USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 1 > Part 21
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39
5
Wm Smead
1.4
21
30
Jnº Hawks
13
1912
6 Jno Hinsdell
S
12
31
Eph Hinsdell
6
7
Tho Seldon
3
41/2
32
Jnº Sheldon
1812 27 14
8
Tho Allison
IO
15
33
Mr Sol Stoddard
22
33
9
Joshua Carter
I3
34
Wm Brooks
.1
10
Zach Field
I3
1912
35
Robert Price
1
1 1/2
11
James Brown
9
1312
36
Jos Gillet
912 1434 S 12
13
Tho Hurst
1
6
38
Godfre Nims
1.4
21
1.4
Daniel Belding
IO
I5
39
Peter Plimton
31/2
54
15
Jnº Broughton
7
1012
Tho Broughton
IO
15
16
Benj Barret
IO
I5
41
Tho Hunt
1312 2014
17
Mr Wm Williams
16
2.4
Sam" Northam
12
18
18
Benj Hastings
16
2.4
43
Simon Beaman
12
18
19
Jnº Catlin
16
24
44
Samson Frary
20
30
20
Mr Jnº Russell
1.4
21
45
llenry White
27
21
Daniel Weld
S 1/2
12 34
46
Edward Allen
5
71/2
22
Ltt Thomas Wells
30
45
47
Jnº Evans
1.4
21
2.4
Jonath Wells
16
2.4
49
Capt John Allis
25
Jonath Church
3 1/2
5.14
50
Timº Nash
Here it must be noted that he yt hath y" first in ye first Division hath also ye first lot in ye 2d division (which is according to ye order of y" Comittee) so he that lies next ye long hill in one of his divisions lies next or near Hatfield bounds in his other division All ye lots ly in this order except Capt Jnº Allis & Timº Nashes who were after- wards ordered and ya lie both divisions next hatfield bounds.
These divisions have been subsequently known as Long Hill East, and Long Hill West Divisions. There was record- ed at the same time-
A List of Wood Lots on the Mountain, the first Lot beginning at Deerfield River Laying along by the River side :-
No. of Lots. -
Godfre Nims
1.4
28
10
Siman Beamon
12
2.4
2
Thos Hurst
4
8
II
Mr Jnº Russell
14
28
3
Samson Frary
20
ot
12
Tho Broughton
IO
20
4
Eph Hinsdell
6
12
I3
Mr Sol Stoddard
22
44
5
Wm Smead
I4
28
14
Tho French
10
20
6
Tho Hunt
131/2
27
15
Benj Barret
IO
20
7
Ltt Thomas Wells
30
60
16
Sam" Hinsdell
12
2.1
S Tho Selden
3
6
17
Jno Hawks
13
26
9
Jos Selden
I3
26
IS
Daniel Belding
IO
20
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods.
Width of
No. of Lots.
mons.
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods. Width of
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods.
Breadth of
No. of Lots.
mons.
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods.
Breadth of
23
Mr John Williams
8
12
48
Tho French
IO
15
6
12
Richard Weller
6
9
37
Jno Stebbins
ot
mons.
mons.
209
VILLAGE STATECRAFT.
No. of Lots. 9
James Brown
9
IS
35
Henry White
IS
20
Col Jnº Pynchon
Jnº Sheldon
IS 1/2
37
21
Jnº Broughton
7
14
37
Jnº Evans
14
2S
22
Edward Allyn
5
JO
38
Mr Wm Williams
16
32
23
Tho Allison
IO
20
39
Elear Hawks
10
20
2.4
Jnº Hinsdell
S
16
40
Jonath Church
3 1/2
7
25
Joseph Barnard
16
32
42
Sam" Northam
I2
2.4
27
Benj Hastings
16
32
43
Joshua Carter
13
26
29
Benoni Stebbins
26
52
45
Jos Gillett
9 12
19
30
Jonath Wells
16
32
46
Rob Price
I
2
31
Petr Plimton
312
7
47
Daniel Weld
32
Zach Field
I3
26
48
Nath11 Sutlief
812 17
33
Tho Root
312
7
49
Capt Jnº Allis
34
Richard Weller
6
12
50
Timº Nash
The following are names of men not on the above list who are found on a meadow fence list, and must have been own- ers of land in the Meadows: John Allen's heirs, Mr. Daniel Allyn, Ephraim Beers, Joseph Bodman, Ebenezer Brooks, Barnabas Hinsdale's heirs, David Hoyt, Francis Keet, Heze- kiah Root, John Severance, Isaac Sheldon, John Weller.
Thomas Howard was also a resident, as appears by an "ear mark" recorded to him on the town records, but he held no land. By this list it appears that two only of those originally drawing commons in 1671, were now owners-John Pynchon and Samson Frary,-and in but one case, that of John Steb- bins, are descendants found holding the land. Further town action relating to wood lands, roads, meetinghouses, schools, rates, fences, meadows, &c., will appear under those respect- ive heads.
THE REVOLUTION OF 1688.
It is only through information gleaned from the old State manuscript archives that the history of this period can be given. Since the last recorded meeting of April, 1688, great changes had taken place in the aspect of affairs. The shad- ow of Indian hostilities had fallen across the valley. A rev- olution had swept the arbitrary Andros from the Governor's chair, and a provisional government had been established. In these events our town had been prominent; but on her records not the slightest indication appears that anything
mons.
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods.
Breadth of
mons.
No. of Com-
Lot-Rods.
Breadth of
No. of Lots.
Jnº Stebbins
26
Jnº Catlin
16
32
Mr Jnº Williams
S
16
28
Win Brooks
4
S
44
8 1%
17
38
36
210
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
unusual had occurred. The record of the following meeting is given as notable for what it does not contain or intimate :--
May 30th, 1689. Att a legal Town meeting in Deerfield Godfre Nims was chosen constable for the year ensuing until anothr be chosen & sworn,
Ltt Thomas Wells Mr John Catlin, Lieut Jonath Wells Sain11 Northam & Jos Barnard were chosen Townsmen for the year ensu- ing until others be chosen.
Daniel Belding & Martin Smith were fence viewrs for the North of ye common fence for the year ensuing.
Joseph Goddard and Joseph Bodman were chosen fence viewrs for the South part of the common fence for the year ensuing. Jnº Al- lyn Eliz' Hawks & James Brown were chosen serveies for ye year en- suing
Tho. French Jn" Stebbins & Sam" Cart' were chosen Haywards for ye year ensuing
Jonath Churches Home lot being forfited the town renewed his grant of sª Home lot provided he fulfil his former obligation and build a dwelling hous upon it within a twelve month from this 30th of May :
There was also granted to Robbart Alexander a hom-lot att Wap- ping or plumb tree playne (which lot was formerly given to Sam11 Hastings but is now forfited to the Town) he ye sd Alexander fulfill- ing ye obligations yt Sam11 Hastings was undr as to fenc & also to build a dwelling upon it within one year after the grant and dwell upon sª lot 3 years
Ebenezr & Nath11 Brooks had att ye same meeting ye grant of ye hom-lot renewed for one year they performing ye obligations as in ye formr grant. There being formerly a bargain between William Brooks deceased and the Inhabitants of Deerfield concerning his ye sd Brooks dwelling house whareby sd house became ye Towns propr estate Mary Brooks widow of sd Wm Brooks made application to the Town desiring yt they would grant or give unto her su dwell- ing house she relinquishing that benefit of choyce of lots which he had in recompenc for sd hous as may be seen in record of sd bargain.
That the widdow Brooks shall have and Injoy sd house as her own forever provided she take it away off from the Town Land or com- mon street att or before the last day of November 1689 but if sd house be not removed by the time prefixt then to return to the town according to first bargain voted in ye affirmative.
To those having the clue, the unsettled condition of the country might be discovered in the following action at a town meeting June 26th, 1689 :-
r
Considering the circumstances that the Town is att present und that Selectmen cannot be chosen amongst us every way according to Law without greatly burthening prticular prsons : the town have agreed yt ye Selectment chosen in May shall stand in ye place and office and the town do bind y"selvs to stand by ym in sd office and to obey all such acts and ordrs as sd Selectmen shall doe and put forth
211
DOWNFALL OF ANDROS.
for the good and benefit of the Town provided such acts and ord" shall not be repugnant to the Laws of this Jurisdiction Voted in ye affirmative
Further action at this meeting will be given hereafter. A few words on the political condition of the colony at this time are necessary to the understanding of our annals.
On the vacation of the charter, Dudley was made royal Governor in 1686. He was succeeded the next year by Sir Edmund Andros, who was put at the head- of all the New England colonies by the Catholic King James. Andros, be- ing tyrannical and oppressive in his administration, aroused much opposition. He was of French extraction, and there was a strong undercurrent of feeling that he favored the Roman Catholics, and was intriguing to transfer these col- onies to French dominion. He had been unpopular in New England during Philip's War. His Indian policy seemed to be adverse to their interests, and never more so than now. He was aware of this feeling, and at this date, he was making a progress through New England looking after his political interests, but ostensibly, "to prevent a second Indian war." He was at Hadley about October 15th, where he had a meet- ing with town officers, Committees of the Plantations, officers of the militia, &c. From Boston, he issued orders on the Ist of November, that ten companies of sixty men each be raised as " standing forces * for the defense of the country against the Indians, &c.," and sent out commissions for the officers. Pynchon was made a colonel, to command in the valley, and Aaron Cook, major. Thus he formed a standing army under his direct command. However, it failed him in his hour of need.
News reached Boston about April 12th, 1689, that the Prince of Orange had landed in England. On the 18th, An- dros was seized by the people and imprisoned, with his prin- cipal adherents. The government was assumed by a Com- mittee of Safety, which on the 2d of May issued a call for the towns to choose representatives to meet in Boston on the 9th. A few men only gathered on this short notice, and little was done besides appointing a fast on the 16th, and issuing anoth- er call for representatives of the people to meet on the 22d.
There is no record of any meeting here in response to this call. The people, however, were ripe for revolt, and the Se-
212
PERMANENT SETTTLEMENT.
lectmen stepped at once to the front, assuming the grave re- sponsibility. A paper found in the manuscript archives of the State, tells a story of which there is no hint in the town records :-
Deerfield, May 17, 1689.
We the Town of Deerfield, complying with the desire of the pres- ent Counsell of Safety, to choose one among us as a representative to send down to signify our minds and concurance with the Counsell for establishing of the government, have chosen and deputed Lieu- tenant Thomas Wells, and signified to him our minds for the proceed- ing to the settlement of the government, as hath been signified to us, from the Honorable Counsell of Safety, and those other repre- sentatives.
JOHN SHELDON, BENJ. HASTINGS, BENONI STEBBINS, THOMAS FRENCH, Selectmen.
All honor to these patriotic men who took this post of dan- ger, especially Lieut. Wells, who held his commission-now to be seen in Memorial Hall-under the hand of Andros him- self. A failure of the revolution meant for him, a court mar- tial, and the penalty of treason, at the hands of the vindictive Governor, and punishment for all concerned. The names of the first two Selectmen do not appear on this certificate of election or appointment, but there is no evidence of a divided sentiment here, unless it is found in the fact that an entirely new board of Selectmen was chosen at a town meeting on the 30th. It is more likely, however, that that was part of the policy of the town. Even the prying eyes of Edward Randolph himself could find no treason in the record of this meeting, or in the diplomatic vote of June 26th, already giv- en. Shrewd men were managing affairs here at this crisis. Another of the unrecorded transactions, found in the State Archives, shows the real object of the June meeting. Should the revolution fail, the following paper, like the Wells cer- tificate, would be in safe hands. The representatives met on the 22d of May, and on the 24th chose Simon Bradstreet, then 86 years old, for Governor.
June 26, 1689, -To the Governor and Council of the Massachu- setts Colony for the safety of the people and conservation of the peace : Right Honorable, in pursuance to an order bearing date June 14, for the nomination of Military officers, the town of Deerfield be- ing convened according to the above sd order, have made a full and
213
LIEUT. THOMAS WELLS BEFORE ANDROSS.
free voat for nomination of Thomas Wells for lieutenant and David Hoyt for ensign bearer. JOSEPH BARNARD, Clerk.
Bradstreet held his office until May 14th, 1692, when Phipps, who was appointed by the King under the second charter, succeeded him.
The second topic passed by in silence at the meeting of May 30th, 1689, was the Indian raid from Canada. Indians had occasionally visited the English settlements, and min- gled to some extent with the inhabitants, and it was no re- markable thing, when on the evening of July 24th, 1688, fif- teen Indians came to lodge at the house of Lieut. Thomas Wells. Part of them, it proved, belonged to a war party sent out from Canada, by Gov. De Nonville in time of peace. They had orders, it appears, to take no prisoners, with a promise of ten beavers for each scalp taken. Part of the story is told by Wells in an affidavit made Oct. 15th, 1688. A full account of the raid may be found in Temple & Sheldon's history of Northfield :- -
The examination of Thomas Wells, aged thirty-six years or there- abouts, taken Oct. 15, 1688,
This examint sayth, that about the Latter end of July, there came by water to his house fifteen Indians, who after he had some discourse with, he understood that eight of them were formerly North Indians, but now livd neere Albany, & had been out with ye Maquas, & in their way home came to these parts to hunt. That four more were lykewise North Indians [in other depositions these 12 Indians are called Scaghooks] whom ye eight overtook a hunting ; & that ye other three were part of eleven Indians, formerly North Indians, but now lived amongst ye ffrench, & came in pursuit of ye sd eight Indi- ans, whom together they overtook. That ye Capt or ye chiefe of ye sd eleven Indians, was called Wahacoet, who not suffering his party to fall on ye eight Indians when they met them, eight of his company were displeased thereat & left him; & he and two others, were ye three that came with ye other twelve Indians to Deerfield. That all ye sd 15 Indians staid one night at this examin''s house ; that ye next morning ye sd eight Indians went by land from Deerfield intend- ing for Hatfield, & desired ye sd Wahacoet and ye other two Indians to go with them, wch he refused, but said he would come to them by & by. Soon after ye sd four Indians likewise intending for Hatfield, by water, asked ye sd Wahacoet and ye sd two Indians, to goe with them, but he likewise refused, but sayd as before yt he would come to them by & by. That soone after the sd twelve Indians were gone, Wahacoet and the two Indians went away by water, and told this examint that he was going for Hatfield, & from thence to Boston. That ye next morning all ye sd 8 Indians, and three of ye four Indi- ans came again to Deerfield to this Examin''s house, & finding that
214
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
Wahacoet & ye two others were gone, & not come to them att Hat- field, as they promised, one Camaghtroett who was Capt or chiefe of ye sd eight Indians, told this exiant in ye Indian language, which he well understood, that ye sd eleven Indians were Rogues, & that he feared they were gone to doe mischiefe ; and that they would have done mischiefe at Northfield as they came down the River, had not they been in company with them; & that the said Wahacoet that told him that they were sent out by the French, & had orders to kill English, Indians, Dutch, & Maquas, and that he should bring noe English captives, but only their scalps; & advised the English Inhabi- tants to be Careful of themselves. That ab' three Days after, this ex- aminant heard that five Indians were killed, & others taken, at Spec- tacle Pond, neere Springfield; & ab' three weeks after, that three men two women & a girl were murdered by Indiens at Northfield, wch this examint veryly believes was done by the sd eleven Indians. & further sayth not. Sworne the 15 October 1688 before me
THOMAS WELLS
E RANDOLPH
The five Indians were killed July 27th. Pynchon at once sent posts to the towns above and below, scouts in search of the marauders, and a party to bury the slain. A few days later, strange Indians were seen about Northfield. Micah Mudge and others went out in search of them, and found them camped in the woods. Mudge found Wahacoet, and Cungowasco, with whom he was well acquainted, and others whom he knew to be "North Indians," formerly belonging to these parts. Mudge "told them that there was peace be- tween the Kings of England and France, which Wahacoet replied he knew well enough and promised yt next morning to come in to Northfield, which they did not."
These motions of the Indians caused excitement and alarm in the river towns. August 6th, Pynchon left Springfield for Northfield with six men; he picked up twenty-four more on the way, arriving there on the 11th. After repairing the fort, and scouting a few days in the woods, Pynchon returned, leaving a small garrison at Northfield. No more Indians were seen, and the alarm subsided. The Indians summoned from Connecticut were sent home. This quiet was soon in- terrupted. Pynchon writes Aug. 16th, 1688 :-
By post from Northfield, I hear the Indians have killed 5 persons there, and were at the upper end of the town when the messengers came away. Samuel Janes and Josiah Marshfield brought the news. Thomas Powell was sent post to Quaboag, Sam'l Thomas to West- field, and Jonathan Morgan to Hartford, with the news.
The next day, Lieut. Colton with sixteen men from Spring-
215
SETTLEMENT AT WAPPING.
field, Lieut. Taylor, with thirty-four men "from the upper Towns, with horses," went to Northfield. Pynchon sent to Connecticut for thirty or forty Indians, but as only ten came up they were dismissed.
The consternation at Brookfield was such that the town was about to be abandoned. On the 19th, Pynchon sent six men " to bring off such women as desired to come away," but with a command to the men for "their continuance there." August 21st, a small garrison was sent to Northfield, and about a week later, Sergt. Bigelow, with fifteen men, joined it and remained until Oct. 9th. Capt. Jonathan Bull, and fifty-one men, left Hartford November 9th, for Northfield, where they remained until after the imprisonment of Andros. This was one of the companies raised under his order of No- vember Ist, and was sent by him to Northfield. He com- plained to the King of their desertion of his government ; but Andros was then powerless for harm, and nothing came of it. By the same authority, and at the same time, Warham Math- er was sent to Northfield as their minister for six months. Small garrisons were kept there through the summer of 1689, and probably during the following winter, but in the spring of 1690 Northfield was deserted a second time, and Deerfield again became the frontier town.
It seems that a few Indians still lingered in the valley, subject to the English, and in view of the late raid from Canada the General Court passed the following order :-
Mch 20, 1689, for the better settling the Inds belonging to Hamp- shire, John Pinchon, Esq., is requested and hereby empowered to dispose said Inds to such place or places for their abode as may pre- vent their being exposed to danger, & with such limitations & direc- tions as may be least disquiet to the English, the Inds to have warn- ing yt they exceed not the limits appropriated ym upon their ut- termost peril.
Wapping-1685-90. Grants of home lots were not confined to the Town Plat. A street was early laid out at Plumbtree Playne,-as Wapping was called until 1689,-where, August 1685, home lots were granted to Benj. Barrett and James Brown ; and soon after, to Thomas Broughton, Benjamin and Samuel Hastings, John and Benoni Stebbins, Benjamin and Jonathan Church, Joseph Bodman, Ebenezer and Nathaniel Brooks, Robert Alexander, Martin Smith, Ephraim Beers,
216
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
Joseph Gillett and Thomas Hurst. These grants were gen- erally made on condition of being built upon within a year, and maintaining all abutting meadow fence. This little band consisted of young men, nearly all with wives and young children, seeking a permanent home in this fertile valley. Their social relations were intimate, being closely connected by blood or marriage. The Brookses were broth- ers, and Benoni Stebbins their brother-in-law. The Stebbinses were brothers, while John was brother-in-law to Alexander and Barrett, and the latter, brother-in-law to Benjamin Hast- ings. Barrett married a sister of Alexander ; the Churches were probably brothers, and brothers-in-law to Samuel Hast- ings. The wives of Bodman and Gillett had brothers in the Town Street. This harmonious little community faced cheer- fully the hardships of a new settlement. It was a time of peace, and no fears of the Indian disturbed their labors. 'That they were prosperous, and growing independent, with separate herds of cattle, is shown by the following vote, which is all the reference found as to their estate or financial condition :-
June 26 1689, att the desire of the people at Wapping : it is agreed yt so long as sª Wapping people keep and maintain a good and suffi- cient Bull among themselves and let him run att liberty on the com- mon : yª shall be freed from any charges in ye Town as to hiring or buying of bulls :
The rough hand of war soon after scattered this happy family. In 1690 Alexander and Jonathan Church fell in the service. Barrett and Benjamin Church died the same year. Broughton was slain and Smith captured in 1693. The latter, and Benoni Stebbins were killed, and John Stebbins cap- tured, in 1704. Bodman, Brown, Beers, Gillet and Samuel Hastings, disappear from the scene. The Brookses, Benja- min Hastings and John Stebbins became permanent residents in the Town Street. It was many years before Wapping was again occupied as a dwelling place.
Green River-1686-90. While landless new comers were being provided for at Wapping, another colony was settling at Green river. The present Main street of Greenfield was selected as a site for the houses of those who had grants of meadow land on the river. The Town Measurers laid out twenty home lots, of four acres each. These were to be
217
SETTLEMENT AT GREEN RIVER.
drawn by lot for actual settlers, except that William Brooks had " liberty to take his two lots together %
% * at what place he should choose in sª tract" in consideration of his giving " to ye Inhabitants aforsd (in recopense for that benifit or priviledge) his dwelling hous yt stands in the Town Street in Deerfield."
The numbering of the lots began at the west end, and they were drawn as follows. On the south side: No. 1, Eb- enezer Wells; 2, David Hoyt ; 3 and 4, selected by Brooks ; 5, Edward Allen. This came up to Arms's corner. On the north side: No. 1, Samuel Smead; 2, the mill lot ; 3, Joseph Goddard ; 4, Robert Goddard ; 5, John Severance ; 6 Jeremiah Hull; 7, John Allen, which came about to Pond's block. No others were located at this time. Home lots were afterwards granted to Robert Poag, Nathaniel Cooke, Nathaniel Brooks, John Williams, Philip Mattoon and Samuel Beaman. How many of these men actually built on their lots cannot be told. The same cause which broke up Wapping also scattered this plantation. The heirs of David Hoyt sold his lot to Roger Newton in 1776. The first house built in Greenfield, so far as known, was that of Joshua Pomroy, referred to in the fol- lowing vote :-
Feb. 5, 1686-7, There was granted to Joshua Pumry esteemed 7 acres be it more or less, lying on the back side of his now dwelling house bounded by the Green river [torn, ] by ye brow of the hill east, by a little brook west which peice of land sd Joshua Pumry is to have in exchange with ye Town for four acres of land formerly given him by the Town : lying on the plain called ye little plain :
This gift was in 1682. He had probably lived on the Town Street, but followed, or led, the colony to Green river.
The land along Green river was doubtless clear of forest, as it was called "meadows" from the first. Its west bound was called "the swamp." Lots were granted here to all who have been named as having house lots except David Hoyt, (who had bought a grant of thirty-six acres, laid out to Sergeant Plympton,) John Severance, Nathaniel Cooke and Thomas Broughton. These lots contained twenty acres each, running from Green river to the west line of the town. Wm. Brooks's grant was to join Stockwell's, which he had bought. This may explain his right to two home lots. All grants on Green river were on condition of "paying part of the Indian
218
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.
purchase money," paying yearly rates, and sometimes a per- sonal occupation of three years. Unless Sachem Chaque's deed covered this territory there is no "Indian purchase" known.
On the destruction of Schenectady the settlers retired to the shelter of the fortifications at the Town Street, and not a single one occupied his lands permanently. The Goddards, Cooke, Poag and Beaman no longer appear. Wm. Brooks died in 1688, Hull in 1691, Broughton was killed in 1693, Sev- erance went to Connecticut in 1702, John Allen, Hoyt and Mattoon fell in 1704. Wells retired to Hatfield ; his children and those of the Allens, Severance and Nathaniel Brooks, subsequently occupied their fathers' lands. Edward Allen, Jr., lived, died and was buried on home lot No. 5, given to his father. On this lot was the old graveyard for the early dead of Greenfield. Here they rested in quiet until 1881, when, in order to lay out the cheapest highway to the rail- road station, the mercenary vandalism of Greenfield obliter- ated every vestige of this God's acre.
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