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 168
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Schouler's " History of Massachusetts in the Civil War" states that Chesterfield furnished 95 men, which was a surplus of 10 over and above all demands. Nason's " Gazetteer" says the town sent 56 of its own citizens, of whom 9 lost their lives, and the town also furnished 35 substitutes.
The adjutant-general's published reports give 68 names actually credited to Chesterfield, but some of these are re-en- listments, lessening the number nearly to that given by Nason. The list following is prepared by a comparison of these state- ments, together with the record in the town clerk's office, aided by the suggestions of various citizens acquainted with the facts. It is intended to exclude substitutes hired abroad, and include only residents. The whole amount of money appro- priated and expended by the town on account of the war, ex- elusive of State aid, was $14,662. The assessed valuation of the town in 1860 was $415,746, and the population 897.
The town also raised for aid to soldiers' families (the amount, however, afterward being repaid by the State), 1861, $36.30; 1862, 8644.30; 1863, $1689.21 ; 1864, 81477.70; 1865, $1165.50. Total, $5013.01.
The ladies of Chesterfield were active in the patriotie cause, contributing during the war $375 in money, besides clothing and other valuable material for the soldiers.
SOLDIERS' RECORD, WAR OF 1961-65.
Orange C. Smith, enl. Oct. 22, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. K; disch. June 1, 18G3, to re-ent. in JI. Art. ; served through to July, 1865. John H. Richardson, asst. surg , enl. Nov. 19, 1862, 520 M. V. M .; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Lucins C. Taylor, Ist lieut., enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 5211 M. V. M., Co. J ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Levi Baker, corp., enl, Oct. 11, 1862, 521 M. V. M., Co. I; dich. Aug. 14, 1863.
Calvin Bryant, mus cian, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I; disch. Aug. 14, 1863. 61
Eilgar Bryant, musician, ent. Oct. 11, 1862, 52dl M. V. M., Co. T; disch. Ang. 14, 1853.
IIenry H. Torrey, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 521 M. V. M., Co. I; disch. Aug. 14, 1862.
Job E. Torrey (2d), enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 524 MI.V. M., Co. 1 ; disch. Ang. 14, 1802.
Joseph 11. Main, enl. Dec. 30, 1863, Ist Batt. L. Art. ; trans. March 12, 1865, to 9th Batt .; il.sch. June 6, 1865; was first a member for nine months of the 521.
Andrew M. Sturtevant, enl. Aug. 98, 1863, Ist Batt. I. Art .; trans. March 12, 1865, to 9th Balt .; disch. Jane 6, 1865.
Nelson A. Higgins, ent. Oct. 11, 1862, 521 M. V. M .. Co. I; disch. Ang. 14, 1863. Fayette L. Ouls, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. MI., Co. I ; disch. Aug. 14, 1963. George W. Skiff, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d 3I. V. M .. Co. I; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Reuben S. Smith, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I; disch. Aug. 14, 1863. Emerson S. Stetson, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52.1 M.V. M., Co. J; disch. Ang. 14, 1863. Emerson W. Torrey, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Inf .. . ('o. A; re-enl. Dec. 24, 1863; disch. June 30,
Justice Wright
2
.. Nathan Lane.
506
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
Alden Culver, enl. Oct. 6, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. K ; disch. March 28, 1863, for disability.
Ingh Frain, enl. Feb. 19, 1864, 31st Inf., Co. G; died of wonnds March 20, 1865.
Daniel E. Barker, corp., enl. Jan. 2, 1st4, 36th Inf., Co. G ; trans. June 8, 1865, to 56th Inf.
Edwin Bates, enl. July 18, 1863, 20th Inf., Co. I ; disch. Dec. 8, lat", for disability.
Nathan E. S. Collier, enl. Ang. 23, 1ยบ61, 21st Inf., Co. C ; rr-enl. Jan. 2, 1864, 36th Regt .; trans. to 5Gth Regt., June 8, 1865.
James HI. Damon, en1. Ang. 23, 18G1, 21st Inf., Co. 11; re-enl. Jan. 2, 1864 ; pro. to corp. ; trans. to 36th Inf .; pro. to sergt ; trans. June 8, 1865, to 56th Inf., Co. F; disch. July 22, 1865.
Timothy T. Warren, enl. Aug. 5, 1861, 21st Inf, Co. Il ; di-ch. July 18, 1862, for disab .; re-enl, Ang. 22, 1863, 2d II. Art., Co. D; disch. Sept. 3, 1865.
Lewis Adams, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 5211 M. V. M., Co. 1 ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
John E. Bisbee, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Ang. 14, 1863. Willard C. Bryant, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 520 M. V. M., Co. 1; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Oliver J. Damon, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d MI. V. M., Co. I ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
George C. Gleason, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 5211 31. V. M., Co. I; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.
Fesins Hayden, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. I : disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Wm. J. Nichols, corp., enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D ; died May 30, 1864, at Washington, D. C., of wounds received in battle of Wilderness.
Sylvanns C. Bryant, enl. Ang. 30, 1:62, 37th Inf.,
Co. D ; died of wounds, May 19, 1864, at Fred- ericksburg, Va.
Daniel G. Collier, eyl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D: disch. Sept. 9, 1864, for disability.
Horace Collier, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; died Feb. 9, 1864, at Brandy Station, Va., Camp Sedgwick.
Thomas Collier, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; disch. Jan. 23, 1863, for disability.
Samuel E. Eddy, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D ; disch June 9, 1865.
Ephraim W. Pittsinger, enl. Ang. 30, 1862, 37ths Iuf., Co. D; disch, June 21, 1865.
Thomas Porter, Jr., enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D ; pro, to q.m .- sergt., Sept. 5, 1862; disch. June 21, 1865.
John D. Smith, enl. Aug. 30, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; killed May 6, 1864, at Wilderness, Va.
Orange S. Sampson, enl. 21st Regt., Co. 1; pro. to captain.
Henry W. Sampson.
Horatio O. Tuwer, eul. 21st Regt, Co. G ; died in the service.
E. W. Tilden, ent. 34th Regt, Co. D; disch. April 5, 1863.
Benjamin F. Whilo, enl. 31st Regt.
Edwin JJ. Honse, end. March 6, 1864, Ist Cav.
IMAC M. C'ullier.
Charles Hillman, enl. 52d Regt., Co. I ; died March 3, 1863.
Elbridge F. Ilayden.
Chandler T. Macomber, assistant paymaster U. S. Army.
James II. Macomber, navy surg .; died at Port Royal, S. C.
Orange S. Pomerny, enl. 27th Regt., Co. A ; disch. Feb. 2, 18G3.
Stephen S. Robbins, enl. 21st Regt., Co. C; disch. Dec. 7, 1852.
Abraham Robbins, enl. 6th N. H.
James MI. Stowe, enl. Ang. 1861, 10th Regt. Co. F. Dwight Bryant, enl. 1861, 27th Regt.
John Roach, enl. 27th Regt .; trans, to Cav.
Talcott Bancroft, ent. 37th Regt., Co. D; disch. Sept. 2, 1862.
James M. Hayden, enl. March 6, 1864, Ist Cav.
George A. Bisbee, enl. 37th Regt., Co. D; discha. Sept. 2, 1862.
De Witt C. Bates, enl. 52d Regt. ; died at Baton Runge, La, about the 25th of July, 1863.
Sammel J. Dunning, enl. 27th Regt , Co. A ; killed in the battle of New bern.
HUNTINGTON.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
HUNTINGTON belongs to the southern tier of towns in Hampshire County, if the term can be used with reference to a county of such irregular and jagged outlines as Hamp- shire. The town is southwest from the county-seat, and dis- tant from it in air-line measurement fourteen miles. Hunt- ington is hounded north by Chesterfield; east by Westhampton, Southampton, and Hampden County; south by Hampden County; west by Hampden County and Worthington. The farm acreage of the town amounts to 13,334 acres, which may be considered the net area, after deducting highways, beds of streams, and perhaps other small exceptions. The town of Norwich was a part of Murrayfield, and the title to the soil is derived direct from the province of Massachusetts Bay, the township being No. 9 of the series sold by order of the General Court, June 2, 1762. The present town of Hunting- ton includes a portion of Blandford, and the title to that dates back to an earlier duy, as fully shown in the history of that town elsewhere given. Certain special tracts are named in the act incorporating Norwich, as " Ingersoll's Grant" and " Chadler's Division." These names refer to local purchases of considerable extent at an early day.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The East Branch of the Westfield River flows through the entire length of the town from north to south, diverging slightly to the west. It receives the Middle Branch above .Norwich Bridge, so called, and the united stream makes its junction with the West Branch just below Huntington sta- tion, on the Boston and Albany Railroad. In this town, therefore, converges to a centre the whole system of streams through which, with slight exceptions, flow all the waters of the seven western towns of Hampshire County and of a large territory besides. In times of freshet the Westfield River at this point displays great foree, and the town often suffers severe damages to its bridges and highways. There are ser- eral small tributaries of the East Branch in this town, as
Little River, Pond Brook, and others. Roaring Brook flows south into Hampden County before uniting with the West- field. Massasoit Pond, formerly ealled Norwich Pond, is a fine sheet of water in the east part of the town, and has its outlet through Pond Brook. It was made the reservoir of the Massasoit Company, and raised 12 feet a few years since.
In the southeast part of Huntington are a portion of the sources of another distinct " river system," -- that of the Man- han. Some of the mountain rivnlets of the two diverging systems find their springs very near each other. Horse Hill constitutes the water-shed between the two valleys, in the southeast corner of the town. There are several of the hills having local names. Mount Pisgah, in the northeast, next to Westhampton, is a highly-rocky tract, scarcely settled at all at the present time. Across the valley, to the west, is Walnut Hill. West of Massasoit Pond is Norwich Hill. Op- posite, on the west border of the town, is the range known as Goss Hill. South of these heights is another elevation, an extension of Goss Ilill. A seeond " Norwich Hill" is also noted, a little southwest of the old meeting-house. Near Roaring Brook, below, is Deer Hill, and along the diverging west line of the lower part of the town are two elevations, known as Little Moose Hill and Big Moose Hill. Add to all these the numerous hills encircling the beautiful valley of Huntington village, and there is a sum-total of mountain scenery, interspersed with pond and stream and river-valley. sufficient to tempt the traveler to linger long amid these varied attractions.
EARLY SETTLEMENT-SUBSEQUENT GROWTHI.
As to the date of the first settlement upon the present terri- tory of Huntington, it is stated in Ilolland's " History" (and Nason's " Gazetteer" repeats the statement,-no doubt after careful examination) that " an Indian family by the name of Rhoades made the first settlement in 1760, about two miles above the Pitcher Bridge, on Westfield River." Rev. J. H. Bisbee, writing in 1876 with the advantage of local residence, his birthplace not far off, and leisure for careful investigation,
507
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
declines to repeat this statement of the older historians, and we are inelined to believe that it rests on very uncertain tra- dition, and that the " Indian" portion of it has little or no probability. If Mr. Rhoades settled there he removed before the town was organized, as his name is not in the list of rata- ble polls in 1773; but thirteen years leaves ample time for several removals, especially if the blood of the untamed tribes of the forest flowed in the veins of the family.
It is not easy to decide either the exact date of the first set- tlement or the order in which the first settlers came in. There seems to have been quite a group of families from Norwich, Conn., who undoubtedly moved here somewhat in company. It is the tradition of the Kirkland family that their ancestor was about as early as any one. Holland's " History" states his removal as occurring in 1767, but his son Ralph was born in Connecticut, Jan. 26, 1768. The family removed probably the following season, and Mr. Kirkland may have been here himself in 1767. His daughter, Mary, was born at Murray- field Dec. 14, 1770. So the date of settlement is reduced to pretty elose limits, if not actually determined.
The same method of investigation indicates that Samuel Knight came in 1760 or 1770; but the old town record of births only assists in a few instances, for, generally, the place of birth is omitted, and a family seem to have entered upon the town records the birth of children born before removing here.
Caleb Fobes, Wm. Miller, David Scott, Isaae Mixer, John Rude, and some others settled on the eastern part of old Mur- rayfield still earlier, as shown elsewhere. Fortunately there is preserved in the oldest volume of the town records the assessment-roll of 1773, and we thus determine with great ex- actness who were here at that date, only four years after the settlement of the Kirklands and the Knights, It is of so mueh value we copy its names in full : Christian Angel, Solomon Blair, Thomas Crow, James Crow, David Crow, William Carter, Asa Carter, John Crow, Caleb Fobes, Wil- liam Fobes, Elijah Fobes, Zebulon Fuller, James Fairman, Samuel Fairman, William French, John Griswold, James Gilmore. David Holbard, Jabez Homes, Nathaniel Bennett, John Barnard, Solomon Holiday, Daniel Dana, John Cros- sett, Ebenezer Freeman, Solomon Holiday, Jr., Patrick Buckle, John Kirkland, Ebenezer King, Samuel Knight, Daniel Kirk- land, Isaac Mixer, Isaac Mixer, Jr., Ebenezer Meacham, William Miller, David Palmer, John D. Palmer, David Palmer, Ir., Capt. E. Geer, Elijah Geer, Mace Cook, Zeb Ross, John Rude, David Scott, Joseph Stanton, John Tiffany. Miles Washburn, Peter Williams, Daniel Williams, Isaac Williams, Isaac Williams, Jr., Charles Williams, Jabez Story, James Clark, Jehial Eggleston, Jonathan Ware, B. Peter Bunda. The above list shows that there were 46 owners of real estate in 1773, 6 other person's having some personal es- tate ; and 10 with neither real nor personal estate. This gives fifty-sie names, and must be supposed to include all the male inhabitants at that time, except 8, who are counted as addi- tional polls in the various families, as sons or hired men.
FAMILY NOTES.
Christian Angel. Families of this name resided in the north part of the town. Epaphras Arnold moved to Norwich in 1774, but owned no real estate that year. James Bentley came in 1774, but owned no real estate that year. Solomon Blair. Families of this name were frequent in Blandford and Chester, but it is difficult now to locate them in Huntington. Peter Bunda left town probably in 1773 or '74, as his name is not on the second assessment-roll. The name was found in Montgomery. Thomas Crow settled in town in 1767-68. John Crow. It is the opinion of older citizens that the Crow families lived in the southeast part of the town, near the Montgomery line. William Carter. His name first appears in Murrayfield assessment-roll, Aug. 20, 1771. Perhaps re- sided in what is now Russell.
Pearly Cook came from Preston, Conn., and settled here soon after the Revolution, where Pearly B. Cook now lives. Children : Linus HI., John, Jr., Huntington; Philetus, East Chatham ; Edward W., Hartford ; Mrs. Daniel Pitcher, Boone- ville; Mrs. Edward A. Clark, Easthampton. The wife of Pearly Cook was a daughter of Noah Burt, of Southamp- ton.
James Clark. Ile was elected a tythingman in Murray- field, March 11, 1766; a surveyor of highways, May 3, 1768. Ile was a prominent man. John Cook supposes his place to have been the present farm of Joseph Castner, over the line in Chester. Jehial Eggleston settled in town in 1767-68.
Caleb Fobes. His homestead was the present Bradley place. in the valley, a short distance above Norwich Bridge. His name appears in the assessment-roll of Murrayfield, April 19, 1768; and he was elected one of the selectmen of that town, May 3, 1768, and William Miller with him, the majority of the selectmen being thus located upon the territory afterward Norwich. William Fobes, homestead on the Deacon Artemas Knight place, about a mile south of the Congregational church, now owned by Abner Peck. Elijah Fobes, probably the father of the two noted citizens above.
Zebulon Fuller settled 1767-68. James Fairman settled 1767-68; homestead the present Fairman place. Samuel Fair- man settled 1767-68; homestead west of the meeting-house, where Austin Fairman now lives. Ebenezer Freeman owned no real estate, probably left town 1773 or '74; lived near Nor- wich IIill. Jonathan Frost came in 1774, but owned no real estate that year. It is presumed he lived on " Pisgah Street," so called, where more than 25 families once lived, a portion of the town now deserted. John Griswold settled in 1771, homestead two miles south of Norwich Hill. Capt. Ebenezer Geer settled in 1768-69, east part of the town.
James Gilmore, from New Ilampshire. His name is in the Murrayfield assessment-roll for April 19, 1768, showing him to have been an carly settler ; homestead a mile above Hun- tington village; buildings gone. 'Three sons went to Geauga Co .. O., about 1811,-James, Edmund, and William. They went ont with ox-teams. There was a large gathering to see the colony start. Gen. Gilmore, of. the army, was from this family. Isaac Gates settled in 1774. Solomon Holiday. His name first appears in Murrayfield assessment-roll Aug. 20, 1771. The IFoliday family were located in Montgomery, as older settlers suppose. Jesse Joy moved to Norwich in 1774. but owned no real estate that year; lived east of the Hill, near Westhampton line.
John Kirkland came about 1768; homestead where his great-grandson, C. II. Kirkland, now lives. It bas been in the family ever since the first occupancy. First log house was farther cast, near Roaring Brook, and first frame house some twenty rods east of the present one. Samuel Kirkland, the noted missionary of Central New York, was a brother. Daniel, another brother, settled in Norwich. Their father was Rev. Daniel Kirkland, of Lisbon, Conn. The children of John Kirkland were Joseph, who died young ; Martin, who settled in Norwich (father of the well-known Harvey Kirkland. of Northampton); Samuel Kirkland, who settled on the old homestead (grandfather of C. H. Kirkland ) ; Ralph and John. who went to Clinton, N. Y .; Jabez, who moved to Whites- boro', N. Y. ; Mary (Mrs. Dr. Hophni Clapp), Easthampton ; Sarah, who died unmarried ; Judith ( Mrs. Isaac Clapp), East- hampton ; Anna (Mrs. Jonathan Ware), Norwich and Conway.
Samuel Knight settled in 1768-69. Among the children were Sylvester (father of Lieut .- Gov. Knight, of Easthamp- ton), Artemas, and Milton. Ebenezer King settled in 1765- 66. He was a town officer March 11, 1766; chosen a deer- reeve May 3, 1768.
Isaac Mixer, homestead near Norwich Bridge, where Horace Taylor now lives. Hle came in probably 1763-64. March 11, 1766, he was chosen sealer of timber and lumber in Murray-
508
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
field. Isaac Mixer, Jr., a son of the above, and his name is found among the carly town officers of Murrayfield.
Ebeneazer Meacham settled in 1764 or '65. He was a town officer of Murrayfield, March 11, 1766. Hle was a prominent man, and chosen to many places of public trust. Timothy Mann settled in 1774. Several of the same family name were here, or somewhere in old Murrayfield, as shown by the list of ratable polls, April 19, 1768.
John D. Palmer seems to have left town 1773 or 1774, as his name is not on the second assessment-roll. Zebulon Rose (or Ross) settled in 1767. John Rude, homestead north part of the town,-Norwich Hollow so called. His name first appears in Murrayfield assessment-roll, September, 1770. Elias Rude (2d ) now occupies the farm. Joseph Stanton, homestead three- quarters of a mile northwest of Norwich Bridge, where O. T. Griswold now resides, or farther north, on Goss Hill. Chil- dren : Joseph (who went West), Daniel, Peleg, Asher, one daughter (died unmarried). Jabez Story ; his name first appears in the assessment-roll of Murrayfield, Aug. 20, 1771. Peter Williams, name appears Sept. 14, 1769, in Murrayfield assess- ment-roll. Miles Washburn, settled near Norwich Centre, 1768. Jonathan Ware, cast part of the town.
Win. Miller came to this town in 1763, some years earlier than the most of the Norwich colony. His location was in the north part of the town, near the Worthington line. He spent his first night in town on a small island near the present school-house, in the " Hollow," to be safe from the prowling wolves. llis children were William, Jr., settled on the home- stead ; Nathaniel, in town ; and Mrs. Crosby.
Mr. Rhoades is supposed by some to have been the first set- tler, and that the date was as early as 1760. His homestead is stated to have been two miles above Pitcher's Bridge.
David Scott settled in town as early as 1767. Ile built the first framed house; had a hundred acres given him to build the house. It stood where H. Willard Munson now lives.
Jonathan Pitcher, an early settler, but somewhat later than the others given above, as his name is not found in the rolls of 1773-74. Ilis homestead was not far from Knightville. The united ages of himself and wife reached two hundred years.
TAVERNS.
The old Mixer tavern at Norwich Bridge bas already been mentioned. Albert Henry kept a tavern at the present place of Garry Munson, 1815 to 1820, or about that time ; still earlier than that kept by Rabin Sackett. Hatch also kept one opposite the Munson place, 1825 to 1840. There was once a tavern at the present Bradley place.
PHYSICIANS.
Bisbee's history, 1876, names the following list of physi- cians who have practiced in this town : James Holland, Leon- ard Williams, Martin Phelps, Caleb II. Stickney, S. D. Brooks, Charles Holland, John Il. Gilbert, William Dwight, Noah S. Bartlett, William O. Bell, Charles K. Crossett, Har- low Gamwell, J. II. Goddard, William Elder.
LAWYERS.
Asuhel Wright, who graduated at Williams College in 1803, practiced Jaw at Falley's Cross-Roads, and afterward removed to Chester Centre, where he died in 1830. Samuel Johnson practiced at Chester village ( Huntington) for many years, and is described as a man of unique characteristics, -physically, mentally, professionally, and oratorically. IIe removed to the West. Homer Clark, Daniel Granger, A. M. Copeland, and E. H. Lathrop practiced here for short periods.
FROM THE TOWN RECORDS OF OLD MURRAYFIELD.
June 20, 1768, the warrant contained the clause : " To see if the town will vote a place or places for to nicet for public wor- ship." They first voted they would; then reconsidered, and voted the preaching should be all at the meeting-house.
Isaac Mixer was one of the committee to supply the town with preaching. Oct. 14, 1768, it was voted to have half the preaching at Reuben Walworth's or Jonathan Webber's, and the other half at Mr. John Lacor's. Nov. 20, 1768, the above vote was rescinded ; and " the six first Sabbaths' preaching" was voted to be held at the dwelling-house of Israel Rose (or Ross), and three Sabbaths out of seven shall be there through the year. March 21, 1769, it was voted to accept a road laid out by the selectinen, " beginning at the Northampton west line, at their road, then westerly by Mr. John Kirkland's, across the river at the ford-way by Mr. Fobes, " etc.
At the Murrayfield town-meeting, March 21, 1769, Eben- ezer Meacham was moderator, and he was also one of the selectmen chosen at that meeting. Caleb Fobes was made Town Treasurer; Isaac Mixer, Tythingman ; David Scott, Warden; Ebenezer King, Deer-Reeve; Isaac Mixer, Sur- veyor of Highways; John Crow, Ilog-Reeve ; Isaac Mixer, Scaler of Leather; William Fobes, Fence-Viewer; and John " Kirtlin" was placed on a committee to settle with the treas- urer,-the first advent of the Kirklands to public office in this section. It was "voted that town-meetings be warned by setting up copies of the warrant at Isaac Mixer's, Malcohn Henry's, and the grist-mill."
April 13, 1769, William Miller was one of the signers to a protest against the town " recovering cost of Timothy Smith." John Kirkland was moderator at that meeting. May 11, 1769, it was voted to have half the preaching at the barn of Eben- ezer Webber, the other half at the meeting-house. June IO, 1760, the warrant contained the clause: " To see if the town will discover how they approve of the performance of Rev. Mr. Bascom since be has been in town." At the meeting a committee of "indifferent men" was chosen to advise about the place of preaching,-Capt. Nathan Leonard, of Worthington ; Lieut. Nathaniel Kingsley, of Becket ; and Deacon Benjamin Tupper, of Chesterfield. The committee reported July 9, 1769, " two-thirds of the time at the meeting-house, one-third at Mr. Isaac Mixer's, for three years next ensuing." The town had voted beforehand that they would abide by this de- cision, and they probably did. July 11, 1769, John Kirkland was on the committee to present to Mr. Bascom the call of the town to the ministry. The same year there is recorded a list of roads surveyed by John Kirkland.
Oct. 12, 1769, Caleb Fobes was moderator of the town-meet- ing that made arrangements for the ordination of Mr. Bas- com. At the town-meeting held at Isaac Mixer's, "inn- holder, " Nov. 14, 1769, John Kirkland was appointed moder- ator. Dec. 5, 1769, a committee was appointed to invite a council ; John Kirkland was a member of this committee. Jan. 25, 1770, John Kirkland, moderator, it was voted John Kirkland eighteen shillings for making valuation. March 22, 1780, John Kirkland was chosen town clerk, and Caleb Fobes town treasurer. Two of the selectmen were David Scott and John Kirkland.
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