History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 186

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 186

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).

Peleg Aldrich was born in New Salem, and settled in Pres- cott in the early part of the present century, where Wales Aldrich now lives. His sons, B. Whitman Aldrich and Wales Aldrich, still reside in town.

Jotham, Levi, and Amasa Leach also settled early, and lived on the Daniel K. Vaughan farm.

Buenos Ayres came to Prescott at an early date, and lived on the C. H. Gray farm. A Mr. Wright, father of Gad and Gaius Wright, also settled early, and lived where Madison Peirce now resides.

James Hathaway lived where Nelson Whittaker now resides, in the early part of the present century, and was a farmer. Roswell Jennings, from Middlebury, lived on the present David F. Peirce farm, about the same period; also John Atehinson, in " Atehinson Hollow," who also had one of the first four-wheeled wagons in town.

Jacob Sampson lived where J. N. Shaw's barn now stands, in the last part of the last century, and removed, in 1826, to Stamford, Vt. About the same period Timothy Upton, father of Samuel, Timothy, and Isaac, lived where David B. Law- less now lives.

Paul Haskins was one of the first settlers, and lived where L. H. Gaylord now resides. A number of his descendants still live in the town. Shadrack Haskins, also one of the first settlers, lived where G. L. Johnson now resides. Luke Has- kins was here early, and settled where Uzziel Haskins now resides. His father, Joseph, lived where Elder Jones now resides.

Sylvester Titus came from Middlebury, and settled early where Algernon Peirce now lives. His son, Lucian, is still living in the town, at an advanced age.

Nathaniel Fish, also from Middlebury, settled at an early date where John Abbott now resides, and is also said to have had one of the first four-wheeled wagons ever used in the town. His descendants are still residents.

Amos Thomas was one of the first settlers, and lived where Eli W. Chapin now resides. John Lawless settled in the last part of the last century, and lived where Ira Alden now resides. Andrew Newhall settled in the north part of the town early, and lived where Ellis White now resides.

Barna Brigham was also an early and prominent settler, and lived on Prescott Hill, where Edwin Paige now resides. He was a justice of the peace, and in that capacity married a great many people; was also one of the agents appointed to procure the incorporation of the town.

Nymphas Stacy lived a little south of where John Woods now lives, in the last part of the last century, and was one of the first settlers. Jacob Gibbs also lived where Leonard Lin- coln now lives, at an early day.

Moses Gray lived where George Allen now lives, as early as 1800. Simon Stockwell lived about the same time where W. C. Aldrich now resides.

The Eddy family settled at a very early day on the present Berry farm. The old house which they occupied was after- ward moved to Prescott Ilill, and occupied by John Atchin- son. An old cellar marks its site.

Eden Briggs settled very early on the present farm of J. H. King, and Stephen Powers, at an early day, where Jason Pow- ers now lives.

Nathan Vaughan came from Middlebury in the latter years of the last century, and settled near B. Franklin Vaughan's. His son Josiah was born about 1794, and lived on the place now owned by John Wood. He died at an advanced age. Ilis descendants still reside in the town.

James and Shipman Shaw came from Middlebury, and set- tled, Shipman where Varnum E. Vaughan now lives, and James where Addison D. Thayer now lives.

Thomas Vaughan came early, and settled where Samuel Thrasher now lives. David Sloan located where Dr. George H. Lee afterward lived.

Amos Blackmer settled in Prescott about 1810, and located on the Daniel Gray farm. He died in 1820. Ilis sons, Dan- iel and Peter, are still residents.

David Hunt was born in Worcester, and went from Heath to New Salem about 1808, and settled near the present Pres- cott line. Ile had three sons and a daughter, who reached maturity,-Samuel, Luther, Lorena, and Horace. Samuel lived in Preseott, where the " poor-farm" now is, at an early date, and now resides in Athol, at the advanced age of ninety years. Luther and Lorena remained in New Salem, and the latter now lives at Holly, N. Y. Horace was born Jan. 15, 1801, in New Salem, and resided there for thirty-six years. He lived in Prescott for nine years, engaging in store-keeping, and finally removed to New Salem, but retained his store in Prescott, and carried on business there for many years. He now resides in Enfield, and has attained a ripe old age.

Abel Gilbert came from Brookfield, and settled where Ilenry Grover now lives, about 1818-20.

TAVERNS.

Of the early taverns that have been kept in the town, men- tion may be made of a few. Probably the first was kept by William Conkey, in the old " Milo Abbott house," which is still standing near " Bobbinville." It was during the Revolu- tionary war and the Shays insurrection, and the latter com- mander, then a resident of that part of Pelham (now in the town of Prescott), is said to have mustered his first recruits at this ancient inn. The house was conveniently fitted for the purposes for which it was used, being two stories high, with capacious apartments, and has doubtless been the scene of many convivial gatherings.

Tradition says that another early inn was kept where the Congregational parsonage now stands, but by whom or at what date we are not informed. One of the first that existed in the north part of the town was kept by Capt. Jacob Samp- son, where J. N. Shaw's barn now stands. Nathan Felton kept one for a good many years, in the first part of the present century, where L. S. Johnson now lives, on Prescott Hill. He was succeeded by a Mr. Hinds and Charles Scott.

About the same time Joseph Warren Hamilton kept a tavern on the hill, where Edwin Page now lives, and was succeeded for a short time by Noble Weeks.

The tavern kept longest in the town was one by John Atchin- son, at " Atchinson IFollow," where Cheney Abbott afterward lived. He commenced soon after the incorporation of the

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

town, and continued for many years. There is none now in town.

STORES.

The first stores were probably little better than trading- posts, no regular stocks being kept constantly. As the popu- lation and the necessities of the people increased, the more dignified " country store" sprang into existence. One of the first of these was by Peleg Canada, in the last part of the last century, near the present residence of Edwin Paige. Isaac Conkey kept one there some time after, then Joseph Warren Hamilton, and Hamilton & Brigham.

Robert and Samuel Crossett had a store in the " old Henry place," in the first part of the present century, and were sue- ceeded by Samuel Henry, who kept it many years.

Stacy Lindsey had a store on Prescott Hill prior to the year 1820, and was succeeded by the firm of Brigham & Lindsey, who traded many years. Joseph Hodgkins came next, trad- ing several years, and was succeeded by Charles Hodgkins, he by W. E. Johnson (now of Enfield), and he by Liberty Cros- sett, the present proprietor, in 1868.

John Atchinson had a store in the Cheney Abbott house, at the " Hollow," about 1823-24, and kept it a number of years. Allen Beaman also had one in Aldrich Hall, at the " Hollow," about 1852, and was succeeded by Eliakim Hill, Enos S. Rich- ardson, and J. W. Adams.

At North Prescott, Elbridge Shaw had a store about 1830, and was succeeded by Alpheus Thomas, he by Thomas & Partridge, they by Thomas alone, and he by Frank Sampson until 1877, when L. K. Baker, the present proprietor, came in.

Horace Hunt erected and opened a store in 1837, about a mile west of North Prescott, and kept it until 1869.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the physicians who have practiced, the first was Dr. Nehemiah Hinds, as early as 1786, and into the present cen- tury. He erected, and for a long time occupied, the red house that stands opposite the store of Liberty Crossett, on Prescott HIill. His son Leonard practiced with him for a while, and continued after his death. A contemporary of Dr. Hinds was Dr. Isaac Powers, who lived in " Mellen Hollow."

Dr. Ilubbard Vaughan was next in practice, and lived about the year 1819 where Joseph Stone now lives.

Dr. George II. Lee practiced about 1826, for a period of ten years, and lived south of the centre. He was a man of influ- ence, and filled various positions of trust. Dr. David Hale practiced about 1855 for a short time, and was the last regular physician who resided in the town. Physicians from New Salem and other towns have often supplied the town.

MEN OF DISTINCTION.

Among the men of distinction which Prescott has produced are Judge Peleg Aldrich, of the Superior Court of Massachu- setts, who was born here, and Ilon. E. A. Thomas, also a native, who served in both branches of the Legislature with distinction. His brother, Rev. Chauncey Boardman Thomas, another native, is a church pastor in Vermont.

THE CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

dates from Jan. 28, 1822, when a tract of land about three miles long was taken off the south part of New Salem and added to the east parish of Pelham, and incorporated as the town of Prescott. The boundaries were described as follows :

" Beginning on the west line of New Salem, at the southwest corner of the lot No. 23, in the third division, now owned by Samnel Wood; from thence run- ning east by the south line of that lot and the south line of Ebenezer and David C. Vaughan's farm to the southwest corner of David and Luther Hunt's farm ; thence vastwardly on the line between said farm and Samuel H. Hunt's land, and on the south line of William Walker's land and the south line of the farm now occupied by Winslow l'ackard to the west line of Nathaniel Bangs' farm; thence southwardly and castwardly by his line to Amos Martin's west line; thenre south and east by the west and south line of his farm to the west line of the farm lately owned by Ebenezer Lincoln (now owned by Nymphas Stacy);

thence southwardly by the west line thereof to the southwest corner; thence castwardly on the south line nntil it comes to the highway that runs eastwardly on the south side of said farm; thence along the middle of said highway east- wardly and southwardly to the southwest corner of land owned by Varney Pearce ; thence east on the south line to the southeast corner; thence north to the southwest corner of the lot on which Samuel Linzie now lives; thence east on the south line of that lot and on the south line of the lot on which Rufus Stacy lives to the east line of New Salem; then south and west, following the line of New Salem to the northeast corner of Pelham until it comes to the stream called the west branch of Swift River, being the line between the two parishes in l'elham; thence northwarilly along the middle of said stream to the first- mentioned boundary ou the west line of New Salem."

The name Prescott was conferred in honor of Col. William Prescott, of Peperell, who commanded the American forces at the battle of Bunker Hill.

The warrant for the first town-meeting was issued by Barna Brigham, a justice of the peace, Feb. 13, 1822, in compliance with the written request of Samuel Henry, Caleb Peirce, Nathan Felton, Abel Gilbert, Josiah Heminway, Proctor Peirce, Charles Staples, Stacy Lindsey, Chester Gray, Brigham Mills, and Joseph Hodgkins.

The meeting duly convened at the meeting-house March 4, 1822. Josiah Peirce was chosen moderator, and Chester Gray clerk. Barna Brigham, Caleb Peirce, and Nymphas Stacy were chosen selectmen, and Moses Gray, Henry Haskins, and Josiah Peirce assessors. At an adjourned meeting, held April Ist, minor officers were chosen.

The following persons have filled the principal town offices, and served as representatives in the General Court :

SELECTMEN.

1822-23 .- Barna Brigham, Caleb Peirce, Nymphas Stacy.

1824 .- Caleb Peirce, Josiah Peirce, Jacob Gibbs. 1825 .- Caleb Peirce, Moses Gray, Henry Haskins.

1826-28 .- Nathan Felton, Samuel Henry, Josiah Miller.

1820 .- Stephen Snow, Henry Haskins, Jacob Gibbs. 1830 .- James Crossett, Jacob Gibbs, Henry Haskins. 1831 .- James Crossett, Danforth Abbott, Thomas Conkey.

1832-34 .- Danforth Abbott, Jacob Gibbs, Nathan Felton. 1835-37 .- Roswell Allen, Joel Fish, Thomas Conkey. 1838 .- Javob Gibbs. Andrew Newhall, Elisha Haskins. 1839,-Joel Fish, David Mellen, Nathan Vaughan. 1840 .- Joel Fish, John Gilbert, Josiah Miller. 1841 .- Juel Fish, John Gilbert, Alphens Thomas. 1842 .- John Gilbert, Nathan Vanghan, Thomas Conkey. 1843-44 .- Roswell Allen, Christopher Paige, Ansel Oaks. 1845 .- Andrew Hyde, Alfred W. Gray, Ellis Thayer. 1846 .- Andrew Hyde, Eli W. Chapin, Josiah Heminway. 1847 .- Eli W. Chapin, Ansel Oaks, Solomon Sibley.

1848 .- Josiah Miller, Alonzo W. Freeman, Davil Lincoln.

1840 .- David Lincoln, Josiah Heminway, Jr., Jason M. Hanson. 1850-51 .- Andrew Byde, James W. Hunt, Ansel Oaks. 1852 .- Andrew Hyde, James W. Hunt, Joseph P. Vaughan. 1853 .- James W. Hunt, Alonzo W. Hunt, Ellis Thayer. 1834 .- Ellis Thayer, James W. Hunt, Alonzo W. Freeman. 1855 .- Alonzo W. Freeman, Ellis Thayer, Edward S. Estey. 1856 .- J. W. Hunt, Cheney Abbott, Liberty Crossett. 1857 .- Joel Fish, Christopher Paige, E. A. Thomas. 1858-59,-Joel Fish, E. A. Thomas, A. W. Freeman. 1860 .- Eli W. Chapin, Roswell II. Allen, Joseph P. Vaughan. 18G1 .- Eli W. Chapin, R. H. Allen, E. A. Thomas. 1862 .- William II. Winter, J. M. Piper, C. II. Gray. 1863-66 .- William H. Winter, F. B. Paige, C. Il. Gray. 1867 .- C. 11. Gray, F. B. Paige, O. J. Powers, 1868 .- Eli W. Chapin, Lucian Titus, Leonard Lincoln. 1869-70 .- Eli W. Chapin, Lucian Titus, J. D. Barnes. 1871 .- ('. 11. Gray, V. V. Vanghan, L. S. Johnson. 1872 .- V. V. Vanghan, J. M. Harrington, Nelson Whitaker. 1873-74 .- C. II. Gray, M. W. Abbott, George L. Johnson. 1875 .- J. M. Harington, G. M. Webber, E. Goodman. 1876 .- C. H. Gray, G. L. Johnson, L. S. Johnson. 1877 .- Warren M. Aldrich, H. N. Grover, L. 11. Gaylord. 1878 .- L. H. Gray, L. S. Johnson, V. V. Vaughan.

TOWN-CLERKS.

1822, Chester Gray : 1824, Josiah Peirce; 1827, Chester Gray ; 1828, George II. Lee ; 1829, David Mellen: 1833, Simon Stockwell; 1838, Samuel Henry ; 1841, Alfred W. Gray; 1:46, Davil Mellen; 1849, Alpheus Thomas; 1850, Samuel Henry; 1855, E. S. Haskins; 1868, H. B. Hodgkins; 1869, Fred. N. Peirce.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1824, Josiah Peirce; 1829-30, Samuel Heury; 1831, Simon Stockwell; 1832, James Crossett ; 1833-34, Danforth Abbott; 1835-3G, David Mellen; 1837, Samuel

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Henry ; 1838-39, Roswell Allen ; 1840, Joseph Hodgkins; 1842-43, B. W. Aldrich ; 1847-48, Andrew Ilyde; 1850, Rev. Nelson B. Jones ; 1851, Liberty Crossett ; 1852, Lucian Titus; 1854, Wm. II. Winter; 1858, L. Crossett; 1872, Wales Aldrich.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. PRESCOTT POST-OFFICE

is situated on what was known as the "East Ilill" of Pel- ham. ITere was the centre of the cast parish of Pelham, where was located the first meeting-house within the present limits of Prescott. The village consists of a few dwellings, the Congregational Church and parsonage, and a store and post-office. The latter was established about 1822 or 1823, and the first postmaster was Barna Brigham. He was followed in turn by Stacy Lindsey, Dexter N. Richards, Chas. Hodgkins, W. E. Johnson, and Liberty Crossett, the present incumbent, who was appointed in 1868.

' NORTH PRESCOTT POST-OFFICE

is situated in the north part of the town, and lies partly within the limits of Prescott and partly in New Salem. It consists of a Methodist Church and parsonage (which are in New Salem), a Baptist Church, which has been recently devoted to trading purposes, a store and post-office, and several dwell- ings. The post-office was established in 1844 or 1845, and Horace Hunt was the first postmaster, and kept the office for a number of years in his store, which stood about a mile west of North Prescott. He was succeeded for a short time by S. L. Haskins, and subsequently held the office again. It was finally removed to North Prescott, and E. A. Thomas became postmaster, and was followed by Frank Sampson and L. K. Baker, the present appointee.

ATCHINSON HOLLOW is a hamlet in the northwest part of the town, of some importance. It consists now of a few dwellings only, but in times past has been the seat of a tavern and several stores.

THE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

of the town were for a time identified with those of the mother- towns, and reference is made to those towns for much of in- terest relating to the early schools of Prescott. The first school- house built in the town was probably in 1754, in accordance with a vote passed at that date. Its location was on " East Hill," now Prescott Hill. School had been kept as early as the year 1746, at the dwelling of Alexander Conkey, near " Bobbin ville."

Another early school-house stood about where School No. 1 now stands, early in the present century. It was destroyed by fire sixty years ago. Some of the carly teachers were Caleb Peirce, Tristram Aldrich, James Kellogg, Josiah Peirce, James Ballard, Polly Smith, and Polly Hathaway, the latter of whom is said to have taught ex-President Franklin Pierce his A, B, C's.

At the present time there are five school districts, and the old " district system" is yet in vogue. The whole is under the control of a committee of three, one of whom is elected annually for three years. The number of scholars in attend- ance is about 100, and the amount of the last annual appro- priation was $500.

CHURCHES. CONGREGATIONAL.

The inhabitants of the south part of the town were con- nected with the Established Church at Pelham Heights for a long time after the first settlement, and those in the north part worshiped with the New Salem church. But the great distance which the people were compelled to go to attend di- vine worship induced a division, and on June 28, 1786, the eastern part of Pelham, with a portion of New Salem, was incorporated as the east parish of Pelbam.

A church was organized soon after and a meeting-house erected, but the records are meagre. The articles of faith of

the new church were first signed by Moses Gray, John Lind- sey, Aaron Gray, Patrick MeMillen, Daniel Gray, John Hamilton, Alexander Berry, William Berry, James C. Me- Millen, John MeMillen, and Thomas McMillen. Other men- bers of the church, a little later, were Isane Baker, Jeremiah Gray, James Lindsey, William Lindsey, Joel Gray, Israel Crossett, and their respective families.

The first regular minister was Rev. Matthias Cazier, a grad- uate of Princeton College in 1785. He was installed March 23, 1794. Prior to that time the church had been ministered to by supplies, and by the pastors of the west parish of Pel- ham. On the date of the installation of Mr. Cazier, a protest against the same was presented to the council by William Conkey, Minonder Conkey, William Cowan, Thomas Con- - key, Joseph Aiken, Daniel C. Gray, Joel Conkey, and Samuel Sloan, the reasons assigned being " want of acquaintance, dif- ference of religious sentiment, and lordly ways." Mr. Cazier seems to have had a stormy time, for on June 22, 1795, charges were preferred against him by Dr. Nehemiah Hinds for un- truthfulness and profanity, the latter consisting in his saying that, under certain circumstances, he would say, as another man did, "O Lord ! damn such damnable doctrines." After some years of controversy, Mr. Cazier was dismissed by council on March 14, 1798.

The second pastor of the church is said to have been Rev. Sebastian C. Cabot, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1797, but the records do not indicate either the date of his installa- tion or dismissal.

About this period for some years the society remained in- active. It was not revived until after the incorporation of the town, when a new church was formed at the house of Chris- topher Paige on Jan. 15, 1823, the first deacon being John Sears.

No minister was settled for several years after the reorgani- zation. Rev. Ebenezer Brown, of Brimfield, Mass., was the first pastor of the revived church. He was a graduate of Yale College, in the class of 1813, was installed Oct. 17, 1827, and dismissed by council March 25, 1835. During his minis- try an extensive revival occurred, and the church was greatly enlarged. ITis successor was Rev. Job Cushman, who was installed Oct. 28, 1835, and dismissed Oct. 1, 1839. At the same time his successor, Rev. Francis Wood, was installed, and was dismissed by council March 8, 1848. The church then remained several years without a pastor.

Rev. Solomon B. Gilbert was next installed, Feb. 23, 1853, and dismissed by council Jan. 25, 1854. The next pastor was Rev. David Baneroft, who commenced his labors Jan. 1, 1858, and, after a long, faithful, and popular ministry, died " in harness," March 11, 1875. The present pastor is Rev. T. S. Norton, who commenced preaching regularly July 1, 1875, and has been employed for stated periods since. The present membership is 49; of the Sabbath-school, about 50; number of volumes in library, several hundred ; superintendent of Sabbath-school, L. S. Johnson.

The original meeting-house was used on its first site for many years, and was afterward moved to the location of the present one. It was taken down and the present edifice erected in the spring of 1848, and dedicated in June following.

BAPTIST.

This denomination was first established Jan. 24, 1772, when a society was formed about the same time. They erected a church edifice opposite the " cemetery on the hill," in the north part of the town. This building was taken down carly in the present century and removed to New Salem, near the town-line, and about sixty rods north of the late location of the Baptist Church. It was taken down about 1834-35, and another one erected on the border between the two towns, and called the " New Baptist Church." The building is now de- voted to mercantile uses.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The society disappeared as an organization in 1876. The first pastor was Ebenezer Smith. Others have been Rev. Samuel Bigelow, Josiah Orcutt, Joel Butler, Paul Davis, Calvin Orcutt, Asa Niles, Stephen S. Nelson, Thomas Rand, - Dwyer, George Daland, John Shepardson, Alden B. Eggleston, Elijah Fish, - Baker, and the regular pastor, Wm. A. Worthington, who officiated about 1863.

THE METHODISTS

worship with those of New Salem. The meeting-house is within the borders of the latter town. The church was formed in the year 1829.

UNITED BRETHREN.

This denomination was established in the east part of the town about 1855-56, and held meetings in the meeting-house that had been erected there about 1838 by Jason Powers, and in which occasional Methodist services had been held.

A church was organized, and flourished until 1865 or '66. Of the pastors and preachers there have been D. S. Caldwell, who officiated for about two years, and a Mr. Briggs.

BURIAL-PLACES

The oldest burial-place is situated in the west part of the town, near " Bobbinville," is still in a good state of preserva- tion, and contains the remains of many of the earliest settlers. It was laid out in 1744, in conformity to a vote passed on April 26th of that year, to the following effect :

"Voted that there be one acre of land Fenced With a Good Stone Wall, and also that Robert l'ebels, Samuel Gray, and Robert Lothridge over see ye Build- ing of ye sd Wall att their own Charge."

That vote was rescinded, and in its place it was

" Voted yt ye Buring Place he fenced With Good five Rail fence, ye Reals ten fertt Longe, and twelve Lengths to Each Quarter."

This was probably the first fence put around the yard, and was built by John Conkey for £5 10s.

Among the tombstones are those of John MeCrelis, died 1767; William Conkey, Nov. 5, 1788, aged seventy years ; Margaret Taylor, 1781; John Conkey, April 15, 1784, in his seventy- sixth year ; James Berry, 1782, in his sixty-seventh year, a " ruling elder ;" Joshua Conkey, son of Capt. John Conkey, April 12, 1790; Robert Maklem, Oet. 5, 1780, in his sixty- seventh year; Andrew Maklem, Sept. 25, 1783, in his eightieth year; James Peebles, March 6, 1787; and Capt. Isaac Gray, Sept. 9, 1786.

To the left of the principal entrance is interred the Rev. David Bancroft, one of the pastors of the Congregational Church. Ilis monument bears the following inscription :

" REV. DAVID BANCROFT, for twenty years pastor of Cong'l church in Willing- ton, Conn., and of the Cong'l church in Prescott for sixteen years.

" Born Fell'y 10, 1809. Died Mar. 11, 1875.

"'A workman that needeth not to be ashamed.'-II Tim. ii. 15."

The next ground in point of age lies on the hill above the mill of Eli W. Chapin, in the north part of the town. It was probably first used by the Baptists when they established them- selves near that point, in 1772. It now comprises about an acre and a half of land, and contains but few stones, of which the oldest are those of Silas Haskins, died 1788; Jacob Trask, 1794; and Joseph Packard, Oct. 25, 1800, in his seventy-third year.

The burying-ground in the rear of the town-house, com- prising about one and a quarter aeres, was laid out about 1838 or 1839, and is still in use. The first person buried there was Eliza Ann Titus, who died March 4, 1840.

The ground near the brick meeting-house contains about an acre, and was accepted by the town, April 5, 1847.

NOTES.

After the incorporation of the town, a long contest ensued between the north and the south parts in relation to the proper place for holding town-meetings. In 1826 it was voted to hold one-half of the town-meetings at "the hall of John

Atchinson, innholder, in Prescott." In 1833 a committee of non-residents was chosen to find the town centre, and to lo- cate the place for the erection of a town-house. The com- mittee found the centre " to be Rounceville Peirce's land, about twenty rods east of the town road that leads by Moses Gray's, and about twenty rods north of the line formerly be- tween New Salem and Pelham," and as the proper place for the location of a town-house, " at the guide-post at the corner of the road north of John Berry's, on the north side of the road leading to New Salem." The report of the committee was not adopted, but after a few years of controversy the present neat town-house was ereeted in the fall of 1838. In 1846, John Atchinson presented the hearse-house to the town. " The " poor-farm" was purchased about 1863 of Euclid Owen for $1800. It is situated in the north part of the town.

The oldest houses now standing in the town are those of Jason Powers, the Milo . Abbott house (old Conkey place), Nathan Vaughan house, and the poor-farm house (early oc- eupied by Gilbert Dean). The oldest persons living are Betsey Vaughan, aged ninety-five ; Widow John Thrasher, aged ninety ; John P. Peirce, over eighty-two years of age ; Ap- pleton Peirce (No. 1), aged eighty-two; B. Whitman Aldrich, aged eighty-one; and Appleton Peirce (2d), aged seventy-six.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

The principal occupation of the inhabitants of the town has been agriculture. Various pursuits of a mechanical and man- ufacturing nature have, however, been followed from time to time.

John Hoar had one of the first saw-mills on the Swift River, two miles north of " Bobbinville," and a grist-mill stood where Joseph N. Shaw's blacksmith shop now stands, run by Amos Thomas, at a very early day. Josiah Heminway also had one of the first mills, south of where Uzziel Haskins now lives. A man named Cannon also had a grist-mill in the east part of the town, the last part of last century, and Asa Moore manufactured batting in the grist-mill. Dexter and David Hathaway manufactured carriages early in the present een- tury, near where Nelson Whittaker now lives. Gregory Ellis and Sanniel White also engaged in cloth-dressing about the same time where Joseph N. Shaw's blacksmith shop now is.

About 1826, Heminway & White erected a grist-mill in the north part of the town, and operated it many years. Eli W. Chapin succeeded to the business for several years, then Asa Moore, James Fitz, Alonzo Percival, and finally Moore again.

Pomeroy Peirce built the saw-mill now owned and run by Eli W. Chapin, in the north part of the town, about 1828, and ran it until his death, in 1855. The proprietors sinee have been Alden Peirce, his son, the widow Pomeroy Peirce (run by Wm. H. Winter), and Mr. Chapin, who has run it for upward of ten years.

In 1836, Appleton Peirce (2d) and Madison Peirce estab- lished a saw-mill opposite the present residence of the former, and ran it together until 1848, since which time it has been operated by Peirce & Son, Fred. N. Peirce, the present town elerk, having joined his father, Appleton (2d), in the enter- prise. In 1864 a circular saw was placed in the mill, and it now turns out 100,000 feet of lumber annually.

A number of other enterprises also exist. Theodore F. Cook has a saw-mill at " Pelham Hollow," which was erected in 1878 to supply the place of one destroyed by fire in the same year. F. B. Paige is successfully engaged in making vinegar on an extensive scale in the south part of the town. A cheese-factory also exists in that section which has been in operation for ten years. In the east part of the town are Bar- row's Mills, owned by Mr. Osgood, who has a grist-mill and soap-stone factory. A new mill was erected in 1878. In the same part of the town Foster Brown has a saw- and planing- mill, and is engaged in making boxes of various kinds. Bailey & Goodman are engaged in quarrying granite.

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

THE MILITARY RECORD

of Preseott, as a distinct town, comprehends but few of the early wars. Of those who went to the Revolutionary war may be mentioned Alexander Conkey, Capt. Isaae Gray, Joel Gray, David Peirce, John Atchinson, Stephen Powers, and Jesse Aldrich (who served at Ticonderoga).

With the Shays rebellion the people of the town are said to have been in sympathy, and many of them participated in the insurrection. Jacob Sampson was one of the principal of these. At the time of the uprising Daniel Shays, the recog- nized leader of the movement, lived within the present limits of the town, occupying the house where Ansel Johnson now lives. Here the first councils were held, and the first troops were mustered at the inn of William Conkey, near " Bobbin- ville," now best known as the " Milo Abbott house."

To the war of 1812 there went from the present territory of Prescott, Jno. T. Conkey, Samuel Sampson, Caleb Peirce, Isaac Upton, Andrew Newhall, Chester Gregg, Levi Davis ;

and Samnel and Luther Hunt from New Salem, near the Prescott line.

In the late Rebellion the town made a distinet and credita- ble record, promptly furnishing men and means. The follow- ing persons served in the army :

Lucian M. Titus, Dexter M. Vaughan, Daniel Lombard, John Abbott, F. William Fawcett, Henry S. Uptou, John W. Upton, William A. Stockwell, Collis W. Vaughan, Farnman Lindsey, James P'. Little, William E. C'aswell, Hexter Oaks, Isaac Powers, William H. Oaks, Alphonso Oaks, Whitman A. Aldrich, Horace Lindsey, Henry A. Peirce, Simon M. Stockwell, David J. Oaks, Marcus E. Vaughan, Jason B. Cowan, Jumes J. Woodard, William Akers, Henry 0. Oaks, Martin S. Vaughan, Lyman Gibbs, Augustus U'pton, Lovi G. Osborn, Darbey Fakey, Lawrence McCarthy, Frederick Clapp, Charles Sannz, Merrick C. Bliss, Simon Gilbert, Orin S. Oaks, William T. Upton, J. E. Smitherly, Charles F. Warner, William M. Tourtelott, George H. U'pt- ton, Almon A. Powers, Forest E. Hanson, Oscar A. Titus, James P. Little.

For assistance rendered, the writer desires to return thanks to Appleton Pieree, first and second, B. Whitman Aldrich, Horace Hunt, John Berry, D. G. Blackmer, F. N. Peirce, Liberty Crossett, John W. Vaughan, and other citizens.

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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 186

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