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 84
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186
Benjamin Clapp, homestead the present place of Z. A. Thayer, and the present place of Wm. N. Clapp, is a part of the old farm ; children, Rachel (Mrs. Nathaniel Edwards), Northampton, died a little over one hundred years old ; Ocran, Easthampton, on a farm given by his grandfather, Jonathan ; Anna (Mrs. Medad Lyman), Easthampton, then Vermont; Clarissa (Mrs. Jonathan Lyman), Vermont ; Sophia (Mrs. Rev. Gad Newell), New Hampshire; Dr. Benjamin Clapp, South Carolina; Solomon (father of Win. N.), Easthampton, on the old place; Sally (Mrs. Daniel Lyman), Easthampton ; Spencer Clapp, Easthampton, on a part of the Corse place ; Phebe (Mrs. Levi Clapp), Easthampton ; Fanny (Mrs. Jared Clark), Easthampton, afterward Ohio; Caroline (Mrs. Mil- ton Knight), of Huntington.
l'hilip Clark, homestead near the Mount Tom Station, where Uriel Clark now lives. Obadiah Clark, homestead the present place of Lewis S. Clark. Asahel Clark, homestead near the present Williston Mills, opposite the office, still standing. Uriel Clark, an old name, probably same homestead as given for Philip above. Phineas Clark, homestead ou East Street, half-mile south of the Philip Clapp place. Job Clark, homestead where llenry Clark now resides. Oliver Clark, homestead on Park Hill, west part of town. David Chap- man, Jr., a son of David, mentioned below. David Chap- man, blacksmith, homestead just beyond the covered bridge ; the " old cartway" was elose by his blacksmith-shop. Zadoc Danks, homestead the place recently bought by Mr. Hen- drick, on Pleasant Street. Ephraim Danks; he lived in Nashawannuck ; descendant of the early Danks. Solomon Ferry, homestead where Deacon Edward Clark now lives (probably). Eleazar Hannum, homestead where Deacon Eleazar Ilannum now lives. Joel Hannum, homestead the same. Jobn Hannum, in the same neighborhood. Jonathan Janes. Edwin S. Janes lives on the old Janes homestead, in Pleasant Street. Benjamin Lyman, homestead where Ansel B. Lyman now lives. David Lyman, homestead on West Street, where Samuel M. Lyman now lives. Ezra Ludden, homestead the well-known place of Ebenezer Wood on Park Street. Solomon Pomeroy, homestead where Mirick Clapp now lives. William Phelps, homestead the present Julius Pomeroy place. Elisha Searl; he was a builder. Stephen Wright, homestead where John Wright now lives. Elijah Wright, homestead present place of Samuel Hurlburt.
These are the men who held the town offices, were appointed on committees, and transacted all the public business for the years 1785 and 1786, or were named on the first jury list.
The following summary of votes relating to the present territory of Easthampton (and perhaps a portion of South- ampton) is taken from the records in the office of the town elerk of Northampton. It gives the dates of some incidents already mentioned in this sketch and many others that do not appear to have been previously published.
The grant permitting the Indians to build a fort was voted April 13, 1664. Two of the conditions were, that " they shall not Pow-wow on that place, nor anywhere else among us ; that they shall not get liquors or cider and drink them- selves drunk as to kill one another as they have done."
John Webb killed two wolves and received 1 pound, 1667.
Nov. 4, 1674 .- The town granted to David Wilton, Medad Pomeroy, and John Taylor liberty to set up a saw-mill, and also granted them the liberty of tho commons to fall timber ; the place they granted them " is on the brook on the right hand of the cartway going over Manban River, on this side, that runs into the river, and whilst the mill is in nse they have granted them ten or twelve acres of land for a pasture."
March 8, 1678 .- The town granted to John Webb, Nathaniel Alexander, and Richard Webb a parcel of land over Manhan River, under the hill, that the In- dian fort stands upon, and they are to have six acres apiece, or to the broad brook that comes into Manhan, which comes along beside the mountain.
Jan. 4, 1685 .- Voted to Joseph Parsons, and such others as should join with him, liberty to make a cart-bridge over the mouth of the Manhan River, pro- vided they damnify no man's property.
Jan. 3, 1686 .- At a legal town-meeting, Jan, 3, 1G&G, the town considering of a motion of Mr. Samuel Bartlett to set up a corn-mill upon Manban River, below the cartway on the falls, and on his desire the town granted to him the place he desired, and the privilege of the stream for two miles, not to be interrupted hy any person or persons, but said Bartlett have the free ige of the place, and lib- erty to be to him and to his heirs forever; that is to say, so long as he or they keep a corn-mill there, and maintain it fit for service.
April 9, 1688,-A tract of 30 acres was granted him on the south side of the Manhan, on the consideration of his building a mill there, to be laid out next to Mr. Hawley's land.
April 9, 1688, voted Mr. Joseph Hawley forty acres of land in the meadow on south side of Manhan River, in the meadow commonly called " Lient. Wilton's meadow." This was in consideration of bis services in getting the Town Bounds settled.
April 24, 1691 .- In a general grant of home-lots the name of John Webb still appears,-perhaps another John Webb than the pioneer of 1664; under the same date, Caleb Pomeroy had two home-lots granted, "joining to his meadow up Manhan River." This shows very carly possession by the Pomeroys on the mountain and the meadow still bearing their name.
March 6, 1693 .- The value of "the Pascommuck farm," in making out rates, was to be decided by a committee,-two by the town and two by the owners; the two latter were Isaac Sheldon, Sen., and William Holton.
Sept. 16, 1698 .- The town granted four acres apiece of land for home-lots, over Manhan River near Pascommek, to accommodate them, they having pur- chased land at Pascommuck,-the men are Samuel Janes, Benjamin Janes, Benoni Jones, and John Scarl,-on condition that they make a good fence fo st- enre themselves from the town cattle, which fence is to be four feet eight inches in height. They must live on the land four years before their title is perfect.
Dec. 28, 1699,-Moses Hutchinson had a home-lot granted to bim at Pascon- mnck on the same condition the persons aforesaid had their home-lots granted.
April 8, 1702 .- Voted that all the common land lying on the north side of the school land, betwixt Samuel Pomeroy's home-lot and the saw-mill, should be added to the school land and be for the use of the school,-only reserving liberty of an highway six rods wide up to Samuel Pomeroy's land lying by the side of the school land.
At the same time, voted that all the low land below Samnel Bartlett's corn- miill, down as far as Robert Danks' farm, should be laid out for the school's use forever; bounded on Manhan River sontherly, and the brow of the bill north- erly.
May 20, 1702 .- From the report of a committee upon fencing at " Hog's Blad- der," it appears that John Searl, Jun., was " to make a good and anfficient gate at the landing-place on the south side of Manhan River, near the mouth of it as we go to Pascommuck, for which he is to have three acres of land on the westerly side of his home-lot there on l'ascommuck side."
2. We agreed with said Searl that he was to make a good and sufficient fence from said gate down the Great River unto Samnel Janes' lot.
We agreed with Moses Hutchinson to make and maintain a good and suffi- cient fence from the uppermost post of said gute up the river the whole breadth of his lot, which is four acres. We agreed with John Clark to make and mail- tain a good & sufficient fence from Moses Hutchinson's lot up the river unto the bending of the river unto a red or black tree marked upon the brow next the river ; and he was to have four acres of land, forty and two rods along the river, east side 12 rods, west side, twenty rods, At the south side of said lot is a high- way of six rods in breadth.
Feb. 11, 1703 .- The town took action with reference to the division of land on the south side of Manhan River; that on the west side of the county road. The town measurers, John Clark and Samnel Wright, were directed to measure the length of the land from Manhan to Webb's rock, which is onr south bounds.
The " additional grant" was obtained by an order in council, June 4, 1701.
March 1, 1703,-Capt. John Taylor was granted 80 acres of land to be taken up about Whiteloaf brook, somewhere in that half mile square which lieth uvar Springfield bonnds ; to lie together on one side of that half mile which Spring- field men claim ; this 80 acres to be to Capt. John Taylor during his life-time, and after him to be his two sons, Thomas and Sammel, and their heirs forever.
May 21, 1716,-Granted to Ebenezer Pomeroy the remainder of the half mile square not before granted to Capt. Taylor and his sons, bounded motherly by the line between Northampton and Springfield from the Great River over the mountain extended to the county road to Westfieldl. Westerly by the county road, and soutberly and casterly by the line between Springfield and Northamp- tını.
A road to " Hog's Bladder" was laid ont March 7, 1713. The committee that laid it were Timothy Baker, Samuel Wright, and Thomas Sheldon, and the parties through whose lands it appears to have been laid were Preserved Clapp, Thomas Sheldon, Benjamin Edwards, Jr.
34
266
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
The following notes are of very early date :
Joha Webb sigas the planters' agreemeat, Oct. 3, 1653.
June 9, 1686, is found an order with reference to the road through the meadows to " Ilog's Bladder."
Dec. 1, 1657, 21/2 acres granted to Joha Webb ia great rainbow.
Feb. 9, 1658, Joha Webb was to have 12 acres in Manhaa.
Dec. 16, 1659, exchanging of lands noticed with John Webb.
July 25, 1660, John Webb's tools that Medad Pomeroy shall have on Terms: a pair of Bellows, an Aavil, a hand hammer, 3 pairs of toags, &c., &c.
This shows that John Webb was a blacksmith as well as " a mighty hunter."
May 15, 1662, John Webb brought in a wolf's-head & skin.
June 8, 1663, another, and Sept. 7, another. In the year 1664, four more.
The meadows of the Manhau were worked as early as 1662, as appears by reg- ulations concerning roads.
Dee. 1, 1729 .- Voted to Give Elisha Searl six acres of land on the Fort Plain, beyond Pascommuck, between the first lot in the mountain Division and the land belonging to Jeremiah Webb and Robert Danks. Committee Dea. Joha Clark.
Jan. 25, 1731 .- Granted Benjamin Stebbins four acres of land upon the Fort Plain, near Mt. Tom, to be laid out adjoining to Elisha Searl's land.
The following are taken from old files of the Hampshire Gazette :
August 5, 1789,-Silas Brown, David Lyman, and Silas Brown, Jr., gave notice that they shall open a publick house for the accommodation of the people at- tending the ordination August 13t'1.
July 2, 1792 .- Joseph Clapp, Jr., merchant, offers what seems now a sufficiently varied assortment of goods :
"Calicoes, chintzes, West India Rum, Cross-Cut Saws, Steel plate. Also in a few days will have N. E. Rum, Wine, Brandy, Frying-pans, Allum, Coperas, Rice, Rasins, &c."
Dec. 10, 1794 .- Juseph Clapp, Jr., advertises powder, shott, Coniac brandy, sugar, Malaga wine, Chintzes, Lutestrings, &c.
Feb. 19, 1798 .- Jonathan Lymau and Obadiah Janes give notice that they have formed a partnership as merchants, & offer a varied assortment of goods,
Feb. 27, 1798 .- Lyman & Janes announce the dissolution of their partnership, Obadiah Janes to adjust the accounts and continue the business, as appears by a subsequent advertisement.
June 9, 1800 .- Benajah Brewer annonnees that nails are cut by him, which he will sell cheap at the retail price.
EASTHAMPTON, July 4, 1801 .- Celebration here was opened by a aational salute at suarise. At II o'clock a procession moved from Mr. J. Clapp's to the meeting- hunse. An address was made to the throne of Grace by Rev. Mr. Williston, and he also delivered an elegant and patriutic oration. The dinner was at Mr. Inther Clapp's, and toasts were drank, accompanied with discharges of Capt. Brewer's artillery. Toasts; among others, "The United States, may they realize that united we live, divided we die !"
ORGANIZATION.
Just before the Revolutionary war some steps were taken to establish a separate town. The people upon the territory now included in Easthampton expressed their views by petitions to Northampton and Southampton in 1773. In the former town a committee reported favorably, and the report was adopted. Southampton opposed the proposition, and the troubles of the Revolutionary period delayed any further action until 1781-82. The project was then revived, but it required several years of effort to secure the act of incorpora- tion, which was passed by the General Court in the summer of 1785.
Robert Breck, Esq., of Northampton, issued a warrant for the first meeting. It was directed to Benjamin Lyman, and the people met accordingly at the house of Capt. Joseph Clapp. The territory was set off as a district, having all the rights of a town except that of representation in the General Court. This district feature was a remnant of colonial policy, intended to retain power in the hands of the royal authorities, by not allowing a rapid increase of the people's representatives in the Legislature. The policy survived the Revolution, districts continuing to be incorporated for a few years.
The name East-llampton was rather appropriate, not so much from its location, as from the fact that the three other Hamptons were already named, and it needed this to com- plete the natural series. And, though almost inclosed by the others, this town extends at one point to the cast line of the original tract, and has so far a right to be called East- hampton.
The act incorporating Easthampton as a district was ap- proved by Governor Bowdoin, June 17, 1785. The warrant was issued June 29, 1785. It was directed to Benjamin Lyman, who " truly and faithfully notified and warned the inhabi- tants." The record of the first meeting is as follows :
HAMPSHIRE Co., 88. :
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the District of East- hampton, in said county, on Monday, the 4th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1785, Robert Breck, Moderator, the following District officers were chosen, viz .: David Lyman, District Clerk ; Aaron Clapp, Jr., Constable; Jonathan Clapp, Capt. Philip Clark, Enos Pomeroy, Surveyors of Ways; Stephen Wright, Capt. Philip Clark, Eleazer Hannum, Selectmen and Assessors; Joel Parsons, Benjamin Lyman, Tythingmen; Obadiah Clark, Lemuel Lyman, Sabbath-war- dens; Daniel Alexander, Surveyor of Shingles and Lumber; Solomon Ferry, Elijah Wright, Fence-viewers; John Brown, Joel Hannnm, Howards; John Clapp, David Chapman, Jr., Elisha Alvord, Hog-reeves; Capt. Joseph Clapp, Dis trict Treasurer ; David Chapman, Clerk of the Market; Zadoc Danks, Sealer of Leather; Benjamin Clapp, Packer.
The foregoing officers being all sworn, the meeting was dissolved.
Attest : ROBERT BRECK, Moderator.
The newly-elected Selectmen called a District meeting for the 13th of July, at which action was taken upon various subjects.
Stephen Wright, Philip Clark, Obadiah Janes, John Haanum, Capt. Joseph Clapp, Benjamin Lyman, Lieut. Joel Parsons were appointed a committee to look into the cost of getting set off, and also the cost of the meeting-house.
Voted, to keep the road in repair from the meeting-house to Pascomawek.
Nov. 16, 1785 .- Voted, a committee to look into the state of the highways, and report,-Capt. Philip Clark, Eleazer Ilannum, Elijah Wright.
Voted, a committee to see what land the District own ou the south side of the Manhan, and to sell the same,-John Hanunm, Asahel Clark, Philip Clark.
Voted, that the constables might warn common ordinary town-meetings " by an outery on a public day."
Jan. 11, 1786 .- Voted, a committee to view the ground from Broad Brook to l'ascommuck and report what alteration ought to be made,-Benjamin Clapp, Eleazer Hannum, Stephen Wright, Solomon Ferry, Elijah Wright.
Voted, the Selectmen should lay a road " where they now travel across Daniel Alexander's land, and allow said Daniel Alexander twelve shillings damage."
Voted, a committee to inspect the bridge near Capt. ('lapp's, and provide tin- her for the repair of the same,-Joseph Clapp, Elijah Wright, and Lieut. Asalir! Clark.
Committee on Pascommuck Bridge,-Joel Parsons, Solomon Ferry, Jonathan Janes.
Committee " to sell three pieces of land near the river called Manhan,"-John Haanum. Ephraim Danks, Benjamin Lyman.
Voted to allow Mr. Aaron Clapp five shillings for the loss of an axe at the raising of the meeting-house.
The selectmen were directed to make an assessment to pay the district dehts.
At the first regular March meeting, held March 22, 1786, there were chosen : Benjamin Lyman, Moderator; David Lyman, District Clerk ; Joseph Clapp, Dis- triet Treasurer ; Stephen Wright, Philip Clark, Eleazer Hannnm, Selectmen and Assessors; Joel Parsoas, Joseph Clapp, Wardens; Eleazer Hannum, Solomon Ferry, Aaron Clapp, Jun., Surveyors of Highways; Solomon Pomeroy, Uriel Clark, Field-drivers ; Jonathan Clapp, Noah Janes, Tythingmen ; Elijalt Wright, Obadiah Clark, Fence-viewers; David Chapman, Clerk of the Market; Enos Jaaes, Elijah Wright, Jun., Elisha Searl, Seth Hannum, Phineas Clark, Hog- reeves; Daniel Alexander, Surveyor of Shingles; Zadoc Danks, Scaler of Leather; Benjamin Clapp, Packer; Benjamin Clapp, Constable.
Committee to view a way to Park Hill,-Eleazer Haannm, Obadiah Janes, Elijah Wright, Bildad Brewer, Philip Clark.
Jurymen designated were Philip Clark, Asahel Clark, Daniel Alexander, John Brown, Joel Parsons, Solomon Ferry, Joel Hananm, Ephraim Danks, Job Clark, Obadiah Clark, David Chapman, Ezra Luddlen, Aaron Clapp, Jun., Joseph Clapp, Jonathan Clapp, William Phelps, Elijah Wright, David Lyman, Eleazer llaa- num, Enos Pomeroy, Solomon Pomeroy, John Hanuum, Benjamin Clapp, Oliver Clark.
April 3, 1786 .- Obadiah Clark was allowed a premium for a wolf-head equal to one-seventh of what Northampton allowed last year for three wolf-heads.
April 27, 1786 .- Chose Capt. Philip Clark to attend the Hatfield Convention, with instructions " to nse his influence not to have the County split."
June 22, 1786 .- Voted, that Noah Janes be collector, and have 32 shillings on the hundred pounds for his services.
Ang. 21, 1786 .- Chose Capt. Joseph Clapp to attend a convention, called at the request of several towns, to meet at Hatfield. This was one of the "Shays Conventions."
Place of the District- and Town-Meetings .- The first meeting was hell "at the dwelling-house of Capt. Joseph Clapp." This house is still standing, and is now owned by heirs of Lu- cas W. llannum, occupied as a tenant-house. It was the well- known tavern of Deacon Thaddeus Clapp for many years. The next meeting, July 13, 1785, was called " at the meeting-house frame." This must have evidently had a superior system of ventilation,-a qualification much studied for modern public halls.
.
267
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
In the fall of the same year the meetings were called " at the meeting-house," and there they continued to be held for a period of forty-eight years,-the last one Aug. 8, 1833.
The first regularly called meeting "in the town-hall" was held Nov. 11, 1833. This hall was built in pursuance of the following action :
Nov. 12, 1832 .- Voted, to raise a suitable sum of money for the erection of a town-house, provided the four classes unite in building a grammar-school house. Voted, to leave with the committee chosen at a previous meeting, Luther Clark, chairman, the making of a draft and estimates of the expense.
Mr. Pomeroy is alluded to as contractor in some of the rec- ords, and the full committee, appointed some years before the work was really completed, were Luther Clark, Ahira Lyman, John Phelps, Joel Parsons, and John Ludden. This joint school and town building is now a dwelling-house on Pleasant Street, occupied by C. S. Rust, owned by Theodore Clapp, moved there from the old site occupied by the present town- hall.
The movement for the second town-hall began some time before the town finally authorized the building. March 8, 1841, the warrant contained a clause relating to a new town- hall, but no action was taken in relation to it. At an ad- journed meeting, the first Monday of April, a committee were appointed, consisting of Samuel Williston, Augustus Clapp, Thomas J. Pomeroy. They made a report favorable to the enterprise, and the report was accepted. They were continued as a building committee. They appointed an additional com- mittee " to ser if the house is built according to contract, "_ John Ludden, Jason Clark, and John Hannum. Voted to convey to Samuel Williston the old town-house for the sum of $200, the sum to be applied toward the building of the new.
March 14, 1842, committee reported by their chairman, Samuel Williston, that the new town-house was nearly fin- ished, and the town voted to accept the job if approved by the committee previously appointed.
This town-hall began to be used for town-meetings about this time, and they were continued there for nearly thirty years. The building then became the property of the First Church, and it was moved to a site adjacent to their house of worship, remodeled into a chapel, and is so used at the present time. The third town-hall is the new and spacious edifice now in use.
TOWN-HALL, EASTHAMPTON.
" Its erection was voted in the fall of 1867. The building committee consisted of Seth Warner, E. H. Sawyer, H. G. Knight, L. W. Dannnm, E. R. Bosworth, and L. D. Lyman. The foundation was begun in April, 1868. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1868. The building was ready for occupation by June, 1869.
" One of the most notable days in the history of the town was that of its dedication, Tuesday, June 29, 1869. A large procession, led by the Haydenvillo Band, and under the chief direction of Capt. F. A. Rust, moved through the principal streets, and escorted the orator and distinguished guests to the Hall. The soldiers of the war, under command of Capt. J. A. Loomis and Lieuts. J. II. Judd and H. H. Strong, were in attendance. The exercises at the Hall were in the following order : After an overture by the Gertuania Band, Hon. H. G. Knight, of the committee of arrangements, introduced Hou. Samuel Williston, president of the day, who made a few remarks, after which a prayer of dedica- tion was offered by Rev. A. M. Colton. The keys were presented by Seth War- ner, in behalf of the building committee, to L. D. Lyman, of the committee to be in charge of the Hall. The principal feature of the occasion was the admira- Ile address by Hon. Ensign IT, Kellogg, of Pittsfield. Brief remarks by Lient .- Gov. Tucker closed the dedicatory services. The day was one of the finest, and an immense assemblage participated in the exercises. A concert was given in the evening by Miss Adelaide Phillips, of Boston, and eighteen members of the Germania Band. It was a rare musical treat, and was enjoyed by fully 1100 people. A promenade concert was also held on the following evening.
" The Hall is in the Lombard style of architecture, is of brick laid in black mortar, and its light is relieved by bands of Portland stone. The front is es- pecially ornate. It is very handsomely finished, both without and within. Its ground dimensions are 104 by 60 feet, exclusive of the towers. At the north corner is a tower 75 feet in height ; and at the south corner the Memorial Tower, 12 feet square and 133 feet high, which has near its sunnit an ornamental pro- jecting balcony, affording a fine outlook. Upon its front, near the base, it su]>- ports a memorial tablet of white Italian marble, 12 feet in height, decorated on either side with columns of black marble. It ends at the top in a triangular block, surmounted by a cross. It bears upon its face the inscription : 'East- hampton erects this tower, a memorial to these her sons, who died for their country, during the great Rebellion.' Then follow the names of the honored dead.
" The first story of the building contains a small hall and rooms for the town officers and for the public library, with ample corridors and stairways leading to the spacious upper hall. This is capable of seating 1100. The entire cost of the structure was $65,000. The tablet cost $2000. The architect was Mr. Charles E. Parker, of Boston, and the builder E. K. Bosworth. The masonry was super- vised by George P. Shoales, and the painting by F. J. Gould. The elaborate frescoing was done by William Carl, of Boston."
SELECTMEN FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DISTRICT, 1785.
1785-86 .- Stephen Wright, Capt. P. Clark, Eleazer Hannnn.
1787 .- Benjamin Lyman, Elijah Wright, Eleazer Hannum.
1788-89 .- Philip Clark, Elijah Wright, Eleazer Hannum.
1790-91 .- Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Noah Janes.
1792 .- Lemmel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Aaron Clapp, Jr. 1793 .- Lemuel Lyman, Joel Parsons, Oliver Clark.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.