USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 2 > Part 31
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About 1820 Reuben Smith came from Middlefield and settled in what was then called-because of two or three little mills for turning bowls- Dish Hollow, but which afterward became North Becket. There he built a saw mill, to which he added a carding machine and facilities for cloth dressing. He continued to operate this clothiery till the spinning of yarn and the weaving of cloth ceased to be domestic industries here. The saw mill, to which was added other machinery, was run by Mr. Smith, and by Oliver McElwain, who succeeded him, till the buildings were burnt, a few years since.
About 1800 Mr. Ebenezer Huntington established a clothiery on Walker Brook, near where the first saw mill was built, and continued the business some years.
There were also, in early times, two shops in the north part of the town, where wood work for chairs was turned. Curly and birdseye maple were much sought after in those days. One of these shops was run by Zenas Smith, and the other by William Stephens, who was succeeded by Joseph L. and Willis T. Jennings.
.In the early part of the present century there were two small tan- neries in town, one on the outlet of Center Pond, worked by Nial Little, the other in the north part of the town, on the stream near where the railroad bridge now is, in the village. This was built and operated by David McElwain.
In 1841 William Barnard came from Amherst and built a tannery at the west end of the willage, on a stream that comes from Rudd and Yo-
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kum Ponds. There he carried on tanning alone for a few years, but in 1848 Hon. William Claflin and J. W. Wheeler bought the property, greatly enlarged the business, and in a few years built another tannery . on the same stream, near the center of the village. During many years their annual production was 50,000 sides of upper leather, and they gave employment to a large number of men. The business was carried on successfully about twenty years, with Mr. Wheeler as manager, but he finally sold his interest to other parties and went elsewhere. His health became impaired, and he returned to his Becket home where he still re- sides. The business was continued by Claflin & Co., and by the Becket Tanning Company, till 1880 when the scarcity of bark and other causes led to the closing of the works, and they have since stood idle. The ces- sation of this industry here has led to a large emigration and has depre- ciated the value of property here.
In 1847 a grist mill was built on the stream between the two tanneries, by Lansford White and Elias Ballou. This mill was carried on, with some changes in the proprietorship, for some years, till finally M. E. Ballou became proprietor, and for many years he has done an extensive business in meal and feed.
A few years later than the building of the grist mill Mr. White built, on the opposite side of the stream, a shop for doing wood work of various kinds. This was burned after a few years.
In 1857 Bulkley, Dunton & Co., of New York, built a paper mill on the Becket side of the stream opposite Middlefield station. This they have rebuilt, and they, conduct it successfully, making wall, wrapping, and other kinds of paper.
Physicians .- Sketches of Dr. Oliver Brewster and his son, John M., have been given in the history of the medical profession.
Dr. Charles Culver succeeded Dr. Brewster in Becket, but after a few years he removed to Chatham, New York. Chester E. Freeland and Vassal White, jr., located here. Dr. White remained a short time and went to Stockbridge. Dr. Freeland was the faithful servant of the people in the town more than twenty years ; then he settled in Worthington. whence he went into Fitchburg, where he died. Before Dr. Freeland left town Dr. William O. Bell and Dr. Henry Pratt located in the village (those preceding them having been at the old Center). Dr. Pratt remained a few years, went to Ohio, and then came to Lanesboro, where he died after many years of successful practice. Some years later Dr. Bell went to Huntington, and thence to Westfield where he died.
Since Dr. Bell. Becket has had Drs. E. P. Starkweather (dead). E. G. Wheeler, now in Middlefield, Mass., George Frothingham, now a profes- sor in the medical department of the University of Michigan, G. W. Packard (dead), D. M. Dill, now in Newark, New Jersey. D. M. Wilcox. now in Lee, Rudolph Harmes (dead), Hubert Howel, now in Westborough. Mass., H. L. Blair (dead), and L. W. Combs, now practicing in town.
First Congregational Society .- On the 28th of December, 1755, a
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
church was organized, with five members, and Rev. Ebenezer Martin was ordained as its pastor February 23d, 1759. He was dismissed October 12th, 1764. The first house of worship was built in 1762, and it remained about forty years. After the dismissal of Mr. Martin an unsuccessful effort was made to secure the settlement of Rev. Seth Lee. June 5th, 1771, Rev. Zadock Hunn was ordained. He was dismissed after about seven years. At about the time of his dismissal the people became di- vided in religious sentiment, and they found it impracticable to raise money by taxation for the support of the gospel. After great difficulty an effort was made to raise money by subscription for that purpose, and $5,600 were thus raised. The subscribers to this fund, sixty in number, were incorporated as the First Congregational Society in Becket, February 19th, 1798. In the autumn following it was decided to build a new meet - ing house by the sale of the pews. This house was raised on the 20th of May, and dedicated on the 19th of November, 1800. In October, 1812, David Brown donated a bell for this house.
After the employment of various candidates Rev. Joseph L. Mills was ordained June 5th, 1806, and he continued to be the pastor nearly thirty-five years. He died in Becket January 18th, 1841, aged 60 years. He was more distinguished for his goodness than for his greatness. Thor- oughly identifying himself with the inhabitants of the town in their temporal as well as their spiritual interests, he exerted an unseen influ- ence that was only good, and his memory is precious. During his minis- try 281 members were added to the church, he baptized 522, solemnized 219 marriages, and recorded 464 deaths, closing this record with the last death in 1840. Mrs. Mills died September 19th. 1839.
Rev. Lavius Hyde was installed as the successor of Mr. Mills. Octo- ber 20th, 1841, and was dismissed December 4th. 1849. During his brief ministry 116 members were added to the church. Rev. Zolva Whitmore was installed February 8th, 1852, and was dismissed June 18th. 1857. He was a graduate of Union College in 1818, and he studied theology with Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass. He died in Housatonic, Mass., August 5th, 1867, aged 75 years. Rev. Spencer O. Dyer, his successor, was ordained April 21st, 1858, and dismissed August 21st, 1861. Rev. John Hartwell was employed in 1863, and was dismissed October 8th, 1871. The church was then supplied by Rev. Ezekiel Dow and others till 1875, when they united with the Congregational church at North Becket in the employment of a minister to supply the two churches. Since that time they have been supplied by Rev. H. W. Eldridge, Rev. Iram W. Smith, and others.
This church, once the Mecca to which all the tribes gathered, with a membership of between two and three hundred, is now redneed to twelve resident members and a small congregation ; and were it not for the fund the fathers established it would not have the preached Word.
The deacons of this church have been Isaiah Kingsley. Ebenezer Bush, Nathaniel Kingsley, Ebenezer Walden, Oliver Brewster, Elijah Al-
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ford, Enos Kingsley, Gaius Carter, Harry Chapman, Benjamin Phelps, David McElwain, George H. Huntington, Ebenezer Rudd, and Daniel Camp ; the two last named now serving.
In 1811 Deacon Alford and ten others were dismissed and formed into a new church. They removed to Ohio and settled a new township, since called Windham, and many others from this town joined them in after years.
North Becket Congregational Church .- In 1849 a portion of the old Congregational church, residing in the north part of the town, feeling that a church should be established at what was then called North Becket, a village growing up at the station of the Western Railroad, were (fifty- five in number) at their own request dismissed from the old church, and on the 25th of September in that year were organized as the First Con- gregational Church of North Becket. They built a meeting house, which was dedicated November 21st, 1850, and in the following April Rev. Charles H. Norton was ordained pastor. Mr. Norton died January 6th, 1857. . He was a native of Westhampton, a graduate of Williams College, an earnest worker, and was beloved by all who knew him.
Rev. Eber L. Clark became a supply in 1856, and died February 21st, 1857. September 1st, 1858, Rev. William C. Foster was engaged as a supply, and was installed as pastor May 3d, 1860. Mr. Foster left his charge Janu- ary 1st, 1864, and Rev. John F. Severance was engaged as supply. Here- mained nearly two years, when Rev. J. J. Dana was employed and remained eight years. In May, 1874, Rev. H. W. Eldridge, then a student in Hart- ford Theological Seminary, was engaged as supply, and in the following year was ordained. He remained till May 1st, 1877, when he was called to East Weymouth, Mass. He is now preaching at Turner's Falls, Mass. At that time the society united with the Methodist Society of Washing- ton in an application to the conference for a minister, and Rev. W. W. Cox was sent to supply the two churches and remained two years. The church at Becket Center renewed their request to unite with the one at North Becket in the employment of a minister for the two parishes, and Rev. J. W. Smith, who was then preaching at the Center, supplied both churches till May 1st, 1882. After his dismissal the churches were sup- plied by different ministers till April 1st, 1884. when Rev. Lincoln Har- low, the present pastor, was engaged.
This church has also had its days of prosperity and adversity. At one time it had a membership of about 200, but by deaths and removals it has been reduced to fifty resident members, and the mother church at the Center and the daughter here are struggling amid adverse circum- stances to perpetuate the faith which their fathers and mothers held sacred.
The deacons of this church have been David MeElwain, Alvah Eames, Benjamin Phelps, and Jarvis Norcott ; the last the only survivor.
Baptist Church .- The Baptist church in Becket was organized in September, 1764. They had for their first minister Rev. Robert Nesbit.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
His successor was Rev. Amos Kingsley, who was ordained in 1810, and who left the town in 1815. The next regular pastor was Rev. John Wilder, who was ordained in Jannary, 1831, and remained about two years. Rev. Abram Knapp was ordained in 1841. and also remained about two years.
In 1844 a new meeting house was built at North Becket, the old one at the center of the town having become unfit for use. ' In October of that year Mr. Norman Harris, a native of Becket, was ordained to the work of the ministry, and in 1846 he went as a missionary to Burmah, where he labored successfully for thirty-six years. He returned to this country in 1882. and died in Hamilton, N. Y., March 1st; 1884, aged seventy-one. In January, 1845, Mr. J. J. Searriet commenced labor with this church, and he was ordained in November following. He was pastor till April, 1848. In September of that year Rev. Davis P. Shailer was installed over the church and remained with them till 1857. Rev. H. A. Morgan was employed April 1st, 1858, and continued till 1866. Rev. Justice Aldrich supplied the church two years, and Rev. E. E. Hill from April 1st, 1808, to April 1st, 1871. 'Rev. S. D. Ashley was employed in May of the same year and continued till May 30th, 1875. The church was supplied by Rev. W. A. Cain, Rev. L. B. Ford, and others till April 1st, 1879, when the present pastor, Rev. R. F. Alger, entered on his labors. There are now less than fifty resident members. The present deacons are Nathan W. Harris and Edwin L. Lyman.
Cemeteries .- In the early settlement of the town a burying ground was established at the Center, and it is in close proximity to the church. It became necessary, many years since, to enlarge the original enclosure and additions were accordingly made, and steps are now being taken to obtain more ground. While the living population is less than in former years, the cities of the dead are yearly receiving additions to their silent occupants.
In 1854, it having become necessary to have a burial place at North Becket, the town purchased a piece of ground for that purpose, about three fourths of a mile west of the village. A large number have been buried there. Some improvements have been made on the grounds, and some substantial monumental work has been put up; some of the best from the Becket granite.
There is a small burying ground at West Becket, also one near Yo- kum Pond.
Education .- The first appropriation by the town for schools was made November 12th, 1770, when £10 were voted for that purpose, and Reuben Ely, Timothy Walker, and Isaiah Kingsley were chosen school committee. It was also voted that the schools be kept in different parts of the town.
Mr. Nathaniel Kingsley is the first teacher mentioned in the records, and March 15th, 1771, it was voted to pay him £3, 18s., 9d. for his ser- vices. March 16th, 1772, it was voted to pay the committee $4, Ss. for a school taught by Mr. Benton. In December of that year it was voted
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to divide the town into three school districts, to be called the North, East, and West Districts. Also voted to raise the sum of $15, to be "eaqually divided between the districts according to their estates." In 1773 Daniel Shaw, David Lee, and Thomas Lathrop taught the schools, and Novem- ber 11th of that year it was voted to pay David Brown and Joseph Kings- ley £1, 10s. each for six weeks school taught by their wives. In 1774 it was voted to build a school house eighteen feet square in each of the three districts, and $60 were voted for that purpose ; but at an adjourned meeting these votes were rescinded, and each district was instructed to build its own house. As the town became settled, divisions and sub- divisions of districts were made, until for many years there were ten school districts, and $1,800 have been appropriated in a single year for schools. In 1855 a school house and hall were built by District No. 9, comprising the village of North Becket, costing nearly $4,000; and for some years three schools were kept there, with over fifty scholars in each. Now there are but two public schools in the village, with less than fifty scholars in both, and in 1884 only $1,000 were appropri- ated by the town for schools, although money was appropriated and a beginning made to put the school buildings in the town in good repair. The school districts were abolished some years since, and the town com- mittee has charge of the schools. William S. Huntington, S. W. Carter, and Miss Etta Lathrop constitute the present committee.
In 1868 a house was built in the village for a private or select school to be taught by Miss H. C. Snow. This school has been in successful operation most of the time since. During the winter of 1884-5 Miss Snow had over thirty scholars, and she can point with pride to the large number that have gone out from her school fitted for teachers, or to enter higher schools, and fill important positions.
The number of children between the ages of five and fifteen, accord- ing to the census taken May 1st, 1883, was 158. Whole number attending the public schools, 219.
Town Clerks .- Nathaniel Kingsley was the first town clerk. He was first chosen in 1765, and he served till 1794, with the exception of six years in which Peter Porter was chosen. In 1795 George Conant was elected, and continued in office till his death in 1831, after which Jabin Williams served till 1835. Isaac S. Wadsworth served from 1835 to 1860, except three years. Mark P. Carter was chosen in 1838 ; J. B. Williams, 1839 ; David Cannon, 1840 ; Samuel Ingham, 1860. In 1861 Mark P. Car- ter was chosen, and held the office till his death in 1875. William S. Huntington served from 1876 to 1884, when Amos G. Cross, the present clerk, was chosen. George Conant, for thirty-six years town clerk, also represented the town in the Legislature fifteen years, and was a justice of the peace from 1805 till his death in 1831.
Magistrates .- Nathaniel Kingsley was commissioned in 1777, and alone held the office till 1805, when George Conant was appointed. Others have been commissioned as follows: Benjamin C. Perkins, Asa
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Baird, Gaius Carter, Timothy Snow, Luke Barber, Jabin B. Williams, Stephen W. Carter, Mark P. Carter, William S. Huntington, Charles O. Perkins, Amos G. Cross. Of these S. W. Carter, William S. Huntington, and A. G. Cross are residents of the town and hold commissions, also R. M. Savery, who is deputy sheriff.
Becket in the National Wars .-- That Becket has ever been loyal and firm in the support of its country's rights and liberties is verified by the records of the town. At a town meeting held June 14th, 1774, Elisha Carpenter, David Lee, Nathaniel Kingsley, Peter Porter, and Jonathan Wadsworth were chosen a committee of correspondence with the town of Boston, "that the town of Boston, through their committee, be assured of the unanimous support by the town of Becket to resist the unjust de- mands of Great Britain, and for the preservation of American rights and liberties." October 7th, 1774, Jonathan Wadsworth was chosen delegate to the Provincial Congress, to meet at Concord the 11th of the same month: and he was instructed " to do no act but is entirely submissive to the de- termination of the Continental Congress, and that he closely adhere to the Suffolk Resolves, and that he do no act which might be construed as any kind of submission to the late acts of Parliament." At a town meet- ing held the 24th of April, 1775, it was voted to pay, as soon as the money could be collected. 81 each to ten men, viz .: Silas Childs, Joseph Foster, Silas Linkon, John Messenger, Bela Messenger, John Davis, James Allen, Abner Bruce, Elijah Alford, and Abel Crane, who that day entered into the provincial service. It is uncertain how many Becket men were in the Revolutionary army, but we know of some others. Mr. James Harris was one of those who captured General Prescott. Mr. Abner Ames died by starvation. a prisoner of the British. Sylvanus Snow and Asa Snow were also in the army. That the town furnished its full quota of men and supplies is certain. In August, 1777, the selectmen called a meet-
ing and reported to the town the names of certain individuals whom they charged with being dangerous to the public peace or safety. They were called Inimical persons. At a subsequent meeting these men came before the town with a long and humble petition, acknowledging their error, asking forgiveness, and pledging themselves to do all in their power for the American cause. Seven men then took the oath of allegiance.
As no record is found of those who served in the war of 1812, and as none of them are now living, we can only say the records show that the town stood firmly in defense of our rights and privileges.
In the war of the Rebellion Becket was loyal almost to a man, with- out regard to party, and every call for men and money was promptly inet. One hundred and two men went into the Union army from the town, and over $16,000 were raised for war purposes. Many fell, the victims of rebel bullets and southern climate.
CHAPTER XXXI.
TOWN OF CHESHIRE.
BY REV. A. B. WHIPPLE.
Land Sales and Settlement .- Capt. Joab Stafford .- First Church in New Providence .- Elder Werden .- Colonel Low .- The Barkers .- The Wolcotts .- The Martins .- Joshua Mason. -The Revolution. - Incorporation and First Meetings .- War of 1812 .- Baptist Churches. -Universalist Society .- M. E. Church .- Post Office .- Capt. Edmond Foster .- The Whipple Family .- Israel Cole .- Physicians .- Industries .- The Cheshire Cheese.
A GLANCE at the map of Berkshire county discerns in the north central portion a curiously shaped town, having twenty-five angles in its boundary, as if willing to adapt itself to any contingencies, pro- vided it might have a share in
" The hills rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun. The vales stretching in pensive quietness between."
In the eastern part of this town is a hill bearing the name Stafford's Hill. There, in 1766, was begun a settlement by pioneers from Providence Hill, near Providence, R. I., called at first New Providence Hill, from the home of most of the early settlers. By records it is learned that Nicholas Cook, of Providence, and Joseph Bennett, of Coventry. R. I., bought, June 26th, 1666, of John Worthington and Josiah Dwight, of Springfield, and others for £935, 3,740 acres and 14 perches, north of Lanesboro partly, and partly north of Windsor, being a part of a grant of land to Aaron Willard as an equivalent for a deficiency of land taken off from No. 3 (Worthington). A look at the map will show that the northern boundary of Windsor produced would meet the southern boundary of New Ashford, and forming the once northern boundary of Lanesboro and of Windsor as far as the now western boundary of Dalton. These 3.740 acres surrounded on three sides a rectangular parcel of ground contain. ing 1,176 acres, once a part of No. 6 (Savoy). The General Court, in 1762, awarded to Hatfield, as compensation for land included in Nos. 5 and 7, an equivalent on the west end of No. 6. Hatfield placed this in market, and there is found a conveyance of ir. in 1765, by Israel and William Williams, of Hatfield, and Israel Stoddard, of Pittsfield. On
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these 4,916 acres, constituting the New Providence purchase, is found the first traceable settlement of Cheshire. Having bought this tract as a speculation, they set about inducing men to buy and remove hither. Cook never came here to live, but Joseph Bennett did, having first em- ployed Captain, afterward Colonel, Joab Stafford to survey and map out their purchase into lots, thirty-three in number, which was done before the end of October, 1766 (see plan) .*
Captain Stafford, a townsman of Bennett's, made the first purchase of Cook & Bennett, November 5th, 1766; three lots of 396 acres, Nos. 5, 17, and 22. On the next day Cook and Bennett made an equal division of the remaining land to themselves by a line running easterly through the the center of the purchase. On the same day John Bucklin, of Coventry, R. I., bought lot No. 1 ; Nathaniel Jacobs, of Providence, bought Nos. 7, 10, 11, and 25 ; Samuel Low, of Providence, three quarters of No. 4 (the other quarter appropriated for a meeting house, 50 acres), 27 and 28 ; Simeon Smith, of Providence, two lots, 17 and the west half of No. 3 ; Jabez Pierce, of Providence, Nos. 2, 12, and 20. November 11th, Cook and Bennett bought Nos. 12 and 20 ; Joseph Martin, of Providence, on the same day, east half of No. 2 ; Samuel Warrin, No. 23, June, 1767; October 31st, 1767, Shubal Wilmarth, of Providence, west half of No. 2 ; N. Cook, June 25th, 1768, three quarters of No. 6; February 8th, 1769, 115 acres in New Providence were bought by Stephen Carpenter, of Providence. April 11th, 1769, Zebediah Shepardson, of Providence, bought No. 16. May 14th, 1770, Samuel Corew, of Providence, bought Nos. 12, 13, and 14. August 31st, 1770, Joshua Reed, of Scituate, R. I., bought Nos. 10 and 11. William Lewis, of Richmond, R. I., purchased No. 5 and part of No. 8, July 15th, 1771. August 2d, 1770, Benjamin Roberts, of Warwick, R. I., bought No. 18. Only eight of the thirty-three lots remained un- sold, as per records, within six years of the first purchase. The record shows that during these years some of the lots were sold several times.
Captain Joab Stafford is first heard of attending the General Assembly at Newport, in May, 1762, as deputy from Coventry. In 1766 he was surveyor on New Providence Hill. In 1778 he was a colonel, empowered to warn some one to call the first town meeting in Adams. In 1801 he sold all his land in the New Providence purchase under such circum- stances as to suggest that he had not made a fortune. The last deed of his was witnessed by Richard Stafford, his son perhaps, who married Susannah, daughter of Elisha Brown, also from Rhode Island, and with her moved to the State of New York. Whether he had other children is not learned.
Elisha Brown bought lot No. 26, second division, north range, in Lanesboro.
* Plan of the grant of land made by the General Court of his Majesty's province of the Massachusetts Bay, and is now owned by and in possession of Joseph Bennett and Nicholas Cook, who have caused this plan to be made and put on record ; said land being in Berkshire county, between Lanesboro and East Hoosick.
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