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 9
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3. Bela mar. Deborah White, daughter of Samuel, - in 1824. They settled on the farm where John F. Cook lives. Children: Mary Ann, born Feb. 28, 1825; Marantha, May 28, 1827. His wife died Nov. 16, 1828. For a second wife he married Ruth Ranney of Ashfield, Dec. 22, 1830. Children: Charles B., born 1832, died March 8, 1834, being choked by a piece of apple lodged in his windpipe; Newell 2d, born Feb. 27, 1835; Newcomb, Jan. 15, 1837. Both served in the Union army in the late war, Newell in the 31st Mass., Newcomb in the 46th .- Mary Ann mar. Jonathan Brackett, Feb. 29, 1850. They lived in Searsburg, Vt. for some years, where Mr. Brackett con- ducted a tannery. They removed to Schroon Lake, N. Y., where he died Feb. 2, 1884. She married Wm. Henry Packard of this town Oct. 26, 1887, and now resides here.
Marantha mar. Sylvester S. Hall, Nov. 18, 1847. They lived in Hawley and Conway and finally in Williamsburg, where he died, July 5, 1868. She married Rev. Wakefield Gale of Easthampton, Aug. 31, 1879. He deceased Oct. 2, 1881. She now resides with her son in Iowa.
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Newell 2d, mar. Marion Granger Jan. 1, 1863. She died Oct. 8, the same year. Had one daughter, Nettie A., born Sept. 30, 1863; deceased. For a second wife he married Ellen Joy of Peru, Oct., 1866. She died Nov. 14, 1881. Children: Frank B., born Feb. 17, 1868; Adelbert N., April 13, 1877. For a third wife he married Rose Thayer of Hawley, in which town they now reside. Frank B., son of Newell 2d, while laboring under a fit of temporary insanity, shot himself through the head with a revolver, near Amity, Mo., in 1889, at which place he had just ar- rived on a visit to relatives. He died instantly.
Newcomb mar. Julia A. Thayer, Feb. 4, 1864. She died Aug. 1, 1867. Children: Fordyce N., born April 28, 1865; Alden M., July 30, 1867. He married for a second wife, Harriet E. Thayer, Aug. 30, 1868. They removed to DeKalb Co. (near Amity) Missouri, where they have rear- ed a large family and still reside.
Ruth, second wife of Bela, died Sept. 6, 1863, aged 57. He for a third wife married Mary Nash of Madison, Ohio, widow of Vinson Nash, and sister of his first wife, June 2, 1865. In the spring of 1869 he removed to North Madison, O., where he died, Aug. 19, 1878. While most of the Dyer brothers were what might be called " original characters," Bela was perhaps the most widely known, and will be more generally remembered than any other. He was a very fluent talker, and a great story teller. Although a man of truth in all ordinary matters, he had a well known habit of exaggerating a story, which was highly amusing to his listeners. Rev. Moses Hallock once mildly remonstrated with him. "I know it," said Uncle Bela, with tears in his eyes, touched by the kind reproof, "I know it, and I've shed hogsheads of tears over it." His stories must have
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been heard from his lips in order to be fully appreciated. The roll of his eye, the clip of one hand over the other, his solemn manner at the close, as though he was testifying in court under oath, and his gestures, can not be re-pro- duced. A few of his stories I will endeavor to write out.
A GREAT SLAUGHTER.
The house where he lived soon after his first marri- age was infested with rats. A room in the second story was used for storing corn. The rats had effected an en- trance at one corner, and were making sad havoc with it, their excursions being of course mainly at night. Uncle Bela determined to have their blood; so he arranged a swinging cover to the rat hole with strings connected which he carried through small holes in the ceiling over the head of his bed in the room underneath, so that he could grasp them and open or close the hole as he wished. At night when he retired he pulled a string and left the hole open. About midnight he was awakened by the noise of a small army of rats in the room overhead. He closed the hole by the string, rose, partially dressed, and taking a convenient club and a candle ascended to the chamber, where the rats were holding carnival, and closing the door he valiantly attacked his foes, nor stayed his hand till every rat had bit the dust. He then opened the hole and returned to bed, where, wearied with his efforts, he soon fell asleep. About 2 A. M. he was again awakened by the noise of another detachment of rats rolling the ears of corn overhead. He quickly closed the aperture, rose, again ascended the stairs, and the first scene was repeated. As he closed the door and again descended to bed, he was re-
JESSE DYER. 145
minded of Samson's slaughter of the Philistines. "In the morning," said he, "I thought I'd go and pick up the dead rats, so I took a bushel basket and went up and as I was a pickin' on 'em up I thought I'd count 'em. So I done so, an' ther was four hundred and fifty." I have learned from Mr. Levi Clark who lived neighbor to him at the time, that the main points in the story are true, but he had increased the original number at least ten-fold.
A SLIPPERY TIME.
He was often called to serve on a jury and at one time in the winter when he was attending court there came a rain storm which froze as it fell, covering everything with glare ice. Said he, "I came out o' the court house and down the steps a leetle ahead o' the other jurymen. I had taken a few steps on the sidewalk when my heels went Zip ! and I went down. I rolled my eye 'round behind me to see if anybody had seen me fall, and behold ! every one of the other eleven jurymen sat flat on the sidewalk in a row, one behind 'tother."
HE HAD STRONG LUNGS.
"Talkin' about light snows," said Uncle Bela, taking a huge chew of fine cut, "one night in the winter about twenty years ago I went to bed as usual. The stars shone bright and a clearer night I never saw. When I got up in the morning it was still clear as a bell, but on going to the door I found there had four feet of snow fallen in the night. I see 'twas pretty light, so I put my head down and blew one puff. It blew a hole clean to the ground. The whole on't, if 'twas well squeezed down, wouldn't made a half an inch."
10
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HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
DURABLE TIMBER.
A neighbor was about new-silling his barn. Said Uncle Bela, " Why don't you get a red beech? It will last fire hundred years. I've tried it twice."
A CORRECT TIMEPIECE.
He had an old-fashioned tall clock which he set great store by. Said he, "That clock will run nine hundred years and not vary the thickness of a case knife."
TRULY DEPLORABLE.
In speaking of the deplorable condition of the heathen in a certain country, he said, " They eat old shoes; don't know whether they've got a maker above or below."
4. Albert mar. Mary Beals, daughter of Dea. Robert and grand-daughter of the "Mountain Miller," Dec. 3, 1835. They settled where Sumner Burt now lives in the east part of the town. About the time of Dea. Robert Beals' death they removed to his house and cared for his widow until her death and made their permanent residence there. He was chosen one of the School Committee in 1840 and served thirteen years. Also chosen Selectman the same year, and served four years. Was appointed Justice of the Peace as early as 1860, and held the office until his death, which occurred July 16, 1883. His widow still re- tains the old homestead which was occupied by her father, spending the summer there and the remainder of the year with her daughter in Conway. Their children were Flora A., born Feb. 26, 1838, died Sept. 7, 1855; Mary F. and Fordyce A., twins, born Nov. 8, 1840. Mary was a suc- cessful teacher in this and other towns. Married W. D.
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Sanderson of Conway, Dec. 9, 1875. He died a few years since. She and her children still reside in Conway. Fordyce entered Williams college in 1861, but left before graduating to enter the army, where (as related elsewhere) he died Oct. 26, 1864.
5. Sarah mar. Ebenezer Crosby of Hawley, June 13, 1833. They removed to Wisconsin where she died in 1848, leaving several children.
6. Samuel mar. Mrs. Martha Hamlen Cole of Worth- ington, June, 1837. Lived where C. N. Holden now lives. Served as Selectman in 1855, and School Committee in 1848; died April 9, 1883. Children: Alden H., born June 19, 1839; Augusta M., May 19, 1841; Effie G., July 15, 1850 .- Alden mar. Nancy L. Barber, Dec. 29, 1861. He entered the army in 1862 and died in the service at New- bern, N. C., Jan. 19, 1863 .- Effie mar. Chas. N. Holden of Hawley, May 4, 1872. They reside on the old homestead of Samuel Dyer, her sister Augusta living with them.
7. Newell, youngest son of Jesse, mar. Mary Ann Whitmarsh, May 24, 1842. Remained with his parents caring for them until their death; his mother dying March 24, 1852, aged 73, and his father July 13, 1854, aged 85. Lived on the old place until 1847, when he purchased the Dea. James Richards farm, and removed thither, where he remained eight years. In 1856 he removed to the vil- lage. His wife died May 2, 1866. For a second wife he married Mrs. Lydia L. Sears, widow of Wm. H. Sears of Ashfield, Oct. 17, 1866. He deceased Feb. 23, 1872. Had one son, Charles N., born Jan. 7, 1850. Was chosen Town Clerk and Treasurer in 1876, which offices he has held until the present time. Was chosen a member of the School Committee in 1872, served ten years and is at pres-
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ent a member of the board. Appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1884, and Postmaster in 1889. Married M. An- toinette Ford of Peru, Oct. 6, 1872. Children: Albert F., born Aug. 2, 1873; L. Genevieve, June 7, 1880; Charles Frederick, Aug. 16, 1882.
JOSEPH GLOYD.
Joseph Gloyd was born in Abington, Mass., in 1763. Served a short time in the Revolutionary army, and set- tled here about 1790. Married Abigail Garnett of this town, Dec. 6, 1792, and settled on the place where his son Bethuel now lives. Died July 15, 1842. His brothers, Benjamin and Ephraim, settled here about the same time. All were physically, large heavy men. Benjamin, Sr. at his death weighed about 300 lbs. It is related that it was found necessary to widen the doorway by removing the casing from one side, in order to take the coffin from the house decently at the time of his funeral. Children of Jo- seph were Levi, born Aug. 24, 1793; Betsey, Nov. 27, 1797; Lovisa, April 29, 1800; Albina, May 3, 1803; Joseph, Jr., May 29, 1806; Bethuel, Sept. 13, 1809.
1. Levi mar. Wealthy Bates of Hawley, June, 1816, died Aug. 29, 1819. Had one son, Charles Lewis, born Dec. 26, 1819.
2. Betsey mar. Ahaz Robbins of Cummington, June 26, 1817.
· 3. Lovisa mar. James Snow of Cummington, May, 1821.
4. Albina mar. Norman White, June 20, 1821.
5. Joseph Jr., mar. Annis Thayer, Sept. 17, 1829, died Dec. 19, 1880. Children: Albina, born April 7, 1831; Hul- dah, June 24, 1834, died Oct. 1, 1841; Joseph O., Oct. 14,
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1840. Albina mar. Samuel F. Bartlett of Cummington, (second wife) Dec. 7, 1865 .- Joseph O. mar. Lucy L. Allen of Windsor, Dec. 24, 1867. Children: Edwin S., born Nov. 11, 1869; Alida L., Aug. 14, 1871, died in infancy; Lucy A., Dec. 8, 1875; Joseph A., Oct. 28, 1877; Mary A., July 7, 1879; Albert O., July 16, 1887 .- Edwin S. mar. Emma A. Gardner, Nov. 16, 1890.
6. Bethuel mar. Sarah Stockwell, Dec. 8, 1831. Had one son, Levi W., born Feb. 28, 1833. Married Mary J. Stowell of Hinsdale, Mass., Sept. 15, 1869. No children. Was chosen one of the Selectmen in 1883, and served five years. Sarah, wife of Bethuel, died Nov. 12, 1851. For a second wife he married Mrs. Julia A. M. Joy, widow of Charles Joy, May 6, 1852. They reside on the homestead where his father Joseph lived.
MOSES HALLOCK.
Rev. Moses Hallock was a grandson of Noah Hallock, born 1696, and died 1773. His son William was born 1730, and died Oct. 21, 1815. He had two sons, Jeremiah and Moses, and at least six daughters, one of whom, Esther, married Rev. Josiah Hayden, and was the mother of Jo- siah Jr. and Hon. Joel Hayden of Williamsburg, Mass. Moses was born in Brookhaven, L. I., Feb. 16, 1760. In- stalled over the Plainfield church in 1792. Married Mar- garet Allen, who was born at Chilmark, Martha's Vine- yard, March 22, 1760, and died Dec. 29, 1835. The follow- ing is an extract from a letter from Mr. Hallock to his ab- sent sons, informing them of the death of their mother: " Plainfield, Dec. 30, 1835. My dear sons and daughters: Yesterday, about half-past eleven, your mother died. But it seemed more like quiet sleep than death. A fortnight
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ago to-day she suddenly became speechless and helpless. Martha and I laid her on the bed. Dr. Shaw came very soon, and said it was a shock of paralysis. He visited her daily, and Mrs. Arnold Streeter and Mrs. Salem Streeter kindly assisted day and night in the care of her till she died. She had her reason almost or quite till the last." A short time before his death he committed to the flames all his manuscripts except a few which he might still wish to use; and when his only daughter, who was the solace of his declining years, seconding the desire of her brothers, requested that he would prepare at least an outline of the facts of his history, he replied, "No, Martha; the absent sons might wish to see it, but there is nothing remarkable about me." He died most peacefully, as befitted his peace- ful life, on the evening of July 17, 1837. On the second day after his death, his funeral took place, the sermon be- ing preached by Rev. Dr. Theophilus Packard of Shel- burne. Of the bereaved church, only one who was a mem- ber at the time of his installation, survived him, the ven- erable Deacon James Richards. As the face of the aged pastor was uncovered that the people might approach and take their final leave until the resurrection, the aged dea- con, now entirely blind, was led to the coffin, placed his hand gently on the forehead of him with whom he had for forty-five years shared the burden and heat of the gospel day, and stood, pouring out a flood of tears, till constrained to retire, he turned away, saying, "Farewell for time." Mention has already been made of the classical school taught by Mr. Hallock in his dwelling-house in Chap. IV of this work. In the records of Williams College it is said that for a long time in the early struggles of that in- stitution, the question of how many students were to enter
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at the beginning of each college year depended in a great measure upon the number Mr. Hallock could furnish. Half the class were not infrequently from his school. The cost of board and tuition in this institution was one dollar per week. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, the eminent historian, is our authority for these statements. It is a well authen- ticated fact that John Brown of Harper's Ferry notoriety was at one time a member of this school. Tradition says that his ancestors lived in the neighboring town of Savoy. The children of Moses Hallock were William A., born June 2, 1794; Martha, Feb. 24, 1796; Leavitt, Jan. 21, 1798; Gerard, March 18, 1800, and Homan.
1. William A. graduated at Williams in 1819, studied divinity at Andover and while there was chosen agent, and afterwards assistant secretary of the American Tract Society, then located at Andover. Assisted in the forma- tion of the same society at New York in 1825, and was chosen the first corresponding secretary and general agent. He held the office of secretary until his death, which oc- curred some ten years since. He married Fanny Lathrop and had two daughters, Harriet and Frances.
2. Martha never married. Died in Plainfield, May 22, 1852.
3. Leavitt settled in town, and married Elizabeth Snell of Cummington, Aug., 1829. At this time, persons intend- ing marriage, must, according to law, be "cried;" that is, they must notify the town clerk of their intention at least three weeks previous to the intended marriage. It was then his duty to enter the same on the records, and each Sabbath afterward, for three weeks in succession, when the people were assembled at church, just before the open- ing of service, he arose and gravely announced the same
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HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
to the congregation. The year of Leavitt's marriage he was himself town clerk, and it became his embarrassing duty to "cry" himself. He proved himself however equal to the occasion, and when the Sabbath arrived and the people were assembled, stood up and bravely announced, " Marriage intended, between Leavitt Hallock of Plain- field and Elizabeth Snell of Cummington." He served as town clerk two years, was commissioned a Justice of the Peace in 1834, and represented the town in the Legislature in 1849. He was also for some years Postmaster. He was a very energetic man, of great business capacity. He utilized the water privilege and established the settlement just over Plainfield line in the town of Hawley, which still bears his name. He erected several dams, commencing about 1836, and established a large tannery there, saw- mills, &c. He also erected and operated a store and board- ing-house, doing a successful business until 1846, when the tannery was burned, Feb. 11. This was rebuilt in 1848 but never operated and the place in a few years went to decay. He was instrumental in obtaining the laying out and construction of several important new roads. He was a very persistent man, not easily daunted by obstacles, and rarely failed in what he un- dertook. He erected the house and outbuildings and made many handsome improvements on the place lately owned by Dea. J. Barber, which he then owned and occu- pied. About 1854 he removed to Amherst, Mass., where he did quite a business in real estate. He died at the home of his son, Leavitt H., in West Winsted, Conn., Oct. 16, 1875. His wife died Dec. 19, 1877, aged 74. Children: Fanny and Eliza, twins, born May 12, 1830; William A., Aug. 27, 1832 ; Sarah, May 3, 1836, died Feb. 16, 1837;
LEAVITT HALLOCK. AT 60.
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MOSES HALLOCK.
Moses, born Nov., 1839, died Sept. 3, 1846; Leavitt H., Aug. 15, 1842 .- Fanny mar. Rev. Henry M. Hazeltine about 1855 .- Eliza mar. Thos. H. Rouse of Windsor, Conn., Sept. 16, 1851.
William A. entered the ministry. Was pastor of the church in Gilead, Conn. Afterwards preached in Kiantone and other places in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. For twelve years, from 1875 to 1887, had charge of the Cong. Church in Bloomfield, Conn. He married Clara M. Hall of James- town, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1860. Children: Nellie E., lately graduated at Smith College, Northampton, and William Hall, a graduate of Amherst College; at present a member of Berlin University, Berlin, Germany.
Leavitt H. also entered the ministry. Was for eleven years pastor of the Cong. Church at West Winsted, Conn. Six years pastor at Portland, Maine. Now pastor of the First Cong. Church at Waterville, Me. Married Martie B. Butler of Brooklyn, N. Y., June 11, 1867. She died Oct. 2, 1873. Children: Lillian H. and Harry Butler. Lillian studied at Wellesley College and is now teaching High School at Hallowell, Me. Harry is in class of '93 at Amherst College .- Leavitt H. married for a second wife Nellie M. Webster of Portland, Oct. 3, 1888.
4. Gerard graduated at Williams College in 1819. En- gaged in teaching for awhile but soon went to Boston and started a newspaper called the "Boston Telegraph." This after one year was merged in the Boston Recorder. He continued to edit the united papers until 1826, when he sold out his interest to Rev. Asa Rand, and removed to N. Y. city, where he became one of the editors and proprie- tors of the N. Y. Observer. He afterwards became editor and proprietor of the Journal of Commerce, which he con-
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HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
ducted ably for nearly forty years. Later, having removed his residence to New Haven, Conn., he paid nearly $30,- 000 out of a total expense of $35,000 incurred in building the South Cong. Church and chapel in that city .- He mar- ried Eliza Allen of Chilmark. Deceased Jan. 4, 1866. Had two sons, Wm. Holmes, born Aug. 18, 1826, and Charles, March 13, 1834 .- Wm. H. mar. Julia Mack of Plainfield, Sept. 3, 1851. Is at present assistant editor of the "Iron Age." Both sons were connected with the Journal of Commerce for many years in an editorial capacity. Charles was connected with The "Forest and Stream " as editor from 1873 to 1880, and is the author of a number of valu- able works, among which are the following: "Fishing Tourist," published in 1873; "Camp Life in Florida," 1876; "Sportsman's Gazetteer," 1877; " Vacation Rambles in Michigan," 1877; " Our New Alaska," a very interesting work, 1886; "Salmon Fisher," 1890. He married Amelia J. Wardell of Newark, N. J. Visits Plainfield nearly every summer, usually remaining several weeks. He was the founder of the town of Hallock, county-seat of Kittson county, Minnesota, at present the most flourishing locality in the Red River Valley. His portrait was received too late to be indexed.
5. Homan, youngest son of Moses, in 1826 went as a missionary printer to the island of Malta, in the Mediter- ranean, and some years after to Smyrna. When the Ameri- can Bible Society commenced the publication of the Arabic Bible in New York, it is said that only two persons in the world understood the manufacture of the Arabic type. These were an aged German and Homan Hallock. About this time he returned to Plainfield where with the assist- ance of his son Samuel he carried on the manufacture of
CHARLES HALLOCK.
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JOHN HAMLEN.
the Arabic type. When after a few years the work was transferred to Beyrout, Syria, Samuel went there also and took the position which his father had occupied, and is still engaged in that work.
Homan, in the course of his travels, became acquainted with and married an English lady, Mrs. Elizabeth John- son, a most estimable woman, who deceased Sept. 18, 1875, aged seventy-six. They had five sons, Moses, Homan B., Ge- rard J., Samuel and Wm. A., and two daughters, Margaret and Sarah. Margaret married Rev. T. L. Byington, May 30, 1858, and for more than twenty years they were mission- aries among the Bulgarians and at Constantinople. Sarah married Chas. C. Streeter, May 11, 1859. They reside in Cummington. Her father, aged nearly ninety, makes his home with them.
JOHN HAMLEN.
[The writer has been able by referring to the printed record of the Hamlen family, compiled by the late Dea. Freeman Hamlen, and kindly loaned for the purpose by his widow, Mrs. Martha Hamlen, to prepare a more complete history of this family than of any other which he has attempted.]
The Hamlens are of French origin; they came to Eng- land about 1080. James Hamblen' and his wife Anne emi- grated to this country in 1640, and settled in Barnstable, Mass. He died in 1690.
John2, son of James', born in Barnstable, June 30, 1644, married Sarah Bearse, August, 1667.
Benjamin3, son of John2 and Sarah, born in Barnstable, Feb. 11, 1686, settled in Eastham, Mass., in 1716; married for his second wife, Anna Mayo, great grand-daughter of Gov. Prince.
Isaac4, son of Benjamin3 and Anna, born in 1728; mar- ried Sarah Shaw of Abington.
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HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD.
John5, son of Isaac4 and Sarah, born in Bridgewater, Mass., Oct. 22, 1762; married Sally Towne.
The name of Hamlen has been variously written: often Hamblen, and as often Hamlin and Hamlen.
In the year 1776, John Hamlen, then thirteen years old, removed with his parents to Cummington, three years be- fore its incorporation as a town. At the age of sixteen he entered the Revolutionary army and served about six months. He was at the time of his death the last of the Revolutionary pensioners in Plainfield. He married Sally Town (born in Sutton, Mass.) at Windsor, Mass., 1790, and settled in Plainfield the same year. He was by trade a carpenter and several of the first houses were built by him or under his supervision. The house which he built and occupied on his homestead where E. A. Atkins now lives, is still in good condition. In 1800 he was chosen one of the selectmen and served for nineteen years. He represent- ed the town in General Court at Boston in 1813, '14 and '15; also in 1823 and 1826. He made the journey to Boston on horseback, and during the May sessions turned his horse out to pasture in the near vicinity, and at the end of the session rode home again. Two other representatives were at the time of their election living in the John Hamlen house, viz .: his son Freeman and Edwin A. Atkins, the present member from this town. His wife died Oct. 11, 1818, aged forty-five. For a second wife he married Mrs. Doro- thy Gove of Worthington, Nov. 10, 1819. She died Sept. 21, 1847, aged sixty-nine. Although for many years in feeble health he lacked but a few months of being ninety years of age at his death, which occurred April 15, 1852. At the age of seventy-five he publicly professed his faith in Christ as a Savior, and united with the Plainfield church. He had
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JOHN HAMLEŃ.
however for some years previously entertained a Christian hope. Children of John and Sally Hamlen were John, Jr., born July 29, 1791, died Feb. 20, 1792; Orren, born Dec. 2, 1792; Reuben, May 19, 1795; Clarissa, July 5, 1797; Nabby, Feb. 10, 1800; Lyman, Jan. 14, 1803; Freeman, May 8, 1805; Polly, Sept. 15, 1807; Horace, Aug. 23, 1810; John, Jr., (2d) Dec. 3, 1814.
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