USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Holyoke > Holyoke, past and present, 1745-1895. > Part 2
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The next entry is under the date of "Holyoke," and we find that the first regular school committee of the town of Holyoke was Rev. Simeon Miller, the beloved pastor of the First Congregational church, and who is still liv- ing, Rev. Ashel Chapin and Dr. Edwin M. Snow.
To locate the old buildings once used for district schools is not altogether an easy task. "Well, it was about here, no, that is wrong, it must have been,-I guess I have forgotten, everything is so changed," is the usual suin- ming up of the answers to this question. Meeting Mr. Alexander Day, the seeker for information asked, "Do you know where any of the old school houses were, Mr. Day?" "Well I guess I do, I taught in all of them." And while the kindly disposed man unhitched Frank and prepared for the homeward start, a time and place was arranged when he would impart this choice bit of news. The day came and so did the opportunity. It was one of those happy combi- nations which makes the skeptical believe in the kindness of fate. It was a spring day with an atmosphere in which every mountain stood clear against the marvellous blue of the sky, a spring day that saves New England's reputation and makes her sons and daughters proud to live there. A close look at the Day premises revealed the proprietor of this model home at work in the barn. The wide door was swung back and the sunlight filled the place with warmth and comfort. No sane person would sit in a house when a big, clean barn, full of all out doors, could be obtained. Seats were plenty and while the sleek cat rubbed its sides against the door posts, talk of old times grew lively. "You know Father Rand kept the old school on Back street and fitted boys for the ministry," said Mr. Day. "Later that was moved to Timothy Merrick's lawn, that now is. The district school was located south of what is now Frank Ball's. I taught here when I was eighteen. The Ingleside school I remember well," with a retrospective smile. "It stood just near the bridge over the present road. How I did wish that it was farther away. It was so near my own home
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that I had to wait until school time and do chores instead of playing with the others about the building. Another school was near where Grace chapel now is on Main street. I try to locate the spot but it is pretty hard. The only thing to know it by is the elm tree which stood near the door. I always look at it when I go past." "There were no more schools then, I suppose, Mr. Day?" "O, yes, there were. One on the plains, one at the south end of Ashley Ponds, nearly opposite Dibble's place, one near Winchell's, and another below Crafts' tavern, on Northampton street. It was all farming community, schools and buildings were pretty well scattered." From this the talk drifted to the old cemetery, and before the sun reached and dipped behind the ridge of hills, whose every line had been familiar to Alexander Day from his boyhood up, good-bye was said, and then came time for reflection on the advantages of a man whose ancestors lived and neared the hundredth mark, and whose prospects were good for the same lease of life with unimpaired faculties. Who would not live on the old street, when they consider how long and how pleasantly one can exist, for there is a woman now living and enjoying it, who has passed her ninety-first birthday, and most of her life has been passed on the WHITING STREET FARM. old street ?
One of the characters of this region was Whiting Street, a name now familiar to Holyoke life because of the good use made of wealth carefully hoarded away during Mr. Street's life-time. No one could recall the time when Mr. Street had been ill. He was a heavy, smooth-faced man, never idle. Though he became quite wealthy he always lived in the big, unpainted farm house with a brother and two sisters, about two and a half miles from the present centre. His farm gave good supplies and its owner estimated his actual cash expense as fifty-eight cents per week.
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Though given to saving he was strictly honorable. He always walked, and took the road to Northampton in warm weather with his coat over his arm and his shoes in his hand. He never wore a regulation collar, but had a turnover fold on his white cotton shirt. He enjoyed checkers and the old-fashioned " loo," and up to the last year of his life liked to drop into the house of some friend and play these games. He greatly enjoyed the accumulation of wealth, but left it for the benefit of others.
On the Street farm is the grave of a raftsman who was drowned in the river just below the house. Some time after his death his friends from the north came and erected a stone, sacred to the memory of " Stephen Austin."
The river life was no insignifi- cant part of existence in those days. The Street farm was at the head of the canal which made navigation possible along the course of the "great rapids." Nearly always boats could be seen from the hills, their white sails giving a lively appearance to what is is now a lonely stream, except for the canoes smoothly THE OLD RAND HOMESTEAD. propelled by the wide paddles. The old river boats were low, square, flat bottomed craft, a little cabin in the rear, and a stout mast forward, on which was hoisted, when breezes favored, a big square sail. When a calm swept over the river the boats were urged along with poles.
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Cargoes for Ireland Parish were unloaded at Day's, or more generally known as "Jed Day's " landing, the farm near the river in what is now Springdale. In times of low water large boats were obliged to stop here. Whiting Street was local agent and one of the owners. When a boat was obliged to stop short of her destination, "Uncle " Street would visit the farmers through the village and call upon them to be ready to transport the produce to Northampton the following morning. Oxen were employed for the summer trips, but horses were used in winter.
The " Bill Hall" was a flat bottomed, stern-wheel steamboat about one hundred feet long, used for towing boats up from Hartford. The captain was John Mulligan, now president of the Connecticut River Railroad, and he also was engineer.
Just below the county bridge was the " swing ferry." In former days the boat had been poled across, but a stone wharf built in mid-river had a tall pole erected thereon, and from the top of this was strung a long wire, to which the boat was attached, and by taking advantage of the current diagonally the boat was carried across. What remains of the wharf still resists the river's current. In the early days the boat carried an occasional team, but later on, by reason of Holyoke's rapid growth, it grew to be one of the busiest ferries on the river and a very valuable piece of property.
On the Holyoke side was a small building, "shanty," and above it a " shad house," owned by a fish company. Chester W. Chapin was presiding genius here, for some years during the fishing season, selling flip and cigars to those who considered themselves in need of refreshments, his spring investment being a puncheon of rum dealt out in small quantities to his customers. In the winter he taught school, then drove a valley stage, later became one of the owners in the route, then interested himself in the river passenger business below Springfield and at last became one of the New England railroad magnates, and at his death was the richest man in Western Massachusetts.
The shad fishery was an enterprise of great importance in those days. Lucky the man who had an interest in it. Some winter evening, late in the season, the members of a fish company would meet at "Crafts " to organize for the coming year. After the usual routine of flip, business was talked up. Some fine May morning when the ice had entirely left the river, the fishermen gathered, slid their boats into the river and the season opened. Farmers and peddlers came from miles around, and prices ranged from ten to twenty cents apiece. Nearly every family salted down a barrel for winter use. The fishing season lasted about one month, usually, the companies taking turns, one fishing nights near Jed Day's landing.
A notable story of the early days was that of the manufacture of counterfeit money. A gang of experts came
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up from Chicopee and made bogus silver coin in " Moneyhole hill," just west of the Connecticut River Lumber Company's sawmill. This tract had a deep ravine extending through it, which has since been filled in. The counterfeiters were finally caught and the leader was condemned to have his ears cropped as punishment.
The ghost story of Timothy Felt, as told from time to time, has received some credence, though the practical and most reasonable explanation of it is found in the surmise that the whole story was gotten up to secure some free excavating where the company wanted it. On Back street lived a Mr. Felt, in the old days, whose son, Timothy, was neither better nor worse than many boys, but he was undeniably slow, and this failing so exasperated his father that on special manifestations of this lack in his son's make-up the father would strike him with whatever happened to be within reach of his hand. This sometimes sent the boy from home, but his emergencies soon sent him back again. Sometime before the Felt family moved West, Timothy disappeared and was seen no more. Then came the time when the New Haven and Northampton canal was built and the quantities of limestone on Mr. Felt's farm were in demand, and a quarry came to be an institution on the Felt farm. The men working there disliked the overseer, who was rough and unkind, and left; this brought all the work to a standstill. Strangely enough, soon after, when the overseer was going home one night, he saw a figure darkly outlined against the sky. Gathering himself together, he asked who it was and what was wanted. The man, or spectre, then made this remarkable statement : "I am Timothy Felt, whose bones are under where I now stand. My father killed me four years ago. When you blast this rock you will find my bones."
This story, as reported, created quite a stir and rapidly spread through the country. From long distances people came inquiring the way to the "ghost place," and at night were equally solicitous to avoid the place. Money was raised to continue the quarrying until the body of the unlucky Timothy could be found. But it never came to light. However, the object was gained and the limestone was quarried.
Beyond Back street are Ashley Ponds, from whence the city is supplied with water, and further down the valley is the picturesque section known as Ingleside, where flowers and trees appear in their most beautiful coloring.
The ancient burial grounds of the community were located on the "street." One, removed in 1885, was used by the First Congregationalists and was nearly opposite Mrs. Lucretia Dickerman's school. From this cemetery re-inter- ments were made in Forestdale, one of the newer burial places, the others of recent date being St. Jerome's and Calvary.
In connection with this removal of the bodies a fact not generally known, but which would interest the best
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INGLESIDE.
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known families here, was the inability of those superintending the removal, to find any trace of a beautiful young girl who had been buried there not long before. This part of the country had not been subject to raid by medical students and the lapse of years made it impossible, when the discovery was made, to trace in the faintest way this mysterious absence. But the oldest of the old, the burial ground which commands a view of the Connecticut valley down to Springfield, is in good condition now and is known as the " Baptist Village Cemetery." Here are the famil- iar names : Ely, Day, Ball, Rand, Humeston, Street and Chapin, un- til it seems that the line must have become extinct, but the same family names are borne worthily by de- scendants in the thick swim of modern life to-day.
Here the wives who were indeed " consorts " to brave hus- bands, here the husbands, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers who lived in the primitive days of " Ire- land Parish." Every stone has its pathetic history of love, sorrow and regret. One grave, near the south- ern entrance, has the most remark- able history of any here. Through the upper part, between the first lines of the inscription, is cut a BAPTIST VILLAGE CEMETERY. circular hole, intended to illustrate the course of an ill-timed bullet, and the sorrowful story reads : "In Memory of Mr. Nathaniel Parks, who, while out a hunting and partially concealed in a ditch, was casually shot by Mr. Luther Frink " THis age was 19 years, the date is 1794. It is told how Major Frink saw what seemed to him a small animal and fired. It was young Parks also hunting, and his head and queue appeared just above the opening. Major Frink
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carried the young man home on his shoulders, showed his friendliness in every way and paid all the funeral expenses. A row of graves on the east and north side of the cemetery shows the place where many Germans are buried, they, as yet, having no burial ground of their own. One of the oldest stones is on the east side and marks the burial place
of one of the Ball family ; the oldest, erected to the memory of Mr. John Stockwell, bears date Sept. 8, 1756. One man "died of ye small pox," and another, Captain Elisha Chapin, was " killed by the savages at Wil- liamstown, in the County of Berkshire, 17th July, 1736, aged 49 years."
" Ely Grange," nearly opposite the an- cient burial place, is occupied by Oscar Ely, the "Seer of Elmwood." This is a modern house, on the site of the old homestead, and one of the most hospitable on the street. Old time cordiality prevails, making it one of the most delightful homes to visit. On the left, a broad road, joining the other further down, gives entrance to the " Whiting Farm," where ex-Congressman Whiting keeps up, OLD FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. with all modern innovations, the old farm. Here is raised the finest stock, and from the creamery is sent out the best cream for household supplies. The house is not so old, but is guarded by trees of great antiquity, which could tell interesting tales of Ireland Parish and Holyoke in its early days.
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HOLYOKE CHURCHES.
[F Holyoke bears the marks of a distinctively New England city less than some, it ranks with them in one important respect, the early establishment of Churches. The First Congregational Church, Pleasant street, Highlands, was the first organization and FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH COR. PLEASANT " HATIPDEN STS. HOLYOKE. MASS. was formed December 4, 1799, by Rev. Dr. Lathrop, pastor of the First Church of West Springfield. The nine original GROPB ALDERMAN ARCHITECT HOLTONZ. MASS members were, Joseph Rogers, Amos Allen, Titus Morgan, Timothy Clough, Lucas Morgan, Nathan Stevens, Jonathan Clough, John Miller and Grover Street. Amos Allen and Joseph Rogers were the two first deacons.
The people of what is now the First Baptist society had built a "meeting house" near the old burying ground on Northampton street, south of the present location of the First Baptist Church. The lack of funds prevented their finish ing it and the newly formed Congrega tional society arranged to help finish the house and have it moved farther north. The removal brought the Church, from its unsightly appearance known as the " Lord's barn," near the present resi- dence of Mr Alex. Day. As the Congregationalists owned only one-third of the building they had a minister of their denomination every fourth Sunday, the Baptists having their own minister the rest of the time, except in months
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where there was a fifth Sunday, then the Congregationalists had the benefit of it, and this arrangement gave satisfac- tion for a time to both denominations.
Soon a mutual agreement was entered into by which Mr. Thomas Rand did pastoral duties for both parishes and his was a most remarkable pastorate. He was equally beloved in both denominations and exchanged with
ministers of the Congregationalists the fourth Sunday of each month. After the lapse of years " Father Rand's " life stands out, bright with the lustre of his twenty-five years of unselfish service. At the old Rand place on " Back street " are mementos of this good man in the shape of furniture which he used. His arm chair with desk attachment brings his presence nearer than any other article there.
In 1827 the Sunday school had its commencement. In 1834 plans were secured for a Church of their own and December 10, 1834, it was dedicated free from debt. Rev. Hervey Smith was installed pastor. This Church stood on the site of the late residence of Mr. E. J. Pomeroy on Northampton street. The name First Orthodox Congregational Church of Holyoke, was adopted May, 1850, the town that year being set off from West Springfield.
In 1870 extensive repairs and alterations were made in the Church and it was re-dedicated November 3, 1870. Feeling the necessity of being nearer the city growth, the society in 1886 purchased an estate at the corner of Hampden and Lincoln streets and built a new chapel which was dedicated December 16, 1887. Rev. G. W. Winch was installed pastor September 18, REV. THOMAS RAND. 1888. His pastorate has been an exceptionally fortunate and happy one. He is a man of large influence and very scholarly attainments. The enlargement of the Church in 1894 resulted in a new building practically. The cost was $45,000, seating capacity, 1,000.
The First Baptist Church was first heard from.August 29, 1803, in this way : "West Springfield, August 29, 1803. A number of brethren of the Baptist denomination being assembled at the house of Brother Caleb Humeston
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for the purpose of covenanting together as a visible Church of Christ, proceeded and chose Brother Thomas Rand moderator. Chose Brother Caleb Humeston clerk. The moderator opened the meeting by prayer. Heard the fol- lowing baptized persons relate the dealings of God with them, and manifested our fellowship, viz. : Caleb Humeston, Peresh Hitchcock, Benjamin Basset, Asahel Chapin, Jedediah Day and Austin Goodyear.
Voted to request the following Churches to send us their pastors and faithful brethren to sit with us in council for the purpose of constituting a Church in this place. (Evidently Baptist Churches were not very numerous in Massa- chusetts at that time, for the Churches thus invited were), Second Church in Boston, Churches in Providence, Stur- bridge, Suffield, Chesterfield and West Springfield."
The council met at the home of Caleb Humeston October 5, 1803. Having listened to the statement of the few members of this band, the council decided that the call to enter into Church relations was from God, and voted to recognize them as a properly constituted Church.
Thomas Rand, one of the members, was invited and became the pastor, and exchanged with Congregationalist ministers while the two denominations worshipped together. The last Sabbath in which services were held in the meeting house which preceded the present building, Rev. S. B. Rand, a grandson of the first pastor, delivered a his- torical address in which he spoke of the fact that, "When his grandfather had finished learning his trade -that of a tailor-he could earn $10 a week, but when he began to preach he traveled on foot hundreds of miles, and did not receive money enough to keep him in shoes, to say nothing of clothes." And yet the amount paid by this Church was larger than that of any Baptist Church at that time in all this region. As a matter of necessity the pastor carried on farming business to some extent. Then an academy was built, and during the school season, he spent the week in teaching, and preaching on Sundays. In this school several youths were fitted for college, who afterwards became very useful men in society and the Church of Christ. Among these were Rev. Justin Perkins, D. D., for a long period missionary in Persia ; Rev. Hasen Howard, missionary to Burmah ; Rev. Ashael Chapin, and Rev. Dwight Ives, for more than thirty years the successful pastor of an important Church in Suffield, Conn. Not long after the revival in 1826, congregations separated and built new meeting houses for their separate accommodation. With the new meet- ing houses came the first change in the pastorate, which was made with the pain which must mark a pastoral relation- ship of a quarter of a century. At the close of a covenant meeting, held March 31, 1849, the Church voted that they were willing to dismiss the members of this Church who wished to organize a Church at the New City, or Ireland Depot, whenever they request it.
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The first meeting house that was built within the limits of Holyoke stood nearly half a mile south of the present location, on the west side of Northampton street. It was erected in 1792, eleven years before the organization of the Church, and seven years previous to the Congregational Church. After a few years the Congregational Church proposed the removal farther north, offering to share the expenses and become part owners. This was done, the second site being the lot now occupied by the residence of Mr. Alexander Day. In 1826-7 the first house was built on the present site. Rev. M. A. Wilcox is the present beloved and efficient pastor, a worthy successor to those that have gone before.
The Second Congregational Church was organized May 5, 1849. In 1850 the town of Holyoke was legally in- corporated, and as the society at Ireland Parish had taken the name of First Congregational Church of Holyoke by seniority, it properly belonging to them, the name of this Church organization was changed to Second Congregational Church of Holyoke Services were held in the Lyman street school house near the present location of the Lyman Mills. In 1852 a building site was secured at the corner of High and Dwight streets, where the Marble Block now stands. The building cost $12,000.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. M. W Stryker that it was decided to build a larger Church, and the location SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. of the present building, the southeast corner of Maple and Appleton streets, was selected. The seating capacity is 1,100 persons. Its organ was built by Mr. George S. Hutchins of Boston, has 2.875 pipes and 45 stops, one of the largest in New England, capable of producing the finest tonal
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effects, and under the skilful manipulation of the Church organist, Mr W. C. Hammond, it greatly increases the attractiveness of the services ; the cost was $10,000. During the summer of 1892 changes and additions to the organ and choir gallery cost $6,000. The present pastor, Rev. E. A. Reed, D. D., was called to this Church November 5, 1886. His installation service took place December 28, Rev. Alfred J. Hutton, of Brooklyn, N. Y, preaching he sermon. Dr. Reed has now been in charge of this Church and society for a little more than eight years, and by his gentlemanly bearing, his Christian manli- ness and his fraternal spirit, as well as by his pulpit ministrations and the conscientious performance of his parochial duties, has now the sincere regard of many outside his Church.
The Second Baptist Church of Holyoke was organized June 24, 1849, with 42 members, most of whom had taken letters of dismissal from the First Baptist Church. The organization was at first known as the Baptist Church at Ireland Depot. It received its present name April 12, 1850, soon after the incor- poration of the town of Holyoke The first place in which this society worshipped was Gallaudet and Terry's Hall, corner High and Lyman streets, and its first pastor was Rev. Asahel Chapin, who was called at the time of organization, and installed three days
OLD SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH COR. HIGH AND DWIGHT STREETS. ORIGINAL ENGRAVING.
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later. The congregation varied from 100 to 150. On the first Sabbath the new society held services a Sunday school was started. On that occasion Deacon Edwin Chase, with characteristic energy, is said to have made the remark : "We must start off right ; we must have a Sabbath school." And so 40 of the audience remained after the preaching ser- vice, and a school was organized, with Deacon John Parker for superintendent
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
The next November Chapin Hall was offered this society as a place of worship The hall was comfortably furnished and the society gratefully accepted the kind offer, continuing to worship there until 1855, when the vestry of their new Church was completed at the corner of Main and Mosher streets. The first convert baptized in the history of the society was Mrs. Lamb, wife of Deacon George E. Lamb. The lecture room of the new Church was ready for occupancy November 23, 1855, the committee appointed for this purpose having "gone ahead " with remarkable vigor. In 1863 the Church edifice was burned to the ground, and though this was a great disaster the people rallied heroically and rebuilt on the old site. This house, which was dedicated April 20, 1865, cost $17,601.32.
Rev. R. J. Adams, D. D., came as pastor to this Church December, 1869, and his was by far the longest period of service, extending over sixteen years and being marked by special prosperity. During the first four and a half years of Dr. Adams' pastorate 262 persons were added to the Church While he was here the new and handsome building at the corner of Appleton and Walnut streets was built, the congregation having felt the necessity of getting away from the noise of the Main street location. The new Church was dedicated October 20, 1885, and cost $73,000.
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