USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Goshen > History of the town of Goshen, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1761 to 1881, with family sketches > Part 8
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broom handle and button mould factory. A little below is the saw mill of Rodney Hawks, on the site of another built some forty years ago.
Farther down Mill River is the remains of an old dam that marks the place where Nehemiah May and Ebenezer Putney about 1788 erected a mill for grinding sumac to be sent to Europe for tanning morocco. But it did not pay and was given up. Just below, Emmons Putney erected a saw mill in 1839. He has made button moulds here for many years. He states that one girl turned off for him in one day 150 gross of moulds, equal to 21,600 pieces. Below Putney's mill, was another, built about 1815 by Ebenezer White and Elias Lyon, and afterwards owned by Capt. Horace Packard and sons. About a mile below, Nehemiah May built a grist mill more than a century since, said to have been the first in town, which stood for 50 years. Not a vestige of the old timbers remain, but Maj. Hawks re- members going there to mill in his boyhood. On Harding's brook, a tributary of Mill River, coming down from the vicinity ot 'Moore's Hill, Asa White built a saw mill nearly fifty years since, which run for only a few years.
Cider mills, run by horse power, belonged to Dresser, White, James, Gloyd, Lyman, Packard and Naramore. The Packard mill, owned by Joseph Beals, still exists; and E. C. Packard has recently set up another.
In 1812 Major Stone and Sons furnished considerable quantities of cloth for our army. It was narrow in width, but sold for a high price. In 17So he bought wool at an average price of 25 cents per 1b., which in 1812 was worth $2. Other mills of the kind becom- ing inconveniently numerous, Stone finally gave up the business, having pursued it for nearly fifty years.
Levi Kingman, of Cummington, did a successful business here about IS12-14, in the manufacture of patent overshoes, culled "l'us- carora socks." They had an extensive sale, and were long a popular article.
Solomon Parsons and John James engaged quite largely in the manufacture of potash, and continued in the business for many years.
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There was formerly a tannery owned by Oliver Taylor where Wm. H. Webster lived. It was in operation before the Revolutionary War. Taylor enlisted and went into the army, but it becoming known that he was a tanner, he was sent home to work at his trade, as he could be more useful in that department, laboring for the sol- diers, than by serving in the field with them. Another tannery near where William Tilton !ived was owned for many years by his brother, Benjamin Tilton.
Thomas Weeks, Jason Olds, Silas Olds, and Levi Stearns were the principal cabinet-makers that have carried on the business here ; and they belonged to a former age. Capt. Weeks did all his wood-turn- ing by means of a spring pole and treadle-lathe, the foot being the motive power. Spinning-wheels were made by him, and at a later day by Reuben Kingman.
The blacksmiths doing business here have been few. John Wil- liams, Jonah Williams, Thomas Brown, Cyrus Stearns, Thomas W. Stearns, Asahel Billings and Elijah Billings comprise all, or nearly all, of that trade. Cyrus Stearns claimed to be the inventor of the circular " claw," forming a part of the modern nail hammer. The " claw " was formerly a right angle, and none others were in use till Stearns made several with a circular claw, which soon became the universal pattern.
Professional shoe-makers were never a numerous class in this community. Joshua Packard, Sr., was one of the principal of his day. Later, there have been Hatti! Washburn, Sr., John V. Hunt, Lysander and Spencer Gurney and Lowell Hunt. The public in former times were served in this line by a class of shoe-makers who, in the common parlance, went round " whipping the cat," or in other words, went to the house of the person employing them and worked by the day till the family were supplied for the winter, the employer furnishing the leather and "findings." Then the shoemaker took his " kit" of tools and went to work for another customer in the same way. Moccasins instead of boots and shoes were worn by the early settlers.
A tailor by profession was unknown in the early history of the town. The mother generally understood the art of fitting the gar- ments to her family, and if she needed assistance there were a class
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of maiden aunts known as tailoresses that were always obtainable, and wherever and whenever wanted, in their peculiar vocation.
The most prominent carpenters and mill-wrights of the past were Samuel Mott, Ebenezer White, Joshua Packard, Jr., John Williams, 2d, (known as " Carpenter Williams,") Wm. Abell, George Abell, Horace Packard and Asa White, Frebun W. Packard and C. C. Dresser. Previous to 1812, buildings were framed by the old system, known as the " try rule." It necessitated putting together every joint in a frame, and marking it by a number or character, so that when the building was raised each tenon should have its appropriate mortise, otherwise the work of raising the frame would be impossible. In 1812, Levi Bates of Cummington framed the house now owned by H. and A. Barrus, by the new system, called "square rule." A prominent house-builder from New York city, who worked only by "try rule," was present one day, and said in the hearing of Bates, that the house framed by his new-fangled notion of square rule could never be raised. But . Bates went on with his square rule work, and the New Yorker left with an arrangement to have a letter sent to him detailing the result. As Bates anticipated, the raising was a perfect demonstration of the superiority of the modern system. Never was frame more easily raised or more perfect in the fitting of its joints. " There," said the correspondent of the New Yorker, when he saw the work completed, " the next mail shall carry word to my friend of the satisfactory performance of such a remarkable feat."
The first wooden clocks made in this vicinity were the work, it is said, of Zelotus Reed, about 1796. Portions of his work still remain- ing, show that the art of clock-making had not then reached perfec- tion. The weights of the clocks were of stone, and the bells were of Reed's own casting. His prices were from $25 to $30 each. While living here, he became interested in the expansive power of steam, and actually constructed a small steam engine of considerable power.
Maj. Ambrose Stone stated that this engine turned a small shaft with so much power that he was not able to hold it with both hands, although the boiler held only about a pint. It is not known on what principle his engine was constructed. Simeon Reed, the father of Zelotus, belonged in Cummington, and was also a man of much in-
.
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genuity and a maker of clocks. It is said that he constructed the first machine in the country for making cut nails; that when he had brought it nearly to perfection, two of his neighbors, with a friend of theirs from Abington, stealthily ascended a ladder they had set up to a window of the room of his house, where he worked on his machine in secret. After comprehending the idea of the inventor, they de- parted and soon afterward brought out a new machine of their own at Abington, which was the starting point of the present extensive busi- ness in nail making in that portion of the state.
In 1851, a joint stock company, comprising about 40 members, was formed for making planes and other tools, under the name of the "Union Tool Co." They purchased the shop and stock of Abner Moore, who had been for a short time engaged in the business, em- ployed about 20 hands and carried on the manufacture about two and a half years. The results were not such as to render "joint stock companies," in this section, very popular. The expenses not only ab- sorbed the capital invested, but involved the private property of the stockholders. Litigation followed and several questions were carried to the Supreme Court for decision. The last question decided by the Court was one of much interest to the stockholders and of some sur- prise to the public, considering the long time the business of manu- facturing tools has been carried on. The decision was substantially this :- That inasmuch as the organization of the concern was in- complete, the company had no legal existence; and as a necessary re- sult, no one could be held as a stockholder, liable to pay any of the company's debts.
Military Companies. .
The "Gore" had what was called a Lieutenant's company, com- manded by Lieut. Lemuel Lyon, which afterwards became the Goshen Company of Infantry. Its first Captain was William White. His successors were Barzillai Banister, Lemuel Banister, Ambrose Stone, Joseph Naramore, Cheney Taft, Malachi James, John Grant, Timo- thy Lyman, Reuben Dresser, John Smith, Francis Lyman, Joseph White, William Abell, George Abell, Fordyce Rice, Zimri Newell Cyrel Jepson. Ambrose Stone became Major of the company and Timothy Lyman, Colonel of the regiment.
A company of artillery was early formed here, with Freeborn May- hew for captain. He removed to Charlemont and was succeeded by
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Nehemiah May, who became colonel of the regiment, and Alpheus Naramore as captain, who died in office in 1806. It was a popular company and its membership was extended into other towns. The Plainfield members soon outnumbered the others, chose officers be- longing to that town and removed the' field pieces thither from Go- shen. The name was finally changed to "Plainfield Artillery." The Company in its early days was noted for its stalwart men. It boasted at one time of having half a ton of sergeants. Thaddeus Naramore, Stephen Kellogg, Josiah White and - Bates.
The first field pieces used by the company were iron, mounted on "slug" wheels-wooden wheels without spokes. The inspecting offi- cer caused these pieces, on account of their great weight, to be ex- changed for brass. The new pieces when received were taken to the common near the old church for "trial." They were heavily loaded, and the first discharge produced such a concussion as to break out a large quantity of glass from the windows of the church, and satisfied the company of the efficiency of their guns. The gun-house stood upon the east side of the street, just south of the common.
A flourishing company of cavalry, belonging to this section, had a large number of its members from this town. The first Captain is said to have belonged in Hatfield. The persons succeeding to the office were as follows, and as nearly as can be ascertained in the or- der given: Edmund Lazell and Stephen French, Sen., of Cummington; Trowbridge Ward, of Worthington, afterward Colonel; Eli Bryant, Consider Ewell, - Kingsley, of Chesterfield; Joseph Warner, of Cummington, Luther Stone of Goshen, afterward Colonel; Chester Mitchell of Cummington; Lewis Gibbs of Chesterfield; Horace Pack- ard of Goshen; Oren Stone of Worthington; Joseph Hawks of Goshen, Major; Hudson Bates of Chesterfield.
In its palmy days, this company had the reputation of being one of the best in the state. Efficient men only were allowed to enlist in it and it long maintained its pre-eminence. It was remarked by one who knew, that wherever the company made its appearance, all other parties were careful to give them elbow-room.
The following is the company as officered in 1820.
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Roll of Capt. Joseph Warner's Company of Cavalry, April 5, 1820.
Captain, Joseph Warner, Lieutenant, William Hubbard,
Cornet,
Chester Mitchell,
Sergeant, Thomas Darling,
Asa Cottrell, Jr.,
Levi Clapp,
66 Nathan Fuller, Jr.,
Trumpeter, John Moore,
Corporal, Amasa Putney,
Simeon Streeter,
Daniel Goodwin,
66 Rufus Meach.
Privates.
William Meach,
Moses Jewell,
William Parish,
James Snow, Jr.,
Thomas Lyman, Joseph Jepson, Jr.,
Chester Anable,
William Davis, Jr.,
Abraham Edwards,
Quartus Warner,
Amos Moore,
Ephraim Finney,
Theodore Parsons,
Solomon P. Fitch,
Jacob Gloyd,
Bela Mitchell,
Ralph Utley,
John W. Brown,
Gershom House,
William Knapp,
Consider Pynchon, Horace Packard,
Rufus Cottrell,
William Jones,
Timothy Hall,
Elisha Baker, Jr.,
George Kingsley,
Hiel Dunham,
Rolin Foote,
Nathan A. Wilder, saddler.
Luther Stone,
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HISTORY OF GOSHEN.
CHAPTER VIII.
The War of the Revolution.
The records of the town, incorporated as it was so near the close of the war, show, of necessity, but little of the real amount of burden borne by the inhabitants during the great contest for liberty. But the account of the votes of the town given in a former chapter show that the town was not remiss in doing its whole duty.
Some of the men who were drafted for the army, had the choice of going in person, or providing substitutes, or paying a fine, which varied in amount as the war progressed and the paper money depre- ciated. Benjamin Abell was notified May 19, 1777, by Lieut. Wil- liam White, that he was drafted, and on the next day paid ten pounds as his fine for a discharge till January 10, 1778. June 25, 1779, Nathaniel Abell paid a fine of forty five pounds to William White, Captain, for a release for nine months. June 25, 1780, Joshua Abell paid one hundred and fifty pounds to Paul King, Lieut., having been drafted for six months.
There is no authentic record of the names of all who went from this town into the army, but the list of minute men who marched on 'the Lexington alarm has been given, and the original papers are in possession of Wm. H. Webster, grandson of the captain.
A brief account of the services of several of the veterans, gathered from their own statements and from other sources must supply the lack of records.
Joshua Abell was at the battle of Bennington, and after the fighting was over came near losing his life. A stray bullet struck his gun barrel with which he was marching, just over his heart, and glanced off leaving him unhurt. The gun is an heir-loom in the family of the late Capt. George Abell, and the indentation made by British lead, is still to be seen. The same gun was also in service in the war of 1812. Abell was at Burgoyne's surrender.
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Christopher Banister became a captain, and had command of a company that were sent to watch the British, while at New York and Long Island. He afterwards, before the close of the war, attained the rank of Major. Ezra May, as Major, was with Banister, and was afterward at the taking of Burgoyne, being then Colonel. He returned home in consequence of ill health, and died in January, 1778, at the age of 46.
Wait Burk and Ezekiel Thomas went into the army from the "Gore " in 1780. A pay roll of " six months men " is on file at the State House in Boston, showing they were in service from July to December.
Asa Grant, father of the late Capt. John Grant, was out one sea- son at Fairfield, Conn. He was an expert at sharp-shooting. While on the Long Island coast, several sentries had been shot on one of our vessels by the enemy from the opposite shore. Grant, with this knowledge as a caution, was directed to take the place of the last sentry shot. He took his position partly behind the mast of the vessel. Soon came a bullet and struck the mast. Another, and at length another followed. Grant had discovered the covert whence they came. Taking good aim at that, he fired. Whether he killed any one, he never knew, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that no more men were shot off our sentry post from that source.
William Hallock and his son Moses went for a term into New Jersey. Jeremiah Hallock had two terms of service, one of which was at Ticonderoga.
Isaac Kingman, John and Joseph Jepson, Caleb Bryant, David Stearns, Jr., with his brothers Lemuel and John, served in places unknown to the writer.
Major Josiah Lyman, who lived in this town, probably from about 1800 till his decease in 1822, was an officer of the Revolution. He was then of Belchertown, and commanded a company in Col. Elisha Porter's Regiment that went to Quebec. The town of Belchertown voted " that in consideration of the great hardships Capt. Josiah Lyman went through in last year's campaign at Quebec, and also that he has been in the war ever since, voted that his poll and estate be freed from being taxed in this levy for raising men to go into the continental service."
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Timothy Lyman was at the taking of Ticonderoga, the battle of Bennington and at the surrender of Burgoyne. At the close of his services, he brought home a musket taken from the British at Sara- toga, called a " Queen's arm," which is now in the possession of his grandson, Lieut. Timothy P. Lyman.
Phineas Manning, who came from Stafford, Conn., served through the whole war, was acquainted with Gen. Washington, and had seen him during a battle ride between the contending armies, regardless of danger. At the battle of Monmouth, Manning was one of the participants, and suffered intensely from the heat, during that terrible day. He went to a spring of water to slake his thirst, and there found several of his companions dead from drinking too much cold water, heated and thirsty as they had been. He was at the battle of White Plains, wintered in Virginia, was at the taking of Cornwal- lis, and was on the vanguard that covered the artillery at the battle of 'Trenton. He received from Gen. Washington a "badge of merit."
'The " badge of merit," was an honorary badge of distinction established by Gen. Washington in August, 1781, and was conferred upon non commissioned officers and soldiers who had served " three years with bravery, fidelity and good conduct," and also upon every one who should perform any singularly meritorious action. The badge entitled the recipient "to pass and repass all guards and mil- itary posts, as fully and amply as any commissioned officer what- ever." His widow received a pension in consideration of his services, and, it is believed, was the last of the Revolutionary pensioners in this town.
James Orcutt was stationed for a time at West Point. He was in command of the guard at the great chain across the Hudson on the night when the troops of Washington came to take possession of the place, on the treachery of Arnold. Orcutt had learned nothing of the Arnold defection, and challenged the approaching column. But they were too intent on securing Arnold, to notice challenges, and rushed by without note or comment.
Caleb Packard, son of Joshua, at the age of 17 was at the taking of Burgoyne. He drew a pension in the latter years of his life.
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Maj. Ambrose Stone served under Gen. Ward at Boston, and under Arnold at Lake Champlain. When the British vessels on the lake attacked our vessels and drove them ashore, most of the men escaped in boats. Maj. Stone and several others, when the British gave up the chase, were in a boat some two miles distant. A round from a cannon ricocheted over them, which the enemy sent as a parting sa- lute. Before they left the larger vessels, several of our men were killed in the action. Maj. Stone was in the battle of Saratoga when Burgoyne surrendered. At one time during the battle the smoke suddenly cleared away and he found himself standing face to face with the enemy-alone-his own men having retreated under cover of the adjoining wood. The Major discharged his musket, leaped a. rail fence and escaped. He spent the winter at Valley Forge under Gen. Washington, whom he often saw while there. When asked if the likeness of Washington gave a correct idea of his appearance, he said he never saw a likeness that did full justice to him. The statue of Washington in the State House at Boston, he regarded as the closest resemblance to him of anything he ever saw.
Abiathar Vinton was in the army for a short time, but disliking that kind of life, Levi Vinton took his place and subsequently drew a pen- sion.
Zebulon Willcut was in service nineteen months. He was engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy in Rhode Island and at Ticon- deroga. During the latter years of his life he received a pension.
Isaac Walker was with our army in Canada. He was there taken with small pox, and before recovering, our troops were compelled to retreat and leave him to the tender mercies of the enemy and of his terrible disease. He was never heard of again. Polly Walker, his daughter, was long a town pauper. His residence was on the road toward Chesterfield, beyond the Capt. Webster place.
Thomas Weeks, a Lieutenant in 1775, marched from Greenwich, where he then resided, April 20, on the Lexington alarm, in command of part of a company, "in defense of the liberties of America"-as it . was expressed. on the pay roll of his men. He was at camp Roxbury later in the year. He served as paymaster and in other positions of importance. He left many papers relating to the affairs of his time and several journals. One of these, relating to events occurring in 1776, in Boston harbor, is worthy of preservation.
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"Lieut. Thomas Week's Journal for the present campaign, after ar- riving at Boston, June 4, 1776.
Took barracks on Winter's wharf, where we tarried till the 13th, when we were ordered to embark on board of sloops and flat bottomed boats for Hull, or Nantas- ket, Point Alderton, &c., opposite George's Island and the lighthouse. It being about sunset when we left Boston, the wind and the tide did not serve us till we got to our journey's end, which caused us to toil all night on the mighty waters. A little after sunrise of the 14th we sailed by the fleet, within gun shot of the Commo- dore's ship, and landed under cover of a hill on Nantasket Point, with about 200 of Col. Whitney's regiment. The same evening there went a detachment on to the head of Long Island opposite to us. Soon after landing they commenced firing on the ships, and soon bored the Commodore's through the stern. The ships, being 14 sail, weighed anchor and put about in order to depart, but kept up meanwhile an incessant fire upon us.
"Although the cannon balls came among us in great plenty and very near many of us, yet a righteous God suffered none of them to harm us. About 12 o'clock the fleet had towed along out about a mile and a half and lay alongside the lighthouse, out of reach of our battery on Long Island. By this time we had our cannon mounted on an eminence near Point Alderton, and after firing several shots at the enemy set fire to the lighthouse and blew it up. They hoisted sail, gave us one shot from the Commodore, and made their departure. By this time we were reinforced by a large body of militia and other troops, and being in sight of the departing ene- my, with one voice we gave three cheers. Truly, where is there an American son of liberty who will not join in acclamations at the thought that America has, by force and arms, under God, repealed the Boston Port Bill, the fourteenth of June, 1776, which, by an act of British Parliament, took place June 14, 1774. May God grant the Colony of Massachusetts may ever have occasion to commemorate this 14th of June, 1776.
"June 16, Sunday morning. A ship and a brig of the enemy were discovered off the Sound, engaged with our privateers. About sunset the ship and brig came in and lay alongside of our battery, the privateers behind them. We fired upon the brig, as she was nearest, which soon struck to us, and sent on shore a captain of a Highland company which was on board. We called to her to send her master on shore, but it being now dark, she got off and made after the shir, which then had got to George's Island, and being ignorant of the departure of the fleet before, and now being jealous they were in a trap, were making round George's Island in order to flee out. By this time our privateers came up with them, and were reinforced by the Connecticut, a brig of 16 guns, which came up within musket shot of the ship. It being about 10 o'clock, and very dark, a very warm engagement followed with cannon and small arms, which lasted an hour and a quarter, when the ship and brig struck; the firing ceased, and three cheers were given by the privateers. The cap- tured vessels had about 180 Highlanders on board. The ship had one Major, and several killed ; the privateers, four wounded.
"June 18. Another ship hove in sight and fired a signal gun. Our privateers be. ing then in the road answered her. The ship came up, a privateer fired a gun at her
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bow, another at her stern, when she surrendered without firing a gun. She had on board 1000 Highlanders.
"Sunday, June 23, still at Hull. Discovered in the Bay about 10 sail heading to- wards us. 24th. The fleet lay in sight and cruising in the bay. 25th. The fleet made up almost to Nantasket Road near the lighthouse. They sent a boat on shore at the light, which was out of our reach, but immediately put on board again. The fleet then made about, luffed their sails and lay to. The next day they bore away toward Marblehead. June 27th. One of the ships returned to the light, (where our people had erected a mast in place of the lighthouse, and put a lamp and flag on the top,) and sent a number of their barges and took the lamp and flag and proceeded to Great Brewster, an eminence opposite Nantasket, where were a number of people making hay, on which the people ran to us and had shelter. The barge crew then returned to the ship, when they all made off and returned no more.
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