USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 3 > Part 13
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mon Shaw: 1808, Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton. John King, 3d; 1809. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight. Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton. John King. 3d: 1810, Capt. Jesse King. Theophilus Knight, Clark MeMaster, Amos Hamilton. John King, 3d; 1811. Capt. Jesse King. Theophilus Knight, Clark MeMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 30; 1812. Capt. Jesse King. Theophilus Knight, Asa Ward. Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw: 1813. Jesse King. Theophilus Knight. Asa Ward. Enos Rider. Samuel Shaw: 1814. Alpheus Converse. Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Sammel Shaw. Isaac Ferrell ; 1815, Jesse King, Asa Ward, John McMaster. Benjamin Cum- mings, Philip Lamb; 1816, Col. Amos Hamilton. Solomon Shaw, Wilson Foster. John Smith. JJohn Shaw : 1817. Col. Amos Hamil- ton. Solomon Shaw. Wilson Foster, John Smith, John Shaw ; 1818, James Stebbins, Esq., Asa Ward, Robert Smith, Joseph Lee, Elijah Hills; 1819. James Stebbins, Asa Ward. Robert Smith. Joseph Lee. JJr., Elijah Hills: 1820, James Stebbins, Wil- son Foster. Joseph Lee. Jr .: 1821. Col. Amos Hamilton, Asa Ward. Calvin White: 1822, Col. Amos Hamilton, Clark MeMas- ter, Daniel King: 1823, Col. Amos Hamilton. Capt. Daniel King, C'apt. Jonathan Moore: 1824. Col. Amos Hamilton. Joseph Lee. Jr .. Noah Stimson: 1825, James Stebbins, Esq .. Asa Ward, Zadock Cooley, Reuben Shaw, Elias Turner; 1826, John Frink, Lebbeus Chapin. Calvin Ward. Cyrus Knox. John Sedgwick, 1827. John Frink, Calvin Ward, Cyrus Knox. John Sedgwick, John B. Blanchard; 1828, Col. Amos Hamilton. Sylvester Parks, Robert Ilitcheoek, Jonathan Moore, Jr., Isaac King: 1829, Capt. Sylvester Parks. Robert Hitchcock. Col. Isaac King. Emelius Bond. Truman Smith : 1830, JJohn Frink. Joseph Lee. Jr., Cyrus Knox; 1831. John Sedgwick. Capt. Timothy Ferrell. Truman Smith: 1832. Col. Cyrus Knox. Capt. Truman Smith, Clark Me- Master: 1833, Elisha Converse. Jr .. Leonard Davis. Alonzo V. Blanchard: 1834. Col. Cyrus Knox, Joseph Brown, 2d. Leonard Davis: 1835, Col. Cyrus Knox. Clark MeMaster, John Ward ; 1836. John Ward, Abel C'alkin, Marble K. Ferrell. Ralph Green, William J. Blanchard: 1537. John Ward, Abel C'alkin. Marble K. Ferrell. Ralph Green. William JJ. Blanchard: 1838. John
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Ward, William J. Blanchard. David S. Paine, Pliny Cooley, Philetus W. Burnett ; 1839, John Ward, Pliny Cooley, Eliphalet Hancock, Royal Buffington, A. V. Blanchard; 1840, Sylvester Parks, John Gammell, Royal Buffington; 1841, John Gammell, A. V. Blanchard. P. W. Burnett, Gilbert Barker. Merrick Cooley ; 1842. A. V. Blanehard, Asa Shumway, Moses Barnes; 1843, A. V. Blanchard, Asa Shumway, P. W. Burnett, Abner Allen, Jr., Jedediah A. Paine: 1844, Abel Calkins, Abner Allen, Jr., James Gammell. Benjamin Davis. John D. Blanehard; 1845, James Gammell, Marble K. Ferrell, J. D. Blanehard, Gilbert Barker, Absalom C. Peck: 1847, Keyes Foster, Isaac King, W. J. Blan- chard. Rufus Brown, Sylvester Parks; 1848, Sylvester Parks, Isaac King. K. Foster, Joseph C. Burgess, Horace Hunn ; 1849, A. V. Blanchard, M. K. Ferrell, Perry Hastings, Enos Calkins, Cyrus Knox : 1850, A. V. Blanchard. Cyrus Knox, M. K. Ferrell, Enos Calkins, Rozel Hastings: 1851, Cyrus Knox, A. V. Blanch- ard, M. K. Ferrell : 1852, A. V. Blanchard, Enos Calkins, George Moores: 1853. John A. Squires. Enos Calkins; 1854, Gilbert Barker, George Moores, J. A. Squires: 1855, Horace Hunn. Nathan Howard, David Knox ; 1856. Horace Hunn, Nathan How- ard, David Knox : 1857. Horace Hunn, George Moores, Solomon R. Lawrence: 1858. Ilumnn. Moores and Lawrence; 1859, S. R. Lawrence, Geo. Moores, James S. Loomis; 1860, Geo. Moores, J. S. Loomis, Gilbert Barker; 1861, Geo. Moores, J. S. Loomis, Abel Webber: 1862, J. S. Loomis. A. Webber. Nathan Howard ; 1863, A. Webber. E. B. Gates, Parker W. Webster ; 1864, same board ; 1865, Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates. George Moores: 1866, E. Calkins, Geo. Moores, J. E. Crane: 1867, same board; 1868, W. W. Cross, J. E. Crane, P. W. Webster ; 1869, J. S. Loomis, E. G. Murdock. P. W. Webster: 1870-1871-1872, same board; 1873, E. (1. Murdock, P. W. Webster. T. D. Potter; 1874, Ebenezer Brown, O. B. Smith, J. O. Hamilton ; 1875. J. O. Hamilton, Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates: 1876, J. O. Hamilton, E. Calkins, Geo. Moores : 1877, James O. Hamilton, P. W. Webster, Joseph Keri- gan ; 1878, O. B. Smith, Henry P. Holden, Joseph Kerigan : 1879. Albert H. Willis, F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan: 1880, F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan, Charles E. Dewey; 1881, E. G. Mur-
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dock, Henry G. Loomis, Henry MeMaster; 1882, same board; 1883, 1I. G. Loomis, Elbridge G. Hastings, J. Kerigan; 1884, H. G. Loomis, JJ. Kerigan, Davis B. Bishop; 1885, Chas. D. Hol- brook, Charles L. Holden. Joseph Kerigan: 1886, J. Kerigan, Samuel H. Hellyat, Capt. H. E. W. Clark; 1887, H. E. W. Clark, Daniel F. Hoklen, Joseph Kerigan : 1888, D. L. Holden, William H. Brainerd, Joseph Kerigan; 1889, W. H. Brainerd, Michael J. Dillon, Joseph L. Holbrook: 1890. H. P. Marey, M. J. Dillon, W. H. Brainerd; 1891, W. H. Brainerd, Chas. E. Getchell, John F. Twiss: 1892, same board : 1893, H. P. Holden, C. E. Getchell, JJ. F. Twiss: 1894, same board : 1895, J. F. Twiss, Chas. T. Brainerd, Geo. M. Atkins: 1896, same board : 1897, same board: 1898, M. J. Dillon. Chas. L. Holden, G. M. Atkins; 1899, M. J. Dillon, Chas. L. Holden, Chas. T. Brainerd ; 1900, Geo. M. Atkins, C. II. Hobbs, John F. Twiss; 1901, John F. Twiss, C. H. Hobbs.
Physicians .- The records fail to diselose the name of a resi- dent physician prior to 1764, when Dr. Jabez Lamb settled in town and practiced his art. As Dr. John Sherman settled in Brimfield before 1730, he was probably called by Palmer people when in need of his services. Calvin Scott. a college graduate, followed, 1778-1800; Benjamin Trask, 1779; Jonathan Shearer, 1794-1828: Nathan Cummings, 1799; Anson Moody, 1819; J. N. Hastings, 1820; Aaron King, 1824-1861: Marcus M. Shearer, 1826-1854; Amasa Davis, 1839-1869; Reuben Barron, 1843-1858; J. B. Thomas, 1845-1880; George W. Burke, 1845-1850: Andrew J. White, 1846-1850: William Holbrook. 1848-1901; E. E. Wilder, 1853; William Blair, 1854; N. Barnes, 1854-1859; Por- ter Davis, 1820-1824: A. M. Higgins, 1856-1867 : George N. Nieh- ols ,1857 ; G. F. Forbes, 1857 ; Sammel Shaw. 1857; F. W. Calkins, 1860-1864: J. W. Comins, 1861-1865; B. R. Johnson, 1862; E. B. Lyon, 1863-1865; Isaac Manning. 1863-1865: Silas Ruggles. 1866-1889; JJ. K. Warren, 1870-1882: W. HI. Stowe, 1876-1895; H. A. Smith, 1878 to present time ; W. E. Holbrook, 1879-1882; John Rand, J. B. Hyland. G. H. Wilkins, 1882 to the present time; E. Sirois, 1884 and 1892; M. H. Davis, 1886-1890; J. J. Flynn, 1886-1891 ; John Wilbur, 1887-1895: A. O. Squares, 1889-
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THE TOWN OF PALMER
1891; W. H. Bliss, 1891-1899; J. A. Dorval, 1891-1893; H. M. Auger, 1891-1893; J. C. Boulay, 1893-1900; J. H. Desmaris, 1893-1894; L. II. Hendee, 1894-1901; J. P. Schneider, 1895 to the present; G. Lafontaine, 1896-1899; S. O. Miller, 1900; Geo. J. Hebert, 1900; Chas. H. Giroux, 1900, T. C. Dorval, 1900; J. H. Miller, 1901. There were a few others whose stay was short.
Lawyers .- William Scott, Jr., was the first resident lawyer of Palmer, grad. H. U. 1771. He studied with Lawyer Pynchon of Springfield some time, and was then appointed justiee of the peace for Palmer in 1774. He had an extensive legal business till 1793. when he removed from town. Daniel Shearer, 1800- 1820; James Stebbins, W. C., 1807; praeticed in Palmer from 1813 for many years: Calvin Torry, 1841-1858 ; S. T. Spaulding, A. C., 1839, a short time after 1844: B. B. Whittemore, H. U., 1839, from 1844, a short time; Samuel Flemming, H. U., from 1847 to 1850; M. Barlow, 1852. for a short time; Fred T. Wał- lace, 1848-1854; James G. Allen, 1853-1878, and judge of the Eastern Hampden Court from 1872-1878; Daniel Granger, 1857- 1861 : Josephi H. Blair, 1862-1865: Chas. L. Gardner, 1867-1897; R. P. Barlow, 1870-1871; J. W. Cochran, 1870; Stephen S. Taft, H. U., 1870, from 1872 to 1895; A. R. Barker, 1879; H. C. Strong ,A. C., 1875, and H. U., from 1879 till his death, 1900; Thos. K. Kenefick. H. U. 1877, from 1879 to present time, W. W. Leach, Tufts C., 1880, from 1883 to present time, now judge Eastern Hampden Court; A. R. Fiteh, Iowa State U., 1833, from 1888 to present time, clerk of the Eastern Hampden Court since 1896; Richard F. Twiss, A. C., 1896, from 1897 till his death, 1899; David F. Dillon, Tufts C., 1896, Mieh. U., 1899, from 1899 to present time; Ernest E. Hobson, Maine U., 1900, from 1900 to present time. Of the foregoing Messrs, Seott, Shearer, Fleming, Strong, Twiss, Dillon and Hobson were natives of Palmer.
Representatives to the General Court .- Capt. David Spear, 1776; Lieut. William Seott, 1777; voted not to send, 1778; Capt. David Spear, 1779; voted not to send, 1780, 1781; Capt. David Spear, 1782, 1783, 1784; William Seott, 1785; Capt. David
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Spear, 1786; Capt. David Shaw, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792; Col. David Shaw, 1793; Capt. Thomas McClanathan, 1794; Capt. David Spear, 1795; Lieut. David King, 1796; Lient. James Smith. 1797; Isaac Warren. 1798; Aaron Merrick, 1799; Lieut. James Smith, 1800, 1801. 1802; Aaron Merrick, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808: Capt. Jesse King, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812; Capt. Alpheus Converse. 1813. 1814: Capt. Jesse King, 1815; Col. Amos Hamilton, 1816. 1817; James Stebbins, 1818; voted not to send. 1819; James Stebbins, 1820: Clark MeMaster, 1821, 1822; voted not to send. 1823; John Frink, 1824; voted not to send, 1825; AAsa Ward, 1826: voted not to send, 1827; Capt. Daniel King, 1828: John Sedgwick, 1829: Col. Cyrus Knox. 1830: Joseph Lee. 1831. 1832: Capt. Daniel King. 1833; Robert Hitchcock. 1834: Col. Cyrus Knox, 1835; Emelius Bond and Alonzo V. Blanchard, 1836: Sylvester Parks and John Ward, 1837: Marble K. Ferrell and Abel Calkins. 1838: James Gammell and William J. Blanchard. 1839: Franklin Morgan and Asa Shumway, 1840; Olney Goff, 1841; John Ward, 1842; Abel Calkins, 1843; Gilbert Barker. 1844: Alonzo V. Blanchard, 1845: Lambert Allen. 1846: Alonzo V. Blanchard, 1847: Calvin Torrey and Jacob B. Merrick. 1848: Jacob B. Merrick, 1849; John D. Blanchard. 1850; Joseph Brown, JJr., 1851; Amos C. Billings, 1852; Enos Calkins. 1853: Gilbert Barker, 1854; Elijah G. Murdock. 1855: Capt. Alonzo N. Dewey. 1856: Sylvanus G. Shaw, 1:57: Solomon A. Fay. 1858: Henry Seism, 1859; John Clough. 1860; Solomon R. Lawrence, 1861 : Stephen G. Newton, 1862; James S. Loomis, 1863; Col. Jacob Stever. 1864; David Knox, 1865: Ephraim B. Gates. 1866: James G. Allen. 1867. Fol- lowing the last date above. Palmer. as a part of a Representative Distriet, has furnished these representatives from her own town : Rev. Joseph Vaill, D. D .. 1869, who died in office. and Lyman Dimock was chosen to fill the vacancy: Ebenezer Brown, 1871 : James B. Shaw, 1872; Charles L. Gardner, 1875, 1876: Timothy D. Potter. 1878: Joseph F. Holbrook. 1880; Dr. William Ilol- brook. 1882: Oren B. Smith. 1884: Stephen S. Taft. 1886. 1887 : William W. Leach. 1889; Horace Saunders, 1890: Capt. II. E. W. Clark, 1891, 1892 ; Henry G. Loomis. 1893: Thomas W. Kene- fiek, 1895. 1896. 1897 : Elbridge G. Hastings. 1901.
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THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
Palmer of To-day .- According to the census of 1900 Palmer contains 7,801 inhabitants ; its valuation is $2,819,837. The vil- lage of Palmer is the center of a street car system which connects it with the other three villages of the town, with Monson and Ware, with Wilbraham, Ludlow and Springfield. Each of its four villages has railroad connections, post-offices and express offices, schools and churches. Its mills are prosperous and in full operation. It has a beautiful summer resort at Forest Lake- the Pottaquattuck of Indian times-which yearly grows in popular favor and attracts visitors from far and near. The town contains a great variety of scenery, contributed by its three rivers, its four villages, its green robed valleys and hills and rivers, its four villages, its green-robed valleys and hills and its quite retreats of sylvan shade where one wearied with turmoil of busy streets can retire and find perfect rest and peace in communion with nature. The easy access which the town commands from all points attracts many visitors who wish to enjoy a day of rural life.
CHAPTER III
THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
On the eastern and western borders of the territory com- prising the original town of Springfield were strips of land which, for many years after the colony was planted at Agawam, were unoccupied, and while within the limits of the town there was no attempt at their improvement or allotment among the persons comprising the Pynchon proprietary. The lands border- ing on the Conneetient, on both sides, were known as the "plain lands", and lying next east and west were the strips known as the "inner commons". Outside of the latter, on the borders of the town lay the "outward commons", the strip on the east side under the latter designation ineluding nearly all that now comprises Wilbraham.
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Owing to the striet requirements laid upon all settlers on the plantation at Springfield, together with the constantly in- creasing suspicion of unfriendliness on the part of the Indians of the region, there was little attempt at settlement outside the plain lands on the river, while the inner common lands were developed only for such purposes as did not require a residence there on the part of the owner. The ontward common on the east side of the town comprised much mountainous and barren land and was regarded as of little value for farming purposes, while vast areas were stripped of their natural forest growths, having been burned into that condition by former Indian oc- enpants.
Inasmuch as these outward common lands on the east side of the mother town were of little real value, the proprietors had made no division of them, and because of this fact Governor Edmund Andros threatened to confiscate them and forfeit the charter of the Pynchon colony. Then the proprictors took action, and caused a survey and allotment to be made, dividing the lands among one hundred and twenty-three owners. according to the polls, and reserving a ministry and also a school lot. This action saved the lands to the town, but the division was of no other real value at the time. A regular survey was made in 1729, and a more systematie division was made in 1740. among abont 400 owners; and a third allotment was made in 1754. among 544 persons. These surveys and divisions, however, were not made to the satisfaction of the inhabitants, and through a little system of political manouvering the Pynchon interests secured the most desirable tracts.
Settlement .- The settlement of Wilbraham did not result directly from the first allotment of the lands among the pro- prietors, and it was not until about forty-five years afterward that the pioneer white man came into the region. In the early summer of 1730 Nathaniel Hitcheock left the settlement at Springfield and eame to the outward common on the cast. He built a cabin, eleared a small tract of about two acres. sowed a field with wheat, and then, after having made his proposed new home as comfortable as possible. returned to Springfield for the
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THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
winter. In May of the next year he brought hither his young wife and made the first permanent settlement in what now is Wilbraham, nine miles distant from the seat of the mother colony. Here the family lived alone until the following year, when Noah Alvord came and settled near the pioneer's land. In 1733 Daniel Warner came, and in 1734 Nathaniel Warriner located and made the fourth settler. In the early history of Springfield these men had taken an active part in passing events, the surname Warriner having an especial prominence in the town.
The Washington Tavern, North Wilbraham
The progress of settlement was indeed rapid during the first ten years after the coming of the pioneer, and among the many who came to this portion of the outward commons previous to 1741 (the year in which the inhabitants here were established as the fourth precinet of Springfield), there may be recalled the names of Moses Burt, Samuel Warner, Sammel Stebbins, David Merrick, John Jones, Abel Bliss, Daniel Lamb, Thomas Merrick, David Warriner, Isaac Brewer, David Chapin, Moses Bartlett, Nathaniel Bliss, Aaron and Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Warriner, Cornelius Webb, Henry Wright, Benjamin Wight, Joseph Sikes, Thomas Glover, all of whom are believed to have come out into
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
this eastern region from the principal settlement at Springfield, and nearly all of whom were descended from the earliest settlers in the plantation on the east bank of the Connecticut.
If the reader will turn to the early history of Springfield there will be found mention of each of the surnames above given and it will also be seen that these first settlers in Wilbraham were descended from ancestors who came into the Connecticut valley almost a century before the outposts of civilization were planted among the rugged hills of the old fourth precinet-that which we now call Wilbraham. And, if local tradition be true, these settlers were of the same hardy stock, of the same deter- mined character, and of the same devout religions spirit as were those who founded the plantation on the Connecticut a century before. All these settlers were located in that part which now forms Wilbraham, and there seems not to have been any develop- ment in the region southward until several years later. However, among the others who came into the fourth precinet soon after it was established as such we may mention the names of Jonathan Ely, Caleb Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell. Philip Lyon. Benoni At- chinson and Ezra Barker.
In our allusion to the pioneers and the early settlement of the town we have added little to the mere mention of the names of thesettlers : and this for the reason that Wilbraham is furnished with an extended and carefully prepared historical record, which treats both of events of early life and times and of genealogy to a considerable extent. In this respect the town is fortunately provided, and the writer. Dr. Stebbins. seems to have thoroughly covered the entire subject of local history. It is not that the present writer regards these things as of minor importance that he does not mention them here in detail, but rather that the earlier record is so complete and reliable that there is no present necessity to republish the family genealogies of the town.
Notwithstanding the rugged character of the land surface in this part of the mother town, no less than twenty-six settlers established themselves here between the years 1731 and 1741. Their domestic wants were few and were easily supplied. but
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THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
that which caused the greatest inconvenience to their families was the distance from the established church, hence the early formed desire to be set off as a separate parish or precinct. As early as January, 1739, the inhabitants of Springfield in town meeting granted to "the people of the mountains" preaching services for ten Sabbaths at 20 shillings per Sabbath; and in March, 1740, the Longmeadow parish accorded like privileges to the people of the outward commons east of their own precinct, or to that part of Wilbraham which now is Hampden.
This favor, however, did not satisfy the full desire of the inhabitants and on May 7, 1740, they addressed a petition to the general court and commissioned Thomas Merrick, 2d, and Abel Bliss to represent them before that body in an application to be set off as a separate precinet, that they might be enabled to settle a minister and build a meeting house, and thus "main- tain the gospel" among themselves. This formal petition was signed by 24 of the inhabitants, which, with the names of Thomas Merrick, 2d, and Abel Bliss, represented all the settlers on the ontward commons at that time. The signers were Joseph Sikes, Daniel Lamb, Daniel Parsons, Benjamin Wight, Henry Wright. Thomas Glover, Cornelins Webb, Daniel Warner, Moses Bartlett, Noah Alvord. Samuel Stebbins, jun., David Chapin, jun., David Merrick, David Warriner, David Jones, Isaac Brewer, Samuel Warner, 2d. Aaron Parsons, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Nathaniel Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss, 2d, Benjamin Warriner, Samuel Bartlett and Moses Burt.
Agreeable to the prayer of the petitioners, on January 6, 1741, an act of the general court of the colony established the "Fourth Precinct of Springfield", including within its boun- daries substantially the territory of the present towns of Wil- braham and Hampden, and vesting the inhabitants thereof with all the powers, privileges and immunities, and subject to the obligations, of other precinets. The first meeting of inhabitants for the selection of precinct officers was held at the house of David "Mirick" (Merrick), March 12, 1741, at which time William Pynchon, magistrate, was chosen moderator to conduct the meeting. The following precinct officers were then chosen :
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Old house built by Lieutenant Mirick On Springfield Mountain, in 1761
THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM
David Merrick, clerk; Thomas Merrick, 2d, Isaac Brewer, Nathaniel Warriner, committee of the precinct ( the duties of the committee were similar to those of the seleetmen of towns) ; Isaac Brewer, treasurer; David Merrick, Thomas Merrick, 2d, Samuel Stebbins, assessors; Nathaniel Warriner, collector.
This condition of corporate existence was continued until June 15, 1763, when the precinct became a town with all the powers and privileges of such. Under the precinct or parish organization the corporate privileges were limited and that char- acter was assumed chiefly for the administration of the religious affairs of the community, which at that time were regarded of greater importance, even in town regulation, than the civil rights and duties of the inhabitants. However, within less than ten years after the incorporation of the precinct, having more than the necessary forty families within its borders, there arose a demand for full town privileges; but this suggestion was op- posed by the authorities of the mother town on the ground that the preeinet still needed the protection and support of the older jurisdiction, while in fact the latter was only reluctant to become separated from the flourishing little colony which had been established on the outward commons. Thus it was that our town of Wilbraham retained its precinct character for fully fifteen years after it was entitled to town privileges. The inhabitants liere time and again appealed to the general court for full separation, but unsuccessfully, as Springfield had greater influ- ence with the legislative power.
At length. however, after three several attempts to establish a district during the year 1762, the town of Springfield at a meeting held May 17, 1763, voted to grant the prayer of the petitioners of the fourth precinct; and agreeably thereto, on June 15, the general eourt passed "An act for incorporating the Fourth parish of Springfield in the county of Hampshire, into a separate town by the name of Wilbraham". The terri- tory of the town, according to the act, comprised the region previously known as the Fourth parish in Springfield, with the addition of half a mile west from the west line of the parish, and from the "Chicobee" (Chicopee) river on the north to the line of the town of Somers (Conn.) on the south.
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The new creation was granted all the powers and privileges of other towns in the province; except that of electing a separate representative to the general court. In this selection the town joined with Springfield until 1786, when it was accorded full town powers. During the period of parish character, the com- mittee of the precinct for each year was as follows:
Committee of the Precinct .- 1741, Thomas Merrick, Isaac Brewer, Nathaniel Warriner: 1742, Daniel Warner, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Moses Burt: 1743. Stephen Stebbins, Nathaniel Warriner. Moses Burt; 1744. Thomas Merrick, Nathaniel Bliss. David Jones: 1745, Nathaniel Warriner, John Jones, Stephen Stebbins: 1746, Nathaniel Warriner, Nathaniel Bliss, Moses Burt: 1747. John JJones. Daniel Warner. John Hitchcock: 1748. Thomas Merrick, John Hitchcock, Nathaniel Bliss: 1749, Nath- aniel Warriner, Daniel Warner, Simeon Willard: 1750, Nath- aniel Bliss, Daniel Cadwell, Aaron Stebbins: 1751, Thomas Merrick, James Warriner. Nathaniel Bliss: 1752. John Hitch- cock. jun .. Caleb Stebbins, Thomas Merrick: 1753. John Hitch- cock. jun., Daniel Warner, Ezra Barker; 1754, John Hitchcock. jun., James Warriner, jun., Daniel Warner; 1755, Moses Burt. Isaac Brewer, James Warriner, jun .: 1756, Daniel Cadwell. James Warriner. Daniel Warner; 1757, Moses Burt, Daniel Cadwell, Daniel Warner; 1758, Moses Burt, Daniel Cadwell. James Warriner; 1759-61. Daniel Cadwell, James Warriner. jun .. Daniel Warner: 1762, Ezra Barker, Daniel Cadwell, Daniel Warner: 1763. Ezra Barker, Phineas Newton, Daniel Warner.
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