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 149
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INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
Generally speaking, agriculture is the leading business of Cummington. It is, however, intermingled with various manufacturing and mechanical employments. In early times considerable lumbering was done. Firewood was cut for market to some extent. A number of tanneries were estab- lished, and did a profitable business. A large amount of seythe-stones were made at one period.
A writer twenty years ago said of some industries :
"The cotton-factories have become extinct. Two small woolen-factories re- main in operation, which get off annually abont 40,000 yards of coarse satinets. Four tanneries make 250 tons of sole-leather annually. Four scythe-stone manufactories send to market 4500 gross of that article yearly. There are also several establishments for the manufacture of clothes-frames and other wooden- wares, six saw-mills, to two of which is attached broom-handle machinery that turns out annually 50,000 broom-handles."
MILLS, MANUFACTURES.
On Swift River, near the Goshen line, was a grist-mill in early times. The site is pointed out on the Shaw farm. At Swift River village, where the two branches of Swift River unite, and a little below join the Westfield, there are located the works of N. B. Crosby. To secure ample water-power, he constructed some years ago a reservoir on the north branch of
Swift River, not far from the school-house in District No. 3. Mr. Guilford made scythe-stones for a long time. A son still carries on various mechanical works at this point. Above Swift River village, on the Westfield River, was a grist-mill, and also a saw-mill, owned in early times by Moses Warner. The buildings became dilapidated, and the works were all swept away by various freshets forty years ago or more. Dr. Joy states that his father, Nehemiah Joy, with Asa Gurney and Stephen Shaw, built these mills about 1797, and that they passed to Warner next. This makes them of later date than indicated above.
Coming up the Westfield River, no other sites of ancient or present mills are found until the lower end of Cummington village is reached. There, in early times, was a grist-mill, owned by James Shaw. It was afterward changed to clothier- works. Considerable manufacturing was undertaken by a company, but the enterprise failed to be remunerative, and was abandoned. A tannery was carried on for several years at that point.
The large building standing in later years has been occupied with a variety of works. At the present time (1878) A. C. Parsons is making plane- and saw-handles to a limited extent. In the above building is also Bradley's machine-shop and the painting-rooms of C. J. Spring.
Tracing up the Orcutt Brook, a tributary of the Westfield emptying in at the village, the site of an early saw-mill may be noticed. It was owned at one time by Thomas Tirrell, and was near the bridge at Mr. Almon Mitchell's. A blacksmith- shop was also there. On the same brook, farther up in the woods, was also a saw-mill, known familiarly as " Uncle Zeke's, " the proprietor being Ezekiel Reed. Lower down on the brook, nearer the Westfield, is the present establishment of the Bradley Brothers for the manufacture of various kinds of wood-work. They also have a cider-mill.
Returning to the channel of the Westfield, farther up to- ward the bridge, is the building known as the old cotton-fac- tory. Mr. Kingman states that it was erected about 1812. Josiah Hayden, Asa Gurney, and James Dawes were the principal men concerned in it, though a few shares were per- haps owned by other citizens. The enterprise was not very successful, and was continued only a few years. Josiah Hay- den was the father of the Haydens who were afterward so prominent in manufacturing enterprises in Williamsburg. Asa Gurney, Maj. Dawes, and his son carried on the business for a short time after Mr. Hayden left. The building stood unoccupied for several years, except as it was temporarily used for various works. John Stafford made whetstones there thirty years ago or more, and down to 1868. Penholders and other varieties of small wood-work have been made in that building, and it is still occupied for similar purposes.
On the other side of the river, above the bridge, was a fac- tory for the manufacture of seythe-snaths, run for some years by Jordan & Rhodes. A dwelling-house now occupies the site. Above this was a factory built by the sons of Deacon Abel Packard,-Chester and Theophilus. It was upon their father's old farm. It was founded as a woolen-factory, 1820 to 1825, but was continued by them only a few years. They finally went West. The enterprise was continued by Seth Williams. lle afterward closed out this and his other busi- ness, and moved away. The building is now an establishment for the manufacture of pen-sticks and towel-racks. Hylas Bradley is the proprietor, and has a saw-mill in connection with it.
On Shaw Brook, which empties into the Westfield above the Bryant Library, was a large tannery, founded, perhaps, before 1800. It was near the north line of the town, and was carried on by Mitchell, Mason & Richards. Above, on Shaw Brook, was a grist-mill,-an old affair,-abandoned many years ago, known as the Baker Mill, and thought by some to have been the first grist-mill in town.
452
IIISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
Returning to the valley of the Westfield, and reaching the neighborhood locally known by the singular name of " Light- ning-Bug," the old clothier-works of Charles Gloyd will be easily recalled by the people of Cummington, as Mr. Gloyd is said to have been found at his post, year in and year out, for nearly fifty years. Mr. Grimes and Daniel Richards are understood to have been the early proprietors, and Mr. Levi Kingman supposes the works were in operation before 1800. There was another clothing-mill by Ford at this place, and it developed into a woolen-factory. In this same vicinity was the old forge of 1780, or earlier, and it was continued to some extent in later years. In this loeality, too, was a grist-mill, and afterward it was changed to a elover-seed mill. Steplien Warner and Asa Streeter were proprietors of the latter.
On one of the small streams flowing in from Plainfield was a blacksmith-shop with a trip-hammer. It was a noisy affair, being heard three miles or more. It was run by Whitman, and afterward by Asahel Bartlett. A little above, on the Westfield, was Brown's saw-mill, originally built by Mr. Bisbee, still running ; broom-bandles are made there. Next, up the valley of the Westfield, is the new paper-mill, built a few years since by Marshall Bates ; wrapping-paper is the line of work done. Still above is an an old grist-mill site, very ancient, dating back to the early settlement of the town, per- haps the first grist-mill in the west part. William Hubbard is said to have ground bark for his tannery at this place. The buildings were swept away many years ago, and not rebuilt. Next in order may be mentioned the saw-mill and bedstead- manufactory of Henry Elder. On this site was an old saw- mill prior to these modern works. The bedstead business has lately been given up for that of pen-holders. Harlow's works are next above, comprising a saw-mill and an establishment for the manufacture of various articles of wood-work. A cotton-factory once occupied this site. It was built in 1827, by John Dawes & Sons. Elisha Carpenter and Aaron Sawyer put in the machinery. It was burned in a few years, and not rebuilt. The next important point on the river is the place of the present paper-mills of the L. L. Brown Company. In old times Hubbard's tannery was established at this place. On a branch of the Westfield is the saw-mill of the Torrey Brothers, in the west part of the town, near the Windsor line, a place sometimes called East Windsor, and also " Jordan- ville." In this account no attempt is made to actually deter- mine the site of the first saw-mill or the first grist-mill. Judging from the town records, and from the traditions among the people at the present time, it will be found diffi- eult to distinguish between three of the most ancient sites, and it is very likely true that they were all ocenpied about the same time,-from 1765 to 1770.
Of early blacksmiths in town there may be named Nathan Snow, Solomon Shaw, Eliphalet Packard, and Capt. Whit- man. Early shoemakers mentioned are Ebenezer Hunt, Alonzo Gurney, and, later, Mr. Parks.
The ten leading articles of production for the year ending May 1, 1875, were as follows, with their several values: Butter, $11,397 ; firewood, $5618; maple sugar, $4989; beef, $7102; apples, $2672; hay, $29,869; milk, $13,389; pork, $3660; potatoes, $7053; manure, $7107. There were also reported, eggs, $1786; corn, $1758; oats, $1304.
MILITARY.
In the old volume of proprietors' records appears the fol- lowing official action :
Sept. 29, 1774 .- Voted that Capt. Daniel Reed, Ens. Peter Harwood, and Capt. Joseph Warner be n committee of correspondence. Voted to purchase one barrel of powder, half a hundred of lead, for a fown store of ammunition. Ens. Packard and William Ward appointed to get the supplies and keep the .יימבוא
Oct. 31, 1776,-Voted that Mr. Snell and Lient. Harwood be added to the committee on correspondence.
March 4, 1777 .- Chose a new committee on correspondence,-Ebenezer Spell,
Jonathan Ripley, Wm. Ward, Lieut. Colson, Ens. Packard, Capt. Reed, and Stephen Warner.
These proceedings were taken before the town was incorpo- rated, while it was yet simply Township No. 5, but the meetings of the proprietors were being held in due form, and very many of the votes and doings were similar to those of a fully organ- ized town. It is doubtful whether there is any list preserved of those who enlisted at this time in the Continental army ; but such names are hereafter mentioned as the recollection of families and citizens can supply.
After the formation of the town we find the following ae- tion :
At a legal meeting held at the " Alarm Post," June 15, 1780,-
Voted a sufficient sum of money to hire four soldiers. Voted to choose a committre to hire said men, and that Lieut. Stephen Warner, Ens. Abel Pack- ard, Capt. Nathan Snow, and Mr. Elmond Lazell be the said committee.
At a meeting, July 4, 1780, held at the " Alarm Post,"-
Votel to hire five militiamen by a committee, and that said committee con- tinne to hire soldiers, if needed, until further order; that Sergt. John Bradish, Lieut. John Packard, Lieut. Colson, Deacon Packard be said committee.
At a meeting held at the house of Wm. Mitchell, Aug. 10, 1780,-
Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to pay the bire of five Continental soldiers; also the hire of five militiamen obtained by the war committee. Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to procure the articles of clothing required of the town by the General Court for soldiers.
Oct. 30, 1780, voted to raise £500 to purchase beef for the army, 2500 pounds' weight being required of the town,. which shows the depreciation of the currency very clearly.
At a meeting held at the house of Lieut. Mitehell, Dec. 21, 1780,-
Voted that Mr. David Leonard, Mr. Robert Robinson, and Mr. Elmond La- zell be a committee to hire five Continental soldiers for three years, or during the war, agreeable to the order of the General Court.
March 5, 1781 .- Voted to accept the accounts of the former selectmen up to this day, and raise a sum of money sufficient to purchase the last requisition of beef.
July 31, 1781 .- Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to purchase 2057 pounds of beef for the army. Voted to raise a sufficient sum of money to pur- chase shirt-, shoes, stockings, and blankets for the use of the army.
Ang. 3, 1781 .- Met at the house of Ilezekiah Ford. Voted to hire four sol- diers for three months, and Dr. James Bralisb, Capt. Nathan Snow, and Mr. Joseph Ford were named as committee for that purpose,
These votes show that the town furnished its quota of men and its proportion of supplies for the Continental service. Quite a number of Revolutionary pensioners lived down to near the middle of this century. Daniel Timothy, familiarly known as Teague, passed his hundredth birthday.
The following names have been obtained of persons who either went into the Revolutionary service from this town, or who resided here afterward : Samuel Thompson, Nehemiah Joy, Isaac Kingman, Peter Tower, Nathaniel Tower, Caleb Packard (perhaps over the line in Goshen).
John Packard's bill of 12s. for two blankets furnished the Continental army was paid by the town, May 1, 1786.
Clark Robinson, the early settler, had three brothers killed in the Revolutionary war,-James, Bartlett, and Abner. Dr. Gain Robinson, of Cummington, was a brother in the same family.
The histories of Shays' rebellion do not show that Cumming- ton shared to any extent in the active movements of the insur- gents. The people were suffering from the "hard times," like those of other towns, and sent delegates to some of the conven- tions, but do not seem to have taken up arms to assist Shays.
Cummington was represented in the Northampton Conven- tion of July 14, 1812, held to express the views of this por- tion of Massachusetts against the war. The publie sentiment of the town is shown by the following article from the Hamp- shire. Gazette, then, as now, the leading newspaper of the county :
July 15, 1812,-" Want of room obliged us last week to delay the publication of the following elegant and patriotic ode, from the pen of Mr. W. C. Bryant, son of Doctor Bryant, of Commington :
453
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
AN ODE FOR THE 4th OF JULY, 1812.
TUNE .- " Y'e Gentlemen of England.
" The birthday of our nation Ouce more we greet with smiles ; Nor falls as yet our hapless land A prey to foreign wiles. Yet still-increasing dangers wake The statesman's pious fear ; The whirling vortex of our fate Sweeps near, and still more near ; The dreadful warning, whispered long, lu louder tones we hear."
There are seven other verses. It was evidently a good, strong Federal ode.
The young poet survived the fall of the Federal party, and lived to write the songs of his eountrymen in the erisis of 1861. It was not long necessary to explain that he was " the son of Dr. Bryant, of Cummington," to designate the individual re- ferred to.
Of the men who went to Boston at the call of Governor Strong, the following are recalled by citizens, or are known from pension certificates : Capt. Whitman, Leonard Shaw, Harvey Tirrell, Thomas Tirrell, Capt. Claggard, Solomon Shaw, Mr. Bates, Sylvanus Shaw, Nathan Mason ; and there were probably others.
Sylvanus Shaw, a son of Ebenezer Shaw (recently deceased), lost his life in the Mexican war, and it is said that Joshua Ilathaway, of this town, was in the Mexican war, and that he also fought in the late civil war, though beyond the legal age.
OFFICIAL ACTION OF THE TOWN.
There was a town-meeting held, Aug. 31, 1861, which voted to raise $500 "in aid of families of such citizens as had or might hereafter volunteer in the United States service."
A meeting was held, July 28, 1862, at which it was voted to pay a bounty of $100 to each volunteer to fill the quota of the town, the number required being then fourteen.
According to Schouler's " History," Cummington furnished 105 men for the war, which was a surplus of 8 over all de- mands. Five were commissioned officers. A number of the men were substitutes, hired in Boston or elsewhere.
The following list is intended to include only actual eiti- zens of Cummington.
The amount of aid paid solely by the town was $10,589.34. The assessed valuation of the town in 1860 was 8415,746, and the population 1085. Amount raised for aid to soldiers' fami- lies, afterward refunded hy the State, was: 1862, $777.95; 1863, 82019.77; 1864, 81034.95; 1865, $1000; total, $4832.07.
SOLDIERS' LIST, WAR OF 1861-65. Nathaniel Hunt, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A ; disch. June 9, 1865.
Timothy D. Richardson, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A ; wounded severely at battle of Spottsy 1- vanin : disch. May 18, 1865, for disability.
Wm. A. Williams, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A; died Feb. 12, 1863, at Falmouth, Va. James Dorgan, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; died June 18, 1864, at l'hiladelphia, Pa. Darwin C. Robbins, etl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; disch. Feb. 3, 1863, for disability. Almon N. Bradley, en1. Oct. 19, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. 11; re-enl. Jan, 2, 1864; died Sept. 5, 1864, at l'oint of Rocks, Md.
Wm. N. Shaw, Ist sergt., enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; pro, to 2d lient., March 4, 1865; disch. June 21, 1865. Ile was one of the first three mentlis' volunteers, and was in the bat- tle of Bull Run.
Samuel J. Hillman, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A ; died Sept. 4, 1862, at Stafford Court-House, Va., of brain fever.
Josiah T. Innt, eul, Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf , Co. A ; disch. Ang. 12, 1864, for disability, resulting from injuries in the service.
Wm. L. Reed, sergt., enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Charles Kinney, corp., enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 521 M. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Ang. 14, IS63.
Luther E. Bartlett, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M, Co. 1; disch. Aug. 1863; died at Brattle- boro', Vt., 1863, of camp-fever.
William O. Bartlett, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 521 M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Ang. 14, 1863 ; re-enl. Ang. 18, 1864, 4th II. Art., Co. K; disch. June 17, 1865.
Cecil E. Bartlett, enl. Ang. 18, 1864, 4th H. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865.
Josiah D. Benjamin, en1. Ang. 18, 1864, 4th 11. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865.
Culvin Cook, enl. Aug. 18, 1864, 4th H. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865.
Edgar W. Crane, enl. Aug. 18, 1864, 4th II. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865.
Harlan P. Porter, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Aug. 14, 1863; re-enl. in 4th H. Art .; di-ch. June 17, 1865.
Myron W. Reed, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863. Nathan A, Spooner, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Daniel Taylor, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Cyrus M. Tilson, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Harrison F. Nowell, eul. Ang. 18, 1864, 4th H. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865.
Charles A. Parker, enl. Ang. 18, 1864, 4th II. Art , Co. K; disch. June 17, 1865. llad before served in 52d Inf., Co. I, nine months.
Harlan P. Porter, enl. Aug. 18, 1864, 4th II. Art., Co. K ; disch, June 17, 1865,
Edward Labarn, enl. Dec. 21, 1863, 2Ist Regt., Co. E; died March 26, 1864, at Camp Nelson, Ky. ; probably a substitute ; name retained because he lost his life in the service for Cummington. Orrin S. Bradley, enl. June 21, 18G1, 10th Inf., Co. D; disch. July 1, 1864.
John Donovan, enl. June 21, 1861, 10th Inf., Co. D; killed May 3, 1863, at Salem Heights, Va. Edward P. Nally, ent. June 21, 1861, 10th Regt., Co. C.
Robert Shea, enl. June 21, 18GI, 10th Regt., Co. C. Thomas Gilfillan, asst, surg., enl. Dec. 12, 1863, 59th Regt. ; resigned Sept. 14, 1804.
James Cahill, enl. June 21, 1861, 10th Regt., Co. C. Harlan W. Torrey, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Regt., Co. A ; di-ch. Nov. 15, 1861, for disability ; re- enl. Ang. 12, 1862, 34th Regt., Co. B; dischi. Dec. 17, 1864.
Sammel J. Dunning, enl. July 27, 1861, 27th legt., Co. A ; killed at the battle of Newbern, March 14, 1862.
Martin L. Cook, en1. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I; di-ch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Michael Cunningham, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Ang. 14, 1863 ; died Ang. 21, 1863, of fever, at Cummington, seven days after his return.
Edward C. Jenkins, ent. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Ang. 14, 1863; re-enl. Ang. 18. 1864, 4th II. Art., Co. K ; disch. June 17, 1865. Martin F. Jostling, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Henry N. Noyce, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I; di-ch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Wm. W. Robbins, en1. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; trans. Aug. 16, 1864, to Vet. Res. Corps. Charles W. Gurney, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. E; wounded July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, l'a , and died July 10, 1863.
James Meacham, enl. Sept. 2, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. E. Jolin Dorsey, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Int., Co. H ; disch. June 21, 1865.
Charles 11. Shaw, enl. June 21, 1861, 10th Regt., Co. D ; severely wounded in the Wilderness, May 5, 1864 ; disch. July 1, 1864.
llenry II. Hitchcock, eul. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. 11 ; disch. June 21, 1865.
Stephen Bartlett was from Cummington, and went into a Connecticut regiment.
Charles Dawes was from Cummington, living in Easthampton, enl. in the 52d Regt. from that town.
William Nolan was from Cummington, enl. from some other town, Ang. 13, 1862, 34th Regt., Co. D; disch. with regiment.
Calvin C. Ho-ford, enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 27th Inf., Co. A ; re-enl. Dec. 31, 1863; a prisoner at Ander- sonville five months; disch. July 7, 1865.
Charles W. Conn, enl. 37th Regt., 1862; disch. June 21, 1865.
Onslow Taylor, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d Regt., Co. 1; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Levi Prutt, enl. Ort. 1862; died Ang 14, 1863, on board a steamer on the Mississippi while re- turning home.
Edward C. Thayer, enl. Oct. 1962, 49th Regt .; disch. Ang. 1863.
Samuel L. Thompson, enl. Nov. 1863, 1st 11. Art. ; died Feb. 17, 1864, in the hospital at Arling- ton.
Ozro M. Bird, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 37th Regt., Co. D; disch. June 21, 1865.
WORTHINGTON.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
WORTHINGTON lies upon the western border of the county, nearly west from the county-seat, and distant from it six- teen and a half miles, by air-line measurement. It is bounded north by Cummington, east by Chesterfield, south by Chester- field, Hampden County, and Middlefield, west by Middlefield and Berkshire County. The area of the town is 19,637 acres by the census of 1875.
The title to the soil is derived direct from the province of Massachusetts Bay, this being one of the ten towns sold June 2, 1762. The purchaser at the sale was Aaron Willard. Not long after he transferred the same to Maj. Barnard, of Deerfield, and Col. John Worthington, of Springfield. The time when this was done is not determined, nor the consideration. There is no account of any drawing of lots, and it is inferred that the territory of No. 3 was surveyed and mapped under the direction of the proprietors, and settlers purchased from them such lots as they chose. The original price of the town- ship is said to have been £1860.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The middle braneh of the Westfield River flows nearly north and south through the northwestern part of the town, and then forms the boundary line between Worthington and Mid- dlefield, farther south. The northeast part of the town is drained by Stevens Brook, which enters Chesterfield and flows some distance before effecting a junetion with the Westfield. The southeast part is drained by Little River, which, uniting with other streams, finally becomes the eastern branch of the Westfield. An elevated range known as West Hill lies east of the middle branch, and nearly parallel to it. A few separate elevations are of some note, as Parsons Hill, Bashan Ilill, Knowles Ifill in the north, and White Rock in the south.
The seenery is of a varied character. Large and well-cul- tivated farms abound, while there are also mountain slopes still covered with forests, and beautiful, deep valleys, through which the streams flow southward with rapid current. The middle branch has a tributary from the cast and one from the west, the former flowing in at the corner of Middlefield, the other at the school-house, farther north. In the south part of the town, midway between the middle branch and Little River, is the valley of the Kinney Brook.
EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH.
The first settlement was in 1763 or 1764, though no previous writer designates the exact date or determines positively the name of the first settler. Quite a number came to the " Plan- tation" about the same time. The openings along the old road from Northampton to Berkshire County were the first in town. There seems to be reason for assigning an early date to this road ; possibly it was opened before the French war of 1756, and supplies and troops moved over it to reach Fort Massachusetts, located near Williamstown, which was the scene of much military activity. This road, entering the town at the Partridge Place, passed, in a northwest direction, by the Eager homestead, to Drury's Corners, and by what is now Worthington Corners to the present place of Alonzo Bolden; then directly north to the Tillson Bartlett place, then northwest into the town of Cummington, and so westward. On this road, at the Belden place, Alexander Miller was keep-
ing tavern in 1768, and Joseph Farr was also a tavern-keeper, in 1771, in Cummington, where Charles Sylvester now lives. Both of these men may have been there for several years pre- vious. If this theory is correct as to the early opening of the road, men who pushed out and opened taverns between North- ampton and Pittsfield undoubtedly made the first opening in the forest.
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