History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 51

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

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He has been liberal in support of churches and religious interests, and was also in early life a worker in the Sunday- school cause. For forty years he has been a member of the Congregational society, and now in his declining years ean indeed look back with pleasure over a long life spent in active labor and good works.

To Mr. and Mrs. Potter were born ten children, viz. : Merritt F., June 19, 1820, who is now a physician in Hinckley, 111. ; Polly A., Dec. 25, 1821, who died Ang. 7, 1824 ; Orlando B., March 10, 1823, who is a lawyer and resides in New York City ; Samuel L., Dee. 22, 1825, who died July 20, 1854; Hillyer H., Sept. 7, 1826, who is in trade in Peoria, Ill. ; Waymes N., April 28, 1828, who resides in Greenfield and is a commission merchant; Mary A., Jan. 31, 1830, who is at home; Celestia M., Sept. 28, 1831, who died May 7, 1862; Direxa V., June 25, 1833, who died Oet. 17, 1839; and Craige D., June 26, 1836, who is now in business in Boston.

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Brook, Asa Taylor built a tannery, which had among its sub- sequent owners Alfred Olds and Charles Richards, and in the eastern part of the village Nathaniel Rice had a small tannery which was operated by horse-power.

Besides the mills mentioned as being in operation at the village, Leonard & Green have a chair-stock factory on Mill Brook, on a site which was improved by Royal Thomas about 1845; on Rice's Brook, Roswell Rice put up a saw-mill about 1840, which is now carried on by Ilart Rice. He has, also, a cider-mill and a still for making apple-brandy. In the same locality is R. Edwards' snath-factory, which gives employ- ment to half a dozen hands, and produces 1000 snaths per week.

At East Charlemont, Othniel Taylor had a saw-mill on the brook which bears his name, before the Revolution, and at a later period the Taylors had a pottery near the public- house kept by Capt. Taylor. Farther west, Uzziah Simonds built a saw-mill soon after 1800, which had among its opera- tors Ruel Thayer and his sons. About 1812, Ruel Thayer and William Coney started a foundry at this place for making castings for mills and farm-machinery. At a later day they cast stoves. It was last carried on by David, Alon- zo, and Ruel Thayer.

Axes and scythes were made at East Charlemont about 1835 by Josiah Pratt, who had a trip-hammer, and employed a number of hands. In the place was also a tannery, started by Azariah and Noah Parsons, who were followed by Walter Pelton and Calvin and Alfred Walker. Some of these manu- factured shoes on a large scale. Hats were made by Jonathan Avery, a Revolutionary soldier, and the wag of the place. " Hatter Avery" had the faculty of expressing himself in rhymes, and once produced these pertinent lines on the char- acter of a parsimonious neighbor :

"On the flour of a grain of mustard-seed, With the leg of a flea for bacon, His soul would feast eternally, If I am not mistaken !"

Other hatters at the hamlet were Solomon Rand, Lucins Hartwell, Jonathan Wheelock, Dexter Daniels, and Merrill G. Mayhew.

About 1790, Ward Hartwell had a grist-mill on Ilartwell Brook, near where Bassett's saw-mill now is. The latter was put up in 1869 by Henry Bassett & Son, and is now operated by the son. Below this power was formerly a shop for the manufacture of hoes, by Booth & Upton, and handles by E. Field.

On Willow Brook, David Howard has in operation a shingle-mill, and on the upper part of Mill Brook A. P. Maxwell formerly had a small saw-mill. In early times the Goulds had a tannery in the northern part of the town. Ben- nett Edson had a grist-mill on Chickley's River, near its mouth, about 1815, and here a saw- and feed-mill is now carried on by the Grant Brothers.

On Cold River, E. C. Hawks erected a lumber-mill, in 1850, which he has operated since, employing at present 10 hands ; and on the same stream, below, E. D. Hawks has carried on a mill for about the same length of time.

At Zoar, on Pelham Brook, Aaron Negus put in operation a saw-mill before 1820, which is now the property of E. A. & S. D. Negus. On the same stream, above, E. H. Hawks put up a saw-mill after 1850, which was burned, and a new mill erected by King Brothers, which is at present operated by H. L. Bradford & Co. It contains also a run of stones for grinding.

About 1815, Ebenezer S. Hawks put up a tannery at Zoar, which was afterward carried on by Alfred Old and Benjamin Tilton, the latter being pretty extensively engaged, and also made shoes on a large scale. Among other things formerly at this place was a carding-machine by E. S. Hawks, which was operated but a few years.

The records of Charlemont contain an account of a brick- yard, established by the town in 1767. The laborers were sup- plied by the town with the necessary stimulants, procured at Deerfield by David White. Ilis bill shows that he charged 5s. &d. for his time going, and 3s. 8d. for the "Rhum." Gershom Hawks, Artemas Rice, Aaron Rice, and others, fur- nished laborers on the brick-yard. On the 20th of May, 1768, the town sold the brick at vendue for about 12s. 3d. per thousand.

HAMLETS AND VILLAGES. EAST CHARLEMONT

is a beautiful hamlet, built in a struggling manner on the river road, about three miles from the east line of the town, and about the same distance from Shelburne Falls. Buckland Station, on the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, is on the oppo- site side of the stream, and is reached by means of a ferry. East Charlemont was probably the first business point in the town, and once possessed considerable importance, having stores, taverns, and shops, which have been discontinued, leaving the hamlet a simple farm settlement with a post-office, school-house, and Congregational Church.

About 1760, Capt. Othniel Taylor opened a public-house in a building which stood on the site of A. C. Baker's residence. His account-book, running from 1760 to 1785, shows a large patronage, and that the use of ardent spirits was almost uni- versal, the drinks named " flip," "toddy," and " sider" being held in great estimation. Pertaining to the traffic in rum are the following interesting papers, found among the records belonging to Capt. Taylor :

" BOSTON, 19th June, 1771.

"OTHNIEL TAYLOR, ESQ.

"SIR,-I received yours by Mr. White, and now send you three barrels rum, amount of which is below.

" I am, your humble servant,

" ISAAC WINSTON. £ 8. d. 8 7 3

" 9634 gallons @ 20d. "3 barrels (@ 48. 0 12 0"

"To the Hon. Justices of ye Peace for the county of Hampshire, in the State of Massachusetts Bay. We, the subscribers, Recommend Lieut. Asaph White, of Charlemont, as a Person of Sober Life and Conversation, one who has always ap- peared Friendly to the American Cause, and Suitably Qualified aud Provided as a Retailer of Spirituous Liquors.

" OTHI. TAYLOR,

" JAMES WHITE, S Selectmen .

" CHARLEMONT, Nov. 4, 1778."

Mr. White also furnished liquor at wholesale to his neigh- bors, and in 1781 asks Capt. Taylor, " Can you spare any money towards the barrel of rum you had etc. Please deliver to the bearer, Jonathan Thayer."

Capt. Taylor not only entertained man and beast, but he was also a general trader. In 1767 appears an entry against the name of Rev. Jonathan Leavitt for "one silk hd'kf and twenty apple-trees," and other accounts indicate that he dealt in all the commodities necessary in a new settlement.

At a later day Joel Hall had a tavern at East Charlemont, in the building now occupied by L. Merriam. His sign was that of a lion devouring a lamb, which, considering the habits prevalent in those days, was only too true. The substance of many was wasted through the liquor obtained at the " Lion."

Erastus Taylor had a good store in the gambrel-roofed house now used as a summer residence by John O. Merriam, of Troy. It was closed before 1825.

The post-office at East Charlemont was not established until after 1840. Peter Wilder was the first postmaster. The office has since been held by Horace Wells, Mrs. Horace Wells, Lorin Merriam, and Joseph T. Packard. It receives its mails from Shelburne Falls.

ZOAR

is a small hamlet near the western extremity of the town, on the north bank of the Deerfield, and along Pelham Brook. Settlement was first made by the Peirce, Negus, and Hawks

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

families, but the place did not attain much importance until the railroad located a station here in 1868. Besides the indus- tries elsewhere mentioned, E. S. Hawks opened a tavern about 1812, which he continued more than thirty years. Then the place was without an inn until 1860, when H. M. Livermore opened a public-house and store and secured a post-office, all of which were discontinued in a few years. Merchandising was then carried on by S. D. Negus. I. D. Ilawks and J. C. Bryant & Co. are at present in trade.

In January, 1869, the Zoar post-office was re-established, with I. D. Hawks postinaster, who has held the position ever since.

CHARLEMONT

has a charming location on the north bank of the Deerfield River, west of the centre of the town, and on Rice and Mill Brooks. The village is surrounded by some of the most pie- turesque scenery in the county, which serves as a beautiful background, and helps to make this a very attractive place. It is a station on the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, about twenty miles from the latter place, and about eight from Shel- burne Falls. There are mills, stores, a tavern, a good school- house, Baptist, Methodist, and Congregational Churches, and about 100 inhabitants.

Aaron Rice is eredited with having sold the first goods in the place, although not having a regular store. One of the first to engage in trade on a larger seale was Samuel Rath- bone, who, about 1800, opened a store in the building now oe- cupied by Nathan Ballard. The next store was opened by Henry Sheldon, in the present tavern building. The third was on the site of Dr. Dample's office, by George and Anthon Mayhew. Other stores were soon opened at the stands now occupied by A. L. Tyler and Wells ; and about 1852 the May- hews built a large business house, which is now occupied by Amos Avery. The place has had numerous merchants, and at present supports five stores.

It is said that Ephraim Brown was the first innkeeper, his place being the present Dalrymple tavern. Other landlords were members of the Hawks family, Capt. Montague, Henry Sheldon, Ebenezer Thayer, and Richard Iloughton.

Samuel Rathbone was the first postmaster, appointed prob- ably in 1816, after he opened his store. Others holding the office have been Waitstill Hastings, Anthon Mayhew, Luther Bodman, David Hawks, and A. L. Tyler, the latter being the present incumbent. The office has good mail facilities.

THE PROFESSIONS.

Some time before the Revolution, Dr. Moses Heaton located in Charlemont as the physician of the town. He was followed by Dr. Stephen Bates, who lived a mile east of the village, and who was in practice until after 1820. Ile was succeeded by his son, William K., and he in turn by his brother, Stephen, Jr., the latter living at the village at the time of his death. Others in practice have been Drs. George Winslow, Merritt F. Potter, David B. Hawks, Ashmun H. Taylor, George M. Ilanner, and James N. Fitch. At present Dr. II. Temple is in practice here.

Those practicing law in town have been Joseph Bridgman, Joseph P. Allen, Emory Washburn, Edwin 11. Porter, and Sylvester Maxwell, the latter for many years an able and honored lawyer.

Among the graduates of colleges have been Jedediah Bush- nell, Roswell Hawks, Samuel Leonard, Constant Field, James Ballard, Stephen Bates, Joseph White, Joseph Hawks, Daniel Rice, M. F. Potter, Theron M. Hawks, Wm. Legate, etc.

Aaron Rice was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1780, Asahel Judd in 1820, and Rev. Aaron Foster in 1853.

EDUCATIONAL.

It appears that the proprietors did not make any appropria- tion for public schools, and that the town did not take action

for their support until 1770. At the March meeting in that year, £9 were voted to be divided among the three districts,- the upper, the lower, and the hill. In 1773, £5 were raised for the school at the upper end of the town, £4} for the lower school, and £53 for the hill school.

In 1778, £34 were to be laid out for schooling, as follows : £12 on the hill, £IO at the west end of the town, £8 at the cast end, and £4 on the south side of the river. The school rights in publie lands were ordered to be sold.

In 1822, Calvin Hawks, Sylvester Maxwell, and William B. Bates were appointed to inspect schools and examine teachers.

In 1878, the school committee, D. A. Veber, L. B. Rice, and C. P. C. Miner, reported that the number of children be- tween five and fifteen years was 129; over fifteen years, 53 ; of all ages in school, 186; the average attendance, 133. There were eight schools in town, taught fifty-four and a half weeks, and for their support $1666.47 were expended.

About 1845 an academy was built at the village of Charle- mont by a stock company, in which a select school was taught several years. The house was a two-story frame, and base- ment, and stood north of the Mayhew Block. For a number of years it was unoccupied, and was finally destroyed by fire. The bell which formerly belonged to it is now in use on the publie-sehool building.

CHARLEMONT LIBRARY

was opened to the public in February, 1879, with nearly 100 volumes. It is controlled by an association, legally organized in December, 1878, and has for its first officers E. A. Field, President; Iliram Temple, Vice-President; C. S. Cooley, Sec- retary ; S. W. Hawks, Treasurer ; Jennie Baker, Librarian ; Lysander Ilillman, Iliram Temple, and Miss A. W. Maxwell, Book Committee. The members number 40.

THE DEERFIELD VALLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The movement which led to the formation of this society originated at a cattle show held at Charlemont, Oct. 13, 1870, when the following gentlemen were appointed to give effeet to the purpose of founding a society "whose objeet shall be the attainment and diffusion of scientific and practical knowledge of the cultivation of the soil, and all the departments pertain- ing thereto ; and to encourage the mechanic and fine arts and domestie mannfactures :" Charlemont, R. H. Leavitt, John A. Winslow ; Ilawley, W. E. Mansfield, Willis Vincent ; Buek- land, Samuel Ward, E. D. Bement; Heath, John Reed, E. M. Vincent ; Rome, Charles Demons, William Hicks; Monroe, David Goodell, Joseph E. ITieks; Coleraine, R. Smith, O. J. Davenport; Plainfield, Joseph Sears, Francis Joy ; Savoy, Ebenezer Ingraham, N. B. Baker.

This committee appointed agents in the above towns to so- lieit life members for the above society, and it was resolved that when 100 had been secured the organization should take place. A meeting for this purpose was warned by Justice Tyler, Nov. 26, 1870, when a constitution was adopted, and R. H. Leavitt, A. L. Tyler, and S. P. Everett were appointed to secure a proper charter from the State. Having secured recognition from the State authorities, the following were elected as the first board of officers : President, R. II. Leavitt, of Charlemont ; Vice-Presidents, Willis Vincent, of Hawley ; E. M. Vincent, of Heath ; Josiah Trow, of Buckland ; Jesse B. Kemp, of Florida ; Secretary, W. E. Mansfield, of Hawley ; Treasurer, C. H. Rice, of Charlemont; Auditors, M. M. Man- tor, of Charlemont ; Sylvanus Clark, of Florida ; Wm. Hunt, of Heath.

In 1872 the society had 435 male and 21 female life mem- bers, the fees from whom, and the liberal donations received from various sources, enabled it to carry out the designs of its founders. Seventeen acres of beautifully located land at Char- lemont village had been inelosed for fair purposes, a half-mile track located, and appropriate buildings erected. Here was held, Oct. 10 and 11, 1871, the first annual exhibition of the

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

society. The address was delivered by the Ilon. George B. Loring, of Salem, and the fair throughout was very successful. Nearly $600 were awarded in premiums. Since that period the society has held annual exhibitions, which have been at- tended with unabated interest. The grounds have been sub- stantially improved, and are now valued at $8000.

The officers of the society in 1878 were: President, David L. Smith, Coleraine ; Vice-Presidents, C. B. Mayhew, Charle- mont ; R. W. Field, Buckland ; N. B. Baker, Savoy ; C. C. Wheaton, Rowe; Secretary, M. M. Mantor, Charlemont ; Treasurer, H. N. Warner, Charlemont ; Auditors, L. H. Richmond, Charlemont; Dennis Canedy, Heath; F. M. Simpson, Hawley.

The society meets statedly for the discussion of all ques- tions of interest pertaining to the farmers and mechanics of this part of the county, and much benefit has been derived from the knowledge disseminated by this means.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

One of the conditions of the act of June 27, 1735, granting certain tracts of land to the town of Boston, provided that within five years from the confirmation of the plan the pro- prietors should " build and finish a suitable and convenient house for the public worship of God, and settle a learned or- thodox minister in each of said towns, and provide for their honorable and comfortable support; and also lay out three house-lots in each of said towns, each of which is to draw a sixty-third part of said town in all future divisions,-one to be for the first settled minister, one for the ministry, and one for the school." It seems that, so far as Charlemont was con- cerned, no attempt was made by the early proprietors to fulfill these conditions, and that the settlers themselves were obliged to provide the means of education and the privileges of publie worship. One of the most prominent of these, Capt. Moses Rice, memorialized the General Court, June 5, 1752, setting forth the non-compliance of the proprietors, and earnestly praying for a tax to help carry out the promised measures.

In answer the General Court, on the 4th of December, 1752, ordered a penny tax on every acre of land not set aside for public purposes for the space of three years, and that a portion of the money so raised should be used for the " meeting-house already agreed and engaged to be set up in said township." Accordingly, at the first meeting of the proprietors, after this order, Jan. 17, 1753, £100, old tenor, of the first year's tax, were appropriated for preaching, and Eleazer Hawks, Moses Rice, and Joseph Wilder, Jr., were appointed " to provide for the same the current year ;" and on the 3d of May, the same year, the proprietors assembled at the place where it was pro- posed to set the meeting-house, " which place is a little south of ye south line of Hancock's farm, between it and ye north line of Thomas Stearns' land." They voted " that the house should be five and thirty feet long, thirty feet wide, and eighteen feet stud." Moses Rice, Thomas Stearns, and Joseph Wilder, Jr., were chosen to agree with Thomas Diek, of Pelham, " to set up a frame and finish said house on the outside and lay the lower floor." The frame was set up hy Mr. Dick in the summer of 1753, but he did not complete the house that year. In fact, it was never finished, although the proprietors endeavored to have it done, and the following year " voted that Mr. Dick be notified to cover the roof of the meeting-house with boards and shingles, and to board the gable ends."

The same year, 1754, a minister's lot was set aside, near this frame, "to be 200 rods long and 80 rods wide." This property was located in the southern part of the present town of Heath, the farm being at present the property of William Bassett. One hundred pounds were also voted for preaching.

The troublous events of the French-and-Indian war, coming on about this time, prevented anything further being done until May, 1762. In that month the proprietors held a meet-

ing and appointed Col. White, Joseph Wilder, and Aaron Rice a committee " to see to covering the meeting-house, or, if the former frame will not do, to set up a new frame and cover it." The committee, having decided that the old frame would not do, contracted with Mr. Dick, in 1762, to build a new house as follows :

" Know all men by these presents that I, Themas Dick, of Pelham, in the County of Hampshire, Innholder, For and in consideration of a former obliga- tien I gave to Mr. Othniel Taylor, Treasurer of Charlemont, to build a meeting- honse in Charlemont, do by these presents covenant and engage to set up a frame in said town, in the place where the old frame now stands, it being 35 feet by 30, and 18 feet post, to cover the outside with chamferred boards and the roof with boards and shingles, and put up weather beards, to lay the lewer floor with boards on sleepers or joice well supported, and to complete the same, workman like, by the last day of September next. Otherwise, on failure thereof, to pay said Treasurer 26 pounds for the use of said Proprietors. THOMAS DICK.

"N. B. Tbe proprietors are to find boards, nails, and shingles, and rum for the raising."

This house was erected on the site of the old frame, but it, too, was never completed, and in 1769 it was sold to Col. Asaph White, who removed it to his farm near by, and re- modeled it for a dwelling, which was long occupied by him and his family.

Meanwhile the town had become incorporated, and as there was now prospect that the taxes for the support of the gospel would be regularly levied and collected, measures were taken to provide a pastor. Until this period (1766), preaching had been supplied by various ministers,-in 1753 by the Rev. C. M. Smith, of Hatfield, and at later periods by the Revs. Eleazer May, Mr. Treat, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Swan, Simeon Strong, and Eliphalet Huntington. The meetings were held at the houses of the principal inhabitants, and, for a short time, in the unfinished meeting-house.

On the 16th of March, 1767, David White was sent by the town te Walpole, N. H., to invite the Rev. Jonathan Leavitt to preach as a candidate. An invita- tion to settle as a pastor followed, and in case of acceptance it was voted to give him "One hundred pounds settlement,"-sixty pounds the first year, and forty the second ; also a salary as follows: " Fifty pounds the first year, and to raise two pounds a year for five years, and there to continue until there are sixty families in town ; and to rise one pennd upon each family that shall be added above sixty until it comes to eighty pounds a year, and there to remain Inring his centinnance with us in the work of the ministry; and likewise to find him his wood."

Mr. Leavitt having accepted this proposition, Aaron Rice, Othniel Taylor, and Gershom Hawks were appointed to pro- vide for his installation. It was also agreed to build him a house on the lot of 100 acres before mentioned, and to which he was entitled as the first minister in town. The church, probably, was organized about this time, September, 1767, and had as its deacons Aaron Rice and Gershom Hawks. The in- stallation, which took place soon after, was preceded by a sol- emn fast, and was closed with feasting and rejoicing, according to the enstom of that day. The pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, was a native of Suffield, Conn., had graduated at Yale in 1758, and was ordained to the ministry at Walpole, N. H., from which place he was dismissed in 1765. His sermons were learned, and it is said that his prayers were incredibly long. A fellow-minister said of him: "He dressed in the costume of his day, wore a great white wig and a cocked-up hat, making an elegant appearance. He could do more exe- cution with one nod of his wig than you or I could talking half an hour." He remained with the church until its dissolu- tion, about 1785, and died in Heath in 1801.

Before the settlement of Mr. Leavitt the town had decided to build a new meeting-house. Aug. 8, 1767, it was " voted to build another meeting-house, half-way from the one already built to Mr. David White's dwelling-house, or the nearest convenient place thereto, 45 feet long, 35 feet wide, and 20 feet posts." Aaron Rice, Jonathan Taylor, and Jonathan Ilastings were appointed "to settle the place," and Aaron Rice, David White, and Timothy Thayer to oversee and carry on the meeting-house. It was occupied in the fall of 1769, but was not, completed before 1772. In that year, Samuel

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Hunt, Asaph White, and Asahel Thayer were selected by the town to finish it. In the division of Charlemont the house fell within the bounds of Heath, and that town took the building to Heath hamlet in 1789, where it was used as a meeting-house until 1833.

No records having been preserved, it is not possible to give a full history of the church over which Mr. Leavitt presided about fifteen years, and of which he was the only pastor. Various causes tended to bring it to an end. Some accused Mr. Leavitt of Arminianism, and others questioned his loyalty to the patriot cause ; but it is probable that neither was the case. It is more likely that the people found it inconvenient to pay him his salary, and for that reason wished to termi- nate his pastorate. It appears that he was not willing to have his pastoral relations dissolved until his arrearages were paid and their supposed grievances had been submitted to a regular council of the neighboring churches. The town, however, assumed the right to dismiss Mr. Leavitt, and in 1780 approved the action of the selectmen in shutting up the meeting-house, so that Mr. Leavitt could no longer preach from its pulpit. But he continued his ministrations in the school-house near by and at his own house, and when the town would not agree to a proper settlement, he sued to recover his salary. It was awarded him by the Supreme Court, which held the inability of the town to dismiss a minister without the consent and concurrence of an ecclesiastical council.

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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 51

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