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 7
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
In 1844, the library was moved to the town hall, where the members met quarterly for business and the drawing of books. In 1865, the constitution was revised, and it was provided that any person, not a stockholder, by the payment of fifty cents annually, could be allowed to take out books. The library was then removed to the store of L. Preston, who for several years took charge of it. We are sorry to say that very little interest is now felt in it.
Should the town establish a public library, as is con- templated, this of course would supersede the necessity for the continuation of the Library Association.
A choice collection of standard literature ought to be within reach of the people of the town. A library of re- liable, substantial works, liberally sustained, and thor- oughly read, would be of incalculable benefit, in correcting and cultivating the taste, and in improving the morals of the young. The books should of course be wisely se- lected, and every effort made to induce young men to devote their leisure time to reading, rather than to spend it in places of public resort, which are the schools of a type of morality, at least questionable.
PUBLIC HOUSES.
The first public house within the limits of Easthamp- ton, was kept by Joseph Bartlett. It stood where stands the house formerly occupied by Dea. Thaddeus Clapp, a few rods north of Manhan river. Mr. Bartlett was li- censed in 1727, and for nearly twenty years he kept an open house for the public. It was quite a noted place in those days, and one of much resort. When there was preaching in the neighborhood, as there often was, it was at his house. Undoubtedly, many times, that eminent man of God, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D. D., proclaimed there those truths and those doctrines for which he was
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distinguished, and which were so wonderfully blessed in the conversion of thousands. A large part of the town belonged to his parish, and it is a fact not generally known that that great revival in 1734 commenced in Pascom- muck-a revival which, in its progress and development, became the wonder of many in this country and in Great Britain.
Probably about 1750, Major Jonathan Clapp, a nephew of landlord Bartlett, commenced to keep tavern where Ansel Bartlett now resides. The soldiers from South- ampton met here as they were about to start for Bunker Hill, in the days of the Revolution. Travelers passing between Connecticut and Vermont usually passed through this town, and quite frequently spent the night with Major Clapp. He continued in his business till his death, which occurred in 1782. He was a man of influence in the community, and many present residents of the town trace their genealogy back to him. He was a very shrewd business manager, and knew how to turn everything to good account. A story is told of him which illustrates this trait of character.
Probably about the year 1760, what was long known as "The Great Crust," took place. A body of snow, some four feet in depth, fell, and immediately on its sur- face eight inches of hail, and then a slight rain, which froze and formed a solid crust. The fences, as if by magic, had disappeared. The roads were all blocked up so that there was no communication with market. On the morning after the crust was formed, he took out his horse upon it, and saw that it bore him up. In a very short time he was mounted and on his way to Hatfield, where he purchased a drove of cattle, and on the next morn- ing he was on his way to Boston, where he arrived in safety, the crust having borne him all the way. His drove was
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
the first to enter the city after the fall of snow, and con- sequently he received a high price for his beef. The trip occupied a little more than a week, and he cleared £100 or $333.
After his death, his son Jonathan opened a tavern, in a house which he built, across the road from his father's old stand.
In 1793, Capt. Joseph, another son of Major Clapp, opened his house for the accommodation of good travelers, at the old stand of landlord Bartlett, where he continued to cater to the public until his death in 1797. He was succeeded by his son Luther, who for a period of fourteen years entertained the traveling public. Most of the travel from Hartford and New Haven to the north would pass through the town, and consequently he received a liberal patronage.
After him, his place was satisfactorily filled by his brother, Dea. Thaddeus. Persons whose business re- quired them to pass this way, often became so much attached to him, on account of his affability and the good fare which his table afforded, that after his sign was taken down, and his house closed, whenever they had occasion to remain here, they insisted on stopping with him. Thus for a period of nearly or quite a hundred years, the only public house in town was kept by mem- bers of the same family, in succeeding generations.
After they had left it, for some time the town was without any hotel. The establishment of Williston . Seminary here, in 1841, seemed to call for some place where strangers might be accommodated. Mr. Williston, therefore, erected the building at present in use for that purpose. Mr. Luther Clapp was the first landlord. Since he left it there have been frequent changes, no less than seven men having filled the place. It is now owned by the
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Nashawannuck Manufacturing Co. A large addition, three stories in height, has recently been erected, and other improvements in the house and grounds have been made. It was closed for a time during these changes, but not long since it was re-opened to the public, and is now styled the Union House, of which George M. Fillibrowne is at present the landlord.
POST OFFICE.
Since the establishment of a post office in town in 1821, there have been seven post-masters. The following are their names, and the year of their appointment :-
Baxter Burnell,
1821.
WVm. R. Gillett,
1823.
Thaddeus Clapp,
1828.
J. Emerson Lyman,
1840.
Thaddeus Clapp,
1841.
Luther Clapp,
1843.
Ebenezer Ferry,
1843.
J. H. Bardwell,
1861.
The first two post-masters kept the office in a store. which stood where the hotel now does .. Dea. Thaddeus Clapp kept it in his tavern. Capt. Ferry kept it for the first few years in his store, in the house formerly occupied by him, but for the last fifteen years or more, if has been" in Knight's block. When Dea. Clapp had the care of the office, its yearly avails were about $75.00. In 1860) they were about $650.00 .. Now, on the old plan of pay -- ing a commission to postmasters instead of a salary, the avails of the post office would be $1,500 or more. The number of letters mailed during the year 1860 was 32,133. The present rate is- over 100,000 yearly, together with' a corresponding amount of printed matter ..
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
POPULATION.
When the district was incorporated, its population was small, being then only about 400. Since that time there has been an almost constant, though until recently not rapid, increase. Only once was there a diminution in the number of inhabitants, from the taking of one census to that of another. Between 1830 and 1840 there was a decrease of 28. The table shows the population at each census.
1790, 457; 1800, 586; 1810, 660; 1820, 712 ; 1830, 745; 1840,, 717; 1850, 1,348; 1860, 1,928; 1865, 2,869. The present number of inhabitants is one more than four times the number twenty-five years since. The gain in that time has been 2,152. It was during the interval between 1840 and '50, that the manufacturing interest of the place took its rise. Since that time, the material growth of the town has been very rapid. In- deed, we think it doubtful whether any other town in the country can exhibit a similar increase in any period of its history.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
The law enacted by Congress to provide internal reve- nue to meet the demands of the government, took effect Sept. 1, 1862, from which date the first- tax. was assessed, though at that time there was no Income Tax. This contained the names of 32 persons and' firms from Easthampton.
There were 23 Licenses issued at that time.
There were 8 Retail Dealers' Licenses.
There were 4 Manufacturers' Licenses.
First Income Tax, May 1, 1863.
64 names of persons and firms from Easthampton. 3,2 Licenses were issued. .
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MISCELLANIES.
9 Retail Dealers.
8 Manufacturers.
29 Incomes assessed, amounting to $188,410.
24 Carriages and Wagons, valued at $75 and upwards.
Second Income Tax, May 1, 1864.
68 names of persons and firms from Easthampton.
41 Licenses.
12 Retail Dealers.
9 Manufacturers.
28 Incomes, amounting to $255,129.
26 Carriages and Wagons, valued at $75 and upwards.
Third Income Tax, May 1, 1865.
127 names of individuals and firms from Easthampton.
89 Licenses.
20 Retail Dealers.
14 Manufacturers.
79 Incomes, amounting to $419,607.
63 Carriages and Wagons, valued at $50 and upwards.
53 Gold Watches taxed.
Fourth Income Tax, May 1, 1866.
169 names of individuals and firms from Easthampton.
75 Licenses.
66 Carriages and Wagons, valued at $50 and upwards.
67 Gold Watches.
93 Incomes, amounting to $340,539.
13 Manufacturers.
18 Retail Dealers.
The returns since May 1 .of the current year, are incom- plete. The number of licenses to retail dealers, manufac- turers, and others, is not all in yet.
Total Manufacturer's Tax, for the year ending April 30, 1866, $100,919 32.
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
These figures, kindly furnished us by the Assistant Assessor, indicate very clearly the increase of business in the town during the period which they cover, the numbers, in some cases, having more than trebled.
The first Assistant Assessor was Levi Parsons, the exact date of whose appointment we have been unable to find. A re-appointment of his bears date Sept. 30, 1863. Failing health forbade him longer to continue in the office, and LaFayette Clapp was appointed in his place, by President Johnson, June 6, 1865. He has continued in the office to the present time, having been re-appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, June 14, 1866. On the 14th of June, 1865, Mr. Clapp was appointed Inspector of Distilled Spirits, and on the 4th of October, 1865, Inspector of Tobacco, Snuff, and Cigars. Both these gentlemen have discharged the duties of their office with fidelity and acceptance.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Selectmen.
1785-Stephen Wright, Capt. P. Clark, Eleazer Hannum. 1786-Stephen Wright, Capt. P. Clark, Eleazer Hannum. 1787-Benjamin Lyman, Elijah Wright, Eleazer Hannum. 1788-Philip Clark, Elijah Wright, Eleazer Hannum. 1789-Philip Clark, Elijah Wright, Eleazer Hannum. 1790-Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Noah Janes. 1791-Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Noah Janes. 1792-Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Aaron Clapp, jr. 1793-Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Oliver Clark. 1794-Eleazer Hannum, Noah Janes, Oliver Clark. 1795-Elijah Wright, Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons. 1796-Eleazer Wright, Noah Janes, Oliver Clark. 1797-Elijah Wright, Lemuel Lyman, Joseph Clapp, jr.
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MISCELLANIES.
1798-Noah Janes, Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons. 1799-David Lyman, Levi Clapp, Joel Parsons. 1800-Oliver Clark, Levi Clapp, Solomon Lyman. 1801-Oliver Clark, Joel Parsons, Solomon Lyman. 1802 -- Oliver Clark, Uriel Clark, Levi Clapp. 1803-Oliver Clark, Uriel Clark, Levi Clapp. 1804-Oliver Clark, Solomon Lyman, Justus Lyman. 1805-Oliver Clark, Solomon Lyman, Jonathan Janes, jr. 1806-Thaddeus Clapp, Sol. Lyman, Jonathan Janes, jr. 1807-Thaddeus Clapp, Oliver Clark, Justus Lyman. 1808-Jonathan Janes, jr., Oliver Clark, Justus Lyman. 1809-John Hannum, Thaddeus Parsons, Justus Lyman. 1810-John Hannum, Jonathan Janes, jr., Justus Lyman. 1811-John Hannum, Thaddeus Parsons, Justus Lyman. 1812-John Hannum, Thaddeus Clapp, Justus Lyman. 1813-Solomon Lyman, Thad. Parsons, Justus Lyman. 1814-John Hannum, Solomon Ferry, Justus Lyman. 1815-John Hannum, Solmon Ferry, Justus Lyman. 1816-John Hannum, Solomon Ferry, Justus Lyman. 1817-John Hannum, John Ludden, Seth Janes. 1818-John Hannum, John Ludden, Jonathan Janes. 1819-John Hannum, John Ludden, Jonathan Janes. 1820-John Hannum, John Ludden, Jonathan Janes. 1821-John Hannum, John Ludden, Jonathan Janes. 1822-John Ludden, Ocran Clapp, Julius Clark. 1823-John Ludden, Ocran Clapp, Julius Clark. 1824-John Ludden, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1825-John Ludden, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1826-John Ludden, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1827-Levi Clapp, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1828-Levi Clapp, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1829-Levi Clapp, John Hannum, Luther Clark. 1830-John Ludden, John Hannum, Luke Janes. 1831-John Ludden, Daniel Lyman, Luke Janes.
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
1832-John Ludden, Daniel Lyman, Luke Janes. 1833-John Hannum, Levi Clapp, Luke Janes. 1834-Luther Clark, Levi Clapp, John Ludden. 1835-Luther Clark, Jason Janes, John Ludden. 1836-Luther Clark, Jason Janes, John Ludden. 1837-Luther Clark, Jason Janes, John Ludden. 1838-Luke Janes, E. W. Hannum, John Ludden. 1839-L. P. Lyman, E. W. Hannum, Luther Clark. 1840-L. P. Lyman, E. W. Hannum, Luther Clark. 1841-E. W. Hannum, Augustus Clapp, Lorenzo Clapp. 1842-E. W. Hannum, Zenas Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1843-E. W. Hannum, Zenas Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1844-Theodore Clapp, Zenas Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1845-E. W. Hannum, Luther Clark, Theodore Clapp. 1846-E. W. Hannum, Luther Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1847-E. W. Hannum, Luther Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1848-Lemuel P. Lyman, Luther Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1849-Lemuel P. Lyman, Luther Clark, Solomon Alvord. 1850-E. Ferry, Luke Janes, Solomon Alvord. 1851-E. Ferry, Luke Janes, H. G. Knight. 1852-E. W. Hannum, Luke Janes, H. G. Knight. 1853-E. W. Hannum, E. Ferry, Luther Clark. 1854-J. H. Lyman, E. Ferry, Luke Janes. 1855-L. F. Clapp, Q. P. Lyman, Ransloe Daniels. 1856-L. F. Clapp, Joseph Parsons, Solomon Alvord. 1857-E. W. Hannum, Joseph Parsons, L. P. Lyman. 1858-Alanson Clark, L. F. Clapp, E. H. Sawyer. 1859-Alanson Clark, L. F. Clapp, Levi Parsons. 1860-Alanson Clark, L. F. Clapp, Levi Parsons. 1861-Alanson Clark, Lewis S. Clark, Levi Parsons. 1862-Lewis S. Clark, Alanson Clark, Seth Warner, Lauren D. Lyman, Lewis Clapp.
1863-Lauren D. Lyman, Seth Warner, E. S. Janes. 1864-Lauren D. Lyman, E. S. Janes, E. A. Hubbard.
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MISCELLANIES.
1865-Edwin S. Janes, Lewis S. Clark, Joel Bassett. 1866-Joel L. Bassett, Ansel B. Lyman, Lewis S. Clark.
Town Clerks.
1785-David Lyman, 3 years.
1788-Jonathan Clapp, 2 years.
1790-Joseph Clapp, jr.
1797-Hophni Clapp, 6 years.
1803-Obadiah Janes, 2d.
1804-Joseph Clapp, jr.,
11 years.
1808-Obadiah Janes, 2d,
9 years.
1816-Isaac Clapp. 1817-Zalmon Mallory.
1821-Isaac Clapp, 2 years.
1822-Zalmon Mallory,
11 years.
1829-Samuel Wright,
5 years.
1834-Ebenezer Ferry.
1841-Edwin Hannum, 1 year.
1842-Ebenezer Ferry,
20 years.
1855-Lucius Preston,
9 years.
1864-George S. Clark,
1 year.
1865-Charles B. Johnson.
School Committees.
1826-Samuel Williston, Zalmon Mallory, Samuel
Wright, Solomon Clapp, Luther Clark, jr. 1827-Rev. P. Williston, Zalmon Mallory, Zenas Clark. 1828-Rev. P. Williston, Theo. Wright, Ezekiel White. 1829-Rev. P. Williston, Ezekiel White, Luther Clark, jr. 1830-Rev. P. Williston, Zenas Clark, Chandler Ludden. 1831-Samuel Wright, Luther Clapp, Sidney Ferry.
1832-Sidney Ferry, Emelius Clapp, Gideon Matthews. 1833-Sam'l Williston, Wm. Hannum, Gideon Matthews. 1834-Rev. P. Williston, Rev. Wm. Bement, Sidney Ferry.
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
1835-Sam'l Williston, Sidney Ferry, Samuel Wright. 1836-Sam'l Williston, Sam'l Wright, Rev. Wm. Bement. 1837-Rev. Wm. Bement, Sam'l Williston, Sidney Ferry. 1838-Rev. Wm. Bement, Edwin Hannum, Ather'n Clark. 1839-Rev. Wm. Bement, Ather'n Clark, Edwin Hannum. 1840-Edwin Hannum, Rev. Luther Wright, Luther Clark, jr.
1841-Rev. Wm. Bement, Rev. Luther Wright, Edwin Hannum.
1842-Edwin Hannum, Rev. Wm. Bement, E. Monroe Wright.
1843-Rev. Wm. Bement, Edwin Hannum, E. Monroe Wright.
1844-Eleazer Coleman, Rev. Solomon Lyman, Edwin Hannum.
1845-Edwin Hannum, Rev. Solomon Lyman, Eleazer Coleman.
1846-David N. Smith, C. Mattoon Alvord, Edwin Hannum.
1847-Edwin Hannum, Rev. Wm. Bement, C. Mattoon Alvord.
1848-Rev. Wm. Bement, D. M. Kimball,'Edwin Hannum. 1849-LaFayette Clapp, Jas. H. Lyman, Edwin Hannum. 1850-L. F. Clapp. Jas. H. Lyman, Rev. Luther Wright. 1851-Rev. R. S. Stone, L. F. Clapp, Rev. Luther Wright. 1852-Rev. R. S. Stone, Rev. Luther Wright, James H. Lyman.
1853-E. A. Hubbard, Rev. A. M. Colton, Rev. Hervey Smith.
1854-Rev. A. M. Colton, E. A. Hubbard, Rev. Hervey Smith.
1855-Rev. Hervey Smith, Edward Hitchcock, jr., L. F. Clapp. 1856-Lewis S. Clark, Lauren D. Lyman, Rev. Luther Wright.
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MISCELLANIES.
1857-Rev. Luther Wright, Lewis S. Clark, Lauren D. Lyman. 1858-E. A. Hubbard, Rev. A. M. Colton, Rev. Luther Wright. 1859-E. A. Hubbard, Rev. A. M. Colton, Rev. Luther Wright.
1860-E. A. Hubbard, Rev. Luther Wright, H. G. Knight. 1861-Rev. Luther Wright, H. G. Knight, E. A. Hubbard. 1862-H. G. Knight, E. A. Hubbard, Rev. Luther Wright. 1863-E. A. Hubbard, Rev. Luther Wright, H. G. Knight. 1864-Rev. Luther Wright, H. G. Knight, E. A. Hubbard. 1865-H. G. Knight, Russell M. Wright, Rev. Samuel Jackson.
1866-Russell M. Wright, H. G. Knight, Seth Warner.
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT.
1810-Dea. T. Clapp. 1828-John Ludden.
1811-Dea. T. Clapp.
1829-John Ludden.
1812-Dea. T. Clapp. 1830-Ocran Clapp.
1813-P. Nichols. 1831-Luther Clark.
1814-P. Nichols. 1832-John Ludden.
1815-Capt. L. Lyman. 1833-Jason Janes.
1816-Capt. L. Lyman. 1834-Jason Janes.
1817-John Hannum.
1835-Luther Clark, jr.
1818-John Hannum.
1836-Luther Clark, jr. 1837-Luther Clark, jr. 1839-John Ludden.
1819-Ahira Lyman. 1820-Dea. T. Clapp.
1840-Samuel Williston.
1821-Dea. T. Clapp.
1822-Dea. T. Clapp.
1843-E. W. Hannum.
1844-E. M. Wright.
1823-Dea. T. Clapp. 1824-Dea. T. Clapp.
1845-Zenas Clark.
1848-H. Bartholomew.
1825-Ahira Lyman. 1826-John Ludden. 1849-J. Wright, 2d.
1827-John Ludden. 9
1850-John Wright. .
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
1851-H. G. Knight. 1859-LaFayette Clapp.
1852-H. G. Knight. 1862-Eli A. Hubbard.
1853-Lemuel P. Lyman. 1865-E. H. Sawyer. 1854-Seth Warner.
The following persons have served as Justices of the Peace, the first of whom was commissioned in 1810 : Thaddeus Clapp. Lemuel P. Lyman.
John Ludden.
Luther Wright, jr.
Luther Clark, jr.
E. Waldo Lyman.
Samuel Williston.
Addison S. Peck.
Ebenezer Ferry.
Horatio G. Knight.
William N. Clapp.
Levi Parsons.
Charles B. Johnson. George S. Clark.
QUARTER CENTURY RETROSPECT.
It will be interesting, at this time, to review the prog- ress of the town during the last quarter of a century. Let us glance back to the year 1840, and imagine ourselves passing through its streets, of which there were, then laid out, only those now known as Bridge, Main, Park, Union, and Pleasant Streets. Entering the town from the north, after we had crossed the bridge over Manhan river, we should come first to the house then occupied by L. P. Lyman, and the saw-mill opposite. Where now stands the hotel, would have been seen the building, since re- modeled, and used, at present, as the Seminary Boarding House. On the left stood the house now owned by E. R. Bosworth, then occupied by Rev. Wm. Bement, pastor of the church, and also, a little farther on, the house for- merly occupied by Rev. Luther Wright, but recently re- moved to give place to the First Church. On our right, we should pass the houses now owned by Capt. Miller and Dr. J. W. Winslow, in the latter of which lived Dr.
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Atherton Clark. A little farther on, we should see, on our left, the First Church edifice, then newly erected, and, on our right, the old Town Hall, now used as a dwelling house by Edmund W. Clark. Passing the burying ground then in use, we should come to the blacksmith shop of Almon Chapman, standing where Knight's block now does, while directly opposite, on the present grounds be- longing to Williston Seminary, was his residence. A little farther on was the house of Elihu Lyman, where F. H. Pomeroy now lives, and, nearly opposite, the dwelling of Isaac Clapp. The next house which we should pass would be that of Dea. Solomon Lyman, and still further south that of Jeremiah Lyman, where his son Ansel B. now lives. Beyond this there were none, until we reach that now occupied by Mrs. Janes. If, instead of Main, we had taken Park street, the only residence would have been that of Mr. Williston, on the site of his present one, while across the way stood his store. If, instead of this, we had taken Union street, though it could hardly have been called a street, we should have found only one house, until we reached the Pascommuck road running along the base of Mt. Tom. This stood at a little distance across the brook, where is now the Factory village. Soon after this the Seminary Boarding House and that of Almon Chapman were moved to their present location, and, for several years, these three were the only houses in that part of the town.
Now, retracing our steps, let us pass the church, and take the road leading to Pascommuck, now called Pleas- ant street. On the corner, was the house now owned by Horace Matthews, and the one next to it was then occupied by Joel Parsons, Senior, since, however, owned by Lewis Ferry. Opposite to this stood that now owned by Lowell E. Janes. A little farther on we should reach the dwel-
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON.
lings of Joel Parsons, Jr., and of Spencer Janes, where now E. S. Janes resides. Four other houses, those of Solomon Ferry, Theodore Lyman, and one a little to the west of his, together with one standing not far from where Arlow Hannum now lives, would bring us to the saw-mill of Spencer Janes, where now the cotton mill of S. Willis- ton & Co. stands.
Now let any one, bearing these statements in mind, pass, either in reality or imagination, along these streets and others since laid out, and observe the changes which a quarter century has witnessed, and he would be strik- ingly impressed with the progress of the town during that period.
Then the only church in the place stood where it has since, until its recent removal. Luther Clapp kept store, between the river and canal, where L. F. Clapp now lives, and Mr. Williston had a store across the road from his residence. Almon Chapman carried on the blacksmith's business, as we have said, where Knight's block now stands, and Samuel Wright supplied customers with fresh meat. The lumber and flouring business was in much the same hands as now, though in extent it has increased greatly.
Since then, the Hotel, Parsonage adjoining, High School, Town Hall, and Knight's block of stores, and others in the place, have been put up. Williston Semina- ry has been established, and, with all its buildings, stands an ornament to the place. Two new churches have been organized, and church edifices erected. The extensive manufacturing interest, with its mills and villages, has all sprung up, and a portion of the town where was then but one house has become its most populous part. Many fine private residences have been erected, and everywhere we meet with marked evidences of growth. The railroad and
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MISCELLANIES.
telegraph lines, and the lighting of the village with gas, are other great improvements.
Then the population was 717. In May last it was 2,869. With this advance in business and population, has come a still greater advance in the valuation of prop- erty in the center.
In 1848, H. G. Knight purchased a lot of land lying on Union street, and embracing that now occupied by the Pay- son Church, and the residences of H. J. Bly, D. S. Jep- son, John Mayher, and Mrs. Miletus Parsons, two acres in all, paying therefor $200 per acre. In 1865 a quarter acre lot adjoining this was sold for little more than $1000, or more than twenty times as much as was paid for the same amount eighteen years ago by Mr. Knight.
Another, and a sad evidence of the growth of the town, is to be seen in its cemetery. Laid out in 1846, the sur- face of the original portion is already dotted all over with marble slabs, which mark the last resting place of some loved one; while one addition and another have been called for, as new families have removed hither. One by one they have been brought to tenant this city of the dead. One by one shall we who remain pass away, and our bodies be committed to earth. The time of our de- parture we know not, for " of the day and the hour knoweth no man." But, sooner or later, to each one it will come, and happy will it be for us if we be found in readiness, and watching for the summons.
MISCELLANIES.
Among the records of the old militia company of this town, under date of October 2d, 1827, after the usual record of the doings of the company, we find the follow- ing entry, which is very suggestive and interesting : " At the above training, the company voted unanimously that 9*
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HISTORY OF EASTHAMPTON ..
the officers should, on all occasions, abolish the practice of treating with ardent spirits. A noble resolution-letit be kept sacred." This may be considered to mark an era in the history of temperance reform. Hitherto, custom had required that the officers, at their election, and on other occasions, should treat the men under their command. It was a practice entirely pernicious in its workings, and without any natural foundation, though, in those times and before, it was carried into almost every department of life. Men at length began to awaken to a consideration of the wide spread evils of such a course, and hence arose the temperance reformation, a work most beneficent in its results and calculated to secure to society incalculable blessings, if wisely persisted in. Of late years, however, an apathy on the subject seems to have taken possession of the minds of the friends of this reform, while its ene- mies are ever on the alert. Many professedly temperance men have fallen into the old habit of using and treating with the lighter liquors, as cider and domestic wines, and, as it seems to us, from precisely this source, has originated something of the alarming increase of intemperance in our communities. If we would withstand successfully this vice, whose desolating effects are but too plainly visible all around us, we must come up to the high ground of the old temperance reform, and persistently maintain its prin- ciple of total abstinence from everything that can intoxi- cate.
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