USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 29
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Members of Congress from Pittsfield.
Simon Larred, 1,806 to 180%
Ezekiel Bacon, 1807 tu 1813. John W. Hulbert, 1815 to 1817.
32
374
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE
Members of the Senate of this State. Timothy Childs, 1505 to 1809. Phinehas Allen, 1819 to 18 1. Jonathan Allen, 1822 and 23. Samuel M. Mckay, 1829.
Members of the Provincial Congress. John Brown, at Concord, March 22, 1775. Charles Goodrich, at Cambridge, Feb. 15, 1775.
Representatives to the State Legislature. Pittsfield first represented May 31, 1769, by Capt. Charles Goodrich. 1783. 1770. Capt. Charles Goodrich. 1771. William Williams, Esq. 1772. William Williams, Esq. 1773. Capt. Charles Goodrich. 1774.
James Easton. 1775. Capt. Charles Goodrich.
Israel Dickinson. 1776. Valentine Rathbone, Israel Dickinson. 1777. Valentine Rathbone, Josiah Wright, Eli Root.
1778. .
Col. John Brown. ,1979.
Col. William Williams, James Noble 1780. Capt. Charles Goodrich. 1751. Col. William Williams. F 1782.
No one.
No one. 1784. Dr. Timothy Childs. 1785.
Capt. Charles Goodrich. 1786. Dr. Timothy Childs. 1787. Henry Van Skaack, Esq. Capt. David Bush. 1788.
Capt. David Bush. Woodbridge Little, Esq. 1789. Woodbridge Little, Esq- 1790. Woodbridge Little, Esq. 1:91. Simon Larned. Esq. 1792. Capt. Daniel Hubbard. Dr. Timothy Childs. 1793. Capt. Daniel Hubbard, Dr. Timothy Childs. 1791. John C. Williams, Esq. 1795. John C. Williams, Esq- 1796. John C Williams, Esq:
375
PITTSFIELD.
1797. John C. Williams, Esq. 1798. John C. Williams, Esq. 1799.
Ashbel Strong. Esq. 1800. John C. Williams, Esq. 1801. Joshua Danforth, Esq. 1802. Joshua Danforth, Esq. 1803. Joshua Danforth, Esq. 1804 Dr. Timothy Childs, Thomas Allen, Jun. 1805. Thomas Allen, Jun. Simeon Griswold. 1806. Joshua Danforth. Simeon Griswold. 1807. Simeon Griswold. John Churchill. 1808.
Joshua Danforth, John Churchill, Joseph Shearer. 1809.
Simeon Griswold, John Churchill, Joseph Shearer. IS10.
John. Churchill, Joseph Shearer, James Brown, Oren Goodrich.
1811.
Timothy Childs, James Brown, Oren Goodrich,
Horace Allen. 1812. Timothy Childs, Oren Goodrich, Jonathan Allen, John B. Root. 1813. John B. Root, Caleb Wadhams, John Dickinson, Simeon Brown, 1814. Timothy Childs, Simeon Griswold, John Churchill, Phinehas Allen. 1815. Oren Goodrich, John Dickinson, Phinehas Allen, Oliver Robbins 1816. Jonathan Allen, Oliver Robbins, Joel Stevens, Henry H. Childs. 1817. Jonathan Allen 1818.
Phinehas Alleng 1819.
Oren Goodrich. 1820. Jonathan Allen. 1821.
Jonathan Allen, William C. Jarvis: 1822. William C. Jarvis. 1823.
William C. Jarvis. Daniel B. Bush, Samuel M, Mckay,
.
976
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE,
Oren Goodrich. 1324. William C. Jarvis,
Samuel M. Mckay. 1825. Samuel M. Mckay. 1826. Samuel M. McKay,
Matthias R. Lanckton. 1827. Matthias R. Lanckton.
Thomas B. Stron Daniel B. Bush, Henry H. Childs 1828. Thomas B. Strong, Daniel B. Bush,
Samuel M. Mckay, Daniel H. Francis. 1829. Thomas B. Strong.
Physicians in Pittsfield.
Timothy Childs, M. D. ; born at Deerfield ; educa- ted at Harvard College; died 1821.
Jonathan Lee ; deceased.
William Kittredge ; deceased,
Gilbert Jennie ; removed.
Daniel James ; removed to Albany.
Dr. Sturtevant ; removed.
Dr. Jones ; removed to Stockbridge:
H. H. Childs, M. D.
John James, M. D. ; removed»
Ira Wright; removed.
Oren Wright.
Dr. Bennet ; removed.
Dr. Gunn; removed.
John P. Batchelder. M. D. ; removed to Utich ??
John De Lamatter, M. D. ; removed.
Dr. Coleman.
Oliver S. Root, M. D.
Robert Campbell, M. D.
Lawyers.
Børn. Educated. Ad to the Bar
Woodbridge Little,*
Y. 1760 about 1270
John Brown,* Sandisfield,
Y. 1971 do. 1973 Ashbel Strong,* N. Marlborough, Y. 1776 do. 1974 John C. Williams, Roxbury, H. 1777 do. 1773-4 Thomas Gold,* Cornwall, Ct. Y. 1778 do. do. Thomas Allen, * Pittsfield, W. 1789
do. 1792
John W. Hurlburt, Alford, do. 1794
Ezekiel Bacon, Stockbridge, Y. 1794 1793
Thomas B. Strong, N. Marsboro', Y, 1797 1891
PITTSFIELD.
377
Born.
Educated. . Ad.to the Ban W. - 1'06
Henry Hubbard, Sheffield,
Luther Washburn, Hardwick,
1807
Moses Heyden, Conway,
W. 1804
1808
Thomas A. Gold, Pittsfield,
W. 1806 1809
Jashub B. Luce,* do.
W .-
do.
Chauncey Hurlburt, Alford,
do.
David Perry, Jun., Rehoboth,
do.
John Hooker, Springfield,
do.
Fordyce Merrick,* Pittsfield,
1811
William C. Jarvis, Boston,
do.
Reynold M. Kirby, Litchfield, Con,
do.
Henry W. Taylor, Pittsfield,
1812
Wolcott Lawrence, Washington,
do.
Daniel B. Bush, Pittsfield,
1814
Calvin Martin, Hancock,
do.
John Porter, Dalton, W. 1810
1817
Matthias R. Lanckton, Pittsfield,
do.
Josiah Hooker, Springfield,
Y. 1S15
1820
* Died in town. Those in italics have removed.
Rev. Thomas Allen was born at Northampton, Jana 17. 1743. He was educated at Harvard Coollege, gra- duated in 1762. . and studied theology under the instruc- tion of Rev. Mr. Hooker, of Northampton. On the 18th of April, 1764, he was ordained the first minister of Pittsfield, where, during a ministry of 46 years, he laboured to promote the temporal as well as spiritual welfare of the town. Mr. Allen was simple and cour- teous in his manners, zealous in matters of belief, warm in his attachments, and frank in his reproofs of those he considered in the wrong. His frankness and zeal sometimes exposed him to the charge of indiscrerion. Convinced that the American Revolution was founded in justice, lie engaged in it upon a principle of duty. He was chairman of the committee of correspondence, chosen by the town in 1774. Constitutionally ardent and intrepid, he was impelled in those trying times to take up arms in his country's.cause. When a detach- ment of Burgoyne's troops had penetrated as far as the vicinity of Bennington, he marched with the volunteer militia of this town to meet and repel the invasion. Be- fore the attack was commenced. being posted opposite to that wing of the enemy which was principally com,
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378
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.'
posed of refugees, who had joined the invaders, he ad- vanced in front of our militia, and in a voice distinctly heard by those tories in their breastwork, exhorted them to lax down their arms, a: suring them of good treatment, and warning them of the consequences of a refusal. Having performed what he considered a religious duty, and being fired upon, he resumed his place in the ranks, and when the signal was given, was among the foremost in attacking the enemy's works.
He was a Calvinist in sentiment, and in ecclesiastical government, a Congregationalist ; believing that Con- gregationalism in the church was analogous to Republi- caniem in the state. On principle he was opposed to Presbyterianism and Episcopacy, as he was to aristocra- cy and monarchy in civil government. He died Feb. 11, 1810, aged 67. During his ministry, 341 were ad- ded to the church ; 57 during Rev. William Allen's ; 56 daring Ret. Mr. Punderson's ; 214 during Rev. Mr. Humphrey's; 99 daring Rev. Mr. Bailey's. It was sorganized in 1764, and then consisted of 7 male mem- bers. There are at present, 563 communicants.
Col. John Brown was born in Sardisfeld, in this County, Oct. 19, 1744. He graduated at Yale College - in the year 1971, studied law in Rhode Island. and 'commenced practice in this town, 1973. Being daring, and at the same time prudent, and liaving a fine perso- nal address, he was selected by the Committee of Cor- respondence of this State. in 1774, for the hazardous « enterprize of going to Canada to excite, the people of 'that Province against the mother country, and attach them to the cause of the Revolution. He went early in the spring of 1774, and returning again in the autumn, went again in 1775. Before Gen Arnold's character "was generally kaown, when his reputation was the high- est, Co'. Brown published a handbill against him. con- taining 13 or 14 articles ; and among other things. char- ged him with levying contributions on the inhabitants of Canada, for his own private use and benefit. Two years before the treason of Arnold, Col. Brown remark- ed to Elkanan Watson, E-q., that " such was the base- ness of his heart-his love of gold-that if the British should find out the man, he would prove a traitor to his country."
379
PITTSFIELD.
He was elected by this town a delegate to the Provin- cial Congress which was holden at Cambridge, Fel. 15, 17%, and in 1778, a member of the General Court. In Dec. 1275, hs marched at the head of a regiment of mi- litia to Mount Independence. After the battle of Ben- ningion. being sent by Gea. Lincoln with a detachment to surprize the garrisous at 'Ticonderoga and Mount In- dependence, then in the hands of the British, he made himself master of the outposts, took an armed ship. seve- ral gun-baats, 200 batteaux, a quantity of arms and am- munition, and retook a standard and about 100 Ameri- can prisoners. Not being able to capture the forts, he returned with his booty to Gen. Lincoln. This brave soldier and patriot was killed at Stone Arabia, in Pala- tine, N. Y., in an ambuscade of Canadians, tories, and Indians, on his birth-day, Oct. 19, 1780, at the age of 36. Forty-five of his men were likewise killed, many of whom marched from this vicinity about one week be- fore. They were led into the ambush by a traitor.
Col. Simon Larne ! was born at Thompson, Con., in 1756. He came to this town in 1784. He was an officer of merit in the Revolutionary war, and once re- presented this District in Congress. He was for many years Sheriff of this County, which station he filled with credit to himself and fidelity to the government. At the commencement of the late war with Great Bri- tain, he was appointed Colonel of the 9th regiment of U. S. infantry, and served through the war. He died Nov. 16, 1817, aged 61 years.
Col. Oliver Root came into this town from Westfield, in 17 -. He was a soldier in the second French war, and an officer in the war of the Revolution. He was with Col. Brown.at the fatal encounter with the Cana- dians, tories, and Indians, în 1780. He died May 2d, 1826. aged 85.
Col. William Williams was among the first settlers of the town. He was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for this County, Judge of Probate, and a representative of the town for many years. He died April 5, 1788, aged 75.
Woudbridge Little, Esq., was the first lawyer in the town. He first studied theology, but only preached as a candidate, and afterwards studied law. He died June
:
359
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
21, 1813, aged 72, leaving most of his property to che- ritable institutions.
Thomas Gold, Esq., a distinguished lawyer and advo- cate, was born in Cornwall, Con., graduated at Yale College 1798, and settled in this town 1792. He sus- tained various offices, such as selectman of the town, President of the Agricultural Society, and President of the Agricultural Bank.
Charles Goodrich, Esq., came into this town from Wethersfield, Con., when there was but one building in it. He drove the first team into town, introduced and held the first plough. He was a member of the Pro- vincial Congress, which was held at Concord, April 12, 1774, and a number of years a member of the General Court. He was also a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Berkshire. He lived 63 years in t .e town, and died Nov. 16, 1816, aged 96.
Hon. Timothy Childs was born at Deerfield, in this State, in 1748. He entered Harvard College in 1764, and studied physic and surgery under Dr. Williams, of Deerfield ; and in 1771, at the age of 24, commenced practice in this town. No young man entered more zealously into the cause of the Revolution than Dr .- Childs.
In 1774, he took a commission in a company of mi- nute men, under the command of Capt. David Noble, and when the news of the battle of Lexington was re- ceived, he marched with the company to Boston, where he was soon after appointed a surgeon of the army. In 1777, he left the army and resumed his practice in this town, and continued in it till less than a week before his death, which happened on the 20th of February, 1821, at the age of 73.
Dr. Childs represented this town many years in the Legislature of this Commonwealth, and was likewise a number of times a member of the Senate. The Uni- versity of Cambridge conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was a member of the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society, and President of the Dis- strict Society, composed of Fellows of the State Society,
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF DALTON
BY REV. EBENEZER JENNINGS, i
THIS town was formerly called Ashuelot, or Ashuelot. Equivalent ; because it was granted to Oliver Partridge and others, a company in Hattield, to make up a loss they had sustained in a grant made to them on Ashue -. lot river, which was found, when the line was establish- ed between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, io be within the bounds of the latter State. The Legislature of New Hampshire claimed it of the company, so far as they had not made a disposition of it to actual set- tlers. The town was incorporated in 19784, and called Dalton, after the Hon Tristram Dalton, then Speaker of the House of Representatives The length was then about 6 miles, and the breadth about 3. In 1:95, an addition was made to the town on the north-east from, Windsor, so that the town is now 8 or 9 miles in length. In 1894, a part of the town, on the south-east, was uni- ted with a part of the town of Partridgefield, (now Perui) and form d into the present town of Hinsdale. Dalton is bounded by Cheshire on the north ; by Windsor and Hinsdale on the east ; by Hinsdale and Washington on the south ; and by Pittsfield on the west. The rich and beautiful vale of Dalton is in the centre of the town, as the town now lies. The eastern branch of the Housa- tonic runs through it, and by a circuitous course encloses as on three sides, a charming elevation of ground of more than 100 acres, in the centre of the whole vale. Here the meeting-house stands, from which, probably, three- fourths of the houses in town may be seen. In this
382
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
vale, most of the business of the town is transacted. The turnpike from Boston to Albany, through North- ampton, passes directly by the meeting-house The road to Pittsfield, 6 miles, is very good. Indeed, de- scending from Hinsdale, and entering Dalton near the foot of the mountain, the road through Pittsfield to the foot of Hancock mountain, 11 miles, is the best and most level, for that distance, of any passage from east to wet through the County. There is no other open- ing in that direction equally excellent.
. Dalton began to be settled about 1755. Dr. Marsh, a graduate of Harvard College, and a Judge of the County Court, was among the first settlers. So were the Chamberlains, the Marrimans, the Cadvs, the Gal- lups, the Lawrences. the Parkses, Boardmans, &c. The venerable Dea. William Williams moved into the town some years after, from Hatfield. He was a leader and guide to the people for many years ; an ornament and glory to the town, as a citizen and a christian, When the Free School was established in Williams- town, in 1735, he was appointed one of the trustees ; and in 1793. he was appointed a trustee of Williams College. In 1797, 99, and 1800. he was a Senator in the State Legislature. He died March 1, 1808, aged 74.
The Rev. Theodore Hinsdale, a sound and able di- vine, who had been dismissed from a church in Wind- sor, Con., moved into Dalton a few years after Dea. Williams, and lived on a farm in that part of the town which was eventually set off to form the town of Hins- dale ; thus called after his name.
This town is finely situated as to water privileges, which have as yet been improved but in part. Many are anxious that men of capital should come in and im- prove the unoccupied mill-sites. A furnace was erected here 27 years since, which did much business ; but which, after some years, was burnt, and has not been rebuilt. There are now three paper-mills in ope- ra on az ist-mill, and 5 saw-mills, all within abou a mile of the meeting house, from the extremes. We have a post-office in town. 3 stores, and 3 taverns.
There was formerly a very valuable pine forest in the town ; but the demand for pine stuff has been so
'393
DALTON.
great, that this source of wealth is almost exhausted. A great quantity of wood is yet to be found on the hills ; from which a considerable gain is derived from markets out of town. Great quantities of hemlock are sawed into boards and timber and sold abroad. Spruce is much used for shingles. One patent shingle-mill fur- nishes a great many thousand shingles yearly for mar- ket. Hemlock bark, besides supplying two tanneries in town, is carried away in considerable quantities. A turning lathe is now put in operation, which works up chair-stuff for the New York market. A woollen fac- tory is also in successful operation.
There is much second rate marble in the town, which yields to the chisel sufficiently for underpinning stones, but it is too hard for polished work.
Three wood mills have lately been erected which go by horse power, and are thought to be a great improve- ment. One of these mills will saw as much wood for stoves in a day as four men will chop. The great ad- vantage is in the saving of labor. and in the saving of the chips, which would be in part lost in cutting. wood short with an axe. Besides, it is difficult to split wood 4 feet long. But saw the wood 16 or 15 inches, and
the blocks can be easily split One man will tend the mill, and split the blocks as fast as they are sawed, fine enough for the stove. In general, the mills should be built in the lot, near to the wood, that the bodies of the trees may be drawn to the mill without the trouble of loading the logs ; and the tops can be cut with the axe at any length.
The land in general is very productive. Spring wheat is more easily raised than in many towns in the County, and the soil is very natural for Indian corn. The meadows on the river are not so extensive as on many towns below, through which the Housatonic pas- ses.
Few towns in the County are more industrious than this through the whole year. During the winter. a man with a good team may earn almost as much as he would in the summer; while some towns, and especially mountain towns, can do little more in the winter than jake care of their stock, and sapol ; their fires ; because they have no market for wood and timber. This town might
-384
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
supply the town of Pittsfield, (as it perhaps has done,) with more wood and timber, and stuff from saw-mills, than any other town contiguous. This advantage our people will probably long enjoy.
The Congregational church was formed, Feb. 16, 1785. Successive candidates were employed for a number of years to supply the desk. In March, 1795, the Rev. James Thompson was ordained over the church and people. He continued with them until 1799, when he was dismissed. After this, Mr. Hinsdale supplied the pulpit generally, until the ordination of the present pastor, the Rev. Ebenezer Jennings, Sept. S, 1802.
Since that time, there have been three spiritual re- freshings : the last and most extensive was in 1827, when about 50, it is believed, obtained a hope that they were accepted of Christ. About that number were added to the Congregational church, as the fruits of it.
The Congregationalists have a parsonage, devised in the following manner : Dea. Williams solicited Col. Israel Williams and Dea. Obadiah Dickinson, both of Hatfield, for two lots of new land lying in Dalton, to be given to the Congregational church and society, and to be enjoyed by no others, for the encouragement and support of a learned ministry. And accordingly deeds were obtained, made to the deacons of the church, and their successors in office, of two lots of land, found to contain 235 acres. These were sold by permission of the General Court, and vested in other real estate, to be held to the same use. A parsonage house was pur- chased, with a farm of 70 acres. Thus God inclines the hearts of men to support the gospel of Christ.
The present meeting-house was built in 1812.
There are a few Baptist families among us, who go out of town, generally to Hinsdale, for their own wor- i ship.
There is a small society of Methodists, who common- ly have preaching semi-monthly on the sabbath, in each alternate week. They arose principally in 1812, though there were some before that time.
We have 6 school districts.
The Union Library, established in Pittsfield and Dal- ton, Sept, 7, 1796, was divided in 1808. The part gi-
385
DALTON.
ven to this town, was called the Social Library of Dal- ton, and contained finally about 200 volumes. This has recently been dissolved : but an effort is making to establish another.
Physicians.
John Wright, Abel 'Kitredge, Trumbull Dorrance, and Caleb W. Ensign.
Lawyers.
Calvin Waldo; a graduate of Dartmouth College 1785; admitted to the bar in 1799; died Aug. 25, 1815, aged 56.
Henry Marsh ; a native of this town ; graduate of Williams College 1815; admitted to the bar in 1819.
33
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF LANESBOROUGH.
BY REV. HENRY B. HOOKER.
IN January, 1741, Samuel Jackson and 75 others, inhabitants of Framingham, in the county of Middle- sex, petitioned the General Court to grant them a tract of wilderness land, situated on the Housatonic river, near to an Indian town. The grant was made, and they were authorized to survey and locate " a township, of the contents of six miles square, adjoining south on Indian Town, (so called,) on the Housatonic river, or as near that place as the land would allow," upon cer- tain conditions mentioned in said grant. Under this act, this township was surveyed and located. At a meeting, held Oct. 19, 1742, the proprietors voted to to call it Richfield, until a name should be given to it by the Legislature. It was afterwards called New Fra- mingham.
The settlement was commenced about 1754 or 5, by Capt. Samuel Martin, a Mr. Brewer, and a Mr. Steales. A party of Indians, in the second French war, drove off these families, and Capt. Martin was the only one who returned. A fort for the protection of the settle- ment, was erected near where the house of Dea. Wol- cott Hubbell now stands. On the approach of the In- dians, the settlers fled to Pittsfield. A scout was sent after them from Massachusetts Fort. In following tracks which were found, two Indian chiefs were dis- covered, stooping down and tying on their moccasons. Each of the scouts selected one, and both chiefs were killed on the spot. The scout safely escaped to the
387
LANESBOROUGH.
fort, though closely pursued by the Indians. A party immediately set out from the fort in search of the bo- dies of the slain chiefs, who found them buried in their war costume.
Among the earliest settlers, after those which have been mentioned, were Nathaniel Williams, Samuel Tyrrell, John, Ephraim, Elijah and Miles Powel, (four brothers, ) Lieut. Andrew Squier, James Loomis, and Ambrose Hall. They all settled here as early as 1759. William Bradley, James Goodrich, Thaddeus Curtis, Ebenezer Squier, Benjamin and Joseph Farnum, set- tled here not far from that time.
The town was incorporated on the 20th of June, 1765, and then included a large part of the present town of Cheshire. It is bounded by New Ashford on the north ; by Cheshire and Dalton on the east ; by Pittsfield on the south, and by Hancock on the west. The length of the town from north to south is 6 miles ; the breadth on the south is 6 miles, and on the north 3 miles and 20 rods.
The soil is generally of an excellent quality, consist- ing principally of a clay loam ; and the chief attention of the inhabitants is turned towards grazing. Little grain is raised, beside what is needed for home con- sumption.
The south branch of the Hoosic rises in the south- east corner of the town. The west branch of the Hou- satonic enters the town from New Ashford, passes by the centre of the town, and runs through the large pond, called Lanesborough pond, into Pittsfield. This pond is partly in the latter town. It abounds with fish, such as pickerel, perch, and trout, and affords at its outlet some very valuable mill-sites. The principal settle- ments are on a street which extends several miles along the eastern side of this branch of the Housatonic. Here are the three houses of worship belonging to the differ- ent religious denominations. The neighbouring mea- dows are remarkably luxuriant and beautiful, while the hills beyond them strike the eye with great pleasure. The scenery from various points of elevation is pictu- resque and delightful.
Some valuable beds of iron ore have been found here, from which considerable quantities of iron were
388
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE:
formerly manufactured ; though but little attention has been paid to them for some years.
There are several extensive quarries of valuable marble ; some of which, in the western part of the town, were opened at an early period ; others, near New Ashford, were opened 15 or 20 years ago. The prin- · cipal are on the estates of Dea. Elijah Phelps, Abiel Platt, Bethuel Baker, and the Hon. Judge Savage, of New York. A large portion of the marble in the capi- tol at Albany, was transported from these quarries. Great quantities are now sent on the Western Canal in- to the interior of New York.
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