USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Westfield > Mundale : the West parish of Westfield, Massachusetts, in the olden days. > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
*Should read 18II.
57
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
voted Not to raise any More money in addition to the former Sum put and voted to DisSmis the Meating
May 6, 1812 then held a School meating at the school- house and Choose Eagar Noble Modartor and Moses Sac- ket s Clerk then voted that the last Commite should sarve to get a marm then voted to set up the school three months voted to board acording to the number of scollars as they send
then voted to dissmith the meating
November 17 1812
then agread to git a half a cord of wood to each schoollar they send delivered at the school hous the first day of De- cember next then agread that Moses Drake and master Coles should meshure the wood that each man brings on that Day
Dec: Ith: 1813
then agread to hire mistres to teach the the school this winter. then Chose three for a Committy Stephen Prat & Samuel Jones & Lyman Noble to hire a mistres if they Can hire one that will answer if not to hire a master then agread if the Commity hire a mistres to have fore months School and if master three month. then agread to git half cord of wood to each schollar they send exceptting those which are to chop all the wood that is brougt to the scholl this winter these three are Stphen Pratt & Lyman Noble & titus Jones.
May IIth 1814
then agread to set up a school longanough to expend what money there is now back
November 24d 1814
put voted that Each one Shall feach one third of a cord of wood for one Scoller Put and voted that Each one Shall
58
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
feach his part of wood the third day of December Next or pay his money nine Shilling per cord good Sound wood put voted that the commite Shall Examin And mesuer the Same put and voted that Titus Jonese And Steven prat Shall Cut the wood for thare part at the Scolehouse voted to Dismis the meating
1815 School Meeting held at this Place Nov 23-1815
Voted that there Shall be a School four months this win- ter & Spring
Voted that Benjn Blakesley or the teacher Shall measure all the wood that is brot to the School
Voted that L Noble & T Jones & B Blakesley Shall Cut all the wood for the School for their part instead of fur- nishing the wood
Voted that this meating be Dismisd
School Meating held at this place Joshua Loomis ju Nov. 15th 1816
Voted that Each Person shall bring one quarter of a cord of wood to each collar.
Voted that Each Person shall bring his wood the first mon- day in Dec and cut it
Voted that Each Person shall bring his wood in the month of December those Person that dont bring his wood in the month of Dec. the committe shall furnish the wood and collect the money from those that are deficient the wood that the committe do furnish shall be IOS 6d a cord to be collected from those men that are deficient.
Nov th19 1817
Voted that No Schollars Shall Come to School out of the DeStrict february 25th 1818
then voted that the schoolhouse Shall be open and free for
59
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
any Meeting at any time for publick worship not intrude- ing on schools
voted that the school wood shall be free for any religios meetin
Dece 22ª 1818
Voted that each man shall bring one quater of a cord of good oak wood to each schollar that he sends and be meas- ured by the instructor
Voted that each man shall cut his wood and pile it
Voted that anyone that is diffishent in getting wood shall pay the committy after the rate of two dollars a cord Jan 10th 1821
then voted that the Destrick Should turn out the 13th of this present month to Bank the School house at one oclock pm
Then voted Moses Sackett Jun John Shepard & Eager Noble to Serve a Committee to See that the School house is Banked
then voted that the Committe Should Be empowerd to Collect the money of those who Should Be Defiesent of Doeing there proportion of work
Jan 18th 1821
Then voted that the key Shoud Be Left at Joshua Loomis Jun at Such times as the instructor Should Be Absent
Nov 27th 1821
Voted that two thirds of the money that we draw in this District Should Be expend in the winter Shool
Nov 19th 1822
Voted that a pair of Districk hand irons Should Be Sold at the hiest Bidder Bid off By Martin Cowles .44
Voted that there Should Be one Dollor and eighty three
60
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
Cents to Be taken from the Districk School money to Be Paid for hand irons and tongs
Nov 14 1823
voted that school be sot up the 24 of the present Month voted that Samuel Lee put in what glafs there wants and have his pay out of the school Money
Nov 22ª 1824
Then Held A School Meeting at the Schoollhous in Hooppole Schoole house Munsbrook District.
November 10th 1826
then voted that each man Shall find* one quarter of a Cord of good oak wood for each Schollar he Sends to be Cut for the fire
Voted that Gamaliel Cowle Shall See to measing the wood and fix the School house for ninety five Cents
April 16th 1827
voted to have five months Schooling this Sumer.
voted that the three Commitee and the treasurey Shall look up the Back mony and Deliver it to the treasurey and put it out to interist
Nov. 19th 1827
voted that we have four months and a half Shool this winter if the Committee See fit
voted that if the Committe Cant get a good teacher Short of twelve Dollars to give that
April 8 1828
then voted to have Six Months School this Season Oct 28th 1828
Voted that the wood for the winter School Shall Be Set up at the Lowest Bider
* "furnish"
61
MUNDALE £
IN THE OLDEN DAYS
Voted that Gamalell Coowles Aaron Nelson & Samuel Jones Shall Contrak for the above mntion wood
November 16th 1829
voted Moses Saket A Commtee to See Martin Cowles and git the Back mony if he has any and retun it to the Com- mitee
Aggreed to give Gamaliel Cowles fiftiy Cints for fixing the Schoolhouse
John Shpherd Bid of the wood for the School this win- ter four months and a half Cut fit for fire for $8.40cs.
Nov 2 1832
Voted to have the Stove fixed with Brick and set up to the lowist Bider laid in lime Morter
Lucus Cowles bid off the fixing the Stove for 98ct.
Voted to hire a School teacher and Board around for 14 doll. month
April 16th 1834
voted that we Chose three Commite to See how much Back money they Can find and Report next Meeting
Nov. 17th 1834
voted to Set up the repairing of the School house at the Lowest Bider
Set it up and Joshua Loomis Bid it off at fortry two Cents. November 24th 1836
voted that we have a female teacher five weeks and a male teacher three Months this winter
voted Lucas Cowls vendue Master.
Dec 3, 1838*
Martin Sacket was chosen prudential committee
He is at liberty to give Laura Sacket ten dollars per
*Part of a later report finished here on a blank page.
62
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
month with the understanding she is to keep yearly months
August 31, 1838. At a school meeting held in Mons Brook west school district
Voted that all future metings be warned by the Cleark by putting notification on the school house meting house and Thomas Loomis Tavern.
Voted we build a new school house larg a nough for two schools one school is to be similar to the high school in the center of the Town.
Voted a committee of five to procure a cite for the house. L. Cowles. T. Loomis D. Drake. O. Cowles. Martain Sacket.
Sept 14 1838
Voted a committee to asertain whether it is necessary to have the selectmen* out or not
Sept 18 .- 1838 Then choose a committee of three Sam1 Drake, Martain Sacket, David Drake, to ascertain further particulars in relation to a cite.
Voted we adjourn till next friday to ascertain whether the district will buy this land of R. Loomis
Sept 21,-38. Then choose a committee of three T Loomis, Lucus Cowles Lecester Loomis to see whether we can buy this land of R Loomis
Sept 24-38. The committee reported their is no doubt but we can obtain a legal title to the land.
Voted we do agree to Locate the new school house on the ground of the old one or neer it.
Voted a committee of three to petition the Town* for money to build the school house agreeable to a formal vote of the Town *.
* Westfield.
63
MUNDALE IN THE £ OLDEN DAYS
Nov 19. Voted we do agree to unite with the Sackets district in building a schoole House agreeable to a formal vote of the Town *.
Feb. 21-381. Voted a committee of three to petition the Town* for money to put an adition on our school house March 25 1839. Voted a committee of three to visit the school one a month. Sam1 Drake, Lucus Cowles and Thomas Loomis.
Sept. 9th 1839.
Voted a committee of three to examine the old school house and report at a future meting what is necefsary to be done to the house this fall.
Oct 28 1839.
Voted Martain Sacket Lucus Cowles and Samuel Drake a committee to examine the old school house and asertain the probable expence to put a story on the top of the old house and to put an addition on the end of the same, also the expence to to build new
Nov. 4, 1839
Voted we accept the report of the committee. the commit- tee report it is best to build a new school house.
Voted a building committee of three James Noble Mar- tain Sacket Orrin Cowles
Voted the above committee shall not exced three hundred dollars in building the school house
Voted the above committee are authorized to sell the old school house to the best advantage they can.
Nov 18-1839
Voted we locate the new school house on the land of
*Westfield.
¡Should read 1839.
64
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
Roland Loomis between the little hill and the apple tree opposite of Joshua Loomis.
Voted we give Mr Roland Loomis one dollar a year for the use of as much land as we want with the privelidge of moving the house of when weish.
Voted we build the school house thirty two feet long and seventeen feet wide with ten feet posts.
Voted we adjourn this meting until next Monday eve at six oclock 25th for the purpose of selling the old school house and biding off the building the new one &c
Nov 25, 1839
Voted we set up the frame of the new school house at the lowest bidder.
Lucus Cowles bid of the building the frame for forty seven dollars, and is to do it to the acceptance of the build- ing committee.
Dec 2, 1839
Voted we reconcider the vote of locateing the school house on land of Roland Loomis
Voted we give Mr Thomas Loomis thirty dollars for thirty six feet of land in frunt and twenty two feet in the rear on the corner of his lot joining Joshua Loomis*
Voted we add two more building committee to the others Lucus Cowles David Drake
Voted we set up the finishing the school house, seats and all together.
Jan 6 1839+
Voted we put a story on the top of the old school house.
*Where school was eventually located.
+Should read 1840.
65
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
Voted a committee of three to ascertain further respecting land. D. Drake L Cowles J Shephard
January the 20-1840
Voted that wee reconsider all former votes whare wee Agreed to Bild or repare a school hous or houses
April 27th. 1840
Voted the Cleark Shall warn all future meetings By put- ting up Notices on the School House and Meetting House and Thomas Loomis House to give Seven Days notice at Least
Voted to Build a new School House upon the Land of Lucus Cowles and Raise Such Sums of mony as will De- fray the Expence of the Same Both Land and House Voted to Lengthen or widen 3 feet if the Building Comit- tee think proper from the former plan 17 by 32
Voted Thomas Loomis Joshua Loomis & Lucus Cowles Building Committee
June th 6 1840
Voted to pay Rowland Loomis Ten Dollars for use of School house Land
Voted to Reconsider th vote whear By they Voted to have a Site on Lucus Cowles Land
Voted to Locate the new School house on Land of Leister Loomis near the corner the price of Land $23 :
Voted the Building Committee get the proble expense of one or two story house and Report at an ajornd meeting Voted Thos Loomis Lucus Cowles and James Noble make offer to R Loomis of Ten Dollars and pay the Same if accepted By order of the District.
June 13th 1840
Voted that th Building Committe have the which to athor- ity to Decide to Build one or two storry house
66
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
Voted the Building Committe took a Deed for the Dis- trict of the Land
June the 22 1840
Voted to Reconsider the vote whereby the District Left it with Building Committe to Decide which to Build one or two Story Huse
Voted to Enlarge 3 feet in Length or Bridydth or Both ways if the Building Committee think expeidient
Voted Martin Sacket & Jehial Shepard to fill the vacan- ces of Lucus Cowles & Joshua Loomis Building Committe in hope of their Decision
Nov the 2nd 1840
Voted to have four weeks female School
Voted the Remainder of the money Be expended for a winter School By a male Teacher
Voted Thomas Loomis Be instructed to pay Rowland Loomis Ten Dollors on a Cost of writt and service
April 2th 1841
Voted to Raise ten Dollors and pay the Cost and Interest on a writ in Favor of Rowland Loomis for School House ground and Interest from November the 2nd 1840 up to this dat
Voted to have Six Committe to Borrow money to Settle the above Demand with Rowland Loomis
Voted this Meetting Stand ajournd one wek from this Evening the 2nd Day of Apriel
The last record in the book reads :
Westfield Apriel gth 1841 then held a Meetting at the School House acording to the ajournment
Voted this Meetting Desolved
THOMAS LOOMIS, Clerk 67
MUNDALE £
IN THE OLDEN
DAYS
A record in the back of the book, undated and in pencil, contains a vote that Thomas Loomis be auctioneer, the only instance of the modern term "auctioneer" instead of vendue master.
68
CHURCH
CHURCH
HE following history of the Church in Mundale is given chiefly in the words in which it appears in the book containing the Church Record kept in Mundale, with a few interpolations. The history supplied by Mr. Thomas Cowles is given in the very words of the record as one would not wish to mar its beauty and charm, bearing witness, as it does, to a simple and wonderful faith in the Heavenly Father.
73
RECORD
Of The
West Parish, Westfield, Methodist Episcopal Church,
New E. Conference. Spring field District, Mass. This Book was given to the West Parish Church, by Mr. James Noble. 1870.
75
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
RECORD Of The West Parish, Westfield, Methodist Episcopal Church, Transcribed from the Old Book. History of This Church.
In the year 1794 or '95 the preachers who then travelled Granville Circuit commenced preaching once in two weeks at the house of the Widow John Loomis.
The first collection taken up for the support of preach- ing was for the quarter ending February, 1795, amounting to 50 cents. Until the summer of 1800 the place was part of the time a week-day appointment upon the circuit. In that year also "Hooppole" with all the rest of the Gran- ville Circuit, including Beech Hill in Granville, where the first church edifice in this region was erected, was trans- ferred to the New York Conference.
In the summer of 1795, Amasa Stocking, a zealous exhorter, moved into the neighborhood and commenced preaching at the Widow Loomis' on the Sabbath. His labors were blessed, some were awakened, and the congre- gations became so large that the meeting was removed to Moses Sackett's barn. A glorious revival of religion took place. As the work was attended with some noise, and as a revival was a strange thing, the Congregational Society in Westfield held a meeting to see what measures to take to put things to rights in "Hoopholl," and sent the Rev. Mr. Atwater, their minister, out to see and make report. He attended one of their meetings and returned with the report that there was no danger of "Hoophole" for God was there.
77
MUNDALE IN HE OLDEN DAYS
The first class was formed by Billy Hibbard in the autumn of 1800. Auger* Noble and wife, Moses Sackett and wife, and Joshua Loomis were among the first mem- bers. About this time Amasa Stocking received a local preacher's license and at the aforesaid barn, in private houses, and at the schoolhouse for a number of years sup- plied them with preaching upon the Sabbath, while the place was a regular week-day appointment, visited once in two weeks by the travelling preachers.
In 1807 another revival took place, but as there are none of the fruits of it remaining here, I can gather but little concerning it, only that there were a number con- verted and that it was distinguished for what is sometimes called the slaying power. At times twenty would lie like men slain in battle.
About 1821 or '22 to '24 the Stillwillites came into the neighborhood and for a season were very popular, but the fathers of the little band were Methodists of the old school and when they drove them from the schoolhouse they went to a private house to hold their meetings. The Church which the seceders formed was not long in becoming extinct.
In 1824 a Miss Barnes came here and began to hold meetings. The novelty of a female's preaching called out a large congregation. The Lord accompanied her labors with the Spirit's influence and about thirty were converted to God.
In 1829 Granville Circuit was transferred back to the New England Conference, and the preachers that year were Jefferson Haskell and John Nixon.
*Eager.
78
MUNDALE £
IN THE OLDEN DAYS
At this time, too, having become tired of the inconven- ience of being crowded into a schoolhouse, the brethren succeeded in building a church, the first Methodist Meet- ing House built in Westfield.
In 1831 there was Sabbath preaching half the time. The following year the circuit was divided and this place or appointment became part of Westfield Circuit, and was supplied by David Lesley, having circuit preachers four Sabbaths in the year and local preachers the remainder of the time. In 1840 this place was blessed with a glorious revival of the work of God in connection with the labors of Brother King Hastings. From twenty to thirty pro- fessed to receive the forgiveness of their sins, almost the whole of whom remained steadfast in their Christian course. Many were heads of families who became pillars in the Church, among whom were Seldon Jones, L. Cowles and wife, O. Cowles and wife, T. Cowles and wife, H. Ever- ton and wife, and many others in the beginning of 1841. Brother Hastings supplied half the time, Brother S. Drake and Leicester Loomis the other half - one in the morning and the other in the afternoon alternately. About fifty dollars was raised for Brother Hastings, the other breth- ren serving freely.
In 1842 West Parish applied for a preacher and was supplied by the Parish Elder with Brother Joseph Mixter*, a local preacher from Chicopee. There was a revival of religion, principally among the young. A large number professed to experience religion, a few only persevered and became members of the Church in full connection.
*Rev. Mr. Mixter's grandson, Mr. Frederick G. Mixter, now lives at 41 King Street.
79
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
In 1843 West Parish became a distinct charge and in 1843 and '44 was supplied by Thomas Gile. In the former year $200 was paid for preaching; in the latter, $194.
Randall Mitchell commenced his labor of preaching about the middle of April, 1856. Nothing very remark- able occurred during the first year. Some three members died and a few sinners obtained pardon.
"Labor of preaching" perhaps was a good phrase to apply to the Rev. Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Horace Nelson says that he was one of the so-called "hell-fire preachers." Once during a spring line storm he, a little boy living with his grandmother, went to church and heard the dominie preach on the story of the flood, bringing his hand, raised toward Heaven one minute, down the next second with splinter- ing force upon the Bible. So vivid did he make the story of Noah's being so good that he with his family were saved in the ark while the other poor mortals suffered extinction, that on the road home the little boy tremblingly asked, "Grandma, will it ever stop raining?"
In 1857 the house occupied by Mr. Mitchell and called the parsonage was offered for sale for $400. Brother Mitchell prevailed on Clarissa Noble to purchase said house and land and give them to the Church for parsonage purposes. And as the building and premises needed repair- ing, said Clarissa Noble gave fifty dollars more for that purpose, making $500 in all given by her to said Church with the understanding that she should have the use of any slip in church, rent free, during her natural life. Said Mitchell took charge of the $50 himself and laid it out to the best advantage, so that by doing much himself and get- ting all the help he could, he succeeded in getting the main part of the house clapboarded and three sides painted two
80
MR. THOMAS COWLES.
MUNDALE IN THE OLDEN DAYS
or three times over, also clapboarded and covered the sta- ble and part of the shed, putting in windows and doors, etc., etc., and built some six to eight rods of board fence on the road and in front of his house and got the brethren under way digging a well, etc.
Some spiritual prosperity also attended the Church dur- ing the second year. Some ten or twelve seemed to meet with a change of heart, five of whom joined class on pro- bation and a number more were seeking pardon when Con- ference came.
About here the history in the old book ended.
The following history was supplied by Thomas Cowles to continue what had been copied from the old book :
"1868 was indeed a year of miracle-working in West Parish. The Church had sustained itself with stated preaching for above thirty years but now found it a neces- sity to make some very general repairs on the church on the hill, which the good old Fathers built, or abandon the prospect of sustaining preaching among ourselves longer. While in this state and unwilling to let the gospel preach- ing stop in the neighborhood, the good Lord put it into the heart of Sister Clarissa Noble to make a second donation to the Church of $400, $100 to go with the $500 she had previously given, to purchase the old tavern place for a parsonage, and the other $300 to remodel the same, pro- vided the society would repair the old church or build a new one on the site opposite the old tavern house .*
"A meeting was called of the trustees and the members voted T. Cowles a committee to get the owner's best terms
*There was a strong desire to do away with the tavern as after the days of the Loomises' management it had fallen into an evil way.
81
MUNDALE IN THE LDEN DAYS
and report. T. Cowles reported as follows: 'Mrs. Julia Loomis will sell for $700 the old tavern house and land provided there be a church built on the same in one year from date, the particulars given in the deed.'
"It was voted to purchase the old tavern place off Mrs. Julia Loomis and to appoint a committee of three - Oren Cowles, Dayton Loomis and Thomas Cowles - to solicit aid, contract and move the old church to land purchased for the same opposite the parsonage, repair church, also the parsonage comfortably and respectfully .- T. COWLES, Sec- retary.
"A subscription paper was drawn up by T. Cowles and at it he went. Knowing it was a work for the glory of God he trusted in Him. He first canvassed West Parish and almost to a man found them willing to give.
"Just at this juncture, Rev. S. O. Brown was most unex- pectedly sent from Feeding Hills to supply the pulpit. It proved to be a Godsend indeed. His administration was of a threefold character. He gave us gospel and homeop- athy, and was a first-class carpenter and joiner. He had just finished a church in Feeding Hills. We moved him into one corner of the old tavern. He offered his carpenter work, etc., for $2 per day, which was quickly accepted, and he commenced pulling down chimneys and grappling with any work that needed to be done. His kind wife en- dured the dust and smoke with patience. As soon as the house was made comfortable Brother M. C. Chapin [who was the pastor preceding Brother Brown] moved in and was employed till the new church was finished. The prin- cipal laborers in woodwork were S. O. Brown, M. C. Chapin, Titus Pomeroy.
"As soon as I could be spared I called on the people in
82
MUNDALE £
IN THE OLDEN DAYS
the village [Westfield] with my subscription paper and was welcomed without a single exception. My first man was Hiram Harrison* who put on my list $100 and said, 'Don't fear to ask anyone for they will all be glad to help you,' and so I found it, as the list shows."
Besides Mr. Harrison, those residing in Westfield who gave were the following :
Cutler Lafin $25
H. J. Bush . $10
George Laflin 25
David Moseley IO
Samuel Horton 25
Jerry Horton IC
Oren L. Cowles 25
C. I. Snow. IO
Wm. O. Fletcher 20
Charles Fowler IO
Solomon Shepard I 5
L. R. Norton IO
Hial Holcomb
15
Deacon Jessup IO
Reuben Loomis
15
Eustace Nelson 5
Henry Loomis
15
A. D. Loomis.
5
J. A. Loomis I5
Lyman Loomis 5
David Lamberton IO
IO
James Fowler
5
Merwin Loomis
IO
Gamaliel Lee
5
Newton Barnes IO
IO
James Noble, 2nd. 5
Alonzo Whitney IO
Wesley Cowles 5
Reuben Noble
IO
Harry Lee 5
Seth Cowles
IO
Leroy Gillett 5
Dr. J. H. Waterman . . . IO
L. B. Phelps. .
5
L. B. Walkley $5
*Mr. Harrison had married Martha, daughter of Samuel Lee of Mundale. In 1866 he erected the first Athenaeum building in Westfield and donated it to the Athenaeum Corporation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.