USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. I > Part 43
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"As the old-fashioned New England meetinghouse resem- bled a barn externally, so its internal arrangements were barn- like,-without carpet or cushions or any means to warm it so as to render it comfortable both for the preacher and hearer during the inclement season of the year, and it was in fact, as may be well conceived, a most cheerless and forbidding place, in which a people were required to unite in their devotions on a cold wintry sabbath. In such a house when the thermom- eter was not far from zero, the writer has stood in his pulpit, clad in an overcoat and cloak and mittens, dispensing the word to a shivering congregation. It could not therefore be said that he handled his subject without mittens, and if in the fol- lowing week a parishioner apologized for being absent from his accustomed place, his excuse was usually on the ground 'that mercy is before sacrifice.'
" In those days one meetinghouse sufficed for a Town. It was built and supported by the Town ; it was the Town's
544
A HUMANE BENEFACTOR
[1800-1874
property and used for all purposes and occasions that might be required by the Town both religious and secular. As the house was the Town's property, every family had a share in it and they were seated, as it was called, both on the floor below and in the gallery, the choice as to the pews being regulated by taxation. The minister, too, in a certain sense, was Town property. He was settled by the town, and he was expected to perform all the labors and duties for the town that were required by his relation to the town, or by his profession.
" It was in just such a meetinghouse as I have attempted to describe, that the people in this Town as late as sixty years ago, assembled from sabbath to sabbath for religious worship. It was located about a mile and a half north of this village and the large opening in the highway sufficiently marks where it stood. There the people of this village used to assemble with their worthy townsmen of the. Farms, in Faith, Hope and Charity under the faithful ministry of the venerable Dr. Newton, clad in the ministerial costume of the day. It was in such a meetinghouse that the writer officiated for sev- eral years in the early part of his ministry to a devout con- gregation. What to us now would seem privations, were not thought so then, because the New England Puritan stock had not known anything better. And there might have been a prevailing feeling that the inconveniences and suffering thus experienced while listening to the precepts and sanctions of religion, rendered the offering so cheerfully made more accept- able.
" I would now speak of a new era which occurred in the his- tory of this subject. About the year 1823 or 1824, not far from fifty years ago, some one suggested the idea that a country meetinghouse might be warmed and made comforta- ble during the cold and frosty season of the year. Who this humane benefactor was, is not now known, but he is deserving to have a monument erected to his memory. But even after his
545
DEFERENCE FOR THE MINISTER
1800-1874]
novel suggestion was made there were grave discussions in some quarters as to its practicability. In my parish when the measure was proposed, there were many strong objections to such an innovation. The elderly portion did not favor it. One old gentleman, a constant churchgoer, said that he had attended meetings forty years without inconvenience and thought that he could stand it. Some of the goodly ladies had feared that a stove, the proposed method, would render the atmosphere oppressive and unhealthy.
" Reports were circulated that in places where the experi- ment had been tried, many had suffered from faintness and languor. But it was found that imagination had much to do in the matter, as it was said sensitive women as often fainted when the stove was not in blast as they did when it was. Notwithstanding the opposition a few energetic men of the parish persevered, and the house was made comfortable and not oppressively warm, and not attended with any fatal result. There was a simultaneous movement in this direction about this time in many places, and the worship of the sanctuary was no longer regarded rather as an act of penance than a cheerful service.
" I would now speak of some usages and customs that pre- vailed in many of our New England congregations. It was a custom when the benediction was pronounced for the congrega- tion to stand in their pews till the minister came down from the pulpit and walked out by the broad aisle. The first sabbath that I preached as a candidate, I noticed that at the close of the morning service the people continued standing and I was at first puzzled as to what it meant, but concluded they were waiting for me to leave, and I gathered up my hat, gloves and manuscript and hastened out of the house. At intermission the novel scene I had just experienced was explained to me, and subsequently I governed myself accordingly.
" I found that in several other places where I preached on exchange the same usage prevailed. But as the march of 35
546
THE USE OF ARDENT SPIRITS
[1800-1874
human progress served to lessen the reverence for the protes- sion, this Puritan usage gradually declined and became as one of the things that were. It continued for several years after my settlement much to my displeasure, and when it was pro- posed to discontinue it, I felt quite relieved, as it was a kind of homage which I did not covet and for which I had no taste. Now the most conservative congregation in the land would not consent to bow to such a custom however much they might respect and love their minister.
" The period of which I am now speaking was noted for the free use of ardent spirit in its various forms. At funerals after the exercise, the conductor brought in a great tumbler of rum or brandy toddy, which was first offered to the minister and then passed through the circle of mourners. The bearers and sexton were invited into a separate room where they were allowed to help themselves. At all public occasions, such as ordinations, ministerial associations, conventions, dedications, this part of the entertainment was thought to be indispensa- ble. Weddings and social gatherings were expected to be enlivened by its inspiration.
" Military trainings and the raising of buildings could not get along without it. Mechanics and common day laborers expected to receive their eleven and four o'clock potations as much as they did their dinner. If a man went a-fishing the bottle was thought to be as essential at one end of the pole as the bait was at the other. But the temperance reformation, which took place about forty years ago, gave a fatal and timely blow to all the above customs and usages. Before that time, drinking and treating friends was open and respectable, but since, a great and salutary change has come over the country in regard to the free use of the insiduous yet deadly poison. Before, ministers, lawyers and physicians, and all in any public office were in the great transgression, but since, an addictedness to the fatal cup is regarded as a great hindrance to one's usefulness and success.
547
OLD TIMES versus NEW
1800-1874]
" Finally when we take a retrospect of the prevailing usages and customs of former times and the many discomforts to which people were subjected, we must come to the conclusion that the former days, which we are prone to regard with so much reverence, were not better than the present."
CHAPTER XXXIX
NEWSPAPERS IN GREENFIELD
F EBRUARY 1, 1892, the Gazette & Courier published a very valuable Centennial edition, giving much historical information relating not only to Greenfield, but also to other towns of Franklin county. At that time the only news- papers of Massachusetts which were in existence when the first edition of the Gazette was printed-February 1, 1792-still re- maining in existence, were the Salem Gazette, established in 1768, the Massachusetts Spy, established in 1770, and the Hampshire Gazette, established in 1786.
William Coleman, the first Greenfield lawyer, was the father of the first newspaper in Greenfield.
A young printer from Boston who expressed a willingness to undertake the publication of the newspaper was found and Thomas Dickman printed an edition of eight hundred copies of the Impartial Intelligencer, dated February 1, 1792.
How it happened to be called the Impartial Intelligencer does not appear, but the following letter, written to John Williams, Esq., of Deerfield, shows that the name was not entirely satisfactory to friends previous to its birth. Mr. Cole- man's letter is now preserved in the Pocumtuck Valley Me- morial Association collection, at Deerfield :
"GREENFIELD, Oct. 10, 1791.
" What think you, my dear sir, of the 'plan of The Im- partial Intelligencer' ?- Poh, don't scowl so-You don't like the child's name ?- Nor I, overmuch-Humph !- with a
548
549
THE IMPARTIAL INTELLIGENCER
1792]
nod of the head. I cannot follow you any further in your ob- servations upon it. But, with my best and most obsequious bow, I only humbly crave your honor's name, and the names of your honor's friends -- just to buy the infant a few baby clothes and some little necessaries to keep it warm the first six months of its perhaps precarious existence. Pray, your honor, a little charity for the bantling ; and as its guardian I promise that its first effort shall be to sing its benefactor's praise,
" ' In strains sublime, or humble prose, Just as your honor's taste shall chose.'
" Most respectfully, " WILLIAM COLEMAN."
Within a few months Mr. Dickman had enough subscribers to warrant his printing sixteen hundred papers, which seems a very good beginning. At the end of six months the name of Impartial Intelligencer was dropped and in its place appeared the words, " Greenfield Gazette."
In the first numbers there is nothing to indicate the spot where the printing office was located, but November 5, 1795, the following notice was published :
" The public are respectfully informed that the Printing Office, Post-office and Book store will in future be kept in the new building, east of Mr. Munn's tavern (now the Mansion House). The Gazette will be delivered and all business appertaining to the above-mentioned occupations transacted on the lower floor, east part of said building.
" By their humble servant, "THOMAS DICKMAN."
Thomas Dickman was soon appointed postmaster and a post-office for the first time established in Greenfield. There were at that time few post-offices in the state, and people within a radius of twenty miles or more came here for their mail.
550
NEWSPAPER VENTURES
[1792-1829
Although the publication of the Gazette & Courier has been continuous since February 1, 1792, it has changed its name about as often as the Second Congregational church has changed its pastors.
Commencing as the Impartial Intelligencer, the next Au- gust it became the Greenfield Gazette, and in March, 1795, its heading became the Greenfield Gazette or Massachusetts & Vermont Telegraph. January 1, 1798, it again became the Greenfield Gazette. In August of that year, Mr. Dickman sold the paper to Francis Barker, who added to its title, " A Register of Genuine Federalism." In June, 1799, Mr. Barker joined John Adams's army as captain, to fight the French, and Mr. Dickman again took the paper.
In 1802, John Denio purchased the paper of his old master, and dropped the words which Mr. Barker had added to the title. In 1811 Ansel Phelps, a young printer from Northamp- ton, became the owner, and it was named the Traveller. Just then the old Hampshire county was divided, and the paper became the Franklin Herald, January 7, 1812. The next May, John Denio repurchased an interest, and the firm of Denio & Phelps came into being. Denio sold out Novem- ber 7, 1815, and went into mercantile life; Phelps kept on with the Herald and in connection with it carried on quite an extensive book-printing business, and in May, 1817, Mr. Denio renewed his former partnership. May 20, 1823, Denio again sold out to Phelps, and the next month took as partner Jonathan A. Saxton of Deerfield, who assumed the editorial control. The next June he retired and Mr. Phelps again be- came sole proprietor. In June, 1823, a rival appeared in the field, The Greenfield Gazette, published by Denio, Clark & Tyler. Denio and Tyler soon disposed of their interests to General Alanson Clark, and he continued alone until June 18, 1827, when the two papers were united under Phelps & Clark as Greenfield Gazette & Franklin Herald. June 16, 1829, Colonel Phelps again became the sole owner. He soon took
551
THE GAZETTE AND COURIER
1833-1868]
Charles J. J. Ingersoll as partner and the paper was published by Phelps & Ingersoll until December 30, 1834.
In 1833, George T. Davis had started the publication of the Franklin Mercury which he sold to Mr. Ingersoll in 1836, and July 4, 1837, Phelps & Ingersoll again became partners and the papers united under the name of the Gazette & Mer- cury. This arrangement continued until July 13, 1841, when Mr. Ingersoll again retired from the firm.
April 10, 1838, a new paper called the Greenfield Courier had made its appearance in the field, published by J. C. Kneel- and, who after three months took as partner Samuel S. East- man. Mr. Eastman soon became the sole owner, and in July, 1841, the papers were consolidated under the time hon- ored name of GAZETTE & COURIER. The owners were Ansel Phelps, Samuel S. Eastman and George T. Davis, and the firm name, S. S. Eastman & Co. The paper was edited at first by D. Wells Alvord and later by Henry L. Dawes, then a law student here. Mr. Davis sold his interest to his part- ners and in July, 1847, Mr. Eastman sold his interest to C. J. J. Ingersoll who had just returned from Westfield, N. Y., where he had been publishing the Westfield Messenger. Mr. Eastman went to Newport, R. I., where he started the Herald of the Times, and for a season published a daily edition. Phelps & Ingersoll continued the Gazette & Courier for a year but upon the nomination of General Taylor by the Whigs, the firm was found to disagree upon the question of support- ing the nomination. Phelps purchased Ingersoll's interest and gave his aid to Taylor; Ingersoll joined the Free Soil party and began the publication of the American Republic. January- 16, 1849, Mr. Eastman repurchased a half interest in the paper and the firm of S. S. Eastman & Co. was renewed.
The copartnership of S. S. Eastman and Colonel Ansel Phelps remained undisturbed until the latter's death, Novem- ber 25, 1868. On the first of the following January, Mr. Eastman, who had become sole owner, sold an interest to E.
552
SAMUEL S. EASTMAN AND EBEN A. HALL
[1868-1898
A. Hall. He had come from Taunton three years before, and had been employed as Mr. Eastman's assistant in the of- fice. February 1, 1876, Mr. Eastman, whose health had broken down and who felt obliged to retire from business; sold out to Mr. Hall. Mr. Eastman died March 24, 1876.
Mr. Hall continued the publication of the Gazette alone until April 1, 1899, when he sold an interest in the paper to his son, Albert T. Hall, who had for some years been his as- sistant in the office. During the remainder of Mr. E. A. Hall's life the firm name was E. A. Hall & Son.
At the time of the war with Spain there seemed to be a popular demand for the establishment of a daily paper in this village.
The Gazette announced its willingness to produce a daily edition, provided it could do so without too much sacrifice of time and money.
The first number of its daily edition bore date April 19, 1898, but it was found after thorough trial that conditions were not favorable for the sustenance of a daily paper in Green- field, and it was discontinued.
In the fall of 1898, the health of the elder Mr. Hall began to fail, and he became too ill to give very much attention to his business interests, and the management gradually passed to the control of his partner and son, Albert T. Hall. Her- bert C. Parsons was the editorial writer, but was absent in at- tendance upon his legislative duties much of the time. Eben A. Hall died suddenly at New Orleans, March 17, 1900. Mr. Parsons retired from the paper in January, 1899, and Ed- ward Branch Lyman was the literary editor until October I, 1899, when Edward K. Titus became the editor. The business manager and the editorial chief have shown by their good work their full capability of sustaining the high reputation as a country newspaper that the Gazette had attained during its existence of one hundred and ten years. The paper has had a remarkably successful career. Always clean and pure in its
553
THE FRANKLIN DEMOCRAT
1840-1862]
tone, and conservative in its politics, it has met with success because it deserved it.
THE FRANKLIN DEMOCRAT
B. Sperry & Co. (Binea Sperry and Alanson Hawley) es- tablished this paper in Greenfield in 1840. Mr. Hawley soon purchased the interest of his partner and continued its publi- cation until sometime in 1841 when he sold the paper to Baily H. Hawkins who very soon took as partner David S. Ruddock. They employed Whiting Griswold, an ambitious democratic politician as editor, who continued in that capacity for about a year, when Mr. Hawkins disposed of his interest to Lewis C. Munn who took editorial charge and the paper was published by Munn & Ruddock. Early in 1843 Munn sold his interest to a very promising young man, Frederick A. Townsley. After a few months Ruddock sold his interest to Townsley, who with Milo Seaver for editor published the paper until January 1, 1844, when the concern came into the hands of Rinaldo R. Taylor. Mr. Townsley died soon after he left the Democrat. Mr. Taylor was a man of ability and in July, 1845, received an appointment in the Boston customhouse; but however the publication of the paper was continued, with Samuel O. Lamb as editor, and January 1, 1848, Mr. Lamb purchased the concern. Mr. Lamb continued the paper with success until January 1, 1852, when he disposed of the whole establishment to Joseph H. Sprague, who continued its pub- lication for two years, when he sold out to Charles A. Mirick.
Mr. Mirick soon obtained a position in the customhouse, and the Democrat was passed over to the new firm of Henry D. Mirick & Co., composed of C. A. & H. D. Mirick. They continued the publication until the commencement of the Rebellion, when Mr. Henry Mirick having business op- portunities offered him in the West, which he thought wise to accept, its publication was discontinued.
Other papers were established in town, but were short-lived
554
OTHER GREENFIELD NEWSPAPERS
[1816-1883
and met with little success. Russell Wells started in 1816 the Franklin Federalist, but its existence was brief.
The Franklin Post and Christian Freeman was established in 1825 by Jonathan A. Saxton, but was soon removed to Northampton. It did not long survive its removal to its new home.
In May, 1836, John M. Campbell commenced the publi- cation of The Workingman's Advocate and Democratic Jour- nal. It lived until the issue of the seventeenth number, as I have recently seen a copy dated September 6, 1836, but have been unable to learn more of its history.
In 1848, Deacon C. J. J. Ingersoll withdrew from the Gaz- ette, purely upon a question of conscience. A Free Soiler at heart, he could not, believing as he did, give aid to the elec- tion of the Whig candidate for president. He made his pro- test by commencing the publication of the American Republic, which he continued until 1856. In 1857 he received the ap- pointment of Register of the Probate Court, and when the of- fice was made an elective one, he was continued in it until his death in 1863.
FRANKLIN COUNTY TIMES
During the Greely campaign in 1872, Henry A. Budding- ton launched the Franklin County Times, which continued for four years under his management and passed into the hands of William Metcalf. Edward Cleveland soon became pro- prietor, and about this time W. S. Carson came to town as foreman in the printing office. After this Henry L. Nelson. became editor and proprietor, but met with financial troubles in 1878. The schooling of Mr. Nelson was not wholly lost, as he has since become a writer of national fame.
Wood & Co. then became the publishers, the paper taking the name of the Greenfield Siftings. Politicians and parties who had aided in the publication of the paper took possession of the plant at one time, and it became an adjunct of the
555
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
1883-1900]
Brattleboro Reformer, and was published as the Franklin County Reformer for a season, commencing about 1883, by C. H. Davenport & Co. Its career was neither brilliant nor profitable, and like so many of its predecessors it left the field to the sole occupation of the Gazette & Courier.
In December, 1885, W. S. Carson, in connection with his job printing, established a little weekly paper, called The Greenfield News. It was a bright little sheet, and on reading its columns one is surprised to find how many things happened each week in a small village like Greenfield. It survived but six months.
In 1883 and for two or three years thereafter, Henry D. Watson was owner and publisher of Good Cheer, a household paper having at one time an immense circulation, and em- ploying a large force to produce the weekly edition. Its management passed out of Mr. Watson's hands, and the new owners spirited the concern away from Greenfield.
The Greenfield Recorder under the management of Hon- orable Herbert C. Parsons, who had for some years been the editor of the Gazette & Courier, issued its first number Jan- uary 3, 1900. The paper is independent in politics, decidedly critical of the colonial policy of the administration, is tactful and energetic in the collection of local news, but its history is yet to be written.
CHAPTER XL
ROADS AND BRIDGES
I' N 1670 the inhabitants of Dedham chose a committee to lay out the lands at Pocumtuck, and in their report to the town of their doings, they say: "The highway running northerly to runn to pacomtuck river and so out into the woods (so that each) proprietor may come to his land which highway is left to be laid out for place as conveincey the best advantage may suite." Upon the settlement of the town, this road was laid out, commencing at the north end of Deerfield street, and turning a little to the west, ran across the meadows, to the northeasterly end of Pine Hill. In 1714 Deerfield procured a scow for the use of the public, the proprietors of the Cheap- side lands agreeing to care for it, as they had so much more use of it than the people of the town generally. Through the carelessness of users, or the loss of the scow by high water, this crossing was a fruitful subject of legislation at town meet- ings for years. As this place in the river was not fordable, people going to Greenfield meadows with teams went down what we now know as " the Albany road," crossing the old ford, and through Old River and Little Hope, crossed Petty's Plain, and came to the Green River. But in 1758 the Court of General Sessions ordered a ferry established at Pine Hill. As early as 1727 the town voted to build a bridge, "at the first turn of the river below Cheapside," which vote was afterward rescinded. From the ferry the road continued by Fort Hill, up Green river, to the Greenfield village street, which was laid out by the Deerfield selectmen February 22,
- 556
A PLAN OF TH
N. W. Corner of Greenfield
S.E. Corner of Leyden
S. W. Corner of Bernare
7-
N.E. Corner of Shelburne
River
Meeting
W)
High Mountou
How
Green
TOFUnow
Connecticut River
N.W. Corner of Deerfield
Shelburne
V
Drawn by D. H. Jun! Nov. 1794
TOWN OF GREENFIELD
River
Width of Rivers
Connecticut R. from 15 to 20 Chains Fall R. 60 Links Green R. 75 Links
hai
-
Grill
3 Corn- Mills 4 Saw- Mills
Bridges II
Roads
14 feet
Fall
E
Scale of 200 Chains
10
2
3
S .
S
557
HIGHWAY TO GREEN RIVER LANDS
1749-1789]
1749. This was the first road to enter what is now Greenfield, and it became a part of the county road from Northampton to Northfield. Leaving the east end of Greenfield street just east of where the house of J. H. Sanderson now stands, it crossed where High street now is, skirting the hill, ran east of the house of Charles P. Russell, and, I am quite sure, east of Fort Stocking, crossing the present road again near the house of J. W. Riddell, it bore northeasterly across a small branch of Grave brook, in a swamp north of J. W. Riddell's barn. Near Lincoln street, undoubtedly, took place the fight of June 27, 1724. Continuing northerly, the road skirted the the Great Ash Swamp on its easterly side, and crossing over Halfway Hill, just above the Adams place, led on to Fall Town and Northfield. In our old records, this way is always called " the country or the county road," all other county roads being designated as " the county road leading from," etc.
It is more than probable the first way from Deerfield to Northfield, after crossing the river at Cheapside, turned to the eastward and then ran northerly up the hill just east of the house of Robert Abercrombie, and through Highland Park, as the following extract from the early records of Deerfield tends to show : " As to ye highway to ye Green river lands we turn out of ye County Road which is Easterly of the Green River Town plot and to Run near upon a west line throw ye middle of sd Town plot down to ye River, and Runs over ye River into Peter Evans, his lot; then Runs north- wards into Joseph Petty his lot and across his lot until it comes up ye great hill westerly and then it Runs in Benony Moors lot until it comes to the foot path and then it Runs in ye foot path to the upper end of Green River lands ; the breadth to be one Rod and a half except in the part of it from the Country Road down to and so throw ye Town plot aforesd." In 1741, Deerfield voted to build a road to Colrain, which is supposed to have turned out of "the foot path " road just de- scribed, and after crossing the brook at Henry Briggs, turned
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