History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 145

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

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The settlement of the town progressed so slowly, and some of the settlers were so dissatisfied with the committee, that on June 12, 1723, the General Court appointed a new committee, consisting of John Chandler, Henry Dwight, and Joseph Jen- nings, to " perfect the Settlement of Said Town in all respects according to the True Intent and Meaning of the Generall Court in Making Brimfield a township."

This committee proposed to the General Court to annul the grants made by the previous committee, and to make new al- lotments of the land. The inhabitants presented a remon- strance against this, Feb. 16, 1731, insisting that, " In their humble opinion, ye General Court did not annull ye acts and grants of the former committee, but only determine the Power of sd committee for the future, nor did the last Committee Ever receive any Power to vacate or abridge the former Com- mit's Grants. "

The General Court, with the approval of the royal Governor, ordered that several of the principal inhabitants be cited to appear at the next session of that body, and show cause why a new allotment should not be made.

The inhabitants were to exercise the privileges of a town, but were not to pass any aets affecting the rights of property. Capt. John Sherman was instructed to " Notifye and Warn the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Precinct to Assemble and Convene in some publiek place in Brimfield, aforesaid," to choose all town officers. This order and decree were inade on Feb. 22, 1731.

On June 18, 1731, the General Court confirmed the title to the occupants of lands granted by the original committee, de- claring the claims of some non-residents void, and making some special grants. The town was permitted to have and enjoy the privileges and immunities of other towns in the province. Other provisions were made for allotting the re- maining land to certain persons named in the act. Grants of 120 acres each, made by the first committee, were confirmed to the following persons, viz. : Nathaniel Hitchcock, Ebenezer Graves, David Hitchcock, Benjamin Cooley, Leonard Hoar, Capt. John Sherman, David Morgan, and Nathan Collins, and a lot of like quantity to one of the sons of each of them, to be designated by them. Also one each to Deliverance Brooks, Daniel Hubbard, John Atchinson, and one to his son ; one to Park Willitus in his " own rite, " and one purchased by him, originally granted to Robert Old ; one each to John Stebbins, William Nelson, and John Charles, and one to each of their sons ; one to John Lumbard, David Lumbard, Samuel Hub- bard, l'eter Haynes, Joseph Haynes, Peter Montague, Henry Burt, Thomas Stebbins, William Nichols' heirs, Micah Tous- ley, Eleazer Foot, William Warriner, James Thompson, Francis Baxter's heirs and assigns, George Erwin, Joseph Frost, David Shaw, John alias Daniel Burt, Joshua Shaw, Samuel Bliss, Thomas Foot and assigns, John Keep, Samuel

Allen, Nathaniel Miller, Ezra King, Robert Old (called Capt. Ashley's lot), Samuel King, Anthony Needham, Robert Moul- ton, Robert Moulton, Jr., John Nilson, John Danielson, John Miller, John Mighell, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Warner, Dan- jel Graves, Benjamin Mun, Daniel Fuller, Nathaniel Clark, and John Bullen, amounting to 69 lots of 120 acres each. To Samuel Munger, Thomas Green, Joshua Old, Ebenezer Scott, Mark Ferry, Samnel Allen, Jr., Samuel Shaw, Seth Shaw, and Daniel Kellum or assigns, each a home-lot of 60 acres was granted, already laid out, and if they had more than that, they were to retain the same, the surplus to be deducted from their "after-rights."

To Rev. Mr. Treat, the minister of the town, a lot of 120 acres was granted with all after-rights; also a lot to Samuel Chandler, son of John Chandler, who had built a house there ; another to Seth Dwight, son of Henry Dwight, and one to Joseph Jennings, in consideration of their services as a pru- dential committee; also to William Pynchon and Obadiah Cooley, who, although they did not reside on the grants, " Did provide some materials for finishing the meeting-house, and have since made some improvements thereon ;" also a lot to them jointly, " in consideration that they provided iron- work for the first saw-mill, they drawing no after-rights ;" also to Capt. George Colton and David Ingersole a lot of 120 acres, " in consideration of their providing Nailes of all sorts Sufficient for finishing the meeting-house ;" also to the heirs of Lieut .- Col. Pynchon, Capt. Thomas Colton, James War- riner, David Morgan, Joseph Stebbins, all deceased, and to Pelatiah Glover 120 acres each.

To Thomas Ingersole, in consideration of expenses incurred on the first committee, to Thomas Mirrick, Thomas Mirrick, Jr., the heirs of Nathaniel Sikes, Increase Sikes, Samuel Keep, and Tilly Mirrick, in consideration of money paid, lots were granted and confirmed without after-rights or divisions. The grants previously made to William Brewer, William Ilamilton, Patrick Marshall, Andrew Bayley, Pelatiah Grover, Jr., John Evans, and Ebenezer Cooley were deelared void, they " having in no measure answered the good Design of the general court."

The names of most of the earliest settlers of Brimfield are included among the grantees named in these grants. On Sept. 27, 1655, Rev. John Eliot, commonly known as "the Apostle to the Indians," bought 1000 acres of land near Quaboag of two Indians,- Wattatooweelin or Wattawoolekin, and Nokan or Nakin .* He died May 20, 1690. On Dec. 9, 1715, the General Court confirmed his title to the lands to his grandson, John Eliot.

Oct. 23, 1657, the General Court granted to Richard Fel- lowst " 200 acres of upland and meadow, to be laid out to him at Cheecopey river." lle was to " build a house there for the entertainment of travelers, both for House-roome for horse and man, and some lodging and provision for both, with beere, wine, and strong liquors." He built a tavern, but did not reside there more than two years. It is supposed that fear of the Indians compelled him to abandon the place .; The location of the tavern was in the fork formed by the union of Chicopee Brook with Chicopee River, in the northern part of what is now the town of Monson.

Nathaniel Hitchcock appears to have been the earliest of the permanent settlers of the town. The first house was built by him on the ground afterward owned by Alfred L. Converse, and now occupied by Henry F. Brown. The second house

* Two hundred acres of this tract fell within Brimfield when the eastern boundary was extended three miles.

+ Mass, Col. Rev., Vol. IV., Part 1., p. 319.

# The grant was made to Fellows, as an individual, forty-four years before the formal settlement of the town. It was surveyed in 1657. The tavern is said not to have complied with the specifications required. On June 22, 1733, the General Const confirmed the grant to the heirs of Thomas Clark, to whom Fellows had assigned it. Fellows died at Hatfield In 1063. (MSS. Records of General Court, Vol. XIV., p. 277, and Springfield Registry L, 302.)

997

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

built was probably the old Townsley House, which David Morgan erected. It has since been taken down.

The first tavern was built on the hill-side by the Warren road, nearly opposite the house formerly occupied by Rev. Dr. Vaill. A blanket is said to have served as a door.

Moses Brooks, a son of Deliverance Brooks, born in 1717, is said to have been the first white child born in the town. The Thompson family came from Woburn, and the Russell and Blodgett families from Lexington. The great majority of the early settlers came from Springfield, and their names appear there as holding various offices. John Atchinson was hog-reeve ; William Warriner and Nathaniel Hitchcock, highway surveyors ; and Samuel Keep, fence-viewer.

Gen. Timothy Danielson, an officer in the Revolutionary war, was born in the town in 1733, and died there Sept. 19, 1791.

John Sherman, another of the early settlers, was a teacher in Springfield from 1702 to 1716, when he became a physician. IIe removed to Brimfield about 1721, was elected town-clerk in 1732, and held that office for thirty consecutive years. His records are as easily read to-day as when first made, so care- fully and regularly are they written. He is the ancestor of all the Sherman families living in Brimfield. Elijah T. Sher- man, living now on the spot selected by John Sherman for a home, has in his possession the account-book and mortar of bis ancestor.

· PHYSICIANS.

The first physician's name that appears on the town records is that of Dr. Thomas Green. Dr. James Lawrence came to Brimfield about 1746, and continued the successful practice of his profession until May 14, 1778, when he died of small-pox, at the age of fifty-eight. Dr. John Butler, once a surgeon in the United States navy, practiced in Brimfield until his death. Dr. Israel Trask was a native of the town, born March 18, 1775. He was an active and energetic man, and prominent in town affairs. Ile is said to have introduced the practice of vaccination in the town, and asked permission to establish a hospital, under regulations made by a committee of seven. On March 11, 1793, the town voted that " the small-pox be set up at Oliver Mason's one fortnite to continue at Simeon Hub- bard's and Thomas Bliss one fortnite from this time and no longer." Dr. Rufus Guthrie was another of the early physi- cians of Brimfield. Dr. Joseph Moffatt practiced for more than forty years in Brimfield, where he was born. He died Aug. 12, 1802. Dr. Martin Hersey was another of the early physicians of the town. Dr. Justus Keyes moved to Brim- field Centre about 1809. He sold his practice, in 1815, to Dr. Ebenezer Knight, who succeeded him, and a few years after Dr. Keyes died in the old Noah Hitchcock house, which he then owned. Dr. Asa Lincoln commenced practice at Brim- field about 1804, and continued until July 7, 1854, when he died, aged seventy-two years. He filled various town offices, was a member of the State Senate, and is credited with estab- lishing a system of practice at variance with that usually adopted by his compeers, and more in accordance with the principles of medical practice at the present day.

ATTORNEYS.

Abner Morgan was the first to study law and practice as an attorney. He was born in Brimfield, Jan. 9, 1746. He rep- resented the town at the General Court, which met at Water- town, July 19, 1775; was afterward a major in the Conti- mental army, where he filled other important positions, and was an advocate of ability.

Stephen Pynchon was another of the early lawyers of Brimfield. Ile took up his residence there after 1790, and filled all the important town and legislative offices, Hle was the first postmaster of the town, being appointed in 1806, and filled that office until his death, Feb. 5, 1823.

John B. Cooley was admitted to the Bar in 1818, and opened

a law-office in Brimfield. He removed to the State of New York in 1831. Francis B. Stebbins was admitted to the Bar March 10, 1824, when he settled in Brimfield and continued in practice for ten years, when he removed to the town of Ware.

Shoemakers were among the earliest settlers of the town. They were sometimes denominated "cord-wainers." Nathan Read, Jonathan Brown, and Thomas Patrick were among the early carpenters. The first mason mentioned is Reuben Lilly. in 1759. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war. The first house-painter was Artemas Sargent. Lemuel Baker was a saddler as early as 1773. Marquis Converse and James Brown were also early engaged in the same trade.

At the first town-meeting held in Brimfield it was voted to build a pound. The first one actually established, however, was in 1746, on what is now the northwest corner of the park, south of the present school-house. It was repaired in 1759, but in 1762 a new one was built of stone by Noah Hitchcock, 40 feet square, on what is now the park. The town refused to pay for " wbat Mr. Hitchcock calls a pound," and the re- fusal to accept his work rankled in Mr. Hitchcock's mind. In 1775 he presented his bill for £3 68. 8d., with interest for twelve years. The present pound is located north of the church on the Warren road, and was erected in 1811.

BRIDGES.

In 1732 there were twelve bridges in the town, among them being one at Mr. Treat's (Ward's), one at the Plain Brook, one over Elbow Brook, near the saw-mill south of Wight's, one near Robert Moulton's (South Pond), and one near John Sherman's. Just before Monson was incorporated as a town, some of the inhabitants petitioned for a bridge over " Chic- kuppee Brook," averring that " the place where the Road is Now is Soe bad, that it is Morally Impossible to get over with a horse." The bridge where King's iron bridge now is, on the old Bay path, was built by subscription in 1783. On Feb. 7, 1763, the General Court annexed the bridge over the Chico- pee River to Brimfield, for the purpose of keeping it in re- pair.

The first roads in Brimfield were bridle-paths, crooked and irregular, marked by blazed trees. Stumps of burnt trees en- cumbered them. The first highways were located about 1730. Courses and distances were not recorded until the year 1797. Much trouble bad before existed from the indefinite location of the roads, "across land of Joshua Shaw, where there is the best going, leading from a big rock in the line of said Joshua's plain lot to a black-oak staddle over a squeachy place."

From September, 1731, to March, 1739, twenty roads, lead- ing in various directions, were authorized and laid out by the town. The town street was laid out eight rods wide, other roads six and four rods. May 15, 1794, a committee was ap- pointed to make all the highways of the uniform width of four rods, except the Tower Hill road, and sell to the owners of adjacent lands the strips taken from the highway. On May 19, 1738, the town voted the sum of 250 for mending the highways, and established a highway tax, which the highway surveyors were ordered to collect.

STAGES.

The first stage-coaches seen in the town belonged to the Hartford and Worcester line. Their route was from Wales over Haynes' Ilill, and thence to Brookfield ria Sherman's Pond. In 1848 a daily stage run from Warren to Stafford, passing through Brimfield.

TAVERNS.

Tavern-keeping was quite extensively engaged in, in “ye olden time." Honses were kept by Josiah Smith, at the old turn of the Palmer road, down the hill, north of the present turn; by Aaron Charles, where Edwin B. Webber now re- sides ; by Nathaniel Danielson, in a house that stood near

998

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

where Emory Livermore now lives; by Isaae Powers, at West Brimfield ; by Benjamin Lumbard, on the old roud from East Brimfield to Holland ; by Col. Alfred Lyon, where now stands the house of W. 11. Wyles; and by Ichabod Bliss, who, in 1796, built for a tavern the house afterward occupied by Dr. Knight, and kept it for that purpose until his death, in 1836.

ORGANIZATION.

The first town-meeting was held on March 16, 1731, in pursuance of a warrant issued by John Sherman, who was designated by the General Court.

The meeting duly convened, and Robert Moulton was eho- sen moderator. The town officers elected were: Clerk, Robert Moulton ; Seleetmen, Robert Moulton, John Stebbins, Ezra King, David Morgan, and David Shaw ; Town Treasurer, John Stebbins; Assessors, Joseph Blodgett, Joseph Ilaynes, and David Hitchcock ; Constables, John Charles and George Erwen; Surveyors of Highways, James Thompson, Joseph Frost, Samuel Allen, and Nathan Collins ; Tithingmen, Ebenezer Scott and Henry Burt; Fenee-Viewers, Thomas Stebbins, John Nelson, and John Keep ; Hog-Reeves, Samuel Bliss and Benjamin Coley.

On May 4, 1731, John Stebbins, Robert Moulton, and David Shaw were selected " to goe to the General Court to manage affairs their for the town of Brimfield."

On May 24, 1731, Robert Moulton was chosen representa- tive to the General Court to be held at Boston, May 26, 1731.

On Sept. 8, 1731, it was voted at a town-meeting that the representative at court "should act according to his best understanding in the great and waitty affare att Court, with respeet In standing for our rights and privileges."

In 1736, Peter Haynes was appointed sealer of leather, and such an official was chosen each year thereafter. In 1738, Ilenry Burt was chosen sealer of weights and measures. In 1771 the office of packer of beef and pork appears. In 1793 the office of "euller of shingles and staves" was ereated. In 1823 the first " field-drivers" were elected.

The following persons have filled the principal offices of the town :

SELECTMEN.

Robert Moulton, 1731-33 ; John Stebbins, 1731-32, 134, 136, 38-40, '42, '44, '48- 49; Ezia King, 1731, '37 ; David Morgan, 1731; David Shaw, 173] ; John Sher- man, 1732-37, '39-42, '45-47, '49-53, '56 ; Julin Russell, 1732-33, '36, '42-44; Wm. Nelson, 1732-33, '39-40; Joshua Shaw, 1733, '51 ; Ebenezer Graves, 1734-35 ; Leon- ard Hoar, 1734, '37, '45-47, '49, '53; Benjamin Cooley, 1734, '38, '45; Nathaniel Hitelicock, 1735, '38; John Keep, 1735, '49, '54; Joseph Blodgett, 1735, '38, '42, '44, '48, '50, '53, '60, '62; David IHitchcock, 1736, '39, '44, 46; Nicholas Graves, 1736, '42; Joseph Haynes, 1737; Wm. Warriner, 1737; Samuel King, 1738, '47, '51, 755, '57 ; Nathaniel Miller, 1739-40, '43 ; James Merrick, 1741, '52; Henry Bort, 1741 ; Nathan Collins, 1741; John Mighell, 1741, '43-45 ; Thomas Stebbins, 1743, '45, '47, '50, '56, '59; Benjamin Morgan, 1743; Anthony Needham, 1746-47, '57, '62; Joseph Davis, 174G, '58-59, '64; George Colton, 174x, '52-53; Joseph Hoar, 1748, '50-51, '56, '61-63, '05-68, '72-74 ; Thomas Ellingwood, 1748, '60, '75, Enoch Hides, 1749, '53; Daniel Burt, 1750, '55-57, '59-60, 'G3. '65-66. '69-72, '75- 77, 179-80, '82-85; John Danielson, 1751; Luke Blashfield, 1754, '57; Noah Hitchcock, 1754, '58, '62 ; Adonijah Russell, 1754, '60, '64-68 ; Bezaleel Sherman, 1755, '67-74, '76-77 ; Sammel Moulton, 1756; Francis Sikes, 1758; Edward Bond, 1758, 'GO, '64 ; Samuel Nichols, 1759, '61, 'G7-68, '71, '76; Jonathan Ferry, 1760 ; James Lawrence, 1761 ; Jonathan Janes, 1761, 64 ; Joseph Hitchcock, 1761, '69- 70,184 ; Timothy Panielson, 1762, '04-68, '70-74, '76-77; Moses Hitchcock, 1763; Jonathan Charles, 1763 ; Benjamin Merrick, 1763 ; James Sherman, 1765-66 ; Jo- seph Browning, 1769-71, '74-75, 177, '79. '81-85, '!10-93, '95-1804 ; James Bridghan, 1772-76; Jonathan Brown, 1773, '78-82; Joseph Hoar, Jr., 1775, '78, 180-83, '85- 89, '91, 194-97, 1802-3 ; Jonathan Thompson, 1777, 179; Thomas Lombard, 1778; Sinieun Hubbard, 1778, '83, '90; William Janes, 1788; Aaron Mighill, 1779, '81- 82, 84, '86, '88-89; Aaron Charles, 17:0-81; Abner Morgan, 1780, '86-1804, '7, '10-11, '19; Samuel Bates, 1783-85, '92-93; Issachar Brown, 1785-91, 194-95, 1×14-15, '17; John Carpenter, 1786; Alexander Sessions, 1787, '94; Medad Hitchcock, 1787, '06-1802; David Morgan, 1788-00, '92-93; Samuel Sherman, 1791, 196; Jonas Blodgett, 1792, 194-95, '07; Aaron Morgan, 1798-1804 ; Joseph Mottat, 1798-1802 ; Philemon Warren, 1803-4, '11-13 ; Stephen Pynchon, 1805-6, '8-10, '12-18, 120-21 ; Thomas Sherman, 1805-7, '10; Alfred Allen, 1805-6, '16; Benjamin Sherman, 1805-10, '14-15, '17-18, '23-25 ; Joseph D. Browning, 1807-9, '14, '19; Renlen Patrick, 1808; Jacob Bishop, 1800; Abner Steblins, 1810; Da- rius Charles, 1811-12, '19, '26, '30, '32; David Hoar, 1811-12 ; C'yrus Janes, 1813, '18, '22, '23; James Blodgett, 1813; Daniel Buurt, 1815, '20, '21 ; Daniel Nichols, 1816; Marquis Converse, 1816-18, '25; Asa Lincoln, 1817-19, '22-23, "27-29, 138, '42-43; Ichabod Bliss, 1819: Samuel Brown, 1820-21 ; Simeon Coye, 1820-24, '30,

'32; John Wyles, 1820-22, '25-26, '41 ; Win. W. Thompson, 1822; Lewis Wil- liants, 1823-25; Thomas Merrick, 1824; Justin Morgan, 1824-26; Oliver Blair, 1826-29; Julins Burt, 1x27-29, 131 ; Lyman Bruce, 1827-28; Col. Panphin Brown, 1829-31; Robert Andrews, 1820-30; Festus Foster, 1830, 132, 34-37 ; Cyril R. Brown, 1831, '41-42, '45, '66; Augustus Janes, 1831, '38, '43; John M. Warren, 1831 ; Royal Wales, 1832-33; Absalom Lombard, 1832-33, '44; Linus Hoar, 1x33-37; Lemuel Lombard, 1833; Nathaniel Parker, 1833 ; Issachar Brown, Jr., 1834-35 ; Moses Tyler, 1834-35; Johnson Bixby, 1834-35, '49; Abner Hitchcock, 1836-38; l'arsons Allen, 1836-38, '44, '57-58; Pennel Parker, 1836-37, '51; Sammel Tar- bell, 1838 ; Ebenezer Fairbanks, 1838 ; Ebenezer Kuight, 1839-40; Samuel A. Hitchcock, 1839; Darius Shaw, 1839; James Fenton, 1839-45; Wm. J. Sherman, 1839, '47; Harvey Fenton, 1840; Lewis Stebbins, 1840; Orson Sherman, 1840-41, '47; Albigence Newell, 1840; Abram Charles, 1841, '50, '69; Sumner Parker, 1841, '47, '40, '51-52, '60-64, '67; Harvey Janes, 1842; Nathan F. Robinson, 1842, '50, '53; Solomon Homer, Jr., 1842; Fitz Henry Warren, 1843; Lemuel Allen, 1843-44, '51 ; George Puffer, 1843-44; Aber Brown, 1844, '46; Alvin Janes, 1845; Alfred Ilitchcock, 1846; Janis Tourtellott, 1845; Ahmed Homer, 1847, '53; Philip G. Ilubhard, 1847; Paul W. Paige, 1848; Lyman Upham, 1848-49; Au- gustus Wheeler, 1848; Francis D. Lincoln, 1848; Cheney Newton, 1848, 'GG -. 68; Wilson Homer, 1>49; Joseph C. Hunter, 1849-50; Jairns Walker, 1850; Jonathan Emerson, 1850, '59; Ezra Perry (31), 1851 ; Calvin B. Brown, 1851, '55; Warren F. Tarbell, 1852, '55, '65; Ambrose N. Merrick, 1852; Alfred L. Converse, 1852 ; Thomas J. Morgan, 1852, '64; Elam Ferry, 1853; Wm. G. Tar- bell, 1853 ; Alfred Lombard, 1853 ; Henry F. Brown, 1854 ; Gihan Noyes, 1854- 57; Aaron B. Lyman, 1>54; Orra Parker, 1854, '59 ; Dencon Dauphin Brown, 1854, 'G8; Alden Goodell, 1855; James S. Blair, 1855, '63, '67, '73; Edward W. Potter, 1856-57; Wm. Il. Wyles, 1>56-65; Samuel N. Coye, 1856; Samuel W. Brown, 1856, '58, '69, '72; Braman Sil ley, 1857 ; Newton S. Hubbard, 1858, 'GO- 6:1, '70, '75-76; Pliny F. Spaulding, 1858, '71 ; James B. Brown, 1859, '65, '68, '71-74, '76-77; George C. Homer, 1859; Edwin A. Janes, 1862; Porter A. Par- ker, 1866, '74-76; Ephraim Fenton, 1869; George Bacon, 1870; Francis E. Cook, 1870; John W. Lawrence, 1871-72; Albert S. Prouty, 1873; Moses H. Baker, 1874-75, 77; Charles F. Spaulding, 1877.

TOWN CLERKS.

Robert Moulton, 1731; John Sherman, 1732-61; Joseph Blodgett, 1701-62; Timothy Danielson, 1863-75 ; James Bridgham, 1775-76; Aaron Mighill, 1777- 78; Joseph Moffat, 1779-84: Aaron Morgan, 1784-97; Stephen Pynchon, 1707- 1823; Wm. W. Thompson, 1823-26; Ebenezer Knight, 1X26-29, '34-39; John B. Cooley, 1829-31: Francis B. Stebbins, 1831-35 ; Abner Brown, 1832; Asa Lin- colu, 1839-42; Fitz Henry Warren, 1840 ; John W. Bliss, 1>41 ; Otis Lane, 1843- 45; Henry F. Brown, 1845-49, '51-52, '61-63, '05-77 ; Philip G. Hubbard, 1849; John Newton, 1850; Charles Le Barron, 1852; George Bacon, 1853-57, '03-64 ; James B. Brown, 1857 ; Calvin B. Brown, 1858-61 ; Henry F. Brown.

REPRESENTATIVES.

The following persons have represented the town or distriet at the General Court :

1731, Robert Moulton; 1740, John Sherman ; 1746, Thomas Mighill ; 1747-51, Thomas Stebbins; 1753-54, John Sherman ; 1760-65, Daniel Burt; 1767-72, Tim- othy Danielson ; 1773, James Bridgham ; 1781, Daniel Bmt; 1782, Dr. Joseph Mof- fatt ; 1783, Aaron Mighill ; 1784, Nehemiah May ; 1786-93, Joseph Browning ; 1794, David Morgan ; 1795-96, Joseph Browning ; 1797, Joseph Hoar ; 1708-1801, Abner Morgan, 1:02-3, Clark Brown; 1805-23, Stephen Pynchon (except in 1808, when Wmn. Eaton was sent ; and in 1817, when Brinifield was entitled to two representa- tives, and there were sent with Stephen Pynchon, 1809, Jame's Blodgett ; 1810-13, Philemon Warren ; 1814-15, Alexander Sessions; 1816, Israel E. Trask ; 1817, Alex- ander Sessions, Solomon Hoai) ; 1824, '26, '30-31, Jolin Wyles; 1828-29, Lewis Wil- liams ; 1830, Oliver Blair; 1832, Issachar Brown, Festus Foster; 1833, Royal Wales, Solomon Iloar; 1834, Julins Burt, Marquis Converse ; 1835, Abner Brown, Fes- tns Foster ; 1836, Linus Hoar, Festns Foster; 1837, Boyal Wales, John M. War- ren ; 1838, John W. Bliss ; 1839, Abner Hitchcock, Samuel Tarbell ; 1840, Pennel Parker; 1841, Ebenezer Williams; 1843, Augustus Wheeler; 1845, Orson Sher- man ; 1846, George Puffer ; 1848, Alnred Homer; 1849, Philip G. Hubbard ; 1854, Henry F. Brown; 1855, Paul W. Paige; 1856, Alfred L. Converse ; 1857, Gilman Noyes; 1859, Paul W. Paige; 1863, Newton S. Hubbard ; IsGG, James B. Brown ; Is70, Samuel W. Brown ; 1873, Thomas J. Morgan; 1878, Pliny F. Spaulding.

VILLAGES. BRIMFIELD CENTRE

is the principal village in the town, and is situated where the old town-plat of the early settlers was established. As its name implies, it is situated in about the centre of the town, and is eight miles from Palmer and six from Warren, the nearest railroad stations. It contains 84 houses and about 400 inhabitants, two general stores, a neat Congregational church, a small chapel of the Adventists, a hotel, a high school, a district school, a cemetery, an almshouse, and two blacksmith-shops. A town-house is in course of ercetion in the village, the main hall to be 41 feet 2 inches by 67 feet, and the annex 34 by 183 feet. There is also a town library, con- tuining about 600 volumes, and a post-office. Two stages of different lines pass through the village twice each day. A

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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 145

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