History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 173

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 173

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Clarence Bartholomew, enl. July 16, 1864, 42d M. V. M., Co. 11; disch. Nov. 11, 1864.

George Brackett, ent. July 16, 1861, 42d M. V. M., Co. II; disch. Nov. 11, 1864.

James T. Decker, enl. July 16, 1864, 42d M. V. M., Co. HI; disch. Nov. 11, 1804.

Orange S. Sampson, sergt., enl. Ang. 19, 1861, 21st Inf., Co. 1 ; pro, to 2d lient., Sept. 2, 1862; to Ist lient., Oet. 30, 1862; to cupt., April 20, 1803; killed Sept. 30, 1864, at Poplar Grove, Va.

Phineas F. Knight, corp., enl. Ang. 19, 1861, 21st Inf., Co. I; killed Sept. 1, 1862, at Chantilly, Va. Henry A. Weeks, enl. Sept. 9, ISGI, 22d Inf., Co. G; disch. July 29, 1863.

Henry A. Beech, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Inf, Co. A ; disch, Sept. 27, 1864.

David G. Hannum, ent. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A ; disch. Oct. 1, 186), for disability.

Albert Holbrouk, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Fuf., Co. A ; disch. to re-enl., Dec. 23, 1863.

Joseph Stanton, Jr., enl. Ang. 1, 1862, 34th Inf., Co. B ; disch. June 7, 1865.

George F. Horton, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, 34th Inf., Co. 11; trans, June 14, 1865, to 24th Inf.

Leander J. Beals, en1. Ang. 30, 1862, 37th: Inf., Co. 11; disch. April 21, 1863, for disabil.ty.

Joshua Hathaway, corp, enl. Jan. 25, 1864, 57th Inf, Co. E; killed May 6, 1864, in Wilderness, Va.

Benjamin Barker, enl. Aug. 31, 1864, Vet. Res. Corps; fisch. not given.

Charles II. Reinhart, enl. Aug. 31, 1864, Vet. Res. Corps; disch. not given.

Dwight Strong, enl. Sept. 25, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F; disch, July 29, 1863.

Milo Wing, enl. Sept. 25, 1862, 46th M. V. M., Co. F; disch. to re-enl., May 30, 1863; re-enl. July 28, 1863, 2d II. Art., Co. A; disch. Sept. 3, 1865.

Benjamin F. Hall, eul. Oct. 22, 46th M. V. M., Co. K; trans. to Co. E, Oct. 18G2.

Harvey 11. Billings, enl. April 14, 1863, 2d Cav .; app. veterinary surg.

John B. Lyman, Jr., enl. Dec. 21, 1863, Ist II. Art. ; wounded in the Wilderness; died of wounds, May 22, 1804.

Wilson G. Stevens, enl. Dec. 1863, 1st II. Art .; died at home from effects of wounds, June 25, '64. William James, enl. Jan, 4, 1864, 5th Cav.

Edward N. Smith, enl. 27th Regt .; re-enl, ns a veteran.

Charles II. Weston, eul. Jan. 4, 1864, 34th Regt.

Charles F. Randall, enl. Jan. 5, 1864, 4th Cav., C'o. E; died Dec. 6, 1864, nt Hampton, Va.

Charles E. Hathaway, enl. Jan. 11, 1864, 34th Regt. Robert Canfield, en !. 27th Regt , Co. A.

Lewis Samuels, enl. June 22, 1861, 62d N. Y .; pro. to Ist sergt, and 2d lient.

Albert B. Bude, enl. June 3, 1861, 62d N. Y .; died at Newport News, Va., Sept. Io, ISG2.

James Coleman, June 6, 1861, 620 N. Y. Horace N. Weeks, enl. 31st Regt.

Albert Thomas, enl. Oct. 7, 18G1, 8th Conn .; re- eul. Dec. 24, 1863. Calvin Porter, Jr.

Lindsey J. Niles, enl. Aug. 1, 1862, 37th Regt., Co. Il ; disch. April 27, 1863, for disability.

Isaac C. Drake, eul. Ang. 1862, 46th Regt., Co. F; died at Newbern, June 27, 1863.

W'm. T. Withington, enl. Aug. 31, 1864, Vet. Res. Corps; disch. for disab., Jan. 27, 1865.

George W. Filley, enl. 1861, Ist Cav.

John A. Decker, enl. in 10th Regt., Co. I. Austin Richards, enl. in 10th Regt.

Timothy Coleman, enl, June 10, 1861, 1st Cal .; died at Camden Street Hospital, Baltimore, Aug. 3, IS62, of wounds received.

Henry W. Strong, enl. Sept. 20, 1S61, 27th Regt., Co. A ; died Oct. 17, 1862, at Washington, D. C. Hugh B. Laidley, enl. Sept. 20, 18G1, 27th Regt., Co. A.

John Quinn, enl. Sept. 20, ISGI (probably), 27th Regt., Co. A.

Nelson Knight, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Regt., Co. A ; died in the service.

Daniel F. Knight, enl. Oct. 17, ISG1, 27th Regt., Co. G.

Horace II, Gorham (Bisbee's history). Lorenzo Brown (Bisbee's history).

The great-grandfather of Mr. Munson was a resident of the State of Connecticut, and emigrated with his family, in 1772, and settled in the famous Valley of the Wyoming, in Pennsyl- vania. Here he and his family had to contend with all of the disadvantages incident to a new country. The Indians, too, were at times troublesome, and in 1778 occurred the massacre of the whites. Among those who were compelled to flee from their homes was the family of Mr. Munson, including Stephen Munson, a son, and the grandfather of Garry Munson. The nurse in the family took another son, and, embarking in a canoe, tried in this way to escape. The Indians overtook them, and they were carried away captives. Years after, Stephen Munson recognized the brother, as he supposed, with a tribe of Indians, but there was no recognition on his brother's part. Many of the most valuable household utensils, brass kettles, etc., were buried in the ground before the flight. Stephen Munson was born in Connecticut about 1758, and was fourteen years of age when his father removed to Pennsyl- vania. He was a Revolutionary soldier during the last years of the war, and after the expiration of his term of service he settled at Waterbury, Conn., or in the vicinity, and married Elizabeth Andrews. At the time of his marriage he had no

property save a little Continental money, so much depreci- ated at that period (1782) that it was of but nominal value.

About 1790 he removed to Westfield, Mass., and thence, probably in the year 1800, to Huntington (then Norwich). Here he died in 1824.

His widow survived him a few years, and received a pension from the government. He had three children, two sons and one daughter,-Daniel, Garry, and Orlinda.

Daniel Munson was born in Connecticut, Jan. 22, 1786. He married Jerusha Fowler, daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Fowler, of Westfield, Mass. By this marriage there were five children, four sons and one daughter,-Garry, Stephen, Daniel, Charles, and Cleora Fowler.

Garry Munson is a well-known citizen of Huntington, and was born in that town (then known as Norwich) Dec. 29, 1810. He spent his boyhood at home on the farm, attending the com- mon schools, and in his fifteenth year the Westfield Academy, receiving instruction at the latter five terms in all. When he was eighteen years of age, having a preference for a mer- cantile life, his father started him in business, opening a general store in Chester Centre. When he was twenty-one years old he extended his business, becoming a manufacturer

Garry Munson.

of twist buttons (hand-made), and the following year (1832) he added the making of lasting buttons. His business increased rapidly, and in 1835 he was employing over two hundred persons. In the spring of 1837, owing to the introduction of machinery in the manufacture of buttons, he discontinued this branch of business in consequence of competition.

In the great panic (1837) Mr. Munson went to Marlboro', Conn., and engaged in the manufacture of colored cotton goods. There he remained one year, and then removed to Spring- field, Mass., and went into the dry-goods business with Galen Ames, of that city, under the firm-name of Ames & Munson. This copartnership existed for three years, when Mr. Munson returned to Huntington, and at Norwich Bridge opened a general store, at the same time paying some attention to farm- ing. He closed the store in 1847, and paid special atten- tion to farming for one year. He then erected a building at the Huntington Railroad station, and engaged in merchan- dising. He continued four years, when he disposed of building and stock to his father. Since that period Mr. Munson has been a farmer, varying his labors by the buying and selling of wool.

In his political sentiments he was a Whig and is now a

Republican. He has held different offices ; was a selectman for years, also assessor and town treasurer; is also a trial- justice. In 1844 he represented his district in the Legislature.

Mr. Munson was united in marriage, Nov. 6, 1833, with Har- riet Lyman, daughter of Deacon Samuel Lyman, of Chester, Mass. There were born to them seven children,-Rev. Myron A. Munson, pastor of the Congregational Church in Fair- haven, Vt .; Ed. G. Munson, stockinette manufacturer, in Cohoes, N. Y., with whom his father has been associated for the past six years ; H. Willard Munson, farmer, in Hunting- ton; H. Wilson Munson, a twin-brother, merchant, in the same town ; Samuel L. Munson, linen collar manufacturer, Albany, N. Y .; Emma H. Munson, deceased ; Cleora Fowler, married to John K. Judd, of Holyoke, Mass.

Mrs. Munson died Aug. 18, 1860. Mr. Munson, for his second wife, married, Aug. 14, 1861, Mrs. Paulina Corning, daughter of Rufus Smith, of Worthington, Mass.

Both are members of the Congregational Church of Hunt- ington, and Mr. Munson has been a deacon for nearly twenty- five years, and was one of the original corporators of the church and society, and, of the original male members, he is the only survivor living in the town.

JABIN B. WILLIAMS.

Among the early settlers of Worthington, Mass., was Ebenezer Williams, who removed there from Canterbury, Conn., before the war of the Revolu- tion. In that pioneer period roads were few and difficult, and Mr. Williams was obliged to transport his family on horseback to their new home, thread- ing their way through the forest by the aid of " marked trees."

Leonard Williams, son of Ebenezer, became a physician of note, and settled in Chester (now Huntington) village. There he was prominent in his profession as well as in public affairs. His son, Jabin B. Williams, whose portrait appears upon

this page, was born Jan. 5, 1800, in Worthington. The removal of his father to Chester took place when he was four years old. There he passed his early life. He received a good education, and when he was twenty-one years of age he removed to Becket, Berkshire Co., Mass. There he resided twenty years, after which period he returned to Huntington, where he died, May 31, 1859. Mr. Williams is remembered beyond his own immediate family for his true-hearted manliness, for his sterling integrity, and for his fidelity to his trusts and en- gagements.

He had the respect and the esteem of the com-

Photo, by Moffitt.

colin Foi Hilleand

munity in which he lived, and during an active business life of over forty years, he always, and with great punctnality, fulfilled all his obligations, and left to his family an nnsullied reputation.

His political sentiments were strongly in accord with those of the Democratic party, but he was averse to holding office or to public recognition.

He was early appointed a magistrate, and held that position throughout his life. He was the ac- cepted and recognized legal and friendly counselor for his neighbors and the community, and in his judgment and integrity they had full confidence.

For years in Berkshire County he was the agent for the payment of pensions to the Revolutionary soldiers in his vicinity. At his store, in Becket, it was no uncommon sight to meet thirty or forty of these veterans, on the 4th of March or the 4th of September, assembled there to receive the bravely- earned bounty of the government they had helped to found. They indulged in reminiscences of those times " that tried men's souls," and fonght over again the battles of that stormy period. Mr. Wil- liams was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1853.

BELCHERTOWN.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

This town is situated in the eastern part of the county, twelve miles east of the Connecticut River and fifteen from Northampton, and is bounded on the north by Pelham, on the south by Palmer and Ludlow, Hampden Co., on the east by Ware and Enfield, and on the west by Granby and Amherst, Hampshire Co. The town ranks among the largest in area in the State, and is about twelve miles in length north and south, and has an average width of about five miles.

NATURAL FEATURES.

The surface is rocky and somewhat difficult of cultivation, but fairly productive. The south part, being more level than the other sections, contains the best land, although some very good land exists in the north. The town is hilly throughout its entire extent. Great Ilill, in the northeast part, is a promi- nent landmark. Turkey Hill, formerly known as Fisher's Knob, lies southwest of the centre. It is capped by " Rock Rimmon," so named by the students of Amherst College in 1854. This is a granite boss, not important enough to be called a mountain, but forming the highest point in the town.

Water-courses are quite abundant. Swift River forms the eastern boundary for a considerable distance, and affords two excellent water-privileges, which have never been utilized to any great extent or for any length of time. Jabesh Brook, which is more particularly referred to elsewhere, has its rise in Pelham, and flows in a southerly direction through Bel- chertown, joining the Swift River in the south part of the town, near Barrett's Junction. It is a stream of considerable importance, and furnishes several water-privileges, which have been utilized from its earliest settlement by various minor manufacturing enterprises. Other streams exist in different parts of the town, chiefly flowing in a westerly direction. Of these Batchelor's Brook is one which, flowing westward into Granby, becomes a stream of some note in that town and Hadley. Another is Fort River, which also flows westerly to the Connecticut through Amherst and Had- ley.

The only natural bodies of water of importance are what are known as Upper, Middle, and Lower Ponds, in the north part of the town, which are also the sources of Batchelor's Brook and Fort River.

RAILROADS.

The Amherst and Belchertown Railroad Company was in- corporated in 1851, with authority to construct a road from the depot of the New London, Willimantic and Pahner Rail- road, crossing the Western Railroad at Palmer, and extending northerly through the towns of Belchertown, Amherst, Lev- erett, Sunderland, and Montague to the Vermont and Massa- chusetts Railroad, at a point the most convenient to intersect the latter in Montague. The company was organized June 30, 1851, and Luke Sweetser, Edward Dickinson, Ithamar Conkey, Myron Lawrence, Joseph Brown, Thomas H. Wil- liams, and Andrew C. Lippitt were chosen directors, the first mentioned being elected president. John S. Adams was chosen clerk and treasurer. The work of grading the first section of the road from Palmer to Amherst was commenced in 1852, and that section was opened to use May 9, 1853, and was oper- ated by the New London, Willimantic and Palmer Railroad

Company under a lease, until Nov. 5, 1853, when it was oper- ated by the Amherst and Belchertown Company. The section from Palmer to Amherst is a fraction less than twenty miles in length. The total cost of its construction, including land, damages, fences, and equipments, was $280,000. It is now controlled by the New London Northern Railroad Company. It has three stations in the town, one at Barrett's Junction, in the south part of the town, where it is crossed by the Spring- field, Athol and Northeastern Railroad, one at Belchertown (village), and one at Dwight's Station, in the north part of the town.

The Springfield, Athol and Northeastern Railroad passes laterally through the southeastern section of Belchertown, having a station at Barrett's Junction.

SETTLEMENT.

The tract of country from Shutesbury to Chicopee River was formerly distinguished as the best hunting-ground in this sec- tion of the State. The hunters were accustomed to encircle a large tract of land by a line of fire, which, burning in every direction, gradually encompassed the game in a circle so nar- row that they became an easy prey to their pursuers. In course of time the native forests which had covered the land were in a great measure consumed by this process. But the lands that had been thus burnt over were soon covered with a species of wild grass, affording excellent pasturage for cattle, and for many years great numbers of cattle and horses were annually sent out from Northampton and Hadley to graze upon these hills during the summer season. The tract of land thus burnt over included the territory of the present town of Belcher- town, and the practice of burning over the lands continued for a considerable time after the first settlement.

The town was at first known by the name of " Cold Spring." It took its name from a noted spring, which still exists, on the Cyrus S. Bartlett farm, near the path that was formerly trav- eled from Northampton to Brookfield and Boston. After leaving Hadley, there was, for many years, no house nearer than Brookfield, and this spring, midway between the two towns, afforded a convenient place for refreshment to the trav- eler in his solitary journey through the wilderness. As the communication between the towns upon the river and the east- ern section of the State grew more frequent the spring became a celebrated watering-place for travelers, and finally gave the first name to the township.

The same territory was also included in what became known as the "Equivalent Lands," the history of which is well known, and is more fully considered elsewhere in this work. These lands comprised the territory afterward included in the towns of Belchertown, Pelham, Prescott, Ware, and part of Enfield. At the time they were granted to the State of Con- necticut no grants had been made to individuals within their limits.

In 1727 the State of Connecticut sold its rights in the terri- tory of Belchertown to seven individuals residing in and near Boston in six equal divisions ; the first division to Paul Dudley, two-thirds, and Col. John Wainright, one-third; second divi- sion, one-sixth to John Caswell; third division, one-sixth to Col. Thomas Fitch ; fourth division, one-sixth to Adington Devenport; fifth division, one-sixth to Jonathan Belcher, Esq. ; sixth division, one-sixth to William Clark's heirs. During

521

522

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

the months of October and November of that year the terri- tory was surveyed and platted by Col. Timothy Dwight, of Northampton, Col. Dwight was much employed in his day in surveying and platting towns in this section of the country, and was the grandfather of Rev. Timothy Dwight, D.D., afterward president of Yale College. Col. Dwight's survey embraced an arca of 27,390 acres of land, but at the time of the incorporation of the town, June 30, 1761, its boundaries included an addition of 12,000 aeres, on the north, a part of which now comes within the lines of Enfield.

No sooner had these purchasers obtained the Connecticut title to this territory than an attempt was made to establish a settlement. The earlier settlers in the towns on the Con- necticut River had used the land as a hunting-ground, and game in abundance was to be found there; cattle were driven in herds from those places to browse through the forests during the summer season ; temporary settlements were made for the purpose of boxing the pines and gathering the turpen- tine, and, perhaps, for securing a competent supply of eandle- wood.

An order was passed by the town of Northampton in 1699, that no more caudle-wood should be collected for use within seven miles of the meeting-house, on penalty of forfeiture of the same, and another order was made, by the same authority, in the year 1700, prohibiting the boxing of pine-trees for tur- pentine within three miles; these sources of gain must be sought beyond these limits, if sought at all.

As a means of bringing forward the settlement of " Cold Spring," the proprietors proposed to make gratuitous grants of lands to the settlers in the older towns on the river, upon condition of their removal and permanent settlement upon the granted lands. The proposals were acceded to, and sey- cral families from Northampton, Hatfield, and Hadley re- moved to the lands in July, 1731. No records of the trans- actions of the first settlers prior to 1739 are extant. From a petition on the files of the General Court in the State archives, dated December, 1737, signed by the settlers, they say " they lad twenty families, and more expected soon ;" they pray the General Court to grant them a land-tax to aid them, " for they are about settling a minister and building a meeting- house."

In another petition presented to the General Court, dated November, 1738, the petitioners say :

" We have agreed with Mr. Noah Merrick to settle with us in the gospel min- istry, and pray for the privileges of a township."

The arrangement was never consummated, for, in June, 1741, Mr. Merrick was ordained as the first minister of the town of Wilbraham. In January, 1739, another petition was presented to the General Court praying for the same privilege. In still another petition to the General Court, dated Novem- ber, 1740, the petitioners say :

They "are greatly in deht for building a meeting-house, outside covered and glazed, and a minister settled ; weare but twenty families, and owe Judge Dudley and others over two hundred pounds for lands for our minister's settlement, and to our minister between two and three hundred pounds for salary and settle- ment ; we have sustained preaching five or six years, and have advanced the es- tates of the projairtors more than our own by settling Cold Spring."

They followed with a prayer for a land-tax. In another pe- tition a little later they say :

" Three-quarters of the township is in the hands of five or six or a few more proprietors, who have drawn us into difficulties, and now seem to ent us off. Some of us who own 150 acresof land only have been rated in a single rate over twenty pounds. Some proprietors (non-resident) own thousands of acres around us, and pay not a penny."

They prayed the government to allow them to raise a tax on lands of non-resident proprietors ; this petition was dated in 1741, and drawn by Col. Timothy Dwight, of Northampton, who was the first signer ; it was not at that time granted, but they persevered in their requests. In May, 1742, they fol- lowed with another petition of similar import. In that they say :

"This township is a part of the equivalent land, s) called. The whole was owned by a few children, who bought it of Connecticut, and four-fifths of it or more is now in the hands of these gentlemen or others, that holl under them, and live at a distance. About twenty of us have actually removed to this place with our families, and have settled a minister, raised, covered, and glazed a meeting-house. The minister's settlement is but half accomplished, nor has the cost of finishing the meeting-house heen yet expended (paid). The minister's house which we undertook is neglected, and may rot down half finished ; this is all discouraging. Our minister must leave us if we cannot have aid."

This petition prevailed, and leave was given to tax "all lands in the township one penny an acre, to fulfill the contract with the minister and finish the meeting-house." The em- barrassed condition of the settlers referred to in these petitions retarded the growth of the settlement.

There was very little, if any, increase of population from 1786 to 1742. After the power was granted to tax the prop- erty in just and equal proportions to sustain their religious institutions, the settlement advanced and success attended them. Some of the means which they took to secure and perpetuate suceess appear in their votes. One was an increase of the minister's salary, that his labors may not be lost. An- other vote was passed to appoint a committee to see that there shoukl be no disorderly conduct upon the Sabbath. The pop- ulation for ten years next following 1742 more than doubled ; in 1752 there were more than 50 families. The particulars of the early religious affairs of the town-the central thought around which clustered the fondest aspirations of the first settlers of New England-are elsewhere considered.

THE FIRST SETTLERS.

Three families first settled on the new territory in July, 1731,-Samuel Baseom, Hooker, and Benjamin Steb- bins. Soon after, and the same year, Aaron Lyman came from Northampton, and John Bardwell from Hatfield the year following. They made their selections and locations. Bascom settled near where Ebenezer Bridgman afterward lived. lle built a small house some twelve or fifteen rods from where Mr. Bridgman's dwelling stood, nearly in a westerly direction. This was the first dwelling erected in the town, and also the first tavern, as Bascom was licensed to keep an inn in 1733. Baseom's selection of 500 acres comprised the Moses Hannum farın, some of Mr. Bridgman's, some afterward owned by Mr. Chandler, the Gates farm, and perhaps others adjoining.

Hooker took his 500 acres near the subsequent location of Root's mill, easterly and southerly, and included the land in that section afterward owned by the Roots, Sabins, and others.

Stebbins made his selection in the northwesterly part of the town, comprising lands afterward owned by Col. Zenas Steb- bins, Henry Stebbins, Capt. Gilbert, and others.

Aaron Lyman settled in Blue Meadow, and took lands af- terward owned by Ralph Owen, Allen, and others.

John Bardwell made his selection in the south part of the town, where his descendants have lived for several generations.

Of these first settlers Hooker soon afterward moved away, left his lands, and was probably succeeded in their ownership by Hezekiah Root. So far as known, he derived little or no benefit from the sale of the remainder. Bascom remained on his grant about thirteen years, and then moved away. Stebbins lived and died in the town, making improvements upon his lands, and was the grandfather of Col. Zenas Stebbins. The family is still represented in the town. Deacon Aaron Lyman remained as a permanent settler, raised a family, and died June 12, 1780, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. Ilis son, Josiah, afterward of Goshen, was born March 9, 1736, and was the second male child born in the town,-a son of Na- thaniel Dwight ( Elijah, who died young) being the first. Susanna Lyman, born Nov. 16, 1734, and daughter of Aaron Lyman, was the first. Deacon Lyman left a number of de- scendants.

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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 173

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