USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Middlefield > History of the town of Middlefield, Massachusetts > Part 21
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The Middlefield Country Club was organized in 1902 and flourished with vigor for several years. It endeavored with a great degree of success to unite the local residents and summer visitors in working for the better interests of the whole com- munity. Among its effective accomplishments was the removal of the old horse sheds from their conspicuous position on the main horizon line. This was done under the protests of some now gone to their rest, but the results of this and other similar efforts has been to increase the general appreciation of the beauties of our natural situation.
Through the efforts of Rev. Henry M. Bowden and Professor L. A. Youtz a natural history collection was started and a case built for its display. A tiny Triangle Park was constructed in front of the church and other steps taken to beautify the village.
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MIDDLEFIELD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Through the enthusiastic efforts of the late Edward Wright a delightful picnic ground, Bonnie Dell, was cleared, a cool spring was opened and a watering trough set up. The first piano for the town hall was provided by the funds of this club. The installation of the telephone line was due to the efforts of the club to promote the welfare of the town. Through the activities of this organization many entertainments were held and con- siderable money was raised for the purpose of village improve- ment. An Old Home Week picnic was inaugurated, which for some years has operated only intermittently, but has now de- veloped into the annual Field Day. The record of vigorous, constructive work by the Country Club emphasizes the import- ance of a live organization to keep all the people working together for a better community life.
Perhaps the most enduring memorial of the Country Club will prove to be the present volume of the History of Middle- field. The desire to preserve the records and achievements of the town before they pass from the minds of the older citizens, led to the formation of an Historical Committee in which Metcalf J. Smith and his nephew, Edward Church Smith, were the most active members. This committee received modest appropriations from the club's funds from time to time, to pay a portion of the expense of research work, but for the most part the prepara- tion of the history has been a work of unrewarded devotion on the part of the authors.
As an active organization, the Country Club long ago ceased to function, after a period of real, constructive service to the town. But funds still remaining in the club's treasury from days of its prosperity, have been recently appropriated by the surviv- ing members to help in publishing this history. So the Country Club has had an honorable part in the inception as well as the completion of the history which has thus been prepared.
The Middlefield Grange, after several years of inactivity, was revived in 1912, through the initiative of Mr. and Mrs. John Bryan, and has ever since been a singularly vigorous social and educational factor. It has developed leadership and debating ability, and promoted social unity and the sense of form that comes from ritual usage. Its influence in the town has been im- mensely significant in many ways, especially in creating a unity
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEFIELD
of community life, and establishing intelligent touch with agri- cultural development. Among the Worthy Masters have been developed such leaders as John T. Bryan, Henry S. Pease, Peter F. Boyer and Elisha Culver.
A local enterprise which at least deserves mention here is the Middlefield Cemetery Association, which was organized in May, 1921, with the object of raising funds for the perpetual care of the cemetery premises. Several hundred dollars have been put in the bank as a principal fund, of which the interest is to be used in care of the cemetery grounds. Here is a movement in which the scattered sons and daughters of Middlefield certainly have a vital interest. The neglected and forgotten graves in many instances cry out in protest against human forgetfulness. The local citizens have started this worthy movement, but they have imperative need of the help of every loyal friend of Middle- field's past.
Another recent enterprise worthy of the support of all friends of Middlefield is "the Hillsman," a modest four page bulletin appearing four times a year. It was initiated by Sumner J. Brown, a summer resident, a graduate of Amherst College, now studying at the Episcopal Theological Seminary at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Though this publication has been managed largely by the young people, its columns have been open to all Middlefielders who have something of value gleaned from their travels, reminiscences or research to tell their hill-top friends. These contributions appear in verse as well as in prose. This publication, consequently makes a wide appeal, and its sub- scribers look forward to the appearance of its numbers with increasing interest.
When the United States entered the World War in 1917. Middlefield was not found wanting, but bore her full measure of responsibility in raising her quota of men and money as well as serving in the other ways in which citizens were called upon to help win the war.
The roll of honor bears the names of many Middlefield boys whose records are given more or less in detail in Appendix E of this volume. All were prepared for service though but few were privileged to reach the trenches and the battlefield.
Francis J. Cone saw overseas service, taking part in the St.
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MIDDLEFIELD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives in September and No- vember, 1918, as private 1st Class, Co. E, 401st Telegraph Bat- talion, Signal Corps.
Nicholas Palamalda, as private in Co. B, 104th Infantry and in other branches of the service was overseas from October, 1917 to July, 1919.
Richard A. Waite, after serving in the Coast Artillery was in Europe from September, 1918, to March, 1919.
George E. Millot, with the 49th Infantry, 4th Division, reached France in July, 1918, became corporal and sailed for America in January, 1919.
John S. Gregory in the 23rd Engineering Corps, Co. D, was in France fourteen months returning in June, 1919.
Harold A. Boyer, after serving in the Coast Artillery, started for France in September, 1918, but serious illness confined him to a hospital in England until December when he returned home.
Richard D. Sweeney, Jr., with 74th Co. 2nd Division U. S. Marines was sent to France in October, 1918, returning the following summer.
Andrew Dumbrosky enlisted in the Polish Army, was sent to Canada, and sailed for France in July, 1918. After sixteen months service there he served in Poland seven months and was the last of the Middlefield boys to be sent home.
Harold McElwain Pease, the first Middlefield boy to enlist, became corporal of Battery F, 21st Field Artillery, but was dis- charged in November, 1917, because of ill health.
Leon M. Bryan, drafted in the summer of 1917, was discharged in October because of defective vision.
Ernest L. Boyer enlisted in the Navy in February, 1918, and was in the Naval Training Station at Newport, Rhode Island, when discharged in December, 1918.
Robert S. Pease enlisted in the Coast Battery in May, 1918, was sent to Fort Banks and for a while guarded the U. S. M. Reservation at Nahant, Massachusetts.
Bernard B. Fleming, drafted September, 1918, was at Camp Upson and Fort Benjamin Harrison and assigned to the Engi- neering Corps Supply Company.
Ralph H. Pease, inducted November, 1918, was private in 1st Training Battalion, 151st Depot Brigade.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEFIELD
In addition to the above roll there were other members of Middlefield families and former residents whose enlistments do not appear on the Middlefield official records. John F. Cody served in the Army Intelligence Department. He was discharged on December 19, 1918. John Wm. Fleming enlisted April 30, 1918, in Erie, Pennsylvania, and was discharged December 6, 1918. Thomas Henry Fleming, Jr., enlisted August 17, 1917, in the Supply Company, 104th Infantry. He served in France and fought at Chemin des Dames, Toul Sector, Marne Salient, the Aisne-Marne offensive, St. Mihiel, Troyon, and Meuse-Argonne. He was discharged April 28, 1919. Harry B. Johnson enlisted in Springfield and was commissioned first lieutenant in the Ordnance Department, January 23, 1918; was transferred to Paris, France, and assigned to the Purchase and Finance Divi- sion of Ordnance; served with distinction and was promoted to the rank of captain. Captain Johnson has been commander of the General Charles Devens Post of the American Legion. Worcester, Massachusetts. Joseph Kelley enlisted in the Navy from Northampton and was still in the service in 1923. A former pastor, Rev. Henry M. Bowden, did effective service with the Y. M. C. A. in France among the Slavie Troops.
The Middlefield Red Cross Auxiliary was organized in August, 1917, with a membership of 112. The officers were .Mrs. A. D. Pease, president ; Mrs. G. E. Cook, treasurer ; Mrs. P. F. Boyer. secretary; Mrs. J. T. Bryan, chairman of knitting department. Practically every woman in town was enrolled and their activities in turning out sweaters, socks, comfort kits and the like were truly prodigious. In all requisitions called for, the Middlefield Red Cross exceeded its quota. In addition to this practical service, considerable money was raised for the Red Cross War Fund.
Heroic efforts were made in the successive campaigns for selling Liberty Loan Bonds. The various drives resulted in a total of $25,000 for Middlefield, and in each case the quota was greatly exceeded. Meanwhile patriotic meetings were held by the Grange and other organizations. On July 4, 1918, an Honor Roll Board was erected on the village green with a presentation speech by Louis C. Smith. As the boys came home they were publicly welcomed by the citizens. On November 12. 1919, there
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MIDDLEFIELD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
was a patriotic meeting in the town hall celebrating Armistice Day and Victory. It was a memorable day for Middlefield.
A beautiful Flag Furling service was held at the church on Sunday, August 22, 1920, participated in by Dr. John Brittan Clark and Dr. Lewis T. Reed, several ex-service men and a num- ber of young women. Mrs. George McElwain furled the flag and gave it into the keeping of the town amid impressive ceremonies. Thus was formally ended the honorable war record of Middle- field. The town had evaded no sacrifice, though happily all of our enlisted men came marching safely home.
In 1919 the Middlefield Improvement Association was formed with the serious purpose of developing Middlefield interests and intelligently studying the factors that are to shape the future. Among the chief promoters was A. G. Hatch, who was elected its first president. This association is affiliated with the Cham- ber of Commerce of the state, thus seeking to avoid the dangers of a narrow isolation and to become a part of the co-operative life of the greater community. First steps have been taken in providing a village lighting plant, and the permanent problem of an adequate supply of water is under discussion. Both the town hall and the church are now electrically lighted. With commendable prudence a chemical fire engine has been pur- chased, but the largest achievement of the association thus far has been the successful agitation for a State Road running through the town, connecting with the State Road at Hinsdale on the northwest and Chester on the south. Appropriations for this work have been made and some miles of the road are already an accomplished fact, with the prospect of completion within a year or two. This road promises to be of great significance to Middlefield, offering as it does a "scenic route" east and west which will shorten the distance and offer competition with the most attractive routes. It will not be surprising if the future development of the town as a summering region shall be greatly accelerated by thus supplying an attractive thoroughfare which will inevitably bring many visitors. With characteristic energy the citizens of Middlefield and their friends subscribed $4,000 for the road and appropriated an additional $5,000 by town meeting vote, as a first step in securing the state appropriation. Such energy and unity of action augurs well for the future
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEFIELD
development of the town if wise leadership is followed and the best community welfare is persistently served.
While it may seem at times that the ultimate prosperity of the Middlefield farmer will to a large extent be dependent upon the growth of the town as a summer resort, it can also be argued that the latter is dependent upon the former. Summer residence is retarded by the lack of skilled and unskilled labor,-due partly to gradually declining population and partly to the uil- fortunate fact that the summer people want help just at the time when the farmer in the midst of his own busy season is least able to give it. The summer resident sometimes aggravates this condition by purchasing a large farm which he cannot work, -thereby aiding in the diminishing of the farm population, and causing a depreciation in the value of land. With a read- justment of agricultural conditions, some of these farms will probably pass back into the hands of agriculturalists. On the other hand, where small parcels of land, particularly waste land or pasture, are purchased for summer cottages, real estate values are generally increased.
The agricultural problems of the Middlefield farmers are prob- ably not essentially different from those of farmers in other sec- tions of the country. It seems to be generally agreed among students of farm life that the present condition of the farmers is largely caused by organizations for the marketing of food products, which have gradually increased their power to control the prices paid to the unorganized farmers for their produce as well as the prices received from the organized consumers. A few years ago Secretary Wilson, of the Agricultural Department, having in mind the packers and other combinations, said : "Were there a free market for the eastern raisers of stock, milk and food products generally, with the middlemen's associations prop- erly restricted, eastern farming would probably be able to hold its own against manufacturing and compete with the manu- facturer for labor."
Another author writes as follows: "Some people say that it is the glint and glamor of the city which takes the boys and girls from the farm. Not so. Since our first parents were driven from the Garden of Eden men have been driven, not lured, from country life. Remove the artificial handicaps from
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MIDDLEFIELD IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
agriculture, so that reasonable profits, modern conveniences and comforts are possible on the farm, and they will be filled with intelligent, industrious people, and our teeming millions fed better than ever before, and that at a price not prohibitive to the common laborer."
One hopeful phase of the situation is the marvelous influence of modern inventions upon country life. At the opening of the century Middlefield had no telephone, no rural delivery, no auto- mobiles. Now nearly every farmer has all three. The pos- sibilities of the radio for entertainment and instruction in the farmer's home have hardly begun to be realized. State roads will eventually be kept open in the winter so that city and country people will be within easy access of each other at any time of year. It is no wild dream to imagine a bus line running between Chester and Hinsdale along the Middlefield Ridge as the connecting link between the bus lines which already connect those towns with Springfield and Pittsfield respectively. Im- proved trucking facilities and co-operative organizations will help to equalize prices between producer and consumer.
There is something distinctive in the spirit of sympathy and close co-operation that exists between the local residents and the summer population. This is doubtless partly due to the fact that the summer guests are in many cases a return to the old town of descendants of the older families. These relatives and friends of the Middlefield people have been lovers of the local scenes and their traditions, and have themselves contributed to the notable spirit of neighborhood hospitality and unity. For years Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Francis Root came back each summer to revisit Mr. Root's native village where he had begun his business career. Their alert intelligence and kindly interest will be long remembered. They brought a generous contribution to the social life of the village and radiated an atmosphere of friendliness. The same should be said of the late Thomas Martin and Sophia (Smith) Martin, his wife, whose pleasant summer home welcomed many a guest who has since learned to love Middlefield. Under fortunate leadership this spirit of unity has been cul- tivated in the interests of a larger community spirit and the pro- motion of a better Middlefield. Uniting in common enterprises such as the church, the Grange, Country Club, Improvement As-
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEFIELD
sociation, social, musical and dramatic programs, and co-operat- ing in many projects to raise money for village inprovement, Middlefield has acquired a distinctive spirit of friendliness and unity. The future task for all these organizations is, in large part, to perpetuate and deepen this neighborly tradition. Thus the worthy spirit of the past brings into view the Future Middle- field even greater than the Old.
Among the summer residents who have made real contribu- tions to the life of Middlefield by their enterprise and generous in- terest may be mentioned Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Abbe, David C. Coe, Charles W. Shaw. Louis C. Smith, Gerald B. Smith, R. F. Mc- Elwain, Herbert A. Youtz, Newton Smith, William Birnie, Dr. George H. Ferris, Dr. John Brittan Clark, Rev. Louis T. Reed, Mrs. W. A. Pearson, Miss Emily L. Smith, Philip M. Smith, Clif- ton D. Jackson, Francis A. Fate. Miss Alice B. Church and John Storms have given helpful leadership to the boys and young men of the community The town is indebted to these and others for friendly co-operation that has brought encouragement and strength for betterment, and appreciation by the citizens of Middlefield. Here, in this unity is our strength and glory.
Time fails us to call the roll of loyal descendants who still love the Middlefield Hill and its history, and who come back from time to time to express their love in some new form of service for the community. Such a list would include very many of the old names; Churches, Roots, Smiths, Peases, Graveses, Wrights, Aldermans, McElwains, Bryans and many others. What a royal friendship it is! "God bless us everyone !"
CHAPTER XIV
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLEFIELD CHURCHES
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
T HE first settlers of Middlefield, like other New England people in that day, wisely judged that virtue and morality are essential to the peace, welfare and prosperity of the community. Having experienced these blessings in the towns from which they had come, they early sought to obtain the benefits of the Christian church even among the wilds of the Berkshire Hills. Some, like David Mack, for several years traveled on foot six miles to Chester Center meetinghouse. But this was a hardship in the days before roads were laid out through Middlefield, and even the dwellers in the Murrayfield section were moved to petition to be set off to join a separate town because their "living so remote from the middle of the town makes it very tedious attending any town business especially the preaching of the gospel." That the Middlefield settlers were not entirely dependent upon the churches in the surrounding towns is clear from the words of the petition for incorporation, where the petitioners complained that they had "for several years been obliged either to carry these families the distance above mentioned, or to educate them without any of the advantages of public institutions, except in some few cases in which they have been able to procure preaching among them- selves."
The Middlefield pioneers at one of the earliest town meetings after the incorporation in 1783 voted to pay thirty pounds to support the gospel and appointed a committee of three to procure preaching. Though all citizens in those days were taxed to support the minister, the select souls were few who on Sunday, November 16, 1783, were organized as the Congregational Church. These persons, who represent the sixteen original mem- bers were the following :
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HISTORY OF MIDDLEFIELD
Sarah Taylor
David Bolton
Mary Mack
Asa Brown
Elizabeth Brown
Anson Cheeseman
Daniel Chapman
Oliver Bates
Lucy Chapman
David Mack
Mary Mann
Berzela Wright
Job Robbins
Joseph Blush
Elizabeth Blush
John Taylor
The document of their organization opened with these words:
"We whose names are underwritten, being desirous of uniting in the profession of the true Religion, and joining together in church Com- munion according to Gospel Rules, do at this time, solemnly by, and in presence of the heartsearching God, give our hearty consent to the following Confession of Faith and Covenant."
Their statement of faith is full of quotations from the Bible, emphasizing the atonement and the merits of Christ, and the doctrine of particular election in accordance with which "God. out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life." They make much of the duty of watching over their brethren and being watched over by them. To reform un- worthy members, and if necessary to excommunicate them, was a duty resting heavily on the consciences of our Christian fore- fathers.
On the day the church was organized, Daniel Chapman and Malachi Loveland were chosen deacons. David Mack and Job
Domet Charionan
Robbins were also chosen deacons two days later. The matter of securing a minister proved a very serious problem. It took no less than eight years to obtain a settled pastor. The story of this troubled period has been given in Chapter VI. Among the ministers who served the church were Messrs. Smith, Wood- bridge, Williams, Thompson and Strong. Religious meetings were held at various places, principally at the taverns kept by Enos Blossom and David Mack, or at Joseph Blush's house.
During 1791, after great controversy over the site and delays in construction, the meetinghouse was at last sufficiently com- pleted so that it was first used in April. Harmony was probably
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
hastened and the church had more vigor when it had its own building to use. June 7, 1792, it was voted to invite Jonathan Nash to preach on probation for settlement. August 2, 1792, he was called to settle in the town, being offered a settlement of two hundred pounds worth of neat cattle-a much more manageable
Jonathan Nash -
settlement than that which had been offered in 1787 to Mr. Robinson, in which not only cattle, but ten other commodities had been included. Mr. Nash was to receive a salary of sixty pounds the first year, sixty-five pounds the second, seventy pounds the third, and seventy-five pounds the fourth year or any year thereafter, to be paid in lawful silver money. A pound seems to have been worth about $3.33 at that time.
Mr. Nash was a descendant in the sixth generation of Thomas Nash who came to Boston, probably in 1637. He was the son of Deacon David Nash of Amherst and South Hadley, Massa- chusetts, and was born in Amherst in 1760. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1789 with the highest honors. He studied theology under Rev. Joseph Blodget of Greenwich. Massachusetts, and the church in Middlefield was his first and only charge. Those were the days when life unions were fre- quently formed between churches and pastors. Mr. Nash's ac- ceptance, given on Sunday, September 15, 1792, was as follows :
"Fathers and Brethren of the church, together with the congregation, it is no more than reasonable that you by this time expect an answer to the invitation which you have given me to settle with you in the work of the ministry. Have taken into consideration the present situation of this church and people with the proposals for settlement offered me; have studied to know what my duty was, not without asking direction of heaven, the importance of the work, the great trials which ministers are called upon to encounter, a sense of my insufficiency to discharge my obligations which are incumbant upon a minister of the gospel, appear almost sufficient to dissuade me from ever undertaking that work. Yet induced as I hope by motives of duty, have proceeded thus far with a view to reside where the righteous providence of God should direct. The present situation in which you as a people stand-the danger of your being more unhappy without a settled minister-your desire that I should undertake in that character manifested by your unanimity and the proposals made for my support point
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