USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of the county of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in two parts > Part 30
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The number of inhabitants in 1810 was 1303, and in 1820, 1319. The number of deaths for the last 25 years is 487, averaging 19 annually. The largest num- ber in a single year was 34, and the least 7.
There are 8 schools in town, 5 stores, 4 taverns, 1 grist-mill, 4 saw-mills, and 3 mills for sawing stone.
The Congregational church, consisting of 5 males and 3 females, was organized March 2S, 1764, by Rev. Messrs. Samuel Hopkins, of Great Barrington, and Stephen West, of Stockbridge.
Before this, the Rev. Levi Hart, afterwards Dr. Hart, of Preston, Con., and Mr. Woodbridge Little, who af- terwards became a distinguished inhabitant of Pitts- field, preached here for a short time. The first pastor, the Rev. Daniel Collins, was ordained April 17, 1764 ; and the first meeting-house was erected in 1768, though it was not entirely finished until several years after. The present meeting-house was built in 1829, and de- dicated Jan. 1, 1829.
Mr. Collins continued in the ministry until he died, Aug. 26, 1822, in the 84th year of his age; though in the latter part of his life he had the assistance of a col- league.
He was born in Guilford, Con. ; took his first degree at Yale College in 1760, where he sustained the repu- tation of a good classical scholar, and afterwards read theology with Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlehem. Settling here when the town was new, and discharging the vari- ous duties of a pastor, in seasons of prosperity and ad- versity, for nearly half a century, he had an extended and happy influence in forming the manners and habits
LANESBOROUGH. 380
of the people, Some seasons of refreshing from the. presence of the Lord, occurred under his ministry. Soand in judgment, his counsel was often sought in cases of difficulty, by churches in the vicinity and at a distance, He possessed good sense, dignified manners, and exemplary piety ; was affable, hospitable, and be- nevolent, and greatly beloved and esteemed in all the relations of life. He was first a trustee of the Free School, and then of the College in Williamstown,
In 1812, in consequence of infirmities, he was indu, ced to desire a colleague ; and on the 8th of July in that year, the Rev. John De Witt, of Catskill, N. Y., was associated with him in the pastoral office.
Mr. De Witt was dismissed on the Sth of Dec. 1813, and afterwards settled in the second Reformed Dutch Church in Albany. He is now a professor in the The- ological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J.
The Rev. Noah Sheldon was settled as colleague with Mr. Collins, July 15, 1818, and became sole pas- tor upon Mr. Collins' death. He was dismissed, by reason of ill health, May 2, 1827, and now instructs a private school in Stockbridge, boarding the scholars in his own family.
The Rev. Henry B. Hooker, the present pastor, was installed on the day of Mr. Sheldon's dismission, hav- ing been previously ordained an evangelist."
The number of members at the formation of the church, was S
Mr. Collins (during his whole ministry ) admitted 253 Mr. Sheldon admitted, after the death of Mr. C., 14 Mr. Hooker has admitted 11
Total, 316
The number of members, at the commencement of the present year, was 74.
Deacons.
Ebenezer Buck ; died 1805, aged 90.
Azariah Rood ; removed to Vermont.
Nehemiah Bull ; chosen 1780; died Dec. 1815, aged 77.
Ebenezer Squier ; chosen 1793 ; died 1797, aged 67. Andrew Squier; chosen 1798; died 1824, aged 93,
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390
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
Gideon Wheeler ; chosen 1809 ; died 1822, aged 77. Wolcott Hubbell ; do. 1818. Elijah Phelps ; do. do.
Zenas S. Clark ; do. 1829.
The Episcopal church in this town, called St. Luke's church, was instituted by the Rev. Samuel Andrews, of Wallingford, Con., Oct. 2, 1767, and the house of wor- ship belonging to this denomination was erected in 1783. The Rev. Gideon Bostwick, of Great Barrington, had the pastoral charge of the church, and preached to it oc- casionally from June 26, 1770, until his death, June 14, 1773.
The Rev. Daniel Burhans succeeded him immediate- ly, and continued here until June, 1799, when he re- moved to Newtown, Con., where he still officiates.
The Rev. Mr. Thacher laboured in this church from Dec. 28, 1799, until June 18, 1801. He removed to Ballston, New York, where he died.
The Rev. Amos Pardee, graduate of Yale College, 1793, took the charge of the church, Feb. 13, 1802, and continued in it until Sept. 28, 1818, when he removed to the State of New York, where he has since been em- ployed in missionary labours in different places.
The present rector, the Rev. Aaron Humphrey, was born and educated in the State of Maine, and took the charge of this church, March 9, 1820.
A revival which prevailed in the north part of the County in 1826, reached this people, and some souls were hopefully brought into the kingdom. The present number of communicants is about 50.
The Baptist church was formed in 1818, with 12 . members. About 34 have been since admitted. The number of members reported at the last meeting of the Baptist Association, was 35.
The Baptists have enjoyed the labours of Elder Au- gustus C. Beach, and of Elder Richmond Taggart.
Joel Redway was chosen deacon of this church, July 13, 1822.
Their house of worship was erected in 1828, and dedicated Feb. 10, 1819.
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391
LANESBOROUGH.
Physicians.
Francis Guiteau'; native of Bethlehem, Con. .
Reuben Garlick ; removed to Canada, and- became an Episcopal clergyman.
Hezekiah Clark ; native of Lebanon, Con .; remo- ved to Pompey, N. Y.
Asa Burbank ; native of Williamstown ; graduate of Williams College 1797 ; died at Williamstown the pre- sent year.
Enoch Pierce ; a native of Peru.
Joseph Jarvis ; removed to the State of New York.
William H. Tyler ; a native of New Ashford.
Lawyers.
Samuel W. Wheeler; native of this town ; removed to the State of New York.
Chauncey Lusk; native of this town; graduate of of Williams College 1795; admitted to the bar in 1800; died 1803.
Luther Washburn ; native of Hardwick ; removed to Pittsfield.
Calvin Hubbell, Jun .; native of this place ; graduate of Williams College 1810; admitted to the bar in 1813.
George N. Briggs ; native of Adams ; admitted to the bar in 1818.
A HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF CHESHIRE
BY REV. DAVID D .. FIELD.
THIS town was originally included in the towns of Lanesborough, New Ashford, Adams, and Windsor. It was incorporated by its present name, March 14, 1793. It is bounded by Lanesborough and New Ash- ford on the west ; by Adams on the north ; by Savoy, Windsor, and Dalton, on the east ; and by Lanesbo- rough on the south. The form is very irregular, as the line in passing round it, takes 21 different courses. The contents are between 17 and 18,000 acres.
The settlement commenced in 1767. Some of the earliest and principal settlers, were Joseph Bennet, Esq., Col. Joab Stafford, (from whom Stafford Hill in the north-east part of the town is named) and John Buck- land, Esq., from Coventry, R.I .; John Lippit, from Sci- tuate, R. I. ; Samuel Low, Simon Smith, Amos Smith, Stephen Carpenter, Shubael Willmarth and John Will- marth, from Providence, in the same State ; Jonathan Richardson, from Newton, Isaac Warren, from Fra- mingham, and Charles Saben, from Killingly, Con. All these became inhabitants between 1767 and 70.
The centre of the town, through which the south branch of the Hoosic runs in a northern direction into Adams, is a rich and fertile valley. To the east and west of this, the ground gradually rises into hills and mountains. The township is admirably fitted for gra- zing, to which the attention of the inhabitants is princi- pally turned ; though considerable quantities of grain are raised. Extensive and valuable dairies are kept,
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CHESHIRE.
and the Cheshire cheese has acquired a wide and merited celebrity. The famous mammoth cheese, presented to President Jefferson, Jan. 1, 1302, contributed not a little to bring this into notice. On a given day, the dairy- women sent their curds to one place. The quantity was too great to be pressed, even in a cider-mill ; so that in addition to the intended present, three additional chees- es were made, weighing 70 pounds each. The mam- moth cheese weighed about 1450 lbs. Mr. Jefferson sent back a piece of this to the inhabitants to satisfy them of its excellence ; and he also sent pieces of it, it is said, to the Governors of the several States.
Large beds of sand have been found here, 'suitable for making glass. A glass factory was erected in IS14, but abandoned as unprofitable in Sept. 1816. Not- withstanding this circumstance, however, the sand is said by competent judges to be of a superior quality, and worthy the attention of capitalists who are engaged in this branch of business. Large quantities of it have been used in the Glass Factory at Sand Lake, N. Y., some has been transported to Boston and used there. Small quantities of iron ore have also been found.
There is a small cotton factory in the north part of the town, on Hoosic river. There are also in the town 1 grist-mill, 8 saw-mills, 2 clothiers' works, and a small tannery, 3 merchant stores and 4 taverns.
The population in 1810 was 1315, and in 1820, 1202.
The inhabitants from the beginning have been very generally of the Baptist denomination. There are two houses for public worship belonging to this denomina- tion, one at Stafford's Hill, and one at the Four Cor- ners, in the west part of the town.
The first Baptist church was formed at Stafford's Hill, Aug. 28, 1769. Elder Peter Werden was the set- tled pastor of this church from 1770 until his death, which occurred Feb. 21, 1808, in the 80th year of his age, having been in the ministry a longer period than any Baptist clergyman then in New England. He was born in Warwick, R. I .; in which town and vicinity he preached about 19 years before he came to this place. · Sound in judgment, rich in experience, and deeply conversant with the doctrines of grace, he was a good minister of Christ, and a great blessing to this town.
394
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
Several seasons of revival occurred under his ministry. To the Baptist churches in the County he was a friend and father.
Since his death, the church has successively enjoyed the labours of Elders Bartemus Brayman, Samuel Bloss, and Noah Y. Bushnel. The first and second of these clergymen now reside in the State of New York; the third is the present pastor. The church has been large, though the present number of members is but about 30.
As it was inconvenient for the people in the west part of the town to attend meeting at Stafford's Hill, the se- cond Baptist church was formed at the Four Corners, Sept. 21, 1771, consisting of 17 members, and placed under the care of Elder Nathan Mason, from Nova Scotia.
In consequence of the feeble health of Elder Mason, the church in 1792 deemed it necessary that they should have another preacher, and on the 21st of April in that year, Elder John Leland became their pastor. Not long after this, Mr. Mason died at Westfield, while on a visit to his children living in that town.
From this church a third Baptist church was formed of 15 members, Jan. 15, 1824. It is under the care of Elder Elnathan Sweet, and embraced in May last, 45 members.
In July, 1823, a society of the Reformed Methodists was formed in town, and the Methodist class contains nearly 40 members.
The most extensive revivals were in 1772, 1780, and 1799. In 1823, there was a favorable movement on the minds of some of the inhabitants, and additions were made to the churches ; and there has been some spe- cial attention to religion since that time.
The district schools are 10 in number.
Physicians.
John Johnson, William Jenks, David Cushing, Isaac Hodges, - Seagrave, Nathaniel Gott, John Lion,
- McLouth, Mason Brown.
A HISTORY
09 THE
TOWN OF NEW ASHFORD.
BY REV. DAVID D. FIELD. 1
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This town is about 4 miles square, and is bounded by Williamstown on the north, by Adams and Cheshire on the east, by Lanesborough on the south, and by Hancock on the west, from which the western portion of it was taken. It began to be settled about 1762, by emigrants from the eastern parts of this State, from Rhode Island and Connecticut. Among the early set- tlers were Nathaniel, Abel, and Gideon Kent, Uriah, Peter, and Eli Mallery, William Green, Jacob Lion, Samuel Gridley, Jonathan Beach, Samuel P. Tyler, Abraham Kirby, William Campbell, Amariah Babbit, Evans Rice, Capt. Martin, and a Mr. Mason.
The place was incorporated as a district, Feb. 26, 1981, and enjoys all the privileges of a town, except that it cannot elect a representative to the Legislature ; a privilege which it formerly enjoyed in connection with Lånesborough.
The township is situated principally on the steep and rugged hills which make from Saddle mountain on the east, and the Taconic range on the west, and which here approach each other. In the narrow valley between these hills, along the rise of the western branch of the Housatonic, and the eastern branch of Green river, are some small tracts of more feasible land, producing grain, grass, &c., though the soil in general is hard and gra- velly, and of an indifferent quality. By these streams, with the connected springs and brooks, the town is well watered. The branch of Green river, on which are
396
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
several mill-sites, runs northward into Williamstown, receives the branch from Hancock, and finds its way in- to the Hoosic. The rise of this stream is near the rise of the western branch of the Housatonic, which takes an opposite direction, and flows into Lanesborough.
The principal road north and south through the Coun- ty, runs near these streams. It has recently been laid over more level grounds in the north part of the town, and greatly improved. Gentlemen, acquainted with the subject, are of the opinion that important improve- ments may be made at the south.
There are about 50 dwelling-houses in the town, and about 55 families. A small neat house for public wor- ship, (a union house,) was erected here in 1828, and dedicated in January, IS29. There are 3 school-houses, one tavern, one store, two saw-mills, one grist-mill, and one mill for sawing stone.
Valuable quarries of white and blue marble were opened here six or seven years since, and already fur- nish a considerable branch of business. The blocks, after they are removed from their beds, are sawed into slabs, and sold in the neighbouring places, and at Hud- son river.
Formerly some of the inhabitants used to attend pub- lic worship in Lanesborough and Williamstown ; and some still frequent the neighbouring churches. Most of the inhabitants, however, are Methodists, who enjoy circuit preaching here one half of the time. There are 30 professors of this denomination. There are some Baptists, who occasionally enjoy preaching from minis- ters of their own denomination ; though no Baptist church is organized in the place. Individuals are at- tached to other denominations.
À HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTOWN.
BY EBENEZER KELLOGG,
Professor of Languages in Williams College.
WILLIAMSTOWN is in the north-west corner of the Commonwealth. The township is nearly 7 miles long from north to south, and a little more than 5 miles from east to west, and nearly of a rectangular form ; wanting only a small piece at the north-west corner, cut off by the line of the State of New York. It is bounded north by Pownal, in the State of Vermont ; east by Clarksburgh and Adams; south by New Ashford and Hancock ; and on the west, it is separated from Berlin and Petersburgh in the State of New York, by a gore of unincorporated land a mile in width at the south end, and terminated in a point, a mile and a half from the north end of the town, which is bounded this distance by Petersburgh in New York.
Its boundary lines are far up the sides of the moun- tains, by which it is almost surrounded. The north-west corner is on the eastern slope of West mountain, half a mile or more from the ridge. The north line runs across North-West hill, a little north of the highest point of it, and passes south of the top of Mason's hill in Pownal. The north-east corner is about half way up the North-East mountain. The eastern line passes a little west of a small prominence, called the Pine Cob- ble, toward the south part of the mountain, a little ob- liquely through the length of the valley between the two great ridges of Saddle mountain. The south line
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE.
of the town includes the high point at the north end of the South mountain which separates New Ashford from Hancock. The south-west corner is in the highway, on the Hancock road to Albany. The west line runs a straight course, obliquely up the side of the mountain, until it strikes the New York line near the top of the mountain, a little north of the Gap at the head of Tread- well hollow, and then follows the State line to the north- west corner. The town may, therefore, be described, in general terms, as a valley, having four easy passages from it on different sides ; one on the north, by which the Hoosic passes to Pownal ; a second on the east, near the north-east corner, by which the Hoosic comes" in from Adams; a third on the south side, near the mid- dle, by which the east branch of Green river comes in from New Ashford ; and a fourth at the south-west cor- ner, by which the west branch of Green river enters from Hancock. The first of them communicates with Bennington and the western part of Vermont, and is the usual route to Troy in N. Y. ; the second, with Franklin county and the eastern side of Vermont, and is also the common road to Boston ; the third opens an easy way to the central and southern parts of the Coun- ty; and the fourth looks towards Hudson, and is the common route to Albany.
Besides the slopes and points of mountains already mentioned as being within the limits of the town, there are two or three large hills lying wholly or mostly with- in them. "North-West hill," several hundred feet above the bed of the Hoosic, is separated from West mountain by a slight depression, and on the south- west and south in like manner from " Birch hill," a much higher eminence, formed by a spur of the West mountain, shooting off toward the south-east, and reaching almost to Stone hill. The south-eastern part of Birch hill is called " Bee hill." In the angle be- tween Birch hill and West mountain, is a deep valley, called " The Hollow," and sometimes "Treadwell hollow," of such extent and population as to compose a small school district.
Near the centre of the town, and midway between the two villages, is " Stone hill," of very irregular form, and great extent. Its extreme northern and southern
399
WILLIAMSTOWN.
points are three miles distant, and approach the two vil- lages. On most sides it descends gradually to the val- leys which separate it from the surrounding hills and mountains. But in some places on the east and west sides, it makes some part of the descent very rapidly. The County road, till lately, passed over it, with some windings, from one village to the other; but the as- cent and descent are so considerable, especially on the north, that a new road is opened farther west along the val- ley between this and Bee hill, called " the Hemlocks." The mountain north-east of the north village, was long called "Bald mountain," having been rendered almost naked by frequent fires, so that deer, which were very numerous here, might be seen upon it from the valley adjacent.
The largest stream in the town is the Hoosic, * which en- ters it on the east from Adams, and running first W. by N. and then N. by W. crosses the north line into Pownal, after a course of about 4 miles in the town. It has a descent of 94 feet in this distance, and its usual width is 100 feet or more. Its waters might be advantageously employed for manufacturing purposes, by taking them from the bed of the river into canals. Its largest tribu- tary is " Green river," coming from the south between Stone hill and Saddle mountain, and having its sources on the two sides of the mountain lying between New Ashford and Hancock. Its course is 10 or 12 miles, and it furnishes several mill-sites ; but its waters are sometimes scanty in summer. It enters the Hoosic about two miles from the east line of the town. Two or three miles from its mouth, it receives a considerable stream from the east, which issues from the Hopper.+ " Doctor's brook"} issues from Treadwell hollow, and passing round the base of Bee hill, turning north, and - being joined by a small stream, called " Roaring
* In all early times it was called " the Great River," and there was no bridge over it, even on the County road, till 1765.
tThe place where these streams meet, used to be called " Tay- lor's crotch;" by which name it is often mentioned in the records of the town.
# So called from Dr. Jacob Meak, who, about the time of the incorporation of the town, lived on the bank of it, between the burying ground and the river, where his descendants still live.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE
brook," which in part separates Bee and Birch hills, finds its way to the Hoosic, about a mile before it enters Vermont. "Hemlock brook" comes from between North-West hill and Birch hill, and empties into Doc- tor's brook. "Broad brook" receives at the foot of Pownal mountain the waters that come from the valleys to the south-west and south-east of it, and turns west in- to the Hoosic. Both these last mentioned streams are large enough to work saw-mills at some seasons of the year. A great number of smaller ones gush from the hills on every side.
The general character of the soil is clayey; but in few places is the clay so hard and stiff as to be injuri- ous to its fertility. Loam predominates in some pla- ces, and a few spots of some extent, may be called gravelly. Some of the best lands lie along the Hoosic, particularly in the eastern part of the town, though not a very large part is properly called "meadow." A pretty large tract in the south part of the town, about the junction of the two principal branches of Green River, and along up those streams is also particularly fertile and beautiful. But the hills also, and generally the mountain sides, almost, and sometimes quite, up to their tops, have a good, and in many places, an ex- cellent soil, suited both to grazing and tillage ; though generally best for the former. There is in the town very little swampy or marshy land, and the hill pastures are not overrun, as in many parts of the country, with moss and ferns, those unfailing signs of a cold and bar- ren soil.
The town is remarkably a farming town, having few manufactories or mechanics' shops of any kind, except such trades as are absolutely necessary for the conven- ience of the inhabitants. A cotton factory, intended to employ 40 hands, has just gone into operation on Green river ; another is building on the Hoosic in the east part of the town, and a company is incorporated with the purpose to erect a third on the same stream near the North village. Leather manufactured here is sent abroad to market, to the amount of 4,000 or 5,000 dol- lars a year. The pastures furnish most that is carried to market. There are a great number of dairies of twen- ty cows, and a few have a much larger number. The
401
WILLIAMSTOWN.
quantity of cheese carried to market annually is estimat- ed at two hundred thousand pounds. Butter in smaller quantities, cattle for the butcher, and for stock, pork, wheat, rye, oats, and some barley, are the other princi- pal resources of the farmer against such wants as his - own farm does not supply. Wool growing has not been attempted to such an extent, nor with so much success, as in some other towns in the county; but there are a few flocks of sheep of some hundreds each. Winter wheat was raised easily and in great plenty, for a long course of years when the town was first settled ; but is now very rarely sown.
This township and "East Hoosic," now Adams, were explored and their limits traced, by a Committee of the General Court in 1749. The Commmittee consisted of Col. Partridge of Hatfield, and Col. Choate and Capt. Nat. Dwight of Belchertown. Both towns were intended to be six miles square, but for some reason they were laid out about seven miles long and five wide. It cannot be ascertained in what year it was granted, as there is no copy of the grant on the files of the propri- etors, and only some. fragments of the papers relating to it can be found in the office of the Secretary of State.
The settlements of this town like that of others at that day was retarded by Indian hostilities. Nehemiah Smedly, William and Josiah Horsford, and some other young men, came to prepare for themselves and fami- lies a settlement here, it is believed, in 1751 or 1752. But they were interrupted by the increasing hostility of the Indians in those years. Returning to Connectieut, they enlisted in a company raised to protect the fron- tiers, and came again with others to this place and garri- soned a fort, which stood a few rods north of the present meeting house, and also a block house near the west College. A few soldiers were kept here in garrison till 1760. But the inhabitants were exposed to "fre- quent alarms. Some were carried into captivity, and in an attack July 11, 1756, Capt. Chapin and two per- sons by the name of Chidestre were killed. These dangers nearly ceased after 1759, and peace was con- cluded between England and France in 1763. These events and the incorporation of the town in 1765 led to 34*
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