History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 96

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 96

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).

In December, 1776, a company was formed under Jonathan Wales, captain, and Noah Strong, lieutenant. From West- hampton this company had also Seth Burk, Jonathan Fisher, Levi Post, Timothy I'helps, Asa Thayer, and Sylvester Judd, Jonathan Fisher died in March, 1777, at Morristown, N. J., whither the company had marched after remaining at Peekskill, a short time. Jonathan Fisher is spoken of as a fair-looking, well-built man, with gentlemanly manners. He was a zealons patriot, and did much to aid the enlisting of soldiers. He was brave, courageons, and a true soldier. The Bible he carried into camp with him is in the possession of his great-grand- daughter, Mrs. Lewis H. Clark, of Sodns, Wayne Co., N. Y.

In the crisis of the Burgoyne campaign, September, 1777, when reinforcements were ordered, eight men from West- hampton went to join the army of Gen. Gates. The names do not seem to be preserved. It is apparent that from the Lexington alarm, in 1775, all through the weary years of the war, there were several in the army all the time from this town.

In 1780, June 5th, there came the order of the General Court for every sixth man to march to reinforee the Continental army. This must have taken ten or twelre, but we have no record of the names. They were ready by the 28th, and marched, but to what part of the army is not stated in the chronicles of the

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

times. But not yet were the calls finished. In the fall of 1781, a company raised from the three Hamptons marched to Saratoga, to prevent any possibility of renewing the Burgoyne campain of four years before. This was during the southern campaign against Cornwallis. It is no doubt the case that during the remaining two years of the struggle that culmin- ated in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Westhamp- ton was still represented. And so through this whole contest the people responded to every call for men.

Though the calls followed each other very closely, in one instance less than a month intervening, yet it does not appear that a draft was made. The men were procured by volun- teering, or perhaps in a few instances by hiring, to fill the quota. Orders came from time to time to the towns to pro- vide supplies for the army,-that is, so many pounds of beef, so many blankets, shoes, and stockings. Committees were ap- pointed to visit every house ; they decided whether the house should furnish one, two, or more blankets, or so much beef, ete. There could be little delay : the owner immediately produced them, and took his pay in Continental paper; or, if the owner preferred, he could pay so much money and save his property. The town was to provide each soldier with a firearm and bayonet,-or instead of a bayonet, a tomahawk or hatchet, -- a cartouch-box, knapsack, and blanket. Tories were not found in Westhampton, except, it is said, in a single instance, and the place was speedily made too hot for him.

SHAYS' REBELLION.

Westhampton seems to have been more free from the in- fluences attending that outbreak than any of the surrounding towns.

If the people felt the pressure of the hard times, as they must have done, they yet deemed that the only safe way for a redress of grievances and for relief was by peaceful means. It is not known that any of the citizens of this town shared in the insurgent movements or were favorable to them. So noted was the town at that time in this respect that when the Shays' men seized that staunch old patriot and firm " government man," Capt. Kirkland, of Norwich, they were afraid to take him through Westhampton for fear he would be rescued by the citizens.

The State convention which ratified the Federal Constitu- tion of 1788 was an important body, and the debates were able and earnest. The Constitution had strong opposition. The delegate from Westhampton, Major Aaron Fisher, was one of its friends, and it was approved by 19 majority. As long as he lived Mr. Fisher enjoyed the proud satisfaction of having voted in the affirmative.

OFFICIAL ACTION DURING THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-65.

1861-There was no action by the town in its corporate capacity during this year.

1862 .- The first meeting to consider war matters was held August Ist, at which it was voted to pay a bounty of seventy-five dollars each for nine months' volun- teers. October 4th, the treasurer was directed " to pay back to the several collec- tors all moneys paid in by them as bounty-money for the town's first quota of the three hundred thousand men, and that the town treasurer be directed to borrow six hundred dollars to pay equally to each of the six volunteers.

April 25, 1863 .- The town voted to raise seventeen hundred and fifty dollars for the payment of bounties to volunteers.

July 22, 1864 .- It was voted to refund to each man who has paid commutation or furnished a substitute, or who may pay it under the last two calls of the Presi- dent for men, one hundred and twenty dollars. It was further voted to provide for the future by borrowing $1500 " to aid, when needed, to procure volunteers to fill the quota of the town under any future call of the President by paying a bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, the same amount to be paid to each person who pays cominntation or provides a substitute."

May 9, 1865 .- Voted, to pay three hundred dollars to each drafted man who in 1864 paid commutation-money or furnished a substitute; also to assess this year $1200, and the remainder in the two succeeding years, to pay money borrowed on account of the war. The treasurer was authorized to borrow money in advance of the levy by tax.

Westhampton furnished 68 men for the war, which was a surplus of four over and above all demands. One was a com- missioned officer. The whole amount of aid paid solely by the town was $9454.50. The assessed valuation of the town in 1860 was $298,404, and the population of the town 608. Aid to families under the provision of the State law 1861, $81.60; 1862, $561.63; 1863, 8012.93; 1864, $514.75; 1865, $270.92. Total, $2341.99.

The soldiers' list hereto annexed is presumed to include the name of every resident of the town who entered the army. Substitutes and recruits hired abroad are omitted. The list is based upon the reports of the adjutant-general and the records in the town clerk's office.

Edwin C. Bissell, capt., enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Charles S. Marsh, corp., enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 520 M. V. M., Co. K ; disch. Ang. 14, 1863. Ilorace C. Bartlett, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Abner I'. Bridgman, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K; disch. Feb. 26, 1863, for disability, at Baton Rouge.

George Bart, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

George .A. Chileon, en1. Feb. 29, 1864, 37th Inf., Co. A ; disch. July 18, 1865.

Frederick F. Jessimine, ent. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A; disch. to re-enl. Dec. 22, 1863; wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864; died the 6th ; buried there.

Nelson T. Knight, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A; died Oct. 3, 1862, at Washington, N. C.

llugh B Laidley, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A ; disch, Sept. 27, 1864.

Iliram J. Von Steenburgh, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A ; re-enl. Dec. 22, 1803 ; disch. June 27, 1865.

Win. A. Bartlett, enl. Aug. 8, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D); trans. Dec. 15, 1863, to Vet. Res. Corps; disch. April 15, 1864, for disability.

Justin E. Janes, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. D; disch. March 29, 1863, for disability.

Sumner L. Niles, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 37th Iuf., Co. D; disch. June 21, 1865, for wounds.

Jonathan M. Phelps, enl. Feb. 29, 1864, 37th Inf., Co. D; died April 3, 1864, at Washington, D. C., of measles; buried in Westhampton. Francis II. Wright, enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 37th Inf., Co.

A ; died Feb. 19, 1863, at Falmouth, Va., of typhoid fever ; buried there.

Anthony F. Tufts, enl. Jan. 30, 1862, 15th Inf., Co. F ; disch. March 19, 1863, for disability.

John P. Conway, enl. Aug. 10, 1861, 21st Inf., Co. C; disch. Aug. 30, 1864.

Andrew J. Shaw, corp., enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A; disch. April 13, 1863, for disa- bility ; had been a rebel prisoner; well-nigh starved to death at Andersonville.

Ilorace F. Clapp, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Michael Connery, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Sylvester Davis, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K ; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Wm. 1. Edwards, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K ; disch, Aug. 14, 1863.

George W. Snyder, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M.V. M., Co. K ; died May 9, 1863, at Berwick City, La., of fever.

llenry Sullivan, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52 M. V. M., Co. K ; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.

Wm. 11. Tufts, en1. Aug. 26, 1861, 20th Inf., Co. D; disch. for disab., March 31, 1863.

Samuel P. Janes, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A; disch. Oct. 8, 1864 ; was in the signal corps a portion of the time.

Daniel F. Knight, enl. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. D; disch. June 27, 1865, having re-en- listed.

Edward Reed, eul. Sept. 27, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A ; re-enlisted; disch. June 27, 1865.

Ilenry H. Clark, enl. Ang. 19, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A ; lost in the battle of the Wilderness; known to have been wounded ; undoubtedly died on the battle-field.

Caleb F. Tufts, en]. Jan. 21, 1862, 31st Inf., Co. H ; disch. June 18, 1862, for disability.

Wm. J. Pittsinger, enl. Feb. 4, 1862, 31st Inf., Co. 1; disch. June 20, 1862, for disability ; died on the road home at New York, Sept. 9, 1862; buried in Westhampton.

Edward W. llooker, sergt., enl. Ang. 8, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. C; pro. to 2d lieut. May 24, 1865; disch. June 21, 1865.

Augustine G. Janes, enl. Aug. 16, 1862, 37th Inf., Co. A; disch. March 10, 1863, for disability; died at Philadelphia on the way home ; body brought to Westhampton for burial.

Oliver K. Hooker, enl. Ang. 18, 1862, 37th 1nf., Co. A ; killed May 12, 1864, in Virginia.

Charles Loud, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. K; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

lIenry Strong, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, 27th Inf., Co. A; died in the service, and brought to Westhamp- ton for burial.

W'm. M. Kingsley, enl. 37th Inf .; killed in battle. Charles 1. Wright, en]. Oct. 2, 1862, 52d M. V. M., Co. C; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.

Photo. by Hardie & >chader.

Ansel Clap

ANSEL CLAPP is a direct descendant of Roger Clapp, who was born in Devonshire, England, April 6, 1609; and, coming to this country, landed at Nantucket Beach, May 30, 1630. Four years later he married Joanna Ford, who arrived in this country in the same ship, the " Mary and John."

Ansel Clapp is the sixth generation from Roger ; Preserved was of the second, Samuel of the third, Seth of the fourth, and Seth of the fifth. Ansel was born in Northampton, Mass., Feb. 13, 1788. Opportunities for education in those days were meagre, but he made good use of his time in attend- ing the common schools.

In the thirty-first year of his age he married Eunice, the only daughter of Reuben Wright, who was one of the first to erect the standard of home in the wilds of Northampton. During the same year Reuben Wright's son, Burt, having entered the ministry, Ansel Clapp removed to his father-in- law's premises in Westhampton, and succeeded in the active management of the farm upon which he passed the balance of his life. His life was not an eventful one as the world counts it. He was first a Democrat, subsequently an Abo- litionist, and later a Republican. He was a pronounced Abolitionist, and lived to see the institution of American slavery destroyed.

He became an advocate of temperance principles quite early in life. When he was but eight years old he attended the raising of a barn, and, as was the custom in those days, the flip-iron was kept in pretty constant use in the mixture of hot toddy, which was thought to be necessary upon such occa- sions. The boys drained the sweet from the bottom of the enp. Ansel loved it so well that he became somewhat intoxicated, and on the following day was so chagrined that he resolved to never again touch the intoxicating cup ; a resolution that he strictly adhered to throughout his life. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Westhampton.

He delighted to be much in society. He always looked

upon the bright side, and would extract a large amount of sweet where another would only find bitter. He loved to make others happy. He was benevolent, and, being economi- cal, frugal, and industrious, always had something to spare for those in need. In temperance, politics, and religion Mrs. Clapp was a true wife and helpmeet; she kept herself well informed upon all subjects before the public, and always in- terested herself in forwarding the objects she thought were for the best good of all.

Mr. Clapp enjoyed good health during his life, and his death, in his seventy-eighth year, Sept. 11, 1866, was the result of an injury received in the harvest field a few weeks before. His wife survived him ten years, dying Sept. 30, 1876, aged seventy-nine.

They had two sons and two daughters. The first son, Luther, entered the ministry and became the pastor of a Congregational Church in Wannatosa, Wis. He married Harriet Priscilla Stedman, of Chicopee. Their children are five daughters and one son,-Harriet, Priscilla, Emma Louisa, Mary Stedman, Wardlow Ansel, and Grace Dan- forth Wright.

The second son, Reuben Wright Clapp, was united in mar- riage, Dec. 23, 1852, to Susan T., daughter of Levi Burt, of Westhampton, and granddaughter of Rev. Enoch Hale, the first minister of Westhampton. To them were born eight children,-Ellen Louise, Laura Hale, George Burt, Lyman Wright, Martha Frances, Edwin Bissell, Susan Maria, and Mary Anna.

The first daughter, Harriet Frances Clapp, is unmarried. The second daughter, Sophia, is the wife of Alfred D. Mon- tague, who was the son of David Montague, of Westhampton, and grandson of Peter Montague, who was one of the first settlers in the west part of the town. Their children are Francis Clapp, Edward Hooker, Lovisa Janes, Alfred Dwight, and Harriet Frances.

Photo. by llardie & Schadee.

Jesse Lyman

Richard Lyman, the ancestor of Jesse, was born, in 1580, in High Ongar, England. He emigrated to this country in 1631, and settled in Roxbury, Mass., where he was a member of the church of Rev. John Eliot. His wife was Sarah Osborne. In 1635 he removed through the woods with others to Hartford, Conn., and his name, with ninety-nine other first settlers of Hartford, is inscribed on a monument in an ancient cemetery in that place. He died in 1640.

Lieut. John Lyman, son of Richard, was born in England, in September, 1623, and died Aug. 20, 1690.

He was in command of the Northampton sol- diers in the famous Falls fight, above Deerfield, May 18, 1676. His wife was Dorcas Plum, of Branford, Conn. Their oldest son, Lieut. John Lyman, was born in 1661 ; married Mindwell Pom- eroy in 1687, and died in 1740. Their first son was Lient. John Lyman, who married Abigail Mosely. Their first son was Zadoc Lyman, who married Sarah Clark. They lived at South Farms, in Northampton, afterward Hockanum, Hadley. Their second son was Capt. Azariah Lyman, who married Jemima Kingsley, daughter of Samuel Kingsley, of Southampton. In the year 1774 they removed to Westhampton, where their fourth son, Jesse Lyman, whose portrait appears with this

sketch, was born, March 9, 1789, he being of the seventh generation.

Jesse Lyman was essentially a self-made man. His education for his day was advanced. He pos- sessed excellent judgment, and was well versed in matters pertaining to the law, and frequently acted as referee in the settlement of disputes in his own and neighboring towns. He thus became well known, and made many friends. He was prompt in his dealings with men. His word was always strictly kept; in this respect he was scrupulously particular. When he was twenty-one years old he was selected to fill public positions, being a justice of the peace for many years, and twice elected to the Legislature, in 1834 and 1836.

Mr. Lyman was a member of the Congregational Church of Westhampton, but did not profess to be a Christian until in after life. He died Feb. 9, 1874. Politically he was first a Whig, and for a time a Democrat, but upon the formation of the Repub- lican party joined its ranks.

Jesse Lyman married Lucy Kingsley. Their surviving son is William Eustis Lyman, who now lives on the old homestead where his father was born and died. William E. Lyman married Mary E. Orcutt, daughter of Dr. Orcutt, of Westhampton, and their surviving children are Myra Elma, Annie Field, and William Hervey Lyman.

SOUTHAMPTON.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

SOUTHAMPTON is situated southwest of the county-seat, and distant from it ahout eight miles. It is bounded north by Westhampton and Easthampton, cast by Easthampton and Hampden County, south by Hampden County, west by Hamp- den County and Huntington.

In the petition of the settlers for incorporation, under date of July 8, 1741, the territory is spoken of as consisting of 14,000 acres. In the tables published with the census of 1875 the farm acreage is stated at 17,128 acres.

The territory of Southampton is a part of the original pur- chase from the Non-o-tuck Indians, and the title is traced back direct to that treaty. The town also includes the "Additional Grant," so called, which was south of the original Northamp- ton tract. The first proprietors of Northampton owned the lands now included in Southampton. It was their heirs or assigns who constituted the body of proprietors that, in 1780, proceeded to divide up and settle the "new precinct."

NATURAL FEATURES.

Southampton is fully embraced within the system of the Manhan River and its tributaries. The southwestern branch, rising in Huntington and Westhampton, flows southerly through the western part of Southampton, receiving several tributaries; then, extending into Hampden County, it makes a sharp angle in its course and flows northeasterly through Southampton, a little east of the centre, to the Easthampton line. There it forms the boundary line for a short distance, and then unites with the north branch, that, rising in West- hampton, sweeps across the corner of Northampton at Loud- ville, and is also the boundary line for some distance between Southampton and Easthampton.

Among the smaller streams may be mentioned Alder Meadow Brook, Red Brook, Moore Brook, Triple Brook.

The town has considerable variety in its surface, including hilly and even mountainous traets, as well as a large area of rolling country and rich alluvial lands. It is one of the finest agricultural towns in the county, comprising a large propor- tion of tillable land.

Geologically, the town has some interesting features. The lead-bearing strata in the north have attracted the attention of miners and capitalists at various times for 200 years. Geologists have been much interested in the Southampton " Adit." This is an artificial excavation of 900 feet in length, perforating the solid rock, and large enough to admit a boat with several persons. There are several considerable eleva- tions in the town ; the most important is Pomeroy's Mountain. In the southwest is Wolf Hill, and in the southeast is White- loofe Hill.

The view from some points in the town is very fine. From the higher lands above the village the west front of Mount Tom and the adjacent country form a landscape of great attraction

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTII.

The early settlement of Southampton is shown by the fol- lowing extracts from the old proprietors' book, still preserved in the office of the town clerk. It opens with the following entry :

At a legal Proprietors' meeting, the secund Monday in March, the tenth day Anno Domini 1730, and continued by adjournment from the 19th day of January

last past, a motion was made for the dividing the land over Manhan, npon tho west side of the County road. Then the question was put whether the propri- etors would divide the land, beginning up the hill over Manhan, npon the west side of the County road, and so extend beyond " Whiteloofe broek" so far as onr old boundaries, in such form and manner as to be snitalle, together with the addi- tional grant that now belongs to the town, to make a precinct or town ; and the division to be made to and amongst the original or ancient proprietors, their heirs or assigns, or any that hold by purchase under the ancient or original pro- prietors or their heirs. Voted affirmatively.

Then a motion was made to make choice of a committee to form the matter for the proprietors, and then the proprietors made choice of Col. John Stoddard, Ebenezer Pomeroy, Deacon John Clark, Mr. Joseph Hawley, and Ensign Ebene- zer Parsons to be a committee to project the manner and form of the Division of said land in the best manner, as they should think most likely to bring forward a spredy settlement ; and they to make report of their doings to the next propri- etors' meeting, in order to their allowance or approbation. Voted affirmatively.

Then Ebenezer Pomerny was chosen Proprietors' Clerk. Then the manner of calling another proprietors' meeting was voted as followeth, viz., that when the aforesaid Committee have prepared the projection with respect to the division of the land, as aforesaid, that they give notice unto the Proprietors' Clerk that he should post up a notification in a public place, seven days before said meeting, setting forth the articles thereuf; he doing the same, that should be a sufficient warning or notification for said proprietors' meeting. Voted affirmatively.

Then the proprietors did desire of the selvetmen that there be a town-meeting at the same time with the proprietors' meeting, to act their pleasure upon and with respect to that land on this side Webb's Rock, adjoining to the aforesaid land. Then the proprietors did adjourn the said meeting until 2 o'clock this day afternoon.

Attest: EBENEZER POMEROY, Moderator.

Afternoon : then a motion was tuade, agrecalle to that which was in the war- rant, viz., whether the proprietors would vote a confirmation of those three divisions heretofore made by the Proprietors, and recorded in the town-book of records,-and it passed in the negative.

Attest : EBENEZER POMEROY, Moderator.

At a legal meeting of the Proprietors of the Common aml undivided laml within the township of Northampton, May 25, 1730, Committee reported " that there shall be laid out to thirty of the proprietors who shall undertake to bring forward a speedy settlement on said land ninety acres each, at the place hereafter mentioned, as part of their proportion of said land, provided that ninety acres does not exceed any of said thirty's part; and in case any one should not be en- titled to as much as that, then to lay out to such person the whole of the amount due to such proprietor."

The general method of laying out the land was to give to each man a house-lot of 20 acres either on Pomeroy's little mountain or on town-plot hill, 10 acres of Pine Plain either in Davises Plain or in the adjoining Plain which lieth south- wardly of Pomeroy's little mountain, and 60 aeres more to each to complete his 90 acres in the best of the land either on Pomeroy's little mountain, town-plot hill, or wolf hill, or in the land adjoining said hills; and for a minister the same quantity was to be set apart in each of the divisions stated as to each of the 30 settlers. At the same meeting it was voted that Ebenezer Corse might have his share laid out near to his house; and that Samuel Pomeroy and Eldad Pomeroy may have their rights as near to their meadows as may conveniently be.

May 25, 1730 .- At a proprietors' meeting it was voted: 1st. That each settler should be required to till and fence five acres before next fall twelve months.

2d. Each settler was to build and rover a house of at least one room, within two years from the above date, either on Pomeroy's Mountain or on the town- plot hill, so called.

33. That each settler should remove there with his family within two years, and live there at least two years.

4th. That each settler does so manage and improve his land that the Commit- tre shall be satisfied he will fulfill the conditions in good faith.

The surveying was done in the months of May and June, 1730, by Capt. Dwight, John Alvord, Ebenezer Kingsley, Jonathan Strong, and Stephen Wright. The proprietors'

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

clerk in the record says, " June 2d, Lieut. Hawley and myself went out to them in the woods to give direetions."

" June 5th, Col. Stoddard and Deacon Clark went out in the same desire ;" and "June 8th all the committee went out to read conditions and to admit each to draught."

The drawing took place on this last day named, June 8, 1730.

The names of 30 proprietors seem to have been placed in one box, and 30 numbers of home-lots in another, and 30 numbers of 10-acre lots in a third. A name was drawn, and a number from each division of lots. In two or three instances it is somewhat uncertain from the record what number should stand against a particular name. There seem to have been 31 numbered lots in each division, and this ought to be so if they laid out 30 for the proprietors and 1 for the minister ; but the ministerial lot is not stated in the following list, which we copy from the old proprietors' book :

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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 96

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