History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 154

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

USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 154

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The following are the trustees, stewards, and leaders : Levi C. Bates, Dwight King, IForare Squier, Iliram Bliss, Eli Rog- ers, Alanson Chaffee, Geo. Topliffe, Harrison C. Day, Solomon Squier, Frank M. King, Edwin Bates, Wilbur J. Mellwain, Wm. Charles, George Thompson; Treasurer of Stewards, Horace Squier ; Sunday-school Superintendent, Frank M. King ; Local Preachers, Henry G. Rogers, Alvin Burley.

CATHOLICS.

The first regular establishment of Catholic worship in Mon- son occurred in the fall of 1878. Previous te that time the services there were of a missionary character, and were under the supervision, in latter years, of Rev. F. J. Lynch, of the village of Three Rivers, in the town of Palmer. The Rev. Mr. O'Riley was installed pastor of the church in October, 1878. A pleasant church edifice was erected in the village several years before. After the settlement of the pastor a parsonage was purchased, and several acres of land, for the purpose of establishing a Catholic cemetery in the town. The church is reported to be in a prosperous condition.

BAPTISTS.

In 1768 a Baptist Church was established in the north- eastern part of Wilbraham, near the Monson line. It flour- ished for a number of years, and then experienced a decline. In 1807 the body was reported to the Sturbridge Baptist Association, to which it was attached, as having " lost its vis- ibility." During the existence of this church, about 25 of its members united together and formed the "Second Baptist Church in Wilbraham," receiving fellowship July 2, 1794. In 1815 its name was changed to that of the " Wilbraham and Monson Baptist Church." At first the church had no special house of worship, but in 1817 a meeting-house was built in the western part of Monson. April 26, 1845, the name of the church was changed to " The Monson and Wil- braham Baptist Church."

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Webster. In 1799, Rev. Stephen Shepherd filled that office. In 1808, Rev. Alvin Bennett, then a licentiate, commenced preaching, and on Jan. 81, 1810, was ordained pastor, and continued in that relation twenty-six years. In April, 1837, Rev. Amos Snell became pastor, and so remained until 1840. The next regular pastor was the Rev. Uriah Underwood, who com- menced in the spring of 1845. He was succeeded, in 1847, by Rev. J. M. Hunt, who remained until 1849. In April, 1853, Rev. J. C. Foster commenced his labors, and was ordained

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

pastor September 17th of that year. For some reason, not well understood, the subsequent history of the church in Mon- son indicates a decline. The society was dissolved, and the church building lett standing unoccupied for a time. It was destroyed by fire about 1856. No regular Baptist society at present exists in the town. The movement was continued under the Rev. J. Foster in South Wilbraham, now Hampden.

BURIAL-GROUNDS.

There are within the limits of the town of Monson no less than ten different places of burial. The first one laid out was in response to a petition of some of the inhabitants of the west part of Brimfield addressed to that town on March 19, 1755, and which has been set forth in full in the history of Brim- field. The lot granted was not laid out until 1760, and was situated half a mile from the meeting-house, near to the road that led to Palmer. Capt. David Ilitchcock died in 1762, and was the first person buried in this cemetery, and the first in Monson. Only two persons have been interred there in the last eighty years. The remains of most of the early settlers lie buried beneath its sod, and but two or three crumbling headstones bear witness to the solemn character of the spot. A rail fence was put around the ground by vote of the town in 1774.

What is now known as the old or centre burying-ground was laid out about 1780, and originally consisted of less than an acre of land. It lies on the west side of the road, about a hun- dred yards northwest of Green's Hotel. It contains the re- mains of many of the first settlers of the town, the places of their interment being marked by stones bearing early dates. It is in a good state of repair, and is substantially inclosed.

The Squier burying-ground is situated in the southeasterly part of the town, and contains about two acres of land. It has been in use for upward of one hundred years, but was not declared a publie burying-ground until April 4, 1803, when the town voted it as such. The Moultons, Muuns, and other early settlers are buried there. It is still one of the best in the town, and is in use.

The Butler burying-ground is located in the southwest part of the town, and contains about an acre of land. It has been established about eighty years. llenry G. Cady, Jonathan Torrey, Capt. Lyman Shaw, the Bennetts, and other well- known citizens are interred there. It is still in use.

The Grout burying-ground was laid out by vote of the town, Feb. 4, 1839. It is situated about 20 rods northeast of Joseph Grout's, in the northeast part of the town, and contains 40 square rods of land. John Aldridge, Joseph Grout, and others are buried there.

The Gage burying-ground is located about three miles south of the centre, and contains less than an nere of land. It has been in use about thirty years. Philip and Aaron Gage, with others, are interred there.

The Day burying-ground lies in the west part of the town, and contains about a quarter of an acre of land.

The Catholics of the town have recently purchased seven acres of land in the northeast part of the village, and devoted them to use as a place of interment for the dead. Included within this area is the original or first cemetery of the town, to which reference has been made.

A small but neat place of burial is situated in the centre of the village, on the east side of the main street. It was laid out about 1803, and is owned by private individuals. William Norcross was the first person buried there. Deacon Abel Goodell, who died Dec. 14, 1809, at the age of sixty-seven years, was also interred there.

By vote of the town, April 8, 1842, the selectmen were di- rected to purchase three acres of land on the south side of the road, west of Jacob Thompson's house and adjoining J. F. Converse's land, and to fence and prepare the same for a place of burial. One-half was to be sold in lots, and the

balance to be a publie burying-ground. This place is now known as the new cemetery, and is the one principally in use. Benjamin Fuller was the first person buried there.

SOCIETIES.

DAYSPRING LODGE, A. F. AND A. M.,

was chartered March 11, 1863, with the following charter members: Joseph L. Reynolds, E. C. Robinson, D. D. Moody, Jacob Thompson, Otis Bradford, Joel Tucker, D. B. Ham- mond, J. B. Williams, N. F. Rogers, Sherman Converse, H. F. Miller, E. W. Sholes, and E. B. Miles. The present num- ber of members is 65. Meetings are held each month on the Wednesday preceding the full moon. The principal officers of the lodge are, W. M., Alvin A. Gage; S. W., Henry E. Bugbee; J. W., William Whiting; Treas., Cyrus E. Bills ; Sec , A. Ilaskell White. The Past Masters are Joseph L. Reynolds, E. W. Sholes, J. B. Williams, E. F. Morris, E. E. Towne, John Thayer, G. O. Henry, Alvin A. Gage, and John M. Phipps.

THE MONSON FREE LIBRARY AND READING-ROOM ASSOCIATION

was incorporated under the general law of the State, in March, 1878. The name of the organization sufficiently explains its aim and object. The society has at present upward of 1000 volumes. The present officers are, President, George G. Ful- ler, M.D. ; Vice-President, Alvin A. Gage ; Secretary, Frank E. Morris ; Treasurer, S. F. Cushman.

THE MONSON REFORMED CLUB

was organized March 10, 1878. The officers of the associa- tion are, l'resident, George W. Burdick ; Vice-President, Syl- vanus C. llatch ; Secretary, Henry Bugbee; Treasurer, Gilbert Farrington. Meetings are held once each week, and the rooms of the society are open every evening for reading and social enjoyment.

Other organized societies in the town are Saint Patrick's Mutual Relief Association and a lodge of the Ancient Order of llibernians.

CORPORATIONS. THIE MONSON NATIONAL BANK

was incorporated March 28, 1854, with a capital of $150,000. Austin Fuller, Albert Norcross, and William N. Flynt were the original incorporators. It was originally a State bank, but was reorganized as a national bank Aug. 25, 1864, being the first bank in the county east of Springfield to make the change. The first president of the bank was William N. Flynt, and Jonathan R. Flynt was the first cashier. On Oct. 3, 1859, Jonathan R. Flynt was elected president, and E. C. Robinson cashier. Mr. Flynt died July 31, 1860, and John Wyles was chosen president on November 7th of that year. In 1864, Edward F. Morris was chosen cashier, and is still serving in that capacity. Cyrus W. Holmes, the present presi- dent, was elected to that office Jan. 14, 1871. Rice M. Rey- nolds was chosen vice-president Jan. 15, 1876, and is still filling that office. The present directors of the bank are Cyrus W. Holmes, Charles H. Merrick, Joshua Tracy, Ed- ward F. Morris, Rice S. Munn, Rice M. Reynolds, and Alfred Norcross.

THE MONSON SAVINGS-BANK

was incorporated March 27, 1872. The following persons were the incorporators : Win. N. Flynt, Cyrus W. Holmes, Jr., Timothy F. Packard, Chas. H. Merrick, Alfred Norcross, Rice M. Reynolds, Rice S. Munn, Edwin E. Towne, Rufus F. Fay, and Daniel G. Potter. The present officers of the institution are, President, Charles 11. Merrick ; Vice-Presi- dents, Rice S. Munn, Timothy F. Packard; Clerk, Edwin F. Morris.

THE STATE PRIMARY SCHOOL,

an institution of great interest, is located in the northern part of the town, overlooking the village of Palmer.

1025

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

"On the 20th of May, 1832, the Legislature authorized Gov. Bontwell to ap- point a Board of Commissioners to construct three almshouses for the acconto- dation of such person> as had no legal settlement within the State. These institutions were located in Monson, Bridgewater, and Tewksbury, were erected, in 1853, during the administration of Gov. Clifford, and were opened for ocru- pancy May 1, 1854, by proclamation of Gov. Emory Washburn.

"On the 19th of May, 1855, the Legislature passed ' An Act providing for the Classification of State Pampers.' By this Act this institution was expressly 'set apart for the purpose of a State l'anper School.' This was the first attempt at classification, and went into practical operation in the month of June, the next year after the institution was opened.

" Although this Classification Act was repealed by the next Legislature, the children then here remained, and the majority of those admitted to the other almshouses were transferred to this institution for instruction till 1866, when the 'State Primary School was established at Monsou, and the 'State Work- honse' at Bridgewater, during the administration of Gov. Bullock. This Act was passed on the 3d of May, providing for all the dependent and neglected children between the ages of three and sixteen gathered iu the almshouses of Bridgewater. Tewksbury, and Monson.

" By the ' Act relating to the State Visiting Agency and Juvenile Offenders,' passed June 15, 1870, power was given to judges of probate to authorize the Board of State Charities to place children arraigned before said courts in the State Primary School for such times during minority as their best interest demanded.

"The Legislature of 1872, by an Act which took effect on the Ist day of May, 1872, abolished the almshouse at Monson, and the institution is now in name, as well as in fact, the 'State Primary School.' A few mothers with children are transferred from the State almishonse at Tewksbury as helpers, and also a few children, with their mothers, brothers, or sisters, too young for admission to the Primary School, are transferred here for temporary support.

" Here the children from all the towus in the commonwealth, who have no legal settlement in any town, are sent for instruction, and other children placed in the care of the Board of State Charities by the courts are sent for discipline till fitted to return to friends, or homes are provided."

The number of persons at present supported by the institu- tion is 537. The buildings and general appointments of the place are excellent. Experienced persons are in charge of the several departments, and the utmost cleanliness and cheerful- ness pervade the institution. Space will not permit a de- tailed account of its special excellencies, which are well known throughout the State. From Oct. 1, 1872, to Oct. 1, 1877, 2922 persons were inmates of the institution. The principal officers in charge at present are, Superintendent, Rev. James 11. Bradford; Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Schools, J. C. Tibbets; John B. Chapman, Clerk and Steward. A farm of 200 acres is connected with the institu- tion.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

Prior to the erection of what is known as the North fac- tory in 1811, the manufacturing enterprises of Monson were of a minor order, and the principal occupation of the inhab- itants was the pursuit of agriculture.

A saw- and oil-mill was erected in the latter part of last century where the Ellis factory now stands. It was first run by Noah Sabin and Reuben Hoar in partnership. The man- ufacture of linseed oil was pursued until 1808, and the saw- mill was in operation as late as 1822.

About the same time a grist-mill was built where Reynolds' Rockland mill now is, by Asa White, who operated it until 1845, when the property passed into the hands of Joseph L. Reynolds. On the opposite side of the stream bar-iron was made from serap-iron and a little bog-iron gathered in Silver Street,* near the spring known as " Cato's Pool," by Joseph and Jeremiah Bumstead as early as 1800. Their establish- ment was carried off by a freshet in the month of February, 1807, and was afterward erected higher up the stream.

A saw- and grist-mill stood where the North factory now is as early as 1800, and was run by Roswell & Gideon Merrick. It was taken down in 1816, and in 1820 the Rockbottom fac- tory was erected on its site by Witherill & Co., who engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. The building is now the store-house of the North factory.

Early in 1800, Asa Gates had a carding-mill in a small building near Lyon's mill factory. He engaged principally

in finishing woven cloth,-a business which he pursued for twelve or fifteen years. The establishment then passed into the possession of the Monson Woolen Company, of which Gates became one of the members.

Several saw-mills existed at Silver Street and in other localities in the town early in the present century.

Roswell Merrick had a tannery, about 1808, near the old burying-ground. Bola Bennett afterward carried on the bus- iness. Abont 1820, Stephen Tobey purchased the building, together with 30 or 40 acres of land, repaired the shops, erected several new buildings, and engaged in the tanning business for upward of forty years. llis son, Clinton, in company with E. O. Fenton, subsequently pursued the business of hide- dressing for several years. The buildings were destroyed by fire some years ago.

In 1811, Roswell Merrick erected the North factory and engaged in the manufacture of cotton varn, in company with Artemas Witherill and a man named Pierce. In 1863 the property came into the possession of Albert Norcross, who received it from Andrew W. Porter. The latter had engaged in the manufacture of cloth. Mr. Norcross sold the concern to Jared Beebe about 1870, who carried on the business of woolen manufacturing until his death, in 1877. It is now being run by his heirs and personal representatives.

Cushman's or Lyon's Mill was erected about 1813, by the Monson Woolen Company. The commodities at first manu- factured were satinets and broadeloth. The business then passed successively into the hands of Joel Norcross, Chas. P. Fay, Horatio Lyon, and John Wyles, and the Hampden Cotton Manufacturing Company. It is owned by Solomon S. Cushman, and is used in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres.

The Hampden Cotton-Manufacturing Company erected the Reynolds Mill in 1813, and engaged in the manufacture of cotton cloth for a long time. Afterward satinets, cassi- meres, and doeskins were manufactured in town. The prop- erty was purchased by Joseph L. Reynolds, who had long superintended the business for the company, in 1871. Mr. Reynolds has since remodeled it several times. The mill is a three-set mill, furnishes employment to about 35 persons, and manufactures about 600 yards of fancy cassimeres and doeskins per day.

The same company erected the Ellis mill in 1829. It was destroyed by fire in November, 1839, but was rebuilt. It came into the possession of C. W. Holmes & Sons, in 1869, and was again burned. In the spring of 1871, Dwight W. Ellis purchased of C. W. Holmes & Sons the middle mill- privilege and the tenements connected therewith, and imme- diately procceded to erect a new mill, and fitted it up with new machinery, at an aggregate cost of $50,000, and began the manufacture of fancy eassimeres, which business is still continued. The mill gives employment to about 75 hands, and the monthly pay-roll is about 82100. The mill is what is known as a " four-set" mill. The amount of raw stock used annually is 250,000 pounds, and about 250,000 yard- of goods are produced. The firm consists of Dwight W. Ellis and Arthur D. Ellis, under the firm-name of D. W. Ellis & Son.

The West Branch mill was erceted by Joseph L. Reynolds in 1837. C. W. Holmes became associated with him in busi- ness, and the firm of Reynolds, Holmes & Co. engaged in the manufacture of satinet. The business was then sold to tbe Hampden Cotton Company. In 1868-69 the company sold it to C. W. Holmes & Sons. It afterward became the property of Holmes & Ellis, and latterly of C. W. Holmes, Jr.

In 1872 it was changed from a satinet-mill to the manuface ture of fancy cassimeres, to which purpose it is at present de- voted. It is a two-set mill, and employs about 35 persons. About 400 yards of fancy cassimeres are daily manufactured.

About 1857, Joseph L. Reynolds erected a two-set steam- mill on the present site of his store-house. It was destroyed by fire in about six months, and proved a heavy loss.

* This locality derives its name from the "four pence half penny" which a tax-collector gathered there after a whole day's labor.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The Rockland mill, owned by Joseph L. Reynolds, was erected in 1860-61, and was burned about 1867. It was re- built two or three years afterward. It was first occupied as a satinet-mill, but is now engaged in the manufacture of fancy cassimeres, of which it produces about 600 yards per day. It is a three-set mill, and employs about 40 persons.

A small woolen-mill formerly existed in the northwest part of the town, in the Silver Street district, on Twelve-Mile Brook. It was owned by Lathrop Clark in 1864.

One of the most important manufacturing enterprises of the town is the straw hat factory of Merrick & Fay, situated in the centre of the village. The business has been carried on for many years. All varieties of straw hats are manufactured. Employment is afforded to 450 persons. In 1878 goods were made exceeding in value $800,000. The goods are all sold in New York City, through Hodges, Hersey & Co., a branch of the coneern. A coarser variety of the same goods is manu- factured by the firm at Amherst .*

The Monson Stone Quarry is another of the important in- dustries of the town. It lies about a mile northwest of the central village. It was first opened about seventy years ago, by agents of the United States government, who obtained permission to quarry stone for the armory at Springfield, the foundations of which are made from it. The quarry was not again worked until about the year 1825, when it was opened by Rufus Flynt, with a force of four or five men, for the purpose of supplying a merely local want, and with no reali- zation of its future importance as a commercial enterprise. The first stone quarried at this time was to furnish trimmings for the Chicopee Bank, at Springfield, and the stone was trans- ported to that city by teams. Lack of transportation facilities militated against the rapid and profitable development of the quarry at this time.

Rufus Flynt died in 1836, and his son, William N. Flynt, succeeded to the business. In 1840 he first placed specimens of the stone on exhibition at Springfield, with a view to its in- troduction into general use. He kept increasing the business and enlarging its scope, and after the building of the Boston and Albany Railroad, and especially of the New London and Northern, succeeded in establishing a large outside trade.

In the year 1875, Mr. Flint built a private railroad, two miles in length, with a grade of 158 feet to the mile, at an ex- pense of about $30,000. It now connects the quarry directly with the New London and Northern Railroad, and stone is shipped at the quarry for all parts of the country.

Mr. Flynt carried on the business successfully until 1875, when, owing to ill health, he was forced to retire. It is now actively operated by his son, William K. Flynt, as- sisted by his brothers. From 20,000 to 30,000 tons of stone are annually quarried, valued at from $150,000 to $200,000. The number of men employed is about 125. The stone is a beautiful stratified gneiss. It is chiefly of a grayish tinge (though other shades appear also), free from oxide of iron and other mineral impurities, and is easily wrought by the process of wedging, no blasting being necessary. The largest stone ever quarried there was 354 feet long, Il feet wide, and 4 feet thick, taking 1104 wedges to split it. Many public buildings have been erected of this stone, including the court-house at Springfield, and the Boston and Albany Railroad offices. The church of St. Francis Xavier (R. C.) in New York City is now being ereeted of stone from this quarry.

MILITARY.

The military history of the town in the early wars will be found set forth in the history of Brimfield. In the war of the Revolution its citizens were earnest and patriotic. When the people of Boston were suffering because of the l'ort Bill, the town sent a contribution to aid them in their distress, and accompanied the same with a letter, which will be found

printed in the Massachusetts Historical Collections, Vol. IV., Ith series. It evinces the most patriotic spirit, and contains this postscript:

" We have eighty fellows in this district, a great part of whom are disciplined and excellent marksmen. I dare to be bold to say that, at about thirty rods dis- tant, they would pick up Tories as fast as so many hawks would pick frogs from a frog-pond."

With the war of 1812 the people of the town had no sym- pathy, and adopted resolutions against it.

A few residents of the town were engaged in Shays' rebel- lion, but the majority were loyal to the government.

The town assisted actively in the suppression of the Rebel- lion of 1861-65, and the following soldiers went from this town :

George W. Billings, Frank E. Caldwell, Lorin HI. Clark, George Ellis, George F. Holdridge, Francis C. Park, Charles G. Palover, Edward F. Potter, Wm. I. Skidmore, Wm. H. Smith, S. Cady Warriner, James L. Weston, 10th Mass.

George F. Bumstead, Dwight E. Butler, Charles C. Carpenter, Chas. F. Clough, Dwight Colburn, Joseph V. Clark, Warren W. Beebe, Josiah B. Davis, George M. Green, Lovell L. Gage, George O. Henry, Silas N. Ilam, Wm. Harris, George W. Johnson, Marcus Keep, Austin W. King, William II. King, Andrew J. Morgan, Romanzo A. Morgan, Willard Nelson, Alvan S. Nichols, Frederick L. Perry, Hiram M. Rider, Hiran A. Rider, Justus Stebbins, Henry M. Tupper, John B. Truden, Albert Tupper, Myron R. Wood, George E. Wood, Alfred E. Warriner, William Lester, Sandford C. Bond, John C. Maguire, Bela B. Tiffany, Lewis Mailhouse, George Les- ter, Prosper B. Bill, Hiram Bliss, James M. Knowlton, 36th Mass.

Truman C. Bradway, Jacob Burley, Rodney Bradway, Leonard B. Charles, Wm. A. Charles, Helm H. Fales, George A. Fales, John L. Flynt, Osborne Fenton, Henry T. Frost, William B. Fay, Wm. F. Fosket, John A. Frost, John Q. Hoar, Henry II. Hitchcock, James M. Harmon, Lient. George H. Howe, Francis P. Keefe, Frank H. King, Charles B. Kittredge, Merrick Lamphear, Francis L. Lemon, John Letter, Elijah Monsell, George 11. Moody, John C. Maguire, Harlan B. Moody, John Moran, Nicholas Moran, Alfred I. Newton, Ira L. Peck, Oliver HI. Perry, Charles II. Rob- bins, William Smith, James L. Stacy, George E. Stacy, George W. Stacy, George Skinner, George N. Skinner, Harvey G Skinner, Isaac Toohey, George E. Wood, Orrin II. Wilson, Francis N. Wood, Emerson Wood, Henry H. Wood, Allen S. West, George S. Dixon, Henry M. Morehouse, Francis H. Foster, David McIntire, 46th Mass.

Willard Darling, George D. Darling, James W. Gage, Moses G. Gage, Maurice McNaney, George F. Fowler, Morris Donghul, Edmund G. Cary, Fred- erick G. Cary, Charles H. Skidmore, 34th Mass.

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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 154

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