USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Middlefield > History of the town of Middlefield, Massachusetts > Part 16
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mountains, some new peak or ridge rising fantastically on the horizon ; some new village crowning the distant hill with its neat white houses and church spire; or some hitherto unseen valley opens before him, through which tumbles the mountain torrent; while the vast slopes of the valley present so much diversity, softness and richness of foliage, as to form a lovely resting place for the eye."
Having secured this land the society decided to build a fence around it and charge admission. To further augment its funds the policy of selling life memberships was also initiated. A description of the exhibition this year is given thus by an eighteen-year old youth :
"'Our Cattleshow took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 28 and 29, and is acknowledged by all to have been a complete success. A fine looking fence was built around the ground. It was six feet high and therefore inaccessible to all save a few of the most determined spirits, viz., Orrin Pease who was led out by the collar, and others who were chased over the fence. Matthew stood at the entrance and took admission fees of ten cents, or rather the tickets which were sold to the people by the Secretary and Treasurer, viz. Lawrence Smith and S. F. Root. . .
"Upon the first day 407 head of cattle were exhibited to a somewhat small collection of people, though 39 dollars were taken, and but 37 on the second day. The Peases did not bring their cattle and if they had there would probably have been over 500 head on exhibition. 68 horses were entered; of these the finest were those owned by Worcester Taylor, of Becket, named "Berkshire" and by Wm. J. Mallory, named "Lone Star, Jr." Two fat pair of oxen were exhibited by George Hunt- ington, of Becket and Charles Bills, of Middlefield, both of which were sold on the ground to Hezekiah Taylor, of Westfield, husband of Harriet Pease, for the sums of $225 and 210 dollars respectively."
During the legislative session of 1859 the agricultural society sought incorporation, but opposition to the movement came from Huntington and other towns who had held a cattleshow the previous year. Delegations appeared with the purpose of securing the charter for Huntington instead of Middlefield. Matthew Smith was the sole representative for Middlefield, but he addressed the committee of the General Court in such a forceful manner that the charter was granted to Middlefield. When this news reached the town much excitement was mani- fested. Some of the jubilant spirits mounted the town ordnance on the fair grounds and fired it long into the night, taking particular care to point the piece down the valley in the direc- tion of Huntington.
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The society now voted to add a ladies' fair and to build an exhibition hall to house the display of the products of their needles, looms and cook stoves. In the midst of the work of erection the community was plunged into grief by the tragic death of the society's president, Dr. James U. Church, the much esteemed physician of Middlefield. In spite of this misfortune the other leaders were able to secure sufficient funds to pay for the hall and to complete the building for the fair that same year. It had two stories with a flat roof and a cupola in order that visitors might better enjoy the view of the surrounding country. For this privilege a charge of five cents was made. Very few people considered that they had seen the sights until they had climbed the stairs to view the Becket and Chester Hills and on a clear day to see the Pelham Range across the Connecticut Valley.
The custom of gathering in the town hall on the first evening of the fair for a social time was considered one of the most enjoyable features and was early inaugurated. An address was given on the afternoon of the second day in the Con- gregational Church which was the largest auditorium in the town and in the early days it was filled to overflowing. At the time appointed therefore a procession formed, headed by the band and all marched down to the church, those in the rear sometimes failing to get seats. The speakers were often men of note and were listened to with intense interest. At the close, reports were read and premiums distributed.
On the last evening a ball was given by the society but was seldom attended by the best class of people. Dancing was thought by many, if not sinful, at least a harmful practice. To counteract this influence one of the good women of the town established the practice of giving the young people a party on that evening. This was a great success and the practice was adhered to for many years. In 1871 the society voted to abolish the ball and to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors on the grounds during the fair.
Among those active in later days are remembered, Jonathan McElwain, who was secretary of the society for many years, and Metcalf J. Smith, who served a long term as treasurer of the society. Cattleshow time was the great event of the year.
ANNUAL CATTLE SHOW OF THE HIGHLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY VIEWING THE STOCK THE WINNER OF A FIRST PREMIUM
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Farmers were busy beyond measure looking after their stock and judging that of other exhibitors; farmers' wives and fam- ilies all had articles to show in the hall; feeding the crowd was a task for others; the Center was a place of bustle and business. Solomon F. Root used to state that he was so busy in those days that he had no time to see the fair at all, for Middlefield, not boasting an inn at that time, had to depend upon the Center store which was turned into an eating-house for the time being, and the proprietor became a vendor of pastry. Aunt Irene Root's pies became famous for miles around.
The Highland Agricultural Society, like other such societies came under the supervision of the State Board of Agriculture, with the privilege of choosing a representative who served as a member of the board for a number of years. Among the early members of the board were Matthew Smith, already mentioned, and Monroe F. Watkins, of Hinsdale. Funds were provided by legislature for paying the premiums awarded the exhibitors. In 1860 this amount was $460.00, and was increased to $600.00 by 1862. The delegates sent to the exhibitions to observe and report on the progress of the society have generally emphasized the fact that the region around Middlefield was good grass and grazing country and commended the exhibitions as giving the practical farmer an opportunity to show what he could ac- complish without the handicap of competition with wealthy owners of fancy stock. Some of these comments by disinterested experts are worth quoting :
"It is a mistake to suppose that improved and large herds of cattle cannot thrive in the mountain pastures. The Middlefield farmers raise their broad-hipped Durhams mainly by the agency of grass, with little aid from grain."
'' The show of oxen and steers was the best I have ever seen at a county show, not for the number and perfection of training, but for size and early maturity ; almost every yoke, especially of steers, was remarkable."
"Among the three hundred head on the grounds, by far the largest num- ber was composed of Shorthorns. Better specimens of the blood are seldom seen.''
"It was evident that Middlefield farmers and those of adjacent towns had gained a reputation for raising good stock, as was fully shown by the number of good judges and lovers of good stock present, and willing to pay large prices for it."'
Both these official reports and the newspaper accounts make mention of some of the early animals which excited favorable
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comment. Besides "Roan Duke" already mentioned another thoroughbred Shorthorn bull, "Americus" was purchased by Matthew Smith. From this strain came Clark Wright's "Duke of Clarence," "Glendale Duke" and other fine animals, which have been prize winners at the annual cattleshows for half a century. In 1860 Harlow Loveland's Devon bull "Winchester" was declared "hard to beat" for beauty and finish, while a Hereford bull "Prometheus" attracted equal attention. Charles Bills's Shorthorn steers, weighing forty-five hundred pounds, received commendation in 1861. Few herds could boast animals equal to the Alderney bull owned by William D. Blush.
Many fine horses have also been exhibited at the annual cattle- shows, but their names do not appear prominently in the records with the exception of "Berkshire," a famous stallion owned in Becket. At one time in the early days the horse lovers en- deavored to have the fair removed to a place where a more suitable track could be secured, and went so far as to appeal to the legislature. Their project was defeated but the society went to much expense to hire an engineer and improve the track, and many exciting races have taken place in which Parson Smith, of Otis, and his brothers, Harry Meacham and others were the contestants.
When the state was looking for a site for an agricultural college, some of the enthusiastic members of the Agricultural Society thought that Middlefield was superior to Amherst as a location for this institution. In 1864 they went so far as to raise fifty dollars to oppose Amherst if it was deemed advisable to act in the matter. The society evidently became reconciled ' to the choice of Amherst, for in 1867 they appropriated fifty dollars to be used in paying tuition to the college for a student living within the limits of the society.
Though Middlefield was remote from the populous centers and great arteries of trade and commerce, the town was deeply affected by the mighty currents of thought and the events and economic forces which molded the characters of men and in- stitutions during the middle of the nineteenth century. During the decade preceding the Civil War, the discussion of slavery brought out in Middlefield, as elsewhere, a great variety of opinion, and the long winters were enlivened by stirring debates
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at the Center School. That the independent mountain life of the North was naturally good soil for the anti-slavery crusade is shown by the fact that Dr. Jefferson Church, who was a son of Green H. Church of Middlefield, became a prominent abolition- ist at Springfield. Like all other early agitators, he was bitterly attacked for his extreme views. An intimate friend of John Brown, he assisted many of the oppressed race in their flight to Canada by the "underground railroad."
In Middlefield the anti-slavery sentiment was at first more in evidence among the Baptists than among the Congregationalists, particularly in the Root and Smith families. The sons of Samuel Smith were attending colleges in New York State and Ohio during this period, and, being strongly influenced by the anti-slavery movement, gave effective expression of their views when they returned home. On the other hand, Rev. Edward Clark and a majority of his Whig congregation, were at first opposed to the agitation to free the negroes, so that when Rev. Lewis Bridgeman, an ardent abolitionist from Oberlin, Ohio, became the Congregational minister in 1858, his outspoken man- ner aroused bitter controversy over this burning issue of the day. After the formation of the Republican party, however, the town became generally anti-slavery. The only pronounced "copper- head" in town, Bartholomew Ward, was arrested and im-" prisoned at Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor.
With the outbreak of the war all classes of young men re- sponded to the call for volunteers-farmers' sons, hired men, mill workers and railroad hands. Nearly fifty men went from Middlefield, thirteen of whom lost their lives in the service of their country. More than thirty others were hired abroad under the town board, of which John L. Bell was chairman, thus ex- ceeding all demands for recruits made upon the town.
As in other towns "war meetings" were held for the purpose of stimulating enlistment. Metcalf J. Smith gathered to- gether about thirty recruits from Middlefield and other towns, quartering them in the Agricultural Hall and drilling them on the race track. Their subsistence was furnished by the Root store and the state paid the expense.
One of the first to enlist and one of the few who served through most of the war was Uriah Frank Cheeseman, a son
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and grandson of soldiers of the War of 1812 and of the Revolu- tion respectively. Twelve Middlefield boys enlisted in Septem- ber, 1862, in the 46th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Compa- nies F and K, and were engaged mainly in North Carolina, cutting communications between Richmond and the South. Among these were Clarkson Smith, William C. Blush, George W. Cottrell, John Damon, George Ingraham, James Rowen, Henry Dickson and Levi J. Olds, the last two of whom lost their lives. Dr. Edwin C. Bidwell, who was a practicing physician in Middlefield when the war broke out, enlisted as an assistant surgeon and was promoted to surgeon. Among the better known of the other soldiers who represented the town were Edward Pease, Charles Robbins, and Jerome Smith, of the farmers' sons; John J. Vetter, Seth Wait, William Lathrop and James Kershaw of Factory Village; and Dennis Gallivan of "The Switch."
During the war the women as well as the men labored valiant- ly to aid the Union cause in every possible way. They or- ganized a branch of the Sanitary Commission for furnishing supplies for the soldiers. As elsewhere they knitted socks and mittens and made shirts and bandages, carrying their knitting to church and working through the services. Aid was furnished to the families who had sent their bread-winners to the front, for which the state afterward paid $1,975. In addition to the amount of aid paid solely by the town, which was $14,490, generous contributions were privately made and many boxes of general supplies sent to the front.
Turning now to the growth of the various church organiza- tions during this period, it can be seen that the Congregational Church, with its start of twenty-five years, had an advantage over the Baptist Church in that it had drawn to itself many of the wealthier citizens of the town. At the same time, the vital- ity of the newer form of doctrine was such that after the Bap- tist Society had built their meetinghouse they were able to com- pete successfully with the standing order in acquiring new members. Although the Congregational Society numbered prob- ably a hundred members at the time the Baptist Society was organized with its eighteen constituent members, yet by the year 1851 the Baptists had added to their roll two hundred
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fifty members while the older organization had added but two hundred thirty-six. This achievement is the more significant when it is considered that the Baptists had to compete also with the Methodists who had a flourishing membership of their own.
In both the Congregational and Baptist Churches the mem- bership was increased by groups every few years rather than by a small yearly addition, as the spiritual life of the community was stirred by revivals and the installation of new ministers. The banner year seems to have been 1831 when the Congrega- tional Church received forty-six and the Baptists twenty-eight new members, a total of seventy-four. The great revival of 1857-58 brought the Baptists their largest yearly addition', thirty-seven members. In 1858 the Congregational Church received fifty-five members, forty-nine of whom were admitted upon profession of faith.
On account of the long-standing differences in religious opin- ion between the Congregationalists and the Baptists and the ill feeling caused by the early coercion of the Baptists in the sup- port of the church of the standing order, it was inevitable that there should have been a keen rivalry between the flourishing church organizations of this later period, which entered for a . time into the activities of secular life. Baptists naturally traded at the Root store while the Macks and their successors and the Churches who maintained the other stores were Congregation- alists. The frequent intermarriage within the Baptist families of Smith, Root and Metcalf and among the Congregationalist families of Mack, Dickson, Church and Emmons shows the de- nominational influence. There were heart-burnings when Laura Mack, the youngest daughter of the Puritan deacon, "turned Baptist" and married Solomon Root, the merchant and promi- nent Baptist. In the course of human events, however, a better feeling developed and the churchmen of whatever belief began to understand
"that they as brothers warred In one grand army of the Lord."'
Whether there was political cleavage among the townspeople corresponding to the religious division between the standing order and the dissenters such as there was in Connecticut is difficult to determine. In that state the triumph of the Demo-
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cratic-Republican party in 1818 meant also the overthrow of the Congregationalist party and the complete separation of the church from the state. In Massachusetts where the issues were not so clearly drawn this condition did not come about until 1833 after a ten-year rule by the Democratic-Republican party. Whether there is any significance in the fact or not, it is yet true that before 1821 there had always been a majority of Congrega- tionalists on the board of selectmen, while from that date until 1845, during the rule of the Democratic-Republican party in the state and for ten years beyond, there was a majority of Baptists, or of Baptists and Methodists on the board.
This period saw the various churches of Middlefield reach the noontide of their strength and activity. The Baptist Church, which, as has already been mentioned, had built its meeting- house and parsonage at the Center, enjoyed prosperity during the decade between 1860 and 1870. It had one hundred mem- bers, many of them influential men of the town. Rev. J. M. Rockwood, the highly respected and beloved pastor, began his labors in 1865. There was a steady rate of addition of new members.
The Congregational Church, numbering among its members the Church brothers and some members of the Blush families, showed financial prosperity during the days when the manufactories in Factory Village flourished. The old meetinghouse was re- modeled and beautified by the addition of a graceful spire. Through the generosity of the Church brothers, the new parson- age was erected at the Center, the Methodist Church, no longer used, was purchased for a chapel for the Congregational Society, and a melodian and later an organ were obtained for the church. Oliver Blush presented the large chandelier that hung in the old meetinghouse until the structure was burned. The general prosperity was reflected in the salaries paid. Whereas Mr. Bridgeman was called in 1858 at a salary of $525, Mr. Dodge received $900 in 1865, and his successor, Mr. Pierce received the same until 1879. Large additions to the membership were obtained, particularly in 1866, when thirty-nine joined the church, twenty-five of them upon profession of faith.
The Methodist Society flourished during this period, drawing to its Bethel meetinghouse congregations which, at times, were
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as large as that of any other society in town. This church served not only its Middlefield constituents but drew also from neigh- boring sections of Chester and Worthington as well. Under the influence of a faction which as early as 1833 had thought, that the society would be benefitted by moving its house of worship to the Center, the removal was finally accomplished about 1853, against the judgment of the members who had lived in the val- ley. The "Bethel" was taken down and rebuilt on a slightly larger plan on a site just south of where the town hall now stands. For a while services were continued but the society lost by the change and the correctness of the judgment of the oppo- sition was justified. In 1861-62 the society was much weakened by a large number of deaths and removals, and finally services were discontinued, while the church building became the prop- erty of the Congregational Society.
The interest in education, so much in evidence during the early years of the town's existence, was steadily continued throughout this period. The number of school districts was increased to eleven with the erection of schoolhouses at Smith Hollow, Blush Hollow, and "The Switch." In 1838, however, the independent district system was superseded by the policy of having a general examining committee of three members, which brought about a greater uniformity and economy of supervision. The first members of this committee were the two ministers, Rev. John H. Bisbee and Rev. Orson Spencer, and Samuel Smith.
Middlefield's interest in education was not confined to the wel- fare of its own citizens. Besides the schools for Irish immigrants already mentioned, the value of higher education was also appre- ciated. About 1835, Miss Mary Lyon made her personal can- vass of western Massachusetts for funds to establish a seminary for the further mental training of women. Although at this time such a project was generally deemed of doubtful value to the fair sex, Miss Lyon received liberal support for the future Mt. Holyoke College from Deacon David Mack, Jonathan McElwain. Samuel Smith, and Deacon Alexander Ingham and others. This contribution of funds to establish the seminary was naturally followed by the attendance of the daughters of those townsmen who had the vision of what such further training would accom- plish for their children. Considering that her population was
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smaller than that of most western Massachusetts towns, Middle- field's record in this respect is notable. The list of alumnæ of the seminary shows that from its beginning in 1838 to 1880 the number of students attending from this region, excluding the Connecticut Valley towns, was seventy. Of this number, thir- teen, or nearly a fifth, came from Middlefield, this representation being exceeded by no other town, and equalled only by Bland- ford, a much older and larger community. Next to these came Cunnington with eight; Hinsdale, Peru and Becket with six each; Chester and New Marlboro with five each; Worthington with three; the rest scattered among several other towns.
Unquestionably this good showing made by the young stu- dents of Middlefield, not only at Mt. Holyoke Seminary but at other colleges in Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, was the result of the efforts to provide preparatory work within the town itself. Before the memory of any now living Deacon Alexander Ingham is said to have kept a select school for a time. Some recall "The Academy" kept by a Mr. Sears, and advanced work taught by Mr. Alonzo P. Alden. The full fruitage of this in- terest in higher education, came a few years later when Middle- field's sons and daughters, who had graduated from colleges in Massachusetts, New York and Ohio, returned to teach in the schools of their native town, with the result that the young men and women of Middlefield were offered greater educational fa- cilities than had previously been possible.
About 1860 Azariah Smith, a graduate of New York Central College, and a teacher of Greek, returned home to prepare a younger brother for college. As there were a number of other people who desired similar instruction, Mr. Smith organized a "select school" for the purpose. During subsequent terms his brothers, Judson and Edward, who had studied at Amherst Col- lege, conducted these classes successfully.
In 1864 Metcalf J. Smith an older brother of Azariah, at great sacrifice gave up his career as a college professor and returned to Middlefield to relieve his father of the burdens of the farm. Like his brother he was also a graduate of New York Central College and was a teacher of mathematics and natural sciences. ITis interest in education did not lapse, however, for he at once took charge of the "select school" and conducted it for many
OLD CENTER SCHOOLHOUSE TOWN HALL AND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-BURNED 1900 MACK STORE AT CENTER
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years to the lasting benefit and gratitude of the young people who came under his tutelage. The excellence of his instruction brought occasional students from neighboring towns and the town of Middlefield was considered fortunate in having such an educator among its citizens. At times the school numbered forty scholars and the yearly course generally lasted fifteen weeks. When on account of diminishing number of students the select school was discontinued, Mr. Smith's services were still avail- able as a private teacher.
Another member of this family, who rendered valued service to the youth of Middlefield, was Lucy Smith, sister of Azariah, afterward Mrs. Ambrose Newton. Graduating from Mt. Holy- oke Seminary in 1843, she taught for many years in Middlefield and elsewhere. At one time she taught a small private school for young women in the old button shop building which used to stand north of the Congregational Church. When her teaching days were over she served most efficiently for some years as librarian of the public library.
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