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 4
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In the Constitution of the Seminary, Mr. Williston, in the exercise of a just regard for the moral as well as the intellectual welfare of the members of the school, throws about them these wholesome restrictions :-
" And in particular, no student shall board in any pro- fane or otherwise vicious family, or where intoxicating drinks are sold or used as a beverage, or where the influ- ence of the family is, in any way, prejudicial to the morals of youth, or hostile to the great interests of the Seminary. 4*
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON:
"To preclude all misunderstanding of the design. of- Williston Seminary, I declare again in conclusion, that the primary and principal object of the Institution is the glory of God in the extension of the Christian Religion, and in the promotion of true piety among men ; that the disci- pline of the mind in all. its noble faculties is, and should be deemed, next in importance ; and that in subservience. to these paramount ends, the several branches of useful knowledge, above mentioned, should be assiduously culti -. vated, Accordingly, I hereby ordain and require that the school exercises of each day shall be opened and closed with the reading of the Scriptures. and prayer; that at. some convenient and suitable hour of each week an exercise- in the Bible, either a lecture or recitation, as may be thought best, shall be held for the benefit of the whole school ; that, by precept and: example, the teachers shall encourage the pupils in holding occasional meetings for social religious worship; and at other times and in other ways they shall take frequent opportunities to impart moral. and religious instruction to the members of the Seminary. And that all these efforts. may not be thwarted by the influence of bad members, it is proper and: indispensable. that great pains be taken, both by trustees and teachers, for the prompt removal, by private dismission or public. expulsion, as the case may require, of any incorrigibly indolent, disorderly, profane, or otherwise vicious youth from all connection with, the Seminary."
The first Principal of the Institution was Rev. Luther Wright, a native of the town, and one who sympathized: fully with the founder in, the object aimed at in the estab- lishment: of the school, and in the method by which that end: was to be attained. Indeed, it may be said that to him in no small degree is the town and the community in- debted. for its.establishment here, and for its success. The
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EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
original building, which was of wood, was burned March 4, 1857. Its place was supplied with a large brick build- ing, completed near the close of the same year, at a cost of about $20,000.
Before this time, however, a second. building, constructed of brick, had been erected, in which the chemical and philosophical department found accommodation. In it there was also a large school-room, and a recitation room adjoining, while the upper story and wing were occupied for student's rooms.
In the fall of 1863, the foundation for a gymnasium, was laid. Owing partly to a scarcity of building materials, it was not completed and ready for occupancy until the sum- mer term of 1865. It may safely be said to be one of the finest gymnasiums in the country, and the excellent oppor- tunity it affords to students for regular systematic exercise, cannot fail to be beneficial, and it certainly adds.another attraction to the many which the institution already pos- sessed. It has on the lower floor four bowling alleys, besides adjoining rooms for recitation, for washing, and for. dressing. In the upper part is a capacious gallery for spec- tators, besides the floor for exercise. The structure is 80x50 feet, with a tower 102 feet in height, and cost, together with the land, over $20,000.
Last year the chemical laboratory was entirely remodel- ed, and new apparatus purchased, for which $2,500 was expended. In the philosophical department, also, new apparatus was obtained, to the amount of $3,000. A new dormitory, which is to be of brick, and four stories in height, is in process of erection. It stands near where the First Congregational church stood, and is to be erected at an estimated cost of $50,000. With the excep- tion offone school-room; it is to be occupied with sleeping paartments .. The buildings ;. grounds, apparatus, fixtures,
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
furniture and working capital of the institution, will amount to not less than $225,000.
In 1863, Rev. Josiah Clark, who was the second Prin- cipal of the Seminary, which place he had held during a period of fourteen years, resigned his position, much to the regret of the members of the Seminary, and others. He was succeeded by Rev. Marshall Henshaw, who had been Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Rutgers College. He still occupies the post, and since his appointment has discharged its duties with fidelity.
During the twenty-five years of the existence of the In- stitution, a large number of students have here laid the foundation for a classical education, many of whom are now engaged as ministers of the gospel at home or abroad, and a still larger number, probably, have here studied the advanced branches of an English course. The Seminary has many times, especially during its early history, been blessed with the gracious outpourings of God's spirit, when many have been led to the Saviour.
Its influence, through those who have gone forth from it, has been very wide spread, and, from its large endow- ment, we can feel assured that this influence will be permanent.
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
We have now considered the early history of the town, the hardships which our fathers endured, and the perils which they encountered from the hostile Indians. We have seen their incorporation as a district, differing only from a town in that they were denied the right of repre- sentation. We have followed out the history of the original church, and of those since founded. What re- mains to be said of its subsequent history will perhaps be more conveniently given under different heads, which will be successively presented.
A remarkable unanimity of sentiment has always pre- vailed among its inhabitants, on political subjects. In the time of Jefferson, and before, the town was strongly federal. Not more than six or eight votes were cast for the candidates for the Democratic party. After the Federalist party became extinct in name, the Whigs, who held, in the main, their principles, were greatly in the ascendant ; and, since the organization of the Republican party, it has polled about nine-tenths of the vote of the town.
While, however, the people have been as enthusiastic in their political associations and preferences as those of any other section, these have not exercised a controlling in- fluence in the choice of town officers. Here, merit and
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
fitness for office, rather than party feeling, have directed in the selection.
In the early Indian and the Revolutionary wars, the history of this town is identified with that of Northamp- ton. The citizens of this section, however, contributed their full proportion of men and means.
Rev. Luther Wright, in his historical sketch of East- hampton, from which, by the way, together with the half century sermon of Rev. Mr. Williston, we have derived much assistance, says :- " It is not known exactly how many, from what is now Easthampton, were engaged in the war of the Revolution. It is certain that among those en- gaged more or less in the service of their country, were Capt. Juseph Clapp and Quartermaster Benjamin Clapp, Dr. Stephen. Wood and his sons, Daniel and David ; the father died in the service at West Point ; John Clapp, who was in the army four years, Benjamin Lyman, Jr., Stephen Wright, Jr., David Clapp, who never returned, Levi Clapp, Eliakim Clark, afterwards Captain, Moses Gouch, Barzillai Brewer, and Willet Chapman. The last two died in the army."
SHAY'S REBELLION.
The first event which necessitated the calling forth of troops, after the Revolutionary war, was Shay's rebellion. The expenses which had been incurred in carrying on the war, the depreciation in value of paper currency, the heavy taxation, and the extent of public and private indebtedness, all contributed to bring about a state of popular discontent. The amount of individual liabilities, and the consequent legal action on the part of creditors to recover their dues, had caused the people to grow restive under their burdens.
As is usual in such times, the government was held re- sponsible for the distress. There were also certain dema- gogues, who were ready to embrace any opportunity to
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EARLY CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
advance their own interests, by whatever means. Promi- nent among these was Daniel Shay. These added fuel to the flame. Criminal courts were broken up at various places, by lawless mobs. Conventions of the people were held, to consider the grievances. Although these, at first, disclaimed all connection with these riotous proceedings, they only fanned the flame of discontent. Not content with breaking up the inferior courts, they attempted to break up the Supreme Judicial Court at Springfield ; but their designs were anticipated, and soldiers provided for the emergency. Among these was a company of about twenty, commanded by Capt. David Lyman and Lieut. Noah Janes. We have been unable to find a record of the names of the members of this company, but it is believed that the following list comprises nearly all :- Lem vel Ly- man, Elijah Wright, Gideon Wright, Stephen Wright, Levi Clapp, Thaddeus Clapp, Eleazar Hannum, Justice Lyman, Eliakim Clark, Eleazar Clark, Enos Janes, Silas Brown, Arad Brown, Job Strong, Israel Phelps, Zadok Danks.
The rebellion culminated in an attempt to capture the arsenal on Springfield hill. It was on the 25th of Jan- uary, 1787. The post was commanded by Gen. Shepard, with 800 government troops. He warned the insurgents, as they were advancing, to desist, but they gave no heed. He then ordered his artillery to be fired, first at their right, then at their left, and then over their heads, all of which was done without effect. A volley was then fired among them, when they dispersed. When it was known that this attack was meditated, a small company of men, raised in Southampton and Easthampton, started to reinforce the government +»nops, but they were captured by a detach- ment of the insurrectionists. They were, however, only held in custody two or three days, in consequence of the
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
defeat at Springfield. There was but a single person in Easthampton who was active in the rebellion, and but few who sympathized with it, and these were the old tories of the Revolution.
The people felt that their liberties had been gained at too dear a price of blood and treasure, for them to surren- der them into the hands of a few demagogues, or to lift their hands against the state, even though there were some causes of dissatisfaction.
THE WAR OF 1812.
When the second war with England arose, the citizens of this town, in common with other parts of New England, op- posed it. They regarded the mother country as " struggling against a monster of political iniquity, whose success they regarded as the greatest of all political evils." That there were grievances, they did not doubt. But they believed that England never would have resorted to the impressment of seamen, except to save herself from the grasp of France. They considered an appeal to arms as the last resort of an aggrieved party. At a meeting of the town, July 6, 1812, it was voted to oppose a war with England. Voted, also, that the selectmen be a committee to send a memorial to Congress, and also " a committee of safety, to receive in- formation for public safety, upon public affairs." Thaddeus Clapp was appointed a delegate to the county convention, held at Northampton, for the purpose of " considering the duty of government upon the war question." Their op- position to the war was only in principle, and did not lead them to any acts of open resistance. A company was called for from Southampton and Easthampton, to go to Boston and defend it against an anticipated attack from the British. The following persons were drafted :- John Alpress, Elisha Alvord, Worcester Avery, Levi Brown,
*
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EARLY CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.
George Clapp, James Clapp, Philip Clark, Gershon Danks, Stephen Hendrick, Moses Gouch, Luther Pomeroy, Spen- cer Pomeroy, Jesse Ring, Harris Wight, Collins Wood, Ebenezer Wood. Thaddeus Parsons was Lieutenant of the Company. .
Jesse Coats of this town, was at the same time a mem- ber of the Northampton Artillery Company, which did" service at the same time.
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CHAPTER V.
MANUFACTURES.
Agriculture being the principal employment of the people, manufactures received but little attention until the year 1847, when Mr. Williston commenced his operations at Broad Brook. There is however, one branch of that department of industry which, although less important and now out of date, deserves a passing notice.
Probably about the year 1780, Jonathan Clapp com- menced the business of fulling cloth. He occupied a portion of the grist-mill, where for a number of years he carried on the business, receiving the cloth which had been woven in the various families of the surrounding towns, and " fulling " it, as it was termed, an operation by which it was thickened and rendered firmer. The custo- mary charge for fulling was three cents a yard. After undergoing this operation, it needed to be " dressed " to render it fit for clothing.
Soon after, Capt. Joseph Clapp built a fulling mill on Broad Brook, a short distance below the button and sus- pender factories, where he not only fulled cloth, but col- ored and dressed it, for which he charged twenty-five cents per yard. There were but few mills of this description in this region, and hence he carried on quite a flourishing business.
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MANUFACTURES.
In the year 1792, or 1793, Thaddeus Clapp, son of Joseph, went to Worthington, and engaged in this busi- ness, but in consequence of a failure of his supply of water, he soon returned and entered into copartnership with his father. This relation existed until the death of the latter in 1797, when the works were removed to Manhan river near the grist-mill. After the business was given up by Mr. Clapp it was conducted successively by Roswell Knight, by Lowell E. and Jason Janes, then by Janes & Alvord, and lastly by Janes & Ferry. In 1835, by the last named persons the old shop was torn down, and the building, now occupied by H. B. Shoals, as a tannery, was erected for the manufacture of satinet. It was filled with machinery and run until 1837, when cloths were sold for less than the first cost of the wool. The works were con- sequently suspended. The first power loom ever run in this town was started in that mill. When hand looms were superseded by water power looms, the necessity for mills of this description ceased to exist. They had per- formed their part in the progress of manufactures, and must give way before its further advance. Its priority of date, and not its extent, entitles this branch to the first mention, for when it is compared with the extensive man- ufacturing interests of the town at present, it seems small indeed.
The real history of this branch of industry in this town, may be said to have commenced with Hon. Samuel Willis- ton, who is known abroad, not so much as a man of business and wealth, as he is as a munificent patron of edu- cation. Williston Seminary, which he founded, and which ranks second to none in the land as a preparatory school, -Amherst College, which holds no unenviable position among the first class colleges in the country, a position which it owes in no small degree to his benefactions,-Mt:
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
Holyoke Seminary, pioneer and princess among institu- tions for the advanced education of young women,-these have given him his reputation, and tell the story better than words of ours can do. But the ability to do all this he owes, under God, to his great success as a manu- facturer.
He commenced the sewed button business here, as early as 1827, and continued it for quite a number of years. With good management it constantly increased. At one time he gave employment to as many as a thousand fami- lies, who resided in towns as far north as Hatfield, east to Granby, south to West Springfield, and west to Peru. He also engaged somewhat largely in the manufacture of silk twist buttons. They were made by winding twist upon wooden molds of different shapes and sizes. They wer., used upon expensive garments, and hence did not take the place of sewed buttons. In 1836, while in New York making sales, he came across some buttons imported from England, called the " Florentine flexible shank button." The thought suggested itself to his mind, that they might as well be made here as in England, and, with this idea, he purchased a quantity of them, brought them home, and carried them to Messrs. Joel and Josiah Hayden of Wil- liamsburg, who had made a large quantity of button molds. for him. An engagement was entered into, according to which they were to invent the machinery, and manufac- ture the buttons, while he was to furnish the money and make the sales ; they were to undertake the mechanical, and he the commercial part, and the profits were to be shared.
This business was comparatively new in this country. Several attempts had been made to manufacture buttons covered by machinery, but the degree of success which had rewarded these endeavors was not such as to encour-
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MANUFACTURES.
age the further continuance of the enterprise, which re- quired the most complicated machinery and the most skillful management. The work was however undertaken, and the winter of 1833-4 was spent in efforts to invent and construct the proper machinery.
In the early part of 1834, Mr. Williston met, in New York, Francis Sidney, a Creole, who had been employed in one of the large button manufacturing establishments in England, and understood the making of buttons. He was engaged to come to Haydenville and assist in con- structing the machinery, in which work he rendered essen- tial aid. He introduced a radical change in the character of the button machinery, as it had been before employed. and attempted, and was the author of some of the dis- tinctive features of the business as since carried on, though no process of his introduction is now in use.
By the 4th of July one covering machine was in readi- ness, and on that day the first buttons were covered by Miss Elvira Clapp of Southampton. This was the begin- ning of the button business as it now exists here. It speaks highly for the mechanical skill and ingenuity of the Messrs. Hayden, and of those machinists whom they em- ployed, that they were able to ensure success to an enter- prise so fraught with difficulty, as the invention and con- struction of machinery for making buttons.
In a few years, Josiah Hayden sold out his interest in the concern to his brother, and in 1847 Mr. Williston bought the interest of Joel Hayden, and in the follow- ing year transferred the works to Easthampton, where he erected a building 97 by 45 feet, three stories high, be- sides an attic. About this time he took in Horatio G. Knight and afterwards Seth Warner as partners. Since that time, the business has been carried on by the firm of Williston, Knight & Co., until Dec. 1,, 1865,. when. the; 5*
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
partnership expired, and a stock company, called the " National Button. Company," was formed, with a capital of $150,000. Of this company Mr. Williston is President, and its Treasurer is Mr. Knight, who for a number of years has been the active manager of the business.
The manufacture of sewed buttons did not entirely cease with the introduction of the " flexible shank button," but they were gradually superseded by them, so that the former are now entirely out of date.
This company gives employment to 125 hands, and turns out 1200 gross of buttons daily, of over 300 kinds, including shape, size, quality, color and material. They expect soon to be able to produce 1500 gross daily. A great deal of silk and brocade fabric is used, which renders the material quite costly. The value of stock annually consumed is $60,000, and that, of the manu- factured products $1.60,000. The building at present occupied is 106 by 30 feet, with a wing 40 by 20. It was built in 1861. At that time the one at first crected was leased to the Goodyear Elastic Fabric Co.
The button business requires close calculation, and rig- id economy in its management. There has been from the first great competition, both in the sewed and manufac- tured button. It is a fact worthy of note, that almost all who have embarked in the enterprise have failed.
In 1848 and 9, Mr. Williston erected a brick building by the side of the button factory, to be occupied in the manufacture of suspender webbing, which business he con- tinued in his own name until 1852, when he sold out to a joint stock company, which. had obtained a charter from the Legislature.
It assumed the name of the Nashawannuck Manufactur- ing Co. Mr. Williston has been President, and E. H. Sawyer, Treasurer and Agent, since its first organ-
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MANUFACTURES.
ization. These gentlemen, together with H. G. Knight, are the principal stockholders who reside in Easthampton, while there are large owners of stock in New York, Boston, and other places.
The capital of the company was originally $100,000, was afterwards at different periods increased to $125,000, $140,000, and $200,000, and is now $300,000 while they have been empowered by the Legislature to increase the capital to $500,000.
At the time of their organization the company purchas- ed the right to use Chas. Goodyear's vulcanized rubber in all kinds of woven goods. This purchase almost gave them the monopoly of this branch of business, and has contributed largely to their success. They afterward dis- posed of this right to the Goodyear Elastic Fabric Co., and the Glendale Vulcanized Rubber Co., reserving to themselves only the right to use it in suspenders and frills.
The business flourished in their hands to such an extent, that in 1855 it became necessary to erect another building to supply their increasing trade .. In 1856 they purchased of Atwater & Bristol their suspender works in New Haven, and for four years manufactured goods in that place. In 1860 that property was destroyed by fire, at considerable loss. Instead of rebuilding there they put up a factory here, filling the space between the two others occupied by them, thus making one continuous structure 315 feet in length, and about 40 in breadth, to which is now added a wing extending back. In addition to this, they occupy a large three story building as an office, fin- ishing and store room, together with several smaller build- ings in the rear of the main factory. Until 1860 they used the lower floor of Williston, Knight, & Co.'s button factory, in. the manufacture of cotton yarn for their own.
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
use. Such was their increase of business, however, that they were obliged to purchase monthly several thousand dollars worth of cotton yarn, and it was therefore thought best to abandon the making of yarn altogether. Ac- cordingly they disposed of their cotton spinning machin- ery to Mr. Williston, who was then contemplating the establishment of this branch of business here.
A little later they organized a new company for the manufacture of rubber thread, to which they sold their rubber machinery, and entirely relinquished this depart- ment of their manufactures, thus confining themselves more closely to their own proper work, the weaving of suspenders and other webbing.
This company whose beginnings were small, has pros- pered exceedingly. Its stock has been very valuable and its dividends large. In the aggregate they have turned out an immense amount of goods of the best quality. The increase of business may be seen in the fact, that, in 1852, they manufactured and sold goods to the amount of only $100,000, while in 1865 the value of manufactured products was about $1,200,000, which, even considering the enhanced prices of these times; is a large increase.
They are now owners of all the real estate which they occupy, having recently bought of Mr. Williston that por- tion of it which they previously rented ; and they now own about half the water power at the upper mills, which is sufficient for all their purposes. The present capacity of their works is 4000 dozen pair of suspenders per week, and, in addition to this, about 50,000 yards of frills and other narrow webbing.
They own thirty-two tenements and four boarding houses, run about 150 looms, and; during the year 1865, paid for yarn, $238,000; for buckles, $35,000; about $15,000 for dye-stuffs ; and $72,000 for rubber thread, while for labor,
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