USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Hawley > History of the town of Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1771-1951, with genealogies > Part 2
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
several portions in sd property, & that No. 1 begin at ye Southeast corner of ye tract, & ye lots be laid East & West as far as ye Northeast corner of Mr. Maybew's farm. Then ye lots to be laid North & South, bounding North on ye Southway that runs East & West so to continue to ye East line of ye grant. Then to begin at East side of ye next range North & proceed to ye East way running through ye tract voted by ye town. Then to begin at ye North end of ye West range of ye first Division & to continue to ye South line. This completes ye first Division.
Voted, that No. 1 in ye second Division to begin at ye Northwest corner of ye tract & to run South through the Westermost range. Then to begin at ye South end of ye adjoining range & to extend North to ye North line of ye grant, then to run East in ye South range of this Division & proceed to ye West side of ye grant. This completes ye second Division.
Voted, that when it so happens in each Division that a lot is not finished at ye end of a range it shall be completed at ye end of next range.
Voted, that the Proprietors will now proceed to stake & set out their land to each Proprietor his portion, & that Elisha Hubbard, David Wait, Elijah Morton, Lt. Bardwell & Ebanezer Cole be a Committee for that purpose.
Evarts, in the 'History of the Connecticut Valley', says that a portion of the Hatfield Equivalent was merged into the town of Plainfield, but whether the pioneer settlers bought of the original Hatfield proprietors, we are not informed.
The names of some of the first settlers of the town were Dea. Joseph Bangs, Daniel Burt, Samuel and Arthur Hitchcock, Timothy Baker, Reuben Cooley, Joseph Easton, Elisha Hunt, Abel Parker, Nathan West, Phineas Scott, Thomas King, Joseph Longley, William McIntire, James Percival, Adjutant Zebedee Wood, and Peter Butler. Peter Butler came from Braintree and settled in the eastern part of town. His farm was later known as the Atkins farm and joined the Deacon Warriner farm. His wife was a granddaughter of John Alden and it was said that she resembled her grand- mother, Priscilla Alden, in many respects.
The following account of the early settlers comes from the records of Mrs. Jerusha King, who had recorded the account as her grandfather, Thomas King, gave it to her. In the spring of 1771, Noah Strickland settled where Edwin Warriner later lived. Daniel Burt and Samuel Hitchcock settled just east of the old cemetery. Adonijah (John) Taylor located down the hill toward Pudding Hollow. In 1772, Thomas King came from Brimfield and located where his son, Ezra, later lived. Timothy Baker settled where Martin V. Cressy lived in 1887. Reuben Cooley settled where Elijah Howes lived in 1887. This made seven families which came during the first two years of the town's settlement.
In 'History of the Connecticut Valley' by Evarts, it states the first settlement in Hawley was made about 1770 by Samuel Hitchcock, in the northeastern part of the town, where he lived until his death, Sept. 13, 1819. Arthur Hitchcock settled a little farther northwest. Reuben Cooley
D au Prome to whom thele Preents fhall come, Greeting.
Know If That & Samuel Handen of Hentfound ACette in the Corning of Familie and Province of the Ranchayer's Bay in New England
For and in Confideration of the Sum di "Thirty one Pounds to Shillings to me in Hand before the cnfealing freof, well and truly paid by ah Coolt Jur. of Palmer in the County Province aforet?
the Receipt whereof J " do hereby acknowledge
and #// fel: therewith fully fatisfid and contented, and thereof, and of every Part and Parcel thereof, do exonorate acquir an charge him the faid Noch (od H
His Heirs, Executors and Admisiftrators forever by thefe Prefents : HAVE given, granted, bargajed, fold, aliened, conveyed and confirmed ; and by thefe Prefents, do freely, fully and abfolutelfgive, grant, bargain, fell, alicne, convey and confirm, unto him the faid Nook Cooly
huis Heirs and Aftens forever, one Rightal war.
Containing cones Sixty third vert of a Townships Known by the. Name of No.7. the House Soft is 16.12. Do Torn hey! Contains the Contents of The Miles Squar & Siethe Party in. the Country of Hampshire & Partly in the County of
Bartyhive both in the Novince of the Masachuletts Bay
in New England: S Touto is Bounded Calle partly on "Hinkon'y Partly Cual Land North & Kuntry Lane on Charly mount welt inerentiy Lander No V & Touth on Country Land
To Have and to hold, the faidgranted and bargained Premites, with all the Appur- tenances. (Priviledges and Commoditiesto the fame belonging, or in any wife appertaining, to him the faid Noch Con his.
Heirs and Affigns for ever, To fun and theironly proper Ufe, Defit and Behoof forever. and F the faid Samuel Helgen do for my self
for -Heirs, Executors and "Adniftrators, do covenant, prontife and grant to and with the is Noch Cooly his
Heirs and Affigns, that before the enfeang hereof, Jaun the true, role and lawful Owner of the above-bargained Premifes, andomnewfully feized and poffeffediof the fame in my own proper Right, as a good, perfect and abslute Eftate of Inheritance in Fee-Simple : And have in my self. good Right, full Pover and lawful Authority to grant, bargain, fell, convey and confirm faid bargained Premifes, is Manner as aforefaid : And that the Syrah
Cooly his Heirs and Affigns, fhall
n and may, from Time to Time, and at a. Times forever. hereafter, by Force and Virtue of thef: Prefents, lawfully, peaceably and quiely have, hold, ufe occupy, piffefs and enjoy the fai.l demifed and bargained Premifes, with the Appurtenances, free and cleir, and freely and clearly acquitted, exonorated and difcharged ofand from all and all Mannerpf former or other Gifts, Grants, Bargain's, Sales, Leafes, Mortgages, Wills, Entails, Joyntuns, Dowries, Judgments, Executions or Incumbrances of what Name or Nature foever, that might. in any Mcafure or De- gree obftruct or make void this prefent Deed.
Furthermore, Ithe Said Samuel Hayden for any Set' my Heirs, Executors and Adminiftrators, do covenant and engage the above-demifed. Premifis to, hem. the faid Noah Cooly his Heirs and
Affigns, againft the lawful Claims or Demands of any Perion or Pdfons, whatfoever, for ever hereafter to warrant, fecure and defend by thefe Prefents. in writing's wherea, i have here unto Set metla no Seat this 23 Day of May. 1765
Signed Sealed & Delivered
WE presence of us
Holes Surtous
Samuel Hayden
Courtesy of Mrs. Julia Cooley Bicknell
Cor"Tho. Williams Just. Par:
to this Instrument acknowledge The Same to be his Deed Hampshire & May SI: 170 Then Samuel Hayden Subforcher
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
settled southeast of Samuel Hitchcock's place. Nearer the center of town was Abraham Parker; south of this locality was Josiah Graves, and in the northwest was Noah Cooley. Thomas King settled in the southern part of the town as early as 1776. At a later period Elijah Harmon settled in the southern part of the town also. His farm was later occupied by Enos Harmon. After 1780 Edmund Longley settled in the eastern part of Hawley, and his family became the most prominent in the town. In later years Joseph and Zenas Bangs settled in the northwest part of the town, coming from Dennis, both remaining until their deaths. Zenas Bangs had a family of 21 children, the youngest of whom became a well-known judge in Chicago. Rufus Sears, then but eleven years old, came with Joseph Bangs in 1781 and lived in town until his death in 1850. Ebenezer Hall also lived with Joseph Bangs, and taught the first school in town, in the locality of "Pudding Hollow" . He was one of the leading men of the town. His half-brother, Roland Sears, was also an early settler.
During the summer of 1772 the early settlers realized the hardships of a pioneer life. Though they desired to return to their former homes and en- joy Thanksgiving with their friends, it was impossible for them to go. Travelling in those days was on horseback or with ox teams. Mr. King proposed that they have a Thanksgiving and have all the town meet at one place. There were twenty -two persons present, which included every per- son in the town. The meeting was held at the home of Mr. Burt. The meal consisted of baked meat, chicken pie, puddings, mince pie made of bear's meat, apple pie made of apples brought from Conway, bread, etc. When their meal was nearly ready, one of the women remarked that they had everything necessary but milk to put in their tea. Mr. Taylor said, "Give me a pail and I will go and milk my horse". He had driven his farrow cow, harnessed to a sled, to convey himself and his wife. When supper was ready, they all stood around the table, God's blessing was invoked upon the food, and they took their seats. After supper Mr. King read a portion of Scripture and read a hymn from the Psalter, the most approved hymn book in those days, then offered prayer. Thus ended the first Thanksgiving in Hawley. In those seven families there were but three professors of religion, Mr. King and his wife, and Timothy Baker.
CHAPTER 2
On Sept. 16, 1778, at an Ecclesiastical Council at No. 7, by letters missive from members of several churches, inhabitants of No. 7 met at the house of Samuel Hitchcock, for the purpose of gathering a church there. Present were: the Rev. Nehemiah Porter and Rev. Jacob Sherwin, both of Ashfield; the Rev. Jonathan Leavitt of Charlemont; the Rev. John Emerson of Conway; then these twenty following persons publicly and solemnly consented to the foregoing articles of faith and covenant were embodied into a Church State, and declared to be a regular Church of Christ, viz. Thomas King, Nathaniel Reed, Daniel Burt and wife, Silas Hitchcock and wife, Samuel Hitchcock and wife, Abel Parker and wife, Benjamin Smith and wife, Nathaniel Parker and wife, Josiah Graves and wife, Sara the wife of Joel Cooley, Rebecca the wife of Samuel Parker.
HAWLEY
POUT ISE PASTOR
HAWLEY
Boulder marking location of First Church in Hawley at "Poverty Square". Erected in 1935. Courtesy of Mrs. Herbert A. Holden
and Daniel Parker and wife. The articles of Faith and the covenant then adopted an. signed by the above parties was the same in substance as the printed copy now in use.
From 1781 to 1793 the records are lost, and excluding those twelve, 55 members were added previous to 1800. In 1807, 33 were added, in 1816, 118, making a total membership of 265, the largest ever obtained; in 1822, 18, in 1825, 44, in 1828, 14, in 1831, 64, in 1832, 31. In 1834
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
the membership was 205. Its membership in 1887 was about sixty, in 1950 there were 9.
The following voting records tell the story of the selection of a suit- able site, the type of building to be erected, etc. :
May 7, 1792, Voted to keep the 24th day of May as a day of fasting and prayer, and neighboring ministers were invited to participate.
Votedto raise L20 for the support of the Gospel, and to have preach- ing one half the time at Col. Longley's, and the other half at Abraham Parker's. Chose a committee of three to pitch a meeting house spot, and voted to abide their judgment.
Sept. 10, 1792, Voted not to accept the report of the meeting house committee, and chose another committee of seven for said purpose.
Sept. 27, 1792, Voted to choose a committee of three from out of town to fix a meeting house spot. Chose one from Dalton, one from Rowe, and one from Conway.
Nov. 2, 1792, Voted to accept the report of the last committee.
Jan. 14, 1793, Voted to build a meeting house, 40 x 50 feet. Chose Joseph Longley, Thomas King, Edmund Longley, Nathan West and Heze- kiah Warriner to superintend the work.
Voted to apply to Mr. Jonathan Grout to preach with us the ensuing season. Anorder was issued to several families, by order of the Select- mento the Constable, to depart from the town. The reasons for issuing this order are not given. Other similar orders followed. One source of information lists as the reason for these orders, differences in the re- ligious beliefs of the people.
Oct. 25, 1793, Rev. Jonathan Grout was ordained. Council met at the home of Edmund Longley. Salary, L200, in semi-annual installments. A remonstrance against setting off a part of the town to Plainfield was sent to the General Court.
The transactions of the town during the years 1795, 1796 and 1797 seem to have been directed mainly to the location and building of a meeting house. Various committees were chosen from time to time for that pur- pose, and their action was invariably repulsed at the next meeting, and twelve reconsiderations of votes relative to proposed sites are recorded during those three years. It was decided in 1796 to build the meeting house on 2 1/2 acres of ground purchased of Abraham Parker, "who re- served the spruce growing on the same when the lot shall be cleared up". March 5, 1798, Voted to sell the pews in the meeting house. April 2, 1798, Voted to raise L50 to paint the meeting house. From these records it is reasonable to conclude that the house was built in 1796 and 1797. It was painted yellow, in later years repainted white. The pews were square with plain seats and turned on iron hinges, making it easier to raise them during prayer times. The seats were turned up for greater ease in standing. A large choir in the gallery furnished the music, which was preceded by a knock of the pitch pipe and a few strokes of the bass viol. Directly below the lofty pulpit was the seat for the venerable dea- cons. On the right of the pulpit, the minister's family pew. Near the
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
front were two long wooden seats with fronted partition, which were for the deaf.
There was no provision made for heating the house, no chimney nor place left for one. The women carried foot stoves and during the noon hour would go to a neighboring house to refill them with coals. By 1821 they tired of this and it was proposed to buy two stoves to warm the house. This met with fierce opposition, but after a long discussion the stoves were bought and two long lines of pipe extended from the stoves entirely across the room, giving them exit at a window on each side of the main entrance, which was a large door facing east. On either side were smaller doors. It was expected the stoves would make the room comfortable but on that windy mountain top, it was impossible even when wearing wraps. Capt. King once said that one might as well try to warm an acre out of doors.
NELCOM CONS AND TAUGHT HAY LEY
First Congregational Church in Hawley. Steeple was displaced by high wind in 1917.
Courtesy of Mr. F. Deane Carter.
At the right of the main entrance, outside, was a glass-faced box for posting notices of all kinds either religious or secular. The box was also used for posting notices for three consecutive Sundays, bearing the offi- cial signature of the Town Clerk, of any parties who proposed to marry soon. Each Sabbath morning this box was scanned by old and young. This house was used until 1824 when it was replaced by another edifice near the old spot. In 1847 the present house of worship was built, in the south- eastern part of the town. The large pillars in the basement of this church came from the old church on the hill.
Until the year 1825 there was but one church in town, and that on the "Square" As the population increased it was thought best to organize a church in the west part of the town, since people in that area had to tra- vel sometimes five or six miles to church and often on horseback. A church in West Hawley was organized with a membership of 44 dismissed from the old church, 19 males and 25 females.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
To the original list of members in the original church, the following names were added: 1779, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Thomas King, Jr., Jane Gilmore, Timothy Baker, Widow Sarah Strickland, Mrs. Noah Cooley. In 1780, Lucy King, Elizabeth Taylor. In 1781, Phineas Scott, Mrs. Moses Curtis. (1781-1793 n.issing.) In 1794, Catherine Warriner, Jonathan Spafford Edward Porter, Wm. Farnsworth, Deborah Farnsowth, Noah Cooley, Jr., Asa Blood, Rhoda Blood, Elijah Harmon, Israel Clark, Dorcas Clark. In 1794, Mary Longley, Molly Crosby, Elijah Ford, Mercy King, Phebe Crowell. In 1795, Sarah Longley, Joshua Scott, Rolland Sears, Thankful Sears, Nathan West, Sarah West, Martha Ruddock, Noah Pixley, Lydia Picley, Zenas Bangs, Ruth Bangs. In 1796, Urbane Hitchcock, A. Hall, Jotham Clark, Moses Clark. In 1797, Lucy Longley, Stephen Grout, Rufus Baker. In 1798, Elijah Field, Daniel Smith, John Farnsworth, Rebecca Hall, Mrs. Samuel Nims, and Mrs. Moses Clark.
The first meetings were held in dwellings and barns, and the Rev. Jacob Sherwin of Ashfield was the preacher, although not having a regular ap- pointment. On the 23d of Oct., 1793, the Rev. Jonathan Grout was or- dained the first pastor of the church and continued in that relation until his death, June 6, 1835. The sermon on the occasion of his installation was preached by Rev. Dr. Lyman of Hatfield, with whom Mr. Grout studied theology. Mr. Grout was b. in Westboro in 1763, graduated at Harvard College in 1790, receiving his license to preach Aug. 7, 1792. A few years previous to his death he had the assistance of a colleague. Upon his death, the people whom he had served so long, erected a fine tombstone to his memory. See "Cemeteries". A neighboring clergyman, probably Dr. Shepard of Ashfield, thus wrote concerning him: "Mr. Grout was a diligent, laborious and successful minister. He loved his people and his people loved him. He was emphatically sociable, hospitable, kind- hearted and the impression which he left behind him was good, that his people generally appreciate the ministry and respect the minister". On July 4, 1804, in Heath, Parson Grout was said to have been an orator "100 years ahead of his time. " On that occasion his subject was, "What Kind of Liberty is That Which is Most Conducive to the Happiness of Society ?" It was a sharp rebuke to those of his hearers who had been en- gaged in Shay's rebellion.
Rev. Tyler Thatcher was installed as Pastor Grout's colleague on May 14, 1834. Mr. Thatcher was b. in Princeton, Sept. 11, 1801, graduated at Brown Univ. in 1824, licensed to preach in 1825. Before his settlement ín Hawley, he had preached in several places. His ancestors for ten suc- cessive generations had been ministers. His second wife was Nancy Newton of Hawley. She was b. Aug. 29, 1798. His ministry in Hawley continued until Jan. 31, 1843, when he was dismissed. He afterwards went to Cali- fornia where he spent the remainder of his life in preaching and teaching. He had a strong, logical mind, and was a great reasoner. Among his hearers was Hezekiah Warriner, who was somewhat skeptical, and many were the discussions they had on points wherein they differed, and' many were the sermons with special reference to Mr. Warriner. Still Mr.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
Warriner paid liberally for the minister, at which some expressed sur - prise, But he said it was no more than fair, for he had more than his share of the preaching! Mr. Thatcher died in Calif. Dec. 4, 1869.
After Mr. Thatcher' s dismissal the church was without a pastor for six years and was supplied four years by the Rev. John Eastman (1843-1847) and two years by the Rev. William A. Hawley (1847 - 1849). The third pas - tor, the Rev. Henry Seymour, was installed Oct. 3, 1849 and served un- til Mar. 2, 1890. After the first 17 years, he was dismissed and the pul- pit was supplied by Rev. R. D. Miller about three years 1866 - 1869. On June 1, 1870, Mr. Seymour was again invited to supply the pulpit, which he agreed to do with the understanding that he was to preach but one ser- mon each Sabbath, his health being infirm. In 1865 he represented his district in the Legislature. He was b. Oct. 20, 1816, at Hadley, gradu- ated from Amherst in 1838, finishing his studies at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1842.
Copy of the original minutes of the Ecclesiastical Council at the Install- ation of Rev. Henry Seymour, pastor of the First Congregational Church at Hawley. On the cover of the original copy is this quotation: "Minutes of the Council at my Installation in Hawley", written in the longhand of Rev. Henry Seymour.
"Pursuant to letters missive from the First Congregational Church and Parish in Hawley, an Ecclesiastical Council convened at the vestry on the 2d day of October, 1849 at three o'clock P. M. The following members were present, viz:
West Hawley ... .. Rev. John Eastman Pastor.
Bro. Anson Dyer. Del.
Plainfield. Dea. Freeman Hamlen .. . . Del. Ashfield. Rev. S. D. Clark . Pastor
Bro. Donald Howes Del.
Conway. Rev. Samuel Harris. Pastor
Bro. Israel D. Ellis. Del.
Buckland
Rev. A.B. Smith. .Pastor
Bro. Alvan Ruddock Del.
Shelburne .Rev. T. Packard, Jr Pastor
Bro. David Fish, 2d Del.
Charlemont. Rev. J.D. Smith .Pastor
Dea. Horace Hawks Del.
Rowe .Rev. B. F. Clarke ·Pastor Bro. Isaac Pierpont Del. Also Rev. Wm. A. Hawley of Plainfield.
The council was organized by choosing Mr. Hawley, Moderator and A. B. Smith, Scribe, after which prayer was ordered by the Moderator.
Documents were then called for and presented relative to the call ex- tended to Rev. Henry Seymour by the First Congregational Church and
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
Parish of Hawley to become their pastor, and his acceptance of the same. Whereupon it was voted "that those documents are so far satisfactory that we are prepared to proceed to the examination of the candidate."
The council then adjourned to meet at 6 1/2 o'clock for the examination of the pastor-elect.
The council met according to adjournment at 6 1/2 o'clock P. M. Mr. Seymour was then examined relative to his Christian and ministerial standing, his personal piety, his object in desiring the ministerial work, and his views of Christian doctrine.
Whereupon it was voted unanimously "that the examination be considered satisfactory and that we proceed to the installation services tomorrow morning at 10 1/2 o'clock."
The several parts of the installation service were assigned as follows: Invocation and reading the Scripture, J.D. Smith
Introductory prayer, A. B. Smith.
Sermon, T. Packard, Jr.
Installing prayer, Wm. A. Hawley.
Charge to the Pastor, S. D. Clark
Right Hand, Samuel Harris
Charge to the people, John Eastman
Concluding prayer, B. F. Clarke.
Benediction, by the Pastor-elect.
The council then adjourned "to n eet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and spend a season in prayer."
The council met according to adjournment at 9 o'clock, Oct. 3d, and after a season spent in prayer, the minutes were read, approved and adopted.
The several parts of the installation service were performed accord- ing to appointment, and the Rev. Henry Seymour was installed pastor of the first Congregational Church and Parish of Hawley, this third day of Oct. , 1849.
Signed, Wm. A. Hawley, Mod. A. B. Smith, Scribe,
(Note: Rev. Henry Seymour had a son Charles, who had a son Raymond B., grandson of Rev. Seymour. Mr. Raymond Seymour resided at 15 Sheriden Sq. , New York City. There has been no response to correspon- dence to him in regard to records of the Seymour family for this book. )
In a sketch written by Mr. Newton C. Graves in 1924, he recalled as- suming care of the church in Jan. 1868 when Mr. Seymour was pastor. His main duty was the heating of the church through the winter and ring- ing the bell, for which he was to be paid $13. 00 for the season. At that time there were two sernions on Sunday, morning and afternoon, with Sunday school between. Sunday at that time began at sundown on Satur- day and extended to sundown on Sunday. The deacons were Levi Eldridge, Elijah Longley and Edwin Warriner. Edwin Scott was chorister, Elijah Scott and Thomas Eldridge played violins and Reuben Scott played a bass viol. Mr. Graves had with him in California, in 1924, the bass viol which was owned and played by Edwin Scott. Members of the choir were Sopranos,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAWLEY
Mrs. Otis Bassett, Mrs. Edwin Scott, Mrs. Enow Harmon, Lucy Grout and Rosina Scott. Altos: Mrs. Elisha Hunt, Mrs. Wm. Fuller. Tenors: Edwin Scott, Charles Harmon and Freeman Coff. Bassess: Lucius Scott, Roswell Eldridge, Thaxter Scott and Joshua Williams. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Edwin Scott removed to Shel. Falls and Mr. Charles Harmon became chorister for two years. Mr. Graves, who made his home with Mr. Edwin Scott after the death of Mr. Scott's son, George, from Sept. 1, 1861 to 1872, settled in Whittier, Calif. He and Mrs. Graves lived to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary, at which time the friends of Hawley sent them two packages of maple sugar. Mr. Graves also had in his possession, a cherry desk n.ade by Parson Grout, which in 1924 was still in perfect condition.
After the resignation of Rev. Henry Seymour, the ministers of the First Congregational Church of Hawley have been as follows:
1891-1893, Rev. Solomon Bixby
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