History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 97

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 97

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Drawing Home-lots, June 8, 1730. Names.

Home-lots. Ten-acre lots.

1. Judah IIntchinson

2. Ebenezer Miller,

3. Thomas Porter.

4. Nathaniel Searl

5. Noah Sheklon.

6. Jonathan Bascom

7. Josiah or Nehemiah Strong

8. Nathan Lyman.

226

9. Stephen Root.

10. Elias Root

11. Noah Strong

12. Noah Clark

13. Eleazer Ilannum

14. Gideon Parsons

15. Ebenezer Kingsley

17. Phineas King.

29 24

19. Jonathan Strong.

20. Joseph Wright

21. Stephen Wright

30%

22. Robert Danks

23. Dea. Clark.

24. Ebenezer Sheldon

25. Waitstill Strong.

26. Jonath. Parsons.

27. Preserved Wright

28. Aaron Clark.

29. Jonathan Strong.

30. Jonathan Miller.

March 12, 1731 .- The Committee, viz., Col. Stoddard, Dea. Clark, and Ebenezer Pomeroy, took into consideration the fact that David Bartlett and Jonathan Miller would not go; also Ebenezer Miller, Noah Strong, Noah Clark, and Jon- athan Parsons. They admitted the following in their places: Nathaniel Clark, Joseph Clark, John Wait, Roger Clapp, Nathaniel Phelps, Jonathan Phelps.

March 15, 1732 .- Liberty was given to four men, viz., Dea. Clark, Joseph Wright, Ebenezer Shellon, and Jonathan Strong, to set up a saw-mill, either npon the great brook at the Falls, or below it, upon Manhan River, at their election, upon condition they shall prepare said mill for sawing before next winter. And the Committee did also agree and consider to let them have such a quantity of land as they should judge convenient, at the place of and about said mill, as a part of their said proportion in said land.

Twenty years later, Oct. 10, 1752, another drawing took place of lots in the " additional grant." At this time the pro- prietors appointed three assessors : Deacon Cook, Noah Clark, and Capt. John Hunt ; Noah Clark, Collector, and John IIunt, Treasurer.

The arrangements for settling the south part of Northamp- ton were thus made in 1730. The date of actual settlement is next to be considered. In the proprietors' proceedings, quoted above, it will he noticed that the share of Ebenezer Corse was permitted to be laid out near his house. This would indicate that he was already settled May 25, 1730. His home was the present Theron Pomeroy place, Easthampton. It was further voted that Samuel Pomeroy and Eldad Pomeroy might have their shares laid out as near to their meadows as might con- veniently be. This shows that they were already settled. This is further sustained by tradition, and their ownership for many years before is proved by a petition which they made in 1742 to the General Court, desiring to be exempted from taxation for the support of the new precinct lately formed by "about thirty families at the southwest corner of the town bounds." The Pomeroys belonged to the old town as they

considered, and did not desire to be a part of the new. They state that they had improved their lands and paid taxes for them forty or fifty years. This would indicate the cultivation of " Pomeroy's meadows" as early as 1700. They were evi- dently the first pioneers upon the territory of Southampton, though not a part of the company of proprietors who made the general settlement. As the descendants or representa- tives of the original proprietors of Northampton they were entitled to share in the newly-divided territory, and their rights were accorded by the vote above mentioned, but neither they nor Ebenezer Corse participated in the drawing of home- lots or Pine Plain lots.

After the drawing of June 8, 1730, several of the proprie- tors came out to their lots, made some improvements, and cleared small tracts of land, leaving their families, however, in Northampton. This was probably about all that was done in 1730 and 1731. Ebenezer Corse and the Pomeroys are counted as among the first settlers of Easthampton.

" In 1732, Judah Hutchinson and Thomas Porter came to the precinct aml erected honses. In May, 1733, fourteen settlers joined them. These were Dea- con John Clark, Joseph Clark, Samuel Danks, Phineas King, Ebenezer Kingsley, Nathan Lyman, Elias Root, Stephen Root, Nathaniel Scarl, Ezra Strong, Icha- bod Strong, Dearon Waitstill Strong, John Wait, Moses Wright.

" During three or four of the succeeding years fourteen additional settlers united with the little plantation. Their names were Jonathan Bascom, Samuel Burt, Roger Clapp, Aaron Clark, Elisha Clark, Junathan Clark, Ebenezer French, Eleazar Hannum, Elias Lyman, John Miller, Noah Pixley, Israel Sheblon, Noah Sheldon, and Stephen Sheldon."

The town of Northampton voted, Dee. 22, 1732, "to lay out a highway over the branch of Manhan River at or near Pomeroy's meadow, or some other suitable and convenient place, so as to accommodate the new settlement," and ap- pointed Ensign John Baker and Moses Lyman a committee for that purpose. Among the petitioners for incorporation as a precinct, July 8, 1741, were some names not mentioned above: Ebenezer Pomeroy, Joseph King, Selah Clark, Aaron Root, Elias Lyman, Jonathan Miller, Nathaniel Searl, Jr., Charles Phelps.

The above statement as to the order of time in which the early families actually located here is the traditional one. But there seems to be no proof, either in the old proprietors' book or other documents of the town clerk's office, that Thomas Porter and Judah Hutchinson were actually the first. There is another theory, which is undoubtedly entitled to some consideration. In the cemetery may be seen a stone, in good preservation, standing on the left of the main avenue, and only a short distance west of the soldiers' monument, upon which is the following inscription :

"In memory of Ensign Ebenezer Kingsley and Mrs. Mary, his wife.

"Ensign Ebenezer died March 21st, 1783, in the 79th year of his age. Mrs. Mary Kingsley died Feb. 8th, 1781, in the 74th year of her age.

" THEY WERE THE FIRST SETTLERS IN SOUTHAMPTON."

The style of the inscription, the kind of stone, and its general appearance, indicate that it was erected not long after the latest death, 1783. This testimony is therefore itself ninety-six years old, or nearly that, and was recorded when the town was only fifty years old, and when the facts of settle- ment must have been known. The family would not have permitted that inscription if they had not supposed it to be true; and if it were not true, so much public conversation would have arisen over it that some traces of that would have almost necessarily come down to the present time in family traditions.

Ebenezer Kingsley's " house" is mentioned as early as Feb. 25, 1734,-the first time the word house is used in the pro- prietors' records. Ile was then undoubtedly here the year before, 1733. Then, in " summing up," we need to rely upon this gravestone testimony only to carry the date of his settle- ment twelve or fifteen months still farther back, and the " direct examination" is closed. We leave this venerable monumental witness to he "cross-examined" by those who

* Probably.

16. John Alvord

18. David Bartlett.

303

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

suppose Porter and Hutchinson were the first settlers. The record of births, not usually stating the place, is not conclu- sive, but we add that Ebenezer Kingsley, Jr., was born Feb. 28, 1728, and Chloe Aug. 17, 1731, and John June 30, 1734 ; and these births are entered in the Southampton records.

We add a few remarks upon the pioneer families, necessarily brief for want of space in a volume devoted to three counties.

Location of the Early Settlers, 1732 to 1735, from North- . ampton .- Jonathan Bascom's homestead was the present place of Elam Hitchcock, south of the Methodist church, where he built a log cabin. Mr. Bascom's house was surrounded with palisades for defense during some of the Indian alarms. lle died April 20, 1780, aged seventy-four. His wife died April 4, 1789, aged eighty-nine. llis children were Jonathan, Elisha, and Rachel. Elisha was a lieutenant of the militia ; he enlisted in the Revolutionary army, and lost his life at Fort Ticonderoga. The Sheldon K. Bascom house is one of the three oldest houses in town, and is now standing between the village and the depot. The latter may have been the fortified house.

Judah Hutchinson was a tailor, and his house stood a few rods east from that now owned by Joel T. Clapp. It is said that his house and that of Thomas Porter were the first erected in town.

Thomas Porter. A part of the house which he erected is the southwest corner room of the present house of George K. Edwards. Ilis homestead was bought by Deacon Samuel Edwards, Sr., and Mr. Porter removed to a place a little south of the old Pomeroy tavern, on the road from Northampton to Westfield. Jehial Porter, of somewhat later years, was a son of this pioneer. The widow of the late Col. Elisha Edwards now resides in this ancient dwelling-house. From her many valuable items have been obtained for this history. Five gen- erations of the Edwards families have been born in the house.

Deacon Samuel Edwards, homestead as above stated, came to Southampton in 1753. Children : Hannah (Mrs. Stephen Lyman), Southampton ; Catherine (Mrs. Lemuel Coleman), Southampton ; Samuel, who settled in Westhampton ; Luther and Elisha, in Southampton : Mercy and Asenath, died young. In this old homestead are some venerable relics,-a rifle carried by Deacon Samuel in the old French war, by Deacon Elisha in the Revolution, and by Col. Elisha in 1812; the teacher's chair of Deacon Samuel, and in which his son, Deacon Elisha, died, and his grandson, Col. Elisha.

Eldad Pomeroy. " Lyman's Ilistory of Easthampton," in 1866, states " that Eldad Pomeroy and Samuel established themselves about 1732 near where Deacon Eleazer W. Ilan- num now resides." Other writers, however, make their settle- ment nearly ten years earlier.

Samuel Coleman, a Revolutionary soldier, was at the battle of Ticonderoga. His homestead was the present place of, and the first house was very near to the present house of, Zeno E. Coleman, his grandson. Children : Sarah (Mrs. Clark Searl), Southampton ; Zeno, Southampton ; Thaddeus, Southampton ; Eliphalet, Chester; Eleazer, Southampton ; Catherine ( Mrs. Ira Searl), Southampton ; Phoebe (Mrs. Quartus HIannum, and after his death Mrs. Josiah Pomeroy) ; Benoni, South- ampton ; and Mercy, who died young.

Nathaniel Searl, from Northampton, homestead a number of rods north of the present house of George W. Foley, on the same side of the road. His house was the place of board for the ministers who preached on probation, and he also en- tertained the council at the time of Mr. Judd's ordination. Hle had more conveniences for such purposes than other settlers, having a house with two rooms and only nine sons. The cellar is still visible. He is said to have been the richest man in Southampton.

Israel Sheldon, from Northampton, homestead where Abner Sheldon now resides. Two sons, Paul and Silas, settled in Southampton ; Daughters: Naomi (Mrs. Deacon Nash, of

Williamsburg), Eglah (Mrs. Jonathan Warner, Williams- burg), Lucy (Mrs. Jonathan Bascom, Sonthampton). Chil- dren by second marriage: Israel, Southampton; Abner, South- ampton ; Pliny, Southampton ; Sarah (Mrs. Luther Edwards, Sr.).

Noah Sheldon, hrother of Israel, homestead thirty or forty rods north of that of the former Ralph Edwards; buildings gone. They were near the present residence of Albert Root.

Stephen Sheldon, brother of Israel and Noah, homestead where his grandson Rodolphus Sheldon afterward lived, and where Augustine Munson now resides. Ezra Strong, from Northampton, homestead near the place afterward owned by Israel Sheldon, and nearly opposite to the present house of B. F. Williams; he died in 1748, and his widow with the chil- dren removed back to Northampton ; his widow was after- ward the second wife of Israel Sheldon. Ichabod Strong, from Northampton ; homestead was nearly half a mile south of the present house of Charles B. Lyman. Deacon Wait- still Strong, from Northampton, homestead a few rods east of the house of the former Jonathan Judd, Esq., which is the present place of Harris Nimocks, east of the village ; he was a grandson of Elder John Strong, of Northampton. Nathan Lyman, from Northampton, homestead where Lucius Hayden now resides ; John Lyman, a nephew, came from Northfield and lived with him ; John Lyman's children were Mrs. Capt. Joel Burt, Westhampton ; Mrs. Stephen Wright, Easthamp- ton ; Achsah, unmarried. Sons: Nathan, died young from an injury ; John, of Southampton, father of Mrs. Elisha Ed- wards ; Asa, Southampton, on the old homestead. Samuel Burt, from Northampton, homestead where Stephen E. Searl now lives ; Deacon Samuel Burt was the father of the three ministers found in the list of graduates of the Burt family.

Roger Clapp, from Northampton, homestead where Nathan II. Lyman now resides. Aaron Clark, from Northampton, homestead where George Hyde now resides. Elisha Clark, from Northampton, homestead a few rods west of the house where Martin P. Clapp now lives ; the barn in which Elisha Clark was killed by the Indians stood near ; the chimney that marked this old home of Mr. Clark was standing till within a few years.

Deacon John Clark, from Northampton, homestead where Arthur W. Lyman now lives ; Deacon John was a brother of Aaron and Elisha above mentioned ; the father of Deacon John (Deacon John, of Northampton) gave to the Southamp- ton church a silver goblet, which (unfortunately remodeled into modern style) is now in use in the communion service.

Jonathan Clark, from Northampton, homestead opposite to the present place of Solomon A. Wolcott .. Joseph Clark, from Northampton, homestead on Rattle Hill, where Sammel Pinch afterward lived; his wife dying soon after he came here, he returned to Northampton.

Selah Clark, from Northampton, succeeded to the place of Joseph Clark ; Jonathan, Joseph, and Selah were brothers, and cousins of the first three Clarks mentioned. Samuel Danks, from Northampton, homestead where Moses Danks afterward lived, and later Simeon Lyman ; the present place of Thomas Bailey. Ebenezer French, from Northampton ; house stood thirty or forty rods north of the house where Roswell W. Marshall now lives. Eleazer llannum, from Northampton, homestead where Gilbert Baseom now lives. Phineas King, from Northampton, resided in a house which stood between the street and the house built by Lemon Grid- ley, afterward owned by Heman Searl; the present place of Noah H. Clark was the Phineas King house. Ebenezer Kingsley, from Northampton, resided near the house which was occupied for many years by Rev. Mr. Gould. The place is opposite the burying-ground, and now owned by Charles II. Frary. As shown elsewhere, this is very probably the point of first settlement by the colony formed among the proprietors.

304

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Elias Lyman, from Northampton, lived where his grand- sons, Joel and Isaac, afterward resided, a mile and a half west of the village. John Miller, from Northampton ; house was near where Royal Burt afterward lived. Noah Pixley, from Northampton, lived where Rainsford Root afterward did. The place where he was killed by the Indians is else- where identified. He was some distance from the homestead here stated. Elias Root, from Northampton; homestead was opposite the present place of Lyman C. Tiffany. Stephen Root was a brother, and resided with Elias, returning soon to Northampton. John Wait, from Northampton ; homestead known for so many years afterward as the Wait farm. Moses Wright, from Northampton, homestead a few rods south of where Whitney Loomis now lives ; he died unmarried in 1748.

Rev. Jonathan Judd. Children : Silence (Mrs. Samuel Edwards, Westhampton) ; Sarah ( Mrs. Timothy Clark, Southampton) ; Clarissa ( Mrs. Luther Edwards, Southamp- ton) ; Jonathan, who settled in Southampton, and was the long-time merchant; Sylvester, who settled in Westhampton, and was the father of the well-known historian of the same name. Jonathan Judd was a graduate, a " gentleman of the old school," and known as Sir Judd; never married. He opened a store in his father's house, the present residence of Col. E. A. Edwards.

PHYSICIANS-LAWYERS.

Dr. Woodbridge was the first physician, and came here by formal invitation of the town in 1775. He was equal to the trust reposed in him ; was a skillful and conscientious practi- tioner. Ilis wife was Mindwell Strong, of Northampton. His children were Mrs. Gould, Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge, and Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge. Dr. Woodbridge spent a long life in Southampton, and accumulated a handsome property as the result of his busy life-work. Indeed, all the physicians who remained any length of time in Southampton are said to have been pecuniarily successful.

When Dr. Woodbridge was advanced in years, Dr. Blair came to the town and commenced practice. He was the first to practice inoculation, and met with much opposition. Esquire Birge was the first person operated upon. Dr. Blair remained but three or four years. When he left he introduced Bela P. Jones as the next physician. This was about 1809. He practiced about thirty years. Ile died in Hudson, Mich., in 1865.

During Dr. Jones' practice Dr. Jehial Abbott was in South- ampton for two or three years. He was considered a superior physician. He removed to Westfield, and remained there till he died in a good old age. Dr. Jones sold out in 1838 to Dr. Artemas Bell, who did good service for thirty years. He was succeeded by Dr. S. E. Thayer, who, after seven years, sold out to Dr. George W. Wood. The latter was a promising young physician, and devoted himself with zeal to his pro- fession. He died in five months of diphtheria, a martyr to his professional zeal and to his devoted care of a family he was attending in that fearful disease. Ile was succeeded by Dr. Il. P. Atherton, the present physician.

To this notice should be added the name of Dr. Josiah II. Gridley, a native of the town, who lived and died here, and had quite an extensive practice in the town and vicinity. He was of the botanic or eclectic school, and practiced thirty-five years.

As to lawyers, though Southampton has furnished many for other places, few have made any attempt to practice at home. Charles Bates practiced for a time, but found so little litiga- tion that he resorted to other labors. Several citizens not educated directly for the legal profession have given attention to matters before the courts from time to time.

MERCHANTS.

Jonathan Judd first commenced trade at his father's house, just how early is not ascertained. lle then established himself

where Orrin Moore now lives, and continued until 1816 or 1818. He was succeeded by his nephew, Asa ludd, who traded there perhaps thirty years. He died in 1848, and was succeeded by Jonathan Judd for nineteen years. He built the corner store, and was followed in 1862 by A. G. Judd, the present proprietor. This store is, therefore, the regular suc- cessor of the little store first opened more than a hundred years ago in a small room of the present Col. Edwards' house. It was the "Judd store" then ; it has been the " Judd store" ever since ; it is still the " Judd store."

James K. Sheldon, at present retired from business, kept siore fifty-two years where he now lives. le came from Suf- field and opened about 1818. E. IT. Bell succeeded for six or seven years, and the present proprietor is A. R. Clark.

TAVERNS.

The old tavern of Peres Clapp was the present Hiteheock place, south of the Methodist meeting-house. A tavern was kept a few years in the present house of Noah Clark. The Gamaliel Pomeroy tavern was in the east part of the town, and it was known as the Pomeroy Tavern for a long series of years.

The following are from old files of the Hampshire Gazette : March 9, 1787, Lemuel Pomeroy advertises for the recovery of two mares belonging to him " taken by the rebels from Elias Lyman's tavern 29th of January last." This is an incident of the Shays rebellion.

July 1, 1793, Sylvester Woodbridge, merchant, advertises an extensive assortment of goods, "Satin, Tiffanies, West India rum, Jesuits' Bark, Salt Petre, Snake Balls, etc." He closes with the following: " Incited by motives of Benevo- lence, he invites all those indebted to him by book or note to make immediate payment, as the day of patience with them will soon expire, when the law will bite-and-sting."

April 21, 1793, David Chapman informs those indebted io him that they must pay up without further notice : " that old exense-produce is low-is no excuse now ; everything bears a high price and demands the cash."

Nov. 18, 1794, Sylvester Woodbridge, besides offering his nsual variety of goods, calls on those indebted to pay up, and, " with regret, informs such as neglect this call that one more alarming and expensive awaits them, which, he thinks, it re- quires no spirit of prophecy to foresee will issue in unfeigned repentance."

Nov. 21, 1798, Sylvester Woodbridge advertises a large number of apple-trees "inoculated with particular fruit."

Oct. 6, 1800, Gashum Pomeroy asks for the arrest of a thief who stole from him fifteen yards check linen, one fur hat, almost new, one pair of striped linen overalls, one pair of small knee-buckles, and a Raizor.

Aug. 26, 1801, Rev. Mr. Gould was ordained colleague pastor to Rev. Mr. Judd.

The several parts were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Atwater, Backus, Lyman, Smith, Williams, and Hale. " The audience behaved with unusual propriety through the whole exercise."

ORGANIZATION.

From the records in the office of the town clerk of North- ampton the following items are taken, as throwing light upon a period of more than fifty years preceding the first eivil or- ganization of any kind for the present territory of South- ampton :

At a legal town-meeting July 27, 1679, upon the consideration of a letter from Mr. Hezekiah Usher and Mr. Wharton recommending Ensign and Robert Ly- man to our town about a lead mine within the bounds of our town, the letter being read, and after much discourse and agitation the town did then pass the follow- ing vote, viz,, that Robert Lymau and any other of the inhabitants of this town, and having common rights in the town, shall have liberty to try and open any place within our hounds, and to make use of any sort of mines or minerals, provided they attend Inw.

Oct. 16, 1679, the town gave up all their right " in that mine lying about six miles off' on the west side of the town to a company, who chose to undertake the work, viz., W'm. Clark, Sr., John Strong, Samnel Davis, Israel Rost, Joseph Parsons,

305

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Sr., Robert Lyman, Joseph Hawley, John King, Joseph Parsons, Jr., Preserved Clapp, John Lyman, Sr., Martyn Smith, Samuel Bartlett, Richard Lyman, Medad Pomeroy .*

Jan. 2, 168], the town granted them 100 acres of land, provided they went forward with the enterprise.

Medad Pomeroy was granted the right to erect a fulling-mill, April 14, 1682. Jan. 2, 1657, Caleb Pomeroy asked for a piece of land between the branches of the Manhan, Samuel Bartlett and James Wright appointed a committee t ) view what he desires, and report.

May 10, 1731 .- Granted to Joseph Wait five acres of land on the Southwardly branch of the Manhan, to be laid out so as to avoid incommoding Samuel and Eldad l'omeroy as much as the committee conveniently can.

Dec. 11, 1732 .- Voted Ensign John Baker & Moses Lyman a committee to lay ont a highway over the Branch of the Manhan River, at or near Pumeroy's Menlow, or some other suitable and convenient place, so as to accommodate the new settlement.

May, 1737 .- The selectmen of Northampton laid out a road; they began at Eldad Pomeroy's path that goeth S motherly to Samuel & Eldlad Pomeroy's bound tree, so called, and then they turned westwardly on the said hill till they come to Samnel Pomeroy's path going down the hill from his house ; and then going over the brook, and so up the hill along near Caleb Pomeroy's house, still west- wardly, till they come to the topof the hill; then, turning something southwardly, down the hill, all in Sammel Pomeroy's land; and then over Manhan River, over the bridge that is now over the river, erected by the new town people, from the foot of the hill to the bridge in Eldad Pomeroy's land, so along where the path now goeth ; all to be two rods wide.

The young surveyors now in the schools can retrace this road for a practical example.

Feb. 10, 1742,-Votedl a bridge over the Manhan, near Bartlett's mill, and the town appointed Waitstill Strong and Joseph Wright, Jr., Capt. Parsons, Com.

March 7, 1743 .- 500 acres of land granted the new precinct " on the back side of White Loaf Hill," 300 of it for the support of the gospel.

May 7, 1750,-Northampton voted a schoolmaster to the second precinct.

The new settlement was a part of Northampton for several years. It became known and distinguished as the " Second Precinet." In the warrant for the Northampton town-meet- ing of Sept. 14, 1739, the clause was inserted :

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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 97

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