History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 144

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 144

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Other societies were The Home Missionary Association of Plainfield, 1831; The Female Benevolent Society, 1833; The Maternal Association of Plainfield, 1834. All these societies were.the outgrowth of that active period of revival and mis- sionary work. The interest shown by the people of Plainfield at that time appears by the fact that, in 1834, there were two life directors and one life member of the American Bible Society residing here; two life members of the American HIome Missionary Society ; one life member of the society for Ameliorating the Condition of the Jews ; a life director and eight life members of the American Tract Society at New York.

In the last forty years various similar organizations have existed for brief periods. Temperance societies developing and strengthening public sentiment arise from time to time and give way to others. There are now no licensed sales of intox- icating liquors, and very little intemperance exists. Lyceums or literary associations for mutual improvement and mutual enjoyment have been occasionally formed. A small eirculating library was established in the southeast part of the town in 1832, and lasted for a few years. A flourishing artillery com- pany existed here at one time, and, with the aid of the State, they built an armory across the road from the residence of Col. Jason Richards. It was given up, and the building removed to the east end of the village ; now the dwelling-house of Mrs. Frances Clark.

* Present deacons (1879).

436

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR OF SPECIAL NOTE.

Plainfield has, Ist, the " MOUNTAIN MILLER'S HOME, " the story of whose pious life, written by William A. Hallock, has been read in many languages and stirred the Christian zeal of thousands in all parts of the world. No less than one hun- dred and forty thousand copies were issued the first year of its publication, in 1831, and two years later a revised edition of one hundred and sixty-eight thousand copies was printed.

Ile bought the mill in 1798, having removed to this town, however, in 1779. The mill and the dwelling-house, and the grounds around them, are saered spots yet in the memory of some still living who knew the " Mountain Miller." Wil- liam A. Hallock, in the tract (No. 254, American Traet So- ciety, 150 Nassau Street, New York), writes :

" The spot where so many thus met the pious miller, and where his devout aspirations so often ascended to God, and even the pure perennial spring of water by the roadside where he used to drink, bursting from the rocks in a basin three or four feet from the ground, as if hewn by God for the purpose, and shaded by two beautiful sngar-maples, have still a sacredness around them which will remain till all who knew him and feel the value of religion shall have followed him to eternity."

The two beautiful sugar-maples are still flourishing as when William A. Ilallock wrote of them nearly fifty years ago, and the spring still bubbles from the rocks. Here is still the road winding up the valley along which the pious miller so often went to the house of God, that to him was none other than the gate of heaven. These lovely hillsides and the deep valley between must have been fair and beautiful when cov- ered with the primeval forests, robed in the verdure of sum- mer, the gorgeous colors of autumn, or the solemn drapery of winter. Yet all this earthly beauty was to the eye of faith but a faint image of the heavenly land. It only reminded Joseph Beals, the " Mountain Miller," that

" Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood Stand dressed in living green."

The dwelling-house near the present mill is not the old home of the " Mountain Miller," though some reverent vis- itors have persisted in thinking so, and in going through the rooms in a dreamy, historic way. The dwelling-house of Mr. Beals was the present residence of James Cook and son, on the west side of the road, farther north ; thus the miller would pass the spring in going from the house to his work. In the yard at Mr. Cook's was the funeral scene mentioned in the traet, when around the open coffin of his beloved daughter the miller talked to his neighbors upon the great themes of life, death, and eternity.

2d. The old residence of Rev. Moses Hallock, where he settled in the ministry, and where he received his students, is a place of deep interest yet to the few venerable men who still live to recall the instructions received in this beautiful moun- tain village, and at the fireside of that devout and holy man. Their own names may be written high upon the seroll of fame, and the wreath of civic honors may have gracefully rested upon their brows, but the name of their teacher, Rev. Moses Hallock, may well be written in close and tender association with their own. The house is a low, old-fashioned, one-story building, but of ample width, securing a large amount of room upon the lower floor and a spacious chamber above.

It is a village tradition that at times Mr. Hallock's family consisted of nine, and that these, with seventeen students, all boarded and slept in the house at onee. While Mr. Halloek lived, the house was unpainted. After his death the place passed into the ownership of the Widow Mack. The house was then painted. It was sold afterward to the brothers Spierman, who now reside there. They are blacksmiths, and have for many years carried on their business in a shop erected east of the house, and next to the street. There are a few maple-trees, of considerable age, planted, it is said, by one of the sons of Mr. Hallock. The paint having nearly disap- Feared, the house in its outer look must be returned to nearly

its former state, as occupied by Mr. Hallock. A few apple- trees near suggest the days when Wm. Cullen Bryant and other "boys" like modern students may have helped gather the fruit earlier than the ordinary season. Standing in front of the venerable building, it needs but a little effort of the imagination to people those old rooms, the spaeious yard, and the street near, with the living forms of active youth ; with distinguished men who in after-years left their impress upon law and literature, upon science and metaphysics, upon poli- ties and religion.

-. 3d. The Point of the First Settlement .- Holland's history, and other works, state that Mr. MeIntyre made the first settlement of Plainfield in 1770. Jacob Porter says that he was a Scotchman, and, in the true spirit of Seotch hospitality, used to prepare a haggis at each of his daughters' weddings. That he lived somewhere on what was known as the " Hat- field Equivalent" is probable from the two marriages recorded. >But the exact site of his house is not known.

4th. The meeting for the first civil organization determines another spot as one for which the antiquarian will naturally seek. In Plainfield, this was held at the house of Simon Burroughs, July 25, 1785. It stood a few rods north of the present residence of Charles N. Dyer, on the east side of the road. There are now no buildings at that point, and only a slight depression in the ground, with some other indications to identify the spot. This will be the place to unfurl the flag at the centennial celebration of July 25, 1885. Perhaps before that time some antiquarian may have discovered the old cellar of the Mcintyre homestead, and another flag may wave from that.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The leading business of the town is agriculture. The cut- ting of firewood and lumbering were formerly important items of business, but at the present time are carried on only to a limited extent. The productions of the dairy, the sale of beef, the raising of sheep, and a variety of mixed farming employ- ments constitute agricultural interest. Maple-sugar is some- times produced in large quantities, reaching 26,000 pounds a year. The manufacturing interests were never very extensive, though the production of broom-handles and other small arti- cles of wood-work has been at times an important element of prosperity. The various mills and water-privileges are stated in the following more particular account. Upon this general subject Jacob Porter, forty-four years ago, wrote as follows :

" The native timber of our forests consists principally of maple (four species), beech, birch, hemlock, spruce, fir, and cherry. From the maple large quantities of sugar are manufactured. A variety called the bird's-eye maple is highly estremed for cabinet-work. Cherry is also much used for the same purpose. Our boards and shingles are generally made of hemlock and spruce. Large quantities of hemlock bark are used for tanning leather. It sells at about two dollars and fifty cents a cord. The price of wood for fuel standing is about twenty cents a cord; delivered at one's door, from one dollar to one dollar and twenty-five cents.

" As there is very httle underbrush in our woods, onr farmers are not troubled with bushes. Fiells once cleared remain free from these intruders, so trouble- some in the eastern part of the State.

"This township has a good strong soil very well adapted for grass. Indian corn, wheat, and rye are raised without difficulty, but not in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants. Potatoes and oats of excellent quality are very easily raised. Might not molasses be profitably manufactured here from potatoes ? The ajde thrives well, and it is believed that the plum, peach, cherry, and grape might he cultivated with proper care. Our wild fruits, such as the strawberry and the thimbleberry, might doubtless be greatly improved by transplanting them into our gardens. Horticulture has not hitherto received that attention among us which it so justly merits. Labor is from fifty cents to one dollar a day."

How far this reflects the present time (1879) and how much it differs from the present will be readily seen. Jason Richards says that his father used to raise what wheat he needed for his own family. His stalwart missionary sons, however, grew up largely upon the " rye and Indian" of those " good old times. " The living was frugal. It is a local tradition that once a doting father brought his son to Moses Halloek's school, and asked that the boy might have gingerbread. "Certainly, " said the

437

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

venerable teacher, and immediately requested Mrs. Ilallock to sprinkle a little ginger into the Indian bread.

V MILLS, FACTORIES, ETC.

On the brook rising northeast of the centre and flowing to the south, the upper water-privilege improved was that of Thomas Shaw's grist-mill. This dates baek very early, per- haps before 1800, as Stephen Hayward, who was seven years old when his father came here, in 1793, states that he went to mill there in his early boyhood. The mill was given up about 1825 or 1826, and the privilege has not been used since.

Next below was the.factory of Warner, Whiting & Co., built about 1820 to 1825. The firm consisted of Randall Whiting, James Warner, and Jacob Clark. Their principal line of work was the manufacture of satinets. They also did custom- work as aclothing establishment. They operated several looms, employing ten or twelve bands. The business was conducted by them twelve or thirteen years. It was continued for a short time by James Warner, alone, and was also operated by Gurney. The business was abandoned, and, later,-1855 to 1860,-the buildings were taken down. Traces of the old dam and raceway remain.

Much earlier than the operations of the firm above men- tioned was the elothing-mill of Jacob Clark, upon the same site.

On the same stream, below, were the broom-handle works es- tablished by John White about 1836. The business was car- ried on eight or ten years only, when it was given up and the buildings removed. There was a saw-mill continued some- what later. A little below was the old saw-mill of Ziba White. This was an ancient affair, dating back to 1800, or perhaps earlier. The works were allowed to go down forty years ago or more, and were not rebuilt. There is yet another mill privilege below, improved by Warner & Lloyd, about 1845. They built a saw-mill, and operated it for several years. It was then converted into a eider-mill, and that has since been abandoned. It will be scen that this little stream was for a time made to do a large amount of work.

Tracing the tributaries of Mill Brook and the stream itself, there may be noticed in the village the little brook flowing down near the town-house and by Campbell's store. A little south was an old tannery dating back toward the first settle- ment. It was carried on by Dorn & Remington. Traces of the old dam and works remain.

About the same time, or somewhat later, a little above were potash-works, carried on by Iram Packard.

Dorn & Remington built with the intention of doing a large business. They had a building of considerable size, and an overshot wheel of eighteen feet diameter. Their plans were not fully carried out. They moved down into the valley on Mill Brook.

Some two miles west, on another branch of Mill Brook, was a saw-mill built by Wm. Shattuck, about 1852. lle operated it five or six years, and sold it to Morgan Cleveland, who car- ried on the business for a few years, but finally discontinued it. It failed for want of sufficient water at that point.

At the place now owned by Philander Packard, on Mill Brook, was the type-foundry of Homan Hallock. There he made the types for printing the Bible in Arabic. The building afterward was removed to Cummington. His work was of great value, requiring classical taste, inventive genius, and rare mechanical skill,-a work of unique celebrity for a re- tired mountain town. Homan Hallock, of whom the world has heard but little, is entitled, by his manufacture of the type that has given the Bible to 150,000,000 of people, to rank with the better known brothers Gerard and William.

Next below is the saw-mill of George W. King. This was established from 1815 to 1820 by Josiah Stetson, and is one of the few mill-sites in Plainfield that have not been abandoned. After Mr. Stetson it was owned by various proprietors, until

it passed into the hands of Mr. King, about twenty-four years ago, and is run by him at the present time.

Farther down was Streeter's factory, built by Arnold Streeter, perhaps sixty years ago. The line of work was the manufacture of satinets and broadcloths, including the doing of eustom-work. The mills were burned about 1826. They were rebuilt, and the business continued by the Streeters, father and son, until the buildings were again burned, in 1876. They have not been rebuilt. Before the Streeters began, there was an old clothing-mill at this point operated by Daniel Richards, by Mr. Gleason, Mr. Shattuck, and perhaps others. An old saw-mill of the first settlement was also located here. The tannery removed from the village brook, as before stated, was rebuilt by Dorn & Remington in 1830, on Mill Brook. They did a large business, having a building 100 feet by 30, with 80 vats. It was carried on by them for several years. Dorn sold out to Parsons, and the firm afterward sold to Giddings & Latham. The latter carried on the business alone for a short time. It was discontinued at Latham's death, 1851.

Below, on the main road, is the factory built by Pratt & Hamlin (Reuben Hamlin and Otis Pratt), sixty to seventy years ago, for the manufacture of satinets, broadeloth, custom- work, etc. Mr. Erastus Bates bought out Pratt. After the removal of Mr. Bates west, Reuben Hamlin carried it on a short time alone. After this the building stood unused for a few years. Mr. Jason Noyes opened a chair-factory there a short time. A few years later the business was changed by William Wileutt, the present proprietor, to the making of broom-handles and baskets, and is continued by him-includ- ing saw-mill-to the present time.

Earlier than this factory, back to 1810 or nearly, was a flax- dressing-mill, owned by Noah and Iram Packard,-father and son.

Next, down the stream, is the grist-mill, occupying the site of the one owned by " the Mountain Miller." Joseph Beals bought the property in 1798. The mill was built several years before that, and was carried on by Jeremiah Robinson. It does not appear to be known whether there was a still earlier pro- prictor. After Joseph Beals' death, in 1813, the mill was carried on some years by Joseph Beals, Jr. The property was owned at one time by John Clarke, of Northampton. It then passed to Deaeon Jared Bisbee, who owned it for several years. After him Joel Lyon was proprietor, and then Loren White. It was then run for a few years by Edwin Torrey. In 1861 his son-in-law, James A. Nash, succeeded to the mill, and has carried it on from that time to the present. The water-privi- lege is one of considerable value. The mill has a large "run of custom," and is doing an active and prosperous business. It is a tradition that the Cooks preceded Robinson in the early mill, and perhaps built it.

On the rivulets in the northwest, in the vicinity of North Pond, there were few water-privileges of sufficient advantage to tempt any one to improve them, even in the earlier years, when these mountain streams were of far greater volume than at present. On the Hallock Pond outlet was a grist-mill, known as Rice's. This was very early, as it was given up fifty or sixty years ago. On the same site was a tannery, built by Leavitt Hallock, 1840 to 1845 ; it was burned, rebuilt but not used again, and is still standing. This is a few rods over the line, in Hawley.

On the outlet of Crooked Pond is a saw-mill, now owned by Joseph Harlow,-pretty old,-dating back to 1812, and owned sinee by several different proprietors.

In the northeast corner of the town, and just upon the line of Ashfield, there is the Campbell saw-mill, the power for which is supplied by a small stream flowing easterly. The proprietor is Levi N. Campbell, and the property has been in the hands of the family for many years, having been estab- lished by Levi Campbell, father of the present proprietor.

438

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

There were several distilleries in early times for the manu- facture of cider-brandy ; one in the cast part of the town by Deacon Stockwell sixty years ago or more, continned but a few years. In the west part of the town were distilleries for manu- facturing spruce-tar; these were built and managed by Shat- tuek & Pratt, fifteen to eighteen years ago. There were still others, and one is run at the present time by Ezra Mason. The mining of manganese, begun to some extent many years ago, was never a success, and has not been attempted in modern times. Bricks were made at one time by Thomas Shaw, not far from his grist-mill, mentioned above.

BLACKSMITH-SHOPS.

There was one near Lincoln's store, run by Rufus Buntz. There was another at the centre, cast of the brick store, by Cook & Daniels. This was an old stand, dating back nearly to 1800. Another, of later date, stood north of the brick store, where Elmer worked, and also Milton Sawyer and Clark Smith ; taken down a few months ago, and rebuilt by Mr. Smith near his present barn. Another shop, near the present residence of Joseph Sears, was carried on by H. V. Curtis. The Spiermans worked there several years before they pur- chased the Hallock place. A small blacksmithing business is also done by Francis Joy.

The ten leading articles of farm production for the year end- ing May 1, 1875, were as follows, with their several values stated : butter, $101.98; firewood, $3853; hay, $22,645; milk, $7086; potatoes, $2042; beef, $4730; manure, $3352; pork, $2942; maple-sugar, $3465; eggs, $1872.

MILITARY.

The territory of Plainfield was settled to some extent as a part of Cummington, and there were several soldiers of the Revolution who went from within its limits or settled there and became citizens of the town. The pensioners in 1834 were Lemuel Allis, Joseph Barnard, Ebenezer Bisbee, John Campbell, Vinson Curtis, Ebenezer Dickinson, James Dyer, Joseph Gloyd, Rev. Moses Hallock, Jacob Nash, Philip Pack- ard, Whitcomb P'ratt, James Richards, Josiah Shaw, Samuel Streeter, Josiah Torrey, and Caleb White.

Jacob Porter's history of 1834 mentions the above as living at that time, but apparently gives no full list of the citizens of Plainfield who had been in the Revolutionary service. There must have been quite a number who had died before 1834 or moved away.

Plainfield shared to some extent in the Shays rebellion. There was only a small population at that time and the town organization was scarcely made, yet the people, suffering from the depreciated currency and from the other difficulties that followed immediately upon the Revolution, undoubtedly gave some encouragement to the cause of the insurgents.

The following persons are recorded as having taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance before Samuel Mather, Esq., January, 1787, viz. : Moses Curtis, Stephen Steth, Isaae Joy, Solomon Nash, Tobias Green, Salmon Fay.

In the exciting period of 1812 to 1815, Plainfield was repre- sented in the Anti-War Convention at Northampton by Ne- hemiah Joy, Esq.

For the defense of Boston, September, 1814, under the call of Gov. Strong, a few went and shared in the labors of that brief campaign. The town the next spring voted each man $2.08 for provisions found and for powder and balls. The following went : Bolter Colson, Samuel Thayer, Samuel Streeter, Jr., Stephen HIallis, Oren Tirrell, John Ford, Lazarus Bartlett, Jacob Dyer, Caleb Stowell, and perhaps others.

WAR OF 1861-65.

There appear to have been no regular meetings for official action in 1861. Two meetings were held in 1862, in the months of July and August, at which a bounty of $100 was offered to each volunteer who would enlist to fill the quota of the town. The effect of this was that 21 immediately enlisted.

The official reports show that Plainfield furnished 61 men for the war, which was a surplus of seven over and above all demands. Three were commissioned officers.

The list herewith appended is intended to include the names of citizens only, omitting substitutes, yet one or two of the latter are probably mentioned. The military record in the office of the town clerk is very full, and will grow more valu- able as years roll away and the story of the fearful days of 1861-65 shall be eagerly sought and studied by the descend- ants of the brave men of that era. The town is indebted to Deacon Hamlin, who was then town clerk, for this accurate and faithful record.

The population in 1860 was 639. The number of men fur- nished was equal to about one-tenth of the whole population, and the expenses to $13 per head, men, women, and children. Assuming that the " men capable of bearing arms" are not over one-seventh of the population, being 91 at that time, it will be seen that the number furnished was equal to two-thirds of that. But not alone in this way are the patriotie services of that period to be estimated. The women of Plainfield not only saw their loved ones depart for the battle-field, virtually saying to each, " Return with your shield or upon it," but they followed the whole army with their love and their prayers. By the supplies furnished through the Christian Commission and the Sanitary Commission, and through other channels of patriotic benevolence, they contributed largely to relieve the suffering soldiers. As we now eagerly seek for every incident of the Revolutionary times a hundred years ago, so will the people of future ages linger with astonishment and admiration upon the story of 1861 and '65.

SOLDIERS' LIST, 1801-05.

Chauncey C. Shaw, enl. Sept. 9, 18G1, 27th Regt., Co. Il ; disch. March 31, 1863, for disability ; he was the first to enlist from Plainfield, a fact worthy of notice, as no bounties were offered at that time. A purse of a few dollars was made up for his benefit a few Sabbatha pre- vions to his leaving for the seat of war.

Sherlock 11. Lincoln, enl. Dec. 6, 1861, Ist Cav., Co. E; disch. Nov. 14, 1862, for di-ability, oc- casioned by the kick of a horse.

Hosea L. Thayer, must. Dec. 16, 1861, 1st ('av., Co. E; di-ch. to re-enl., Dec. 28, 1863; re-enl. Dec. 29, 1863, same regiment and company ; disch. July 21, 1865, with regiment.

Henry V. Town, enl. Oet. 18, 1861, 4th N. V. Ind. Batt., Co. (; disch. Oct. 17, 1864.

Wesley Woodward, enl. Oct. 1, 1861, 27th Regt., Co. "; disch. Oct. 1802.

James Wether bee, enl. June 21, 1861, 10th Regt., Co. C; disch. Dec. 21, 1863, to re-enl .; subse- quent history not known.

George W. King, enl. Sept. 26, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F; disch, July 29, 1863.

Josiah Rood, ent. Sept. 26, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F ; died July 10, 1863, on voyage home between Newbern and Boston ; his remains brought to Plainfield for burial.

Theodore W. Shaw, enl. Sept. 26, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F; disch. July 29, 1863.

Charles S. Stetson, enl Sept. 26, 1802, 40th M. V. MI., Co. F; disch. July 29, 1863. Win. E. Warner, enl. Sept. 20, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F ; died June 28, 1863, at Newberu, N. C., of typhoid fever ; buried at Newbern.

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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 144

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