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 15
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6. To determine whether they will take any measures respecting the cannon belonging to the Town.
S17
MILITARY STORES.
As we have seen, a vote was passed under this article, " not to dispose of the two pieces of cannon." Aug. 28th, the town voted that "Col. Asa Stebbins, Maj. Epaphras Hoyt, and Capt. Samuel Wells, be a committee to build a magazine for the Towns Military Stores, near the new Burying ground ;" and $40 was appropriated for the purpose. Aug. 24th, the amount of military stores on hand was reported to be " 117 1bs Pow- der, 260 11s Ball, 263 Flints and 6 Tin camp kittles." The methods of keeping the town ammunition creep out here and there, in various ways. In the earlier days it was the custom to store the powder in the meetinghouse, either under the pulpit or in the steeple, the two places of all others it would seem, the most exposed to an explosion.
In 1745 a different system prevailed, as shown by a loose scrap of paper. That year the selectmen put into the hands of James Corse 25 1bs of powder, and of Thomas Wells, Eli- jah Williams, Jonathan Ashley, and Jonathan Arms each 20 1bs. In 1747, Thomas Wells had charge of 31 1bs of town lead, Elijah Williams 32 1bs, Jona. Ashley 501bs, James Corse 52 lbs and Widow Mary Wells 40 1bs.
Probably nothing was done about building a magazine un- der the vote of 1812, for, March 4th, 1817, " A committee was chosen to Report on a magazine for the Town Stock of mili- tary stores." The committee, Elihu Hoyt, Solomon Williams, and Seth Nims, made a report and were directed " to build a magazine on the west end of the new burying ground at the east end of Thomas Williams home lot."
1813. Capt. Elihu Hoyt was a member of the legislature this year, and was in Boston at the time of the duel between the "Cheasapeake " and the "Shannon." An extract from his note book gives an account of his visit to the former just be- fore the fight.
May 29, went on board the Frigate Chesapeake, stayed 3 or 4 hours, saw them exercise their great guns & go through all the move- ments for attack & defense of a ship in time of battle; was disap- pointed, did not find so good discipline as expected, they were not so expert at the great guns as I expected. Capt Lawrence is a fine looking fellow.
June I. Chesapeake went to sea was taken same day by the British Frigate Shannon, went down to see the action, was too late, saw the Frigates & the smoke of the guns, but the distance was too great to distinguish the movements. Saw 4 or 5 Gun boats at anchor
SIS
POLITICAL-WAR OF IS12.
below the lighthouse, saw them fire their great guns. Got back to Boston abt 12 at night.
June 15th, David Willard, secretary of the " Washington Benevolent Society," gave notice of a 4th of July celebration in Deerfield, at Cooley's hall. "There will be a meeting at 9 A. M. to innitiate new members. * * * The Friends of Wash- ington and of Correct Principles are respectfully invited to join the Procession & the festivities of the day."
It was soon found that the "Franklin Celebration at Deer- field," had taken such a deep hold on the public that it out- grew its original programme. June 28th another notification was sent out by Maj. Hoyt, chairman of committee of arrange- ments :-
Believing that the Public Entertainment, mentioned by the com- mittee in the last Herald will not accommodate the number of per- sons who wish to testify their respect for the day, and the principles of Washington, they have made a different arrangement with Mr Cooley, and with pleasure anounce to their bretheren of the Socie- ty, and their fellow citizens generally, that our entertainment will be provided in the field with suitable accomodations, and provisions for 600 persons. Tickets furnished by Mr Cooley for 75 cts. The refreshments will consist of a cold cut of ham, beef, lamb, crackers, bread, cheese &c, together with an exhilerating supply of brandy, spirits, & wine.
In times like the present 'tis presumed that this arrangment will meet the cordial approbation of every friend to his country and to social order.
The celebration was a great success. Col. Newcomb, pres- ident of the day, made the opening address. After prayer by Rev. Samuel Willard. an oration was delivered by George Grenell, Jr., of Greenfield; and Edward Hitchcock made "a spirited, eloquent, and appropriate address which was re- ceived with universal applause." This was afterwards print- ed. After this solid feed there followed a dessert in the form of seventeen toasts, and the responses thereto. This was no doubt accompanied and made more palatable by the "exhil- erating supply of " liquids, mentioned in the programme.
While Deerfield furnished the place for this celebration, she also provided the orator for an opposition celebration the same day. The Republicans met at Bernardston, with Ro- dolphus Dickinson as the central figure. He was doubtless Deerfield's only representative of that party; but being in such a hopeless minority he did not even cast a vote. His oration
819
PREPARING ENTERTAINMENT FOR JOHN BULL.
was lauded to the skies, the eulogist thinks, "a specimen of eloquence, so Splendid, Classical and Patriotic ought to have a permanent abode in the annals of Literature." Probably this justice was not done it, as these annals have been searched for it in vain.
1814. Sept. 6th, Gov. Brooks issued a general order calling upon the militia of the State, " to hold themselves in readi- ness to march at a moment's warning." Special orders were sent out at the same time for a certain specified number of companies to march at once to Boston; these included four companies of the 4th Division. These companies are to be reorganized when they reach Boston, and "will form the Elite or Advanced Corps of the Massachusetts militia." The Governor also orders that "16 companies of Infantry from the 4 Div. be arranged into two regiments properly officered to march to Boston with the Least unnessary delay."
Sept. 9th, Major General Ebenezer Mattoon of Amherst, commander of the 4th Division, orders Brig. Gen. Isaac Malt- by of Hatfield, to detach from his brigade, eight companies of Infantry, three of Light Infantry, and two of Artillery; the Light Infantry and Artillery to "march forthwith to Boston without waiting for each other or any other corp." The Infantry regiment of the 2d Brigade was to rendez- vous at New Salem. Brig. Gen. Maltby is made "comman- der-in-chief of the Elite or Advanced Corps." Maltby's or- der is not found, but on that same Sept. 9th, Lieut. Col. Wil- liam Edwards issued his orders to the two Artillery com- panies of his regiment to march "to Boston without delay." The Artillery company at Northfield received this order the same day at 7 o'clock, p. m., and on the 11th took up its line of march and entered the camp at South Boston, Sept. 18th. While this exodus of troops to Boston was going on, there were two companies of Infantry at Deerfield ; the north com- pany officered by Capt. Thomas W. Ashley, Lieut. Charles Hitchcock and Ens. Josiah Lyman Arms; the south company by Capt. Zebina Russell, Lieut. Zebediah Graves and Ensign David Wright. I do not find evidence to prove that either of these companies was detached under Maltby's orders, but probably they made part of the force raised. I find some ev- idence that a company marched from Greenfield under Capt. David Strickland, Lieut. Theodore D. Lyman, and Ensign
820
POLITICAL-WAR OF 1812.
Thomas Gilbert. Capt. Strickland was certainly at the South Boston camp in some capacity. Lieut. Samuel Coolidge of Colrain is also found there. Deerfield was well represented, at least, by staff and line officers. Epaphras Hoyt, Brigade major; John C. Hoyt, Brigade quartermaster ; Stephen W. Williams, surgeon's mate ; George P. Field, fife major ; all on the staff of Brig. Gen. Maltby, and John Wilson, major of 2d regiment. The time of service was about two months, when, the scare being over, the camp broke up and the soldiers be- came citizens again, with no deeds of martial valor to recount and no scent of British powder in their garments. The camp was made a sort of picnic ground. We find on one day the following as Deerfield visitors: Elihu Hoyt, Dr. William S. Williams and wife, with children Delia and Ephraim; Maj. Wilson's wife and her sister, Nancy or Lucretia ; Capt. Sam- tel Wells and his wife; Quartus Wells, his wife and son Ben- jamin, with Ralph Williams, William Barnard, and Catlin on the road there.
The following are known to have been soldiers in the war of 1812. Time and place of service unknown :-
Israel Boyden
Ephraim Lanfair
William Palmer
Samuel Frink
Robert L. Lanfair
Moses Rice
Alvin Goodenough
William Loveridge
Stephen Smith
Moses Hawks
Ichabod Nelson
Zur Sweet
James Hogan
Jeremiah Newton
During the war, party animosity had raged fiercely and bit- terly; on the return of peace the old parties gradually dis- solved. The mission of the Federalists was accomplished ; the Republicans had learned the true character of the French Revolution and had seen the folly of attempting to mingle in the wars of Europe, and all united in the support of the Con- stitution. The Republican leaders were glad to be well quit of the war. It had indeed brought brilliant and unexpected victories over the "Mistress of the Seas," but the treaty of peace did not secure to us a single disputed point on which the war was declared. The party fever having died out, what was called the "Era of Good Feeling" prevailed, until about 1824-8, when the Democratie and the Whig parties grew up, nearly equally dividing the community. The former still exists, but in 1855 the Whigs were absorbed by the Republi- can party of to-day. This is true broadly stated, but in the
S21
FREEDOM OR SLAVERY? WHICH?
slavery contest many Democrats became Republicans and some Whigs joined the Democrats.
In the onslaught upon Masonry under the Morgan excite- ment, Deerfield was with the anti-Masons, and an anti-Ma- sonic newspaper was started here in 1830, by Gen. Hoyt.
Deerfield on the Right of Petition. The anti-slavery move- ment obtained an early foothold here, and here were some of the stoutest advocates of the cause. At the time John Quin- cy Adams, "The Old Man Eloquent," was bravely fighting the battle of freedom at Washington, against the whole pow- er of both parties, a controlling element here was in sympa- thy with him and sent him words of cheer. April 2d, 1838, a town meeting was called to act on the following article :-
1 To consider and determine the expediency of remonstrating with the Congress of the United States against the infringement of the right of petition, and the abridgment of the freedom of debate,
2 Of petitioning Congress for the passage of a law for the protec- tion of the citizens of the north, while passing through, or sojourn- ing in the slave holding states,
3 Of petitioning Congress for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States, and for the suppression of the slave trade in said District, and between the States.
[The action on the above was as follows :- ]
Art. 1, Sec. 1. Resolved That the right of petition is the barrier against the aggression of rulers upon the public, essential for the protection of the rights of minorities, and the last right which a people determined to be free, should surrender, or permit to be abridged.
Resolved That the resolution of the House of Representatives, passed at the present session of Congress, by which it declared that all petitions of the people relating in any way to the subject of slav- ery, shall be laid on the table without being read, printed, debated, referred, or any action had thereon, is a violation of the constitu- tion, a virtual denial of the sacred right of petition, an insult to the sovereignty of the people, at war with the fundamental principles of our government, dangerous to the union of the States, and an alarm- ing precedent, threatening the entire subversion of republican liber- ty.
Resolved That the people of Deerfield, in the county of Franklin, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in their Municipal character, protest against this unwarrantable and dangerous assumption of authority, and earnestly invoke and demand of Congress the rescind- ing the aforesaid resolutions.
Sec. 2. Resolved That the Constitution of the United States has guaranteed 'to the citizens of each State all privileges, and immuni- ties of Citizens of the Several States.'
That this professed guaranty is a falsehood and mockery so long
822
POLITICAL-ANTI-MASONRY-ANTI-SLAVERY.
as free citizens of those states which do not tolerate slavery, are not permitted peaceably to reside or travel in certain other states, where the mere suspicion of entertaining the principles of the American Declaration of Independence, subjects them to insult, outrage, stripes, imprisonment, and even death without the forms of law :- So long as Senators and Representatives of states where slavery exists, are permitted without rebuke, or censure, in their places in Con- gress, before the whole American people, to threaten with mutilation or death, free citizens who shall be found within their borders :- So long as citizens of some of the states found in other states, may un- der the laws of those states be arrested and imprisoned on the sus- picion that they are fugitive slaves, and even after suspicion has been proved unfounded, may be sold as slaves for the payment of their prison fees,
acht Resolved That this state of things imperiously demands of Con- gress to devise means for the effectual protection of the citizens of free states while passing through or sojourning in the slave states.
Sec. 3. Resolved That Congress has a constitutional right to abol- ish slavery in the District of Columbia, and in the territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and also to prohibit the slave trade in said District and territories, and between the states.
Resolved That Congress is required without delay to exercise this right, equally by the principles of justice, benevolence and national faith, and a wise regard for the welfare, integrity, and permanence of the union.
Resolved That Henry K. Hoyt, George Dickinson, Luther B. Lin- coln, John Hawks, and Jonathan A. Saxton, be a Committee to pre- pare a remonstrance and memorial to Congress on the subject of the foregoing resolutions; and that the said memorial, together with a copy of these resolutions, certified by the Town Clerk, be transmit- ted to the Hon. John Quincy Adams, with a request that he would present them to the House of Representatives.
CHAPTER XXVII.
LIBRARIES-LITERATURE.
Libraries. The first public library of which any evidence has been found was called the " Union Library." It was prob- ably established soon after the close of the Revolution. In 1798 David Saxton sold one share in it to Dr. Wm. S. Wil- liams, for one pound sterling. It was not long after that this library was broken up and the books divided among the share- holders. A list of those assigned John Sheldon, is given as showing the material of the library and the mental food of the period :-
Moores Journals & Travels [In France, Spain & Italy] 4 vols. $ 4.67
2 vols. European magazine & Jays sermons 3.25
Steadmans American War, 2 vols. 3.50
Annual Necrology 3.00
Female Quixotism 1.12
Voltaires Letters, I vol.
1.84
$17.38
Many volumes from this Union Library, identified by its book plate, have been gathered from old garrets and closets, and find a resting place in Memorial Hall.
The " Social Library" is found early in the century, a flour- ishing institution which long had its home in an upper room of the old corner store, on the Parson Williams home lot. Monthly meetings for drawing books were held for many years. Its beginning is unknown, but it was a prominent factor in keeping up the intellectual character of the town. This library may have been a successful rival to the "Union," taking the place it left vacant, but it did not absorb its treas- ures, for the book plate of the " Union" is not often met with in the "Social." A catalogue of the "Social Library " in 1835, after it had begun to break up, and an uncertain number of shares had been withdrawn, shows nine hundred and forty- seven volumes, classified as follows :---
Biography Encyclopedias
74 vols. IS
Farmers department
Geography History
12 IOI 19 vols.
Family Library
81
S24
LIBRARIES-LITERATURE.
Law 4 vols. Philosophy & Science 40 vols. .4
Magazines bound
9S
Poetry
46
Miscellaneous
77
Political Economy 55 ..
Natural History
17
Travels & Voyages I33 ..
Novels
99
Theology and Ethics 73
This library imported books directly from England. In its later years the Social Library became, or rather contin- ued, too conservative for efficient service. It fell behind the times, and Young America demanded progress.
The " Deerfield Reading Association" was organized in 1840, and after many migrations at last found a home for many years in Grange Hall. It began with the leading American and foreign magazines, and as it acquired means, bought the modern histories by Parkman, Palfrey, Prescott, Motley, Ban- croft, &c. The members met weekly for drawing books, and for over forty years all other village meetings gave it the right of way for Thursday evening, and "Library Night" witnessed a social gathering as well as a business meeting. In its old age the Social Library found a shelter under the wing of the Reading Association, but when the "Dickinson Free Library" was founded, through the munificent gift of Mrs. Esther Dickinson, the Social was given by its sharehold- ers to the P. V. M. Association. In 1884, the library of the Reading Association, about eleven hundred bound volumes beside magazines, was presented by its owners to the Dickin- son Free Library. This latter also absorbed the considerable library of the Deerfield Academy, when that institution was united with the Dickinson high school.
" Second Social Library." I do not know the beginning or history of this organization. Its name would indicate that it was a rival of the "Social." It appears to be its contempo- rary. The following declaration is found, Dec. 7th, 1801 :-
The Proprietors of the Second Social Library, being desirous of forming ourselves into a society or Body Politic for the purpose of holding, increasing, preserving, and using, said Library according to Law * * * do each agree to pay the Treasurer on demand $6.00 and not less than $4.00 annually for that purpose.
Outsiders are allowed to join only on a unanimous vote by ballot and paying an amount equal to what existing mem- bers have already paid in, and signing the covenant. Mem- bers wishing to withdraw could have the value of their share in books set off to them by a committee, at an appraised val-
825
THE SECOND SOCIAL LIBRARY.
ue. By a provision in the covenant " No By Law or regula- tion shall be made which shall contravene this Covenant, or any part of it, except by a unanimous vote of the Corpora- tion." This covenant was signed by,-
John Taylor, Asa Stebbins, Hezekiah Wright Strong, Epaphras Hoyt, Ebenezer Barnard, Jr.,
Solomon Williams,
Elijah Williams. Wm. Stoddard Williams, Rufus Saxton.
Members voted in : -
John Williams, 1801,
Orlando Ware, 1803,
John Wilson, 1806,
Elihn Hoyt, 1802, Erastus Barnard, 1805,
George Arms, 1811.
John Hubbard, 1802,
Pliny Arms, 1806,
Samuel Clesson, 1802,
Thomas W. Ashley, IS06,
Men joining later :-
Stephen W. Williams,
Asa Stebbins, Jr ..
Henry K. Hoyt.
Zenas Hawks,
John G. Williams,
Eb. Hinsdale Williams,
Edwin Ware,
January 21st, 1802, the $6.00 to be paid "on demand " was demanded by "Ep. Hoyt Treasurer of the Corporation."
A catalogue of one hundred and eighty-eight volumes has been found, and it would be hard to find another of its size containing more solid meat. If gauged by its mental food, our community must have had the intellectual digestive powers of an ostrich. A few specimens follow :-
Adams' Philosophical Lectures, Asiatic Dessertations, 4 vols. Batie on Truth,
Benyowski's Travels, 7 vols. Burke on the Sublime,
D'Auville's Ancient Geography, Dow's History of Hindostan, 3 vols.
Davison's Botanical Garden, History of Tepoo Sultans Wars,
Memoirs of Voltaire,
Rushes' Moral Essays,
Stewart's Philosophy of the Mind,
Tomes Memoirs of Frederick the Great, Volney's Travels.
There were also standard classics by Barrous, Belknap, Bruce, Gibbon, Goldsmith, Hubbard, Hume, Hutchinson, Mavor, Minot, Park, Robertson, Smollet, Trumbull, &c. I have said I did not know the beginning of this enterprise, neither have I any knowledge of its location or fate.
In the last decade of the 18th and the first quarter of the 19th century, Deerfield seems to be well stocked with libra- ries. Another of this period was a " Military Library;" this was kept in connection with the Social Library; it fell into the hands of the writer with the old corner store, and it is now in the library of the P. V. M. Association. Here also may be found the remains of an " Agricultural Library" founded in 1814. About fifty years ago a second Agricultural Library was started. The following gives the only elue I have to another
826
LIBRARIES-LITERATURE.
literary club. At a sheriff's sale at "E. Barnards tavern," Sept. 16th, 1806, Rufus Saxton advertised to sell among other personal property, "Ebenezer Barnards right in the Social Li- brary & his right to the Encyclopedia owned by a company in town."
Juvenile Library. Taking note that the intellectual pabu- lum so abundant here was hardly adapted to the mentality of youth, Rev. Mr. Willard in 1827 started a project which resulted in a library especially for the boys and girls. A fund was raised by subscription from fifty-nine people in the north part of the town. The declared object was,-
To aid and encourage the young in cultivating a taste for reading & to diffuse among them in the easiest & most interesting manner, the great principles of religion & virtue which are common to all christians, which are the most important to a useful and happy life.
This proved a success, to which I can certify from personal experience. It was kept at the house of the minister and finally became the basis of the Sunday school library of the First Congregational society. Before the advent of this libra- ry the children had next to nothing to read. In my father's family there were two or three primers and as many chap books; " The cries of London " and the " Life of Daniel Lam- bert," are the only ones I can recall. A good library has been recently established at Bloody Brook.
Societies-The Literary Adelphi. This was organized Aug. 6th, 1804. The earliest record relating to this society is found in the postscript to the following note :-
To John Wilson, Esq.
Sir, Agreeable to a vote of the Society of the 'Literary Adel- phi,' the undersigned, a Committee for the purpose, request that you would grant them a copy of an oration, delivered by you, on a former anniversary, before our Society; to be deposited in our ar- chives, for the benefit of the Society.
Very respectfully Yours WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS. EDWARD HITCHCOCK. JOHN C. HOYT.
Deerfield, 12 Jany, 1813.
P. S. The Committee beg leave to enquire what Gentlemen have delivered orations previous to the year 1809?
Capt. John Wilson was made an honorary member in 1810; Daniel Wells, afterwards Chief Justice Massachusetts Su- preme Court, in 1810; Capt. Elihu Hoyt, in 1811 ; Oliver Coo- ley, in 1813.
827
YOUNG LADIES' LITERARY SOCIETY.
Although it had "frequent and stated meetings," no rec- ords of this society have been found. What of its history is here given is gleaned from a few tattered papers, found here and there. By these it appears to have been a large and in- fluential association and was "in a very flourishing condition" in 1817, and it certainly survived long after the above date, and made an abiding mark on the community.
" The Young Ladies' Literary Society" was organized early in 1813. The long preamble to its constitution is headed :-
Happiness is the great and only pursuit of man; [it continues] schemes for its attainment are every day invented, and as often found fruit- less and vain. Many are allured by the charms of sensual pleasure- pleased with the flowers that are strewed along, they do not perceive the thorns that lie concealed under them-others attracted by the allurements of fortune and high life soon find but a vacuum.
[The young women think the true road lies through the intellect and so:] Perceiving that science and literature are the greatest promoters of human happiness, and that their tendency is to exault in the highest degree the character of man *
* ** and knowing that the happiness rests on his moral excellence
* * that the enlargment of the mind is almost inseperably connected with the cultivation of the heart-the study of science and literature is an object supremely worthy the pursuit of rational beings-the elevated sentiments and high examples which poetry, eloquence, history, are often bringing under our view, naturally tend to nourish public spir- it, contempt of external fortune, and the admiration of what is truly illustrious and great. By Science and literature the soul is taught to unfold its powers, to enlighten, expand, and embellish the mind, to cultivate and purify the heart.
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