History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 125

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 125

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).

The town derived its name from Robert Field, one of its early settlers.

The first town-meeting was held on Monday, March 4, 1816, at the meeting-house, by virtue of a warrant issued by Elihu Lyman, a justice of the peace, and directed to Ebenezer Wins- low, one of the principal inhabitants of the town. Benjamin Harwood officiated as moderator, and among the officers chosen were Simeon Waters, Clerk ; James Richards, Benjamin Ifar- wood, and Jesse Fobes, Selectmen ; Ephraim Richards, Treas-

urer ; and Capt. Sylvanus Howe, Alden Lathrop, and Oliver Patterson, Assessors. Minor officers were also chosen, such as a constable, a collector, surveyors of highways, tithingmen, hog-reeves, surveyors of lumber, and a school committee.

Other matters relating to the organization of the town are elsewhere presented. The town appropriations for the year 1878 were: contingeneies, $1000; highways and bridges, $2400; seliools, $1300; paupers, $600; interest, $1150.

The following persons have filled the principal town offices, and served as representatives to the General Court, viz. :

SELECTMEN.

1816 .- James Richards, Benjamin Harwood, Jesse Foles.

1817 .- Benjamin Harwood, Jesse Fobes, Sylvanus Howe.

IS18 .- Jesse Fobes, Sylvanus Howe, Simeon Waters.

1819 .- Jesse Fohes, Ephraim Richards, Thomas Cary.

1820 .- Ephraim Richards, Thomas fary, Sylvanus Howe.

1821 .- Ephraim Richards, Elihu Lyman, Thomas Cary.

1822 .- Elihn Lyman, Benjamin Ruggles, Sylvanus Howe.

1823 .- Benjamin Ruggles, Packard Ford, Rufus Powers.

1824 .- Packard Ford, Rufus Powers, Simeon Waters.

1825 .- Thomas C'ary, Micah Gross, Henry Fobes. 1826 .- Thomas fary, Henry Fobes, Daniel Ford.

1827 .- Thomas Cary, Daniel Ford, Benjamin Ruggles.

1828 .- Thomas Cary, Benjamin Ruggles, Ambrose Packard.

1829-30,-Jesse Fobes, Rufus Powers, Sylvanus Powers. 1831 .- James Richards, Sylvanus Howe, Daniel Ford.

1832 .- James Richards, Sylvanus Howe, David Smith, Jr. 1833 .- David Smith, Freeman Pope, Jesse Fobes. 1834-35 .- James Richards, Epaphras Clark, Ablen Mitchell.

1836 .- Sylvanus Howe, Alden Mitchell, Benjamin F. Potter. 1837 .- Alden Mitchell, Asa Shaw, Daniet Ford. 1838-39,-Asn Shaw, Thomas Cary, Henry Fobes.

1840-41 .- Asa Shaw, Henry Fobes, Timothy Brainard.

1842 .- Heury Fohes, Timothy Brainard, Levi W. Lombard.

1843-45 .- Levi W. Lombard, Epaphras Clark, Ransom Wood. 1846 .- Ransom Wood, Henry Fobes, Elward Cary. 1847 .- Edward Cary, Ransom Wood, Solon S. Pope.

1848 .- Edward Cary, Solon S. Pope, Alvan Randall. 1849 .- Edward Cary, Henry Fohes, Alvan Randall. 1850-51 .- Daniel Ford, Joseph Root, Ransom Wood. 1852 .- Alvin Smith, Ezra Carey, Asa Shaw.

1853 .- Ezra Cary, Daniel Trask, David Blodgett.

1854 .- Barnabas Blair, Daniel T. Trask, Solon S. Pope.

1855 .- Barnabas Blair, Shubal Kentfield, George L. Shaw.

1856 .- Parnabas Blair, Shubal Kentfield, Jr., George L. Shaw.

1857 .- Ezra Cary, Angustus Moody, Rarnabas Blair.

1858 .- Augustus Moody, John L. Wilson, N. W. Aldrich.

1859 .- John L. Wilson, Gideon P. Bartlett, Joseph Root.

1860 .- Micah 11. Gross, Gideon P'. Bartlett, Davenport Allen.

1861 .- Micah 11. Gross, Davenport Allen, Henry M. Potter.

1862-63 .- Ezia Cary, D. B. Gillett, Edward Cary.

1864 .- Same three up to June Ilth, and then Cyrus F. Woods, Micah H. Gross, and Henry MI. Smith were chosen.

1865,-Vyrus F. Woods, M. HI. Gross, Lyman D. Potter.

1866 .- Micah HI. Gross, Edward P. Smith, Ira D. Haskell.

1×67 .- Joseph Root, Santford B. Collins, Elbridge E. Cabot.

1868 .- Elluidge E. Cabot, Joseph Root, William B. Kimball.

1869,-Henry M. Potter, Albert R. House, Ira D. Haskell.

Js70 .- Ira D. Haskell, E. E. C'abot, J. L. Wilson.

1871-73 .- Ira D. Haskell, Elbridge E. Cabot, Horace Hunt.

1874 .- E. E. U'nbot, N. D. Potter, John Eddy.

I>75-76 .- Ira D. Haskell, L. D. Potter, A. J. N. Ward.

1877 .- L. D. Potter, E. E. Cabot, Ira D. Haskell.

IST8 .- R. D. Woods, L. D. Potter, B. F. Davis.

TOWN CLERKS.

1816, Simeon Waters; 1817-28, Freeman Pope; 1828-31, Eliphaz Jones; 1831- 42, Alfred Arnold; 1>42-50, Luther Chapin, Jr .; 1850, Norman A. Smith ; 1851- 54, Oliver Bryant ; 1854-56, Luther Chapin, Jr .; 1856-66, Joseph 8. Jones; 1866- 78, Angustus Moody ; 1878, William B. Kimball.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1816-20, Benjamin Harwood; 1820-22, Jesse Fobes; 1823, Ephraim Richards; 1826-27, Ephraim Richards; 1828-30, Rev. Joshua Crosby ; 1831-32, Thomas V'ary ; 1833-36, Epaphras Clark ; 1837-38, Daniel Ford ; 1839-40, Ichabod Pope; 1842, Ephraim Richards ; 1843, Luther Chapin, Jr. ; 1845-49, AAlvin Smith ; 1850, Henry Fobes; 1851; Timothy Brainard; 1852, David Cutting; 1855, George L. Shaw; 1857, Rufus D. Woods; 1861, Augustus Moody ; 1865, Joseph Root ; 1868, Elward Smith ; 1874, Benjamin F. Davis; 1876, Wm. B. Kimball.

VILLAGES.

The town virtually contains but one village, which is situ- ated near the geographical centre. For the sake of conve-

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IIISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

nience its northern extremity is known as the " upper vil- lage," and is about a mile from the larger and more central portion of the village. At the lower or larger part of the village are located the Congregational church and chapel, the Methodist church, the town-hall, Masonie building, Swift River Hotel, the depot, a grist-mill, blacksmith-shop, several stores, the mills of the Minot Woolen Company, the old cemetery, and many private residences, some of which are of the latest style of architecture, and present a tasteful and home-like appearance.

The " upper village" contains the mills of the Swift River Company, a saw-mill, store, railroad depot, and a number of residences, of which some are not inferior in architectural beauty to those at the lower village.

These villages are pleasantly located in the valley through which flows the east branch of Swift River. The inhabitants are noted for their wealth, refinement, culture, and for their hearty support of church institutions.

The post-office in Enfield was established about the year 1820, and the first postmaster was Elihu Lyman. Prior to that date it was carried from Belchertown by a post-rider, Capt. Joseph Hooker filling that position for a long time. The second postmaster was Eliphaz Jones, and since the ex- piration of his term of otlice it has been filled by Oliver Bry- ant, Daniel B. Gillett, James Leland, Lyman Morton, C. F. Woods, John G. Merriam, Erskine E. Butler, John L. Wil- son, George E. Walker, and the present incumbent, J. E. Woods, who was appointed in the fall of 1872.

THE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

of the town received early attention. In January, 1759, a committee of three was appointed by the town of Greenwich to divide the town into three parts for the establishment of schools. All south of Win. Fisk's and Benjamin Cooley's (now the Hale farm) was to constitute the south district, now Enfield.

In the month of November, 1765, a committee that had been appointed to locate school-houses fixed the one in the " south quarter on the south side of the road, by a little brook to the west of John Rea's," and that became the first school- house built in the town, and stood near the present road lead- ing from Enfield to Bond's village. (Fuller information in regard to the early schools of this section will be found in the history of Greenwich.)

An old resident of the town furnishes the following inter- esting facts concerning the schools of his day :

"The first school that I remember was kept in 1800 and 1801 by a Miss Ellis or Alice Alden, in a corn-honse belonging to Joseph Ruggles, on the farm where Watson Hanks now lives. Soon after, a school-house was built near the same farm, on the opposite side of the road. The house was built 18 feet square, and for a long time remained unfinished. The first teacher there was, I believe, Daniel Lamson, probably about the year 1801-2; the next, Thomas Cary ; and after bim Willard and Leonard Gould, Town, Mellen, Mcclintock, Newell, Brainard, Pepper, and others whom I do not recollect. A Miss Abigail Gould taught in the summer. Some of these were very good teachers for those times, but many of them taught only the three R's. They generally boarded around in families who sent children, according to the number sent; green wood, mostly 8 feet long, was furnished in the same way. Those who flogged the most were considered the best teachers, as they were supposed to keep good order. In this house, about the year 1812, were packed about 60 scholars, and, what with flogging and smoke, there was frequently not much studying until afternoon. We usually had about two months' schooling a winter. Here, after I was twelve years old, I attended three winters, and graduated. Since that time I have not had much leisure for study or reflection. This was in the South District. I cannot remember much about the school in the Centre District. Iknow the South was thought the best school. I believe there were but two school dis- tricts in the place at this time."

The town has now eight district schools, with an attendance of 181 pupils, and an average attendance of 142. The whole are under the nominal control of a board of nine committee- men, three of whom are elected annually for three years. A special board has the direct supervision of the schools, consist- ing at present of W. B. Downing, Nathan D. Potter, Wm.

B. Kimball, and II. E. Brown. The amount of the last ap- propriation for schooling purposes was $1300, other funds rais- ing the sum to $1621.32.

A number of excellent private schools formerly existed in the town.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

CONGREGATIONAL.

The south parish of Greenwich was incorporated June 20, 1787, the principal cause of the division into parishes being the great inconvenience experienced by the inhabitants of the south part of the town in attending worship at so great a dis- tance as Greenwich Plains. The Congregational form of worship was the one that received earliest support. A meet- ing-house, on land presented by Capt. Joseph Hooker, was built in the parish in the years 1786 and '87, and accepted Oet. 15, 1787. Movable benches were first placed in this church. Pews were substituted in 1793. In 1814 a belfry was erected, and a bell, the gift of Joseph Keith, afterward placed therein. In the year 1835 the pews were displaced by slips, and other alterations and improvements made. The house was repaired about 1855 and an organ added. In 1873 it was again repaired and a considerable addition was made to the rear of the church, and an elegant organ took the place of the old one, at a cost of about $2500. The edifice now presents an attractive appear- ance, the steeple being graceful and unique in design, and containing a costly town-clock. The interior of the church is neat and appropriately embellished, and its acoustic properties are excellent.

The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. Joshua Crosby, who was called May 12, 1789, and installed December 2d following. He was furnished with a farm bought of Bar- nabas Fay as settlement, and had a salary of £70 a year, his firewood being also furnished by the parish.

Mr. Crosby came from the Cape, and served as a chaplain in the Revolutionary war. He entered Brown University, but, being unable to meet his expenses, left after a year or two, and studied for the ministry with a Mr. Forster, of New Brain- tree. He was noted for superiority in athletic sports, was one of the first trustees of Amherst College, and after the death of the first president of that institution filled that office pro tem- pore until another was chosen. He was a vigorous and earnest sermonizer, his discourses being more remarkable for their vigor and force than for superior literary merit. He continued his pastoral relations to the church until his death, Sept. 24, 1838.

Rev. Sumner G. Clapp was settled as colleague of Mr. Crosby Jan. 9, 1828, and dismissed March 28, 1837. His sue- cessor was Rev. John Whiton, who was settled Sept. 13, 1837, and dismissed Sept. 29, 1841. On the 16th of February, 1842, Rev. Robert MeEwen was settled as pastor. He was of Seotch descent, and some of his ancestors were in the battle of ('ullo- den. He was a good and talented man, but was compelled to give up his charge because of ill health, and, much to the re- gret of his parishioners, was dismissed by council Dee. 10, 1861.

His successor was Rev. John A. Seymour, who was installed April 17, 1862. Having been appointed district secretary of the American Tract Society, for the States of Ohio and In- diana, he preached his farewell sermon Feb. 8, 1867, and was dismissed by council July 29th of the same year.

Rev. Edward C. Ewing, the present pastor, was called Aug. 28, 1867, and installed Oct. 9th, following. Mr. Ewing at the time of the call was pastor of the Congregational Church at Ashfield, Mass. He is a graduate of the class of 1859 of Am- herst College, and has filled his present pastoral office with great acceptance.

The names of the first purchasers of pews in the meeting- house, in 1793, were Calvin Kinsley, Sylvanus Howe, Daniel Hayward, Simon Stone, David Newcomb, Joseph Hooker, Robert Field, John Sawin, Benjamin Harwood, Benjamin

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Rider, Nathan Hunting, Caleb Keith, William Stone, Joseph Ruggles, Abner Eddy, Ebenezer Rich, Renben Colton, Bar- nabas Rich, Nathaniel Boker, Joseph Fobes, David Swetland, William Morton, John Eaton, Moses Colton, Jonathan Hunt- ing, Nathaniel Lane, John Bailey, William Patterson, John McIntosh, and William MeIntosh.

Parochial affairs were conducted by parish officers from 1787 until 1816, when the town was incorporated ; by the town from that date until 1831, when the parish was reorganized and still continues. The present deacons are Henry Fobes, W. S. Moore, and Augustus Moody.

The church is in a prosperous condition, comprising a mem- hership of 265 persons; of Sabbath-school, 275; number of volumes in the library, 675; Superintendent, A. J. N. Ward.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHF.

This church grew out of certain internal troubles that dis- turbed the peace of the Congregational Church. Rev. J. Knight, who was stationed at Greenwich and Ware, preached the first Methodist sermon in Enfield, in the "old tavern stand" building, now standing opposite the Congregational church. In 1835, Rev. Messrs. Philetus Green and Philo llawks were stationed at Greenwich. They held meetings in Enfield at the old brick school-house, over the river, and a class was formed, of which Brother Kitchen was made leader.

After a brief interval, work was again resumed in 1842 by Brothers II. Morgan and J. Lewis, of Greenwich, and meet- ings were held in the town-hall. It was during that year that the first services of the denomination were held in the day- time. In the same year, Rev. Samuel Tupper, a young man from Nova Scotia, arrived in Boston in search of work. The opportunity to labor in Enfield was offered him. Ile accepted it Oct. 4, 1843. The Methodist Society was organized on the 15th of the same month, with 16 members.

Rev. Mr. Tupper remained in charge of the society until the spring of 1844. Since that time the several pastors have been as follows: 1846, Moses Palmer; 1847-48, John W. Dadman ; 1849, Edward A. Manning; 1850, John Paulson ; 1851, Daniel Ames; 1852-55, David Kilburn ; 1856-58, Na- thaniel J. Merrill; 1859-61, William M. Hubbard ; 1862, John Capsen ; 1863-64, Gilbert R. Bent ; 1864-65, David K. Bannister; 1866, J. W. Bassett; 1867, James W. Fenn; 1868-69, John W. Lee; 1870, N. M. Granger ; 1871-72, George llewes ; 1873, Nathaniel F. Stevens ; 1874-76, William Wig- nall. The present pastor is Rev. J. Alphonzo Day, who is now (1879) in his second year.

In the spring of 1847 a contract was entered into for the erection of a church edifice at a cost of $1700, and it was dedi- cated Jan. 19, 1848. In the following spring ground was broken for a parsonage, and it was finished the same year. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Wignall the church was frescoed inside, painted outside, carpeted throughout, and furnished with a new pulpit-set.

The active membership of the church comprises 25; average attendance upon Sabbath-school, 35; volumes in library, 236; Superintendent of Sabbath-school, Dwight Parker.

BURIAL-PLACES.

The town of Enfield has two. The principal of these is situated back of the Congregational meeting-house, on the hill, in a picturesque and peaceful spot. It was laid out in 1788, in accordance with a vote of the parish, passed March 29th of that year, as follows :

" Voted, to give Capt. Hooker three pounds ten shillings for a certain tract of land for a burying-yard."

The area of the original ground was one aere and a half.

In this ground repose the remains of many of the earliest and most honored citizens of the town. The oldest stone now standing is that of Miss Mary Patterson, who died Nov. 10, 1790, in the twentieth year of her age. Other early ones are

those of Daniel Howard, who died May 11, 1793, in his fifty- second year, and Deacon Ebenezer Rich, who died Dec. 3, 1811, in his eighty-first year.

Another stone furnishes the following information : " Mr. David Patterson, died April 19th, 1814, in his 79th year.

" Here lies entomb'd beneath the ground The first man born within this town ; Faith in his Saviour he professed, We trust with him he's now at rest."

The other burial-place is at Packardsville, just within the borders of Enfield. It is a small plat, containing but few stones, and has been in use for upward of one hundred years.

In this connection it may not be uninteresting to peruse a few

NOTES FROM THE TOWN RECORDS.

One of the first subjects to receive the attention of the new town (a church being already established) was that of educa- tion, and April 1, 1816, $300 was appropriated for schools. On the same date provision was made for the ringing of the meeting-house bell at stated hours in the day. It was also

"Voted, that Ebenezer Winslow sweep the meeting-house for one dollar and fifty cents per year, to sweep it six times per year and after every town-meeting."

The amount of money voted for the year 1816 was $1166.67.

April 7, 1817, Hosea Hooker was allowed 82 for the use of his yard for a pound, and he continued to exercise the func- tions of pound-master for many years thereafter.

April 3, 1820, Lient. Joseph Keith presented a bell to the town, on condition that it should be forever kept and used for . the accommodation of the town, and preserved in good repair and condition.

Oct. 16, 1820, Benjamin Harwood was chosen to represent the town in the Constitutional Convention, to be held at Bos, ton, Nov. 3, 1820. In April, 1822, the sum of $50 was appro- priated to support church music. On Dec. 11, 1826, $75 was appropriated to support a singing-school the ensuing winter. In the month of March, 1827, a committee was chosen to dispose of the old bell and buy a new one. In the following year the town was divided into eleven highway districts. In 1832 measures were taken to build a new bridge over the river on the road to Ware; and in the following year like action was taken toward building a bridge over the west branch of the river, on the road leading to Amherst. In 1844 a com- mittee purchased in behalf of the town the farm of Ezekiel Keith, called the " Dale farm," for the sum of $1900, to be used as a " poor-farm."

INCIDENTS.

About the year 1819 a great flood occurred in both branches of the Swift River. The waters carried away both the bridges at the villages and Hunting's bridge, besides doing great gen- eral damage. None so serious has occurred since. The lower village has provided for such a contingency by the erection, in 1878, of an elegant and substantial iron bridge over the river at a cost of $1650, exclusive of the cost of the piers and abut- ments.

There was formerly a great amount of musical talent in En- field that was at one time well developed under the instruction and direction of Benjamin Harwood, Esq., who was not only a teacher but a composer of music. Still later there was a musical society formed, Col. Barr, of New Braintree, a noted teacher, being president. Under his instruction the society attained great perfection, and the church music was of a high order.

SOCIETIES.

BETHIEL LODOE, F. AND A. M.

The charter for this lodge was granted Sept. 14, 1825, to the - following members : Prince Ford, William Stone, Jonathan Russell, Alden Lothrop, Eliphaz Jones, Emory Fisk, Ahner Pepper, and Nathan Weeks. It flourished for a considerable time, comprising in its membership some of the leading citi-

SINGER

RES.OF LYMAN D. POTTER, ENFIELD, MASS.

RES. OF EDWARD P. SMITH, ENFIELD, MASS.

383

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

zens of the town, but during the turbulent seenes that attended what is known as the "anti-Masonie period" the lodge sus- pended, and surrendered its charter.

On Jan. 22, 1858, the charter was restored to the following petitioners ; Aaron Woods, Henry Fobes, Nathan Weeks, J. B. Woods, JJohn Crosby, Ichabod Pope, and Daniel Ford. Since that time it has had a prosperous career and is in a sub- stantial condition, comprising a membership of 52, officered by the following persons: John W. Felton, W. M. ; Willard E. Johnson, S. W .; Luman P. Peirce, J. W. ; James G. Ford, Treas. ; Robert D. Bussey, Sec. ; William B. Kimball, Chaplain ; Waldo II. Peirce, S. D .; Henry E. Keopke, J. D. ; Samuel L. Howe, S. S .; A. W. Peirce, J. S .; William S. Douglass, Marshal ; Thomas If. Gates, Tyler.

The first sessions of the lodge were held in the " old tavern stand," opposite the Congregational Church, but in the year 1826 the lodge erected the building now occupied by them, and the first meeting was held therein September 19th of that year. Previous to the granting of the charter the lodge worked under a dispensation. It is the mother of Eden Lodge, of Ware, and Vernon Lodge, of Belchertown.

The Past Masters of the lodge have been as follows : 1825-29, Henry Fobes ; 1829-33, Aaron Woods, Jr. ; 1858, Josiah B. Woods ; 1859, John Crosby; 1864, Cyrus F. Woods; 1867, William S. Douglas ; 1868, George S. Dixon; 1870, Henry E. Brown ; 1871, William S. Douglas ; 1873, Win. B. Kimball ; 1876, James G. Ford ; 1878, John W. Felton.

SWIFT RIVER GRANGE, NO. GI, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY,

was organized in 1874, being designed to encourage improve- ment in agricultural affairs, and to disseminate useful informa- tion in regard to that pursuit. The society is in a prosperous state, meets monthly, and is officered by Wm. B. Kimball, Master; II. E. Brown, Overseer; Lyman D. Potter, Treas .; and B. F. Davis, Sec.

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

of the town have been varied and diverse in character. The east side of Great Quabbin Mountain is covered with a fine- grained sandstone formation, which was early made into whet- stones of an excellent quality, and which derived their name from the mountain on which they were found. The manufac- ture and export of these stones at one time constituted a prin- cipal branch of industry in the town, and was pursued by various persons, including Wm. Hutchinson and Titus and Ichabod Randall.

The industries of a minor character that have existed in the town have been numerous. Kingley Underwood had a black- smith-shop very early in the history of the town, that stood about where the machine-shop now stands at the mill privi- lege. Ephraim Richards made potash, and had a distillery for making cider brandy back of the present residence of Chas. Richards, Esq., about 1815. Thomas Cary had a tannery half a mile below the village, on the Belchertown road, about the year 1800. Tertius Walker also had a tannery at the village, in the " old tannery building," at an early day.

The dam at the lower village of Enfield was built about fifty feet above its present location, prior to the year 1770, by Eph- raim Woodward, who erected a saw-mill thereon. Ile sold to Ebenezer Rich, who built a grist-mill, and Robert Field about the year 1773 put up a clothier's shop. A blacksmith-shop, with a tilt-hammer, was soon after erected by Robert Field and others, who also operated an oil-mill. Reuben Colton had a fulling-mill and cloth-dressing shop just below Haskell's store. There were also other improvements at this point. Calvin and Charles Lawson made eut nails from plates by means of a machine, and headed them by hand. Under the bridge was a mill-stone for grinding whetstones, and, about 1801, James Harrison, an Englishman, set up a carding-ma- chine for making rolls from wool, it being the first of its kind in that part of the country.

The dam at the upper village was erected in 1812, and a cotton-yarn factory was built the year following by a com- pany of neighbors, of which John Allen was superintendent and agent. It ran for a few years, when larger mills were erected, that made not only yarn, but wove it into eloth, which put a stop to domestic weaving. There were also a saw-mill, blacksmith-shop, shingle-mill, and other works erected on this privilege at an early day.

Some time about the year 1816, Wyatt Barlow built a dam half a mile down the river, where he manufactured satinets. The mill was soon after burned, and the site abandoned. A large business was also carried on in other branches of industry at carly dates, such as hat-making, cloth-dressing, seythe-, hoe-, ax-, plow-, saddle-, and harness-making. Robert Field made potash, the Joneses had a distillery below Haskell's store, where they made whisky, and Arnold & Colton before them distilled potatoes. Hosea IFooker had a saw-mill at an early day at the west end of the village. It was afterward destroyed by fire.

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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 125

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