USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 26
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The land, in the north and west parts, is hilly, in some parts, stony ; in some, broken and of little value. The soil is more favorable generally to grass, than the culture of grain In the north-east and south-west parts, there is some excellent grain land. In the east part, adjoining the Housatonic river, there are some ex- cellent meadows. The town abounds in limestone, and furnishes lime in considerable quantities for market in ether places. In the north part of the town, a mill has
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been erected by Col. Nathan Barrett, for the purpose of sawing marble, which is found in its vicinity, of dif- ferent kinds, and of a superior quality, and which is wrought by him in the neatest manner, and for various uses.
In the west part of the town, iron ore is found n great abundance. From discoveries already made, it is probable a bed of this ore extends nearly through the town from west to east, and is inexhaustible. About , 1780, a furnace Was erected in the south-east part of the town, on the Housatonic river, by Mr. Job Gilbert, from the county of Bristol, in which, business has been carried on to this time, and frequently with much profit to its successive owners. Ore, for the supply of this furnace, has been dug in the west part of the town, and an abundance of coal is furnished from the forests m the west part of Washington. The ore is of an excellent quality, and is used for all the variety of castings com- mon to such furnaces. Large quantities of pig iron, are also sent from this furnace to distant markets. Al- though this town is well watered, yet there are in it no streams of much note, excepting the Housatonic river, which runs through the town from north to south, or the east side of it. On this river are no very advantageous mill-sites, in its course through the town, excepting in the south-east part, where there is the furnace just men- tioned, a woollen factory, a grist-mill, an oil-mill, a saw- mill, two clothiers' shops, a blacksmith's shop, &c. There is but one pond in the town, and that an inconsi- derable one, quite in the south part, usually called Scott's pond.
The first inhabitant of this town, was Mr. Jonathan Hinsdale. He came from Hartford, Con., in 1750, and built a small house on the east side of the County road, about fifty rods south of Court House hill. In the spring following, a man by the name of Cooper, built a house in the south part of the towi., Ou the west side of the present County road. Another man, by the name of Dickinson, soon after built a house on the same side of the road, north of Mr. Hinsdale's. In 1755, these, with some other families in this vicinity and in Pitts- field, removed to Stockbridge, through fear of the In- dians, who were insugated to hostilities by the French
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
in Canada. About this time, a family in Stockbridge was attacked by the Indians, and a man killed by them, on the Sabbath, while the people generally were attend- ing public worship. And while the few families, north of Stockbridge, were fleeing to that place for safety, a man by the name of Stephens, while passing a ledge of rocks in the sou h part of the town, was shot by the In- dians, and fell dead from his horse. The horse was also killed ; but a woman, who was on the horse with Mr. Stephens, by the aid of Mr. Hinsdale, escaped un- hurt.
The man who first cleared a spot of ground for the purpose of making a settlement in the north part of the town, was Jacob Bacon. He lived on the hill west of the County road ; and in that neighborhood, Messrs. Hunt, McCoy, Glezen, and Steel, afterwards settled. About that time, a man by the name of Waterman, built a house in quite the north part of the town. On what is now called the East street, families by the name of Root, Miller, and Dewey, were the first inhabitants; and where the village now is, Whitlocke. Parker, and Ri- chards ; and in the west part, Collins, Treat, Ai drus, Wright, and others. A majority of the families who first settled in the town, emigrated from West Hartford and Wallingford, Con.
Lenox was incorporated in 1767, and the grants of land, already mentioned, lying in the south and south- east part of the town, were annex'd in 1970. Many years afterwards, a small tract of land, taken from Wa hington, was added to the north-east part of Le- nox.
The first town officers were chosen March 5th. 1767. The inhabitants being at that time considerable in num- ber, soon made laudable efforts for the settlement of a gospel minister; and on the 10th of October, 1870, Rev. Samuel Monson, of New Haven. Con., who was graduated at Yale College in 1963. was unanimously invited to take the pastoral charge of the church and congregation, and was ordained on the Sth of Novem- ber following. The church was organized in 1969. by Rev: Samuel Hopkins, then of Great Barrington ; and has now the same confession of faith and form of cove- nant, which was then adopted. The male members re-
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ceived into the church, at the time of its organization, were nine in number, and by the names of Collins, Tra- cy, Stanley, Hinsdale, Steel, Bacon, Andrus. Landers, and Richards. Soon after the settlement of a minister, a house for public worship was erected, near the spot where the present Congregational meeting-house now stands, and was occupied till Jan. 1, 1806. when the present one was publicly dedicated to the worship of A mighty God. The first burying-ground was more than a mile north of the village, and west of the Coun- ty road. Soon after the first house for public worship was built, a piece of ground near it was marked out for a graveyard. It has since been enlarged, and is now the principal burying place in the town. It is enclosed by a neat fence, and is noticeable for the large number of highly polished marble monuments which it contains. There is also a small grave-yard in the north-east part of the town, enclosed by a handsome wall.
The land, for the accommodation of the town, as to a meeting house and burying ground. was given for that specific purpose, by a Mr. Reynolds.
From the time of Mr. Munson's settlement in 1970, to that of his di mission in 1792. was 22 years. During that time, the church was not greatly increased in num- bers. and contained but few more members at the close of his ministry, than at the beginning. He was a man of good abilities, of ardent piety, sound in the faith, and zealous in promoting the cause of the Redeemer ; but he lived "in troublous times." The Revolutionary war occasioned very bitter animosities among the peo- ple; and subsequently, what is called the Shays insur- rection. was productive of much evil in the town. To- wards the close of his ministry. the moral and religious aspect of the place was gloomy. Mr. Munson's ill health, which finally occasioned his dismission, increase's and he became very inefficient in opposing the curre; t of vice and irreligion, the progress of which he beheld with grief.
His successor, Rev. Samuel Shepard, D. D., was or- dained April 30, 1795. The church was then in a low siate. The number of male members was but fifteen. n 1799. there was a general revival of religion in the ›wn. About 60 persons, as fruits of that revival, were
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE,
added to the church. In 180%, there was a partial revi- val of religion in the north-east part of the town, and a few persons were at that time hopefully brought into the kingdom of Christ. In 1808, God was in infinite mercy pleased to pour out his spirit upon the church and people, and to awaken, convince, and renew the hearts of many who had before lived in impenitency and uube- lief. The number of persons received into the church soon after that revival, was 56. In 1815, the means of grace were again accompanied with saving efficacy, and 161 persons were added to the church. In 1820 a re- vival of religion commenced in the Sabbath School, which was for a little season, powerful ; and 16 hopeful converts were the fruits of it. In the year 1821, there was a general revival, and 76 persons were added to the church. In 1326 and 7, the church and people were again blessed with a shower of divine grace. and the number of persons received into the church was 123. Others, who then, for the first time, cherished a hope of a personal interest in Christ, have not yet made a pub- lic profession of religion. The number of members in the church on the 1st of January last, was 408.
In this town there are also a few families of the Bap- tist denomination, and a few Methodists ; neither of which have any house for public worship, nor stated preaching.
There has been an incorporated Episcopal society in the town, since 1505. This society, composed of mem- bers from this and the adjacent towns, has a handsome church, standing a few rods east of the Court House, and has, from the time of its organization, beeu sup- plied with preaching, by different ministers of its own denomination, probably half the time.
Lenox is the shiretown of Berkshire County. Its public buildings are a Court House, Gaol, and Gaol House, a congregational church, an Episcopalian church, an Academy, and a Town House. In the vil- lage there is also a printing-office. The Court House is a spacious and elegant brick building, surpassed, pro- bably, but by few of the kind in New England. "The other public edifices mentioned, are well built and com ;. modious.
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LENOX.
Lenox Academy was incorporated in 1903. Toge- ther with the act of incorporation, the Legislature made a grant of one half of a township of land in the State : f Maive, belonging at that time to Massachusetts. Tlus laud, for a number of years, was wholly unproduc- tive ; but has recently been sold, and has produced a respectable fund, the avails of which are appropriated to the support of the Institution.
Mr. Levi Glezen, A. M., was the first preceptor, and continued to perform the duties of principal until A: ? ", 1823, when he accepted an invitation to take charge of a school in Kinderhook, in the State of New York. Under his superintendence, the Academy flourished, and obtained a merited celebrity.
After the removal of Mr. Glezen, the trustees ap- pointed Mr. John Ho chkin as principal, who was at that time a member of the Theological Seminary at Ando- ver. He is distinguished by talents for instruction and government, and possesses the full confidence of the trustees.
In this Academy, in addition to the common branches of English education, instruction is afforded in the lan- guages and sciences generally ; and also to those who are desirous of qualifying themselves as teachers of pri- mary schools.
This institution is divided into two departments, both of which are under the superintendence of the principal. The present teacher in the second, or English depart- ment, is Mr. John L. Hunter, a gentleman well qualified for his station. The school is composed principally of scholars from abroad, and consists of youth of both sex- es. Connected with the Academy, is a valuable libra- ry, containing between three and four hundred volumes of well chosen books. This Academy is in the centre of the County of Berkshire. The village in which it is located, is pleasant and healthful, and probably pre- sents fewer temptations to vice and immorality, than almost any other place containing an equal population. The inhabitants are well informed, intelligent, and hos- pitable, and may with truth be said to be remarkable for their habits of industry, sobriety, morality, and or- der. In this school, many have been instructed, who, by successful application to study, have laid a good 29*
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
foundation for future usefulness. In casting an eye over the catalogue of its former students, we notice with pleasure the names of many who have attained to distinction in the different learned professions, and as Judges of Courts, and members of State and National Legislatures. The first person who received a collegi- ate education, after pursuing his studies in this mstitu- tion, preparatory to his admission to college, was the Hon. Samuel R. Betts, a Judge of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. The average number of students from the be- giuning, has been about 70.
The general appearance of Lenox, as it strikes the eye of a traveller, may be learned from Professor Billi- man's description of it, in his Tour from Hartford to Quebec.
·· Lenox, the capital of Berkshire County, is a town of uncommon beauty. It is built upon a hill on two streets, intersecting each other nearly at right angles. It is composed of handsome houses, which, with the ex. ception of a few of brick, are painted of a brilliant white. It is ornamented with two neat houses for pub- lic worship, one of which is large aud handsome, and stands upon a hill higher than the town, and a little res moved from it. It has a Court House of brick, in a fine style of architecture ; it is fronted with pillars, and furnished with convenient offices and a spacious court- room ; this room is carpered, and, what is more impor- tant, contains a lib. s.y for the use of the bar. Lenox has fine mountain air, and is surrounded by equally fine mountain scenery. Indeed. it is one of the pretti- est of our island towns, and even in the view of an Eu- ropean traveller, (who had eyes to see any thing beau- tiful in what is unlike Europe, ) it would appear like a gem among the mountains. I did not count the hou- ses, but should think there might be one hundred hou- ses, and stores, &c. White marble is often the material of heir steps, foundations, and pavements."' The io- pulation of Lenox is about 1:00.
Physicians.
Eidad Lewis, Jonathan Bird Parker, Thad- deus Thompson. Charles Wohingion, Daniel Colling, Robert Worthington, and John M. Brewster.
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LENOX.
Lawyers.
. Samuel Quincy, native of Boston, graduate of Har- vard College 1782, died Jan. 19. 1816. ag d 51 ; E han Stone, native of Stockbridge, admitted to the bar about 1793, removed to Cincinnati, Ohio ; Eliab Brewer, Da- tive of Tyringham, graduate of Yale College 1993, admitted to the bar about 1786, died April 6, 1904, aged 31; Enoch W. Thayer, native of Ware; William H. Raymond a native of Sheffield, adanned to the bar about 1797, died at Charleston, S. C .; William P. Walker, a native of Lenox. graduate of Williams Col -. lege 1998, admitted to the bar in 1803; Joseph Tucker, native of Stockbridge, admitted to the bar m: 1816; Henry W. Bishop, native of Richmond, graden e of Williams College 1817, admitted to the bar in 1821 ; George J. Tucker, graduate of Williams College 1322, admitted to the bar in 1825.
Magistrates.
William Walker, special justice, Judge of County Court and Judge of Probate, Dr. Eldad Lewis, John Stoughton, Azariah Eggleston, Enos Sione, Caleb Hyde, State senator, William P. Walker, State senator and Judge of Probate, Oliver Belden, Daniel Williams, Joseph Tucker, Levi Beiden, Dr. Charles Wonthing- ton, Charles Mattoon, State senator, James W. Rob- bins, Caleb Belden;
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1
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
BY REV. CALEB KNIGHT,
IN the years 1757 and 58, a company of gentlemen, living principally in Hartford and Suffield, Con., pur- chased this township of Robert Watson, of Sheffield, who. assisted by David Ingersoll, his attorney, persua- ded them that he had obtained it from the Indians. In 1760, however, the proprietors ascertained that Watson was insolvent and in gaol, and that the Indian claim was but partially satisfied. They therefore found it expe- dient to re-purchase the township themselves. The In- dians with whom they contracted, were Benjamin Kokh- kewenaunaut, John Pophnehauauwah, and Robert Nunghauwot. The township, which before had been called Watsontown, now assumed the name of Gree- nock ; and the proprietors made arrangements for oc- cupying their lands ; some actually settled upon theme The ten first settlers were, George Sloan, And": w Mumford, William Milekan, Elijah Crane, Amos Beard. William Beard, Joseph Knox, Nathan Ingra- ham, Joseph Chaplin, and Matthew De Wolf. But a
new difficulty ark. The Province Authorities claim- ed a right to the township. In view of this difficulty, Nathaniel Hooker, John Townley, and Isaac Sheldon, of Hartford, in behalf of themselves and 57 others, pro- prietors, in the beginning of 1762, petitioned the Gene- ral Court of Massachusetts to grant them the township ; which was accordingly granted in February of the fol- lowing year. From this time, until 1777, it was called Hartwood.
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WASHINGTON.
In the petition, the township was described as follows, viz. Beginning on the east side of Housatonic river, in the south line of Pittsfield, thence running east 19 deg. south 9 miles and an hall'; thence south 19 deg. west $20 rods to the north line of No. 4 township, [now Becket] thence west on said line 4 miles and 2 hs, to the north- west corner of said township; thence on the west line of said township south 9 dey. 25 min. west 2 miles and ths to the north line of the township No. 1. [now T'y- ringham] ; thence on said line west 2 deg. 30 min. south 3 miles to the north-easterly line of Great Bar- rington ; thence north 40 deg. 40 min. east 1 mile and i hs to the north-east corner of said Great Barrington ; thence bounding on the north line of said Great Bar- rington west 7 deg. 30 min. north 600 rods to the south- east corner of the Glass Works grant, (so called) ; thence on the east side of said grant 550 rods'to the north-east corner of said grant and east side of Housa- tonic river first mentioned ; thence bounding westerly on said river to the first mentioned bounds.
After these various delays and disappointments, the proprietors proceeded with greater vigor in the seitle- ment. A road leading from Pittsfield to Becket was laid out through the town; and in laying out settling lots and other lots, land was reserved for roads in various places.
In laying out the land, one 63d part of the township, according to the order of the Legislature, was laid out for the first settled minister, one 63d part for the use of the ministry forever, and the like quantity for the use and support of a school. Upon his ordinarion, the first settled minister was of course entitled to his share. But the 'other lots have been so manag: d and disposed of, that the town has now no income from them
In 1773, a meeting-house was buih in the town, which stood uearly 20 years. It was struck with lighting, and considerably injured ; and in 1992, the present house of worship was erec:ed.
The town was incorporated by its presen: name, Apri: 13, 1777, and the town of Lee was incorporated on the 21st of October following. The south west part of Wa hington was taken to form the latter town, viz. the tract separated by the following line : beginning on
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
the west side of Becket, about a mile south of the norfire. Wwwi corner thereof, thence running porrh & 3 1.g. west 45trod": thence west 3 & deg. south 200 rods ; hence north 3: 3 deg. west 1236 rods, to the east bank of the Housatonic river.
In 1809. another tract, about half a mile wide, lying on the east side of the Housatonic, and extending from Pittsfield to Lee, was annexed to Lenox. This tract is now sometimes called New Lenox.
Washington is situated on the Green Mountain range, on the height of land. 9 miles east of Lenox Court House, bordering on the county of. Hampshire. Its greatest length from east to west is S or 9 miles, and its greatest breadth from north to south is about ?. It may be equal to a parallelogram, 7 miles by 5. The figure is very irregular, as in passing round the town there are 12 different lines and angles. It is bour ded on the north hy Dalton and Hinsdale ; on the north- east by Poru; on the east by Middlefield; on the south by Becket; south-west by Lee ; west by Lenox, and north-west by Pittsfield.
'The surface is uneven, diversified by hills and val lies. It is well watered by springs and brooks of pure water. Though there are no large streams, there are some which furnish useful mill-sites. One, which rises in the north, passes through the east part of the town, and inds its way into Westfield river, has upon it 1 grist mill, 2 saw-mills, and a clothier's works. In the west part of the town are three saw-mills, on streams which run into the Ho: satonic. There are three or four pood in town. The largest of these, called Ashley pond is a mile long and half a mile broad. A saw-mill stands on the outer.
A small distance from this pond is a large bed of sand, which, when cleansed is equal to well refined sugar in whiteness, and which might be manufactured, it is sup- posel into the purest flint glass.
Washington furnishes in every part good farms for grazing. The soil in general is too wet and cold for gen though rye grows well on new land, and good Cross of baney, oats and potatoes are raised. Several fam in the east part de well for corn, in favorable sta- sous. Most farmers raise sufficient wool for their samt-
WASHINGTON.
lies, and numbers, considerable for market. Sugar is manufactured to some extent from the maple. In the no.th-eastern part, large quannties of Inne are made. From the extensive forests which still remain in the south-western section of the town, large quantities of coal are annually burnt for the furnace in Lenox. In that section, also, there is much valuable spruce timber, from which many thousands of shingles are manufac- tured every year.
A considerable number of the principal farmers, a few years since.exchanged their improved farms in this place for new lands in Ohio, on the St. Lawrence in New York, and elsewhere, and removed; by which the population and property of the town have been dimi- nished, and the church has suffered no inconsiderable los4. From 1810 to 1820, the population sunk from 949 to 750 souls. The number of inhabitants is not much greater now than at the last census. Most of these farms now belong to the State of Connecticut, or to gentlemen abroad, and are rented to tenants, who- occupy them for limited periods. Were men of enter- prize and piety to purchase them, and settle upon them, it would be a great blessing to the town.
We have 7 school-districts, with comfortable school- houses ; besides shich, there is a neighborhood d no -- minated District No. 8, connected with a school-d: @ ct in Hinsdale. Three hundred dollars are raised annu- ally for the support of schools, by which the districts, as they furnish wood, and board the teachers thom- selves, are enabled to support a school about 7 months in a year. Increased attention is paid to the education of children and youth, and considerable improvement made.
" "The church was formed as early as the beginning of 1772. After two unstressail efforts to settle a pastor, the Rev. William Ga [1,Cantine was ordained paster of the church and peop . June 15, 1774.
He was the son of the Rev. John Ballantine, of Westfield and was graduated at Harvard College in 1971. He was respectable both as a scholar and di- vine, was evengehcal in confimont, and exemplary in all the relatos of life. ", settled here when the town was new, and submit.ed cheerfully to all the in-
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
conveniences of such a state, sympathized with the pee- ple in sorrow, and rejoiced with them in prosperity. Towards the close of his ministry he experienced ma- ny trials. Divisions were excited among the people, and some were led away by noise and passion. Num- bers, dear to him, removed to the new settlements, and the church was diminished. Still, while strength re- mained, he continued to labour in the vineyard, warn- ing and teaching the people, pleading the cause of Christ, and praying for the prosperity of Jerusalem. He preached until about 5 weeks before his death, which occurred on the 30th of November, 1820, in the 70th year of his age.
When Mr. Ballantine was ordained, the church was composed of 23 members. During his ministry, though there was no special revival. numbers were turned to the Lord, and 69 were added to the church from the - world. Thirty more were added by letter. But so many of the people emigrated, that not more than 30 persons belonged to the church at his death.
From that time, until March, 1823, the church was vacant. The Great Shepherd, however, did not forget her ; a season of refreshing was experienced. particu- larly in the east part of the town, and in 1821, 3, and in 1822. 14 made profession of christianity. These often speak of their first pastor with much tenderness of feel- ing, and regret that they so neglected his teaching while he lived.
March 5, 1823, the Rev. John A. Hempsted, from Hartford, Con., graduate of Yale College, was ordain- ed pastor of the church, and dismissed March 17, 1826. In his ministry, 10 were added to the church by profes- sion, and 4 by letter. But a number of the inhabitants. lodged certificates and withdrew, and the society was weakened and dishear d.
In the autumn of [ $ the Rev. Caleb Knight, the present pastor, commenced his labours in this piace. The church gave him a unanimous call to settle ; the people stirred up one another to make exertion ; some, who had withdrawn, returned to the society ; a few oth- ers pledged themselves by subscription, in case of his settlement, to pay a certain sum annually during his ministry ; and the Massachusetts Missionary Society
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