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 176
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Capt. Sylvester Squier had several sons, who are now dead. William and James, two of his grandsons, now live in Mont- gomery. Four of his granddaughters are still alive,-Mrs. Ives, of Williamsburg; Mrs. Macomber, of Conway, Mrs. Hannum, of Westfield; and Mrs. Lewis T. Allyn, of Mont- gomery.
Oliver Clark is said to have settled here in 1766 or 1767. He had a family of sons and daughters. Ilis sons were Oliver, James, Hawley, Simon, Pharez, Elijah, and Elisha. His daughters were Ruth and Olive. Oliver, Jr., had five sons-Nelson, Hawley, Elisha, Flavius, and Almon-and
three daughters. Of these latter, Mrs. Williams died in Montgomery, while two-Mrs. Lathrop, of Westfield, and Mrs. Robert Emmons, of Hartland, Conn .- survive. Of the sons of Oliver, Jr., but two-Flavius and Elisha-are living. Flavius lives in Norwalk, Conn. Elisha resides in Mont- gomery, at the age of seventy, and is one of the wealthiest farmers in the town.
David Allyn raised a large family of seven sons and six daughters. The seven sons were Jabez, David, Josepb, T. Ansel, James, Albert, and Albro, all of whom are dead. Of the daughters, Phoebe and Lydia died early. Mrs. Miner, of Springfield, another daughter, died some years ago. The other three are now living,-Mrs. Ransom Clark and Mrs. Elisha Clark, in Montgomery, and Mrs. Tiffin, in Green- wich, Mass.
Daniel Barrett, like David Allyn, was the parent of thirteen children, likewise seven sons and six daughters. None of his descendants are living in Montgomery. Three of his sons, Moses, Samuel, and Benjamin, died some years ago. The four living ones are Daniel, Marens, and Lysander, some- where in Pennsylvania, and Elisha, aged eighty-nine, in Illinois, where he is a minister of the gospel. Two daughters married two brothers named Root, removed to New York State, and died there. Amarillus married a Mr. Young, and lives in Virginia. Rubanna married a brother of the Young above named, and went to Virginia, where she died. Rebecca died in Westfield, as Mrs. Nathaniel Barnes. Joanna married David Allyn, and died in Holyoke.
Aaron Parks was noted as the man who had three wives. He had two sons, Moses and Orrin. Orrin died in Westfield ; Moses in Williamsburg, Mass. Orrin had two sons, Elisha and Orrin, Jr., both of whom are dead. Ilis two daughters still live,-Mrs. Dr. Bartholemew, of West Springfield, and Mrs. Anderson Allyn, of Holyoke. Moses boasted nine chil- dren,-seven sons and two daughters. Three-Aaron, Moses, Jr., and Lafayette-are dead. Lewis and William live in Ohio, Dexter in Ohio, and Oscar in Williamsburg, Mass. Caroline, one of the daughters, died early. The other is Mrs. Nathan Hutchinson, of Twinsburg, Ohio. Old Aaron had also four daughters, but they are all dead. Mrs. Guy Moore and Mrs. Nathan Chapman died in Montgomery, Mrs. Elias Carter in New York, and Mrs. Caleb Nichols in Twinsburg, Olio.
John Kagwin left two sons and four daughters. Amos, the elder son, had two sons and four danghters. His sons were Berijah and John, both dead, and buried in Montgomery. John had no children. Berijah, Jr., now living in Holyoke, is a son of the Berijah above named. Of Amos' four daugh- ters all are living,-Mrs. Clark Pomeroy, in Iluntington ; Mrs. Chester Pomeroy, in New York; Mrs. Elijah Ensign, in Westfield ; and Mrs. George Beach, in Huntington. Of old John's four daughters, Sally married a Mr. Hotchkiss, and died in Montgomery ; Polly married Rainsford Avery, and died in Montgomery ; Susanna married Ebenezer Tillotson, and died at Windsor Locks, Conn. ; Merey married Hirani Cummings, and died in New York, near Utica. Elisha, old John Kagwin's second son, had a son, Elijah, who died in New York, and a daughter, Sarah, who died in Westfield. Neither ever married.
Allen Pettis, a son of Abial Pettis, a pioneer, still resides
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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
in Montgomery, at the age of eighty. Of Allen's sons, Elisha and John live in Springfield ; Edward lives in Montgomery ; Henry is dead ; and Austin lives in Easthampton. His liv- ing daughters are Mrs. Atwater Moore, Mrs. Horatio Axtel, and Mrs. Horace Moore, of Montgomery, and Mrs. Watson Root and Mrs. Joseph Arthur, of Westfield. Allen had two brothers. Abial, Jr., died in Montgomery without issue. Philander died in the West. Allen's sister, Anna, married Richard Avery, and died in Southampton. His sister Polly married Joshua Brandt, and is still living in New York.
Joel Moore had for sons, Joel, Jr., Guy, and Dorus, all now dead. Joel, Jr.'s sons were Frederick, Milton, Trum- bull, Zadeck, and Omer. His daughters were Eunice and Charlotte. Guy's sons were Aaron, now living in Covington, Mass. ; Warren, Wareham, Hiram, and Horace, all dead ; Apollos, living in Montgomery, and Julius, living in West Stockbridge. Of Guy's daughters, Hannah and Ziporah died early in life. The third one, Amanda, is Mrs. William Squier, of Montgomery. Dorus, the third son of Joel, Sr., died a bachelor. The elder Joel's only daughter, Phoebe, married Oliver Clark, father of Elisha Clark, of Montgomery. Mar- cus, a son of Warren and grandson of Guy Moore, lives in Springfield. Mareus' brother, William, lives in Granville, Mass.
NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS.
Montgomery was incorporated in 1780, during the stormiest days of the Revolution, and one of the first public measures was one looking to the enlistment of men for the army. A bounty of Ss. per man was offered, and as to wages they were to be £4 for the first month, and £3 5s. for each month there- after.
The patriotic impulses of the town ran high and strong throughout the struggle, and the energetic efforts put forth on behalf of the common cause are recorded in the volumes which contain the proceedings of town-meetings from 1780 to the close of the war.
In 1783, after the struggle was ended, it was resolved "to concur with the town of Boston respecting the return of refugees and traitors into this or any other of the United States, as we judge such measures conducive to the safety, interest, and quiet of these States."
As an evidence that the cost of subsistence in 1700 was not extremely high, it may be observed that in the summer of that year Mr. Zadock Bosworth, a citizen of Montgomery, " victualled and attended" the Rev. John Ballentine eael Sabbath in which that divine visited the town to preach, and for that service Mr. Bosworth charged but Is. per day. Although patriotic in the Revolution, Montgomery did not take kindly to the renewal of hostilities in 1812, and sent Ed- ward Taylor as a delegate to the Northampton anti-war con- vention in that year.
A sensational incident in the history of the town came to light in January, 1879, when Mrs. Louisa Avery was arrested upon the charge of murder, in having caused, it was alleged, the death of Mrs. Betsey Wright, an aged town pauper, whom Mrs. Avery undertook to support at town expense, and whom -so the story ran-she whipped to death in a fit of rage.
ORGANIZATION.
Montgomery was incorporated as a town Nov. 28, 1780, and was named in honor of General Richard Montgomery, who fell at Quebec in 1775.
The tract thus incorporated was originally a portion of that part of the town of Westfield known as " The New Addition," which was valued as a place abounding in excellent building- stone, and for that reason alone was sought by the inhabitants of Westfield as an addition to the original grant. The act of incorporation was passed by the General Court in response to a petition urged by the settlers in that part of Westfield, who deemed themselves inconveniently situated.
In 1792 small portions of the towns of Norwich and South- ampton, now in Hampshire County, were added, and as thus made up the town has remained to this day.
The first town-meeting for the election of officers was held at the house of Zadock Bosworth, Dec. 14, 1780. Between that year and the present (1879) the following persons have served the town as seleetmen and town clerks :
SELECTMEN.
1780,-Oliver Clark, Abial Squier, Elijah Pitcher. 1781 .- Abial Squier, Elijah Pitcher, John French.
1782 .- Abial Squier, Jacob Fellows, Nathaniel Wattles.
1783 .- Aaron l'arks, Sylvester Squier, Daniel Barret.
1784 .- Richard Falley, Sylvester Squier, Aaron Parks.
1785,-Isaac Wibarn, Daniel Barret, Amos Maynard.
1786 .- Jacob Andrus, Martin Root, Trueman Mallory.
1787 .- Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Amos Maynard. 1788,-Aaron Parks, Noble Squier, David Crow.
1789 .- Isaac Palmer, Jr., Noble Squier, James Clark.
1790 .- Franc Palmer, Jr., Amos Maynard, Samuel Wright, Jr.
1701 .- Isaac Chapman, Abner Rien, Jr., Noble Squier. 1792 .- Daniel Barret, Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks.
1793 .- Jonathan Herrick, Noble Squier, Gardner Squier.
1794 .- Edward Taylor, Daniel Barret, Amos Maynard. 1795,-Edward Taylor, Sylvester Squier, Levi Adams. 1796,-Sylvester Squier, Isaac Chapman, Martin Root. 1797 .- Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks, Levi Adams. 1798 .- Edward Taylor, Amos Maynard, Daniel Barret. 1799,-Aaron Parks, Elisha Hutchinson, Sylvester Squier. 1800 .- Sylvester Squier, Zadock Bosworth, Daniel Barret. 1501 .- Aaron Parks, Amos Maynard, Daniel Barret. I>02-3 .- Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks, Daniel Barret. 1804 .- Aaron Parks, Richard Falley, Sylvester Squier. 1×05 .- Samuel Avery, Richard Valley, Sylvester Squier. 1806-8 .- Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, Samuel Avery. 1809,-Aaron Parks, Sylvester Squier, David R. Cooley. 1810-11 .- Aaron Parks, Sylvester Sqnier, James Wright. 1812 .- Aaron Parks, Jos. Green, James L. Adair. 1813 .- Aaron, l'arks, Trueman Mallory, Abner Chapman. 1814 .- Elward Taylor, Muses Hatch, David Crowley. 1815-17 .- Edward Taylor, Aaron Parks, Moses Hatch. 1818 .- Moses Hatch, Aaron Parks, Gamaliel King. IN9 .- Edward Taylor, John Crow, Orrin Parks. 1820 .- Wni. (row, Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks. 1821 .- Edward Taylor, Oriiu Parks, Pliny Moore. 1822 .- Moses Parks, Flavins Moore, Wm. Crow. 1823 .- Edward Taylor, Pliny Moore, Orrin Parks.
1824 .- Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John Crow. 1825-26 .- Moses Parks, Jolin Crow, Orrin Parks, 1827-28 .- Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, Lucins Wright. 1829 .- Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin Parks. 1830-31 .- Orrin Parks, John Crow, Ransom Clark. 1832 .- Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Orrin Parks, 1833 .- Edward Taylor, Moses Parks, Wm. Squier. 1834-Orrin Parks, Win. Sqnier, John Camp. 1835 .- Edward Taylor, Orrin Parks, John Camp. 1836 .- Orrin Parks, Noah Sheldon, Elisha Avery. 1837-38 .- Orrin Parks, Ransom Clark, Nathan Hutchinson.
1839 .- Moses Parks, Elisha Avery, Wm. Squier.
1840 .- Oriin Parks, Wmn. Squier, Shehlon Brownson. 1841 .- Moses Parks, Noah Sheldon, Nathan Hutchinson.
1842 .- Orrin Parks, Isaac Brianson, Win. Squier. 1843 .- Ransom Clark, Wm. Squier, Elisha P. Parks.
1844 .- Ransom Clark, E. P. Parks, Norman Chapman.
1845 .- Ransom Clark, Sheldon Brownson, Edward Taylor. 1846-47 .- Elisha Avery, Wm. Sanier, Aaron P. Parks. 1848 .-- Amos W. Wheeler, Ransom Clark, Norman Chapman.
1849,-A. P. Parks, Ransom Clark, Hiram Bartholomew. 1850 .- Wm. Squier, Elisha P. Parks, N. P. Bartholomew. 1851 .- E. P. Parks, Holley Clark, N. P. Bartholomew. 1852 .- Edward M. Taylor, Aaron P. Parks, 8. Moore. 1853,-Wm. Squier, Isaac Brownsoon, Zenas Clark. 1854 .- Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyn, Nelson Clarke. 1855 .- Wm. Squier, L. T. Allyn, A. A. Moore. 1856 .- A. A. Moore, Nathan Hutchinson, B. H. Kagwin. 1857 .- Wm. Squier, Holley Clark, A. 1. Moore. 1858,-Aaron P. Parks, L. T. Allyn, Henry S. Stiles. 1859 .- Wm. Squier, Chelsea Upson, Francis W. Clark. 1860 .- A. A. Moore, John Hutchinson, Chelsea Upson. 1861 .- A. A. Moore, Henry S. Stiles, Horace F. Moore. 1862 .- Wm. Squier, A. P. Parks, Gilbert Squier. 1803 .- Wm. Squier, A. A. Moore, Orlando Waxtell. 1864 .- Edwin S. Snow, Horace F. Moore, R. W. Clark. 1865,-Aaron P. Parks, R. W. Clark, Horace F. Moore, 1866-67 .- A. A. Moore, H. K. Axtell, O. A. Moore. 1868 .- B. W. Clark, Wm. Squier, Lewis T. Allyn.
1868
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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
1869 .- R. W. Clark, II. S. Stiles, Chelsea Upson. 1870 .- R. W. Clark, II. S. Stiles, Ransom E. Clark. 1871 .- E. W. Pettis, R. W. Clark, Ranson) E. Clark. 1×72 .- R. E. Clark, H. S. Stiles, Wm. H. Avery. 1873 .- R. E. Clark, L. T. Allyn, Ezra Wright. 1874-75 .- R. E. Clark, H. S. Stiles, Chelsea U'pson. 1876 .- L. T. Allyn, F. W. Clark, A. A. Moore. 1877 .- R. W. Clark, II. S, Stiles, G. L. Moore. 1878 .- L. T. Allyn, F. W. Clark, H. F. Moore.
TOWN CLERKS.
Stephen Hurlbut, 1780-83; Daniel Barret, 1783-97; Jesse Searle, 1798; Daniel Barret, 1799-1>05; James Wright, 1805-9; James L. Adair, 1809-16; Elisha Chapman, 1816-19; Moses Hatch, 1819-21; Orrin Parks, 1821; Samnel Barret, 1:22-24; Ortin Parks, 1824-53; N. S. Moore, 1853-58; Wm. Squier, 1>58-60; Aaron P. Parks, 1860-63; L. T. Allyn, 1663: Horace Bartholomew, 1864; Aaron P. Parks, 1865-68; L. T. Allyn, 1868-72; A. A. Moore, 1872-79.
VILLAGES.
There is near the centre of the town a small collection of dwellings, and there also are two churches, the town-hall, and a post-office. There is, however, neither a store nor a hotel in the town, and the small settlement at the centre, although vaguely referred to by the townspeople as the centre, is the nearest approach to a village to be found in Montgomery. Marketing is mainly done at Westfield, at the sacrifice some- times of convenience, but as the town is too thinly populated to support a store the situation is philosophieally borne. The traveler, therefore, through Montgomery misses the familiar sight of a rural village, but contents himself with an unbroken view of expansive farms and neat farm-houses, which are, as a rule, tasteful in their appointments, and set amid picturesque surroundings.
CHURCHIES.
Directly after the incorporation of the town, in November, 1780, the question of providing for public religious worship was earnestly discussed, and in December of that year an appropriation of £6 was made " to promote preaching in this town." It is probable that preaching was procured without delay, and that services were held on occasional Sabbaths in dwellings, and such places as were available. In 1783 the town directed a committee to make a contract with Rev. John Ballentine to preach twenty Sabbaths at $2 cach Sab- bath. Who Mr. Ballentine was, or where he resided, can- not now be told, since the records dealing with his ininis- terial engagement in Montgomery recite no more touching him than is above given. Rev. John Ballentine, who was the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Westfield from 1741 to 1776, died in the latter year, but it may have been one of his sons who preached for the people of Montgomery. Mr. Ballentine probably preached occasionally previous to the time of making the contract alluded to, and as there is no evi- dence to the contrary, it is safe to assume that he preached through the twenty stipulated Sabbaths.
From this date (1783) the ceclesiastical history of the town is a blank (as far as the town records deal with the subject) until January, 1788, when the town for the first time dis- cussed the advisability of erecting a house of worship. Up to that period, the people seem to have been content to worship here and there, as they could secure a place.
It was, as related, resolved to build a meeting-house "as near the centre of the town as possible," and the committee appointed to fix the location reported that they had chosen a spot "on the hill near Trueman Mallory's." Over this re- port, however, arose a strong discussion and violent opposi- tion. Some wanted the church located in one place, others wanted it located somewhere else, and the result was that half a dozen different factions were clamoring to have the church built upon half a dozen different spots. As time passed the conflicting elements grew more inharmonious, and nothing could be done about building the church, because no agreement could be reached touching the place where it should stand. Thus for nine years, or until 1797, the fruitless
controversy was carried on, when, the dispute wearing itself out, a church was built in the centre of the town, near where the church of the Second Adventists now stands.
Meanwhile, the business of providing religious instruction was by no means neglected; and it would appear from the best evidence obtainable that Rev. John Ballentine preached at least every summer, while it is not clear that much preach- ing, if any, was enjoyed by the people in the winter season,- presumably because of the uncertainty of communication, during the months of snow, between hilly Montgomery and the valley towns. As an evidence, however, that some other preacher divided the religious labors in the town with Mr. Ballentine, and as an evidence of the singularly liberal spirit in which the town conducted church matters, it may be ob- served that at a town-meeting in 1789 it was voted to select a committee for the obtaining of preaching, and that the com- mittee he instructed "to obtain a preacher of the standing order (Orthodox), and one of the Baptist persuasion, for al- ternate Sabbaths."
At the period of the erection of a Congregational church structure in 1797, a church society was organized with a mem- bership that included the names of but five men. Occasional preaching was provided until 1801, when Rev. Seth Noble, son of Thomas Noble, of Westfield, was ordained as the first pastor. Mr. Noble's pastorate continued until 1806, when he was dismissed. It is related of this divine that he was ex- ceedingly fond of the tune of " Bangor," and being once upon a time a preacher at what is now the city of Bangor, in Maine, he was charged by the people of that place to present to the General Court a petition for the incorporation of the territory into a town, with the name of Surfield. He erased the name Surfield in the petition, and, substituting that of Bangor, ob- tained the passage of the act, and so perpetuated the name of his favorite tune, although, it may be supposed, his patrons must have been both astonished and indignant at the result. Following Mr. Noble, the pastors were Revs. John H. Fowler, Solomon W. Edson, and Caleb Knight,-the latter retiring in 1839. The church was at no time very prosperous, and dur- ing the period of thirty-three years, from Mr. Noble's dismis- sion in 1806 to Mr. Knight's retirement in 1839, the regular pastors were but three in number, and their combined term of service but fourteen years, so it will be seen that for nineteen of the thirty-three years the church was without a settled pas- tor. In 1839 the church membership had declined to 24, and it was only with aid received from the Home Missionary Society that preaching could be hired for even half the time. Matters improved after a while, the membership increased, and in 1848 a new church building replaced the old one, which had stood since 1797. For some reason this new era of prosperity which promised so well failed to fulfill its prom- ises, and after a precarious existence of twenty years more the church and society passed out of existence. The church building is now (1879) used by the Second Adventists, who hold occasional services therein.
A METHODIST CHURCH
was erected in 1849 at the town centre, opposite the First Church, and since that date religious services bave been held each year during the summer and autumn months, no attempt being made to have worship in the winter seasons. Preaching was supplied in the autumn of 1878 by Rev. S. Coles, pastor of the Methodist Church at Russell.
SCHOOLS.
Educational interests ean scarcely be said to have flourished in the early days of Montgomery. The subject appears to have received no attention whatever until 1782,-two years after the incorporation,-and then only to show that public sentiment inclined to the belief that the promotion of public education must be deferred to a more convenient season, for the question of providing a school for the youth of the town
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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
coming up for consideration, it was voted that " no money be raised for the encouragement of a sehool." This spirit continued to prevail until 1786, when, the attention of the General Court being directed to the matter, the town was cited to appear at court and show cause why a school had not been kept during the previous year. After this a new departure was instituted and schools were set up, to the grati- fication of the young and rising generation. There are at present (1879) five school districts, in each of which there is a flourishing school.
BURIAL-PLACES.
The burying-ground first laid out in the town is the one at the centre of the town, near the ehurehes. It is a neatly-kept inclosure, but contains no headstones of very early date. Many of the earliest graves had no monuments, while others that were marked by tablets have been robbed by the ruthless hand of time. The oldest inscriptions traceable are the fol- lowing :
Lncy Hatch, 1799 ; ILoratio Crow, 1805; Lydia Crow, 1807; David Crow, 1817; ITuldah Crow, 1809; Joel Moor, 1822; Elisha Hutchinson, 1819; Susanna Her- rick, 1820; Achsah Chapin, 1823.
Many old graves are found in family burying-grounds, of which the town contains several.
INDUSTRIES.
Montgomery is a strietly agricultural town, and it is upon the fruits of the soil that its inhabitants depend exclusively for support. Much valuable timber, such as oak, walnut, chestnut, beech, birch, maple, and hemlock, is found upon the woodlands, and furnishes ample supply for a brisk manu- facture of lumber for both home demand and shipment to other points. The raising of stock and the production of butter and cheese may be regarded as the principal indus- trial interests, the growing of grain and other agricultural products receives some attention, but the yield does not extend beyond the limits of loeal consumption. There are 65 farms in the town, and among them are some upon which tobacco is successfully cultivated in a small way, while all of them are rich grazing-grounds.
The assessed value of the town in 1878 was $160,000, on which the tax was $2333 (for State, county, and town), or a rate of $14.56 per $1000. The value of agricultural and do- mestie products in 1875 was $54,331 ; that of mannfactures, $3643.
WAR RECORD.
Montgomery furnished 25 men for service in the war of the Rebellion, as follows :
Andrew Gorham, 27th Mass. Erskine Waite, 27th Mass. George Kelso, 27th MA88. John A Gorham, 46th Mass. Joseph Sheldon, 46th Mass. Daniel A. Moore, 46th Mass. Elihu Lloyd, 46th Mass. Henry Pettis, 46th Mass. HIenry Whitman, 34th Mass.
Charles Whitman, 46th Mass. ITenry Brant, 27th Mass. Gibson Avery, 46th Mass. William Howes, 31st Mass.
Alfred Howes, 8th Conn. Fitzhugh Hoag, 46th Mass.
Timothy Hoag, 37th Mass. Edward Pettis, 8th Coun.
Almon H. Clark, 31 st Mass. Ilenry O. Clark, 34th Mass.
Chas, N. Clark, 37th Mass. Anson D. Clapp, Sth Conn. Chas. C. Barnes, 34th Mass. Asa Barnes, 3Ist Mass. James Baker, 27th Mass. Charles Ballon, 27th Mass.
RUSSELL.
GEOGRAPHICAL.
RUSSELL, one of the smaller towns of Hampden County, is about 115 miles distant from Boston, and is traversed by the Westfield River and the Boston and Albany Railroad, the latter touching the town at Russell village. Its boundaries are Montgomery on the north, Granville on the south, West- field on the east, and Blandford on the west. Ilills and val- leys dot its surface, and numerous streams coursing down its hill-sides furnish water-power for several manufactories.
The area of the town is about 8430 aeres, of which a con- siderable portion is woodland.
NATURAL FEATURES.
The Agawam River, a shallow stream, winds its murmur- ing way through the town, and adds much to the pietur- esque beauty of the region. The country bereabout is elevated and mountainous, but quite attractive to the tourist and student of rugged nature in the mild seasons of the year. During the summer great numbers of people visit Russell to enjoy healthful rambles over the hills, and to view the in- viting pictures which Nature has here seattered with a lavish hand. Timber is abundant, and includes chestnut, beech, birch, oak, maple, hickory, etc. Minerals are plentiful ; specimens of serpentine, schiller-spar, beryl, galena, and copper pyrites are found. The black serpentine rock on Little Tekoa was extensively quarried some years ago, but latterly has not been utilized. There is in the centre of the town, on the mountain-top, a pretty sheet of water, earlier known as Hazard Pond, but now called Russell Pond. It is bounti- fully stocked with fish, including salmon and bass, which
have been propagated here by artificial means by an ineor- porated association, which controls the fishing privileges of the pond.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The history of Russell dates from a comparatively recent period. It was originally a portion of Westfield, and consti- tuted a part of that tract called the "New Addition." In 1782, Russell was set off from Westfield, and ineorporated February 29th of that year. Among the earliest settlers were two brothers named Barber and a Mr. Gray, who lived on what was called Glasgow Mountain. These three men are supposed to have been the first settlers. After them came Isaac Palmer, John Mallory, Levi Bishop, Elias Parks, Isaac Bronson, Ozias Finney, John Hawley, Abraham Bradley, Titus Doolittle, Doetor Stebbins, Thos. Field, Daniel and Andrew Mallory, Samuel Williams, Jacob Loomis, Robert Hazard, Newman Bishop, Abel Tuttle, Benjamin Todd, Stephen Hughes, Benjamin Atwater, Silas Noble, Richard Russell, Joel Atwater, Samuel Chapman, Jesse Newton, and Seth Gridley.
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