USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 2 > Part 14
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806
MINISTERIAL AND MUNICIPAL.
Edgar Buckingham, A. B., son of Joseph T., was born at Boston, Aug. 29th, 1812. He graduated at Harvard in 1831, and was the principal of Northfield Academy, 1831-32 ; grad- uated at Cambridge Divinity school, 1835 ; settled minister at Dover, N. H,, 1835 ; in Trenton, N. Y., 1840; in Troy, N. Y., 1853; and Deerfield in 1868. He married, June 5th, 1835, Sally Ann Hart. Mr. Buckingham was a voluminous writer for newspapers and magazines. He was an carly advocate of the abolition of slavery, especially in an oration delivered July 4th, 1842. This was printed, as have been several of his sermons. Of the Unitarian denomination, but maintained the view that "the religion of Jesus Christ consists in obedi- ence to God, unconnected with sectarian opinions." He had an active, ingenious mind and scholarly culture. He died 1894.
The Orthodox Society. Oct. Ist, 1838, a portion of the First Congregational Society organized a new body under the title of the "Orthodox Society." A church of the seceders had been formed June 2d, 1835. In 1838 a meetinghouse was built on Memorial Lane, the frame being raised July 12th. The first stated supply for the pulpit of this society was Rev. Pomeroy Belden. He was born in 1811 ; son of Aaron of Whately : graduated at Amherst in 1833; from Andover Theological Seminary in 1836. He was ordained evangelist Aug. 8th, 1837. Installed at Deerfield, 1837; dismissed 1842 ; installed the same year at Amherst, where he died in office March 2d, 1849. He married, in 1836, Louisa Tenny of Gill; (2d) 1841, Miranda Smith of Hadley.
Rev. Henry Seymour, son of Horace of Hadley, was born in 1816; graduated from Amherst in 1838; and the Union Theological Seminary in New York, in 1842. He married, in 1844, Laura I. Fisk of Shelburne; (2d) 1851, Sophia Williams of Ashfield. Settled pastor at Deerfield, March 1, 1843; dis- missed March 14th, 1849; settled at Hawley, Oct. 3d, 1849, where he is still in charge.
Rev. Alfred E. Ives was born in New Haven in 1809; grad- uated at Yale in 1837; studied theology at New Haven ; pas- tor at Colebrook in 1838-48; settled here Sept. 5th, 1849 ; dis- missed in 1855 ; removed to Castine, Me.
Rev. Robert Crawford, D. D., was born in Paisley, Scot- land, in 1804; came with his father to Canada in 1821. After
807
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
a few years of frontier life in the woods, he became an opera- tive in a cotton-mill at Hoosick Falls, N. Y., in 1826. After three years there, and two or three more in a mill at Ben- nington, Vt., he entered Williams College, graduating in 1836; was a year or two tutor there. He studied theology at Princeton, N. J., and at the Union Theological Seminary, and was ordained pastor at North Adams, Aug. 20th, 1840. He married, Sept. 30th, 1840, Ellen M., daughter of President Griffin of Williams College. Jan. 13th, 1858, he was installed in Deerfield, where he still remains an example to his fel- lows and an honor to the town. He received the honor- ary degree of D. D. from Jefferson College in 1858; he was State Senator in 1863.
Sccond Congregational Society at Bloody Brook. Rev. Ben- jamin Rice, the first pastor, was born in Sturbridge, in 1784 ; graduate of Brown University in 1808; at Andover Theolog- ical Seminary 1811 ; pastor at Skeneateles, 1813-17, was in- stalled here Feb. 10th, 1819; dismissed Dec. 29th, 1826 *. Pastor at Glocester, Me., 1828-35 ; at Buxton, Me., 1835 -- 42 ; preached at Winchendon, Mass., 1843-46. Mr. Rice married Harriet Barrett of Sharon, Conn .; (2d) Almira Whipple of Charlton ; (3d) Lucy Whitney of Winchendon. He died July 12th, 1847
Tertius S. Clarke was born in Westhampton in 1799; grad- nated from Yale in 1824; studied theology at Auburn; or- dained here Oct. 3d, 1827 ; dismissed April ist, 1833 ; pastor at Haddam, Conn., 1835-37; at Stockbridge, 1837-50; at Penn Yan, N. Y., 1850-53; at Franklin, N. Y., 1853; D. D., Hamil- ton College, 1856.
Rev. William M. Richards was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1805; graduated from Williams College in 1832; studied theology at Auburn; ordained at Bloody Brook, Nov. 25th, 1835; dismissed Sept. 6th, 1843; pastor at Norwich, N. Y., 1844-45 ; at Oxford, N. Y., 1846; at Hamilton, N. Y., 1847-50; at Morrisville, N. Y., 1850-52; removed to Waukegan, Ill., 1852.
Rev. Abraham Jackson was born in Carver in 1793; grad- nated from Bangor Theological Seminary; ordained pastor at Machias, Me., 1821 ; dismissed 1834; pastor at Kingston,
*** 1825, April 12th, Priest Rice's house raised." Diary of Rufus Rice.
808
MINISTERIAL AND MUNICIPAL.
1834; at Walpole, N. H., 1838-45 ; installed at Bloody Brook, Oct. 22d, 1845 ; dismissed 1847 ; preached a year or two at Machias, and until 1852 at Quechee, Vt., and after that at Windsor, Vt. He became a Unitarian after leaving here, and was at Waverly, Iowa, in 1872.
Rev. Moses K. Cross was born in Danvers in 1812; grad- uated from Amherst in 1838, and from the Theological school of Andover; ordained pastor at Palmer in 1842; dis- missed 1849; installed pastor here, Sept. 4th, 1850.
Rev. Perkins K. Clark graduated at Yale in 1838, where he was tutor; installed at Bloody Brook June 29th, 1859; dis- missed Sept. 26th, 1865.
Rev. Edward O. Bartlett, chaplain in the war of the Rebel- lion ; installed Jan. 17th, 1867 ; dismissed in 1868; settled in Providence, and was successor of Dr. Todd at Pittsfield ; now pastor at Lynnfield.
Rev. Simeon Miller came from the First Church in Hol- yoke : installed April 13th, 1870; dismissed 1872.
Rev. Charles S. Brooks graduated at Amherst in 1863; in- stalled Jan. 14th, 1873; dismissed April 17th, 1877 ; now set- tled pastor in Putnam, Ct.
Rev. Spencer R. Brownell graduated at Amherst in 1872 ; teacher in Japan several years ; ordained tenth pastor of this church, July 2d, 1878.
Monument Church. A serious difficulty arising in the com- munity at Bloody Brook, a party scceded from the Second Church, built a meetinghouse in 1848, and organized the " Monument Church," Jan. 25th, 1849.
Rev. David A. Strong was born at Haddam, Ct., in 1820; graduated at Williams in 1845; at the Theological Institute of Windsor, Ct., in 1843; was ordained first pastor March 21st, 1849. This church reunited with the Second Church, Sept. 26th, 1865, and Mr. Strong was dismissed. He was a representative to the General Court from District No. 4 in 1 866.
The Methodist Society at Bloody Brook was organized in 1843, and built a meetinghouse in 1848. Dedication sermon by Rev. Mr. Raymond of Wilbraham. First pastor, Rev. Francis Griswold. Following him were C. A. Perry, John Smith, 1849; Wm. F. LaCount, 1851; Wm. H. Hubbard, 1853; Randall Mitchell, 1854; David Todd, 1855 ; E. A. Standish,
809
THE BAPTIST CHURCHI.
1856; - Carpenter, 1857; M. D. Herrick, 1860; R. Gerrish, 1861 ; O. W. Adams, 1862; J. M. Clark, 1866; J. Cadwell, 1868; Andrew Baylies, 1870; (Mrs. Mary J., his wife, married Oct. 9th, 1857, died at Bloody Brook, July 9th, 1871); N. M. D. Granger, 1873; N. J. Merrill, 1875 ; C. E. Seaver, 1876; A. R. Nichols, 1879; H. G. Buckingham, 1880; S. A. Bragg, 1882; J. J. Woodbury, 1884; H. G. Clark, 1885.
The Baptist Church of Shelburne and Deerfield was organized Feb. 26th, 1787. Deacon Daniel Long was called to the pas- toral office, Aug. 27th, 1791, and was ordained at his own house in Shelburne, Sept. 19th, 1792. He was a faithful min- ister of this church until his death, May 31st, 1831. In 1794 the question of building a meetinghouse began to be agitated. Before 1806 one had been partly built, and perhaps finished. In 1809 it was agreed to build a meetinghouse between Elder Long's and Aaron Hawks's. The same year the Deerfield part of the society agreed to build a meetinghouse in Wis- dom. This was finished in 1810. On the death of Elder Long the Shelburne people withdrew, and the church was reorgan- ized in Wisdom, under the title of the "First Baptist Society in Deerfield." Some trouble arising, a party seceded and formed the "Second Baptist Society in Deerfield." Nov. 25th, 1823, this society took the name of the "Long Baptist Society of Deerfield." Feb. 20th, 1834, the "First Baptist Church in Deerfield," was dissolved by a majority of one vote, and the minority applied to the church of Sunderland to be organized as a branch of that church. A council met June, 1834, which decided that the church was not dissolved, and could not be by a simple vote. The trouble continuing, a second council, Aug 27th, advised the aggrieved members to ask for letters of dismissal.
Orra Martin, who was the first minister of this church, was succeeded in 1837 by W. H. Dalrymple. Edward Hale was the minister 1841-5, when Geo. W. Bills was settled ; Milo Frary and W. A. Pease supplied at times. Of late there has been no regular preaching. The "Long Baptist Society" was supplied by Tristram Aldrich for about seven or eight years, when the two societies reunited.
The Roman Catholic church at Bloody Brook was organ- ized in 1871. It occupies the building erected by the " Mon- ument Society " in 1848.
CHAPTER XXVI.
POLITICAL-WAR OF 1812-ANTI-MASONRY-ANTI-SLAVERY.
Little will be said of the political parties in the town, but the vote for governor for forty-eight years, given below, will show that Deerfield was generally with the dominant party; when otherwise, the name of the successful candidate is first given :-
Year.
Candidates.
Total Vote. Year.
Candidates.
Total Vote.
1781
John Hancock
21
1798
Increase Sumner
21
1782
1.4
1799
Increase Sumner
45
James Bowdoin
I
1800
Caleb Strong
99
Nath'l Graham
4
Theodore Sedgwick
1
178.4
John Hancock
3
ISO1
Caleb Strong
166
James Bowdoin
13
Ed H. Robbins
1
Nath'l Graham
5
1802
Caleb Strong .6
214
1785
James Bowdoin
29
1803
192
Thomas Cushing
3
Elbridge Gerry
1
Benj. Lincoln
1
180.4
Caleb Strong
178
1786
James Bowdoin
23
1805
255
John Worthington
I
3
1787
John Hancock
31
James Sullivan
6
James Bowdoin
31
1807
17
Benj. Lincoln
I
Caleb Strong
214
1788
John Hancock
38
Solomon Smead
I
Elbridge Gerry
S
I SOS
James Sullivan
16
178c
John Hancock
12
Christopher Gore
213
James Bowdoin
23
1809
Christopher Gore
216
1790
John Hancock
44
Levi Lincoln
()
James Bowdoin
IS
1810
Elbridge Gerry
15
1791
John Hancock
25
Christopher Gore
261
Thomas Russell
1
Elbridge Gerry
16
Christopher Gore
216
1792
John Hancock
1(
1812
Caleb Strong
217
Azor Orne
II
Elbridge Gerry
20
1793
John Hancock
33
1813
Caleb Strong
315
Elbridge Gerry
3
ISI4
301
1794
Samuel Adams
1
1815
201
William Cushing
35
1816
28=
Elbridge Gerry
1
181S
208
1795
Samuel Adams
27
1820
..
178
1796
Samuel Adams
4
1821
141
Increase Sumner
32
1822
1707
Increase Sumner
39
1823
00
James Sullivan
Harrison Gray Otis
181
Moses Gill
1
182.
William Eustice
..
..
189
William Cushing
1
1817
.4
.4
243
James Sullivan
..
. .
John Brooks
Benj. Lincoln
I
Caleb Strong
2.41
Nath'l Graham
1
1 806
James Sullivan
1
1783
James Sullivan
174
William Eustice
2
811
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
Year. Candidates.
Total Vote. Year.
Candidates.
Total Vote.
Samuel Lothrop
183
William C. Jarvis
3
1825
Levi Lincoln
IO3
Elihu Hoyt 2
1826
18
IS28
Levi Lincoln
55
Samuel Hubbard
61
? Jackson
34
William Sullivan
23
Lewis Strong
S
Samuel C. Allen
2
Elihu Hoyt
I
1827
Levi Lincoln
62
Political. During the formative period following the peace of 1783, this town did not take an active part in political af- fairs, but she was in full accord with Washington and Adams, and those favoring a close federation of the states and the constitution finally adopted. Gratefully remembering the aid rendered by France in the critical time of the Revolu- tion, our people were now in sympathy with those who had thrown off the fetters of monarchy and declared France a republic. This feeling was clearly shown in a 4th of July celebration in 1794, a part of a contemporary report of which is given below :-
Yesterday a number of patriotic citizens of this and the adjacent towns assembled at Samuel Barnards Esq, and formed in procession precisely at 12 o'clock; and at the discharge of the federal salute, the procession moved by a circuitous march to the meetinghouse, in the following order :-
Two Sergeants with advanced arms Musick Detatchment of Artillery with a field piece and standard Master of Ceremonies Clergey Selectmen Citizens Military officers
A well adapted energetic discourse was delivered by the Rev. John Taylor; after which, the procession moved by a retrograde march to Samuel Barnards Esq and mutually congratulated each other on the auspicious day. The company repaired to Citizen Consider Dickinson's and partook of a decent repast. After dining the following toasts were given :-
I £ The day-The glorious anniversary of our INDEPENDENCE; May we annually celebrate the freedom of Empires.
2 Our illustrious PRESIDENT-May his wisdom convey us safely thro' the present as well as former tempests.
3 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts- May the purity and frequency of our elections preclude the necessity of Popular Socie- ties.
4 The American Republic-May she shun the rocks on which former republics have been dashed, and never want heroes to de- fend her rights. (A song)
812
POLITICAL-WAR OF IS12.
5. May the terms TYRANNY and SLAVERY soon become sounds without ideas.
6 The RIGHTS OF MEN-May they be universally known and vindicated.
7. No European tincture in American Politics.
8. May America rightly know and estimate her privileges.
9. An adequate compensation to the VIRTUOUS MALITIA of Mas- sachusetts-(a song)
10. The Military Art-May its professors continue the asserters and defenders of our rights.
11. May the soil of America ever prove unpropitious to the seeds of ARRISTOCRACV.
I 2 The Slave Trade-May its advocates be taught its use in an ALGIRINE School (Drum and fifes-a cheer)
13. Agriculture, Arts, and Science-(a song)
4 The brave FAYETTE-May he ere long reap the rich crop of Liberty, sown by his patriotic exertions in America.
5 The fair Daughters of Columbia-May their virtues heighten the enjoyments of freedom, and soften the misfortunes of life.
The remainder of the day was spent in decent hilarity; each eye sparkled with joy while strains of gratitude poured from every tongue !- not like the strains which monarchs' ears salute-they were the generous effusions of hearts warm with the love of their Country, and rejoicing with the emancipation of this and our sister republic FRANCE.
Two years later, July 4th, 1796, there was a similar gath- ering at the meetinghouse to listen to a "very patriotic and well adapted prayer by Rev. Roger Newton of Greenfield, and a nervous and patriotic oration by Rev. John Taylor," after which the company " repaired to the festive board, and partook of convivial entertainment and drank a number of toasts." In 1798 the day was celebrated in a similar manner, Taylor was again the orator and gave an address big with the spirit of the times. This was emphatically an "Adams and Liberty " celebration.
When political parties became organized under the admin- istration of John Adams, Deerfield became a "Federal " town, being opposed to the " Democratic Republican" party, under Thomas Jefferson. The Federalists dominated the town un- til the close of the war of 1812, when in the "era of good feeling " which followed the settlement of great military and political questions, old parties became extinct. The princi- pal elements of this party, however, gathered again, about 1828, as the "Whig" party. In the next great contest for freedom the Whigs were generally absorbed in the " Repub- lican " party of to-day. The " Democratic Republican " party
813
PARTY NAMES.
soon dropped the Democratic half of its name, and as the " Republican " party under the lead of Jefferson, soon got control of the general government and held the reins until after the war of 1812. Its elements were gradually collected and about 1828 the name of " Democratic " was adopted by a party which still bears the name.
As will be seen by the foregoing table of votes, Deerfield did not engage earnestly in party politics until the Republi- cans, who followed Jefferson, were doing all in their power to involve the United States in a war with the Continental powers, as an ally of France. With Republicanism merged in despotism in that unhappy land, the sympathy of our peo- ple had been smothered in hatred of the new oppressors ; and the opposition to the Rupublican party was united at the polls, almost to a man. The Federal vote jumped in two years from forty-five to two hundred and fourteen, while the Re- publican party mustered one vote. The average vote of this later party for the sixteen years it was in power was a trifle over 6. For six of these years not a Republican vote was cast.
The warning of Washington against entangling alliances with foreign powers seems to have been a strong factor in the political action of Deerfield. For the first decade under the constitution the total average annual vote for governor was 31.7 ; and for the second decade only 42. For the first sixteen years of the century the average vote was 242.6.
Before me lies a letter written in one of those periods, fa- miliar to old men: " A crisis in the affairs of the country." We smile as we read the customary statement that, "on the result of this election, as on that of no other since the govern- ment was founded, does the life of the nation depend." The letter is from Capt. David Hoyt, Jr., tavern-keeper, to Jona- than McGee of Colrain. He tells him "the Indefatigable In- dustry of those People who are unfriendly to the Federal In- terest, is perhaps without a paralel. Every Art is used to de- lude the People, to draw off their Affections from those who have faithfully served out their lives in their Country's cause." Every measure of the former administration is repre- sented to have been "actuated by designing and selfish views." He sends the news just received, that, "the French nation has demanded-observe the Term DEMANDED-a Loan of
814
POLITICAL-WAR OF 1812.
Six MILLIONS of Dollars of the United States. Should Mr. Jef- ferson get Mr. Gerry appointed Governor of this Common- wealth -X
** * would he not use his interest to obtain a Land Tax to procure the money for his dear Friends?"
He writes Colrain to pool issues in the coming race.
We shall be on the turf at one o'clock P. M. with our Horse the Swiftsure. He is rather below the common size, we are sensible, but sure footed as he is, we risk him * * * We mean to use ev- ery exertion in our power, (consistent with constitutional right) to train our steed in the best manner.
This was written a few days before the election of 1802. Result of vote in Deerfield, 214 to o.
At one time there was a serious scare for fear of France. It was expected that Napoleon would turn his victorious armies this way, and that he would be made welcome by Jef- ferson and the Republicans. The dread of the usurper brood- ed like a nightmare over the land. Personified evil would be a civil name compared to those given him. He was a bogie to frighten naughty children and rouse the Federals to new activity. A census of men liable to military duty was taken in 1806. An official blank of enquiry left at one house was returned with the following statement :-
" Not a male in my house, excepting a mouse, To repell the bold Corsican foe ; But when times are so bad, that men cannot be had I, a spinster, will willingly go."
If taken seriously, as expressing the feeling of the con- munity at this time, the above would not have been far out of the way. In 1807 a new professorship was established in Deerfield Academy. It was for teaching, as we learn from a prospectus the,-
Theoretical and Practical Art of War, viz .: tactics according to Steuben and Dundas. * * * Practical Geometry on the Ground; Elements of Fortifications, and the constructions of small works in the Field; Elements of Gunnery; Topography; military History; Partisan war, or war of Posts; * These subjects will be under the direction of Maj. Hoyt, Brigade Inspector. * * * It is believed that the Present Critical Situation of our Country will induce young men to qualify themselves for an honorable defence against every hostile attack on their native land and lay a founda- tion for Military Glory.
Hosea Hildreth was principal of the academy at this time
815
DEERFIELD FEELS A RESPONSIBILITY.
and was living in the Dr. Willard house where his son Rich- ard, the historian, was born, June 28th.
1808. In spite of the Deerfield vote of 203 to 16, against him, Madison, the Republican candidate, was chosen presi- dent. The war fever ran higher and higher. At the town meeting, April 4th, the first article in the warrant was :-
To hear the addresses from the selectmen of the Town of North- ampton to the Selectmen of this Town relating to the present dis- tracted condition of our National concerns, and to determine wheth- er any, and if any, what measures ought to be adopted by the Town respecting the same.
A committee of five was chosen to give the matter proper consideration. It is clear that our fathers, while adhering to that party which held extreme Federal views, believed this to be a government of the people, for the people, and by the people, and were alive to the responsibility thereby laid up- on them, and that they never shirked the imposed duties.
July 13th, the town bought a new supply of military stores. Sept. ist, the town voted that,-
John Williams Esq, Ephraim Williams Esq and Mr. Pliny Arms, be a Committee to draught and prepare a Petition in behalf the Town, to the President of the United States, praying him to suspend either wholly or in part, the Embargo Laws, or if he have doubt as to the Sufficiency of his power for that purpose, to request him to call Congress together as soon as possible.
Can it be that this action gave the president courage to modify the Embargo act in some of its features most offen- sive to New England, in spite of the fact that Sunderland, about the same time, sent him an address in favor of the ob- noxious act?
ISHI. This year occurred the great fire in Newburyport, and " Deerfield people were moved to take up a contribution, in aid of the sufferers, and there was raised $94.40."
War of Impressment. During the trying times of the polit- ical disturbance, business seems to have been stimulated in every direction and the substantial fruits of a free govern- ment were abundantly gathered. There was a marked in- crease in one of the most important productions, and the year 1812 proved to be unusually prolific. Mrs. Joanna Smith Wil- liams, " Aunt Anne," made a party at her home, now "Frary House," at which she gathered twenty-four mothers, each
816
POLITICAL-WAR OF 1812.
with a baby born within the year. Nearly all of these were of the old Town Street. This was a notable party, and I will give the names of the younger moiety.
Catherine Elizabeth Bardwell
James Taylor Saxion
Lester Bardwell
Arabella Stebbins Sheldon
Clarinda Caroline Barnard
David Sheldon
Sally Jenks Barnard
George Washington Smith
Seth Catlin
Dennis Stebbins
Franklin Childs
Frances Stebbins
Stephen Dickinson
Jane Temple
Mary Field
Emily Ware
Martha Hawks
Mary Willard
Nathaniel IHitchcock
Caroline Williams
Marvin Hoyl
Mary Ann Williams
Sophia Hoyl
Minerva Williams
War was declared against England June 18th, but we had been practically in a state of war years before. May 11th, Capt. John Wilson received an order to "detach a Lieut and eight privates." I find the list "detached,"-whatever that may mean -- are William Williams, Parsons Smith, Seth Shel- don, Gilbert Hoyt, Sylvanus Dibble, Stephen Harris, Levi Stookey and Peleg Chase. I find no occasion for this order. I have heard my father, Seth Sheldon, say in reference to this war, "I was drafted as a drummer to go to Boston, but we did not go." This was probably the occasion.
July 9th, a special town meeting was called :-
1 st To hear the Circular Letters from the selectmen of the Towns of Boston, Northampton and Greenfield, to the selectmen of this Town concerning the impending Calamities of the United States.
2ª To determine whether they will Petition the President and Congress to avert if possible the ruin and horrors of WAR and re- store peace and commerce to the nation voted unanimously in ye affirmative.
3. To Express their opinions and feelings respecting an alliance with the French nation. [There was a free expression of "opinion and feeling" not at all complimentary to Bonaparte and France, and resolutions were adopted to be sent to the convention, "A copy to be lodged with the clerk." This cannot be found in our archives. ] 4 To determine whether they will choose Delegates to meet other Delegates from the Towns in this County and the Counties of Hamp- shire and Hampden at Northampton on the 14th of July * Ephraim Williams Esq Major Epaphras Hoyt and Pliny Arms Esq, were chosen Delegates.
5. To determine whether they will appoint a Committee of Safety and Correspondence * * Ephraim Williams Esq, Major Epaphras Hoyt, Pliny Arms, Esq., Solomon Williams and Rufus Saxton, were chosen as such committee.
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