USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lanesborough > History of town of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, 1741-1905 > Part 10
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APPENDIX X.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
THE OLD BOROUGH DOCTORS.
Dr. William Hamilton Tyler was born in New Ashford in 1:80, and was the only son of Samuel Page Tyler, the orderly sergeant of the militia who aroused the carly settlers of Lanes- boro, Cheshire and New Ashford in the night time and warned them to hasten to the Lexington battlefield. He worked on his father's farm until 18 years of age, taught school for a time in Lanesboro and New Ashford, studied medicine with his uncle, Dr. Silas Hamilton, in Saratoga county, N. Y., and com- pleted his studies with those pioneer Lanesboro physicians, Dr. Joseph Jarvis and Dr. Asa Burbank. After graduating at Col- umbia Medical college in New York he commenced practice in Lanesboro in 1815. He remained here in active life for 34 years, when he joined his son-in-law, Dr. Phillips, at North Adams, where he practiced and was called into counsel until 1856, when he was 80 years of age, and where he died at the age of 88 years and six months. He was a medical classmate of Dr. Delamater and Dr. March, two of the most distinguished physicians of their day, and was himself the most eminent in his profession. He was the intimate friend of Henry Snaw and his family physician, and also the benefactor of George N. Briggs in his early struggle for education, and a firm and valued friend always. He had an immense practice at home and in all the adjoining county towns, and in Columbia county, N. Y. In the height of his medical career he kept four horses which met him at different points, and the hours he spent at home were few and far between. Quite a number now living at Lanesboro and many native guests at home week remember his profession-
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al ministrations in the oiden time homes, and that as a faithful Christian he carried not only medical aid and skill to the bed- sides of the suffering and the dying, but spiritual aid as well. In the height of his medical practice he was injured by the contact of his leg with the step of his high gig, to which was attached a favorite but restive horse. He neglected to care for this wound and himself until it culminated a fever sore and necessitated amputation just below the knee. This operation was performed by the celebrated Dr. March, and one present at Old Home week was a spectator at the time. Before submit- ting to the surgeon's knife Dr. Tyler asked God if it was His will to spare his life as a man and physician for 15 years, and not only his life. health and mental strength was given him for this period, but for many years besides. He was the first Worshipful Master of Mystic Lodge which first met in Baker's tavern, and which was afterward removed to Pittsfield. Dr. Tyler and Doctor Burbank were the famous physicians of olden- time Lanesboro, and they moved hand in hand in every good work and were thoroughly devoted to its people and its interests. Through the instrumentality of Dr. Tyler the Bap- tist church was founded through a generous purse and great in- dividual effort. Such was his zeal for this church that he served as deacon, chorister and sexton, and when failing to secure preaching would read and conduct service himself. His old English watch with which in his entire practice he noted the wrist pulsation of his patients, is still in the possession of his grandson, as are also the jewels, aprons and diplomas of his Masonic career, to which order he was deeply devoted. The old time physicians of Lanesboro as remembered are Dr. Joseph Jarvis, Dr. Asa Burbank, Dr. Erastus Cushing, Dr. W. E. Ty- ler, Dr. H. E. Phillips, Dr. E. Pierce, Dr. Palmer, Dr. Griswold Stephen Jewett, Timothy Jewett, George Jenks, Daniel Johnson. Leland Barker of Adams, the former a student of Dr. Tyler, and the latter having wedded Miss Sunderlin of Lanesboro were well known there.
MAJOR CHARLES N. EMERSON.
Major Charles N. Emerson, the husband of Cornelia Shaw,
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after his return from the south, was very active as a recruiting officer during the carly days of the civil war in raising troops in Berkshire county. Afterwards he was in charge of the 10th Internal Revenue Distriet and was chief of a small army of as- sistant internal revenue assessors in Berkshire and Hampden counties and for a time resided in the present Waterman honse on Broad street, Pittsfield. He was also the publisher of a val- uable International Revenue Guide. An address delivered by him before the Berkshire Agricultural society is remembered, in which he eloquently described the blight of slavery as existing in the states of Carolina, which but for that curse would have been as fertile and beautiful as the acreage of old Berkshire. Ile was of distinguished and courteous bearing, tall and of ele- gant build. John M. Taylor, at present vice-president of one of the prominent Hartford Life Insurance companies, and resi- dent in Pittsfield during the civil war, was his son-in-law.
THE FAMOUS SPLIT ROCK. .
Split Rock, a natural curiosity in Lanesboro, is also on the eastern line of the Taconie mountain hill and slopes but a few rods north of Balance Rock in the same hill side pasture It is a great point of interest to tourists who love to go up to it and gaze upon the great battle scene between animate and in- animate nature which has silently been waged in this sport for upwards of a century. This sturdy beech tree which seems as a mere twig to have first forced its way up from the earth into a rocky crevice, appears to have been slowly prying this monster bowlder apart during the years to make room for its huge trunk and to spread its great branches for the glorious sunlight above and to have come out a powerful conqueror in the contest of growth and substance against weight and inert force.
THE FIRST AND ONLY LANESBORO BANK.
The Talcott grove in which the crowning exercises of the old home week were held was originally the farm property of Henry Wheeler, the father-in-law of Hon. Henry Shaw and Judge Savage. This was purchased by William Talcott and has since
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been known as the Taleott farm, consisting of many acres of meadow, woodland, upland and pasturage, lying along the west- ern slopes of the Taconic mountains. In the first 50 years of the past century, Henry Wheeler was the owner of many town farms, and was a man of much wealth, to which he constantly added by lending money to the farmers of Central and Northern Berkshire at the legal rate of interest. In fact. he was through all these earlier years the Lanesboro bank. He was never known to press a creditor for his sum total of indebtedness, provided this interest was promptly kept up.
THE FIRST CALVINISTIC CHURCH CROSS.
The Albany Argus of February 21, 1850, quotes the Brooklyn Daily Star in announcing the most interesting historical fact that "The Baptist church in Pittsfield, to which Gov. Briges belongs, is surmounted with a very large gilded cross-the first Calvinistic place of worship in America or in the world to be thus ornamented." It is a matter of record that the first Bap- tist church in Pittsfield, which was dedicated Jan. 10, 1850, was originally 60 feet wide by 82 feet long, and whose steeple was 166 feet high, at the suggestion of Gov. Briggs, who was one of 'ts building committee, was smmounted with a large gilded cross, and that after this spire was partially overthrown by a gale in 1859, a belfry with a smaller cross was substituted for it.
VENERABLE OLD SILVER STREET.
The charming old hillside highway, dotted with ancient farm houses fronting and centering rich and sunny acres running par- allel with old Lanesboro Main street, just at the foot of its sud den rise of western hills and stretching all the way from along Pontoosuc Jake to the upper Hancock road, has always been known as Silver street. The application has been so appro- priate to the locality that no one has ever thought of question- ing the right of its applicability, while but a few old inhabitants who have hugged their secert very closely down through the past to the present, have been aware how the name came into exis- tence. Yet the name Silver street came about when many home pastures were not so fertile in bushes and woods as now. It took its name from the result of a bet that an old silver dollar
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placed in a pile of refuse would not be resened by the nose of an old time miser having his hands tied behind him and who lived in that portion of the town. The miser won the bet for his backer, appropriated the dollar and the street was named for all time "Silver.'
THE OLD TOWN STORES.
The old country store in the upper village, and close to Bak- er's tavern was first kept by a man named Durant, and then by the father of the Hon. Marshall Wilcox of Pittsfield. The post office was kept for many years in the tavern of Ezra Hall. The main country store in the lower village was kept by Capt. Timothy Whitney and his son Richard, who was the first reg. ister of deeds before that office was removed from the present town library building to Adams. Geo. Presby kept a country store just above the hotel, and Sloan Powell a little store in his house on the present site of the Methodist church, which was fronted with two gigantic poplar trees.
Brick making was at one time an extensive industry. The bricks for the Baptist and Congregational churches were made at a yard near the Bowerman house, which was also built of bricks from the same yard. The Pontoosuc mills of Pittsfield and the house of Esquire Shaw were built of bricks from a yard near the house of Mr. Tyler.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
By the terms of their grant the inhabitants were to build a meeting house and settle a learned ortho- dox minister within three years after their removal to the new town. The first resolution on this subject is record- ed in the general history of the town. The Sunday services were held for several years in private houses, and the discussion of the proper place to build a meeting house and the merits of successive candidates for the ministry led to many resolutions in the frequent town meetings. August 20th, 1760, the pro- prietors accepted the proposition of Samuel Martin to give an acre and a half of his lot No. 8 for a meeting house and burying
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ground provided that a committee to be chosen and a surveyor judge it, "most accommodable." Ensign Martin and Mr. Isaac Hill were at the same time appointed a committee to provide preaching for the future. On October 29. 1761, the proprio- tors resolved that "Mr. Levi Post should be our gospel minister. Voted to give him 91£ settlement and 80£ salary and his fire wood." Mr. Post does not appear to have remained long in the town, for on April 2d, 1762, Messrs. Samuel Warren and Peter Curtis were chosen a committee to provide a house to meet in for divine worship and Messrs. Peter Curtis, William Bradley and Nehemiah Bull, a committee to provide preaching for the future. Ensign Martin's house was used for the Sunday ser- vices, as he was allowed in this same spring to "draw six pence . upon each lot from the treasury for the use of his house in time past for public worship. Soon after Mr. Woodbridge Little. who was born in Colchester, Conn .. in 1741, and graduated from Yale college in 1760, settled in the town as a probationer for the ministry. He was a man of much ability and brilliant talent. He had studied theology under the learned Dr. Bellamy. On February 15th. 1763. the article in a previous warrant for town meeting "to give Mr. Woodbridge Little a call to be our Gospel minister 2 was reconsidered. Mr. Little removed to Pittsfield, studied law, and hecame one of the public spirited and honored citizens of that town. He died in 1813, leaving leg- acies to the Congregational church of Pittsfield and to Williams college for the support of indigent students. Mr. Daniel Col- lins, a classmate of Mr. Little, born in Guilford, C'onn .. in 1733. was his successor, and was called a probationer, October 31-t 1763. His services were so acceptable that on the 12th of De- cember he was called as the minister of the town at eighty pounds salary, to commence with "Sixty pounds yearly, on the day of settlement two years, and then rise five pounds yearly. until it amounts to eighty pounds, and thirty cords of wood yearly." The records of the Congregational church commence with this statement.
The records of the Church of Christ in Framingham or Lanes- boro, from the settlement of the church in that town in the year of our Lord, 1764.
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The Church of Christ was first gathered in the town of Lanes- horo. on Wednesday the 2d March. 1764. by the assistance of Rev. Sammel Hopkins of Great Barrington and Stephen West. Stockbridge.
The entry evidently was made by Mr. Collins after the incor- miration of the town of Lanesborough. In the town records is found a transcript of the proceedings of the council that was called to ordain Mr. Collins and as giving the form used in re- cording ordinations in the orthodox churches of Massachusetts it is of valne.
At a council convened at New Framingham on the 17th day of April, A. D., at the desire and upon the instance of the Church of Christ in this place for the setting apart of Mr. Daniel Collins to the work of the Gospel ministry over and among that people. Present. Rov'd Messrs. Adonijah Bidwel, Samuel Hop- kins. Jonathan Lee, Stephen West and Ebenezer Martin. Dele- gates. William Hall. Daniel Allen, Samuel Brown and Isaiah Kingsley. Mr. Samuel Hopkins was chosen moderator of the conneil and Mr. West scribe. The council then proceeded to such an examination of the candidates as they judged suitable, they approved of and by prayer, and the imposition of hands solemnly set apart the said. Mr. Collins to yo work of the Gospel ministry in sd. place.
Test .. Stephen West, Seribe.
Samuel Hopkins, Moderator.
LUTHER R. LASSELL.
Respectfully informs his friends and the public in general that he has commenced business in the southern part of Mr. Hall's and manufacturing all kinds of gold and silver work, such as watch chains, seals, and keys, finger and ear-rings, breast pins neck laces and bracelets of every description will be furnished at the shortest notice. Likewise a general assortment of gilt work which he will sell as low as can be purchased elsewhere. Hle flatters himself he can give general satisfaction to all who may please to call and employ him.
Lanesborough, Dee. 1, 1819.
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Died. At Lanesborough on the 9th inst. Col. Jonathan Smith in the 62d year of his age. He was an influential char- acter in this country in the American Revolution-has sustain- ed several important offices in the government-was a member of the State convention for ratifying the constitution-and has been one of the senators for this county. His early and uniform exertions in the cause of American liberty hath placed his name on the Register of Fame as one of the patriots of America.
Died. At Lanesborough on the 5th inst. Mr. Asahel Bradley in the 18th year of his age. Although the subject of this brief notice was permitted to survive the scriptural boundary of hu- man life he had been from earliest youth the companion of in- firmity and disease. For more than fifty years he endured the almost constant irritation of a severe cutaneous eruption which often assumed the worst form of Eastern leprosy. Nevertheless he bore with patience his trying alllotment and we trust has found in another world that reprieve from suffering which on earth he never enjoyed.
From early life he was a member of the church of Christ and while he contributed liberally for the support of the institutions of the gospel he was supported by its promises and consolation in that hour when human aid is unavailing. On Sunday last a vast concourse of relatives and friends followed his remains to the Episcopal burying ground, where they will rest in hope until the morning of the resurrection.
DISSOLUTION.
The firm of Durant & Plunket is this day by mutual consent dissolved. We tender our acknowledgments to our customers for the generous support they have given us-but we must now present a respectful vet earnest invitation to all who are indebt- ed to us by note or book account to make payment immediately.
Thomas Durant, JJr. William C. Plunket.
Lanesboroagh. April 10. 1823.
At a meeting of the Democrats of Lanesboro Held on Monday
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evening, August 31st, Mr. Samuel Bliss was chosen president and Andrew J. Lewis secretary.
Messrs. Henry Mead and Andrew J. Lewis were appointed del- egates to the state convention and the following persons signi- fied their intention of attending as voluntary delegates. (The names are given in another column of this paper.)
The following sentiments and letters were received from El- der John Leland:
SENTIMENTS.
May hard cider prove effectual to overturn the administration in the coming elections as cold water did in the last.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts-may the thirty years past of her life serve to have wrought the will of the gentiles: May she now return to the fold of the Union and seek the good of the whole.
Van Buren and Morton are in possession of our inheritance, but Harrison and Davis have served a writ of ejectment against them; the case is now appealed to the Sovereign People for the next November Term; patriotism and ambition stand on tiptoe to hear the result; the welfare of the nation depends on a right- eous decision.
The town of Lanesboro-may she hold fast what she attained through great tribulation that no man take her crown.
A LITTLE PRESENT TO THE DELEGATES FROM LANESBORO TO SPRINGFIELD.
1. If lying triumphs over truth and sophistry overpowers sound reason Harrison will rise to the presidential chair by an overwhelming majority.
2. The Democrats are well united, having a uniform vien. and feeling. but whether they will be strong enough to over- come the hosts that make lies their revenge and hide themselves under falsehood is yet not known.
3. Logrolling; you help me today and I'll help you tomor- low; so good friend the day of election is near, I hope to see you at the polls. I have a small account against you, but never mind
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that, I hope money will be plenty next year. If you want a bushel of corn-if your good wife wants a neat dress-or if you want employment I can accommodate you and shall take pleasure in doing of it. The Democrats are very busy, but their candidate is a poor tool. I shall vote for Mr. A. B .; he is one of the best men in the world. I should not be so free to all but the Democrats will certainly ruin the nation if they are not crushed,
DIED.
At Lanesboro on the 16th ult. very suddenly Mr. Sam- uel Tyrrel in the 68th year if his age.
The demise of Mr. Tyrrel has deprived a family of a most de- voted husband and one of the kindest of parents and the poor of a friend and benefactor. In every capacity he was an up- right and exemplary man. The death of Mr. T. was attended with circumstances peculiarly aggravating to his friends. For some weeks previous he had endured by turns the most excruciat- ing sufferings which he bore with a fortitude and calm equanini- ity of mind peculiarly characteristic of the man; and when his physician had pronounced him convalescent and left him with the anticipation of a speedy restoration to health and to the so- ciety of his friends, in a moment thus full of flattering hope he was suddenly taken from the scene of his activity and usefulness here to enjoy the bliss of a purer region.
"Life made his soul dependent on the dust; Death gave it wings to mount above the sphere;
Death had no dread but what frail life imparted;
Life no true joys but what kind death improved." On the 3rd inst. Laura, daughter of Mr. Ashael A. Powell in the 10th year of her age. The deceased was of unusual promise. Her sweet disposition and superior mental endowments made her an object of interest to all who knew her. The precious evi- dence of a pious heart which she left does much to alleviate the sadness of a large circle of relatives and friends.
SELECT SCHOOL.
At Lanesboro under the direction of Mr. Crawford, a member of Williams college. The next quarter will commence on the first Monday in August. The languages and all English studies will be taught.
July 27, 1836.
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Departed this life at the residence of the Rev. Dr. Porter in Catskill. N. Y., on Friday, the 22d of July, Mrs. Sarah Collins, relief of the late Rev. Daniel Collins of Lanesboro at the great age of 93. A stroke of palsy terminated a life less remarkable for its duration than its usefulness, more than sixty years of which was spent in this county. Known to an extensive circle, her death will be heard by few without sorrow. Her kindness and urbanity of disposition eminently fitted her to discharge the duties of the station in life she was called to fill. Cheerful, so- cial and intellectual, she amused while she interested and those who sought ber in sorrow left her relieved of half their burden. She was a model of a clergyman's wife. A letter from Dr. Por- ter thus speaks of her: "She died on Friday the 22d of July at 12 minutes before 8 o'clock a. m. The death of your aunt leaves a wide vacant space in our family. She had lived with us seven Years, one month and four days.
Always at home and always particularly attended by the fam- ily. We loved her much and sensibly feel our loss. Deeply she loved her friends, always pleasant and though advanced in life she had nothing of the childness of age. I never knew her man- ifest a disposition which was not good during the whole seven years she has been with us. She entertained all who called to see her. She had a great circle of acquaintances of young as well as old, and her society was sought by both. Indeed her whole conduct was instructive, she was a pattern of patience; not a murmur of complaint ever fell from her lips. Conscious to the last of her condition she waited in a happy and hopeful re- liance for the moment her Lord should call her hence.
The young and the old in Lanesboro were sincerely and deeply afflicted at the news of her death.
Died. At Lanesboro on the 20th inst. Grace. daughter of Ilon. Henry Shaw, aged two and one-half years.
"How may we live but in doubt and fear: How may we anchor our fond hearts here; How should e'en Joy but a trembler be; Beautiful dust! When we look on thee? "
Died. Aurelia, only child of Ephraim H. and Nancy A. Fisher, aged nineteen months.
4ª
ALGERNON S. HUBBELL.
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"This lovely bud, so young and fair, Called hence by early doom, To see how beautiful a flower In Paradise could bloom."
Died. In Gouvernier, N. Y. on the 8th inst. Melissa Hel- en, daughter of Mr. Milton G. Norton, formerly of Lanesboro, aged seventeen months.
In issue of Nov. 16, 1789.
On Sunday, the Sth inst. were married in the Presbyterian church in Lanesboro, Capt. Nathaniel B. Torrey, merchant, to Miss Sally Hall, both of that town.
"When youth and beauty, wit and wealth combine With virtue's aid to lead us to the shrine, Those nuptial raptures he alone can taste Whose worthy soul by pure affection graced. Thine, happy pair, be all hymenial joys, Pursue that path to bliss which never cloys, And may the pleasures that blest union seal Exceed the transports angels only feel."
Miles Powel of Lanesboro has just received and now ready for sale a general assortment of goods among which are the following articles, viz:
West India goods, rum, brandy, wine, loaf and brown sugar, molasses, English goods, broad cloths, velvets, corduroys, plush, chintzes, shawls, silk handkerchiefs, stockings, hats, looking glasses, crockery and glass ware, hardware, locks, knives and forks, spurs, saws (plane iron), chissels, files, shears, shaving boxes, awls, tacks, table spoons, curry combs, brushes, nails, fry- ing pans, wagon boxes, powder, shot, ginger, paper. For which I will receive in payment wheat, rye, Indian-corn, flax seed, pork, butter, cheese, tallow, bees wax, woolen, cotton and linen rags and ciean dressed hog bristles-Ashes at 8 pence per bushel.
WANTED.
As an apprentice in a store. A young lad about 12 or 13 years of age who can read, write and understand arithmetic. For particulars apply to Miles Powel of Lanesboro.
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The subseriber, determining to close his accounts, requests all persons indebted to him, either by book or note, to make him payment by the 25th of this inst.
Wheat, pork, rye, Indian corn will be received in payment. He hopes none of his customers will neglect complying with his request as it would be very disagreeable to call on them in a different manner.
Jonathan Woodward.
Lanesboro, Jan. 7, 1789.
Died. At Lanesboro on the 11th ult. Miss Fanny Mason, daughter of Mr. Reuben Mason, aged 37 years. For more than twenty years she had been an invalid and endured all those pri- vations inseparable from protracted sickness. She possessed, however, a good hope through faith of a better portion hereafter which enabled her to bear without a murmur the infirmities of her condition and to meet with humble resignation the last struggle of mortality. As pain and sickness and sorrow were her portion in this world we trust that she has reached that bet- ter country where there is no sickness and where all tears are wiped away.
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