History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 74

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 74

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WAR OF IS12.

Like many of her sister towns, Wendell was opposed to the war of 1812, and sent Joshua Green as a delegate to the North- ampton Convention, called in July, 1812, to protest against the war, and to demand a speedy treaty of peace. In March, 1812, it was resolved that powder and balls should be provided for the soldiers when inspected. In 1814 the town sent to the General Court a memorial concerning " the present situation of publick affairs " Wendell sent 15 men for the defense of Boston in 1814, and the names of 11 are here given, as fol- lows: Joseph Needham, Luther Osgood, Martin Hager, Silas Whitcomb, Thomas Walkup, Martin Fisk, William Farr, Willard Thompson, William Putnam, Silas Osgood, and Amos Seranton. Of the 15 the only known survivor is Joseph Needham who is still living, at Wendell Centre, bale and hearty, at the age of eighty-four.

ORGANIZATION.

The act of incorporation was passed May 8, 1781, and pro- vided for the erection of the northerly part of the town of Shutesbury, and that part of a tract of land called Erving- shire lying on the south side of Miller's River, into a town, by the name of Wendell.

* This was a mere formal notice, necessary to prevent them from being charge- able to this town if they became paupers. No one was driven out by it.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The boundaries were prescribed as follows : Beginning at the south side of Miller's River, at the northwest corner of John Erving's land, and thence extending south, fourteen degrees cust, 2100 rods, or until it comes in a direct line with the south end of the lots Nos. 2, 3, 7, 9, 26, and 27 ; thence run- ning east on the south line of said lots 131I rods to New Sa- lem town-line; thence running northerly by New Salem line to Miller's River 2084 rods, and thence by said river until it comes to the place of beginning.

The act further provided that Moses Gunn should be au- thorized to issue his warrant to one of the principal inhabit- ants of the town, requiring him to notify the frecholders and other inhabitants to meet for the selection of town officers, ete. In accordance therewith, Moses Gunn, who was a justice of the peace, notified Joseph Johnson to call the meeting, which was held June 14, 1781, at Deacon Jonathan Osgood's house. The incorporation act, so the records indicate, was procured by Daniel Denny, who was ordered to be paid for his trouble.

The town was named in honor of Judge Oliver Wendell, of Boston. IIe was the owner of much land in and about Wendell, and is said to have been a great patron of the town, which he frequently visited. The only donations he made, as far as the records show, were a christening-basin and pulpit Bible to the Congregational Church. In 1803 a tract of land called " Benjamin Till Gore," and a tract a mile in width, taken from Montagne, were added to the traet origi- nally incorporated as Wendell, and so it now remains.

SELECTMEN.

1781 .- Lot Paine, John Ross, Daniel Denny. 1782 .- Richard Moor, Josiah Osgood, John Ross. 17×3 .- No record of any election.

1784 .- Josiah Osgood, John Ross, Nathan Brewer. 1785 .- Josiah Osgood, Daniel Porter, Thomas Atherton. 1786 .- Daniel Porter, Hananiah Rand, David Whittaker. 1787 .- Henry Sweetser, Josiah Osgood, David Whittaker. 1788,-Daniel Porter, Jonathan Crosbre, Benjamin Stiles. 1789-90 .- David Whittaker, Edmund Stiles, John Ross. 1791 .- Edmund Stiles, Jobn Ross, Samuel Caswell. 1792 .- Filmund Stiles, David Whittaker, Joshua Green. 1793 .- John Ross, Jushua Green, Samuel Osgood. 1794-95 .- John Ross, Joshua Green, David Whittaker. 1796-1801 .- Joshua Green, John Ross, Nathan Brewer. 1801-2 .- Joshına Green, Nathan Brewer, Phineas Stiles. 1803-9 .- Nathan Brewer, Joshua Green, David Whittaker. 1809 .- Joshua Green, Nathan Brewer, Joseph Sawyer. 1810 .- Joshua Green, Nathan Brewer, Timothy Arur trong. 1811 .- Joshua Green, Nathan Brewer, David Whittaker. 1812 .- Joshua Green, Nathan Brewer, Levi Benjamin. 1×13 .- Joshua Green, Levi Benjamin, Clark Stone. 1814 .- Joshua Green, Levi Benjamin, Joseph Sawyer. 1815 .- Joshua Green, Levi Benjamin, Joel Bent. 1816-19,-Joshua Green, Joel Bent, Samuel Brewer. 1819-20 .- Joshua Green, Luther Osgood, Samuel Brewer. 1821 .- Jushua Green, Samuel Brewer, Joel Bent. 1822 .- Joshua Green, John Beaman, Bezaliel Lock. 1823 .- Joslina Green, Martin Hagar, Timothy Taft. 1824 .- Joshua Green, Martin Hagar, Samuel Brewer. 1×25-26 .- Joshua Green, Martin Hagar, Timothy Taft. 1827 .- Joshua Green, Timothy Taft, Samuel Brewer. 1828 .- Timothy Taft, Martin Grout, Joel Drury. 1829 .- Joshna Green, Jonathan Whittaker, Ira Benjamin.

1830-31 .- Martin Grout, Jonathan Whittaker, Ira Benjamin. 1832-33 .- Jonathan Whittaker, Samuel Brewer, Nonh Porter. 1834 .- Martin Grout, Joel Howe, Elihn Osgood. 1835-36 .- Juel Ilowe, Jabez Sawyer, Jr., Ira Benjamin. 1837 .- Jonathan Whittaker, Ira Benjamin, Wm. L. Bent. 1838 .- Jabez Sawyer, Jr., Joel Ilowe, Silas Ballard. 1839 .- Joel Howe, Jabez Sawyer, Lansford Armstrong. 1840 .- Otis Brooks, Joel Howe, Gardner Leach. 1841 .- Samuel Brewer, Ivers Benjamin, Gen. B. Richardson. 1×42 .- Jabez Sawyer, Moses Stone, Joseph Needhanı. 1843 .- Joel lowe, Joseph Needham, Luther Stone. 1844 .- Samnel Hinsdale, Jabez Sawyer, Jr., Luther Stone. 1845 .- Luther Stone, Samuel Brewer, Joseph Fisk (2). 1×16 .- Samuel Brewer, Win. Fleming, Joseph Fisk (2d). 1×47 .- Jabez Sawyer, Jr., Luther Stone, Isaac Dudley. 1848 .- Lansford Armstrong, Joseph Fisk (2d), Chester Leach.

18.19 .- Lucius Cooke, Jonathan Whittaker, Thomas D. Brooks.

1850 .- Joel Howe, Luke Leach, Adin Whittaker. 1851 .- Luther Stone, Wm. Putnam, Erastus L. Orcutt. 1852 .- Wm. Putnam, Adin Whittaker, Alonzo Fleming.

1853 .- Aaron Chandler, Joseph Fisk (2d), Ivers Benjamin. 1854 .- Jabez Sawyer, Aaron Chandler, Joseph Fisk (2dl). 1855 .- Jabez Sawyer, Aaron Chandler, John Howe. 1856 .- Win. H. Phelps, Clark Stone, Adin Whitaker.

1857 .- Joel Ilowe, Ivers Benjamin, Chas. A. Eldy.

1858 .- Aaron Chandler, Lewis Leonard, Ebenezer Lock. 1859 .- Jnbez Sawyer, Luther Stone, J. M. King. 1860 .- Aaron Chandler, J. B. Reynolds, Clark Stone.

1861 .- J. R. Reynolds, Joseph Fisk (21), Alonzo Fleming.

ISG2 .- Alonzo Fleming, Joseph Fisk (2dl), Adin Whittaker.

1863 .- J. Reynolds, T. I. Bartlett, Clark Stone. 1864 .- J. R. Reynolds, T. II. Bartlett, N. E. Sweetser. 1865 .- Andrew Bok, Orin Andrews, Clark Stone. 1866 .- Luke Leach, Danforth Putnam, Andrew Baker. 1867 .- T. Il. Bartlett, Wm. D. Andrews, F. K. Fleming. 1868 .- Edwin L. Gates, Wm. Fleming, Ilollis Wrisley. 1869 .- Aaron l'ike, T. Il. Bartlett, A. Il. Haskell. 1870 .- Aaron l'ike, Andrew Baker, Truman Bartlett. 1871 .- M. M. Stebbins, D. P. Austin, Andrew Baker. 1872 .- Andrew Baker, Daniel Ballard, M. M. Stebbins. 1873,-J. C. Holston, Alonzo Fleming, T. II. Bartlett. 1874 .- T. II. Bartlett, Alonzo Fleming, Andrew Baker. 1875 .- J. C. Brown, Clark Stone, Nicholas Laux. 1876 .- Andrew Baker, Orin Andrews, Nicholas Laux.

1877 .- Orin Andrews, Andrew Baker, C. E. Rogers.

1878 .- John C. Holston, Chester Clark, Nicholas Lanx.

TOWN CLERKS.

James Ross, 1781-88; Daniel l'orter, 1788-1823; Josiah Richardson, 1823-25; John Metcalf, Jr., 1826-32; Calvin Hunter, 1833-36 ; Solomon Barrett, 1837-38; Mason Boss, 1839-43; Otis Brooks, 1844 ; Jonathan Whittaker, 1845; Geurge B. Birhardson, 1846-51; Theodore W. Lyman, 1852 ; Thomas D. Brooks, 1853; Leb- beus Spooner, 1854-55; Otis Cbittenden, 1856-57 ; James E. Clark, 1858; John Hunt, 1859-62; J. H. Dodge, 1863; Il. F. Brooks, 1864-65; Willard Brigham, 1866; Marens MI. Stebbins, 1867-G8; Orin Andrews, 1869-70; A. T. Bemis, 1871 ; Lyman G. Gould, 1872-73; Alburn Fiske, 1874-75; Hiram Willis, 1876-79.

REPRESENTATIVES AT THIE GENERAL COURT.

The town's first representative at the General Court was Joshua Green, who was sent thither in 1806. Besides Mr. Green, the representatives from 1806 to 1857 (when Wendell became a part of the Fifth Representative District) have been as follows :

Clark Stone, Jonathan Whittaker, Jonathan Brown, Jabez Sawyer, Jr., Ama- riah Sawyer, Ivers Benjamin, Gardner Leach, Martin Ilager, Moses Stone, Lu- ther Stone, Lyman Fisk, George A. Green, Samuel Brewer, Wm. Putnam, Addison Leach, Jas. E. Clark.

VILLAGES. WENDELL CENTRE,

the locality of the earliest settlement, and now the seat of town government, occupies an elevated region four miles from Wendell Depot, where the Fitchburg Railroad touches the town. The centre contains the only two churches in Wendell, the town-hall, one store and post-office, and a hotel. It is a place of some resort in the summer season, because of its lofty elevation and healthful climate.

WENDELL DEPOT, a station on the Fitchburg Railroad, contains a store, a public hall, and post-office, and is pleasantly located in a valley on the south bank of Miller's River.

LOCK'S VILLAGE, on the northern line of Shutesbury, is partly also in Wendell.

CHURCHES.

In November, 1774, a Congregational Church was organ- ized in what is now Wendell, by James Ross, John Crosbee, Jonathan and Josiah Osgood, Silas Wilder, Thomas Osgood, Richard Moore, Wm. Larned, Henry Sweetser, James Ross, Jr., Joseph Russell, Francis Kidder, John Wetherbee, Moses Sawyer, John Ross, Nathan Brewer, Lemuel Beaman, Zach- ariah Drury, Benjamin Glazier, and Luke Osgood,-20 in all, to whom were a few days later added 13 females. On the 20th of November, 1774, a council, convened at Shutesbury, from churches in Montague, New Salem, Westminster, and War- wick, received the organization as a " visible, regular Church of Christ." Rev. Abraham Ilill, of Shutesbury, preached to

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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

them occasionally, but, by reason of bis Toryism later on, he lost favor with them. During Mr. Kilburn's term the church appointed a committee " to treat with those members, whether communicants or otherwise, who publicly neglect their duty, or have been guilty of moral scandal publicly known."

In July, 1781, the town resolved to hire " more preaching," and further, that " the meeting-house spot" be on the north side of the county road, and the east side of the town. This is the site occupied by the present Congregational Church in Wendell Centre.

In October, 1781, it was decided to build a meeting-house, 55 feet long by 40 wide, and to raise £50 to set up the frame to inclose it, and to lay the lower floor. Mr. Babcock, who was called in January, 1782, to settle in the ministry, was to have a settlement of £100, and his salary to be £40 a year for the first three years, and then to rise 40s. annually until it reached £00. When the meeting-house was about to be raised, in 1783, it was agreed to allow Jonathan Crosbee for what rum might be expended in raising the house.

In 1791, Maj. Erving by will bequeathed to the town of Wendell, for the benefit of the clergyman of the parish and his descendants in that office, a lot of land. Ilis will set forth that,-

"I am indneed to do this with a view that in time they may get men of superior eminence as divines for your pastors, likewise men of philosophical learning, who may enable you by their instructions to explore the bowels of the earth and discover the riches thereof, and be further useful to yon in agriculture or any other branch of natural history."

In 1795 the seats in the front gallery east of the division, and the south half of the seats in the women's side gallery, were appropriated to the use of the singers. In 1795 the owners of pews in the meeting-house were Joseph Sawyer, Lemuel Beaman, Elisha Washburn, Lemuel Leach, John Prentice, Joshua Green, Edmund Stiles, Zachariah Drury, Luke Osgood, Jonathan Crosbee, Abel Howe, Joseph JJohn- son, Josiah Austin, Josiah Osgood, Nathan Brewer, Elihu Osgood, Samuel Osgood, Nathaniel Johnson, Jr., Richard Moore, Daniel Porter, Nathan Wilder, Jr., Henry Sweetser, Ezra Allen, Zedekiah Fisk, Wm. Lawrence, Luke Osgood, Samuel Harris, Oliver Dresser, Jonathan Orcutt, A. Fisher, Ephraim Howe, Josiah Ballard, Jonathan Osgood, John Ross, Calvin Butler, Isaac Rogers, Oliver Dresser, Jr., Ilan- Daniah Rand, Silas Wright, Stephen Whitney, Ephraim Ross, Josiah Ballard, Samuel Pearks, Daniel Fisk, Ephraim Lock, David Whittaker. In 1812 the pew belonging to the town was sold to Samuel Cobb for one year for $2.90.

Although the old church building was begun in 1783, it was not completely finished until nearly ten years thereafter. In 1846 it was replaced by the present edifice, and it was in that year that the church-bell first sounded in Wendell.

Rev. Joseph Kilburn, the first pastor of the church, was installed in October, 1783, and continued in its service until his death, in 1816. Mr. Kilburn was succeeded by Revs. Hervey Wilbur, John Duncklee, William Claggett, Salmon Bennett, N. S. Dickinson, B. B. Cutler, and others. Rev. A. Stowell supplies the preaching at present, and preaches as well at Erving. The attendants number about 80. It is worthy of reference that Jonathan Osgood was a deacon of the church from 1781 to 1808, a period of twenty-seven years ; Nathan Brewer served thirty-seven years; Levi Stone and Joshua Green each twenty-nine years.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The origin of the Baptist Church in Wendell may be traced to June 11, 1799, when, at the request of the Baptist Church in Shutesbury, a council was convened at Wendell " to advise with said church and sundry members thereof, who have manifested their desire of embodying into a church by them- selves." After inquiry into " the circumstances of the brethren and friends in Wendell," it was voted without dissension that

"this couneil view it expedient and promising to tend to the upbuilding of the cause of Christianity for the brethren and sisters in Wendell to embody themselves into a church by the name of ' The Baptist Church of Christ in Wendell.'" The names of those who formed the church were David Boynton, Foxwell Thomas, Aaron Fisher, Jonas Fisk, Ephraim Locke, Jason Phillips, Cornelius Moore, Jabez Sawyer, Aaron Fisher, Jr., and 17 women,-26 in all. Among the pastors who served the church after its organization may be noted Ezra Kendall, Samuel King, David Goddard, Aaron Burbank, Lysander Fay, William Leach, Norman Clark, John Hunt. Rev. H. S. Davis is now the pastor. The average number of attend- ants is about 80. The church held occasional public worship in school-houses and other places until 1819, when a meeting- house was erected about half a mile east of Wendell Centre. In 1845 the building was removed to the present site, and re- modeled and improved as it now appears.

The town records note the existence in Wendell in 1812 of a Methodist Church society, and of a Universalist society in 1819, but beyond such brief notices no further historical data can be obtained save that among the members of the former were Luther Stone, Joel Drury (Ist), Joel Drury (2d), - Needham, Abel and Silas Drury, Ebenezer Johnson, James Austin, Abel Death, and Nelly Stone.

SCHOOLS.

The record of the first annual town-meeting, held March, 1782, refers to the existence of a school-house in the town, on the site, probably, of the present north school-house. Twelve pounds were raised that year for schooling, and in the au- tumn of the same year measures were instituted for the division of the town into four school squadrons or districts. In 1791 the will of Major William Erving gave to the town a school lot of 120 aeres on Whetstone Hill, about a mile east of Wen- dell Centre. The donor in his will set forth as a reason that, " thinking it of the highest consequence that learning should be preserved, for fear, from the great inattention thereto, that the people might relapse into a state of barbarism, he be- queathed," etc.

In that year, too, the town voted £200 for building school- houses, of which it appears there were to be five, -- north, south, east, west, and centre. In 1827 the number of dis- tricts was raised to ten, but since then it has returned to the old standard,-five. The schools are now known as the Centre, North, Mormon Hollow, South, and South west schools. The average daily attendance of scholars in 1878 was 108, and the amount raised for school expenses $772, ex- clusive of $209 received from the State. A social library was established in the town in 1824, and has since then continned to prosper in a gratifying way.

BURIAL-PLACES.

There are but two public cemeteries in the town,-one at Wendell Centre and one near Lock's village, in the south. The former is the ground laid out at the early settlement of the town. The first person buried therein was James Ross, in 1782, the headstone over his grave still bearing an in- seription testifying to that fact. Other old inscriptions are as follows :

Benlah Sweetser, 1797; Nathan Johnson, 1797; Elizabeth Wilder, 1797; Ben- jamin Porter, 1793; Prudence Johnson, 1798; Artemas Osgood, 1798; Eunice Brewer, 1790; Susannah Watkins, 1798: Lucy Sweetser, 1797; Aaron Moore, 1799; Hannah Howe, 1801; Joseph Kilburn, Jr., 1790; Lemuel Beaman, 1401; Abigail Wilder, 1804; Joshna Green, 180G; Capt. Henry Sweetser, 1820, aged ninety; Lucy, his widow, 1833, aged ninety-four; Marcy Porter, 1811, aged ninety-two; Abraham Stone, 1838, aged ninety ; John Stone, 1819, aged ninety- six ; Deacon Nathan Brewer, 1832, aged eighty-five; Jonathan Crosbee, 1808: Jonathan Osgood, 1812; John Stone, 1819, aged ninety-six ; Abraham Stone, 1838, aged ninety.

INDUSTRIES.

For fifty years after the incorporation the industrial interests of the town of Wendell were almost exclusively agricultural,

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

and they were, moreover, profitably pursued. Now, although there is much excellent farming-land in the town, it is not cultivated to n very great extent. In 1875 the value of the agricultural products of the town aggregated $46,005. In 1815, John Sawin made chaises, and later manufactured car- riages ; but that industry closed at his death. J. E. Stone's piano-case manufactory, situated partly in Erving and partly in Wendell, has already been treated of in the history of Erving. There are seven saw-mills in the town, and be- yond these there are no manufactories of any description. Palm-leaf hats are braided by a majority of the female portion Daniel B. Whittaker, enl. Oct. 11, 1862, Co. F, 52/1 Regt. ; died July 22, 1863, at Port Hudson, La. Lorriston Barnes, eul. Oct. 11, 1862, Co. G, 521 Regt .; disch. Aug. 14, 1863.

Michael Carey, enl. Aug. 12, 1864, Co. L, Ist Il. Art.

Frank Longdo, enl. July 29, 1864; trans, to 17th Inf.

Herbert F. Brooks, enl. June 21, 1861, Co. G, 10th Inf .; disch. Sept. 11, 1862, for disability.

Charles E. Green, enl. June 21, 1861, Co. G, 10th Inf .; disch. July 1, 1864.

Amos L. Williams, enl. June 21, 1861, Co. G, 10th Inf .; disch. July 1, 1864.

Tyler F. Williams, ent. June 21, 1861, Co. G, 10th Inf .; disch July 14, 1862, for di-abulity.

Chester A. Ellis, enl. April 5, 1862, Co. I, 21st Inf .; died July 16, 1862, at Newbern, N. C.

Marens M. Stebbins, sorgt., enl. Oct. 5, 1861, Co. K, 2611: Inf .; disch. to re-enl., Dec. 31, 1863; disch. July 3, 1865, for disability.

Lyman White, corp., enl. Oct. 19, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf .; disch. Oct. 10, 1862, for disability.

Walter D. Crane, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, Co. K, 26th Inf .; disch. Aug. 26, 1865.

of the community, but the yield is small. The total value of manufactures in 1875 was $67,785. The total valuation of the town in 1878 was $169,721,-of which $150,000 was in real estate. The total tax-State, town, and county-was $5058.66; the number of farms, 131 ; and the number of dwellings, 131.

MILITARY.

WENDELL'S REBELLION RECORD.

The following list of soldiers who served during the Re- bellion of 1861-65 is taken from the adjutant - general's report :

John L. Grout, enl. Oct. 7, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf .; disch. April 10, 1863, for disability.

William llildreth, enl. Sept. 16, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf. ; dird Out. 6, 1863, at New Orleans, La.

Elisha B. Leach, enl. Oct. 8, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf .; disch Jan. 31, 1864, to re-enli-t.

Lafayette C. Stebbins, enl. Sept. 18, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf .; trans. Jan. 6, 1864, to the Signal Corps.

Eli White, enl. Oct. 7, 1861, Co. K, 26th Inf ; disch. Oct 10, 1862, for disability.

Lucian Williams enl. Oct. 27, 18GI, Co. K, 26th lof. ; died Sept. 7, 1862, at New Orleans.

Ilorace B. Allen, en1. Sept. 23, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf .; disch. Sept. 22, 1862, for disability.

David Blair, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf .; died July 24, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga.

Hiram Blair, enl Sept. 20, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf. ; thsch. Dec. 23, 1863, to re-ent. ; disch. June 26, 1865.

Dexter Oaks, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf .; disch. Jan. 1, 1864, to re-enl. ; disch. June 26, 1865 (Prescott).

Horace Bice, enl. Oct. 6, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf .; ilisch. April 3, 1862, for disability.

William Stone, enl. April 9, 1862, Co. B, 27th Inf .; died Feb. 2, 1865, at Newbern, N. C.

Horace W. Whittaker, enl. Sept. 20, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf. ; disch. April 6, 1862, for disability. George M. Williams, ent. Sept. 20, 1861, Co. B, 27th Inf. ; disch. Ang. 4, 1862, for disability.

Ebenezer Winslow, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, Co. B, 27th Inl .; disch. Sepr. 27, 1864.

Daniel E. Bill, enl. Ang. 4, 1862, Co. C, 27th Inf .; disch. to re-ent., Jan. 1, 1864 ; died Oct. 5, 1864, at Charleston, S. C.

Joseph W. Blair, enl. Jan. 4, 1864, Co C, 27th Inf .; died July 15, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga.

Alvah B. Oatman, enl. Aug. 11, 1862, Co. C, 27th Inf. ; disch. Sept. 27, 1864.

Ilenry W. Stevens, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, Co. C, 27th Inf .; disch. Sept. 27, 1864.

Frederick 11. Wyman, enl. Ang. 11, 1862, Co. C, 27th Inf .; trans. Aug. 14, 1863, to Vet. Res. Corps.

Elwin A. Piper, enl. April 1, 1864, Co. B, 28th Inf .; killed May 12, 1864, at Sportsylvania, Va.

Myron Howe, enl. Dec. 30, 1863, Co. D, 34th Inf. ; trans, June 14, 1865, to 24th Inf.

John Sullivan, enl. May 31, '64, Co. A, 3d U. S. Art.

HEATH.

GEOGRAPHIICAL.

THIS town is the third from the west, bordering on Vermont, and has Coleraine for its castern boundary, while south and west are Charlemont and Rowe. Originally the greater part of llcath belonged to Charlemont, but, after the Revolution, Col. Hugh Maxwell was selected, in 1784, by his neighbors, living on the hills of Charlemont, to attend the General Court, at Boston, and procure the formation of a new town. His mission was successful, and on the 14th of February, 1785, Heath was incorporated to embrace, besides the territory taken from Charlemont, all that tract of land lying north to the Ver- mont line, known as the " Green and Walker Grant," and heretofore unincorporated. The name was bestowed in com- pliment to Gen. William Heath, of Roxbury, who was at that time a member of the General Court, and active in pro- moting the incorporation of the town. It was fully organized the following April. The surface is elevated and hilly, and, although generally tillable, the town is best adapted for grazing, and dairying has for many years been the chief in- dustry of the people. The principal streams of the town are West Branch Brook and its affluents in the north, having a general casterly course ; and Wilder, Avery, and Mill Brooks, flowing south. All are small and furnish but little water- power, but their general distribution secures good drainage.

The town contained one of the cordon of forts, erected in 1744, in the northern parts of Berkshire and Franklin Coun- ties, by the province, for defense against the Indians. The one in Heath was named Fort Shirley, in honor of the Gov- ernor of the province, and was probably nothing more than a well-constructed stockade. Some of the timbers were pine,

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hewed to measure 7 by 15 inches, and were removed by the carly settlers to construct their barns. It is said that some of these logs may yet be found in a barn built by David White, and at present owned by O. Maxwell. The fort was on a piece of ground near the brook, between the farms of Win. Kon- drick and W. L. Cook, and was abandoned before 1754.

LAND TITLES AND PIONEER SETTLERS.

The lower part of the town was embraced in Charlemont, and was therefore subject to the proprietorship of that town; and the names of some of the first landholders are given in that connection. The " Green and Walker" tract was origi- nally owned by men bearing these names, but was parceled out in smaller lots, most of which were owned by people residing outside the province, and general settlement was not made until after 1790. In the Charlemont part improve- ments were made as early as 1754, but no permanent settle- ment was established much before 1760, or about that period. Jonathan Taylor, who lived with his brother, Othniel, in the fort, in Charlemont, after 1754, located on a tract of land east of the centre, on what is now known as the Elmer place. It is said that the level nature of the land here led him to believe that it was a meadow ; but he found the soil cold and unpro- ductive. At first Mr. Taylor lived in a rude house of split logs, roofed with hemlock bark, and having a stone chimney laid up without mortar. His wife possessed great conversa- tional powers, and, fearing that they would decay by disuse,- not having any neighbors to converse with,-exercised them by talking to trees and other objects, and thus preserved the gift of which the sex is so jealous. Mr. Taylor lived to be an

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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 74

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