History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 55

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 55

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This town has sent three representatives to the United States Senate, and gave Massachusetts one of the purest Governors of the many noble statesmen who have occupied the gubernatorial chair,-lloN. CALEB STRONG. He was born in Northampton, Jan. 9, 1745. He graduated at Harvard in 1764, and began the study of the law with that able counselor Maj. Joseph llawley. He early manifested an interest in public matters, and in 1774 represented the town in the Pro- vincial Congress. From this period his life was passed chiefly in the public service. In 1776 he received the appointment of county attorney, which office he held twenty-four years. Ile represented the town at the convention ealled to adopt a constitution, and was on the committee appointed to submit a plan. Ile was a member of the Council in 1780, and was also appointed a delegate to Congress. The latter office he declined. At the framing of the Constitution in 1787 he was a delegate, and in the following year was elected to the United States Senate. lle was re-elected in 1793, but resigned before the expiration of his term of office.

In 1800 he was elected Governor of Massachusetts, and in seven or eight towns about Northampton not one vote was polled against him. He was re-elected in 1811, and after four years of office withdrew permanently from public life. Ile died here Nov. 7, 1819, aged seventy-four.

COL. JOHN STODDARD was the son of Rev. Solomon Stod- dard, and was born in 1682. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1701, and for a number of years after took no prominent part in public life. In 1713, however, he was sent on public business to Quebec, and from this time forward was an ae- knowledged power in the affairs of Western Massachusetts. During his long career he never stooped to the tricks which so often then, as well as now, marked the course of many poli- ticians, but his talents shone resplendent in important af- fairs.

Ile ever commanded the respect of the foremost men of that day in the State, and with Maj. John Pynchon, of Springfield, and Samuel Partridge, of Hatfield, formed the trio " which ruled or led Western Massachusetts through a century of its history." President Edwards, speaking of him, said, " Upon the whole, everything in him was great, and perhaps there was never a man in New England to whom the denomination of a great man did more properly belong." He died in Boston, June 19, 1748, aged sixty-six.

ISAAC C. BATES .- Among the prominent citizens of North- 23

ampton none occupied a more prominent position in the eoun- cils of the nation than the subject of this sketch.

Isaac C. Bates, son of Col. Jacob Bates and Ruth Robinson Bates, was born at Granville, Mass., Jan. 23, 1779, and was prepared for college by Rev. Timothy M. Cooley, M.D., of East Granville. lle entered Yale College and took high rank among his associates, and was valedictorian of the class of 1802. He studied law in New York, and subsequently settled in Northampton, and soon took a prominent position at the Bar of the State.

He was active in political matters, and in 1803-9, and once afterward, was a Representative in the Legislature of Massa- chusetts, and in 1817 took his seat in Congress, where he re- mained eight years, and then declined a re-election. Later he was a member of the Governor's Council, and was once a Pres- idential elector. In 1841 he was chosen United States Senator to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. John Davis, who had been elected Governor of the State. At the elose of this term he was re-elected Senator for six years, and while serving this term he died at Washington, March 16, 1845, aged sixty-six years. The morning after his death, amid a large concourse of people, Daniel Webster arose in the Senate Chamber, and pronounced a fitting eulogy upon the life and character of this distinguished citizen. Mr. Bates was a thorough scholar, a sound thinker, a fine writer, and, as an avocate, he ranked among the foremost orators in the Senate.

ELIJAH H. MILLS died in Northampton, May 5, 1829, aged fifty-seven. Ile was a lawyer. Graduated at Williams Col- lege in 1797. In his profession he attained the highest rank as a jurist, and particularly as an advocate, and for many years was professedly at the head of the Bar in the western part of the State. He was for a long period a member of our State Legislature in both branches. During the war of 1812 he was one of the leaders of the Federal party in Massachusetts, and was the author of the address of the House of Representatives to the people of Massachusetts protesting against that measure. Afterward he was repeatedly elected Representative in Con- gress, and served two terms in the Senate of the United States, in which station he remained till his health failed.

Other noted men born in Northampton were Nehemiah Strong, an eminent preacher, born 1730, and died in 1807; Simeon Strong, a celebrated jurist and preacher, born in 1736, died in 1805; Thomas Allen, born in 1743, was a chaplain in the Revolutionary army, died in 1810; Moses Allen, a promi- nent preacher, born in 1748, and died in 1779; Pierpont Ed- wards, a celebrated advocate, born in 1750, and died in 1826; Solomon Allen, a preacher, born in 1751, and died in 1821; William Lyman, born in 1752, was a member of Congress from 1793 to 1797, died in 1811; Timothy Dwight, LL.D., D.D., was born in 1752, and was celebrated as a divine, poet, and author : he died in 1817; Theodore Dwight, a member of Congress from 1806 to 1807, was born in 1764, and died in 1846; Benjamin Tappan, the able jurist, was born in 1773, and died in 1857; Phineas Allen, a noted editor, was born in 1776, and died in 1860; the distinguished philanthropist Arthur Tappan was born here in 1785, and died in 1865; Ebenezer Lane, LL.D., an eminent attorney, was born in 1793, and died in 1866 ; Dorus Clarke, D.D., divine and author, was born near here in 1797; Geo. Il. Clark, the poet, in 1809; Henry Lyman, the author, in 1810, died in 1834; Josiah Dwight Whitney, the geologist, in 1819; William Dwight Whitney, LL.D., the able philologist, in 1827; and Austin Flint, the author and physician, in 1836.

THE FIRST DRUGGIST-PIONEER ADVERTISEMENTS.

The first druggist in this section of the country was Levi Shepherd, who came from Hartford, Conn., and located here in 1765. Four years later he formed a copartnership with Dr. Ebenezer Hunt. Their drugs and medicines were imported, and their trade extended over a large section of country.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The Hampshire Gazette of 1786 contains an advertisement of Breek, Shepherd & Clark, who inform the people that " they have just received a fresh supply of goods, which they propose to sell for Cash, Grain, Pork, Potash, Salts, Flaxseed, etc." The printing-office advertises for sale the first, second, and third part of Webster's Institute, also Watts' Hymns, and one copy of Col. Humphrey's poem. Soon after this date an advertisement of Levi Shepherd appears, and also of Prescott & Dixon.

In the issue of March 4, 1787, James Shepherd is authorized to receive the several articles hereinafter enumerated, at the price thereunto annexed, for all arrearages of taxes assessed during the year 1784, viz. : good merchantable heef at 1s. and 8d. per hundred ; pork at 3gd. per pound ; wheat, 5s. ; rye, 3s. and 6dd. ; corn, 3s .; oats, Is. 6d. ; peas, 5s. ; beans, 5s. per bushel ; well-dressed flax, 8d. per pound ; wheat flour, 16s. per hundred ; good tobacco packed in casks, according to law, 25s. per hundred ; potash, 16s. per ton ; pearlash, 39d. and 10s. per ton ; and on all nails the same sum shall be allowed as in the stores in the town of Boston.

HOSTELRIES.

The tavern, or inn, of " ye olden time" was as much, if not more, of an " institution" in a town or village than the more pretentious structures of modern times are to the people of to-day. Among the first records of the town may be seen votes designating the number of "ordinaries" that should be kept, and naming their keepers.

Northampton very soon after its settlement became an important point in Western Massachusetts, and prior to and during the Revolution it kept paee in its improvements with the various towns in the Bay State, and its places of enter- tainment for man and beast were about on a par with other inns throughout the valley.

After the close of the Revolution, in 1794, Asahel Pomeroy, who was a valiant soldier in that struggle, built the tavern subsequently known as the Warner House, which was an "institution" of Northampton for seventy-six years. In 1821 it received the name of Warner House, from Oliver Warner, who purchased it that year and became its landlord. In 1832 he sold the house to J. B. Vinton, who resold it to Mr. Warner in 1840, and he conducted it until his death in 1853. During the period it was kept by Mr. Warner, it gained a reputation far and near as one of the best inns in the country. The traveler was ever anxious to reach the " Warner Ilouse," with its well-supplied larder, good beds, and genial host. After the death of Mr. Warner it was purchased by Strong & Lewis, and kept by Win. Marsh & Son. C. F. Simonds subsequently purchased it, and for several years was its pro- prietor. It was afterward kept by Roswell Hunt and J. C. Orcutt. In the days of the stage-coach Northampton was on the line from Boston to Albany, and from Springfield to Brat- tleboro', and it was no uncommon occurrence for eight coaches to arrive and depart during a single day. The blast of the horn and the crack of the driver's whip have long since passed away, and in the early morning of July 18, 1870, the old build- ing succumbed to the fiery element, and the old Warner House passed into history. The old Mansion House on Ehn Street, now used as a dwelling-house, was at one time one of the prominent hotels of this section.

The Mansion House, which now occupies the site of the Warner House, was erected by the Fitch brothers, of Hatfield, in 1870, and opened as the Fitch llotel by the Fitch Brothers & Simonds, who conducted it about two years, when Mr. Simonds became proprietor. After various vicissitudes Mir. Hill became proprietor, and its name was changed to Man- sion llouse. He conducted it a short time, and was succeeded (1877) by its present proprietor, Mr. Frank Kingman, a land- lord of large experience, who has placed the Mansion House in the front rank of the best hotels in the Connecticut Valley.

Round Hill Hotel, pleasantly located on Round Hill, is closed during the winter months, being used only as a summer resort. It is at present under the management of Mr. Olney. Its picturesque location and pleasant surroundings, together with the deserved popularity of its landlord, give it a wide notoriety throughout the country.

Other hotels are the Hampshire House and Nonotuck House.

MASONIC-ODD-FELLOWS.

The first Masonic lodge of which we have any record estab- lished in this town was the Hampshire Lodge, chartered Jan. 30, 1784. Who were its founders, how long it flourished, and when it ceased to exist, we have been unable to discover. Its history and transactions are buried in oblivion.

Jerusalem Lodge was chartered June 13, 1797. The peti- tioners for the lodge resided in South Hadley, and there its sessions were held for many years. Its charter members were as follows : Samuel Alvord, Thos. White, Frederick Milton, Jos. White, Justin Alvord, E. Goodman, Jr., Adonijah Nash, Jos. Kellogg, John Bennett, Jr., Bezulial Alvord, E. Dwight, and Simeon Goodman. Though the llampshire Lodge had an existence at Northampton prior to the establishment of Jeru- salem Lodge at South Hadley, yet it seems to have died before the latter had been long at work.

In May, 1802, it was voted to move the lodge from South Hadley to Northampton, and in the following month the lodge met at the house of Asahel Pomeroy, in the latter place, the following persons acting as officers : Daniel Stebbins, W. M. ; Levi Lyman, S. W .; John Bennett, Sec. ; N. Pease, Treas. ; Justin Alvord, J. W .; Aaron Wright, Jr., J. D .; Levi Smith, S. D. ; and Aaron Bartlett, T. In October, 1807, the lodge was removed to Williamsburg, where it remained until Nov. 18, 1817, when it was again removed to Northampton, where it has since remained. During the reign of fanaticism and bigotry known as the Morgan excitement the lodge ceased to work. but with Spartan zeal refused to surrender its charter, although demanded by the Grand Lodge.

The following-named persons served as Masters of the lodge from 1797 to 1879 : Simeon Goodman, 1797-98; John Smith, Elihu Dwight, 1799; Daniel Stebbins, 1800-3; Henry Frink, 1804; Phineas Ashmun, 1805 ; Daniel Stebbins, 1806; Phineas Ashmun, 1806; Isaac C. Bates, 1807; Southw'th Jenkins, 1808-9 ; Edmund Taylor, 1810-13; Southw'th Jenkins, 1814- 15; Joseph H. Flint, 1816-17; Isaac C. Bates, 1818 ; Charles E. Forbes, 1819-20; Levi Lyman, 1821 ; Charles E. Forbes, 1822; Christopher Clarke, 1823-24; James Hutchison, 1825; W. W. Partridge, 1826-27; Nelson Palmer, 1828; Wm. W. Part- ridge, 1845-46; Benj. E. Cook, 1847-48; Ebenezer Hancock, 1849-50; Benj. E. Cook, 1851; Ebenezer Hancock, 1852; Samuel N. Bosworth, 1853; Geo. F. Wright, 1854-55; D. W. Crafts, 1856-60; Wm. 11. Jones, 1861; W. D. Axtell, 1862- 64; J. H. Prindle, 1865; J. C. Williams, 1866-67; W. C. Pomeroy, 1868-69; S. B. Fuller, 1870; H. W. Morgan, 1871- 72; C. L. Bartlett, 1878-74; S. A. Phelps, 1875-76; W. C. Robinson, 1877-78 ; C. Ilumphrey, 1879.

Royal Arch Chapter .- The chapter was constituted .June 23, 1825, with the following charter members: Isaac C. Bates, Jonathan H. Lyman, John R. Goodnough, Guy Trumbull, Jonathan Smith, Win. W. Partridge, Benj. Willard, John F. Judd, O. M. Stillman, Nelson Palmer, Wm. M. Weatherill, Josiah White, and James Hutchinson. Isaac C. Bates was first H. P. ; J. Il. Lyman, first K. ; JJohn R. Goodnough, first Seribe.

During the Morgan excitement the meetings were discon- tinned, and March 7, 1848, the charter was restored and the labors of the chapter resumed.

The following have served as High-Priest : Isaac C. Bates, 1825-27; Nelson Palmier, 1828; J. F. Judd, 1829 ; G. D. Peck, 1848-55; Win. Parsons, 1856; G. D. Peck, 1857; B. E. Cook, 1858; David W. Crafts, 1859-62; S. W. Lee, Jr., 1863-64; W.

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

C. Robinson, 1865; I. H. Prindle, 1866-67; J. A. Prentiss, 1868-70; J. C. Williams, 1871-72; S. B. Fuller, 1873; R. R. Mayers, 1874; W. C. Pomeroy, 1875-77; II. Jones, 1878.

Northampton Conintery of Knights Templar .- This or- ganization was instituted June 9, 1870, and worked under a dispensation for one year. The first officers chosen were D. W. Crafts, E. C .; C. S. Pratt, Gen. ; Geo. S. Phelps, C. G. ; J. II. S. Prindle, Prelate ; J. C. Williams, S. W. ; A. C. Bar- ton, J. W. ; A. Wright, Jr., Treas. ; E. C. Crafts, Recorder ; J. W. Wilson, Sw. B. ; Smith Carr, St. B. ; G. L. Manchester, War.

A charter was received from the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in 1871, and on the 12th of May the order was permanently established and the following officers chosen: D. W. Crafts, E. C .; C. S. Pratt, Gen .; G. S. Phelps, C. G .; S. B. Fuller, Prelate; J. C. Williams, S. W .; A. C. Barton, J. W .; A. Wright, Jr., Treas. ; E. C. Crafts, Recorder.

Officers for 1872 and 1873 .- J. II. S. Prindle, E. C .; J. C. Williams, Gen. ; Luke Lyman, C. G .; S. B. Fuller, Prelate ; W. C. Pomeroy, S. W .; H. W. Morgan, J. W .; A. Wright, Jr., Treas. ; B. W. Peck, Reeorder.

Officers for 1874 .- J. C. Williams, E. C .; Luke Lyman, Gen .; W. C. Pomeroy, C. G .; S. B. Fuller, Prelate; II. M. Brewster, S. W. ; G. W. Patterson, J. W. ; Ansel Wright, Treas. ; C. Rust, Recorder.

Officers for 1875 .- J. C. Williams, E. C. ; Luke Lyman, Gen .; W. C. Pomeroy, C. G .; J. H. S. Prindle, Prelate ; G. W. Patterson, S. W .; W. B. Morgan, J. W. ; A. Wright, Treas. ; W. G. McIntire, Recorder.

Officers for 1876 .- Luke Lyman, E. C .; W. C. Pomeroy, Gen. ; S. B. Fuller, C. G. ; J. H. S. Prindle, Prelate ; W. B. Morgan, S. W .; Jas. Ellsworth, J. W. ; A. Wright, Treas. ; W. G. MeIntire, Recorder.

Officers for 1877 .- Luke Lyman, E. C .; W. C. Pomeroy, Gen. ; S. B. Fuller, C. G. ; H. Jones, Prelate; W. B. Mor- gan, S. W .; Jas. Ellsworth, J. W .; A. Wright, Treas. ; V. E. Cleaveland, Recorder.

Officers for 1878 .- Luke Lyman, E. C .; W. C. Pomeroy, Gen .; S. B. Fuller, C. G .; H. Jones, Prelate ; W. B. Mor- gan, S. W .; Jas. Ellsworth, J. W .; A. Wright, Treas. ; E. 1. Clapp, Recorder.

Non-o-tuck Lodge, No. 61 .- Feb. 5, 1845, F. P. Tracy, A. H. Bullen, S. S. Wells, W. A. Arnold, and J. W. Smith applied for a charter for a lodge of Independent Order of Odd- Fellows. The lodge was instituted March 11, 1845.

The Noble Grands have been as follows: F. P. Traey, A. HI. Bullen, J. W. Smith, S. S. Wells, Chas. T. Smith, Lewis Bliss, F. A. Clark, E. E. Denniston, C. M. Alvord, William C. Prentiss, J. B. Augur, James Thompson, La Fayette Clapp, William D. Clapp, J. L. Wells, J. D. Wells, Jahez French, J. C. Phelps, George B. Drury, J. II. Searle, and E. P. Williams. Several of the above served more than one term. S. S. Wells was Grand Master of the State Grand Lodge one year. The lodge surrendered its charter March 26, 1866.

Re-instituted Sept. 16, 1872. The Noble Grands since then have been C. C. Smith, V. W. Skiff, S. W. Clapp, A. G. Carley, A. L. Sessions, T. C. Cooley, J. M. Skiff, F. L. Clapp, R. B. Davis, Jr., F. O. Hillman, and M. II. Beales. The present officers are E. L. Thompson, N. G. ; D. F. Cut- ting, V. G .; E. H. Wade, Rec. Sec. ; E. P. Hall, Treas. ; II. R. Rowley, Per. Sec.

INSTITUTIONS.

Smith Charities .- On the 22d day of December, 1845, Oliver Smith, a prominent citizen of Hatfield, died, leaving an estate valued at $370,000. lle had resolved to bequeath his large estate to charitable purposes for the benefit of the towns of Northampton, Hadley, Hatfield, Amherst, and Williamsburg,

in Hampshire County, and Deerfield, Greenfield, and Whately, in Franklin County. By the provisions of his will these towns were directed at each annual meeting to choose a person who should be called an elector, and these eleetors should choose three trustees, who were to have the charge and management of the entire fund.

The will provided that $200,000 should be managed by the trustees as an accumulating fund until it reached the sum of $400,000. This amount was then to be divided into three dis- tinet funds, viz., $30,000 to found the Smith Agricultural School, at Northampton ; $10,000, the income to be paid to the American Colonization Society, with certain provisions ; and $300,000 for indigent boys, indigent female children, in- digent young women, and indigent widows. The remainder of his property was constituted a contingent fund to defray expenses and keep the principal funds entire. He also pro- vided that the agricultural school fund should be accumu- lated for a period of sixty years from his death,-1905,- when the school should be established within the town of Northampton.

The income of the fund of $10,000 for the Colonization Society was to be used in transporting persons of color from the United States to the colony of Liberia, or such other place as the society might select. There was a provision, however, that if the society should neglect to make due application for the fund for six months after having been notified that it was ready for distribution, they should forfeit their claim and the money should be incorporated with the agricultural school fund. The required notification was given by the trustees, but the society neglected to apply within the specified time, and the legacy was added to the school fund. The society brought suit to reeover it, but the case was decided by the Supreme Judicial Court in favor of the trustees.

The remaining fund of $360,000 was called the joint or miscellaneous fund, and was divided so that one-halt the in- come should be applied for the benefit of indigent boys, who, after having been bound out and served satisfactorily till twenty-one years old, should receive a loan of $500 for five years, to become a gift at the end of that time. The income of one-quarter of the fund was appropriated to the use and benefit of indigent female children. They were to be bound out till eighteen years of age, and at the time of their mar- riage were to receive the sum of $300 as a marriage-portion. The income of one-eighth part of this fund was appropriated to the benefit of indigent young women, in sums of $50 as marriage-portions. The income of the remaining one-eighth part was to be paid to indigent widows, in sums of not more than $50 to any one person in one year. The beneficiaries were to be confined to the eight towns above enumerated, but in case of there being at any time a surplus income, benefi- ciaries might be selected from any other towns in the county.

The heirs-at-law contested the will, and the ease came be- fore the Supreme Judicial Court, in this town, July 6, 1847. The objection to the will was that one of the attesting wit- nesses, Theophilus Parsons Phelps, was incompetent on ac- count of insanity. Two days were occupied in the trial, Rufus Choate arguing the case for the heirs-at-law and Daniel Webster for the will. The court-house was crowded to over- flowing, and ladders were put up to the windows, so eager were the people to see and hear the great orators. The jury brought in a verdiet sustaining the will.

In May, 1848, the board of trustees was organized, and Os- myn Baker was chosen president, which position he continued to hold till May, 1871, when failing health compelled him to resign, and Geo. W. Hubbard, who still holds the office, was chosen. The sum paid over to the trustees by the executor of the will, at the time of the organization of the board, was $419,221.16; of this, $214,000 composed the joint fund and 8205,221.16 the contingent fund. The joint fund reached the required amount of $400,000, Oct. 1, 1859. The several char-

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

ities under it were put in operation at that time, and have since continued to spread their blessings over the community.

The value of this bequest to the several towns does not con- sist wholly in the charity extended to their citizens, for it forms a constantly-increasing source of taxation. It was the desire of the testator that the property should not be taxed, and in the will he advised the incorporation of the charities, and requested the trustees to endeavor to obtain their exemp- tion from taxation. The act of incorporation was granted at the session of 1849, but the Legislature refused to exempt the property from taxation. On the contrary, provision was made that the fund should be taxed equally by the interested towns. The fund is therefore divided into eight equal parts, each por- tion being taxed in accordance with the rate of taxation in the town to which it is apportioned. The act of incorporation was accepted by the trustees in April, 1849.

In 1865 the trustees decided to ereet the building in which their offices are now located. It is 52 by 30 feet. built of Port- land stone, is a handsome and commodious structure, and cost $30,000.

The magnitude of this system of charities may be seen in the inerease of the funds, in the amounts paid for various purposes, and in the numbers of the different classes of our citizens who have been the recipients of the bounties disbursed. In Octo- ber, 1848, the funds amounted to 8419,221.16. During the thirty years which have elapsed sinee that time they have in- creased nearly 250 per cent. The report of the trustees for May 1, 1878, shows that the several funds of the institution have reached the sum of $1,061,979.30. .

The agricultural school fund, on May 1, 1877, amounted to 894,521.41. In the year 1905, when the fund becomes avait- able, it is but reasonable to expect, should the present rate of increase continue, that it will have reached the sum of $350,000. The testator has prescribed what sort of a school is to be estab- lished. He proposes that there shall be two farms, one as a " model" and the other as an "experimental" farm. On these farms are to be established a manufactory of " Implements of Husbandry," and a "School of Industry for the Benefit of the Poor," in which boys taken from the most indigent classes shall receive a good common-school education and be in- structed in agriculture or mechanics. At the age of twenty- one years each boy is to receive $200. Here, it will be seen, is a system more comprehensive than any school of the kind yet in operation in this country. Here is another view in which this institution is of great value to this community, and that is in the fact that it always has money to loan. The business-man or mechanic who needs a little money to make him a home or extend his business can readily obtain a loan from the institu- tion at a fair rate of interest, and numbers avail themselves of the privilege every year.

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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 55

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