USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. II > Part 8
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743
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
visit to Northampton, aged about 35 years-Aug, 29, a son of Ebenezer Arms, aged 2 years-Aug, 30, Sarah, D, of Sam1 Newton, aged 8 years. Sept", I, a son of Quintus Allen, 4 years old-Sept, 2, a Child of Joseph Nutting, 2 years old -Sept", 3, a son of Obed Wells, aged ten years-Sept", 3, a Daughter of Asher Newton, aged 7 years-Sept" 4, a son & only Child of Silvanus Burnham, aged 3 years-Sept", 6, one of the twin Children of Obed Wells, aged 3 months-Sept", 6, a Child of Saml Newton, aged one year-Sept", 8, a Child of Miller Mitchel, aged 18 Months-Sept", 9, Obed, the son of Obed Wells, aged 16 years-Sept", 9, a Daughter of Levi Wells, aged 5 years-Sept", 10, a child of Anna Mitchell, aged 6 years-Sept", II, a Daugh" of Beriah Willard, aged 5 years-Septr, 12, Mrs. Post, the wife of Cornelius Post, aged 73 years not by the Dysentery-Sept", 13, a Child of Charles Hitchcock, aged 2 years-Sept", 13, the wife of John Newton, aged 60 years-Sept", 19, the wife of Elijah Mitchell, aged 69 years-Sept", 23, a son of Richard E. Newcomb, aged 3 years -The whole number which have died of the Dysentery since the 18th of July is 47-Sept", 25, a son of Joel Allen, aged 4 years-Sept", 28, Joseph Newton, aged 67-Sept", 30, a Child of Mr. Lewis, aged 7 years-not by the Dysentery-Octob", Ist, a Child of Field Wells, aged 4 years-Octob", I, a Daughter of Wm. Grennell, aged 17 years-Octobr. 5. a Child of Mr. Lewis, aged I year -- Octobr, II, a son of Field Wells, aged 9 years-Octobr, 12, Mehitabel, Daughter of Jonathan Smead, aged 21 years-Octobr, 21, a son of Joel Smith, died by a fall from a cart in a few Hours after the accident hap- pened-aged 7 years-Octobr, 21, a Child of Thomas Smead of the Dysentery, aged 8 years-Octobr, 21, the wife of Joel Smith by the Dysentery in connection with other Complaints, particularly a Passage which extended from her Stomach to & through her back, out of which issued a great part of her food for several years-Octobr, 31, the Wife of Jonathan Smead, by the Pleurisy, aged 58-also a Daughter of Obed Wells
744
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
aged 7 years-Nov", 3d, a Daughter of Theopholus Griswold aged 14 years-Decembr, a Child of Marsh Bissel, by a sin- gular Complaint in its back with which it was born-Decemb", 30, Mira, the D, of Capt. Agrippa Wells, suddenly by the effects of a Boil or swelling-the whole Number from the Be- ginning of this year is 68-57 of which died of the Dysentery-
1803. Ap1, 14, a male Child of Consider Cushman, aged 8 years-May I, Widow Rebecca Pickett, aged 82-June 2, William Wells aged 22, of a lingering consumptive Disorder- June 19, Widow Martha Stebbins, of the Palsy aged 75 widow of Samuel)-July I, a Daughter of Samuel Stebbins, aged 7, in consequence of a fall from the Bed-July 3, a Daughter of Mr, Newell aged 5 years of the Canker Rash- July 5th, a Daughter of Selah Allen aged 2 years, of the Dysentery-July 6th, Alexander Hamilton, by the amputation of his leg, aged 28 years-July 18, Amelia the Daught" of Rose a Negro woman living in the Bounds of Deerfield, aged 12 years (by the Dysentery)-Aug, 3, Porter the son of Wm, Mitchell, aged 2 years-Aug, 7, Joel the son of Julia Smead, aged 3 years, both by the Dysentery-Aug, 7, the Wife of Thomas Billings, of the Pleurisy-Aug, 26, Fanny Daviss, in the 17th, year of her age-of the Dysentery- Aug, 22, a Child of Mr. Mayhew, with the Dysentery-Aug, 26, Corne- lius Post of lingering ails, Atat, 84-Sept", 15, Hannah B, the Daughter of David Ripley, of the Dysentery, aged 14 Months-Sept", 17, Chester the son of Ebenezer Graves jr. of the Dysentery, atat, 20-Sept" 25, Cornelia, the Daughter of Benjamin Smead, of the Dysentery, age 19 Months- Sept", 24, a son of Ebenezer Graves jr. of the Dysentery Ætat 12-Nov. 4. a female Child living with Marsh Bissel, after having the Dysentery & hooping Cough, aged 3 years- Nov, 22, a Child of Mr. Adams aged 7 Months-(whole Number 22)
1804. Jany, 3, Sam1, the son of Dr, Stone, Canker Rash- Ætat, 5-Feby, 4, Asher, the son of Asher Newton, aged 4
745
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
years-Jan, 7, Anna, the wife of Dan1 Nash-Jan, 17, Azor, the son of Solomon Smead Esq" At 27-June 29, Widow Christina Martindale Æt, 68 (Widow of Lemuel) July, 23, Elizabeth, the wife of Silas Brooks, (of Consumption) Ætat perhaps 28-before this, on the same Month a Child of Dan1 Brooks, aged a few months-Octobr, 18, Charles Hitchcock Ætat, 32-19, a Child of Mrs, Watkins, Æt,-year-Octobr 20, the wife of Deacon Eb" Graves Æt, 73-Octobr, 24, Agrippa, the son of Levi Wells, Æt, 3-Novr. Io, son of Elijah Smith, Æt, 3 .- Nov", 26, Orne, the son of John Wells, Ætat, 14-Decemb'r, 30, the wife of John Strickland, Æt, 84-Dec, 22, Joseph Wells, Æt, 74-
1805. Jan 7, Hannah, the wife of Eleazer Wells, Æt, 73- April, a Child of John Bell-June 15, Eleazer Wells, Ætat, 78-Oct, I 6, a Child Æt 4, of Job Graves-Octobr, 18, a son of Darius Kingsly, Æt 2 & the twin Children of Jonathan Wells immediately after they were born-Octobr, 21, Mrs, Abigail Newton, aged sixty six years, 2nd, April last-
1806. Jan (21) Lieut, Benj" Hastings, not far from seventy seven years of age-March 29, a son of Silvanus Nash Æt, 22 (Jonathan)-Apl, 21, Mr, Wilson, a foreigner, ÆEt, 35- May 6, the wife of Rufus Graves, of the Consumption- May 8, I Clock in the morning Dr. (Edward) Billings died of the jaundice & scurvy-May 21, a little Boy Æt, 9, the son of Levi Stiles, by Bleeding at the stomach in consequence as was supposed of a fit-June 2, Joseph Hastings, more than sixty years of age, of the gravel ; not being able to at- tend his funeral, his friends procured procured Mr Hibberd, who preached upon the occasion-Sept", Sarah, the wife of Rufus Severance-Octobr, I a son of Oliver Wilkinson Æt, I-Octobr, 5, Joseph Mott, Æt, 44-Oct, 25, Phineas Jones- Nov, 15, William, a son of Mr. John Wells, of the Canker, Æt, 16 Months-Decemb", 9, the wife of Jonathan Severance Æt, 76-Dec, 10, David Smead, Esq", AEtat, 75-Dec, 30, Joanna Dewy, Æt, 46-
746
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
1807. Feby 24, E, Nims Æt, 84-March 8, an Infant Child of Mr, Smead Aprl. 10, a Dwight (son) of Eli Graves Æt, 7, of the Rattles-June 8, Sterling Bird, of the Con- sumption Æt, 29-June 22, Mrs, Cowl, the mother in law of Field Wells Æt, 72-Dec", 2, a Daughter of Calvin Hale, suddenly, not known whether by worms or a putrid fever, Æt, 3-Dec, 28, a Daughter of Mr, Newell. Æt, 12-Dec, 30, Polly, the D, of Dea, Solomon Smead, suddenly of a putrid fever, within sixteen Hours after she was known to be ill, Æt, 17-
1808. Jany 2, Esther, the wife of Solomon Smead Esq', within fourteen hours after she became sensibly sick, of a peculiarly putrid fever-Jany 4, Nabby, the Daughter of S, Smead Esq", expired of this terrible fever the same day she was taken sick-Jany 13, of the same Malady, Esther, the Daughr of S, Smead Esqr, died, Æt, 10, within a few hours after she was taken ill-Jany, 28, of the same Malady, Eben- ezer, the son of Sol Smead Esq' who had been sick about a week-Augt 1, Infant of Thomas Smead, very suddenly, in a few minutes after it began to complain-6 weeks old-April 5, a Child & son of Mr. Cushman, in about sixteen hours after it was taken ill, between three & four years old-May 18, Otis, Æt, 5 years, son of Job Graves-June 25, Epaphroditus Loveland, Æt 56, of a mortification in his arm by being blooded-July I, James Logan, Æt, 70, suddenly by a kind of Pleurisy in his side attended with ulcers-July 3, a Child of Jonathan Wells ÆEtat, 5 Months-Aug, Widow Mary Train, Æt, 81-Sept™ 9 a Negro woman, Æt, 30-Sept" 9, a Daughter of Elijah Smith Æt, 5-Oct, 30, Lords Day early in the morning, suddenly of an appoplectic fit as is supposed, Rachel, the wife of Dr. Alpheus Stone-Dec, 9, Robert Cone jr, Æt, 21, of the consumption-Dec, 26, Benjn, Horn Æt, 2-
1809. Jany 20, Solomon, son of Job Graves-Æt, 25, by a disorder in his head, after having been in a languishing estate
747
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
two years-Feby, 17, Solomon, son of Solomon Smead Esqr, Æt, 8, of the spotted fever-March 24, Capt, Agrippa Wells, Æt, 70-April 3, Mary the wife of Richard Johnson Æt, 74- Sept™ I, Daniel Smead jr, of a fever, a candidate for a Degree next week at Williamstown College; a youth of Piety & modest virtue & good collegiate acquirements, aged 22- Sept" 10 John Henry, a Dutchman & foreigner, aged 56- Dec, 18. a male Infant, the son of Philip Alexander-Obed Wells drowned in the Sound, off Gardner's island abont 5 weeks ago (Nov, 10)
1810. Jany, I, died of the Rattles a Daughter of Mr. Bates, Æt, 12-Jany, 26, a Daughter of Selah Allen Æt, 3, of the Rattles-Janry 6 Robert Field Wells, son of widow Lina Wells, by bleeding at the nose, Æt. 8-Feb, 4, a son of Amos Giles by a Typhus fever, At, 22-Feb', 3, an infant Child of Philip Alexander-March 13, an infant Child of Danl Nash jr .- a child of Eben Arms-March 20, a son of Porter Johnson Æt, 4-May, 9, a Daughter of widow Margaret Jennings Æt, 12, Typhus fever-July 22, William, son of Jerom Ripley, Esq", AEtat, 4-Sept", 2, Widow Love- land, by suicide committed by mental derangement-Oct. 12, Susanna, the D, of Daniel Nash of Consumption, Æt, 26- Dec, 17, Martha, the D, of Col. Eliel Gilbert Æt, 3- Dec, 19 the wife of Daniel Picket, Æt, 50-Dec, 23, Capt, Samuel Stebbins, Æt, 40 of complicated Diseases-Dec, 31, Hannah Nims, Æt, 17 of Consumption-
18II. March I, a child of Eber Nash, 7 months-March 13, Harry Lyman, At, 23- March 19, a son of Oliver Sage was drowned, Æt, 3-June 8, Lucy, D, of Jonth Smead jr, of the Rattles, Æt, 5-Aug, 4, Hannah, the wife of Ebenzr H-wife, suddenly in Child birth-August 19, David, son of David Ripley Æt, 3-Sept" 2, a child of Oren Munn Æt, 2- Sept, 4, Mrs, Thayer's Æt, 72-Sept. 23, Wid Hannah Smead, by Appoplexy, Æt, 57-(widow of Abner)-Nov, 23 Richard Johnson, Æt, 77-Dec, I, Willis Childs, Æt, perhaps 57-
748
MR. NEWTON'S DEATH RECORD
1812. Jany, 29, Samuel Smead, of the Palsy, Æt, 73- Feb, 12, a Child of Francis Lester, of the throat Distemper- aged 16 Months-Feb, 16, Silas, son of Simeon Munn, of St, Antonis Dance-March-a Child of Hawks Wells Æt, 2- March, 28, a son of Julia Smead, Æt, 5-April 4, Job Allen, Æt, 60- April 19, Mrs, Pratt, Æt, 62-April 14, Widow Sarah Smead, Æt, 66 (widow of Lemuel)-June 12, Capt, Caleb Clap, by suicide, Æt, 60-Capt, William Tyron, Æt, 75, by cancer. July 6, Ebenezr, Arms Esqr, Æt, 52-Oct, 26, John, a son of Nathan Draper, Æt, 18 Months-Nov, 7, Grate(ful) Smead, Æt, 32-Nov, 9, Elijah Mitchel, Æt, 86-
1813. Feb, 24, Julia the wife of Reuben Bryant, Æt, 27- Jonathan Bird, Æt, 27-Mosely Clark, Æt, 30-March 25, Caroline Newton, spotted fever, At, 10-March 30, Wm, Joyce Æt, 80-April 22, Abigail (prob. Jerusha) the widow of Ebenezer Allen, At, 85-Clement Smith Æt, 48,-May 23, Sarah, the wife of Maj, Elihu Lyman, Æt, 65-Tirzah, the wife of Daniel Smead, Æt, 61-June-Stephen Pratt- Aug, 9 Silvanus Nash, Æt, 67-Oct, Hannah Root, Æt, 73- Oct-Benjamen Swan-Oct, 14, Sophronia Mot, a Child- Oct, 6, Jonath Atherton, Æt, 71-Dec, 31, Thankful Miller, Æt, 24-
1814, April 26, Deacon (Ebenezer) Graves, Æt, 88 -. May, (8) Asher Cors, jr. Æt, 39-May (14) the widow of Asher Cors, jr (Lucy Grinnell) Æt 39-Jun, 3, the wife of Capt, (Alexander) Morgan-Jun, 6, the wife of (Joseph) Nut- ting-
CHAPTER LI
THE OBSERVANCE OF WASHINGTON'S DEATH-AT THE OLD MEETINGHOUSE IN 1800
T HE inhabitants of this town on the 22d of February, 1 800, paid the tribute of grateful respect to the memory of the late illustrious friend and Guardian of America -General George Washington.
The stores and shops were closed and all business suspended during the day. Precisely at 12 o'clock a numerous and re- spectable procession from this and the adjacent towns formed the parade and marched to the meetinghouse in the following order under the direction of Col. Gilbert, Chief Marshal.
I Cap't. Ames Company of Cavalry mounted.
II Band of music with muffled drums, Flutes and Haut- boys dressed in mourning and playing a dead march.
III Cap't. Wells Company of Infantry with reversed arms. IV The Orator of the day, Proctor Peirce, and clergy.
V The Regimental colors half staff high and bordered with black, borne in the centre by six (6) officers in uniforms with hilts of their swords ornamented with black crape.
VI Officers of the late Revolutionary Army.
VII Military Officers.
VIII The Republican Lodge, F. & A. M. with emblems of their order suitably dressed in mourning with a Cassia sprig.
IX Civil Magistrates.
X Gentlemen of Public Vocation.
XI Selectmen of Greenfield and Overseers of the Poor.
XII Committee of Arrangements.
XIII Citizens in general.
XIV Schoolmasters of Greenfield and their scholars.
749
750
IN MEMORY OF WASHINGTON
The military escort having arrived at the meetinghouse halted, opened to the right and left, the cavalry with swords reversed and the infantry leaving their reversed arms the Orator (Proctor Peirce) and clergy then passed through the avenue and entered the church, being followed by thirty-two female singers who here joined the procession, they were dressed in write robes and capes with black bows.
The procession being seated the exercises commenced by the Elegy strikingly adopted to the occasion and under the direction of Mr. Wells in a manner which did honor to him- self and the whole musical choir.
" Know ye not that a great man has fallen in Israel."
After the President's Proclamation was read the throne of grace was addressed by Rev. Roger Newton in a prayer con- ceived in his most appropriate, affecting and dignified style.
Then followed an Eulogy by Mr, Proctor Peirce in which the triumph, talents and exalted virtues of the great deceased were happily delineated, and pathetically enforced.
Then sounded a Masonic Hymn, after which the solemn Masonic funeral service was read by Rev. Smith, a member of the Republican Lodge.
" Farewell, a long a sad farewell."
The procession then returned, the music playing the Presi- dent's March. The distant sound of minute guns by Cap't. Smead's Artillery Company, the slowly moving procession and the badges of mourning which were generally worn by all sexes and ages added solemnity to the expression of an affected grief.
The pulpit, window, canopy, communion table and breast work of the galleries were shrouded with black.
The decency, regularity and order observed by all classes of citizens did honor to the day.
Proctor Peirce, who delivered the oration, was born in New Salem, Mass., March 20, 1768, the son of Abraham &
·
751
PROCTOR PEIRCE
Ruth (Page) Peirce and a direct descendant of John Proctor of Salem. His grand parents were Abraham & Mary (Proctor) Peirce married in Salem, Jan. 22, 1744. His grand mother, Mary, was a grand daughter of John Proctor, who was so intimately associated with the witchcraft delusion in Salem that he was hung in 1692, and it was from this family that Proctor Peirce of Greenfield received his name.
He graduated at Dartmouth in 1796 at the age of twenty- eight. He was selected to teach the Academy at New Salem where he remained until 1800, when he removed to Green- field where he kept the District School several years. At this school all branches were there studied and the scholars fitted for College. Scholars resorted to this school from different parts of the State, and during the winter of 1802 the names of Cyrus Chapin, Geo. Grennell, Abner, Ezekiel, Calvin, Daniel, Samuel & Stephen Wells, sons of Samuel Wells, Thomas & Franklin Ripley, John Stone, Preserved Smith & John Peirce are found upon the roll of members. Proctor Peirce engaged in trade in Greenfield and afterward taught school in Lynn, Cambridge and Boston. He married June 6, 1802, Susanna Newton of Greenfield, daughter of Rev. Roger Newton. His children born in Greenfield were Susanna, William and Mary Burwell, and a son Roger New- ton Peirce, born in Lynn, 18II.
May 2d, 1805, Proctor Peirce was elected a Deacon of the First Church in Greenfield. He was selected by the citizens to deliver the oration on the observance of the death of George Washington by the town, Feb. 22, 1800.
Proctor Peirce died in Boston April 27, 1821, aged 53 years, and his widow Susanna died in Cambridge, Mass., July 15, 1855, aged 76 years.
CHAPTER LII
GREENFIELD TAVERNS
" The days are short, the weather cold, By tavern fires tales are told ; Some ask for dram when first come in, Others with flip or bounce begin."
B EFORE the days of railroads and the appearance of the daily paper with its columns filled with telegraphic news from every part of the civilized world, the stage coach was the conveyor of the daily gossip, and the village tavern the place where people gathered to hear and discuss the hap- penings which had been recited to listening ears by people travelling by the coach. Now a person picks up his paper and hastily glances over its crowded pages, gathers in its headings, and throwing it aside, goes on with his regular duties, oftentimes without remark or discussion of any kind. In the olden times, if perchance a paper had been received by any person, its contents were read aloud, while the eager listeners sipped their mug of toddy or hot flip, and the subject-matter was fully discussed by the village sages. Sitting around the great open fireplaces, the town meeting orators discussed the great problems of the government which they had done so much to establish, and the milder gossip of the day, with judgment and candor. Often the strenuous politics of the time caused the use of more than conversational tones of voice.
The happy landlord gliding in and out busied himself by replenishing the fading fire, stuck the loggerhead among the
752
753
AHAZ THAYER'S TAVERN
1806]
glowing coals, and without seeming so to do, awaited orders for mugs of hot toddy or flip.
To make flip, a large mug was filled about two thirds full of good cider or beer, into which was stirred sugar or molasses, nutmeg and ginger, and the vessel filled with New England or West India rum. When all was ready, the redhot logger- head was plunged into it, causing the liquor to foam and bubble, giving it a burnt, bitter taste, filling not only the brain of the drinker, but the whole room with its fumes.
Rum was the principal ingredient of toddy, sling and grog, and many other drinks of various names. A quart mug filled with these drinks if made with West India rum was IO d., and if New England rum was used, 9 d.
In the old times when there was no artificial heat in the meetinghouses, it was felt to be a necessity that a tavern should be located near. Before the building of the meetinghouse in this town the services were held at the Corse tavern, and Denio's tavern was across the street. When the meetinghouse was built, Ahaz Thayer opened his house situate a quarter of a mile east, as a tavern, and soon after built the present Long place right near the meetinghouse. The warmth of the morning dram would hardly last through the long morning services, and the good Mr. Thayer would have three good fires ready for the intermission, while the women and chil- dren warmed themselves in the schoolhouse which stood near by.
Jonas W. Moore, who died a few years since at the age of ninety-seven, said that at the noon intermission the boys used to club together and buy a mug of flip and pass it from hand to hand (or mouth to mouth) until it was gone.
The men, the preacher included, would fortify themselves against the rigors of the weather during the afternoon service and the long ride home after service, while the women with newly heated bricks and hot pieces of plank or with their little tin stoves freshly filled with coals from the schoolhouse fire,
48
754
THE OLD CORSE TAVERN
[1720
would resume their places in the square pews, to await the closing benediction.
Lowell realized the good cheer found in the noon intermis- sion when he wrote :
" When dozed a fire of beechen logs that bred Strange fancies in its embers golden red, And nursed the loggerhead, whose hissing dip, Timed by wise instinct, creamed the bowl of flip."
The Sunday service was the great event of the week, and seldom did anything prevent attendance at the meeting. Fre- quently the minister, interested in his subject, if none others were, would announce at the close of the morning sermon, " With divine leave the subject will have further consideration in the afternoon." Then, if the weather was warm, the men who lived at a distance would repair to the horsesheds, and talk over the events of the day, the state of the crops and the forwardness of the farm work, while disposing meantime of the dainty little lunch prepared by the goodwife. The wom- en and children assembled at some neighboring house or the adjoining schoolhouse and gossiped in mild form while they nibbled at their gingerbread and caraway cookies.
The horse block stood under an old elm (still standing) on the east side of the road, and the young men watched with longing eyes his favorite maid as she vaulted to the pillion be- hind her father or elder brother.
James Corse, the celebrated hunter and scout, was probably the landlord of the first tavern kept in Greenfield. He was born in Deerfield in 1694 and died in Greenfield Septem- ber 20, 1783. He obtained his title to that lot on which now stands the Mansion House (together with other lands) by a deed from Ebenezer Severance dated April 18, 1720, in which it is described as follows : "all that allotment on Green river which I bought of Benoni Moore-30 acre allotment & an 8 acre home lot, No. II, bounded east by home lot of Thomas French 2nd ; west by home lot of Nathaniel
755
THE MANSION HOUSE
1826]
Brooks ; north by undivided lands, and south by the street." The lot was eighty rods in length and sixteen rods in width.
The date of his building his house is not known, but it was undoubtedly soon after, as he was married August 21, 1721, to Thankful, daughter of Benjamin Munn. His house became the general meeting place for the people, for the preaching services on Sundays, and other gatherings. He was allowed compensation therefor and for beating the drum to call the people together. During the French and Indian wars his house was fortified and was the place of refuge in times of sudden danger, being often garrisoned by government sol- diers. But few deeds given before 1785 are to be found re- corded in the northern registry, so our records do not show when the Corses parted with the old tavern stand ; but in 1785, two years after James Corse's decease, Lemuel Bas- com conveyed the tavern stand to Caleb Alvord, who kept the place until 1792 and then sold it to Calvin Munn (a Rev- olutionary soldier) who then resided in Whitingham, Vt. He was the owner and landlord the most of the time until 1815, when he sold his interests to Asa Goodenough of Brat- tleboro, Vt. Elijah Lamb kept the house in 1797 and 1798. Mr. Goodenough was a man of action and soon purchased the old Willard tavern stand located just west of him, Federal street having been cut through between them in 1788. He also purchased thirty-seven acres of land on Federal street. His speculations brought him to grief, and he was ousted of his property in 1822, and it came into the hands of Asaph P. Preston of South Hadley and Homer Preston of Westfield. They kept the house for two years and in April, 1825, sold it to Isaac Newton, Jr., son of Captain Isaac Newton. Mr. Newton built the three-story brick building sixty-four by forty- nine feet now known as the Mansion House, and also a two story ell sixty-eight feet long on Federal street, the main building extending as far east as the Packard National Bank. The main part of the old building was moved down Main
756
THE MANSION HOUSE
[1830-1903
street and converted into the dwelling long owned and occu- pied by George W. Mark. Elijah S. Alvord kept the house in 1830. In July, 1833, Mr. Newton sold the Mansion House to Charles, son of Colonel Asaph Smead, who contin- ued as landlord until January 1, 1842, when he disposed of it to Asher Spencer and Barnard A. Newell. James Taggart became the landlord for a short time and was succeeded by a Mr. Brewster from Northampton. In 1843 Paul Chase of Brattleboro purchased the hotel and after four years' residence sold it out to George Field and Elijah Coleman, two young Greenfield men who were ambitious to become hotel keepers. Coleman soon retired with more knowledge and less money, selling his interest to Wendell T. Davis in 1847. Field kept the house until June, 1855, and sold his interest to Henry W. Clapp. Mr. Clapp purchased Mr. Davis's interest the same year. In 1857 the Mansion House was leased to Colonel J. M. Decker, after remaining closed for two years. In 1858 H. B. Stevens became the landlord and under the manage- ment of the family, which continued several years, the house gained a very high reputation among the travelling community.
In August, 1869, George Doolittle became the proprietor of the property and he added to the extension easterly where the old Ripley house had formerly stood, the intermediate section having been built by W. T. Davis about 1849. Un- fortunately Mr. Doolittle invested far beyond his means, and after a brave struggle against adverse circumstances, the prop- erty was closed out under foreclosure by the Franklin Sav- ings Institution in 1877, and bid in by Peleg Adams who had a subsequent claim, for $48,500, and about $1,700 unpaid taxes. By Mr. Adams's will the property passed to the widow and two daughters of his son, the late John A. Adams. George T. C. Holden was the lessee for several years, also Schoff & Thompson, and later William E. Wood, the present popular landlord. The house has sustained the good reputation gained for it many years since, and the citizens of
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