USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Great Barrington > History of Great Barrington, (Berkshire County,) Massachusetts > Part 32
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General John Whiting, son of Lieutenant Gamaliel Whiting of this town, and a law student in the office of General Ives, was admitted to the bar in 1792, and was in practice to the time of his decease, January 13, 1846. General Whiting was for many years a promi- nent citizen of the town ; town clerk from 1794 to 1811; Representative to the General Court in 1815, and State Senator in 1816-17. He was also for several years District Attorney, and Major General of Militia. He died at the age of seventy-five, January 13, 1846.
Robert L. Potter, was admitted to the bar in 1809, began practice here and continued to about 1814, when he removed to Meadville, Penn.
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IVES-HYDE-BRYANT.
George H. Ives, son of General Thomas Ives, born April 15, 1789; studied law in his father's office ; ad- mitted to the bar in 1810, and at the decease of his father succeeded him in business. He was in practice to the time of his decease, April 29, 1825.
James A. Hyde, from New Marlboro, graduated at Williams College in 1807 ; admitted to the bar in 1811, and was for several years, 1811-25, associated in prac- tice with General John Whiting. He afterwards occu- pied the office vacated by William Cullen Bryant. Mr. Hyde was a useful citizen, and clerk of the town for thirteen years, 1813-20 and 1825-31. His death, which occurred July 4th, 1836, was caused by inju- ries received in being thrown from his chaise in the village street.
William Cullen Bryant, a native of Cummington, having previously, for a short period, been in practice at Plainfield, removed to this town in 1815, and was for a time-1816-17-associated in business with George H. Ives, occupying the old General Ives office. He afterwards, for several years, and as late as 1820, had his office in the south wing of the dwelling house of Bazy W. Pattison-then the residence of Dr. Ben- jamin Rogers-and still later until 1825, he occupied a small building, erected for him, where the Episcopal church stands. This was afterwards occupied by James A. Hyde as a law office, and later by the Misses Kel- logg as a school-house. Mr. Bryant remained here until 1825, when becoming disgusted with the profes- sion, and with the petty quibblings and animosities common between opposing counsel, he abandoned it, removed to New York and devoted himself to journal- ism and to literary pursuits congenial to his nature. During his residence here he found much to inspire his muse, in his rambles about the town. The beauty of the Green River, and the quiet seclusion of its banks, with the views from the intervening hill, often attract. ed his foot-steps in that direction. And in this period several of his finer poetical effusions were penned. Here, too, he married; and this event is duly chron- icled, in his own hand, on the records of the town, of which he was then the clerk.
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HISTORY OF GREAT BARRINGTON.
The residence of Mr. Bryant in the first year of his married life-1821-2-was in the house now of Ralph Taylor, which he then occupied jointly with Mrs. Ruth F. Ives.
John C. Whiting, son of General John Whiting, was admitted to the bar in 1825, was in practice here a few years with his father, but removed to New York, and died there May 7, 1834.
The late Honorable Increase Sumner, a native of Otis, was admitted to the bar in 1825, and in that year settled in this town in the practice of his profession, which he continued to his decease, January 7, 1871. For more than forty years Mr. Sumner was a promi- nent man in town, county and state affairs.
These, with the exception of a few who practiced for short periods, are all the lawyers settled here pre- vious to 1840. In addition to the foregoing, Charles N. Emerson, Henry Wheeler, Thomas Twining, and John Price, all now deceased, were practicing lawyers here between 1844 and 1860.
Besides the magistrates, lawyers and others who have been mentioned, a few individuals, prominent in conducting the affairs of the town in the early part of the century are worthy of notice. Of these was Lu- cius King, a native of this town, son of Asahel King, who died in 1756, and a nephew of Major William King. Lucius King was born April 16, 1749, and had his residence from 1772 to 1826, in a low brown house which stood on the east side of the old road, east of the river. He is remembered by the older citizens as a tall, large man, moderate in his movements, of pleas- ant disposition, strong good sense, and sound judg- ment. That these qualities were recognized by his townsmen is apparent from the fact that he was called to serve them in the capacity of selectman for twenty- four years, first from 1794 to 1808, inclusive, fifteen consecutive years, second for three years, 1810-11-12, and last for six years, 1819-25. He was also frequent- ly the moderator of the town meetings, and served in the General Court in 1811. Having grown old in the service of the town, Mr. King removed, with his son Harry, about 1826, to Malone, N. Y., and died there.
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WAINWRIGHT-KELLOGG-BECKWITH.
David Wainwright, a native of Wallingford, Conn., born December 27, 1750, came to this place a little earlier than 1776, and in that year-February 19- married Ruby Younglove, daughter of Timothy Young- love of this town. His early residence here, and as late as 1785, was on the farm now John A. Cone's, west of Green River, but about 1790-92, he removed to the old Ingersoll brick house in the south part of the village, in which he lived to the time of his de- cease. Mr. Wainwright was a firm supporter of the Episcopal Church, and long filled a prominent place in the transaction of town business. He was selectman for five years-1809-13-and represented the town in the legislature in 1794, 1806-8-9-10. Short in stature and portly, his personal appearance was in keeping with his character, substantial and determined. He was the father of the late William Wainwright and of General Timothy Wainwright -- conspicuous in the old militia of the county-who removed more than forty years since to Wisconsin, and died there. David Wainwright died at the age of 80, May 21, 1831; his wife survived him until January 18, 1846, and died at the ge of 89.
Ezra Kellogg, Esq., from Colchester, Conn., who came about 1775, and whose first appearance here is as a member of Captain William King's company of minute men in that year, married, four years later, Mary Whiting, daughter of Lieutenant Gamaliel Whit- ing. He became a prominent citizen, sustained vari- ous offices, and was long the principal Deputy Sheriff of the town. He was an honest, straightforward man, and highly respected. Mr. Kellogg was the father of the late Misses Kellogg ; and of his large family of children none are now living. He died September 29, 1833, aged 79.
Deacon George Beckwith, from Lyme, Conn., about 1807, settled where Wellington Clapp resides, on the road to Stockbridge. Deacon Beckwith, long one of the leading men in the Congregational Church, was an eminently good man, and a valuable citizen. He was a man of excellent judgment, conscientious and public- spirited, and exerted a salutary influence in all the moral, religious and secular affairs of the town.
CHAPTER XXVI.
DAYS OF RECREATION-MILITIA-CHANGES IN IN- HABITANTS-POLITICS-LIEUTENANT GEORGE WAINWRIGHT-WILLIAM PHILLIPS.
The early part of this century was a season of peace, and in some degree, of prosperity. The inhabitants of the town were slowly emerging from that gloomy condition depicted by President Dwight, and presented in a former chapter, from which he-a few years later -observed some evidences of recovery.
This improvement may be said to date from 1806, when a fresh interest in the support of the Gospel and of schools appears to have arisen, and when a few valuable additions were made to the inhabitants and to the business of the town. Still the increase of pop- ulation in that first decade-1800 to 1810-was only thirty. This improvement was checked by the war of 1812-15, which was an unpopular measure with the people, and of which little or no mention is made in the town records. But the depressing effects of that war, the enhancement of prices and derangement of the currency, were severely felt by the town.
There was but little wealth among the inhabitants, and the general style of living, even later than 1830, was characterized by plainness, frugality and econ- omy, in strange contrast with that of the present day. There was, too, in that time more sociability and neighborly familiarity, with less of ceremony and os- tentation than now exists ; and-as we believe-there was more native talent, general intelligence and man- iiness of character among the young men of the town, than there is to-day. But dissipation abounded,
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HOLIDAYS-THE MILITIA.
and many of the younger men were swept away. So- cial gatherings, balls, frolics, quiltings, bees and rais- ings were frequent, and in these all classes participated.
The "Election Day"-the last Wednesday of May- the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and the days set apart for General Training and military parade, com- prised the holidays. Christmas was observed, mainly, by the Episcopalians, and on Christmas Eve the old church south of the village, with its numerous windows brilliantly illuminated, was always crowded. The "Election Day" was, however, the universal holiday, and the rule prevailed amongst the farmers that corn planting must be finished by that day in order for its enjoyment. It was a day of general hilarity, with no prescribed forms of observance, though ball playing was ordinarily included in the exercises, and frequently the inhabitants of adjacent towns were pitted against one another in the game of wicket. Wrestling, too, was a common amusement on that day, each town hav- ing its champions.
The old Militia system of the state, requiring the enrollment, organization into companies, equipment, and discipline of all citizens capable of bearing arms, is a thing of the past. But in the latter part of the last and the early part of the present century the mili- tary organization was an important institution, and re- ceived the attention and support of the best men in the commonwealth. In the years of peace which fol- lowed the war of 1812-15, military discipline became irksome, fell into disrepute, and finally ceased in this section about 1835-6. Whilst the military organiza- tion was maintained with spirit and a good degree of discipline, its offices were considered posts of honor, and were often the stepping stones to political prefer- ment.
The Militia of Great Barrington, eighty years ago, formed part of the Ninth Division of the state, in which John Ashley of Sheffield, Thomas Ives of Great Barrington, Joseph Whiton of Lee, and John Whiting of Great Barrington-perhaps successively-officiated as Major Generals; General John Whiting having been elected to that office about 1816. The town militia in
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HISTORY OF GREAT BARRINGTON.
its later years comprised three companies ; one each of Light Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery. Amongst the later officers here, we recall Timothy Wainwright, Brigadier-General ; Ebenezer Chadwick, Colonel ; John Chatfield, Major; Levi Kilborn, Captain of Infantry ; Richard Bump, Gilbert Munson and George Turner, Captains of Artillery-there were many others. David Leavenworth was Major of Artillery, a position previ- ously for a long time occupied by Dudley Woodworth.
In addition to the companies we have mentioned. a new company of Light Infantry, composed of Great Barrington, Sheffield and Egremont men was formed in 1829. Of this company David Ives was chosen Captain and Clark A. Wilcox Lieutenant. Captain Ives had been educated at a military school, and took pride in infusing into his company more spirit and a higher regard for discipline than existed in the old mil- itia ; and his company is still remembered as having made a very creditable appearance at the General Training. Captain Ives having been promoted to the office of Colonel, Clark A. Wilcox was chosen Captain of the company in 1833, and after about two years was succeeded by David Hudson-who commanded to the final disbandment of the company in 1836.
Many still remember the awkward and grotesque appearance of the Militia in its later parades : the booths along the street with gingerbread and beer; the Artillery practice in rear of the old tavern sheds ; the dashing show of the plumed "troopers"; and the drunkenness and carousal which attended the days of General Training.
The Artillery Company was supplied with two fine brass field pieces-six pounders-the property of the state. These, with their equipments, were stored in the old gun house, which stood near where Frederick N. Deland's barn now does, just south of the Congre- gational church. The cannon and equipments were reclaimed by the state and taken to Boston, at the time of the Maine boundary disputes, forty years ago.
Some, also, remember a Brigade review, ordered to be held here in 1825-perhaps the first and certainly the last ever held in town-at which the Commander-
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THE MILITIA.
in-Chief, Governor Levi Lincoln, was present to review the troops. The day proved so thoroughly rainy that the review could not be held, though the Military were on hand for the occasion. The principal headquarters were at the old tavern east of the bridge then kept by Harry Seeley, and the musicians, forty or more in num- ber, found shelter from the storm in the old meeting- house near by.
It was with reference to Governor Lincoln's visit on this occasion, that Mr. Bryant (who entertained a preconceived dislike for the Governor) wrote, not long after, in his "Meditation on Rhode Island Coal;"
" And I have seen-not many months ago- An eastern Governor in Chapeau bras, And military coat, a glorious show ! Ride forth to visit the reviews, and ah ! How oft he smiled and bowed to Jonathan !
How many hands were shook and votes were won !"
But Lincoln did not need for popularity here, as the inhabitants, a few months before, had cast their votes unanimously for him, a compliment repeated the next year with but one dissenting vote.
The only occasion on which the militia of Great Barrington was called upon to perform public service was in 1814, when six hundred privates with officers and musicians were detached from the Ninth Division for the protection of Boston and its harbor against the British. The men thus detached-drafted-were ordered to rendezvous at the house of Calvin Burn- ham, in Lenox, on the 14th of September, with their arms, equipments, blankets, knapsacks, and three days' provisions, where they were formed into a regiment of eight companies, and immediately marched to Boston. It is remembered that Timothy Turner went with his team carrying the baggage of the soldiers from this town to Boston. On the occasion of the draft for this expedi- tion, the town Militia were paraded on the west side of Main street, opposite the old tavern. Captain John Ford-the commander-held a hat containing the tickets for the draft, from which each man in turn, stepping forward, drew his ticket. Some of the men drafted were pleased and elated, and others affected
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HISTORY OF GREAT BARRINGTON.
even to tears. But the expedition proved a bloodless; one, and the service was not arduous.
Jabez Turner of this town, now living at the age of 85 years in New York City, was a soldier in the regu -- lar army, and participated in the battle of Fort Erie, . September 17, 1814.
So far as we know, Great Barrington lost but one . man in the war of 1812. That one was Adolphus Bur -- ghardt-son of "Corner John"-who was killed at the ; battle of Plattsburg, by a chance shot after the action was over.
The Military organization in this vicinity passed out of existence about 1835-6, leaving among our in -- habitants a long list of worthy men-since sadly de- pleted-wearing the titles of Captain, Major, Colonel,. General, etc.
Earlier than 1800, many inhabitants had emigrated to Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, and after that date a large number went to the Genesee country and to Ohio ; still later to Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. The descendants of the early dwellers of the town are scattered throughout the West, in all the States and Territories.
In the first years of the "Gold Fever"-1849-50- many young men went to California. Most of these returned ; several died, amongst whom we recall Thom- as Moore, Lewis Kipp and Jared Seeley ; John M. Cushing remained, as did also Henry T. Gibson and Charles A. Sumner, who went later.
The population of the town has been subject to constant change; while many have emigrated, more new comers have taken their places. Prominent, amongst the latter, earlier than 1810, were James A. Hyde, George Beckwith, Allen Henderson from New Hartford, Conn. ; Samuel and Gamaliel H. Barstow from Sharon. Conn. ; David and Isaac Leavenworth, Ebenezer Pope originally from Lebanon, Conn .; Sam- uel Riley and Timothy Pelton: between 1810 and 1820 -William Cullen Bryant, John Chatfield from Oxford, Conn. ; Charles and Ralph Taylor, Alvenus Cone, and Charles Foote, all from Colchester, Conn .; between 1820 and 1830-John C. and Asa C. Russell, Increase:
379'
PROMINENT CITIZENS.
Sumner, Elijah Foster, Gilbert Munson, William M. Battell, Daniel Wilcox, Linus Manville, Washington Adams and Benjamin Peabody; between 1830 and 1840 --- Noble B. Pickett, Augustine and Daniel E. Gid- dings, Enos Foote, George Taylor, John C. Cone, John D. Cushing, Joshua R. Lawton, Phineas Chapin, John H. Coffing, George W. Sterling, John W. Couch, Hen- ry Loop, William S. Stevens, William and George Stanley, and Philip Barnes. There were many others.
Death has made fearful inroads upon our popula- tion, and of the heads of families residing here sixty years ago, very few remain. Of the 310 voters in the list for the spring of 1818, two only now reside here, to wit : Sylvester Hulbert and Oliver Watson, and, probably, no others are living.
Prominent amongst the men active in town affairs between 1810 and 1830, were David Wainwright, Lu- cius King, Moses Hopkins, David Leavenworth, James A. Hyde, John Whiting, Ebenezer Pope, George H. Ives, William C. Bryant, John Seeley, Benjamin Rog- ers, Samuel Rosseter, Isaac L. Van Deusen, and George Beckwith. Among those most prominent between 1830 and 1850-and several of them later-were Charles W. Hopkins, David Ives, Edward P. Wood- worth, George Pynchon, Increase Sumner, Ralph Tay- lor, Gilbert Munson, Benjamin Peabody, Prentice Comstock, Philip Barnes, Henry Loop, Isaac Seeley, Charles Foote, Almon I. Loring, Joshua R. Lawton, Augustine Giddings, Loring G. Robbins, Jacob H. Van Deusen, Charles N. Emerson, and Samuel Newman.
Since the dissolution of the old Federal party, the town has been generally Whig in politics until 1856, and later Republican ; though on local issues the Re- publican and Democratic parties are, frequently, quite evenly matched.
In the spring of 1812, a branch of the Berkshire Washington Benevolent Society was instituted here, of which Doctor David Leavenworth was the presiding officer and Major Samuel Rosseter secretary. This organization had a large membership, and was in ex- istence about two years, holding its meetings in the Leavenworth Hall, and exerting some influence in the
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HISTORY OF GREAT BARRINGTON.
politics of the day. The only recorded item of inter- est in its proceedings, is the award of a silver medal, made by the society, September 15th, 1812, to Samuel C. Buel of Tyringham, for his exertions in saving sev- eral persons from drowning on Six Mile Pond, on the 23d of July, 1812. The medal was duly struck and presented, and the pond, in later years, has received the name of "Lake Buel," appropriately commemora- tive of the heroic act of Mr. Buel.
The most remarkable political event of the time was the Harrison and Tyler-"Tippecanoe and Tyler too" -- Convention of the 26th of August, 1840, when the largest assemblage of people ever witnessed in the village was gathered. The inhabitants came from all the towns within a radius of fifteen or twenty miles. Log cabins on wheels, with cider barrels and coon skins, and banners of all forms and devices, graced the procession. The gathering place was in the lot, then vacant, next south of the Congregational church, where a stand for the speakers was erected. The multitude, estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand, was ad- dressed by Joshua A. Spencer and Mark H. Sibley-na- tives of the town -- and by George N. Briggs, then mem- ber of congress, while Joseph Hoxie from New York-a notable singer-entertained the people with political songs.
In the Mexican war Great Barrington had one rep- resentative worthy of particular notice, to wit :
Lieutenant George Wainwright.
George Wainwright, a son of General Timothy Wainwright, and grandson of David Wainwright, Esq., was born in this town August 6th, 1820, and passed the days of his boyhood here. His youthful proclivi- ties, decidedly martial-heightened, perhaps, by a few months' tuition at the Academy in Canaan, N. Y., un- der Captain Richard H. Ashley, a graduate of West Point-led him to seek and obtain the appointment of Cadet from the Berkshire district. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in Au- gust, 1840, graduated four years later, was commis- sioned Brevet Second Lieutenant of Company K., U.
381
LIEUT. GEORGE WAINWRIGHT.
S. Infantry, and joined his regiment at Tampa Bay, Forida, just at the close of the Seminole war. At the beginning of disturbances with Mexico, Lieutenant Wainwright was ordered to Corpus Christi, Texas, and was attached to the Eighth Infantry, General Worth's Brigade. This Brigade, 3,300 strong, began its march of 130 miles, for Matamoras, Mexico-over a desert prairie nearly destitute of wood and water-on the 9th of March, 1846, and was engaged in the battles of Palo. Alto, May 8th, and Resaca-de-la-Palma, May 9th. In these battles, Lieutenant Wainwright distinguished himself by his bravery, was wounded in the neck, and received a complimentary notice in General Orders. The Eighth Infantry formed part of the advance corps of the Army of Occupation, moving in August, 1846, under General Taylor upon Monterey.
On the morning of September 22d, General Worth's Division stormed the Bishop's Palace at Monterey. In this attack, while ascending the hill, waving his sword and cheering on his men, Lieutenant Wainwright was struck by a ball in the right arm, which also pierced his side, followed a rib and passing along the back lodged under the left shoulder blade. While leav- ing the field, he refused the proffered assistance of one of his men, and slowly descended the hill. When near the foot, General Worth rode up and hastily demanded " Why an officer had left the field," to which Lieuten- ant Wainwright, raising the shattered arm with his left hand, replied : "This is my answer." General Worth dismounted, examined his condition, directed a staff officer to assist him to the hospital, and, remounting, laid his hand on Wainwright's shoulder, and exclaimed : "Wainwright, I would give ten thousand dollars for that wound."
Lieutenant Wainwright remained at Monterey, after its capitulation, until his wounds were healed, and was ordered to Saltillo; but for three months he was una- ble to do duty with his company. He continued at that place until his division was ordered to join Gen- eral Scott at Vera Cruz. Leaving Saltillo, January 10th, 1847, he was able to walk with his company only five days ; but he was determined to go with it, and
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HISTORY OF GREAT BARRINGTON.
resorted to all sorts of expedients-wagon, horse, jack, or mule, to do so. Writing to a friend, he remarked : "Come what may, I intend to go with my regiment through this entire war, unless death interferes." He took part in the seige of Vera Cruz, in March, and was at Cerro Gordo, though not in the battle, as his regi- ment was with the reserve. On the 20th of August General Worth's division carried San Antonio, and on the 8th of September stormed Molino-del-Rey and Casa-de-Mata, the western defences of Chapultepec. In these battles Lieutenant Wainwright was severely wounded in the leg, and was carried to a small village, where he remained until after the troops entered the city of Mexico, when he, with other wounded, was transferred to that place. His wounds, in consequence of neglect, assumed a very dangerous condition, and kept him confined most of the following winter.
He returned to Great Barrington in the spring of 1848, shattered in health and broken down by the effects of climate, hardships, and wounds. For a time his health apparently improved, and in July he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where his commission as Lieuten- ant reached him ; but he failed rapidly, and died there, at the house of George R. Ives, August 3d, 1848, at the age of 28 years. His remains were brought to this place, and his funeral was attended at the Episco- pal church. He was buried in Egremont.
One native of Great Barrington fell a victim to the rage and barbarity of the Missouri Border Ruffians in the attempt to force a Pro-slavery government upon Kansas ;
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