USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Ashfield > History of the town of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1742 to 1910 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENT-SHAYS' INSURRECTION
In 1782 the pecuniary pressure became very severe upon the inhabitants of this town and the community in general. The enfeebled and partially organized condition of the General Government rendered it necessary for individual States to make great efforts to maintain their credit and meet the demands which the progress of the war was constantly bringing upon them. Massachusetts felt under the necessity of levying a heavy tax upon the people. The result was murmurings and insub- ordination from every quarter. The people of this town voted not to collect the portion of the State tax assigned to them, and to recommend to their militia officers to resign their commis- sions. They drew up and signed a covenant for their mutual defense and sent out a committee to inform the neighboring towns of their doings. Other towns were excited to similar measures of resistance from similar causes. Taxes were heavy and money scarce; county conventions began to be held, and one event after another transpired until Shays' rebellion broke out, in 1786. Such were the embarrassments of the times that the people not only resisted the taxes of government, but the demands of common creditors. The regular sittings of the courts at Northampton, Worcester and Taunton were ob- structed by the people convening in tumultuous assemblies. Thousands of our citizens in different parts of the Common- wealth were arrayed in rebellion against a government which they had just established at the expense of great toil and much blood. A majority of the people of this town joined in the com- mon panic and took sides with the insurgents. By consent of a
31
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
majority of the Selectmen the magazine of the town was given into the hands of the rebels, and a militia officer and a company of soldiers volunteered their services and marched off to their assistance. But the same Almighty Hand that sustained our country during her contest with the hosts of England, carried her safely through these scenes of civil commotion, and caused them all to work together for good, to her future peace and permanency. With a few conflicts, and the loss of a few lives, the insurrection was quelled; the people, after further reflec- tion, became satisfied that their embarrassments were occa- sioned rather by the necessary expenditures of the Revolution than by any defect in the government itself or the manner of its administration.
ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION
The commotions narrated above convinced the people of New England that some stronger bond of union between the States, for their mutual protection, was necessary. Accordingly, a convention was called at Boston in 1787 for the purpose of con- sulting upon the adoption of the confederated constitution pro- posed by the Congress of the United States. Accordingly, Ephraim Williams, Esq., was chosen to represent this town in said convention, and instructed "to use his influence that said constitution doth not take place." But, notwithstanding the views of the good people of this town, said constitution did take place, and for nearly fifty years the people of this town, in com- mon with their fellow-citizens throughout the Union, have re- joiced in the many blessings which it has imparted.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
It has been remarked that the original proprietors of this town took early measures to supply the first settlers with Gospel ordinances. In the original grant of the Soldiers' Rights two of them were reserved for the support of a learned and orthodox ministry; and in 1751 a sum of money was raised by the pro- prietors to supply the settlement with preaching. Rev. Mr. Dickinson, a Congregational minister from Hadley, was the first employed to preach in the settlement. Afterward they
32
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
were favored with the labors of Rev. Mr. Strecter. Their mect- ings were held in the dwelling of Deacon Ebenezer Belding, which stood on the same ground now occupied by a house on the opposite side of the way from Dimick Ellis, Esq. [Now (1864) Mr. Bardwell's-H. S. R.] Mr. Joshua Hall now (1887) owns and lives on this farm.
The first regular ehurch formed in the town was of the Bap- tist denomination. It was constituted July, 1761, consisting of nine members. In the following August Rev. Ebenezer Smith, the eldest son of Chileab Smith, was ordained its pastor. In May, 1768, Nathan Chapin and seventeen others sent in a peti- tion to General Court setting forth that they belonged to the persuasion called Anabaptists, and praying to be exempted from the taxation for the support of the Congregational min- istry. This petition, after repeatcd and persevering efforts, during which the petitioners were subjected to many trying scenes, was at last granted. It is to be regretted that there should ever have been occasion, in this land of enlightened liberty, for such a petition as this. Nothing would seem to be more reasonable than that any religious denomination demean- ing themselves as peaceable members of society, should enjoy free toleration in the exelusive maintenance of their own order. Our fathers fled hither that they might enjoy liberty of con- science in matters of religion. But it must be remembered, by way of apology for any seeming inconsistency in their legisla- tive acts, that for a long while after the settlement of Plymouth the people of this land were very generally of one and the same denomination; henec their laws had respect to this particular denomination alone; and when in the process of events other sects sprang up, they were not so careful, perhaps, as enlight- ened Christian charity would have dietated, in so modifying their statutes as to give equal toleration to all who might eon- scientiously differ from them. Hence, in the tardy revision of the laws to meet the exigencies of the times, there were, without doubt, insulated eases of what would now be universally pro- nounced religious intolerance and oppression. But those were days when free toleration in the things of religion werc but
T
33
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
imperfectly understood. The progress of nearly a century has thrown much light on this subject; we have occasion to thank God that we have fallen on better times. Let not the errors of those years of comparative darkness, long since gone by, be revived and handed down as a matter of reproach or recrimina- tion between Christian brethren differing only in modes, and all enjoying, to their full satisfaction, liberty of conscience and equal toleration. For a long number of years the kindest feel- ings have been entertained between the Baptist and Congrega- tional churches in this town.
In 1798, after a ministry of thirty-seven years in this town, Elder Smith was dismissed from his pastoral charge in good standing. He soon after removed to the western part of New York, where he continued to labor in different places until he reached the age of 89. He died at Stockton, in the County of Chautauqua, N. Y. Mr. Smith, though not favored with early opportunities for a systematic education, is represented to have been a man of strong native powers of mind, thoroughly ortho- dox in sentiment, and an acceptable preacher.
January 14, 1798, Elder Enos Smith, the youngest son of Chileab Smith, and brother of the former minister, was ordained pastor of this church, and still continues in this relation, having now reached the 85th year of his age and 36th of his ministry.
In 1800 this society, embracing a portion of the southeastern section of Buckland, obtained an act of incorporation. This church has, at different periods, experienced seasons of refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord. This was particularly the fact during the winter of 1831, when considerable additions were made to their communion. The exact number of communicants now belonging to this church I am not able to state. In the spring of 1831 it was one hundred and six. Their first house of worship stood about fifty rods north of Mr. Chileab Smith's. About two years since the society erected a new and convenient meetinghouse, about one-half of a mile to the east of this spot.
This society, if not the oldest, is certainly among the oldest, of the Baptist denomination in the western section of Massa-
34
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
chusetts. It has always occupied ground peculiarly its own, having never interfered with that preoccupied by others. Its church is venerable for its agc; many in it have been raised up for the Kingdom of Heaven. It is entitled to and, I doubt not, it receives, the prayers of the people of God of every name around it, for its peace and prosperity.
December 22, 1762, the Proprietors gave a call to Mr. Jacob Sherwin to settle with them in the work of the Gospel ministry. February 22, 1763, a Congregational church consisting of fifteen members was formed by an ecclesiastical council convened for the purpose, and on the following day Mr. Sherwin was, by the same council, ordained its pastor. The Articles of Faith and Covenant prepared by this council were consented to and signed by the following persons: Jacob Sherwin, Thomas Phillips, Nathan Waite, Ebenezer Belding, Timothy Lewis and Joseph Mitchell.
Mr. Sherwin's ministry in this place continued a little more than eleven years and two months. Difficulties arising between him and his people, he was finally dismissed by an ecclesiastical council and recommended to the confidence of the churches. During the ministry of Mr. S. eighty persons were added to this church, including those who became members at the time of its constitution. Forty-nine of these were admitted by profession and thirty-one by letters of recommendation from sister churches. The ordinance of baptism was administered to one hundred and nineteen persons.
Mr. Sherwin was born in Hebron, Conn., and was graduated at Yale College in 1759. After his dismission from his pastoral charge he continued to reside in the town, became a Justice of the Peace, the first that was honored with this commission in the place, was elected clerk of the town for a number of years, and also clerk of the proprietors, and occasionally officiated as one of the Selectmen. Afterward he resumed the active duties of the ministry, removed to Shaftesbury, Vt., where he was in- stalled and, as far as it appears, continued his labors until his decease.
December 22, 1774, Rev. Nehemiah Porter was installed pastor of this church and continued in this relation until his
35
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
decease, February 29, 1820, aged 99 years and 11 months. Dur- ing Mr. Porter's active labors, until the settlement of his first colleague, it being about thirty-five years and a half, 334 per- sons were admitted to the church-240 by profession and 94 by letter. Eight hundred and fifty received the ordinance of baptism. During Mr. Porter's ministry the church enjoyed several seasons of religious revival. In 1780-a year distin- guished in the annals of New England for the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the churches-there were numbers gathered into the Church of Christ in this place; but more particularly in 1797-8, during which season of precious interest upwards of eighty were added to the Congregational Church.
Rev. Mr. Porter was born in Ipswich, in this State, in 1720, just about one century from the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock, and lived to witness the mighty events that signalized the revolution of almost an entire century from that memorable period. He was graduated at Cambridge College in 1745, and studied divinity with Prof. Wigglesworth, of that institution. He was first settled at Chebosco, now Essex, in the County of Essex. After his dismission from that place he removed with his family into the British Dominions, in New Brunswick, where he labored for a number of years in the char- acter of a missionary. From thence he came into this region and was finally installed over this people in 1774.
Mr. Porter was a man of active, energetic and commanding powers of mind. He was favored with a vigorous constitution and an uncommon strength and fullness of voice. His religious sentiments were those of the Reformation, and his style of preaching, though somewhat redundant-a characteristic of the age-was, nevertheless, energetic and impressive. During the War of the Revolution, his support in a great measure fail- ing, in consequence of the severe pressure of the times, he ob- tained permission to join the army on the Hudson River, in the capacity of chaplain .- He was there during the conflict with Burgoyne and the capture of the British army. That event, so propitious to the American arms, he was wont to say was not
1137164
36
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
the result of human might or power, but by the arm of Jehovah of Hosts. During the hcat of the battle which decided the fate of Burgoyne's army Mr. Porter, being with a reserve of men at a little distance from the scene of action, obtained permission of the officer to retire, with as many as were disposed, to a secluded spot at a little distance, for the purpose of prayer; and, while in the full hearing of the tremendous onset they were there calling upon the God of Armies to interpose with His mighty arm in behalf of the cause of liberty and religion, the noise of the battle died away and the victory of our arms was decisive. Perhaps there never was a contest since miraculous powers ceased, where the interposition of Heaven was more conspicu- ous, than in that which resulted in the independence of these United States.
Mr. Porter lived far beyond the common lot of men. He did not wholly cease from the labors of the ministry until he was over ninety years of age; and, indeed, until the last month of his life he was able to conduct the devotions of the family and to converse to the religious edification of his friends. With long life he was satisfied. He came to his grave in full age. He was gathered to his fathers like a shock of corn fully ripe in its season.
[Rev. Mr. Porter entered the pulpit of his church, and took part in the service, when in the 100th year of his age. He was taken from his house and seated on a chair placed on a "stone boat," was conveycd to the meetinghouse. Mr. Porter, the present (1887) proprietor of the Ashfield Hotel, on the Plain, is a descendent of his].
Rev. Alvan Sanderson was installed colleague pastor with Rev. Mr. Porter, June 22, 1808, and was dismissed at his own request, on account of declining health January 3, 1816, after an active and successful ministry of seven years and six months. During this period sixty were added to the church-forty-one by pro- fession, nineteen by letter; number of baptisms, seventy-four. Mr. Sanderson was born in Deerfield and graduated at Williams College. Although his public ministry was short, yet it proved a rich blessing to the people of his charge. His talents were of the active kind, and, though he did not excel as a preacher, he
37
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
was peculiarly qualified to do good as a pastor in his daily inter- course with all classes. His labors were, emphatically, in season and out of season. In the literary, moral and religious educa- tion of the young he took a lively interest, and to promote this he labored incessantly. The burden of duties which he took upon himself impaired his health, and the fatal blow was struck by an attempt to fill with his voice the illy-constructed house of worship recently erected by his congregation. The effort to be heard in its high pulpit, and from beneath elevated ceiling, pro- duced a hemorrhage of the lungs and brought on a gradual decline. In the meridian of life his sun went down. By the last acts of his life Mr. Sanderson more fully developed the influence of that charity which seeketh not her own, over his own heart. Having no family of his own to provide for, the most of the property which he had acquired by his industry and habits of economy he bequeathed to purposes of public learning and reli- gion. The cause of foreign and domestic missions shared each a distinct legacy in his will. To the society over which he had been settled he made a generous donation as a permanent fund for the support of the ministry; and, lastly, the academy which bears his name was originated and endowed, in his carnest desire to do all in his power to improve the minds and hearts of the rising generation in learning and piety. He fell asleep in Jesus June 22, 1817, in the thirty-seventh year of his agc. The memory of the just is blessed. The name of Alvan Sanderson will long be held in grateful remembrance by many surviving members of his beloved flock.
After the dismission of Mr. Sanderson the society continucd destitute of a pastor for more than three years. During this period it was greatly afflicted with dissensions-the trying question who should be its next minister had well nigh broken down its energies and prostratcd its ability to sustain the ordi- nances of the Gospel. And yet, even in these troublous times, the Lord did not forget his covenant people. During this season of destitution a revival took place which brought twenty into the fold of the Redeemer.
The writer of these sketches was ordained colleague pastor
38
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
with Rev. Mr. Porter, over this church and society, Junc 19, 1819, and continued in this relation with mutual harmony and confidence until May, 1833, when, in consequence of fecble health and the hope of being more useful in a morc active sphere of ministerial labor, he was, at his own request, and by the kind coneurrence of his people, dismissed by a mutual council. He was born in Norton and graduated at Brown University in 1813. During his ministry in this place, which continucd nearly four- teen years, three seasons of special revival werc enjoyed. The first was during the winter of 1821-2, when upwards of eighty were added to the church; the second was in the winter of 1829-30, when about the same number was added; the third was in the autumn, when about thirty-five were gathered into the visible fold of Christ. During the whole of his ministry the number of admissions has been 274, all but thirty-two of which have been by profession. The number of baptisms during the same time were three hundred and five. From the origin of the Congregational Church until the time of the writer's dismission; it being a little more than seventy years, 766 have been admitted to its communion and the ordinance of baptism administered to 1,405 persons. The number of living members at the above date, in regular standing, was 290, of whom 104 were males and 186 females.
In May, 1833, Rev. Mason Grosvenor was installed pastor of this church and society. Mr. Grosvenor was born in Pomfret, Conn., and graduated at Yale College. Since the settlement of Mr. G. some additions have been made to the ehureh. May the Holy Spirit continue to descend upon it as rain upon the mown grass, and many be added unto it from time to time, of such as shall be saved.
The following brethren have officiated as deacons in this church in the order in which their names are recorded, viz: Ebenezer Belding, Joshua Sherwin, John Bement, Jonathan Taylor, John Porter, Enos Smith, Elijah Paine, Samuel Bcment, Daniel Williams, Jared Bement. Deacons Paine, Williams and Jared Bement arc still in office.
The first Congregational house of worship was built by the
39
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
Proprietors. The frame was set up on the hill west of the dwell- ing of Dimick Ellis, Esq., but before it was covered it was taken down and set up on the southwest corner of the old burying ground on the plain. The removal took place in 1767. The present house of worship was raised July, 1812, and occupied by the congregation in the autumn of 1813. May the glory of this latter house be greater than that of the former.
In 1814 a second Baptist society was formed in this town, and a meetinghouse built on what is called the Flat, about one mile east of the Congregational Church. For a number of years Elder Loummus officiated as the minister of this society. In 1820 Mr. L. removed into the State of New York. Since then they have had the occasional labors of Rev. Orra Martin, from Bristol, Conn., who resides in the town. This society shared in the revival of 1829-30, when a church was organized with twenty-seven members. Their present number, probably, does not vary much from what it was then.
In 1820 an Episcopal society was formed in this town, and in 1829 a neat and commodious house erected and consecrated by the Bishop, by the name of St. John's Church. The society has been supplied at different times by the labors of Rev. Titus Strong, Rev. Lot Jones, Rev. William Withington, Rev. Mr. Humphrey, and Rev. Silas Blaisdale, who now resides with them. Their number of communicants in 1831 was about thirty. Their number has probably increased since, but how many I have not the means of knowing.
During the four or five years past the Methodists have estab- lished a place of worship, near the southeast corner of the town, and their circuit preachers occasionally officiate in other parts of the town. They shared in the revival of 1830. Their number of regular communicants I have no means of ascertaining.
Each of these religious societies sustains a Sabbath school, through a part or all of the year, and has a library for the use of its scholars; that belonging to the Congregational Society contains rising of 500 bound volumes. Among these different denominations, mingled together throughout the town, a good
40
HISTORY OF ASHFIELD
degree of harmony prevails. May the language of Abraham and Lot ever be theirs: "Let there be no strife between me and thee, for we be brethren."
EDUCATION
The General Court, as we have before noticed, in their original grant to the proprietors, made express provision for the main- tenance of common schools by reserving one right for this object. In the wisdom of our fathers the cause of education-one of the main pillars of a republican government-was not to be over- looked in the early settlement of the country. The annual in- come of the school lands is a little rising of one hundred dollars. To this an annual tax of about six hundred dollars is added, and expended in thirteen distriets, according to the number of seholars in each. The whole sum thus expended averages about one dollar annually to each scholar. The quantity of instruc- tion in each district varies according to the number of scholars; taken together it will average about six months to each district. Although the standard of common education is not what it ought to be, and what it might be, in this town, yet it has much improved during the last ten years, and is not now inferior, it is believed, to what it is in other towns similarly situated in the Commonwealth. The occasional establishment of select schools in the vicinity, and particularly those sustained by Miss Mary Lyon, now of Ipswich, has done much to qualify teachers for the more successful management of district schools.
After Rev. Mr. Sanderson had resigned the duties of the ministry, his health remaining feeble, he prepared a building, one-half at his own expense, and in the spring of 1816 opened a school for the instruction of youth of both sexes in the higher branches of a useful education. Though soon interrupted in his personal labors, yet at his decease he laid the foundation for a continued seminary for the promotion of learning, morality and religion in the rising generation. In 1821 an act of ineor- poration was obtained under the name of Sanderson Academy, and in the autumn of the same year it went into permanent operation under the care of Mr. Abijah Cross, a graduate of
41
DR. SHEPARD'S HISTORICAL SKETCH
Dartmouth College. After Mr. C., followed successively in the labor of instruction, Messrs. A. Converse and S. W. Clark, from Dartmouth College; Messrs. B. B. Edwards, H. Flagg and R. C. Coffin, of Amherst College, and Rev. Silas Blaisdale. For a number of years past, in consequence of the deficiency of its funds, but more especially the want of the united patronage of the inhabitants of the town, it has almost wholly ceased its operation. It is melancholy to contemplate an institution founded in the prayers and charities of a man of God, going to disuse and decay in the midst of a population greatly needing its advantages, merely for the want of a little harmonious foster- ing care.
A social library containing about 175 well selected volumes, and yearly increased by an annual tax of fifty cents upon each share, has been in operation since 1815. During the continuance of the academy a debating society, and afterwards a lyceum, were productive of much interest and profit to the young people of the village.
TEMPERANCE
The inhabitants of this town, in common with their fellow- citizens located in a region of fruit and distilleries, have suffered much from the scourge of intemperance. For ycars the wave of liquid fire rolled over those hills and valleys, carrying disease and poverty and death in its trail, with scarcely an obstacle to withstand its course. Many of the distilleries, first set up for the distillation of mint, by a little additional expense of vats could be employed for a part of the year in distilling cider. It is believed that for a number of years there were as many as eight or ten of these magazines of destruction in operation in the town. It was almost as much a matter of course for the farmer to take his cider to the still and take home his stock of brandy for family use, as it was for him to carry his grain to the mill and furnish the staff of life for his houschold. But the times are changed-the Spirit of the Lord has lifted up a standard against the enemy of all righteousness. In the spring of -'a society was formed on the principle of total abstinence, con- sisting at first of twelve members. Many sober men were at
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.