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 76
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Mr. Clapp has a fine collection of Indian and other relics, many of which were obtained near by, and are permanent re- minders of the days of savage occupaney, and of the trials of those who opened this goodly land to the light of civilization.
Many of the cabinets of the country have been enriched by specimens procured by Mr. Clapp. Among them are many of the fossil foot-prints for which this portion of the Con- necticut Valley is celebrated.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN.
That portion of the town of Hadley which had been vari- ously designated as " New Swamp," " Hadley Farms," " East Farms," and " East Hadley" was set off as " Hadley, Third Precinct," Dec. 31, 1734. In the language of the record, " the precinet being of the contents of two miles and three- quarters in breadth and seven miles in length, bounded westerly on a traet of land reserved by the town of Hadley to lie as common land forever, southerly on Boston Road, easterly on equivalent lands, and northerly on the town of Sunderland."
The term " precinet" signified a parish ; hence the separa- tion from Hadley was not entire, having reference chiefly to affairs ecclesiastical. Certain officers were chosen by the pre- cinct, including a clerk, a treasurer, and assessors. The first proceedings are thus recorded :
" Warrant for Meeting in Hudley, Third precinct, Auno Dom., 1735.
" HAMPSHERE, &S. In pursuance to the request of several frehollers of the third or east precinct of Halley for the calling of a precinet-meeting. To Ebenezer Kellogg, of sl. precinct, these are In his Majestic's name to will and require yone forthwith to nutefy the free Holders and other Inhabetance of sd, Precinct on the eaight day of October next, at caight of ye clock in the fore noone, in order to make Choyce of all nessessary Precinct oflecers, a Committee for the Calling of Precinet meatings for the future, and to do act and agree on what may be thought proper Respecting hirving a menester Building, a meeting-house, and agreeing on a place to set it in, and in finding out what Lands may be taxed for the De- fraying charges Aboute the same. Given under my hand and seale this 22nd day of September, 1735.
" ELEZER PORTER, Justis Peace."
At the meeting thus called, Samuel Ilawley acting as a mod- erator, and John Nash as clerk, John Ingram, Sr., Samuel Boltwood, and Samuel Hawley were chosen a committee for calling precinct-meetings, and Ebenezer Dickinson, Aaron Smith, and John Nash were chosen assessors.
* The story is related of Mr. Parsons that, when required to read before his people a proclamation issued by the new government, he added to the usnal con- clusion-" God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!"-the following ex- pression of his own views : "But I say, God save the King!" Whereupon, a patriot among his hearers arose and exclaimed, with emphasis, " I say you are a (lamned rascal !" This vehement response is attributed by Mr. M. F. Dickinson, Jr., to Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., one of the foremost friends of the cause of lib- erty, and a graduate of Harvard College in 1771. Mr. Oliver M. Clapp, however, says that he was told more than sixty years ago by his grandfather, oliver t'lapp, and again about twenty years since by David Parsons, grandson of the offending minister, that Stephen Smith uttered the historic words.
+ " According to tradition, the Whigs of Amherst burnt Capt, Chauncey's com- mission under a tree, with some display."-Jndd's Hist., p. 419, note.
31
242
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
The territory embraced by the precinct boundaries was nearly that inclosed in the present town of Amherst, north of the Boston road. This territory became the " Second Pre- cinct" in 1753 .* In 1759,-just one hundred years after the "new plantation," Hadley, had been laid out at " Norwot- tuck,"-this precinct became a district. The bill creating the district was signed by the colonial governor, Pownall, Feb- ruary 13th in that year. The name of his friend, Gen. Jeffrey Amherst, was adopted by the governor as the name of the district.
Amherst assumed the functions of a town in 1774, and the distinct title in 1776, although no authority for so doing ex- isted prior to 1786.1
As a district Amherst elected its first officers at a meeting held at the meeting-house March 19, 1759, as follows : Deacon Ebenezer Dickinson, Moderator; Josiah Chauncey, Clerk; Joseph Eastman, Treasurer; Deacon Ebenezer Dickinson, Jonathan Dickinson, Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Ensign John Dickinson, Moses Dickinson, Selectmen; Deacon Ebenezer Dickinson, Jonathan Dickinson, Moses Dickinson, Assessors ; Pelatiah Smith, Isaac Goodale, Constables ; Joseph Eastman, Jonathan Edwards, Tithingmen ; Simeon Clark, Nathaniel Coleman, Fence V-iewers ; Joseph Church, John Petty, Reu- ben Ingram, Hog-Reeves; Gideon Dickinson, Daniel Dickin- son, Ebenezer Mattoon, Nathaniel Dickinson, Jacob Warner, Surveyors ; Alexander Smith, Clerk of the Market.
The town was somewhat enlarged in 1789 by the addition of the farms of " Silas Wright and three Dickinsons," situated in lladley, on the road from Amherst to Sunderland ; and, in 1812, by the absorption of a large portion of the fifth or " Moun- tain division, "' south of the Brookfield or " Boston" road. This division was laid out by Hadley, in 1743, and the part annexed to Amherst contained about 1700 acres, whose southern limit was the " top of the mountain,"-Holyoke. In 1814 the land which forms the otl'set in the west line of Amherst at the north end was taken from the northeast corner of Hadley, and con- tains 700 or 800 acres. A strip, 16 by 115 rods, from the farm of Elias Smith, where the Northampton road crosses the west line of the town, was taken in subsequently. The present town contains not far from twenty-eight and three-quarters square miles, or 18,400 acres .¿
By a survey and map made in 1833 by Alonzo Gray and Charles B. Adams, then of Amherst College, the boundaries of that town were fixed as follows, the magnetic variation being 6° 45' west : commencing at the west end of the south- ern boundary-line; thence N. 20° W. to the Boston road ; thence S. 83º W. 48 rods; thence N. 12º 20' E. 800 rods ; thence S. 89º W. 16 rods ; thence N. 30° E. 115 rods; thence N. 89º E. 16 rods ; thence N. 11º 31' E. 800 rods ; thence due west 24} rods; thence N. 11º 6' E. 592 rods to the Sunder- land line; thence N. 86° 47' E. 210 rods ; thence N. 88° 45'
* South Hadley, the original " second precinct," became a " district" in April, 1753, making the precincts in Hadicy one less. A "district" was in effect a town, except in the matter of choosing representatives. The Colonial Govern- ment was enjoined by Great Britain to withhold this power from towns newly formed. This limitation was enforced from about the year 1753.
A survey made in 1739 by Oliver Partridge, of Hatfield, fixed the east line of Hadley-now the east line of Amberst-at six miles due east from the old meeting-house. The same survey showed that the town of Sunderland possessed a strip of land belonging to Hadley 50 ruds wide at the west end, and 55 rods at the east end, and containing 457 acres. Hadley was paid by Sunderland for this land, one-half of which was in the " third precinct,"-now Amherst. The north line of Amherst is therefore about 50 rods less than " five miles northward from the meeting-house." All these lines were run by the magnetic meridian, which was then 8º west of the true meridian.
+ " By a general law of 1786, all districts incorporated prior to Jan. 1, 1777, were declared towns." -- M. F. Dickinson, Jr.'s, Centennial Adilress,
# The territory was augmented by the following provision : " And be it further enacted that Isaac Ward, Reuben Ingram, Philip Ingram, Isaac Hubbard, and Edward Elmer, and their respective estates lying within the hounds of the tracts of seventeen hundred and seventy-seven arres petitioned for, and adjoining to said second precinct line, he, and hereby are annexed to the said district, there to enjoy privilege atul do duty."
E. 684 rods to the northeast corner of the town; thence S. 1° 22' E. to the line between Amherst and Granby ; thence westerly along said line and the Holyoke range to the place of beginning .¿
CIVIL LIST. REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.|
Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1801-3; Osmyn Baker, 1839-45; Edward Dickinson, 1853-55; Julius II. Seelye, 1874-75.
STATE COUNCILORS.
Edward Dickinson, 1846-47; Timothy J. Gridley, 1849-50.
STATE SENATORS.
Simeon Strong, 1792-93; Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1795-96; John Leland, 1833- 34; Elward Dickinson, 1842-43; James W. Boyden, 1858; Lucins M. Boltwood, 1860.
DELEGATES AND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., delegate to First Provincial Congress, at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774; to Second, at Cambridge, Feb. 1, 1775; to Third, at Watertown, May 31, 1775; Moses Dickinson, July, 1775 ; John Billings, May, 1776; Ebenezer Mat- toon, Jr., delegate to State Convention at Concord, May, 1776; John Billings and Moses Dickinson, May, 1777; Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., and Joseph Eastman, 1778; Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., delegate to convention at Concord which formed State Constitution, 1779; Nathaniel Dickinson, 1780; Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1781; Nathaniel Dickinson, 1783; Eli Parker, 1784-85; Daniel Cooley, 1787-88; Simcon Strong, 1790-91; Moses Cook, 1792-93; Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1794; Zelina Montagne, 1796-1804; Samuel F. Dickinson, 1805-7; Sammel F. Dickin- son, Zebina Montagne, 1808; Sammel F. Dickinson, Simeon Strong, 1809; Medad Dickinson, Elisha Smith, 1810-11; Ebenezer Mattoon, Sinieon Strong, 1812; Samuel F. Dickinson, Simeon Strong, 1813; Simeon Strong, Noah Welster, 1814; Noah Welter, 1815; Sammel F. Dickinson, 1816-18; Noah Webster, 1819; Tim- othy Jones Gridley, 1820; Nathan Franklin, 1821; Aaron Merrick, 1822; Isaac Robbins, 1823-24; Timothy Jones Gridley, 1826; Chester Dickinson, Sanmel F. Dickinson, 1827; Enos Dickinson, Samuel F. Dickinson, 1828; Elijah Boltwood, Daniel Dickinson, Sammel F. Dickinson, 1829; Isaac G. Cutler, Zelina Dickin- son, 1830; Zebina Dickinson, John Leland, 1831; Oliver Dickinson (20), John Leland, 1832; Osmyn Baker, Daniel Dickinson, George Nutting, 1833; Osmyn Baker, Elijah Boltwood, Zelina Dickinson, 1834; Elijah Boltwood, Renben Rob- erts, Ebenezer Williams, 1835; Martin Baker, Osmyn Baker, George Notting, 1836; Osmyn Baker, Enos Dickinson (2d), Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1837; Edward Dickinson, Eleazer Kellogg, 1838; Edward Dickinson, Oliver Dickinson, 1839; Charles Adams, Elwnezer Mattonn, Jr., 1840; Samuel C. Carter, 1841-42; Ezia Ingram, 1843; Timothy Jones Gridley, 1844; Thomas Jones, I845; Timothy Jones Gridley. 1846; John Leland, 1847; Alfred Baker, 1848; Luke Sweetser, 1849; Waitstill Dickinson, 1850; William Chauncey Fowler, 1851: Oliver Wat- sou, 1852 ; Moses Billings Greene, 1853; Ithamar F. Conkey, 1854; Benjamin F. Smith, 1855; Baxter Eastman, 1856; Enos Dickinson Williams, 1857; George Warner, 1858; Lorenzo S. Nash, Granby, 1859; Josiah Ayres, 1860; Marcus C. Gront, Pelham, 1861; John R. Cushman, 1862; Samuel Smith, Jr., Granby, 1863; William S. Clark, 1864-65; John Jones, Pelham, ISGG; William S. Clark, 1867 ; Horace Ward, 1868; E. Montague, Hadley, 1869; Levi Stockbridge, 1870; Avery R. Cusbman, 1871; Ira Wright, South Hadley, 1872; Heury Burt, 1873; Edward Dickinson, 1874; James W. Gaylord, South Hadley, 1875; Newton Smith, South Hadley, 1876; Chauncey W. Lessey, 1877; Martin W. Burnett, South Hadley, 1878; Edward P. Crowell, 1879.
For the years 1782, 1786, 1789, 1795, and 1825, there were no representatives chosen.
Ebenezer Mattoon and Israel Scott were delegates to the Constitutional Con- vention of 1820, and Ithamar Conkey to the convention of 1853.
SELECTMEN.
1759 .- Ebenezer Dickinson, Jonathan Dickinson, Nathaniel Smith, John Dickin- son, Moses Dickinson.
1760,-Jonathan Edwards, Nathaniel Coleman, Jonathan Moody, Josiah Chaun- vey, Daniel Kellogg.
1761,-Jonathan Dickinson, John Dickinson, Peter Smith, Joseph Eastman, John Field.
1762 .- Josiah Chauncey, Simeon Strong, Alexander Smith, Daniel Kellogg, Moses Dickinson.
1763 .- Elisha Ingram, John Billings, Joseph Eastman, Moses Dickinson, Simeon ('lark.
1764 .- Peter Smith, Nathaniel Dickinson, Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Dickin- Non, John Dickinson.
1765 .- John Billings, Moses Dickinson, Simeon Clark, Joseph Eastman, Azariah Dickinson.
1766 .- John Dickinson, Jonathan Edwards, John Field, Samuel Ingram, Alex- ander Smith.
1767 .- Jonathan Dickinson, Nathaniel Coleman, JJoseph Eastman, Moses Dickin- son, Simeon Clark.
1768 .- John Dickinson, Alexander Smith, Jonathan Edwards, John Field, Moses Dickinson.
¿ Three of the distances of the above survey are not given.
| Amberst is now in the Tenth Congressional District, which is represented by Amasa Norcross, uf Fitchburg.
243
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
1769 .- Simeon Strong, Joseph Eastman, Moses Dickinson, Nathaniel Coleman, Jonathan Dickinson.
1770 .- John Dickinson, Solomon Boltwood, Jonathan Edwards, Josiah Chancey, Gideon Dickinson.
1771 .- Simeon Strong, John Field, Moses Dickinson, Alexander Smith, Peter Smith.
1772,-John Dickinson, Nathaniel Dickinson, Moses Dickinson, Reuben Dickin- son, Jolin Billings.
1773 .- John Dickinson, Moses Dickinson, Nathaniel Dickinson, Ebenezer Mat- toon, Renben Dickinson.
1774 .- Reuben Dickinson, John Dickinson, Moses Dickinson, Nathaniel Dickin- son, Ebenezer Mattoun.
1775 .- Moses Dickinson, John Dickinson, Reuben Dickinson, Nathaniel Dickin- son, Ebenezer Mattoon.
1776 .- Joseph Eastman, Joseph Williams, Moses Dickinson, Simeon Smith, Simeon Dickinson.
1777 .- Moses Dickinson, John Billings, Reuben Dickinson, Elijah Baker, Joseph Williams.
1778 .- Moses Dickinson, Joseph Williams, Reuben Dickinson, Elijah Baker, John Billings.
1779 .- James Merrick, Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., Joseph Dickinson, Josiah War- ner, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr.
1780 .- Eli Parker, Thomas Hastings, Alexander Smith, Jonathan Dickinson, Mar- tin Kellogg.
1781 .- John Billings, Elijah Baker, Isaac Hubbard, Gideon Henderson, Moses Dickinson.
1782 .- Elijah Baker, Gideon Dickinson, Elisha Smith, Jonathan Smith, Jonathan Dickinson, Jr.
1783 .- Eli Parker, Eleazer Smith, Martin Kellogg, Joel Billings, Thomas Hast- ings, Jr.
1784 .- Joel Moody, Jonathan Dickinson, Jr., Enos Dickinson, Stephen Smith, Ebenezer Boltwood.
1785 .- Joseph Church, Noah Smith, Elisha Smith, Jonathan Dickinson, Jr., John Nash.
1786 .- Elisha Smith, Moses Cook, Joseph Church, Joseph Eastman, Jr., Ebenezer Boltwood.
1787 .- John Field, Elisha Smith, Ebenezer Boltwood, Joseph Church, Jonathan Dickinson, Jr.
1788 .- Josiah Warner, Joseph Dickinson, John Billings, Thomas Hastings, Tim- othy Greenfield.
1780 .- Joseph Eastman, Jr., Ebenezer Boltwood, Elisha Smith, Ebenezer Mattoon, Joseph Church.
1790 .- Ebenezer Mattoon, Ebenezer Boltwood, Joseph Church, Elisha Smith, Jo- seph Eastman, Jr.
1791 .- Ebenezer Mattoon, Ebenezer Boltwood, Joseph Church, Elisha Smith, Jo- sephi Eastman, Jr.
1792 .- Moses Cook, Ebenezer Boltwood, Noah Smith, Daniel Kellogg, Elijah Dickinson.
1793 .- Ebenezer Boltwood, Moses Cook, Daniel Kellogg, Jr., Jonathan Dickin- son, Timothy Henderson.
1794 .- Zebina Montague, Elisha Smith, Joseph Dickinson, Medad Dickinson, Elijah Dickinson.
1795 .- Zebina Montague, Noah Smith, Elisha Smith, Ebenezer Boltwood, Jona- than Dickinson.
1796 .- Zebina Montague, Medad Dickinson, Noah Smith, Elisha Smith, Jonathan Dickinson.
1797 .- Zebina Montagne, Medad Dickinson, Elijah Dickinson, Ebenezer Bolt- wood, Moses Ilastings.
1798 .- Zebina Montague, Medad Dickinson, Ebenezer Boltwood, Moses Hastings, Elijah Dickinson.
1799 .- Jolin Dickinson, Gideon Stetson, Medad Dickinson, Samuel Hastings, Jonathan Dickinson.
1800 .- Medad Dickinson, Noah Smith, Samuel Hastings, Gideon Stetson, John Dickinson.
1801 .- Medad Dickinson, Noah Smith, Gideon Stetson, Samuel Hastings, Moses Hastings.
1802 .- Timothy Henderson, John Kellogg, Nathan Franklin, Gideon Stetson, Elijah Dickinson.
1803 .- Elijah Dickinson, Gideon Stetson, Nathan Franklin, Timothy Henderson, John Kellogg.
1804 .- Elijalı Dickinson, Timothy Henderson, Gideon Stetson, Nathan Franklin, Juhn Kellogg.
1805 .- Elijah Dickinson, Medad Dickinson, Timothy Henderson, Nathan Frank- lin, John Kellogg.
1806 .- Medad Dickinson, Elijah Dickinson, Timothy Henderson, Nathan Frank- Jin, John Kellogg.
1807 .- Medad Dickinson, Elijah Dickinson, Timothy Henderson, Nathan Frank- lin, John Kellogg.
1808,-Elijah Dickinson, Moses Hastings, Calvin Merrill, Ebenezer Ingram, Aaron Merrick.
1809 .- Moses Hastings, Calvin Merrill, Aaron Merrick, Elijah Smith, Chester Williams.
1810 .- Elijah Dickinson, Moses Hastings, Aaron Merrick, Chester Williams, Elijah Smith.
ISII .- Elijah Dickinson, Moses Hastings, Chester Williams, Aaron Merrick, Elijah Smith.
1812 .- Martin Baker, Chester Williams, Chester Smith, David Smith, Aaron Merrick.
1813 .- Moses Hastings, Calvin Merrill, Justus Williams, Jr., Martin Baker, Aaron Merrick.
1814 .- Elijah Dickinson, John Eastman, Justus Williams, Jr., Martin Baker, Enos Dickinson (2.1).
1815 .- Elijah Dickinson, Johu Eastman, Justus Williams, Jr., Martin Baker, Enos Dickinson (20).
1816 .- Elijah Dickinson, John Eastman, Justus Williams, Jr., Martin Baker, Enos Dickinson (20).
1817 .- Calvin Merrill, Nathan Franklin, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., Enos Dickinson (21), Chester Dickinson.
INIS .- Calvin Merrill, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., Enos Dickinson (2d).
1819 .- Enos Baker, Elijah Boltwood, Chester Dickinson, Aaron Merrick, Timothy S. Goodnian.
1820 .- Chester Dickinson, Elijah Boltwood, Benoni Rust, George Nutting, Justus Williams.
1821 .- Chester Dickinson, Josiah Warner, Jr., Seth Nelson, Nathaniel C. Dickin- son, Ilosea Goodale.
1822 .- Chester Dickinson, Asahel Thayer, Jonathan Bridgman, Audrew Hyde, Rufus Cowls.
1823 .- Chester Dickinson, Andrew Ilyde, Martin Baker, Ebenezer Williams, Zebina Ilawley.
1824 .- Chester Dickinson, Martin Baker, Levi Jones, Oliver Dickinson, Rufus Kellogg.
1825 .- Asahel Thayer, Elijah Boltwood, Jonathan Cowls, Oliver Dickinson (2), Levi Jones.
1826 .- Elijah Boltwood, Jonathan Cowls, Oliver Dickinson (20), George Nutting, Zebina Dickinson.
Ix27 .- Elijah Bultwood, George Nutting, Oliver Dickinson, Jonathan Cowls, Ze- bina Dickinson.
1828 .- Elijah Boltwood, Jonathan Cowls, Zebina Dickinson, Nathaniel C. Dick- inson, Ebenezer Williams.
1829 .- Elijah Boltwood, Zebina Dickinson, Jonathan Cowls, Nathaniel C. Dick- inson, Ebenezer Williams.
1830 .- Elijah Boltwood, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., William Kellogg, Enos Dickinson, David Dexter.
1831 .- Elijah Boltwood, David Dexter, Enos Dickinson, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., William Kellogg.
1832 .- Elijah Boltwood, Zebina Dickinson, Solomon R. Eastman, Ebenezer Wil- liams, Jonathan Bridgman.
1833 .- Solomon R. Eastman, Nathaniel C. Dickinson, Jonathan Cowls, Luke Sweetser, A-ahel Thayer.
1834 .- Thomas Hastings, Chester Dickinson, Lucins Dickinson, Jonathan Rice, Auron M. Chandler.
1835 .- Zebina Hawley, W. S. Howland, Lucius Dickinson, Daniel Dickinson, Elenzer Gaylord.
1836 .- Alfred Baker, Enos Dickinson (21), Salvador Andrews; Leonard M. Jills, Ezra Ingram,
1837 .- Enos Dickinson (20), Leonard M. IFills, Alfred Baker, Salvador Andrews, Ezra Ingram.
1838 .- Alfred Baker, Ezra Ingram, Oliver Dickinson (2d), Nelson Rust, Frederick A. Palmer.
1839 .- Enos Dickinson, Simeon Clark, Charles Adams, Charles Roberts, Thomas Ilastings.
1840 .- Luther Nash, Eleazer Kellogg, Cotten Smith, Seth Nims, Willard M. Kellogg.
1841 .- Simeun Clark, Oliver Watson, Seth Nims, Eleazer Kellogg, William Merrick.
1842 .- Simeon Clark, Alfred Baker, Enus Dickinson.
1843 .- Ebenezer Williams, Eleazer Kellogg, Frederick A. Palmer,
1844 .- Frederick A. Palmer, Salem Hammond, Ezra Ingram.
1845 .- Russell T. Wheelock, Lyman Gunn, Waitstill Dickinson.
1846 .- Russell T. Wheelock, Lyman Gunn, Waitstill Dickinson.
1847 .- Juhn Dickinson, Jr., Ansel C. Marshall, Waitstill Dickinson.
1848 .- Russell T. Wheelock, Ansel C. Marshall, Waitstill Dickinson.
1849 .- Ansel C. Marshall, Waitstill Dickinson, Willard M. Kellogg.
1850 .- Alfred Baker, Leonard M. Hills, Simeon Clark, Truman Nutting, Ansel C. Marshall.
1851 .- Alfred Baker, Leonard M. Ilills, Simeon Clark, Ansel C. Marshall, Truman Notting.
1852 .- Albin P. Howe, Ezra Ingram, Enos D. Williams.
1853 .- Josiah Ayres, Ezra Ingram, Enos D. Willians.
1854 .- Edward A. Stanley, Austin Eastman, EDos D. Williams.
1855 .- Josiah Ayres, Austin Eastman, William Dickinson, James Lastings, Robert Cutler.
1856 .- John R. Cushman, M. Adams Allen, Bela U. Dickinson, Daniel Converse, Ezra logram.
1857 .- Baxter Eastman, Russell T. Wheelock, David Pomervy.
1858 .- Russell T. Wheelock, Alfred Baker, Austin Eastman.
1859 .- Ezra Ingram, Willard M. Kellogg, Daniel Converse.
1860,-Ezra Ingram, Daniel Converse, Bela U. Dickinson.
INGI .- Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Harlem L. Pomeroy.
1862 .- Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Daniel Converse.
1863,-Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Daniel Converse, 1864 .- Ezra Ingram, Daniel Converse, Avery R. Cushman.
1865 .- Ezra Ingram, Eleuzer Kellogg, Porter Dickinson.
1866 .- Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Porter Dickinson.
1867 .- Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Porter Dickinson.
1868,-Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Porter Dickinson.
244
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
1869 .- Ezra Ingram, Eleazer Kellogg, Porter Dickinson. 1870 .- Levi Stockluidge, Harrison Ingram, Flavel Gaylord. 1871 .- Flavel Gaylord, Harrison Ingram, Charles S, Smith. 1872 .- Flavel Gaylord, Harrison Ingram, George Il. Prince. 1873 .- Chauncey W. Lessey, Edmund Hobart, Waitstill Dickinson. 1874 .- Chauncey W. Lessey, Edmund Hobart, Waitstill Dickinson. 1875 .- Chauncey W. Lessey, Allen P. Merrick, Harrison Ingram. 1876,-Chauncey W. Lessey, Allen P. Merrick Harrison Ingram. 1877 .- Chauncey W. Lessey, A. J. Robinson, Jonathan Cowles. 1878 .- Dwight W. Palmer, Harrison Ingram, James E, Merrick.
RECORDERS OR TOWN CLERKS.
After 1774, with the exception of a few years when separate treasurers were elected, the offices of clerk and treasurer were combined. The exceptions are appended hereto. From 1759 to 1776, when Amherst was incorporated as a town, these ofli- cers were chosen by and represented the " district of Amherst."
Josiah Chauncey, 1759-62; Simeon Strong, 1763-66, Josiah Chauncey, 1767; Seth Coleman, 1768-74; Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., 1775-87 ; Seth Coleman, 1788- 1803: Samuel F. Dickinson, 1804-18; Elijah Dwight,* 1819; Elijah Smith, 1820- 22; Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., 1823-27; Ithamar Conkey, 1828-29; Lucius Bolt wood, 1830-34; John S. Adams, 1835; Russell T. Wheelock, 1836; Samuel C. Car- ter, 1837-45; Newton Fitch, 1846-47; James W. Boyden, 1848-52, and 1854; Alvin P. Howe, 1853, '55, '56; Sammel C. Carter, 1857,-the present clerk, whose two periods of service exceed thirty-one years.
PRESENT TOWN OFFICERS.
Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor, Dwight W. Palmer, Harrison Ingram, James E. Merrick ; Clerk and Treasurer, Samuel Cutts Carter; Assessors, Oliver D. Huut, Ebenezer P. Spear, James E. Merrick ; School Committee, Warren II. Beaman, Henry C. Nash, William B. Graves; Auditor, Henry lolland ; Fence- Viewers, Marquis F. Dickinson, Harvey White, William W. Smith ; Fiehl-Drivers, Charles W. Newell, David S. Warner, HI. Shaw, Watson W. Cowles, Waitstill Dickinson ; Measurers of Wood and Bark, B. F. Kellogg, Forrester l'. Ainsworth, Ilenry Holland, Oliver D. Hunt, J. Hastings, Albert Clark, W. Dickinson, George W. Smith, L. Roberts, Charles L. Dadman ; Surveyors of Lumber, F. Gaylord, B. F. Kellogg, L. E. Dickinson, Albert Clark, J. llastings, Wm. E. Lyman, S. Har- rington ; Sealers of Leather, R. W. Stratton, D. IT Kellogg ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, James Hasting ; Pound-Keeper, J. P. Gray ; Weighers of Coal, T. W. Sloan, E. T. Wilson, E. S. White, Leander Merrick, Wait till Dickinson ; Col- lector of Taxes, Samuel C. Carter ; Sextons, C. W. Dana, H. White, E. D. Marsh, W. V. Cutter; Constables, G. B. Gallond, T. W. Sloan, W. W. Smith, W. E. Stel- bins, E. B. Sears, W. W. Cowles, C. L. Dadman, T. M. Armstrong ; Elector nudler Oliver Smith Will, W. S. Clark ; Depnty-Sheriff, G. B. Gallund; Medical Exam- iner, Dr. D. B. N. Fish ; Trial-Justice, E. A. Thomas; Policeman, R. D. C. Ingram.
VILLAGES.
AMIIERST, OR AMIIERST CENTRE,
is a post-village, and the largest and most important village in the town. It occupies the uplands near the town's geograph- ical centre, and is the seat of Amherst College, founded in 1821, and of the State Agricultural College, opened in 1867.
In the midst of the village is a common containing many beautiful elms, which is a part of the former wide highway between the divided lands, called the first and second divisions. Many of the buildings of Amherst College occupy an elevation at the south end of the common, while those constituting the principal business portion of the village are grouped around the north end.
Main Street leads east from the business centre to a suburb called " East Amherst," a mile distant, passing, midway, the depot and " crossing" of the New London Northern Railway.
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