History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 83

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 83

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The first of these adventurous colonists who threaded their way through the wilderness westward were John Oldham and Samuel Hall, together with two others whose names have not come down to us, all residents of Dorchester. These inde- fatigable explorers traversed the State as far west as the Con- nectieut River, and were without doubt the first white men who set foot on the soil of this charming valley. These explo- rers found the Indians in this vicinity friendly, who enter- tained them with much hospitality, made them presents of beavers, and in various ways rendered their stay pleasant and profitable. They also found the valley fertile, and, in the rich meadows, were surprised to find hemp growing in great luxu- rianee, some of which was carried with them upon their return to the Bay.

These men returned to the settlements with glowing deserip- tions of the country through which they had passed ; and not much time elapsed ere little bands were leaving the parent settlement for the west, anxious to rear their homes in the valley of the "famous river," as Cotton Mather called the Connecticut.

In 1635, Mr. William Pynchon, the founder of Roxbury, received the consent of the General Court to remove to the Connecticut River, and dispatched two men, John Cable and John Woodcock, to the wilderness for the purpose of erecting a habitation and preparing for those who were to follow. These men erected a rude structure on the west side of the Connecticut, in the meadow which from this circumstance was subsequently called House-meadow. The honse was doubtless occupied by Cable and Woodcock during the summer, but, being informed by the Indians that the site was subject to inundation, it was abandoned, and a new location selected and a house erected on the east side of the river. The location of the first house is described in an entry made by John Holyoke in the Registry of Deeds in 1779 " as that meadow on the south of Agawam River where the English did first build a house," and also where " the English kept their resi- dence who first came to settle and plant at Springfield, now so called." As to the probability of Cable and Woodcock having been the first whites who came to this section after the exploration of Oldham and HIall, O. B. Morris, father of

Hon. Ilenry Morris,-to both of whom, father and son, the people of Springfield owe a debt of gratitude for their many contributions to the historic literature of the eity and valley, -says : " From a somewhat critical examination of our ancient records and manuscripts, I am induced to believe that Mr. Pynchon, with his son-in-law, Henry Smith, and Jehu Burr, and perhaps others of Roxbury, visited this river in 1634, explored the valley, and selected a place for their future settlement."

April 26, 1636, Mr. William Pynchon, who was the "father of the settlement," shipped his goods from Boston to the proposed settlement on Gov. Winthrop's vessel, the " Bless- ing of the Bay," and with his devoted and resolute associates set out through the dense wilderness for their future un- tried forest abode. The persons who accompanied Mr. Pyn- chon were his son-in-law, Henry Smith, Mathew Mitchell, Jehu Burr, William Blake, Edmund Wood, Thomas Ufford, and John Cable. The exact date of their arrival is not known, but on the 14th of May of the same year they entered into an agreement for the government of the settlement, allotment of lands, etc. This in some respects remarkable document was signed by eight persons, and with the exception of the two concluding lines is in the handwriting of Henry Smith. The following is a copy of the document :

"May the 14th, 1636 .- We, whose names are underwritten, being by God's Providence ingaged together to make a plantation at and over against Agaam, on Conecticot, doe mutually agree to certayne articles and orders to be observed and kept by us and by our successors, except wee and every of us, for ourselves and in oure persons, shall think meet appon better reasons to alter our present resolutions.

"lly. Wee intend, by God's grace, as soon as we can, with all convenient speede, to procure some Godly and faithfull minister, with whome we purpose to joyne in church covenant, to walk in all the ways of Christ.

" 2ly. Wee jatend that our towne shall be composed of fourty familys, or if wee think meete after to alter our parpose; yet not to exceed the number of fifty familys, rich and poore.

"3ly. That every inhabitant shall have a convenient proportion for a house- lott as we shall see meete for every ones quality and estate.

"4ly. That every one that hath a hoase-lott shall have a proportion of the Cow pasture to the north of End brook, lying northward from the town; and also that every one shall have a share of the hasseky marish over agaynst his lott, if it be to he had, and every one to have his proportionable share of all the woodland.

"5ly. That every one shall have a share of the meddow, or planting-ground, over against them as nigh as may be on Agaam side.

"Gly. That the Longmeddowe called Masacksick, lying in the way to Dor- chester,* shall be distributed to every maa as wee shall think meete, except we shall find other conveniences for some for theyre milch cattayle and other cattayle also.

" 7ly. That the meddowe and pasture called Nayas, towards Patackett, on ye side of Agaam, lyeinge about fower miles above in the ridge, shall be distributed" [erasure of six and a half lines], "as above said, in the former order, and this was altered and with consent before the hands were set to it.

" Sly. That all rates that shall arise opon the town shall be layed upon lands according to every ones proportion, aker for aker of howse-lotts, and aker for aker of meddowe, both alike on this side and both alike on the other side; and for farmes that shall lye farther off, a less proportion, as wee shall after agree, except wee shall see meete to remitt one-half of the rate from land to other estate.

" 9ly. That whereas Mr. William Pyachon, Jehu Burr, and Heary Smith have constantly continued to prosecute the same at greate charges and at greate personal adventure, therefore it is mutually agreed that fourty acres of meddowe lying on the south of Ead brooke, ander a hill-side, shall belonge to the said partys free from all charges forever. That is to say, twenty akers to Mr. William

* Windsor, then called Dorchester.

814

815

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

Pynchon and his heyres and assigns forever, and ten akers to Jeline Burr, and ten akers to Henry Smith, and to their heyres and assigne forever, which said forty akers is not disposed to them as any allotment of towne lands; but they are to have their accommodations in all other places notwithstanding.

" IOly. That whereas a house was built at a common charge which cost £6, and also the Indians demand a grate some to bye their right in the said lands, and also a greate sballope, which was requisite for the first planting, the value of which engagements is to be boroe by each inhabitant at theyre first en- trance, as they shall be rated by ns till the said disbursements shall be satisfyed, or else in case the said howse and boat be not so satisfyed for, theu so much meddow to be sett out about the said howse as may countervayle the said extraordinary charge.

" Illy. It is agreed that no man, except Mr. William Pynchon, shall have above ten acres for his house-lot.

" 12ly. Anulled.

" 13ly. Whereas there are two Cowe pastures, the one lying towards Dorches- ter, and the other Northward from End brooke. It is agreed that both these pastures shall not be fed at once; but that the time shall be ordered by ns in the disposing of it for tymes and seasone till it be lotted out and fenced in severalty.

" I4ly. May 16, 1636 .- It is agreed that after this day wee shall observe this rule about dividing of planting-ground and meddowe in all planting-ground, to regard chiefly persons who are most apt to use such ground. Aud in all med- dowe and pasture to regard chiefly cattel and estate, because estate is like to be improved in cattel, and such ground is aptest for their use. And yet wee agree that no person that is master of a Jott, though he hath not cattel, shall have less than three acres of planting-ground, and none that have cowes, steeres, or year- olds shall have under one acre a piece, and all horses not less than four akers, and this order in dividing meddew by cattell, to take place the last of May next, soe that all cattayle that then appeare and all estates that shall then truly appeare at £20, a Cow shall have this proportion in the medowe on Agawam side, and in the large meadow Masacksick, and in the other long meddowe called Nayas, and in the pasture at the north end of the town called End brook.

" loly. It is ordered that for the disposinge of the bassaky marish and the granting of home-lots, these five men noder-named, or theyre Deputys, are appoynted, to have full power, namely, Mr. Pynchon, Mr. Michell, Jehne Burr, William Blake, Ileury Smith.

" It is ordered that William Blake shall have sixteen polle in bredth for his home-lott, and all the marsh in bredth abuttinge at the end of it to the next highland, and three acres more in some other place.

" Next the lott of William Blake, Northward lys the lot of Thomas Woodford, being twelve polls broade, and all the marish before it to the upland. Next the lott of Thomas Woodford lys the lott of Thomas U'fford, beinge fourteen rod broade, and all the marish before it to the upland. Next the lot of Thomas Ufford lyes the lott of Henry Smith, being twenty rod in breadth, and all the marish before it, and to run up in the upland on the other side to make up bis upland lott ten acres.

" Next the lott of llenry Smith lyes the lott of Jehue Burr, heing twenty rods in breadth, and all the marish in bredth abuttinge at the end of it, and as much upland ground on the other side as shall make up his lott ten acres.

"Next the lott of Jehue Burr lyes the lot of Mr. William Pynchon, beinge thirty rod in bredth, and all the marish at the east end of it, and an addition at the further end of as much marish as make the whole twenty-foure acres, and as much upland adjoining as makes the former howse-lott thirty acres,-in all togeather fifty-fowre acres.

"Next the lott of Mr. Pynchon lyes the lott of John Cabel, fowreteene rod in breadth, and fowre acres and halfe of marish at the end of his lott.

"Next the lott of John Cable lys the lott of John Reader, beinge twelve rod in breadth, and fowre acres and a halfe in marish at the fore end of his home-let.

"The lotts of Mr. Matthew Michell, Samuel Butterfield, Edmund Wood, and Jonas Wood are ordered to lye adjoining tu mill brooke, the whole being to the number of twenty-five acres, to begin three of them on the greate river, and the fowrth on the other side of the small river.

"It is ordered that for all highways that shall be thought necessary by the five men above named, they shall have liberty and power to lay them out when they shall see meete, though it be at the end of mens lotts, giveing them alow- ance for so much ground.

"We testifie to the order above said being all of the first adventurers and undertakers for this Plantation.

William Pynchon Mit Mitchell, The mike of Thomas Henry Smith :. afford the witch of John Brown, Folge Celude

Edmund swood

It is a singular fact that only three of the original settlers remained over three years, and what is still more strange is the fact that none of them died here. During a considerable period the settlement was known as the " Plantation of Aga- wam," and the court which granted the permission for the removal of these pioneers from Roxbury issued a commission to eight persons for the government of the new colony, of whom William Pynchon was the second named and Henry Smith the fifth. This commission was empowered to exercise jurisdiction for one year. The first on the list was Roger Lud- low, who settled in Windsor. The government of the embryo settlement was administered by this body during a period of two years, and when in 1638 the conflicting elaims to territory between Connecticut and Massachusetts having been adjusted, and Springfield left within the jurisdiction of the latter State, before the General Court could issue a commission for the guidance of this settlement, the planters with one consent voted " to ordain Mr. William Pynchon to execute the office of magistrate in this our plantation of Agawam." The fol- lowing is a copy of the resolution or article adopted :

February the 14th, 1638,-" We, the Inhabitantes of Agaam uppon Quinnet- ticot, takinge into consideration the manifould inconveniences that may fall uppon us for want of some fit magistracy amonge us: Beinge now by Godes providence fallen into the line of the Massachusett jurisdiction : & it beinge farr of to repayer thither in such cases of justice as may often fall out amonge us doe therefore thinke it meete by a generall consent & vote to ordaine (till we receive further directions from the generall court in the Massachuset Bay) MIr. William Pynchon to execute the office of a magistrate in this our plantation of Agaam, viz. :

" To give oathes to constables or military officers to direct warrantes, both process, executions, & attachmentes, to heare & examine misdemenours to depose witnesses & uppon proofe of misdemener to inflict corporall punishment, as whipping, stockinge, hyndiege to the peace, or good behaviour, & in some cases to require sureties, & if the offence require to commit to prison, & in default of a common prison to commit delinquentes to the charge of some fit person or per- sons till instice may be satisfied, also in the Tryall of actions for debt or trespasse, to give oaths, direct juries, depose witnesses, take verdictes, & keepe Recorde of verdicts, judgmentes, executions; & whatever else may tend to the keepinge peace, & the manifestation of our fidellity to the Bay Jurisdiction, & the restrain- inge of any that shall violate Godes laws; or Jastely whatsoever else may fall within the power of an assistant in the Massachuset.

" It is also agreed uppon by a mutuall consent, that in case any action of debt or trespasse be to be tryed; seeinge a jury of 12 fit persons cannot be had at present among us : That six persons shall be esteemed & held a sufficient Jury to try any action under the some of Ten pounde till we shall see cause to ye con- trary & by common consent shall alter this mimber of Jurors, or shall be other- wise directed from the generall court in the Massachusetts."

Under this resolution of the people Mr. Pynchon performed the duties of magistrate until June, 1641, when he was duly commissioned by the General Court with practically the same authority as that conferred by the people.

It is evident from the provisions of this document that due regard was made for the adjustment of whatever difficulties might arise among the inhabitants of the little'settlement, and although neither the records nor tradition tell us that in this early period there were any Gamaliels of the law here, still, then, as now, there were

"Doubtful balances of rights and wrongs,"

as the first record in the book kept by William Pynchon as magistrate was that of a litigation, and what is still more sin- gular was an action brought by Woodcock against Cabel for services rendered in the erection of the first building in the settlement. The following is a copy of the record :

Nov. 14, 1639 .- " A meetinge to order some Towne affairs, and to try causes by Jury.

"The Jury,-Henry Smith, Henry Gregory, Jo. Leonard, Jo. Searle, Samuel Hubbard, Samuel Wright.

" The Action,-John Woodcock complaines against Jo Cable iu an action of the case for wages due to him for certaine work he did to a house that was built on Agawam side for the Plantation.

"The Verdict,-The Jury finds for the defendant-But withal they find the promise that Jo Cable made to the plaintife to see him paid for his work firme & good. But as for the 5 dayes in coming up with John Cable we find them not due to be paid, for he came not up purposely, but in his coming he aimed at a lott, wch end of his he did attain. Moreover, we agree that Jo Cable is ingaged to the plaintif for work done about the house; yet we also judge that Jo Wood- coke is fully satisfied; in regard he hath had the use of the ould (Indian ?) ground & of the house all that sommer as far as Jo Cable had himselfe."

816

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Mr. Pynchon evidently manifested a humane interest in the children of the forest who roamed about the shores of the Connecticut in this vicinity, always dealing fairly with them, ever showing them that consideration due from the white brother who invaded the wilderness seeking their lands and furs. To the lasting honor of Mr. Pynchon, it may truthfully be written that he made no use of the demoralizing agencies in his intercourse with the Indians that characterized the transactions of Indian traders in later days, who dealt to the red man the accursed " fire-water," and took his lands and furs in return. Soon after arriving at the place, which had now taken on the dignity of a " settle- ment," he entered in- to negotiations with the Indians for a large tract of territory, en- braeing a portion of the present site of the gaan city, and lands in the garam vicinity. This was the first deed from the Indians to lands in this common wealth west of the bay. The accompanying is a fae- simile of the original deed.

The following in- teresting document is a copy of the mort- gage given by the In- dians who executed the first deeds to the whites of lands in this section :

" April 2, 1661 .- This writ- ing declareth that I, Cutto- mia, & I, Coo, & I, Mattagua Manant, & I, Memis, & I, Wallny, & I, Jagnallough, do all of us jointly morgage all our lands in this Town, both new and old, within the bounds of this Towne to Samnel Marshfield, of - - Springfield, his heirs or as- signs, for several debts wrh wee owe Samuel Marshfield maistufood for goods already received, wch wee did ingage to pay To master in hever, & we do still ingage + Commak mark. to doe the same, if we can gett it any tyme this sum- mer; or else we doe ingage to pay him in Corne, at 28. Weber ye hoshel by Yeayrs, or if in wampnm, then do allow the said Samnel six fathom for every five fathom due unto him, or if we can gett moose- skins, or otter, or good deer- skins, then to pay them nnto him at a reasonable rate, or guns, wch the aforesaid Samuel hath in his hands, wch if he de send to any of ns, we engage to return them to him when he shall call for them; and if we do net pay the aforesaid Samuel in any of these pays to his centent, by Michelmas next after the date hereof, then we give the aforesaid Samuell full power to seize on all our lands & come to his proper right, and if that we Indians, whose names are above written, doe ingage that if wee and the aforesaid Samuell cannot agree about the price of any of the above mentioned pay, then we will stand to what C'aptayne Pynchon & Lienteant Holyoke shall appeynt.

moreof

Cuttomy

the

Ne Sont Buona,

I Remarked

Beckanak

· shemale

The mark

INDIAN DEED, 1636.

For the first few years the growth of the settlement was not rapid, and, although many of the first settlers removed, their places were supplied by others, and the " Plantation of Aga- wam," as it was at that time designated, was in a healthy condition. The inhabitants were industrious and law-abiding, and the chief magistrate and ruling spirit of the colony was a man well qualified for the position he held, and in whom the people reposed the utmost confidence.

The causes which led to their emigration from the Old World were still fresh in their minds, and in 1637 the little hand of religious zealots organized a church society, and in 1645 erec- ted a church building, " which," says Judge Morris, "stood near the southeasterly cor- ner of Court Square, on ground now partly in the square and part- ly in Elm Street."* The people assembled for worship at the sound of the drum, as shown by the follow- ing record, under date of Jan. 8, 1646:

" It is agreed by the plan- tation with John Mathews tu beate the drum for the meetings for a year's space at 10 of the clock on the lec- ture days, and at 9 o'clock on the Lord's days in the fore- nouns only, and he is to beate it from Mr. Moxon'st to R. Stebbins' house, and ye meetings to begin within half an houre after, for which his payns he is to have 4d. in wampum of every family in the town, or a peck of Indian corn of thay who have not wampum."

The settlement was known as the " Plan- tation of Agawam" until 1640, when by a vote of the people it was given the name of Springfield, in honor of Mr. Pynchon, who had resided at a place of that name in Eng- land.

The date of the in- corporation of the town is shrouded in obscurity, if in fact it was ever incorporated. Mr. Bliss, in his ad- dress delivered at the opening of the town- hall, in 1828, doubtless

after diligent search, says: " After searching thoroughly in Massachusetts and Connecticut, I have come to the conclusion that the town was never incorporated."

" Were I to fix the date it would be 1641, as from that time it was recognized by the name of the town of Springfield by the Legislature."

Few events of importance happened, save those narrated above, until 1651, when one transpired which, had the inhab-

* See history of this church elsewhere.

t The house of Mr. Moxon stood near the head of Vernon Street (Judge Morris).

" In witness whereof the said Indians have hereunto Sete there hands the day & years above written."

Here follow the signatures of the various Indians named in the body of the instrument. It was recorded by Elizur Hol- yoke, recorder, under date of May 2, 1661.

copy of a dead suherety + Re grdiam at prongfeils made face of certaine on bolf files the great lower at Springfest to Sicham Synchon ight: -Henry Smash Br & fire Base for. Acrown of funfacts forever.

hogy fifteen day of July, 1636

It is agit between Commute & Maturation ancient gation of Aga- Sports Eur form in the Name of ulthe offer Indians is in particular for song to fin name of Cattery the right owner of Again & Quana Son + ReNameof Ry mother Keverut the Jamasham or wife of Sc mit chawy, & naran the site of Coal to & werk sichiam Pynchon Henry? 4 But Their Reiter & aboutus for ever to huske sifel at that ground Er muckifquety or me- Sew, accounts viz: in the other five of Quana, & af the ground Simuler quilly on the fire of Aquam, except (ottimachcesh' is grown) that is now plante for ven fathom of stampam. Ten Cooley, can Kates, zen RateRich, & zenkriser. and offer the said ancient Iniams with the Content of the rest, if in particular isRe Gement of Men's & weatherna Sillas pompenam, do boucle & jel to William Pynchon Harry Smith & Jefu Burs, S fert factors for, over, at that ground on the East side of Quim richest River calli) sesquare (S). Vayafies wracking about four or five miles on- Legt from the north end of Maja tale of to Checkuppe River, for four for tham of Warbam, form Center, four Loves, four Sateacts, four (nifoss Also the old argent Inians Dos ifthe Corrente of the offer for Irans, & in particular if the Consent of Machichnhan Svaret quin, 85 Miles & more truckegyfel the ground & macheofquitt of, & grounds adgryning, cal Man Jahrche for four farfar if wamproom, four Coates four Ratich & four fours Andthe found Synction with in haw for the fair eighteen fallion of

warpam, eighteen costa, 18 Kahk ds, .3. howes, 18 kitfor to thefas) Commute & Makam han, of both Jacket Condition is the fusions, What Heawful have& enjoy all that Sollenacheck, or grow five y nos planta; An) hascleverly to take Fish &scar, ground nuts, wal nuts, H. akorns & fagan fumouth on afind of pense, And also of any of retail les prile their cours, to pay apet & wolff, ist har Bogs that not grem the five of Again butnalocal timei Alsothe fair Pyn chon arte give to firms na over & abovethe far Partelast cuffed, Es In Witnes Percep Hechos ford fusiong Xithe Rest, Joeset for their Hands, why font, it day ofily, 1 63 6.

817

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

itants been possessed of less sterling qualities, would have demoralized and doubtless ruined the plantation. Mr. Pyn- chon, who had been the father of the settlement, fell under the han of disfavor with the government at the Bay, in conse- quence of a book* written by him, which had recently been issned in England, and found its way to Boston. The doc- trines of this work were deemed heretical, and in the failure to extract a full renunciation from Mr. Pynchon his commis- sion was taken from him, and he left the settlement in 1652 and returned to England, where he died. He was accom- panied to England by the Rev. Mr. Moxon, whose children had fallen under the baneful influence of that blot on the fair fame of this old commonwealth,-witchcraft,-and he did not longer desire to remain in the place. Johnson, in his " Wonderworking Providence," says : "There hath of late been more than one or two in this town (Springfield) greatly suspected of witchcraft, yet have they used much diligence, both for the finding them out, and for the Lord's assisting them against their witchery; yet they have, as is supposed, bewitched not a few persons, among whom, two of the reverend elder's children." Upon the revocation by the General Court of the commission of Mr. Pynchon, it was issued to his son-in-law, Henry Smith, who, however, did not exercise any of its functions, but returned with Mr. P. to England.

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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 83

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