USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Hawley > History of the town of Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts : from its first settlement in 1771 to 1887, with family records and biographical sketches > Part 11
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Nancy married Leonard White, and settled in Coleraine, and had seven children, Amasa, Anson, Ezekiel, Othniel, Zilpha, Lucy and Sa- phrona. None of them are living but Othniel.
Lucy married Alfred Rice; their children were Alonzo, Lorenzo, is a manufacturer in Washington, D. C., Sybil, Abigail, Huldalı, Quartus, a merchant in Pueblo, Col., and Chloe. Mr. Rice was a mechanic; he died in Savoy many years ago, his wife in North Adams.
Prices that ruled in Hawley one hundred years ago.
Potatoes, per bushel,
1 shilling Shoes, per pair, 6 shillings
Wheat, per bushel,
4 shillings Labor, per day, 2 shillings
Rye, per bushel,
3 shillings Labor, man and team, 6 shillings
Corn, per bushel,
3 shillings Salt, per bushel, 5 shillings 6d
Beans, per bushel, 4 shillings
Butter, per lb., 6d
Oats, per bushel, 18d Hayseed, per lb., 1 shilling Id
Tobacco, per lb.,
6d
Rum, per gal., 4 shillings
Candles, per lb.,
9d Oil, per gal., 7 shillings
Salt pork, per lb.,
6d Sugar, per lb., 6d
Mutton, per lb., 2d Wool, per lb., 18d
Beef, per lb.,
4d 2 far
Tea, per lb.,
4 shillings
Swine, live weight, per lb, 2J Making coat, 3 shillings
Veal, per lb,
2d Making shoes, per pair, 1s 8d
Note. It is probable that a shilling of that currency was about 24 cents.
103
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
NATIVES ABROAD.
Rev. Moses M. Longley was born in Hawley, June 14, 1814, He grad- nated from the Seminary and College at Oberlin, Ohio, and preached in that state till 1855, when he returned to Massachusetts and located in Peru, representing that town once in the legislature in 1866, afterwards preached in Washington and in Fitchburg. In 1869 he removed to Illi- nois, and was a settled pastor at Dwights and Danvers. Since 1883 he has been employed by the Illinois Home Missionary Society, in preach- ing for feeble churches and organizing new ones. He is now living at Bloomington, Ill.
Abner T. Longley was for twenty years, until the present administra- tion came into power, one of the chief officers in the Agricultural De- partment at Washington. His wife, -Abigail King,- is also a native of the town.
Henry A. Longley left Hawley in 1836, and resides iu Northampton. Some of his early life was spent in teaching, and for nearly thirty years he was Sheriff of Hampshire County, the first term by appointment, the other terms by election, and was always a popular official.
Chalmers P. Longley is a musical composer in Boston.
Elijah F. Longley is a farmer in Charlemont.
Roswell Eldridge resides in Charlemont, his wife being a daughter of Capt. Edmund Longley.
Flora A. Longley, wife of Nathaniel Lampson resides at Shelburne Falls.
Mrs. Abigail (King) Barton is living at Plainfield, aged nearly 87. She is the last representative of the third generation from Thomas King, remaining in New England.
Mrs. Roana (King) Bangs, widow of Dennis Bangs is living at Hamil- ton, N. Y., at the age of 89.
Mrs. Mercy (King) Rice resides at North Adams. Her son has recent- ly been appointed postmaster in that town.
Mrs. Chloe (King) Jones has lived for a long term of years in Plain- field, and now lives at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Mrs. Olive B. (King) Coope is living at Shelburne Falls.
Mrs. Jerusha (King) Joy resides at Shelburne Falls.
Mariette Baker, wife of Charles B. Mayhew, resides at Charlemont.
Preston Baker is an extensive dealer in flour and grain at Charlemont.
Edwin Baker resides at Shelburne Falls. He has represented his dis- trict two terms in the legislature, is a druggist, and enjoys a large degree of confidence and esteem in business and social circles.
104
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Mrs. Ereda (Baker) Buddingtou resides in Leyden.
Allen C. Baker was formerly a farmer in East Charlemont, but now lives somewhere at the west.
Timothy Baker formerly lived in Savoy, was sent from there one term to the legislature, now lives in Adams, has been a coal dealer.
Nathan B. Baker is a farmer in Savoy. He is quite prominent among his townsmen in agricultural and political circles.
Clark W. Fuller has been a lumber dealer, merchant, hotel keeper and farmer, and now keeps a large boarding house at 5 & 7, Northfield street, Boston.
Albert E. Marsh is living at Northampton. His wife, Anna, was a daughter of Wells and Bathsheba Ayres, of Hawley.
Theodore C. Marsh is living at Whitingham, Vt.
Abraham Parker 3d resides at Amherst.
Joseph Marsh is a bookseller and newsdealer, and prominent citizen of Northam[ ton.
Jonathan Marsh, brother of Joseph, lives in Corry, Pa.
Loron Marsh, brother of Joseph, resides at Riceville, Pa.
Theophilus Crosby is a business man in Manchester, Iowa. His gold- en wedding was celebrated Oct. 26, 1886.
Clark R. Griggs has probably been the most successful business man originating from Hawley. He was born March 6, 1824; at the age of 8 years he went to live with his uncle Waldo Griggs at Brimfield. IIe ob- tained a good education but was not a college graduate, and preached a term of years at Westboro, for the Adventists. During the war he was post sutler at Memphis, Tenn., being appointed by the government. Since then he has been a railroad contractor, and has built several roads. He is ranked among the millionares, and has an office in New York city. His residence cost $75,000.
Andrew J. Griggs learned the trade of making matches at the shop of H. E. Pierce in Charlemont, afterwards conducting the business in Wil- liamsburg and at Pittsburg, Pa. He is now in Chicago, Ill., and is a large real estate owner and broker.
Charles R. Griggs is a shoe manufacturer in Westboro, has been sue- cessful in business, and is probably worth $100,000 ..
Newell Hunt, oldest son of Elisha and Louisa M. Hunt, went to Mem- phis, Tenn., in 1863, at the age of 20, in the employ of his uncle, Clark R. Griggs, and remained with him until the close of the war. Then with his brother, Lyman G., he engaged in the manufacture of matches in Chicago, Ill., where he remained until the great fire of 1871, when their factory was burned. For the last fifteen years be has been engaged at dairying, first at Kenosha, Wis., now at Diamond Lake, Ill., having the milk of 300 cows, or 10,000 pounds a day to make into butter and cheese.
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105
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Lyman G. Hunt is in Leadville, Col, has an office at 524 Elm st. The following is clipped from a late copy of the Leadville Chronicle :-
"There is no one to-day who commands a more enviable identity with the career of this young giant metropolis than Mr. L. G. IIunt, the pioneer scale man, whose handiwork is visible upon every thoroughfare in the city, and whose name embodies all the attributes that are noble. His business operations have always been stamped with honesty, and no transaction has gone without the broad seal of integrity. Coming here from the east in an early day and deciding to trust his destiny upon the waves that were then rocking the city and tossing its future from side to side, Mr. Hunt engaged in the scale business, being the authorized representative of the famous Fairbanks scales company of Chicago. .
In supplying the miner with the facilities for the correct weighing of his output, Mr. Hunt has erected a large number of these scales at the mines and in the city, while a large num- ber of orders were filled during last year. At his works on Elm street, may be seen every size and pattern of their invention of scales, and business men who find it to their interest to guard, carefully, the welfare of their patrons, will do well to visit Mr. Hunt before sup- plying their houses with permanent and reliable fixtures. The gentleman also repairs and adjusts scales, and gives prompt attention to all orders."
Ellen J. Hunt is the wife of Dr. Josiah Trow, resides in Buckland.
Flora L. Hunt married C. A. Bronson, and resides in Ashfield.
Josiah H. Hunt was born Dec. 26, 1835. He attended the common schools in his native town, went to Kimball Union Academy, at, Meriden, N. H., and gradnated at Amherst College. He taught three terms each year for twenty-one consecutive years, the most of that time in Clinton, and Gloucester, in this state, and finding the confinement too severe for his health, and a change necessary, he relinquish:(d teaching, and estab- lished himself in Topeka, Kansas, as a real estate broker. He is conducting a large and successful business, in the interests of which he annually makes two trips to the east.
Ilenry F. Sears is a graduate of Amherst, and a successful teacher in Boston. Ilis residence is at Somerville.
Freeman B. Sears is at the west, and has been identified with the sew- ing machine interest.
Lewis E. Sears is a farmer in Plainfield.
Clara B. (Sears) Childs resides in Deerfield, wife of Theodore Childs. Merrick J. Holden is doing a large business as lumber dealer in Adanis. His wife is a daughter of Nathan Mason of Hawley.
Charles N. Holden· is a farmer in Plainfield.
Eliza (Holden) Stockwell is the wife of Hosea W. Stockwell of Plain- field.
Henry Howes resides in Cheshire. Himself and wife and children, some of whom remain with their parents, are all natives of Hawley. Lovina is living at Northampton, Wealthy is living in Ohio.
Morris Vincent is a farmer at Milan, Mich.
Albert Vincent is living at Sterling, Ill, is a travelling salesman for agricultural tools.
106
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Thomas M. Carter resides at Williamsburg, is a druggist. He is town clerk, a Justice of the Peace, has been one of the selectmen several years, and in every way enjoys the confidence and esteem of his towns- men. His wife is also a native of the town, being a daughter of the late John Vincent, Esq.
Samuel Taylor Grout, son of Rev. Jonathan Grout, at the age of 83, is living at Deerfield with his three daughters, Laura Alfreda, Mary P. and Lucy E., all pleasantly located in that old historic town.
Samuel Dorr Lascombe is a business man in Milwaukie, Wis., lives in fine style on one of the principal avenues of the city, and is taxed for $100,000
Julia A. Rice, daughter of Sylvanus, is married and lives in Buckland.
Mary F., another daughter, is the wife of Daniel Ingraham and lives in Savoy.
Newell S. Rice is a farmer in Ohio. He served in the army during the entire term of the War of the Rebellion, and made an honorable record.
Roswell G. Rice, son of Champion B., is a tinner in Conway.
Calvin E. Cooley, and wife, and children, are natives of Hawley, now residents of Charlemont. Mr Cooley is a prosperous farmer.
Moses M. Mantor is a farmer in Charlemont. For several years he has been the able and efficient Secretary of the Deerfield Valley Agricul- tural Society. His wife is a daughter of the late Dea. Samuel Hall.
Fidelia T. (Mantor) Howes has lived in Ashfield since her marriage.
Mrs Martha (Taylor) Hamlin is the wife of Dea. Freeman Hamlin of Plainfield.
William C. Ford has for many years been a resident of Fairhaven, Ms.
Mrs. Mary (Ford) Bradford has resided in Conway since her marriage, about fifty-five years.
Harriet S. Harmon, daughter of Levi Harmon, married Joshua T. Da- vis and resides in Buckland.
Ellen J. (Harmon) Ward resides in Buckland.
Rev. Elijalı Harmon is living in Wilmington, Mass., served in the army, graduate of Amherst, in 1861, formerly preached at Winchester, N. H.
Joseph V. Harmon is living at Florence.
Six of the sons of Jonathan Damon are in business in the state of Connecticut; Homer F. in New Britain, Henry C. in Meriden.
Dwight Smith has a position in a bank in Pittsfield.
Joseph Smith is a tradesman in Pittsfield.
Elisha Clark is a farmer in Illinois.
Samuel Clark resides in Williamsburg.
Dwight E. Sanford is an attendant at the Retreat for the Insane, at Hartford, Ct. His brother William J. also lives at Hartford.
Wesley Beals and William H. Beals are living in Plainfield.
107
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Lorenzo W. Joy is a resident of Northampton, and for a long term of years was postmaster in that town, and was removed by the present ad- ministration from purely partisan principles.
Nelson and Henry Joy formerly kept a boarding house in Washington, D. C. Among their patrons were Senator Wilson, one year, Senator Dawes six years, and several Congressmen. Their brother-in-law, Hi- ram King, was connected with them in the hotel and boarding house business, also owned a hotel at that fashionable resort, Saratoga, and another brother-in-law, Abner T. Longley, held a government office at the same time. Nelson was messenger at the U. S. Capitol for thirteen years, and for eleven years Hemy was connected with the government book-bindery. They now occupy a fine residence together at Shelburne Falls, having retired from business.
Ashbel W. Carter is a retired resident of Shelburne Falls, has a house adjoining that of his brothers in-law, the Joys.
Phineas S. Carter went west in early life, has been a farmer, and has recently been connected with a sheep ranch in Kansas.
Capt. Ebenezer Maynard is enjoying a green old age at Shelburne Falls. He was for many years in the mercantile business in that place and at Buckland, has been connected with banking and other business.
Ellen R. Carter is the wife of Amos L. Avery, a wealthy merchant of Charlemont.
Sylvia C. Carter married Thomas Mayhew, and resides at Shelburne Falls.
Maria Carter married Kendrick T. Slate and resides in Greenfield.
Charles Dodge is a lawyer at Toledo, Ohio.
Of the three children of Noah Ford, born in Hawley, John Wesley is a wealthy farmer in Stockbridge, Hester A. married Francis F. Briggs, and lives in Windsor, Elisha W. is a farmer and teacher in Kansas.
Dr. David T. Vining has been for many years a physician in Conway.
Martha A. Doane was a teacher in her native town in early life, and removed to Ohio, thence to Michigan, married Geo. Jourdian. After her husband's death she returned east with her children and now lives in Northampton.
Helen C. Doane married Frank Beals and for many years has resided In Florence.
George W. Doane is a carpenter and builder in Holyoke.
Three of the grandsons of John Taylor, the pioneer, are living; Henry, at Williamsburg, at the age of 83, Daniel, living in Cummington, at the age of 74, and John, living at Savoy.
Daniel Starks went to Ohio in early life, where he has since resided.
Henry Watson Starks has for several years lived at North Adams.
James La Roy Atkins is living in Conway.
Daniel H. Gould is a blacksmith in Plainfield.
108
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Julia Porter Hawkes, daughter of Ichabod, married Richard N. Oak- man, Aug. 10, 1841, and resides in Montague, Mr. Oakman is president of the Crocker National Bank.
Richard N. Oakman, Jr. was born in Hawley, Sept. 23, 1843, was ( du- cated at Williamstown, now a resident of Greenfield. He is the largest stockholder in, and Treasurer and manager of, the John Russell Cutlery works at Turner's Falls, the largest of the kind in this country, if not in the world.
Thomas K. Wheeler is a farmer in Plainfield. His birthplace is on the same place as that of his illustrious uncle, Jonas King, the missionary.
Julia A. Hawkes, daughter of Levi, is married and lives at North- ampton.
James R. Hawkes. son of Levi, is living in Boston.
B. Parsons Mansfield has for many years resided in Easthampton.
George D. Crittenden has for a long time resided at Shelburne Falls. He is an extensive dealer in lumber, making a specialty of white beech timber for planes. He served two terms as one of the Franklin County Commissioners, as a politician is an ardent temperance worker, and has been candidate for representative on the prohibition ticket.
Samuel T. Field is a practicing lawyer at Shelburne Falls. He was once District Attorney for the district including Franklin and Hampshire Counties.
Phineas Loyd Page is a lawyer in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Dr. Charles L. Knowlton is a practicing physician in Northampton.
Pindar Field Cooley resides in Pittsfield, and is a travelling salesman for an Albany house. He has been connected with several branches of mercantile business, having taken his first lesson in the store of the late Calvin S. Longley. He is possessed of a very clever business ability, a pleasing address, and his general "make up" is indicative of the live Yankee.
Thomas K. Baker has been for many years a resident of Springfield.
John H. Larrabee was a Hawley soldier, in the old 10th Mass. Regt., doing efficient service. For many years he has been living at the west.
Nellie, daughter of Henry B. White married Frank E. Mason, and resides in Savoy.
Four of the children of Ezekiel Edgerton are living in Ohio, at advan- ced ages.
Many others who originated from Hawley are living abroad, whose names have not been obtained. Among the list are probably some of the Longleys, Scotts, Halls, Parkers, Hitchcocks, Holdens, Bakers, Taylors, Dodges and others who were once representative families.
109
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
Personal Reminiscences of P. L. Page.
My father, Phineas Page, settled in Hawley with his newly married wife, on the place where he always lived while he resided there, in 1804. There were born to them eight sons and three daughters, all of whom arrived to years of maturity, all were baptized in the old yellow meeting house on the hill, and all were members of the Congregational church.
I remained at home till I was 18, helping my father on his farm, attend_ ing the district school in the winter, for about ten weeks each year. This was all the scholastic training I ever had, except a term in the Ashfield Academy, and a short attendance at a high school in Charlemont, and one in Pittsfield, making in all about six months. In Oct. 1837, I left Haw_ jey, and taught school in the state of New York till July, 1838. In the meantime my father's family had removed to Pittsfield, to which place I returned. After teaching school and keeping books in a cotton factory for some time, I turned my attention to the study of the law, in the office of the late Hon. Ensign H. Kellogg, and was admitted to the bar in 1844, and passed the most of my professional life in Pittsfield. I was Judge of the police court there for about twelve years, from 1858 to 1870. In 1838 I united with the first Congregational church there in 1838, and for a number of years was a deacon in the church. In 1842 the late Dr. John Todd became our pastor. In 1849 the South church, including 130 of our number, was formed, with Rev. Samuel Harris of Conway, now Dr. Harris, professor in Yale Theological Seminary, as our first pastor. In 1873, my health having failed, I removed to this place (Ann Arbor, Mich., ) to recuperate and educate my family, where I have since resided.
My brother, Joel S. Page, graduated at Williams in 1846, taught in an academy in Georgia a year and a half, studying law at the same time, re- turned to Pittsfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He then en- tered into partnership with myself in the practice of law in Pittsfield, which was continued to 1857, when he removed to Chicago, Ill., where he continued the practice until his death, mn 1883.
I had a brother next older than myself, Increase B. Page, who entered Williams College with my brother Joel in the autumn of 1842. In their class were Brewster and Coan, both of whom became foreign missiona- ries, and now deceased. My brother purposed to enter upon the same work, but he died Aug. 15, 1843, of consumption, at Pittsfield, which was the first death that occurred in our family.
The items in regard to Alvah, a graduate of Amherst, and Theophilus, a graduate of Williams, are familiar. I had also a brother, Horatio F. Page, who graduated from the Berkshire Medical College in 1836. He spent the most of his life in the practice of his profession in Sycamore, Ill., and died there in 1873.
110
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
As the years pass on, and I retire from active life, the familiar scenes of my childhood and early yonth pass like a panorama before my mind. I seem to be in the old meeting honse on the hill, in the old-fashioned square pews, hung on hinges, and turned up for greater ease in standing, at prayer time, seeing the good old deacons, Newton and Sears, under the high pulpit, hearing the powerful voice of good old Parsen Grout, in opening the morning devotions, and then adding to the general noise all over the house, in turning down the seats at their conclusion.
But of far greater interest to me was the music of the large choir in the gallery, preceded by a knock of the pitch-pipe by uncle Ethan Hitch- cock, and a few strokes on the bass viol by Col. Longley.
I must refer to two old customs which made quite an impression on my youthful mind. Our pastor, Mr. Grout, in making calls among his charge, would talk with each member personally, concerning his or her spiritual condition, and then as he left, stau ding at the door, would give some words of general exhortation to all. This custom, though some- times distasteful, making the minister's visits dreaded, especially by the young, was, I think, on the whole, beneficial for those times.
The other custom grew out of the law as it then existed, in proclaim- ing the bans of matrimony. There were two courses open to a couple entering into this state. They might be "cried" by the town clerk in open assembly. Well do I remember how Gen. Longley, who was al- ways town clerk in those days, would rise just before the minister open- ed the exercises, and amid profound silence, except a little flutter and giggle among the young people, proclaim in stentorian tones, "Hear ye, hear ye, marriage intended between-and -. " Or if the young couple shrank from this oral publicity the bans could be written, and stand for three public days near the church door. The glass box for this purpose, near the front door of the meeting house, was well watched by the young, and often looked into by the elders.
More than half a century since, Gen Thomas Longley was by far the most influential man in Hawley, or any of the surrounding towns, and deservedly so. The last time he represented Hawley in the legislature, and a short time before his death, I happened to be in Boston. I sent in my name to him in the House of Representatives, and he immediately came to the door and invited me to a seat near him. It was not long be- fore he rose and made one of his characteric speeches, condensed, strong- ly delivered and effective. The Pittsfield representative told me that he was one of the most influential members of the House.
At the meeting of the A. B. C. F. M., held in Pittsfield in 1866, Jonas King, then on a visit from Greece, delivered an address at the South church. At its conclusion, I introduced myself to him as from Hawley, giving my name, which at first he hardly seemed to recognize. I told him I understood that my father Lined him to teach his first district school,
111
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
when a young man. He then said, "Ah! yes, many a nice piece of mince pie have I eaten at your mother's."
There were six Hawley boys who became lawyers-all honest lawyers, which I suppose would seem almost a contradiction in terms to our puri- tan sires. They were Henry T. Grout, Hezekiah Ryland Warriner, Charles Dodge, Samuel T. Field, P. L. Page and J. S. Page. The four last were near of an age, and attended the district school together in Hawley.
Well, I never knew a native of Hawley who went out from there into the world, to disgrace his native town. I am rejoiced that its history is to be written, and shall be glad if I have given any items that will be of use. Please let me know when it is published, and where copies can be obtained.
Very truly yours,
Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec. 1, 1886.
P. L. PAGE.
Sketches and Incidents.
The Rev. Jonathan Grout was an inveterate tobacco smoker. He lived about a hundred rods from the meeting house, and used to go home to dinner, between the two long Sunday services. On one occasion, when returning for the afternoon service, the fire from his pipe got into the fence by the roadside. The alarm was given in the midst of the sermon, when the services stopped, the congregation rushed out and extinguished the fire, returning for the minister to take up part fifthly of his sermon.
To show how long continued habit becomes second nature, and to show the force of absent-mindedness, it is related of him that he was once searching the house, having his pipe in his mouth, and addressed his wife thus :-. "Mrs. Grout, can you tell me where I laid my pipe?"
Mr. Grout was cotemporary with Rev. Moses Hallock of Plainfield, and as might be inferred, they had many ministerial interviews. Mr. Hallock is described as being a tall, spare man, with sharp, angular fea- tures, and a very measured, methodical manner of speech. On one occa- sion when they were together, Mr. Grout was smoking an unusually short pipe, when Mr. Grout remarked that he should think he would burn his nose, whereupon Mr. Grout replied, "I should if my nose was as long as yours."
A family in Mr. Grout's parish kept geese, and the old gander had a habit of pecking on the door. One day Mr. Grout came to make a pas- toral call, and knocking at the door, the good housewife, being busy about her work, and mistaking the familiar rapping, remarked, "Peck away, old gander, you can't come in."
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