History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 161

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 161

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In the grant of lands made by the inhabitants of Spring- field, in 1660, Thomas Cooper, Abel Leonard, and Thomas Merrick settled on the southwest side of the Agawam River; Cooper on the east branch of Three-Mile Brook.

The Coopers and Merrick owned large tracts of land on what was known as the "outward commons," now Feeding Hills. A part of the territory northeast from the Corners was known hy the early settlers as " Brooksfield," from the fact of there being many small brooks running through it.

Judge Leonard, a son of Dr. John Leonard, was the owner of a large traet south west from the Corners, on Feeding Hills Street.

About 1764, Abram Burbank, from Suffield, Conn., pur- chased the land formerly owned by Cooper and Merrick from the heirs, and twenty-nine deeds recorded in the clerk's office in his name give the description and dates. Mr. Bur- bank located where S. R. Johnson now lives.

In the first records of Springfield, referring to the assign- ment of lands on the west side of the Great River, including Agawam, it says :

" All rates that shall arise upon this towne shall be layed upon lands, accord- ing to every one's proportion, aker for aker, of house-lotts, and aker for aker, of meddowe, both alike on this side, and both alike on the other side; and for furmes that shall lye farther off, a less proportion, as wee shall after agree, except we shall see meete to remit one-half of the rate from land to other estate."

In 1699, Springfield had within its boundaries a large amount of unappropriated and undivided lands ; and later,

when West Springfield was set off, a division of these lands was made through Agawam, constituting what are now the Agawam Parish (the " inward commons") and Feeding Hills Parish (" the outward commons), nearly the whole town above the meadows being occupied by the inhabitants of Springfield as pasture-lands, hence the name " Feeding Hills." A ditch was dug across the entire length to designate the dividing- line between the outward and inward commons. This diteh remains to this day, except in parts where it has been plowed up, and is probably nearly identical with the parish line. As late as 1783 there lived in Agawam Parish a few of the Stock- bridge Indians, who obtained their living by making baskets and selling them in Springfield.

INCORPORATION.

The following is the act of the Legislature to incorporate the town of Agawam, May 17, 1855:

"SECTION 1. All that part of the Town of West Springfield which lies south- erly of the line commencing at the north mouth of the Agawam River, so called, and running westerly by the course and centre of said river to the town-line of Westfield, is bereby incorporated into a separate town by the name of Agawam, And the said town of Agawam is hereby invested with all the powers and privi- leges, rights and immumties, and shall be subject to all the duties and requisi- tions, to which other towns are entitled and subjected."

The first town-meeting was called June 12, 1855, and the following is an extract from the warrant :

" To Lewis L. Whitman, an inhabitant, &c .: You are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town of Agawam qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs to meet in the Meeting-House of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the parish of Agawam, to choose town-officers and transact such other busi- ness as shall properly come before the meeting.

(Signed) " SAMUEL FLOWER, Justice of the Peace."

Orson Sweatland was chosen moderator of the town-meeting, and the following officers were elected : Alfred Flower, Clerk and Treasurer ; Orson Sweatland, James S. Smith, and Ralph Adams, Seleetmen. The next town-meeting was held in the hall of the Centre School-House, in Feeding Hills.

TOWN OFFICERS.

The following persons have served in the various town offices :

SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS, AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.

Orson Sweatland, James S. Smith, Ralph Adams, Samuel Flower, Justus R. Cooley, William Roberts, Grosvenor Marcy, Charles Colton, Horace E. Roberts, Isaac Roberts, Josiah Johnson, Frederick A. Johnson, Joseph Bedortha, John G. Freeland, Joseph L. Smith, Elijah D. Allen, James Henry Churchill, James 11. Ferie, Edward K. Bodurtha, Asa Clark, Oscar A. Parks, John W. Freeland, Luke C. Sheldon, Reuben De Witt, Joseph V. Wolcott, Seth N. Bennett, Byron C. Roberts, Lewis L. Whitman, Edwin Leonard (2d), and Frederick N. Leonard,

TOWN CLERKS.

Ashbel Sykes, Joel J. Bailey, Josiah Johnson, Charles C. Wright, Samuel Flower, and Stephen HI. Bodurtha.

The valuation of real and personal estate, as appears on the list taken May 1, 1877, was as follows :

Real estate.

$913,240.00

Personal estate 228,182.00

Total real and personal estate. $1,141,422.00

Total number of polls .. 574

= militia

348

scholars.

37G

¥ houses ..

435

acres of land. 13,59 2

Upon which taxes have been assessed as follows :

Town grant

$12,565.60

County tax

1,319.40

State tax

1,065.00

Overlayings

694.06

Total tax assessed $15,644.06

Rate per cent., 12 7-10 mills. Poll tax, $2.

PARISHES.

The parish of Agawam was erected from the 2d parish of Springfield in 1757, as the 6th parish of Springfield.

In 1763, by reason of the organization of the 4th parish (Wilbraham) into a town, this parish was changed from the 6th to the 5th, and Ireland parish to the 4th; and upon the

CYRUS BELL, the tenth child, and fourth son, of James and Mary Per- cival Bell, was born in Chester, Mass., June 14, 1813. Of his five brothers, two became physicians.

Hle was but sixteen years of age when his father died, and, having tor some time looked with longing eyes toward a career in the medical pro- fession, he then set about furthering his ambition. One of his elder brothers was already a practicing physician, and with him, therefore. he began his medical studies, and, shortly afterward, entering the Berk- shire Medical College, Pittsfield, he graduated therefrom in 1839. After that he practiced six months with another brother, and Sept. 20, 1840, took up his residence in Feeding Hills, Mass.

Nov. 3, 1841, be married Miss Emma Chamberlain, of Austerlitz, Columbia Co., N. Y., one of the first pupils of Miss Mary Lyon, at Ilol- yoke Seminary. Their children were five in number,-three sons and two daughters.

A devoted lover of his profession, Dr. Bell occupied a wide field of use- fulness, and exemplifying in his daily walks the highest principles of Chris- tianity, he has ministered many a time and oft to suffering minds as well as to suffering bodies.

In politics he is a Republican, and in 1865 represented his district in the General Court.

The most prominent trait in his

Poynus, Bell, Photo, by Moffitt.

character is bis deep-rooted religious faith, and this he constantly strives to show by word and deed. Early in life he became a professed Christian, and was one of the first scholars of the first Sunday-school established in his native town, in 1825. His adher- ence to the cause he then embraeed has since then not only remained true and steadfast, but it has strengthened with advancing years, and will eoo- tinue to strengthen as the years roll on. Ever ready to offer the testimony of prayer, praise, personal lahor, and bountiful charity on behalf of relig- iou, his life has been one of raro consisteney and Christian purpose.

For twenty-five years he has been senior deacon of the Congregational Church, for many years superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school, and, as a member of the town school committee, he has long been conspicuous for val- Dable labors. Of his efforts in the eause of education, one of his co- laborers says :

" Few men equal Dr. Bell in secur- ing the love and respeet of children, and in interesting them by apt ad- dress : none surpass him in a desire for the best possible education, in mind and heart, of every child in the community."

The residence which he now occu- pies was purchased soon after his settlement in Feeding Ilills, and was built, about 1775. by the Congrega- tional Society for Rev. Sylvanus Gris- wold.

RESIDENCE OF CYRUS BELL, M.D., FEEDING HILLS, MASS.

Photo, by Moffitt, Springfield.

IL Mai tines

This family traces its genealogy back to the old English house of Wightman, and are lineal descendants of Edward Wightman, who was the last religious martyr burned at the stake in that country, put to death in 1612. About the year 1630 four male members of his family emigrated to this country and settled in Rhode Island, but subse- quently removed to Connecticut. We have no authentic records in regard to the early generations in this country ; but one Valentine, a prominent citizen of Groton, Conn., was the founder of the first Baptist Church in New England, at that place. He had a son, Timothy, who was the father of Jesse. The latter was born in Groton, Conn., Jan. 22, 1764, removed to Agawam in 1789, and was married, July 20, 1791, to Cynthia Button, a native of Agawam, who was born Feb. 7, 1770. He was in 1790 ordained a minister of the gospel, and was the first Baptist preacher in the town. He changed the spelling of his name to the present way about the commencement of the present cen- tury, which has been followed by his descendants. He had a family of six children, viz. : Jesse, Lyman, Asa B., War- ren, Newbury, and Cynthia. The only one living at the present time is the fourth child, who resides at Westfield, Mass. Jesse died Sept. 20, 1817, and was followed by his wife, April 19, 1824.

Lyman, the father of the gentleman whose portrait ap- pears above, was born in Agawam, May 20, 1794. He was a machinist by trade, and followed that business until 1830, when he engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. ' Ile afterward opened a store for the sale of general mer- chandise in Agawam, and continued it until his death, June 12, 1869.

He was married, Dec. 17, 1829, to Mary Kendall, a native of Suffield, Conn., who was born Nov. 27, 1800. She enjoys the best of health, and is happy in being sur- rounded by loving relations and friends. Their family consisted of Lewis L., Mary F., and John L., the latter of whom died in early manhood.

Lewis L. was born in Agawam, March 24, 1831, and re- ceived his education at the district schools and at the academy at Mystic, Conn. Upon leaving school he entered his father's store as clerk, and remained until 1851, when, in company with his father, he commenced the manufacture of wall paper in Agawam. Being tired of active business life, he discontinued his manufacturing interest in 1867, and bought a farm, where he is now engaged as a tiller of the soil. IIe was married, Nov. 30, 1855, to Martha E., daughter of Thomas Hart and Laurette Pepper, of South- wick, Mass., where she was born Nov. 24, 1833. By this union he became the father of six children, viz. : Fred. L., born Feb. 17, 1857, and at present engaged in the study of law at Boston; Minnie A. K., born Aug. 28, 1859, and now the wife of Albert E. Worthington, of Agawam ; Jolın L., born Jan. 4, 1863, and died Jan. 14, 1874; Florrie L., born April 16, 1867 ; Bret Harte, born Oct. 16, 1869; and Carrie M., born Nov. 16, 1871, and died Nov. 19, 1872.

Mr. Whitman has been a life-long Democrat ; has been one of the selectmen of the town for the last five years, and is chairman of the board. He has for a number of years been engaged with credit and honor to himself in the mercantile, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of the town of his birth.

1049

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

organization of West Springfield in 1774, this became the 2d parish of West Springfield.

The following notes are from the Agawam parish register : The first meeting of the inhabitants of the 6th parish of Springfield was held Feb 25, 1758, Capt. Samuel Mirick, Moderator ; Moses Leonard, Clerk.

" Nov. 1, 1758 .- Voted to build a meeting-house in said Parish. It was also further voted to provide Bords and shingles for the Lord's honse."

" Mar. 21, 1759 .- Voted to build a meeting-house in the senter of the present Inhabitants, or as near as may be."

" At a meeting Dec. 22, 1759, Voted to reconsider the vote of Mar. 21, 1759."

" May 29, 1760 .- Voted that Rum and Cider shall be provided for the Raising of the Meeting-House in the Parish, at the cost and charge of the Parish."

" Voted that the meeting-house shall be set upon Esq. Renben Leonard's land."

The first parish clerk was voted 50 cents a year for eleven successive years.

In the diary of Rev. John Ballantyne of Westfield, com- menced in 1759, oceurs this mention :

"Nov. 12, 1760 .- Assisted in dedication of a new meeting-house in Agawam. Rev. Mr. Williams, of Springfield, preached Dec. 3d."

The first bell was the gift of Capt. John Porter, and cost $300. A chimney was added to the church in 1823. The church was painted by subscription of produce, chiefly rye and flax-seed, and the name and amount given by each are preserved.

"Nov. 19, 1793,-At this meeting a committee was appointed to oppose Eli- phalet Leonard in the General Court against being annexed the 1st Parisli."

" April 14, 1807 .- A meeting was called 'to see if the Parish would vote to set of the 2d & 4th Parishes of West springfield as a town.'"

CHURCHES.

BAPTIST.

In Benedict's history of the Baptists, when speaking of West Springfield, he says : "As early as 1727 some persons were baptized in this town by Mr. Elisha Calender, then pas- tor of the First Church in Boston. Their names were John Leonard, Ebenezer Leonard, Abel Leonard, William Scott, and Thomas Lamb. These Leonards are ancestors of the numerous family of that name now residing in Agawam.

The Baptists organized a society at once, and, as often as they could obtain a minister to come among them, sustained preaching until 1740, when they, with others who had joined them, were formed into a church, and Rev. Edward Upham became their pastor. Mr. Upham preached for this church nine years at first, when he removed to Newport, R. 1., but returned to Agawam after twenty years' absence, and remained until his death, in 1795, at the age of eighty-seven years.

The place of meeting of this church was on the east margin of the large plain between the Feeding Hills and Agawam Districts. After the death of Mr. Upham the church declined, and finally ceased to exist. About 1790 a number of members of the Baptist Church in Westfield, residing in Agawam, formed a new church, and were dismissed from their Westfield connection for that purpose. Their names were John Porter, Stephen Bedortha, Jonathan Purchase, Earle Bancroft, Mar- garet Purchase, Abigail Palmer, Eleanor Bedortha, and Rox- anna Bancroft. They met on the 23d of February, 1790, and adopted the covenant and articles of faith of the church from which they were dismissed.

On the 4th of March following the constitution of the church, Rev. Jesse Wightman was called to the pastorship, but delayed his acceptance until the request of the church was renewed several times, when on the 14th of August following he wrote them " that his mind was established, and he agreed to the request." Mr. Wightman (now written Whitman) was pastor of this First Baptist Church of Agawam twenty- seven years, from Sept. 29, 1790, to Sept. 29, 1817, when he died. The records say, in reference to that period of history of the church, that Elder Whitman " was a man of eminent piety, and was much esteemed among his people. For a period of twenty-seven years he had sedulously watched over the

church, from its infancy to more mature years. Ilis ministry was a successful one, and his end pence." From 1799 to 1814, 48 persons were added to the church.

In 1814 serious difficulties arose in relation to the singing, the introduction of new tunes having debarred many of the church members from taking part in that portion of the ser- vice. This disturbance was so great that many withdrew from the church, and the communion service was suspended for several months. In 1815, through the wise administra- tion of Elder Whitman, they voted " to forget and forgive, for the sake of the suffering cause," and it was followed by a powerful revival which effected a full reconciliation.

In May, 1819, Rev. John Grant moved to Agawam, and performed the duties of pastor for a short time, but declined a call. Following him was Rev. B. M. Hill, who came from Stafford, Conn., who was called to the pastorate, but finally declined. In 1822, Rev. Thomas Barrett, a native of Belcher- town, supplied the pulpit, until, at a meeting of the church, Jan. 27, 1823, it was " voted unanimously that they were satisfied with his improvement," and they wished him to be their minister. They were also, except one, in favor of having him preach to them every Sabbath day. He remained pastor of the church until October, 1829, and during the time the most extensive revival visited the people that ever occurred in Agawam, in 1825-26.

It was said of Mr. Barrett that he was a very able preacher and a man of earnest piety, but he was subject to frequent seasons of mental depression, in one of which, in August, 1832, he sadly terminated his own life, at the age of thirty- nine.

In August, 1831, Rev. John McDonald was ordained as pastor of the church. At a church meeting held Feb. 7, 1834, it was voted " to retain Elder MeDonald for five years longer if the necessary funds could be raised to pay his salary, which has heretofore been $300 dollars a year." He remained, how- ever, but one year, and was dismissed. His successors have been Rev. Pierpont Brockett, Rev. Mathew Bachelor, Rev. William A. Smith, Rev. Lester Lewis, Rev. John Cook, Rev. Asa A. Robinson, Rev. Thomas Dowling, Rev. Ariel Parker, Rev. George Cowlesworthy, Rev. E. P. Bond, and the present pastor, Rev. Alpha H. Simons.

This church has had during its existence eighteen different pastors, and there have probably been over 500 members at different periods. In 1813 the membership was 66; in 1860, 109; in 1878, 157. The Sabbath-school numbers 111, with Charles L. Bodurtha superintendent.

The present church edifice, located at Agawam Centre, was built in 1830. At some period in the history of the old church referred to above, which was organized one hundred and forty years ago, a tankard and two eups for the communion-service were presented to it by the First Baptist Church, in Boston. They were presented to the Boston church by a Baptist church in London, the same of which the famous preacher Spurgeon is now pastor. These pieces of communion furniture came into the possession of the present church of Agawam, and were a long time in use.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AGAWAM is located in the Feeding Hills Parish. It was organized Nov. 10, 1762, as the Sixth Church of Springfield. After- ward, in 1774, when West Springfield was set off, it became the Second Church in West Springfield, and again, in 1855, when Agawam was organized as a town, it beerune the First Church. It was organized with nine members, besides the pastor-elect, which was two more than enough to constitute a church at that time. The following were the original niem- bers : Samuel Merrick, Joseph Bodurtha, Benjamin Leonard, John Leonard, Reuben Leonard, Abel Leonard, Joseph Sel- den, Joseph Flower, and Jonathan Bodurtha. Twenty others united by letter eighteen days afterward. Part of these per-

132

1050

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

sous were from the disbanded Baptist Church, who united with the understanding that those who preferred it should be baptized by immersion, and that infant baptism should not be insisted upon.

The house of worship first occupied by this church stuod upon the plain, about halfway between what is now the Feeding Hills Parish and Agawam Parish. It was built by the parish in 1760, and was a commodious edifice, but possessed no great architectural beauty, and was never finished. In 1799 it was taken down, and removed to the spot now occupied by the Methodist Church at Feeding Hills, where it was re- erected, and remained incomplete until 1821, when it was neatly finished. It was first used by the Congregationalists, then, after the revival of the Baptist Church in 1772, by the two congregations uniting, and, after about 1802, when the Methodist Society was formed, by the three denominations conjointly. In 1834 the Congregationalists withdrew, and built their present house of worship, at a cost of $2000, fur- nished by individuals. In 1857 the church was re-modeled, and transferred from the proprietors to the society. The par- sonage, adjoining the church, was built in 1842.

The first minister of this church was Rev. Sylvanus Gris- wold, who was ordained and installed over it just a week after its organization. The yearly salary upon which Mr. Gris- wold was settled was $225, with his wood, and a tract of forty acres of land. In consequence of the diminished ability of the society, resulting from the Revolutionary war, it is said, " they fell considerably in arrears, and the pastor agreed to release them from their obligations to him."

The following account of this first installation is from a Springfield letter to the Boston News-Letter, dated Nov. 17, 1762:

" This day the Rev. Sylvanus Griswold was (with the greatest unanimity of the people, and the high Satisfaction of the Ecclesiastical Council Convened on that occasion) ordained the Pastor of a Church newly gathered in this town, con- wisting both of Pedo-Baptists and Anti-Pedo-Baptists, The latter of whom were formerly of a distinct church, under the pastoral care of Rev. Edward Upham. Notwithstanding this difference of opinion, this people have with a truly Catholic spirit, united and agreed to worship and sit down at the Lord's table together, allowing to each other, without offence, full liberty to follow the dictates of their own private judgment, with respect to baptism ; Mr. Griswold, at the Same time, readily consenting to administer baptism to Infants or the Adult, cither by asper- sion or immersion, according as each one shall desire. The candour with which this people have proceeded, the Christian Spirit with which they have united, and the Catholic foundation on which this Church is erected, give Singular pleas- ure to the Churches in this vicinity, and doubtless will be pleasing to every gen- erous Mind."

Mr. Griswold remained pastor until his death, in 1819. No pastor was procured to succeed him until Oct. 17, 1821, when Rev. Reuben lazen was ordained as its second pastor. HIe was to minister, however, but half the time to this church, preaching on every alternate Sabbath to the new church at Agawam Parish. llis salary was fixed at $190 per annum, for ten years. He ministered to the two churches till 1830, when he relinquished his charge at Feeding Hills, and devoted him- self exclusively to the church at Agawam. Rev. Hervey Smith succeeded Mr. Hazen, becoming the third pastor, Aug. Il, 1830. His successors have been Rev. Horatio J. Lombard, Rev. Calvin Foote, Rev. Dillon Williams, Rev. Stephen D. Ward, Rev. William M. Birchard, and the present pastor, Rev. Charles S. Sylvester, who was settled in May, 1866. The present membership of the church is 61 ; the number of Sun- day-school scholars, 78. The officers of the church and society are,-Deacons, Cyrus Bell, M. D., and E. G. Gaylord; Super- intendent of Sunday-school, Dr. Cyrus Bell; Society Com- mittee, J. G. Freeland, W. 11. Granger, and Edwin Leonard ; Church Committee, C. C. Wright, E. A. Kellogg, and R. M. Taylor.

A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

was first organized in Agawam (Feeding Hills Parish) in 1802, by Father Washburn, but no record was kept from that time until 1844, when it was reorganized. The present church

edifice was built in 1851, at a cost of $2000. The present pastor is Rev. Jonathan Neil; Superintendent of Sabbath- school, Frank Johnson ; Trustees of the Church, C. L. Ilunt- ley, James Halladay, A. Halladay, C. L. Huntley, Jr., James S. Smith, and Willis Huntley. Number of church members, 54; of Sabbath-school scholars, 45.

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI,

located at Agawam Centre, was organized Sept. 1, 1819. In 1800 the second parish was divided by an act of the Legisla- ture into Agawam and Feeding Hills. The old meeting-house, which had been located between the two villages, was removed to Feeding Hills, and the Agawam Society built a house of worship in 1803, though no church was regularly organized until September, 1819, at which time the old society at Feed- ing llills was reorganized, and both churches adopted the same confession of faith.

The meeting for the organization of the Agawam Congre- gational Church was held at the house of Capt. Timothy Allyn, on the Ist day of September, 1819. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, of Longmeadow, was moderator of the council. Rev. Luke Wood, who had been employed for several weeks by the Domestic Missionary Society of Massachusetts to perform the duties of a minister to the people in Agawam and Feeding Hills, made a statement to the council, from which it appeared that a distinct Congregational Church had never been organ- ized up to that time in the Society of Agawam; and that " the church in Feeding llills is so far reduced that they con- sider themselves unable to maintain a competent Christian teacher." On the 17th of October, 182], Rev. Reubeu S. Hazen was ordained as pastor of the Agawam and Feeding Ilills Congregational Churches in conjunction, preaching at each place on alternate Sabbaths. Mr. Hazen was a native of West Springfield, and studied theology with Rev. Dr. Osgood, of Springfield. In 1830 he relinquished his charge of the Feeding llills Church, and gave all his time to Agawam, where he Jabored with much fervor until May 17, 1843, when he was dismissed. He died in Canterbury, Conn., where he was settled in 1874.

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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 161

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