USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Ludlow > Ludlow: a century and a centennial, comprising a sketch of the history of the town of Ludlow, Hampden County, Massachusetts > Part 15
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DAVID SELDEN Pastor of the 2ª Church in Chatham.
Chatham, 22 February, 1798.
ENDORSEMENT :- " Read and voted Admiffion, according to the De- fign of the Contents April 29th 98, and Mrs Wilfon received to our Watch and Fellowship.
A. STEWARD.
F.
The following letter, written at the opening of the century, will be appreciated as a sample of the style epistolary of those days. It is di- rected to " Dr. Sylvester Nash Ludlow."
Wilbraham Feby 4 1800
Sir it was with the greatift pleafure that I Received your letter dated November 2th Informing me of your health you gave me fome incour- agement of comeing to fe me before long it is now 7 or 8 month fins I have feen you if I ant miftaken I expected to receive a vifit from you before now but it don t come. I hope that you have not forgot us I want to fe you very Much and fo do your acquaintance I hope to re- ceive a vifit from you before long we are all well at prefent and I hope
167
LYON POEM.
to hear of your good health and your family. I have nothing at prefent to wright only I want to fe you very mutch. I wrote this in a hurry you muft excufe my bad writing and fo I must wind off. I am your friend and well wifher,
LUKE BREWER
If you can read it I fhall be glad.
There can be little question as to the desire for a visit. What, how- ever, was the occasion for the effusion on the third page is hardly so evident. It reads thus :
down see you me and may love not
up you I
you
read and that and
G. (See page 27.)
The following lines are attributed to Mr. Gad Lyon. He evidently courted the muses to some purpose.
REFLECTIONS.
ON THE MORNING OF JAN. Ift 1804.
WHEN the kind goddefs fleep all eyes did clofe,
And mortals all lay rapt in foft repofe ;
No voice was heard to whifper thro' the gloom
But all was hufhed and filent as the tomb. Then, then without a groan, the aged year, Did tremble, totter, fall and difappear ; Compell'd by Fate to pafs that folemn bourn, From which no period paft can e'er return. Which proves this truth moft clear to reafon's eye, That time itfelf, like mortal man, muft die. How many millions of the human race, Which hailed the morn when the paft year took place ; Whofe healthful days and profpects of delight, Made them forget that it would e'er be night ; By death's deftroying fcythe have been cut down, Whofe bodies now lie flumbering in the ground. How many millions on this morn, appear To wake and rife and wifh a happy year, Before December's cold and freezing breath, Shall haften to the fhades and tafte of death. Who now like thoughtlefs fheep, no danger fear, Nor dream the fatal meffenger fo near. Since 'tis our fate for to refign our breath, And pafs the folemn, lonely vale of death, Let wifdom's choiceft dictates rule our heart, And never from her facred rules depart.
168
APPENDIX.
Then fhould heaven's thunders fhake the ftarry roof, And forked lightnings lick our fpirits up ; Should trembling earth her opening jaws extend, And we into that fatal gulph defcend ? Should rapid whirlwinds fweep the foreft clean, And we fall victims in that awful fcene ? Should inundations deluge all the plain, And fhould we be among the thoufands flain ! Should peftilence walk dreadful o'er the land, And with a ftern decree our lives demand ! Should blazing comets, in their raging ire, Draw near and fet this trembling world on fire, 'Twould only waft us to the bleft abode, And place us in the paradife of GOD.
H. A TAX BILL OF 1815.
JOHN SIKES
Your Taxes for 1815 are,
D. C.
M.
S TATE TAX,
2
I3
TOWN, do,
3
60
PARISH, do.
2
18
SCHOOL, do.
4
92
COUNTY, do.
2
32
$15 15
CALVIN SIKES, Collector.
Rec'd Payment, pr WILLIAM PEASE.
169
THE MILITIA-THE OAKLEY BALLAD.
I.
THE MILITIA.
A notice of the once famous Ludlow militia was inadvertently omit- ted in the pages of the town annals. The time in which they figured was mainly from 1820 onward to 1843. In the earlier days of this period the training was under the State militia law, compelling all within a certain age to bear arms at stated times. The company was then called by the graphic title of "Flood-wood." On one occasion somewhere about the '30's a notable occurrence took place. The cap- tain having tendered his resignation, the duties of command rested on the highest lieutenant, who happened to be John Miller. Orders hav- ing been sent from the head-quarters in Springfield for general muster, Miller warned his company, trained them at the usual place, Ely Ful- ler's (A. P. Chapin's now), and proceeded to the place of rendezvous. By the rank of the captain the company had a certain position in the regiment, but as Ludlow was then, as now, out in the woods, the col- onel proposed to put Miller's men in an inferior position. Having first tested the spirit of his men, Miller informed the colonel that he must have his rightful position or none, and the position was that belonging to the captain whose command he represented. His demands not being allowed, he gave a signal to his men and their musicians (the best in the regiment) and led them away from the place of niuster to the sound of fife and drum. Unfortunately, and wholly without in- tention on the part of Lieut. Miller, the signal was given and obeyed during the service of prayer. As a result the officer was court-mar- tialed and deprived of commission for three years. It was in this interim that Dr. Foggus was elected captain,* Miller's sentence hav- ing prevented the first choice of the men from consummation. When the time was up, however, Miller was triumphantly elected captain, from which position he rose to be eventually lieutenant-colonel, com- manding a regiment. Later he was chosen captain of a picked company of militia, called light infantry, which consisted of something like sixty men.
J. (See page 69.) THE OAKLEY BALLAD.
(WRITTEN BY A YOUNG MAN IN HIS TEENS, AND SUNG WITH WAILS AT MANY A FIRESIDE IN TOWN.)
Come old and young, list to my song, While I its mournful strains prolong,
*See page 55.
22
170
APPENDIX.
Of a young girl-come hear me tell - Who did awhile in Jenksville dwell.
When young her motlier did her give Unto her friends a while to live, And from her mother far she come With stranger friends to make her home.
But soon tliese friends did falsely prove, And showed to her no former love, For slie by them was cruel used, And by her mistress was abused.
A toilsome task she had to do Ere to the factory she did go ; And when into her room she went, The cruel thong she often felt.
Her cheeks soon lost their rosy hue, And she most melancholy grew ; And when these gloomy thoughts did rise,
The tears oft started from her eyes.
She told her mates within the mill She did herself intend to kill,
And unto them these words did say, Upon her last ill-fated day :
" I have a mother-lovely too- O did she but my treatment know ! For me she'll weep when I am gone ; But all in vain-I can't return.
" Sorrow hath all my joy bereft Since I my dear, dear mother left : But me no more she'll ever see, For with the dead I soon shall be."
The bell had tolled the hour for noon When she, down-hearted, left her room, And on the river bank she went For to accomplish her intent
The flowing deep soon o'er her closed, And she in silent death reposed ; But none were there to view the scene Of her while struggling in the stream.
The news soon spread that on that day Elizabeth had gone away, When search was made for her in vain, No tidings of her could they gain.
A fortnight near had rolled its round, Ere they her liteless body found ;
171
THE OAKLEY BALLAD-CLERGYMEN.
Then flocked the people to the shore, To view the orphan girl once more.
Then in the coffin her they laid And one short solemn prayer was said ; Then to the church-yard's lonely place They carried her for earth's embrace.
Months passed by-her mother came To view her darling child again ;
Her heart within her breast beat high As she unto the place came nigh.
And when the horrid news was told,
Her cheek turned pale, her blood ran cold ;
Both night and day she did lament, And she almost distracted went.
Elizabeth was fair and mild ;
Her character was undefiled ;
Her mind was free, her voice was sweet,
Her heart was void of all deceit.
Her age was scarcely four and ten,
And she by many loved had been ;
And many mourned the shocking fate, And oft this mournful tale relate.
No marble stone of sculptured name
Doth mark the spot where she is lain,
And her none evermore will see
Until they reach eternity.
K. SUCCESSION OF CONGREGATIONALIST MINISTERS, IN- CLUDING SUPPLIES.
Installed.
Commenced. Left.
Installed.
Commenced. Left.
Peletiah Chapin,
1774
1775
1835 David R. Austin,
1835
1837
David Haskell,
1784
1786
1839 Alonzo Sanderson,
1839 1843
Aaron Woodward,
1789 1793
1843 J. W. Tuck,
1843
1859
1793 Antipas Steward,
1793
1803 Warren Mayo,
1859
1862
Elijah Hedding,
1810
1811
1864 Chester Bridgman,
1864
1866
Alexander McLean,
1813
1816
1866 C. L. Cushman,
1866
1874
1819 Ebenezer B. Wright,
1819
1885
1875 S. V. McDuffee,
1874
L. SUCCESSION OF METHODIST MINISTERS, LUDLOW CENTER.
(SINCE ORGANIZING THE PRESENT CHURCH.)
1826 Wilbur Fisk, D. D.
1830-1 Samuel Davis.
1827 Isaac Jennison.
1832 Salmon Hull.
1829 Aaron Wait.
1838 Paul Townsend.
172
APPENDIX.
1834 Charles D. Rogers.
1835 Amasa Taylor.
1836-7 Philo Hawks.
1856 Nathan A. Soule.
1838 Charles Virgin.
1857-8 Franklin Fisk.
1839-40 James Nichols.
1841 William Campbell.
1859-60 George Prentice. 1861 William G. Leonard.
1841-2 John W. Dadmun.
1862-3 Daniel K. Banister.
1843 William A. Clapp.
1864-6 William J. Pomfret.
1844 William Fleming.
1867-8 Levin A. Bosworth.
1845 Asa Barnes.
1869 Jonas M. Clark.
1846 Ephraim Scott.
1870 John W. Lee.
1871-2 John W. Merrill, D. D. 1873-4 Alfred Noon.
M. SUCCESSION OF MINISTERS AT JENKSVILLE.
(M. E.,-Methodist Episcopal. Cong.,-Congregational.)
1841-2 B. F. Lambord, (M. E.)
1860-1 Geo. E. Chapman, (M. E.)
1846 Daniel E. Chapin, (M. E.) 1862 John Noon, (M. E.)
1847 David Sherman, (M. E.)
1863 J. A. Kibbe, (M. E.)
1848 Z. A. Mudge, (M. E.)
1868 A. Gardner, (Cong.)
1848 William Hall, (Cong.)
1872 H. E. Crocker, (M. E.)
1857 W. H. Daniels, (M. E )
1873 J. A. DeForest,. (M. E.)
1858 David K. Merrill, (M. E.)
1874 Timothy Lyman, (Cong.)
1859 L. R. S. Brewster, (M. E.)
This list is defective, as there seem no records accessible.
N. DEACONS OF THE CENTER CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH.
*Jonathan Bartlett, (?) *Timothy Keyes, *Jonathan Clough, (?) *David Lyon,
Chosen. 1824 *Joseph Miller,
1824 *Ashbel Burr.
1839 *Alva Sikes,
1848 Elisha T. Parsons,
*Job Pease, *Steplien Jones, *Benjamin Sikes,
1853 Oshea Walker, (left town.) . 1854 *George Booth, 1866 Henry S. Jones, 1866 George R. Clark.
*Oliver Dutton,
*Deceased.
o.
PARISH CLERKS, CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
(Since the organization.)
Theodore Sikes, 1835-6, 1842-5. Simeon Jones, 1837-41, 1846-8. Chauncey L. Buell, 1849-50. George Booth, 1851-64.
B. F. Burr, 1865-8. Edwin Booth, 1868-9. Gillen D. Atchinson, 1870-2 J. O. Kendall, 1873-5.
1847 Luther B. Clark.
1848-9 John Caldwell.
1850-1 Moses Stoddard.
1852-3 James W. Mowry. 1854-5 Kinsman Atkinson.
173
TOWN OFFICERS.
P.
MODERATORS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Name.
Times Served.
Name.
Times Served. 6
Moses Bliss,
1
Noah Clark,
John Hubbard,
3
Timothy Nash,
13
Joseph Miller,
24
Ashbel Burr,
3
Jonathan Bartlett,
8
Theodore Sikes,
4
Joseph Hitchcock,
10
Alvah Sikes,
3
Jeremiah Dutton,
3
Alexander McLean,
2
Abner Hitchcock,
1
Paoli Lathrop,
1
Joshua Fuller,
3
Dr. Elijah Caswell,
1
James Kendall,
28
E. T. Parsons,
30
Joel Nash,
22
John Gates,
2
Gideon Beebe,
1
Nathaniel Chapin,
3
Israel Warriner,
14
Henry Fuller,
1
John Jennings,
18
Col. John Miller,
9
Jonathan Burr,
13
Dennis Knowlton,
1
Eli Putnam,
7
Eli M. Smith,
15
Dr. Francis Percival,
1
John B. Alden,
1
John Miller,
1
Jerre Miller,
2
Dr A. J. Miller,
4
Dr. W. B. Alden,
2
Elisha Fuller,
1
George Booth,
3
Oliver Dutton,
27
William Ray,
1
Benjamin Sikes,
1
Alanson Pool,
1
Jonathan Clough,
2
Dr. T. W. Lyman,
1
Sherwood Beebe,
4
Artemas H. Whitney,
1
William Pease,
28
Henry Charles,
1
Ezekiel Fuller,
2
Edmund Bliss,
1
Increase Sikes,
1
John P. Hubbard,
3
Gad Lyon,
3
Chauncey L. Buell,
5
Dr. Simpson Ellis,
2
Francis F. McLean,
1
Joshua Fuller,
2
TOWN CLERKS.
The following have acted as Town Clerks :
Benajah Willey, 1774-5.
Jeremiah Dutton, 1776-9.
Dr. Aaron J. Miller, 1780-2
Samuel Arnold, 1783-5, 1788.
Dennis Knowlton, 1843-5.
Maj. John P. Hubbard, 1845-53, 1856-61, 1864.
John Jennings, 1789-92, 1794-6, 1798-9.
Plynn Sikes, 1793, 1797.
Increase Sikes, 1800-8.
Ely Fuller, 1809-29, 1831.
Theodore Sikes, 1830, 1833-5, 1839-41. Dr. Washington B. Alden, 1832, 1836-8. Samuel S. Bucklin, 1842.
Elisha . Fuller, 1786. Solomon L. Fuller, 1787.
George Booth, 1855. Albert Fuller, 1862-3. George E. Root, 1865 Benjamin F. Burr; 1866.
174
APPENDIX.
R.
SELECTMEN.
The following have been chosen to serve as the town fathers. To the names is appended the number of years of service, so far as ascertained :
Aaron Ferry,
2
Elias Frost,
5
Abner Sikes,
12
Asahel Rood,
5
Joseph Miller,
6
Gordon B. Miller,
3
Joseph Hitchcock,
2
Theodore Sikes,
4
Joshua Fuller,
1
Elam Wright,
1
John Hubbard, Jr.,
2
Chester Sikes,
8
Benajalı Willey,
1
Elijah Fuller,
1
Jonathan Bartlett,
2
John Town, Jr.,
1
John Sikes,
3
John Gates,
7
Moses Wilder,
1
William Ray,
11
Timothy Keyes,
2
Waterman Fuller,
3
Jeremiah Dutton,
1
Dan Hubbard,
5
Joel Nash,
6
Daniel King,
1
Israel Warinner,
7
Artemas H. Whitney,
12
James Kendall,
2
Edmund W. Fuller,
2
Samuel Arnold,
1
John Miller,
6
Isaac Brewer,
1
Elijah Plumley,
3
Jonathan Burr,
9
David Lyon,
2
Samuel Frost,
6
Alva Sikes,
2
Dr. Francis Percival,
4
Elisha T. Parsons,
2
Aaron Colton,
3
Jerre Miller,
5
Eplıraim Chapin,
2
Henry Fuller,
3
Benjamin Sikes, Jr.,
9
Willis Keyes,
1
Plynn Sikes,
1
Homer Lyon,
1
Eli Putnam,
1
Aaron Davis,
2
Lt. Joseph Munger,
2
Seth J. Bennett,
1
Sherwood Beebe,
6
Simeon Jones,
2
Job Pease,
1
Elijah G. Fuller,
1
Timothy Nash,
14
Benjamin Sikes,
7
Jonathan Sikes,
4
Gilbert E. Fuller,
6
Gad Lyon,
2
Roderick Collins,
4
Ezekiel Fuller,
1
Jacob S. Eaton,
2
Gates Willey,
7
F. F. McLean,
3
Joseph Miller,
1
Henry Charles,
1
Joshua Fuller,
5
John P. Hubbard.
2
Daniel Sprague,
2
Samuel White,
9
Nathaniel Lyon,
1
Eli M. Smith,
3
Titus Hubbard,
1
Reuben Sikes,
3
Nathaniel Lyon,
1
Jolın Ray,
2
James Sheldon,
1
Chauncey L. Buell,
1
Ashbel Burr,
13
David C. Jones,
1
John Dorman,
10
175
ASSESSORS.
S. ASSESSORS.
The following have served the town in the capacity of Assessors, each the num- ber of years indicated :
Joseph Jones,
1
Dr. Simpson Ellis, 1
John Hubbard, Jr.,
5
Elias Frost,
4
Joseph Hitchcock,
5
James Sheldon, Jr.,
6
Isaac Brewer, Jr.,
2
Dr. Elijah Caswell,
1
Benajah Willey,
2
William Brainerd,
6
Joshua Fuller,
1
Ely Fuller,
7
Jonathan Bartlett,
1
Theodore Sikes,
9
Jonathan Lombard,
1
Elijah Fuller,
5
John Sikes,
5
Alva Sikes,
10
Samuel Arnold,
6
John Moody,
2
Jeremiah Dutton,
2
Ira Stacy,
1
Oliver Chapin,
1
Nathaniel Chapin,
6
Ezekiel Fuller,
2
Sumner Chapin,
1
James Kendall,
2
Joseph Miller,
1
Joel Nash,
3
Charles Alden,
7
Solomon L. Fuller,
1
Elihu Collins,
1
John Jennings,
2
Elisha T. Parsons,
4
Samuel Scranton,
1
Henry Fuller,
3
Ephraim Chapin,
2
Dr. Washington B. Alden,
3
Plynn Sikes,
7
John Miller,
3
Gideon Beebe,
1
Alva Sikes,
6
David Lyon,
2
George Booth,
7
Aaron Colton,
1
Simeon Jones,
3
Jonathan Burr,
2
Dennis Knowlton,
3
Dr. Francis Percival,
2
Jerre Miller,
6
Gad Lyon,
8
John P. Hubbard,
6
Increase Sikes,
6
Eli M. Smith,
1
Timothy Nash,
8
Charles Bennett,
2
Peter Damon,
1
Dr. William B. Miller,
1
Joseph Miller, Jr .,
1
Aaron Davis,
3
Dr. Aaron T. Miller,
1
Seth J. Bennett,
1
Samuel Frost,
1
William Ray,
2
Benjamin Sikes,
2
Elijah C. Eaton,
4
Eli Putnam,
1
Albert Fuller,
8
Sherwood Beebe,
4
Jeremiah Dutton,
1
Stephen Jones,
2
Lucien Cooley,
1
Jonathan Sikes,
4
Adin Whitney,
6
Oliver Dutton,
2
James W. Kendall,
1
Ezekiel Fuller,
2
Jacob S. Eaton,
2
Asa Pease,
1
Reuben Sikes,
4
Gates Willey,
14
Francis F. McLean,
2
Lemuel Keyes,
3
David K. Paine,
3
Joshua Fuller,
3
David C. Jones,
2
Calvin Sikes,
1
Henry S. Jones,
1
Daniel Sprague,
1 Jere Dutton,
1
176
APPENDIX.
2
Charles W. Alden, 2
4 Austin F. Naslı, 4
2
Edward E. Fuller, 4
2
T.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
1784. Capt. Joseph Miller.
1834. Theodore Sikes.
1785. Capt. Joseph Miller.
1835. Theodore Sikes.
1787. John Jennings.
1836. Theodore Sikes.
1800. Elisha Fuller.
1837. Joseplı Bucklin.
1801. Dr. Aaron J. Miller.
1838. Joseph Bucklin.
1802. Dr. Aaron J. Miller.
1840. Dennis Knowlton.
1806. Gad Lyon.
1842. Dennis Knowlton.
1807. Increase Sikes.
1808. Gad Lyon.
1844. Dennis Knowlton.
1809. John Jennings.
1845. Artemas H. Whitney.
1810. Gad Lyon.
1846. Artemas H. Whitney.
1811. Sherwood Beebe.
1812. Ely Fuller.
1848. Eli M. Smith.
1813 Ely Fuller.
1849. Alva Sikes.
1814. Ely Fuller.
1854. John P. Hubbard.
1815. Ely Fuller.
1855. Jerre Miller.
1827. Ely Fuller.
1856. Elisha T. Parsons.
1829. Rev. Alexander McLean.
1857. Elisha T. Parsons.
1830. Dr. A. J. Miller.
1859. Albert Fuller.
1831: Theodore Sikes.
1862. Hezekiah Root.
1832. Theodore Sikes.
1865. Jacob S. Eaton.
1833. Theodore Sikes.
1872. Reuben Sikes.
U.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, WITH YEARS OF SERVICE.
Rev. E. B. Wright,
1 Dr. H. M. T. Smith,
1
E. T. Parsons,
13 J. H. Wilcox,
1
Charles Alden,
8 Gilbert Pillsbury,
12
Joseph Miller, 2d,
1 E. C. Eaton,
1
Rev. D. R. Austin,
2
Rev. Franklin Fisk,
1
Rev. Salmon Hull,
1
Dr. Robert Wood,
1
Harmon Booth,
2 Chauncey L. Buell,
11
Dr. W. B. Alden,
7 Rev. George Prentice,
1
Alva Sikes,
1 Warren D. Fuller,
3
Natlianiel Chapin,
1 George R. Clark,
1
Abner Cady,
1
Rev. W. J. Pomfret, 8
George Booth,
18
J. Osman Kendall,
5
Rev. A. Sanderson,
2
Adin Whitney,
1
Albert Clark,
1 Rev. A. Gardner,
1
Rev. J. W. Dadmun,
1
Rev. H. E. Crocker,
1
Dr. William B. Miller,
5
Rev. C. L. Cushman,
1
Theodore Sikes,
1 Rev. Alfred Noon,
I
Rev. J. W. Tuck,
4
.
1
1843. Dennis Knowlton.
1847. Artemas H. Whitney.
Jackson Cady, Charles S. Bennett, Davenport L. Fuller, Norman Lyon,
4Miller
DR. AARON J. MILLER, THE FIRST PHYSICIAN IN THE TOWN. (See page 185.)
PROMINENT CHARACTERS. 177
V. GRADUATES.
The following natives of Ludlow have received diplomas from insti- tutions of learning :-
Jennie E. Banister (now Fuller), Wilbraham Academy, 1862.
Rev. Ephraim Chapin, Williams College, 1814.
Rev. Joel Chapin, Dartmouth College.
Sumner Bodfish, West Point Military Academy.
Lucinda Damon, Wilbraham Academy.
William A. Fuller, Wilbraham Academy, 1867.
Henry A. Hubbard, Union College, N. Y.
Rev. Dargo B. Jones, Miami University, Ohio.
Rev. Simeon Miller, Amlierst College, 1840.
Dr. William B. Miller.
Matilda Munsing, Westfield Normal School 1871.
Henrietta D. Parsons (now Howell), South Hadley Female Seminary.
Julia T. Parsons (now Bodfislı), Southi Hadley Female Seminary.
Rev. Orin Sikes, Union College, Maine.
John Stacy, Yale College.
Elizabeth Swan, Westfield Normal School, 1871.
Rev. Alvin E. Todd, Yale College, 1871.
W. PHYSICIANS.
Aaron Jolın Miller. (See Genealogies.) Francis Percival.
Benjamin Trask (1777). Wood.
Simpson Ellis.
David Lyon. [ard's daughter. Sylvester Nash, married Rev. Mr. Stew- Philip Lyon (1802).
Taintor.
Sutton.
Munger.
Hamilton.
Estis Howes. Elijah Caswell. Waslington B. Alden. Bassett. R. G. English. William B. Miller.
Henry M. T. Smitlı.
Smith. Robert Wood. King. Benjamin K. Johnson.
Horace B. Miller.
X.
POSTMASTERS.
Benjamin Jenks. S. B. Stebbins. Jerre Miller. Walter Miller.
AT LUDLOW.
Louis Harrington. Eli M. Smith. David Joy.
AT LUDLOW CENTER.
Mrs. Susan A. Chapin.
23
178
APPENDIX.
Y. PRESENT TOWN OFFICERS.
(FEBRUARY, 1875.)
Clerk and Treasurer .- Benjamin F. Burr.
Selectmen .- Samuel White, John Ray, David C. Jones.
Assessors .- Edward E. Fuller, Austin F. Nash, Reuben Sikes.
School Committee -Third year, vacancy ; second year, J. Osman Kendall ; first year, Rev. Alfred Noon.
Road Commissioners .- Third year, Elijah Plumley ; second year, Samuel White ; first year, Silas Billings.
Constable and Collector .- Charles S. Bennett.
Field Drivers -Edmund W. Fuller, William H. Pease, Austin F. Nash, John Hobson, Oscar Wood, James W. Kendall, Adelbert L. Bennett, Edward Stewart, William H. Whitney, John Gates.
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber .- Philo A. Harris, D. L. Beckwith, Warren D. Fuller, Ashbel P. Chapin, Elliott O. Alden, Henry I. Carver.
Fence Viewers .- Lucius Simonds, James W. Kendall, Elijah Plumley, Alexander Whitney.
Special Constables .-- Charles W. Alden, Alanson Pool, Elihu J. Sikes, Edmund W. Bliss, A. P. Chapin, Justus B. Alden, Albert Fuller.
Sealer of Weights and Measures,-Warren D. Fuller.
Public Weigher .- David Joy.
Tithing-Men .- John Hobson, Jr., Reuben Sikes, Cyril A. Southworth.
Z. FEATS OF STRENGTH.
Dexter Lyon, Homer Lyon, David Lyon, Selah Kendall, Isaac Sheldon and others were associated together at one time. A gentle- man who was visiting at Dr. Alden's was introduced as a celebrated wrestler. A ring was quickly formed, and David Lyon, one of the smallest men, was appointed to try his hand with the champion, and also that others might learn his methods. When they were ready to take hold the stranger said to Dr. Alden, "You go the other side of the house and see where he strikes." But instead of sending David to the other side of the house the champion found himself lying upon his back. Picking himself up he wanted to take hold again. David said to him : "You acknowledge you were fairly thrown, don't you ? " "O yes," said he. "Well," replied David, " it is no object for me to take hold of a man whom I can throw as easily as I can you."
Titus Pomeroy, a somewhat noted wrestler, claimed to throw every- body about South Hadley Falls. Finally William Miller, son of Dr. A. J. Miller, was persuaded to go over and try his hand with him. When Miller was introduced, Pomeroy said : "Is that the man you
179
FEATS OF STRENGTH-EPITAPHS.
have brought to wrestle with me ? I could eat him up in a minute." They took hold. Pomeroy gave him a twitch and swung Miller around behind him. Miller, however, was all ready for him, and tripped both feet from under him, so that he came down in a very unexpected man- ner. Pomeroy said, as he shook off the dust, "I didn't think that little rascal could throw me."
Titus Hubbard once met a man who claimed a position in the road which was not fairly his, and without ceremony took up the offender bodily and set him aside. Reuben Sikes is said to have repeatedly lifted one end of a very heavy sled-load of green hickory wood.
When Elijah Plumley was a young man he carried upon his shoul- der fifty-two quarts, full measure, of the heaviest rock-salt, a mile and a half without resting, and then turned and proposed to those who had wonderingly accompanied him, to return with it before he rested.
· AA.
EPITAPHS.
[From old Center yard.]
This stone is erected to the memory of a son and a Daughter of Capt Joseph and Mrs. Mary Miller (viz) Wilder, who died Oct 13 1786 in the 5 year of his age. And Joanna who died Dec 10, 1787, in the 3 year of her age.
When death receives the dire. command None can elude or ftay his hand Nor can a hope or beauty fave. From the dire conquest of the grave.
[From North yard.]
In memory of M's Sarah
wife of Mr
Timothy Root
who died
Mar 3
1785 in
her 44 year Also
an Infant bury -ed by her side
180
APPENDIX.
[From North yard.]
In memory of Lieut JOHN SIKES who died
July 27, 1807 in the 60 year of his age.
Friends nor phyficians could not fave This mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave confine it here When Chrift commands it to appear.
[From North yard.]
In memory of
MRS HANNAH SIKES
the wife of
Mr Benjamin Sikes
who died Apr 17 : 1790 Aged 84 years
Life is uncertain Death is fure Sin is the wound & Chrift the cure
[From East yard.] Mr. David Paine
Departed this Life July 2nd 1807 (by a cart wheel runing acrofs his breast: he expired instantly) Æt. 70
He was a friend to Religion & :Piety.
Return my friends without a tear Devote your lives unto God's fear : That you with him may always live This is the last advice I give.
[From East yard.]
In
memory of
NICHOLAS DANIELS
who died
April 26, 1827
Æt. 65
181
EPITAPHS.
[From East yard.]
Mrs
Mahitable
wife of Rev Ephraim Scott
died May 25 1831 Æ 34
There is rest in heaven.
[From old Center yard.] In memory of Mr. Cyprian and Mrs. Lucy Wright who died as follows viz. She died
August 22nd 1794
in the 37th year of her age
he died Jan 7th 1779 in the 45th year of his age.
Kind reader, when these lines you see Think how uncertain life may be : We once had life & health like you But now have bid the world adieu.
[From old Center yard.]
In Memory of Chester the Son of M' Asa & Mrs Sarah Dodge who Died Septm IIth 1805, aged 3 years 4 Months & 18 days
With disentery & with worms God did Death licence give To take my prescious Soul away And Jay I Should not live.
[From old Center yard.]
In memory of
Doc' Philip Lyon
who died July 26
1802 aged 40 years
Who after having experienced the sweets of connubial
bliss died leaving no family. his amiable consort died at Ran- "dolph Oct 1801.
182
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