USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 3
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29
RIVERS.
as just stated. It is along this branch that it was pro- posed the Canal, to unite the Hudson and Connecticut rivers, should pass, around the north end of Hoosic Mountain. The summit level would be in Vermont. About a mile north-east of the village, this branch re- ceives from the north-west a stream called Hudson's Brook, and rising in Clarkbsurg, which near the Hoo- sic passes the Falls or Cave in white granular lime- stone. This interesting passage through marble walls will be described in the account of Adams. Below the junction of Hudson's Brook, is the furnace, cotton and woollen factories, &c. on this branch.
After the union of the two branches, the Hoosic is about three or four rods in width, with a depth of per- haps eighteen to twenty-four inches. Its current be- comes more rapid .. Near the west part of Adams is an- other mill site, occupied by a woollen factory and mill. And other suitable sites occur in several places, by tak- ing out the water into a canal,
In Williamstown, about a mile north-east from the College, another tributary, called Green River, from the colour of its waters, enters the Hoosic from the south. This stream, which is entirely distinct from that of the same name which unites with the Housatonic in the south part of the County, rises in the south-west part of New Ashford. It is increased by another from the south-east part of the same town and Cheshire. At the south village in Williamstown, it is joined by a stream from Hancock, on the west side of that spur of the Taconic range which divides Hancock from Lanes- borough and New Ashford. Further north it receives a stream from the Hopper of Saddle Mountain. Green River is a rapid stream of small width and depth; but several mill sites are found on it and its tributaries. Near the College, a cotton factory is erected upon it.
Another stream, called West Brook, rises in the west and south part of Williamstown, and running north- erly and just west of the village, joins the Hoosic about one and a half miles north-west of the College.
Hoosic River, with all its branches, is subject to a sudden rise of water, as its volume is greatly increased. by rains and the melting of snow from the neighboring hills and mountains. It is an important stream, from
3*
30
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
its rapid descent, and the number of situations it affords for the application of water power.
Along the banks of the Hoosic in Williamstown, is a rich interval, a tract of alluvial land, exceedingly well adapted to the production of grass, and in the higher parts, of wheat, Indian corn, &c. This interval varies from a few rods to near half a mile in width. Consid- erable portions of it are overflowed in the spring, and enriched by the depositions from the waters.
In the north-east part of the County, Deerfield river passes for several miles. It is formed of two branches, rising considerably to the north, one in Woodford, and the other in Somerset, Vt., which pursue a southerly course to their junction ; thence south-westerly in the north-west part of Franklin County, to pass round the mountains. Near the north-east part of Florida, it turns considerably more westerly, and winding through the hills on almost every point of the compass, forms the eastern boundary of Florida for some distance. On the south-east part of the town, the river has an easterly course through the unincorporated tract, called Zoar, into Charlemont, in Franklin County, and thence to Connecticut river. Rising and running through a very hilly and mountainous section, where the hills appear piled together in the greatest confusion, the Deerfield is a wild and mad stream. The ice frozen upon its rocks in winter, is very rarely broken up till spring, usually the latter part of March. The breaking up of the river, as it is familiarly called, is a sublime scene. By the melting of the snow on the mountains, the water is raised several feet before the ice is sufficiently loosened to be borne away by the current. At this time the stream be- comes a torrent, producing a perpetual roar from the dash of the waters over the rocks, the breaking up and concussions of the masses of ice. Rocks, often weigh- ing tons, are raised up by the buoyant masses of ice and borne along the stream. The spectacle is grand and appalling, and annually attracts the amazed atten- tion of the inhabitants on its banks, at whatever hour of the day or night the breaking up takes place.
The North Branch of Westfield River rises in a pond in Windsor, in this County. The stream runs northerly and thence easterly round the hills, and then
31
RIVERS.
turning southerly, passes through Plainfield and Cum- mington, in the adjoining county of Hampshire.
The Middle Branch of Westfield river rises in Peru, and passes south-westerly into Worthington, in Hamp- shire County, and thence southerly on the east bound- ary of Middlefield, in the same county.
The West Branch of Westfield river has its origin in Washington and Becket, and runs south-easterly to. unite with the other branches in Montgomery, in Hamp- den County, forming in its course the south-western boundary of Middlefield.
In Becket are several ponds of considerable size, con- nected with different streams, some of which run east- erly into Westfield river, and some westerly into the Housatonic and Farmington rivers.
A pond in the south-west part of the town, together with the waters from Viets' Swamp, give rise to the last mentioned river. The stream is commonly called the West Branch of the Farmington river. It pursues a south-easterly course through Otis, where it receives the outlet of Great Pond, (the largest pond in the County, ) Rand Pond, &c. : it then passes along nigh the boundary between Sandisfield, (which sends to it two considerable tributaries, ) and the town of Tolland, in Hampden County. After leaving this State, it runs through Colebrook and various towns in Connecticut, winding its devious way through and round the hills to Connecticut river.
A small brook which runs into the head pond of Far- mington river, may be easily directed north-westerly into Green Water Pond, whose outlet joins the Housatonic. in Lee ; a fact which may ultimately be of consequence in extending the Farmington Canal far into the County of Berkshire.
Great Pond also lies near the head waters of West- field Little river, which takes an easterly course through Blanford, in Hampden County, and unites with West- field river in the town of Westfield. The pond may be connected, without any very serious difficulty, with that river; and thus be used for the purposes of a ca- nal, or the lifts of a rail-road, should one be constructed through this region.
32
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
It will be inferred from this account of the rivers, that the spurs of the eastern range of mountains in Berkshire County, have their course turned considera- bly towards the east, so as to form an easy passage for the streams towards the Connecticut.
These small streams, comparatively rapi? in their course, supply great conveniences to the inhabitants in the eastern part of the County in the erection of mills and various machinery, to be moved by the cheapest of all the moving forces, water.
Besides the natural ponds already mentioned, there are two others on Taconic Mountain. One of these is on the north-east. of the principal summit, in Sheffield, about one fourth of a mile in diameter, and about six or seven hundred feet lower than this peak. Its waters are discharged eastward down the mountain into Kisnop Brook.
Another pond lies on the west of the highest peak, at an elevation of perhaps three or four hundred feet less : its waters are discharged westward to run into the Hud- son. Further south, near the south-west part of Shef- field, a mountain torrent descends from the Taconic range to increase the volume of Kisnop Brook. In the spring, and after great rains, this stream is to be seen from many parts of the valley in Sheffield, descending. in a white sheet or line, and presenting a very pictur- esque appearance.
This general view of the streams, ponds, &c., proves that the County is well watered, and affords sites for the erection of manufacturing establishments, mills, &c., moved by water, to almost an unlimited extent. This will be more apparent when the vicinity of the hills and mountains is considered, as well as the rapid descent of the streams, excepting the course of the Housatonic in Sheffield, and a part of Great Barrington and Stock- bridge. A very moderate rain, even in the drier times of summer, affects the mountain streams, and the fre- quent recurrence of showers, under the wise provision of Providence, usually affords an adequate supply of moving power.
The irrigation of meadows and pastures by turning the course of the smaller streams, may be carried to a very great extent. It is now practised in many places
33
AQUEDUCTS.
on a small scale, and always to the great advantage of the agriculturalist.
An abundant supply of wholesome water is a matter of vast consequence to every people. Situated in a hilly country, springs and small, streams are abundant in Berkshire; and there are few places, even in the most level tracts of the County, where a copious supply is not obtained by the sinking of wells to a moderate depth. As a wide range of limestone passes through the County, many of the springs and wells through the middle and lower parts, afford water containing a small quantity of gypsum in solution, and thence denomina- ted hard water. The casy method of carrying, water in aqueducts, however, puts it in the power of almost every man to enjoy the luxury of soft water. But there are many persons who consider the hard water to be far more palatable and pleasant. - An easier method still, is by the use of cisterns, for containing rain water, ås a very little precauuv- tion preserves it pure, and it is well known to be exceedingly pleasant for all culinary
the enfirst way purposes. In winter it is as agreeable as the www. ter; and in summer, cooled by a piece of ice, it is equally pleasant. The preservation of ice in cheap buildings prepared for it, is an easy matter; and it is recommended to the attention of all who have not access to the cool waters of a spring. It puts into the hand of every man a luxury of nature, procured at the least expense.
The construction of aqueducts of wooden or earthen pipes, has been found too unprofitable in this County to be deserving of repetition, except on a very small scale. The strength of the materials is not suficient to endure the pressure of the water, when carried to any consider- able distance, even if they be laid so low as to escape the influence of frost, a point rarely effected. The re- sort must be to pipes of lead or cast iron. The lead pipes are now made in Adams for this purpose; and the employment of them is becoming relatively com- mon. The only disadvantage of these pipes, is the formation of a small quantity of carbonate of lead, which may act as a poison upon those who use the wa- ter conveyed in them, unless there be provision for the deposition of this poison in a reservoir. Iron pipes are
34
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
entirely free from this evil. In the celebrated Water Works at Philadelphia, only pipes of cast iron are used ; and are considered on the whole as the cheapest.
The construction of cisterns of brick or stone, laid in hydraulic mortar, would be a great improvement, and is recommended to the attention of the citizens. Con- sidering the rapid decay of wooden cisterns, and their exposure to leaks, with the consequent expense of pro- curing water for the time, cisterns of brick must be on the whole far more economical. They will last for cen- turies.
The boring for water, which has proved so success- ful in so many places in our country, has not been tried in the County.
The project of uniting the Hudson with Connecticut river by means of a Canal across Berkshire County, seems scarcely practicable, at least so as to make it pro- fitable- The easiest course for such a Canal is unques- tionably by the valley of the Hoosic river to Adams in this County, passing through Williamstown. In order to connect this with the Deerfield river on the east side of Hoosic Mountain, it is necessary either to follow the North Branch of the Hoosic into Vermont, round the north end of Hoosic Mountain, rising at least eight hun- dred feet, in eleven miles, to the summit level, or to work a tunnel from the north village in Adams through Hoosic Mountain, a distance of four or five miles. The rapid elevation in the distance of eleven miles, renders the former next to impracticable, were it even certain that there might be obtained the adequate supply of wa- ter on the summit level. The elevation from the Hud- son at Albany to Colgrove's mill pond in Adams, is known to be 691 feet, and 654 feet above the Connecti- eut at Springfield, and is far too great for the construc- tion of a profitable Canal. It will be remembered that Lake Erie is only 537 feet above the Hudson at Albany. The tunnel through Hoosic Mountain will not probably be formed by the present generation. The work is not impossible, though the mountain is composed of granite and mica slate, which are rocks difficult to be penetra- ted. In every project for a Canal, it is all-important to ascertain that the extent of country and quantity of trade to be affected by it, is sufficient to justify the expense.
35
ELEVATIONS.
No part of our country probably is so favorably situated in both these respects as that to which the Grand Canal extends its benefits.
As the summit level, mentioned above, is less than the elevation across the eastern range in any other place in the County, the union of the Hudson and Connecti- cut cannot be expected to be practicable. There can be no exception to this, unless the Canal should be made from the Hudson through Stockbridge to the west part of Becket, and thence along the waters of Farmington riv- er. In this case, the course of the Canal would be so circuitous as probably to destroy the project.
The continuation of the Farmington Canal into the eastern, and perhaps to the middle of the County, by the western branch of Farmington river, is thought by many to be practicable. This, however, would be of little benefit to the supposed Canal from the Hudson to the Connecticut ; especially if the Connecticut were to be connected with the waters of Boston harbor.
The projected Canal from New York to Sharon, Con. was intended to be continued, and to follow the Housatonic to the middle of the County. This project appears now to be abandoned by most of its friends. The greater cheapness with which Rail-roads are be- lieved to be constructed, will probably delay the execu- tion of these projects.
ELEVATIONS .- Besides the elevation of places al- ready mentioned, a few others are added, taken chiefly from the survey of the Rail-road, and given in feet above Hudson river at Albany. Some, which are esti- mated from the elevation (measured) of places near them, are marked with a star. It should be noticed that the Hudson at Albany is 37 feet below the level of Connecticut river at Springfield, " 5 or 6 feet above low water mark," and that this point is 64 feet above the marsh or Charles River, near Boston.
W. Stockbridge, at upper mill pond, near the vil- Feet.
€ 6 lage, - - 887
Stockbridge, at Lester's bridge, - 805
Street of village near Mr. Williams' 827
36
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
Feet.
Lee, Owen's paper mill pond, - 831
" Housatonic, Lee village bridge, - - 863
" Church's mill pond, 879
Lenox, pond at furnace, - 928
" Court House, - - 1178#
Pittsfield, road at line of Dalton, 1036
66 Sill of Gen. Root's factory, - 985
Meeting-house, - - 1035*
66 Shakers' mill pond, - 1090
Richmond, Hartford and Albany turnpike, Door-step of Rev. Mr. Dwight, - 1147
1091
Dalton, against Meeting-house, - 1180
Hinsdale, Morrison's mill pond on Housatonic, 1416 Washington, summit of Rail-road, - - - 1478
Lanesborough, Brook and Powell's mill pond, 1011 At line of Cheshire, on Rail-road survey, 971 Cheshire, Oil nut by village, - - 976
Adams, Robinson's House, south village,
.793
Turner's factory pond, - - 764
Hoosic river, by Jones' bridge, - . 643
Williamstown, Hoosic, at Noble's bridge, 530
66 Line of Vt. at Ware's brook and Hoosic river, - - 550*
Chapel of Williams College, - - -
730*
Sheffield, Housatonic at line of Connecticut, above tide water at Derby, Con. 612
Meeting-house, - - - 630*
Great Barrington, Meeting-house, - - 655*
Housatonic at the bridge, 645
NATURAL PRODUCTIONS.
1. WILD ANIMALS. In the early settlement of the County, the Bear, and Deer, and Wolf, though not abun- dant, were not uncommon. These have long since dis- appeared. Occasionally, indeed, a deer or a few bears pass along the Green Mountains into the north part of the County, and excite all the remnant of the old hunt-
37
BIRDS.
ing spirit. - A few have been killed in Williamstown and its vicinity within the last ten years. The Fox is occa- sionally hunted, and a few are killed. The Woodchuck, Skunk, and Squirrel, gray, black, red, and striped, are common; the Muskrat and Mink and Weasel, are rather rare ; the Rabbit and Hare, and several kinds of Field Rats and Mice, still remain. The Porcupine or Hedge- hog is occasionally caught on the hills in the north part ofthe County. The Lynx, commonly called the Wild- cat, or Mountain Cat, has become very rare, but has been seen on the hills in the south part of the County within a few years. The Raccoon is found, not abund- antly, in various parts of the County.
2. BIRDS. The birds offer very considerable variety. Some of the smaller kinds are numerous. The Wild Turkey has disappeared ; the Eagle is rarely seen ; the Gull and Loon occasionally visit our ponds ; the Black Duck is common; the Wild Goose is seen in its flight from or to the north, and sometimes descends to our streams, having apparently lost its course ; the Heron is rare ; the Fish Hawk, Hen Hawk, and Pigeon or Sly Hawk, the Snipe, King-fisher, Dodger, not uncommon ; the Crow is common, and often remains through the win- ter; the common Blackbird, variegated or Skunk Blackbird, Thrush, yellow Robin, Red Robin or Red- breast, Mocking-Bird, Cat-Bird, Chirping Bird, Ground Bird, Wren, Kingbird, red-headed Wood- pecker, Woodcock, black and brown, Killdeer and Phebe, are common. The Blue Jay often remains through the winter. The common Oil and Screech Owl are often heard. The Snowbird appears in flocks in winter, sporting in the snows. The Whip-poor-will is heard in every town, and the Night Hawk, often sup- posed to be the same bird, but well ascertained to be entirely different, is abundant. The Swallow, barn, chimney, and bank, spend only a short time in this lat- itude. The same is true of the Martin. The common Pigeon appears in large flocks from the south-west in the spring, to rear its young and return to the Missis- sippi valley for the winter. The beautiful Humming- bird is frequently seen. The Dove, supposed to be imported, may be considered as in a sense domestica- 4
38
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
ted, and stays through the year. The other birds gen- erally disappear in the autumn in their migration to the south to find a milder climate for the winter.
The return of birds in the spring depends upon the season, and varies considerably. In the last eleven years, the Robin has appeared between March 12 and April 2, and generally about March 20. In 1816, however, robins appeared Feb. 24; snow and cold fol- lowed, and they were not seen again till March 17. The Bluebird is often seen before the robin for a day or two; the Chirping-bird about the same time with the robin, and the blackbird a few days later ; the Pi- geon between March 10th and April 5, commonly about April 1; the Phebe, about April 6 ; the Swallow about May 1.
Frogs are first heard about April 8; but in 1825, they were heard March 17; the waters were soon fro- zen over, and they were not heard again till April.
The torpidity of many reptiles during winter, has been fully proved. The migration of our birds, though generally believed, is not by all considered as fully es- tablished. The hybernation of a few in hollow trees and the like, cannot account for that of the multitude of the feathered race which disappears. On the other side, it is a singular fact, that flocks of birds are not an- nually seen passing southwards. May it not be that the migration begins in- more northern latitudes, and proceeds southwards as the cold advances and increases? Flocks would not then be seen in rapid motion ; and yet, at any given place, the same species might disap- pear within a day or two, as the fact is known to be.
3. INSECTS. The insects, though abundant, have not been sufficiently examined to merit much. notice. The Firefly or Lightning Bug, is common in the summer months, shedding its light on the darkness of the lower tracts in the evening. The Glow Worm is uncommon. The Locust (cicada septendecem) appears in small numbers every year, but has never been sufficiently numerous to be destructive to vegetables. The Grasshopper, espe- cially two species, sometimes commit great devastation. In the summer of 1818 they were abundant; and in 1826, far more numerous, greatly injured fields of wheat
39
INSEGTS.
gats, grass, &c. ; destroyed turnips entirely, and also fields of buckwheat in the north part of the County. They were far more numerous in many places in Ver- mont.
In 1806, a strong and beautiful bug eat out of a table made from an apple-tree, which grew on the farm of Maj. Gen. Putnam, in Brooklyn, Conn., and which was brought to Williamstown when his son, Mr. P. S. Put- nam, removed to that town. It was cut down in 1786, sixty-five years after it was transplanted, and if the tree was then fifteen years old, it was 80 years old when cut down. As the cortical layers of the leaf of the table are about sixty, and extend within about five of the heart, as the inner ones are quite convex, about fifteen layers have been cut off from the outside. In 1814, a third bug made his way out, the second having appear- ed two or three years before. The last bug came forth from nearest the heart, and 45 cortical layers distant, on the supposition of its age, from the outside. The tree had now been cut down 28 years. Of course, the egg must have been deposited in the wood seventy-three years before. This bug eat about three inches along the grain, till it emerged into the light. The eating of the insect was heard for weeks before its appearance. These facts were given by Mr. Putnam, in whose pos- session the table still remains, and were first published in the Repertory at Middlebury, Vt., in 1816. One of the bugs, preserved for some time by the Rev. Dr. Fitch, " was about an inch and one fourth long, and one third inch in diameter; colour, dark glistening brown, with tints of yellow." The facts here mention- ed are remarkable, but not solitary ; several similar ca- ses are recorded. However difficult it may be to ac= count for the preservation of the vivifying principle for so long a time, the facts will enable us to account for the periodical return of some insects, and for the actual ap- pearance of some new ones in countries to which timber is transported. New insects actually occur, though rare- ly. But in relation to the preservation of the vivifying principle, the difficulty is caused more by our specula- tions, than by any thing known to the contrary. No man can account for the preservation of the vivifying principle for one week, a familiar fact, on any princi-
40
HISTORY OF .BERKSHIRE.
ple which will not apply equally well to the time of a. month, a year, or a century. He can introduce only the peculiar constitution of the thing; which is in fact only the law of Divine operation in the case. A fre- quent recurrence to this principle, while it will manifest the ignorance of man, will remove his reasons for doubt and wonder, and lead him the oftener to the contempla- tion of the dependence of all things upon the operation of that amazing power and constant energy of the great Creator, who has brought these things into existence, and continues that existence according to his own wis- dom and pleasure.
The organization of insects is probably as complete, certainly as wonderful, as that of the elephant. They are too often regarded as beneath the consideration of men. Their wonderful transformation and economy is well deserving of enlightened curiosity. To lead some to the consideration of these minute works of God, the following facts may be of some consequence.
The gad-fly, or goad fly, so troublesome to cattle in July and August, but not abundant in this part of the country, is produced from the grubs which fall from the. backs of cattle in the spring ; the egg having been de- posited by the fly in the skin of the cattle, the summer before.
The insect, so annoying to sheep in August and Sep- tember, is produced from a grub in the nose of the sheep, the egg of which is deposited in the nostrils of the sheep the season before, and the deposition of whose eggs causes the sheep to attempt to hide their heads under logs and fences, and to run with such ra- pidity from place to place, to avoid the insects. These worms sometimes work their way into the head of the sheep, producing a fatal disease.
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