USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts, Volume II, 1900-1960, with genealogies > Part 14
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
Coming back to the Brook Road, one cannot help but stop to look at the old Park place, where in 1810 stood one of the busiest places in town. The Bagg brothers, Oliver and Ruggles, built a saw and gristmill, and later a carding and fulling mill. To be near their work, they built their home, "the substantial, two-story, double house, with both sides identical, the north and south halves being exact counterparts." The original homestead from which the boys set out was the Walter Humes place, off Couch Brook Road, leading to Leyden. This is the ancestral home of the Bard- well families living in the village.
As mentioned earlier, the Connables had their original families housed in the Connable Fort. One daughter married into the Newcomb family. The Newcombs had their homes along the Couch Brook Road near their mills so situated to make use of the water power. All of these homes have been destroyed by fire, with one exception, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Pease. On the original old road to Leyden, the Pease house still stands after these two and a half centuries, made of hand hewn timbers and beams, and enormously wide boards that are pegged with handmade oak pegs.
The farm and house of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Leonard, formerly owned and operated for many years by three generations of the Cushman family, has a very interesting history. James Couch of Boston married Sarah Connable, the sister of the builder of the
150
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
Connable Fort. He came here shortly after his brother-in-law, Samuel, and took part in many of the Indian fights to protect the early Fall Town settlers, and doubtless lived within the Fort with members of his wife's family. The exact date of the erection of the house is uncertain, but it is a safe guess that Mr. Couch, a "joiner" by trade, provided this lovely home for his wife long before he willed it to a niece and her husband, Major Samuel Root. The niece had lived with the Couch family and in later years had cared for Mr. Couch who died in 1815 at the age of ninety-four. In recent years, the Leonards have restored the house to its initial beauty. They found in the attic the original Palladian window frame which had been stored with the usual Yankee thrift, in 1911, when the Cushmans added a porch on the front and south sides. After removing the roof of the porch, the Leonards were able to replace the lovely Ionic pilasters which give to the front of the house the classic formality characteristic of the Georgian influence in Colonial architecture. It is particularly interesting to note that Mrs. Laura Lee Bush Leonard traces her ancestry to Obediah Newcomb, brother of Hezekiah Newcomb, an early pro- prietor of Fall Town.
About 1775, another Samuel Connable, grandson and namesake of the original settler, built a house a few rods north of the Fort. This is now the home of Commander and Mrs. Arthur T. Hodges. The sturdy construction with the gunstock corner posts is easily seen in spite of the extensive remodeling done by former owners. Among the families of farmers who have lived here, was Deacon Zenas Cutler, whose daughter, Lucy Jane, was the "postmistress" of North Bernardston for a number of years. Mrs. Lucy Cutler Kellogg, the author of the first history of Bernardston, was her niece. In later years, when the farm was run by Azel Utley Chase, Mrs. Chase conducted a private school for young ladies in her home.
Across the street on the east side, is the Old Connable Tavern, now a private residence owned by Paul Shores. Jonathan Conna- ble, with the aid of his brother Ezra, both sons of the Samuel who owned the farm across the way, built the Inn about 1798. Jona- than married Asenath Wright, who, legend has it, lived in a home on the top of the mountain to the east. She walked down the two or more miles each day with her little sisters and brothers to at- tend the North Bernardston school. The cellar holes are still to be seen on the mountain top. However, Asenath and Jonathan op- erated the tavern and for years it was the stopping place for travel-
151
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
lers by stagecoach. Their daughter, Eunice Emeline, later married Imla K. Brown, and by the time the railroad came through the town, the stage business was gone. The Browns, followed by their son, Abbott, ran and operated a large farm. Imla moved across the road about 1860, to the present Nettles place. Imla's grand- daughter, Mrs. Harvey T. Shores, became owner of the farm and property in 1915. Extensive restorations were made and now the tavern stands much as it did a hundred and sixty years ago. The spring board dance hall floor, the fiddlers' stand, the "asking seat" for wall flowers or resting square dancers, and even the small nar- row passageway from the barroom to the kitchen are all preserved in excellent condition. The two huge chimneys provide eight fire- places, the largest in the present living room, complete with ovens and a battery of iron implements and kettles, where the Connable ancestors cooked for their large families and guests. Dr. Shores tore down the old barn where doubtless many horses on the stage were fed and rested, and found, in the slate ledges beneath, many potholes, the work of a glacier many years ago. This has made a perfect place for the present rock garden and pool. The United States Geological Survey in 1934 implanted a brass bench mark in the ledge showing the elevation to be 434 feet above sea level at that spot. Of special beauty are the carefully laid slate walls that surround the gardens in the rear of the tavern. Dr. Shores dragged some of the huge flat slabs from the top of the mountain where the original ancestors had built the foundations for their homes and barns, and their stone fences to keep their stock enclosed.
A few rods south is the home of William Shores, formerly owned by another Samuel Connable, who purchased the property from his father, John, in 1821. In the center of the house was the "measles" room, completely devoid of windows so the victim of that disease would be kept in complete darkness and not ruin his eyes. This, and the old central chimney have been replaced. A more convenient stairway takes the place of a ladder which had led to the loft and was adjacent to the chimney. Under the addi- tion at the rear, William has built the first "fall-out" shelter in town. It is a far cry from the escape tunnel used by his ancestors of years ago, and it is hoped that it will continue to be used as a "root cellar."
The Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission has erected a marker near the site of the once all-important Burk Fort. The George Duprey farm is near the site. A thriving farm oper- ated by Howard Grover, replaces the former buildings of the S. H.
152
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
Atherton and Son, soap manufacturers, that were burned years ago. Next door is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius J. Walsh which once was a tavern built with some of the aged timbers from Burk Fort. The sign that once welcomed travellers with the words, "Entertainment for Man and Beast John Burk" has been pre- served in the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association of Deer- field. Across Fall River is the W. Roy Newton farm, once the Moses Nelson place, and a little farther north on the Bald Moun- tain Road is the Galutia Newton farm, now owned and operated as a rest home. It is interesting to note that both Moses Nelson and Galutia Newton married daughters of Deacon David Streeter, who lived on Huckle Hill, so the two sisters were next door neigh- bors for many years.
Returning to South Street, mention should be made of the Sanderson place, now owned by Mrs. Lavalette Scott, whose late husband was John Sanderson's grandson. The interesting house has a spiral or circular stairway which is termed a "hanging stair- way." It was on this farm that John Sanderson, Bernardston bene- factor and town financier, raised the celebrated ox, "Constitu- tion." The ox was sold, and the sum of money received was used to buy twelve hundred pounds of meat for the soldiers serving in the Civil War.
On the corner of Depot and South Streets is a former Chapin homestead, now owned by Mrs. Frieda Koonz Nelson. The Koonz family spent much time and thought in restoring the house. Caleb Chapin, who was born in Burk Fort, lived here, and was the man who surveyed the town and drew the map with the divisions and lots of the early proprietors. His map is known as the "Chapin Plan." Caleb Chapin was followed by his son, Samuel, and grand- sons, Curtis and S. Wright, as owners. They followed the trade of stone cutters which accounts for the many slabs of slate that have been found in the neighborhood. Dexter Nelson is a descendant of these Chapins.
At one time the home of Ann Senior on South Street belonged to the Root family. The present home of Louis Pratt, formerly owned by Henry Root, was a large farm, operated by the Root family for many years. Although the house has been extensively renovated and modernized, in the front rooms the high ceilings and windows reaching to the floor have been retained. This area has become a residential section now, with many homes occupying the fertile fields.
During the late Victorian period, some of the French influence
153
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
crept into the architecture of Bernardston. Just east of the Uni- tarian Church is the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Obrey. Built in 1860, the long sloping roof, the high ceilings, windows reach- ing to the floor, hand carved decorations in railings and moldings, would lead one to think that the builder had time and money to spend on these extras. The house called the Parker place on the Old Brattleboro Road, and the guest house built by them in replica, now owned by the Russell Hales, are other examples.
Still later a third story was added to homes, making large and imposing domiciles. The William Prescott home on Center Street is a good example. It was built in 1892 and owned by several doc- tors, most recently Dr. Morton Snow, the father of Mrs. Prescott. Across the street is the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Morgan, the former Henry L. Crowell homestead, and next door, the Clarence Deane home built by Ransom L. Crowell. On Library Street, fac- ing the grounds of Powers Institute, is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Magoon built in 1872 by Ralph Park. In 1891, it was pur- chased by Egbert Cairns, and was the childhood home of Mrs. Harold Streeter, Leland Cairns of Greenfield, and the late Harold Cairns, husband of the Postmaster, Mrs. Hazel Cairns.
In the last few years an entirely new type of home has appeared. Along most of Bald Mountain Road, in "Haskellville," and some of West Mountain Road, one sees the gaily painted modern ranch type. Influence from other parts of the country in style and color has appeared in town. The pretty homes are functional, insulated from the cold and heat, and built with factory produced materials, with no waste space. The huge picture windows allow much light within, and brighten the landscape at night. The friendly door- yards, nicely landscaped, show the children's playground areas with jungle gyms and slides, and the nearby picnic tables and out- door fireplaces where the families and friends gather for social times. No need to hew the beams by hand; no need to carry water from the well-curb; no need to split wood for the hungry cook- stove. Everything in the house is arranged for a minimum of labor and energy. All the household appliances are controlled by merely the push of a button. All the materials are easily kept clean and free from rust and moths. These will be, in another century, the monuments of the 1960 era.
Perhaps it would be interesting to try to imagine what the pic- ture will be in another hundred years. What will the homes of the year 2060 look like? We can be sure that there will be a Connable descendant of the tenth generation who will be displaying her
154
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
antiques proudly to her friends. Will these be the cupboards filled with her great-grandmother's early plastic dishes, or her Revere Ware? Will she be displaying her automatically controlled electric range, her TV, and her washer-dryer of 1960? It is cer- tainly difficult to guess what the homes will be like in the next century.
BERNARDSTON CEMETERIES
THE CENTER CEMETERY
T THE Center Cemetery Organization was formed in 1826, al- though there apparently were burials in this area somewhat earlier. The group of townsmen who started it took the name "Proprietors of the Burying Ground." The first area used was that just south of the present yard of the Unitarian Church, ex- tending to the tomb site, and with the northeast corner excluded. Later additions extended the area to its present south boundary north of the Baptist churchyard (1854), and filled in the northeast corner (1856), completing the rectangle between the churches as at present. In 1864, the large area east and northeast of the Baptist churchyard was added, this tract originally extending east to River Street. The eastern downhill section was sold in 1894.
In 1854, the "Proprietors" voted to incorporate, and chose the name "Bernardston Cemetery Corporation," as it remains today. Another vote at that time is well worth quoting: “. .. to make the cemetery pleasant to the eye and cheering to the heart of all who may visit it." A few years after incorporation, the trustees' report for the year then ending, stated that the last previous trus- tees "had expended $85.57 and had accomplished but little that was of any value." Whether politics or personal feelings entered into this observation is a matter of conjecture. At any rate, the new trustees had Lt. Gov. Cushman as president and board mem- ber, and affairs then seemed more satisfactory, although occasion- ally someone had to be cautioned about charges for work done, or alleged to have been done. In those days, people spoke right out in meeting if anyone got out of line.
"Gov." Cushman was a member of the committee chosen to draft "bye-laws" for the corporation, and served as its president from 1855 until his death in 1863. Dr. E. W. Carpenter was one of the applicants for the 1854 reorganization meeting, served on the
155
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
bylaws committee, and was clerk and treasurer for a year until his death in 1855.
The remaining years of the nineteenth century were without especially noteworthy events in connection with the cemetery. Considerable filling and leveling was done, many loads of loam and ashes being placed. Viewing the cemetery today, you might well suppose the ground surface was naturally that smooth.
The area purchased in 1864 was large enough to provide for many years, even with the eastern end sold. It was not until near the turn of the century that further expansion was considered. In the late 1890's, two proposals were disapproved for purchase of land east of Fall River. Instead of these departures to new areas, the Park addition was bought in 1905, from Rodney Park, who was then a veteran in the corporation. This is the area next east of the first rectangle. The Atherton tract was added in 1931; this is the part now being filled. Three very small triangles were bought at different times, to enable autos to turn roadway corners.
The appearance of the cemetery has not changed greatly during the present century, aside from the noted increases in area. New shrubs have been planted on various lots, and some old ones have been removed, upon growing too high or too wide. The maple tree in the "Circle" was planted by Frank Deane in 1933, and adds greatly to the appearance of that section. Water was piped from Sanderson's Meadow to the southwest gate in 1926; town water was brought to the same spot in 1937, and two lines and outlets within the cemetery were installed in 1959. The roadway from the Baptist churchyard to the east boundary was graded and surfaced in 1957 and 1958, the roadway down to River Street in 1961.
In the 1940's, the cemetery management began to feel the financial pinch caused by falling interest rates on the one hand, and rising costs of labor and materials on the other. Previously, voluntary payments and the income from various gifts had been sufficient to meet expenses. In 1946, letters were first sent out, ex- plaining this situation and asking for annual payments from lot owners or those responsible. Since 1947, bills have been sent out annually, with additional names added whenever possible. Un- fortunately, a large proportion of representatives of the older lots cannot now be billed, as their identities or addresses are not known. Payments for Perpetual Care are invited, and funds from this source increase somewhat each year. Memorial Day services have been held at the Circle for many years.
The corporation has for many years had two particularly de-
156
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
voted officers. Ray Atherton was elected to the trustee board first in 1924, and thereafter was trustee or vice-president, or both, every year including 1942. In 1943, he was chosen president, and subsequently held that office continuously until he bowed out in 1960, after thirty-six years of service. Frank Deane was trustee for one year in 1913; then in 1933 he was chosen superintendent, and has held that position continuously ever since. In addition, Mr. Deane has been a trustee every year, beginning in 1942. Both of these men have a lasting interest in the cemetery and its manage- ment.
THE OLD CEMETERY
The Old Cemetery was first used in the very early days of the town's settlement. According to Mrs. Kellogg, the date of the first burial is not known, but the second was in 1757, five years before the incorporation of the town. This burying-ground was, and still remains, town property; its maintenance, however, was taken over by the Center Cemetery Organization in 1862, and by renewed vote, in 1911. There is a move now to return the maintenance to the town.
As in other old cemeteries, there are many curious epitaphs, on slate "tombstones" having intricately-carved decorations of angels and weeping willows. There is great interest, and some amuse- ment, here for all who care to visit and examine and ponder.
Here are buried many of the town's forefathers. Here are the names Allen, Chapin, Connable (Cunnable, Connabell), Green, Hastings, Sheldon, among many others. Here are buried the town's early defender, Major Burk, with his wife beside him. The marker for the Major reads "Burke," while his wife's reads "Burk."
The Old Cemetery, formerly reached from Bald Mountain Road, now has that approach cut off by Highway 91. The present approach is by a new roadway running south from Burke Flat Road.
THE HESSIAN CEMETERY
On the east side of the Eden Trail, opposite the present Hutchinson house, there is a small family burying ground. Here are headstones for John Euda ("Eudy" on the markers), his son David, his wife Mary, and two daughters of his relative and friend, John Millis. These two, Euda and Millis, were formerly Hessian mercenaries in Burgoyne's army, who settled in this southeast part of Leyden, in the area later ceded to Bernardston.
Chapter XII
ANNIVERSARIES
SESQUICENTENNIAL 1912
N 1912, Bernardston was one hundred and fifty years old. It I was still a small town with seven hundred and fifty inhab- itants, most of them descendants of the original settlers. Farming and lumbering were the chief occupations of the citizens. Hulbert's Cutlery, the only industry, employed twenty-five men. Electricity had been installed in town the previous year. There were one hundred and thirty pupils in the schools, including Powers Insti- tute which had been the public high school since 1900.
Since 1912 marked a significant milestone in the history of Ber- nardston, its citizens decided to mark the occasion with a special celebration. A committee was formed to plan appropriate cere- monies with Edwin B. Hale, chairman, and Dr. Willard Pierce, secretary-treasurer. A parade committee was headed by Ralph Cushman, a literary committee by Mrs. Lucy Cutler Kellogg, a music committee by Nahum Cutler, an entertainment committee by Hendrick Slate and a fireworks committee by Richard B. Price.
The celebration began with a church service on Sunday, August 4, in the Unitarian Church, the original church of the town. This service was conducted by Rev. Eugene M. Frary and Rev. Henry Douglas. A vesper service was held in the evening at the same church, with Rev. Mr. Douglas and Rev. Richard E. Birks, former pastor of the Unitarian Church, as speakers.
Another feature of the festivities was a campfire on Fox Hill (where the town reservoir now is) on the evening of August 6, sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. The Mount Hermon Quartet sang, a cornetist from Camp Northfield played and there were speeches by H. H. Hackley and Isaac B. Snow. Irwin B. Hale sold ice cream at this event.
However, the big day of the celebration was August 7th. This was the day of the parade and the program of music and speakers on the Institute grounds. The day started with the parade at 9:30 in the morning led by Selectman Ralph H. Cushman, on horse- back, as marshal. The Greenfield Military Band of twenty-three
157
158
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
men followed. Then came the Y.M.C.A. boys on horseback and floats of every description. The floats were placed in the parade by individuals, the schools and clubs, the churches and various church organizations, the Fire Department, the Greenfield Elec- tric Light and Power Company, the Highway Department and the Grange. There were carriages containing the oldsters of the town, and seven carriages of Civil War veterans, Bernardston having had ninety-two men in the war. There were lumber wagons and a wagon full of milk cans, several pony carts and the Grange goat. The town officials as well as several families of town rode in car- riages. There was a special auto section containing about a dozen gaily decorated cars.
The parade formed on River Street and proceeded west on Church Street to South Street, then via Railroad Street and Depot Street, up Center Street to its junction with Brattleboro Road, then south again, and up to Cushman Park and Powers Institute grounds.
The ceremonies began at 11:00 a.m. on the Institute grounds with about thirty-five hundred people attending. There was music by the Greenfield Military Band and a welcoming address by Ed- win B. Hale, followed by the singing of a hymn which had been composed for the Centennial ceremonies in 1862. The principal address was given by Rev. Dr. Gaius Glenn Atkins of Providence, Rhode Island, who had in former years been in charge of the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield. The theme of his address was "The New England Town as a Civil and Social Factor in the World's Life".
After Rev. Mr. Atkins' speech came a break for lunch, with coffee provided to all those who had brought their own cups. The band was treated to a dinner at the New England House by a former resident of Bernardston, Nahum Cutler of Greenfield.
The afternoon program began with an hour concert by the band. There followed brief talks by several distinguished persons, residents and former residents of the town. Toward the end of Mrs. Lucy Cutler Kellogg's reminiscences of the town, a light shower came up and everyone who could, hurried into the Insti- tute where the program was continued. One of the high points of the afternoon was the presentation to the town by Isaac B. Snow, of a portrait of Sir Francis Bernard, Royal Governor of Massachu- setts from 1760-1769 for whom the town was named. The original of this portrait hangs in Christ's Church in Oxford, England.
159
HISTORY OF BERNARDSTON, 1900-1960
After the program, all the public buildings were opened to the guests of the town, for their inspection.
That evening there was a display of fireworks on the Burrows lot where the Theodore Cronyn house now stands. Unfortunately a spark accidentally ignited most of the fireworks at once, causing explosions, and touching off many of the set pieces. Roman can- dles and rockets went off in all directions, one of them piercing the back of the house where Herman Wiemers now lives. Two men had the presence of mind to turn the box of fireworks, so that the rockets and candles would not shoot toward the crowd. These men were slightly burned, but their action prevented probable serious injury to many people. Some of the set pieces were saved, however, and were enjoyed by the spectators standing along the roads. Later in the evening a dance was held which concluded the festivities.
Thus the commemoration of a significant occasion was observed by the citizens of Bernardston, who loved the town, and by former residents, who held fond memories of it.
MASSACHUSETTS TERCENTENARY 1930
T HE BEATING of a drum by George Parmenter summoned the
men, women and children, many clad in old-fashioned cos- tumes, to a union church service at the old First Church of Ber- nardston reenacting as nearly as possible the type of service held nearly two hundred years ago, complete with guard, tithingman, constables, deacons and chorister. Special credit was given to Rev. and Mrs. Joseph C. Allen for their efforts in making this church service a great success.
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.