History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 168

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 168

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1850 .- Absalom Gardner, N. H. Stowell, James C. Royce.

1851 .- Absalom Gardner, Warren Shaw, Silas Perry. 1×52 .- Alfred Needham, Alvin Andrews, Arbey Squier.

1853 .- Absalom Gardner, David B. Needham, Eli Gardner.

1854 .- Absalom Gardner, David B. Needham, Ferdinand L. Burley.

1855,-Absalon Gardner, Adams Stewart, Sanmel B. Perry.

1856 .- Al salom Gardner, Nathan Palmer, Warren Shaw.

1857-58 .- Absalom Gardner, Nathan Palmer. Samuel L. Moulton.

I>59 .- Warren Shaw, Wm. L. Needham S. V. R. Smith.

1×60 .- Warren Shaw, Friend (. Smith, Warren Needham.

1861 .- Warren Shaw, S. V. R. Smith, Wm. L. Needham.

1862 .- Alisalum Gardner, Eden D. Shaw, S. V. R. Smith.

1>63-64 .- Alsalom Gardner, C. D. Brown, Warren Shaw.

1865,-Julius M. Lyon, J. C. Burley, F. C. Smith.

I>66 .- F. L. Burley, C. D. Brown, S. B. Perry.

1867 .- F. L. Burley, C. D. Brown, J. M. Lyon.

1868-69 .- F. L. Burley, Warren Needham, David F. Parker.

1870 .- F. L. Burley, Warren Needham, A. B. Johnson.

1871 .- J. M. Lyon, Wm. L. Needham, F. L. Coburn.

I>72 .- Absalom Gardner, Warren Needham, F. L. Coburn.

1873-74 - F. L. Burley, Win. L. Needham, F. L. Coburn.

1×75 .- F. L. Barley, Wi. L. Needham, George O. Henry.

1×76 .- F. C. Smith, George O. Henry, A. B. Johnson.

1877 .- Frank A. Royce, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson.

1878 .- George II. Needham, J. M. Lyon, A. B. Johnson.

TOWN CLERKS.

Capt. Joseph Blodgett, 1762-63, '66-67, '60-74: Humphrey Cram, 1764-68 ;* Jeremiah Needham, 1765; Joseph Needham, 1775-76; Abner Needham, 1777- 80, '85-86, '88-90; David Bullen, 1781-84; Darins Munger, 1787; Oliver Wales, 1791-1804 ; Rev. Elijah Coddington, 1804-5; James Smith, 1806-7; Jesse Mont- ton, 1:08-15; Wm. W. Thompson, 1>15; Alfred Needham, 1:16-34; Elijah C. Babcock, 1:34; Aaron Shaw, 1835-36; James C. Royce, 1837-40; Leonard B. Wight, 1840-43; Nathan D. Wight, 1843; Absalom Gardner, 1844; Austin L. Rogers, 1:45-48; Naham II. Stowell, 1848-51; Ferdinand L. Burley, 1851-55; George H. Needham, 1855-59; Joel II. Rogers, 1856-59; George S. Rogers, 1860- 73, "76 ; Herbert H. Haradon, 1874, '75, '78; Frank L. Smith, 1877.

STATISTICS.

The principal produets of Wales are butter, charcoal, eider, firewood, railroad-sleepers, cheese, milk, pork, potatoes, apples, cabbage, eggs, pumpkins, and meats. This does not include the manufacturing products, which are mentioned elsewhere. The domestic products for sale and use in 1875 were valued at $15,322; the agricultural products, at $16,883; number of tons of hay eut, 1040. There were 106 farms, valued at $217,- 213; 230 buildings, valued at $109,185; and 77252 acres of land, valued at $108,028. The domestic animals owned in the town were valued at 826,836, and the entire products of the town reached a valuation of $953,601.

On March 1, 1878, the total number of polls in the town was 202; value of personal property, $122,338; value of real * property, $280,695; number of dwelling-houses, 166; number of acres of land taxed in the town, 923143; number of chil- dren between five and fifteen years of age, 130.

VILLAGES.

The town of Wales virtually contains but one village, which is situated near the centre, about four miles from Brimfield Centre. Its nearest railroad-stations are Monson, Palmer, Warren, and Stafford Springs, the distance being from seven to ten miles. A mail is carried each day to and from Brimfield post-office by a resident of Wales, who also conveys passengers between these points. A daily stage leaves at six o'clock each day for Palmer, and returns at eight in the evening.

The village referred to is ranged along both sides of the main road from Brimfield to Stafford, Conn., and is over a mile long. Its lower end, toward the pond, was settled first, and is the old eentral village of the town, wherein most of the

* Both of Holland.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

old settlers first located, and where the oldest landmarks and points of interest are found. The upper end of the village, lying above the junction of the old and new roads to Brim- tiekdl, is known ns SHAWVILLE, a name which has been given to it in recognition of the important mechanical and indus- trial improvements which have been made by the members of the Shaw family in that section, and especially by Elijah Shaw, to whose business enterprise and public spirit Wales is largely indebted for whatever commercial prosperity it has enjoyed .* In this part of the village are located the principal factories and mills of the town.

The village contains, among other things, six woolen-fac- tories, a box-shop, a silk-mill, two blacksmith-shops, four general stores, a tailor-shop, a tin- and hardware-store, a butcher-shop, three church buildings, three cemeteries, a hotel, and a post-office.

The hotel is situated in the lower end of the village, and has been kept since January, 1878, by William Royee. No hotel had previously existed in the town since 1845.

Of the exact date of the establishment of the post-office considerable conjecture prevails. The best information that can be obtained upon the subjeet fixes the date of its first es- tahlishment at about the year 1800, and it is believed that it was first kept in the "old Wales Tavern," and that Oliver or Loren Wales was the first postmaster. Sinee that time the office has been filled by Daniel N. Green, James C. Royee, Leonard B. Wight, Joel H. Rogers, Absalom Gardner, Philip Snow, Warren Shaw, and perhaps others. Eugene Cady is the present postmaster.

The physicians since Dr. John Smith have been Dr. Corne- lius M. Stewart, 1846-48; Dr. Lebbens E. Marsh, 1865-72; Dr. Joseph C. Yale, 1872-75; Dr. Frank L. Smith, 1875-77; and a Dr. Ferguson, for a short time. The only regular phy- sieian at present in the town is Dr. Benjamin A. Sawtelle, who commenced practice there early in 1878, and has his office in the hotel.

The only lawyer who ever practiced in Wales was Asa Olmstead, who was there in 1820, for one year.

SCHOOLS.

The advantages of a common-school education have been enjoyed by the citizens of Wales from the earliest time. As early as March 10, 1766, the records of the town contain a petition of a number of citizens to be set off as a school dis- triet, and at the different town-meetings appropriations of various sums have been made for the support of schools. In May, 1771, there were the following school districts, viz. : South Meadow, Middle, Northwest, Southwest, and South.

As in the case of Brimfield, it seems that the court inflicted a fine of £28 5s. 5d. upon the town of Wales, in 1769, as a penalty for not keeping a grammar school. May 5, 1769, Capt. Joseph Blodgett was chosen by the town to attend the session of the court to be held at Springfield in the same month, to answer to the complaint exhibited against the district for failing to keep such a school, and was again chosen for the same purpose in August following. It seems that his efforts were unavailing, and that the decision of the court was adverse to the town, for, on March 30, 1772, Daniel Winchester was chosen to go to the Governor " to get the bond cancelled that was given to prosecute the appeal to the Superior Court for another trial for not keeping a Grammar School; which bond was forfeited, and to go to the General Court at the next ses- sion to see if they will take the fine off."

On March 13, 1799, the school districts were first numbered, as follows, viz. : No. 1, northeast; No. 2, middle; No. 3, south; No. 4, southwest; No. 5, northwest.

Prior to 1828 the town for several years had raised by taxa-

tion $200 yearly for the support of public schools. In that year the amount appropriated was $300, which was annually raised for the next ten years. In 1839 the town raised $400 for a like purpose. In addition to the sums appropriated by the town considerable amounts were contributed by voluntary donations of wood, board of teachers, and the like, to help sustain the schools. In 1861 the town appropriated $475 for the support of schools. This sum was continued until the spring of 1864, when $600 was appropriated. In 1865 the town raised $750. The last appropriation made was $800.

There are at present five school districts, the same as origi- nally established. No. 1 is in the main village ; No. 2, in the southeast ; No. 3 is in the south ; No. 4, in the west ; and No. 5, in the northwest. The number of seholars in attendance upon these schools at the last report was 142.

CHURCHIES.

Before considering the individual ehureh organizations that have existed in the town of Wales, it may not be deemed in- appropriate to refer to the subject of a "meeting-house," which grievously agitated the people of the district of South Brimfield in its early days, and the contentions in regard to which finally caused the division of the district .; A reference to the chapter on " Organization" will show what were some of the earlier movements for providing preaching in the town, and in erecting a suitable building.

On Dec. 22, 1763, it was resolved to ereet the meeting-house at " the northwest corner of John Danielson's farm." April 16, 1763, William Ayers, Edward Davis, and Jacob Dresser were chosen a committee to select a place for the meeting- house, and Nehemiah May, Robert Brown, and Joseph Blod- gett were chosen a committee to wait on them. February 6th and 20th it was voted to build a meeting-house in the cen- tre of the distriet, 45 feet long, 35 feet wide, 20 feet 9 inehes high on the post, and to cost £100, and a committee was ap- pointed to erect said structure. John Morse, of Sturbridge, Joseph Craft, and Joseph Colton were appointed a committee to select the spot for the building. Voted to hire Ezra Reave to " preach on probation in order for settlement." On Feb. 23, 1764, the vote to build the meeting-house at the centre was rescinded, and another spot selected. Beenuse " three Bap- tists," Joseph Belknap, John Belknap, and Benjamin Perrin, } voted in this meeting a protest against its proceedings was entered by a large number of citizens. April 23, 1764, it was voted to send Capt. Trustrum Davis to court to ask for a com- mittee to come and settle the "contention and controverse," and in June following the committee came and located the meeting-house. But their selection was not satisfactory, and on Sept. 26, 1764, the town voted to send a committee to the General Court to advise the non-acceptance of the report, and to ask for a division into two districts or societies. Timothy Danielson and Nehemiah May composed the committee.

Such were the difficulties which troubled the early settlers of Wales in regard to a house of worship. It seems that the frame of the central house was actually erected, and stood upon the west side of the old road, near the present line of Ilolland, and ahout midway between the present northeast and southeast corners of Wales. It was never inelosed, but was taken down, sold, and removed to Willington, Conn.

The first church building erected in the town was by the Baptists, somewhere about 1760.2 It stood nearly upon the site of the present " old Baptist Church" in the lower end of the village. That denomination occupied it until 1802, when they sold it to the town. It was subdivided into fourteen parts,

+ Mass. Archives, 14 : 402, 443, and 446.

# Benjamin Perrin, and perhaps the Belknaps, had in 1756 declared themselves separate from the " standing order," and so were not entitled to vote in the mat- ter. ¿ A petition by Anthony Needham, Enoch Hides, and others, asking permis- sion to erect this house, was granted by the town of Brimfield, March 14, 1757.

* Shaw University, situated at Raleigh, N. C., Is named after this gentleman in recognition of substantial assistance rendered, and he is one of the trustees of that institution.

1071

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

and sold at auction for the sum of $105.80, and removed in pieces by the several vendees.

While this edifice was being removed a new one, generally termed the " Union House," was erected by the town, near the old one. The pews were sold at auction, and the proceeds applied in liquidation of the cost of building, the town reserv- ing the right to use the house for town-meetings and other municipal purposes. Another condition of the plan upon which the house was built was that the use of it from year to year should be apportioned among the several Christian de- nominations which should purchase or hold pews therein, each denomination to have the right to oeeupy the house for preaching of its own order a certain number of Sabbaths in each year, proportionate to the value in pews which its mem- bers might hold. It was further provided that at any and all times when neither of the other denominations occupied the house the Baptists might occupy it. The first apportionment under this arrangement was made in April, 1803. For the first year's use of the bouse the Baptists were assigned thirty- two Sabbaths. the Universalists twelve, and the Congrega- tionalists eight .*

In 1846, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, the house was appraised, and the pews of the other denominations were purchased at their appraised values by the Baptists, who repaired and remodeled it, making it the second house of that order in the town. It is now known as the "old Baptist Church," but is not in regular use. The basement is still used by the town for municipal purposes, that right being reserved when the house was sold to the Baptists. It was further pro- vided that in case that denomination failed to keep it in suit- able repair it should revert to the town.

BAPTISTS.

This denomination was the first to establish itself in Wales, and has continued to be the leading religious organization of the town. As early as 1734, certain persons resident in the south part of the old town of Brimfield withdrew from the fellowship of the Congregational Church of that town, de- elaring themselves to be Anabaptists. In 1736 these with some others were organized into a church, with Ebenezer Moulton as their pastor. Mr. Moulton, however, did not be- come an ordained minister until Nov. 4, 1741. Joseph Hovey and Benjamin Johnson were the first deaeons. Mr. Moulton continued pastor until 1763, when he removed to Nova Scotia. He afterward returned to South Brimfield, where he died in 1783.

In 1748, after serious difficulties, the church became divided, and so remained for more than twenty years. In 1765 the Rev. James Mellen, of Middleborough, filled the pastoral office, and continued to do so for four years. The Rev. Wm. Ewing was pastor from 1770 to 1772. In 177] the church was reorganized, and at the sitting of the Warren Association, with which this church was connected, at Middleborough, in September, 1772, its delegates were instructed to inquire for a pastor. As a result of this inquiry, Elijah Coddington, of Middleborough, visited them the following year, and after a brief stay was chosen to the pastoral office. He was finally installed, Nov. 11, 1773. The church at this time was in a languishing condition, but soon began to revive. Within three years, commeneing in 1779, over 200 were added to its rolls by baptism. Mr. Coddington remained pastor for fifty- three years, and became known as " Father" Coddington. He was chaplain of a regiment ten years, taught school ten terms, and filled various town offices.

The pastors of the Baptist Church since Mr. Coddington have been Revs. Joshua Eveleth, 1826-29; John M. Hunt, 1829-30; Tubal Wakefield, 1834-36; George Mixter, 1886-

42; Warren Cooper, 1842-43; Volney Church, 1843-48; Samuel R. Allard, 1848-50; Henry H. Hazleton, 1850-5] ; Sylvester Barrows, 1851-52; Asa A. Robinson, 1852-56; William S. Phillips, 1856-60; Moses Curtis, 1861-62; Justin Aldrich, 1862-66; Lyman Partridge, 1866-69; Edwin J. Ste- vens, January, 1870, to September, 1870 ; Charles A. Cooke, Nov. 1, 1870, to April, 1872 ; John Shepardson, 1872-76.

The present pastor, Rev. Wm. S. Phillips, was installed in 1877. The church building in present use is situated in the centre of the village, and presents a fine appearance. It con- tains a clock and bell, and was dedicated in March, 1874. The cost was about 818,000. The organ and furniture cost upward of $5000 additional. The church was largely indebted to Elijah Shaw for substantial aid. The present church mem- bership is about 140. The Sunday-school numbers about 80 scholars and teachers.

CONGREGATIONAL.

From the earliest history of Wales there have existed those who adhered to this order, but they never appear to have had any strong church organization. About the middle of the last century a portion of the inhabitants of Wales were con- neeted with a church of their order in the East Parish, now Holland. When the Union meeting-house before referred to was built, they were few in numbers. In 1819 they or- ganized a church of 12 members, but it declined, and finally became extinct.

UNIVERSALISTS.

About 1780 the doctrine of universal restoration was quite extensively supported in Wales, under the preaching of Rev. Elhanan Winchester (a former Baptist). ITis writings also were extensively circulated among the people. At various times the Universalists have had organized societies in Wales, but none exists at present.

METHODISTS.

The first establishment of a Methodist society in Wales oe- eurred in 1830. It is now in a flourishing condition, and has a neat church edifice in the centre of the village. In 1832 the society numbered 125 members. In 1857-58 a revival occurred, and numbers were added to the church. In 1858 the society became possessed of a parsonage, the property being held in $10 shares by individual stockholders. The original house of worship was built in 1832, and has been re- modeled or repaired several times since, the last time in 1868-69. The present church membership is 45, and has been much larger. The average attendance at the Sabbath-school is about 40. The pastors of this church have been Revs. Horace Moulton, 1830-32; Enoch Bradley, 1832-33; Amasa Taylor, 1833-35; Horace Moulton, 1835-36; Otis Wilder, 1836-37; Joseph Lewis, 1837-39; Charles Virgin, 1839-40; William Gordon, 1840-42; Thomas W. Gile, 1842-43 ; Henry S. Shedd, 1843-45; Rufus P. Buffington, 1844-45; Spencer Tilleston, 1845-46; William A. Clapp, 1846-48; Jarvis Wilson, 1848- 49; John Ricketts, 1849-5]; Daniel Atkins, 1851-53; David Culver, 1853 ; Andrew Baylies, 1857-58; Silas Piper, 1858- 6]; John Goodwin, 1861-62; Moses P. Webster, 1862-64; John Noon, 1864-66; Charles H. Vinton, 1866-67 ; Miles R. Barney, 1867-68; George Hewes, 1868-70; John Wesley Cole, 1870-72; John F. Bassett, 1872-74; Thomas B. Tread- well, 1874.7

Rev. John Noon, the present pastor, beeame such for the second time in 1876. Some of the early pastors divided their labors between Wales and Monson.

CHRISTIANS.

In 1822-23, Wales was visited by several very active and zealous preachers of a sect, then of recent origin, calling them- selves by this name. They created considerable excitement in the town, especially in the western and southeast sections,

* The relative numbers in these denominations varied in different years. In 1803 the Baptists occupied the house twenty-five Sabbaths, the Universalists nine, and the Congregationalists fifteen.

+ Died November, 1875.

1072

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

and large numbers of converts were baptized. They estab- lished no church or society, however, and the excitement sub- sided. Of their preachers, Rev. Amos Babcock afterward con- nected himself with the Baptists, and for a time was settled as a teacher and pastor at Holland. Another, Rev. Ebenezer Robinson, subsequently became a preacher of Universalism, and a physician, and lived, preached, and practiced in dif- ferent places.

ADVENTISTS.

In the autumn of 1842 and the succeeding winter a very zealous preacher of Advent doctrines-a former Baptist min- ister by the name of Powell-began to labor in Wales, and caused great excitement. Hle prophesied that the " second coming" would occur in 1843, and the world be then destroyed. This alarmed the inhabitants. Frequent meetings were held. The Baptists, led by their pastor, Rev. Mr. Cooper, held union meetings with Powell. The Methodists and their pastor, Rev. Mr. Gile, held aloof. When 1843 had come and gone and the anticipated destruction of all things terrestrial did not occur, faith began to weaken and the people to forsake the cause. A few only remained steadfast, among that mini- ber being Henry Pratt, a shoemaker of the town, who after- ward preached the doctrine.

-1 small body of Adventists still remains in the town, and has held regular meetings in the " old Baptist Church" since January, 1878. John E. Ainsworth is the pastor.

BURIAL-GROUNDS.

The first place of burial established in that part of Brim- field now the town of Wales was on Sept. 5, 1732, when, at a meeting of "ye Proprietors, 1 and 2 acress of land, for a Burying-place at ye southeasterly part of ye South Pond, where Robert Moulton, Sen., now dwells," were voted for that purpose. The ground has now fallen into neglect, and is used for agricultural purposes. A great many of the early settlers are buried there. The pond has somewhat encroached upon the land, and some of the remains have been washed out by the action of the water.

What is called the Old Burying-Ground comes next in order. It is located north of the pond, above the road which winds around at that point. A part of it was originally donated to the town by Anthony Needham, soon after the formation of the district of South Brimfield. April 2, 1792, Abner Needham presented the ground to the town in open meeting, that formality being required, because the town pur- posed adding more land and fencing the ground anew. On Sept. 18, 1813, more land was added, and May 9, 1814, a new fence was put around it.

This cemetery is now only used occasionally, but contains the remains of many of the old townsmen. The oldest stone in the grounds is that of Anthony Needham, which is in a good state of preservation, and shows that he died July 2, 1763, at the age of sixty-seven. Other early gravestones are those of Ichabod Rogers, who died Jan. 19, 1800, at the age of eighty-one; Dr. James Lawrence, died March 23, 1816, aged seventy-two; Oliver Wales, died March 23, 1816, aged sev- enty-two; Rev. Elijah Coddington, died May 7, 1830, aged eighty-eight ; Asa Fisk, died Feb. 9, 1812, aged seventy-eight ; Daniel Winchester, died Oet. 12, 1797; Darius Munger, died Nov. 21, 1815, aged seventy-six ; and William Fenton, died Nov. 14, 1804, aged eighty-eight.

The New Burying-Ground, located in the lower part of the village, south of the old Baptist Church, was laid out in 1841. On Sept. 13, 1841, some lots were sold, as appears by the town records. The lot is about an aere in extent. It is well tilled, and contains the remains of a number of prominent citizens,- among others, of James L. Wales. It is still in use.

There is another burying-ground on Shaw Ilill, in the upper village. The land was donated by Julius M. Lyon for that purpose, and consists of from three to five acres. It is the one

in most common use at the present time. Alvin Andrews, his son, JJohn S., and his daughter, Jane L., wife of Elijah Shaw, were the first interred in this cemetery, having been removed from Brimfield Cemetery, May 28, 1862.

The Walker Burying-Ground lies in the southwest part of the town. In consists of about a half-aere of land, walled in, and contains a few old graves. It is not now in usc.

SOCIETIES.

ANCHOR LODGE, F. AND A. M.

This lodge was chartered Dec. 9, 1874, with the following members : George O. Henry, George A. Harvey, Frank A. Royce, James A. Johnson, Charles F. Thompson, Charles G. Needham, Justus Stebbins, Peter W. Moore, Watson W. Needham, Frank L. Coburn, Lorin II. Clark, George B. Clark, Albert A. Smith, Eugene Cady, Horace L. Hills, and Aaron B. Johnson.

The principal officers of the lodge at the present time are Lorin II. Clark, W. M .; Eugene Cady, S. W .; James A. Johnson, J. W. ; Peter W. Moore, Treas. ; Chas. G. Need- ham, See. Past Masters, George O. Henry and George A. Harvey. Regular communications are held once each month at Masonic Hall, in the lower village.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

In the earlier history of the town, agriculture was the prin- cipal occupation of its inhabitants. But the roughness of the land and the unproductive nature of the soil presented many obstacles to the successful prosecution of that branch of in- dustry. The town has always been eut up into small farms and lots, principally designed to raise vegetables for the sup- port of a family.

Sinee the expiration of the first one hundred years from the settlement of the town, its manufacturing interests have as- sumed considerable proportions, and have constituted the chief source of income of the inhabitants, and their principal in- dustrial pursuit.

Carriages of various kinds have been made, and occasion- ally a few hoes. The females have made many thousand yards of straw-braid, and hundreds of palm-leaf hats. In 1837 the assessors found the cash value of the hats manufactured during the preceding year to be $1500.

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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 168

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