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 2
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In 1821, Voted to deposit the military stores in the meeting lionse.
Nov. 12, 1838, Voted to employ only such teachers as can teach wri- ting. From this it may be inferred that the art of writing was not a nec- essary qualification for teachers in the public schools previous to that time. April 22, 1839, Chose a committee of teu to consider the evils of perpetuating slavery, and report at a future meeting.
In 1840, 115 militia men were enrolled; in 1853, 132.
April 3, 1848, Voted to build a town house near the center of the town. Chose Freeman Atkins, Clark Sears and Harmon Barnes as a committee for that purpose. Appropriated $500 for schools.
Apr. 7, 1851, Voted to buy a farm for the support of the poor. Chose Levi Holden, Calvin Cooley and Charles Baker as committee for that purpose. Appropriations in 1867. Schools, $900, Highways, $1200, Town charges, $1000. The same appropriations were made in 1886.
Mar. 23, 1870, Voted to pay 25 cents per hour on highways, The change in prices of labor during seventy years may be noticed by refer- once to a vote passed in 1800, when 25 cents a day was paid on highways.
LOCAL TITLES.
Several localities in town by common consent have received local titles, a brief account of which we give.
"Bozrah," north part of town, adjoining Charlemont, includes one school district. Received its name from the fact that some of the first settlers came from Bozrah, Ct.
The site of the first business interests of the town, including church, stores, post-office and hotel, was termed the "Square," or "Common." It was a sightly elevation of several acres, a little east of the territorial center of the town.
In the primitive days, probably before 1750, Mrs. Baker, wife of Tim- othy, was matched against another woman, to see which would make the largest hasty pudding. Mrs. Baker ma le hers in a five pail kettle, and came out triumphantly the "pudding head" of Hawley. That circum- stance gave the title "Pudding Hollow" to that neighborhood, embracing school district No. 1, lying in north part of the town.
"Potash Hill" was the name formerly given to a very steep highway leading from Pudding Hollow to the Square. The name was given from the circumstance of a potash manufactory being formerly located near the road.
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HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
"Forge Hollow," later called West Hawley, received its rame from being the site of a forge where iron was made in the early part of the present century, the ore being received from "Forge Hill," on the old road leading from West Hawley to Pudding Hollow. The same water privilege has been continuously used, and is now owned and occupied by Willis Vincent.
"King Corner," southwest corner of town. In the spring of 1772, Thomas King came from Brimfield and bought 1000 acres of land for one dollar an acre. . His descendants of the fourth and fifth generation still remain in the neighborhood, and until the death of Warriner King in 1877, the original name of King had continously lived there, covering a period of 105 years.
"Hallockville," on the Plainfield line, with an extensive water power, was occupied in 1826 by Leavitt Hallock, who done a large business for about twenty years in tanning an I swing lumber.
"Fullerville" received its name by Clark W. Fuller having established a mercantile and manufacturing business, about 1855.
"West Hill" is a neighborhood in the west part of the town, being divided from King Corner by the upper waters of Chickley's river, flow - ing from Savoy.
CEMETERIES.
The first burial place in town was near the territorial center, nearly a mile southeast from the present town house, on what is known as the Childs lot. Although not in close proximity to any settlement then made, it was established there with the supposition that there would be the central business point of the town. The spot is away from any road, and is known to but few. It was proposed a few years ago to mark the spot by setting a stone at each corner of the place occupied.
About twenty were buried there. Before the first meeting house was built a cemetery was opened about a mile east of its site. This is virtu- ally called the oklest one in town. Here are buried representatives of many of the oldest families, those who organized and manipulated the early transactions of the town, including Parson Grout, who was pastor for almost half of the church history of the town. His epitaph is as fol- lows :- "This > tone was erected by the first parish of Hawley to the memory of the Rev. Jonathan Greut, who deparied this life June 6, 1835, in the 73d year of his age, and the 42d of his ministry. He was the first minister in Hawley. Great unanimity among his people pre- vailed during the ministry of this devoted servant of Christ."
Among the inscriptions there are the names of Longley, Warriner, Smith, Mantor, Crosby, Newton, Holden, Doane, King, Hitchcock, Sanford, Vining, Field and Hall. The oldest inscription found there is that of Nathaniel Parker, died Mar. 25, 1789.
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HISTORY OF HIAWLEY.
When the old meeting house was removed and a new one built, about a mile and a half south, in 1847, a new cemetery was opened a little south of the present church. This was largely due to the efforts of Calvin S. Longley. Some of the names found there are Scott, Clark, Wood, Williams, Bassett, Longley, Eldridge and Harmon.
Before the advent of the present eentury a burying ground was open- ed at Pudding Hollow, where their families have been buried. This cemetery is second in size as well as age, and contains the names of Baker, Hall, Crowell, Sears, Crosby, Atkins, Rice, Bangs and Taylor.
Sometime about 1820, a cemetery was started in the old sixth school district, a little east of the Graves place, so called. Here are buried the King and Rice families who early settled in the old 7th district, Col. Noah Joy and wife, and families bearing the names of Marsh, Sprague, Hunt, Holden and Griggs. Here is the largest headstone in town, over the remains of Jonas King, a representation of which is given on the op- posite page. The slab stands six feet above the ground, is nearly three feet in width, 2 1-2 inches thick, the top being two inehes convex.
At West Hawley, a cemetery was founded as early as the church there perhaps earlier, where many of the people of that part of the town have been buried. It is on a kind of plateau as seen from the road, and its approach is quite steep and difficult. Here are found the names of Vincent, Stiles, Curtis, Sears, Turner, Ford, Atkins, Brackett, Fuller. (See Sketches and Incidents. )
There is also a private family burying ground on the farm of Phineas Starks, in the southwest part of the town, where about a dozen have been buried.
Like others, these burial places are the receptacles of many high hopes and aspirations, and where the "willows of grief bend deepest." The grounds are usually well kept, and the most of them are annually mowed.
"As the long train
Of ages glides away, the sons of men, The youth in hfe's green spring, and he who goes In the full strength of years, matron and maid, The bowed with age, the infant, in the smiles And beauty of its innocent age cut off,-
Shall, one by one, be gathered to thy side, By those, who, in their turn, shall follow them."
Bryant.
Sacred to the memory of Mr. JONAS KING,
the venerabie Father of the distinguished
Rev. JONAS KING, D. D. Missionary to Palestine & Greece.
On being asked by a Friend if he felt any regret in parting with his Son, as a Missionary to the Heathen, this Father in Israel replied, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begorten Son, that whosoever beliereth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
And should I withhold my only Son from obeying the command of our ascended Saviour, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mr. KING was one of the first settlers in Hawley. He lived, in example & precept, a life of holiness.
He died September 20th 1832, Iged 78 years.
Having a blissful faith in Jesus Christ and an unshaken hope of a glorious immortality. His last words were: "How often, must my pulses beat, Before my joys shall be complete?" Come Lord Jesus! come quickly.
Ask you my name, 'Tis JONAS KING, Beneath these clods I lic, In life I suffered much by sin, And sin caused me to die! But by the blessed Jesus, I Do hope to rise again, I then shall live and never dic, And praise the Lord. Amen.
Fac-simile of an inscription in the cemetery in the old sixth school district in Hawley.
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HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
SCHOOLS.
The people have always taken an active interest in their common schools, and have appropriated liberally for their means. That interest seems to be cotemporary with the church interest. The long list of pro- fessional and influential men, past and present, emanating from the town attests the quality and efficiency of her school work.
In 1792, the year of the organization, £30 was voted for schooling. Three later the amount was double.i, and in 1797, £75 was raised, in 1840, $500, and at the preset time the appropriation is $900, showing a uniform inercase, with the onward march of progress.
May 7, 1792, a committee, consisting of Edmund Longley, Ebenezer Hall, Abel Parker, Amos Crittenden, Zebedee Wood, Abel Warner and Jonathan Fuller, was chosen to divide the town into school districts.
May 6, 1793, £210 was voted to build seven schoolhouses, £30 to cach, and the following persons were appointed as building committee:
District No. 1, Reuben Cooley, Zonas Bangs, Ebenezer Hall; No. 2, Joseph Lathrop, Ichabod Hawkes; No. 3, Elijah Hammond, Asa Blood, Asher Russell; No. 4, Hezekiah Warriner, Samuel Hitchcock, David Parker; No. 5, Arthur Hitchcock, Phineas Scott; No. 6, Ebenezer Bor- land, John Campbell; No. 7, Thomas King, Simeon Crittenden. It was voted that the several school-houses be built fit to keep a winter school in by the first of November next.
In later years there has been eleven districts, one of which was called the "Union, " being a union with Plainfield. That house being burned some years ago, that district was disbanded. When the legislature made the school district system optional with towns, Hawley with many other towns abolished her school districts, in 1867. Soon afler, some (f of the territoral lines were changed, condensing some of the districts, so that at present there are eight districts which support six months of schooling in each year.
For some time about ten years ago, the matter of supervision was given to ladies, Mrs Bethiah S. Barton, and Miss Strah Eastman, cach success- fully manipulating the business at different times, but usually it is man- aged by a committee of three members. The average wages paid to teachers is about $4.50 per week.
HIGHWAYS
were carly deemed a necessity, and it is evident that roads were in ope- ration before the incorporation of the town, as a vote passed that spring appropriated £100 to repair highwaws. The appropriations for roads and bridges have nuiformly been in excess of those made for any other matter. The first settleis located their roads over the rugged hills, tra-
17
HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
dition saying that they considered the hills less incumbered by muddy roads than the valleys, also that they wanted to be in a position to see the smoke from each others' houses. But as the valleys became more settled and the surrounding towns made through travel more of a neces. sity, more feasible rontes were utilized.
The transactions of the town furnish copious records relative to highways, many transcripts having been made during its entire history, and many old roads have been discontinned, and superseded by new ones.
The old "Potash Hill" road was originally the main avenue from Pud- ding Hollow, West Hill, and Forge Hollow, for all their church-going, town and mercantile business; now that steepest of all highways is dis- continued, and a new road from the town house to the Theophilus Cros- by place. Formerly the road from Forge Hollow to Pudding Hollow was over Forge Hill, but for many years, a road down the valley of Chickley's river, although a greater distance, has been a more feasible route. A portion of the road from the town farm to Savoy line, has recently been discontinued, and one built of a much easier grade.
Many similar changes have from time to time been made, as changes in business interests demanded. In some cases these changes have left once prosperous homesteads isolated from travel, and many have been deserted in consequence. In 1795, £200 were appropriated for roads, and now for a score of years the appropriation has been $1200.
The highway districts, have highway surveyors, chosen annually, hav- ing charge of their respective localities, the tax-payers usually "working out" their tax, the price allowed per honr being stipulated by the se Jectmen. The road on the banks of Chickley's river has often suffered by destructive floods. Oct. 4, 1863, all the bridges on the stream were carried away, also several wash-outs.
May 6, 1799, the town voted to accept a road from Camp rock to Savoy line. This started near the Theophilus Crosby place, and probably is an old road running by the Graves place, the Thomas King, afterward the Ezra King place, the John Hadlock place, the Elijah Marsh place, the Warriner King place, now the town farm, the Jonathan Fuller place to the Daniel Rice place, on the Savoy line. This road was about three miles in length, and a portion of the middle of its route has long been discontinued.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The organization of the church antedates the incorporation of the town thirteen years. Sept. 16, 1788, an ecclesiastical council met at the house of Samuel Hitchcock, and the ministers on the organizing conn- cil were Revs. Nehemiah Porter and Jacob Sherwin of Ashfield, John Emerson of Conway, and Jonathan Leavitt of Charlemont. The mini- ber constituting the church was twenty, ton males and ten females, and
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IJISTORY OF HAWLEY.
were as follows; Thomas King, Nathaniel Rudd, Daniel Burt, Silas Ihitchcock, Samnel Hitchcock, Abel Parker, Daniel Parker, Benjamin Smith, Nathaniel Parker, Josiah Graves, Mary Burt, Mary Hitchcock, Phobe Parker, Sarah Parker, Thankful Hitchcock, Martha Parker, Re- becca Parker, Abigail Graves, Sarah Cooley and Elizabeth Smith.
The articles of faith and the covenant then adopted, were the same that the church has retained until the present time.
From 1781 to 1793 the records are lost, and excluding those twelve years, 55 more members were ad le | previous to 1800, In 1807, 33 were added, in 1816, 118, in 1822, 18, in 1825, 44, in 1828, 14, in 1831, 64, in 1832, 31. In 1834 the membership was 205, which was the highest num- ber ever attained. Its present membership is about sixty.
For about fifteen years after the organization of the church it was without a settled pastor. Rev. Jacob Sherwin of Ashfield preached for it a part of the time, the meetings being held in dwelling houses and barns. The first pastor was Rev. Jonathan Grout, who was ordained and installed Oct. 23, 1793. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. Dr. Lyman of Hatfield, with whom Mr. Gront studied theology. He was born in Westboro, in 1763, and graduated at Harvard college in 1790. He was the pastor of the church until his death, nearly forty- two years, having passed all his ministerial life in town A neighboring clergeyman, 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. Ile was truly a practical man. His sermons were not highly wrought, but con. tained important truth, adapted to the circumstances of his people.
He was emphatically sociable, hospitable, kind-hearted and the im- pression which he left behind him was good, that his people generally appreciate the ministry and respect the minister." (For his epitaph see "Cemeteries. ")
During the last year of Mr. Grout's ministry, he was so infirm as to be unable to perform the duties of his office, and May 14, 1834, Rev. Tyler Thatcher was installed as his colleague. Mr. Thatever was born in Princeton, Sept. 11, 1801, and graduated at Brown university in 1324. Before his settlement here, he preached in several places. His ministry here was about nine years. He afterwards went to California, where he spent the remainder of his life in preaching and teaching. Hle 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 in which Mr. Warriner was specially had in mind.
Still he 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 California, Doc. 4, 1869.
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HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
After the dismissal of Mr. Thatcher, in 1843, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John Eastman four years, and Rev. Wm. A. Hawley two years.
The third pastor, Rev. Henry Seymour, was installed Oct 3, 1849. He was born in Hadley, Oct. 20, 1816, graduated at Amherst college in 1838, studied theology at the Union seminary in New York city, and his first settlement was in Deerfield, Mar. 1, 1843, where he remained about six years. After a ministry of seventeen years in Hawley, he was dis- missed, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. R. D. Miller about three years. In June, 1870, Mr. Seymour was again invited to supply the pul- pit, which he engaged to do with the understanding that he was to preach but one sermon each Sabhath, his healthi being infirm, which he has continued to do until the present time.
Until the year 1825, there was but one meeting house and one church in town, and the people came from all parts of the town to the old sanc- tuary on the hill. It was at no little inconvenience that many of them gathered there, and it is a strong testimony in favor of the people that they came so constantly from such distances, over such roads, and in such weather, and before the church was warmed with stoves as now. The result was that the old church was usually well filled with devout worshippers.
As the population of the west part of the town increased, it was thought best to organize a church and build a house there, which was done in 1825. Forty-four members, 19 males and 25 females, were dis- missed from the parent church, and organized a church at West Haw- ley. The church was suppled for fifteen years by Rev. Urbane Hitch- cock, Dr. Packard, and his son Theophilus and others.
The first settled pastor was Rev. Moses Miller, who was installed over it May 20, 1840. Mr. Miller was born in Worcester, Nov. 23, 1776, graduated in 1800. His first settlement was at Heath, where he remained 35 years. The second pastor was Rev. John Eastman. He was born in Amherst, July 16, 1803. He was not a college graduate but received the degree of A. M. at Amherst College, an.I studied theology with Dr. Packard of Shelburne, and after having preached in various places in the state of New York, he was installed at West Hawley. Nov. 11, 1847.
After remaining with the church about eight years, he was dismissed, and the pulpit was supplied at brief intervals by Revs. Lewis Bridgman, Joseph B. Baldwin, Robert Connell and Robert Samnel. Mr. Eastman was again recalled, and preached as long as he was able from age and infirmity. Mr. Eastman was one of the old school Calvinistic ministers and was quite an impressive preacher. Jan.5, 1851, he delivered a ser- mon at the funeral of Rufus Sears, which was published in pamphlet form at the request of his parishioners. Mr. Eastman has two daugh- ters at Wellesly, Mass , who are eminent teachers, Julia A., who is a writer and author, and Sarah who was at one time superintendent of schools in Hawley.
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HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
In the interval between Mr. Eastman's two pastorates, Rev. Jeremiah Pomeroy preached there several years. His oldest son, William M., en- tered Amherst college from Hawley, and after graduation, took up jour- nalism, and has been successively editor of the Springfield Republican, Springfield Union, Pittsfield Eagle, and at present is editor of the Orange Journal.
Since Mr. Eastinan's second pastorate the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. Lincoln Harlow, Rev. Mr. Guild, and at present by Rev. F. J. Grimes, all of Charlemont, conducting one service each Sabbath. Pres- ent number of members, forty-five.
The first Sabbath school in town was organized the first Sabbath in June, 1820, with twelve teachers. It has been continued ever since, and at present is superintended by Enos Harmon, with a membership of 89, and 9 teachers. The West Hawley church also maintains a Sunday school, and at the time of Mr. Samuel's pastorate, it is said that the en- tire congregation were regular attendants, with the exception of two men who could not be induced to attend.
The present meeting house on the hill was built in 1847; the first one at West Hawley was built in 1825, and the present one in 1847.
Thomas King and Joseph Bangs were among the early deacons of the town. At West Hawley the deacons have been Rufus Sears, Ebenezer Hall, Zenas Bangs, Ebenezer Crosby, Millo T. Carter, Samuel Hall, Frederick H Sears and Samuel Williams.
The singing in both of these churches has been performed by old fash- ioned choirs, which were strengthened by occasional singing schools, and in the "palmy days" the singing was quite powerful and impressive. Edwin Scott and Willis Vincent are at present the choir leaders.
These churches are of the Congregational denomination, and are the only churches that have ever been formally organized in town, but the Methodists and Adventists have held services to considerable extent at different times.
To show the stern discipline and the prevailing sentiment in regard to church government half a century ago, we copy from the records of a church meeting held Jan. 28, 1835 :- "Church met at the meeting house. Dea. Lathrop presented a complaint against Bro. Theodore Field for absenting himself from the public worship and ordinances of God. Voted that a communication be addressed to Bro. Field in behalf of the church." We predict that if the same discipline relative to church attendance was enforced now, the list of complaints would be very copious.
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HISTORY OF HAWLEY.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLERGYMEN
from the town have been as follows :-
Rev. Urbane Hitchcock was born in Hawley in 1782; graduated atWil- liams in 1806, and was ordained to the ministry at Dover, Vt., in 1808. He was one of the early ministers at West Hawley.
Rev. Jonas Kiug, D. D. , was born in Hawley, July 29, 1792; read the Bible through before he was six years old, and every year thereafter; graduated at Williams in 1816; studied theology at Andover; was ordain- ed an evangelist in 1819; went as a missionary with Pliny Fisk to Jeru- salem in 1823, and in 1828 became a missionary to Greece, where his labors in behalf of the struggling Greeks attracted much attention, and resulted in promoting the welfare of the oppressed inhabitants. His last visit to America was in 1865.
Rev. Pindar Field was born in Sunderland, May 1, 1794, but removed to Hawley the following year, studied at Williams, but graduated at Amherst in 1822, and was licensed Dec. 1824.
Rev. Isaac Oakes was born in Hadlev, June 10, 1795, graduated at Williams in 1820, and was ordained at Salem in 1823.
Rev. Thomas H. Wood was born in Bozrah, (t., in 1772, but removed with his parents to Hawley in 1775, graduated at Williams in 1799, and was licensed to preach in 1803. He died in 1846.
Rev. Marshall L. Farnsworth was born in Hawley in 1799, graduated at Union in 1825, and was licensed soon after. He died at Danby, N Y., in 1838.
Rev. Oliver A. Taylor was born at Yarmouth, Aug. 18, 1801, but came to Hawley when two years old. His parents were poor and unable to educate their children, but gave them the example of devout, consis- tent lives, and encouraged them in their efforts to educate themselves, with what success is shown by the four ministers the family produced. At the age of twenty, Oliver started to walk five hundred miles to enter Alleghany College, Pa., but graduated at Union in 1825, studied at An- dover, completing in 1829, and was licensed in April of that year. He became very learned, and died in 1821.
Rev. Timothy A. Taylor was born in Hawley, Sept. 7, 1809, gradu- ated at Amherst in 1835, and at Andover in 1838.
Rev. Rufus Taylor was born in Hawley, March 24, 1811, graduated at Amherst in 1837, and at Princeton in 1840.
Rev. Jeremiah Taylor, the fourth brother of this noted family, was born in Hawley, June 11, 1817, graduated at Amherst in 1843, and at Princeton in 1847.
Rev. Alvah C. Page was born in Hawley, March 17, 1806, and was or_ dained as an evangelist at Charlemont in 1831.
Rev. Thomas A. Hall was born in Hawley, Sept. 2, 1813, graduated at Williams in 1838, and was licensed in 1840.
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