History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 69

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 69

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1820 .- Jonathan HI. Lyman, Eli Edwards, David Strong, Elisha Strong, Oliver Warner.

1821 .- Asahel Pomeroy, Levi Lyman, Elisha Graves, Elisha Strong, Isaac Damon.

1822 .- Levi Lyman, Asahel Pomeroy, Elisha Graves, Elisha Strong, Isaac Damon.

1823 .- Levi Lyman, Elisha Graves, Elisha Strong, Isaac Damon, Samuel Par- sons.

1824 .- Levi Lyman, Samuel Parsons, Joseph Burnell, James Dickinson, James Shepherd.

1825 .- Levi Lyman, Joseph Burnell, Jonathan Strong, Oliver Warner, John Wright.

1826 .- Jonathan Strong, John Wright, Samuel Parsons, Levi Lyman, Joseph Burnell.

1827 .- Levi Lyman, Jonathan Strong, Joseph Burnell, John Wright, Samuel Parsons.

1828 .- Levi Lyman, Jonathan Strong, Joseph Burnell, John Wright, Samuel Parsons.

1829,-Levi Lyman, Jonathan Strong, Joseph Burnell, John Wright, Samuel Parsons.

1830 .- John Wright, Samuel Parsons, Eliphalet Williams, William W. Thomp- son, Jonathan Strong.

1831 .- Eliphalet Williams, John Wright, Samuel Parsons, Azarialı Clapp, Josephi Burnell.

1832 .- Eliphalet Williams, Samuel Parsons, Azariah Clapp, Joseph Burnell, Thomas W. Shepard.

1833 .- Eliphalet Williams, Samuel Parsons, Azariah Clapp, Joseph Burnell, Sam- uel Whitmarsh.

1834 .- Samuel Whitmarsh, Azariah Clapp, Eliphalet Williams, John Wright, William W. Thompson.

1835 .- John Wright, Azariah Clapp, Julius Phelps, William W. Partridge, George Cook.

1836 .- John Wright, Azariah Clapp, Julius Phelps, William W. Partridge, George Cook.

1837 .- William W. Partridge, George Cook, Josephs Warner, Azariah Clapp, Wil- liam Clark.

1838 .- William W. Partridge, George Cook, Joseph Warner, Azariah Clapp, Jona. H. Butler.

1839 .- W. W. Partridge, Azariah Clapp, George Cook, Joseph Warner, Theodore Clapp.

1840 .- William W. Partridge, George Cook, Benjamin Barrett, Thomas W. Shep- ard, Amri Allen.

1841 .- W. W. Partridge, Benjamin Barrett, George Cook, Oren Munger, John P. Williston.

1842 .- W. W. Partridge, Benjamin Barrett, George Cook, Oren Munger, John P. Williston.

1843 .- William W. Partridge, George Cook, Amasa D. Wade.

1844 .- John P. Williston, George Shepard, Samuel Williams.

1845 .- Samuel Willi ums, Geo. Shepard, Amasa D. Wade, Milo J. Smith, Chester Clark.

1846 .- Samuel Williams, Geo. Shepard, Amasa D. Wade, Milo J. Smith, Win. W. Partridge.

1847 .- Samuel Williams, Milo J. Smith, W. W. Partridge, Amasa D. Wade, Ansel Jewett.

1848 .- Win. W. Partridge, Charles Smith, Henry Strong, Lyman Kingsley, Eben- ezer Strong.

1849 .- Charles Smith, Lyman Kingsley, Henry Smith, Ebenezer Strong, Amasa D. Wade.

1850 .- Samuel Parsons, George Shepard, David Ivy, Win. Parsons, Samuel Day. 1851 .- Samuel Day, William Clark, Chauncey Clark.

1852 .- Samuel Day, Porter Nutting, John W. Wilson.

1853,-Harvey Smith, Charles Clark, Sydney L. Clark, Lucius Lewis.

1854 .- Charles Clark, Samuel Williams, Oliver Warner.

1855 .- Azariah Clapp, Charles Clark, Oliver Warner, Justin Thayer, Samuel L. Parsons.

1856 .- Oliver Warner, Azariah Clapp, Justin Thayer, Charles Strong (2d), Luke Lyman.

1857 .- Samuel L. Parsons, Justin Thayer, Luke Lyman, Milo J. Smith, Edward Parsons.

1858,-Samuel L. Hill, J. B. Graves, Hervey Smith, Milo J. Smith, Luke Lyman. 1859 .- John B. Graves, Luke Lyman, Samuel L. Parsons, Milo J. Smith, Haynes K. Stark weather.

ISGO .- John B. Graves, John F. Warner, Luke Lyman, S. S. Wright, H. K. Stark- weather, Jr.

18GI .- Jolin B. Graves, S. S. Wright, John F. Warner, II. K. Starkweather, Jr., Nathaniel Day.

1862 .- John B. Graves, Nathaniel Day, John F. Warner, S. S. Wright, II. K. Stark weather, Jr.

1863 .- John B. Graves, Nathaniel Day, II. K. Starkweather, Jr., John F. Warner, Emory B. Wells.

1864 .- John B. Graves, Nathaniel Day, H. K. Stark weather, Jr., John F. Warner, Emory B. Wells.

1863 .- John B. Graves, Emory B. Wells, HI. K. Starkweather, Jr., John F. War- ner, Nathaniel Day.

1866 .- HI. K. Starkweather, Jr., John B. Graves, Emory B. Wells, John F. Warner, Nathaniel Day.

1867 .- If. K. Starkweather, Nathaniel Day, Ebenezer Strong, Milo J. Smithi, Charles Strong (2d).

1868 .- II. K. Starkweather, Nathaniel Day, Milo J. Smith, Ebenezer Strong, Charles Strong (21).

1869 .- II. K. Stark weather, Ebenezer Strong, Nathaniel Day, 'Milo J. Smith, Charles Strong (2d).

1870 .- IJaynes K. Starkweather, Ebenezer Strong, George A. Burr, William F. Quigley, Joseph C. Williams.

1871 .- II. K. Stark weather, Ebenezer Strong, George A. Burr, William F. Quigley, Josepli C. Williams.

1872 .- Haynes K. Stark weather, Ebenezer Strong, George A. Burr, Joseph C. Wil- liams, W. F. Quigley.

1873,-Haynes K. Stark weather, Ebenezer Strong, George A. Burr, J. C. Williams, W. F. Quigley.

1874 .- H. K. Starkweather, Ebenezer Strong, J. C. Williams, W. F. Quigley, George A. Burr.

1875 .- HI. K. Starkweather, J. L. Otis, J. C. Williams.

1876 .- M. H. Spaulding, J. L. Otis, J. C. Williams.

1877 .- Luke Lyman, Marcus Morton, Oren Storer.

1878 .- Luke Lyman, Oren Storer, Marcus Morton.

1879 .- Luke Lyman, Oren Storer, Marcus Muitou.

MEMBERS OF GENERAL COURT.

1834 .- Asahel Strong, Chas. E. Forbes, Seth Strong, Solomon Stoddard, Jr.

1835 .- Isaac C. Bates, Asahel Strong, Seth Strong, Solomon Stoddard, Jr.

1836 .- Thomas Pratt, C. P. Huntington, William Clark, Jr., Samuel Strong.

1837 .- C. P. Huntington, Roswell Hubbard, Solomon Stoddard.

1838 .- Eliphalet Williams, Joseph Warner, J. P'. Strong.

1839 .- Eliphalet Williams, Wn. Clark, Jr., Calvin Strong.

1840 .- Charles P. Huntington, Cornelius Delano.

1841 .- Charles P. Huntington, Oran Mungan.

1842 .- Benjamin Barrett, Milo J. Smith,

1843,-Erastus Hopkins, Nathan Dikeman.

1844 .- Erastus Hopkins, W. W. Par tridge.

1845 .- Erastus Hopkins, Henry Dikeman.

1846 .- Elisha Strong, W. A. Hawley.

1847 .- Erastus Ilopkins, Charles S. Smith,

1848 .- Erastus Hopkins, Wm. Parsons.

1849 .- Erastus Hopkins, Wm. Parsons.

1850 .- No clivice.

1851 .- Erastus Hopkins, Azariah Clapp. 1852 .- No choice.

1853 .- Oliver Warner, Daniel Kingsley. 1854,-No choice.

1855,-Daniel Kingsley, Samuel L. Parsons.

1836 .- Erastus Hopkins, John Deming.

1857-58 .- W. F. Arnold.

1850 .- Samuel L. Parsons.

1860-61 .- Daniel G. Littlefield.

1862-63 .- Erastus Hopkins.

1864-66 .- Lewis J. Dudley.

1867 .- W. F. Arnold.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

1868,-H. K. Stark weather. 1869-71 .- W. F. Arnold. 1872 .- L. J. Dudley. 1×73 .- Porter Nutting. 1874 .- Isaac Stone, Wm. H. Gaylord. 1875-76 .- Mark II. Spaulding. 1877 .- John L. Otis, Timothy G. Spaulding. 1878,-Wm. M. Gaylord.

FLORENCE.

This locality was first settled by a family named Warner, and was formerly known as the Warner School District. It is evident that for more than a century the population centred chiefly in the village of Northampton, for as late as 1812 there were only seven houses within its limits, viz., those of Enoch Jewett, where Samuel A. Bottum now lives, of Oliver War- ner, who kept a hotel, Wm. Warner, known as the Bosworth place, now the site of Cosmian Hall, Josiah White, Gains Burt, Capt. Julius Phelps, and Joseph Warner, and even as late as 1847 there were only about a dozen houses in the district.

The village received its name from Florence, the great silk emporium of Italy. It had previously been known as the "Community," " Bensonville," and Greenville.

One of the first enterprises started in Florence was the manu- facture of silk, by the late Samuel Whitmarsh, in 1835. In June of that year Mr. Whitmarsh purchased of William Clark about 400 acres of land, embracing the site of the present village, except perhaps some of the upland near the sewing-machine company's works. A company was formed with a capital of $150,000, called the New York and Northampton Silk Con- pany. Ebenezer Jackson, Charles HI. Talbot, and others were connected with the enterprise. The purchase included the oil- mill of Mr. White and the water-privilege.

The company erected the brick building now used by the Greenville Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of silks, but before its completion some machinery was put in the oil-mill. Mr. Whitmarsh soon after went to Europe in search of a better variety of mulberry than was then grown here. He obtained seeds of a variety which he called the " Alpine mul- berry." About 100 aeres of the meadow land were set with this mulberry. The excitement over the mulberry-trees was almost marvelous, and the people all over the country seemed to grow crazy on the subject. It proved a speculative bubble which, when it burst, brought ruin to thousands, This silk enterprise attracted considerable attention, and Daniel Web- ster, Abbott Lawrence, and James K. Mills, famous for their advocacy of protection to home industries, came here to inspeet it. A small quantity of sewing-silk was manufactured, and samples of plain and figured satins were woven. Specimens of the latter were taken to Washington by Mr. Whitmarsh and presented to Henry Clay. Mr. Whitmarsh left the com- pany after two years, and little was done afterward. In 1840 the property was purchased by Capt. Joseph Conant, of Mans- field, Conn., and he sold it in 1842 to the Community Associ- ation. From 1841 to 1846 there flourished here an association called the " Community," which gave considerable notoriety to the village. The objects of the association were " progress toward a better state of society and the development of a true social and moral life." Its founders were doubtless attracted to this point in consequence of the failure of the silk company and the sale of its property. The total investment of the asso- ciation in real estate reached $50,000, its members numbered 150, and the estate included about 500 acres of land, a silk-fac- tory, saw- and grist-mills, and four or five houses. Its business was divided into departments, cach branch being under the management of a special director. One department of its busi- ness was the manufacture of silk, and from that beginning has been developed the present flourishing Nonotuck Silk Com- pany. In 1846 the association was dissolved, but it laid the foundation of the present busy and thriving village. The leading men engaged in the association were S. L. Hill, Geo.

W. Benson, Capt. Joseph Conant, David Mack, and William Adam. Another outgrowth of this association was the " Free Congregational Society,"# which is now in a flourishing eon- dition.

The first store was opened in Florence in 1850 by I. S. Par- sons, son of Capt. Samuel Parsons and S. L. Ilill.

The post-office was established in December, 1852, with Mr. Parsons as postmaster. The postmaster at Northampton strenuously opposed the establishment of the office, but the Florence people finally triumphed.

THE FLORENCE KINDERGARTEN

was started in 1874, under the management of Mrs. C. B. Aldrich. At first it was carried on in the dwelling-house of Mr. Samuel L. Ilill, and for a short time in " Lower Cos- mian Hall," and in 1876 a building was erected by Mr. Hill expressly for this purpose, with grounds set apart for it snit- able to be used in connection with it for plant culture by the children. The institution was placed under the direction of a board of trustees, and made free to all the people of Flor- enee, each one contributing such sum as he felt disposed. Mrs. Aldrich still remains the principal, and there are sev- eral assistant Kindergartens employed with her. The exper- iment thus far has proved a very great success, and is becoming more and more beneficial as people begin to see its advantages and avail themselves of them for their children. In connec- tion with the Kindergarten regular meetings are held at the Kindergarten building, called " mothers' meetings," where the mothers of Florence meet and consider such matters as relate to the care and culture of their children. In 1877 a training-class for Kindergartens was started in connection with the Kindergarten. The Kindergarten and training- class have gained quite a reputation in all parts of the United States, and there is every prospeet that the benefits which its founder desired to bestow upon the Florence people will be realized more and more as the institution continues, and the people will have advantages as to the culture of their children such as few other places will ever possess.

FREE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF FLORENCE.

This society was probably the first religious body in the world to organize on a platform of entire freedom of thought and speech.

About thirty-five years ago, a band of noble men and women tried at Florence a somewhat erude experiment of a new form of social life. Their ideal was high, their motives evidently pure ; but, their peeuniary means being too limited for the successful working of their praiseworthy undertaking, the enterprise was, after a few years, given up. In all their publie meetings freedom of discussion was maintained. Some of the members of the association remained in Florence, and they and their friends held Sunday meetings in that place, though not regularly, down to the time of the formation of the Free Congregational Society of Florence.

In pursuance of the following call, signed by 27 citizens of Florence who had been interested in these Sunday exercises, and who believed that the friends of religious freedom should avail themselves of the strength there is in union and organ- ized effort, a meeting was held at the time and place therein named.

"To the People of Florence and ricinity :

" All interested in the promotion of good morals, general education, and liberal religious sentiments, whether Catholic or Protestant, or of whatever sect, creed, or nationality, are invited to meet in the South School-House, on Sunday, May 3, 1863, at 312 o'clock P.M., to organize arrangements for the better attainment of the objects above-named."

At the meeting a society was organized by the adoption and signing of the following articles of agreement :

" We, the undersigned, inhabitants of Florence and its vicinity, in the town of Northampton, wishing to avail ourselves of the advantages of associate effort for our advancement in truth and goodness, and for the promotion of general intel-

* See history elsewhere.

223

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

ligence, good morals, and liberal religions sentiments, do hereby agree to form ourselves into a body corporate under the name of the 'Free Congregational Society of Florence.'

" Respecting in each other and in all the right of intellect and conscience to be free, and holding it to be the duty of every one to keep his mind and heart at all times open to receive the truth and follow its guidance, we set up no theo- logical condition of membership, and neither demand nor expect uniformity of doctrinal belief, asking only unity of purpose to seek and accept the right and true, and an honest aim and effort to make these the rule of life. And, recog- nizing the brotherhood of the human race and the equality of human rights, we make no distinction as to the conditions and rights of membership in this society, on account of sex, color, or nationality."

When it became necessary to provide or erect a suitable church edifice, it was found that the society was not incorpor- ated as the statute required in order to hokl property. To sceure this right a new organization was formed on the 10th of April, 1872, the old society continuing, on its original plat- form, to exercise all the educational and religious functions for which it was originally founded.

Charles C. Burleigh, who had been for a number of years prior to May 3, 1863, employed as Sunday lecturer at Flor- ence, remained as resident speaker of the Free Congregational Society of Florence from that date until April 6, 1873, when he resigned. In May, 1871, Miss Elizabeth MI. Powell, now Mrs. Henry II. Bond, began to officiate as associate resident speaker, and continued until May, 1872, when Rowland Con- nor took her place, and officiated in that capacity until the resignation of Mr. Burleigh, when Mr. Connor became resi- dent speaker, and held the office until Aug. 1, 1874. From this last-mentioned date the society had no resident speaker until Sept. 1, 1875, when David II. Clark, the present incum- bent, took the office.

The resident speaker is not, like the minister or pastor of other religious societies, the mouth-piece of the members, voicing the doctrines of a cast-iron creed ; he speaks only for himself, and his utterances, like those of any other member, are open at all times to criticism. He is usually engaged to speak for a portion of the year, as it is the purpose, and has been the practice, of the society to have, during each year, a variety of speakers, so that every phase of thought shall be fairly represented.

When the society was first organized, its meetings were held in the district school-house ; but on Sunday, April 17, 1864, it began to hold meetings in the new chapel and hall built for the purpose, in the then new building called Flor- ence Hall. The use of the chapel, hall, and library-room for ten years was given to the society by its president. In 1874 a spacious and beautiful edifice, called Cosmian Hall, was completed, having been erected for the uses of the society by the subscriptions of members and others ; the larger part being contributed by its generous-hearted president. Cosmian Ilall cost about $40,000, and includes an attractive and richly-deco- rated auditorium, capable of seating 700 persons, a choice organ, and a spacious and amply-furnished stage, upon which dramatic entertainments are frequently given during the winter. The basement contains " Lower Cosmian Hall" and a suite of rooms which constitute the parlors and culi- nary department of the " Ladies' Industrial Union, " an aux- iliary of the society.

It is the aim of the society to maintain a free platform; to offer a cordial welcome to all shades of honest conviction and opinion. It has been addressed by women as well as men,- the representatives of Judaism, orthodox and heterodox Christianity, Spiritualists, Scientists, Theists, and Atheists,- and cherishes the persuasion that in this free exchange of ideas and hospitality to diverse religious theories is the surest prom- ise of the truth which Lord Bacon pronounces " the sovereign good of human nature."

Among the prominent names who have addressed the society, some of them repeatedly, are Theodore D. Weld, John Weiss, Samuel Longfellow, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, D. A. Wasson, Charles E. Norton, A. Bronson Alcott, Parker Pillsbury, Mrs.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Wm. JJ. Potter, Frederick Douglass, M. D. Conway, William Lloyd Garrison, Francis E. Abbott, Beriah Green, Aaron M. Powell, Mrs. Caroline H. Dall, Wm. HI. Burleigh, Henry C. Wright, Lucy Stone, Rabbi Schleisin- ger, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Samuel Johnson, Josiah P. Quincy, Horace Seaver, John W. Chadwick, Mrs. Frances D. . Gage, William Denton, Susan B. Anthony, S. II. Morse, Giles B. Stebbins, J. L. Hatch, Mrs. E. A. Kingsbury, Dio Lewis, B. F. Underwood, Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, Prof. C. S. Chandler, John T. Sargent, Frederie Frothingham, S. J. Fin- ney, John F. Moors, Erastus Hopkins, Susan II. Wixon, Elder F. W. Evans, Dr. R. T. Trall, Mrs. M. W. Campbell, Chas. Lenox Remond, Mrs. F. E. W. Harper, Edward C. Towne, Mrs. Nellie T. Brigham, Stephen S. Foster, Henry B. Blackwell, and George Thompson.

The present officers are as follows : Moderator, Samuel L. Hill ; Clerk, A. G. Hill; Treasurer, A. T. Lilly; Executive Committee, Seth Hunt, A. T. Lilly, and Joseph Marsh ; Com- mittee on Music, L. F. S. Plympton, Mrs. M. B. Learned, and George Shepard ; Committee on Sunday-school, D. H. Clark, Miss M. W. Bond, Mrs. II. Clark, Miss Sarah Titcomb, and J. M. Davis; Committee on Charity, A. Eldredge, E. L. Hamn- mond, Mrs. Henry Gould, II. Townsend, R. M. Branch, and Miss Julia MI. Lilly.

THE FLORENCE CHURCH.

In the fall of 1860 a movement was made for erecting a church edifice in Florence, Northampton. Land for this purpose and for a parsonage was given by the Greenville Manufacturing Company of that place. The requisite funds were raised by subscription, friends in the centre of the town making liberal contributions. The immediate success of the effort was in large measure due to the earnest co-operation of Rev. Z. Eddy, D.D., pastor of the First Church. In the chapel of that church, on Saturday, the 20th day of October, 1860, the "Florence Church Society" was organized. The subscribers to the building-fund were also present, and united with the society in choosing a building committee, consisting of Messrs. D. G. Littlefield, A. L. Williston, I. S. Parsons, Joel Hayden, and J. P. Williston. In the following spring the edifice was commenced, and by the ensuing fall it was finished and paid for.

On the 9th of October, 1861, 26 members of different evan- gelical churches, having adopted the subjoined Confession of Faith and Covenant, were regularly organized by an ecclesi- astieal council into a Church of Christ, and in the afternoon of the same day their house of worship was dedicated to the Lord. For six months after this they had the services of Rev. T. A. Leete, who had also labored with them for some time previous to the organization. He was then succeeded by Rev. S. O. Dyer, who supplied the pulpit for the term of three months. On the 15th of December, 1862, Rev. Horace C. Hovey was called to settle as pastor, and on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1863, he was duly installed.

A special work of grace was enjoyed in the spring of 1863, which resulted in the hopeful conversion of 27 persons, who, on the profession of their faith, were admitted to the church.

On the 25th of August, 1866, Rev. Horace C. Hovey offered his resignation, was released by a mutual council September 3d, and closed his labors with this church Oct. 1, 1866.

On the 21st of the same month Rev. E. G. Cobb was called to settle as pastor, and on the 6th of December, 1866, was duly installed.

An encouraging season of religious interest was enjoyed in the spring of 1867, and another in the spring of 1871. Both these seasons began with the week of prayer, and resulted in the addition of cheering numbers to the church of such as we hope will be saved.

The following were the first members : Thomas Pomeroy, Sarah Pomeroy, Joseph B. Whitehouse, Martha A. White-

224

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

house, A. Lyman Williston, Sarah T. Williston, Julius Phelps, Edith Phelps, Anson B. Clark, Sarah M. Clark, Israel A. Graves, Sarah Graves, Thomas Gladden, Mary O. Leete, Lea- vitt Beals, Mary A. Beals, Mehetable Pond, William C. Bam- forth, Martha E. Bamforth, Plympton II. Smith, Mary A. Smith, Eleanor M. Squires, Eliza Whitehouse, Susan P. Smith, Isaac S. Parsons, and Anna S. Parsons.

A chapel for the use of prayer-meetings was built in 1864, at a cost of $2000, exclusive of the land which was donated by the Greenville Manufacturing Company. Parlors, eloak- rooms, ete., were added to the chapel in 1877, at a cost of about $3000, and in the following year the church was re-frescoed, organ-reeess built, new organ put in, ete., at a cost of about $1500. The church has ever been in a prosperous condition, and has received an average of 25 members annually since its organization. The largest number-37-joined March 5, 1871.

The present membership numbers 201. The present officers are as follows : Rev. E. G. Cobb, Pastor ; Thomas l'omeroy, A. L. Williston, A. B. Clark, A. C. Estabrook, W. L. Wilcox, and William M. Smith, Deacons; A. B. Clark, Clerk ; A. L. Williston, Treasurer ; and William M. Smith, Superintendent.

THE FLORENCE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first Methodist church organization effected in Flor- ence was in the spring of 1855, although congregations from time to time assembled to hear itinerant preachers as far back as 1848. In this year, 1855, Rev. Jonas M. Clark, now living in Northampton, was stationed in Florence, and under his administration the first class-meeting was formed; likewise a Sunday-school, which became prosperous. The Sunday-school library was a gift of a Mrs. Douglas, then residing at Dr. Munde's Water-Cure. The society numbered 25 members, and the congregation ranged from 60 to 100.

The church building was ereeted in the years 1873-74, at a cost of $10,000, and was finished and dedicated in September of the latter year,-that is, it was finished as far as the vestry and the exterior are concerned ; but the upper interior of the building remains at present (March, 1879) unfinished, although an effort is now being made to complete it. The size of the building is 76 by 46 feet, of wood, and is situated at the corner of Main and Park Streets.

Services were held, previous to building the church, in Par- sons' Hall. Jan. 22, 1871, Davis Hall was rented for the use. of the society. From 1858 till 1870 Florence was abandoned by the Northeast Conference, no preacher being sent there. But in 1870 the Methodists in the place made a move, re- quested preaching, and obtained it.

The following are names of pastors of the church : Rev. Jonas M. Clark, 1855, one year ; Rev. W. M. Hubbard, 1856, one year ; Rev. John Noon, 1857, one year. No preaching regularly until July, 1870, when Rev. J. S. Whedon, of Northampton, preached a few months by request. Occasional preaching was done by Mr. Joseph Zwifvell and George E. Sanderson, of Wilbraham Academy. The church was re- organized in January, 1871, and at a Quarterly Conference held by L. R. Thayer, D.D., presiding elder, Rev. J. Zwifvell was appointed preacher in charge. But in the spring of 1871, Rev. T. W. Bishop was appointed by the Northeast Con- ference, and remained here two years. Ilis successor was W. H. Cook, who remained here two years. His successor was R. F. Holway, who stayed three years. His successor was Rev. F. Bowler, present pastor.

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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 69

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