USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 2 > Part 35
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An active Christian Temperance union has long been main- tained by ladies of Westfield.
The Board of Trade, numbering from 100 to 150, takes ac- tive interest in all that pertains to the development of the town.
The Woronoco Street Railway Co., incorporated in 1890, operates over eleven miles of track, and is projecting large ex- tensions.
Selectmen of Westfield-As given in the town records :-
1672-Capt. Cook, Dea. Hanchett, Sergt. Dewey, John Sackett, Joseph Whiting.
1676-Isaac Phelps, Thos. Gunn, John Porter, John Inger- soll, David Ashley.
1677-Ens. Loomis, Geo. Phelps, Josiah Dewey, Isaac Phelps, Thos. Dewey, David Ashley.
1678-Lieut. Moseley, Thos. Bancroft, Jedediah Dewey.
1679-David Ashley, Josiah Dewey, Isaac Phelps.
1680-Serg't Dewey, Isaac Phelps, David Ashley.
1685-Ens. Loomis, Serg't Phelps, David Ashley.
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The Noble Hospital, Westfield
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1686-Cornet Dewey, Ens. Dewey, John Root.
1687-88-Isaac Phelps, Lieut. Loomis, Nathaniel Weller, Capt. Maudsley, John Sacket, Jedediah Dewey.
1689-Josiah Dewey, Samuel Root, Isaac Phelps. 1690-Isaac Phelps, Nathaniel Weller, Samuel Root. 1691-92-Lieut. Phelps, John Sacket, Nathaniel Weller. 1693-Isaac Phelps, Samuel Root, John Sacket.
1694-Deacon Dewey, Deacon Weller, David Ashley.
1695-Isaac Phelps, Samuel Root, Ens. Dewey. 1696-Dea. Weller, John Gunn, John Noble.
1697-Dea. Weller, Nathaniel Weller, Jedediah Dewey. 1698-Lieut. Root, Ensign Dewey, Deacon Weller.
1699-Jedediah Dewey, Isaac Phelps, David Ashley. 1701-Joseph Maudsley, Nathaniel Phelps, Thos. Noble. 1702-Nathaniel Phelps, Nathaniel Weller, Samuel Root. 1703-Isaac Phelps, Deacon Weller, Samuel Ashley.
1704-Isaac Phelps, Samuel Ashley, Nathaniel Phelps. 1705-Capt. Phelps, Nathaniel Phelps, Samuel Taylor. 1706-Samuel Taylor, David Dewey, Isaac Phelps. 1707-Nathaniel Weller, Isaac Phelps, Samuel Taylor. 1708-9-David Dewey, Isaac Phelps, Nathaniel Weller. 1710-Nathaniel Weller, Nathaniel Phelps, Stephen Kellogg. 1711-Nathaniel Phelps, John Root, Stephen Kellogg.
1712-David Ashley, Nathaniel Phelps, John Root. 1713-Isaac Phelps, John Root, David Ashley. 1714-
1715-Nathaniel Phelps, Thos. Noble, John Root. 1716-
1717-John Root, Capt. Moseley, Thos. Dewey.
1718-John Root, Daniel Bagg, Ens. Gunn.
1719-John Root, John Gunn, Mark Noble.
1720-Samuel Ashley, Thos. Noble, Israel Dewey.
1721-John Gunn, Thos. Ingersoll, Samuel Ashley. 1722-Thos. Noble, James Dewey, John Root.
1723-John Shepard, John Gunn, Daniel Bagg.
1724-Thos. Ingersoll, John Ashley, Samuel Bush (2d).
1725-Thos. Ingersoll, John Root, Jonathan Ashley.
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THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
1726-John Gunn, Lieut. Root, Joseph Dewey.
1727-Thos. Ingersoll, Samuel Bush (2d), Jonathan Phelps.
1728-John Gunn, John Shepard, Thos. Ingersoll.
1729-John Gunn, Consider Maudsley, Thos. Dewey.
1730-John Gunn, Samuel Fowler, Abijah Dewey, John Shepard, Consider Maudsley.
1731-John Root, John Gunn, Thos. Ingersoll, Nathaniel Bancroft, Elizur Weller.
1732-Deacon Shepard, James Dewey, Nehemiah Loomis.
1733-Thos. Ingersoll, Eldad Taylor, James Dewey.
1734-Lieut. Ingersoll, Dea. Shepard, Ensign Taylor, Lieut. Ashley, James Dewey.
1735-Dea. Shepard, Lieut. Ingersoll, Ensign Maudsley, Samuel Fowler (2d), Ens. Taylor.
1736-Samuel Fowler (2d), John Lee, Elizur Weller, En- sign Maudsley, Lieut. Ingersoll.
1737-Dea. Shepard, Ensign Maudsley, Lieut. Ingersoll, Joseph Root, David Dewey.
1738-Thos. Ingersoll, Joseph Root, Ensign Maudsley, Mat- thew Noble, John Gunn.
1739-Joseph Root, Ensign Taylor, Dea. Shepard, Thos. In- gersoll, John Gunn.
1740-Abijah Dewey, James Dewey, David Dewey, Matthew Noble, Samuel Fowler.
1741-James Dewey, Ensign Maudsley, Joseph Root, David Dewey, Matthew Noble.
1742-Thos. Ingersoll, Ensign Maudsley, Joseph Root, Dea. Dewey, Israel Maudsley.
1743-Ensign Maudsley, Dea. Dewey, Israel Maudsley, En- sign Taylor, Thos. Ingersoll.
1744-David Moseley, John Shepard, Dea. Taylor, David Bagg, Ensign Noble.
1745-James Dewey, David Moseley, Eldad Taylor, Thos. Ingersoll, John Shepard.
1746-Abel Cadwell, John Shepard, Capt. Ingersoll, David Moseley, Eldad Taylor.
1747-Israel Ashley, Abel Cadwell, David Moseley, John Shepard, David Weller.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1748-David Moseley, John Shepard, Abel Cadwell, Asa Noble, Stephen Nash.
1749-50-David Moseley, Aaron Phelps, Moses Dewey, Dr. Ashley, John Shepard.
1751-Jonathan Ingersoll, Israel Moseley, Israel Dewey, Ens. Noble, Stephen Nash.
1752-David Moseley, Noah Ashley, Dr. Ashley, Abel Cad- well, Jonathan Ingersoll.
1753-Noah Ashley, David Moseley, Dr. Ashley, Wm. Sacket, Abel Cadwell.
1754-David Moseley, Israel Ashley, Wm. Sacket, David Weller, Jonathan Ingersoll.
1755-David Moseley, Israel Ashley, David Weller, Jona- than Ingersoll, Wm. Sacket.
1756-David Moseley, Israel Ashley, Moses Dewey, David Weller, Wm. Sacket.
1757-Israel Ashley, Eldad Taylor, David Moseley, John Shepard, Martin Dewey.
1758-David Moseley, Israel Ashley, Martin Dewey, John Shepard, John Ingersoll.
1759-David Moseley, John Ingersoll, Ezra Clapp, Moses Dewey, Aaron King.
1760-1-Matthew Noble, Samuel Fowler, Joseph Root, Aaron King.
1762-David Moseley, John Ingersoll, John Moseley, Eldad Taylor, Samuel Fowler.
The records covering the period between 1762 and 1774 have been lost.
1774-John Ingersoll, John Bancroft, Wm. Shepard, David Fowler, Elisha Parks.
1775-Elisha Parks, John Moseley, Wm. Shepard, Eldad Taylor, Daniel Fowler.
1776-John Moseley, Daniel Fowler, Daniel Bagg, Dr. Mather, Daniel Sacket.
1777-David Moseley, Daniel Sacket, Benjamin Saxton, Martin Root, Samuel Mather.
1778-John Ingersoll, Bohan King, David Weller, jr., Dan- iel Fowler, John Kellogg.
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THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
1779-John Kellogg, Israel Ashley, David Moseley, David Weller, Elisha Parks.
1780-Israel Ashley, Daniel Sacket, Samuel Fowler, Israel Dewey, Esquire Ingersoll.
1781-Dr. Ashley, Samuel Fowler, James Taylor, Deacon Dewey, Esquire Ingersoll.
1782-Capt. Sacket, Dr. Ashley, Samuel Fowler, Capt. Tay- lor, Aaron Dewey.
1783-John Ingersoll, Samuel Fowler, John Bancroft, Bil- dad Fowler, jr., Noah Phelps.
1784-John Ingersoll, Capt. Bancroft, Col. Shepard, Israel Ashley, Samuel Fowler.
1785-Wm. Shepard, Israel Ashley, David Moseley, Dr. Whitney, John Ingersoll.
1786-Samuel Fowler, Col. Shepard, Col. Moseley, Dr. Whitney, Jedediah Taylor.
1787-David Moseley, Gen. Shepard, Samuel Fowler, Dr. Whitney, Jedediah Taylor.
1788-9-Samuel Fowler, John Bancroft, John Phelps, Gad Noble, Ezra Clapp.
1790-91-Samuel Fowler, Wm. Shepard, John Phelps, War- ham Parks, Aaron Dewey.
1792-Aaron Dewey, Wm. Shepard, Bohan King, Zachariah Bush, jr., Paul Whitney.
1793-Aaron Dewey, Paul Whitney, Zachariah Bush.
1794-Zachariah Bush, Aaron Dewey, Paul Whitney, Wm. Shepard, James Taylor.
1795-6-Wm. Shepard, James Taylor, Warham Parks, Zach- ariah Bush, jr., Zadock Martindale.
1797-8-James Taylor, Warham Parks, Abel Whitney, Silas Bush, John Dewey.
1799-Warham Parks, James Taylor, Silas Bush.
1800-James Taylor, John Dewey, Silas Bush, Jedediah Taylor, Gen. Parks.
1801-Jedediah Taylor, John Dewey, James Taylor, Silas Bush, Wm. Moseley.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
1802-Jedediah Taylor, Israel Ashley, Wm. Moseley.
1803-4-Israel Ashley, Jedediah Taylor, Wm. Moseley, Silas Bush, Solomon Phelps.
1805-7-Silas Bush, Jedediah Taylor, Solomon Phelps, Fred- erick Fowler, Isaac Ensign.
1808-Solomon Phelps, Jedediah Taylor, Silas Bush.
1809-Silas Bush, Jedediah Taylor, Frederick Fowler, Ben- jamin Hastings, Enoch Holcomb.
1810-Silas Bush, Benjamin Hastings, Enoch Holcomb, Aza- riah Moseley, Frederick Fowler.
1811-Frederick Fowler, Jedediah Taylor, Enoch Holcomb, Azariah Moseley, Benjamin Hastings.
1812-Jedediah Taylor, Frederick Fowler, Azariah Moseley.
1813-14-Jedediah Taylor, Frederick Fowler, Azariah Moseley, Ambrose Day, Isaac Allen.
1815-Azariah Moseley, Frederick Fowler, David King, Ja- cob Cooper, Roswell Dewey.
1816-Frederick Fowler, Azariah Moseley, David King, Isaac Allen, Roswell Dewey.
1817-Roswell Dewey, Azariah Moseley, Eager Noble, Wm. Atwater, Isaac Allen.
1818-Wm. Atwater, Eager Noble, Jared Noble, Ambrose Day, Isaac Allen.
1819-Wm. Atwater, Eager Noble, Jared Noble, Ambrose Day, Elisha G. Cook.
1820-Azariah Moseley, Ambrose Day, Jas. Fowler, Eager Noble, Elisha G. Cook.
1821-2-James Fowler, Elisha G. Cook, Azariah Moseley.
1823-Ambrose Day, Warham Shepard, Elisha G. Cook, Henry Fowler, Wm. Hooker.
1824-Ambrose Day, Warham Shepard, Elisha G. Cook, Jas. Fowler, Roland Taylor.
1825-James Fowler, Ambrose Day, Elisha G. Cook, Elijah Arnold, Eager Noble.
1826-Elisha G. Cook, Chas. Douglas, Harvey Champion, Warham Shepard, John Shepard.
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THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
1827-Chas. Douglas, Harvey Champion, John Shepard, Ransford Allen, Wm. Atwater.
1828-Chas. Douglas, Wm. Atwater, John Shepard, Sylva- nus G. Morley, Sturges Upson.
1829-Sylvanus G. Morley, Asahel Bush, John Shepard, Sturges Upson, Lewis Fowler.
1830-Asahel Bush, Sturges Upson, Lewis Fowler, Chaun- cey Pease, Joshua Loomis.
1831-Asahel Bush, Sturges Upson, John Shepard, Thomas Ashley, Wm. Sibley.
1832-Asahel Bush, Chauncey Pease, Thos. Loomis, Ezra Allen, George Taylor.
1833-Chauncey Pease, Henry Douglas, S. G. Morley, Lucas Cowles, Adna Avery.
1834-Asahel Bush, Chauncey Pease, Thomas Loomis, Chas. Noble, Adna Avery.
1835-Asahel Bush, Chauncey Pease, Thomas Loomis, Geo. Taylor, Adna Avery.
1836-Lucius Wright, Asa B. Whitman, Geo. W. Noble, Israel Sackett, Thos. Loomis.
1837-Lucius Wright, Asa B. Whitman, Israel Sacket.
1838-Lucius Wright, Israel Sackett, Ashbel Dewey, Chas. Dewey, Orin Cowles.
1839-Asa B. Whitman, David Moseley, Lucius Wright, Orin Cowles, Ashbel Dewey.
1840-David Moseley, Hiram Harrison, Roswell Sherman, David Drake, Salmon Ensign.
1841-David Moseley, Roswell Sherman, Salmon Ensign, David Drake, Wm. Noble, jr.
1842-3-David Moseley, Lewis Fowler, Martin Sackett, Chauncey Pease, Alonzo Allen.
1844-David Moseley, Joseph M. Ely, Stephen Harrison, Micajah Taylor, Alonzo Allen.
1845-Dennis Hedges, Joseph Arnold, Geo. H. Moseley.
1846-Dennis Hedges, Geo. H. Moseley, Horace Root, Ed- win Brewer, Jason Fox.
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1847-Dennis Hedges, Geo. H. Moseley, Horace Root, Edwin Brewer, Jason Fox.
1848-9-Joseph M. Ely, Stephen Harrison, Geo. Sackett, Jas. Noble, Frederick Morgan.
1850-Joseph M. Ely, Geo. Sackett, Fred'k Morgan, Ste- phen Harrison, Jas. Noble.
1851-Geo. Noble, Dennis Hedges, Wm. Moseley, Silas Root, Ebenezer W. Cook.
1852-Dennis Hedges, Wm. Moseley, E. W. Cook, Geo. W. Noble, Silas Root.
1853-Francis S. Eggleston, Jehial Shepard, G. W. Noble, Frederick Fowler, Dennis Hedges.
1854-Henry Fuller, Frederick Fowler, Jehial Shepard, F. S. Eggleston, Geo. W. Noble.
1855-Silas Root, J. S. Knowles, Thos .. Cowles, Barnum Perry, E. W. Cook.
1856-Samuel Horton, Thos. Kneil, Thos. Cowles, L. B. Blood, Chas. Fowler.
1857-Caleb Alden, Dennis Hedges, Joseph Arnold, Frank- lin Arthur, Merwin Loomis.
1858-Hiram Hull, Geo. H. Moseley, Joseph Arnold.
1859-60-Hiram Hull, Geo. H. Moseley, Seth Bush.
1861-L. C. Gillett, Hiram Hull, Seth Bush.
1862-L. C. Gillett, Reuben Loomis, Wm. Provin.
1863-Wm. Provin, L. C. Gillett, L. F. Thayer. 1864-L. F. Thayer, L. F. Root, Wm. Provin.
1865-H. B. Lewis, Elihu Gaylord, Wm. Provin.
1866-67-H. B. Lewis, Elihu Gaylord, Geo. E. Knapp. 1868-Wm. Provin, Elihu Gaylord, John Fowler.
1869-H. B. Lewis, John Fowler, Chas. H. Bush.
1870-F. S. Egleston, J. M. Ely, Daniel Fowler.
1871-Alexander Mckenzie, F. S. Egleston, Elihu Gay- lord.
1872-F. S. Egleston, Jos. S. Clark, E. P. Parks.
1873-74-F. S. Egleston, Jos. S. Clark, M. R. Van Deusen. 1875-F. S. Egleston, Jos. S. Clark, W. S. Bush.
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THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
1876-L. F. Thayer, Wm. S. Bush, Alexander McKenzie. 1877-L. F. Thayer, Wm. S. Bush, L. F. Root.
1878-L. F. Thayer, Jos. S. Clark, L. F. Root. 1879-L. F. Thayer, David Lamberton, E. C. Carpenter. 1880-L. F. Thayer, E. C. Carpenter, Seth Bush. 1881-Wm. Provin, jr., I. H. Plumley, G. H. Moseley. 1882-Edwin Hedges, Frank F. Arthur, John Fowler. 1883-Edwin Hedges, Frank F. Arthur, John Fowler. 1884-Edwin Hedges, C. D. Allen, John Fowler.
Soldiers' Monument
1885-Edwin Hedges, C. D. Allen, John Fowler. 1886-Edwin Hedges, C. D. Allen, John Fowler. 1887-Edwin Hedges, W. H. Foote, T. B. Moseley. 1888-W. C. Clark, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Root. 1889-W. C. Clark, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Root. 1890-Jas. P. Freeman, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Root. 1891-Jas. P. Freeman, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Thayer. 1892-Jas. P. Freeman, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Thayer. 1893-Jas. P. Freeman, T. B. Moseley, L. F. Thayer.
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1894-Edwin Hedges, T. B. Moseley, James P. Freeman. 1895-Olin C. Towle, Orrin A. Granger, Jas. P. Freeman.
1896-Orrin A. Granger, Jas. P. Freeman, Thos. B. Moseley. 1897-Orrin A. Granger, Jas. P. Freeman, Thos. B. Mose- ley.
1898-Orrin A. Granger, Jas. P. Freeman, Thos. B. Mose- ley
1899-Chas. H. Beals, Jas. P. Freeman, Thos. B. Moseley. 1900-R. J. Morrissey, Jas. P. Freeman, Thos. B. Moseley. 1901-R. J. Morrissey, Jas. P. Freeman, Wm. S. Bush. 1902-James H. Clark, George H. Loomis, Wm. S. Bush.
TOWN CLERKS
1693-John Ashley.
1694-Joseph Sexton.
1695-1702-Isaac Phelps.
1702-1705-Joseph Sexton.
1705-1715-Isaac Phelps.
1715-1731-John Root.
1731-1747-John Gunn.
1747-1763-Eldad Taylor.
1763-1774-Record wanting.
1774-1777-Eldad Taylor.
1777-1781-Samuel Mather.
1781-Samuel Fowler.
1782-1788-Israel Ashley.
1788-Samuel Fowler.
1789-Israel Ashley.
1790-1795-Paul Whitney.
1796-John Atwater.
1797-1799-Abel Whitney.
1799-1813-John Ingersoll.
1813-1815-Chas. Douglas.
1815-1817-William Blair.
1817-1823-David King.
1823-1826-Alfred Stearns.
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THE TOWN OF WESTFIELD
1826-Eli B. Hamilton.
1827-Matthew Ives, jr.
1828-Chas. Douglas.
1829-1832-Matthew Ives, jr.
1832-1834-Homer Holland.
1834-1836-Joseph S. Stebbins.
1836-1842-Norman T. Leonard.
1842-1845-Wm. O. Fletcher.
1845-1847-Reuben Noble.
1848-Hiram A. Beebe.
1848-1850-Asahel Bush.
1850-1852-Henry C. Moseley.
1852-1854-Gilbert W. Cobb.
1854-Geo. R. Whitman.
1855-1865-P. H. Boise.
1865-1868-Dwight W. Stowell.
1868-Geo. H. Douglas.
1869-Wm. H. Foote.
1870-1874-R. B. Robinson.
1874-1879-E. W. Dickerman.
1879-1888-D. M. Chace.
1888-March to August, 1888, E. Axtell.
1888-August, Charles N. Oakes (present town clerk).
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT
from 1671 to 1876, when Westfield became a part of the 10th Representative District.
J. F. Hull, Thos. Dewey, John Ashley, Daniel Bagg, John Moseley, Elisha Parks, Joseph Lyman, Isaac Phelps, James Tay- lor, John Ingersoll, Ashbel Eager, Jedediah Taylor, Benjamin Hastings, Frederick Fowler, Azariah Moseley, Wm. Blair, James Fowler, David King, Wm. Atwater, Alfred Stearns, Elijah Ar- nold, Chas. Douglas, David Wright, Aaron Sibley, Matthew Ives, Jesse Farnam, Henry Douglas, Eli B. Hamilton, Henry Fowler, Joseph S. Avery, Elias Cadwell, Lewis Fowler, Asahel Bush, Henry Champion, Chauncey Pease, Thos. Loomis, Joseph
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Hedges, Asa B. Whitman, Lucius Wright, Joseph Arnold, David Moseley, Jonah L. Gross, Norman T. Leonard, Dennis Hedges, Samuel R. B. Lewis, Geo. Sackett, Hiram Harrison, Oliver Moseley, Chauncey Colton, Hiram Fox, Royal Fowler, Hiram A. Beebe, Israel Sackett, Josiah S. Knowles, Daniel D. Erving, Hiram Hull, Geo. H. Moseley, Jas. Noble 2d, James Holland, Luke Bush, Henry Fuller, D. N. Goff, Geo. Green, Addison Gage, Jasper R. Rand, David M. Chase, Lewis R. Norton, Henry J. Bush, Thos. Kneil, Jas. R. Gladwin, Chas. Dickerman, William G. Bates, Samuel Horton, Alexander McKenzie, Reuben Noble, L. B. Walkley.
CHAPTER IX
THE TOWN OF BRIMFIELD
The town of Brimfield, comprising something more than 21,500 acres, lies: on the eastern line of Hampden county. It is bounded on the north by the town of Warren, Worcester county; east by the town of Sturbridge, Worcester county; south by the towns of Wales and Tolland; and on the west by Monson and Palmer. Straight lines define the boundaries on the west, south and east sides, while the northern boundary is irregular, being formed in part by the Quaboag river, by which Brimfield is separated from the town of Palmer. The land is high, forming part of the watershed between the Thames and Connecticut rivers. The highest elevations in the town are some 1,200 feet above the sea level. There are no mountains, strictly speaking, but in the western portion of the town a well-defined range of hills rises to a height of 500 or 600 feet at the highest points. On one of the highest summits of this range a massive bowlder bears the distinctive name of "Steerage rock." This eminence com- mands a wide view over the surrounding country, and tradition ascribes the name of the rock to the fact that it was visited by
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THE TOWN OF BRIMFIELD
the Indians, when journeying through the regions, that they might take correct bearings for any point which they desired to reach. Perhaps to facilitate these observations, the surround- ing hills had been burned over, so that at the time of the first survey by white men, preparatory to settlement, the timber on the hills had been destroyed, while the valleys were principally covered by a strong growth of native grasses.
The first steps toward the settlement of what became the town of Brimfield were taken in the year 1701, when on the 20th of June the general court, in compliance with the petition of
Steerage Rock
twenty-one citizens of Springfield, appointed a "prudential com- mittee" of five Springfield men-Major John Pynchon, Captain Thomas Colton, James Warriner, David Morgan, and Joseph Stebbins -- to lay out a new township, to the eastward of Spring- field, to allot lands, and to have the general management of the affairs of the settlement. The township was to be eight miles square, and grants of land were to be made to sixty families, or to seventy, if so many could be accommodated ; but no more than 120 acres were to be assigned to any one person
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The committee, accompanied by twenty other persons from Springfield, visited the region on the 22d of September, 1701, and spent some time in the selection of a town site. The location first chosen was what is known as Grout's hill, now in the town of Monson; but further investigation showed better land lying near the eastern side of the township, and the site was changed accordingly. Thirteen grants of land were made December 31, following, on condition that work thereon should be begun the next spring, but this agreement was not carried out, and nothing further was done for some years. The war existing between England and France, the hostile disposition of the Indians, and the distance of Brimfield from the stronger settlements, exposed its settlers to many dangers, and the development of the town- ship proceeded but slowly. In 1717 the general court, on peti- tion, extended the town limits three miles further east, so as to embrace some desirable land lying in that direction.
The tract thus laid out included the territory now covered by the towns of Brimfield, Monson, Wales and Holland, as well as certain tracts since included within the limits of Warren and of Palmer. Monson was incorporated as a district in 1760, and became a town in 1775; Wales and Holland originally consti- tuted the district of South Brimfield. The former was made a district September 18, 1762, and became the town of Wales Feb- ruary 20, 1828. Holland was incorporated as a district July 5, 1783, and as a town May 1, 1836.
Owing to the slow development of the new township, so much dissatisfaction arose that the general court was petitioned to appoint a new committee, and this was done June 12, 1723, the following persons being named : Hon. John Chandler, Henry Dwight, Esq., and Joseph Jennings. Six years later, in Septem- ber, 1729, this committee made a report, recommending annul- ment of the grants of land made by the former committee, and a new allotment. This action naturally caused consternation. The recommendation elicited strong protest from those likely to be affected, and they addressed to the general court a memorial setting forth the injustice which would be done them if thus deprived of lands which they had improved "with great hazard
458 ( )
THE TOWN OF BRIMFIELD
of their lives and substance, living on and defending the same." The matter was settled on the 18th of June, 1731, by an act of the general court confirming grants of 120 acres each made by the first committee to "Nathaniel Hitchcock, Ebenezer Graves, David Hitchcock, Benjamin Cooley, Leonard Hoar, Captain John Sherman, David Morgan and Nathan Collins, and one to one of the sons of each of them; to Deliverance Brooks, Daniel Hubbard, John Atcheson, and one to his son; one to Park Wil- liams in his own right, and one purchased by him, originally granted to Robert Old; one to John Stebbins, William Wilson, and John Charles, and likewise one to each of their sons; one to John Lumbard, David Lumbard, Samuel Hubbard, Peter Haynes, Joseph Haynes, Peter Montague, Henry Burt, Thomas Stebbins, the heirs of William Nichols, Micah Townsley, Eleazer Foot, William Warriner, James Thompson, heirs of Francis Baxter, George Erwin, Joseph Frost, David Shaw, John alias Daniel Burt, Joshua Shaw, Samuel Bliss, Thomas Foot and assigns, John Keep, Samuel Allen, Nathaniel Miller, Ezra King, Robert Old, Samuel King, Anthony Needham, Robert Moulton, Robert Moulton, Jr., John Wilson, John Danielson, John Miller, John Mighill, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Warner, Daniel Graves, Benjamin Mun, Daniel Fuller, Nathaniel Clark and John Bullen, amounting to 169 lots of 120 acres each. To Samuel Munger, Thomas Green, Joshua Old, Ebenezer Scott, Mark Ferrey, Sam- uel Allen, Jr., Samuel Shaw, Seth Shaw and Daniel Killum, each a home lot of sixty acres, already laid out, and if any of them should be found to have more than that amount. to retain the same, the surplus to be deducted from their after rights. To. Rev. Mr. Treat, the minister of the town, a lot of 120 acres, with all after rights; also a lot to Samuel Chandler, son of John Chandler, who had built a house here; one to Seth Dwight, son of Henry Dwight, and one to Joseph Jennings, in consideration of their services as a prudential committee ; also to William Pyn- chon and Obadiah Cooley, who, although they did not reside on the grants, 'did provide some materials for finishing the meeting- house, and have since made some improvements thereon'; also a lot to them jointly, 'in consideration that they provide iron-work
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
for the first sawmill, they drawing no after rights.' Also to Captain George Colton and David Ingersole a lot 'in considera- tion of their having provided nails of all sorts, sufficient for finishing the meeting-house'; also to the heirs of Lieut. Col. Pynchon, Captain Thomas Colton, James Warriner, David Mor- gan and Joseph Stebbins, all deceased, and to Pelatiah Glover, 120 acres each, without any after rights. To Thomas Ingersole, in consideration of expenses incurred on the first committee; to Thomas Mirrick, Thomas Mirrick, Jr., the heirs of Nathaniel Sikes, Increase Sikes, Samuel Keep and Tilly Merrick, in con- sideration of money paid, lots were granted and confirmed with- out after rights or divisions. The claims rejected were those of William Brewer, William Hamilton, Patrick Marshall, Andrew Bayley, Pelatiah Glover, Jr., John Evans, and Ebenezer Cooley." It was further directed by the general court that after these grants were satisfied the remaining lands should belong to the grantees, and be proportionately divided, with after rights, and that the inhabitants should enjoy all the rights and privi- leges of other towns in the province.
The grantees under this act practically included all of the first settlers of the town, and their family names bear an honor- able part in the history of the town for many generations. In order properly to award the lands, some twenty roads or high- ways were authorized; but as courses and distances were not made matters of record for many years, the descriptions were often perplexing to parties interested, as well as amusing in the later reading, as for instance: "Across land of Joshua Shaw, where there is the best going, leading from a big rock in the line of said Joshua's plain lot to a black-oak staddle over a squeachy place."
The first town meeting, on a warrant issued by John Sher- man, under authority from the general court, was held March 16, 1731, while the matter of land grants still remained unsettled. The full list of officers then elected was as follows: Town clerk, Robert Moulton ; selectmen, Robert Moulton, John Stebbins, Ezra King, David Morgan, and David Shaw; treasurer, John Steb- bins; assessors, Joseph Blodgett, Joseph Haynes, and David
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THE TOWN OF BRIMFIELD
Hitchcock; constables, George Charles and John Erwen; sur- veyors of highways, James Thompson, Joseph Frost, Samuel Al- len, and Nathan Collins; tithingmen, Ebenezer Scott and Henry Burt; fence-viewers, Thomas Stebbins, John Nelson, and John Keep; hog-reeves, Samuel Bliss and Benjamin Cooley. A sealer of leather was chosen in 1736, a sealer of weights and measures in 1738, a packer of beef and pork in 1771, a culler of shingles and staves in 1793, while field drivers were not elected until 1823.
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