History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 135

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 135

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The report of the first school committee of the town of Chicopee was in March, 1849, and shows that there were then 8 school districts and 20 schools, of which 10 schools were in District No. 4, Chicopee village; and 4 in District No. 6, at Chicopee Falls. There were employed 8 male and 25 female teachers, at an average monthly salary, for the former, of $37.35, and for the latter, $14.20. In the several district libraries were 636 volumes, valued at $335.16. Value of ap- paratus, $10.45; school-houses, $30,735; number of children from four to sixteen years, 1698, of whom an average of 942 had attended school in the summer, and 1076 in the winter.

The report of the succeeding year notes the situation in the several school districts. District No. 1, Willimansett; No. 2, Chicopre Street ; and No. 3, Chicopee Falls, had each new brick school-houses,-the latter attended mostly by children of foreign parentage. No, 4 had I high, 3 intermediate, and 6 primary schools ; the school-honses all of brick and in good repair, "except," say the committee, "one small primary school-house, which is wooden and bare enough. Eggs might be cooked nicely on the sunny side of it in the summer ; and some attention is needed before another summer, else the children may be cooked."

They further say, respecting this district, that the schools were " truly ragged schools, and as dirty as ragged, and in very bad order ;" and still further, that " those who come to our shores from across the ocean are heartily welcome to a share of our privileges ; but we do wish they would take with the rest a share of our soap and water."

District No. 5, East Chicopee Falls, had one school-house, -old and poor,-situated on the Boston road, "a few rods cast of the town poor-house." No. 6, at Chicupee Falls, bad 1 high, 1 intermediate, and 2 primary schools, all comprised in two buildings of brick, and in good condition. No. 7, op- posite Indian Orchard, had one aged school-house. No. 8 had but one scholar, and that one attended school in Granby.

Upon a division of the school and surplus revenue funds of the old town of Springfield, $10,000 were allotted to the town of Chicopee, which amount, by an act incorporating the " Trustees of the School Fund, " has become a permanent fund, agreeably to a vote of the inhabitants, April 2, 1849.

PRESENT SCHOOLS.

Chicopee Centre .- High-school building, Grape Street, con- tains high-school grade, B. Richardson, principal; grammar

grade, Charles C. Foster, principal. Building Grove and Grape Streets contains first and second primaries. Intermediate school building, School Street, contains first and second pri- maries and first and second intermediate. First primary building, Spruce Street, contains only the primary grades. An ungraded school in Chicopee Street, and one at Willimansett, occupy each a brick building.

Chicopee Falls .- High-school building, Chestnut Street, contains high-school grade, Elliott S. Miller, principal ; gram- mar grade, Miss Mary A. Paige, principal, and primary grades. School building, Springfield and Chestnut Streets, contains first and second primaries and first and second intermediate. Granby Street building contains the first intermediate and the primaries. Besides these, there is a small school kept in the eastern portion of the town, in what is known as the "Clough district," and a first primary in a hired room at Willimansett. A large number of Catholic children were with- drawn from the town schools about the year 1871, when the St. Joseph's school was opened.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

CONGREGATIONAL.

The First Congregational Church Society, in Chicopee Street, was organized as the second church of Springfield, July 30, 1751. The church was constituted Sept. 27, 1752, and then had 20 members.

The Rev. John W. Mckinstry was the first pastor, who be- gan his term of service in September, 1752, and continued his relation of pastor until his death, Nov. 9, 1813, although his duties as preacher ceased, by consent of a mutual council, in 1789 .* At the time of his ordination, Sept. 27, 1752, the fol- lowing clergymen were present: Stephen Williams, of Long- meadow ; Samuel Hopkins, of West Springfield ; Peter Ray- nolds, of Enfield, Conn. ; Robert Breek, of Springfield ; Noah Merrick, of Wilbraham ; and John Mckinstry, of Ellington, Conn. At that time the meeting-house was unfinished, having been raised on the 5th of June preceding, " through the in- dulgence of heaven, with great joy and safety." The next December a parish-meeting voted " to cover the outside of the meeting-house with quarter-boards, to glaze all the windows, to do all the plastering overhead, and finish the lower part of the house." The structure was completed in November, 1753, and when the committee was appointed to the delicate task of seating the meeting-house, they were granted permission to " seat men and women together." The seating was regulated according to the tax list.

The first deacons were Benjamin and David Chapin, sons of the first two settlers; the furnier was son of Henry, the latter, son of Japhet, and both were seventy years of age. Benjamin served but three years and died ; but David became a patriarch in the office, in which he continued until his death, in 1772, at the age of ninety.+ Edward Chapin succeeded his father, David, and held the office for twenty-eight years. In 1786 the portion of the parish on the west side of the Conneet- icut River became a separate parish. From 1813 there fol- lowed a vacancy in the pastorate until April 28, 1824, when Alexander Phoenix was installed, and remained until 1835. During his term, in 1826, a new church was erected. His ministry was fruitful, and 76 members were added to the church during the eleven years. Ebenezer B. Wright soon followed, and remained until the spring of 1839, when because of ill health he sought and obtained a dismissal. In October of the same year Eli B. Clark became pastor, and for thirty- six years continued to discharge all the duties of such relation

* The minister's salary was to be gradually increased for four years, from £49 68, Sd. to £62 138. 4d., and then to remain stationary. One-half was payable in lawful money and one-half in grain at the market price. He was also to have twenty cords of wood, and one cord additional each year for ten years.

+ Rev. Aaron L. Chapin, President of Belvit College, Wisconsin, is the great- great-grandson of Deacon David Chapin.

967

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

to this venerable society. His able centennial discourse before his people, delivered in September, 1852, vividly presents the facts and incidents relating to the previous history of the or- ganization. He retired in October, 1875, and was succeeded by William E. Dickinson, who is still in charge. The present church building stands where the first was erected, on the west side of what is known as " Chicopee Street," one and a half miles north of Chicopee River. This church has 72 members. The officers are William D. Chapin and Marshall Pease, Deacons ; Phineas Stedman, Superintendent of Sunday- school.

The Second Congregational Church, Chicopee Falls, was formed July 3, 1830, as the First Congregational Church in Chicopee Factory village, and then had 33 members. The society was organized Oet. 11, 1832, with the following mem- bers : Sylvester Taylor, Wait Bartlett, Silas Monson, Elisha Torrey, Gardner Kimball, Thomas Howard, Samuel Kentfield, Samuel Easton, Benjamin Day, Isaac A. Cooley, George W. Buckland, Benjamin S. Burgess, George Whittle, W. W. Hathaway, William Goodwin, Stephen Burnett, Timothy W. Carter, Benjamin B. Belcher, David M. Bryant, Alphens Nettleton, James K. Fletcher, Wells Southworth, and Elihu Adams.

The first preaching was by Rev. George Nichols, as a mis- sionary. The first pastor was Dorus Clark, installed March 4, 1835, who was followed, in 1840, by Ebenezer P. Rogers, who remained until 1843. The pastorate has been filled since that time by the following persons, viz. : Frederick A. Bar- ton, until 1846; Stephen S. U. Greeley, until 1851 ; William Wright, Feb. 25, 1852, until July 5, 1854; Richard B. Thur- ston, May 20, 1855, until May 3, 1858 ; Frederic Alvord, July 21, 1858, until April 1, 1861; Roswell Fisher, Oct. 13, 1863, until June 26, 1867; Joshua T. Tucker, April 8, 1868, until Dee. 5, 1877; Samuel J. Austin was that day settled, and continues.

The church, erected about 1833, stands at the corner of Church and Court Streets. It was rebuilt in 1859, when a spire was added and a vestry finished beneath. Officers : George S. Taylor, Russel S. Furney, Miner Kelly, Deacons ; 11. E. Mnnn, Treasurer; Arthur B. West, Clerk. Member- ship, 200.

The Third Congregational Church, Chicopee, was constituted Oct. 16, 1834. There were then 10 male and 8 female mem- bers. The society was organized March 2, 1835. The first pastor was Sumner G. Clapp, who was installed April 26, 1837, and continued until Jan. 22, 1850. His successors were George A. Oviatt, from Oct. 15, 1850, until December, 1855; L. H. Cone, Feb. 19, 1857, until Nov. 15, 1867 ; W. S. Karr, supply, 1868; David Cushman, supply, a short time ; Amos Blanchard, supply, one year ; Edwin B. Palmer, June 10, 1869, until March 31, 1875; William L. Gaylord, the present pastor, who succeeded in September, 1875, and was formally installed April 5, 1876.

The house of worship of this society was erected on Spring- field south of lligh Street, in 1836-37, and dedicated in the latter year. A liberal member of the society, Nathan P. Ames, contributed over $5000 toward the cost of this build- ing. It was torn down in April, 1868, and the present church erected in its place, and dedicated Feb. 15, 1870. Officers : Deacons, Gamaliel Marsh, Joseph Stackpole; Parish Commit- tec, J. W. Cumnock, S. G. Southworth, Luther White ; Clerk, D. Frank Ilale ; Treasurer, A. C. Woodworth.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

The Methodist Episcopal Society at Chicopee Falls is not in possession of any reliable records. According to the best attainable information the church was gathered in 1825 or a little earlier, and in 1848 had a membership of 75. Their first church building occupied the site of the present one, and was built between the years 1828 and 1830. Prior to its erection

meetings were held in the house of Benjamin Belcher, and later in the old brick school-house on Church Street. Their present house of worship, at the junction of East and Spring- field Streets, was erected in 1841-42, and dedicated in the lat- ter year. The church has recently been remodeled and other- wise improved. The old church stood in or near what is now Maple, near Belcher Street. Rev. A. C. Manson is the present pastor, appointed in April, 1876. The trustees are William Blake, William B. Fay, Orrin E. Darling, Moses Gowin, II. S. Newell, Phineas W. Smith, Moses Marshall, Julius P. Bosworth, George W. Bray.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicopee, was organized in August, 1838, with 18 members. The following is a list of the many ministers who have served this society, with the time each remained :

Edmund S. Potter, two years ; Mosely Dwight, two years ; Ephraim Scott, one year; Benjamin F. Lambert, one year ; Daniel F. Bannister, two years ; Loranus Crowell, two years ; James Porter, two years; Lorenzo R. Thayer, two years ; William Rice, Jr., two years, to April 22, 1854; William II. Hatch, one year; J. C. Cromack, two years; Justin S. Bar- rows, two years; Isaac Smith, one year; John C. Smith, two years ; Pliny Wood, two years ; J. C. Hanaford, three years ; E. A. Manning, three years ; Daniel Richards, three years ; Pliny Wood, preached one month, then went abroad for his health, and died at Munich in 1873; J. A. Bartlett, preached the ensuing eleven months; JJustin S. Barrows, two years ; Edward S. Best, now (1878) on his third year.

The house of worship of this society was erceted on the west side of Perkins Street, near School, in 1839, and enlarged in 1845. The church has enjoyed, on two occasions, the privi- lege of entertaining the New England Methodist Episcopal Conference. Officers : Trustees, W. C. Wedge, President ; R. T. Hendrick, George Babcock, W. L. Hitchcock, J. W. Per- kins, S. T. Hamilton, Algernon Smith.

BAPTIST.

The Baptist Church and Society at Chicopee Falls was con- stituted Nov. 28, 1828, with 17 members. During three years, from 1829 to 1832, the society was served by Revs. Nicholas Branch, Alvin Bennett, Lucius Bolles, Jr., and Asahel Cha- pin.

The first regular pastor was Moses Curtis, who was installed July 14, 1833, and dismissed May 15, 1835. He was suc- ceeded by Joseph M. Graves, who remained until January, 1838; Robert F. Ellis, until March, 1845; Robert C. Mills, until May, 1848; Rufus K. Bellamy, settled Sept. 29, 1848, is the present pastor. In September, 1878, the county asso- ciation of this denomination celebrated the thirtieth anniver- sary of his settlement over this society.

Their first church was erected in 1832. In 1850 it was re- moved to Market Street, where it was repaired and enlarged. A new edifice was built in 1877 at the junction of Belcher and Springfield Streets, which was dedicated in February, 1878. It cost $16,000. Present membership, 209. Officers : John Herrick, H. O. Chapin, Deacons ; Il. H. Boyden, II. O. Cha- pin, Russel Markham, Parish Committee.

The Central Baptist Church, Chicopee, was organized July 15, 1835, under the name of the Third Baptist Church, Springfield, with 21 members, and was publicly recognized as a Baptist Church by a council which convened in District Ilall, " Cabotville, " Aug. 5, 1835.

The following is a list of the pastors, with dates of settle- ment and dismissal : Pierpont Broekett, Dec. 4, 1836, to April 2, 1838; Jonah G. Warren, Feb. 7, 1839, to Feb. 11, 1849; Benajah Cook, July 15, 1849, to Sept. 29, 1850; C. Billings Smith, July 6, 1851, to Sept. 26, 1852; Warren Lincoln, April 10, 1853, to May 24, 1857 ; George E. How, Aug. 1, 1857, to Sept. 1. 1862; M. L. Bickford, July I, 1863, to July 1, 1866 ; A. M. Higgins, Jan. 1, 1867, to Jan. I, 1870 ; G. R.

968

IIISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Darron, Jan. 1, 1870, to April 1, 1871 ; and A. De F. Palmer, December, 1872, to September 1, 1874; G. W. Fuller, the present pastor, was settled in May, 1877. The pastorate of Mr. Warren, extending over ten years, was one of great profit to the church, and he is held in grateful remembrance. The present church, of brick, erected in 1838, and dedicated Feb. 7, 1839, the time of Mr. Warren's installation, stands at the junction of Cabot and School Streets. The present member- ship is 93. Officers : Deacon, Henry Gates; Prudential ('om- mittee : William Valentine, Henry Gates, Albion P. Soule.

EPISCOPAL.

Grace Episcopal Church, Chicopee, was organized April 6, 1846. The number of members when constituted was 18. The Rev. Henry W. Lee, of Christ Church, Springfield, had charge of the parish until Easter, 1846, and was succeeded by Charles Fisher, who was rector from May until August of that year. Andrew Croswell was settled Oct. 1, 1847, and re- signed May 7, 1849; then came Caleb Dow, from August 16th to September 23d, the same year ; and then E. F. Remington, who served until April 21, 1851. The church was then elosed. After Nov. 6, 1853, Edward Jessup officiated for a few months, when the church was again closed for nearly two years. Wil- liam H. Munroe next officiated until 1856, and was succceded by Andrew Croswell until 1858. The church was then with- ont a rector for a considerable time, when W. B. Colburn was settled, and remained until 1862. There then followed a vacancy until 1866, when M. A. Johnson came, and remained until September, 1867. Since the latter year the society has had no rector and no services, except between February and December, 1877, when Dr. Burgess, of Springfield, officiated.

The church building was completed in March, 1848, and consecrated by Bishop Eastburn, May 24th of that year. In 1872 it was partially burned, and has not been repaired. It stands on the east side of Cabot Street, north of School. Officers : Wardens, Stephen Lamsen and J. B. Hammersley ; Vestrymen, George W. Winchell, Warren Smith, Samuel S. Hodgkins, and John T. Lyon ; Clerk, John T. Lyon; Treas- urer, Stephen Lamson.

UNIVERSALIST.

The Universalist Society, Chicopee, was organized Feb. 27, 1835, and the church constituted with 39 members, Oct. 20, 1840. The first pastor was Charles Spear, who remained until March, 1836. Ile was succeeded by W. H. Fernald, from 1836 to 1838; A. A. Folsom, 1838 to April, 1841; George W. Gage, 1844 to 1845; Samuel Bennett, 1845 to August, 1846; Zenas Thompson, 1846 to fall of 1848; W. R. G. Mellen, November, 1848, to July, 1851; Uriah Clark, Nov. 9, 1851, to Nov. 28, 1852; Avery Denison, a short time; C. II. Webster, October, 1853, to September, 1855; J. K. Karcher, September, 1855, to spring of 1856; B. V. Stevenson, winter of 1856 and 1857 to April, 1868 ; Clarence Fowler, May, 1868, to September, 1869; Il. R. Nye, of the church of Springfield, until January, 1870; John E. Davenport, 1870 to spring of 1872; J. H. Amies, supply until the fall of that year; Theo- dore L. Dean, 1872 to spring of 1874 ; J. Riley Johnson, fall of 1874 to spring of 1876. From this date, for one year, no reg- ular services were held. J. 11. Weeks, the present pastor, was settled in October, 1877. The church building of this society stands at the south side of Market Square, was erected in 1836, and dedicated in October of that year. It was built by the Mechanics' Association, and subsequently purchased by this society. The church has no debt. Officers : Trustees, James E. Ilosley, J. U. McClench, Edmund Van Horn, W. T. Bost- wick, and W. W. MeClench; Treasurer, James E. Hosley ; Clerk, W. W. MeClench.

UNITARIAN.

The Unitarian Society in Chicopee was formed and legally organized March 16, 1841. The Rev. F. A. Whitney for a

short time served this church, commencing his labors in the year mentioned. November 21st, the same year, the church was constituted with 16 members. Charles A. Farley served a number of months, and was followed by the first regular pastor, John A. Buckingham, who was settled Oct. 12, 1842, and remained one year. The succeeding pastors, with dates of settlement and dismissal, are here given : Crawford Night- ingale, May 14, 1845, to Feb. 14, 1851 ; Ephraim Nute, Jr., October, 1851, to April 1, 1855; Samuel Pettes, Jr., July 1, 1855, to April 8, 1860; Samuel C. Beane, Jan. 15, 1862, to Dec. 18, 1864; John W. Hudson, April 2, 1865, to Oct. 1, 1866 ; Calvin Stebbins, Dec. 22, 1866, to October, 1869 ; Robert R. McLeod, Sept. 7, 1870, to Oct. 2, 1871. 1. F. Porter, the present pastor, was settled Dec. 8, 1872. From 1860 to 1862 John Albee and William L. Symonds occupied the pulpit, though not installed.

The church edifice of this society was erected in 1842, is of brick, and stands at the junction of Cabot and Dwight Streets. Officers : Deacon, Charles Mcclellan; Parish Committee, George D. Robinson, Andrew S. Hunter, Newton S. Field, Mrs. Mary B. Knapp, Il. R. Burrington, Mrs. Justin Spaul- ding, George V. Wheelock ; Clerk, Nelson Whittier ; Treas- urer, F. P. Doten.

THE SECOND ADVENTISTS

for a long time existed in the town in considerable numbers without a distinct organization. Some of their first gather- ings were in a public-house at " Cabotville," and in a private house at Chicopee Falls. Among the earliest of their preachers were Randolph E. Ladd and William Clark. From time to time their numbers have been increased, other organizations, especially the Methodists, losing much thereby, in point of membership. In 1870 a society was formed at Chicopee Falls, by whom a chapel was erected on Maple Street. They have no settled minister, but hold meetings regularly. Officers : A. B. Howard, Deacon; A. B. Howard, Zebard Foster, Alvah Wilbur, Committee.

CATHOLIC.

The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus (Roman Catholic) in Chicopee was gathered in 1838, and their first church erected in 1840, on the north side of Pleasant Street. This building was enlarged in 1848. During the pastorate of Father Blen- kinsop, in 1857-58, the present large editice was built, and the parsonage adjacent. Since that time the parsonage has been enlarged, and the chapel extension, on the east side of the church, erected. In 1866 or '68 the convent building was finished, and immediately thereafter the parochial school. These two are connected by a structure containing a chapel on the lower floor, and a class-room above. The larger portion of the block bounded by Springfield, Chapin, Cross, and South Streets, whereon these buildings stand, is the property of the church.

John Brady was the first pastor of this church, released in 1841; John D. Brady served from 1846 until his death, in October, 1848; James A. Strain from November, that year, until September, 1850. After a short interval, William A. Blenkinsop came to the charge, and remained until April, 1862; F. Emelianus until November, that year, when Father Blenkinsop returned, and remained until Aug. 2, 1864. Very Rev. Patrick Healey succeeded, and is the present pastor. Rev. David MeGrath is assistant pastor.

The St. Joseph's parochial school occupies the school build- ing above noted, and is attended by several hundred children. The girls' department is under the care of seven or eight of the sisters of Notre Dame from the attached convent, who teach needlework in connection with the elementary branches of education. Three female lay-teachers have charge of the younger boys. John Kay is principal over all, subject to the general supervision of Father Healey.

969

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

A fine library of nearly 1000 volumes, now owned by the church, owes its existence largely to the efforts of Michael McDermott, and was organized in 1862. Fifty cents per year is charged all of the patrons, of whom nearly one hundred use their privilege weekly. Father Healey is hon- orary president, Michael MeDermott, formerly president, is now librarian.

St. Patrick's Church, Chicopee Falls, was formed Dec. 15, 1872. Their church building is of brick, and is situated on the north side of the Chicopee River, at the junction of Sum- mit and Granby Streets, and in the same lot with the parson- age.

The parish contains 1400 to 1500 individuals, and the Sun- day-school nearly 400. This church possesses a library, for the use of its parishioners, which contains several hundred volumes. P. D. Stone is the present pastor.

The French Catholic Church was formed in 1871. Their church edifice,-which stands midway between Chicopee and Chicopee Falls,-a large wooden building, with a sharp spire, and of peculiar style and peculiar ornamentation, was erected in 1877-78. It cost about $15,000, and will seat nearly or quite 700. H. Landry,* of Indian Orchard, is the present pastor.

CEMETERIES.

CHICOPEE STREET.

The ancient burial-ground in Chicopee Street was dedicated to its present uses at an early period in the settlement of the valley. It is a short distance south of the old church.

CHICOPEE.

The Catholic Cemetery is in the southern portion of the town, was a gift from the Springfield Canal Company, and was opened in 1836.

Maple Grove Cemetery is situated in the eastern portion of the village of Chicopee, and now contains about two acres. It was originally much smaller and used as a common burial- place.

The additions to this cemetery were made by private parties, who laid out and sold the lots therein ; but the whole was afterward placed under the control of an organization repre- sented by a president, clerk, and board of trustees. The first burial in this ground was in 1836. President, Silas Mosman ; Clerk, R. E. Robertson.

The new cemetery, opened by the town in 1869, contains about 25 acres, and is situated in the southern portion of the town, near the Springfield line. The land was purchased in four parcels from Robert E. Bemis, the estate of Ruel Van Horn, George W. Paine, and Michael Conway. The first burial in this ground was that of Lydia A. Ilyde, wife of Chauncey H., who died March 13, 1870.

Lafayette Temple, Henry S. Herrick, and Jonathan R. Whittemore are the present cemetery committee.

CHICOPEE FALLS.

The cemetery at Chicopee Falls stretches from East Street to the Springfield road, and contains somewhat less than three acres. It originated in a lease of one acre made by Ben- jamin Belcher to the Chicopee Manufacturing Company for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. The same was to be used by the inhabitants of School District No. 16 for burial purposes. A condition required that a fence be built and maintained around the property. Additions, afterward made, extended the grounds to East Street. Committee in charge, T. B. Wattles, William Fay, James E. Taylor, Thomas C. Page, and Bildad B. Belcher.

HOTELS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

HOTELS.

The earliest hostelries of the town have passed away, and live alone in memory and tradition. In comparatively recent days,-fifty or sixty years agone,-one Japhet Chapin kept an inn on the east side of the present Springfield road, south of its junction with Newton Avenue.

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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 135

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