History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 171

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 171

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Record of Ministers .- 1st. Rev. Stephen Tracy, installed May 23, 1784; dismissed Jan. 1, 1799; resided in town for some years after his dismission. 2d. Benjamin R. Wood- bridge, installed Oct. 17, 1799; his pastorate continued more than thirty years ; he resigned June 28, 1831, and removed to South Hadley. 3d. Rev. Samuel Russell, settled Sept. 3, 1832 ; dismissed Jan. 1, 1835, and died on the 27th of the saine month. 4th. Rev. Alvah C. Page, settled Jan. 1, 1835; dismissed July 20, 1836. Temporary supplies, Rev. Vinson Gould, Rev. Sereno D. Clapp, Rev. Mr. Pomeroy. 5th. Rev. Ebenezer B. Wright, settled Feb. 20, 1842; dismissed May, 1848; afterward chap- lain of the State Almshouse, in Monson ; he returned to Hunt- ington, and died Aug. 19, 1871. 6th. Rev. John R. Miller, installed May, 1848; dismissed Dec. 19, 1853; died at Wil- liamsburg, Nov. 2, 1869. 7th. Rev. John H. M. Leland, settled June 15, 1854; dismissed Nov. 13, 1855; has since resided in Amherst. 8th. Rev. Henry A. Austin, ordained and installed Nov. 6, 1856 ; dismissed July 20, 1859. The subsequent minis- ters, employed for short periods as stated supplies, have been Rev. Edward Clarke, Rev. Wm. E. B. Moore, Rev. F. Hawley, Rev. E. S. Tingley, Rev. C. W. Fifield.

The pulpit is now supplied (1879) in an acceptable manner hy Wm. D. Clapp, of Northampton, who has for some years been engaged in active Christian labors, as well as actual pastoral work, though not ordained.

UNION RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS AT HUNTINGTON VILLAGE.

In the early times there were but few settlers at or near this point, and it is said that from 1810 to 1815 there was not a professor of religion among the men living at Falley's Cross- Roads. There were, however, three women who could not rest with this state of things existing. They were Mrs. Dr. Williams, Mrs. Daniel Collins, and Mrs. Wm. Wade. One of them was a member of the Baptist Church, another of the Methodist, and a third of the Congregational. In the period from 1818 to 1820 these three women held meetings at the school-house. They had some assistance from younger ladies in the district, and occasionally some help from abroad, but the three were the pioneers who, with prayer and active labor, laid the foundation of all subsequent religious work at this village. Under their efforts the old district school-house was often crowded full, with larger audiences than perhaps either of the churches here now secures.

In 1821, Miss Barnes, of Boston, came into this part of the State, working as an evangelist, holding meetings and assist- ing churches in revival work. She came upon invitation to this place, and remained during the winter of 1821-22. A

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

great revival work took place. Several leading business-men experienced religion. The women no longer stood alone. They had sown in weakness and tears, but the glad harvest hour had come. Older citizens still recall one meeting of peculiar interest, when the somewhat eccentric lawyer alluded to elsewhere arose and, with a trembling voice, told of his previous skepticism, and of the great change that had now taken place in his feelings.

After this for a year or two Rev. Giles Dayton, of Russell, a Methodist, but not fully recognized by that church as an ad- hering minister, preached in the school-house regularly, and conducted the meetings. After this the Methodist Conference sent their regular circuit ministers here for a few years, and a class and church were formed of that denomination. The movement was, however, promptly supported by families of other sentiments. The chief work throughout these and sub- sequent changes was of a strong union character. All de- nominational preferences were held to be of no consequence compared to the establishment of religious meetings somehow and by somebody, the preaching of the gospel, and the refor- mation of the community. A movement to build a meeting- house soon followed, and the union house (now known as the Baptist Church) was erected about 1836. Each denomination was to have the use of the house in proportion to the amount contributed to build and support the movement. Not long after the building of the house, the families of Baptist sentiments became largely reduced in numbers by death and removal, and they ceased to claim their share of the time. The movement was then continued by the Methodists and the Congregation- alists. Rev. Cyrus Culver, who had spent his life as a Meth- odist minister, settled here in the later years of his life, and preached for this congregation, and the Methodist Conference ceased its oversight of this appointment.

This union movement now described really includes what there is of Methodist Church history at Huntington village. The circuit ministers who were here from time to time are stated as Messrs. Moulton, Robbins, MeLauth, Father Tay- lor, Wm. Taylor, Wm. A. Braman, Rice Clark, Dayton, Marcy, and Cook. The meeting-house above mentioned was on the town-line, a portion of the building being in Blandford until the territory was annexed to Norwich, in 1853.

About 1840, Melvin Copeland came here from Hartford and entered upon extensive business. His arrival, and that of others, together with families of Congregational senti- ments within a mile or two around, seemed to indicate the propriety of establishing a church of that faith. It was not done immediately, all still uniting in the general work under Rev. Mr. Culver. About this time families of Methodists re- moved, and there were several died, until that denomination pretty nearly ceased to claim the use of the house.

A Congregational society, preliminary to the formation of a church, was organized Jan. 12, 1846, and, to avoid all entang- ling questions which might arise, it was proposed to build a new house for themselves, and relinquish to others the union house free. This was done, except perhaps certain pew-rights were sold by individuals afterward. To conclude this notice of the union movement, it is proper to add that when, a few years later, the number of Baptists in the place rendered it desirable to organize a church, they came regularly into pos- session of this house of worship through the old pew-rights held by Baptists through others, surrendered or donated to them, and through the purchase of some by individual mem- bers. It is still a neat and convenient building, kept in re- pair, and wisely retained, rather than to attempt the building of a more costly edifice at the risk of debt and embarrassment.

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HUNTINGTON (AS NOW KNOWN).

This church was organized Aug. 26, 1846. The members received that day were the following: from the church in

Norwich, Lyman Dimock, Mrs. Catherine Dimock, Caleb W. Hannum, Mrs. Minerva llannum, Harvey Hannum, Widow Hepzibah Hannum, Francis llarwood, Mrs. Mary Harwood, Milton Knight. Mrs. Caroline Knight, Daniel Ludden, Miss Lucy Steele, Garry Munson, Mrs. Harriet Munson ; from the Fourth Church in Hartford, Mrs. Mary G. Barber; from the First Church in Hartford, Melvin Cope- land, Mrs. Lucinda Copeland, Miss Maria L. Lindsey ; from the church in Montgomery, Edward M. Taylor, Miss ,Julia Taylor, Mrs. Dolly Taylor; from the church in Castleton, Vt., Mrs. Araminta D. Ludden; from the church in Chester, Widow Elizabeth Munson ; from the church in Southampton, Mrs. Eliza Ann Phelps; from the church in Beeket, Mrs. Lydia W. Williams ; admitted by profession. Mrs. Laura M. Hannum, Widow Emeline Lindsey; place not designated in the record, Edward Taylor,-28.

At the council there were present the following ministers : Emerson Davis, Ebenezer B. Wright, John HI. Bisbee, Ed- ward Clark, Francis Warriner.

The first house of worship was erected in pursuance of the action of the society at a meeting held Nov. 18, 1847. They voted then to raise $2500 for that purpose. They were more snecessful than was expected, and raised finally about $4000. The house was built the next year and dedicated the first Wednesday in January, 1849.

The society met with a serious loss by the burning of this edifice at the fire of Jan. 12, 1863, which destroyed the old town-hall and the school-house. A vote to erect a new one was passed within twelve days after the fire, and the present large and convenient house was completed the same year, costing about $7000. A fine chapel was erected in 1869, at an expense of $2000. Of this sum $1500 was the gift of Miss Julia Taylor.

As an evidence of the harmony existing in the community and the liberal views of those who founded this church, it is stated that the minister appointed to address the congregation at the organization was specially requested to be careful and not say anything which would in the least refleet unfavorably upon any other denomination, or imply any hostility or an- tagonism to any branch of the household of faith.

There have been several seasons of special revival work in the history of this church. Among these may be mentioned the year 1850, when 14 new members were received by profes- sion ; 1858, when 8 were added; 1865-66, when 12 united ; 1870-71, when 18 were received; and 1876, when quite a number united by profession.

A Sunday-school was begun immediately upon the organi- zation of the church, and has been continued to the present time. It has a library of 300 volumes, and the superintendent the present year (1879) is David Smith.

Record of the Ministers .- 1st. Rev. Perkins K. Clark, or- dained as an evangelist by the same council which constituted the church, and labored here for several years, preaching also during the same period a part of the time at Chester. His services here closed early in 1853. 2d. Rev. Mr. Eggleston, for several months. 3d. Rev. Townsend Walker, installed Dec. 27, 1853. 1Tis health failing, he was dismissed, Aug. 2, 1865. 1Te died at Goshen, July 31, 1873. 4th. Rev. James A. Bates. He was a returned missionary, and preached in Huntington one year. 5th. Rev. John II. Bisbee, installed April 10, 1867. Labors here closed May 1, 1877. He resides now at Westfield. 6tb. Rev. Henry A. Diekinson. He had labored previously at Chester Centre for ten years. His labors commenced with the church at Huntington, Nov. 1, 1877, and he is the present stated supply of the church (1879).

Record of the Deacons .- Melvin Copeland, chosen Sept. 28, 1846; died April 5, 1866. Edward MI. Taylor, chosen Sept. 28, 1846; removed to Michigan. Garry Munson, chosen Feb. 4, 1856 ; still in office (1879). E. N. Woods, chosen Nov. 26, 1866; died June, 1878. S. T. Lyman, ehosen Nov. 26, 1866;

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moved to Holyoke in 1875. W. S. Tinker, chosen April 1, 1877 ; one of the present deacons of the church. Samuel S. Stowell, chosen March 3, 1877; one of the present deacons. The present clerk is John J. Cook.

Additional Items .- Of the original 28 members only two united by profession ; the rest by letters from other churches. In 1850, 14 were added after a few weeks of special religious interest ; in 1858, 8; in 1865-66, 12; in 1870-71, 18; and in 1876 several united.

Miss Julia Taylor, who donated largely toward the huild- ing of the chapel, died March 13, 1870. She was a lady of devoted Christian character, full of good deeds, but modest and unassuming. Were she living, the historian would hardly be permitted to record even the fact of the donation. Her name will be long cherished with affectionate gratitude by this church and community.

BAPTIST CHURCH OF HUNTINGTON.

In addition to what has been given in the account of the union religious movement, we add the following account from Rev. Mr. Bisbee's Historical Address, a sketch expected from the pastor of the church not having been received. A Baptist Church was gathered in what is now Huntington vil- lage in 1852. It was composed of members from different localities, especially from the church previously existing in Chester. At a meeting held for the purpose the following resolution was adopted :

" Resolved, That we, John Green, Joseph Stanton, Leartus Porter, Eli F. Cady, Sarah P. Clark, and Laura Porter, after prayerful deliberation, and relying on the great Head of the Church for divine wisdom and support, do now this seventh day of October, A.D. 1852, in the fear of God declare ourselves a visible Baptist Church in the faith and fellowship of the gospel of .Jesus Christ, in Chester village, Mass."

In November of the same year, Rev. John Green was in- vited to become their minister ; the invitation was accepted. Joseph Stanton, who had for many years served as deacon in the church of Chester, was elected to the same office in the new organization ; this office he held until his death, which occurred in March, 1870. In 1855 it was voted that this be ealled the Huntington Baptist Church. Between 1854 and 1864 several preachers were employed ; among these were Rev. Mr. Goodwin, Allard, Wheeler, and Hopwood.

Rev. Horatio L. Sargent was called to the pastorate Dec. 26, 1864 ; he continued his active labors until May 6, 1866, when, on account of failing health, he was, by vote of the cburch, kindly released ; a few weeks after this he died, uni- versally beloved and lamented by his church and congrega- tion. He was succeeded by Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt, who commenced his labors in August of the same year ; he was a native of Wales, in Massachusetts, a graduate of Brown Uni- versity and of the Theological Seminary at Rochester, N. Y. He resigned his pastorate in 1867, and is at present settled over a church in Lowell, Mass. The next pastor was Rev. E. A. Goddard ; he was a native of Boston, and was educated at Harvard University ; he was first settled in Stamford, Vt., from whence he came to this place; he closed his labors here in 1783. Since that he has been settled in Palmer. He was succeeded, for little more than a year, by Rev. Daniel Rogers, who was educated at Madison University ; he is now laboring as a missionary in the Indian Territory. Rev. S. D. Ashley next received and accepted a call, and commenced his labors June 1, 1875; he is the present pastor of the church. The present membership in this church is 100. The church have the old union meeting-house as their place of worship.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF HUNTINGTON.

The first Catholie resident was John Roach, in 1846; then followed John Gorman, Patrick Kelly, and Philip Smith, to 1848; then Edward Kelly, John Doyle, David Doyle, and these persons went for services once a year to Chester (then called Chester Factories). In 1850 services were attended at

the house of Patrick Nugent, in Russell Paper-Mill village. The elergyman or priest was Father Cuddihea, who resided at Pittsfield. In 1853 services were held in Huntington (then Chester village), at the houses of Doyle and Moore, and this clergyman was succeeded by Father Blenkinsop, who held services in the houses of his people, and was followed by Father Percell, of Pittsfield, who held services in the town- hall once every six weeks, and was occasionally assisted by Father Lynch. They were succeeded by Father MeCarroll, of Westfield, and in 1863 the town-hall was burned, and for a time services were held in what was known as the basket- factory. The next pastor was Father Maglinico, of Westfield, and during his administration a site for a church was bought on what was called the Smith lot, in the south part of the village, which has since been abandoned for that purpose, and a location on Maple Avenue is now purchased, with a fair prospect of occupancy soon. The pastor's assistant was Father Thomas Sullivan, also of Westfield. Father Maglinico was succeeded by Father Smith, also assisted by Father Sul- livan, which last was succeeded by Father Dermet, who are the present clergy of the parish, and now hold services here three times a month, and when five Sundays occur they hold services four times a month. The Catholic population of the parish, which includes all of that denomination in Hunting- ton and the adjoining towns who come here for worship, num- ber about 450 persons.

BURIAL-PLACES.

First may be mentioned the ancient one on Norwich Hill. It is situated on the old Shirkshire road, east of the meeting- house. It is in good preservation, and shows much care on the part of the living for the memory of the dead. There is another burial-place on the west side of the East Branch, above Knightville, near the residence in later years of E. Rude. At Indian Hollow, so called, was an ancient burial- place. Bodies were probably removed, or, if not, the ground was washed away by the floods. In Huntington village a little above the plane-factory, on the place of Mrs. Joslyn, are two graves, a monument marking the spot. As important as any perhaps is the cemetery at Norwich Bridge. This was an an- cient affair. Upon the old time-stained plat in possession of John J. Cook are the names of Ebenezer Williams, Duty Underwood, Leonard Williams, Pliny Dewey, Charles Culver, Titus Doolittle, Jesse Farnum, Lemuel Raymond, Ebenezer Meacham, Joseph Stanton, Erastus Lyman, Stephen Munson, Electra Johnson, Dr. Martin Phelps, John Ellis, Abel Stan- ton, Wm. Wade, Moses Herrick, Elijah Rice, Salmon Thomas, Daniel Collins, Grove Winchell, Roger Gibson, Zaavan Sackett, Robert Lindsey, Levi Dewey, Elisha Leflingwell, Apollos Stowe.

Early inscriptions are James Geer, died 1789 ; Phineas Mix- ter, 1793; Walter Fobes and child, 1786-87; Caleb Fobes' wife, 1793; Walter Fobes and two children, 1795 and 1803 ; Ebenezer Stowe, Jr., 1793 ; John Lindsey, 1794; Silas Ilub- bell, 1783.

This ground, originally a half-acre, is situated on the west side of the river, on the road bearing north westerly from the Norwich bridge up the valley of the Middle Branch. A few. years since, through the efforts largely of John J. Cook, this was thoroughly cleared up of the heavy wild growth of ivy and larger bushes, enlarged by the purchase of six or seven acres, and transformed into a handsome modern cemetery. All this was at first by individual effort. Later an act of incorporation was obtained. The whole expense has been over $3000.

TOWN SOCIETIES.

A Masonie lodge was organized in 1867 at Iluntington village; its charter dated December 13th. The number of charter-members was 20. The several Masters of the lodge have been A. M. Copeland, B. H. Kagwin, Edward Pease,

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Charles Fay, M. L. Church, and the present presiding officer, James Phillips. It has a pleasant hall and is in a flourishing condition, the present membership being 95. Other societies in town have existed from time to time, for social and literary improvement, for benevolent, temperance, and religious work. Most of them were, however, of so brief duration as to fur- nish little material for the historian.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

Indian Ilollow was a favorite resort for the aborigines of the forest, not only before the advent of the white man, but for many years after the first settlement of the valley. Mas- sasoit Pond, formerly known as Norwich Pond, is a fine sheet of water, embosomed in a pleasant landscape. The site of Mixer's mill and the old fording-place are associated with some of the earliest incidents of pioneer life.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

"In the early times agriculture was the leading business of the people of Norwich. Men with resolute hearts and strong arms removed the forests and cullivated the soil. From the earth they drew their sustenance. Corn, rye, oats, and potatoes were the staplo vegetalde productions for food. Seeds were sown and crops harvested, not, as now, by machinery, but by hand. Mowing- machines, horse-rakes, and various other modern implements of husbandry were then unknown. Beef, pork, and mutton, produced by themselves, furnished them with meat, while from the mountain streams their tables were liberally supplied with delicious fish. What is now the West, furnishing the East with bread and meat, was then a vast wilderness, or broad, uncultivated prairie. Instead of depending upon New Orleans or the West Indies for sugar and molasses, they tapped the maple and drew the sap from which by their own labor they procured a supply for domestic use, and often a surplus to exchange for other necessaries. Flax was a product of much importance in those days; this, together with the wool from the sheep, furnished the clothing for the people; the women manu- factured the cloth from these articles without the aid of machinery propelled by either water- or steam-power. They carded, spun, and wove the linen and the wool by hand ; the great and the little wheel, as well as the loom, were found in newly every dwelling, and all the women knew how to use them; they were better players on these than on the piano or the mehendeon. . .. Some other branches were necessarily pursued. The carpenter found employment in the erection of needed buildings, and the blacksmith in making and repairing the rude implements of husbandry. These were mainly of domestic manufacture, and generally coarse and clumsy compared with those now in use. Some farmers made nearly all the tools used by them in their employment."

Saw-mills and grist-mills were an early necessity, and in a few years the water-power of the streams was improved for a variety of other purposes.

The following detailed account of the mills and factories shows more fully these different enterprises.

MILLS, FACTORIES, ETC.

Upon one of the branches of the Manhan, which, rising southeast of Norwich llill, flows for a short distance in this town, there was formerly a saw-mill. It was owned by Loammi Hall, and was abandoned ten or twelve years ago. Upon Roaring Brook, at the present place of M. M. Lyman, there was a saw-mill, a pretty old affair, erected by the Ly- mans of early times. It has been abandoned for many years. A little below, near the present Theodore Lyman place, was a clothing-mill; abandoned perhaps thirty years ago, and built probably twenty years earlier than that.

In the northwest corner of the town, on Little River, so called, was a saw-mill of early times; near the present place of the Merritts, given up many years ago. The whetstone works of the Merritts (father and son) were begun about thirty years ago, and have been carried on down to the pres- ent time. The works suffered considerable damage in the freshet of Dec. 10, 1878. Just over the line of Chesterfield, whetstones were made some years earlier than at the place of the Merritts.

Upon the main stream (East Branch of the Westfield), in the north part of the town, near the present place of E. Rude (2d), was a saw-mill, and also a grist-mill. These were in the early years, and abandoned long ago. For some distance below, the water-power has never been improved. At Knight- ville was first the saw-mill of Sandford, erected perhaps in 1830.

About 1840, Porter Knight changed the business to that of turning-works. After his death, Elkanah & Thomas Ring, from Worthington, established there an extensive business, making children's cabs, wagons, and carriages. Thomas Ring died. Fire and freshet both damaged the buildings, and prac- tieally ruined the enterprise. Somewhat later than the Rings, llenry Stanton built a saw-mill, and also a grist-mill, and there was considerable business done at that point about 1850, and for several years afterward. The mills are now all given up.

Upon Pond Brook, the outlet of Norwich Pond, and a tributary of the East Branch, the first enterprise below the pond was a mill for grinding bark, run by Seth Porter, 1830 to 1840, or somewhere near that time. Mr. Porter's tannery was at the village of Norwich Hill. Near it was an ancient grist-mill, owned and run for many years by Whitman Knight. The building was afterward turned into a factory for the making of whip-stocks, and there was also a wheel- wright shop there. The business in later years has been car- ried on by O. E. Knight.

Just below was the well-known axe-making establishment of Caleb llannum, an old affair, and quite celebrated from 1815 to 1825, perhaps. llis sons, Caleb W., Harvey, and Nathan, succeeded him at his death, in 1825, and they con- tinued the business there until they removed it to Huntington village, about 1845-46, and Moses Hannum carried on the business at the old place for several years.

Half a mile below the Hannums, on Pond Brook, was the saw-mill of Willard White, also numbered among " the things that were, but are not." Somewhat below has been a eider- mill in later years.

Below the junction of Pond Brook with the East Braneli, the water-power of the latter has not been improved until we reach Norwich Bridge and come to the site of Isaae Mixer's grist-mill, the first mill in the town of Norwich. By refer- ring to the old records of Murrayfield, we find that at the town-meeting of 1769 they voted to warn future meetings by posting the warrant "at Isaac Mirer's, at Malcom Henry's, and at the grist-mill." This would indicate that Mixer's mill was not then built, but in 1773 the town-meeting of Norwich voted to warn meetings by posting the warrant at Mixer's grist-mill. Between 1769 and 1773 was the date of this old mill. It stood nearly on the site of the present unused factory, near Horace Taylor's. It was no doubt run for many years, as " Mixer's" was an important point even earlier than there was any struc- ture to be called " Norwich Bridge." After the Mixers, the property seems to have passed to Moses llerrick, who ran at the same place, perhaps in the same building, clothing- and carding-works. It afterward passed into the hands of Clapp & Taylor ; Clapp withdrew and Mr. Taylor remained. The building has now stood idle some time. Wooden bowls were once manufactured there, as early as 1820, perhaps.

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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 171

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