USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 2 > Part 20
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The people of this town have never been wanting in patriotism. They had no particular part in the French and Indian wars, as they commenced abont the time the first settlements were made in town ; but during the stormy period of the Revolution they did not shrink from duty. In 1776 money was advanced by individuals to enable soldiers to march to Que- bec. The town. in the same year, voted money and chose a committee to look after the interests of the soldiers.
In 1777 they voted that no person " unknown or suspected should be permitted to travel or pass through the town without producing a certifi- cate from some committee of safety, Congress, general, or justice," and appointed a committee of investigation to attend to the matter, and a " committee of correspondence and inspection " was chosen yearly. Janu- ary 14th, 1778, they voted unanimously in approval of the articles of con- federation. The same year they appropriated $125 to procure clothing for the soldiers, and also made further provision for their families.
A little later in the year they voted $180 Sterling in aid of nine months' men, and £30 for their families, and shortly afterward raised £100 more to procure food and clothing for the soldiers. They were unanimous in support of the civil authority of the State in all their action in behalf of the government. They chose James Ayrault and David Deming, in 1779, delegates to go to Boston and assist in framing a constitution and form of government. In October, 1779, they raised and appropriated 91.200 in aid of the families of three months' men, but this was in the depreciated, old . Continental Money." They at one time decided in town meeting to allow £72, "Continental Money," as equiva- lent to 91 of hard money.
At a meeting called in February. 1775, a committee appointed by the town clerk, David Deming, to ascertain and report the number of effective minute men in town, and also the town's quota as recommended by the Provincial Congress reported : " First, that they find 160 effective men in town ; 2d, that the town's quota of minute men is 40 ; 3d, that there are 38 men appear ready to march on proper encouragement." Rev. Mr. Storrs manifested his patriotism on the start by requesting the town to deduet five pounds and ten shillings yearly from his salary. the same to be used in aid of the soldiers.
They were very prompt in furnishing the town's quota of beef, and
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had committees to attend strictly to that business. Meetings were called every few months to raise money for the soldiers and their families. There was no shrinking from the contest during all the period " that tried men's souls." Darius Adams, a Revolutionary soldier from this town, was killed at the battle of Monmouth, N. J.
The town was considerably agitated during the Shays rebellion, but not as greatly as were some of the towns further west. At a meeting in 1787 they were almost unanimously opposed to the Constitution as it " then stood." Rev. Mr. Storrs presented to the meeting a " draught " setting forth the burdens and grievances of the people. but deprecating any further effusion of blood, and " favoring that the Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions be suspended till after the next election of officers of the Government." They then voted, unanimously, not to sup port the courts under the constitution as it then stood, and appointed a Mr. Wentworth to carry said votes of the town and the " draught " of Mr. Storrs to the governor. At a subsequent meeting, the same year, they voted. unanimously, to support the government. The course taken by Rev. Mr. Storrs in the Shays rebellion created some feeling, and a number of his church and society withdrew and united with the Baptists.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Sandisfield, Septem ber 12th, 1808, they were almost unanimous in their disapproval of the doings in Boston in petitioning the president of the United States to sus- pend the Embargo Act, etc. The meeting then adopted a series of re- solves embracing their sentiments, and in one of the resolves they show their zeal and patriotism in the following language: " Resolved, that if the enemies of our free constitution, acting under party auspices in con- cert with a foreign power, should succeed in plunging us into war or do. mestic commotion ; we will rally around the standard of our Government, and relying on Divine support, will stand ready to defend the same, with our lives and fortunes, against traitorous conspiracies and all hostile attempts whatever." They then resolved that copies of their resolutions be forwarded, one to the president of the United States and one to the governor. The president, Thomas Jefferson, sent back a characteristic and able reply, and the same was ordered to be put on record. In the war of 1812 Sandisfield responded to the call for men, and several were drafted and went to the scene of action, Boston. in Captain Catlin's com. pany, of New Marlboro. The following persons went in this company : Judah Fuller, Walter Hubbard, Lyman Bosworth, Lester Dowd. Gama- liel Dunham, Jabez Downs, Michael Clark, Jairus Barker, Ezra Mallison, Francis Baxter, Jabez Smith, Thomas Fargo, and Oliver Bosworth. J. M. Fuller, a son of Judah Fuller, and now living, has four silver dollars- two American and two Spanish-coined between 1796 and 1804, which his father carried with him while in the service. In those days men sub- ject to military duty were warned ont frequently for military drill. The town purchased a lot for the purpose, and built and maintained a powder house and place for storage of ammunition and equipments. Members of
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various families were employed to cast bullets, the town paying for the same.
In the late Civil war Sandisfield made a great sacrifice of men and money. Meetings were frequently called to devise plans and raise money to encourage enlistments, and the young men responded to the call with patriotic zeal. Onr volunteers comprised many of the noblest young men in town, many of whom sacrificed their lives that the nation might live, with honor unstained, to triumph in the glory of untrammeled free- dom and heaven-born liberty.
The following is a list of those who were killed in action, or died of exposure and disease contracted in the service : Lieutenant Burton D. Deming. Charles Allen, Harlam P. Wood, Joseph B. Wolcott, Egbert Smith, Milton Smith, Nelson W. Case, Henry Walker, Martin Olds, Ed gar N. Phelps, Henry J. Richardson, William Deming, Gordon Dunn, Henry G. Spring, Henry Dowd, James J. Smith, Alfred Belden, Ed- mund M. Fuller, Eugene Murphy, Frederick P. Seymour, Levi Clark.
One of the first objects of the proprietors was to arrange for the spir- itual welfare of the people by making provision for church services, and land called " minister lots" was granted and set aside for ministerial purposes. Even prior to settlement they were devising plans at their legal meetings for erecting a church. They set apart 300 acres to each of the first two ministers, and afterward made a grant of 100 acres to each who might succeed them. November 14th, 1750, at a meeting in Wood- stock, they voted to set the meeting house at the head of lots No. 42, 34, and 35, which would be a little west of the actual center of the town. May 21st, 1751, they voted to build a meeting house 45 feet long, 34 feet wide, and 20 feet between joints, and chose David Whitney, Lieutenant Daniel Brown, and John Harwood building committee. In 1754 two more were added to the committee, and a vote was passed that the meet- ing house be made 22 feet between joints.
The church was organized in 1756, but the meeting house was not erected till about a year afterward, and not fully completed till 1761. Rev. Cornelius Jones, a native of Bellingham, Mass., and a graduate of Yale in 1752. was their first ordained minister. A council was held in the summer of 1756, at which fifteen ministers and messengers were present. Jonathan Edwards, of Stockbridge, was moderator, and Thomas Strong. scribe. The ordination exercises were held in a barn. Jonathan Ed- wards preached the sermon.
Difficulties arose between Mr. Jones and the church, the nature of which the records do not reveal, and he was dismissed in 1761. He after- ward removed to Rowe, Mass., and bought 10, 000 acres of uncleared land. Sometime afterward he settled at Whitehall, N. Y .. where he lived till his death. When in Rowe he was made a military officer, and was com- mander of a company of men at the capture of Burgoyne. He lost a son at Saratoga while resisting an attack of Indians.
Different persons were hired to preach, till February 26th, 1766, when
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Rev. Eleazer Storrs. a native of Mansfield, Conn., and a graduate of Yale in 1762, was ordained. Mr. Storrs appears to have been a favorite with the people, a man of ability, and honest and tenacions in his opinions. The utmost harmony and good will-with slight exceptions-existed be. tween this shepherd and his tiock, till the unhappy Shays insurrection. when a portion of his adherents withdrew from the church and society. His salary was fixed at sixty pounds per year, one half to be paid in "species" --- produce-consisting of wheat, rye. corn, oats, peas, flax, and flax seed. A committee was appointed each year to confer with him and fix upon the price. In 1767, they voted him fifty pounds as part settle- ment, to be paid in the same manner as his regular salary, and this method of paying salaries-one half in produce-was pursued during his pas. torate. In 1797, April 26th, an ecclesiastical council convened, and after a candid and deliberate consideration of the matter relative to Mr. Storrs and his people, and considering his failing health, he was then and there discharged from his pastoral relation to church and society. He never fully recovered his health, and died December 24th, 1810, aged 72.
Rev. Levi White succeeded him June 28th, 1798. Randolph. Mass., was his native town, and he was a distant relative of Peregrine White. who, the historians claim, was the first white child of English parentage born in New England. He graduated at Dartmouth College, Hanover. N. H., in 1796. His ministry was crowned with success. In 1815-16, there was an awakening, surpassing any religious demonstration in this town before or since. Two hundred or more indulged a hope. 140 persons were admitted to the Congregational church, and quite a number to the Baptist church. There were several other revivals, but of less extent. during his pastorate. It was with much regret that he severed his con nection with his church and people, but after successive meetings, causing him much foreboding and and anxiety, he finally yielded to the popular will and was dismissed March 1st. 1832.
Transient preachers then supplied the desk for a few months. Rev. Mr. Gilbert most of the time. Next a call was extended to Rev. P. T. Holley, then in Greenwich, Conn. A committee appointed for the pur- pose extended to him an invitation to become their pastor, and October 21st, 1832, he by letter siguified his intention to comply with their re- quest. December 10th, 1832, articles of agreement were drawn up and duly signed. The salary agreed upon was $500 per year, and the ordina- tion took place a few days afterward. About this time a petition was presented to the Legislature asking permission to sell the ministry lots, which was granted. the avails to be used in building a parsonage. April 29th, 1833, a committee was chosen to sell the ministry lots, and also a committee to notify owners of dogs to restrain them from "follering their masters to meeting." Rev. P. T. Holley remained as their pastor eighteen years. The church was prosperous during this time, and the utmost harmony prevailed between pastor and people.
He was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Pickett, a native of this town, son
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of Aaron Pickett, sen. He came from Reading, Mass., and was settled January 23d, 1851. No pastor ever commanded more universal respect wherever known than he. To know him was to reverence him. The children ran to meet him, the aged respected him, and the middle aged called him father. The church was never more harmonious than during his ministry, over 126 uniting with it within the time. He died Jannary 10th. 1866.
Rev. James Deane took charge of the church October 31st, 1866, and was discharged by request August 4th, 1867.
Rev. E. Bradbury, from Hudson, N. Y., came next. He preached his first sermon here October 11th. 1868, and was installed December 30th, 1868. During his ministry there was a division of the church, Mr. Brad- bury and his followers withdrawing and holding their meetings at the town hall in New Boston. He remained there two or three years in min- isterial service, and subsequently removed to Kansas. He was a close student, a thorough scholar, and firm in his convictions.
Rev. Calvin MeLean was next in order, and his first discourse was delivered July 1st, 1876, and he was ordained June 5th, 1878. He sup- plied the pulpit at the Center from May 1st, 1877, to August 1st, 1879, dividing the Sabbath services between the two churches. The church at New Boston was organized December 16th, 1874, and the society was or- ganized in April, 1876. A new house of worship was built near the vil- lage of New Boston in 1878-9, and was dedicated September 4th of the same year.
Rev. M. S. Hartwell, who succeeded Mr. McLean, commenced preach- ing July 1st, 1880, and was ordained October 14th, 1880. He left in July, 1881, and was followed by Rev. Aaron W. Field. the present pastor. a man esteemed for ability and manly qualities.
At the Center Church Rev. Andrew Sherman followed Mr. Bradbury, also a Mr. Millet, both Methodists ; but at a meeting subsequently called the church voted to sustain their constitution by employing a Congrega- tional minister. Rev. Mr. Piper, of Tolland. Mass., followed Mr. Sher- man, and lastly Rev. William C. Foster, of Middletown, Conn., who left about one year since. They are at present destitute of a pastor.
Rev. Aaron Field now holds services at New Boston in the forenoon and at Sandisfield Center in the afternoon every S inday.
There have been three meeting houses built at the Center. The second was built about 1796, and was perched upon a bare and solid rock. The third was built about 1852, a little west of the site of the old one, and on a more yielding foundation.
Formerly there were two Baptist churches in Sandisfield, but one of the houses of worship stood a little over the line, in what is now called West Otis-then Bethlehem. The first house was built in the northwest part of the town, in 1802. The first church was organized August 21st, 1779, and the society February 25th, 1794, being incorporated by the State Legislature. Elder Joshua Morse, who, nearly thirty years before,
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had been ordained over a church in New London, Conn .. was made pas- tor of this church October 2d, 1779. He continued their spiritnal teacher till his death, July 26th, 1795, having, during the time, gathered into the fold 101 persons. In 1800 Jesse Hartwell became their spiritual guide, and continued till 1827. During his pastorate 177 persons united with the church.
April 25th, 17SS, the second Baptist church was established with nineteen members, and Mr. Benjamin Baldwin, a native of Otis, became the first ordained pastor June 9th, 1790. He departed this life July 24th, 1810. By his earnest endeavors he enthroned himself in the hearts of his people, and there was an accession of 211 members to this church as the fruit of his labors. This church seems to have originated with four men : Amos Spring, Timothy Judd, and Daniel Fowler, of Otis, and Isaac Walker of Tyringham. They excluded from their meetings all who were not of their persuasion. An unlicensed and unordained preacher by the name of Daniel B. Ward came among them and secured an invitation to lecture to them, and in the face of opposition increased the number of converts to forty persons, thus initiating the organization of a Baptist church. From the death of Rev. B. Baldwin till 1816 Rev. John Hast- ings, of Suffield, Conn., and Rev. Asa Talmadge, of North Egremont, supplied the sacred desk. Their next pastor was Rev. Israel Keach, of Hoosick, N. Y., who was ordained June 19th, 1817. Under him the church was very prosperous and reached its highest number of members, amounting to 200 persons. Rev. Erastus Doty, of Colebrook, Conn., suc- ceeded him for the next four or five years.
In 1829 the first and second churches united in employing Henry C. Skinner, of Hamilton Institute, N. Y. Rev. John Wilder, of Becket, who was also educated at Hamilton Institute. succeeded Mr. Skinner. During his labors the two churches were consolidated after a fearful shifting and overhauling, resulting in greatly diminishing their numbers. Their base of action was then changed to the village of Montville, with a "recognition " of 68 members. In 1839 Rev. James Squier became their leader for about two years. He was succeeded in 1841 by Rev. John Higby, and he remained till 1846, when he left to fill an appoint- ment in the Baptist Home Mission Society, Illinois, and Rev. J. Torry Smith, of Lanesborough, Mass., took his place. He was a very able and efficient man; and was much liked. He remained till 1854, but was away some portion of the time. Rev. Thomas G. Wright succeeded him. Others who have followed in succession are Rev. J. L. Barlow, in 1834 ; Rev. J. F. Jones, 1856, died in Westfield, 1879 : Rev. J. V. Lintel, 1859; Rev. R. H. Maine, 1863, now a resident in Vineland, N. J .; Rev. Allen E. Battelle, 1871 ; Rev. G. L. Ruberg, 1874. The next pastor was Rev. J. T. Bender, 187S. Rev. Wallace Crocker. from Vermont, is the pres- ent pastor.
A house of worship was erected by the Episcopalians in New Bos- ton in 1837. Their first rector was Rev. Thomas L. Randolph, who com-
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menced preaching in 1840, and remained three years, when Rev. Daniel G. Wright took his place, remaining but a short time. Services were then suspended and not revived. The people of this town were quite liberal according to their means, in donating to the various missions and religious societies of the county, and turned a deaf ear to all "isms" not in accordance with their genuine orthodox creed.
John Mills was born in Sandisfield, December 29th, 1787. He never entered college as a student, but studied with Sheriff Phelps, of Gran- ville, Mass .. for the legal profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1812. In 1823 he was elected State senator, and was returned each of the five years following, and was president of the Senate two or three years. In 1826, he was appointed commissioner, with others, to settle the Massa- chusetts and Connecticut State line. He held the office of U. S. district attorney from 1835 to 1840. In 1842 he was one of the commissioners to settle the northeastern boundary line. He was once a candidate for United States senator in opposition to Daniel Webster. He died in 1862, aged 75 years.
Hon. George Hall, who was born January Sth, 178S, was a son of Eliakim Hull, who came from Farmington, Conn. He engaged in the mercantile business quite young. He was candidate for Congress in 1826, served as representative of his town in the Legislatures of 1821 and 1826, was a member of the governor's conneil and State senator for a time, and lieutenant governor from 1836 to 1843. He was the first president of Lee Bank, and was postmaster 50 years. He died January 7th. 1868. He received his education partly in the common schools, but he was mostly self educated. He was a thorough and extensive farmer and owned a potashery.
Barnas Sears, son of Paul Sears, jr., was born November 17th. 1802. He was partly educated at Brown University, R. I., and at Hamilton In- stitute. N. Y., afterward. He studied in Germany, became a Baptist clergyman, and received the titles D. D., LL. D. He was one of the most distinguished educators in the country and was during ten years presi- dent of Brown University, Rhode Island. He was at one time secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education. He died at Staunton, Va., not long since.
Edward G. Sears, a cousin of Barnas, was born December 9th, 1813. He studied at Newton Seminary, also for a time at Hamilton, N. Y. He was active in the ministry till his health became impaired, when he ed- ited the Christian Review for a time, and then became connected with the Springfield Daily Union as one of the editorial staff. He has been dead several years.
Edmund H. Sears, son of Joseph Sears, was born in 1810, and ed- ucated for the Unitarian ministry, became pastor of the First Unitarian Church of Wayland, Mass., in 1839, and was subsequently pastor of a church in Lancaster. In 1865 he took pastoral charge of the Unitarian
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church in Weston, Mass. He was the anthor of several very popular re- ligious works.
Erasmus Darwin Beach was born July 25th, 1809, studied law with John Mills, and was in the law school of Judge Gould two years. He moved to Springfield in 1831, purchased and became editor of the Hump- den Whig, but changed its name to Hampden Post. He represented his district in the State Senate, and was the democratic candidate for gover- nor a number of years in succession.
General Dwight May, of Kalamazoo, Mich., was born in Sandistield in 1822. When a young man his father, Rockwell May, moved to Mich- igan. where he entered the Michigan University in 1849. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Michigan in 1850. He has been a prosecuting attorney, a school inspector, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. In 1862 he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Michigan infantry, and soon after promoted to brigadier general. He died in 1880.
Eliznr Smith, of Lee, Mass .. son of Stephen Smith, was born in this town January 5th, 1812. He has been largely concerned in the manufac- ture of paper, and he still maintains an interest therein. He is noted for his extensive farm operations and improved stock, especially horses. He was in the State Senate in 1881.
Orlando Dwight Case, head of an extensive book publishing concern of Hartford, Conn., and manufacturer of school furniture, was born in Sandisfield August 17th, 1826. His headquarters are in Hartford, but the school furniture is manufactured in this town. He has also an inter- est in the iron business at the South.
Giles Spring, son of Henry Spring of this town, studied for the legal profession and settled in the city of Chicago, where he became a judge of the Superior Court.
Burton D. Deming, son of Russel Deming, was first lieutenant in Company H. Forty-ninth regiment Massachusetts volunteers. He was an efficient officer, and was much respected. While in action at Port Hudson, La., on the 27th of May, 1863, gallantly nrging his men forward to the contest, he was shot through the head and soon expired.
Deacon Orlow Burt may have been born before his father, Caleb Burt, settled in town. He represented Sandisfield in 1858 and 1860. in the Leg- islature, and was chosen State senator in 1861.
Dr. Jabez Holden appears to have been one of the earliest physicians in town. He was here soon after settlements commenced, drew house lot No. 15, second division, and other lots afterward. He came from Ash- ford, Mass., and was a prominent man in town affairs.
Dr. Amos Smith was one of the early settlers in Southfield, living on . the New Hartford road. He had a large family of children, and was an influential man in the district.
Dr. Jonathan Cowdery and Dr. Samuel Carrington were in town a short time, about 1790. Dr. Cowdery was an eminent surgeon and native of this town, born April 22d, 1767.
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Dr. Reuben Buckman was here between 1780 and 1790, and settled on the hill just north of Fuller Brook. The house is still standing.
Dr. Horatio A. Hamilton came from Connecticut, and was here but a short time.
Dr. Jeremiah Morrison, an early settler, was a practicing physician for several years, and the first physician that practiced in town.
Dr. Robert King came from Blanford, Mass., a son of Dr. Robert King. sen., who came to this country from Cork. Ireland, or its vicinity. in 1774. Robert, the son, was a man of good executive ability, and as a physician and surgeon he ranked high. He left town in 1826, and went to Portage. Ohio, where he died June 29th. 1851.
Dr. Erasmus Beach came from Goshen. Com., where he was born in 1775. He removed to Sandistleld in 1798, and died in 1854. He was promi- nent in town affairs, was a man of excellent judgment, and was consid- ered one of the best physicians of the day.
Dr. Ebenezer Balch came a little later, from Plattsburgh. N. Y. He was an eccentric character, but a safe practitioner. He studied with Dr. Oliver Brewster, of Becket.
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