USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 17
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That there were anciently Indian settlements in this town, is evident from various circumstances. In addi- tion to utensils and weapons of Indian manufacture, which have been often found, it is known that as early as 1726, the river used to be crossed half a mile below the Bridge, at what was then called the " Great Wig- wam." This place was sometimes called the " Castle." or rather, perhaps, the great wigwam standing upon it. There is also a tradition that there was a considerable Indian settlement at this spot. Indian graves have also been found three-fourths of a mile above the Bridge, on the east side of the river. One man in digging thir- teen pest holes, to secure his barn-yard, discovered the remains of six bodies.
This settlement must have been abandoned before the autumn of 1734; for at that time there were no In- dians in the County, except at Stockbridge and Shef- field, and perhaps a family or two in New Marlborough. But in the two winters following, the Indians were col- lected from Stockbridge and Sheffield, somewhere in this town, for the purpose of receiving instruction more conveniently from the missionary and schoolmaster sent among them, previous to the final establishment of the mission in Stockbridge. They may have been collected at the Great Wigwam, but were probably further north.
The permanent settlement of Great Barrington by the whites, commenced about 1730, some years before
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the survey was taken which has been mentioned. The lower part of the town was settled in connection with Sheffield. Settlements above the Bridge were begun as early as the year just named. Indeed it is said that Laurens and Samuel Suydam, (supposed to have been .brothers.) from Poughkeepsie, N. Y., settled above the Bridge, and that Joshua White settled below it, before this period.
There were 40 proprietors of the upper Housatonic. township. House or home lots were laid out for them on both sides of the river, from the Bridge to Monu- ment mountain, and here the settlers began their im- provements. From the house'lots long equal lots were laid out to Tyringham line. The Hop-lands, (as they were called. ) in the north-east part of the town, in the region of Hop brook, were laid out in the same way, while the land on Monument mountain and a part of the North plain, were laid out in equalizing lots, that is, in lots, to render the preceding divisions equal to each man's particular right.
Some of the early settlers were Dutch; others were English. Among the Dutch settlers were Joachim Van Valkenburgn, Isaac Van Deusen. Conrad and Hendrick Barghard:, and Meese Hogoboom; and among the English were Moses Ingersol, Moses and William King. Thomas Dewey, Hezekiah Phelps, Israel Orton, and Joshua Root. The grave- stone of Joshua Root in- forms us, that he died in 1730, which renders it certain that the settlement commenced at least as soon as that year.
About 1755, in the second French war, a block house was built, a mile above the Bridge, on the west side of the river, as a place of security to which the inhabitants might flee in case of an attack.
Io the town are several extensive beds of limestone, some of iron ore, and one of white and variegated mar- ble, near Green river, which has been lately opened. Works are already erect, d and in operation for the pur- pose of preparing it for market.
Formerly there was less enterprize here than in the neighboring places. The loss of the courts and other circumstances may have operated unfavorably upon the town. But within a few years the people have become
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awake to their privileges. More attention is paid to ag- riculture, several manufacturing establishments have been formned, a considerable number of new buildings have been erected, and the village and town have as- sumed the appearance of thrift and prosperity.
There are now iu the village, which stretches south from the Bridge about three-fourths of a mile, along the western border of the Housatonic, two houses for public worship. about 50 dwelling houses, a post office, two taveras, four merchant stores, two large tanneries, a grist mill and laster mill, and various mechanic shops. On William's river, half a mile from its entrance into the Housatonic, where in 1322 there were only one or two dwelling houses, a saw mill and grist-mill, there is now a thriving village, called Van Deusenville. Here are now 18 d selling houses, a post office and tavern, two stores, and two factories, one of cotton and the oth- er of woollen. Here also a chapel is now building for the worship of God.
In quite the north part of the town, bordering on Stockbridge and West Stockbridge, is the Housatonie Factory for the inn iufacture of cotton, connected with which is a machine shop; in both of which several hands are employed, and business is rendered some- what lively about them.
The population of the town has recently considerably increased. and may now be, perhaps, 2200. There are about 250 dwelling-houses, and 750 other buildings. There are fourteen district schools where children and youth are taught from six to ten months in a year. There are al, o two select schools, instructed principally by females. Formerly there were one or two public libraries ; but the books have been divided among the proprietors. There are in the whole town, 5 taverns, 7 stores, 2 grist-mills, and 17 saw-mills.
Two lines of daily stages pass through the town ; one from Hartford to Albany, and the other from Pittsfield to Hudson.
The following fact is related by President Dwight, (See his Travels, vol. ii. p. 380.) as having occurred at the Great B,cire, which has been so often mentioned. It was recited to him by a resper able man, and he says he had no reason to question the recital, except what
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
furnished by the nature of the fact itself. It is too ke- markable not to be introduced here. 1
" A Mr. Van Rensselaer, a young gentleman from Albany, came one evening into an inn, kept by a Mr. Root, just at the eastern end of the bridge. The inn- keeper, who knew him, asked him where he had cross- ed the river. He answered, "on the bridge." Mr. Root replied, that that was imposible ; because it had been raised that very day; and that not a plank had been laid on it. Mr. Van Rensselaer said that it could not be true ; because his horse had come over without any difficulty or reluctance ; that the night was indeed so profoundly dark, as to prevent him from seeing any thing distinctly ; but that it was incredible, if his horse could see sufficiently well to keep his footing any where, that he should not discern the danger, and impossible for him to pass over the bridge in that condition. Each went to bed dissatisfied ; neither believing the story of the other. In the morning, Mr. Van Rensselaer went, at the solicitation of his host, to view the bridge ; and finding it a naked frame, gazed for a moment with as- tonishment, and fainted."
Before a parish was formed in this place, the people in the south part of the town doubtless attended public worship in Sheffield, as they belonged there ; others may have attended there or in Stockbridge. About 1742, the Rev. Thomas Strong, who afterwards settled in New Marlborough, preached to them as a candidate. In 1743, when there were only thirty families in the place, they employed and settled the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, afterwards Dr. Hopkins.
He was ordained on the 28th of December in that year, on which day the church was organized, consisting of the pastor, John and Jonah Pixley, James Sexton, Asahel King, and Jonathan Nash. On the 5th of Feb- ruary following, twelve others were added to the church. He remained in this charge until the 18th of January, 1769, when, at his own request, he was regularly and honorably dismissed by a council; having admitted to the church during his ministry, 116 members, 71 from the world, and 45 by recommendation from other chur- ches. Only one of this number now belongs to this church. Probably no other is living.
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GREAT BARRINGTON.
Mr. Hopkins was installed over the first Congrega- tional church in Newport, Rhode Island, on the 11 h of April, 1770; where he continued as pastor, (except as he was driven from his labours, and his people were dis- persed by the Revolutionary war, ) until his death, Dec. 20, 1803, in the 83d year of his age.
He was born at Waterbury, Con., and was a direct lineal descendant of Stephen Hopkins, one of the bles- sed men who landed at Plymouth in December, 1620. He was graduated at Yale College in 1741, and read theology with the elder President Edwards, then minis- ter at Northampton. His mental powers were strong, and fitted him for patient and deep investigation. His discourses were thoroughly studied, and full of instruc- tion. While at Great Barrington and Newport, he published several sermons and books on subjects of doctrine, which excited considerable controversy : and in 1793, he published his System of Divinity. The sentiments advocated in this system, and in his other writings, waiving a few points, are the same which are entertained by the orthodox and evangelical clergy of N. England at the present day. In a sarcastical pamphlet, ascribed to the Rev. William Hart, & Saybrook, Con., which was published about 1770, or soon after, the doc- trines advocated by Mr. Hopkins, and others who agreed with him, were called Hopkintonian doctrines. From this circumstance, the followers of Hopkins, or those who were supposed to agree with him, were called Hopkintonians or Hopkinsians. The name has now become common in the country, and it is applied in the Middle and Southern Staes to the orthodox in New England, whether they adopt the peculiar views of Hop- kins or not.
Dr. Hopkins was greatly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry, who were intimately acquainted with him, for his knowledge of the Scriptures, for his piety and good sense. But the reader will find a much more full and satisfactory account of this venerable man, in the " Sketches of his Life," published by the late Dr. West, of Stockbridge, than can be given in this płace.
After his dismission, the church here remained vacant more than 18 years, until the 4th of May, 1787, when
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
the Rev. Isaac Foster, a native of Connecticut, was set over it in the Lord. He was dismissed May 4, 1790. Twelve were admitted to the church in the vacancy pre- ceding his ordination, and five were admitted by him. He obtained his collegiate education at Yale College, where he took his first degree in 1776.
From the time of his dismission, the church was va- cant over 16 years, until the ordination of the Rev. Elijah Wheeler, Sept. 24, 1806. The congregation had now become small, and the church, though 11 persons had been admitted in the preceding vacancy, consisted of on- ly 20 members, 6 males and 14 females. During his ministry, there was a regular increase of members and strength, so that when he was dismissed, at his request, in consequence of ill health, on the 12th of February, 1823, the church embraced 126 members. He admit- ted 152.
He was born at Pomfret, Con., and educated a phy- sician. But becoming a subject of grace, he relin- quished the practice of physic, and studied theology. He was much devoted to his work, though feeble ; and after languishing several years in a consumption, he died in peace, March 20, 1827, aged 53.
The Rev. Sylvester Burt was installed on the same day on which Mr. Wheeler was dismissed ; having been previously settled, first at Western, in Worcester coun- ty, and afterwards at New Marlborough, in this County. He was born at Southampton, and graduated at Will- iams College, 1804.
In 1821-2, there was a precious revival of religion in this congregation. About 50 were added to the church. There have been partial revivals since, and the church, at the commencument of the present year, consisted of 171 members. Mr. Burt has admitted 74.
Bæside the Congregational, there is an Episcopal church in this town.
, It has been mentioned that some of the first settlers were Dutch, and others English. The former were Lu- therans, and the latter Congregationalists. Though ac- customed ts different modes of worship, and entertain- ing different views of church privileges, they happily uni- ted in building a house for public worship, and in settling a minister. But at length their different views of church
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privileges led on to unhappy events and transactions, (which need not be related, ) that resulted in a separa- tion. The people, more generally of Dutch extraction, withdrew, and uniting with individuals who were before Episcopalians, formed an Episcopal society. The church was instituted about 1760, by the Rev. Solomon Palmer, then a missionary at Litchfield and New Milford, Con., from the Society in England for propagating religion in Foreign Parts. Mr. Palmer was removed to the Epis- copal congregation in New Haven, in 1763, but resu- med his charge in Litchfield in 1766, where he died in 1770. It is understood that he preached at Great Bar- rington, both before and after his labours at New Ha- ven ; but how frequently is not known.
The Rev. Gideon Bostwick succeeded him in Great Barrington the same year in which he died, having then just returned from England, where he had been to ob- tain orders. During his ministry, he had the 'spiritual oversight of the Episcopalians in Lenox and Lanesbo- rough, and often preached in those places. In the lat- ter part of his life, he preached a part of the time in Hudson, New York. He was graduated at New Ha- ven in 1762, and died at New Milford, his native place, while on a visit to his friends, June 13, 1793, aged 50. His remains were brought to this place and interred. He is said to have possessed a pleasant temper, social manners, and popular address, and to have been greatly beloved by his people.
After his decease, the people were supplied for short periods by several clergymen.
About 1805, the Rev. Samuel Griswold, from Sims- bury, Con., became their pastor, and sustained that re- lation until 1821. He is now residing in Mexico, in the State of New York.
The Rev. Solomon Blakesley, a native of North Ha- ven, Con., and graduate of Yale College, 1785, was their pastor from September, 1821, until May, 1827. He is now at Butternuts, N. Y.
In September, 1828, the Rev. Sturges Gilbert, who had been settled in Woodbury, Con., took the pastoral charge of this people, and is now their minister.
The number of communicants is about 100, and the
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
number who contribute to the support of Episcopal wor- ship. is 134. i
The Society have a parsonage house and lands near their present church, which was erected in 1764. With a view of accommodating the increasing population in the north part of the Society, they are now building a chapel at Van Deusenville. This is of brick, 64 feet by 40. When this is completed, it is expected that there will be preaching alternately in the church and in the chapel. The Baptists are to have the privilege of using this for a part of the time.
The Congregational and Episcopal societies were in- corporated by the Legislature in 1791 ; and the year af- ter, a Baptist society was incorporated, though there is no organized church of this denomination in town. The Baptist professors belong to churches in other places.
There are some Methodists in town, principally in the east and north-east parts of it. >
Physicians in Great Barrington.
John Breck, Joseph Lee, Samuel Lee, William Whiting, John Budd, Samuel Reed, Samuel Baldwin, Thomas Barstow, Samuel Barstow, Royal Fowler, Benjamin Rogers, Thomas Bolton, George Langdon, Thomas Drake, Ransom Hollenbeck, and Alvan Wheeler.
Lawyers.
Col. Mark Hopkins ; a native of Waterbury, Con., graduate of Yale College, 1758; admitted to the bar about 1761 ; an abie lawyer ; died at White Plains, while engaged in defence of his country, in the Revo- lutionary war, Oct. 26, 1776, aged 37.
David Ingersol ; a native of this town; graduate of Yale College, 1761 ; admitted to the bar about 1763 ; became a tory ; went to England in the autumn of 1774, where he died.
Theodore Sedgwick; removed, first to Sheffield, then to Stockbridge ; the late Judge Sedgwick.
Gen. Thomas Ives ; a native of North Haven, Con. ; graduate of Yale, 1777 ; admitted to the bar, 1784; special justice ; died March S, 1814, aged 61.
Erastus Pixley ; a native of this town ; graduate of Yale, 1780 ; moved into Vermont.
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GREAT BARRINGTON.
Gen. John Whiting ; a native of this town; admit- ted to the bar 1792.
Mason Whiting ; a native of this town ; admitted to the bar 1794; moved to Chenango Point, N. Y.
Robert L. Potter; a native of New Haven, Con .; admitted to the bar 1809 ; moved to Meadville, Penn- sylvania.
George H. Ives ; native of this town; admitted to the bar 1810; died April 27, 1825, aged 36.
James A. Hyde ; a native of New Marlborough ; graduate of Williams College, 1807 ; admitted to the bar 1811.
William C. Bryant ; a native of Cummington ; now editor of the Evening Post, N. Y.
John C. Whiting ; a native of this town ; graduate of Union College 1822; admitted to the bar 1825.
Increase Sumner; a native of Otis ; admitted to the bar 1825.
The physicians and lawyers whose names are in ital- ics, have been magistrates in the town. Dr. William Whiting was judge of the County Court. Besides these, the following gentlemen have been acting magis- trates, viz. Gen. Joseph Dwight, of whom a sketch will be given, Elijah Dwight, special justice and Judge of County Court, Jonathan Nash, Moses Hopkins, special justice, Samuel Whiting, special justice, Stephen Sib- ley, Miles Avery, Ezra Kellogg, David Leavenworth, Lucius King, Jacob H. Van Deusen, and Isaac L. Van Deusen. Truman Wheeler, David Wainwright, George Beckwith, Caleb Stanley, Benjamin Rogers, Grocius Dewey, William Dewey, and Ralph Taylor, have been appointed justices, but have not taken the oath which the law prescribes. There may, perhaps, have been some others.
Gen. Joseph Dwight was born in Dedham in 1703. His early advantages for education are not known. In 1733 he was admitted to the bar in the county of Hamp- shire, being then an inhabitant of Brookfield. Con- cerning the extent of his practice, there is no informa- tion. He soon entered upon military life, and distin- guished himself as commander of the artillery of Mas- sachusetts in 1745, at the memorable capture of Louis- burg, on Cape Breton, particularly in conveying the 20*
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
ordnance and military stores across the extensive and miry morass west of the town, and in the subsequent at- tack on the walls.
In 1756, he went at the head of a brigade of Massa- chusetts militia to Lake Champlain, in the second French war. Soon after his return from the north, he purchased a situation in this town, where he con- tinued the remainder of his days. When this County was formed, in 1761, he was appointed Judge of the County Court and Judge of Probate ; both which offi- ces he retained until his death, June 9, 1765, aged 62.
His personal appearance was very fine. He was dig- nified in his manners, an upright judge, and an exem- plary professor of the religion of the gospel. No man in the County, in civil life, was more esteemed; and aged people still speak of him with the greatest respect.
For his second wife, he married the widow of the Rev. John Sergeant, a woman of superior understand- ing and ardent piety, by whom he had two children, the late Henry Williams Dwight, Esq., of Stockbridge, and, the second wife of the late Judge Sedgwick, of the same town.
J
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF ALFORD.
BY NORMAN LESTER, ESQ.
THIS town is of irregular form. Its greatest length is a little more than 5 miles, and its greatest breadth a little more than 3. Its area is about 6332 acres, some- what less than ten square miles. It is bounded on the west by the State of New York, on the north by West Stockbridge, on the east by Great Barrington, and on the south by Egremont. It consists of several tracts of land. One on the south-west, bordering on Egremont, called the Shawenon purchase, was obtained of the Stockbridge Indians, it is said, in the year 1736. Ano- ther tract, called the Greenland Grant, north of this, is supposed to have been granted by the Legislature to David Ingersol, Esq., formerly an inhabitant of Great Barrington. A section on the east side of the town, 652 rods long, 210 broad on the north line, and 266 on the south, was taken from Great Barrington, when the town was incorporated in 1793. By an addition to the south end of this, in 1819, it became 712 rods in length. Many years since, a small strip of land was annexed to the west side of the town, which fell into this State, upon the final establishment of the boundary line between Massachusetts and New York.
The time when the town began to be settled, is not precisely known. There may have been some families here as early as 1740, but were not many before about
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
1750 or 55. In 1773 there were about as many inhab- tiants as there are at the present time.
Among the early settlers were Dea. Eleazer Barret, Ebenezer Barret, Dea. Robert Johnson, John and Sim- eon Hulburt, and the ancestors of the Speary, Wilcox, Kelsey, Hamlin, and Baker families, most of them, per- haps all, from Connecticut. There were also families by the name of Brunson, Fenton, Munger, and Warner, which are now extinct in town. The place has been remarkable for changing its inhabitants. Many have removed to the western part of New York, and to the northern part of Ohio. But few of the descendants of the first settlers remain among us ..
The west part of the town is mountainous. Tom Ball also extends into the north-east corner of the town from West Stockbridge and Great Barrington, south of which is a chain of hills.
A stream, one branch of which rises in West Stock- bridge, and another in the State of New York, runs from north to south through the eastern part of this town, on which are three saw-mills, one grist-mill, a fulling -
mill, a carding machine, a stone saw-mill, and a small tannery. This stream passes into Great Barrington, receives the outlet of Long Pond, and assumes the name of Seekonk brook. Green river crosses the south-west corner of the town, on which is another grist- mill. The above are all the mills in town. There are two marble quarries, but they are not much improved. We have one store, a tavern, and a post-office.
The people are very generally engaged in the culti- vation of the earth. The tops and some parts of the sides of the mountains are rocky and barren, covered only with small timber. The vales between the moun- tains are interspersed with hills and lime ledges, consid- erable portions of which are fit for tillage and grass. Except on the mountains, the soil is generally good. Some of it, especially on the north part, is gravelly, some of it is a loam, with an intermixture of clay.
In 1820, the number of inhabitants was 570. In 1821 there were 72 dwelling-houses; since which, several old houses have been taken down, and new ones built, but the number has not increased. There are three district schools, in which about 240 scholars are taught, The
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ALFORD. -
schools are kept about eight months in the year; about half the time by male, and the other half by female teachers.
The inhabitants were originally Congregationalists ; and a Congregational church formerly existed here, respectable for numbers. The Rev. Joseph Avery was settled over it about 1779 or 80 ; but in consequence of the tumults which took place in the Shays rebellion, was dismissed about 1787. He was re-settled in Tyring- ham; and the church and society, after languishing for a time, became extinct
The people are divided on religious subjects. A por- tion of them early became Baptists : about 1786 or ?, some became Methodists.
In 1817, a number of individuals of different denom- inations, viz. Congregationalists, Baptists, and Metho- dists, united in building a house for public worship by subscription, and agreed to call it the " Union Meeting- house." The Methodists were to occupy it one half of the time, and the other denominations the other half. The house is 46 feet by 34 on the ground.
Physicians in the town.
John Hulburt, Forward Barnum, and Thomas Drake.
Magistrates.
Dr. Hulburt, William Brunson, Abner Kellogg, Phi- lander Hulburt, Amos Kellogg, Elihu Lester, Norman Lester, and Hugo Dewey.
The late Rev. Aaron Kinne spent the latter years of his life in this town.
He was ordained over the first Congregational church in Groton, Con. in October, 1770; but his people were so diminished and weakened by the awful massacre at Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781, that they could give him afterwards only a partial support, and in 1798, it be- came necessary that he should be dismissed. Both be- fore and after his dismission, he went as a missionary, and labored for limited periods in the new settlements in the State of New York. In 1800 he moved into Winsted, a parish in Winchester, Con. and contribu- ted very much by his preaching and prudence to unite the church and people in that place, and to lay a foun- dation for the prosperity which they have since enjoy-
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