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 147
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181
The first grist- and saw-mills at Little Rest were located lower down the stream than the present mills. About 1812 the manufacture of nails was commenced at these mills. The enterprise was continued for more than twenty years, when it was relinquished. The business was recommeneed about 1840, and continued until 1850, when it was again abandoned.
The tanning and currying business was successfully pur- sued in Brimfield until about 1850, when the principal shops were destroyed. The manufacture of boots and shoes was also onee a prominent industry of the town. The first ready- made boots offered for sale in Hartford and the Southern cities were made in Brimfield. Blacksmith-shops have existed in various parts of the town since the earliest settlement. Cabi- net-making was also pursued to some extent. Dish-turning, watch-making, and silversmithing have also received atten- tion.
The earliest store was established by Timothy Danielson in the rear of the old Danielson house. Other stores were kept by David Shaw, Maj. Abner Morgan, Samuel W. Brown, Capt. Joseph Hoar, Enos Hitchcock, and John Park.
MILITARY.
The Brimfield Rifle Company was recruited in 1828, and continued its organization until 1840, when it was disbanded. The town has experienced the martial glories and vain-glories of training and general muster-day, when with fife and drum the " bold soldier boys" of yore displayed themselves in the public places of the town, closing the festivities of the day with
feasting, drinking, and general social enjoyments, to the great delight of juvenile Brimfield.
The town does not seem to have taken any active part in the " old French war," as the records contain but slight reference to it.
On June 14, 1749 (Massachusetts Archives), Mary Mitch- cock, of Brimfield, petitioned the General Court for relief. Her husband, Nathaniel Hitchcock, went from her " very well clad, and with a good new gun." " He was in His Majesty's service in Fort Massachusetts when beset by and delivered up to our French-and-Indian Enemies." " Ile lived in captivity from August to the 23d day of May, and then died." She was awarded £12 5s., and a good gun. In the Massachusetts Ar- chives (vol. xeii., p. 49) is a list of sixteen offieers and men who were " sent to the Western Frontiers for Defenee in the Time of the Alarm, in June, 1747."
Five companies from Brimfield were engaged in the Freneh- and-Indian war: one under Capt. Ebenezer Moulton (Massa- chusetts Archives, Book 94, p. 95), from Sept. 11 to Dec. 25 1755; another under Capt. Daniel Burt (Massachusetts Ar- chives, Book 94, p. 90), March 30, 1755, to Jan. 3, 1756 ; an- other under Capt. Trustram Davis (Massachusetts Archives, Book 94, pp. 419, 420, 533, 545, 546, 557); another under Capt. Davis (Massachusetts Archives, Book 98, pp. 271-274), Feb. 14 to Dee. 16, 1760; and a fifth under Capt. Daniel Burt ( Massachusetts Archives, Book 96, pp. 384-386), March 13 to Feb. 20, 1758. Other companies, in which Brimfield men served, are mentioned in Massachusetts Archives, Book 04, page 153; and Book 98, p. 271. Reuben Townsley was taken captive by the Indians and compelled to run the gaunt- let. He was adopted by the tribe, and lived with them for ten years. After a brief sojourn at Brimfield he returned to the Indians, and ended his life with them.
The following are the names of those of the residents of Brimfield who served in the expedition against the French and Indians at the time of the seizure of Fort Massachusetts, in 1747 :
James Mirick, ensign; Ichabod Bliss, sergeant; Medad Hitchcock, corporal ; Daniel Graves, sentinel ; Samuel Kilborn, Nathaniel Clark, Mark Ferry, Ilumphrey Gardner, Charles Hoar, Daniel Morgan, Henry Burt, John Nelson, E. Moreton, Joseph Bullings, Nathaniel Munger.
May 29, 1756, 65 persons were impressed into service, among whom were Simeon Hubbard, Samuel Lee, Samnel Bates, John Burt, and Edward Cobb, of Brimfield .*
In the French-and-Indian war were, in Capt. Daniel Burt's company, 1755 :
Samuel ('handler, lieutenant; Trustrum Davis, ensign ; Jonathan Brown, John Harkness, Wm. Janes, sergeants; Daniel Loomis, clerk ; Ebenezer Arms, drummer; John Hallowell, Josh. Russell, John Mighill, Jabez Keep, cor- porals; Ephraim White, Ebenezer Bishop, Joseph Moffatt, Jr., Nathaniel Collins, John Bishop, sentinels; John Thompson, Asa Merritt, Samuel Livermore, Win. Gordon, Joseph Davis, Elijah Mighill, Gideon Dimock, Benj. Webber, Joshua Garey, Ichabod Meecham, Francis Baxter, Thomas Walton, Simeon Burke, Perez Marsh, Jr., Dennis Wedge, John Burt, Nathaniel Mighill, Robert Dunkly, Jr., James Turner, Daniel Moffatt, John Brightwell, Thomas Blodgett, Edward Roatcb, Jehiel Morgan, Ebe- nezer Scott, Jr., Deliverance Carpenter, Wm. Dadce.
In Capt. Ebenezer Moulton's company, 1755:
Gideon Merrick, lieutenant; David Wallis, ensign; Humphrey Crane, clerk ; Hugh Tackles, Joseph Belknap, Joseph Munger. sergeants; Joshua Bur- gess, Phineas Mirrick, Phineas Durkee, Aaron Graves, corporals; Richard Jordan, drummer; Samuel Mcclellan, John Cross, John Danielson, Jr., Abner Blodgett, Robert McMaster, Benjamin Stebbins, David Lumbard, Thom. Riddle, Stephen Clark, John Chedle, Ebenezer Frost, Asa Belknap, W'm. Gardner, Nehemiah Needham, Sam. Bullen, John Hiel, John Lam- berton, Thom. Anders, Jonathan Lumbard, Timothy Walker, Reuben Morgan, Jonathan Kilbourn, Josiah Converse, Jr., Joseph Moulton, Wm. Belknap, James Runnels, Isaac Aplin, Timothy Farrell, David Brittian, Jonathan King, Wm. Fleming, Samuel Frost, Timothy Colton, Adonijah Russell, Abijah Healy, Henry Webber, Sam. Dearing, Wm. Garey, Henry Lyon, Jonathan Frost, Ebenezer Cooley.
In Capt. Trustram Davis' company, Crown Point Expedi- tion, 1756 :
* Mass. Archives, 94 : 153.
1003
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
John Mighill, clerk ; Israel Walker, sergeant ; Ephraim Wite, corporal; Joseph Foot, drummer; Elijah Mighill, John Post, Samnel Allen, Josinh Smith, Reuben Townsley, Samuel Lee, Daniel Allen, Joseph Moulton, John Davis, Joseph Needham, Jacob Webber, Asa Belknap, Andrew Walton, Isaac Wallis, Jotham King, Wm. Garle, Samuel Smith, Edward Cobb.
In Capt. Daniel Burt's company to join a regiment for the reduction of Canada, 1758 :
Aaron Merrick, Phineas Dingey, sergeants; Josiah Holbrook, corporal ; Isaac Mond, Jasper Needham, drummers; Israel Walker, Benj. Blodgett, Tim- othy Walker, Jonathan Moulton, Isaac Bliss, John Morgan, Joseph Thom- son, Jolin Rosebrook, Richard Bishup, Samuel Webber, Sam. Micil, John Thompson, Reuben Lilley, Asa Belknap, Israel Janes, Peter Fuller, Asa Holbrook, Thomas Hobart, Reuben Hoar, Aquila Moffatt, Paul Hitchcock, Jotham King, Benj. Nelson, William Garey, Nathaniel Mighill, Reuben Tonsley, Phineas Graves, Simeon Keene, Ebenezer Stebbins, Elnathan Munger, John Shaw, Jobn Harris, Peter Groves, Smith Ainsworth, Isaac Scott, Daniel Sherman (son of Phineas), Berial Sherman, Joseph Morgan, Jacob Ainsworth, Matthias Hartman, Wm. Nelson, Benjamin Carpenter, Benj. Webber.
In Capt. Trustram Davis' company, 1760 :
Jonathan Morgan, Joseph Thompson, lieutenants: Dan Knowlton, ensign; Samnel Mighill, Guleon Dimick, sergeants ; Peter Fuller, JJohn Anderson, W'm. Bishop, corporals; Reuben Lilley, George Larkins, Jehiel Morgan, sentinels ; Samuel Blodgett, drummer; Asa Belknap, Ariel Mighill, John Robinson, Saml. Frizzell, Joseph Hitchcock, Daniel Haines, Adonijah Cooley, Joseph Davis, Geo. Peagray, John Hinds, Aaron Mighill, Joseph Crawfoot, Reulwn Townsley, Benjamin Nelson, Caleb Loomis, Edward Cobb, Thos. Anderson, John Willis, John Davis, Jonathan Babcock, Benit- jah Rice, Jonathan Norris, Jno. Harris, Jona. Torrey, David Torrey, Leonard Hoar, Alex. Jennings, Nathaniel Cooley, Trustrum Davis, Jr., Lemuel Ilind.
REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
The town of Brimfield bore a patriotic and honorable part in the Revolutionary war. The records of the town during the period of its continuance are replete with the exhibition of practical patriotism on the part of the inhabitants.
On Sept. 26, 1768, Timothy Danielson was chosen to attend a convention to be held at Boston, " in order that such meas- ures may be consulted and advised as his Majesty's service and the peace and safety of his subjects may require." Jan. 21, 1773, the town passed a series of resolutions claiming the right to meet and consult upon public affairs, and decla- ring certain acts of the ministry and of Parliament to be en- dangering the rights and liberties of the people of the colonies. On April 15, 1774, the town appropriated £1 14s., their pro- portion of £500 assessed by the House of Representatives against the State of Massachusetts, to defray the expenses of the first Congress.
On July 1, 1774, a covenant was drawn up and signed by the 189 voters of the town agreeing to suspend all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, to neither " purchase or con- sume or suffer any person by, for, or under" them " to pur- chase or consume" any articles imported from Great Britain, and to purchase only of those who had signed this covenant, or who had made oath that the goods offered for sale were not imported from Great Britain after August, 1774. It was understood that to be binding this covenant was to receive the approval of the Continental Congress, and one of similar tenor must be adopted by the other towns in Massachusetts and of other of the colonies.
Timothy Danielson, of Brimfield, also acted as chairman of a congress of committees held at Northampton, Sept. 22, 1774, " to consult upon measures to be taken in this time of general distress in the province," and Oct. 5, 1774, he was chosen a delegate to attend the Provincial Congress, which met at Concord October 11th.
All the male residents of the town were divided into two military companies. The officers chosen were, of the east : Captain, Jas. Sherman ; First Lieutenant, Jonathan Charles ; Second Lieutenant, Phineas Sherman ; Ensign, Daniel Burt. Of the west : Captain, Samuel Nicoll ; First Lieutenant, Jona- than Brown; Second Lieutenant, Nathan Hoar ; Ensign, Ab- ner Stebbins. Oct. 5, 1774, the town voted " to co-operate with the Joint Committees of Boston and the Neighboring
Towns not to supply the Troops with Joists, etc., Materials to fortify with." Jan. 11, 1775, the town voted to join with Monson and South Brimfield in sending a delegate to the Pro- vincial Congress, and January 18th Timothy Danielson was chosen such delegate. May 26th following Mr. Danielson was commissioned a colonel, and re-elected a delegate to the Congress of 1775 the day before. Four pounds ten shillings were allowed him for Brimfield's proportion of his expenses.
Many patriotie resolutions follow in the town records, and men, money, and supplies were freely furnished. The follow- ing citizens of Brimfield served as soldiers in the Revolution- arv war :
Capt. Thomas T. Burt, Lieut. Jonathan Brown, Capt. Joseph Browning, Capt. John Carpenter, Maj. Nathaniel Danielson, Brig .- Gen. Timothy Danielson, Capt. Joseph Hvar, Lient. Reuben Lilly, Lieut. Aaron Mighill, Ens. Na- thaniel Miller, Maj. Almer Morgan, Capt. James Sherman, Lient. Phineas Sherman, Ensign Jonathan Thompson, Lieut .- Col. Joseph Thompson, John Atchinson, Henry Abbott, Zebediah Abbott, Nathan Ames, Peter Alexan- der, Samuel Andrew, James Burnett, Joseph Baker, Sherebiah Ballard, John Bartlett, George Bement, Jesse Bement, George Blanchard, James Blashfield, John Blashfield, Ozem Blashfield, Wm. Blashfield, Henry Bliss, John Bliss, Blodgett Bliss, Edward Bund, Ephraim Bond, Luke Bond, Samuel Bond, Daniel Belknap, Thomas Bliss, Admatba Blodgett, Jonas Blodgett, Benjamin Blodgett, Ephraim Blodgett, Rufus Blodgett, Hooper Bishop, Solomon Bishop, Abner Bishop, Jonathan Bridghanı, Silas Brooks, Bartholomew Brown, Jonathan Brown, John Bryant, Noadiah Burr, Abel Burt, Stoddard Cady, Abial Carpenter, John Carpenter, William Carpenter, Timothy Corliss, Lemuel Chapman, Aaron Charles, Jonathan Charles, Nathaniel Charles, Nehemiah Charles, Solomon Charles, John Charles, Nathaniel Chickering, Benoni Clark, Peter Clark, Lewis Collins, Nathan- iel Collins, Stephen Collins, Thaddeus Collins, Azariah Cooley, John Collis, Altamont Danielson, Calvin Danielson, Daniel Danielson, John Danielson, Lothario Danielson, Luther Danielson, Samnel Davis, Wm. Davis, Isaac Draper, Samuel Draper, Joseph Dunham, Hananiah Ellingwood, Rufus Fairbanks, Ebenezer Fairbanks, Elijah Fay, Levi Fay. Judah Ferry, Jona- than Fisk, Luther Fuller, Jesse Graves, John Gardner, John Harris, Danl. IJaynes, Jonas Haynes, Samuel Haynes, Josiah Ilill. Aaron Hitchcock, Abijah Hitchcock, Abner Hitchcock, Eldad Hitchcock, Heli Hitchcock, Elijah Hitchcock, Ezra Hitchcock, Jacob Hitchcock, Joseph Hitchcock, Levi Hitchcock, Luther Hitchcock, Medad Hitchcock, Winchester Hitch- cock, Leonard Hoar, John B. Hubbard, Jonathan Hubbard, Henry Hooker, Jeremialı Howard, David Janes, Elijah Janes, Eliphalet Janes, Isaac Janes, Israel Janes, Jonathan Janes, Peleg Cheney Janes, Solomon Janes, Thos. Janes, Wm. Janes, Asaph Lane, Saml. Lewis, Benj. Lilly, Joseph Lilly, Reu- ben Lilly, Sam'l Lilly, Daniel Livermore, Absalom Lumbard, Aaron Lum- bard, David Lumbard, Jeremiah Lumbard, Stephen Lumbard, Thomas Lumbard, Nathaniel Mighill, Oliver Mason, Ezra May, Thomas MeClure, Abuer Mighill, Nathaniel Miller, Amok Miller, Daniel Moffatt, Jacob Moffatt, Joel Moffatt, Judah Moffatt, Lewis Moffatt, Wm. Moffatt, Aaron Morgan, Benj. Morgan, David Morgan, Enoch Morgan, Jacob Morgan, Jonathan Morgan, Joseph Morgan, Pelatiah Morgan, Wm. Morgan, Benj. Nelson, Samuel Nelson, John Newell, Asher Nichols, John Nichols, Zadok Nichols, Jesse Parker, Lemuel Parker, Eh Powers, Joseph Russell, Simon Rogers, Sylvanus Sanderson, George Shaw, Samuel Shaw, Benj. Sherman, Beriah Sherman, Bezalecl Sherman, James Sherman, John Sherman, Joseph Sherman, Lemmel Sherman, Noah Sherman, Samuel Sherman, Thos. Sherman, Geo. Shumway, Elijah Smith, John Smith, Paul. Stearns, Almer Stebbins, David Stebbins, John Stebbins, Jotham Stebbins, Judah Stebbins, Levi Stebbins, Thomas Stone, Aber Sabin, Alphens Thompson, Amherst Thompson, Asa Thompson, James Thompson, Jonathan Thomp- son, Jno. Thompson, Saml. Thompson, Solomon Thompson, Stephen Thomp- son, Adam Tounsley, Dan Tonnsley, Gad Tounsley, Jacob Townsley, Reu- ben Townsley, Benj. Trask, Noah Trask, William Trask, Josepb Tucker, Christopher Ward, Comfort Ward, Ebenezer Ward, Elijah Ward, Bradley Webber, Gershom Whitney, Joshua Witham, Calvin Worthington.
SHAYS' REBELLION.
The town does not appear to have taken any direct interest in the causes that conspired to instigate this violent attack upon law and order, but, when the time for action arrived, supported the government.
On Sept. 25, 1786, the two militia companies of Brimfield were ordered to Springfield by the State authorities, and re- mained six days. They were again ordered to the same place Jan. 17, 1787, and remained twenty-four days. Another eom, pany was enlisted by Capt. John Sherman, and did duty from Feb. 7, 1787, to March 12th of the same year.
The following are the names of those persons from Brim- field who aided in the suppression of the rebellion :*
* Mass. Archives 192 : 91 and 19]: 277.
1004
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
John Sherman, captain : Sammel Bates, Alexander Sessions, lieutenants; Aaron Morgan, clerk ; Calvin Danielson, Elijah Morgan, David Bbalgett, John Charles, sergrants; Eli Bates, druunner; David Browning, Willis Moffatt, Ebenezer Frizzell, corporals; Henry Abbot, Josiah Arms, Wm. Blackfick, Abel Bit, L. Bement, Ephraim Bond, Simeon Bates, Moses Bates, Rufus Bates, Solomon Charles, Jonathan Charles, Simeon Charles, Nathaniel Charles, Nehemiah Charles, Thomas Cooley, Willis Coye, Luther Daniel- sun, Lothario Danielson, Nathaniel Danielson, Nathan Durker, Joseph Fairbanks, Levi Gates, Jacob Hoar, Benjamin Haynes, Pownal Hitchcock, John Lathwood, Jonathan Morgan, Jacob Morgan, Gad Mighill, Joseph Moffatt, Jr., Cyrus JJanes, Calvin Mottatt, John Murray, Joseph Olds, Thomas Sherman, John Sherman, Daniel Shaw, Seth Totman, Peter Webber, Zebediah Abhot, Enoch Morgan.
Joseph Ilvar, captain; Jonathan Brown, Joseph Hitchcock, Ab'm Chapin, lien- tenants; Josiah Stebbins, clerk; Benj. Stebbins, Zadoc Nichols, Daniel Danielson, Amus Miller, sergeants; Massena Hitchcock, fifer; Judah Stebbins, George Miller, drummers ; Arunah Charles, Jonathan Ellinwoud, Calvin Holoies, Zepheniah Hood, corporals; Joseph Allen, Consider Be- ment, Daniel Brewer, Israel Bond, James Bennett, Nicanor Brown, Thomas Charles, Lewis Collins, Phineas Crouch, Bezaleel Chapin, Benja- min Chapin, Ashhel Chapin, Roswell Chapin, John Chapin, Wm. Chan- dler, Benjamin Danielson, David Dunham, Cutting Barle, Willard Gov- ernor, John Holmes, Edward Holmes, Jabez Hills, Zadoc Hitchcock, Noah Hitchcock, Ezra Hitchcock, John McKinstry, Eber Kellogg, Gideon Lum- bard, Joseph Morgan (30), Wm. Morgan, Daniel Morgan, Jesse Parker, James Smith, Jr., Pliny Lichus, Barzilla Sherman, Gardner Wiman. Moses Wood, Thomas Stone, Richard Bishop, David Morgan, Jabez Nichols, Moses Grovesnor.
WAR OF 1812.
With the causes which led to this struggle, and the policy in view in prosecuting it, the people of Brimfield never had any active sympathy. On the contrary, the resolutions adopted by the town Sept. 30, 1814, were decidedly antago- nistie to the governmental poliey, and a resolution adopted June 23, 1815, in reference to certain internal duties imposed by the United States government, even suggested the policy of armed resistance on the part of the State.
But one company was furnished to the war, and this by Monson, Brimfield, and South Brimfield combined. Isaac Fuller, of Monson, was captain, and Abner Brown lieutenant. The following are the names of those who served from Brim- field :
Abner Brown, lientenaot ; Daniel Frost, sergeant-major ; Julius Ward, Erastus Lumbard, sergeants; Zadoc Nichols, corporal ; Saunders Allen, Lemuel Allen, Shubael Butterworth, Wm. Blodgett, Martin Durkee, Chester Ellin- wood, Oliver Felton, Timothy Gardner, Jonathan Haynes, Eaton Hitch- cock, John Dunbar, Edward Lewis, John G. Moore, Joshua Nichols, Daniel S. Nichols, Lewis Robinson, Timothy Swycher, Martin Smith, Abial Stebbins, Erasmus Stebbins, Calvin Burnett, Loring Collins, Aaron English, George Harvey.
Marshall S. Durkee, of Brimfield, who enlisted in 1808 for five years, served under Gen. Harrison, was in the battles of Tippecanoe and Brownstown, and in the army surrendered by Gen. Hull at Detroit ; was confined in prison-ship at Quebec for several months, and discharged at Boston in 1813.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
In the war of the Rebellion the inhabitants of Brimfield manifested that lofty patriotism, and that self-sacrificing spirit, which fired the hearts and toughened the sinews of their ancestors in the Revolution.
The town of Brimfield furnished to the war 138 men, being 5 more than the quota assigned it. The amount of money appropriated and expended for military purposes, exclusive of State aid, was $15,064.33. The amount raised and expended for State aid to soldiers' families during the war, and which was afterward repaid by the State, was $5853.11. The ladies of Brimfield by subscriptions and fairs raised $1803.25 for the Sanitary and Christian Commissions.
Brimfield was among the first towns in Massachusetts to erect a soldiers' monument. On March 12, 1866, the town appropriated $1250 for this purpose, and on July 4, 1866, it was formally dedicated. It stands on a grassy mound, nearly in front of the hotel, and is surrounded by a neat iron fence, the gift of Silas C. Herring and Elijah T. Sherman, of New York. The material of the monument is from the quarry in Monson, and it is 18 feet 6 inches in height, with a base 4 feet 5 inches. On the north side it bears the inscription : "Our Country's Defenders in the War of the Rebellion. Erected by the Town, 1866." On the east, south, and west sides are inscribed the names of the following Brimfield soldiers who perished in the war: HI. W. King, G. W. Paige, R. A. Parker, E. E. Parker, E. F. Manning, A. N. Manning, M. H. Smith, G. H. Dimiek, James Crosby, A. W. Latham, II. W. Robin- son, Silas Phelps, G. W. Allen, William Kenney, L. P. Parker, C. E. Alexander, J. Cronin, P. Barry.
In the compilation of the history of this town the writer has been chiefly assisted by Henry F. Brown, Esq., both per- sonally and by the Joan of important documents. Liberal extracts have also been made from a history of the town which is in course of preparation by a committee appointed by the town for that purpose. Other citizens deserve thanks.
The following are the names of those residents of Brimfield who served in the war of the Rebellion :
Thomas Finnity, 27th Mass. James Crosby, 27th Mass. James K. Crosby, 27th Mass. Levi W. Emerson, 27th Mass. Jacoli Barton, 27th Mass. Marcus II. Smith, corp., 27th Mass. John P. Pepper, 27th Mass. Thomas O. Pepper, 2th Mass. Henry II. Pepper, corp., 27th Mass. Wm. A. Nye, 27th Mass. Joseph H. Snow, 27th Mass.
Jerome B. Ilamilton, 27th Mass.
Lncian G. Erwin, 27th Mass. Silas Phelps, corp., 27th Mass. Horace Merritt, 27th Mass. Wyles Needham, 27th Mass. Lyman Needham, 27th Mass. F. Austin Jennison, corp., 27th Mass.
HI. Wilson Robinson, 27th Mass. ITenry H Smith, 27th Mass. John Robinson, 27th Mass. Geo. II. Dimick, 27th Mass. William Allen, 27th Mass. Henry W. King, 20 Mass. Rufus A. Parker, 20 Mass. Michael McCarty, 2d Mass. Isaac H. Prouty, Ist Cav. Harlowe B. Kibbe, Ist Cav. Alonzo W. Latham, Isth Mass. Edwin Nelson, 21st Mass. Lewis Pratt, 21st Mass. Edward E. Parker, 2Ist Mass.
Arthur HI. Smith, sergt., 21st Mass. Joseph D. Harvey, 15th Mass. Frank L. Benson, 15th Mass. Bramin E. Sibley, 15th Mass. George L. Avery, 15th Mass. John Pratt, 15th Mass. Wm. D. Iterring, N. Y. Zonaves. Kendrick B. Webster, N. Y. Zonaves. George W. Paige, q.m .- sergt., 7th N. Y. Cav. John Glynn, 31st Mass. William Colgrove, 34th Mass. Francis S. Gardner, corp., 34th Muss. Edward W. Hitchcock, 34th Mass. Orsamns Kenfield, 34th Mass, Willinon Kenney, 34th Mass. Ryanier S. Rntan, 34th Mass. Wm. G. Stone, 34th Mass. Fordyce Phelps, 34th Mass. Eli J. Gardner, 34th Mass. Marcus Goodell, 34th Mass. Patrick Barry, 34th Mass. Francis A. Groves, 34th Mass. Frank W. Gordon, 34th Mass. Edgar F. Maoning, 34th Mass. Horace M. Gardner, 34th Mass. John M. Barton, 36th Mass. War. S. Frost, 36th Mass. George W. Allen, 32d Mass. Alvan B. Bliss, 16th Batt. Mass. Charles Dimick, 16th Batt, Mass. Orsman S. Ellison, 16th Batt. H. Art. Frederic G. Ellison, 16th Batt. II. Art.
Charles C. Johnson, sergt., 1Gth Batt. II. Art. George Keeher, 16th Mass. Andrew Anone, 25th Mass. Rollin C. Williams, Ist Batt. H. Art.
James Norton, 20th Mass. William Fordham, 20th Mass. John Johnson, 28th Mass. John McCue, 28th Mass. Charles S. Jones, 29th Mass. Michael Delaney, Gist Mass. Walter Allea, 33d Mass. Joel W. Bracket, Vet. Res. John Cronin, 29th Mass. William Chapman, 29th Mass, Lewis W. Benson, 20 H. Art. Wm. A. Gilbert, 2d H. Art. John M. Newton, 4211 Mass. George B. Barrows, 42d Mass. Albert S. Bacon, 42d Mass. Alex. N. Manning, U. S. Navy. Jatnes Carney, 8th Mass. Wm. II. Carpenter, 8th Mass. Francis D. Lincoln, capt., 46th Mass. Francis E. Cook, corp., 46th Mass. Thomas J. Morgan, sergt., 46th Mass. Cheney Newton, corp., 46th Mass. Edward Bliss, 46th Mass. Charles Upham, 46th Mass. George C. Homer, 4Gth Mass. Wm. 11. Sherman, sergt., 46th Mass.
Byron W. Charles, 46th Mass. Israel C. Earle, 46th Mass.
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
1005
Charles E. Alexander, 46th Mass. Charles E. Lumbard, corp., 46th Mass. Abner H. Stebbins, 46th Mass. Lyman P. Parker, 46th Mass. John Kelly, 46th Mass. Charles B. Brown, 46th Mass.
Charles O. Lumbard, 46th Mass. Albert J. Bixby, 46th Mass. Joseph Gagne, 46th Mass.
Orvill S. Parker, 46th Mass.
Thaddeus Benson, 46th Mass.
Joseph P. Brown, 46th Mass.
George L. Kenney, 46th Mass. George A. Munroe, 46th Mass. Wm. S. Stearns, 46th Mass. John Patrick, 46th Mass. John B. Motley, 46th Mass. Wm. S. Walker, 46th Muss.
WILBRAHAM.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
THIS town, which was one of the early outlying precincts of Springfield, is located about the centre of the eastern part of Hampden County, and is bounded north by the town of Ludlow, in the same county, south by the town of Hampden, also in Hampden County, east by Monson, Hampden Co., and west by Springfield. The total acreage of the town is 12,570.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The surface in the western part of the town is level, and scarcely broken by a single hill. East of the central line, however, a considerable range of hills extends the entire length of the town, some of them reaching an altitude of several hundred feet, and from their summit afford excellent views of the surrounding country .* The soil is productive, and gives fair returns to those who devote their attention to agri- cultural pursuits. The cereals are readily produced, the quantity of rye and Indian eorn raised exceeding that of wheat. The mineral characteristics of the town are not of special importance. The geology conforms to the general de- scription given elsewhere in this work. The Chicopee River flows along the northern border of the town, separating it from Ludlow, and affording excellent water-power for manu- faeturing enterprises. Several small streams of minor impor- tance traverse the different sections of the town, the most prominent of which are Pole Bridge Brook, in the western part of the town, Twelve-Mile Brook, in the northeastern corner, and Big Brook, flowing from the southern part of the town down into Hampden. Spectacle l'ond lies near the north- ern border of the town. Just south of it is Nine-Mile Pond, so named because of its distance from Springfield. These are the only natural ponds in the town. Stebbins' Pond, some- times covering an area of perhaps 20 acres, is an artificial pond in the southwestern part of the town.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.