History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 134

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 134

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Mrs. Hayden (grandmother of Lieut .- Gov. Hayden), like oth- ers mentioned, went to mill at Hatfield sometimes with a grist of corn, a small one probably, on her back, walking there and

* See Hampshire Gazette, 1822.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

back, sixteen miles. Aunt Betsey says " Uncle Amos Trues- dell" used to tell her these stories when she was a little girl.

John Miller set out the first orchard in town, and sometimes made a hundred barrels of cider a year. In those times they obtained sweet apples by sending to Connecticut very partic- nlarly for seed.

And so " Aunt Betsey Fairfield," a genuine historie link between the past and present, survives to tell to the present generation the stories of the early labors, the early economies, and the early industries of Williamsburg. With the calmness of Christian faith she " waits all her appointed time" till her change shall come.

The first milling, as shown above, was at Hatfield. A Mr. Wilkie, one of Burgoyne's Hessians, settled near the Whately line. Ilis wife took a grist, horseback, over there once, and re- turned late, in the dark. So doubtful was the road, she finally encamped over-night only half a mile from home.

THE BUTTON BUSINESS.

In the history of the Graves family occurs one of the most noted instances in the world of a small beginning developing into a great enterprise,-that of the sewed-button business. This was the foundation alike of the fortunes of the Hon. Samuel Williston, and the prosperity of Easthampton, with all the incidental consequences-educational, benevolent, and literary-that have resulted from Mr. Williston's numerous benefactions.

Of Mrs. Elnathan Graves the senior, Henry S. Gere, in his sketches of Williamsburg, wrote :

" A button on her husband's coat was worn through ; she took it off, examined it, covered it over, and sewed it on to the coat again, asking, ' Why may not these buttons be made at home?' instead of being imported, as all the sewed buttons were at that time. Actiug upon thuis inquiry, she made a few for a sample, and carried them to Shepard & Pomeroy, an old mercantile firmu in Northampton, one of the partners being a relative of hers. They were pleased with the sug- gestion, and pleased with the buttons, saying to her, ' Try the experiment, Mrs. Graves; we will assist you.'

" The hrst material she used for covering was English lasting, which made a beautiful button. Iu about two weeks she had finished seveu gross, for which they paid her fourteen dollars, the materials costing not far from fifty cents a gross. These buttons were favorably received in New York, and sold for an ad- vauced price. All the buttons she ever made were disposed of to this one firni. But the great obstacle iu the way was the want of molds; there were none to be found save here and there a string of dingy boue molds of foreign make, which had sceused to have always been where they were found-no call for them before.

" At length she applied to Mr. Jewett, ou Elm Street, in Northampton, a man who could do anything and everything. Nothing doubting, he uudertook to supply the need, and turned for her with a foot-lathe twenty gross of hard-wood button-molds, for which she paid 331/2 cents a gross-a price less than he cared to make them for, aud more than she cared to give ; hence he turned no more. Perseveringly she worked on, getting the molds as best she could, employing a few hands, the demand for the buttons constantly increasing, when sickness and change iu the family inclined her to give up the business, having tried the ex- periment something more than two years.

" Mr. Willistou, her son-in-law, taking from her the design, carried forward the business with great advantage, importing the materials for covering, turning the molds by water-power iu immense quantities for a cent or two a gross, em- ploying hundreds of hauds for many years until the button machinery was in- vented. Then with a click on went the cones; click again, aud out rolled the flexible shank buttons. And here eudeth the sewed buttou business."

Elnathan Graves, the son of Mrs. Graves, and the present county commissioner, is able to give many interesting inci- dents of this affair. As a boy, in the year 1826, he went with his mother in her search after button-molds, and also in her etforts to procure materials and in selling the buttons. He well remembers the call upon the Elm Street wood-turner and the incidents of the conversation. Mr. Jewett, though some- what astonished at the proposed attempt, was satisfied it could be done, and soon agreed to make the effort. When, a few months later, she was one day cutting out by hand the square pieces for the covers and trimming them at considerable waste of time and material, she suddenly said, " Why can't I have a round chisel made to cut these out ?" Young Graves, who by this time had unlimited confidence in his mother's abilities, said he would go and see what could be done at Mr. Hitch-

cock's tool-works. Mr. Hitchcock laughed at the boy's earn- estness and his explanation of what his mother wanted. " A round chisel ! Why, boy, who ever heard of such a thing !" " Well, my mother says she believes one can be made." " Your mother says so!" " Yes, sir; and I tell yon she knows." Mr. Hitchcock soon yielded to this woman's idea and to the zeal of her young advocate. Ile agreed to try to make one, and succeeded; and so "the round chisel" for cutting button-covers, invented by Mrs. Graves, took its place among the other notable inventions of the world.

Mr. Graves relates the story (perhaps told in print before) that Mr. Samuel Williston, at this time without means and somewhat despondent over the failure of his business plans, came out one day to Williamsburg and said, " Mother Graves, if you will put in $25 and lend me $25, I will go to New York and see what can be done about this button business." Mrs. Graves declined to invest in the traveling expenses of her son-in-law, but he borrowed the $50 of some one else and made the trip. As the world knows, he was able after- ward to repay the $50 and donate something besides to An- herst College and other institutions.

PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Carey was the first physician, but there is little or no record of his labors. Dr. Franeis Manter was perhaps the next, and he died in the house occupied in later years by Lewis Bodman. Dr. Daniel Collins was a physician of great promi- nence (see his biography). Dr. Thomas Meekins, educated partly in the office of Dr. Collins, became to some extent his associate and successor (see sketch elsewhere). Dr. Sumner Nash became prominent and successful on the Thompsonian system, dying, however, at the age of twenty-one, just as he was entering upon a large practice. Dr. J. Dunham Greene practiced in Williamsburg in 1857 and for a few years after, removing finally to Rutland, Vt. At Haydenville was located Dr. Isaac Johnson, who studied with Dr. Collins. Ile died soon after commencing practice in 1818. Dr. Washington Shaw, a native of Plainfield and a graduate of the Berkshire Medical Institute, commenced practice in Haydenville in 184], continuing until his death, Aug. 22, 1854. Dr. W. M. Trow commenced practice in Haydenville as Dr. Shaw's successor Aug. 24, 1854, and remained for several years, leaving in June, 1877. Roswell S. Hillman, a botanic physician, com- menced practice in 1853, and secured in a short time a nu- merous elass of patrons, scattered over a wide range of coun- try. From 1800 to 1805, Dr. Titus practiced in Williamsburg. His business declined under the sharp competition that ensued after Dr. Collins settled in town, and he finally removed else- where. At Haydenville, Dr. Greenleaf, the present physician (March, 1879), came soon after Dr. Trow left. Dr. l'almer settled in Williamsburg village in 1874, and he is also the present physician at that point. He succeeded Dr. Johnson, who was lost in the flood. Dr. Johnson had been in active practice for twelve years.

LAWYERS.

Elisha Hubbard was a noted member of the legal profession. He practiced law from abont 1815 until his death, in 1853, almost forty years. Addison II. White was educated as a lawyer, and after practicing a few years at Covington, Ky., returned to Williamsburg somewhat out of health. He did law busi- ness after that for some years in his native town. We may add, however, the name of Manoah Bodman, who was the predecessor of Hubbard,-a peculiar and well-known char- acter.

PUBLIC-HOUSES.

Capt. Samuel Fairfield opened the first tavern soon after his settlement here. Tradition differs somewhat as to the date, but the investigations of B. S. Johnson, Esq., are excellent au- thority, and conclusively show that it was as early as 1752. In

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

support of this is the well-understood fact that when he first opened this public-house it was the only one between North- ampton and Pittsfield. His building was the first frame house erected in the town of Williamsburg, and was at first so small an affair that it was known somewhat derisively as " Fair- field's Shelter." This old tavern-stand was the present Dela- van place, in Haydenville. Near it stood a large oak-tree, under which tables were often set. This was full-grown when Capt. Fairfield settled here. It was blown down in 1853.

This old tavern of Capt. Fairfield was a noted resort in the times of the Revolution. Burgoyne's army, while on their way as prisoners to Boston in the fall of 1777, are said to have encamped here and eaten one meal under and around the old oak.

Earlier in the same year Capt. Fairfield himself gathered the company raised for the valley of the upper Hudson around this same old oak, and had a dinner of venison before beginning their perilous march. A company of Indians once encamped here, and amused themselves throwing their tomahawks at the tree. The tavern was discontinued at the death of Capt. Fairfield (1803).

Joshua Warner, on Mountain Street, probably opened a tavern as early as 1772, at the place in later years of Jonathan Dickinson. It was continued some twelve years or more.

Josiah Dwight kept tavern as early as 1774,-very likely several years earlier than that, as the first town-meeting (1771) was held there, though he is not spoken of as an innholder. It was on Meeting-House Hill, the Holgate place of later times.

Ezra Clark opened a tavern in 1783 in what is now Ilayden- ville, the Dexter Tower place of later times. He continued it until his death, in 1800, or about that time. His son, James Clark, succeeded him. In 1813 he sold to Caleb Johnson & Son, who kept it until 1821, when it was closed. During the war of 1812 this was a noted stopping-place for the soldiers, and no doubt it was the scene of many sharp bar-room dis- cussions over that war, which was so unpopular in this section. This historie old building was burned April 10, 1866 .*

Elijah Wait opened a tavern about 1784 on the farm next east of the Jonathan Warner place, mentioned above. This was upon the Hatfield road, and there was considerable travel along the route. This was afterward known as the Cleveland Tavern.

In 1781, Joshua Thayer opened a tavern a short distance from the old meeting-house on "the Hill." His successors were Nathan Phinney, Josiah Hannum, Obed Smith, Deacon Partridge, Obadiah Skiff, A. W. Fox, and Jeremiah Hubbard. The latter closed the house as a tavern in 1831. It had been a favorite resort for fifty years. Near this tavern was the parade-ground in the old training-times.

Dr. Elijah Paine kept a tavern in 1779, and for a few years after that, at the place now occupied by Samuel G. Bagg.

John Frost kept a public-house in 1794 on the place now owned by Francis Porter. He was followed for a few years by Simeon Bartlett.

Elisha Hibbard came from Hatfield in 1788, and settled on the farm now owned by Robert P. Loud. In 1796 he moved into the village and opened a store, but in 1800 he established a hotel, which continued in the Hubbard family until 1851. After that it was continued by Edward Bridgman, D. H. Giles, Henry Wells, Roswell Hubbard, Samuel B. Wood, and is the present well-known Hampshire House.

Nearly opposite this, on or near the present " burnt district," was the hotel, for thirty years or more, of Gross Williams. The present Orcutt House is a modern enterprise, having been opened in 1873.

At Haydenville, after the close of the Ezra Clark tavern, in 1821, there was no public-house until 1844. In the fall of

that year a hotel was erected by Spencer Root, and opened for business by E. G. Brown. Successive proprietors were Hiram Bagg, E. G. Brown again, Shaw & Belcher. They were suc- ceeded by Luther Loomis & Son. The Haydenville House at the present time is kept by the Loomises, father and son, who have been in the livery business for many years, and are closely identified with the general interests of Haydenville since 1837.

A tavern was built by James Bangs, about 1800, in Hay- denville, and known in late years as the Sherwood place. The landlord was Nathan Phinney, but the tavern was only kept two or three years.

MERCHANTS.

At Williamsburg village, Abner Williams commenced trade (1802, 1803) in a building southwest of the bridge near the Goshen branch. IIe was a blacksmith, and at first only kept a few goods in a small room off of the shop. The busi- ness grew upon him. Ile abandoned blacksmithing, and de- voted himself to trade. About 1810 he sold out to his son, Phineas Williams, who associated with himself Southworth Jenkins. They continued for a few years, and then sold to Gross Williams, a brother of Abner.

Earlier than this enterprise was the store of Zabdiel Thayer, on the site of the present store of T. M. Carter. Gross Williams succeeded him, and then, as above stated, he bought out the other store, and continued in trade there until 1840. He did a large and important business. He owned 400 acres of land, covering a large portion of modern Williamsburg.

Thomas Mayhew was an early merchant on the Ilill, and the first postmaster of the town.

Isaac Gere removed from Northampton to Williamsburg about 1825. He opened a store at the place where Lewis Bodman afterward traded. Ile also engaged in manufactur- ing in a building upon the site where Thayer's factory was subsequently located.

Russell Hill and Clement Coffin opened a store about 1824 on the site of Henry Stearns' residence in later times. The next year they sold to Enoch James. Lewis L. James was afterward a partner in the same business, the firm-name being E. & L. L. James. In 1846, Lewis James went to New York, and Enoch James continued the store until 1853, when he sold to his son, Henry L. James, who continued the business, and the store has remained in the same family and at the same place to the present time ( March, 1879).

The first store in town was opened by Asa White, on the Hill. It took about ten days then to go to Boston for goods and return. Ile continued until 1812, when he removed to Chesterfield. He was one of the three said to have wielded almost unlimited influence in Williamsburg, the other two being William Bodman and Deacon Nash.

At Haydenville, in 1838, Joel and Josiah Hayden erected a building for a store, and in November of that year opened a general trade. Before this they had sold goods considerably to their workmen, using a room in the factory building.

They continued in trade five years, doing a business of $25,000 yearly. Hayden, Wells & Co. succeeded them, the partners being Josiah Hayden, Samuel S. Wells, and Dorman T. Warren. In 1848 the firm was changed to Wells, Hyde & Co., consisting of S. S. Wells, E. II. Hyde, D. T. Warren, and Rollin L. Dawson. In 1851, S. S. Wells retired, and the firm-name was changed to Hyde, Warren & Co. Hayden & Kingsley succeeded (Josiah llayden and Sereno Kingsley) ; Josiah Hayden followed for two years; Shaw & White (James B. Shaw and Stephen D. White) next traded there for four years. In May, 1859, Tileston & Smith (Henry L. Tileston and Warner S. Smith) followed in trade at the same store, and then the firm in a few months again changed to W. S. Smith & Co. (O. Connor entering in the place of Tiles- ton). It passed again to Tileston & Smith, and Smith retired. The store burned in 1865, and was not rebuilt.

* Gazette, April 17, 1866.

410

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The Waite store was first established in 1853, by D. G. Littlefield and D. F. Morton, who commenced trade in April, 1854. Mr. Littlefield retired from the business in January, 1855, and Mr. Morton continued it alone until the partnership of Morton & Waite was formed a few months later. In 1865 sold to C. D. Waite, the partnership proprietor mentioned, and he has continued it to the present time (1879).

In 1850, Shaw & Gardner (Henry Shaw and Win. W. Gardner) opened a store in the building afterward occupied by Boland & Graves. This was the second store in Hayden- ville. This was sold to Mr. Littlefield and two of his brothers, who conducted the business until about 1853. They were succeeded by Morton & Waite, as stated above, who soon after built the present Waite store. The Littlefield building was occupied as a store by Boland & Graves, and later by Henry L. Tileston. In 1867 he was succeeded by Amos G. Ballou, who sold in 1868 to Smith & Fay, the present proprietors.

The following notices are from old files of the Hampshire Gazette :

Feb. 20, 1793 .- Partnership between Joseph Bodman, Jr., and Caleb May dlis- bolved,-tanners, Williamsburg.

Nov. 21, 1793 .- Partnership between Stewart & Jackson, blacksmiths, dis- solved,-Northwest of Searsville.

Edward Wright, postrider from Northampton to Williamsburg, calls for his pay .- Jan. 20, 174.

Jan. 28, 1795,-Samuel Pomeroy calls upon his customers to settle "or they may expect to read that melancholy moan to the damage of the said Samuel, as he saith the sum of, &c."

Dec. 2, 1794 .- Abner Williams calls for money. so that he can buy " goods as usual and more."

Feb. 5, 1596 .- Seth Dwight, being about to remove from the State, calls upou those indebted to pay np, assuring them that 1000 sixpences make 50 pounds.

Oliver Thayer, of Williamsburg, who came from Braintree in 1783, and sel- tled, was the first that bught and slaughtered animals for the fresh-meat market. Ile commenced about 1787, and for many years brought his meat to Northampton in panniers or baskets, one on each side of his horse. Ile came unce or twice a week during about four months, beginning in June. For four or five years he sold veal, lamb, and mutton, at twopence, twopence halfpenny per pound, and rarely at three. He did not bring beef. He soll butter at six- pence.

ORGANIZATION.

For some years after the settlement this territory remained a part of Hatfield. It became a thriving and growing place. A school-house was built, other improvements made, and the need of a separate organization was soon apparent. The town of Hatfield consented by a vote in 1770, and on the same day also authorized the formation of the town of Whately. The General Court passed an aet of incorporation April.24, 1771.

Williamsburg was organized " by authority of his Majesty," but it soon passed in the rapid progress of events under the authority of the " State of Massachusetts Bay."

BOUNDARIES NAMED IN THE ACT.

" South on Northampton, west on Chesterfield, north on Conway, and east by a line parallel to and at the distance of half a mile from the east line of the ' three miles additional grant,' so called, in llatfield ; and that Samuel Fairfield and Andrew Gates and the lands and farms they respectively now own, not in- "'Inded within the bounds aforesaid; and also that part of the farms John Nash and John Meckins now own, not included within the said bounds ; also Russell Kellogg, John Wait, Elijah Wait, Joshua Warner, Jonathan Warner, Downing Warner, Thomas Warren, William Warren, Mathew Warren, and the Widow Warren, mother of the Warrens above named, with the lands they now respect- ively own there, which lie cast of the aforesaid cast boundary line of the said district, and westward of a line running from the north line of Northampton to the south line of Vonwny, parallel to the east line of the said three miles ad- dition, and striking the most easterly part of the farm of the said Warrens on Horse Mountain, so called, together with the lands of John Miller, of North- ampton, which fie west of the top of the aforesaid mountain, shall be and hereby are annexed to the said district so far as to do duty and receive privileges as fully in every respect as if they and their said lants were included within the bounds of the said district."

The first district-meeting was notified by John Nash, pur- suant to the warrant of William Williams, Esq., of Hatfield. It met at the house of Josiah Dwight, May 6, 1771. The propredings are shown in the records, as herewith given from the town books. The name Williamsburg was probably given in honor of the Williams families of Hatfield, some of whom

may have specially assisted the people of this district in pro- euring incorporation or favored the new settlement in other ways.

At the first legal district-meeting in Williamsburg. on May 6, 1771, Samuel Fairfield was chosen Moderator. Voted to adjourn the meeting over to the school- house; Julin Nash was chosen District Clerk and Treasurer, and sworn; Amasa Frost and Thomas Warren chosen Constables, and sworn ; Joshua Warren, Josiah Dwight, John Nash, chosen Selectmen and Assessors, and sworn ; Joshna Thayer, Jonathan Warner, chosen Wardens, and sworn; Abel Thayer, Abijah Hunt, Mather Warren, Elisha Nash, chosen Surveyors of Highways, and sworn; Richard Church and Russel Kellogg, chosen Tythingmen, and sworn; Jesse Wild, Joseph Carey, chosen Fence-Viewers, and sworn; Jonathan Warner, chosen ('lerk of the Market, and sworn; Andrew Gates, Downer Warner, chosen Deer-Reeves, and sworn ; Joshua Thayer and Joseph Torrey, chosen Ilog-Reeves, and sworn; Josiah Hayden and Amasa Graves, chosen Field-Drivers and sworn ; Levi Ludden, chosen Surveyor of ('lapboards and Shingles, and sworn. Voted, that the Select- men be Assessors.

The following additional notes are taken from the records :

May 13, 1771 .- Voted, that Jonathan Warner, Josiah Dwight, and John Nash he a committee to petition for a land tax, said affairs to be conducted according to the direction of said committee. Voted, that the Selectmen lay town ways where they are needed. Voted, that the Selectmen purchase a town book. Voted, that Amasa Frost, Josiah Ilayden, and Abel Brown be a committee to erect a pound. Voted, that highway work to the first of October be two shillings eight pence per day ; after that, one shilling aml nine pence ; and that a team at highway work to the first of October he three shillings per day ; after that, one shilling and ten pence, and that the surveyors shall, if any men or teams fall short of full days' works, return their work as so much short of the above- mentioned price as in their judgment they fall short of full day's work. Voted, to raise twenty-five pounds for the repair of highways. Voted, that each of the constables be paid by the district twenty shillings for their service this year.

May 20, 1771 .- At a legal district-meeting, John Nash was chosen Moderator. Voted, that Amasa Frost, Joseph Carey, and John Nash be a committee to settle unr proportion of the province tax with the towns of Ilatfield and Whately. Voted, that every man keep his swine within his own inclosure.

Dec. 2, 1771 .- Bills allowed : To Ebenezer Fitch, of Hatfield, 3 days laying town ways, 18 shillings. To John Nash, for cash he paid at court when he went as agent for the towo, 3 shillings I pence. To Mr. Elijah Parsons, for preaching 26 Sabbathıs, 26 pounds.

Other extracts from the town records appear under the head of schools, churches, ete.

SELECTMEN FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DISTRICT,

1771 .- Joshna Warner, Josiah Dwight, John Nash.

1772 .- Sammel Fairfield, Josiah Dwight, John Nash.

1773 .- Samuel Fairfield, Josiah Dwight, Abel Thayer.

1774 .- Samuel Fairfiekl, Josiah Dwight, Samnel Bodman.

1775 .- Samuel Fairfield, Abel Thayer, Jonathan Warner.

1776 .- Samuel Fairfield, Elijah Paine, Russell Kellogg. 1777 .- William Budman, Josiah Dwight, Sanmel Day, Abel Thayer, Elijah Paine. 1778,-Elijah l'aine, Josiah Dwight, Samuel Bodman. 1779 .- Samuel Day, Josiah Dwight, Abel Thayer. 17>0 .- Samuel Fairfield, Josiah Dwight, Abel Thayer. 1781 .- Samnel Day, Josiah Dwight, Joseph Bodman. 1752 .- Elijah Paine, Josiah Dwight, Abel Thayer. 1783 .- Sammel Fairfield, Josiah Dwight, Abel Thayer. 1784 .- Elisha Allis, Josiah Dwight, Jonathan Warner. 1785,-Elisha Allis, Elijah Paine, Benjamin Pomeroy. 1786 .- Elisha Allis, Abel Thayer, Josiah Dwight. 1787 .- Samnel Graves, Abel Thayer, Josiah Dwight. 1788 .- Elisha Allis, Abel Thayer, Josiah Dwight. 1789 .- Sanmel Graves, Josiah Dwight, Elisha Allis. 1790,-Samuel Graves, Elisha Hubbard, Abel Thayer. 1791 .- Sammel Graves, Elisha Hubbard, Elisha Wells. 1792 .- Elisha Nash, Elisha Hubbard, Benjamin Pomeroy. 1793-95 .- Elisha Hubbard, Samuel Graves, Asa Ludden. 1796-98 .- Asa Ludden, Elisha Wells, Elkanab Thayer. 1799-1802 .- Asa Luddeo, Samuel Graves, John Wells. IS03-5,-Abel Thayer, Moses Nash, John Wells. 180G-7 .- Elisha Wells, Moses Nash, John Wells. 1808-10 .- Elisha Wells, John Wells, Asa Ludden. IXI1 .- Elisha Wells, John Wells, Juseph Badman, Jr. 1812-13 .- Elisha Wells, John Nash, Joseph Bodman. I>14 .- John Wells, Sylvanus Hubbard, Joseph Bodman.

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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 134

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