USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 2 > Part 33
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Tyringham raises annually $800 for school purposes. At present there are five schools, and about 100 pupils. The committee consists of Albert Sweet, John Cannon. and Charles Slater.
As early as 1792 a society of Shakers was organized in the town.con- sisting at first of nine members. They purchased a large tract of land on the southern slope of the valley of Hopbrook, and formed a settlement there, consisting of two villages one half mile apart. The community soon numbered 100, and until after the middle of the present century it was very flourishing, but in 1858, twenty-three of their number ran away
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TOWN OF TYRINGHAM.
at one time, and in 1874 their number was so reduced that they soll their property in Tyringham and joined the communities of Hancock and New Lebanon. A large part of their land was purchased by Dr. Jones of Pennsylvania, who has transformed the principal Shaker village into an attractive summer resort.
THE TOWNSEND FAMILY.
Rev. Jonathan Townsend died in 1762 at Needham, Mass., where he was pastor of the First Congregational Church. Samuel, his second son, born there May 15th, 1729, died in Eaton, New York. August 17th, 1810. Rufus, the eldest son of Samuel and Ruth (Tolman) Townsend. was born in Needham, July 23d, 1760, and settled on a farm in Tyringham in May. 1785. Lemuel, his brother, also settled here at the same time. The lat- ter had two sons-Lemuel and Jonathan-who still reside there. Rufus married Orpha, daughter of Peter Chapin, of New Marlboro. Candace. Charles, Cyrus, and Samuel, their children, died in Monterey : and Peter, the only one remaining, now lives in that town. Cyrus mar- ried Marilla Merritt, a native of Otis, daughter of John and Rachael (Daniels) Merritt. They have three daughters : Ellen M. (Mrs. Melanc- thon Starr), Rockford, Ill .; Margaret J., wife of O. B. Bidwell. Free- port. Ill .: and Mary C., who with her mother resides with Mrs. Starr.
DANIEL CLARK.
The Clark family have, as will appear by their genealogy printed at the close of this article, long dwelt in the valley of Tyringham. one of the most beautiful of the many vales into which the all-beautiful grand val- ley of Berkshire is subdivided. And in all the generations since their coming they have done much to add to its beauty and fertility, by in- telligent culture, planting and preserving majestic and graceful trees, and building handsome farm houses ; doing in fine what people of fine tastes and fair culture did in many New England towns, but far less frequently than was to be desired. This was much, as the valley which-now the finest part of the town-furnishes scenes to delight the eye of the lover of rural life and plenty as well as of natural scenery, was on its first set- tlement considered by the dwellers on the heights too low and damp for the culture of the soil or for the health of the settlers. Bear Swamp. the complimentary name bestowed upon the valley of old, might be exchanged for some title which might better represent the rich smooth meadows, the fruitful fields, and plentiful orchards which now characterize it. And in effecting this happy change the Clark family have contributed their full share of labor, enterprise, and intelligence.
Daniel Clark, the subject of this sketch, was born at Tyringham. January 1st. 1819. being the second son of Hamlin and Cynthia (Heath) Clark. Hamlin Clark was a citizen highly esteemed for his sterling traits of character and as a man of integrity, a true friend, a goo l neigh . bor, and in all respects above reproach. He held many offices of trust and responsibility.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
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His son, Daniel, obtained his early education in the common schools in which a better foundation for further acquirements was sometimes laid than the reputation of the majority. handed down to us by Horace Man and Rev. Dr. Humphrey. would lead us to believe, although their repre- sentations are doubtless true in the main.
Mr. Clark had no taste of desire for public offices which would with- draw him from his home occupations and other pursuits in which he had a passionate delight, as will presently appear. But being unwilling to shirk aby duty which devolves upon him he has accepted and filled several offices of trust and responsibility ; as every man of his character who loves the community in which he lives, and is willing to accept the obligations of life. must do.
He preserves the magistrate's commission sent to him by Governor Banks, but never qualified under it, as he considered his friend, E. G. Hale, Esq., who then held and still holds the office, amply able to do all the work arising under it and that he was doing it exceptionally well.
M :. Clark is a member of the Methodist Episcopal chimch. He was a life-long anti-slavery and temperance man. and in politics first a whig. and a republican since that party came into existence.
From his youth Mr. Clark has been a collector of minerals, historical relics, rare coins, and other curiosities as his business and home duties gave him leisure, but when his ill health gave or imposed leisure upon him he seized with avidity the opportunity to devote himself more largely to the sciences in which he had already made some advance. In fact he has since devoted himself and almost all his time to increase and perfect his cabinets and improve his knowledge of the sciences which they illustrate.
The cabinets which he has collected would be considered wonderful among private cabinets anywhere and they are especially so consider- ing the retired locality in which they have grown up. These large and splendid collections have been obtained by exchanges of desirable species which he has personally collected from the crystalline rocks in his own immediate vicinity.
These specimens which he has develope i and exchanged have seat- tered the knowledge of Berkshire minerals in many different States, while they have added greatly to the value of the exchange cabinets and at- tracted the attention of cultivated men to the county as well as its rock.
His collections illustrate the sciences of geology, mineralogy, numis- maties and archeology: more particularly the mound builders as well as the Indian tribes who were found by the first European die w ras.
John Clark appears in Middletown, Conn .. in 167%). His brother. Thomas, resided at liaddam, the next town south. John marked cate unknown) Elizabeth. daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Waite, of Middletown, by whom he had eight children. viz: Nathaniel. John. Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarab. White, and Mary again. John Clark. Ist, died July 20th. 1731, aged 83 years, and was buried in the old grave
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Daniel Glass
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yard in that part of Middletown now Cromwell, where his monument is now standing. His wife died December 25th, 1711, aged 56 years.
Daniel Clark, third son of John and Elizabeth (White) Clark, was born Angust 30th, 1680 and married July 12th, 1704, Elizabeth Whit- more, daughter of Francis and Hannah (Harris) Whitmore. They had eight children : Hannab. Daniel. Abigail. Elizabeth, Francis, Elisha, Martha, and Joseph. Daniel Clark, sen., died March 5th, 1725, and his wife afterward married a Williams, and died January 31st, 1743.
Francis Clark, the second son and fifth child of Daniel and Eliza- beth ( Whitmore; Clark, was born February 8th, 1214. His wife's name was Alice (maiden name unknown). Their children were : Mindwell. Daniel. Giles, Lemuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Francis, Abigail. Alice. Hannah, and Smith, twelve in number. Francis Clark was a very ex. tensive dealer in real estate, owning large tracts of land in the southerly portion of Middletown, and resided in that part of the town called Maromas. He spent his last days in Haddam with his son, Dr. Smith Clark, where he died November 16th. 1796. His wife died December 12th. 1805. Her date of birth as given on her gravestone is January lith, 1723.
Francis Clark, jr., was the fourth son and eighth child of Francis and Alice Clark. He was born October 2d. 1757, and married July 12th. 1781, Mary Johnson, daughter of Joseph. jr., and Mary ( Rogers, Johnson. who was born January 15th, 1762, in Middletown. In 1783 they removed to Tyringham, Berkshire county, Mass. They were the first settlers on the lot now occupied by S. E. Johnson. Their children were ten in number: Renben, born in Middletown, Joseph, Hanlin, Clarissa, Francis. Sanford, Mary, Dorothy. Hiram. and Bernice. Francis Clark died An- gust 27th, 1813. Mary, his wife, died September Ist, 1833.
Hamlin Clark, third son of Francis and Mary (Johnson) Clark, was born August 14th, 1786, and married May 24th, 1814, Cynthia Heath, daughter of Elisha and Comfort (Spink) Heath, who was the first settler on the lot now occupied by Adolphus Bliss in Tyringham. Hamlin Clark's chil- dren were two in number. Francis and Daniel. Hamlin Clark died July 1st, 1833. His wife survived him until January 7th. 1850.
Francis Clark, first son of Hamlin and Cynthia ( Heath) Clark, was born May 9th, 1816. In early life Francis Clack went West and settled in Chicago, Ill., then a small town. For many years he was a leading merchant in that city. December 13th, 1857, he married Crrilla Swingly. daughter of Nathaniel Swingly, of Creston, Ogle county. Ill. Their children were Francis H. and Lida W. Francis Clark died June 12th, 1860.
Francis H. Clark, son of Francis and Urrilla (Swingly) Clark, was born December 39th, 1858. He graduated at the Chicago University, June. 1882. at the head of his class. He is now studying in the office of a prominent lawyer of that city, and in the Union College of Law.
Daniel Clark, second son of Hamlin and Cynthia (Heath, Clark, was
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
born Jannary 1st, 1819. Daniel Clark is now the only representative of this family in town. He married February 3d, 1841, Sophia Stedman. daughter of William and Lucinda ( Heath) Stedman, who died November 11th, 1872.
Hamlin F. Clark, only son and child of Daniel and Sophia (Ste Iman) Clark, was born April 11th. 1813. He was educated in the common schools and Wilbraham Academy. In the war of the Rebellion he en- listed in Company K. Forty-ninth regiment Massachusetts Volunteers : was in the battle of Store Plains, siege of Port Hudson and Donaldson- ville ; re enlisted in Company A, Eighth regiment Massachusetts Volun- teer Militia, which regiment was stationed at Baltimore, Md .. doing provost duty the entire time of their enlistment. He married. September 5th, 1865, Ellen M. Powell, daughter of Edmond K. and Lydia ( Whit- man) Powell, of Williamstown, Mass. Their son, Francis D. Clark, was born July 28th, 1873. In 1879 Hamlin F. Clark removed West and lo- cated in Denver, Colorado.
March 18th, 1880, Daniel Clark married his present wife, whose maiden name was Juliette Smith, daughter of Mathew and Clarissa (Moore) Smith, of West Stockbridge, Mass .. and grand-daughter of Rev. Samuel Smith, of Salisbury, Conn., and Lynn, Mass.
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CHAPTER XXXII.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
BY A. B. POMEROY.
Purchase .- Incorporation .- First Church,- Washington Union Society .-- Methodist Church. -Schools .- Cemeteries .- First Marriages, Births. and Deaths. - Roads and Mills .- Bridges .- Militia .-- Taxes .- Town Clerks .- Edwin D. Morgan.
1 TN or about the year 1758 a party of gentlemen from Connectient pur- chased the town site of Washington from one Robert Watson, of Sheffield, who through his attorney persuaded them that his title was perfect, he having purchased the land from the Indians. In 1760, how- ever, the parties to the purchase ascertained that said Watson was inso !- vent, and that the Indian claim was far from being satisfied. They were therefore under the necessity of purchasing the township. and they ac- cordingly made a contract with the following named Indians : Benjamin Kokhkewenaunaut, John Pophnehanauwah. and Robert Nunghauwot.
Previously the town had been called Watsontown, but it was now rechristened Greenock. The proprietors made arrangements to occupy the lands, and some soon settled on them. Among the first settlers were George Sloan, Andrew Mumford. William Milliken, Elijah Crane, Amos Beard, William Beard, Joseph Knox. Nathan Ingraham, Joseph Chap- lin, and Mathew De Wolf. Our respected townsman. John M. Crane. who removed to Becket in the fall of 1884. is the only lineal descendant of these ancient worthies that had a place in our town for more than fifty years. After this, as they supposed, final settlement with the Indians a new difficulty arose. The provincial authorities laid claim to the town- ship. In view of this fact. Nathaniel Hooker, John Townley, Isaac Sheldon, and fifty-seven other proprietors petitioned the General Court of Massachusetts in 1762 to grant them the township, and it was granted in the February of the following year. From that time till 1777 the township was known as Hartwood. The town was incorporated April 12th. 1777, as Washington. After the many delays the people proceeded with greater vigor. Roads were laid out and forests fell beneath the sturdy stroke of the honest yeomanry, and what was a primevai forest
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
was made to bring forth food in generons quantity for both man and beast.
One sixty third of the township was laid oat for the first settled minister, one sixty-third for the use of the ministry, and one sixty-third for maintaining schools. The first settled minister secured his share, but the remaining shares were so managed as to secure no permanent fund for the town.
No record of the church previous to the ordination of the Rev. Wil- liam G. Ballantine (the first settled minister) is preserved. But it ap- pears from votes found in the record of the proprietors of the township of Hartwood that a church was formed as early as the beginning of 1772. At a meeting of the proprietors, held April 6th. 1774. " Voted that the proprietors do concur with the church and inhabitants in their choice of Mr. William G. Ballantine as a minister to settle in the township of Hartwood with a salary of $45 per year for the first five years, then to raise it £3 per year until it amount to $60 and continue at that during his ministry."
" Voted Nov. 16th, 1778, that ye Rev. Mr. Ballantine salary for the present year that ye rate be paid in wheat at 6s. per Bushel Rye at 4%. 6d. per bush Indian Corn at 3s. per bush and labour at 3s. per day and all other Mecanicks at ye same rate. Voted to git Rev. Mr. Ballantines wood by free contribution."
In 1773 there was built a meeting house which stood nearly twenty years, when it was injured by lightning. and another house was erected in 1792. The present house was built in 1849, by William G. Ballantine, jr., & Sons, at a cost of $1.348, and the old church.
The Rev. William G. Ballantine was the son of Rev. John Ballan- tine, of Westfield, and a gradnate of Harvard College in 1771. He re- mained pastor until his death, which occurrel November 30th, 1820. He left a good property, and during his life was a faithful steward, improv- ing his talents to their highest development. The descendants of this honored family are now much respected citizens of Suffield, Conn. When Mr. Ballantine was ordained the church consisted of 23 members, and during his labors 69 were added, without any special revival seasons. He was succeeded in March, 1823, by Rev. John A. Hempstead, of Hartford. a graduate of Yale, and he was dismissed in March, 1828. Rev. Caleb Knight was installed as his successor. December 13th of the same year. He was dismissed June 16th, 1835, and was succeeded by Rev. Kinsman Atkinson in May, 1840, and he was dismissed in April, 1842. September 1st, 1846, Rev. Francis Norwood was installed, and was dismissed Octo- ber 15th. 1851. On the first of February, 1853. Rev. Eber L. Clark com- menced his connection with the church, and continued it for nearly four years.
Early in 1859, the town having been for some time withont regular preaching, the two societies. Methodist and Congregational. both being in a low state, made a union effort, and, March 3d. elected the Rev. M.
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TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
M. Longley pastor for one year, the meetings to be held alternately in their respective houses of worship. To sustain the movement " The Washington Union Society" was legally organized June 13th, 1850. The movement had much favor. The Berkshire and Columbia Missionary So- ciety gave material aid. the presiding elder approved by letter, kind com- munications looking to intelligent and permanent union passed between the churches, and in 1861 the Troy Conference, through a committee, gave advice that the Methodist brethren continue the same measures dur- ing another year, retaining their organization and relation to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. They were prospered and members were received into both churches. A council was held March 25th, 1863, composed of ministers and brethren from the two denominations, which passed the following resolutions :
" That the council are much gratified with the unity and Christian spirit which has perveded the past four years.
" That they are grateful to the head of the church for this example of Christian unity which has been set them by these churches.
" That the council advise so far as they understand the condition of things in Washington that the same kind of bond and union be continued so long as it seems to be the will of Christ."
Notwithstanding these resolutions, soon after the meeting of confer- ence a preacher came and Methodist meetings were held. As the sum- mer passed, and the Methodist brethren who remained in the union arrangement found themselves regarded as having no membership. a new church organization was proposed, and a council was called which met December 23d. 1863, and the " Union Church of Washington " was for- mally recognized as a church of Christ. with sixty five members, twenty- eight Methodists and thirty-seven Congregational, and Rev. M. M. Long- ley was installed pastor. The church was organized in the hope of a per- manent union of Christians in Washington. Mr. Longley continued his labors until the spring of 1866, although spending his last winter in Bos- ton as a representative in the Legislature. He was succeeded by Rev. L. L. Atwood, who labored for one year, after which Rev. E. L. Janes sup- plied the pulpit for something like a year, since which time the Union Church has been without a preacher.
The Congregational meeting house is now in a very dilapidated con- dition, having been struck by lightning some eight years ago. It will probably never be used again for church worship, as the former members of the church are nearly all removed from the town.
In the fall of 1832 Noah Bigelow, on Dalton, Hinsdale, and Middle- field circuit, came to Washington and held extra meetings in a school house in the east part of the town. Some twenty were converted. A class was formed in which were the following members : Stephen W. Newton and wife, Amos Crane and four of his family, William Cross and wife. Daniel Sibley and wife, who, with others, became devoted Christians and stanch Methodists. At this time a building which had been erected
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
for a store was purchased. This was the first Methodist Episcopal church building in Washington, and it was used till S. M. Merrill's administra- tion, in 1852, when the present house of worship was bought of the Wes- leyans.
The pastor in charge in 1843 4 was A. C. Hand : 1816-7, J. F. Crowl : 1848, E. King : 1849-50, C. C. Gilbert : 1851-2, A. W. Garvin : 1852-3. D. W. Dayton ; 1854-5, H. H. Smith ; 1855-6. J. L. Cook ; 1858. A. Viele.
Rev. M. M. Longley served the two societies, Methodist and Congre- gational. seven years from early in 1859, although conference, in 1863, sent .J. J. Boxley, who served as pastor in charge for one year, and was succeeded in order as follows : J. L. Crowl, Horace Warner, J. O. Drum, Jesse Brown, B. Ayres, N. C. Hill, J. L. Atwell. George Hudson. W. W. Cox, Alphonzo Lawrence, George Hudson, J. C. Walker, Miss E. H. Delavan, and the present pastor. G. W. Love, who has labored here for the past two years. The church has a goodly number of members, and in its prosperity and usefulness will compare favorably with the churches of the surrounding country. It now has a fund of nearly $1,009, with which the purchase of a parsonage is contemplated.
The first record concerning schools was made March 10th, 1783. as follows : " Voted to raise forty pounds to maintain a grammar school in this town. Also voted to choose a committee of five to divide the town into four districts. Chose as committee Jabez Cornish, Jesse Ladd, Si- mon Babcock, Azariah Ashley, and William Milliken." Voted, Decem- ber 25th, 1783, " to build four school houses and raised 80 pounds there- for, choosing a committee of three in each district to build them." There is no record of their location, though in all probability they were the first school buildings erected in the town. A generous sum was yearly raised for schools, and in 1786 it was voted to choose a committee of one from each district to see that the money was properly expended.
The town now has six schools, which expend yearly the sum of nearly $1,000. Five new honses have been built within the past few years, and the schools are in a very thriving condition.
Voted, April 1st, 1805, "to choose a committee to settle the bounda- ries of the Public burrying ground or grounds in said town. Chose Gideon Bush, John Lankton, and Norman Sloan."
"Town met according to adjournment May 6 1805 and the grave yard near the house of Edwin H. Eames was purchased and accepted as publie burying ground, " and shortly afterward a second one was estab- lished at the center of the town.
In 1840 another was established in the west part of the town, and one has since been laid out in the southeast corner of the town. on the Kent farm so called.
The first recorded marriages by Rev. Mr. Ballantine were : John Phelps and Mary Ashley, July 27th, 1774: William Sloan and Sarah Cornish. September 11th, 1774 ; John Wade and Susanna Beard, Decem- ber 4th, 1774 : George Sloan, jr., and Huldan Foot. April 16th, 1775 ; Na-
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TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
than Ingraham and Trena Spencer, May 11th. 1775 : Anthony Eames and Lydia Matoon. September 12th. 1781.
The first births were : Sarah Messenger, daughter of Gideon and Abi. gal Messenger, born September 21st. 1774: Samuel, son of Zenas and Hannah Noble, born December 30th, 1769 : Gardner, son of William and Anne Scott, born September 10th. 1767.
The first death was Gideon, son of Gideon and Deborah Deming. February 3d, 1800, aged 12 years. This is the first record of a death found in the town records.
Among the first roads established was the Westfield and Pittsfield Turnpike, through the center of the town, and the Pontoosue Turnpike, through the east part.
Three gentlemen by the names of Fox. Howard, and Ingraham were among the first owners of saw mills. At one time there were eleven saw mills in town, two of them running by steam. There is now in town only one mill, and hardly lumber enough is manufactured to keep that running.
Ashley Lake is in this town, a beautiful sheet of water one mile long by half a mile wide. It supplies Pittsfield with water. Near this lake is a large bed of sand which has been used largely by the Lenox Glass Works for the manufacture of glass, and it is pronounced by good judges to be as pure as can be found in the United States
The surface of the town is hill and vale. Many good productive fanns are found, and as a township of land it will compare favorably with the other hill towns of Berkshire.
The first recorded vote in regard to bridges was passed June 20th. 1782: " Voted John Lanckion to be master workman to build a bridge over the river from Washington to Lenox."
" Voted to allow Mr. Lanekton six shilling per day for work done be- fore haying, and 5 shilling for his men and 5 shilling per day for Sd Lanekton after having and 4 shillings for his men per day."
"Voted April 1. 1782, having met according to adjournment to raise the Continental Soldiers sent for by the General Court by setting it up at vendre to the lowest bidder on condition if he pass muster to re- ceive pay."
" Voted to raise the sum of $55 and 16s. to pay the above soldiers. and a further sum to defray all necessary charges in getting the men mustered."
The following vote was passed April 6th. 1789 :
"Voted to accept the proposal of Azariah Ashley with regard to his being chosen collector, which are as follows, viz .:
"That he the said Ashley to collect all State and County taxes at the rate of six pr. et., and all town taxes at the rate of 4 pr et., and is to receive of the inhabitants in discharge of said taxes Good merchant- alle Beef. Pork, and good salable neat cattle, wheat. rye, Indian corn. peas or oats Provided those articles or any of them are delivered to him
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
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