USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Ashfield > History of the town of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1742 to 1910 > Part 19
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"All we can ever do for the dead is to keep their names from dying, and to kindle other souls as they kindled ours."
In response to request, I will state some facts as I recall them from memory or through tradition, of my grandfather.
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
Thomas White was born in Hatfield, youngest son of Dea. Salmon White (who served as Captain in the Revolution). The home, in a subdivision of the borough, fell west of the dividing line between that town and Whately, where it now stands in good preservation, and is still occupied by lineal de- scendants. Thomas White and Elijah Paine of Williamsburg, first cousins and intimate comrades through life, fitted for college together and entered Yale in the same class. Thomas soon decided on a business career, in which he saw little use for dead languages, and so informed his father, who with com- fortable means had destined his son to one of the professions. In serious displeasure the father said to the unyielding boy, "If not college, it is a trade and that trade shall be blacksmith- ing." Quite on his mettle, Thomas accepted the terms, served faithfully his apprenticeship, and then, receiving from his father a tract of land in Ashfield with other property, he located here and loyally set up a shop.
Meanwhile Elijah Paine had received his degree, and, locating on adjoining land, opened a law office. The two men built their houses at about the same time, bringing to them wives of rare qualities and blessed memory, and lived side by side in brotherly harmony to old age. Since my remembrance it was said that when both were in town they never failed of daily visits at one or other, or both of the two homes.
Thomas White soon found his sphere in active public service as our town and county records testify. He had the "courage of his convictions," never shrinking from duty, however un- popular, in church or town; and ever alert for advancement on new lines, was active and earnest in both. "The greatest good to the greatest number" was his slogan, and though kind and generous to a fault he was unsparing and firm where vital principles were involved. In any community such a man finds enemies. He had his full share whom he never feared, dodged nor spited. Dr. G. Stanley Hall's father, a citizen of like char- acter in the next generation, while speaking of my grandfather's character, life and work, said to me one day, "I verily believe no man was ever laid to rest in this town who was more rev- erently loved or more cordially hated than Esquire White."*
With nearly nineteen years of only happy personal memories of that life and character, I could reverently respond to the opinion of this discerning, appreciative friend.
Amanda Ferry Hall.
*NOTE-Edward Stewart White, the well known western writer, is a descendant of Esq. White.
225
TOWN OFFICERS, CIVIL MAGISTRATES
HENRY BASSETT, ESQ.
An old record book in clean, clear cut handwriting shows trials before Esquire Bassett from 1816 to 1837. He lived in an old fashioned one-story house standing where his grandson, Isaac Bassett, now lives. He was town clerk thirteen years, town treasurer five years, and Representative to the General Court seven years. Many of the cases tried before him were from Hawley and Buckland. One case in 1835 showed that on complaint of Charles Ward, Jonathan Smith, Jr., was fined one dollar for behaving rudely and indecently within the walls of public worship, and under the same date on complaint of Jona- than Smith, Jr., Charles Ward was fined the same sum for the same offence.
One hundred and more years ago, "going to law" seemed to have been a frequent and not very expensive matter. It has been noted that the full record book of Esquire Phillips showed over three hundred trials in about two years and a half and there were probably several hundred more before his death in 1800. Esquire Williams had over two hundred recorded in his book, and there were of course many cases before Esquires Paine and White of which we have no record. Cases also went from Ashfield to Buckland and Conway to be tried before Esquire Taylor and Esquire Billings. The "Costs of Court" before Esquire Phillips were from one to ten shillings, and before Esquire Williams and Esquire Bassett from three to twelve dollars. In 1827, before Esquire Williams, Consider McFarland sued Peter Sears for $20, and recoverd 86 cents and costs, $3.07.
Other justices in town were Levi Cook, the first postmaster, also town clerk and treasurer for several years; Chester San- derson, Lot Bassett, Wait Bement, Henry S. Ranney, Silas Blake and Nelson Gardner. Chester Sanderson lived where Clayton Eldredge now lives, was selectman and representative. His daughter married Henry L. Dawes of Pittsfield, United States Senator for many years. Henry S. Ranney, our town clerk for half a century, held a justice commission for many years, nearly to the time of his death in 1899. Esquire Bement lived at South Ashfield on the farm now owned by Mrs. Nellie
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
Barrus. He held most of the town offices, and was for a long time clerk, and a warm friend of the Ashfield Library. He had a genial nature and was a very pleasant man to meet. Lot Bassett lived in Spruce Corner at the Bassett farm on the hill. He was a strong and ready debater, and a great favorite at the old district lyceums. Silas Blake held a commission as justice and after the passage of the law in 1859, creating trial justices, was appointed to that office which he held for a number of years. He was school committeeman many years. He lived towards the south end of the Briar Hill road. Nelson Gardner, for eighteen years town treasurer, also held a justice commission for a time. He had a wood-working establishment in the vil- lage, afterwards in Spruce Corner.
CHAPTER XIII
THE REVOLUTION
In addition to Dr. Shepard's excellent account of the action of the town during the Revolution, we quote from the records :
Aug. 22, 1775, Voted 2nd, to make the coats that are asinde to us.
3. Voted to send a man to Albanah to procure Guns and ammunition upon the town credit.
4. Voted that Lt. Phillip Phillips to procure the above sd. articles.
Dec. 26, 1776, Voted yt the Committee of Safety be em- powered to apply to the neighboring Towns for a County Con- vention to get into regulation concerning Prices of Provisions &c.
Voted yt the Committee of Safety put a stop to ye carrying of Grain out of town.
Feb. 20, 1777, Voted to make application to the general Court for the abatement of the Province tax.
June 16, 1777, Voted that the constables proceed to collect the ministerial taxes forthwith which are not collected and to make Distress under the Instruction of a Committee yt shall be appointed.
In the early part of the war the people seemed to have been troubled more by their financial embarrassment than by the raising of men. The Proprietors and the town had spent heavily in fulfilling the conditions of the Grant to "build a meeting house and settle a learned orthodox minister, " and by the decision of the King in 1770 the support of the Baptists had been cut off, so it left this incumbrance on the rest of the town. In 1773, they petitioned to the General Court for relief, and in the Act relative to the matter, passed March of that year, Sec. 8 says: "That the inhabitants of the town of Ashfield aforesaid, exclusive of the Baptists there, be at the charge of finishing the meeting house in said town and supporting the said Mr. Sherwin for the future. Sec. 9. That by reason of the unhappy diffi- culties that have arisen of late in said town of Ashfield, and their poverty, the inhabitants of said town and their estates be and
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
hercby are exempted from paying province and county taxes for the space of three years next coming." Some money had been paid back to the Baptists for alleged injuries. At the be- ginning of the war, the meetinghouse, though occupied, was still unfinished. Mr. Sherwin had just been dismissed from the ministry, with his salary, as he claimed, in arrears for quite a large sum. Votes following direct the officer to immediate collection.
But there were other troubles. Dr. Shepard mentions the list reported by the selectmen of the "men who appear so un- friendly to ye American states." The names reported were Samuel Belding, Lieut. Phillip Phillips, Seth Wait, Samuel Allen, Jr., Wait Broughton, Asa Bacon, Elijah Wait, Jesse Edson and Daniel Bacon. It was "Voted yt Capt. Samuel Bartlett's house bc the place of Confinement." Also "yt the Confinement of Jesse Edson be suspended for the present on the Account of sickness in his Family." August 29, 1777, it was "Voted not to make any further Provision for the Guard, and to Dismiss the Prisoners in close Confinement." The house where they were confined under guard for seven days was on the old road running over the hill just southeast of the road built by Mr. Belding which terminates near the house occupied by Dr. Jones. It stood near Mr. Bronson's spring house. Aunt Betty Perkins, a near neighbor to Charles Hall's grandfather, used to tell how she saw the prisoners march down under guard to the old church on Sunday to attend service, and how the guard took their muskets into church with them.
After this, instead of being at the expense of imprisoning the offenders, they were fined, some of them quite heavily at different times. After the lapse of one hundred and thirty-five years we can afford to be charitable towards the actors in those proceedings on both sides. Samuel Belding was one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace and had taken his oath to sup- port the King. Lieut. Phillip Phillips was an officer in the King's army and had sworn to support the Crown. It is fairer for us to assume that all these men held these views from really conscientious motives, and not from cowardice.
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THE REVOLUTION
Quite a number of men from these families enlisted in the American army.
At a meeting held June 20, 1777, the record says, "The ques- tion was put whether the town will give the Rev. Nehemiah Porter Liberty to Join the Continental Army-past in the Negative." It seems, however, that Mr. Porter did go, for January 9, 1778, it was "Voted yt we hire preaching while Mr. Porter is absent from his people and yt the town desire ye Rev. Jacob Sherwin to preach in Mr. Porter's absence."
We can quote only a portion of the votes relating to the later years of the war. March, 1778, "Voted to raise £50 for the support of the Continental soldiers belonging to this town." March 21, Voted £93 additional, and "That the Committee take the most prudent method they can to convey the things provided to Headquarters near Philadelphia, and to hire money if need be to effect the same." January 18, 1779, "Voted to raise money to pay the rations of ye men to Valley Forge £17 10s. also to pay for the blankets provided for said men £25 4s." June 29, 1779, a committee was chosen "to consult what method is most proper to come into Order to Encourage Men to engage in ye war, " then adjourned for three-quarters of an hour. After adjournment, the report of the committee read and adopted was, that "those men who engage in a nine months tour in the war be allowed in addition to the Bounty allowed by the Court 40s. a month wages stated upon Wheat at 4/6 pr Bushel Rie 3/4 and Indian corn at 2/6 and if any man have a Family which shall stand in Need of Bread corn it shall be provided at said prices at the cost of the town." July 6, Voted "That such men as shall be drafted shall be entitled to the same pay." July 13, additional bounties are voted payable upon "Return home from ye Army to be considered in Continental currency at ye present Value of it." Also, "that the Select Men give Security for ye Money they shall hire for said purpose allowing ye Interest and Sink of Money."*
*This "Sink in Money" was enormous. Fiske's American Revolution says, "At the end of the year 1778 the paper dollar was worth sixteen cents, and before the end of the year it took ten paper dollars to make a cent."
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
The next year, as Dr. Shepard relates, twenty ealves were offered as bounty for three years' men. Out of the six hundred inhabitants then living in Ashfield over one hundred men went to the war, a list of whose names are here given as published by the state from the manuseripts in the Old Arehives.
It will be notieed in the list afterwards given that many of the men were enlisted about the 20th of April, 1775. This was the time of the Lexington alarm. At that time a company marehed from Ashfield to Boston under Capt. Samuel Bartlett. As there was no immediate fighting, a part of the men eame home, others enlisted for the season. The men who came home are the men eredited for five days' serviee.
The other list of men for five days was at the 17th of August, 1777. Word had been received that a body of British from Burgoyne's army were marehing towards Bennington to seize the stores there. A company was quickly raised under Capt. Ephraim Jennings to march over the mountain. The battle was fought the 16th and the Ashfield company was too late to have any share in General Stark's vietory. Just how far they marehed before they heard the news we do not know. They are eredited here with only five days' service. The Berkshire men received their notiee earlier and arrived in time to take part in the battle.
Of the four Ashfield captains, Capt. Samuel Bartlett moved to York State; Captain Cranson lived and died in Spruee Corner. *Capt. Benjamin Phillips lived near the old Phillips' fort south of Church and Broadhurst's, where the old eellar hole and well ean still be seen. He had five sons. * Capt. Ephraim Jennings lived near the Wardville schoolhouse and the mow lot opposite is still ealled the "Jennings Lot." It is singular that of these two last named eaptains who took so aetive a part in the war, none of their descendants are here, neither ean we learn when they left town or where they went.
Of the 173 or more names here following it is believed that all were Revolutionary soldiers from Ashfield. Most of them were eredited direetly to this town. A few names are given in
*See Appendix.
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THE REVOLUTION
the record, not credited to any town, but who were living here about that time and were under Capt. Benjamin Phillips' or Capt. Ephraim Jennings' companies where most of the Ashfield men enlisted and it was considered proper to call them Ashfield soldiers. This list is culled from over 150,000 names in the six- teen volumes of the state records. Not all the record of each name is given, but these volumes can be found in any public library of the state and anyone desiring to see the whole record can easily find it, as the volumes are arranged alphabetically. In a few cases the names of men known to have been Revolu- tionary soldiers have not been found in the record.
Barnabas Alden, two enlistments, July, 1779 and July 1780; age 20; lived afterward above the Elisha Wing place. Ebenezer Alden, several enlistments, one for 3 yrs .; lived where S. P. Elmer does. David Alden, two short enlistments; age 22 yrs .; Elijah Alden was in most of the time through the war; age 25; Isaiah Alden. John Alden, age 16; enlisted three years; Feb., 1782, reported deceased. John Abel, age 19; enlisted 1778; three years or during the war. Enoch Allen, three short enlist- ments. Lieut. Samuel Allen, three enlistments from April, 1775 to 1778; was also the Shays' captain in the Rebellion; lived on the Luther Guilford place. Lieut. Edward Anable enl. at 18 yrs., and served through the war, (see extended notice in Ellis book). Samuel Anable, Jr., father of Edward, two enlistments.
Joseph Baker, two short enlistments in 1775. Lot Bassett enl. from Yarmouth; three short enlistments from 1776 to '78; after- wards moved to Ashfield (Spruce Corner.) Capt. Samuel Bartlett three enlistments from 1775 to '78; lived on cross road near Mr. Bronson's spring house east of Dr. Jones'; brother to Dr. Bart- lett. Samuel Bardwell, age 41 yrs .; two enlistments after 1780. Asa Bacon, in service about 100 days; lived in Baptist Corner. Benjamin Barne, one short and one three years' enlistment; age 39 yrs. John Beals enl. Dec. 1776; dis. April 1877 ; marched to Ticonderoga. (Spruce Corner.) Bethuel Benton, three short enlistments. Lowden Benton, age 24 yrs .; in service 9 mos. Bezer Benton, age 24 yrs .; several enlistments, last for 9 mos .; Bentons lived on Isaac Hodgen farm. Lieut. Zebulon Bryant, several enlistments from April 19, 1775 to August, 1777; grand- father of Calvin and great grandfather of Dr. Ward Bryant of Greenfield; he lived where Ralph Tredick now does. Asa Burton, 18 days; marched to Stillwater. Azariah Blanchard, two short enlistments. Phineas Bement, three enlistments
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
from Dec. '76 to Aug. '79. John Bement, age 19 yrs .; cnl. Aug. '77; service 1 mo. 8 days; also in July, '80 for 6 mos .; probably son of John Bement who lived on the Dr. Murray place. Tim- othy Bloodworth, three enlistments to March '77; lived in So. Ashfield near where Darwin Pease lives. Samucl Belding rec. pay for mileage, etc., at Dorchester Heights, Nov. 28, 1776. John Belding, age 19 yrs .; in service 3 mos. 10 days; marched to Ticonderoga; was grandfather to Belding Bros .; lived on Lot No. 49 1st Div. Jonathan Belding enl. July, '77; dis. Aug.'77. Josiah Cook, a few months in '76; lived in north part of Baptist Corner. Nathan Cook (see page 305, Ellis book). Timothy Catlin enl. from Deerfield; enl. several times from Aug. '75 to '78; his face was scarred by wounds received; he moved to Ashfield and lived where Samucl Hale does. Benja- min Carr, in service from Sept. 22 to Oct. 18, '77; cxpedition to the northward. (David, Benjamin and Jonathan Carr were evidently in for several months each the last part of the war. Lived east part of Baptist Corner.) Jeremiah Center, from May 4, '75 to Aug. 4, '75. Stephen Cross, from Sept. 22, '77 to Oct. 18, '77; service on expedition to the northward. John Cross, age 16 yrs .; three months' enlistment near close of war. Benjamin Crittenden, corporal in Capt. Moses Harvey's Co .; enl. May, 1775; served 2 mos. 2 weeks, 1 day. Samuel Crit- tenden, corporal in Capt. Benjamin Phillips' Co .; enl. July 10, 1777; service 1 mo. 8 days in Northern department. Amos Crittenden enl. April 27, 1775; service 3 mos. 11 days; was also in Arnold's expedition to Canada and was for a time held pris- oner at Quebec. Simeon Crittenden enl. Aug. 12, 1781; service 3 mos. 2 days. Company raised for 3 mos. roll dated Deerfield. (Simeon was grandfather of Mr. George Crittenden. They lived on what is now Mr. Barnes' farm). Isaac Clark, sergeant in company raised for service at Ticonderoga, Feb. 24,'77, 1 mo. 17 days, again Aug. 17, '77; service 5 days. Silas Clark, in service in fall of '75 also in the 5 days' expedition northward in Aug. '77; great grandfather of Herbert Clark; livcd last where Fred Kelley does. Japheth Chapin enl. March 2, '77, ser- vice 1 mo. 10 days; also Aug. 12, '77, service 3 mos. 29 days; was taken prisoner in eastern New York but escaped with another soldier and found his way through the woods to Ash- field *. Nathan Chapin enl. May 16, '77, service 2 mos. 1 day;
*Tradition gives the story that Japheth with another soldier was sent under one guard to cut grass on an island in the river. A bottle of rum was sent with their provisions. The guard showed a weakness for the bottle, which was encouraged, the result being that before noon he was in a drunken stupor. The prisoners took advantage of the situation, pushed off with the boat for the opposite shore, and struck into the woods towards home.
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THE REVOLUTION
also Sept. 20, '78, service 2 mos. 23 days; Japheth was grand- father and Nathan great grandfather of Arthur and George Chapin. Asa Cranson enlisted for 3 yrs., April 2, 1779; was in several companies. Ebenezer Cranson, in service in '76, also 5 days in Aug., '77, also 1 mo. in Sept., and Oct.'77, also 9 mos. man in '78. Capt. Elisha Cranson appointed captain of list to raise men to go to Canada, also commissioned captain May 3, '76, resigned 1780. The Cransons lived across the road from the brick house now occupied by Mr. Streeter.
Wm. Darby engaged for the town of Montague; also in ser- vice prior to this. John Darby in Captain Bartlett's company, year not given. Thomas Dunton in 5 days'expedition in Aug.,'77.
Levi Eldredge enl. Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 22, '77. Benjamin Ellis, two enlistments in 1775, in May and October. David Ellis, age 17 yrs .; enlisted Aug. 12, 1780, service 5 mos. 6 days. John Ellis enl. May 7, 1775; service 3 mos. 7 days; also Lieut. in the 5 day expedition Aug. '77; also in Sept. and Oct., same year. Richard Ellis. Gad Elmer, Aug. 17, '77; 5 day expedition.
Bildad Flower enl. May 8, '75; service 2 mos. 27 days; also engaged April 18, '81 for three years. Lamrock Flower, Aug. 17, '77, service 5 days; also July 24, '80, engaged for 3 mos. David Frary enl. June 10, '75; in service that summer. Julius Frary enl. May 22, '75; service 212 mos .; also fifer Capt. Phillips' Co .; Dec. 23, '76, service 100 days at Ticonderoga; also July 10, '79, service 33 days, and in 1780 enl. for 3 mos .; age 25 yrs. Aaron Fuller, age 41 yrs .; July 19, '80, service 13 days, also in service afterwards as 6 mos. man. Isaac Fuller, in muster roll dated at Ticonderoga enl. to expire March 25, '77. Josiah Fuller, age 16 yrs .; July 15, '79; service 9 mos. Julius Fuller, bounty receipt dated May 21, '81, to serve 3 yrs. Cor- nelius Fuller, name not found in state list but called killed in battle by Mr. B. Howes' list. Solomon Fuller in Capt. Jennings' Co. sent to Bennington, Aug 17, '77; service 5 days. Ebenezer Forbush, several enlistments from Worcester County.
Uriah Gooding (Goodwin), four enlistments from Dec. '76 to Dec. '80; age 42 yrs. Jonathan Gould enl. Capt. Benj. Phillips Co., Dec. '76; 100 days at Ticonderoga; also engaged April 2, '79 for 2 yrs. in Capt. Elisha Cranson's Co. Stephen Graves, May 10, '77, 2 mos. 6 days; also several lists after- wards; Graves claimed by Leverett and Ashfield, allowed to Ashfield. (Also see receipt copied by Mr. B. Howes, and in Ellis book.) Robert Gray enlisted from Pelham; enl. May 1, '75, service 3 mos. 8 days; also Sept. 23, '77, service 1 mo. 1 day, (Moved to Briar Hill). Samuel Guilford, Spencer, afterwards
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HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
Ashfield, three enlistments from April '75 to Dec. '77, (So. Ash- field). Four Joseph Gurneys given from Abington, one of which probably moved to Ashfield, (Spruce Corner).
John J. Hankey, age 38; "engaged Apr. 22, '82, for town of N. Ashfield for 3 years." Solomon Hill, enlisted at Bridgewater; three short enlistments, one for 9 mos. at "North River." (Moved to Spruce Corner.) Elisha Howes, enl. Aug. '77; ser- vice 5 days on expedition to northern department at the time of the battle of Bennington. Kimball Howes, same as Elisha. (Lived in New Boston.) Zachariah Howes enl. May 10, '77; service 2 mos. 8 days, (see also receipt from selectmen in B. Howes' book and in Ellis book p. 305). (From Briar Hill- brother to Micajah).
Capt. Ephraim Jennings, named as Sergeant, Lieut. and Capt .; four short enlistments from April '75 to Aug. '79. (Most of the Ashfield soldiers were in his or Capt. Phillips' Co.) (Lived in Wardville, near schoolhouse.) Anthony Jones, four enlistments to Oct. '77; reported as being in Quebec expedition.
Abner Kelley, service at Ticonderoga in May and June, '77, (see also town receipt). (Cape Street, south end.) Jacob Kilburn. Simeon King, three enlistments from May, '75 to Dec. '80, one for 3 yrs.
Ziba Leonard, three short enlistments; went from Bridge- water; came to Ashfield; lived in Apple Valley where Mrs. E. P. Williams does. Stephen Lyon, three enlistments first part of war; reported having gone to Quebec. Isaac Lewis, age 25 years; two enlistments, April, '75, 2 mos. 11 days; also 6 mos. man in '80. Timothy Lewis, age 16 yrs .; two enlistments about 3 mos. each, '79 and '80. (Timothy Lewis' family lived north- west of where Allison Howes now does.) Joseph Lilly, two enlistments in '75. (Shays man, lived opposite Geo. Ward house below Mrs. Underhill's.) Bethuel Lilly, age 18 yrs .; list dated July 24, '80; also enl. Aug. 12, '81 for 3 mos. (Said to have been guard at the execution of Andre); owned farm in New Boston now occupied by his great grandson Frederick. Jonathan Lilly, sergeant, enl. Aug. 12, '75, service 1 mo. 8 days, (father of Bethucl; lived about 50 rods above his great grandson, Allison Howes). Samuel Lincoln, age 16 yrs .; service 6 mos. in 1780; in '81 engaged for 3 yrs. Eliphalet Lindsley, May 10, '77; service 2 mos. 8 days; also July 29, '80 for 3 mos .; (name in town receipt). James Linsey enl. June 15, '75; service 1 mo. 18 days. Aaron Lyon, 2 enlistments, Jan. 6, '77, also Sept. 22, '77. Jonathan Lyon, age 21; enl. July 21, '80; service 4 mos. 21 days; also July 21, '81 for 3 yrs .; pensioned '82 for loss of
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