History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 176

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 176

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Rev. Experience Porter, the third pastor, was a native of .Lebanon, N. II. ; graduated from Dartmouth College in 1803 ; was tutor in Middlebury College one year ; studied theology with Rev. Asahel llooker, in Goshen, Conn. ; was ordained over the church in Winchester, N. H., Nov. 12, 1807, and settled over this church early in 1812. Ile retained his pas- torate till March 9, 1825. During these thirteen years 425 persons were received into the church, 345 of them on profes- sion. This number was abont equal to the whole number added during the previous eighty years. Two remarkable re- vivals occurred during his ministry. In 1813, 107 persons were added to the church upon profession, and from the fall of 1818 through 1819, 208 persons united with it. Mr. Porter died Aug. 25, 1828.

Rev. Lyman Coleman, the fourth pastor, was born in Mid- dlefield, June 14, 1796; graduated at Yale College in 1817; taught three years in the Latin Grammar School at Hartford, Conn. ; was a tutor in Yale College four years and a half. While there he studied theology, and was ordained here Oct.

19, 1825, and was dismissed in September, 1832, having re- ceived 178 persons into the church, of whom 133 were upon profession of faith. Since his dismission he has been principal of Burr Seminary, Vermont, also of the English department of Phillips Academy, in Andover, a teacher in Amherst, Mass., and Philadelphia, Pa., professor of German in Prinee- ton College (from which lie received the degree of D. D. ), and now of Hebrew and German in Lafayette College, Easton, P'a. He is the author of several valuable works upon sacred geog- raphy and subjects connected with Christian antiquities.

Rev. Jared Reid, the fifth pastor, was born in Preston, Conn., February, 1788; graduated at Yale College, 1817; studied theology at Andover; licensed to preach April, 1822; was settled in the ministry at Reading, Nov. 20, 1823; dismissed in 1833 ; installed here Sept. 4, 1833 ; was dismissed here Jan. 6, 1841. He was afterward at Tiverton, R. I., but is now de- ceased.

Rev. George A. Oviatt, the sixth pastor, is a native of Bridgeport, Conn. ; graduated at Yale College, 1835, where he also studied theology. He was ordained pastor of the Brainerd Church, in this place, Aug. 28, 1838, when (upon the resignation of Mr. Reed ) the two churches were reunited. He was invited to become their pastor, and was installed over this church Aug. 31, 1841. He was dismissed July, 1845, and took the pastorate of the Suffolk Street Church, Boston ; after- ward of the churches in Chicopee, Somers, Conn., and Tal- cottville, Conn., and is at present the pastor of the church at Sudbury.

Rev. John Clancey, the seventh pastor, graduated at Middle- bury College, 1818; studied theology at Andover; settled in the ministry at Charlton, N. Y., twenty years. lle was in- stalled here Feb. 25, 1846, and remained until March 27, 1849, when, having been dismissed, he returned to Charlton.

Rev. Samuel Wolcott, the eighth pastor, was born in what is now South Windsor, Conn., July, 1813; graduated at Yale College in 1833; completed theologieal study at' Andover in 1837. For two years afterward he assisted the secretary of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions. Nov. 13, 1839, he was ordained, and went to Syria as a mis- sionary. Ile continued his labors in that region till January, 1843, when, on account of the death of his wife and the unset- tled condition of affairs in Syria, he returned to America. In August, 1843, he became pastor of the church in Longmeadow, from which he was dismissed in December, 1847. He was in- stalled over this ehureh Oct. 2, 1849, and dismissed March 29, 1853. At that time he became pastor of a church in Provi- dence, R. I., where he remained six and a half years ; then spent two years in connection with the New England Church in Chicago, Ill. For a number of years he was settled over a church in Cleveland, O., where he now resides, and is seere- tary of the Ohio Home Missionary Society. A noteworthy revival visited the church during the first year of his ministry in Belchertown, and 100 were added to the church,-89 on profession of faith.

Rev. Henry B. Blake, the ninth pastor, was born in Win- chester Centre, Conn., May 20, 1817 ; united with the church in 1832; graduated at Williams College in 1841 ; studied the- ology at East Windsor, Conn., and graduated in 1844. lle was ordained at South Coventry, Conn., Jan. 1, 1845; dis- missed in May, 1855; installed here June 26, 1855, and dis- missed at the end of ten years, June 26, 1865. He went to Wilmington, N. C., as an agent of the American Missionary Association, in 1868. He was then chairman of the County Board of Examiners and superintendent of the city schools of Wilmington, and also employed in the training of colored preachers. He is now the acting pastor of the church in West Springfield, Mass.

Rev. W. W. Woodworth, the tenth pastor, was born at Crom- well, Conn., Oct. 16, 1813 ; graduated at Yale College in 1838, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1841. He was pas-

530

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

tor at Berlin, Conn., 1842-52; at Waterbury, Conn., 1852-58; stated supply at Mansfield, O., 1858-60; at the Olivet Church, Springfield, 1860-62; at Plymouth, 1862-64; at Painesville, O., 1864-66 ; pastor of this church, 1866-70. Since then has been pastor at Grinnell, lowa, and is now pastor at Berlin, Conn.

Rev. Payson W. Lyman, the present pastor, was born at Easthampton, Feb. 28, 1842; graduated at Amherst College, 1867, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1870; was ordained and installed over this church, May 10, 1871, having previously preached a short time in Ashfield. He takes great interest in historical matters, and is the author of a history of Easthampton, published in 1866. lle also de- livered a centennial address in 1876 at the same place, which has also been published.

Deacons .- The following persons have served the church in the office of deacon since its organization : John Smith, chosen 1737; died 1777. Aaron Lyman, chosen 1737; died 1780. Elijah Smith, chosen 1761; died 1770. Joseph Bridgman, chosen 1770; died 1773. Joseph Smith, chosen 1770; died 1803. Edward Smith, chosen 1781; removed 1793. Elijah Dwight, chosen 1793; died 1795. Amasa Smith, chosen 1795; removed 1802. Eliakim Phelps, chosen 1803; died 1824. James Walker, chosen 1804; resigned 1827. Oliver S. Taylor, chosen 1816 ; removed 1817. Daniel Phelps, chosen 1816; resigned 1854. John M. Spooner, chosen 1827; re- moved 1846. Anson Moody, chosen 1827; removed 1829. llenry A. Bridgman, chosen 1828; resigned 1850. Israel Towne, chosen 1829; died 1853. William Phelps, chosen 1838; resigned 1850. Elisha Abbey, chosen 1841 ; died 1863. Elijah Amidon, chosen 1841 ; resigned 1850. Ephraim Mon- tague, chosen 1850; resigned 1873. Amasa Towne, chosen 1854; died 1871. Wareham C. Gilbert, chosen 1854; died 1859. Harrison Root, chosen 1859. Lyman Sabin, chosen 1863, Charles L. Washburn, Heman E. Moody, chosen 1871, Tertius Cowles, chosen 1873, acting deacons.

At the time of the union of the two churches in 1841, Daniel Phelps, John M. Spooner, Israel Towne, and Wm. Phelps were the officiating deacons in the First Church, and ilenry A. Bridgman, Elijah Amidon, and Elisha Abbey in the Brainerd Church. After the union they all officiated until 1850, when all resigned, and the church then chose Daniel Phelps, Israel Towne, Elisha Abbey, and Ephraim Montague.

Abont 1700 persons have been members of the church since it was founded. The present membership is 277; Sabbath- school, 260; number of volumes in the library, 750; Superin- tendent, llenry E. Dorman ; Librarian, George H. Bruce; Sec- retary and Treasurer, Fred. L. Stebbins.

BAPTISTS.

The Baptist Church in Belchertown was organized June 24, 1795. The original members were sixteen in number, includ- ing seven females. For a quarter of a century a considerable portion of its membership consisted of persons belonging to the neighboring towns.

Rev. Samuel Bigelow, one of the original members, is sup- posed to have been principally instrumental in gathering the church. lle performed pastoral services, more or less, for ten or twelve years. During this time the number of members gradually increased.

In 1806 serious difficulties arose which threatened the con- tinued existence of the church. A council was called for their adjustment in 1808, and was happily successful. A revival followed, in which from 70 to 80 persons were admitted to the church by baptism. The ministry of Rev. David Pease com- menced about this time. lle was ordained pastor of the church June 10, 1810. Hitherto, the church for want of better accom- modations had worshiped in school-houses and private dwel- lings, and, when the number of persons required it, in barns and in the open fields. Efforts were now made to secure a meeting-house, which proved successful. The house was dedi-

cated March 14, 1814, and is still standing on the south side of the road leading from the centre to the depot, being used as a tenement.

Mr. Pease's labors closed in 1818, and he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Marshall, who continued his services four or five years. Near the commencement of his labors there was a re- vival of religion, which resulted in quite a large accession to the membership of the church.

After this the number of members became much reduced, partly in consequence of the organization of Baptist churches at other points, where a portion of the members found them- selves better convenienced. A number of ministers supplied the desk at different times, among whom were Rev. Henry Archibald and Rev. Jubal Wakefield, each of whom succes- sively acted as pastor, devoting at the same time half of his services to the neighboring church at Three Rivers, in Palmer. Other ministers who performed pulpit services for longer or shorter periods were Rev. Messrs. Stephen S. Nelson, Cyrus P. Grosvenor, John Holbrook, Benjamin Putnam, Thomas Rand, and Alvin Bennett.

In 1838, Rev. Chester Tilden became the pastor, and con- tinued in that capacity four years. The next pastor was Rev. Moses Curtis, who commenced his labors in 1842. The church had now occupied their house of worship for nearly thirty years. Of ample dimensions and highly creditable to the en- terprise of the society when it was erected, it had come to need at their hands substantial repairs. Just at this time the re- union of the Congregational Churches, already referred to, was effected, and the house of worship of the Brainerd Church was left vacant. It was purchased by the Baptists, who made it their house of worship and began to occupy it with the com- mencement of Mr. Curtis' labors. The house is still ocenpied by the society, although it has undergone considerable remod- eling and repairing in their hands, notably in 1869 and 1875.

In 1849, Mr. Curtis resigned his charge, and was soon after succeeded by Rev. Joseph M. Rockwood, who in turn resigned in January, 1856. Rev. William N. Fay succeeded him in February, 1856, but was really settled as pastor in June of that year. He remained until December, 1866, when he resigned on account of ill health, much to the regret not only of the society, but of the entire community. He went to Blooming- ton, Ill., and there died soon after. By his own request his body was brought to Belchertown and interred among the people he had loved.

Rev. G. W. Gates received a call to the pastorate in March, 1867, but declined. On Aug. 21, 1867, Rev. D. Donavan, a graduate of the University of Vermont, and of Newton Theological Seminary, was called, and became the pastor of the church. He remained less than two years, and was snc- ceeded in June, 1869, by Rev. J. B. Reed, whose pastorate terminated April 1, 1872.

The church then employed supplies until the ordination of Rev. Wm. R. Warner, in August, 1872, who became the next pastor. He withdrew in August, 1873, and was succeeded in November of the same year by Rev. Mr. Battell, whose pas- torate was terminated in March, 1875. In May, 1875, Rev. Philip Barry commenced preaching, and was installed in July following. Ile remained until April, 1877.

The present pastor, Rev. B. F. Tuck, commenced his labors July 1, 1877. The deacons of the church are Abraham Wis- ton, aged ninety, Henry Graves, and Daniel Sawin.

The church is in a prosperous condition and has a member- ship of about 75. The membership of the Sabbath-school is about 50; number of volumes in library, several hundred; Superintendent, Nelson Barrett.

METHODISTS.

This denomination first established itself in the south part of the town, near Bardwell village, but afterward consolidated with the church at Thorndike, in Palmer.

531

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

The first Methodist preacher stationed at Belchertown Cen- tre was Rev. William Gordon, from the Conference held in Cambridge, Mass., commencing March 29, 1865. The first meetings were held in the town-hall.

The lay members engaged in starting the enterprise were Theodore Blodgett and Thomas Haskell. P. Rich and Francis 1. Talmadge assisted in carrying it forward.

The membership at the beginning was about a dozen. Rev. Mr. Gordon remained two years. At the end of the first year there were 22 members in full connection and 30 probatiuners. At the close of the second year there were 34 members in full connection and 3 probationers.

The next pastor was Rev. C. H. Vinton, whose pastorate was very successful, and large numbers were added to the church.

The successor of Mr. Vinton was Rev. E. J. Stevens, a local preacher, appointed to supply March 30, 1869, and who re- mained only until December of the same year, the remainder of the Conference year being filled out by students from the academy at Wilbraham.

Rev. Il. S. Booth, the next pastor, was stationed in Belcher- town in the spring of 1870. Under his pastorate a large and successful revival occurred.

in the Conference year of 1871, Rev. N. J. Merrill was appointed to the charge, now for the first time united with Granby. At the Conference of 1872, Rev. S. MeLaughlin was appointed to the charge. Early in his pastorate measures were instituted looking to the erection of a church edifice.

In the month of June, 1873, land was purchased for the erection of a church, and during the same year the society purchased of the Union Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield their church building, at a cost of $400, paying $150 additional for the organ, and $200 for the cushions, car- pets, and settees. The building was taken down, removed to Belchertown, and rebuilt at a further cost of $5700. The cor- ner-stone was laid August 13th of the same year, and the new house was dedicated Feb. 11, 1874. It is a handsome and comfortable structure, and now occupied by the society.

The pastors since Mr. MeLaughlin have been Rev. S. O. Dyer, for one year ; Rev. E. S. Best, for one year ; and Rev. John Capin, for two years. Rev. Erastus Burlingham, the present pastor, commenced his labors in the spring of 1878.

The church is free from debt, and has a membership of 113. The membership of Sabbath-school is 125; officers and teach- ers, 13; library, 500 volumes; Superintendent, Merrick M. Morse ; Librarian, J. V. Thompson.

BURIAL-PLACES,

There are a number of burial-places within the limits of the town, most of which have been devoted to such uses without the town taking any action upon the matter, and probably were designed simply to accommodate the residents of the locality in which they are located.

The earliest recorded action of the town upon the subject was at a precinct-meeting, held Jan. 3, 1743, at which Deacon Stephen Crawfoot, Aaron Lyman, Nathaniel Dwight, and Eliakim Phelps were appointed a committee to "lay out a burying-yard for to accommodate the southeast part of the town."

The committee made a return of a place "east of the county road, north of the swamp, at or near the south end of Mr. Billing's lot, which was bought of Judge Dudley."

This is the oldest ground in the town, and is known as the " ()]d" or " Forward Burying-Ground." It lies about a mile southeast of the central village, and contains the remains of a large number of the first settlers of the town. Among the inscriptions of interest are the following :

" Sacred to the memory of Rev. Jnstus Forward, pastor of the church in Bel- chertown, who, skilled in evangelical doctrine, exemplary in Christian dnty, prudent in council, valiant for the truth, faithful and successful in labors, after

a long and useful ministry, in which, with reputation to himself and to the spiritual benefit of his flock, he served God and his generation, fell asleep March 8, A.D. 1814, in the eighty-fourth year of his ago and the fifty-ninth of his min- istry. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

" In memory of Capt. Nathaniel Dwight, who died March 30, 1784, in the seventy-second year of his age. Ile was one of the first settlers of this town, and was esteemed and employed in public business in town and county through his whole life.

"Come, honest sexton, with your spade, And let my grave be quickly made ; On Heaven's decree I waiting lie, And all my wishes are to dic.

" Tho' I must die and turn to dust, I hope to rise among the just; Jesus my body will refine,- I shall with him in glory shine."

The next reference to burial-places in the town-records is on Dec. 8, 1766, when it was " voted to purchase some land to bury their dead." " Voted to purchase two acres in each place that we have used for burying, viz. : one down by the road against Forward's lot, and one near the Nine-Mile Pond." " Voted that Capt. Nathaniel Dwight and Capt. Samuel Howe be a committee to see to the buying the two pieces of land above mentioned, for the benefit and privilege of bury- ing-places."

This indicates the next oldest burying-ground to be the one near the pond, about two miles northwest of the central vil- lage. It was probably laid out soon after the first one, and of course not later than 1766. No others existed for a number of years, and on March 11, 1771, the town appropriated £30 for the purpose of fencing each of these grounds with stone.

Beside these two ancient ones, there are several others : one at Dwight's Station, which is quite old; one on Great Hill, which has been in use for upward of a hundred years ; two in the south part of the town (one the " Olds Burying- ground," probably nearly a century old, and one at Bardwell village, about forty years old) ; one in " Dark Corner," in the western part of the town, which has been used over sixty years ; and one at " Blue Meadow," near " Slab City," in the eastern part of the town.

The principal ground in the town at present is Mount Hope Cemetery, in rear of the Congregational Church, at the cen- tral village. It was laid out about 1846, and contains many handsome monuments.

NOTES FROM THE RECORDS.

Dec. 20, 1762 .- " Voted to Samuel Hannum, Jr., 3 shillings for going from Boston to Milton to carry a letter."

Dec. 20, 1765 .- " Voted that the surveyors shall see to it that men come to the work of the highways seasonably in the morning, and work diligently all the day till the ordinary time at night men commonly leave work that are hired to lahor; aud whoever works but a part of the day shall be rewarded in such proportion as they work, in the judgment of the surveyor."

March 19, 1770,-" Voted to excuse the west part of the town from any charge in purchasing the burying-place in or near Mr. Forward's land and that by the pond, upon condition they provide a place for themselves."

March 3, 1777 .- " Voted to Deacon Joseph Smith and Lieut. Joseph Graves 24 shillings each for going to Brookfield to carry the missionary interpreter and six Oneidu Indians or chief warriors."

1784 .- A bounty of 6 pounds was set on each wolf killed within ten miles of M. House, or if track was taken within those limits.

1785,-" Voted to choose a committee of three men to correspond with some neighboring towns to come into some measures to destroy the wolves."

March, 1796 .- " Voted that hoggs shall run on the common yoked and ringed, as the law directs."

In 1820, Eliakim Phelps and Philo Dickinson were chosen delegates to the convention to revise the State Constitution.

Jan. 8, 1823 .- " Voted not to employ Doct. Sylvanus Fansher to innoculate the inhabitants of the town for the kine-pock."

EARLY MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS.

The earliest marriages recorded are those of Abner Smith, son of Deacon John Smith, of Cold Spring, to Mary King, April 14, 1741. Rev. Edward Billing, the first minister of the town, to Luey Parsons, daughter of David Parsons, on Aug. 12, 1741. Joseph Smith, son of Deacon John Smith, to Eunice Bascom, daughter of Samuel Bascom, on Ang. 28,

532

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

1743. On the same date Samuel Bascom, Jr., was married to Mary Warner, daughter of Ebenezer Warner. Hezekiah Root, son to llezekiah Root, of Northampton, was married to the widow Mary King, daughter of Ebenezer Bridgman, Nov. 17, 1743. No other marriage is recorded for nearly five years.

The first birth recorded is that of Susanna Lyman, daughter of Aaron and Eunice Lyman, who was born Nov. 16, 1734. The first male birth recorded was that of Elijah Dwight, son of Nathaniel and Hannah Dwight, who was born Nov. 30, 1735, and died January 19th of the following year. Josiah Lyman, son of Aaron and Eunice Lyman, was born March 9, 1736, and is the next male birth recorded.

EARLY ASSESSORS' VALUATION.

The most ancient valuation of estates to be found in the town is that made in the year 1743, and was as follows : Heze- kiah Root, land, £20; housing, £4; personal estate, £16 6s. Aaron Lyman, land, £36 10s .; faculty, £5; housing, £5; personal estate, £16 10s. Eliakim Phelps, land, £14; faculty, £5; housing, £2 10s. ; personal estate, €5. Thomas Brown, land, £5; house, £1; personal estate, £4 6s. Joseph Phelps, land, £7; housing, £4; personal estate, £16. Nathaniel Dwight, land, £32 10s. ; faculty, tavern, etc., £18; housing, £4; personal estate, £35 8s. Samuel Bascom, land, £46; faculty, £5; housing, £5; personal estate, £11 4s. Nathaniel Cowles, land, £2 10s. ; housing, £1 ; personal estate, £7 10s. Daniel Smith, £2; housing, £1; personal estate, £3 10s. Jesse Warner, land, £3 10s .; housing, £1 5s .; personal es- tate, £3. Ebenezer Warner, land, £30; housing, £4; per- sonal estate, £12 15s. Moses Warner, land, £7; housing, £1 10s .; personal estate, £9 8s. Walter Fairfield, land, £5; housing, £1 10s .; personal estate, £8 10s. · Benjamin Steb- bins, land, £25; housing, £5; personal estate, £35. Nathaniel Parsons, land, £12; housing, £4; personal estate, £6 68. Benjamin Billings, land, £10; faculty, £3; housing and mill, £3 5s. ; personal estate, £6 18s. Joseph Bardwell, land, £12; faculty, £5; house, £1 5s .; personal estate, £6. Thomas Graves, land, £15; house, £1 5s .; personal estate, £9 6s. Stephen Crawfoot, £12; faculty, £9; house, £1 5s .; personal estate, £8. Ebenezer Bridgman, land, £17; housing, £3; personal estate, £7. Joseph Bridgman, £16; housing, £3 10s. ; personal estate, £4 6s. Jonathan Graves, land, £28; faculty, £9; housing, £4; personal estate, £21 12s. Joseph Smith, land, £0; personal estate, £1 10s. Mary King, land, £0; personal estate, £3 10s. Samuel Bascom, personal estate, £1 10s. Robert Brown, land, £7; housing, £1 5s. ; personal estate, £8 10s. John Smith, land, £22; faculty, £9; housing, £6; personal estate, €10 10s. Stephen Fairfield, personal estate, £2. Mehetable Dwight, building, £1 5s .; personal estate, £1 10s.

SOCIETIES.

VERNON LODGE, A. F. AND A. M.,

was chartered in the year 1869, as Mount Vernon Lodge, and the first regular communication was held on June 23d of that year. Prior to that time the lodge had worked under a dis- pensation. The year following the word "Mount" was dropped from the name. The charter-members of the lodge were Oscar F. Morse, Joseph M. Towne, Calvin Bridgman, White H. Hawks, Phineas Bridgman, Henry M. Jepson, Samuel W. Longley, Reuben A. White, Joshua G. Longley, William A. Chapin, Levi Arnold, Jason Blackmer, George C. Sandford. The present officers of the lodge are William II. Bridgman, W. M. ; Loman A. Smith, S. W. ; Eugene Bridg- man, J. W. ; William E. Bridgman, Treas. ; E. A. R. Fair- child, Sec. ; S. M. Warren, Chap. ; William F. Carter, Mar. ; E. M. Shaw, S. D .; W. H. Hawks, J. D. ; C. L. Kibbee, S. S .; Calvin Childs, J. S .; D. Winter, I. S. ; Guy C. Allen, T.

Past Masters .- O. F. Morse, 1870; Levi Arnold, 1871-73; W. E. Bridgman, 1874-76; J. M. Towne, 1877.

BANKS.

THE FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' BANK

formerly existed in Belchertown. It first occupied the build- ing where Sheppard Parsons now resides. The building now occupied by William Bridgman was erected by the bank during Gen. Lafayette's visit to this country, and was used by them for banking purposes. The institution lasted about ten years.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

Agriculture has constituted the principal pursuit of the citizens of Belchertown, although some attention has been paid to other branches of industry. The principal of these has been the manufacture of carriages, for which the town has been noted for many years. The first wagon ever made in the town was made the first part of the present century by Mason Abbey, and Harrison Holland "striped" the first wagon painted in that style in the town. The Belchertown Carriage Manufactory existed for a long time on " Federal Street," and was composed of Abbey, Pepper, Holland, and others. Jona- than Bardwell and Simeon, his son, also made wagons and carried on the blacksmithing business at " Bardwell Hollow" half a century ago. Joseph Woods also manufactured them in the same locality. Nehemiah Smith engaged in the manu- facture of wagons near the present high-school about thirty years ago. Stephen Packard, Saul Shumway, Joel Packard, Seth D. Griggs, Humphrey J. Filer, Park Holland, and others have also engaged in the same business, to a greater or less extent. The industry is still the most prominent in the town, the principal manufacturers being Tertius and Samuel D. Cowles, and Maynard Leach.

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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 176

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