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 86
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From its beginning the school has been divided into two departments,-a classical and an English or, as recently named, a scientific,-existing on a parity und having parallel courses of study.
The first catalogues simply give a list of studies which were pursued in the two departments. There was no term arrangement of studies and no classifica- tion of students. Since then the courses of study have continually grown more defuite, and the school is now strictly graded, While students are allowed to select their course, most of them are pursuing a regular course.
The school gives thorough preparation for the best colleges and scientific schools. Its scientific department also offers a complete course of study for those whose time and money will not permit a more extended course. The course of study in each department occupies four years, but mature students are advanced as rapidly as they can be with profit to themselves. Special students are received at any time, and permitted to join the classes for which they are qualified.
The purpose of the founder was to establish a school of the highest order, partly self-supporting because of the income from invested funds and generous provision in other ways, und therefore open to those of limited menus. This purpose is always kept in view. Tuition is free to those who need such help, and board is kept at $3 per week at the seminary boarding-house. All young men of energy and perseverance are thereby able to avail themselves of the ad- vuntages of the school.
$ By Prof. Sawyer,
271
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
The seminary is under religious but not sectarian influence. From one-fourth to one-third of the students, from terin to term, are professing Christians.
A notable event in the history of the seminary was the celebration of the Quarter Centennial, which was held anniversary week, July 2, 1867.
There was a large attendance of graduates aod former pupils. Rev. R. S. Storrs, of Brooklyn, was president of the day. Prof. Win. S. Tyler, the adviser and trusted friend of the founder, delivered an historical address. Rev. N. Adams, of Baston, in prayer, dedicated the completed buildings t > the promotion of learning and religion. Prof. Cyrus Northrop, of Yale t'ollege, pronounced an oration. There was also a poem by C. H. Sweetzer, of the Round Table, N. Y.
This gathering of Alumni left, as its legacy, an incipient Alumni Association, which still lives and grows. It has done something toward the cultivation of an esprit du corps among graduates. It has meetings each anniversary week, with a public address from some distinguished alumnus. Addresses have been delivered by Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, Prof. Judson Smith, Rev. H. M. Parsoos, C. D. Adams, Esq., Judge William S. Shurtleff, Col. Mason W. Tyler, Rev. Charles M. Lamsou, and Rev. Augustus F. Beard, D.D. On one occasion a poem was delivered by Rev. Albert Bryant, and on another hy Judge Shurtleff.
One of the most valuable results of this organization has been the publication of an Alumni record. This society urged the matter upon the trustees, who readily favored the project, appointed a co-operating committee, and voted to defray the expense. The matter was finally put into the hands of Rev. Joseph H. Sawyer, for several years a tearher iu the seminary. With painstaking and great labor, and with the co-operation of various class secretaries, he succeeded, at length, in bringing out a most satisfactory record. It gives the addresses, and, in most cases, a brief sketch of the life, of trustees and teachers, and of 1455 male students ; an index of the full number ; the Roll of Honor; and a list of female teachers and students, with their present address and name. From this record it appears that, at the time of publication in 1875, there had been con- nected with the seminary 5166 male and 1077 female students; total, 6243. Of these, the whole number reckoned alumni is 1117. Mr. Sawyer was able to report more or less fully concerning 2494 persons. Of these, 512 had already received a college education, -- 205 at Yale, 162 at Amherst, and 78 nt Williams. Seventy- two were then in college. Eighty-right more had graduated at professional or scientific sebuols. Of these, 167 had chosen the clerical, 174 the legal, and 80 the medical professions ; while 77 were teachers, 15 journalists, and 25 civil engi- neers. The Roll of Honor shows 9 generals, 16 colonels, 14 majors, 13 chaplains, 27 surgeons, 36 captains, 41 lieutenants, and 230 non-commissioned officers and privates. Of these, 49 died in battle or from exposure. Adding those who have attended the school since the Alumni records were published, we have a grand total of 6750 studeuts since the opening of the school ; 1250 graduates of Wil- liston Seminary, of whom 700 have completed a collegiate or professional course of study.
The first board of instruction, 1841, consisted of Rev. Luther Wright, Prin- cipal, and teacher of Latin and Greek ; David M. Kimball, MI.A., Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy; Richard S. Sturrs, Jr., M.A., Mental and Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric, and Chemistry ; Miss Clarissa L. Wright, French, English Grammar, and Geography; Col. Asa Barr, Music ; and Horatio Brown, Penmanship.
The first board of trustees were: Hon. Samuel Williston, President ; Rev. Heman Humphrey, D.D., Rev. Emerson Davis, Rev. John Mitchell, Rev. Wil- liam Bement, Secretary ; Rev. Luther Wright, Treasurer; Deacon J. P. Willistou, Ilon. William Bowdoin, Rev. Mark Hopkins, D.D., Prof. William S. Tyler.
Present trustees and officers: Hon. Horatio G. Knight, Easthampton, President ; Prof. William S. Tyler, D.D., LL.D., Amherst ; Rev. L. G. Buckingham, D.D., Springfieldl; Rev. John II. Bisbee, Westfield; Rev. Nehemiah Adains, D.D., Boston ; Rev. Aaron M. Colton, Easthampton ; Rev. Gordon Hall, D.D., North- ampton ; Col. William I. Clark, LL.D., Amherst ; Rev. Samuel T. Seelye, D.D, Easthampton ; Hon. Edmund HI. Sawyer, Easthampton, Treasurer; M. F. Dick- inson, Jr., Esq., Boston ; A. Lyman Williston, Esq., Florence; Joseph W. Fair- banks, M.A., Easthamptoo.
The present faculty (January, 1879) includes the following: Joseph Whitcomb Fairbanks, M.A., Principal, and instructor io Latin ; Joseph Heory Sawyer, M.A., instructor in Mental Science and English Literature ; Robert Porter Keep, Ph.D., instructor in Greek ; Roswell Parish, M.A., instructor in Mathematics and Physics; Russell M. Wright, M.A., instructor in Natural History and Geometry ; Henry Elijah Alvord, C.E., instructor in Drawing and Gymnastics; Erastus G. Smith, B.A., instructor in Chemistry and Elocution; Charles A. Buffum, M.A., instructor in Latin and History.
The following is a list of college graduates natives of East- hampton :
Azariah Clark, 1805, Williams College, ministry.
Job Clark, 1811, Williams College, medicine.
Elam C. Clark, 1812, Williams College, ministry.
Theodore Clapp, 1814, Yale College, ministry.
Solomon Lyman, 1822, Yale College, ministry. Sumner G. Clapp, 1822, Yale College, ministry. Luther Wright, 1822, Yale College, teaching. Sylvester Clapp, 1823, Union College, ministry. Silas C. Brown, 1828, Union College, ministry. Theodore L. Wright, 1829, Yale College, teaching. Samuel Matthews, 1829, Amherst College, teaching. Francis Janes, 1830, Williams College, ministry.
Thornton W. Clapp, 1835, Williams College, ministry. Edmund Wright, 1836, Williams College, ministry. Josiah Lyman, 1836, Williams College, teaching.
Alender O. Clapp, 1837, Amherst College, ministry. Addison Lyman, 1839, Williams College, ministry. Jabez B. Lyman, 1841, Amherst College, surgery. Russell M. Wright, 1841, Williams College, teaching. llorace Lyman, 1842, Williams College, ministry. Elijah II. Wright, 1842, Amherst College, medicine. William S. Clark, 1848, Amherst College, teaching.
Lyman R. Williston, 1850, Amherst College, teaching.
Edson L. Clark, 1853, Yale College, ministry. Francis H. Hannum, 1865, Amherst College. James T. Graves, 1866, Yale College.
Payson W. Lyman, 1867, Amherst College, ministry.
Henry H. Sawyer, 1871, Amherst College, business.
Charles H. Knight, 1871, Williams College, medicine. Alvin E. Todd, 1871, Yale College, ministry.
Frank Warner, two years at Williams College, music ; then musie a year at Leipsic, Germany.
Frank E. Sawyer, 1872, United States Naval Academy, navy.
George H. Baker, 1874, Amherst College, history. .
William B. Sawyer, 1875, Amherst College, medicine.
Fred. M. Leonard, Harvard College.
Arthur Wainwright, Amherst College.
School Statistics.
January, 1837 .- Six schools; attending in the summer, 161; average, 123; winter, 175; average, 139; in town between # and 16, 197; summer schools, 26 months; winter, 17 months; summer teachers, G females ; winter, 4 males, 2 fe- males; average wages of male teachers per month, $22; female teachers, $10.02.
January, 1847 .- Six schools; attending in the sunnner, 160; average, 126; winter, 186; average, 135; in town between 4 and 16, 215; attending under 4, 10; over 16, 6; summer schools, 22 months; winter, 19 months; total, 41 ; stilt- mer teachers, 6 females; winter, 4 males, 2 females; male teachers, average wages per month, $22.50; female, $14.16.
January, 1857 .- Seven schools; attending in summer, 161 ; average, 136 ; win- ter, 215; average, 155; attendling uuder 5, 6; over 16, 8; io town between 5 and 15, 236; snormer teachers, 7 females; winter, I male, 7 females ; summer schools, 32 months, 10 days; winter, 22 months, 15 days; total, 55 months, 5 days; wages of male teachers, average per month, $25; female, $12.
January, 1867 .- Thirteen schools; attending in the summer, 452; average 374; winter, 513; average, 308; attending under 5, 8; over 15, 59; in town he- tween 5 and 15, 542; summer teachers, 12 females ; winter, 13 females; summer schools, 39 months, 15 days; winter, 42 months, 15 days; average wages of female teachers, $25 per month.
January, 1878,-Sixteen schools; repairs, $529.03; attending, 631; average, 513; under 5, 5; over 15, 72; in towo between 5 and 15, 637; teachers, females, 21 ; from Normal, 5; school, 142 months ; average wages per month, $42.46 ; tax- ation, $7000; expense of superintendence, $200; vested funds, $143,000, yielding an income of $5000; from other local funds and dog tax, $151.99; I high school, I teacher, 81 scholars; supported by taxation, 9 months and 5 days; principal's salary, $900; 1 incorporated academy ; 225 sebolars ; tuition, $13,000; town share of State fuod, 8282.67.
CHURCHIES.
The desire of the people for a separate civil organization was intimately connected with their plans for a separate church. In all their movements for a new town, it was as- signed as a special reason " that with greater profit to them- selves and their families, they might attend on public worship and on the ordinances of God's sanctuary."
Accordingly, before the civil organization was secured, cer- tain individuals made preparation to build a meeting-house, and a frame was erected in the spring of 1785.
The following notes from the town records show the carly action down to the time of Mr. Williston's ordination :
July 13, 1785 .- Chose a committee to make an inquiry for a preacher, and re- port at some future meeting,-David Lyman, Philip Clark, Jonathan Clapp, Joseph Clapp, David Chapman.
Voted, to make this meeting-house (already partly built) the place of public worship.
Voted, to purchase the house of the individuals who had been at the expense of erecting it. Voted a committee to cover the house,-Jonathan Clapp, Philip Clark, Joseph Clapp, Obadiah Janes, Benjamin Clapp, David Chapman, Benja- mìn Lyman.
Nov. 16, 1785,-Voted, "to hire preaching," and chose a committee for that purpose,-Stephen Wright, Benjamin Lyman, and Philip Clark.
272
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
March 22, 1786 .- Committee on preaching instructed to continue their ser- viers, mul their previous action ratified.
April 3, 17:6 .- Voted, " to secure the windows of the meeting-house," and ap- pointed a committee for that purpose,-Asalirl Clark, Jonathan (lapp, and Zadloc Danks.
June 22, 1786 .- Voted, to Jevy a tax of 30 pounds upon the polls and estates to pay for preaching.
Oct. 26, 1786 .- Voted, that the committee on preaching hire M. Woolworth another trim on condition that they can agree with him.
Nov. 22, 1586,-Voted, to raise forty pounds for the support of the gospel.
Voted, that the committee " board the ministers at the cheapest place they can, if it be a good place."
Jan. 18, 1787 .- Voted, to concur with the church in inviting Mr. Aaron Wool- worth to settle with us in the work of the ministry, and offered him a settlement of 2001 pounds, to be paid 50 pounds a year; and a salary of 75 pounds a year for the first tive years, afterward ¿0 pounds yrarly, and seventy loads of wood a year for his own fires. Committee to wait upon Mr. Woolworth, Stephen Wright, Philip Clark, Benjamin Lyman, Joseph Clapp, Asahel Clark.
But Mr. Woolworth was not settled.
April 16, 1787 .- Committee upon the underpinning of the meeting-house, Jonathan Glapp, John Hannum, Lemmel Lyman.
Here is also a glinger at the carpenter work, Mr. Jonathan Clapp being voted twoJvr shillings for making pins for the merting-house.
May 28, 1787 .- Committer on preaching dismissed at their request, and the following appointed: Stephen Wright, Benjamin Lyman, Asahel Clark, Philip Clark, David Lyman.
The committee were instructed to apply to Rev. Mr. Holt and to others in their discretion.
Ang. 20, 1787-Voted, the committee should employ Mr. Hult another term. Nov. 26, 17>5 .- Voted, to allow Stephen Wright one shilling and sixpence per day for riding after a preacher, calling his time two days and a half.
Voted, to raise 40 pounds for preaching.
Nov. 24, 1788,-Voted fifty pontols for the suggest of preaching, and voted to finish the meeting-house, and a committee were appointed to make a distri- bution of the tax in timber.
Votent, to allow David Lyman the same Mr. Joseph Clapp had for boarding the minister. Wr conclude Mr. byman's was the cheapest place to be obtained, according to a previous vote, but we also conclude that it was " a good place."
March 2, 1789 .- To prevent disorder upon the Sabbath, voted that the tyth- ingmen do their duty faithfully.
In 1786, Benjamin Lyman, Stephen Wright, and Philip ('lark were appointed a committee to collect a donation made by Joseph Bartlett many years before to the first church of Christ which should organize and hold divine service within half a mile of his house. It amounted, with interest, to £14 Is. and 3d., and was expended for a communion service.
The pioneer state of organization and preparation was at length passed, and a changing pastorate gave way to a regular settlement, uncertainty to steady permanent work. A call was voted to Rev. Payson Williston, April 6, 1789. It was accepted, and he was ordained Ang. 13, 1789.
The terms of the engagement were £180 settlement fund and a salary of £65 the first year, to be increased El a year until it amounted to £70, besides 35 cords of wood per year if he " shall need so much for his own consumption."
Mr. Williston's pastorate lasted until 1833, when he re- signed, but continued to reside in this place, loved and vener- ated by the people to whom he had preached the words of eternal life for so long a period. The correspondence between pastor and people at the time of the resignation is honorable to both. His life was prolonged for twenty-three years after the close of his ministerial services. At the age of ninety- two, Jan. 30, 1856, he was called by the great Head of the Church to come up higher.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH.
During the period of curly settlement a part of the inhabi- tants living upon the territory now constituting Easthampton retained connection with the church of Northampton, and others with that of Southampton. It was not until the dis- triet was incorporated that a movement for a new organiza- tion was successful. Nov. 13, 1785, forty-six persons were dismissal from the Northampton church, and about the same time fifteen families, embracing twenty-six persons, from the church at Southampton, to constitute a new church. The organization took place at the house of Joseph Clapp, Nov. 17, 1785.
Stephen Wright was the moderator of the meeting, and
Capt. Philip Clark was clerk. Ministers present were Rev. Solomon Williams, of Northampton ; Rev. Jonathan Judd, of Southampton ; Rev. Enoch Hale, of Westhampton ; and Rev. Joseph Strong, of Williamsburg. The first deacons chosen were Philip Clark and Benjamin Lyman. The former declined, and two years later Obadiah Janes was chosen in his place. As already shown, the new church was without a settled pastor for over three years.
The present church edifice was built in 1836 and 1837 from a plan drawn by William F. Pratt, of Northampton. Mr. Pratt and Jason Clark were the contractors. The corner-stone was laid June 9, 1836, and the house was dedicated March 16, 1837. The structure is 80 by 60 feet, and its original cost was less than $6000. In 1844 the church was enlarged by building more capacious galleries. Mr. Samuel Williston at his own expense had the spire remodeled and an organ and a clock introduced. In 1865 it was removed a short distance, to its present location, and thoroughly remodeled at an expense of $5000.
The site where the old meeting-house of 1785 stood is now a beautiful park, adding much to the attractions of the village. A fine elm, growing near the centre of the park, is known as the "pulpit elm," and is said to mark the spot over which stood the pulpit in the first meeting-house,-a splendid living memorial, marking a place historic in the annals of East- hampton.
The First Church have a large and convenient chapel near their house of worship. In 1846 a commodious brick parson- age was erected on one of the pleasantest sites in the town at an expense of $3000, the greater portion of which was donated by Mr. Samuel Williston, though the society relinquished to him the old parsonage. A Sabbath-school was instituted in 1818, meeting at first with some opposition. It was held in the district school-house that stood at what is now the corner of Park and Main Streets. It has been continued from that time to the present as one of the cherished institutions of the church.
The communion-service in use was the gift of Mrs. Tirzah Clapp, widow of Luther Clapp; she died Aug. 13, 1811. In her will she bequeathed $300 to the church and town, $35 of which, according to her direction, was expended for a pall- cloth, and the balance fell to the church.
Ministerial Record .- Ist. Rev. Payson Williston, installed Aug. 13, 1789; resigned and dismissed by council Oct. 16, 1833 ; died Jan. 30, 1856, aged ninety-two. 2d. Rev. William Bement, ordained Oet. 16, 1833; dismissed April 9, 1850. 3d. Rev. Rollin S. Stone, installed Oct. 8, 1850; dismissed July 26, 1852. 4th. Rev. A. M. Colton, installed March 2, 1853, and now in the twenty-seventh year of his pastorate.
A very pleasant event in the history of the church was the quarter-century celebration of Mr. Colton's pastorate. It was held on Friday, March 1, 1878. The addresses, the gifts, the social entertainments, the music, all were of a rich and varied character, recalling tender reminiscences, and exhibit- ing the love and esteem which existed in the whole commu- nity for the faithful pastor.
At the meeting to make arrangements Mr. Edwin S. Janes presided, and Mr. Watson H. Wright was secretary. The general committee appointed were Dencons Lauren D. Ly- man, William Hill, Martin L. Gaylord, Watson H. Wright, Lucius E. Parsons, Mrs. Lafayette Clapp, Mrs. Gilbert A. Clark, Miss Sarah E. Wright, Miss Emma A. Clark. The principal gift in which the offerings of the people were em- bodied was a costly and beautiful silver service, engraved with the pastor's name.
For the second piece sung upon this occasion thirteen mem- bers of the church choir of twenty-five years ago took the " singers' seats." These were also present in the choir of eighty who sang at the installation of Mr. Colton. The thirteen now sang the same tune, and from the same book,-
273
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.
" One thing have I desired of the Lord." As the modern choir retired to give place to the thirteen Mr. Edwin S. Janes, the leader, alone remained,-the sole link between the old and the new, his services in the choir extending over a longer period than those of the pastor in the pulpit.
Record of Deacons Chosen .- Philip Clark, Jan. 18, 1786; declined; died May 26, 1818. Stephen Wright, Jan. 18, 1786; died June 3, 1809. Benjamin Lyman, June 21, 1786. Abadiah Janes, 1788; died Feb. 1, 1817. Joel Parsons, 1798. Solomon Lyman, 1807; resigned 1833 (probably). Thaddeus Clapp, 1808; died April 12, 1861. Sylvester Lyman, 1818; resigned in 1833. Julius Hannum, Jan. 2, 1825. Ithamar Clark, Nov. 29, 1832; died April 3, 1857. Eleazer W. Ilan- . num, 1833; still in office after forty-six years of service. Samuel Williston, Sept. 2, 1841; dismissed to the Payson Church, Oct. 8, 1850. Luther Wright, May 14, 1857; died Sept. 5, 1870. E. Alonzo Clark, May 14, 1857; one of the present deacons (January, 1879). Lauren D. Lyman, Feb. 3, 1870; one of the present deacons (January, 1879).
THE PAYSON CHURCH OF EASTHAMPTON.
This was one of the developments caused by the rapid in- crease of population consequent upon the removal of the button-works from Haydenville to Easthampton and the general enlargement of business enterprises. The first meeting for the organization of a second church was held July 8, 1852.
The church, consisting of 100 members, was formed De- cember 29th of the same year, and the church edifice that had been already built was dedicated in the evening of that day. The Rev. R. S. Stone became the first pastor, and was in- stalled at the same time with the services of organization and dedication. The first deacons were llon. Samuel Williston und Dr. Atherton Clark. The first clerk was E. A. Hubbard, who served until 1855, when he was succeeded by C. B. John- son, Esq., who has been continued in that office to the present time.
The church was very unfortunate for several years in re- speet to their house of worship. The first house, erected in 1852, was burned Jan. 29, 1854, with no insurance upon it. In the following spring the erection of another house was eommeneed, and, when partially finished, that was destroyed by fire Sept. 1, 1854. The walls and foundation were par- tially saved; a third building was commenced almost inmedi- ately, which was completed the next year, and dedicated Sept. 6, 1855. This rapidity of work and steady perseverance in the face of disaster could have hardly succeeded except through the munificence of Hon. Samuel Williston, who paid almost entirely for the ereetion of the last house,-about $14,000. The first parsonage was destroyed at the same time with the second church. In connection with the buikling of the third edifice a new parsonage was ereeted, at an expense of $4000.
But the list of disasters was not yet complete. Jan. 2, 1862, the tall spire of the church was blown down by the severe gale of that morning. It fell across the roof, ruining a large portion of the building. The organ, the desk, and the vestry, however, escaped injury. At the time of repairing this damage an addition was made to the building, and the present struc- ture is 89 by 50; spire, 163 feet in height; organ recess, 27 by 19; audience-room, 75 by 48 below and 87 by 48 above. The total expense of building and rebuilding cannot have been less than $50,000. The ordinary seating capacity may be stated at 600, in case of necessity reaching 800.
Present Organization (January, 1879) .- Rev. A. R. Mer- riam, Pastor ; C. B. Johnson, Hon. E. H. Sawyer, Iloratio G. Knight, Rev. J. II. Sawyer, Deacons and Church Com- mittee ; E. Thomas Sawyer, Joseph H. Wilson, Jairus Burt, Parish Committee ; Rev. Joseph HI. Sawyer, Superintendent of Sunday-school; communicants, about 450; congregation, including seminary students, 600 to 700; Sunday-school at- tendance about 320; having an excellent library.
35
Ministerial Record .- Ist. Rev. R. S. Stone, installed Dec. 28, 1852; dismissed Jan. 21, 1803. 2d. Rev. S. T. Seelye, D.D., installed Oct. 14, 1863; resigned and dismissed by council Jan. 8, 1877. 3d. Rev. A. R. Merriam, ordained and installed Oct. 31, 1877 ; and the present pastor of the church.
Record of Deacons (elected for a term of two years) .- Dr. Atherton Clark, chosen Nov. 11, 1852, left town in 1863; Samuel Williston, chosen Nov. 11, 1852, died July 19, 1874; Charles B. Johnson, chosen Aug. 29, 1861, still in office ; An- sel B. Lyman, chosen Aug. 29, 1861, served one term; Seth Warner, chosen June 2, 1864, removed to Haywood, Cal. ; E. A. Hubbard, chosen June 2, 1864, served until March 1, 1866; E. H. Sawyer, chosen March 1, 1866, present deacon ; M. H. Leonard, chosen Jan. 1, 1874, resigned Feb. 20, 1879 ; Alphous J. Lyman, chosen Dec. 4, 1873, served to Jan. 4, 1877; J. H. Sawyer, chosen Jan. 4, 1877, present deacon ; H. G. Knight, chosen to succeed M. II. Leonard, 1879.
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