USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our County and Its People A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts > Part 11
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 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
"We would further inform this Honorable Court that we have taken great pains and care to Inspect & Inquire into every Particular circumstance relating to ve said Tract of Land, and find it needful to prevent further Charge & Difficulty. to Report Particularly, as Follows, viz, That we find there are entered & setled and about setling on the said Tract of Land the Number of Eighty Persons, the most whereof are families who have built Houses and made considerable Improvements; and are now and have constantly for more than three years past Been Supplied
1 128 )
Dilimed by Google
THE TOWN OF PALMER
with a Minister to preach the Word of God unto them; who has been Supported by a free Contribution. We also find that about forty eight of the above number were Introduced or Led on or Incouraged to Setle and make Improvements by Joshua Lamb, Esq., & Company, and their committee who Claimed the Said Tract of Land by virtue of an Indian Purchase, And the most of the Number had actually contracted with them for certain Par- cels thereof, and received Deed of Conveyance and Order from them for leying out their Lotts and have had ye most of them laid out accordingly. We are therefore humbly of the opinion, That the severall Persons & Families hereafter named, that were So admitted and setled under and by the said Claimers; Have their severall & respective Lots hereafter mentioned Ratified & Confirmed to them, their Heirs and Assigns, in such proportion and under such Restrictions, Limitations & Conditions as follow and are hereafter mentioned." The committee then give in de- tail the description of the lots of land which they recommend to be divided among the forty-eight settlers. Then they go on to say : "Furthermore we find, That the following named Persons to the Number of thirty-one, Having presumed to enter on the Province Land in Said Tract without any leave or order from this Court, or under any Pretence of Mistake or Admission from the Claimers; yet they having most of them made considerable Improvements and expended the chief of their Small Fortunes; and having paid their proper proportion for the support of the Ministry among them; That to remove them off would reduce them to extreme Poverty. We are therefore humbly of ye opin- ion, that it may not be Inconsistent with ye Honor of the Prov- ence, and yet a sufficient Discountenence to such Presumptuous Settlements; If there be granted to each of them a single lot, Including their Improvements, upon such conditions as are here- after mentioned." Here follows a detailed account of divisions recommended to each of the following settlers: Jethro Ames, James Breckenridge, Widow Andrew Bailey, John Brooks, Jo- seph Brooks, Peter Backus, Widow Nathaniel Blanchard, John Beamon, Mathew Brown, George Booth, John Combs, Joseph Chadwick, Abel Curtice, Obadiah Cooley, Obadiah Cooley, Jr.,
9-3
( 129 1
Digozed by Google
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Jonathan Chapin, Thomas Chapin, William Crawford, Lieut. Samuel Doolittle, James Dorchester, James Dorchester, Jr., Na- thaniel Dewey, Robert Dunlap, Daniel Fuller, Samuel Frost, Robert Farrell. Thomas Farrand, Andrew Farrand, Joseph Fleming, Humphrey Gardner, Elisha Hall, John Henderson, Rev. John Harvey, Thomas Hill, Thomas Jennings, John King, John King, Jr., John Kilburn, Benjamin Kilburn, Samuel Kil- burn, Daniel Kilburn, James Lamberton, Thomas Little, James Lamont, James MeElwain, Timothy McElwain, Bernard Mac- nett, James McClellan, James Macquiston, Ebenezer Mirick, John Moor, James Moor, Andrew Mackee, Isaac Magoon. Isaac Magoon, Jr., Thomas MeClanathan, Samuel Nevens, Robert Nevens, David Nevins, Benjamin Parsons, John Paterson, Wil- liam Paterson, Duncan Quinton, Andrew Rutherford, William Scott, John Scott, Samuel Shaw, William Shaw, William Sloan, Stuard Southgate. James Shearer, Patrick Smith, James Ste- phens, Robert Stanford, John Thomson, Robert Thomson, Alex- ander Tackels, Jeremiah Olmstead, Elijah Vose, Joseph Wright, Joseph Wright, Jr.
The committee also recommended that "the aforesaid Setlers & Grantees Do erect & build a suitable House for Public Wor- ship, and setle a Minister within two years." The report of the committee was presented to the General Court June 21, 1733, and promptly accepted the same day and approved on the following day by the Governor, J. Belcher. The status of the settlers hav- ing been satisfactorily arranged, they immediately set about the establishment of a district government. The first legal meeting was held August 7, 1733, with William Pynchon of Springfield for moderator and Steward Southgate as clerk. The most im- portant committee chosen consisted of Lieut. Samuel Doolittle, Samuel Shaw, Joseph Wright, Jr., John King. and Timothy McElwain, who were authorized to lay out necessary roads, lo- cate a lot of one hundred acres for the first settled minister. also one for the use of the ministry and one for a school. Nearly all the ancient roads of the town were laid out at this time, being simple bridle paths at first, which changed into better highways as changed conditions demanded.
( 130 )
Din med by Google
Site of first ordination. June 5, 1734-1999
Dig zed by Google
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Settling the First Minister .- Having laid out the highways, located the public lots and surveyed the lands of the first pro- prietors, the next important matter to be attended to was the settling of a minister, for the pioneers of Palmer were a deeply religious people. As Rev. John Harvey had preached acceptably for them during three years, it was arranged to give him a set- tlement at a salary of £80 per year. The ordination services were held June 5th, 1734, under the spreading branches of a great oak tree on Mr. Harvey's lot, now known as the farm of Charles Forsman. about one mile east of the Old Center. Mr. Harvey was ordained according to Presbyterian usages. The Rev. Mr. Thompson of Londonderry, N. H., preached the sermon and Rev. John Moorhead of Boston gave the charge. One other Presbyterian minister was present as well as Rev. Isaac Chauncey of Hadley, a Congregational clergyman. Thus under the leafy branches of this oak was the first minister of the new settlement set apart for their spiritual welfare. For these simple people the service was doubtless as impressive and as lasting in its effects as though it had been performed in the dim light of cathedral aisles, aided by the solemn tones of the deep-voiced organ. This leafy temple, the great white oak, stood for nearly a century as the reminder of the eventful day, and doubtless might be flour- ishing now if the owner had had any respect or sentiment for the historic past.
The First Meeting House .- Thelocationof the meeting house proved a knotty problem for the widely scattered parishioners. Among the several favored sites was the scene of the ordination ; the final decision was left to the drawing by lot, the Rev. Mr. Harvey officiating after solemn prayer, by which means the lo- cation was fixed at what has since been known as the Old Center, which proved a wise choice. The first meeting house was a plain structure indeed, measuring 30x36 feet, and one story high. It was without ceiling or plastering and furnished no means for warmth in the cold season. The only external ornament was the singular emblematical design placed in the gable over the front entrance, peculiar, it is said, to the Scotch Presbyterians. This house was first occupied in November, 1735, and for more than
( )
132
Dytized by Google
THE TOWN OF PALMER
three score years continued to be the Shiloh of Palmer, around which revolved the religious and political life of the town, and where the momentous matters of church and state were discussed and decided.
The French and Indian War, 1744-1749 .- Palmer was settled so late that she escaped the terrors which desolated Brookfield and the Connecticut valley. But during the years 1744-1749, though outside the disturbed circle, she furnished her share of men to aid the menaced towns. Capt. Jabez Olmstead served in the expedition against Louisbourg in 1745. Timothy Brown was made a captive by the Indians May 5, 1746, and taken to Canada, while bearing important dispatches, and held there about fifteen months. Samuel Allen was mustered into service May 1, 1748, and posted at Fort Pelham. These Palmer men were posted at Fort Dummer in August, 1748, viz .: Obadiah Cooley, Andrew Cowee, John Blair, Peter Blackmer and James Paterson.
The Plantation Organized as a Town .- Closely following the recognition of their rights as a Plantation the inhabitants of the Elbows began to clamor for a town organization, but owing to the non-payment of a tax due the colonial government, they failed in their efforts. Finally in 1752, after seven petitions had been sent in and the tax had been paid, the Plantation was or- ganized into a district having all the privileges of a town, save that of sending a representative to the General Court. This act was signed January 30, 1752, by Lieutenant-Governor, also acting Governor, Spencer Phips. The petitioners had signified a desire to have the town called Kingstown, in honor of the first settler, but because a town had already been organized by the name of Kingstown, Lieutenant-Governor Phips inserted the name Palmer in honor of his friend, Thomas Palmer, Esq., who had recently died in Scotland, so the name of the town was purely an accidental one. For many years the official name of the Plantation had been "The Elbows," so named, no doubt, on account of the numerous bends in the Quabaug river, which en- circles a considerable portion of the town. The plantation had also been called Kingsfield, Kingstown and New Marlborough.
( 133 1
Dazed by Google
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
By a careful estimate, based on the first census taken in 1765, Palmer had at the time of its organization about 360 inhabitants, including one negro, and he a slave owned by William Scott; about 75 families, 60 houses, mostly constructed of logs; the en- tire valuation of the town was abont $3,000. It contained one small church. Quintin's and Thomson's taverns at the Old Center. King's tavern, where Cross's block now stands in Palmer village, and Shaw's tavern on the present L. E. Moore place near the old Bay Path. There was a saw and grist mill where Thorn- dike is located, a saw and grist mill at Pottagrattnek Pond, and a grist mill at the present location of Bondsville; and there were two blacksmith shops. These mills and shops constituted the entire publie industries of the town. There were no stores, no post-office, and no schools. There were no carriages; the roads were poorly constructed cartways, and locomotion was either on horseback or in carts drawn by oxen. Everything was eon- dueted in the most primitive and economical manner. The people were thrifty and industrious and made the most of their limited means : the women had brought the spinning wheel from the old country and were adepts in the manufacture of linen. which found a ready sale in the river towns after supplying household needs.
The Last French and Indian War, 1754-1763 .- Soon after its organization as a town. Palmer was called upon to furnish its proportion of men to meet the exigencies of another war be- tween the mother country and France. The citizens responded with alacrity, and out of its sparse population furnished no less than 76 men during the continuanee of the war, as shown by the following list : Sammel Allen, Daniel Allen. Isaac Aplin. David Bratten, Stephen Blackmer. John Blackmer, Simeon Brooks, Francis Breckenridge, David Brewer, Jesse Beers, Wil- liam Carlyle, Abner Chapin, Stephen Crawfoot. Moses Cooley. Inke Chapin. Joel Camp. Jonathan Chapin, John Davis, Thomas Dunham, David English, Samuel Frost. Timothy Farrell, Josiah Farrell, Isaac Farrell, William Fleming. Thomas Ferrand. Jr .. William Geary, John Hill. Thomas Hill. Thomas Henderson, Stephen Hatch, Benjamin Hutchinson. Nathaniel Hews, John
( 134 )
Dionzed by Google
THE TOWN OF PALMER
King. Jonathan King, Benjamin King, William King, David King, John Lamberton, Samuel Lemon, John Lemon, Robert . McMaster, Joshua MeMaster, James MeMighill, James McNitt, Thomas McClanathan, James Moor, John Moor, Jr., William Man. James Man. William Mitchell, John Millard, Isaac Magoon, Aaron Nelson, James Nelson, William Nelson, Samuel Paterson, Moses Paterson. Joseph Paterson, John Recky, Samuel Smith, Hugh Smith. John Sloan, David Shaw, William Shaw, Matthew Spencer. Moses Scott, Elnathan Samson, Hugh Tackels, Capt. John Thomson, James Taylor, Benjamin Thomson, Henry Web- ber, Sylvanus Walker, Jesse Warner.
Spirit of Seventy-sir. Like other New England communi- ties the yeomanry of Palmer simply had a breathing period be- tween the close of the last French and Indian war and the open- ing of the Revolution. In view of the coming conflict it was fortumate that they had become somewhat disciplined in the ways of war that they might be fitted for the sterner conflict. The blood of the Covenanter and the Puritan flowed not amiss in the veins of Palmer's sons: it stirred them to action and made them alert at the sound of the very first note of warning. They were keenly cognizant of the oppressive measures adopted by the mother country to retard progress and keep her colonies in abject submission. As early as March 1, 1768, the town voted in full meeting :
"Whereas, the excessive use of foreign superfluities is one great canse of the present distressed state of this country, in general; and the happiness of the communities depends upon in- dustry, economy and good morals: and this District taking into serious consideration the great decay of trade and scarcity of inoney, the heavy debt contracted in the last war, which still re- mains on the people ; and the great difficulties to which by these measures they are reduced ; - Therefore, voted unanimously, that this District will use their utmost endeavors and enforce their endeavors by example in suppressing extravagance, Idleness and Vice, and promoting Industry, economy and good manners, and in order to prevent the unnecessary exportation of money of which the continent has of late been so much drained, it is
( 135 )
Diğmcco by Google
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
therefore voted, that this District will by all prudent means en- deavor to discountenance the use of foreign superfluities, and encourage the manufactures of the whole continent in general, and of this Province in Particular."
Six years later at an adjourned town meeting held Septem- ber 26, 1774, it was voted that David Spear go to the general congress of delegates from the whole Province, to meet at Con- cord the second Tuesday in October next. "Voted that William Scott pay or deliver seventy four pounds of powder, one hun- dred and twenty six pounds of lead into the town stock, in full discharge of the amount of said stock in his hands.". "Voted, that there be provided four half-barrels of powder, four hundred of lead, and one hundred dozen of flints, for a town stock, and the money to pay for the same be taken from the money on in- terest ; and that William Scott, Joshua Shaw and Phineas Mixer be a committee to purchase and pay for the same."
In accordance with the recommendation of the Provincial Congress which met at Cambridge in October, 1774, Palmer en- rolled and drilled a company of minute men. The news of the engagement at Lexington reached Palmer on the evening of the same day, and on the following morning a company of 44 men were equipped and started for the scene of danger, with Capt. David Spear at their head. From this time on till the close of the war Palmer never proved tardy or lacking in zeal for the cause of freedom.
Palmer Assumes Full Town Rights .- The Massachusetts House of Representatives on May 10, 1776, resolved that each town in the Colony ought in full meeting warned for that pur- pose, to instruct its representative relative to the attitude of the inhabitants, should Congress declare them independent of Great Britain. In compliance with the recommendation of the General Court. Palmer elected its first representative as a town, May 23, 1776, in the person of Capt. David Spear. The instructions given him first dwelt upon the oppressive measures of the mother country. and closed with the following patriotic senti- ments :
"We do Direct the Representative of this Town to lay these absolutely Necessary for the safety of the United Colonies, to
( 136 )
Diazed by Google
-
THE TOWN OF PALMER
be Independent from Great Britain & Declare themselves In- tirely a Separate State, as we can see no alternative but Inevita- ble ruin, or Independence. But as there is a General Congress of the United Colonies, composed of Honorable, wise and good men, who sit at the Head of affairs, consulting measures which will be most for the Safety and Prosperity of the whole; & have the means of Intelligence and Information in their hands, we submit the whole affair to their wise Consideration & Determination. - And if they shall unite in a Separation from Great Britain, we do unanimously determine & declare we will support them with our Lives and Fortunes!
"We do Direct the Representative of this Town to lay these vote before the Honorable General Assembly of this Colony, to Enable them to communicate our Sentiments to the Honorable Continental Congress."
These instructions show of what stuff the men of Palmer were made, and they fully exemplified during the course of the war the sentiments therein expressed. From this time on Pal- mer was recognized as having full town rights. It is a notable fact that this Declaration of Independence by Palmer antedates by two weeks the immortal document of the Continental Con- gress, and breathes the same lofty spirit of patriotism and purity of devotion.
The Passing of Burgoyne's Men .- Palmer was so far re- moved from the scene of active war that its highways never echoed to the tread of marshaled foemen but once, and then they passed as prisoners, not invaders. Burgoyne's hirelings, the Hes- sians, to the number of 2,431 men, besides camp followers, in- eluding Gen. Reidesel and his cultured wife to whom we are largely indebted for a graphic account of the journey from Al- bany to Boston. This motley array of prisoners in the care of a Yankee guard encamped for the night November 1, 1777, on the farm lately owned by Dea. Brainerd, while the General and wife no doubt found comfortable quarters at the then Walker tavern, which still remains. Gen. Burgoyne and his English prisoners, under the escort of Col. Elisha Porter, passed about the same time through the north part of the town, and are said to have
( 137 -
Digitized by Google
Pig zoo by Google
THE TOWN OF PALMER
encamped for a night on the present farm of Charles R. Shaw. One of the Hessian soldiers died at the Brainerd farm and was buried in the Palmer cemetery, where his grave is still pointed out.
Census of Palmer, 1776-1777 .- There were 727 inhabitants in town in 1776. The following item we glean from the town records: "A return of the Number of Males from sixteen years old and upwards which breathed on the First Day of January in the Town of Palmer in the year 1777. No. of men belonging to the Training List 94, No. of men belonging to the Alarm List 35. No. of Decrepid Persons who are rendered incapable of service thereby 46, No. of men incapable of service by reason of old age and other infirmities 9, No. of Negroes 3. Total 187." Notwithstanding her limited means and sparse population, the town nobly responded to the call for men and means, and fur- nished 165 men during the war.
Revolutionary Soldiers .- The following list made up from all available sources is as perfect as can be given from present information. It is possible that a few names have been lost be- cause of the imperfect way in which some of the records were kept. While a limited number of the men enlisted for the war, a larger number enlisted several times each for shorter service as the special demand required : Joseph Abbott, Sergt. Zebadialı Abbott, John Adams, James Averill, Jun., Ephraim Avery, Joseph Bacon, Simeon Bacon, Moses Barker, Simeon Barrange, Aaron Bartlett. Thomas Bartlett, John Bartlett, Woodbridge Belcher, Eleazur Bishop, Seth Bishop, Sergt. Stephen Blackmer, Thomas Blackmer, Jonathan Blunt, Henry Bliss, David Brattan, Francis Breckenridge, Benjamin Brooks, Sergt. Andrew Brown, John Brown, Lieut. Jonathan Brown, Obadiah Brown, Robert Brown, William Brown, Col. David Brewer, John Bruster, Sergt. Samuel Buel, Robert Burns, John Carley, James Carlisle, John Carlisle, William Carlisle, Robert Carpenter, Shadrach Chapin, Elisha Cleveland, Nathaniel Coburn, Capt. Isaac Colton, Abner Cooley, Asher Cooley, Jonathan Cooley, Israel Conant, John Crawfoot, Joseph Crawfoot, Stephen Crawfoot, James Cum- mings, Solomon Cummings, John Cutler, John Denney, Daniel
( )
139
Diğmcco by Google
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Dodge, John Douglas, Jesse Elwell, Corp. John English. Bar- nabas Evens, Isaac Ferrell, Lamuel Fisher, David Fleming, John Gardner. John Gibson, William Gibson, Pelatiah Goldsmith, Capt. Aaron Graves, Gideon Graves, Moses Graves, Simeon Graves, Amos Grey, John Hackett. Thomas Hamilton, Samuel Hancock, Sergt. John Harris, Sergt. Luke Hitchcock, Benjamin Hooker, Daniel Hopkins. William Hopkins, Samuel Hubbard, Lieut. Robert Hunter, Primar Jackall, Adonijah Jones, Ebenezer .Jones. Lieut. David King. John King. Gideon King, James Lan- berton. John Lamberton. Moses Lammon, Francis Lemon, Norris Lindsey. Luther Loomis. Sergt. Israel Loomis, Peter Lovejoy, David MeClintoch. Joseph MeClintoch, William McClanathan, Sergt. Samuel McClanathan, Thomas MeCla- nathan. Corp. John MeElwain, John A. McElwain, Roger McElwain, Hugh McMaster, Isaac MeMaster, Capt, John McMas- ter. Joshua MeMaster, Lieut. Robert MeMaster, John McMichel. Capt. Joseph McNall. William McNall. Isaac Merritt, Capt. Phineas Mixer. Pelatiah Morgan. Gibson Morgan. John Moore, John Moore, Jonathan Moore, Judah Moore. James Murray, Aaron Nelson. Lieut. Daniel Parsons, Joshua Parsons, Lebbeus Paine, Thomas Riddle, William Roach, Elias Rogers, Jonas Rogers. Nathaniel Rogers, Daniel Royce. David Shaw, Corp. Erwin Shaw. James Shaw, John Shaw, Corp. Joseph Shaw, Lieut. Joshua Shaw. William Shaw. John Shearer. Joseph Shearer. Reuben Shearer, William Shearer. Thomas Shearer, Corp. James Sherman, William Sloan. Abner Smith. James Smith. John Smith, John Allen Smith. Joseph Smith, Capt. David Spear. Lieut. David Spear. Adam Stephenson. Alexander Tackels. Henry Thomson, Rufus Thomson, Josiah Tinney. Moses Tinney, Jonathan Tyler, Elijah Walton. James Walker. Capt. Sylvanus Walker. Obadiah Ward, Urijah Ward. Peleg Watson, Joel Willey, Ezekiel Woodworth.
Post Bellum Days .- At the close of the struggle for liberty the surviving patriots who had gone forth from Palmer to serve their country came back to their former homes to engage in the peaceful avocations of farming. for as yet little else had found encouragement in town. In 1787 when several adjoining com-
( 140 )
Dignized by Google
THE TOWN OF PALMER
munities became disaffected and rose in rebellion under the leadedship of Capt. Shays, little sympathy was shown the cause in Palmer, yet Shays made this town the rendezvous for his insurgents on the 22d of January, and on the 23d came to take the command to lead them to Springfield 1,000 strong. But his plans were discovered by the alertness of Maj. Aaron Graves of Palmer, who informed the State officials, and Shays marched to his defeat before Springfield by a force ready to receive him, and the rebellion subsided.
The New Meeting House .- In the olden days the erection of a new place of worship was a matter of the utmost importance to a country town like Palmer, which supported but one church. The first meeting house erected in 1735 had become unfitted for use, so after much planning and discussion a new structure was built near the site of the first house at a cost of about $3,000 and dedicated October 21, 1798; when the tower was added to the structure in 1807 a bell was presented to the town as a gift by Aaron Merrick. A circumstance connected with this bell is little known to the present generation. In 1809, when the meeting house was repainted, it chanced by some mishap that a por- tion of the bell was disfigured by paint, and in order to have it present a uniform appearance, it was entirely covered with a coat of paint, when it was found the bell would not give forth any desirable sound. The bell was taken down and the paint burned off : some critical person present thinking the bell seemed to lack in weight, had the matter tested and found his suspicions correct. The matter being made public it was soon found that nearly all the bells in the surrounding towns also lacked in weight, which had been cast by a bell founder in Brookfield. The guilty party being apprised of the state of affairs, fled the State not to return, his frauds having been extensive.
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.