.
In 1758 : Asahel King, Samnel Church, Joab Austin, Gad Austin. John Collins, Paul Kayes, Enoch Noble, Josiah Church. John Beals. Samuel Harmon, Zebulon Sacket, Israel Taylor, Noble Smith, Josiah Fox, David Walker. Asahed Bush, John Austin, Ebenezer Forsent. Elischer Spencer, Samuel Goodrich. Joshua Lebaron, Jabez Joslyn, Benjamin Shel den, Lemuel Covell. Ninh Horsfont.
In 1758 : Samuel Messenger, John Callender, William Bart. Abm have Boot. Thomas Devotion. Anthony Autrice Just Calledder. Me Corbin, John Eyle, Thomas Hewent. John Beek, John Matin. Daniel
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Eldridge, Samuel Church, Isaac Collins, Levy Stockwell, John James Frankisham, Thomas Burnham. Joshua Sears, Timothy Brown, Pool Spar -. Joseph Gleason, Simeon Sears, Thomas Finn, Elijah Winchel. Pelotinh Winchel, Jacob Bowers, John Van Gilder, Jonathan Old, Hezekiah Winchel, Elizar Banett, Simeon Johnson, John Austin, Thomas Pier. Eleazer Davis, William Armstrong. John Wadkins, Matthew Hol comb, Roger Noble, Malachi Church, John Austin, John Van Goronm. Joel Kellogg, Samuel Shiping. John Kellogg. Solomon Harris, John Shno. Jedediah Ward, Aaron Adams. Rufus Brown. Nathanis! Sbas, Peter Brown, Moses Cooke. Matthew Meyer, Alexander Swain, Gershom Mar- tindale.
In 1760: John Fellows, captain : James Smith, lientenant ; James Saxton, lieutenant : Israel Taylor, ensign; John Holmes, sergeant; Joseph Marble, sergeant : Eplaim Brookins, sergeant ; Alexander Behind, ser- geant: Samuel Higgins, corporal; John Higgins, corporal; Themas Seers, corporal ; Benjamin Bartlett, corporal : John Sandford, drummer ; Bene jamin Bartlett. Hezekiah Winchel. Augustus Drake, Abel Hinds, John Wheeler, Joseph Higgins. Joseph Church. John Welch, John Eldridge. Ashur Saxton, Jonathan Plaisted, Noble Smith. Daniel Gaines, Ashbill Treat, Joseph Dinslow, Benjamin Sacket. Aaron Ashley, Stephen Stocks well. Benjamin Sheldon, John Waters, William Goodrige, James Dewey, lieutenant ; William King, ensign : Nathan Beech, sergeant : David Fol- lows, sergeant ; Samuel Church, corporal ; Ebenezer Barnatt, corporal ; John Nichols, corporal ; Andrew Burgot. Festus Drake, Isnac Fosbiry. Martin Castle, William Richardson, Reuben Root, Joseph Denister. John Shavally, Oliver Watson, Nathan Freeman, Zachariah Ferry, Daniel Highy, Daniel Highy, jr., Job Westover, Jacob Foshry, Oliver Maoly. Amos Rising. Simeon Noble, Jesse Rice. Lent Rice, Judah Austin, Elijah Winchell. Derick Smith, Joshua Dickinson. Josiah Church, Jacob Brown. Jonathan Fox, Josiah Church, Jacob Brown, John Joslen. Daniel Fay- lor, Ephraim Case. Joel Castle. John Smith, Elijah Church, Jambes Welch, Roger Clark, Pennel Pill. Timothy MeGill. David Allen, Edward Highy, Joseph Bayly, Ephraim Bayly. Lawrence Lynch, John Harland. Francis Bellville. Paul Sears, Joshua Sears, Timothy Brown, Spacon Sears, Aaron Spaulding. Edward Rausford, Nehemiah How, Geuze Shaw, Thaddeus Keyes, sergeant; Ebenezer Hasket. Matthew Mary, John Pixley.
Indians. - Muster roll of a company under command of Colonel Joseph Dwight, at Stockbridge in 1955.
Joseph Dwight. captain : Jacob Chucksannkan. lientenant: Johannis Mtoklein, sergeant; Robert Naunkauwant. Peter Pophighalte post. Jacob Naumpetdank. Paul Umprethen, Jonas Jamaishouse, William Nootaunkshun. Jacob Whootankhamman. Jehoiachim Simawantan- chwhauch. Mottobkanmin. Ephraim Wennenganggeht. Peter Windows wawhoot. Timothy Kanwoopanss. Popa Warsawerpane, Jol Wins wwwpeeguarmunt. Josiah Mehanttaunwch. Josiah Wammanheave
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
James Chinequan, Joseph Quineacanutt. Jacob Umpecchenook. Solomon Auhannoowannomit, Peter Mannaumanck, John Mannanmanck. Hon drick Quanngnancheheemitt, Cornelius Wanwanekkeese, Joseph Woon. anshoohaun, Cornelius Manmauntook. Jacob Antannanchiant. Jehoia kim Yookum, David Namanneenuck, Jonas Etiwancomm. Jehoiakim Shawwaunnnn Tusnuque. Garret Kawhoowamp. Jehoiakim .lotewww. cunn. Jehoiakim Manhauwauweet. Stephen Tawanweesh, Jerenfish Mars. quawampau, Nicholas William, Cornelius Weebacks, John Twanna- pee. Thomas Sherman, Wawanwamnoowauss. Thoamts Titt. Poor hauses Weebucks, Hunkamugg. Abraham Hunkanngg. Pagkanmanvann, Horniss Kanhunhqueese, Horniss Kantkoose. Jehoiakim Anouksam- panmet. Hendrick Waumpanxtteat.
First Foot. Company in Sheffield. - "A list of the men that went out of the first foot company in Sheffield to Fort Edward on the alarm in the year 1757 for the relief of Fort William lemy."
Major John Ashley, Levi N. Anstin. Eusign Philip Callender, Ser- geant James Smith, Corporal S. M. Loomis, Stephen Dewey. Jonathan Westown. Joseph Noble, Stephen Stockwell, Joseph Taylor, je. Alex ander Gunn, Daniel Gunn. Timothy Palmer, Samuel Churchill, Jonathan Holcomb, Josiah Church. 24, Samuel Brown. Aaron Ashley, jr. Josiah Fox, Israel Tayler, Joshna Boardman. Daniel Dewey, Jantes Deces, Noble Smith. Elischer Spencer, John Callender. jr., John Collins Joseph Callender. Obediah Bush. Samuel Bush, Jonathan Harlige. Jabez Juden. Daniel Webster, John Higgins, Joseph Edliston. Russell Downing. Joshna Lebaron. Joseph Corben, Noah Horsford. John Westover. je. John Beech. Enock Noble. Abraham Root, Charles Kas, Grossemer Noble, John Church. David Walker, Ebenezer Trumble, jr., Seth 1:2015 ton, John Old. John Church. jr. Constantine Noble. Daniel Messenger. Benjamin Sacket, Asael King. Zephaniah Austin, Anthony Austin, jr. Abel Harman, Amos Root. Ebenezer Forsent. James Saxton, John Paris John Austin, Nathaniel Leonard. Robert Keys. Zonas Hugints, Josepdy Marvel, Daniel Boardman. Phinias Smith, Captain Elisha Nolde. Pour Noble.
Company at Fort Massachusetts in 1755: Ephraim Williams, capt; Isaac Wyman, lieut .: Samuel Taylor, sorgt; Elrond Town, sret: Gad Chapin, sorgt .: Oliver Avery, corp .: Janes Callon, camp: Speel Catlin, John Taylor, Elisha Higgins, Benjamin King George Willson John Kasher. Tyrus Prett, Noah Brott. Abraham Bass, Jeremiah Chapin. John Wells. Enoch Chapin, Silas Pratt. Ezekiel Fuso. John Crawford. John Bonen, Thomas Trait, John Hotroll, Micha Hagingen. Para Parker. Elisha sheldon. John Bush, Simeon Carsford, Josinh Goodrich. JJolan Meechum. Nathaniel Niekell, Ganick Webb, Jolm Gras. Banjo- min Simons, Sich Hudson, Gal Cons, Maglia Daggin, Henry States Gideon Warren.
Muster roll of a company at Stockbridge under command of Cape. (Col.) Joseph Dwight in 1755: Joseph Dwight, capt .: Timothy Wood
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GENERAL HISTORY.
bridge. lient .; Noah Strong, sergt. ; Thomas Stephens, seigt .: Zebediah Fox Daniel Lawrence, Uriah Stevens, Benjamin Stevens, John Frankling. William Fellows, Ichabod Hatch, John Williams. Moses Marsh, Nech Stevens, Samnel Hide, John Horsford John Wilcox, John Spaulding. Thomas Day, Archibald Humphrey, Samuel Richards, Job. Sheromano Robert Joyner. John Dunnica, Jesse Stevens, Daniel Mason. Rufus Law rence, Moses Brewer, Jedediah Richards, Samuel Ransome, Benjamin Griffiths, John Shivally, John Fenton. Bengjah Peck. Jabez Jocofine. Joshua Boardman, Jedediah Griffith, John Burge, jr .. Lawidace Lineh. Thomas Fairfield, Samnel Pomroy, Silas King. Noah Burdt, John RynD. William Welch, James Stevens, John Chamberlin, Samord Browning. Stephen Fenton, John Bag, Zebulon Rowe. Nathaniel Taylor, Benjamin Stevens. Jonas Stiles, John Scott, Simeon Root. Charles Labland, Rou ben Webb, Abijah Davis, Elizur Dickinson, Stephen Ball, Jacob Chapin, Thomas Barker, Everial Willson. Mathew Hutchison, Joseph Payne, Josiah Williams, Josiah Jones, jr., Joseph Barnard, Elija Brown, Charles Walter, James Seward, Jacob Cooper.
Muster roll of a company nuder the command of Colonel (Capt) Joseph Dwight at Poontoosuck in 1756: Joseph Dwight, capt .: Josiah Wright, sergi .: Stephen Crowfoot. William Miller, James Gray. Nathen Tyler. Silvanus Adams, Isaiah Brown, John Bill. Ebenezer Crowios. David Martin. William Stephens, John Brown, Elwand Wright, sinh Webb, Jabez Hide, Silvanus Piercy. Abner Denver, Salomon Degroen. Mathias Macher. Daniel Webb. David Roberts, Nathaniel Fairfield, Simeon Crowfoot. Jeremiah Mawquan, Abraham Unkammer. Williams Nautouksimm, Thomas Titt. Peter Neshumass. Pankannalisaat Thecony. Azariah Williams, Jonathan Holcomb, Oliver Watson, James Gray.
Muster roll of a company under command of Captain John Worth- ington, a part of whom were billeted at Prontossack only in 1200.
John Worthington, capt .: Noah Strong, Tient: Joseph Ball. Sent. James Ball, corp .: James Caft. Pelatial Bigsby, John Cheons. Phineas Nash, William Strond. Jacob Fullam. Henry Coggin. Matthew Blir Benjamin Tray. Samuel But, Aaron Clark, Elisha Bascom, Bilial Sorti. Charles Goodrich, George ( negro, Josiah Walker, Fresh Fasion Charles Walker, William Wright. David Bush, Zobnham Stiles, Elijon Brown. Jonathan Saylor, John Ward, Peter Brown, Matthes Taff. Peter Gardner, jr., William Dunlap, Jonas Byar. John Rutter, jr. Mordecai Day.
Poontoosuck men under command of Captain Israel Williams. 1:57 Daniel Bridgman. John Prentice. James Kellbrook, Davil Wadsworthe Joseph Boden. Zachariah Newton, Sominel Toft. Silas Heteway. Damel Leonard, Edward Blackinare. Henry Balcom, Gideon Noble, Charles Goodrich. Jacob Ensign. David Bush. William Wright. Z belled Stile. Daniel Goodrich, Jonathan Savit. Ground Blackstar, Jim Mie Obediah Wheelock, William Parker, Fackjal Kansli Epbmior Lyon. Noah Hardy, Aber Wright, John Kelly, Jonathan Whitney. John
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Sherman, Joel Thrall, Sylvanus Piercy. 1758: Josiah Wright, Stephen Crowfoot. Simeon Crowfoot, Solomon Deming. Nathaniel Fairfield. David Roberts, Ezekial Phelps. Ebenezer Hohan. Charles Goodrich, William Wright, Daniel Goodrich. Zebediah Stiles, Silvanus Piaget, Jacob En- sign, David Bush, Jonathan Taylor.
At Stockbridge, 1757 : Elijah Williams, Hezekiah Jones, Jacob K .. ]- logg, Samuel Huggins, Sammel Dewey, Aaron Loomis, Luke Noble, Jo siah Loomis, John Cahoon, John Benjamin. Medad Curtis. Isaac An- drews, Elisha Humphreys, William Roberts. London three negros, Zach- ariah Thomas, Seth Hawks, Joshua Hawks, Josiah Wright, Stephen Crowfoot, Solomon Deming, Nathaniel Fairfield, David Roberts, Simeon Crowfoot, Dudley Demming. Timothy Walker.
Probably these men were stationed at Poontoosuck and Stockbridge. but it is not certain that all were residents there. Other portions of Captain Williams' company are spoken of as at other places.
Men at West Hoosick in 1758 and 1759. They were at different times under the command of Isaac Wyman and Seth Hudson :
Benjamin Simonds, Jabez Warren. John Horsford. Josiah Horsford. Isaac Searles, Gideon Warren, William Horsford, Isaac Vanorum, Noah Pratt, Elisha Higgins, Silas Pratt. Derick Webb. Jabez Warner, Jona than Kilborn, Medad Curtis, Nehum. Smedley, David Southwick, Isaac C. Allis, Jedediah Smedley, Jonathan Vanorum. Luke Vanorum.
List of officers for ye regiment of militia in ve county of Berkshire in January, 1764 :
William Williams, colonel ; John Ashley, lieutenant colonel : Eli- jah Williams. major.
Company in Great Barrington : Elijah Dwight, captain ; Daniel Allen, lieutenant : John Burghart, ensign.
Company in Sheffield : Matthew Austin, captain : Phillip Callender, lientenant ; Aaron Root, ensign.
Another company in Sheffield : John Fellows, captain ; William Sheldon, lieutenant ; John Spurr, ensign.
Another company in Sheffield : John Ashley, jun., captain ; Timothy Kellogg, lientenant ; . ensign.
Company in Tyringham : John Chadwick, captain : Isaac Garfield. lieutenant : Jacob Brown, ensign
Company in Stockbridge : James Gray, captain ; Ashbe! Woodbridge. lieutenant : Josiah Jones, jr., ensign.
Company in Pittsfield : Charles Goodrich, captain ; David Bush. lieutenant : Eli Root. ensign.
Company in Sandisfield : Daniel Brown, captain : William Spillman. lieutenant ; Hezekiah Hale, ensign.
Company in New Framingham : Sammel Martin, captain : Moses Hale, lieutenant : Nehemiah Bull, ensign.
Company in New Marlboro : Elisha Wright. explain : Zonas Wheeler. lieutenant : Samuel Wheeler, jr .. ensign.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Company in Egremont : Robert Joyner, captain ; Stephen Kellogg. lieutenant : William Fitch, ensign.
Company in West Hoosuck : Benjamin Simonds. lieutenant ; Wil- liam Horsford. ensign.
Company in No. 1 : Nathaniel Kingsley, lieutenant : - Birchard. ensign.
Company in Stockbridge (Indian) : Jacob Checksaunkun, captain : Solomon Ulhinnawwannaumul, lieutenant : Robert Nunggranwot. en- sign.
Company in Richmont : Elijah Brown, lieutenant : Israel Desses, ensign.
Troop of Horse : Israel Stoddard. captain : Mark Hopkins, lieutenant : Samuel Brown, cornet : Ezra Fellows, quarter-master.
CHAPTER VII.
BERKSHIRE IN THE REVOLUTION.
BY J. E. A. SMITH. The Era of Provocation and Preparation.
O WING to its frontier position, and the character of its people which was largely due to that position, Berkshire was more actively engaged in the revolutionary struggle which led to American indefend- ence, and was subjected to more exciting influences connected with it than any other section of Massachusetts, except the town of Boston and the region immediately surrounding it, which were either fields of mili- tary operations or centers of political agitation.
A few words will suffice to show how some of the seeds of revolution ary sentiment were implanted in the county, at its very organization, by great events which. although they occurred so far away as the Cult of St. James, and finally affected all the colonies, wire at this junetage especially irritating to thoughtful dwellers in the territory which the genius, finness, and liberality of William Pitt had just freed front a cruel danger which the imbecility and jealousy of previous administra tions had suffered to hang over it for nearly a century. The equate of Quebec, in 1759, and the submission of all Canada, in 1700, gave vasily stronger assurance of permanent safety from peril from that quarter than any ordinary treaty of peace could have done. The settlers and those who desired to settle in Berkshire, notwithstanding the restoration of Louisburg still rankled in their memory, could not believe that the sims base policy would be pursued in regard to an acquisition which had vost so much British blood and treasure as had been required for the reduce tion of Canada. In this they rightly trusted to the chaseter of PisE Still their assurance was not perfect until its find cession by the treaty of 1762 In the meantime great change took place in the English gamein- ment. George the second died suddenly oktober 25th. Tien, and it was ominous of ill to the colonies that while his grandson was riding with the Earl of Bute - whose name soon come to be detested by every time Ameri
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GENERAL HISTORY.
can-the announcement was made to him that at the age of twenty-two he was King George the third.
Although the young king boasted that he was born upon English soil, he carried to the throne, upon which English whigs had placed and sustained his family. German ideas of arbitrary power, and high tory principles as to the royal prerogative, which kope his empire in turmoil through his long reign, burdened it with an enormous debt, and drove its North American colonies to assert and maintain their independence. The first obstacle in his way was the prime minister. William Pitt, who then was more proud to wear, by the popular voice, the title of Great Com- moner than he afterward was to be hailed Earl of Chatham.
During the first year of his reign the young sovereign was compelled to tolerate his obnoxious but powerful minister, and in important nuit- ters to submit to his judgment, while he took occasion, when he dared, to treat him with slights which amounted to insults. During this interval it was that negotiations for a treaty of peace between England and France were commenced. The fortunes of war had gone everywhere against the latter power, and much of her colonial territory was in English posses sion. The question was whether she would be required permanently to relinquish Canada or certain West India islands. It forshadowed the English tory policy for many years that there was a strong party at endof which favored the restoration of Canada to France for the significant reason that, once freed from fear of French and Indian imad . the kolo nies would advance so rapidly in wealth and population that it would not be long before they entirely threw off their allegiance.
Not so thought, or felt. William Pitt. He would not weigh the West India Islands against half a hemisphere. The liberties of the English in America were his high delight : he made it his glory to extend the boundaries throughout which they were to be engaged." .
In October. 1761, yielding to the opposition of the king and the tory aristocracy, he retired from office, but his moral power was still so great that the cession of Canada was insisted upon and scented by the treaty of 1762. His opponents trusted for the establishment of the royal pre- rogative in America to those repressing and reorganizing measures which. in less than fifteen years, led to the Revolution. They may have been shrewd enough to discover that a conquered province, with a population antagonistic in religion to that of the recalcitrant colonies, would form an excellent base of operations for their control.
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All this, if not positively known in Western Massachusetts, was not only shrewdly suspected, but by many intelligent men fully believed Among the excitable masses it was perhaps exaggerated. Pitt still re- tained his place in their hearts, but little if at all affected by this accept ance of personal favors from the king which reduced his popularity else where.
While these events were in progress the General Court, in May. * Bancroft.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
1761, erected that western portion of Hampshire which we have hopeto- fore, for the sake of convenience, called Berkshire, into a new county by that name
It will be of interest to explain here how the counties and towns of Massachusetts received their names while it was a royal province. The Legislature passed the acts erecting the counties and incorporating the towns, but when submitting them to the governor for his approval. left a blank for the name which it was his prerogative to select and insert. Sometimes the wishes of the inhabitants were consulted, but more often His Excellency was governed by his own feelings or his desire to flatter some English friend or patron. The inhabitants of Berkshire were re. moved, for the most part, by three or four generations from the ancestor who came over from England, and could have no affectionate memories of localities there, even if they had any love for the mother country as a whole : and wherever English names are found to be given in this period. they may generally be traced to the governor's own motion, although in some instances with the marked approval of the people.
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