USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Memorial of the reunion of the natives of Westhampton, Mass., September 5, 1866 > Part 4
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Such is a very imperfect sketch of some of the manners and deeds of the first inhabitants of Westhampton. They were a race of sterling men, such as this country will never see again. They laid deep and strong the foundations of the prosperity of the town. They set in motion all those influences which have blessed the people ; they established all the ordinances which have bound together, in one harmonious whole, the diverse ele- ments of the human race. By their wisdom, discord was re- duced to harmony, and peace has reigned throughout all its bor- ders ; by their energy and industry, prosperity has been univer- sal, and through their humble but devout piety. happiness has entered every cottage, and contentment fills every soul. Their life was one of toil, and it had its griefs, sorrows and disap-
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pointments ; but these troubles, like the fleecy clouds passing over the sun in the western sky, only made their declining days more brilliant, and their sunset more glorious and resplendent.
P. S. In the preparation of the foregoing address, in all dis- puted points, I have followed the authority of Sylvester Judd, late of Northampton. Born in Westhampton in 1789, and living here till 1822, he knew many of the early settlers of the town, and had the best opportunity to determine the facts of its set- tlement. He took a deep interest in the welfare of the town, and devoted much of his time to advance its prosperity. While here he began his historical and classical studies, it was here he formed that simple but vigorous style of writing in which he af- terwards excelled, and it was here he began to practice that in- dustry, application and sterling integrity, which, in after years, made him so distinguished as an antiquarian, and his authority almost unquestioned. The later years of his life were chiefly occupied in studying the history of the Connecticut Valley, and the life, habits and customs of its early settlers, intending to write a history of Northampton and the neighboring towns. For this purpose he accumulated a vast amount of rare and val- uable material, part of which is contained in his history of Had- ley, but the greater part remains in numerous manuscript vol- umes. To these manuscripts I had constant reference in writing this address.
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ADDRESS.
BY OTIS CLAPP, ESQ.
The creation and establishment of the townships of New Eng- land in the last two centuries, constitute an era in the history of free government and human civilization.
[After quoting De Tocqueville, John Quincy Adams and others, to show the motives which brought the first settlers to New England, and their creation of the system of small townships as the rallying points of the people, and the nurseries of civil and religious freedom, and portraying the great influence which these states in miniature exerted upon the independent thinking and future destinies of the country, Mr. Clapp proceeded to say : ]
It is a matter of no small satisfaction to us, as natives of this good old town of Westhampton, attracted from the different points of the compass, to this reunion, on the soil that gave us birth, to know that its first settlers were true to the principles of their origin ; that they labored faithfully and successfully to transmit to their children the blessings they had received.
No native was allowed to grow up in ignorance. I was a res- ident of the town from 1806 to 1823. During this period, I never saw such a prodigy, as a man or woman, native or resi- dent, who could neither read nor write. I well recollect, when so young as to occupy a seat among the youngest pupils, the amazement produced by this incident. A family moved into the town with several daughters who were women grown. Their acquirements were such that they were placed in our class.
Here children and adults were in the same class. They were required to ascend the same " ladder to learning," by studying and reciting the same lessons, and on the same level. The nov- elty of the case caused feelings of surprise not easily effaced.
. The early founders of this town were deeply imbued with the . principles to which I have referred. Rev. Enoch Hale was their first minister, and may be regarded as a fair representative of these principles. A brief sketch. therefore, of the Hale family, it has been suggested, may not be inappropriate to this occasion, and may help to illustrate the subject before us.
There were in England at the first settlement of this state, three large families of Hales, and all seem to have been educated among the puritans. The celebrated jurist, Sir Matthew IIale, was one of them. Two of these families sent representatives to this state. Robert Hale came to Charlestown in 1632, and was
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made deacon of the church in that place at its formation. His son, Rev. John Hale, graduated at Harvard College in 1657. He was settled as the first minister at Beverly, in 1667. He was. one of the chaplains connected with the expedition to Canada in 1690, and was taken prisoner. He was a highly educated, influential and useful man.
One of his sons, Deacon Richard Hale, moved to Coventry, Connecticut. He had thirteen children. The fifth was Rev. Enoch Hale, born October 28, 1753, and the sixth was Nathan Hale, born June 6, 1755, and who was executed as a spy in New York, by the British army, September 22, 1776. There was less than two years difference in the ages of the two. Both entered Yale College in 1769, and graduated in 1773. They were devo- tedly attached to each other. So profoundly did Enoch feel the death of his brother, that he was never known to allude to him, unless led to do so by others. Such a death, with its attending circumstances, undoubtedly tended to deepen and develop those grave and serious qualities of character which shone forth so . prominently in his after life. Such are the teachings of an overruling providence.
The father had intended both sons for the ministry, and their studies had reference to that end.
The father is represented as a man of sterling integrity, piety and industry. He was farmer, deacon of the church, and repre- sentative to the general assembly. He passed a long, laborious and useful life. The mother was a lady of high moral and do- mestic worth, strongly attached to her children, and careful of their culture.
The family was eminently puritan in its faith, tastes and man- ners-a. quiet, strict, godly household, where the Bible ruled, and family prayers never failed, nor was grace ever omitted, nor work done after sundown of a Saturday night. Nathan early exhibited a fondness for rural sports. In consequence, his in- fancy, at first feeble, soon hardened into firm boyhood, and with the growth of his body, his mind developed rapidly. He mas- tered his books with ease, and was constantly applying his infor- mation. When he entered college, he was considered a prodi- gy of learning in the churches. President Dwight, his tutor, entertained a very high idea of his capacity. He used frequently to refer to him, and always with admiration of his course in college, and of deep regret of his untimely fate. He spoke of him as peculiarly fond of scientific pursuits, and that in these he stood at the head of his class.
He has beautifully eulogized him in verse. President Sparks says : " He became distinguished as a scholar ; and endowed in an eminent degree with those graces and gifts of nature which add a charm to youthful excellence, he gained universal esteem
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and confidence. To high moral worth and irreproachable habits, were joined gentleness of manners, an ingenuous disposition, and vigor of understanding. No young man of his years put forth a fairer promise of future usefulness and celebrity ; the fortunes of none were fostered more sincerely by the generous good wishes of his associates, or the hopes and encouraging presages of his superiors."
He graduated in 1773, and commenced school-keeping, first in East Haddam, and then in New London. The school in which he taught was owned by the first gentlemen in New London, all of whom were exceedingly gratified by his skill and assiduity. His skill in imparting knowledge was unsurpassed. When the news arrived at New London of the attack by the British upon Lexington, April 19, 1775, the citizens at once assembled in town meeting. Hale addressed the assembly. "Let us march immediately," said he, " and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence," and enrolling at once as a volunteer. He assembled his school the next morning, made his pupils an - affectionate address, gave them earnest counsel, prayed with . them, and shaking each by the hand, took his leave.
His company was ordered to Boston. In November, 1775, the army was threatened with dissolution, by the expiration of enlistments. Hale promised his company his own pay if they would tarry a given period. He was located from September, 1775, to April, 1776, in the camp around Boston, where all was siege and counter plot, in the mouth of danger. His company, from the skill with which he managed it, soon became a model for others.
He was the frequent guest of General Putnam, and conferred freely with Generals Sullivan, Lee and Spencer. In April, 1776, he was transferred with his troops to New York. At that time a British sloop laden with supplies was anchored under the six- ty-four guns of the British ship Asia. Hale arranged a surprise party, took her as a prize, and used the goods to feed the hun- gry and clothe the naked of our own army.
In September, 1776, General Washington became extremely anxious to learn the number and position of the British army on Long Island. A board of officers concurred with him as to its importance, and Col. Knowlton was selected to find a com- petent person to penetrate their lines and lift the veil of secrecy. Knowlton appealed to the officers of his own regiment. and then to others for some one to volunteer. but all declined. Hale, who had been sick, and was still pale and feeble, and came late to the assembly of officers, said, " I will undertake it.". His friends and classmates expostulated. Here is his reply. "I think I owe to my country the accomplishment of an object so impor- tant, and so much desired by the commander of our armies, and
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and I know of no other mode of obtaining the information, than by assuming a disguise, and passing into the enemy's camp. I am fully sensible of the consequences of discovery and capture in such a situation. I wish to be useful, and every kind of ser- vice necessary to the public good becomes honorable by becom- ing necessary. If the exigences of my country demand pecu- liar service, its claims to the performance of that service are imperious."
His acceptance was placed upon the simple ground of loyalty to duty. He succeeded in gaining the desired information, but was taken prisoner and executed. A Bible was refused him in his last moments. The letters he had written to his family were torn up by his coarse and unfeeling executioner, who, at the last moment, scoffingly demanded his dying speech and confession. The only answer by Hale was in these words : "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
The last remark of Andre, made under similar circumstances, was : " I pray you to bear me witness, that I meet my fate like a brave man."
"Is it not obvious," says the historian, "that one was meas- uring himself in the eyes of men-the other in the eyes of his Maker?" Andre was thinking of himself, Hale of his country.
It is believed that these traits of character, this trust in God, this loyalty to duty, were largely shared by the two brothers. They had been brought up like most of the New England colo- nists, in highly religious surroundings ; to believe in the word of God, as the only rule of action, in all the relations of life.
Rev. Enoch HIale was ordained on the 28th of September, 1777, and died January 14th, 1837, after a ministry of fifty- seven years. He possessed qualities of mind and character, that rendered him in his day and generation, a marked man. Not so much for brilliant talents, as for thorough conscientious- ness, and habits of quiet and systematic order. His life seemed serene and useful. He possessed thorough self-control, and al- was manifested to all, peace and good will. He was exceeding- ly exact in his habits, as shown in his appointments, and in his records. He kept an exact record of the births, marriages and deaths ; and the members of the church, in the town. He took a warm interest in the schools, and used to visit them often. He kept a complete record of the names and ages of the pupils, in a portable book for easy reference. These records were near- ly all destroyed by the burning of his house in 1816.
He prepared a spelling book about the first of this century, in which he endeavored to realize the apostolic idea, to think and " speak as a child," with a view of interesting children in lessons and stories adapted to their apprehension. In this lie succeeded in suiting the little ones ; but not the adults. In
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those days it was the custom to teach children abstract doctrines of theology, as well as to read, write and spell. His effort was a generation too soon. The idea was taken up thirty years la- ter, and now the world is full of juvenile literature. He used to have more or less pupils to fit for college, or as teachers. Among these were Rev. Dr. Justin Edwards, Rev. E. B. Wright and Rev. Dorus Clarke.
For many years he examined all the teachers for the town schools, and gave certificates to such as proved competent. Among the qualifications required, was the ability to teach "good behavior." In this way his influence was felt in raising the standard of the schools, and upon the manners of the chil- dren. No boy or girl, in those days, ever thought of passing an adult in the street, without the proper bow or curtesy. "The influence," I am told by one who knew him well, " was felt in the common schools in Westhampton, years after his decease, by those who had been pupils in the district schools, and had children of their own to send to the district schools." He was careful and exact in the use of language, never letting drop ex- pressions which would inflict a wound. Under the fostering care of such ministrations, and with the cordial co-operation of leading minds, there existed a healthy tone of public sentiment in the town. This showed itself in the management of its reli- gious, educational and civil affairs, which caused Westhampton to be spoken of by her neighbors, in this regard, as a model . town.
He had eight children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom were married, and had children. His oldest son, Nathan Hale, was born in 1774. He graduated at Williams College in 1804, and was admitted to the bar in 1810. He commenced as editor of the Weekly Messenger in 1811, and of the Daily Ad- vertiser-the first daily paper in New England-in 1814. In 1825 he published a map of New England, which had been pre- pared with great care and labor. Ile was one of the most exact, and best read geographers in the country. He was one of the first in the country to make known the advantages of railroads, and did more than any one man in the state to inform the pub- lic mind in relation to them. He was acting President of the Massachusetts Board of Internal Improvement, under whose superintendence the surveys were made for a system of rail- roads. He was first President of the Boston and Worcester Railroad-the first road that run cars out of Boston.
He was chairman of the Board of Commissioners for introdu- cing water into the city of Boston. As a journalist for nearly fifty years, he occupied a position among the first, for variety of information, solidity of judgment, and dignity of character. Few men have contributed more largely to the physical wealth of the state, or have proved more useful citizens.
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Dr. Enoch Hale was born in 1790, and died in 1846. Pro- fessionally, he was well educated. He stood high as a prac- titioner, and as an author. His first work was called " Experi- ments on the Production of Animal Heat by Respiration," which attracted much attention both here and in England. He sub- sequently wrote a work on "Spotted Fever," and another on "Typhoid Fever." He was a frequent contributor to medical journals and reviews. "Few among us," says Dr. W. Channing, his biographer, "have done more than he has in his way, to benefit his profession. He was a thorough student, a careful observer of facts, and exact in recording them. He was also a man of decided convictions and character, and outspoken in his views."
Richard HIale was born July 2d, 1792, and died in 1839. He was a farmer. He possessed qualities of mind and character that endeared him to all who were placed in circumstances to feel them.
" Madam Hale," says an old and respected parishoner, " was a fitting partner for a parish minister. Intelligent, industrious, judicious and frugal, well versed in the culinary department, nothing wasted, the cruse of oil and barrel of meal never failed. The clothing of the family in her day, being mainly of domes- tic manufacture, she put her hands willingly and efficiently to the work, aided and assisted by her five daughters, as far as age and ability would permit. By the people of Westhampton, I believe, she was universally respected and beloved." Four of these daughters are still living. It may be more proper to . speak of them and their children at some future period.
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My early recollections of this town extend back something over half a century. I can recollect the advent of light carria- ges for traveling, and some of the changes it produced. Prior to that period, going to church on Sundays was made on foot, and on horseback. Pillions, attached to the saddle for ladies, were common, and several horse blocks, with steps to aid in mounting the horse, were located near the church. It was no very uncommon thing to see two adults and two children mount- ed on one horse-one astride in front, and the other in its moth- er's arms.
In those days, everybody went to church, old and young, un- less prevented by sickness. As I was born and lived within eight rods of the meeting house, I knew by sight every man and woman, and nearly every child in the town.
I could also recognize the ownership of nearly every horse and carriage, as well as every dog in the town.
It was from the adjoining hill called Tob, named from an old Indian who used to reside thereon, where the first emotions of beauty and grandeur were awakened in my mind. This was
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caused by admiring the waters and valley of the beautiful Con- necticut ; the peaks of Mounts Tom and Holyoke, as well as the lesser mountains and hills in all directions. In the lan- guage of Dr. Dwight in relation to the Connecticut :
No watery gleams through fairer valleys shine, Nor drinks the sea a lovelier stream than thine.
I have since travelled in near half the states, and in the Can- adas, with an eye always open to fine scenery ; but to my mind nothing exceeds in picturesque beauty, the scenery of this good old county of Hampshire.
To the native, who has roamed over these hills and vales in days of childhood and innocence ; who has inhaled its invigora- ting breezes, and who has its scenes engraven upon his memory, his heart will fondly turn to the place of his nativity, and its scenes will challenge comparison with all others.
Among the most delicate and touching experiences in life, are those in which the memories of childhood are reproduced. One illustration of this was shown in the case of the late Nathan Hale. When on the threshold of the other world, and with his mind partly there, he used to bid his family and friends an af- fectionate good-by, saying "he was going to Westhampton !"
The late Dr. Nott used to regard as foremost among the agen- cies for the development of social character, the Singing School, and similar gatherings of the country towns. This town has not, it is believed, been behind others in availing itself of these advantages. The influence of social gatherings to practice the singing of music, is in a high degree elevating. The advanta- ges of this in the camp were strikingly manifest. Those young men who had cultivated a taste for music, had always resources to fall back upon ; and those resources were elevating, instead of debasing in character. The soldier who could in heart join his companions in songs of patriotism and praise, could hardly fail to be reliable on the field of battle. A case in illustration came under my observation. A young man once spent the sing- ing school season in this town. He entered heart and soul into the work of learning, procured his tuning fork, and was never more happy than when joining others in song. He carried this taste to the prairies of the West, and from there to the camps in Virginia. He drew the soldiers around him; and although they were among the most efficient fighting characters in the service, they spent a good portion of their leisure in chanting songs of praise.
The most reliable soldiers of the recent war, were not those recruited at the Five Points and Black Seas. They were the graduates of our Sabbath Schools, and of houses where the pre- cepts of the Divine Word are made the rule of life. According
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to Cromwell, (the greatest soldier of his age,) "he that prays best, and preaches best, will fight best." Those men and women who drink in these inspirations, can go into the highways and byways, without soiling their garments. The poison of the asp and the cockatrice cannot hurt them. The hope of the world is in the purity and integrity of the family. Rural life and scenes seem best adapted to foster and to nourish these qualities. It is much easier to surround childhood with healthy influences, in such scenes, than amid the distractions and allurements of the city. Respect for, and obedience to, the invitations of the nine o'clock evening bell, on the part of the young, have an al- most magic influence in laying the foundations of a sound con- stitution, fitted for a life of useful endurance.
Our system of small townships and churches is admirably adapted as nurseries for teaching and instilling into the minds of the young those fundamental principles of justice, which form the basis of intelligent and virtuous action. One of the ends of creation is, that men and women should have sound minds in sound bodies. Here, on these hills and valleys, is the place, of all others, to lay the foundations of both. On no spot of earth does the sun shine brighter, nor is the air of heaven more pure.
Whether your course of life is to be spent here, or elsewhere, there can be no better place to develop healthy physical and moral muscles, to meet the warfare of life.
Jefferson regarded large cities as pests in the body politic. Cities are only what the towns of the country make them, by the kind of men and women which they contribute to them. The city is merely a centre of demand and supply for the man- ufactured and other products of the country-not excepting its vices. The tone of morals which prevail in the city is largely determined by the quality of its contributions from the country.
If we train up the young in the way they should go, all is well. But if otherwise, the community is drawn downwards by inverted influences. How important, therefore, that children should go into the world with moral principles so fixed as not to be turned aside by temptation !
Forty years ago a poor boy left this town for one of the large cities. He there met a talented and fascinating cousin. This cousin, in due time, opened to him the allurements which were scattered along the broadways of life, and invited him to walk therein. He hesitated ; the teachings and prayers of a sainted mother came to his aid, and he declined. Here was a turning point in life. The two cousins travelled in different di- rections ; one in the path of sobriety and respectability, the other in paths I need not describe.
The needed spiritual forces to meet these temptations can be
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successfully invoked through the family altar .. Our fathers learned to draw their strength from this source. When Solo- mon succeeded to the duties of his father, he said to the Lord ; "I am but a little child ; I know not how to go out or come in. Give therefore, thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." It " pleas- ed the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing." "And God said unto him, because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast thou asked riches for thyself, nor hast thou asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold I have done according to thy words : lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor."
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