History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 116

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 116

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"No allowance was thereby made to the western town which was to be erected for any money's they had expended for Public Buildings in the first Parish, no care was thereby taken of money, particularly as to the 200 pound voted for a bridge across Cheequepee River, if not expended for that purpose. By said Re- port Connecticut was to be the Dividing Line, and yet no Dividing Line was to be fixed. Stoney IIill were to receive their share of the Town Stock and have no part of the poor; the Jurisdiction of the meadow Land was to be left vague, precarions, and finctuating, which might be the occasion of Great Disputes and

Contentions, and perhaps prove the utter ruin of the western town; these with others probably were the Reasons of the Towns rejecting the Report.

" As to the Petitioners of the third and fourth Parishes, we would observe that the Petitioners are Int a very inconsideralde part of two Large Parishes, and much the greatest part of each of those parishes are very far from being in sen- timent with them as to the matter of their Petition.

" The Inhabitants of Stoney Hill have heretofore applied, and secured the con- sent of the town for being made a separate town or District, and we think their Local circumstances are such that they can receive very little, if any, benefit from their present connection with us, either as to town or Parishial privileges ; but as the greatest part of them have within a few years moved into this from the neighboring towns, we cannot think it reasonable they should have their proportion of the town Stock of Money withont being chargeable with part of the support of the poor of the town.

" We therefore pray your Excellency & Ilonours that the prayer of the Peti- tioners may be dismissed."

The petition of 1756 was finally granted in 1774, and the act of incorporation is as follows :

" Act of Incorporation, Feb. 23, 1774 .- 'Anno Regni. Regis, Georgia, Tertia, Decimo, Quarto.'

" An act for dividing the Township of Springfieldl, and erecting the Western part thereof into a Separate Town by the name of West Springfield, passed Fel :. , Anno Domini 1774.

" Whereas, by reason of the great extent of the Township of Springfield, the Remote Settlements, Disputes, Controversies, and different Interests of the Iu- habitants thereof, the difficulty and often Impracticability of the Assembly in Town-Meetings for Elections, and other necessary purposes, by Reason of the Great River Connecticut almost equally dissecting the Township, it is necessary that there be a Division thereof.

" Be it enacted by the Gov., Council, and House of Representatives, That that part of the Township of Springfield lying on the west side of Connecticut River, and the Inhabitants thereof, be constituted and erected into a different town hy the name of West Springfield, and be invested with all the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities which, by the laws of this Province, Towns have and enjoy.

" Provided, and be it further enacted, that it shall not be lawful for the Said Town of West Springfield, or any Parish or Precinct, then or at any Time here- after, to assess or Tnx the Lamis or Estates of any Inhabitant of the Town of West Springfield, situate or lying in that part of the Great and General Field, so called, on the West side of the River, lying Sonthward of a Line running from ye Ferry, over said River, at the upper Wharf, so called, to the Pond, called Turtle Pond, in said Field, and thence to the Ferry over the Agawam River, near Moses Leonard's Dwelling-llonse. Fur any Rates, Duties, or Charges Whatever, all Lots, Lands, nnd Estates Whatever, lying within the Said Great and General Field, the owner and Proprietor thereof, shall, for the Time being, and at any Time hereafter, be an Inhabitant of the Town of Springheld, shall stand Charg- able and Taxable, and shall be Charged, Taxed, and Assessed for all Province, County, Town, and Parish Taxes, Rates, Charges, and Duties, only in and by the Said Town of Springfield, and the Parish or Parishes, respectively there, at all Times bereafter."

At the terms of this act the inhabitants felt aggrieved, and at a meeting held March 24, 1774,

" Cul. Bouj. Day, Mr. Justin Ely, Duct. Chauncey Brewer, Dr. John Vanhorne, and Benjamin Stebbins were chosen a committee to draw up the Reasons of this Parish for their making applications to the Great and Gruetal ('ourt for an al- triation in Respect of Lands that now are or may be liable to pay Rates of Taxes out of this Parish, and to make a report the 20th day of May next."

The committee made their report to the meeting on that day, as follows :

" To his excellency Thomas Gage, Esr., Captain-Gent. and Commander-in- chief in and over his Majestie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, &c. And tu the Ilonorable His Majestie's Council and Ilouse of Representatives, in general Court assembled at Boston, the last Wednesday of May, 1774. The Petition of the inhabitants of the first Parish of West Springfield hunibly sheweth ; That by an act of the Great and General Court, passed in the year 1696, all that part of the town of Springfield lying on the west side of Connecticut River was erected into a separate Precinct or Parish, and by said Act all the then jn esent inhabitants of said precinct, and such as should from time to time Joyn them, and all E-tates under their Improvement lying in said Precinet, were to stand chargeable for the sup- port of the Ministry, aud for building Meeting-Houses. That within these few years past one Entire Parisb, and the greater part of another, have been set off from us. So that we are now reduced within very narrow limits. The whole extent of our Lands but little exceeds 9000 Acres. Of these Lands several valu- able farms lelong to Baptiste, who have a minister of their own Denomination, with their estates exempt from Parish Taxes. Part of our land is Mountainous, Sandy and Fine Plain, incapable of any very profitable cultivation; and within the aforesaid limits, the Inhabitants of the first Parish in East Springfield own a valuable mutof our Meadow Lands, which not being under the immediate in- provement of our Fuhabitants, are not subject to the aforesuid Act for Taxation. From these several causes we are reduced to be much the smallest Parish either in East or West Springfield, and perhaps in the whole County. We beg leave further to show that by an Act passed in the last Session of the late General Court, entitled an ' Act for dividing the town of Springfield, &c.,' It is provided and ruacted ' that it shall not be lawful for the town of West Springfield, or any Parish or Precinct then, or at any time hereafter, to assess or Tax the Lands or

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Estates of any Inhabitants or Inhabitants of the Town of Springfield Sitnate or lying in that part of the Great und General Field, so called, on the west side of Connecticut River, lying south of a Line beginning at the uper Wharf, so called, and runing to the Pond called Turtle Pond, in said Field ; and thence to the West end of the Hill called New Field Dill; and thenve to the Ferry over Agawam River, near Moses Leonard's Dwelling house, for any Rates, Duties, or Charges whatsoever, the same being within the nominal limits of the said town of West Springfield, notwithstanding, &c .; ' by which clause we are debarred from our ancient right and privilege of Taxing Lands within said Field under the Improvements of our Inhabitants in case they happen to belong to any of the Inhabitants of East Springfield.

" There is indeed a Subsequent Clause in the Act providing that nothing in said Act shall change, alter, or affect the present Rights or Limits of the several Parishes in said undivided Town, or either of them or their respective interests, &c., by which we apprehend our antient Right of Taxing all Land improved by ns within the Limits of our Parish is secured.

" But as there is a manifest contradiction and Inconsistency between the said act passed in the year 1696, and the restraining clause in the Act of Division which may be the occasion of future Controversy, and as unjust use may possi- bly in some future time be made of the said restraining clanse,

" We humildy pray that the Legislature would take the matter under their wise consideration, and make such amendments as may be necessary to secure to us our own rights and Privileges, and to prevent future Litigation.

" There is now a large Farm within a mile of our meeting-house, which has for many years bern owned by an juhabitant of East Springfield, and leased out to a Tenant who lives thereon, and who, with his Family, enjoy the privilege of Publick worship with ns, and can enjoy it nowhere else. This Farm has been constantly Taxed for the defrayeing of Parish Expenses with us, as it ought manifestly to be.

" It is not improbable there may be some other Farms in a short time under the same circumstances, and if we are to loose the Jurisdiction of our Meadow Lands as soon as the Fre of them becomes vested in the inhabitants of another town, we may soon be reduced to an utter incapacity to maintain the Gospel.

" What makes this Clause in the Act more exceptionable is this, That the first Parish in East Springfield is one of the most wealthy parishes in either of the two Towns, and perhaps in the County, as it is of large extent and is under many and singular advantages.

" The second Parish, called Longmeadow, has much valnalde meadow Land, and is opulent, so that neither of these Parishes need the Jurisdiction of Lands in our Meadow for defraying their Parish Charges, but we being reduced, as aforesaid, stand in absolute need of theni.

" We therefore submit to the Wisdom of the Legislature whether it be not Just and reasonable, not only that we should enjoy, as herotufore, the uncontroverted and unmojosted Rights of Taxing all Lands in said General Field under the Improvements of any of our Inhabitants, but that we also should be enadded to Tax all Lands within the nominal limits of sajd first Parish in West Springfield, except such Lands as shall be under the Improvements of any of the Inhal,- itants of the Pantsh in East Springfield."

Signed by John Vanhorn, Benjamin Stebbins, Benjamin Day, and Justin Ely, Committee for the first Parish in West Springfield to draw uje a Petition to the General Comt.

May 20, 1774 .- " The above Petition was voted and accepted by the Inhabitants of the first Parish in West Springfield, and Col. Benjamin Day waschosen Agent for the said Parish, and desired to present the same to the General Count and to use his influence to get the Prayer thereof granted.

" Test : Nath. Atchinson, "leik of the brst Parish in West Springfield."

Another appeal to the General Court makes this complaint :

" That a Minor Part of a Town should force a Division contrary to a Sense of the Town, and yet be left in full Possession of the Antient name of the Town and all the Public Buildings without making any Compensation therefor, but, as if that had not been sufficient, that they Should, in an unheard-of manner, ex- tend their Jurisdicti mus over Lands and Buildings out of their Rounds, and that the Majority of the Town should be so dishonestly crowded off by the Minority, and at the Same Time have a considerable Part of the valuable Lands with a number of Buildings within their Limits liable to pay all Taxes to the Town from whence they are this crowded off, is such an Instance of Partiality and of Injury and Oppression towards us, as we presume is not to be met with in any other spot on the face of the filobe." They further say, " The Town of West Spring- field was always extremely displeased with being forced to abandon their An- tient connections with Springfiell, in a manner so Hurtful to their Interest and Reputation," and pray " that the late act for dividing the Town may be repenled, or that we may be restored to our proportional part of the Estate and enjoy the Same Privileges as all other Towns in the United American Colonies do enjoy (viz.), That of taxing all Houses and Lands within the Limits of our Township."

The petition and appeals availed nothing with the General Court. The law was enforeed for many years, until modified by a proviso that when the land changed hands it should then pay taxes to West Springfield, and the last of the property did not change hands until 1865.

The first warrant for a town-meeting was served jointly by Constables Joseph Day, of Springfield, and David Miller, of West Springfield, and is as follows ;

"HAMPSHIRE, 88. :

" To the C'onstable ur Constables of the Town of Springfield, or vith 1 of them,

Greeting,-You are hereby required in his Majestie's name forthwith to warn and give notice to the Free holders and other Inhabitants on the West side of Connertient River, in West Springfickl, First Parish, North District, from North- ampton Bounds to Riley's Brouk, on the County Road; on the west to Westtich and Southampton, to meet and assemble together at the old Meeting-House in said Town, on Wednesday, the 23d day of this Instant, at 10 o'clock in the fore- noon, then and there to act on the following articles :

" The 3d Article. To see if the Inhabitants will apply to the General Court for any alteration in the incorporating act, as was made at the last setting of said Court, that incorporated the inhabitants on the west side the River in sd town a separate town.

" Given under our hands and seals the 14th day of March, in the 14th year of his Majestie's Reign, Anno Domini 1774.

" BENJ. DAY, JOHN IJALE,

" CHARLES PYNCHON, JONATHAN WHITE,

" NATHI ELY (2D), " AARON COLTON, " Selectmen of Springfield."

BENZJ. ELY,

At a town-meeting held April 11, 1775, delegates were eliosen to represent the town at a Provincial Congress, and it was voted " that the delegates be instructed to dissent from any proposal that may be made for setting up any form of eivil government different from that contained in the charter we hold under William and Mary,'excepting when the laws of self-preservation (which supersede all others) necessarily require it, the determination of which requires the greatest caution and eireumspection." It was also voted to enlist and pay a company of " Minute-Men," with Mr. David Leonard as captain."

LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS. SELECTMEN FROM 1774 TO 1879.

Col. Benjamin Day, Deacon Jonathan White, Col. Benjamin Ely, Deacon John Leonard, Lient. Benjamin Leonard, Dr. Chauncey Brewer, Justin Ely, Deacon Reuben Leonard, Capt. Joseph Murgan, Eliphalet Leonard, Charles Ball, Abra- ham Burbank, Benjamin Stebbins, Capt. Levi Ely, Lient. Enoch Cooper, Capt. Joseph Ely, Aaron White, Capt. John Williston, Russell Leonard, Lucins Mor- gan, Joseph White, Samnel Phelps, Reuben Leonard, Jr., Heman Day, Maj. Gad Warriner, Lieut. Ruggles Kent, Elias Leonard, Horace White, Justin Granger, Lieut. Benjamin Ashley, Robert Ely, Dr. Timothy Horton, Justin Leonard, Pliny White, Col. Samnel Flower, Col. David Morley, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Luke Par- sons, Aaron Bagg, Luther Frink, Horace Flower, James Kent, Peres Hitchcock, Alfred Flower, Ruggles Kent, Jonathan Parsons, David Hastings, Husea Day, Caleb Rice, Spencer Flower, Lewis Warriner, Warren Chapin, Lucins Bagg, Ben- jamin Leonard, Henry Ely, Josiah Johnson, Charles Ball, Jr., Edward Parsons, Samuel Noble, Lester Williams, Silas Dewey, Willard Ely, Lyman Whitman, l'alvin Wheeler, Ebenezer B. Pelton, Cyrus Frink, Newberry Norton, Asa Clark, Lucian M. Ufford, Isaac Roberts, Russell Gilmore, Homer Ely, Augustine Lud- dington, Herrick Brooks, William S. Rowe, Enoch Leonard, Nehemiah D. Perry, Samuel Flower, Harvey Bliss, Lester Hamlin, Ralph Adams, Jonathan O. Mosely, Harvey Chapin, Daniel G. White, Jonathan W. Freeland, Samuel Smith, L. S. Brown, George B. Brebe, S. L. Griggs, Orson Swetland, James T. Smith, Orrin Root, James P. Ely, Col. Aaron Bagg, S. B. Day, Riley Smith, Daniel Ashley, Nathan Loomis, Alvin Sibley, Franklin G. Smith, Charles C. Smith, Incius Dwin- nell, Albert D. Bagg, C. W. Hoisington, Aaron L. Hayes, William Smith, Har- vey 1. Bagg, Chas. White, Henry A. Sibley, Amos Russell, Ebenezer S. Flower, John 0. Mosely, Win. Chapman, Aaron Bagg, Jr., Amos Russell.

TOWN CLERKS AND TREASURERS, 1774-1879.

Dr. John Van Horn, Dr. Chauncey Brewer, Aaron White, Joseph White, Hor- ace White, Samuel Lathrop, Seth Lathrop, Heman Pay, Renhen Champion, Jr., James Kent, Caleb Rice, Charles Ely, Lester Williams, Michael Marsh, Edwin F. Perkins, Euoch N. Smith, Harvey Bliss, Charles White, Lewis Leonard, Ed- ward Parsons, John M. Harmon.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM 1774 TO 1879.

Capt. Benjamin Day, Col. Benjamin Ely, Deacon Jonathan White, Justin Ely, Eliphalet Leonard, Abraham Burbank, Capt. John Williston, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Jeremiah Stebbins, Hemen Day, Maj. Gad Warriner, Col. Samuel Flower, Lieut. Charles Ball, Doct. Timothy Horton, Luke Parsons, Maj. Jesse McIntire, Elias Leonard, Capt. John Porter, James Kent, Horace Flower, Col. David Mor- ley, Capt. Alfred Flower, David Hastings, Caleb Rice, Daniel Merrick, Jonathan E. Ferre, John Street, Norman Warriner, Dr. Renben Champion, Jr., Robert Ely, Warren Chapin, Spencer Flower, Lewis Warriner, Henry Ely, Maj. Linus Bagg, Capt. Hemy Phelon, Asa B. Whitman, Capt. Hosea Day, Josiah Johnson, Benja- min Leonard, Seth Parsons, Heber Miller, Samuel Noble, Dwight Leonard, Amasa Ainsworth, Peletiah Ely, Edwin II. Ball, Lester Williams, Lyman Whit- man, Rufus S. Payne, Col. Aaron Bagg, Lucian M. Uford, Asa Clark, Isaac Rub- erts, Edward Parsons, Harvey Chapin, Daniel G. White, Lyman Allen, Wells Southworth, Harvey Wolcott, Elward Southworth, Samnel D. Warriner, Jona- tban W. Freeland, Jonathan O. Mosely, Hvorge L. Wright, Nathan Loomis, Justin L. Worthy, Charles A. Fox, William Melcher, George C. S. Southworth, Ansel H. Ward, Emerson Geer, Elisha P'. Bartholomew.

DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS AT WATERTOWN, MASS. 1775, Deacon Jonathan White, Dr. Chauncey Brewer, Maj. Benj. Ely.

The Elys have been numbered among the rep- resentative families of West Springfield since the settlement of the first ancestor, Nathaniel, who lo- cated his residence on the banks of the Connecticut, and where generation after generation has remained for more than a century. The first known of the name in that town was Nathaniel, who lived to the age of ninety-five, and died in the year 1787. His son Nathaniel occupied the farm now owned by the fifth generation in descent, which was in turn owned by the grandson, Cotton, and also by the great- grandson, Cotton Ely, Jr., the subject of this nar- rative, who was born June 8, 1803. Besides carry- ing on farming on the old homestead during his life, Mr. Ely was a tanner and currier by trade, and as his father had before him, so he engaged quite largely in that business, and also as a jobber in hides and leather. He was the youngest of the three sons, Homer, Frederick, and himself, and one daughter, Fanny, all of whom are now dead.

Mr. Ely's life was one of active business, and so characterized by integrity in all his business relations as to secure the esteem of all who knew him. He sought no place in the arena of politics, but quietly did his part as a citizen, identifying himself formerly with the Whig, and subsequently with the Republican party. He was a man of sound judgment, conservative in his opinions, and pos- sessed a will to carry forward whatever he deemed to be right and worthy his attention. Early in life he became a member of the Congregational Church, and there his influence for the forwarding of that and kindred interests was always acknowledged. He was active in church work, and for very many years was a teacher of the young in the Sunday- school, and a liberal contributor to all enterprises looking toward the elevation and education of the rising generation. In the year 1830 he married Mariette, daughter of Ruggles Kent, of West Springfield. Mr. Ely died April 11, 1874.

Aaron Ashley

The first record of the Ashleys in the Connecti- cut Valley in Massachusetts is in the following memorandum :

"There is granted to Robert Ashley six acres of meadow on the backside of Chicopee Plain, within two or three miles of the Great River, where he can find so much undisposed of.

" MARCH 13, 1660-61.

"A copy from Springfield records, examined by William Pynchon, clerk."

In the town of West Springfield the family of Ashley can be traced back about one hundred and sixty years to the grandfather, Benjamin Ashley, who was born in 1697, and died May 11, 1772; his wife dying Dec. 25, 1788, aged eighty-seven.

Their children were Moses, Aaron, Mary, David, John, and Benjamin. Of these the third son, David, was father of Aaron Ashley, and married Meribah Gaylord in 1769. He was born in 1735, and died in 1813. His other children were David, Jr., Solo- mon, Noah, Justin, Enoch, Lucretia, wife of Genu- bath Bliss; and Eunice, wife of Eli Ashley.

David Ashley owned large tracts of land in West Springfield during his time, and was one of the largest real-estate owners in the valley. This fact, together with the settlement of so many of the name in one locality, gave the name Ashleyville,-a part of West Springfield.

Aaron Ashley was born April 19, 1786. His life,

like that of his ancestors, was almost wholly spent as a farmer; and, alike with them, industry, local enterprise, devotion to family and friends, and strict integrity were his characteristics. He married, Nov. 7, 1811, Almira, daughter of Simeon Smith, of West Springfield, a lady who proved herself a devoted wife and a loving mother. She was born Dec. 28, 1786, and died in 1834. Their children were Edmund (died in 1862, aged forty-eight); Jennett (Mrs. Albert A. Hudson, of Syracuse); and Charles A. Ashley, who married, Feb. 11, 1862, Miss Sarah. M. Ashley, of the same township.

Mr. Ashley was never solicitous of political pre- ferment, but chose the quiet of a farmer's life, and he never accepted any office. He was always inter- ested in the cultivation of good society, in the spread of religions principles, and in the education of the young, and left behind him a record worthy of imitation.

His second wife was Charlotte, daughter of Moses Ashley, of West Springfield. She was born July, 1799, and died in 1869, surviving her husband two years, who died in 1867.

It is a fact worthy of note in writing this sketch, that the Ashleys as a family, during the entire long period they have lived in West Springfield, have been among the first in thrift, respectability, and all inter- ests tending to advance the well-being of society.

Photo, by C. L. Moore.

James ? Ely

JAMES P. ELY was born in the town of West Springfield, Mass., December, 1802. His grand- father, Nathan, and father, Nathan, Jr., were natives of the same town. His father was an only son, and had seven sisters, all of whom lived to advanced age. He was a farmer, as his ancestry had been before him. Was married to Anna Price, of Weth- ersfield, Conn., and became the father of children as follows: James P., subject of this narrative; Mrs. Francis Ashley, of West Springfield; Pela- tiah, of Longmeadow ; Nathan, of Wrentham ; and Julia Ann, of West Springfield, all of whom arc living.

Mr. Ely spent his minority in the routine of school and farm labor at home, and at the age of twenty- five, in the year 1827, married Mercy L., daughter of Noadiah and Tirzah (Taylor) Smith, of West Springfield. She was born in March, 1802. Her great-grandfather, Jonathan, and grandfather, Jona- than, Jr., also lived and died in the same town, and

were farmers by occupation. Her father was a fife- major in the war for independence, and served nearly through the entire war. He is said to have been the owner of the first two-horse wagon in the town, and was engaged in teaming between Springfield and Boston before the days of railroads. He died at the age of forty-four, in 1807. Her mother died at the age of seventy-five, in 1841.

Mr. Ely has passed a life of industry and labor as a farmer, and is known as a man of sterling integrity in all his business relations. The pecuniary assist- ance received from his father was small, but by economy he has secured a fair competence. He has been a liberal supporter of church and like interests, and a member of the Congregational Church since about 1842, his wife being connected with the same church for the same period.

Mr. Ely has not taken an active part in politics, but has been honored by the citizens of his town for two terms as one of the seleetmen.

HOMER ELY was born in West Springfield, May 23, 1793. He married, Dee. 19, 1816, Anna Kent, of the same town, who was born Nov. 20, 1797. Their children were the following: Frances Ann, born Oct. 22, 1817; Chauncey Kent, born Dec. 15, 1819; Eliza Rosamond, born March 5, 1822; Henry Gilbert, born March 7, 1824; Leieester Kent, born Ang. 16, 1826; Celia Sophia, born May 30, 1829; Homer, Jr., born July 25, 1831; Homer, Jr., born Feb. 1, 1833; Esther Maria, born June 17, 1835; George Albert, born April 8, 1842.

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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. II, Part 116

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896