History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 87

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 87

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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In the fall of 1862, Mr. Thomas Turner and Mr. Thomas Martin, who had recently removed from England to this place, feeling the want of religious observanees, to which they had been accustomed, instituted family prayer-meetings. At the first these were strictly of a private character. These two pious families were thus unconsciously to themselves laying the foundation of an important religious work. Tenderly cherishing the sacred flame of devotion in their own house- holds, they soon took an advance step by inviting Mr. F. H. Putnam, who was then a member of the Methodist Church of Northampton, to meet with them. He did so, and a few others were invited. The private character of the meetings, under the impulse of increasing interest, was soon changed to public gatherings, and the community at large were invited to attend. The result of these unofficial prayer-meetings was a revival work of deep interest. Mr. Albert Hopkins, men- tioned as the first convert, is still an active member of the church.

The assistance of the minister of the Methodist Church at Northampton was solicited, and he promptly came over and preached as his other engagements would permit. The chief labor was, however, still done by the faithful brothers who had commeneed the meetings. As a result of this movement, ex- tending over a period of two or three months, a class was formed, consisting of 17 members, with William Bryant as leader.

The meetings were removed to Bosworth's Hall, on the second floor of his present carpenter shop, though the whole building has been moved a short distance from its original site. The families of Martin and Turner were Baptists in England, but they had been accustomed to carrying on meetings very similar to the usual forms of the Methodist Church. They united heartily in laying the basis of a Methodist church or- ganization, though they did not remain long in Easthampton to witness the success of the movement commenced by them- selves. Mr. Turner went back to England, and Mr. Martin removed to the vicinity of Boston.

The next step was a request to the district meeting at North- ampton for a minister, and temporary arrangements for a few Sabbaths. The large audiences and the interest shown proved the success of the enterprise. A formal application to Confer- ence in the spring of 1863 was responded to by appointing Rev. S. Jackson to supply this appointment regularly.

The church was organized by him in April, 1863. The class- leaders were William Bryant and Oscar II. IIill. The stewards were Thomas Turner, Thomas Martin, F. II. Putnam, Francis Newton, Wm. Martin, Alfred Ilopkins, James Swindell.

A Sunday-school was begun about the same time, with F. Il. Putnam superintendent, a position which he has filled z large part of the time since. The use of the town-hall was obtained for Sabbath-day services, but, that being used by the

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First Congregational Church in the evening, the Methodists met in Bosworth's Hall.

In the fall of 1863 the question was agitated of securing a place upon which a house of worship might be built at some future time. E. H. Sawyer and II. G. Knight offered to sell the society a lot, but kindly suggested that the town might vote the church a site, and offered themselves to bring the matter up at the next town-meeting. This was done, and, with a liberality the Methodist society heartily appreciated, a lot of sixty-five feet front was donated by the town, upon which the church edifice now stands ; and a year later, 1865, the town voted the church a handsome addition as a site for a chapel. The effort to build followed immediately upon the gift of a site, ground was broken in 1865, and by the assistance of the church and society it was so far inclosed and completed that a festival was held in it before winter set in. The finishing was pushed during the next year, and the house dedicated Dec. 12, 1866. The sermon was preached by Rev. Wm. R. Clark, of Spring- field, from the text, " Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined."

The pastorate of Mr. Jackson had closed the spring before, and his three years had been full of work, both material and spiritual. There had been over three hundred conversions, half or more uniting with this church. Between $7000 and $8000 had been raised for the support of the gospel and for building. Rev. Franklin Furber succeeded Mr. Jackson.

The entire cost of the house of worship, with fixtures and furniture, was $16,396.36. A heavy debt had been incurred, which it has required patience, perseverance, and liberal giving to bring within safe limits. Meanwhile, a pleasant parsonage on Prospect Street has been secured, at an expense of about $3000. All this has been done while reducing a debt of $5000 left at the building of the church. The society now have their fine house of worship and their parsonage. The debt is reduced to about $3000, and pledges to meet a large portion of this are available.

Ministerial Record .- Rev. S. Jackson, 1863-66; Rev. Frank- lin Furber, 1866-68; Rev. Chas. T. Johnson, 1868-70; Rev. William W. Colburn, 1870, appointed chaplain of the State- prison ; Rev. William G. Leonard filled out the year ; Rev. HI. A. Hall, 1871-73; Rev. S. O. Dyer, 1873-74; Rev. L. A. Bosworth, 1874-76; Rev. E. R. Thorndike, 1876-78; Rev. C. A. Merrill, 1878.

Among the various revival occasions, the Conference year, 1866-67, is recalled as one of great interest to the church, the interest continuing throughout the entire year.

In the summer of 1868 the society erected a tent upon the camp-ground, at an expense of $150.

Present Organization (January, 1879) .- Rev. C. A. Merrill, Pastor ; F. H. Putnam, John McCandless, O. H. Hill, Class- Leaders; Medad L. Pomeroy, Oscar II. Hill, Austin Fairchild, Joshua A. Loomis, Christian Kaplinger, Alfred Hopkins, H. R. Dickieson, Frank Kellogg, Henry A. Langdon, Stewards ; F. Putnam, Superintentendent of Sunday-school.

The church has had a large percentage of changes by re- movals from town, often redueing its membership. There are now about 150 communicants.

It perhaps should be added that some twelve years before the prayer-meetings of Thomas Turner and Thomas Martin there was Methodist preaching in the town-hall by Rev. Mr. Potter. This was in 1850 or '51. The enterprise, however, did not meet with sufficient success to warrant the formation of a society, and after a time it was abandoned, and some in- terested in that work entered into the movement to found the Payson Church, which followed soon after.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF EASTHAMPTON, KNOWN AS ST. PHILIP'S PARISII.

This society was organized April 10, 1871. Services had previously been held by Rev. B. F. Cooley, and he became

the first pastor, continuing as such until March, 1872, when he resigned, and was soon after succeeded by Rev. Lewis Green. At that time the society consisted of 56 families, 49 communicants, and a congregation of 80 to 100. Mr. Green resigned in the spring of 1873, and services were suspended until autumn. Then the work of the parish was resumed by Rev. J. Sturgis Pierce, rector of St. John's Church, North- ampton. Services are held in the lower town-hall. The society has secured a desirable site, and they hope to make arrangements for building a house of worship in a year or two. The wardens are N. W. Farrar and James Butterworth ; the former is also superintendent of the Sunday-school. Major II. E. Alvord is parish clerk. The Sunday-school numbers from 40 to 50. The vestrymen of the church are Thomas Major, Robert Oliver, Clarence E. Ware, Joseph Bassett, Henry E. Alvord. Joseph Bassett is also treasurer.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF EASTHAMPTON.

This society is located in the southeast part of the village, on A Street, near the corner of Liberty. The church stands upon rising ground, a location possessing many advantages. In the rapid business growth of Easthampton there came in quite a large population of Catholic sentiments, and efforts were made to provide themselves with religious services after their own faith. They were aided in this by the leading bus- iness-men of the town, even by those who cherished the New England Protestant faith as tenaciously as Catholics cherish theirs. The first house of worship was of wood, and was de- stroyed by fire. The present church is of briek, large and convenient. The present pastor is Rev. Father Walsh, who resides on Pleasant Street, and is evidently wielding a strong influence in his congregation. Ilis predecessor was Rev. Father Callery, who is now at Florence. .

BURIAL-PLACES.

The earliest burying-ground was at Nashawannuck, and it is supposed that a large number were buried there. So neglected and forgotten had this been for many years that the site was regarded as unknown. Lyman's history, however, identifies the place as being " on an elevation, in a field be- longing to the Augustus Clapp farm, and about fifteen rods southwest from his house." The fieldl spoken of is a cultivated one, and all traces of graves are obliterated. Yet here un- doubtedly moulder the remains of several of the early settlers. Very likely the remains of those killed at Pascommuck or at the bloody field upon the Wait farm may have been gathered up and brought to Nashawannuck. None of the published accounts of that affair seem to speak of the burial.

The present East Street or Pascommuck Cemetery, while it is quite ancient, does not date to 1704. Indeed, Lyman's his- tory makes the opening of the latter as late as the time of the Revolution. But there is a period of seventy-five years pre- ceding that in the history of the territory now constituting Easthampton. Where were the dead of that period buried if not at Nashawannuck ?

The Pascommuck Burial-Ground .- There may be some question whether this is the next in order of time. The votes at the district meetings in 1787 seem to imply that the old centre burial-ground was then first laid out ; still, there may have been burials there earlier than that. The Pascommuck ground was given by Eliakim Clark, and the first person buried there was a child of Jonathan Janes, in the year 1775.

This cemetery is still in use to some extent. It is in a fair state of preservation, and the town usually votes a small sum for it at the annual meetings.

The Old Centre Burying-Ground .- This was opposite the grounds of the present seminary, on the location now occu- pied by the Methodist Church, the new town-hall, and other buildings. The place was obtained of Benjamin Lyman, son of one of the original purchasers of the school lands. The

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

following items with reference to it appear in the town records, though they do not leave it clear whether burials had already taken place there.

April 16, 1787 .- Voted a committee of three to look into the circumstances of our burying-place, and make report at some future meeting,-Stephen Wright, Solomon Ferry, David Lyman. This action was in respect to a clause in the warrant, which proposed to see what the district would direct with reference to an exchange of lands with Mr. Benjamin Lyman for a burying-place.

Committee reported Nov. 25, 1787, and a new committee appointed to see how much land is required,-Philip Clark, John Hannum, Joseph Clapp.

In 1812 a committee were paid for having fenced " the Middle District Burying-Ground,"-John Ludden, Jr., $12; Ahira Lyman, $2.50; Deacon Solomon Lyman, 90 cents; and Obadiah Janes was to pay $1 for the old fence.

It is said that a child of Benjamin Lyman, Jr., the proprietor of the farm, was the first one buried in that ground. The school lands were bought in 1745, and Benjamin Lyman, Jr., alluded to, was then eighteen years of age.

This ground, full of sacred memories, where the dead of sixty years or more had been gathered, was finally given up before the demands of business and public improvement. It cost something of a struggle, as such changes always do, and it seems yet to many that the ground ought to have been fenced and retained, even if burials there ceased. But a vote of the town authorizing the removal of the remains was finally ob- tained. It was done as tenderly as it is possible to do such work,-the stones and memorials carefully preserved. The old centre burial-ground became only a memory,-only an item of history.

. The New Cemetery at the Centre .- The action of the town to open this appears in the records as follows :

March 10, 1845, appointed a committee to procure land for a new burying-place,-Samuel Williston, John Ludden, Luther Clapp. They were instructed to buy not less than two nor more than three acres.

June 2, 1845, committee reported that it was best to purchase three acres of land of Widow Orpha Lyman, to be laid out into lots. The report was accepted. Eventually, however, four and a half aeres were bought. The first person buried in this ground was Mrs. Eunice S. Lyman, wife of Daniel F. Lyman. The cemetery was subsequently enlarged, and is sure of preservation and careful attention in the future.

Among the bequests of Hon. Samuel Williston were $4000 to construct the beautiful iron fence which now incloses the grounds, and $6500 as a permanent fund, the interest of which is to be annually expended in the care and adorminent of the cemetery.

In this yard, upon the Williston family lot, stands a fine granite monument, erected at an expense of $4000.

Brookside Cemetery.

" As early as 1870, the cemetery committee called the attention of the town to the fact that, though there were frequent calls for burial-lots, no more were available. The matter was not taken in hand till the following year, and, though a committee examined locations and prices, consulted as to plans, and reported progress from time to time, no full and definite recommendations came before the town from then till June 9, 1873. At that time they reported a preliminary survey of land bordering the pond at the upper village on its west side, and owned by Mrs. Williston, J. D. Ludden, J. P. Searl, Eilson White, and the heirs of Daniel Rust (21), and recommended the purchase of a suitalde amount of land, the building of a bridge across the pond, near the Nashawannuck office, and the construction of a road. The town voted to adopt the plan recommended, and provided a sum of money for the purpose. Ernest W. Bowdich, of Boston, a civil and topographical engineer, made the final survey, beginning his work Oct. 27, 1873. This gentleman, with extensive acquaintance, declares that he knows no more finely-located cemetery in Western Massachusetts than this is. It has been named Brookside Cemetery, from its proximity to the water, which adds greatly to its beanty. To interest the people in the enterprise, and to familiarize them with the location, a general invitation was given them to come together Nov. 5, 1873, and construct an avenue upon it. About 150 responded to the call. The cemetery, exclusive of the inclosing avenue, contains nearly

29 acres. The whole number of lots laid out is 807, of which 57 have been sold. There is ample room to increase the number of lots to 1000 if desirable, and still leave spares for decorative purposes. The prices range from $6 to $50 per lot. It is now in charge of a committee,-E. H. Sawyer, Chairman ; Lafayette Clapp, Secretary and Treasurer ; and E. S. Janes, Superintendent,-with whom were associated in the early history of the enterprise A. L. Clark, L. D. byman, Wm. N. Clapp, and R. C. Dresser. The whole cost up to date is not far from $9800."

The plans of the civil engineer were executed by the super- intendent, E. S. Janes, with care and fidelity. Avenues have been graded, lots improved, and the cemetery is to be in future years a lovely and beautiful resting-place of the dead. Year by year nature, art, and culture will combine to adorn its winding walks, its reserved squares, and its burial-lots. Along these silent streets shall be laid, for a century to come, old age in its glory, manhood in its prime, youth in its strength, and childhood in its innocence. ITere Christian faith will inspire the hearts of mourning circles with golden hopes of immortality, and point tbe living to the better land of the departed. And to those who tread these carefully-cherished grounds, and remember, perhaps, that their dead are in the un- known and lost burial-grounds of the past, will come the sweet consolation that our Heavenly Father knoweth where his children sleep, and needs no marble shaft to mark their rest- ing-place.

There were some burials on the Pearson Hendrick farm.

BANKS.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

This was organized in 1864, with a capital of $150,000, which was afterward increased to $200,000. Hon. H. G. Knight is the president, and A. D. Sanders cashier. Rev. S. T. Seelye is the vice-president.

An efficient board of directors co-operate in the manage- ment. Dividends formerly averaged 9 per cent. annually, somewhat less in these later years of " hard times." A sur- plus of $40,000 has accumulated.

A handsome bank building, with a solidly-built vault, was erected in 1871, at a cost of $20,000. It is said to be a model structure for a country bank.

THE EASTHAMPTON SAVINGS-BANK.

This was organized June 7, 1870, and is located in the same building as the National Bank. Hon. E. II. Sawyer is presi- dent, and Rev. S. T. Seelye treasurer.

It has a deposit account of $225,000, three-quarters of which belongs to the people of this town.

PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

" While the town-hall was in process of erection, a Public Library Association was organized with corporate powers, Hon. E. II. Sawyer, its carnest advocate, securing the charter. The town appropriated two large rooms in the hall for its use, and has made it an annual grant of $500. Private donations have also been made, the chief of which have been $1000 each from Mr. Williston and Mr. Saw yer, and $500 each from Christopher Meyer, John R. Ford, and James Suther- land. Thirty-five persons have made themselves life-members by the payment of $50 each. Any citizen of the town can consult the books freely at the library, and can withdraw them on payment of $1 per year. There are at present 320 subscribers, besides the life-members. The whole number of books is 4995. Miss Dora C. Miller has been the librarian from the outset, and her services have been invaluable. The present officers are E. H. Sawyer, President ; Il. G. Knight, Vice-l'resident ; W. G. Bassett, Secretary ; C. E. Williams, Treasurer ; Rev. S. T. Seelye, Rev. A. M. Colton, Lafayette Clapp, and E. T. Sawyer, Directors.

" The laws of the State empower Library Associations, if they so choose, to es- tablish and maintain museums. Our Association undertook the enterprise early in 1872, putting the matter into the hands of C. B. Johnson, II. N. Rust, and Lafayette Clapp, who soon had it in successful progress. The two former have made extensive private collections, and on that account were especially well fitted for the duty assigned them. The committee, to which L. D. Lyman was added on the departure of Mr. Rust, have worked with enthusiasm, and, with the co- operation of others, have been able to make a most valuable collection. The articles are displayed in the library reception-room, and constitute a feature of decided interest, both to citizens and strangers. Many relics of the late war, and other rare and curious articles, have been collected. Some of these are illus- trative of local history, others of antique customs, or of the habits of uncivilized people. Hon. E. Il. Sawyer has been a steadfast friend of the work, giving to it some $300 at the start. Ile, with Mr. Rust of the committee, Dr. Seelye, and George S. Clark, have been the most extensive depositors. Space and time are wanting to mention the articles in detail. There are muskets, swords, knives,

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

and other relics of the war, as, e.g., a piece of rail from the field of Antietam, riddled with bullets; a bust of John Brown, and one of his pikes; a case of stuffed birds, the work of David MI. Strangford; a collection of sea-shells; curi- osities from the South Sea Islands ; and other articles. Some of the articles have a local association, such as a set of table-glasses, used about 1740, by Maj. Jona- than Clapp; the bullet-ponch that saved the life of Lemuel Lyman, at Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755; the deed of School Meadow, executed in 1745, by the agents of the towu of Northampton, to Dea. Stephen Wright and Benjamin Lyman, ancestors of the Wrights and Lymans of the town ; a musket made by Moses Chapman and carried by Nathaniel White in the Revolution ; Rev. Mr. Williston's license to , preach, signed by Jonathan Edwards; his corner-clock, and an oil-painting of him, presented by Mrs. Emily G. Williston; also an oil-portrait of Rev. Wm. Bement, painted by Sylvester S. Lyman, of Hartford (a native of the town), and in part donated by him. Besides the portraits, the walls are adorned by several fine engravings."

It should be added that there was an early library association organized in 1792, and composed of about thirty persons at first, who paid two dollars each and a small annual sum. In the progress of years quite a library was collected, and Rev. Payson Williston officiated as librarian for thirty-five years. In 1842 it was united with the Youths' Library Association, an organization formed for literary improvement, in 1828. Its members paid one dollar as a membership fee, and an annual tax of twenty-five cents. After the union the name was changed to the Easthampton Social Library Association. The library was removed to the town-hall, and though there was at times little interest in the matter, yet it continued down to nearly the date of the formation of the corporate society above noticed, and was really a praiseworthy affair, having an existence, in one form or another, seventy years or more.

It contained some valuable works,-Rollin's History, Jose- phus' History. A library meeting was held onee in three months. When several wanted the same book they used to bid for it.

THE FARMERS' CLUB OF EASTHAMPTON.

This was organized in 1858 to promote the interests of the farming community by the holding of meetings and inter- change of views and experiences. The society has kept up its operations nearly every year since it began. Several ex- hibitions of fruit, vegetables, and stock have been held which were very successful and reflected great credit upon the mem- bers. Many professional and business-men not engaged in farming have found the meetings and social gatherings a pleasant place of resort, and have contributed much to their success. Professors in the seminary, pastors of the churches, merchants, and factory-men are often " farmers" for the time being.

The officers for the present winter (1878-79) are Major II. E. Alvord, President ; Lewis E. Janes, Secretary.

There are many other organizations of a social, benevolent, or educational character existing in Easthampton. Among these, including some that have dissolved and others that are maintained somewhat irregularly, may be mentioned the Easthampton Mutual Relief Society, organized to do a life insurance business ; the Ionic Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and associated with it the Doric Chapter of the order of the Eastern Star, to which mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters of Masons are admitted ; the Humboldt Lodge, D. O. II., No. 97,-a mutual German relief society ; the Caledonian Thistle Club, for similar purposes among the Seoteh residents; the St. Patrick's Mutual Benevolent So- ciety, with a similar object among the Irish citizens; a Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry ; the Yonng People's Literary Society ; a Lyceum ; a Young People's Temperance organization, and other societies of a like char- acter. Easthampton shares largely in all these elements of modern progress and mutual aid.

PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST.

These appear very clearly in the sketches of early settle- ment and in the military notes.

The scene of the Paseommuck massacre was just south of

the Manhan, at the foot of the mountain, upon a beautiful plateau overlooking the meadows and Northampton beyond. The centre of the little settlement is stated as the point where the road now leading up the mountain diverges from the pub- lic highway. Standing here, the imagination can but faintly picture the scenes of that fearful morning,-the surprise, the slaughter, the burning, and the leading away of the few cap- tives. Not far off is the ravine down which Benjamin Janes, eluding the vigilance of his captors, dashed with the energy of desperation, seized a canoe, and rowed to Northampton. The war-whoop of the Indian has given way to the shriek of the locomotive ; the wilderness of the savage to the culture of civilization. The Manhan still flows onward to the Con- necticut, and Mount Tom still lifts its bold summit above the site of the ancient hamlet, but all else have changed.

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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 87

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