History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 39

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 39

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As a first step toward a settlement of the tract, the proprie- tors intrusted to Maj. Pynchon the task of securing an extin- guishment of the Indian title. Two Indian deeds, both of date April 10, 1674, conveyed this title to Maj. Pynchon on behalf of the purchasers. One of the deeds reads as follows :

" Mishalisk, an old woman, the mother of Wattawchinksin, deceased, doth hereby bargain, sell, and alienate a Tract of Land to John Pynchon, of Spring- field, acting for and in behalf of Robert Boltwood, Joseph Kellogg, John Hub- bird, and Thos. Dickinson, of Hadley, and their associates, . . . which land begins at ye sontherly end of it, at ye brook Nepeasonneag, . . . taking in all ye land on ye northerly side of it. It runs up by Quinnetticott river to ye brook called Sawwatapskrehnwas and Mattamooash, where other Indians have sold . . . the whole traut of land from Nepasonneag on ye Sonth, next Hadley bounds, to Sawwatapskechuwas on ye North, and beyond at Mattamooash, and from Quunetticott out into ye woods Eastward six miles from the said river Quinnetticott."

For this tract the old woman Mishalisk received "a debt or deed from her son

* Also known by its Indian nome, Muttawampe.

t Of Springfield.

DANIEL DWIGHT WHITMORE was born in Sunderland, Franklin Co., Mass., on the 20th of May, 1816. He is a son of Jesse Whitmore, and grandson of Daniel Whit- more, who came from Connecticut to Sunderland at an early date, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson. Ile was a man of superior intelligence, a great render, and took an active interest in educational subjects.

lle was also distinguished in public servier; held the rank of colonel in the militia, was an active participant in the Revolutionary struggle, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. In later life he was a member of the Legislature, and held various town offices, among others that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served many years. Ile died in May, 1816

His son, Jesse Whitmore, was born in Sunderland, March 3, 1776. lle was a miller by trade, and owned what is known as " Whitmore's Mills," which was for- merly the property of his father. He held a commission as captain in the cavalry (militia), and was always called Capt. Whit- more. Ile was a sincere Christian, and was one of the founders of the Baptist Church of North Sunderland, of which he was a member for many years.

He also took a prominent part in pro- moting and improving schools, and, indeed. was connected in some manner with most of the best enterprises of the town and county. He died in his eightieth year, io January, 1856.

Ilis wife was llaouah Gunn, daughter of Nathaniel Gunn, of Montague. They were married Oct. 26, 1807. She died in April, 1860. To them were born nine children, of whom Daniel D. is the fifth. Only three members of this family are now living.

The subject of this notice was employed

in working on the farm and assisting in the mills until seventeen years of age. In the mean time he had also pursued the usual studies in the public schools, in the Greenfield Academy, and at Shelburne Falls. He then entered the store of Mr. Iloratio Graves, of Sunderland, in the ca- pacity of clerk, and remained with him two years. Returning home, he remained there about the same length of time, during which he was engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors, and blinds. From that time until he reached his twenty-second year lie was in no settled business, but followed various occupa- tions.

Sept. 17, 1838, he was married to Jane, daughter of Phineas and Prudence Keet, of Sunderland. In the same year he re- moved to Walworth Co., Wis., where he remained until 1844, when he returned to Sunderland, and located on the old home- stead, where he has since been engaged in farming and mitling,

Mr. Whitmore has also been promi- nently identified with the town and lo- cality in which he lives. In 1869 he represented his district in the Legisla- ture, and in local offices has served in the rapacity of selectman, assessor, justice uf the peace, etc. As a member of the North Sunderland Baptist Society, since 1831, he has given his influence in the cause of Christianity.

By his first wife Mr. Whitmore had five children, none of whom are now living. His wife died in January, 1854, and hu married Mrs. Dolly A. Gridley, widow uf Henry Gridley, and daughter of Chester and Sarah Howland, of Montgomery, Mass. By this union he has three children, viz. : Daniel D., Jr., born May 23, 1857; Jano D., born April 17, 1860: and Lucretia A., born on the 20th of September, 1864.

D. D. Whilmare

RESIDENCE OF D. D. WHITMORE, SUNDERLAND, MASS.

N. AUSTIN SMITH, eldest son of Aus- tin and Sallie Smith, was born in Sunderland Franklin Co., Mass., Feb. 13, 1821. His grandfather, Elihn Smith, of Hadley, married Anna Belden, of Whately, by whom he had three sons and one daughter, viz., Austin, Elihu, Horace, and Lucretia. Austin was born in Hadley in October, 1790, and removed to Sunderland, March 29, 1820, lle was a farmer, and took a prominent part in the interests of the town and community in which he lived ; held a number of town offices, and was a member of the Congregational Church for many years, lle married Sallie M., dangh- ter of John Montague, and adopted danghter of Nathaniel Smith, The members of her family were remark- able for longevity. She had three sisters who lived to he over eighty- five years of age, and one of them lived to be ninety.

The subject of this notice had two brothers and two sisters. His eldest brother, Elihu (born April 11, 1823), is now & banker in Worthington, Minn. ; John M., born July 6, 1826, resides in Sunderland ; Thankful t., born April 16, 1830, married Dr. William M. Trow, now of Easthamp- ton, and died Oct. 1, 1869 ; Mary B., the youngest child, was born Jan, 26, 1834, and died Jan. 26, 1843.

N. Austin remained at home on the farm until he reached his twenti- eth year, and in the mean time re- ceived a good education in the com- mon schools and Williston Seminary. lle then commenced teaching school,

Photo, by Popkins,

which he continued during the winter months for five years, the remainder of that time being employed in farm labor. In his twenty-sixth year he was married (Nov. 26, 1846) to Clara J., daughter of Stephen Gonn, of Sunderland, To them has been born one child,-William Austin, who died in infancy. He has since adopted three children,-James Melville, who is now deceased, Austin D., and Emma. After his marriage, Mr. Smith united with his brothers in farming their father's place, which he continued until 1855, when they made a di- vision of the property, which was afterward ratified in their father's will.

Mr. Smith has always resided in Sunderland, and has, during the greater part of his life, been engaged in agricoltural pursuits, He takes an active interest in harvest clubs, etc .; is a member of the Franklin and Hampshiro Agricultural Societies, and was president of the latter for two years.

For forty-one years he has been a member of the Congregational Soci- ety, and is also an ardent and untiring worker in the Sabbath-school, in which he has been a teacher during the greater part of forty years.

In the civil as well as in the re- ligious and social interests of the town he takes an active part. He has been elected to the offices of selectman, assessor, member of school committee, collector, and treasurer, and is regarded as one of Sunder- land's most enterprising citizens.

RESIDENCE OF N. AUSTIN SMITH, SUNDERLAND, MASS,

081

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Wattawchiuskin to John Pynchon, of Springfield, as also for and in considera- tion of one Large Indian Coat, and several other small things."

The second deed reads as follows :

" These presents testify that Mettawompe, alias Nattawassawet, ye Indian for himself, & in the behudf of other Indians, viz .: Wadamommin, Squiskheng, & Sunkkamamachul & for & in consideration of eighty fathom of wampum, & several other small things to him & them in hand paid, & fully secured, by John Pynchon, of Springfield, in ye behalf & upon the acet. of Robt. Boltwood, John Hubbird, Joseph Kellogg, & Thos. Dickinson, of Hadley : Ilath Bargained and Bull, & Do by these preseuts Give, Grant, Bargaine, & sell unto ye sd Rubt. Bolt- wood, Jno. Hubbird, Jos. Kellogg, & Thos. Dickinson, a certain Trart of Land lying on ye East side of Quinnetticott River, about 7 or 8 miles above Hadley, adjoining to a parcell of land the sd Boltwood & Company bonght of Mishalisk, from that parcell of Land & Brook, Sawwatapskechuwas [Mohawk Brook], up by ye Urt. River Qoinnetticutt, northerly to a little Brook called Papacontuck- quash & Coroheaggan, lying over against ye mouth of Pacomptock River, Man- talıelas. The sd Mettawompe, alias Nattawwassawet, Doth Give, Grant, Bargain, & N'll unto ye sd Rubt. Boltwood, Jno. Hubbird, Jos. Kellogg, & Thos. Dickin- son, & their successors & Company, & to their heirs & assigns Forever, hereby resigning to them all the Right, Title, & Interest in the forementioned Lands Called Mattampash, from Sawwatapskechuwas, Anquepinick, Sankrohokcon, Lemuckquash, & Papacontuckquash, Corroheaggan, & to Mantahelas, & so out into ye woods six miles Eastward from ye Great River Quinnetticott. To Have and to Hold all ye sd land to ye proper uses & behoof of ym ye sd Rolt. Bolt- wood, John Hubbird, Jos. Kellogg, Thos. Dickinson & Company, & their heirs & Assigns forever, with all the Profits, Commodities, & advantages thereof & thereto belonging whatsoever & yt forever. And ye said Mettawompe, alias Nattawassawet, doth hereby covenant & promise that he will save harmless ye sd Rolt. Boltwood, John Ilabbird, Jos. Kellogg, Thos. Dickinson, & Company & their heirs & assigns, of and from all manner of Claims, Rights, Titles & Io- terest of any person whomsoever, in & to the sd Lands, and from all incom- branves of Indian's Rights to all or any part thereof, having full power & Lawful Right thus to Doe. And in Witness hereof affixes his hand & seal this Joth day April, 1674. The mark of Mettawompe: ..

"This don & delivered in presence of us. " ISAAC MORGAN. " HENRY ROGERS. "ACKLAMNOWITT :

"the mark of an Indian.

" Mettawompe, alias Nattawassawett, acknowledged this Instrument to be his aet & deed, Relinquishing & Resigning up all Right and Interest in the premises to the English within named 10th of April, 1674, before me,

" JOHN PYNCHON, Assist.

" This 17th of April, 1674, Squiskheag came and acknowledged the sale of ye Inud mentioned on ye other side, sold by Mettawompe, & doth hereby confirm ye sale thereof, having rec'd part of ye pay, viz., Thirty Fathom ; wherenpon Squiskheag, for himself and his Brothers Sunckkamamuchne & Wadamummin, sell, & by sale forever pass away all ye Land mentioned on ye other side, namely, ye Land on ye East side of Quinnetticott River, from Sawwatapske- clinwas on the south, northerly to Right against the month of Pacomtuck River, called Mantahelas. To have and to Hold all ye sd Land from ye Grt River six miles out into ye woods Eastward to Robt. Boltwood, John Hubbard, Jos. Kellogg, & Thos. Dickinson, to them, their heirs & assigns, forever, & in witness thereof subscribed his hand and seal this 17th April, 1674.

" The mark of SQUISKEAG: M. [SEAL.]

" In presence of us,

" JOHN PYNCHON. " Jos. I. T. THOMAS, his % mark."

Exactly when settlements were first made cannot be stated, for the proprietors' records have been lost, but it seems a pretty well-established fact that there were settlements upon the tract previous to the opening of King Philip's war; in 1675.

By reason of the presence of numerous swamps the place was known as "Swampfield," and this name was retained until the incorporation of Sunderland.

There is now no clew to the names of the earliest settlers, but the fact that descendants of John Hubbard (one of the original grantees) are still living in Sunderland indicates that Hubbard was a pioneer. A loeal historian eoneludes that the first settlement was made in 1673, on the site now occupied by Sunderland village. If so, the settlement was broken up when Philip opened hostilities in 1675; the settlers fled to Hadley, and the place formerly known as Swampfield relapsed again into a wilderness, which it continued to be during all the sueeceding years of Indian warfare, until-the close of Queen Anne's war reviving the peaceful era-steps were taken in 1713 looking to a resettlement. A petition to the General Court by certain inhabitants of Hadley for this purpose re- sulted in the passage of the following :

" Anno Regne Annee Regince Duodecimo. At a session of the Great and General Court of Assembly for her Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay, held at Bos- ton npon Monday, Febd'y 10, 1713.

" IN COUNCIL. Upon reading the petition of John Kellogg, Isaac Hubbard, and others, praying for a resettlement of a village or plantation granted io May, 1/173, northerly of Hadley, formerly called Swampfield,

" Ordered, that forasmuch by reason of the interruption given to the settlement of the within-mentioned plantation, granted in May, 1673, by the war and troubles with the Indians, and desire of ye original petitioners and grantees, and also the committee for directing the same, since dead. The said grant for a plantation land is hereby revived, and Sam't Partridge, John Pynchon, and Samnel Porter, Esq., are appointed and impowered a committee to receive ye challenges of all persons to the property and right of land in ye said plantation, and to enter their names with such others as shall offer to join with them in settling of a township there. The names of all to be entered with the committee within the space of twelve months from this time, giving preference to ye descendants of ye original petitioners and grantees. And the said committee are further inipow- ered to note ye place of ye town upon small lots, so as it may be made defensible, grant land allotments, order their prudentials, and what else is necessary in es- tablishing, receiving, and settling for the two hundred and fifty acres of land in some convenient place, to be in ye disposition of the government. Provided al- waies, That forty ffamilies be settled within three years next coming, and that they procure and encourage a learned orthodox minister to settle with them. The town to be called Swampfield."

The proprietors to whom the renewed grant was issued were 39 in number, and nearly all residents of Hadley and Hat- field ; and in April, 1714, they signed an agreement making a division of the lands, providing for expenses, and agreeing further " that ye town platt be started from or near a brook above the place where the chimneys are, running southward in two Roes of Houses, with a street of eight rods wide be- twixt said two Roes, and the llome Lots to be fourteen rod at front and Rer, and in length as the Platt will allow it; and forty house Lotts to be eut and Layed, the minister's lot to be one."

The actual resettlement of Swampfield did not take place until early in 1715, and by 1716 the larger part of the 39 pro- prietors of the tract had become actual settlers thereon. The names of the settlers who occupied the lots in 1718 are given as follows : Samuel Graves, Jonathan Graves, Eleazer Warner, Jr., Samuel Harvey, Luke Smith, Philip Pauton, William Scott, Isaac Ilubbard, Benjamin Barrett, Joseph Root, Jo- seph Smith, Daniel Smith, Samuel Montague, Daniel Warner, Jr., Benjamin Graves, Thomas Harvey, Jr., Samuel Billings, William Arms, Simon Cooley, Ebenezer Kellogg, Stephen Crofoot, Isaac Graves, William Allis, Samuel Smith, Richard Scott, Nathaniel Dickinson, Nathaniel Gunn, Ebenezer Marsh, Nathaniel Smith, Ebenezer Billings, Joseph Field, Joseph Clary, Isaac Hubbard, Jr., Samuel Gunn, Ebenezer Billings, Jr., Manoah Bodman, Daniel Russell, James Bridg- man, Stephen Belden, Jr.

Of these, Ebenezer Kellogg, Stephen Crofoot, Joseph Smith, Wm. Arms, Nathaniel Diekinson, Luke Smith, Daniel War- ner, and Samuel Billings removed from Sunderland or died previous to 1740, and, leaving no descendants there, passed out of the town's history.

When the resettlement was made, there was no evidence of the first settlement save here and there a ruined house. It is said that in the fireplace of one of these a basswood-tree had taken root and grown to a foot in diameter, and that an apple-tree-set out by one of the first settlers in 1673-was found large and thrifty at the second settlement, and lived until 1850.

In 1729 an additional grant increased the town's area by a traet on the eastern border two miles wide and running the entire length of the town. This made the entire traet nine miles in length and six in width, embracing what is now Sun- derland, portions of the present towns of Montague and Wen- dell, and the whole of the present town of Leverett.

The earliest settlers in that portion of Sunderland now within the limits of Montague located there in 1726. Their names were Samuel Taylor, Samuel Harvey, Richard Seott, Wm. Allis, Daniel Smith, Nathaniel Gunn, Ebenezer Marsh, Josiah Alvord, Samuel and Emile Bardwell, Samuel Smead, Judah Wright, David Ballard, Nathaniel Tuttle, Thomas

682

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Newton, Simeon King, and the Root, Barrett, and Graves families.

Among the first settlers in that portion which is now the town of Leverett were Joseph Hubbard, Joseph and Elisha Clary, Jonathan Field, Jonathan Field (2d), Moses Graves, Moses Smith, Richard Montague, Absalom Scott, Stephen and Joseph Smith, Jeremiah Nordbury, Isaac Marshall, and Solo- mon Gould.

The first important road through Sunderland was the high- way from Northfield to Hadley, which was probably laid out as early as 1714. In 1721 there was a road to Hunting Ilills, and in 1725 one "out of the south field with the commons in some convenient place in the lower division, and to have it go out at the place commonly called the horse-path." There was also at this time a road from Dry Brook to Stony Hill. Of those who were the pioneers in the second settlement, James Bridg- man, Benjamin Barrett, Thos. Hovey, and Joseph Root died in 1728, Samuel Graves in 1731, Joseph Field in 1736, Daniel Russell in 1537, Daniel Smith in 1740, Ebenezer Billings in 1745, Simon Cooley in 1746, Richard Scott in 1750, Joseph Field (2d) in 1754, Deacon Samuel Gunn in 1755, Benjamin Graves in 1756, Deacon Isaae Hubbard in 1760, Isaac Ilub- bard, Jr., in 1763, Manoah Bodman in 1759, Deacon Samuel Montague in 1779, Dencon Nathaniel Smith in 1799, aged ninety.

REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCES.

Capt. Israel Hubbard was sent a delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1774, and the town placed on record its approval of the " doings" of the Continental Congress held at Philadel- phia, Sept. 5, 1774. Daniel Montague was sent to the Con- gress at Cambridge in 1775, in which year also the town stocked up with powder, and agreed to allow Minute-Men 1s. Gd. per day for three days, to be spent " in learning the art of exercising the firelock," and the town agreed also to pay the same price per day for four days more, provided the Minute- Men applied themselves to the business, and if not they should have no pay. Further provision was made that if the men should, after spending their time in training, refuse to serve in the business for which they enlisted, they should receive no wages. A training-master was hired at an expense of £1 58. for one day each week, and an appropriation was also made to pay for the services of a drummer.

In 1775, Israel Hubbard was the delegate to the Congress at Watertown, and the town committee of correspondence con- sisted of Jedediah Clark, Daniel Montague, Deacon Field, Stephen Scott, and Daniel Hubbard. Dr. Moses Gunn, who was a representative in 1774, received for his services £3 14.s. 4d. In 1775 the Lexington alarm found Sunderland eager to spring to the rescue. Troops were sent forward, and directly thereafter the town voted " that we are willing to do some- thing for our soldiers who have gone forth to defend our rights and privileges, and that we send provisions to them."

In 1777, Israel Hubbard was chosen representative, and in- structed as follows :

"Sir, Taking into our consideration, in this important crisis, the critical situa- tion of our bleeding country, on the account of our Domestic Enemies, we do think it our duty to instruct you to move early in this session of the Great and General Court that they send out a proper test or oath of allegiance to the State, to discover our Enemies from our Friends, so explicit that we may discern them, and that something be done to prevent the undervaluing of onr Paper Currency ; and as to setting up Government, that you take Common Sense for your Guide, more especially that paragraph cited from Draco,-i.e., That he shall writ the up- phuse of uges that will contrice the greatest degree of individual happiness with the least expense; and that we presume will not be in having two houses, the one to negative the other."

The representative chosen in 1778 was instructed as follows :

" Voted that upon hearing the articles of Confederation, together with the advice of the General Assembly, we will give our Representatives instructions in that affair, taking into consideration the expediency of a Confederation and union of the tree States of America; think that the necessity for such union was never greater or more evident than at this day. Doth not onr Salvation depend upon it? All the whole world withont this cannot save us, but with it we may be safe without The assistance of any. We think it a matter of great

importance that our country should be saved, and union is the means of safety. Compact the bond of union, and this may be the meansof preventing any farther attack, and onr greater security against them is made ; for to be in preparation for defence, is defence. This will secure against falling to pieces, and it is the best guard against the seeds of discord and corruption our enemies would sow among us; whereas to neglect the necessary means of our safety is to invite distraction and criminally expose ourselves to its ravages. We therefore instruct yon, Sir, that you use your influence that the Legislature of this State authorize their Delegates in Congress of the United States to ratify the said thirteen articles."

In 1779 six soldiers were wanted for " Claverack," and 40s. a month were offered each man, in wheat at 4s., Indian corn at 2s., and the soldiers were under this agreement to return their State's wages to the town. About this time a bounty of £60 was paid to Joseph Martehaul, Jr., John Tuttel, and Eben Whitney for enlisting. In 1780 nine six months' men were called for, and for them the town offered per man .$300 bounty, and £3 in silver or gold per month, or wheat, rice, Indian eorn, or neat cattle at silver-money price, the town to draw the men's wages. Eleven six months' men were paid £2100 bounty, and eight three months' men were paid a bounty of £150 per man, with £1 per month in addition to the pay from the State.

In 1780 three horses were ordered by the General Court, and the town raised £4000 to buy Continental beef. Six men were raised early this year, and then the town resolved to inquire how other towns procured soldiers, and to see, also, if other towns in the county were willing to call a county convention.

In 1781 the town consulted with six men who had enlisted, about their taking neat eattle as part of their wages. At this time the common rate of exchange was one dollar in silver for seventy-five Continental dollars. In 1782, 40s. per month (810) and a pair of shoes were offered per man for soldiers.

Sunderland was opposed to the war of 1812, and, upon selecting Simeon Ballard as a delegate to the anti-war con- vention at Northampton, adopted the following :

"That, considering the present state of public affairs, the town sincerely dep- recates war with Great Britain, as it will necessarily bring us into an alliance with France, which we wish to avoid as one of the greatest national calamities."

Among those who were drafted into the service from Sun- derland in 1814 were Leslie Clark, Levi Boutwell, Lieut. Thomas Fields, Ransom Rice, Elijah Hubbard, and Asahel Rice. The last of the above to die was Levi Boutwell, whose death occurred in Leverett in 1878.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS.

Although Sunderland was not called upon to suffer seriously from Indian depredations during the wars that raged between the years 1722 and 1760, yet the proximity of the town to the scenes of warfare excited within the breasts of the inhabitants dire apprehensions, and called for the exercise of striet pre- eautionary and defensive measures.

In July, 1722, it was resolved to divide the town into three parts, each of which was to make a fort for defense against the enemy. The people were also called upon to take turns in watching and warding, and many were also detailed to do scout duty. Besides these forts ordered by the town, many houses were "forted" by the individual owners thereof. Alarms were frequent, and, as may be imagined, the constant dread and expectation of Indian attacks interrupted and sorely disorganized the home pursuits of the settlement.

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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 39

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