History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 175

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 175

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1781 .- Abner Fowler, Jas. Smith, John Campbell.

17×2 .- Silas Fowler, John Kent, Mathew Laflin, Noah Loomis, T. Campbell. 1783 .- Mathew Laflin, Jos. Moore, John Kent.

1784 .- John Kent, John Berry, Jas. Smith.

1785 .- Silas Fowler, Mathew Laflin, Moses Root, John Kent, T. Campbell.

1786 .- Jas. Smith, Thos. Campbell, Phineas Southwell, Stephen Sexton, E. Chamberlain.

1787 .- Phineas Perkins, Noah Loomis, Thos. Hough, Brigham Brown, Jos. Moore. 1788 .- Pbineas Southwell, Geo, Granger, Silas Fowler, Isaac Coit, Phin. Perkins. 1789 .- Thos, Campbell, Isaac Cuit, P. Southwell, Eph. Chamberlain, David Ives. 1700,-Eph. Chamberlain, Thos. Campbell, Samuel Fowler.

1791 .- Thos. Campbell, Sam" Fowler, Shubael Stiles.

1792,-Samson French, Sam'l Fowler, Shubael Stiles, Phineas Southwell, Phin. Perkins.

1793 .- Sam'l Fowler, Shubuel Stiles, Sam'l French.

1794 .- Doras Stiles, Sam'l Fowler, David Fowler.

1795 .- Thos. Campbell, David Fowler, Sam'l Fowler.

1796 .- Sam'l Fowler, Doras Stiles, T. C'ampbell, Holcomb Granger, Jos. Forward. 1797 .- Thos. Campbell, Jos. Forward, Sam'l Fowler.

1798 .- Jos. Forward, Joh Langton, Solomon Stephens. 1799-1800 .- Jub Langton, Samt'l Fowler, Jos. Forward. 1801 .- Shubael Stiles, Enos Foot, Jos, Forward. 1:02 .- Sam'l Fowler, Doras Stiles, Brigham Brown. 1803 .- David Fowler, Oliver Utley, Ham Loomis.

* 1804 .- Mathew Laflin, Reuben Moore, Moses Hays. 1805 .- Shubael Stiles, Reuben Moore, Thos. Campbell. IS06 .- Shubert Stiles, Roger Moore, Jos. Forward. 1807 .- Shubert Stiles, Jos. Forward, Oliver Utley. 1808-9 .- Shubert Stiles, Jos. Forward, Sam'I Fowler. 1810 .- Sam'l Fowler, Richard Dickinson, Roger Moore.

1811 .- Shubert Stiles, Solomon Smith, Reuben Moore. 1812 .- Reuben Moore, Solomon Smith, Sam'] Fowler. 1813,-Doras Stiles, Sant'] Fowler, Elijah Holcomb. 1814 .- Jos. Forward, Elijah Holcomb, Eph. Booth. 1815 .- Richard Dickinson, Reuben Moore, Gideon Stiles. 1816,-Richard Dickinson, Gideon Stiles, Aması Holcomb. 1817-18 .- Gideon Stiles, Amasa Holcomb, Heman Laffin.

1819 .- Amasa Holcomb, Win. Hosmer, Job Langdon. 1820 .- Gideon Stiles, Heman Laflin, Almnon Gillett. 1821 .- Gideon Stiles, John Mills, Almon Gillett. 1822 .- John Mills, Almon Gillett, Jos. M. Forward. 1823 .- John Mills, Jos. M. Forward, Eli L. Moore. 1824 .- Jos. M. Forward, Eli L. Moore, Abraham Rising, Jr. 1825 .- Eli L. Moore, Abraham Rising, Jr., Warren Byington. 1826 .- Warren Byington, Gileon Stiles, Thaddeus Foote. 1827 .- Abraham Rising, Jr., Zeldina Mason, Almon Gillett.

1828 .- Abraham Rising, Jr., Zebina Mason, Jubal Byington. 1829 .- Uzal Rockwell, Gideon Root, Elisha Steer, Jr. 1830 .- Robert Forward, Warren Byington, Abraham Rising, Jr. 1831-32 .- John Mills, Robert Forward, Elisha Steer, Jr. 1833 .-- Jos. M. Forward, Uzal Rockwell, Elisha Steer. 1834 .- Elisha Steer, Gideon Stiles, Robert Forward. 1835 .- Robert Forward, Giles Stiles, Sam'I S. Fowler, 1836 .- Gideon Stiles, Solomon Smith, Elisha Steer. 1837 .- Jos. M. Forward, Sardis Gillett, Sanı'l S. Fowler. 1838 .- Sardis Gillett, Almon H. Barker, Sam'l S. Fowler.

1839 .- Almon H. Barker, Abraham Rising, Jr., Elisha Booth. 1840 .- Abraham Rising, Jr., Eli-ha Looth, Josiah S. Knowles.

1811 .- Elisha Booth, Josiah S. Knowles, Carmi Shm tleff.

1842-43 .- Gideon Stiles, Abraham Rising, Carmi Shun tleff. 1844. - Abraham Rising, Eli L. Moore, Chandler Holcomb.

I845 .- Chandler Holenmb, Sanmel Webb, Tarsus N. Fowler.

1846 .- Samuel Webb, Heaton Granger, P. W. Stevens. 1847 .- P. W. Stevens, Daniel W. King, Moses White. 1848,-Moses White, P. W. Stevens, Calvin Cannon. 1849,-Oliver Root, J. M. Forward, Calvin Cannon. I>50 .- Oliver Root, P. W. Stevens, Samuel Kellogg.

1851 .- Theron Rockwell, Easton T. Rising, P. W. Stevens.

1852 .- Theron Rockwell, Elisha Steer, Oliver Root. 1×53 .- Oliver Root, B. B. Loomis, Theron Warner.

1854 .- Theron Warner. B. B. Loomis, Wm. R. Brown.

1855 .- Joseph W. Rockwell, A. J. Marvin, Uzal Rockwell.

1856 .- Thomas Cooley, Uzal Rockwell, A. J. Marvin. 1857 .- Theron Rockwell, Tarsus N. Fowler, Il. HI. Hosmer.

1858 .- Carmi Shurtleff, Alvin Rising, C. K. Lambson. 1859 .- Carmi Shurtleff, C. K. Lambson, Gid. A. Stiles. 1860 .- Gid. A. Stiles, M. M. Steer, William Strain, 1861 .- Carmi Shurtleff, Abraham Rising, Luther Fowler. 1862-63 .- A. J. Marvin, A. F. Webb, A. P. Easton. 1864 .- A. P. Easton, E. C. Vining, Moses White. IS65-66 .- A. P. Easton, N. S. Noble, A. J. Forward. 1867 .- M. A. Moore, N. S. Noble, A. J. Forward.

1868,-M. A. Moore, Calvin Cannon, Raner Rising. 1869 .- M. A. Moore, Calvin Cannon, Lucien Bacon. 1870 .- M. A. Moore, O. A. Granger, Marens Phelps. 187I .- O. A. Granger, A. P. Easton, Andrew White. I872-73 .- O. A. Granger, E. A. Steer, W. D. Arnold. IS74 .- W. D. Arnold, J. L. Black, W. W. Easton,

1875-79 .- J. L. Black, A. J. Forward, Edwin Gilbert.

TOWN CLERKS.

Abner Fowler, 1775-79; William Moore, 1779-8I ; Isaac Coit, 1781-88 ; Thomas Hongh, 1788 ; Samuel Fowler, 1789-1802; Enos Foot, 1802; Samuel Fowler, 1803; Enos Foot, 1804-11 ; Job Langdon, 1811-13; Joseph M. Forward, I813-18; John Mills, IsIs ; Ephraim Booth, I>19-23; Levi. W. Humphreys, 1823; Robert For- ward, 1824; Levi W. Ilumphreys, 1825-29; Edwin Foote, 1829; Joseph M. For- ward, 1830-32; Harrison Foote, 1832-34; Phineas W. Stevens, 1834-37; James Stevens, 1837-45; Carmi Shuitleff, 1845; Joseph M. Forward, 1846-52; A. J. Forward, 1852-55; Joseph E. White, 1855; P. W. Stevens, 1856; Jos. E. White, 1857; Seymour L. Granger, 1858-GI ; C. J. Root, 18GI-66; Luther Fowler, 1866- 68; B. G. Palmer, 1868; Orrin A. Granger, 1869-71 ; Wm. W. Phelps, 1871; II. E. Webb, 1872-75; Edwin Shortleff, 1575-77; William Strain, Jr., 1877; William Fletcher, IS78.

REPRESENTATIVES AT THE GENERAL COURT.

From 1775 to 1856, when Southwick became a part of the Ninth Representative District, the town was represented by the following :

William Moor, Abner Fowler, Isaac Coit, Silas Fowler, Saul Fowler, Joseph Forward, Enos Foote, Slmbael Stiles, Reuben Clark, Doras Stiles, Gideon Stiles, Juseph M. Forward, Thaddeus Foute, Levi W. Humphreys, Abraham Rising, Rev. Amasa Ilolcomb, Elisha Steer, Robert Forward, Warren Byington, Sammel S. Fowler, Phineas W. Stevens, Elisha Booth, Chandler Holcomb, Almon 11. Barker, Eli L. Moore, Carmi Shnrtleff, John Holcomb, Abel Steer, Moses White, Hiram S. Hollister, Ileman Laflin.

VILLAGES. SOUTHWICK.

The only village in the town is the village of South wick, a station on the New Haven and Northampton Railroad, and very prettily laid out upon a level plain, which rests beneath the shadows of the high hills that range along the town's western border. Here are two churches,-Congregational and Baptist,-a hotel, two stores, a post-office, a town-hall, academy, a powder-mill, grist-mill, and perhaps 75 dwell- ings. Two miles south of Southwick village there is a settle- ment known as Gillet's Corners, where there is a church, a cigar-factory, and a small collection of houses. As a rule the residences of the villagers are tasteful in appointments and attractive in surroundings, while the air of wholesome thrift that prevails bespeaks the industrious character of the inhab- itants.

CHURCHES.

Although a Congregational Church was organized in 1773, August 17th, the early town records being lost, no mention of town action upon church matters is found until the year 1775, when it was resolved to get Mr. Forward's wood that year by donation. Rev. Abel Forward was the church's first pastor, and was ordained in October, 1773. He died in 1786, after a ministry of thirteen years. The first church building was

1091

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

erected about 1773, about a mile south of what is now South- wick village, near the burying-ground. It was only partially seated at first, for in 1776 it was voted " to mak moor Sets in the meeting-house," and these, with two-horse blocks, Gideon Root and Amos Loomis contracted to make. Amos Loomis was also hired; at 9x. the year, " to swep the meting-house, and fech water for crisning." Mr. Forward's salary was voted, in 1777, to be £30, in country produce : " whet at fore shillings, Rye at three, Indon Corn at two Shilings, and other arteels at the Same Lay." In 1761, Israel Loomis was chosen to keep the keys of the meeting-house, bring water for baptism, and dig graves. This year, Mr. Forward's salary was €70, in hard money. By a town vote, it was decided " to receive that part of Simsbury called Moretown, into all Ecele- siastical matters so far as not to be any bar or hindrance in moving the meeting-house." About this time the subject of building a new church must have been agitated, for at a town- meeting, in 1781, a committee was appointed to find the centre of the town, and a suitable place for a meeting-house. This house was probably erected by 1783, since in that year it was voted to seat the meeting-house. Previously, in 1782, a com- mittee was chosen to go to Moretown, " to see if they will do anything to support the gospel in this town." Mr. Forward was succeeded in 1788 by Rev. Isaac Clinton, a graduate of Yale.

In 1794 the town purchased of the town of Windsor, for the new church, pulpit and canopy (for $6), pews, pulpit-window, gallery-stairs, and breast-work. An instructor in psalmody was also hired, and a committee was appointed to dignify the meeting-house. Mr. Clinton was dismissed in 1807," and was succeeded in 1816 by Rev. D. D. Rossiter. Rev. Calvin Foote, his sueeessor, preached from 1820 to 1830, and during his min- istry, in 1824, the meeting-house was destroyed by fire. In that year, a change of location having been decided upon, the present church edifice was erected in Southwick village. The church has a small fund, is prosperous, and has a membership of about 75. Rev. Richard Knight, lately stationed at South Hadley Falls, where he preached twenty-two years, is the present pastor in charge.

In 1775 there were Baptists in the town, and in that year, at a town-meeting, it was voted not to dismiss the " Baptes" from their minister-rate. In 1781, the protest by the Baptists against paying the minister-rate still being urged, it was voted that "the Baptists are not excused from paying Mr. Forward's rate, except Samuel flare ;" but why Mr. Hare was exeused does not appear. That year a committee was chosen "to look into Baptist and other bad rates, " and in 1785 it was agreed to seat the Baptists in the meeting-house, the same as the other inhabitants.

In 1805 the Baptists living in Southwick, who had been at- tending church in Suffield, Conn., determined to have preach- ing at home, and accordingly organized a society whose origi- nal members were Timothy Noble, Sally Noble, Betsey and Ruth Noble, Jonathan and Hannah Hays, Ahner and Eliza- beth Johnson, Elizabeth, Josiah, David, Mehitabel, and Deb- orah Kent, Eunice and Rachel Rising, Erastus Bill, Rachel Bellamy, Eunice Stiles, Mehitabel Loomis, Chloe Booth, and Dolly Campbell.

In June of that year a council, composed of delegates from churches in Suffield, Granville, and West Springfield, con- vened in Southwick, at the house of Augustus Pease. The church record of this meeting relates : " First made choice of Elder Jesse Wightman, Moderator, brother Daniel Bestor, Clerk. After a prayer to God for direction, by Elder Hast- ings, then proceeded to business by calling on the brethren and sisters for their reasons why they wished such an event to take place among them, and happily found their views and motives to appear gospelwise." The church was then con- stituted, and Elder Hastings gave them the right hand of fel- lowship "as a church in gospel order, and in sister relation with the Baptist churches composing the Danbury Associa- tion." Elder Niles was the first pastor, and among the other early pastors were Elders Bennett, Pepper, Augustus Boles, Silas Root, John D. Hart, Jeremiah Bridges, Charles Willet, and Revs. Charles Farrar, R. II. Maine, R. Russell, Alfred Gates, and Z. S. Wilds.

A church building was erected in Southwick village in 1822, and is still occupied by the society, which has at present 165 members, with an average attendance of about 100. Rev. W. K. Dean, recently called from Rainbow, Conn., is now the pastor.

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN SOUTHWICK

dates its organization from 1816, when its membership num- bered but 6 persons, under the charge of Rev. David Miller. It was at that time, and for several years thereafter, attached to the New York Conference. The society had no regular preaching, nor did it own a church building until 1825, when it came into possession of the edifice erected by certain Con- gregationalists at Gillet's Corners in 1824. These latter, at the time of the removal of the Congregational Church to Southwick village (after the burning of the old building in 1824), were dissatisfied with the change,-themselves living in the southern section,-and, withdrawing from the society, built a church of their own at Gillet's Corners. Failing to prosper, they dissolved within a year, and, as related, relin- quished the structure to the Methodists.

The Methodist Church is in charge of Rev. E. C. Hitchcock, and has a membership of about 60. Among the early preachers of this church were Billy Hibbard, Smith Dayton, Coles Carpenter, T. Clark, Julius Field, Robert Serey, An- drew McCain, and a long list of others, as many as three preachers frequently serving in one year. In 1842 the church was made a regular station, and after that date the change of preachers was about yearly.

SCHOOLS.

The first mention made in the records of public action upon educational matters was under date of 1775, when £15 were raised for schooling, and when it was voted "to set out the districts of schooling." In 1777, £25 were raised for school- ing; in 1778 the appropriation was increased to £36, and in 1779 to £80. In 1780 the amount called for was £1000, owing, of course, to the depreciation of the currency. Sixteen pounds (in silver doubtless) were appropriated in 1781, when the town was divided into five school districts. Where the first school- house was located, or who was the first school-teacher, are questions which neither tradition nor the records are able to answer. The school interests of the town are now and have for some time been in a highly prosperous condition. There are nine school districts and ten schools, including the Dick- inson Grammar School at Southwick village. The expendi- tures for schools in 1877 reached $2335.35, of which, however, the town was called upon to appropriate _at $1000, while $937 of the remainder was the income of the Dickinson school fund, bequeathed to the town many years ago by Richard Dickin- son, and now amounting to about $16,000. Half the income from this fund is devoted to the support of the Dickinson Grammar School, which is free to all the inhabitants of the

* Mr. Clinton removed to Lowville, Lewis Co, N. Y., where he was principal of the Lowville Academy, and for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He was a gentleman of the old regime, and wore the costume of the Revolution until his death, which took place ahont 1840.

Before his removal from Southwick he lost all his children except one daugh- ter, Maria, who married Ela Collins, of Lowville, a distinguished lawyer, who held the offices of district attorney, delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1821, and member of Congress. Mr. Clinton's son, Isaac Clinton Collins, was a prominent lawyer of Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated at Yale College, and was a judge of one of the courts. Another son, Frank Collins, was a gra luate of West Point, and served as lientenant in the 4th U. S. Artillery during the Mexi- ean war, and was wounded at Chepultepec. A third son, William Collins, who recently died at Cleveland, Ohio, was a prominent lawyer and a member of Congress.

1092

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

town. The average attendance at all the schools during 1877 was 164; the number of children in the town between the ages of five and fifteen, 203.

Among the graduates at American colleges, originating in Southwick, may be named Roger S. Moore, Thaddeus Foote, Joseph Foote, Francis Granger.

BURIAL-PLACES.

The only public grave-yard of the town is found about one mile south of Southwick village, and contains, besides many ancient gravestones, numerous handsome modern monuments. Among those of the early settlers whose graves are in this eity of the dead may be mentioned the following :

Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hongh, 1770; Abigail, daughter of Thomas Smith, 1773; Stephen Rowell, 1778; three sons, of Martin Holcomb, 1786; Aaron Granger, 1777; Phineas Perkins, Jr., 1786; Rhoda, daughter of Abner Fowler, 1780; Mary, wife of Moses Root, 1777 ; Anna, wife of Juhu Root, 1785, aged 77; Lionel, son of Noah Loomis, 1777; Rhoda, wife of John Cardell, 1798; John, Jr., son of John Cardell, 1797; Irana, daughter of William Miller, 1783; George Granger, 1796, aged 95; Lucy, his wife, 1795; Alvin, son of Ziba Cannou, 1795 ; Horace, son of James Smith, 1789; Ephraim, son of the same, 1787; Deacon Isaac Gillet, 1784; Rev. Abel Forward, 1786; Keturah, his wife, 1776; Deborah, wife of Nathaniel Man, 1787; Chauncey, son of Rufus Adanis, 1797; Shadrach Moore, 179%, aged 83; Miriam, wife of Thomas Stevens, 1790, aged 92; Jesse, son of Shadrach Moore, 1777; Lovice, wife of Shadrach Moore, 1796; Eunice, wife of Thomas Campbell, 1789; Robert Campbell, 1776; Capt. Noab Loomis, 1808, aged 84; Rhoda, his wife, 1806, aged 81 ; Gordon Root, 1804, aged 70; Ephraim Adams, 1805, aged 80; Capt, Isaac Gillett, 1804; Ezra Kent, 1811, aged 86; Elizabeth, his wife, 1803, aged 72; Noah Bartlett, 1803, aged 74; Chauncey French, 1808; John Judson, 1809, aged 68; Abigail, his wife, 1803; Lucy, wife of Matthew Laflin, 1805, aged 63; Solomon Stevens, 1807, aged 82.

INDUSTRIES.

The agricultural pursuits of the town, although limited, far exceed in valne the product of manufactures. The cultivation of tobacco has, until recently, largely engaged the attention of the husbandman; but that branch of industry having grown John T. Knox, 34th Mass. James Snow, 34th Mass. William Johnson, 34th Mass. Geo. W. Brown, 34th Mass. Henry H. Saunders, 34th Mass. R. S. Stillman, 34th Mass. Arthur J. Cushman, 34th Mass. D. M. Day, 34th Mass. Henry M. Field, 34th Mass. Alfred Dibble, 34th Mass. Elijah Meecham, 34th Mass. Ward Vining, 27th Mass. Malachi Horner, 27th Mass. Calvin C. Gillett, 27th Mass. Marcus J. Whitney, 27th Mass. Marble H. Hunt, 27th Mass. . Lyman Barton, 25th Coun. Marshal H. Barton, 10th Conn. James Stiles, 11th Conn. Michael Kavanaugh, 27th Mass. Wells Aldrich, 21st Mass. Alonzo Weatherbee, 21st Mass. Calvin Fuller, 21st Mass. Jerry Pixley, 27th Mass. Frank llolcomb, 27th Mass. Chauncey Holcomb, 27th Mase. Alfred Holcomb, 27th Mass. Alden Fowler, 27th Mass. George Welcome, 27th Mass. Geo. I. Stevens, 19th Mass. R. H. Moore, 4th Cuv. Newell Rockwood, 15th Conn. H. P. Cornwall. Andrew Bush, 31st Mass. Israel Fox, 3Ist Masş. Edwin Granger, 46th Mass. Julins Granger, U. S. N. Henry Gillett, 16th Conn. Byron J. Fowler, U. S. N.

unremunerative, stoek-raising is rapidly becoming an impor- tant feature in connection with agricultural interests. Grain, potatoes, etc., are produced, but not in quantities beyond the needs of home consumption, many farmers being, indeed, forced to purchase grain annually for their stock. As a rule, however, the farmers are thrifty and comfortably situated.

Excellent water-power is obtainable from Congamuck Pond, in the southeast, but it is utilized only to operate a powder- mill and a grist-mill. The former, which dates its creation back to the year 1800, is now, as it has been for thirty years or more, managed in the interest of the Zeron Rockwell es- tate. It employs the services of four people, and produces annually about $20,000 worth of blasting-powder, to the man- ufaeture of which it is exclusively devoted. There are also several small eigar-manufactories, the chief of which, employ- ing ten men, is conducted by Charles F. Gillet, at the village of Gillet's Corners. The total assessed value of the town, in 1878, was $596,407. The total tax thereon-State, county, and township-was $6304.68, or at the rate of 93 mills on the dol- lar. There are in the town 145 farms, containing 17,661 acres, of which less than one-half are improved. The dwelling- houses in the town number 263.

The value of agricultural and domestic productions in 1875 was $227,956, and of manufactures, $40,308. The town debt amounted, March 20, 1878, to $7069.

SOCIETIES.

The only secret society is SOUTHWICK GRANGE, No. 46, organized in 1874, and numbering 60 members.

SOUTHWICK'S WAR RECORD.

Southwick's citizens served in the war of the Rebellion, as follows :

Win. H. Chamberlain, 2d Art. James L. Stone, Ist Art. Irwin Caso, Glst Mass.

Michael Horrigan, 271h Mass.

Thomas Rooney, 21 Cav.

James Gillett, 12th Conn. Jolin Canney, 3d Ohio.

John Reynolds, 2d Cav. Edward Easton, 46th Mass.

Monroe Holcomb, 4th Conn. Hubert Boyington, 10th Mass.

George Fowler, 46th Mass. Benjamin Grauger, 46th Mass.

John M. Phelan, 18th Muss. Lyman Allen, 46th Mass. Albert Barton, 46th Mass. B. Buyington, 46th Mass. R. V. Cooley, 46th Mass. Dexter Cooley, 46th Mass.

Elwin Granger, 46th Mass. Wm. II. Hamilton, 46th Mass. Lorenzo A. Loomis, 46th Mass, Ilomer Noble, 46th Mass.

Amos Rising, 46th Mass. Jonah Stiles, 46th Mass.

James Beard, 16th Mass.

Charles Talmage, 25th Conn.

Ora B. Gaines, 46th Mass. Christopher Kerns, 46th Mass.

Henry Smith, 2d Cav. William Roberts, 2d Cav.

Lathrop Lee, 46th Mass. Mathew Parks, 46th Mass.

John Doyle, 2d Cav. William Johnson, 34th Mass.

Edwin Stevens.

11. E. Cornwall.

George Baker. Eli Carter.

Chas. E. Booth, 61st Mass.

John Allen, 21 Cav. Robert Conglilin, 1st Cav. Bennet Aldrich, 27th Mass.

Horace Williams, Jr. George W. Abbe, 2d Art.

John Kilkelly, 2d Art.

James Aldrich, GIst Mass. Cary B. Allard, 61st Mass. Geo. N. Hill, 61st Mass. William Wallace, 17th Mass.

Peter Wilson, 27th Mass.

Saxton S. Barton, 61st Muss. Wm. F. Brier, 2d Art. Ilorace W. Kimball, Ist Cav. William Grven, 2d Art.

Allen Soper, 17th Mass.

John Peit, Ist Cav.

Richard Schlinke, 2d Cav.

Arthur Horrigan, Ist Cav. Timothy Malone, 27th Mass. Judson Rock wood, 4th Conn. James Webb, Ohio. M. II. Barton, 10th Mass.

Wallace Cary, 4Gtl Mass. Burt C. Drake, 46th Mass.

Edwin Shurtleff, 46th Mass. George Welcome, Jr., 46th Mass.

Charles Williams, 46th Mass. S. W. Parker, 46th Mass.

William Mason, 2d Cav.

MONTGOMERY.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

MONTGOMERY, one of the smallest towns in Hampden, in respect both to size and population, occupies an area of 8657 acres in that mountainous tract which lies in the north western portion of the county, where the Ilampden Hills tower in their majestie beauty. Its boundaries are, Iluntington in Hampshire County on the north, Westfield and Russell on the south, Southampton and Westfield on the east, and Russell and Huntington on the west.

The railway station nearest to Montgomery is the one at Russell village, about four miles from Montgomery Centre.

NATURAL FEATURES.

As already remarked, the surface of the town is inter- spersed with towering hills, among which Mount Tekoa and Mount Shatteraek are the most conspicuous. Tekoa, which from the southeastern border overlooks Westfield, is a noble eminence, much frequented by tourists, by reason of the mag- nificent view of the surrounding country to be obtained from its summit. Minerals abound in the rock-crowned hills, but neither in value nor quantity invite the attention of the cap- italist. Rich woodlands cover the surface in profusion, and Jend a varied and pleasing aspect to the natural beauty of the region. There are several useful mill-streams, such as Moose Meadow, Shatteraek, Bear-Den, and Roaring Brook, but no large water-courses. In the southeast, the town of Westfield has constructed a reservoir covering an area of 36 acres, and thenee obtains an abundant supply of pure water.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

A portion of the tract now occupied by Montgomery was originally included in that part of the town of Westfield known as " The New Addition." The exact date of the ear- liest settlements in this quarter cannot be ascertained, but it is known that settlers located there as early as 1767, for in that year Ephraim Avery removed thither with his family and built the first frame house seen in that seetion. It still stands, on the road between Montgomery and Westfield, and, although unoccupied, is in a state of fair preservation.

There were other settlers contemporaneous with Avery, but of course they were few in number. The names of the pio- neers, as well as reference to their descendants, will be found in the following history :

Ephraim Avery, as already noted, settled in 1767. His sons were William, Abel, Samuel, Rainsford, and Ephraim, Jr., besides two daughters. These sons died some years ago, but three of old Ephraim's grandsons are still living,-Elisha and George in Montgomery, on the old farm, and Henry in West- field.

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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 175

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