USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Cheshire > History of the town of Cheshire, Berkshire County, Mass. > Part 10
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Jefferson's reply:
To Messrs Daniel Brown, Hezekiah Mason, Jonathan Richardson, John Waterman and John Wells, Jun., a committee of the town of Cheshire, in Massachusetts.
I concur with you in the sentiments expressed in your kind address on behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Cheshire, that the Constitution of the United States is a charter of authorities and duties, not a charter of rights to its officers, and that
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
among its most precious provisions are the right of suffrage. the prohibition of religious tests, and its means of peaceable amendment. Nothing ensures the duration of this fair fabric of government so effectually as the due sense entertained by the body of our citizens of the value of these principles and their care to preserve them. I receive with particular pleasure the testimony of good will with which your citizens have been pleas- ed to charge you. It presents an extraordinary proof of the skill with which those do- mestic arts which contribute so much to our daily comfort. are practiced by them. and particularly by that portion of them most interesting to the affections, the cares and the happiness of man. To myself, this mark of esteem from free born farmers, employed personally in the useful labors of life, is peculiarly grateful, having no wish but to preserve to them the fruits of their labor, their sense of this truth will be my highest reward. I pray you gentlemen to make my thanks for their favor accep- table to them, and to be assured yourselves of my highest respect and esteem.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
In 1803 vaccination was introduced into the town and the dreadful or- deal of being inoenlated for the small-pox was abandoned. Jenner had triumphed over an avalanche of difficulties, and the world began to enjoy the blessings of his discovery, the greatest of the century.
In 1804 Elder Nathan Mason ordained Elder Joseph Cornell of Cheshire, who labored in the ministry forty-six years. This man was a strong advo- cate for an educated clergy, although so illiterate at the time of his own ordination that he could scarcely read the simplest sentence. By hard study he overcame this and acquired a fair education. He died at eighty while acting as missionary in western New York. John Vincent. also of Cheshire, was ordained by Elder Leland at a later date. He figured in the church during these years and leaves a journal history of it which contains much desirable information. Unlike elder Cornell he did not advocate an educated ministry. Most literally did he interpret the promise " The Lord will provide," and believed that whomsoever the Lord called to preach His word. to him words would be given. He was an ardent admirer. almost a worshiper, of Elder Leland, whom he adopted for a pattern in all things.
In 1804 Elder Nathan Mason died, revered and beloved by all, at the advanced age of 80 years. He died at Fort Ann, Washington County, New York, surrounded by friends. He left a family of children and his descendants are scattered through the United States, but few being left in Cheshire.
In 1804 Timothy Mason was keeping tavern on Stafford's Hill, on the spot where Mr. Frank Prince now resides. In the paper of this (1803) day two farms are advertised to be sold from this tavern. They are situated one-half mile sonth of the meeting house, have all conveniences, have a dairy, cheese, milk and press house, two dwelling houses, good barns, corn houses, and two good fruit orchards that yield abundant fruit. Two acque- ducts carry a plentiful supply of water to houses and barns, while a quan-
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FROM 1797-1807.
tity of wood is found in the belt of timbered land that crosses the farm. All showing under what a state of cultivation this section of the town was at the commencement of the century.
Hunting parties were formed at this hotel on the hill, and Cheshire gen- tlemen fond of the sport gathered here and followed the chase, starting the fox from his lair in the shade of the lone mountains and pursuing him with hound and horse. June 25th, 1804, the lovers of this pleasure joined in a hunting match and sweeping over the hills and through the woods killed 164 woodchucks, 85 squirrels, 41 chipmunks, 1 hawk and myriads of birds.
In 1805 Mrs. Peter Werden died at 80 years. Tradition says she was buried by the side of her husband, on the slope of Stafford's Hill. There is traceable a grave, sunken and covered with wild flowers ; golden rod grows rank above it, the blue-eyed genetian lifts its fringed cup in the grasses, but there is no stone to tell to whom it belonged.
Elder Leland was willing to preach, pray and baptize among the people, but positively refused to break bread for his church. This position gave rise to much and varied discussion among the members of the church, a church to which they all, with Elder Leland himself, had pledged allegi- ance, one that required its members, on admission, to partake of the sym- bols Christ had chosen and blessed, when he said to his disciples, "Do this 'till I come." They held it as a sacred legacy and were not quite willing to allow any of their members to say : "I do not enjoy the communion service. It never assisted me to behold the body and blood of my Saviour, therefore, I am justified in not attending church meetings and not appear- ing at the Lord's table." Their discipline had been strong. Many a lay member had been summoned to the tribunals of the church and summarily dealt with for this very same thing.
Dr. Francis Gitteau, an eminent physician of New Framingham who belonged to the church acted upon this principle to show its fallacy. He argued that if such a course was followed it would bring all churches to grief ; but if it was right for Elder Leland it was right for Dr. Gitteau.
Perhaps it's not necessary to say that Dr. Gitteau was ex-communicated while Elder Leland was sustained.
In 1804, he removed to Dutchess County leaving Elder Jones (a native of Cheshire) as pastor of the Third church. Here he remained for two years, re- turning to Cheshire in 1806, a few days before the total eclipse of the sun.
About this time Elder Lemuel Covell appeared at Cheshire and occupied the pulpit. His youth, eloquence and pleasing manners won the hearts of the people at once, and a committee was appointed to confer with him, and secure him if possible as their pastor.
With a large family and a small salary, Elder Covell, like many another
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preacher of those days, found himself in debt prior to his engagement with the church at Pittstown, where he was located at this time. The Pitts- town church had paid the $700 against him on condition that he would never leave them to become pastor of any other church until that church first refunded the amount due to them. Elder Covell was therefore pledged to them, and although strongly inclined to accept the enthusiastic call of Cheshire, he frankly told them of his financial embarrassment, and why he could not consider the call.
A church meeting was called without delay. The committee reported the statement made to them, but captivated with the man they strongly advised the payment of the debt to the Pittstown people.
Cooler members of the church, among whom were many of good judg- ment, and much wealth strongly argued that it would be unwise for them to assume such a burden, said that it would be with the utmost difficulty that they could pay the $200 in addition to the yearly salary and running expenses of the church.
But this committee, led by Hezekiah Mason, were men of spirit and in- domitable will and determined to carry the point in which their wishes were so thoroughly involved.
" Why, " said Hezekiah Mason, "I'd rather pay the whole thing myself than to give up Covell." So although they in no wise convinced the differ- rent brothers they conquered. Elder Covell's debts were paid, or con- tracted to be paid, and he was installed over the Third church of Cheshire at $170 per year, on the same conditions given to the Pittstown church with one additional item, namely, if his family failed to receive a proper support he could remove without refunding the $700.
So it was in 1806, we find this minister located with his family in a house remodelled from the old Six Principle church, standing on Pork Lane and known as the Perry Beers barn in later years.
Elder Leland and Covell were strong friends. The former doing the work of an evangelist, and to use his own words, "Improving ! whenever oppor- tunity offered " and the latter performing the pastoral duties.
But Alas ! "The best laid plans of man gae aft aglae," and in about six months after this compact was entered upon, Elder Covell was stricken down in his early manhood, his work was done, and death sealed him for his own.
The Cheshire church was now left with the 8700 and a large family on their hands while he that they depended upon was powerless to help them. The party who had opposed the hiring of Covell stood back refusing to pay any share of the indebtedness and suggesting that brother Hezekiah Mason could fulfill the promise made at random.
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FROM 1797-1807.
That class that represented Elder Covell's interests sought Elder Leland at this juncture hoping much from him as he was an earnest friend of the dead minister. He, however, gave them but little sympathy hinting that had they yielded some of their will in the beginning they might have spared much trouble for all. This did not serve to mollify the dissatisfied members, and for a space of two years no church meetings were held and the bitterness grew and rankled.
"In 1806, Elder John Francis was ordained at Pittsfield in Mr. Allen's meeting house. Prayer was offered by Elder Covell of Cheshire. Right hand of fellowship given by Elder John Leland who delivered an earnest, pathetic discourse highly pleasing to the audience, many of whom had never witnessed the ingenuity and talents of this gifted man."-Pittsfield Sun, June 14, 1806.
In 1806, Thompson S. Skinner was treasurer for the Commonwealth of Mass., acting then for the second term. On his paper as third bondsman was the name of Capt. Daniel Brown. During this term Skinner was defaulter to the State for $20,000, (twenty thousand dollars.)
This fact when brought to light caused the wildest tumult in the air. Some of the bondsmen forgot to be honest. Some were placed on the limits the authorities fearing that they might be tempted.
Captain Brown lost heavily in this transaction. The beautiful lot where now stands the residence of Mrs. Werden Brown was sold to Cole Brothers to raise the necessary money for the honest man to meet his word ; also a lot known at that time as the twenty acre lot, owned now by J. B. Dean, Dr. Cole and others. Beside the loss of these valuable lands outright the Captain paid all the money, left him from a generous living, that his in- come yielded to meet the demand until a few years before his death when he made the final payment.
In this decade Dr. Mason Brown was practicing medicine in the new vil- lage of Cheshire, and its surrounding country occupying an office on the green. This Dr. Brown was a son of Caleb Brown and native to the eupho- nious street Pork Lane, of which it is claimed that none other can show so proud a record, or number so many noble men and women reared from childhood on the farms along its borders. Among these are Russel, Caleb and Manning Brown well known as manufacturers. Arnold Mason who was a very successful public contracter, and one of three who built the High Bridge at Harlem, N. Y. Levi Mason who, dying at less than middle life, left what was then a fine property amassed by himself and many more that might be mentioned.
Dr. Brown spent the summers for many years of his later life at Saratoga where it is said that he won many friends and quite a lucrative practice. He read medicine with Dr. Tanner of Williamstown and never graduated at a medical school, The store on the hill so long occupied by the Coles,
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was built in 1808 by Calvin Hall who also built and kept tavern in the house now owned by C. C. Cole. Some can remember the square bar in the south room, with its high, picketed gate, and can recall the ancient characters on the wall of the room above, occupied once by a society of Free and Accepted Masons. Stealing in to the darkened gloomy room at sunset, when the shadows lay long across the chamber floor, looking at the strange hieroglyphics in the light of the Morgan excitement, listening to the whispered hobgoblin stories of the midnight ride in a closed carriage to the Niagara frontier what wonder that they made a lasting impression upon a childish mind, much like a glance at Plntonion shores, and that a Mason was looked upon as a veritable ogre until the years brought a more intelli- gent understanding.
When Calvin Hall was about completing this house and store he placed a tall sign-post in front much to the annoyance of Moses Wolcott keeping tavern down under the hill, so he went at once, and replaced his own with a pole fifty feet high, that any one rising the hill beyond Hall's hotel would see the Wolcott sign fluttering from below.
One morning about this time Dr. Brown walking down the street met Mr. Wolcott, and said after the usual salutations:
" Well, neighbor Wolcott, we thought we would put up a tavern on the hill then we could boast of two in town."
" Yes, yes," said the somewhat touchy old man, "We thought we would have a new doctor down the hill here, then we could boast of one in town."
In good preservation is a Masonic apron and certificate of entrance to the Lodge on Stafford's Hill made out to Daniel Brown and bearing date:
"Ye Franklin Masonic Lodge, in ye 12th day of November, salvation 1795 ; or 5795 of Masonry.
Signed : S Tomas Remington, Peleg Green, Perley Phillips, Robert Walker.
This Lodge received its charter in 1794, and in June 1800, permission was gained from the Grand Lodge for it to hold its meetings alternately in Cheshire and Lanesborough, three months at each place.
John Bennet, who is the ancestor of the Bennet family now known in Cheshire, and who afterward bought the farm first taken up by John Wells, and the one adjoining, where William P. Bennet now lives came to Berkshire during this era, and worked for Captain Daniel Brown npon the farm just below the one that he purchased eventually.
A Tything man was employed by the town and his duty was to keep close watch, detect all wrong doing, and make crooked ways straight as far as possible. The boys were fond of a game of ball in those days, and young Bennet habitually kept tally for them as they played. It chanced that on one warm Sunday afternoon they all went out to the vicinity of the Whit-
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FROM 1797-1807.
ford Rocks for a game, and unfortunately for them Bowen happened to be passing by. He arrested every player and fined them twenty shillings a head. Bennet paid his fine as well as the rest, but inwardly resolved on revenge. A few weeks later he went to Stafford's Hill on a Sunday morn- ing to Elder Werden's meeting, and noticing Bowen drive up and fasten his horse under the shed he concluded the hour had arrived for him to pay up the grudge that had rankled in his breast like a thorn.
When the services were well begun, and the voice of the minister in his sermon reached the ear through the open door, Bennet commenced to shear the horse that Bowen had left under the shed in fancied security. One side was well done, the flowing mane and long tail were clipped short when he was warned by the singing of the hymn that his work was ended, and beat- ing a hasty retreat he left the animal in his unique plight to tell the tale to his master as best he could.
James Fisk, father of James Fisk of Erie fame was born in this town, his father lived on Pork Lane, he had a large family and was exceedingly poor. He was an inveterate talker, and for this propensity some wag gave him the name of " Conquiddle Fisk." The Conquiddle was a bird, a native of the wild woods that kept up, from morn till night, from earliest spring until the last fall days, a continual, never ceasing chipper, piping his cheery notes as harbinger of the summer weather, twittering amid the dreary blasts of November, always heard above the songs of other birds, and often seen hopping from branch to branch of the sombre trees.
Circumstances were not favorable to "Conquiddle Fisk," and when he found himself steeped in irremediable poverty he left his wife and children Samuel, John, and Eli, Mary, Sue, and James, and the baby in their little cabin on Pork Lane, and was never heard of after.
The children were bid off as paupers to the highest bidder, and taken by Russel Brown to the factory grounds in Adams (south village.) There James Fisk, Jr., grew up and as he was not exactly the material of which paupers are made he commenced a mercantile life in the way of peddling. He made his home somewhere in the vicinity of Pownal where his illus- trious son was born.
James Fisk the third succeeded his father in the business of peddling when quite young, then they united their fortunes and drove, all up and down the valley road, a fine establishment which was well known and largely patronized at every village as well as at many a farm house. In this commodious wagon was stowed everything in the dry goods line and jewelry, from a darning needle to heavy silks and velvets, from a gold button to fine watches and silver plate. When the elder gentleman was under the cloud, when pay was slow, and duns were plenty, Jim Fisk
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the younger took the reins and owned the establishment and " vice versa." Driving through the by-ways of New England, along the country lanes and village streets, halting at farm house and way side cottage, young Jim, en- dowed by nature with a keen observation, desirous of pleasing people and thus securing them for his customers, learned to read character with adroit- ness a knowledge that without doubt served him well when he entered upon a broader field of action, and engaged in that successful business life which ended so disastrously at last.
The practice of selling children by the town authorities to whomsoever chose to buy them seems to have been a very prevalent one. The records of such sales are often seen upon the pages of the books.
Job Scaman was bought at the brick school house by Manning Brown, and taken to the factory grounds at South Adams as was Fisk ; but Job ran away and evaded the search made for him.
CHAPTER V.
FROM 1807-1817.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. PROGRESS OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND THE FOUR CORNERS. CHESHIRE CROWN GLASS COMPANY. ALDEN POTTER'S IN- VENTIONS AND MANUFACTURES. POST RIDERS. POST OFFICES. DISAF- FECTION IN THIRD CHESHIRE CHURCH. JONATHAN RICHARDSON. WAR OF 1812. RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY TOWN. BRITISH OFFICERS. EDMOND FOSTER.
As surely as we could trace the snowflake to the cloud from whence it falls, so surely could be traced the reason why villages are builded upon the spots selected did one know just how to follow the chain of circum- stances leading to the selection. A valid reason also exists why they grow, prosper, and finally decline and perish. Health and safety were, doubtless the articles most required by our early pioneers. The continuous hills, about which our Hoosac river curls and loops and winds, furnished the former article, and union gave the latter-hence the hill-tops and the little settlements.
In 1807, there is Stafford's Hill, Cheshire Corners, Pork Lane, Scrabble- town, The Kitchen, Thunder and Federal City, this last is now known as Pumpkin Hook. It took its first name, tradition says, because the only Federals in town-three in number-lived there in houses that stood in a row. At this period there were more houses and more business at the Hill than at Cheshire or Adams.
In 1808 Elder Werden dying, Elder Bartimus Braman became pastor of the church where he officiated until 1815.
November 5th, 180S, at a church meeting held at the school house on Stafford's Hill, the church voted to procure a grave stone for Elder Werden and pay the expenses equally among the brethren.
April 30th, 1808, Daniel Bowen and Deacon Carpenter appointed to at- tend Shaftsbury Association.
December 3d, 1808, to Brother Daniel Bowen a letter given to improve his gift in doctrine, prayer and exhortation as the Lord shall direct. In the church letter to Pownal (1808), this afflicted people write:
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE.
"Divine Providence hath taken away our venerable and aged father in the gospel. Elder Peter Werden, from off this post of Zion's Wall. He hath taken his flight from the church militant to the church triumphant, and we are left destitute of an under shepherd to lead us into the green pastures of the gospel. Pray, brethren, that the Lord of the harvest will send us one after his own heart to lead us into the mys- teries of His Blessed Word."
June 3d, 1809, a letter to the Shaftsbury Association, signed Bartimus Braman, asks " If it is the duty of the Church of Christ to commune with churches incorporated by law to screen them from paying taxes to the sup- port of the standing order of this state." This subject was beginning to be a vexed one, and ended after much strife, in the ministerial tax being abolished.
June 3d. 1809, William Rogers was dealt with for not attending church meeting. Found him in a comfortable frame of mind, but cannot attend said meetings as he is working by the month at Springfield. Brother Rogers is forgiven.
August 1st, 1810, Sister Deacon Carpenter dealt with for the same trans- gression. Church votes to be forbearing with Sister Carpenter if she will try to attend the means of grace in future.
October 17th. 1812, Brother Charles Walker is troubled in the feelings of his mind in consequence of music in the church. The brothers and sis- ters vote, however, that singing is part of the solemn worship of God if performed by the saints.
October 14th, 1815, Rev. Samuel Bloss takes pastoral care of the church. and establishes a school destined to become one of considerable note. A school where at different times appear as pupils Elnathan Sweet, Samuel Savory, Ezekiel Skinner, Noah G. Bushnell. Elias Whipple, and others. Young ladies, too, had a department here, and those from a distance found homes and board at the surrounding farm houses.
In 1810 there were twelve good, comfortable houses clustered on the top of this hill. They were well cared for, hedged around with shubbery and adorned with flowers, while at Cheshire Corners there were ouly nine. As this may be a matter of interest to future seekers of antiquarian lore I will name them: The residence of Captain Brown, built in 1797 : the hotel of Moses Wolcott, in 1795 ; Calvin Hall's, on the hill, 1808 ; the home of Squire Barker, where Mrs. Noble K. Wolcott now resides ; the house long owned by Sally Heath ; the old Hinman place, opposite Captain Brown's ; the old gambrel roofed house at the point of the roads ; one standing near the old burying ground and one upon the site of Mrs. George Slade's, comprised the village of Cheshire, besides its church and brick school house in 1810.
On Stafford's Hill at this time Jacob Baker carried on a cabinet shop.
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FROM 1807-1817.
The wayside forge kept four fires burning, and made hoes, scythes and all farming implements. Daniel Remington had the reputation of making the finest shoe of any one in the country. A wagon maker's shop was running, and two flourishing stores were in full operation. People, taken up with useful things, and tired of traveling to Pontoosuc for every grist they had ground, utilized the water power at Federal City, and be- sides the saw-mill erected by Eric Hosford had put in a " run of stone," and so ground their corn nearer home.
At the sand-mill, close by William Jacques', William Colson made broad- cloth by hand and sent it to Adams to be dressed. Still preserved are pretty fabrics of woolen dress material carded, spun, dyed and woven by Mrs. David Cole, with her own wheel and in her own loom. Streams were bridged by planks, lashed together upon beams at the public expense.
In 1810, Aldrich's mill was put up at Cheshire Harbor. At The Kitchen were two tanneries, one run by a Mr. Clapp, and one by Joshua Mason, son of James Mason, an early settler, who left a large family. The vats were out of doors, skins were tanned in suitable weather, the vats closed and business suspended when the inclemency of the season demanded.
In 1816, David and Ebenezer Cole bought the store and hotel of Calvin Hall on the hill.
In 1812, The Cheshire Crown Glass company was incorporated. Its or- ganizers being Calvin Hall, John D. Leland, Darius Brown and John Hunt of Stockbridge. Their buildings were erected just across the brook from the present sand works. They brought the sand from Lanesborough. Whether too far to draw the raw material, or whether the firm was unsuc- cessful is not known, for some cause it ran a short race and in 1816 went down, possibly it was affected by the embargo.
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