USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 25
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
power is furnished sufficient for the operation of exten- sive machinery.
A large and profitable tannery has for a long course of years, until January, 1826, been conducted here by Capt. Nathan Pierson. Since his death, in that year, it has been discontinued. There are two other tanne- ries, in which considerable business is now done.
This township is best adapted to agriculture ; and in this the inhabitants are almost universally employed. As a farming township, it possesses, in rather an unu- sual degree, both beauty and fertility. An intelligent gentleman, who had spent many years in foreign coun- tries. after passing through this town, and viewing the valley from a hill on the west, observed, that in natural scenery it excelled the view from the famous Richmond Hill in England.
Should public improvements be such as to furnish fa- cilities for the transportation of produce from inland towns to distant markets, it is believed that few towns in the State would be likely to be rendered more beau- tiful and productive than this.
The kinds of timber which prevail here, as in this vi- cinity generally, are maple, beech, birch, (black and white,) chesnut, ash, oak, pine, &c. Maple may be considered as abounding. Many farmers obtain nearly their whole supply of sugar from this tree.
The settlement of this town commenced in 1760. In the summer of that year, Capt. Micah Mudge moved his family to this place, and settled in the south part of the town, near the north line of Stockbridge. This was the first white family settled here. El zabeth Mudge was the first white child born in the town.
Some time in the course of the following autumn. Mr. Ichabod Wood moved his family to this town, and set- tled on a farm upon which the Congregational meeting- house now stands. Mr. Wood, it is believed, removed from Rehoboth in this State. These two families re- mained alone in the wilderness, through a long and gloomy winter. Situated as they were, about three miles apart, they did not see each other (as tradition relates) for several months.
In the summer of 1761, several families moved to this place, viz. Elijah and Isaac Brown, John Cham-
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berlain, David Pixley, Joseph Patterson, and Daniel, Timothy, and Aaron Rowley, who generally settled in the south and west parts of the town. In 1762, Joseph and Paul Raymond, and John and Daniel Slosson, the two latter from Kent, Con., moved in, and some others. From this time, the settlement advanced rapidly, until every part of the town was inhabited .*
In 1763 and 1764, the families of Prince and Jona- than West, from Tolland, Con., and Jacob Redington, from Tolland, Stephen Benton, from Salisbury, and John Higby, from Canaan, and in 1765, John Bacon, who was also from Canaan, settled here. From this pe- riod until the year 1774 or 1775, the following persons became settlers : (those which are first named, came here in the early part of this period,) viz. David Ros- seter, from Guilford, Nathan Pierson, from Long Isl- and, Simeon and Elijah Tracy, from Preston, Ezekiel Olmsted, from Norwalk, Ebenezer and Ephraim Welch from Norwich, Eliphalet Redington, from Tolland, Si- las and Aaron Parmelee, from Guilford, Edward Ro- binson and Samuel Fitch, from Stonington, Vine Branch, from Preston, Samuel Comstock Betts, frona Wilton, David and Parker Stevens, and John Nichols, from North Killingworth, Benjamin Reeve, from Litch- field, Abel Harrison, from Litchfield S. F., Samuel Hackley, from Norwich, Benjamin Pierson, from Long Island, Benjamin Merriman, from North Guilford, William and John Lusk, from Newington, James Ford, from Norwich, Isaac Tilden, Con., Joseph and Samuel Cogswell, from Southington, Daniel Hatch, from Leba- non, Con., Alexander Gaston, from Salisbury, Amos and Daniel Rathbun, from Stonington, John and David Williams, from East Haddam, Thomas Scott and Da- niel Hand, from Long Island, Abner West, from Tol- land. Isaac Cook, from Goshen, John Dudley, from Guilford.
The church was formed in Richmond about the year 1765. In that year, the Rev. Job Swift, afterwards the minister of Bennington, was settled as their pastor.
* The names of early settlers, and accurate dates, it has been difficult to ascertain, in consequence of the earliest Town Records having been destroyed in the burning of the house of Mr. John . Slosson, the Town Clerk, about the year 1775.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
Mr. Swift was an able and faithful minister of the gos- pel. The following is an extract from the obituary no- tice of this excellent man :
" Mr. Swift was born at Sandwich, Mass., on the 17th day of June, 1743. While he was very young, his fa- ther removed to Kent, in Connecticut. He became a member of Yale College, in 1761. His mind; at col- lege, became deeply impressed with the subject of reli- gion, while studying the writings of President Edwards. He was graduated in 1765. Mr. Swift was endowed by nature with such distinguished talents, as would have enabled him to appear with the highest reputation in any profession. From motives of duty, he chose the ministry ; and was assisted in his preparatory studies by the Rev. Dr. Bellamy, of whom he ever afterwards retained a profound esteem.
He was little more than twenty-two years of age, when he became a preacher of the gospel. In 1767, he was ordained over the church and people in Richmond, Mass., where he laboured about seven years. His prospects of usefulness in this place were for a time fa- vorable.
That he might more readily lead the minds of his people to a proper understanding of the Christian doc- trines, he lent his aid in favour of religious conferences, in which questions on doctrinal subjects were freely dis- sussed. By his unwearied exertions, a great part of his people in a short time became well indoctrinated, and some few of them the hopeful subjects of gospel grace. But the scene was soon changed, and he had to encounter those afflictive difficulties which so often fall to the lot of the faithful ministers of Christ. The · difficulties arose solely from his strict and conscientious adherence to what he judged divine truth.
Having set himself for the defence of the gospel of Christ, he could not be persuaded to accommodate him- self to the feelings of those who opposed it in its true form. This served but to increase their dissatisfaction, and they at length declared themselves irreconcileable ; and he was soon dismissed from his pastoral charge."* This took place in the year 1774.
* Swift's Life and Sermons.
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After his dismission from Richmond, Mr. Swift preach- ed in various places for several years, until he was call- ed to settle in Bennington, Vermont, where he conti- nued about sixteen years.
It was while at this place. it is believed, that he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Williams College, and became a member of its corporation.
From Bennington, Dr. Swift removed to Addison, a town which had long been in a divided and unhappy state. But soon after his residence among them, their moral and religious character was greatly changed. A church was formed, which soon consisted of a respecta- able number. Every thing began to wear a promising appearance, when Dr. Swift, in the abundance of his apostolic zeal, undertook, at his own expense, with the consent of his people, a mission into the northern part of the State. While on that service, he died, at Enos: burgh, on the 20th of October, 1804, having passed his 60th year.
From this last act of his life, in connexion with his previous activity and usefulness as a minister of Christ, he received the appellation of " the apostle of Ver- mont." "His zeal for the promotion of the Redeem- er's kingdom was ardent and constant, and in the death of no other man could the churches of Vermont have sustained, in human estimation, a greater loss."*
President Dwight says, "Doctor Swift was one of the best and most useful men whom I ever knew. He possessed an understanding uatura ly vigorous, respecté able learning, sound theological opinions, eminent pru- dence, and distinguished zeal, combined in the happiest manner with moderation, benevolence and piety. Good men loved him and delighted in his society; and the worst men acknowledged his worth. To the churches and ministers of Vermont, he was a patriarch : and wherever he was known, he is remembered with the highest veneration."+
After the death of D., Swift, a volume of his sermons was published in duodecimo, in 1805.
* Allen's Biographical Dictionary.
Dwight's Travels, vol. ii. p. 443.
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But as the author was not in the habit of fully writing his sermons, they were published in an imperfect state. They exhibit, however, marks of a vigorous and dis- criminating mind, and of a heart devoted to the glory of God and the good of men.
After the removal of Mr. Swift from Richmond, the town was about ten years destitute of a settled minister ; but for the greater part of this time it was provided with the preaching of the gospel. Among those who preached with acceptance and apparent success during this period, were Rev. Abraham Camp, from Norfolk, Elisha Parmelee, from Goshen, and Jacob Wocd.
In the early part of the year 1784. application was made to the Rev. David Perry. (who had recently been dismissed from Harwinton in Connecticut,) to preach in this place. With this request he complied, and was installed on the 25th of August following. Immediate- ly after the settlement of Mr. Perry, the controversies that had existed, seemed to subside. The people were happy in The r pastor, and he in them ; and for about thirty years he continued with them, an active, labori- ous, and successful minister.
Several revivals of religion took place in connexion with his faithful labours. and considerable additions were frequently made to the church. The largest addi- tions, within a short period, were in the years 1804 and 1809. In the first instance, between twenty and thirty were received, and in the last about forty. The whole number admitted under his ministry was about 186; the whole number baptized, 377.
Mr. Perry was dismissed on the 1st day of January, 1816. His health had for several years been declining ; and under the infirmities of age, and a severe local dis- ease,* he had been unable to preach, but irregularly, for two years or more before his dismission. He died on the 7th day of June, 1817, aged 71.
The religious character of Mr. Perry was such as to furnish a bright example to every gospel minister. He was eminent for his expressions and daily exhibitions of piety, and eminently devoted and faithful as a minister of Christ. In one of the last days of his life, in the
* The ossification of an artery.
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midst of severe pains and almost dying agonies, be call- ed his children and grand children around his bed, and putting his hand upon the head of each of them succes- sively, offered a short and comprehensive prayer for each, commending them all to the God of Jacob.' Is- rael's God has not forgotten to be gracious to his de- scendants.
After the dismission of Mr. Perry, this people re- mained destitute of a settled minister three years. In this time they were favoured with the preaching of sev- eral individuals, whose labours, in some instances, were greatly blessed to the conversion of souls. In the year 1818, under the preaching of M :. Anson S. Atwood, who was afterwards settled at Mansfield, Con., the church enjoyed a season of peculiar refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
The present pastor of the church, Rev. Edwin W. Dwight, was ordained Jan. 13, 1819.
Since his settlement, besides other instances of more than usual attention to the subject of religion, the church has been blessed with two general revivals. As the fruit of these, principally, and in part of the previous revival, one hundred and twenty-nine have been added to the church. The church now consists of about 200 members.
The first of the two revivals alluded to, commenced in March, 1820, and continued through the spring and the principal part of the summer. The second com- menced in the fall of 1826, and continued through the succeeding winter and spring. In promoting this, the faithful labours of Mr. Solomon J. Tracy, a candidate for the ministry, who had recently completed his theo- logical studies at Andover, were gratefully acknowledg- ed by the pastor and people, and appear to have been greatly blessed by the Head of the Church.
The present Congregational meeting- house in this town was built in the years 1794 and 1795. It is a large and well constructed house, and is furnished with an ex- cetlent bell. Its dimensions are 65 feet by 50, with a porch or projection of 8 feet by 27. The cost of the house was abou: $4000.
The Methodist society have a neat and convenient house of worship, of smaller size, which was built in 1825. 28*
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There is no other house of worship, and no society of any other denomination. There are two families of Baptists, and two or three individuals in addition, con- nected with the Baptist church.
The rise of the Methodist denomination, it is believe ed, was about the year 1786 or 1787.
The following is a list of deacons in the Congrega- tional church :
Silas Parmelee ; elected about 1767 ; died Sept. 1776, aged 50.
James Gates, Esq. ; do. Feb. 21, 1785 ; died Jan. 4, 1805. aged 84.
John Hall ; elected Feb. 21, 1785; removed to Sul- livan, N. Y.
William Osborn ; removed to Lisle, N. Y.
John Gaston ; elected Feb. 24, 1802.
Noah Rossiter, Esq. ; elected July 2, 1807 ; resign ed 1821.
Ebenezer Hoichkin ; do. do.
Zebulon Bacon ; elected Oct. 1821.
Samuel Bartlett ; do. June 11. 1827.
Justices of the Peace
Deacon James Gates ; died Jan. 4, 1805, aged 84.
Gen. David Rossiter ; died March 8, 1811, aged 75. Hon. Nathaniel Bishop; died Feb. 1. 1826, aged 75 William Lusk ; removed to Canaan. N. Y.
Zachariah Pierson ; died Nov. 15. 1827. aged 77.
Dr. Hugo Burghardt ; died Oct. 18, 1322, aged 53. Noah Rossiter.
A. Ford; removed to Berkshire, N. Y.
John Bacon.
Wm. S. Leadbetter.
Several men in this town have been distinguished for their public services, who may here be noticed.
James Gates, Esq., removed from East Haddam, Con., about the year 1771 or 1772.
He had held the office of deacon in the church at East Haddam, from the year 1762 until his removal ; and in the year 1785 was here appointed to the same office which he held until his death, at the age of 84.
As a justice of the peace, as a representative in the State Legislature, to which he was often appointed, and
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i various capacities in which he acted as a friend and father of the town, he was greatly honoured with the es- teem and confidence of the people.
Gen. David Rossiter removed from North Guilford to Richmond, in its early settlement, and soon became an active and influential inhabitant of the town, and fill- ed many of its most important offices.
At the commencement of the Revolutionary war, be- ing the captain of a company of militia, he marched with a company of minute men to Cambridge, to assist in repelling the enemy, immediately after the battle of Lexington.
He rose in regular gradation from that capacity to the rank of a Brigadier-General. In military, as well as in civil life, he was held in high respect. He was often elected to represent the town in the Legislature of the State, and was twice chosen as a member of the Senate. Few men, perhaps, in the County in which he resided have commanded more universal respect, and no inha- bitant of this town has been more active in promoting its interests.
General Rossiter was not a professor of religion ; but acted uniformly and decidedly in favour of its institu- tions, and is considered as having done much to pro- mote their establishment and continuance in this place» He died March 8, 1811, at the age of 75.
The Hon. Nathaniel Bishop was born at Guilford, Con., June 13, 1751. He removed to Richmond in the year 1777. Although a modest and retiring nian. his talents and integrity soon became known, and the town made great demand upon him for his services. As a member of the Legislature, as a justice of the peace, and in other offices, he possessed in a great degree the confi- dence of the people. For nearly 30 years he held the office of Register of Probate for the County. The duties of this office he performed with great punctuality and ac- curacy until his age and infirmities induced him to resign it
He was appointed a Judge of the Court of Comnion Pleas and Sessions in 1295, and continued in this office until the year 1811. For several years he was Chief Justice of the Court of Sessions.
In his private character, Judge Bishop exhibited ing feresting and amiable qualities. He was a tender and
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affectionate husband and father, and an ardent and de- voted friend. Several years before his death, h be- came a firm believer in the doctrines of the Christian religion, cordially embraced the faith of the Fathers of New England, and in the hope that he had become in- terested by grace in the benefits of a Saviour's death, made profession of his faith, and became united with the Cong egational church, March 6. 1825.
He died, after years of severe suffering, Feb. 1, 1826, aged 75. .
Very little support has been given to gentlemen in the profession of law in this town since its settlement. One or two individuals had a short residence here about the year 1800.
In 1821, Henry W. Bishop, Esq., a sou of the Hon. Nathaniel Bishop, who had been graduated at Williams College, established himself in this town; and remain- ed here, employed in the duties of his profession, and usefully devoted to various public services, until, re- ceiving the appointment of Register of Probate, he re- moved to Lenox in the fall of 1826.
The following is a list of physicians who have prac- tised in this town since its settlement :
Thomas Tarbell ; from Bridgehampton, L. Island ; died at Canaan, N. Y., about the year 1775.
Ephraim Crocker; from Colchester; moved from this town after a few years.
Johu Crocker; from Barnstable ; educated at Har- vard College ; died at Richmond, May 1, 1815, at the age of 95.
Richard Tidmash, an Englishman ; removed . to. Stockbridge.
Joseph Clark ; from Springfield ; removed to Ver- mont.
Aaron Field.
Hugo Burghardt; was born at Great Barrington ; received his education at Yale College ; pursued his professional studies with Dr. Erastus Sergeant, of Stockbridge, and commenced the practice of medicine in Richmond in the year 1790. He practised with great success and high reputation in this town and vicinity, until about the year 1820. He died October 18, 1822.
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Joseph Waldo ; came to this town from West Stock- bridge about the year 1794 ; practised several years, and removed to Berkshire, N. Y.
Beriah Bishop ; son of Nathaniel Bishop, Esq., of this town ; received his medical education principally at Hanover, under Dr. Nathan Smith ; commenced prac- tice here in 1803, in connexion with Dr. Burghardt, and died August 17, 1805, at the age of 27.
Lake Dewey ; a native of G. Barrington ; practised in this town several years, and then removed to the State of New York.
John Merriman ; a native of Richmond ; removed to this town from New Lebanon in October. 1822, and remained here until the spring of 1827, when he reno- ved to Chatham. N. Y.
The present physician is Dr. George Landon, who is a native of Sheffield. He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Barghardt, and for a time, at the medical school at New Haven ; commenced practice at Great Barrington in 1820, and came to this town in the of 1826.
This town has been distinguished for the longevity of its inhabitants, and the general prevalence of health. From Jan. 1, 1818, to Jan. 1. 1828, there were 105 deaths; of which, 4 were of persons over 90; 23 (in- cluding the previous number,) over 80; 38 over 70, and 43 over 60.
There are four burying places in Richmond : one near the south line of the town, on the road leading from the meeting-house to West Stockbridge ; one in the north-east part of the town, on the road leading to Pittsfield ; another near the centre, a little distance north of the Congregational meeting-house, and a fourth in the north part of the town, near the Shaker village. These were laid out in the early settlement of the town.
There are five school districts, the Centre, North, North-East, South-East. and South-West : with an average number of scholars. in all the winter schools, of about one hundred and seventy five. It is thought just to say, that particular care is taken in the selection and examination of teachers ; and that more than usual at- tention is paid by the visiting committee, consisting of
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
one from each district, to the examination and improve= ment of the schools.
A select school has been supported here during a portion of some past years, with good success, and with much benefit to the town.
There is a post-office in this town, which was esta- blished in 1806. The first post-master was Mr. Cypri- an Branch. He was succeed :d by Nathan Pierson, Esq., who held the office until his removal from town in Ocioher, 1823 ; when the appointment was given to M. Benjamin Cone ; but in consequence of an ex- change of property with a brother, the appointment was soon transferred to Mr. Asa Cone, who now holds the office.
There are in this place four stores and two public houses.
The trade of the town is principally with Pittsfield, (6 miles distant, ) Hudson, Kinderhook, Albany, and New York.
The number of inhabitants by the last census was 940, the number of families is one hundred and fifty. Of these, about one hundred may be considered as belong- ing to the Congregational society, from thirty to thirty- five to the Methodists, and two or three families are of the Baptist denomination.
A valuable library, consisting of little less than 300 volumes, was established in the year 1790, and for twenty-five years was read with great advantage to the people. In 1815, for reasons thought sufficient by a part of the proprietors, and not so by others, that asso- ciation was dissolved, and the books were sold.
In 1821, another library was formed, which is still small, consisting of but seventy or eighty volumes ; but provision has recently been made for enlarging it, and it is hoped that it will soon become respectable and use- ful .-
A Sabbath School library has existed for three of four years, and has already been very useful. It now consists of two hundred and twenty-seven volumes.
Several benevolent societies exist here, some of which have been in operation for many years. The first, it is believed, that was formed, was the Female
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Cent Society, which has regularly contributed to the funds of the Berk. and Col. Miss. Society.
In 1819, a Female Education Society was formed ; which, though less efficient now than formerly, has con- tributed to some extent every year for the support of young men preparing for the ministry.
In September, 1819, the church resolved itself into a Foreign Mission Society, and continued to give their aid annually to the American Board, until the fortra- tion of the Foreign Mission Associations throughout the State, when it became united with thein.
T ese associations now exist here. There are also associations of young persons, førmed on a similar plan, in 1826, which contribute in articles of clothing for the same purpose.
Besides these, auxiliary Bible and Tract Societies have been established within the two or three past years.
The ability of those who devote a portion of their substance to benevolent purposes in this place, is not great, nor their number very large ; but a commenda- ble amount has been contributed for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom ; and the fathers of this seulement have doubtless realized their reward, in the piety and usefulness of their descendants, for their ex- ertions and sacrifices to provide the privileges of the gospel for themselves and their children.
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF LENOX.
BY REV. SAMUEL SHEPARD, D. D.
THE Indian name of that part of the town lying north of a line running east and west near the Congregational meeting-house, was originally called Yokun, after an Indian of some distinction, of that name. The tract of land, lying west of the west mountain, was called Mt. Ephraim. These two tracts were at first incorporated into a town by the name of Richmond, probably after the Duke of Richmond. The tract lying east of the mountain, together with lands, known by the names of Dwight's, Williams, and the south-west part of Hart- wood's grant, was afterwards incorporated into a town, and called Lenox, the family name of the Duke of Richmond. This town is bounded on the north by Pitts- field; on the south by Stockbridge and Lee; on the east by Washington, and west by Richmond. Its length from north to south is about six miles ; and its breadth on the north, about five miles, and on the south line it is probably le s than three miles.
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