History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 142

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

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1858 .- Horace IInnu, George Moores, S. R. Lawrence.

1859 .- S. R. Lawrence, George Moores, James S. Loomis.

1860,-George Moores, James S. Loomis, Gilbert Barker. 1861 .- George Moores, James S. Loomis, Abel Webber. 1862 .- James S. Loomis, Abel Webber, Nathan Howard. 1863 .- Abel Webber, Ephraim B. Gates, Parker W. Webster. 1864 .- Abel Webber, E. B. Gates, P. W. Webster. 1×65 .- Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates, George Moores. 1866-67 .- Enos Calkins, John E. Crane, George Moures. 1868 .- W. W. Cross, J. E. Crane, P. W. Webster. I86-72 .- James S. Loomis, E. G. Munlock, P. W. Webster. 1873 .- E. G. Murdock, P. W. Webster, T. D. Potter. 1874 .- Ebenezer Brown, O. B. Smith, James O. Hamilton. 1875 .- James O. Hamilton, Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates. 1876 .- J. O. Hamilton, Enos Calkins, George Moores. 1877 .- J. O. Hamilton, P. W. Webster, Joseph Kerigan. Is78 .- O. B. Smith, HI. P. Holden, Joseph Kerigan.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1783-84, David Spear ; 1785, William Scott; 1786, David Spear ; 1787-94, David Shaw; 1795, David Spear; 1796, David King; 1797, James Smith ; 1798, Isaac Warren ; 1799, Aaron Merrick ; 1800-3, James Smith ; 1803-9, Aaron Merrick ; IS09-12, Jesse King; 1812-15, Alpheus Converse; 1815, Jesse King; 1816-18, Amos Hamilton ; ISIS-20, James Stebbins ; 1821-23, Clark McMaster ; 1824, John Frink ; 1826, Asa Ward; 1826, David King; 1829, John Sedgwick : 1830, Cyrus Knox; 1831-33, Joseph Lee; 1833, David King; 1834, Robert Ilitebcock ; 1835, Cyrus Knox ; 1836, A. V. Blanchard, Emelius Bond ; 1837, Sylvester Parks, John Warl; 1×38, Abel Calkins, Marble K. Ferrell; 1839, Wm. J. Blanchard, James Gamwell; 1840, F. Morgan, Asa Shumway ; 1841, Olney Goff; 1842, John Ward; 1843, Abel Calkins ; 1844, Gilbert Barker; IS45, A. V. Blanchard; 1846, Lambert Allen; I>47, A. V. Blanchard; 1848, Calvin Torrey, J. B. Merrick; 1849, J. B. Merrick; 1850, John D. Blanchard; 1851, Joseph Brown (21); 1852, Amos C. Billings; 1858, Henry Scism ; 1859, John Clough; 1960, Solomon R. Lawrence ; 1861, S. G. Newton; 1862, James S. Loomis; 1863, Jacob Stever; 1864, David Knox ; 1865, Ephraim B. Gates; 1866, James G. Allen ; 1868, Joseph Vaill, Ly- man Dimock ; 1870, Ebenezer Brown; 1872, James B. Shaw ; I874-75, Charles L. Gardner; 1877, Timothy F. Potter.

VILLAGES.

PALMER DEPOT,

in the south part of the town, is a flourishing village of 1500 inhabitants, situated at the junction of the Boston and Albany and New London Railroads. The Quaboag River flows past the village, but lacks sufficient fall to make that point equal in manufacturing facilities to other villages in the town. It has principally grown up since the establish- ment of the Boston and Albany Railroad, in 1840, and partakes rather of the character of a railroad centre than of a manufac- turing village. It contains extensive stores, which are largely patronized by the residents of the surrounding towns. Several branches of industry are pursued, which are elsewhere named. Congregational, Baptist, and Catholic Churches are also to be found there, and a Universalist Church is in course of erection.

Three excellent hotels, the Nassowanno, Toekwotton, and Antique, furnish accommodations to the traveling public. The P'almer National Bank is also located here.

The first store established in the village was by Amos C. Billings, shortly before the Boston and Albany Railroad was completed. It stood a little west of Commercial block. Daniel King had a grain and flour store soon after 1840, which stood near where the foundry now stands.

In 1824 an old house stood where the Nassowanno House now is, which occasionally served the purposes of an inn. A. N. Dewey had a tavern, about 1838, in the village, where the Antique House now stands, and it has continued to be kept there by different persons ever since. A man named Morrill kept a tavern where the Tockwotton House stands, but the building, which was of wood, was burned in the disastrous fire by which nearly half the village was destroyed. The Nassowanno House was erected by Chester Strong, soon after the fire, and has been kept by different proprictors since. C. P. Stone is the present popular proprietor.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the physicians who have practiced in the village, Dr. Wm. Holbrook came from Bonds village about 1849 or 1850, and is still in active practice. Dr. White practiced in the vil- lage about twenty years ago. A little later Dr. Barrom and Dr. Cummings engaged in practice there. Besides Dr. Hol- brook, Dr. W. H. Stowe, Dr. J. K. Warren, and Dr. A. C. Downing are now in practice in the village.

The legal profession was early represented. Calvin Torrey practiced about the time the Boston & Albany Railroad was built. Frederick T. Wallace practiced about 1852, and about the same time lawyers Barlow and Granger were also in prac- tice. The lawyers at present are J. C. Allen, who also offici- ates as judge of the District Court, Chas. L. Gardner, recently re-elected State Senator, and S. S. Taft.

POST-OFFICE.

The village post-office was established some time prior to 1840, and Amos C. Billings was the first postmaster. The office was subsequently held by Chester Strong, John Bolles, Abner Allen, Dr. Ilolbrook, C. C. Shaw, Daniel Granger, Cyrus Knox, and others. The present postmaster is Cyrus Knox, a son of a former postmaster; be was first appointed to the position March 16, 1864.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper published in Palmer was the Palmer Sentinel, the publishers being Whittemore & Tenney. The first number was issued in January, 1846. In the spring of 1847 the paper was moved to Springfield. The Palmer Times, printed in Springfield, was started in the spring of 1847, by D. F. Ashley, of Springfield, but only one number was pub- lished.

The Palmer Journal, a newspaper having a large circula- tion in Palmer and adjoining towns, was first issued on April 6, 1850, by Gordon M. Fisk, in behalf of the " Palmer Pub- lishing Association," and came into the possession of Mr. Fisk April 5, 1851. It is now published by G. M. Fisk & Co., Charles B. Fisk, a son of Gordon M., being associated in the enterprise.

An excellent poor-farm, the property of the town, is situ- ated about two miles from the village.

THORNDIKE

is a pleasant manufacturing village situated on the Ware River, northwest of the centre of the town, and distant from Palmer Depot about three miles. The water-power of the village is excellent, and has been utilized since 1837 by the Thorndike Manufacturing Company, who have two large and handsome cotton-mills. Besides these there are three stores, a Catholic and a Congregational Church, and a number of

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

pleasant dwelling-houses. A Methodist Church stands about half-way between the village and Three Rivers, convenient for both. The Ware River Railroad passes through the vil- lage.

Thorndike has attained its chief importance during the last forty years. Prior to that time it was but little known. The first tavern was established about 1852, and was kept by Charles Foster. It was afterward kept by Elias Paul, by Mr. Slade, Elias Turner, and Stephen Newton. There is no hotel at present.

The first store was established in the village about 1837 by the Thorndike Manufacturing Company. Some time after, Wm. N. Packard commenced trading, and continued until his death, Nov. 3, 1878. George A. Murdock, Henry T. Bishop, and Win. J. McCormick have the three general stores at present in the place.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the physicians who have practiced at Thorndike may be mentioned Dr. Calkins and Dr. Silas Ruggles, the latter now practicing at Three Rivers. Dr. Jason B. Thomas is at present located in Thorndike.

POST-OFFICE.

A post-office was first established in Palmer Centre about 1805 or 1806. The first postmaster was Amos Hamilton, who died in 1843. Theophilus HI. Knight was the next post- master, and so remained until the removal of the office to Thorndike, about 1840. The first postmaster at Thorndike was Abram R. Murdock. The othice has since been tilled by Nathan Sibley, Gamaliel Collins, and Dr. Silas Ruggles. Hiram E. W. Clark, the present postmaster, was appointed to that office in 1870.

THREE RIVERS.

The village of Three Rivers is situated in the western part of the town, and is distant from Palmer Depot about four miles. It derives its name from the fact of its location at the point where the united waters of the Ware, Swift, and Quaboag Rivers form the Chicopee. The water-power of the village was first utilized to any considerable extent by the Palmer Manufacturing Company in 1824. The Otis Manufacturing Company now have an excellent mill. Prior to 1824 not even a bridge existed there. The village contains a Baptist and a Catholic Church, and a neat house of worship belonging to the Union Evangelical Society.

The first hotel established in the village was kept by Erastus Hunt, in 1825. The building has since been destroyed by fire. About 1832 or 1833, Abel Calkins also kept hotel there. Ephraim Allen followed Calkins, and erected a new tavern where the boarding-house now is. It was afterward kept by Elias Paul, Andrew Holt, and Samuel Bullock, and was finally burned. No regular hotel has since existed in the place.

The Palmer Manufacturing Company established a store at Three Rivers in 1826. Atwood & Shumway commenced trading there in August, 1833, and remained together until 1844. Asa Shumway then continued in trade alone, and Samuel Atwood erected a new store. The latter subsequently withdrew from business, but Mr. Shumway continued until 1865. About 1853 or 1854, Walter Snow had a store below the old tavern-stand. The village at present contains three principal stores, of which that of Holden Brothers is the largest. The others are kept by Charles Squiers and Julius Thayer & Co.

The Reading-Room Association at Three Rivers is in a flourishing condition, and has elected these officers for the present term (1879) : President, Charles McFarlin ; Vice- President, E. O. Cummings; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles Squier ; Executive Committee, Charles McFarlin, J. R. Per- kins, and Charles H. Murdock.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the physicians, mention may be made of Dr. Amasa Davis, who practiced there a number of years ago. Dr. Silas Huggles has been in successful business for a long time. For a few years past Dr. Granville E. Barstow has also practiced in the village.

POST-OFFICE.

The post-office at Three Rivers was established about 1825. Pascal P. Russell was the first to fill the office of postmaster. ile remained in office until 1831, when James G. Hale was appointed. Nathan MI. Cutler was appointed in 1834. In 1837, Asa Shumway became postmaster. Otis Packard was appointed in 1862. George W. Randall and Abel Webber next filled the office in turn. Charles Murdock was appointed in 1873. Daniel Holden, the present postmaster, was ap- pointed in April, 1877.

The New London and Northern Railroad passes through the village.

BONDS VILLAGE

is located in the northern part of the town, on the Swift River, and distant from Palmer Depot about five miles. Its northern extremity is designated as Duckville. This village, like those of Thorndike and Three Rivers, has also grown up around the excellent water-power furnished by the Swift River. The principal of these is the Boston Duck Company, which was established in 1844 or 1845, and still continues. Several saw-mills are also located at the village. An attractive Methodist Church stands on the principal street.

Taverns were early kept at Bonds village and Duckville.

In 1824 or 1825 a store was kept in Bonds village by Bond & Merrick. The two stores there at present are by Murdock & Bros. and O. A. Parent.

PHYSICIANS.

Of the early physicians of the village, Dr. Blair practiced about twenty-five years ago. Dr. William llolbrook, now of Palmer Depot, was engaged there for a time. Dr. William Walradt has been in business for a short time.

POST-OFFICE.

The village post-office was established in 1849, and Nathan D. Wight was the first postmaster, and continued in office until Jan. 1, 1878, when Emelius B. Murdock, the present incumbent, was appointed.

PALMER CENTRE,

as its name implies, is located near the centre of the town. It is often called Old Centre. Ilere the first town-plat was estab- lished and the first meeting-house erected. The oldest ceme- tery in the town is also at this point. The old meeting-house has long been abandoned, and, having passed through different hands, stands unused. A few scattered houses constitute the village, and no industries of special importance are pursued. The water-power and railroad facilities of the surrounding villages have enabled them to outstrip this ancient hamlet.

TENNYVILLE and BLANCHARDVILLE are names given to the outlying suburbs of Palmer Depot, to the southeast.

FOUR CORNERS is a name given to the crossing of two wagon-roads, centrally located between the villages of Three Rivers, Thorndike, Palmer Depot, and Bonds village. On account of its convenience of access the town-hall is located here. A Methodist Church is also situated at this point, the members being residents of the surrounding villages.

SCHOOLS.

Education early received the attention of the settlers of the town. In the original grant to the proprietors certain lands were set apart as a school-lot, and continued to be appro- priated to that purpose, in the face of several attempts to divert them from that object, until Feb. 4, 1793, when a committee was chosen by a vote of the town to sell the lot at

989

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

publie auction. Aaron Merrick, David Shaw, and Urijah Ward were chosen for that purpose, and the lot was sold to John Hamilton for £121, who gave his note for the same. On Jan. 19, 1796, it was voted to appropriate the proceeds of the school-lot and other money in the treasury (vested in seeur- ities) toward building the new meeting-house, the church- people binding themselves to refund the same whenever it should be necessary, and the town's funds were accordingly used for that purpose.

The records show that regular annual provision has been made by the town for the support of its schools. In 1833 there were 10 school districts in the town. There are at present 18 of these schools, having in attendance about 1000 children. The last regular appropriation was $7700. In addi- tion to this, the income received from the State, dog tax, and private receipts of the schools increased the amount devoted to school purposes to the sum of $8351.13. A high school exists at Palmer Depot. The other schools are divided into grammar, intermediate, and primary departments. They are in a prosperous condition, and are under the control of a school board, consisting of three members, one of whom is elected each year, and one retired.

RELIGIOUS.

The proprietors of Palmer made arrangements for the erec- tion of a place of public worship as early as August, 1733. The size of the house determined upon was 30 by 36 feet, and the first place selected was "near James Lamberton's fence, by the pine-tree marked II, standing on the north side of the path." The exact present location of that spot cannot be definitely fixed upon. But the meeting-house was not located there, and its proposed site was changed several times. At Jast, to make a final decision of the vexed question, the pro- prietors voted, on Feb. 10, 1735, that it should be decided by popular vote, and the two places receiving the highest num- ber of votes should be chosen as those for which lots should be drawn to fix the location.

The plan was duly carried out, when " it appeared that a spott on ye knowl near Crawford's house, and a spott on ve east side of Cedar Swamp Brook, on ye North side of ye road near where Win. Kelson's hay-stack stood, were the two spots highest in nomination." Rev. John Harvey, the minister, then drew the lot, and the location was chosen on which the meeting-house stood for more than a century. The town appropriated £7 " to make provision for raising the meeting- house," and a committee was appointed "to make provision of drink and cakes suitable, and to order and dispose of the same at the time of the raising." The house thus erected was used for sixty-five years. At the end of that time a more commodious one was erected, and the old church became a sort of town-hall for the transaction of public business.

Religious meetings were held in Palmer as early as 1730, and were in form Scotch Presbyterian. The first minister in the settlement was Rev. Mr. Kilpatrick, who preached five Sabbaths. Rev. Mr. Weld followed him, and preached three months. Rev. Benjamin Dickinson preached six months, and was followed by Rev. John Harvey, who, after preaching four years, and assisting in the formation of a church, was settled as the pastor. Ile was ordained June 5, 1734, the services being performed by the Londonderry Presbytery under a large white oak, standing on the plain on the east side of a meadow called " Cedar Swamp Meadow." Mr. Harvey was dismissed in 1748, and was succeeded, in 1753, by Rev. Robert Burns, whose connection with the church was dissolved two or three years afterward. Previous to Mr. Burns, several persons had supplied the pulpit, including Rev. Dr. Lord, Rev. Jas. Mor- ton, Rev. John Mckinstry, Rev. Ebenezer Kniblows, and others. Regarding the compensation of the latter, the in- habitants of the district voted, Aug. 23, 1753, " that Rev. Ebenezer Kniblows, from New London, Conn., be allowed

foure pounds Sixteen shillings, which is eight shillings, Law- ful money, for each Sermon he Preached on Sabbath Days, in this District, except three Sermons in which we can prore he preached other men's works."

Rev. Moses Baldwin was installed pastor after Mr. Burns, on June 17, 1761, and was not dismissed until June 19, 1811. Rev. Simeon Colton, of Longmeadow, was ordained over the church on the day of Mr. Baldwin's dismission. About this time the church changed its form of government and became Congregational. Mr. Colton was dismissed in 1821, and was followed by Rev. Ilenry H. F. Sweet, who was ordained Nov. 9, 1825. Ile died Feb. 20, 1827, at the age of thirty-one. Rev. Joseph K. Ware was ordained Dec. 12, 1827, and was dismissed hy his own request, March 16, 1831. In September, 1831, Rev. Samuel Backus, a native of Canterbury, Conn., was invited to preach, and continued until his installation as pastor, Jan. 11, 1832. He was dismissed May 4, 1841. Rev. Mr. Wetherell supplied the pulpit during the summer. In September, Rev. Moses K. Cross was engaged as a candidate for settlement, and ordained Feb. 2, 1842. He continued pastor of the church at the centre of the town until an ami- cable and nearly equal division took place, April 1, 1847, on territorial grounds. The pastor went with the First Church to Thorndike village, where they worshiped for a time in a hall, but soon erected a neat and pleasant sanctuary, which is still standing. The society is now known as

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN PALMER.

Rev. Mr. Cross was dismissed March 7, 18-19. Rev. Levi Smith and Rev. Plinius Moody supplied the church for a time. Nov. 19, 1851, Rev. Sylvester Hine was installed pastor. Since Mr. Iline the regular pastors of the church have been Rev. John Il. M. Leland and Rev. Jeremy W. Tuck. Rev. Mr. Bond, Rev. Theodore A. Leet, Rev. Charles A. White, and others have supplied the pulpit. There is no regular pastor at present.

The present membership of the church is 70. The Sabbath- school comprises about 80 children.

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN PALMER .*

Reference has been made in the preceding sketch of the early church history of Palmer to a separation of the old church into two parts, the one going to Thorndike, the other to Palmer Depot. The latter church became the Second Con- gregational Church in Palmer, and was thus organized :

A council of churches convened in Palmer at the hall in the McGilvray Block, April 1, 1847, pursuant to letters missive from the Rev. Moses K. Cross, now of Waterloo, Iowa, then pastor of the old church. The Rev. Alfred Ely, D. D., then senior pastor of the church in Monson, was moderator, and the Rev. D. N. Coburn, of Monson, then pastor of the West Church in Ware, was scribe of the council. Fifty-four mem- bers of the original church presented themselves before it with letters of dismission from "the Congregational Church in Palmer," and, in the afternoon of that day, the articles of faith and covenant which they offered having been approved, this ecclesiastical colony was formally recognized as "the Second Congregational Church in Palmer." The Rev. Sum- ner G. Clapp, then of Cabotville (Chicopee), preached the sermon. Fifteen men and thirty-nine women were organized into the new church. The Sunday-school was established the next Lord's day. Publie worship was maintained at first in McGilvray's Hall. The Rev. Alfred Ely, D.D., and subse- quently Mr. Thomas Wilson, " supplied the desk."

The following were the first officers elected by the church : Deacons, Lebbeus Chapin and Benjamin Converse; Clerk, Alonzo V. Blanchard; Treasurer, Arza Blodgett; Standing Committee, Alanson C. Merrick, Azel Brakenridge, and Lam- bert Allen, together with the doncons.

* From a sketch by the pastor, Rev. Bradford M. Fullerton.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The parish or society was organized April 30, 1847, and chose these officers: Cyrus Knox, Lambert Allen, Alanson C. Merrick, William J. Blanchard, and Wilson Brainard, Stand- ing Committee ; Cyrus Knox, Alonzo V. Blanchard, and Alonzo N. Dewey, Assessors ; Abner Allen, Treasurer; and Hiram Converse, Collector.

In the spring and summer of 1847 individuals interested in the prosperity of the church undertook the building of a meet- ing-house for its use, taking stock in the enterprise according to pecuniary ability and inclination. The lecture-room was occupied early in the fall. The house was finished at a cost of about $5000. It was dedicated Dec. 22, 1847, and is still the regular place of worship. The Rev. Dr. Ezekiel Russell, then pastor of the Olivet Church in Springfield, now of Hol- brook, preached the sermon.

Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Lowell, was ordained to the minis- try and installed the first pastor by a council, which met Feb. 23, 1848, in the lecture-room of the new church edifice, and which held the public service of ordination and installation, in the forenoon of March 1, 1848, in the audience-room of the church, the Rev. Dr. Lyman Whiting, then of Lawrence, and more recently of Philadelphia, preaching the sermon. The Rev. Mr. Wilson's ministry was terminated at his own request, July 1, 1852.

The Rev. Joseph Vaill, D.D., of Somers, Conn., was in- stalled pastor of the church by a council, Dec. 7, 1854, the Rev. Dr. Alvan Bond, of Norwich, Conn., preaching the ser- mon. His resignation was accepted Oct. 13, 1867.

The present pastor, Rev. Bradford Morton Fullerton, of Ab- ington, was ordained to the ministry and installed, by advice of couneil, Feb. 12, 1868, at which date also his predecessor was dismissed. The sermon was preached by Prof. William S. Tyler, D.D., of Amherst.

Of all who have united with the church since its organiza- tion, forty per cent. huve been received during the present pastorate.

It is in a prosperous condition and comprises a membership of 200. A large and interesting Sabbath-school is connected with the church.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THORNDIKE AND THREE RIVERS .*

The origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Palmer was the formation of a class of ten persons in the village of Three Rivers in 1833, by Rev. A. Taylor, Royal Buffington being appointed leader. The class was connected with the Brookfield circuit, which then embraced Brookfield, Stur- bridge, Wales, Brimfield, Monson, Belchertown, and Palmer. It was subsequently connected with South Belchertown, and Rev. HI. Perry was preacher in charge. At this time a small chapel was erected and made comfortable for worship, but not completed until 1839. In 1841 the society at Three Rivers was made a separate station, and Rev. J. Nichols was ap- pointed preacher in charge; he served two years, and was succeeded by Rev. D. L. Winslow, who reported at the close of his first and only year a membership of 180. Down to 1856 the society was served successively by Revs. J. Cadwell, Amos Binney, Daniel Chapin, C. L. MeCurdy, J. W. Mowry, N. J. Merrill, E. B. Morgan, and F. Fisk. In 1847 the class, which had previously been organized in Thorndike, and connected with the church in Three Rivers, applied to the conference holding its session in Lynn for a preacher, and received Rev. N. E. Cobleigh as their pastor, They worshiped in the hall of the new school-house, a large and convenient room, seating about 350 persons. A church was here organized June 23, 1847, containing in all 32 members. At the close of the second year a total membership of 75 was reported. In 1849 and '50, Rev. Wm. M. Hubbard, a local preacher, took charge of the

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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 142

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