History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 20

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 20

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The most important of the natural features of the town is Lake Pleasant, a lovely sheet of water covering about 100 aeres, and situated in the midst of a pine grove, about a mile and a half east of Montague Centre, on the line of the Fiteh- burg Railroad. In 1872 the railroad company, recognizing the natural charms of the spot, built upon the banks of the lake (then called Great Pond), at a cost of $15,000, bath- houses, boat-houses, neat cottages, restaurants, and many other conveniences for publie entertainment, supplied the lake with boats, beautified the surrounding grounds, and after, in short, creating a delightful retreat, the company opened it to the public as a free resort, and since that time the lake has been visited yearly every summer by thousands of pleasure-seeking people, many of whom take up their abode there for the season in the pretty cottages on the borders of the lake. Camp-meetings are regularly held there every sum- mer, and, according to the popular estimate, the average daily population at Lake Pleasant during the season reaches fully 1200. The waters of the lake, which are very elear and said to be unfathomable, are plentifully stocked with black bass, and furnish the angler with capital sport. Pienie-parties journey to the spot from far and near, and altogether it is a famous resort, of which the town is justly proud.

Two important waterfalls border the town,-Turner's Falls, on the Connecticut, at the north, with a fall of 25 feet, and Miller's Falls, on Miller's River, at the east, with a fall of 12 feet. In the eastern part of the town is a granite quarry, which furnishes considerable valuable stone.

Extensive geological researches in the northern part of the town have unearthed a multitude of early fossil imprints in the red sandstone, and of these numerous collections are now in the possession of private individuals as well as publie corporations.

One of the most important and valuable of these collections was made by Dexter Marsh, a native of Montague, who died in Greenfield in 1853. Red sandstone abounds in the south- western part of the town, and it was in the strata of this rock that the fossil imprints referred to were found, and where they are occasionally found to this day. Ancient relies, such as stone axes, arrow-points, etc, are often found at the present day imbedded in the lands along the river-bottoms.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The earliest grant of land in what is now Montague of which the records make mention is under date of March 23, 1716, wherein Samuel Partridge and John Pynchon, "the committee of Swampfield" (the original name of Sunderland), granted to Benjamin Munn, Edward Alling, Jr., Daniel Bea- mon, Edward Alling, and Nathaniel Frary the privileges of a stream in Swampfield, called Saw-mill Brook, upon which a saw-mill was erected. They were to have free privileges of timber in Swampfield, on the north side of Saw-mill Brook, for the use of said saw-mill, conditioned, however, that the said grant should not impede the erection of a corn-mill on said brook. They were to sell "bords" to " the inhabitants of Swampfield" at a price not exceeding twenty shillings per thousand, and their grant was to continue only as long as they continued the mill. As an encouragement to build said mill, they were further granted 30 aeres of land in some con- venient place in Swampfield. This place alluded to was a tract on Saw-mill Brook, now in the village of Montague

Centre, and from the foregoing it would appear that there were at that time "inhabitants" in that neighborhood.

Jan. 16, 1709, two divisions of land were made on the west side of Hunting llills, lying on the Connecticut River. In the first division each lot contained three acres and a half, and grants therein were made to the following persons : Thomas Ilovey, Benjamin Graves, Wm. Arms, Samuel Billings, Samuel Harvey, Isaac Graves, Benjamin Barrett, Samuel Smith, Capt. Field, Ebenezer Billings, Jr., Nathaniel Dick- inson, Joseph Root, Luke Smith, Stephen Crowfoot, Samuel Taylor, Samuel Billings Smith, Daniel Warner, Ebenezer Marsh, Daniel Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Samuel Graves, Jos. Field, Jr., Joseph Dickinson, Mr. Willard, Simon Cooley, Daniel Russell, James Bridgman, Wm. Scott, Joseph Clary, Jonathan Graves, Nathaniel Gunn, Ebenezer Kellogg, Isaac Hubbard, Deaeon Hubbard, Manoah Bodman, Lieut. Eben- ezer Billings, Richard Scott, Eleazer Warner, Joseph Smith, Wm. Allis, Samuel Gunn, and Samuel Montague. Grants were made to the same persons in the second division, in which each lot contained ten acres. In each division a ministry or town-lot was reserved. The traet embraced in the two divi- sions was in the north part of the town of Sunderland, where now stands the village of Montague Centre, and the first set- tlement of what is now the town of Montague appears, there- fore, to have been made in 1719. The majority of the settlers named above were also among the early settlers of Sunder- land.

There was a traet of State land lying north of the Sunder- land line and extending to the Connectieut, and upon this traet two young men, Enoch and Gideon Bardwell, of Deer- field, settled at a very early date. They were persevering and heroie lads, and, although forced at one time to flee to Deer- field by troublesome Indians, they returned after a brief ab- sence, and, reoccupying their lands, remained, and became subsequently the progenitors of a numerous raee of Bardwells, some of whom still reside in Montague.

Further grants of lands near Hunting Hills were made he- tween 1730 and 1740, the section being known as part of the second preeinet of Sunderland. The name of Hunting Hills was given to it by reason of a range of hills on the eastern border, where game was found in abundance.

On the 12th of July, 1751, William Williams, justice of the peace for the county of Hampshire, issued to Jonathan Root, of Sunderland (husbandman), an order, saying that, an application having been made to him by Simeon King, David Ballard, Eliphalet Allis, Samuel Smead, and Jonathan Root, desiring a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the second parish of Sunderland entitled to vote in town affairs, the said Jonathan Root was therefore required, in his Majesty's name, to notify the freeholders, etc., of said parish to meet at the house of Joseph Root, on Monday, July 29, 1751, for the following purposes : " To choose a moderator ; to choose a clerk ; a committee to call meetings for the future; to determine whether they will have preaching in the parish ; to grant such sum as will defray present and future charges ; and to choose assessors and collectors."

At this meeting, which was held as provided, Deacon Mat- toon was chosen Moderator; Joseph Root was chosen Clerk ; and Deacon Mattoon, Eliphalet Allis, Samuel Bardwell, David Ballard, and Simeon King were chosen to give out warrants for calling future meetings. It was further resolved to raise £200, old tenor, to defray the charges that " have arisen or that may arise, that the sum be paid in the middle of October next, and that Josiah Alvord, Eliphalet Allis, and Samuel Smead be chosen to assess the same.1'

Upon the records, under date of 1745, there appears the copy of a division of land on Miller's Plain, surveyed by Nathaniel Kellogg. There were 80 lots in this tract, divided into two ranges,-north and south. The grantees of these lots were Samuel Harvey, Jr., Nathaniel Cowdry, Jonathan Root,

624

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Joseph Dickinson, Ephraim Sawyer, Absalom Scott, Aaron Leonard, Israel Richardson, Jonathan Graves, Richard Scott, Thomas Keet, Samuel Taylor, Isaac Graves, John Gunn, Isaac Barrett, John Scott, Stephen Smith, Isaac Hubbard, Jr., Nathan Tuttle, Nathaniel Gunn, Daniel Hubbard, Daniel Smith, Joseph Wells, Noah Graves, Ensign Cooley, Daniel IIarvey, Fellows Billings, John Billings, John Marsh, Zebe- diah Smith, Charles Chaney, John Bridgman, Benjamin Bar- ret, Samuel Downer, Ebenezer Graves, Ebenezer Billings, Jr., Samuel Graves, Samuel Billings Smith, Samuel Harvey, Joseph Root, Josiah Alvord, Ezekiel Smith, Capt. Billings, Jed Saw- yer, Ebenezer Marsh, Ir., Eliphalet Allis, Moses Dickinson, Judah Wright, Samuel Smith, Wm. Scott, Jr., Samuel Bil- lings (2d), William Allis, Widow Harvey, Jonathan Bridg- man, Samuel Gunn, Jonathan Billings, Manoah Bodman, Eleazer Warner, Joseph Mitchel, Jonathan Barrett, Jonathan Russell, Jonathan Field, Samuel Clary, Benjamin Graves, Wm. Scott, Lieut. Clary, Joseph Field, Samuel Scott, Jona- than Scott, Edward Elmer, Ebenezer Marsh, Widow Gunn, Luke Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Zebediah Allis, Wm. Rand, Deacon Montague, Joshua Douglass, Deacon Hubbard, Abner Cooley.

Comparatively few of the descendants of Montague's early settlers are now living in the town, many having removed westward early in life. Among those now in Montagne de- scended from the pioneers may be noted Warren and Elijah Bardwell, J. W. Root, Harrison Root, Solomon Root, Zebina, Henry H., and Wm. F. Taylor, Elizur Scott, Rodney, Eras- tus, and Elijah Gunn, Joshua and Elijah Marsh, and Liberty and George Wright.

REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCES.

April 6, 1773, the inhabitants held a meeting to discuss a pamphlet received from the town of Boston, touching the rights and grievances of the colonies. It was decided to choose a committee of correspondence, composed of Moses Gunn, Elisha Allis, Stephen Tuttle, Peter Bishop, Judah Wright, Nathaniel Gunn, Jr., and Moses Ilarvey, and at an adjourned meeting in April the committee presented the draft of a letter to the committee of correspondence at Boston, and in this letter it was set forth in substance that the committee considered the infringement upon the rights of the colonies, as set forth in the pamphlet, as being what in reason and justice ought to give great concern to every friend of his country, and exeite his endeavors in all lawful methods to obtain suitable redress.

In July, 1774, the people in town-meeting adopted a non- consumption covenant, whereby they pledged themselves to suspend commercial intercourse with Great Britain until the repeal of the act closing the port of Boston and the restoration of chartered rights. They further pledged themselves not to knowingly purchase any goods arriving from Great Britain after the last day of the ensuing August. In view of the dis- tressing condition of affairs throughout the country, it was voted to set apart the 14th day of July as a day of humiliation and prayer.

In September, 1774, it was voted to procure fifty pounds of powder, one hundred and twelve pounds of lead, and a suffi- cient number of flints, " as a town stock for the present." In January, 1775, it was voted to raise six pounds to encourage the Minute-Men " shortly to be raised in Montague." At the same meeting it was voted to send Moses Gunn to repre- sent the district in the Provincial Congress. Out of the sum above appropriated, it was voted to allow the Minute-Men six- pence apiece each half-day they attended military exercise. At a meeting in April, 1775, it was voted to send a wagon with provisions for the use of the army. To transport this wagon-load of provisions to the army at Cambridge, the dis- triet paid Elijah Smith seven pounds, ten shillings, and nine pence.

In 1778 it was voted to abide by the Articles of Confeder- ation proposed by the Continental Congress, except the article empowering Congress to declare peace or war. This power the town considered should be left to the people, and not en- trusted to any body of men.

In the same year it was voted to provide twenty-three pairs of stockings, twenty-three pairs of shoes, and twenty-three sbirts for the use of the Continental soldiers. It was agreed to give twenty shillings a pair for stockings, thirty-six shil- lings a pair for shoes, and eight shillings per yard for yard- wide shirting.

In May, 1778, the town voted to raise £150 to pay the bounties for the five soldiers ordered by the General Court for the army.

In December, 1778, it was voted to pay seven dollars apiece for eight shirts, and eleven dollars a pair for shoes, provided for the soldiers .* In June, 1779, it was agreed to raise £574 for bounties and mileage to the soldiers ordered to be raised by the General Court. For this money six soldiers were raised. In the following September the town refused to adopt the scale of prices fixed for various commodities by the Northampton convention.

In October, 1779, the town borrowed £360 to pay hounties for soldiers ordered by the General Court. Of this sum, the town paid £40 each to eight soldiers, as follows: Noah Barnes, Joel Benjamin, Asa Fuller, James Winslow, Ephraim Whit- ney, Sim King, John Clapp, and Jonathan Marsh.

In June, 1780, it was voted to give each man who should turn out as a volunteer for six months a bounty of £206. No one offering to volunteer, the bounty was raised to £300 and £3 per month, and the II men required were obtained.

In July of the same year 11 additional men were called for, and a bounty of £150 and £3 per month promised as an encouragement. In October, 3600 pounds of beef were bought for the army under an order from the General Court.

In January, 1781, 7 more soldiers were raised by boun- ties, and shortly thereafter it was voted to give as a bounty to each soldier 20 yearling heifers or steers, in case said soldier should continue in the war one year; 20 two-year-old neat cattle in case he should serve two years ; and 20 three-year- old neat cattle in case he should serve three years. In the following July a bounty of £3 40s. per month was offered for three months' men.

In September, 1781, 20s. bounty and £30 per month were offered for soldiers to serve in the defense of the State of Con- necticut. In December, 1783, the town treasurer was author- ized to exchange Continental money for silver at the rate of $120 for one dollar !

In July, 1812, the town in public meeting recorded its dis- approbation of the war declared against Great Britain, and voted to send a memorial to the President and Congress, praying that war might cease, and that the blessings of peace might be restored to the land. Beyond that the records are silent touching the action of the town as concerned that war. It is, however, certain that the town furnished 16 men for the service. Fifteen of these were drafted and one volun- teered, the volunteer's name being Chester Taylor.

Montague sent Henry Wells as a delegate to the Northamp- ton convention, called by the three river-counties to memo- rialize the President of the United States, and to demand a speedy conclusion of peace.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS.

Joseph Root was probably the first innkeeper known in the early settlement of Montague, for the records of 1770 allude to a sale of lands to be held "at the house of Joseph Root, inn- holder." It may also be noted that the first meeting of the inhabitants of the second parish of Sunderland, in 1751, was

* These enormous prices illustrate the relative value of Continental bills.

625

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

held at his house. Martin Root, his son, kept the inn after him. The old tavern building yet stands on the eastern edge of the village of Montague Centre, and is still used as a dwelling.

Dec. I, 1755, the district voted to allow pay for the building of a bridge across Saw-mill River, on the road crossing the Mill Swamp, from Ensign King's to Moses Taylor's. The pay allowed was " 15 cents per summer day, and 12 cents for Micklemas day, old tenor."

Brief allusion is made in a record of date 1755 to certain persons " enlisted in the services of the war," meaning, doubt- less, the French war.

March 8, 1756, it was resolved to discontinue and alter the road " lying on the west side of the low swamp, in the Hunt- ing Ilills field, beginning at Jonathan Root's lot, and bearing more to the east than the old road was laid, and then crossing the low swamp in Judah Wright's land, and coming into the path on the line between Judah Wright's land and Enos Marsh's, on the east side of the low swamp."

One of the earliest roads laid out in the district is sup- posed to have been the one beginning at the west side of Mount Toby, thence extending east, and then north to Northfield, passing about half a mile east of what is now Montague vil- lage.

In March, 1757, it was determined to build a bridge across Saw-mill River, east branch, between Ensign King's and Moses Taylor's. In December, 1757, a highway was ordered to be laid out, to begin at the common road at the west end of Isaac Barret's home-lot, to road bounds north on Benjamin Barret's land, and then east to the little hill.

The first turnpike in the town was the one known as the road of the Fifth Massachusetts Turnpike Corporation, passing from Greenfield to Athol, by way of Montague. This turn- pike was built in 1799.

The first pound was probably the one ordered December, 1766, to be built on Asahel Gunn's lot, " at the west end of the horse-house, and near the meeting-house." In 1771 it was voted to lay out a road up the river-bank, near Brooks' Ferry, south of the old road. In 1773 a petition was presented to the General Court, praying that Eliphalet Allis should be licensed to retail spirituous liquors " without-doors" in the district of Montague.

In 1775 the presence of a band of counterfeiters was sus- pected, and a committee was appointed to inquire into the conduct of certain persons suspected of making money, and to summon said persons to appear before them and deal with them " as prudence shall direct." In 1777 it was voted that Joseph Root should continue to keep the tavern, and it was further voted that the Governor should not allow town-dwel- lers to remain drinking in their houses after nine o'clock with- out some special business.

At a meeting in 1759, Daniel Baker was chosen a “ pit- man," to dig graves. In March, 1761, a highway was laid out through Zebediah Allis' home-lot, running thence toward the Saw-mill River, to a maple-bush splashed, on the east side of the Proprietors' road, crossing the river, and then on the east side of the same to a pine-tree, thence on the old road crossing the brook, and through Samuel Brooks' and Zebedialı Smith's land. In 1762 a road was laid out around Harvey's HIill to Gunn's Brook. Twenty-five pounds were raised in 1764 for repairs to highways in that year.

In 1765 it was voted to provide wands for the wardens and staves for the tithingmen. Mention is made, in a record dated March 2, 1766, of the appointment of a committee to look out for a convenient passage down the bank near " David Ballard's ferry place." When David Ballard established his ferry is not stated.

During the prevalence in Montague of small-pox in 1777, inoculation was much opposed, and by a vote the seleetmen were instructed to write to the selectmen of neighboring towns,

showing the mind of the town of Montague, and advising them to use their influence to put a stop to the practice of inoculation.

In 1790 thirty-three persons who attempted to take up resi- dence in the town without having obtained the town's consent were warned to depart. This warning of people to leave the town was a frequent occurrence in those days .*

Elisha Root, born in 1739, in what is now Montague, was probably the first child born in the early settlement.

Moses Root was probably the first blacksmith of the town. Mention is made in the town records, under date 1765, of his bill " for smith-work. "

In 1812 the right to vote at a general election was limited to such persons as could show the possession of estate valued at $200, or an income of $10 annually.

There were tax delinquents even in those days, for it is learned that lands of Richard Montague, Moses Harvey, Daniel Baker, Ezra Smead, John Clapp, Jr., Daniel Clapp, Daniel Baker, and Benjamin Alvord were sold to pay taxes for 1777 and 1778.

It appears from the records that Israel Gunn and Solomon Clapp, selectmen, issued, Oct. 1, 1794, an order to either of the constables of the town of Montague, directing him to warn and give notice to David Arms and Sarah, his wife, that, " having lately come into the town for the purpose of abiding there without the town's consent, they must, within fifteen days, depart the limits of the town, with their children and all others under their care."

By a vote taken in town-meeting, December, 1813, all per- sons were allowed to wear their hats during the meeting, owing, perhaps, to the severity of the weather.

The first storekeeper in the town was a Mr. Easterbrook, the first physician, William Wells, and the first lawyer, Jona- than Hartwell. The first postmaster was Martin Gunn; the second, Jonathan Hartwell; Elisha Wright, Jr., the third ; Washington Keyes, the fourth ; and Isaac Chenery, the pres- ent incumbent, the fifth. Jonathan Hartwell, who held the office thirty-six years, from 1818, and resigned at last, served also, meanwhile, for nearly the entire period, either as town clerk or treasurer, representative at the General Court, or mem- ber of the executive couneil.

Montague was somewhat prominent on behalf of the in- surgents during the Shays rebellion. Thomas Grover, one of Montague's citizens, who was one of the insurgent leaders in that conflict, issued an address from Worcester, in which he set forth that " it had fallen to his lot to be employed in a more conspicuous manner than some of his fellow-citizens in stepping forth in the defense of the rights and privileges of the people, more especially of the county of Hampshire." He referred to a list of grievances already made public, and added a list of proposed reforms, " which," he said, " the peo- ple are determined to contend for." These reforms to which he pointed were such as the revision of the constitution, the total abolition of the courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, the removal of the General Court from Boston, and the abolition of the office of deputy sheriff, as well as that of certain offices connected with the financial management of the State. Among those of the rebels sen- teneed to punishment upon the termination of the rebellion was Moses Harvey, of Montague, who was fined £50 and con- demned " to sit upon the gallows one hour with a rope about his neck." Harvey was the only one of the convicted rebels who actually suffered the execution of his sentence.

ORGANIZATION.

On the petition of the inhabitants of the northerly part of Sunderland, and sundry others, it was ordered in the House

* This was a formal notice in cases where persons were in danger of becoming town charges. The warning relieved the town of expense in case of pauperi-m, but the families were not driven out.

626

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

of Representatives, June 17, 1751, that the northerly part of the town of Sunderland be erected into a separate and distinct precinct. It was also ordered that that part of the precinct not then appropriated should be sold to the highest bidders, who should be obliged to settle on the tract 10 families, to build 10 houses 18 fret square and 7 feet stud, and to bring fit for tillage 5 acres of land for each family within three years of the time of said sale. This was concurred in by the council on the same day.

Dec. 22, 1753, the General Court passed an act authorizing the erection of the north parish of Sunderland into a separate district, by the name of Montague. The name is said to have been chosen in honor of Capt. William Montague, who com- manded " The Mermaid" at the taking of Cape Breton.

The bounds of the district were established as follows : Be- ginning at the Connecticut River 20 rods north of the mouth of Slatestone Brook, thence cast to the east side of the town bounds, thence on the line of the said town to the northeast corner of the town bounds, thence north to Miller's River, thence westwardly by Miller's River to its mouth, where it enters the Connectient River, and thence by the Connecticut River to the first-mentioned bound.

The district was authorized to enjoy the privileges, ete., of towns, that of sending a representative to the General Court alone excepted. The inhabitants were, however, entitled to join with Sunderland in sending a representative.

This tract, set apart as the district of Montague, included the second precinet of the town of Sunderland (set apart in 1751, as above noted) and a tract of land lying north thereof, between it and the Connecticut River, and belonging to the State. This tract, with the exception of a small strip about a mile wide, set apart to Wendell in 1803, is the tract now occupied by the town of Montague.

SELECTMEN.

Although the district of Montague was incorporated in 1753, the earliest town-meeting of which the preserved records make mention is of date 1756. The list of selectmen from that date to the present is as follows :

1756 .- Joseph Root, Samuel Bardwell, Ensign King, Josiah Alvord, Samuel

1757 .- Josiah Alvord, Joseph Root, Ensign King, Samuel Smeed, Ebenezer Marsh.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 20

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