History of the town of Plainfield, Hampshire County, Mass., from its settlement to 1891, including a genealogical history of twenty-three of the original settlers and their descendants, with anecdotes and sketches, Part 3

Author: Dyer, Charles Newell, 1850-
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Northampton, Mass., Press of Gazette printing co.
Number of Pages: 216


USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Plainfield > History of the town of Plainfield, Hampshire County, Mass., from its settlement to 1891, including a genealogical history of twenty-three of the original settlers and their descendants, with anecdotes and sketches > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11


38


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


PRESENT MEETING HOUSE AND TOWN HALL.


39


DEACONS-PRESENT MEETING HOUSE.


that position until the present time, to the general satisfac- tion of church and parish. He has quite recently received and accepted a call to become our settled pastor.


DEACONS.


The first deacons chosen were John Packard and James Richards, Nov. 15, 1792. Joseph Beals, April 29, 1803. He was the " Mountain Miller," the subject of a tract writ- ten by Rev. Wm. A. Hallock, which has had a world- wide circulation. Robert Beals, Sept. 23, 1813; Erastus Bates, June 27, 1828; John Carr, Sept. 6, 1834; Wm. N. Ford, Nov. 11, 1841; Freeman Hamlen, Aug. 30, 1844; Je- rijah Barber, May 5, 1855; Wm. A. Bates, Nov. 16, 1867; Seth W. Clark and James A. Winslow, March 3, 1877. The last two named still hold the office.


PRESENT MEETING-HOUSE.


The first meeting-house was torn down and the present structure erected in 1846. The cost of the building was $2,450. It is believed that this was a great mistake, and that it would have been much less expensive to have re- modeled the old meeting-house. The old frame was much heavier and stronger, and of more permanent character than that of the present building. This plan was favored by some at the time, but the majority favored a new build- ing, and using the language of a local poetic genius:


"So down they tare The house of prayer."


Early in 1890, the large pulpit was removed from the present edifice, and a handsome modern desk, the gift of Mrs. Woodhull, wife of the pastor, was placed on the plat-


40


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


form. A low gallery for the choir was constructed at the rear of the platform where the old pulpit formerly stood. The present building originally had a very tall spire, which was blown off by a hard wind in the fall of 1859, and was replaced by one much lower.


DANIELS FUND.


In February, 1890, the parish was the recipient of over $1300 as a permanent fund, the income to be used to assist in sustaining preaching. The donor was Mr. Horace Daniels of Ashfield, a former resident.


ORGANIZATION OF FIRST PARISH.


Previous to 1838, no parish organization existed, all pru- dential matters being attended to by the town in their corporate capacity, the minister's salary and incidental expenses being voted in town meeting and assessed like other town charges. In that year the "First Parish and Religious Society " was organized and assumed these duties. It now numbers thirty members. The last origi- nal member deceased January 1, 1891, Mr. Roswell Davison. A Sunday School was first established here in 1819. The school is still in a flourishing condition, num- bering about 100 members.


BAPTIST SOCIETY.


A Baptist Society was formed in the east part of the town, Feb. 25, 1833, the first meeting being called by Asa Thayer, under a warrant from Nehemiah Richards, Esq., of Cummington. The church was organized June 18, 1833, and consisted of 22 members. Their services were


41


ADVENT CHAPEL.


held at first in the brick school-house, but later a chapel was erected at the fork of the roads east of A. B. Cole's. Among those who have preached for the society were El- ders McCullock, Eggleston, Kingsley, Newton, Pease, A. H. Sweet, and James Clark. Their first deacons were Asa Thayer and Jeremiah Stockwell. Jacob Jones, Jr. was afterwards chosen. The society finally became so weakened by deaths and removals, that services were dis- continued and the organization was given up. The chapel was torn down and removed about 1870.


ADVENT CHAPEL.


The Adventists erected a chapel in the west part of the town near the North Pond and Henry S. Barton's, about 1882, where occasional services are held. There is no or- ganized society.


CHAPTER V.


SCHOOLS .- FIRST LOCATION OF HOUSES .- NUMBER INCREASED .- REDUCED IN NUMBER AND RE-LOCATED. - " MOVING COMMITTEE."-INCIDENTS OF REMOVING .- DISTRICT SYSTEM .- LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. - STATISTICS .- NAMES OF PRESENT PUPILS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.


In April, 1788, the district " Voted to raise thirty pounds to be laid out in schooling the ensuing year;" also " Voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to divide the District into proper divisions for schooling." April 5, 1790, " Voted to build school-houses in each district for schooling. The town at first was divided into three districts, North, South, and West side of the brook. One school-house stood just south of the Shaw grove about midway between the brick store and the cemetery. The site can still be traced. One stood midway between Wm. H. Dyer's house and the brook on the north side of the road. The third stood where the present one on West Hill stands. This number was grad- ually increased until in 1837 the town had nine schools, besides one union school with Hawley. Their locations were as follows: The center house between the Town Hall and C. N. Dyer's store, neither being then in existence- one opposite J. O. Gloyd's-one at the corner east of David Packard's, on the north side-one a few rods west of Amos K. Griggs'-one at the corner near where Thaddeus Rood formerly lived-one on the West Cummington road, half a mile southwest of H. W. Beals'-one about midway be- tween the Roswell Davison place and Edwin T. Torrey's,


(42)


43


FIRST LOCATION OF HOUSES.


on the west side-one near the intersection below Daniel Harris' in the extreme southwest part of the town-one where the Advent Chapel stands, near Henry S. Barton's. The union school-house was in Hawley, at the corner east of Mark E. Howes's. This number was sustained until 1868, when the town voted to abolish the school districts, or they were abolished by statute, and a Committee was ap- pointed to reduce the number of schools and re-locate the school-houses. This reduction seemed necessary, as the number of legal scholars was only about 100. The Com- mittee recommended five schools. The town finally voted six schools. The matter. was only adjusted after much wrangling and numerous town meetings, and much ill feeling was engendered by the proposed changes. The following persons were chosen to superintend the removal and repair of the several school-houses, viz .: Joseph Sears, Francis W. Joy, Merritt Torrey, Russell Tirrell, Austin Cowing, and Homer Cook. This undertaking was an arduous one, but was successfully accomplished. The houses were placed on "runners" made of the trunks of large trees, and were drawn by oxen. These teams, to- gether with such help as was needed, were furnished by the citizens gratuitously. A few teams in one or two in- stances were procured from out of town, which were paid for. The house near J. O. Gloyd's was removed to a loca- tion a few rods north of where it now stands, on the oppo- site side of the road. This site proving too wet, after a few years the frame was removed to the present location and newly covered, making practically a new house. This stands on the site of the Major David Whiton house, and is known as No. 2. The house west of A. K. Griggs' was removed to its present site, about 25 rods north of John F.


44


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


Cook's. During the night previous to the day set for its removal, the chains by which the oxen were to be attached to the building, were stolen, and no trace of them was ever discovered. This was quite a serious loss as the chains were extra heavy ones made especially for the purpose. Others were procured from out of town within two or three hours, and the building was removed to its new location before sundown of that day. This house is known as No. 3. It being impracticable to remove the house near H. S. Barton's, it was used for school purposes until 1880, when a new one to take its place, was built near Eugene Thatch- er's. This is known as No. 4. The house which stood southeast of Daniel Harris' was removed to its present location north of H. Clark Packard's. This is known as No. 5. No school has been kept here for two or three years, the two or three scholars in this locality being pro- vided by the town with school privileges at West Cum- mington and Windsor. The house which stood on the West Cummington road, southwest of the Wm. Robinson place, was removed to the ancient site east of C. W. Pack- ard's, and is known as No. 6. Previous to the last named removal an attempt was made to remove the school-house which stood north of E. T. Torrey's to this location, it being much the better building. It was actually removed some 40 rods, but the number of teams being insufficient, it was decided to leave it until the next day. That night the building was fired and burned to the ground. All the houses, except No. 5, are provided with modern furniture, and are in good repair. Under the old system, each dis- trict was a corporation. School meetings were called in the same manner as town meetings. One person was chosen annually as Prudential Committee, with authority


45


LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


to contract with teachers, etc. Previous to 1840 from three to six persons were chosen annually by the town to serve with the minister as Examining School Committee. In that year it was voted that the Examining Committee con- sist of three persons, and that they be paid for their ser- vices. The following is a list of persons who have since held that office, the year first chosen and number of years service.


LIST OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


Jason Richards,


First Chosen. 1840


Years of Service.


Albert Dyer,


13


Wm. N. Ford,


4


Levi N. Campbell,


1841


19


Rev. Wm. A. Hawley,


1842


10


Jason Tyrrell,


1843


2


S. S. Kingsley,


1845


1


Wm. Bassett,


60


2


Samuel Dyer,


1848


1


Samuel W. Lincoln,


1853


10


Jacob W. Pratt,


1854


3


Dr. Chas. Bowker,


1856


1


Edwin A. Atkins,


1857


4


Dr. John M. Eaton,


1859


2


Francis K. Cottrell,


1861


5


Seth W. Clark,


1863


13


Stephen Hayward, Jr.,


1865


3


Thaddeus Rood,


1866


4


James A. Winslow,


1867


21


J. Sebert Whitmarsh,


1871


3


Charles N. Dyer,


1872


10


E. Baxter Pratt,


1874


1


1


46


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


First Chosen.


Years of Service.


Lewis Shaw,


1875


3


Dr. Daniel E. Thayer,


1876


2


Frank A. Gurney,


1879


3


Sarah E. Howlett,


1880


1


James W. Loud,


66


9


Wm. C. Smith,


1889


1


The present board consists of Miss Azubah Howes, James A. Winslow and Charles N. Dyer.


One of the first, if not the first teacher employed, was Dea. James Richards, who taught a winter school in one part or another of the town for more than 30 years. As a rule, male teachers have been employed for winter and female for the summer and fall terms. Select schools have been occasionally taught during the fall months, the expense of which was met by tuition fees paid by the scholars. For some years the custom has been to have two terms, in the spring and fall, of three months each, in every school-house, No. 5 excepted, and a winter term in No. 1, which is attended by the larger pupils from all parts of the town. Since this arrangement, no select schools have been taught here. $784 were expended by the town the past year for schools, exclusive of school books and repairs. This was derived from the following sources: Raised by taxation, $450. Income of State School fund, $303.45. Dog fund refunded to the town, $40.53. The balance was used for repairs. The following is a list of pupils who have attended school in town from April, 1890, to April, 1891. Whole number, 89. Between 5 and 15, 75. Between 8 and 14, 45. Ages given were taken at beginning of school year.


47


LIST OF PUPILS.


LIST OF PUPILS. School No. 1.


AGE.


AGE.


Arthur H. Atkins,


17 Mary E. Winslow, 16


Belle S. Barton,


17


Hermie S. Butler, 13


Alice L. Billings,


16 Clara D. C. Butler,


9


Estella M. Cleveland, 14 Richard D. Butler,


6


Bessie B. Denio, 11


Helen R. Dunham,


5


Grace E. Dyer,


14


C. Frederick Dyer.


5


Clara A. Dunham,


11


Charles R. King,


5


F. Hallie Holden,


12


Bell Morse,


5


P. W. Hitchcock, Hawley18


Ensign Morse, Jr.,


4


Robert M. Sears,


13


Minnie B. Packard, 6


Anna G. Sears,


11


Hattie G. Parker,


10


Alvah E. Stetson,


20


Julia Smith,


8


Albert E. Stetson,


17


Florence Stetson, 13


Mary E. Shaw,


15


Harry J. Stetson, 9


Robert L. Streeter,


16 Hilda Swanson, 8


Rosa M. Streeter,


14 Nina L. Veber, 10


School No. 2.


AGE.


AGE.


Agnes M. Fenton,


11 Herbert T. Kinney, 13


Helen B. Fenton,


9


Albert N. Lincoln, 10


Lucy A. Gloyd,


14 Fred Lincoln,


8


Joseph A. Gloyd,


12


Jane A. Loud,


15


Mary A. Gloyd, 10


Mary E. Loud,


12


Enos R. Hawks,


15


Angus C. Loud, 10


Arthur J. Hawks,


12


Bertie S. Longley, 11


Alden C. Holden,


11


Edith G. Shaw, 10


Herbert H. Willcutt, 11.


-


L. Genevieve Dyer,


10


Anna M. King,


48


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


School No 3.


AGE.


AGE.


Bertie L. Billings, 13


Frank E. Green, 9


Lucy E. Billings, 11 Clara C. Scott, (Hawley,) 8


Ezra P. Billings,


Ralph L. Scott, (do.) 6


Frank W. Dyer,


13 Fordyce A. Thayer, 16


Willie H. Dyer, 11


Willis D. Thayer, 14


Sadie A. Dyer,


8 Clara L. Thayer, 8


Carrie E. Gardner,


Chas. A. Tirrell, 6


Florence M. Gardner, 5 Clarence W. Tirrell, 5


School No. 4.


AGE.


AGE.


Ellen A. Blanchard, 14 Lottie A. Ingrahm, 11


Edna R. Blanchard, 8 Lillian C. Mason, 11


George A. Blanchard, 14 Harold E. Mason, 8


Charles E. Thatcher, 6.


School No. 5.


AGE. AGE.


Robert Mason, 14


Theodore Meekins,


11


Daughter of Thos. Mason - Schooled at Windsor.


Schooled at W. Cummington.


School No. 6.


AGE. AGE.


Blanche L. Cudworth, 7 Susan G. Streeter,


Adelbert N. Dyer, 13 Allie M. Streeter, 6


Mary E. Hammond, 12 Walter E. Streeter, 4


John H. Packard,


Willie Taylor, 11


Maggie A. Packard, 6 Mabel A. Torrey, 6


Joseph W. Packard, 5 G. Herbert Vincent, 5


. We note with pleasure, that in the last ten years, the number of pupils has increased from 60 to 89.


CHAPTER VÍ.


TOWN HALL .- ROADS .- EARLY MODES OF TRAVEL .- LOST IN THE WOODS. - EARLY BRIDGE BUILDING .- PRESENT SYSTEM OF REPAIRING ROADS .- ROAD COMMISSION- ERS .- NAMES OF STREETS .- POST OFFICES. - POSTMASTERS .- FIRST MAIL SUPPLY. -- PRESENT MAIL FACILITIES .- EARLY RATES OF POSTAGE.


The Town Hall was erected in 1847. . It was built by the late Capt. James Cook, by contract, for $900, five-ninths of it being paid by the town, and four-ninths by the center school district. The first floor, with the exception of a small room used for keeping the town weights and meas- ures and for the storage of books, was occupied for school purposes. The school at that time was graded, and two teachers were employed at least a portion of the year. The larger school room occupied the entire north end, the smaller one being in the southeast corner, with a room between for storing wood. In 1872, two rooms being no longer necessary, the small room was doubled in size by removing partitions, and has since been used as the only school room. The old room at the north end was divided by a partition, the east part being used for a wood room, and the west part was given to the church and parish to be used for prayer meetings and other gatherings, it being fitted up by the ladies for that purpose. The hall was painted last year (1890) both inside and out, and the in- terior papered in an artistic manner. A portion of the floor was carpeted with oil cloth.


4


(49)


50


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


ROADS.


It is very probable that quite a number of roads had been laid out in the district while it was a part of Cum- mington. These were most of them mere bridle paths, as wheel vehicles with the exception of ox carts were rare. The ordinary mode of travel was on foot or horseback. If a grist was to be taken to the mill, it was slung across the horse's back and given in charge of a boy who was placed on top. On Sundays, a " pillion " was placed behind the saddle which the " goodman " bestrode, while his wife standing on the "horse block" nimbly mounted the pillion, perchance with a baby in her arms, and clinging to her husband they wended their way to the meeting-house, the larger children following on foot. If they were fortu- nate enough to possess a half-broken colt, this would probably be proudly ridden by one of the older boys. It must be remembered that the first roads laid out were not where the principal roads are now. Some of them are now unimportant, and many were long since discontinued. It is related that about the year 1800, Mrs. Polly White, mother of the late O. S. White, then a young married wo- man of about 18, and who was settled with her husband on the homestead so long occupied by them in the south part of the town, started to visit a neighbor, Mrs. Samuel Streeter, who lived where S. H. Sears now lives, something over a mile distant. At that time the town was mostly cov- ered with woods, and for a portion of the way the path was indicated by marked trees. She missed the way and wan- dered in the woods for an hour or less, when she heard at some distance the cheerful notes of a dinner horn blown by Mrs. Streeter to call the men to dinner, and directing her steps toward the welcome sound, she soon reached the


51


BRIDGES.


house, we may presume in time for dinner. The roads were rapidly improved, and new ones were every year con- structed. Soon after this the "thorough brace " wagon was introduced, which was thought to be the height of perfection. If a journey of any length was to be taken with it, a small kettle of tar was hung from the hind axle to be used for lubricating purposes, it being thought nec- essary to apply it as often as once in ten miles.


BRIDGES.


March 22, 1790, " Voted that Simon Burroughs, Caleb White and Jeremiah Robinson be a committee to view the ground near Streeter's Saw-mill and Determine whether it be necessary to build a bridge over the Brook just above said mill or not." Later at the same meeting it was voted to build the bridge, which was probably one of the first in town. After the meeting-house was built, several new roads were very soon laid to accommodate the inhabitants in attending church. The town is fortunate in having no long bridges to support. Mill Brook is spanned by four. The most expensive bridge is the one known as "High Bridge," near Wm. H. Packard's. The stream at this place is narrow but 25 or 30 feet below the road bed. This bridge is of stone with culvert for the passage of the water, with a superstructure of wood. It has been neces- sary to rebuild this several times within the memory of the writer.


METHODS OF REPAIR OF ROADS.


There are 425 miles of road in town, now used. In 1885 the town purchased a "Victor" Road machine, which is successfully used in repairing most of the roads. If prop-


52


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


erly used an excellent road is the result. The mounds or water bars, formerly so numerous and annoying to the traveler, have mostly disappeared since the machine has been used. The roads are kept in repair by an annual appropriation averaging about $800, while $300 is appro- priated for breaking roads in winter. The roads were formerly divided into 19 or 20 highway districts, each under the supervision of a highway surveyor. The Leg- islature of 1889 abolished this office, and all towns were required to have a Superintendent of Streets, appointed by the Selectmen, or a board of three Road Commissioners. The town accepted the latter alternative and chose Warren I. Dunham, A. N. Gurney and J. O. Gloyd. It is the general opinion that for farming communities the old system was preferable. At the annual meeting in March, 1891, this board was abolished, and W. I. Dunham was appointed Superintendent of Streets by the Selectmen.


NAMES OF STREETS.


By an act of the Legislature of 1877, the Selectmen were required to name all roads on which any person lived, and specify the name of the street on which each voter lives, both on the Register of Voters, and on posted lists of the same. They are as follows :-


Bow, from Main to Grant, by S. Burt's.


Broome, from Central to Pleasant, by O. C. Burt's.


Bluff, from Prospect to Summit, by H. W. Beals'.


Central, from Hawley line past M. C. Butler's, J. W. Sears' and W. E. Shaw's, to Cummington line.


East, from Main to Grant, by J. A. Winslow's.


Governor, from Prospect to Summit, by C. W. Packard's. Grant, from Hawley line to Ashfield line, by Z. F. Cook's.


53


NAMES OF STREETS.


Hawley, from Main to Hawley line, by N. Barton's. High, from River to Cummington, by A. N. Gurney's. Hill, from Main to River, by C. F. Dunham's. Liberty, from Prospect to terminus, by M. Stetson's. Lincoln, from River to High, by N. W. Cook's. Main, from Savoy line by Onslow Taylor's and the Center


of the town, past L. E. Parker's, to Ashfield line. Maple, from Summit by O. Tirrell's, to terminus. Mountain, from Prospect by M. Torrey's, to terminus. North, from Central by A. L. Richmond's, to Ashfield line. Parsons Avenue, from Central east to its terminus. Pleasant, from Central by L. K. Thayer's, to Ashfield line. Prospect, from Main by S. Stetson's, and W. M. Cleve- land's, to Cummington line.


River, from Main by G. W. King's and Lester E. Street- er's, to Cummington line.


South, from Pleasant by L. W. Gloyd's, to Cummington line.


Stetson Avenue, from Main north by H. S. Barton's, to Hawley line.


Summit, from Prospect to High, by Alden E. Streeter's. Union, from Central, near the cemetery, by S. H. Sears' and J. F. Gurney's, to River.


West, from Main by H. Clark Packard's, to Cummington line. 1


Windsor Av., from West by D. Harris', to Windsor line.


POST OFFICES AND POST MASTERS.


A Post Office was established here in 1816, with John Mack as Post Master. He held the office during his lifetime and was succeeded by John Mack, Jr., and Whitney Hitchcock. After him the office was held by


54


HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.


Abner Gurney, who kept it in his store in the L part of the Moses Hallock house. He was succeeded by Leavitt Hallock. He kept it for a time in his house, the same now occupied by Mrs. Hamlen. Jacb Clark, Leonard Campbell and Levi Clark each afterward held the office. In 1856 Leonard Campbell was again appointed, and held the office over 30 years until 1886, when he resigned and Foster W. Gilbert was appointed and assumed the office, Oct. 1, 1886. He tendered his resignation March 5, 1889, and Charles N. Dyer, the present incumbent, was com- missioned June 18, 1889. The first mail supply was from Cummington, and was carried on foot by Kingman Thayer, who made the trip once a week, bringing the mail bag on his back. This route was afterward extended to Shelburne Falls through Hawley and Buckland, and two trips per week were made. Later a route was established from South Deerfield to South Adams, through this town, on which four-horse coaches were run, going out one day and returning the next. When first established, the pres- ent county road had not been laid. The stage when coming from Ashfield ascended the hill just east of Samuel and Lot Bassett's in Ashfield, passing the house, then on by William Ford's and where Dea. Winslow lives, thence to the village, and down the hill by S. C. Streeter's,-up the stream over a section of road now discontinued, then by Marshall Stetson's over the now discontinued road by the Allis place, which intersected the present county road near Henry S. Barton's. In 1885 a route was established between Plainfield and Charlemont on the Fitchburg R. R., through East Hawley, to run daily and return, by which route the larger part of the mail is sent and received. We are also supplied by a route running every other day


-


55


EARLY RATES OF POSTAGE.


from Ashfield to Adams, returning the next day. The early postal rates were as follows: For distances not over 80 miles, 6c-80 to 150, 123c-150 to 400, 18¿c-over 400, 25c. Prepayment optional. The method of conducting the business of the post office 50 years ago, made it much more complicated and vexatious than under the present system.


CHAPTER VII.


CEMETERIES .- BILL OF MORTALITY .- LIST OF AGED DECEASED .- SUICIDES .-- SUDDEN DEATHS.


The place earliest used in town for a cemetery, so far as known, was the lot on the west side of the road, just north of Mrs. Rachel Shaw's, now occupied by C. W. Streeter as a pasture. Scarcely any trace of these early burials, of which there were only a few, now remains. No headstones were erected. Another ancient cemetery lies on the east side of the road just south of the meeting-house. This was in general use for perhaps twenty years, but was long since abandoned. The last interment here was that of Daniel Streeter, who suicided in 1855. Here were interred Jeremiah Robinson, who owned and operated the first corn mill in town, and his successor, Joseph Beals, the " Moun- tain Miller," and their families. These last named have been re-interred in the principal cemetery north of the meeting-house. In 1889, the writer witnessed the disinter- ment of the remains of Jeremiah Robinson, who died in 1824. Portions of the coffin still remained. One fragment bore his initials, J. R., formed by brass-headed nails driven into the wood, as was the custom in those days. Some 20 headstones bearing inscriptions still remain .- About twenty persons were buried in the pasture about half a mile north of Amos K. Griggs'. No headstones were erected, but the graves can still be distinctly traced .-


(56)


57


CEMETERIES.


There is another old burial ground about a mile northwest of Marshall Stetson's, on the old stage road now discon- tinued. Here quite a number of headstones are still standing. Among those interred here, is the wife of Lemuel Allis, a Revolutionary pensioner .- On the farm of the late Dexter Dyer, in the extreme southwest part of the town, is a small yard where one or two families are buried. -Near Dea. Winslow's, in the east part of the town, is another, formerly used by the Stockwell family. Here are a few graves, most of them marked by headstones .- A few persons were buried in what is now a pasture, south of P. H. Cudworth's, their graves being marked by headstones with inscriptions .- A cemetery was early opened in the southeast part of the town, near Wm. H. Dyer's. This yard is nearly filled, most of the graves being marked with headstones or monuments. Here are buried Capt. James Hayward, Abram and Jacob Clark, Elijah Warner, Sr., and Maj. David Whiton, who were among the first settlers. It is enclosed by a stone wall, and is neatly kept and cared for by Mr. Dyer .- In the southwest part of the town is another yard which has been cared for by Orrin Tirrell. This is well enclosed, and contains the handsome monument erected to the memory of the late Orrin Tirrell, Sr., as well as many other respectable headstones. The principal cemetery of the town, which lies about } of a mile north of the meeting-house, was opened in 1808. The first person buried there was Lieut. Solomon Shaw. This yard was enlarged in 1856, and enclosed by a handsome stone wall. This is now used almost exclusively by persons from all parts of the town as a burial-place. Here are interred the Rev. Moses Hallock, Dr. Jacob Porter, Dea. James Rich- ards, John Mack, Dr. Samuel Shaw, Samuel Streeter,




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.