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 152
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MERCHANTS.
The first store was kept by Asa Moulton, as early as 1760, un Moulton Hill, where Lewis King now lives. The building was erected in 1757, and is very old. Probably the oldest in town is the house built by David IHitchcock, about 1730, which is at present occupied by Alfred Wallace.
An old building stood on the present site of Fowler's store, in the latter part of the last century, in which Wm. Norcross kept store for a number of years. It was removed in 1810, and Joel Norcross then erected the present structure, and traded there in connection with Timothy Packard, who sub- sequently kept it alone, or in connection with his son, William, for a long period of time. Stephen Toby, E. B. Miles, E. E. Towne, and the present proprietor, Charles Fowler, have since traded there.
In 1820, Artemus Wetherill had a store at the North fac- tory, which was afterward kept by Sandford & Wetherill. James W. Hale engaged in trade there about 1825. Wm. B. Converse, Albert Norcross, and E. E. Towne each kept store there at one time, and before them the Hampden Cotton-Man- ufacturing Company. Rogers & Co. are now in trade there.
About the same time Rufus Flynt kept a store on the hill above the post-office, north of the meeting-house. Associated with him afterward were Dr. Ede Whittaker and William Clark. Albert Norcross and Horatio Lyon and Lyon & Brigham kept there subsequently.
In 1832-33, Dr. Oliver Mckinstry erected the store now occupied by Gage Brothers in the south end of the village.
It was established during the Masonic excitement, and was designed to accommodate those opposed to the principles of that order. But the enterprise is said to have never attained a great measure of success. A Mr. Strong succeeded Dr. Mckinstry as proprietor. Lucius F. Newton traded there for a few years, and George and John Newton in turn. The latter died in 1871, and Feb. 9, 1872, Alvin A. Gage, one of the present proprietors, purchased the establishment of the Newton heirs. In 1874 he associated his brother, Carlos M., with him, and the two are now carrying on the business as the firm of Gage Brothers.
Rice S. Munn and Whitney B. King had a store about twenty-five years ago where C. E. Bills now trades. Mr. Munn erected the building, and kept store there alone, or in connection with Wm. B. Converse, after the death of Whit- ney B. King. Chapin Brothers followed next, and then Mr. Bills, the present proprietor.
Within a few years, Albert Norcross has erected a neat, new store, northwest of Green's hotel, in the north part of the village. After keeping store there for a time, he sold the business to Frank H. King, the present proprietor.
PHYSICIANS.
Of the early physicians, Dr. Ede Whittaker came from Stafford in 1790, and engaged in practice until about 1840. He first lived and practiced in the house just north of the store of Gage Brothers. He then erected the house where Rev. Charles Hammond lived prior to his death, and resided there for a long time. It was afterward remodeled by Mr. Hammond.
Dr. Joseph Grout practiced in the east part of the town about 1785; also a Dr. Anderson about the same time.
Dr. Ephraim Allen was a contemporary of Dr. Whittaker, and perhaps preceded him in point of time a few years. Ilis residence was on the road above the meeting-house, leading to the Flynt quarry.
Dr. Oliver Mckinstry came from Ellington, Conn., about 1820, and practiced until his death, in 1845. About the same time Dr. Reuben Gardner, a son of Richard Gardner, and a native of the town, engaged in practice. Ile and Dr. McKins- try engaged in business transactions together to some extent. Dr. Gardner subsequently removed from town, and died in the State of Ohio about the same time that Dr. MeKinstry died at Monson.
In. 1817, Dr. Ware practiced for a short time. Dr. Cullen Carter was in practice in 1837.
In 1838 a Dr. Haywood came from Vermont, and remained two or three years in practice at Monson. Dr. Isaac Car- penter also came from Vermont about 1836, and practiced until his death, in 1839. Soon after came Dr. Alvin Smith, who is still in practice. IFis son, Homer A., is associated with him.
Dr. George E. Fuller practiced in Brimfield for two years, but located in Munson in the year 1868. He has continued in successful practice ever since.
ATTORNEYS.
The first lawyer who settled in Monson was Deodatus Dut- ton, who engaged in practice about 1812. His office was where Dr. Alvin Smith now resides. The town records contain a petition from him asking permission to erect an office on a part of the common. The request appears to have been granted, but the office is not known to have been erected. Mr. Dutton subsequently removed to the State of New York.
George Bliss, Jr., practiced in Monson in 1816. Hle soon after removed to Springfield, where he became a leading member of the Bar. He was subsequently identified with the Western Railroad, and was at different times speaker of the House of Representatives and president of the Senate.
Erasmus Norcross was a native of Monson, and engaged in
128
1018
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
practice in 1823, the year that he was admitted a member of the Bar. Richard Bliss, a nephew of George Bliss, Jr., is also said to have practiced in the town for a time.
Reuben Atwater Chapman commenced practice in Monson in 1827, and remained there until 1829, when he removed to the town of Ware. Ile subsequently engaged in practice in Springfield. In 1868 he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the chief-justiceship occasioned by the death of Chief-Justice Bigelow, and continued to fulfill the duties of the office until his death, June 28, 1873.
The only practicing lawyer at present in Monson is Charles R. Dudley, who located in August, 1878.
ORGANIZATION.
June 7, 1759, the people living in the western part of Brim- field petitioned to be set off as a district. (See Massachusetts Archives, exvii., 500.) Joseph Blodgett, the representative from Brimfield in that year, was instructed to present the town's objections to this division of its territory and popu- lation ;* but his efforts were of no avail, and on April 25, 1760, Monson was incorporated as a distriet.
The following is a copy of the warrant authorizing the first town-meeting for the election of officers :
"HAMPSHIRE, 88.
" To Sammel King, of Monson District, In the County aforest, Gentleman, Greeting:
" In his Majestie's Name you are hereby Required to Notifie & Warn the In- habitants of sd Monsun quallafied to Vote in town affairs, that they meet & assemble themselves together at the house of Mr Samnel King, in Sd Monson, on Monday, the 9th Day of June next, at twelve of ye Clock on sd Day, then and there to Elect & Chuse all Such officers as Shall be necessary to Manage the affairs of Sd District. Dated at Brimfield the 28th Day of May, and 33rd year of His Majestie's Reign, annoq® Domini 1760.
" JOHN SHERMAN, Just. Pase."
The following indorsement appears on the back of this warrant :
" By virtue of this warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of Monson Distriet according to the Direction of ye warrant.
"SAM'L KING."+
The distriet continued, however, to be united with Brim- field in the choice of a representative. The name was con- ferred on the town by the royal Governor, Pownal, in honor of one of his friends, Monson, the president of the board of trade. Monson was incorporated as a town Oct. 20, 1775.
At the time of the incorporation of the district there were but 49 families within its limits. Three of these were tenants and one a colored family. The names of the others were J. Shields, Lieut. T. Stebbins, Capt. J. Merrick, Nathaniel Munn, J. Frost, J. Ferry, Capt. D. Hitchcock, Nathan Smith, Joseph Keep, R. Bishop, Samuel King, Thomas King, Ebenezer Mer- rick, Jabez Keep, Nicholas Graves, F. Sikes, B. Munn, B. Munn, Jr., Nathaniel Fuller, Joseph Moulton, John Davis, Jonas Mace, James Blodgett, Daniel Warner, Jacob Kibbee, Ilumphrey Gardner, Thomas Blodgett, Robert Dunkley, Joseph Shaw, Josiah Bliss, Edward Hoar, Stephen Wood, Ebenezer Wood, D. Wood, J. Wood, Ebenezer Bliss, J. Foot, J. Colton, James Shaw, Samuel Kilborn, William Gold, A. Graves, S. Hatch, M. Ferry, and Phineas Merrick.
The first annual meeting of the new district was held March 16, 1762, at the house of Richard Bishop. Lieut. Thomas Stebbins was chosen moderator.
In 1763 the inhabitants found it necessary to petition the General Court for leave to lay a tax of 2d. per aere on all the land in the district for two years, to meet the extra expenses of erceting a meeting-house and supporting preaching. Leave was granted to levy a tax of ld. per aere.
Nov. 5, 1798, $60 was appropriated to " revive singing."
* See petition of date Jan. 10, 1760, on file in Mass, Archives, cxvii., 503.
+ Tradition says the meeting, called as above, was held in the log honse of Mr. Samuel King, then living where his great-grandson, Sylvanus King, now does, or nearly ou the same spot, about one and a half miles east of the present centre of the town. No record of this meeting has been preserved.
TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN.
1762,-James Merrick, Samuel King, Joshua Shaw, Francis Sikes, Joseph Colton.
1763 .- James Merrick, Joshna Shaw, Joseph ('raft.
1764 .- Samuel King, James Merrick, Joseph Craft, Joseph Colton, Francis Sikes.
1765 .- James Merrick, Samuel King, Joseph Craft.
1766 .- James Merrick, Joseph Craft. Joshua Shaw.
1767 .- Jabez Keep, Aaron Merrick, Freeborn Moulton.
1768 .- Aaron Merrick, Joseph Colton, Freeborn Moulton.
1760 .- Aaron Merrick, Joshua Shaw, Jabez Keep.
1770,-Aaron Merrick, Joshua Shaw, Nathaniel Sikes.
1771 .- Joshua Shaw, Aaron Merrick, Nathaniel Sikes.
1772 .- Joshua Shaw, Aaron Merrick, Nathaniel Sikes, Joseph Colton, Nicholas Graves.
1773 .- Joshua Shaw, Nathaniel Sikes, Joseph Craft.
1774 .- Noalı Sal in, Simeon Keep, Joshna Shaw.
1775-77 .- Alijah Newell, Benj. Munn, Abel Goodell.
1778 .- Abijah Newell, Nathaniel Sikes, Jonathan Chapin.
1779 .- Joshua Shaw, Reuben Munn, Joseph Colton.
1780 .- Joshua Shaw, Renben Munn, Joseph Colton.
1781 .- Benjamin Munn, Thomas Anderson, Alijah Newell.
1782-83 .- Joshua Shaw, Thomas Anderson, Richard Bishop.
1784-87 .- Joshua Shaw, David Ilyde, Renben Munn.
1788,-Joshna Shaw, Freeborn Moulton, Joshma Faller.
1789-90 .- Joshua Shaw, David Hydes, Renben Munn.
1791 .- Reuben Munn, David Hyde, Abner Brown.
1792 .- Reuben Man, Thomas Anderson, Abner Brown.
J793 .- David Ilyde, All Goodell, Abner Brown, Freeborn Moulton, Jonathan Chapin.
1794 .- David Ilyde, Abner Brown, Caleb Keep.
1793-98 .- Abner Brown, Abel Goodell, Gad Colton.
1799-1800 .- A: Brown, Asa Gates, Israel Bennett.
1801 .- Gad Colton, David L. Shields, Asa White.
1802 .- Giul Colton, Richard Gardner, Jeremy Munn.
1x03-4 .- Abner Brown, Gad Colton, Jeremy Munn.
1805 .- Abuer Brown, Abel Goodell, Jeremy Munn.
1806 .- Abner Brown, Abel Goodell, Gad Colton, Jeremy Munn, David L. Shield.
1:07 .- Abner Brown, Jeremy Munn, Richard Gardner.
1808 .- Abner Brown, Jeremy Munn, Richard Gardner, Royal Merrick, Absalom Shaw. 1809 .- Jeremy Munn, Richard Gardner, Royal Merrick.
1810 .- Almer Brown, Jeremy Muun, Richard Gardner, Royal Merrick, Benjamin Fuller.
1811 .- Stephen Warriner, Asa Gates, Ede Whittaker.
1812-14 .- Abner Brown, Stephen Warriner, Stephen Newton.
1815,-Abner Brown, Stephen Newton, Abijah Newton.
1816 .- Abner Brown, Stephen Newton, Jesse Ives.
1817 .- Stephen Warriner, Job Puffer, Abraham Haskell.
1818-19 .- Job Puffer, Luther Carter, Simon Colton. 1820 .- Luther Carter, Simon Colton, Joel Norcross.
1821 .- Luther Carter, Henry G. Cady, Jonathan Torrey. 1822 .- Henry G. Cady, Jonathan Torrey, John Hoar. 1823 .- Jonathan Torrey, Luther Carter, Elisha Russ. 1824 .- Jonathan Torrey, John Hoar, Adin Persons. 1825 .- Jonathan Torrey, Luther Carter, Joel Norcross. 1826-27 .- Jonathan Torrey, John Hoar, Benjamin Fuller. 1828 .- John Hoar, Benjamin Fuller, Timothy Packard. 1829 .- Timothy Packard, Onias Hoar, Simeon Keep, Jr. 1830 .- Benjamin Fuller, Onias Hoar, Rice Munn. 1831 .- Benjamin Fuller, Rice Munn, Abner Bennet. 1832 .- Abner Bennet, Abel Calkins. Anstin Fuller. 1833 .- Abel Calkins, Austin Fuller, Charles P. Fay. 1834 .- Abel Calkins, Austin Fuller, Welcome Converse. 1835 .- Austin Fuller, Abial Dean, Walter Smith. 1836 .- Abial Dean, Walter Smith, Watson Merrick. 1837 .- Abial Dean, Walter Smith, Chas. Carpenter, Jr. 1838 .- Timothy Packard, David H. Childs, Obed M. Ward. 1839 .- Austin Fuller, Walter Smith, John P. Cady. 1840 .- Lucius F. Newton, Coulton Squier, Stephen Toby. 1841 .- Eldridge Philips, Stephen Tobey, Wm. Puffer. 1842 .- Joseph L. Reynolds, Wn. Puffer, Hiram Newton. 1843 .- Hiram Newton, Alden Blodgett, Arial Rogers. 1844 .- Hiram Newton, Warren Fuller, Cbas, Carpenter. 1845,-Hiram Newton, Wm. Puffer, Philip Gage. 1846 .- Eldridge Philips, Walter Smith, Warren Fuller. 1847 .- Walter Smith, Warren Fuller, Esbon White. 1848,-Austin Fuller, Rice S. Munn, Cyrus Truesdell. 1849,-Hham Newton, Dwight King, Albert M. Philips. 1850 .- Austin Fuller, Rice S. Mnnn, Rufus M. Pease. 1851 .- Walter Smith, Rufus M. Pease, Daniel G. Potter. 1852 .- IJiram Newton, Rufus F. Fay. Dwight King. 1853 .- Lucius F. Newton, Dwight King, Welcome Converse, Jr.
1854 .- Daniel G. Potter, Daniel G. Green, Daniel Fosket. 1855 .- Daniel G. Potter, Marcus F. Beebe, Win. H. Bradway. 1856 .- Daniel G. Potter, Albert Norcross, Gideon Fay. 1857 .- Daniel G. Potter, John Newton, Daniel Carpenter.
1019
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
1858-59 .- Austin Fuller, Dwight King, Daniel Fosket. 1860 .- Daniel G. Potter, Eleazar R. Walker, Marcus F. Brebe. 1861 .- Daniel G. Potter, E. R. Walker, E. W. Sholes. 1862 .- Daniel G. Potter, Eleazar R. Walker, Austin Fuller. 1863 .- Daniel G. Potter, E. R. Walker, N. F. Rogers. 1864 .-- Albert Norcross, Hiram Newton, Dwight King. 1865 .- Daniel G. Potter, Dwight King, Joseph B. Foster. 1866 .- Rice S. Mnnn, Dwight King, Joseph B. Foster. 1867-68 .- Austin Fuller, Dwight King, Calvin S. H'ease. 1869 .- Daniel G. l'utter, C. C. Tobey, Horace Squier. 1870 .- Albert Norcross, Joshua Tracy, Austin King. 1871 .- Daniel G. Potter, R. S. Munn, C. C. Tobey. 1872-73 .- R. S. Munn, D. G. Polter, Austin King. 1874 .- Daniel G. Potter, Alanson N. Chaffee, Alfred Norcross, 1875 .- D. G. Potter, Alfred Norcross, Austin King. 1876-78 .- Alfred Norcross, R. M. Reynolds, Charles Fowler.
TOWN CLERKS.
1762, Samuel King; 1763-71, Joseph Craft; 1771-73, Aaron Merrick; 1773, Joseph Craft ; 1774, Aaron Merrick ; 1775, Reuben Munn; 1776, Reuben Munn; 1771->1, Jose Merrick ; 1781-84, Abel Goodell ; 1784-87, Daniel Janes; 1787-91, David lyde; 1791, Reuben Munn; 1792-95, David Hyde; 1795-97, Ephraim Allen; 1797, Asa Gates; 1798-1802, David L. Shield; 1802-10, Ede Whittaker; 1809-11, Deodatus Dutton; 1811-21, Elle Whittaker; 1821-24, Deodatus Dutton; 1824-35, Oliver Mckinstry; 1835-42, Hiram Newton; 1842, Henry Cady ; 1843, Albert Norcross; 1844-46, Wm. N. Packard ; 1846-50, Daniel D. Moody ; 1850-52, Austin Fuller; 1852, Daniel D. Moody ; 1853-59, Nelson F. Rogers; 1859-61, George F. Morris; 1861-63, Nelson F. Rogers ; 1863, Edward F. Morris, Daniel D. Moody ; 1864, Nelson F. Rogers; 1865-67, E. B. Miles; 1867-69, George II. Newton ; 1869-73, E. E. Towne; 1873-79, Alvin A. Gage.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
1781-84, Abel Goodell ; 1784, Renben Munn ; 1785-87, Joshua Shaw ; 1787, Ahel Goodell; 1788, Joshua Shaw; 1789-91, David Hyde; 1791-93, Renben Munn ; 1793-94, Caleb Keep; 1796, Abel Goodell; 1798-1809, Abner Brown, Absalom Shaw ; 1810, Abner Brown, Ede Whittaker; 18H, Stephen Warriner, Ede Whit- taker ; 1812, Stephen Warriner, Abner Brown ; 1813-15, Jesse Ives, Abner Brown ; 1816, Wm. Clark, Abner Brown; 1817, Stephen Warriner; 1818-19, Deorlatus Dutton ; 1820, Abraham Haskell; 1821, Abijah Newell; 1823, Luther Carter; 1825, Jonathan Torry; 1826, Luther Carler; 1827, Benjamin Fuller; 1828-30, Jonathan Torrey ; 1830, David Paine ; 1831, Philip Gage; 1>32, 34, Coulton Squier, Oliver Mckinstry; 1835, Welcome Converse; 1836, Welcome Converse, Iliram Newton; 1837, Lucins F. Newton; 1839, Hiram Newton; 1842, Wm. Puffer; 1844, Samuel Whitney ; 1847-48, Wm. N. Flynt ; 1851, Rufus F. Fay ; 1:53, W'm. H. Bradway; 1854, Nelson F. Rogers; 1855, Wm. B. Converse; 1856, Albert Nur- cross; 1:57, John W. Fuster; 1860, Win, N. Flynt; 1863, Timothy F. Packard; 1866, George A. Converse; 1867, Joel B. Williams; 1871, Rice S. Munn ; 1874, Daniel G. Green ; 1875-76, Rice M. Reynolds.
VILLAGES.
The town virtually contains but one village, located in the centre, and extending about two miles north and south. Its two extremities are designated as North and South Monson. It is principally laid out on one street, which constitutes the direet road from Palmer to Stafford, Conn. Beautiful resi- dences, surrounded by attractive gardens elegantly inclosed, stand on either side of the street, and an appearance of thrift and quiet retirement characterizes the place. Dr. Holland, in his history of Western Massachusetts, has well said :
" The valley and the stream, the hills on the right and left, and the rising grounds in the centre, when covered with the green foliage of summer, and con- trasted with the neat white buildings of the inhabitants in their irregular posi- tion, exhibit to the eye a scene of beautiful and varied perspective which no one who loves nature, when mingled with the works of men, can be weary in sur- veying."
The village contains a Congregational, Methodist, and Catholic Church, each tasteful in appearance, and occupying excellent sites. Monson Academy is situated in the centre, and is an institution of character and standing. The Monson National Bank building, also situated near the centre, is a small but neat and substantial structure. Stores and manu- factories exist in different parts of the village, many of which are elsewhere referred to. The town-clock occupies the tower of the Congregational Church. Five hundred dollars were appropriated for its purchase on April 6, 1874.
HOTELS.
There are two hotels in the village. The Cushman House was ereeted by Leonard G. Cushman about 1871, and has been kept continuously by him since. It is situated near the centre of the village, on the west side of the street.
Green's Hotel is situated near the depot, in the northern part of the village, and is the natural descendant of the old Norcross Hotel referred to in the chapter on settlement. After Amos Nureross, it was kept by Lucius E. True dell. It was then kept by the advocates of the temperance cause for a long time ; then in turn by Amasa King and Parks & Thayer. It came into the possession of Daniel G. Green, the present pro- prietor, in 1872, who at first leased it to different parties, but for over a year past has kept it himself.
POST-OFFICE.
A post-office exists in the village, and was established about 1821. Capt. Rufus Flynt was the first postmaster, and the mail was carried to Palmer Centre on horseback. The office has been since filled by Edwin Norcross, Timothy Packard, Foster Pepper, Lucius Truesdell, Joshua Tracy, Elmer B. Miles, Daniel G. Potter, Edwin E. Towne, and Rice S. Munn, the present incumbent.
About two and one-half miles from the village, in the north- east part of the town, lies the poor-farm. It comprises about 300 acres of land, with excellent farm-buildings, and was pur- chased with the surplus revenue fund distributed to the various towns during the administration of Martin Van Buren. It is sustained by the town, and the number of paupers in charge of the institution averages 15.
SCHOOLS.
Soon after the incorporation of the district, provision was made, though in a humble way, for the establishment and sup- port of schools. At first only three schools were sustained, and these for a part of the year only. In the year 1771 the town was divided into nine school districts. The district sys- tem prevailed until its abolition by legislative enactment in 1870. Various sums have been appropriated for the support of the schools at different times. In 1765 but £10 were appro- priated for that purpose; in 1768, £20; in 1769, £25; in 1798, $500; in 1801, $600; in 1814, $800; in 1844, $1100; in 1861, 81800; and in 1867, $3000. The amount of the last annual appropriation was $5000. In addition to this sum the school fund is further augmented by the State appropriation, and by a considerable annual sum raised by the taxation of dogs. There are at present 13 public schools in the town, having in attendance 553 scholars, of various ages. The total cost of these for the year ending March 31, 1878, was $4324.22, an average of $7.82 for each pupil. Of the twenty-one towns in Hampden County, Monson ranks twelfth in the amount of money appropriated for each child between five and fifteen years of age.
According to the laws of the State regulating school matters, Monson is compelled to sustain a high school. This provision is complied with by an arrangement between the town and Monson Academy, whereby the latter is made to sustain the relation of such a school to the public schools of the town. Pupils who pass through the latter are adinitted, after careful examination, to the advantages of the academy, the town pay- ing the cost of instruction. For the year ending May 31, 1878, the number of pupils in attendance upon the high school was 65; average term attendance, 45 ; number admitted during the year, 16; total cost of tuition, $1113.50.
MONSON ACADEMY .*
Monson Academy was incorporated June 21, 1804, with an endowment of half a township of land in Maine, in accord- anee with the educational poliey adopted by the resolutions concerning academies passed by the Legislature, Feb. 27, 1797.
The academy (erected by subscriptions of citizens of the town amounting to about $4000) was dedicated Oct. 23, 1806, when a sermon was preached by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Longmeadow, one of the original trustees.
* By Rev. James Tults.
1020
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
The trustees named in the charter were 15 in number, and 70 have since been elected as their successors.
The persons named in the charter as trustces were Rev. John Willard, D.D., of Stafford, Conn. ; Rev. Jesse Ives, Joel Nor- cross, Esq., Rufus Flynt, Esq., Dr. Ede Whittaker, Abel Goodale, Esq., Gad Colton, Esq., and Azel Utley, Esq., resi- dents of Monson ; Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Longmeadow ; Rev. Ephraim Ward, of West Brookfield ; Rev. Ezra Witter, of North Wilbraham; Rev. Moses Warren, of South Wil- braham ; Aaron Smith, Esq., of Palmer; Rev. Moses Bald- win, of Palmer ; and Darius Munger, Esq., of South Brim- field. now Wales.
The following persons, in their order, have been elected presidents of the corporation to the present time (1879) : Rev. John Willard, D.D. ; Rev. Ephraim Ward, Rev. Moses War- ren, Rev. Alfred Ely, D.D .; Rev. Joseph Vail, D.D .; Rev. Abram Marsh, Rev. N. E. P. Perkins, D.D.
Of the above, Dr. Ely, pastor of the Congregational Church in Monson nearly sixty years, was a trustee of Monson Acad- emy fifty-nine, and president of its board of trustees forty-six, performing its duties with great fidelity, wisdom, and dignity. He took a deep interest in the prosperity of the academy, as- sisting in the selection of its teachers, attending the examina- tions, and was chiefly instrumental in raising the educational fund of the academy, which has contributed so much to its prosperity.
Many able and distinguished men have served as trustees from time to time, among whom were Joseph Vail, D.D .; Alvan Bond, D.D .; Lyman Coleman, D.D .; Rev. Condit, D.D. ; Joseph S. Clark, D.D .; Hon. R. A. Chapman, chief- justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ; S. C. Bart- lett, D.D., president of Dartmouth College; Charles Mer- riam, Esq., of Springfield ; and the late Judge Samuel T. Spaulding, of Northampton. The trustees have uniformly taken a deep interest in the academy, and contributed greatly to its prosperity.
The first principal, Dr. Colton, was trustee ten years while pastor of the Congregational Church at l'almer; was princi- pal of the academy ten years in two terms of service; was a man of good judgment, great energy, self-sacrifice, and en- thusiasm, and did much to give a decided character to the academy in its early years. He died at Ashboro', N. C., in 1868, aged eiglity-four years.
Under the administration of Mr. Fairchild and Mr. Law- ton,-three years each,-the school was highly prosperous, as also under the four years of Mr. Austin.
Under the seven years' administration of Mr. Tufts there was a large number of advanced pupils, in both the English and classical departments. Over 60 students were prepared for college, and more attention was given to drawing and music. The average number of pupils was over 100, and most of them were older pupils from out of town.
The academy has always been distinguished for its excellent moral and religious influence. During these seven years, no year passed without its special religious interest, and seldom a term, making the discipline of the school easy. In the fall of 1854 over 30 pupils indulged a hope, and united afterward with various churches. Mr. Tufts, who left the school in 1859, on account of his health, has resided in Monson to the present time (1879), teaching a family school for boys.
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