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 181
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LAWYERS.
The legal profession is said never to have been represented save by Epaphras Clark, who resided in the west part of the town for a short time, but afterward removed to Enfield, where he practiced for a number of years, and where his descendants still live.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
The town of Granby, with South Hadley, originally formed a part of the town of Hadley, being known as the South or Second Precinct of Hadley. The Second Parish of South Hadley was incorporated in 1762, the division into two parishes being occasioned by difficulties regarding the location of a meeting-house. A meeting-house was ereeted in 1762, in what was afterward known as the " West Parish" of Granby, on a spot near where Levi Smith subsequently resided, and near the south end of a tract of swamp or meadow-land, called by the first settlers " Pitchawamache." The meeting-house was erected on land given by Samuel Moody for that purpose. A deed for the land was given to the town after Mr. Moody's death by his sons Samuel, Thomas Hovey, Reuben, Simeon, and Enos. The deed was dated " the 10th day of July, in the ninth year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domo, 1769.17
The Second Parish of South Hadley was incorporated as the town of Granby, June 11, 1768. Difficulties regarding the boundary lines of Granby and South Hadley have frequently occurred, and have received considerable attention from the Legislature. The line was changed June 12, 1824, June 20, 1826, and June 16, 1827. Part of South Hadley was annexed to Granby, March 6, 1792.
The following persons have filled the principal town and representative offices of Granby :
SELECTMEN.
1769 .- Aaron Naslı, Samuel Moody, John Moody, Waitstill Dickinson, Stephen Warner, Jr.
1770 .- Phinehas Smith, Experience Smith, Eleazer Naslı, Jacob Taylor, Eleazer Warner.
1771 .- Benjamin Eastman, Thomas Hovey Moody, Aaron Nash, Asaph Stebbins, Samnel Vinton.
1772 .- Phinehas Smith, Eleazer Nash, John Moody, Asahel Smith, Israel Clark. 1773 .- Phinehas Smith, Aaron Nash, Benjamin Eastman, Waitstill Dickinson, Timothy Smith.
1774 .- Stephen Warner, Jr., Asahel Smith, John Moody, Samuel Vinton, John Ayres.
1775 .- Phinebas Smith, Stephen Warner, Jr., Israel Clark, Waitstill Dickinson, Ebenezer Burt.
1776 .- John Moody, Eleazer Warner, Benjamin Eastman, David Barton, John Ayres.
1777 .- Reuben Moody, Ebenezer Bartlett, Aaron Ayres, Joseph Lane, Joseplı Dickinson.
1778 .- John Moody, Asahel Smith, Josiah Montague, Jeremiah Chapin, Stephen Warner.
1779 .- Phinchas Smith, Waitstill Dickinson, Benjamin Eastman, John Preston, David Barton.
1780 .- John Moody, Elijah Kent, Israel Clark, Aaron Moody, Samuel Moody. 1781 .- David Barton, John Preston, Reuben Moody, Daniel Rowe, Simon Moody.
1782 .- Stephen Warner, Jr., Jeremiah Chapin, Samuel Vinton, David Church, Ebenezer Bartlett.
1783 .- John Moody, Benjamin Eastman, Samuel Clark, John Preston, Elijah Kent.
1784 .- Josiah Montagne, Experience Smith, Reuben Moody, Eli Dickinson, Daniel Rowe.
1785,-Jolin Moody, Joseph Dickinson, John Preston, Benjamin Eastman, Sam- nel Clark.
1786 .- John Ayres, Perez Cook, Aaron Moody, Josiah Montague, Experience Smith.
1787 .- Benjamin Eastman, John Moody, Phinehas Smith, Joseph Dickinson, John Ayres.
1788 .- Elijah Kent, Samuel Clark, Eli Dickinson, Benjamin Eastman, Perez Cook.
1789 .- Benjamin Eastman, John Moody, Reuben Moody, Nathan Smith, David Barton.
1790 .- Phinchas Smith, Samnel Clark, Benjamin Eastman, Eli Dickinson, Aaron Moody.
1791 .- John Moody, Renben Moody, David Barton, Joseph Dickinson, Eseph Smithi.
1792 .- Phinehas Smith, John Preston, Eli Dickinson, Aaron Moody, Perez Cook. 1793 .- John Moody, Levi Smith, Eleazer Nash, Reuben Moody, Enos Moody.
1794 .- Aaron Moody, John Preston, Phinehas Smith, Perez Cook, Samuel Clarke. 1795 .- John Moody, Eli Dickinson, Levi Smith, Joseph Dickinson, David Barton. 1796 .- Samnel Clark, Phinehas Smith, Oliver Bartlett, Enos Moody, Ithamar Taylor.
1797 .- David Nash, Reuben Moody, Joseph Eastman, Nathan Smith, Jr., David Barton.
1798 .- Asa Smith, Charles Ferry, Jr., Joseph Wett; Phinehas Smith, John Man- deville.
1799 .- David Barton, John Preston, Joseph Eastman, Noah Clark, Gideon Moody. 1800 .- David Smith, John Mandeville, Samuel Kent, Samuel Taylor, Samuel Smith.
1801 .- Samuel Clark, Enos Moody, Phinehas Smith, Israel Clark, William Eastman.
1802 .- Reuben Moody, Asa Smith, David Barton, Levi Smith, Gideon Moody.
1803 .- Joseph Eastman, Eli Dickinson, Charles Ferry, Jr., Phinehas Smith, Samuel Kent.
1804 .- Nathan Smith, Gideon Moody, Noah Clark, Joseph Witt, David Smith. 1805 .- Jotham Clark, Enos Moody, Charles Ferry, Aaron Smith, Nathaniel Nash.
1806 .- Phinehas Smith, Ebenezer Smith, Asa Smith, Gideon Moody, Noah Clark. 1807 .- Eli Dickinson, Samuel Kent, Eleazer Nash, Charles Ferry, Eleazer Ayres. 1808 .- Joseph Mason, Aaron Smith, Joseph Witt, Gideon Moody, William Snow. 1809 .- Eli Dickinson, William Eastman, Charles Ferry, Nathaniel Smith, Jr., David Clark.
1810 .- Aaron Smith, Samuel Clark, William Snow, Joseph Mason, Luther Ferry. 1811 .- Enos Moody, Ebenezer Smith, Samnel Kent, Gideon Mlvody, Christopher Pratt.
1812 .- Aaron Smith, William Eastman, Jotham Clark, Joseph Mason, Nathan Smith.
1813 .- Aaron Smith, Samnel Kent, Gideon Moody, Enos Moody, Eleazer Nash. 1814 .- William Eastman, Jotham Clark, Aaron Smith.
1815,-Jotham Clark, Luther Ferry, Giles Montague, William Eastman, Azor Moody.
1816 .- Jotham Clark, Gideon Moody, Giles Montague, Aaron Smith, Waitstill Dickinson.
1817 .- Jotham Clark, Luther Ferry, Aaron Smith, Giles Montague, William East man.
1818 .- Enos Moody, Aaron Smith, Jeriel Preston, Jotham Clark, Zebina Smitlı. 1819 .- John Stebbins, Aaron Smith, Samuel Ayres, William Snow, John Preston. 1820 .- Joseph Witt, Waitstill Dickinson, Orlando Chapin, Luther Ferry, Elihu Clark.
1821 .- Gideon Moody, Jotham Clark, Eli Warner, Aaron Carver, Levi Taylor. 1822 .- William Snow, Jotham Clark, lieman Stebbins, Alphens Bartlett, Ahner Ferry.
1823 .- Gideon Moody, Waitstill Dickinson, Orlando Chapin, Elihu Clark, Levi Taylor.
1824 .- Gideon Moody, Jotham Clark, Waitstill Dickinson, John Filer, William Carver.
1825 .- Luther Ferry, Orlando Chapin, John Smith (2), Medad Smith, Rodney Ayres. 1826 .- Medad Smith, Chester Ferry, Israel Clark, Jr.
1827 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Abner M. Dickinson, Reuben R. Eastman.
1828 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Samnel Town, Chester Smith.
1829 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Chester Smith, Abner M. Dickinson.
1830 .- Abner M. Dickinson, Rodney Ayres, Harry W. Gridley. 1831 .- Samuel Ayres, Jeriel Preston, William Carver.
1832 .- Harry W. Gridley, Benjamin Witt, Lucius Ferry.
1833 .- Chestor Smith, David Church, Harry W. Gridley.
1834 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Benoni Preston, Samnel Ayres. 1835 .- Rodney Ayres, Wm. B. Dickinson, Chester Smith. 1836 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Jeriel Preston, Park Warner.
1837 .- Reuben R. Eastman, Thomas II. Moody, Perez Cook, Jr.
1838 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Levi Taylor, Chester Ferry. 1839 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Augustns Eastman, Henry A. Dickinson.
1840 .- James M. Barton, Levi Taylor, Henry A. Dickinson.
1841 .- Israel Clark, Jr., Wm. J. Patrick, Lncins Ferry.
1842 .- Win. J. Patrick, Rodney Ayres, James M. Barton. 1843 .- Israel Clark, Jr., James M. Barton, Samuel Smith, Jr.
1844 .- Samuel Smith, Jr., Lucius Ferry, James M. Barton.
1845 .- Rodney Ayres, Levi Taylor, Chester Smith.
1846 .- Henry A. Dickinson, Medad Ferry, Samuel Smith.
1847 .- Israel Clark, Levi Tuylor, Andrew White.
545
HISTORY OF IIAMPSIIIRE COUNTY.
1848,-Israel Clark, Andrew White, Thomas HI. Moody. 1849,-Israel Clark, Levi Taylor, Urbane Carver.
1850 .- James M Barton, Samuel Smith, Cyrus Stebbins. 1851 .- L. S. Nash, Medad Ferry, Park Warner. 1852 .- Lucius Ferry, Wm. B. Dickinson, L. S. Nash. 1×53 .- Wm. B. Dickinson, Philo Chapin, Augustus Moody. 1:54 .- Augustus Moody, Langdon Ayres, Frederick Taylor. 1855 .- Benjamin De Witt, Christopher C. Allrich. 1856 .- Albert Moody, Andrew White, Simeon C. Stebbins. 1857 .- James M. Barton, Park Warner, Charles F. Clark. 1858 .- James M. Barton, Israel Clark, C. (. Aldrich. 1859 .- Charles F. Clark, C. C. Aldrich, Wm. A. Smith, 1860 .- Park Warner, Frederick Taylor, Andrew White. 1861 .- Andrew White, Park Warner, l'. D. Barton. 1862 .- Andrew White, William W. Ferry, Simeon C. Stebbins.
1863 .- Simcon C. Stebbins, Francis E. Taylor, James M. Barton. 1864 .- Andrew White, C. C. Ablrich, C. F. Clark.
1865 .- Andrew White, James M. Barton, Frederick K. Taylor. 1866 .- Frederick K. Taylor, E. D. Witt, Charles Clark.
1×67 .- Frederick K. Taylor, E. D. Witt, Newton W. Pease. 1868 .- Philo Chapin, William W. Ferry, John Tilley. 1×69 .- Albert Moody, James H. Barton, George Carver. 1870 .- Charles F. Clark, Samuel M. Cook, James Il. Barton. 1871 .- S. M. Cook, C. F. Clark, Andrew White. 1×72 .- S. M. Cook, A. S. White, J. J. Lyman. 1873 .- A. S. White, J. J. Lyman, S. C. Smith. 1874 .- S. C. Smith, E. J. Aldrich, W. W. Ferry. 1875 .- Andrew White, E. J. Alliich, Dexter Preston. 1876 .- Andrew White, Frederick Taylor, James II. Barton. 1877 .- Frederick Taylor, James H. Barton, Monroe Keith. 1878 .- Spencer Clark, Wm. D. Barton, Chester Kellogg.
TOWN CLERKS.
1769-81, Nathan Smith; 1781-86, Phinehas Smith, Jr .; 1786-89, Renlwen Moody ; 17>9-1811, Simeon Moody ; 1811-Sept. 26, 1825, Charles Ferry ; Sept. 26, 1825-29, Gideon Moody ; 1829-32, William Belcher; 1832-34, Lowman A. Moody ; 1834-40, William Belcher; 1:40, Elisha B. Chapin ; 1841-46, William Belcher: 1846-58, William J. Patrick; 1858-66, Philo Chapin; 1866, D. E. Belcher; 1867-69, Philo Chapin ; 1869-79, Charles S. Ferry.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1774, Josiah Pierce; 1774-75, Phineas Smith; 1777-87, Phinehas Smith ; 1787 -89, Benjamin Eastman; 1796, Elijah Kent; 1797-98, Dr. Enos Smith ; 1800-8, David Smith ; 1809-13, Eli Dickinson ; 1814, David Smith ; 1815, Eli Dickinson ; 1x16 -17, '19, David Smith ; 1820-21, 124, Eli Dickinson; 1825, Charles Ferry ; 1826-27, Enos Smith : 1828-29, William Belcher; 1831-36, Samnel Ayres; 1837, Enos Smith ; 1838, Sammel Ayres; 1839-40, I>42-43, Rev. Eli Moody ; 1844 45, Levi Taylor ; 1848 -49, Charles S. Ferry ; 1850, Encius Ferry ; 1851, Chester Smith ; 1833, Park Warner ; 1858, Lorenzo S. Nash ; 1862, Samuel Smith ; 1867, Philo Chapin ; 1871, Cyrus B. Smith ; 1875, Monroe Keith.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
Near the geographical centre of the town is located Granby Centre, which is the nearest approach to a village in the town. One store with the post-office, the Congregational Church, the town-house, the common, and a few dwelling-houses con- stitute the village. The common included about six acres of land. In 182], John Montague gave to the first parish by deed three acres of land, to serve as the location of a meeting- house and a common. In 1845, Joseph Montague, the only son of John, gave by deed, for the purpose of enlarging the common, an additional piece of land, containing about two acres and a half. In 1840 the first parish built a parsonage directly opposite the meeting-house, at an expense of about $1500. In 184] a building, to be used as a lecture-room and high-school, was erected on the parish common, north of the meeting-house.
In the western part of the town, at the crossing of two roads, is a small hamlet which approaches to the dignity of a village. This was formerly the West parish, and has always been an influential and progressive section of the town.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
Reference is made to the first establishment of education in the town in a later chapter. After the "hireing" of the "school-marsters," in 1774, regular appropriations were made for the support of the schools. In 1785, $23 were thus appro- priated, and the following year it was " voted to divide the town into districts or schools." In 1792, £35 were appropriated ; in 1793, $40; in 1795, £60; in 1796, £65 for schooling and ¿250 for building school-houses. In 1802, $250 were appro- .
priated, and the following year a school committee, consisting of three from cach district, was first chosen. In 1805 the appropriation was $300; in I811, $330; in 1814, $450; in 1845, $750; in 1847, 8850; in 1872, $1500.
At the present time there are eight school districts in the town, besides a grammar school, the latter situated at the centre. The number of pupils in attendance is about 150. The schools are under the control of a committee of three per- sons, one being chosen each year for three years. The present committee consists of S. M. Cook and Dr. C. B. Smith, the third member having removed from the town.
CHURCHES. CONGREGATIONAL.
The long contest which existed between South Hadley and Granby at the time they formed the south or second precinct of Hadley, regarding the location of a meeting-house which should equally accommodate each section, resulted in a divi- sion and the establishment of a separate church organization in Granby.
The original church edifice was erected and the church or- ganized in 1762, and, in October of that year, Rev. Simon Backus, of Norwich, Conn., and a graduate of Yale College in 1759, was settled as the pastor. Mr. Backus continued pastor until March, 1784, when he was dismissed. He was succeeded in February, 1790, by Rev. Benjamin Chapman, of Plainfield, N. H., and a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1784. He was dismissed in January, 1797. Rev. Elijah Gridley, of Berlin, Conn., a graduate of Yale College in 1788, succeeded him in the following May.
In 1820, during the ministry of Mr. Gridley, it became necessary to build a new meeting-house. The eastern part of the town had now increased in importance, and a disagree- ment arose between the two sections regarding the location of the structure. The result was a division of the church and parish, and the erection of two meeting-houses. The eastern part became the first parish, and western, the second parish. A council was called which effected a division of the church also. The East Church comprised 144 members, and the West Church 130. Mr. Gridley, adhering to that portion of the church which was connected with the second parish, was dismissed by the first parish, and retained by the second until his death, which occurred in 1834. Rev. Eli Moody was set- tled as the colleague of Mr. Gridley in 1830.
Rev. Chester Chapin was settled over the East Church and parish in 1822, and dismissed in 1829. Rev. Joseph Knight, who succeeded him, was installed in 1830. In 1836 a project for uniting the two societies was consummated. Most of the members of the west, or second parish, agreed to leave their own place of worship and unite with the first, or east parish, upon the understanding, as the principal condition, that Rev. Eli Moody should be the pastor of the union church and par- ish. This resulted in the dismission of Rev. Mr. Knight the same year (1836). A few members of the second parish re- fused to come into the union arrangement, and retained the property of the parish for a time. The meeting-house was afterward sold and taken down for use elsewhere, and the Jand connected therewith was sold also.
Rev. Eli Moody was installed as pastor of the first parish immediately after the union, in 1836, and dismissed on account of ill health, in 1839. Rev. James Bates succeeded Mr. Moody, and was installed in 1840; he was dismissed in 1851, and died at Granby in 1865. Rev. Henry Mills was ordained pastor Nov. 23, 1854, and dismissed Feb. 24, 1863. He was followed by Rev. Henry S. Kelsey, who was ordained Oct. 28, 1863, and dismissed Oct. 21, 1866. Rev. John P. Cushman was next employed by the parish, without settlement, from January, 1867, to May, 1870. Rev. Rufus Emerson was installed pastor March 1, 1871, and dismissed April 23, 1874. Rev. R. Henry Davis commenced preaching for the parish Jan. 1, 1875, and
69
546
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
was installed pastor Feb. 16, 1875; he terminated his pastoral relations in June, 1878, to engage in missionary work in Japan. The pulpit is at present supplied by Rev. Frank R. Wait. The church is in a prosperous condition, comprising a membership of over 200. The average attendance upon the Sabbath-school is upward of 100; number of volumes in the library, about 400.
No other regular religious organization exists in the town. A small Methodist movement was undertaken in the north part of the town in the year 1850, but never assumed any great strength. A few members of that denomination meet on Sabbath evenings at the school-house in that section of the town, and receive occasional religious instruction from local supplies.
The Second Adventists also meet in the same place on Sab- bath days, and are ministered to by different persons. Their meetings are often quite well attended, although no regular church organization exists.
BURIAL-PLACES.
There are two places of public burial in the town. Of these the oldest is what is known as the " Old Cemetery," situated about a mile west of the centre. As originally laid out it con- tained an acre of land, for which a deed was given to the town by James Smith, July 10, 1769, in consideration of "respect and affection." It was given for the purpose, as expressed in the deed, of " accommodating them with a convenient bury- ing-place for the dead." A child of the first settled minister, Rev. Simon Backus, is said to have been the first interred in the ground.
The North burial-ground contains tombstones of older date than the " Okdl Cemetery."
The stone bearing the most ancient decipherable date, at present standing, is that of John Moody, who died Oct. 6, 1769, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Some of the stones are old, crumbled, and illegible. Some others bear testi- mony to the death of the following persons : " John Chapin, who was killed in the service of his country at Fort Stanwix, by the savages, Oct. 19, 1780, in his twenty-ninth year ;" Ebenezer Bartlett, who died April 17, 1794, aged seventy years ; Deacon John Smith, who died June 17, 1774, in his seventy-sixth year; Benoni Kellogg, who died Jan. 7, 1784, in his thirtieth year ; Thomas Hovey Moody, who died Sept. 8, 1772; Ebenezer Nash, who died May 19, 1775, in his fifty- fifth year ; Nathaniel Ferry, who died July 15, 1794, aged eighty-six; Benjamin Eastman, who died Nov. 28, 1792, in his sixty-seventh year ; William Eastman, who died July 20, 1793, in his seventy-fifth year ; Moses Moody, who died June 13, 1774, aged thirty-seven years ; and others, including some of the earliest and most substantial citizens of the town.
A large addition has recently been made to the ground. It is well fenced, filled with attractive evergreens, and presents a gratifying appearance. It contains five or six acres.
The " North Cemetery" is situated near "School No. 4." It was laid out over one hundred years ago, and contains stones bearing dates as early as 1764. It is not as large as the "Old Cemetery," containing only a little over an acre of ground. It presents a neat appearance, and contains the re- mains of some of the first and most influential residents of Granby. Among the oldest inscriptions are the following : Levi Clark, who died Jan. 14, 1764; Ruth Clark, daughter of Seth, who died June, 1767; Noah Clark, who died Dec. 20, 1789, aged seventy-two.
NOTES FROM THE RECORDS.
A large number of roads were laid out in 1770, the princi- pal one being from the County road, by Stephen Chapin's, across into the " Crank" road, at Jacob Taylor's lot. Pounds are first referred to in 1771, and the same year the subject of education began to receive attention. It was voted that the
sum of £20 be appropriated for schooling, " and to spend it by having school." In 1772 the same sum was appropriated, and the same the year following. In 1774 it was " voted that the £20 above voted for schooling shall be spent in hireing school- marsters."
Oct. 3, 1774, Phinehas Smith was chosen delegate to the "Provincial Congress," to be "holden at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October." May 22, 1775, the town joined with South Hadley in the choice of a delegate to the " Pro- vincial Congress," to be "holden at Watertown on the last Wednesday of May, 1775." Phinehas Smith was the delegate chosen from Granby, and Noah Goodman from South Hadley.
Luther Ferry is said to have brought the first one-horse wagon into Granby, in the early part of the present century. Soon after Charles Ferry purchased one at Belchertown, and dragged it home behind an ox-team, driven by Charles S. Ferry, the present town clerk.
The town voted, Oct. 3, 1776,
" That this town do give their consent that the present House of Representa- tives of this State, together with the Counsel, make or enact a Constitution and form of Government for this State. That this town do direct that the said Con- stitution or Proposed form of Government be made Publick, for their Inspection and perusal before the ratification thereof."
In September, 1779, Phinehas Smith was chosen a delegate to the Cambridge convention. In 1786 it was voted to divide the town into school districts. In 1786, Benjamin Eastman was elected a delegate to a county convention, held at Hat- field, and was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Conven- tion, at Boston, the following year.
In 1790 and '91, and for a few years following, a large number of persons, with their families, were "warned" to leave the town. Judging from the earnestness manifested by the fathers in this labor, they feared depopulation less than pro- spective pauperism.
In 1807 it was " voted to raise ye sum of 60 dollars for ye purpose of encouraging singing ;" also " to choose a commit- tee to see to it that the sum be prudently expended." In No- vember, 1810, the sum of $90 was appropriated for the same purpose. In 1815, 850 was appropriated. The same year the Rev. Elijah Gridley, the pastor of the town at that time, was compelled to pay a fine of $182 for unlawfully uniting two parties in marriage in the adjoining town of Ludlow. The action against him is said to have been animated by malicious motives. The town passed resolutions strongly condemnatory of the proceedings against their minister, and voted an appro- priation of $100 in his behalf.
In 1830 a vote was had upon the question of preparing a pe- tition for presentation to the Legislature, asking annexation to the county of Hampden, and was lost by 21 to 19.
The town appropriations for the year 1878 were $700 for the support of the poor ; $1500 for the support of schools ; $700 for highways ; and $500 for contingent expenses.
The following extract from the town records is worthy of note, illustrating, as it does, the method of transacting such business in early days, and the remarkable fidelity of the office-holders of the present day, especially under the " fee system," to the recorded precedents of their honored fore- fathers :
" Taken up Damage feasant, by William Negus, Hog-Reeve, a white barrow Hog or Swine, about one year old, marked with a crop of the left year and a slit in the end of the sune ear. The swine above described was taken up on the twelfth Day of July, 1771, and was posted in this Town as the Law Directs, and Entered with the Town Clerk on the 13th day of July, 1771, then sold by two men under oath, in manner as the Law Directs. The Swine above described was sold for £0 15s. Od. The bill of Cust for Takeing up and Keeping and Make- ing Sale of the Swine above described is as follows, vix. : The Hog-Reeve's Bill for Takeing up and Posting, £0 78. 7d. Of. Ebenezer Dawin's bill for Keeping the log for Sale, £0 4s. 9d. 2f. Samuel Warner's and Doct. Vinton's Bill for making Sale of the Hog, 60 1s. 9d. 2f. Town Clerk's Bill for entering and Give- ing outh to the men to make Sale of the Hog as the Law Directs, and Recording En Os, Ind. Of.
""Test : NATHAN SMITH, ToIn ('lerk."
The father of this gentleman was the Rev. Elijah Gridley, who was born at Farmington, Conn., March 27, 1760, and graduated from Yale College in 1788, and in 1789 settled as pastor of the Congregational Church in Mansfield, Conn. In 1797 he was installed as pastor of the Congregational Church in Granby, Mass. He died there June 10, 1834, aged seventy-four. He married, April 29, 1789, Ruth White, daughter of Hon. Ebenezer White, of Chatham (now Portland), Conn. Mrs. Gridley was born Nov. 11, 1767, and died May 13, 1851, aged eighty-three.
There were nine children, two only of whom survive,- Deacon H. W. Gridley, of Ottawa, Ill., and Addison Gridley, of Granby, Mass.
The Rev. Elijah Gridley served the church in Granby for nearly forty years. The following letter from Mr. Cook, who was for many years one of his officiating deacons, will give a better insight into his character, as well as some ilea of the esteem in which he was held, than any words of ours :
" I take much pleasure in sending you some reminiscences
of your honored father's character as ininister and friend for thirty years. I can, of course, select but few of the more prominent of his endearing qualities. His address was in every respect that of the accomplished gentleman of the 'old school,'-frank, cordial, and familiar, with a natural and graceful dignity. His acquaintance with human nature was profound and extensive. His energy and decision of character were prompt and efficient. In discipline, his church was seldom the scene of discord and dissension.
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