History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 100

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Record of the Deacons since the Organization of the Church .- Waitstill Strong, chosen 1743; died Oct. 9, 1792. John Clark, chosen 1743; remained in the office until his death. Elias Lyman, ehosen 1766; died Feb. 18, 1803, aged eighty-seven. Samuel Edwards, chosen 1766; died in 1789-90. Abner Pom- eroy, chosen 1780. John Lyman, chosen 1786; died Oet. 28, 1811, aged seventy-eight. Douglass King, ehosen 1790; re- signed in 1801. Elisha Edwards, chosen 1790; died Nov. 17, 1832, aged seventy-four. Samuel Burt, chosen Dec. 24, 1801; died June 7, 1822, aged sixty-three. Roswell Strong, chosen Dec. 24, 1801 ; died March 22, 1837, aged seventy-six. Ansel Clark, ehosen 1824; resigned May 1, 1835, and removed to Ohio. Walter Bates, chosen 1832; died Oct. 14, 1859, aged seventy-five. Theodore Strong, chosen 1833; died March 3, 1842, aged fifty. Theodore Stearns, chosen 1836; resigned

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

May, 1857, and removed to Easthampton. Samuel Lyman, chosen 1842; died Dec. 8, 1876, aged eighty-nine. Timothy P. Bates,* chosen 1858. David B. Phelps," chosen 1859. Stephen Lyman,* chosen 1878.

1790-1832, Deacon Elisha Edwards; 1801-37, Deacon Roswell Strong; 1\24-35, Dencon Ansel Clark ; 1832-50, Deacon Walter Bates ; 1842, John Lyman, Gains Lyman, Israel Burt, Deacon Theodore Strong ; 1833-63, Luther Edwards; 1836- 57, Theodore Stearns; 1842-76, Deacon Samuel Lyman; 1842, Deacon John B. Lyman ; 1842-71, Thaddeus Clark ; 1842-70, Strong Clark ; 1859, Deacon Timothy I'. Bates, Deacon David B. Phelps ; 1859-65, Elisha A. Eilwards; 1864, Isaac Par- soms; 1872, Justin W. Clark ; 1873, Deacon Stephen Lyman : 1865-75, Benjamin Norton ; 1876, Wm. D. Boyd; 1877-78, Isaac Parsons, J. W. Clark, Lyman W. Searl, Wmn. V. Strong.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Simeon Sheldon and wife, having attended Methodist meet- ing at Holyoke, invited Rev. Rufus Baker, a local minister, to preach in their neighborhood. He accepted the invitation, and established meetings in the school-house at " Foggin- town." Rev. Messrs. Douglass, Gross, Ilayden, and Hastings continued the efforts. Rev. H. Battin succeeded, and took charge of the meetings in 1840 and 1841. Previously, how- ever, a class had been organized, which held its relation to the church at Westfield. The members of this class were as follows: Simeon Sheldon, Naomi Sheldon, E. Almira Shel- don, Lueretia Clapp, and Fra Searl.

Rev. II. Battin succeeded in procuring the organization of a church in May, 1842. The same spring Conference sent Rev. Thomas Marcy, the first regular Conference preacher.

The original members were Henry Battin, Fanny Battin, Simeon Sheldon, Naomi Sheldon, ; Harris Nimocks, ; Lucy B. Nimoeks, Charles C. Gillette, Merrick Searl, Luey B. Searl, Silence Williams, Sarah M. Chapman, Lorenzo Clark, Betsey Clark, Chiloe Burt, Royal Burt, Luther Morgan, Thomas Howard, Cordelia F. Moore, Eliza Strong, Alpheus Strong, Elam A. Hitchcock, ; Lovina Burt, Rhoda Clapp, Thaddeus Clapp, Amelia A. Luddington, t and Amos B. Luddington.t The succession of pastors has been : Thomas Marcy, 1842; J. W. Dadman, 1843-44; F. A. Griswold, 1845; Freeman Nutting, 1846; H. M. Nichols, 1847; Ephraim Scott, 1848; George E. Chapman, 1849; Wm. Pentecost, 1850-51 ; Frank- lin Fisk, 1852-53; Judah Crosby, 1854-55; David Kilbourn, 1856-58; William G. Leonard, 1859-60; L. R. Brewster, 1862-63; N. Fellows, 1864-65; G. R. Bent, 1866-67; L. White, 1868-69; J. W. Merrill, 1869-70; B. T. Johnson, 1871-72; Joseph Candlin, 1872-75; H. Matthews, 1875-76; A. Webster Mills, 1877, and present pastor (January, 1879).

The church edifice was erected in 1844 at a cost of about $2700, and was dedicated in November of that year. The sermon upon that occasion was preached by Rev. Mark Traf- ton. To ereet the house of worship required much effort and great sacrifiees on the part of this congregation. They incurred at the outset considerable of a debt, which was not liquidated until 1848.

The first business or parish meeting was held at the town- honse, Feb. 21, 1844. It was called on the petition of 32 citi- zens. The warrant was issued by Elisha Edwards, justice of the peace, and directed to Artemas Barnes, who notified the meeting. Elisha Edwards called to order. Orange Strong, Clerk ; Artemas Barnes, Moderator ; Artemas Barnes and Chauncey Clapp, Assessors ; Elisha Warner, Treasurer; Sime- on Sheldon, Collector; John W. Dadman, Chauncey Clapp, and Simeon Sheldon, Committee on By-Laws; Chauncey Clapp, John W. Dadman, Harris Nimocks, Simeon Sheldon, Artemas Barnes, Rufus Strong, and Morris Searl, Building Committee.

The building committee reported, Feb. 28, 1844, the dimen- sions to be 60 by 42, with a basement; expense estimated at

$2000; $1000 then raised, and a loan could be obtained of $1000; voted to proceed.

April 16, 1844 .- Deed read ; voted to settle title in a board of tive trustees, and chose Simeon Sheldon, Chauncey Clapp, Harris Nimoeks, Merrick Searl, and Artemas Barnes. Re- port of committee after building was $2431; other expenses followed.

The records of the Quarterly Conference, Jan. 20, 1845, soon after the building of the house, show the following offi- cial members : Simeon Sheldon, Harris Nimocks, II. Battin, and M. Searl. The house was remodeled, enlarged, and fur- nished with a pipe-organ in 1877. There has been a Sunday- school from the first.

BURIAL-PLACES.

The first death in town is said to have been that of Simeon Wait. This was in 1738. His death was occasioned by drink- ing cold water. His remains were buried in the present Cen- tral Cemetery. This dates back, therefore, one hundred and forty-one years. It is situated a little north of the village, has been kept in a good state of preservation, and is cared for at the present time as so venerable and sacred a place ought to be. In the west part of the town is another burial-place, not so old as the one at the centre, yet of considerable antiquity. It is still in use. It is not known that there are more than one or two places of private burial in town. The early estab- lishment of the ground at the eentre prevented burial on in- dividual farms.

Southampton, too, has been spared the unpleasant experience of having an old burial-place given up, destroyed, and the re- mains of the dead rudely disturbed by the encroachment of business. A handsome soldiers' monument is placed near the front entrance to the cemetery at the village, bearing the fol- lowing inscription :

" Erected by the Town of Southampton and Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, in grateful remembrance of the patriotic and brave volunteers of Southampton whose lives were sacrificed in defence of liberty and union during the great Rebellion."

TOWN SOCIETIES.

One of unusual note was the "Southampton Association of Ministers," formed August, 1826, composed of natives of the town who had entered the ministry. It numbered variously from thirteen to thirty. Few rural towns could ever have organized such an association so numerous from their own citizens. Their names appear elsewhere in these sketches. They had triennial gatherings, and their meetings were of great interest, combining religious, literary, and social fea- tures. Death thinned their ranks, removal to distant States scattered the survivors, young graduates entering the ministry were less in number than formerly, and the society ceased to exist. Its history is one of the pleasant reminiscences of the older people of the present time. A large number of literary, benevolent, religions, and temperance associations have existed from time to time, but of too ephemeral a character to offer much material to the historian.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

The present residence of Col. E. A. Edwards is the principal one to be mentioned. Entering that building, venerable with age, yet well preserved, the mind easily pictures the scenes of the olden time. It was the residence of the first minister, Rev. Jonathan Judd, and was fortified for defense. Two ancient chestnut-trees standing near are relics of Indian times. From the higher land above the enemy could toss stones upon its roof, and at the west side was the watch-tower. In these now pleasant rooms, where Col. Edwards and family receive their guests to the enjoyment of genial hospitality and literary culture, there were gathered often the trembling fugitives (forty families, it is said) listening for the war-whoop of the savage, looking for their approach over the western hills, and dreading the torch or the tomahawk. Here, too, those of stouter heart, disguising

* Present deacon of the church (January, 1879).

+ Still living and members (1879).

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

their own fears, placed the loaded guns ready for instant use and spoke brave words of comfort to the fearful and despair- ing. The pastor's voice rose in prayer for his people as they gathered within a parsonage fortified for battle. Around this fireside a few years later was discussed the news from Quebec and Montreal as it slowly reached the Connecticut Valley,-the death of Wolfe, the surrender of the province, and similar events. Later yet the minister, leading his people in patriot- ism as in prayer, wrote here his communication offering, in case of revolution, to reduce his salary and share with his people the hardships of the period. The Declaration of Inde- pendenee was no doubt read in these rooms to a group of neighbors who came to hear the news.

The house has stood under three national governments,- the monarchy, the confederation, the constitution. It is said to have been built " the year the French war began." The marks of burnt floors, where the fugitives boiled their pots, are still visible in different parts of the house.

Near the present residence of Martin P. Clapp must have stood the barn of Elisha Clark, where he was killed by the Indians,-the scene of one of those numerous tragedies which " reddened all this fair land."

A part of the present Elam Hitchcock house was the old fortified Bascom house.

The scene of Pixley's death is mentioned elsewhere, and other similar places of special historie note appear under various heads in this sketch.

The " top of Pomeroy's Mountain" is involved in the story of the Pascommuck massacre. Benjamin Janes had escaped and gone for aid to Northampton, but his wife was in the pos- session of the savages. On this mountain they knocked her on the head, scalped her, and left her for dead. The flight of the Indians was a hurried one, pursuit was prompt, and Mrs. Janes was taken up alive and lived to a good old age. There can be nothing in modern " blood-and-thunder romances" more won- derful than these incidents grouped together,-the Janes chil- dren knocked on the head at the Wait farm and one of them recovering to become the ancestor of a long line of succeeding families, and the wife of Benjamin Janes, in a similar way, almost rising from the dead on Pomeroy's Mountain, where she had been sacrificed.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The business interests of Southampton are mostly agricul- tural. There is a large area of tillable land divided into valu- able farms, while portions of the rougher traets afford excel- lent pasturage. The principal erops raised are Indian corn, rye, oats, potatoes, and tobacco,-the latter in immense quan- tities. A large amount of the best quality of English hay is eut. Much attention is given to the products of the dairy ; considerable stock of good blood is kept, and the town makes a fine display of working-cattle at the annual fairs.

The farms and homesteads generally give evidence of the care which has been devoted to them, indicating the taste and thrift of their owners. In quite a number of instances they belong to the descendants of the men who settled them one hun- dred and forty to one hundred and fifty years ago. The old ancestral names of 1730 are still prominent upon the records of the town and in public life.

In earlier years the extensive forests furnished a large amount of lumber, and the saw-mills existing at one time in town are said to have turned out 300,000 feet in a year. With the elearing up of the farms, this business has been largely re- duced in later years.

Mills, Factories, etc .- In the northwest part of the town, on the west branch of the Manhan, was the Isaac Parsons saw- mill (originally Theodore Parsons), dating back perhaps to nearly the first settlement. There are buildings yet standing at this place, but the business is mostly given up.

On the east branch of the Manhan was the. Clapp saw-mill,

not so early as the other, continued for many years, but now abandoned.

On another small brook, a tributary of East Branch, was the bark-mill of Israel Searl. It was in this that a fearful ac- cident occurred, his son, Lyman Searl, being caught in the machinery and killed.

Below, on the main stream, is the well-known Bartlett mill, dating back to 1825 or 1830 ; burnt out a few years since, but rebuilt and now in use. Present proprietor, Allen C. Bartlett. It was formerly owned by Stephen E. Searl, and built by one of the Lymans.

Farther south on the Manhan was the old Sheldon grist- mill, built perhaps as early as 1790, or even earlier. Pliny Sheldon was the proprietor for many years, and built it. The mill was burned 1860 to 1863, and not rebuilt.

At this same point was the old Clover mill, built perhaps as early as 1818, and run for twenty or thirty years. Zaavan Moore was the proprietor for a large portion of the time.

In later years was a saw-mill in connection with this water privilege by Joseph S. Clark and Wm. Miller.

The buildings have all been abandoned for many years, and the water-power is now unimproved.

A short distance below was the site of a very early saw- mill, one of the oldest built in town ; also a grist-mill, carried on by Oren Root, and afterward by Silas Sheldon.

At the present time there is a saw-mill owned by Mather Root ; something of the whip business is also carried on there.

A few rods south were the old clothier-works of .Joseph Rus- sell, built in the early part of this century. The business carried on by him, and by his sons after him, has given the name of Russellville to this place.

The old buildings were burned. Upon the same site the Russells creeted, twenty years ago or more, new buildings, and established the whip business, which they have carried on to the present time.

Near the old clothing-mill of Joseph Russell was the black- smith-shop ereeted by Mr. Churchill 1800 to 1810, and after- ward owned by Parsons Clark, and later by Moses Searl. A trip-hammer was in use at this shop, and a large business was done. The hammer and bellow were run by water-power.

At Russellville axe-helves were made at one time by Mr. Leland, turned by water-power.

On a branch known as Roaring Brook, flowing into this town from Montgomery, the upper mill-site improved, was for a saw-mill twenty years ago or more,-now abandoned.

Below is the whip-factory of Charles D. Russell.

Tracing the Manhan northward as it returns from the southern bend in Westfield, there is a tributary known as the Great Mountain Brook. Upon the upper waters of this was the saw-mill of Elisha Searl, afterward owned by Woleott and later by Stearns,-building's gone. Below was a bark- mill, an old affair.

Next below, the manufacture of chairs was carried on for a time.

On this stream were the old and well-known elothier-works of Zophar Searl, succeeded by a woolen-mill, a saw-mill, and a shingle-mill. There was also here a cotton-batting mill, run by Mr. Simmons. " Railroad waste" was also cleaned here. There was also a saw-mill built by S. C. Burt, and a shingle- mill.

Upon the Manhan the water privilege of Elijah Lyon & Son, is the site of the most ancient mills in-all this section.

March 15, 1732, at a meeting of the proprietors it was voted that liberty be given to four men-viz., Deacon Clark, Joseph Wright, Ebenezer Sheldon, and Jonathan Strong-to set up a saw-mill either upon the great brook at the Falls, or below it upon Manhan River, at their election, upon condition they shall prepare said mill for sawing before next winter ; and the committee did also agree and consider to let them have such a quantity of land as they should judge convenient at the place

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

of and about said mill as a part of their said proportion in said Jand.

It is not easy to ascertain whether this mill was actually built at that time, though it is probable that it was. It was fol- lowed by a grist-mill at an early day, and they were known as Strong's mills in the childhood of the oldest citizens now living. Phineas Strong was connected with them for many years.

The mills passed from the Strongs to Holly & Root twenty years ago or more, and then to Mr. Stimson, who was sue- eceded by the present proprietors. The Messrs. Lyon have met with severe losses by fire and flood within a year past ; but it is understood that they intend to rebuildl, and re-estab- lish their business upon this historie old site.

Mr. Stimson was engaged for a time in the manufacture of piano-Jegs at this place. Mr. Quigley, now of Southampton village, first manufactured whips for a time at these mills.

Two miles below, near Easthampton, is the Maj. Lyman saw- mill. This was built by Lieut. Samuel Coleman, Gaius Searl, Maj. Jolın Lyman, and Jesse Mary. It passed to Maj. Ly- man, and was known by his name. The present mills were built by the Lyman family.

At Southampton village on the little brook was an ashery, an old affair. There was also at one time a large tannery and a bark-mill run by water-power. The tannery was built, or at least owned very early, by Paul Chapman. IIe was fol- lowed by Mr. Chapin, and the latter by Mr. Bliss. Later still Mr. Bagg owned the place. The business was given up per- haps thirty years ago. Distilleries were dotted all over the town, it is said, in the old times, when New England rum and cider-brandy were supposed to be a part of the necessaries of life.

The ten leading articles of farm production were as follows, with their several values stated, for the year ending May 1, 1875: butter, $27,838; tobacco, $12,749 ; milk, $27,077; ma- mure, $12,406 ; hay, $37,103; firewood, $11,125; potatoes, $11,177 ; pork, $7949; corn, $6916 ; apples, 8602].

There were also reported : charcoal, $1098; eider, $2870; railroad ties, $2058; beef, $2403; eggs, $2675; ryc, $3521; straw, $2825 ; veal, $1051.

MILITARY.

At the time the settlement of Southampton commenced there was a state of comparative peace. The bloody tragedies of Deerfield and Paseommuck had occurred thirty years before, or nearly that, and something of security had begun to be felt by the settlers in the Connecticut Valley. From 1730 to 1742 the new precinct of Southampton was exempt from fears of Indian massacre.

Its settlement had been made during a lull in the tempest of war and fire that had raged so long. But there followed a period of danger,-a period when every home was to be guarded by the rifle, when crops were to be sowed and har- vests reaped at the risk of life and the priec of blood. During the year 1743 incessant vigilance became necessary.

A species of fortifieation or palisade of stakes was built around Mr. Judd's house. Also a watch-tower or mount at the west side of the house, communicating with it by a window.

The inhabitants removed thither for a short time in the height of the alarm. Some of those who went into the fields to perform their agricultural labor took their place as senti- nels to prevent surprise. When they walked in the woods or in the roads in search of cattle, or for any other purposes, every man carried his weapon with him. The people of the neighboring towns sometimes marched hither on an alarm, and scoured the woods. The danger for the time being seemed to pass away, and the families gradually removed out of the fortified houses to their own dwellings again.

In the year 1745, Cape Breton was captured by the New England forces under Gen. Pepperell. Several men joined

that expedition from Northampton. Among these was Dea- con Samuel Edwards, Sr., who had not then moved to South- ampton. Elias Lyman was, perhaps, the only soldier that. went directly from Southampton. No Indians were seen in the town that year.

Early in the spring of 1746 an expedition was proposed against the French and Indians in Canada, and several of the inhabitants of Southampton enlisted. The project was, how- ever, abandoned. On the 25th of August, 1746, the houses of Aaron and Elisha Clark, which had been deserted by the families, were plundered by the Indians; beds were torn in pieces, clothing and provisions seized, and other violence was committed.

The Indians, supposing themselves discovered, fled to Pome- roy's Mountain, and on the west side of it killed six horned cattle and one horse, and wounded others.

About Sept. 10, 1746, the Indians placed an ambush be- tween the houses of Ezra Strong and John Wait, near the bars leading to a field where cows were pastured. The Indians drove the cows to the back part of the pasture in order that the individual who should be sent to drive them home at night might fall into the ambush. But the cows as usual, toward night, gradually approached the bars. The Indians then sent one of their number to drive them to a distant part of the inelosure and keep them there. Samuel Danks, who went to drive the eows home, did not pass through the bars as was expected, but took a nearer course. When he came in sight of the cows he perceived them to be very restless. He then stopped a moment, and discovered the Indians trying to prevent them from going toward the bars, Danks instantly ran and gave the alarm. The Indians fled, and were seen no more during the year.

The next year there was trouble again. On the 27th of August, 1747, about five o'clock P.M., Elisha Clark was killed by the Indians as he was thrashing grain in his barn. llis body was pierced by seven bullets, and when found it was covered with straw. Until this time the Indians had not been heard of in the vicinity during the summer. The sorrowful event surprised the inhabitants in all directions. Soldiers from the adjoining towns assembled for the defense of the place and for the pursuit of the Indians. The foe had, how- ever, fled, destroying as they went several head of cattle. They encamped the first night after the attack in Westhamp- ton, near the spot where, in after-years, stood the house of Mr. Noah Strong. Sixteen poles which they set up there were supposed to indicate the number of the party.

On May 9, 1748, about noon, Noah Pixley was returning from a pasture, whither he had driven his cows, and had reached a spot a little south of the highway, a short distance beyond the house where in later years Zophar Searl resided, when he was shot by a party of Indians. First one gun was heard by the people in the centre of the town; then three guns were discharged in the manner of an alarm, which were followed by three or four others in quick succession. Still, Pixley was only wounded in the arm. He then ran five or six rods, when the Indians overtook him, tomahawked and sealped him. In their haste to flee, they cut off a part of his skull. The inhabitants immediately rallied and pursued the Indians, who fed up a path leading to Samuel Burt's resi- dence. At his house they stopped a short time; but, as the family had left it, they did but trifling injury. The people were now in the utmost consternation. Every heart beat with terror. There was no safety by night or by day, in the field, in the road, or the house. They immediately withdrew from their homes and forts, and left the settlement desolate. Most of them retired to Northampton. Mr. Judd and his family went to Suffield. On the 19th of July following, seven fami- lies ventured back, and kept a sort of garrison the remainder of the summer. In the autumn most of the people returned, -Mr. Judd, the minister, somewhat later in the season.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

This year was remarkable for a combination of three dread scourges of humanity,-war, pestilence, and famine. Three of the pioneers-men of mark in this community-died : Noah Sheldon, Ezra Strong, and Moses Wright. The retreat of the inhabitants left not only the winter grain to be destroyed, but the Indian corn and other crops of the spring uncultivated and lost.

No one was willing to labor in the field unless surrounded by guards. The settlers were obliged to be assisted from abroad. Provisions were brought from neighboring towns. Hay was carried in bundles upon the backs of horses. The year 1749 was marked by the establishment of peace between England and France, and between Canada and the colonies. To Southampton this was a welcome relief; but the year was one of severe drought. The first mowing was a failure, but a rich and luxuriant after-growth was developed by the abundant late rains.

These Indian attacks were the last that occurred; but the alarm of war, calling men to suffer and die, was still heard for many years. In 1754, during the preliminary irritation of the approaching " French war," the whole territory along the Connecticut River was once more alarmed. The old fortification around the minister's house, in this town, was repaired, and the watch-tower again built. It was expected that the former tactics of the French-and-Indian allies might be repeated, and that slanghter and desolation might burst upon these towns as in the days of the fathers of Deerfield, Northampton, and Hadley. But the time had come when French domination was to cease on the northern line. French armies could find no chance to descend the valley of the Con- necticut and hurl their savage legions upon the sleeping vil- lages. They were forced to fight-and fight in vain-for the soil of Canada itself. British and colonial troops penetrated their strongholds along the St. Lawrence, and the flag of England floated in triumph over a provincial empire lost and won.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 100

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700