USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Pelham > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 44
USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Prescott > History of Pelham, Mass. : from 1738 to 1898, including the early history of Prescott > Part 44
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RANDALL'S TAVERN.
In 1837 another tavern was opened on the county road beyond Cook's tavern on the way to Enfield, and on the highest point of land before descending towards Enfield. Benjamin Randall was landlord and the daily line of stages from Northampton to Worcester or West Brookfield halted there morning and evening. The old tavern remains much the same as it appeared 50 years ago when the county road was used for passenger travel and for mails.
THE ORIENT . HOUSE.
William Newell, shoemaker, a native of the town, who had become quite a mineralogist by making it a study in odd hours when business was dull, and who owned the tract afterwards known as the Orient Springs property, thought he detected mineral qualities in the water of springs that gushed forth in a ravine near Amethyst brook, and
I
THE ORIENT HOUSE.
HOTEL PELHAM.
487
TAVERNS AND LANDLORDS.
analysis showed the presence of iron, sulphur and other mineral substances in solution. This was in 1853 and the water became quite celebrated locally, and many visitors came to drink the water, and some invalids came and boarded in the neighborhood to avail themselves of the benefit of continued use of the waters of the springs. The increasing popularity of the waters led Mr. Newell to build a small house in the ravine on the north side of the brook for the better accommodation of transient visitors. A bowling alley and other attractions were added and in 1858 two brothers named Ballou from Rhode Island, purchased an interest and erected a three story building, using the smaller building already spoken of for an ell or wing to the larger structure. This was in 1858, but before the build- ing was furnished it was destroyed by incendiary fire. The popularity of the waters continuing to increase, notwithstanding the misfortune attending the efforts to accommodate people who wished better accom- modations, and in the spring of 1861, Dr. Sornborger of Northampton purchased twenty-five acres or more of land and commenced the erection of a summer hotel, 100 feet long and three stories high. The breaking out of the Rebellion that spring had a depressing effect upon such new undertakings, but it was rushed to completion and opened for business that season.
This building did not occupy the site of those burned, but was on an elevated plateau near the county highway, having a magnificent outlook toward the west and southwest, the foundation of the build- ing being higher than the tower on Johnson Hall, one of the more prominent of the Amherst College buildings at Amherst. Dr. Sorn- borger was not successful as a manager of the property and it passed into other hands. One proprietor succeeded another with varying success, but with no satisfactory financial results. The last proprie- tor was Dr. Herman Heed, a well educated physician, and pleasant gentleman who was in possession when the building accidentally took fire and was burned to the ground Feb. 23, 1881.
HOTEL PELHAM.
In 1889 Theodore F. Cook began to remodel and enlarge the Lyman Jenks' house at Pelham center to fit it for a hotel, and in 1890, having completed the improvements, the house was opened to the public under the above name. The house is roomy and well kept and every season there are some who come up to the ancient hilltop to enjoy the pure air and sunshine, and to rest from the cares of business, as guests at Landlord Cook's Hotel Pelham.
Old Advertisments, Etc.
STRAY CATTLE, ETC.
Early after the incorporation of the town the custom of recording the description of stray animals that had been " taken in damage " and otherwise began, and we find in the back part of the first book of records a long list of descriptions of stray animals from which some interesting selections are herewith submitted. The earliest entry is as follows :
" Oct ye 16 1747 Entered by Abraham Gibs of Quabin-A yearling Hefer white With Black Legs a black head & Neck-& a yearling Hefer Colord black with brown Ears & a Brown List on ye Back & some White on ye Belley-& a yearling Hefer Colored Ride With a Short tail with some White under her Belley.
March ye 7, 1748 Entered by Rob't King of Pelham-a black stear com- ing in two, with apice Cutt of ye Near Ear, letter W ye top of ye Near Horn.
Oct ye 19, 1748 Entered by John Hunter of Pelham two Hefers Coming in three and a steer coming in three one of ye is Colored ride & ye other two hefers is Ride with white Belley & Some White on ye tail ye steer is Colored Black with white spots these hefers his a Swallow tail Cutt of ye Right Ear.
Nov ye 5 1757 Entered by David Cowden of Pelham a steer a yearling Past Colored aPeal Ride Cropt in ye Near Ear & a Slit in ye off Ear with White on His Belly and White on His Rump & white on his tale.
June 12, 1758 Entered by Robert Hamilton of Pelham-a Darkish Bay Meere Supposed to be Eight past With S pon ye Near hind thigh Both Hind feet white & a long Scrach of white Down Hir forehead a Neatrel troter. Also entered by Said Hamilton a Horse Colt Collerid a Dark Brown supposed to be three past Branded With HD on His off shoulder With some White Hears on ye Middle of His forehead Neatral troter. Also Enterd by Said Hamilton a Yearling horse colt Collored abayesh Sorrel with a larg Bleas in ye forehead Neatrel paser.
Taken up by me the subscriber one yoak of oxen supposed to be four years old Last Spring one of them is a dark Brown with a white Spot on his left thigh as big as half a dollar. Sum Little whight under his Belly the other a Brite Rid with sum little white under his Belly the owner may have them again by applying to me the Subscriber and proving property and pay- ing Charges. NAHUM WEDGE. Pelham, July 10 1799."
" ADVERTIZEMENT
Broke into the inclosure of the Subscriber one two year old Stear about the twenty third of June last having no Artificial mark. Dark brown line Back with White and some other spots of white about his face and legs the owner is Desired to prove property Pay Charges and take him away.
DAVID HARKNESS.
Pelham July 25 1798."
" Oct ye 19 1764 Taken up In Damige Present by Isaac Gray of Pelham a Black Roand Meer Colt Supposed to be three years old with White on Hir Hind feet & Some White on Hir forehead & a small Bell Hung with a Small Strap .- Paser.
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OLD ADVERTISEMENTS, ETC.
May the 15, 1771 Taken up in Damige present by John Clark of Pelham a Brown & White Cow Supposed to be about Six years old with a white face & a White Strike along Hir Back with a Pice Cut off Hir off Ear Gives No. Milk.
August the 19 1771 Taken in Damige Present by John McHertney of Pelham Two White Meers one Supposed to be about ten years old, the other about nine ; one a little gray a Bout the head. One Branded on the Near Buttock with the figer of Eight-they both trote & Pace-one of Said Meers his abel on.
Taken up by the subscriber on the sixth instant light Dun Bull Abought Nine Months old the owner is desired to prove property pay charges and take him away. JOHN HARKNESS.
Pelham, Nov. 8, 1789."
" Broke into the inclosure of me the Subscriber one year old heffer on the 16th day of July 1805 a pale Rid with no Artificial Marks on hir the owner is Desired to prove property Pay Charges and take hir away.
JOHN FELTON.
Pelham July 21st 1805."
"MARKS FOR CREATURS."
" Mr Seth Edsons Mark is a Swallow Tail Cut off the Near Ear and a slit in the off Ear."
" May 9, 1794 Mr. Jonathon Grays Mark for Sheep is a crop off the Near Ear."
" May 9 1794 Mr Eliot Grays Mark for Sheep is a swallow Tail out of Both Ears."
" Dec 29, 1796 The Reverand Mathias Cazier puts on his hogs and Sheep a hole in each ear and a half penny cut out the lower side of the ear."
" June 31 1802 Mr. Levi Crawfords mark for sheep is a crop off the Near Ear."
"June 3 1802 Thomas Conkeys mark for sheep is a crop off the off ear and a slit in the Near Ear."
" Aug 9, 1809 Nathan Jilsons Mark for Sheep is half Penny on the upper side of the Left Ear and a half penny on the Wright Ear the under side."
" May 31 1813 Riley Jilsons Mark for Sheep is a slit in the right ear."
" Nathan Jilson Juns Mark for Sheep is a half penny on the upper side of the right Ear."
Of course there were others.
POSTING OF WARRANTS FOR TOWN MEETINGS AND MANNER OF MAKING RETURN ON WARRANTS.
Sometimes the warrants were given to two constables and they notified the voters personally. Then the returns were made by each officer separately, one constable endorsing upon the warrant as follows :
" By varture of the within warrant I have warned ye Inhabitons of Pel- ham from the Cross Road East, Qualified to vote in town affairs to Assem- ble & meet at time & place within mentioned."
The other officer would make the same return except that he would affirm that he had warned the " Inhabitons " west of the cross road ; which was the road running north and south and crossing the Middle
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
Range road at the center of the town. Later the two constables would affirm that they had together warned the inhabitants east and west of the cross road. In 1770, meetings were called by notifica- tions posted up by a constable, (place of posting not stated). In 1771 James Hunter, constable, made return that he had notified the qualified voters to meet at time and place " By posting up a Notifi- cation on the tree at the Meeting House." Nathaniel Gray, con- stable in 1772 made a return stating that he had " Posted up a copy of said warrant on the tree Some Rods Southwest from the Meeting house." Another constable posted a copy of his warrant upon " The Chestnut tree near the Meeting house." In 1782 Constables Andrew Abercrombie and Abraham Livermore made the following return : " The Directions of the within Warrant heath been Duly observed to the Within Described Persons Residing East & West of the Cross Road." John Conkey, constable, notified and warned the freeholders and others in 1785 by " setting up an Advertisement on the Meeting House east of the South door." The same constable made the return on another warrant the same year in these words, " By vartue of the within warrant I have observed the Directions of the Same." Andrew Abercrombie made return of his official act in posting a warrant for a meeting, Nov. 26, 1787 as follows :
" By Vartue of the within Warrant I have Set up Advertizments on the old and New Meeting houses (refering to the West and East parish meeting houses) Mentioning the Within articles and Giving Notice Said time and place."
The same constable made this return on warrant for meeting Feb. 15, 1788 :
" By Vartue of the Within Warrant I have Warned Some and Endeav- oured that the Rest should have Notice."
Benoni Shurtlieff made a concise return while he was in office, of which the following is a specimen :
"Hampshire ss. by this warrant I have Endeavoured to warn the West parish as the Law Directs."
His brother officer's style was equally direct and pointed :
" Hampshire ss. by Vartue of the within warrant I have Warned Second Parish as the Law Directs. WILLIAM JOHNSTON, Constable. Pelham June 4 1790."
James Thompson was a popular constable and spread upon the back of the warrants a handsomely turned notice of his official action. A specimen of his style follows :
"By vartue of a Warrant committed to me from the selectmen of Pelham I have Warned and given Notice to the freeholders and other Inhabitance of sª Town by satting up a Notification on Each Parish Meeting House to meet at time and place within Mentioned. May 4th 1789.
JAMES THOMPSON, Constable.
Stories-Pleasant, and Otherwise.
DE REX VS. HYDE.
Not long after the settlement of Pelham a very worthy family bearing the surname Hyde settled in the Hollow. Among the chil- dren was one named Samuel. He was probably full of fun and up to all sorts of mischief as a boy and young man, playing his tricks without thought of the consequences, and was shrewd enough to escape detection for the most part, but there came a time when he was so unfortunate as to get caught. John Worthington, Esq., attorney for ye Lord ye King, was appealed to and Samuel was brought up with a round turn, placed under arrest and brought into court at Northampton to answer for his misconduct. The charges against him are explained by the court records which follows :
" De Rex vs. Hyde 1765. John Worthington Esq attorney for ye Lord ye King in this behalf comes here and gives this Court to understand and be informed that Samuel Hyde of Pelham in ye County of Hampshire yeoman in the night next following the third Day of May Instant did with force and arms privately and secretely and in the night time set up and erect a large Log against one of ye Doors of ye Dwelling house of William Fergerson of said Pelham yeoman and did also set up and erect as aforesaid a large Hoggs Trough against another of ye Doors of said House all with intent to obstruct and hinder ye passage through ye Doors aforesaid and also that sd Hyde on ye same Night did with force and arms and Secretly as aforesaid take six shirts ye Goods and chattels of ye Said William Conkey from a fence near his house aforesaid where they were then hanging and ye same shirts ye said Hyde did then and there in ye Manner aforesaid throw on ye Ground or rowl in the Dirt so that said Shirts were thereby much Damni- fied. Also that said Hyde did then and there in like manner break and destroy fourteen Goose Eggs the proper goods and chattels of said William then being in said William's barn and also then and there with like force and Secrecy throw down twenty rods of fence partly surrounding one Close of William Conkey of said Pelham yeoman, and did then and there take off from ye hinges with force and arms and secretly as aforesaid one barn door from ye barn of William Conkey of said Pelham yeoman, and ye same Door put under water in a pond there and heaped stones on ye same to keep it Sunken and Secreted under ye water, all which is against Law and Contrary to ye peace of ye said Lord ye King his Crown and dignity. The said attor- ney of ye Lord ye King appears and ye said Samuel being held comes here
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
and being set to ye Bar and put to plead says he will not Contend with ye King. It is therefere considered by the Court now here that ye said Sam- uel for his said offence shall pay a fine of two shillings to ye King &c and Costs of prosecution taxed at two Pounds five Shillings and four pence two farthings .- Standing Committed &c"
There is no evidence that Samuel Hyde was ever complained of afterwards for any such malicious mischief, and there is evidence that he became a much respected citizen and deacon of the Scotch Presbyterian church; was often chosen moderator of town meetings, and was an able town officer. He lived, during the latter part of his life, in the southwest corner of the town of Pelham on the farm now occupied by Hiram Ballou. The highway leading from his house north to the Harkness or Jewett farm was laid out Sept. 13, 1792 and "was built by the town for the accommodation and at the request of Dea. Samuel Hyde ;" which gives evidence of the influ- ence he had in town affairs, being sufficient to cause the selectmen to lay out a highway in place of a cart path, for the good deacon's use.
Dea. Samuel Hyde has been lying at rest for more than eighty- eight years, and the inscription on the stone that marks his grave in the West Burying Ground informs the visitor that he departed this life in the year 1810 at the age of 67. The Hyde family has no representatives in Pelham at present, but there are descendants of Samuel Hyde in Amherst who retain all the good qualities of their ancestry.
REV. ROBERT ABERCROMBIE AND THE CHURCH COMMITTEE.
Among the stories that have come down from the time of the pas- torate of Mr. Abercrombie over the Scotch Presbyterian church at Pelham, is one which could hardly happen now at the close of the Nineteenth Century, but something might have happened away back in the middle of the Eighteenth century that has been used as a frame work which in the years since has been padded up until it is an enjoyable story that in substantially its present form has been repeated for many years. The Scotch people of Pelham were not total abstainers from spirituous liquors ;- total abstinence was unknown ;- there were no societies or individuals advocating total abstinence or even the temperate use of intoxicants. While these men were not restrained by temperance reformers they did not often indulge to excess ; they were men of strong wills, and their religious
493
STORIES.
faith and training acted as an additional restraint in the social use of strong drink so prevalent among all classes at that time. If the pastor called upon members of his church it was considered of the utmost importance to set before him something to drink, and as good as the house afforded ; and when a member of the church or parish called on the minister he did not fail in the social requirements of the time, and flip or toddy was set before his callers promptly, and both partook of the steaming drinks without thought of wrong doing or of the possibility of harm coming to themselves, or of a bad example being set for others. Weddings without wine or other enjoyable social beverage were the exception. The raising of a bridge over the West Branch, of a house, or the frame of a barn with- out flip or toddy was thought impossible. The first meeting house was raised, but not without a cost of "£11-05s-00 paid to John Crawford for Rum to the Meeting house raising."
While the social events of the times required the presentation of liquors, and all men drank more or less, excessive drinking was not common and the men who became habitual drunkards were but a small percentage of the whole. It was under such circumstances and conditions of the social life of the town and country that the occurrence we are to relate took place and we wish them kept in mind while reading the oft repeated story of Rev. Robert Abercrombie and the church committee. Mr. Abercrombie had many warm friends among the people of his church and parish as well as some not so friendly, and it is fair to presume that some of his church, not any more friendly than they ought to be, started the charge that the pas- tor was indulging in strong drink much more than the social customs of the times required or allowed; and the charge became so oft repeated that the church as a body was obliged to notice it in justice to themselves, and a church meeting was duly called to consider the grave charge that was in circulation against the pastor. After due deliberation and discussion it was deemed best to choose a com- mittee of three members of the church to wait upon the pastor and in. a Christian spirit and temper advise him of the grave charge that had been brought to the attention of the church and in the same kindly spirit to remonstate with him upon the gravity of the charge, and if by any possibility there had been any basis for the alleged over indulgence they were instructed to point out the necessity for the exercise of becoming restraint upon himself in future, so that no.
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
repetition of the alleged offence might occur. After having attended to the duty to which they were chosen they were to report at the next regular church meeting. Mr. Abercrombie, though not present at the meeting at which the committee were chosen, was advised of the action taken, and was also advised of the evening on which the com- mittee proposed to discharge the duty laid upon them by calling upon the pastor in their official capacity.
Pastor Abercrombie went home and told his wife he was expect- ing visitors on such a night, and on their arrival he directed her to follow the usual practice on such occasions, i. e. to mix the flip or toddy, which his visitors would expect to have served ; the first time with a small quantity of spirit and a goodly quantity of water. After a reasonable time she was to mix another round of flip, with less water and more spirit than was used the first time, and if the visit was extended considerably a third round of flip was to be prepared using little if any water, but composed almost entirely of rum.
The committee arrived on their mission as Pastor Abercrombie had been informed, and as the custom of the time demanded, the flip was brought in and the committee did not feel it wrong to accept the proffered beverage. The committee and the pastor passed the time in pleasant conversation for sometime,-the committee not find- ing it quite so easy a matter to broach the business which they had been entrusted with as they expected ; but finally mustered up cour- age to make known their business after the second round of flip, with more rum and less water than the first, had loosened their tongues.
Pastor Abercrombie much to their surprise did not take offence, but on the contrary expressed sorrow that he should have given cause for such action by the church ;- if there had been real cause for the charge he expressed himself as thankful for the kindly and Christian spirit manifested by the committee in the discharge of the duty laid upon them, and hoped that the report of the committee to the church would be made in the same spirit of Christian charity and kindliness.
The committee having discharged their whole, official duty laid aside their dignity and reserve as well as all thought of having come with a serious charge against their pastor, and proceeded to enjoy the occasion as an exceedingly pleasant social call.
495
STORIES.
It was quite late in the evening when the last round of flip, com- posed wholly of rum, and a generous quantity of it, was brought in, and the committee drank freely thereof.
It was not long before the enjoyment of the occasion had so com- pletely overcome the committee that they were unable to go to their homes, and were lying prone upon the floor.
Daylight was showing beyond the line of Pelham East hill when two of them began pulling themselves together to make a start for home, and the drenched nature of the third member of the committee " lay in swinish sleep" until the next forenoon, and some affirm until the afternoon of the day following their official call upon the Par- son, before he had sufficient command of himself to set out for his home.
Unlike many other committees who make up reports to lay before the body that gave authority to investigate and report at some future occasion, this committee did not allow the public to learn of what happened at the Parson's on that eventful night, nor what their report was to be at the next regular meeting of the church. For obvious reasons the committee maintained a most determined silence while they awaited the arrival of the time for the stated church meeting.
The days went by one by one until the much dreaded occasion came at which the report of their official visit must be made. The day for the meeting came at last. After some informal matters of business had been disposed of, the committee who were chosen to wait upon Pastor Abercrombie to remonstrate with him for over indulgence on social occasions were called upon for a report.
The spokesman arose to discharge a very unpleasant duty, not so much on account of Pastor Abercrombie as on that of the com- mittee. The report was very brief, and expressed in language which did not lead to discussion or inquiry, as follows :
" The committee chosen at the last church meeting to call upon our pastor, have attended to their duty and desire to report,-That he gave us Christian satisfaction."
REV. DR. PARSONS OF AMHERST, AND THE PEOPLE OF PELHAM.
The Pelham people were much interested in establishing a college at Amherst, and considerable building material was contributed for the first college building by Pelham people, and Adam Johnson left $4,000 to erect Johnson Hall.
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HISTORY OF PELHAM, MASS.
After the college was once established there was for many years a systematic and persistant recourse to begging for the institution. Ministers journeyed from church to church to present the needs of Amherst college. A collection followed such sermons in all cases, and much money was obtained in that way. Not only did these solicitors go out to some distance, but they did not forget to pre- sent the needs of Amherst college to the churches of near by towns. Pelham did not escape from these importunate calls for funds from regular authorized collectors, nor was all the funds raised by regular solicitors. It was considered a proper thing for any minister to ask for a collection for Amherst college wherever he might be called upon to preach.
One Sunday Rev. Dr. Parsons preached at Pelham, and at the close of his sermon asked for a collection for Amherst college. The boxes were duly passed around the old meeting house, but came back as empty as they started on the tour of the pews.
The Doctor returned to Amherst and on Monday called upon Aunt Rene Cowles, one of his friends, and during his call told Aunt Rene of his experience at Pelham the day previous. "Just think of it " said he, "I went to Pelham to preach yesterday, and at the close of the afternoon sermon I asked for a collection for Amherst college, and if you can believe it not one cent did the collectors get." "Is it possible? " exclaimed Aunt Rene. "Yes," said the Doctor, " didn't get a cent, but you can't guess what hymn I gave out to be sung after I learned that not a cent had been contributed." "Of course not " said Aunt Rene, " but what was it." "Well" said the Doctor, " I gave out the one of Doctor Watts', beginning : 'Oh ! what a wretched land is this, that gives us no supplies.'" "Did they sing it?" inquired Aunt Rene. "Yes they did, and with a will " replied Dr. Parsons.
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