USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Pelham > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 20
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Prescott > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
1786. There was a return to the plan of electing a school com- mittee for the better management of the schools this year, and Dr. Robert Cutler, Ebenezer Liskam, John Crawford, Timothy Packard, Deacon Mathew Gray and Jonathan Hood were chosen to that important service. £50 was allowed.
1787. School Committee-Ebenezer Liskam, James McMullen, James Taylor, John Crawford, Caleb Keith and Jonathan Hood.
At a meeting April 7th of this year it was " Voted Not to Devid the School Quarter where Dea. John Crawford is School Committee Man. " £50 allowed.
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SCHOOLS.
1788. No record of School Committee this year. £50 allowed for schools.
1789. £50. No School Committee elected-In the Warrant for a town meeting May 4th of this year was this article :
" To see if the Town will come into some Method that Each School Rick Shall Build and Maintain their own School Houses-also to see if the Town will set off a School Rick in the South Part of the Town. Seth Edson, Caleb Keith and Stephen Pettingill were voted into the new Edition taken from Belchertown.",
1790. School Commitee -James C. McMillen, Samuel Finton, David Conkey, Joseph Thompson, Lt. Henry McColloch, Lt John Rinkin, Jonathan Hood and John Straton.
At a Meeting Jan. 14, 1790 it was " Voted that the whole of the School Money belonging to the South Quarter should be divided into three parts-The one half to be for the Benefit of the Middle Quarter and the other half to be equally divided in the other two extreme parts- one by Mr. Seth Edsons and the other by the County road by Mr. Thomas Dick's." £60 allowed.
1791. Alexander Berry, James C. McMillin, Joseph Thompson David Conkey, Lt. Henry McColloch, John Straton, Jonathan Hood, John Barber. £60 for schools.
1792. Jonathan Hood, John Barber, Robert Houston, Joseph Thompson, David Conkey, James C. McMillin, Alexander Berry, John White. £60 allowed for schools.
1793. " Voted to Establish a school quarter out of the quarter south of the Meeting House and the quarter Dea. Crawford belongs to, with the center at the Meeting House. " Committee : James C. McMillan, Alexander Berry, David Conkey, Robert Houston, Joseph Thompson, John White, John Barber, Jonathan Hood. £60 for schools.
1794. Alexander Berry, James C. McMillin, William Conkey, John Peebles, Robert Houston, John Wright, Jonathan Hood, John Barber. £60 for schools.
1795. Alexander Berry, James C. McMillin, William Conkey, Thomas Thurston, David Harkness, Jonathan Thayer, Lt. John Rin- ken, John Peebles. £80 for schools.
" At a legal meeting of the Inhabitance of the South School Quar- ter on the Second of June 1795 it was Voted to Divide the School Quarter.
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
Voted to Make the Divition by the farms of Messrs Elisha Searl, Thomas Montgomery, Samuel Cheever, William Dunlap,-the afore- mentioned Farms to belong to the Middle or New School Quarter.
Voted for the School Committee to request the Town to estab- lish the above Division."
By the above record the power of the School quarters, School Ricks,. or school districts to change their boundries is plainly indicated ; in this instance at least there was a meeting of the people of the school quarter-a new line was established, and the School Com- mittee requested to go forward and have the new lines established by the town."
1796. School Committee-Alexander Berry, Archibald McMillan William Conkey, John Peebles, Samuel White, Nathaniel Sampson, Daniel Harkness. £100 allowed.
1797. School Committee-Alexander Berry, David Wait, William Conkey, Eliot Gray, Capt. Isaac Abercrombie, Robert Houston, Eliab Packard, Dea. Nathaniel Sampson, Daniel Harkness. £100 allowed.
The following important votes in reference to building and repair- ing school houses were passed May 1, 1797. " Voted to raise a sum of Money to Build and Repair School Houses-Voted to Raise four Hundred Pounds to Build and repair school Houses."
" Voted to Choose a trustee in Each School Quarter in sd Town sd trustees is Robert Houston, David Conkey, Lt. John Rinkin, Capt. Isaac Abercrombie, Dea. Nathaniel Sampson, Alexander Berry, Joseph Hamilton, David Wait and Isaac Tower.
Voted that the Assessors Shall Commit District Lists of the Assesment of every School Rick to their Trustee Chosen for that Purpose whose Duty it shall be to Receive all or any Part of the tax and pay out for Labor and Material to Build sd School Houses the Receipt of sd Trustees is to Answer in Payment of the aforesaid tax.
Voted that in case any or a number of School Ricks shall not need the whole or any Part of the aforesaid tax to Build and Repair School Houses then it shall be the Duty of the Trustee by the Direction of a Majority of the School Ricks Notified for that purpose to apply to the assessors for a remit to pay the whole or such part of their taxes as is not needful for the purpose aforesaid.
Voted that the Assessors shall Commit the Assesment of the sum of money voted to Build or Repair School Houses to the selectmen soon as may be after the assesment.
THE VALLEY SCHOOL HOUSE.
THE VALLEY BRIDGE.
229
SCHOOLS.
Voted that the Trustees shall make a return of each mans name belonging to their Rick.
Voted that the Trustees shall make a Return to the Selectmen of their doings sometime before the next Annual Meeting. "
1798. School Committee-Alexander Berry, Bobert Crosett, George Cowan, William Conkey, Benjamin Jewett, Jonathan Pack- ard, James Rinkin, John Harkness, Ezra Shaw. £100 for schools.
At a meeting " May 1 1798 Dea. Nathaniel Sampson, Andrew Bannister and David Conkey were appointed a Committee to fix on a place where the School House shall stand in Dea. Ebenezer Grays School quarter. " But when the Committee brought in a report at an Adjourned meeting it was voted not to accept the report of the Committee and the Meeting was dissolved.
I799. School Committee .- Henry McColloch, Eliab Packard Jr, James Rinkin, Lt. John Harkness, James Cowan, Capt. Isaac Aber- crombie. $350 appropriated.
1800. School Committee .- Moses Gray sd, Robert Crosett, Thomas Conkey, William Conkey, James S. Park, Lt. Henry McCol- lock, Samuel Peso, Capt. John Harkness, John Barber. $450.
Having given what may be of interest concerning the schools from 1744 to 1800, only the school committees, and appropriations will follow to 1897.
The schools of the town from 1800 to 1850 were well attended, 60 to 70 pupils being often in attendance in a single school, and the boys and girls were kept in school during the winter term until 18 to 20 years of age and under competent male teachers. From 1825 to 1850 it was not uncommon to have a term of school during the autumn for the more advanced pupils, which was termed a " select school, " and these terms of school were often held at the center school house or old meeting house, under various teachers, Miner Gold was often at the head of these extra schools. After Prescott was set off in 1822 there were six flourishing schools and from 1850 there was an increase to eight schools, but with the number of pupils growing less until the schools were reduced to four, about 1874. The number of pupils of school age now (1897) is only 80.
1801. Joseph Little, William Miller, John Taylor, Levi Crawford, Joel Grout, James King, Ezra Shaw, John Barber, Dea. Nath1 Sampson. $300.
1802. Capt. Jeremiah Miller, John Miller, John Taylor, Abisha
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
Reeniff, Harris Hach, Jonathan Packard, Paul Thurston, Dea. Samp- son, John Barber. $400.
1803. Moses Gray 2ª, John Miller, James Abercrombie, Nahum Wedge, Joel Grout, James Washburn, Nathaniel Doge, John Barber, Nathaniel Sampson. $500.
1804. Bunis Ayres, John Baker, Alexander Conkey 2ª, Nahum Wage, Esquire Abercrombie, Isaac Tower, John Barber, Seth Edson, Jun, Nathaniel Sampson. $400.
1805. Capt. Gray, William Mellin, Elisha Conkey, Esq. Aber- crombie, Jacob Packard, Jun., Paul Thurston, Dea. Sampson, John Barber. $450.
1806. Olney Potter, John Barber, Abiah Southworth, Jonathan Packard, Abial Lumbard, William Oliver, James Thompson, Jun., Lyscom Brigham, Nathan Felton. $450.
1807. Paul Thurston, Thomas Hayden, Marson Eaton, John Barber, William Smith, Wing Kelley, Capt. Moses Gray, Obadiah Cooley, Maj. John Conkey. $450.
1808. Thomas Vaughn, John Baker, Eliot Gray, Silas Williams, Asa Shaw, Oliver Curtis, Lt. David Hannum, John Barber, Jonathan Packard. $450.
1809. John Baker, Sylvester Titus, Alexander Conkey, Jun., Henry Kingman, Marson Eaton, Paul Thurston, John Rankin, Jun., Lemuel Hall, Eliot Gray. $450.
1810. Capt. Moses Gray, William Miller, Israel Conkey, Thomas Conkey, Levi Taft, Seth Edson, Jun., Samuel Peso, Lemuel Hall, John Rankin, Jun. $450.
18II. Isaac Powers, Peter Stockwell, Levi . Crawford, Abiah Southworth, Henry Kingman, Samuel Peso, Lemuel Hall, John Gray, John Taylor. $500.
1812. Peter Stockwell, Constant Ruggles, Esq., Capt. John Tay- lor, Silas Boynton, Reuben Westcott, Seth Edson, Jun., Haffield Gould, Jesse F. Peck, Ephriam Randall. $500.
1813. Roswell Jennings, Jonathan Miller, David Conkey, Jun., Nahum Wedge, Daniel Packard, Jonathan Packard, Asa Shaw, Haffield Gould, Pliny Hannum, Paul Thurston. $500.
1814. Jonathan Richardson, James Hyde, Alexander Conkey, Oliver Hamilton, Daniel Packard, Jonathan Packard, Samuel Peso, Pliny Hannum, Silas Johnson. $500.
1815.
Peter Stockwell, Barna Brigham, John Taylor, Isaac
23r
SCHOOLS.
Abercrombie, Henry Kingman, Paul Thurston, John Gray 2ª, Oliver- Smith, Oliver Hamilton. $500.
1816. Alexander Conkey, Luther Chapin, Obadiah Cooley, Reuben Westcott, Moses Gray 2ª, Jonathan Packard, Elijah Randall,. Olney Potter, Lewis Draper. $500.
1817. Ithamar Conkey, Joseph Pierce, Jr., Wm. Harkness. $500 .. 1818. Ithamar Conkey, Chester Gray and the Minister. $600. 1819. Rev. W. Bailey, Albigence King, Stacy Lindsay. $600.
1820. Rev. Winthrop Bailey, Stacy Lindsay, Isaac Briggs. $500. 182I. Rev. Winthrop Bailey, Jesse F. Peck, Stacy Lindsay, Dr .. Albigence King, Josiah Pierce. $500.
1822. Dr. A. King, Isaac Briggs, Rev. Winthrop Bailey. $350.
I823. Rev. W. Bailey, Henry Kingman, John Rankin. $300. 1824. Rev. W. Bailey, Cyrus Kingman, Wells Southworth, Mar -- tin Kingman, Rufus Grout. $350.
1825. Rev. W. Bailey, Dr. A. King, Cyrus Kingman, Daniel Thompson, Rufus Grout. $350.
1826. Dr. Daniel Thompson, Rufus Grout, Wells Southworth, Alanson Chapin, Martin Kingman. $350.
1827. Rufus Grout, Isaac Briggs, Oliver Bryant, Miner Gold, Grove Hannum. $350.
1828. Miner Gold, John Parmenter, Rufus Grout. $350.
1829. Isaac Briggs, Dr. Daniel Thompson, Alanson Chapin. $350 ..
1830. Cummings Fish, Martin Kingman, John Parmenter. $350.
1831. Rev. Isaac Stoddard, Dr. Daniel Thompson, C. Fish. $350. Dr. D. Thompson, Cummings Fish, Ansel A. Rankin. $350.
1832. 1833. 1834.
Miner Gold, Thomas Hayden Jr., Cheney Abbott. $350.
Dr. Daniel Thompson, Cheney Abbott, C. Fish. $350.
1835. Rev. Luther Pierce, Dr. D. Thompson, C. Fish. $350.
1836. Rev. Luther Pierce, Dr. D. Thompson, Miner Gold. George B. Pitman, Ammon Cook, Simon Cook. $350. Miner Gold, Cummings Fish, Alfred Taylor. $400.
$350. 1837. 1838. 1839. 1840. 1841.
1842.
Dr. Nath'l Ingraham, C. D. Eaton, Isaac L. Brown. $400. Calvin D. Eaton, John Carter, Wm. C. Rankin. $400. Calvin D. Eaton, Chester Gaskell, Wm. C. Rankin. $400 .. Calvin D. Eaton, Chester Gaskell, John B. Hall. $400. Same as 1842. $400.
1843.
1844. Chester Gaskell, John B. Hall, Monroe Eaton. $400.
1845.
John B. Hall, Monroe Eaton, Wm. Barrows. $400.
.
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
1846. William Barrows, Cheney Abbott, I. H. Taylor. $400. 1847. George B. Pitman, C. D. Eaton, David Abercrombie, James M. Cook, Lewis B. Fish. $400.
1848. Rev. A. C. Page, Rev. I. B. Bigelow, Abel Fletcher. $400.
1849. Rev. A. C. Page, Miner Gold, Chester Gaskell. $400.
1850. Chester Gaskell, Monroe Eaton. $400.
1851. Chester Gaskell, C. D. Eaton, Warren C. Wedge. $400.
1852. C. D. Eaton, Monroe Eaton, A. A. Rankin. $400.
1853. A. G. Craig, Philo D. Winter, Monroe Eaton. $500.
1854. A. A. Rankin, P. D. Winter, W. C. Wedge, C. D. Eaton, Miner Gold, Rufus Grout, Horace Gray. $400.
1855. Milo W. Field, Charles P. Aldrich, James M. Cook. $500.
1856. John Jones, P. D. Winter, A. A. Rankin. $500.
1857. John Jones, C. D. Eaton, A. A. Rankin. $700.
1858. John Jones, three years ; A. A. Rankin, two years; C. D. Eaton, one year. $500.
1859. Rufus Grout for three years. $550.
1860. Miner Gold for three years. $550.
186I. Ansel A. Rankin. $500.
1862. William H. Dowden.
$550.
1863. John Jones. $500.
1864. Ansel A. Rankin. $700.
1865. Sylvester Jewett. $600.
1866. John F. Dyer, S. Jewett, Robert Miller. $800.
1867. Ansel A. Rankin. $1000.
I868. Sylvester Jewett. $1050.
1869. C. H. Hobby. $1000.
1870. Mrs. Moses L. Ward, Mrs. H. B. Brewer for three years ; C. D. Eaton, John Jones for two years ; James Hanks, David Shores for one year. $1000.
187 I. Miner Gold, Mrs. H. Brewer. $1000.
1872. S. Jewett, James Hanks, J. T. Hughes for three years ; Jason Washburn, J. L. Brainard for two years. $1000.
1873. $1000.
1874. $1000.
1875. Jason Washburn for three years, W. K. Vaille for two years, Austin Rankin for one year. $900.
1876. John Jones. $700.
1877. Dr. Herman Heed for three years, Asahel Gates for one year. $700.
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SCHOOLS.
1878. Asahel Gates for three years. $700.
1879. John Jones for three years. $650.
1880. John F. Dyer for three years. $650.
1881. Timothy Sabin for three years. $600.
1882. Alfred Tuttle for three years. $600.
1883. S. Jewett, J. Jones for three years, J. L. Brainard for two years, Moses L. Ward, Wm. P. Montgomery for one year. $600.
1884. James Hanks, Asahel Gates for three years. $600.
1885.
Charles B. Shores, Charles L. Ward for three years. $700.
1886.
S. Jewett, Alfred Tuttle for three years. $700.
1.887. M. E. Boynton, Dwight Presho for three years. $700.
1888. J. R. Anderson, H. R. Davidson for three years. $700.
1889. J. W. Knight, C. E. Humphrey for three years. $500.
1890. Myrett E. Boynton, Dwight Presho for three years. $500 and dog fund.
1891. John L. Brewer, Louise M. Brewer for three years.
1892. Mrs. J. L. Haskins, E. M. Harris for three years. $600. 1893. C. E. Humphrey, J. W. Knight for three years. $700. 1894. J. R. Anderson, H. S. Allen for three years. $400 anď dog fund.
1895. Miss Louise M. Brewer, John L. Brewer, for three years. $400 and dog fund.
1896. C. E. Humphrey, Charles L. Ward, for three years. $600 and dog fund.
1897. J. R. Anderson, Henry S. Allen. $500 and dog fund.
MILLS, MANUFACTURIES, Etc.
Lands for Mills, 1739 .- Corn Mill, 1755 .- Stinson's Sawmill, 1760 .- Hamilton's Sawmill, 1785 .- Barlow's Sawmill, 1787 .- Town Takes Action, 1791 .- Mills Built on Home Lot 56, 1803-4 .- Many Owners of Mills in the Hollow .- Stephen Fairbank's Carding Machine, 1815 .- Shoe Peg Business on Pergy Brook .- Land for Mill at West Pelham, 1739 .- Scythe Shop and Foun- dry .- Carding Machine, 1808 .- Jillson's Mills, 1820 .- Various Owners of Mills .- Fishing Rod Business, 1858 .- Montague City Rod Co .- Brown's Turning Shop .- Charcoal .- Stone Quarries .- Miscellaneous Manufacturing. - Innkeepers and Retailers .- Merchants .- Justices of the Peace .- Physicians .- Blacksmiths.
The proprietors of the new town early made provisions for build- ing mills for grinding their grain and for sawing lumber, but just the earliest date that a mill was put in operation no record has yet been found. In the description of Home Lot No. 56, provision was made for building a mill.
"No. 56-Is a Home Lott Laid out to James Taylor Inye sd Lis- burn Propriety & it Lays Inye Second and third Range & Lays Quantity for Quality Containing One Hundred & fifty acres. It Bounds N : on Third Division No 24 W : on third Division No 46 partly and partly on home lott No 55 & partly on Second Division No. 19 S : on third division No 28 partly and partly on third Division No 46 & East onye River ye N. E. Corner is a Maple tree from thence it . Runs W 5 Degrees South 180 perch to a stake and stones from thence it Runs W 5 Degrees South 180 Perch to a Stake and Stones from thence South 136 perch to a stake and Stones from thence E to ye River and from thence to ye Corner first Mentioned, -a highway of two perch Wide to be allowed out onye N : Side of ye Range Line Running through Said Lott and Said Lott is allowed six perch wide onye West side of Ye River & twenty perch In Length-
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MILLS, MANUFACTURIES, ETC.
Said Line beginning att ye South Line of ye above Named Lott & to proceed from thence Down ye River Likewise on ye East side of ye River adjoining ye former there is 20 perch Wide of Land Said twenty perch wide of Land is to Run In Length Beginning att ye Water of ye Pond and Run down ye River as far as forementioned on ye West side On ye River Doth, and no further, Said Land being allowed for ye Privilige of Building a Mill on ye River & Allowed all ye Land Upwards to Home Lott No 20 for Pond Room. Surveyed In April 1739." .
The first allusion to a corn mill that is found upon the records, is in the record of the annual town meeting, March 3, 1755, when besides the election of officers several roads were consented to, and among them is the following entry :
" These May Certifie that I am Willing to Let ye Road go Where it now Dos Between Matthew Grays & ye Corn Mill, Having ye Range Rode Equivolent. JOHN MCFARLAND."
John McFarland was not one who drew land, but he may have been a son of Andrew McFarland who drew Home lot, No. 39 ; also lot No. 39 second division, and a No. 60 third division. Home lot, No. 39, was half a mile west of the meeting house, no corn mill could be built there. Lot No. 39 second division was on both sides of the West branch in range 4, and the corn mill was probably on the river at that point.
The next mention of a grist mill in the town is found in a vote changing the location of a road in 1762, but it was not upon the lot No. 56, but might have been on the West branch at some point above or below lot 56. The vote referred to is as follows :
" Voted that the Road be Altered from Matthew Grays Toward ye Corn Mill about Four Rode or as far as the Surveyor will think proper."
Up to this time nothing had been done by the owner of lot 56 towards erecting a mill, as the proposition of Mr. Phelps to the town that same year indicates.
John Savige was scheduled as the owner of a sawmill on the valu- ation list as early as 1760, and on the same list John Lucore is listed as the owner of one half of a grist mill, also John Crawford for half of a grist mill ; perhaps they together owned one and the same mill.
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
TOWN MEETING, SEPT. 14, 1762.
In the warrant for this meeting there was an article as follows :
" Article 4 To see if the town will grant Mr. Phelps the Stream and place to build a Grist Mill & Dam in and Upon the Branch of Swift River by the Bridge across it in the Highway leading from the Meeting House in sª Pel- ham to William Conkeys Dwelling house in sª Pelham if he Clear the Town of Damage."
On this article it was " Voted that There is nothing acted on the forth article."
When the survey of the Lisburn property was made the fine stream running through the Hollow could but suggest to the minds of the sturdy settlers the opportunity to locate a grist mill for the convenience of the people, and with home lot No. 56, was coupled the obligation requiring the one who drew that lot to build a mill; fail- ing to do it, the land set apart for mill and pond was reserved for some one that would.
James Taylor was the fortunate man to draw lot No. 56, but up to 1762 he had failed to build a mill. Possibly it was the hope that Mr. Taylor would do so soon that led the people to disregard the proposition of Mr. Phelps.
At a meeting Oct. 20, 1791, the following article appeared in the warrant :
"To see if the Town will grant their right of Privilege thair is in the West Branch for the purpose of Erecting a Mill or Mills for the purpose of Grind- ing Grain to any Person or Persons who will appear to Engage to Erect sª mills to the Exceptance of sª Inhabitance of Pelham."
ACTION ON THE ABOVE ARTICLE.
" Voted to take advice of some Lyor Respecting the Privilige of a Mill Place that is laid out on the West Branch that Runs through sd Pelham.
Voted to Choose a Committee to inspect sd matter,-Said Com- mittee is Hugh Johnston, Lt John Rinken, Lt Nathaniel Sampson.
Voted to adjourn sd Meeting to Thursday the third day of Novem- ber next at one oclock in the afternoon.
Then Met and first voted to Raise a Committee to Enquire of Mr James Taylor the Reasons why he has not Built a Grist Mill on ye spot ye Proprietors laid out to his Lot for the Privilige of a Mill and if not Sufficient Reasons given, to Demand of him to Build a Mill .-
. .. ..
DAM AND BRIDGE ACROSS THE WEST BRANCH.
UP THE VALLEY OF THE WEST BRANCH FROM THE CEMETERY.
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MILLS, MANUFACTURIES, ETC.
Chose Mr Hugh Johnston, Mathew Clark and Andrew Abercrombie a Committee for the purpose above."
No record has been found of the result of this action of the town. Whether James Taylor built the long delayed grist mill or whether some other man did, no one living can probably determine, and unless some record turns up to decide it the question must remain unsettled. It would seem probable that the earnestness with which the town took hold of the matter, as indicated by the record, that James Taylor or some other man was to be forced to improve the fine water privilege for the accommodation of the people without further delay. The people were doomed to still further waiting for the much needed mill, as the following records plainly prove. In a warrant for a town meeting, March 17, 1800, is the following article :
" To see if the Town will Improve the Privilige of Building Mills on the West Branch having Respect for the former vote of the Town."
Action upon the above article is recorded as follows :
" Voted to Chuse a Committee to see if the Mill Place that is laid out on the West Branch whether it Belongs to the Town or any other Person or Persons. Said Committee is Joseph Akers, Capt Isaac Abercrombie and David Conkey."
The meeting was adjourned for one hour, and on reassembling the following vote was passed :
" Voted that the Committee that was Chosen to inspect the Mill Place on the West Branch they are to Examine the Town Book and if they find that it is Voted to Doctor Hinds they are to Desist till they have further orders from the Town."
Dr. Nehemiah Hinds was a prominent man in town, and a man of property who was at one time the largest tax payer in the town, and it is evident that the people were not anxious to crowd the Doctor provided the records showed him to be the lawful owner of the unde- veloped mill privilege on the West branch ;- hence the vote ordering the committee to desist if they should find Dr. Hinds in legal possession.
In an old account book that belonged to William Conkey (Uncle Billy) there are entries showing the payment of money for millwright work in the years 1803 and 1804. Mr. Milo Abbott of Prescott is of the opinion that Uncle Billy Conkey was one of three men that.
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238
HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
built the first mill on the West branch at the place near the bridge where there have been mills for many years.
Felton & Conkey were taxed as a firm in 1809, but whether they were in company in the mill business the tax entry does not state. Ansel and Robert Conkey, sons of Uncle Billy, are believed to have been owners of the mills for ten years or so, perhaps longer, and then came Nathan Felton, who was proprietor for some time and sold to Mala Cowles of Belchertown, and his son Edwin Cowles operated them,-the sawmill on the east side and a grist mill on the west side of the stream. Cowles owned the mills from about 1840 until '48 or '49, and rented them to Leland, Gillett & Gilbert for the manufacture of axe handles.
William Holt of Dana purchased the mills of Cowles in 1852 or '53, and was the owner until he sold them to J. M. Cowan, who pur- chased them in 1854. Mr. Cowan and Marcus Grout were in part- nership for awhile, as was L. M. Hills in the manufacture of bobbins. In 1867 Cowan sold out the mills and the business to Hills and Westcott of Amherst, who carried on the bobbin business until the shop burned in 1874. Hills and Westcott then divided the property, W. S. Westcott taking the property on the east side of the stream and H. F. Hills the property on the west side.
Westcott sold the mill on the Prescott side to Theodore F. Cook in 1873 and Cook built a new saw mill. *
Hills sold his mill property on the west side of the stream to John Vanstone in 1881. T. F. Cook sold the sawmill to E. Downing of Enfield in 1889, and John Vanstone purchased it of Downing in 1891. Vanstone owns the property on both sides of the stream at present but the mills on the west side have gone to ruin.
Hamilton's sawmill is mentioned as standing in 1785,-location not definite. Also John Hoar's sawmill about that date. In 1790 there is mention of a sawmill, whose owner is not named, in a recorded vote as follows : " Voted that the road Laid from the Sawmill to William Conkeys be Shut up by two Gats one at Each end of sd Road with two Hors Blocks at each Gate." The mills referred to above were situated in the easterly part of the town, probably in the Hollow.
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