USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holland > History of the town of Holland, Massachusetts > Part 28
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
time of his death was the largest public benefactor who had lived in Buffalo. He left $500 to Holland, Massachusetts, the town where he was born, the income of which is used for the perpetual care of the cemetery. Local tradition would imply that he had other benevolences in mind for Holland, but did not carry them out. Mrs. Goodell died March 10, 1854, aged 63. Jabez Goodell was prominent in the affairs of his home city, Buffalo, and was an attendant and generous supporter of the First Presbyterian Church there, and was made an elder. See Goodell and Perrin Genealogies.
By Frank H. Severance, Secretary, Buffalo Historical Society, Buffalo, N. Y.
LYMAN GOULD was elected as representative to General Court for 1837 for Holland and Wales being the last man to be elected by the old method. He lived on the farm north of the Bagley homestead on the road to East Brimfield. We find his name on the list of selectmen for 1834, '36. Assessor, 1826, '41. School committee 1825, '30. He does not leave a record for an extended sketch, but his record is such that we may declare that he made a good citizen and town officer. From the records we infer that he met bitter opposition in his election as representative, but succeeded, and no doubt made a good one. His homestead was considered one of the best farms in Holland in his day, the soil being easily worked and fruitful.
LEWIS C. HOWLETT was born in Sturbridge, Massa- chusetts, Oct. 6, 1820, the son of Sylvester and Mary (Abbe) Howlett. He was educated in the schools of his native town. At seventeen years of age he was driving a four horse team between Sturbridge and Worcester. At twenty-one he was partner in the trucking firm of Scott, Flagg and Howlett.
LEWIS C. HOWLETT
407
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Some of the work done then will stand many years, as for ex- ample the stone pillars to the Court House.
September 4, 1848, he married Lorinda Chapin of Stur- bridge. He bought the farm, now owned by his son, Lewis M. Howlett, in 1846, and lived in Holland until his death May 19, 1888. He served the town in various offices notably as road- commissioners and was a pioneer in the good-roads movement. He was one of the committee to secure the gift of the present town hall and school building from the Baptist Society. He was a public-spirited citizen interested in all that concerned the welfare of the town. He reared a family of eleven children. (See the Howlett Genealogy.)
Lewis M. Howlett, son of the foregoing, has been almost a lifelong resident of Holland and a much valued citizen. As town officer he has stood for the higher ideals of town life, and his sons now prominent in town affairs are doing the same.
FRANCIS E. KINNEY, was born Feb. 14, 1841, son to Elisha and Mary Ann (Marcy) Kinney, who for years were proprietors of Holland Inn, and who made that country hotel famous in the state and out of it. The son received the rudi- ments of his education in the public schools of his native town as the school registers of the town bear ample proof. He also attended Brimfield Academy.
That his school days were well spent and that he was faithful to his school duties, is manifest by the clear and effic- ient manner in which he executed the duties of the offices with which the town honored him. He does not appear in many offices. He was town clerk continuously from 1874-1889 in- clusive; and town treasurer from 1875-1885 inclusive. His clear, bold penmanship as town clerk is a striking contrast to some of the early records and closely resembles copper plate for beauty of finish, and clearness of expression. The testi-
408
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
mony of his fellow townsmen is that he made a splendid and efficient town officer, and undoubtedly would have received in due time any honor that the town could bestow. Mr. Kin- ney married Olivia M. Parker, representative of a well-known and respected family in Brimfield. They were the proprietors of Holland Inn, since his parents were fallen asleep, and sur- rounded by hosts of friends, with a goodly family growing up, with a good business and ample means with enlarging usefulness in view, he could meet the flight of years with hope and cour- age. He had evenything to live for; wife, home, family, friends. But man cannot count any years his. Man's days are subject to the will of his Creator.
The winter of 1890 was an open winter. Little or no ice had been secured and Mr. Kinney was anxious to secure a supply for his business, and for family use. On March 10, 1890, he was engaged in cutting ice when one of his sons, a lad who was around with the men, broke through, but was resened immediately by the men plaeing a support to keep him out of the water. Mr. Kinney observing his son's pre- dicament rushed to the reseue, and against the protests of all the men, and the warning ery of his son declaring that he was in no danger, he rushed to his son's side broke through and was up to his neck in iee water. He could touch bottom, and spoke encouragingly to those standing by. But before he could be rescued he was overcome by the ice water and when finally taken out, life was extinct. His sad and untimely death cast gloom over the whole town, and all hearts went out in sympathy with the afflicted family. But sympathy avails not to restore the loved one departed. In due time it was deemed expedient to dispose of the hotel property, and a sale being effeeted, the hotel passed into the hands of others. Mr. William A. Hopkins is the present owner. But the mem- ory of years gone by, and of the warmhearted and business-
409
BIOGRAPHICAL.
like family who lived there, still clusters about the place, and is treasured by the townspeople as a hallowed memory.
CAPT. NEHEMIAH MAY'S name is often found in the records of Holland. He came from Woodstock, Connecticut, and bought the west half of William Lyon's farm in Brimfield, March 12, 1752. The homestead was the one Judah Back bought in 1811, situated in the south part of the town. We find that Nehemiah May was living there in 1759, when the road was laid out from the brook near his house, called "Great Brook" (later "May Brook"). He is a signer to the petition to get South Brimfield incorporated into a district (1762), and is a member of the first board of selectmen elected by said district. He is a signer to the petition (1764) praying that the church be located east of the mountains. He is also a member of the "Court of Justice and Honor" for So. Brim- field in 1774. In the twenty one-years that Holland formed a part of So. Brimfield (1762-1783) he was seven times select- man. When Holland was incorporated a district (1783) Capt. Nehemiah May was elected first seleetman of the board of selectmen for that year. We also find that he was repre- sentative to General Court for South Brimfield for 1783. While he favored placing the church east of the mountains (1764) he yet, for some reason, declared himself a Baptist in 1778. See declaration signed by Elijah Coddington.
When Holland was incorporated the east side of South Meadow road was made the west line of Holland and Capt. May was held responsible for the injustice of putting all of that road within South Brimfield's limits. It seems scarcely possible that Capt. May did not realize the injustice it would be to the people west of the line. South Brimfield took care that no other Holland man was representative until that wrong was righted, which was accomplished in 1796. But Capt. May had died in 1793.
410
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
We judge that his part in the road matter was why he did not hold office in Holland more. He was a Revolutionary patriot, the father of a large family, and his influence in town was good. He led a company into the Revolutionary War, a list of which we submit to our readers. His headstone in Holland cemetery informs us that he was born in Woodstock, Jan. 31, 1730. Died Dec. 27, 1793. His first child, William, was born in Woodstock.
HIS EPITAPH.
Behold my friend as passing by This stone informs you where I lie Remember then that soon you'll have Like me a mansion in the grave.
His widow died March 24, 1818. She was Anna Lyon of a well known Woodstock family.
LEONARD MAY MORRIS born Jan. 10, 1790, was son of Ebenezer and Lorinda (May) Morris and grandson of Capt. Nehemiah May. He married Nancy Paddock of Holland, Dec. 2, 1812. He held many town offices. Constable 1829, '30, '31, '32 ; school committee 1815, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20, '23, '30, '31, '32. Moderator (annual) 1823, '26, '28. Moderator special town meetings 1826, '28, '31. Assessor 1826, '30. Selectman 1813. '28. Representative 1826. His many and repeated of- fices are an indication of efficient service, while election to represent Holland and South Brimfield at General Court would mark him as a much respected man where he was known.
BENJAMIN PERRIN was an early settler in the region that became Holland, coming from Woodstock. He bought his farm of Rev. Ebenezer Moulton situated south of Mud Pond. The deed bears date Nov. 2nd, 1752 and the price paid was £66-13s., the farm containing 133A. The Rev. Ebenezer
٠
GRANDPA PERRIN
GRANDMA PERRIN
411
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Moulton was first pastor of the Baptist church in Wales. Ben- jamin Perrin was one of several that had declared themselves Baptists prior to the incorporation of South Brimfield and by that act had disqualified himself from voting on the questions of a church of the "standing order" east or west of the moun- tains. It was his vote, with others, that made the meeting illegal (see chapter II), and Rev. Jason Morse's Annals of Brimfield church. He is a signer of the petition to have South Brimfield incorporated, and although he is a signer of the petition presented to the General Court by the East faction yet we judge that later he became a supporter of the west faction. He doubtless was a conscientious man and one that had con- victions. Woodstock vital records do not inform us whom he married, but he, we believe, had not been long married when he bought the farm 1752. He had several children and the home near the southeast schoolhouse was a center of influence for good. Benjamin Perrin died in Woodstock, Conn. in 1807, and the homestead became property of his son Asarael Perrin. (See Perrin Genealogy).
Will of Benj. Perrin.
Wife Mary is given
$20
John Perrin is given $100
Mary Perrin wife of Nathan Fay
$100
Marcy Perrin, wife of David Fay $100
Hallowell Perrin, m. Sybil Bruce
$160
Amasa Perrin
$100
Sarel Perrin, m. Huldah Goodell
$20
Dated July 1807.
ASARAEL PERRIN married Huldah Goodell July 25, 1793, making his home on the farm formerly owned by his father. His name is frequently met in the town records of his time, not so much in holding prominent office, but in ways that show he wielded an influence for good. He reared a large family, eleven children, and we have recently learned that the
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
Hon. Marcus Perrin Knowlton, for the past twenty years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, is a grandson of Asarael Perrin and Huldah Goodell. This is a fact, of which, Holland people may well feel proud. Hollanders, hats off to the noted grandson of a Holland sire !
His brother, Hollowell Perrin, married Sybil Bruce Dec. 1, 1785, and became prominent in town affairs, holding the office of constable, school committee, moderator of town meetings, town treasurer and selectman. As a citizen he was much liked. He had a family of seven children. His daughter Diana, married Dr. Abiel Bottom, who practiced his profession in South Wilbraham, now Hampden, and their descendants now live there.
JOHN POLLEY is first mentioned in the annals of Holl- and in 1786. But the registry of deeds reveals the fact that he came from Monson and bought the homestead later known as the Eleazer Moore place in 1784, buying of Eliphalet Janes, Holland's first town clerk. He is a taxpayer of Holland by the list of 1793. He must have lived on the place about eleven years for he did not buy the Joseph Blodgett Sr. farm till 1795, buying of one John Brown credited as being the first grocer that Holland ever had. It is with the Blodgett home- stead that the Polley family is identified. He was interested in the church and its work, and was appointed a committee to repair the church 1787. We find that the town elected him selectman 1789, and 1796, '97, '98, 1805, '06, '07. Moderator of the annual town meeting 1806; of special town meetings, 1796, '98. As a member of committee for doing town business, his judgment was prized and he was the first man elected to repre- sent South Brimfield and Holland at General Court after the latter was incorporated a district, serving in that office 1798. He was sent as a delegate to Northampton July 14, 1812, to deliberate over plans, prospects, etc. of war with Great Britain.
413
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The Polley family was long and favorably known in Holland, but none of that name is now there. The sons, Calvin and Lyman, were Baptists.
WILLIAM PUTNAM was prominent in Holland for a short time. He served on the school board and was selectman in 1811. The same year the question of dividing Hampshire County was agitating the people and he was elected delegate to a county convention to discuss the matter and he was in- structed to oppose it. The county was divided however, said division going into effect 1812, and Springfield became the county seat for Holland.
He was elected to represent So. Brimfield and Holland in the Mass. legislature in 1812. He was also chosen one of a committee to hire a minister to serve during Mr. Reeve's ill- ness in 1812, whereby we infer that he was interested in the work of the church. His name soon drops out of the list of Holland's officers from which we conclude that he soon left town. When in town he lived in the southeast district, but which was the homestead he occupied, we have not ascer- tained.
JOHN WALLIS, or as he was familiarly called Esquire John Wallis, was a son of Dea. David Wallis, born 1789. He held in his career about all the offices that the town could be- stow. So varied and persistent are they, that they prove the esteem in which he was held, and we refer our readers to the chapter on that subject. He began as school committee and his last was that of moderator of a special town meeting held 1863. He received appointment as Justice of Peace six times, whereby he won his title. He was representative for Holland and South Brimfield in 1829. His work as town officer was always well-done and he is mentioned, by those who remember him, with affection. His last appointment as Justice was in 1865. He died in 1870.
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
FREELAND WALLIS, son of Dea. David Wallis, was born Dec. 5, 1785. He married Esther Allen, daughter of Abel Allen, one of Holland's early settlers, April 22, 1812. He lived on a farm about one and half miles east of the church on the Sturbridge road leading to the lead mines. He was chosen 1812 one of a committee to aid pastor Reeve in "in- specting" (examining) school masters and mistresses. His name is repeatedly mentioned in connection with this department of public service showing that his efforts were appreciated. He was town clerk 1815, '16, '17, '18, '33, '34, '35. Moderator of special town meetings for 1822, '24, '27, '30, '32, '36, '38, '40, '41, '42, '48, '50. Moderator of annual town meetings 1824, '25, '27, '30, '31, '32, 33, '38, '42, '44, '47. Town treasurer 1815, '16. Assessor 1827, '28, '32, '33, '41, '42, '45, '49, '54. Selectman 1817, '18, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25, '26, '29, '30, '31, '34, '35, '36, '38, '39, '42, '45. Here is a statement of public service that reflects great credit upon him as a public servant. His frequent appointment to work on special committees for town service shows how much his judgment was prized. He bears a unique honor, for he is the only resident of Holland who ever sat as a delegate in a con- stitutional convention called to amend the state constitution. Capt. Freeland Wallis sat as delegate from Holland in the con- stitutional convention 1853. He surely was a worthy son of a worthy sire. He was identified with the Baptist church.
HORACE E. WALLIS, born Nov. 3, 1862, was the sixth generation from the David Wallis who was one of the first settlers of the region that became Holland, and, therefore a member of the family that has left such a splendid record in Holland's social, religious and political life. When elected to represent Holland, he was living on the farm now owned by Mr. Arthur Morse, which was the home of Dea. David Wallis. Horace E. Wallis married Ada E. Webber, daughter of Geo.
f
CAPTAIN FREELAND WALLIS
WILLIAM LAFAYETTE WEBBER
415
BIOGRAPHICAL.
L. Webber March 22, 1888. He served his native town as selectman, assessor, moderator of town meetings, school com- mittee, postmaster, etc. He served as representative for the First Hampden District at General Court for 1895. That he served his district well needs no proof. In 1896 he sold the homestead that had been owned continuously by representa- tives of the family for one hundred and forty years. He re- moved to Waltham with his family and engaged in mercantile
business. When he went, the last of this family so long identi- fied with the social, political, and religious life of the town disappeared from the records and from the native heath. He is the last man from Holland to serve First Hampden District, and the only one still living, he being the fourth of that family name to win that honor in less than ninety years.
JOHN WEAVER, came to Holland from Hampton, Conn., buying (1806) the homestead of Timothy Anderson which lay west of the Geo. L. Webber place. He evidently was a man of good judgment and soon had the confidence of the town. We find his name on the list of selectmen for 1810, also 1815, '16. He represented Holland and Wales at General Court 1814 and again in 1817, which proves the confidence which his towns- men reposed in him. Not long after his second term of office he must have sold out and returned to Hampton, Conn., for by a deed to Asaph and Eli Webber dated 1824 he is again des- cribed as of Hampton, Conn. This also shows that he bought, while in Holland, the Geo. L. Webber place. He left a good record as citizen and town officer.
WILLIAM LAFAYETTE WEBBER, son of Dea. William A. and Sarah (Damon) Webber, was born in Holland, Mass., June 16, 1845; d Sept. 1, 1905. He received his early educa- tion in the public schools and afterward attended Brimfield Academy. He added to his academical knowledge a liberal
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THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
store of general information from personal reading and ob- servation.
In his early life he assisted his father on the large farm, and at the death of his father in 1882 he purchased the home- stead of about 200 acres where he afterward lived.
Mr. Webber was held in high esteem by his townsmen and had confided to him honorable and responsible positions of trust. He frequently acted as executor of wills and adminis- trator of estates. He was deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of the community and always took an active part in the administration of town affairs, holding many offices. He was chairman of the board of assessors twenty-five years, town clerk and treasurer 15 years, selectman and overseer of the poor, school committee, cemetery committee, and moderator of the town meetings for many years. He was a bank trustee, justice of the peace and was appointed postmaster of Holland in 1890 which position he held at the time of his death.
Mr. Webber was a Republican in politics and well in- formed regarding current events. He represented his district in the Mass. legislature in 1881-'82, serving with credit to him- self and to the town.
He was simple in his tastes, scrupulously honest, unsus- picious and open hearted, sincere in action and expression.
Mr. Webber was a member of the Congregational society and was an attendant and liberal supporter of the church.
His religion was a real living fact of every day life and experience, and the golden rule was his infallible guide in alt dealings with his fellow men.
He married Ella J. Blodgett, daughter of Roswell and Mary J. (Robbins) Blodgett May 14, 1884. She was a grad- uate of Brimfield Academy and taught twelve years in the public schools.
417
BIOGRAPHICAL.
RINALDO WEBBER, is a man found among those who represented Holland at General Court. The year of such ser- vice being 1803. Mr. Webber was a scion of one of Holland's earliest settlers. He had served his country in the Revolu- tionary War and came of a family whose record for military service is splendid. The Webber family had six representa- tives in the French and Indian War, proving a loyalty to the land of their birth as well as to the English Crown. When the great struggle between England and her colonies came to an end, we find six names bearing the name of Webber whom we can easily identify as from families of that part of South Brimfield that became Holland, four of them rendering service under Capt. May. For such service it was natural that Hol- land with South Brimfield should elect to the highest municipal office which they could bestow, a representative of that family. It was not the only office that he held. He was on the school board of Holland for 1799, and was selectman for 1799, 1800, 1804. He married Elizabeth Belknap, daughter of William Belknap and lived north of the river on the homestead later owned by James A. Lynn. His house probably stood on the ledge east of the house recently burned where Mr. Arthur Childs lived, the road at that time passed his house, and the Belknap house, which stood near the well back of the E. G. Fuller house, which is of later construction. The probability is that Rinaldo Webber died or moved away soon after 1804, for he does not appear as holding town office after that date and his homestead was purchased by Jas. A. Lynn, the deed bearing date April 13, 1803. He may have moved to South Brimfield (Wales) whither his wife's father lived for a period. (Sce Gardner's "Annals of Wales.") Tradition has it that the house that stood on the ledge aforesaid was moved on to the ledge where now the Lynn house stands.
(27)
418
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND, MASS.
WILLARD WELD was son of Caleb Weld, Esq., who came to Holland from Charlton and bought a half interest in the Simeon Munger mill on what was later known as the Parsons place, shown by deed bearing date 1805. Willard, his oldest child, was born April 15, 1789 and therefore was about sixteen years old when his father came to Holland. We do not think that Esq. Weld remained long in Holland. He sold his half interest in saw mill to James Fuller. Willard Weld the sub- jeet of this sketeh was a taxpayer in Holland as per list 1812. He married his wife, Oet. 18, 1812, and both are given as of Holland. She was a daughter of Benjamin Church. We infer that, after his marriage, he made his home with his wife's people most of the time for we find a deed conveying to Wil- lard Weld a tractof land on the east side of the Quinnebaug river "on which said Weld had recently built a house." The deed bears date June 19, 1833, and is signed by Benjamin Church, Book 90 page 108. By a will probated 1834, Benjamin Church gives Willard Weld the land he owns west of the river with all its appurtenances. He was an extensive dealer in real estate as indicated by the number of his deeds on record. He bought out Sewell Glazier's grocery store 1839. He owned land in what became Fuller's village. In 1847, Willard Weld was keeping store at Fullers village, under the firm title of "Weld & Son," the son being Stephen C. Weld. His business and qualifications for it, gave him influence and office in town. He was a member of the school committee 1829. Also select- man 1829, '30, '31, '32, '33, '35, '37, '38, '39, '43. Moderator of annual town meeting 1834, '35, '41, '46. Special town meetings 1830, '34, '35, '47. Town treasurer 1842, and also representative to General Court. He was an attendant at the Baptist Church. The record of his work for the town would place him in the list of her best citizens. His work whether as town official or committee for special business was always
.
419
BIOGRAPHICAL.
good and is proof of the esteem in which he was held. (See Weld Family Genealogy.)
FRANK WIGHT is a man worthy of special mention because of the service he rendered the town in the recent years of its history. His marriage with Miss Mary Ann E. Kinney, daughter of Elisha and Mary Ann (Marcy) Kinney led him to make his home in Holland. He came from Sturbridge. He bought the home now owned by Louisa M. Howlett. His first town office in which we notice him as serving the community, was as school committee, in 1857, and holding it for six years but not consecutively. He was town clerk three years con- secutively. Moderator of town meeting four times; town treasurer fourteen years, thirteen years consecutively ; and selectman 1876, '80, '82, '90, '94, '95, 1901, '02. He is men- tioned with great respect and affection by those who remem- ber him.
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