History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 179

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 179

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1853 .- William A. Webber, Nehemiah Underwood, Roswell A. Blodgett. 1854 .- William A, Webber, Nehemiah Underwood, Uriah P. Marcy. 1855 .- Alvin Goodell, Eleazer Moore, George L. Webber. 1856-57 .- William A. Webber, Warren A. Wallis, Clement B. Drake. 1858,-William A. Webber, IFarrison Allen, William H. Harris. 1859 .- Warren A. Wallis, George L. Webber, Eleazer Moore. 1860 .- Ferdinand L. Burley, Clement B. Drake, William 11. Harris. ISG1 .- Ferdinand L. Burley, William A. Webber, Warren A. Wallis. 1862 .- Ferdinand L. Burley, G. L. Webber, W. A. Wallis. 1863 .- William A. Webber, Horace Wallis, R. A. Blodgett. 1864 .- Ferdinand L. Burley, Uriah P. Marcy, J. Ballard. 1865 .- William A. Webber, C. B. Drake, J. A. Webber. 1866-70 .- William A. Webber, C. B. Drake, U. P. Marcy.

1871-72 .- F. B. Blodgett, H. Allen, U. P. Marcy. 1873 .- C. B. Drake, F. B. Drake, William S. Wallis.

1874 .- William A Webber, F. B. Blodgett, R. A. Blodgett.

1875 .- William A. Webber, F. B. Blodgett, William S. Wallis.

1876,-Uriah P. Marcy, F. B. Blodgett, Frank Wight.

1877-78,-William A. Webber, F. B. Blodgett, Henry Vinton.

TOWN CLERKS.

1783-86, Eliphalet Janes: 1786-89, Wm. Belknap; 1789, David Wallis; 1790- 94, Wm. Belknap; 1794-98, Asa Dana : 1798-1803, Jonathan Ballard; 1803, David Wallis; 1804-9, Ezra Webber; 1809, Jantes A. Lyon; IsIO, Ezra Webber ; 1811-13, James A. Lynn; 1814, Reuben Stevens; 1815-19, Freeland Wallis ; 1819-23, David B. Dean ; 1823, Luther Brown; 1824, David B. Dean; 1825-27, Freeland Wallis; 1828, John Wallis; 1829-33, Samuel Frizell ; 1833-36, Freeland Wallis; 1836, Elbridge G. Fuller; 1837, John Dixon; 1838-41, John Wallis; 1841-42, John Dixon ; 1842-46, Wni. A. Wallis ; 1846, Warren A. Wallis; 1847- 53, Wm. A. Robbins; 1853-55, Warren A. Wallis; 1855-62, Freeman B. Blod- gett : 1862-65, Francis Wight; 1865-73, Frank E. Kinney ; 1873, Freeman B. Blodgett ; 1874-79, Frank E. Kinney.

The representatives to the State Legislature for HIolland have been :

I. From Wales and Holland jointly,

1783, Nehemiah May ; 1798, Jobn Pulley; 1803, Rinaldo Webher; 1800, Jacob Thompson ; 1812, William Putnam; 1814-17, John Weaver; 1821, Samuel Web- ber ; 1826, Leonard M. Morris; 1829, Joun Wallis; 1832-34, Elbridge G. Fuller ; 1837, Lymian Gonld.

2. From Holland alone, *

1840, Horace Wallis; 1841, Willard Weld; 1846, Elbridge G. Fuller; 1852, Harris Cutler; 1853, William A. Webber.

3. From First Hampden District,

1862, William A. Robbins; 1870, George L. Webber.

VILLAGES.

The collection of houses in the northern part of Holland is the nearest approach to a village that the town contains, and yet this part is perhaps not more thiekly settled than some other portions. Here, however, are to be found the hotel, post-office, town-hall, and town clerk's office, the Congrega- tional meeting-house, the pound, and a blacksmith-shop

These, with two or three dwelling-houses, constitute the village.

The post-office is kept in the hotel, and the office of post- master has been filled for a number of years past by Frank E. Kinney, one of the proprietors of the hotel. It was probably established about 1813, for when David Marcy erected the hotel in that year he was appointed postmaster, and is believed to have been the first one. Mr. Marcy continued for two years, and was succeeded by John Webber, who still kept the office in the hotel. The office seems to have been filled in succession by the several proprietors of the hotel, for Elbridge G. Fuller, Baxter Wood, and Elisha Kinney have each in turn been postmaster. Mr. Fuller kept the office at his fac- tory. The Rev. Benjamin Ober was also postmaster for a time, and kept the office at the parsonage. The town has a tri-weekly mail.

The nearest railroad stations are Southbridge, nine miles distant, Warren and Stafford Springs, each eleven, and Palmer thirteen.

SCHOOLS.

One of the first matters which received attention from the District of Holland, after its creation, was that of schools. At the second regular meeting, held Sept. 8, 1783, a commit- tee of seven was appointed to divide the district into school districts. On the 22d of September four school districts were established, namely, the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest. On March 1, 1784, £20 were appropriated for schooling, and this sum continued to be raised for the same purpose at each annual meeting for a number of years. On April 7, 1786, a " prudential committee," consisting of one for each distriet, was appointed. On March 5, 1792, the ap- propriation for school purposes was increased to £26, and in the following year it was increased to £30. In the year 1794,

* So far as the town records show.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

the sum was still further increased to £40. On March 2, 1795, £110 was voted to build and repair school-houses, and a com- mittee was appointed to report upon the number of houses needed and the proper location for the same. In March, 1797, £56 was appropriated for school purposes, and in the follow- ing year 8500 was raised to build a school-house in the south- west district. On Jan. 27, 1800, the number of school districts was reduced from four to three,-the northeast, southeast, and southwest,-each district to have an equal proportion of the money annually raised. Soon after, two new school-houses were ordered built and the others repaired. In March, 1804, $200 was appropriated for schools, and that sum has since re- mained, with slight variation, the amount of the annual ap- propriation.

At the present time there are four regular district schools in the town, having in attendance about 80 scholars. The schools are reported to be in a satisfactory condition.

CHURCHES.

The principal religious organization in the east seetion of South Brimfield, now Holland, has always been the Congre- gational. As early as February, 1764, the records of South Brimfield, deposited at Wales, show that a vote was passed, that a committee "attempt to hire Mr. Ezra Reave on proba- tion, in order for settlement." Previous to Mr. Reeves the Rev. Mr. Conchelin had preached for the denomination for stated periods.

The first meeting-house in Holland was the old Central House, which stood on the west border of the town, near Rattlesnake Mountain, and has been referred to at length in the history of Wales. The next house stood nearer the centre of Holland, about thirty rods north of Mr. Lillie's. This was afterward removed to Connecticut. The house next used was erected about thirty rods east of the present one on the com- mon. The next was erected where the present one now stands, but was destroyed by fire in 1858. The same year the pres- ent one was built, and has since been in use. The society was long sustained by the corporate body of the district, and £60 annual salary was voted Mr. Reeves for a long time. On June 8, 1792, it was " voted that Col. Lyon have liberty to re- move the meeting-house to the plain, at a stake set up, and there finish it, on condition that he give to the district of HIol- land a sufficieney of land on the plain for all conveniences of roads, training-field, and other accommodations necessary for a meeting-house." On Jan. 14, 1794, it was voted that the " pulpit be colloured a good hansome pee-green, dun work- manlike in the course of next summer." Other votes of the district indicating the various changes made in the meeting- house, and its different removals, are to be found in the town records of Holland.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI* OF CHRIST IN HOLLAND was organized Sept. 12, 1765, at which time the confession of faith and covenant were read and signed by three members then present.

On the following day after the organization of the church the Rev. Ezra Reeves was installed over the church as its pas- tor. During his ministry of fifty-three years 158 names were entered upon the roll of its membership. We find no records of what churches composed the eouneil, or of what ministers took part in the installation services. So meagre are the records of the church during Rev. Mr. Reeves' ministry, almost nothing is furnished of the internal history, of its struggles, or the refreshings of the Spirit. Ilow many were dismissed to other churches, or how many died, or what was its mem- bership at his death, cannot be aseertained from the records, only a cross, indicating all removals, whether by letter or death. The following tribute of respect to his memory has been placed in the records of the church :

" The Rev. Ezra Reeves was born on Long Island, Jan. 27, 1734, graduated at Yale College, New Haven, entered the marriage stato on s'd Long Island, from whence he removed with his family to Ilolland, Mass., which was then con- nected with South Brimfield, & was installed over the chh & people of Holland, Sept. 13, 1765. Died Apr. 28, 1818, in the 85th year of his age.

" lle was a man of exemplary pety, of an humble spirit, contented in his Master's service, & covering not the Wealth, the honor, or applause of the world. Thongh of dignity of character, he was not raised above any one in his deport- ment, but was easy of approach and free to communicate, of a very social dis- position. Sometimes faretions, but never suffered himself to degrade his Ministerial character, or bring a stain on the Christian profession. lle pos- sesssed a great degree of christian charity, & was eminently a peace-maker. As a preacher, he was orthodox, & labored hard to impress the truths on the minds of his hearers. lle was a tender & affectionate parent, a well-wisher to precions & immortal souls. Ile sustained an unblemished character, so that his enemies were compelled to acknowledge he was a christian. Thus lived & died this worthy character.

" May we all endeavor to cherish his virtues & live the life of the righteous that our last end be like his."

Whole number of names upon the roll, from its organiza- tion to the present time, 380 ; present membership, 48; addi- tions the past year, 18; average attendance of Sabbath-school, 60; public worship, 80.

Pastors since the death of Rev. Ezra Reeves : Enoch Burt, from May 9, 1821, to March 5, 1823. During his pastorate Rev. Mr. Burt preached one-half of the time in South Brim- field. Rev. James Sanford was pastor from 1827 to 1843. During his ministry the church became self-supporting, but some of the prominent members leaving town so weakened the pecuniary ability of the church that Mr. Sanford, greatly to the regret of the people, resigned. Rev. Benj. Ober was pastor from December, 1847, to March, 1851. Rev. A. C. Page was pastor from Dec. 3, 1851, to April 12, 1854. Rev. H. R. Grannis supplied the church two years. Rev. Francis Wood was pastor six years, from March, 1856, to April, 1862. From July following Ogden Hall supplied two years. Mr. Alden Southworth was ordained May 3, 1865, after having labored one year with the church. Sermon by Rev. Charles Cham- berlin ; prayer by Rev. S. J. Curtiss. Dee. 9, 1868, D. J. Bliss was ordained pastor of the church. Sermon by Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, of Ware; ordaining prayer by Rev. S. J. Curtiss, of Union, Conn. Dismissed May 3, 1874. Rev. J. C. Pike supplied for three years. Rev. Solomon Bixby present pastor.

Deacons of the church : three months after its organization, Moses Lyon and Humphrey Crowe were chosen deacons, Oet. 25, 1768; James Frizell, May 20, 1779; S. Ballard, Sept. 24, 1787; David Wallis, Sept. 4, 1794; Samuel Webber, April 16, 1819; James A. Lynn, March 16, 1841; Horace Wallis, May 4, 1866 ; William B. Webber and William H. Harris, who are in active service at the present time.

BAPTISTS.

This denomination does not now exist as an organized so- ciety, hut at one time constituted an influential religious body in the town. On June 6, 1817, those persons living in Hol- land, and on the borders of Sturbridge, who were members of the churches in South Brimfield, Sturbridge, and Southbridge, sent to those churches, and the one at Thompson, a letter stating that twenty persons-ten brothers and ten sisters- desired to form a church, and asking them to send their pas- tors and two or more brethren to sit with them in council on June 25th, at the house of Benjamin Church, to consult upon said matter. The letter was signed by Samuel Webber and Walter Lyon, committee. The council convened at the time stated, and the church was duly organized. The original number who composed the church was 20, and 12 were added during the rest of the year. On July 12, 1817, Samuel Web- ber and Walter Lyon were chosen deacons. The first regular pastor of the church was Joseph Glazier, who was ordained by a eouneil of churches, Aug. 25, 1823. Elder John M. Hunt was admitted a member of the eouneil the same day, and had the pastoral care of the church for a time.

* By Rev. Solomon Bixby.

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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Sept. 5, 1832, Washington Munger was installed pastor. The church was supplied by John Payne, Linas Austin, and others at different times, but the records do not show that any others were regularly in charge of the church besides Mr. Glazier and Mr. Munger. Amos Babcock was the last to preside over the church.

The date of the last entry contained in the records is Aug. 21, 1845. Between that time and 1850 the society dissolved. It had included during its existence as a church 212 members, 80 probably being the highest number connected with it at any one time.

In 1819-20 the society erected a church building in the vil- lage, near the common, which was formally dedicated Aug. 25, 1820. It was in size 36 by 40 feet. Since the dissolution of the church the society have transferred the structure to the town, under certain restrictions, which now uses it as a town- hall, and occasionally for school purposes.

Subsequent to the dissolution of the Baptist Society, the Methodists held meetings for a time in Holland, but the move- ment never assumed any great strength or importance.

BURIAL .GROUNDS.

The only publie cemetery in Holland is situated near the village on the road to Brimfield. Early in the year 1763 the district of South Brimfield voted an "acre of land for & burying-place, and the southeast corner and north of John Bishop's land." The outgrowth is the present cemetery, en- larged and improved from the original. The principal en- largements and improvements were in 1855 and 1860.

Many of the headstones in the cemetery are old and fast crumbling away. A number of the older graves appear never to have had any headstone. The stone bearing the oldest date is that of Penuel Perrin, a child of Benjamin Perrin, who died July 25, 1764. Most of the early settlers of the town are buried there; among others, Gersham Rosbrook, John Polley, Edward Fay, Abel Allen, Nehemiah May, Benjamin Perrin, and Trenance Webber.

In the southeast corner of the town, the Shoals family, who formerly lived in Union, Conn., established a private bury- ing-ground of about an eighth of an acre, but it is now seldom used.

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

Of the industrial pursuits of Holland, but little can or need be said. The principal occupation of the inhabitants has been the pursuit of agriculture, and so remains at the present day, tbe products of the town being similar to those of Wales. But little manufacturing has been done, and there is none of any importance at the present time.

EARLY MANUFACTURES.

About 1803, Josiah Hobbs had a tannery in the southwest part of the town, and continued the business until 1828, when he was succcoded by Jedediah Healey, who carried on the business for a number of years. In olden time cattle were driven to the tannery, killed, and the skin of the shoulders

made into upper leather, and of the butts into sole leather. George IIaradon subsequently occupied the tannery as a place of residence, and carried on shoemaking there. It was de- stroyed by fire about 1866.

Over eighty years ago, John Paddock, in connection with his father, engaged in the manufacture of iron, about half a mile below the dam of the present reservoir. Another one existed where the Fuller factory afterward stood. The busi- ness of nail-cutting was also pursued on the land occupied afterward by C. B. Drake. Powder was manufactured to some extent at the same place.

About 1830, Elbridge G. Fuller erected a factory east of Holland Pond, on the road from the village to East Brimfield. The article manufactured here was cotton cloth. The busi- ness was successful, and gave employment to upward of 50 persons for a number of years. It was destroyed by fire about 1855, and has not been rebuilt. This was the most im- portant manufacturing enterprise that ever existed in the town, and Mr. Fuller was for years a man of prominence and distinction. His widow still resides there at an ad- vanced age.

About the time of the erection of the Fuller mill, John C. Butterworth commenced the manufacture of cotton batting in a building erected by him for that purpose. Leander Bradd succeeded him for a few years. Elbridge G. Fuller made wicking there for a short time. The building was destroyed by fire about 1854, and never rebuilt.

MILITARY.

The records are very meagre concerning the military history of the town. In the time of militia-training days the town is said to have been active, and many interesting facts and inci- dents connected therewith are narrated by the oldest residents. In the early wars the town was comprised either in Brimfield or the district of South Brimfield, aud much that relates to its history at that time will be found in the histories of those places.

The records show that the town was averse to the war of 1812, and earnestly deprecated an alliance with France.

In the war of the Rebellion the town contributed the sev- eral quotas of men that were called for by the national government, and was earnest and patriotie throughout that memorable contest.

The following is the list of soldiers who went from the town to the war of the Rebellion :

Clement F. Drake, Charles J. Clapp, Merritt A. Town, Julius Rice, Henry W. Webber, David Clapp, Jr., Henry N. Bennett, Henry M. Moore, Henry M. Walker, Charles F. Roper, Burnett E. Miller, John Harding, Jazues L. Groves, Newton Walles, George A. Haradon, Josiah B. Hall, Harris C. Wallis, George Barnes, Baxter C. Bennett, Albert Back, Albertus N. Walker, Jason Lewis, John Franklin, John Anderson.

Acknowledgments are due to Horace Wallis, Sr. and Jr., to Frank E. Kinney, Elisha Kinney, Wm. A. Webber, and other citizens for assistance rendered in compiling this towu history.

139

TOLLAND.

GEOGRAPHICAL.

TOLLAND occupies the extreme southwestern corner of Hampden County, of which it is, too, one of the smallest towns. Its boundaries are the towns of Blandford and Otis on the north, the Connecticut State line on the south, Gran- ville on the east, and Berkshire County on the west. Tol- land has as yet no railway communication with other points, but expects to have in time, since the projeeted Lee and New Haven Railroad is graded as far as this point, and, although abandoned through a forfeiture of charter, is likely to be resuscitated and carried to completion. The town covers an area of about 18,000 acres, less than half of which are said to be improved.

NATURAL FEATURES.

The surface of the town is almost wholly mountainous, although here and there are fertile valleys. The soil is gen- erally stony, with small traets of clay and sandy loam. Farm- ington River, a mill-stream of considerable value, washes the western border, and there are besides several mountain- streams, which are utilized for milling and other purposes. Noyes' Pond, near the centre, is the source of Hubbard's River, and is famous as a fine fishing-ground, piekerel of large size and excellent quality being the chief catch. The elevation upon which stands the church at Tolland Centre is said to be the highest eminence in the region lying between the Conneetieut and Housatonie Rivers. Woodland is plen- tiful, and, of the great variety of timber, hemlock, oak, ash, and chestnut are the most abundant. In common with the mountainous towns of Western Massachusetts, Tolland is rich in natural scenery of the picturesquely-rugged sort, and is much visited by tourists, especially in the autumn.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The tract now known as Tolland was originally a portion of the town of Granville, and remained so up to the year 1810. Settlements were made in this portion of Granville as early as 1750, by Titus Fowler, Thomas Twining, David Sloeomb, Eb- enezer Harding, Marvin Moore, Jabez Rogers, Pierce Mar- shall, James Hamilton, Abraham Granger, John Manchester, James Barlow, Samuel Hubbard, Moses Gough, David Fowler, and Robert Thomas, and John Hamilton. A house built by Titus Fowler in 1772, supposed to be the oldest structure in the town, still stands at Tolland Centre in a state of excellent preservation, and is occupied as the residence of Mr. Nathan Slocomb. Mr. Sloeomb is a grandson of David Slocomb, one of the early settlers, whose son, Eleazer, died in Tolland some years ago. Denison Slocomb, now living in Tolland, is a son of Hull Slocomb, whose father was also named David. Mrs. E. O. Harding, a sister of Denison Slocomb, is living in Tol- land. These three are the only deseendants of David Slocomb now residing in the town.

Ebenezer Harding has but one descendant living in Tolland, his grandson, E. O., whose father, Timothy, died here.

Of the deseendants of Marvin Moore, there are now in Tol- land Eleazer D. and Fowler T. Moore.

Jabez Rogers had ten sons and two daughters, to wit : Leo- nard, Jabez, Samuel, Nathaniel, Asa, Perey, Russell, Martin, Dwyer, John, Luey, and Sarah. Lucy died a Mrs. Rockwell, and Sarah, marrying Isaae Harding, died in Granville. John

W., a son of Russell, and grandson of Jabez, lives in Tolland, as does Russell S., a son of John.

Pierce Marshall had five sons,-Pieree, Jr., George, Sam- uel, Dudley, and Gayos (Gaius). Those of the Marshall de- seendants now residing in Tolland are Alonzo, a son of Dud- ley, James L., a son of Samnel, and Mrs. Alonzo Miller, a daughter of Samuel.

The sons of James Hamilton were John, Robert, Thomas, Henry, James, and Samuel. There are no Hamiltons in Tol- land now save Mrs. Daniel Hamilton, a widow, whose hus- band was a son of Robert.

Titus Fowler, one of the pioneers, had six children, as fol- lows: Jolin, Titus, Jr., Chauncey, Eliza, Catherine, and Hannah. Eliza married Cornelius Slocomb, and, removing to Ohio, died there. Catherine married Judah Twining, and died in Tolland. Hannah married Marvin Moore, and died in Tolland. None of the descendants of John or Chauncey are living in Tolland. Amos II., a son of Titus, died in Tol- land, and left a widow, who still lives here. With her re- side her two children, Elbert E. and Ellen.

One of the aneestors of the Twinings, now living in Tol- land, was Thomas, one of the earliest settlers. Ilis children were William and Stephen, and three daughters. Of these latter, one married Joseph Wolcott, of Sandistield, and died there ; another married Chauncey Fowler, and died in Tol- land ; the third married a Mr. Graham, and, removing to the West, died there. Stephen removed to New Haven early in life. A daughter of William married Joseph Slocomb, and still lives in Tolland. Two of her brothers, Alfred and Stephen, reside in New York City.

Elijah Twining, a brother of Thomas, and likewise an early settler, had eight children, as follows : William, Eleazer, Ruth, Lewis, Judah, Timothy, Susan, and Lois. Ruth mar- ried Henry Smith, and died in Sandisfield; Susan also died there, as Mrs. Edward Wolcott; Lois died when quite young. Of Eleazer's living descendants, Mrs. Abigail Humphrey resides at New Boston, aged eighty-four; Judah R., at Iurt- land, Conn., and Pauly, at Barkhampstead, Conn. William, a son of William and grandson of Elijah, lives at Black River, N. Y., aged eighty-eight; Lewis, his brother, resides in the West. Mrs. Philander Twining, a widow of one of Judah's sons, lives in New Boston. There also lives her son, Nelson B. Another of her sons is Homer P., the town clerk of Tol- land. A daughter of Timothy married a Mr. Goodale, went West, and died.

Abraham Granger had two sons and three daughters. One of the daughters married Allen Bidwell, and died in Tolland ; another married Eleazer Spencer, and died in Ohio ; the third married Nathaniel Gaylord, and died in Hartland, Conn. The sons were Launcelot and George W. Mrs. Fowler T. Moore, now living in Tolland, is a daughter of Launcelot. Iler brother, Lafayette, lives in Winchester, Conn. Her living sisters are Mrs. II. C. Brown, of Barkhampstead, Conn. ; Mrs. Alex. Sheldon, of Jamestown, N. Y. ; and Mrs. Taylor, the wife of a minister residing in New York. George W., Jr., a son of George W., resides in Tolland ; his sister, Mrs. D. II. Mills, lives in New York City.

John Manchester has no living descendants in Tolland. His sons were William, John; Shadrach, and Samuel. Sha-

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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

drach lives in Plainfield, Conn .; Samuel lives in Barkhamp- stead, Conn. ; William and John died in the West some years ago. Of the daughters of John, the original, one married Mr. Murphy, and died in Tolland, and another, marrying Isaac Wilcox, removed to the far West.

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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 179

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