History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 12

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 12

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LEADING MEN OF THE PERMANENT SETTLEMENT, 1683.

John Allen, brother of Edward, was born in 1660. He married, Feb. 22, 1682, Elizabeth, daughter of William Pritchard, of Ipswich. He lived in the Street with Edward, and with him bought of Maj. Pynchon, in 1689, 62 acres at the Bars, on which they settled. This property remained in the family until the death of Asahel, in 1854. He held the office of selectman and other places of honor. Ile was killed by Indians at his home, May 11, 1704. Ilis wife was captured at the same time, and killed soon after, according to tradition, one or two miles from the place. As her death is not recorded with that of her husband, it is probable her fate was not known until some time after.

Edward Allen, son of Edward, of Ipswich, was born in 1663. Ile married, November, 1683, Mercy Painter. In August, 1685, he had a grant of a home-lot at the south end of the street, but before 1704 he had removed to the Bars. He was a selectman six years, town clerk nine years, clerk of the market a long time, and often filled other places of trust. He was an ancestor of the Greenfield branch of the Allen family. He died Feb. 10, 1740.

William Arms was born in 1654, and first known as a sol- dier in the Falls fight, May 18, 1676. He remained at Hat- field, where he married, Nov. 21, 1677, Joanna, daughter of John Hawks. He had a large landed estate in Hatfield, which he sold in 1702. In 1701 he bought of Ilannah Porter the 16 cow-commons and home-lot drawn by Rev. John Allen, of Dedham, which he sold in 1708 to John Sheldon. This is the lot now owned by George Sheldon. Hle settled at the south end of the street, on the lot granted to John and Edward Allen. The property is now owned by a descendant, Geo. A.

Arms, of Greenfield. He was a member of the school commit- tee, a tithingman, etc. While in Hatfield he was prosecuted for " driving his cart into town half an hour after sunset on · Saturday." " Having been hindered with his cart, and ap- pearing concerned," he was let off with a reprimand and 2s. 6d. cash. He died Aug. 25, 1731.

Joseph Barnard, son of Francis, of Hadley, was born in 1641. He was a surveyor, tailor, and farmer. He married, in 1675, Sarah Strong, of Northampton. Ile was the first town clerk,-in 1687,-and held the office until his death, in 1695. Ile was mortally wounded at Indian Bridge, August 18th, by a party of Indians in ambush, and died Sept. 6, 1695. He was an ancestor of the Deerfield Barnards.

Hannah Beaman, sister of Joseph Barnard, was born in 1646. She married, in 1667, Dr. John Westcarr, of Hadley, and, in 1680, Simon Beaman. She lived on the lot No. 37, drawn by Mrs. Bunker, and now occupied by Mrs. C. E. B. Allen. She was the first known school-dame, and, with her little flock, had a narrow escape when Castrine beset the town, in 1694. She and her husband were taken captive in 1704, and carried to Canada; both returned. She died in 1739, a widow, leaving a large landed property to the town for a school fund. The First Church holds a piece of silver-plate which was her gift, and bears her name.

Daniel Belding, son of William, of Wethersfield and Nor- walk, Conn. He married, in 1670, Elizabeth Foote, of Weth- ersfield, and came here, with his wife and eight children, and settled on lot No. 9, drawn by Samuel Hinsdale, and known as the Ralph Williams lot. On the 6th of September, 1696, his place was assaulted by Indians, his wife and three children killed and two wounded, and himself, with two children, cap- tured and carried to Canada. He returned in 1698, and in 1699 married Hepzibah, widow of Lieut. Wells. She was captured in 1704, and killed on the march to Canada. Mr. Belling again married, Sarah, widow of Philip Mattoon, and died in 1734.

John Catlin, son of John, of Wethersfield, was born about 1642, and married, in 1662, Mary, daughter of Joseph Bald- win. He was with the colony which went from Branford, Conn., to Newark, N. J., about 1667, where he was prom- inent in town affairs. He returned about 1683, and settled here the next year on lot No. 30, drawn by Isaac Bullard, now the Chapin lot. He bore the title of " Mr.," and was called to many places of trust and honor. In 1704 his house was burned, he and two sons were killed, and four children captured,-two of them killed on the march. His grandson, John, born in 1704, was a noted partisan officer in the border wars, serving through Father Rasle's war and both the French-and-Indian wars. He died at Burk's Fort, Ber- nardston, in 1758.

Thomas French, son of John, of Northampion, was born in 1651. Hle married, 1683, Mary, daughter of John Catlin, and settled on lot No. 31, drawn by Robert Hinsdale, now the Orthodox parsonage lot. He was a blacksmith ; his shop stood in the Street, in front of his house, the remains of which are still to be seen. lle was town clerk eleven years, and treas- urer many years after. With wife and six children he was captured in 1704. One child and the mother were killed on the march. Mr. French with one son was redeemed ; the rest never came back. In 1709 he married Hannah, widow of Be- noni Stebbins, and died in 1733.

John Hawks, brother of Eleazer, was born 1643. He mar- ried, 1667, Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Baldwin, of Hadley. lle settled in Hadley, and was active as a soldier in Philip's war; was in the Falls fight, and one of the twenty-five who crossed the Connecticut to succor Hatfield when attacked, May 30, 1676, and wounded in the meadow. Removed here, and was living in the lane south of the Dickinson Academy, Feb. 29, 1704. He had married a second wife, Alice, widow of Samuel Allis, in 1696, and his family consisted of wife, a daughter,

RES.OF HENRY W.WOOD, DEERFIELD, MASS.

RES. OF G.W. JONES, DEERFIELD, MASS.

BEES

Photo. by Popkins.

GEORGE W. JONES was born in Deerfield, Franklin Co., Mass., on the 31st of December, 1824. He is a son of John N. Jones, and grandson of Jehiel Jones, Jr., who was a son of Jehiel Jones.

Jehiel Jones was a native of Colchester, Conn., and was one of a family of fifteen children. He married Lucretia Hamilton in 1765, and, with six of his brothers, removed to Shelburne, Mass., about the year 1781. He served in the Revolutionary war, and died on the 5th of January, 1835, at the advanced age of ninety-four. His wife lived to the age of eighty, and died on the 7th of May, 1821. They had a family of eleven children. Jehiel, Jr., the eldest, was born on the 8th of December, 1765. The other children were Lorhama, Lovinah, Lucretia, Sallie, Russel, Jabez, Amos, James, Israel, and Amasa. James and Amasa died in childhood, but the others lived to a very old age.

Jehiel, Jr., was a very prominent man in his day ; held the office of deacon in the church ; was a thorough busi- ness man, and a leader in civil and religious affairs. He died on the 20th of September, 1840. His wife was Martha L. Wise, who died Sept. 3, 1849, aged eighty-three. To them were born nine children, viz. : James, Cynthia, Nancy, Guerdon, Cephas, John N., Lucinda, Minerva, and Martha L., all of whom lived to a good old age.

John N. Jones was born on the 20th of May, 1800, and died on the 3d of June, 1862. He was married, on the 6th of December, 1821, to Betsey Wolcott, by whom he had twelve children. Of this family seven are now living. The eldest is George W., the subject of this sketch. The others were Henry G., Edwin J., Elizabeth A., Mary H., Lucy, Almira, Emeline C., Anna M., Elmira, Frank, and Charles.

The subject of this notice has always resided in Deerfield, and was educated in the common schools of that town. He is by occupation a farmer, and has been identified with the best agricultural interests of the town and county, and is a member of the Franklin County and Franklin and Hampshire Agricultural Societies. His residence is situ- ated in West Deerfield, and is considered one of the finest in that vicinity.

Mr. Jones takes an active interest in the civil and edu- cational interests of the town and county, and has held numerous offices of trust. From 1863 to 1874 he served as one of the seleetmen of the town. In 1873 he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected the following year. He was elected a member of the general school committee in 1877, re-elected in 1878 for one year, and in 1879 for three years. He has also for a number of years held the office of justice of the peace. The duties of these various positions have been discharged with fidelity and thoroughness. Under the Dickinson will he was appointed trustee of the Free High-School of Deerfield, and upon the expiration of the term was elected to serve a second time in that capacity.

Mr. Jones was formerly a Republican, but his election to the Legislature was on the independent ticket. In the autumn of 1878 he was the candidate of the independent party for the State Senate, and was defeated by a very small majority.

He was married, on the 25th of December, 1849, to Ellen B. Jones.

Their children are Frank, who died when three years of age ; Charley ; Clarence ; Stella A .; Frank ; Allen P. ; and John G.

Photo. by Popkins

Charles Jones

CHARLES JONES was born in Dcerfield, Franklin Co., Mass., July 27, 1820. His grandfather, Jehiel Jones, moved to West Deerfield from Connecticut, and was one of the early settlers of that town. Israel Jones, his father, was born in Deerfield, March 6, 1791. He was a carpenter by trade, a member of the Baptist Church of West Deerfield, and, as a man, was respected by all who knew him. He married for his first wife, Eleanor, daughter of John Broderick, of Conway, by whom he had six children, the youngest of whom is the subject of this notice. His second marriage was to Cynthia Atwood, relict of Silas Atwood. By this union he had one child, Ellen, wife of G. W. Jones, of West Deerfield.

Charles Jones attended the common schools and academy of his native town during a part of each year until he was eighteen years of age. He was early thrown upon his own resources, and whatever success he has achieved is due to his own unaided efforts.

When eighteen years old he was employed by the 1

month to work on a farm, and in this he continued four years. At the expiration of that time he com- menced farming upon his own account, renting land and working it on shares, and in 1857 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He has en- larged and improved the original property ; has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and, financially speaking, has been moderately successful. He is a Democrat in politics, devoted to the princi- ples of his party, and actively interested in its local and general movements.

He has been a member of the board of selectmen twelve years, and during eight years of that time chairman of the same, the duties of which office he has ably discharged.

In connection with the schools, churches, and other public interests of the town, Mr. Jones has been active, and has done what he could to advance these interests. He was married, Dec. 15, 1857, to Margaret, daughter of Robert Toombs, of Deerfield.

601

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Elizabeth, a son, John, with his wife and four children. Of this family, John, Sr., only escaped. The rest were " smoth- ered in the cellar" of the burning house. In his old age he removed to Connecticut to live with a married daughter, his only surviving child, where he died in 1744.

Eleazer Ilawks, son of John, of Hadley, was born in 1655. He married, 1689, Judith, daughter of William Smead, and settled on lot No. 18, drawn by John Farrington, where C. A. Stebbins now lives. He was under Turner in the Falls fight, and with all his family escaped harm in 1704. He was useful in town affairs ; sixteen years selectinan, and a long time elerk of the market. He was the ancestor of the Hawks families of Franklin Co. He died in 1729.

David Hoyt, son of Nicholas, of Windsor, was born in 1651. He married, 1673, Mary, sister of Lieut. Thomas Wells; (2d) 1678, Sarah Wilson; (3d) 1697, Abigail, widow of Joshua Pomeroy, deacon and lieutenant in King William's war, and often in town office. He settled on lot No. 7, drawn by Tim- othy Dwight, now occupied by John H. Stebbins. In 1704 his oldest son was killed, and the rest of the family taken captive. Hle was starved to death before reaching Canada, and one child was killed on the march and one remained in Canada. Mrs. Hoyt and two children were redeemed. David was an- cestor of all the Hoyts hereabouts.

Godfrey Nims was first known as a lad at Northampton. He married, 1677, Widow Mary Williams ; (2d) 1692, Widow Mehitable Hull ; the lot on which he settled, covering No. 27, drawn by John Chickering, and No. 28, by John Haward, is the one now owned by a descendant, on the corner of the " Street" and Memorial Lane. His house was burned in 1693, when a son of his second wife perished in the flames. He was the first constable of Deerfield, then an office of im- portance; was a selectman, and held other offices. lle was a brave man, and through his coolness Joseph Barnard escaped the scalping-knife when wounded at Indian Bridge. His son John was taken captive in 1703. In 1704 four children were killed, his house burned, and his wife and two children cap- tured. Mrs. Nims was killed on the march. One child never returned from Canada. He died within a year after this dis- aster. He was probably the ancestor of all of the name in the country.

John Severance, son of John, of Boston, was born in 1647. Of Suffield, Conn., 1679, he came thence to Deerfield before 1687, and settled on lot No. 36, drawn by Samuel Hinsdale, and occupied by Joshua Carter, now owned by William Sheldon. He married Mary -. His son Daniel was killed when Castrine made his attack, in 1694. Ile soon after removed to Bedford, N. Y., where he was living in 1716. His father was ancestor of all bearing the name in the country.

John Sheldon, son of Isaac, of Northampton, was born in 1658. He married, in 1679, Hannah, daughter of John Steb- bins, fifteen and a half years old. She was killed in the Old Indian House, Feb. 29, 1704. He was married again, in 1708, to Mrs. Elizabeth Pratt, of Hartford, Conn. He settled on lot No. 12, drawn by John Pynchon. On this lot he set up, about 1698, the historic building now known far and wide as the "Old Indian House." Active and influential from the first, he was constantly in office; was on the first board of se- lectmen and assessors, deacon at the organization of the church, and ensign in the first military company, appointed 1707. In 1704 his wife and one child were killed, and four children car- ried into eaptivity. To recover his children and friends from the enemy, Ensign Sheldon made a journey the next winter, on snow-shoes, through the trackless wilderness to Canada, returning in the spring with one daughter, a daughter of his minister, and several others. A second journey was made in the winter of 1706. August 1st of this year he arrived at Boston by sea with forty-four captives. Twice more he was sent on the same errand, the last time accompanied by his son John, in 1714. Died in Ilartford, 1734.

John Stebbins, son of John, of Northampton, was born in 1647. He married, about 1684, Dorothy Alexander. He set- tled on lot No. 35, drawn by Samuel Hinsdale, now occupied by David Sheldon. In 1704 his entire family was captured. Only himself, his wife, and son John were redeemed. The other five children never came back. The three sons were alive in Canada in 1723 ; the two daughters had families then. Ilis son, John, who returned from captivity, was the ancestor of all the Deerfield tribe of Stebbinses. Mr. Stebbins died in 1724, providing by will for his son, John, and grandson, Aaron Denio, with bequests to the other children, provided they return to the English colonies. Aaron Denio, ancestor of all of the name in New England, was a son of his daughter Abigail, who married James Denio here twenty-six days before the attack.

Jonathan Wells, son of Thomas, of Hadley, was born in 1659. He married, in 1682, Hepzibah Colton, of Springfiel, and again, in 1698, Sarah, widow of Joseph Barnard. Set- tled on lot No. 16, drawn by Peter Woodward ; now owned by Josiah Fogg and Mrs. Higginson. At the age of sixteen he was a soldier under Capt. Turner, and the boy-hero of the Falls fight, where he was wounded and left behind. Two days and nights of solitary wandering brought him home in a pitiable condition. In 1704 his house was fortified and suc- cessfully defended. He had succeeded to his brother as lieu- tenant, and had command of the garrison at this time, and the fatal pursuit in the meadows was in defiance of his orders. Ile was a prominent figure in military and civil affairs for more than fifty years. Ile was the first justice of the peace, and in his later years was known as " Justice Wells," a title higher than that of captain. Ile was representative in 1692-98. He died 1737. No representatives of this family have been here for nearly a century.

Thomas Wells, brother of Jonathan, was born in 1652. He married, in 1673, Ilepzibah Buel, of Windsor, Conn. As lieutenant he commanded the first military company organized here; his commission, signed by Andross in 1688, is in the archives of the Pocomptuck Valley Memorial Association. Ile settled on lot No. 2, drawn by Eleazer Luther, and now owned by Jonathan Ashley, where a terrible tragedy was enacted June 6, 1694, his widow and three children being tomahawked by a party of Indians. His son, John, was with Ensign Sheldon on his first journey to Canada, and was killed while on a scout up the river in 1709. Lieut. Wells died in 1691. His son, Thomas, a captain and ranger in Rasle's war, died in 1750, the last male descendant.

PERMANENT SETTLEMENT.

Upon the return of peace the scattered inhabitants began to look with longing eyes toward Pocomptuck, and some of the most adventurous returned and began to rebuild their ruined homes. On the 17th of September, 1677, as Sergt. John Plympton, Quintus Stockwell, Benoni Stebbins, John Root, and Samuel Russell were so engaged, they were surprised by a party of Pocomptuck and Nipmuck Indians under Asphelon, who fired upon them and then rushed up with knife and toma- hawk. Root was killed and the others captured. Earlier in the day this same party had made a destructive assault upon Ilatfield, where they killed 12, wounded 4, and took captive 17 of its inhabitants (all but one of the latter women and children). The Pocomptuck captives were soon joined with these, when the whole party began the fearful march to Canada, the first party of whites ever carried there from New England. It was near dark when they moved, and toward morning they camped in a deep hollow near the mouth of Hearthstone Brook. The next morning the party crossed the Connecticut at Sheldon's Rocks, and again at Peskcompskut, reaching Northfield Meadows the next night. 1Iere they intended stopping to hunt, but, a party of English going in pursuit, they crossed the river and scattered. Benoni Stebbins made

602

HISTORY OF TIIE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

his escape soon after. Upon reaching Canada, Sergt. Plymp- ton was tortured to death by fire at a celebration of their suc- cess. The rest of the captives, save two who sank on the marchi, were redeemed through the heroic valor of Benjamin Wait and Stephen Jennings. A full account of their adven- turous journey may be looked for in another part of this work.

This attempt of Stock well and others to re-settle Pocomptuck was not an unconsidered affair, but fully in accord with public sentiment and the policy of the government. In October, 1677, the General Court issued an order that the inhabitants of Pocomptuck should repair to that place and prepare to settle in the spring, and build in a compact manner; that stuff should be got out, ready to put up a fortification as soon as spring opened, and a garrison of 20 soldiers be posted there, who are to help the inhabitants in this work. A committee was appointed to arrange the business, and make due compen- sation to any whose land is occupied in carrying out the order : " Maj. John Pynchon, Lieut. John Mosely, Ens. Samuel Loomis, Lieut. William Clarke, Mr. l'eter Tylton, and Lieut. William Allis, or any three of them, Maj. Pynchon being one," were empowered to act in the matter. Nothing appears to have been done under this order. Probably the committee did not consider it prudent. Oct. 5, 1678, " the small rem- nant that is left" of Pocomptuck's " poor inhabitants" made a piteous appeal to the General Court for help, representing that nearly half of the best land in the centre of the town belonged to those who are " never likely to come to a settle- ment among" them, "neither are like to put such tenants upon it as shall be likely to advance the good of the place, in civil or sacred respects ;" that they are anxious to settle at once, but it cannot be done to advantage if these " proprie- tors may not be begged, or will not be bought (on very easy terms), out of their rights." A prominent reason given for haste is that "our reverend and esteemed minister, Mr. Mather, hath been invited from us, and great danger there is from losing him," but " have had it from" him " that if the place were free from that incumberment, he could find a suf- fieient number of men, pious and discreet, that would enter into the plantation with him, and so build up a church in the place." They " count it as rich a tract of land as any upon the river, and judge it sufficient to entertain and maintain as great number of inhabitants as most of the upland towns." The court refer them to " the proprietors for the attaining of their interest in the lands." An appeal was made to the pro- prietors, and individuals among them gave up every tenth acre into a common stock. The settlement, however, was still delayed. In the spring of 1680, Mr. Mather being about to leave them, the inhabitants made an appeal to the County Court. That body, under a law passed the year previous, appointed a new committee for this plantation. This commit- tee made grants to encourage new settlers, but little else was accomplished, and Mr. Mather left them for Branford, Conn. In 1681 the power of this committee was confirmed by the General Court. It was made up of Lieut. William Clarke, Peter Tilton, Lieut. Philip Smith, Medad Pumry, and John Allis.

In 1682, Richard Weller and others made petition again to the General Court, respecting the land of non-residents. In reply the court answer, " they may not give away other pro- prietjes without their consent," and advise giving up every tenth acre as a good way to further the settlement. "And as for the orphants," the county court was authorized to appoint guardians for such as are too young to choose, and said guar- dians are authorized to act in the premises for the best inter- ests of the " orphants."

For a year or two land was freely granted to new-comers by the committee. The exact date of re-occupation is unknown,- probably in the winter and spring of 1683-84. For some two years the prudential affairs of the colony were managed by

the committee, and for a short time there was a mixed au- thority.

Dec. 17, 1686, a town organization was effected by the choice of William Smead, Joshua Pumry, John Sheldon, Benoni Stebbins, Benjamin Hastings, and Thomas French, Selectmen ; Edward Allen, Thomas Broughton, and Thomas Allison, Surveyors ; Philip Mattoon, Jonathan Church, and Robert Alexander, Haywards. Jonathan Wells and the selectmen were made commissioners of rates. Joseph Bar- nard doubtless acted as clerk.

About the middle of June, 1686, the inhabitants had invited Mr. John Williams to be their minister, offering him land and to build him a house (see notice of Mr. Williams, farther on). At the December meeting more land was granted Mr. Wil- liams. Jan. 5, 1686-87, all these grants were ratified by the committee, on condition Mr. Williams settle here in the min- istry. The last act of the committee was Dec. 20, 1687, con- firming the appointment of Joseph Barnard as "clerk and recorder." So the leading-strings were loosed and the town left to its own devices. After preaching about twenty-eight months, Mr. Williams was ordained and a church gathered Oct. 17, 1688.

Down to this time the new settlement had prospered greatly. The planters had turned their furrows and sowed their seed in peace. The labors of the husbandmen received rich re- turns. Their flocks and herds had increased in safety. The streams were stocked with choice fish, the forest abounded in game, and no fear of lurking foes prevented full enjoyment of both. The plantation seemed grounded on a basis of en- during prosperity. No formal treaty of peace had been made with the river Indians, but friendly relations had gradually grown up between their hunters and our people, and it was no occasion of surprise or fear when, on the night of July 26, 1688, a party of fifteen came to lodge at the house of Lieut. Thomas Wells. It turned out that part of these were spies ; those who were friendly warned Lieut. Wells against their treachery. Probably this notice saved the town from attack.

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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 12

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