USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Easthampton > History of Easthampton: its settlement and growth; its material, educational, and religious interests, together with a genealogical record of its original families > Part 12
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His three sons, Richard, John and Robert, were among the first settlers in Northampton in 1655, and all died there, leaving families, though Robert had no male issue. He was a hunter and trapper, and is said to have perished on Roberts' Hill. He discovered the lead mines in the south-west part of Northampton, which are noticed in the ancient records of that town. Richard had a numerous posterity, some of whom settled in Lebanon, Ct. Another branch went to Durham, Ct., while another remained at Northampton.
Lieut. John Lyman, son of Richard, was born in Eng- land, in September, 1623, and died August 20, 1690. He was in command of the Northampton soldiers, in the fa- mous Falls fight above Deerfield, May 18, 1676. His wife was Dorcas Plum of Branford, Ct. The American House, which was burnt a few years since in Northampton, stood in front of his house lot. His children were, Eliza- beth, Sarah, John, Moses, Dorothy, Mary, Experience, Joseph, Benjamin, and Caleb. The oldest son, John, was born in 1661, married Mindwell Sheldon in 1687, and died November 8, 1740. In the latter part of his life, he lived
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east of Mt. Tom, and kept a public house, where his son Elias, afterwards kept tavern, near Smith's Ferry.
Benjamin, another of the sons, was born in 1674. He married Thankful, a grand-daughter of Eltweed Pomeroy, who came from England. Their family consisted of nine sons and three daughters, viz: Joseph, Benjamin, Benja- min, Aaron, Caleb, William, Daniel, Elihu, Medad, Eunice, Hannah, and Susannah. Joseph settled in North ampton, and was the father of Joseph and Elisha, the for- mer of whom was the father of Judge Joseph Lyman, who graduated at Yale College in 1783, and grandfather of Samuel F. Lyman, Esq., now Judge of Probate and In- solvency. William was the father of Gen. William Ly- man, who was at one time consul at London. Daniel removed to New Haven, and engaged in mercantile pur- suits.
Benjamin was born in 1703, and married Mary Mosely of Glastenbury, Ct. He, together with Stephen Wright, purchased "School Meadow," and afterwards moved to Easthampton, and built a house where Joel Bassett now resides. He was one of the early and constant suppor- ters of Rev. Jonathan Edwards. He was one of the nineteen who voted to retain him as pastor of the church in Northampton, at the time of the opposition to him. He died in 1762, aged 59. His children were Benjamin, born in 1727 ; Lemuel, born in 1735 ; David, born in 1737 ; and four daughters, Molly, Thankful, Esther and Patty Capt. David lived where S. M. Lyman now does. He has no descendants of the Lyman name. He had four daughters who married and lived in this town. They were as follows : Sarah, who first married Eli Brown and afterwards Ocran Clapp ; Eunice married Job Strong, the father of A. L. Strong ; Rachel married Sylvester Knight, who was the father of Hon. H. G. Knight; Fidelia was the wife of Solomon Pomeroy.
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Benjamin built a house on the plain, where his grand- son, Rev. Solomon Lyman, now lives. He was very active and influential in the formation of the church and district. To him was directed the warrant, to call togeth- er the citizens to the first meeting of the district after its organization. Robert Breck, Esq., who was empowered by act of General Court to issue his warrant to some prom- inent citizen, was chosen Moderator of the first meeting. Mr. Lyman was chosen Moderator of the second meeting, and he occupied that position many times thereafter. In church matters, he was also a leader. Before the settle- ment of a pastor, it was needful that there be a mod- erator, who could legally call meetings of the church, an office to which he was appointed. At one of the earliest business meetings of the church, he was chosen Deacon, which office he accepted, and per- formed its duties till his death in June, 1798. He was a man of ardent piety, a faithful servant of Christ, and when he laid his armor down, we doubt not, he entered upon his reward.
His children were Benjamin, Solomon, Hannah, Polly, Ruth, Dorotha, and Mercy. The daughters all married, removed from town, and all lived past middle life. Of the sons, the first mentioned built a house, where his grand- son, Ansel B., now lives. Solomon remained on his fath- er's place. He married Lois, daughter of Jonathan Janes, Sen. In 1807, he was chosen deacon, in which capacity he served eighteen years. His family consisted of four daughters and one son. The daughters were, Theodosia, Lois, Susan, and Mercy. His son Solomon graduated at Yale College in 1822, studied theology, was ordained a minister of the gospel, settled in Keesville, N. Y., afterwards at Poultney, Vt. He now resides in his native town.
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The family of Benjamin were Jeremiah, Theodorus, who lives in Ohio, Polly, Eunice, Clarissa, Ansel, and Louisa, the last two of whom died in youth. The oldest occupied his father's place, and spent his life there. His family consisted of the following children, viz :- Theresa, who married Rev. Addison Lyman, and died in Geneseo, Ill .; Louisa, who married James O. Waite of Hatfield ; Ansel B., who is a resident of this town; Adelle S., and Henry Martyn, who until recently has resided in Minnesota.
Lemuel Lyman, born August 28, 1735, married Lydia, daughter of Eliakim Clark, and lived on his father's place. He was in the memorable battle of Lake George, September 8, 1775. Soon after this, he, with others, was sent with a drove of cattle for the northern army. It was supposed, that, in this expedition, by the privations and exposures which he endured, he laid the foundation for the rheumatism, a disease, which in later years, rendered him to some extent, unable to perform manual labor. He was a member of the board of selectmen for seven years, and one of the leaders in the establishment of a church, and the erection of a house of worship. He was a man of great physical strength, and was quick to perceive the best method of action in a moment of danger. He had a very retentive memory, great presence of mind, and native energy of character. He died July 16, 1810, aged 74. His children were Lydia, who married Ebenezer K. Rust of Southampton, Lemuel, Justus, Ahira, Sylvester, Dan- iel, Esther, who married Obadiah Janes, and Elihu. All the sons settled in Easthampton, and were men of consid- erable influence in the town, and all have posterity resid- ing here at the present day.
Capt. Lemuel, married Olive Lyman of Norwich. His trade was that of carpenter and joiner, although he owned and lived on a farm. About the year 1800, he superin-
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tended the removal of a dam across the Connecticut river at South Hadley Canal, which stood about two miles above the present dam, and set the water back into the meadows, occasioning much sickness. In answer to a petition on the subject the legislature ordered its removal. His children were Dwight, Theodore, Den- nis, and Theodosia, all of whom lived in their native town. Theodosia married Augustus Clapp.
Justus owned and occupied a farm adjoining that of his brother. He was a man of influence in the affairs of the town, which he served in the capacity of selectman, eleven years. He had three children, George, Charles, and E. Waldo, the latter of whom settled on his father's place.
Ahira located himself on the plain, west of the center, building for himself the house now occupied by Elijah A. Lyman. He was a very active and prosperous business man, both as a farmer and mechanic. His death occurred November 1, 1836, in consequence of a severe wound in his foot, made by an axe. His children were, Roland, who removed to Lowell, where he now resides, Lemuel P., Ahira, Quartus P., William, and Jabez B., the latter of whom graduated at Amherst College in 1841, resided in Germany some years, where he was a student in one of the Universities. He was afterwards principal of a Female Seminary in Abbeville, S. C. He was for a time estab- lished as an oculist in Chicago, but for several years has been engaged in the practice of surgery in Rockford, Ill. The others mentioned remained in their native place, except Ahira, who lived on Park Hill, just within the lim- its of Northampton. He, however, now resides in East- hampton.
Sylvester lived on the place first purchased by Benjamin Lyman, on his removal from Northampton, owning and
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working the farm. He was chosen deacon in 1813, and continued in the office twenty years. His children were, S. Mosely, who lives in his native place, Ursula, who was the first wife of Dea. Ithamar Clark, Naomi, who married Warren Montague of Sunderland, Sylvester, who resides in Hartford, J. Emerson, who died a few years since in his native place, Elizabeth, wife of E. L. Snow, Tirzah, wife of E. S. Hoadley, and Edwin who lives in Bridgeport, Ct.
Daniel married Sally, daughter of Benjamin Clapp, and lived on Park Hill, where his son, Lauren D., now lives. He was a man of more than ordinary religious feeling, a devoted friend and warm supporter of the institutions of religion, and a pillar in the prayer-meetings of the church and neighborhood. He died September 23, 1853. His children were Daniel F., Josiah, Addison, Horace, Sarah B., Lauren D., and James H. Josiah graduated at Wil- liams College in 1836, studied Theology, was licensed to preach, afterwards principal of an academy in Williston, Vt., and then of the academy in Lenox, where he still lives. Addison graduated at Williams College in 1839, studied Theology, entered the service of the Home Mis- sionary Society, and is now a preacher in Sheffield, Ill. He was for a time principal of an academy in Geneseo, Ill. Horace graduated at Williams College in 1842, ordained an evangelist, and was employed as a Home Missionary at Portland, and Dallas, Oregon. He is now Professor of Mathematics, in Pacific University, at Forest Grove in that state. He went to Oregon about the time of the California gold excitement, and was largely instrumental in the gathering of two churches at the places mentioned. The primary object of the institution in which he is now engaged is to raise up men to supply the need of ministe- rial labor there. The other sons, Daniel F., Lauren D., and James H., are citizens of their native town.
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Elihu, the youngest and only surviving son, lives at present with his son William J. in this town. In early life he intended to get an education, and for this purpose entered Williams College, of which he was a member un- til the Junior year, when he was compelled to leave in consequence of weakness of eyes. He has lived since in New Lebanon, N. Y., and in Williamsburg, but spent the greater portion of the active period of life in his native town. Hischildren were Alfred E., who settled in Williams- burg, but now resides in Brooklyn ; Eliza, who married John G. Mallory ; William J .; Mary Ann, who married William Leonard ; Cornelia, who married Elisha H. Rice; Nancy, who was the wife of Thaddeus K. Wright of West- hampton. Three children, Martha, Ann;Jane, and Curtis, died unmarried. William J. is the only one of these children who now reside in their native place. For many years he carried on the business of wagon making in this town, but for some years past has been employed as a patent right dealer, and also as a patentee.
GENEALOGY OF THE WRIGHT FAMILY.
Dea. Stephen Wright, one of the purchasers of School Meadow, was a great-grandson of Dea. Samuel Wright, one of the first settlers of Springfield. He was a resident of that town as early as 1641. After Rev. Mr. Moxon, first minister of Springfield, returned to England, Dea. Wright " was employed to dispense the word of God in this place," and was allowed fifty shillings a month for his services. Other laymen were also employed in the same way. Dea. Wright was also one of the first settlers of Northampton, whither he removed in 1656 or 7, and where he died in 1665. His brother, Nathaniel, was a merchant in London, and was interested in the Winthrop Colony in 1630. Their father, it is said, was John
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Wright, of Kelvedon, and their grandfather, John Wright, of Wrightsbridge, in Essex, about forty miles east of London.
Samuel Wright, oldest son of Dea. Samuel, lived in Northampton. One of his sons, Capt. Benjamin, was a noted Indian fighter, and was finally slain by them at Northfield. Another son, Samuel, had eight children, one of whom, Stephen, was chosen deacon of the church in Northampton, in 1739, but removed to Easthampton, probably about 1744. His house, which stood where Samuel Hurlburt now lives, on the hill just west of Saw- mill brook, then stood within the limits of Southampton. Sergeant Eliakim Wright, his son, was killed in the battle of Lake George. Job, another son, graduated at Yale College in 1757, and was settled in the ministry at Bernardston, where he died. In this connection it may not be uninteresting to remark, that when he graduated, and for several years thereafter, the names of the gradu- ates were not arranged alphabetically, but according to the standing of the family to which they belonged.
Stephen, another of the sons, married Catherine Shel- don, daughter of Noah Sheldon, of Southampton. He settled on the plain south of the meeting house, and built the house until recently occupied by his grandson, John Wright. In 1786 he was chosen deacon of the church, in which capacity he served twenty-one years.
His children were Catherine, who died in childhood, Eliakim, Stephen, Catherine, who married Justin Clark of Southampton, Gideon, Noah, Hezekiah, Luther. Elia- kim, born in 1757, married Mrs. Martha Matthews, widow of Dea. Gideon Matthews of Chester. He lived a little way north of his father's residence. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and possessed of good judg- ment, though somewhat eccentric. In early life he enter-
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tained the idea of preparing for the ministry, but he finally abandoned it. His piety was of a deep and earnest type, and exercised a controlling influence over his life.
Stephen, born in 1758, married Sarah Lyman, daughter of Dea. John Lyman of Southampton, and settled in the south part of the town. His daughter, Sarah, married Zenas Clark, and Lucy married John Wright. His oldest son, John, succeeded to his estate. He was an energetic and prosperous farmer, and acquired considerable property. He died in December, 1857.
Hezekiah lived on the old homestead, where his son, John Wright, now lives. His daughter, Dorotha, married Luke Janes, Abigail married Sidney Ferry, Harriet mar- ried John Y. Smith, a resident of Madison, Wis. Besides these, there were three children, John the old- est, who died in infancy, Hezekiah, who died at the age of twenty-six, and Emily, who died in early life.
Luther married Sarah Lyman, daughter of Jonathan Ly- man of Northampton, and settled near his father, about a mile south of the meeting house. He carried on the tail- or's trade many years. He died Jan. 1, 1860, aged 85. Mrs. Wright is still alive. This couple sustained the marriage relation for sixty-four years. Their children were six in number :- Luther, Roxanna, who married Jo- seph Marsh of Hadley, Sally, Theodore, Julia, who mar- ried Sidney S. Avery, Clarrissa, who married Rev. Charles Lord.
Luther graduated at Yale College in 1822, was for sev- eral years tutor in that college ; then licensed to preach the gospel ; was afterwards employed Associate Principal of a school in Ellington, Ct., and as Principal of Leicester Academy. In 1841, on the opening of Williston Semi- nary for the admission of students, he was called to the position of Principal, which he accepted. After his resig-
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nation of that position in 1849, he taught a private Clas- sical School for several years. He still resides in this place. Great credit is due to him for his labors as Princi- pal of Williston Seminary. By the thoroughness of his instruction and discipline, the school acquired under him a character which, in connection with its munificent en- dowment, speedily gave it a place among the first academ- ical institutions of our country. Since his retirement from that position, he has been prominent among those whose efforts have been put forth in the interests of edu- cation in his native town.
In this connection it may not be out of place, without injustice to others, to mention E. A. Hubbard, for many years instructor in the mathematical and philosophical de- partment of Williston Seminary, as another who has taken great interest in the cause of education, in our community, as well as elsewhere.
Some years since Mr. Wright delivered a very able ad- dress before the Young Men's Association of Easthampton, in regard to the early history of the town. This Histori- cal Sketch was published, and from it, as well as from the semi-centennial sermon of Rev. Mr. Williston, we have derived essential aid.
Theodore L. entered Yale College, in 1825, but owing ill health, he remained not quite two years. In 1833 he received the honorary degree of A. M. from that college. For a time he was employed as Principal of the Hartford City Grammar School, but is now engaged in business in Wisconsin.
Elijah Wright, brother of Dea. Stephen, and son of him who first settled in the town, was born August 22, 1733, married Mary Strong, daughter of Ichabod Strong of Southampton, and lived on the farm which his father bought when he first moved his residence from North-
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ampton. His family consisted of five daughters and four
sons. His oldest daughter, Mary, married Benjamin Ly- man ; Hannah married Enos Janes ; Esther married
Russell of Warwich; Eunice married Benoni Clark of Westhampton ; Asenath married Jonathan Connable of Ber- nards ton. His four sons, Elijah, Daniel, Medad, and Ich- abod, lived in their native town. Daniel married and lived on his father's place. Elijah, the oldest son, born August 30, 1765, built a house on the same farm, the one now owned by his son Samuel. His employment was that of a tanner and shoemaker. His death occurred January 8, 1814. His wife was Naomi Kingsley, a na- tive of Westhampton. She survived her husband forty- three years. Their children were two, Naomi, who mar- ried Col. Thomas Pomeroy of Northampton, and Samuel, who still resides on his father's place. In early life he taught considerable in Common Schools, and in later years was often a member of the General School Committee. Elijah H., his son, graduated at Amherst College in 1842, and studied medicine in Hanover, N. H., and at Charles- ton, S. C. He then settled in Marietta, Ga., where he ac- quired quite an extensive medical practice.
Ichabod, youngest son of Elijah, Sen., born August 24, 1776, removed to Park Hill, and occupied the house built by Josiah Phelps. He married Mary Clapp, daughter of Jonathan Clapp. He was a prominent member of the church, an active, working Christian, ever ready to stand in his lot and bear his part in the work of the church. Often the weekly neighborhood prayer meeting was held at his house, and when it was at the school-house, or else- where, he was almost always present, ready, by prayer and exhortation, to contribute to the interest and profit of the occasion. These neighborhood gatherings for social pray- er and conference, were a source of great spiritual profit.
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to those who attended them, and through them to the whole district, as well asto the church. His death occurred in 1844. His children were Horace, Ichabod Strong, Edmund, J. Rockwell, and Russell M. Horace owned and worked a tannery for a number of years, at Roberts Meadow, in Northampton ; afterwards removed to Syra- cuse, N. Y., and now resides in St. Louis, Mo. I. Strong resides in Brooklyn. Edmund graduated at Williams College in 1836 ; studied theology at East Windsor, Ct .; was ordained minister of the gospel ; labored as a home missionary for many years in Weston, Mo .; afterwards was pastor of a church in St. Louis, Mo., and has been Secre- tary of the Home Missionary Society in that State. He is a faithful laborer, and has been the means of great good to those for whom he has labored. J. Rockwell lived on the old homestead for many years, but finally sold it, and removed to South Hadley, where he now resides. Russell M. graduated at Williams College in 1841, and was one of the early and efficient teachers of Williston Seminary. He afterwards removed to Georgia, where he was employed as Principal of a female educational institution, located at Athens. On the breaking out of the war, he returned to his native place, and is now Instructor in Natural Sciences in Williston Seminary.
GENEALOGY OF THE JANES FAMILY.
This family originally came from Kirtling, in the county of Cambridge, England, where it had been seated in 1235, when William de Janes, in fulfillment of a vow, made a pilgrimage to the tomb of our Saviour at Jerusalem.
The coat of arms of the family is thus described :- Arms-Argent-a lion rampant-azure-between three escallop shells-gules-Crest -- Out of a ducal coronet, gold,
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a demi-lion, rampant-azure-holding between the paws an escallop shell-gules.
The lion rampant in the arms, shows that the ancestor had won a battle, while in command of the forces engaged. The escallop shells show that he had made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The ducal coronet was given to those who held command in the armies of the sovereign duke of the French Confederation.
William Janes, a native of Cambridge, England, came to this country from Essex, and first established himself in New Haven, Conn., probably as early as 1638. In 1654 or 5, he came to Northampton, and in 1657 was chosen Recorder of Laws, which office he retained for twenty years. He also conducted religious services on the Sabbath. Two of his children, Ebenezer and Jonathan, were slain at Northfield, Sept. 2, 1675, when that town was attacked by the Indians. His daughter Ruth married the first John Searl of Northampton, whose son John, to- gether with three children, were killed by the Indians at Pascommuck, at the time of the massacre there. Benja- min Janes, son of William, removed to Easthampton about the year 1700. His was one of the first five families who dwelt in Pascommuck. At the time of the massacre there, two of his children were put to death, and his wife was taken to the top of Pomeroy's mountain, scalped, and left for dead. She however, was found, and taken to North- ampton, where she recovered. She lived afterwards until she was more than eighty years old. Mr. Janes subse- quently went to Coventry, Conn., probably in company with " a number of respectable persons from Northamp- ton," who went about that time.
Samuel Janes, another son of William, married Sarah Hinsdale of Deerfield, daughter of Samuel Hinsdale, who was slain at Bloody Brook, in 1675. He also moved to
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Easthampton, about 1700, and was one of the first five settlers in Pascommuck. In 1704, he, with his wife and three children, Obadiah, Ebenezer, and Sarah, were slain by the Indians. Samuel, his oldest son, then about eleven years of age, was taken prisoner. Just before the savages encountered Capt. John Taylor's troop of cavalry, they knocked him in the head and left him, doubtless supposing they had killed him. He however recovered from the ef- fects of the blow, was one of those who re-settled his native village, and was the ancestor of all the persons bearing the name of Janes in this town, besides a numer- ous posterity in other parts of the country. His daughter Rachel married Capt. Philip Clark. He had four sons, all of whom settled in Easthampton. Their names were Samuel, Jonathan, Obadiah, Elisha.
In early life, Obadiah Janes was a teacher of common schools. In 1788 he was chosen deacon of the church, which office he held nineteen years. His wife was Beulah Lyman, daughter of Abner Lyman of Northampton, to whom he was much attached. She was a woman of strong mind and ardent piety. This couple sustained the marriage relation during the long period of fifty-seven years. Of them it might be said " they were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in death they were not divided " Both died in 1817, in the eighty-eighth year of their life. His death occurred first, but his wife survived only about two weeks. He lived on the place now occupied by Elisha Parsons, almost within a stone's throw of Connecticut river, yet it is said that he never crossed it. They were not blessed with children, but were blessed with large hearts, and consequently became " Uncle and Aunt " to no small portion of the community. Many persons now living, no doubt recall with pleasure, the hours spent in their younger days, beneath the hospitable roof of " Uncle Diah and Aunt Beulah."
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